Page:Poems of Anne Countess of Winchilsea 1903.djvu/534

 896 THE POEMS OF ANNE �Now whilst I speak, a chilling Fear surrounds me ; �And ev'ry Tread I hear, is hast'ning on, �Methinks, to tell me, all my Hopes are perish'd. 10 �Phila. Why shou'd you, Madam, who have pass'd already, Unhurt by Fortune, thro' more threat'ning Dangers, Now faint, when Reason bids you think the best ? The Sound goes from us, and the lucky War (Since you've the Promise of your Father's Life) Proceeds, as we cou'd wish, for the Messenians. �Amal. So do's it seem ; but yet my failing Spirits Sink to my Heart, and bid it think of Ruin. Last Night my Dreams shew'd me Aristor bleeding ; And o'er my Head a screaming Voice proclaim'd 20 �That Amalintha's hasty Fate had kill'd him: I clos'd my Eyes to catch another Vision, That might interpret, or prevent the first ; But all in vain, no Help or Comfort found me, And wrapt in Fears, I wak'd and still continue For what's foretold so fatal to my Love. �Phila. Your Fate work his? it rather will protect him. But here come Tydings, and the Bearer smiles ; Good let them be, and these vain Fears will vanish. �Enter an Officer, �Amal. From Prince Aristor? Do's he live, and send you ? �Officer. Madam he does 31 �And bids me say, what I my self can witness, That Lacedemon's Battle breaks to pieces, And soon will give him leave to find you here. �Amal. Take this, and wear it, Soldier, for your News ; �[Gives him a Jewel. �And may your Honours still outshine its Lustre. Stay here, whilst I report this to Herminia, If Demagetus too be yet in safety. ������ �