Dreame which she had This message caused Hylas to be hotter upon his departure then before and seeing that the venerable Chrysante could not go his importunity was such that the fair shepheardesses were forced to go away sooner then otherwise they would Astrea indeed was very desirous of haste in going though her discretion did hansomely dissemble it which Hylas and his free humour could not Having therefore taken their leave they set forward accompanied with the kind shepheards and because the Paths were in some places very narrow every one did undertake the conduct of her who was most agreeable to his fancy except Silvander who out of respect was forced to quit Diana unto Paris and Diana had desired Phillis not to be farre from her lest Paris should fall into discourse of his affection Phillis therefore took Diana by the other arm and mixed discourse amongst them seeming as if without design It happened that being come out of the Wood and having passed over Lignon at the bridge of Botereux the way was so broad that many might goe abrest Phillis therefore called Lycidas unto her and seeing that Silvander was constrained to entertaine Hylas Silvander said she purposely to interrupt Paris pray give me your opinion which of us two hath the better place I think answered the Shepherd that this which I have long had is the best you must have very good reasons said Phillis if you can make me beleeve it and your affection is very cold if you thinke so yet it is true said Silvander though not beleeved so as whatsoever you thinke of my place or affection to Diana I would not change with you for as sure as you are Phillis my place is better then yours I have heard said Philis that the neerer one is to the party loved the more is the Lover contented you have heard the truth replyed Silvander You see said Phillis that I am neere Diana and you are at a great distance For all that answered hee I am neerer to her then you are for you are only by her side and I am in her heart I shall no longer be sorry for the paines you take in walking said Hylas for now I see it is Diana that gives you strength to make long journeys without wearying your thighs Silvander smiled at the answer and replyed I know Hylas that you doe not understand what I say nor indeed is it to you that I speake but unto Phillis who the truth is I find to be ignorant enough in the mysteries of love but yet she is willing to learne so as she doth better deserve to heare me than you doe If Phillis desire to be a Schollar in the Schoole of love said Hylas and will follow my documents I shall make her an excellent Artist Every one laughed at Hylas and because Silvander observed that Astrea and Diana looked downe with their eyes he would change discourse therefore said unto him I perceive Hylas that you are very liberall of your Doctrine but to returne unto what I spoke unto Phillis I say againe that I am neerer Diana then she is though she stand close by her side because Diana is in my heart you said replyed Phillis presently that you were in her heart I say it againe answered Silvander beleeve it said Phillis there is a great deal of difference for if you doe love Diana it may be said that she is in your heart and if Diana love you then it may be said that you are in hers After the common and vulgarspeech said Silvander it may be so understood but amongst persons of understanding the one may be taken for the other for to be in any place is to be understood two wayes The one when the body is in a place and then the outside is in onely there the other is when the soul which is all spirit doth hover in any place as mine doth in the heart of Diana for a soule lives more where it loves then where it breaths To live is an immediate act of the soule it followes therefore that if I love Diana I am really in her it is also a common phrase to say My heart is there though my body be here This answered Phillis is a little too obscure for me but by all this you onely prove that your soule is there and not Silvander and therefore my place is the better for one part of me at the lest and that which is most apt for passion the body is neerer her then you are I confesse answered he that in body you are neerer then I am but you cannot conclude by it that your place is better because the soule is so much superiour to the body as there is no comparison betwixt them I wish withall my heart Shepheard said Hylas that we two were both in love with one Shepheardesse for since you contemne the body I would willingly take it for my share and leave the soule freely to you though it were the most learned soule among all our Druids As for example leave the body of Alexis to me and I will leave the soule of Adamas unto you who is a very knowing man Every one did laugh at this proposition unto which Silvander answered thus If all things be taken according to their true merit certainly your choise is not the best For the body which you only love is an object unworthy of the soules love because love should alwayes adde some perfection unto the Lover for it is confessed by all that love is a desire of something which is wanting Alas the body is unworthy of the soul's love because it is vile and base and much below it such Hylas as love onely the body are Pigmalion-like who fell in love with a peece of Marble Nature it selfe is very repugnant to it and you will confessâ— it Hylas when I aske you this Question If Alexis were dead would you then love her body To which Hylas making no answer I see you are mute truth hath silenced you or else you are ashamed of a bad opinion Neither the one nor the other said Hylas but what should I answer Doe you thinke I can divine I can give you an accompt of things past if I can remember them and of things present when I know them but as for things future good Friend who doe you take me for Doe you thinke I had one of the Sibils to my Tutor or that I was brought up at the schoole of Prediction Good Silvander if you discourse with me talke of things within compasse of mans capacity and let the secrets of the Gods alone leave things future unto them they have reserved them unto themselves If you aske whether I doe love the body of Alexis I answer you that I do but if you aske me what I would doe if the body had not a soule I must send you to such as can foretell things you may take them along with you if you will upon an errand to the Destinies and when
far from the eye never troubles the heart Florices stay out of Town a whole moneth a term long enough to kindle and extinguish a dozen severall loves in me had been enough to quench all my flames to her But her stay being to continue a longer time I resolved with my selfe to take my leave of her for I could never like those loves that can feed themselves with thoughts and fancies and fond imaginations But finding Love to be a fire and my selfe burned with it I thought the best Cure was by sympathy and to cure my selfe by another fire and in order to this I sought out for some new beauty which might cure my old burn and at last heaven which alwayes favours designes that are just sent me such a fire as I stood in need of One evening as I was walking without any other design but taking the air by the River Arar close by a Bridge and looking about I espied three Coaches drawn by six Horses apeece And because that was amongst us an equipage unusual I drew neerer the bridge to see them passe In one of them was four Ladies habited much different from our Mode and very rich and their uncouth habits made me look upon them with more curiosity and eagernesse The first whom fortune fixed my eye upon did keep it upon her as long as I could see She was in the first Coach and seated in the best place her hair was faire something inclinable to Chesnut her Complexion no dye could make a mixture of such perfect vermilion upon snow her eyes black but so quick sweet and piercing as no heart had humour good enough to resist them her lips exact Corrall her Nâ—ck a Column of purest Alablaster and every part proportionable in perfection as for her stature I could not perfectly see it but as near as I could judge it was neither tall nor little as for her Hand which she often shewed in lifting up her haire which lay upon her shoulder in curles it could not be equalled unto any thing so well as to the whitenesse of her neck Judge Madam whether such a beauty could be looked upon and not loved she was the fire by which I cured all my other burnings so as quite forgetting Circinea Palanice Dorinde and Florice I devoted my selfe wholly unto her But perhaps you will thinke it strange that she being in a Coach and onely passant I should observe so many particulars in this beauty but you must consider that I looked upon her with more eyes then my own and had those of love to help me in looking upon this wonder Nor must you believe any such thing which Silvander is often alleadging that Love is blind but on the contrary that those who look with his eyes can look through dresses and see such beauties as are hid from others But it seems that love had a design upon me at this time for he would not let me make use of his eyes and my hands but loadned the Coach heavier then it was before because it carried my heart away with it I see Silvander you laugh and I know you would say that the Coach was not a jot more loadned for having my heart in it but know that my heart as light as it is yet is as heavy as yours I know not that said Silvander but I am sure the Coach which carried your heart had need go very fast or else your heart would quickly be out for it cannot endure to be long in a place This said Hylas was Perianders opinion when he found me looking upon these strangers as they passed This good friend of mine perceiving me halfe out of my selfe did begin to suspect the cause and coming unto me Courage Hylas said he unto me you will recover of this I warrant you as well as you have done of others I answered him with a love sick look I see Periander you mock me but did you know how great my pain was you would pitty me though I must confesse it proceeds from love Ah ah my friend said he and laughed have a good heart this is not the first time you have been sick of the same disease and never dyed 'T is true said I unto him then I did know who was the cause but now I am ignorant of it How friend said Periander and laughed What in love and knows not with whom So it is said I unto him and I cannot help it Love has catcht me That you do love said he I doe believe but that you should love and not know her whom you doe love though I should believe you in any thing else yet in this I am incredulous And if it be true I say it is a thing as easily done as to perswade any to believe it Whether you believe it or no said I and sighed yet I am sure it is so How long said he have you been sick of this fantastical disease A little longer answered I then we have been talking of it Upon this Perâ—ander laughed and laying his hand upon my shoulder said Well friend if you be long sick of this disease I will pay your Doctors then he offered to go away but I laid hold upon his Cloak What said I unto him is this all the helpe and consolation I must expect from your friendship What can I doe for you answered he as long as you doe not know her that is the cause of your malady You may help me replyed I and contrive it how I should come to the knowledge of her whom I adore This is strange folly said he Can I know her better then you doe Why not replyed I Is it not ordinary for people in health to tell sick folks their disease and to give them such remedies as they themselves knew not Ah Periander did you love me as well as you professe you would not deny me that assistance which friendship requires To which he answered In the name of Heaven Hylas what would you have me to say or doe upon my faith I think you are become a fool A fool said I is it folly to love her whom I adore she whom I am ready to die for will not yeeld unto any Goddesse in beauty she has more Graces then all the Graces themselves and if Love were not hood-winckt doubtlesse he would dote upon her but the truth is I know not who she is This is fine folly indeed replyed he where and when did you see her Oh Heavens said I are you blind that you could not see the Sun when it shin'd Did you not see the Coaches which passed by In the first of them was she whom I love and know not Is it so said he unto me then friend know that you are a Prisoner unto a Prisoner Gondebunt our King did take them beyond the Alpes and hath sent them hither as Trophies of his Victory Thus I understood who this faire stranger was and had it not been very late I had endeavoured to have seen
go astray he was never at rest till he had brought them back unto Silvanire If she chanced to lye longer in bed any morning then ordinary he was so careful in enquiring of her health and in driving her Sheep with his own unto the pasture that none living could be more officious and careful And when she came unto him he would give her an account not only of what he had done but also of every thought beseeching her to have a care of her health and leave the care of her flock unto him One day when he brought back a strayed Sheep unto her Sweet Aglantes said she unto him which way can I requite all this pains you take for me By permitting me to serve you answered the Shepherd That payment is easily made answered she but I fear such coyn is not good enough to satisfie so great a debt I do esteem that permission which I ask at so high a rate said Aglantes that if I do but obtain it I shall think my self over payed not only for those services which I have already rendred but also for all those which I shall or can render Why do you esteem that permission continued she at such a rate because said he my highest contentment and my greatest ambition is all my life to be your servant I see answered she that those servants which my Father keeps do ask other wages then that permission Oh Fairest Silvanire answered he they are not servants but varlets drudges or slaves What difference do you put said Silvanire betwixt them and servants They replied Aglantes are mercenary and serve for money or fear but servants since all they do is out of Affection and Love are most commonly and may rightly be called Lovers who are fully contented if their services be but acceptable to them unto whom they are rendred I do much wonder then answered the child why my Father does not rather keep of these Lovers then others Aglantes could not chuse but smile at this simplicity and though in reason his age should not make him more knowing in these things then Silvanire yet the freedom which is commonly used in talk of such things amongst boys more then amongst wenches had made him better acquainted with such things then she was he smiled therefore and answered thus There is Fairest Silvanire abundance of difference betwixt slaves and Lovers not only in that which I formerly said but also in that one may entertain as many mercenary varlets as they please but they must never entertain above one Lover and more then that none but women can have them So then replied she since you are my Lover must I not entertain any other The truth is answered he that unless you do me wrong you must not I shall never by my good will wrong you answered she with a strange innocence but if it happen so that any other should meet with one of these Lovers who is ill favoured and dis-agreeable can she never have any but him Sweet-heart answered Aglantes you must know that Shepherdesses are not constrained to entertain all the Loves which present themselves they have liberty to chuse but when they have once made their choise they cannot quit them without shewing themselves either inconstant or weak in judgement and both these reproaches are shame unto a discreet and wise woman Then it seems replied she that if any of those Lovers do offer themselves unto me I may refuse them by saying that I have one already I do relate these trivial particulars Reverend Father to shew you at what age Silvanire and Aglantes began to Love one another For ever since that time this plant so grew that whosoever offered to cut it up was doubtless punishable before the Throne of Love But when Silvanire was grown a little elder and old enough to know the truth of these Queries which she put unto Aglantes she learned that every wise woman ought to obey those unto whom she owed her being and not to dispose of her self according to her own will farther then as they approved And because this knowledg came a little too late because Love had already sowed such seeds as had taken deep root in her soul and could not be pulled up without abundance of sorrow she resolved since she could do not better to feign that she was free in her captivity And though this dissimulation was a hard task yet she shewed her self to have a very great power over her actions Aglantes for four years together lived in such incertainty of her good will that he could not say he ever received any other testimonies then such as might make him think that she held him in the rank of common indifferency such as she shewed unto all a most incredible prudence for a woman of her age and certainly not to be parallelled At that time I began to be familiar with this Fair and Wise Woman and I must confess that her virtue her discretion and her beauty made me almost in Love with her and to my great happiness I met with a mutual return also I believe that upon this she resolved to retire in appearance from that good will which as a child she had signified unto that Shepherd so as by help of this diversion she was able to be absent from him The cold usage wherewith she began to entertain Aglantes went so to his heart that it almost struck him dead with wonder to see such an alteration and after he had filled all our solitary places woods and caves full of his complaints an old Pastor came unto him when he was in a dark valley and thinking that none heard him he broke out into a thousand sad complaints which might give knowledg unto this old and experienced Shepherd of his misery this old man being long since a friend unto the Father of Aglantes after he had harkned a while unseen he went unto him and gave him a very sharp reprehension telling him he ought not to spend his pretious time in such vain thoughts but rather in comforting his aged Father and looking to his Flocks and Family That the Gods would punish him if he thus deceived the hopes which every one had in him that this enemy which kept him in such servitude was to be overcome by flying that idleness was both the Mother and the Nurse of contempt and want and repentance would be all the fruit he would gather from it But the young Shepherd being swelled with his pleasing passion Father answered he I must needs confess that those who do Love a subject which does not deserve it ought to be blamed and reprehended and those again who do not Love that which is amiable want judgment and are ignorant and therefore for my part I will cherish my affection and when I cease my life shall cease with it As for Arion I hope he will help me to support my torment I know what filial duty belongs unto him and I have ever found his Paternal
honour answered he as to be surprised in a lie you need not fear that shame replied she for you know that none can look into your heart to convince you Actions answered he are they that open the doors of a heart and you see that all mine do testifie unto you how Thomantes does love Delphire and that he does never look with the eyes of love upon any other beauty but hers and I do make this declaration unto you upon my birth-day to testifie that I believe Heaven gave me life only to imploy it in loving and serving you which I do vow to do with so much affection and fidelity that I am forced to call my self your most devoted servant Thomantes added unto these many other expressions which for brevities sake I omit and which Delphire did not interrupt because though she had a quick wit and sound judgment yet was she so surprised that she could not answer for the respect which she bore unto him as the Son of Ericanthe the good will which she already had unto him as Thomantes the virtues and affections which she found in him and her fears to fail in her duty did hold her in a suspense of resolution and therefore Thomantes after a while of silence in expectation of her answer and when he saw she remained still mute he continued thus I perceive fairest Delphire that your silence does menace me and that those hopes which the sweetnesse of your eye does promise me are not very certain but on the contrary the augure which I might take from that black habit which you wear does but too truly portend my ruine Upon this he changed colour and his words did die in his mouth and though he did offer several times to fall again into his discourse yet he was so confused at her returning no answer that he could not speak Delphire then to ease him from any longer pain she said unto him The words Thomantes which I heard you utter are very like unto those which most Shepherds do commonly use unto Shepherdesses and I will believe they were spoken more out of custom then with any design yet the respect which I do ow unto you and the honour which you do me in discoursing with me does oblige me to esteem them as coming from so kind a Shepherd whom I will alwayes esteem and honour as I ought and as he deserves and because she would not have this discourse continue any longer or go any further at this time she went away unto her Companions Be oh sage Shepherdesse pleased to know that a long time before Filintes who is that Shepherd whom you see next unto Delphire and who is a near kinsman unto Thomantes was become a servant unto that same Shepherdess and being older then he he had also more boldness to declare himself so But some urgent affairs constraining him to leave our Town and to take a long voyage it seems Heaven would favour the design of Thomantes in taking from him this rival who was no smal mote in his eye Filintes then departed full of love and full of sorrow and about twelve or thirteen months after returned with the same love he carried away unless perhaps encreased and grown bigger as his body was But at his departure he had an opinion that he had some advantage of Thomantes yet found at his return what a mortal enemy absence is unto Love for he found the design of his rival so thriven and his own so blasted as any but himself would have lost all hopes Yet his generous courage would not shrink at any difficulties and therefore resolved a second defeat at his return then he renewed his addresses added new supplications to his old prayers and seconded his old services with new ones Briefly he was so assiduous and did so importune her that though he could not win any thing upon the resolved mind of Delphire yet he raised most extream suspitions and strong jealousies in the soul of Thomantes For though Delphire did prefer Thomantes yet the true love of that Shepherd would not let him be in rest knowing very well that love works wonders and does miracles And from hence did proceed so many disquiets and so many torments which these two Shepherds have caused unto each other And yet although their loves were very great and the violence of their affections did daily increase yet for all this the friendship and amity that was betwixt them did not alter a quality which was highly estimable in Filintes who was least loved and whose humour was naturally splenetique and yet who could submit himself unto the laws of reason The advantage of Thomantes was great having the authority of Eleaman and principally of Ericanthe to back him and yet the encouragement of Filintes was not a little having a sister brought up also with Ericanthe who had a very great prevalency with Delphire and indeed it was unto her to whom Filintes did commonly make his complaints At last it fell out that this Shepherd after he had observed upon several occasions how this Shepherdesse preferred Thomantes before him and after he had made all the complaints he could seeing that he received nothing but fresh testimonies of his being not loved and being out of all hope and patience he resolved to make a retreat and draw off from a siege which would disgrace him if continued So seeking for an opportunity of speaking to her at last finding her in a place where none could hear he gave her this language You know Delphire how I have loved you and I say you know it for your excellent and pregnant wit cannot chuse but clearly see it in all my actions ever since you can remember me you know also that coldnesse nor your disdains nor my too long absence could ever divert my affection nor in the least degree diminish it But now being pressed or rather oppressed by those scorns and injuries which I daily receive from you I come to tell you that finding them insupportable I must quit the name of servant unto Delphire and that which neither any time nor absence nor your rigours could do your scorn which is insupportable to my spirit does move me unto a just spleen Delphire without the least disquiet and almost glad of this his resolution did answer him extream carelesly I never thought nor desired Filintes that you had any mind unto that Title which now you quit and it is a thing so very indifferent unto me that if you think there is any one amongst my Companions that deserves it I shall advise you to love and serve her This cold answer and the carelesse manner of giving it did still more offend the courage of Filintes and this was the reason why he went away with a lowring brow which sufficiently shewed his ill satisfaction But spleen being a passion which blinds the judgement he thought that no way was better to be revenged upon Delphire then to divert the affection of Thomantes
nothing but truth it is reason you should know it from her since she accuseth me and would have me punished T is true said Delia it is your part to speake first I shall let you understand it in few words replyed she for our discourse was not long he spake these words unto me How Madam doe you command me to live I answered him I would not have you live as you have done for the time past for if you doe I shall never pardon you after I have given you such testimonies of my good will He answered this is a most strange command and I doe vow that I will never obey it and when I charged him with his disobedience you entred and hindred me from knowing what he would answer Then Delia turning towards me Has Daphnide told the truth said she Yes my Judg answered I and upon these words I require justice as for the injury she offered in calling me perfidious and Traytor I say nothing because you heard them and besides that they are but consequents of the first offence But said Delia which way hath she offended you For Cavaler answer unto these questions doe you not prosesse your selfe a lover of this Lady Yes answered I so that when I cease to love I cease to live Then replyed Delia do you not know that it is one of the principallest laws of Love for a Lover to obey the person loved Yes answered I and so the commands be not contradictory to his affection as if she should command him not to love her she is not to be obeyed T is true replyed Daphnide for every thing doth naturally fly that which would destroy it but how can you excuse your selfe as not offending against this Precept in this occasion where you have not onely thought the command which she made that you should love her to be strange and hard but also has vowed to disobey her My Judge answered I I did protest it and I vow and protest it still and with this resolution that if I could die and die againe aâ— many times as I have lived houres since my first birth I would rather chuse all those deaths then not vow and protest it You hear said Daphnide being extreamly angry how he speaks and judge whether he does not deserve punishment My Judge said I and smiled let my Mistresse command me to fight against a whole Army of men let her appoint me to cast my selfe into the fire nay if she please let her presently put a dagger through my heart I will immediately obey her And to let her see what dominion she has over me let her put me to what test she pleases for I am sure she cannot command me any thing be it never so dangerous or full of difficulty but my love will prompt me immediately to obedience Doe you not remember that when you first admitted me entrance and enjoyned conditions upon me how I promised to performe them all provided they did not contradict my love I doe remember it answered Delia Then my Judge replyed I methinkes you should not take it ill that I should make this vow and protestation of disobedience unto my Mistresse for had I done otherwise I had been perfidious and a Traytor both to her and Love I asked her how it was her pleasure I should live I would not have you live answered she as you have done for the time past Now if I did love her for the time past as much as a heart could love in commanding me not to love her as I did for the time past is not this to command me not to love her and should I not be disloyall and perfidious if I should obey such a command No no Madam I cannot doe it I loved you when I was a Child I have continued it when I was a man and shall love you till death nothing can divert me from this resolution it is so rivitted in my heart that it will never out as long as I live nay it will be found in my heart after my death Delia then began to smile and said I see that Love is a Child and a little thing will set him a crying my sentence is this I doe ordaine first that all differences shall cease then that Alcidon as a punishment for his fault in answering Daphnide so peremptorily that he would disobey her that presently he doe kisse the hand of his Mistresse and that Daphnide as a punishment for commanding him a thing which she would not have done had she rightly understood it that she shall kisse Alcidon as a testimony of her repentance This judgement was executed to my great contentment and we spent all the rest of the night in such pleasant discourse as when I heard a clocke strike me thought that it did not make quarters of hours I should never make an end should I relate all the discourse we had amongst us I will therefore onely tell you that being ready to depart after I had deferred it as long as possibly I could I took the hand of my fairest Mistresse and kneeling downe I said thus unto her I am now Madam upon the last minute of my happinesse for Delia and the time forceth me to depart I perceive that neither of them are sensible of my passion and for ought I perceive you who are the cause of it are as insensible as they Alcidon answered she doe not complaine of me but consider that if I did not love you I should never run the hazard of my honour and your life which is dearer to me then my owne and you thinke that the passion which blinds my eyes unto all these considerations must needs be very great Madam said I unto her this is it which most amazeth me that since you have already done so much for me you should now doe so little Then her Sister being at a little distance doing something in the Chamber Daphnide answered me Remember Cavalier that the conditions betwixt Delia and you at your first entrance into this adventure were that you should not be too importunate in your demands but to be patient and persevere At this word she held her hand unto me which with a sigh I devoutly kissed Then said I unto her all that I have to doe is to pray unto the great God Saturne who is the Governour of time that he will make it passe away quickly so as I may arrive at my happinesse before my death otherwise that if I must never arrive at it then that my life may quickly passe so as I may not live and languish too long in paine Live Cavalieâ—â— said she unto me and live contentedly and consider that I doe love you These were the last words she then spoke unto me for the clocke strucke twelve which was the hour of my departure by appointment And Delia lest he who stayed for me at the doore should be perceived would not let me stay any longer Besides I was so extreamly grieved that the
time was so expired as I could not open my mouth to bid her adieu at the lest I doe not remember what I said Thus I parted so confusedly melancholly that I was in the midst of the Garden before I spoke or answered Delia one word at which she being halfe angry What Cavalier said she unto me and pulled me by the arme have you lest both your tongue and your heart behind you I doe not know faire Delia said I unto her what I have left nor what I have brought but this adventure has given me the greatest hopes and the least effects that is imaginable Why ungratefull Cavalier said Delia could you ever imagine to obtaine more then you have from my sister Much lesse in regard of my merit said I unto her but much more in regard of my affection If you had a sound judgement said she unto me I believe you would have thought quite contrary for you might expect to obtain much since you are Alcidon so much esteemed by all that know you so as your merits might justly plead highly in your behalfe but your love cannot yet pretend unto much being so young as I cannot tell whether your affection can be called by the name of Love for the name of man must not be attributed unto one which is but newly crawled out of his Cradle How saire sister of my fairest Mistresse said I unto her doe you call my love young when it took root in me as soon as I had any knowledge of good or evill and can you call it little which in grandure surpasseth the greatest Gyant that ever breathed upon earth I think it young said she because it never took beginning till the day before you began this adventure and I esteem it little in comparison of what it will be and in reason ought to be But said she and shaked me by the hand let us leave off this discourse and tell me when you think to see us againe and what you have resolved upon with my sister You heard all our discourse answered I and I am so much grieved to part from her that I doe not remember any thing Since so said she and smiled your Mistress did very well to favour you no more for your grief would have made you forget all Doe not think so replyed I for as I have not forgotten that I did not receive those favours which I hoped for so should I never forget if I had received those favours which I desire Doe not imagine so answered she for men doe much longer remember injuries then benefits and bitternesse has a longer relish in their mouthes then sweetnesse but since you have not resolved upon any thing with my sister let me advise you to see her againe as soon and as often as you can for you must consider that nothing but eyes will satisfie love nothing will make it take root sooner then seeing her and nothing will make it grow better then often talking with her I desire Alcidon to testifie that I doe love you and since you have undertaken this adventure and since it was I who opened the door unto you I will give you such advice as questionlesse if you doe follow it you will bring your enterprise to passe I am a little elder then my sister and consequently have a little more experience then she and perhaps then you either therefore doe not sâ—ight those instructions which I shall give you unlesse you meane to repent it My sister loves you she has told me as much and you may believe it by her thus hazarding her honour for a sight of you but she is very young and by consequence naturally subject unto the imbecilities of youth Youth is apt to take any kind of impression and as apt to lose it a-again their moist memories are like soft wax you may imprint what you will and it will as easily lose the impressions if any new print be offered therefore to avoid this danger and if you will still be loved and well loved you must by your presence often renew these first impressions if you cannot doe it as much as is requisite by presence let it be by Letters and messages for when such unhop't for and unexpected Complements doe come they work very great effects for in love those contentments which are expected seem to be due and it is an injury if they be retarded or refused whereas others that come unlook't for work great effect upon that soul which receives them Fair Delia said I unto her If I could requite these favours which I receive from you with the hazard of my life I should think my selfe much beholding unto fortune But not daring to hope for so much happinesse I beseech you believe that in testimony of the esteem which I have of your judgement and good advice I will most religiously observe it and preserve my obligations unto you in my memory as long as I live and in requital though I have not a heart of mine own to present unto you I will engage my selfe to send you one which you will esteem much above that which was mine and is now Daphnides Alcidon said she and smiled I perceive by your discourse that every thing turnes to its beginning for when you came first into the Garden you talked thus of losing your heart and doe the same at your going out I wish that she who has it may long injoy it and in the meane time I shall see what effects your promises will produce as well in observing my advice as in sending me this heart which you have promised Being now come to the Garden door I took my leave of her and having found my guide we walked a gentle pace towards our rocks but as if the heavens frowned at our separation they were upon a suddain overspread with Clouds so as we did not onely lose the light of the Moon but were so wet with Rain as we were forced to shelter our selves under a thick tree until the fury of it was over My guide had so lost his aime of the way as when we went unto those who stayed for us he wandered and led me unto the head of that Fountaine which gives both the name and beginning unto the River of Sorgues This Fountaine is so beset with great Rocks that it seemes as if it were inclosed with high walles every way but that by which we came When this Spring is calm it seems to be a great well whose water being too full runs over But sometimes as my guide told me it is most horrid to behold For said he do you see that high Rock upon your left hand I assure you that it will often belch out his water as high as it with such a fury and noise that no Tempest at Sea does equal it Doe they not know the cause said I unto him No answered he for sometimes it begins to be in this fury when the weather is very faire and as now you
she was silent and said not a word more But Hylas observing this and having an opinion that if any would divert Astrea he might the more easily talke with Alexis he made a signe unto Calidon which made him more confident than usuall and therefore after an humble reverence unto the Shepherdesse he tooke her arme pretending he would helpe her to walke The Shepherdesse seeing there was no remedy turned her head towards Alexis and said thus I see that bad examples are sooner followed than the good and I must now recall that advantage which I gave unto the Shepherds of Lignon Alas said Alexis and shooke her head if our lives had none of these bitter wormwoods we should be but too happy she spoke this in so low a voice that neither Hylas nor Calidon heard her yet the cold entertainment which this shepherd received from this shepherdesse did make him thinke that she had much rather be alone with the Druide but seeming to take no notice of it he continued on his designe so as now there was none without a Companion but Silvander But Laonice who still nourished a spirit of revenge against him and sought for an occasion of doing him some signall displeasure ever since the day that by his judgement she lost Tircis seeing him thus alone she thought now that she had met with a fit opportunity she knew already what affection he had unto Diana and what affection Diana had unto him For their loves being great it was impossible to hide it from her who kept a very observant eye over all their actions Therefore seeing him alone and very pensive she went unto him and put on a face far different from her heart Shepherd said she I see so many signes of sorrow painted in your face as I cannot chuse but thinke that perhaps you are in love Shepherdesse answered Silvander I have so many severall occasions of sorrow as you need not aske me whether Love be a cause I thinke said she you have no new occasions for of late dayes you are more contented than usuall but will you give me leave to tell you what I thinke The cause of your melancholly proceeds either from a disease present or from a disease absent You must explane the Riddle answered the shepherd before I can returne an answer I meane replyed Laonice since you would have me speake cleerly that either griefe present torments you seeing another in your roome with your Mistresse or else the good which is absent for I know that you doe love Madonthe Sage shepherdesse said Silvander I see you are a great Propheresse For it is one of these two that does torment me but perhaps said he and smiled not so much as you imagine Sometimes in such diseases said Laonice one is apt not to think themselves so ill as they are but in good earnest Silvander which of these two is it that most troubles you Which doe you thinke said Silvander If I should tel you my opinion said Laonice perhaps you would not confess it Were it a crime to love said Silvander I must confesse I had no reason to confesse but since it is rather a vertue or at the least an action which in it selfe is neither good nor bad why should you thinke I will not confesse it since in denying a truth I should commit a greater sinne Most true shepherd replyed Laonice for every one who would be esteemed good ought above all things to be very carefull they never injure the truth and therefore Silvander tell me upon your reputation does not the absent good trouble you more than the present evill Silvander had no mind of making his affections knowne unto this stranger if possibly he could avoid it and therefore with a smile answered her I cannot chuse but admire at the quicknesse of your sight discreet Laonice for I durst have sworne that none had taken notice of these things but I beseech you how came you to this knowledge Silvander said she content your selfe with this that all these dissimulations which you use to Diana may perhaps amuze Thersander but not such as have with my eyes observed your actions All those that live about the delectable River of Lignon have their hearts so possessed with their owne passions as they never observe anothers have no eyes for any but for them they love But I who have nothing else to doe but to observe the actions of all I doe plainly see that Madonthe does please you more than Diana but be not sorry that I know it for perhaps it will not be unserviceable to you Madonthe loves me and I think she will be easily induced unto any thing I shall perswade I know what it is to love and which way to compasse the contentments of it and I promise you to aide and serve you in all I am able Silvander could not chuse but laugh to heare her talke thus and to confirme her in the opinion which she had conceived he beseeched her to be silent and above all not to acquaint Madonthe least it should offend her and so ruine his whole designe he thanked her for her kind offers which he would not refuse but would not make use of at that time for severall reasons which hereafter should be made knowne unto her Silvander thought himself very subtle in this but Laonice who seemed to beleeve him began to contrive the mischiefe which she intended him upon it and which since she made him pay so dear for In the mean time Paris and Diana were entred deepe into discourse for this young man was so inflamed with a violent affection unto this shepherdesse as he could never rest but when he was with her Certainly if she had intended to love any she would have pitched here but since the death of Filander she would never suffer love to take any hold of her affections thinking none worthy to be Successor unto such a shepherd as Filander If she did afterwards love Silvander it was not out of designe but upon a surprize which the merits and addresses of that shepherd made upon her so as the good will which she had unto Paris was no more than as a sister unto a brother and so farre she thought her selfe obliged by the affection he had unto her and she was hindred from any farther by the affection she bare unto the memory of the courteous Filander yet he whose affection had no limits to render unto her all possible testimonies of his love he resolved to try his fortune and thinking this opportunity to be good he would not let it slip leading her therefore by the arm he drew her a little from the rest and whilst every one was busied in their owne various conceptions he spoke thus unto her I cannot chuse but wonder fairest Diana that all my endeavours to doe you all service should not let you see the great affection which I have unto you or if you do see it I wonder more that it should
present and the evening in things future and the last of these would last so long as they would take most of the night being invited thereunto by the solitude of the place or by the silence of the night or by the pleasure I took in thinking upon my displeasures For Madam life was a thing of so little value to me at that time as there was nothing I desired more then to see the end of it And being now resolved to use no violence against my selfe I wished that some accident or other would be so friendly to me as to doe that good office for me without my contributing unto the homicide of my selfe And I had an opinion that if sorrow increased on as it had done of late it would doe the worke for me so as I suffered this opinion to sway so much in my mind as I could seldome begotten unto my lodging unlesse the good old man or my servant came to fetch me This kind of life was so agreeable to my humour as I was oft in a mind to quit both Arms and Fortune and stay here all the rest of my dayes And in order to this designe I acquainted my servant advising him to retire himselfe with those goods which fortune had given me which I would freely bestow upon him if he would leave me in this place where I would despise fortune and bid her defiance But Halladine in a flood of teares could say nothing else but that nothing under heaven should separate him from me unlesse onely death and that he wished for no greater wealth then to serve me Then presently after he had gotten me to bed and hearing me sigh he came unto me and since he perceived I could not sleep he said thus unto me Is it possible Sir you should harbour such strange thoughts of ruining your selfe Ah my friend said I unto him I shall not be so ruined here but griefe and sorrows will find me out And so they may very well sir said he unto me as long as you doe thus forget your selfe and what you were wont to be in so much as you will not endeavour your happinesse and try if you can restore your selfe unto that state which you have lost Halladine said I and sighed It is the height of imprudence to attempt things impossible Why sir said he should you give the name of impossible unto that which you have not tryed nor has any reason to be so perswaded For my part I have such an opinion of my selfe that any thing which a servant can doe is not impossible and I am much more certaine that whatsoever any Cavalier in Europe can obtaine you can if you will If this Thersander who is the cause of your misery had this consideration he would attempt to remove you from Madonthe And why should not you doe as much for him you were once in her favour and he removed you and believe it sir so may you him for that which has once been done may be done againe Dost thou not know said I unto him that Madonthe loves him Yes said he And did she not once love you But now answered I she wishes me ill Have I not seen sir answered he her scorn him and scorn is much further from love then hatred Hatred replyed I is further from friendship then scorn 'T is true replyed he but there is much difference between love and friendship for Love is more proud and never looks upon things that are despiseable but alwaies upon the rarest highest and most estimable things And this is it which makes me thinke that Madonthe after she had scorned Thersander so much as she did and afterwards did love him so she may as well you against whom she had onely hatred but never the least shadow of scorn Friend replied I It is the love thou bearest unto me moves thee to talke thus in my advantage I talk Sir replied he as any that is without passion may Well said I unto him what is it thou wouldst have me do My affection sir said he is it which moves my tongue and I beseech you sir receive my language as proceeding from thence And since you command me let me tell you I would have you assume the same kinde of life you were wont to live and try if any happy encounter will help you to recover that happiness which is ravished from you For I cannot see how it should any way advantage you to stay here I have ever had an opinion that Madonthe does not hate you or if she doe hate you yet that she does not love Thersander so well as you imagine or if she doe love him yet as she has changed once so she may change againe For I have heard say that the whole world is nothing but change but say she should change and yet believe you dead this change would not availe you at all whereas if she doe but see you it is impossible but she should revive her first sparks of good will unto you Put out a Candle Sir and bring it to another that is light you shall see how suddainly it will light againe The heart of one who once loved is of the same nature when it comes in the presence of the person loved whereas absence puts all hopes out and is the very ruine and death of love Well well Halladine said I unto him we will thinke upon it and see what the heavens will advise us unto then turning me about I seemed as if I had an inclination to sleep and yet it was onely because I would not heare any more disswasions from my solitary humour but the Candle being put out and I not being able to sleep so soone I began to consult and consider upon the reasons and arguments which Halladine urged and finding them upon serious consideration to be very solid and good I was almost in a mind to leave this place being especially invited unto it out of a puissant desire of dying For I hoped that being in quest after adventures I might perhaps meet with one that would bring me to my death Besides this I considered that it was impossible for me to stay long there and not be known since certainly those Fishermen would be blabbing out all they knew of me And being not far from the place where Thorismond kept his Court I could very hardly conceal my self any longer These considerations and some others which I will omit lest I should be too tedious in my discourse did move me to take the advice which Halladine gave And as soon as it was day I walked then told him that I would take his counsell and that he should look out to buy Horses for himselfe and me also to provide me Arms and other things requisite Away he went immediately the gladdest man in the world to see me in this mind and though he made all the haste that possibly he could yet he stayed some twelve or fifteen dayes before he could get my Arms
blood that his wounds were much worse than they were before and he in great danger I ran in a fright unto him and found that the blood was stopped but the Chirurgion desired me to let him rest all that night and told me that there was no great danger yet but that there might be if good heed was not taken Then was I forced to retire my selfe without seeing him And see Hylas what love can doe the day before I was so weary with travelling as I was not able to keep my eyes open but now after as much more pains taken I could not close an eye all the night long but was still sending to know how Arimant did and could not rest till the next morning it was permitted me to see him Brother said I unto him were you so ill and would not tell me I must confesse indeed said he that I did perceive my wounds to bleed but I must confesse withall that I was desirous to lose a little blood for you as in payment of the abundance which you lost for me Oh Brother said I unto him our designes in that were much different for in losing mine the intent was to preserve my self for you but you by this would take your selfe from me But Hylas why should I stand relating all these passages since this time which I must accompt the happiest of all my life is thus changed and nothing remaines of it but so much memory as to lament the losse of it But however let me tell you that after we had stayed six weeks in this place for the recovery of Arimant his Father sent for him for he hearing of the Duell with Clorangus he was in continuall feare of him not onely in respect of the wounds he had received but also of Rithimers hatred His being thus ill of his wounds was the cause why he deferred all his designs that he had upon me until he was better recovered and quitted his bed And now when he was recovered and well he began to urge me further then I would permit him I told him that he might consider I was his and that those Testimonies which I had given might well put him out of all doubt of it That what he desired was not reasonable unlesse upon such conditions as might be free form all manner of blame That he might well thinke that when I put my selfe into his hands it was with a designe of giving up my self entirely unto him as I had done and yet would doe but yet I beseeched him to have regard unto what both of us ought to doe for as I owed unto him all manner of contentment and satisfaction so he owed unto me the preservation of that thing which onely could make me worthy of him which was my chastity And when he answered that he never had any other designe and that he had rather die then move any thing unto me but upon conditions of marriage I told him that it was impossible the marriage could be in that place but Rithimer would know it and pursue his revenge and therefore it was requisite to deferre unto some other time and place which was out of danger Besides this consideration it were good that his Father were acquainted with it And though we were both resolved to go through with our designe yet it was but fit and reasonable to render him that duty I put him in minde that the Gods were well pleased with the reverence and obedience of Children to their Parents and that if we did so they would blesse our intentions and actions the better To be briefe Hylas I used so many arguments and reasons to him as he taking me in his armes and kissing me It is impossible said he to resist against any thing you please and therefore order and dispose of my life and contentment as you shall think good And when he received his Fathers command to go unto him doe you not see said I unto him how God begins to prosper our designe since we are going unto that place where we may more easily accomplish it He therefore went unto him and carried me also but being unwilling his Father should know me before he had consented unto his marriage he changed my name and called me Cleomires saying I was a Transalpine Gaul and that I having that language I should the better passe so Then for a better colour of keeping me with him he said I had saved his life in his Combate with Clorangus having hindred two of his men in ambush from falling upon him and forced them to fly so as this generous act forced him never to part from me Thus we set forward in our journey and arrived at Eporedes where Arimants Father received us with such welcome as did manifest the affection which he bore unto his Son And when he understood me to be Cleomires of whose valour and assistance his Son had informed him I cannot expresse those thankes and offers which he made unto me for truly he was a very noble minded Cavalier full of virtue and worthy of the Title which he had Both Arimant and I were very glad of so good a beginning hoping that ere long this good entertainment would bring us to a happy conclusion of our desires Some dayes being past and Arimant not able to rest until our marriage was concluded we consulted together how to bring it about In conclusion we did all foure concur in opinion for Clarina and the young man were alwaies admitted to our Counsells that the best way was for me to make the overâ—ture unto the Father because since I came I had insinuated my selfe so farre into his good opinion us he believed whatsoever I said and would be counselled and advised unto any thing I would I took this charge upon me much against my heart thinking it to be against custome for me to be the wooer it being ordinarily the mans part Yet having already broken the customes of other women and assumed the habit of man I thought my affection at this time might well make me undertake it and seeing it was Arimants mind I thought it a crime to contradict it I went therefore unto the Father who was walking by himself in the Garden and after a salute and some discourse of the fine scituation of the place I fell at length to talk upon the contentment which every one had in seeing themselves perpetuated in their Children And afterwards hinting unto him that it should be his also when â—e considered Arimant as the most nobly accomplished Cavalier not onely of all the Salases and bâ—â—bicians but also of all Aemilia he answered me that my affection to him made me blind and moved me to think him so I must needs confesse Sir said I unto him that I doe love him above any Cavalier I ever knew but I doe assure you Sir before I did love him in that high degree I did esteem and thinke him so and all those that ever saw him are of the
in such a maze And because Astrea was very desirous to see this Astrea which he spake of Hylas said she we will think you out of your wits if you do not shew us this other Astrea and therefore shew us which way she went You may think me as much out of my wits as you please said Hylas and I assure you I think as much my self for I am the most mistaken man alive if I did not see one Astrea there and another yonder and therefore I beseech you let us go and look for her Upon this he led the way into the high wood and having looked long in vain at last he thought that he saw her sitting by an arm of the River Lignon under a shady Tree Hylas went on as fast as he could hye and when he came so neer as to know her he beckned unto the rest of the company to come neerer and taking Astrea by one hand and pointing at Alexis with the other Look Shepherdess said he unto her Are not you sitting under yonder Tree Unto which Phillis answered I believe late servant said she that you are of the nature of Lions who know their Keepers better by their clothes then by their faces Why do you say so answered Hylas Because replied Phillis those clothes which you see are like unto those which Astrea wears therefore you are perswaded it is she They talked so loud and Hylas made such a noise that Alexis turned about and saw all the company coming towards her Therefore wiping her eyes and setting as jolly a look upon it as she could she rose up and came to meet them And because Astrea and Diana beckned unto her to seem as if she were a stranger she demeaned her self so that both Hylas and Laonice did not know her As for Phillis they had acquainted her already with the passage Hylas went to her and said I assure you fair Shepherdess you had almost turned my mind when I saw you at a distance and now I see you neerer I am afraid you will quite make me alter my affection Alexis seeming not to know him or what he said I beseech you Shepherd said she pardon me if I do not answer for I do not understand what you say I mean replied Hylas that taking you for Astrea in one place and seeing Astrea presently in another I was almost out of my wits but now I do see you perfectly I fear you will steal away my heart which I gave unto another You do very much oblige me answered Alexis to take me for so fair a Shepherdess whom I have so much desired the happiness of seeing and knowing but then you do as much dis-oblige me in suspecting me for a Thief for you must know I never use to take anything but what is my own But if you will repair the injury you have done me shew me which of all these fair ones is Astrea and I will pardon the offence I believe said Hylas that did you know me you would not think that in letting you take my heart from another I have committed any offence for Hylas never gives it unto any yet since it is an easie matter to repair the injury which you pretend I have done you I will not dispute it any further upon condition that when i have satisfied your curiosity in shewing you Astrea you will not disdain to accept the gift of this heart of Hylas and so free your self from the guilt of theft First answered the new Shepherdess shew me which is Astrea and we will talk afterwards of the heart of Hylas as it seems you call your self This is she answered Hylas and shewed her Astrea who could not chuse but laugh as well as all the company to see Hylas so blind as not to know Alexis who going unto Astrea saluted her and held some discourse of civility purposely to deceive Hylas the more who was so much taken with the behaviour of this stranger that he could not chuse but press her to the reception of his heart How now my late servant said Phillis what will Stella say when she hears you offer your self unto this Fair stranger What should she say answered he but that I have observed our articles by which it was permitted me to Love whom when and where I lifted without any offence to her How Shepherd said the new Shepherdess can you think I will allow of any sharer in Love Why not answered Hylas as long as I love you as much as you can desire But I beseech you said she would you in earnest Love me and Love another besides Yes said Hylas and if after dinner there remain any meat would you have have me throw it to the dogs And so after I have Loved you as much as you can desire and have some Love yet to spare why should I not imploy it in loving those who stand in need of it Oh Shepherd said the stranger believe it I will not allow of any sharers with me he that Loves me must Love only me and therefore you are not like to have me for your Mistris Nor you me answered Hylas for your servant and since you are of such an humour I advise you to look out for one Sylvander who is such a one as will fit your turn Now Sylvander is mentioned said Phillis where is he for I wonder we do not see him this morning It is well for you Hylas that he is not here for he would have checked you for thus talking of Love unto this Paire stranger at the first sight Hylas would have answered but Laonice interrupted him Nay nay Hylas said she you may talk of Love or what you will to day for I am sure you will not see him and though he were here I could not contradict you for he is imployed in the like service and offered himself unto it What service is that said Diana presently You must know answered the spiteful Laonice that Paris chanced to meet with a strange Cavalier who thundered out many menaces against Thersander and Sylvander undertaking to acquaint Madonthe with it from him he did this morning tell her of it and she fearing lest Thersander should receive some hurt by reason of her she resolved to return presently into Aquitain and desired me to make her excuses unto you all giving a thousand thanks for the favours she has received and promising never to forget them But poor Sylvander seeing her ready to depart and not able any longer to hide the secret affection which he bare unto her in the first place he used al the arguments that possibly he could to divert her journey and then seeing he could not prevail he offered himself to wait upon her but she being unwilling to accept of his offer lest as I believe she should make Thersander jealous she refused him an hundred times He seeing he could not obtain that favour from her he fell down upon his knees kissed her feet and conjured with the
not well and keeping her bed you left me to keep her company for I have no mind to see the Nymph as long as she continues in the humour wherein I left her But if you resolve upon this course which as I conceive is the only way to keep Alexis out of sight Two things must be done first This new Shepherdess must handsomly steal out of the company and get into her chamber lest Lerindas or Alcidon or any else should come at last to know her The other is That I do use some artifice or other to get those Shepherdesses who know of her disguise to entreat you Father that we may stay here a while under colour of Alexis recovering her complexion which she lost in her sickness for otherwise they may suspect somthing and it is not yet time for our plot to be discovered Adamas who had not yet taken notice how Alexis was disguised did wonder he should not know her and upon serious cogitation did approve of Leonides opinion But Alexis much more when she knew it as well because she thought Galathea would know her as because she was afraid that then she should lose those sweet contentments which she enjoyed with her Shepherdess whose kisses and caresses could not chuse but be pleasing unto her though she received them only under the notion of Alexis and Celadon only the Bearer of the name All three therefore concurring in opinion the thing was presently resolved upon and the new Shepherdess stole away from the company and looked her self in her chamber where undressing her self she went to bed after she had dressed her self as if she were sick On the other side Adamas having bid good morrow unto Diana and Phillis I am very sorry said he unto them all that I must leave you sooner then I resolved for fair Shepherdesses Galathea has sent for me and I must go immediately unto her Lerindas here swears he will not leave me till I go Astrea who was most sorry for the news Oh Sir said she is there a necessity of your going so soon Can you not prolong it a little Lerindas began then to speak He cannot go so soon said he nor be with the Nymph so suddenly as she desires It is not to you Lerindas that I speak said Astrea with an angry look for I know messengers are always in haste Adamas knowing very well why she said so Sweetheart said he I cannot now stay because the Nymph sends me word she has business with me and Lerindas tells me there is a stranger with her of whom she makes great account perhaps the business is of some great concernment and delay may do much hurt The Shepherdess shrugged her shoulders and with a sad look retired to Leonide who beckned to her with her singer In the mean time Adamas desired all the company to go homewards and after Dinner to go with him Of all the company none was so much amazed as Hylas for every man looking for one to wait upon particularly his desires were devoted unto the new Shepherdess and after he had looked all over for her and all in vain Fair Nymph said he unto Leonide I beseech you tell me where and what is become of that Shepherdess with whom Adamas and you were talking but almost just now Unto whom answered Leonide did you commit the custody of her Unto my eyes said Hylas Then said she you must ask your eyes for we who were otherwise busie did take no notice of her Believe me said Hylas if she return not again I laid by my stock of Love in vain which I intended to employ in her service Why replied Leonide were you so hasty in making your provision I thought you would have taken more time before you resolved upon a business of that importance Nay nay said Hylas that would be enough for Sylvander who had need to assemble all the Orders of Gaul before he can resolve whether he should Love or no. For my part I can resolve upon such a business in a day as well as he can in an hundred years For assoon as ever he sees a Fair one he consults with himself whether she has all the qualities that are fit for his Taste Perhaps he will finde her too tall or too low too black or too Brown her eyes may be too gray her nose too long or too little her mouth too big or too little perhaps her chin too sharp her cheeks too lean and if she be defective in any of these he has done But assoon as ever my eye meets with a Fair one and she seem fair unto them I never stay to examine any particulars but presently my will consents to Love her and makes provision immediatly to besiege the Fort or lay by such a sum of love as I think will buy it Me thinks Hylas replied Leonide since you have taken so much paines about this stranger you should take a little more and go to seek her whilst this Shepherdess and I do talk about some business which much concerns us Upon this both of them turning another way they seperated themselves from the rest of the Company to the end none might hear them then Leonide spoke thus unto the Shepherdesse You heard Sweetheart how Adamas said he was constrained to go away and he was of necessity so to do for otherwise the Nymph would have occasion to be angry with him But let me tell you that I was never in my life in a place from whence I am so unwilling to depart as this and not only I but Alexis also who I could never have believed would have liked it so well if I did not see it for having been brought up in great assemblies and continually conversant in the businesse of the world it is hardly imaginable that a life so retired and solitary should sure with her disposition And yet I have observed that since she came hither her complexion is much bettered which I believe proceeds from the affectionate Love she has taken unto you which is so great that yesterday she swore unto me that a separation from you would wound her very heart and soul Madam answered Astrea It is an unexpressible happiness unto me that our kind of life and our pastimes are pleasing unto you and the Fair Alexis for my part I am most entirely devoted unto both your services and think your Company my greatest honour and happinesse such is my affection unto Alexis as I protest Madam that nothing upon earth can or shall separate me from her so she will but be pleased to accept of me And therefore I do most humbly and heartily beseech you to assist me with your favour in my addresses unto her and Adamas for I am fully resolved to follow her unto Dreux and Carnutes when she returns The greatest difficulty concerning that said Leonide rests not in them for I could find a way to procure both their consents but it rests in your own Parents Oh Madam said
more then he Loves me and I vow by all the Nymphs and Deities of the River that I will never Love any else Only one thing Brother I shall request which is that you will promise me upon your Faith never to desire of me any thing which my honour and decency may not allow Let all the torments of Hell fall upon my head answered Andrimartes presently and may Heaven blast all my hopes and desires if ever I do entertain the least thought of offering beyond those Limits which you shall freely allow me When this discourse passed betwixt them Silviana was about thirteen or fourteen years of age and Andrimartes about sixteen or seventeen an age so apt to take all amorous impressions that Love did imprint in their young hearts all the characters of it self so as ever since that time they did both so grow in affection that had not their young and familiar education together been an umbrage for all their amorous actions and shadowed them with a vail of courtesy and long acquaintance certainly many had taken notice of it but since this familiarity did begin when they were little children none did wonder at their kindness unto each other especially both of them being yet but very young Thus they did live together in all possible satisfaction and contentment waiting until such time as they could handsomly procure the consent of their Parents unto a marriage And this happy condition lasted until such time as Childerick did unluckily cast his eye upon this shinning Star for seeing her at a Ball where Silviana was disguised according to the custom of the Romans he took such a liking to her that ever since he loved her most desperately Silviana took notice of it presently and because she thought it would be a sin unpardonable in her if she did not impart all that she knew unto her dear Brother as soon as ever she saw him she acquainted him with all passages Andrimartes was apt to believe it Sister said he unto her it is no wonder if all the World do Love you but must your ambition to be the Mistris of a Kings Son extinguish your affection unto a Brother And must I be the widdowed Turtle left desolate without a Companion Brother said she then unto him and took his hand be assured that you shall never be the Turtle which you speak of until death do ravish me from you and if I thought any such doubt did enter into your soul the affection which I bear unto you would be extreamly angry be confident Andrimartes that death it self shall not alter my affection for I will preserve it unto that second life which our Druides tell us of after this Here Brother said she take this Ring and if you be the same Andrimartes which I take you to be summon me by it either in this or the next life to keep that promise which now I do most solemnly confirm for ever unto you I want words Madam wherewith to express the joyes of young Andrimartes he fell down upon his knees he kissed her hand and the Ring which she gave him a hundred times with a vow to present it unto her at that time when she commanded him Then taking a pin and pricking that finger whereon he wore the Ring he caused it to bleed in several places and making his handkerchief all bloody he presented it unto Silviana Madam said he unto her I do seal the vow which I have made with my blood and I conjure you to restore me this handkerchief when you command me to restore unto you this Ring to the end that by these marks both the living and the dead may know how great the affection is which Andrimartes bears unto Silviana and how happy this affection has been above its merits in meeting with her reciprocal affection Thus did Love link the hearts of these two young Lovers together with faster knots as if all the powers upon earth were not able to unty them But for all that Childerick continued his begun Love which grew to that height that he could not enjoy any contentment nor rest but when he was with her At the first lest Merovius should be advertised of it he hid his passion as much as he could and this was the reason why he durst not in words declare it unto Silviana though all his actions did make it so apparent unto every one as it was a thing superfluous to tell her that which none was ignorant of At the same time taking infinite delight in looking upon her he commanded an Artist to take her Picture unknown unto her thinking that she would not permit it otherwise and the Picture-drawer was so ready to satisfie this young Prince as he took her Picture very exquisitely at two or three times seeing her in the Temple when Childerick saw it he kissed it a thousand times and thinking that his happiness was not compleat unless Silviana did know what â—ewel he possessed and meeting her in the Anti-chamber of the Queen his Mother he took her aside and said thus unto her Fair Silviana I can tel you some news which perhaps you are ignorant of for you think your self to be the only Daughter of your Mother yet let me tell you that you have a Sister Did I think this news to be true Sir said Silviana I should think it the best that ever I heard and think my self much obliged unto you for telling me of it You have good reason to be glad of it said Childerick for though she be not so fair as you are yet she does very much resemble you and because your self shall be judge whether or no I speak the truth pray look upon this As soon as ever Silviana saw it she presently knew it and started to see her self in any other hands then those of Andrimartes and desiring to look upon it he gave it unto her After she had a while looked upon it and not knowing how to get it handsomly from him she threw it into the fire and it was burned before Childerick took notice of it yet she did not cast it into the fire so soon as she repented of her haste when she saw that young Prince stand as if he were planet-struck with amazement and to excuse her self in some sort Oh God Sir said she it was so ill-favouredly done that I could not endure to see my self so ugly Silviana answered Childerick you have angered me to the soul and I cannot tell whether I have patience enough to endure it Sir answered Silviana and blusht I am extreamly sorry for it but the truth is it was so very ill done that I had rather have seen the Picture of death then it Love and anger had now a great debate in the heart of this offended Prince but Love at last triumphing I shall see said he whether that was your reason or no or whether you did it as an affront unto me for if it be as you say then you will
Sweet-heart said Galathea this Traytor who is yet ignorant of Clidemants death hath caused him whom you call Climanthes to come unto the same place again where he was before for my part I believe it is to try if by some other subtilty he can win upon my will to marry Polemas and Adamas whom I believe you acquainted with the knavery of this Impostor hath beseeched Amasis to know whether it be he or no and if he prove the deceiver to cause him to be seized upon for it is probable that by him we shall know of all Polemas his plots and since he trusted him with his design upon me he would not hide the rest of his design from him We were in the house of Adamas when this course was resolved upon and I had an extream desire to have you with me I said that there was none who could manage this matter better then your self who had so often talked with him In the mean time we came hither and do all that we can for our own safeties but we are so unprovided of all manner of defence as we know not which way to turn our selves This Sweet-heart is the state of our affairs which when well considered is very deplorable for we have lost Clidemant all our best subjects are either dead with him or out of the Country and we are almost in the hands of an insolent fellow whose impudent ambition threatens us with intollerable servitude Upon this the Nymph could not withhold her tears nor Leonide neither who after she had emptied her eyes and recollected her self did answer thus I must needs confess Madam that of all treasons this is the worst which being grounded upon great ingratitude it is to be hoped Heaven will never let it arrive at the end of this wicked mans desires The Gods are more just then to favour him in such unjust designs and you shall see they will send us help in our necessity from such means as perhaps we least expected Put all your confidence Madam in God and assure your self that he will not fail you besides your cause is such that though there was none but women to defend this place I believe we are enough to keep it against all men alive and for my part I believe that upon such an occasion I should be more valiant then Lindamore but Madam since you sent for me as thinking I might be usefull unto you in the business what service is it you are pleased to command me I would have you go said Galathea and see whether this man be the Impostor or no if he be the same Climanthes as I believe he is I would have you make him believe that I have an extream desire to confer with him upon a business of great concernment and if it be possible perswade him to come hither and speak with me here if you can prevail so far we shall keep him so as he shall not go out when he will if you cannot because guilty persons are always suspitious of themselves appoint a day when I may be sure to find him there for as you know he useth to hide himself some dayes and if we should go unto him with a strong hand and he not be there this would divulge our design so much as we should lose the opportunity of ever catching him After much other such discourse as this Galathea dismissed Leonide unto her rest but calling her presently back again I must needs know said she unto her what character you give of your Fair Shepherdesses how you have lived all this while of your absence from me Madam answered Leonide I can say nothing of them but that they are the fairest the most discreet and lovely women that ever I saw and their conversation is such that whosoever is weary of their company is certainly of a very ill humour the golden age Madam which men lived in long since and which is so much envied by all that lived after them could never enjoy so much contentment and pleasure as is to be found amongst them I profess Leonide said Galathea you give them such a character as makes me wish my self a Shepherdess Certainly Madam replied Leonide did you but once taste those sweets and tranquility which they enjoy you would not desire to leave them And yet said Galathea they also have their distempers and cares and inquietudes for when they lost Celadon did they not exceedingly resent the loss It is impossible replied Leonide to be in the world and be exempt from paying the tributes of humanity but I call them happy and free from inquietude when I compare our cares and theirs together I know not why you should think theirs so little replied Galathea for I have heard say that when Celadon was lost not only Astrea but all the Town made great lamentations Truly Madam answered Leonide they had shewed themselves very insensible if the loss of so well an accomplished Shepherd had not moved them I assure my self replied Galathea very subtilely that as the loss of him did fill them with sorrow the recovery of him was as joyful unto them Leonide knew the reason why the Nymph spoke thus and therefore she answered her very coldly doubtless when they do recover him it will be abundance of joy unto them all for that Shepherd was exceedingly beloved of all that knew him why said Galathea is not Celadon yet returned unto them No Madam said Leonide and now they hardly so much as think upon him Does not Astrea replied Galathea sometimes speak of him She does answered Leonide but never unless some other begin the discourse Why said the Nymph does she not love him still Or has some other succeeded him in her affection Did she love him answered Leonide she would love in vain for every one thinks him dead I assure you said Galathea that if he were dead I should exceedingly lament him for he was the finest Shepherd of all his Country and I must tell you truly the knavery of Climanthes did first move me to cherish him and afterwards his own merits moved me much more and say what you will I cannot believe but Astrea what face soever she set upon it will have him in her heart as long as she lives for I who am less concerned then she I cannot think upon him without much displeasure But added she it is late retire your self therefore and remember you go to morrow with your companion Silvia to see whether yond man be Climanthes or some other like him for the business does not a little concern us This was the first discourse which Galathea had with Leonide in private of which she was very glad yet she perceived that Galathea was not so well cured of Celadon as she made a shew of and therefore she resolved not to discover or discourse any thing of that Shepherd which might bring him into memory knowing very well that a Candle newly extinguished will light it self again even by the
not chuse but hate him It seems said Florice that you have a very bad opinion of men Yes replied Dorinde and worse then my words can express for I do believe that there is none no not one single one that can love You will alter your opinion said Palinice when you see Sylvander with Diana I cannot tell what I may do answered Dorinde but I never yet met with any woman who trusted in them that was not deceived When you understand replied Florice how some do drown themselves some banish themselves and others kill themselves by reason of too much passion you will be very hard of Belief if you do not confess that there are men in this Country that can and do love Those resolutions of which you speak said Dorinde are indeed very high but anger may produce them as well as love and who knows but that they were transported with that Passion for believe it Ladies Men are of a very bad Nature they do all by contraries they are a kind of Beasts which never do any good but when they think to do ill Thus as these Shepherdesses disputed they came to the place where Sylvander was whom they found so plunged in his own sad thoughts that for all the noise which they made he never heard them he lay all along his head leaning upon his hand his eyes up to Heaven and upon either cheek a river of tears Dorinde after she had looked upon him in this condition Is this the Shepherd said she in a low voice that never deceived any who trusted in him Why do you ask this question answered Palinice because replied Dorinde if he never did deceive any he weeps because he never did and if he has deceived any he weeps because he has deceived no more This Shepherd said Cercinea has a better reputation then so and is held for a very good man This reputation answered Dorinde is the stalking horse by which men come to deceive us But dear friends observe how a glass shews those things which are on the right side to be of the glass in its left side the best remedy is to do so with them take all that they do or say by contraries and as for the tears of this Shepherd assure your selves my Companions they are but the tears of a Crocadile he can cry and feign till he has gotten one into a belief of him and then he will deceive Nature to our misery has given them power to cry or laugh when they please so it be but to deceive a poor woman that puts her trust in them they are of a most depraved nature and are like unto hunters who make it their delight in taking abundance of paines to catch a poor silly harmlesse Woman that flyes before them The earnestness wherewith Dorinde spoke made her raise her voice so high before she was aware that Sylvander heard her and turning her face towards them he was ashamed they should so surprise him in that condition for such was his warie discretion that he had rather have dyed then give them any knowledg of that real affection which he bare unto Diana therefore to remove all such suspitions he enforced himself to shew them a more contented face then his heart was so as drying his eyes as well as he could and seeming to be doing something else Oh Fair Shepherdesses said he unto them how much am I obliged unto you for diverting me From a melancholy mood There is none of us answered Florice who are not very glad to pleasure Sylvander in any thing and thinks not our walk well imployed since we have met which such a courteous Shepherd and the rather added Cercinea because at the first we were afraid lest we should be a disturbance unto you Oh never answered Sylvander it is impossible but the presence of such Fair and Lovely Shepherdesses should bring me all manner of happiness and contentment The posture in which we found you replied Palinice made us doubt it for every thing will trouble us when we are troubled our self Sylvander now conceived that they saw those tears which he would have concealed and to drive them from any opinion that they proceeded from any Love It is very hard Wise Shepherdesses said he unto them to keep dry eyes when the soul is pressed with any tormenting thoughts for to consider that I know neither who was my Father nor Mother no nor the ground upon which I first breathed nor to have any estate or fortune or any hopes but in my own industry are not these thoughts enough to draw tears from the heart of him who is in that miserable condition Did I not say replied Dorinde that they were not tears of Love Though all my Companions would needs perswade me to the contrary Sylvander then looking upon her and not knowing her but seeing her to be very Fair and Lovely Why Fair stranger said he unto her can you discern tears of Love from others Before you ask that question answered Dorinde you should tell me whether there be any such things as tears of Love Nay rather replied the Shepherd whether there be any else but tears of Love Why said Dorinde do you think one never cryes but for Love I do not only think it said Sylvander but I am sure you will confess it when I have made you understand it That said she can never be at the least I am sure that if one never cry but for Love Dorinde never cryed your beauty and your age answered the Shepherd will hardly excuse you from paying that tribute unless Love be contented which make those only cry who do Love you If some must cry replied she I had rather the lot should fall upon any other then my self yet to return unto what we spoke of before be assured Sylvander that if none ever cryed but for Love then never any man cryed for never any man neither did nor will or can Love This opinion replied Sylvander is much worse then the first and if you please to give me leave it shall be the first that I will make cleer unto you I am afraid answered Dorinde you will but lose your labour because I have had most certain experience of what I say against which no reasons nor arguments be they never so well framed can prevail or work any effect upon me But perhaps answered Sylvander when we haâ—â— examined your reasons and experiences by a true touch-stone you may be convinced of your errour Upon which she was so prepossessed with this opinion that she would needs turn the discourse upon some other subject but her Companions did almost force her to hear what Sylvander would say and then the Shepherd began thus Amongst all the Doctors in the Massilian Schools I learned this lesson never to dispute with those that will deny Principles Tell me therefore Fair Shepherdess whither you do believe that there is any such thing in the world as is called Love I do believe
scars which he had in several places then he beseeched him to consider that for all these he had got nothing but the bare honour of spending in his service both his dayes and estate that true it was he held this honour at a high price and would not exchange it for any recompence he could give But though this was honourable for Bellimartes yet it was not sutable with the grandeur and Majesty of a great King that it should be said he had so long and so faithfully served and served a Master and received no other gratification but the empty sound of being called his servant this would argue that I did not serve a good Master Unto these considerations he added many others which so moved the heart of that generous King as after he had layed the fault upon himself in never asking any recompence to shew some effects of his good will he bestowed upon him the Regiment of stranger Souldiers which for the guard of the Town he entertained in Lyons an office truly so honourable and so beneficial as it was a gratification beyond all his hopes and by which he did thrive so well that in a short time he might without presumption aspire unto the best matches in all the Country All these things fell out whilst I was assiduously courted and served by Periander And because Bellimartes had a mind to settle himself in that Province where he had such a beneficial office he intended to match himself so that he might rather get friends then money for the portion upon this ground he cast his eye upon me and at such a time that I was so much against him as I could never since endure the memory of him At the same time also Merindor being newly returned from travel he did unluckily see me at the marriage of Parthenopea and from that time began also to court me so as Periander found himself more company then he desired 'T is true Merindor did carry the matter much better and with more discretion then Bellimartes who presuming upon the Kings favour and the authority which he had in the Town did at the very first accost me publiquely as thinking that though Periander was more in favour with me yet the advantages of his fortune would prevail with Arcingentorix to make choise of him before Periander This address did inflame the affection of Periander more then ever and he expressed more Love unto me then before he was so netled to think that another should take from him that prey which he had been so long in chase after that he thought time to bestow himself So that he resolved with my consent to make the motion of marriage unto my Father I must confess that I did consent unto it because I did not like Bellimartes his age and his rough behaviour resembling a man in armor did make me almost afraid of him As for Merindor I was not yet acquainted with him for he carried the matter with so much cautious discretion as it was hard to know whether he was in earnest or in jest Periander then to lose no time did motion the marriage unto Arcingentorix and at the first overture submitted himself wholly unto him and desired him to write what conditions he pleased my Father first thanked him for his good will and told him that truly he had yet no thoughts of marrying me since my age required no great haste but yet to make it appear how much he esteemed of his alliance he would promise him within a month to let him know his full resolution All these things could not be transacted so secretly but Bellimartes and Merindor were advertised and therefore they both resolved to cross this treaty as much possibly they could but believing that Arcingentorix would not marry me against my will they thought the best way was to gain me and therefore they declared themselves more openly then before I remember that Merindor in this resolution meeting me one morning in the Temple whither Periander conducted me and went out he kneeled down close by me and said Did you come hither Fair Dorinde to pray unto the Gods or to thank them I did not know how to answer him because I knew not what he meant and therefore after I had looked upon him without giving any answer I returned to my prayers again What means this silence said he again is it a testimony of scorn or is it because you would be importuned Neither said I unto him for I do much esteem Merindor but it is because I do not understand you for what do you mean by prayers and thanks I ask you said he whether you came to pray the Gods that you may marry Periander or give them thanks because they have granted that request before Neither the one nor the other answered I and smiled you are a dissembler said he to say so you are incredulous answered I if you do not believe me Why said he can you deny a thing which is known unto all Why answered I and turned my head the other way why doe you ask me if you know and if you will not believe me I do know that which all knows said he but I do ask you that which you only can tell me tell me therefore upon what consideration do you take this Husband As a daughter should take him answered I who is given her by her Father I wish to God said he and sighed that you took him only out of obedience and not will my will answered I shall be alwayes the will of Arcingentorix but pray tell me Merintor what interest have you in all this that should make you sigh for it Well may I sigh said he for that which I shall never cease weeping upon this I saw his eys began to flow with tears and because he would not as I think let me know any more at that time he went away and spoke not a word leaving me fully assured that he did Love me and that this marriage pierced him to the very heart but all this had no operation upon me because I was already wholly dedicated unto Periander and thought that his merits and affection did oblige me unto it The little account that I made of Merindors displeasure when he went away went so neer his heart that being almost out of all hopes of getting my Love as long as Periander lived he was in two or three minds to fight him and see upon which of the two the lot would fall As he was deeply in this thought a friend of his did meet him in whom he had great confidence Euphrosias for that was the name of his dear and wise friend seeing Merindor walk with his hat pulled over his eyes looked upon the ground and his cloke lapped disorderly about him walking in the streets and never looking upon any he knew that somthing troubled his mind and because he knew that youth and courage are often apt unto too violent resolutions which they may repent
of his apostacy I could not complain against him enough and indeed against my self for believing him now did I admire his inconstancy and for his sake condemn the fickleness and perfidy of all men whatsoever Yet notwithstanding I had sworn a hundred times never to care for him again and that though he should return yet never to look upon him yet for all this I could not chuse but ask him by one that I imployed what was the cause of this so sudden separation And she who asked him the question was a woman that waited upon me and in whom I had great confidence during all the time of his addresses unto me Periander said she unto him how comes it to passe that you never see Dorinde nor ask what becomes of her How Dorinde answered he is she alive still Alive said the woman why she is recovered and ready to come out of her chamber Ah Sweet-heart replied Periander you are much mistaken or else does mock me certainly she is dead but has left in her roomâ— a certain ugly woman whom for the Love of her they call Dorinde but the Fair Dorinde whom I Loved is certainly dead and I am so sorry for it as I will not go and see this Dorinde lest the memory of the other should give an occasion of tears Fie fie Periander replied the woman much amazed at his answer is it not enough to seperate your self from her but you must mock at her misery Dorinde as I told you before replied he presently is not in the world What would you have me go and Love her in her grave And as for her that is in her room alas Sweet-heart she is so ugly that I will leave her to whom that will As soon as he had said so he went away and stayed not for any answer Judge Madam whether this was to be endured and yet I must swallow this bitter pill and seem as if I did not tast it But was it not the height of cruelty to strike one that was so deeply wounded before For first my sickness had spoiled my face which was wound enough without the addition of another from a person whom I least expected it A little while after my Father came to see me and not without tears in his eyes to find me so much changed which I perceiving Father said I unto him never afflict your self for the loss of that which could not be long kept but rather I beseech you to rejoyce with me since by the loss of a trifle I am rescued from an ill fortune Upon this I told him all that Periander had done and said then falling down upon my knees I beseeched him that he would not command me to have any more converse with this perfidious man Dorinde said he and took me up I promise you I will not and I command you not so much as to name him unto me who thinks him the most unworthy Cavalier that lives Upon this my Father went away and left me extreamly well satisfied with his promise And from hence forward I began to think more of Merindor then formerly I had as thinking that his behaviour towards me did oblige me to prefer him before any other for though Bellimartes did send often to visit me and was very careful in sending all such remedies as were proper for that disease yet his humour and disposition was contrary unto mine so as I could not for my heart Love him In the mean time I recovered very fast not but that my face was so blasted as I was hardly knowable and when I looked in a glass I admired to see my self and therefore I still kept the door of my chamber shut very close to the end none should enter but such as waited upon me hoping still that time might hapâ—y make some amendment But Merindor whose affection to me seemed to be greater then before and who never stirred out of my anti-chamber with several sorts of musick as I told you before one day when I was alone with that woman whom I sent unto Periander and when the door was but ill shut he entred in upon such a sudden that he was upon his knees before me ere I could see him As fortune was I had a mask upon my face but I could no way hide my eyes but with my hands and they were so blasted that I was ashamed to shew them for I had not time to put on my gloves You may imagine me not a little surprised when I saw him I did my endeâ—vour to get into my Closet but he kneeled so before me and held my knees that I was not able to rise from my seat Oh Merindor said I unto him you are exceeding troublesome unto me and would do me a great pleasure if you would think upon me no more then Periander doth Alas alas answered he do you think to limit the effects of my affection unto the shallow amity of him whom you named Ah Madam pardon me I beseech you if I think his offence not so great unto me as it is unto you Unto me answered I I assure you Merindor if Perianders offences trouble you no more then me you will never complain against him for as for my part I am so far from any memory of his name that whatsoever he does cannot offend me But let us talk of somthing else I beseech you and tell me what makes you so desirous to see me in this condition wherein I am for me thinks you should rather shun all occasions of it then desire it upon this question I caused him to rise and a chair to be set for him because I would not suffer him to kneel Madam answered he the affection of him who loves will never let him rest till he have satisfied his curiosity by seeing her whom he loves and adores and such is mine to you do not imagine I beseech you that I do love you with any reserved thoughts to leave off though you should not be so Fair as you was before such a love deserves not the name and I do esteem rather a treason and not to be entertained into any heart that loves well my affection sets no other term but eternity nor no other condition but to Love Dorinde as she is and as she shall be for the future as well as for the present Now see Wise and Fair Druide how apt one is to judg others by themselves a very dog that is burned will fear the fire yet I lesse wise then those animals after I had been deluded by the supple language of Periander could not chuse but give credit unto the gilded flatteries of Merindor thinking that a man well born and a Cavalier ought above other men to be just and to have his heart in his tongue but I confess that I did partly believe that which I should not have believed at all I began to fancy that I might live happily with him but to tell you truly I did it much out of
complain against your memory that does not only forget me when I am absent but also when I am present but I am glad to see you and to testifie how really I love you I am come to see you accompanied with one whom you love the best of any in the world Periander answered Hylas I pray distinguish what kind of one you speak It is a man or a woman For if it be a man none can be more welcom unto me then your self since there is none I love better then I do Periander and if it be a woman then if it be she I love best you have met with Stella for it is she unto whom I have devoted my self What replied Periander have you forgotten Dorinde Dorinde answered Hylas I perceive my good friend that you have forgotten the custom of Hylas you must know that her name has hardly room in my memory for since I have seen so many Creysides so many Madonthes so many Laonices so many Phillises so many Alexises and above all one Stella who dazles my eyes I tell you the luster of so many new lights will not let me see the obscurities of your City of Lyons I perceive said Periander and smiled that you are still the same Hylas upon the banks of Lignon that you were wont to be upon those of Arar The very same said Hylas but yet if Dorinde be here I shall be glad to see her that I may know whether my mouth was not in those dayes out of taste If you desire to see her said Periander you may go into that Cabin and find her still frighted at an accident which hapned What accident said Hylas it is answered Periander that but for Bellimartes Merindor and my self some of King Gondebauts Souldiers would have carried her away but we finding her just in the very nick of time we made them quit their enterprize but alas the poor Bellimartes is dead with Merindor's Brother and I have lost a Cosen germane How replyed Hylas have you thus handled King Gondebaut's men If so I beseech you carry me to Dorinde for I must of necessity advertise her of some things which I have heard and which caused me to come hither in such haste They were then close by the Cabin so as Hylas upon this entred who seeing all the Shepherdesses about the stranger did judge her to be Dorinde but faigning not to know her where is this new Shepherdess said he who at her first coming has stained the purity of our banks with bloody Sacrifices Dorinde then knowing Hylas rose up to salute him being very glad to meet him in that place where she thought she should need all manner of assistance and going towards him is it possible Hylas said she that my face should be so changed as your eyes should not know her now whom your heart did formerly know so well I believe answered Hylas that if my heart were here it might answer the questions which you ask but since it is not I think there are few here who can tell what to say unto them How said Dorinde your heart not here Who is the thief that stole it As for any male thieves replied he I know how to keep it well enough from them but I must confesse my bad influences has submitted me unto some certain Female thieves against whom I cannot possibly defend my self and the worst is they are of an humour that the first thing they seize upon is the heart so as I can very seldom keep this little piece of houshold stuffe in my house I believe said Dorinde that when these Femal thieves do steal it from you it is not long before you can furnish your self with another You are mistaken said Florice and interrupted for those who do steal it do find it such a bad piece of stuff that they presently restore it back again at the next meeting you are mistaken your self said Hylas and you had better have said that because it is impossible two hearts should dwell together without the stronger driving out the weaker those who do steal my heart are constrained to let theirs come unto me and become mine and stay with me until some other thief do steal it from me to give me her own and therefore Dorinde if you have any occasion for your heart which you sent unto me when you stole mine ask it of Florice and you Florice ask yours of Cryseide when you see her next and let Cryseide ask hers of Madonthe and if Madonthe will have that back which I had of hers let her look out Laonice and whosoever has any thing to do with Laonices they will find it in Phillis and you Phillis if you desire to have yours again to bestow upon any Shepherd bid the Fair Druide return it unto you for as for hers which I had it is now in the possession of Stella who in a happy exchange did most courteously give me hers which I will keep as long as it pleaseth me but Dorinde said Periander and interrupted I beseech you let us discourse upon these hearts another time when we have more leisure Hylas comes to advertise you that you are not safe in this place and therefore it is requisite you hear what he says you do very well said Hylas to put me in memory of it for this new Shepherdess does so put me in mind of what is past that I forget the present Let me tell you therefore that not long since as I lay close in a bush expecting a Shepherdess whom I loved and was to walk that way with her Flock I saw four men on hors-back terribly affrighted and in great disorder and one of them had a great cut upon his hand which bleeding extreamly constrained them to alight very near the place where I was and having left one to watch whether any followed the other held the horses and the third tore his handkerchief gathered a little ground-mosse and applied it unto the wound to stop the blood in the mean time I heard one of them say that if they made a little more haste they should meet with the rest of their company from whom they were parted then they would return and be revenged by bringing away that woman whom King Gondebaut so much desired to have As soon as they were gone I met with some Shepherds who told me partly what had hapned in this place unto which I came purposely to tell you that unless you have a mind to fall into their hands you must remove from this place Oh ye Gods cryed out Dorinde with tears in her eyes will not fortune let me remain at rest even in these solitary places Madam said Periander when we came away from Lyons we heard that you were pursued by many of King Gondebauts guard and therefore if you will take my advice you shall seek out some place of strength for your security as long as Merindor and I do live we will defend you against all the
to the other for I am confident none can think it above matter of play for pins or making presents of cheries and telling old tales that their Nurses taught them in the University of the Nurserie but so it was that these trifling beginnings did somtimes produce great effects and love was pleased to raise by degrees these childish inclinations unto great affections the Shepherd when he was arrived at his fourteenth year was able to call himself old Lover it being now five or six yeares since he began the profession and yet all this while he was not so good a proficient as to know that it was love but afterwards both of them growing every day more learned then other they came to understand the Mistery and then confirming by their wills what they had done before by hazard or at least by a blind inclination they began to lay the foundation of a real affection The câ—res of Thomantes were great how to testifie unto Delphire the good will which he wished unto her and the modesty of Delphire was no less in a discreet receiving of it according to the duty which she owed unto the son of Ericanthe so as every one did see the love of this Shepherd and every one did commend and esteem the wisdom of the Shepherdess in carrying her self so even and learning no more to one side then to another I mean she walked even betwixt love and respect so as one could not know whether her actions proceeded from affection or from duty the love of Thomantes was now known unto all those in the house of Ericanthe Delphire her self could not doubt it before ever the Shepherd did let her understand it by his words and all his actions did speak that which out of a puissant respect his tongue durst not but at last his affection from day to day growing stronger it broke those strings of respect which tyed his tongue The first time he took the boldness was the day of his birth which Ericanthe in thanks to the Gods did every year celebrate upon the day that he was born Not far from the sourse of our delightful Lignon Bleaman and Ericanthe had a house which nature had imbellished with all the ornaments that could make it delightful it was seated upon a Hill whose prospect though a little limited by reason of some petty Mountains yet it was so pleasant as those that would take a landskip of delight might make that their pattern for a scituation Lignon ran below it with its lovely meanders as far as the sight could extend meadâ—ws made a most agreable object to the eye all one side of the Hill was covered with a shade of trees quartered in walks where one might walk and defie the scortching heat of the day till they came to the River Lignon flowers at all times and of all colours do grow in great abundance Nightingals making choise of it for their constant habitation do people it in such sort and warble it in their answers of each other like a world of Musitians as if they had forsaken all other places of the Country to come and chant it there to be brief the place was the delight of all the neighbouring Towns and commonly had a great concourse of people in it especially upon dayes of solemnity as this birth day of Thomantes was It seems Heaven would let this young Shepherd know that he had not been born but only to live in the service of this fair one for though he had opportunity enough to speak unto her and to let her understand his affection yet he stayed till the day of his birth before he would declare it by word as if he had said that the day whereon she received him for her servant should be the first day that he did rightly begin to live It fortun'd so that a little before an Uncle unto Delphire dyed which caused her according to custom to be in a mourning habit Delphire having an excellent grace in decking and dressing her self more handsomly then any of the young Shepherdesses in the Town she appeared so fair and handsom in that habit of sorrow as there was no eye which looked upon her without ravishment and admiration as well at her beauty as her sweet civilities and Thomantes was not so much an admirer as an adorer but indeed both and took such delight in contemplating her actions as his eyes had no other objects he could not satisfie himself with commending her somtimes he doted upon her complexion somtimes upon the symetry and features of her face somtimes upon the vivacity of her eyes somtimes the coral of her lip somtimes upon the ivory of her teeth otherwhiles he was wholly taken up with her stature garb and mind otherwiles with the delicacy and whitenesse of her hand otherwhiles in the advantage she had above all her Companions in her dresse so as he concluded that there was nothing under Heaven so fair nor so lovely as Delphire You make me a relation of history so new answered she and smiled and so incredible that for my part I can give no credit unto it I do know very well replied he from whence this incredulity comes it is because you cannot see your self for if Heaven had done you that favour I do not think you such an enemy to truth as to say I am not in the right I have seen my self several times in fountains of water replied she and in severall glasses but I could never find what you out of flattery are pleased to tell me Oh Delphire answered he how imperfect are those representations and what infinite wrong they do unto your beauty Do you think those dead and senslesse things are able to represent you You I say who are the very life and joy of all those that have the happiness to see you if you have a mind to see your self as you are be pleased to take a living mirrour of my presenting unto you and I assure myself that if you will daign to cast your eye upon it you will there find in your self more beauties then any tongue can tell what is that said the Shepherdess which you call a living mirrour My heart answered he Oh Thomantes said she how false and deceitful are all such mirrours For as one cannot see in them what one would but onely what those deluding mirrours please to represent so there is no assurance or credit to be given to their representations because they are only such as the passion of the soul does bid them I do believe answered he that the heart does represent nothing but what is in the soul and therefore you may see in mine Delphire in her perfect beauty because you are so imprinted in my soul as nothing can be more perfectly represented Thomantes said she what a lyer you are and how you jear me and would laugh at me if I had so little wit as to believe you There is nothing so shameful to a person of
ASTREA A ROMANCE WRITTEN IN FRENCH BY Messire Honorè D'Vrfe AND TRANSLATED BY A Person of Quality The second Volume LONDON Printed by W. W. for H. Mosely Y. Dring and H. Herringman And are to be sold at their Shops in St Pauls Church-yard Fleetstreet and in the Lower walke in the New Exchange 1657. TO THE READER HAving in the Epistle to the precedent Volume insisted on the generall advantages accrewing to Mankind by Romances and particularly by this of Astrea above any other some would haply imagine there were no more to be done in this than to tell the Reader that this is a second Volume of the same excellent ASTREA when he hath the Book already in his hands This were an imagination flat enough even though out of an excess of foresight they should further suspect it were the Stationer's designe to commend both by telling him that As good entertainment begets confidence so the world 's kind reception of the former had contributed much to the publishing of this Second Volum No these are Cajolleries and Artifices may haply be excusable before such Books as like pittifull Shewes must needs have a Trumpet or a Jack pudding at the Doore that is such as would surprise people into a credulity not a little prejudiciall to their Eyâ—s their memorie their Understanding and their Purses Know therefore that this proceeds not from private Interest but publique satisfaction and is not so much the designe of the Stationer in point of advantage as so welcome is this Piece abroad an effect of the Buyer's expectation and importunity and thence he peremptorily affirmes that the better his Bookes sell the greater obligation he puts on the world This some may thinke a Paradox but to shew it is demonstrable I need onely say that the more a Booke is bought up the more are people inform'd the more instructed the more edifi'd which who looks not on as of much greater consequence than the price is a person certainly of no great correspondence with Letters If so how then are we oblig'd to those who spend their endeavours and Estates to satisfie our Curiosity to sharpen our imaginations to rectifie our judgements to purifie our language to perfect our morality to regulate our deportments and to heighten and inflame our more generous inclinations nay to acquaint us with all that is pleasant all that is excellent all that is extraordinary in human Actions And these are the true designs and ends of Works of this nature These are Academies for the Lover Schools of War for the Souldier and Cabinets for the Statesman they are the Correctives of passion the restoratives of conversation they are the entertainments of the sound and the divertisements of the sick in a word the most delightful accommodations of civill life J. D. ASTREA The Third part Book I. AFter it was determined amongst the shepheardesses of Lignon to go all together within three dayes upon a visit unto the disguised Alexis Love whose custome is to torment those most who are most devoted unto it began to make the shepheardesse Astrea sensible of such odd panges of strange impatiencies that she could not give any good account of reason for them She found in her selfe such a violent desire of seeing Alexis because every one reported her so resemblant unto Celadon that the prejudicated mind of this sage shepheardesse was fully resolved to love her before yet she ever saw her or rather this forestalled resolution was a forerunner of a most great and impatient love so as it may be said that this new love was implanted in her very Nature since it produced in her all the consequences and effects which love useth in the soul of a zealous lover so as three dayes which were to be expired before they went this long desired visit seemed unto her three long and tedious yeares And she would with all her heart have been contented to abate so many yeares of her life upon condition these three dayes were done that she might injoy her hop't for contentment But when Alexis understood by her Brother that Astrea was to come to see her very shortly oh how this disguised Dru de started at the newes she resented two different Passions at once she was highly joyed to thinke that she was to be blessed with a sight of her dearly loved shepheardesse and to talke with her in that disguise Also she was damped with a pale feare when she considered that her Mistresse had reason to accuse her of disobedience sinning against her positive commands a Crime which was death it selfe unto her to commit for having untill that time preserved her affections pure and free from all manner of blame she would much rather chuse death then suffer it to be stained with the least blur of infidelity or want of respect but as all true Lovers use her thoughts harped more upon the pleasing string of her hopes then upon that which her feares suggested so as she begun to thinke this terme of three dayes a long while too and to be angry with those that took so long a term Leonide who knew all the secrets of her heart and who seemed to be destined never to enjoy what she desired but to contribute all her endeavours and industry towards the contentment of another had not she I say sweetned these tedious dayes by her affability and complaisance doubtlesse the time had been most irksome unto her But see what a bad master love is and how ill does he recompense the paines of those that serve him He did injoyn these two Lovers with abundance of mutuall affection unto one another but as if he were unwilling they should arrive at the sum of contentment he kept them ignorant of their happinesse and by this ignorance blasted their contentment For Celadon being condemned unto perpetuall banishment he laid the fault upon the change in his shepheardesses affection And Astrea having seen Celadon throw himselfe into the River of Lignon she thought that this shepheards love not being able to endure the cruelty of her command he had chosen death before the insupportable sentence of her anger and this consideration cost her abundance of bitter repentance many a sad sigh and a very deluge of Teares This impatiently expected day drawing nigh and being earnestly desired both by this new Druide and by the new love of Astrea both of them not being able to stay so long as till the Sunne was up they quitted their beds upon the first blush of Aurora Celadon as most vigilant called the Sun sluggard and conjured Aurora to open the windowes of Heaven quickly that thereby this happy and long'd for day might receive a beginning Whilst this restlesse shepheard was in this longing expectation and condemning the Suns slow motion day did by degrees enlighten his Chamber so as assuming Druids habit he left the Name of Celadon and in lieu of it assumed the Notion of Daughter unto Adamas happy had he been could he have
possible Hylas that you should be so near Phillis and take no notice of her Hylas seeming as if he had not seen her turned about as if he looked for her at last looking upon her I assure you my time-past Mistress said he unto her that my heart was so much in another place that my eyes never informed me that you were here and perhaps the same occasion has brought us both together very likely answered Phillis you came with a desire to see the faire Alexis and I came with sorrowes that I have lost you especially at the game of the Fairest as you say it was Faith Phillis answered Hylas the heavens would have it so How Hylas said Thircis doe you thinke that the heavens are the cause of your inconstant humour as well answered Hylas as of those vaine teares which you shed upon the cold ashes of Cleon. Things which doe not depend upon our selves said Tircis and whose causes are unknown unto us we doe ordinarily ascribe unto the puissance and will of the Gods But such things as the causes whereof are known we never use to ascribe them unto the Gods as the Authors especially such things as are ill as inconstancy is for that were flat blasphemy whether inconstancy be good or bad answered Hylas is a question which will admit of dispute but it must needs be confessed that it proceeds from the Gods for is not beauty the work of great Tautates and what makes me change but beauty were not Alexis fairer then Phillis I had never changed Beauty then is the cause and if so why may we not impute it unto the Gods without any blasphemy especially since wee see by the effects that the change is good and reasonable being according to the laws of Nature which obliges every one to look for whaâ— is best That beauty is the worke of great Tautates answered Tircis I doe confesse and more that it is the greatest of all which fall within the compasse of our senses but to affirme that it should be the cause of inconstancy is an errour as if one should accuse Light with the fault of those who goe out of the way because it shewes them severall Pathes And as to your assertion that inconstancy is according to the Laws of nature which commands every one to aime at the best take heed Hylas that it be not of a depraved nature and quite contrary to the Command you mention For how doe you know that your change is for the best for my part I see no advantage you get by it but the losse of that time which you imploy about it you take much unprofitable paines to no end and make every one scorne your friendship as too light to be entertained if you thinke these to be advantages I confesse you have some reason to court them but if you will credit Judgements which are not infected with your owne disease you will find them to be the greatest evils that you can meet withall Diana who observed that Tircis spoke in good earnest and that Hylas perhaps would grow angry she would needs interrupt them so as this discourse might passe no farther which to effect she put Phillis upon it who began thus Heretofore my late Servant said shee unto him you were wont to complaine that of all the company Silvander was your only enemy but now methinkes Tircis hath supplyed his place It is no wonder my late Mistresse answered Hylas for it is very ordinary to see ill opinions take hold upon ignorant persons Tircis would have replyed had he not beene prevented by poore Adrastes who being come into the Wood they saw talking unto Trees and Flowers as if they had beene people of his acquaintance sometimes he fancied that he saw Doris and then kneeling downe upon the ground he adored her and as if he were begging for the favour of a kisse of her hand he made a long speech sometimes againe he fancied that he saw Leonide and then he rayled and wished her all manner of bad Fortune but when he fancied Palemon the expressions of his jealousie was very pleasant for though it was very confused yet it gave good evidence of the grandure of his affection The company passed close by him and though the very sight of him moved every one to pitty yet much more when he spyed Doris because then he stood immoveable like a Pillar his eyes fixed upon her and his armes a crosse his brest without a word as if he were ravished Afterwards pointing at her with his finger when she passed by him he said with a deep sigh see see where she is then fixing his eyes upon her hee never moved them as long as he could see her but when he began to lose the sight of her he began to run untill he was before her then he looked upon none in the Company but her and so silently looking upon her he accompanied her unto the outgoing of the Wood for farther he durst not passe when he lost the sight of her he began to cry out Adieu Palemon make much of Doris and upon this he rushed into the Wood where he almost alwayes was because that was the place where Leonide gave judgement against him Every one pittyed him except Hylas who presently began to laugh and turning towards Silvander This Shepherd said he unto him is an effect of that constancy which you commend so much which of us two doe you thinke is in most danger to resemble him Complexions most perfect answered Silvander are most easily altered but to chuse I had rather be like Adrastes then like Hylas The choice of the one said Hylas is in your power but not of the other How doe you meane it said Silvander The meaning said Hylas is nothing difficult my meaning is that if you will you may become a foole like Adrastes your humour is inclinable to it but you cannot resemble Hylas In this you are most deceived replyed Silvander For things that depend upon the will may be in choice but things that depend upon the will of another are more difficult and therefore every one that will may be either vertuous or vitious but they cannot be well or sicke when they will now the condition wherein poore Adrastes is it is not voluntary but forced as proceeding from a malady the remedies against which is not in his hands but your malady depends wholly upon your will so as it is demonstrative by reason that it is an easier matter to resemble you then that miserable Shepherd Admit it so said Hylas yet is it not better to resemble me since if I will I can deliver my selfe from my malady as you call it then to resemble Adrastes who cannot free himselfe from his T is true answered Silvander but if you doe leave off your inconstancy then you doe not resemble your selfe I did say that I had rather resemble Adrastes then Hylas that is Adrastes the mad than Hylas the inconstant Truly said Phillis and
see her I beseech you No lest I should be discovered uand my designe spoyled For if it should besides my owne ruine the Kings service would be spoyled She answered that I needed not to feare it for Daphnide would at her request be very secret and her Father was a faithfull devoted Servant of the Kings I whose desire was to see her yet seemed to be perswaded unto it by her I am said I to her so much devoted unto the service of Ladies as I cannot beleeve any of them will doe me harme Upon this wee saw the Coach take into the way which conducted to the house which assured us that it was she And the Mistresse of the house very glad of such guests taking me by the hand said unto me Will it please you wee should goe and receive them I will put my selfe into their hands said I unto her and smiled perhaps I shall be safer that way than by resistance for submission workes most with generous soules Whilst we were thus talking the Ladies were come into the base Court of the Castle where the Lady of the house went to receive them and told them in their eare what Guest she had in her house and how she thought fit they should know it as well as her selfe The faire Daphnide had with her two Sisters both very fair but both short of her As for me I was retired into a low Parlour where I seemed unwilling to come out for feare of being knowne and it was well I did so for had I not beene alone at their first coming my actions would have discovered my passion For when I saw them first come out of the Coach she who came out first was so faire as I tooke her for Daphnide and seeing the second fairer then she I recanted my first thought saying to my selfe this was she but I rested not long in this error for presently after I saw this faire one come forth who did so ravish me that I knew not what I did but their complements and salutations gave me time to recollect my selfe a litle so as when they came into the house I became so confident that when I saluted them I was able to hid my transport afterwards addressing my selfe unto her who had the sole dominion of my soule I said unto her Madam since fortune will have it so I must confesse my self your Prisoner sir said she unto me in a loud voice we will not refuse the advantange which we have over you but we rather wish our merits had gotten it then our fortune Your merits replyed I may pretend unto far greater and fortune gave you this as being much too little for your merits You have given me the same assurances heretofore said she in a lower tone but in a language which spoke more sincerity then that which you now use At that time answered I I might speak as a childe but now I have more knowledge of my selfe I am sure I speak with more truth yet if you will have it so let be attributed unto fortune but I pray said she and smiled how doe you think to pay the ransome for getting out of our hands for you must never hope for liberty but by that meanes My ransome replyed I be it never so great will not be halfe so hard to be found as to get my heart consent that I shall come out of your hands I perceive replied she and smiled you remember yet what lessons King Thorismond taught you and can talk to Ladies as you were then wont So I ought to doe with you answered I since you have the same eyes and same beauties wherewith you were wont to conquer all those that durst look upon you I thought answered she that men of arms and blood such as follow the King Eurick had onely talked of killing and murdering but I perceive Alcidon wheresoever he is is still the same Alcidon that is all courtesie and civility upon this she went into the great Chamber with all the company The first Complements being passed our kind Land-lady causing seats to be brought she placed me more out of civility then design next unto Daphnide at a little distance from the rest of the company so as seeing my selfe in a place where I might speak more freely my affection and my duty both invited me to give her thanks for the favour of this meeting but when I began she interrupted me with an angry look and laying her hand upon my mouth she said unto me You must not think Alcidon that you are any thing obliged unto me for this visit because I would never have consented unto it but onely out of a design to punish you knowing that since you did love me when I was a meer childe you will now be ready to die for the love of me seeing me more improved This is the true cause which moved me unto this meeting I meane to chastise you and not to gratifie you for having rendred your selfe so unworthy of those favours which I conferred upon I will try whether chastisements will make you better know your duty both unto me and your selfe Can you think forgetful lover that after so many expressions of favour and love that my beauty deserves to be forgotten and that in two long years no spark of any memory should appeare Doe you thinke perfidious man that so long a silence can be excused by the miseries of the time Wars and all impediments whatsoever cannot perswade me but that it is some defect in affection and not any reall excuse I know that if I would permit it you will flow with excuses but I forbid you to speak not that I feare your language can perswade me but because I am resolved not to believe you and because I will not let you have so much content as to speak any thing before me which shall please you By this you may know that this meeting for which you think your selfe obliged unto me resembles sweet poyson which by sweetnesse gives death I offered to answer but I no sooner opened my mouth but she checked me saying what Alcidon doe you care as little for disobliging me in my presence as in my absence No no Alcidon that is not the way to win upon Daphnide What then said I unto her is it your pleasure I should do To suffer said she and be silent For it is fit you should expiate your sinne of silence by silence Upon this I was mute yet shewing by my lookes that my heart was troubled that I might not speak in my own defence She on the contrary looking with a little more favourable eye after a while of silence began thus This Daphnide whom you see before your face forgetful Alcidon is the very same shee was when you first made so many oathes of fidelity unto her the very same who believed you the very same whose hands you so oft washed in your then innocent teares But to your shame she is able to say that
that there was no other way to enjoy the company of my Mistresse danger was the least of my thoughts and therefore I answered her That no hazard should make me lose the happinesse so she would but command it onely beseeched her to take such order that when I was in the house none should see me for I was confident that under her command I should receive no harme In this resolution we parted and the next morning leaving one of her Servants with me who was very trusty she departed and I had not the honour to see her purposely to take away all suspition from the Lady of the house As for me I departed with my guide some three hours within night after many thankes unto my Hostesse for her kind usage I shall not here relate the various encounters I had by the way The place unto which I was conducted was one of the most solitary seats in all the Country and the fittest for any interprises of love Upon the bankes of that great River of Rosne do stand many faire Townes which take delight in her waves one of the best and most peopled is Avignion some five or six Leagues from whence towards the east is a Valley which being inclosed on three sides by high Hils and great Rockes was at the first called Vale close and afterwards by corruption of language of which the vulgar is alwayes Master it was called Vaucluse at the end of this Valley under huge Rockes and by a wonderfull Fountaine which gives a beginning to the River of Sorgues which a little below parts it selfe into two Arms like a little Island where this house unto which I was to goe did stand and which standing betweene two Rivers has the name of an Island The place from whence this Fountain springs is truly for its solitude in some sort venerable but something terrible by reason of the Rockes which inviron it and therefore very little frequented by people It was here where my guide brought me to alight from my horse and to leave those who came with me which by my command though with sorrow they did From this source unto the Isle is about a quarter of a League which I was to walke on foot and in the night which I did in such doubts and incertainties that love made it appeare in me how not onely himselfe is blind but he takes sight also from all those who are his subjects At the last about the eighth or ninth hour of the night we came unto the Garden doore which belonged unto the house which though it was promised me should be left open yet it was shut judge Adamas what I thought of the matter then and whether I had not reason to expect Mars in lieu of Venus But after a long doubtfull expectance I heard the doore open and the first thing that presented it selfe unto my eyes was a fair Lady decked as Painters use to doe the Goddesse Diana her haire loose her brest and shoulders naked her sleeves turned up as high as the elboe gilded buskins upon her legs her Quiver by her side and a Bow of Ivory in her left hand I was ravished at so fair a sight and admired her habit but I understood since that she was so disguised like Diana for Name sake because she was called Delia which is one of Dianas names purposely to daunce that night with her Sisters and other young Ladies there in honour of the great Assembly As soone as ever she saw me come in said she unto me and tooke my hand Come in and attempt this dangerous adventure under the conduct of Diana Under the banner of such a Goddesse answered I there is nothing which I will not attempt Some interprises said she do seeme easie at the first which afterwards are sound full of difficulty and take heed lest this be of that quality If this were not of great importance replyed I I would never have come so farre to attempt it I am very glad said she to finde you in that resolution and know that both Love and Fortune will assist a couragious soule and to shew how desirous I am you should bring your enterprise to passe I will give you safe conduct from all that are in this enchanted house unlesse from the eyes of your Mistresse and from this Diana who speakes unto you I doe accept of this assurance said I unto her Well said she before you have done with this adventure we shall see what your Fortune will be and what your courage In the meane time valiant Cavalier enter but still enter upon such conditions as those who enter use I beseech you said I unto her what are those conditions You shall know answered she when you are entred Why said I are you afraid to tell them least they should affright me If so faire Diana you are mistaken For I will undertake any conditions so they doe not contrary that affection which I have vowed unto my Mistresse Upon this I entred in alone she lockt the doore and my Guide returned through the Rockes of Vaucluse Now was I alone with Delia in the Garden and I must confesse that she was so advantaged by this odde fantasticall dresse as she might very well be termed faire and one that was not prepossessed might well have found a heart to love her She seeing me stand so mute looking upon her and thinking it was my impatience because she carried me no sooner unto the faire Daphnide she smiled and said unto me What Sir were you bold at your entrance and now show so little courage to accomplish your adventure What fault faire Diana said I unto her doe you finde in my courage what must I doe and against whom must I shew my valour How said she and set her Arms upon her sides have you not before your eyes an enemy fierce enough to make you put your hand to your Armes I must confesse faire Goddesse said I that you are a very dangerous Enemy unto one that has a heart but certainly against me your Arms have no edge since the faire Daphnide has long since deprived me of my heart How said she is there no hopes of gaining any thing from you You may hope replyed I to gaine any thing that I have you meane said she any thing but your heart Well well Alcidon you are not yet in a good faith but before you escape my hands I will make you use other language I have met with some who at the first have said as you doe and yet before all was done did submit themselves as conquered such as those answered I either did but lend their heart or if they did give it did steale it back againe to give it unto you but I cannot doe so who have not only given away my heart but my will my soule and my life also Had you any courage as you tax me for having none you would not imploy your valour and your strength against one that is
without defence as I am What honour will it be to vanquish one that is already vanquished one that has no heart this were to strike one that is dying by the wounds of another Come come my heartlesse enemy said she unto me I know you would have me carry you presently unto Daphnide but doe not thinke Alcidon that our emnity is so great but I woud have done it before now if it had been time doe you see yonder window which stand out further then the rest there is Daphnides Chamber when it is time for you to goe there will be a Candle set in it to advertise us but assure your selfe that as you think the time long here your Mistress thinks it longer where she is having abundance of troublesome persons who swarme about her like so many flies especially her brother in law who thinking to doe her a pleasure never stirs from her Come come you that are a very finely accomplished Cavalier methinks you should not be weary of my company many have told me that I am pretty hansome and I am in an humour to treat you so that what you will not doe by faire meanes I will make you doe by force I meane I will in spite of you keep you from being weary I must confesse once again said I unto her that it is impossible for any one that has a heart not to love you For faire Delia there are so many admirable perfections in you as look which way one will one shall be sure to find abundance of invitements to love You think still said she unto me to escape my hands with this excuse but before we part I will make you find another and therefore what will you say next Alcidon I will say replyed I that you can do miracles which need not be thought strange for your beauty equalling the power of the great Gods you may doe them as well as they but will you give me leave to speak freely with all my heart answered she for you see I do the like Then fair Diana said I let me tell you the Moon is the most glorious lamp that now shines in the heaven the moon then shining and if there was no Sun none could deny but that it would be alwaies so I confesse it said Delia what doe you infer by that I infer replyed I That the fair Diana unto whom now I speak would be the fairest in the world had she not a sister and there is none but she which hinders her from the title of the fairest Could I as easily believe that said she as I am ambitious of that title whereof you speak I vow Cavalier by these Arrowes and Bow that if I could not kill her with my own hands I would poyson that sister who eclipseth my beauty but I am afraid that if she were taken away it would happen unto me as unto the Moon in absence of her brother the Sun become obscure and pale I should have answered when the so much desired light appeared in the window and my affection carrying my eyes almost alwaies that way would not let me lose so much time as to answer her when I saw it Shewing it therefore unto Delia I beseeched her to accomplish the favour which she had begun I will said she unto me and took my hand you know it is the office of the Moon whose Name I bear to clear the Night and to be a guide unto those who wander My life said I unto her is obliged unto your service though I am afraid that obligation is little worth since you are carrying me unto one whose beauty kills all those that looke upon her and being accustomed to see men languish and die it is not likely she will have any compassion of my paine Those said she whom I take unto my protection are never ill treated for if they were I should not have opened the doore unto you and beleeve it I never carry any to their punishment And whereas you feare that her beauty will kill you never feare that fortune good Cavalier your Arms are very good and tryed for such as will die at sight of beauty will die at the sight of me so as you having past that danger never fear any beauty living will kill you Thus we went talking in a low voice until we came to the house which was the happy habitation of my Mistresse and finding a door open we went up a paire of narrow staires unto the Chamber door with as little noise as possibly we could Then Delia caused me to stay and went in alone to see who was there but she found onely the faire Daphnide by her selfe who faigning to be troubled with the head-ake was laid downs upon her bed purposely to be rid of the company and pretending that the light was offensive to her she caused the Candle to be set in the window Delia came presently unto me and taking my hand carried me to her sisters bed side and said unto her see Daphnide what Diana has taken in her last chase I must confesse said I unto her and smiled that I am yours if a heart could be divided into two but since mine is in the disposition of my fairest Mistress onely I am come to render it unto her vowing never to take it out of so sweet a prison In this said Delia you shew the weaknesse of your judgement since you had rather give your selfe unto a Nimph as Daphnide is than unto a Goddesse as I am nay Diana who is the Mistress of all the Nymphs Jupiter Apollo and almost all the Gods said I unto her have slighted Goddesses and courted Nymphs But never was any so faire as this into whose hands I do submit my soul my life upon this kneeling down I took her hand and kissed it often whilst she was so transported that she gave no answer which Delia perceiving sister said she will you let this Cavalier adore you indeed and kneel till his knees ake before you give him any answer Then rowsing her selfe as out of a deep slumber she saluted me and afterwards answered her sister I hope Delia this Cavalier will pardon the fault and not thinke it proceeded from any incivility but from my feares of that danger which he is in for my cause I admire said Delia that you being my sister should be such a coward whereas I am so stout as to take prisoner the bravest Cavalier in all the Army of the great Eurick how can you want courage having as he sayes the heart of the valiant Alcidon Ah Delia answered I and sighed it is a bad signe for me to see my Mistress so saint for it shewes she has not my heart for if she had she would rather pitty my misery which she has caused then feare any dangers wherein I am Could I Alcidon answered my faire Mistress remedy the one as well as I can the other you had reason to thinke so but consider that if I did not
yet at lest a pretender unto it yet God knowes what force ambition has upon the spirit of a woman especially upon a woman of a generous soule Whilst we were thus discoursing upon the businesse newes was brought the King that they of Arles were resolved to submit themselves into his hands upon those conditions he offered unto them to wit the conservation of their Franchises and priviledges without which the Inhabitans of the Town were so couragious as they would never have consented to acknowledge him This is the reason said the King and tooke me aside why I aske you whether you are as prosperous in Love as I am in Warre For this City is the chiefe of all the Province and it rendring it selfe unto me it is to be thought that all the rest after its example will doe the like Sir said I unto him it is a very happy Omen unto me and if I doe bring about my designe I will not change my prize for yours The King imbraced me with a smile and said afterward aloud we shall heare the rest of your businesse another time Meane while I will goe and take orders to content those of this Towne so as may invite others to doe as they have done that Sir said I unto him is the best course you can take for a great King as you are should force people unto submission more by sweetnesse then violence Whilst the King was busie on his side I was no lesse on mine for at the same time I dispatched Alvian which was the name of him whom Daphnide gave me for a guide and because she had a great trust and confidence in him and that his fidelity and affection was already known unto me I desired him to contrive it so that by his prudence I might sometimes see that fair Lady I told him that I would never forget my obligations unto him which I would repay any way he would desire so he departed with a promise that he would study my contentment and upon every occasion would testifie his desire of doing me service Thus I left him and was in such raptures of Love as I had no other thought but of Daphnide I found by experience that Lovers doe not measure their time like other men but according to the impatiency of the passion which possesseth them for dayes seemed unto me whole months so long did I thinke them hearing no newes from this faire Lady my sweetest entertainment was my owne thoughts which when I could get my selfe out of all company ran continually upon the passages of my voyage The great Eurick having nothing to doe after the rendition of this Towne would refresh his Army for some dayes for it had been much tyred out in that occasion and dividing them into severall Quarters he kept no more about him then were requisite for the safety of his person And because it was his custome when he tooke Truce with Mars to begin warre with Venus and with his sport in hunting he devoted himselfe unto them two there being nothing more odious unto his courage then idlenesse and it was his ordinary Apothegme that to live and do nothing was to bury himselfe before he was dead My office called me to be continually about his person but my affection to him much more and therefore I was never from his elbow The truth is this new love or rather this renewing of my old love to Daphnide had made me so melancholly that I could hardly speake unto any Which the King perceiving one day when he was hunting whether it was to mocke at my passion or whether it pleased him to heare talke of her who tyed my heart and my tongue I know not but he called me unto him and with a smile said May one not interrupt your thoughts so farre Alcidon as to tell you that they are so much taken up with absent persons that they care not for us that are present Sir said I unto him there is a necessity of it upon me which I hope wil serve for an excuse For ought I see Alcidon replyed he none but I am a loser in this Adventure Why Sir said I unto him Because said he Daphnide hath gotten a Servant and you in lieu of a Master have gotten both a Master and a Mistresse But I have lost for whereas I alone did possesse you now I have a Companion who has a share with me and perhaps a greater then I have Did I thinke Sir replyed I prâ—sently that my affection would any manner of way divert me from that service which I owe unto you doubtlesse Sir in lieu of Love I would chuse Death and should thinke my selfe unworthy to live if I did not to my last breath continue in this desigue But then if without prejudice to your service I may obtaine that happinesse which Love doth promise me and which my heart does so passionately desire I cannot thinke it any losse to you for a good Master as you are does alwayes desire to see his Servants thrive in contentment I must confesse said he unto me and laughed that this affection so it do you no harm it will not doe me any but I much feare that as disease cannot continue long but it must needs either increase or diminish so if yours do not quickly diminish it will so increase that we shall be both losers And therefore you must either be diverted from it or else use some remedies Sir said I unto him the care which you are pleased to have of me will guard me from all danger But to cure or diminish my affection is to attempt a thing which is beyond the reach of all possibility This said the King is a most strong and violent passion Sir said I unto him did you but see her who is the cause of it you would say all is too little to equall her But is it credible said he that she should be so fair as you speake her Sir answered I did I not feare that I my selfe should be the cause of my owne ruine I would tell you and truly much more but I am afraid that in so doing I should sharpen the weapon which will kill me How doe you meane said he unto me and because I did not answer Speak freely Alcidon said he tell me what your fear is and he commanding me two or three times at last I continued I feare Sir and not without reason lest Daphnide being so infinitely faire should have as great an influence upon your soule as she hath upon mine if that should happen there is no way for me but death and a death so desperate that my most mortall enemies would pitty me I knew by severall circumstances said he then unto me that you were in this doubt and I had a mind to put you out of it No no I would not offer such wrong unto any of my servants much lesse unto you upon whom I have conferred so many signall testimonies of my particular good will
live happily and never fear it for I swear by my Crowne that no humane beauty upon Earth can make me commit such a fault Sir said I unto him I must humbly prostrate my selfe at your feet by way of gratitude for I esteeme this favour no lesse than a new life and am sure that if such a misfortune had beene I had been but a dead man Our discourse had not so soon ended unlesse the Chase coming towards us had not forced us away as for me I was the most contented man alive putting full assurance in his words and therefore ever since when he spake unto me I told him freely all passages concerning my passion Some dayes thus passed on and I heard no newes from Alvian which was no small trouble unto me But at the same time the Kings affaires invited him to receive some place which would submit into his hands and therefore he drew out part of his Army towards that quarter where Daphnide dwelt When the King told me his resolution I was ravished with joy and said unto him Now sir I hope you will grace me so farre as to see my Mistresse for we shall passe close by her house with all my heart answered he then we shall see whether she be so faire as you same her to be and if I talke with her I shall quickly know whether you will speed in your hopes The King sets forward and to omit all matters which are not pertinent to my story though in themselves worthy of Chronicle and being within a mile of Daphnides house he told me that he would see her and that in rrspect of the good service which her Father had done him he could doe no lesse being so near her and her Mother but see them I am still afraid Sir said I unto him that this honour which you intend to doe them is mixed with Love What said he and smiled you old fits of folly againe will you not believe what I have promised with an oath had I onely promised I should be onely a deceiver in so doing but having sworn I should be perfidious Come come cast away these foolish thoughts unlesse you are resolved to offend me and on the contrary be confident that I will do all the good offices I can and as you can expect from the best of your freinds Upon this I presently dispatched a messenger unto Daphnide to let her know of the Kings coming and when we were in sight of the house I would have gone before but he commanded me to stay with him because said he to me and smiled I shall be more welcome if I bring you with me than if I come by my selfe Sir said I unto him I believe that Lady has so much judgement as rightly to value the honour which you doe her but Sir take heed lest you lose the title of invincible for I assure you there are strange Captivaters in that house it is the habitation of the Graces Daphnide is accompanied with two sisters who yield not unto any but her selfe and had I not been already engaged there is one Delia who doubtlesse had absolutely captivated me Is that she said the King of whom you spoke to me before Yes sir answerd I and doubtlesse the most accomplished beauty that ever I saw if as I told you before she had not a sister To her then said the King will I addresse my selfe By this time we were come so neare the Castle that the Ladies being upon the bridge the King lighted from his horse to salute them and taking the Mother by the hand he went into the great Chamber where they talked a while and the King enquired of her and her husbands health and whether Wars were not offensive to her In the meane time I talked to the fair Daphnide who though at all times fair yet that day it might be said she surpassed her selfe having added unto her natural beauty so many Graces by her artificial dress as I never saw any so fit to conquer hearts Delia stood next to her and my eyes and heart being fixed in contemplation of their beloved object I stood gazing a long time before I spoke You went away said Delia without a heart and return without a tongue if you lose as much every voyage you will become very ill company Delia said I unto her you are very pleasant but if she who hinders you from being the fairest in the world doe use such Arts I know not what will become of me Who doe you speak of said Daphnide of you Madam answered I who adds so much art unto your Naturall beauty that no eye can look and hope to escape imprisonment I should in favour of Alcidon answered she believe that this might be if every one did look upon me with Alcidons eyes But let us leave this discourse and tell us which way do you take I am sure said I unto her that the way hither is the way of my felicity and my way from you is the way of my hell Nay nay said Daphnide I mean which way does the King go and whither does your Army intend to march I would have answered her but the King called me away Alcidon said he unto me come hither and be a witnesse is not the strong Towne of Arles reduced into our hands Yes certainly sir said I unto him and you must look for other Kingdomes and indeed other Worlds to exercise your Armes in for there is no more to Conquer which I know of They will not believe me replyed the King and therefore I pray relate unto this incredulous Lady how not onely Arles but almost all the Province which is called the Romans is in our hands Oh sir said the good old Lady not but that I did believe what you did say but it is because till now we thought the Towne of Arles impregnable Nay nay replyed the King I will have you understand the whole series of the story to the end that hereafter you may not doubt of what I say Upon this rising up he set me in his place and went to the place from whence I came and because Delia when he came would have retired he pulled her back and talked awhile unto them both I could not possibly heare what they said as well because it was but a little too far off as because I was engaged to talke unto this old Lady But presently after when the King took Daphnide by the hand and carried her the Window I must confesse then I began to doubt and my words did so die in my mouth as if I were soul-lesse I could not chuse but observe their faces and actions and whatsoever I saw made me suspect that which I feared most so as I wished withall my heart for some hot alarm to call away the King from the place where he was I cannot tell how long his Courtship lasted but I am sure it lasted so long that I thought every minute a day At the last the
considering that when the desires of people are thwarted they are most violent and when the desires of persons in power are once knowne they are prompted to use violence But the great constraint in which I lived did so perplex me that I fell sicke By this reverend Father you may judge how great my affection was since it had power to bring me into such a condition The King did not thinke my sicknesse so great as it was but it increasing every day and his affaires constraining him not to abide long in one place he left me in the City of Avignion upon the report of the Physitians who told him how great my disease was Thus I tarried in this Towne so ill that but for the contentment which I received from some Letters which Daphnide sent me by Alvian I know not what would have become of me However it was more then eight dayes that I kept my bed before I heard any newes from Daphnide because she not knowing of my sicknesse but supposing me to be in the Army she sent Alvian thither In the meane time I who thought that she knew of my sicknesse I pined away with sorrow and griefe having an opinion that her silence proceeded from a defect in her affection and then I blamed the inconstancy and ambition of women supposing that the Kings affection to her was certainly the cause of it At last my impatiency not being able to indure this incertainty I sent unto her my Servant who carried my Letters the first time unto her and in the extremity of my sicknesse I writ these few words unto her Alcidons Letter unto Daphnide I Have all the reason in the world at this time to complaine against my Fortune being at once left both by my Master and my Mistresse I know not Madam whether it be permitted me to phrase you so But in this I must needs commend her who seeing the injuries which both of them doe me she would not let me live any longer least I should any longer indure this unjust punishment See sage Adamas how Love will sometimes both wound and cure his Subjects almost at the very same time Alvian who was sent to seeke me in the Army and hearing that I lay sicke in Avignion he returned in all haste to his Mistresse who presently dispatched him unto me and by fortune the same day that her Letter came to me mine came to her The Letter which Alvian brought imported these words Daphnides Letter unto Alcidon THe Bearer hereof hath been a great distance off to seeke you and to my great griefe will find you neerer If my Health be any thing deer unto you let me heare of yours When I received this message and understood by word of mouth the reason why she writ so short was because she thought me so sicke as I was not able to read more Oh sage Adamas I cannot expresse my joyes I was indeed very sicke and the Physitians who applyed onely corporall remedies were farre besides the marke since my malady was only of the mind The truth is that from the first houre of Alvians arrival I recovered strength and not to disobey the command which I received from Daphnide I sent him back the next morning with this answer Alcidons Answer unto Daphnide Madam IT is from Daphnide you must inquire of Alcidons health since it wholly depends upon her If you continue upon him the honour of your favours he is well otherwise he is not onely dead but sorry that ever he lived On the other side Daphnide seeing my thoughts or rather my jealousie she was very desirous that Alvian might remove it from me for she knew very well that I had a great confidence in him And further to make her good will appeare she sent my Servant backe with so many good words and assurance she would never alter as I was constrained to beleeve it Her answer was this Daphnides Answer unto Alcidon IF it be so that one may judge of another by themselves I have great reason to doubt of that fidelity which you have promised me for you have done so of mine If you were in my roome should ambition transport you above love Oh no I will not harbour such an opinion of you For I must confesse Alcidon if I did I would not love you so well as I doe wrong me therefore no more in this kind unlesse you would have me beleeve that you would have that affection diminish which you have sworne unto me Thus we continued many dayes writing unto one another with so much contentment unto me that my disease was forced to leave me and when I had got so much strength as I hoped every day to ride abroad Alvian came to bring me two Letters which the King had writ unto her from the Army And in testimony of her free way she lived with me she sent them yet sealed as when she first received them Daphnides Letter unto Alcidon NOw the Wars are begun I have sent you two Prisoners none yet ever spoke with them treat them as you please I freely give them unto you as I will doe all the rest that fall into my hands In this I received at once a great pleasure and a great displeasure I cannot expresse my contentment to see that Daphnide did so well performe her promise to me but it wounded me to the very soule to see that the King should attempt that which he had sworn unto me the contrary To withdraw my selfe from Daphnide I thought a thing impossible and I knew that if the minde of this faire one proved strong enough to resist him he would in a transport of passion banish me the Court Also if she yielded or was overcome then there was no hopes of any life for me I remained long in this doubtfull incertainty at last love having the predominancy in my heart I resolved to advise her not to receive any such messages from him if it were possible yet my curiosity prompted me to see what the King had writ having an opinion that though I did not yet she would read them and I should never know so I returned her this Answer Alcidons Answer unto Daphnide THese two Prisoners Madam are not of that quality to be kept long in my prison I have therefore sent them both back But take heed lest in hearkning unto any more the Fort which Parleyes doe render it selfe I should be too tedious should I relate all the Letters which we writ unto each other at that time for since it was not above six or seven leagues betwixt us we sent unto each other almost every day But so it was that the King being resolved to be as victorious in Love as in War he persisted so close in the Courtship of this faire one as what excuse soever she can find she must confesse that if it was not Love yet it was Ambition at the least which invited her to hearken unto him and to entertaine his Courtship
would not deprive him of his contentment by staying him any longer Thus I remained all alone unlesse accompanied with so many dismal and mortal thoughts as it was above an hour before I would return but at last night constraining me to retire into the Towne I went unto my lodging with a defigne to depart all alone the next morning and so shun all manner of humane Company as none should ever deceive me againe And to begin I went unto my Chamber by a backe staires and having none but my Page with me I went presently to bed and commanded him to tell all the Company that expected me how I was not well and that I sent him to bid them all good night I closed not an eye all the night long and Aurora began to blush before any mind of sleep came upon me And being in a full resolution of departure a Feaver seized upon me so violently as I was constrained to deferre untill my recovery I had not yet looked into the Letter which Daphnide sent me having neither so much courage as to see what was in it nor hate enough to cast it into the fire but not knowing which of these two I should resolve upon I held it in my hand and kept it two dayes before I brought it to light At last being transported with choller one night when I was alone I must said I to my selfe I must needs see the treachery of this perfidious woman and afterwards so exclude her out of all memory that nothing may remaine of her in me but eternall scorne Upon this raising my selfe up in my bed I opened it and by the helpe of a wax Candle which stood by my bed side I read what she had written unto me But wise Adamas unto what purpose should I repeat here those words which were writ onely with an intention to delude me the longer And againe why should I not repeat them since it is requisite the Phisitian should know the wound before he can apply right remedy I will therefore rehearse them not any thing to my consolation but onely to let you see how I was used Daphnides Letter unto Alcidon SHall I never heare anybetter newes but that Alcidon is still sicke Shall I never see him as he was when he undertooke the adventure of Perfect Love Have all my Prayers no efficacy in them will the Gods be eternally deafe unto all the supplications that I make unto them for your health Oh ye Gods if so then either abridge my griefe or else change my heart that it may not be so sensible of his sufferings and you Alcidon either resolve upon a recovery or else to kill me with griefe See reverend Father what a cruel Letter I received after I had discovered her treachery to me unto which in a transport of anger I returned this answer Alcidons Letter unto Daphnide THere is nothing can cure Alcidon but death since he findes no fidelity either in his Master or his Mistresse and therefore to what purpose should I live any longer amongst a Company of perfidious people Never complaine that the Gods are deafe for they have heard your prayers and in not giving health unto him whose life could do nothing but grieve for the breach of so many oathes they have made your heart insensible of me but too sensible of another who perhaps will one day revenge so many perâ—idious oaths for the Gods are more just then not to revenge me and punish you I gave this Letter unto my servant who carried my first and did command him to returne presently and not stay for any answer The smart of this displeasure was such that my disease increased very much of which the great Eurick hearing although he was ashamed of his filching away this faire one from me contrary to all his promises made unto mee yet after dinner he condescended to come and visit me I was indeed very sicke and yet my greatest paine was the remembrance of his theft so as when I was told the King was coming to see me I trembled as if a new fit of an Ague had seized upon me and when I saw him there appeared not a drop of blood in my face but perhaps those who observed did thinke my palenesse was onely an effect of my sicknesse He came to my bed side where after he had asked me all circumstances concerning my disease and I answered as civility and honour commanded he sat downe then turning his backe upon all the Company he began to speake in a lower tone and seeing that I scarcely spoke one word he thought to waken me by talking of Daphnide little thinking that I knew how squares went betwixt them He asked me how that fair one did and how long it was since I heard from her I answered him very faintly that I thought she was well and that I never heard from her since the day that she writ unto him by such a man and then I named the man who brought me the last Letter The King blusht and at first would have denied that he received any from her but I beseeched him to pardon me for I knew he did and that the same man who brought him his Letter brought one to me also How said he then unto me did she then send one unto you Yes Sir answered I and moreover I know of the honour which you did her in seeing her at her house At this he was a little confused when he saw I knew what he thought me ignorant of and after a long pause Alcidon said he unto me I must needs confesse my fault though to my shame T is true I did see that Lady of whom you speake and have received Letters from her and more then all this I must confesse that I doe love her above my own life I cannot deny but that in this I am a very bad Master and a worse friend to treat you thus after so many promises to the contrary but in my confession of this perfidie I can say no more in my owne defence but that I was deceived my selfe before I deceived you I was perswaded that as I never met with any man living who could overcome me so much lesse that a woman could be able to doe it and in this opinion I promised you that which since I find my selfe not able to performe The confidence which I had in my owne strength against men did drive me into the errour of despising all women in general and of this Lady in particular and my sorrow is so much the greater in that it reflects upon Alcidon to his prejudice Alcidon I say whom I loved so well and it is to be beleeved that since I have been so perfidious unto him it is a thing absolutely impossible for me to doe otherwise Alcidon my dear friend I freely make confession of the wrong which in spight of myselfe I have done you protesting that if I could any way in the world pay that debt unto which
I am obliged I would presently doe it with as good a heart as ever I received any favour from heaven The King uttered these words in such a discomposed manner and with such a countenance as testified that his expressions did not come from his heart And because I saw him stand silent I answered him Sir said I all that is in the world were created to serve your greatnesse especially Alcidon who is ready to sacrifice himselfe upon the Altar of your contentment And the Heavens foreseeing it impossible I should be deprived of Daphnide and live will take away my life lest it should be any obstacle unto you And therefore welcome death since my life cannot conduce to your contentment Upon this I could not restraine my teares and the King being moved at them after a while of silence said unto me You cannot Acidon wish me so ill as the injury I have done you does merit I doe most ingeniously acknowledge it and wish that my blood could remedy it perhaps I shall doe it in time but for the present there is no thought of it And yet for your satisfaction I am resolved upon any thing you would have me onely take heart and recover of your sicknesse and beleeve to your contentment that I will doe all I can to procure it After this the King went out of my Chamber leaving me in such a sad condition as it is incredible any other than my selfe should live under such a load of sorrowes and despaires Alcidon turmoiled with the memory of these painfull passages and the wrong which he received both from his Master and his Mistresse he lost his speech so as after a while of silence when he offered to speake he could not and therefore he was forced for a long time to be silent at last striving with himselfe he broke out with much adoe and said You see Madam how in obedience to your commands I make my old wounds bleed afresh but when I consider all is by your command I doe patiently indure all but if your Rigor be not greater than my Patience I beseech you helpe me to beare the burthen which you have imposed upon me I meane in the continuance of this relation of my misfortunes of which you may speake with more assurance than I can for in all that is hereafter to be told I am only the sufferer of what you were pleased I should endure Methinks my request is not unreasonable that the wise Adamas may understand from your mouth the truth of those things whereof you only are the Author Adamas not staying for the answer of Daphnide turned towards her and said Methinkes Madam the motion of this Cavalier is reasonable and that by your owne ordinance imposed upon him you are obliged unto it Reverend Father answered she the law is not equall betwixt him and me yet since you thinke it fit I shall doe as you please and I must tell you that though Alcidon hath spoken the truth yet as good Orators use he hath inserted some words to the great advantage of his cause Then after she had paused a while she continued the discourse thus The Sequel of the History of Daphnide and Alcidon IT is a Proverbe full of reason that Parties interested or prepossessed with any Passion can never be good judges because their judgements being offended they can never performe their perfect Functions no more than a leg or an arme can which has any great wound Alcidon has made good the Proverb by the consequences which he hath so often drawne to my disadvantage being byassed thereunto more by passion then by reason And because my discourse would be very long if I should answer all his particular rovings into Passion I will omit them and truly relate the remainder of our Fortune and leave you to censure of his passions And to begin where he left I will tell you Reverend Father that having received the Letter which he sent unto me unto which I returntd no answer because the Messenger according to his command went presently away without bidding any adieu I became the most desolate person in the world being taxed with a crime and with some colour of reason which I could not helpe I understood presently after by the Kings Letters all the discourse which they two had together and afterwards by Alvian whom I sent purposely to see how he did though I did not write who told me how ill he was I discoursed long with my selfe what I should doe in the businesse for on the one side his affection to me invited me to goe unto him and tell him how he was mistaken on the other side I durst not doe it for fear of being blamed I was long wavering in the ballance between these two considerations before the Scale would turne to either side but at last the returne of Alvian constrained be to goe unto him for bringing me such very bad newes of his sicknesse I cast off all other considerations and resolved to see him In this determination I sought out for some excuse to colour my Voyage And presently after a very good one presented it selfe For Peace being made my Brother-in-law was constrained to goe to Avignon about getting of a Cozen of his who was a Prisoner in the Towne which was rendred unto the great Eurick and who because he would needs contradict the generall resolution those of the place seized upon him and though Peace was afterwards published yet they would not set him at liberty least if the warre should breake out againe he should interprise something against them And seeing there was some difficulty about his inlargement and that the businesse by consequence would take up a long time he would carry his wife with him and he had a great desire of my Company that I might be seen with him if he was forced to make any addresses unto the King As soone as the husband made the motion unto me I consented with a condition of my Mothers consent The good old woman gave her consent as soone as ever she understood the cause so as within two dayes after we set forward and as fortune was our lodging hapned to be directly over against the lodging of Alcidon His sicknesse was much spoken of and the King went oft to see him for he loved him very well but when he was advertised of my arrivall he shewed himselfe more desirous of his health than before For whereas he was wont to see him but once or twice in a weeke since I came he went to him every day and as he went or came backe he commonly came to my lodging As for me the same day I came I sent to Alcidon and told him by Alvian that if he was pleased I would willingly come and see him and as soone as I received his answer I went thither I found him very ill and his Chamber full of Phisitians and Chyrurgians so as at that time our talke was onely of his malady unto
an especiall care of me but more of your owne conservation For though none knowes of the great league that is betwixt us yet few persons but know that you have beene ever well affected to me Now Maxims of state doe say that the fortune of the head ought to be communicated to the Members so as your ruine is most evident if mine befall me I lay these instances before your eyes to the end you may not think that strange which I am constrained to propound for our preservation You see how Clarinta whether relying upon the grandure of her parents or building her designe upon the foundation of her beauty I cannot tell but you see how she endeavours to get the good will of Eurick and which is worse her labour is not lost for methinks that Prince begins to thinke her more amiable than I wish he did you know how fleeting and alterable his mind is and how hitherto none could make him fix If Clarinta should compasse her designe consider how she would banish us from Court least she her selfe should fall into like confusion wherein she has brought us Therefore before things proceed any further we must by way of prevention use all the arts we can imagine for a shelter against this storm To thinke of using violence and to force the wounded spirit of this Prince would shew ignorance in those effects which love useth at the beginning to produce for nothing makes it greater than opposition like unto a coale which the wind makes blaze by blowing upon it To thinke that dissimulation will mend the matter and in seeming not to know it that time may produce some good remedy is very bad and dangerous counsell For although Love which findes no opposition may by little and little lose it selfe and become nothing yet as this case stands the danger will be inevitable for love does never lessen till after fruition Clarinta cannot be enjoyed till after the marriage and after marriage though Eurick should alter his affections yet notwithstanding she would be Queen of the Visigots and we by consequence subject unto her will and liable to all her violences So that upon serious consideration I can finde no better remedy against this menacing danger than this which I shall propose unto you which once more I conjure you to take in a right sense and not upon any other surmises than as I intend it You cannot be ignorant how liberall the heavens has beene unto you in the gifts of Nature and in accomplishing you every way above other men you have had sufficient proofes of it in all your attempts I make no doubt but if you would cast your flaming eye a little upon Clarinta she would presently melt at the charms of it and unlesse her heart be made of stone she cannot avoid the amiable glances thereof If you would put this my request in execution most certainly she would love you and presently reject Eurick and all his ambition she would wholly devote her selfe unto you or else Eurick seeing his addresse and her entertainment of it he will disdaine her and retire Thus shall we avoid a misfortune which does much threaten us if you can tell me any better expedient I beseech you propose it that we may make choice of the best I have long deferred the making of this over-ture fearing least you should have an opinion that I proposed it as a way to rid my selfe of you though my intention onely is that we may live together for the future in more contentment and safety This was the language I used unto Alcidon so plainly demonstrating my intention unto him as I could not imagine that he should be discontented at it or suspect that I had any other aime then what I told him yet for all my assurances of the contrary and mauger all my reasons and arguments he was perswaded that my designe in this motion was to set him further from me and then to comply more freely with great Eurick After a long musing silence and fixing his eyes upon the ground he looked up and with a smile which spoke his discontent he answered me I wish Madam that I could serve you in this according as you desire and indeed I will for your desire is to me a most full command but my heart tells me that a great misfortune will take original from this command yet obey it I will not out of any hopes I have in those favours which you say the heavens have so liberally indowed me withal but onely to let you see that I will obey you in all things as long as I live Oh Heavens cannot the King be contented in the happinesse of your love but he must needes make me entirely miserable Oh Alcidon hast thou a heart that can support these injuries of fortune But why should I not endure them since the faire Daphnide commands it so then turning towards me with abundance of reverence Yes yes Madam said he unto me I will doe as you command me though it cost me a life and all manner of contentment Upon this he would have gone away but I held him by the arme and after a second urging of my Arguments and adding the best motives I had I desired him that though our ruines would be inevitable if not prevented yet if it went so much against his minde that he would not attempt it for no misfortune whatsoever would be more grievous unto me then his displeasure but still if he would allow of reason he would plainly see that he was erronious in having any such opinions and that he did exceedingly offend me in entertaining them Madam said he If I doe offend you in it I will presently doe my penance in obeying your command and so as I am confident you will pitty me for it but I pray heaven your pitty come not too late yet I am so entirely submissive unto whatsoever is your will as I protest obedience unto whatsoever you shall command and doe not believe that I will faile in it further then my power fails me and though you doe see me make a little doe at your command yet I beseech you thinke that it proceeds from no other cause then from my abundance of affection which cannot endure to heare of the least thought of any separation from you or that I am able to make any addresses of love unto any whomsoever but your selfe unlesse it be under a guise of dissimulation and that too with insufferable paine unto me Alcidon said I then unto him I am not now to begin the knowledge of your affection to me nor of your merits to have my reciprocall love but I pray you believe that unlesse death doe very suddenly surprise me I shall in some sort come out of your debt and pay my most due acknowledgements for any thing I either have or shall receive from you And that you may more clearly see the end I aime at I doe promise you Alcidon and swear by the
great God who punisheth all false Oathes that all the paines you shall imploy in the Courtship of Clarinta shall be put upon my score and account and that it shall be my selfe who will pay you your wages Methinkes that if Alcidon did love me these expressions would content him and yet I perceive this enterprise goes against his heart and he will attempt it onely because he will not disobey me But so it was that in observance of his promise to me he resolved upon it and according to his best discretion he began this addresse in which truly he found more difficulty then we imagined and much more had met with if fortune had not removed some great impediments by an encounter which I shall relate unto you The History of the Artifice of Alcires IT is easie to be imagined that Clarinta being such a captivating beauty and brought up in a Court full of generous young Gallants was not long without many servants Amongst the rest there was two who under an umbrage of Consanguinity had insinuated themselves highly into her favour The one was called Amintor and the other Alcires both of them indeed very valiant and amiable Cavaliers And who if I be not mistaken did imbarque themselves at first into the affection of this beauty under the notion of friendship a subtilty very ordinary and often used by love the better to surprise those who are of harder tempers to give it entertainment Besides the kindred which was between these two Gallants their long education together the conformity of exercises unto which they addicted themselves and their concurrency in age did unite them in a strong league of friendship and adopted them brothers in matter of Armes and to sweare amity and assistance of each other But love which never admits of any companion did make a fraction in this league of friendship as hereafter I shall relate unto you Fire cannot be so hid but some smoak will appeare but I believe it is a matter more hard to cover love long especially from those who have any interest in it And therefore Alcires finding that Amintor did thrive in his addresses better then himselfe and seeing all just wayes would not avail him he resolved to have recourse unto subtilty thinking that so he could overcome all wayes are allowable in Love It is usuall amongst persons of any quality to make choice of one amongst their servants whom they make a confident and trust such a one more then any other Clarinta made choice of one amongst her maids whom she loved very well and trusted with her most intimate secrets Alcires who knew what prevalence such servants use to have with their Mistresses had long before hand courted the good will of this wench and being a brave Gallant and very liberal he got himselfe so farre in her favour as he could mould her into a model so as when Amintor and he met together at the faire Clarinta's he would alwaies yield place unto him and entertaine this wench who stood a distance from them And when he saw Amintor look upon him he would alwaies have some secret to whisper in her eare and smile doing all he could to make Amintor enter into some suspition Amintor observing this as the nature of lovers is he presently suspected that this familiarity betwixt them proceeded from some greater cause then from that wench and perhaps from some design which Alcires had upon the Mistresse Amintor being a man of a free open heart and one that could not long smother his thoughts from a friend one day meeting with a fit opportunity he said thus unto him Good Alcires what businesse of importance could you have with Clarinta's maid which made you so earnest with her as you seemed Alcires seeing his plot began to take did at first answer him onely with a smile and afterwards would you have me tell you said he you doe so wholly take up the Mistresse when you are with her as I being all alone am forced to take up with what you leave me the maid But heretofore said Amintor you were not wont to doe thus and I am no more a taker up of the Mistresse then I was wont to be what new mood has of late possessed you Alcires paused a while before he answered and then looked upon him with a subtile smile at which Amintor was more troubled then before and seeing that he spoke not a word Why said he doe you not give me an answer have I any interest in your familiarity with her if I have I pray let me know it that I may share in your mirth Alcires then setting a more serious face upon the matter Amintor said he unto him Although there was no ligaments of Consanguinitie us yet as I am your friend you may easily believe that I will impart any thing unto you and the very truth is I had long since acquainted you with what you desire to know at this time had I not feared your disgust of it and this consideration will still stop my mouth unlesse you assure me of the contrary I will not give you that assurance said he if you tell it with an intention of displeasing me but if you tell it with an intention that I may prevent any inconveniency I shall think it a very great obligation If you will promise me said Alcires to use it with discretion and to take well the advertisement which I shall give you onely with intention to bring you forth of a great error I am very ready to tell it you as your kinsman and as your friend but otherwise I shall not for unlesse you make good use of it it may doe you much hurt Then Amintor making that promise unto him Alcires went thus on Know Amintor that after a long Courtship of the faire Clarinta I prospered so well that she is intirely mine aad I have enjoyed her Oh Heavens said Amintor doe you know what you say have you enjoyed Clarinta Yes yes said Alcires I have enjoyed her and therefore set your heart at rest for she is so much mine as very few nights passe but I am with her and therefore you see I shun her company as much as I can purposely to deceive inquisitive eyes as she desired me Oh ye Gods said Amintor and lifted up his hands Oh heavens will you not punish her I assure you said Alcires that I had a longing desire to acquaint you because I was extreamly sorry to see you so deceived but as I told you before I much feared that it would vex and displease you Amintor upon this folded his Arms and stood silent a long time at last said thus I should be extreamly angry with you Alcires for ravishing Clarinta from me did I not know that when we both courted Clarinta we had no designe of deceiving one another for as those who run for a prise though many run yet onely one can win it so I have no reason to be angry with you
obtaine that which I could not in another I meane the honour and happinesse of your favour For being alwayes unfortunate when I begged it upon the Land I will try whether the element of Water will prove more favourable unto me And because when I looked upon you my soule was so wholly in my eyes as my tongue forgot its function and I could not speake therefore I present my hearts humble desires unto you in this paper which I would but cannot speake Upon this he presented it unto her and she fearing that if she did refuse it many might take notice of it she tooke it and said thus unto him You have reason Alcidon to thinke that this element will be more favourable unto you than the other if it be true that every thing favours its like for your inconstant humour does not at all resemble the Earth but the Water very much which ebbs and flowes and is never still And to shew you that I am of the same judgement I will bestow upon it this paper in which you say you have writ your desires to the end it may grant your requests assuring my selfe that you being as inconstant as it it will favour you as much as possible it can Upon this she tore the paper all in peeces and without reading it threw it into the Water Oh Madam said Alcidon to her striving to stay her arm can you thus despise the most pure affection that ever was offered unto you Are you not contented unjust beauty that you are to burne my heart by the flames of your eyes but you must also drownd all my desires in this Water before you see them You doe me wrong replyed she in accusing me of injustice since I make my selfe appeare to be most equitable in detaining nothing of anothers and in rendring unto this element which is so inconstant the thoughts and conceptions of the most inconstant heart in the whole Universe Whilst this Cavalier and Clarinta were thus talking the King was discoursing with me yet I was not so attentive to his talke but still I had an eye upon Alcidon assuring my selfe that Clarinta by some action or other would give me some light of what he said and to the end that the King should take notice of them I fixed my eyes upon them and would not answer him And he pulling me by my arme as if he would wake me out of a sleepe I am awake Sir said I unto him pray see what I am observing then I shewed 〈◊〉 Clarinta and Alcidon and as fortune was just at the same time when the Cavalier gave her the Letter so as he saw how she tore it and threw it into the water of which I was very glad to the end he might take notice of this new Love knowing very well that in such matters as these you need onely make them see a little and let jealousie alone to make up the rest Since this day Alcidon followed his enterprise so close that the faire Clarinta thinking this would be a fit meanes to gaine Eurick and to make Amintor lament the losse he had of her she seemed to incline unto him I say seemed for indeed she was then fuller of Ambition then Love and therefore she aimed at Eurickes love and was vexed at Amintor thinking he had left her for some other against which she thought her Carrasse of Alcidon might be very profitable unto her For she knew very well that to reduce an Apostate Lover there was no better way then to make him jealous and to get the affection of a King no better artifice then first to get the favour of his favorites as she knew this Cavalier to be one to the end that they by their good words in the cure of their master might induce him unto love besides which she had as she thought an example of this in me whom she knew Alcidon favoured and she thought that I was advanced unto the Kings favour by this meanes Upon these considerations therefore she began to hearken unto this Cavalier and to conferre some kind of triviall favours upon him of which I was very glad thinking that when the King saw it he would according to his humour be extreamly offended at it and when I could talke unto Alcidon in private I still solicited him to engraciate himselfe further into her favour and to court her as much as he could in the sight of King Eurick which he did so effectually that not onely the King and Amintor but almost all the Court took notice of it though neither Clarinta nor Alcidon had at the first any aimes of making themselves loved in good earnest but onely as conducing to their severall designes which could not be accomplished had they kept their amities in secret because all the effects which they hoped for was to proceed from the knowledge which others were to have of it They continued thus a long while during which Amintor still inveighed against the affection which he bore unto Clarinta his generous soule not being able to consent that his heart should ever love one who as he thought had so basely betrayed him On the other side she who thought that she had more reason to hate him for so unworthily casting her off although she seemed not to care a rush for it yet her soule was so extreamly nettled with spite at it as though she was not able to find revenge so soon as she desired yet she could not defend her selfe from extreame sadnesse which in her face did discover that discontent which her heart would have concealed And as a snow-ball growes bigger for being rowled in the snow so this her displeasure being joyned unto other vexations whereof the life of man is very fertile together with some indisposition of her body she was brought into such a condition as she was constrained to keep her bed where all her pastime was to sigh and lament Amintor was presently advertised of it for by reason of their affinity both their domestiques had much familiarity together But this was not enough to appease the offended spirit of that Cavalier It happened that this faire one growing every day worse and worse he was told one night that she was so very ill as it was feared she would not live until the morning Thus farre he had held out but hearing talke of death he thought it time to render himselfe and therefore without more delay he dressed himselfe by force and though sick yet crawling as well as he could to the lodging of Clarinta he found her in bed yet not in such extremity as was reported She who expected any visit sooner then his and who was much offended at him could not indure his presence without paine thinking that he came to see her onely to delude her more and therefore she rowsed up her selfe with a resolution to anger him as much as she could And in order to this after some common discourse she asked him what newes at Court
your Ambition For all those reasons which you alledged unto me to shift me off from you was only in favour of this cursed ambition And if the love which you say I bore unto Clarinta was so potent in me why did I reject her service as soone as possibly I could Why else should I quit her as soone as ever Euricke was dead Had Clarinta treated me worse than usuall had she made any new choice or had there beene any bad understanding betwixt her and me then there had beene some cause to suspect my returne unto you but since she never gave me the least shadow of any cause what can you thinke could make me leave her but onely the inviolable affection which I still preserved for you But Father perhaps you may aske why the faire Daphnide who had formerly made so much affection unto me appeare both before and during Euricks love even to the hazard of our Fortune and reputation should after the death of this Prince thus change her mind â—nto me and give me no entertainment For it is not likely that a Lady so admirably accomplished every way and so full of judgment should alter her humour without some occasion No Sir but will you see her reason for it out of her owne words T is true that at first she loved that Prince onely out of ambition and as she cals it Reason of State but is it strange a finger should be burned if It be held in the flame nay it were rather a miracle if it should not for that were against Nature The great Eurick was doubtelesse a Prince so fully adorned with all accomplished blandishments that allure Love as the faire one was by degrees caught before she was aware and in lieu of loving him as she said she loved him as he deserved And to make this truth evident doe but observe how sadly she has resented his losse even unto this day who can doubt but that these are effects and certain consequents of a most reall and ardent affection I cannot relate the severall sad resentments she has expressed of his death for they will but open my wounds the wider But I am sure sage Adamas that you would judge them full of extreame affection and the bad entertainment which I have received from her proceeds from no other cause but from her love unto this Prince and as an umbrage of it she would set that fault upon my score which she should doe upon the great Euricks and my misfortunes But fairest Daphnide though you have loved him not as you say in reason of State but in good earnest yet against whom doe you thinke you have offended Not against one who has not love enough to pardon to forget my even to quite erasse the offence but it against Alcidon who you know adores you he is ready to give you his life and his soule and not to upbraid you with the injury Why doe you not put forth your hand unto him and by that action of kindnesse signifie that none but the great Eurick could ever interpose betwixt you and him It is no meane glory unto me that she whom I love should have beene adored by the greatest Prince in the whole Universe nor will it be a little satisfaction unto the Ghost of that great Prince you shorld love Alcidon who indeed did yeild unto him in Fortune but excelled him in love If I say any thing which your owne soule knowes not to be most true tax me with a lie but if you cannot deny this truth why will you toment me any longer and make me doe penance for a fault which you your selfe have committed Upon this Alcidon rising from his seat and falling downe upon his knees before the faire Daphnide and taking her hand I doe vow and sweare said he by this faire hand which is onely able to ravish away my heart that I did never in my life render any homage but unto her that owes it and that it is she alone who has and ever shall have the sole power over me Dispose of me and of my fortune as you please and let Daphnide be as cruell as she can yet still shall Alcidon love her for ever And you reverend Father said he and addressed himselfe to the Druid The great Tautates hath established you a Judge in this Country why doe you not condemne this Faire one to give me that heart which she hath so often given me and taken away againe If she doe accuse me for loving any else is it possible she should know better than I my selfe She affirmes I love Clarinta I sweare and protest the contrary why should she thinke to be beleeved more than I She sees onely my outward actions but I know the intentions of my heart perhaps she will say that I would deceive her and that she would not deceive me but why should I deceive her for if I did not love her I would not care for her affection and if I doe love her can she thinke that he who loves one will deceive her Thus spoke Alcidon adding much other discourse and many arguments which Daphnide could not handsomely answer At last the Druide spoke Methinkes Madam said he that the Oracle is cleared and that now is the time to compose this difference I would to God said she that it could be so composed as that quietnesse of mind might be restored unto Alcidon and me which we have taken from each other Are you pleased Madam said Adamas that I should be your Judge If Alcidon will consent unto it answered she and if he will stand unto what you shall doome I will never be against any thing which you shall deeme fit I doe protest by all that is sacred said Alcidon that there is nothing in the World which can keepe me from loving and adoring you and I sweare that I will so farre stand unto the doome of wise Adamas that if he doe sentence the contrary I will so farre obey it as that you shall never be troubled with me and if I faile in this Oath may all the Elements he my confusion Then Adamas with the gravity of a reverend old Judge began in a Majesticall manner to speak thus Tell me Madam said he did you ever love Alcidon well Above my life answered she and doe you now hate him replyed he I hate his levity and inconstancy said she but not him But say he be not inconstant replyed he nor ever loved any but you would you then love him still and be sorry for charging him wrongfully Doubtlesse I should said she Can you charge him with any other inconstancy continued the Druid but in this businesse of Clarinta Is not that enough answered Daphnide But when he first went about to serve Clarinta said Adamas was it not by your command and did he not undertake it against his will I must needs confesse said she that in this I was unwise and he adissembler But had he made a retreate said
doe you not aske me who this one is because said she it would be indiscretion in me for I am sure that if you had a mind to name her you would and if you desired to conceale her I were very indiscreet if I did importune you She added Paris unto whom I have given my heart may very well know all thâ— secrets of it nor ought I to conceale them Men in giving such gifts answered Diana dâ— often give and take againe If you meane by me replyed Paris pardon me fairest Diana if I tell you that you wrong me since from the first day that I gave my selfe unto you the gift was with so full a consent of my heart as I shall never enjoy any contentment untill you have taken full possession of it and it was of you I spoke when I mention'd one from whom I must receive my full contentment I should be very unworthy answered the shepherdesse and blusht if I did not receive this honour you are pleased to doe unto me with much obligation unto your civility Nay nay said Paris never tell me of any civility or respect but in lieu of those words put in that word of Love That word said she fals not handsomely from the tongue of a woman If it will not come off your tongue replyed he then let it be in your heart That would be too great a crime replyed Diana and would render me unworthy of this honour you are pleased to doe me Silvander and Hylas had now done singing and there was not a word amongst all the company as if they were in hopes of their beginning to sing againe which was a cause that many perceived not onely the affection wherewith Paris spoke unto Diana but also the passion in which Silvander was to see their long discourse which Hylas considering and thinking to get some advantage over him Come come Silvander said he we have sung enough let us now be a little serious and rationall if we can Tell me upon your faith whether you persist still in the same opinion which you were wont to be I am not much addicted unto changing said Silvander but of what opinion doe you meane Are you still in the heart of Diana replyed Hylas and is she still in yours why doe you aske me this question said Silvander Because said Hylas I will at this time make you confesse the contrary Methinkes Hylas answered Silvander you had better have slept on then wake to no purpose Whilst every one laughed at this question and this answer Phillis tooke an occasion to interrupt the discourse of Paris and Diana and to call her companion to heare this fine dispute In the meane time Hylas answered shepherd shepherd I doe not wake to so little purpose as you thinke since to put one out of an errour is a worke never out of season but answer me Are you still in the heart of Diana and is Diana in yours Diana hearing this question Hearken said she unto Paris what Hylas sayes For I am confident it will be some mad piece of discourse or other Then they heard Silvander answer thus Doe you thinke Hylas that because you are continually changing others are the like Diana and I are in the very same places we were wont to be Why then said Hylas she is in your heart and you in hers It is as you say answered Silvander Then prethee good Silvander tell me said Hylas since you are in the heart of Diana whether the discourse which Paris had now with her did please her or no And Diana since you are in Silvanders heart tell us whether Silvander was pleased at the Discourse There was none in all the company except Silvander who did not laugh so loud as they caused Astrea and Alexis to turne about and see what the matter was which Hylas observing he stayed not for Silvanders answer for Astreas long discourse was as vexatious unto him as that of Paris was unto Silvander but ran presently to her Mistresse said he unto Alexis These shepherdesses of Lignon are such bewitching flatterers that unlesse one take very good heed it is almost impossible to resist their charms I beleeve Servant said Alexis that you speake like a very knowing man T is true said he I have not been so long Apprentice but I have learned my Trade For before I loved Phillis I thought Laonice faire and before her Madonthe and before them both Criside Here is three strangers said he pointing at Florice Palanice and Circenea can witnesse I am no Novist when I was Servant unto them and if Carlis who is in the Gallery with Daphnide were here she could tell you how she was the first who taught me my Primer But Servant said Alexis I doe not thinke that Carlis can boast that you hold her for your last Mistresse as you did for your first for I have heard you say that you have loved but as many as you have met Mistresse said he you should have added as many faire ones as I have met for I doe confesse that wheresoever my eye observed beauty I was a lover and servant of it and methinks you should like my humour very well since it hath made me yours and without which ill-favoured Carlis had still possessed me I like your humour extreamly well answered Alexis did I not feare that as it is now the cause of your being mine so it will hereafter make me grieve for the losse of you Oh fairest Mistresse said Hylas I beseech you not to thinke any such thing for besides your offence unto my love it is most impossible any such thing should ever be for I never loved any thing but beauty and out of you it is most impossible to find it I should be very glad answered Alexis to have you continue long in this opinion of me that I may not lose as others have but I had rather that all your perswasions could make me believe all you say of me to be true I need no perswasions answered he where every eye is able to testifie If all did see me with your eyes answered Alexis their testimonies might perhaps be favourable unto me I am certaine replyed Hylas that there is none here will give my eyes the lie Your eyes indeed may see things as they are answered Alexis but your mouth may perhaps be given a little to Hyperbolize and your tongue which is so glib in attributing unto me more then is my due does testifie that you have learned in more Schools then one I doe confesse it replyed Hylas but withall I am able and without vanity to speak it that the Schollar surpassed the Master You never told me said Florice that when you were my Schollar you learned your lesson of Circenea and Palinice also And had we all three united our learning together we might have kept you longer at School How servant replyed Alexis what serve three at one time You may judge by that Mistresse said he the greatnesse of
the same Planet since every one observes in their beauty something which is conformable unto their owne I am now replyed Hylas the most contented man in the world for I have learned one thing which will be highly advantagious unto me And you Silvander said he and turned towards him you have reason to be mute at this discourse for it nothing concernes you I do not know answered Silvander wherein it will much advantage you O ignorant shepheard replyed Hylas didst thou not hear the wise Adamas say that the reason why faire ones are loved by so many was because their beauty had a conformity with all the Planets and Intelligencies I heard it very well answered Silvander but what does that advantage you In this replyed Hylas since I do love so many several beauties it argues that I have conformity with them all so consequently am fairer then you are who never looks but upon one I think replyed Silvander and smiled that if your argument be good you are not onely fairer then I am but then any in the Country nay then all put them all together but you must not understand the discourse of the sage Adamas in that sort but on the contrary if you remember what he answered Daphnide you will finde that it is a signe of a great defect in you who has the portraiture of your Intelligence and Planet so ill made as there is not one of these faire ones who does not disdaine to see in thee so great imperfection of a thing so perfect This moved all to laughter and Hylas had replyed something in his own defence had they not risen from the Table it being very late and because Astrea did very well remember the counsell which Leonide gave her to entreat Adamas that he would be pleased to come unto their Town and offer the sacrifice of Thanks for the fortunate Missletoe she took Diana Phillis Celidea Stella and the rest of the shepherdesses a part and propounded to them that since the shepherds had already shewed their forwardness in requesting Adamas to offer this sacrifice it was fit they joyned with them in the same desires and to try if they could carry him with them when they returned Every one approved of the motion and after a consultation who amongst them should be their speaker it was agreed that Diana should be the mouth of the Company which she accepted of though at the first she made some difficulty So then addressing themselves unto Alexis they intimated unto her their desires of speaking unto the sage Adamas they desired that it might be by her meanes Alexis never asking what the businesse was went presently unto Adamas letting him know the desires of these discreet shepherdesses Then Diana in the Name of all her Companions delivered their Petition in very elegant terms And added thereunto that they would esteem it as a high favour if he would be pleased without any longer delay to go now along with them also did humbly beseech him to let the fair Druid his Daughter and the Nimph Leonide honour the sacrifice with their presence Unto which supplication they received this Answer from the Druid Fair and discreet shepheardesses your request is so just and I am obliged so much to see the honour of the great Tautates performed that upon one condition I am ready to do as you desire I am most confident answered Diana that there is none here who are not pleased with any thing you shall be pleased to command I desire then replyed Adamas that you will stay with me all this day that I may take order for all things necessary for the sacrifice and I promise you that to morrow I will conduct you to your Town And I shall most humbly desire that this Lady said he and addressed himselfe unto Daphniae will do us so far honour as to be an assistant at this sacrifice of Thanks as well to render this honour unto our great Tautates as to oblige us all in not parting so much good Company The condition upon which our Petition depends replyed Diana is so much unto our advantage as we cannot desire a more noble favour Thus the voyage of Adamas was concluded upon and he at the same time in order to his promise beseech'â— the fair Daphnide she would be pleased to be an assistant which she freely consented unto as well out of her complacency as out of her great desires to see the manner how these shepherds and shepheardesses do live of whom she heard so much Alexis was a little startled at her returning unto her Town being still in extream feares of being known Yet seeing it was a thing resolved upon she dissembled her feares as well as she could Astrea after thankes returned unto the Druid for this great favour she came to rejoyce with Alexis because they should enjoy her company a long time 'T is I fair shepherdesse replyed Alexis who ought to rejoyce the most and who can most truly say that I was never better pleased at any thing since I came from the place where I had my education than I am in my contentments of seeing you Madam said Astrea heaven forbid I should ever doubt of any thing you say but I must needs confesse that if I could it is of this because I can hardly perswade my selfe that I inconsiderable I who am so very unfortunate should have any thing in me which can merit or which is capable of receiving so high a favour Faire shepherdesse answered Alexis you may very well beleeve what I said for I never use to lie and beleeve it also that I had rather dye than either lye or dissemble unto you whom I love so well Does it please you then Madam replyed Astrea that I should beleeve it so Not onely please me said Alexis but I doe infinitely desire it with all my heart Then Madam said Astrea I would with all my heart also it would please you to let me live with you as long as I live which if you doe you will make me the happiest and most contented woman in the whole Universe Astrea said Alexis and tooke her hand I am affraid you will quickly repent of this resolution Did you Madam but know Astreas humour replyed the shepherdesse you would never thinke so for she is of such a Nature that never alters a resolution once taken Alexis upon this stood still and spoke not and going a pace or two backe did looke upon her with the same eye she did when she commanded her never to see her again and this thought did so freshly bring into her mind all former passages as it was impossible for her not to give some knowledge of her selfe by the teares which trickled from her eyes which yet she had so much power over her selfe as to restraine after a few drops Astrea seeing such a sudden alteration in her was much astonished as not being able to imagine the cause nor conceive that any thing she had said could
the wounds were newly given When he was come up unto them and saw these wounds thus fresh and them bloody he began to reprehend them very severely and menace them with the punishments of God and men Doe you think wicked wretches as you are said he unto them that though you should hide this body in the very center of the earth Tautates would not discover it to the sight of all Can you think this blood does not cry to heaven for vengeance and that you can fly into any any part of the earth where justice will not find you How durst you for a little miserable gaine which will deceive you commit such an execrable wickednesse These Fishermen who were not of any wicked temper as afterwards they shewed did bear a very great respect unto this Druid fell down upon their knees before him protested themselves innocent of the blood told him how they drew the body out of the water what their design was that they had no arms to make these wounds and that if they had been guilty they could easily have fled when they saw him coming and passed unto the other side of the River but they stayed still and would stand upon their justification The Good man considering all these circumstances he began to think they spoke truth but the better to know it he came unto my Corps and seeing the wounds so fresh Doe you tell me said he that you are innocent of his death We do sweare it said they by the sacred Missleto Then said the Druid you may doe well to looke out for the Murtherer for doubtlesse he cannot be far from hence and beleeve it if you do not find him out you your selves will be accused for it And because I would not have the innocent punished and the guilty go free where are his clothes which he had when you first found him The Fishermen as if they had been already in the hand of the Judge and never thinking upon their resolution they did not onely produce what the Druid demanded of them but also the money and Rings and all that they found Then the good Druid said unto them Now friends I doe thinke you really innocent since you doe so freely produce these pretious things be certain that God will assist you both in this occasion and all others Then presently falling downe upon his knees and making a signe unto them to doe the like Oh great Tautates cryed he out and lifting up his hands and eyes to Heaven Thou who hast a particular care of men we beseech thee to turne thy vengeance from us for the death of this Man and let thy infinite goodnesse forgive and amend them that did commit this sinne And because my wounds still bled he commanded them to wash me and then do that charitable office which they had begun in burying me According to his command they did wash me then he asked of them a peece of money which he intended according to the Custome when any was buryed to put into my mouth The poore Fishermen did all as he commanded them and the good old Druid weak though he was did take me in his arms and thought that he found some heat in me which made him lay his hand presently upon my heart which he perceived to move and tremble Courage my Children said he I hope this man has life enough to cleere you from the Calumny which may be laid upon you and to lay the fault where it rightly deserves for he is yet warm and I perceive his heart to beat Then letting my head hang a little downe the water came out in great abundance and the good Druid bound up my wounds with Hankerchers as well as he could then he commanded them to make a devise with their Oares whereon they might carry me with more ease and whilst they were working about it the good Druid went to seeke out some hearbs by the bank sides which he knew were good to be applyed unto my wounds and which would a little freshen and invigorate my spirits he was not long about them but bruising those Simples betwixt two stones he put some of them into my wounds and applyed some to my heart and presently the blood stayed Presently after I began to breathe and my pulse came unto me whereof they were all so glad that after thanks unto the great Tautates they carried me upon their Oars into the Cell of this good Druid and laid me upon a good bed where one of his Nephews used sometimes to lye when he came to visit him for as for himselfe his bed was onely a few dry leaves without any order or delicacy I was all the rest of the day and never opened an eye or gave any signe of life but onely my breath and my pulse The next morning about breake of day my eyes opened and I was never in my life more astonished than to see my selfe in that place for I remembred the Combate which I had and my resolution of throwing my selfe into the River but I could not possibly imagine how I should come there I continued long in this thought at last the room growing lighter and the little loophole which was in lieu of a Window being towards the sun rising I looked about and the sight made me wonder more for my Chamber was onely a Cave the roof Rock and Ivie my hangings Seeing all these things as I lay on my bed I endeavoured to raise my self a little the better to consider them but I was not able both in respect of my weaknesse and also by reason of my wounds Bening then forced to lie still as I was and as they had laid me I began to put my hand to the places where I found my paine and finding the Napkins and such other things as they had applyed unto me I was still more amazed Then not being able to imagine how all these things should come to passe I began to think upon such stories as I had heard of concerning Water-Nymphs and Goddesses who dwelt in Rivers almost condemning my selfe of incredulity that I had not believed them and now thought that this place could not possibly be any other then one of their habitations But as a wandring mind does usually rove immediately from one thing to another I presently began to think upon the injuries and ingratitude of Madonthe The memory of which went so near my heart as it forced from me so deep a sigh as the good man of God heard me for he was set at the door attending till it was time to come and see me As soon as ever he heard me he came into the Chamber and without saying any thing after he had a little looked upon me he went and opened the window wider that he might the better see in what condition I was Afterwards coming to me feeling my pulse and my heart and finding me much amended did seem to be very glad of it Then sitting down in a Chaire which stood
fitted unto my directions During his absence I grew more solitary and private then before in so much as the good old man did wonder at me I must confesse that at this time I often disputed with my selfe whether I should break Prison and shake off my shakles or no and using such arguments as might be urged by Generosity unto a man of courage I was a while staggering in my resolutions But this all-commanding Love whom none is able to resist unlesse by flying did out of spite load me with new Fetters and renewed my chains by new meanes so as I plainly saw there was now no hopes of ever having liberty The Fishers Madam with whom I often talked when they came to see me as well to know how I did as in gratitude for the money which I had given them for their paines and because they carried their Fish once a week unto the Town where Thorismond dwelt to sell them there they would oftentimes bring me the news of the Town There was one amongst them who was elder then the rest and shewed to have more wit of whom I used to enquire and asking him what was the talk of the Town he answered that all the talk was of a great Lady who was brough to bed of a Childe and because the Lawes of the Visigots was to punish such by fire she was condemned unto it Observe Madam how the heart will sometimes soretell such things as it feares and though I did never in my life see any action in Madonthe which could in reason move me to suspect her guilty of such a fault yet I did presently think it was she And for more assurance I asked him the name of this Lady but he told me that he had forgotten it yet he assured me she was one of the principal Ladies who was unmarried Then did I take my suspitions for certainties when I reflected upon the kindnesse which was betwixt her and Thersaâ—der and because I would have no notice taken of my displeasure I was constrained to leave their company and retired my selfe under some Trees that were neere the house and there being alone oh what contrariety of thoughts came into my mind to torment me My vexation or rather my rage that I had been so extreamly guld moved me to a desire to revenge for this injury But how suddenly did I check my thoughts when I considered my affection unto her I must confesse that stifling all thoughts of revenge I could not restraine my teares which flowed most abundantly when I thought upon the miserable condition unto which Fortune had brought me I had continued longer in this Labyrinth of confused thoughts if Halladine who was returned had not come to fetch me away At first when I saw him I did imagine that he had something to tell me but durst not yet since the old Fisherman had broke the ice I was so bold as to aske him Come Halladine said I unto him hast thou provided Armes and Horses Yes Sir said he all are ready and I thinke you will be well fitted I have brought the Horses hither but I have left the Armes at the Townes end where I have caused them to be locked up Thou hast stayed so long replyed I as I was almost out of all patience But good Halladine I charge thee upon thy Fidelity to tell me truly hast thou heard any newes of Madonthe Shall I tell you Sir said he what I know With all my heart replyed I for I doe extreamly desire it I feare replyed he that I shall but vex and grieve you Sir if I should Oh Heavens Halladine cryed I out thou hast told me enough my suspitions are all truths Is she condemned to the fire for having a Child tell me truly Whosoever told you so replyed he told you the truth but Sir how came you to know it The Fishermen replyed I who use to goe and sell their fish are my informers But Halladine I conjure thee to tell me all thou knowest and conceal not any thing as thou lovest me Sir said he since you are pleased to command me with so many asseverations I will though I know that this new Newes will vex you as much as it ought to doe the contrary Then he related unto me how since the workmen required so much time before they could finish my Armes he thought that he could not spend his time better than in going to Court being confident that I would be glad of newes at his returne that being there as privately as possibly he could he was put unto no great matter of paines for newes because Madonthe was the Towne talke all over that Leriana was her Accuser and that Leotaris and his brother would maintaine what Leriana said concerning her and Thersander How replyed I presently is it possible that Madonthe should looke so low as upon a man so base Halladine who thought that this consideration might make me scorne her Yes Sir said he it is so held for certaine and considering what proofes Leriana makes none beleeves the contrary I must confesse Madam that hearing this newes confirmed I was so astonisht at it as but for Halladine I had falne to the ground At last recollecting my selfe and retiring a pace or two I folded my armes one with the other and lifting up my eyes to heaven with a deep sigh I said Oh God how deep are thy judgements and by how many strange wayes dost thou discover truth Then standing a while silent as ravished with admiration at last I broke out againe Oh Madonthe is it then true that you have made choice of Thersander and preferred him before me was your spirit so low as to make him Lord of your will whom your Predecessors did highly honour in making him their Servant Is is possible that generous heart which heretofore I have seene in you should be thus changed As not to die rather than endure the shame of such a choice Oh God oh Heavens why would you infuse such a base dissembling spirit into so faire a body After this I stood a long while silent as having so much to say that I could not speake at all resembling a bottle that is full which will not come out but with some difficulty Halladine who considered my affection thinking to comfort me and seeing me so long silent he took occasion to speak unto me Had I thought Sir said he that this news would have relished so ill you should never have known it by me Why Halladine said I unto him couldest thou ever thinke I would not be sensible of her shame whom I loved above all the world And why should you doe so Sir replyed he since she proves a person who has given you occasion to hate her above all the World Love replyed I is greater in me than any wrong can be in her and dost thou not know that the wound which is once made will never heale If maladies may be cured by Antipathy and contrary
give me another which resembled mine and which was made purposely alike Now in these Books we writ our Letters but with such devices as were not easily discovered my Mother and my Nurse have had these Bookes in their hands several times but could not make any thing of them because they understood not the Charracters Since this way was agreed upon not a day passed but we writ unto each other which was no small comfort unto us in the constraint wherein we lived But Love was in this resemblant unto Fire which the more you feed it the more it augments so did my favours unto Arimant for they did so inflame his desires as not contented with what I had done he importun'd me by a thousand supplications to admit him into my Chamber unto which at last I consented so the meanes could be contrived and so he would promise to require no more of me then I was willing to permit This permission being given unto him his wits were at work how to facilitate all these difficulties The first was how to enter but that was easily contrived for by a Ladder made of a Rope which he would give unto Claâ—ina he might easily get into the window of her Chamber when the casement was open But my Norse whose bed was close to mine and who was not of our conspiracy was a much greater difficulty unto us and yet he found out a remedy for that There was in Epocedes a very famous Mountebanke who had many most excellent receipts This man was so much obliged unto Arimant that he was infinitely desirous to serve him Love adviseth this young man to make addresses unto him and to ask him for a Receipt which would cause sleep he who made a particular profession of such secrets did give him an ointment which being put under the Nose of the party that was faln asleep would so stupifie the senses as no noise whatsoever would awake the party until it was taken away Before Arimant would make use of it upon this occasion he tryed the operation of it upon one of his Domestiques who slept so foundly that no shouting at his eare could awake him but he removed him from place to place and he never stirred until taking away the Box and throwing a little water in his face and then he awaked All things being thus prepared execution onely wanted I must confesse my heart began now to faile me and when I considered the danger into which I should put my selfe I wished that a stop might be in the proceedings But Clarina who was more couragious then I told me that I was gone too farr to retreat now that had I put the Cavalier out of hope at the first he would not have been offended but now as things stood it was a manifest wrong unto him and knew how to argue the matter so well and to shew the easinesse of it as at last I resolved to goe through Bed time being come we all retired and seemed to take our rest and my good Nurse who never dreamed of our businesse by chance did fall asleep sooner then her custome As soon as Clarina heard her snore as she used to doe when first she slept she laid the Box under her nose and called upon her as if she was affrignted at her dream but the good old woman was so fast that if the house had falne she could not heare it Clarina joyed at this good beginning did rise from her sleeping Mother and helped me with my Night-dresse as she pleased so to have it For I protest Hylas I was so farre besides my selfe as I knew not what I did The Candle used alwayes to burn in our Chamber and therefore Câ—aâ—ina brought me my Glasse and bad me trick up my selfe 〈◊〉 fine as I could telling me that when Souldiers go to fight they must put on their Arms that they may get the victory Clarina said unto her you are a fool for if the victory were not already gotten we should not now trouble our selves as we doe But take heed said she unto me that the victory be not on both sides I am more afraid said I that the losse will be on both sides Nay nay replyed she never think so heaven loves you better then to use you so hardly but pray tell me since the victory will fall on your side what Ransome must the Conquered pay into you His heart said I unto her His heart answered she but if he part with his heart what shall he have for himselfe and how can he afterwards love you In lieu of that I take from him said I unto her I will give him mine Yours replyed she and smiled if he have your heart he will be the veriest cowardly Cavalier that ever lived Come come said I unto her you are a scold and stand and spend the time in tattling whilst he stayes Upon this we went to the window and no sooner looked out but I saw Arimant at a corner of a street over against us He had his eye so continually up in the window as it was impossible to look one and he not see us and therefore the Casement was no sooner open but he was under the window expecting when the Ladder would be thrown out I began to tremble so both for contentment and fear as I was constrained to fit down upon my bed leaving Clarina to all the paines who with abundance of confidence fastned the Cord and threw out the Ladder by which Arimant so suddenly mounted that he was in my Chamber before I thought his foot upon the first step As soon as he was entred he fell down upon his knees before me whom he found in such a maze as I could not so much as speak unto him Clarina pulled in the Ladder shut the window and then came to see what we did but finding the Cavalier still upon his knees and I speaking not a word to him nor he to me I to see a man in my Chamber at such an hour and he with an extasie of contentment to have this assurance of my affection she said unto me Methinks Mistresse for so she called me you are not very civil towards this Cavalier in letting him be so long in this uneasie posture for God sake said the Cavalier let me alone where I am for I am where I most earn stly desire to be and think my selfe beyond all expressions happy in it Then recollecting my selfe I must needs confesse said I unto him that Clarina is in the right and if my astonishment doe not plead my excuse you may very well tax me with incivility and indiscretion Upon this I stood up and taking him by one arm whilst Clarina took him by the other we forced him to sit in a Chaire which was by my beds side Then Clarina taking Arimant by the hand Sweare Cavalier said she unto him and promise me upon your honour to observe the conditions upon which you were admitted into this place Then Arimant
time to go unto the Sacrifice he prepared for her a most glorious Chariot and constrained her to weare the Royall Crown causing all the rest of her Companions to wait upon her in great state as if she were already the Burgundian Queen thinking to shake her constancy with such Grandures and Pomp she appeared indeed very faire and lovely and this dresse was not a little addition unto her beauty but for all that the inward disgust of her soule appeared in her face and all her actions The King was so much pleased to see her in this deck as he did imagine her already his wife Thus they passed through the Town and came to the Monument of the two Lovers where the sacrifice was to be offered When they were there and the King Cryseide and all the rest of the Ladies had taken their places the Sacrifices came and the Victimaries brought the white Bulls and the Priests approaching as neare as they could to the Tomb they commanded the Victims to be killed when they were opened and their intralls searched they were found to be â—ound and perfect such as presaged happinesse of which the King was was very glad and told Cryseide that it was an evidence the Gods were well pleased with their alliance She who till then had some hopes in the justice of this unknown God and now seeing her intent frustrated she knew not what to have recourse unto you but despair In that resolution she seemed desirous to see the intralls of the Victim her selfe and asked permittance to go unto them The King who was confident in the Reports of the Priests she was very glad she had such a desire thinking that the sight would make her more inclinable unto him when she saw the will of the Goddesse So being helped down she went unto the place of the Sacrifice seemed very busie in looking upon the Liver upon the Heart and the rest of the Noble parts And whilst the Sacrificers were all very busie in shewing these things unto her she seized upon a Knife yet all bloody wherewith they killed the Victims Afterwards running as fast as she could unto the Tomb of the two Lovers she laid hold upon one of the corners and then lifting up the Knife with a most resolute countenance she said aloud Dost thou see this Knife which I have in my hand magnanimous Prince I will presently run it into my heart if any one offer any force unto me and thâ—n setting the point of it against her breast she continued thus The great God of Heaven and Earth be my witnesse Oh great and invincible King that I do esteem and admire thy person and all that proceeds from thee I see thou art favoured by the Gods loved by thy Subjects honoured by thy Neighbours and feared by the enemies I acknowledge Prudence in all thy actions Generosity in all thy enterprises Justice towards all in generall and a particular love towards me which does not onely oblige me to admire thee and serve thee as all the rest of the world doe but also to esteeme thee and love thee as much as possibly I can Knowing therefore all these things and being sensible of the honour you are pleased to do unto me in such an advantageous marriage It must needs be something that has a great power over my affection and over my duty that can divert my will from accepting of it Would you be pleased Sir to consider this I should hope for a pardon if I doe any thing that displeaseth youâ— for believe it Sir could I dispose of my selfe I should be more willing to content you then you can be to command me But be pleased to know Oh great King that as soon as ever I came out of my infancy the Gods would have me love a Cavalier I say the Gods would have me for had it not been the will of the Gods and had not they written it in the unalterable Role of Destiny doubtlesse this affection would have long since withered away with so many bitter blasts and tormenting stormes of fortune First my Parents who had power over me Next Rithimer whom you know is puissant and now you oh great King would pull me out of the arms of my Husband for so may I call him unto whom I have promised marriage calling both Juno and Hymen for witnesses of our reciprocal oaths and to send just curses upon such as break them If all this be not true may these two faithful Loveâ—s who rest in this Tombe and whose soules are with God and enjoy the reward of their fidelitity may they I say punish me with all the rigour of divine justice But if all I say be true then I dâ—e conjure them by that inviolable love they bore unto each other to shew their power in thee oh Great King by obtaining of the Gods to change and divert thy mind another way Be assured oh Great and generous Prince that this is all thou canst obtaine of me unlesse by force which if thou wilt use then this knife shall send my soule out of my body and leave nothing in thy power but a cold carcasse without either life or love But if thou dost indeed love me and art that Great King who has made all Italy to tremble at the very noise of thy Arms make it now appeare not onely in setting me at liberty but also restoring him unto me whose I am and from whom nothing but death can divorce me If thou wilt get the name of just thou must render unto every one that which is unjustly taken from them And if thou wilt shew thy self magnanimous doe it in surmounting thy selfe thy selfe I say who hitherto has been invincible If all this thou dost not doe then O King expect the vengeance of the Gods who at this very hour doe sit in Heaven and see how thou wilt carry thy selfe in this action and will most certainly either punish or reward thee for it And you oh perfect and blessed soules said she and turned towards the Tombe who perhaps whilst you lived here resented the same miseries that I do have compassion upon me and let mâ— not this day before so great an assembly embrace your Tombe in vain or call upon you without reliefe Thus Cryseide ended and embracing the corner of the Sepulchre she held the knife against her breast ready to strike it to her heart if she saw any offer to pull her from thence All the assembly were infinitely astonished when they heard and saw the resolution of this Lady But the King above all the rest was confounded at the Accident For the Sepulchre of these two Lovers was a sanctuary unto all those who laid hold upon it and received any wrong in matters of Love and was so religiously observed that neither Father nor Mother themselves could recal their own Children when they held by one of the corners The King could not imagine that Cryseidâ— should make this use of it or that
good earnest Hylas whose constancy could not continue any longer and fearing to offend against his old principles Mistresse said he I cannot continue any longer upon uncertaine terms you must either leave Astrea or let me take in Stella or else break all off our Market is quite done for I am a Merchant at a word your own law of equality obliges me unto it Do what Alexis could she could not chuse but laugh at the discourse of Hylas and staying long before she answered What said he are you laughing in lieu of an answer Truly servant said Alexis I must tell you truly I had rather be alone then to have ill company It is in your choice Mistresse replyed Hylas Well servant said she since I see you are a merchant so punctuall to your word I will believe you are resolved to quit me Stella hearing her selfe named came in and knowing that it was of her whom Hylas spoke Madam said she unto Alexis if you will but please to let Hylas serve me it will redound unto your advantage for when he finds my unworthinesse he will more esteem your merit Kind shepherdesse answered Alexis I rather feare the contrary for when Silvander asked him what faults he found in me he found some but in you none Nay rather answered Stella he found so many as he could not name them all No no said Alexis Love useth to blind the eyes of all those who love well Come come said Hylas to what purpose is all this talk Mistresse said he are you resolved I pay tell me for I cannot stay any longer Alexis who began to be weary of him because he often interrupted her discourse with Astrea she answered thus Servant we Druids use not to be so hasty as others for we use to consult with the Oracle in all our affaires But Mistresse said Hylas do you never any thing without the leave of the Oracle Nothing said she If as a reward of my serving you some moneths said Hylas I should ask you a kisse would you consult with the Oracle about it Servant replyed Alexis and laughed we never use to aske leave of the Oracle for such things for we know that we ought not to do it How how said Hylas not after a long service allowed one kisse No replyed the Druid What hopes then is there said Hylas in serving you any longer The contentment said she in loving and serving me Contentment said Hylas I take no delight in such a journey as will not bear its own Charges Well Servant said the Druid I perceive you intend to leave me and I will not stay you Methinks said he that so many services as you have received from me may very well permit me to kisse your hand at parting Although said Alexis I am very sorry to part from you and though the strict Lawes of the Druids do in some sort forbid it yet Hylas for a parting blow I will permit you a kiss of my hand Upon this Hylas kneeled down and said I receive this favour in testimony that I esteemed Alexis the most perfect in the quality of a Druid that ever was and having kissed her hand he ran to Stella and taking her hand Unto you faire shepherdesse said he do I come and offer all those favours which I obtained from those I loved and that you may not thinke me very poor receive in the first place this kiss which this faire Druid hath given me If you have no others said Silvander that are greater then this I believe Hylas you have not many to brag of Why answered Hylas Do not you esteem it a favour which Alexis hath done me I think it said Silvander rather a Ransome then a favour What Ransome doe your mean said Hylas I mean said Silvander that this fair and wise Druid rather then be any longer troubled with you did free and ransome her selfe from you by permitting you that kisse of her hand I do believe said Hylas that you are much mistaken but I know Silvander that you have been long my enemy and I will not believe any thing you say no more then I desire you should believe any thing I say against you But fair shepherdesse I beseech you believe not a word from this shepherd for if you doe I am sure we shall not long love each other Stella who was not ignorant of the humour of Hylas nor much displeased with it Now servant said she I am so well acquainted with Silvander that you need not say any more concerning him But pray tell me are you in good earnest my servant How replyed Hylas Do you think I dissemble as the shepherds of Lignon use No no be pleased to know that my heart is in my tongue and all my words are true do you not see that I have lest loving Alexis as I told her I would I shall believe all you have said replyed the shepherdesse and more if need be and therefore I desire you would do as much for me in what I shall say And to the end we may live contentedly together I desire that Articles of agreement may be drawn betwixt us which will oblige us to the observance of them and which we will call the Laws of Love And for our better remembrance of them I desire they may be put in writing before we make a full conclusion My future Mistresse said Hylas for so I will call you untill our conditions beset down in black and white I doe foresee so much contentment in our future amity that I will not delay it a jot longer I think I have an Inkhorn in my pocket and as for Paper I hope to find some also some way or other All the company who heard this new way of loving could not chuse but laugh and were so desirous to see the conditions as they every one began to look for some Paper and a piece being found Hylas himselfe would needs be the Secretary But Stella said that it was more reason it should be she because it was she that first made the Proposition At last after a long dispute Hylas agreed that she should dictate unto him and both parties should consent unto every Article But still Stella feared that Hylas would not set down according to her Dictates and Hylas feared the like of her so as they durst not trust each other This dispute could not be without abundance of delight to the company and because Astrea saw her dear Druid laugh heartily at the businesse she told Silvander that he might do very well to be the Secretary unto them both I should willingly undertake the office fair shepherdesse said he if that true and perfect affection which I beare unto Diana could suffer my hand to write things so contrary to the fidelity and purity of my love and truly I had rather die than any such conditions should ever be seen under the hand of Silvander Nay nay scrupulous Lover said Hylas never trouble your selfe for an excuse I will
could be alwayes present with her both in thought and body I should be more contented but how ever let me tell you that as I am I am more perfectly with her then you are since when you are present with her your thoughts of her are farre off retaining nothing with her but your body which is the inferiour part whereas my heart is with her though my body be distant If you doe object that these imaginary thoughts are not at all serviceable unto her because they are meer fancies I must answer you shepherdesse that it is in thought onely that we adore the great Tautates and never speak unto him but onely in contemplation And I doe serve and adore Diana upon the earth as all the world does adore the great Tautates in heaven which is in heart and thought You see therefore Phillis how this reason argues more for me then you And as to that advantage which you say your sex hath over mine I answer thus That I doe most ingeniously confesse that women are really of more merit then men and doe come nearer the divine and immortal Intelligences I do believe that women may well be ranked amongst them and they doe so much excell us in perfections as it is a kinde of wrong to reckon them amongst men we may with reason esteem them the medium betwixt Angels and us since we find by experience that all the good thoughts which men have do take their beginning from them It is at them they aim and terminate themselves in them and questionlesse it is by them that we come unto those pure thoughts And God hath placed them on earth to draw us unto heaven For my part I do believe it and will maintaine it unto the end of my life But this does not at all argue you Oh shepherdesse to be the better loved by my Mistress but rather will produce contrary effects I told you before that when one has done all that nature has given him power to doe and hath raised himselfe unto that height to which naturally he may rise it is highly to be esteemed And I say again that whosoever does lesse then naturally he may doe is much to blame especially when the thing is in it selfe laudable and he through naturall impuissance leaves it undone Now shepherdesse does not this argument much condemn you who being born a woman of a sex so perfect as you hold a medium betwixt the Angels and us and yet to love so imperfectly as you do especially a subject so full of perfection I am most confident that Diana did never out of her naturall sweetnesse consider my extream affection without esteeming it nor look upon the shallownesse of your Amity without condemning it For when she found mine so perfect so pure so entire and so exempt from all exceptions she could doe no lesse then highly commend it that such a perfect love should be found in so imperfect a sex as the masculine And on the contrary she is ashamed that so many faults and imperfections should be found in you and your sex which is by nature so much above ours But Mistress let us examine her other reasons whereby she argues me so guilty in matter of love She says that all my demonstrations of love are onely fictions disguisements and dissimulations and she thinks she has proved this Calummy very well when she sayes that I began to love you onely upon the wager and did not love you before But I beseech you my fair and just judge take notice of the evill consequences which she drawes from these presuppositions I doe confesse Phillis That the wager did move me first to love Diana and that this wager did give beginning unto my affection But must it from hence be concluded that my love is only dissimulation or that because I never loved any before therefore I do not love Diana now These shepherdesse are absurd conclusions If one do run for a wager and win it can it be thought he did run for it in jest and not in good earnest Tell me no more my enemy that my extream passions and raptures are but disguisements fictions and dissimulations For it is true I did love upon that wager but it is more true that my affection is most real And I am not so sure I am Silvander as that I am the most real servant of the fair Diana What a silly syllogism is it to say that because I did not once love Diana therefore I doe not love her now If such a conclusion may be drawn then one may say that because Phillis was not in the world forty years since therefore she is not in it now Had you said it was not long since this love began you had said truly and I would have confessed it with you with sorrow that it was no sooner But to prove that I doe not love because the time was when I did not know her is as much as if you should say that he who is not born to day will never be born Now Mistress be pleased to observe how she does contradict her selfe But it is not strange for it is the property of lying and calumny to be in severall tales whereas truth is alwayes in one and the same But admit said she that your beauty did a little move him and by this meanes he is in some sort become yours Is it possible Phillis you should be so long conversant with the fair Diana and know her perfections no better Doe you think it is possible to love her but a little Oh ignorant Phillis in the force of her beauty not one dart flyes from her faire eye which does not reach the heart and wound it mortally You might well keep your littles for common beauties which when they have scratched the skin a little do think they have given a great testimony of their power But as for Diana's beauty it seems you have not felt the blowes of it since you can talk so of a little But know Oh my enemy that a Remora which can stay a Ship under full sayle has not halfe the force of her perfections Diana's beauty takes not hearts by Littles but by All 's and he assured that the Gordian knots are more easily dissolved then those by which she fetters soules That fire which our Druids tell us must consume all the Universe has lesser flames then those of her fair eyes say not therefore ignorant shepherdesse that one can love her a little or that one can be in some sort hers All those who love her doe love her extreamly and all those who are hers are hers entirely so as when you grant that I doe love her a little you doe grant that I do love her infinitely and by consequence that nothing can equall the grandure of my affection Whereas you Phillis that can speak so doe thereby argue your selfe incapable of being moved and is insensible of that which is able to kill others But I beseech you
For is not every flower a hope And to what purpose do you think she ordained I should wear them upon my head It is true replied Stella but as you received those flowers from the sage Adamas so you must expect your hopes from him and not from Diana O Stella said Sylvander I perceive your eye was only upon Hylas for had you looked about you you might have seen I had them not from that Druide It is true I had them first from him but I laid them at the feet of Diana to shew that from her I expected all my hopes and now you see them upon my head from what other hand do you think I would receive them but from hers upon whom all my hopes depend Did I not receive this Crown of Flowers from her fair hand And did she not thereby as much as say HOPE But yet replied Stella these flowers and these hopes did come from the sage Adamas This answered Sylvander is not without a deep mistery for perhaps the great Tautatâ—s would have me know that the beginning of all my hopes must take original from sage Adamas The dispute betwixt these Shepherds and Shepherdesses had continued longer had they not come at the same time unto the great Meddow where the Shepherds used to perform their exercises A great company was already assembled from all parts and were prepared with all things necessary when seing the grand Druide and his company a far off they came to meet him with many demonstrations of joy to have him amongst them After the Complements of Courtesie were performed the Prizes were set up for Running for Wrestling for Leaping and for throwing the Bar Sylvander had the honour of the first Lycidas of wrestling Hylas of leaping and Hermantes of throwing the bar As for Sylvander every one was glad of his victory and of that of Lycidas also but as for Hylas and Hermantes who came with Daphnide and Alcidon the Shepherds of Forrests did a little grudge at them and Hylas going unto Stella because the prize which he had won was a little Crown composed of Feathers he beseeched her to let him put it upon her head Sylvander seeing this by way of mockery said unto him That Hylas is a very right reward for thy faithful paines What do you say said Hylas after he had put the Crown upon the head of Stella I say answered Sylvander that those who know you and dare leap with you are very bold for having such a light head as you have they might easily imagine your heels like unto it and be out of hopes to overcome you but they who made that Crown shewed more judgement for nothing could sute so well to your light mind as a Cap of Feathers I am not at all ashamed of it answered Hylas for unto you who are lumpish and dull they did very well to give such things as the gross earth produceth as that Garland of Flowers which you have in your hand But unto me as unto one who is composed of a more noble temper they have presented Feathers to shew that I do elevate my self in the Element of Ayr as despising such a lumpish piece as you are you I say who does envy that which you upbraid me withal since I will run against all the rest of the Shepherds to get the glory of being lighter then they You are mistaken answered Sylvander I did not run to make it appear I was lighter but because I was desirous to be the first at my fairest Mistris who sat at the end of the Race so as you are deceived if you thought I did run for the honour of running best for my aym was only to make it appear that none could go before me when I was going towards her By Fortune Diana was so neer as she heard all the discourse and therefore addressing her self unto Sylvander Shepherd said she unto him these names of Mistris and Fairest and these expressions of a particular affection were in season as long as the wager lasted but now let me entreat you to use them no more unlesse you will dis-oblige me but remember that my name is Diana and so I pray let me be called Sylvander answered That he who desired life no longer then to do her service had rather die then displease her but I beseech you said he allow me the rest of the day to unaccustome my tongue before you lay this command upon me and in the mean time I most humbly beseech you to accept of this Crown which I have won to the end I may put this day in the Calender as the happiest I ever yet lived The Shepherdesse who did love this Shepherd and began to resign that place in her heart which Philander had she was inclinable to grant his request but fearing lest her good will would too much appear she refused it and had gone away if Astrea and Alexis had not stayed her telling her that Sylvanders request was so reasonable that she would offend her own Natural Courtesie if she did refuse it and almost by force at least in appearance made her consent unto it I wish said the Nimph Leonide that this Chaplet of Flowers which Diana wears upon her head were given unto Paris for otherwise it will grieve him at the heart to see Sylvander's Garland upon the head of his Mistris That Title Madam said Diana is not my due but however I shall consent unto whatsoever the Nimph Leonide shall think fit upon this taking off the Chaplet of Flowers which she wore upon her own head and receiving that which Sylvander presented unto her she set her own upon the head of Paris and put Sylvanders upon her own head This caused no small dispute between Paris and that Shepherd to know which of them was most favoured but for that time they said no more because the Sun was very low which caused them to retire homewards Astrea and Alexis walked together Adamas Alcidon and Daphnide kept together Phillis was with Lycidas and Paris entertained Leonide with the discourse which she formerly begun in the house of Adams so as Sylvander addressed himself with all humility unto Diana Fairest Mistris said he will you permit me to wait upon you unto your House Sylvander said she I accept of your curtesie But I would gladly have you accustome your self betimes to call me by my name Believe it fair Shepherdess answered he you have no truer Name then that when I call you Mistris For I most earnestly beseech you to believe there is nothing under the Sun more certain then that I am your servant Diana who had no mind to be quit of Sylvander though she saw that she had no reason to love him being but a poor unknown stranger she was at a stand what to do but thinking that then there was no better way then to seem contented he should behave himself the rest of the day as he desired she answered him thus I am contented Sylvander you
as she took extream delight in her company and Diana was glad also to be thus rid of Paris as well because she did not love him as because love made her think very well of Sylvander and she could not permit her eares to hearken unto any words of affection which came from any mouth but of that kind Shepherd Leonide then went to meet Paris and the two Shepherdesses went towards the disguised Druide whom they found looking upon an old willow which time had decayed and which retained no more of it self but a hollow bulk and a withered bark Oh Willow said Alexis to her self what is become of these letters which I trusted thee with all And why dost thou not render me the same good offices thou wert wont in assuring me of my Shepherdesses good will For thou seest me now with no less love nor less affection then I had at that time Oh beloved Willow I know thy meaning for had the heart of my Fairest Shepherdesse retained the memory of my services thou vvouldst have still retained those characters vvhich vvere the dear testimonies of her good will but I see that time has vvorn both thee and them out of her thoughts had she spoken these words any louder the Shepherdesses had heard them but as luck was she expressed them unto her self only in thought And because they were unwilling to interrupt those pleasing imaginations vvhich they thought she fancied they stopped and vvhen the Druide vvalked they did the like not vvith any intention to discover any thoughts of her soul but only lest they should divert her by their presence from that which she thought most pleasing Alexis then thinking her self alone continued on her thoughts and likevvise her vvalk along the River side until she found a Tree on her right hand where two dayes before her unfortunate accident she had engraved some verses which testified vvith how much constraint she courted the Shepherdesse Aminthe and casting her eyes thereupon Oh how this sight did vvound her memory Perhaps the reading of those vvords had made her speak something so loud as to be heard by those Shepherdesses which followed her if by fortune Sylvander at the same time had not a far off began to sing and the voice came so distinctly towards them that Alexis turning her head that way espied the Shepherdesses close by her shee vvas sorry to see them so neer and perceive them no sooner fearing lest her passion had made her utter some vvord or use some action vvhich might discover vvhat she desired to conceal But that which most troubled her vvas her eyes vvhich vvere full of tears and which being so surprised she could not hide yet faining not to see them she turned the other way and vviped her eyes as well as she could and then setting a good face upon it she came unto them and bad them good morrow calling them sluggards and faining she could not sleep because the pretty birds began to sing so sweety at her chamber-window It was rather Madam answered Astrea because they troubled you No indeed answered Alexis for I took so much delight in their Musick that I could not chuse but rise to hear them more plainly as I walked by this River side and I think the time so short that it seems not above a quarter of an hour since I came hither But Madam answered Diana you have slept so little that I fear it will do you some injury It is true indeed answered Alexis and you may see my eyes have done pennance for it but I was so much delighted in hearing the warble of these pretty birds and in taking the fresh ayr that it is impossible to receive any harm The best remedy will be replied Astrea to go to bed betimes at night that you may enjoy your rest and sleep before the day do break and before these little chanters of the wood begin to sing and then we shall Madam be glad to bear you company and carry you unto places which are better furnished with this kind of harmony Alexis offered to reply when Sylvander began to sing and because they spied Phillis coming towards them they stayed for her whilest Sylvander sung Phillis being come unto them after she had saluted the Druide and her company Madam said she how do you like this Shepherds voice I like it very well answered Alexis and think him to be a very well accomplished Shepherd and a very perfect lover Madam answered Diana and both smiled and blushed perhaps you may be mistaken in your judgement of him for the Shepherds of Lignon do often hide dissembling souls under the innocent habit which they wear Perhaps indeed replied the Druide that this may be so in some but I am most confident I am not mistaken in my opinion of this Shepherd Tell her Madam said Phillis and interrupted her that she her self thinks the same and that if the Shepherdesses of Lignon were not greater dissemblers then this Shepherd she would not have spoken so as she did Sister replied Diana I am much beholding to your rallary for speaking thus of me in the presence of this Druide you will infuse a strange opinion of me into her Do not fear said Alexis and smiled that these words can make me believe any thing of you but good I know the virtue and merits of Diana very well besides dissimulation is sometimes so necessary unto our sex as it may well be taken for a kind of virtue But since we have gone so far give me leave to tell you out of my affection to you what Phillis hath formerly said unto your dear friend here upon the same subject Madam answered Diana you will do me an honour in it but the worst is I fear it is nothing worthy of your paines which you can tell me that concerns my self I make no doubt wise Shepherdesse said Alexis but you have often heard the same which I shall tell you but because we are all oftentimes partiall in our causes and because the advice of friends will do no harm I will tell you what discourse Astrea and I had yesterday concerning you and I shall desire Phillis also to give her advice because I know you have a great confidence in them both Upon this she related unto Diana all the considerations which they had upon Sylvanders love and after they had all concluded that it was no fiction nor by reason of the wager but reall and in good earnest she continued thus Now Fair Diana it concerns you to consider well upon it as for Sylvander to love or not to love you does not depend upon him he has but the choice of these two wayes either to grieve or to live happily with you even as you shall appoint But upon you does depend not only his misery and his happinesse but your own also And though I may believe that perhaps you are not sensible of those torments which his love inflicts upon him yet I conceive
which this Cavalier speaks of was made by some piece of glasse or some other counterfeit stone and not with a right Diamond the wound he speaks of was dressed and the receipt applied unto it as soon as it was made but mine is old and out of all hopes to be helped But suppose it possible I may recover this so much despised beauty by the torments which you will put me unto and which at best is but doubtful yet Thamires since I do not value it and since it is only to procure your self a little more contentment will you buy that contentment at a price which is so dear unto me In the first place you must carry my blood but alas the blood is nothing I would give it all to keep you with me but Oh? how many tears will your absence cause What sighs What sorrows What mortal displeasures shall I have in this sad separation Oh Thamires didst thou know how thou wilt torment thy Celidea by it I cannot think that for such a fading thing as this beauty thou would be so long from her When all is done Thamires when after a long and wearisome journey ful of dangers thou hast brought back with thee this beauty what will it avail thee Shepherd if a Feaver or sickness or sorrow or the happiness of a child bearing should take it away again But admit it do escape all â—â—ese has not time wings Will not age creep on a pace and ravish away this fading flower almost as soon as thou art returned Celidea tears did so accompany her words that Damon was moved unto much compassion Wise and discreet Shepherdess said he your virtue makes you admirable unto all those who know you and obliges every one to serve you not only upon this occasion but in all other I must confesse you have reason to desire the presence of Thamires but me thinks you might well dispence with him upon such an occasion yet to satisfie you both I will promise to bring this Chirurgion hither ere it be long and he shall cure your face without parting you from your dearly beloved Shepherd Oh Sir said Celidon if you will do this favour for a poor Shepherdess the great Tautates will reward you for I shall never be able but I will pray for your happiness as long as I live Damon admired the virtue and affection of this Shepherdesse assured her that Thamires should not be put unto the trouble of parting from her And it being late the Nimph retired with a resolution to offer her sacrifice the next morning and the day after to see these Shepherdesses conceiving that Damon would be in a condition to stir abroad and by his means she would try if she could bring back Daphnide and Alcidon with her that she might do them all the honour their merits deserved and having made her design known unto Damon he prepared himself with an extream desire to know what his Fortune would be The morning being come and all things ready for the sacrifice Cleontine put upon her head a Chaplet of Flowers girded her self about with Vervine took a branch of Missleto in her hand caused the fire to be kindled and after the white Buls were sacrificed she sprinkled her self with some of the blood afterwards she sprinkled some upon the Nimph and then upon Damon Then throwing the Savine the Missleto and the Vervine into the Fire she ran to the Vault of Bellinus and touching the Lock with the Branch of Missleto the door flew open with a great noise and she leaning her self as far into the Cave as she could she received the Wind which with a kind of murmuring voice came out of the Cave Then as if inspired with Enthusiastique Rapture she ran unto the place where the Sacrifice was offered which was in a little Grove near the Temple according to the ancient Custome There she found the Nymph and the Cavalier upon their knees expecting the answer of Bellinus Then laying one hand upon the Altar and holding the branch of Missleto in the other with staring eyes disordered hair and trembling hands and head she uttered a voice far different from what it was wont to be in these words The Oracle GO Nymph and know that thou shalt find Ere long the Errour of thy mind But still beware Incensed Love Should Fury turn and worser prove And thou O perfect Lover when Thou hear'st a Diamond speak Oh then From Death to Life thou shalt return By help of him whom thou didst scorn The Nymph and the Cavalier having received this Oracle they studied a long while upon it but it being impossible for them to understand it perfectly one of the ancient Priests who was present and who was accustomed to interpret such ambiguous answers he came unto the Nymph said this unto her Oracles which are the words of the great Gods are ordinarily rendred very obscure because future things ought to be concealed from Humanes For did we know the hour of our death we should not relish the sweets of life but live as if we were going to our graves Great Tautates who â—ves us as his children does advertise us of future accidents but darkly and will not let us know more then is fitting for us to know that we may have a dependency upon him The great Tautates does foretel you that ere long you shall see your errour and your sin and this in words so clear that nothing can be more manifest Also to shew that he does love you lest you should be surprized by the evil which â—e foresees is to fall upon you he does advertise you of it betimes to the end you may prudently prevent it or patiently receive it Furthermore I must needs tell you That by the corrupt Intralls and blood of all the Sacrifices which we have offered we expect some strange accident ready to fall upon our heads For the Victims do fall all upon the left side and when they did fall did beat themselves extreamly upon the ground and died very impatiently their blood would hardly come out and was defective both in quality and quantity and as for their Intralls their Hearts and their Livers were rotten To be brief we see so many apparent signes from heaven that it is manifest unless we do appease the great Tautates by humble and fervent Prayers we must expect some heavie judgements ready to fall upon us As for the Oracle which is rendred unto you O valiant Cavalier you may expect great contentment from it for it speaks good unto you In being called from death to life is to be understood your coming out of some eminent danger Death signifies some deep displeasure out of which you are ere long to be released by the assistance of him whom you scorn and hate And therefore Madam and you generous Cavalier it is your parts to render thanks unto Bellinus for the favour he hath done you both to the end your gratitude may oblige him to continue his
wear them all the day Astrea who did passionately Love this Druide had also a most extream desire to wear the clothes of Alexis and yet neither of them durst publish their desires And because Diana was very earnest with them to have it so But sister said Alexis unto Leonide what will my Father say when he sees me in such a disguise What will he say answered Leonide he will laugh and be very glad to see you in such a merry humour he knows that nothing is more prejudicial to your health then melancholy and sadnesse and thinks nothing more conducible to your health then jollity and mirth Could I believe replied Alexis that I should delude the eyes of those who shall see me this day as well as I was deluded in the choice of my clothes I should be glad For though there was much difference between our clothes yet I took Astreas for my own and yet I see you mistook me Believe it said Astrea one would believe you took much paines in dressing your self for it is impossible you should be better dressed and as for me I will take some other clothes to make it the more believed that you are a new come Shepherdess No no said Diana you must needs take the Druides clothes otherwise what will they think is become of her We will say answered Leonide that my sister is not well upon condition Astrea will promise to take her clothes to morrow that we may see whether she will be as fine a Druide as my sister is a Shepherdess I shall do as you desire said Astrea but I believe her Gown will be too big for me As much said Alexis as yours is too little for me but both may be easily helped Since Madam it is your pleasure to have it so said Astrea I shall be the Druide to morrow but I am confident that if Hylas saw this new come Shepherdesse to day he would burn all his Artieles of Agreement with Stella and add this Fair Stranger unto the great number of his Mistrisses I am sure said Alexis that neither he nor any else can see you but both he and all must needs Love you And because now it began to grow late and full time for these Fair Ones to rise Astrea was constrained to rise out of the bed in her smock to fetch another Gown and other Linnen which were in a Trunk at the other end of the Chamber and thinking none in the room but Women she arose very confidently and carelesly The first thing the disguised Druide saw was her bare Foot and Leg and half her Thigh The delicacy and whiteness of her Feet the handsome proportion of her Leg the plumpness of her Thygh and the beauty of her Neck could not be equalled by any things but themselves And Alexis stood in such a posture of amazement as she looked upon her as invited Astrea to take her in her arms and kiss her The embraces of Alexis might well have raised a suspicion that they were a little more affectionate and close then such as women use And Astrea was as zealous in her imbraces as Alexis was and perhaps received them not as the kisses of an Alexis but as the living resemblance of Celadon Leonide observing these amorous kisses and caresses and growing a little jealous she said unto the Druide Take heed new Shepherdess lest holding Astrea so long in your arms you cause her to take cold No no answered Astrea I cannot take any harm in being so neer Alexis I should be very sorry Fairest said the Druide to be the cause of any inconveniency to you but I hope my sister speaks only out of envy then Alexis took Astrea in her arms from off the ground and carried her to the Trunk unto which she was going and there setting her down kissing sometimes her Eyes sometimes her Mouth and sometimes her Neck And Astrea thinking her a Woman did freely permit it and was so extreamly contented to be thus carressed by one so much resemblant unto Celadon as she payed back her kisses unto Alexis with double interest None can expresse the fulness of this disguised Druides joy unlesse some that have been ravished by the like accident But it may easily be imagined that Alexis was very neer making her self known who she was although she knew that all her happiness would be blasted if she were discovered and perhaps had discovered all had not Phillis in the height of their carresses knocked at the door And therefore Astrea fearing it should be some body else ran presently to bed and looked through the Curtaines who it was which entred Alexis vexed at the heart to be thus interrupted she went to the door and asking who was there did open it unto Phillis so much against her mind that she looked not pleasantly all the day When Astrea saw it was her Companion Phillis she bad her good morrow and looked about for Alexis and when she saw that she was not in the Chamber she thought that she was gone to walk as formerly she had done Phillis also enquired for her and they answered that she was not very well and was gone into another Chamber but would return presently Phillis did easily believe them especially seeing her clothes upon the table But when they were all drest and ready to go out I beseech you said Phillis let us see Alexis before we go No no answered Leonide she desired to be alone but we will return after our walk and see how she does So taking Phillis by the hand she carried her out In the mean time the new come Shepherdess being walked into the Hazle Grove where she thought to be most private and might best entertain her own thoughts in contemplation of those beauties which she had seen and of those favours which she had received or rather under a borrowed notion had stoln But the day being now well on and most Shepherds retired with their Flocks under the shade she heard many Shepherds singing under shady trees and expecting the coming of their Shepherdesses Amongst the rest Calidon who was up that morning betimes and was come over the River of Lignon in hopes to see Astrea and to try his Fortune before he spoke any farther unto Phocion And he meeting Hylas by the way they came together unto this place where both of them began of sing And Calidon thinking upon Astreas cruel answer began to chant his complaints againsts her cruelty in a doleful tune Alexis not being accustomed to the voice of Calidon although she heard him sing and understood his words yet shew knew him not but she knew Hylas and heard him say Is it possible Calidon that Astrea should use you thus Alas Hylas answered he it is but too true and I wish I were able to use your receipt against such cruelties The Druide heard no more of their discourse for being desirous to pass unknown she left them yet Hylas continued thus Believe it Calidon there is
one Shepherd who is to be blamed for all the miseries that befal all the Shepherds of this Country in this kind Sylvander is he I mean for he having a very subtile wit does insinuate himself so in the good opinion of the Shepherds as by his false and sophistical arguments he perswades them That a Lover is a man lost in point of reputation if when he is ill entertained he change his affection as if a man were a Rock immoveable and able to abide all the angry blâ—sts and storms of a raging Sea so as a Shepherd becomes so much enslaved as in spite of all injuries he cannot discontinue his service and good will but he must presently be branded with inconstancy and thus all become subjects unto the Tyrany of Women whereas if these maximes were not they would not delight so much in seeing their servants to languish but would add every day fresh favours in hopes to keep us from changing Unto all this Calidon answered thus you are much mistaken Hylas if you think Sylvander to be the first Author of these opinions The Shepherds of this Country have for many ages observed the same Laws and though custome did not oblige us unto it yet the beauty of our Shepherdesses would constraine us For is it possible to Love them once and not alwayes I see replied Hylas that now you do Love Astrea and therefore one must not argue the matter with you according to the rules of reason But I hope to see you as far from this affection as you are from that of Celidea Several reasons answered Calidon did divert me from her you last named and many more do oblige me never to cease loving the other unless I cease to live for besides the accident which took away the beauty of Celidea and which was the first cause of my affection I was obliged to restore her unto Thamires in point of honour but setting this and all other considerations aside having submitted my self by oath unto arbitration doubtlesse I should have drawn upon me both the anger of Heaven and hatred of men if I had not been obedient unto it On the other side all things do induce and invite me never to change my affection unto Astrea for in the first place her beauty is such as cannot be equalled She is so much the prouder for that said Hylas No matter answered Calidon a little pride in a Woman makes her the more amiable Yes said Hylas so she be proud unto others and not unto us but is not beauty very subject unto the injury and blasts of time Oh Hylas answered Calidon when age has blasted the beauty of Astrea the same age will make Calidon not much care for beauty moreover Parents who have the government of her and those who have the power over me do allow of this affection The contentment of Parents replied Hylas is often a cause that Women will not Love those who otherwise are not displeasing unto them as well because they cannot abide Parents should be courted more then themselves as because constraint is odious unto them For Love never comes by constraint nor the opinion of others but only by the will of those who love But Astrea is so wise replied Calidon that she will be conformable unto the opinion of her friends May be not replied Hylas Astrea is able to build upon her own resolution I should easily believe it said Calidon did I not see that she is disengaged and free from loving any and as yet I have not done her service sufficient to engage her so as should she be easily won she would not be so estimable Oh Calidon said Hylas Do you think long service will make her love Alas alas poor Shepherd I pity you if you be of that opinion you had need to make provision of Spectacles to see her Beauty withal at that time for when it comes I believe you will not be able to see without them Did you never hear how Celadon loved her Yes replied Calidon but he being dead that makes nothing against me Nothing against you said Hylas Yes yes perhaps more then you imagine For why else according to Sylvanders doctrine should she preserve the memory of him so freshly as Tyrcis does of his dead Cleon But this is not that I would say Do you know how long this Celadon Courted her Some four or five years answered Calidon Well friend answered Hylas Do you not think a pair of Spectacles will do very well at five years end I do not think said Calidon that so long a time is requisite to win her but though it be yet I should not be reduc'd unto any such necessity as you speak of Shepherd shepherd replied Hylas you may flatter your self as long as you please but you may consider that nothing is more certain then experience and what you have formerly seen come to pass Consider if you be wise that it may come to pass again You say she is not engaged in her affection unto any Why this is it Friend which makes me think worse of your business for those women which will love any may be drawn and won to love us but these insensible Creatures are such things as do not so much as know what and whom is to be loved Calidon began to boggle at the reasons which Hylas urged and thought them very strong I assure you Hylas said he I stand in need of all these consolations which you give me I think my self happy in meeting with you If you would have me flatter you said Hylas I could speak in another dialect but if your judgement be sound you will see I speak like a friend If you desire to find comfort in your misery you must use the like remedies which I alwaies did in the like cases which if you do I will warrant you from taking any harm from such a disease as this But let me tell you answered Calidon that if you mean quitting Astrea or loving any other I had rather lose my eyes then look upon any other Beauty then hers and lose this heart which gives me life then ever love any other Shepherdess then Astrea Upon this being a little angry with Hylas he would have gone away from him But Hylas held him and smiling said unto him Nay said he if you be upon that lock and desire so much to see Astrea you may go into the Grove of Hazles For I saw her there alone but would not tell you because I feared you would but lose all your labour For a woman is somtimes like unto death which comes upon us before we be aware and least think upon it Hylas said Calidon It was not friendly done to keep me so long from my happiness in being with her Nay nay said Hylas take heed you come not soon enough to receive a course entertainment Calidon having not so much patience as to stay so long to reply he went as fast as he could to the place which
finished when Galathea seeing the Souldier dispatched she went unto Damon to know how he did Damon who saw that the man who had relieved him was in a bad condition he ran presently to help him but he found that Adamas had already bound up his wounds and the Shepherdess leaning over him so swelled with Tears that she never looked up The Shepherd finding that his end was near did offer twice or thrice to turn his head and look upon her but he could not because he lay the contrary way yet hearing what sad sighs and tears she shed for him Be of good comfort Madam said he unto her and fear not but that he who is the just Judge of all will send you some in my room to conduct you into your Country the greatest grief that I shall carry to my grave is to leave you in this Country and see none with you that will serve you as faithfully as hitherto I have done but I know that the great and good Tautates will hear my prayers and guide you out of the place so full of danger He would have spoken more but his weakness would not permit him Then the Shepherdess began Alas said she will you leave me in my greatest need Have you not promised never to forsake me till we find the Cavalier whom we seek for Madam answered the Shepherd it is the fault of Fate not mine for I protest I would never leave you untill I have put you into the hands of the Knight of the Tiger as you desire Alas Madam you cannot justly accuse me of any thing but undertaking more then I was able to perform In all this long voyage I have rendered you all the honour all the rest and all the services I was able and the great Tautates be my witnesse I would have continued it still if my life might continue and could I but see you in any place of safety death should be must welcom unto me Damon as I told you ran to held the Shepherd but as soon as ever he cast his eye upon him and saw his face he was amazed and stood looking upon him as if he were immovable and doubtlesse his admiration had been more had not the Shepherdess lifted up her drooping head so as he thought that he should know her face and the tone of her voice but the habit of a Shepherdess and a Shepherd and the wan paleness of both their faces made him stand in doubt whether his eyes and his eares did deceive him In the mean time Halladine came unto him to bind up his wounds but he was so taken up with the sight of this Shepherdess and Shepherd that without answering Halladine or so much as seeing him he suffered him to take away his Buckler and began to dis-arm him where he saw the blood run when Adamas and Galathea came to him and when the Shepherd casting his eye by chance upon the Buckler which Halladine laid upon the ground Oh good God Madam said he unto her what is this I see and with much a do holding out his arm he shewed her the Buckler with a Tiger feeding upon a mans heart so as knowing it to belong unto that Cavalier whom they were in quest of Oh happy Thersander cryed he out now dye when thou wilt with full contentment since Heaven has been so favourable unto thee as to see Madonthe in the hands of her so much desired Protector Damon hearing the name of Thersander and afterwards Madonthe and both of them looking upon him he had been blind if he had not known them Now did he plainly see his long lookt for Madonthe and Thersander also whose life he so resolved to take away His love of Madonthe his hatred of Thersander and his unexpected meeting with them did make him tremble as if he had an extream fit of an ague upon him He knew not what to do whether he should go away or whether he should take revenge and kill the ravisher of his happiness before the face of her whom he thought had used him so ill The injury which he conceived he had received did invite him to it and his affection and respect stayed his trembling hand But at last thinking upon the Oracle which he had received at Mount Verdune he quenched all desires of revenge But shaking from him all those that were so busie in dis-arming him who thought that his trembling proceeded from his wounds he ran presently to the Shepherdess Oh Madonthe Madonthe cryed he out has Heaven been so favourable to me as to let me once more see you before I dye Upon this kneeling down upon the ground before her he offered to take her hand and kiss it but Madonthe surprised beyond imagination first to have met with the Knight of the Tiger whom she sought for and secondly seeing him to be Damon whom she thought long since dead she was so ravished with wonder that seeing him upon his knees before her when she least hoped for him she could not chuse but with open arms embrace him But this unexpected meeting and sudden joy made her look as if death were in her face Damon on his side looked as pale as she so as if Halladine had not run presently to hold them up doubtless they had both faln to the ground Thersander now knowing him also to be Damon and hearing him speak he lifted up his eyes to Heaven having not so much strength as to stir his hands Oh God! said he How just how good and how omnipotent thou art Just in rendring Damon unto Madonthe and Madonthe unto Damon good in making three persons happy at once These two Lovers in meeting that happiness they desired and Thersander in seeing so good a conclusion of his services and omnipotent in bringing all these things to pass when we least hoped for them Oh Madonthe Oh Damon may you enjoy all fulness of contentment and live happily together many many years Upon this expression he grew pale and resigned his last breath with such a smiling countenance as plainly shewed he left this life with contentment Galathea in the mean time and Adamas who with all the rest of the Nymphs were come to this Cavalier they were all in extream amazement to see all these three persons look as if they were all dead alike But Halladine who loved his Master extreamly Madam said he if there be any sparke of pity in you I beseech you command Damon to dis-arm himself least his loss of blood prove the loss of his life How friend said Alcidon to Halladine is this Damon the Valiant Cavalier of Aquitane The very same Sir said Halladine who has lost more blood in eight dayes he has been here in this Country then he has of many years in all other places Oh Father said Alcidon unto Adamas I beseech you let us contribute all the help we can for I can assure you there is not a braver and more accomplished Cavalier in all Aquitane then this Then
kneeling down upon the ground he began to dis-arm him Damon not being sensible of it As for Madonthe after she had continued a while in a swoon she came again to her self and seeing every one so busie about Damon she thought that he was dead of those wounds which he received in the combate Oh my God! cryed she out and wrung her hands must I lose thee Damon as soon as ever I have found thee And must I see thee now never to see thee again Miserable wretched Madonthe what malevolent Star is predominate over thee Must thou receive a happiness only to be the more sensible of its loss Oh Heavens Oh Fate was ever such bitter torments reserved for any that lives Life I defie thee and torments do your worst till you have brought me to my grave upon this her sighs and her tears did so stop the passage of her voice that she was forced to be silent but her silence moved so much compassion in all the Nymphs that whilst Alcidon Daphnide Hermantes Adamas and Galathea were about Damon they took the Shepherdess under her arms and removed her almost by force from the place where she was every one giving her all the consolation they could In the mean time Damon was dis-armed his wounds bound up as well as the inconveniency of the place would permit and a little after he began to open his eyes but being so weak as he was not able to rise he turned his head two or three times about to look for Madonthe and Halladine knowing very well what he looked for Sir said he unto him do not trouble your self so much Madonthe is not far from you assume to your self Sir a little courage and all will be well Halladine answered Damon what doest thou talk of courage Dost thou think I can want any that had so much as to love the perfections of Madonthe But where is she And what is it which hinders me from a sight of that Fair Face is she still with Thersander Thersander Sir answered Halladine is dead and dyed to save your life by which you may see the truth of the Oracle and what great reason you have to rejoyce since now your troubles are all to end Halladine said Damon help me to rise that I may see whether all thou sayst is true Madonthe hearing all that Damon said she took heart and being extreamly joyed to see him in a better condition then she imagined she rose up and ran as fast as she could unto him and without any regard unto those about him she almost smothered him with embraces but being taken off by Halladine who feared that her excessive kindness might make him worse she sat down upon the ground by him and looking upon him with eyes full of admiration Ah Damon said she unto him is Heaven so good unto me as to let me see thee once more Is it possible that the Knight of the Tiger who rescued me from the hands of the perfidious Leriana should prove to be Damon whom she had so craftily given so much occasion to hate me And is it possible Cavalier that thy affection to me should be above her malice and that out of thy generosity thou shouldest save her life whom by her subtilty thou hadst reason to hate unto death But Cavalier if thou art indeed that Damon of whom I speak and if all those causes together with so long absence from me have not changed thy affection why dost thou stay so long before thou givest me some assurance of it Damon then taking her hand yes yes Madam said he I am the very same Damon you speak of and sweat that I am nothing changed unless it be in loving you more then ever I did All the venom of Leriana nor all the happiness of Thersander was not able to diminish the least spark of my vowed affection to you Heaven is the witness of all my thoughts and the Sun has seen all my actions and I challenge them both to upbraid me with the least stain of my fidelity to you I must needs confess replied Madonthe that the treason of Leriana was enough to make you hate me and to believe all that she had infused into you concerning the happinesse of Thersander But I do vow unto you by the memory of my honoured Father and by all my desires and hopes of any happiness that all I did was only to be the more loved by you and all the favours done unto Thersander was only to reclaim Damon from an imaginary affection and my design in absenting my self from my Country and my friends was only to seek out Damon under the Notion and Arms of the Knight of the Tiger Oh ye good Gods cryed out Damon Never was Cavalier in the world so happy as I am since I have received these assurances from the mouth of Madonthe She would have replied when Adamas mistrusting the security of that place and fearing lest the wounds of Damon should grow worse he told Galathea that he thought it convenient to carry this Cavalier unto some place where his wounds might be better drest and since he was very weak he desired he might rest himself some dayes in his house because it was the neerest place of conveniency Necessity made the Nymph consent unto this motion so as sending unto some of the Neighboring Hamblets they got Damon to be carried unto the house of Adamas and the corps of Thersander unto the Town of Marselles to give it an honourable Funeral In the mean time Galathea advertised Amasis by Lerindas of all these passages beseeching her that Damon might be put into some place of safety which when she had done she would presently come and receive her commands Madonthe could not possibly chuse but lament the loss of poor Thersander and certainly it had cost her many more tears had she not met with Damon But however his long fidelity affection and service might well claim some tears for his disasterous Fate and in reward of all his pains which she did most zealously pay In the mean time they began to carry away Damon who turning his head every way to see what Madonthe did and spying the body of Thersander he could not chuse but sigh not yet knowing whether he should wish him alive or no. Yet considering that he dyed to save his life his generosity constrained him to say Farewell Friend rest contented in that having Damon for thy enemy thou hast obliged him to lament thy loss and to call thee his Friend Upon this he held out his hand unto Madonthe who came unto him and never left him until he was in the house of Adamas although Galathea did most earnestly desire her to come into the Coach chusing rather to follow Damon on foot then to be one minute absent from him On the other side Adamas having presented Daphnide Alcidon and the rest of their Company unto the Nymph and she receiving them with all expressions of civility that the
and which said thus WHen Paris is the Prime of Gaul A Gaulish stranger govern shall Now Merovius and the Franks thought that their Ancestors being Gaules this Oracle was spoken of them and I assure my self that Madam you know how this delectable River of Seine runs round about that City And when the Queen went to walk upon the banks of it all the Ladies and Cavaliers waited upon her and walked also two and two where and how they pleased One evening therefore after supper Methina went to take the Air and Andrimartes taking Silviana under her arm he entertained her as he was wont with his young affections unto which she answered in as innocent Language as infancy it self could imagine As they were wandering amongst the thick of the wood they sate down at the first under an old Willow which grew by the River side but the young Lady not liking to stay too long in a place and being weary with sitting she rose up and went unto a little tree of Osiers and making choise of one whose bark was smooth and tender she had a mind to engrave her name upon it so as taking a Gold Bodkin which she wore in her hair she engraved the Letters of Silviana Andrimartes seeing what she began to do he went upon the other side of the tree and write upon the same stalk as if it were in the very same line these words I Love so as what he writ meeting with what Silviana had written both together made I Love Silviana but she going on his side she could see only what he had written how Andrimartes said she do you Love I beseech you who You may see Madam said he unto her if you will please to read on the Line For my part said she I see nothing but what you have written look a little better Madam said he and you may find that which is engraved upon my heart as well as upon that bark where is the name said she that you speak of Look well said Andrimartes and you will find it not far off I do not understand you answered she for I see nothing but that which you writ what then is this answered Andrimartes and pointed unto what she had engraved That is Silviana answered she Then said Andrimartes joyn what I writ and what you writ together I see replied she that by joyning them together there is I Love Silviana but it was my self that wrote it Most true answered Andrimartes and it is you who has engraven it in my heart Your heart replied she and wondred how could I do that for I never saw your heart I know not Madam how you did it answered he but I am sure that with you Fair Eyes you have done it Fie fie cryed she out I cannot believe it for my eyes cannot engrave or if they could I should surely have seen when they did it had they that quality I should not have used my Bodkin to engrave upon this bark This childish answer did plainly shew Andrimartes how ignorant she was in matters of Love yet for all that he continued on It is no wonder Madam said he that your Fair Eyes cannot engrave your Name upon a bark because it is a thing insensible but said she I have often looked upon the Queens little dogs which she loves so well and can you find one letter of my Name upon them No no replied he they are animals without reason it is only upon the hearts of men and men who are most worthy of that character How said Silviana can I do it and not perceive it I beseech you Madam said Andrimartes do you perceive your self to grow Alas said she I do that naturally and you do naturally replied Andrimartes make wounds in hearts Oh my good God replied she I have heard say that all wounds upon the heart are mortal and if my eyes have wounded yours I shall be the cause of your death and you will have all the reason in the world to hate me T is most certain replied he that all wounds upon the heart are mortal and those which you have given me will cause my death unless you give me a remedy but however I cannot hate you since on the contrary I think that I cannot love you so much as I desire and as you deserve I conceive the best way will be answered the young Silviana that since my eyes do hurt you so much to hide them from you for the future By no means Madam I beseech you answered he unless you would have me die as soon as you begin that mortal remedy for you must know that if any thing under Heaven can save my life it must be by giving me new wounds This remedy said the young Silviana is very strange and least you should dye I will not only do as you say but desire all my companions to do the same in hopes that the multitude of wounds which their eyes do make may ease you in those you receive from me The eyes of your companions answered he can neither hurt nor heal me what difference said she do you find betwixt my eyes and theirs For my part I know not any There is so much replied Andrimartes That I had rather be dead then want the least wound which I have from you and I would accord theirs as much as I can I do not understand said she why you should think so for wounds are wounds from whomsoever they be received There are replied Andrimartes wounds that are honourable and pleasing and others that are ignominious and painful those which I receive from you are of the first sort and those which your companions can give are of the other I cannot imagine answered the young Silviana what the difference should be If there were other Silvianas said Andrimartes as Fair and full of Excellencies as you are and as able by their beauty to make such welcom wounds I should then agree with you that they would be all desirable alike but since that cannot be assure your self Madam I shall think nothing to be a favour or a remedy which comes not from your Fairest self Silviana was very young and yet not so young but hearing Andrimartes speak thus she understood his good will unto her for self love is so natural unto us that nothing does oblige more at what age soever then a good esteem which is held of us and that made him to return this answer the good opinion which you have of me moves you unto this language but believe it Andrimartes you are as much obliged unto it by the good opinion which I have of you Perhaps their discourse had gone farther but for the coming of Childerick who with a great number of young boyes came running and leaping through those woods and parted them for this young Prince carried away Andrimartes almost by force to leap and exercise with his companions as he who excelled them all in agility and nimbleness He left the Fair Silviana
who is to govern a people ought to render himself more wise and more virtuous then the people which are to obey him for otherwise his government will be only by Tyranny which is less safe unto him and more displeasing unto them Upon this Merovius would hearken unto no reply but leaving him he dispatched a messenger presently unto the Queen Methina which let her understand that without more delay she should propound this marriage unto Semnon Duke of Gaul Armorique and to assure him that he would raise Andrimartes unto such a degree as he should have no cause to repent the bestowing his Grand-child upon such a brave Cavalier The Queen who was as desirous to give Andrimartes contentment as the King she dispatched an Ambassador immediately unto Semnon whose consent was easily obtained and who having heard so great a Fame upon the Name of Andrimartes did embrace the motion with many thanks unto the Queen for her desires of such a Match for Silviana thinking himself so obliged both unto her and Merovius for it as he thought himself sufficiently recompensed for all the services he had ever done them and beseeched them to dispose of him and his Grand-child as they pleased Only this he desired that he might see Andrimartes to the end he might be better acquainted with him who was to enjoy Silviana and his estate This answer being received the Queen did presently acquaint her Husband with it who thought it expedient for Andrimartes to make this journey unto the good Duke and the rather because at that time he had either Peace or Truce with all his Neighbours and could best spare him Andrimartes and Silviana hearing of this intended separation though they knew it conduced much unto their future contentments yet their extream affections unto each other could not consent unto it without abundance of grief for whilst he was in the Army she heard from him every day but now the journey was long and they foresaw that the good Duke Semnon would not suffer him to return so soon as they desired yet necessity constraining them Andrimartes departed more desirous to return then to be the possessor of Gaul Armorique I shall not Madam here relate the passages of his reception both by Semnon and his people who understanding the intentions of their Lord did make preparations to receive him with all manner of honour and joy infinitely applauding the election of their good Duke Let it suffice to tell you that after Semnon had welcomed Andrimartes with all manner of magnificence and kept him a while in his Court he did not only grant Silviana unto him as he desired but also proclaimed him his Successor in Gaul Armorique and caused all his vassals and subjects to acknowledg him so so as all the Grandees all the Souldiers and all the Knights received him as their succeeding Lord with great applause Presently after this or a little before Clidemant was come into the Army of Merovius and saw Andrimartes being a witness of his brave exploits So as when this news was divulged in the Court of Merovius it was very welcom unto all the brave Cavaliers Childerick only excepted who was much displeased at it for though he made a shew of the contrary and since his Father had chid him was not so bold as to let his love unto Silviana appear yet in lieu of diminishing it encreased every day not that he had any intention to marry her for he aymed at something higher but his design was to enjoy her in another quality When he heard any commend the choise which Semnon had made for his Grand-child he could not forbear speaking very dis-advantageously of it and charge him sometimes with injustice and sometimes with indiscretion of injustice in depriving his right Successors from his Estate and of indiscretion in submitting Gaul Armorique unto a Frank who was a stranger So as not being able to quench his flaming passion and finding an opportunity of discourse with Silviana he said thus unto her Is it possible Fair Lady you should ever think of marrying Andrimartes Sir answered she is he not a Cavalier of greater merit then I can deserve It seems replied he that you are ignorant in matter of merit since you do not see that the least of your perfections does infinitely transcend all that is in Andrimartes Sir answered she and smiled If I be of such worth as you seem to make me I shall quickly make him rich for I will wholly bestow myself upon him and for my part I shall think my self sufficiently payed if he do but love me and unto that I shall hope to oblige him by the extream affection which I do bear unto him This speaks your judgment to be wonderous weak said Childerick and that your will transports you beyond reason Sir answered she if you think to vex me by such discourse as this you are to blame since my will was alwayes to honour you And if it be to cross Andrimartes I shall wonder since the only ambition of that poor Cavalier is to imploy his life for the propagation of your Crown Fair one answered the young Prince my design is neither to vexe you nor cross him but only to prevent your ruine which I foresee will be if you do not retire your self from this young and indiscreet affection believe it I do not speak without reason and did you consider what good fortune is offered you perhaps you would not thus precipitate your self Sir replied Silviana set your heart at rest and believe this for a most certain truth that all the great advantages in the world shall never divert my affection unto Andrimartes The Queen and the King allow of it Semnon approves of it also and what then can make me backward Why good Silviana replied Childerick do you make no reckoning of my will And do you not think that my consent is also necessary Certainly I do Sir answered she but I cannot think you will ever cross the will of Merovius The Love which I do bear unto you is such said he that if I saw it would be necessary for your good I would cross even Tautates himself But since you care so little for your own good adieu and remember that I am Childerick a Kings Son and one who hereafter will let you see what a fool you are to despise that good will which he offers unto you Upon this not staying for her answer he went away in an angry mood At which she was very sorry not in any consideration of her self but out of fear lest his anger should reflect upon her dear Andrimartes In the mean time Semnon having kept Andrimartes a long while with him and thinking it now time for him to return unto Merovius he dismissed him upon condition that as soon as he was married he should return and bring Silviana with him with a resolution of staying alwayes and taking upon him the care of his Estate and spending the rest of his
asks I cannot relate all the stories that are told of him for they are so many and so strange as are incredible His greatest reputation did spring from a voyage which Leonide did make unto him who reports such wonders of him as does astonish all hearers Amongst the rest said Polemas what does she report to have seen Sir answered the man she reports many wonders and amongst the rest of the Door of the Temple which opens and shuts of it self at the very command of this holy Man For my part Sir I go but seldom unto the Castle and what I report is only by hear-say But it is most certain that many strange wonders are reported of this holy person Well Sir said Polemas Return unto your Father tell him I give him a thousand thanks for the News which I have received by you and shall one day be as forward in real recompence as I am now in my verbal thanks Desire him to continue in his Affection and Fidelity but above all I desire both him and you to be secret Upon this Polemas dismissed the messenger and returned to Climanthes who hearing what the man reported of him could not chuse but laugh at the opinion which the world conceived of him And let me tell you said he that it is beyond the reach of a Female subtilty to find out the Art which I have used Good Climanthes said Polemas I beseech you tell me how you kindled the Fire upon your Altar and how the Doors did open and shut of themselves at such a distance from you for I must confess I do not understand how you can do it The truth is Sir said Climanthes these Arts like all tricks of Legerdemain are not to be understood by words as they may be most easily by sight and demonstration for I have ordered my Engines in such a manner as words cannot describe them but be assured they are the easiest things in the world to be understood when they are once seen I must needs say replyed Polemas that Climanthes is a Master in his Art and now I am fully perswaded that these Women are deceived by it But dear friend said he and embraced him how do you think our Designe will take Doubtless Sir said he as well as we can wish for though the event of future things be uncertain yet take it upon my word a happy beginning is most commonly seconded by a happy end and I am certain you cannot desire a more happy beginning then we have had Within this Country all is your own and out of it there is not one Prince nor Neighbour who does not love and favour you All those that can any ways hinder you are at a far distance from you and so employed in the affairs of others that they give you time enough to transact ours The best of it is Clidemant who is the only mote in your eye he is so engaged in the assistance of a Prince so far distant from us that any relief from him is not to be feared whereas your Confederates and Allies are at hand so as we shall meet with no opposition unless from a Company of weak women who though very potent in Wars of Love yet are they but pitifully weak in the Wars of Mars But you must consider replied Polemas that Adamas whose good will will never be gained is a very considerable enemy by reason of the credit and reputation that he has in this Country the authority of Amasis and the averse disposition of Galathea will be great hindrances unto us Pray Sir consider answered Climanthes that every thing will act according to its own nature Adamas may hurt you in words but not in deeds take but Arms and all his books are not worth a rush As for Amasis she is so affectionate unto Galathea as she will not cross her in any thing she shall desire there is the greatest difficulty replied Polemas for Galathea is young and has no consideration of the States tranquility but all her designes and inclinations are cross and averse unto mine How know you that replied Climanthes perhaps she desires it as much as you but knows not how to bring it about I pray tell me Has she not formerly loved you True answered Polemas but Lindamore has stoln her affection from me Pray Sir consider said Climanthes that what was once may be again The Nature of a woman especially of a young one is very wavering catches at every object of novelty that pleaseth the eyes and fixes solidly upon none her mind is like a Ship at Sea without any Anchor or stay which flotes as every wind pleaseth Now if we may be conjectures guesse all things hidden I must needs think she is fully intended to observe whatsoever I shall bid her why else should she send Leonide unto me to desire that I should come presently unto her I am either extreamly mistaken or else I see her heart infinitely impatient to see me with intentions to put her self wholly into my hands assure your self that I gave her a very hot allarm when I told her that if she married any but him whom the Gods had appointed for her she would be the most unhappy woman alive But suppose said Polemas she should discover your subtilty But suppose said Climanthes the sky should fall There is as much likelyhood of the one as of the other I would have you to know that Climanthes is such a Master in his Art that if he would attempt to make Amasis marry him he could bring it to pass Polemas laughed and said I wish with all my heart that I were a witness of your marriage with her and you of mine with Galathea No no said Climanthes I would be contented with Leonide Oh my dear friend said Polemas when I do marry Galathea I will promise you Leonide and I promise you said Climanthes that I will give you Galathea within a few dayes or else I will lose my life Upon this the question grew whether he should make Galathea come unto him or he go unto her at last it was concluded better for him to go unto her because in making her come into the Temple it was to be feared lest his tricks in opening and shutting the doors might some way or other miscarry or be discovered and then the whole plot was spoiled besides those things that are taken for wonders at the first and admired do grow stale by often using and scorned Moreover since this opening and shutting is believed to be the Act of God it will be thought strange that this God can do nothing but still one and the same things But by going to the Palace all these things are not to be expected and nothing is to be done but talking with her Upon this they parted full of hopes to arrive ere long at their desired ends But Polemas who was a man of a sharp wit and a sound judgment and a spirit swell'd with ambition although he seemed to
as she designed to separate her self from all conversation Fortune would have it so that which way soever she went she met with several encounters for having quitted her self of Delphire and Thaumantes as soon as she was out of their sight looking for the most unfrequented place of all the Wood she had no sooner seated her self under a shady thicket but she heard a stranger sing very neer her singing and the effect of the song was That men are without any amity As soon as Diana heard this voice she had a good mind to go and see who it was but hearing her begin to talk unto her self she thought it best to hear what she said and she heard her say thus What a hard and severe thing it is which Nature hath imposed upon Women that they must not only live amongst their enemies but also be subject unto their Tyrannical Dominion Had she but put a little more strength into our body we had not been subject unto that proud and fierce animal called Man but why did she not as well subject this man unto an Ox or an Horse which are stronger then he as he is stronger then us For if weakness be the cause of our subjection why should not they be subject unto them Nay upon the same reason why should not the weakness of their minds subject them unto our bodies For the strength of their judgements cannot be equal unto the strength of our bodies Is it not an infallible argument of a weak judgement to desire a thing most passionately and mediately not to desire it Which is he amongst men that has not deceived her that trusted in him Shew me the man who makes it a matter of conscience to keep his word his promises nay his very oaths and execrations when he intends to deceive They think their disloyalty is handsomly covered when they say that the Gods will not punish the oaths of perjured Lovers It is true indeed they do not punish them immediately upon the very act but yet they defer it only because they will punish them according to their merits altogether there is not a man breathing upon the face of the earth that does not swear and protest and vow and yet his intention is quite contrary their designes are meer Chimeras empty clouds one is no sooner begun but another seconds it and quite obliterates the first their promises and their oaths resemble great claps of thunder whose noise is no sooner ended but no more is heard of it what God is there whom they will not call to witness What curse will they not call for upon themselves And what assurance will they not give when they would obtain any thing of us But when the humour of it is past or when they have obtained what they desire who cares for any performances of promise or fears any curses they called upon themselves But presently seek out for excuses to avoid those chastisements which they deserve they are the very Pests of the earth the most imperfect works of the Gods sent only for our punishments and eternal torment Diana who heard every sillable that this Shepherdess spoke and thought all alluded unto Sylvander she approved of all she said and going to her with a desire to see her face she could not tread so softly but she made such a noise that the stranger heard her who thinking at the first that it was some man out of a hatred unto the very name she would have gone away but afterwards perceiving it was a Shepherdess she stayed but looked about her with such an affrighted countenance and wild eye as testified the words of her mouth proceeded from her heart Diana seeing her in this condition and thinking her astonishment proceeded from the same cause that her own perplexities did â—he began to pity her and saluting her with a kind aspect offered all the assistance and service she was able The stranger seeing her so fair and full of curtesie began to leave her affrighted and wild looks and assume her ordinary countenance and temper After she had saluted Diana and thanked her for her courteous offers she answered thus I am very willing and desirous Fair Shepherdess to render the same services unto you which you out of your goodness are pleased to offer unto me and wish with all my heart I were able to second my desires with real performances as your civility does oblige me but as the case is with me I must now be all upon the craving side and not only beg your assistance but also that remedy which by the appointment of the Gods I come to look for in this Country Assure your self answered Diana that you will find none here who will not be very ready to do you any service but I believe you will not find any here so vain as to think themselves able to Counsel others the innocent simplicity of our words will not permit so much arrogance to be amongst us Yet two things replied the stranger makes me hope well in my voyage the one that the Gods are no lyars nor breakers of their promises but have left that quality unto men The other is because my first encounter in this Country is a very good omen that I shall find what I look for your beauty your civility and your prudent expressions makes me hope for a happy success in my voyage The Gods indeed answered Diana are no lyars nor deceivers but sometimes they are pleased to render their Oracles so full of obscurity that men do often mistake and deceive themselves in the interpretation as for any thing that relates unto me I wish fair Shepherdess that the meeting may prove as serviceable unto you as it is pleasing unto me and as I desire to serve you If there be any thing in this Country which you think conducible unto your contentment I beseech you tell it unto me and if without prejudice to your self you may tell me what occasion brought you hither and what reason you have to enveigh so much against men Upon this the stranger stood mute a while and looked upon the ground at the last lifting up her head with a sad sih she returned this answer The question which you ask Fair Shepherdess is so reasonable that I will very willingly give you satisfaction knowing very well that the patient must discover his disease unto that Phisitian from whom he desires a remedy but before I trouble you with a hearing of it I beseech you satisfie my curiosity and tell me whether you be not either Astrea or Diana for one of my greatest inducements unto the voyage was my hopes of so much happiness as to be acquainted with those two Shepherdesses as well by sight as by those reports which Fame gives of them There may be many Shepherdesses in this Country answered Diana blushing whose names may be Diana and perhaps some one of them more favoured by the Heavens above the rest so as the name of Diana
what I shall say will do it For when I assure my Mistris that the alteration which she observes in your face proceeds only from your meeting with Sylvander do I tell any thing but what is truth Why should she change her countenance said Alexis at the seeing of one whom she so much loves and honours Mistris said Astrea I beseech you do but look upon her and you shall see her face answer for me Diana then held her hands before her eyes and turning her head the other way she held it so a long while and would not be seen But at last considering that her companion would certainly tell what she desired to conceal she thought it better to tell it her self then suffer another to do it Madam said she and smiled What Astrea tells you is a meer Imagination but since you have such a desire to know I had rather tell it my self then suffer her and when I have told you then judge what probabilities there is in the matter You know Madam that according to the Wager that was betwixt Phillis and Sylvander this Shepherd seemed long as if he had really loved me and since we have discovered that he is extreamly in love with Madonthe Who is that Madonthe asked Alexis A stranger answered Astrea who was here a while amongst us and one whom Diana has an opinion that Sylvander is in love withal An opinion replied Diana Why Sister do you not positively say she is one whom Sylvander loves as much as he can love for you know it to be true Did I know it answered Astrea I would say as you do but I swear that I think all he does is only out of civility Civility cryed out Diana Do you call it Civility to cry to pray to beg to importune and to kneel at the feet of Madonthe to get leave that he may follow her If this be civility then I do not know what is Love Sister said Astrea you believe all that Laonice tells you and I would have you suspend your Belief until the Shepherd return that you may have the truth from his own mouth Fie fie Friend replied Diana I wonder you should speak thus Would you have me look for any truth from the mouth of a Man a man in Love Or to speak all in one word from a Sylvander from him that thinks he can by the volubility of wit and tongue blind the eyes of our mind as Juglers do the eyes of our Body No no there is no credit to be given unto any thing he says Why should you think said Alexis that Sylvander loves any but your self I never thought he loved me answered Diana nor ever had any intention to suffer him Surely said Astrea you had an opinion once that he did love you but if he did not why should he take so much pains about you as he did To pass away his time answered Diana or because he had nothing else to do Do you think said Astrea that so fine a Wit as Sylvanders can find it self nothing to do but to trifle away his time about one whom he loves not You may remember Sister if you please how that Shepherd lived before he cast any amorous eye upon you and compare that time with the time of his love unto you and consider what a difference there was which of your commands nay the least shaddow of your will did he not observe as a Law inviolable To be brief Sister Tell me what greater reverence he could render unto any Grandee upon earth nay unto the Gods themselves then he hath alwaies done unto you And whether there be not certain symptomes signs and consequents of a real love let any hearer judge Sister answered Diana since you speak so highly in behalf of Sylvander I believe you think as you say But I who never saw nor will see any such matters I will believe the reports of Laonice and if those signs which you have observed in him be any testimonies of Love they may be of his love to Madonthe No replied Astrea for I have heard him in my presence say a hundred and an hundred times that it is you and you only whom he loves It is the common quality of men answered Diana thus to delude those silly women who hear them and do you not think he has said as much in private unto his dear Madonthe But if I be not much deceived he never said as much to me nor ever shall I perceive said Alexis you are apt to believe all that is said against Sylvander as confidently as if you had seen it your self I believe it Madam answered Diana because it is true But I am contented to forgive him with all my heart and will believe all that Laonice has told me Me thinks said Alexis you are over-apt and too partial to believe the reports of that woman you ought to suspend your belief and judgement till you hear him answer for himself Ah Madam said Diana I assure you that I care so little either for his love or hate as I would not have one word more spent about the matter For do you think to draw truth from a false and dissembling tongue For my part said Astrea I cannot believe him in any fault But if he be in fault his fault is his love unto Madonthe now when she is gone his fault will appear and if he be in no fault then he will continue his addresses still unto you I do not think said Diana that he will continue them But if he do continue them said Astrea what will you say then I will say answered Diana that he will be ashamed to shew his Inconstancy If he was ashamed of that replied Astrea he would not have so freely discovered it before all those who saw him take his leave of Madonthe Perhaps answered Diana he was not so absolute a master of himself but he was surprized with this sudden and unexpected departure so as though he be his Arts master in matter of lying yet he could not chuse but upon such a surprize discover the truth But Sister why should we spend so much time about a thing which is not worth it Let us leave Sylvander to his beloved Madonthe and have no more memory of him then he has of us for I believe his soul is capable of no thought but his sorrows at this sad separation Whilst these Shepherdesses were thus discoursing presently after Dianas departure from Phillis Sylvander came to the place from which Diana went and he had hardly saluted all the company before Hylas accosted him Will you say Sylvander said he unto him that Diana is Fairer then Stella Will you deny Hylas said Sylvander that the Sun is cleerer then Darkness All the Company began to laugh at the answer of Sylvander and the question of Hylas but Hylas without being at all daunted I will maintain said he that Stella does not only equal but much excel the beauty of Diana I do not
do not lie know also that assoon as ever she save you she went away from the company and gave me a charge to get a bracelet of her hair from you which she gave you for she sayes the time that you were to keep it being expired there is no reason such a testimony of good will should remain with one who can make no better use of it Sylvander was struck dead with wonder he stepped a pace or two back from Phillis folded his arms a cross his brest and being not able to open his mouth he fixed his eyes upon the ground and stood like a Statue without any life or motion Phillis seeing him stand so long in this sad posture she had compassion upon him and pulled him by the arm he started out of his study and looked wildly about him as if he were affrighted out of his wits and said Oh God what fault have I committed against thy power Doubtless it is some great one since you suffer me to be so unjustly condemned for a fault which I never committed and which I never will commit These expostulations said Phillis and interrupted him are all in vain for you know the God of Love is Priviledged above all the rest of the Gods and that Heaven never punisheth his falsities But Shepherdess said Sylvander do you and Diana also believe that I have no good will unto her I do not say that I believe it replied Phillis but I say that if all be true which is told Diana she has no reason to Love you for do you think Sylvander that she is a Shepherdess that will be contented to be a pretence for your affection unto another Do you find so little merit in her as that she is not worthy to be served any further then as your stalking horse to hide another amity Tricks and dissimulations may perhaps somtimes deceive such as do not suspect any treason in them but when notice is taken of them which rubbed a little it will presently shew its falsity There is nothing comparable to a free cleer and genuine way in all things subtilties tricks and fetches are arguments of a vile and base Spirit I do confess said Sylvander all that you say but I beseech you what have I done You know answered Phillis better then any the thing is made publique and if you will have it from my mouth I say Sylvander that you have made a shew of loving Diana whilst you have given your whole soul and affection unto Madonthe this is a truth which you cannot deny unless you be the most brazen faced Shepherd in the whole universe all the Country knows this and laughs at it Diana her self amongst the rest makes it her rallery if you be sorry for any thing it is that Diana cares not for your Love It is a great credit indeed to be courted by an unknown vagabond Shepherd as you are especially to her who is to eminent in virtue and merit but all our sorrows proceeds from our being so much mistaken in you Tell me truly Sylvander what design did you aim at in all your dissimulations How could you imagine you should continue long undiscovered And when you were discovered could you think to avoid a seâ—ere but just censure from all the world Diana is Fairer at her worst then Madonthe is at her best the very frowns of Diana are sweeter then Madonthes smiles and Dianas anger is more estimable then Madonthes caresses and favours where was your eyes and your wits Sylvander when you made so bad a choise Can Diana believe all this replied Sylvander Believe it said Phillis why should she not believe it when every one says it And since she has seen such apparent effects of it for else why should you he every way so obsequious and observant of that stranger Why all that eloquence to perswade her not to depart Why else should you cast your self at her feet Nay why tears when you bade adieu and why that unseasonable voyage which you made with her Now Sylvander I tell you all this not that Diana cares a rush for it but on the contrary she thanks God that she is so well rid of all your importunities and troubles my aimes are only to let you know that all your dissimulations and tricks are discovered and that there is no more hopes of deceiving us by any arts you can use Thus spoke Phillis unto Sylvander not that she had any commission for it from Diana whose modesty was such and Spirit so great that she had rather have died then make any shew that the dissimulations of Sylvander did displease her but Phillis did it because she was angry with that Shepherd and resented the injury done unto her Companion as her own And well it was they were so far from the rest of the company for otherwise it would have been impossible but every one would have perceived the disorder which this discourse had caused in him and which indeed was greater then Phillis expected His regret to see himself accused of a fault which he never committed the loss of Dianas favour which he hoped that he had obtained and the harsh language of Phillis which he supposed came from his Mistris all these did so surprise him that he was not able to utter one word he was constrained to lean himself against a tree and growing weak he fell down to the ground where such a faintness of heart seised upon him that within a little time he was immoveable and without any sense Phillis who saw him in this condition did pull him several times by the arm and afterwards seeing him ready to dye she ran to a little Rivelet which was close by and taking some water in her hands she came and threw it in his face but these remedies doing no good she was extreamly affrighted and ran that way which she saw all the company pass to call some to come and help but most of the Shepherds were all gone to their several homes for it was neer dinner time so as she had run long in vain had she not spied a far off Astrea Diana and Alexis who were going in gentle pace to hear the dispute betwixt Sylvander and Hylas although Alexis and Astrea had no great desire to be seen amongst all that company in those habits nor Diana any mind to be in the place where Sylvander was so as it seems they walked without any design but taking the air and as if the good Genius of Sylvander had conducted them thither to see him in that condition When Phillis saw them she cryed out as loud as ever she could and made signs unto them with her hand to make haste though she was so affrighted and out of breath that she could not be heard at any distance Astrea was the first that heard her and fearing that some mischance had hapned unto her I beseech you said she unto the rest let us make all the haste we can to help Phillis
affection towards me so as I hope that when he remembers how he himself has heretofore passed through the same difficulties he will consider mine and as for you Father who shews so much good will in your sapient admonitions I do beseech and conjure you to assist me with all your aide and power Aglantes answered the good old man it is true I love you and knowing how hard a thing it is for a young heart to be rid of that passion which you resent I wish you were free from it that you might avoid those evils which may fall upon you and which I see almost inevitable but since you are resolved hearken unto the counsel that I will give Does she whom you court deserve to be your wife I know your passion will make you tell me wonders of her merit but for this time setting aside all partiality answer me if you can like a judicious man and ingeniously tell me who she is that I may out of my Love to Arion to you and your Family give you such sound counsel as may be good for you Aglantes knowing this old man to be a lover of him and all his Family did name Silvanire The good man hearing her named answered thus I must confess Aglantes that if you have committed a fault in Loving you are to be pardoned and your crime is commendable I would yet farther know whether you ever did let that Fair one know that you Love her I have spent all my time hitherto in serving her answered he and to my misery when she was not in an age to know Love she seemed as if she did know it and Love me but since she came to be of age she seems absolutely insensible Perhaps said the prudent old man she does it to try your constancy Four years answered Aglantes is too long for a tryal Does she not Love some other asked the old man The question may better be asked said Aglantes whether ever she turn her eyes upon her self Did you ever give her any cause asked the Pastor to alter her good will unto you Never that I know of answered Aglantes Then said the old man believe it from me and assure your self that you will not repent it she Loves you and to dissemble it according to the humour of most women lest other should see it she will not make it appear unto you I assure you said Aglantes that I cannot accuse her of dissembling it for she treats all others as she does me and behaves her self towards all alike So much the better answered the old man for were she engaged unto any other you would find much more difficulty in your enterprise but she does dissemble it to make you the more affectionate knowing that things most hardly obtained are most desired Oh Father said Aglantes and interrupted I fear that in this you are mistaken for she cannot wish me more affectionate then she knew I was Then said the old man it is because her Father has commanded her so to do and she being wise and virtuous will not disobey him but be her reason what it will I would advise you to make a shew as if you Loved some other for by that you will know what her design is she is extream crafty if she dissemble it then and to tell you truly women are somtimes tyred with being too much loved as you see there is none but loves light but too much light dazles and we are oft forced to put our hands before our eyes to ease them I do believe said Aglantes that this stratagem might be good in them that can act it but I must confess it is impossible for me to do it I should be ashamed that any should think me of so little judgment or that Silvanire should any way suspect my fidelity Oh young man said the old one and smiled you are a very novice in the mistery of Love the shame or the glory of him that attempts any thing is to effect it or not effect it and if a Lover can make himself loved that is all he desires or aims at For my part said Aglantes my design is to Love her and said the old man interrupting him to be beloved To be beloved replied Aglantes is above all my hopes Then Shepherd said the Pastor if you cannot seem to Love another I would advise you however to let it be reported so for you must know that these young women though they shew the contrary are not always affectionate when they smile upon those that court them but it is more out of vanity that it may be said their beauty has gotten such a number of servants and somtimes out of envie at their companions but be it what it will it is still very good for him that Loves to put them into some doubts and if you be not so hardy as to undertake this enterprise leave the paine of it unto me and I will effect it for you it will be sufficient for your discharge that when it is a fit time to make known your real affection to say that you are not accessary unto the stratagem The wise old man made it presently be rumoured abroad that Aglantes was changed in his affection and every one was apt to believe it because Silvanire was so cold towards Aglantes But though Silina a Fair and Virtuous Shepherdess and Daughter to this old Pastor was reported to be his Mistris and that the marriage was ready to be solemnized yet Silvanire would never believe it 'T is true it did a little trouble her but not so much as to make her alter her behaviour towards Aglantes for Menander her Father had a design to marry her unto Theaner one of the richest Shepherds in all our Village and though she did scarse know him whom they would have her to marry yet was she resolved to follow the will of Menander One day I chanced to surprise her as she was saying aloud unto her self that he could not change though he faigned the contrary Silvanire was a little astonished to see her self surprised as she was saying so but seeming as if what she had said was not any thing that concerned her but only a part of some song which she had heard some other sing she continued talking upon several other subjects but as cunning as she was I suspected that she was troubled at the report of the marriage of Aglantes And by fortune as if that Shepherd came purposely to answer for his own innocency we saw him afar off coming with a sheep before him as soon as Silvanire saw him she knew the Sheep Yonder said she is the man that is to be married who it seems thinks very little upon it for yonder sheep which you see is the same which I lost this morning It will be very hard for him answered I not to have Silvanire alwaies in his memory But continued I what do you conceive of that marriage You must ask him that question
Alciron who could not endure to see his friend in such torment had not interrupted him with intentions to give some comfort The Gods Tirintes said he unto him do know our weakness and imperfections and out of their infinite goodness will excuse and pardon them But they will not endure the crime of those who will make them guilty of their own errors Therefore dear friend Do not by any such blasphemies provoke their just anger against thee Oh my dear friend replied Tirintes with a deep sigh since they do know our imbecilities and imperfections and will pardon them doubtless they will not impute that crime for which you reprehend me for it is weakness only which makes me commit it protesting that my intention was not to transgress their commandment but when I could not obey them And to make it appear that it is so good Alciron tell me who is he that can love such a most amiable piece less then I do And in loving her so passionately who can blaspheme less then I if it be blasphemy to say that I cannot chuse but love her Oh Tirintes replied Alciron Do not flatter thy self in thine own fault for this passion which you say is so potent in thee is indeed only thy own Will which if thou wouldest surmount thou hast power enough to do it I do confess said Tirintes coldly that it does depend upon my own will But do you not see that I cannot will any thing but what she please So then it seems said Alciron you will cease to be a man that you may become a Lover If being a man said Tirintes be not to love Silvanire I neither am nor will be a man Not to make use of Reason replied Alciron is not to be a man and can there be any thing more unreasonable then to cease loving ones self to love another Is not self preservation the great and principal law of Nature Oh dear friend said Tirintes let me not see the greatness of my wound I hope it is not incurable but you take the course to make it more desperate But the stone is thrown it is resolved upon that I will die in loving Silvanire and be assured that I wish for nothing now but to end this life quickly for here I hope for no mitigation of my pain And I conjure you Alciron to promise that when I am dead you write this Epitaph upon my Tomb Here lies he that was murdred by the Fairest Eyes under Heaven I hope that one day this cruel Fair One will in these few words read my affection and her own cruelty and the Gods to my satisfaction move her unto some repentance Oh how happy should I be if in the other life I hear one say that her Fair Eyes was once wet or that one single tear did trickle down her Fair Cheek Fie fie Tirintes said Alciron why this talk of death and Tombs Love is the God of life and nothing can ruine his empire but death Live live man though it were for nothing but to preserve a faithful Lover for this Silvanire whom you Love so well and for my part I will promise you that if you will follow my directions and do as I bid you I will quickly give this Fair One unto you Oh Alciron said Tirintes impossible promises never oblige those unto whom they are made this which I do promise replied Alciron is no impossibility provided you will but do as I say then he continued thus Tirintes said he I desire as much as I do my own life to see you rid of this tormenting passion but since I see all perswasions are in vain I promise to give you this woman in a very short time she shall be so much your own that it shall be long only of your self it you do not dispose of her according to your own will do not think it a thing impossible for you shall presently find it effected and confess that I never promised but I performed In order to this within a few days after he came unto him again and brought him a Mirrour in which he forbad him to look and assured him that if by any artifice he could so contrive it as Silvanire might cast her eye upon it certainly she were his own How said Tirintes is it an enchantment No answered Alciron but it is a natural power which is in this glass and what effects will it cause asked Tirintes Nay nay said Alciron be not too inquisitive be contented she shall be yours And what said Tirintes will she Love me Still too much curiosity answered Alciron can you not be contented that she shall be yours But Tirintes take special heed that neither you nor any other whomsoever look into it for the consequence will be very bad and if you should before you are aware cast your eye upon it come presently unto me that I may remedy the fault which you shall commit Tirintes took this Mirrour with much contentment and thanks and to lose no time went presently unto Silvanire unto whom he presented the glass with many supplications she would be pleased to take it And because she made some question whether she should receive it from him as thinking it not handsome for any maid to take any thing from a young Shepherd without the knowledg of her Parents he pressed her with so many humble entreaties and arguments of perswasion that at last she would give him that satisfaction but upon condition that she would keep it no longer then she pleased So after she had looked in it and much commended it she gave it him presently back he who saw his design was attained he pressed her no farther but was well satisfied that he had done as Alciron appointed him but his contentment lasted but a while for presently after Silvanire was taken with such a giddiness in her head and such a drowsiness that she fell a sleep and they could not awake her she was troubled above three hours in this manner and none knew her disease The noise presently ran about the Town that this Fair One was poisoned and no hopes of life left in her you may imagine that Aglantes and Tirintes did run with sad hearts to see what the matter was but as soon as Tirintes saw her in that condition he knew it to be an effect of the Mirrour which made him so extreamly angry against Alciron that had he met him doubtless he had dyed for it This villain said he to himself designed her death to deliver me from the affection which I bare unto her but cruel wretch that he is he never considered that my life depended upon hers and that when she dies it is impossible for me to live O thou most inhumane Tiger Couldst thou find a heart to hurt this Fair One Who never thought thee the least hurt Certainly the blackest fiend in Hell was thy Nurse and gave thee suck but Barbarian thou shalt receive a death by no other hand but my own
of when it is too late he went unto him and saluted him and when he saw that he did not answer what Merindor said he and took him by the arm will you not speak unto your friends Merindor hearing this voice and feeling himself held by the arm stopped short and looked upon Euphrosias as if he were newly revived out of an extasie and after he had stood a while mute Good Euphrosias said he pardon this fault which proceeds from a very bad humour which has seised upon me I will answered his friend upon condition you will tell me the cause Though perhaps you would not know it answered Merindor yet I beseech you hear it for I have need of your counsel in a business which concerns me as neer as my life but let us go aside lest any should hear us discourse Upon this making choise of a private place he began to tell him the original of his Love the progress and the present condition wherein he was afterwards he acquainted him with the Love of Bellimartes and Periander but when he came to the discourse he had with me in the Temple and my answers in favour of Periander he entred into such a passion that the Prudent Euphrosias did see that the affection which he had unto me was too great to be diverted either by reasons or entreaties and therefore to avoid the two evils which he foresaw he thought it most necessary to draw him only from the most dangerous which was his hatred unto Periander and as for the cure of his affection there was no way but to refer it unto time therefore in lieu of any sharp reprehensions or any four looks he smiled upon him and answered thus Good Merindor said he tell me upon your faith if this be all the cause of your being thus discomposed How said Merindor is not this enough since my affection is such unto Dorinde that it is a thing most impossible for me to help it And do I not see before my face the man that is the great obstructor of my happiness Is there no way answered his friend to find a remedy None answered Merindor that I know but to take away the life of him that takes away from me that happiness without which I cannot live Oh Merindor cried out Euphrosias you take things at the worst Tell me I beseech you do you think Dorinde Loves Periander Think it said Merindor nay I were the most incredulous fool that lives if I were not certain of it Then replied his Wise friend you must not go the worst way to compasse what you desire for you can never hope to get the good will of Dorinde by murdering that person whom she Loves best your passion does but flatter and deceive you for by that course you will make her hate you even to the very death Certainly said Merindor there is no remedy if this be not good Certainly said Euphrosias this is neither good nor a remedy but I beseech you tell me why you think it so necessary for Periander to die Because said he the Love that Dorinde bears unto him is the cause why she does not Love me If that be it replied Euphrosias make the same reason as well obstruct him as he obstructs you I mean that she shall not Love Periander because she Loves Merindor Yes yes said Merindor you are very kind but here is the difficulty how should I make her love me Do as Periander does answered Euphrosias nay and better why should you think heaven will not be as favourable to you as any other Cavalier of your age But Euphrosias said he she does love Periander So much the better answered Euphrosias it is a signe she is not insensible nor invulnerable by the blows of Love Pray why should you think your services should not work as happy effects as his You see Merindor that you do love Dorinde in such a height that you cannot retire resolve with your self to love her still in such extremity that it shall invite her unto Love again or rather to constrain her unto it Oh my dear friend said Merindor and sighed how difficult is it to bring this enterprize to pass Yet let me tell you notwithstanding all I told you before concerning Periander that I do verily believe she does not love him but all she does is only in obedience unto her Father So much the better still said Euphrosias for if she does not love him you will far sooner win her then if she were engaged unto any Oh but if she do love Periander said Merindor what hopes can I have Why should not you hope as well as another replied Euphrosias Will not most merit soonest obtain Or say that Argument have no validity in it you must know Merindor that the love of women is one of those things that must not be sought after by the Rules of Reason and of whom one must never despair for be most assured that there is a certain hour in the day in the which they can deny nothing And therefore the answer of the Oracle was good when a Lover asked what he should do to overcome the cruelty of his Mistris The Answer was Love be Bold and Continue With such discourse as this Euphrosias diverted his friend from his designe against Periander and filled him so full of new hopes that he began to court Dorinde with such fresh assaults as Periander and Bellimartes could not chuse but be jealous for until then he did not openly declare himself but thought himself out of hopes yet now by reason of the time of my Father's answer unto Periander he was the only mote in his eye and certainly not without reason for I seeing my father very inclinable to give me unto him I thought my self already so certain to be his wife that I devoted my self wholly unto him Whilst these three were thus striving who should win me the term which my Father set for Periander's answer drew on and he who expected with extream impatience the day whereon he should be pronounced happy that very evening he failed not to go unto my Father with three of his neerest kinred As soon as he came into his presence he fell down upon his knees and beseeched him with as much earnestness as if his life was at stake that he would be pleased to give him that answer which he promised But Sir said he if it be not sutable to my desires make but a signe and it shall suffice to be rid of me for I am most perfectly resolved to throw my self and all my desires and designs into the bottom of Arar He accompanied these words with such actions of his hands head and every part of his body that every one believed they came from his heart And my Father as the rest being deceived by this opinion did hold out his hand to take him up from his knees Son said he unto him for so I will hereafter call you rise up and believe that
there is that remedy said he presently all hopes are not gone and without saying any more or hearing me he went so suddenly out of my chamber as made it plain he intended some violent course I called him several times and then run after him as far as the gates fearing left in that fury he should do himself some harm but all was in vain for he was gone out of sight upon a sudden as if he had wings My Father who was not far off hearing me speak so loud he came to me and hearing how this young Cavalier was gone he feared lest he should make some attempt upon Bellimartes and afterwards the King cast all the blame upon us upon this consideration he went unto the house of Bellimartes he let him understand in as discreet a manner as he could all the passage betwixt Merindor and me that if any ill hapned we might be discharged of it Bellimartes who was a man of courage and had all the authority and power in his own hands did answer that the businesse did not trouble him at all and that if Merindor was extravagant he knew how to tame him In the mean time Merindor transported with extream passion did go unto his chamber where shutting the dore he began to walk a great pace so much out of himself as he knew not either what he did or where he was then after he had walked several turns and thinking none could hear he began to speak with a loud voice in this manner Must Dorinde be enjoyed by another and Merindor sit tamely and endure it Can the authority of a Tyrant prevail above all my services and most unjustly take that from me which is my due Is there no remedy against this wrong and I with hazard of life and limb not make use of it And here making a sudden stop he began to say must this depriver of my happiness have it to himself at any other rate then the price of my blood and life No no if I live he must dye that 's positive Dorinde was in the right when she said there was no remedy but death But said he as much enraged as at the first if it be so why do I stay any longer And why do I not put my hand to a work that must inevitably be done Do it then Merindor quickly unlesse thou hadst rather turn the sword against thy self Merindor thought he had been alone in his chamber and that there was none to hear him but wals but as good luck was his Wise and most dear friend Euphrosias being come a little before to seek him was said down upon the bed in expectation of him and falling a sleep did not wake till Merindor began to talk loud so as seeing him in such a fury he was desirous to know the caust and let him empty his heart by the words which he uttered knowing very well that to stop the overflowing of our souls at the first gush will make the deluge bigger and to oppose fury in the first does but inflame it the more But when he saw him ready to go and execute what he had spoken he started up and took hold of his arm desiring him to hear him speak Merindor not knowing whether it was a man or a spirit he was struck with such a fright that his fury was a little cooled but recollecting his spirits and knowing him to be his dear friend Oh my God! said he Euphrosias from whence come you Come come said his prudent friend let us walk a turn togetherâ— and when you have answered me to a few questions I will satisfie your curiosity and wonder Then he continued Is it possible Merindor that the friendship which is betwixt us can suffer you to run into such extream resolutions without imparting them unto me and without making use of me Do you think I do not Love you Or do you take me for such an useless thing that in affairs of this importance I neither will nor can serve you Why said Merindor should you use any such language Because said he I heard all you said and the dangerous resolution which you were going to execute without imparting it unto me Do you think I know not how the King intends to marry Dorinde unto Bellimartes And that her Father consents unto it Why man it is all the Town talk and I came hither to acquaint you if you were not acquainted with it before to the end you might resolve with your self not only unto the Kings will but also unto the will of God against which there is no resistance for Merindor you must know that marriages are made in Heaven and accomplished upon earth How how said Merindor hastily do you say that marriages are made in Heaven There is no doubt on it answered Euphrosias and thereupon it is that so many unexpected marriages come to passe I assure you if it be so said Merindor it may be said that as bad a market may be made in Heaven as in Earth but from this I do not conclude that Bellimartes must enjoy Dorinde and Merindor live It must be concluded replied Euphrosias that whatsoever the Heavens will ordain for you must be done but tell me Merindor what is your design To take away his life answered he that takes away all my contentment But said Euphrosias What will that advantage you Oh said the young Cavalier revenge is sweet Revenge replied the Wise friend is indeed very sweet when it does not make the offence greater but if you should kill Bellimartes the least punishment you can expect is banishment from all places where Gondebaut has any power and if so what will become of your Love unto Dorinde Will not then this revenge make your offence which you receive greater I do not hold him wise who to put one of his enemies eyes out will put out both his own What then said Merindor must I sit down tamely without resentment and see Bellimartes enjoy that which in right ought to be mine I do not say so answered Euphrosias but on the contrary but if you will be ruled by me I hope we shall obtain for you this so much desired Dorinde Do you think that the King is so passionate in behalf of Bellimartes as that he would do you any harm No no it is only to gratifie Bellimartes in a business wherein he does not think any has any interest but Arcingentorix and of him the King makes no account though he be one of the chief in all the Country because he is old and not able to serve him and on the contrary Bellimartes is young and may for you must know that most Princes do with their Subjects as we do with our horses when they are old and unserviceable then turn them to the cart believe it Merindor Princes put a great difference between those that are young and able to serve them and those that are antiquated and cannot This consideration moves me to think that if you
you kept your Sayl constant to one wind no no wise men will turn their sayl to all winds The very same it is in the affairs of the world and it is soverain wisdom to change according to occasions And as to your assertion that changing does offend against the person whom one did love good Thamires what do you think of me Or whom do you think I am Is there not some persons who make bread and others who eat it Do not some make clothes and others wear them Why should I not give them the same counsel that I would take my self I mean that as I change them for others so let them change me for whom they like better when they have a mind unto it But in as much as I think it is impossible that those whom I once loved should ever meet with a better they must even content themselves as well as they can and consider that of all things in the world some are destined unto happiness and others unto misery Amongst horses some are for the plow and some are for the saddle amongst dogs some lie in Ladies laps and others lick the dripping pan in the kitchin and so amongst men some to be served and others to serve 'T is true their fate is hard but will they complain of Hylas for it No it is not in me to command him who ordained them that cruel destiny but if they will be complaining it must be for being born under such an unlucky constellation and yet I must tell you that this very offence which you presuppose is nothing but imagination For when a Musician changes notes does he change them because he thought those he left to be worse then those he took No no Shepherd but it was to make his Musique better and more delightful which otherwise would be dull and tedious If a Painter change colours â—ay somtimes the very piece it self is it because he despised the first colour No but on the contrary because he would more enliven it and shadow the first colour so that he sets it off with greater luster then at the first So Thamires when we do leave a Shepherdess whom we did love and take another it is not as you think because we esteem her more then her we left but only to follow the rules and dictates of Nature which reacheth us that it is nothing but variety which renders the universe delightful Look upon every thing even from the lowest to the highest and you will find that nature has engraved this instinct and this Law in such characters as cannot be defaced Tell me Thamires when you lye in your bed do you never turn from one side to another If you do you are inconstant and shews want of judgement in chusing the worse side at the first when you walk or dance why do you change legs but rather hop upon the first you began with if you will be punctual to your first beginnings When you speak why do you not make use still of the same word Why do Fidlers finger more strings then one And why do they vary into so many several tunes I see Shepherd that you laugh at what I say but believe it I have greater reason to laugh at you when you say that one is inconstant in loving several Shepherdesses or that one offends her whom he leaves I must needs confess said Thamires that I do laugh at the arguments which you use to maintain your fickle humour I believe there is none in the company but does the like and perhaps Hylas himself also if not in his face yet in his heart for it is a very hard matter to forbear upon such a subject and I wish Sylvander were here to answer as it is necessary unto your Sophistry I am glad to hear replied Hylas that you call for help it is a sign you think your self overcome but never be ashamed of it for though Sylvander himself were here whom you accompt your Oracle yet I am confident he would confesse my victory and himself submit unto it Oh Hylas said Thamires you do mistake the reason why I desired Sylvanders company it is not because I want any arguments to answer your assertions for it is an easie matter unto any that will take the pains but it is because that Shepherd is able by his splendent fancies and excellent eloquence to give this fair company better contentment then is my dull genius and yet in his absence since he who is silent unto truth is culpable of a lye I will briefly answer you but it shall be upon a condition that you give me leave to laugh at what you have asserted in the first place I confess Hylas that Husbandman to be very indiscreet who having found by tryal that his ground is not proper for one seed will not sow it with another and change his seed but Hylas this does not prove what you assert for love ought not to precede the knowledg of the party loved The Husbandman had no knowledge at the first of the quality of his Land so as he ought not to change his seed till he has found it by experience and knowledg and therefore all those consequent arguments which you used to change the sail according to the wind and that it is prudence to know how to comply with occasions we do agree with you that it is indeed high wisdom to be guided by and according to the weather and the reason is because we cannot command the wind and the weather as we will so that Hylas you must know that in things which have dependency upon our selves and which are in our own power it is a shame to change but on the contrary in those things which depend upon the power of another it is high prudence to know how and when to turn and change according to occasion Now Love which does depend upon the will there is no question but it is in our power since God did never give us any thing which is more absolutely ours then this will which has no matter of chance or fortune in it as there is in the Sea or in the Winds But truly your instance of Musitians in changing Notes and Painters in colours is a very subtile argument indeed but good Hylas do you not know that their first designs are to arrive at the end of their works The Musitian he designs to make good Musique and the Painter to illustrate his work and by changing Notes and using several colours they both arrive at their first designed end most right said Hylas and interrupted and even so I doe never change but with a design to arrive at the end of my desires But replied Thamires Love will not allow of that whose perfection does so much consist in unity as it can never be perfect until it attain unto that one which it aymes at and hence it is that our Druids say two persons that do love become one and the same which is easily
provide for me good store of handkerchiefs before hand to dry up the tears which I shall shed Thus these two Shepherdesses discoursed whilst they were dressing themselves and in the mean time Alexis and Astrea were talking somtimes giving assurances of their mutual good will and otherwhiles kissing each other somtimes as women and otherwhiles as lovers and therefore Diana seeing Astrea made no offers of rising out of bed she turned to Phillis and said unto her me thinks Sister that though you have been somthing out of charity with me this morning yet we may go together and look to our flocks and return again before this sluggard rise out of bed Do not think answered Phillis that my anger is so great as to make me fail in that respect and affection which I do ow unto her that was my Mistris and ever shall be so as long as I live And you Sister sluggard said she unto Astrea since we will not command you any things that are either impossible or grievous I pray let us find you in the same place at our return where we leave you at our going away and in the mean time that you may have no excuse for your absence we will take care of your flock so bidding them good morrow they went out of the chamber and went talking upon several subjects and Diana being in a little better opinion of Sylvander then she was she began to be in her good humour again Being then going out of Astreas house Phillis who was silent a while did make a stop upon a sudden and looking upon Diana Sister said she unto her dare I tell you what I am thinking upon Why do you make it a question answered Diana you know our familiarity does not allow us to conceal the least motion of our souls from each other I was thinking said Phillis upon the extream and sudden amity betwixt Astrea and Alexis and what should be the cause of it I have known Astrea long but I never saw her so apt and forward to contract amity upon a push with a stranger and leave her old for new affections and yet she no sooner saw this Druide but she loved her extreamly and in loving her does a little slight the company of Diana and Phillis who were wont to be so dear unto her To which Diana answered I have had the same conceptions Sister said she but then considering that Astrea did extreamly love Celadon and Alexis having so great a resemblance of him she was quickly moved to love her as fancying her to be her dearly beloved Shepherd you know she never loved any but only him as this being her first and only affection it is no wonder she should keep it alive in this woman well said Phillis this reason may pass as relating unto Astrea but what do you alledge as in relation to the Druide who at the very first sight was so wholly devoted unto a Shepherdess that she forgets and forsakes her very Father and kindred to be with this Shepherdess and to wear her clothes and seems as if she had quite forgot both Carnutes and all her companions Unto this said Diana no answer can be made but that as Alexis has the face of Celadon so also she has his heart and for my part I believe she has when I do see her Idolize after the same manner that Shepherds use I assure you answered Phillis you phrase it right in saying that she does Idolize her as if she were a Shepherd have you observed her actions and behaviour when she is with her I assure you Sister that were she trimmed up in mans clothes I would say here is a Shepherd Sister replied Diana you know that Astrea has rare attracts to move love and having an affection unto this woman she renders her all the testimonies of her good will that she can we ought not to think it strange that her natural perfections should become inchantments we have found it our selves by experience and I dare swear that never any loved better then we loved Astrea and I do believe that I cannot love any more then her But said Phillis what shall we say of Adamas and Leonide who have left her here upon so slight a cause and seem as if they had forgotten her When Adamas went answered Diana we know she was not well and when Leonide left her she went away in haste because the Nymph Amasis did send for her so as she had not leisure to conduct her unto the house of Adamas and why said Phillis did she not carry her with her unto Marsellâ—s where her Father was I cannot well answer you unto that point said Diana but I do believe that Adamas would not have her she being a Druide go amongst great companies but desired rather she should passe the time away amongst us and recover of that sicknesse which so long tormented her which was the reason of her coming from Carnutes whither as I hear say she is presently to return Thus Diana answered unto all the objections in the discourse of Phillis as she did in real sincerity think of Alexis and used such good arguments to clear her doubts that she quite removed them Afterwards they walked unto the Wood where they thought to find no Shepherds stirring because it was very early but when they came into a long walk they saw at the other end a Shepherd and a Shepherdesse but they could not know whom they were by reason of the distance of the place and shade of trees These two Shepherdesses desiring no other company but themselves their design was to hide themselves in the Wood until the other couple was walked past them and then to continue on their own intended walk and therefore finding a thick Bush by the walk side they sat themselves down in it with a reserve of silence till they were past and therefore they heard them coming when they were at a good distance off and because they were somthing loud in their discourse they knew by their voices the one of them to be Tiâ—ces and the other Laonice Yonder is said Phillis in a whisper the good friend of Sylvander and rather mine answered Diana for she has acquainted me with that which of all things in the world was most necessary for me to know Well Sister replied Phillis I hope to see the day when you will see your errour and then you will take me under the notion of your good friend Diana durst not answer lest they should be heard because they were very near and as they passed they heard Tircis say I protest Lâ—onice you are the most spiteful woman in the world Phillis and Sylvander are not to be blamed for they were obliged unto all they did and not by their own choice but by the will of the Gods Tirces answered she do you not know that those who have been beaten with a rod and cannot be revenged upon them that beat them yet they receive some contentment in
Good God said Diana keep us from any such friends Now Diana replied Phillis learn from hence that all which is said is not always true though never so probable Most true answered Diana for who could avoid believing this piece of wickednesse Consider I beseech you how cunningly she made her relation and upon what likely probabilities she grounded it How subtilely did she take her time when Madonthe went away and Sylvander accompanied her So as every circumstance was a confirmation of what she had related Oh Sister said Phillis those that live with such turbulent spirits as these had need be well advised I must confesse said Diana that I was deceived but the falshood was so contrived as I was not to blame but on the contrary had been blamable if I had not been deceived by it for I did thereby make it appear that my pure and innocent soul was free from any such wickednesse so as I could not imagine any such thoughts could enter into any other But Diana said Phillis what shall we do to poor Sylvander whose sorrows may be his death and who perhaps is looking for some way to finish his disasterous life I should be very sorry answered Diana that Sylvander should receive any harm for I plainly see he is not culpable and the first time that I see him that same hand which gave the wound shall cure it I pray God replied Phillis that despair do not drive him into some desperate course No no said Diana Sylvander is not in any such danger despair will not easily work upon such a spirit as his Yet let me tell you replied Phillis that persons of such a cold constitution as his when griefs seises upon them are apt for strange resolutions Sister said Diana as strong constitutions when a Fever seises upon them have fits more violent then those that are weak so also can they resist them better and endure them longer It is the same with such strong spirits as that of Sylvander it is certain they are more sensible of pain but then they are more able to endure and resist it However Sister said Phillis let not this confidence make him endure any longer pain I am confident said Diana that we shall see him sometime this day and then he shall not depart without a good remedy if he be in any such necessity of it as you think he is But in the interim I conceive it best to take our way towards Astrea and Alexis and acquaint them with the mornings adventures Upon this they made their course towards the house of Astrea whom they found still in bed For as soon as these two companions were gone out of the chamber in lieu of dressing her self she was talking with Alexis and shewing her such abundance of good will that the disguised Druide was hardly able to resist so many expressions of favour and the truth is never was any lover so near delights without a taste as Celadon was under the guise of a woman which he durst not throw off This constraint went so against the grain of this disguised Druide that she blushed several times which Astrea perceiving Mistris said she I am afraid that you are not well for I have observed your colour to change several times I beseech you use no constraint for you cannot be in any place of the world where you have more power then in this house Servant answered Alexis I value not the pain as I do the favour which you do me in observing the colour in my face 'T is true indeed I am not well but it does not much trouble me for it is only a dreg of my last great sickness which I am often troubled with but it will be past immediately and I am sorry that you took any notice of it Ah Mistris replied Astrea you suffer no pain which is little unto me and you do me wrong in concealing it from me since I might as your servant have sought out for some remedy Servant replied the Druide I perceive that you do love Alexis more then she deserves but never trouble your self at her pain for my body is not in so much disorder as my mind Your mind said Astrea I beseech you Mistris what is it that can be a trouble to it Does not all things comply even to your very wishes Have you not a Father that loves and cherishes you above all his children Are you not supplied with every thing your heart can desire Moreover are you not esteemed and honoured by all that see you What then is it that can possibly trouble your mind You have forgot one thing said Alexis which would be a greater contentment unto me then all the world and which I desire to possesse before it which is that Astrea will love Alexis Oh God answered Astrea and embraced and kissed Alexis it is a sin impardonable if Mistris you do not think I love you Yes yes Mistris I do love you and love you so that I wish Heaven may never love me if I do not and punish me with eternal torments when I have the least thought of any ceasing to love and honour you Do not say that you do love me answered the Druide but that you do love Alexis I do not understand said Astrea what you mean by that but I am sure that if I do love Alexis it is not the name for if you had any other my love to you will be still the same and if you will know what it is that I do love it is your person your spirit and your merit Suppose I were not a Druide replied Alexis would you love me then I would to God answered Astrea that without any prejudice to your self you were for my contentments sake a Shepherdess of Lignon for then I should hope that the equallity which would be betwixt us would more invite you to accept of my affection Suppose also said Alexis that I were a Shepherd would you still continue the same good will unto me Unto that replied Astrea very soberly I will answer very freely that it is absolutely impossible for me to love you any otherwise then I doe And truly it would not well become me to love a man so well as I do you and though it were permitted me yet I think that I could not it is enough that I did love one and therefore will love no more men Alexis was sorry her curiosity had gone so far but since the Ice was broke she would step a little farther I knew servant said she unto her that it was only Alexis whom you loved and not her person for otherwise if the Gods should make me become a Shepherd why should you then cease to love me If the Gods should do so answered Astrea I should have an occasion to complain against them for depriving me of all the happiness that I hoped ever to receive and from that time I would bid adieu unto all delights and contentment But why should you not
still love me said Alexis since my body would be still my body and my mind and soul still the same Alas Mistris answered the Shepherdess what would you have me say This is all I am able to say that it shall never be said Astrea did love two Shepherds I beseech you dear Mistris no more of this discourse for though I know that such a change cannot be yet the very imagination of such a thing does freeze my blood to Ice and indeed she did begin to look very pale in the face Which Alexis seeing and thinking it not good to drive the nail to the head she said thus unto her Well servant said she I will not talk any longer upon this subject upon condition you will tell me what you dreamed this morning when you waked with all my heart answered Astrea if I can but remember it but Mistris continued she why do you desire it Because answered the Druide as you were betwixt sleep and waking I heard you say as you turned towards me in a pitifully complaining voice ah Celadon Mistris said Astrea by that word you put me in memory of part of my dream which otherwise I should have forgotten I dream't that I was in a grove so thick with trees bryers and rushes that I tore all my clothes and the obscurity of the place did hinder me from seeing which way I should passe at last after much strugling and long labour in vain to get out of this place me thought I saw one whom I did not know by reason of the darkness coming towards me and said holding her hand before her face that if I would follow her she would help me out of that thorny Labyrinth wherein I was After I was helped out me thought I thanked her for her assistance and went following her and followed her until both of us were so wildered that neither of us could get out of the Wood At last me-thought that some one coming betwixt my guide and me to part us she grasped my hand so close and I clung so close unto her that the other was forced to use all the strength he had to part us and at last he pulled off the hand of her that guided me At the same time me-thought I saw a little light and therefore desiring to look upon the hand which remained in mine I found it to be a heart which panted until he who had severed me from my guide returned with a great knife in his hand and do what I could did give the heart such a blow that it made me all bloody The horrour of this did make me throw it away upon the ground which I had no sooner done but I saw that the heart was turned into Celadon which put me into such a fright that it caused me to cry out as you heard me and then I waked This dream replied Alexis does certainly signifie somthing for though most of them be false and only impressions of things precedent which we have either seen or heard and somtimes are only vapours arising from a surcharged stomack or else from the complexion and according to the good or bad constitution of the Body yet this has none of those qualities which dreams use to have for they are full of non-sense and have neither head nor feet but this is a composed story and holds a correspondency in all parts also it was in the morning when vapours from the stomack could work no effects so as if you please I can give you the interpretation of it I should think my self much obliged said Astrea if you would be pleased to take the pains This Wood so full of thorns and obscurity said Alexis wherein you were and out of which you were so out of all hopes to get out is the troubles and perplexities wherein you are she who appeared and offered her self as a guide through this labyrinth represents my self He which would sever us is that I shall be constrained to return unto Carnutes by Adamas we must both resist as much as we can at the last they will part us but I shall leave my heart with you which you shall take in lieu of Celadons and in the knowledge of this you shall live more contentedly then ever you did Ah Mistris said Astrea I like well the interpretation of my dream but for that sad separation and that indeed I cannot suffer nor me thinks should you Does it not grieve you to part from such a servant as loves you with so much passionate affection as she thinks the time of parting to be the time of her death As she uttered these words tears trickled down her fair checks and because Alexis looked upon her and spake not she continued Ah Mistris Mistris will you not afford me one word of comfort Is it possible you should ever consent unto any separation Judge you replied Alexis whether I consent unto it or no since your dream tells me that I am to leave my heart with you and do you think I would not be where it is Oh Mistris replied the Shepherdess this is not enough to give me satisfaction but swear unto me you will not by that thing which will most inviolably oblige you unto it Then it shall be replied Alexis by the affection which I do bear unto the fair Astrea Be it by what it will said Astrea so it be by an oath inviolable Swear unto me dearest Mistris that you will never forsake me and in retaliation I will swear unto you by the soul of that person whom I loved most and by my affection unto you and also by all that is sacred that neither any opposition of parents consideration of estate or any other respect whatsoever that can be imagined shall ever be able to separate me from my dearest Mistris whom I do embrace said she and took her in her arms and will never let her go out of my arms until she has made this oath Alexis then embracing her also Servant said she I do swear unto you by the affection which I bear unto you which is all I have I swear unto you by Ifesas Bellinus Tharamis the great Tautates and I swear by your self Astrea without whom I pray heaven I may never be happy That neither the authority of a Father nor the obedience I owe unto my Superiours nor any thing under the cope of heaven shall ever separate me from fair Astrea Upon this kissing each other to the extream contentment of Alexis and incredible satisfaction of Astrea they parted nor till they heard one open the door of the chamber and then lest they should be seen Alexis sate down in her seat and Astrea continued in bed Then Diana and Phillis entred and Phillis in a joyful manner cryed victory victory we have got the victory here is this incensed woman pointing at Diana here she is that confesseth all she said and all she did was wrong Sister said Diana soft and fair you go a little too fast
any thing he took in hand On the contrary Thomantes continuing his courtship of this Shepherdess without the least complaint or murmure every action about this proud Beauty made Filintes jealous who seeing him so patient and judging of things according to his own humour he could not imagine any one should endure the cruelties of her whom he loved with so much silence unless he was tyed unto it by some great obligation so as he concluded very advantagiously for his rival This opinion did torment him so extreamly that one day when he was almost out of his wits he went unto the Shepherdess and though it was long since he had spoke unto her yet at the very first sight he accosted her with this language resolve with your self to see one of these three things come presently to passe For either I must change or you must change or I must die The Shepherdess returned him this faint answer for me to change is a thing impossible that you should die would grieve me and for you to change is of less importance unto me and depends wholly upon your own will Oh Heavens cryed he out is all this cruelty to be endured and yet I must love this insensible woman Upon this he pulled his hat over his eyes and went away more transported with choller then ever he was But as his Spirit was quickly hot so it was quickly cool for when he was in his greatest fury if Delphire did but speak one word unto him he was appeased and seemed as if he had no memory of those offences and wrongs at which he was angry All things thus far went well with Thomantes so as he might well think himself one of the happiest Shepherds about Lignon and I believe Asphales might have said as much had he not been absent for he could not have seen any Shepherd so much in my favour as himself but since that jealousies and by consequence inquietudes have so ravelled their souls as I believe they enjoy but a little rest and we but a little more Thus Wise Shepherdess this is the cause which has brought us hither before you according to the answer of the Oracle Asphales as I told you before was absent and Thomantes was constrained almost by the same destiny to be absent from Delphire and also to go into the same Province of the Romans where Asphales was already Perhaps I should be too tedious in relating all the Discourse of this Shepherd and all his laments a little before his departure but so it was that he gave unto this Shepherdess of possible assurances of a constant and lasting affection his expressions came from him with such an emphasis as if his heart had been in his tongue and those that would not believe them had been as incredulous as that false Shepherd who uttered them was perfidious and who afterwards was quite wafted away with inconstancy He departed with the prayers and sorrows of all that he left behind him And because Eleaman the Wise Pastor would needs out of his affection see him take horse and was not ignorant of the good will which his Son bore unto this Shepherdesse when he saw him a little gone he turned towards her and in a jesting manner said he is gone and none of these fair Maids lament him and because as he spoke those words he had his eyes upon Delphire she smiled which was observed by many and afterwards when Filintes returned for he accompanied Thomantes a little way and was told of this Oh most cruel hard-harted and insensible woman said he can Heaven suffer so much injustice Does all the services which Thomantes has rendred unto you merit no more then to laugh at him when he goes away and when he goes away with so much sorrow to part from you But the best conceipt was he was really offended at the injury which he thought she had done unto his rival And to see the humour of this young Shepherd as long as Thomantes was absent there was not a day wherein he did not put Delphire in memory of him And at any time when he did her any trivial service I wish said he that this were put upon the score of Thomantes But that which is hardly credible is when Thomantes was present Filintes vexed himself and fainted at every sillable which Delphire uttered but when he was absent he took all well and was as patient as if nothing could move him Thomantes who was absent and longed to hear how Delphire did was presently acquainted how Filintes was changed in his humour This news began to gripe him a little at the heart and as fortune would have it he and Asphales meeting in a strange Country they contracted as it is usual a more intimate familiarity then ever they had before so as always one of them was receiving news how squares went at home As ill luck was those who writ unto Asphales did send him somtimes such news concerning Delphire as they fancied and those who gave intelligence unto Thomantes did write of me according to their opinions not knowing what great familiarity there was betwixt them They who took all for truths and did believe what was written Unto Asphales was written that Filintes had so gained the heart of Delphire as now there was no room for Thomantes And unto Thomantes they sent word that since his departure Androgenes was so in love with me as that I had no eyes but to look upon him so as these two poor Shepherds when perhaps they had most cause to be contented they thought they had most cause to complain against us They counselled and consulted together and I am sure not without somtimes talking of our changing humours In conclusion both of them having hasted or rather hudled up their business that they might the sooner look homeward we heard of their return Ericanthe expected her Son with such impatiency that she went as far as the Town of Boen to meet him Delphire that day was not well and therefore intended not to stir out of her chamber Filintes not being able to endure that Thomantes should receive such a displeasure he came to pray and beseech her by all means that she would keep Ericanthe company upon this occasion which he assured her would be very well taken and that for his part he would take it for a very particular obligation and was so very importunate in his desires and supplications as at last he obtained that which none else could But when Thomantes heard from Delphire her self that the favour which he received was by the intercession of Filintes he grew extreamly jealous at it and upon this reason he set himself ever since to observe and watch the actions of Filintes and Delphire more narrowly And so much the rather because his rival was grown very familiar with all the Shepherdesses which stung Thomantes to the heart for he could not imagine that this familiarity could proceed from any thing but Love and
I know Hylas and perhaps better then you do who the faire Daphnide is who Alcidon and who is the great and renowned King Eâ—rick perhaps I can give a more particular relation of the City of the Massilians and of Arles then many others and therefore though I am a shepheard doe not think to daunt me with your big words Daphnide then interposed truly said she I doe beleeve this shepheard knowes me and I beleeve what he sayes and also I beleeve he knowes more then you thinke he doth But kind shepheard said she unto Silvander if it will not be too much trouble unto you tell us how you came to know all these things Madam answered Silvander I was along time in the Massilian schools where your Name was so cryed up by the Bardi that every one did hear of it How came you now to be in the habit of a shepheard said she and what cause doth retaine you in it Fortune said he brought me into this Country and Love stayes me in it And said Hylas Love brought me into this Country and Alexis stayes me in it Who is that happy Alexis said she and smiled She is one said Hylas who will make you blush for shame and grow pale with envie she is so faire that she hath no equall Aylas answered she you say so much that I must needs beleeve you in part and too much to be beleeved in all your owne eyes said he will be witnesses presently against your selfe and will enforce you to justifie all my words for I have not spoke one syllable too much in her Commendations Alcidon hearing this thought himselfe concerned Hylas said he I will acknowledge your Mistresse to be faire but that she is fairer then Daphnide if words will not maintaine the contrary my blood and life shall Hylas hearing this assumed a very serious looke as farre as words will goe said he I will maintaine what I say but if you come to matter of blood and life I will not onely quit her unto you but unto any that shall maintaine the contrary for my profession is talking not killing every one began so to laugh at this answer that Alcidon could not reply of a long time after Doubtlesse their discourse had continued longer if they had not been very neer the house of Adamas In the meane time Alexis in contemplation of that contentment which she promised unto her selfe in the sight of Astrea did stand leaning against a window which looked towards the Plaine and talked with Leonide When she perceived the company comming and assured her selfe that Astrea was amongst them she started sometimes she looked upon one and sometimes upon another shepheardesse but when she spyed Astrea oh into what an extasie she was transported she fixed her eye upon her and spoke not a word as if she would take her fill of that pleasing Object At last fetching a deepe sigh she shewed her unto Leonide with her finger see see said she the fairest sight in the whole world being as bad almost in that rapture as Adrastes was Then keeping silence a while she went a pace or two backe from the window and folding her armes upon her brest Oh heavens said she how dare I present my self before her when she hath commanded me the contrary What said Leonide will you relaps into your old errour Were not these considerations sufficiently debated with Adamas before you came hither have you so soone forgotten his prudent reasons Doe not thinke said Alexis that I have forgotten them but I am sure Astrea will see me and I shall see her she will speake unto me and I unto her and is not this disobedience to her Command Goe goe said shee unto me I shall never forget those cruell words goe disloyall man and never come in my sight unlesse I commmand thee The Nymph thinking that if this discourse went on it would much disquiet Alexis she would not answer unto her only thus these thoughts Alexis must not now come into your mind it is already resolved upon the time is now come wherein you must shew your selfe a man Sonne to Alcippes whose courage was so highly esteemed by every one you must I say change your Countenance and Garbe you must receive Astrea without any wonder and at the first accoast of her have so much power over your selfe that none may discover you you know that the first impressions take deepest roote and upon them the most sure judgement is built therefore resolve with your selfe so to disguise the matter that those whom your habit deludes may not be undeceived by your actions Ah Madam said Alexis how easie a matter it is for those that are well to give counsell unto the sicke here is a fault committed already replyed Leonide why doe you call me Madam and not Sister you know Adamas will needs have me call Paris Brother and so he commands me to call you Sister and if you doe not the like you will be suspected you know that your face does extreamly resemble Celadon and therefore you must use abundance of Art to deceive people Sister answered Alexis since you are pleased I should call you so I shall endeavour to carry my selfe as well as I can but I assure you never was any more put to it then your miserable Sister is upon this occasion and unlesâ—e some helpe me out I know not how I shall delude the eyes of Astrea with whom I never used any dissimulation or disguisement Upon such occasions as these said the Nymph we must make our wit and courage appeare and as they say make a vertue of necessity Assure your selfe the Authority of Adamas is so great and every one hath such an opinion of his Wisedome that with a little helpe of your own none will question but that you are his daughter As they were thus talking Adamas being advertised of the coming of Astrea he came to hearten Alexis which was no small Prudence for she was so much out of her selfe that good preparatives were but necessary least she being surprised she might give too much knowledge who she was When they were in the midst of their discourse newes was brought them that all the Company was come in to the first Court of the Castle Alexis blusht and her legs trembled so that she was constrained to fit downe Leonide who perceived it the better to hide all faults told Adamas that it was good to draw the Curtains of the windowes and to let in as little light as might be that the alterations in the face of Alexis might not be discerned and that the pretence for it might be to hinder the Sunne from keeping the roome too hot The Druide liking the Counsell commanded all the Curtaines to be drawne But as they were busie in preparing all things on the one side Astrea was as much perplexed on the other her heart did beat extreamly and coming unto Phillis said to her in her eare Good Sister find some excuse or
other out which may cause us to stay a little for I must confesse that my hopes to see the face of Celadon in Alexis does so much put mee out of my selfe as I feare that if I hâ—ve not a little time to recollect my selfe I shall give too much knowledge of what I desire to conceale especially unto these Strangers Upon this Phillis went unto Daphnide and said unto her Are you not weary Madam with walking up the Hill If it be your pleasure I am sure all the company would be very glad to take a little breath before they goe up into the Hall For my part said Daphnide I like the motion very well but would not propound it least I should displease Hylas who could not indure to be retarded from his contentment in seeing his deare Alexis Madam said he if you were not in very good company I should not offer to leave you but since you are I beseech you take it not ill if I goe before and tell them that you are coming for I had rather take breath with Alexis than here Then not staying for any nor for the answer of Daohnide he went up the staires at the top of which and at the entrance into the Hall he met Adamas Leonide and Alexis and because all three of them did thinke that the love of Hylas would be an excellent umbrage of what they desired to conceale they made him as welcome as they could The Druid himselfe after he had saluted him smilingly said that it was easie to see who of all the Company was most their friend Sir said Hylas if the haste which I have made in coming first move you to thinke so well of me my staying the last will be as good a testimony of my good will and I wish my company were as welcome unto you and your company as it is desired by me No question but it is said Leonide is it not Sister For my part said Alexis I am very much contented in it Hylas then going neerer her Fair Alexis said he in a low voice so my company yeeld you any contentment it is enough Why said Leonide seeming to be angry doe you so little esteeme the rest of the company I assure you proud Shepheard I will be revenged of you and before the day be done you shall repent of your disdaining me thus she uttered these words with an angry looke and did very well feign a discontented person But Hylas who naturally did not care for any woman living unlesse her he loved I shall be very sorry said he when the faire Alexis repents of what she hath said unto me and till then you will but lose your labour if you seek for any revenge upon me And when she doth repent of it you need not seeke for any greater revenge for my sorrowes will be so great that nothing can make them greater Servant answered Alexis as long as you doe love mee you need not feare any revenge for your good will is very deare unto mee He was ready to reply when Adamas interrupted and asked him who were those shepheards and shepheardesses which were coming There is Father said he Astrea Diana Phillis and severall others of that neighbourhood There are also some strangers as Florice Cyrcenea and their Company but that which invited me to 〈◊〉 me before was to tell you that we met by the way with faire Daphnide a Lady of the highest esteem of any in the Roman Province and with the generous Alcidon who disguised in the habit of shepheards are come into this Country to seek for the Fountaine of loves verity Alcidon is the most beloved Cavalier in all the Province especially by the great Eurick And thus you see I am not the onely stranger who disguiseth my self in the habit of a shepherd to live happily in your Country Adamas answered him Is it possible it should be the faire Daphnide with whom the great Euricke King of the Visigots was in love and Hylas answering him that she was the same he continued though I never saw her yet I shall know her for I have a Picture which they assure me does very much resemble her except her habit do cause an alteration yet I will seem to know nothing and will bid all our shepherdesses as welcome as I can Their discourse had continued longer had they not been prevented by the coming of the Company for Astrea although she was the cause of their stay yet she was not able any longer to stay from the sight of that so much loved face therefore she made sign unto Phillis who understanding her meaning addressed her selfe unto Daphnide and Paris and said unto them aloud Now if it please you it is full time to follow Hylas for what will Adamas think when he heares by him that we are here 'T is true said Daphnide and taking Astrea and Diana by each hand they led the way and the staires being very large they went up all three a brest and the rest of the company confusedly followed after Adamas waited for them in the entry of the great Chamber where he received them as kindly as possibly he could and seeming not to know Daphnide nor Alcidon he addressed his speech unto the shepheards of his acquaintance and said unto them with a smiling countenance Faire shepheardesses you give me some cause to think that you are proud because you seem to sleight your Neighbours has my Daughter been thus long here and you not daign one courteous visit Astrea who observed that though he spoke to all in generall yet he addressed his speech particularly unto her she made answer for all Revereâ—d Father said she things that dod epend upon the will of many are oftentimes retarded though every particular desires to make haste This excuse said Adamas will hardly hold for methinkes every one of you in particular does owe me as much friendship as I doe owe you all in generall Then Diana undertook the matter Father said she and smiled many had rather give that which they do not owe then pay their due debts but as we have committed this fault so are we punished for it in depriving our selves so long from that which is so great a happinesse unto us Upon this Daphnide addressed her selfe to salute Leonide and Astrea the like unto the disguised Alexis but oh how she was astonished when she cast her eye upon his face and how amazed was Alexis when she saw Astrea coming to kiss her Oh love into what a condition didst thou put them both when they kissed each other The shepheardesse was as red as if her face were all fire and Alexis trembled as if a great fit of an ague had been upon her Hylas who observed how zealously his Mistresse saluted this shepherdesse he grew so jealous that he could not endure she should hold her any longer in her armes and this jealousie was a cause of their parting so as Diana saluted her the next after her Phillis