Enter Puck.

Puck. Now the hungry lion roars,
And the wolf behowls the moon: (41)
Whilft the heavy ploughman fnoars,
All with weary task fore-done.
Now the wafted brands do glow,
Whilft the fcritch-owl, fcritching loud,
Puts the wretch, that lies in woe,
In remembrance of a shroud.
Now it is the time of night,

That the graves, all gaping wide,
Every one lets forth his fpright,
In the church-way paths to glide;
And we Fairies, that do run

By the triple Hecate's team,
From the prefence of the fun,

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
Against the moon's pale beams.

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 lyons half-clam'd entrails roar for food;
Now croaks the toad, and night-crows spriek aloud,
Fluttring 'bout cafements of departing fouls:
and thro' their yawns let loofe
gape the graves,
Imprifon'd fpirits to revifit earth.

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.
Hand in hand, with fairy grace,
Will we fing, and bless this place.

The SONG.

Now, until the break of day,
Through this houfe each Fairy ftray.
To the best bride-bed will we,
Which by us fhall bleffed be:
And the iffue, there create,
Ever fhall be fortunate;
So fhall all the couples three
Ever true in loving be:
And the blots of nature's hand
Shall not in their iffue ftand;
Never mole, hair-lip, nor fcar,
Nor mark prodigious, fuch as are
Defpifed in nativity,

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.
Ever fhall it fafely reft,

And the owner of it bleft.
Trip away, make no stay ;
Meet me all by break of day.

H 2

Puck. If we fhadows have offended,
Think but this, and all is mended;
That you have but flumbred here,
While these visions did appear.
And this weak and idle theam
No more yielding but a dream,
Gentles, do not reprehend;
If you pardon, we will mend.
And as I am honeft Puck,
If we have unearned luck

Now to 'fcape the ferpent's tongue,
We will make amends ere long:
Elfe the Puck a liar call:

So good night unto you all.

Give me your hands, if we be friends;
And Robin fhall reftore amends.

[Exeunt omnes.