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in the performance, now returns again to make a final dedication of itself to you. Although not openly acknowledged by the author, yet it is a legitimate offspring, so lovely, and so much desired, that the often copying of it hath tired my pen to give my several friends satisfaction, and brought me. to a necessity of producing it to the public view; and now to offer it up in all rightful devotion to those fair hopes, and rare endowments of your much promising youth, which give a full assurance, to all that know you, of a future excellence. Live, sweet lord, to be the honour of your name, and receive this as your own, from the hands of him who hath by many favours been long obliged to your most honoured parents, and as in this representation your attendant Thyrsis, so now in all real expression

Your faithful and most humble Servant,

H. LAWES.

[In the edition of 1645 was also prefixed Sir Henry Wotton's letter

to the Author, upon the following poem.]

COMU S.

A MASK,

PRESENTED AT LUDLOW CASTLE, 1634,

BEFORE THE EARL OF BRIDGEWATER, THEN PRESIDENT OF WALES.

The Persons.

THE ATTENDANT SPIRIT, afterwards in the

habit of THYRSIS.

COMUS, with his crew.

THE LADY.

FIRST BROTHER.

SECOND BROTHER.

SABRINA, the Nymph.

The Chief Persons who presented were—

THE LORD BRACKLY.

MR. THOMAS EGERTON, his Brother.

THE LADY ALICE EGERTON.

COMU S.

The first scene discovers a wild wood. The ATTENDANT SPIRIT descends or

enters.]

ATTENDANT SPIRIT.

BEFORE the starry threshold of Jove's court
My mansion is, where those immortal shapes
Of bright aërial spirits live insphered

In regions mild of calm and serene air,

Above the smoke and stir of this dim spot,

Which men call Earth; and with low-thoughted care

Confined, and pestered in this pinfold here,

Strive to keep up a frail and feverish being,
Unmindful of the crown that Virtue gives,
After this mortal change, to her true servants,
Amongst the enthroned gods on sainted seats.
Yet some there be, that by due steps aspire
To lay their just hands on that golden key,2
That opes the palace of eternity:

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