University of Virginia Library

SCENE the Second.

After a noise of Trumpets at some distance and fighting—the Scene draws, and discovers Cleomena and Thersander fighting. Lysander. On one side stands the King of Scythia with his party: On the other, the Queen of Dacia, Hon. Artabazes, and her party; Vallentio.
Thers.
What mean'st thou to fight as if indeed thou wert Clemanthis?
But since thou art not him thou represent'st,
Who e'er thou be'st 'twas indiscreetly done,
To draw me from an order might have sav'd thee:
—Who is't that dares assume Clemanthis shape?

[They fight: Cleo. falls: he stoops to look on her.
Cleo.
Unworthy Scythian, whose reported Valour
Unjustly was admir'd, cou'dst thou believe the covert of the Wood
Cou'd hide thy Treason—Treason which thou durst own too?

[A cry of joy on the Scythians side.
Thers.
Ah! Cleomena, is it you?
What have I done that could so far transport you?
Clemanthis boldness has incur'd your hate,
But he has been severely punisht for't;
And here in lieu of that unhappy Stranger,
Receive Thersander with his equal Passions,
But not his equal Crimes.

Cleo.
Oh Villain, since thou hast punisht Clemanthis,
Punish th'unhappy Cleomena too,
And take her life who came to have taken thine.

Queen.
'Tis not Clemanthis, but my Cleomena—
With whom Thersander fights—ah cruel Child!

[They carry her off.
Thers.
Oh whither, whither do you bear my Goddess?
Return, and here resign your sacred load.
That whilst 't has life it may behold the Sacrifice
That I will make of this wild wretched man
That has so much offended—disobey'd.
—My Arms, my Arms, Lysander, mount me straight,
And let me force the disobedient Troops;
Those Coward Slaves that could behold her bleed,
And not revenge her on the Murderer:
Quickly my Arms, kill, burn, and scatter all;
Whilst 'midst the ruines of the world I fall.

[The Scythian Guards carry him off by force.
Enter Ismenes with his Sword. They all descend.
Ism.
Still thus defeated, and outstript by Fate,
Resolv'd betimes, but salli'd out too late;
Fortune and Love are equally unkind:
—Who can resist those mighty Powers combin'd?

[Exeunt.