Semiramis and Other Plays | Page 2

(Absorbed) They'll reach my father!
Sol. Not Artavan?
Sem. Ay--he.
Sol. And gone--my husband!
Without a word--a look!
Sem. The battle calls,
And he who wears ambition's spur must ride!
Sol. Ambition! O, you think of naught but war
And glory! Hast thou no heart, Semiramis?
Sem. I' faith, and love thee with it! (kisses her)
Sol. Trifle not!
Hadst thou a heart thou couldst not live a maid,?So beautiful, and never dream of love!?Thou'rt some strange thing--
Sem. What, wilt be angry? Come!
I'll tell thee all he said--thy Artavan,--?Ay, every word, and how his eyes grew soft?With dimness sweeter than their vanquished light?When thou wert his dear theme!
(They move to curtains. Semiramis stops and listens)
Go in. I'll come. (Sola goes in)
Sem. (Listening) Is that a chariot? My father!... Nay!
He's safe with Artavan! Whatever comes?His son will be his heart and bear him up!?Safe, safe, Menones, and thy grizzled locks?Shall wear their laurels to an honored grave!
(Noise of approaching chariot)
It _is_ a chariot! Can it be the king?
(Chariot stops without)
Armin, who is it comes?
Arm. (Appearing at entrance) The Lord Menones.
(Semiramis sways, steadies herself, and waits. Menones enters, livid and trembling. In form he is large and mighty, but is grey with age. He staggers over to couch and sits upon it, groaning heavily. Semiramis looks at him in silence. Then approaches and speaks in a low terrified tone)
Sem. You fled the battle!
Men. Oh!
Sem. You must go back!
Men. Too late!
Sem. (Gaining courage and putting her hands sternly on his
shoulders) No!
Men. We must fly!
Sem. Fly! Never!
Men. (Rising) Come!
The chariot! The king will leave my race?No blood on earth!
Sem. If it be coward's blood
'Tis better lost!
Men. Come, come! We yet can fly!
Sem. Back to the battle! There I'll go with thee!
Men. I can not! Oh, the terror's here--here--here!
It clutches at my heart!
Sem. Tear out thy heart
And keep thy honor whole!
(He falls on the couch, shaken with suffering. She kneels by him pleading passionately)
Sem. Up, father, up!
You must go back! You know not what you've done!?Our Artavan--
Men. Praise Bel, he's safe in Gazim!
Sem. No ... he is here ... he came, and rode to find you.
Men. He came? Gods, no!
Sem. Nay, true! He's in the battle!
Now you will go! You will go back, my father!?He does not know the plan! He can not lead?Without your counsel! Come--your voice--his arm-- And all is safe!
(He rises; noise of battle; he sinks shuddering)
Men. No--I'll die here--not there!
(Semiramis stands in despair; then lifts her arms praying)
Sem. O mighty Belus, give me back my father!
(She listens with sudden eagerness and goes to tent door)
False! false! They're verging south! North, north, ye cowards!
(Rushes to her armor and takes it down. Shakes the curtains right, and calls)
Dokahra! (Throws off her robe and begins putting on armor. Enter Dokahra, right centre)
Dok. Mistress!
Sem. Buckle here! Be quick!
Men. You shall not go!
Sem. You have no might or right
To stay me now!
Men. You will be lost!
Sem. Lost? No!
Did I not plan this battle? Haste, Dokahra!?Our lives are in your fingers! Courage, father!
(Going, Dokahra still adjusting armor)
The king has smiled on me--I do not know--?But there was such a promise in his smile--?And if the victory's mine he will forgive!
Dok. This rivet, mistress!
(Noise of battle)
Sem. Artavan, I come!
(Rushes out. Sound of chariot rolling away. Dokahra looks stolidly at Menones for a moment, then turns through curtains, right. Menones presses his heart in pain, moans wretchedly, and draws a blanket over his body)
Men. Is this the form that bright Decreto loved?
But where the soul, O, gods! (Lies shuddering)
Voice without. The King!
(Menones draws blanket over his face and becomes?motionless. Enter the king, with Vassin)
Nin. (At entrance) Stand here!
Godagon, haste! Ride to Menones; say?We wait within his tent; his messengers?Will reach us here.
(A rider spurs off 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