A Mask Presented at Ludlow Castle, 1634John Milton
Performance text demo for LRBS-DHRH-EpiDoc TEI workshop (February 2022).
John Milton Reading Room
https://milton.host.dartmouth.edu/reading_room/comus/text.shtml
The Persons
The attendant Spirit afterwards in the habit of ThyrsisComus with his crewThe Lady1. Brother2. BrotherSabrina, the Nymph
The cheif persons which presented, were
The Lord Bracly,Mr. Thomas Egerton, his Brother,The Lady Alice Egerton.
The first Scene discovers a wilde Wood.
The attendant Spirit descends or enters.Before the starry threshold of Joves CourtMy mansion is, where those immortal shapesOf bright aëreal Spirits live insphear'dIn Regions milde of calm and serene Ayr,Above the smoak and stirr of this dim spot,Which men call Earth, and with low-thoughted careConfin'd, and pester'd in this pin-fold here,Strive to keep up a frail, and Feaverish beingUnmindfull of the crown that Vertue givesAfter this mortal change, to her true ServantsAmongst the enthron'd gods on Sainted seats.Yet som there be that by due steps aspireTo lay their just hands on that Golden KeyThat ope's the Palace of Eternity:To such my errand is, and but for such,I would not soil these pure Ambrosial weeds,With the rank vapours of this Sin-worn mould.Co.What chance good Lady hath bereft you thus?La.Dim darknes, and this heavy Labyrinth.Co.Could that divide you from neer-ushering guides?La.They left me weary on a grassie terf.Eld. Bro.Ile hallow,If he be friendly he comes well, if not,Defence is a good cause, and Heav'n be for us.The attendant Spirit habited like a Shepherd.That hallow I should know, what are you? speak;Com not too neer, you fall on iron stakes else.Spir.What voice is that, my young Lord? speak agen.2 Bro.O brother, 'tis my fathers Shepherd sure.Eld. Bro.Thyrsis? Whose artful strains have oft delaidThe huddling brook to hear his madrigal,And sweeten'd every muskrose of the dale,How cam'st thou here good Swain? hath any ramSlip't from the fold, or young Kid lost his dam,Or straggling weather the pen't flock forsook?How couldst thou find this dark sequester'd nook?