No More Learning

There is no more to thwart us. The she-king,
That less than woman, is even now upon
The waters with his female mates. The order 50
Is issued for the feast in the pavilion.
The first cup which he drains will be the last
Quaffed by the line of Nimrod.

_Bel. _ 'Twas a brave one.

_Arb. _ And is a weak one--'tis worn out--we'll mend it.

_Bel. _ Art sure of that?

_Arb. _ Its founder was a hunter--
I am a soldier--what is there to fear?

_Bel. _ The soldier.

_Arb.
_ And the priest, it may be: but
If you thought thus, or think, why not retain
Your king of concubines? why stir me up?
Why spur me to this enterprise? your own 60
No less than mine?

_Bel. _ Look to the sky!

_Arb. _ I look.

_Bel. _ What seest thou?

_Arb. _ A fair summer's twilight, and
The gathering of the stars.

_Bel. _ And midst them, mark
Yon earliest, and the brightest, which so quivers,
As it would quit its place in the blue ether.

_Arb. _ Well?