'Where is the captain of the guard?' he exclaimed. 'That's well. Open
the gates to none. Who will leap the wall and bear a message to Asriel?
You? That's well too. To-morrow you shall yourself command. Where's
Mesrour? Take the eunuch guard and the company of gardeners,76 and
suppress the flames at all cost. Pull down the intervening buildings.
Abidan's troop arrived with succour, eh! I doubt it not. I expected
them. Open to none. They force an entrance, eh! I thought so. So that
javelin has killed a traitor. Feed me with arms. I'll keep the gate.
Send again to Asriel. Where's Pharez?'
'By your side, my lord.'
'Run to the Queen, my faithful Pharez, and tell her that all's well. I
wish it were! Didst ever hear a din so awful? Methinks all the tambours
and cymbals of the city are in full chorus. Foul play, I guess. Oh! for
Asriel! Has Pharez returned?'
'I am by your side, my lord.'
'How's the Queen?'
'She would gladly join your side.'
'No, no! Keep the gates there. Who says they are making fires before
them? Tis true. We must sally, if the worst come to the worst, and die
at least like soldiers. O Asriel! Asriel!'
'May it please your Highness, the troops are pouring in from all
quarters.
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