Chapter 25

_Enter_ Cleo. _with a Truncheon in her Hand, a Sword and a Quiver of Arrows by her side, with_ Semiris.

_Sem_. Madam, you are sad, As if you doubted your Success to day.

_Cleo_. There are some Moments wherein I do repent me The too rash Banishment of poor _Clemanthis_. How did he take the Letter which I sent?

_Sem_. As Persons innocent and full of Health Receive unlookt-for Sentences of Death; He sigh’d, and said he wou’d obey your Will: And, Madam, had you seen his silent Grief, You wou’d have thought him innocent.

_Cleo_. Innocent! banish that foolish Pity from your Heart, That wou’d persuade thee he is innocent. Did I not see him courting of Olympia? And can my Eyes deceive me?

_Sem. Olympia_, Madam! Gods, what do I hear! Till now I did not know his Fault of Banishment.

_Cleo_. And was’t not cause enough?

_Sem_. Ah, Madam, what Injustice have you done? Before _Clemanthis_ came into your Cabinet, He entertain’d me for a pretty while With the Intentions of your generous Uncle; He told me how he offer’d him _Olympia_, And that he durst not seem to disesteem it, Being your Uncle, and a Man to whom He ow’d so much; but most to hide his Passion: And then was coming to consult with you, How he should manage this Affair with him.

_Cleo_. And is this Truth thou tell’st me, dear _Semiris_?

_Sem_. Madam, I do not use t’abuse your Credit.

_Cleo_. Fly then, _Semiris_, and reverse his Doom.

_Sem_. Would I knew whither, Madam.

_Cleo_. Why, is he no longer then in the Camp?

_Sem_. Ah, Madam, is he longer in the World? For ‘tis impossible to be imagin’d He parted hence with any Thought of Life.

_Cleo_. Send ev’ry way to find him--hark, I’m call’d-- [_Trumpets sound_. And he that finds him first, is made for ever. Oh Jealousy, thou Passion most ingrate! Thy Ills procure more Mischief than thy Hate. ’.is thou art Tyrant, when Love bears the blame, ’.is pity thou’rt consistent with Love’s Flame. I’ll not my Weakness nor Resentment show; A Heart like mine, should sooner break than bow. --Come, my _Semiris_, we too long have stay’d; That Call, till now, was never disobey’d.

[_Trumpets sound. Ex_.