Page:Poems of Anne Countess of Winchilsea 1903.djvu/442

 304 THE POEMS OF ANNE �And leap into the mine, they wou'd fly from. Ha! What noyse is that? [She hears a noyse. �The night's far spent, and ev'ry sound breeds horrour, Again! 20 �[Two men appear att the door in disguise, one speaks to the other, & then retires. �First. I'll keep 'em from their posts till you return, Come boldly back, and fear no opposition. �[He goes off & the other comes just within the door. �Queen. Protect me heav'n, from farther acts of treason, My life alone, is all the past have left me. �[As she is going to the contrary door, he kneels & speaks. �Second. Oh! fly not madam, fly not from your safety, From him, who wears his life but to preserve you; Can there be terrour, in this humble posture, These arms thus folded, and this awfull distance? Lett reason tell you, that if I were wicked, And dark intents, had brought me on thus far, 30 �Your inmost room, your Closset cou'd not save you, But prove a fitter scene, for acts of mischeif. �Queen. 'Tis true, who 'ere he is, I'm in his pow'r. �[Aside, stopping at the extremity of the stage. Therefore, had better humour this respect, Till I can search into his secret purpose Which may not be so bad, as fear presents itt. Keep then that distance still, and I will stay, [To him. �And trust, so much, to what you have deliver'd, As to demand the cause, for which you came ? �Second. To putt into your hands, your beauteous hands, 40 Your people's homage, and your Rival's fate, The Gen'rall's life, that once oppos'd your right, And all the Royal dignity you've lost. �Queen. The Gen'rall's life, oh! then I must discover, �[Aside. ��� �