Olive Tilford Dargan

“ Give me to Ninus—give me up to death,
And with a father and a brother lost,
Though thou wert worshipped ’mong thy country’s gods
Still thou couldst not be happy!
Sem. Sir—
Khos. But come,
And they are safe!
Sem. (Bewildered) What do I hear?
Khos. O, come!
Dost know what love is, daughter of Menones?
It is the fire that dead puts out the light
On every hearth, living makes all the world
One altar feeding incense unto Heaven! ”

“ It is a chariot! Can it be the king?
(Chariot stops without)
Armin, who is it comes?
Arm. (Appearing at entrance) The Lord Menones.
(Semiramis sways, steadies herself, and waits. Menones enters, livid and trembling. In form he is large and mighty, but is grey with age. He staggers over to couch and sits upon it, groaning heavily. Semiramis looks at him in silence. Then approaches and speaks in a low terrified tone)
Sem. You fled the battle!
Men. Oh!
Sem. You must go back!
Men. Too late!
Sem. (Gaining courage and putting her hands sternly on his shoulders)
No! Men. We must fly!
Sem. Fly! ”

“ She gives him both hands and he rises)
Welcome! But no time For gallant greetings! We are warriors here!
(A roll of battle is heard)
Art. We go!
Sem. Ride! ride! The battle over, ye
Shall meet the king!
(Artavan and Sumbat hasten out. The noise of departure brings Sola to curtains)
Sol. What is it? Who was here?
Sem. (Absorbed) They ’ll reach my father!
Sol. Not Artavan?
Sem. Ay—he.
Sol. And gone—my husband!
Without a word—a look!
Sem. The battle calls,
And he who wears ambition’s spur must ride!
Sol. Ambition! O, you think of naught but war
And glory! Hast thou no heart, Semiramis? ”

“ Sol. (At curtains, drowsily)
I ’ll be—awake.
(Goes in) Had. She ’ll sleep now.
Arm. Ay, she must.
Had. And I ’d not call her for god Bel himself!
Arm. Hark! (Goes to entrance)
’Tis a horseman! Had. (Following him) Two!
Arm. Right! We must rouse
The lady Semiramis.
Had. Make sure ’tis he. (They step out)
Voice without. Is this Menones’ tent?
Arm. (Without) Ay, Sir! The word!
Voice. God Ninus!
(Semiramis enters, through curtains right centre)
Sem. Artavan! His voice!
(Enter Artavan, followed by Sumbat who waits near entrance)
Sem. My brother!
Art. Semiramis! ”

“ The people know Menones’ life is forfeit,
And know how I have sought for Khosrove’s death;
Did I spare both for your sake they would say
That Ninus’ scepter is a woman’s hand.
(Shouts of rejoicing without)
But come! The chariot waits. The people call.
Sem. First will I tell my father that he lives.
He ’s waiting there the summons to his death.
Ah, I must thank you sir.
(Takes the king’s hand and kisses it. Goes through curtains, right, rear. Her cry is heard within. She returns.)
Too late! He ’s dead! Cold, cold, my father! Oh!
(Sobs, her hands covering her face)
Nin. ”

“ Within the tent of Menones, on the plain before Nineveh. Left, centre, entrance to tent from the plain. Curtains rear, forming partition with exits right and left of centre. The same at right, with one exit, centre. Couch rear, between exits. From a tent-pole near exit, right centre, hang helmet and a suit of chain armor. Sola parts curtains rear, left, and looks out, showing effort to keep awake. She steps forward. Sol. Hist! Armin! Haddo!
(Enter two guards, left centre.)
Still no news? Arm. None, lady.
Sol. Oh, Artavan, what keeps thee?
Haddo. He will come.
Sol. Semiramis is sleeping. ”

“ Enter the king, with Vassin)
Nin. (At entrance) Stand here!
Godagon, haste! Ride to Menones; say
We wait within his tent; his messengers
Will reach us here.
(A rider spurs off without. Ninus and Vassin advance within the tent)
Vas. Your majesty, suppose
The Armenians gain, you ’ll be in danger here.
Why come so near for news?
Nin. For news, good Vassin?
I had a better reason. Semiramis
Tents with her father.
(Points to curtains)
Vas. Ah!
Nin. The sun will break
Through there!
Vas. My lord—
Nin. She stirs! She comes! Wait—see!
(Dokahra’s gaunt figure appears at curtains)
Vas. ”

“ 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!... ”

“ Sem. (Withdrawing and kneeling to him, her hands upraised)
O king, leave me my brother! Nin. Nay!
Did you not have your choice? You ask too much.
Sem. (Rising) Ah, so I do! I should demand, not ask!
Nin. Demand!
Sem. Ay, king! ... ’Tis true I ’m not alone. ”