Sem. (Holding out her hands) My chains! Dost think I'll owe
My life to him? Thou know'st not yet my pride!
Bind me and set him free!

Hus. (Thunderingly) No! Husak breaks
No oath! We're not a god as Nineveh,
And bold to mock at Heaven!

Khos. (To Semiramis) I knew the price,
And chose to pay it. 'Tis my wish. Farewell!

(Guards bear him out)

Hus. (To Semiramis) Go free to Nineveh!

Sem. No! O, kill me!

Hus. Nay, go! But go alone--on foot--and through
A hostile country!

Sem. Ah!

Hus. That subject who
Shall give thee food or drink dies in the act!
Proclaim it, all!... Come, friends, we've not yet held
The feast of victory. The slighted gods
Will snatch away their favor if we long
Delay our revels. Though we'll miss one face,

(Suppresses a groan)

We'll know this much--there'll be no traitor there!

(All leave the tent but Semiramis)

Sem. Alone ... on foot ... and through a hostile country!
I'll overtake thee, Khosrove, ere thou 'st reached
Thy throne among the stars! Thou goest from love,
And wilt look back and weep from every cloud;
I on thy track shall pause not till our wings
Stir the same air and lock in kisses flying!
... So pay my scorn? How then hadst loved if heart
Had brought to heart its swelling measure? Then
Our rosy hours had been the pick of time,
And hung a flower 'mong withered centuries
When every age had brought its reckoning in!
O, why will we, some cubits high, pluck at
The sun and moon, when we have that within
Makes us the soul and centre of Heaven itself?
Ambition, thou hast played away my crown
And life. That I forgive thee, but not this--
Thou 'st robbed me of the memory of his kiss.
... Go, world! The conqueror's trump that closed my ears
Unto the angel in a lover's voice
Dies to a moan that fills but one lone heart.
And soon 'tis silent. Ah, though woman build
Her house of glory to the kissing skies,
And the proud sun her golden rafters lay,
And on