rt thou not a wife,
Though thou wert thousand times a queen, I'd pour
Such worship to your ears you would believe
My heart would rend my body's walls and leap
Out of my bosom sooner than beat once
A traitor to your trust! Take Ninus' ring!
Give me this little one--(slipping a ring from her finger)
that hath enclosed
The sovereign rose and ruby of thy veins
That dims his purple power--and thee I serve--
Your general--not his! Whate'er you would
I will! Command me now--

Sem. Enough! Go, go!
Lose no more time!

Khos. O, in some dream to come,
When innocence may wear what form it will
And on thy waking nature leave no blush,
May words I must not speak take life and pay
The debt they owe this hour!

Sem. I beg you go!
Assyria's in your hands!

Khos. Nay, in my heart!

Nin. Come, Artavan! No more delay! Your troops
Await before the citadel.

Khos. I go,
My lord.

(Confusion without, left rear. Enter an officer)

Off. Pardon, your majesty! A man
Who says he's brother to the queen, makes bold
To press before you!

Nin. Yet another brother?

Sem. No, no, my lord!

Off. He comes from Husak's camp.

Sem. It is some madman surely, or a spy
Who plays his wits are lost and takes this way
To force into the court!

Khos. I'll thrust him out!
He may mean danger to your person.

Nin. Nay,
We'll sport with him. Let him come in!

(Exit Officer)

Sem. My lord--

Nin. Your brother! Ho, ho, ho!

(Enter Artavan)

Art. My sister!

Sem. (Staring) Sir?

Art. Though queen, art thou not still my sister?

Sem. No!

Art. (Bowing with scornful ceremony)
Your majesty!

Nin. Ha! ha! His sister! Then
Thou wouldst