Page:Poems of Anne Countess of Winchilsea 1903.djvu/519

 COUNTESS OF WINCHILSEA 381 �Yet, for ever I remove, �Yet, for ever will I love. �Shepherd, seek no more to find ; �Fate, not I, has been Unkind. 30 �We pluck on Fate, by striving to avoid it. To shun the low Addresses of a Swain, For ever has she left a Prince despairing. Why didst thou not, as I at parting bid thee, Find out, and let her know my fair Intentions, And that my Birth was Noble as her Wishes? �Area. I was not negligent, nor wou'd be thought so: But full of Transports when I heard your Story, Thinking the Fates wou'd now fulfill their Promise Thro' her the Daughter to the best of Men, 40 �Fled to discover what you gave in Charge, Travers'd the Plains in a long fruitless Search, But cou'd not find that Beauty born to Bless us. �Dema. I shew'd thee, as we pass'd, her new rais'd Hamlet. Area. Thither at last I went, but Oh! too late: For ere I reach'd it, the fair Guest was vanish'd ; Upon the Floor lay her neglected Hook, And o'er the Door hung Boughs of fading Willow, To shew, as Shepherds use, the Place forsaken. That Paper there I found, and near it lay 50 �This precious Gemm, that bears a well-cut Signet, �[Shews him a Ring. By chance sure dropt, yet may assist your Purpose. �Dema. Give me that Emblem of my fatal Passion: For without End is that, as is this Circle. Oh! that my way to Bliss shou'd seem so plain, Yet in a moment thus be lost and wilder'd! Now in the midst of Crouds and loud Applauses, That greet me for restoring them Aristor, Must wretched Demagetus sigh for Love, ��� �