Where that damn'd wisard, hid in sly disguise,
(For so by certain signs I knew) had met
Already, ere my best speed could prevent,
The aidless innocent Lady his wish'd prey;
Who gently ask'd if he had seen such two,
Supposing him some neighbour villager.
Longer I durst not stay, but soon I guess'd
Ye were the two she meant; with that I sprung
Into swift flight, till I had found you here,
But further know I not.

2 BR. O night and shades,
How are ye join'd with Hell in triple knot,
Against th' unarm'd weakness of one virgin,
Alone and helpless! Is this the confidence
You gave me, Brother?

575

580

1 BR. Yes, and keep it still, Lean on it safely; not a period

585

Shall be unsaid for me: against the threats

Of malice or of sorcery, or that power

Which erring men call Chance, this I hold firm,

Virtue may be assail'd, but never hurt,'

Surpris'd by unjust force, but not inthrall'd; Yea even that which mischief meant most harm, Shall in the happy trial prove most glory:

590

But evil on itself shall back recoil,
And mix no more with goodness, when at last
Gather'd like scum, and settled to itself,

595

It shall be in eternal restless change
Self-fed, and self-consumed: if this fail,
The pillar'd firmament is rottenness,

And earth's base built on stubble. But come,

let's on.

Against the opposing will and arm of heaven
May never this just sword be lifted up;
But for that damn'd magician, let him be girt
With all the grisly legions that troop

Under the sooty flag of Acheron,

Harpies and Hydras, or all the monstrous forms
'Twixt Africa and Ind, I'll find him out,
And force him to return his purchase back,
Or drag him by the curls to a foul death,
Curs'd as his life.

600

SPIR. Alas! good vent'rous Youth,
I love thy courage yet, and bold emprise;
But here thy sword can do thee little stead;

610

Far other arms and other weapons must

Be those that quell the might of hellish charms: He with his bare wand can unthread thy joints, And crumble all thy sinews.

1 BR. Why prithee, Shepherd, How durst thou then thyself approach so near, As to make this relation?

SPIR. Care and utmost shifts

615

How to secure the Lady from surprisal,
Brought to my mind a certain shepherd lad,
Of small regard to see to, yet well skill'd
In every virtuous plant and healing herb,
That spreads her verdant leaf to th' morning ray:
He lov'd me well, and oft would beg me sing,
Which when I did, he on the tender grass
Would sit, and hearken e'en to ecstasy,
And in requital ope his leathern scrip,
And show me simples of a thousand names,
Telling their strange and vigorous faculties:
Amongst the rest a small unsightly root,
But of divine effect, he cull'd me out;
The leaf was darkish, and had prickles on it,
But in another country, as he said,

625

630

635

Bore a bright golden flow'r, but not in this soil:
Unknown, and like esteem'd, and the dull swain
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 call'd it hæmony, and gave it me,
And bad me keep it as of sovereign use
'Gainst all inchantments, mildew, blast, or damp,
Or ghastly furies' apparition.

I purs'd it up, but little reck'ning made,

645

550

Till now that this extremity compell'd:
But now I find it true; for by this means
I knew the foul inchanter though disguis'd,
Enter'd 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;
Where if he be, with dauntless hardihood,
And brandish'd blade rush on him, break his glass,
And shed the luscious liquor on the ground,
But seize his wand; though he and his curs'd crew
Fierce sign of battle make, and menace high,
Or like the sons of Vulcan vomit smoke,
Yet will they soon retire, if he but shrink.
1 BR. Thyrsis, lead on apace, I'll follow thee,
And some good Angel bear a shield before us.

655

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.

Сом. Nay, Lady, sit; if I but wave this wand, Your nerves are all chain'd up in alabaster, 660 And you a statue, or as Daphne was

Root-bound, that fled Apollo.

LAD. Fool, do not boast,

Thou canst not touch the freedom of my mind With all thy charms, although this corporal rind Thou hast immanacled, while heav'n sees good. Сом. Why are you vext, Lady? why do you frown?

Here dwell no frowns, nor anger; from these gates

671

Sorrow flies far: See, here be all the pleasures
That fancy can beget on youthful thoughts,
When the fresh blood grows lively, and returns
Brisk as the April buds in primrose-season.
And first behold this cordial julep here,
That flames, and dances in his crystal bounds,
With spirits of balm, and fragrant syrups mix'd.
Not that Nepenthes, which the wife of Thone 675
In Egypt gave to Jove-born Helena,
Is of such pow'r to stir up joy as this,
To life so friendly, or so cool to thirst.
Why should you be so cruel to yourself,