Semiramis and Other Plays | Page 4

no winter hand

May shake his kisses out!
Vas. Why, thou'rt in love!
(Confused voices without. A messenger runs in and falls at the feet of
the king)
Nin. Speak, sir!
Mes. Assyria wins! The Armenians fly!

They've lost their leader--
Nin. Khosrove! Is he taken?
Mes. Taken or slain, I know not which, but know
He leads no more the enemy! They fly
Before Semiramis!
Nin. Semiramis!
Mes. Ay, all was rout until she reached the field
And spurred the--
Voice of herald without. Victory! A victory!
Ninus is god and king!
Cries. A victory!
(Enter herald)
Herald. Assyria triumphs o'er his enemies!
Nin. Is Khosrove taken?
Her. Slain, the people cry!
The soldiers hail Semiramis their chief,
Call her a goddess, drag her
chariot,
And shout and swear by Belus' ruling star
To be her slaves
forever!
Nin. So they shall.
Vas. Your majesty--
Nin. Peace, Vassin! Wait and see!
(Noise and cries without as Semiramis is drawn toward the tent in her

chariot)
Nin. Ho! Guards!
(The king's guards enter. Ninus passes to right centre, facing entrance
opposite. Guards station themselves on each side of him and in his rear.
Semiramis enters, followed by officers and soldiers. Her helmet is off,
her hair falling)
Nin. Hail goddess!
(Semiramis looks at the king in astonishment then glances fearfully
toward Menones' room)
Nin. Hail, Assyria's queen!
Sem. (Faintly) O king--
(Ninus advances to her. She kneels before him)
Nin. Kneel down, Menones' daughter! Rise,
The bride of Ninus, nevermore to kneel!
(Raises her)
This victory is proof, if proof I need,
That you are a true daughter of
the skies,
Mate for the mightiest throne!
(To soldiers) Cry festival!
The feast of triumph and the wedding revel

We'll hold together! Go!
(Exeunt soldiers, cheering without)
Nin. (Taking the hand of Semiramis)
To-day thou'lt come?
Sem. (Withdrawing her hand and bowing her head)

I am my king's.
Nin. (Passing to exit) The royal chariot,
Within the hour, will take you from the tent
Unto our palace.
(Exeunt Ninus and attendants. Semiramis stands dazed. Sola comes out
softly and looks at her)
Sem. (In rapture) Ah, my father's safe!
I'll tell him!
(Hurries toward curtains right, rear, and stops at exit)
No ... I'll wait. This joy is dead If Artavan be lost!
(Sola springs toward her with a cry)
Sol. Be lost? Ah, no!
Where is he? Oh, not lost!
Sem. He pushed too far
Amid the flying troops.
Sol. And you--you stole
His last look from my eyes!
Sem. He may be saved.
For Sumbat followed him. He must be saved!
We'll hope till Sumbat
comes.
Sol. O, you know naught
Of love!

Sem. I was his sister, Sola, ere
He made thee wife.
Sol. A sister! O, such love
Is nothing! Thou wilt smile at it
If ever thou'rt a wife!
(Semiramis is removing her armor. She stops and looks questioningly
at Sola; then shakes her head)
Sem. Nay, Sola, nay!...
Help me with this.... Somehow my heart is gone
And armor's for the
brave.
(Putting on her robe) Now 't has come back. But beats and whispers
like a maiden's own.
I am but half a warrior.... Do not sob.
Sumbat
will bring us news.... Ah, he has come!
(Enter Sumbat)
Sol. (Rushing to him and looking into his face)
Oh, lost! (Flies, sobbing, through the curtains, rear left)
Sem. Speak.... Is it true?
Sum. I fear it is.
I could not save him, and they bore him off.
Sem. Alive?
Sum. Alive!
Sem. A prisoner! Not slain!
Then we may hope! I've captured Husak's son!

Sum. Khosrove! Is he not under guard without?
A man most fair ... of lordly form, and young?
Sem. 'Tis he! Have him brought hither instantly!
To Husak word shall go on swiftest steed
That I will yield the prince
for Artavan!
(Exit Sumbat)
He's safe ... if there be time ... if there be time!... Husak, the Fierce ...
but he must love his son,
And will be merciful to save him. Ay....

So brave a son. Now I recall his face,
It would have made me pause
had not my eyes
Been dim with triumph.
(Enter Sumbat, followed by officers with Khosrove. The officers fall
back, leaving the captive before Semiramis. He is stripped of all armor,
and clothed in a scant tunic revealing a figure of marked strength and
grace. He stands erect, but with head bowed, and his arms bound to his
sides)
Sem. (Gazes at him) Ah!... (She advances a step)
Armenian!
(At sound of her voice he lifts his head and looks at her with eager
recognition)
Sem. (Stepping back) Armenian!
Khos. (Proudly) Armenia, by your leave!
I am my father's house.
Sem. I'm glad 'tis so.
Then he should value thee.

Khos. He does.
Sem. So much
That he will spare the life of Artavan
If we spare yours?
Khos. Who is this Artavan
Who evens me in price?
Sem. Menones'