MERLIN, _with Spirits, descends to_ PHILIDEL, _in a Chariot drawn by Dragons_.
_Mer._ What art thou, spirit? of what name, or order? For I have viewed thee in my magic glass, Making thy moan among the midnight wolves, That bay the silent moon; speak, I conjure thee. 'Tis Merlin bids thee, at whose awful wand The pale ghost quivers, and the grim fiend gasps.
_Phil._ An airy shape, the tenderest of my kind, The last seduced, and least deformed, of hell; Half-white, and shuffled in the crowd, I fell, Desirous to repent, and loth to sin; Awkward in mischief, piteous of mankind. My name is Philidel, my lot in air, Where, next beneath the moon, and nearest heaven, I soar, and have a glimpse to be received, For which the swarthy dæmons envy me.
_Phil._ To shun the Saxon wizard's dire commands, Osmond, the awfullest name, next thine, below. 'Cause I refused to hurl a noisome fog On christened heads, the hue and cry of hell Is raised against me, for a fugitive sprite.
_Mer._ Osmond shall know, a greater power protects thee. But follow thou the whispers of thy soul, That draw thee nearer heaven; And, as thy place is nearest to the sky, The rays will reach thee first, and bleach thy soot.
_Phil._ In hope of that, I spread my azure wings; And wishing still,--for yet I dare not pray,-- I bask in day-light, and behold, with joy, My scum work outward, and my rust wear off.
_Mer._ Why, 'tis my hopeful devil. Now mark me, Philidel; I will employ thee, for thy future good. Thou know'st, in spite of valiant Oswald's arms, Or Osmond's powerful spells, the field is ours.
_Phil._ Oh, master! hasten Thy dread commands; for Grimbald is at hand, Osmond's fierce fiend; I snuff his earthy scent. The conquering Britons he misleads to rivers, Or dreadful downfals of unheeded rocks; Where many fall, that ne'er shall rise again.
_Mer._ Be that thy care, to stand by falls of brooks, And trembling bogs, that bear a green-sward show. Warn off the bold pursuers from the chace.-- No more; they come, and we divide the task. But, lest fierce Grimbald's ponderous bulk oppress Thy tender flitting air, I'll leave my band Of spirits, with united strength to aid thee, And force with force repel. [_Exit_ MERLIN _in his Chariot_. MERLIN'S _Spirits stay with_ PHILIDEL.