160
Soldiers, hew down the rebel!

_Arb._ Soldiers! Aye--
_Alone, you_ dare not.

_Sal._ Alone! foolish slave--
What is there in thee that a Prince should shrink from
Of open force? We dread thy treason, not
Thy strength: thy tooth is nought without its venom--
The serpent's, not the lion's. Cut him down.

_Bel._ (_interposing_). Arbaces! Are you mad? Have I not rendered
_My_ sword? Then trust like me our Sovereign's justice.

_Arb._ No--I will sooner trust the stars thou prat'st of,
And this slight arm, and die a king at least 170
Of my own breath and body--so far that
None else shall chain them.

_Sal._ (_to the Guards_). You hear _him_ and _me_.
Take him not,--kill.

[_The Guards attack_ ARBACES, _who defends himself
valiantly and dexterously till they waver_.

_Sal._ Is it even so; and must
I do the hangman's office? Recreants! see
How you should fell a traitor.
[SALEMENES _attacks_ ARBACES.

_Enter_ SARDANAPALUS _and Train_.

_Sar._ Hold your hands--
Upon your lives, I say. What, deaf or drunken?
My sword! O fool, I wear no sword: here, fellow,
Give me thy weapon. [_To a Guard_.

[SARDANAPALUS _snatches a sword from one of the soldiers,
and rushes between the combatants--they separate_.

_Sar._ In my very palace!
What hinders me from cleaving you in twain,
Audacious brawlers?

_Bel._ Sire, your justice.

_Sal._ Or-- 180
Your weakness.

_Sar._ (_raising the sword_). How?

_Sal._ Strike! so the blow's repeated
Upon yon traitor--whom you spare a moment,
I trust, for torture--I'm content.

_Sar._ What--him!
Who dares assail Arbaces?

_Sal._ I!

_Sar._ Indeed!
Prince, you forget yourself. Upon what warrant?

_Sal._ (_showing the signet_). Thine.

_Arb._ (_confused_). The King's!

_Sal._ Yes! and let the King confirm it.

_Sar._ I parted not from