With such consort as they keep, And let some strange mysterious dream And, as I wake, sweet music breathe Sent by some Spirit to mortals good, As may with sweetness, through mine ear, And bring all Heaven before mine eyes. 150 160 170 ARCADES Part of an Entertainment presented to the Countess Dowager of Derby at Harefield by some Noble Persons of her Family; who appear on the Scene in pastoral habit, moving toward the seat of state, with this song: I. Song Look, Nymphs and Shepherds, look! Is that which we from hence descry, This, this is she To whom our vows and wishes bend: We may justly now accuse Less than half we find expressed; Mark what radiant state she spreads, Sitting like a goddess bright In the centre of her light. Might she the wise Latona be, Mother of a hundred gods? Juno dares not give her odds: Who had thought this clime had held As they come forward, THE GENIUS OF THE WOOD appears, and, turning toward them, speaks. 330 Gen. Stay, gentle Swains, for, though in this disguise, I see bright honour sparkle through your eyes; Of famous Arcady ye are, and sprung Of that renowned flood, so often sung, Divine Alpheus, who, by secret sluice, Stole under seas to meet his Arethuse; And ye, the breathing roses of the wood, Fair silver-buskined Nymphs, as great and good. I know this quest of yours and free intent Was all in honour and devotion meant To the great mistress of yon princely shrine, Whom with low reverence I adore as mine, And with all helpful service will comply To further this night's glad solemnity, And lead ye where ye may more near behold What shallow-searching Fame hath left untold; Which I full oft, amidst these shades alone, Have sat to wonder at, and gaze upon. For know, by lot from Jove, I am the Power Of this fair wood, and live in oaken bower, To nurse the saplings tall, and curl the grove With ringlets quaint and wanton windings wove; And all my plants I save from nightly ill Of noisome winds and blasting vapours chill; 40 And from the boughs brush off the evil dew, 50 With puissant words and murmurs made to bless. 60 That sit upon the nine infolded spheres, On which the fate of gods and men is wound. And the low world in measured motion draw And so attend ye toward her glittering state; 70 ΤΟ 80 Where ye may all, that are of noble stem, II. Song O'er the smooth enamelled green, And touch the warbled string: Of branching elm star-proof I will bring you where she sits, Such a rural Queen All Arcadia hath not seen. III. Song Nymphs and Shepherds, dance no more Bring your flocks, and live with us; To serve the Lady of this place. Though Syrinx your Pan's mistress were, Yet Syrinx well might wait on her. Such a rural Queen All Arcadia hath not seen. 90 100 |