Arsaces: And I hate him more, But fear him not, since Azema is mine: Keep thou thy faith, and I despise his anger. At least I share with him the royal favor: I saw the queen, and her humanity Equalled the pride of Assur: when I fell Prostrate before her, gently she upraised me, And called me the support of Babylon: With pride I heard the flattering voice of her Whose name contending kings unite to honor: The distance ’twixt her royal state and mine Was lessened soon by mildest condescension; It touched, it melted me; and, after thee, To me she seemed, of all the human race, Most nearly to resemble the divine.

Azema: If she protects us, Assur’s threats are vain: I heed them not.

Arsaces: Inspired by thee, I went, Fearless and brave, to lay before the feet Of my great mistress, that aspiring passion Which Assur dreads, and Azema approves; When lo, that very moment came a priest From Egypt with Ammonian Jove’s decree: Trembling she opened quick the awful scroll, First fixed her eyes on me, then sudden turned Her face aside, and wept: stood fixed in grief Like one distraught, then sighed, and vanished from me. They tell me, she is fallen into despair, And hath of late been dreadfully pursued By some avenging god: I pity her: ’Tis wonderful that after fifteen years, Heaven, that so long defended, should at last Oppress her thus: by what hath she offended The angry gods, and wherefore are they changed?

Azema: We hear of naught but dreadful spectres, omens, And vengeance from above: the queen of late Lets loose the reins of empire: we had cause To fear for Babylon, least subtle Assur, Who knows her weakness, in this dangerous time, Should seize the helm, and bury all in ruin; But the queen came, and all was calm again; All owned the power of her despotic sway. If I have any knowledge of the court, The queen hates Assur, but keeps fair with him, And watches close; they’re fearful of each other, Would quarrel soon, but that some secret cause, Some mutual interest, still prevents a rupture: I saw her fire indignant at his name; The blushes on her cheeks betrayed her thoughts, And her heart seemed to glow with deep resentment: But sudden changes happen in a court; Return, and speak to her.

Arsaces: I will; but know not Whether again I e’er shall gain admittance.

Azema: Thou hast my vows, my wishes, and my prayers For thy success: I glory in my love, And in my duty: let Sémiramis Rule o’er the vanquished East, I envy her Nor fame nor conquest; let the world be hers, Arsaces mine: but Assur comes this way.

Arsaces: The traitor! how I shudder at his presence! My soul abhors him.

SCENE II.

Assur, Arsaces, Azema.