Page:Poems of Anne Countess of Winchilsea 1903.djvu/480

 342 THE POEMS OF ANNE �Arc. Ha ! [A Noise is heard of distant Drums. Aside.] Sure I hear the distant Sound of Drums. Heav'n grant what I've been told, and kept so secret, Of a Design this Day to end the War, Be not a Truth too tempting for my Reasons ! �Enter frighted, Thseta and Lamia, Shepherdesses. �Thee. Oh! may we here be safe, tell us Climander? For all the Lawns, that lie beyond the Hill, Where still our Flocks were us'd to feed in peace, Are fill'd with War, and dark with flying Arrows : 100 �The Sheep disperse, whilst none regard their Safety, But call on Pan, to shield th' advent'rous Chief, The noble Aristomenes from Danger. �dim. Hear me, Arcasius, hear and do not thwart me; �[Aside to Arc. �Not tye me to a few remaining Hours : For, by the horrid Shield, that bears the Gorgon, I Swear; if thou refuse to arm me now With what I sent thee lately to provide, These feet shall bear me sandal'd to the Battle, This flow'ry Wreath shall mix with their stern Helmets, 110 And Death I'll take, if not impower'd to give it. �Arc. Oh ! do not ask my Aid ; but in this Tryal, Call all your fainting Virtue to assist And help you keep your Promise to your Father. �dim. I did not promise him to be a Coward, To let the Sound of War thus strike my Sense, Yet keep my Heart in a cool, even Temper. Hark! this way comes the Noise, and I will meet it. �[As he is going, a confus'd Noise and Cry is heard within. �Arc. They're Cries of Grief, and not the Shouts of Battle. I hope All's past, lest He and Rhodes shou'd perish. 120 ��� �