These thoughts may startle well, but not astound That He, the Supreme Good, t'whom all things ill Was I deceiv'd, or did a sable cloud SONG. Sweet Echo, sweetest nymph, that liv'st unseen, Within thy airy shell, By slow Meander's margent green, And in the violet embroider'd vale, Where the love-lorn nightingale Nightly to thee her sad song mourneth well; That likest thy Narcissus are? O, if thou have Hid them in some flow'ry cave, Tell me but where, Sweet queen of parly, daughter of the sphere! So may'st thou be translated to the skies, And give resounding grace to all heaven's harmonies. Enter COMUS. Com. Can any mortal mixture of earth's mould Breathe such divine enchanting ravishment? Sure something holy lodges in that breast, How sweetly did they float upon the wings Culling their potent herbs and baleful drugs, And chid her barking waves into attention, I never heard till now. I'll speak to her, Dwell'st here with Pan, or Sylvan, by blest song To touch the prosperous growth of this tall wood. Lad. Nay, gentle shepherd, ill is lost that praise, That is address'd to unattending ears! Not any boast of skill, but extreme shift How to regain my sever'd company, Compell'd me to awake the courteous Echo To give me answer from her mossy couch. Com. What chance, good lady, hath bereft you thus? Lad. Dim darkness, and this leafy labyrinth. Com. Could that divide you from near ushering guides? Lad. They left me weary on a grassy turf. Com. By falsehood, or discourtesy, or why? Lad. To seek i' th' valley some cool friendly spring. Com. And left your fair side all unguarded, lady? Lad. They were but twain, and promis'd quick return. Com. Perhaps forestalling night prevented them. Lad. How easy my misfortune is to hit! Com. Imports their loss, beside the present need? Lad. No less than if I should my brothers lose. Com. Were they of manly prime, or youthful bloom? Lad. As smooth as Hebe's their unrazor'd lips. Com. Two such I saw, what time the labour'd ox In his loose traces from the furrow came, And the swink'd hedger at his supper sat; I saw them under a green mantling vine, That crawls along the side of yon small hill, Plucking ripe clusters from the tender shoots; Their port was more than human, as they stood: I took it for a fairy vision Of some gay creatures of the element, That in the colours of the rainbow live, And play i' th' plighted clouds. I was awe-struck, Lad. Gentle villager, What readiest way would bring me to that place? But loyal cottage, where you may be safe : Lad. Shepherd, I take thy word, I cannot be, that I should bear to change it. |