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 Passion 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.