Ther. Be gone, I’ll read the Letter o’er again, [Exeunt Attendants. And here impress thy Cruelty, and see what that will do To set me free. Ther. reads the Letter— Finding it impossible to obey your unkind Commands, I am fled, and do resolve never to marry that Barbarian, whose Crimes are only known to me; no, nor any other that cannot bring me his Head; whereto sollicite Artabazes, and Ismenes, if they will obey_. Cleomena.
If I consult my Reason and my Courage,
They say I should not love this cruel Maid.
But oh, my Reason, you’re weak to counsel;
I’ll think of nothing else but dying for her,
Since ‘tis my Life she asks, and here demands it.
But ‘tis in vain to arm my happy Rivals,
For I my self can more devoutly serve you.
’.is I will pierce this unaccepted Heart,
Whose Flames are found so criminal—
Enter Lysander.
Lys. Sir, there’s without a Youth that desires admittance.
Ther. From whom comes he?
Lys. He would not tell me that, but has a Letter, Which he’ll deliver only to your Highness.
Ther. Bring him in, it may be from Amintas.
Enter Cleomena drest like a Country-Shepherd, comes bowing to him, gives him a Note.
Ther. reads to himself— Guard thee well, Thersander; for thou shalt die by the Hand that brings thee this.
[She stabs him; he falls into Lysander’s Arms.