Volume Ii Part 33 (2/2)

_Cleo_. Gallery! what did he there? tell me exactly, --I have no Picture there.

_Sem_. Madam, he was viewing that of _Olympia_, your fair Cousin, But for the Excellency of the Work, not Beauty.

_Cleo_. Thou art deceiv'd; viewing her Picture, say you?

--Oh, thou hast touch'd a tender part, _Semiris_; --But yonder's he that can allay my Rage [_Sees_ Thersander.

And calm me in that Love by every Look.

--_Clemanthis_, you absent your self too much From those to whom your Presence is agreeable; I hear that you are grown retir'd of late, And visit shady Groves, walk thus--and sigh, Like melancholy Lovers. Has the Court (Who for your Entertainment has put on More Gaiety than in an Age before) Nothing that can divert you? Cease your Ceremony; [_He bows low_.

I am your Friend, and if ought harbour there Within that sullen Breast, impart it here-- And I'll contribute any thing to ease you.

--Come--boldly tell thy Griefs; I have an Interest in thy n.o.ble Life.

--Perhaps, since you're arriv'd at Court, you've seen Some Beauty that has made a Conquest o'er your Heart; --Whoe'er she be, you cannot fear Success.

_Ther_. The Honours you have heap'd upon your Slave, Have been sufficient To have encourag'd any bold Attempt; And here are Beauties would transform a G.o.d, Much more a Soldier, into an amorous Shape.

--But, I confess, with shame, I brought no Heart Along with me to Court, and after that What acceptable Sacrifice can I offer?

This makes me shun the Pleasures of your Court, And seek Retirements silent as my Griefs.

_Cleo_, It seems you were a Lover e'er I saw you, And Absence from your Mistress makes you languish.

_Ther_. Ah, Madam, do not ask me many Questions, Lest I offend where I should merit Pity; The Boldness may arrive unto her Knowledge, And then you'll lose the humblest of your Creatures, Whilst as I am, I may among the Croud Of daily Wors.h.i.+ppers, pay my Devotions.

_Cleo_. Give me your Hand, we'll walk a little.

[_They go and sit dawn on a Bank_.

--How do you like this Grove?

_Ther_. As I do every place you're pleas'd to bless.

Heaven were not Heaven, were G.o.ds not present there; And where you are, 'tis Heaven every where.

_Cleo_. Look, Clemanthis--on yonder tuft of Trees, Near which there is a little murmuring Spring, From whence a Rivulet does take its rise, And branches forth in Channels through the Garden; --'Twas near a place like that--where first I saw _Clemanthis_.

[_Sighing_.

_Ther_. Madam, be pleas'd to add, 'twas also there _Clemanthis_ left his Liberty at the Feet Of Divine _Cleomena_; And charg'd himself with those too glorious Chains, Never to be dismist but with his Life.

[_She rising in anger, he kneels_.

_Cleo_. How, _Clemanthis_!

_Ther_. Ah! Madam, if I too presumptuous grow, From your Commands, and all your Bounties to me, You should forgive the Pride you do create, And all its strange Effects; Which if I have mistaken, let me die.

Only this Mercy grant me, to believe, That if our Adorations please the G.o.ds, Mine cannot be offensive to my Princess, Since they are equally Religious.

_Cleo_. Stranger--before I punish thy Presumption, Inform me who it is that has offended?

Who giving me no other knowledge of him, Than what his sword has done--dares raise his Eyes to me?

_Ther_. Madam, what you demand is just, And I had rather die than disobey you; But I am constrain'd by a Necessity (Which when you know, you certainly will pardon) For some time to conceal my Birth and Name.

_Cleo_. Till then you should have kept your Flame conceal'd, 'T had been less disobliging from a criminal one, Whose Quality had justify'd his Boldness.

_Ther_. Ah! Madam, wou'd Heaven and you wou'd find no other Difficulty Than want of Quality to merit you!

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