Enter Puck. Puck. Now the hungry lion roars, That the graves, all gaping wide, By the triple Hecate's team, Following darkness like a dream, (41) And the wolf beholds the moon :] As it is the defign of these lines to characterize the animals, as they prefent themselves at the hour of midnight; and as the wolf is not justly characteriz'd by saying he bebolds the moon; which all other beafts of prey, then awake, do: and as the founds thefe animals make at that feason, feem also intended to be reprefented; I make no question but the Poet wrote; And the wolfe beboruls the moon. For fo the wolf is exactly characterized, it being his peculiar property to bowl at the moon. (Bebowl, as bemoan, befeem, betrim, and an hundred others. So, again, in As you like it. Mr. Warburton. Pray you, no more of this; 'tis like the howling of Irish wolves against the mocn. So in Beaumont and Fletcher's Faithful Shepherdess. or the owl. Or our great enemy, that still doth bowl For this is fpoken of the wolfe, and by a fhepherd, to whom that beast was an enemy, with regard to his flock. And fo in Marftor's Antonio and Mellida, where the whole paffage feems to be copied from this of our Author. Now barks the wolfe against the full-cheek'd moon ; Now Now Now are frolick; not a mouse Shall difturb this hallow'd house. I am fent with broom before, To fweep the duft behind the door. Enter King and Queen of Fairies, with their Train Ob. Through the house give glimmering light, By the dead and drowsy fire, Every elf, and fairy fprite, Hop as light as bird from brier; And this ditty after me Sing, and dance it trippingly. Queen. First rehearse this fong by roat, To each word a warbling note. The SONG. Now, until the break of day, Shall upon their children be. With this field-dew confecrate, Every Fairy take his gate, And each feveral chamber blefs, Through this palace with fweet peace. And the owner of it bleft. H 2 Puck. If we fhadows have offended, Now to 'fcape the ferpent's tongue, So good night unto you all. Give me your hands, if we be friends; [Exeunt omnes. |