120 That own`d the virtuous ring and glass, 125 135 Where the rude ax with heaved ftroke Was never heard the Nymphs to daunt, Or fright them from their hallow'd haunt, There in close covert by some brook, Where no profaner eye may lock, 140 Hide me from day's garish eye, While the bee with honied thie, That at her flow'ry work doth fing, And the waters murmuring With such confort as they keep, 145 Entice the dewy-feather'd sleep ; And let some strange mysterious dreain Wave at his wings in aery streain Of 130 POEMS on Several OCCASIONS. 169 OCCASION 150 155 To walk the studious cloysters pale, And love the high embowed roof, With antic pillars massy proof, And storied windows richly dight, Casting a dim religious light. 160 There let the pealing organ blow, To the full voic'd quire below, In service high, and anthems clear, As may with sweetness, through mine ear, Dissolve me into extasies, *165 And bring all Heay'n before mine eyes, And may at last my weary age Find out the peaceful hermitage, The hairy gown and moffy cell, Where I'may fit and rightly spell 170 Of every star that Heav'n doth shew, And every herb that sips the dew; 17.5 And I with thee will choose to live. ARCADES. XV. ARCADES. Part of an Entertainment presented to the Countess Dowager of Derby at Harefield, by some noble persons of her family, who appear on the scene in pastoral habit, moving toward the seat of state, with this Song L 1. SONG. What sudden blaze of majesty This, this is the S 10 Fame, that her high worth to raise, Less than half we find expreít, Envy bid conceal the rest. Sitting like a Goddess bright, 15 Might she the wife Latona be, Mother ST Mother of a hundred Gods; Who had thought this clime had held 25 As they come forward, the Genius of the wood appears, and turning toward them, speaks. GENIUS, I see bright honor sparkle through your eyes '; 39 Stole under seas to meet his Arethuse ; And ye, the breathing roses of the wood, Fair filver-bulkind Nymphs as great and good, I know this quest of yours, and free intent Was all in honor and devotion meant 35 To the great mistress of yon princely shrine, Whom with low reverence I adore as mine, And with all helpful service will comply To further this night's glad solemnity; And lead ye where ye may more near behold 40 What shallow-searching Fame hath left untold ; Which I full oft amidst these shades alone Have fat to wonder at, and gaze upon: For know by lot from Jove I am the Power Of this fair wood, and live in oaken bower, 45 To nurse the saplings tall, and curl the grove With ringlets quaint, and wanton windings wove. And all my plants I save from nightly ill Of noisome winds, and blasting vapors chill : And from the boughs brush off the evil dew, go And heal the harms of thwarting thunder blue, Or Or what the cross dire-looking planet smites,.. round 80 And fo attend ye toward her glittering state ; Where ye may all that are of noble item Approach, and kiss her facred vesture's hems |