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Read Ebook: Semiramis and Other Plays by Dargan Olive Tilford
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Ebook has 2740 lines and 134970 words, and 55 pages
Sem. At dawn he meets The Armenians on the plain.
Art. Then he is well!
Sem. He went forth well,--and brave as when he drove The Ghees from Gazim with his single sword! But--oh--he needs you, Artavan, he needs you!
I'm with him night and day but when he battles-- I buckle on his arms--cheer him away-- And wipe the foe's blood from his mighty sword When he returns! But I've a fear so strange! At times he's moved quite from himself,--so far That I look on him and see not our father! If I dared speak I'd almost say that he Who never lost a battle shrinks from war!
Art. No, no! Not that! You borrow eyes of fear And see what is not!
Sem. But I've felt the drops Cold on his brow, and raised his lifeless arms Whose corded strength hung slack as a sick child's! O, it is true! And you must stand by him! Fight at his side! I thought to do it! I! See here, my armor!
When I had this made And swore to wear it in the fight, 'twas then He yielded--said that you might come--
The charge!
Art. I go to him!
Sem.
Take this! He'll understand! 'Tis some direction later thought upon!
Art. My wife is safe--
Sem. With me! Three days ago She came. And now she sleeps--
Art. In there? One kiss--
Sem. Nay, nay, you go to battle, and should keep Steel in your eye, not woman's tears!... Who comes With you?
O, Sumbat!
Welcome! But no time For gallant greetings! We are warriors here!
Art. We go!
Sem. Ride! ride! The battle over, ye Shall meet the king!
Sol. What is it? Who was here?
Sem. They'll reach my father!
Sol. Not Artavan?
Sem. Ay--he.
Sol. And gone--my husband! Without a word--a look!
Sem. The battle calls, And he who wears ambition's spur must ride!
Sol. Ambition! O, you think of naught but war And glory! Hast thou no heart, Semiramis?
Sem. I' faith, and love thee with it!
Sol. Trifle not! Hadst thou a heart thou couldst not live a maid, So beautiful, and never dream of love! Thou'rt some strange thing--
Sem. What, wilt be angry? Come! I'll tell thee all he said--thy Artavan,-- Ay, every word, and how his eyes grew soft With dimness sweeter than their vanquished light When thou wert his dear theme!
Go in. I'll come.
Sem. Is that a chariot? My father!... Nay! He's safe with Artavan! Whatever comes His son will be his heart and bear him up! Safe, safe, Menones, and thy grizzled locks Shall wear their laurels to an honored grave!
Armin, who is it comes?
Arm. The Lord Menones.
Sem. You fled the battle!
Men. Oh!
Sem. You must go back!
Men. Too late!
Sem. No!
Men. We must fly!
Sem. Fly! Never!
Men. 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!
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? Gods, 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!
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