Semiramis and other plays/Semiramis/Act 3

by Olive Tilford Dargan

ACT III.

Scene: The gardens over the lake. A wide bridge extends from the bank of the lake, left, to the gardens which are partly visible on the right. At the rear, right, is a garlanded archway. At the left, front, steps lead from the bridge to the bank and top of the bridge. Beyond the bridge, rear, clouds show that the sun is setting.

A score of spearmen, with lances down, march in right, front, and out through archway, right, rear.

Enter, right, front, the king and Sumbat. The king is royally clad and crowned; Sumbat in official robe.

Sumbat. Khosrove delays.

Nin. But do not doubt he ’ll come.

I have his word, and couriers have seen

His horsemen on the plain.

Sum. How noble, sir,

To close the Feast of Peace with supreme revel

In honor of your foe!

Nin. Not foe, good Sumbat.

We have no foes. Our queen’s triumphant arms

Have made glad subjects of all enemies

But one, and him we make our friend. To-night

Assyria and Armenia sup as one!

(Turns toward right, rear)

We ’ll see if all ’s prepared as we gave order.

(Exeunt under the arch of garlands. Dancers enter, right, front, and pass out through arch. Following them, Semiramis with her women. All are in rich attire but the queen who wears simple white robe. A dove nestles on her bosom. She gives the women leave to pass on and they go out merrily through arch, right, rear. Semiramis lingers; comes to the railing of the bridge, centre, and leans upon it)

Sem. Will Khosrove come? I do not doubt the king,—

And yet—I pray he will not come!

(Re-enter Sumbat, through arch. He comes out to the queen)

Sem. You, Sumbat?

Where is the king?

Sum. I left him in the garden,

Giving new orders for Prince Khosrove’s honor.

Sem. Sumbat, you trust the king?

Sum. I do. You ’ve wrought

Such noble change in him that drop by drop

He ’s mated all his blood unto your virtues.

Sem. I must believe it, lest a doubt should breed

The weakness it suspects. But is ’t not strange

Khosrove should trust him too?

Sum. He knows that you

Would warn him if there lay a danger here.

Sem. I warn him? But suppose the warning false?

’T would wrong the king, whose purpose seems so pure

It might have journeyed with his soul when first

It came from Heaven! No. I ’ll answer for him!

He could not counterfeit so deep my eyes

Would find no bottom to deceit!... But now

What hast thou heard of Artavan?

Sum. No word.

Sem. I fear—

Sum. He ’s safe. Be sure of that. No man

Would dare lay finger on him!

Sem. But to go

Without a word! Poor Sola grieves, and weeps

As though she ’d drown her wits in tears.

(A boat glides from under the bridge and over the water beneath them)

                                         See there!

’Tis she! Alone below!

(Sola alights from boat and runs up steps to the bridge)

                       I ’ll speak to her.

Go, Sumbat! (Sumbat goes off right)

           Sister, stay.

(Stops Sola as she is passing)

                         Why do you run?

Sol. I ’m running from the king!

Sem. The king, my love?

There ’s no king here.

Sol. Nay, he ’s below!

Sem. Below?

Sol. Under the bridge with Vassin!

Sem. Vassin? No.

The king has sent him out of Nineveh!

Sol. He did not go. I swear that he ’s below!

Sem. What were you doing ’neath the bridge?

Sol. Ah me,

I seek in every place for Artavan.

I ’ll save him from the king!

Sem. So kind a king?

Sol. O, kind! As death, or plague, or leprosy!

’Tis he has taken revenge on Artavan!

He ’ll kill the prince, too, when he comes!

Sem. My child—

Sol. (Pointing down)

I heard them talking there!

Sem. Thy husband ’s safe.

Bethink thee that the king’s decree protects him.

Sol. Not from the king! From man, not from the gods,

And Ninus is a god, or dreams he is!

Sem. From man—not from—no, no! I will not say

Or think it! My poor child—

Sol. You ’ll save the prince?

’Tis you he trusts, not Ninus!

Sem. Sweet, be calm.

You did not see the king.

Sol. Hear all, and save him!

When Khosrove takes the seat of highest honor,

Lord of the Revels by Assyria’s favor,

The floor will part, the chair fall to the lake,

Where Vassin waits to slay him, while the king

Strikes down in wrath the master of the feast

For fault of accident!

Sem. Where are your wits?

See, yonder comes the king!

(Re-enter Ninus through archway)

Sem. (As he approaches) Is all prepared,

My lord?

Sol. (To Semiramis) ’Tis true—true—true!

(Runs off, right)

Nin. Ay, all is ready

Except the queen. What means these simple robes,

Semiramis?

Sem. A compliment unto

Your majesty.

Nin. It shows more like affront!

I would have Khosrove see a splendor here

Unpainted in the daring of his dream,

And thou the star of it! A merchant’s daughter

Would robe her handmaid with more care—lend her

A pearl or two—a bit of scarf—or scrap

Of tinsel sun—

Sem. My lord—

Nin. A compliment!

’Tis your disdain—

Sem. It grieves me, sir, that you

Should read in outward sign what never yet

Was in my soul. Our wars are done, my lord;

And exultation of the conquering hour

Calms into peace; as I laid armor by

For victor robes and symbol of my glory,

I now cast off the purple of the queen,

And but remember that I am a wife.

Nin. (Embracing her) Beloved Semiramis! Forgive thy slave!

No royal dye could shine so to my eyes

As this soft white put on for me alone!

Thy pardon, love, and thou shalt shortly learn

A king, too, knows how best to compliment!

An honor waits for thee—

(Enter officer, left)

Off. O king!

Nin. We hear!

Off. The Armenian approaches.

Nin. Khosrove comes?

(Semiramis watches the king closely)

Off. He comes, great Ninus!

Nin. Well, and more than well!

Summon our train. (Exit officer, right) But one is lacking here,

Our brother—Artavan.

Sem. My lord—you think—

Nin. Who would dare harm him? He is safe.

Sem. (Coming very near him) From man,

Not from the gods.

Nin. (Stepping back) What do you mean?

Sem. The truth!

Nin. (Seizing her arm) It is not so! I do deny it!

Sem. (Calmly) What,

My lord?

Nin. What meant you when you said ‘the truth’!

Sem. That gods may work some harm to Artavan.

Nin. (At ease) True, love! Uncertain is their favor. Look!

He comes! (Gazing off left)

Sem. (Aside) He ’s false! And if he ’s false in this—then is—

O, Khosrove, thou art lured to death! And I

Have been thy traitorous star!

(Enter Khosrove, left, attended by Armenians)

Nin. Hail, Khosrove! Hail!

Assyrians. Hail to Armenia! Hail!

Khos. O, Ninus, hail!

Armenians. Hail to Assyria, greatest over kings!

Nin. Thou ’rt welcome, and we thank thee for thy trust,

Which we ’ll betray when Heaven has no god

To damn our treachery! In proof of faith,

Wear thou the royal dagger with thy own.

(Detaches his weapon, which he gives to Khosrove)

Our queen—has she no word?

(Khosrove bows low before Semiramis)

Sem. Peace and long life

To Khosrove.

Nin. Now to revel! Sound the trumpets!

(Exeunt officers through archway. Trumpets sound from the gardens. Dancing maidens in white robes, each with a dove resting on her hand, enter right front, reach the centre of the stage, and begin the dance of doves. As the maidens describe circles in the dance the doves rise and fly in similar circles above their heads, and re-alight on their extended hands)

Sem. (Who has stood aside during the dance, apparently disturbed)

It is not true! Were any man so vile

Nature would spurn him back to chaos ere

His mother had beheld him!

(The dance ends. The maidens pass out under arch. All move to follow when Ninus speaks)

Nin. Stay! Hear, all!

Before we feast in honor of our guest,

We would do honor to our noble queen,

Whose arms of might have brought our land to peace.

Whose looks of love have brought our heart to rest!

To-night we doff our crown that she may wear it!

(Removing crown)

And here decree her word shall be obeyed

Above our own.

(Puts crown on the queen’s head)

               Dost like our compliment?

Sem. It is too much, my king.

Nin. (Kneeling) Nay, nay, thy subject!

(Semiramis seems gay with a sudden resolve)

Sem. If it so please thee then I ’ll be the king!

Nin. (Rising) We have decreed. If any here refuse

To honor thy command, though thou shouldst doom

My death, himself that instant dies. (To officer) You, sir,

Take order for it, and if your own hand fail,

When we are king again we ’ll have your head!

Off. My arm be as your will, my lord!

Sem. O, then

I have a wish I did not dare to voice.

Nin. Command it now.

Sem. It hath much troubled me

That Khosrove should be honored over you,

Lord of the Revels.

Khos. (Astonished) Lady—

Sem. King, if ’t please you!

I ’ve laid my purple by, but I have still

The royal color in my heart. Think’st thou

To sit above Assyria, who wearest not

The brave investment of the gods? who hold’st

Thy sceptre still from warrior chiefs, not from

Anointed kings?

Khos. Because my race is proud!

Too proud to kneel to any earthly king

And take the sacred vestment from his hands!

Sem. You see, my lord, that even in his heart

He ranks himself above you!

Nin. But, my love—

Khos. Farewell! Thou didst me service once, and here

I thought to thank thee, but—

Nin. Stay, Khosrove, stay!

Khos. Farewell, with all my heart!

Nin. Nay—

Sem. O, my lord.

Let him depart. He mocks our glory, and bears

A challenge in his proud simplicity

That puts our splendor to defense.

Khos. Nay, madam!

I came to lay my duty at your feet,

And lift my eyes no higher than your hand

Without your royal leave! But now I ’ll cast

My gaze upon the stars, forgetting that

You walk beneath them! (Going)

Nin. Stay, O prince!

(To Semiramis) A boon, your majesty! ’T would blot our honor

To send him from us thus! We shall be plunged

Anew in wars, for Husak will avenge it!

I am thy most unhappy subject, and

Thou ’lt hear my prayer!

(Goes after Khosrove and leads him back)

                       You ’ll stay, O Khosrove?

Khos. Ay,

On one condition.

Nin. Name it!

Khos. That you will take

Our seat at feast.

Nin. Nay—

Sem. That is our command!

Nin. No, no!

Sem. We ’ll have it so!

Nin. I ’ll not consent!

Sem. It is our royal order! Guards for Ninus!

Nin. What do you mean?

Sem. To have our way! Guards here!

You shall not do this wrong to your high self!

We ’ll look unto your honor! (To guards) Bear him in!

(Guards stand in amazement)

Did ye not hear the king’s decree? I reign!

(Guards take hold of Ninus)

Nin. By Hut and Nim!

Sem. Place him in Khosrove’s seat!

(Guards draw Ninus through the archway. Khosrove follows, then all but Semiramis, who lingers fearfully, runs toward front, then back and listens)

Sem. ’Tis true! What have I done? Ye gods! ’tis true!

He would not so rebel if ’t were not true!

But Vassin is below! He ’ll know his king

And save him!

     (Kneels) Belus, mighty Belus, pardon!

(The sun has set, and red clouds show almost black over water, rear. The front of stage is nearly dark. Lights glimmer from the gardens, and a faint torch shows in the darkness under the bridge. Shouts and shrieks come from within. People rush out)

Voices. The king! the king!

Sem. (Retreating to railing, front) ’Tis done!

Officer. (Running across) The king has fallen

Into the lake! Lights there! below! (Runs down steps leading under the bridge)

Other officers following. Lights! lights!

(Torches flare under the bridge. Darkness above as the last light fades from the sky. A moment of noise and search, and officers appear on the bridge, right, rear, with Vassin. A guard bears torch which throws light on his face)

Sem. (Confronting him)

You ’ve saved the king!

Vas. I have. For I have slain

His foe!

Sem. His foe? No—you have killed the king!

(Falls back into the arms of her women. Complete darkness on stage. An instant later moonlight. Khosrove and Semiramis alone on the bridge, centre, front)

Khos. (Bowing ceremoniously)

Farewell, Assyria!

Sem. O, not that name!

Not yet—not yet.

Khos. Does it not please your pride?

Sem. My pride? ’Tis gone. Now I could lay my head

Upon the dust.

Khos. In truth! But you ’ll not do it!

Humility ’s a word the great think sweet

Upon the tongue, but near the heart they find

It loseth flavor!

Sem. Ah ... you do not know?

You think the words I spoke were born of pride?

So far from that—no, no—I will not tell,

And yet you wrong me, prince.

Khos. (Eagerly) Did you suspect

Some danger to me here, and seek to force

My angry leave? You did not care so much?

Sem. I cared so much that rather than betray you

I would have let you go believing me

A woman worth your scorn. Ah, there my pride

In truth did suffer!

Khos. O, Semiramis!

Thou art the same as when I saw thee last?

As when I rode away and left thy face—

The only face in Nineveh—nay—I—

Will go. Farewell, most noble queen!

Sem. Farewell!

(He lingers)

Sem. Why go in haste?

Khos. I left my father sick.

He will be troubled till I come again.

Sem. How dared you trust—

Khos. What would I not have dared

To look on thee again?... My horsemen wait....

(Waving toward left)

I come!

Sem. Farewell!... Armenia is my friend?

I ’m sad.... The manner of this death.... It weighs

Upon me.

Khos. Let it not. Thou ’rt innocent

Sem. O, some may doubt!

Khos. But who wrongs Virtue puts

A crown upon her! If thou hadst foreknown

The accident—

Sem. The accident?

Khos. ’t was not

Designed?

Sem. It was ... for you.

Khos. By Ninus?

Sem. Ay.

You were to die.

Khos. Then you—you knew—that he—

(Starts from her in horror)

Sem. What ’s in thy mind? What thought doth paint thy face

In dreadful silence? Oh! you think that I—

(Looks at him with equal horror. Removes farther from him, regains composure, and speaks with haughty coldness)

This serves me well! Right well, Armenian!

Yes—yes—I knew—I knew the king would fall.

But knew, too, sir, that Vassin was below,

And, by my precious gods, I did not dream

He would not save his king! While you—my guest—

You would have gone to death!

Khos. Forgive me!

(Semiramis walks farther, not heeding him)

                                         Oh,

I found a stream that ran from heavenly springs

And in it cast the soot of hell!

Sem. Well served—

Well served, Semiramis!... I was so sad ...

And would not be content to let him go ...

I wanted but a word ... a word to cheer me ...

And now I have it—murderess!

Khos. (Who has advanced to her) No, no,

I did not say it!

Sem. The tongue may well keep silent

When eyes speak lightning. I have heard too much!

’T were better I had let you die!

Khos. Ay, better ...

Better than this!

Sem. Now, now I am Assyria!

No more a woman! Softness to the winds!

And let my heart be as my armor—steel!

Khos. Thou canst not make it so by saying it.

There is no cold or heat may temper hearts

Away from their true nature. Mail thyself

From head to foot, thou ’rt still Semiramis!

Sem. A queen!

(An officer enters, left)

Off. Your majesty, an urgent hand

Brings this report.

(Gives paper to her, which she reads)

Sem. The Ghecs are in revolt!

Thank them for me! They could not show me favor

More to my heart!

(Exit officer, left)

                 I ’m sick of peace—this peace

That gives men time to brood and breed foul thoughts

And fouler deeds! Give me the open war whose blows

Rain down as free as moonbeams from the sun!

Who meets me there I know, at least, he ’s brave,

And there—

Khos. Semiramis!

Sem. (Proudly) Armenia, speak!

You have our leave.

Khos. These Ghecs—my father is

Their ancient, sworn ally!

Sem. Well, sir?

Khos. His oath

Binds him to give them aid.

Sem. The braver then

The battle!

Khos. I am my father’s son!

Sem. You mean

We ’ll meet upon the field!

Khos. I can not take

The field against you!

Sem. No? Why not?

Khos. You know!

Because I love you!

Sem. Sir, I am Assyria!

Khos. Nay, but Menones’ daughter! She whose heart

I touched—

Sem. You touched?

Khos. Ere taint of pride or power

Or mad ambition had laid a canker there!

When she was maiden still, and knew no thought

She might not whisper in her father’s ear!

Gentle as Spring when hushing the young dove,

But strong from virgin battle, with the flush

Of valorous purpose pure as goddess’ dream

Starting the noble war-blood in her cheek!

’Tis she I speak to now—she that I love—

Not the proud queen grown bold in blood and triumph!

Love me, Semiramis! You shall have peace!

Not this sick peace that turns your heart to hate,

But peace that charms the beauty back to life

And new dreams to the soul! O, no more war!

Then lilies springing in thy steps shall say

What fairer grace went by! These fingers shall

Forget the sword whose music is men’s groans,

And on sweet strings draw out the heart of love

To give the world the key of melody!

Ah, you shall war no more—

Sem. Sir, you forget!

These Ghecs—

Khos. Will not revolt if I become

Assyria’s head! They trust me as their—

Sem. You!

Assyria’s head! You! you! O, now I see!

I ’m not yet blind, although my heart was fast

Upstealing to my eyes to make me so!

Khos. O clear thy sight a second time, my queen,

And read me true!

Sem. And you had almost moved me!

Khos. Melt, stony eyes—

Sem. The magic ’s left the earth

That had the power to soften them!

Khos. Not so—

Sem. You ’d keep me still the general’s humble daughter

While you would wear the glory I have won!

Khos. Nay, by Mylitta’s fire!—

Sem. We ’d war no more.

For who has all may well hang by the sword!

Khos. By Heaven, I—

Sem. O, you are man as he was!

(Looks toward the garden shuddering)

I ’ll trust no more! Who ’s worthy trust will give it!

So saidst thou once! But thou couldst doubt—so dark

A doubt my soul—

Khos. Nay, that’s not my offense!

You are a woman, and you must forgive!

But you are queen, too, and the queen in you

Guards her ambition from my honest love

Lest it divide her glory!

Sem. True, she guards it!

Out of Assyrian stone I ’ll make a heart

And wear it in my bosom!

Khos. Do not say it!

I did not mean the words! They are not so!

Thou dost not know thyself! Hard are the lips

That never know a kiss, and thine were made

With softness of the rose! Though all the streams

Of power on earth poured to thy sovereign sea,

Still wouldst thou want, and empty be the heart

One drop of love would fill!

Sem. You speak

As to a woman!

Khos. Ay, for so thou art!

Be now thyself! Thy peace alone I plead!

I can bear all but thy unhappiness!

For love—true love—forgets itself and makes

But one prayer unto Heaven—prayer for the good

Of the beloved!

Sem. Thou wouldst not share my throne?

Khos. Thy throne?

Sem. Ay, so I said.

Khos. I care not for it,

But since ’tis thine, I could not be a man

Worthy thyself and take a place beneath thee.

I ’d be thy husband, and I know thou ’rt not

A woman to look down and love!

Sem. O theft

In argument! To make my monarch soul

Speak from thy mouth against me!

Khos. Not against thee!

To beg thee yield to love is but to plead

Thy greater cause! Ah, days will come to thee

When all the maiden in thy heart will rise

And drown the queen’s! Thou canst not call me back!

To-morrow is the battle! O, I lied

To say thou wert ambitious and ungentle—

Sem. No, thou didst not! ’Tis true! I am—

Khos. No, no!

I ’ll prove it is not so! See here—the dove—

That nestles at your breast! Why is it here?

Sem. Because I was a woman once—and dreamed

On foolish, woman things! (Frees bird from her bosom)

                         Fly! fly!

And as I pluck thee out I pluck away

All thought of mortal love, and stand alone

Beneath Assyria’s crown!

Khos. (Gazes at her in despair) Then I ’ll be gone!

Sem. You ’ve pleaded well, but my domains are broad,

And might give tongue to wilder eloquence

Without love’s sweet excuse!

Khos. No more! I go!

(Moves off, left. Near exit, turns)

I lead my father’s troops!

Sem. I lead my own!

(Exit Khosrove. She looks after him without moving until he passes out of sight. The moonlight is less bright. Her dove flies over her head. She starts and looks after it. The bird alights. She watches it eagerly and waits. It circles about her, then darts to her bosom. With an exultant moan she clasps it to her breast)

(curtain)