knows that he will never be perswaded unto it till you be married unto another and therefore he is resolved to sacrifice you unto the marriage of his Son and has given me in charge to tell you as much and to know what you resolve upon Upon death Madam answered I presently yes the most cruel death that ever any Tyrant like himself invented Upon this the Prince Sigismond knocked at the door and interrupted us Clotilda not knowing who it was went her self to open it and seeing the Prince Come Brother said she unto him in a low voice and see here a poor desolate woman and having shut the door she conducted him unto me all in tears My dearest Dorinde said he comfort your self with this that he for whom you suffer this displeasure will help you to bear a share every tear you shed is a drop of blood from his heart But I vow by all that 's sacred that neither the power of a King or commands of a Father shall ever make me shrink from my promise unto you I know that Gondebaut intends to force an injurious marriage upon you only because he thinks that I will never marry till then but he is grosly mistaken if he think to bring his enterpize to pass that way for I will sooner lose my life then consent unto it protesting that if he do constrain you to marry against your will he shall not survive an hour after I hear of it He would have proceeded further but Clotilda interrupted him saying That when things are come to that height as extream resolutions must be taken then perhaps none will blame you if you do so but yet thanks be to heaven they are not and therefore it is more requisite to endeavour the prevention by prudence It was upon this subject I was talking to this poor woman but now and before I gave her my advice I asked her what she resolved upon Upon death replied she again and with as good a will as ever any desired to live Death replied the Prince is the last remedy but before you have recourse unto it as I live half of the Burgundians shall die in defence of so just a cause Oh Sir answered I heaven forbid I should be the cause of a War betwixt the Father and the Son and it were better a thousand times that Dorinde were in her grave No no replied Clotilda there is no necessity of having recourse unto death until there be no other remedy nor is there any necessity of submitting unto the unjust violences of a Tyrant as long as they may be avoided Heaven has given us prudence to preserve our selves against such designs Let us therefore make use of it as we ought to do and I assure my self heaven will prosper our endeavours Upon this she proposed unto me what Sigismond and she had before resolved upon and told me that if I took this course she might be much assistant to me because there was very good correspondency betwixt the sage Amasis and her and that if upon any consideration that Princess could not protect me I might keep my self concealed amongst the Shepherdesses of Lignon Astrea and Diana with whom I might live very happily they being the fairest the most vertuous and the best accomplished women in all Europe And when I answered that to fly from this unjust violence which was threatned I would not only go into Forrests but into any other place of the world and that my only fear was that I should not hit the way or else be taken by some or other The Prince answered I will be your guard and see you so safely conducted that none dare do you any harm Then turning towards the Princess Sister said he unto he I beseech you let her return unto her house to take order for her departure before any take notice of it for if you approve of it I conceive it best for her to be gone as soon as she can nor shall I be at rest till she be out of that place where injustice is so predominant The Princess who pitied my misfortune and was a true wisher of my welfare did willingly consent unto it and at parting she said unto me Remember Dorinde that you take your best Jewels with you which are most portable and may best be hidden for Necessity is a monster that has no Law no shame nor reason and a woman above all ought to fear meeting with such a fierce and dangerous beast This counsel caused me as soon as I came home to seek out the best of my Jewels which were portable of which I made a girdle in a linnen bag and wore it about my Waste and as I was very busie about it the Prince having none with him but one man in whom he had great confidence came into my chamber at which I was so surprized as I ran into the next room and locked up my self but considering the sweet and discreet behaviour he always used towards me I thought this flight from him was a kind of offence unto him and that I had no manner of reason to fear him I see Dorinde said he unto me that my coming does put you into fears but know that my coming is to no other end but to continue those assurances which formerly I have given you of my unalterable affection and to tell you that such is my love as you shall never be banished from your Native Country for my sake without me I mean that I will accompany you into all places where you go and nothing shall separate us but only death Oh Sir said I unto him will you go with me What then will the King your Father say Let Gondebaut replied he say and do even what he pleaseth for I will not acknowledge him either for my Father or my King I would have him know that Kings are lords of our bodies but not of our minds and that nothing is more insupportable unto a generous courage then an unjust constraint You need not Dorinde refuse my company for I protest before the great Tautates I will never desire any thing from you until we be married together so as I may be for ever the husband of Dorinde and Dorinde the wife of Sigismond Sir said I unto him the hopes which you are pleased to give me do give me such abundance of contentment and satisfaction that though never any other advantage befal me yet would I not change my happiness with any woman in the world But Sir if you intend to go with me what will the world censure of my flight with you What need you care what censures the world gives answered he as long as we intend never to return till we be married together But good Sir said I what will the King say when he sees he has lost you If the King replied he would have a Son without courage let him get one who does not resemble me and if he would have him to be a man of spirit
to the very soul that his Shepherdesse was to be thus used for his sake and when she was rudely treated by the Officers of Justice is it possible said Alexis that in Forrests such savage spirits and inhumane courages should be found as are not moved at the beauty of Astrea Does this countrey where sweetnesse and civility so long raigned now produce and nourish Monsters more wild and keen then Africa Certainly you have no eyes nor heart for if you were not blind you could not chuse but honour and reverence the most excellent work of the great gods but all his words were uselesse and he was no sooner in prison with her but he fell down upon his knees Oh Astrea said he I conjure you by the love you have unto me to have pity upon your self and since 't is only I whom they aim at be not guilty of your own death Could you exempt me by it haply I should excuse the excess of your affection in bearing me company but since your death will do me no good alas why will you add unto my grief by seeing you die You know that I do love you with all my soul and what wrong did I ever do you that you should make me the Author of your death You know that homicide is abominable unto the Gods and why will you incense them by committing it upon your self Be not more guilty of your death then those who bring you unto it Celadon would have continued longer but Astrea interrupted him All these arguments and perswasions might avail if you were not to die said she but the Gods in depriving me of my most dear Alexis do know that they deprive me of my life also for I neither will nor can live without her and in putting you to death they do the same to me Tell not me that I am guilty of my own death if I die with you for the threds of our lives are so interwoven and knit together that the Scissars which cut the one does also cut the other And as for being an addition of sorrow unto you by this action Oh Mistris Is it possible you should think I can live without you Will you wrong me so much as think I love you so little A common Souldier will run through that fire which burns him unto whom he hath promised fidelity nay he will be scorned if he do not and may not as much be allowed Astrea when Alexis dies Let not I beseech you any such thought harbour in your soul but if you will have me die contentedly say unto me Astrea I would have both our hearts pierced with the same spear that our souls as they pass out of our bodies may unite for ever as our affections already have conjoyned our wills with a love inseparable I use Mistris these expressions of affection and love which perhaps becomes not the inequality of our conditions and ranks but you have allowed this familiarity formerly and well may now since death is to remove all terms of inequality and level us all alike Celadon did listen long without interruption for first he thought it indiscretion to do otherwise and secondly he was so pleased to hear and receive such expressions of affection from her he loved as he was even enchanted with her words At last my dear servant said he unto her those who love well as I know you do Alexis will always value the contentment of the party loved above their own I doubt not but it is some comfort unto you to end your days with Alexis but do not you consider what a grief of soul it will be unto me to see you die Ah dearest Mistris said Astrea if those who love well ought to have this consideration why not you the same of me And why do not you consider what a most intollerable despair it would be unto me to survive you No no Mistris let us not resist the will of the Gods if it be their will that one of us should live most certainly they will preserve the life of the other and if I die I believe you will not live 'T is true answered Celadon And it is more true replyed Astrea that I cannot survive Alexis one minute Thus Alexis and Astrea sighed away all the night in giving new assurances of the affection which they bore unto each other and though it was upon a sad occasion yet Love did draw even out of their most bitter tears most incomparable consolations Alexis at last seeing his Shepherdess would not be diverted from the resolution which she had taken did often think it now time to declare who he was and to undeceive her in the opinion which she had of his being the daughter of Adamas but yet some consideration restrained him Somtimes he would say unto himself why should I any longer conceal my self since now we are both at the very brink of death But then again said he and reprehended himself why should I make any discovery of it since that will also be a very death For the knowledge of it will either please or displease her If it please her will not her death be more displeasing unto her And if it displease her why should I add more grief unto her when we are both going to die Thus was he long disputing with himself at last he thought it the fittest time to declare himself as he was falling at her feet thinking that if the transgressing her commands did offend her he would wash away the crime with his blood In the mean time day began to dawn and the whole Army began to move and march towards the Town circling it about as the day before and causing abundance of hurdles and faggots and engines to march before them it seemed they intended to fill up the ditch as they did before but because they of the Town began to salute them with many clouds of Arrows and throw such heaps of stones upon them they kept at a distance further off Then a body of horse and another of foot did open and make a lane for Astrea Alexis Silvia and Lidias whom they took for Ligdamon to passe through accompanied with a hundred Pikes and as many Halberdeirs conducted by a Captain that was no Segusian and so chosen by Polemas because he feared those of that countrey would be too favourable unto those innocent persons which had relations to the principal of the countrey They had tied them all four together by the arms and lest they should make any resistance or difficulty at their going before they had each of them a Pike fasted hehind them to the end that he who held it might thrust it into their bodies if they would not go They had each of them tyed to their hands of a flaming link and so were driven forward towards the gate of the Town O most barbarous and prophane wretches said Alexis unto them that tyed them together is there no spark of humanity in your hearts Dare you lay
say thus The Law of death is so common unto all men as you ought not to think it strange I should pay that debt which I ow unto Nature Did not Kings use to die as well as other men you had some reason to wonder I should be excluded from that priviledge and that my Scepter and my Crown should not defend me against the blows of death but a Monarch has no more right to live then the poorest Shepherd we do dayly see their ashes and their Monuments as this methinks should be a great consolation unto you all to know that I die because the gods will have it so and that they never made any man who was not subject unto death therefore my dearest Argira if you have any consideration of my rest and have any desire to please me I beseech you stop the current of your tears which do but grieve me I do not require any greater testimonies of your love then those you have already given me and wish for no more but leave to die Policander uttered these words with such a dying voice as if his soul had gone out of his mouth at the last word the Queen was deeply overwhelmed in sorrows as Rosilion whose groans did testifie the sadness of his soul The wrong Celidontes unto whom Policander had already given the Crown of the Ambarres of the Boyers and of the Lemovices upon condition he would marry Cephise was so extreamly afflicted that he could not rejoyce at the return of Argira nor resent that contentment which at another time the recovery would have been unto him At last the King perceiving himself every minute to grow weaker and weaker and finding himself not able to hold out any longer he began to strive with himself Argira said he with a deep sigh I conjure you by that which you love best and I think that is my memory to have a care of those whom I leave under your tuition Make them by your example of virtue to abhor vice and considering that riches are as fading as our selves remember that all the good or bad which we are to have in the other world depends only upon the merit of our actions in this life And you Rosilion said he holding out his feeble hand or rather the true Celiodantes forgive that crime which in my ignorance I committed against you Do not accuse me of ingratitude and may Rosanira whom I give unto you long enjoy those Grandeurs wherein you shall share as King of the Santons and Picts Love him for my sake who hath so long usurped your name In saying so he turned towards the wrong Celiodantes and you my son said he unto him pay back with interest the good will he shall bear unto you Love Peace Never take up Arms but in a just cause Have God still on your side and above all carry your self well towards Argira This is all I desire from you Farewel my Sons farewel dear Argira farewel Ro At this word he expired and his eye remaining still fixed upon Rosilion they knew his intention was to have named him but could not pronounce the last part of his name which the Queen perceiving and finding Policander to be as cold as marble it was an hundred to one but she had followed him that very hour All former considerations of her voyage which should have been consolations unto her were quite forgotten and not one thought could keep her from a present despair one would have thought that she had drowned her reason in her tears and that she had sought for the soul of Policander in the roots of that hair which she pulled from her head The wrong Celiodantes was almost out of himself and though the death of the King did leave him an Empire yet he testified that he thought the loss of his person made him no gainer Cephise and Rosilion were no less afflicted and all the Cavaliers present expressed abundance of grief for the loss of their Prince They came all unto the Queen and swore fidelity unto her and Celiodantes but she was not in a condition to hear what they said unto her and if the Ladies had not got her into bed perhaps she had died Thus they all retired almost as sad for the sickness of the Queen as for the loss of the King But as in the vicissitude of things nothing is durable so the sorrows of Argira of Celiodantes and of Rosilion at the last lessened and their reason having escaped the shipwrack of the first resentment the Queen began to remember that aid which she had promised unto the Nymph and she thought upon nothing more then her preservation At the end of a few days the people over whom Policander reigned did put the Scepter and Crown upon the head of Celiodantes with the same ceremonies as they were accustomed to crown their Kings and Rosilion making all haste to the Picts did levie by the Queens permission twelve thousand men and afterwards taking leave of Celiodantes his brother did take the field with his Arâ—â— being resolved to relieve Rosanira and oppose all violence that should be offered unto Amasis The Sequel of the History of LIPANDAS AMERINA MELANDRE and LIDIAS DUring this while Lipandas recovered of his wounds but not of his passion and though this Cavalier had not much acquaintance with Melandre yet did he know her spirit and that she was the most generous woman in the world This was a cause that as soon as the Truce was concluded and Polemas raised the siege he was grieved to the very soul He was not sorry that Amasis had great hopes in that relief which was promised unto her but when he considered that this took from him the means of shewing his courage and of overcoming the soul of Melandre by those testimonies of his valour which he intended he grew almost desperate yet knowing no remedy he resolved to wait with all possible patience until the end of this cessation of Arms and afterwards to perform such glorious exploits as she should in some sort of think it an honour to be served by a Cavalier so full of courage and affection In the mean time it was permitted him to see her and because in this liberty he lost not a minute of time which afforded him the opportunity of entertaining her he endeavoured a thousand times to make her sensible of his passion But she would never be moved unto any further then pity for she appeared always so prepossessed with the thought of Lidias as he could hardly ever hope for any alteration in her inclination As oft as he considered by how many Laws he was obliged rather to die then leave loving her he was confounded â—he mentioned the combate wherein he was overcome when she exposed her self unto the fury of his Arms for the liberty of Lidias and telling her it was a kind of miracle she should go off the field with that advantage which she had he endeavoured to perswade her that it was
next world But Adamas replied the Nymph admit all this true yet in the mean time this Traytour Polemas will triumph over my daughter and my dominions If the gods have so ordained it answered Adamas all humane power is not able to hinder it but the best way is to suffer patiently without murmure I know replied the Nymph that if Galatheas courage be like unto mine we shall not want remedies to keep our selves from falling into his hands The best remedy of all replied the Druide is to have recourse unto the gods who will never deny you what is necessary The Gods are so just replied Amasis that they have given me power to die when I please Upon this she was so swelled with grief that she left the Druide in the chamber and shut her self in her closet Adamas fearing lest the Nymph should fall upon some dangerous resolution he went in all haste unto Godomar who had with him Damon Alcidon Lipandas Ligdamon Lidias and some other Cavaliers and telling them in what condition Amasis was and all the discourse they had together he beseeched them to go unto her afterwards giving them some particular instructions he accompanied them unto the closet door and afterwards went into the Town to give necessary orders for the preservation of it Amasis was already laid down upon her bed in hopes to find some rest but found none for joyning to her sorrows at the bad estate of her affairs the loss of Clidemant her son in whom she had placed her greatest hopes she was so drowned in sorrows that she was even ready to sacrifice her self unto the violence of her despair She had a thousand designes in her mind and the most advantageous was to die And though she knew well enough that complaints and tears would do no good yet she still complained and cryed because she could not chuse Alas my dear Clidemant said she must thy death be the cause of mine and must thy loss be succeeded by the loss of my estate did the safety of all this Province depend upon thy life and was the good of my people wholly built upon thine Alas alas added she with a deep sigh what reason had I to think so since before ever thou camest into the world they flourish'd with so much glory that there was no fear of any change but that it was their fate to perish with thee Ah Clidemant Clidemant my dearest Clidemant and would have continued in her Lamentations but hearing some knock at the door she stopped and as soon as she was told that it was Godomar she covered her tears with her handkerchief The young Prince in whose valour was all her hopes used such excellent expressions and the Cavaliers who accompanied him did make such promises of service and affection that she received some comfort so as desiring them to sit down she told them that the courage of a woman was not strong enough to resist the blows of Fortune especially when they threatned the loss of reputation with the loss of life Hitherto I have with some patience resisted the assaults of my misfortunes but now since the forces which Polemas has received it has put me out of all hopes to punish his rebellion and since I see my daughter and my self ready to be sacrificed unto his arrogance I must confess my reason bids me despair when I see armed against me no fewer then fourty thousand men All that number answered Godomar may be shaked into dust by one single blow of heavens anger It is not the number that gets victories courage and a good cause are the sure foundations of getting combats and battels which makes me believe that you Madam having so much right on your side and your enemies so much injustice and the carriage of those which serve you being incomparably above theirs it is impossible but all this great puissance which you see must vanish before your arms as the light of many little Stars will at the arrival of the Sun All the rest of the Cavaliers added some such discourses and gave her such hopes that her countenance began to reassume fresh colours again After this they retired and went unto the walls to look upon their enemies Celadon in two dayes was so well recovered of his wounds that he began to stir out of his chamber and that day in particular he went to visit Clindor and his Guests and return them thanks for their visits and therefore Adamas went thither also who finding them in the Garden did first salute Clindor afterwards taking Alexis by the hand who was talking with Astrea he said unto that fair Shepherdess will you fair one give me leave to take her out of your company a little whom you seem to love so well though she deserve it not The Authority answered Astrea which Sir you have both upon her and me may do what you please without asking my consent but since you are pleased to ask it I must tell you reverend Sir that I will give it upon condition you restore her quickly again for the truth is I cannot enjoy any contentment in any other company but hers The Druide smiling at her innocency and admiring to see how perfectly she was deceived I will keep her so little from you said he unto her that you shall have no cause to chide me for crossing your contentment In saying so he carried Alexis into another walk where none could here and Astrea retiring into an harbour with other Shepherds and Shepherdesses he began to say thus unto her are you resolved Celadon to languish thus eternally in this habit which you wear Do you not consider that you have been now above two moneths with Astrea and abusing her credulity under a fiction which cannot long continue Consider I say that you are Man and it is impossible you should continue long in the disguise of a woman in time will your beard grow in spite of your Petticote and if you should be discovered what a soul blur would it be unto my reputation and what advantage would you give unto my enemies They would talk of this action as a Scandal and so stain my repute in the opinion of men that they would look upon me as an Impostour who to make Celadon triumph over the chastity of Astrea made use of this Artifice Father answered Celadon all the actions of your life are unblameable so as you cannot offend either against heaven or men and the honour of Astrea is so splendent that it cannot be clouded by any suspition so as you need not fear to let me continue still in this condition wherein I am you may safely suffer me to stay still with Astrea under the umbrage of Alexis since I am sure I cannot live under the notion of Celadon Adamas then shrugged his shoulders and recoyled two or three paces then taking the Shepherd by the hand he began to walk but I must tell you said he that this desire of yours was reasonable the
me I fixed my looks upon him and did so perfectly know his face as I wondered I should be so long mistaken At the first I was upon the point to embrace him and to follow the first suggestion of my love but then calling presently to memory the condition wherein he had seen me the favours he had received from me and how I had given him liberty to kisse my cheek my neck my eyes and my mouth this put me into such a confusion as I stood immovable then did a combate begin in my soul betwixt love and reason pity took part with one of them and honour the other love pleaded the exstream obedience of the shepherd his inviolable fidelity his passion and his fortune and pity would needs perswade me to put an end unto his miseryes But reason and honour did cleerly demonstrate unto me the bad designs he had cloaked under this disguise and commanded me to do some act which might testifie to the world that I was in no wise an accessory unto that disguisment In conclusion I fixed upon this last resolution and entring into a greater anger against him then ever I was not considering how long he had been upon his knees nor so much as bidding him to rise cruel wretch said I unto him that has attempted against my honour and who with insufferable impudence durst yet present himself before that person who has all the reason in the world to hate thee how canst thou forbear blushing at thy arrogant boldness Perfideous and deceitfull Alexis no less then death can expiate thy crime How couldest thou find malice enough to betray me upon this shaking of his Arm as well as I could I began to fly from him but he holding me by my coat Alas fair Astrea said he unto me I did not expect from your rigour a reception more favorable I knew my fault did deserve a punishment as great but since it is my fate to die and since your own fairest self hath doomed it so I beseech you even for pities sake to tell me what kind of death it is your pleasure I should die to the end my repentance and obedience which I will tender unto you in that last moment may in some sort satisfie your anger I must confesse the tone wherein he ultered these expressions did most sensibly move me and I was even ready to yeild unto the suggestions of compassion but being already fully resolved to do some violence not only upon him but upon my self I seemed to be very obstinate in my first design and pulling my coat away from him by force Die what death thou wilt said I unto him so I may be no more troubled with thee Upon this I left him and Leonide followed me some twenty or thirty paces but seeing that Celadon took another way she lift me to follow him being unwilling as I beleive to forsake him in that sad affliction wherein I left him As soon as they were out of sight I began to dispute with my self whether I had done well or ill and in the time that I was coming hither I think I did a hundred times approve of my actions and a hundred times repent I ever did it but finding no way to revoke what I had said and not being able to put out of my mind those favours which his disguisement had obtained from me at last I seated my self under this tree where when Diana came unto me I had began to lament both my own fortune and Celadons Thus Astrea ended the discourse of all the passages which hapned unto her in the new acquaintance that she had with her shepherd and Phillis who was extreamly greived that the cruelty of her Companions had imposed upon Celadon a more dangerous penance then she first Sister said she unto her I do not wonder nor shall hardly pity you if you suffer any more misery and if heaven should condemn you unto some now subject of grief for I professe you have most strange odd and perticular wayes to bring sorrow upon your self and such as I believe no other but your self would ere have thought upon Fie fie what necessity was there to drive away this shepherd from you again If you did think thereby to stop the mouths of such as might accuse you of any crime did you not plainly see there was no necessity of any such extreams since the authority of Adamas was enough to free you from all suspition Ah sister answered Astrea though there be some likly hood that Adamas does know some of these passages yet am I not assured that he does and to tell you truly I never thought upon him I was taken upon such a sudden and my judgment so surprised and intangled that it was very hard for me to entertain any other considerations then such as prompted me to condemn this shepherd of the greatest treason he could ere commit against me Well well replied Phillis perhaps ere long heaven will let you know the secret of all this business to the end you may be tormented with more sensible remorse For so ill using the favour that was shewed you in rendring Celadon again Mean while because I will not be so uncharitable as you I will go and think upon some means which may prevent that shepherd from doing any harm unto himself and acquaint Lycidas with all that hath hapned Upon this never staying to hear the answer of Astrea nor what Diana promised to tell her she rose up and went towards the house where she thought to find Lycidas Astrea and Diana began to follow her and conceiving that as they went they had time enough to talk of their business Diana began to relate almost word for word all the discourse which Paris and she had together she told her of Silvanders despair and lastly of Bellindes command upon her and having throughly informed her of all she proceeded thus Now sister to open unto you the very closset of my soul I must freely tell you that I have nothing so great an aversion to be marryed unto my grave then unto Paris Not that I have any cause to hate him nor so little Judgment as not to know what honour and advancement it would be unto me but to confess ingeniously I do love Silvander better and though nature has put an inequality betwixt them yet beleive me love is revenged since the same advantages which birth gives unto Paris above Silvander my affection does give them unto Silvander above Paris See how heaven does play with me in giving me an inclination unto one whom I must not pretend unto and an aversion unto him to whom I must be sacrifised Your misfortune said Astrea is not yet comparable unto mine For in the accidents of your life nothing has hapned which can wound your reputation whereas in the disguisement of Celadon the most innocent of my actions may with some colourable pretence be taken for a crime Besides whether you marry Paris or Silvander yet
many people in the quest that though they be drowned in Lignon which I do not think yet we shall find some markes of their death I pray the heavens replied Bellinde that my feare prove false and that you may bring better news of them then I expect In saying so she went out and with her Leonide and Phillis who having found 〈…〉 with him all the 〈…〉 they all went in 〈…〉 On the other 〈…〉 with a strange impatiency to talk with Astrea 〈…〉 Celadon 〈…〉 the morning and 〈…〉 of Shepherdesses 〈…〉 provided the day 〈…〉 and Silvia did 〈…〉 they went into the chamâ—er of Amasis who 〈…〉 had admired the comliness of 〈◊〉 dresses though far short of their usual â—ear she 〈…〉 a good speed and dismissed them They went in a coach and sent it back as soon as 〈…〉 the Druides house and then Madonthe and Daphâ—â—â— who were 〈◊〉 well versed in the way of Shepherdesses they taught the 〈◊〉 how they should hold their sheepâ—ooks â—nd by what language they must make the sheep to understand them After this they entred into the Court and met no living body at which Galathea wondering and not being able to imagine what should be 〈…〉 in the house at last she believed all the Shepherds and Shepherdesses were gone into the Woods to divert themselves under some cool shade in the heat of the day In this thought they went up the stairs and Adamas being advertised by him â—ho looked to the gates that some Shepherdesses were entred he came to receive them at the stairs top At the first sight he knew Madonthe and 〈◊〉 for he had seen them in that dress before and afterwards knowing the rest also O heavens my most honoured Ladies said he with a pleasant aspect unto 〈◊〉 and Galathea what good Fortune is it that honours me with so much happiness as to bring you hither Surely Father answered Galathea it is not the custome to speak with so much respect unto Shepherdesses but let me tell you that since the departure of Sigismond Rosilion Godomar Damon and all the rest of â—ur Cavâ—lierâ— we fâ—â—â— a design of coming to visit you and participate of those innocent pleasure which are to be found under the habits wherein you 〈…〉 replied the Druide with a sigh you come to be witnesses of those 〈…〉 wherewith the innocence of this kind of life is 〈◊〉 for be pleased to know 〈…〉 disorder at 〈…〉 which have befallen uâ— within these two dayes I profess replied 〈…〉 do both astonish and grieve me for if did not think to find you in such a great confusion In saying so they went into the dining room through which they went into the chamber of Adamas and there the Druide began to speak unto them 〈◊〉 make you acquainted with our sorrows said he I need but only shew you the face of Belinde who is mother unto Diana for yesterday she lost her daughter who stole away from hence with Astrea and all this as I believe is come to pass because Alexis was lost the day before How I said Galathea is not Alexis theâ— here We do not know where she is replied the Druide but perhaps 〈…〉 glad to hear her Fortune for you have some interest in it Galathea â—ot â—eing able to understand his meaning I cannot chuse but be much 〈…〉 her said she since she did belong unto you Upon this Belinde being called and knowing the names of all these new Shepherdesses she rendred what was due unto their birth and 〈…〉 with a countenance full of cares and grief Rosanira 〈◊〉 she had saluted her 〈◊〉 thought said the Princess unto her that we were 〈…〉 admire the beauty and perfections of your daughter but I perceive that we have those 〈◊〉 to give some comfort unto you Madam answered 〈…〉 but since you do 〈…〉 I am not ashamed to confess before you 〈…〉 as makes me almost incapable of any 〈…〉 â—aid Galathea and by consequence must needs be sensible of what concerns your own blood but I hope your sorrows are not without some remedy if heaven do but love you half so well as we esteem and love you Upon this Adamas beseeched them to sit down and being desired by Galathea to tell them all that related unto the loss of Alexis and of the flight of Astrea and Diana he acquainted them with every particular circumstance So as Galathea understanding that Alexis was the very same Lacinde who escaped out of the Pallace of Isoures I do not wonder said she and was much surprized that you have alwayes kept her out of my sight for doubtless you know that I should have known her I did at the least fear it replied the Druide and I was sure that acquaintance would not at all have helped Celadon for he was then so obstinately unwilling to appear before Astrea that he had rather have died a hundred deaths then I should have discovered his disguisment This discourse lasted until it was dinner time after which Rosanira having a desire to see the Gallery Adamas conducted all the company thither and they had not been there above a quarter of an hour but word was brought unto Adamas that there was three men at the gates which desired to speak with him He presently commanded they should be let enter and the first that appeared was Halladine whom Adamas and others did presently know Halladine had no sooner saluted the Druide but he did his reverence unto Madonthe and hearing that Damon was at Lions he beseeched their leave to go thither but Madonthe telling him how short a time Damon would stay I had rather continued she that you would give us an accompt of your journey and tell us how Celidea was cured Madam answered Halladine to tell it exactly unto you requires a better wit then mine but here is a man come with me who is able to relate every circumstance unto you Upon this he told them that those two who came in with him the one was the great Olicarsis the African and Authour of Celideas cure The other was Azahides and that no man in the world was better able to tell her what she desired to know then he Upon this all the company fixed their looks upon these two men one of which was Olicarsis whose habit stature and deportment was no small subject of astonishment unto them Adamas went unto them and knowing by Damons report how considerable this old man was for his rare and admirable qualities he received them with all possible demonstrations of kindness and Olicarsis who though a Barbarian by birth yet not so by humour he thought himself so obliged by the kind expressions of the Druide as from thence forward he began to have a most particular affection unto him After the first complements were performed the Druide desired them to sit down with all that good company and by Fortune Olicarsis at the same time did cast his eye upon some Pictures wherewith that Gallery was admirably well furnished
sight of this Shepherd she followed him from tree to tree until he found what he sought for and it was not long first for he found the little Rivolet unto which he paying his tribute of a few teares he presently after went straight to his cave As soon as he came their he entred in and as soon as Laonice lost the sight of him she doubled her pace and without any feares of being seen she got as near the mouth of it as she could and there lending a most listning ear to hear what the designes of Tircis might be she heard him say Dear habitation which may cover me from the injuries of heaven as thou dost from the importunities of Laonice Pardon me for having lost my way in the confusion of my thoughts I absented my self from thee a whole night Into what a lamentable dump did these words strike Laonice she was even ready to run out of her wits and now seeing all her sweet hopes blasted she was even ready to die Yet hearing Tircis say something else she wished for life only to hear him and therefore heard him proceed thus But dear cave if thou wilt make me the most happy man that ever was I beseech thee let me live no longer to kill another would be Barbarisme but to kill Tircis charity If because thou knowest not the dismall successes of my disasterous life thou beest ignorant of the cause I have to wish for death Know dear Cell That I did love Cleon That her death did seperate me from her and that my death is the only was to reunite us upon this he was silent and because he continued so long Laonice thought that his teares had drownded his speech or that perhaps he was kissing the rock in which he was shut Needing therefore to hear no more she retired her self the most sadly afflicted woman in the world only she received a little poor consolation when she considered that since he intended to inhabite no where else but there she might often have the pleasure of seeing and hearing him So leaving him in his Cell she returned to her own out of which she durst not stir all the day Tircis did not so for after he had sighed a while in his little Grotto he went out but durst not go far least he should lose himself as he did the day before he sate him down under a shady tree and there he pulled out of his pocket all the favours and Letters which formerly he had received from Cleon and reading then one after another all the passages of his love came so fresh into his memory as at that instant he fancied her to be yet alive but this pleasing imagination lasting no longer then the time he imployed in reading them he had no sooner ended but his sorrowes began again Thus having kissed them and lapped all those dear Letters in a bag which he called his treasury he rose up and walked up and down till night invited him unto his Cave Laonice did not spend the day so for she durst not stir out of hers least if Tircis should it would make him quit his habitation for ever which he had chosen for the tranquility of his last dayes yet not being able to leave thinking upon him she never lest contriving out some way or other which might in some measure allay that irreconcilable hatred which was in the soul of this shepherd towards her Amongst all her thoughts which most touched her to the quick the Oracle which she had received held the prime place so as continually thinking upon it But if the gods said she have promised a kind remedy unto my passion is it not most just I should hope well in their goodness and if I may hope why may I not think upon such meanes as may obtain it a ghost did thy tell me must be the remedy unto my affliction but what ghost can this be It cannot be the ghost of Tircis For if Tircis were only a ghost my misery in lieu of being less would be extream I value his life at such a rate of love as if any fatal accident should ravish it away I should conspire against my own It cannot therefore be Cleons for the dead do either know the actions of this life or else they do not know them if they do know them then it is impossible but the soul of that fair one must rejoyce to see Tircis continue his love and fidelity unto her So as it is in vain to expect any assistance from her since it concernes her interest rather to prejudice then to help me If the dead do not know what we of this life do why should I look for any help from a place where oblivion raignes with so much Empire No no Laonice thy miseryes must be eternall and thou mayest think that if the gods had any mind to put a period unto them they would have inspired thee with some invention more easy But said she is it not a beginning of happiness that Tircis is brought so near me Has not the world other deserts Forrests it self has other woods vvhere this shepherd might have found his solitude if some kind Demon had not brought him hither to case thee Upon this thought she opened the table book where we had written down the Oracle that concerned her and having read it over severall times The gods said she do assure that if Laonice be firm in her affection the heavens will send a remedy unto her passion Does this remedy depend upon the affection of Laonice or upon Laonice her self or upon the ghost or are not Laonice and the ghost one and the same thing Upon this she stopt and falling into a most profound study as if she had some deep design in her head come what will onâ— said she upon a suddain I will venture an undoeing it is credible the gods would never have put it into my mind unless they did intend it should take effect She spent all the rest of the day upon this thought and as soon as night came she went out of her Cell unto that of Tircis All the way she went she was ravelled with a thousand irresolutions and her feares not to bring her enterprise to pass made find her almost an impossibility in those things that were most easie Sometimes she conceited that to get the love of Tircis by fallacies was the way not to keep it long otherwhiles she perswaded her self that he would know her voice or that when the Moon shined it would discover that secret which she would not trust unto any thing but darkness But when she remembred that in love all subtilties even the fits are allowed and began to think he could hardly know her voice also that the Moon might perhaps not shine into his Cell she took a little courage and kept to her first resolution Her greatest fear was to meet him out of his cave for no other place but it could be favorable unto her design And
survive him one minute for whose sake she only desired to live Yet least her too much transport should be an obstacle unto her designe she conceal'd her sorrows with so great a constraint that Silvander himself was deceived by it This poor Shepherd after he had seen the doom which the God of Love had pronounced against him he mildly cast his eyes upon her and his grief not to possess her whom he loved beâ—t was a cause that he could not chuse but accompany his looks with some sighs Diana took them with an incomparable constancy and not so much as changing colour she shewed him more marks of amazement in her face then love of which the Shepherd was no less sensible then of that sentence which condemned him to dye Yet still retaining in his memory those testimonies of affection which she had shewed unto him he found presently after that it was no defect of love in her since commonly the deerest sorrows send forth fewest tears Adamas in this extreamity knew not what to do sometimes he looked upon Silvander and sometimes turned towards the Fountain as if he hoped the God would revoke this doom I yet still seemed so astonished as if he had thought it pronounced against himself and not Silvander Hylas was now put by the byas of his merry humour and though he did not meet with any greater opposer of himself by way of Argument yet did he grieve for him and made it appear that he was a lover of virtue and did esteem it wheresoever he did meet with it Lycidas Thamiros Adrastes and the rest did not know what countenances to put on and Celadon himself did forget all his causes of joy Thus in this universal astonishment and common silence no noise was to be heard but sighs which plainly spoke the sorrows of all the people But Silvander pressing through the company went to the Fountain where kneeling down and shewing a countenance of courragious resolution Oh God of Love said he in in a loud voice which dost envy my fedelity I do give thee thanks for the care thou hast taken in making me to dye so gloriously I know very well that as death is to tryumph over me so Paris is to tryumph over Diana but since my mean birth cannot dispute with him for the victory I cannot think that any command could come from a more puissant God Here I am Great God ready to obey thee And since the doom is irrevocable in ordaining me to live till to morrow may the Sun turn his hours into munites and hasten his return for my sake After this he rose up and whilst all the company observed his behaviour and whilst Paris himself was greeved to the soul that he could not be happy but by the ruine of that Shepherd he went unto Adamas and seeing him in great astonishment Father said he unto him cheer up we now know the will of the Gods and that this Fountain must be drenched with my blood if the Inchantment end Come come why stay we here any longer Son answered Adamas with a deep sigh The Gods do shew no less rigor un-unto me in letting me live then in hindring you In saying so he turned about and all the company doing the like they all began to set forward towards the house In their return every one went in confusion Astrea thinking upon nothing but the misfortune of her friend she left Celadon to the discretion of Galathea Phillis was so sadly concerned that Lycidas himself desired her to go and give what assistance she could unto Diana in that extreamity so being about that Shepherdess and a little separated from the company because they would not be heard Phillis was the first that spoke and after she had looked up to Heaven I profess said she I cannot enough admire at so many accidents by which the Gods do disturb the tranquility of our lives we do never gust any pleasure one single day but as soon as ever we have any cause of joy some strange disaster or other does blast it Sister answered Diana very sadly the Gods have now done their worst and since they have thus assaulted the innocency of Silvander it is probable they will not spare one of us The truth is â—aid Astrea and interrupted This Shepherd moves me to abundance of compassion I have narrowly observed the whole course of his life and when I do particularly consider the success of it I cannot chuse but admire his constancy and think his destinies too severe The fairest things replied Diana with tears in her eyes are often soonest blasted and therefore I do not so much wonder at Silvanders fate although I do most sadly resent it For though as they say the Gods cannot erre yet I cannot chuse but think them sometimes jealous and do envy us mortals when we have any thing amongst us that is execllent else what reason could they have to take from us this poor Shepherd had he ever neglected their service had he ever been negligent in looking to his flocks had hee been guilty of Paricide or had lived in a most precise observation of all Laws both divine and humane I could not have told what to have said But Lignon I believe never saw a more wise Shepherd then he You know how excellently he has often discoursed in matters of Divinity how respective he has been unto all his Flocks were always the best liking in all the plain and how could he commit Paricide since he never knew his Parents No no my companions they could never detect him of any crime unless making me in love with him but thy should they punish him for that since I never complained against him Sister replied Phillis If the Gods do punish him for winning your Love it is only because that affection is contrary unto what you owe unto Paris for you see it is their positive wills you should marry him and were I in your condition I would consent unto it provided they would let Silvander live Sister answered Astrea the Gods ure not to be capitulated withall and I believe there is some deep mystery in this which we understand not and that Silvander having lived most of his age out of Forrests there may be some other reason which causeth his death not but that I do extreamly lament him and would with the loss of my blood redeem him but since the misfortune is irrevocable I conceive the best way is to obey without murmur whatsoever the Gods ordain and concerning either him or us How sister said Diana and was a little troubled would you advise me to give my self unto Paris and betray my fidelity unto Silvander I would advise you said Astrea to give unto Silvander as much as you can which is your resentment of his misfortune and unto Paris what you ow unto him which is obedience unto the commands of the gods and Bellinde Neither the gods nor Belinde answered Diana and was very angry can force my
honour and esteem you the more and censure it by way of advantage unto you As for the advantage or utility which I can hope for know this my fairest that I do esteem you so much that I desire no other advantage but the contentment of loving you and if the affection be but pleasing and accepted I may say that my greatest desire is accomplished I was ready to answer him when one of my Companions came to tell me that Clotilda would speak with me and sâ— our conference broke off for which I was not sorry because I found that the affection and submission of this young Prince began to work upon me But oh how careful ought all of our age be of such encounters I had been already deceived by three or four smooth tongued lovers I was not yet unfettered from those fallacies which the Father had laid to entrap me and yet I know not how I began by little and little to hearken unto the candid flatteries of the Son and which was worst of all I was so taken with them that I could not guard my self from them Ever since this day that Prince did so continue his courtship that Clotilda took notice of it but he crafty and wary as soon as ever he saw that he so retired himself and kept such distance of indifferency towards me as that opinion quickly vanished and besides I did contribute my assistance towards it and did advertise him when at any time he discovered himself too freely conjuring him to keep it close and to carry himself discretly and warily These advertisements which I gave unto him were certain assurances of the good will which I had unto him which begot such a confidence in him that he began to write unto me presently after to send me presents under the notion of the good will he bore unto all that waited upon Clotilda unto whom he sent the like presents purposly to collour his present unto me He would also play with me very often for wagers and lose purposely and though his presents were never without the Princesses leave yet he did alwayes accompany them with some secret Letter or copy of Verses and I received many Letters and Papers of Verses from him according to the subject of the presents on the accidents which hapned but with so much discretion that neither the Princess nor Gondebaut perceived them And because I knew what intimacy there was betwixt Ardilan and Duriana I kept the matter all close from her as from any other For I confess that the young Prince and the sweet disposition which I found in him had such an influence upon me that I fell of by degrees from Gondebaut for besides the affection of Sigismond Clotilda was continually buzzing in my ears the wavering humour of the King and how reasons of state would quite blast al those hopes which he had given me I was in a long dispute with my self but at last some good genius opened my eyes and let me see how all that Ardilan said unto me was only tricks and falsities I resolved therefore by the advice of Clotilda to put him to the tryal to the end I might no longer be deluded so one night when Duriana by the instigation of the subtle Ardilan was harping upon the old string and pressing me according to her custom to hearken unto the Kings motion Duriana said I unto her do you think Ardilan is honest and speaks truth Ah Madam answered she I dare swear he had rather dye a hundred deaths then tell one lye I believe said I unto her you are mistaken in him and am confident he does but mock both you and me and to shew you that I have good intelligence did he not promise to marry you Indeed he did answered she but Madam alwayes with a condition of your leave Well said I but if he be not a deluder why does he not make good his promise Madam said she I never urged him unto it but I believe that as soon as I shall desire such a thing he will be as forward to embrace such a motion as my self Well Duriana replied I by little things we do often come to the knowledge of the greater if Ardilan should prove false in his promise to you is it not probable he is likewise false in all his negotiations concerning me Most undoubtedly true answered she Then replied I to try whether all he has spoken from the King be true I would have you presse him to marry you and tell him by way of excuse that all your fellow servants and Clotilda also dislikes of the familiarity betwixt you and therefore it is necessary that he either keep his promise in marrying you or else withdraw himself absolutely from you I am most confident that this proposition will startle him and make him quickly very cold in the matter I cannot imagine said Duriana that such a man as he should fail in his promise that which most grieves me is that I must by this marriage lose your service which is the greatest grief that can come unto me As she uttered these words tears began to trickle from her eyes and I could not chuse but smile at her simplicity nay nay said I never cry for the matter I warrant you your marriage with Ardilan will never part us Now see the consequence Duriana spoke to Ardilan the next time she saw him as I had commanded her and though he was as subtle a fellow as any was about the Court yet was he so damped at her speech that he was not able to answer one word at last he recollected himself and asked her who gave her that counsel Those that gave it me answered she will never deceive me and is sorry to hear what reports are raised concerning our familiarity do not think that you are exempt from censure more then I for they say you intend to deceive me which I cannot believe but reports go that you make addresse unto me only to make me an instrument of delivering the Kings message unto Dorinde Oh Heavens answered the cunning man certainly you have devulged the Kings secrets unto some or other and by this means have for ever ruined me in the opinion of my Master Do not think me so indiscreet answered Duriana but it is true I could not tel Dorinde those things which you desired me but I must also tell her my Author And is it Dorinde replied he who gave you counsel to speak thus unto me Suppose it he said Duriana or whoever else it was good for I know that most of my fellow servants do grumble extreamly at our secret familiarity The reason of that is replied he because they are ignorant of our intention Well well answered she however they have an ill opinion of me and if you have any mind to marry me do it quickly for to tell you truly Clotilda is offended at me and does not like I should live in that manner He stood silent a long
force Dorinde to marry for if she do love the Prince no punishment can be more sharp the Prince also will vex to see her whom he loved so dearly in the arms of another and be out of all hopes to see her his But answered Gondebaut Dorinde will not consent unto any marriage Sir replied this wicked fellow Kings are the Tutors of their subjects and as the Gods know better what is good for men then men themselves do so Kings who are gods upon earth do know what is good for their subjects better then they themselves and therefore if you do provide a husband for Dorinde who will say that you have not provided that which was necessary for her And if she be stubborn and will not marry him who will blame you if you force her The Physitian knows better what is good for the disease then the Patient some Physick must be taken by force and her father being dead you may cover your designe with a cloak of piety and will not see the childe of Arcingenâ—oriâ— without a Guardian Besides there is a way to make her marry without using your Royal Authority There is a Law Sir which from the Visigots is come to us by which it is ordained That the Father having made a promise of his daughter unto one and die she being unmarried his promise shall be made good after his death But Clotilda told me replied the King that there is some promises already past betwixt them No matter for that replied Ardilan for you must know Sir that there is another Law which ordains that if a woman dispose of her self otherwise then as her Father would have her both she and he who married her shall be put into the hands of him to whom the Father did promise her to be sold or used as he pleaseth Since Sir since these two Laws are in force why may not you marry Dorinde unto Periander or Merindor since Arcingentorix did promise unto them both In the first place send unto her and let her know that you will provide her a match for her contentment that this your care proceeds from your love unto her father and her and that you will give her the choice of one of those two Cavaliers for a Husband You may send the same message unto others of her kinred and so oblige them likewise for it is no mean prudence in a Prince to oblige many by one benefit I am confident that if she make a dor at the motion her friends will perswade her and if she be obstinate they will be the first that will blame her and commend you though you should compel her unto it by force And then God knows what will become of her when she has none to support her For the Princess Clotilda I dare say will have nothing to do with her she is betrer advised and will not do any thing that shall displease you The King liked this advice and resolved upon it He commanded Ardilan to go from him unto the Princess who could give no other answer but that she would perswade her with all the arguments that possibly she could She sent immediately to the Prince to let him know she would speak with him and when he came she acquainted him with the designe for though she saw much danger to her self she would run the hazard rather then do any thing that should displease him Sigismond was much amazed at the designe and the more because his Intelligencer failed him at this time but the reason was because he was not present at that time when it was resolved upon but he came time enough to hear the King protest and swear that he would marry Dorinde by fair means or by foul and that if neither of those two Cavaliers would accept of her some other should though it were Ardilan himself The Prince hearing this news and seeing the King had recourse unto extream remedies he thought that nothing would cure his extream violences but extream resolutions He proposed therefore unto Clotilda for him and I to go out of Gondebauts Dominions and there consummâ—te the marriage which he had promised unto me But she extreamly disliking this course thought it better for me to go alone and shun the storm which he had threatned but he to remain still with the King and endeavour to perswade the King unto reason But when this resolution of absence was pitched upon it was long in debate whether I should go for beyond the Alpes I could not because they were allied with the Ostrogots To the Franks was less likely because they were all in such combustion amongst themselves about the new election of a King that all was in disorder there Besides the Queen Methina was in such necessity of aid and assistance as it was not probable she would entertain me against the will of so potent a King her Neighbour As for the Visigots the journey was too long for I was to pass through all Spain besides there being a Treaty about a marriage with Sigismond there was no safety for me in that place At last they concluded I should go into Forrests unto Amasis with whom Clotilda held much correspondency and because they knew not whether the authority of Gondebaut would not deter her from giving me safe protection they thought it expedient for me to disguise my self in this habit wherein you see me to the end that if the protection of Amasis did fail me the solitary habitation among the Shepherdesses of Lignon might preserve me unknown This resolution being taken the Princess sent for me and though the loss of my father might well have pleaded my far longer absence from Court yet since she sent for me I conceived it was upon some important occasion And therefore in the night time I repaired to her who as soon as she saw me she carried me into her closet where being alone together and seeing me weep Dorinde said she it is not now a time to weep and complain you must arm your self with a more couragious and generous resolution But consider Dorinde that in what condition soever we be heaven never will afflict us more then we are able to bear and therefore droop not but rouse up your spirit and take courage and then you shall see that neither God nor persons of honour will never forsake you The King gives you the choice of Periander or Merindor for a husband and will by all means have you marry one of those two if you will not in good will accept of this or if they refuse he is fully resolved to make you marry Ardilan See Sweetheart what need you have of courage and generous resolution How Madam answered I and grew as pale as death must I marry either one of those two or Ardilan What Law is there for that The same Law replied she that the stronger will impose upon the weaker He will have Sigismond marry a Princess whom he pretends will bring great advantage and he
he must treat him otherwise then he does me if he desire to keep him long But Sir said I unto him is the Princess Clotilda acquainted with your intention No answered he I would not let her know it for her affection unto you being not like unto mine she I know would not approve of it But if ever she chance to love she will not only excuse the action but esteem me the more and love me better for it Our discourse was long upon this subject but at last we resolved that the third day betimes in the morning we should meet at the Temple of Venus because we were to go forth of that Gate and the first that came there was to consult with the Oracle to know which way we should go being certain that this Goddess who was a great favourer of Lovers would give us good counsel and lest we should be known Dariana and I were to be disguised in these habits which you see me wear and he in the habit of a Shepherd with him there was only that young man in whom he had so much confidence We promised each other to stay in the Temple until five of the clock in the morning but if that time were past if the one did not see the other coming then to stay at a little Bridge out of the Town in the way to Isseron until four of the clock in the evening because at that place there was a thicket of wood where one might hide themselves as long as they pleased and that our horses should stay also in that wood This being resolved upon and the third day being come I failed not to rise betimes in the morning and as soon as day appeared I consulted with the Oracle of the Goddess Venus which gave me this answer The Oracle TO Forrests go there find a Cure For all the sorrows you endure I had forgot to tell you that before I departed I writ a Letter unto the Princess Clotilda to discharge her of my flight from the cruelty of that Tyrant and I left it lying upon my Table assuring my self it would be conveyed unto her when I was gone Hitherto the Prince Sigismond did make me believe that there were some men that were not false and perfideous But now he made it appear that Nature can never be so well corrected but there will alwaies remain a smack of the old vice Oh God! How difficult it is for a soul to counterfeit a thing long which is contrary unto it But where was my wits What was become of my judgement after three times being deceived Had I not sufficient experience of mens falshood And if now I have occasion to complain that Sigismond hath deceived me of whom can I complain but my self Could I be such a fool as to believe the Prince or trust in any mortal man after so much experience Well five a clock struck no Sigismond appeared and see how I was deceived by his smooth language Though I saw he did not come according to his promise yet I could not believe he would deceive me Oh God! What will a good opinion which one hath conceived of another do Though I saw he came not yet I could not but imagine that he would come And thus I fancied occasions of his stay so long that but for Dariana I had stayed at the Temple door all the day but she perswaded me and not without some probability that perhaps he was staying for us at the Bridge where we appointed to meet and that not daring to come unto the Temple lest he should be known he stayed for us there where perhaps he is blaming us for that whereof we accused him This advice caused us to walk through the street not without much fear of being known yet my fears for the Prince were double to my own so much did his affection which I believed he bore unto me oblige me to wish his welfare When we were out of the Town we were much amazed when we found our selves in the wide fields and knew not which way to go and that which most troubled us was that all along the high way there were so many passengers that we were still out of our way to miss meeting with them At last after much a do we saw the Bridge and as we thought the Prince staying for us this though we were very weary made us double our pace But when we came there and found no body then were we much astonished especially when we considered that now Noon was past we looked many a long look back the same way we came and every thing we saw seemed to be what he looked for and at last every thing deceived us The Sun began to grow very low when I out of all patience resolved to return unto Lyons to know the reason why the Prince came not But as I was setting forward I saw coming the same way that we were to go five or six Horsemen which constrained me to retire into the thick of the Wood lest they should see me Dariana who was alwaies of a contrary opinion and would not have me return back Well Madam said she unto me if these men had met you I pray tell me in what a case had you been in Very true said I unto her but is it not better to â—un the hazard of being known then to stay here all the night Oh said she the days are long and it will not be night above eight hours let us not despair perhaps the Prince may come some other way when we are gone but if you be so impatient I will tell you what I will do I will take some of yonder dirt and rub my face all over with it afterwards I will be walking up and down the high way as soon as I see him I will run to advertise you by this means I shall not be known and you may rest your self in the Wood so as when the Prince does come you may be able to go whither you will in the night My longing desire to see Sigismond made me consent unto this motion though it went somthing against my mind to stay in the wood by my self yet in hopes that she would go into the Town and make him come the sooner and because I was confident none could see me in that place I took so much courage as to stay by my self Dariana then daubing all her face over with dirt I could not chuse but laugh in the midst of my misery Go Dariana said I unto her and return quickly Did Ardilan see me in this pickle said she though he did not die before for the love of me yet I am confident he would now die with laughter Upon this she embraced me and went to the place from whence we came Alas Could I have foreseen the sorrows which that departure cost me I would sooner have consented unto my death then it But Heaven not contented only to banish me my native Country to satisfie a
from my expectation or hopes was like the splendour of the Sun which so dazled my eyes and my soul that I knew not what to think nor what to hope nor what to say so infinitly they were above all my thoughts my hopes and my deserts As for the anger which I mentioned against you it was only because being so entirely yours methought you did me wrong in not commanding me any thing in your service Rosilion replied the Princess the value which I find to be in you and the affection which you seem to have unto me together with your discreet carriage of it hath moved me to love you Your unknown extraction does much trouble me but I wish your valour may make you so known unto all that it may be no reproach unto me when it is known that Rosanira loves you Draw from hence all the most favourable consequences you can to content you for I will not forbid you one only remember the victimes which ought to be offered in this sacrifice as formerly I writ unto you Madam said Rosilion transported with joy if I durst throw my self at your feet by way of gratitude I would as the most obliged man living but I know such expressions before so many witnesses would displease you only I say that words being too weak to do it I shall with extream desire wait for the honour of your commands to testifie my obedience that as there is none living more worthy to be loved or rather adored then the fair Rosanira nor any heart more devoted to adore her then Rosilions so there is nothing so difficult which I would not think easie in your service As for the unknown place of my birth which and with reason does so much displease you I beseech you be pleased as soon as my wounds are healed I may as a wandering Cavalier see out the place or else die in the quest or at least till the unknown place of my birth at my return be no reproach unto you or him How replied the Princess do you ask if it will please me Be assured Rosilion if you do otherwise you will extreamly disoblige me This discourse was a cause that as soon as Rosilion was recovered which was not many dayes he beseeched the King to give him leave as a Cavalier errant to go and seek adventures according to the custome which the famous King Arthur established in great Brittain that so he might better inable himself to do him service The King though with much regret consented but upon condition he would return as soon as possible I need not relate the discourse betwixt the Princess and Rosilion at his departure for Madam you may imagine it to be such as lovers before a long separation and an uncertain return would use But Rosinara as soon almost as he was departed received great consolation by the fame of many noble exploits which he atchieved in all countreys he came into for his Acts and his Glory was all the discourse at all assemblies of Ladies and Cavaliers Whilst Policander the Princesses lived thus the King of Picts groaning under a great age after a long languishing in bed did at last pay that tribute which is due unto nature from mortal men and as if Fortune would have us shed our tears for several subjects at the same time the grave was no sooner shut for him but it was opened for the King of the Santons which indeed were greifs unto the Queen Argira but with one consideration that was no small consolation unto her thinking that surely now Policander would make good his promise for by Fortune a little before his mother died so as being now both at liberty it was likely he would give all satisfaction desireable But O how much mistaken are the hopes of love especially when they are exspected from such men who look only after their present interests heretofore I do believe that if it had been in the power of Policander to have disposed of himself he would have satisfied his promise but since the welfare of his affairs and dominions had constrained him to marry Clorisina he did so forget all his relations to the kingdome of the Picts that he did not so much as remember the very name of Argira But now to leave him without excuse and that there might be no faillure on her side though since the assistance sent against him to the Prince Archimbant there was no good correspondency betwixt us yet when Clorisina died Argira sent to condole with him and to acquaint him with the King of the Santons death intimating a kind of Summons to satisfie his former promise His answer was indeed full of civility and courtesie but so empty of all love as the least spark of such a flame did not appear in it The Queen did believe for she was apt to flatter her self in it that perhaps he was unwilling to discover himself unto her Ambassadour which she had sent unto him he being a person with whom he never had any familiarity and so she did attribute that unto prudence which indeed was defect and want of affection as afterwards she found when she sent this Letter secretly unto him The Queen ARGIRAS Letter unto King POLICANDER ALL promises are certainly due debts and if so remember what you ow unto her that now writes unto you he is a very bad pay-master that never payes what is due especially when nothing but will is wanting to cancel the obligation and there can be nothing to hinder me from that satisfaction which is my due but only want of will in you The gods are witnesses unto your promises to them I appeal and defore them I summon you to give me satisfaction To which Letter he returned this answer King POLICANDERS Answer unto the Queen ARGIRA PRomises that are made and afterwards revoked by consent of parties become null And we ought not to esteem the rest of those who loved us so little as to disturb them in their graves by the displeasure of seeing us in the possession of another This consideration together with the good and welfare of my Estates makes me resolve to pass away the rest of my dayes in solitude as most pleasing unto the gods to which you appeal Then giving this Letter unto him who brought the other Friend said he unto him assure the Queen thy mistress that I shall alwayes live her servant but I cannot possibly think upon any second marriage Grief for the losses which she and I have had should take our thoughts off any such things The affection which we do ow unto those children which the gods have given us should wain our wills and it were a kind of cruelty to add more brothers unto them who would share with them in estate beside the age which she and I are of is a sufficient priviledge unto us from any such treaties Aged matrimony is out of season and fit only for such as are green and in the vigour of
extremely pleased to see that she had no hand in her fathers alteration This appointed hour was long a coming according to the impatiency of Rosilion which made him be upon the place before the Princess who at last came as privately as she could As soon as they met Rosilion said she unto him this testimony of my good will which I give unto you and whatsoever I shall now most truly say must not make you judge any thing in my disadvantage but only let it thus farre possess you that I will do for you all that my duty will permit me I know that the affection which you bear unto me will never let you desire any more and therefore I make no difficulty to tell you that I am extremely grieved to see the King so forgetful of his promise to you and that he should hope for good of an uncertain peace before the certain services that he hath and daily doth receive from you For the truth is he has changed his minde I must be the victime and be given unto Celiodantes although he be all smeared with my brothers blood Judge Rosilion what joyes I am like to have in living lying and eating my meat with him that hath already wallowed in the blood of my brother and but for you had done the like to my father and us all and yet this is he with whom this tyrannical reason of state does ordain me to spend my miserable dayes and so I must unless your fortune which hitherto never found any thing impossible do not shew it self more strong then the Kings resolution O gods O heavens O earth replied Rosilion and interrupted her will then the King falsifie his word You may answered Rosanira be most certainly assured of it Has the King replied he so soon forgot my services since he can forget wrongs so soon answered she do you wonder he should forget benefits Will the King be revenged this way said he for all the violencies rapines and plunders that have been committed in his kingdome is this Policander that great Prince whose Fame and Glory reaches all over the earth whose goodness is so much admired whose valour so much feared and whose justice was never tainted with any reproach The very same answered the Princess but it becomes not me to censure his actions only to be silent to suffer and say he is my father Rosilion then pawsed a while and then replied thus The respect Madam which hinders you from speaking upon this subject does indeed argue your wisdome but the faintness wherewith you speak does argue but flender affection O my Cavalier said the Princess no more of this discourse unless you would have me think your affection unto me not such as I would have it for and let this rule be an answer unto all you can desire of me I shall never believe you love me if you request any thing from me that contradicts my duty You see Rosilion that I do love you I have told you as much and do tell you so again nay I will ever render you all possible demonstrations of it yet it cannot enter into my thoughts but that you had rather die a hundred deaths then wish me unto any thing that is against my duty or to entertain the least thought of such a thing for I ought to obey my father and so I will as long as life remains in me Will you then marry Celiodantes said Rosilion with a deep sigh yes answered she not only Celiodantes but also the veryest barbarian nay the worst of men if my father command me What good then replied he will all that affection do me which you are pleased to express my affection unto you replied she proceeds from my own good will and inclination but unto any other from command only and lest I should transgress my duty O gods cryed he out must I lose you upon this consideration I hope replied Rosanira my good intentions will not be recompensed with so great a punishment but if by the unsearchable judgment of the gods it happen that our Destiny be such you ought to shew as much courage upon this occasion as you have in all dangers which hitherto presented themselves unto you What said Rosilion see you anothers and live Ah Rosanira you measure my affection by a wrong rule if you think my courage able to permit this Rosilion can do any thing but that when this comes in question all respects are lost courage and constancy faint and all manner of considerations are cast away I cannot live without this hope it pleased the King your father to plant it in me you your self approved of it and when my angry fate will displant it the same blow displants my life But Madam when you alledge it your duty to indute this dignity with patience do you not give it a wrong name May it not more justly be called Tyrannical then reasonable How can you quit one you love for one whom reason and nature commands you to hate Must the Princess Rosanira be the ransome of Celiodantes who has done her so many mortal displeasures Does duty command this so extremely unreasonable Is it not rather unnatural tyranny that triumphs over your spirit Cast of this bondage Madam break the cords which thus enslaves your reason and would so unjustly captivate it All the world will disapprove of the Kings designe and commend your generosity these Arms which have upheld this tottering kingdome and this sword which hath conquered so many Kings I do offer at your feet to maintain the justice of your cause against all men living and to prove that the King in thus submitting you to his enemy is most unjust and that it is a most ignominious act unworthy of the King of Boyers Rosilion added unto their expressions many others and would have continued longer if the Princess had not interrupted him Cease cease Rosilion said she and assure your self that I am so resolved upon it as I will be observant unto my fathers commands as long as I live upon earth the injustice of another is no allowance unto me to fail on my part and I had rather have future ages say that Rosanirus fault was in too much obedience then in neglect of duty And Rosilion let me tell you that you are obliged as a free Cavalier to maintain me in this resollution and wave your own interest in me and therefore I advise you to address your self unto the King my father put him in mind of all your services of his promises and of the injustice in his designe All that I can do for you is that if he will refer me to my own will I will give you all the satisfaction you can desire if he will not I will make as much resistance as in duty I can but if all will not do then all I can promise you is to condole your misfortune and my own and to take my leave of you all contentment in this life After
her thou child of the most wicked father that ever lived what do you think I caused you to be brought hither for I cannot tell Sir answered she and looked sweetly upon him But O the unresistable power of beauty This Polemas who flamed with fury and breathed nothing but death and blood against this woman he was no sooner touched with the Luster of her eye but as snow melts before the Sun so his fury and his rage did vanish at her beauty yet making some resistance against the first glance O most miserable daughter of a Father far unworthy of such a child To morrow said he thy body shall be a covering to my whole Army for I will have thee fastned to the points of several Pikes and opposed against the blows of those wicked Rebels in the Town and in this condition shalt thou go with a torch in thy hand and set fire to the gates of that Town Sir answered Astrea if ever I did you any wrong let the gods forsake me and if I be innocent let them defend me as she uttered these words tears flowed from her eyes which moved compassion not only in Polemas but all that saw her Yet seigning the contrary if these tears said he could mollifie the heart of Adamas and make him open the gates of the Town they might do you some good but otherwise assure your self they will do no good at all Astrea now saw that they took her for Alexis and though she looked for a most certain death yet would she die rather then discover her self hoping by this means to save the life of Alexis who otherwise would doubtless be taken and brought into her room Her desire therefore to die for her moved her to say thus I with Sir my father had no occasion to wish you ill but to think that the consideration of my life or death will move him to do any thing against his duty is infinitly to deceive your self for what will it advantage him whether I live or die you know Sir that we who are as it were cast out into the world are commonly but hindrances to our parents We shall see said Polemas how he will take it for let him assure himself henceforward that he has nere a daughter The loss wherewith you menace him replied Astrea will not much trouble him nor me Upon this Polemas commanded he she should be safely guarded until Silvia came and afterwards to be bound together because the next morning they should run both the same fortune This command was no sooner given but they brought a Shepherdess who desired to speak with her As soon as Astrea saw her she knew her to be Alexis in her clothes Oh how it grieved her to the soulâ— for knowing that all the ill they intended unto her was only because they thought her to be the daughter of Adamas she feared that if Alexis was known all the harm would fall upon her and to give her a hint of it Oh fair Shepherdess said she unto her what fate brought you hither where they seek only for me as being the daughter of Adamas It is fate indeed answered Alexis that brought me hither and the best that ever was Astrea since it brought me hither to undeceive those that took you for me Ah Astrea cryed out Astrea Why should you offer to Sacrifice your self innocently for another Alexis giving her no answer but turning towards Polemas who heard them yet knew not their meanings Sir said she unto him you see how I am all wet and dirty but it is by reason of the haste I made to prevent your errour What errour said Polemas do you mean Your errour replyed she in taking this Shepherdess for me who am the Daughter of Adamas How said Polemas are you the daughter of that wicked man Sir answered she if you call Adamas wicked I am the daughter of him you call so Sir answered Astrea believe her not some distemper in her Brain makes her speaks thus she is Astrea the daughter of Alces and Hyppolita and I am the daughter of the great Druide Adamas as indeed you may see by my habit And because those who were tying the hands of Astrea did stay upon this dispute she held her hands unto them Nay nay said she tye only mine for I assure you I am the Druide Alexis But Alexis on the contrary opposed her Sir said she thrusting away the hands of Astrea and holding her own let not her clothes deceive you for we changed them this morning as we many times were accustomed to do Consider that she is too young to have been so long at Carnates as I have been If you please to ask her any particular questions concerning the Druides daughters and of their Statutes I dare say her answers will let you see she attributes to her self more then is her due Polemas and all the company were even ravished with admiration at this contest which of them should be the party exposed to death After he had a while looked upon them both and considered how vehemently they maintained their cause Alas poor silly wenches said he unto them Why should you thus dispute about the matter Do you think any great recompence will be given unto her that is the daughter of Adamas No no you are much mistaken for all she must expect is a most certain death and to morrow she shall be tyed to the points of our Pikes with a Link in her hand and shall set fire upon the Gate of the Town where she can look for no less then death either from their hands or from ours unless paternal affection move the heart of her wicked father to open the Gates and let us enter Sir said Alexis I knew as much before and my compassion upon this innocent Shepherdess moved me to make all the haste I could left she should suffer those pains that are due unto me And why said Polemas do you think them due unto you Because they say answered she that the child is to bear the iniquity of the Father and since so It is not reasonable that I who am Alexis should not suffer for Adamas who is my Father but Astrea who is only an innocent Shepherdess Sir said Astrea and interrupted these arguments which Astrea urges moves me to tell you again that she is out of her wits and that I am the same whom my habit speaks me and I would not have that harmless Shepherdess expose her self to death for me It is I that ought to pay for my Father and not you Astrea whom it nothing concerns Alexis then interrupting Ah fairest Shepherdess said she unto her What a most strange errour are you possessed withal Why should you without any reason soon desire to end your days Preserve your self for the happiness of him that must enjoy you he still the glory of Forrests and an honour unto the Banks of Lignon Let me pay what I owe unto Nature as the daughter of Adamas and
and perfidious Lidias but when I was in greatest despair of ever getting out of that miserable place The Franks one night I know not how became masters of the Town the Gaoler hâ—mself set open the prison doors and unsetterd our feet in hopes that some Franks who were prisoners amongst us would save his life for it But I who extreamly desired to see Lidias that I might in his and Amerinas presence sacrifice my life I was no sooner at liberty but finding some horses which had no owners I took one and got out of Callice having in my company only one young man who conducted me and being prisoners together were become friends with him I went unto Rothomagues where I no sooner entred but I was informed by a reverent Matron of whom I enquired for Lidias that he was at a house of Amerinas his wife not far from thence and beseeching her to tell me the way she told me that it was in the way towards the great city of Paris Judge you whether this news did not sting me to the soul but hasting out of the Town and overtaking the young man who conducted me for he durst not enter in by reason of some enemies And I talked with him but truly I know not what nor which way I parted from him But so it was that presently after I came to this house where they told me that Lidias was gone three days before with Amerina his wife towards Forrests upon some business I presently followed after and by the way heard oft-ten of them At last one day after a large journey and when the heat of the day had almost sweltred my horse I saw a shade by the high way side which I thought would shelter me from the extream heat of the day The weariness of my self and my horse made me alight and I had no sooner tyed him to a Tree but I spied a woman who by what I have heard from you I now think was Amerina I went unto her and asked her if it would be no offence to participate of her shade To which she gave me a very civil answer At the same time you came with some boughs to make the place more shady As soon as ever I cast my eye upon you I took you as I did now for Lidias whom I looked for and thought that woman to be Amerina I must needs confess that I was moved with several passions for once I was in a mind to fall upon Amerina whilst she slept and first to run a ponyard into her breast and then into my own before your face Another time I design'd to let the innocent woman alone and to open my own breast and as I was dying to take some of my blood and throw it in your face upbraiding you with your infidelity But some good genius diverted me from those cruel resolutions and constraining me to go a little further off after a hundred different conceptions I thought it best to die by your own hand and not by my own to the end you might the more lament my death This being my design you know what signs I made unto you to separate you from Amerina and how violently I cast my self upon your sword with which indeed I was wounded in my arm but I know not how it missed my heart for there was my intention to receive it and I had such an opinion of receiving it there that when I felt the point of the sword I fancied that it had reached my heart so as having heard that all wounds of the heart were mortal I fancied my self to be dead and when I returned to my self again I found that I was in the hands of the Governour of Neomague I understood since that he finding me in a swoon he caused me to be taken up as dead but the motion of those who carried me did revive me so setting me upon a horse they carried me away when to my thinking I saw you pass by my horse very well mounted Certainly said Ligdamon and interrupted it was some other for I was on foot and never left Amerina till we were both taken together If so replyed Melander either it was Lidias or some other who resembles him as you do But so it was that I told the Governour with a deep sigh it was he who had put me into that condition and as soon as the Governour heard it he caused him to be pursued and brought to prison When night came I began to think how I should be a cause of punishing Lidias and therefore was very sorry for what I had said And as I was in bed the next morning they brought me a woman in your clothes to see if it was she who hurt me and I said she was not But I was extreamly astonished when they brought him whom I accused for truly I took him for you I mean Lidias And left he should know me I turned my face the other way as I lay in my bed and though I knew I had reason enough to wish him ill yet I could not find in my heart to do him any harm so as altering my voice I declared that it was not he but some other who had taken the habit of that woman Upon this discharge he was released I beseech you said Ligdamon what became of the woman for it was she who saved me The Governours wife said she took her off from all punishment and is so far from all harm that to morrow I believe she will return home But to continue that discourse of my miserable fortune In the night time when I could not sleep by reason of the wound not in my arm but in my heart I made a hundred propositions to my self one while I would write unto Lidias and let him know what wrong he had done me but I was presently off that thinking he would but mock at my Letter and with his Amerina laugh at it Another while I would send for him not telling who I was and in the presence of the Governours wife who was of a sweet and pitiful disposition upbraid him with his persidie and ingratitude as thinking that shame perhapâ— might work more upon him then my love could Upon this design I slept with a resolution to put it in execution the next morning but I was disappointed for that very night as soon as ever he was set at liberty he went privately out of the Town none knowing which way he went When I heard of his departure I was almost even mad against my self for letting such an opportunity so imprudently slip for said I had I accused him doubtless he had been stayed and I might have executed my design in speaking unto him before the Governours wife And as for my fond fears of doing him any harm by way of Justice what greater punishment could he in Justice receive then a while of Imprisonment since my wound was not neer mortal But all this reasoning with my self was in vain and after a long
Amerina that it is the best for us both not to let her know any thing but to steal away out of her presence and accord all hazards that she may attempt against us Unto this Lidias answered nothing and Ligdamon was almost of the same opinion But for all theâ—â— desires to put this in execution it was not in their power for the domestiques of Amasiel who talkâ—â—â—f this unto several persons that the very same day almost all the Town knew of it Melandre no sooner heard this news but she made great complaints against Ligdamon and as soon as ever she could steal from Lipandas who left her as little as possible he could she went unto the house of Amasiel In the way thither her mind was full of various thoughts somtimes she fancied the contentment which she should have in seeing him for whom she ran so many dangerous fortunes and otherwhiles thinking Amerina to be with him she had changed his mind and was vexed at her apprehensions of his infidelity At last after a long dispute with her self she came unto the chamber of Lidias and not having quitted the habit of a Cavalier she was hardly known unto him She found him upon his knees before Amerina who sitting upon her bed held the head of her Lover in her lap at which Melandre was so much offended that being all anger and jealousie well well perfideous man said she pulling Lidias by the sleeve of his doublet are these any signs of that acknowledgement which you ought to give me Upon this Lidias knew her and rose up to salute her But she pushing him away No no said she continue on your submissions unto that fair on but she shall not long enjoy the sacrifices of service which you offer unto her for I have a way to be revenged of thy perfidy and if heaven do deny me justice I have courage enough to carve it out of my own despair Upon this looking upon Amerina and then upon Lidias with an eye of extream discontent she went away and would not give that Cavalier so much time as to speak one word As soon as ever she was out of the house she went straight to the Castle and never consulting any further what to do she cast her self at the feet of Amasis and spoke thus unto her Madam That Justice which you have so happily executed and never denied unto any I do now emplore upon my bended knees against the perfidie of a Cavalier whom I conjure you to command that he may do me right and reason in your presence Our combate shall use no other Arms but the Laws and if the sight of his crime will bring him unto any repentance I do protest I will presently forgive him however Madam be you the Arbytrator of our differenâ—â— and when you have heard what we can say for our selves I shall most willingly submit unto your doom Then Melandre was silent And the Nymph who took her for a Cavalier and thought it better to take up the matter then to let it proceed unto a quarrel she consented unto her motion So Lidias was sent for by a Herauld and commanded to appear that very hour before Amasis Amerina began presently to suspect the designe of Melandre and told Lidias how much she feared the loss of his affection but he assured her that he would rather die a hundred deaths then break those first oaths which he had sworn unto her All this was not so secret but almost all the Court knew of it so as when Lidias was brought before the Nymph the chamber was full of Ladies and Cavaliers Lipandas and Ligdamon were not then there But Amerina who would not leave Lidias entred almost as soon as he and placed her self amongst the women The Herald had no sooner commanded silence but Amasis told the sad Cavalier that she was ready to hear him whereupon Melandre after an humble reverence began thus I know Madam that it would become me better to blush and be silent then to speak since the habit wherein I am which is as contrary unto my sex as my humour doth accuse me of impudence before the most vertuous Princess of all the Universe But since nothing can better condemn Lidias nor convince him of ingratitude then the same Arms and habit wherewith I made him owe his life unto me I do most humbly beseech you Madam to pardon me for not leaving them off and for making use of them to reproach him with the greatest infidelity that ever any Cavalier used Perhaps Madam the various adventures of my life are as well known unto your Highness as unto my self for Clidemant had the relation of them from me but if neither he nor Lindamore ever writ any the particulars unto you I have great cause to lament the death of the one and the absence of the other since by them you might have known how much Lidias is obliged unto me and what right and reason I have to pretend unto â—is affection Upon this she made a stop to wipe away thâ—â—e tears which the memory of Clidemants death did bring into her eyes and gave the Nymph time to do the same afterwards she went on thus They could have told you Madam when Lidias was forced to fly for his life and when the kinred of Aronthes whom he had killed would not let him live in any place of the world my house was his safe sanctuary I had at that time a greater regard of his honour then of my own for not being able to avoid those wounds which he gave me I was at last forced to imitate the goodness of my father and give him the same entertainment in my heart which my father gave him in his house It was not long before this wavering minded man became master both of the one and the other but almost the very same day that he let me know he loved the very same day also he assured me of his treason The truth is he quickly cast me off and to make his crime the more enormous he left me without so much as bidding me a civil adieu I will not speak of my resentments because I shall make us both blush him at his crime and me at my follies let me only tell you that at that instant I forgot what I was and changing my habit and my name I resolved to overcome all those horrors which fear commonly imprints in the soul of a woman I left then all my Parents and Gâ—d knows how much against my mind I committed this absurdity But at last overcoming all the difficulties of a journey and all the injuries of weather after a thousand rubs of fortune I undertook to fight with Lipandas thinking it no matter by what hand I died so it might be in the presence of this perfideous man If thou hast any spark of memory Lidias of those dangers whereunto I exposed my self and of the favours which I shewed unto thee thou wouldest confess that this young Beauty
first time that you assumed this habit but now when by a thousand expressions in the advantage of Celadon you may conclude she loves you methinks you should not be so much an enemy unto your self as to lose the contentment of appearing Celadon My design was to have you marry Astrea and not this habit and since you stay only for a command from her to restore her that whose loss hath cost her so many tears you may plainly see that she has a desire of that restitution and that desire may serve you for a command Ah Father answered Celadon she did banish me in expresse termes had she said go Shepherd and let me not see thee again until I make it appear that I do desire it I confesse that now I see her desire I were infinitly to blame if I did not appear but since her fatal words were Go go perfideous man and come not in my presence untill I command thee I should disobey her if I should appear Celadon having not yet received that blessed command from her But yet said the Druide this way of living with her must one day have an end and since it is inevitable why should you defer it so long That does depend upon her replied Celadon and not me and until she be pleased to give the command I am not to blame if I hide my self from her for all the miseries and discontent that I can fall into by concealment of my self are less then the crime of disobeying her But said Adamas whom would you have her give this command unto since she believes him unto whom it is to be given not in the world This answered the Shepherd is a secret which the Gods have reserved unto themselves but I who am resolved to die a thousand deaths rather then fail in the least circumstance of a perfect lover I will wait with patience and not dive too deep into the Mystery Son said the Druide do noâ— wonder I should still persist in my desires of your enjoying Astrea since my contentment is inseparably linked with yours and since the Gods have promised a contented old age unto me in case you receive that happiness Now you know the state of our affairs and since you have a clear judgement to ponder all these things I would gladly have you consider that I can never meet with that felicity which the Gods have promised unto me nor give you unto your Shepherdess at any other time but this if things were in a better condition and the Treason of Polemas had not brought this Province to the very brink of ruine I should stay with as much patience as you but since all is in a desperate condition and ready to be irrecoverably lost I earnestly beseech you my son even for Astreas sake who hath the greatest power over your spirit not to oppose any longer the desire that I have of seeing you two united together Celadon hearkned unto the Druide very attentively but when he heard him mention the pitiful condition unto which the affairs of Amasis was reduced Make what haste and diligence you can replied he to render me this happiness it cannot be compleated so soon as the miseries which threaten this City so as Father it is better never to begin to be happy then not to enjoy it after the obtaining My own particular interest is not so separated from the Publick but that it is my duty as well as other mens to endeavour the delivery of Amasis from her oppressions and I believe so you will permit it I shall not altogether be unprofitable and few there are that will endeavour more boldly then my self the glory of dying honourably And therefore Father I do most earnestly and heartily beseech you and conjure you by all those cares which formerly you have had to hinder me from dying to find out some invention or other by which I may fight as Celadon and yet Astrea not perceive it Adamas did in his soul commend the courage of this Shepherd and was extreamly glad to find in him such marks of the generosity of his Ancestours yet finding much difficulty in the design and yet desiring to trye his courage he told him that the thing was impossible and bad him never think more upon it at which Celadon was so troubled that not being able to hide his discontent at this answer he changed colour therefore to satisfie him Adamas said unto him your desire Celadon is not so unjust but I would willingly grant it if I did but know how to mannage the matter for to tell you truly I am afraid that the love which Astrea bears unto you will open her eyes and make her observe our actions more narrowly then yet she hath upon this he paused a little and afterwards continued I begin said he to think of a way which may happily take effect you must know Celadon that as men commonly have recourse unto the god more zealously in adversity then in prosperity so in most desperate affairs they use to imploy the prayers of such as they think have most prevalency with the gods Now doubtless such as live out of the affairs of the world have more free accesse unto the gods then such whose minds are wholly upon the earth and who hardly ever look up to heaven unlesse to see what weather it will be I do therefore conceive it expedient to pretend that Amasis hath commanded me that you shall imploy your self in offering up some prayers according to the custome of Druides daughters and because during that time their eyes are not to be profaned by any terrestrial object well will pretend that you have cloystered up your self in my house and afterwards covering your face and the rest of your body with such Armour as Godomar Damon and other Cavaliers were you may do as your courage inspires you yet still without hazarding your self too rashly Celadon more glad of this expedient then he was able to expresse did kisse the hand of Adamas and after he had thanked him for the care he had of him the Druide carried him back to Astrea after this he returned to the Nymph but not before all the Shepherds did swear unto him a thousand times that they would spend every drop of blood they had in the service of that Nymph Clindor and the rest waited upon him out of the Garden Astrea only stayed with Alexis for her extream desire to know what discourse Adamas had with him made her defer it no longer but to ask what it was seeing her self therefore without any other witnesses but the flowers and the fountains wherewith the Garden was adorned dearest Mistresse said she unto her give me leave to be so inquisitive as to ask what discourse was it which Adamas and you had together With all my heart servant answered Alexis for your desire to know my business makes me believe that you think your self interested in it and it is a great argument of the affection which you
if Polemas would hearken unto reason or equity all your miseries should end this hour but to my grief both are deaf Ah Madam replied Galathea it was a fatal minute when first Polemas looked upon me with the eyes of liking for had he never loved me or had I at the first given a check unto his vanity in pretending love to me doubtless I had stopped all these misfortunes in their very beginning and all our sorrows had died with those hopes which have since nourished his presumption It was not in your power replied Rosanira to keep your self from appearing fair in his eyes because you are really so in the eyes of all the world but indeed you might have kept him at such an humble distance that the effects of his presumption should never have dared to appear And indeed I cannot comprehend within the compass of my knowledge what interest he has to pretend unto you for if he do love you how dare he be so bold as to displease you and if he do not love you what makes him so eager to overcome you Madam said the Nymph believe it he is the most persidious and dangerous spirit that breathes upon earth He loves me only for some ends and if the State were to descend unto any other but me I believe he would not so much as look upon me You must know that his ambition soars higher then the thoughts of any mortal man could ever reach Besides he is of such a jealous and envious nature that the happiness of another puts him into a burning Feaver What has he not attempted against Damon he has several times indeavoured to murder him and takes those honours which my mother renders unto his merit so impatiently as I believe it is one of the main causes of his discontent he has also had some bickerings with Lindamor who was a very brave Cavalier and when he saw himself forced to yield unto the valour of his enemy there was no treason nor trick which he did not invent to ruine him At last seeing all his pernicious subtilties turned to his own shame and confusion he openly took up arms and takes the advantage of my brothers death and of the absence of all our best Cavalry to ruine us under pretence of a desire to marry me Thus did Galathea condemn Polemas whose undertakings were indeed most unjust and Rosanira for a better information of her life desired her to tell her more concerning those two Rivals which the Nymph was very willing to do so as she related all the Treasons of Polemas the Juglings of Climanthes the scandalous reports he had raised against Lindamor The combate wherein that Cavalier overcame him and indeed all the remarkable accidents which happened an consequents of that affection Which Rosanira hearkning unto with admiration certainly said she before he compass his ends it will cost him much blood and pains Truly answered the Nymph if he should prevail and I not die with grief I think I shall become my own executioner We shall within a few dayes answered the Princess see what will be our Fates and then we may guide our thoughts and our hands accordingly For my part if Rosilion fail to relieve you I shall have no joy in life but would most willingly die to punish him for his negligence with those torments which my death would cause unto him As she said so she embraced her again and Galathea still kissing the cheek of Rosanira why should I said she be the cause of so much misfortune unto you It is not you replied the young Princess that would be the cause of it but his negligence or perhaps his infidelity with such discourse as this they entertained each other upon a subject of sorrow which was common unto them both Silvander in the mean time kept close by Diana and by good fortune he found a fit opportunity of talking unto her not out of the presence of other Shepherds and Shepherdesses but so as they could not hear him and because he would not sit idle whilst othert were labouring for the defence of Marcelles he beseeched Diana to let him get some honour as others did in dangers Not Mistress said he that I stand in any need of your permission to whet my courage but because I am certain that all I attempt will prosper if it be done by the consent of fairest Diana The Shepherdess who did infinitly love him and who could not any longer conceal her passion was a little surprived at this request and her fears of losing him made her begin to look pale but fearing withal that notice should be taken of it she recollected her self as well as she could and answered him in these terms Servant said she what need you ask me any leave to do that which your humour is so prompt unto that nothing in the world is able to divert you from it If you hope that it would give good fortune unto your arms you may consider it is impossible I should give that which I have not my self and that being the most miserable woman that lives I can impart nothing unto you but my misfortunes It is no matter replied the Shepherd what successe my Arms have I shall think my self abundantly happy if imploying them in the defence of Amasis I can but please Diana and therefore I most humbly beseech you to express your approbation of my designe to the end that if I die it may be with this satisfaction that I did not displease you I wish withal my heart replied Diana that you would not follow this course for your safety is dearer unto me then perhaps you imagine But since it is inevitable I will not be opposite unto the sentence of our Destinies The truth is if that power which you have given me over you had so much prevalency as not to be denied what I shall request of you I would have you make a most inviolable promise unto me not to venture your self too desperately into any perils and in your greatest dangers to remember that the least misfortune which can happen unto Silvander is a very great one unto Diana Actions answered the Shepherd which may be condemned of rashness are not such as I think worthy of a man of courage and therefore you may believe that I will be as wary as becomes my honour and will not so carelesly expose my life but that if I do perish it shall be honourable unto me and profitable to the Nymph But Mistress continued he since Paris must enjoy you and since you have not resolution enough to defend your self against him can I desire to die more gloriously then in these wars or in a season more advantageous unto me then this since you seem to pity my misfortune Shepherd answered Diana you have good reason to say that I have not resolution enough to defend my self from marrying Paris since it is Bellindes will and since the gods have commanded me to be obedient unto
of the Combate It shall be lawful for the first vanquisher to help his two Friends The Armies shall follow that side which proves victorious And it shall not be permitted the Conquerours to exercise upon the bodies of their conquered enemies any act that may render their memories less glorious These were the conditions upon which Polemas accepted of Lindamors Challenge in which Sigismond found nothing but what was just Rosilion only protested that this article which obliged the Armies to follow the Conquerours ought to be understood only of that Army which Lindamor brought from Childerick for said he I am most certain that there is not one of my men who will not die to revenge me or to get Rosanira out of the power of Polemas Sir said Lindamor the gods do fight for us since justice is on our side Let us give this Traytour that contentment which he askes and consider that it will be the last he must ever make Rosilion who would not be any obstacle unto this design did consent unto it and proposed it as a good expedient to advertise Amaâ—is of all passages but Lindamor and Sigismond were of a contrary opinion and said that if the Combate did end well the joyes of the Nymph would be the greater because she would be the more pleasingly surprised and if it fell unto the glory of their enemies it was still best for the Nymph to be kept from despair and not be at once from a hope of happiness into a most certain misery Upon this resolution Lindamor sent word unto Polemas upon the same conditions which he had proposed also caused the Articles to be published Polemas on his side did the same and afterwards went to make choise of the best arms and horses he could find Things standing upon these terms Amasis who knew of no passages without the Town was so much overcome with grief as she could hardly tell what she did she took but very small rest all the night but when day appeared so as the Army of Sigismond Rosilion and Lindamor might be seen which this afflicted Princesse took to be a fresh supply coming unto Polemas she was ready to send her self into another world She wished for death a hundred times and was angry with the Sun because it would not let her hide her self in eternal darkness Ah me said she how dismal is this day unto me wherein being deprived of my Estate and Galathea I have left me nothing in the world that I care for O how sad a thing it is that the words of men should be nothing but so many lies and how false are all such hopes as are built upon such failing foundations Upon this she was silent a while to wipe away those tears which had bedewed her cheeks then she began again to expostulate the sadnesse of her condition O heaven said she how canst thou suffer so much injustice why dost thou not punish Lindamor for his negligence and Rosilion for keeping the promises of Argira Surely thou art a favourer of sins since thou dost suffer the perfidie of Polemas to pass unpunished With such disparing expressions as these this Nymph did lament her condition when Godomar Damon Alcidon Adamas and some other Cavaliers who were no lesse troubled at the coming of this new Army did come unto her after they had visited the ports and the walls She was then upon the top of one of the Towers in the Castle from whence she might look upon those Forces which she thought to be enemies and seeing all the plain which was wont to be so fertile in grasse now filled with armed men and so many Pikes as resembled a thick wood O ye pittiful gods said she what a deplorable change is here since yesterday and how silly are all such as seek for any stability in the possession of humane things In saying so she fixed her eyes so attentively upon the two Armies which were not distant from each other above five or six hundred paces that she did not see Godomar when he came unto her but he surprized her so sunk in sorrows that she was even ready to die She thought the Town already exposed to the fury of the ravenous Souldier and fear had so seized upon her soul an evident testimony of the weakness in her sex as she thought the rattling of the Princes armour to be Polemas who was come to seiz upon her so as she gave a loud scriek and such a cold chilnesse seized upon her that her leggs failed and she fell as dead into the arms of Godomar Adamas astonished at this accident did run as fast as he could for such remedies as might recover and therefore Rosanira Galathea and Dorinde who that night lay all in one chamber were quickly advertised of it so as they run to help the Nymph but when they came unto her she was returned out of her swound Galathea was the first upon whom Amasis cast her eye and because that young Princesse was all in teares Ah daughter said she unto her our tears are now unseasonable and are only testimonies of our pusilanimity For in such despair as ours we had better die then cry Madam answered Godomar what reason soever she has to desire living no longer a precipitated death is odious unto the gods and rather argues pusillanimity then magnanimity such as for fear of any future pain do rashly shorten their dayes are such as want courage and who falling from one extremity into another do fall from temerosity into despair It is much better patiently to obey whatsoever the heavens ordain and she will receive more contentment by it The contentment which she can expect replied Amasis is so inconsiderable that if she have no other then it to desire living it is better to prepare our selves betimes to die but if we have so much courage as to try how far our misfortunes can go we still live on Therefore Galathea let us not die until Polemas perish with us Upon this she was silent and her countenance shewing more confidence then before she seemed at that time to assume some strange resolution Galathea whose sorrows for Amasis pierced her very soul did answer in no language but that of tears who seeing her self seconded by Rosanira and Dorinde he sad soul swelled the more with sorrows and seemed to be proud of such good companions in grief Damon on the other side who was all pity did strive as much as he could to turn his eyes from off these fair ones and by good fortune looking towards the plain where the two Armies appeared in very good order he saw three Cavaliers come out from one of them without any other company but three Trumpets and three Pages who carried their Lances their comly manage of their horses did extreamly delight him for all his hatred unto those of Polemas his party so as calling to Godomar and shewing him the countenances of these three Cavaliers Alcidon came also to see them afâ—erwards
their strength to take away the lives of each other and because he thought he could not do a better office then to part them he passed through the willows and run with his sword drawn towards them intending to prevent their Combate from becomming a Tragedy but he of the Combatants who thought himself most injured thirsting for revenge he no sooner saw Andrimartes coming but he resolved presently either to dy or to vanquish and therefore he fell most desperately upon his enemy and made such a lucky pass as he ran his sword through his bod which wound proved mortal after this he presently escaped and all that Andrimartes could do was to come time enough to hold up the corps of the wounded Combatant who beginning to stagger and not able to sustain himself he fell into the arms of this Cavalier and in a dying tone said unto him Know Cavalier whosoever you are that I am most justly punished my vanquisher hath earned a just revenge for an injury which he could not put up without the loss of his reputation whilst he was saying so Silviana who followed Andrimantes came unto him and tore her handkerchief to stop the wounds of the man but he finding himself out of all hopes to live lifting up his eyes to heaven and afterwards fixing them upon Andrimartes Alas alas said he with a feeble and sighing voice your courtesie in helping me is in vain I know my death to be inevitable yet that this benefit may not altogether be uselesse let it serve for a discharge of him that has slain me whom I do pardon as freely as I wish he would forget the offence formerly he received from me upon this he stopt and losing both his speech and his life he remained cold in the arms of Andrimartes who was exceedingly troubled at the accident but since there was no remedy he took up his sword which he cast upon the ground to be the more fit for helping the wounded man afterwards presenting his hand unto his dear Silviana they returned to their horses and went on their journey They were not gone above three or fovr hundred paces but they met a great number of horsmen who seeing Andrimartes and Silviana stained with blood in several places they began to murmure amongst themselves afterwards dividing themselves some followed within sight of Andrimartes and others went on to see whether they could hear any news of that misfortune which they suspected something As soon as they found the body of Clâ—sioderus for that was the name of him that was slain some galloped as fast as they could to acquaint those that followed Andrimartes and afterwards all together seized upon him Silviana and all their company before they could so much as defend themselves Judge Madam how much they were amazed when they saw themselves thus treated especially when an old man who was hardly able to speak for anger addressing himself unto Andrimartes Perhap murderer said he unto him thou thinkest the day to be as black as thy crime and that thou canst hide the infamy wherewith thou art branded for murdering my son but the gods have suffered it to be discovered and before two dayes be exspired thou shalt suffer what the Laws have ordained against thee and thy Complices Andrimartes seeing himself suspected for a murder of which he was a witness and not an actour and thinking he was more obliged to answer unto the injury of the old man then to plead in behalf of his innocency also relating the the action which he had seen he looked upon him with an eye nothing like a guilty person and said unto him I am neither guilty of any black actions nor any murder of thy son but my actions are irreproachable and will help me to give the ly unto any that dare suspect me of any perfidie The old man was so enraged at this answer that he with the same sword which he took from Andrimartes had run him through if one of his servants had not fortunately stayed his arm and told him that it was too much for a prisoner to die by his hand but fitter to perish by that of a hangman this consideration stayed the hand of the hand of the old man But Silviana seeing him so near death was so frighted that she knew not what she did and her eyes twinkling she began to stagger and doubtlesse had fallen if some that stood by her had not taken her by the arm and held her up as long as her swound continued yet they not knowing the true cause of her sorrows they thought it had been only remorse of conscience for the crime which they thought she had committed The wife of Andreneck also looked as pale as death and amidst her sighs and tears letting the word Madam sometimes escape her tongue she caused those that looked upon her to think that fear of punishment had already distracted In this manner they carried them into the Town of Fisme which is not far from the City of Rhemois and there they shut up in a most nasty prison where the Sun was ashamed ever to shine I cannot expresse Madam the sorrows of Silviana and Andrimartes for their captivity I will therefore only tell you how they got out He who killed Closiodorus had no sooner given him his deaths wound but he fled away as I told you before and getting into the next Town he changed his habit with the first Shepherd that he met hoping to get unto his own house by the help of this disguise yet hearing in the beginning of the night that the Cavalier who came into the meadow to part them was seized upon as guilty of the fact he altered his mind and resolved to die rather then let the innocence of Andrimartes suffer for the murder which he only had committed In order to the effecting of this resolution he wended his way towards that City and there resting himself as long as the night lasted he came unto the Pallace of the Queen Methina as she was going unto the Temple to offer a Sacrifice in the behalf of Childerick As soon as be perceived her he stepped forward and hit upon his opportunity so handsomly that he had cast himself at her feet before any came to give him the stop The Queen who is the sweetest Princesse that evere bore a Scepter did presently stand still and casting her eye upon this Shepherd did ask him what he would have Madam answered the stranger I do upon my humble knees most earnestly beseech your Majesty to grant unto me my life and to hear those reasons which perhaps will move your clemency not to deny it what have you committed said the Queen that does deserve death my crime is replied the stranger that because I could not live after the losse of my honour I have taken away the life of a man that would have taken it from me How replied the Queen and smiled are the Laws of honour as inviolable amongst Shepherds as
us as she doth she will not suffer us to take that way but will so obstruct our design as we shall never bring it to passe To prevent which said Diana let us go from hence before either Adamas or my mother be out of bed for I fear they will send for us as soon as it is day to make me marry Parris But said Astrea as soon as they misse us out of our chambers they will follow after us and if they find us they will bring us back and after that we shall never hope to steal away from their vigilant eyes As for that answered the Shepherdess we shall not want a remedy for as soon as ever we are gone out we will hide our selves in some place or other all the day long and when night comes we will go unto the place which must put an end unto all our calamities If we should fall asleep again said Astrea it would but disorder our design I do not fear that replied Diana for though I would yet it is impossible for me to take any rest and therefore Sister let us dress our selves now Leonide and Phillis are fast asleep and cannot hear any noise we make Upon this Diana arose out of her bed and finding her clothes by the help of the Moon did dresse her self very handsomely Astrea did the like and afterwards both lay down upon the bed again till the night was a little further spent They were no sooner laid down but they heard Phillis sigh and because her sighs were mixed with some lamentable groans they thought that perhaps their design was discovered and to make them the more believe it she began to cry out what without me Ah Sister ah Diana no no no by these words of Sister and Diana they thought all was discovered and were so affrighted that Astrea rose up to tell her all the secret of their voyage but stooping to whisper her in the ear left Leonide should hear she saw her eyes shut upon which Astrea did infallibly conclude that certainly she only spoke in her sleep she saw also tears trickle down her cheeks which moved Astrea unto so much compassion as she also could not chuse but weep So she returned to her companion and assuring her that Phillis was asleep Sister said Diana unto her let us go out of the chamber and try if we can get out of the house it will be day before we are aware Let us go then said Astrea but make as little noise as we can left we should waken Leonide or Phillis In saying so she gently opened the door and softly treading down the stairs they came into the Court. As soon as they appeared in the Court two great doggs which were kept for the guard of the house began to bark put them into such a fright as they turned back and suddenly shut the door at the stair foot afterwards they saw the fellow who kept the keyes of the gates and who rose up at the noise which the doggs made a little after they saw him open the gates and look about him and went in again with his doggs into a little room and shut the door after him leaving the key of the gates in the lock This made them a little more confident so as they thought that if they stayed but a while till the fellow was asleep they might gently cross the Court and get out which they did with as many timerous apprehensions as if they had committed some great crime As soon as they were out they took upon the left hand and began to run as fast as ever they could still looking back to see whether any followed When they were quite out of breath they stopped and after they had blowed and a little recovered themselves Diana who was most affrighted O my God Sister said she what shall I do shall I have courage enough to compleat our design who have so little at the beginning of it We are about to accomplish a resolution said Astrea which will free us from the Tyranny of all those miseries which have tormented us and therefore we must not faint but take courage since upon this action depends the rest which we are to enjoy in the second life I do know very well replied Diana what benefit will acrue unto us by it but for all that I cannot chuse but startle at the way by which we are to arrive at it Yet dear companion continued she and kissed Astrea your presence does put me into some heart and makes me think that no ill which can happen unto me can be so great but the pleasure I take in your company is greater Sister replied Astrea in that you will find but small contentment and I much but not to trifle away our time in such discourse let us look out some convenient place to hide our selves and make provision of such fruits as we can find upon the trees for I consider that since we must not stirr from our secret lodging all the day probably we shall find a necessity of eating Truly said Diana it is strange to find in one and the same mind two such different wills We came out this morning with an unalterable resolution to die and yet we talk of eating as if we had some extraordinary care of our lives And so I have answered Astrea because I would not for a world die any other death then such as will disenchant the Fountain unto which we are going Well said Diana let us then gather some fruits let us eat and let us die I will do whatere you please In saying so they went forwards towards the banks of Lignon resolving to stay at the first place which they should think fit for a lurking hole all the day As they went they gathered fruits and after a long walk Arstea saw Aurora to appear and afterwards the Sun gilding the tops of the mountains and by degrees descending into the valleyes to give them the same luster they made the more haste to find out a close habitation and were more inquisitive then before they lodged themselves in several places but like Criminals who never think their place of retreat safe enough unlesse it be the very center of the earth and still imagine themselves exposed to the sight of all the world so did they in what place soever they found At last after much wandering and seeking up and down they found upon the side of the River a little Cavern which seemed to sute very well with their minds and there they resolved to stay Into it they entred then though with much ado by reason of the thick bushes which hindred them and sitting down upon the Cussions of Mosse which seemed as if they had been made by Art they waited and prepared themselves for any Fortune that heaven would send them Almost at the very same time Phillis whom they left in bed did waken and because she had still a confused memory of some troublesome dreams which
not being able to sustaine himself he leaned against a tree and by degrees sinking down to the ground he fell all along at the tree roote he lay neer an howre as if he had been in a swound but at last seeing his faintress would not give him that death which he desired he resolved to give himself that ease which nothing else would Now did he know that it is much easier to give good counsell unto others then to take it himself for he who had often blamed all such who for want of courage to graple and bear an affliction did suffer themselves to sink under the burthen of dispair he himself was ready to commit the same fault and yeild unto the violence of it The greatest enemy he had was his own imagination which never thought upon Dianas obedience but he found some suggestion to taxe her with ingratitude infidelitie Afterwards thinking upon the good fortune of Paris and of his own ill fortune alas said he how blindly are the destinies of men decreed Good gods must I because I am not rich enough nor well enough known lose in one moment all that my affiduitie and faithfull services have meritted from that fickle Shepherdess Was â—ver age so depraved as this Did nature ever govern with such little order as now Must men be weighed and esteemed according to their riches Is money the only thing that makes a man Ah Bellinde Ah Diana what an unworthy estimate is this Then stopping a little but sensless man that I am said he upon a sudden and reprehended him I am extreamly to blame my self for finding fault with the choise which they have made as if Paris were deficient in any thing which may render a man most exquisitly accomplished No no Bellinde you owed unto his merit as much as you did but Diana she owed her self unto my love she she alone is too blame for how great soever the qualitie of Paris be and let the virtues of his soul be never so many yet she has shewed more affection unto me then him and it was she only who gave my ambition leave to aspire so high as the glorie of pretending unto her And yet will this inconstant woman sacrifice me upon that altar of which Paris is the god This perfideous fair one Laughes at my misery and has forgot all oathes of fidelitie that ever she swore unto me Ah most cruel fair one I do see you joyed in the sweets of his embraces whilst I die in that horrid dispaire into which your inconstancy hath brought me I see you Diana take life from the moist and warme lippes of my Rivall but I shall never see any of my hopes ever revive again for you have stifled them under the rigour of your change ah happy Paris how many glorious beauties are this day submitted unto thy mercy How gloriously mayest thou tryumph over thy rich spoiles Ah Silvander how unfortunate thou art in ever desiring them in ever hoping for them and in being so miserably distant from all meanes of ever enjoying them Upon this he stopt to give the more liberty unto those sighes and groanes which his sorrowes sent from his brest And after he had long sighed and sobbed still thinking upon those delights which he fancied Paris to enjoy but poor and unfortunate Shepherd said he upon a sudden to what purpose is it to murmure eyther against the destinies or her The doome which hath submitted Diana unto the power of Paris is irrevocable and since she has so much power over her self as to consent unto it I have now so much libertie as to do what I will with my self in saying so he remembred the last words which he heard Diana speak and knowing that she did not forbid him any longer then till he heard of her marriage Now said he my disign has no obstacle and since there is no spark of any hope left in my soul her forbiddance to die is determined dye then Silvander and soon since the destines will have it so and since Diana consents unto it Then being fully resolved to put an end unto his life he began to think of such meanes as might most easily shew him the way and after he had thought upon the way of poison upon the way of sword and upon the way of water These remedies said he to himself me thinks are very incertaine and too far off to be applied unto a disease so desperate as requires a more near and speedy assistance for it is to be feared that if I should make use of poison I may be deceaved as Ligdamon was and so make my intention too much known Should I imploy a sword Cryserde she opened her veines and the blood which congealed in the orifice of the wound was a cause that she did not die and should I throw my self into Lignon perhaps some fisherman will take me up as Damon was so as I doubt that none of these three wayes can give me such a death as I desire then beginning to think upon it by fortune he cast his eye upon the same rock from whence Laonice used sometimes to veiw those beauties which the plain of Forrests did present unto the eyes of the inhabitants And imagining that it was a thing most impossible he should not perish there if he did precipitate himself from that top to the bottom he stayed himself upon the thoughts of this kind of death Yes yes â— said he this death will be the most honourable I can chuse and most sutable unto the state of my love for punishments ought in some sort to equall the offences and is it not just that since I aspired higher then it was my humble duty to pretend unto I should fall from such a precipice as wil be mortall unto me Now this which almost reaches heaven may be taken for an Emblem of Dianas perfections which are as far above the common sort as it is from the level of the earth I out of an indiscreet vanitie did think to arrive at the top of my hopes afterwards precipitating my self I find my self almost reduced to dust and all my rash desires converted into smoak In saying so he went towards Mount-Verdun yet chasing the least frequented way least he should be hindred in his disign by meeting any On the other side Alexis was no sooner escaped out of Leonides hands but he began to prepare himself for the execution of Astreas command and as if the gods were minded to make his fortune in some sort equall unto Silvanders as soon as she was at libertie and amongst the horrors of darknesse she disputed whether the night or her sorrows were the blacker or whether both were so dismall as the cruelty of Astrea she began to consult with her soul which way she should take to find a suddain death There was no invention to make one self away which came not into her fancy But a good genius and perhaps the very same which inspired Astrea did
having told him in what manner Leonide made him known unto his Shepherdesse Now said he this cruel and ungratfull woman in lieu of ever considering the testimonies which she had received of my love and obedience she commanded me to die and that so peremptorily as it is impossible but I must needs obey her Now that which I desire from you sage Silvander is that you would be pleased to take so much paines as to go tell Lycidas from me that I desire him as he loves me not to trouble himself at my death nor to take any revenge upon Astrea for the crimes which her rigour hath committed against him and against me In the mean time I will go and content that in humain woman and expose my self unto the rage of those Lyons and unicornes which guard the enchanted fountain that I may in some sort oblige posteritie and give Silvander himself the delight of knowing how truely and sincerly he is beloved by his Shepherdesse Diana Upon this Alexis was silent and Silvander who during her discourse had time to recollect his spirits and to confirm himself in a beleif that it was really Celadon who spoke unto him he took him about the neck and embracing him Oh heavens Celadon said he is it possible I should before I die be so happy as to see you again In saying so teares dropped from his eyes and afterwards continuing no no Celadon said he it is by no meanes just that the anger or rather the ill humour of Astrea should cause the ruine of the most amiable Shepherd in all Forrests Live live Celadon live for Astrea and let me alone to accomplish the design which you intended Let me die for my fidelity is pure enough and the same advantage which you willed me by your death you may receive from mine Nay nay Silvander replied Alexis live you for Astrea Alas alas replied the Shepherd why should I do so since Diana lives only unto Paris Unto Paris said Alexis in a great amazement yes unto Paris said Silvander and that is the cause of my transport let me therefore dear Celadon go and mingle my blood with the water of this Fountain that is now the only object of all my desires and so great is my impatiency of it that it alone is able to be my death Sage Silvander replied Alexis faintly had this design been just in you doubtless the gods would have inspired you with the thoughts of it as they did me and therefore I conceive you have no right to contend with me about it nor dispute it any longer since no other but my self can doubtlesse obtain it However said Silvander I beseech you let me joyn my Fortune unto yours and let us both find the same Fate Alexis would have disswaded him but Silvander beseeched her with so many forcible and importunate arguments that at the last she consented and received him as a companion in this enterprize Astrea had no sooner heard Licidus say that the Grotto wherein they were was the very same which formerly harboured Celadon but she was all amazement and from that time thought that very rock it self did tell her of that Shepherds love all the objects which presented themselves unto her senses did treat her in the same manner for when she heard the hollow murmure of the river Lignon or the noise which Zepherus made at the entrance of her Cavern she still thought them composed of nothing but those amorous sighs wherewith Celadon accompanied the rigour of his voluntary banishment Diana did very well observe this astonishment but not being able to imagine that it did proceed from any other cause then her fears that Phillis would surprize her she did not speak unto her but only waited with a little impatience to see what would become of the design which Phillis had to look into the Grotto But when that Shepherdesse was gone our and found the place more full of horrour then likely to keep alive the flames of a Lover and when she had bid adieu unto Licidas and went in quest of those whom she left behind her Diana seeing her companion continue still in the same assright she was she could nor chuse but ask the cause To whom Astrea answered Did not you hear Sister how Licidas said that this Grotto wherein we are is the very same place where Celadon lived and complained against my inconstancy when his Father by a subtil insinuation did make him believe that Corebes was to marry me I heard him say so replied Diana but I did not think that was able to trouble you so much as I see you are Truly said Astrea it does not much trouble me but I must confesse when I think upon the accidents which befel me at that time and comparing the present condition of my life with that I then lived I cannot chuse but grieve to see how fare will never cease tormenting me but is still putting obstacles unto such felicities as I promised unto my self There are very few answered Diana who have not the same accusation against Fortune you complain I complain and I think so does all the world for it is a most impossible thing to receive any joy which is not mixed with a thousand subjects of sorrow I do believe it answered Astrea but still I dare affirm that of all those who ever had any cause of complaint none ever had so much as I. For if I do but look back upon the successes of my life I cannot find one which was not accompanied with some sad event or other Sister replied Diana we had never lesse reason to complain then now now I say when our miseries are so near their remedy and when we are upon the very point of easing our selves from all those displeasures which we have endured Love has been the cause almost of all and it must be love which must deliver us to the end the same hand which gave the wound may also give the plaister Indeed Sister said Astrea we are arrived at the Eve of our tranquility but yet as near as that moment is which will end all our miseries the memory of those miseries does torment my mind In saying so she looked a little more seriously then before upon every thing that was in the Grotto and finding something upon her right hand which was engraved upon the rock she went nearer unto it and found her own name which Celadon had engraved almost all over the Cavern and on one side she saw written these ensuing lines Judge fair Astrea unto what point my Destinies have brought me I know very well that death is a remedy against all miseries and yet I will not have recourse unto it not that I find it hard to die but out of fear that being dead I shall not love you any longer These words made her apprehend that he had at that time a mind to make away himself but that some good genius had diverted him by putting this consideration
Druide and Belinde of their strict inquisition after Diana and Astrea they began to conclude that they were both fled together upon some dangerous design Adamas was much troubled for the Shepherdesses but for all that he could not forget the interest he had in Celadon Enquiring therefore whether any could tell where he was Phillis answered very plainly that she thought he was dead since Licidas swore he had not lest any place in all the plain unsearched The Druide then seeming to be very angry at her answer but said he let us at the least save Licidas and prevent any new disaster that may happen unto him Father said Phillis I left him lying upon the ground a good way from hence yet very near the river Lignon and to go unto him one need but go streight up by the river side perhaps said Adamas you left him asleep if so it is possible to find him and bring him back I believe one may replied Phillis but then it must be by command from some whom he dares not disobey Paris said the Druide may perhaps perswade with him Upon this commanding Paris to go thither this new Shepherd went and found Licidas a little before the Sun was set Almost at the same time he awaked and knowing Paris he started up upon a sudden not taking any notice that the Letter which Astrea pinned at his sleev did fall to the ground Paris perceiving that Licidas did not see it he stooped to take it up and having it in his hand here Licidas said he unto him this is doubtlesse some expression of your Love I cannot tell what it is answered Licidas but it can be no expression of my affection unlesse Phillis gave unto it you Nay replied Paris but on the contrary it may be I that must give it unto Phillis and will be willingly the Carryer of it since you have writ it Who I answered Licidas I swear I have not seen either ink or paper this two dayes However said Paris you did let it fall perhaps said Licidas it was your self for I am certain that I had no papers about me That will be quickly cleared answered Paris for I believe you will acknowledge your own hand In saying so he presented the Letter unto Licidas and the Shepherd casting his eyes upon it alas said he this Character is as much contrary unto mine as the cruelty of her who writ it is contrary unto my contentment Paris not understanding what he meant Licidas continued This Letter said he came from Astrea â— but I cannot imagine which way it should come into my hands perhaps said Paris you have had it long No answered Licidas I never saw it till now and believe she writ it very lately for the ink is fresh Then he began to read what was within the paper and found these words ASTREAS LETTER unto LICIDAS YOur anger against me dear Licidas I find to be most just and the more because not having heard any of those reasons which might plead my justification it is impossible but your judgement should be byassed by the interest of your brother I do excuse your resentment as I do blame his disguisment And to leave you no longer without some satisfaction for the crime whereof you accuse me I am going to die since the juglings of Celadon are a cause that I cannot live any longer in the world with honour I do verily believe that in the heat of my transport I have used a little too much rigour but how I impose a petty pennance upon him when I conceived his sin beyond all parallel or pardon yet since you will needs say that I have done amiss I will say so too and confesse that my fault deserves no less a punishment then death I tell you therefore once more Licidas that I am going to die and that your anger against me is to blame if you do not take my death for a sufficient revenge If for the rest of my soul a pardon may be obtained from you grant it good Shepherd my tears do beg it and the love which Celadon once bore unto me do forbid you to deny it Adieu Licidas I have but a moment to live and let Phillis take it in testimony of my remembrance Adieu At the reading of these last words Licidas could not chuse but melt into tears and pulling out his handkerchief to wipe his eyes Alas alas said he how great reason she has to confesse her self culpable for all the misfortunes which have fallen upon us had their beginnings from a trivial jealousie which once she conceived and conceived it upon the weakest grounds in the world I do wonder said Paris that she mentions not a syllable of Diana since it is thought they are both together I cannot tell answered Licidas what may be the cause of it but doubtlesse they are both together for if Diana had not been with Astrea then Astrea would have mentioned her in the end of her letter as well as Phillis whom you see she remembers however it be said Paris I conceive we cannot take a better course then to go speedily and acquaint Adamas to see what he will conceive upon this last accident Heere is Astreas letter replied Lycidas you may communicate it unto him and if you please I will waite heere for your commands Lycidas said this because he had no great mind to go unto the house of the Druide but Paris did so well perswade with him that at last he prevailed and carried him along It was now night when they came at the house of Adamas so as Bellinde being out of any hopes to hear any news of Diana she grieved extreamly and all the consolations the Druide could invent to flatter her sorrows did nothing but make her more sensible of them In this condition she was when they told her that Paris and Lycidas were returned so as she ran unto them as unto her last refuge but hearing nothing from them which gave her any hopes she relapsed into her first sad apprehensions Adamas he looked upon the letter which Lycidas received and finding no mention of Diana in it he let Bellinde know that in this incertainty of things she had no reason to dispair That it was credible Diana was not so senslesse as to expose her self unto death since it looks with such a grim and horrid face and since Diana being but a woman there was no likly hood her timerous disposition durst ever attempt to graple with it what resolutions soever she had Perhaps indeed Astrea might infuse some desires unto her off attempting it but when it came too 't neither of them both had so much courage as to execute it Adamas used severall other arguments which Bellinde did not take as absolutely good nor could she absolutely condemn them and the Druide having waited upon her unto her Chamber he went unto his own where calling for all the Shepherds and Shepherdesses he desired them to be all up betimes the
stood still lamenting and complaining whilst as ill luck was two great dogges wherewith one of the neighbours used to bait bulls at Publique shews did come into the streets and being greedy of blood they presently began to licke that which the slave had innocently mingled with the poyson They had not lapped with their tongues above three times but they tumbled with their feet upwards and died imediately at which the owner of them was so extreamly angry that needs would he kill my slave the very same instant and to know the cause of so suddain and strange an end he seised upon him and carryed him to his house where the poor slave having given him an accompt of the business wherin I imployed him he gave him the paper also assuring himself that it would serve for his justification The man did quickly find out my design and conceiving it most fit to acquaint the King he went presently to advertise him of it I understood since that Genserick was ready to fall down at the sight of my letter but at last recollecting himself and turning all his fury against me he commanded twelve or fifteen of his guard to go imediatly to my house and seise upon me and to put me in that prison where traytors used to be locked up which command was presently obayed And I being prepared to die staying only for the return of my slave they found my dores open and a glass upon the table full of the same poison which I thought Eudoxe had received I will not tell you in what a condition I was when I saw this obstacle unto my resolution it will suffice you know that imagining the Princesse to be dead I did exceedingly rejoice at all those tortures which I conceived were preparing for me Thrasimond was returned from hunting a little before and being extreamly impatient to see his Mistresse that he might know what effect his letter produced he went unto the Palace where Eudoxe was and telling her all the storye which you have heard he made the Princesse think that her resolution was not unknown unto him no more then the wicked design of Genserick Eudoxe then seeing all was discovered and fearing least the King should that night execute what he threatned she thought good to make use or Thrasimonds love hoping that the honest and legitimate passion of the son would give a stop unto the burning and unlawfull lust of the Father And indeed she armed her eyes with all the persawsive charmes she could to move pitty she took her hand-handkercheif and listing it to her eyes two or three times she began to speak unto him in this manner Since Sir you know what intentions Genserick has upon me it is impossible but you should approve of the design which I have to prevent by my death that shamefull staine wherewith he would sully my honour and reputation Though nature had not made me the Daughter unto Theodosius and though fortune had not twice submitted the Emperedom of the East unto me yet it is enough that I do know what a wife and a woman does owe unto virtue never to consent unto the loss of a thing the price whereof is beyond all value And certainly what tiranny soever Genserick is resolved to use unto me his passion shall still find resistance That which his violence will not let me execute upon my own person my rage shall attempt upon his and perhaps he shall to his woe find what dispair can do in the incensed spirit of an honest woman if he be weary of her life which he has undertaken to protect and if it anger him to hear himself accused for violating faith let him with all my heart take away this life with I live with sorrow and if he will let me die gloriously and with honour he shall see how little I will startle at death By this generous Thrasimond you may perceive that if there be no remedy to stop the fury of Genserick there is no hopes of my life or of my two Daughters whom heaven has only left me for witnesses or rather Companions in my misfortunes If as our last refuge the love which you profess unto young Eudoxe be grounded upon honour certainly you will be her Protector and will be ashamed to marry her after her Mother has lost that only thing which will be a glory unto her in the match shall it be ever recorded to future ages in history that Genserick would glut his brutish lust upon Eudoxe the captive and that Thrasimond the glory of his time stood still and would never offer to be an obstacle unto such a blacke design Oh good Sir do not suffer such a blur to dim the story of your life And if the young Eudoxe have any power with you or if you have any pitty upon miserable persons let me execute what Olicarsis had prepared for me And good Sir let not that mans innocence bear the blame of that crime which I only committed it was I who forced him to prepare that poison and his feares only that I would attempt upon the person of the King made him consent unto it Now Sir if for any particular interest you may have in my life you do intend to hinder my death turn if it be possible the mind of Genserick I conjure you I do conjure you unto it even by Eudoxe if you love her by these teares which I drop at the memorie of my miseryes by your self and by these armes which I fixe about your knees which I will never let go untill you promise what I implore from you In saying so she fell down at the feet of Thrasimond and clasped about the leggs of that Prince with so much strength as he was not able to rise so soon as he would at this he was so milted into pity and Eudoxes desires to preserve her honour did please him so well that his love encreased and made him think that no greater advantage could be unto his fortune then to marry the Daughter of so virtuous a Mother Besides this the glory to see at his feet a Princess whom so many millions of people had obeyed did so pleasingly flatter him that from thence forward he resolved to use his very utmost endeavours for her delivery out of those paines which her feares had infused into her and therefore unloosing Eudoxes armes as well as he could he presently kneeled down upon the ground and helping her up Madam said he unto her hope well in the goodness of heaven and in my love Genserick shall joyn my death unto yours or if his pity preserve me his passion shall never hurt you Upon this he left her to go unto the King but he found him not in the Castle for that Barbarian having no thoughts in his mind but the ruine of Eudoxe and fearing that by the accident which hapned the death of that Princesse would be some obstacle unto his desires he resolved to prevent it and therefore when
read in those fair eyes the cause your comming hither Oh sleep be not thou as cruell unto me as thou art sweet unto this in humain fair one Oh thou god of rest and comfort let her look once upon me before I die But continued she and reprehended her self I have no reason to invoke thee since the cruelty of Astrea shews me that Divinities themselves are sometimes insensible Fairest Diana said Silvander and gently kissed her fair hands receive these few teares which I now drop upon the Lillies of your hand as the last testimony of your shepherds love Receive oh ye fairest lips this sad and deplorable adieu and if it be possible my passion can inspire any thing into your soul let not my name die in your memory In saying so be adventured to kisse her and yet she did not waken for she had been so long without sleep and was so very weary as she slept most soundly Alexis on her side she stole the same favour from the ruby lips of Astrea and afterwards looking upon Silvander but shepherd said he unto him unto whom are we debtors for these favours but to their insensibility Let us retreat Silvander and not mixe such sweets with so many bitters which we use to tast let us leave these beauties whom we have so religiously adored unto their rest and not stay till they shall awake and condemn this last action of our lives of too much presumption Let us go Silvander whither our destinies do call us come on answered Silvander let us go and die But said he before he went and kissed the hand of Diana adieu the fairest that ever lived upon the bankes of Lignon adieu Diana adieu the object of my love and the cause of my torments Upon this he rose up and heard Alexis say and thou the fairest and most inhumane that ever was dear Astrea if it happen that the fury of the Lyons and Unicornes do leave so much reliques of me as may let you know my deplorable and generous end know also that my love made choise of this kind of death and your rigour was the cause of it I do not desire from heaven any revenge upon your cruelty but I beseech the gods to make my innocency and fidelity to known unto you as you may never doubt but that as I have been the most faithfull of all lovers so you have been the most cruell of all Mistresses in saying so she rose up and taking Silvander by the hand they went both togeather towards the fountain This encounter passed whilst Lycidas went to advertise Phillis of the place where he had found the shepherdesses and before they returned Alexis and Silvander were got so near the inchanted fountain that the two Unicornes which first espied them left the Lyons to guard it and came straight towards them Alexis who looked for nothing but death stood still and Silvander who looked for no less did open his armes to receive that mortall wound which would take him away from the number of men but the Unicornes which came most furious towards them passed by and did them no harm This accident which was far beyond their hopes did extreamly astonish them but desiring to know what would be the issue they turned about and looked after them They saw them go gently towards Diana and Astrea and after they had gazed a while upon the ground they layed themselves down upon the ground and leaned their heades upon those shepherdesses at first they feared that these Animals would have done them some injury and therefore they advanced to releive them yet as soon as they saw them laid down they stopt and admired to see so much sweetness from them as in nature they might well expect most cruelty They were in these considerations when they saw Lycidas and Phillis comming so as fearing to be perceived they laid them down upon the groud and hiding themselves behind a little bush observed a while their actions and astonishment at last when they saw Phillis leave Lycidas a while after espied Hylas and Adrastes and all the rest unto whom that shepherdess had told the newes of finding Astrea and Diana Alexis then seeing a great number of persons assembling themselves togeather he turned towards Silvander shepherd said he unto him pray go you unto that good company you had much better be with them then with me whose Company is so contageous as does infect all that are with me with a desire of dâ—ing Your Company answered Silvander does not produce the same effects in me since on the contrary I may say it has hindred me or at least deferred my death For certainly had not you diverted me yesterday from my resolution I should ere this have paid that tribute which I owe unto nature But as for you Celadon continued he why should you so willfully fly from the looks of your fair shepherdess though Astrea was angry with you yet it was only out of a passionate fit which she could not resist and since it was so violent as could not last long Follow my advice go and appease the spirit of that fair shepherdess who doubtless is in extream impatience to know what is become of you you will thereby oblige all the shepherds and shepherdesses in this Countrey for I am sure there is not one who is not much interested in you eyther by blood or affection But I poor silly wretch I wonder who would care whether I do live or die First Diana she will find a subject of incomparable satisfaction by my death because thereby she will be rid of him whose presence will eternally accuse her and make her appear culpable of perfidy as for the rest of shepherds and shepherdesses alas why should any of them be sensible of my miseryes since my death must needs be as indifferent unto them as my life For not being known unto any no my own self not knowing what I am why should any make me the object of his amity a vagabond and a miserable wretch who has resented the very worst of fortunes malice Your merit replied Alexis hath supplied all those defects which you alleadge and has given you as much esteem from all of any quality in this Countrey then if you had been descended from the most illustrious families in all Forrests No no assure your self Silvander your death would be infinitly lamented by all and every one will lament your loss as losing the glory of the Province in losing you who are the most perfectly accomplished shepherd in it so as your will in exposing your self unto the fury of the Lyons is not just because you do not only offend the gods by distroying their most perfect work but also men by ravishing from them the rarest example of virtue they ever had Follow my advice Silvander let me die alone reserve the remainder of your dayes for actions that will be glorious unto you and restore him back unto Diana for who I know her soul has
sent forth a thousand sighes of love whatsoever you make conjecture I am fully perswaded but she has done some violence to keep her self from falling into the power of Paris and the condition wherin now she is me thinks is a strong argument that the marriage is not consummated For why should she come with Astrea unto a place so little frequented since the inchantment of the fountain but only to conceall her self from Bellinde for some dayes and to give her time of consideration how little inclination her Daughter has unto that alliance alas said Silvander and interrupted her this small absenting her self and this self are arguments more strong to confirm me in a beleif that my dispair is just and that her infidelity is true For may I not well think that this ungratefull woman did absent her self to kindle the flames of Paris the more and that this sleep is part of that rest which my rivall would have stoln from her the first night by his carresses oh what dismal causes of jealousy do I find and how this passion transports me into fury Can you think it just Celadon that I should live to be a witness of all those kisses which this husband will gather from those lippes which have pronounced the sentence of my death and his happines Do you not think that those favours which this fickle one publiquely conferres upon him as innocent as they are yet do not appear unto me most horrid crimes alas you do not love aright if you think they are not enough to kill me assure your self every look she casts upon him is a dagger to my heart No no shepherd I had better let them alone to enjoy their delights freely my presence will but disturbe them every thing does invite me unto this design more then you who has no legall warrant to authorise the resolution which you have taken but only the bare passionate humour of Astrea which perhaps has made her weep a thousand times since and repent she ere concealed from you the good though secret acceptance she had of all your services Therefore dear Celadon if my prayers have any prevalence with you I beseech you let me only run this adventure it is a faithfull lover who ought to die do not dispute the matter any longer with me And pardon me if I say out of the knowledge I have of my love and humour that it is most impossible to find one man in the whole world who can excell me In saying so he embraced Celadon and conjured him again to let him obtain this favour which he required but Celadon seeming ill satisfied with his request truly Silvander answered he you do resemble him who received as a sharer only in a treasure yet will needs become the sole master of it and drive out him who first admitted him only at a sharing Companion in his fortune It was I who first designed this disenchantment by giving my life and now I have communicated my design unto you it is you that would hinder me from the execution of it and would your self take all that glory which the gods reserved only for me Dear Celadon said Silvander and interrupted him do not blame me for desiring to take that advantage from you which will procure you a far greater I mean the enjoyment of Astrea I dare swear that fair shepherdesse would think your presence at this hower her greatest happiness Take my advice Celadon present your self before her once more if she do not forbid you to die I will confess my self injurious in advising you to live Nay answered Alexis that cruell one shall never have the pleasure of condemning me the second time I know what obedience I owe unto all her commands and will not put her to so much pains as to pronounce them often But as for you Silvander live and live for Diana since you know she desires it and did never command the contrary all the arguments perswasions and reasons that you can possibly devise can never alter me from that resolution which I am fixed upon to die by the mortal claws of these furious Lions which cannot be so cruel but will leave me so much time as they are tearing me in pieces as to remember that Astrea is more pittiless These last words stole some tears from the eyes of Alexis who seeing how contrary her end was unto those sweet hopes which she had conceived in the beginning of her affection her heart could not chuse but melt at the memory of those kind promises which Astrea once made unto her and Silvander who also had the same considerations he began to embrace Alexis and saw those tears which dropped from her eyes they embraced each other a long while and perhaps had done longer if Alexis who alwayes looked towards Astrea had not espied a great company coming towards them he presently advertised Silvander of it and both looking earnestly at them it was not long before they saw it was Adamas Belinde and Phillis but Silvander knew not Galathea Rosanira nor the rest of the Nymphs because of the change in their habits Fearing then that if the Druide saw them he would hinder them in their designe Come come dear Silvander said Alexis and rose up hastily let us not dispute any longer upon this point let us go and see to which of us the gods will judge the price of fidelity and since they only can decide our difference it is folly to consult upon it any longer here Upon this she went towards the Fountain and Silvander following her if it happen said he that we both die we shall have this advantage at the least to shut up in one Tombe two friends who have almost the very same Fates in their loves would suffer the same deaths In saying so they were come so near the Lions that those fierce Animals heard them and looked upon them with most affrighting looks but the Shepherds were so far from any signes of fear that there was a fresh vermilion in their cheeks and as if an horrid object were an object of joy and felicity they began to smile and to shew that their courages were not lesse then the Ferocity of those mercilesse Guardians Alexis who came thither only to die and not to fight did at the first prepare her self to receive their cruelty whilst the Lions at the sight of this new prey did beat their sides and the ground with their tails and were rowsing up anger enough to devour these Lovers she kneeled down upon the ground and looking up to heaven O ye merciful gods said she who have inspired me with this remedy to keep my miseries from being infinite as is your power accept I beseech you of this sacrifice which I offer unto you of my body and I would say of my soul also did you not know that it is still a captive in the charms of the fairest but most ungrateful Shepherdess that ever was even for pities sake O most
puissant Divinities let my death satisfie you for all her injuries and as great as her crimes are which she hath committed against Love for my sake cease your resentments of them and let that cause which moved her to desire my death be a motive unto you to prolong her happiness and life Alexis had no sooner ended her prayer but Silvander began O ye pittilesse Destinies cryed he out who by irrevocable Laws have ordained I should spend my miserable dayes in all the afflictions which any soul is capable to resent now I beseech you see your own doom executed As you have spoke all truth concerning the miseries that menaced my life be you as true also in what you have spoken concerning my death In saying so he opened his brest and joyfully prepared himself to receive those wounds which would let out his soul with his blood he saw the Lions approaching towards them with eyes that sparkled fire and lifting up their paws they shewed their crooked claws whose points were as sharp as any needles In the mean while Adamas and the rest were come within fourscore or a hundred paces of Astrea and Diana The two Shepherdesses waked at the same time and were so affrighted to see the two Unicorns so near them that they never looked towards the place where Licidas was with Thamires Celidea Doris Adrastes and the rest nor towards the place where Galathea and Rosanira were with Adamas and Belinde All they could do in that amazement or rather that affright was to offer themselves unto those Animals as thinking they came thither only to devour them but seeing them upon a sudden to run towards the Fountain they thought that it was there only where they were to die and that the Unicorns did only shew them the way Astrea and Diana therefore ran after them and were no sooner come to the place where Alexis and Silvander were expecting their deaths but they saw those two Shepherds upon their knees within ten paces of them and the Lions with enraged fury ready to tear them in pieces This encounter did extreamly surprize them but having no time to consider what to do they followed the first suggestion of their passion and stepping betwixt them it is we that are to die said they and not those Shepherds who are not culpable of any crime Alexis and Silvander ravished at this spectacle and fearing lest those Shepherdesses should receive some harm they fell upon the Lions and began to fight with them more for the interest of their Mistresses then their own preservation but being without any arms they were quickly thrown down and the two Unicorns as taking their parts came at the very same instant and falling upon the Lions there began a most sharp combat betwixt them Adamas Belinde and the rest who saw Astrea and Diana go away did follow them but they came not time enough for the combate was almost ended the heavens which before were clear and serene was now all cloudy and the Sun was so obscured as if the world were to perish in horrid darkness The fields which with variety of flowers used to render us most fragrant odour now lost that sweetnesse and stunk of sulphure No light was to be seen but that of lightning with such horrid claps of thunder which speaking the anger of the gods it is easie to be be believed that they intendâ—d to destroy the world and reduce it unto the confusion of its first Chaos This made the most courageous to be sensible of fear Adamas himself in this disorder who by his profession had learned to resign himself unto the will of the supream powers did wonder and was amazed when the earth trembled under him Often did he offer to speak but the horrible claps of thunder put him out of all hopes to be heard and when he would have looked upon those who were in his company he found the use of his sight as much hindred as his speech Sometimes he wished they were all in his house for a shelter against those storms that menaced them but when he considered that such blustering storms were able to throw down the strongest buildings he condemned his first wish and found it unjust because the most secret places were open to the knowledge of the gods and there was no place that could shelter a mortal from the anger of the Dieties Galathea and Rosanira wished a thousand times that their journey were to begin again but as great as their fears were their loves had made so deep an impression in their memories that in lieu of having recourse unto the mercy of heaven they never ceased invoking Rosilion and Lindamor as their Divinities Belinde thinking Diana was dead was ready to wish for her own giving her self therefore over unto grief she laid her self all along upon the ground leaning her head upon her two arms which lay acrosse not daring to lift up her eyes to heaven because she thought it her most mortal enemy ah Diana said she to her self how dear does thy indiscretion cost us Thy fault has louly offended the gods since they take so great revenge Immortal Dieties continued she whose justice does exceed your pity if punishment be inseparable from the crime which this woman has committed why did you not inflict only upon me Was not a Victime able to appease you had not I blood enough to wash away the crime O most cruel you have despised that blood which I would most willingly have shed for the safety of this sinner and to shew how odious the disobedience of children is unto you you have punished her with so much severity as renders your anger remarkable unto all posterity Upon this thought Belinde fell into a flood of tears and Adamas who was already upon his knees to pacifie the anger of the gods by his prayers casting his eye accidentally towards the place where she was a flash of lightning made so much light at the very same time as he could plainly see in what condition she was seeing her â—hen lie all along upon the ground and thinking her killed by some clap of thunder such a sorrow seized upon him as he became almost senslesse He went unto her as near as possibly he could and as if he would make her hear maugre the thunder alas sage Belinde cried be out as loud as he could what infortunate accident was it that separated us and why should it be mortal unto you and not unto me Belinde did hear the voice of the Druide but she could not distinguish his words and Galathea who was not far off hearing confusedly the words Belinde and mortal she thought her and all but dead people Rosanira who held her by the arm believed the same and their opinions passing unto Dorinde it went from one to another till it came to Hylas who knowing no reason why he should bear the punishment of anothers fault he wiâ—hed himself heartily in Carmagues although it were upon the condition
extreamly love Thrasimond and the young Prince with whom I stayed as a Governour so as the interest of this affection was enough to make me forget the greatest injuries I ever received from their Father Genserick then embarqued himself flattering himself with hopes that his voyage would be no lesse prosperous then the conquest of all the world But O how fond and deceitful are all humane intentions One single day saw all this glory and all this war like Array vanish to nothing for Leon who feared that Anthemius was not strong enough to resist so formidable an Army did haste away relief under the conduct of one Basiliscus who being by the favour of the gods and the winds joyned with him did defeat Genserick and gave him so sharp a chase as he was constrained to retire into Carthage with as much shame and infamy as his ambition did before promise him glory and honour In a very short time this Basiliscus made himself master of Sicily and regained all that the conquests of Genserick had ravished from the Romane power but not contenting himself with those Trophes which he had already gotten whilst Anthemius was returned to Rome he designed to subjugate Africa and not to leave Genserick so much ground as to make himself a grave This resolution did put Genserick into a greater confusion then I am able to expresse He saw all his Armies defeated Basiliscus triumphant Sicily lost the Vandals ruined and all Africa affrighted so as not knowing which way to resist his enemy one day he did me the honour to communicate himself unto me I freely told him that if he did not think himself able to defend himself by force he had no other way but to have recourse unto Pollicy and that the most favourable expedient would be to stop the mouth of his enemy by corrupting him with gifts and promises and that though he spent herein all the riches that he had gotten by the plunder of Rome yet would have this advantage by it that he gave nothing but was their own and had thereby preserved his life and estate This proposition did sound well in his ears and thinking that perhaps I had wit enough to bring this about he imployed me to go unto Basiliscus and gave me a full power to manage this negotiation as seemed good unto me Upon this I went and found Basiliscus advanced very far but not to insist upon every circumstance and course I took to overcome him let it suffice I tell you that after I had told him there was no prudence in exasperating an enemy so far as to make him desperate That the greatest glory he could hope for was to get by his valour all that which Italy had lost That Genserick did offer to restore it unto him even all the riches that he had brought from Rome This Man who doubtlesse was of a greedy and covetous Nature was wrought upon by the promises which I had made unto him to keep this negotiation so secret that never any could come to the knowledge of it Thus did I in some sort give peace unto Africa and rest unto Genserick who had no sooner performed the conditions of this secret treaty but Basiliscus suspected as I believe for it is impossible such actions should long lie hid was commanded by Leon to return unto Constantinople This Emperour would never suffer neither Vrsaces nor Olimbres to be absent from him for trusting in their courages and affections also suspecting the Factions of Ardabures and Aspar he was very glad to keep them by him as two Pillars to support him in cases of necessity but at this time when the malice of these two Factions had broken out anew and Vrsaces and Olimbres after several skirmishes little prevailing he was constrained to send for Basiliscus who had under him the only forces which could secure him in the possession of the Empire Basiliscus then was no sooner sent for but Vrsaces addressing himself unto Olimbres and telling him how great a shame unto them it was that they could not do any service unto Leon and that it was better for them to perish in a brave attempt then to stay and let another have the glory of giving peace unto the East to whom Olimbres whose spirit aspired unto great actions answering that he was ready to avoid that stain upon their honours they assembled together one day all the Forces they could raise and charged Ardabures and Aspar so furiously that after a long and sharp Combate wherein the loss of blood was the least mark of their courages they took them both Prisoners and brought them to the mercy of Leon who to stop all fears of any further Rebellion did publickly put them to death This was the state of things whilst Anthemius found how far the perfidie and ingratitude of a man could go for Rithimer a Goth by Nation whom Severian had made a Citizen of Rome and Lieutenant of his Army and unto whom Anthemius married his daughter he rose up against him and forgetting all the benefits which he had received from his father in Law he strove at the Empire and endeavoured to usurp the Crown and Authority Anthemius more grieved at his ill Nature then at his pretentions did generously oppose himself against his enterprises and had no sooner advertised Leon of Rithimers ingratitude but the Emperor dispatched Olimbres to him to deliver him from the oppressions of this kinsman-enemy But the doom of the destinies being inevitable some accident or other impeded the voyage of Olimbres so as he came no farther then Ravenna when Rithimer having violated the peace which he contracted with Anthemius only to have the more facility to betray him did rebell a new defeated Belemer who came with relief unto Anthemius Entred into Room plundered the houses Pillaged the statly Palaces burned the Temples and miserbaly put him to the sword who had done him so many benefits This violence had like to have killed Olimbres with greif and the more because he conceaved that he might have stopped his comming unto Rome But this horrid cruelty did incense the gods much more who being unwilling to suffer such abominable iniquity and base treachery to passe unpunished they would never suffer such an impious wretch to raign but let him die the most violent death that ever did man Olimbres presently after was declared Emperor and called unto Rome as the only hope of that desolate estate which news quickly carried unto Carthage and was so welcome unto Genserick and Thrasimond because of the affection which they ever bare unto him that they resolved to give some perticular testimony of their joy For my part I must confesse my joyes were far above my expressions or any imagination and in my excesse of gladnesse I thought a thousand times of that which an Astrologer foretold him which was that he should not die untill he was made Emperor and had commanded the Empire of the west not bring able to comprehend how
will I have learn'd that they have given me a free will and power to make what choise I will whether it be a crime or no to make use of it it is no matter so I do not offend Silvander all 's indifferent and believe it Astrea your sin is not small in advising me to be perfideous In saying so she looked upon her with such an eye as would have moved any unto pity and Astrea being touched with compassion she was quite out of countenance My dear Sister said she and broke into tears may I never live if I be not extreamly sensible of Silvanders misfortune and would with all my heart I could for your sake change his Destiny but be my sorrows never so great for him my resentments for you are more violent and that is the reason of my speaking as I did thinking that by advising you unto a perfidy I might give you some consolation especially since your fidelity will do him no good because his death will not suffer him to reap the fruits of it Nay on the contrary replied Diana my fidelity will doubtlesly cause him to have this satisfaction in dying that he has as much as he desires and since it is long before we shall see each other again if my constancy be meritorious he will give me leave to follow him This was the discourse of Diana by which Astrea and Phillis gathered that after the losse of Silvander they should have a heard task to preserve her yet loving her infinity well they resolved to comfort her as well as they could thus they went on the way whilst Amasis being near unto Galathea and Celadon did cause him to relate the principal â—ccurrents of Silvanders life Belinde for her part she made no question but Diana had an inclination to him and infinitly admiring with what discretion this passion had been carryed she also lamented the loss of that Shepherd and condemned the too much easinesse of her daughter in wishing him so well After this remembring that she only was the cause of Silvanders coming to dwell in Forrests she looked upon her self as culpable both of his love and death Yet since it was not in her power to divert it now because she would rather die then disobey the gods she continued her Lamentations which was all she could do for this unfortunate Shepherd Adamas also whom the Oracle had interested in the death of Silvander by commanding him to be his Sacrificer he could not find out any reason why this Shepherd should be so rigorously used yet for further satisfaction he would confer with him and taking the Shepherd by the hand Silvander said he unto him what grand sin have you committed which thus moves the gods to be greedy of your death Their Oracles speak nothing else whether you consult with them in private or publick still they have some design upon your life Father answered Silvander it would be a vanity in me worthy of punishment to say I never sinned but I must needs confesse that I do verily believe the greattest sin I ere committed was in presuming to pretend unto the possession of Diana hitherto I have concealed my passion lest there should be too many witnesses of my presumption but since you would have my ingenious confession to excuse the rigour which you find in the punishment that is ordained me I will freely tell you my offence and beseech you to pardon me if it hath been any obstacle to the design of Belinde and Paris my love unto that fair Shepherdess began before ere she knew him and if she did entertain his affection only out of respect it was perhaps because she had beforehand received mine out of inclination Yet the gods most just they have found a more sutable conformity between the merits of Paris and Diana then between the perfections of the Shepherdess and my miserable condition Upon this ground they commanded their marriage should be accomplished and that I should die because they knew that if they had not so commanded it yet I would never have survived their marriage one minute The gods replied the Druide do not give Diana unto Paris because he deservs her nor do I think they deny her unto you for want of any good qualities which may intitle you to a legitimate presence unto her I do very well know both your worths and for all my affection unto him I am not so partially blind but I also know what great advantages your wit has above his but to tell you truly I think the gods do thus to shew how oft men are deceived in their judgements and that the Laws of all humane Prudence is far inferiour unto those that are established in heaven But Silvander continued he give me leave to part from you a little that whilst you do joyn with the rest of the company I may think upon some course which may be expedient both for you and me In saying so Druide stayed and Silvander who was very glad to be alone he did not wash away so fast as ordinary but going softly he did nothing but think upon the Fatal doom which had debarred him from the enjoyment of Diana to augment the glory and triumphs of Paris Adamas in the mean while being come near the Altar upon the stairs whereof Astrea and Diana slept when they went with a resolution to die at the Fountain of verity there he sate down and there beginning to think upon the office unto which he was called then upon his life and afterwards upon the miserable condition of Silvander and finding in himself greater motions of affection towards him them ever he had before O said he how apt is compassion to cause love For I never had so great an inclination unto Silvander as since his misfortune forced me to pity him Afterwards thinking upon the Oracle which commended that Shepherd to die and that he himself should sacrifice him O heavens said he how comes the gods to be so barbarous as to sprinkle their altars with humane blood If some uncouth Victimes only would appease their wrath why then in lieu of Bulls and Sheep did they not command the burning of our houses I would with all my heart have been the first that would have fired mine to appease them and shew my obedience But why O god of Love must our houses stand and Silvander he sacrificed and to make me the greater sufferer in his punishment by dying daily with grief for killing him why must I be his sacrifice Alas is this the abundance of contentments which should accompany my dayes after I had given Celadon unto his dear Astrea Ah Heaven has thou deluded me Upon this he slept and considering that he was a Druide O pardon me replied he for accusing you of injustice Pardon me great gods for being too much transported with my reresentments Alas alas I do love Silvander and being but a man I am subject to humane frailties In saying so he began to think
expectation of Astreas return and in the mean time Silvander came to the place where death was to triumph over him There was not one in all the company which did not change colour when they saw the pile of wood he only looked upon it without the least dismay As soon as the Druide was got upon it and the Eubages and their vessels and and knife and all in readinesse he himself got up also and kneeling down after he had cast his eyes upon the cloud which covered the Fountain of Verity King of souls said he with most admirable constancy Puissant Deity who never had in heaven any thing so fair as the eyes of Diana O great God of Love since I must die to satisfie for the sin which my presumption hath committed in adoring her Receive sweet Tyrant this testimony of my obedience and what punishment soever my Crime had merited yet let thy wrath be appeased by my death Upon this he rose up and after he had put off his dublet he made a sign to the Druide that he was ready to die his great resolution did astonish all the spectatours and even the least sensible did shed tears at the misfortune of this Shepherd but above all Astrea and Celadon appeared the most sadly afflicted for as the one lamented the Fate of Silvander so the other grieved no lesse for the misfortune of Diana Adamas for his part he doubted whether he had life enough to our-live this Sacrifice yet considering that it was the will of the gods he began to put his hand to the work The scaffold which he had caused to be erected was about some two yards in height and that it might hold the more wood it was six yards in length and as much in bredth As soon as all things were in readinesse the Druide took two great Tapers which he lighed at the fire which one of the Bubages carried in a silver chafingdish and giving them unto two other Hubages he commanded them to go nine times about the scaffold After this but with a trembling hand he took the knife and addressing himself to the Shepherd he asked him whether he had constancy enough to die without his eyes being blinded and Silvander protesting with abundance of alacrity that the minute of his death was the sweet oft minute of all his life he opened his brest to receive the blow but Adamas being in some sort offended at his forwardnesse Silvander said he unto him in a low voice the haste which you make to die is indeed an argument of your courage but it may also be an argument of your dispair The gods do not like precipitate actions and therefore I conjure you to wait with a little more patience for the blow which you are to receive We do use in our Sacrifices to sprinkle the scaffold with some drops of blood which we take from the Victime which is to be sacrificed and therefore not to go against this order I will sprinkle the wood with yours upon which you are to die Silvander made no answer unto the words of Adamas but after he had shewed him that he was ready to obey whatsoever he commanded the Druide took hold upon his arm a little above the hand and the Shepherd himself turned up the slieve of his shirt left is should be any hindrance unto his design an Eubage presently brought a basin to receive the blood and Adamas lifted up his hand to make the wound But he no sooner cast his eye upon the place which he was to cut but a strange astonishment seized upon him At first he could not so much as stir or take his eyes off the arm of Silvander afterwards perceiving himself to weaken upon a sudden he let fall the knife and taking the Shepherd about the neck O Silvander cryed he out O Paris my son Paris In saying so his strength quite failed him and Silvander himself having not so much as to hold him up they fell both together upon the scaffold At the sight of this accident those that stood at a little distance gave a great cry imagining that Silvander had received his Fatal blow yet seeing Adamas to fall first they thought that the Sacrificer was himself become the Victime At that instant the two Tapers did miraculously extinguish of themselves to the amazement of the Bubages and Paris ravished at this spectacle and that he should be named went presently up the scaffold He was no sooner there but the Druide assumed his spirits and strength and falling down upon his knees Most pitiful and compassionate gods cryed he out who never suffers us to speak any untruth I give you most hearty thanks for the great favour you have done me Pardon me if in despairing of your goodness I did murmure against the greatnesse of your infinite benignity I must confesse that I have sinned as a mortal man but I will make a vow to serve you as my Soveraign Tautates and promise to offer upon your Altars continual Victimes After this he rose up and seeing the whole Assembly was no lesse astonished then he he took Paris in one hand and holding Silvander in the other he raised his voice to as loud a strain as he could and began to speak in this manner I must make here a Publick confession of a private action and in the sight of all Forrest declare that which until now was never known unto any but the gods and my self I do protest that this is Paris said he and shewed Silvander this who has born that said he and shewed Paris is not my son but only by adoption and as affection or rather piety moved me to give him that name and title But because such a change is not ordinary I am inspired to give you my reasons to the end all men may learn never to despair in the goodness and favours of heaven Know then that when the valour of Aetius added glory to the Grandure of the Romane Empire and when the Prudence of this great Captain had gotten to himself the government of Gaul this countrey which had enjoyed a secure peace for many ages before did now find that it was not without enemies and it being impossible but my Interest must needs be involved in a misfortune which was then common unto all these Provinces I quickly found how barbarous the insolency of those are who look after profit more then glory in their triumphs for they delight in nothing but destruction and in plundering all that presents it self unto their infatiable fury Their rage did not only reach so far as to ravish all that was precious in my house but also they ravished away my son who was the only stay of all my hopes I did what I could to hinder them I told them he could not do them any service since he was but five years of age I beseeched them to have some pity upon his innocency and my affliction I used all the expressions that either sweetness or
losse the more intolerable for I am ready to execute their commands And therefore Oh Tautates Great God of Love said hee falling down upon his knees and lifting up his eyes to heaven Infinite Deity who dost dispose of all our destinies according to thy pleasure pronounce I beseech thee either to my happinesse or confusion the last doom of thy divine Will whether my Son being already dead as a Shepherd and as Silvander shall also die as hee is Paris For if it be thy divine will to have it so though his death will most certainly be the cause of mine yet I do vow inviolably that I will be no obstacle unto it At this Prayer all the Company changed countenance and the fear least some sad accident should happen which might disturb the happinesse of new Paris caused every one to long and desire to know what would become of it But they were not long in this perplexity for the Druid had no sooner done speaking but the Cloud which covered the Fountain did open according to its custome and by little and little appeared out of the water a Pillar of white Marble upon which the God of Love appeared not now armed with Thunder and Lightning but with such armes as hee uses when hee playes with the Craces Hee had in one hand two Crownes of Mirtle which hee did throw so dexterously that the one fell upon the head of Celadon and the other upon the head of Silvander Afterwards hee vanishing the Cloud closed again but iâ— did rise again in several little Clouds in which were abundance of little Cupids which also threw Crownes upon the Assembly and joyining their voices unto the harmony of Instruments they sang these words Cease all your cares the Gods are pleas'd That you should of them all be eas'd Let all your Griefs be turn'd to Joy Let nothing your delights annoy Let Lignon glide and only move In sweets of Peace and charmes of Love This consent of Cupids having ended this Anthem the Clouds dispersed and all the little Cupids vanished but Astrea was no witnesse of it for shee no sooner heard that Silvander proved to be Paris but shee stole out of the company to carry the news unto her companions Phillis in the mean time went from time to time to look for her at the window and seeing Astrea return shee went unto Diana's bed side but with a face so pale and dejected as if shee had heard of the death of Lycidas and not of Silvanders Diana who observed this alteration did ask her the cause and Phillis answered with a deep sigh that shee had seen Astrea returning and that her fears to hear ill newes had so chilled her heart as made her change colour Then Diana all in confusion Oh God cryed shee out I know Silvander is dead but let heaven and earth do what they can they shall not hinder mee from following him In saying so shee would have laid her hand upon the knife which shee had hid but in her transport not remembring in what place shee had laid it shee raised her self half out of bed and looking about on all sides What said shee in a great surprise have the Gods taken from mee the remedy which I had prepared against my dispair Upon this she found the knife which unknown to her lay close by and settling her self again in her bed No no said shee and continued they are more pitifull then to leave the miserable no refuge Phillis who observed all her actions to the least circumstance did wonder what it was she did and partly suspecting the truth did set her self to watch her from doing any harm unto her self In the mean time Astrea was come and as soon as she entred in at the door courage Sister said she Silvander is dead Diana presently cast her eye upon her and seeing her all in a water did think it to be tears and not sweat that had bedewed her face so as not questioning the misfortune which she feared Ah Sister answered she it is in vain to bid me courage for I have as much as will help me to die and to bid you adieu in saying so she seized upon the knife and lifting her arm out of bed she offered to thrust it into her brest But Phillis keeping alwayes an eye upon her did presently catch hold of her Sister said she what do you mean to do Nay Sister said Diana all in a fury what do you mean to do Oh you enemy of my contentment why do you oppose my resolution since it is so just In saying so she strove and endeavoured to get her hand at liberty and Astrea who was extreamly afraid at the sight of the knif she repented that she had given her such a false alarm But Sister said she Paris is still alive what care I replied Diana whether Paris he alive or no since Silvander is dead it does concern you so much replied Astrea that you will not refuse him for your husband I had rather marry a Toade answered Diana and interrupted and yet said Astrea Silvander dyed only that it might he so and I will die answered Diana that it may not be so But said Astrea if Paris and Silvander be both one and he whom you thought to be Paris do prove to be Ergastes the Brother of Diana what will you say then Ah Sister replied Diana your subtilty is out of season and I will never trouble my self to answer it because I know it to be a thing impossible but I must and I will die because I ought to do so and because I have promised it Upon this she began to strive again and perhaps had been too hard for Phillis if Astrea had not helped and took the knife from her afterwards with expression of affection and joy Sister said she I do protest Paris is not Paris but Ergastes and he whom you lament for as Silvander who was to die is now the very same Paris whom the gods have destinied for the husband of Diana If you do make any doubt of my words and that the wonder of the accident does require a larger discourse I will tell you every circumstance upon a promise that you will hear me patiently Astrea did speak this in such a manner as did a little setle the mind of Diana and made her believe there was some truth in what she said and though this novelty did find but little place for belief yet she thought it was not altogether impossible Having therefore promised Astrea to hear her that shepherdess related word for word all that she had heard and seen in the same order as they fell out sometimes she put Diana into fears and sometimes revived her according as she took away or gave her any hopes At last when she had told all and had filled the mind of Diana with more amasement then before Sister said Phillis it is not enough to give credit unto Astrea but me thinks you should desire to be
yet if you will take my advice let mee tell you that I do think the Inchantment to be quite dissolved and do conceive it fit that since the Female Lover which was to die was Alexis and the Hee Lover Silvander for death being only a deprivation of being they are both dead since neither Alexis nor Silvander are in being but the one become Celadon and the other Paris my Son some order be observed in it For it is to be feared that if every one should follow his own fancy some confusion would arise amongst this great multitude I do conceive it fit therefore that wee should observe some order in which every one in their turnes may finde his particular Contentment And because wee see that the God of Love is no lesse pleased to have his power admired in the homely Cottages of our Shepherds as well as in great Palaces Nay to break the force of an inchantment hee casts his eye only upon them as taking most delight in their innocency mee thinks it fit that they by whose meanes this Inchantment is dissolved should have the first Essay Alcidon thought this to be but reason and the Druid having asked the advice of the Great Nymph shee gave him leave to do as hee pleased Adamas then went unto Celadon and got his consent to be the first that should look into the Fountain at the first Astrea did oppose it imagining that it was in some sort to doubt of her affection But the Druid telling her it did much conduce unto her Glory that Posterity should know this Inchantment ended only for the tranquillity of this Shepherd shee was obedient to whatsoever hee pleased So Adamas took Celadon by the hand and leading him unto the side of the Fountain both kneeled down And the Druid having made a prayer unto the God of Love Celadon stooped down and hee had no sooner cast his eye upon the water but hee saw his Mistresse as fair as imagination was able to represent her This sight did ravish him the more because hee saw himself alone with her and because it was a full assurance of her inviolable Fidelity Presently after Astrea was conducted thither by Amasis who kneeling down as Adamas did before shee made a signe unto the Shepherdesse to stoop down which Astrea obeying the Image of Celadon immediately appeared accompanied with all the Graces that Nature could infuse into his face After this shee yielded place unto Diana and Phillis who never forsook her in this mystery of Love since their affections had linked them together So these three fair Shepherdesses one after another did look into the liquid Chrystal which was then unto them the Fountain of oblivion For at that very instant they lost the memory of all the miseries they had endured And the sight of Celadon Paris and Lycidas whose images they saw was a perfect remedy against all their past paines Next after this Rosilion at the desire of Amasis approached this miraculous water and though hee had stronger arguments of Rosaniras Love then ever to doubt of it yet hee looked in because hee would be an eye-witnesse of this miracle So as hee saw himself next his Mistresse and not being able to conceive that Rosanira should be so near him hee turned about to see whether shee stood behinde him but not seeing her there hee looked into the water again and remained in that contemplation until Rosanira came and took him off that she might see the same which he had done Dorinde was the next that advanced in a trembling pace to clear her suspitions of Sigismonds fidelity and as soon as ever she looked into the Fountain she was fully satisfied concerning the love of that Prince so as she accused her self of incredulity and made a vow never to doubt again of his affection Alcidon in the mean while beseeched Daphnide not to deny him that remedy which the Oracle had promised unto them To which she consenting they went one after another to consult with the water which presenting them with what they desired they were infinitly well satisfied with their good Fortune Damon because he would not be singular he went as the rest did and beseeched Madonthe to do the like but because they were already but one and the same this sight did hardly add any contentment unto them They had no sooner left the Fountain free but every one did cast their eyes upon Lindamor whom his respects unto Amasis did keep from this mysterious water and because the great Nymph knew his mind she made a sign unto him to go thither whom he immediatly obeyed but after he had received from this sight all the satisfaction he could ever hope for he perceived his joyes to lessen when his fears of a denial did forbid him to ask what the Fountain had promised unto him yet remembring the discourse which Godomar and he had together as they went to Lions he took a little heart and therefore as soon as Amasis desired to know what success he had he told her clearly that the water made him believe he had some share in Galatheas favour Brave Lindamor answered Amasis you do deserve her better then any man in the world and I would have you to enjoy her Then causing Galathea to come near and presenting her unto the Cavalier here Lindamor said she I do give her unto you and if this recompence do not equal your services yet take it in good part and consider that I do give you all that I can Upon this the Cavalier kneeled down and even ravished with joy did kiss her hand by way of thanks Delphires Thomantes Dorisea Filiutes and the rest who had all left their habitations to come unto this Sacrifice of Silvander they had all the priviledge of this water and found such Dooms as ended all their differences far better then the sentence which Diana had pronounced a little before for in despite of the pretentions and pursuit of his Rival Thomantes continued possessour of Delphire Ligdamon Silvia and after them many Shepherds and Shepherdesses went to see their Destinies in this water and amongst the rest Doriâ— was inspired to look in Doubtless the only thing that moved her unto it was her hopes to see the Ghost of Palemon but the god of Love who is an enemy unto the dead was revenged of her and presented Adrastes unto her in lieu of Palemon and this Shepherdess was so surprized at it that though she did not much love him yet not to disobey the ordinances of this god she received him into the place which Palemon had ravished from him Thus after every one had looked into the water Hylas was the singular person that approached not which moved Amasis to ask the reason to whom the Shepherd returned this answer I know Madam you are not to be told and since this Fountain bears the name of the truth of Love I will not oblige her to commit a fault for my sake That replied Amasis