The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Ii Part 29

Can it gain Conquest, or in Fields or Courts?

No, nor defend its own fantastick Owner.

--Come, guess again.

_Sem_. I can guess no further than a Man, and that I'm sure he is.

_Cleo_. I know not-- For yet I never saw him, but in's Character, Unless sometimes in Dreams.

_Sem_. Is't not enough he conquers where he comes, But that his Fame prevents his Sword and Eyes?

Perhaps his Person may not be agreeable; The best in Camps are not the best in Courts.

_Cleo_. So brave a Mind must have as brave an Outside.

My Uncle's Letters from the Camp contain Nothing but Wonders of his Worth and Valour, And 'tis impossible but such a Man Must merit Love as well as Admiration.

_Sem_. Does he not come to Court?

_Cleo_. The Queen has made him many Invitations; But he for some unknown and cruel Cause, Humbly implores her Pardon for refusing: Nor can the General learn his Quality; But like his Deeds, believes it must be great.

_Sem_. 'Tis most likely; but I should never fall in love with Fame alone.

_Cleo_. I hope it is not Love--but strange Curiosity To see this brave Unknown--and yet I fear-- I've hid this new Impatience of my Soul, Even from thee, till it grew too importunate; And strove by all my lov'd Divertis.e.m.e.nts, To chase it from my Bosom, but in vain: 'Tis too great for little Sports to conquer; The Musick of the Dogs displeas'd to day, And I was willing to retire with thee, To let thee know my Story: And this lone Shade, as if design'd for Love, Is fittest to be conscious of my Crime.

--Therefore go seek a Bank where we may sit; And I will sigh whilst thou shall pity me.

[_Stands with her Arms across_.

[Sem. _looks about, finds the Cap and Feathers_.

_Sem_. See, Madam, what I've found.

_Cleo_. 'Tis a fine Plume, and well adorn'd, And must belong to no uncommon Man: --And look, _Semiris_, where its Owner lies --Ha! he sleeps, tread softly lest you wake him: --Oh G.o.ds! who's this with so divine a Shape?

_Sem_. His Shape is very well.

_Cleo_. Gently remove the Hair from off his Face, [Sem. _puts back his Hair_.

And see if that will answer to the rest: --All lovely! all surprizing! Oh, my Heart, How thou betray'st the weakness of our s.e.x!

--Look on that Face, where Love and Beauty dwells-- And though his Eyes be shut, tell me, _Semiris_, Has he not wondrous Charms?

_Sem_. Yes, Madam, and I wou'd excuse you, if you shou'd now fall in Love, here's Substance; but that same Pa.s.sion for Fame alone, I do not like.

_Cleo_. Ah, do not call my Blushes to my Face, But pardon all my weakness: May not my Eyes have leave to gaze a while?

Since after this there's not another Object Can merit their Attention-- But I'll no longer view that pleasing Form-- [_Turns from him_.

And yet I've lost all power of removing-- [_Turns and gazes_.

Even now I was in love with mere Report, With Words, with empty Noise; And now that Flame, like to the Breath that blew it, Is vanish'd into Air, and in its room An Object quite unknown, unfam'd, unheard of, Informs my Soul; how easily 'tis conquer'd!

How angry am I with my Destiny!

Till now, with much disdain I have beheld The rest of all his s.e.x; and shall I here Resign a Heart to one I must not love?

Must this be he must kill the King of _Scythia_?

For I must lay no claim to any other: Grant, Oh ye G.o.ds, who play with Mortals thus, That him for whom ye have design'd your Slave, May look like this Unknown, And I'll be ever grateful for the Bounty.

--But these are vain imaginary Joys.

[Thersander _wakes, rises, and gazes_.

_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 G.o.ddess of these Woods, That Beauty and that Dress confirm me 'tis. [_Kneels_.

--Great G.o.ddess, 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--G.o.ds, 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 G.o.ds do more, [_Aside_.

To make me ever bless'd!--Rise, n.o.ble 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 ill.u.s.trious 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 G.o.ds, do but decree, and be obey'd.

_Sem_. Madam, the Company we left are coming this way, and with them Prince _Honorius_.

_Ther_. The General here so soon! [_Aside_.

_Enter_ Honorius, Ismenes, _Women, and Huntsmen_.

_Cleo_. Welcome, victorious Uncle.

[Hon. _kisses_ Cleo's _Hand_.

_Hon_. Madam, I heard the Noise of Horns and Dogs, And thought your Highness was abroad to Day; Following the Cry, it brought me to this Company, Who were in search for you, and 'twas my Duty to attend them.

--My gallant Friend _Clemanthis_ here!

This was above my hopes; let me embrace thee,-- And tell thee with what Joy I find thee in the presence Of my fair Niece, who must prevail upon you To wait on her to Court; what I cou'd not intreat, let her command.

_Ther_. Where Duty and my Inclination leads me, There needs no Invitation.

_Cleo_. Already, Uncle, he has promis'd it.

_Ism_. Sir, is this the Man to whom all _Dacia_ is so much oblig'd?

_Hon_. This is that gallant Man, whose single Valour Has gain'd the Victory over the Nomades, Who kill'd their King, and scatter'd all their Forces; And when my feeble Strength (which Age and Wars Had made unfit for mighty Toils) grew faint, He, like _Aeneas_, bore my aged Limbs Through all the fiery Dangers of the Battel.

_Ther_. Too much you've said to my Advantage, Sir, Robbing the G.o.ds and Fortune of their Glory.