Semiramis and Other Plays Part 19

(Guards draw Ninus through the archway. Khosrove follows, then all but Semiramis, who lingers fearfully, runs toward front, then back and listens)

Sem. 'Tis true! What have I done? Ye G.o.ds! 'tis true!

He would not so rebel if 't were not true!

But Va.s.sin is below! He'll know his king And save him!

(Kneels) Belus, mighty Belus, pardon!

(The sun has set, and red clouds show almost black over water, rear. The front of stage is nearly dark. Lights glimmer from the gardens, and a faint torch shows in the darkness under the bridge. Shouts and shrieks come from within. People rush out)

Voices. The king! the king!

Sem. (Retreating to railing, front) 'Tis done!

Officer. (Running across) The king has fallen Into the lake! Lights there! below!

(Runs down steps leading under the bridge)

Other officers following. Lights! lights!

(Torches flare under the bridge. Darkness above as the last light fades from the sky. A moment of noise and search, and officers appear on the bridge, right, rear, with Va.s.sin. A guard bears torch which throws light on his face)

Sem. (Confronting him) You've saved the king!

Vas. I have. For I have slain His foe!

Sem. His foe? No--you have killed the king!

(Falls back into the arms of her women. Complete darkness on stage. An instant later moonlight. Khosrove and Semiramis alone on the bridge, centre, front)

Khos. (Bowing ceremoniously) Farewell, a.s.syria!

Sem. O, not that name!

Not yet--not yet.

Khos. Does it not please your pride?

Sem. My pride? 'Tis gone. Now I could lay my head Upon the dust.

Khos. In truth! But you'll not do it!

Humility's a word the great think sweet Upon the tongue, but near the heart they find It loseth flavor!

Sem. Ah ... you do not know?

You think the words I spoke were born of pride?

So far from that--no, no--I will not tell, And yet you wrong me, prince.

Khos. (Eagerly) Did you suspect Some danger to me here, and seek to force My angry leave? You did not care so much?

Sem. I cared so much that rather than betray you I would have let you go believing me A woman worth your scorn. Ah, there my pride In truth did suffer!

Khos. O, Semiramis!

Thou art the same as when I saw thee last?

As when I rode away and left thy face-- The only face in Nineveh--nay--I-- Will go. Farewell, most n.o.ble queen!

Sem. Farewell!

(He lingers)

Sem. Why go in haste?

Khos. I left my father sick.

He will be troubled till I come again.

Sem. How dared you trust--

Khos. What would I not have dared To look on thee again?... My hors.e.m.e.n wait....

(Waving toward left)

I come!

Sem. Farewell!... Armenia is my friend?

I'm sad.... The manner of this death.... It weighs Upon me.

Khos. Let it not. Thou'rt innocent

Sem. O, some may doubt!

Khos. But who wrongs Virtue puts A crown upon her! If thou hadst foreknown The accident--

Sem. The accident?

Khos. 'Twas not Designed?

Sem. It was ... for you.

Khos. By Ninus?

Sem. Ay.

You were to die.

Khos. Then you--you knew--that he--

(Starts from her in horror)

Sem. What's in thy mind? What thought doth paint thy face In dreadful silence? Oh! you think that I--

(Looks at him with equal horror. Removes farther from him, regains composure, and speaks with haughty coldness)

This serves me well! Right well, Armenian!