ng
That which avails him nothing: he hath found it,
But 'tis not his--but some superior's, who
Placed him to dig, but not divide the wealth
Which sparkles at his feet; nor dare he lift
Nor poise it, but must grovel on, upturning 350
The sullen earth.

_Zar._ Oh! if thou hast at length
Discovered that my love is worth esteem,
I ask no more--but let us hence together,
And _I_--let me say _we_--shall yet be happy.
Assyria is not all the earth--we'll find
A world out of our own--and be more blessed
Than I have ever been, or thou, with all
An empire to indulge thee.

_Enter_ SALEMENES.

_Sal._ I must part ye--
The moments, which must not be lost, are passing.

_Zar._ Inhuman brother! wilt thou thus weigh out 360
Instants so high and blest?

_Sal._ Blest!

_Zar._ He hath been
So gentle with me, that I cannot think
Of quitting.

_Sal._ So--this feminine farewell
Ends as such partings end, in _no_ departure.
I thought as much, and yielded against all
My better bodings. But it must not be.

_Zar._ Not be?

_Sal._ Remain, and perish----

_Zar._ With my husband----

_Sal._ And children.

_Zar._ Alas!

_Sal._ Hear me, sister, like
_My_ sister:--all's prepared to make your safety
Certain, and of the boys too, our last hopes; 370
'Tis not a single question of mere feeling,
Though that were much--but 'tis a point of state:
The rebels would do more to seize upon
The offspring of their sovereign, and so crush----

_Zar._ Ah! do not name it.

_Sal._ Well, then, mark me: when
They are safe beyond the Median's grasp, the rebels
Have missed their chief aim--the extinction of
The line of Nimrod. Though the present King
Fall, his sons live--for victory and vengeance.

_Zar._ But could not I remain, alone?

_Sal._ What! leave 380
Your children, with two parents and yet orphans--
In a strange land--so young, so distant?

_Zar._ No--
My heart will break.

_Sal._