Semiramis and Other Plays - novelonlinefull.com
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(Exit Officer)
Sem. My lord--
Nin. Your brother! Ho, ho, ho!
(Enter Artavan)
Art. My sister!
Sem. (Staring) Sir?
Art. Though queen, art thou not still my sister?
Sem. No!
Art. (Bowing with scornful ceremony) Your majesty!
Nin. Ha! ha! His sister! Then Thou wouldst be brother to the king?
Art. (Bitterly) My hope Runs not so high, and even to her I now Give up all claim. I'll own no blood but that In my own veins keeps honor! So farewell!
Nin. Be not so fast! Whence comest thou, my man?
Art. From Husak's camp. When he received thy word His son should go to him, he set me free.
Sem. Oh, set you free!
Art. And now, O king--
Sem. (Seeing that the king is impressed) My lord, If he came from the camp how has he pa.s.sed The city gates?
Nin. Ah ... true ... he could not pa.s.s.
Sem. (Mockingly) Perhaps he scaled the hundred feet of wall, And crossed the rampart 'neath the arrow watch Of towers eighty-score!
Art. I found a way, Proud woman!
Nin. How?
(As Artavan speaks Sola enters left front, and is held aside by Sumbat)
Art. This morning ere the battle She who was then my sister gave me this.
(Shows paper)
'Twas some direction sent unto my father, The lord Menones. (Turning paper) On this side I found A map whose secret key I knew, that marked A pa.s.sage 'neath the river. This I sought, Found it unguarded--
Nin. By the seven winds!--
(Enter an officer)
Off. O king!
Nin. You're of the northern watch?
Off. I am, O king! The Armenians advance upon The northern wall, but come with lances down!
Art. They come in peace to meet the son of Husak!
Sem. O, haste, my lord! Haste, Artavan to duty!
Their rage when they shall learn the fate of Khosrove May give them courage to a.s.sail our walls!
Go, brother!
Nin. Hold! This man speaks not as madmen!
Sem. Should I not know my brother, sir?
Nin. You should.
Choose which is he. The other we condemn To death.
Art. (Holding out his arms) Save me, Semiramis!
Khos. (Holding out his arms) Save me, My sister!
Sem. (Going to Khosrove's arms) Brother!
Nin. (To Khosrove) Haste thee to thy office!
Va.s.sin, attend him! Sumbat, be his chief!
We trust where trusts the queen!
Sem. (To Khosrove) Give up the keys To Sumbat!
(Exeunt Khosrove, Va.s.sin, Sumbat, left rear)
Nin. (To Artavan) You to death! (Signs to guards)
Sem. My royal lord, First would I question him alone, and learn The truth about this pa.s.sage. He may be In league with traitors subtler than himself.
One moment, sir, I pray.
Nin. O, ever wise!
Bribe him with any promise death may keep To tell you all. But do not linger, love; We lose our bridal day!
(Exit, right centre. Semiramis looks at Artavan with the greatest tenderness. He gazes coldly upon her, Sola clinging to him)
Art. What would the queen?
Sem. To be again thy sister. Dost not guess?
That man--
