No More Learning

[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. _ And your Gods, then,
Who can, and do not?

_Myr. _ Do not speak of that,
Lest we provoke them.

_Sar. _ True--, they love not censure
Better than mortals. Friends, a thought has struck me:
Were there no temples, would there, think ye, be
Air worshippers? [v] that is, when it is angry, 50
And pelting as even now.

_Myr.