Semiramis and Other Plays | Page 3

without. Ninus and Vassin advance within the tent)
Vas. Your majesty, suppose
The Armenians gain, you'll be in danger here.
Why come so near for
news?
Nin. For news, good Vassin?
I had a better reason. Semiramis
Tents with her father.
(Points to curtains)
Vas. Ah!
Nin. The sun will break

Through there!
Vas. My lord--
Nin. She stirs! She comes! Wait--see!
(Dokahra's gaunt figure appears at curtains)
Vas. A false dawn, is it not?
Nin. Your mistress sleeps?
Dok. (Abasing herself)
No, mighty king!
Nin. She's up? Then give her word
We're here.
Dok. She's not within, my lord.
Nin. Abroad!
So soon? She's on the general's business?
Dok. And yours, O king! She's joined the battle!
Nin. She!
Vas. Ha! ha! Do you believe this?
Nin. Ay ... 'tis so.
I know her spirit. Here's mettle for a queen!
(Menones uncovers and half rises)
Vas. You would not make her one, your majesty!

Though she should lead your troops to victory,
Still is she but your
general's daughter, and
Assyria's crown is given of gods to gods!
Nin. And Ninus knows to keep his race untainted.
But all the jewels of a king, my Vassin,
Are not worn in his crown.
Some in the heart
Are casketed, and there this maid shall shine
For
me alone. Were she of heavenly race--
Men. (Starting up) She is, my 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