I am in a state of horrendous pain. Cyrus, think back to when Araspe's unfair passion gave me a legitimate reason to complain, and if I had chosen death, I would have preserved Abradate's life, secured my honor, and you wouldn't have had any reason to fault a man you respected and held dear. I could have satisfied my husband, my own dignity, and the great Cyrus. I should have respected him by not complaining about his friend. Had I been sensible, death would have prevented me from lamenting at that time and from weeping today. But fate decided otherwise. May the gods wish that in this tragedy as dark as Abradate's death, I could show posterity that Panthea was a worthy spouse to Abradate and she was not unworthy of Cyrus's protection. By the splendor of the ornaments you have sent me, I can see that you intend to celebrate the funeral of my dear Abradate, but now his glory is the sole thing I can focus on. 

Go on, great Cyrus, by erecting a magnificent monument and by writing the truth, so that posterity may know who Abradate was. Immortalize your glory, his and my misery together. The gold and marble that you are going to employ will not be wasted, and the tomb you will raise to immortalize Abradate will, likewise, immortalize you. There are more people capable of performing a good deed than there are those who know how to recognize and highlight it right. Don't have this jealousy that glory gives to the more powerful, believe that the gods will look after yours if you look after Abradate's. The blood he shed for you deserves this recognition, therefore, I have no doubt about your approval of this request. I see you grant me this and your kindness compels me to express my gratitude. However, I have one more favor to ask of you, Cyrus. Before we proceed with my dear Abradate's funeral, I would like to have more time to wash his wounds with my tears. I request, Cyrus, that you don't rush things. I will not delay in bidding him farewell. Moreover, it's only fair that, having died for me, I shed as many tears as he did blood, and since I can't see him in this world anymore, I want to enjoy his presence as long as possible. Yes, Cyrus, his body, which is both deplorable and distressing, is the only good thing I have left. It embodies both my despair and my consolation. I can't look at it without dying, yet I will die as soon as I can't see it anymore. Therefore, I ask you not to rush me. As for your wish to know where I want to go, I promise that you will soon know the place I will choose for my retreat.  

Effect of this speech  
Sadly, the distress of this tragic queen was quite real. As soon as she deceived Cyrus into thinking she would be capable of living after losing Abradate, this deception being the objective of her speech, she chose her retreat, i.e., the tomb of Abradate.
                                                  
                                                      68