_ Why--we but now
received
it.
Byron
_Arb. _ The hour! --what hour?
_Sal. _ Of midnight.
_Bel. _ Midnight, my Lord!
_Sal. _ What, are you not invited?
_Bel. _ Oh! yes--we had forgotten.
_Sal. _ Is it usual
Thus to forget a Sovereign's invitation?
_Arb.
_ Why--we but now received it. 150
_Sal. _ Then why here?
_Arb. _ On duty.
_Sal. _ On what duty?
_Bel. _ On the state's.
We have the privilege to approach the presence;
But found the Monarch absent. [k]
_Sal. _ And I too
Am upon duty.
_Arb. _ May we crave its purport?
_Sal. _ To arrest two traitors.
