_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 drowsy guards and drunken courtiers; But in the hall of Nimrod---- _Bel._ Is it so? Methought the haughty soldier feared to mount A throne too easily--does it disappoint thee To find there is a slipperier step or two Than what was counted on? _Arb._ When the hour comes, Thou shall perceive how far I fear or no. Thou hast seen my life at stake--and gaily played for: But here is more upon the die--a kingdom. _Bel._ I have foretold already--thou wilt win it: 140 Then on, and prosper. _Arb._ Now were I a soothsayer, I would have boded so much to myself. But be the stars obeyed--I cannot quarrel With them, nor their interpreter. Who's here? _Enter_ SALEMENES. _Sal._ Satraps!