Cleo. ‘Twas strangely lost, and yet I dare affirm, The Victory had been ours but for Thersander, Who like the impetuous Sea oppos’d by Land, Made Breaches, and o’erflow’d all that lay near it.

Ism. I had reveng’d you on the King of Scythia, Had his Arrival not prevented me.

Cleo. He is brave, without dispute.

Ism. And ‘tis as certain that he did surprize me, Without permitting time for my Defence, He had not else so soon dismounted me. But, Madam, I design (if you approve it) To fight Thersander in a single Combat.

Art. That Justice I may hope as well as you; He kill’d my Nephew, young Philemon, For which I’ll be reveng’d.

Qu. I cannot but commend that noble Ardor That carries you to those Designs of Glory; What thinks my Brother of it?

Hon. I like it, if the Victor will accept it.

Cleo. And so do I; And that we may do equal Justice to you all, We’ll write Thersander’s Name, And he who draws that Name shall fight the Combat.

Hon. But are you sure he will accept the Offer?

Ism. I dare engage he will.

Cleo. I am of your Opinion; The only brave are never proud of Conquest, I’ll write his Name my self.

Enter Page.

Hon. What Shouts are these? [A Shout without.

Page. Madam, Clemanthis is arriv’d.

Qu. The News is welcome.

Enter Ther. kneels, kisses the Queen’s Hand; the same to Cleomena—salutes all.

Ther. Madam, the great Necessity which made me leave you, When I believ’d my self unprofitable, Could not detain me when I was assur’d My Sword could do you Service.

Qu. This Visit recompenses all our Loss, You’ve made it in a time you may redeem The Opinion your Absence almost forfeited.

Hon. Sir, I cou’d chide you too, but that your Sight Changes my Anger into kinder Welcomes.

Ther. I ought to suffer, Sir, in your Opinion, Till my Excuses may redeem my Credit.

Cleo. How great at once, and innocent he seems, And how his Eyes his past Offence redeems! Whilst all my Cruelties they seem t’ upbraid, They pardon too the Faults themselves have made.

Qu. I’m satisfy’d, and you are fitly come To share a Danger we are now disputing.

Ther. ‘Tis not the Danger, Madam, can divert me From enterprizing ought that is to serve you.

Art. Madam, consider who we are, And ought not to be rank’d with one below us.

Ther. Your Honour, Artabazes, is too nice; Would we could find in this Dispute, whate’er it be, That were the greatest Difficulty: —Madam, name your Commands.

Qu. We are drawing of a Lot To fight Thersander in a single Combat.

Ther. Hah—Thersander, Madam, is a Conqueror.

Ism. Since you’re so nice, we will excuse you, Sir.

Ther. What an unlucky accident was this! One Moment’s longer stay had made me happy, [Aside. And render’d up these Rivals to my Power.

Hon. Come, Sir, the Lots are ready. [They draw Lots. It falls to Ther.

Ther. My Fears are all compleated— [Aside. The Lot is mine.

Cleo. Clemanthis, I’m so sensible of the Danger [Aside to him. Whereto you must expose your self for me, I cannot think with Pleasure on the Victory You possibly may gain.

Ther. Encourag’d thus, I cannot fail of Conquest; [Bows to her, and speaks low. But, Madam, if Thersander be as nice [Turns to the Queen. As these two Princes are, it will be hard To get him to accept a Challenge from me.

_Cleo. Clemanthis’. Deeds has rais’d his Fame too high To be esteem’d unworthy of that Justice; Nor can we find the Scythian Prince a Foe More equal to his Youth and Valour too.

Ther. If Fortune bless me with Success to Day, I’ll owe it to your Cause and not my Sword.

Qu. May’st thou be ever Victor. [They lead him out. Manent Arta. Ism.

Art. My Art shall fail me then.

Ism. You are displeas’d, Sir.

Art. Is that a Wonder? Who can be tame, and see an unknown Youth, Who brings no Forces but his single Arm, Ravish the Hope and Spoil of Victory from us. And rival us in Love as well as Glory, Whilst both our Claims to Cleomena’s Heart Must be neglected since we want Success?

Ism. We could pretend to her no other way.

Art. Have you, or I, less Virtue than Clemanthis?

Ism. Yes, if we envy at his Merits.

Art. Pursue your virtuous Road, and in the end See whether you or I reach first the Goal. I’ll take Revenge. [Art. exit.

Ism. I Honour will pursue, A Path which never led me to Repentance. —Clemanthis, if thy Life I basely sought, Like him, I’d save the Hazard of my own; But as thou’rt brave, so thou shalt bravely fall Before Thersander rob me of thy Life, Or thou the Fortune hast to vanquish him— And if in this Encounter I expire, I do but fall a Victim to an hopeless Fire.

[Exit.