Page:Poems of Anne Countess of Winchilsea 1903.djvu/530

 392 THE POEMS OF ANNE �Amal. This, my Aristor, brings me to your Tents, But not to save my Life, or 'scape their Fury: For shou'd your Heart, which boldly I will claim, Be yet deny'd me by your injur'd Father, Not all his Army shou'd retard my Steps From leading to the Town, and certain Ruin; 360 �For they have sworn it (with this Imprecation, That 'till 'tis done, no Victory may bless them) To sacrifice the Soul that sav'd the Gren'ral. �Enter Aristomenes from the inward Tent. �Aristom. That Army you have nam'd, shall first in Flames Consume the utmost Town of Lacedemon. Take your Security, and softest Wishes, Your dear Aristor take, and if ought more The fair Preserver of his Father claims, Be it but nam'd, and at that instant granted. �Amal. Beyond Aristor's Heart there's no Eequest, 370 No longing Thought, no Hope for Amalintha: For still his Love prescrib'd their tender Limits. �Aristor. Oh ! let it not be thought irrev'rent Passion, If in the awful Presence of a Father I run upon my Joys, and grasp 'em thus. [Embraces her. �Aristom. Thou well dost intimate I shou'd retire ; For Privacy is only fit for Lovers. �Aristor. Pardon my Transport, Sir, nor thus mistake it. �Aristom. No more, my Son ! but when the Trumpet calls, Which must be soon, remember thou'rt a Soldier, 380 �And that the Battle, we shall lead to morrow, Will ask our best of Care and Preparation. �Aristor. Never was I yet wanting to my Charge. But give me leave here to attend that Summons. �[Exit Aristomenes. �For Oh ! my Amalintha, since thou'rt mine, Since I can tell my Heart that darling Truth ; ��� �