Page:Comus and other poems - Milton (1906).djvu/19

 Much like his Father, but his Mother more, Whom therfore she brought up and Comus nam'd, Who ripe, and frolick of his full grown age, Roaving the Celtick, and Iberian fields, At last betakes him to this ominous Wood, And in thick shelter of black shades imbowr'd, Excells his Mother at her mighty Art, Offring to every weary Travailer, His orient liquor in a Crystal Glasse, To quench the drouth of Phœbus, which as they taste (For most do taste through fond intemperate thirst) Soon as the Potion works, their human count'nance, Th' express resemblance of the gods, is chang'd Into some brutish form of Woolf, or Bear, Or Ounce, or Tiger, Hog, or bearded Goat, All other parts remaining as they were, And they, so perfect is their misery, Not once perceive their foul disfigurement, But boast themselves more comely then before And all their friends, and native home forget To roule with pleasure in a sensual stie. Therfore when any favour'd of high Jove, Chances to pass through this adventrous glade, Swift as the Sparkle of a glancing Star, I shoot from Heav'n to give him safe convoy, As now I do: But first I must put off These my skie robes spun out of Iris Wooff, And take the Weeds and likenes of a Swain, That to the service of this house belongs, Who with his soft Pipe, and smooth-dittied Song, Well knows to still the wilde winds when they roar, And hush the waving Woods, nor of lesse faith, And in this office of his Mountain watch, Likeliest, and neerest to the present ayd Of this occasion. But I hear the tread Of hatefull steps, I must be viewless now. Rh