 | Semiramis |  |
SCENE THE SECOND.
To her enter—Azema hastily.AZEMA.
Forgive me, gracious Queen, if I presume
To rush into your presence.—This sad heart
Is rack'd with doubts and agonizing fears,
Permit me then to fall thus at your feet.
[Kneels.
SEMIRAMIS.
Rise, princess, rise, and speak your pious wishes.
AZEMA.
O snatch a hero from impending danger,
Step between him and guilt, and save Arzaces!
SEMIRAMIS.
Arzaces! what of him?—thou ravest.
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This day
I know he is destin'd to become your husband.
SEMIRAMIS.
I wed Arzaces!
O ye immortal gods—
AZEMA.
Ev'n now the priest
Prepares the nuptial rites—
SEMIRAMIS.
These rites are dreadful,
Arzaces is—but speak—my blood runs cold.
Be quick, and name these dangers.—
AZEMA.
Mighty Empress,
You know that at this hour—the demi-god,
At thought of whom I shudder—doth expect
A secret sacrifice should be perform'd
In yon dark labyrinth to Ninus sacred.
And even now that impious wretch Assures
Doth rend the holy cerements of the tomb,
And dares to violate that sanctuary
Never as yet by mortal foot profaned.
SEMIRAMIS.
How know'st thou this?—Say, wherefore should Assures
Thus dare t'insult my husband's sacred ashes,
And brave th'infernal Powers?
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—For a vile one.
Eternal night reigns in these dreadful caverns,
Hid in the friendly covert of whose darkness,
He means to raise his sacrilegious hand
Against the sacred life of his new monarch.
SEMIRAMIS.
What spectre, or what god reveal'd this deed?
AZEMA.
Deep-searching love has probed his dark designs.—
E'en now the monster's boldly marching on
To sacrilege and murder.—Thro' the city
He's caused it to be rumour'd that Arzaces
Is the devoted victim—in whose death
Ninus will wash away his mighty wrongs.
SEMIRAMIS.
Thou hast no cause for fear—virtue like thine
The gods themselves protect—sure thou may'st trust
A parent's care and fondness.—Lov'd Azema,
This instant both our fates shall be accomplish'd,
Haste, pious maid, and supplicate great Jove
To shield Arzaces—whilst I fly to save
Your husband and my son.
AZEMA.
O mighty pow'rs,
What is't I hear!—Is then Arzaces Ninias?
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The gods themselves enlighten'd my dark soul
When they beheld me plunging into crimes.
Once more methinks they inspire a wretched mother,
And in their endless mercy deign to shed
Soft peace and new-born joy on my sad heart.
They bid me fly to save a much-lov'd son,
And free him from a dark assassin's toils.
[Exit Semiramis.
Manet AZEMA.
What sudden cause thus animates the Queen?
What are her great designs? why does her heart
Thus heave and swell as it would burst her breast?
This prodigy surpasses all my hopes.
The prince is found! O blest, yet fearful tidings!
My fond love whispers, that his anxious mother
Will come too late to shield him from the traitor.
O why, ye cruel gods, was he restor'd,
Thus soon to tear him from my bleeding heart.
[Exit Azema.
| Semiramis | |