"Where if he be, with dauntless hardihood "And brandished blade rush on him, break his glass, "And shed the luscious liquor on the ground; "But seize his wand, tho' he and his curs'd crew "Fierce sign of battle make, and menace high, "Or like the sons of Vulcan vomit smoke, "Yet will they soon retire, if he but shrink." 460 ACT III. "Scene opens, and discovers" a magnificent Hall in CoMUS's Palace, "set off with all the gay decorations "proper for an ancient banqueting-room." COMUS and Attendants stand on each side of the Lady, who is seated in an enchanted chair; “and by her looks and gestures expresses great signs of uneasiness and me"lancholy." COMUS speaks. "HENCE, loathed melancholy, "Of Cerberus and blackest midnight born, "In Stygian cave forlorn, 'Mongst horrid shapes, and shrieks, and sights un holy, "Find out some uncouth cell, "Where brooding darkness spreads his jealous wings "And the night-raven sings; "There, under ebon-shades, and low-brow'd rocks, "As ragged as thy locks, "In dark Cimmerian desert ever dwell. And by men, heart-easing Mirth, Whom lovely Venus at a birth With two sister Graces more, Haste thee, nymph, and bring with thee Quips and cranks, and wanton wiles, On the light fantastic toe; And in thy right hand lead with thee IO 20 [Whilst these lines are repeating, enter a Nymph representing EUPHROSYNE, or Mirth; who advances to the Lady, and sings the following song. SONG. Come, come, bid adieu to fear, 30 Sighs to amorous sighs returning, Bosoms with warm wishes panting, Love and harmony reign here. 40 Lady. How long must I, by magick fetters chain'd To this detested seat, hear odious strains Of shameless folly, which my soul abhors? Com. Ye sedge-crown'd Naiades, by twilight seen Along Mæander's mazy border green, At Comus' call appear in all your azure sheen. [He waves his Wand, the Naiads enter, and range themselves in order to dance.] Now softly slow let Lydian measures move, ["The Naiads dance a slow dance expressive of the passion of Love.] [" After this dance" the pastoral Nymph advances slow, with a melancholy and desponding air, to the side of the stage, and repeats, by way of soliloquy, the first six lines, and then sings the ballad. In the mean time she is observed by EUPHROSYNE, who by her gesture expresses to the audience her different sentiments of the subject of her complaint, suitably to the character of their several songs.] E RECITATIVE. How gentle was my Damon's air! A BALLAD. On every hill, in every grove, "Now to the mossy cave I fly, sung, "Where to my swain I oft have "Well pleas'd the browsing goats to spy, "As o'er the airy steep they hung. "The mossy cave, the goats remain, "But Damon there I seek in vain. "Now through the winding vale I pass, "Where love and Damon fondly play'd. "The vale, the shade, the grass remain, "But Damon there I seek in vain." 50 60 70 From hill, from dale, each charm is fled, Groves, flocks, and fountains please no more, RECITATIVE. By EUPHROSYNE. Love, the greatest bliss below, How a fickle swain to quit. BALLAD. The wanton god, that pierces hearts, Farewell lovers, when they're cloy'd ; They have charms whilst mine can please; Nor faithless vows shall break my rest. 80 90 |