University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

of rocks and water.
Enter Arthur, Conon, Aurelius, &c.
Con.
Furl up our colours, and unbrace our drums;
Dislodge betimes, and quit this fatal coast.

Arth.
Have we forgot to conquer?

Aur.
Cast off hope:
Th'imbattl'd legions of fire, air, and earth,
Are banded for our foes.
For going to discover, with the dawn,
You southern hill, which promis'd to the sight
A rise more easy to attack the fort,
Scarce had we stept on the forbidden ground,
When the woods shook, the trees stood bristling up;
A living trembling nodded thro' the leaves.

Arth.
Poplars, and aspen-boughs, a panic fright!

Con.
We thought so too, and doubled still our pace,
But strait a rumbling sound, like bellowing winds,
Rose and grew loud; confus'd with howls of wolves,
And grunts of bears, and dreadful hiss of snakes;
Shrieks more than human; globes of hail pour'd down
An armed winter, and inverted day.

Arth.
Dreadful indeed!

Aur.
Count then our labours lost:
For other way lies none, to mount the cliff,
Unless we borrow wings, and sail thro' air.

Arth.
Now I perceive a danger worthy me.
'Tis Osmond's work, a band of hell-hir'd slaves:
Be mine the hazard, mine shall be the fame.

[Arthur going out, is met by Merlin, who takes him by the hand and brings him back.
Enter Merlin.
Mer.
Hold, Sir, and wait Heav'n's time, th'attempt's too dangerous:
There's not a tree in that enchanted grove,
But number'd out, and giv'n by tale to fiends:
And under every leaf a spirit couch'd.
But by what method to dissolve these charms,
Is yet unknown to me.

Arth.
Hadst thou been here, (for what can thwart thy skill?)
Nor Emmeline had been the boast of Oswald;
Nor I, forewarn'd, been wanting to her guard.

Con.
Her darken'd eyes had seen the light of Heav'n;
That was thy promise too, and this the time.

Mer.
Nor has my aid been absent, tho' unseen,
With friendly guides in your benighted maze:
Nor Emmeline shall longer want the sun.

Arth.
Is there an end of woes?

Mer.
There is, and sudden.
I have employ'd a subtle air sprite
T'explore the passage, and prepare thy way.
Myself, mean time, will view the magic wood,
To learn whereon depends its force.

Con.
But Emmeline—

Mer.
Fear not: this vial shall restore her sight.

Arth.
Oh might I hope (and what's impossible
To Merlin's art?) to be myself the bearer,
That with the light of Heav'n she may discern
Her lover first.

Mer.
'Tis wond'rous hazardous;
Yet I foresee th'event, 'tis fortunate.
I'll bear ye safe, and bring ye back unharm'd:
Then lose not precious time, but follow me.

[Exeunt omnes, Merlin leading Arthur.