Assur: Heart-burning care! and ever-during shame! Still must my hopes, my fate depend on her? Was it for this that Ninus and his son Fell by my hand, that Assur might be still Only her first of slaves? So near the throne, To languish in illustrious servitude, And only be the second of mankind! The queen was satisfied with Ninus’ death, But I went further, and pursued my blow: Ninias, in secret murdered by my order, Opened my passage to the throne; but she Denied me entrance.—A long time in vain I soothed her pride with flattery on her charms; Still hoped one day to gain upon her youth That happy influence which assiduous care And humble adoration seldom fail To win o’er artless minds that bend with ease: I little knew the firmness of her soul, Inflexible, and bold; the world alone Could satisfy her pride: she seemed indeed Most worthy of it: spite of my resentment, I own she was, and yield the praise she merits. The reins of empire, that flowed loose before, Strongly she held; appeased the murmuring crowd, Silenced their plaints, and quashed conspiring rebels; Fought like a hero, like a monarch ruled: She led her army and her people captive, And spite of fame, with more than magic art, Chained down the minds of men: the universe Astonished stood, and trembled at her feet. In short, her beauty, woman’s best support, Strengthened the laws which power and valor made; And when I strove to raise conspiracies My friends stood mute, and only could admire her. At length the charm is broke: her power decays; Her genius droops; remorse, and idle fears, And fond credulity have bound her faith To lying oracles, which knavish priests Had taught to speak in Egypt’s barren plain: She pours her daily incense at their altars, And wearies heaven with vows: Sémiramis Creeps on a level now with common mortals, And condescends to fear: I know her weakness: Know, till she falls, Assur can never rise: But I have raised the people’s voice against her, And she must yield: this blow decides her fate: If she consents to give me Azema, She is no longer queen; if she refuses, The kingdom will revolt: on every side The snare is laid, and nothing now can save her. Yet, after all, perhaps I am deceived, And fortune, so long called for, comes at last But to betray me.

Cedar: If the queen is forced To name a successor, and yields the princess To Assur’s bed, what can he have to fear, When the divided branch of Asia’s kings Shall be united? all conspires to pave Your way to empire.