ACT III. SCENE I.

_Enter_ ARTHUR, CONON, _and_ AURELIUS.

_Con._ Furl up our colours, and unbrace our drums; Dislodge betimes, and quit this fatal coast.

_Arth._ Have we forgot to conquer?

_Aur._ Cast off hope; The embattled legions of fire, air, and earth, Are banded for our foes: For, going to discover, with the dawn, Yon southern hill, which promised to the sight A rise more easy to attack the fort, Scarce had we stept on the forbidden ground, When the woods shook, the trees stood bristling up; A living trembling nodded through the leaves.

_Arth._ Poplars, and aspen-boughs; a panic fright.

_Con._ We thought so too, and doubled still our pace; But strait a rumbling sound, like bellowing winds, Rose and grew loud; confused with howls of wolves, And grunts of bears, and dreadful hiss of snakes; Shrieks more than human; globes of hail poured down An armed winter, and inverted day.

_Arth._ Dreadful indeed!

_Aur._ Count then our labour's lost; For other way lies none, to mount the cliff, Unless we borrow wings, and sail through air.

_Arth._ Now I perceive a danger worthy me. 'Tis Osmond's work, a band of hell-hired slaves: Be mine the hazard, mine shall be the fame.

[ARTHUR _is going out, but is met by_ MERLIN, _who takes him by the hand, and brings him back_.

_Enter_ MERLIN.

_Mer._ Hold, sir, and wait heaven's time; the attempt's too dangerous. There's not a tree in that enchanted grove, But's numbered out, and given by tale to fiends; And under every leaf a spirit couched. But by what method to dissolve these charms, Is yet unknown to me.

_Aur._ Hadst thou been here,--for what can thwart thy skill?-- Nor Emmeline had been the boast of Oswald, Nor I, forewarned, been wanting to her guard.

_Con._ Her darkened eyes had seen the light of heaven; That was thy promise too, and this the time.

_Mer._ Nor has my aid been absent, though unseen, With friendly guides in your benighted maze: Nor Emmeline shall longer want the sun.

_Arth._ Is there an end of woes?

_Mer._ There is, and sudden. I have employed a subtle airy sprite To explore the passage, and prepare my way. Myself, mean time, will view the magic wood, To learn whereon depends its force.

_Con._ But Emmeline!----

_Mer._ Fear not. This vial shall restore her sight.

_Arth._ Oh might I hope,--and what's impossible To Merlin's art?--to be myself the bearer, That with the light of heaven she may discern Her lover first!

_Mer._ 'Tis wond'rous hazardous; Yet I foresee the event, 'tis fortunate. I'll bear ye safe, and bring ye back unharmed: Then lose not precious time, but follow me. [_Exeunt_, MERLIN _leading_ ARTHUR.