Page:Poems of Anne Countess of Winchilsea 1903.djvu/425

COUNTESS OF WINCHILSEA 287 �And once Clarilla, has forgot my orders, I must not lett him manage the discourse. �If I may guesse, my Lord, what brings you here ; To seek me out, before the publick hour, Tis to describe some splendid entertainment, Some Mask design' d, or musick, to devert The stranger, lately landed on your shears. �Blan. Had you but guest more right, or durst I speak itt. Then, Madam, wou'd the cause that brings me here, Appear as much above those comon trifles, 70 �As, you excell all others, in perfection. �Queen. If 'tis my Lord so dang'rous to be told, Still to conceal itt, is the way to safety. �Blan. Oh! rather say to death, and to dispair; So long, allready, have I trod the path, The solitary path of silent wishes, That rather than I still will wander there, I'll boldly leap the precipice before me, And perish in attempting to be free. �See ! Madam, at your feet, to rise no more, [He kneels. 80 If you deny his suit, the wretched' st slave That ere submitted to the pow'r of - �[Seeing Carino enter the Queen interrupts Blan. �Queen. My Lord you are observ'd, but if to me, You've anything of moment to impart, Kiccio, my wise, and faithfull Councellour, Will best receive, and bring itt to my knowledge. His coming, just to stop the word, I fear'd, �[Aside as she walks from him. Was as I cou'd have wish'd itt. �Blan. Who sins in love in love shall still be curs' d, �[Aside. ��� �