Semiramis A Tragedy |
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| 1. | SCENE THE FIRST. |
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 | Semiramis |  |
SCENE THE FIRST.
A Royal Gallery in the Palace.Enter Semiramis and Otanes.
SEMIRAMIS.
Who would believe, Otanes, that the gods,
Offended as they are at my transgressions,
Would deign to shed a ray of comfort round me,
And cheer with hope my dark, despairing soul?
The hand of Heaven has led Arzaces hither;
Doubtless 'tis they dispose of human hearts;
And mine exults t'obey their sacred laws.
My fate is fix'd, I yield, and I behold
Mine and the world's great master in Arzaces.
OTANES.
In him! in young Arzaces?
SEMIRAMIS.
Yes, Otanes.
When Persia was reveng'd, and Asia conquer'd,
This hero fought on the rude plains of Scythia;
Surrounded as he was by death and carnage,
And crown'd with laurels, yet his youthful front
Was crimson'd with the blush of modesty.
At the first glance of this young hero's charms,
Wonder and joy seized on my astonished senses;
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While something seem'd to whisper to my soul,
To favour and protect him from this instant.
This did not 'scape the cunning of Assures,
He hates the noble youth—whose glorious image
Was 'graven on my heart, long ere I knew
That Heaven had doom'd him to partake my throne.
OTANES.
Is it decreed then that your daring spirit,
Your proud unconquer'd heart, at last should yield?
SEMIRAMIS.
No—'tis not love inclines me toward Arzaces;
I pay to beauty the reward of valour.
Is't for a wretch like me, to yield to love?
To own its fatal laws, and court its bonds?
Hast thou forgot, that I was once a mother?
Hast thou forgot, that scarce these wretched arms
Embrac'd the fruit of my unhappy union,
When Heav'n in anger tore him from my bosom?
OTANES.
The world has long bewail'd the prince's loss.
SEMIRAMIS.
Mankind had cause to mourn—what then had I?
I fled my court, I wish'd to fly myself;
I sought repose amidst these sacred tombs,
But rest fled from me—now with joy and wonder
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The gentle goddess comes, and with her brings
Divine Arzaces, to dispel my sorrows.
OTANES.
This deed of thine, O Queen, will cause the heart
Of proud Assures to o'erflow with rage.
The people's voice, joined to his own ambition,
Have taught him long to cherish the fond hope
That he should prove your choice.
SEMIRAMIS.
I've not deceiv'd him,
And know, Otanes, I disdain to fear him.
I am no stranger to his tow'ring views,
But still I've set due bounds to his ambition.
What shall I dread then?—shall he dare t'oppose
Semiramis, united with Arzaces?
'Twould prove an insult to the sacred shade
Of my dead lord, to wed with his assassin.
The oracles of Jove approve Arzaces,
And Ninus quits the bosom of the tomb,
To urge this union.—Now no more I'm aw'd
By the superior virtue of the pontiff;
I bad him strait attend to know my will.
OTANES.
The holy priest approaches—he'll declare
If this your choice be pleasing to the gods.
[Exit Otanes.
| Semiramis | |