No More Learning

250

_Zar. _ Nor hands; but I gave both.

_Sar. _ Your brother said
It was your will to see me, ere you went
From Nineveh with----(_He hesitates_. )

_Zar. _ Our children: it is true.
I wish to thank you that you have not divided
My heart from all that's left it now to love--
Those who are yours and mine, who look like you,
And look upon me as you looked upon me
Once----but _they_ have not changed.

_Sar. _ Nor ever will.
I fain would have them dutiful.

_Zar. _ I cherish
Those infants, not alone from the blind love 260
Of a fond mother, but as a fond woman.
They are now the only tie between us.

_Sar. _ Deem not
I have not done you justice: rather make them
Resemble your own line than their own Sire.
I trust them with you--to you: fit them for
A throne, or, if that be denied----You have heard
Of this night's tumults?

_Zar. _ I had half forgotten,
And could have welcomed any grief save yours,
Which gave me to behold your face again.

_Sar. _ The throne--I say it not in fear--but 'tis 270
In peril: they perhaps may never mount it:
But let them not for this lose sight of it.
I will dare all things to bequeath it them;
But if I fail, then they must win it back
Bravely--and, won, wear it wisely, not as I[ag]
Have wasted down my royalty.

_Zar. _ They ne'er
Shall know from me of aught but what may honour
Their father's memory.

_Sar. _ Rather let them hear
The truth from you than from a trampling world.
If they be in adversity, they'll learn 280
Too soon the scorn of crowds for crownless Princes,
And find that all their father's sins are theirs.
My boys! --I could have borne it were I childless.

_Zar. _ Oh! do not say so--do not poison all
My peace left, by unwishing that thou wert
A father.