Volume Ii Part 38 (2/2)

_Enter_ King, Thersander, _Officers, and Soldiers_.

_King_. Let me once more embrace my dear _Thersander_.

_Amin_. The Prince is wounded, Sir.

_King_. He is--but they look lovely on him.

_Ther_. They're too slight Marks to give you of my Duty; Your Majesty has greater need of Care.

_King_. Thou art my best Physician, and thy sight Heals all the Wounds I have: come in with me, And let me lay thee to my panting Bosom, Thou great Preserver of my Crown and Life.

_Ther_. I'll wait upon you, Sir, [_Exeunt all but_ Ther. _and_ Amin.

Now let me take thee to my Arms, my Friend; For thou art half my self, my dear _Amintas_: I have strange News to tell thee since we parted, And need thy Counsel in an Affair of Love --Thou know'st my business to the Dacian Court Was to have set thee free; but oh, my Friend!

In lieu of that I've made my self a Captive.

_Amin_. Your Story, Sir, I know, but heard withal, The Princess did repay your grateful Flame.

_Ther_. I thought she did, for so a while she seem'd; And when I thought my self the most secure, Being fortify'd with all her new-made Promises, My blooming Hopes were blasted e'er full-blown, And I receiv'd her Orders for my Banishment, Which I as soon obey'd: but by the way, I did conceive a thousand Revolutions, Sometimes to serve my Princess--then my Father; Sometimes 'twas Nature got the upper hand, And then again 'twas Love: in this Dispute I met the Levies of the _Isadons_, Who were the last of all our Cavalry, To whom I made me known, and came so luckily, As gain'd the yet-disputing Victory.

_Amin_. 'Twas in an happy Moment.

_Ther_. Thus I comply'd with what I ow'd my Duty.

But these of Love are still unsatisfy'd: Dare I, who could offend to that degree, As to deserve a Banishment from her, Approach her uninvited?

_Amin_. 'Twas dangerous, Sir.

_Ther_. Then 'twere the fitter for my Enterprise: --But her Displeasure--oh, my _Cleomena_!

If, for the Punishment of my Disobedience, You'd only take away that Life you threaten, How willingly I wou'd resign it up, Rather than undergo this Separation!

_Amin_. You'll certainly expose your Life by going: What other Reason could she have to banish you, But from her Knowledge that you were _Thersander_?

And, Sir, you see her Pa.s.sion for _Clemanthis_ Cou'd not o'ercome her Hatred for her Enemy.

_Ther_. No, when I call to mind her cruel Words; If chusing me before so many Kings, I find 'twas to the Stranger, not the _Scythian_, She killingly addrest 'em; therefore I'll venture on in my Design: --Give order that our Horses be made ready, Whilst I excuse our Absence to the King; our stay will not be long: Mean time it may be thought We're gone to view the Camp; Interest and Love but rarely do agree, Yet I must reconcile 'em both to me.

[_Exeunt_.

SCENE IV. _The Dacian Tents_.

_Enter_ Queen, Cleo. Hon. Arta. Ism. _Women, Attendants_.

_Cleo_. 'Twas strangely lost, and yet I dare affirm, The Victory had been ours but for _Thersander_, Who like the impetuous Sea oppos'd by Land, Made Breaches, and o'erflow'd all that lay near it.

_Ism_. I had reveng'd you on the King of _Scythia_, Had his Arrival not prevented me.

_Cleo_. He is brave, without dispute.

_Ism_. And 'tis as certain that he did surprize me, Without permitting time for my Defence, He had not else so soon dismounted me.

But, Madam, I design (if you approve it) To fight _Thersander_ in a single Combat.

_Art_. That Justice I may hope as well as you; He kill'd my Nephew, young _Philemon_, For which I'll be reveng'd.

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