But, O my virgin lady, where is she? El. Br. To tell thee sadly, shepherd, without blame, Or our neglect, we lost her as we came. 510 Spir. Ay me unhappy! then my fears are true. shew. Spir. I'll tell ye; 'tis not vain or fabulous Of dire chimeras, and enchanted isles, 516 And rifted rocks whose entrance leads to Hell; 520 Within the navel of this hideous wood, Immur'd in cypress shades a sorcerer 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 sly 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 525 530 Fixes instead, unmoulding reason's mintage Doing abhorred rites to Hecate In their obscured haunts of inmost bowers. 535 540 843 Wrapt in a pleasing fit of melancholy, 550 555 560 565 And took in strains that might create a soul But further know I not. Sec. Br. 570 575 O night, and shades! 581 How are ye join'd with hell in triple knot, El. Br. Lean on it safely; not a period Yes, and keep it still; 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;- And mix no more with goodness; when at last 585 590 595 And earth's base built on stubble.-But come, let's on. Against th' opposing will and arm of Heaven May never this just sword be lifted up! But for that damn'd magician, let him be girt Under the sooty flag of Acheron, 600 Harpies and hydras, or all the monstrous forms $05 "Twixt Africa and Ind, I'll find him out, And force him to return his purchase back, Or drag him by the curls to a foul death, Curs'd as his life. Spir. Alas! good vent'rous youth, I love thy courage yet, and bold emprise; Be those that quell the might of hellish charms: 610 El. Br. Why prithee, shepherd, 615 Spir. Care, and utmost shifts How to secure the lady from surprisal, H2 620 In every virtuous plant, and healing herb, That spreads her verdant leaf to th' morning ray: Bore a bright golden flow'r, but not in this soil: 625 630 635 "Gainst all enchantments, mildew blast, or damp, 640 Or ghastly faries' apparition. I purs'd it up, but little reck'ning made, 645 And yet came off: if you have this about you, (As I will give you when we go,) you may Boldly assault the necromancer's hall; 650 And brandish'd blade, rush on him; break his glass, And shed the luscious liquor on the ground, But seize his wand; though he and his curs'd crew Yet will they soon retire, if he but shrink. El. Br. Thyrsis, lead on apace, I'll follow thee; And some good angel bear a shield before us! 635 The scene changes to a stately palace, set out with all manner of deliciousness: soft music, tables spread with all dainties. Comus appears with his rabble, and the Lady set in an enchanted chair, to whom he offers his glass, which she puts by, and goes about to rise. Com. Nay, lady, sit; if I but wave this wand, Your nerves are all chain'd up in alabaster, And you a statue, or, as Daphne was, Root-bound that fled Apollo. Lad. Fool, do not boast; 660 Thou canst not touch the freedom of my mind 670 Com. Why are you vex'd, lady? why do you frown? Here dwell no frowns, nor anger; from these gates Sorrow flies far: see, here be all the pleasures That fancy can beget on youthful thoughts, When the fresh blood grows lively, and returns Brisk as the April buds in primrose season. And first, behold this cordial julep here, That flames and dances in his crystal bounds, With spirits of balm and fragrant syrups mix'd: Not that Nepenthes, which the wife of Thone In Egypt gave to Jove-born Helena, Is of such pow'r to stir up joy as this, To life so friendly, or so cool to thirst. 675 Why should you be so cruel to yourself, And to those dainty limbs, which Nature lent 630 For gentle usage, and soft delicacy? But you invert the covenants of her trust, By which all mortal frailty must subsist, Lad. 683 "Twill not, false traitor! 690 "Twill not restore the truth and honesty |