A score of spearmen, with lances down, march in right, front, and out through archway, right, rear.
Enter, right, front, the king and Sumbat. The king is royally clad and crowned; Sumbat in official robe.
Sumbat. Khosrove delays.
Nin. But do not doubt he ’ll come.
I have his word, and couriers have seen
His horsemen on the plain.
Sum. How noble, sir,
To close the Feast of Peace with supreme revel
In honor of your foe!
Nin. Not foe, good Sumbat.
We have no foes. Our queen’s triumphant arms
Have made glad subjects of all enemies
But one, and him we make our friend. To-night
Assyria and Armenia sup as one!
(Turns toward right, rear)
We ’ll see if all ’s prepared as we gave order.
(Exeunt under the arch of garlands. Dancers enter, right, front, and pass out through arch. Following them, Semiramis with her women. All are in rich attire but the queen who wears simple white robe. A dove nestles on her bosom. She gives the women leave to pass on and they go out merrily through arch, right, rear. Semiramis lingers; comes to the railing of the bridge, centre, and leans upon it)
Sem. Will Khosrove come? I do not doubt the king,—
And yet—I pray he will not come!