Semiramis and Other Plays Part 14

Art. Who can he be you prize above Your honor and my life?

Sem. The son of him Who set you free on Ninus' oath, an oath Broke in the heart ere it had left the lips!

Art. My brave Semiramis! You've saved the prince, And with his life my honor! O, pardon me!

Sem. He was escaping in your name when you Arrived too soon--

Art. Forgive me that!

Sem. And now To save my brother!

Art. Hope it not. Be glad That one is safe. Had Khosrove lost his life In Ninus' court, my oath had driven me back To Husak--and to death. No power then Had saved me. Now--

Sem. Now thou shalt live!

Art. Nay, see!

His guards watch well! There is no way.

Sem. No way But through the will of Ninus. He shall save thee!

Art. O, for your own dear life, Semiramis, Let Ninus know not I am Artavan!

Sem. He dare not touch me, for the army's mine!

(Goes into Ninus' chamber)

Sol. My love!

Art. 'Tis welcome and farewell, my Sola!

Sol. O, she will save thee!

Art. Teach me not to hope.

(A band of dancing maidens enter, left, and sing a bridal chorus before the doors of Ninus' chamber)

Love and Beauty now are one, No more wandering away!

Love's the sky to Beauty's sun, From him she can not stray.

And he is bright by her fair light or none!

Love and Beauty dreaming lie, Who shall say it is not meet?

Who shall say, O fie, O fie, To the favor sweet That Love will ask and Beauty not deny?

(Maidens dance out, right. Re-enter Semiramis)

Sem. He's wild with rage! I can not calm him!

Sol. Oh, To lose thee now!

(Enter Ninus. He advances upon Semiramis)

Nin. Who is he, then--that man-- If not thy brother? To whose arms you went As you have never come to mine?

Sem. A man Whose life you owed to me by holiest promise And oath unto the G.o.ds! I saved your soul When I so saved--

Nin. Speak! Who?

Sem. The son of Husak, Prince Khosrove, of Armenia!

(Utter silence. Ninus stands choked and dumb; then moves to strike Semiramis)

Sem. Strike me You strike your army!

(Ninus drops his hand and stares at her, livid and shaken, then turns fiercely upon Artavan)

Sem. (Rushes before him and falls, clinging to his knees) Wait, O wait, my lord!

If thou dost Hope to know my love! Dost dream Of bridal joy! Wouldst rest thy head in peace Upon my bosom, say thou wilt forgive!

And I, too, will forgive! No more will ask What thou hast done or not done! All thy past Is fair as Heaven by this moment's sun!

I'll love thee as thou hadst been born this hour That gives my brother life! O, speak the word, And take me to thy heart--thy wife--thy slave--

Nin. By earth and heaven, he shall die--and now!

(Raises his dagger to strike. Enter Va.s.sin)

Vas. (Excitedly) My lord, this is the strangest governor!

He ordered me with Sumbat to lead out The city troops beyond the southern gate, Then spurred to north! Sumbat obeyed, but I, Not liking this, returned to you!

Nin. 'Tis Khosrove!

Vas. (Staggered) Then we are lost!

Nin. Pursue him! Fly! Call back Our troops!

Vas. Too late! By now they're locked without The southern wall, and Khosrove rides to ope The north to Husak!

Sem. (Aside) False! Down, slanderous thought That darkens me not him! That face that looked As Truth had chosen it to show her own To man! That voice--each word the enchanted door To holier worlds unspoken! No. I'll trust!

(Enter an officer)

Off. O, great a.s.syria, the Armenians come!

The Gazim traitor's sold thee unto Husak!

Thy foes are pouring through the northern gate And bear down on the palace! Sumbat holds Thy troops upon the southern plain And bars All pa.s.sage! There's no help!

(Ninus listens speechless)

Attendants. (Running in) O, we are lost!

Off. The city will be sacked! The palace guards Are but a handful!