to follow when Ninus speaks)

Nin. Stay! Hear, all!
Before we feast in honor of our guest,
We would do honor to our noble queen,
Whose arms of might have brought our land to peace.
Whose looks of love have brought our heart to rest!
To-night we doff our crown that she may wear it!

(Removing crown)

And here decree her word shall be obeyed
Above our own.

(Puts crown on the queen's head)

Dost like our compliment?

Sem. It is too much, my king.

Nin. (Kneeling) Nay, nay, thy subject!

(Semiramis seems gay with a sudden resolve)

Sem. If it so please thee then I'll be the king!

Nin. (Rising) We have decreed. If any here refuse
To honor thy command, though thou shouldst doom
My death, himself that instant dies. (To officer)
You, sir,
Take order for it, and if your own hand fail,
When we are king again we'll have your head!

Off. My arm be as your will, my lord!

Sem. O, then
I have a wish I did not dare to voice.

Nin. Command it now.

Sem. It hath much troubled me
That Khosrove should be honored over you,
Lord of the Revels.

Khos. (Astonished) Lady--

Sem. King, if 't please you!
I've laid my purple by, but I have still
The royal color in my heart. Think'st thou
To sit above Assyria, who wearest not
The brave investment of the gods? who hold'st
Thy sceptre still from warrior chiefs, not from
Anointed kings?

Khos. Because my race is proud!
Too proud to kneel to any earthly king
And take the sacred vestment from his hands!

Sem. You see, my lord, that even in his heart
He ranks himself above you!

Nin. But, my love--

Khos. Farewell! Thou didst me service once, and here
I thought to thank thee, but--

Nin. Stay, Khosrove, stay!

Khos. Farewell, with all my heart!

Nin. Nay--

Sem. O, my l