_Cleo_. Stranger--before I punish thy Presumption, Inform me who it is that has offended? Who giving me no other knowledge of him, Than what his sword has done--dares raise his Eyes to me? _Ther_. Madam, what you demand is just, And I had rather die than disobey you; But I am constrain’d by a Necessity (Which when you know, you certainly will pardon) For some time to conceal my Birth and Name. _Cleo_. Till then you should have kept your Flame conceal’d, ’. had been less disobliging from a criminal one, Whose Quality had justify’d his Boldness. _Ther_. Ah! Madam, wou’d Heaven and you wou’d find no other Difficulty Than want of Quality to merit you! _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 assure 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 Passion 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.