Till an unusual stop of sudden silence
Gave respite to the drowsy-flighted steeds
That draw the litter of close-curtained Sleep.
At last a soft and solemn-breathing sound
Rose like a steam of rich distilled perfumes,
And stole upon the air, that even Silence

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

Still to be so displaced. 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 honoured Lady, your dear sister.
Amazed I stood, harrowed 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,
Through paths and turnings often trod by day,
Till, guided by mine ear, I found the place
Where that damned wizard, hid in sly disguise
(For so by certain signs I knew), had met
Already, ere my best speed could prevent,
The aidless innocent Lady, his wished prey;
Who gently asked if he had seen such two,
Supposing him some neighbour villager.
Longer I durst not stay, but soon I guessed
Ye were the two she meant; with that I sprung
Into swift flight, till I had found you here;

555

560

565

570

575

580 But further know I not.

Sec. Bro.

O night and shades, How are ye joined with hell in triple knot, Against the unarmed weakness of one virgin, Alone and helpless! Is this the confidence

You gave me, brother?

Eld. Bro.

Yes, and keep it still;

585 Lean on it safely; not a period

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:
Virtue may be assailed, but never hurt,
590 Surprised by unjust force, but not enthralled;
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,
595 Gathered like scum, and settled to itself,
It shall be in eternal restless change
Self-fed and self-consumed. If this fail,
The pillared firmament is rottenness,

And earth's base built on stubble. But come, let's on!

600 Against the opposing will and arm of heaven

May never this just sword be lifted up;

But for that damned magician, let him be girt
With all the grisly legions that troop

Under the sooty flag of Acheron,

605 Harpies and Hydras, or all the monstrous forms

"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,
Cursed as his life.

Spir.

Alas! good venturous 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.

Eld. Bro.

610

Why, prithee, Shepherd, 615

How durst thou then thyself approach so near

As to make this relation?

Spir.

Care and utmost shifts

How to secure the Lady from surprisal
Brought to my mind a certain shepherd lad,
Of small regard to see to, yet well skilled
In every virtuous plant and healing herb
That spreads her verdant leaf to the morning ray.
He loved me well, and oft would beg me sing;
Which, when I did, he on the tender grass
Would sit, and hearken even to ecstasy,
And in requital his leathern scrip, og
And shew me simples of a thousand names,
Telling their strange and vigorous faculties.
Amongst the rest a small unsightly root,
But of divine effect, he culled me out:
The leaf was darkish, and had prickles on it,

620

625

630

But in another country, as he said,

Bore a bright golden flower, but not in this soil: Unknown, and like esteemed, and the dull swain 835 Treads on it daily with his clouted shoon; And yet more med'cinal is it than that Moly That Hermes once to wise Ulysses gave. He called it Hæmony, and gave it me And bade me keep it as of sovran use 640 Gainst all enchantments, mildew blast, or damp, Or ghastly Furies' apparition. adess I pursed it up, but little reckoning made, Till now that this extremity compelled. But now I find it true; for by this means 645 I knew the foul enchanter, though disguised, Entered the very lime-twigs of his spells, 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 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. Though he and his curst

crew

Fierce sign of battle make, and menace high, 855 Or, like the sons of Vulcan, vomit smoke,

Yet will they soon retire, if he but shrink.

Eld. Bro. Thyrsis, lead on apace; I'll follow thee;

And some good angel bear a shield before us!

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

Comus. Nay, Lady, sit; if I but wave this wand, Your nerves are all chained up in alabaster, And you a statue; or as Daphne was,

Root-bound, that fled Apollo.

Fool, do not boast,

660

Lady. Thou canst not touch the freedom of my mind With all thy charms, although this corporal rind Thou hast immanacled while Heaven sees good. 685 Comus. Why are you vexed, 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 mixed.
Not that Nepenthes, which the wife of Thone
In Egypt gave to Jove-born Helena
Is of such power to stir up joy as this,
To life so friendly, or so cool to thirst.

670

675