n thou
Dost live?

Sem. I live? No! Thou'rt deceived!

Art. O Heaven!
... She's dazed! Her troubles have bewildered her.
All's well, my sister! Husak has been taken.
Thy crown itself is in our hands ... The crown!

(A soldier hands it to him)

You see 'tis safe. (She takes it idly)

Sem. A crown. For such a thing
Wouldst give thy Sola?

Art. She is dear to me,
But ay, by Heaven, I would!

Sem. You would? I know
A greater thing than this.

Art. What, sister?

Sem. (Letting the crown fall) Love.

Art. O, she is crazed! This is some evil work!
Bring in the captive Husak! He shall speak!

Sem. O, brother, once I thought thy love was truest
That ever husband gave to wife, but now
It showeth dark against my lover's truth!

Art. Semiramis ... sweet sister ... What dost mean?
... I'll know the cause of this! Call in the prince
With Husak!

Sem. Prince?

Art. Ay ... Khosrove, whom we found
In chains--I know not why--and I unbound him,
Recalling how he saved my life,--but now
I'll know what thou hast suffered at his hands!

Sem. You found him bound? I can not hear--or see!

Art. She swoons--she dies--O, true, we are too late!

Sem. No, brother, thou'rt in time! I live! I live!
I am Semiramis! Give me my crown!
Now this small circlet seems to me the world,
And it is mine--to wear--or give away!
Is 't not, good friends?

Voices. Ay, 'tis!

(Enter soldiers with Husak and Khosrove, Husak in fetters)

Sem. King Husak, hear!
Assyria and Armenia should be friends,
Joining true hands to bring a happy peace
O'er all the East. And in that dearest hope
I free thee. (Unbinds him) But thy son, the prince, must be
Again my prisoner.

Hus. O, queen, I've spent
One childless hour, and rather would I die
Than know another. Take my life for his.

Art. Dost thou