Excerpt
ACT I.
Scene: 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. I am weary,But I ’ll not sleep.
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 ’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 rouseThe 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! (Embracing her) Three years this kissHas gathered love for thee!
Sem. Has ’t been so longSince I left Gazim?
Art. Ay,—since Ninus calledOur father here, and Gazim lost her dove.
Sem. (On his bosom, laughing softly) The dove of Gazim,—so they called me then.But now—(proudly, moving from him) the lioness of Nineveh!
Art. A warrior’s daughter!
Sem. And a warrior’s sister!O, I have prayed that you might come! The kingIs gracious—loves the brave—
Art. Our father?
Sem. Ah!
Art. He ’s well?
Sem. Is ’t day...?