_Arb._ I doubt it. How many Satraps have I seen set out In his Sire's day for mighty Vice-royalties, Whose tombs are on their path! I know not how, But they all sickened by the way, it was So long and heavy. _Bel._ Let us but regain 440 The free air of the city, and we'll shorten The journey. _Arb._ 'Twill be shortened at the gates, It may be. _Bel._ No; they hardly will risk that. They mean us to die privately, but not Within the palace or the city walls, Where we are known, and may have partisans: If they had meant to slay us here, we were No longer with the living. Let us hence. _Arb._ If I but thought he did not mean my life-- _Bel._ Fool! hence--what else should despotism alarmed 450 Mean? Let us but rejoin our troops, and march. _Arb._ Towards our provinces? _Bel._ No; towards your kingdom. There's time--there's heart, and hope, and power, and means-- Which their half measures leave us in full scope.-- Away! _Arb._ And I even yet repenting must Relapse to guilt! _Bel._ Self-defence is a virtue, Sole bulwark of all right. Away, I say! Let's leave this place, the air grows thick and choking, And the walls have a scent of night-shade--hence! Let us not leave them time for further council. 460 Our quick departure proves our civic zeal; Our quick departure hinders our good escort, The worthy Pania, from anticipating 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?