Page:The poetical works of Matthew Arnold, 1897.djvu/406

368 Of youth, 'tis like, had never quite forgone

The thought of vengeance on me, never quite

Unclosed his itching fingers from his sword.

But thou, O Merope, though deeply wrong'd,

Though injured past forgiveness, as men deem,

Yet hast been long at school with thoughtful time,

And from that teacher mayst have learn'd, like me,

That all may be endured, and all forgiv'n—

Have learn'd, that we must sacrifice the bent

Of personal feeling to the public weal—

Have learn'd, that there are guilty deeds, which leave

The hand that does them guiltless; in a word,

That kings live for their peoples, not themselves.

This having known, let us a union found

(For the last time I ask, ask earnestly)

Based on pure public welfare; let us be

Not Merope and Polyphontes, foes

Blood-sever'd, but Messenia's King and Queen!

Let us forget ourselves for those we rule!

Speak! I go hence to offer sacrifice

To the Preserver Zeus; let me return

Thanks to him for our amity as well.

MEROPE.

Oh hadst thou, Polyphontes, still but kept

The silence thou hast kept for twenty years!

POLYPHONTES.

Henceforth, if what I urge displease, I may.

But fair proposal merits fair reply.

MEROPE.

And thou shalt have it! Yes, because thou hast

For twenty years forborne to interrupt