l urged
By strong suspicion of the Median chiefs,
Are numerous, and make strong head against
The rebels, fighting inch by inch, and forming 90
An orb around the palace, where they mean
To centre all their force, and save the King.
(_He hesitates_.) I am charged to----

_Myr._ 'Tis no time for hesitation.

_Pan._ Prince Salemenes doth implore the King
To arm himself, although but for a moment,
And show himself unto the soldiers: his
Sole presence in this instant might do more
Than hosts can do in his behalf.

_Sar._ What, ho!
My armour there.

_Myr._ And wilt thou?

_Sar._ Will I not?
Ho, there!--but seek not for the buckler: 'tis 100
Too heavy:--a light cuirass and my sword.
Where are the rebels?

_Pan._ Scarce a furlong's length
From the outward wall the fiercest conflict rages.

_Sar._ Then I may charge on horseback. Sfero, ho!
Order my horse out.--There is space enough
Even in our courts, and by the outer gate,
To marshal half the horsemen of Arabia.
[_Exit_ SFERO _for the armour_.

_Myr._ How I do love thee!

_Sar._ I ne'er doubted it.

_Myr._ But now I know thee.

_Sar._ (_to his Attendant_). Bring down my spear too--
Where's Salemenes?

_Pan._ Where a soldier should be, 110
In the thick of the fight.

_Sar._ Then hasten to him----Is
The path still open, and communication
Left 'twixt the palace and the phalanx?

_Pan._ 'Twas
When I late left him, and I have no fear;
Our troops were steady, and the phalanx formed.

_Sar._ Tell him to spare his person for the present,
And that I will not spare my own--and say,
I come.

_Pan._ There's victory in the very word. [_Exit_ PANIA.

_Sar._ Altada--Zames--forth, and arm ye! There
Is all in readiness in the armoury. 120
See that the women are bestowed in safety
In the remote apartments: let a guard
Be set before them, with strict charge to quit
The post but with their lives--command it, Zames.
Altada, arm yourself, and retu