第2章
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  Eithersomeone,likeus,night—founderedhere,Orelsesomeneighbourwoodman,or,atworst,Somerovingrobbercallingtohisfellows。

  SEC。BRO。Heavenkeepmysister!Again,again,andnear!

  Bestdraw,andstanduponourguard。

  ELD。BRO。I’llhallo!

  Ifhebefriendly,hecomeswell:ifnot,Defenceisagoodcause,andHeavenbeforus!

  TheATTENDANTSPIRIT,habitedlikeashepherd。

  ThathalloIshouldknow。Whatareyou?speak。

  Comenottoonear;youfallonironstakeselse。

  SPIR。Whatvoiceisthat?myyoungLord?speakagain。

  SEC。BRO。Obrother,Ttismyfather’sShepherd,sure。

  ELD。BRO。Thyrsis!whoseartfulstrainshaveofdelayedThehuddlingbrooktohearhismadrigal,Andsweetenedeverymusk—roseofthedale。

  Howcamestthouhere,goodswain?HathanyramSlippedfromthefold,oryoungkidlosthisdam,Orstragglingwetherthepentflockforsook?

  Howcouldstthoufindthisdarksequesterednook?

  SPIR。Omylovedmaster’sheir,andhisnextjoy,IcamenothereonsuchatrivialtoyAsastrayedewe,ortopursuethestealthOfpilferingwolf;notallthefleecywealthThatdothenrichthesedownsisworthathoughtTothismyerrand,andthecareitbrought。

  But,oh!myvirginLady,whereisshe?

  Howchancesheisnotinyourcompany?

  ELD。BRO。Totelltheesadly,Shepherd,withoutblameOrourneglect,welostheraswecame。

  SPIR。Aymeunhappy!thenmyfearsaretrue。

  ELD。BRO。Whatfears,goodThyrsis?Pritheebrieflyshew。

  SPIR。I’lltellye。’Tisnotvainorfabulous(Thoughsoesteemedbyshallowigrlorance)

  Whatthesagepoets,taughtbytheheavenlyMuse,StoriedofoldinhighimmortalverseOfdireChimerasandenchantedisles,AndriftedrockswhoseentranceleadstoHell;

  Forsuchtherebe,butunbeliefisblind。

  Withinthenavelofthishideouswood,Immuredincypressshades,asorcererdwells,OfBacchusandofCirceborn,greatComus,Deepskilledinallhismother’switcheries,AndheretoeverythirstywandererByslyenticementgiveshisbanefulcup,Withmanymurmursmixed,whosepleasingpoisonThevisagequitetransformsofhimthatdrinks,AndtheingloriouslikenessofabeastFixesinstead,unmouldingreason’smintageCharacteredintheface。ThishaveIlearntTendingmyflockshardbyi’thehillycroftsThatbrowthisbottomglade;whencenightbynightHeandhismonstrousroutareheardtohowlLikestabledwolves,ortigersattheirprey,DoingabhorredritestoHecateIntheirobscuredhauntsofinmostbowers。

  YethavetheymanybaitsandguilefulspellsToinveigleandinvitetheunwarysenseOfthemthatpassunweetingbytheway。

  Thiseveninglate,bythenthechewingflocksHadta’entheirsupperonthesavouryherbOfknot—grassdew—besprent,andwereinfold,IsatmedowntowatchuponabankWithivycanopied,andinterwoveWithflauntinghoneysuckle,andbegan,Wraptinapleasingfitofmelancholy,Tomeditatemyruralminstrelsy,Tillfancyhadherfill。ButereacloseThewontedroarwasupamidstthewoods,Andfilledtheairwithbarbarousdissonance;

  AtwhichIceased,andlistenedthemawhile,TillanunusualstopofsuddensilenceGaverespitetothedrowsy—flightedsteedsThatdrawthelitterofclose—curtainedSleep。

  Atlastasoftandsolemn—breathingsoundRoselikeasteamofrichdistilledperfumes,Andstoleupontheair,thatevenSilenceWastookereshewasware,andwishedshemightDenyhernature,andbenevermore,Stilltobesodisplaced。Iwasallear,AndtookinstrainsthatmightcreateasoulUndertheribsofDeath。But,oh!erelongToowellIdidperceiveitwasthevoiceOfmymosthonouredLady,yourdearsister。

  AmazedIstood,harrowedwithgriefandfear;

  AndROpoorhaplessnightingale,\"thoughtI,Howsweetthousing’st,hownearthedeadlysnare!\"

  ThendownthelawnsIranwithheadlonghaste,Throughpathsandturningsoftentrodbyday,Till,guidedbymineear,IfoundtheplaceWherethatdamnedwizard,hidinslydisguise(ForsobycertainsignsIknew),hadmetAlready,eremybestspeedcouldprevent,Theaidlessinnocentlady,hiswishedprey;

  Whogentlyaskedifhehadseensuchtwo,Supposinghimsomeneighbourvillager。

  LongerIdurstnotstay,butsoonIguessedYewerethetwoshemeant;withthatIsprungIntoswiftflight,tillIhadfoundyouhere;

  ButfurtherknowInot。

  SEC。BRO。Onightandshades,HowareyejoinedwithhellintripleknotAgainsttheunarmedweaknessofonevirgin,Aloneandhelpless!IsthistheconfidenceYougaveme,brother?

  ELD。BRO。Yes,andkeepitstill;

  Leanonitsafely;notaperiodShallbeunsaidforme。AgainstthethreatsOfmaliceorofsorcery,orthatpowerWhicherringmencallChance,thisIholdfirm:

  Virtuemaybeassailed,butneverhurt,Surprisedbyunjustforce,butnotenthralled;

  Yea,eventhatwhichMischiefmeantmostharmShallinthehappytrialprovemostglory。

  Butevilonitselfshallbackrecoil,Andmixnomorewithgoodness,whenatlast,Gatheredlikescum,andsettledtoitself,ItshallbeineternalrestlesschangeSelf—fedandself—consumed。Ifthisfail,Thepillaredfirmamentisrottenness,Andearth’sbasebuiltonstubble。Butcome,let’son!

  AgainsttheopposingwillandarmofheavenMayneverthisjustswordbeliftedup;

  But,forthatdamnedmagician,lethimbegirtWithallthegrieslylegionsthattroopUnderthesootyflagofAcheron,HarpiesandHydras,orallthemonstrousforms’TwixtAfricaandInd,I’llfindhimout,Andforcehimtoreturnhispurchaseback,Ordraghimbythecurlstoafouldeath,Cursedashislife。

  SPIR。Alas!goodventurousyouth,Ilovethycourageyet,andboldemprise;

  Butherethyswordcandotheelittlestead。

  FarotherarmsandotherweaponsmustBethosethatquellthemightofhellishcharms。

  Hewithhisbarewandcanunthreadthyjoints,Andcrumbleallthysinews。

  ELD。BRO。Why,prithee,Shepherd,HowdurstthouthenthyselfapproachsonearAstomakethisrelation?

  SPIR。CareandutmostshiftsHowtosecuretheLadyfromsurprisalBroughttomymindacertainshepherdlad,Ofsmallregardtoseeto,yetwellskilledIneveryvirtuousplantandhealingherbThatspreadsherverdantleaftothemorningray。

  Helovedmewell,andoftwouldbegmesing;

  WhichwhenIdid,heonthetendergrassWouldsit,andhearkeneventoecstasy,Andinrequitalopehisleathernscrip,Andshowmesimplesofathousandnames,Tellingtheirstrangeandvigorousfaculties。

  Amongsttherestasmallunsightlyroot,Butofdivineeffect,heculledmeout。

  Theleafwasdarkish,andhadpricklesonit,Butinanothercountry,ashesaid,Boreabrightgoldenflower,butnotinthissoil:

  Unknown,andlikeesteemed,andthedullswainTreadsonitdailywithhiscloutedshoon;

  Andyetmoremed’cinalisitthanthatMolyThatHermesoncetowiseUlyssesgave。

  HecalleditHaemony,andgaveitme,Andbademekeepitasofsovranuse’Gainstallenchantments,mildewblast,ordamp,OrghastlyFuries’apparition。

  Ipurseditup,butlittlereckoningmade,Tillnowthatthisextremitycompelled。

  ButnowIfindittrue;forbythismeansIknewthefoulenchanter,thoughdisguised,Enteredtheverylime—twigsofhisspells,Andyetcameoff。Ifyouhavethisaboutyou(AsIwillgiveyouwhenwego),youmayBoldlyassaultthenecromancer’shall;

  Whereifhebe,withdauntlesshardihoodAndbrandishedbladerushonhim:breakhisglass,Andshedthelusciousliquorontheground;

  Butseizehiswand。ThoughheandhiscurstcrewFiercesignofbattlemake,andmenacehigh,Or,likethesonsofVulcan,vomitsmoke,Yetwilltheysoonretire,ifhebutshrink。

  ELD。BRO。Thyrsis,leadonapace;I’llfollowthee;

  Andsomegoodangelbearashieldbeforeus!

  TheScenechangestoastatelypalace,setoutwithallmannerofdeliciousness:softmusic,tablesspreadwithalldainties。Comusappearswithhisrabble,andtheLADYsetinanenchantedchair;

  towhomheoffershisglass;whichsheputsby,andgoesabouttorise。

  COMUS。Nay,Lady,sit。IfIbutwavethiswand,Yournervesareallchainedupinalabaster,Andyouastatue,orasDaphnewas,Root—bound,thatfledApollo。

  LADY。Fool,donotboast。

  ThoucanstnottouchthefreedomofmymindWithallthycharms,althoughthiscorporalrindThouhastimmanacledwhileHeavenseesgood。

  COMUS。Whyareyouvexed,Lady?whydoyoufrown?

  Heredwellnofrowns,noranger;fromthesegatesSorrowfliesfar。See,herebeallthepleasuresThatfancycanbegetonyouthfulthoughts,Whenthefreshbloodgrowslively,andreturnsBriskastheAprilbudsinprimroseseason。

  Andfirstbeholdthiscordialjulephere,Thatflamesanddancesinhiscrystalbounds,Withspiritsofbalmandfragrantsyrupsmixed。

  NotthatNepentheswhichthewifeofThoneInEgyptgavetoJove—bornHelenaIsofsuchpowertostirupjoyasthis,Tolifesofriendly,orsocooltothirst。

  Whyshouldyoubesocrueltoyourself,Andtothosedaintylimbs,whichNaturelentForgentleusageandsoftdelicacy?

  Butyouinvertthecovenantsofhertrust,Andharshlydeal,likeanillborrower,Withthatwhichyoureceivedonotherterms,ScorningtheunexemptconditionBywhichallmortalfrailtymustsubsist,Refreshmentaftertoil,easeafterpain,Thathavebeentiredalldaywithoutrepast,Andtimelyresthavewanted。But,fairvirgin,Thiswillrestoreallsoon。

  LADY。’Twillnot,falsetraitor!

  ’TwillnotrestorethetruthandhonestyThatthouhastbanishedfromthytonguewithlies。

  WasthisthecottageandthesafeabodeThoutold’stmeof?Whatgrimaspectsarethese,Theseoughly—headedmonsters?Mercyguardme!

  Hencewiththybrewedenchantments,fouldeceiver!

  HastthoubetrayedmycredulousinnocenceWithvizoredfalsehoodandbaseforgery?

  Andwould’stthouseekagaintotrapmehereWithliquorishbaits,fittoensnareabrute?

  WereitadraughtforJunowhenshebanquets,Iwouldnottastethytreasonousoffer。NoneButsuchasaregoodmencangivegoodthings;

  AndthatwhichisnotgoodisnotdeliciousToawell—governedandwiseappetite。

  COMUS。0foolishnessofmen!thatlendtheirearsTothosebudgedoctorsoftheStoicfur,AndfetchtheirpreceptsfromtheCynictub,PraisingtheleanandsallowAbstinence!

  WhereforedidNaturepourherbountiesforthWithsuchafullandunwithdrawinghand,Coveringtheearthwithodours,fruits,andflocks,Throngingtheseaswithspawninnumerable,Butalltopleaseandsatethecurioustaste?

  Andsettoworkmillionsofspinningworms,Thatintheirgreenshopsweavethesmooth—hairedsilk,Todeckhersons;and,thatnocornermightBevacantofherplenty,inherownloinsShehutchedtheall—worshippedoreandpreciousgems,Tostoreherchildrenwith。IfalltheworldShould,inapetoftemperance,feedonpulse,Drinktheclearstream,andnothingwearbutfrieze,TheAll—giverwouldbeunthanked,wouldbeunpraised,Nothalfhisrichesknownandyetdespised;

  Andweshouldservehimasagrudgingmaster,Asapenuriousniggardofhiswealth,AndlivelikeNature’sbastards,nothersons,Whowouldbequitesurchargedwithherownweight,Andstrangledwithherwastefertility:

  Theearthcumbered,andthewingedairdarkedwithplumes,Theherdswouldover—multitudetheirlords;

  Theseao’erfraughtwouldswell,andtheunsoughtdiamondsWouldsoemblazetheforeheadofthedeep,Andsobestudwithstars,thattheybelowWouldgrowinuredtolight,andcomeatlastTogazeuponthesunwithshamelessbrows。

  List,Lady;benotcoy,andbenotcozenedWiththatsamevauntedname,Virginity。

  BeautyisNature’scoin;mustnotbehoarded,Butmustbecurrent;andthegoodthereofConsistsinmutualandpartakenbliss,Unsavouryintheenjoymentofitself。

  Ifyouletsliptime,likeaneglectedroseItwithersonthestalkwithlanguishedhead。

  BeautyisNature’sbrag,andmustbeshownIncourts,atfeasts,andhighsolemnities,Wheremostmaywonderattheworkmanship。

  Itisforhomelyfeaturestokeephome;

  Theyhadtheirnamethence:coarsecomplexionsAndcheeksofsorrygrainwillservetoplyThesampler,andtoteasethehuswife’swool。

  Whatneedavermeil—tincturedlipforthat,Love—dartingeyes,ortresseslikethemorn?

  Therewasanothermeaninginthesegifts;

  Thinkwhat,andbeadvised;youarebutyoungyet。

  LADY。IhadnotthoughttohaveunlockedmylipsInthisunhallowedair,butthatthisjugglerWouldthinktocharmmyjudgment,asmineeyes,Obtrudingfalserulesprankedinreason’sgarb。

  IhatewhenvicecanboltherargumentsAndvirtuehasnotonguetocheckherpride。

  Impostor!donotchargemostinnocentNature,AsifshewouldherchildrenshouldberiotousWithherabundance。She,goodcateress,Meansherprovisiononlytothegood,Thatliveaccordingtohersoberlaws,AndholydictateofspareTemperance。

  IfeveryjustmanthatnowpineswithwantHadbutamoderateandbeseemingshareOfthatwhichlewdly—pamperedLuxuryNowheapsuponsomefewwithvastexcess,Nature’sfullblessingswouldbewelldispensedInunsuperfluousevenproportion,Andshenowhitencumberedwithherstore;

  AndthentheGiverwouldbebetterthanked,Hispraiseduepaid:forswinishgluttonyNe’erlookstoHeavenamidsthisgorgeousfeast,ButwithbesottedbaseingratitudeCrams,andblasphemeshisFeeder。ShallIgoonOrhaveIsaidenow?TohimthatdaresArmhisprofanetonguewithcontemptuouswordsAgainstthesun—cladpowerofchastityFainwouldIsomethingsay;——yettowhatend?

  Thouhastnorear,norsoul,toapprehendThesublimenotionandhighmysteryThatmustbeutteredtounfoldthesageAndseriousdoctrineofVirginity;

  AndthouartworthythatthoushouldstnotknowMorehappinessthanthisthypresentlot。

  Enjoyyourdearwit,andgayrhetoric,Thathathsowellbeentaughtherdazzlingfence;

  Thouartnotfittohearthyselfconvinced。

  Yet,shouldItry,theuncontrolledworthOfthispurecausewouldkindlemyraptspiritsTosuchaflameofsacredvehemenceThatdumbthingswouldbemovedtosympathise,AndthebruteEarthwouldlendhernerves,andshake,Tillallthymagicstructures,rearedsohigh,Wereshatteredintoheapso’erthyfalsehead。

  COMUS。Shefablesnot。IfeelthatIdofearHerwordssetoffbysomesuperiorpower;

  And,thoughnotmortal,yetacoldshudderingdewDipsmeallo’er,aswhenthewrathofJoveSpeaksthunderandthechainsofErebusTosomeofSaturn’screw。Imustdissemble,Andtryheryetmorestrongly。——Come,nomore!

  Thisismeremoralbabble,anddirectAgainstthecanonlawsofourfoundation。

  Imustnotsufferthis;yet’tisbuttheleesAndsettlingsofamelancholyblood。

  Butthiswillcureallstraight;onesipofthisWillbathethedroopingspiritsindelightBeyondtheblissofdreams。Bewise,andtaste。

  TheBROTHERSrushinwithswordsdrawn,wresthisglassoutofhishand,andbreakitagainsttheground:hisroutmakesignofresistance,butarealldrivenin。TheATTENDANTSPIRITcomesin。

  SPIR。What!haveyouletthefalseenchanterscape?

  Oyemistook;yeshouldhavesnatchedhiswand,Andboundhimfast。Withouthisrodreversed,Andbackwardmuttersofdisseveringpower,WecannotfreetheLadythatsitshereInstonyfettersfixedandmotionless。

  Yetstay:benotdisturbed;nowIbethinkme,SomeothermeansIhavewhichmaybeused,WhichonceofMeliboeusoldIlearnt,Thesoothestshepherdthate’erpipedonplains。

  ThereisagentleNymphnotfarfromhence,ThatwithmoistcurbswaysthesmoothSevernstream:

  Sabrinaishername:avirginpure;

  WhilomshewasthedaughterofLocrine,ThathadthesceptrefromhisfatherBrute。

  She,guiltlessdamsel,flyingthemadpursuitOfherenragedstepdame,Guendolen,CommendedherfairinnocencetothefloodThatstayedherflightwithhiscross—flowingcourse。

  Thewater—nymphs,thatinthebottomplayed,Helduptheirpearledwrists,andtookherin,BearingherstraighttoagedNereus’hall;

  Who,piteousofherwoes,rearedherlankhead,AndgavehertohisdaughterstoimbatheInnectaredlaversstrewedwithasphodil,AndthroughtheporchandinletofeachsenseDroptinambrosialoils,tillsherevived,Andunderwentaquickimmortalchange,MadeGoddessoftheriver。StillsheretainsHermaidengentleness,andoftateveVisitstheherdsalongthetwilightmeadows,Helpingallurchinblasts,andill—lucksignsThattheshrewdmeddlingelfdelightstomake,Whichshewithpreciousvialedliquorsheals:

  Forwhichtheshepherds,attheirfestivals,Carolhergoodnessloudinrusticlays,AndthrowsweetgarlandwreathsintoherstreamOfpansies,pinks,andgaudydaffodils。

  And,astheoldswainsaid,shecanunlockTheclaspingcharm,andthawthenumbingspell,Ifsheberightinvokedinwarbledsong;

  Formaidenhoodsheloves,andwillbeswiftToaidavirgin,suchaswasherself,Inhard—besettingneed。ThiswillItry,Andaddthepowerofsomeadjuringverse。

  SONG。

  Sabrinafair,ListenwherethouartsittingUndertheglassy,cool,translucentwave,IntwistedbraidsofliliesknittingTheloosetrainofthyamber—droppinghair;

  Listenfordearhonour’ssake,Goddessofthesilverlake,Listenandsave!

  Listen,andappeartous,InnameofgreatOceanus。

  Bytheearth—shakingNeptune’smace,AndTethys’gravemajesticpace;

  ByhoaryNereus’wrinkledlook,AndtheCarpathianwizard’shook;

  ByscalyTriton’swindingshell,AndoldsoothsayingGlaucus’spell;

  ByLeucothea’slovelyhands,Andhersonthatrulesthestrands;

  ByThetis’tinsel—slipperedfeet,AndthesongsofSirenssweet;

  BydeadParthenope’sdeartomb,AndfairLigea’sgoldencomb,WherewithshesitsondiamondrocksSleekinghersoftalluringlocks;

  ByalltheNymphsthatnightlydanceUponthystreamswithwilyglance;

  Rise,rise,andheavethyrosyheadFromthycoral—pavenbed,Andbridleinthyheadlongwave,Tillthouoursummonsansweredhave。

  Listenandsave!

  SABRINArises,attendedbywater—nymphs,andsings。

  Bytherushy—fringedbank,Wheregrowsthewillowandtheosierdank,Myslidingchariotstays,Thicksetwithagate,andtheazurnsheenOfturkisblue,andemeraldgreen,Thatinthechannelstrays;

  WhilstfromoffthewatersfleetThusIsetmyprintlessfeetO’erthecowslip’svelvethead,ThatbendsnotasItread。

  Gentleswain,atthyrequestIamhere!

  SPIR。Goddessdear,WeimplorethypowerfulhandToundothecharmedbandOftruevirginheredistressedThroughtheforceandthroughthewileOfunblessedenchantervile。

  SABR。Shepherd,’tismyofficebestTohelpensnaredchastity。

  BrightestLady,lookonme。

  ThusIsprinkleonthybreastDropsthatfrommyfountainpureIhavekeptofpreciouscure;

  Thriceuponthyfinger’stip,Thriceuponthyrubiedlip:

  Nextthismarblevenomedseat,Smearedwithgumsofglutinousheat,Itouchwithchastepalmsmoistandcold。

  Nowthespellhathlosthishold;

  AndImusthasteeremorninghourTowaitinAmphitrite’sbower。

  SABRINAdescends,andtheLADYrisesoutofherseat。

  SPIR。Virgin,daughterofLocrine,SprungofoldAnchises’line,MaythybrimmedwavesforthisTheirfulltributenevermissFromathousandpettyrills,Thattumbledownthesnowyhills:

  SummerdrouthorsingedairNeverscorchthytressesfair,NorwetOctober’storrentfloodThymoltencrystalfillwithmud;

  MaythybillowsrollashoreTheberylandthegoldenore;

  MaythyloftyheadbecrownedWithmanyatowerandterraceround,AndhereandtherethybanksUponWithgrovesofmyrrhandcinnamon。

  Come,Lady;whileHeavenlendsusgrace,Letusflythiscursedplace,LestthesorcererusenticeWithsomeothernewdevice。

  NotawasteorneedlesssoundTillwecometoholierground。

  IshallbeyourfaithfulguideThroughthisgloomycovertwide;

  AndnotmanyfurlongsthenceIsyourFather’sresidence,WherethisnightaremetinstateManyafriendtogratulateHiswishedpresence,andbesideAlltheswainsthatthereabideWithjigsandruraldanceresort。

  Weshallcatchthemattheirsport,AndoursuddencomingthereWilldoublealltheirmirthandcheer。

  Come,letushaste;thestarsgrowhigh,ButNightsitsmonarchyetinthemidsky。

  TheScenechanges,presentingLudlowTown,andthePresidentUsCastle:thencomeinCountryDancers;afterthemtheATTENDANT

  SPIRIT,withthetwoBROTHERSandtheLADY。

  SONG。

  SPIR。Back,shepherds,back!EnoughyourplayTillnextsun—shineholiday。

  Herebe,withoutduckornod,OthertrippingstobetrodOflightertoes,andsuchcourtguiseAsMercurydidfirstdeviseWiththemincingDryadesOnthelawnsandontheleas。

  ThesecondSongpresentsthemtotheirFatherandMother。

  NobleLordandLadybright,Ihavebroughtyenewdelight。

  HerebeholdsogoodlygrownThreefairbranchesofyourown。

  Heavenhathtimelytriedtheiryouth,Theirfaith,theirpatience,andtheirtruth,AndsentthemherethroughhardassaysWithacrownofdeathlesspraise,TotriumphinvictoriousdanceO’ersensualfollyandintemperance。

  Thedancesended,theSPIRITepiloguizes。

  SPIR。TotheoceannowIfly,AndthosehappyclimesthatlieWheredaynevershutshiseye,Upinthebroadfieldsofthesky。

  ThereIsucktheliquidair,AllamidstthegardensfairOfHesperus,andhisdaughtersthreeThatsingaboutthegoldentree。

  AlongthecrispedshadesandbowersRevelsthespruceandjocundSpring;

  TheGracesandtherosy—bosomedHoursThitheralltheirbountiesbring。

  ThereeternalSummerdwells;

  AndwestwindswithmuskywingAboutthecedarnalleysflingNardandcassia’sbalmysmells。

  IristherewithhumidbowWaterstheodorousbanks,thatblowFlowersofmoremingledhueThanherpurfledscarfcanshew,AnddrencheswithElysiandew(List,mortals,ifyourearsbetrue)

  Bedsofhyacinthandroses,WhereyoungAdonisoftreposes,Waxingwellofhisdeepwound,Inslumbersoft,andonthegroundSadlysitstheAssyrianqueen。

  Butfarabove,inspangledsheen,CelestialCupid,herfamedson,advancedHoldshisdearPsyche,sweetentrancedAfterherwanderinglabourslong,TillfreeconsentthegodsamongMakeherhiseternalbride,AndfromherfairunspottedsideTwoblissfultwinsaretobeborn,YouthandJoy;soJovehathsworn。

  Butnowmytaskissmoothlydone:

  Icanfly,orIcanrun,Quicklytothegreenearth’send,Wherethebowedwelkinslowdothbend,AndfromthencecansoarassoonTothecornersofthemoon。

  Mortals,thatwouldfollowme,Lovevirtue;shealoneisfree。

  ShecanteachyehowtoclimbHigherthanthespherychime;

  Or,ifVirtuefeeblewere,Heavenitselfwouldstooptoher。

  LYCIDAS

  InthisMonodytheauthorbewailsalearnedFriend,unfortunatelydrownedinhispassagefromChesterontheIrishSeas,1637;

  and,byoccasion,foretellstheruinofourcorruptedClergy,thenintheirheight。

  YEToncemore,Oyelaurels,andoncemore,Yemyrtlesbrown,withivyneversere,Icometopluckyourberriesharshandcrude,AndwithforcedfingersrudeShatteryourleavesbeforethemellowingyear。

  BitterconstraintandsadoccasiondearCompelsmetodisturbyourseasondue;

  ForLycidasisdead,deaderehisprime,YoungLycidas,andhathnotlefthispeer。

  WhowouldnotsingforLycidas?heknewHimselftosing,andbuildtheloftyrhyme。

  HemustnotfloatuponhiswaterybierUnwept,andweltertotheparchingwind,Withoutthemeedofsomemelodioustear。

  Begin,then,SistersofthesacredwellThatfrombeneaththeseatofJovedothspring;

  Begin,andsomewhatloudlysweepthestring。

  Hencewithdenialvainandcoyexcuse:

  SomaysomegentleMuseWithluckywordsfavourmydestinedurn,Andashepassesturn,Andbidfairpeacebetomysableshroud!

  Forwewerenursedupontheself—samehill,Fedthesameflock,byfountain,shade,andrill;

  Togetherboth,erethehighlawnsappearedUndertheopeningeyelidsoftheMorn,Wedrovea—field,andbothtogetherheardWhattimethegrey—flywindshersultryhorn,Batteningourflockswiththefreshdewsofnight,OfttillthestarthatroseateveningbrightTowardheaven’sdescenthadslopedhiswesteringwheel。

  Meanwhiletheruraldittieswerenotmute;

  Temperedtotheoatenflute,RoughSatyrsdanced,andFaunswithclovenheelFromthegladsoundwouldnotbeabsentlong;

  AndoldDamoetaslovedtohearoursong。

  But,oh!theheavychange,nowthouartgone,Nowthouartgoneandnevermustreturn!

  Thee,Shepherd,theethewoodsanddesertcaves,Withwildthymeandthegaddingvineo’ergrown,Andalltheirechoes,mourn。

  Thewillows,andthehazelcopsesgreen,ShallnownomorebeseenFanningtheirjoyousleavestothysoftlays。

  Askillingasthecankertotherose,Ortaint—wormtotheweanlingherdsthatgraze,Orfrosttoflowers,thattheirgaywardrobewear,Whenfirstthewhite—thornblows;

  Such,Lycidas,thylosstoshepherd’sear。

  Wherewereye,Nymphs,whentheremorselessdeepClosedo’ertheheadofyourlovedLycidas?

  ForneitherwereyeplayingonthesteepWhereyouroldbards,thefamousDruids,lie,NorontheshaggytopofMonahigh,NoryetwhereDevaspreadsherwizardstream。

  Ayme!IfondlydreamRHadyebeenthere,S……forwhatcouldthathavedone?

  WhatcouldtheMuseherselfthatOrpheusbore,TheMuseherself,forherenchantingson,Whomuniversalnaturedidlament,When,bytheroutthatmadethehideousroar,Hisgoryvisagedownthestreamwassent,DowntheswiftHebrustotheLesbianshore?

  Alas!whatbootsitwithuncessantcareTotendthehomely,slighted,shepherd’strade,AndstrictlymeditatethethanklessMuse?

  Wereitnotbetterdone,asothersuse,TosportwithAmaryllisintheshade,OrwiththetanglesofNeaera’shair?

  Fameisthespurthattheclearspiritdothraise(Thatlastinfirmityofnoblemind)

  Toscorndelightsandlivelaboriousdays;

  But,thefairguerdonwhenwehopetofind,Andthinktoburstoutintosuddenblaze,ComestheblindFurywiththeabhorredshears,Andslitsthethin—spunlife。RButnotthepraise,\"

  Phoebusreplied,andtouchedmytremblingears:

  RFameisnoplantthatgrowsonmortalsoil,NorintheglisteringfoilSetofftotheworld,norinbroadrumourlies,ButlivesandspreadsaloftbythosepureeyesAndperfectwitnessofall—judgingJove;

  Ashepronounceslastlyoneachdeed,Ofsomuchfameinheavenexpectthymeed。\"

  OfountainArethuse,andthouhonouredflood,Smooth—slidingMincius,crownedwithvocalreeds,ThatstrainIheardwasofahighermood。

  Butnowmyoatproceeds,AndlistenstotheHeraldoftheSea,ThatcameinNeptune’splea。

  Heaskedthewaves,andaskedthefelonwinds,Whathardmishaphathdoomedthisgentleswain?

  AndquestionedeverygustofruggedwingsThatblowsfromoffeachbeakedpromontory。

  Theyknewnotofhisstory;

  AndsageHippotadestheiranswerbrings,Thatnotablastwasfromhisdungeonstrayed:

  Theairwascalm,andonthelevelbrineSleekPanopewithallhersistersplayed。

  Itwasthatfatalandperfidiousbark,Builtintheeclipse,andriggedwithcursesdark,Thatsunksolowthatsacredheadofthine。

  Next,Camus,reverendsire,wentfootingslow,Hismantlehairy,andhisbonnetsedge,Inwroughtwithfiguresdim,andontheedgeLiketothatsanguineflowerinscribedwithwoe。

  Ah!whohathreft,\"quothhe,Rmydearestpledge?\"

  Lastcame,andlastdidgo,ThePilotoftheGalileanLake;

  Twomassykeysheboreofmetalstwain。

  (Thegoldenopes,theironshutsamain)。

  Heshookhismitredlocks,andsternbespake:——

  RHowwellcouldIhavesparedforthee,youngswain,Enowofsuchas,fortheirbellies’sake,Creep,andintrude,andclimbintothefold!

  OfothercaretheylittlereckoningmakeThanhowtoscrambleattheshearers’feast,Andshoveawaytheworthybiddenguest。

  Blindmouths!thatscarcethemselvesknowhowtoholdAsheep—hook,orhavelearntaughtelsetheleastThattothefaithfulherdman’sartbelongs!

  Whatrecksitthem?Whatneedthey?Theyaresped:

  And,whentheylist,theirleanandflashysongsGrateontheirscrannelpipesofwretchedstraw;

  Thehungrysheeplookup,andarenotfed,But,swolnwithwindandtherankmisttheydraw,Rotinwardly,andfoulcontagionspread;

  BesideswhatthegrimwolfwithprivypawDailydevoursapace,andnothingsaid。

  Butthattwo—handedengineatthedoorStandsreadytosmiteonce,andsmitenomore。\"

  Return,Alpheus;thedreadvoiceispastThatshrunkthystreams;returnSicilianMuse,Andcallthevales,andbidthemhithercastTheirbellsandfloweretsofathousandhues。

  Yevalleyslow,wherethemildwhispersuseOfshades,andwantonwinds,andgushingbrooks,Onwhosefreshlaptheswartstarsparelylooks,Throwhitherallyourquaintenamelledeyes,Thatonthegreenturfsuckthehoneyedshowers,Andpurpleallthegroundwithvernalflowers。

  Bringtheratheprimrosethatforsakendies,Thetuftedcrow—toe,andpalejessamine,Thewhitepink,andthepansyfreakedwithjet,Theglowingviolet,Themusk—rose,andthewell—attiredwoodbine,Withcowslipswanthathangthepensivehead,Andeveryflowerthatsadembroiderywears;

  Bidamaranthusallhisbeautyshed,Anddaffadilliesfilltheircupswithtears,TostrewthelaureatehearsewhereLycidlies。

  Forso,tointerposealittleease,Letourfrailthoughtsdallywithfalsesurmise,Ayme!whilsttheetheshoresandsoundingseasWashfaraway,where’erthybonesarehurled;

  WhetherbeyondthestormyHebrides,WherethouperhapsunderthewhelmingtideVisit’stthebottomofthemonstrousworld;

  Orwhetherthou,toourmoistvowsdenied,Sleep’stbythefableofBellerusold,WherethegreatVisionoftheguardedmountLookstowardNamancosandBayona’shold。

  Lookhomeward,Angel,now,andmeltwithruth:

  And,Oyedolphins,waftthehaplessyouth。

  Weepnomore,woefulshepherds,weepnomore,ForLycidas,yoursorrow,isnotdead,Sunkthoughhebebeneaththewateryfloor。

  Sosinkstheday—starintheoceanbed,Andyetanonrepairshisdroopinghead,Andtrickshisbeams,andwithnew—spangledoreFlamesintheforeheadofthemorningsky:

  SoLycidassunklow,butmountedhigh,ThroughthedearmightofHimthatwalkedthewaves,Where,othergrovesandotherstreamsalong,Withnectarpurehisoozylockshelaves,Andhearstheunexpressivenuptialsong,Intheblestkingdomsmeekofjoyandlove。

  ThereentertainhimalltheSaintsabove,Insolemntroops,andsweetsocieties,ThatSing,andsingingintheirglorymove,Andwipethetearsforeverfromhiseyes。

  Now,Lycidas,theshepherdsweepnomore;

  HenceforththouarttheGeniusoftheshore,Inthylargerecompense,andshaltbegoodToallthatwanderinthatperilousflood。

  Thussangtheuncouthswaintotheoaksandrills,Whilethestillmornwentoutwithsandalsgrey:

  Hetouchedthetenderstopsofvariousquills,WitheagerthoughtwarblinghisDoriclay:

  Andnowthesunhadstretchedoutallthehills,Andnowwasdroptintothewesternbay。

  Atlastherose,andtwitchedhismantleblue:

  Tomorrowtofreshwoods,andpasturesnew。

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