Sémiramis: O, no; it is not love: I am not fallen So much beneath myself, as to bestow On beauty the reward that’s due to virtue; I feel a nobler passion in my breast: Alas! such weakness would but ill become Sémiramis: unhappy as I am, For me to think of love, Otanes, how Couldst thou suppose it? Once I was a mother, But scarce had studied to deserve the name By my fond cares, when heaven in anger snatched My child away, and left me here alone A prey to anguish. I had nothing near me That I could love; and, midst my grandeur, felt An aching void within my soul. I fled The court, endeavored to avoid myself, And sought relief in these proud monuments, Amusing flatterers of a restless heart That shunned reflection: rest was still a stranger, And long remained so; but he comes once more, I feel him now, and wonder at the power That charmed him hither: ’twas Arsaces; he Shall hold the place of husband and of son, A conquered world, and all my glories past. How much I owe to thee, celestial power, Who thus propitious leadest me to the altar So long abhorred; and hast thyself inspired That passion which alone can make me happy!

Otanes: But what will be the rage and grief of Assur? Hast thou reflected on it, when he hears Thy new resolves? He is not without hopes: The people have already fixed thy choice On him, and his resentment will not end In mere complaints.

Sémiramis: I never have deceived, And therefore fear him not: these fifteen years, Whate’er his views have been, I’ve taught him still To rank but with my subjects, though the first Amongst them; and set bounds to his ambition, Which he hath never o’erleaped: I reigned alone; And if this feeble hand so long could guide The helm of power, and curb his haughtiness, What can his courage or his cunning do Against Arsaces and Sémiramis? Yes: Ninus hath accepted my repentance, And leaves the mansions of the dead to urge Our happy union: his illustrious shade Again would rage to see his murderer seize His throne and bed: this calls him from the tomb, And Ammon’s oracles unite with him To crown my bliss: no more the awful virtue Of Oroes affrights me; I’ve sent for him To be a witness of the great event, And soon expect him here.

Otanes: His honored name And sacred character may give indeed A sanction to your choice.

Sémiramis: I know it will, And establish my resolves.

Otanes: Behold, he comes.

SCENE II.

Sémiramis, Oroes,

Sémiramis: Great successor of Zoroaster, welcome: To-day must Babylon receive a king; Thy office is to crown him; is all ready For the solemnity?