Eithersomeone,likeus,night—founderedhere,Orelsesomeneighbourwoodman,or,atworst,Somerovingrobbercallingtohisfellows。
SEC。BRO。Heavenkeepmysister!Again,again,andnear!
Bestdraw,andstanduponourguard。
ELD。BRO。I’llhallo!
Ifhebefriendly,hecomeswell:ifnot,Defenceisagoodcause,andHeavenbeforus!
TheATTENDANTSPIRIT,habitedlikeashepherd。
ThathalloIshouldknow。Whatareyou?speak。
Comenottoonear;youfallonironstakeselse。
SPIR。Whatvoiceisthat?myyoungLord?speakagain。
SEC。BRO。Obrother,Ttismyfather’sShepherd,sure。
ELD。BRO。Thyrsis!whoseartfulstrainshaveofdelayedThehuddlingbrooktohearhismadrigal,Andsweetenedeverymusk—roseofthedale。
Howcamestthouhere,goodswain?HathanyramSlippedfromthefold,oryoungkidlosthisdam,Orstragglingwetherthepentflockforsook?
Howcouldstthoufindthisdarksequesterednook?
SPIR。Omylovedmaster’sheir,andhisnextjoy,IcamenothereonsuchatrivialtoyAsastrayedewe,ortopursuethestealthOfpilferingwolf;notallthefleecywealthThatdothenrichthesedownsisworthathoughtTothismyerrand,andthecareitbrought。
But,oh!myvirginLady,whereisshe?
Howchancesheisnotinyourcompany?
ELD。BRO。Totelltheesadly,Shepherd,withoutblameOrourneglect,welostheraswecame。
SPIR。Aymeunhappy!thenmyfearsaretrue。
ELD。BRO。Whatfears,goodThyrsis?Pritheebrieflyshew。
SPIR。I’lltellye。’Tisnotvainorfabulous(Thoughsoesteemedbyshallowigrlorance)
Whatthesagepoets,taughtbytheheavenlyMuse,StoriedofoldinhighimmortalverseOfdireChimerasandenchantedisles,AndriftedrockswhoseentranceleadstoHell;
Forsuchtherebe,butunbeliefisblind。
Withinthenavelofthishideouswood,Immuredincypressshades,asorcererdwells,OfBacchusandofCirceborn,greatComus,Deepskilledinallhismother’switcheries,AndheretoeverythirstywandererByslyenticementgiveshisbanefulcup,Withmanymurmursmixed,whosepleasingpoisonThevisagequitetransformsofhimthatdrinks,AndtheingloriouslikenessofabeastFixesinstead,unmouldingreason’smintageCharacteredintheface。ThishaveIlearntTendingmyflockshardbyi’thehillycroftsThatbrowthisbottomglade;whencenightbynightHeandhismonstrousroutareheardtohowlLikestabledwolves,ortigersattheirprey,DoingabhorredritestoHecateIntheirobscuredhauntsofinmostbowers。
YethavetheymanybaitsandguilefulspellsToinveigleandinvitetheunwarysenseOfthemthatpassunweetingbytheway。
Thiseveninglate,bythenthechewingflocksHadta’entheirsupperonthesavouryherbOfknot—grassdew—besprent,andwereinfold,IsatmedowntowatchuponabankWithivycanopied,andinterwoveWithflauntinghoneysuckle,andbegan,Wraptinapleasingfitofmelancholy,Tomeditatemyruralminstrelsy,Tillfancyhadherfill。ButereacloseThewontedroarwasupamidstthewoods,Andfilledtheairwithbarbarousdissonance;
AtwhichIceased,andlistenedthemawhile,TillanunusualstopofsuddensilenceGaverespitetothedrowsy—flightedsteedsThatdrawthelitterofclose—curtainedSleep。
Atlastasoftandsolemn—breathingsoundRoselikeasteamofrichdistilledperfumes,Andstoleupontheair,thatevenSilenceWastookereshewasware,andwishedshemightDenyhernature,andbenevermore,Stilltobesodisplaced。Iwasallear,AndtookinstrainsthatmightcreateasoulUndertheribsofDeath。But,oh!erelongToowellIdidperceiveitwasthevoiceOfmymosthonouredLady,yourdearsister。
AmazedIstood,harrowedwithgriefandfear;
AndROpoorhaplessnightingale,"thoughtI,Howsweetthousing’st,hownearthedeadlysnare!"
ThendownthelawnsIranwithheadlonghaste,Throughpathsandturningsoftentrodbyday,Till,guidedbymineear,IfoundtheplaceWherethatdamnedwizard,hidinslydisguise(ForsobycertainsignsIknew),hadmetAlready,eremybestspeedcouldprevent,Theaidlessinnocentlady,hiswishedprey;
Whogentlyaskedifhehadseensuchtwo,Supposinghimsomeneighbourvillager。
LongerIdurstnotstay,butsoonIguessedYewerethetwoshemeant;withthatIsprungIntoswiftflight,tillIhadfoundyouhere;
ButfurtherknowInot。
SEC。BRO。Onightandshades,HowareyejoinedwithhellintripleknotAgainsttheunarmedweaknessofonevirgin,Aloneandhelpless!IsthistheconfidenceYougaveme,brother?
ELD。BRO。Yes,andkeepitstill;
Leanonitsafely;notaperiodShallbeunsaidforme。AgainstthethreatsOfmaliceorofsorcery,orthatpowerWhicherringmencallChance,thisIholdfirm:
Virtuemaybeassailed,butneverhurt,Surprisedbyunjustforce,butnotenthralled;
Yea,eventhatwhichMischiefmeantmostharmShallinthehappytrialprovemostglory。
Butevilonitselfshallbackrecoil,Andmixnomorewithgoodness,whenatlast,Gatheredlikescum,andsettledtoitself,ItshallbeineternalrestlesschangeSelf—fedandself—consumed。Ifthisfail,Thepillaredfirmamentisrottenness,Andearth’sbasebuiltonstubble。Butcome,let’son!
AgainsttheopposingwillandarmofheavenMayneverthisjustswordbeliftedup;
But,forthatdamnedmagician,lethimbegirtWithallthegrieslylegionsthattroopUnderthesootyflagofAcheron,HarpiesandHydras,orallthemonstrousforms’TwixtAfricaandInd,I’llfindhimout,Andforcehimtoreturnhispurchaseback,Ordraghimbythecurlstoafouldeath,Cursedashislife。
SPIR。Alas!goodventurousyouth,Ilovethycourageyet,andboldemprise;
Butherethyswordcandotheelittlestead。
FarotherarmsandotherweaponsmustBethosethatquellthemightofhellishcharms。
Hewithhisbarewandcanunthreadthyjoints,Andcrumbleallthysinews。
ELD。BRO。Why,prithee,Shepherd,HowdurstthouthenthyselfapproachsonearAstomakethisrelation?
SPIR。CareandutmostshiftsHowtosecuretheLadyfromsurprisalBroughttomymindacertainshepherdlad,Ofsmallregardtoseeto,yetwellskilledIneveryvirtuousplantandhealingherbThatspreadsherverdantleaftothemorningray。
Helovedmewell,andoftwouldbegmesing;
WhichwhenIdid,heonthetendergrassWouldsit,andhearkeneventoecstasy,Andinrequitalopehisleathernscrip,Andshowmesimplesofathousandnames,Tellingtheirstrangeandvigorousfaculties。
Amongsttherestasmallunsightlyroot,Butofdivineeffect,heculledmeout。
Theleafwasdarkish,andhadpricklesonit,Butinanothercountry,ashesaid,Boreabrightgoldenflower,butnotinthissoil:
Unknown,andlikeesteemed,andthedullswainTreadsonitdailywithhiscloutedshoon;
Andyetmoremed’cinalisitthanthatMolyThatHermesoncetowiseUlyssesgave。
HecalleditHaemony,andgaveitme,Andbademekeepitasofsovranuse’Gainstallenchantments,mildewblast,ordamp,OrghastlyFuries’apparition。
Ipurseditup,butlittlereckoningmade,Tillnowthatthisextremitycompelled。
ButnowIfindittrue;forbythismeansIknewthefoulenchanter,thoughdisguised,Enteredtheverylime—twigsofhisspells,Andyetcameoff。Ifyouhavethisaboutyou(AsIwillgiveyouwhenwego),youmayBoldlyassaultthenecromancer’shall;
Whereifhebe,withdauntlesshardihoodAndbrandishedbladerushonhim:breakhisglass,Andshedthelusciousliquorontheground;
Butseizehiswand。ThoughheandhiscurstcrewFiercesignofbattlemake,andmenacehigh,Or,likethesonsofVulcan,vomitsmoke,Yetwilltheysoonretire,ifhebutshrink。
ELD。BRO。Thyrsis,leadonapace;I’llfollowthee;
Andsomegoodangelbearashieldbeforeus!
TheScenechangestoastatelypalace,setoutwithallmannerofdeliciousness:softmusic,tablesspreadwithalldainties。Comusappearswithhisrabble,andtheLADYsetinanenchantedchair;
towhomheoffershisglass;whichsheputsby,andgoesabouttorise。
COMUS。Nay,Lady,sit。IfIbutwavethiswand,Yournervesareallchainedupinalabaster,Andyouastatue,orasDaphnewas,Root—bound,thatfledApollo。
LADY。Fool,donotboast。
ThoucanstnottouchthefreedomofmymindWithallthycharms,althoughthiscorporalrindThouhastimmanacledwhileHeavenseesgood。
COMUS。Whyareyouvexed,Lady?whydoyoufrown?
Heredwellnofrowns,noranger;fromthesegatesSorrowfliesfar。See,herebeallthepleasuresThatfancycanbegetonyouthfulthoughts,Whenthefreshbloodgrowslively,andreturnsBriskastheAprilbudsinprimroseseason。
Andfirstbeholdthiscordialjulephere,Thatflamesanddancesinhiscrystalbounds,Withspiritsofbalmandfragrantsyrupsmixed。
NotthatNepentheswhichthewifeofThoneInEgyptgavetoJove—bornHelenaIsofsuchpowertostirupjoyasthis,Tolifesofriendly,orsocooltothirst。
Whyshouldyoubesocrueltoyourself,Andtothosedaintylimbs,whichNaturelentForgentleusageandsoftdelicacy?
Butyouinvertthecovenantsofhertrust,Andharshlydeal,likeanillborrower,Withthatwhichyoureceivedonotherterms,ScorningtheunexemptconditionBywhichallmortalfrailtymustsubsist,Refreshmentaftertoil,easeafterpain,Thathavebeentiredalldaywithoutrepast,Andtimelyresthavewanted。But,fairvirgin,Thiswillrestoreallsoon。
LADY。’Twillnot,falsetraitor!
’TwillnotrestorethetruthandhonestyThatthouhastbanishedfromthytonguewithlies。
WasthisthecottageandthesafeabodeThoutold’stmeof?Whatgrimaspectsarethese,Theseoughly—headedmonsters?Mercyguardme!
Hencewiththybrewedenchantments,fouldeceiver!
HastthoubetrayedmycredulousinnocenceWithvizoredfalsehoodandbaseforgery?
Andwould’stthouseekagaintotrapmehereWithliquorishbaits,fittoensnareabrute?
WereitadraughtforJunowhenshebanquets,Iwouldnottastethytreasonousoffer。NoneButsuchasaregoodmencangivegoodthings;
AndthatwhichisnotgoodisnotdeliciousToawell—governedandwiseappetite。
COMUS。0foolishnessofmen!thatlendtheirearsTothosebudgedoctorsoftheStoicfur,AndfetchtheirpreceptsfromtheCynictub,PraisingtheleanandsallowAbstinence!
WhereforedidNaturepourherbountiesforthWithsuchafullandunwithdrawinghand,Coveringtheearthwithodours,fruits,andflocks,Throngingtheseaswithspawninnumerable,Butalltopleaseandsatethecurioustaste?
Andsettoworkmillionsofspinningworms,Thatintheirgreenshopsweavethesmooth—hairedsilk,Todeckhersons;and,thatnocornermightBevacantofherplenty,inherownloinsShehutchedtheall—worshippedoreandpreciousgems,Tostoreherchildrenwith。IfalltheworldShould,inapetoftemperance,feedonpulse,Drinktheclearstream,andnothingwearbutfrieze,TheAll—giverwouldbeunthanked,wouldbeunpraised,Nothalfhisrichesknownandyetdespised;
Andweshouldservehimasagrudgingmaster,Asapenuriousniggardofhiswealth,AndlivelikeNature’sbastards,nothersons,Whowouldbequitesurchargedwithherownweight,Andstrangledwithherwastefertility:
Theearthcumbered,andthewingedairdarkedwithplumes,Theherdswouldover—multitudetheirlords;
Theseao’erfraughtwouldswell,andtheunsoughtdiamondsWouldsoemblazetheforeheadofthedeep,Andsobestudwithstars,thattheybelowWouldgrowinuredtolight,andcomeatlastTogazeuponthesunwithshamelessbrows。
List,Lady;benotcoy,andbenotcozenedWiththatsamevauntedname,Virginity。
BeautyisNature’scoin;mustnotbehoarded,Butmustbecurrent;andthegoodthereofConsistsinmutualandpartakenbliss,Unsavouryintheenjoymentofitself。
Ifyouletsliptime,likeaneglectedroseItwithersonthestalkwithlanguishedhead。
BeautyisNature’sbrag,andmustbeshownIncourts,atfeasts,andhighsolemnities,Wheremostmaywonderattheworkmanship。
Itisforhomelyfeaturestokeephome;
Theyhadtheirnamethence:coarsecomplexionsAndcheeksofsorrygrainwillservetoplyThesampler,andtoteasethehuswife’swool。
Whatneedavermeil—tincturedlipforthat,Love—dartingeyes,ortresseslikethemorn?
Therewasanothermeaninginthesegifts;
Thinkwhat,andbeadvised;youarebutyoungyet。
LADY。IhadnotthoughttohaveunlockedmylipsInthisunhallowedair,butthatthisjugglerWouldthinktocharmmyjudgment,asmineeyes,Obtrudingfalserulesprankedinreason’sgarb。
IhatewhenvicecanboltherargumentsAndvirtuehasnotonguetocheckherpride。
Impostor!donotchargemostinnocentNature,AsifshewouldherchildrenshouldberiotousWithherabundance。She,goodcateress,Meansherprovisiononlytothegood,Thatliveaccordingtohersoberlaws,AndholydictateofspareTemperance。
IfeveryjustmanthatnowpineswithwantHadbutamoderateandbeseemingshareOfthatwhichlewdly—pamperedLuxuryNowheapsuponsomefewwithvastexcess,Nature’sfullblessingswouldbewelldispensedInunsuperfluousevenproportion,Andshenowhitencumberedwithherstore;
AndthentheGiverwouldbebetterthanked,Hispraiseduepaid:forswinishgluttonyNe’erlookstoHeavenamidsthisgorgeousfeast,ButwithbesottedbaseingratitudeCrams,andblasphemeshisFeeder。ShallIgoonOrhaveIsaidenow?TohimthatdaresArmhisprofanetonguewithcontemptuouswordsAgainstthesun—cladpowerofchastityFainwouldIsomethingsay;——yettowhatend?
Thouhastnorear,norsoul,toapprehendThesublimenotionandhighmysteryThatmustbeutteredtounfoldthesageAndseriousdoctrineofVirginity;
AndthouartworthythatthoushouldstnotknowMorehappinessthanthisthypresentlot。
Enjoyyourdearwit,andgayrhetoric,Thathathsowellbeentaughtherdazzlingfence;
Thouartnotfittohearthyselfconvinced。
Yet,shouldItry,theuncontrolledworthOfthispurecausewouldkindlemyraptspiritsTosuchaflameofsacredvehemenceThatdumbthingswouldbemovedtosympathise,AndthebruteEarthwouldlendhernerves,andshake,Tillallthymagicstructures,rearedsohigh,Wereshatteredintoheapso’erthyfalsehead。
COMUS。Shefablesnot。IfeelthatIdofearHerwordssetoffbysomesuperiorpower;
And,thoughnotmortal,yetacoldshudderingdewDipsmeallo’er,aswhenthewrathofJoveSpeaksthunderandthechainsofErebusTosomeofSaturn’screw。Imustdissemble,Andtryheryetmorestrongly。——Come,nomore!
Thisismeremoralbabble,anddirectAgainstthecanonlawsofourfoundation。
Imustnotsufferthis;yet’tisbuttheleesAndsettlingsofamelancholyblood。
Butthiswillcureallstraight;onesipofthisWillbathethedroopingspiritsindelightBeyondtheblissofdreams。Bewise,andtaste。
TheBROTHERSrushinwithswordsdrawn,wresthisglassoutofhishand,andbreakitagainsttheground:hisroutmakesignofresistance,butarealldrivenin。TheATTENDANTSPIRITcomesin。
SPIR。What!haveyouletthefalseenchanterscape?
Oyemistook;yeshouldhavesnatchedhiswand,Andboundhimfast。Withouthisrodreversed,Andbackwardmuttersofdisseveringpower,WecannotfreetheLadythatsitshereInstonyfettersfixedandmotionless。
Yetstay:benotdisturbed;nowIbethinkme,SomeothermeansIhavewhichmaybeused,WhichonceofMeliboeusoldIlearnt,Thesoothestshepherdthate’erpipedonplains。
ThereisagentleNymphnotfarfromhence,ThatwithmoistcurbswaysthesmoothSevernstream:
Sabrinaishername:avirginpure;
WhilomshewasthedaughterofLocrine,ThathadthesceptrefromhisfatherBrute。
She,guiltlessdamsel,flyingthemadpursuitOfherenragedstepdame,Guendolen,CommendedherfairinnocencetothefloodThatstayedherflightwithhiscross—flowingcourse。
Thewater—nymphs,thatinthebottomplayed,Helduptheirpearledwrists,andtookherin,BearingherstraighttoagedNereus’hall;
Who,piteousofherwoes,rearedherlankhead,AndgavehertohisdaughterstoimbatheInnectaredlaversstrewedwithasphodil,AndthroughtheporchandinletofeachsenseDroptinambrosialoils,tillsherevived,Andunderwentaquickimmortalchange,MadeGoddessoftheriver。StillsheretainsHermaidengentleness,andoftateveVisitstheherdsalongthetwilightmeadows,Helpingallurchinblasts,andill—lucksignsThattheshrewdmeddlingelfdelightstomake,Whichshewithpreciousvialedliquorsheals:
Forwhichtheshepherds,attheirfestivals,Carolhergoodnessloudinrusticlays,AndthrowsweetgarlandwreathsintoherstreamOfpansies,pinks,andgaudydaffodils。
And,astheoldswainsaid,shecanunlockTheclaspingcharm,andthawthenumbingspell,Ifsheberightinvokedinwarbledsong;
Formaidenhoodsheloves,andwillbeswiftToaidavirgin,suchaswasherself,Inhard—besettingneed。ThiswillItry,Andaddthepowerofsomeadjuringverse。
SONG。
Sabrinafair,ListenwherethouartsittingUndertheglassy,cool,translucentwave,IntwistedbraidsofliliesknittingTheloosetrainofthyamber—droppinghair;
Listenfordearhonour’ssake,Goddessofthesilverlake,Listenandsave!
Listen,andappeartous,InnameofgreatOceanus。
Bytheearth—shakingNeptune’smace,AndTethys’gravemajesticpace;
ByhoaryNereus’wrinkledlook,AndtheCarpathianwizard’shook;
ByscalyTriton’swindingshell,AndoldsoothsayingGlaucus’spell;
ByLeucothea’slovelyhands,Andhersonthatrulesthestrands;
ByThetis’tinsel—slipperedfeet,AndthesongsofSirenssweet;
BydeadParthenope’sdeartomb,AndfairLigea’sgoldencomb,WherewithshesitsondiamondrocksSleekinghersoftalluringlocks;
ByalltheNymphsthatnightlydanceUponthystreamswithwilyglance;
Rise,rise,andheavethyrosyheadFromthycoral—pavenbed,Andbridleinthyheadlongwave,Tillthouoursummonsansweredhave。
Listenandsave!
SABRINArises,attendedbywater—nymphs,andsings。
Bytherushy—fringedbank,Wheregrowsthewillowandtheosierdank,Myslidingchariotstays,Thicksetwithagate,andtheazurnsheenOfturkisblue,andemeraldgreen,Thatinthechannelstrays;
WhilstfromoffthewatersfleetThusIsetmyprintlessfeetO’erthecowslip’svelvethead,ThatbendsnotasItread。
Gentleswain,atthyrequestIamhere!
SPIR。Goddessdear,WeimplorethypowerfulhandToundothecharmedbandOftruevirginheredistressedThroughtheforceandthroughthewileOfunblessedenchantervile。
SABR。Shepherd,’tismyofficebestTohelpensnaredchastity。
BrightestLady,lookonme。
ThusIsprinkleonthybreastDropsthatfrommyfountainpureIhavekeptofpreciouscure;
Thriceuponthyfinger’stip,Thriceuponthyrubiedlip:
Nextthismarblevenomedseat,Smearedwithgumsofglutinousheat,Itouchwithchastepalmsmoistandcold。
Nowthespellhathlosthishold;
AndImusthasteeremorninghourTowaitinAmphitrite’sbower。
SABRINAdescends,andtheLADYrisesoutofherseat。
SPIR。Virgin,daughterofLocrine,SprungofoldAnchises’line,MaythybrimmedwavesforthisTheirfulltributenevermissFromathousandpettyrills,Thattumbledownthesnowyhills:
SummerdrouthorsingedairNeverscorchthytressesfair,NorwetOctober’storrentfloodThymoltencrystalfillwithmud;
MaythybillowsrollashoreTheberylandthegoldenore;
MaythyloftyheadbecrownedWithmanyatowerandterraceround,AndhereandtherethybanksUponWithgrovesofmyrrhandcinnamon。
Come,Lady;whileHeavenlendsusgrace,Letusflythiscursedplace,LestthesorcererusenticeWithsomeothernewdevice。
NotawasteorneedlesssoundTillwecometoholierground。
IshallbeyourfaithfulguideThroughthisgloomycovertwide;
AndnotmanyfurlongsthenceIsyourFather’sresidence,WherethisnightaremetinstateManyafriendtogratulateHiswishedpresence,andbesideAlltheswainsthatthereabideWithjigsandruraldanceresort。
Weshallcatchthemattheirsport,AndoursuddencomingthereWilldoublealltheirmirthandcheer。
Come,letushaste;thestarsgrowhigh,ButNightsitsmonarchyetinthemidsky。
TheScenechanges,presentingLudlowTown,andthePresidentUsCastle:thencomeinCountryDancers;afterthemtheATTENDANT
SPIRIT,withthetwoBROTHERSandtheLADY。
SONG。
SPIR。Back,shepherds,back!EnoughyourplayTillnextsun—shineholiday。
Herebe,withoutduckornod,OthertrippingstobetrodOflightertoes,andsuchcourtguiseAsMercurydidfirstdeviseWiththemincingDryadesOnthelawnsandontheleas。
ThesecondSongpresentsthemtotheirFatherandMother。
NobleLordandLadybright,Ihavebroughtyenewdelight。
HerebeholdsogoodlygrownThreefairbranchesofyourown。
Heavenhathtimelytriedtheiryouth,Theirfaith,theirpatience,andtheirtruth,AndsentthemherethroughhardassaysWithacrownofdeathlesspraise,TotriumphinvictoriousdanceO’ersensualfollyandintemperance。
Thedancesended,theSPIRITepiloguizes。
SPIR。TotheoceannowIfly,AndthosehappyclimesthatlieWheredaynevershutshiseye,Upinthebroadfieldsofthesky。
ThereIsucktheliquidair,AllamidstthegardensfairOfHesperus,andhisdaughtersthreeThatsingaboutthegoldentree。
AlongthecrispedshadesandbowersRevelsthespruceandjocundSpring;
TheGracesandtherosy—bosomedHoursThitheralltheirbountiesbring。
ThereeternalSummerdwells;
AndwestwindswithmuskywingAboutthecedarnalleysflingNardandcassia’sbalmysmells。
IristherewithhumidbowWaterstheodorousbanks,thatblowFlowersofmoremingledhueThanherpurfledscarfcanshew,AnddrencheswithElysiandew(List,mortals,ifyourearsbetrue)
Bedsofhyacinthandroses,WhereyoungAdonisoftreposes,Waxingwellofhisdeepwound,Inslumbersoft,andonthegroundSadlysitstheAssyrianqueen。
Butfarabove,inspangledsheen,CelestialCupid,herfamedson,advancedHoldshisdearPsyche,sweetentrancedAfterherwanderinglabourslong,TillfreeconsentthegodsamongMakeherhiseternalbride,AndfromherfairunspottedsideTwoblissfultwinsaretobeborn,YouthandJoy;soJovehathsworn。
Butnowmytaskissmoothlydone:
Icanfly,orIcanrun,Quicklytothegreenearth’send,Wherethebowedwelkinslowdothbend,AndfromthencecansoarassoonTothecornersofthemoon。
Mortals,thatwouldfollowme,Lovevirtue;shealoneisfree。
ShecanteachyehowtoclimbHigherthanthespherychime;
Or,ifVirtuefeeblewere,Heavenitselfwouldstooptoher。
LYCIDAS
InthisMonodytheauthorbewailsalearnedFriend,unfortunatelydrownedinhispassagefromChesterontheIrishSeas,1637;
and,byoccasion,foretellstheruinofourcorruptedClergy,thenintheirheight。
YEToncemore,Oyelaurels,andoncemore,Yemyrtlesbrown,withivyneversere,Icometopluckyourberriesharshandcrude,AndwithforcedfingersrudeShatteryourleavesbeforethemellowingyear。
BitterconstraintandsadoccasiondearCompelsmetodisturbyourseasondue;
ForLycidasisdead,deaderehisprime,YoungLycidas,andhathnotlefthispeer。
WhowouldnotsingforLycidas?heknewHimselftosing,andbuildtheloftyrhyme。
HemustnotfloatuponhiswaterybierUnwept,andweltertotheparchingwind,Withoutthemeedofsomemelodioustear。
Begin,then,SistersofthesacredwellThatfrombeneaththeseatofJovedothspring;
Begin,andsomewhatloudlysweepthestring。
Hencewithdenialvainandcoyexcuse:
SomaysomegentleMuseWithluckywordsfavourmydestinedurn,Andashepassesturn,Andbidfairpeacebetomysableshroud!
Forwewerenursedupontheself—samehill,Fedthesameflock,byfountain,shade,andrill;
Togetherboth,erethehighlawnsappearedUndertheopeningeyelidsoftheMorn,Wedrovea—field,andbothtogetherheardWhattimethegrey—flywindshersultryhorn,Batteningourflockswiththefreshdewsofnight,OfttillthestarthatroseateveningbrightTowardheaven’sdescenthadslopedhiswesteringwheel。
Meanwhiletheruraldittieswerenotmute;
Temperedtotheoatenflute,RoughSatyrsdanced,andFaunswithclovenheelFromthegladsoundwouldnotbeabsentlong;
AndoldDamoetaslovedtohearoursong。
But,oh!theheavychange,nowthouartgone,Nowthouartgoneandnevermustreturn!
Thee,Shepherd,theethewoodsanddesertcaves,Withwildthymeandthegaddingvineo’ergrown,Andalltheirechoes,mourn。
Thewillows,andthehazelcopsesgreen,ShallnownomorebeseenFanningtheirjoyousleavestothysoftlays。
Askillingasthecankertotherose,Ortaint—wormtotheweanlingherdsthatgraze,Orfrosttoflowers,thattheirgaywardrobewear,Whenfirstthewhite—thornblows;
Such,Lycidas,thylosstoshepherd’sear。
Wherewereye,Nymphs,whentheremorselessdeepClosedo’ertheheadofyourlovedLycidas?
ForneitherwereyeplayingonthesteepWhereyouroldbards,thefamousDruids,lie,NorontheshaggytopofMonahigh,NoryetwhereDevaspreadsherwizardstream。
Ayme!IfondlydreamRHadyebeenthere,S……forwhatcouldthathavedone?
WhatcouldtheMuseherselfthatOrpheusbore,TheMuseherself,forherenchantingson,Whomuniversalnaturedidlament,When,bytheroutthatmadethehideousroar,Hisgoryvisagedownthestreamwassent,DowntheswiftHebrustotheLesbianshore?
Alas!whatbootsitwithuncessantcareTotendthehomely,slighted,shepherd’strade,AndstrictlymeditatethethanklessMuse?
Wereitnotbetterdone,asothersuse,TosportwithAmaryllisintheshade,OrwiththetanglesofNeaera’shair?
Fameisthespurthattheclearspiritdothraise(Thatlastinfirmityofnoblemind)
Toscorndelightsandlivelaboriousdays;
But,thefairguerdonwhenwehopetofind,Andthinktoburstoutintosuddenblaze,ComestheblindFurywiththeabhorredshears,Andslitsthethin—spunlife。RButnotthepraise,"
Phoebusreplied,andtouchedmytremblingears:
RFameisnoplantthatgrowsonmortalsoil,NorintheglisteringfoilSetofftotheworld,norinbroadrumourlies,ButlivesandspreadsaloftbythosepureeyesAndperfectwitnessofall—judgingJove;
Ashepronounceslastlyoneachdeed,Ofsomuchfameinheavenexpectthymeed。"
OfountainArethuse,andthouhonouredflood,Smooth—slidingMincius,crownedwithvocalreeds,ThatstrainIheardwasofahighermood。
Butnowmyoatproceeds,AndlistenstotheHeraldoftheSea,ThatcameinNeptune’splea。
Heaskedthewaves,andaskedthefelonwinds,Whathardmishaphathdoomedthisgentleswain?
AndquestionedeverygustofruggedwingsThatblowsfromoffeachbeakedpromontory。
Theyknewnotofhisstory;
AndsageHippotadestheiranswerbrings,Thatnotablastwasfromhisdungeonstrayed:
Theairwascalm,andonthelevelbrineSleekPanopewithallhersistersplayed。
Itwasthatfatalandperfidiousbark,Builtintheeclipse,andriggedwithcursesdark,Thatsunksolowthatsacredheadofthine。
Next,Camus,reverendsire,wentfootingslow,Hismantlehairy,andhisbonnetsedge,Inwroughtwithfiguresdim,andontheedgeLiketothatsanguineflowerinscribedwithwoe。
Ah!whohathreft,"quothhe,Rmydearestpledge?"
Lastcame,andlastdidgo,ThePilotoftheGalileanLake;
Twomassykeysheboreofmetalstwain。
(Thegoldenopes,theironshutsamain)。
Heshookhismitredlocks,andsternbespake:——
RHowwellcouldIhavesparedforthee,youngswain,Enowofsuchas,fortheirbellies’sake,Creep,andintrude,andclimbintothefold!
OfothercaretheylittlereckoningmakeThanhowtoscrambleattheshearers’feast,Andshoveawaytheworthybiddenguest。
Blindmouths!thatscarcethemselvesknowhowtoholdAsheep—hook,orhavelearntaughtelsetheleastThattothefaithfulherdman’sartbelongs!
Whatrecksitthem?Whatneedthey?Theyaresped:
And,whentheylist,theirleanandflashysongsGrateontheirscrannelpipesofwretchedstraw;
Thehungrysheeplookup,andarenotfed,But,swolnwithwindandtherankmisttheydraw,Rotinwardly,andfoulcontagionspread;
BesideswhatthegrimwolfwithprivypawDailydevoursapace,andnothingsaid。
Butthattwo—handedengineatthedoorStandsreadytosmiteonce,andsmitenomore。"
Return,Alpheus;thedreadvoiceispastThatshrunkthystreams;returnSicilianMuse,Andcallthevales,andbidthemhithercastTheirbellsandfloweretsofathousandhues。
Yevalleyslow,wherethemildwhispersuseOfshades,andwantonwinds,andgushingbrooks,Onwhosefreshlaptheswartstarsparelylooks,Throwhitherallyourquaintenamelledeyes,Thatonthegreenturfsuckthehoneyedshowers,Andpurpleallthegroundwithvernalflowers。
Bringtheratheprimrosethatforsakendies,Thetuftedcrow—toe,andpalejessamine,Thewhitepink,andthepansyfreakedwithjet,Theglowingviolet,Themusk—rose,andthewell—attiredwoodbine,Withcowslipswanthathangthepensivehead,Andeveryflowerthatsadembroiderywears;
Bidamaranthusallhisbeautyshed,Anddaffadilliesfilltheircupswithtears,TostrewthelaureatehearsewhereLycidlies。
Forso,tointerposealittleease,Letourfrailthoughtsdallywithfalsesurmise,Ayme!whilsttheetheshoresandsoundingseasWashfaraway,where’erthybonesarehurled;
WhetherbeyondthestormyHebrides,WherethouperhapsunderthewhelmingtideVisit’stthebottomofthemonstrousworld;
Orwhetherthou,toourmoistvowsdenied,Sleep’stbythefableofBellerusold,WherethegreatVisionoftheguardedmountLookstowardNamancosandBayona’shold。
Lookhomeward,Angel,now,andmeltwithruth:
And,Oyedolphins,waftthehaplessyouth。
Weepnomore,woefulshepherds,weepnomore,ForLycidas,yoursorrow,isnotdead,Sunkthoughhebebeneaththewateryfloor。
Sosinkstheday—starintheoceanbed,Andyetanonrepairshisdroopinghead,Andtrickshisbeams,andwithnew—spangledoreFlamesintheforeheadofthemorningsky:
SoLycidassunklow,butmountedhigh,ThroughthedearmightofHimthatwalkedthewaves,Where,othergrovesandotherstreamsalong,Withnectarpurehisoozylockshelaves,Andhearstheunexpressivenuptialsong,Intheblestkingdomsmeekofjoyandlove。
ThereentertainhimalltheSaintsabove,Insolemntroops,andsweetsocieties,ThatSing,andsingingintheirglorymove,Andwipethetearsforeverfromhiseyes。
Now,Lycidas,theshepherdsweepnomore;
HenceforththouarttheGeniusoftheshore,Inthylargerecompense,andshaltbegoodToallthatwanderinthatperilousflood。
Thussangtheuncouthswaintotheoaksandrills,Whilethestillmornwentoutwithsandalsgrey:
Hetouchedthetenderstopsofvariousquills,WitheagerthoughtwarblinghisDoriclay:
Andnowthesunhadstretchedoutallthehills,Andnowwasdroptintothewesternbay。
Atlastherose,andtwitchedhismantleblue:
Tomorrowtofreshwoods,andpasturesnew。