Semiramis and Other Plays | Page 3

lord!
(Ninus regards him in astonishment)
Nin. What do you here, Menones?
Speak!
Men. (Trembling) I am ill.
Nin. Ill, sir? Ha! Now I know!
Your daughter leads while you couch safe in tent! She sought to hide your shame! O, what a heart!?But you--
Men. I led, my lord, till illness seized--
Nin. Too ill to fight, but not too ill to fly!
Hound! hound! My troops are lost! I'd kill you now But 'tis an hour too soon! First you must be?Of every honor stript!
Men. (Kneeling) My lord and king,
I know that I must die, but hear a prayer?For my brave daughter's sake! Betray her not,?Lest thou offend the gods that gave thee life,?For she, too, is of heaven!
Vas. Ha!
Men. I swear
'Tis true! My lord, Decreto was her mother!?She met me on the plains of Gazim when?This aged figure was called fair, and youth?Still fed its fire to manhood's prime;?Our babe she left upon a mountain crest?And sent her doves to tend it through a year,?Then bade me scale the mount and take my own.?I did, and named her for Decreto's dove--?Semiramis!
Nin. What precious tale is this?
Vas. He thinks to fright you from the maid, my lord.
Dok. (Falling at the king's feet)
O king, 'tis true! Ask thou in Gazim--
Nin. Go!
(Dokahra vanishes through curtains left rear)
Nin. 'T will take a better lie to save your head!
Men. My head? Thou'rt welcome to it! 'Tis not that!
But she--my daughter--
Nin. We will spare her life.
Men. (Calmly) It is my prayer that she may die with me.
Nin. Not while we love. If e'er she lose her charm,
We may remember that you were her father.
Men. (Furiously, forgetting himself)
She has a brother yet!
Nin. A brother! So!
We'll look to him as well! Thanks for your news!
Men. (Towering up) Though every god in heaven gave thee blood
Yet would I spill it!
(Lifts his sword; suddenly drops it and falls, pressing his heart. Ninus and Vassin 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 passing 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 Vassin, 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!
Vassin, this story of her goddess 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. Assyria 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 god and king!
Cries. A victory!
(Enter herald)
Herald. Assyria triumphs o'er his enemies!
Nin. Is Khosrove taken?
Her. Slain, the people cry!
The soldiers hail Semiramis their chief,?Call her a goddess, 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, Vassin! 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 passes 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 goddess!
(Semiramis looks at the king in astonishment then glances fearfully toward Menones' room)
Nin. Hail, Assyria's queen!
Sem. (Faintly) O king--
(Ninus advances to her. She kneels before him)
Nin. Kneel down, Menones' daughter! Rise,
The bride of Ninus, nevermore to kneel!
(Raises her)
This victory is proof, if proof I need,?That you are a true daughter of the skies,?Mate for the mightiest throne!
(To soldiers) Cry festival!?The feast of triumph and the wedding revel?We'll hold together! Go!
(Exeunt soldiers, cheering without)
Nin. (Taking the hand of Semiramis)
To-day thou'lt come?
Sem. (Withdrawing her hand and bowing her head)
I am my king's.
Nin. (Passing to exit) The royal chariot,
Within the hour, will