No More Learning

_Myr. _ No one--but I heard
Far off a voice of wail and lamentation,
And thought----

_Sar. _ It forms no portion of your duties
To enter here till sought for.

_Myr. _ Though I might, 440
Perhaps, recall some softer words of yours
(Although they _too were chiding_), which reproved me,
Because I ever dreaded to intrude;
Resisting my own wish and your injunction
To heed no time nor presence, but approach you
Uncalled for:--I retire.

_Sar. _ Yet stay--being here.
I pray you pardon me: events have soured me
Till I wax peevish--heed it not: I shall
Soon be myself again.

_Myr. _ I wait with patience,
What I shall see with pleasure.

_Sar. _ Scarce a moment 450
Before your entrance in this hall, Zarina,
Queen of Assyria, departed hence.

_Myr. _ Ah!

_Sar.
_ Wherefore do you start?

_Myr. _ Did I do so?

_Sar. _ 'Twas well you entered by another portal,
Else you had met. That pang at least is spared her!

_Myr. _ I know to feel for her.

_Sar. _ That is too much,
And beyond nature--'tis nor mutual[ai]
Nor possible. You cannot pity her,
Nor she aught but----

_Myr. _ Despise the favourite slave?
Not more than I have ever scorned myself. 460

_Sar. _ Scorned! what, to be the envy of your sex,
And lord it o'er the heart of the World's lord?