Softly on my eyelids laid. And as I wake, sweet music breathe In service high, and anthems clear, As may with sweetness, through mine ear, Dissolve me into ecstasies, And bring all heav'n before mine eyes. And may at last my weary age 150 155 160 165 170 175 156 pale] Warton conjectures that the right reading may be 'the studious cloister's pale.' i. e. enclosure. L'ALLEGRO. HENCE, loathed Melancholy, Of Cerberus and blackest Midnight born, In Stygian cave forlorn, 'Mongst horrid shapes, and shrieks, and sights Find out some uncouth cell, [unholy, Where brooding Darkness spreads his jealous And the night raven sings; [wings, There under ebon shades, and low-brow'd rocks, As ragged as thy locks, In dark Cimmerian desert ever dwell. 10 15 Hence] Compare Marston's Scourge of Villanie, b. iii. s. 10. (ed. 1598.) 'Sleepe grim reproof,' &c. Warton. uncouth] 'Searcht out the uncouth cell of thy abode.' Val. Welshman, 1615, act iv. s. 6. Todd. 5 10 Cimmerian] Miltoni Prolus. Dignus qui Cimmeriis occlusus tenebris longam, et perosam vitam transigat.' Warton. 15 two] Meat and Drink, the two sisters of Mirth. War burton. Zephyr with Aurora playing, And fresh-blown roses wash'd in dew, So buxom, blithe, and debonair. Haste thee, Nymph, and bring with thee Jest, and youthful Jollity, 20 25 Quips, and Cranks, and wanton Wiles, And love to live in dimple sleek; And in thy right hand lead with thee To live with her, and live with thee, 22 wash'd] Shakesp. Tam. of Shrew, act ii. sc. 1. 'As morning roses newly wash'd with dew.' Bowle. 24 buxom] To make one blithe, buxome, and deboneer. Randolph Aristippus, p. 310, ed. 1662. Todd. 28 Nods] With becks, and nods, and smiles againe.' Burton's An. of Melanch. p. 449 (ed. 1628). Warton. 93 Come] Shakes. Tempest, act iv. sc. 2. Come and go, Each one tripping on his toe.' Newton. In unreproved pleasures free ; Scatters the rear of darkness thin, Oft list'ning how the hounds and horn Through the high wood echoing shrill: 46 good morrow] Browne's Brit. Past. iii. 2. Steevens. 'Twice bid good morrow to the nether world.' 50 Scatters] Gallum noctem explodentibus alis.' Lucret. iv. 714. 54 morn] Habington's Castora, p. 8, ed. 1640. rouse the morne, With the shrill musicke of the horne.' Warton. Where the great sun begins his state, Straight mine eye hath caught new pleasures Russet lawns, and fallows gray, Whilst the landscape round it measures; Where the nibbling flocks do stray, Mountains, on whose barren breast The lab'ring clouds do often rest; Of herbs, and other country messes, 35 messes] Sylv. Du Bartas, p. 171. 73 75 85 That now taste-curious wanton Plenty dresses.' Wurton. |