Page:The maid's tragedy (IA maidstragedy00beau 0).pdf/22

10 Cinth.Great Queen of Shadows, you are pleas'd to speak Of more than may be done; we may not break The Gods decrees, but when our time is come, Must drive away, and give the Day our room. Yet, while our Reign lasts, let us stretch our Pow'r To give our Servants one contented hour, With such unwonted solemn Grace and State, As may for ever after force them hate Our Brother's glorious Beams, and wish the Night Crown'd with a thousand Stars, and our cold Light: For almost all the World their service bend To Phœbus, and in vain my light I lend; Gaz'd on unto my setting from my rise Almost of none, but of unquiet Eyes.

Night.Then shine at full, fair Queen, and by thy pow'r Produce a Birth to crown this happy hour; Of Nymphs and Shepherds let their Songs discover, Easie and sweet, who is a happy Lover; Or if thou woot, then call thine own Endymion, From the sweet Flowry Bed he lies upon, On Latmus top, thy pale Beams drawn away, And of this long Night let him make a Day.

Cinth.Thou dream'st, dark Queen; that fair Boy was not mine, Nor went I down to kiss him; Ease and Wine Have bred these bold Tales: Poets, when they rage, Turn Gods to Men, and make an Hour an Age; But I will give a greater State and Glory, And raise to time a noble Memory Of what these Lovers are: Rise, rise, I say, Thou Pow'r of Deeps, thy Surges laid away, Neptune, great King of Waters, and by me Be proud to be commanded.

Nept.Cinthia, see, Thy word hath fetcht me hither, Let me know Why I ascend.

Cinth. Doth this Majestick Show Give thee no knowledge yet?

Nept.Yes, now I see Something intended (Cinthia) worthy thee; Go on, I'll be a Helper.

Cinth.Hie thee then, And charge the Wind flie from his Rocky Den. Let loose thy Subjects, only Boreas, Too foul for our Intention as he was; Still keep him fast chain'd; we must have none here But vernal Blasts, and gentle Winds appear, Such as blow Flow'rs, and through the glad Boughs sing Many soft welcomes to the lusty Spring. These