Semiramis and Other Plays - novelonlinefull.com
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Men. (Towering up) Though every G.o.d in heaven gave thee blood Yet would I spill it!
(Lifts his sword; suddenly drops it and falls, pressing his heart. Ninus and Va.s.sin watch him silently until he is still)
Nin. Dead?
Vas. (Stooping) Ay, dead, my lord.
Nin. I would have spared him though I threatened death.
Vas. Have spared the coward? Why, your majesty?
Nin. Semiramis has spirit pa.s.sing woman's; I have no hope to force her to my arms, And I'd have wrought her heart to tenderness By mercy to her father. Love is my aim!
All else I can command--but that--Guards here!
(Enter Armin and Haddo)
Not you--my own! But wait--a word! Where sleeps Menones?
Arm. (Pointing) There, O king!
(The body of Menones lies behind the king and Va.s.sin, unseen by the guards. Exeunt Armin and Haddo. Enter the king's guards)
Nin. Take up this body.
Place it within.
(Guards go in with Menones' body)
Vas. What would you do, my lord?
Nin. You'll know in time.
(Re-enter guards) Hark! You saw nothing!
Guards. (Bowing to floor) Nothing.
O mighty Ninus! (Exeunt)
Nin. I will have her love!
Va.s.sin, this story of her G.o.ddess birth Is true!
Vas. How knows your majesty?
Nin. It speaks In all her motions. Every glance and grace Revouches it. E'en your dull eye must know Her beauty is immortal, though her life Is forfeit to the clay and must have end.
Vas. Thou'lt find another fair! Youth blooms and goes!
Nin. Not such as hers! Her brow's a holy page Where chiselling Time dare never set a mark!
The sun hath been her lover, and so deep Hath touched her locks with fire no winter hand May shake his kisses out!
Vas. Why, thou'rt in love!
(Confused voices without. A messenger runs in and falls at the feet of the king)
Nin. Speak, sir!
Mes. a.s.syria wins! The Armenians fly!
They've lost their leader--
Nin. Khosrove! Is he taken?
Mes. Taken or slain, I know not which, but know He leads no more the enemy! They fly Before Semiramis!
Nin. Semiramis!
Mes. Ay, all was rout until she reached the field And spurred the--
Voice of herald without. Victory! A victory!
Ninus is G.o.d and king!
Cries. A victory!
(Enter herald)
Herald. a.s.syria triumphs o'er his enemies!
Nin. Is Khosrove taken?
Her. Slain, the people cry!
The soldiers hail Semiramis their chief, Call her a G.o.ddess, drag her chariot, And shout and swear by Belus' ruling star To be her slaves forever!
Nin. So they shall.
Vas. Your majesty--
Nin. Peace, Va.s.sin! Wait and see!
(Noise and cries without as Semiramis is drawn toward the tent in her chariot)
Nin. Ho! Guards!
(The king's guards enter. Ninus pa.s.ses to right centre, facing entrance opposite. Guards station themselves on each side of him and in his rear. Semiramis enters, followed by officers and soldiers. Her helmet is off, her hair falling)
Nin. Hail G.o.ddess!
(Semiramis looks at the king in astonishment then glances fearfully toward Menones' room)
Nin. Hail, a.s.syria's queen!
Sem. (Faintly) O king--
