_Myr._ And I would ask if this your palace were Unroofed and desolate, how many flatterers Would lick the dust in which the King lay low? _Alt._ The fair Ionian is too sarcastic Upon a nation whom she knows not well; The Assyrians know no pleasure but their King's, And homage is their pride. _Sar._ Nay, pardon, guests, The fair Greek's readiness of speech. _Alt._ _Pardon!_ sire: 60 We honour her of all things next to thee. Hark! what was that? _Zam._ That! nothing but the jar Of distant portals shaken by the wind. _Alt._ It sounded like the clash of--hark again! _Zam._ The big rain pattering on the roof. _Sar._ No more. Myrrha, my love, hast thou thy shell in order? Sing me a song of Sappho[18]; her, thou know'st, Who in thy country threw---- _Enter_ PANIA, _with his sword and garments bloody, and disordered. The guests rise in confusion_. _Pan._ (_to the Guards_). Look to the portals; And with your best speed to the walls without. Your arms! To arms! The King's in danger. Monarch 70 Excuse this haste,--'tis faith. _Sar._ Speak on. _Pan._ It is As Salemenes feared; the faithless Satraps---- _Sar._ You are wounded--give some wine. Take breath, good Pania. _Pan._ 'Tis nothing--a mere flesh wound. I am worn More with my speed to warn my sovereign, Than hurt in his defence. _Myr._ Well, Sir, the rebels? _Pan._ Soon as Arbaces and Beleses reached Their stations in the city, they refused To march; and on my attempt to use the power Which I was delegated with, they called 80 Upon their troops, who rose in fierce defiance. _Myr._ All? _Pan._ Too many. _Sar._ Spare not of thy free speech, To spare mine ears--the truth. _Pan._ My own slight guard Were faithful, and what's left of it is still so. _Myr._ And are these all the force still faithful? _Pan._ No-- The Bactrians, now led on by Salemenes, Who even then was on his way, still urged By strong suspicion of the Median chiefs, Are numerous, and make strong head against The rebels, fighting inch by inch, and forming 90 An orb around the palace, where they mean To centre all their force, and save the King. (_He hesitates_.) I am charged to---- _Myr._ 'Tis no time for hesitation.