Page:Poems of Anne Countess of Winchilsea 1903.djvu/261

 COUNTESS OF WINCHILSEA ���123 ����Enter, as in the Temple of Jerusalem AT H ALIA, MAT HAN, ABNER. �Mathan. �Why, to our Wonder, in this Place is seen, Thus discompos'd, and alter'd, Judo's Queen? May we demand, what Terrors seize your Breast, Or, why your Steps are to this House addrest, Where your unguarded Person stands expos' d To secret Foes, within its Walls inclos'd? Can it be thought that you remit that Hate? �Athalia. �No more! but Both observe what I relate: Not, that I mean (recalling Times of Blood) To make you Judges of the Paths I trod, 10 �When to the empty'd Throne I boldly rose, Treating all Interceptors as my Foes. 'Twas Heav'ns Decree, that I should thus succeed, Whose following Favour justifies the Deed, Extending my unlimited Command From Sea to Sea o'er the obedient Land: Whilst your Jerusalem all Peace enjoys, Nor now the' encroaching Philistine destroys, Nor wandring Arab his Pavilion spreads, Near Jordan's Banks, nor wastes his flow'ry Meads. 20 The great Assyrian, Terror of your Kings, Who bought his Friendship with their holiest Things, Yields that a Sister, of his pow'rful Race, Should sway these Realms, and dignify the Place. Nor need we add the late insulting Foe, ��� �