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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.

Eld. Bro. I'll hallow;

(near;

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

delay'd

The huddling brook to hear his madrigal

500

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,

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I came not here on such a trivial toy

As a ftray'd ewe, or to purfue the stealth

509

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,

525

And here to every thirsty wanderer

By fly enticement gives his baneful cup,

530

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

Cha

535

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

540

550

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

560

Was

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,

565

And took in ftrains that might create a foul
Under the ribs of death: but O ere long

575

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

580

586

590

Shall

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,

600

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,

609

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

615

Be

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