_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. 500 Still let them be made quiet. _Sar._ Tempt me not; My word is past. _Sal._ But it may be recalled. _Sar._ 'Tis royal. _Sal._ And should therefore be decisive. This half-indulgence of an exile serves But to provoke--a pardon should be full, Or it is none. _Sar._ And who persuaded me After I had repealed them, or at least Only dismissed them from our presence, who Urged me to send them to their satrapies? _Sal._ True; that I had forgotten; that is, Sire, 510 If they e'er reached their Satrapies--why, then, Reprove me more for my advice. _Sar._ And if They do not reach them--look to it!--in safety, In safety, mark me--and security-- Look to thine own. _Sal._ Permit me to depart; Their _safety_ shall be cared for. _Sar._ Get thee hence, then; And, prithee, think more gently of thy brother. _Sal._ Sire, I shall ever duly serve my sovereign. [_Exit_ SALEMENES.