Page:Poems of Anne Countess of Winchilsea 1903.djvu/423

COUNTESS OF WINCHILSEA 285 ���ACT II SCENE I �A Room of State Enter the Queen, talking with Riccio �Queen. Is he so earnest then, to urge my fetters, And seems his barb'rous tryumph uncompleat, Unlesse, a Princesse grace itt, with her presence. The meanest wretch, to liberty is born, And 'tis a tyrant's work, to force 'em from it. The forest claims itt, for her savage traine; And chearfull birds, that feel itt in the air, Sing to that happy state, their softest carolls. And, wou'd he rob me, of this comon blessing? Oh! 'tis most cruel, most inhuman Riccio, 10 �Did none reply, and tell him 'twas inhuman? Or was he sooth'd with flatt'ry of the croud, Who still believe, the last heard tale, is best? �Rice. It prov'd so here indeed, the faction murmur' d, And call'd his bold request, a just demand; Cheifly, Bivalto seconded his speech, Till yong Lord Blanfort, like another Perseus In the fair cause of Innocence opresst, Rush'd on the Monster, with such gen'rous fury, As struck him into silent rage, and blushes, 20 �At which the haughty Gen'ral, sternly frown'd, And utter'd something, lost to me by distance. �Queen. I much disire to know, by what comission, He undertakes, to be my publick Champion? On his great kinsman, I repose my fortunes, Nor will a weaker Atlas, 'ere support 'em. But Riccio, go, and give the Prince of Rhodes, That answer to his message, I deliver' d, For by your reasons, urg'd to me within, I am determin'd not to see the General. 30 ��� �