Page:Poems of Anne Countess of Winchilsea 1903.djvu/531

COUNTESS OF WINCHILSEA 393 �The Moments that must take me from thy sight, �Will pass for lost, and useless to Aristor. �And this War done, which we now soon shall finish �(For You not there, what God will fight for Sparta?) 390 �I'll awear the Sun and radiant Light shall part, �Ere I will once be found from this lov'd Presence. �Amal. Confirm it, all ye soft and gentle Pow'rs! And let the pattern of a Love so perfect Reform Mankind, and bless believing Women. But can I think it is Aristor speaks? That I behold, and hear you safe from Danger, Whom late I saw assaulted so with Death, When from the Guard a Weapon you had snatched, And but that brave Swords length cou'd keep him from you? Hope and fond Expectation all had left me: 401 �Arm'd with this Dagger full I stood in vain, And from my Window watch'd the fatal Stroke, Which soon was to be copy'd on my Heart; Then, had I meant to own your noble Love, And told mine Dying, whilst the Croud had trembl'd. �Aristor. I saw your dire Intent, and that preserv'd me : For 'twas to stop your Arm, that mine perform'd What else had been above the Force of Nature; And when the Drums of Demagetus thunder'd, 410 �As thro' the shiver'd Gates he rush'd to save me, You may remember, that I wou'd not meet him, Till I had told my Love what meant the Tumult, Which since has given me Fears, cold as pale Death, Lest some Observer might have charg'd it on you. �[Trumpets sound. �Amal. No ; for too much their own Concern engag'd them. But Oh! already hark! the Trumpet calls, And jealous Fame no longer lets me keep you. Must you be gone, must you obey this Summons ? ��� �