Page:Poems of Anne Countess of Winchilsea 1903.djvu/446

 308 THE POEMS or ANNE �To give me means, to compasse my dessign. Yett, lett me kneel, for seeming to offend, And breaking thus, upon your private hours, Which I had shunn'd, but that deny'd your presence, I cou'd not serve you, but by this intrusion. �Queen. I'm satisfy'd, my Lord, pray kneel no more. �Laur. No, lett me kneel, �And if there were a posture more submissive, 150 �Low as the grave, and humble as my hopes, Twoud now become, what I must speak or perish. �Queen. Proceed my Lord, And think, you cannot easily ofend me. �Laur. Then, lett me ask, since 'tis my heart's concern, When I have compass'd, what my life has toyl'd for, And plac'd you uncontrol'd in sov'raine pow'r, If Blanfort, shall not enter on my labours, And reap the dear rewards, I dare not think of. �Queen. My Lord, you wrong me much, if you suppose itt, Lett that suffice, and urge your fears no farther. 161 �All you have said, this night, I will reflect on, And in the morning, give you private notice How I shall act in such a great concern. Pray rise my lord. [He rises. �Laur. Oh ! Give not all the night to thoughts of buisnesse, If I had n'er admitted softer cares, You'd now had no occasion for them, Madam. �Queen. My Lord, good night, I wish you safe retir'd �Laur. Permitt this honour first, that I'll take care of. 170 �[Leading her within the scene. Enter at the other end of the stage Blanfort �Blan. A letter thrown just now in at my window Tells me, that one alone, and in disguise Enter'd a while agoe, the Queen's apartment. �[Laur. returns from the Queen. ��� �