The Poetical Works of The Rev. Samuel Bishop ... To Which are Prefixed, Memoirs of the Life of the Author By the Rev. Thomas Clare |
 | I. |
 |
|
| THE FAIRY BENISON;
|
|
|
| II. |
 | The Poetical Works of The Rev. Samuel Bishop |  |
88
THE FAIRY BENISON;
AN INTERLUDE.
[_]
[The Author intending this Interlude for representation, had begun to make such alterations, as his friends judged necessary, to adapt it for Music and Stage Effect; but abandoned his design, before it was completed. The first scene, which is all that was finished, the Editor conceives will be not thought unworthy of a place in these Volumes.]
SCENE I.
PUCK.
Fast by the extremest glimpse that streams
From yonder Crescent's quiv'ring beams,
Immerst in vapour, blast, and dew,
I've kept our Fairy troops in view:
Along the moonlight gleam they tend;
And here their destin'd course must end.
From yonder Crescent's quiv'ring beams,
Immerst in vapour, blast, and dew,
I've kept our Fairy troops in view:
89
And here their destin'd course must end.
What can it mean? From eve to morn,
E'er since a certain Prince was born,
Indignant rage, that glows and swells,
On Oberon's fixed eyelid dwells:
Titania's cheek doth still appear
Impearled with an angry tear:
And ever as they meet, their ire
Sets the whole Fairy-Court on fire.
E'er since a certain Prince was born,
Indignant rage, that glows and swells,
On Oberon's fixed eyelid dwells:
Titania's cheek doth still appear
Impearled with an angry tear:
And ever as they meet, their ire
Sets the whole Fairy-Court on fire.
When storms in royal bosoms rise,
We courtiers are all ears and eyes:
Yet this event has foil'd my skill;
I should know more on't—and I will.
We courtiers are all ears and eyes:
Yet this event has foil'd my skill;
I should know more on't—and I will.
90
SONG.
I
When maids the new dawn of soft passion disown,I perch on their lips, till I catch them alone;
Then, whip to their hearts in a moment I fly;
For I sink with a sob, and return with a sigh.
II
Should I who the soul of a woman can read,Let a secret escape me, 'twere pity indeed:
Let my betters beware, how they hint what they think;
For I pass with a nod, and come back with a wink.
Hark! these sounds proclaim them near:—
Puck, 'tis time thou disappear:
Shrink thy soft dimensions up,
To fit the acorn's scanty cup;
In shrivel'd rind or wither'd bloom,
Occupy the grey moth's room;
Or the inmate worm expel,
From curled leaf, or scooped shell;
Find thou place, and form, and size,
To cheat fell Oberon's piercing eyes.
[Retires.]Puck, 'tis time thou disappear:
Shrink thy soft dimensions up,
To fit the acorn's scanty cup;
91
Occupy the grey moth's room;
Or the inmate worm expel,
From curled leaf, or scooped shell;
Find thou place, and form, and size,
To cheat fell Oberon's piercing eyes.
(Cætera desunt.)
| The Poetical Works of The Rev. Samuel Bishop | |