Will bathe the drooping spirits in delight, The BROTHERS rush in with swords drawn, wrest his glass out of his hand, and break it against the ground: his rout make sign of resistance, but are all driven in. The ATTENDANT SPIRIT comes in Spir. What! have you let the false enchanter scape? O ye mistook; ye should have snatched his wand, 81s Yet stay, be not disturbed; now I bethink me, The soothest shepherd that e'er piped on plains. That with moist curb sways the smooth Severn 825 stream: Sabrina is her name: a virgin pure; Whilom she was the daughter of Locrine, That had the sceptre from his father Brute. course. 830 The water nymphs, that in the bottom played, Held up their pearled wrists, and took her in, 835 Bearing her straight to aged Nereus' hall; Who, piteous of her woes, reared her lank head, And gave her to his daughters to imbathe In nectared lavers strewed with asphodil, And through the porch and inlet of each sense 840 Dropt in ambrosial oils, till she revived, And underwent a quick immortal change, Made Goddess of the river. Still she retains Her maiden gentleness, and oft at eve Visits the herds along the twilight meadows, 845 Helping all urchin blasts, and ill-luck signs That the shrewd meddling elf delights to make, Which she with precious vialed liquors heals: For which the shepherds, at their festivals, ( Carol her goodness loud in rustic lays, And throw sweet garland wreaths into her stream And, as the old swain said, she can unlock The clasping charm, and thaw the numbing spell, If she be right invoked in warbled song; 855 For maidenhood she loves, and will be swift In hard-besetting need. This will I try, Song Sabrina fair, Listen where thou art sitting Under the glassy, cool, translucent wave, The loose train of thy amber-dropping hair; Listen and save. Listen, and appear to us, In name of great Oceanus. By the earth-shaking Neptune's mace, Wherewith she sits on diamond rocks 860 865 870 875 880 885 And bridle in thy headlong wave, Till thou our summons answered have. Listen and save! SABRINA rises, attended by Water-nymphs, and sings 890 By the rushy-fringed bank, 895 900 905 910 Where grows the willow and the osier dank, My sliding chariot stays, Thick set with agate, and the azurn sheen That in the channel strays; Whilst from off the waters fleet Gentle swain, at thy request We implore thy powerful hand To undo the charmed band Of true virgin here distressed Through the force and through the wile Of unblessed enchanter vile. Sabr. Shepherd, 'tis my office best To help ensnared chastity. Brightest Lady, look on me. Thus I sprinkle on thy breast Drops that from my fountain pure Thrice upon thy finger's tip, Thrice upon thy rubied lip: Next this marble venomed seat, Smeared with gums of glutinous heat, I touch with chaste palms moist and cold. And I must haste ere morning hour To wait in Amphitrite's bower. SABRINA descends, and THE LADY rises out of her seat Spir. Virgin, daughter of Locrine, May thy brimmèd waves for this From a thousand petty rills, That tumble down the snowy hills: The beryl and the golden ore; May thy lofty head be crowned With many a tower and terrace round, With groves of myrrh and cinnamon. Come, Lady; while Heaven lends us grace, Let us fly this cursed place, 915 920 925 930 935 |