_Comus._ Were they men full grown or still young?
_Lady Alice._ Young and fair my brothers are.
_Comus._ Two such I saw, so lovely in their youthful grace I thought I looked upon some fairy scene. If these are the lads you seek, we can easily find them.
_Lady Alice._ Gentle villager, quickly tell me the shortest way to them!
_Comus._ Due west it lies.
_Lady Alice._ To find it out, good shepherd, would be too difficult in this darkness to a stranger.
_Comus._ I know every step, fair lady, for I live close by and daily tread the path in caring for my sheep. Gladly will I conduct you and find your brothers if they are still in this grove. Till daybreak you can rest in a cottage near by, where you will be safe until you wish to travel on.
_Lady Alice._ Kind shepherd, I take your word, and gladly go to the shelter you mention. Kindness is often found in lowly homes. Lead on, and I will follow.
_Comus._ This way, fair lady!
SCENE II.--_Another Place in the Forest_
_Elder Brother._ How our steps are stayed by the darkness of the night and of the forest. Would that the moon and stars would pierce the clouds! If only we could see some faint glimmer of a candle in some lowly hut that would guide us on our way.
_Second Brother._ Or hear the folded flocks, or sound of village flute or song, or if the c.o.c.k would crow the watches of the night! Where can our dear sister be now? Does she wander in the deep grove, or against the rugged bark of some broad elm lean her head in fear? Perhaps even while we speak she is the prey of some savage beast!
_Elder Brother._ Cease, brother, to dream of evils that may not be. No good can come from false alarms. I do not believe my good sister has lost herself in fear. Her faith will keep her calm.
_Second Brother._ I do not fear the darkness and the fact that she is alone. But I do fear some harm may come to her from rude wanderers in the wood.
_Elder Brother._ Yet I believe she is so good and true that evil has no power to harm her. All powers of good surround her and drive evil away.
But list! Some faint call sounds on my ear.
_Second Brother._ Yes, I hear it now. What should it be?
_Elder Brother._ Either some one lost in this wood, like ourselves, or else some roving woodman, or perhaps some robber calling to his fellows!
_Second Brother._ G.o.d save my sister!
_Elder Brother._ Who comes here? Speak! Advance no further!
_Spirit_ (_as a shepherd_). What voice is that? Speak once again.
_Second Brother._ O brother! "tis my father"s shepherd, sure.
_Elder Brother._ Are you Thyrsis? How could you find this dark, secluded spot? Why did you come?
_Spirit._ To find out you. But where is your lovely sister? Why is she not with you?
_Elder Brother._ Without our fault we lost her as we came.
_Spirit._ Alas, then my fears are true!
_Elder Brother._ What fears, good Thyrsis?
_Spirit._ I have long known that this wood was held in the power of an evil spirit, and this evening as I sat me down upon a bank I heard most lovely strains as if an angel sang. Listening, I knew it was your sister"s voice. I hastened to her and heard her tell Comus of you whom she had lost. To you I came that we may save her from the evil spirit of the wood.
_Elder Brother._ Let us hasten to attack him with our swords.
_Spirit._ Alas! Your bravery I praise, but it is vain. The evil charm of Comus can be broken only by a wondrous plant. See, I have it here.
With this will we overcome his fairy spells.
_Elder Brother._ Thyrsis, lead on! And some good angel bear a shield before us!
SCENE III.--_The Palace of Comus_
_Comus._ Drink, Lady, of the wine. You are faint and weary, and this will refresh you. Do not refuse!
_Lady Alice._ Never will I drink the potion in that gla.s.s. You may control the body, but my free mind you can never bind.
_Comus._ Why are you angry, Lady? Here is a place filled with all delight.
_Lady Alice._ Is this the cottage you told me of, the place of safety where I could rest. None but good men can offer good things. I will never drink what you offer. What monsters are these? I pray Heaven guard me!
[Ill.u.s.tration]
_Comus._ Dear Lady, stay with me and be my queen. Here may you reign over all my kingdom. See what royal robes are mine, what jewels, what costly tables and shining gold and silver. No sorrow shall you know, but only joy and pleasure.
_Lady Alice._ Cease your words. You cannot move the mind guided by honesty and truth. You cannot frighten me, for well I know goodness is stronger than evil, truth is more powerful than falsehood. The pure heart cannot be harmed.
_Comus._ Cease, cease! all this is foolishness. Be wise and taste. All trouble will be forgotten. Come, I insist!
[_The brothers rush in and drive Comus and his crew away. But Lady Alice is entranced and cannot move._]
_Spirit._ Have you let him escape? You should have seized his wand.
Without that he has no power, but now we must have help to release your sister from his wicked power. The G.o.ddess of our river Severn, the lovely Sabrina, has power over all the enchantments of Comus. Her will I call.
Sabrina fair, Listen, where thou art sitting, G.o.ddess of the silver lake, Listen and save.
Come from your home in the coral caves of the sea and help this lovely maiden in distress.
_Sabrina_ (_entering_).
From off the waters fleet, Thus I set my printless feet O"er the cowslip"s velvet head That bends not as I tread; Gentle swain, at thy request I am here!
_Spirit._ Dear G.o.ddess, we implore your powerful aid to undo the charm wrought by the enchanter on this maiden.
_Sabrina._ "Tis my greatest joy to help the pure and good. Gentle Lady, look on me. Thrice upon thy finger tips, thrice upon thy lips, I sprinkle drops from my pure fountain. Then I touch this marble seat and break the spell. All is well. Farewell.