_ 'Tis my country's custom to
Make a libation to the Gods.
Make a libation to the Gods.
Byron
_ Thou shalt see.
[_Exit_ MYRRHA.
_Sar. _ (_solus_). She's firm. My fathers! whom I will rejoin,
It may be, purified by death from some
Of the gross stains of too material being,
I would not leave your ancient first abode
To the defilement of usurping bondmen;
If I have not kept your inheritance
As ye bequeathed it, this bright part of it,
Your treasure--your abode--your sacred relics 430
Of arms, and records--monuments, and spoils,
In which _they_ would have revelled, I bear with me
To you in that absorbing element,
Which most personifies the soul as leaving
The least of matter unconsumed before
Its fiery workings:--and the light of this
Most royal of funereal pyres shall be[aq]
Not a mere pillar formed of cloud and flame,
A beacon in the horizon for a day,
And then a mount of ashes--but a light[ar] 440
To lesson ages, rebel nations, and
Voluptuous princes. Time shall quench full many
A people's records, and a hero's acts;
Sweep empire after empire, like this first
Of empires, into nothing; but even then
Shall spare this deed of mine, and hold it up
A problem few dare imitate, and none
Despise--but, it may be, avoid the life
Which led to such a consummation.
MYRRHA _returns with a lighted Torch in one Hand,
and a Cup in the other_.
_Myr. _ Lo!
I've lit the lamp which lights us to the stars. 450
_Sar. _ And the cup?
_Myr.
_ 'Tis my country's custom to
Make a libation to the Gods.
_Sar. _ And mine
To make libations amongst men. I've not
Forgot the custom; and although alone,
Will drain one draught in memory of many
A joyous banquet past.
[SARDANAPALUS _takes the cup, and after drinking
and tinkling the reversed cup, as a drop falls,
exclaims_--
And this libation
Is for the excellent Beleses.
_Myr. _ Why
Dwells thy mind rather upon that man's name
Than on his mate's in villany?
_Sar. _ The other
Is a mere soldier, a mere tool, a kind 460
Of human sword in a friend's hand; the other
Is master-mover of his warlike puppet;
But I dismiss them from my mind. --Yet pause,
My Myrrha! dost thou truly follow me,
Freely and fearlessly?
_Myr. _ And dost thou think
A Greek girl dare not do for love, that which
An Indian widow braves for custom? [as]
_Sar. _ Then
We but await the signal.
_Myr.
[_Exit_ MYRRHA.
_Sar. _ (_solus_). She's firm. My fathers! whom I will rejoin,
It may be, purified by death from some
Of the gross stains of too material being,
I would not leave your ancient first abode
To the defilement of usurping bondmen;
If I have not kept your inheritance
As ye bequeathed it, this bright part of it,
Your treasure--your abode--your sacred relics 430
Of arms, and records--monuments, and spoils,
In which _they_ would have revelled, I bear with me
To you in that absorbing element,
Which most personifies the soul as leaving
The least of matter unconsumed before
Its fiery workings:--and the light of this
Most royal of funereal pyres shall be[aq]
Not a mere pillar formed of cloud and flame,
A beacon in the horizon for a day,
And then a mount of ashes--but a light[ar] 440
To lesson ages, rebel nations, and
Voluptuous princes. Time shall quench full many
A people's records, and a hero's acts;
Sweep empire after empire, like this first
Of empires, into nothing; but even then
Shall spare this deed of mine, and hold it up
A problem few dare imitate, and none
Despise--but, it may be, avoid the life
Which led to such a consummation.
MYRRHA _returns with a lighted Torch in one Hand,
and a Cup in the other_.
_Myr. _ Lo!
I've lit the lamp which lights us to the stars. 450
_Sar. _ And the cup?
_Myr.
_ 'Tis my country's custom to
Make a libation to the Gods.
_Sar. _ And mine
To make libations amongst men. I've not
Forgot the custom; and although alone,
Will drain one draught in memory of many
A joyous banquet past.
[SARDANAPALUS _takes the cup, and after drinking
and tinkling the reversed cup, as a drop falls,
exclaims_--
And this libation
Is for the excellent Beleses.
_Myr. _ Why
Dwells thy mind rather upon that man's name
Than on his mate's in villany?
_Sar. _ The other
Is a mere soldier, a mere tool, a kind 460
Of human sword in a friend's hand; the other
Is master-mover of his warlike puppet;
But I dismiss them from my mind. --Yet pause,
My Myrrha! dost thou truly follow me,
Freely and fearlessly?
_Myr. _ And dost thou think
A Greek girl dare not do for love, that which
An Indian widow braves for custom? [as]
_Sar. _ Then
We but await the signal.
_Myr.
