Semiramis and Other Plays | Page 6

his death.?Ah, I must thank you sir.
(Takes the king's hand and kisses it. Goes through curtains, right, rear. Her cry is heard within. She returns.)
Too late! He's dead!?Cold, cold, my father! Oh!
(Sobs, her hands covering her face)
Nin. (Removing her hands and putting his arm about her)
Thou'rt not alone,?My bride!
Sem. (Withdrawing and kneeling to him, her hands upraised)
O king, leave me my brother!
Nin. Nay!
Did you not have your choice? You ask too much.
Sem. (Rising) Ah, so I do! I should demand, not ask!
Nin. Demand!
Sem. Ay, king! ... 'Tis true I'm not alone.
My goddess mother is again with me?As when this morn my heart exultant rode?The tides of triumph! When the heavens rolled?And like a stooping sea caught up my soul?Till ranged with the applauding gods it clapped?My courage on below! You offer me?A place beside your throne. I offer you?The hearts of all your subjects now my own,--?The love--the worship of your mighty army!
(Cries without)
They shout my name--not yours--great Ninus! Hear!
Shouts: Semiramis is queen! Semiramis!
Sem. I bring a hand, with yours inlocked, shall reach
O'er Asia's breadth and draw her glory in!?A heart ambitious with immortal beat?To make Assyria greatest 'neath the stars!?And in return I ask my brother's life!?Give me your promise Khosrove goes to Husak,?Or leave me where I stand--Menones' daughter!
Nin. (Slowly, reading the determination in her face)
I promise.
Sem. Swear!
Nin. I swear it!
Sem. (Relaxes, falls at his feet, and reaches up, clasping his hands)
O, god Ninus!
(CURTAIN)
ACT II.
The great hall in the palace of Nineveh. The rear is open, showing the sky and the towers of the city. Along the floor, which is high above the ground court, rear, are sculptured lions. On each side of hall where right and left reach open rear are large entrances, with steps leading up to hall, guarded by spearmen and archers. Within the hall, between winged bulls, are entrances to chambers, right centre and left centre. Near front, right, smaller entrance between figures of men with lion heads. The same opposite, left. The walls of the hall are lined with alabaster slabs on which are sculptured and colored the conquests of Assyrian kings.
Ninus alone. Enter Vassin, left centre.
Nin. (As Vassin enters)
You've told her?
Vas. Ay, my lord.
Nin. What does she say?
Does she suspect we ordered Khosrove's torture?
Vas. I can not answer that.
Nin. Then answer this!
You're sure that he will die? You made good work?
Vas. Good work, my lord. He can not live a day.
Nin. A day! You've hurried then! I bade you fill
His wounds with mortal but a lingering bane!?Go, have him brought within! He must not die?Without my foot upon his neck!
(As Vassin is going) What said?The queen?
Vas. She cried 'My brother's lost!'
Nin. No more?
Vas. O, then her soul put sorrow's grandeur on,
And those about her saw a noble storm;?But yet so proud her royal eyes, each drop?That fell from them were worth a world?To him for whom they fell!
Nin. (Aside) He loves the queen!
(Enter Semiramis, left, centre)
Sem. Is this thing true my lord? O, surely Heaven
Will cry out 'No' though thou must answer 'Ay!'
Nin. (To Vassin) Go! (Exit Vassin, right front)
Sem. Is it true?
Nin. Too true, my queen!
Khosrove is maimed beyond all hope of life,?And thou must make thy husband heir to love?That was thy brother's.
Sem. Oh!
Nin. Thy grief is mine.
Sem. I will not weep, though I could shed such streams
As when the clouds from riven breast pour down?Their torrent agonies!... How strange, my lord,?The guards should venture so without your warrant!
Nin. I've had their heads for it!
Sem. (Shocked) Their heads!... Why, this
'Tis to be royal! Ah!
Nin. Put by these thoughts,
Semiramis. No theme to-day but love!
Sem. Love, sir?
Nin. Ay, that! Thou lov'st me, dost thou not?
Sem. Thou art great Ninus!
Nin. I'd be loved as man!
Forget my kingdom, and put arms about me?As doth the peasant maid her beggar lord!
Sem. (Moving from him)
I thought thy greatness married my ambition?To make Assyria brave e'en to the gods!?I'll keep my promise ... howsoever thine?Is broken. Crowned, my glorious purpose beats?Higher than any dream my maiden heart?Could nourish! I will keep my word. But love??If thou wouldst have it--win it!
(Starts away, then turns back to him)
Hast yet found?A governor for the city?
Nin. No.
Sem. Delay
At this unsettled time? Dost think it safe?
Nin. I've ordered every tower-watch redoubled,
Each gate close-locked, and keep the keys myself! None goes or comes till I have found the man?For governor.
Sem. Would not Vassin serve?
Nin. (With suspicion)
I've other use for him. Perchance he'll go?From Nineveh.
Sem. My lord, there's one from Gazim,
Sumbat, thou'lt find as true as thine own heart.?Who with some aid from me--
Nin. From you? So, so!
Sem. (In surprise)
I was my father's head and hand, my lord.?Who knows the guardian locks and wards and plans?Secretive for thy safety but myself??Whom thou dost choose must learn somewhat of me.
Nin. Ay, you'll nob heads together!
Sem. Sir?
Nin. Well, well--
I'll choose a man!
(Exit moodily, right centre)
Sem. Strange