'Twill be useless:
But let her come.

_Sal._ I go. [_Exit_ SALEMENES.

_Sar._ We have lived asunder
Too long to meet again--and _now_ to meet!
Have I not cares enow, and pangs enow,
To bear alone, that we must mingle sorrows, 230
Who have ceased to mingle love?

_Re-enter_ SALEMENES _and_ ZARINA.

_Sal._ My sister! Courage:
Shame not our blood with trembling, but remember
From whence we sprung. The Queen is present, Sire.

_Zar._ I pray thee, brother, leave me.

_Sal._ Since you ask it.
[_Exit_ SALEMENES.

_Zar._ Alone with him! How many a year has passed[27],
Though we are still so young, since we have met,
Which I have worn in widowhood of heart.
He loved me not: yet he seems little changed--
Changed to me only--would the change were mutual!
He speaks not--scarce regards me--not a word, 240
Nor look--yet he _was_ soft of voice and aspect,
Indifferent, not austere. My Lord!

_Sar._ Zarina!

_Zar._ No, _not_ Zarina--do not say Zarina.
That tone--That word--annihilate long years,
And things which make them longer.

_Sar._ 'Tis too late
To think of these past dreams. Let's not reproach--
That is, reproach me not--for the _last_ time----

_Zar._ And _first_, I ne'er reproached you.

_Sar._ 'Tis most true;
And that reproof comes heavier on my heart
Than----But our hearts are not in our own power. 250

_Zar._ Nor hands; but I gave both.

_Sar._ Your brother said
It was your will to see me, ere you went
From Nineveh with----(_He hesitates_.)

_Zar._ Our children: it is true.
I wish to thank you that you have not divided
My heart from all that's left it now to love--
Those who are yours and mine, who look like you,
And look upon me as you looked upon me
Once----but _they_ have not changed.

_Sar._ Nor ever will.
I fain would have them dutiful.

_Zar._ I cherish
Those infants, not alone from th