Page:Poems of Anne Countess of Winchilsea 1903.djvu/527

COUNTESS OF WINCHILSEA 389 �Shou'd let out thine with this prepost'rous Passion, Than I wou'd yield, it e'er shou'd meet Success. �Aristor. Of all the Instruments by Aulcan form'd, That Poinard best is fitted to my Heart, Since Her's it was, whose Eyes have deeper pierc'd it: Quickly, my Lord, let me receive it here, And see me proud in Death to wear that Favour. 270 �[Aristomenes amaz'd looks on the Dagger, and speaks to himself. �Aristom This Dagger Her's, this Anaxander'B Daughter's ! Fate then is practicing upon my Soul What sudden Turns and Tryals Man can bear. �Aristor. Oh! do not pause Lest fainting with the Weight of what I feel, I poorly fall, unlike your Son or Soldier. �Aristom. If this were Her's, Her's were the grateful Vows, With which I rashly charg'd the Life she gave me. �[Still to himself. �Aristor. Ha! not a Look, not one sad parting Word! Then my own Hand thus sets me free for ever. 280 �[Offers to Stab himself, but is stay'd by Aristomenes. �Aristom. Hold! by Love and Duty yet a moment hold! �Aristor. My Life they've sway'd, and must command a �Moment �But let it not exceed, lest both I cancel, And only listen to my wild Despair. �Aristom. Shall I perform them? shall I hear her plead? And to a Woman's Claim resign my Vengeance? No ; let my Ear still fly the fatal Suit, And from her Tears be turn'd my harden'd Face. What did I say ! a hasty Blush has seized it, For but imagining a Thing so vile. 290 �Turn back my Face from Her that shunn'd not mine, When it was Death to know, and to preserve me! ��� �