he will have it,
Without that hollow semblance of respect.

_Bel._ I know not what hath prejudiced the Prince
So strongly 'gainst two subjects, than whom none
Have been more zealous for Assyria's weal.

_Sal._ Peace, factious priest, and faithless soldier! thou
Unit'st in thy own person the worst vices 230
Of the most dangerous orders of mankind.
Keep thy smooth words and juggling homilies
For those who know thee not. Thy fellow's sin
Is, at the least, a bold one, and not tempered
By the tricks taught thee in Chaldea.

_Bel._ Hear him,
My liege--the son of Belus! he blasphemes
The worship of the land, which bows the knee
Before your fathers.

_Sar._ Oh! for that I pray you
Let him have absolution. I dispense with
The worship of dead men; feeling that I 240
Am mortal, and believing that the race
From whence I sprung are--what I see them--ashes.

_Bel._ King! Do not deem so: they are with the stars,
And----

_Sar._ You shall join them ere they will rise,
If you preach farther--Why, _this_ is rank treason.

_Sal._ My lord!

_Sar._ To school me in the worship of
Assyria's idols! Let him be released--
Give him his sword.

_Sal._ My Lord, and King, and Brother,
I pray ye pause.

_Sar._ Yes, and be sermonised,
And dinned, and deafened with dead men and Baal, 250
And all Chaldea's starry mysteries.

_Bel._ Monarch! respect them.

_Sar._ Oh! for that--I love them;
I love to watch them in the deep blue vault,
And to compare them with my Myrrha's eyes;
I love to see their rays redoubled in
The tremulous silver of Euphrates' wave,
As the light breeze of midnight crisps the broad
And rolling water, sighing through the sedges
Which fringe his banks: but whether they may be
Gods, as some say, or the abodes of Gods, 260
As others hold, or simply lamps of night,
Worlds--or the lights of Worlds--I know nor care not.
There's something sweet in my uncertainty
I would not change for your Chaldean lore;
Besides, I know of these all clay can know
Of aught above it, or below it--nothing.
I see their brilliancy and feel their beaut