No More Learning

_ 'Tis the first 610
Boon which I ever asked Assyria's king.

_Sar. _ That's true, and, wer't my kingdom, must be granted.
Well, for thy sake, I yield me. Pania, hence!
Thou hear'st me.

_Pan. _ And obey. [_Exit_ PANIA.

_Sar. _ I marvel at thee.
What is thy motive, Myrrha, thus to urge me?

_Myr. _ Thy safety; and the certainty that nought
Could urge the Prince thy kinsman to require
Thus much from thee, but some impending danger.

_Sar.
_ And if I do not dread it, why shouldst thou?

_Myr. _ Because _thou_ dost not fear, I fear for _thee_. 620

_Sar. _ To-morrow thou wilt smile at these vain fancies.

_Myr. _ If the worst come, I shall be where none weep,
And that is better than the power to smile.
And thou?

_Sar. _ I shall be King, as heretofore.

_Myr. _ Where?

_Sar. _ With Baal, Nimrod, and Semiramis,
Sole in Assyria, or with them elsewhere.
Fate made me what I am--may make me nothing--
But either that or nothing must I be:
I will not live degraded.

_Myr.