Act 4 — SCENE I. A Flat Wood.
Reading edition
Enter Cleomena drest in Clemanthis’s Clothes, Semiris bearing the Cap and Feather, Pimante the Sword.
Cleo. Come, my Semiris, you must assist a little, And you, Pimante, buckle on my Sword.
Pim. I never parted with a Sword so unwillingly in my Life.
Cleo. So—How dost thou like me now? Might I not pass, thus habited, for Clemanthis?
Pim. Yes, Madam, till you come to the fighting part.
Cleo. Now go, and do as I have ordered you.
Sem. Ah, Madam, though I must not wait on you to fight, I will in Death, ‘tis my first Act, and last of Disobedience. [Weeps.
Cleo. Do not disturb me with thy Grief, Semiris: Go leave me to my self, and Thoughts of Vengeance: And thou, base Traitor-Prince, shalt buy thy Life At such a Rate shall ruin thee for ever; And if I fall—as I believe I shall— The very Shame to know I am a Woman, Shall make thee curse thy Fortune and thy Arms, If thou hast any Sense of Manhood left, After the barbarous Murder thou hast done: But if my better Fortune guide my Arm, This Arm (whom Love direct) to meet thy Heart, Then I shall die with real Satisfaction. The time draws on when I should try my Fate; Assist me, mighty Love, in my Design, That I may prove no Passion equals mine.
Sem. Madam, consider whom you must encounter.
Cleo. Consider thou who’s dead, the brave Clemanthis! [Weeps. Oh, ‘tis a Shame to weep, being thus attir’d; Let me once more survey my self— And yet I need not borrow Resolution: Clemanthis, thou art murder’d, that’s the Word, ’.is that creates me Man, and valiant too, And all incensed Love can prompt me to. Hark—hark—the joyful Summons to my Death. [Trumpets sound. Go, leave me to approach it solemnly— Come, my dear Sword, from thee I must expect That Service which my Arm may fail to affect; And if thou ever did’st thy Master love, Be sure each Stroke thou mak’st may mortal prove.
[Exeunt severally.