Chapter 29

_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_.