Where no crude furfeit reigns. Eld. Bro. Lift, lift, I Some far-off hallow break the silent air. (hear 2. Bro. Methought fo too; what should it be? 485 Eld. Bro. For certain
Either fome one like us night-founder'd here, Or else some neighbour wood-man, or, at worst, Some roving robber calling to his fellows. 489 2. Bro. Heav'n keep my Sifter. Again, again, and Beft draw, and stand upon our guard.
If he be friendly, he comes well; if not, Defense is a good cause, and Heav'n be for us.
The attendent Spirit habited like a shepherd.
That hallow I should know, what are you? speak; Come not too near, you fall on iron ftakes else. 496 Spir. What voice is that? my young Lord? speak again.
2. Bro. O brother, 'tis my father's fhepherd, sure. Eld. Bro. Thyrfis? whose artful strains have oft
The huddling brook to hear his madrigal
And sweeten'd every muskrose of the dale. How cam'ft thou here, good Swain? hath any ram Slipt from the fold, or young kid loft his dam, Or ftraggling weather the pent flock forfook? 504 How could'st thou find this dark fequefter'd nook? Spir. O my lov'd master's heir, and his next joy,
I came not here on such a trivial toy
As a ftray'd ewe, or to purfue the stealth
Of pilfering wolf; not all the fleecy wealth That doth enrich thefe downs, is worth a thought To this my errand, and the care it brought. But, O my virgin Lady, where is fhe? How chance she is not in your company? El.Bro. To tell thee fadly, Shepherd, without blame, Or our neglect, we lost her as we came. 515
Spir. Ay me unhappy! then my fears are true. Eld. Bro.What fears, good Thyrfis? Prethee briefly Spir. I'll tell ye; 'tis not vain or fabulous, (shew. (Though so esteem'd by shallow ignorance) 519 What the fage poets, taught by th' heav'nly Muse, Story'd of old in high immortal verse,
Of dire chimera's and inchanted iles,
And rifted rocks whofe entrance leads to Hell; For fuch there be, but unbelief is blind.
Within the navel of this hideous wood,
Immur'd in cypress shades a forcerer dwells, Of Bacchus and of Circe born, great Comus, Deep skill'd in all his mother's witcheries,
And here to every thirsty wanderer
By fly enticement gives his baneful cup,
With many murmurs mix'd, whose pleasing poison The visage quite transforms of him that drinks, And the inglorious likeness of a beast
Fixes instead, unmolding reason's mintage
Character'd in the face; this have I learnt Tending my flocks hard by i'th' hill crofts, That brow this bottom glade, whence night by night He and his monftrous rout are heard to howl Like ftabled wolves, or tigers at their prey, Doing abhorred rites to Hecate
In their obfcured haunts of inmoft bowers. Yet have they many baits, and guileful spells, To' inveigle and invite th' unwary sense Of them that pass unweeting by the way. This evening late, by then the chewing flocks 545 Had ta'en their supper on the savory herb Of knot-grafs dew-befprent, and were in fold, I fat me down to watch upon a bank With ivy canopied, and interwove With flaunting honey-fuckle, and began, Wrapt in a pleasing fit of melancholy, To meditate my rural minstrelsy, Till fancy had her fill, but ere a close The wonted roar was up amidft the woods, And fill'd the air with barbarous diffonance; 555 At which I ceas'd, and liften'd them a while, Till an unusual ftop of sudden filence Gave refpit to the drowsy flighted steeds, That draw the litter of close-curtain'd sleep; At last a soft and folemn breathing found Rose like a steam of rich distill'd perfumes, And stole upon the air, that even Silence
Was took ere fhe was ware, and wish'd she might Deny her nature, and be never more Still to be fo difplac'd. I was all ear,
And took in ftrains that might create a foul Under the ribs of death: but O ere long
Too well I did perceive it was the voice Of my most honor'd Lady, your dear Sifter. Amaz'd I stood, harrow'd with grief and fear, 570 And O poor hapless nightingale thought I, How sweet thou fing'ft, how near the deadly fnare! Then down the lawns I ran with headlong haste, Through paths and turnings often trod by day, Till guided by mine ear I found the place, Where that damn'd wisard hid in fly disguise (For fo by certain figns I knew) had met Already, ere my best speed could prevent, The aidless innocent Lady his wifh'd prey, Who gently ask'd if he had seen such two, Supposing him fome neighbour villager. Longer I durft not stay, but foon I guess'd Ye were the two fhe meant; with that I fprung Into swift flight, till I had found you here, But further know I not. 2. Bro. O night and shades, How are ye join'd with Hell in triple knot, Against th' unarmed weakness of one virgin Alone, and helplefs! Is this the confidence You gave me, Brother? El. Bro. Yes, and keep it ftill, Lean on it fafely; not a period
Shall be unfaid for me: against the threats
Of malice or of forcery, or that power
Which erring men call Chance, this I hold firm, Virtue may be affail'd, but never hurt,
Surpris'd by unjust force, but not inthrall'd; 595 Yea even that which mischief meant moft harm, Shall in the happy trial prove most glory: But evil on itself fhall back recoil,
And mix no more with goodness, when at last Gather'd like fcum, and settled to itself, It shall be in eternal restless change Self-fed, and self-confum'd: if this fail, The pillar'd firmament is rottenness,
And earth's bafe built on ftubble. But come let's on. Against th' oppofing will and arm of Heaven 605 May never this juft fword be lifted up;
But for that damn'd magician, let him be girt With all the grifly legions that troop Under the footy flag of Acheron,
Harpyes and Hydra's, or all the monftrous forms 'Twixt Africa and Ind, I'll find him out, And force him to restore his purchase back, Or drag him by the curls to a foul death, Curs'd as his life.
Spir. Alas! good ventrous Youth,
I love thy courage yet, and bold emprise ; But here thy fword can do thee little stead; Far other arms, and other weapons must
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