What was that snaky-headed Gorgon shield That wise Minerva wore, unconquered virgin, Wherewith she freezed her foes to congealed stone, But rigid looks of chaste austerity, And noble grace, that dashed brute violence With sudden adoration and blank awe? So dear to Heaven is saintly chastity,13 Tell her of things that no gross ear can hear; Till oft converse with heavenly habitants And turns it by degrees to the soul's essence,15 Till all be made immortal; but when lust, But most by lewd and lavish act of sin, Lets in defilement to the inward parts, The soul grows clotted by contagion, Embodies, and embrutes, till she quite lose Such are those thick and gloomy shadows damp Oft seen in charnel vaults and sepulchres Lingering, and sitting by a new-made grave, And linked itself by carnal sensuality To a degenerate and degraded state. SECOND BROTHER. How charming is divine philosophy! 16 And a perpetual feast of nectared sweets, Where no crude surfeit reigns. ELDER BROTHER. List, list! I hear Some far-off halloo break the silent air. SECOND BROTHER. Methought so too; what should it be? ELDER BROTHER. For certain Either some one like us night-foundered here, SECOND BROTHER. Heaven keep my sister! Again, again, and near; Best draw and stand upon our guard. ELDER BROTHER. I'll halloo; If he be friendly, he comes well; if not, Defence is a good cause, and Heaven be for us. [The ATTENDANT SPIRIT habited like a Shepherd.] That halloo I should know; what are you? Speak! Come not too near; you fall on iron stakes else. SPIRIT. What voice is that? My young lord? Speak again. ELDER BROTHER. Thyrsis? whose artful strains 17 have oft delayed The huddling brook to hear his madrigal, And sweetened every musk-rose of the dale. How cam'st thou here, good swain? Hath any ram SPIRIT. my loved master's heir, and his next joy! I came not here on such a trivial toy As a strayed ewe, or to pursue the stealth Of pilfering wolf; not all the fleecy wealth That doth enrich these downs, is worth a thought To this my errand, and the care it brought. But oh, my virgin lady! where is she? How chance she is not in your company? ELDER BROTHER. To tell thee sadly,18 shepherd, without blame, |