Page:Poems of Anne Countess of Winchilsea 1903.djvu/505

 COUNTESS OF WINCHILSEA 367 �Shall tell the World (if e'er I 'scape these Walls) That 'twas thy Conduct drew me from my Bondage. How fair this Grove appears to my loath'd Dungeon! �[He sees the Fountain. �Oh ! welcome to my Sight, thou gentle Spring ! 30 �Ne'er did'st thou cool a Thirst, that rag'd like mine: I bow my Knees upon thy mossy Brim, �[He kneels and lays his Mouth to the Stream. And, as they drank, ere Art had worsted Nature, Draw thy refreshing Stream to my scorch'd Entrails. �[Drinks agen. Again, O Nectar, most delicious! �This favour more, and then I quit thy Borders. �[Washes the Earth off his Hands, and rises. �Re-enter Amalintha �Amal. Oh! 'tis all dismal, now that Love is absent, Faded the Flow'rs, and with'ring ev'ry Branch : Whilst thro' the Leaves the sad, and sighing Winds, Methinks, all say, the Hours of Bliss are past ; 40 �And here, we ne'er shall meet each other more. �[Aristom. comes towards her Ha ! what Intruder do my Eyes behold ? A Stranger, and invade my private Walks, The Doors too all secur'd ! Tell how you came. �Aristom. As comes the Mole, by painful working upwards, Till the the sweet Air beat on my clammy Brows. �Amal. There's something mystical in what you utter; Which (tho' offended with your Presence here) I wou'd be glad farther to have Unriddl'd. �[Draws her Dagger. �This be my Guard ; and now you may proceed, 50 �And, if you dare, discover who you are. �Aristom. I'd not deny my Name, to 'scape that Dungeon, �[Pointing behind the Scenes. ��� �