Oroes: The magi wait Thy pleasure, and the nobles all attend: To pay obedience to the sovereign power Is all my duty, and I shall fulfil it: I am not to judge kings, for that belongs To heaven alone.

Sémiramis: By this mysterious language, It seems you disapprove my purpose.

Oroes: Madam, I know it not, but wish it fair success.

Sémiramis: Thou canst interpret heaven’s high will: these signs Which I have seen, can they be fatal to me? A spectre hath of late, perhaps some god, Appeared, and in the bosom of the earth Re-entered soon: what power hath thus broke down The eternal barrier that divides the light From darkness? wherefore should a mortal thus Rise from the tomb to visit me?

Oroes: Know, heaven Doth oft suspend its own eternal laws When justice bids, reversing death’s decree; Thus to chastise the sovereigns of the earth, And terrify mankind.

Sémiramis: The oracles Demand a sacrifice.

Oroes: It shall be offered.

Sémiramis: Eternal justice, thou whose piercing eye Beholdest my naked heart, O fill it not Again with horror, bury in oblivion My first unhappy nuptials! Oroes, stay. [To Oroes, who is retiring.]

Oroes: [Returning.] I thought my presence might disturb you, madam.

Sémiramis: Return, and answer me: this morning, say, Did not Arsaces offer at your altars Gifts to the gods?

Oroes: He did; and precious were they: Arsaces is the favorite of heaven.

Sémiramis: I know he is, and I rejoice to hear it. Can I be wretched if I trust to him?

Oroes: He is the empire’s best support; the gods Conducted him; his glory is their care.

Sémiramis: With transport I accept the fair presage, Whilst hope and peace return to calm my breast. Away: again let purest incense rise Before your altars; let your magi come And sanctify the choice; bring down the smiles Of the assenting gods, and make us happy. Henceforth may Babylon with me revive, And shine amongst the nations of the earth With double splendor! Go thou, and prepare The solemn pomp.

SCENE III.

Sémiramis, Otanes.

Sémiramis: Heaven seconds my design, And I am only the interpreter Of its high will, to give the world a master: Thus to receive a kingdom at my hand Will strike him with astonishment: even now How little thinks he of the approaching greatness! How will proud Assur and his fawning crowd Be humbled! But a word, and the whole earth Falls at his feet; and, grateful as he is, I know he will repay me: I shall wed him, And for my portion carry him a world; My glory’s pure, and now I shall enjoy it.

SCENE IV.

Sémiramis, Otanes, Mitranes. An Officer of the Palace.

Otanes: Arsaces begs admittance to your presence, To lay his sorrows at your feet.