Olive Tilford Dargan

“ Enter the king, left rear, walking with Khosrove, and followed by Vassin and Sumbat)
Nin. Speak not of going, Artavan!
Khos. I must,
O king! I pray your leave to go at once
To Gazim. Sudden troubles urge me there.
I beg your kingly warrant I may pass
The gates—
Nin. Nay, you shall stay! We shall persuade you!
(To attendant) Summon the queen. Her voice we ’ll add to ours.
Khos. My lord—
Nin. We like you, Artavan! By Bel,
We do! You’re worthy of your sister queen!
No more—you ’ll stay! ... See! This is Khosrove!
(Bends over body on the floor) Is— Or was? ... He lives.... ”

“ Not trust thee when I entered here? I knew
The face that shone upon me in the battle
Would not betray me! Who gives perfect trust
Is worthy of it! Thou dost know me true
By Heaven’s sign that only souls may read! ”

“ Nin. Hold! This man speaks not as madmen!
Sem. Should I not know my brother, sir?
Nin. You should.
Choose which is he. The other we condemn
To death.
Art. (Holding out his arms)
Save me, Semiramis! Khos. (Holding out his arms) Save me,
My sister!
Sem. (Going to Khosrove’s arms)
Brother! Nin. (To Khosrove) Haste thee to thy office!
Vassin, attend him! Sumbat, be his chief!
We trust where trusts the queen!
Sem. (To Khosrove) Give up the keys
To Sumbat!
(Exeunt Khosrove, Vassin, Sumbat, left rear)
Nin. (To Artavan) You to death! ”

“ Sem. Go! Leave me, Sola! Leave me! Go!
(Exit Sola, left, near front)
Sem. (Stands in silent horror, then speaks slowly)
... I ’ll keep my oath ... and crown. Still will I make
Assyria great. Assyria is the army,
And I ... am queen of arms ... not love! Not love!
(Re-enter Ninus)
Sem. (Softly, not seeing Ninus)
“Dost know what love is, daughter of Menones?”
Nin. (Advancing) My bride!
Sem. (Turning to him) My lord, I would see Sumbat. ”

“ Nin. Well, well—
I ’ll choose a man!
(Exit moodily, right centre)
Sem. Strange ... but he is the king!
... Ah, Khosrove! Artavan!... Nay, I will think
Of nothing but my duty to the crown!...
... “And with a father and a brother lost—”
(Enter Sola, left, front. She sees that Semiramis is alone and advances)
Sem. “Though thou wert worshipped, thou couldst not be happy!”
Sol. Tell me! When does he come?
Sem. Who, child?
Sol. You ask?
My husband—Artavan!
Sem. He will not come.
Sol. Art thou not queen?
Sem. And Ninus king.
Sol. He will not save thy brother? ”

“ Along the floor, which is high above the ground court, rear, are sculptured lions. On each side of hall where right and left reach open rear are large entrances, with steps leading up to hall, guarded by spearmen and archers. Within the hall, between winged bulls, are entrances to chambers, right centre and left centre. Near front, right, smaller entrance between figures of men with lion heads. The same opposite, left. The walls of the hall are lined with alabaster slabs on which are sculptured and colored the conquests of Assyrian kings. Ninus alone. Enter Vassin, left centre. ”

“ There ’s no help!
(Ninus listens speechless)
Attendants. (Running in) O, we are lost!
Off. The city will be sacked! The palace guards
Are but a handful!
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 gods! 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. ”