Semiramis and other plays/Semiramis/Act 2

by Olive Tilford Dargan

ACT II. The great hall in the palace of Nineveh. The rear is open, showing the sky and the towers of the city. 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.

Nin. (As Vassin enters)

You ’ve told her?

Vas. Ay, my lord.

Nin. What does she say?

Does she suspect we ordered Khosrove’s torture?

Vas. I can not answer that.

Nin. Then answer this!

You’re sure that he will die? You made good work?

Vas. Good work, my lord. He can not live a day.

Nin. A day! You ’ve hurried then! I bade you fill

His wounds with mortal but a lingering bane!

Go, have him brought within! He must not die

Without my foot upon his neck!

         (As Vassin is going) What said

The queen?

Vas. She cried ‘My brother ’s lost!’

Nin. No more?

Vas. O, then her soul put sorrow’s grandeur on,

And those about her saw a noble storm;

But yet so proud her royal eyes, each drop

That fell from them were worth a world

To him for whom they fell!

Nin. (Aside) He loves the queen!

(Enter Semiramis, left, centre)

Sem. Is this thing true my lord? O, surely Heaven

Will cry out ‘No’ though thou must answer ‘Ay!’

Nin. (To Vassin) Go! (Exit Vassin, right front)

Sem. Is it true?

Nin. Too true, my queen!

Khosrove is maimed beyond all hope of life,

And thou must make thy husband heir to love

That was thy brother’s.

Sem. Oh!

Nin. Thy grief is mine.

Sem. I will not weep, though I could shed such streams

As when the clouds from riven breast pour down

Their torrent agonies!... How strange, my lord,

The guards should venture so without your warrant!

Nin. I ’ve had their heads for it!

Sem. (Shocked) Their heads!... Why, this

’Tis to be royal! Ah!

Nin. Put by these thoughts,

Semiramis. No theme to-day but love!

Sem. Love, sir?

Nin. Ay, that! Thou lov’st me, dost thou not?

Sem. Thou art great Ninus!

Nin. I ’d be loved as man!

Forget my kingdom, and put arms about me

As doth the peasant maid her beggar lord!

Sem. (Moving from him) I thought thy greatness married my ambition

To make Assyria brave e’en to the gods!

I ’ll keep my promise ... howsoever thine

Is broken. Crowned, my glorious purpose beats

Higher than any dream my maiden heart

Could nourish! I will keep my word. But love?

If thou wouldst have it—win it!

(Starts away, then turns back to him)

                                 Hast yet found

A governor for the city?

Nin. No.

Sem. Delay

At this unsettled time? Dost think it safe?

Nin. I ’ve ordered every tower-watch redoubled,

Each gate close-locked, and keep the keys myself!

None goes or comes till I have found the man

For governor.

Sem. Would not Vassin serve?

Nin. (With suspicion) I ’ve other use for him. Perchance he ’ll go

From Nineveh.

Sem. My lord, there ’s one from Gazim,

Sumbat, thou ’lt find as true as thine own heart.

Who with some aid from me—

Nin. From you? So, so!

Sem. (In surprise) I was my father’s head and hand, my lord.

Who knows the guardian locks and wards and plans

Secretive for thy safety but myself?

Whom thou dost choose must learn somewhat of me.

Nin. Ay, you ’ll nob heads together!

Sem. Sir?

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?

Sem. Nay, he can not.

Sol. O monster king!

Sem. Hush, Sola ... he forgave

My father.

Sol. Oh!—because he knew him dead!

Sem. He knew him dead!

Sol. Ah, I will tell you now!

(Looks about guardedly, and speaks in a low tone)

I saw your father die—and Ninus saw him!

Dokahra waked me—and unseen we watched!

The king came to the tent—discovered all—

Doomed him to death—you to dishonor! Then

Your father rose to strike him—and fell dead.

The king—

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. Pray

Let him be summoned.

Nin. Nay, we ’ve sworn this day

Shall be for us alone!

Sem. ’t was he I charged

With care of the Armenian prince.

Nin. My queen

Shall not be troubled.

Sem. ’t will not trouble me,

My lord.

Nin. Enough it troubles me!

Sem. He ’d know

Of this foul fault, against your will—

Nin. Again

That theme! Forget it!

Sem. O, my lord, forget

That noble prince? So brave—so proud—so fair—

Nin. What do you say? O, you changed eyes with him!

Sem. My lord!

Nin. This is your grief! Your brother! Ha!

Sem. Your majesty—

Nin. Not majesty! Fool! Fool!

Ho, there! Bring in the Armenian! You shall see

This noble prince! So brave—so proud—so fair!

Her brother! O, fool, fool, fool!

Sem. This the king?

Nin. Why, I ’m a fool, my lady!

(Guards enter right front with a half lifeless body)

                               Look on him!

He ’s had some kisses since you saw him last

That struck full deep!

Sem. (Staggering back) Is that—

Nin. Ay, it is he!

Look on him! ’Tis your Khosrove! Your—

Sem. (Majestically) Peace Ninus!

When you have knelt to me I ’ll hear you speak!

(Exit left centre)

Nin. (Stares after her and becomes calm)

Now I have ruined all. She ’ll not forgive!

(Enter Vassin, left, rear)

Vas. My lord, the brother of the queen has come.

Nin. Not Artavan?

Vas. Ay, Artavan.

Nin. He ’s here?

Vas. When Husak had your oath you ’d free his son,

Prince Khosrove, Artavan was sent at once

To Nineveh.

Nin. How could he pass

The gates?

Vas. He passed before your order fell.

Nin. We ’ll welcome him.

(Looks toward the queen’s room)

                       I ’ll make my peace with this.

(Goes out with Vassin, left, rear. Semiramis enters hesitatingly, sees that Ninus is gone and advances fearfully toward the figure on the floor. The guards stand back, right front. She retreats, covering her eyes; then approaches and bends over the body. Searches his face, and throws up her hands in sudden joy)

Sem. Not Khosrove! O, it is not Khosrove!

(Leaves him and hurries to exit, trying to suppress her emotion. Returns to the body)

Where is the prince? Poor wretch! Can you not speak?

... Are these thy ways, ambition?

Voice without. Way! Make way!

(Semiramis hurries to her room. 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.... Think you these bones will hold

Until they reach old Husak? Now you ’ve come,

We must keep faith! Ha! ha!

Khos. And that—is Khosrove?

Nin. Truth, ’tis! ... Bear out the dog!

(Guards bear off body, right front. Enter Semiramis. Sumbat crosses to her)

Sem. My brother? Where?

Khos. Here! (Advancing to her)

Sum. (To Semiramis) Be not amazed

And Artavan is safe!

Nin. This welcome ’s cold

Methinks. We gave him warmer greeting.

Sem. Sir,

Such sudden joy—My brother knows there ’s none

I hold more dear.

Nin. How now? Not one?

Sem. (Dropping her eyes from Khosrove) Yes—one—

Perhaps.

Nin. (Pleased, taking her hand)

         We are forgiven?

Sem. Indeed, my lord.

Nin. And for your brother, hear our royal word.

We make him governor of Nineveh!

Sem. (In alarm) No! no!

Nin. ’Tis done! Go, Vassin, bring the keys!

(Exit Vassin, right front)

And wear this ring, my general!

Khos. My lord,

I could not undertake—

Nin. You shall!—The queen

Will charge you with all duties.

Sem. No! I will not!

Nin. Ay, ay! We know we please you ’gainst your word

And not your will.

Sem. He is too young, my lord!

Nin. Menones was too old. And ’t was yourself

Who taught us how to prize your brother.

(Re-enter Vassin with a chain of great keys, which the king takes)

                                         Come!

(Throws chains about Khosrove’s neck, and singles out the keys)

The citadel! The southern arsenal!

The northern wall—the secret passages—

And these the tunnel locks and river gates!

You ’ll take command at once, and so relieve

The city which we ’ve shut fast as a tomb,

Fearing that spies from Husak’s camp might creep

Into our bosom.

Khos. Wisely done, my lord.

Sem. O king, if ’t must be so, I ’ll map for him

My fathers safe division of the city.

Nin. To you we leave him.

(Talks apart with Vassin and Sumbat)

Sem. Sir, what do you mean?

Khos. (Hurriedly) When Vassin came to take me into charge,

Sumbat contrived another should be sent—

Sem. We know the rest! But how save Artavan?

Khos. When I have entered Husak’s camp he ’s free!

You trust me?

Sem. O, I must! I do! But not

To save my brother may I trust to you

The city’s keys! You are Assyria’s foe—

Khos. Not now! No more a foe, but truest friend!

For in my heart you are Assyria,

And you I ’d serve—

Nin. Cut short thy schooling, for

The city waits.

Sem. (Aloud, mapping in her hand) The river here divides

The eastern guard—(lowers her voice) I must not do this! No!

Risk every soul in Nineveh—

Khos. Did I

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!

I can not say what I would say because

Thou art a wife, but wert thou not a wife,

Though thou wert thousand times a queen, I ’d pour

Such worship to your ears you would believe

My heart would rend my body’s walls and leap

Out of my bosom sooner than beat once

A traitor to your trust! Take Ninus’ ring!

Give me this little one—(slipping a ring from her finger) that hath enclosed

The sovereign rose and ruby of thy veins

That dims his purple power—and thee I serve—

Your general—not his! Whate’er you would

I will! Command me now—

Sem. Enough! Go, go!

Lose no more time!

Khos. O, in some dream to come,

When innocence may wear what form it will

And on thy waking nature leave no blush,

May words I must not speak take life and pay

The debt they owe this hour!

Sem. I beg you go!

Assyria ’s in your hands!

Khos. Nay, in my heart!

Nin. Come, Artavan! No more delay! Your troops

Await before the citadel.

Khos. I go,

My lord.

(Confusion without, left rear. Enter an officer)

Off. Pardon, your majesty! A man

Who says he ’s brother to the queen, makes bold

To press before you!

Nin. Yet another brother?

Sem. No, no, my lord!

Off. He comes from Husak’s camp.

Sem. It is some madman surely, or a spy

Who plays his wits are lost and takes this way

To force into the court!

Khos. I ’ll thrust him out!

He may mean danger to your person.

Nin. Nay,

We ’ll sport with him. Let him come in!

(Exit Officer)

Sem. My lord—

Nin. Your brother! Ho, ho, ho!

(Enter Artavan)

Art. My sister!

Sem. (Staring) Sir?

Art. Though queen, art thou not still my sister?

Sem. No!

Art. (Bowing with scornful ceremony)

Your majesty!

Nin. Ha! ha! His sister! Then

Thou wouldst be brother to the king?

Art. (Bitterly) My hope

Runs not so high, and even to her I now

Give up all claim. I ’ll own no blood but that

In my own veins keeps honor! So farewell!

Nin. Be not so fast! Whence comest thou, my man?

Art. From Husak’s camp. When he received thy word

His son should go to him, he set me free.

Sem. Oh, set you free!

Art. And now, O king—

Sem. (Seeing that the king is impressed) My lord,

If he came from the camp how has he passed

The city gates?

Nin. Ah ... true ... he could not pass.

Sem. (Mockingly) Perhaps he scaled the hundred feet of wall,

And crossed the rampart ’neath the arrow watch

Of towers eighty-score!

Art. I found a way,

Proud woman!

Nin. How?

(As Artavan speaks Sola enters left front, and is held aside by Sumbat)

Art. This morning ere the battle

She who was then my sister gave me this.

(Shows paper)

’T was some direction sent unto my father,

The lord Menones. (Turning paper) On this side I found

A map whose secret key I knew, that marked

A passage ’neath the river. This I sought,

Found it unguarded—

Nin. By the seven winds!—

(Enter an officer)

Off. O king!

Nin. You’re of the northern watch?

Off. I am,

O king! The Armenians advance upon

The northern wall, but come with lances down!

Art. They come in peace to meet the son of Husak!

Sem. O, haste, my lord! Haste, Artavan to duty!

Their rage when they shall learn the fate of Khosrove

May give them courage to assail our walls!

Go, brother!

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! (Signs to guards)

Sem. My royal lord,

First would I question him alone, and learn

The truth about this passage. He may be

In league with traitors subtler than himself.

One moment, sir, I pray.

Nin. O, ever wise!

Bribe him with any promise death may keep

To tell you all. But do not linger, love;

We lose our bridal day!

(Exit, right centre. Semiramis looks at Artavan with the greatest tenderness. He gazes coldly upon her, Sola clinging to him)

Art. What would the queen?

Sem. To be again thy sister. Dost not guess?

That man—

Art. Who can he be you prize above

Your honor and my life?

Sem. The son of him

Who set you free on Ninus’ oath, an oath

Broke in the heart ere it had left the lips!

Art. My brave Semiramis! You ’ve saved the prince,

And with his life my honor! O, pardon me!

Sem. He was escaping in your name when you

Arrived too soon—

Art. Forgive me that!

Sem. And now

To save my brother!

Art. Hope it not. Be glad

That one is safe. Had Khosrove lost his life

In Ninus’ court, my oath had driven me back

To Husak—and to death. No power then

Had saved me. Now—

Sem. Now thou shalt live!

Art. Nay, see!

His guards watch well! There is no way.

Sem. No way

But through the will of Ninus. He shall save thee!

Art. O, for your own dear life, Semiramis,

Let Ninus know not I am Artavan!

Sem. He dare not touch me, for the army ’s mine!

(Goes into Ninus’ chamber)

Sol. My love!

Art. ’Tis welcome and farewell, my Sola!

Sol. O, she will save thee!

Art. Teach me not to hope.

(A band of dancing maidens enter, left, and sing a bridal chorus before the doors of Ninus’ chamber)

Love and Beauty now are one,

 No more wandering away!

Love ’s the sky to Beauty’s sun,

 From him she can not stray.

And he is bright by her fair light or none!

Love and Beauty dreaming lie,

 Who shall say it is not meet?

Who shall say, O fie, O fie,

 To the favor sweet

That Love will ask and Beauty not deny?

(Maidens dance out, right. Re-enter Semiramis)

Sem. He ’s wild with rage! I can not calm him!

Sol. Oh,

To lose thee now!

(Enter Ninus. He advances upon Semiramis)

Nin. Who is he, then—that man—

If not thy brother? To whose arms you went

As you have never come to mine?

Sem. A man

Whose life you owed to me by holiest promise

And oath unto the gods! I saved your soul

When I so saved—

Nin. Speak! Who?

Sem. The son of Husak,

Prince Khosrove, of Armenia!

(Utter silence. Ninus stands choked and dumb; then moves to strike Semiramis)

Sem. Strike me

You strike your army!

(Ninus drops his hand and stares at her, livid and shaken, then turns fiercely upon Artavan)

Sem. (Rushes before him and falls, clinging to his knees)

                     Wait, O wait, my lord!

If thou dost Hope to know my love! Dost dream

Of bridal joy! Wouldst rest thy head in peace

Upon my bosom, say thou wilt forgive!

And I, too, will forgive! No more will ask

What thou hast done or not done! All thy past

Is fair as Heaven by this moment’s sun!

I ’ll love thee as thou hadst been born this hour

That gives my brother life! O, speak the word,

And take me to thy heart—thy wife—thy slave—

Nin. By earth and heaven, he shall die—and now!

(Raises his dagger to strike. Enter Vassin)

Vas. (Excitedly) My lord, this is the strangest governor!

He ordered me with Sumbat to lead out

The city troops beyond the southern gate,

Then spurred to north! Sumbat obeyed, but I,

Not liking this, returned to you!

Nin. ’Tis Khosrove!

Vas. (Staggered) Then we are lost!

Nin. Pursue him! Fly! Call back

Our troops!

Vas. Too late! By now they’re locked without

The southern wall, and Khosrove rides to ope

The north to Husak!

Sem. (Aside) False! Down, slanderous thought

That darkens me not him! That face that looked

As Truth had chosen it to show her own

To man! That voice—each word the enchanted door

To holier worlds unspoken! No. I ’ll trust!

(Enter an officer)

Off. O, great Assyria, the Armenians come!

The Gazim traitor ’s sold thee unto Husak!

Thy foes are pouring through the northern gate

And bear down on the palace! Sumbat holds

Thy troops upon the southern plain And bars

All passage! 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. O beauteous gods, is this

Your earth? Where Falsehood steals your garments, nay

Your smile, seduces with your voice, and stamps

Your semblance upon fiends?

Voices. Save us, O king!

(Ninus stands immovable, as if made deaf and dumb by impending disaster)

Voice. We burn! They cast the brands!

Another. Not yet! They wait!

Voices of prostrate figures. Save us, O king!

Voice. See! see! The leader speaks!

Another. His herald! Hear!

(A trumpet sounds below)

Voice of Khosrove’s herald. Assyria, come forth!

(All within listen, silent, eager, fearful)

Hear thou, O Ninus! Hear the word of Khosrove!

He will depart with the Armenian troops,

And leave the city free of sword and fire,

If thou ’lt decree that Artavan shall live

Free and unharmed!

(The face of Semiramis illumines with joy)

                   Deny and Nineveh

Shall flame!

Nin. My herald there! Stand forth!

(The herald of Ninus takes station centre rear)

                                           Decree

As Khosrove wills!

Her. of Khos. Appear, O Ninus!

Nin. No!

Her. of Khos. Appear, O Ninus!

(Ninus goes slowly to rear and stands by his herald)

Her. of Khos. Hear, all Nineveh!

Hear the decree of Ninus, king and god!

That Artavan, the brother of the queen,

Shall freely live, and die by no man’s hand!

Her. of Ninus. (Blows trumpet, then speaks)

Hear the decree of Ninus, king and god,

That Artavan, the brother of the queen,

Shall freely live, and die by no man’s hand!

(Silence. The voice of Khosrove below)

Khos. Assyria, speak!

Nin. I, Ninus, so decree!

(Staggers back toward front as all press to rear to see the troops go out. Semiramis, Artavan and Sola stand together gazing out)

Sem. O, Khosrove! See—he rides—away—away!

(Leans forward waving her scarf. Ninus, alone in front, goes toward his chamber, falls on the steps overpowered with rage and lifts his clenched hands)

Nin. O, vengeance! Vengeance for a king!

(curtain)