_Sar._ No, nor in the palace, Nor in the fortress, nor upon the top Of cloud-fenced Caucasus, where the eagle sits Nested in pathless clefts, if treachery be: Even as the arrow finds the airy king, 570 The steel will reach the earthly. But be calm; The men, or innocent or guilty, are Banished, and far upon their way. _Myr._ They live, then? _Sar._ So sanguinary? _Thou!_ _Myr._ I would not shrink From just infliction of due punishment On those who seek your life: were't otherwise, I should not merit mine. Besides, you heard The princely Salemenes. _Sar._ This is strange; The gentle and the austere are both against me, And urge me to revenge. _Myr._ 'Tis a Greek virtue. 580 _Sar._ But not a kingly one--I'll none on't; or If ever I indulge in't, it shall be With kings--my equals. _Myr._ These men sought to be so. _Sar._ Myrrha, this is too feminine, and springs From fear---- _Myr._ For you. _Sar._ No matter, still 'tis fear. I have observed your sex, once roused to wrath, Are timidly vindictive to a pitch Of perseverance, which I would not copy. I thought you were exempt from this, as from The childish helplessness of Asian women[t]. 590 _Myr._ My Lord, I am no boaster of my love, Nor of my attributes; I have shared your splendour, And will partake your fortunes. You may live To find one slave more true than subject myriads: But this the Gods avert! I am content To be beloved on trust for what I feel, Rather than prove it to you in your griefs[u], Which might not yield to any cares of mine. _Sar._ Grief cannot come where perfect love exists, Except to heighten it, and vanish from 600 That which it could not scare away. Let's in-- The hour approaches, and we must prepare To meet the invited guests who grace our feast. [_Exeunt_. ACT III. SCENE I.--_The Hall of the Palace illuminated_--SARDANAPALUS _and his Guests at Table.--A storm without, and Thunder occasionally heard during the Banquet_. _Sar._ Fill full! why this is as it should be: here Is my true realm, amidst bright eyes and faces Happy as fair! Here sorrow cannot reach. _Zam._ Nor elsewhere--where the King is, pleasure sparkles. _Sar._ Is not this better now than Nimrod's huntings, Or my wild Grandam's chase in search of kingdoms She could not keep when conquered?