Sémiramis: I meant to wed him, but the gods In mercy have forbade it: they inspire A hapless mother now—but time is precious; Go: leave me here, and in my name command The nobles, priests, and people, to attend me. [Azema goes into the porch of the temple, and Sémiramis advances toward the tomb.] Thou shade of Ninus, lo! I fly to avenge thee; The hour is come when thou didst promise me Admittance to thy tomb; I have obeyed thee, Called by thy voice, behold me here to save My son. Ye guards that wait around my throne Approach: henceforth Arsaces is your king; No more obedient to Sémiramis, Observe his laws, to him the sovereign power I here resign: be you his subject now, And his defenders. [Guards appear, and range themselves on each side at the further part of the stage.] Gracious heaven! protect me. [She goes into the tomb.]

SCENE III.

Azema: [Returning from the porch of the temple to the front of the stage.] What can she purpose? O it is too late To save him now; I know not what to think: ’Tis wondrous all; O ’tis a dreadful moment, Arsaces! Ninias! ye immortal powers Who guide our fate, O say, did you restore My loved Arsaces but to snatch him from me?

SCENE IV.

Azema, Ninias.

Azema: Ha! Ninias! can it be? Art thou indeed Great Ninus’ son, my sovereign, and my husband?

Ninias: O! thou beholdest me, Azema, ashamed To know myself, sprung from the blood of gods, And shuddering at the thought: O! Azema, Remove my terrors, calm my troubled soul, Strengthen my arm upraised to avenge a father.

Azema: Take heed how thou performest that dreadful office.

Ninias: He hath commanded, and I must obey.

Azema: Ninus would never sacrifice his son: Impossible!

Ninias: What says my Azema?

Azema: Ne’er shalt thou enter that abhorred place, For know, a traitor lies in wait for thee.

Ninias: Who shall withhold or terrify Arsaces?

Azema: Thou art the victim to be offered there: With sacrilegious steps the impious Assur Profanes the sacred tomb, and rashly dares To violate its privilege divine: He waits thee there.

Ninias: Good heaven! then all is plain; I’m satisfied: the victim is prepared; My father, poisoned by the wicked Assur, Demands the traitor’s blood: instructed thus By Oroes, and conducted by the gods, Armed by the hand of Ninus’ self, I go To punish the assassin: thither led By heaven’s eternal justice, my weak hand Is but the instrument of power divine: The gods do all, and my astonished soul Yields to that voice which must decree my fate: Spite of ourselves, our ways are noted down, Marked, and determined: prodigies are spread Around the throne, and spirits called from hell To wander here: but fearless I obey. Believe, and trust in heaven.