xt715d8ncr09 https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt715d8ncr09/data/mets.xml Burke, Fielding, 1869-1968. 1904  books b92-198-30751380 English Brentano's, : New York : Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Carlota, Empress, consort of Maximilian, Emperor of Mexico, 1840-1927 Drama. Poe, Edgar Allan, 1809-1849 Drama. Semiramis and other plays  / by Olive Tilford Dargan. text Semiramis and other plays  / by Olive Tilford Dargan. 1904 2002 true xt715d8ncr09 section xt715d8ncr09 
















SEMIRAMIS AND OTHER PLAYS

 This page in the original text is blank.

 



SEMIRAMIS AND OTHER PLAYS









              BY

      OLIVE TILFORD DARGAN



BRENTANO'S
NEW YORK
  1904

 
































       Copyright 1904
    By Olive Tilford Dargan
    [Stage rights reserved]


























THE LITERARY COLLECTOR PRESS
   GREENWICH, CONNECTICUT


 













CONTENTS



SEMIRATMIS

CARLOTTA

THE POET



175


 




















               ERRATA

Page 33, line 2, for No more! read No more
" 95   " 30  "  unpalling "    unpaling
" 123 " 32 " sacrifices " sacrifice
" 190  " 6   "  bloom      "   blown
" 196  " 22  "  mummy      "   mammy

 















SEMIRAMIS

 This page in the original text is blank.

 












               ACT I.
SCENE 1. The tent of iMenones

               ACT Il.
SCENE 1. Hall in the palace of Ninus

              ACT III.
SCENE 1. The gardens over the lake

               ACT IV.
SCENE 1. The tent of Husak

 













                CHARACTERS



NINUS, king of Assyria
HUSAK. king of Armenia
KHOSROVE, son of Husak
MENONES, governor of Nineveh
ARTAVAN, son of Menones
SUMBAT, friend of Artavan
VASSIN, officer of the king
HADDO, a -guard
ARMIN, a guard
DOKAHRA, woman to Semiramis
SOLA, wife of Artavan
SEMIRAmIs, daughter of Menones
Officers, heralds, messengers, guards, soldiers, dancers, c


 















                 SE MIRAM. IS





                     ACT I.


   Scene:  Within the tent of Alenones, 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. I am weary,
But I'll not sleep.

 


10    SEA[IIRAM1IS AND OTHER PLA YS



   Arm.         Rest, madam; we will call you.
   Sol. My lord shall find me watching, night or day!
   Arm. Two nights you have not slept.
   Sol.                       Ten thousand nights,
I think, good Armin.
   Had.             We will call you, madam.
   Arm. With the first hoof-beat ringing from the
               north!
   Sol. (At curtains, drowsily) I '11 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.           MN1ake sure 'tis he. (They step out)
   Voice without.            Is this Menones' tent 
   Arm. (W17ithout) 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! (Embracing her) Three years
              this kiss
Has gathered love for thee!
   Sem.                  Has 't been so long
Since I left Gazim 
   Art.          Ay,-since Ninus called
Our father here, and Gazim lost her dove.
   Sem. (On his bosom, laughing softly) The dove
              of Gazim,-so they called me then.

 



iSEMIRAMIIS1



But now- (proudly, moving from him) the lioness of
               Nineveh!
   Art. A warrior's daughter!
   Sem.                     And a warrior's sister
0, I have prayed that you might come! The king
Is gracious-loves the brave-
   Art.                    Our father
   Sem.                               Ah !
   Art. He 's wvell
   Sem.           Is't day
   Art.                    Almost.
   Sem.                          At dawn he meets
The Armenians on the plain.
   Art.                   Then he is -vell!
   Sem. He went forth well,- and brave as Nxhen
               he drove
The Ghecs from Gazim with his single sword!
But-oh-he needs you, Artavan, he needs you!
          (Comes closer, speaking rapidly)
I'm with him night and day but when he battles-
I buckle on his arms-cheer him away-
And wipe the foe's blood from his mighty sword
When he returns! But I 've a fear so strange!
At times he 'S moved quite from himself,-so far
That I look on him and see not our lather!
If I dared speak I'd almost say that he
Who never lost a battle shrinks from wvar!
   Art. (Starting) No, no! Not that! You borrow eyes
              of fear
And see what is not!
   Sem.            But I've felt the drops
Cold on his brow, and raised his lifeless arms
Whose corded strength hung slack as a sick child's!
0, it is true! And you must stand by him!
Fight at his side! I thought to do it! I!



11

 



121   SEMIRAMIS AND OTHER PLAYS



See here, my armor!
    (viljo ing with him to where the armor hangs)
                    When I had this made
And swore to wear it in the fight, 'twas then
He yielded-said that you might come-
    (Sound of trumpets at distance. They listen)
                                     The charge!
   Art. I go to him!
   Sem. (Taking a paper from her bosom)
                    Take this! He'll understand!
'Tis some direction later thought upon!
   Art. My wife is safe-
   Sem.                 With me! Three days ago
She came. And now she sleeps-
   (Points to curtains, rear left)
   Art.                       In there One kiss-
   Sem. Nay, nay, you go to battle, and should keep
Steel in your eye, not woman's tears! . . . Who comes
With you
   (Looks toward entrance where Sumbat stands)
           0, Sumbat!
   (He advances and drops on knee. 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!
   (Arta van and Sumbat hasten out. The noise of de-
parture brings Sola to curtains)
   Sol.          What is it Who was here
   Sem. (Absorbed)         They'll reach my father!
   Sol. Not Artavan
   Sem.              Ay-he.

 



SEMIRAMIS



   Sol.                     And gone- my husb)alnid!
Without a word-a look!
   Sem.                  The battle calls,
And he who wears ambition's spur must ride!
   Sol. Ambition! 0, vou think of naught but war
And glory! Hast thou no heart, Seiniramnis
   Sem. I faith, and love thee with it! (kisses her)
   Sol.                               Trifle not!
Hadst thou a heart thou couldst not live a maid,
So beautiful, and never dream of love!
Thou 'rt somne strange thing-
   Sem.                What, wilt be angry Come
I'll tell thee all he said- thy Artavan,-
Ay, every word, and how his eves grew soft
With dimness sweeter than their vanquished light
When thou wert his dear theme!
   (They move to curtains. Semiramis stops and lis tens)
                     Go in. I'll come. (Sola goes in)
   Sem. (Listening) Is that a chariot My father!
               Nav!
He 's safe with Artavan! Whatever comes
His son will be his heart and bear him up!
Safe, safe, lenones, and thv grizzled locks
Shall wear their laurels to an honored grave!
                       (NVoise ot'approaching chariot)
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 lbrm he is large
and mightyv, but is greyt with ag-e. 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)



13

 




14    SEMVIRAMIS AND OTHER PLA l S



   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! Never!
   M7len. (Rising)                         Come!
The chariot! The king will leave niv race
No blood on earth!
   Sem.          If it be coward's blood
'Tis better lost!
   Men.       Come, come! We yet can fly!
   Sem. Back to the battle! There I'll go with thee!
   Men. I can not! Oh, the terror's here-here-here!
It clutches at my heart!
   Sem.                Tear out thy heart
And keep thy honor whole!
   (He falls on the couch, shaken with suffering. She
kneels by him pleadaig passionately)
   Sem.                 Up, father, up!
You must go back! You know not what you've done!
Our Artavan-
   Men.       Praise Bel, he's safe in Gazim!
   Sem. No . .. he is here . .. he came, and rode to find
              you.
   Men. He came Gods, no!
   Sem.               Nay, true! He's in the battle!
Now you will go! You will go back, my father!
He does not know the plan! He can not lead
Without your counsel! Come-your voice-his arm-
And all is safe!
   (He rises; noise of battle; he sinks shuddering)
   Men.      No-I'll die here-not there!

 


SEMIRAMIS1



    (Semiramis stands in despair; then lifts her arms
praying)
   Sem. 0 mighty Belus, give me back my father!
   (She listens with sudden eagerness and goes to tent
door)
False! false! They're verging south! North, north, ye
               cowards!
   (Rushes to her armor and takes it down. Shakes the
curtains right, and calls)
Dokahra! (Throws off her robe and begins putting
on armor. Enter Dokahra, right centre)
   Dok.   Mistress!
   Sem.            Buckle here! Be quick!
   Men. You shall not go!
   Sem.                 You have no might or right
To stay me now!
   MAlen.        You will be lost!
   Sem.                          Lost  No!
Did I not plan this battle Haste, Dokahra!
Our lives are in your fingers! Courage, father!
   (Going, Dokahra still adjusting armor)
The king has smiled on me-I do not know-
But there was such a promise in his smile-
And if the victory's mine he will forgive!
   Dok. This rivet, mistress!
   (Noise of battle)
   Sem.                    Artavan, I come!
   (Rushes out. Sound of chariot rolling away.
Dokahra looks stolidly at Menones for a moment, then
turns through curtains, right. Menones presses his heart
in pain, moans wretchedly, and draws a blanket over his
body)
   Men. Is this the form that bright Decreto loved
But where the soul, 0, gods! (Lies shuddering)
   Voice without.        The King!



15

 


16    SEMIRAMIS A.ND OTHER PLA IS



    (Mfenones draws blanket over his face and becomes
motionless. Enter the king, with Vassin)
   Xin. (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 ad-
vance 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 -
   Vin.          She stirs! She comes'! Wait-see!
   (Dokahra's gaunt figure appears at curtains)
   leas. A false dawn, is it not
   K in.                       Your mistress sleeps 
   Dok. (Abasing herself)
No, mighty king!
   .Min.       She's up Then give her word
We're here.
   Dok.    She's not within, my lord.
   Mn.                              Abroad!
So soon She's on the general's business
   Dok. And yours, O king! She's joined the battle!
   ANin.                                      She!
   Vas. Ha! ha! Do you believe this
   Xiin.                           Ay. ... 'tis so.
I know her spirit. Here's mettle for a queen!

 



SE.MIIRA-1MIS17



     (Menones uncov-ers and half rises)
   Ias. You would not make her one, your majesty'
Though she should lead your troops to victory,
Still is she but your general's daughter, and
Assyria's crown is given of gods to gods!
   Nin. And Ninus knows to keep his race untainted.
But all the jewels of a king, my Vassin,
Are not worn in his crown. Some in the heart
Are casketed, and there this maid shall shine
For me alone. Were she of heavenly race-
   Men. (Starting tip) She is, my lord!
   (Ninus regards him in astonishment)
   Nil.        What do you here, Menones 
Speak!
   Men. (Trembling) I am ill.
   .Vin.                Ill, sir  Ha! Now I know!
Your daughter leads while you couch safe in tent!
She sought to hide your shame! 0, what a heart!
But you-
   Alen. I led, my lord, till illness seized -
   Nin. Too ill to fight, but not too ill to fly!
Hound! hound! My troops are lost! I'd kill you nowv
But 'tis an hour too soon! First you must be
Of every honor stript!
   Men. (Kneeling) My lord and king,
I know that I must die, but hear a prayer
For my brave daughter's sake! Betray her not,
Lest thou offend the gods that gave thee life,
For she, too, is of heaven!
   Vas.                Ha!
   Alen.                     I swear
'Tis true! MIy lord, Decreto was her mother'
She met me on the plains of Gazim when
This aged figure was called fair, and youth
Still fed its fire to manhood's prime;



17

 


18 , SEMIRAMIIS AND OTHER PLAYS



Our babe she left upon a mountain crest
And sent her doves to tend it through a year,
Then bade me scale the mount and take my own.
I did, and named her for Decreto's dove-
Semiramis!
   Nin.  What precious tale is this
   lVas. He thinks to fright you from the maid, my
               lord.
   Dok. (Falling at the king's feet) 0 king, 'tis true'
               Ask thou in Gazim-
   Nin.                          Go!
   (Dokahra vanishes through curtains left rear)
   Kin. 'Twill take a better lie to save your head!
   Men. My head Thou'rt welcome to it: 'Tis not
               that!
But she -my daughter-
   Nin.                 We will spare her life.
   Men. (Calmly) It is my prayer that she may die
               with me.
   Nin. Not while we love. If e'er she lose her charm,
We may remember that you were her father.
   M11en. (Furiously, forgetting himself) She has a
              brother yet!
   Nin.                    A brother! So !
We'll look to him as well! Thanks for your news !
   Men. (Towering up) Though every god in heaven
               gave thee blood
Yet would I spill it!
   (Lifts his sword; suddenly drops it and falls, press-
ing his heart. Ninus and Vassin watch him silently until
he is still)
   Nin.             Dead 
   Vas. (Stooping)        Ay, dead, my lord.
   Nin. I would have spared him though I threatened
              death.

 



SEM11IRAMIS



   Vas. Have   spared  the  coward   Why, your
               majesty
   Win. Semiramis has spirit passing woman's;
I have no hope to force her to toy arms,
And I 'd have wrought her heart to tenderness
By mercy to her father. Love is my aim.
All else I can command-but that-Guards here!
                 (Enter Armin and Haddo)
Not you-my own! But wait-a word! Where sleeps
Menones 
   Arm. (Pointing) There, 0 king!
   (The body of Menones lies behind the king and
I assin, unseen bythegaurds. ExeuntArminand Iladdo.
Enter the king's guards)
   .Vin.                         Take up this body.
Place it within.
   (Guards go in with Menones' body)
   Vas.        What would you do, my lord
   MVin. You 'll know in time.
   (Re-enter guards)  Hark! You saw nothing!
   Guards. (Bowing to floor)              Nothing,
0 mighty Ninus! (Exeunt)
   N in.        I will have her love!
Vassin, this story of her goddess birth
Is true!
   Vas. How knows your majesty
   Nin.                            It speaks
In all her motions. Every glance and grace
Revouches it. E'en your dull eye must know
Her beauty is immortal, though her life
Is forfeit to the clay and must have end.
   Vas. Thou 'lt find another fair! Youth blooms and
              goes!
   Nin. Not such as hers! Her brow 's a holy page
Where chiselling Time dare never set a mark!



19

 



20     SEMIRA AIS ANVD OTHER PLAYS,



The sun hath been her lover, and so deep
Hath touched her locks with fire no winter hand
Mav shake his kisses out!
    Vas.                 Why, thou 'rt in love!
    (Confused voices without. A messenger runs in and
falls at the feet of the king)
   Nin. Speak, sir!
   Mses.           Assyria wins! The Armenians fly!
They've lost their leader-
   Alin.    Khosrove! Is he taken
   Ales. Taken or slain, I know not which, but know
He leads no more the enemy! They fly
Before Semiramis!
   Vin.          Semiramis!
   Ales. Ay, all was rout until she reached the field
And spurred the-
    Voice ot'herald without. Victory! A victory!
Ninus is god and king!
   Cries.       A victory!
   (Enter herald)
   Herald. Assyria triumphs o'er his enemies!
   yin. Is Khosrove taken 
   Her.                     Slain, the people cry!
The soldiers hail Serniramis their chief,
Call her a goddess, drag her chariot,
And shout and swear by Belus' ruling star
To be her slaves forever I
   N in.             So they shall.
   Vas. Your majesty-
   Anin.                Peace, Vassin! Wait and see!
   (Noise and cries without as Semiramis is drawn
toward the tent in her chariot)
   Nin. Ho' Guards!
   (The king's guards enter. Ninus passes to right
centre, facing entrance opposite. Guards station them-

 



SEMIRAMIS                    21



sell-es on each side of him and in his rear. Semiramis en-
ters, followed by officers and soldiers. Her helmet is of,
her hair falling)
   rinl.             Hail goddess!
   (Semiramis looks at the king in astonishment, then
glances feariully toward Menones' room)
   X'in.                      Hail, Assyria's queen
   Sew. (Faintly) 0 king-
   (Nimns advances to her. She kneels before him)
   Ain.       Kneel down, Menones' daughter! Rise,
The bride of Ninus, nevermore to kneel!
                                      (Raises her)
This victory is proof, if proof I need,
That you are a true daughter of the skies,
Mate for the mightiest throne!
                          (To soldiers) Cry festival'
Tbh feast of triumph arid the wedding revel
Wejii hold together! Go!
   (Exeunt soldiers, cheering without)
   Nin. (Taking the hand of Semiramis)
                         To-day thou 'lt come
   Seem. (WTTithdrawing her hand and bowingher head)
I am my king's.
   Nm. (Passing to exit) The royal chariot,
Within the hour, will take you from the tent
Unto our palace.
   (Exeunt Ninus and attendants. Semiramis stands
dazed. Sola comes out softly and looks at her)
   Sem. tn rapture)   Ah, my father's safe!
I'll tell him!
   (Hurries toward curtains right, rear, and stops at
exit)       No . . . I'll wait. This joy is dead
If Artavan be lost!
   (Sola springs toward her with a cry)
   Sol.           Be lost Ah, no!



21

 



22    SEMIRA.MJlS ANVD OTHER PLA YS



XWhere is he Oh, not lost!
    Sem.                   He pushed too far
Amid the flying troops.
   Sol.              And you -you stole
His last look from my eyes!
   Sem.                   He may be saved.
For Sumbat followed him. He must be saved!
We '11 hope till Sumbat comes.
   Sol.                     0, you know naught
Of love!
   Sem. I was his sister, Sola, ere
He made thee wife.
   Sol.          A sister! 0, such love
Is nothing! Thou wilt smile at it
If ever thou 'rt a wife !
   (Semiramis is removing her armor. She stops and
looks questioningly at Sola; then shakes her head)
   Sem.               Nay, Sola, nay'!. .
Help me with this. . . Somehow my heart is gone
And armor 's for the brave.
   (Putting on her robe) Now 't has come back.
But beats and whispers like a maiden's own.
I am but half a warrior. . . Do not sob.
Sumbat will bring us news. . . Ah, he has come!
                  (Enter Sumbat)
   Sol. (Rushing to him and looking into his face)
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!

 


SEMIRAMIS



    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 Hlusak 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!
      Husak, the Fierce. . . but he must love his son,
And will be merciful to save him. Ay
So brave a son. Now I recall his face,
It would have made me pause had not my eyes
Been dim with triumph.
    (Enter Sumbat, followed by officers with Khosrove.
The officers fall back, leaving the captive before Semi-
ramis. He is stripped of all armor, and clothed in a
scant tunic revealing a figure of marked strength and
grace.  He stands erect, but with head bowed, and
his arms bound to his sides)
   'Sem. (Gazes at him)  Ah! . . . (She advances
a step)
                                     Armenian!
   (At sound of her voice he lifts his head and looks at
her with eager recognition)
   Sem. (Stepping back) Armenian!
   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.



23

 



24    SEMIRAMIS AXD OTHER PLA YS



   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 tace-
   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 Assyrian princess  0,
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!
0, noble madam, it is known to all
That Husak takes no prisoners of war.
They die before his tent.
   Kshos.             Such is the custom-
   Sem. 0 me, my brother !
   Khos.                 But I can avouch
That Artavan still lives.
   Off               Trust not the word
Of captive foes, my lady. By wvhat 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

 


SEMIIRAMUIS



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 bloody 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.   0 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!



25

 


26     SEMUIRAMIIIS AND OTHER PLAYS



   Khos.                    No! 'Twill not wipe
Revenge from out his heart,- and you have saved
But that your father threw away.
   Sem.                        Peace, sir!
   Khos. There's but one way for me-escape!
   Sem.                                  No more!
Nay-not another word!
   Khos.               I must escape-
   Sem.                                Not one!
   Khos. That word unsaid slays Artavan,
Spoken it saves him! Once in Ninus' power
I have no hope of life, and with me dies
Your brother.
   Sem. (Scornfully) Do not fear!
   Khos.                       I fear By Heaven!
Think you this heart is not a soldier's own
Because 'tis captive to a woman's sword
A woman's sword! 0 little had thy sword
To do wvith my defeat! Unartned thou wouldst
Have taken me-for 'twas thy beauty struck
My weapon to my side! (rapidly and passionately)
                When I bore down
Upon your chariot, I could have swept you
With one arm from the world! But suddenly
A missile struck your helmet and dislodged
The glory of your face before my eyes,
Your hair ran gold, the shining East looked black
Behind the star you made upon its breast!
I knew thee for a goddess, and stood still
Meek captive to thy wish! 0 blest am I
To learn thou art not greater than myself,
But so much less that I may lift thee up!
Fly with me-be my queen -
   (Semiramis tries to speak)
                           Go, call them in!

 


                    kSEMIRAAIIS                  27

I'll shout above their heads to reach thine ears!
0, trust to mne! In me thy brother lives!
Coome, and thy fallen father shall be brave
Beneath Armenia's smile! Here thou inayst save
His life, but ne'er again will he know honor!
H-lip tie to tly and save three lives in one!
Give inc to Ninus-give tme up to death,
And with a father aind a brother lost,
Though thou wert worshipped 'miong thy country's gods
Still thou couldst not be happy!
   Sc"].                      Sir-
   Khos.                            But collme,
And they are safe!
   Sem. (Beewildered) What do I hear 
   Khos.                               0, collie,
Dost know what love is, daughter of Xentiones 
It is the fire that dead puts out the light
Oil everv hearth, living makes all the world
One altar feeding incense unto Heaven!
It gives the soul to life, breath to the soul,
Pulse to ambition, strength to warrior arms,-
   (Struggling with his frtters)
Such strength that they may break all captive bonds
To clasp their own!
   (Breaks his fetters and attempts to embrace her as
she retreats gazing at him as itf ascinated. She escapes
him, and throws off her bewilderment. Ile drops to his
knees holding out his arms to her)
                   And love I offer thee!
   Sem. Sir, I forgive thee, for thou knowest not
To whom you speak!
   Khos.             Know not!
   Sem.                          I who am now
Menones' daughter, ere the night shall be
The bride of Ninus, king of all Assyria!

 


28    SEM1I1RAMIS AND OTHER PLAYS



   (Khosrove rises, bows before her, and stands with
silent dignity)
   Sem. You-you-were saying-
   Khos.                    Nothing, royal madam.
Have you not friends without
   (Semiramis hesitates, goes to door and calls)
   Sem. Sumbat! (To Khosrove) Thou 'rt safe!
   Khos. (Ironically) Assyria's queen should know!
   Sem.                         She does!
   (Re-enter Sumbat and officers)
   Sum.                                 Unbound!
   Sem. Ay, he is free! We only wait the word
Of gracious Ninus. Guard him until then,
We charge you, Sumbat. Keep you nearest him.
   (Exeunt Sumbat and officers with Khosrove)
   Sem. My father now! He must have heard the
               shouts
Of victory, yet still he hides himself.
.... The king asked not for love. He is Assyria.
I would not lessen him by love. Not yet ...
'Tis my triumphant arms he weds. The heart
Must sleep ....
   Voice of guard at entrance. The king approaches!
   Sem.                Ah! . .. The king!
His word, and all is done. I'll speak to him
Before I see my father. Then I may say
'Thou art forgiven, and Artavan is safe!'
.. And Khosrove .... safe .... The royal chariot!..
0, mother, send thy doves-I am once more
A babe!
   (The king enters alone)
   Sin. Art ready for thy king
   Sem.                       I am-
And yet-a word before I go! Thou know'st
That Khosrove is my prisoner-

 


SEMIRAMIS



   Nini.                     Khosrove! He!
We thought him slain!
   Sem.              Nay, sir-
   Nin.                        A prisoner!
0, welcome gift! We ask no other dower!
   Sem. But, gracious lord -
   Nin. (Turning to entrance) Ho, Vassin! Khos-
               rove 's taken!
Go! Find him out and drag him straight to dungeon!
Bind him with chains until he can not move,
Till we've devised some bitter way of death !
   Vas. (Without) I haste, my lord!
   Sem,           At last my enemy is 'neath my feet!
   (Returning to Semiramis)
And 'tis to thee we owe this gift of fortune!
. . You 're pale, Semiramis.
   Sem.                 0 king -
   Nin. (Taking her hands)        And trembling.
Dost fear my greatness Nay, thou ledst my army-
   Sem. O, if for that thou ow'st me aught, grant mee-
   Nin. Whate'er thou wouldst!
   Sem.                      My brother, Artavan,
Is Husak's captive! Thou canst save him!
   Nin.                                 I
Then he is saved! But how! Tell me the way!
   Sem. Husak will yield him up for Khosrove!
   Nin.                                    What
Send Khosrove back alive! Not though the gods
Commanded it! Alive! 'Twas Husak slew
My father, and his son shall die! Ten years
I've sought for this revenge! And give it up
For a green lad fresh from the fields of Gazim 
   Sem. A warrior, sir, who '11 win thee many a battle!
And crest thy glory with meridian stars!
He's worth the price though pity lent no coin!



29

 



30    SEMIRAMIS AND OTHER PLAYS



Save him, my lord! A bridal boon I ask!
Give me my brother !
   Nin.            A bridal boon I'll grant.
Thou lov'st thy father
   Sem. (Choking)    You know-that he-
   Nin.                                   I know.
   Sem. Great king-
   Nin.              One thou mavst save.
   Sem.                                   0 gods!
   Nin. Thy brother, or thy father Thou mayst
              choose.
   Sem. I know my duty, sir. I choose my father.
   Nin. A noble choice. We are not harsh, mY queen.
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. 11cr cry is heard within. She
returns.)
                        Too late! Ile's dead!
Cold, cold, my father! Oh!
   (Sobs, her hands covering her face)
   lin. (Removing her hands and putting his arm
about her)               Thou'rt not alone,
My bride!
   Sem. (Withdrawing and kneeling to him, her hands
upraised) 0 king, leave me my brother!
   Win.                             Nay!
Did you not have your choice You ask too much.

 


SE.MIRAMIS31



   Sem. (Rising) Ah, so I do! I should demand, not
               ask!
   Nin. Demand!
   Sem.        Av, king! ... 'Tis true I'm not alone.
My goddess mother is again with me
As when this morn my heart exultant rode
The tides of triumph! When the heavens rolled
And like a stooping sea caught up my soul
Till ranged with the applauding gods it clapped
My courage on below! You offer me
A place beside your throne. I offer