596 599 Gathered like scum, and settled to itself, "Twixt Africa and Ind, I'll find him out, Spirit. 605 Alas! good ventrous 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 612 Be those that quell the might of hellish charms. He with his bare wand can unthread thy joints, And crumble all thy sinews. Elder Brother. Why prithee, Shepherd, How durst thou then thyself approach so near As to make this relation? Spirit. He loved me well, and oft would beg me sing; 630 Bore a bright golden flower, but not in this soil: He called it Hæmony, and gave it me, And bade me keep it as of sovran use 'Gainst all inchantments, mildew blast, or damp, Or ghastly Furies' apparition. 640 I pursed it up, but little reckoning made, (As I will give you when we go), you may And shed the luscious liquor on the ground; But seize his wand. Though he and his curst crew Fierce sign of battail make, and menace high, Or, like the sons of Vulcan, vomit smoke, Yet will they soon retire, if he but shrink. Elder Brother. 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 inchanted chair; to whom he offers his glass; which she puts by, and goes about to rise. Brisk as the April buds in primrose season. With spirits of balm and fragrant syrups mixed. 676 Not that Nepenthes which the wife of Thone 681 To life so friendly, or so cool to thirst. This will restore all soon. Lady. 685 689 'T will not, false traitor! "T will not restore the truth and honesty That thou hast banished from thy tongue with lies. Was this the cottage and the safe abode Thou told'st me of? What grim aspects are these, These roughly-headed monsters? guard me! Mercy 695 Hence with thy brewed enchantments, foul deceiver! Hast thou betrayed my credulous innocence With vizored falsehood and base forgery? And wouldst thou seek again to trap me here With lickerish baits, fit to ensnare a brute? Were it a draught for Juno when she banquets, 701 I would not taste thy treasonous offer. None But such as are good men can give good things; And that which is not good is not delicious To a well-governed and wise appetite. 705 To gaze upon the Sun with shameless brows. But must be current; and the good thereof It is for homely features to keep home; 749 And cheeks of sorry grain, will serve to ply The sampler, and to tease the huswife's wool. What need a vermeil-tinctured lip for that, Love-darting eyes, or tresses like the Morn? There was another meaning in these gifts; Think what, and be advised; you are but young yet. 755 Lady. I had not thought to have unlocked my lips In this unhallowed air, but that this Juggler Would think to charm my judgment, as mine eyes, Obtruding false rules pranked in reason's garb. I hate when Vice can bolt her arguments And Virtue has no tongue to check her 761 pride. Impostor! do not charge most innocent Nature, As if she would her children should be riot ous With her abundance. She, good Cateress, 765 Means her provision only to the good, Had but a moderate and beseeming share In unsuperfluous even proportion, And she no whit encumbered with her store; 774 And then the Giver would be better thanked, His praise due paid: for swinish Gluttony Ne'er looks to Heaven amidst his gorgeous feast, But with besotted base ingratitude Crams, and blasphemes his Feeder. Shall I go on? 779 Or have I said enow? To him that dares Arm his profane tongue with contemptuous words Against the sun-clad power of Chastity end? yet to what Sabrina is her name: a virgin pure; She, guiltless damsel, flying the mad pursuit course. The water-Nymphs, that in the bottom played, Held up their pearlèd wrists, and took her in, Bearing her straight to aged Nereus' hall; Who, piteous of her woes, reared her lank head, 836 And gave her to his daughters to imbathe sense Dropt in ambrosial oils, till she revived, 840 And underwent a quick immortal change, Made Goddess of the river. Still she re tains Her maiden gentleness, and oft at eve Visits the herds along the twilight meadows, Helping all urchin blasts, and ill-luck signs That in the channel strays; Of true virgin here distressed Through the force and through the wile Of unblessed enchanter vile. Sabrina. Shepherd, 't is my office best Drops that from my fountain pure 895 900 905 910 915 860 Next this marble venomed seat, Sabrina fair, Listen where thou art sitting Under the glassy, cool, translucent wave, In twisted braids of lilies knitting The loose train of thy amber-dropping Spirit. Virgin, daughter of Locrine, Sabrina descends, and the Lady rises out of her seat. Sprung of old Anchises' line, May thy brimmèd waves for this By dead Parthenope's dear tomb, And bridle in thy headlong wave, With some other new device. Till thou our summons answered have. Sabrina rises, attended by Water-nymphs, and sings. Their faith, their patience, and their truth, The dances ended, the Spirit epiloguizes. Spirit. To the ocean now I fly 975 980 LYCIDAS Bitter constraint and sad occasion dear Begin, and somewhat loudly sweep the string. Hence with denial vain, and coy excuse: With lucky words favour my destined urn, 20 And bid fair peace be to my sable shroud! For we were nursed upon the self-same hill, |