Another shoots before the aching eye, His life is forfeit-execute our will. Az. Oh thou that guard'st the brave-protect him, heav'n! Meres. Ever the happy slave of your good pleasure! King. And let our soothsayers and astrologers Be summon'd quick, to ascertain and say What is the secret cause of our alarm: If they should waver in the great account, Or fail in giving us one point minute, Each word they utter shall but prophecy Their own destruction:* now, Meres, away! Exit Meres. Semiramis, our crown, that twice ten suns • However extravagant this language may appear, it is perfectly weak and moderate, when compared with that which the kings of Babylon are recorded in the scriptures to have really used on similar occasions. Have now illum'd, giving and borrowing splen dor, Stands on a cold and barren eminence, Or finds alone collateral support: Azema, hear'st thou how on thee depends As to embrace the interests of a people. King. Would it were needless! Queen. Are you then amaz'd That such alarming signs should shake the city Break the full course of that unnumber'd race, King. (Aside.) She loves this pretty jargon! self-deceiv'd, Weak, shallow woman! sooth, 'twas pitiful! Queen. Hadst thou been present, thou hadst fought our battles, And e'en Araxes' glory sunk in thine! King. We'll try to find an easier mode, good madam, To bring this upstart to his proper level: Be it, howe'er, our most imperious aim, Exit. Queen. Now comes the hour by Oroes appointed For me to hold in secret conference This That point directly at my throne and peace: But not my brilliant expectations save me From grief contrasted with my rank, how strangely! And ev'ry smile I would assume is false. Queen. Think of the council's purpose, sweet 'Tis to confirm thy reign by added strength: SCENE III-A Hall in the Palace, with statues ranged along it. Enter ARAXES. Arax. Here is my way: why should I tremble thus ? I go to plead with a maternal judge A cause to melt the very earth to pity: The Babylonian customs of sepulture were the same as those of the Egyptians, by which the body was preserved a long time. And twenty years have not effac'd the wound That hurried him untimely to his grave, Struck by the hand accurs'd that wields his sceptre : Were I the slave I am imagin'd here, (Here in this palace mine by right undoubted) The upstart creature of an envied rank, Beggar of favors given in derision, The hellish deed confirm'd as I have seen it, But now-the son Enter MERES and ZAPHAN. Meres. Well met, my lord Araxes! Arax. Ha! excellently well in the first pa lace The world owns, sir: your smiling courtiers, Your dazzling ladies: soldiers, lawyers, scholars, Wise men, magicians, and astrologers, Your governors of provinces that come Each year to learn our better manners here, power, |