Page:Poems of Anne Countess of Winchilsea 1903.djvu/314

176 THE POEMS OF ANNE �Yet cou'd not be inform'd where he might find This fickle Mistress of all Human-kind: He quits at length the Chace of flying Game, And back as to his Neighbor's House he came, 40 �He there encounters the uncertain Dame ; Who lighting from her gaudy Coach in haste, To him her eager Speeches thus addrest. Fortune behold, who has been long pursu'd, Whilst all the Men, that have my Splendors view'd, Madly enamour' d, have such Flatt'ries forg'd, And with such Lies their vain Pretensions urg'd, That Hither I am fled to shun their Suits, And by free Choice conclude their vain Disputes ; Whilst I the Owner of this Mansion bless, 50 �And he unseeking Fortune shall possess. Tho' rightly charg'd as something Dark of Sight, Yet Merit, when 'tis found, is my Delight; To Knaves and Fools, when I've some Grace allow'd, 'T has been like scattering Money in a Croud, To make me Sport, as I beheld them strive, And some observ'd (thro' Age) but Half- Alive; Scrambling amongst the Vigorous and Young, One proves his Sword, and One his wheedling Tongue, All striving to obtain me right or wrong: 60 �Whilst Crowns, and Crosiers in the Contest hurl'd, Shew'd me a Farce in the contending World. Thou wert deluded, whilst with Ship, or Steed, Thou lately didst attempt to reach my Speed, And by laborious Toil, and endless Pains, Didst sell thy Quiet for my doubtful Gains : Whilst He alone my real Fav'rite rises, Who every Thing to its just Value prizes, And neither courts, nor yet my Gifts despises. ��� �