Till an unusual stop of sudden silence Was took ere she was ware, and wished she might Still to be so displaced. I was all ear, And took in strains that might create a soul snare!" Then down the lawns I ran with headlong haste, 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 Which erring men call Chance, this I hold firm: And mix no more with goodness, when at last, 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 Under the sooty flag of Acheron, 605 Harpies and Hydras, or all the monstrous forms "Twixt Africa and Ind, I'll find him out, Spir. Alas! good venturous youth, Be those that quell the might of hellish charms. 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 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 670 675 |