And bound him fast. Without his rod reversed, And backward mutters of dissevering power, In stony fetters fixed and motionless. Yet stay be not disturbed; now I bethink me, The soothest shepherd that e'er piped on plains. That with moist curb sways the smooth Severn stream: Whilom she was the daughter of Locrine, That stayed her flight with his cross-flowing course. 820. 830 840 And throw sweet garland wreaths into her stream 850 Of pansies, pinks, and gaudy daffodils. And, as the old swain said, she can unlock The clasping charm, and thaw the numbing spell, For maidenhood she loves, and will be swift In hard-besetting need. This will I try, Sabrina fair, Song. Listen where thou art sitting Under the glassy, cool, translucent wave, The loose train of thy amber-dropping hair; Goddess of the silver lake, Listen and save! Listen, and appear to us, In name of great Oceanus, By the earth-shaking Neptune's mace, 860 870 880 And bridle in thy headlong wave, Till thou our summons answered have. Listen and save! SABRINA rises, attended by Water-nymphs, and sings. By the rushy-fringèd bank, Where grows the willow and the osier dank, Thick set with agate, and the azure sheen That in the channel strays: Whilst from off the waters fleet That bends not as I tread. Gentle swain, at thy request, We implore thy powerful hand Of true virgin here distressed Through the force and through the wile Sabr. Shepherd, 'tis my office best Brightest lady, look on me. Thus I sprinkle on thy breast Drops that from my fountain pure Thrice upon thy rubied lip: Next this marble venomed seat, Smeared with gums of glutinous heat, I touch with chaste palms moist and cold. Now the spell hath lost his hold; And I must haste ere morning hour To wait in Amphitrite's bower. 890 900 910 920 SABRINA descends, and the LADY rises out of her seat. Spir. Virgin, daughter of Locrine. Sprung of old Anchises' line, May thy brimmed waves for this Their full tribute never miss From a thousand petty rills, 930 May thy lofty head be crowned Come, lady; while Heaven lends us grace, Let us fly this cursed place, 940 Lest the sorcerer us entice Where this night are met in state Will double all their mirth and cheer. 950 The Scene changes, presenting Ludlow Town, and the President's Castle: then come in Country Dancers; after them the ATTENDANT SPIRIT, with the Two BROTHERS and the LADY. Song. Spir. Back, shepherds, back! Enough your play Till next sunshine holiday. Here be, without duck or nod, Other trippings to be trod Of lighter toes, and such court guise As Mercury did first devise With the mincing Dryades On the lawns and on the leas. This second Song presents them to their Father and Mother. Noble lord and lady bright, I have brought ye new delight. 960 Heaven hath timely tried their youth, 970 Their faith, their patience, and their truth, And sent them here through hard assays The dances ended, the SPIRIT epiloguises. Spir. To the ocean now I fly, All amidst the gardens fair Revels the spruce and jocund Spring; The Graces and the rosy-bosomed Hours |