Sardanapalus Essay Research Paper Example For Students

Sardanapalus Essay Research Paper A monologue from the play by Lord Byron NOTE: This monologue is reprinted from Lord Byron: Six Plays. Lord Byron. Los Angeles: Black Box Press, 2007. SARDANAPALUS: Farewell! Hes gone; and on his finger bears my signet, Which is to him a sceptre. He is stern As I am heedless and the slaves deserve To feel a master. What may be the danger, I know not: he hath found it, let him quell it. Must I consume my life—this little life— In guarding against all may make it less! It is not worth so much! It were to die Before my hour, to live in dread of death, Tracing revolt; suspecting all about me, Because they are near; and all who are remote, Because they are far. But if it should be so— If they should sweep me off from earth and empire, Why, what is earth or empire of the earth? I have loved, and lived, and multiplied my image; To die is no less natural than those Acts of this clay! Tis true I have not shed Blood as I might have done, in oceans, till My name became the synonym of death— A terror and a trophy. But for this I feel no penitence; my life is love: If I must shed blood, it shall be by force. Till now, no drop from an Assyrian vein Hath flowd for me, nor hath the smallest coin Of Ninevehs vast treasures oer been lavishd On objects which could cost her Sons a tear: If then they hate me, tis because I hate not: If they rebel, tis because I oppress not. Oh, men! ye must be ruled with scythes, not sceptres, And mowd down like the grass, else all we reap Is rank abundance, and a rotten harvest Of discontents infecting the fair soil, Making a desert of fertility.— Ill think no more.