Sem. You fled the battle!

Men. Oh!

Sem. You must go back!

Men. Too late!

Sem. (Gaining courage and putting her hands sternly on his shoulders) No!

Men. We must fly!

Sem. Fly! Never!

Men. (Rising) Come!

The chariot! The king will leave my race No blood on earth!

Sem. If it be coward's blood 'Tis better lost!

Men. Come, come! We yet can fly!

Sem. Back to the battle! There I'll go with thee!

Men. I can not! Oh, the terror's here--here--here!

It clutches at my heart!

Sem. Tear out thy heart And keep thy honor whole!

(He falls on the couch, shaken with suffering. She kneels by him pleading pa.s.sionately)

Sem. Up, father, up!

You must go back! You know not what you've done!

Our Artavan--

Men. Praise Bel, he's safe in Gazim!

Sem. No ... he is here ... he came, and rode to find you.

Men. He came? G.o.ds, no!

Sem. Nay, true! He's in the battle!

Now you will go! You will go back, my father!

He does not know the plan! He can not lead Without your counsel! Come--your voice--his arm-- And all is safe!

(He rises; noise of battle; he sinks shuddering)

Men. No--I'll die here--not there!

(Semiramis stands in despair; then lifts her arms praying)

Sem. O mighty Belus, give me back my father!

(She listens with sudden eagerness and goes to tent door)

False! false! They're verging south! North, north, ye cowards!

(Rushes to her armor and takes it down. Shakes the curtains right, and calls)

Dokahra! (Throws off her robe and begins putting on armor.

Enter Dokahra, right centre)

Dok. Mistress!

Sem. Buckle here! Be quick!

Men. You shall not go!

Sem. You have no might or right To stay me now!

Men. You will be lost!

Sem. Lost? No!

Did I not plan this battle? Haste, Dokahra!

Our lives are in your fingers! Courage, father!

(Going, Dokahra still adjusting armor)

The king has smiled on me--I do not know-- But there was such a promise in his smile-- And if the victory's mine he will forgive!

Dok. This rivet, mistress!

(Noise of battle)

Sem. Artavan, I come!

(Rushes out. Sound of chariot rolling away. Dokahra looks stolidly at Menones for a moment, then turns through curtains, right. Menones presses his heart in pain, moans wretchedly, and draws a blanket over his body)

Men. Is this the form that bright Decreto loved?

But where the soul, O, G.o.ds! (Lies shuddering)

Voice without. The King!

(Menones draws blanket over his face and becomes motionless. Enter the king, with Va.s.sin)

Nin. (At entrance) Stand here!

G.o.dagon, haste! Ride to Menones; say We wait within his tent; his messengers Will reach us here.

(A rider spurs off without. Ninus and Va.s.sin advance within the tent)