_Bel._ Art sure of that? _Arb._ Its founder was a hunter-- I am a soldier--what is there to fear? _Bel._ The soldier. _Arb._ And the priest, it may be: but If you thought thus, or think, why not retain Your king of concubines? why stir me up? Why spur me to this enterprise? your own 60 No less than mine? _Bel._ Look to the sky! _Arb._ I look. _Bel._ What seest thou? _Arb._ A fair summer's twilight, and The gathering of the stars. _Bel._ And midst them, mark Yon earliest, and the brightest, which so quivers, As it would quit its place in the blue ether. _Arb._ Well? _Bel._ 'Tis thy natal ruler--thy birth planet. _Arb._ (_touching his scabbard_). My star is in this scabbard: when it shines, It shall out-dazzle comets. Let us think Of what is to be done to justify Thy planets and their portents. When we conquer, 70 They shall have temples--aye, and priests--and thou Shalt be the pontiff of--what Gods thou wilt; For I observe that they are ever just, And own the bravest for the most devout. _Bel._ Aye, and the most devout for brave--thou hast not Seen me turn back from battle. _Arb._ No; I own thee As firm in fight as Babylonia's captain, As skilful in Chaldea's worship: now, Will it but please thee to forget the priest, And be the warrior? _Bel._ Why not both? _Arb._ The better; 80 And yet it almost shames me, we shall have So little to effect. This woman's warfare Degrades the very conqueror. To have plucked A bold and bloody despot from his throne, And grappled with him, clashing steel with steel, That were heroic or to win or fall; But to upraise my sword against this silkworm,[15] And hear him whine, it may be---- _Bel._ Do not deem it: He has that in him which may make you strife yet; And were he all you think, his guards are hardy, 90 And headed by the cool, stern Salemenes. _Arb._ They'll not resist. _Bel._ Why not? they are soldiers. _Arb._ True, And therefore need a soldier to command them. _Bel._ That Salemenes is. _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.