Khos. (Hurriedly) When Vassin came to take me into charge,
Sumbat contrived another should be sent—
Sem. We know the rest! But how save Artavan?
Khos. When I have entered Husak’s camp he ’s free!
You trust me?
Sem. O, I must! I do! But not
To save my brother may I trust to you
The city’s keys! You are Assyria’s foe—
Khos. Not now! No more a foe, but truest friend!
For in my heart you are Assyria,
And you I ’d serve—
Nin. Cut short thy schooling, for
The city waits.
Sem. (Aloud, mapping in her hand) The river here divides
The eastern guard—(lowers her voice) I must not do this! No!
Risk every soul in Nineveh—
Khos. Did I
Not trust thee when I entered here? I knew
The face that shone upon me in the battle
Would not betray me! Who gives perfect trust
Is worthy of it! Thou dost know me true
By Heaven’s sign that only souls may read!
I can not say what I would say because
Thou art a wife, but wert 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!