Volume Ii Part 33 (1/2)

--Then I resolv'd upon this last Adventure, To make my Application to the Princess, Knowing her n.o.ble Nature, To try (since mighty Ransoms were refus'd) What simple Love would do; and in my way I lighted on a Druid, who in's Youth Had liv'd in Courts, but now retir'd to Shades, And is a little Monarch o'er his Flocks; To him I told my Story, who encourag'd me in my resolv'd design, And I so luckily have made an Interest In _Cleomena's_ Heart, These Chains she'as given me Freedom to dismiss, And you must only wear Love's Fetters now: [_She takes off his Chains_.

--Come, haste, _Amintas_, from this horrid Place, And be thy self again, appear in Arms.

The _Scythians_ are encampt within thy View, And e'er three Births of Day the Armies meet; Th' Event of which, I at the _Druid_'s Cell Will wait; sending continual Vows to Heaven For thy dear Safety: there when the Fight is done, I wish to meet thee; --But now your Country and your King expect you, And I love Glory equal to _Amintas_.

_Amin_. But yet the generous Bounty of the Princess Obliges here, no less than Duty there; I know not how the G.o.ds of War to move To grant me Victor, or the vanquish'd prove; My Heart to either is not well inclin'd, Since--vanquish'd I am lost, conquering unkind.

[_Exeunt_.

SCENE III. _A Grove_.

_Enter_ Thersander, Lysander.

_Ther_. Urge it no more, _Lysander_,'tis in vain, My Liberty past all retrieve is lost; But they're such glorious Fetters that confine me, I wou'd not quit them to preserve that Life Thou justly say'st I hazard by my Love.

_Lys_. The _Scythian_ G.o.ds defend it!

_Ther_. The G.o.ds inspire it, 'tis their Work alone; --I know she is my Enemy, hates _Thersander_, Has sent for all the neighbouring Kings for aid, That hither Artabases and Ismenes Have brought their Powers t' a.s.sist against my Crown.

But what of this? She loves me as _Clemanthis_, Which will surmount her Hatred to the _Scythians_.

Oh, my _Lysander_! didst thou know her Charms, Thou'dst also know 'tis not a mortal Force That can secure the Heart: She's all divine!

All Beauty, Wit, and Softness! and she loves!

Already I have found the grateful Secret; She scorns the little Customs of her s.e.x, And her belief of being so much above me, Permits her to encourage my Design; She gives a Boldness to my bashful Flame, And entertains me with much Liberty.

_Lys_. Were all this true, you're equally unhappy; She must be only his that conquers you, That wins your Crown, and lays it at her Feet.

_Ther_. Love ne'er considers the Event of things, The Path before me's fair, and I'll pursue it; Fearing no other Forces than her Eyes, Bright as the Planets under which they're born.

_Lys_. And will you let her know you are in love?

_Ther_. If all my Sighs, if Eyes still fix'd on hers With Languishment and Pa.s.sion, will inform her, I'll let her know my Flame, or perish in th' Attempt.

_Lys_. Dare you declare it as you now appear?

And can you hope, that under the Degree Of what indeed you are, she will permit it?

And your Discovery is your certain ruin.

_Ther_. Thy Counsel, dear _Lysander_, comes too late, She's in the Grove, where now I must attend her, And see where she approaches--

_Enter_ Cleomena, Semiris.

_Cleo_. The Stranger, say you, grown of late so pensive!

--I must enquire the Cause--what if it shou'd be Love?

And that too not for me! hah, my _Semiris_!

That Thought has given me Pains I never felt; --G.o.ds! why comes he not? I grow impatient now; --Say, didst thou bid him wait me in the Grove?

_Sem_. Madam, I spoke to him my self--

_Cleo_. And told him I wou'd speak with him?

_Sem_. As you commanded me, I said.

_Cleo_. It seems he values my Commands but little, Who is so slow in his Obedience: --Where found you him?

_Sem_. I'th' Antick Gallery, Madam.