ing
The orders of some parasangs from hence:
Nay, there's no other choice, but----hence, I say[p].
[_Exit with_ ARBACES, _who follows reluctantly_.

_Enter_ SARDANAPALUS _and_ SALEMENES.

_Sar._ Well, all is remedied, and without bloodshed,
That worst of mockeries of a remedy;
We are now secure by these men's exile.

_Sal._ Yes,
As he who treads on flowers is from the adder
Twined round their roots.

_Sar._ Why, what wouldst have me do? 470

_Sal._ Undo what you have done.

_Sar._ Revoke my pardon?

_Sal._ Replace the crown now tottering on your temples.

_Sar._ That were tyrannical.

_Sal._ But sure.

_Sar._ We are so.
What danger can they work upon the frontier?

_Sal._ They are not there yet--never should they be so,
Were I well listened to.

_Sar._ Nay, I _have_ listened
Impartially to thee--why not to them?

_Sal._ You may know that hereafter; as it is,
I take my leave to order forth the guard.

_Sar._ And you will join us at the banquet?

_Sal._ Sire, 480
Dispense with me--I am no wassailer:
Command me in all service save the Bacchant's.

_Sar._ Nay, but 'tis fit to revel now and then.

_Sal._ And fit that some should watch for those who revel
Too oft. Am I permitted to depart?

_Sar._ Yes----Stay a moment, my good Salemenes,
My brother--my best subject--better Prince
Than I am King. You should have been the monarch,
And I--I know not what, and care not; but
Think not I am insensible to all 490
Thine honest wisdom, and thy rough yet kind,
Though oft-reproving sufferance of my follies.
If I have spared these men against thy counsel,
That is, their lives--it is not that I doubt
The advice was sound; but, let them live: we will not
Cavil about their lives--so let them mend them.
Their banishment will leave me still sound sleep,
Which their death had not left me.

_Sal._ Thus you run
The risk to sleep for ever, to save traitors--
A moment's pang now changed for years of crime. 50