University of Virginia Library

SCENE THE SECOND.

Arzaces and Azema.
AZEMA.
To you, Arzaces, this unconquer'd empire
Its present splendour owes, and I my freedom;
For when the vanquish'd Scythians, to repair
Their late defeats, sprang with their treacherous bands
Forth from their gloomy caves and dark retreats,
With rage redoubled rushing on our troops;
Then when my warlike father fell, and left
In hopeless slavery the lost Azema,
You sent the furious thunder of the war
Beyond their desart's bound'ries, and your hands
Unloos'd her chains, and satisfied her vengeance.
Vast is the debt I owe you, and this heart's
Your poor reward.

ARZACES.
Must I not claim this hand?

AZEMA.
It ne'er shall be another's;—but take heed
Least this our mutual passion prove our ruin.
O let me warn you, that this martial pride,
Joined to the lover's softness, may destroy us.
They both alike incense a dangerous rival,
Too great t'oppose or cope with—vile Assures.

ARZACES.
Is then that insolent, ambitious man
My rival as my foe?

AZEMA.
'Tis true, ambition lords it o'er his mind,
He pants for royal power, and seeks my hand
Faster to grasp the scepter in his own.
But trust me, my Arzaces, if the prince,
He whom great Ninus destin'd from his birth,
Would wed Azema; if this empire's heir
Were yet alive, and in his mother's court,
If with his diadem his heart he proffer'd;
I call the conscious powers of love to witness,
I would disdain them both, and would prefer
Exile with thee, before a throne with him.

ARZACES.
Benignant gods! 'tis now that I am blest:
While thus I triumph in Azema's heart,
How much I soar above th'ambitious hopes
Of fell Assures!—

AZEMA.
Yet let me conjure you
To dread his vengeance, which will know no bounds
Towards his love's rival—whom, from other motives,
Ev'n now he hates, and labours to destroy.

ARZACES.
I hate him more, but ne'er can learn to fear him.
The Queen between us, with most even hand,
Doth poize the balance of her royal favour.
Soon as I prostrate fell before her throne,
With her own hand she rais'd me from the earth,
And oft she call'd me her victorious soldier,
Her kingdom's best support. Yes, my Azema,
I heard my praises issue from those lips,
Which mightiest sovereigns glory to obey.

AZEMA.
These tidings cheer my heart; for if the Queen
Deigns to protect, in vain Assures threatens.

ARZACES.
Embolden'd by her goodness, at her feet
I meant t'implore her to complete our union.
But ere I spoke, behold a priest approach'd,
Bearing great Ammon's oracle. The Queen
With trembling hands unseal'd the scroll, let fall
Some precious tears, and fix'de her watry eyes
Long time on me, with marvellous attention,
Then sigh'd, and fled my sight. What this should mean
I know not; yet I deeply mourn her fate.

AZEMA.
Leave her not to Assures, and his counsels;
He may prevent her good intents.
My pray'rs shall aid my wishes and my hopes;
I feel in loving you I please the gods.
Now let the vanquish'd East fall down and worship
Divine Semiramis—I am more great;
The world is at her feet, but you at mine.

ARZACES.
Behold the traitor comes!—at his appearance
My soul is seized with an unwonted horror.