Khos. Unto no ear
But thine.
Sem. Wouldst save thy life?
Khos. Perhaps. Wouldst save
Thy brother?
Sem. Sumbat, wilt advise me?
Sum. Trust him,
And hear what he would say.
Sem. Out then, my friends,
I pray you.
(All go out but Semiramis and Khosrove.)
Now!
Khos. My father swore to me
Before I led his troops ’gainst Nineveh,
All captives should be held at my disposal
And bloody custom waived. I would not speak
’Fore all, lest I should rob fierce Husak’s name
Of terror which is half his sword.
Sem. But now
He thinks you dead.