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 Goddess of these Woods,
That Beauty and that Dress confirm me ‘tis. [Kneels.
—Great Goddess, 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—Gods, 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 Gods do more, [Aside.
To make me ever bless’d!—Rise, noble 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 illustrious 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 Gods, do but decree, and be obey’d.
Sem. Madam, the Company we left are coming this way, and with them Prince Honorius.