Semiramis and Other Plays Part 24

Sem. I live? No! Thou'rt deceived!

Art. O Heaven!

... She's dazed! Her troubles have bewildered her.

All's well, my sister! Husak has been taken.

Thy crown itself is in our hands ... The crown!

 

(A soldier hands it to him)

You see 'tis safe. (She takes it idly)

Sem. A crown. For such a thing Wouldst give thy Sola?

Art. She is dear to me, But ay, by Heaven, I would!

Sem. You would? I know A greater thing than this.

Art. What, sister?

Sem. (Letting the crown fall) Love.

Art. O, she is crazed! This is some evil work!

Bring in the captive Husak! He shall speak!

Sem. O, brother, once I thought thy love was truest That ever husband gave to wife, but now It showeth dark against my lover's truth!

Art. Semiramis ... sweet sister ... What dost mean?

... I'll know the cause of this! Call in the prince With Husak!

Sem. Prince?

Art. Ay ... Khosrove, whom we found In chains--I know not why--and I unbound him, Recalling how he saved my life,--but now I'll know what thou hast suffered at his hands!

Sem. You found him bound? I can not hear--or see!

Art. She swoons--she dies--O, true, we are too late!

Sem. No, brother, thou'rt in time! I live! I live!

I am Semiramis! Give me my crown!

Now this small circlet seems to me the world, And it is mine--to wear--or give away!

Is 't not, good friends?

Voices. Ay, 'tis!

(Enter soldiers with Husak and Khosrove, Husak in fetters)

Sem. King Husak, hear!

a.s.syria and Armenia should be friends, Joining true hands to bring a happy peace O'er all the East. And in that dearest hope I free thee. (Unbinds him) But thy son, the prince, must be Again my prisoner.

Hus. O, queen, I've spent One childless hour, and rather would I die Than know another. Take my life for his.

Art. Dost thou forget, Semiramis, that once He saved thy brother?

Sem. I remember all, But will not change his doom. He must be bound, Nor from my fetters may he go alive.

These are his chains--(Putting her arms about his neck) his prison deathless love, And here I pray that he will wear this crown, And hold with me the great a.s.syrian throne!

... (calls) My chariot!

Khos. My queen! my queen!

Sem. Wilt thou Consent?

Khos. (Kisses her lips) I answer here.

(The royal chariot appears, rear. They step in)

Sem. (Giving the reins to Khosrove) To Nineveh!

(CURTAIN)

CARLOTTA

ACT I.

SCENE 1. Miramar.

SCENE 2. In the mountains of Mexico.

ACT II.

SCENE 1. Chapultapec.

ACT III.

SCENE 1. Before the Imperial Theatre.

SCENE 2. Within the theatre.

ACT IV.

SCENE 1. Queretaro.

ACT V.