Or 'gainst the rugged bark of some broad elm Leans her unpillowed head, fraught with sad fears. What if in wild amazement and affright? Or, while we speak, within the direful grasp Of savage Hunger, or of savage Heat? ELDER BROTHER. - Peace, brother! be not over-exquisite To cast the fashion of uncertain evils; For grant they be so, while they rest unknown, Or if they be but false alarms of fear, I do not think my sister so to seek, Or so unprincipled in Virtue's book, And the sweet peace that goodness bosoms ever, As that the single want of light and noise (Not being in danger, as I trust she is not) Could stir the constant mood of her calm thoughts, And put them into misbecoming plight. Virtue could see to do what Virtue would By her own radiant light, though sun and moon Were in the flat sea sunk. And Wisdom's self Oft seeks to sweet retiréd Solitude, Where, with her best nurse, Contemplation, She plumes her feathers, and lets grow her wings, That in the various bustle of resort Were all too ruffled, and sometimes impaired. He that has light within his own clear breast May sit i' the centre, and enjoy bright day; SECOND BROTHER. 'Tis most true, That musing meditation most affects The pensive secrecy of desert cell, Far from the cheerful haunt of men and herds, And sits as safe as in a senate-house; For who would rob a hermit of his weeds, His few books, or his beads, or maple dish, violence? Or do his grey hairs any But Beauty, like the fair Hesperian tree Of dragon-watch with unenchanted eye, To save her blossoms, and defend her fruit From the rash hand of bold Incontinence. You may as well spread out the unsunned heaps I fear the dread events that dog them both, Lest some ill-greeting touch attempt the person Of our unownéd sister. ELDER BROTHER. I do not, brother, Infer, as if I thought my sister's state And gladly banish squint suspicion. My sister is not so defenceless left As you imagine: she has a hidden strength SECOND BROTHER. What hidden strength, Unless the strength of Heaven, if you mean that? ELDER BROTHER. I mean that too; but yet a hidden strength, |