Page 491 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

LORENZO

Sweet soul, let’s in, and there expect their coming.
And yet no matter: why should we go in? [50]
My friend Stephano, signify, I pray you,

Within the house, your mistress is at hand,
And bring your music forth into the air.
Exit Stephano.
How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank!
Here will we sit and let the sounds of music [55]

Creep in our ears; soft stillness and the night
Become the touches of sweet harmony.
Sit, Jessica; look how the floor of heaven

Is thick inlaid with patens of bright gold.
There’s not the smallest orb which thou beholdest [60]
But in his motion like an angel sings,
Still quiring to the young-eyed cherubins;
Such harmony is in immortal souls,

But whilst this muddy vesture of decay
Doth grossly close it in, we cannot hear it. [65]

Enter Musicians.

Come ho, and wake Diana with a hymn,
With sweetest touches pierce your mistress’ ear

And draw her home with music.

Music.

JESSICA
I am never merry when I hear sweet music.

LORENZO
The reason is your spirits are attentive. [70]
For do but note a wild and wanton herd

Or race of youthful and unhandled colts
Fetching mad bounds, bellowing and neighing loud,
Which is the hot condition of their blood,
If they but hear perchance a trumpet sound, [75]