Semiramis and Other Plays | Page 4

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' son.
Khos. Menones? Governor of Nineveh?
Who fled my sword, fear-cold, and pale with terror? Insult not Husak with so poor a suit!?That coward's race--
Sem. Am I a coward, sir?
Khos. (In sudden dejection)
These fettered arms make answer, princess.
Sem. Nay,
I am Menones' daughter,--Artavan?My brother!
Khos. Not the Assyrian princess? O,
Forgive me, lady! I am proud to be?Thy brother's price!
Sem. What surety have I
That Artavan still lives?
Khos. My word.
Officer. His word!
O, noble madam, it is known to all?That Husak takes no prisoners of war.?They die before his tent.
Khos. Such is the custom--
Sem. O me, my brother!
Khos. But I can avouch
That Artavan still lives.
Off. Trust not the word
Of captive foes, my lady. By what means?Can he know this?
Sem. Speak, sir.
Khos. To you alone
I'll speak.
Sem. Nay--before all!
Khos. Unto no ear
But thine.
Sem. Wouldst save thy life?
Khos. Perhaps. Wouldst save
Thy brother?
Sem. Sumbat, wilt advise me?
Sum. Trust him,
And hear what he would say.
Sem. Out then, my friends,
I pray you.
(All go out but Semiramis and Khosrove.)
Now!
Khos. My father swore to me
Before I led his troops 'gainst Nineveh,?All captives should be held at my disposal?And bloody custom waived. I would not speak?'Fore all, lest I should rob fierce Husak's name?Of terror which is half his sword.
Sem. But now
He thinks you dead.
Khos. Not so. I've sent him word
By a sure mouth that I'm unhurt and held?A prisoner.
Sem. O then my brother's safe!
How gracious art thou, Heaven!
(Steps towards entrance) Sumbat!
Khos. (Stepping before her) Wait!
Sem. What more?
Khos. All--everything--there's nothing said!
Ninus will spare me not! 'Tis thou must save me!
Sem. I! No! The king!
Khos. Not he! Is Artavan
Grown dearer than his hate to Husak? Nay--
Sem. Sir, fear not Ninus. He will grant my suit.
Khos. He will? You--you--
Sem. I've saved his army!
Khos. (Relieved) Ah!
No more than that?
Sem. Enough!
Khos. No! 'T will not wipe
Revenge from out his heart,--and you have saved?But that your father threw away.
Sem. Peace, sir!
Khos. There's but one way for me--escape!
Sem. No more!
Nay--not another word!
Khos. I must escape--
Sem. Not one!
Khos. That word unsaid slays Artavan,
Spoken it saves him! Once in Ninus' power?I have no hope of life, and with me dies?Your brother.
Sem. (Scornfully) Do not fear!
Khos. I fear? By Heaven!
Think you this heart is not a soldier's own?Because 'tis captive to a woman's sword??A woman's sword! O little had thy sword?To do with my defeat! Unarmed thou