He and his monstrous rout are heard to howl Like stabled wolves, or tigers at their prey, In their obscuréd haunts of inmost bowers. Had ta'en their supper on the savoury herb Of knot-grass dew-besprent,21 and were in fold, Till Fancy had her fill; but, ere a close, And stole upon the air, that even Silence Was took ere she was 'ware, and wished she might Deny her nature, and be never more Still to be so displaced. I was all ear, And took in strains that might create a soul Under the ribs of Death: 24 but oh, ere long, Too well I did perceive it was the voice Of my most honoured lady, your dear sister. Longer I durst not stay, but soon I guessed SECOND BROTHER. O night and shades, How are ye joined with Hell in triple knot ELDER BROTHER. Yes, and keep it still ; Lean on it safely; not a period Shall be unsaid for me: against the threats Of malice, or of sorcery, or that power Which erring men call chance, this I hold firm : Surprised by unjust force, but not enthralled; Yea, even that which mischief meant most harm, But evil on itself shall back recoil, And mix no more with goodness; when at last, Gathered like scum, and settled to itself, It shall be in eternal restless change, Self-fed, and self-consumed: 26 if this fail, The pillared firmament 27 is rottenness, And earth's base built on stubble. But come, let's on. Against the opposing will and arm of Heaven May never this just sword be lifted up! But for that damned magician, let him be girt. Under the sooty flag of Acheron, |