Semiramis and Other Plays Part 6

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 a.s.syrian 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, n.o.ble 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 b.l.o.o.d.y 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.