Page:MU KPB 018 Comus by John Miltow - Illustrated by Arthur Rackham.pdf/127

And O poor hapless Nightingale, thought I,
How sweet thou sing’st, how neer the deadly snare!
Then down the Lawns I ran with headlong hast,
Through paths and turnings oft’n trod by day,
Till, guided by mine ear, I found the place
Where that damn’d wisard, hid in sly disguise
(For so by certain signes I knew), had met
Already, ere my best speed could prevent,
The aidless innocent Lady, his wish’t prey;
Who gently ask’t if he had seen such two,
Supposing him som neighbour villager;
Longer I durst not stay, but soon I guess’t
Ye were the two she mean’t; with that I sprung
Into swift flight, till I had found you here,
But furder know I not.

Second Brother

O night and shades,
How are ye joyn’d with hell in triple knot
Against th’unarmed weakness of one Virgin,
Alone and helpless! Is this the confidence
You gave me, Brother?

Elder Brother

Yes, and keep it still;