Semiramis and Other Plays | Page 7

... but he is the king!
... Ah, Khosrove! Artavan!... Nay, I will think?Of nothing but my duty to the crown!...?... "And with a father and a brother lost--"
(Enter Sola, left, front. She sees that Semiramis is alone and advances)
Sem. "Though thou wert worshipped, thou couldst not be happy!"
Sol. Tell me! When does he come?
Sem. Who, child?
Sol. You ask?
My husband--Artavan!
Sem. He will not come.
Sol. Art thou not queen?
Sem. And Ninus king.
Sol. He will not save thy brother?
Sem. Nay, he can not.
Sol. O monster king!
Sem. Hush, Sola ... he forgave
My father.
Sol. Oh!--because he knew him dead!
Sem. He knew him dead!
Sol. Ah, I will tell you now!
(Looks about guardedly, and speaks in a low tone)
I saw your father die--and Ninus saw him!?Dokahra waked me--and unseen we watched!?The king came to the tent--discovered all--?Doomed him to death--you to dishonor! Then?Your father rose to strike him--and fell dead.?The king--
Sem. Go! Leave me, Sola! Leave me! Go!
(Exit Sola, left, near front)
Sem. (Stands in silent horror, then speaks slowly)
... I'll keep my oath ... and crown. Still will I make Assyria great. Assyria is the army,?And I ... am queen of arms ... not love! Not love!
(Re-enter Ninus)
Sem. (Softly, not seeing Ninus)
"Dost know what love is, daughter of Menones?"
Nin. (Advancing) My bride!
Sem. (Turning to him) My lord, I would see Sumbat. Pray
Let him be summoned.
Nin. Nay, we've sworn this day
Shall be for us alone!
Sem. 'Twas he I charged
With care of the Armenian prince.
Nin. My queen
Shall not be troubled.
Sem. 'T will not trouble me,
My lord.
Nin. Enough it troubles me!
Sem. He'd know
Of this foul fault, against your will--
Nin. Again
That theme! Forget it!
Sem. O, my lord, forget
That noble prince? So brave--so proud--so fair--
Nin. What do you say? O, you changed eyes with him!
Sem. My lord!
Nin. This is your grief! Your brother! Ha!
Sem. Your majesty--
Nin. Not majesty! Fool! Fool!
Ho, there! Bring in the Armenian! You shall see?This noble prince! So brave--so proud--so fair!?Her brother! O, fool, fool, fool!
Sem. This the king?
Nin. Why, I'm a fool, my lady!
(Guards enter right front with a half lifeless body)
Look on him!?He's had some kisses since you saw him last?That struck full deep!
Sem. (Staggering back) Is that--
Nin. Ay, it is he!
Look on him! 'Tis your Khosrove! Your--
Sem. (Majestically) Peace Ninus!
When you have knelt to me I'll hear you speak!
(Exit left centre)
Nin. (Stares after her and becomes calm)
Now I have ruined all. She'll not forgive!
(Enter Vassin, left, rear)
Vas. My lord, the brother of the queen has come.
Nin. Not Artavan?
Vas. Ay, Artavan.
Nin. He's here?
Vas. When Husak had your oath you'd free his son,
Prince Khosrove, Artavan was sent at once?To Nineveh.
Nin. How could he pass
The gates?
Vas. He passed before your order fell.
Nin. We'll welcome him.
(Looks toward the queen's room)
I'll make my peace with this.
(Goes out with Vassin, left, rear. Semiramis enters hesitatingly, sees that Ninus is gone and advances fearfully toward the figure on the floor. The guards stand back, right front. She retreats, covering her eyes; then approaches and bends over the body. Searches his face, and throws up her hands in sudden joy)
Sem. Not Khosrove! O, it is not Khosrove!
(Leaves him and hurries to exit, trying to suppress her emotion. Returns to the body)
Where is the prince? Poor wretch! Can you not speak? ... Are these thy ways, ambition?
Voice without. Way! Make way!
(Semiramis hurries to her room. Enter the king, left rear, walking with Khosrove, and followed by Vassin and Sumbat)
Nin. Speak not of going, Artavan!
Khos. I must,
O king! I pray your leave to go at once?To Gazim. Sudden troubles urge me there.?I beg your kingly warrant I may pass?The gates--
Nin. Nay, you shall stay! We shall persuade you!
(To attendant)?Summon the queen. Her voice we'll add to ours.
Khos. My lord--
Nin. We like you, Artavan! By Bel,
We do! You're worthy of your sister queen!?No more--you'll stay! ... See! This is Khosrove!
(Bends over body on the floor) Is--
Or was? ... He lives.... Think you these bones will hold Until they reach old Husak? Now you've come,?We must keep faith! Ha! ha!
Khos. And that--is Khosrove?
Nin. Truth, 'tis! ... Bear out the dog!
(Guards bear off body, right front. Enter Semiramis. Sumbat crosses to her)
Sem. My brother? Where?
Khos. Here! (Advancing to her)
Sum. (To Semiramis) Be not amazed
And Artavan is safe!
Nin. This welcome's cold
Methinks. We gave him warmer greeting.
Sem. Sir,
Such sudden joy--My brother knows there's none?I hold more dear.
Nin. How now? Not one?
Sem. (Dropping her eyes from Khosrove) Yes--one--
Perhaps.
Nin. (Pleased, taking her hand)
We are forgiven?
Sem. Indeed, my lord.
Nin. And for your brother, hear our royal word.
We make him governor of Nineveh!
Sem. (In alarm)
No! no!
Nin. 'Tis done! Go, Vassin, bring the keys!
(Exit Vassin, right front)
And wear this ring, my general!
Khos. My lord,
I could not undertake--
Nin. You shall!--The queen
Will charge you with all duties.
Sem. No! I will not!
Nin. Ay, ay! We know we please you 'gainst your word
And not your will.
Sem. He is too young, my lord!
Nin. Menones was too old. And 'twas yourself
Who taught