(For most do taste through fond intemperate thirst), Soon as the potion works, their human countenance, The express resemblance of the gods, is changed Into some brutish form of wolf, or bear, Or ounce, or tiger, hog, or bearded goat, All other parts remaining as they were ; I shoot from heaven, to give him safe convoy, These my sky robes spun out of Iris' woof," Likeliest, and nearest to the present aid Of this occasion. But I hear the tread Of hateful steps! I must be viewless now. [COMUS enters with a charming rod in one hand, his glass in the other; with him a rout of monsters, headed like sundry sorts of wild beasts, but other wise like men and women, their apparel glistering; they come in making a riotous and unruly noise, with their torches in their hands.] COMUS. The star that bids the shepherd fold, Now the top of heaven doth hold ; And the gilded car of day His glowing axle doth allay In the steep Atlantic stream; And the slope sun his upward beam Shoots against the dusky pole, Pacing toward the other goal Of his chamber in the east. 6 Meanwhile welcome joy and feast, Tipsy dance and jollity. Braid your locks with rosy twine, Dropping odours, dropping wine. Rigour now is gone to bed, And advice with scrupulous head. Strict age, and sour severity, With their grave saws in slumber lie We, that are of purer fire, Imitate the starry quire ; Who, in their nightly watchful spheres, By dimpled brook, and fountain brim, The wood-nymphs, decked with daisies trim. Their merry wakes and pastimes keep; What hath night to do with sleep? Night hath better sweets to prove, Venus now wakes, and wakens Love. Come, let us our rites begin; "Tis only daylight that makes sin, Which these dun shades will ne'er report. Dark-veiled Cotytto!7 to whom the secret flame Stay thy cloudy ebon chair, Wherein thou rid'st with Hecat, and befriend Us thy vowed priests, till utmost end Of all thy dues be done, and none left out; Ere the blabbing eastern scout, The nice morn, on the Indian steep From her cabined loophole peep, And to the tell-tale sun descry Our concealed solemnity. |