Azema: O Queen, forgive me if I come uncalled; But terrors worse than death have forced me thus To clasp thy knees, and beg thy royal mercy—

Sémiramis: What wouldst thou, princéss? speak.

Azema: To snatch a hero From instant danger, stop a traitor’s hand, And save

Arsaces: Sémiramis: Ha! what hand? Arsaces!

Azema: He is thy husband, Azema’s betrayed, He lives for you alone; no matter—

Sémiramis: He My husband! gods!

Azema: The sacred tie that binds you—

Sémiramis: The tie is dreadful, impious, and abhorred: Arsaces is—but speak, go on; I tremble: What dangers? haste, and tell me.

Azema: Well thou knowest, Perhaps this very moment, whilst I ask Thy aid, perhaps—

Sémiramis: Well, what?

Azema: That demigod Whom we adore, demands the sacrifice Within the dreary labyrinths of the tomb: What are the crimes Arsaces must atone for I know not.

Sémiramis: Crimes! just heaven!

Azema: But impious Assur Hath sworn to violate that sacred place Which mortals dare not enter.

Sémiramis: Ay! indeed! Hath Assur sworn it?

Azema: In the dead of night The wily traitor had long since secured A safe retreat, if e’er occasion called, Within the secret windings of the tomb, Where now he means to do the bloody deed, To brave the powers of hell, and wrath of heaven; With sacrilegious hand he would destroy The generous Arsace

Sémiramis: Heaven! what sayest thou? By what detested means?

Azema: Believe a heart By love enlightened, and by love inspired: I know the traitor’s rank envenomed hatred, Marked how the trembling faction by his zeal Revived; I pried into their secret councils, Pretended to unite his cause with mine, And join our interests; I have looked into him, Have wrested from his heart the fatal secret. Boldly he marches on, and hopes to pass Unpunished: well he knows that none dare enter That holy place, not Oroes himself: Thither he’s gone: meantime his slaves report Arsaces is the victim that must die For Babylon, and Ninus in his blood Shall satiate his revenge: the nobles meet, The people murmur; Ninus, Assur, heaven, Are all incensed: I tremble for Arsace

Sémiramis: My dearest Azema, heaven speaks by thee: It is enough: I see what must be done. Repose thyself with safety on a mother; Daughter, our danger is the same; go thou, Defend thy husband, I will save my son.

Azema: O heaven!