Sal.‍Wherefore not?

Semiramis—a woman only—led

These our Assyrians to the solar shores

Of Ganges.

Sar.‍Tis most true. And how returned?

Sal. Why, like a man—a hero; baffled, but

Not vanquished. With but twenty guards, she made130

Good her retreat to Bactria.

Sar.‍And how many

Left she behind in India to the vultures?

Sal. Our annals say not.

Sar.‍Then I will say for them—

That she had better woven within her palace

Some twenty garments, than with twenty guards

Have fled to Bactria, leaving to the ravens,

And wolves, and men—the fiercer of the three,

Her myriads of fond subjects. Is this Glory?

Then let me live in ignominy ever.

Sal. All warlike spirits have not the same fate.140

Semiramis, the glorious parent of

A hundred kings, although she failed in India,

Brought Persia—Media—Bactria—to the realm

Which she once swayed—and thou mightst sway.

Sar.‍I sway them—

She but subdued them.

Sal.‍It may be ere long

That they will need her sword more than your sceptre.

Sar. There was a certain Bacchus, was there not?

I've heard my Greek girls speak of such—they say

He was a God, that is, a Grecian god,

An idol foreign to Assyria's worship,150

Who conquered this same golden realm of Ind

Thou prat'st of, where Semiramis was vanquished.

Sal. I have heard of such a man; and thou perceiv'st

That he is deemed a God for what he did.

Sar. And in his godship I will honour him—

Not much as man. What, ho! my cupbearer!

Sal. What means the King?

Sar.‍To worship your new God

And ancient conqueror. Some wine, I say.