ARCADES. Part of an Entertainment presented to the Countess Dowager of Derby, at Harefield, by some noble persons of her family; who appear on the scene in pastoral habit, moving toward the seat of state, with this song. SONG I. Look, Nymphs and Shepherds, look, Is that which we from hence descry, This, this is she To whom our vows and wishes bend; Fame, that her high worth to raise, e may justly now accuse Of detraction from her praise; 5 This] Jonson's Ent. at Altrope, 1603. 'This is shee, This is shee, In whose world of grace,' &c. Warton. 5 20 Mark what radiant state she spreads, Sitting like a Goddess bright, Might she the wise Latona be, Mother of a hundred Gods? Who had thought this clime had held 15 20 25 As they come forward, the GENIUS of the wood appears, and turning toward them, speaks. GEN. Stay, gentle Swains, for though in this disguise, I see bright honour sparkle through your eyes; 30 Fair silver-buskin'd Nymphs, as great and good, 23 give] Too lightly expressed for the occasion. Hurd. 30 Alpheus] Virg. Æn. iii. 694. 6 Alpheum, fama est, huc Elidis amnem Occultas egisse vias subter mare, qui nunc Ore, Arethusa, tuo,' &c. Newton. I know this quest of yours, and free intent 35 40 45 To the great mistress of yon princely shrine, 46 curl] Jonson's Mask at Welbeck, 1633, ver. 15. So brush] Tempest, act i. sc. 4. 'As wicked dew as e'er my mother brush'd.' and P. L. v. ver. 429. Warton. 62 cross] Shakesp. Jul. Cæs. act i. sc. 3. And when the cross blue lightning seem'd to open Warton. 50 And early, ere the odorous breath of morn That sit upon the nine infolded spheres, And keep unsteady Nature to her law, And the low world in measur'd motion draw After the heavenly tune, which none can hear 65 70 75 73 gross] Compare Shakesp. Merchant of Venice, act v. sc. 1. 'There's not the smallest orb which thou behold'st, But in his motion like an angel sings, Still quiring to the young-eyed cherubims: Such harmony is in immortal sounds! But whilst this muddy vesture of decay Shakesp. Mid. N. D. act iii. sc. 1. And I will purge thy mortal grossness so, &c. Whose lustre leads us, and for her most fit, Whate'er the skill of lesser Gods can show, 80 SONG II. O'ER the smooth enamell'd green, And touch the warbled string, Under the shady roof Of branching elm star-proof. Follow me, I will bring you where she sits, Clad in splendour as befits Her deity. Such a rural Queen All Arcadia hath not seen. 85 90 95 SONG III. NYMPHS and Shepherds dance no more 89 star] Sun-proof arbours.' Sylvester's Du Bartas, 171, and G. Peele's David and Bethsabe, 1599. 'This shade, sun-proof, is yet no proof for thee.' Warton and Todd. |