--

_Sar._ Yet! what YET?
Thy own sweet will shall be the only barrier
Which ever rises betwixt thee and me.

_Myr._ I think the present is the wonted hour
Of council; it were better I retire. 30

_Sal._ (_comes forward and says_)
The Ionian slave says well: let her retire.

_Sar._ Who answers? How now, brother?

_Sal._ The _Queen's_ brother,
And your most faithful vassal, royal Lord.

_Sar._ (_addressing his train_).
As I have said, let all dispose their hours
Till midnight, when again we pray your presence.
[_The court retiring_.
(_To_ MYRRHA,[c] _who is going_.)
Myrrha! I thought _thou_ wouldst remain.

_Myr._ Great King,
Thou didst not say so.

_Sar._ But _thou_ looked'st it:
I know each glance of those Ionic eyes,[d]
Which said thou wouldst not leave me.

_Myr._ Sire! your brother----

_Sal._ His _Consort's_ brother, minion of Ionia! 40
How darest _thou_ name _me_ and not blush?

_Sar._ Not blush!
Thou hast no more eyes than heart to make her crimson
Like to the dying day on Caucasus,
Where sunset tints the snow with rosy shadows,
And then reproach her with thine own cold blindness,
Which will not see it. What! in tears, my Myrrha?

_Sal._ Let them flow on; she weeps for more than one,
And is herself the cause of bitterer tears.

_Sar._ Cursed be he who caused those tears to flow!

_Sal._ Curse not thyself--millions do that already. 50

_Sar._ Thou dost forget thee: make me not remember
I am a monarch.

_Sal._ Would thou couldst!

_Myr._ My sovereign,
I pray, and thou, too, Prince, permit my absence.

_Sar._ Since it must be so, and this churl has checked
Thy gentle spirit, go; but recollect
That we must forthwith meet: I had rather lose
An empire than thy presence. [_Exit_ MYRRHA.

_Sal._ It may be,
Thou wilt lose both--and both for ever!

_Sar._ Brother!
I can at least command myself, who listen
To l