SONG, by a Bacchant. By dimpled brook, and fountain brim, Comus. Hail, goddess of nocturnal sport— Wherein thou rid'st with Hecate; and befriend Till the nice morn on th' Indian steep DUET, by a Man and Woman. From tyrant laws and customs free, By turns we drink, and dance and sing, Why should niggard rules controul 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; trees; Our number may affright; some virgin sure, Manet COMUS. [Exeunt. (For so I can distinguish by my art,) [Lady sings behind. My best guide now; methought it was the sound In the blind mazes of this tangled wood? Lady. My brothers, when they saw me wea- Stepp'd, as they said, to the next thicket side, But where they are, and why they come not Is now the labour of my thoughts; 'tis likeliest Such noise as I could make to be heard farthest Comus. (Aside.) "Sure something holy lodges 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 And she shall be my queen.-Hail, foreign won der, 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; 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 I can conduct you, lady, to a low 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. If he be friendly, he comes well; if not, 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. 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 Enter COMUS's crew revelling; the Elder Brother advances and speaks. E. Bro. What are you? speak! that thus in And midnight revelry, like drunken Bacchanals, All alone-and in her arms 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. E. Bro. How can your impious tongues profane the name Of sacred Virtue, and yet promise pleasure 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. 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, Quips and cranks, and wanton wiles, And in thy right hand lead with thee, SONG. Haste thee nymph, and bring with thee 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; Lady. How long must I, by magic fetters chain'd To this detested seat, hear odious strains 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! On every hill, in every grove, 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, They have charms, whilst mine can please; 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, "Hither Summer, Autumn, Spring, [The Lady attempts to rise. 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 [Points to his crew. "SONG, by a Nymph. "Preach not to me your musty rules, Ye drones that mould in idle cell! Comus. List, lady; be not coy, and be not cozen'd With that same vaunted name, Virginity. 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, Yet stay, be not disturb'd; now I bethink me, 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. Which from her bed the fair Sabrina calls." "Listen where thou art sitting Attend and save! |