Now you know all--decide.

_Sar._ Zarina, he hath spoken well, and we
Must yield awhile to this necessity.
Remaining here, you may lose all; departing,
You save the better part of what is left,
To both of us, and to such loyal hearts
As yet beat in these kingdoms.

_Sal._ The time presses.

_Sar._ Go, then. If e'er we meet again, perhaps 390
I may be worthier of you--and, if not,
Remember that my faults, though not atoned for,
Are _ended_. Yet, I dread thy nature will
Grieve more above the blighted name and ashes
Which once were mightiest in Assyria--than----
But I grow womanish again, and must not;
I must learn sternness now. My sins have all
Been of the softer order----_hide_ thy tears--
I do not bid thee _not_ to shed them--'twere
Easier to stop Euphrates at its source 400
Than one tear of a true and tender heart--
But let me not behold them; they unman me
Here when I had remanned myself. My brother,
Lead her away.

_Zar._ Oh, God! I never shall
Behold him more!

_Sal._ (_striving to conduct her_).
Nay, sister, I _must_ be obeyed.

_Zar._ I must remain--away! you shall not hold me.
What, shall he die alone?--_I_ live alone?

_Sal._ He shall _not die alone_; but lonely you
Have lived for years.

_Zar._ That's false! I knew _he_ lived,
And lived upon his image--let me go! 410

_Sal._ (_conducting her off the stage_).
Nay, then, I must use some fraternal force,
Which you will pardon.

_Zar._ Never. Help me! Oh!
Sardanapalus, wilt thou thus behold me
Torn from thee?

_Sal._ Nay--then all is lost again,
If that this moment is not gained.

_Zar._ My brain turns--
My eyes fail--where is he? [_She faints_.

_Sar._ (_advancing_). No--set her down;
She's dead--and you have slain her.

_Sal._ 'Tis the mere
Faintness of o'erwrought passion: in the air
She will recover. Pray, keep back.--[_Aside_.] I must
Avail myself of this sole moment to 420
Bear her to where her children are embarked,
I' the royal galley on the r