Semiramis and Other Plays Part 15

Sem. False? O, Khosrove! False?

Then there is no man true? E'en Sumbat lost To thy sweet promises! False! false!

(Enter a second officer)

Off. (Prostrating himself) Oh Ninus!

Call on thy G.o.ds! Thy enemies are at thee!

The palace is enclosed, and every foe Bears in his hand a torch that blazes death To all within!

(The inmates of the palace are running to and fro, rear, and looking fearfully out into the court below)

Sem. O beauteous G.o.ds, is this Your earth? Where Falsehood steals your garments, nay Your smile, seduces with your voice, and stamps Your semblance upon fiends?

Voices. Save us, O king!

(Ninus stands immovable, as if made deaf and dumb by impending disaster)

Voice. We burn! They cast the brands!

Another. Not yet! They wait!

Voices of prostrate figures. Save us, O king!

Voice. See! see! The leader speaks!

Another. His herald! Hear!

(A trumpet sounds below)

Voice of Khosrove's herald. a.s.syria, come forth!

(All within listen, silent, eager, fearful)

Hear thou, O Ninus! Hear the word of Khosrove!

He will depart with the Armenian troops, And leave the city free of sword and fire, If thou'lt decree that Artavan shall live Free and unharmed!

(The face of Semiramis illumines with joy)

Deny and Nineveh Shall flame!

Nin. My herald there! Stand forth!

(The herald of Ninus takes station centre rear)

Decree As Khosrove wills!

Her. of Khos. Appear, O Ninus!

Nin. No!

Her. of Khos.

Appear, O Ninus!

(Ninus goes slowly to rear and stands by his herald)

Her. of Khos. Hear, all Nineveh!

Hear the decree of Ninus, king and G.o.d!

That Artavan, the brother of the queen, Shall freely live, and die by no man's hand!

Her. of Ninus. (Blows trumpet, then speaks)

Hear the decree of Ninus, king and G.o.d, That Artavan, the brother of the queen, Shall freely live, and die by no man's hand!

(Silence. The voice of Khosrove below)

Khos. a.s.syria, speak!

Nin. I, Ninus, so decree!

(Staggers back toward front as all press to rear to see the troops go out. Semiramis, Artavan and Sola stand together gazing out)

Sem. O, Khosrove! See--he rides--away--away!

(Leans forward waving her scarf. Ninus, alone in front, goes toward his chamber, falls on the steps overpowered with rage and lifts his clenched hands)

Nin. O, vengeance! Vengeance for a king!

(CURTAIN)

ACT III.

Scene: The gardens over the lake. A wide bridge extends from the bank of the lake, left, to the gardens which are partly visible on the right. At the rear, right, is a garlanded archway. At the left, front, steps lead from the bridge to the bank and top of the bridge. Beyond the bridge, rear, clouds show that the sun is setting.

A score of spearmen, with lances down, march in right, front, and out through archway, right, rear.

Enter, right, front, the king and Sumbat. The king is royally clad and crowned; Sumbat in official robe.

Sumbat. Khosrove delays.

Nin. But do not doubt he'll come.

I have his word, and couriers have seen His hors.e.m.e.n on the plain.

Sum. How n.o.ble, sir, To close the Feast of Peace with supreme revel In honor of your foe!

Nin. Not foe, good Sumbat.