Y.Bro. "Short is the course of ev'ry lawless pleasure; "Grief like a shade on all its footsteps waits, "Scarce visible in joy's meridian height, "But downward as its blaze declining speeds "The dwarfish shadow to a giant spreads." F. Wom. No more; these formal maxims misbecome you; They only suit suspicious shrivell'd Age. SONG. By a Man and two Women. Live and love, enjoy the fair, From the fruits of sweet delight 300 E. Bro. How can your impious tongues profane the name Of sacred Virtue, and yet promise pleasure From virtue sever'd pleasure phrenzy grows, 310 F. Wom. "Perhaps it may; perhaps the sweetest joys "Of love itself from passion's folly spring; "But say, does wisdom greater bliss bestow? "In sensual folly blindly seeking both, 320 "Taints the sweet bloom of Nature's fairest forms: "But love, like od'rous Zephyr's grateful breath, "Repays the flow'r that sweetness which it borrows; "Uninjuring, uninjur'd, lovers move 330 "In their own sphere of happiness content “By mutual truth avoiding mutual blame.” But we forget: who hears the voice of Truth In noisy riot and intemp'rance drown'd? Thyrsis, be then our guide; we'll follow thee, And some good angel bear a shield before us! [Exeunt Brothers and Spirit. F. Wom. Come, come, my friends, and partners of my joys, Leave to these pedant youth their bookish dreams; "Poor blinded boys, by their blind guides misled ! "A beardless Cynick is the shame of nature," Beyond the cure of this inspiring cup; "And my contempt, at best my pity, moves." Away, nor waste a moment more about 'em 340 CHORUS. Away, away, away, To Comus' court repair; There night outshines the day, There yields the melting fair.[Exeunt singing. E. Bro. "She's gone! may scorn pursue her wanton arts, "And all the painted charms that vice can wear. "Yet oft' o'er credulous youth such Sirens triumph, "And lead their captive sense in chains as strong "As links of adamant. Let us be free, "And to secure our freedom, virtuous. 350 rage Y. Bro. "But should our helpless sister meet the "Of this insulting troop, what could she do? "What hope, what comfort, what support, were left? Spi. "She meets not them; but yet, if right I guess, "A harder trial on her virtue waits. E. Bro. "Protect her Heav'n! But whence this sad conjecture? 360 Spi. "This ev'ning late, by then the chewing flocks "Had ta'en their supper on the sav'ry herb "Of knot-grass dew-besprent, and were in fold, "I sat me down to watch upon a bank "With ivy canopy'd, and intervove "With flaunting honeysuckle, and began, "Wrapp'd in a pleasing fit of melancholy, "To meditate my rural minstrelsy, "Till fancy had her fill; but ere a close, The first Act en is here as now performed. "The wonted roar was up amidst the woods, "And fill'd the air with barbarous dissonance, "At which I ceas'd, and listen'd them a while. Y. Bro. "What follow'd then? O! if our helpless sister Spi. "Strait an unusual stop of sudden silence 370 "Gave respite to the drowsy-flighted steeds "That draw the litter of close-curtain'd Sleep. "At last a soft and solemn breathing sound "Rose like a steam of rich distill'd perfumes, "And stole upon the air, that ev'n Silence "Was took ere she was 'ware, and wish'd she might "Deny her nature, and be never more, "Still to be so displac'd. I was all ear, 380 Y.Bro. "O my foreboding heart! too true my fears. Spi. "Amaz'd I stood, harrow'd with griefand fear, "And O! poor hapless nightingale, thought I, "How sweet thou sing'st, how near the deadly snare! Then down the lawns I ran with headlong haste, Thro paths and turnings often trod by day, Till guided by my ear I found the place "Where the damn'd wizard, hid in sly disguise, 390 (For so by certain signs I knew) had met "Already, ere my best speed to prevent, "The aidless innocent lady, his wish'd prey, "Who gently ask`d if he had seen such two, "Supposing him some neighbour villager. "Longer I durst not stay, but soon I guess'd Y. Bro. O night and shades! "How are ye join'd with hell in triple knot Against the unarm'd weakness of one virgin, "Alone and helpless! Is this the confidence "You gave me, brother? E. Bro. "Yes, and keep it still, "Lean on it safely; not a period "Shall be unsaid for me. Against the threats "Of malice or of sorcery, or that pow'r 400 "Which erring men call Chance, this I hold firm, "Virtue may be assail'd but never hurt, "Yea, even that which mischief meant most harm "And mix no more with goodness; when at last 410 "Andearth's base built on stubble. But come, let's on; "Against th' opposing will and arm of Heav'n 421 |