_Sar._ Dying. _Myr._ Pania? Sfero? _Sar._ Pania yet lives; but Sfero's fled or captive. 140 I am alone. _Myr._ And is all lost? _Sar._ Our walls, Though thinly manned, may still hold out against Their present force, or aught save treachery: But i' the field---- _Myr._ I thought 'twas the intent Of Salemenes not to risk a sally Till ye were strengthened by the expected succours. _Sar._ _I_ over-ruled him. _Myr._ Well, the _fault's_ a brave one. _Sar._ But fatal. Oh, my brother! I would give These realms, of which thou wert the ornament, The sword and shield, the sole-redeeming honour, 150 To call back----But I will not weep for thee; Thou shall be mourned for as thou wouldst be mourned. It grieves me most that thou couldst quit this life Believing that I could survive what thou Hast died for--our long royalty of race. If I redeem it, I will give thee blood Of thousands, tears of millions, for atonement, (The tears of all the good are thine already). If not, we meet again soon,--if the spirit Within us lives beyond:--thou readest mine, 160 And dost me justice now. Let me once clasp That yet warm hand, and fold that throbless heart [_Embraces the body_. To this which beats so bitterly. Now, bear The body hence. _Sol._ Where? _Sar._ To my proper chamber. Place it beneath my canopy, as though The King lay there: when this is done, we will Speak further of the rites due to such ashes. [_Exeunt Soldiers with the body of_ SALEMENES. _Enter_ PANIA. _Sar._ Well, Pania! have you placed the guards, and issued The orders fixed on? _Pan._ Sire, I have obeyed. _Sar._ And do the soldiers keep their hearts up? _Pan._ Sire? 170 _Sar._ I am answered! When a king asks twice, and has A question as an answer to _his_ question, It is a portent. What! they are disheartened? _Pan._ The death of Salemenes, and the shouts Of the exulting rebels on his fall, Have made them---- _Sar._ _Rage_--not droop--it should have been. We'll find the means to rouse them. _Pan._ Such a loss Might sadden even a victory. _Sar._ Alas! Who can so feel it as I feel? but yet, Though cooped within these walls, they are strong, and we 180 Have those without will break their way through hosts, To make their sovereign's dwelling what it was-- A palace, not a prison--nor a fortress.