The Scene changes to a stately palace, set out with all manner of deliciousness; soft music, tables spread with all dainties. Comus appears with his rabble, and the Lady set in an enchanted chair, to whom he offers his glass, which she puts by, and goes about to rise. Comus. Nay, lady, sit; if I but wave this wand, And you a statue; or, as Daphne was, Fool, do not boast; Lady. 650 670 Comus. Why are you vex'd, lady? why do you frown? For gentle usage and soft delicacy ? With that which you received on other terms; By which all mortal frailty must subsist, 680 Refreshment after toil, ease after pain, That have been tried all day without repast, And timely rest have wanted; but, fair virgin, This will restore all soon. Lady. 'Twill not restore the truth and honesty That thou hast banish'd from thy tongue with lies. Was this the cottage, and the safe abode, Thou told'st me of? What grim aspects are these, To a well-govern'd and wise appetite. 700 710 Comus. O foolishness of men! that lend their ears To those budge doctors of the Stoic fur, And fetch their precepts from the Cynic tub, Praising the lean and sallow abstinence! Wherefore did nature pour her bounties forth With such a full and unwithdrawing hand, Covering the earth with odours, fruits, and flocks, Thronging the seas with spawn innumerable, But all to please and sate the curious taste? And set to work millions of spinning worms, That in their green shops weave the smooth-hair'd silk, To deck her sons; and, that no corner might Be vacant of her plenty, in her own loins She hutch'd the all-worshipp'd ore and precious gems, To store her children with: if all the world Should, in a pet of temperance, feed on pulse, Drink the clear stream, and nothing wear but frieze, The All-giver would be unthank'd, would be unpraised, Not half his riches known, and yet despised; And we should serve him as a grudging master, As a penurious niggard of his wealth; 720 And live like nature's bastards, not her sons, The earth cumber'd, and the wing'd air dark'd with 731 The sea, o'erfraught, would swell, and the unsought Would so emblaze the forehead of the deep, [diamonds And so bestud with stars, that they below Would grow inured to light, and come at last To gaze upon 740 the sun with shameless brows. List, lady; be not coy, and be not cozen'd With that same vaunted name, virginity. Beauty is nature's coin; must not be hoarded, But must be current; and the good thereof Consists in mutual and partaken bliss, Unsavoury in the enjoyment of itself; If you let slip time, like a neglected rose, It withers on the stalk with languish'd head. Beauty is nature's brag, and must be shown In courts, at feasts, and high solemnities, Where most may wonder at the workmanship: It is for homely features to keep home, They had their name thence; coarse complexions, And cheeks of sorry grain, will serve to ply The sampler, and to tease the housewife's wool. What need a vermeil-tinctured lip for that, Love-darting eyes, or tresses like the morn? There was another meaning in these gifts; Think what, and be advised; you are but young yet. Lady. I had not thought to have unlock'd my lips In this unhallow'd air, but that this juggler Would think to charm my judgment, as mine eyes, Obtruding false rules prank'd in reason's garb. I hate when vice can bolt her arguments, 750 760 And virtue has no tongue to check her pride. And she no whit encumber'd with her store: 770 Crams, and blasphemes his Feeder. Shall I go on? Fain would I something say;—yet to what end? And thou art worthy that thou shouldst not know 780 790 Enjoy your dear wit, and gay rhetoric, That hath so well been taught her dazzling fence; Yet, should I try, the uncontrolled worth |