.

Sol. Hear all, and save him!
When Khosrove takes the seat of highest honor,
Lord of the Revels by Assyria's favor,
The floor will part, the chair fall to the lake,
Where Vassin waits to slay him, while the king
Strikes down in wrath the master of the feast
For fault of accident!

Sem. Where are your wits?
See, yonder comes the king!

(Re-enter Ninus through archway)

Sem. (As he approaches) Is all prepared,
My lord?

Sol. (To Semiramis)
'Tis true--true--true!

(Runs off, right)

Nin. Ay, all is ready
Except the queen. What means these simple robes,
Semiramis?

Sem. A compliment unto
Your majesty.

Nin. It shows more like affront!
I would have Khosrove see a splendor here
Unpainted in the daring of his dream,
And thou the star of it! A merchant's daughter
Would robe her handmaid with more care--lend her
A pearl or two--a bit of scarf--or scrap
Of tinsel sun--

Sem. My lord--

Nin. A compliment!
'Tis your disdain--

Sem. It grieves me, sir, that you
Should read in outward sign what never yet
Was in my soul. Our wars are done, my lord;
And exultation of the conquering hour
Calms into peace; as I laid armor by
For victor robes and symbol of my glory,
I now cast off the purple of the queen,
And but remember that I am a wife.

Nin. (Embracing her)
Beloved Semiramis! Forgive thy slave!
No royal dye could shine so to my eyes
As this soft white put on for me alone!
Thy pardon, love, and thou shalt shortly learn
A king, too, knows how best to compliment!
An honor waits for thee--

(Enter officer, left)

Off. O king!

Nin. We hear!

Off. The Armenian approaches.

Nin. Khosrove comes?

(Semiramis watches the king closely)

Off. He comes, great Ninus!

Nin. Well