_Myr._ 'Tis no dishonour--no-- 'Tis no dishonour to have loved this man. I almost wish now, what I never wished Before--that he were Grecian. If Alcides Were shamed in wearing Lydian Omphale's She-garb, and wielding her vile distaff; surely 220 He, who springs up a Hercules at once, Nursed in effeminate arts from youth to manhood, And rushes from the banquet to the battle, As though it were a bed of love, deserves That a Greek girl should be his paramour, And a Greek bard his minstrel--a Greek tomb His monument. How goes the strife, sir? _Enter an Officer_. _Officer_. Lost, Lost almost past recovery. Zames! Where Is Zames? _Myr._ Posted with the guard appointed To watch before the apartment of the women. 230 [_Exit Officer_. _Myr._ (_sola_). He's gone; and told no more than that all's lost! What need have I to know more? In those words, Those little words, a kingdom and a king, A line of thirteen ages, and the lives Of thousands, and the fortune of all left With life, are merged; and I, too, with the great, Like a small bubble breaking with the wave Which bore it, shall be nothing. At the least, My fate is in my keeping: no proud victor Shall count me with his spoils. _Enter_ PANIA. _Pan._ Away with me, 240 Myrrha, without delay; we must not lose A moment--all that's left us now. _Myr._ The King? _Pan._ Sent me here to conduct you hence, beyond The river, by a secret passage. _Myr._ Then He lives---- _Pan._ And charged me to secure your life, And beg you to live on for his sake, till He can rejoin you. _Myr._ Will he then give way? _Pan._ Not till the last. Still, still he does whate'er Despair can do; and step by step disputes The very palace. _Myr._ They are here, then:--aye, 250 Their shouts come ringing through the ancient halls, Never profaned by rebel echoes till This fatal night. Farewell, Assyria's line! Farewell to all of Nimrod! Even the name Is now no more. _Pan._ Away with me--away! _Myr._ No: I'll die here!--Away, and tell your King I loved him to the last. _Enter_ SARDANAPALUS _and_ SALEMENES _with Soldiers_. PANIA _quits_ MYRRHA, _and ranges himself with them_.