_Sar._ That is to say, thou thinkest him a hero, That he shed blood by oceans; and no God, Because he turned a fruit to an enchantment, Which cheers the sad, revives the old, inspires The young, makes Weariness forget his toil, 190 And Fear her danger; opens a new world When this, the present, palls. Well, then _I_ pledge thee And _him_ as a true man, who did his utmost In good or evil to surprise mankind. [_Drinks_. _Sal._ Wilt thou resume a revel at this hour? _Sar._ And if I did, 'twere better than a trophy, Being bought without a tear. But that is not My present purpose: since thou wilt not pledge me, Continue what thou pleasest. (_To the Cupbearer_.) Boy, retire. [_Exit Cupbearer_. _Sal._ I would but have recalled thee from thy dream; 200 Better by me awakened than rebellion. _Sar._ Who should rebel? or why? what cause? pretext? I am the lawful King, descended from A race of Kings who knew no predecessors. What have I done to thee, or to the people, That thou shouldst rail, or they rise up against me? _Sal._ Of what thou hast done to me, I speak not. _Sar._ But Thou think'st that I have wronged the Queen: is't not so? _Sal._ _Think!_ Thou hast wronged her! _Sar._ Patience, Prince, and hear me. She has all power and splendour of her station, 210 Respect, the tutelage of Assyria's heirs, The homage and the appanage of sovereignty. I married her as monarchs wed--for state, And loved her as most husbands love their wives. If she or thou supposedst I could link me Like a Chaldean peasant to his mate, Ye knew nor me--nor monarchs--nor mankind. _Sal._ I pray thee, change the theme: my blood disdains Complaint, and Salemenes' sister seeks not Reluctant love even from Assyria's lord! 220 Nor would she deign to accept divided passion With foreign strumpets and Ionian slaves. The Queen is silent. _Sar._ And why not her brother? _Sal._ I only echo thee the voice of empires, Which he who long neglects not long will govern. _Sar._ The ungrateful and ungracious slaves! they murmur Because I have not shed their blood, nor led them To dry into the desert's dust by myriads, Or whiten with their bones the banks of Ganges; Nor decimated them with savage laws, 230 Nor sweated them to build up Pyramids, Or Babylonian walls. _Sal._ Yet these are trophies More worthy of a people and their prince Than songs, and lutes, and feasts, and concubines, And lavished treasures, and contemnéd virtues.