_Sar._ The throne--I say it not in fear--but 'tis 270 In peril: they perhaps may never mount it: But let them not for this lose sight of it. I will dare all things to bequeath it them; But if I fail, then they must win it back Bravely--and, won, wear it wisely, not as I[ag] Have wasted down my royalty. _Zar._ They ne'er Shall know from me of aught but what may honour Their father's memory. _Sar._ Rather let them hear The truth from you than from a trampling world. If they be in adversity, they'll learn 280 Too soon the scorn of crowds for crownless Princes, And find that all their father's sins are theirs. My boys!--I could have borne it were I childless. _Zar._ Oh! do not say so--do not poison all My peace left, by unwishing that thou wert A father. If thou conquerest, they shall reign, And honour him who saved the realm for them, So little cared for as his own; and if---- _Sar._ 'Tis lost, all Earth will cry out, "thank your father!" And they will swell the echo with a curse. 290 _Zar._ That they shall never do; but rather honour The name of him, who, dying like a king, In his last hours did more for his own memory Than many monarchs in a length of days, Which date the flight of time, but make no annals. _Sar._ Our annals draw perchance unto their close; But at the least, whate'er the past, their end Shall be like their beginning--memorable. _Zar._ Yet, be not rash--be careful of your life, Live but for those who love. _Sar._ And who are they? 300 A slave, who loves from passion--I'll not say Ambition--she has seen thrones shake, and loves; A few friends who have revelled till we are As one, for they are nothing if I fall; A brother I have injured--children whom I have neglected, and a spouse---- _Zar._ Who loves. _Sar._ And pardons? _Zar._ I have never thought of this, And cannot pardon till I have condemned. _Sar._ My wife! _Zar._ Now blessings on thee for that word! I never thought to hear it more--from thee. 310 _Sar._ Oh! thou wilt hear it from my subjects. Yes-- These slaves whom I have nurtured, pampered, fed, And swoln with peace, and gorged with plenty, till They reign themselves--all monarchs in their mansions-- Now swarm forth in rebellion, and demand His death, who made their lives a jubilee; While the few upon whom I have no claim Are faithful! This is true, yet monstrous. _Zar._ 'Tis Perhaps too natural; for benefits Turn poison in bad minds.