And downward fell into a groveling swine) This Nymph that gaz'd upon his clustering locks, Whom therefore fhe brought up, and Comus nam'd, Who, ripe, and frolic of his full grown age, 55 To quench the drouth of Phoebus, which as they taste, (For most do taste through fond intemperate thirst) Soon as the potion works, their human count'nance, Th' express resemblance of the Gods, is chang'd Into fome brutish form of wolf, or bear, Or ounce, or tiger, hog, or bearded goat, 70 All other parts remaining as they were; Not once perceive their foul disfigurement, But boast themselves more comely than before, I shoot from Heav'n, to give him safe convoy, 75 80 Thefe These my sky robes spun out of Iris' woof, And take the weeds and likeness of a swain, Who with his foft-pipe, and fmooth dittied song, Likelieft, and nearest to the present aid Of this occafion. But I hear the tread Of hateful steps. I must be viewless now. Comus enters with a charming-rod in one hand, his glafs in the other; with him a rout of monsters, headed like fundry forts of wild beasts, but otherwife like men and women, their apparel glistering; they come in making a riotous and unruly noise, with torches in their hands. .COM. The ftar that bids the shepherd fold, Now the top of Heav'n doth hold, And the gilded car of day His glowing axle doth allay Pacing toward the other goal Of his chamber in the caft. Braid your locks with rofy twine, 95 300 105 Dropping odors, dropping wine. Lead in fwift round the months and years. Trip the pert faeries and the dapper elves. 115 120 Venus now wakes, and wakens love. Come let us our rites begin, 325 'Tis only day-light that makes fin, Which thefe dun fhades will ne'er report. Dark-veil'd Cotytto, t' whom the secret flame Stay thy cloudy ebon chair, Wherein thou rid'ft with Hecat', and befriend 130 135 of Of all thy dues be done, and none left out, The nice morn on th' Indian fteep From her cabin'd loophole peep, And to the tell-tale fun defcry Our conceal'd folemnity. Come, knit hands, and beat the ground The MEASURE. Break off, break off, I feel the different pace 140 145 Run to your shrouds, within these brakes and trees; Benighted in these woods. Now to my charms, 150 Of power to cheat the eye with blear illufion 155 And give it falfe prefentments, left the place Which must not be, for that's against my course; 160 And well-plac'd words of glozing courtesy Baited with reasons not unplausible, Wind me into the easy-hearted man, And hug him into fnares. When once her eye Hath Hath met the virtue of this magic dust, I shall appear fome harmless villager, Whom thrift keeps up about his country gear. And hearken, if I may, her business here. The LADY enters. This way the noife was, if mine ear be true, Such as the jocond flute, or gamesome pipe, 165 170 When for their teeming flocks, and granges full, 175 Of fuch late waffailers; yet O where else 180 185 To bring me berries, or such cooling fruit As the kind hofpitable woods provide. They left me then, when the gray-hooded Even, Rofe from the hindmoft wheels of Phoebus' wain, 190 They |