SCENE VIII.

Assur: [Alone.] Astonishment! such language, such designs! Or is it artifice, or weakness in her, Or cowardice or courage? Does she mean, By yielding thus, to prop her tottering power, And by our union to defeat my purpose? I must not think, it seems, of Azema, Because, perhaps, I’m destined for herself. It must be so. What all my cares in vain Solicited, my flattery of her charms, My deep intrigues, and our united crimes, With all her fears, could never gain, at length An idle dream, and a dark oracle From Egypt have performed. What power unknown Decrees the fate of mortals? Great events Hang on the slenderest thread: still I am doubtful: I’ll see Sémiramis again; she seemed Too much in haste; such sudden resolutions Betray an overanxious mind, and those Who change with ease are either weak, or wicked.

ACT III.

SCENE I.

Sémiramis,

Otanes: [The scene represents an apartment in the palace.]

Sémiramis: Who would have thought, Otanes, that the gods, Offended as they were, at length should smile Propitious thus, and threaten but to save! Should drop the uplifted thunder from their hand, And pardon me; should send Arsaces hither To change my fate! for know it is their will That I should wed, and by a second tie Expiate the crimes of my first fatal nuptials. They are the great disposers of our hearts, And mine with pleasure yields to their decrees: It even outruns their purposes: Arsaces, I’m thine; for thou wert born to rule o’er me, And o’er the world.

Otanes: Arsaces! he!

Sémiramis: Thou knowest, In Scythia’s plains, when I avenged the Persian, And conquered Asia, this young hero fought Beneath his father’s banners, and, surrounded With captives, brought to me the bloody spoils, And, blushing, laid his victims at my feet. When first I saw him, I could feel his heart, As by some secret power, attracting mine Insensibly towards him; all mankind, Besides Arsaces, seemed not worth my notice. Assur grew jealous of him, and ever since Has fired with indignation at his name; Whilst his dear image still employed my thoughts, Before that voice which guides my every word And every action named him for my husband, Before the gods had pointed out Arsaces Otanes. It was indeed a noble conquest, thus To bend that haughty spirit which disdained The proffered homage of our Eastern monarchs, Who as her subjects, not as lovers, still Accepted kings! You who contemned those charms, That sovereign beauty, which extended wide Your universal empire; whilst your eyes Pierced every heart, you scarce would condescend To mark their power; and dost thou yield at last To love’s imperious sway; to fears and horror Succeed the tender passions? Can it be?