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SONG, by a Bacchant.

By dimpled brook, and fountain brim,
The wood-nymphs, deck'd with daisies trim,
Their merry wakes and pastimes keep:
What has night to do with sleep?
Night has better sweets to prove,
Venus now wakes, and wakens love:
Come let us our rites begin!
'Tis only day-light that makes sin.

Comus. Hail, goddess of nocturnal sport—
"Dark-veil'd Cocytto, t'whom the sacred flame
Of midnight torches burns; mysterious dame,
That ne'er art call'd, but when the dragon womb
Of Stygian darkness spits her thickest gloom,
And makes one blot of all the air,"
Stay thy cloudy ebon chair,

Wherein thou rid'st with Hecate; and befriend
Us thy vow'd priests!

Till the nice morn on th' Indian steep
From her cabin loop-holes peep,
And to the tell-tale sun descry
Our conceal'd solemnity.

DUET, by a Man and Woman.

From tyrant laws and customs free,
We follow sweet variety;

By turns we drink, and dance and sing,
Time for ever on the wing.

Why should niggard rules controul
Transports of the jovial sou!?
No dull stinting hour we own;
Pleasure counts our time alone.
Comus. Come! Knit hands and beat the
ground

In a light fantastic round.

[A dance. Comus. Break off, break off! I feel the diffrent

pace

Of some chaste footing near about this ground;
Run to your shrouds, within these brakes and

trees;

Our number may affright; some virgin sure,

Manet COMUS.

[Exeunt.

(For so I can distinguish by my art,)
Benighted in these woods. Now to my charms,
And to my wily trains! Thus I hurl
My spells into the air-When once her eye
Hath met the virtue of this magic dust,
I shall appear some harmless villager.
But see she stops, and seems
As she'd address herself in song.

[Lady sings behind.

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My best guide now; methought it was the sound
Of riot and ill-manag'd mirth. I should be loth
To meet the rudeness, and swill'd insolence
Of such late rioters; yet, O! where else
Shall I inform my unacquainted feet

In the blind mazes of this tangled wood?
Comus. (Aside) I'll ease her of that care, and
be her guide.

Lady. My brothers, when they saw me wea-
ried out,

Stepp'd, as they said, to the next thicket side,
To bring me berries, or such cooling fruit
As the kind hospitable woods provide.

But where they are, and why they come not
back,

Is now the labour of my thoughts; 'tis likeliest
They had engag'd their wandering steps too far:
I cannot halloo to my brothers, but

Such noise as I could make to be heard farthest
Prompt me," and they perhaps are not far off.
I have ventured, " for my new enliven'd spirits

Comus. (Aside.) "Sure something holy lodges
And with these raptures moves the vocal air
in that breast,
To testify his hidden residence:
How sweetly did they float upon the wings
Of Silence, thro' the empty-vaulted night,
At ev'ry fall smoothing the raven down
Of darkness, 'till it smil'd; I have oft heard
My mother Circe, with the Sirens three,
Who, as they sung, would take the prison'd soul,
And lap it in Elysium: Scylla wept,
And chid her barking waves into attention,
And fell Charybdis murmur'd soft applause;
Yet they in pleasing slumber lull'd the sense,
And sweet in madness robb'd it of itself.
But such a sacred and home-felt delight,
Such sober certainty of waking bliss,

Sweet Echo, sweetest nymph, that liv'st un-I never heard till now."-I'll speak to her,

seen

Within thy airy cell,

By slow Mander' margent green,

And in the violet-embroider'd vale,

Where the love-lorn nightingale

Nightly to thee her sad song mourneth
well.

And she shall be my queen.-Hail, foreign won

der,

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Forbidding ev'ry bleak unkindly fog

To touch the pros'prous growth of this tall wood. Lady. Nay, gentle shepherd, ill is lost that praise,

That is addressed to unattending ears;
Not any boast of skill, but extreme shift
How to regain my sever'd company,
Compell'd me to awake the courteous Echo,
To give me answer from her mossy couch.
Comus. What chance, good lady, hath bereft
you thus ?

Lady. Dim darkness, and this leafy labyrinth. Comus. Could that divide you from near ush'ring guides?

Lady. They left me weary on a grassy turf, To seek i'th' valley some cool friendly spring. Comus. And left your fair side all unguarded, lady?

Lady. They were but twain, and purpos'd quick return.

Comus. Im orts their loss, beside the present need?

Lady. No less than if I should my brothers lose. Comus. Were they of manly prime, or youthful bloom?

Lady. As smooth as Hebe's their unrazor'd lips. Comus. Two such I saw "what time the la

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I can conduct you, lady, to a low

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A Halloo heard.

[Exeunt,"

Enter the two Brothers, meeting. "E. Bro. List, list; I hear Some far-off halloo break the silent air.

Y. Bro. Methought so too; what should it be? E. Bro. Either some one like us night-founder'd here,

Or else some neighbour wood-man, or at worst, Some roving robber calling to his fellows.

Y. Bro. Heav'n keep my sister! again! again! and near!

Best draw, and stand upon our guard.
T. Bro. I'll halloo;

If he be friendly, he comes well; if not,
Defence is a good cause, and heav'n be for us;"
Enter Spirit, habited like a Shepherd.

Y. Bro. That halloo I should know-What are you? speak.

1 Spir. What voice is that? my young lord? speak again.

Y. Bro. O brother 'tis my father's shepherd

sure.

1 Spir. O my lov'd master's heir and his next joy,

Where is my virgin lady? where is she?

But loyal cottage, where you may be safe till How chance she is not in your company?

farther quest.

Lady. Shepherd, I take thy word, And trust thy offer'd service. In a place Less warranted than this, or less secure,

trial

I cannot be, that I should fear to change it.
Eye me, bless'd Providence, and square my
To my proportion'd strength! Shepherd, lead

on.

[Breunt.

E. Bro. To tell thee sadly, shepherd, without blame,

Or our neglect, we lost her as we came.

1 Spir. Ah me unhappy! then my fears are

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Enter COMUS's crew revelling; the Elder Brother advances and speaks.

E. Bro. What are you? speak! that thus in
wanton riot

And midnight revelry, like drunken Bacchanals,
Invade the silence of these lonely shades?
1 Wom.
Ye godlike youths,
Bless the propitious star that led you to us,
We are the happiest of the race of mortals,
Of freedom, mirth, and joy, the only heirs;
But you shall share them with us; for this cup,
This nectur'd cup, the sweet assurance gives
Of present, and the pledge of future bliss.

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All alone-and in her arms
Your breast may beat to love's alarms,
Till bless'd, and blessing, you shall own
The joys of love are joys alone.

Y. Bro. How low sinks beauty, when by vice debas'd!

Fair were that form, if virtue dwelt within; But from the wanton advocate of shame To me the warbled song harsh discord sounds. 2 Wom. No more; these formal maxims misbecome you.

They only suit suspicious shrivell'd age.

SONG.

By a Man and two Women.
Live, and love, enjoy the fair,
Banish sorrow, banish care;
Mind not what old dotards say;
Age has had his share of play,
But youth's sport begins to-day.
From the fruits of sweet delight
Let not scare-crow virtue fright!
Here in pleasure's vineyard we
Rove, like birds, from tree to tree,
Careless, airy, gay and free.

E. Bro. How can your impious tongues profane the name

Of sacred Virtue, and yet promise pleasure
In lying songs of vanity and vice?

1 Wom. Turn not away, but listen to our strain,

That shall in pleasing slumber lull the sense, And sweet in madness rob it of itself.

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SCENE I.—A gøy Pavilion.

Costs and Attendants on each side of the Lady, who is seated in an enchanted chair.

Come, thou goddess fair and free,
In heaven yclep'd Euphrosyne,
And by men heart-easing Mirth,
Whom lovely Venus at a birth,
With two sister graces more,
To ivy-crowned Bacchus bore!
Haste thee, nymph, and bring with thee
Jest and youthful jollity,

Quips and cranks, and wanton wiles,
Nods and becks, and wreathed smiles,
Such as hang on Hebe's cheek,
And love to live in dimple sleek;
Sport, that wrinkled care derides,
And Laughter holding both his sides!
Come, and trip it as you go,
On the light fantastic toe:

And in thy right hand lead with thee,
The mountain nymph, sweet Liberty!

SONG.

Haste thee nymph, and bring with thee
Jest and youthful jollity,
Quips and cranks, and wanton wiles,
Nods and becks, and wreathed smiles,
Such as hang on Hebe's cheek,
And love to live in dimple sleek ;
Sport, that wrinkled care derides,
And Laughter holding both his sides!

CHORUS.

Haste thee, nymph, &c. &c.

SONG.

By a Nymph.

"Come, come, bid adieu to fear! Love and harmony reign here. No domestic jealous jars, Buzzing slanders, wordy wars, In our presence will appear; Love and harmony reign here. "Sighs to amorous sighs returning, Pulses beating, bosoms burning, Bosoms with warm wishes panting, Words to speak those wishes wanting,

Are the only tumults here,

All the woes you need to fear;
Love and harmony live here."

Lady. How long must I, by magic fetters chain'd

To this detested seat, hear odious strains
Of shameless folly, which my soul abhors!
Comus. Now softly slow sweet Lydian airs

attune,

And breathe the pleasing pangs of gentle love. Enter EUPHROSYNE and Pastoral Nymph, who advances slow, with a melancholy and desponding air, to the side of the stage, and repeat, by way of soliloquy, the first six lines, and then sings the ballad. She is observed by EUPHROSYNE, who, by her gestures, expresses her different sentiments of the subject of her complaint, suitably to the character of their several songs.

RECITATIVE.

How gentle was my Damon's air!
Like sunny beams his golden hair,
His voice was like the nightingale's
More sweet his breath than flowery vales.
How hard such beauties to resign!
And yet that cruel task is mine.
BALLAD.

On every hill, in every grove,
Along the margin of each stream,
Dear conscious scenes of former love,
I mourn, and Damon is my
theme.
The hills, the groves, the streams remain,
But Damon there I scek iu vain.
"From hill from dale, each charm is fled;
Groves, flocks and fountains please no more.
Each flower in pity droops its head,
All nature does my loss deplore.
All, all reproach the faithless swuin,
Yet Damon still I seek in vain.

RECITATIVE.

By EUPHROSYNE.

Love, the greatest bliss below, How to taste few women know; Fewer still the have hit way

How a fickle swain to quit. Simple nymph, then learn of me, How to treat inconstancy.

BALLAD.

wine.

The wanton god, that pierces hearts,
Dips in gall his pointed darts:
But the nymph disdains to pine,
Who bathes the wound with rosy
Farewell lovers, when they're cloy'd;
If I am scorn'd, because enjoy'd,
Sure the squeamish fops are free
To rid me of dull company.

They have charms, whilst mine can please;
I love them much, but more my ease,
Nor jealous fears my love molest,
Nor faithless vows shall break my rest.
Why should they e'er give me pain,
Who to give me joy disdain?
All I ask of mortal man,

Is to love me whilst he can.

[Exeunt EUPHROSYNE and Pastoral Nymph. Comus. Cast thine eyes around and see

How from every element

Nature's sweets are culi'd for thee,
And her choicest blessings sent.

"Hither Summer, Autumn, Spring,
Hither all your tributes bring;
All on bended knee be seen,
Paying homage to your queen!"

[The Lady attempts to rise.
Nay, lady, sit; if I but wave this wand,
Your nerves are all bound up in alabaster,
And you a statue.

Lady. Fool, do not boast;

Thou canst not touch the freedom of my mind With all thy charms, altho' this corp'ral rind Thou hast immanacled, while heaven sees good.

Comus. Why are you vex'd, Lady? why do you frown?

Here dwell no frowns nor anger; from these

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[Points to his crew.

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"SONG, by a Nymph.

"Preach not to me your musty rules,

Ye drones that mould in idle cell!
The heart is wiser than the schools,
The senses always reason well.
If short my span, I less can spare
To pass a single pleasure by;
An hour is long, if lost in care;
They only live, who life enjoy.

Comus. List, lady; be not coy, and be not cozen'd

With that same vaunted name, Virginity.
What need a vermeil-tinctur'd lip for that,
Love-darting eyes, or tresses like the morn?
There was another meaning in these gifts;
Think what, and be advis'd; you are but young

yet; This will inform you soon. One sip of this Will bathe the drooping spirits in delight, Beyond the bliss of dreams. Be wise, and taste. [The Brothers rush in with their swords drawn, wrest the glass out of his hand, and break it against the ground; He and his rout are all driven out.

Enter the Spirit.

Spi. What, have you let the false Enchanter 'scape?

O, ye mistook! you should have snatch'd his wand,

And bound him fast; without his rod revers'd,
We cannot free the lady, that sits here
In stony fetters fix'd, and motionless.

Yet stay, be not disturb'd; now I bethink me,
There is a gentle nymph not far from hence
Sabrina is her name, a virgin pure,

Comus. Why should you be so cruel to your-The clasping charm, and thaw the numbing That sways the Severn stream: she can unlock

self, And to those dainty limbs, which nature lent For gentle usage and soft delicacy; That have been tir'd all day without repast, And timely rest have wanted? But, fair virgin, This will restore all soon.

"Lady. "Twill not, false traitor! 'Twill not restore the truth and honesty That thou hast banish'd from thy tongue with lies.

Was this the cottage, and the safe abode Thou told'st me of? Hence with thy brew'd enchantments!

Were it a draught for Juno when she banquets, I would not taste thy treas'nous offer-None,

spell,

If she be right invok'd in warbled song.
"Haste, Lycidas, and try the tuneful strain
[To the Second Spirit

Which from her bed the fair Sabrina calls."
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 hair;"
Come for dear honour's sake,
Goddess of the silver lake,

Attend and save!

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