University of Virginia Library

SCENE THE FIFTH.

Enter Arzaces. Kneels before her.
ARZACES.
O Queen, my life's devoted to your service,
I owe you all my blood. When I've beheld
Its purple drops gush forth, I've been o'erpaid,
Since 'twas for you it flow'd.—My warlike father,
Leading your troops to conquest, fell in battle.
But wherefore dare I to remind my sovereign
Of my dead father's merits?—Will she therefore
Deign to forgive the rashness of his son,
Who even now thus prostrate at her feet,
Dreads to offend her, and to urge his suit?—

SEMIRAMIS.
Rise, Arzaces!
Thou surely ne'er wast born to give offence.
Dismiss thy fear, and boldly name thy suit.

ARZACES.
This day, O Queen, you give your hand and empire;
The proud Assures now prepares to triumph;
Hither ev'n now he bends his haughty steps,
As 'twere to claim the conquest. The whole realm
Have fix'd on him, as sprang from your high blood,
To share your throne;—may he prove worthy of it!
But O, I feel my mind is too exalted
Here to adore the man whose power I've braved.
Suffer me then to fly his hated presence,
And seek that land where late I fought your battles.
Tho' I might well defy his tyranny,
If you, O Queen, would crown my aspiring wishes
And grant me—

SEMIRAMIS.
Gracious powers! what do I hear!
Would'st thou then fly my court? Say, would'st thou leave me?
And can'st thou dread Assures?

ARZACES.
No—I'm doomed
To fear nought else on earth, except your anger.
But now perchance my vain desires are known,
Your indignation may destroy my hopes,
I tremble—

SEMIRAMIS.
Thou hast no cause—ere long you'll find
Assures is not destined for thy sov'reign.

ARZACES.
'Tis well—for I must own, with ten-fold horror
I should have seen him fill the throne of Ninus.
But since 'tis now forbad him to aspire
To these august espousals, is't decreed
That he must therefore wed the fair Azema?
Pardon, O Queen, th'excess of my presumption.
Tho' but a subject—yet 'gainst him I durst—

SEMIRAMIS.
Subjects like you, are pillars to my throne.
My eyes are now enlighten'd, and I view
What tends to the true interests of the state.
I name you arbiter; you shall support them.
My word shall break the concord 'twixt the princess
And proud Assures—Trust me, I've foreseen
And will prevent the dangers of this union.

ARZACES.
And shall this curst alliance then be broken?
Now I perceive thy penetrating wisdom
Reads my desires, and dives into my soul.

SEMIRAMIS.
Here break we off—ere now the hall of audience
Is fill'd with nobles, and Assyrian princes,
Follow, Arzaces: let us haste to join them,
And witness with them my august decision.

[Exeunt.