And a perpetual feast of nectar'd sweets, I BRO. Lift, lift, I hear 480 Some far off hallow break the filent air. 2 BRO. Methought so too; what should it be? I BRO. For certain Either fome one like us night-founder'd here, Or else fome neighbour wood-man, or, at worst, 485 2 BRO. Heav'n keep my Sifter! Again, again, and Best draw, and stand upon our guard. I BRO. I'll hallow; If he be friendly, he comes well; if not, [near; The attendent Spirit, habited like a fhepherd. That hallow I fhould know, what are you? speak ; 490 again. 2 BRO. O brother, 'tis my father's fhepherd, fure. 1 BRO. Thyrfis? whofe artful strains have oft de lay'd The huddling brook to hear his madrigal, And sweeten'd every muskrose of the dale. How cam'ft thou here, good Swain? hath any ram 495 How could'st thou find this dark fequefter'd nook? 500 SPI. O my lov'd master's heir, and his next joy, I came not here on fuch a trivial toy As a ftray'd ewe, or to pursue the stealth Of pilfering wolf; not all the fleecy wealth That doth enrich thefe downs, is worth a thought 505 How chance fhe is not in your company? I BRO. To tell thee fadly, Shepherd, without blame, Or our neglect, we loft her as we came. 510 SPI. Ay me unhappy! then my fears are true. I BRO. What fears, good Thyrfis? Pr'ythee briefly SPI. I'll tell you; 'tis not vain or fabulous, [fhew. (Though so esteem'd by fhallow ignorance) What the fage poets, taught by th' heav'nly Muse, 515 Story'd of old in high immortal verfe, Of dire chimera's and inchanted iles, And rifted rocks whofe entrance leads to Hell; For fuch there be, but unbelief is blind. Within the navel of this hideous wood, Immur'd in cypress shades, a forcerer dwells, 520 Of Bacchus and of Circe born, great Comus, By fly enticement gives his baneful cup, With many murmurs mix'd, whose pleasing poison 525 530 Tending Tending my flocks hard by i'th' hilly crofts, In their obfcured haunts of inmoft bowers. With flaunting honey-fuckle, and began, 535 540 545 Till fancy had her fill, but ere a close 550 555 Was took cre she was ware, and wish'd fhe might Deny her nature, and be never more, Still to be fo difplac'd. I was all ear, 560 And And took in ftrains that might create a foul 2 BRO. O night and shades, How are ye join'd with Hell in triple knot, I BRO. Yes, and keep it ftill, Lean on it fafely; not a period 565 570 575 580 585 Shall be unfaid for me: against the threats Which erring men call Chance, this I hold firm, Virtue may be affail'd, but never hurt, 590 Yea even that which mifchief meant most harm, Shall in the happy trial prove moft glory : But evil on itself shall back recoil, And mix no more with goodness, when at last, It shall be in eternal reftlefs change Self-fed, and felf-confumed: if this fail, The pillar'd firmament is rottenness, 595 And earth's bafe built on ftubble. But come let's on. Against th' oppofing will and arm of Heaven 600 May never this juft fword be lifted up; But for that damn'd magician, let him be girt Under the footy flag of Acheron, Harpies and Hydras, or all the monstrous forms SPI. Alas! good ventrous Youth, I love thy courage yet, and bold emprise; Be thofe that quell the might of hellish charms: I BRO. Why pr'ythee, Shepherd, 605 610 615 As |