which you see in me and the sighes which giue me no rest proceed not from the prison wherein I am for this is pleasant in respect of that which was propounded but to thinke how this perfidious and cruell Lipandas will without doubt commit him into the hands of his enemies who expect no other thing but to see a deplorable and shamefull end for of the fifteene dayes which he gaue tenne are passed so that I almost despayre to be able to doe this last office to Lidias At this word the teares hindered her voyce that she was constrayned to hold her peace but with such demonstration of displeasure that Clidaman was mooued and to comfort her said You are not said he couragious Melandre so to lose your courage that you may not maintaine that generousnesse in this accident which you haue shewed in all the rest that God which hath preserued you in so great perills will not forsake you in the lesser You are to beleeue that what may depend on me shall be alwayes disposed of to your contentment But for that I am vnder a Prince whom I may not displease your libertie must come from him yet doe I promise you for my part whatsoeuer you may hope from a good friend And so leauing her with these good words hee went to seeke out Childericke and besought him to procure of King Meroue the liberty of this young prisoner The young Prince who loued my sonne and who knew well how willing the King his father would be to oblige Clidaman without longer stay went to demaund it of Meroue who graunted what his sonne asked And because the time was so short that the least part of it lost would hurt Melandre hee went to seeke her at her Lodging where hauing led her aside he said Sad Knight quoth he you must change that name for if your misfortunes haue heretofore giuen you cause to beare it it seemes you shall shortly loose it The Heauens begin to looke on you with a more pleasing eye then of wont And as one euill comes not alone so good fortunes march alwayes in companies and for proofe of that I say know Knight for so your will is I should call you since your generousnesse hath of good right wonne you that Title that henceforth you are at liberty and may dispose of your actions as you please The Prince of the Franks hath giuen mee leaue to dispose of you and the dutie of a Knight binds me not onely to set you at liberty but to offer you all the assistance that you thinke I may affoord you Melandre hearing a word so vnhoped for leaped with ioy and casting her selfe at his feet kissed his hand by way of thankes for so great a grace for the good which shee imagined to receiue from him was to be put to a ransome and the inconueniences of paying it made her despayre of being able to doe it so soone as the terme of fifteene dayes were run out But when shee heard so great courtesie Truly said she to him Sir Knight you make it appeare that you know what it is to loue since you haue pittie on them that are taynted with it I pray God vntill my selfe be able to requite it that hee would make you as happy as hee hath made you courteous and worthie of all good fortune and at that very houre shee would haue beene gone which Clidaman would not suffer because it was night The next morning then very early she set on her way and stayed not till she came to Callais where by chance she arriued the day before the terme That euening she would haue made her comming knowne to Lipandas had shee not beene of the minde considering the perfidiousnesse of him with whom shee had to doe to attend for the day that the more persons might see the wrong hee did her if haply hee should be fayling of his word The day being come and the houre of Mid-day hauing strucke that the chiefe men of the place to honour the Gouernour were then in his house behold the sad Knight presenting himselfe at the first hee was not knowne for they had not seene him but in Combate where it may be feare had altered his countenance and then euery man drew neere to heare what hee would say Lipandas said he I come hither in the behalfe of the kinsmen and friends of Lidias to heare some newes of him and to charge you with your word or to referre him to some other new condition otherwise they send you word by me that they will proclay me you for an vnhonest man Stranger answered Lipandas you may tell them that Lidias fares better then he shall doe within few dayes because that this day being past I will deliuer him into the hands of them that will auenge me that for my word I thinke I am quit in giuing him ouer into the hands of lustice for this Iustice what other thing is it but true Libertie As for the new conditions I will haue no other but that which I haue already propounded which is that they put into my hands him that fought against me that I may doe my will of him and I will deliuer Lidias And what is that said he that you will doe When I am to giue account of my actions to you answered hee you shall know And how said he are you yet of the same mind Altogether of the same mind replyed Lipandas If it be so added the sad Knight send for Lidias and I will deliuer you him whom you demaund Lipandas that aboue all things desired to be reuenged of his enemie for he had turned all his hatred on Melandre sent for him immediately Lidias that knew well that that day was the last of the terme which he had set beleeued it was to lead him to the Lords of Iustice notwithstanding hee fore-saw his assured death yet did hee chuse it rather then to see him that had fought for him in that danger for his sake When hee was come before Lipandas hee said Lidias see the last day that I haue giuen thee to present thy Champion into my hands this young Knight is come hither for that cause if he doe it thou art at liberty Melandre while those few words were speaking found the meanes to turne her face aside that shee might not be knowne and when shee would answer shee turned wholly towards Lipandas and said Yes Lipandas I haue promised and I will doe it Doe you keepe your word as well for I am hee whom you demaund behold me that feare neither rigour nor cruelty whatsoeuer prouided that my friend be freed from paine Then euery one cast his eyes on her and calling to memory the fashion of him that combated knew she sayd true Her beauty her youth and her affection mooued all them that were present except Lipandas who thought himself infinitely offended with hâ—r commanded she should presently bee put in prison and suffered Lidias to goe at libertie Hee that desired
that they made him feele their comming otherwise then he wished What despaires presented not themselues to him None that Loue might bring forth especially to a loue so hopelesse For if against the vniust sentence of his Mistrisse he opposed his innocency suddainly the execution of the arrest came before his eyes And as hee fell out of one thought into another his hand by chance touched the ribon where Astreas ring was which he had wound about his arme Oh! what deadly remembrances came into his spirit He represented to himselfe all the anger which at that instant she had painted in her face all the cruelty his soule could inuent both by words and actions and all the disdaines with which she had pronounced the award of his banishment Staying somewhile on that last mischance he began to remember the change of his fortune how happy hee had beene how highly shee had fauoured him and how long it had lasted from that hee came to what she had done for him how for his sake she had scorned diuers honest shepheards what small reckoning she made of her fathers will the displeasure of her mother and the difficulties which arose against their loues then he went on bethinking himselfe that the fortunes of Loue are more assured then of other things and what a little remained to him of so many fauours which at last came but to one bracelet of haire which he had on his arme and a little picture which he hung at his necke the case whereof he often kissed as for the ring which he had on his other arme he cōceiued that rather of force thē of good wil she gaue him that But then at that instant he remembred the letters shee had written to him during his good fortune and which he bare ordinarily about him in a bag of silke Oh! how great was his anguish for he feared that the Nymphs searching his clothes had found it In this doubt hee cals lowd vpon little Merill for he was lodged in a Wardrobe hard by to attend him The boy hearing him call twice or thrice came to know what hee would My little friend said Celadon knowest thou not what are become of my clothes for I haue something thereabout that I would be sorry to lose Your clothes said he are not farre off but there is nothing in them for I haue searched them Ah said the shepheard thou deceiuest thy selfe Merill I haue something there that I had rather keepe then my life and then turning on the other side the bed begun to bewaile and torment himselfe some good while Merill that heard him one way was loth to displease him and on the other stood in doubt whether hee should tell him what hee knew In the end not being able to suffer to see him any longer in this paine he told him he need not so much disquiet himselfe and that the Nymph Galathee loued him too wel not to restore him the thing he made shew to be so desirous of Then Celadon turning towards him And how saith he hath the Nymph that which I demand I beleeue said he it is the same At least I found nothing but a little bag full of papers and as I was about to haue brought them before you slept she spyed them and tooke them from me O Lord then said the shepheard all things fall out the worst they may and turning on the other side would talke to him no more In this meane time had Galathee read the letters of Celadon for it was true that she had taken them from Merill following the ordinary curiosity of them which loue But she had straitly charged him to say nothing because she had a purpose to giue him thē but he should not know she had seene them At that time Siluie carried a light before and Leonide was somewhere else and of necessity now shee was to bee of counsell We shall see said Siluie if this shepheard be the merchant he would seeme to be and if he be not amorous for I assure my selfe these papers will tell tales and then set it on the table By this had Galathee vndone the string which was so well tied that the water had done no hurt yet there were some papers wet which she drew out as leasurely as shee could lest she might teare them and hauing spred them on the table the first she layd her hand on was a letter in this sort What is it you vndertake Celadon into what confusion goe you about to thrust your selfe Beleeue mee that counsell you like a friend giue ouer your dessigne to doe me seruice it is too full of discommodities What contentment hope you for I am so insupportable that you were as good vndertake a thing impossible you must serue you must suffer you must haue neither eyes nor loue but for me for thinke not that I will haue part with any other nor that I will receiue a good will that is but halfe mine I am suspitious I am iealous I am hard to be wonne and easie to be lost soone offended but very hardly appeased the least doubt in me is assurance My will must be as the Destinies my opinions as from reason and my commandements lawes inuiolable Beleeue me for this once retyre thy selfe shepheard from this dangerous Labyrinth and flie from a dessigne so curious I know my selfe better then you do do not you imagine in your selfe that in the end you can change my nature I shall breake sooner then bend And do not you heereafter complayne of me if now you beleeue not what I tell you Neuer thinke me to be that I am sayd Galathee if this shepheard be not in loue for see a beginning which is not small There is no doubt sayd Siluie being so honest a man And how replyed Galathee are you of opinion that he must of necessity loue being so Yes Madam sayd she as I haue heard them say Because that the louer desireth nothing more then to be beloued to be beloued he must shew himselfe amiable and that which makes a man amiable is that which makes him honest At this word Galathee gaue her another letter which was wet to dry at the fire and in the meane time she tooke another which was thus You will not beleeue that I loue you but desire that I should beleeue you loue me if I loue you not what will you gaine by the beliefe which I haue of your affection It may be this opinion may binde me to do so Hardly Celadon would this weake consideration effect it if your merits and seruices which I haue receiued of you had not already done it Now behold in what state your affayres are I would you should not onely know that I beleeue you loue me but moreouer I will that you assure your selfe that I loue you And among other things one onely should make it vnquestionable if I loued you not what would make me neglect the contentment of my parents If you consider
Testament how doth hee Madame said hee turning to Galathee I will tell you if it please you to giue me the leysure and then turning to Siluy hee went on in this sort The Historie of Ligdamon AFter Ligdamon had taken leaue of you hee went with Lindamor accompanied with so many goodly designes that hee promised himselfe no lesse then to winne by this voyage that which his seruices could not by his presence resoluing to doe so many famous acts that whether the name of valiant which his victories gaue him might be pleasing vnto you or well dying he might leaue you to sorrow With this designe he came into the Army of Meroue a Prince filled with all perfections which are necessary to a Conqueror and arriued so luckily that the battaile was assigned the seuenth day after so that all the young Knights had no other greater care then to visite their Armes and to put their Horses into good plight But it is not of them that I am to speake Therefore letting passe all vnder silence which touches not Ligdamon I will tell you that the day assigned for this great fight being come the two Armies came out of their Campe and had sight the one of the other setting themselues in battaile array here a squadron of Horsemen there a battalion of Footmen here the Drums there the Trumpets on the one side the neighing of Horses on the other the voice of Souldiers raysed such a noyse that one might well say that Bellona the dreadfull was towling in this Playne and that she had brought forth whatsoeuer was most horrible in her Gorgon For my part I who was neuer in the like occasion was so deaffed with that I heard and so dazled with the brightnesse of the armour that indeede I knew not where I was yet my resolution was not to leaue my Master for the bringing me vp from my childhood me thought bound me to it and not to goe farre from him in this occasion where nothing was presented to our eyes but with the ensignes of death But this was nothing to the strange confusion when all these squadrons and all these battailons met together when the signe of battaile was giuen for the Horsemen set on the enemy and the Infanterie likewise with so great a noyse which the Men Armour and Horses made that one could not heare it thunder After there had passed many clouds of arrowes I cannot tell you true how I found my selfe with my Master in the middest of the enemies that I could not but admire the great gashes of Ligdamons Sword and without fayning faire Nymph I saw him doe such meruailes that one made me forget the other So it was that his valour was such that Meroue would know his name as hauing noted him that day among all the other Knights By this time the former Squadron grew victorious and our men began to order themselues to set on the second when the enemie to make vp one entire push caused all his forces that remayned to march forward that he might with that speed infest them before Meroue should be able to succour them in time And indeed if he had had to doe with a Captaine lesse experienced then him I thinke his purpose had taken effect But this great Souldier iudging the despayre of the Aduersary at the same time diuided three new Squadrons two to the two Wings and the third in the tayle of the former so fitly that they sustayned a great part of the first shocke yet wee who were aduanced forwardest found our selues much ouer layd with great numbers But I will not now trouble you with a particular description of this dayes worke and I know not how to bring it about So it was that then the two bodies of the footmen being encountred that of Meroue had the better and as much as we gayned of ground of them on horseback so much lost the Infanterie of the enemie At the shock which we receiued there were many of ours borne to the ground besides those whom the arrowes of the Infanterie from the beginning of the battaile had vnhorsed for at the meeting the enemy causing some Archers to shoot off made vs draw through the Wings so many Arrowes that our horsemen not daring to leaue their rankes had much adoe to beare them before Meroue had sent some of his to skirmish with them And among those that at the second brunt were put to the worse Clidaman was one for his horse fell downe dead by three wounds of three arrowes Ligdamon that had alwayes his eyes on him suddenly seeing him on the earth spurred his horse in extreme furie and did such deedes of armes that he made a Round of dead bodies about Clidaman who in the meane time had leysure to free himselfe from his horse The furie of the enemie which by this fall of Clidaman was renewed in that place had at last trode him vnder the horses feet but for the helpe and valour of my Master who allighting set him on his owne horse staying on foot so wounded and so charged with the enemie that he could not mount on the horse that I brought him At this instant our men were forced to giue backe as feeling their weaknesse as I thinke by the inuincible arme of my Master and the mischiefe was so great for vs that we found our selues in the midst of so many enemies that there was no more hope of safety Yet would neuer Ligdamon yeeld himselfe though hee were so wounded and so wearied as may be imagined yet was there none so hardy seeing what gashes hee gaue with his arme that durst lay hold on him At last with all the furie of their horse fiue or six came to strike him and so suddenly that hauing bestowed his Sword in the belly of the first horse it brake neere the hilt and the horse strucken to the heart fell downe vpon him I ranne to helpe him vp but tenne or twelue that cast themselues on him hindered me and so both of vs halfe dead were raysed vp And this accident was yet more vnfortunate in that that almost at the same time our men recouered the ground they had lost by the succours which Childerick brought from the rereward and after went on gayning the field vntill it was wholly gotten at euening and the lodgings of the enemie burnt and themselues for the most part taken or slaine As for vs we were carried to their principall Towne called Roan whither my Master was no sooner come but many came to visit him some of them calling themselues his kinsmen and others his friends though hee knew them not For my part I knew not what to say not he to thinke when he saw those strangers make so much of him but we were more astonied when an honourable Lady well followed came to visit him saying that he was her sonne with such demonstration of amitie that Ligdamon was like one besides himselfe and much more when she said to
aside and with his Sword gaue him such a blow vpon one of his pawes that he cut it off whereat the Beast in furie so suddenly came on him that he cast him to the ground but his fortune was such that in falling and the Lyon ramping ouer him he could but hold out his Sword which fell out so luckily to be vnder his belly that he fell downe dead almost as soone as the former In the meane while that Ligdamon was disputing for his life behold a Lady faire among the Normans that cast her selfe on her knees before the Iudges beseeching them to cause the execution to cease vntill she had spoken They that knew her to be of the principall of the Countrey willingly yeelded her that fauour and indeed it was shee for whom Lidias had slaine Aronte her name was Ameryne and then she spake to them in this sort with a modest voyce My Lords Ingratitude is to be punished as Treason because it is a kind of it Therefore seeing Lidias condemned for being on the contrary side I feare I should be counted so if not of you yet of the Gods if I thought not my selfe bound to saue his life that hazarded his to saue my honour This is it for which I present my selfe before you relying on our priuiledges which ordaine That a man condemned to death shall be deliuered when a maid demaunds him for her husband As soone as I knew of your Iudgement I came with all diligence to require it and I could not be here so soone but he hath run the fortune that all men haue seene yet since God hath preserued him so happily for me you are not iustly to deny me All the people that heard this demaund cryed with a ioyfull voyce Grace Grace And though the enemies of Lidias labored the contrary yet was it concluded that the priuiledges of the Countrey should take place But alas Ligdamon came out of this danger but to enter into a greater for being brought before the Iudges they let him know the customes of the Country were such That any man attainted conuicted of any Crime whatsoeuer might be deliuered from the rigours of Iustice if a maid demaunded him for husband so that if he would marry Ameryne he should be restored to his liberty and might liue with her He that knew her not found it hard to answer notwithstanding seeing no other remedy to escape the danger wherein he was he promised it hoping that time would bring out some commoditie to free him out of the Labyrinth Ameryne that had alwayes found Lidias so amorous of her was not a little astonied at this coldnesse yet iudging that the affrightment of the danger wherein hee was had made him thus besides himselfe shee had the more pitty on him and carried him to Lidias mothers house who was she that procured the marriage knowing there was no other remedy to saue her sonnes life besides that shee was not ignorant of the loue betweene them which made her presse the conclusion of the marriage the most that possibly shee could thinking to please her sonne But on the contrary this was to hasten the death of him that could doe no more then he had done Ah my deare Master when I call to mind the last words you spake to me I know not how it is possible for me to liue All things were ready for the marriage and it must be dispatched the next day when the night before he tooke me aside and said Egide my friend didst thou euer see such a fortune as this that they will make me beleeue that I am not my selfe Sir said I me thinkes it is not euill Ameryne is faire and rich all that call themselues her kinsmen are the principall of this Country what would you desire more Ah Egide said he thou speakest for thine owne ease If thou knewest the case wherein I am thou wouldst haue pitty on me But haue care of what I say and aboue all the Obligation that thou owest me and the loue which I haue alwayes found in thee fayle not as soone as to morrow I shall haue done that I am resolued of to beare this Letter to the faire Siluy and relate to her all that thou hast seene and moreouer assure her that I neuer loued any but her and neuer shall At this word he gaue me this Letter which I kept very carefully vntill the next morning when at the houre that he was to goe to the Temple he called me and commanded me to be about him and made me sweare againe to seeke you out with diligence At the same time one came to him to place him in the wedding Chariot where already the faire Ameryne was set with one of her vnckles whom she loued and honoured as her father She was in the midst between Ligdamon and Caristes so her vnckle was named all couered with a yellow vayle and hauing on her head as well as Ligdamon the Garland It is true my Masters was of Sifymber and Amerynes of picked and sweete Aspharagon Before the Chariot went all the family and after only the kinsmen and neerest allies and friends In this Triumph they came to the Temple and were brought to Hymens Altar before which fiue Torches were lighted On the right side of Hymen they had placed Iupiter and Iuâ—o on the left Venus and Diana As for Hymen he was crowned with flowers and sweet Marioram holding in his right hand a Torch and in his left a Vayle of that colour that Amerynes was as also the buskins which hee had on his feet When they entred into the Temple the mother of Lidias and Ameryne lighted their Torches and then the great Druide comming neere directed his speech to my Master and demaunded Lidias will you haue Ameryne for the mother of your Family he stayed somewhile without answer at last he was constrayned to say yes Then the Druide turning to her And you Ameryne will you haue Lidias for father of your Family and shee answering yes then taking their hands and ioyning them together hee said And I in tho behalfe of the great Gods giue you each to other and for earnest you must eat the Condition together and then taking the Wheaten Cake Lidias cut it into pieces and shee laying them together of which according to the custome they both eate There remayned no more of all the Ceremonies but to take the Wine when turning to me hee said Now friend for the most pleasing seruice that euer thou didst me reach me the Cup. I did so alas with a mischiefe ouer diligent As soone as he had it in his hand with a voyce lowd ynough he said O powerfull Gods said he that know who I am venge not my death vpon this faire Lady who taking me for another man more happy then I hath brought me to my death and at this word drunke all that was in the Cup which was contrary to the custome because the husband was to drinke but halfe and
in me certayne sparkles of goodwill to him How Madam said Leonide will you loue a shepheard Do you not remember who you are I do so Leonide said she I remember my selfe well enough but you must also know that these shepheards are as good as Druides or Knights their Nobility is as great as others being all descended from the antiquity of the same stocke so that the exercise where to they addict themselues cannot make vs others then we are from our birth so that if this shepheard be wel borne why should not I think him as worthy of me as any other Finally Madam said she he is a shepheard how euer you disguise him In fine said Galathee he is an honest man how euer you will qualifie him But Madam answered Leonide you that are so great a Nymph the Lady after Amasis of all these goodly Countries wil you haue a minde so base to loue a man borne of the meaner sort of people a clowne a shepheard a fellow of no worth My friend replyed Galathee leaue these reproches and remember that Enone made her selfe a shepheardesse for Paris and when she had lost him she lameuted and wept away in hot teares Madame said Leonide he was the sonne of a King and besides the errour of another ought not to cause you to fall into the same fault If it be a fault answered she I referre my selfe to the gods who haue counselled me by the Oracle of their Druide but that Celadon is not borne of as good bloud as Paris my friend thou hast no brayn if thou sayst so for are they not sprung of one originall Moreouer haue you not heard what Siluie talkt of him and his father You must know that they are not shepheards for not hauing meanes to liue otherwise but to buy by this sweete life an honest quietnesse And how Madame reioyned Leonide haue you also forgot the affection and seruices of the gentle Lindamaur I would not said Galathee that forgetfulnesse should be the reward of his seruices neither would I also that the loue Lought to bear him should be the ruine of all my contentments Ah Madame said Leonide remember how faithfull he hath beene Ah my friend said Galathee consider that this is the way to be eternally vnhappy For my part answered Leonide I shrug with my shoulders at these iudgements of loue and know not what to say but onely that extreme affection and intire fidelitie the employment of an whole age and a continuall seruice should not be so long receiued or receiued deserue to be payd with other money then a change For Gods sake Madame consider how deceitfull they are that tell other mens fortunes that for the most part they are but sleight imaginations which their dreames brought forth for the most part lying that of an hundred accidents which they fore-tell hardly one falls out to be true and for the most part ignorant since busying themselues to know the fortune of another they cannot finde their own And doe not you for the fantasticall discourse of this fellow make so miserable the man that is so deare to you Set before your eyes how hee loues you in what dangers he hath beene thrust into for you what combate he had with Polemas and what his despaire hath bin what griefes doe you now prepare for him and what deathes will you cause him â—oinuent for his destruction if he haue knowledge of this Galathee wagging her head answered her You see Leonide the businesse is not now about the choyce of Lindamaur or Polemas as here to fore but of my wel or euil doing The considerations which you haue are good to you whom my misfortune touches not but by way of compassion yet to me they are exceeding dangerous since it is not for a day but for euer that this misfortune threatens me If I were in your place and you in mine it may be I would aduise you as you doe me But vndoubtedly an euerlasting misfortune terrifies me as for the lyes of these men you speake of I will beleeue for your sake that it may be it will not so fall out yet it may be also that it will fall out and then tell me I pray you thinke you that party for wise that for the contentment of another wil leaue on the ballance it may be all his good or euill If you loue me hold not on this discourse otherwise I must thinke that you respect more the contentment of Lindamaur then mine And touching him make no question but he will seeke his consolation by some other meanes then death for both reason and time are both soueraigne helpes to this fury and indeed how many haue you seene of these great despairers vpon like occasion that some while after haue not repented of their despaires Thus did these faire Nymphs discourse when far off they saw Siluie returne from whom because she was so yong Galathee was desirous to conceale it as I said This was the cause she cut off her discourse so short yet she forbare not to say to Leonide If euer you loued me you would make it appeare to me at this time since it is not only far from my contentment but from my felicity also Leonide could not answere her because Siluie was so neere that she might ouerheare Being come Galathea knew that Celadon was awake for at the doore she heard him grone and sigh And it was true for in a while after they were gone out of the chamber he waked suddenly and because the Sun shone full on his bed thorow the glasse at the opening of his eyes he was so dazeled and confounded with so great brightnesse that he knew not where he was the trauaile of the day passed had so weakned him yet by this time he felt no maner of grief so that calling into his mind his fall into Lignon and the opinion that hee had had a little before of being dead seeing himselfe now in so confused a brightnesse he knew not what to iudge except it were that Loue had taken him vp into heauen for a reward of his faithfulnesse and that which abused him more in this point was that when his sight began to extend it selfe hee saw nothing about him but the deckings of gold and of lightsome pictures with which all the roome was adorned which his feeble eyes could not as yet discerne from counterfait On the one side hee saw Saturne leaning on his sickle with his haire long his forehead rough his eyes hollow his nose hooked like an Egle his mouth dropping with bloud full with the morsels of his children whereof he held one halfe eaten in his left hand in which in the opening which he had made on the side with his teeth a man might see the lights as it were to pant and the heart to tremble A sight indeed full of cruelty for that child had the head writhed ouer the shoulders the arme hanging forward and the legs stretching out
she said twice or thrice Alcippe Alcippe not looking on him He hearing himselfe named was about to aske her what she would with him but seeing her eyes turned another way he thought she spake to some other She that perceiued he harkned went on Alcippe it is to you I speake though I looke not vpon you if you desire to haue the best fortune that euer knight had in this Court be betweene day and night at the great crosse way which leads to the place of the Palace and there you shall know the rest of me Alcippe seeing her speake in this manner without looking on her likewise sayd he would be there wherein he failed not for the euening approching he went to the place assigned where he staied not long but the aged woman came to him almost hidden vnder a Tastata that she had on her head and drawing him aside said to him Young man thou art the most happy that liues being beloued of the most faire and most louely Lady in this Court and with whom if thou wilt promise that that I shal demand of thee at this houre I binde my selfe to make thee inioy all contentment The young Alcippe hearing this proposition asked who the Lady was See said shee the first thing that I would haue you promise me is not to inquire after her name and to keepe this fortune secret the other that you suffer me to couer your eyes when I bring you where she is Alcippe sayd to her Not to enquire after her name and to keepe this affaire secret I will willingly performe but to blindfold mine eyes I will neuer suffer And what is it you feare said she I feare nothing answered Alcippe but I will haue mine eyes at liberty O young man said the old woman that art yet to learne why wilt thou procure the displeasure of a person that so loues thee and will not this displease her to desire to know more of her then she would haue thee Beleeue me make no difficulty doubt nothing what danger can it be to thee Where is that courage that thy presence promiseth at the first sight Is it possible that a perill imagined can make thee forsake an assured good And seeing that he moued not Cursed be the mother said she that made thee so faire so little hardy without doubt both thy visage and thy courage are more of the woman then of that thou art The young Alcippe could not heare without laughing these words of the old woman vttered in such choler In the end after he had sometime thought in himselfe what an enemy he might haue finding that he now had none he resolued to go prouided she would suffer him to carry his sword and so let her blind his eyes and taking her by her garment followed her whither she would lead him I should be too long Madam if I should tell you all the particularities of this night So it was that after many turnings and hauing it may be many times passed one way he found himselfe in a chamber where his eyes yet bound hee was vncloathed by the same woman and laid in bed awhile after came the Lady that had sent for him comming neere him vncased his eyes because there was no light in the chamber But for all that he could do he was not able to get one word from her So that he rose from her in the morning without knowing who she was onely he iudged her faire and yong and an houre before day she that brought him came to carry him backe and lead him with the same ceremonies From that day they resolued betweene them that whensoeuer hee was to returne he should finde a stone at a certaine crosse-way before day While these things thus passed the father of Alcippe dies so that he is now more Master of himselfe then he was wont to be had not the commandement of Amarillis bene and his priuate intent which he held the loue which he bare to his shepheardesse might haply haue called him backe into the woods for the fauours of this vnknowne Lady could not put her out of his remembrance that if the great gifts which he had ordinarily of her had not retained him in this practice after the two or three first voyages he had retired though it seemed since that time he was come into the fauour of Pimander and Amasis But for that a young heart can hardly keepe any thing hidden long it fell out that Clindor his deare friend seeing him spend more then of custome demanded of him how he came by his meanes Whereto at the first answering diuersly in the end he discouered all his fortune and after told him that for all the Art he could vse he could neuer know who she was Clindor being very curious counselled him to cut out some halfe a foot of the frindge of the bed and in the day he should resort to the greatest houses which he might best suspect and there hee might know her eyther by the colour or by the piece This he did and by this craft my father had knowledge of her that thus fauoured him Yet he hath closely concealed her name that neyther Clindor nor any of his children could euer know it But the first time that he went thither after that when he was about to rise in the morning he coniured her that she would no longer hide her selfe from him that it was labour lost for he knew assuredly that she was such an one She hearing her selfe named was about to speake yet held her peace and stayed till the olde woman came to whom when Alcippe was risen from the bed she vsed such threatnings thinking it was she that discouered it that this poore woman came trembling to my father and sware he deceiued himselfe He then laughing told the craft he had vsed and that it was the inuention of Clindor She well eased with that which he had discouered after a thousand oaths to the contrary returned to tell this to the Lady who was risen of her selfe to heare their discourse and when she knew that Clindor was the inuenter she turned all her choller against him easily pardoning Alcippe whom she could not hate notwithstanding after that day she neuer sent more for him And because a spirit offended hath nothing so sweete as reuenge this woman turned so of euery side that she wrought a quarrell against Clindor for which he was enforced to combate with a cousin of Pimander whom he slew and though he were pursued yet he saued himselfe in Auverne by the helpe of Alcippe But Amasis so wrought that Alaricke King of the Visigots being then at Tholouse sent him prisoner to Vsson with commandement to his Officers to deliuer him ouer into the hands of Pimander who looked for nothing more then to finde commodity to send for him that he might put him to death Alcippe left nothing vnattempted to procure his pardon but all was in vaine for he had too strong
both that they sware so firme a league betweene them that they neuer after separated and this was the first day that Astrea came out of her lodging So that these her two faithfull companions were now with her but they were no sooner set down but they might perceiue farre off Semire who came to finde her This shepheard had long time beene amorous of Astrea and knowing that she loued Celadon thought that he was the cause of his bad successe beeing now perswaded that hauing driuen away Celadon he might easily obtain his place he came to seeke her out that he might beginne his designe but he was much deceiued for Astrea hauing found out his craft conceiued such an hatred against him that when shee spyed him shee would lay her hand ouer her eyes that she might not see him and desired Phillis to tell him from her that he should neuer present himselfe to her And these words were spoken with such a change of looke and so great a vehemency that her companions easily found out her great stomake which more readily incensed Phillis against the shepherd When he heard this message hestood so confused in his thoughts that it seemed he could not moue At last ouercome enforced by the acknowledgement of his error he said Discreete Phillis I protest the heauens are iust in giuing me more sorrow then an heart is able to beare since they cannot equall their punishment according to mine offence hauing beene the cause of the breach of the fairest and most intire loue that euer was But that the gods may not more rigorously chastise me tell this faire shepheardesse that I aske pardon both of her and of the cinders of Celadon assuring her that the extreme affection which I bare her without more was the cause of this fault that banished from her and from her eyes iustly offended I may goe lamenting all my life long At this word hee went away so vncomfortable that his repentance mooued Phillis to some pittie and beeing come backe to her companions shee told them his answer Alas sister sayd Astrea I haue more reason to fly this wicked man then to weepe iudge you if I ought not this is he without more that hath beene the cause of all my sorrow How sister said she is Semire the cause of your sorrow Hath he such power ouer you If I durst tell you his wickednes sayd Astrea and mine owne folly you would say that he hath vsed the greatest Arte that the craftiest spirit could inuent Diane knowing that that was the cause that she spake no more plainely to Phillis for that it was yet but eight or ten dayes that they grew to that familiarity said to them that it was no part of her purpose to take any thing from them by constraint And you faire shepheardesse said shee turning to the sad Astrea giue me occasion to thinke that you loue me not if you be more reserued to me then to Phillis for that though it be not long that I haue inioyed the good of your familiarity yet are you to be no lesse assured of my affection then of hers Phillis then answered I assure my selfe that Astrea will alwayes speake as freely before you as before her selfe her humor being not to loue by halues since she hath sworne to be such she hath nothing in her soule to conceale It is true continued Astrea and that which held me from saying more was onely for that the putting the weapon againe into the wound will but poyson it Yet so it is replied Diane that oftentimes you must vse the weapon to heale it and for me I thinke that to speake freely of the disease to a friend is to make him a party and if I durst desire you it would be a great satisfaction to know what your life hath beene as my selfe also will not make it dainty to tell you mine when you shall be desirous to know it Since you will haue it so answered Astrea that you haue a mind to partake in my sorrowes I will so that afterwards you impart to me of your contentments and that in the meane time you suffer me to vse that breuity in the discourse which you desire to vnderstand from me and truly an history so vnfortunate as mine will not please but by being short And being all three set in a round she began to speake in this manner The History of Astrea and Phillis THey that know what it is when friendship or hatted passe from father to son may well conceiue Celadons fortune and mine and without doubt may affirme that they be not deceiued For faire Diane I beleeue you haue often heard speech of the old hatred betweene Alce Hippolite my father and mother and of Alcippe and Amarillis the father mother of Celadon their displeasures accompanying them euen to their graue which hath beene cause of so great trouble among the shepheards of this Country that I assure my selfe there is no man ignorant of it along the shore of the cruell and dishonoured Lignon And yet it seemeth that Loue to shew his power of persons so opposite would vnite two so straitly that nothing could breake the lines but death For hardly had Celadon reached to the age of foureteene or fifteene yeeres and I of twelue or thirteene but that at an assembly which was had at the Temple of Venus which is on the top of this mountaine seated in the Plaine right ouer against Montsur about a mile from the Castle of Monbusor this young shepheard sawe me and as he hath told me since he had long before conceiued a good liking vpon the report which was made of me But the let which I told you our fathers tooke from him all meanes and I must tell you that I do not thinke he bare a greater liking then did I for I know not how when I heard speech of him my heart danced in my belly and this was but a presage of the troubles which since befell mee on that occasion Now at the instant when he saw me I know not how he found matter of loue in mee so that within a while after hee resolued to loue me and to serue me And it seemeth that at this first view both the one and the other of vs was at this passe that wee must loue so that as often as it was told mee that hee was the sonne of Alcippe I found a certaine change in my selfe which was not ordinary and thenceforth all his actions began to please me and much more agreeing to my liking then of all the other yong shepheards of his age and for that as yet he durst not come neere me that speech was denied him his lookes at his commings and goings spake to me so often that at last I knew he had a longing to tell me more and to effect it at a game that was kept at the foot of the mountaine vnder the old elmes that yeelded a pleasant shade he vsed such
dayes after Licidas by my counsell came to cast himselfe on his knees and she ranne into another chamber that she might not see him and from thence into another flying from Licidas who still followed her and was resolued as hee said not to let her rest till he had either pardon or death In the end not knowing whither to fly further she stayed in a closet where Licidas entring and shutting the dores he set himselfe on his knees before her and without speaking any other thing attended the sentence of her will This affectionate obstinacy had more force in her then any perswasions and so staying some while without speaking to him Goe sayd she to him importunate it is thy importunity and not thēe that I pardon At this word hee kissed her hand and came to open mee the doore to giue me to vnderstand that he had got the victory and then seeing his affaires in so good case I would not let them part asunder vntil all actions were intirely forgiuen and Phillis so pardoned the shepheard that seeing him distressed extremely to hide Olympes belly which now grew great to the view she offered to assist him in all that possibly shee could Certainely interrupted Diane see a strange proofe of good amity to pardon such an offence which is intirely against amity and more to prouide that she which caused it take no displeasure Without fayning Phillis this is too much and for mee I protest my courage knowes not how to brooke it yet my amity did so then answered Phillis and by that you may iudge of what quality it was in me Let vs leaue this consideration apart replyed Diane for it would be too hard for you since the not feeling the offences which be done against amity is rather a signe of defect then the ouer-abundance of Loue and for my part if I had beene one of the friends of Licidas I should haue interpreted rather to the disaduantage of your good will Ah! Diane said Phillis if you as well knew what it is to loue as you doe to cause your selfe to bee beloued you will iudge it needfull the friend should know himselfe but heauen is pleased to haue you be beloued and not to loue If it be so sayd Diane I am more bound to it for such a benefit then for my life but I may be capable without louing to iudge of Loue. It cannot be interrupted Phillis I had rather hold my peace answered Diane then speak with so deare a permission but if you will allow me the fauour that you giue to the Physician who talkes and iudges indifferently of all sorts of diseases though he neuer had them I would tell you that if there be any thing in amity whereof wee may make reckoning it ought to be the amity it selfe without more for all other things that please vs are but to be ioyned with it and therefore there is nothing that more offends him that loues then to spie any defect in loue and not to feele such offences is indeed to haue a spirit feeble for that passion And will you haue mee tell you what I thinke of Loue It is a musike of many voyces that well concording giues a right sweet harmony but if there be but one discord it not onely displeases but makes you forget all the pleasure which they yeelded before So said Phillis Naughty Diane you would say that if a man haue serued you long the first offence must blot out all the memory of that is passed The very same said Diane or little lesse O gods cryed Phillis shall not hee that loues you haue worke enough He that loues me replyed Diane if he wil that I loue him must beware he offend not my loue And beleeue me Phillis that at this bout you haue done more iniury to Licidas then when he offended you before Then sayd Phillis smiling At another time I will say that it is Loue that made me do it but at this time I will say it is Reuenge and to the most curious I will deliuer the reason which you haue taught me They will iudge replyed Diane that at another time you know to loue but at this time you know what it is to loue Whatsoeuer it be answered Phillis if it be of defect it proceedes of ignorance and not of want of loue For I thinke I am bound but if euer he returne I will look to my selfe for falling backe againe And you Astrea are ouerlong silent then tell vs what assistance I gaue for the birth of this childe Then Astrea tooke it vp againe in this sort As soone as this shepheardesse had made this offer of her selfe Licidas accepted of it very boldly and after that sent a yong shepheard to Maine to bring with him the wise woman of that place her eyes being closed that she should not discerne which way she went Then Diane as astonished laid her finger on her mouth and saies Faire shepheardesse this is not so secret as you thinke I remember I haue heard them speake of it I pray you said Phillis tell vs what you haue heard that we may know whether it hath bene told you true I know not added Diane if I well remember the poore Philander was he that told it me and I assure my selfe he had it from Lucina the wise woman to whose eare it came and that shee would neuer haue spoken of it if any trust had bene reposed in her One day as she walked into the Parke which is betweene Mont-brison and Maine with many other her companions shee saw come towards her a man whom she did not know who at his comming did commendations from diuers of her kins-folks that were at Feurs and then he told her some particular that hee might separate her a little from the other women which were with her when he saw her alone he gaue her to vnderstand that a better occasion had brought him to her for it is said he to coniure you by all the pitty you euer had to giue your helping hand to an honest woman that is in danger if you deny your aide The good womā was a little surprized to heare him change his discourse at once but the yong man besought her to hide her astonishment as well as she could that he had rather dye then any should suspect this businesse Lucina being assured and hauing promised to be secret and that he should only tell her at what time shee should be ready You must make no iourney for these two months sayd the yong man and that you may not lose by it behold here the money which you might gaine elsewhere in that space At that word hee gaue her some pieces of gold in a paper and returned without passing thorow the towne but after he had knowne of her whether she could trauaile by night and she answered seeing the gaine so great No time could stay her within fifteene or sixteene dayes after as shee went out of Maine
the arme that gaue it the beauty of Diane whose wound you feele being much lesse then yours must haue wrought lesse hurt in you then yours in me And yet if you loue with so great violence consider how Amidor ought to be vsed of Callire and what his affection may be for he knowes not how to declare it better then by the comparison with yours Shepheard answered hee if the knowledge which you haue of the loue I beare to Diane haue giuen you the boldnesse to speake to mee in this fashion I must beare the punishment which my want of consideration deserues in speaking so openly before you but so likewise are you to regard that being a woman I cannot by that discourse preiudice her honesty but you doe mine in talking so to mee who haue an husband that will not beare with patience this wrong if hee vnderstood it But besides since you speake of Diane to whom in truth I am intirely giuen I must tell you that if you will that I should measure your affection by mine according to the causes which wee haue to loue I do not thinke you loue much since that which you name beauty in me may not in any sort retaine that name being by hers Faire shepheardesse said Amidor I neuer thought one could offend you in louing you but since it is so I confesse that I deserue chastisement am ready to receiue what you shall award It is true you ought also to adde to the same punishment al that I shal deserue in louing you the rest of my life for it is impossible I shuld liue without louing you And do not think the displeasure of Gerestan shal euer diuert me he that feares neyther hazzard nor death will neuer dread a man But for that which touches you I confesse I haue failed in comparing you with Diane being without doubt ill proportioned on her side It is true that it is not as of a thing equall but as of the lesse with the greater and being of opinion that that which you feele may giue you more knowledge of my payne I haue committed this error wherein if you pardon me I protest neuer to fall into it againe Filander which loued me in good earnest and was of opinion that Amidor did so likewise could hardly brooke to heare him speake of mee with such misprize if he had not had a purpose to discouer what it was but desiring to clearē himselfe and thinking he found a good occasion hee had so much power ouer himselfe that without making shew of it hee sayd What is it possible Amidor that your mouth should vtter those words which your heart giues the lye so strongly to Thinke you that I know not well that you are a dissembler and that long since your affection hath beene for Diane My affection replyed he as surprized let neuer any loue me if I loue other shepheardesse then you I say not but sometimes I haue beene one of her friends but her vnequall humour sometimes all on fire sometimes cold like yce hath so remooued me that at this time she is indifferent vnto me How sayd Filander dare you say so since I know that indeed she hath loued you and doth yet loue you I deny not sayd Amidor but she hath loued me and going on somewhat smiling I will not sweare she loues me not yet but I can suffer it well so she be not beloued of me and I leaue all the care to her This which Amidor spake was much after his humour for it was his vsuall vanity to desire that men might thinke he had great good fortunes and for this cause it was his manner to make himselfe of purpose so familiar with them he conuersed with that when he would draw backe he could with his smile and cold laughter make men beleeue what he listed of them At this bout Filander found out his craft and had it not beene that he feared to discouer himselfe he found himselfe so touched with my wrong that I thinke he had reprooued him for his lie yet could hee not forbeare to answer him sowrely enough Truly Amidor you are the most vnworthy shepheard that liues in so good company you haue the courage to talke in this sort of Diane to whom you haue professed so much goodwill and to whom you are so much obliged What may we hope we that come short of her in merit since neyther her perfections nor her friendship nor your alliance can curbe your tongue For my part I suppose you to be the most dangerous person liuing and who desires quietnesse must be carefull to shunne you as a disease most contagious At this word he left him and came to seeke vs. His visage so inflamed with choler that Daphnis knew wel he was displeased with Amidor who stood so amazed at this parting that he knew not what to doe Afterward in the euening Daphnis enquired of Filander of their discourse and because shee loued mee and iudged that shee could not choose but encrease the loue which I bare the fayned Callire in the morning she told it me with that sharpenes against Amidor so cōmodiously for Filāder that I must confesse that since I could not easily hold my selfe from louing him when I acknowledged to my thinking that his good wil had bound me to him But Daphnis who knew well that if I loued him then it was because I thought him to be Callire and daily counselled him to discouer himselfe to me saying that at the first I would reiect him and be angry but in the end things should be so orderd and for her part she would labor in that sort that shee hoped it might be brought about But shee had not so strong perswasions that they could giue him courage which made Daphne resolue to do it her selfe without his knowledge fore-seeing well that Gerestan would haue his wife home and then all this craft would be to no purpose In this resolution one day when she found me alone after some ordinary discourse But what shall become in the end sayd she of this folly of Callyre I beleeue verily you will make her lose her right minde for she loues you so passionately that I thinke she cannot liue If Filidas goe one day forth to lye abroad and you will one night come out of your chamber you shall see her in that case that I haue often found her in for almost euery night that is fayre she spends them in the garden and pleaseth her selfe so with her owne imaginations that I can scarce draw her but with force to her rest I would gladly sayd I giue her some comfort but what would she haue of me Do not I render her loue for loue Do I not expresse it sufficiently in all mine actions Want I any kinde of courtesie or duty towards her It is true but replyed she if you heard her discourses I thinke not but you would haue compassion and I beseech you that without her
which of all the world you hold most deare which is your chastity Now mistrisse since there remayneth nothing more to my contentment but onely one poynt by the affection which you haue found in Philander I heartily pray you to grant it mee to the end that this happy soule may goe to expect you in the Elisian fieldes with this satisfaction from you He spake this in broken words and with much payne And I that sawe him in this case to giue him all the contentment he could desire answered him Friend the gods haue not raysed in you so good and honest affection to extinguish it so presently and to leaue vs nothing but sorrow I hope they will giue you yet so much life that I shall make you know that I giue not place to you in loue no more then you doe to any other in merit And for proofe of that which I doe say demaund you that onely thing which you would gladly haue of me for there is nothing that I can or will deny you At these last words he tooke me by the hand and laying it to his mouth I kisse sayth he this hand by way of thankes for the grace and fauour you haue done me and then lifting vp his eyes to heauen O God sayd he I desire of you but so much life as may serue for the accomplishment of the promise which Diane comes to make me and then addressing his speech to me with such paine that he could hardly vtter a word he sayd thus vnto me Now fayre Mistrisse heare then what it is I require of you Since I feele not the anguish of death but for you I coniure you by my affection and by your promise that I may carry this contentment out of the world that I may say I am your husband and beleeue me if I doe obtayne it my soule shall most contentedly goe into what place soeuer it must passe hauing so great a testimony of your goodwill I sweare to you fayre shepheardesses that these words strucke me so to the quicke that I knew not how I was able to sustayne my selfe and I thinke for my part it was onely the desire I had to please him that gaue me the courage This was the cause that he had no sooner ended his demaund but I griping his hand sayd Philander I graunt you that you demaund of me and I sweare to you before all the gods and particularly before the deities which are in this place that Diane giues herselfe to you and that she taketh you both in heart and soule for her husband and in speaking these words I kissed him And I sayd he take you my fayre mistris and giue my selfe to you for euer right happy and content to beare the most glorious name of Diane Alas this word of Diane was the last word he vttered for hauing his arme about my necke and drawing me to him to kisse me he dyed breathing his last vpon my lippes How I looked when I beheld him dead you may easily iudge fayre shepheardesses since I so truly loued him I fell groueling vpon him without pulse and without sence and fell into a swowning so that I came to my selfe without my owne knowledge O God! how liueth my heart since I felt this losse and found that to be too true which so oftentimes he had foretold me that I should loue him more after his death then during life for I haue so liuely preserued his remembrance in my soule that me thinketh I haue him alwayes before mine eyes and without ceasing he sayth to me vnlesse I will be vngratefull I must loue him So I doe O good soule and with the most entire affection that I can and if where thou art there be any knowledge of that which is done heere below receiue O deare friend this good will and these teares which I doe offer in testimony that Diane loueth euen to her coffin her dearest Philander The end of the sixt Booke THE SEVENTH BOOKE of Astrea and Celadon AStrea to interrupt the sad thoughts of Diane But faire shepheardesse said hee who was that miserable wretch that was cause of so great misfortune Alas said Diane why would you I should tell you He was an enemy that came not into the world but to be the cause of my euerlasting teares But yet answered Astrea was it neuer knowne what he was They said replyed she some time after that he came out of certaine barbarous countries beyond the Straits I know not whether I can name the right which they call the pillars of Hercules and the cause that brought him so farre for my mischiefe was that he became amorous of a Lady in those countries who commanded him to seeke throughout Europe to know whether there were any other as faire as she and if he met with any Louer that would maintaine the beauty of his Mistrisse hee was bound to fight with him and to send her his head with the picture and name of the Lady Alas I would it had pleased the heauens that I had not bene so ready to flie when he pursued me to kill me that by my death I might haue preuented that of poore Filander At these wordes shee set her selfe on weeping with such abundance of teares that Phillis to diuert her changed the discourse and rising vp first We haue said she fate long enough me thinks it were good to walke awhile At this word they all three rose and went toward that part of their Hamlet for it was well neere dinner time But Leonide who was as I told you harkening lost not one word of these shepheardesses and the more she heard of their newes the more she desired to heare But when shee saw them goe away without speaking a word of Celadon shee was much troubled yet in hope she might staying that day with them discouer somewhat as before she purposed When she saw them gone a little off she rose out of the bush and making a short turne shee set to follow them for she would not haue them thinke shee had ouer-heard them By chance Phillis turning backward as they were going espyed her a far off and shewed her to her companions who stayed but seeing she came towards them to doe her the duty which her condition merited they returned backe and saluted her Leonide full of courtesie after she had returned them their saluation addressing her selfe to Diane sayd Wise Diane I will this day be your ghâ—st prouided that Astrea and Phillis bee of the company for I came this morning from my vncle Adamas with a purpose to passe all this day with you to know if that which I haue heard of your vertue Diane of your beauty Astrea of your merit Phillis answere the report that is divulged of you Diane seeing her companions referred themselues to her answered Great Nymph it were better for vs haply that you had knowledge of vs onely from report since that is very fauourable on our side yet since it
Mistris replyed Phillis should handle me as you doe I do not know if I should loue her I know then assuredly replied the shepheard that if I were in your Mistrisses place I could not loue you How now sayd he haue you the hardinesse to threaten her thus Ah Phillis one of the principall lawes of Loue is that that party which can imagine that he may at some times not loue is no more a louer Mistris I demaund iustice of you and beseech you in the behalfe of Loue that you would punish this offence of treason and that thrusting her out of the place too honorable for her that loues not you would set me in it me that would not liue but to loue you Mistris interrupted Phillis I see well that this enuious person of my good will not let me be quiet vnlesse I quit him this place and I feare with his language hee will compell you to giue consent therefore it is that I desire to preuent him if you thinke good and to leaue it him on this condition that he declare one thing to you that I shall propound Siluander then without staying for Diane's answer said to Phillis Only go out you shepheardesse of your owne accord for I will neuer refuse this condition since without this adoe I will neuer conceale any thing from her that she desires to know of me At this word hee set himselfe in her place and then Phillis sayd to him Enuious shepheard though the place where you are may not be bought yet haue you promised more then you are aware of For you are bound to tell vs what you are and what occasion hath brought you into this Country since you haue beene heere so long and we could neuer yet know but little of it Leonide that was of the same minde taking hold of the words Questionlesse sayd she Phillis you haue not hitherto shewed more wisedome than in this proposition For at one instant you haue freed Diane and me out of some paine Diane for the discommodity you did her in hindering Siluander from supporting her as she went and me for the desire I had to know him more particularly I wish earnestly answered the shepheard fetching a sigh I were able to satisfie you in this curiosity but my fortune denies me it in such manner that I may truly say I am both more desirous and almost as ignorant as you For it pleased her to cause me to be borne and to make me know that I liue hiding from me all other knowledge of my selfe And that you may not thinke but that I will performe my promise Isware vnto you by Theutates and by the beauties of Diane sayd hee turning to Phillis I will tell you truly all that I know The History of Siluander VVHen Aetius was made Lieutenant geneÌ„rall in Gaule by the Emperour Valentinian he found it very dangerous for the Romanes that Gondioch the first king of the Burgonians should possesse the greatest part and resolued to chase him out and to send him backe ouer the Rheyne from whence he was lately come when Stilico for the good seruice which he had done to the Romanes gaue him the ancient prouinces of the Authunes of the Sequans and Allobroges whom from that time they called Burgonians from their name and without the commaundement of Valentinian it is easie to beleeue what hee would haue done to get all the forces of the Empire into his hands but the Emperour seeing a great number of enemies at his elbow as Gothes Hunnes Vandals and Frankes which were all busie in diuers places commaunded Aetiâ—â— to leaue them in peace Which was not so soone but that the Burgonians were gathered together into routes and that so that their Prouinces and those that neighboured them felt the smart of it the enemies making waste with so greÌ„at cruelty that whatsoeuer they found they carried away Now I at that time being about fiue or sixe yeeres olde was with many others brought by the Burgonians into the vttermost towne of the Allobroges who to reuenge themselues being entred into the Countrey confederate with their enemies committed the same disorders they had receiued To tell you what was the meaning of them that tooke mee I know not vnlesse it were to haue some summe of money So it was that Fortune was so good to me after she had beene my secret enemy that I fel into the hands of an Heluetian who had a father that was an old man and a right honest who conceiuing some good opinion of me as well for my countenance as for some pleasant answeres which in that age I had giuen him tooke me to himselfe with a purpose to make me a student and indeede though his sonne contraried him what he could possibly yet for bare he not from following his former dessigne and so spared no cost to cause me to be instructed in all kinde of learning sending mee to the Vniuersity of Marseilles in the prouince of the Romanes So that I may say with good reason that I had beene lost if I had not beene lost And though according to my Genius there was nothing more pleasant to me than letters yet was it a continuall punishment to mee to thinke that I knew not from whence nor who I was imagining that this misfortune neuer befell any other And being in this care one of my friends aduised me to enquire of some Oracle to know the trueth For for my part I was so young that I had no more remembrance than I haue now either of the place whence I was taken or where I was borne and hee that gaue me this counsell sayd that there was no likelihoode but that the heauens hauing had such a care of mee as I haue found since I was lost they would yet shew mee more fauour This friend knew so well how to perswade me that wee went both together and the answer we had was this Thou wert borne in the Land where was Neptune From whom thou draw'st discent thou shalt not know Vntill Siluander die to such fortune Thou wert from cradle mark'd Fate will 's it so Iudge faire Diane what satisfaction we had in this answer for my part without longer stay I resolued neuer to enquire furder since it was impossible I should know it without dying and to liuâ—â—fterward with much quiet of spirit referring my selfe to the guiding of heauen and employing my selfe onely to my studies wherein I made so good progresse that the old Abariel for that was the name of him who brought me vp had a minde to see me before he dyed presaging his end almost at hand Being then come to him and hauing receiued the most sweet vsage that I could desire one day when I was alone with him in his chamber he spake to me in this sort My sonne for as such I haue alwayes loued you since the rigour of warre cast you into my hands I doe not thinke you so mis-vnderstanding what I haue done for you
you must seeke no other witnesse than me in this matter 〈◊〉 and you are not to thinke that the shepheards of Lignon can cloath and vncloath themselues so readily of their affections for they are grosse and therefore heauy and slowe in that they doe But as a nayle the grosser it is and the more weight it holdes the harder it is to be wrested out so the tougher and grosser our affections are in vs the longer they last in our soules so that if you haue seene mee seruitour to this fayre shepheardesse you may see mee so still for we change not euery time we sleepe But if this befall you I say you that haue an hote brayne as well as a balde head and a red hayre bewrayes much you are not to giue the same censure of vs. Hylas hearing as his shepheard speake so frankly and so truly to his humor thought that either Tyrcis had told him somewhat or that he must know it elsewhere and therefore all astonied Shepheard sayd he haue you seene me at any time or where learned you this you speake of me I neuer saw you sayd Siluander but your phisiognomy and your discourse made me iudge that I say For hardly may a man suspect in another that fault whereof he is wholly exempted Of necessity then answered Hylas you cannot be exempted from that inconstancy which you suspect in me The suspition replyed Siluander growes either out of some small likelihood or of the appearance of that which is not but onely in imagination and that a man cannot haue of another without himselfe be spotted But that which I sayd of you is not of suspition but of a certainty Call you that suspition when we heare you say that you haue loued Laonice and leauing her for this second who was heere yesterday with her now you haue left them both for Phillis whom without doubt you will leaue for the first commer whose eies will vouchsafe to look on you Tircis who heard them thus discourse seeing Hylas stand as ouercome beganne to speake in this sort r Hylas you must no longer hide your selfe you are discouered This shepheard hath cleere eyes to see the spots of your inconstancy you must confesse the truth For if you fight against it besides that at the last you shal be counted a liar you being not able to resist for that nothing is so strong as Truth you shall be faine to shew your weakenesse Confesse it then freely to be as it is and to encourage you I will beginne Know gentle shepheard that it is true that Hylas is the most inconstant the most disloyall and the greatest traitour to shepheardesses to whom he promises goodwill that euer was And so added Phillis that he will oblige them whom he loues not at all And Me mistris answered Hylas are you also against me will you beleeue the impostures of these malicious Doe you not see that Tircis finding himselfe bound to Siluander for the iudgement he gaue in fauour of him thinks fit to pay him in some sort by giuing you an euill opinion of me What doth this import sayd Phillis to Siluander What doth this import said the inconstant know you not it is harder to take a place possessed then that which no man holds He would say added Siluander The more you loue him the harder it will be for me to acquire your good graces But my friend Hylas how much are you deceiued so farre that when I see she daines to cast her eye on you I shall be assured of her loue For I know her to be of so good iudgement that shee hath alwayes knowledge to choose the better Then answered Hylas It may be glorious shepheard you thinke to haue some aduantage ouer me Mistris beleeue him not for he is of no worth and indeed what man can he be that neuer had the hardinesse to loue nor to serue but one onely shepheardesse and that so coldly that you would thinke he iested Whereas I loue as many as I see fayre and of them all I haue beene as well entertayned as I would wish What seruice can you hope for of him that is such a nouice that he knoweth not how to beginne But I that haue serued of all sorts of all ages and of all humours know of what fashion and what ought and what ought not to please her and for proofe of what I say suffer me to question him if you would know his ignorance And then turning toward him he went on What is it Siluander that ought most to binde a fayre shepheardesse to loue vs That is said Siluander to loue none but her And what is that continued Hylas that may please her most That is answered Siluander to loue her extremely Now see then sayes the inconstant how ignorantly amorous is this man so farre is that which he sayes from truth that it ingenders contempt and hatred For to loue but her alone giues her cause to thinke that it is want of courage that hee dares not vndertake and so thinking herselfe to be beloued for want of another she will despise such a louer Whereas if you loue in common for the small worth of the thing shee will not thinke when you come to her that it is not for that you know not whither else to goe and this will binde her more to loue you especially if you come to particulars and make it appeare to her that you rely more vpon her and to perswade her the better you tell her all that you know of others and once in the week you bring to her all that you haue sayd and what they haue answered fitting the encounter as occasion requireth to the end you may make her the more pleasing draw her to cherish your company This way yong louer this way shall you binde her to any loue But to please her you must on the contrary flie as from poyson the extremity of loue because there is nothing more grieuous betweene two louers than this so great affection for you that loue in this sort to please your selfe labour to be alwayes neere her to be alwayes talking with her she cannot cough but you must aske her what she ayles she cannot turne her foot but you must doe the like To be short she is almost constrayned to carry you you presse her and importune her so But the mischiefe is if she be sicke sometimes and that she smile not on you if she speake not to you and intertaine you not as she was wont then you fall to whining to teares but such plaints I say as wherewith you so fill her eares that to free her selfe of these importunities she is forced to restraine her selfe and sometimes when she would be alone and locke vp her selfe for a time to her owne thoughts she must be compelled to come see you to entertayne you and tell you a thousand tales to content you Thinke you this to be a good meane to haue her loue you You
then my age would allow of And that was the cause that when I was come to 18. or 19. yeeres I found my selfe engaged to serue her But for that my humor was not to care much for this vaine-glory which the most part of them which trade in Loue will arrogate to themselues that is to be esteemed constant the good countenance of Carlis tyed mee more then this imaginary duty From thence it came that one of my greatest friends tooke occasion to diuert me from her his name was Hermante and without any heede of mine was become so amorous of Carlis that hee tooke no contentment but to be neere her I who was young neuer perceiued this new affection as I had but two little craft to finde it since the subtillest in that mystery are scarce able to do it Hee was older then I and by consequence wiser so that he knew so well to dissemble that I doe not thinke that any at that time suspected him But that which brought him most discommodity was that the parents of this shepheardesse desired there might be a marriage betweene her and me for that they were of opinion that it would be for her aduantage Whereof Hermante being aduertised especially knowing by the speech of the shepheardesse that indeede shee loued me he thought she would withdraw from me if I began to withdraw from her Hee well found out as I told you that I would change as soone as occasion was offered And after he had considered with himselfe how he might beginne this designe he thought that working in mee an opinion of my greater worth he might maâ—â—me neglect for vncertainty that which was most assured to me Hee brought it about very easily for besides that I beleeued him as my friend this good could not be very deare vnto me which befel me without paine made me beleeue I might compasse any thing of the best if I would bestow the study Hee on the other side knew so well to perswade me that I held for certaine that there was not a shepheardesse in all Carmage that would not more willingly entertaine me then I would make choyce of her Assured by this beleefe I thrust Carlis wholly out of my soule after I had made election of another whom I iudged the worthier and without doubt I deceiued not my selfe for she had beauty enough to winne loue and wisedome to carry it her name was Stilliane esteemed among the fairest and wisest of all the Iland otherwise lofty and such an one as I must haue to put me out of the error wherein I was And see what my presumption was Because she was serued by many and they all lost their time I beganne to woo her the more willingly that the world might take better knowledge of my merit Carlis which truely loued me was astonied at this change not knowing what cause I might haue but she must needes suffer it She did much to recall me and at the first vsed all forts of allurements which she could think of which I tooke no heede of to returne I was in the deepe seas there was no meane to come backe to land so readily But if she tooke displeasure at this separation she was fully reuenged on him that was the cause of the euill for conceiting to my selfe that as soone as I assured Stilliane of my loue shee would more willingly giue her selfe to me at the first time I met her to talke within an assembly which was purposely made dauncing with her I said Faire shepheardesse I know not what your force is nor with what charmes your eyes furnish themselues so it is that Hylas sees himselfe now so much become your seruant that no man can bee more Shee thought I mocked her knowing well the loue that I had borne to Carlis which made her answer smilingly These discourses are they of those that you learne in the schoole of faire Carlis I would haue answered when acording to the order of the dance there were that separated vs and I could not come neere her afterward howsoeuer I laboured it so that I was constrained to stay vntill the assembly brake vp And seeing her goe with the formost to withdraw themselues I aduanced my selfe and tooke her by the arme Shee at the first beganne to smile and after said Is it vpon resolution Hylas or commandement that this night you haue enterprized thus on me Why answered I make you this demand Because said she I see so small likelihood of reason in that you do that I can not suspect but from those two occasions It is said I for them both for I am resolued neuer to loue but the faire Stilliane and your beauty commaunds me to loue none other I beleeue answered she that you thinke not that you speake to me or that you know me not and that you may no longer deceiue your selfe know that I am not Carlis and that I call my selfe Stilliane I must be much deceiued answered I to take you instead of Carlis for she is too imperfect to be taken for you or you for her And I know too well for my liberty that you are Stilliane and it were more for my rest that I knew lesse Wee were come as farre as her lodging and yet could I not find whether she liked of it or no. The next morning it was no sooner day but I went to seek out Hermante to tell him what befell me In the euening I found him yet in his bed And seeing me somewhat moued How now fayd he what newes Is the victory obtained without combat Ah my friend answered I I haue found out one I may talke to she disdaines mee she mockes me she sends me at euery word to Carlis to be short she vses me like a Mistris He could not hold from laughter when he had heard all the discourse at length for he expected no lesse But knowing well my changing humour hee feared I would goe backe to Carlis and that she would entertaine me which was the cause that he answered me Did you hope for lesse from heâ— Would you thinke her worthy your loue if not yet knowing in truth that you loue her she should giue her selfe to you How may she giue credite to a few words which you haue vsed hauing heretofore heard so much or that you sweare the contrary to Carlis Vndoubtedly it were a very easie conquest that she should shew herselfe vanquished for so small a fight But said I before I am beloued of her if it be needfull that I tel her what I haue done to Carlis when should this be by your aduice Truely answered Hermante you little know what belongs to Loue you must learne Hylas that when one sayes to a shepheardesse I loue you especially when they make some demonstration she doth not so easily beleeue it for that it is the custome of shepherds well bred to haue it of courtesie and it seemeth their Sexe for the weakenesse of it binds men to serue
a share Disdainefull beauty that Liest hid from all mens eyes And neuer mad'st appeare That 〈◊〉 thee pitty lies Yet Dido did not scorne A wanderer by sea Paris a shepheard yong Wonne loue from Oenone Diane found some griefe For her Endimion Loue not regards the state Or pompe of any one The sheepehooke with the mace Of Kings he equall makes And in the purest Loue All his contentment takes Then Adamas asked her And how Leonide it seemes by the words of Galathee that she despised Polemas and by these verses there is no man but will iudge she loued him and that only he could not brooke with patience that she should dissemble Father replied Leonide it is true that she loued him and she had giuen him that proof that if he gaue credit to it hee was not so arrogant but that one might very well haue thought him to be of small vnderstanding if he did not beleeue it and though she would dissemble with me yet I know she had drawne him by shewes and hopes of good will whereof the earnest was not so small as the first but that many others haue bene deceiued and I know not considering what assurances were giuen that any would thinke shee would lose them and gainesay her going forward but he deserued this chastisement for his vnfaithfulnes which he vsed to a Nymph whose deceiued affectiō cryes vengeance so that loue at last gaue an care for without faining he is the most deceitfull the most vnthankfull and most vnworthy to be beloued for this misprifall of any vnder heauen and deserues not to be pittied if hee now feele the griefe which other haue suffered for him Adamas seeing her so much moued against Polemas demaunded who the Nymph was that hee deceiued and said that shee was some of her friends since she tooke the offence so to the quicke Then shee perceiued that she had yeelded too much to her passion and that vnawares shee had made knowne that which shee had kept so long secret yet as shee had a quicke spirit and that would not lie long in her fault she couered by her dissimulation this errour so well that Adamas then tooke no great heed to it And how my daughter sayd Adamas know you not that men liue with a purpose to ouercome and finish all that they vndertake and that the loue which they make shew of to other women is but to make the way easie You may see Leonide that all loue is for the desire of the thing that is wanting and the desire being satisfied there is no more desire if there be no more desire there is no more loue therefore you may behold that they which will be long loued are they that giue least satisfaction to the desires of their louers But added Leonide she whereof I spake is one of my particular friends and I know she neuer treated with Polemas but with as great coldnesse as she could That likewise replyed Adamas makes the desire to be lost for desire is nourished with hope and fauours Now look how the match of the Lampe goes out when the oyle failes so desire dies when the nourishment of it is put out therefore it is that we see so many loues are changed some for too many othersome for too few fauours But let vs returne to that you sayd to Galathee what was that that she answered If Polemas answered Leonide had had said she to me as much iudgement to measure himselfe as he had rashnesse to dare to loue me he would haue taken these fauours as from my courtesie and not from my loue But continued Galathee this is nothing to the worth of the accident which befell at that time for I had scarcely answered Polemas what you haue heard but Lindamor following the course of the daunce was come to snatch or robbe and vvith that dexterity that Polemas cou'd not auoyd it and by that meanes not answer me but with his eyes but certainly with a looke so frowning that I know not how I held from laughter As for Lindamor whether he took heed to it or perceiuing it would not let it appeare so it was that presently after he spake to me in that sort it had beene enough to haue made the poore Polemas madde if he had heard it Madame sayd he to me is it possible that all things should goe so quite contrary and that iesting should turne to so true earnest and the presages likewise which your eyes speake of to me when I behold them Lindamor said I to him so you may be punished as you deserued if iesting you meet with earnest This punishment answered he is so welcome to me that I should beshrew my selfe if I did not loue and cherish it as the greatest happinesse that might befall mee What meane you by that sayd I for it may bee wee speake of diuers things I meane sayd hee that in this course of the dance I haue stolne away you and in the truth of loue you haue stolne from mee both soule and heart Then blushing a little I answered him in choler How now Lindamor what discourse is this remember you what I am and what you are I do so Madam sayd he and that is it that makes me speake so vnto you for are you not my Lady and am not I your seruant Yes answered I but not as you take it for you ought to serue mee with respect and not with loue or if there be any affection it should grow out of your duty He presently replied Madam if I serue you not with respect neuer was diuinity honored by a mortall man but whether this respect bee the father or childe of my affection it concernes you but little for I am resolued whatsoeuer you are to mee to serue you to loue you and to adore you and thinke not herein that the duty whereto Clidaman by the law of the game hath subiected vs is the cause well it may be the couerture but to conclude your merits your perfections or to say true my destiny giues me to you and thereto I assent for I must acknowledge that what man soeuer sees you and loues you not deserues not the name of a man These words were deliuered with such a vehemency that he made it appeare to me that he truly told me what was in his soule behold I pray you this pleasant encounter I neuer heeded this affection thinking that al he did was in sport should haue neuer perceiued it but for the ielousie of Polemas but since I haue alwayes had an eye to Lindamor and I should not lie I haue found him as well capable of loue as ielousie so that it seames that the other hath whetted the knife wherewith hee would cut the threed of the small loue I beare him for I know not how Polemas hath euer since so displeased mee in all his actions that I could hardly endure him to bee neere me the rest of that night On the contrary all
that Lindamar did came so kindly to mee that I wonder I marked it no sooner I know not whether Polemas by reason of his being crossed haue changed his behauiour or whether the euill opinion which I haue conceiued of him haue altered my eyes when I behold him yet so it is that either mine eyes see not as they were wont or Polemas is no more the man hee was wont to be I must not lie to you when Galathee spake in this sort against him I was no whit sorry because of his ingratitude on the contrary the more to hurt him I sayd I do not wonder Madam that Lindamor is more welcome to you then Polemas for the qualitites and perfections of them both are not equall euery one that sees them will giue the same iudgement that you do of them It is true that heere in I fore-see a great hurly burly first betweene them and after betweene you and Polemas And why sayd Galathee Are you of opinion he hath any power ouer my actions or of Lindamors Not for that said I Madam but I knew the humour of Polemas so well that he will leaue nothing vnattempted and wil remooue heauen and earth to recouer the happinesse that he thinkes hee hath lost and for it he will commit these follies which cannot be hidden but to those that will not see them and so shall you haue displeasure and Lindamor be offended and God graunt it fall not out worse No such thing Leonide answered she if Lindamor loue me he will do as I commaund him if he do not loue me he will not care what Polemas doth and as for him if he passe the bounds of reason I knovv hovv to reforme him leaue that labour to me for I can prouide well enough for that At this word she commaunded mee to draw the curtaine and let her rest if at least these new desseignes would suffer her But at the breaking vp of the daunce Lindamor who had noted what countenance Polemas had made when he tooke Galathee from him had a conceit that he loued her Notwithstanding hauing neuer perceiued any thing by his actions passed he would aske him the question resolued that if he found him in loue he would indeuour to diuert himselfe for that he thought himselfe some what bound to it for the loue he made shew of which hee thought to be vnfained and so going to him desired he might haue a word with him in priuate Polemas who vsed al maner of cunning that a Courtier was capable of paynted his face with a fained shew of good will and said What is it that Lindamor is pleased to commaund of me I neuer vse commoundement said Lindamor where my prayer onely may take place and at this time I neede neither of them but onely as a friend demaund a thing of you which our friendship bindes you to tell me What may it be replyed Polemas since our friendship so bindes me you are to thinke that I will answer you with the same freedome that you desire to know This it is replyed Lindamor that I haue some while serued Galathee as I was tied by the ordinance of Clidaman at last I am constrayned so to do by that of Loue. For it is true that after I had long time serued her by the disposing of that fortune that gaue mee to her her merits haue since so wonne me that my will hath ratified that gift with so great affection that to draw backe would be as much want of courage as it is now arrogancie to say that I dare loue her Yet the friendship which is betvveene you and me hauing beene of longer date than this of Loue giues mee resolution enough to tell you that if you loue her and haue any pretention to her I hope as yet to haue that povver of my selfe that I can withdravv and giue proofe that Loue is lesse in me than Friendship or at least the follies of the one shall giue place vnto the Wisedome of the other Tell mee then frankely that which you haue in your soule to the end that neither your friendship nor mine may complayne of our actions That which I say is not to discouer the secrets of your intentions since I lay open to you mine you are not to be afraid that I should know yours besides that the lawes of friendship commaund you not to hide them from me prouided that not curiosity but the desire of preseruing our goodwill makes me demaund it of you Lindamor spake to Polemas with the same freedome that a friend should poore and ignorant Louer that thought he could since it in loue On the contrary the dissembling Polemas answered him Lindamor this faire Nymph of whom you speake is worthy to be serued of all the world but as for my selfe I haue no pretention yet this I will tell you that as concerning loue I am of opinion that euery one for his part should do what he can Then Lindamor repented that he had vsed a language so full of courtesie and respect since he required it so ill Here solued to doe his best to aduance himselfe into the good graces of the Nymph and yet hee answered him Since you haue no such dessigne I am right glad as of the thing most welcome to mee for that to haue withdravvne my selfe it would haue beene a paine to me little lesse than death So farre off aâ— I added Poleman from hauing any pretention of loue that I neuer looked on her but with an eie of respect such as we are all bound to giue her For my part replyed Lindamor I honour Galathee as my Lady but I likevvise loue her as a faire Lady and me thinks my fortune mayayme as high as it is permitted mine eyes to looke and that I shall offend no diuinity by louing her With such like discourses they parted neyther of them well satisfied yet some what differing Polemas out of iclousie and Lindamor for hauing found the vnfaithfulnesse of his friend From that day they liued in a pleasant fashion for they were ordinarily together and yet they concealed their dessignes Yet not Lindamor in apparance but in effect hid himselfe in all hee propounded and purposed to do and knowing well that occasions passed may not be recalled he would not lose a moment of leisure which he employed not to make his affection apparent to the Nimph. In which hee neyther lost his time nor his payne for she liked so well of this good will which hee made shew of that if shee had not so much loue as he in her eyes she had it at the least in her heart And because it is an hard matter to hide a great fire so well but something will discouer it their affections which beganne to burne in good earnest were hardly to be concealed for all the wisedome they could vse This was the cause that Galathee resolued to speake with Lindamor as seldome as she could and to find some inuention for him to
blovves that the soundest of the two was as much certaine of his death as of his life their horses beganne to sinke vnder them but they on the contrary so fresh as if they had not fought all that day beganne to powre out their bloud and to open wide gashes with such cruelâ—y that euery body tooke pitty to see tvvo persons of that valour to be so lost Amasis among others said to Clidaman that it were fit to separate them and there was none that might better doe it than Galathee Shee that for her part was already touched within and wayted but for this commandement to effect it with a good heart with three or foure of vs came into the field When she entred the victory lay on Lindamors side and Polemas was brought to euill termes although the other were not much wounded on whom by chance she lighted and taking him by the skarfe which tied his helmet and which hung somewhat lowe behinde him she pulled him with some stresse He that felt himselfe touched turned rudely on that side thinking he had bin betrayed and with that furie that the Nymph thinking to giue backe lest she should be hurt trode on her robe and fell dovvne in the midst of the field Lindamor who knevv her ranne presently to helpe her vp but Polemas without any regard to the Nymph seeing this aduantage when he was in despaire of the combate tooke his svvord in both his hands and gaue him behind on the head tvvo or three blowes with such force that he constrayned him with one great wound to set one knee on the ground from whence he rose so inceâ—sed for the discourtesie of his enemy that afterwards though Galathee requested him he would not leaue off vntill he had layd him at his feete where leaping on him he dis-armed his head and being ready to giue him the last stroke he heard the voice of his Lady that said to him Knight I adâ—uâ—e you by her whom you loue best to giue me this Knight I wil said he Madame if hae will confesse he hath spoken falsly of mee and of heâ— by whom you adiure mee Polemas being to his owne thinking at the last poynt of his life with a loude voyce confessed what they would So Lindamor departed after he had kissed the hand of his mistrisse who neuer knew him though he spake to her for the Helmet and the feare wherein she was kept her from marking his voyce It is true that passing by me he said very softly Faire Leonide I am much bound vnto you to conceale me to your selfe thus you see the effect of your letters without longer stay mounted on horse backe and though he were sore wounded yet galloped he away vntill they lost the sight of him vnwilling to be knowne This trauell of his did him much hurt and brought him to that extremity that being arriued at the house of one of Fleurials Aunts where he resolued before to withdraw if he were wounded hee found himselfe so feeble that hee stayed more then three weekes before hee could recouer himselfe In the meane time behold Galathee returning in great choler against the vnknowne Knight for that hee did not leaue the combate at the second time seeming to be more offended in this refusall then obliged in that he gaue him to her And because Polemas held one of the first rankes as you know Amasis and Clidaman with much sorrow caused him to be carried out of the field and looked vnto with such care that in the end they began to haue hope of life in him Euery one was very desirous to know who this vnknowne Knight was the courage and valor of whom had won him the fauor of many Galathee onely was she that conceiued an euill opinion for this proud beauty remeÌ„bred the offence but forgot the courtesie And because I was the party whom she trusted with her most secret thoughts as soon as she saw me in priuate Know you said she this discourteous Knight to whom Fortune not valour gaue the aduantage in this fight I know said I Madam this valiant Knight I know him to be as courtcous as valiant He hath not shewed it said she in this action otherwise he would not haue refused to leaue the combate when I requested him Madame answered I you blame him for that for which you are to esteeme him since that to giue you the honor which euery one owes to you he was in danger of his life and saw his blood powre downe on the earth If said Galathee therein Polemas did wrong he had the aduantage shortly after when notwithstanding any prayer I could make hee would not giue ouer And had he not reason said I to bee desirous to chastise this pride for the small respect hee bare to you And for my part I finde that in this Lindamor hath done very well How interrupted shee was it Lindamor that fought Indeede I was ouertaken for I named him before I thought it but seeing it was done I resolued to â—ell her Yes Madame it is Lindamor who felt himselfe offended at that which Polemas had spoke of him and would make it apparent by Armes Shee stood as if she were besides her selfe and after she had some while thought of this accident she said Then is it Lindamor that hath done me this displeasure Is it he that yeelded me so small respect Had he than so 〈◊〉 consideration that he durst put my honour into the hazzard of Fortune or of Armes At this word shee pawsed out of extreme choler And I that in any case desired she should know he had done no wrong answered Is it possible Madame that you can complaine of Lindamor without acknowledging the wrong you haue done to your selfe What displeasure hath he done you since in vanquishing Polemas hee hath vanquiyour enemy How my enemy said she Ah! Lindamor is much more for if Polemas talked Lindamor gaue him the subiect O God sayd I then what is that I heare Lindamor your enemy that hath no soule but to adore you and hath not a drop of blood which hee would not spend for your seruice and he your friend that by his forged discourses hath endeuoured by practices to wound your honour But who knowes said she if it bee not true that Lindamor thrust forward by his vsuall arrogancy hath vsed such language Well then replyed I how much are you bound to Lindamor that hee hath made your enemy confesse that he inuented it Oh! Madame pardon mee if you please but I cannot but herein accuse you of a great mistaking that I may not say ingratitude If hee hazzard his life to make it appeare that Polemas lyed do you accuse him of inconsideration And if he haue made the lyer confesse it will you taxe him of discourtesie And if hee had not committed his right to Armes how should the truth of this businesse haue beene found And if when you commanded him the second â—iâ—e hee had
talk of another matter sayd to me Know you how Fleurials Aunt doth I answered that since he went I knew nothing Truely sayd she I would be very sorry if the old woman should not do well you haue reason sayd I Madam for she loues you and you haue had many seruices of her which are not yet fully acknowledged If she liue said she I will do it and after her I will remember Fleurial for her sake Then I answered Both the seruices of the aunt those of the Nephew deserue some good recompence and especially Fleurial for his faithfulnesse and affection cannot be bought It is true sayd she but because you speake of Fleurial what great matter had you to say to him or hee to you when he went away I answered coldly I recommended mee to his aunt Recommendations sayd she were not so long then she came neerer me and layd her hand on my shoulder Tell truth continued shee you spake of some other thing And what might it bee replied I if it were not that I had no other businesse with him Now I know sayd she that at this present you dissemble why did you say you had no other businesse with him and haue had so much for Lindamor O! Madam I little thought you would haue remembred a man so vnfortunate and then holding my peace I fetched a deepe sigh What is the matter sayd she that you sigh tell me true where is Lindamor Lindamor answered I is no more then earth How cried shee out Lindamor is no more No indeed answered I the cruelty which you haue vsed towards him hath rather slaine him then the strokes of his enemy for going from the combat and knowing by the report of many the euill satisfaction which you had of him he would neuer suffer himselfe to be dressed and because you haue such a desire to know that was it that Fleurial told mee whom I commanded to assay if he could wisely withdraw the letters which wee haue writ him to the end that as you haue lost the remembrance of his seruices by your cruelty so might I consume in the fire the memories which might remaine O God sayd she what is that you tell me Is it possible he should be so lost It is you sayd I that may say you haue lost him for his part hee hath gained by dying since by death hee hath found rest which your cruelty will neuer permit him while hee liued Ah! Leonide sayd she you tell me these things to put mee to paine confesse the truth hee is not dead Would to God it were so sayd I but for what cause should I tell you I answere his death or life are indifferent to you and specially since you loued him so little you may be glad to be exempted for the importunity he would haue giuen you for you are to beleeue that if he had liued hee would neuer haue ceased from giuing such proofes of his affection as that of Polemas Indeed then sayd the Nymph I am sorry for the poore Lindamor and sweare vnto you that his death touches me more to the quicke then I though it would but tell me had he neuer no remembrance of vs at his end and did hee not shew to be grieued to leaue vs See Madam sayd I a question which is not vsuall He died for your sake and you aske if hee remembred you Ah! that his memory and his sorrow had not bin too great for his helth I beseech you talke no more of him I assure my selfe he is in the place where he receiues the reward of his fidelity and where it may bee hee shall see himselfe reuenged at you cost You are in choler sayd she You must pardon me sayd I Madam but this is the reason that constraines me to speake thus for there is none that can giue more testimony of his affection and fidelity then I and of the wrong you haue done him to giue him so vnworthy a recompence for so many seruices But sayd the Nymph let vs set this aside for I know that in some thing you haue reason but I haue not done so much wrong as you impute And tell mee I pray you by the loue you beare me if in his last words hee remembred mee and what they were Must you sayd I triumph in your soule at the end of his life as you haue done ouer al his actions since he begā to loue you If this must be to your contentment I will satisfie you As soone as he knew that you went about to blemish the honor of his victory and that in stead of pleasing you he hath by this fight got your hatred it shal neuer be sayd he O iniustice that thou shalt for my cause lodge longer in so faire a soule I must by my death wash away my offence Then hee tooke all the clouts which hee had on his wounds and would no more suffer the hand of the Chirurgion his wounds were not mortall but the ranckling brought it to those termes that he perceiued small strength in him to liue he called Fleurial and being alone hee sayd My friend Fleurial thou now lofest him that had great care to do thee good but you must arme your selfe with patience since it is the will of heauen I would yet haue one piece of seruice from thee which shall better please me then that thou euer didst And hauing drawne from him a promise that hee would do it hee continued You must not faile in what I bid you As soone as I shall be dead rip vp my belly and take out the heart and carry it to the faire Galathee and tell her that I send it her that at my death I may keepe nothing that belongs to any other At these last words hee lost both speech and life Now this foole Fleurial that hee may not bee wanting in that which was commanded him by a person whom he held so deare hath brought hither the heart and without me would present it to you Ah! Leonide sayd she is it certaine he is dead Oh God that I knew not his sicknes and you would neuer tell me of it I would haue found some remedy O what a loss haue I sustained how great is your fault Madam answerd I I knew nothing for Fleurial stayed with him to attend him because he had none of his owne but if I had knowne I thinke I should not haue spoken to you of it I knew your mind was so far remoued from that subiect At these words resting her head on her arme she commanded me to leaue her alone to the end as I thought that I might not see her teares which already encreased their drops but hardly was I gone before shee called me backe and without lifting vp her head shee bid mee command Fleurial to bring her that which Lindamor had sent her in what fashion he listed And presently I went out fully assured that the knights affaires for whom I pleaded would fall out
was without soile he seemed the goodlieft man that I can tell of besides that he had a spirit sauoring of any thing rather than of a shepheard I haue seene none in our Court moâ—â— ciuill nor more worthy to be beloued in somuch as I do not wonder that Galathe should be strongly inamoured that she can hardly goe from him in the night But indeed she deceiues her selfe because this shepheard is lost for the loue of a sheph ardesse called Astrea Thus all these things gaue no small blowe to Lindamor because the Nymph hauing found that true which this lyer told her is resolued to die rather than to marry Lindamor and studies by all her skill to make her selfe amiable to this shepheard who doth nothing especially in her presence but sigh his absence from Astrea I know not whether the constraint he is in for she will not let him goe from the Palace or whether the water which he swallowed when he fell into the riuer be the cause so it is that euer since he goes puling sometimes in bed sometimes out but at last he hath gotten a feuer so burning that knowing no remedy for his health the Nymph hath commaunded mee to seeke you out diligently that you may see what is necessary to saue him aliue The Druyde was very attentiue during this discourse and gaue diuers iudgements according to the subiect of his Nieces words and it may be neere the truth for he knew well that shee was not altogether exempted neither from Loue nor fault yet as well aduised as he was hee dissembled it and sayd to his Niece that it was no hard matter to serue Galathee especially in the person of Celadon whose parents he had alwaies loued and though he were a shepheard yet descended he from the ancient lyne of Knights and that his Ancestors had chosen that kinde of life for the more quiet and happier then that at Court and therefore he was to be honoured and well serued But this fashion of life which Galathee vsed was neither good for the Nymph nor honorable for her that comming to the Palace and hauing seene the manner of things he would tell her how she should gouerne her selfe The Nymph some what ashamed answered It was some long time since she had a purpose to tell him but she neither durst not met with opportunity for indeede Climanthe was the cause of all the euill O answered Adamas if I can catch him I will make him pay with vsury the false title which he hath vsurped of a Druide That will be easie said the Nymph by a meane that I will tell you He told Galathee that she should returne twice or thrice to the place where she was to finde this man if she found him not the first time I know that Polemas and he hauing bin so tardy the first day will not faile to come the others following he that will take this deceiuer he need but hide him in the place which I will shew you whither without doubt he will come and for the day you may know it of Galathee for for my part I haue forgotten it The end of the ninth Books THE TENTH BOOKE OF Astrea and Celadon WIth this discourse the Nymph deceiued in part the length of the way both of them being so attentiue that almost before they were aware they found they were neere the Palace of Isour But Adamas that desired in any wise to remedy this life instructed her what he would haue her say to Galathee and aboue al not to let her know that he disliked her actions for said he I know wel that the courage of the Nymph must be ouercom with gentlenesse and not with force But in the meane time my Neece remember you to doe your duty that these allurements are shamefull both to those that are attained with them and to them that fauour them He had gone on with his aduices if at the entry of the Palace they had not met Siluie who led them to the place where Galathee was At that time she was gone to walke into the next Garden while Celadon rested As soone as she saw them she came towards them and the Druyde with one knee on the ground saluted her kissing her robe and so did Leonide but lifting them vp she embraced them both thanking Adamas for the paines he had taken in comming with assurance that shee would requite it in those occasions which might turne to his pleasure Madame sayd hee all my seruices cannot deserue the least of these good words I am onely sorry that that which is presented is not a stronger proofe of my affection to the end that in any case you might know that if I be grown old without doing you seruice it is not for want of good will but for that I haue not had the happinesse to be employed Adamas answered the Nymph the seruices which you haue done to Amasis I take for mine those which I haue had from your Neece I take them as from you so that you cannot say but in the person of my mother you haue well serued me and in that of your Neece you haue beene often imployed Alwayes as I may I will acknowledge your seruices together But in that which is offered at this time bethinke your selfe that since there is nothing more grieuous then the strokes that are layd on the part most sensible that hauing my spirit wounded you cannot finde the meanes to doe me more acceptable seruice then in this We will talke of it at leasure in the meane time goe to your rest and Siluie shall bring you to your chamber and Leonide render account to me of what she hath done So the Druide went away And Galathee vsing Leonide more kindly then of wont demanded the newes of her voyage wherein in shee satified her willingly But going forward Madame sayd she I thanke God I finde you more ioyfull then I left you Friend said the Nymph the likely healing of Celadon hath brought mee this good for you must know that you were not gone aboue a mile hence before he waked without his feuer but since he is so much amended that hee himselfe hopes to rise within two or three dayes See answered 〈◊〉 the best newes that I could haue wished to haue had at my returne so that if I had knowne it sooner I had not brought Adamas hither But to the purpose said Galathee what said he of this accident For I assure my selfe you haue told him Pardon me Madame said Leonide I told him nothing but what I thought could not be hidden from him wheÌ„ he was to be here He knows the loue which you beare to Câ—ledoÌ„ which I haue told him proceeded of pitty he knowes well the shepheard and those of his family and assure himselfe he shall be able to porswade him to all things that he shall please and for my part I thinke if you will imploy him he will doe you seruice but you
must speake plainely to him O God sayd the Nymph is it possible I am assured that if hee will vndertake it it cannot but all turne to my contentment for his wisedome is so great and his iudgement also that he cannot choose but bring about whatsoeuer he beginnes Madame said Leonide I speake not without ground you shall see If you will serue your selfe by him what will bee Now behold the Nymph the most contented in the world already figuring to her selfe the accomplishment of her desires But while they discoursed thus Silâ—y and 〈◊〉 spent the time about the same businesse for the Nymph who was well inquainted with the Druyde talked of them very openly He that was very wary that he might know if his Neeâ—e had told him true prayed her to tell him what she knew Silay that desired in any case to breake off this discourse did it without dissimulation and the shortest she could in this manner The History of Leonide KNow that the better to instruct you of all that you demaund I am constrayned to touch the particulars of some other besides Galathee And I shall doe it the more willingly for that it may be behoouefull for the time to come that they should not be hidden from you It is Leonide of whom I speake whom it seemes destinies would intangle more than ordinary in the dessignes of Galathee This that I tell you is not to blame her or to make it knowne For telling it to you I beleeue it is no lesse secret than if you had not knowne it You must then vnderstand that it is long time since the beauty and merits of Leonide wanne her after long suite the affection of Polemas and because the deserts of that knight were not so slender but they could procure themselues to be beloued Your Neece was not contented to be beloued but she would also loue but she carried it with such discretion that euen Polemas was long without the knowledge of it I doubt not but you haue loued and that you know better than I how hardly Loue will be hidden so it was that at last it burst out and both knew they were louers and beloued yet was this amity so honest that it would not suffer them to dare to shew it After the sacrifice that Amasis made euery yeere on the day that she married Pimander it fell out that after dinner wee were all in the Gardens of Mâ—nt-brison the more cheerefully to passe this happy iourney she and I to defend vs from the Sunne being set vnder some trees which gaue a pleasing shaddow We were scarcely there but Polemas came to sit by vs seeming that it was by chance he met vs but I obserued that he had some good while followed vs with his eye And because we sate without any words and that he had a good voyce I sayd to him that hee should binde vs much to him if he would sing I will said he if that fayre will commaund me poynting to Leonide Such a commaundement said she would be a great indiscretion but I will make vse of my prayer especially if you haue any new thing I will willingly answered Polemas and moreouer I assure you that this which you shall heare was made but in the time of the Sacrifice while you were in your prayers And how said I is my companion then the subiect of this song Yes in deed answered he and I am witnesse And then he began to sing We sate very attentiâ—e and it may be I had knowne more had it not beene for Leonide who fearing that Polemas would shevv that which she would hide from me suddenly as he had ended took hold I dare lay a wager said she that I can diuine for whom this Song was made and then drawing neere his eare made as if she named some but indeed she bade him take heede what he sayd before me He being discreete drew backe and answered You haue not diuined right I sweare vnto you it is not for her whom you named Then I perceiued she would hide her selfe from me which was the cause that fayning to gather some floures I went from them on the other side yet not without hauing an eye to their actions Now Polemas himselfe since hath told me all but it was after his affection was passed ouer for so long as that lasted it was not in my power to make him confesse any thing Being then alone they took vp againe the discourse which they had left and she was the first that beganne And why Polemas sayd shee doe you iest thus with your friends Confesse the truth for whom are these verses Faire Nymph sayd he in your soule you know for whom they are as well as I. How sayd shee doe you beleeue me to be a diuiner Yes certainely answered Polemas and of those that obey not the gods who speak by their mouth but make themselues obeyed of him What meane you by that enigmaticall speech sayd the Nymph I meane sayd he that Loue speakes by your mouth otherwise your words would not be so full of fire and loue that they can kindle in all that behold them so burning coles and yet you obey him not though he commaund that he who loueth should be beloued for disobedient you worke that they who die of loue for you may well feele you faire but neuer louing nor so much as onely pitifull I speake for mine owne particular that may sweare with truth that in the world there was neuer beauty better beloued than yours of me In saying these last words he blushed and she smiled answering him Polemas Polemas the old souldiers shew their skarres for witnesse of their valour and complaine not at all you that complaine of yours would hardly shew them if Loue as your Generall to giue you a worthy reward should demaund to see them Cruell Nymph sayd the knight you deceiue your selfe for I may onely say to him Loue put away thy skarfe and behold the eyes of mine enemy for he can no sooner open his eies but he shall see the wounds that I beare in my heart not as you say in my complaint but in making it my glory to haue so worthy an Author of my wounds So that you may iudge that if Loue will enter into reason with me I can sooner satisfie him than you for hee can perceiue the blowes which you cannot because that the fire cannot burne it selfe no more are you being insensible of your owne beauties to be so of our teares nor offended where the armes of merit cannot resist if those of pitty at the least abate the sharpenesse of your rigours to the end that they that adore you for faire may commend you for courteous Leonide loued this knight but would not he should know it as yet But she likewise feared that putting him quite beside all hope shee might also make him lose his courage which was the cause that she answered him If your loue be such the time will
that I desire it should be the cause of your contentment I know the long seruice which this shepheard hath done you I know with how much honour hee hath wooed you I know with what affection he hath continued these many yeeres and moreouer with what sincere and vertuous amity you haue affected him The knowledge of all these things makes me desire death rather than to be the cause of your separation Thinke not that it is Ielousie that causeth mee to speake in this manner I shall neuer enter into any doubt of your vertue since I haue heard with mine eares the wise discourse which you haue had with him No more thinke you but that I beleeue that losing you I shall likewise lose the best fortune that I could wish for but the onely cause that driueth mee to giue you to him whose you ought to be is this O wise Bellinde that I will not buy my contentment with your euerlasting displeasure and truely I should thinke my selfe to be culpable both before God and men if by my occasion so good and vertuous an amity should be broken off betvveene you I therefore come to tell you that I choose rather to depriue my selfe of the best alliance that euer I shall haue to set you in your former libertie and to giue you backe againe the contentment which mine would haue taken from you And besides that I thinke to do and performe that which I beleeue my duetie commaundeth me it shall be no small satisfaction to me to thinke that if Bellinde be contented Ergaste was an instrument of her contentment Onely I doe require that if heerein I binde you being the cause of the re-vnion of your amity you will be pleased to receiue mee as a third to you two and that you will yeeld mee the same part of goodwill which you promised to Celion when you did thinke to marry Ergaste I meane that I may be a friend to you two and be receiued as a brother Can I faire Nymph shew you the contentment vnhoped for of this shepheardesse I thinke it is impossible for she was so surprized that she knew not with what words to thanke him but taking him by the hand she went to sit downe on the turfes of the fountaine where after she had paused a while and seeing the good will wherewith Ergaste bound her she declared all along what had passed betweene Celion and her and after a thousand kinds of thankes which I omit for seare of troubling you she besought him to goe seeke him for that the transport of Celion was such that hee would not come backe with any man in the world that should seeke him for that he would neuer beleeue that good will of his whom he had neuer giuen such cause to if it were assured him by any other But on the contrary he would imagine it were a trick to bring him backe Ergaste that desired in any case to end the good worke he had begunne resolued to be gone the nextday with Diamis the brother of Celion promising her not to come backe without bringing him with him Beeing then departed with this purpose after hee had sacrificed to Thautates to desire him to direct them to the place where they might find Celion they tooke the way that first offered it selfe to them But they had sought long in vaine before they had any newes if himselfe transported with fury had not resolued to returne into Forrests to kill Ergaste and then with the same weapon to pierce his owne heart before Bellinde not being able to liue and know that another enioyed his good In this rage hee set himselfe on his way and because hee nourished himselfe but with hearbes and fruits which hee found along the way hee was so feeble that he could scarce goe and had not his rage carried him hee could not haue done that yet must he diuers times of the day rest him especially when sleepe pressed him It fell out that wearied in this sort hee lay downe vnder some trees which gaue a pleasing shadow to a Fountaine there after he had some while thought of his displeasures he fell asleep Here Fortune who delighted her selfe with the griefes shee had wrought him disposes to make him intirely happy Ergaste and Diamis passed by this way and by chance Diamis went first on the sudden when he saw him he knew him and turning softly came to aduertise Ergaste who very ioyfull would haue gone to embrace him but Diamis held him backe saying I beseech you Ergaste doe nothing herein that may turne to euill my brother if at once wee should tell him this good newes would dye with ioy and if you knewe the extreme affliction that this accident hath brought him you would be of the same minde Therefore me thinkes it will bee better that I tell it him by little and little and because hee will not beleeue me you may come after to confirme it Ergaste finding this aduice good got behind some trees where he might see them and Dianis went to him And it must needes be that he was inspired by some good Angell for if at the first Celion had spyed Ergaste it may be that following his resolution he had done him some displeasure Now at the time that Dianis came towards him his brother awaked and beginning againe his ordinary entertainements hee set himselfe to complaine in this manner A PLAINT BEsides the wees of humane state Lighting on nought to comfort me Vnlesse it be to wayle my Fate I sigh for death which will not be My shield is hope that cannot fall But that same sword that entting is Which mischiefe angers me withall Is euils too assur'd to misse I hope in my long misery To see my dole some end to haue But how I must not hope to see Vnlesse it be within my grane Count you him not most miserable And all the gods his enemies Whose hope that is most fauourable In death and in his last Fate lies Where are the thoughts of courage high Resolu'd for euill heretofore But where am I or who am I I vnderstand my selfe no more My soule through griefe is so confus'd That what as now it seemes to crane It on a suddaine leaues refar'd Then whom with ease she might it haue Brought to this state it cannot see Nor what it hath nor what it is O wherefore then must we needes be When euery thing tastes â—s amisse Dâ—amis would not come suddenly on him but after hee had harkened somewhile he made a noyse purposely that hee might turne his head towards him and seeing that he beheld him astonished hee went softly to him and after he had saluted him he sayd I thanke God brother that I haue found you so fitly to doe you the message that Bellinde sendes you Bellinde sayd he presently It is possible she should haue any remembrance of me betweene the armes of Ergaste Ergaste said Diamis hath not Bellinde betweene his armes and I hope
if you haue any resolution she shall neuer be his And doubt you answered Celion that resolution shall be wanting to me in such an affaire I would say replyed Diamis wisedome I thinke answered Celion there as no wisedome that can crosse the order that Destiny hath resolued Destiny sayd Diamis is not so contrary to you as you thinke and your affaires are not in so euill termes as you beleeue Ergasts refuses Bellinde Ergaste sayd Celion refuse her It is certaine continued Diamis and that you may be better assured Ergaste himselfe seekes you out to tell you so much Celion hearing these newes stood without answer almost besides himselfe and then speaking againe You deceiue your selfe brother sayd he or say you this to abuse me I sweare answered Diamis by the great Thautates Hesus and Tharamus and all that which wee account most sacred that I tell you true and you may soone know it of the shepheard Ergaste Then Celion lifting vp his hands and eyes to heauen O God said ne to what more happy end doe you reserue me His brother to interrupt him said You must talke no more of misfortune and death but onely of ioy and contentment and aboue all prepare to thanke Ergaste for the good which hee hath done you for I see him come towards vs. At this word Celion rises vp and seeing him so neere ranne to embrace him with as much good will as a little before hee had borne him malice But when he knew the truth of this affaire hee cast himselfe on his knees before Ergaste and would haue kissed his feet I cut off all their discourse faire Nymph and will onely tell you that being returned Ergaste 〈◊〉 him Bellinde and with the consent of his father hee caused her to be espoused to him and onely desired as he had before requested Bellinde that Celion would accept him for a third in their honest and sincere affection and giuing himselfe entirely to them would neuer marry See faire and wise Nymph that that it pleased you to know of their fortune which was pleasing to all three so long as it pleased God they should liue together for some while after there was borne them a sonne whom they called Ergaste for the amity they bare to the gentle Ergaste and long to preserue his memory But it fell out that in the cruell pillage which some strangers made in the prouinces of the Sequans Viennois and Segusians this little Insant was lost and dyed without doubt for want for they neuer heard newes of him And some yeeres after they had a daughter named Diane but Celion nor Ergaste had not long the pleasure of this childe because they dyed shortly after and both on one day and this is Diane of whom you asked me newes and who is accounted in our Hamlet for one of the fayrest and wisest shepheardesses in all Forestes The end of the tenth Booke THE ELEVENTH BOOKE OF ASTREA AND CELADON CELADON went on in this sort telling to the Nymph the history of Colion and Belinde while Leonide and Galathee talked of the newes which Flurial brought them for as soone as the Nymph perceiued Leonide she tooke her aside and bid her take heede that Flurial saw not Celadon for said she he is so intirely for Lindamor that the beast wil tell him all he sees entertaine him then and when I haue looked ouer my Letters I will tell you what newes I haue At this word the Nymph went out of the chamber and led Flurial with her and after some other speeches shee said to him Well Flurial what newes bring you to my Lady Very good answered he and such as she and you would wish for Clidaman is well and Lindamor hath done such wonders in the battaile that it is found that Meroue and Childerick esteeme of him as his vertue deserues but there is a young man with me that would speake with Siluy whom they at the Gate would not suffer to enter who will tell you much better all the particulars for that he came from thence and I receiued these Letters at my Aunts whither one of Lindamors followers brought them and expects an answer And knowest thou not replyed the Nymph what he would say to Siluy No answered he for he would neuer tell it Hee must said the Nymph come in At this word going toward the Gate she knew the Youth presently for she had seene him oft with Ligdamon which made her iudge he brought some newes to Siluy And because she knew well that her sister desired these affaires might be secret she would aske him nothing fayning not to know him onely she told him she would aduertise Siluy of it Then drawing Flurial aside Thou knowest well Flurial said she my friend the misfortune that is befalne Lindamor How answered Flurial we should rather thinke him happy for he hath got such glory where he is that at his returne Amasis dares not deny him Galathee O Flurial what sayst thou If thou knewst how things haue passed here thou wouldst protest that the voyage of our friend is for his part the way of death O God said he what say you for I doubt not but at his returne he will dye of sorrow Flurial said she it is as I tell thee and beleeue not that there is any remedy vnlesse it come from thee From me said he if it may come from me hold it for most certaine for there is nothing in the world that I will not doe Now said the Nymph you must then be secret and this euening I will tell you more but now I must know what the poore absent man writes Hee sent said hee these Letters by a young man who had charge to carry them to mine Aunt she hath presently sent me with them and see one that he wâ—it to you she opened it and saw it was thus The Letter of Lindamor to Leonide AS absence hath small power ouer mine owne soule so feare I it hath much ouer her whom I adore my faith tells me no but my fortune threatens the contrary yet the assurance which I haue in the wisedome of my Confident makes me liue with lesse feare then if my memory were alone Haue care then not to frustrate the hope which I haue 〈◊〉 you nor belye the assurances of our amity Well sayd the Nymph goe to the next place where thou mayest lodge this night and come hither betimes in the morning and then thou shalt know a story which will make thee wonder at it Then she called vp the Youth which would speake with Siluy and ledde him into the with-drawing chamber of Galathee where willing him to attend shee went in and gaue the Nymph to know what shee had done with Fleuriat You must said the Nymph reade this Letter which Lindamor hath written to me The Letter of Lindamor to Galathee NEither the delay of my Voyage nor the horrors of Warre nor the beauties of these new Hostesses of Gaule can so possesse
these three accidents at the comming of Amasis at the surprisall of Galathee and at your quicke inuention Shepheard sayd she that which I do proceedes of the good will I haue to rid you of your paine and would to God all the rest of your contentment would sort as luckily as this doth then you should know how much good I wish you For requitall of so great an obligation answered the shepheard I can but offer you the life which you haue preserued with such discourses they entertained themselues till Merill came into the chamber and seeing Celadon almost ready he was rauished and sayd There is no body that can know him and I that am all day with him would not beleeue it is he vnlesse I saw him dressing Celadon answered him who told you I was disguised Thus it was answered he My Lady who commanded me to call you Lucinde and that I should say you are the kinswoman of Adamas and sent me presently to the Druide to let him know it who could not forbeare laughter when he heard it and he promised me to do as my Lady had appointed See that all things goe well sayd the shepheard and take heed you forget not your selfe In the meane time Amasis being come out of her charriot met Galathee at the stayres foote with Siluy and Adamas Daughter sayd she you haue bene ouer long in your solitarinesse I must recreate you a little specially for that newes which I haue seene from Clidaman and Lindamor doe reioyce me that I can enioy it no longer alone therefore came I vnto you to giue you a part and desire to haue you goe with me to Marcellis where I will haue bonefires made for so good newes I thanke God answered Galathee for so great happinesse and I beseech God to keepe you yet an age longer but indeed Madame the place is so pleasing to me that it makes mee sorry to leaue it It shall not bee long replyed Amasis but because I will not goe backe till toward night let vs go walke and I will tell you al that I haue learned Then Adamas kissed her robe and sayd your newes madame must be good since to tell them to my Lady your daughter you came abroad so early It is two or three daies sayd Amasis since I receiued them and suddenly resolued to come hither for me thinks I cannot ioy at such contentment alone and indeed the thing deserues to be knowne With such discourse she descended into the garden where beginning to walke hauing Galathee on the one side and Adamas on the other she went on in this sort The history of Lidias and Melander COnsidering the strange accidents which happen by Loue mee â—hinks we are almost constrained to confesse that if Fortune haue many wheeles to aduance and cast downe to turne and change humane things the wheele of loue is that with which she often serues her turne for there is nothing that yeelds so many changes as this passion of Loue. The examples are alwayes so common before our eyes that it should be superfluous to tell them Yet must you confesse when you haue heard what I will I say that this accident is one of the most remarkable that yet you haue euer heard told You know how Clidaman by lot became seruant to Siluy and how Guimaâ—â—es by the letter which he brought from his brother became likewise amorous I assure my selfe since that time you cannot be ignorant of the designe that made them both depart so secretly to seeke out Meroue nor that I might not leaue Clidaman alone in a place so farre off I sent after him vnder the charge of Lindamor a company of yong knights of this country but you can hardly know what befell them since their departure and that is it which I will now tell you for there is nothing more worthy to be knowne As soone as Clidaman came to thearmy Guimantes who was well knowne there brought him to kisse the hands of Meroue and Childericke and without shewing who he was only gaue them to vnderstand that he was a yong knight of a good house that desired to serue them They were receiued with open armes and especially for comming in a time when their enemies had renued their forces and taking good courage had threatned to giue battell But when Lindamor was come and that they knew what Clidaman was the honour and welcome which they did him cannot be told for within two or three fights he was so famous that both his friends and enemies knew him and esteemed of him Among other prisoners which he and Guimantes tooke for commonly they went together in all enterprises they found a youth of great Brittaine so faire but so sad that it wrought pittie in Clidaman and because the longer he remained in captiuitie the more appeared his sorrow one day he caused him to be called before him and after he had enquired of his estate and condition he asked the occasion of his sadnesse saving that if it proceeded of his imprisonment he must like a man of courage beare such accidents and he was to thanke the heauens that had prouided hee should fall into their hands since hee was in a place where he should receiue nothing but curtesie and the delay of his libertie proceeded but from the command of Merouâ— who had forbidden that the prisoners should as yet be ransomed and when he would giue them leaue he should see what their curtesie was This yong man thanked him yet was not able to forbeare fighing whereat Clidaman somewhat more moued demanded the cause to whom he answered Sir knight this sadnesse which you see painted in my face and these sighes which steale so often from my brest proceed not of this prison you speak of but of another which binds me more stâ—aightly for time and ransome may free mee from this but from the other there is nothing but death that can â—â—deeme mee And I am resolued to beare it with patience if I did not foresee an ouer-speedie end not by my death onely but the losse of that partiâ— that keepes me in so strait hold Clidaman knew well by his words that it was Loue whereof he laboured and by the experience which he had found in himselfe considering the disease of his prisoner he tooke such pittie on him that he assured him his liberty the soonest hee could possibly knowing well by proofe that they be the passions and disquietnesses that accompany the person that truly loues Since faid he you know that it is Loue and that your courtesie binds me to beleeue that the knowledge you may haue of me shall not make you change your good will to the end you may iudge of the cause which I haue to complayne of or rather to despayre of seeing the euill so neere and the remedy so farre so you will promise me not to discouer it I will tell you things which without doubt will astonish you and when he had promised
one attainted if he had any of his friends that would offer himselfe for him he proffered to fight in that quarrell that if he were ouercome he would set him at liberty that otherwise lustice should be done And to giue time to his kinsfolkes and friends he would keepe him a moneth in his custody that if none come within that time hee would giue him ouer into the rigorous hands of the Ancients of Roaâ— to be handled as he deserues and that there might be no aduantage to any he would this Combat should be fought with Sword and Dagger in their shirts But Lipandas being accounted one of the valintest men in all Normandy there was not one that had the hardinesse to vndertake this combate besides that the friends of Lidias not vnderstanding of it could not performe that good office Sir knight when I remember the contraries which shake me when I heard this newes I must confesse I was neuer more confounded in my life no not when this perfidious man forlooke me Then would Loue haue me know that the propositions made against him are more weake when he will then the waues that beat in vaine against the rock to make it shake for to pay the tribute of Loue you must run to the ordinary moneys with which his imposts are payd which are teares But after long and vaine bewailing the persidious Lidias I must in the end resolue of his safetie thogh it cost me both my restanâ—d honor And transported with this new furie or rather with this renewing of Loue I resolued to go to Callais with an intent to finde the meanes there to aduertise the kinsmen and friends of Lidias and giuing order with as great secresie as I could for my voyage one night I stole away in the habit you see me but my fortune was so hard that I stayd aboue fifteene dayes before I could find a ship that went that way I know not what became of my parents when they saw I was gone for I heard no newes of them since onely I know the old age of my poore father can hardly beare out this griefe for he loued me more tenderly then I did my selfe and hath euer so carefully bred me that I am oftentimes astonied how I could endure the discommodities which since my departure I haue borne and I must say it is Loue and not my selfe But to hold on our course after I had stayd fifteene or sixteene daies at the Sea side at last there came a ship in which I went to Callais when I had no more then fiue or sixe dayes of the Terme that Lipandas had giuen The tossing of the ship had so distempered me that I was constrained to keepe my bed two dayes so that I had no time to aduertise kinsmen of Lidias especially not knowing who they were nor where they dwelt If this troubled me you may iudge especially because me thought I was come at the time to see him die and to be present at his funerals O Gods how do you dispose vs I was so ouerlayd with this disaster that day and night the teares were in mine eyes At last the day before the Terme transported with a desire to dye before Lidias I resolued to enter into the combat against Lipandas What resolution or rather what despaire was this for all my life long I neuer tooke sword in my hand knew not well with which hand to hold the dagger or the sword and yet behold me resolued to enter into combat with a knight who all his life had bene vsed to that mysterie and who had alwaies wonne the title of braue and valiant But all these considerations were nothing against me that chose to die before he whom I loued lost his life And though I knew well I could not saue him yet was it no little satisfaction to me that he should haue that proofe of my loue One thing tormented me infinitely which I endeauoured to remedie which was the feare lest Lidias might know me and left that might hinder my designe because we were to fight vnarmed To remedy which I sent a scroule to Lipandas whereby after I had desyed him I desired that being both knights wee might serue our selues of the armor which knights vse and not like desperate persons Hee answered that the next morning he would be in the field and that I might come armed and so would he though he would haue it at his owne choyce after he had begunne the combat in that sort for my satisfaction to finish it for his owne as he had propounded at the beginning I that doubted not but in what sortsoeuer I was to die accepted what he would And with this purpose in the morning I presented my selfe in the field armed at all poynts but I must confesse the truth I was so combred with my armor that I knew not how to stirre They that saw me go staggering thought it was for feare of the combat and it was out of weakenesse Soone after behold Lipandas came armed and mounted to his aduantage who at his first setting out made them afraide whom the danger no way touched and beleeue you not that I was amazed But when the poore Lidias was brought on a scaffold to be present at the combat for the pitie which I had to see him in such case touched me so that I stayd long without being able to stirre At last the Iudges led me to him to know if he accepted me for his champion Hee asked me who I was then counterfeiting my voyce content your selfe Lidias sayd I I that am the onely man that will vndertake this fight for you Since it is so replyed hee you must be a person of valour and therefore sayd he turning to the Iudges I accept him and as I was going he sayd Valiant knight feare not but our quarrell is iust Lidias answered I I would you had no other iniustice and then I withdrew my selfe so resolued to dye that I hardly tarryed for the trumpets giuing signall of battaile Indeede at the first sound I set forward but my horse shooke me so sore that in stead of bearing my lance as I should I let it go as Fortune would so that in place of striking him I thrust it into the necke of the horse leauing the speare in his body whereupon the horse ranne at the first about the field in despite of his maister at last fell downe dead Lipandas was comming against me with such an eagernesse to do well that his ouer great desire made him misse his blow for my part my horse went whither he would for all that I could doe was to keepe my selfe from falling and stopping of himselfe and hearing Lipandas crying to me to turne him with many reuilings for that I had killed his horse I came backe when I had layd my hand on my sword the best I could and not without paine but my horse which happily I had spurred more then his courage would beare as soone