The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Ii Part 34

_Cleo_. I must confess, _Clemanthis_, with a Blush, That nothing of the rest displeases me.

_Ther_. Ah, Madam, how you bless me!

And now with Confidence I dare a.s.sure you, That which should render me more worthy of you, Shall be in me found more to your Advantage, Than in those Princes who have taken on 'em The Glory of your Service.

_Cleo_. As I am very reasonable, and do act With more Sincerity than Artifice, I'll now desire no more.

But have a care you use my Bounty well; For I am now grown kind enough to think That all you say is true.

_Ther_. Madam, banish me your Presence, as the Man Of all the World unworthy to adore you, If I present not to you in _Clemanthis_ A Man enough considerable to hope.

_Cleo_. But oh! Clemanthis, I forgot my Fate, My Destiny depends upon my People; Urg'd by the Queen, they've made a Resolution To give me to that Prince who does most powerfully Advance the Ruin of the King of _Scythia_.

_Ther_. Madam, I am not ignorant of the Conditions That are impos'd on those who pretend to you; I will not only serve you in this War With more Success than any, But set the Crown of _Scythia_ on your Head.

_Cleo_. That's bravely said.

_Ther_. Perhaps it seems extravagantly spoken, In the Condition you behold me now; But here I vow--I never will demand [_Kneels_.

The Divine _Cleomena_ till I have crown'd her-- Yes, Madam, till I have crown'd her Queen of _Scythia_.

--Till then--give me but hope--enough, to live-- [Rises.

_Cleo_. That's to your Pa.s.sion due; and when I know Who 'tis I favour--I will more allow.

_Sem_. Madam, the Queen is here.

_Enter_ Queen, Honorius, Artabazes, Ismenes, _Guards, Attendants, &c_.

_Queen_. I am glad to see you all in Readiness; To morrow I intend to be i'th' Camp, --And _Cleomena_ is your General; Since 'tis her Cause we fight, it is but just She share the Danger of it with the Glory.

_Arta_. We all approve it, Madam, and are proud Fair _Cleomena_ shall a Witness be Of what we do to serve her, And see the easy Conquest we shall make Upon the Persons of her Enemies.

_Hon_. I know not, Sir, what you may do, But we have found it not so easy.

_Arta_. Oh, there's no doubt, but we'll depopulate _Scythia_, And lead its King, with the vain Prince his Son, Loaden with Irons, to adorn your Triumphs.

_Ther_. Madam, I must confess your Force is great, And the a.s.sistance of these Men considerable; Yet I advise your Majesty to prepare For the Defeat of the great King of _Scythia_, As to a Business much more difficult Than they present it to you: for I know The Forces of that Nation are not less.

[_Looks with scorn on them_.

--Consider too, that King was never conquer'd, Though these believe to do't with so much ease.

I oft have seen _Thersander_, that young Prince, Upon whose Sword Fortune her self depends, --And I can tell--he's not so easily chain'd, As, _Artabazes_, you imagine him.

_Arta_. What, do you think to fright us with the Praises You give our Enemies?

--I have heard of that King, and of _Thersander_ too; But never heard of so much Terror in 'em, Should make us apprehend an ill Success; --And you, _Clemanthis_, do not know us well, To think we'll tremble for the Prince of _Scythia_, Though many such as you should take his part.

_Ther_. How, many such as I!

[_Gomes up to his Breast_.

G.o.ds! with your selves no other Enemies To join with that young Prince; To conquer him and many such as I, Requires a Number of such Kings as you.

_Ism_. It is too much, _Clemanthis_; were you well Affected to the Service of the Queen, You would not thus commend her Enemies.

_Ther_. Madam, I humbly beg your Pardon, I have fail'd in the Respect I owe you, By what I've said in favour of your Enemies, Whom, whilst you think so easily o'ercome, You will neglect that Power should make you Victor.

_Qu_. 'Tis Virtue, Sir, that makes you give what's due, Though to the Advantage of those Men you hate-- --I must not have you take ought ill from him. [_To the_ King.

But as you've all unanimously join'd To a.s.sist us in this War, so all embrace, [Ther. _salutes 'em coldly_.

Be one and ever Friends.

Brother, I leave the Conduct of this hopeful Army [_To_ Hon.

To your unquestion'd Care; and if you can, Oblige this n.o.ble Stranger for ever in our Service.

_Cleo_. Uncle, I'll to the Camp with you; And you, _Clemanthis_, must be near me still.

[Ther. _bows. All go out but_ Ther. Hon. Lysan.

_Hon. Clemanthis_, you are troubled.

_Ther_. I was a little ruffled, but 'tis gone.

_Hon_. You shou'd not blame them, Sir, for envying you, A Man so young, and such a Name in War.

_Ther_. That, Sir, is only your Esteem of it.

_Hon_. No, dear _Clemanthis_, that I may declare To all the World and thee, how much I prize it, Without consulting of your Quality, I'll make you absolute Master of my Fortune.

_Ther_. Heav'ns! whence this Generosity? [_Aside_.

_Hon_. I have a Daughter, Sir, an only Child, Whom all the World esteems a virtuous one, And for whose Love Princes have su'd in vain, I now with Joy will render you in Marriage.

_Ther_. I am undone! [_Aside_.

It is a Princess, Sir, I must admire, But never durst behold her with Eyes of Love, A Maid so much above me.

_Hon_. I am a Man, whose martial Disposition Renders me too unartful in my Language; I cannot study Fineness in my Words, But with Sincerity declare my Heart, And do propose this Marriage with _Olympia_, For your Advantage and the publick Interest, Besides my own Content.

_Ther_. Have you consider'd, Sir, I am below her?

_Hon_. No more of that; go visit my _Olympia_, She is prepared to give you Entertainment.

[_Ex_. Hon.

_Ther_. Marry _Olympia_!

No, cou'd he with Olympia give the World, I could not love, nor marry her.

--Oh, my Lysander! what evasion now?

--Didst hear the n.o.ble Offer of the General?

_Lys_. I did, great Sir, and what will you return?

_Ther_. If I refuse, I must offend the Man To whom of all the World I am most oblig'd, And one who knowing me but by my Services, Offers me what _Thersander_ might accept.

_Lys_. It's fit you should consult the Princess, Sir, What 'tis you ought to do.

_Ther_. I'll take thy Counsel--and wait upon _Olympia_: --Yes, I will go visit her, though but to prove No Torment can be like dissembled Love.

[_Exeunt_.