Semiramis and Other Plays | Page 5

my defeat! Unarmed thou wouldst?Have taken me--for 'twas thy beauty struck?My weapon to my side! (rapidly and passionately)
When I bore down?Upon your chariot, I could have swept you?With one arm from the world! But suddenly?A missile struck your helmet and dislodged?The glory of your face before my eyes,?Your hair ran gold, the shining East looked black Behind the star you made upon its breast!?I knew thee for a goddess, and stood still?Meek captive to thy wish! O blest am I?To learn thou art not greater than myself,?But so much less that I may lift thee up!?Fly with me--be my queen--
(Semiramis tries to speak)
Go, call them in!?I'll shout above their heads to reach thine ears! O, trust to me! In me thy brother lives!?Come, and thy fallen father shall be brave?Beneath Armenia's smile! Here thou mayst save?His life, but ne'er again will he know honor!?Help me to fly and save three lives in one!?Give me to Ninus--give me up to death,?And with a father and a brother lost,?Though thou wert worshipped 'mong thy country's gods Still thou couldst not be happy!
Sem. Sir--
Khos. But come,
And they are safe!
Sem. (Bewildered) What do I hear?
Khos. O, come!
Dost know what love is, daughter of Menones??It is the fire that dead puts out the light?On every hearth, living makes all the world?One altar feeding incense unto Heaven!?It gives the soul to life, breath to the soul,?Pulse to ambition, strength to warrior arms,--
(Struggling with his fetters)
Such strength that they may break all captive bonds To clasp their own!
(Breaks his fetters and attempts to embrace her as she retreats gazing at him as if fascinated. She escapes him, and throws off her bewilderment. He drops to his knees holding out his arms to her)
And love I offer thee!
Sem. Sir, I forgive thee, for thou knowest not
To whom you speak!
Khos. Know not!
Sem. I who am now
Menones' daughter, ere the night shall be?The bride of Ninus, king of all Assyria!
(Khosrove rises, bows before her, and stands with silent dignity)
Sem. You--you--were saying--
Khos. Nothing, royal madam.
Have you not friends without?
(Semiramis hesitates, goes to door and calls)
Sem. Sumbat! (To Khosrove) Thou'rt safe!
Khos. (Ironically)
Assyria's queen should know!
Sem. She does!
(Re-enter Sumbat and officers)
Sum. Unbound!
Sem. Ay, he is free! We only wait the word
Of gracious Ninus. Guard him until then,?We charge you, Sumbat. Keep you nearest him.
(Exeunt Sumbat and officers with Khosrove)
Sem. My father now! He must have heard the shouts
Of victory, yet still he hides himself.?... The king asked not for love. He is Assyria.?I would not lessen him by love. Not yet....?'Tis my triumphant arms he weds. The heart?Must sleep....
Voice of guard at entrance.
The king approaches!
Sem. Ah!... The king!
His word, and all is done. I'll speak to him?Before I see my father. Then I may say?'Thou art forgiven, and Artavan is safe!'?... And Khosrove ... safe.... The royal chariot!... O, mother, send thy doves--I am once more?A babe!
(The king enters alone)
Nin. Art ready for thy king?
Sem. I am--
And yet--a word before I go! Thou know'st?That Khosrove is my prisoner--
Nin. Khosrove! He!
We thought him slain!
Sem. Nay, sir--
Nin. A prisoner!
O, welcome gift! We ask no other dower!
Sem. But, gracious lord--
Nin. (Turning to entrance) Ho, Vassin! Khosrove's taken!
Go! Find him out and drag him straight to dungeon! Bind him with chains until he can not move,?Till we've devised some bitter way of death!
Vas. (Without) I haste, my lord!
Nin. At last my enemy is 'neath my feet!
(Returning to Semiramis)
And 'tis to thee we owe this gift of fortune!?... You're pale, Semiramis.
Sem. O king--
Nin. (Taking her hands) And trembling.
Dost fear my greatness? Nay, thou ledst my army--
Sem. O, if for that thou ow'st me aught, grant me--
Nin. Whate'er thou wouldst!
Sem. My brother, Artavan,
Is Husak's captive! Thou canst save him!
Nin. I?
Then he is saved! But how! Tell me the way!
Sem. Husak will yield him up for Khosrove!
Nin. What
Send Khosrove back alive! Not though the gods?Commanded it! Alive! 'Twas Husak slew?My father, and his son shall die! Ten years?I've sought for this revenge! And give it up?For a green lad fresh from the fields of Gazim?
Sem. A warrior, sir, who'll win thee many a battle!
And crest thy glory with meridian stars!?He's worth the price though pity lent no coin!?Save him, my lord! A bridal boon I ask!?Give me my brother!
Nin. A bridal boon I'll grant.
Thou lov'st thy father?
Sem. (Choking) You know--that he--
Nin. I know.
Sem. Great king--
Nin. One thou mayst save.
Sem. O gods!
Nin. Thy brother, or thy father? Thou mayst choose.
Sem. I know my duty, sir. I choose my father.
Nin. A noble choice. We are not harsh, my queen.
The people know Menones' life is forfeit,?And know how I have sought for Khosrove's death;?Did I spare both for your sake they would say?That Ninus' scepter is a woman's hand.
(Shouts of rejoicing without)
But come! The chariot waits. The people call.
Sem. First will I tell my father that he lives.
He's waiting there the summons to