Page:Poems of Anne Countess of Winchilsea 1903.djvu/536

398 THE POEMS OF ANNE �These are the Royal Tents, where she must be; Therefore no more remains, but to secure her. �[They follow him into the inner Tent and the conceal'd Officer comes out. �Officer. Curst Conspiration, not to be prevented 70 �With but my single Arm against their Numbers ! But to the Battle, and Aristor>s Ear I'll fly for Help ; That may overtake, and cross the bloody Purpose. [Exit. �The Women shriek in the inner Tent, and Re-enter Clarintha &c. leading in Amalintha and Phila. �Amal. Messenians are ye, and yet treat me thus! Restrain those Hands, that gave your Gen'ral to you. Let me but hear you speak, and name the Cause; Which, if a just one, I'll submit to Fortune. �Clar. 'Tis but too just, and do's not ask explaining. �Amal. Oh ! now Clarinthus in your Voice I read The cruel Sentence of an angry Father. 80 �Turn not away that Face, but hear your Princess; I can't resist, no Force, no Help is near me: Therefore command, that but my Arms be freed, And let me not be dragg'd, where I must follow. �Clar. Will you, relying then on me for Safety, Forbear to cry for Help, as we conduct you? �Amal. By Castor's Soul I swear it. �Clar. Then taking first her Dagger, free her Arms. Give me your Hand, and now perform your Promise, To follow where I'll lead you 90 �[Just as Clarinthus is offering to take her Hand, she snatches Phila's Dagger, and then answers Clarinthus. �Amal. No, stay Clarinthus; that I did not Promise. My Voice, and not my Feet, my Word engag'd ; And whilst my Hand holds this, I will not follow. �Clar. So swift and subtle? yet disarm and take her. ��� �