Page:Poems of Anne Countess of Winchilsea 1903.djvu/521

COUNTESS OP WINCHILSEA 383 �Enter behind the Company Herminia and Barina. �Aristor. My Lord, what you command I take in charge. �[To Aristomenes. Tell me, my best of Friends, the way to serve you. �[To Demagetus. �Dema. I know it not my self, and that's the Torture. Hear me, my Lord, nor think my Sorrows light: 90 �[To Aristomenes. �For Love, the only Comfort of fond Youth, Is lost for ever to the poor Climander. �Herm. Climander [To Barina. �That Name and Voice bears down my fainting Spirits. I shall be known, yet have not Strength to fly : Where will this end, and where's Herminia'e Honour. �[To herself. �Aristom. So sad a Pause still keeps us in Suspence: Proceed, and if there's help on Earth, we'll find it. �Dema. At my return, made joyful by Success, With hasty Steps, and in my Heart soft Wishes, 100 �Love, and a thousand flatt'ring Expectations, I fled the clam'rous Praise prepar'd to meet me, And sought the Path that led to my Desires: But ere I was advanc'd beyond the Camp, The Voice of this Old Man Cross'd my sad way, and cry'd, She's gone for ever. �Aristom. Perhaps 'tis some Mistake, If other Proofs are wanting to confirm it. �Dema. Oh ! far too many for Climander's Peace. She own'd her Love, and with this Signet bound it, 110 And in the Folds of this dear Paper left At once the tokens of my Joy and Ruin. �[Gives the Letter and Ring to Aristomenes. �Herm. The Character and Signet will betray me ; And now Necessity must make me Bold. [Aside. ��� �