_Sal._ 'Twas not ill done: For seeming slain in that cold dizzy trance, The sight might shake our soldiers--but--'tis vain, I feel it ebbing! _Myr._ Let me see the wound; 100 I am not quite skilless: in my native land 'Tis part of our instruction. War being constant, We are nerved to look on such things.[an] _Sol._ Best extract The javelin. _Myr._ Hold! no, no, it cannot be. _Sal._ I am sped, then! _Myr._ With the blood that fast must follow The extracted weapon, I do fear thy life. _Sal._ And I _not_ death. Where was the King when you Conveyed me from the spot where I was stricken? _Sol._ Upon the same ground, and encouraging With voice and gesture the dispirited troops 110 Who had seen you fall, and faltered back. _Sal._ Whom heard ye Named next to the command? _Sol._ I did not hear. _Sal._ Fly, then, and tell him, 'twas my last request That Zames take my post until the junction, So hoped for, yet delayed, of Ofratanes, Satrap of Susa. Leave me here: our troops Are not so numerous as to spare your absence. _Sol._ But Prince---- _Sal._ Hence, I say! Here's a courtier and A woman, the best chamber company. As you would not permit me to expire 120 Upon the field, I'll have no idle soldiers About my sick couch. Hence! and do my bidding! [_Exeunt the Soldiers_. _Myr._ Gallant and glorious Spirit! must the earth So soon resign thee? _Sal._ Gentle Myrrha, 'tis The end I would have chosen, had I saved The monarch or the monarchy by this; As 'tis, I have not outlived them. _Myr._ You wax paler. _Sal._ Your hand; this broken weapon but prolongs My pangs, without sustaining life enough To make me useful: I would draw it forth 130 And my life with it, could I but hear how The fight goes. _Enter_ SARDANAPALUS _and Soldiers_. _Sar._ My best brother! _Sal._ And the battle Is lost? _Sar._ (_despondingly_). You see _me here_. _Sal._ I'd rather see you _thus!_ [_He draws out the weapon from the wound, and dies_. _Sar._ And _thus_ I will be seen; unless the succour, The last frail reed of our beleagured hopes, Arrive with Ofratanes. _Myr._ Did you not Receive a token from your dying brother, Appointing Zames chief? _Sar._ I did. _Myr._ Where's Zames? _Sar._ Dead. _Myr._ And Altada?