Page:Poems of Anne Countess of Winchilsea 1903.djvu/253

 COUNTESS or WINCHILSEA ���115 ���But Oh ! at last, too well my State I knew ; �And now, will shew thee how this Passion grew. 50 �Then listen, while the pleasing Tale I tell. �THIRSTS persuades AMINTOR not to despair upon the Pre- dictions of MOPSUS discovering him to be an Impostor �Thirsis. Why dost thou still give way to such Despair! �Amintor. Too just, alas ! the weighty Causes are. Mopsus, wise Mopsus, who in Art excels, And of all Plants the secret Vertue tells, Knows, with what healing Gifts our Springs abound, And of each Bird explains the mystick Sound ; 'Twas He, ev'n He! my wretched Fate foretold. �Thir. Dost thou this Speech then of that Mopsus hold, Who, whilst his Smiles attract the easy View, Drops flatt'ring Words, soft as the falling Dew; 10 �Whose outward Form all friendly still appears, Tho' Fraud and Daggers in his Thoughts he wears, And the unwary Labours to surprize With Looks affected, and with riddling Lyes. If He it is, that bids thy Love despair, I hope the happier End of all thy Care. So far from Truth his vain Predictions fall. �Amint. If ought thou know'st, that may my Hopes �recall, �Conceal it not ; for great I've heard his Fame, And fear'd his Words �Thir. When hither first I came, 20 �And in these Shades the false Impostor met, Like Thee I priz'd, and thought his Judgment great; On all his study 'd Speeches still rely'd, Nor fear'd to err, whilst led by such a Guide: When on a Day, that Bus'ness and Delight My Steps did to the Neighb'ring Town invite, ��� �