_Arb._ But not their King.
Besides, he hates the effeminate thing that governs,
For the Queen's sake, his sister. Mark you not
He keeps aloof from all the revels?

_Bel._ But
Not from the council--there he is ever constant.

_Arb._ And ever thwarted: what would you have more
To make a rebel out of? A fool reigning, 100
His blood dishonoured, and himself disdained:
Why, it is _his_ revenge we work for.

_Bel._ Could
He but be brought to think so: this I doubt of.

_Arb._ What, if we sound him?

_Bel._ Yes--if the time served.

_Enter_ BALEA.

_Bal._ Satraps! The king commands your presence at
The feast to-night.

_Bel._ To hear is to obey.
In the pavilion?

_Bal._ No; here in the palace.

_Arb._ How! in the palace? it was not thus ordered.

_Bal._ It is so ordered now.

_Arb._ And why?

_Bal._ I know not.
May I retire?

_Arb._ Stay.

_Bel._ (_to Arb. aside_). Hush! let him go his way. 110
(_Alternately to Bal._) Yes, Balea, thank the Monarch, kiss the hem
Of his imperial robe, and say, his slaves
Will take the crumbs he deigns to scatter from
His royal table at the hour--was't midnight?

_Bal._ It was: the place, the hall of Nimrod. Lords,
I humble me before you, and depart. [_Exit_ BALEA.

_Arb._ I like not this same sudden change of place;
There is some mystery: wherefore should he change it?

_Bel._ Doth he not change a thousand times a day?
Sloth is of all things the most fanciful-- 120
And moves more parasangs in its intents
Than generals in their marches, when they seek
To leave their foe at fault.--Why dost thou muse?

_Arb._ He loved that gay pavilion,--it was ever
His summer dotage.

_Bel._ And he loved his Queen--
And thrice a thousand harlotry besides--
And he has loved all things by turns, except
Wisdom and Glory.

_Arb._ Still--I like it not.
If he has changed--why, so must we: the attack
Were easy in the isolated bower, 130
Beset with dr