_Sar._ How wears the night? _Sal._ There yet remain some hours Of darkness: use them for your further rest. _Sar._ No, not to-night, if 'tis not gone: methought I passed hours in that vision. _Myr._ Scarcely one; I watched by you: it was a heavy hour, 190 But an hour only. _Sar._ Let us then hold council; To-morrow we set forth. _Sal._ But ere that time, I had a grace to seek. _Sar._ 'Tis granted. _Sal._ Hear it Ere you reply too readily; and 'tis For _your_ ear only. _Myr._ Prince, I take my leave. [Exit MYRRHA. _Sal._ That slave deserves her freedom. _Sar._ Freedom only! That slave deserves to share a throne. _Sal._ Your patience-- 'Tis not yet vacant, and 'tis of its partner I come to speak with you. _Sar._ How! of the Queen? _Sal._ Even so. I judged it fitting for their safety, 200 That, ere the dawn, she sets forth with her children For Paphlagonia, where our kinsman Cotta[26] Governs; and there, at all events, secure My nephews and your sons their lives, and with them Their just pretensions to the crown in case---- _Sar._ I perish--as is probable: well thought-- Let them set forth with a sure escort. _Sal._ That Is all provided, and the galley ready To drop down the Euphrates; but ere they Depart, will you not see---- _Sar._ My sons? It may 210 Unman my heart, and the poor boys will weep; And what can I reply to comfort them, Save with some hollow hopes, and ill-worn smiles? You know I cannot feign. _Sal._ But you can feel! At least, I trust so: in a word, the Queen Requests to see you ere you part--for ever. _Sar._ Unto what end? what purpose? I will grant Aught--all that she can ask--but such a meeting. _Sal._ You know, or ought to know, enough of women, Since you have studied them so steadily[af], 220 That what they ask in aught that touches on The heart, is dearer to their feelings or Their fancy, than the whole external world. I think as you do of my sister's wish; But 'twas her wish--she is my sister--you Her husband--will you grant it? _Sar._ 'Twill be useless: But let her come. _Sal._ I go. [_Exit_ SALEMENES.