CHORUS.

Away, away, away,
To Comus' court repair,

There night outshines the day,

There yields the melting fair. [Exeunt singing.* E. Bro. "She's gone! may scorn pursue her wanton arts,

"And all the painted charms that vice can wear. "Yet oft' o'er credulous youth such Sirens triumph, "And lead their captive sense in chains as strong "As links of adamant. Let us be free, "And to secure our freedom, virtuous.

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rage

Y. Bro. "But should our helpless sister meet the "Of this insulting troop what could she do? "What hope, what comfort, what support, were left? Spi. "She meets not them; but yet, if right I guess, "A harder trial on her virtue waits.

E. Bro. "Protect her Heav'n! But whence this sad

conjecture?

Spi. "This ev'ning late, by then the chewing flocks “Had ta'en their supper on the sav'ry herb

"Of knot-grass dew-besprent, and were in fold,
"I sat me down to watch upon a bank
"With ivy canopy'd, and interwove
"With flaunting honeysuckle, and began,
"Wrapp'd in a pleasing fit of melancholy,
"To meditate my rural minstrelsy,
"Till Fancy had her fill; but ere a close,

The first Act ends here as now performed.

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"The wonted roar was up amidst the woods, "And fill'd the air with barbarous dissonance, "At which I ceas'd, and listen'd them a while. Y. Bro. "What follow'd then? O! if our helpless sister

Spi. "Strait an unusual stop of sudden silence 37° "Gave respite to the drowsy-flighted steeds "That draw the litter of close-curtain'd Sleep. "At last a soft and solemn breathing sound "Rose like a steam of rich distill'd perfumes, "And stole upon the air, that ev'n Silence

"Was took ere she was 'ware, and wished she might Deny her nature, and be never more,

"Still to be so displac'd. I was all ear,

"And took in strains that might create a soul
"Under the ribs of Death-but oh! ere long
"Too well I did perceive it was the voice
"Of my most honour'd lady your dear sister.

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Y. Bro. "O my foreboding heart! too true my fears. Spi. "Amaz'd I stood, harrow'd with grief and fear, "And O! poor hapless nightingale, thought I, "How sweet thou sing'st, how near the deadly snare! "Then down the lawns I ran with headlong haste, "Thro' paths and turnings often trod by day, "Till guided by my ear I found the place

"Where the damn'd wizard, hid in sly disguise, 390

(For so by certain signs I knew) had met

Already, ere my best speed to prevent, "The aidless innocent lady, his wish'd prey, "Who gently ask'd if he had seen such two,

Supposing him some neighbour villager.

"Longer I durst not stay, but soon I guess'd
"Ye were the two she meant; with that I sprung
"Into swift flight till I had found you here;
"But farther know I not.

Y. Bro. "O night and shades!

"How are ye join'd with hell in triple knot

Against th' unarm'd weakness of one virgin, "Alone and helpless! Is this the confidence "You gave me brother?

E. Bro. "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 pow'r

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"Which erring men call Chance, this I hold firm, "Virtue may be assail'd but never hurt,

Surpris'd by unjust force but not inthrall'd;

"Yea, even that which mischief meant most harm
"Shall in the happy trial prove most glory:
"But evil on itself shall back recoil,

"And mix no more with goodness; when at last
"Gather'd like scum, and settled to itself,
" It shall be in eternal restless change,
"Self-fed and self-consum'd. If this fail

"The pillar'd firmament is rottenness,

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"And earth's base built on stubble. But come, let's on; "Against th' opposing will and arm of Heav'n “May never this just sword be lifted up; "But for that damn'd magician, let him be girt "With all the griesly legions that troop

"Under the sooty flag of Acheron,

"Harpies and Hydras, or all the monstrous forms "Twixt Africa and Inde, 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.

Spi. "Alas! good vent'rous youth,

"I love thy courage yet, and bold emprise;
"But here thy sword can do thee little stead:
"Far other arms, and other weapons must

"Be those that quell the might of hellish charms.
"He with his bare wand can unthread thy joints,
"And crumble all thy sinews.

E. Bro. "Why prithee, shepherd,

"How durst thou then thyself approach so near, "As to make this relation?

Spi. "A shepherd lad,

"Of small regard to see to, yet well skill'd "In every virtuous plant and healing herb,

43°

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"That spreads her verdant leaf to the morning ray, "Has shewn me simples of a thousand names,

"Telling their strange and vigorous faculties.

Among the rest a small unsightly root,

"But of divine effect, he cull'd me out;

"And bad me keep it as of sov'reign use

"'Gainst all enchantment, mildew, blast, or damp, "Or ghastly fury's apparition.

"I purs'd it up. If you have this about you (As I will give you when you go) you may "Boldly assault the necromancer's hall;

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"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."

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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,

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''Mongst horrid shapes, and shrieks, and sights unholy,

"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,