Page:Poems of Anne Countess of Winchilsea 1903.djvu/484

 346 THE POEMS OF ANNE �1st Sold. No; were he but amongst us, we'd Dye with him. �2d Sold. We are no Cowards, Captain, nor Ungrateful. 211 But since they say, He's Dead, What can we do? �Alcand. Go back, and keep a little while together; At least, 'till there are Tydings from the Town: Then, if he lives, we may attempt his rescue ; Or, if he's Dead, in a most just despair Burn their accurst Phcerea o'er their Heads, And then disperse, when we're so far reveng'd. Do this my Friends; Come, come, I know you will: You lov'd the General 220 �1st Sold. Curs'd be He, that did not! �2d Sold. We will go back, but ne'er shall see him more. �3d Sold. Then we will Fight no more, that's sure enough. �4th Sold. Howe'er, let's follow the brave Captain here, And stay, 'till we're inform'd as he advises. �Alcand. Come, I will march before you. Take up your Arms and trust, my Friends, to me: Your Lives shall not be set on idle Hazards; Lose no more time, but let us join the Army. �[They take up their Arms, and Exeunt. �Enter Herminia and Barina, Disguis'd like Shepherdesses. �Herm. Alas ! Barina, whither wilt thou lead me ? 230 �Bar. To Safety, Madam, poor and humble Safety, Which in those Hamlets, now within our Sight, The Shepherds find, with whom we may partake it. �Herm. Thus far indeed thou'st brought me on to seek it, Urging the Danger of a Virgin's Honour, When left defenceless to the Conqueror's Will: But dost thou think, we may not through these Woods Find out some gloomy Cave to Men unknown, And there expiring, sleep secure for ever? �Bar. Why shou'd we Dye, 240 �Since A ristomenes may yet be Living ? ��� �