University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

A grove.
Enter Osmond solus.
Now I am settled in my forceful sway,
Why then, I'll be luxurious in my love;
Take my full gust, and, setting forms aside,
I'll bid the slave, that fires my blood, obey.

Enter Grimbald, who meets him.
Grim.
Not so fast, master, danger threatens thee:
There's a black cloud ascending from above,
Full of heav'n's venom, bursting o'er thy head.

Osm.
Malicious fiend, thou ly'st: for I am fenc'd
By millions of thy fellows, in my grove:
I bad thee, when I freed thee from the charm,
Run scouting thro' the wood, from tree to tree,
And look if all my devils were on duty:
Hadst thou perform'd thy charge, thou tardy sprite,
Thou wouldst have known no danger threaten'd me.

Grim.
When did a devil fail in diligence?
Poor mortal, thou thyself art overseen;
I have been there, and hence I bring this news.
Thy fatal foe, great Arthur, is at hand:
Merlin has ta'en his time, while thou wert absent,
T'observe thy characters, their force, and nature,
And counterwork thy spells.

Osm.
Perdition seize on Merlin!
I'll cast 'em all a-new, and instantly,
All of another mould; be thou at hand.
Their composition was, before of horror;
Now they shall be of blandishment, and love;
Seducing hopes, soft pity, tender moans:
Art shall meet art: and, when they think to win,
The fools shall find their labours to begin.

[Exeunt Osm. and Grimb.