Hus. I make her thine! My conqueror’s right I yield
To thee!
Khos. Dost swear it?
Hus. Doubt me not! I swear!
Khos. By Belus’ star?
Hus. By Belus’ star, whose beams
Are death to breakers of an oath! We ask
This crown—no more. (Takes crown from Khosrove’s hand) You pause. Stand not, my son.
Thy vengeance waits. Do what thou wilt with her,
We ’ll question not.
(Khosrove strikes off the chains of Semiramis)
Khos. Go free to Nineveh.
(Husak stands in amazed silence, then understands and burns with speechless anger. At last he speaks slowly with intense wrath)
Hus. All madmen in my kingdom die! Bind him!