And the swink'd hedger at his supper sat; I saw them under a green mantling vine Of some gay creatures of the element, That in the colours of the rainbow live, 200 And play i' th' plighted clouds. I was awe-struck, LAD. Gentle Villager, 304 What readiest way would bring me to that place? COM. Due west it rises from this shrubby point. LAD. To find that out, good Shepherd, I supIn such a scant allowance of star-light, Would overtask the best land-pilot's art, [pose, Without the sure guess of well-practis'd feet. 310 sius's note on the force of this word. See too Arati Diosem. ver. 93. 207 human] The editions vary in pointing, either after 'human,' or after they stood.' 301 plighted] Folded. Milton's H. of England, b. ii. ' she wore a plighted garment of divers colours.' Todd. 304 plighted clouds] Euripidis Orest. 1647. εν ἀιθέρος πτυχᾶις. 4. Dyce. And if your stray-attendants be yet lodg'd ́ LAD. Shepherd, I take thy word, 315 320 With smoky rafters, than in tap'stry halls I cannot be, that I should fear to change it. 1 BR. Unmuffle, ye faint stars, and thou, fair moon, That wont'st to love the traveller's benizon, Stoop thy pale visage through an amber cloud, 331 Unmuffle] Benlowe's Theophila, st. xxii. p. 202.222. 'Unmuffle, ye dim clouds, and disinherit From black usurping mists.' Shirley's Young Admiral, act ii. sc. 2. not a star Muffled his brightness in a sullen cloud.' 331 See Gascoigne's Jocasta, p. 99. Lisle's Du Bartas, p. 106. Browne's Shepherd's Pipe, vol. iii. p. 41. 129. Thorney Abbey, p. 48, for the use of this word. And disinherit Chaos, that reigns here 335 With thy long-levell'd rule of streaming light; 30 2 BR. Or if our eyes 345 Be barr'd that happiness, might we but hear 334 disinherit] Nabbes's Microcosmus. Reed. ix. P. air had best Confine himself to his three regions, Or else I'll disinherit him.' 350 116. 340 rule] Eurip. Iкɛт. 650. 'Hλíov kavwv oapns. Hurd. 316 cock] Benlowes's Theophila, p. 199, Before the cock, light herald, day-break sings To his feathery dames.' What, if in wild amazement, and affright, 1 BR. Peace, Brother, be not over-exquisite I do not think my Sister so to seek, 360 And the sweet peace that goodness bosoms ever, Virtue could see to do what virtue would 370 By her own radiant light, though sun and moon Where with her best nurse Contemplation 361 For grant] This line obscures the thought, and loads the expression: it had been better out. Warburton. 376 seeks to] This expression, 'seeks to,' common in our transl. of the Bible. Isaiah xi. 10. Deut. xii. 5. 1 Kings 12. Warton. Todd. x. 24. Eccles. iv. 378 plumes] I believe the true reading to be 'prunes.' Warton. That in the various bustle of resort Were all-to ruffled, and sometimes impair'd. 380 2 BR. 'Tis most true, That musing meditation most affects Far from the cheerful haunt of men and herds, 385 For who would rob a hermit of his weeds, 390 His few books, or his beads, or maple dish, 395 But beauty, like the fair Hesperian tree And tell me it is safe, as bid me hope 400 380 all-to] So read as in editions 1637, 1645, 1673, not too ruffled;' 'all-to' is entirely.' See Tyrwhitt's Gloss. Chauc. v. To. Upton's Gloss. Spens. v. all.' Warton. 380 ruffled] Benlowes's Theophila, p. 222. Retreating to sweet shades our shattered thoughts we piece.' 389 senate] See Tooke's Div. of Purley, i. p. 90, ed. 4to. |