No More Learning

_ It may be,
Thou wilt lose both--and both for ever!

_Sar. _ Brother!
I can at least command myself, who listen
To language such as this: yet urge me not 60
Beyond my easy nature.

_Sal. _ 'Tis beyond
That easy--far too easy--idle nature,
Which I would urge thee. O that I could rouse thee!
Though 'twere against myself.

_Sar. _ By the god Baal!
The man would make me tyrant.

_Sal. _ So thou art.
Think'st thou there is no tyranny but that
Of blood and chains? The despotism of vice,
The weakness and the wickedness of luxury,
The negligence, the apathy, the evils
Of sensual sloth--produce ten thousand tyrants, 70
Whose delegated cruelty surpasses
The worst acts of one energetic master,
However harsh and hard in his own bearing.
The false and fond examples of thy lusts
Corrupt no less than they oppress, and sap
In the same moment all thy pageant power
And those who should sustain it; so that whether
A foreign foe invade, or civil broil
Distract within, both will alike prove fatal:
The first thy subjects have no heart to conquer; 80
The last they rather would assist than vanquish.

_Sar. _ Why, what makes thee the mouth-piece of the people?

_Sal. _ Forgiveness of the Queen, my sister wrongs;
A natural love unto my infant nephews;
Faith to the King, a faith he may need shortly,
In more than words; respect for Nimrod's line;
Also, another thing thou knowest not.

_Sar. _ What's that?

_Sal. _ To thee an unknown word.

_Sar. _ Yet speak it;
I love to learn.

_Sal. _ Virtue.

_Sar. _ Not know the word!
Never was word yet rung so in my ears-- 90
Worse than the rabble's shout, or splitting trumpet:
I've heard thy sister talk of nothing else.