SCENE THE FIRST. A SECLUDED spot in a wood, with a cottage on one side, and a little river running under the trees in the back-ground. A kind of twilight is in the air. Enter three Shepherds, looking cautiously about, and listening. I think it turn'd along the willows there. 3d Shep. Most likely: sound delights itself in water, As I have noticed often :-let's pursue it. 1st Shep. No, better not; remember what a road It led us yester eve ;-'twill play no more. These spirits, bad or good (by what I've heard As if they made them merry with the awkwardness Besides, the stream, you know, runs through the grounds Of fine old Eunomus, who used to set So rare a lesson to the former court, But now shuts up his sorrows in this corner; And 'twere amiss to startle his grey head E'en with a footstep. 2d Shep. 'Twere so yet methinks He might be pleased to hear of this new sound, The first, of any comfortable breath, Our wood has heard for years. I know not why, Of this mysterious pipe that's come among us, All. There! 3d Shep. (a flourish of a small pipe heard.) 'Tis overhead-I heard it plainly. 1st Shep. It comes no more. 2d Shep. But it was louder then Than it has ever been;-'twas curious too, It should return just as I spoke of change. 1st Shep. I think, with you, there must be some thing in it. Feel you no alteration? 2d Shep. What? In the air? "Tis lighter, fresher ;-I perceiv'd it yesterday. That sick and dim, like a disease of nature, Should at the last be going? Nay,-to speak it, 3d Shep. Hush! Be cautious; You know what ears he has in every corner. 2d Shep. I care not :—who is there, among us, cares? Has not he robb'd us all of something dear, Some father, brother, son, to go and do His devilish work in countries of all climate, In fainting heats, and powerless, cramping colds, Wasting away in one, stiff'ning in t'other 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 |