Cleo. Gods! marry me, marry me to Thersander! No, not whilst this—remains in my Possession; [Pulls out a dagger. —I must confess it is a generous Offer; How came it in their Souls?
Sem. Madam, perhaps Love has inspir’d it.
Cleo. Hah, Love—that Miracle may be;
When I reflect upon the Prince’s words,
When he had vanquish’d me—I do not doubt it;
Then he confess’d he had a Passion for me;
I wonder at the sudden Birth of it—
Sem. Madam, your Eyes make Captives at first sight.
Cleo. Oh my dear Eyes, how shall I love ye now,
For wounding more than my dull Sword could do?
’.was Anger and Revenge that gave ye Charms,
Only to help the weakness of my Arms;
And when my Woman’s Courage feeble grew,
My Heart did kindly send its Aids to you.
And thou, Thersander, surely canst not blame
My Cruelty, who do allow thy Flame:
Love on, love on; and if thou dost despise
All other ways, I’ll kill thee with my Eyes.
She sits down, and writes. Enter a Page.
Page. Madam, there is without an Officer Who bad me tell your Highness that he waits.
Cleo. Admit him—and, Page, give you this Letter to the Queen.
Sem. Madam, it is Vallentio whom you sent for.
Enter Vallentio.