No More Learning

What cause?

_Sar. _ What cause? true,--fill the goblet up;
We will not think of them: there are none such,
Or if there be, they are gone.

_Alt. _ Guests, to my pledge!
Down on your knees, and drink a measure to
The safety of the King--the monarch, say I?
The God Sardanapalus!
[ZAMES _and the Guests kneel, and exclaim_--
Mightier than
His father Baal, the God Sardanapalus!
[_It thunders as they kneel; some start up in confusion_.

_Zam. _ Why do you rise, my friends? in that strong peal
His father gods consented.

_Myr. _ Menaced, rather.
30
King, wilt thou bear this mad impiety?

_Sar. _ Impiety! --nay, if the sires who reigned
Before me can be Gods, I'll not disgrace
Their lineage. But arise, my pious friends;
Hoard your devotion for the Thunderer there:
I seek but to be loved, not worshipped.

_Alt. _ Both--
Both you must ever be by all true subjects.

_Sar. _ Methinks the thunders still increase: it is
An awful night.

_Myr. _ Oh yes, for those who have
No palace to protect their worshippers. 40

_Sar. _ That's true, my Myrrha; and could I convert
My realm to one wide shelter for the wretched,
I'd do it.

_Myr. _ Thou'rt no God, then--not to be
Able to work a will so good and general,
As thy wish would imply.

_Sar.