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 forget, Semiramis, that once
He saved thy brother?
Sem. I remember all,
But will not change his doom. He must be bound,
Nor from my fetters may he go alive.
These are his chains—(Putting her arms about his neck) his prison deathless love,
And here I pray that he will wear this crown,
And hold with me the great Assyrian throne!
... (calls) My chariot!
Khos. My queen! my queen!
Sem. Wilt thou
Consent?
Khos. (Kisses her lips) I answer here.