Volume Ii Part 29 (2/2)

_Ther_. Am I awake, or do my Dreams present me Ideas much more bright and conquering, Than e'er approach'd my waking Sense by far?

--Sure 'tis _Diana_, the G.o.ddess of these Woods, That Beauty and that Dress confirm me 'tis. [_Kneels_.

--Great G.o.ddess, pardon an unlucky Stranger, The Errors he commits 'gainst your Divinity, Who, had he known this Grove had sacred been, He wou'd not have profan'd it by his Presence.

_Cleo_. Rise, Sir, I am no Deity; Or if I were, I cou'd not be offended [_He rises_.

To meet so brave a Man--G.o.ds, how he looks!

_Ther_. Can you be mortal!

What happy Land contains you? or what Men Are worthy to adore you?

_Cleo_. I find you are a Stranger to this place, You else had known me to be _Cleomena_.

_Ther_. The Princess _Cleomena_! my mortal Enemy! [_Aside_.

_Cleo_. You seem displeas'd at the knowledge of my Name; But give me leave to tell you, yours on me Wou'd have another Sense.

_Ther_. The knowledge of your Name has not displeas'd me; [_Kneels_.

But, Madam, I had sooner took you for The Sovereign of the World than that of Dacia; Nor ought you to expect less Adoration From all that World, than those who're born your Slaves.

--And amongst those devout ones number him, Whom happy Fate conducted to your Feet, And who'll esteem himself more fortunate, If by that little service he had rendred you, _Clemanthis'_ Name have ever reach'd your Ear.

_Cleo. Clemanthis_! what cou'd the G.o.ds do more, [_Aside_.

To make me ever bless'd!--Rise, n.o.ble Youth-- [_Raises him_.

Cou'dst thou salute me Mistress of the World, Or bring me news of Conquest over _Scythia_, It would not reach so kindly to my Soul, As that admir'd ill.u.s.trious Name of thine.

This Crown's in debt to your all-conquering Sword; And I'm the most oblig'd to make Returns, Which if you knew me, sure you wou'd not doubt, If to those Favours you've already done us, You'll add one more, and go with me to Court.

_Ther_. To th' Court? to th' utmost Bounds of all the Universe.

At your Command, through Dangers worse than Death, I'd fly with hasty Joy-- Like G.o.ds, do but decree, and be obey'd.

_Sem_. Madam, the Company we left are coming this way, and with them Prince _Honorius_.

_Ther_. The General here so soon! [_Aside_.

_Enter_ Honorius, Ismenes, _Women, and Huntsmen_.

_Cleo_. Welcome, victorious Uncle.

[Hon. _kisses_ Cleo's _Hand_.

_Hon_. Madam, I heard the Noise of Horns and Dogs, And thought your Highness was abroad to Day; Following the Cry, it brought me to this Company, Who were in search for you, and 'twas my Duty to attend them.

--My gallant Friend _Clemanthis_ here!

This was above my hopes; let me embrace thee,-- And tell thee with what Joy I find thee in the presence Of my fair Niece, who must prevail upon you To wait on her to Court; what I cou'd not intreat, let her command.

_Ther_. Where Duty and my Inclination leads me, There needs no Invitation.

_Cleo_. Already, Uncle, he has promis'd it.

_Ism_. Sir, is this the Man to whom all _Dacia_ is so much oblig'd?

_Hon_. This is that gallant Man, whose single Valour Has gain'd the Victory over the Nomades, Who kill'd their King, and scatter'd all their Forces; And when my feeble Strength (which Age and Wars Had made unfit for mighty Toils) grew faint, He, like _Aeneas_, bore my aged Limbs Through all the fiery Dangers of the Battel.

_Ther_. Too much you've said to my Advantage, Sir, Robbing the G.o.ds and Fortune of their Glory.

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