Artavan, what keeps thee?

Haddo. He will come.

Sol. Semiramis is sleeping. I am weary,
But I'll not sleep.

Arm. Rest, madam; we will call you.

Sol. My lord shall find me watching, night or day!

Arm. Two nights you have not slept.

Sol. Ten thousand nights,
I think, good Armin.

Had. We will call you, madam.

Arm. With the first hoof-beat ringing from the north!

Sol. (At curtains, drowsily)
I'll be--awake.

(Goes in)

Had. She'll sleep now.

Arm. Ay, she must.

Had. And I'd not call her for god Bel himself!

Arm. Hark! (Goes to entrance)
'Tis a horseman!

Had. (Following him) Two!

Arm. Right! We must rouse
The lady Semiramis.

Had. Make sure 'tis he. (They step out)

Voice without.
Is this Menones' tent?

Arm. (Without) Ay, Sir! The word!

Voice. God Ninus!

(Semiramis enters, through curtains right centre)

Sem. Artavan! His voice!

(Enter Artavan, followed by Sumbat who waits near entrance)

Sem. My brother!

Art. Semiramis! (Embracing her) Three years this kiss
Has gathered love for thee!

Sem. Has 't been so long
Since I left Gazim?

Art. Ay,--since Ninus called
Our father here, and Gazim lost her dove.

Sem. (On his bosom, laughing softly)
The dove of Gazim,--so they called me then.
But now--(proudly, moving from him) the lioness of Nineveh!

Art. A warrior's daughter!

Sem. And a warrior's sister!
O, I have prayed that you might come! The king
Is gracious--loves the brave--

Art. Our father?

Sem. Ah!

Art. He's well?

Sem. Is 't day?

Art. Almost.

Sem. At dawn he meets
The Armenians on the plain.

Art. The