Semiramis and Other Plays | Page 8

us how to prize your brother.
(Re-enter Vassin with a chain of great keys, which the king takes)
Come!
(Throws chains about Khosrove's neck, and singles out the keys)
The citadel! The southern arsenal!?The northern wall--the secret passages--?And these the tunnel locks and river gates!?You'll take command at once, and so relieve?The city which we've shut fast as a tomb,?Fearing that spies from Husak's camp might creep?Into our bosom.
Khos. Wisely done, my lord.
Sem. O king, if 't must be so, I'll map for him
My fathers safe division of the city.
Nin. To you we leave him.
(Talks apart with Vassin and Sumbat)
Sem. Sir, what do you mean?
Khos. (Hurriedly) When Vassin came to take me into charge,
Sumbat contrived another should be sent--
Sem. We know the rest! But how save Artavan?
Khos. When I have entered Husak's camp he's free!
You trust me?
Sem. O, I must! I do! But not
To save my brother may I trust to you?The city's keys! You are Assyria's foe--
Khos. Not now! No more a foe, but truest friend!
For in my heart you are Assyria,?And you I'd serve--
Nin. Cut short thy schooling, for
The city waits.
Sem. (Aloud, mapping in her hand) The river here divides
The eastern guard--(lowers her voice) I must not do this! No! Risk every soul in Nineveh--
Khos. Did I
Not trust thee when I entered here? I knew?The face that shone upon me in the battle?Would not betray me! Who gives perfect trust?Is worthy of it! Thou dost know me true?By Heaven's sign that only souls may read!?I can not say what I would say because?Thou art a wife, but wert thou not a wife,?Though thou wert thousand times a queen, I'd pour Such worship to your ears you would believe?My heart would rend my body's walls and leap?Out of my bosom sooner than beat once?A traitor to your trust! Take Ninus' ring!?Give me this little one--(slipping a ring from her finger)
that hath enclosed?The sovereign rose and ruby of thy veins?That dims his purple power--and thee I serve--?Your general--not his! Whate'er you would?I will! Command me now--
Sem. Enough! Go, go!
Lose no more time!
Khos. O, in some dream to come,
When innocence may wear what form it will?And on thy waking nature leave no blush,?May words I must not speak take life and pay?The debt they owe this hour!
Sem. I beg you go!
Assyria's in your hands!
Khos. Nay, in my heart!
Nin. Come, Artavan! No more delay! Your troops
Await before the citadel.
Khos. I go,
My lord.
(Confusion without, left rear. Enter an officer)
Off. Pardon, your majesty! A man
Who says he's brother to the queen, makes bold?To press before you!
Nin. Yet another brother?
Sem. No, no, my lord!
Off. He comes from Husak's camp.
Sem. It is some madman surely, or a spy
Who plays his wits are lost and takes this way?To force into the court!
Khos. I'll thrust him out!
He may mean danger to your person.
Nin. Nay,
We'll sport with him. Let him come in!
(Exit Officer)
Sem. My lord--
Nin. Your brother! Ho, ho, ho!
(Enter Artavan)
Art. My sister!
Sem. (Staring) Sir?
Art. Though queen, art thou not still my sister?
Sem. No!
Art. (Bowing with scornful ceremony)
Your majesty!
Nin. Ha! ha! His sister! Then
Thou wouldst be brother to the king?
Art. (Bitterly) My hope
Runs not so high, and even to her I now?Give up all claim. I'll own no blood but that?In my own veins keeps honor! So farewell!
Nin. Be not so fast! Whence comest thou, my man?
Art. From Husak's camp. When he received thy word
His son should go to him, he set me free.
Sem. Oh, set you free!
Art. And now, O king--
Sem. (Seeing that the king is impressed) My lord,
If he came from the camp how has he passed?The city gates?
Nin. Ah ... true ... he could not pass.
Sem. (Mockingly) Perhaps he scaled the hundred feet of wall,
And crossed the rampart 'neath the arrow watch?Of towers eighty-score!
Art. I found a way,
Proud woman!
Nin. How?
(As Artavan speaks Sola enters left front, and is held aside by Sumbat)
Art. This morning ere the battle
She who was then my sister gave me this.
(Shows paper)
'Twas some direction sent unto my father,?The lord Menones. (Turning paper) On this side I found A map whose secret key I knew, that marked?A passage 'neath the river. This I sought,?Found it unguarded--
Nin. By the seven winds!--
(Enter an officer)
Off. O king!
Nin. You're of the northern watch?
Off. I am,
O king! The Armenians advance upon?The northern wall, but come with lances down!
Art. They come in peace to meet the son of Husak!
Sem. O, haste, my lord! Haste, Artavan to duty!
Their rage when they shall learn the fate of Khosrove May give them courage to assail our walls!?Go, brother!
Nin. Hold! This man speaks not as madmen!
Sem. Should I not know my brother, sir?
Nin. You should.
Choose which is he. The other we condemn?To death.
Art. (Holding out his arms)
Save me, Semiramis!
Khos. (Holding out his arms) Save me,
My sister!
Sem. (Going to Khosrove's arms)
Brother!
Nin. (To Khosrove) Haste thee to thy office!
Vassin, attend him! Sumbat, be his chief!?We trust where trusts the