To a degenerate and degraded state. 475 _Sec. Bro._ How charming is divine Philosophy! Not harsh and crabbed, as dull fools suppose, But musical as is Apollo's lute, And a perpetual feast of nectared sweets, Where no crude surfeit reigns. _Eld. Bro._ List! list! I hear 480 Some far-off hallo break the silent air. _Sec. Bro._ Methought so too; what should it be? _Eld. Bro._ For certain, Either some one, like us, night-foundered here, Or else some neighbor woodman, or, at worst, Some roving robber calling to his fellows. 485 _Sec. Bro._ Heaven help my sister! Again, again, and near! Best draw, and stand upon our guard. _Eld. Bro._ I'll hallo. If he be friendly, he comes well: if not, Defence is a good cause, and Heaven be for us! The Attendant Spirit, habited like a shepherd. That hallo I should know. What are you? speak. 490 Come not too near; you fall on iron stakes else. _Spir._ What voice is that? my young lord? speak again. _Sec. Bro._ O brother, 'tis my father's Shepherd, sure. _Eld. Bro._ Thyrsis! whose artful strains have oft delayed The huddling brook to hear his madrigal, 495 And sweetened every musk-rose of the dale. How camest thou here, good swain? Hath any ram Slipped from the fold, or young kid lost his dam, Or straggling wether the pent flock forsook? How could'st thou find this dark sequestered nook? 500 _Spir._ O my loved master's heir, and his next joy, I came not here on such a trivial toy As a strayed ewe, or to pursue the stealth Of pilfering wolf; not all the fleecy wealth That doth enrich these downs is worth a thought 505 To this my errand, and the care it brought. But, oh! my virgin Lady, where is she? How chance she is not in your company? _Eld. Bro._ To tell thee sadly, Shepherd, without blame Or our neglect, we lost her as we came. 510 _Spir._ Ay me unhappy! then my fears are true. _Eld. Bro._ What fears, good Thyrsis? Prithee briefly shew.