Zam._ No;
All hearts are happy, and all voices bless
The King of peace--who holds a world in jubilee.

_Sar._ Art sure of that? I have heard otherwise;
Some say that there be traitors.

_Zam._ Traitors they 20
Who dare to say so!--'Tis impossible.
What cause?

_Sar._ What cause? true,--fill the goblet up;
We will not think of them: there are none such,
Or if there be, they are gone.

_Alt._ Guests, to my pledge!
Down on your knees, and drink a measure to
The safety of the King--the monarch, say I?
The God Sardanapalus!
[ZAMES _and the Guests kneel, and exclaim_--
Mightier than
His father Baal, the God Sardanapalus!
[_It thunders as they kneel; some start up in confusion_.

_Zam._ Why do you rise, my friends? in that strong peal
His father gods consented.

_Myr._ Menaced, rather. 30
King, wilt thou bear this mad impiety?

_Sar._ Impiety!--nay, if the sires who reigned
Before me can be Gods, I'll not disgrace
Their lineage. But arise, my pious friends;
Hoard your devotion for the Thunderer there:
I seek but to be loved, not worshipped.

_Alt._ Both--
Both you must ever be by all true subjects.

_Sar._ Methinks the thunders still increase: it is
An awful night.

_Myr._ Oh yes, for those who have
No palace to protect their worshippers. 40

_Sar._ That's true, my Myrrha; and could I convert
My realm to one wide shelter for the wretched,
I'd do it.

_Myr._ Thou'rt no God, then--not to be
Able to work a will so good and general,
As thy wish would imply.

_Sar._ And your Gods, then,
Who can, and do not?

_Myr._ Do not speak of that,
Lest we provoke them.

_Sar._ True--, they love not censure
Better than mortals. Friends, a thought has struck me:
Were there no temples, would there, think ye, be
Air worshippers?[v] that is, when it is angry, 50
And pelting as even now.

_Myr._ The Persian prays
Upon his mountain.

_Sar._ Yes, whe