With horrid sleep, besides a world of toils, Of sore and starting bones, fevers, and frenzies, Sharp swords from hands unlook'd for, all the while, Glancing about their ears, and killing thousands? Look at old Eunomus-from first to last A lover of us all both high and low, And one that would have all live well together, And keep back her own tears to save him his. Let's tell him of this pipe; I do believe, It brings us comfort. 1st Shep. Heaven send it may! At all events, 'twere well perhaps to tell him; For now I recollect, I have heard often, These hovering spirits may not keep their secret From unpolluted men; but when they're by, Eun. (Goes to knock at the cottage door.) Enter EUNOMUS with MYRTILLA. How now, my friends? I saw you stop With hush'd and anxious gestures, and was coming To learn your news. Heard ye this sound in the air 2d Shep. We came, Sir, to inform you of it, Since from it's strange delightfulness, and something Of a new freshness in the air about us, We thought it boded good. Has a young fancy, and will convert the sound Of common breath to something exquisite, If evening silence and the trees be round her. 1st Shep. Sir, when I heard it first, and that was yesterday, Standing and looking down the floating stream With oft-returning lapse of distanc'd eyes, I felt my cheek change colour, it awoke So fairy-like at once; and when it rose A second time, which was near fall of night, Fix'd as the calm, the tears came in my eyes 3d Shep. We have heard, Sir, nothing At all resembling it, since fair Myrtilla Sang upon evenings to your (Interrupting him, and making side gestures Myrt. Never till now; and so, we have remember'd Eun. I fear, my friends, you think too potently It's dumb communication with such thoughts, Breaking air's vacancy with shape or sound, Though we, my friends, may not be men to ask it, This is a time when wonders are abroad, And such things might be. (A louder and longer flourish of sweet music than before). 3d Shep. 'Twas upon the trees there. 2d Shep. 'Tis, Sir, as we supposed; pray speak to it1st Shep. Hush! to the left. Eun. (The music shifts to the left with a different strain, and then makes a sudden stop). Myrtilla, my sweet child, Frame you a prayer out of your innocent thoughts, And speak for all; something of heav'n is near us. (He takes off his cap, the rest doing it after him). MYRTILLA SINGS. Gentle and unknown delight, Hovering with thy music near us, If that our request be right, Lean thee tow'rd the earth, and hear us; And if we may yet rejoice, Touch the silence with a voice. |