Semiramis and Other Plays | Page 7

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 ... 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 ...