Act 2 — Scene I.[3437]

Priest. Shepherds all, and maidens fair, Fold your flocks up, for the air ’Gins to thicken, and the sun Already his great course hath run. See the dew-drops how they kiss5 Every little flower that is; Hanging on their velvet heads, Like a rope of crystal beads; See the heavy clouds down[3438] falling, And bright Hesperus loud[3438] calling10 The dead Night from under ground; At whose rising mists unsound,[3439] Damps and vapours fly apace, Hovering o’er the wanton face Of these pastures, where they come,15 Striking dead both bud and bloom. Therefore, from such danger lock Every one his loved flock; And let your dogs lie loose without, Lest the wolf come as a scout20 From the mountain, and, ere day, Bear a lamb or kid away; Or the crafty thievish fox Break upon your simple flocks. To secure yourselves from these,25 Be not too secure in ease. Let one eye his watches keep, Whilst the t’other eye doth sleep; So you shall good shepherds prove, And for ever hold the love30 Of our great god. Sweetest slumbers, And soft silence, fall in numbers On your eyelids! So, farewell: Thus I end my evening’s knell. Exeunt.