ely.

_Bal._ Slew he not Beleses?
I heard the soldiers say he struck him down.

_Myr._ The wretch was overthrown, but rescued to
Triumph, perhaps, o'er one who vanquished him
In fight, as he had spared him in his peril;
And by that heedless pity risked a crown.

_Bal._ Hark!

_Myr._ You are right; some steps approach, but slowly.

_Enter Soldiers, bearing in_ SALEMENES _wounded, with
a broken javelin in his side: they seat him upon one of
the couches which furnish the Apartment_.

_Myr._ Oh, Jove!

_Bal._ Then all is over.

_Sal._ That is false.
Hew down the slave who says so, if a soldier.

_Myr._ Spare him--he's none: a mere court butterfly, 90
That flutter in the pageant of a monarch.

_Sal._ Let him live on, then.

_Myr._ So wilt thou, I trust.

_Sal._ I fain would live this hour out, and the event,
But doubt it. Wherefore did ye bear me here?

_Sol._ By the King's order. When the javelin struck you,
You fell and fainted: 'twas his strict command
To bear you to this hall.

_Sal._ 'Twas not ill done:
For seeming slain in that cold dizzy trance,
The sight might shake our soldiers--but--'tis vain,
I feel it ebbing!

_Myr._ Let me see the wound; 100
I am not quite skilless: in my native land
'Tis part of our instruction. War being constant,
We are nerved to look on such things.[an]

_Sol._ Best extract
The javelin.

_Myr._ Hold! no, no, it cannot be.

_Sal._ I am sped, then!

_Myr._ With the blood that fast must follow
The extracted weapon, I do fear thy life.

_Sal._ And I _not_ death. Where was the King when you
Conveyed me from the spot where I was stricken?

_Sol._ Upon the same ground, and encouraging
With voice and gesture the dispirited troops 110
Who had seen you fall, and faltered back.

_Sal._ Whom heard ye
Named next to the command?

_Sol._ I did not hear.

_Sal._ Fly, then, and tell him, 'twas my last request
That Zames take my post until the junction,