His few books, or his beads, or maple dish, But beauty, like the fair Hefperian tree Laden with blooming gold, had need the guard I fear the dread events that dog them both, Left fome ill-greeting touch attempt the perfon I BRO. I do not, Brother, 1395 400 405 Infer, as if I thought my Sifter's state Yet where an equal poife of hope and fear 410 That I incline to hope, rather than fear, As you imagin; 'the' has a hidden strength 415 Which you remember not. 2 BRO. What hidden strength, Unless the strength of Heav'n, if you mean that? 1 BRO. I mean that too, but yet a hidden strength, Which if Heav'n gave it, may be term'd her own: 'Tis chastity, my Brother, chastity: She that has that, is clad in cómplete steel, And like a quiver'd nymph with arrows keen Yea there, where very defolation dwells, By grots, and caverns fhagg'd with horrid shades, Be it not done in pride, or in prefumption. 420 425 430 435 Hence had the huntress Dian her dread bow, That wife Minerva wore, unconquer'd virgin, Wherewith Wherewith she freez'd her foes to congeal'd stone, But rigid looks of chafte aufterity, 450 And noble grace that dash'd brute violence With fudden adoration, and blank awe ? 455 460 And turns it by degrees to the soul's effence, Till all be made immortal: but when luft, By unchafte looks, loose gestures, and foul talk, But moft by leud and lavish act of fin, 465 Lets in defilement to the inward parts, The foul grows clotted by contagion, Imbodies, and imbrutes, till fhe quite lofe The divine property of her first being. Such are thofe thick and gloomy fhadows damp. 47 2 BRO. How charming is divine philosophy ! Not harsh, and crabbed, as dull fools fuppofe, But mufical as is Apollo's lute, 475 And And a perpetual feast of nectar'd sweets, I BRO. Lift, lift, I hear Some far off hallow break the silent air. 2 BRO. Methought fo too; what should it be? I BRO. For certain Either fome one like us night-founder'd here, 480 Or elfe fome neighbour wood-man, or, at worst, 485 2 BRO. Heav'n keep my Sister! Again, again, and Beft draw, and stand upon our guard. 1 BRO. I'll hallow; If he be friendly, he comes well; if not, [near; The attendent Spirit, habited like a shepherd. 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'st thou here, good Swain? hath any ram Or ftraggling wether the pent flock forfook ? 495 How could'st thou find this dark sequester'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 stray'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 To this my errand, and the care it brought. But, O my virgin Lady, where is she ? How chance he 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. What the fage poets, taught by th' heav'nly Muse, 515 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, Of Bacchus and of Circe born, great Comus, By fly enticement gives his baneful cup, With many murmurs mix'd, whofe pleasing poison 520 525 530 Tending |