Amin. But yet the generous Bounty of the Princess
Obliges here, no less than Duty there;
I know not how the Gods 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,’.is 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 Gods defend it!
Ther. The Gods 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’ assist 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 Sex,
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?