Chapter 42

_Elder Brother._ How our steps are stayed by the darkness of the night and of the forest. Would that the moon and stars would pierce the clouds! If only we could see some faint glimmer of a candle in some lowly hut that would guide us on our way.

_Second Brother._ Or hear the folded flocks, or sound of village flute or song, or if the cock would crow the watches of the night! Where can our dear sister be now? Does she wander in the deep grove, or against the rugged bark of some broad elm lean her head in fear? Perhaps even while we speak she is the prey of some savage beast!

_Elder Brother._ Cease, brother, to dream of evils that may not be. No good can come from false alarms. I do not believe my good sister has lost herself in fear. Her faith will keep her calm.

_Second Brother._ I do not fear the darkness and the fact that she is alone. But I do fear some harm may come to her from rude wanderers in the wood.

_Elder Brother._ Yet I believe she is so good and true that evil has no power to harm her. All powers of good surround her and drive evil away. But list! Some faint call sounds on my ear.

_Second Brother._ Yes, I hear it now. What should it be?

_Elder Brother._ Either some one lost in this wood, like ourselves, or else some roving woodman, or perhaps some robber calling to his fellows!

_Second Brother._ God save my sister!

_Elder Brother._ Who comes here? Speak! Advance no further!

_Spirit_ (_as a shepherd_). What voice is that? Speak once again.

_Second Brother._ O brother! 'tis my father's shepherd, sure.

_Elder Brother._ Are you Thyrsis? How could you find this dark, secluded spot? Why did you come?

_Spirit._ To find out you. But where is your lovely sister? Why is she not with you?

_Elder Brother._ Without our fault we lost her as we came.

_Spirit._ Alas, then my fears are true!

_Elder Brother._ What fears, good Thyrsis?

_Spirit._ I have long known that this wood was held in the power of an evil spirit, and this evening as I sat me down upon a bank I heard most lovely strains as if an angel sang. Listening, I knew it was your sister's voice. I hastened to her and heard her tell Comus of you whom she had lost. To you I came that we may save her from the evil spirit of the wood.

_Elder Brother._ Let us hasten to attack him with our swords.

_Spirit._ Alas! Your bravery I praise, but it is vain. The evil charm of Comus can be broken only by a wondrous plant. See, I have it here. With this will we overcome his fairy spells.

_Elder Brother._ Thyrsis, lead on! And some good angel bear a shield before us!