Page:Johnson - Rambler 3.djvu/131

Ind. You first betray'd your trust in loving me:
And should not I my own advantage see?
Serving my love, you may my friendship gain;
You know the rest of your pretences vain.
You must, my Arimant, you must be kind:
'Tis in your nature, and your noble mind.
Arim. I'll to the king and straight my trust resign.
Ind. His trust you may, but you shall never mine.
Heav'n made you love me for no other end,
But to become my confidant and friend:
As such, I keep no secret from your sight,
And therefore make you judge how ill I write:
Read it, and tell me freely then your mind,
If 'tis indited, as I meant it, kind.
Arim. I ask not heav'n my freedom to restore,
[Reading.
But only for your sake————I'll read no more.
And yet I must—————
Less for my own, than for your sorrow sad——[Reading.
Another line like this, would make me mad———
Heav'n! she goes on———yet more———and yet more kind! [As reading.
Each sentence is a dagger to my mind.
See me this night—— [Reading.
Thank fortune who did such a friend provide;
For faithful Arimant shall be your guide.
Not only to be made an instrument,
But pre-engaged without my own consent!
Ind. Unknown to engage you still augments my score,
And gives you scope of meriting the more.
Arim. The best of men
Some int'rest in their actions must confess;
None merit, but in hope they may possess:
The fatal paper rather let me tear,
Than, like Bellerophon, my own sentence bear.