The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 08Dryden, John
General
The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 08
Dryden, John
English drama -- 17th century
_Grim._ Ay, there's thy way indeed; but, for more surety,
I'll keep an eye behind: not one word more,
But follow decently.
[GRIM. _goes out, dragging_ PHIL.
_Phil._ So, catch him, spell! [_Aside._
_Grim._ [_within._] Oh help me, help me, Philidel!
_Phil._ Why, what's the matter?
_Grim._ Oh, I am ensnared;
Heaven's birdlime wraps me round, and glues my wings.
Loose me, and I will free thee:
Do, and I'll be thy slave.
_Phil._ What, to a spy, a name abhorred in hell?
_Grim._ Do not insult!--Oh, Oh, I grow to ground;
The fiery net draws closer on my limbs.
_Phil._ Thou shalt not have the ease to curse in torments.
Be dumb for one half hour,--so long my charm
Can keep thee silent,--and there lie
Till Osmond breaks thy chain.
[PHILIDEL _unbinds his own Fetters_.
_Enter to him_ MERLIN, _with a Vial in his Hand; and_ ARTHUR.
_Mer._ Well hast thou wrought thy safety with thy wit,
My Philidel; go meritorious on.
Me other work requires, to view the wood,
And learn to make the dire enchantments void.
Mean time, attend king Arthur, in my room;
Shew him his love, and with these sovereign drops
Restore her sight.
[_Exit_ MERLIN, _giving a Vial to_ PHILIDEL.
Phil. _We must work, we must haste;
Noon-tide hour is almost past.
Sprites, that glimmer in the sun,
Into shades already run;
Osmond will be here, anon._
_Enter_ EMMELINE _and_ MATILDA, _at the far end of the Wood_.
_Arth._ O yonder, yonder she's already found;
My soul directs my sight, and flies before it.--
Now, gentle spirit, use thy utmost art,
Unseal her eyes, and this way lead her steps.
[ARTHUR _withdraws behind the Scene_; EMMELINE _and_ MATILDA _come
forward to the Front_; PHILIDEL _approaches_ EMMELINE, _sprinkling
some of the Water over her eyes, out of the Vial_.
Phil. _Thus, thus I infuse
These sovereign dews:
Fly back, ye films, that cloud her sight;
And you, ye crystal humours bright,
Your noxious vapours purged away,
Recover, and admit the day:
Now cast your eyes abroad, and see
All but me._
_Em._ Ha! What was that? Who spoke?
_Mat._ I heard the voice; 'tis one of Osmond's fiends.
_Em._ Some blessed angel sure. I feel my eyes
Unsealed; they walk abroad, and a new world
Comes rushing on, and stands all gay before me.
_Mat._ Oh heavens! Oh joy of joys! she has her sight!
_Em._ I am new-born; I shall run mad for pleasure.
[_Staring on_ MAT.
Are women such as thou? Such glorious creatures?
_Arth._ [_Aside._] O how I envy her, to be first seen!
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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