maintained that the only reason was want of will both Phillis and I were ordered to serve the fair Diana three months and afterwards she was to judg which of us two did know better how to make our selves Loved This being well understood I beleeve there is none here who does not plainly see that by the words of the fair Diana I have obtained that which I did pretend unto Her words were these We do declare that Sylvander does know how to make himself beloved better then Phillis Could she expresse her mind by any words more intelligibly and cleerly And yet to leave no scruple of any doubt she has added actions unto her words and such as none can consider but they must presently confesse my victory Her Actions were two First putting the Crown upon my head secondly giving me her hand to kisse both of them are favours so high as hardly any can be greater For Phillis Unto whom are Crowns given but such as overcome and unto whom do Mistresses use to give their hands to kisse but unto those whom they think worthy of their Loves I cannot tell Shepherdesse what Country it is where the custome is to permit such kisses unto their slaves and such as they little esteem but if they use to confer such favours upon those whom they dis-esteem what will they do unto those who are high in their Favours Believe me O my enemy that after this rate there are very few who would not be very glad my Fairest Mistresse would despise them and I assure you I would be contented to live and die in such disesteem And as to what you say That our judge in giving me a Garland of Flowers does intimate thereby that whatsoever is amiable in me is like those flowers which grow and die in a day I beseech you consider what she has added unto those flowers as if she did foresee that this would be objected We do ordain said she that Sylvander shall take his chaplet of flowers from my hands and wear it hereafter by renewing it with fresh flowers Can you think Shepherdesse that she intended it to wither in a day since she would have me wear it for eternal memory But in this I must confesse you are excusable For it is one of those misteries in Love which you do not understand and which I will unfold unto you to the end you may know why our just judg did ordain that you should restore that Garland which was given unto you and why I should wear mine alwaies Love which our sage Druides esteem to be the great Tautates whom the Doctors in the Massilian Schools do say was the first of all the gods who after the Chaos did separate things mortal from things immortal and gave them life and perfection And because man was only created to know to love and to serve this great Tautates whom we were not able to comprehend by any corporeal representations or Ideas he did set before our eyes a body so perfect as might in some sort represent unto us that which he would have us know of him To the end that knowing him we might come to love him and loving him to serve him And in as much as nothing is so bright and pure as this great Tautates he created that which he thought most pure and perfect and did imbellish it with all the beauties and accomplish it with all the perfections that a body could be capable of and called it the Sun Thus the Sun appeared presently from one side of Heaven unto the other gave life and motion unto all that was upon the earth and wrought such admirable effects as many did think it to be the great God of whom it was only but an imperfect resemblance and did adore it in lieu of that which it did represent Now Phillis if you would know in some sort what this great Tautates Love is you must learn it by the Sun and such things as fall under our senses And when you see how the Sun gives life unto all that is in the universe you ought to say it your self that Love gives life unto all souls when it shines not only in heaven but also throughout all the earth you must acknowledg Love to be the light which gives understanding unto all spirits for there is none so blind but it is able to open his eyes and make him cleer sighted And if this Sun of Love do not shine then is he all in darknesse without any light or understanding consider also how as the Sun does alter and change seasons Love does the like It causeth the Spring by producing in our spirits the flowers of hopes It causeth Summer by giving us the fruits of those hopes It causeth Autumn by letting us enjoy them and it causeth Winter by giving us so much understanding as to know how to preserve them long I should be too long if I should relate all the resemblances betwixt Love and the Sun Let it suffice Shepherdess that by this resemblance already instanced you may understand how these flowers which you so much undervalue say are withered as soon as blown are the hopes which Love produceth in his Spring Oh Love What greater favour could I receive from my fairest Mistresse Oh Phillis how dear and infinitely pleasing are these flowers unto me especially when I consider the consequents of this favour These fair and sweet flowers are the Spring of my hopes and can you think that Summer will not presently follow after the Spring Is not that kisse of her fair hand which she was pleased to afford me the fruit of those hopes Does not this Glorious Sun of my soul afford me also an Autumn and a Winter Doubtlesse Phillis my fairest Mistresse did not omit them when she ordained I should wear that Crown of flowers continually amongst the Shepherds and renew it with fresh ones Is not this an Autumn and Winter both since I must preserve it long and renew my happinesse Consider O my enemy how in taking these flowers from you and restoring them unto Adamas she intimates that you must not hope for any thing And if you have flattered up your self with any fond hopes without any ground of reason it is fit you be deprived of them before all this venerable company There remaines nothing now to answer but only to tell you why my fairest Mistris was pleased to say that Phillis was more amiable then Sylvander and upon what reason she placed you in her own seat For the better understanding of it know Shepherdesse That whatsoever is good is amiable but if the good be unknown it is like unto a hidden treasure which none can esteem until it be known when Diana did declare that you were amiable she did it with good reason for doubtless the vertues which are in you are good for resembling my fairest Mistris in sex and other gifts of Nature there is no doubt but therein you are amiable and much more then Sylvander But
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
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
miraculously for neither his hand nor any other part of his body moved which could move them unto any suspition The doors then of the Temple being opened thus strangely this Impostor taking both the Nymphs by their hands Go pure and innocent souls said he unto them Rejoyce in that the Heavens do love you and for that there are few things which you can ask that will be denied unto you then conducting them forth he used a few Ceremonies lifted up his hands and eyes to heaven and returned to the same place where he saw them when they first came And because they were extreamly afraid that he was a Conjurer they hasted away as fast as they could and thinking some Demon followed them But Climanthes thinking that perhaps they might hide themselves in some Bush neer to see what he did he kindled the fire upon the Altar made the doors shut of themselves which the Nymphs seeing as they looked back fear made them go away faster then they came Thus did the knavery of this wicked fellow serve him for a cloak of piety Galathea was not out of bed when Leonide and Silvia returned and when they came unto her they looked with such affrighted looks that Galathea thought at first that they had met with some disaster But when they related all that they had seen and their fears at the opening and shutting of the doors she could not chuse but laugh to see how they trembled at the very relation I assure you Madam said Silvia when she saw Galathea laugh at them that I am not of a very timorous temper but I must confess that when I saw those doors open and shut of themselves the hair of my head began to stare and I do think any that saw them would have done the like Good Madam said Leonide suppose the doors of your chamber should thus open and shut of themselves would you not be afraid as well as we We know the man to be a knave but withal we fear that he deals with the Divel and is a Conjurer No no said the Nymph you know he is a cunning fellow and full of jugling tricks and he did them so slightly that he deluded your eyes No no Madam answered Silvia my companion and I both observed all his actions so narrowly that no motion nor a cast of his eye escaped us However Madam said Leonide we can assure you he is the same Climanthes which formerly we saw and it is to be believed that he has a designe in project by his staying here Whether he use conjuration or not I assure you he useth abundance of Artifice and pains and certainly it is to some Designe of importance But said Galathea when did he promise to come hither How Madam answered Silvia promise to come hither Nay nay he is one that never moves a foot without God's leave he says he will consult with his Oracle and if we come about five days hence he will tell us whither God will give him leave to stir out of those limits allotted to him But for my part I believe he will consult with one that has as many Divels at his command as I have hairs on my head Galathea could not forbear laughing at their relation and commanded them to tell what they had done and seen unto all especially unto Adamas Climanthes on the other side spent all the rest of the day in his wicked though seeming Devotion to the end that if any did come and surprize him they might see his sanctity But when it was night and he thought none could see him he locked up his Temple put on other clothes went through the Wood unto Polemas and acquainted him with all the adventures of the day and consulted with him how to demean him self towards Galathea in her questions which she should ask Polemas was much joyed when he heard the Nymph had a mind to talk with Climanthes assuring himself that now she gave credit unto his Art which until then he made a doubt of I do believe said Climanthes in answer unto Polemas that the most subtle and cautelous men might be deluded as well as these women for never was designe carried on with more prudence and circumspection then ours For my part think you what you please I can never be perswaded they have the least suspition oâ— any jugling in all that they have seen for I have been so punctual in every circumstance that I think any one living might be deceived as well as they whatsoever they were by my first devices I am most confident they are much more deluded by my second Whilst they were talking thus a Messenger brought some news of concernment unto Polemas upon this their discourse was interrupted therefore making Climanthes to go into a Closet hard by he caused the messenger to enter Sir said the messenger unto him when he saw him alone in the chamber your faithful servant Meronthes salutes you and hath commanded me to deliver this letter unto your own hand and more hath given me in charge after you have read it to acquaint you with some passages from him which relate unto your service Polemas opening and reading the letter and finding it only to be a letter of Credence he took him by the hand and drew him as close to the Closet where Climanthes was as possibly he could purposely that he might hear assuring himself that it was somthing which was necessary to be communicated unto him because Merontes was one of the prime Burgomasters of the City of Marselles and long since made his creature asking therefore of the messenger who was his son what he had to say he acquainted him with the arrival of Damon and Madonthe and the honour and caresses which Amasis and Galathea did unto them the care which both of them had of him and the opinion which the Chirurgions had of him Afterwards he gave him an accompt of all the Souldiers that were in the Town in what manner the Guards were placed the little suspition that either Amasis or Adamas had of any attempts and briefly assured him that he would open a gate of the Town unto him when he pleased Polemas received this news with much joy and after thanks unto Merontes for his affection and fidelity he conjured him to continue it with assurance that he would one day recompence him to the full That when time served he would make use of his offer as from one whom he confided in the most of any man in the world then fetching a bag of money which he kept always ready for a recompence of secret Intelligences Here said he unto him take this as an earnest of my good Will and when occasion serves I will do more for you But pray tell me said he unto the man is there any News at Court Sir said the young man all the talk is of a Druide who lives neer Mount Brison in so much sanctity that the Gods do grant unto him whatsoever he
any harm for she spoke very simply and innocently I beseech you said Sylvander what did she say She said answered Phillis that you your self were instrumental to your own hurt of which afterwards you could not cure your self for meeting Madonthe you acquainted her with the coming of that stranger who had some bad designs upon her It is most true answered the Shepherd I did so and I thought my self obliged unto it by the Laws of Civility The Laws of Civility did not enjoyn you to accompany her as far as Aquitane replied Phillis much less when she denied you to fall upon your knees and with a torrent of tears beg nay force her to give leave you might wait upon her at the least part of a dayes journey telling her after your tears had obtained leave that she might well permit you the happiness of so short a time since you were to endure so long a torment of absence from her But here comes the misery of it when she answered you with a smile that though her absence did grieve yet the presence of Diana would comfort you you answered again Diana merits much more then my service but I pay them unto her only upon a wager I wish she were to go this journey in your room and you to stay in hers here in this Country Do you think Shepherd that any Laws of Civility oblige you to use any such discourse unto Madonthe and to speak with such scorn of Diana Do you think it strange she should be offended at you and resolve to take all occasions from you of treating her so unworthily Oh Heavens Oh Earth Oh God! Oh Diana cri'd Sylvander What treason is invented against me Treason said Phillis why Can you deny it How replied the Shepherd presently I say or do any such things as these I had rather my Sheep-hook were run through my heart then any such thoughts should be in it do you deny replied Phillis that you accompanied Madonthe as far as she would permit you I must confess answered Sylvander that it is true I did accompany her but it was upon such reasons as if I have done otherwise I had been blamed by all those that heard of it and that you may know the truth give me leave to make a short relation of it unto you Diana hearing Sylvander prepare himself to speak I am confident said she to her self that if one word of truth be in his discourse it is against his will and design but see with what a brazen face he sets himself to lie Then Sylvander began thus Shepherdess said he it is long since Paris was telling how that stranger was come into the Country with a bad design upon Madonthe and when I saw him much troubled how he should acquaint her with it I took upon me to make it known unto her he does not tell replied Diana to her self how ready he was to offer himself in this service lest any other should undertake that charitable office In the mean time Sylvander went on with his story Yesterday morning said he I met her with Thersander and I thought the blame of all the accident might be charged upon me if I did not acquaint her I told her therefore as it was told me and seeing her eyes flow in tears I must confess I was much moved unto compassion nay passion you should have said replied Diana to her self And I to assure her said Sylvander against the injuries of this unknown person I offered my self to accompany her with some of my friends if she pleased He is her Champion said Diana and will defend her against all her enemies And so I did said Sylvander but it was no further then the place where Paris saw that stranger It was said Diana because she would not suffer him to go any further Could I do any less said Sylvander unless I transgressed against the Laws of Civility and Humanity If I did any more then what I have told you Shepherdess may I be denied Heaven and perish eternally as a punishment of my crime But said Phillis did you not follow her as far as Aquitane or would you not if she had permitted you Had I thought answered Sylvander that she had stood in need of me I must confess I had accompanied her farther thinking it the duty of man to help any in distress Henceforward said Diana we shall have this Shepherd become the Hercules of Gaul and wander from Province to Province to fight with Giants and Monsters But continued he that I should be importunate or press her or do any more then civilly desire her is a thing so false as I admire any should be so impudent as to invent it or say it None more likely then Sylvander said Diana 'T is true I did offer my self said Sylvander to be her convoy and guard her till she was out of Forrests But is it true replied Phillis that you did not shed any tears nor kneel down nor speak of Diana nor lament her departure Now said Diana is he pumping and preparing himself for a lie Shepherdess answered Sylvander if any one sillable of all these be true let the Justice of Heaven strike me dead immediately let the earth swallow me up alive and never let me see the face of men again let the anger of Gods and men do all their worst against me if all that you have said unto me be not false and invented by some who wish my death and has some designs upon Diana Now has he hit upon it said Diana for what pretensions or designs can Laonice have upon me or his life Shepherd said Phillis when you know who it is certainly you will be of another mind But you must needs confess a fault in accompanying this Shepherdess without asking leave of your Mistris Ah Sister said Diana I beseech you give no such Name unto me that Shepherd shall be none of my Servant You know Sylvander said Phillis that one who loves truly ought never to dispose of himself without the Will of the party loved why then would you go away and never tell her He is at a non-plus said Diana and knows not what to say Certainly answered Sylvander if the journey which I was to take had deserved the name of a journey I had done as you say but since it was not above two or three miles I thought neither she nor you could take any exceptions Besides Madonthe departed so suddenly as it was impossible for me to have done it unless I had failed in doing her that civil office Observe said Diana that rather then fail Madonthe he will fail in his duty to us But it is impossible said Sylvander that the excellent wit of my Mistris Raze out the words said Diana unless you speak of Madonthe It is impossible I say continued he that the Judgement of Diana which is never deceived Unless in you said Diana should so easily believe such a falsity But good Shepherdess tell me If it
he offered to continue his discourse telling them that the case was well enough understood and therefore there needed no more time to be spent At the same instant Theantes desired audience and in a loud voice said Oh wise Cloridamantes there is no greater folly under the Sun then to love without any hopes of ever being loved again and marriage is a most miserable torment when it is not tyed with mutual and reciprocal knots and therefore I conclude and declare that Silvanire may marry but never Theantes Upon this he made an humble reverence to the Druide and the Assembly and went his way Cloridamantes then rose up to ask the opinion of other Druids and to give judgement upon the case But Tirintes who could not with any patience endure to hear that Silvanire should be given unto any other he said with a raging voice and incensed eye Who is he that does accuse me and why am I kept here a prisoner Fossinde then began to speak Wicked Shepherd said she unto him Dare you be so impudent as to ask why you are kept here or who will accuse you Does not your own conscience tell you that never was a greater malefactor brought before the Tribunal of any Justice Does not every thing every circumstance accuse you of Treason and Infidelity The Heavens that see you the Earth that bears you Trees Men Gods and all things oh perfidious and miserable Shepherd do accuse you and call for vengeance upon your crime Every one wondered to hear Fossinde give such tart language for there was very few in the whole assembly who did not know that she loved Tirintes and though unfruitfully yet had done long so as to see her now thus exasperated against him it seemed much against the stream of her long continued custome and it was strange that her extream affection should so soon change it self into such an implacable hatred as she would have made him lose his life But Tirintes stood still and without any alteration in his countenance Speak said he unto the Judges if you have any charge against me it is they from whom you must have justice Do you think I have not courage enough to abide all your objections Fossinde blushed at these words and turning towards Cloridamantes she beseeched him to sit down again and hear what she could say and then she began thus This impudent Shepherd oh wise Cloridamantes who is brought before you is the most worthy of death of any man that lives he says he loves Silvanire but who believes him Nay who can believe him if they consider his actions Most certainly he never knew the power of Love though to excuse himself he would cast all the fault upon that God For what are the effects of love To serve to honour nay even to adore the person that is loved But what witnesses does this wicked Shepherd give of his affection unto Silvanire In lieu of serving her he gives her poyson he caused her to be buried alive and suffer intollerable torments in lieu of honouring her he would have blasted her reputation and made her the most infamous Shepherdess that lives if these be the effects and consequents of Love I dare say that Love has changed its Nature But haply he will be apt to say that these are meer impostures and aspersions cast upon him and that he did never commit any such crimes Sage Druide here is the wicked man he cannot deny it his conscience flies in his face and ties his tongue The truth is his vilany is so great that it is hard to find words to excuse it under the umbrage of a Lover or with any glosses of affection and fidelity To give poyson unto a poor innocent woman so subtilly couched in a glass what excuse under heaven is there for such a black horrid invention He cannot gloss it over with an excuse of ignorance nor say that Alciron did not tell him the effects of it for it is most infallibly certain his intention was to make her die and be revenged upon her for loving another or at least for having no inclination unto him But seeing his design frustrated perhaps by the strong constitution of Silvanire which resisted the poyson or as it is most probable by the Will of God who would not deprive the world of so fair so wise and sweet a woman to excuse or extenuate his crime he must pretend that his intention was only to cast her asleep But oh sage Druide I beseech you ask the good Menander Lerice Aglantes and all those that saw her in the Agony she was whether in any sleeping fits they use to have such cruel pain such convulsions such contraction of Nerves and so many symptomes of inevitable death and then judge whether it was not a most mortal poyson which the Gods by a miracle made ineffectual to his intentions But this cruel Barbarian not being satisfied with her death but he would also with the same cruel eyes see her in the Tomb to glut his cruelty and finding her revived he never offers to ask a pardon but would carry her into some desolate place God knows where and certainly but for the relief of those Shepherds which came in upon her cry he had executed his most wicked designe Judge now just Cloridamantes whether in all this there be the least shadow of any Love Consider that if such a Treason as this pass unpunished there is no safety for any Shepherdess to live in Forrests How can we guard our selves against such violences I beseech you therefore let us dwell safely in our houses and quietly in our fields and make this man exemplary by inflicting such severe punishments as may be a terror unto others Thus spake Fossinde who after a low congie unto the Druide and the rest of the Assembly she fate down in her place Every one were astonished to hear this tart accusation Tirintes only stood un-amazed for having lost his hopes of Silvanire he valued not his life But making a signe that he desired to speak and the Druide permitting him he answered thus This Shepherdess most wise Cloridamantes is in the right when she says that I have done ill but she is in the wrong when she accuses me of a crime unto which I never consented but am as innocent as her self No no Fossinde I refuse not one of those torments or punishments which are prepared for me and which I know are my due I will not excuse my self for I cannot and assure your self that though I could I would not But bitter and malicious Shepherdess Why should you add false crimes unto crimes that are true You had no reason in the earth for it for those which I have committed are sufficient to glut your soul be it as cruel as it can be Oh Cloridamantes the affection which I bear unto the fair Silvanire is too great to make me think of any such impieties as Fossinde falsly charges me It is true I
thing never shook his constancy no nor any monsters of difficulties which he met with nay even impossibilities were not able to stop him in his designed course Oh Gods who does not know that Thomantes hath loved the fair Delphire even in her Cradle at an age when she was not capable if I may say so of knowing either to love or cause love And can it be imagined that Thomantes should now fall off and not love her when her eyes enflames all that they daign to look upon and cast their rayes on Who can have seen this Thomantes overcome all the rigours and scorns of Delphire abide the length of time surmount all difficulties and believe that the same Thomantes should not love her when this fair Monster of Beauty seemed pliable to his will and desires Truly these accusations are as far from any common sence as they are from reason and truth and there is no other answer to be given unto them but this that there is no disputing against those that will deny principles and no more ought I against those persons who make these oppositions who yet do fill Heaven and Earth with their complaints against us and will by force have us confess that we do not love them They will needs take upon them to know what we do better then we our selves Love is an act of the will and is there any so clear sighted as can see my will better then my self But as humane nature is more apt to believe the bad then the good so should we but once tell Delphire and Dorissea that we do not love them oh how presently would they believe us But if we should tell them and tell them again a thousand and a thousand times that we do infinitely love them they would presently say it was not true Why should you not believe us in the one as well as in the other But we and it is no small argument of that love which you deny to be in us if you once tell us that you do love us we presently believe it and never make the least doubt of the truth and from whence proceeds this easie faith and belief Even from love from love I say which makes us believe that truth as well as all other virtues is in the person loved so consequently in you But these fair ones would never confess that we loved them but alwayes denied it and now they tax us with inconstancy This last injury my dear Asphales is an argument for us for from their own opinion must be concluded that we do love them now for they confess that we did not love them heretofore and by saying that we are inconstant they say that we do love now in this sence fair Shepherdesses we should agree with you were it not that Love who forced this truth from your own mouths against your wills will not let us confess that we did not love you before but on the contrary we do say and maintain that we did love you and do love you and ever shall love you and that never was affection more perfect then the affection of Asphales and Thomantes Now the main argument they have against our affection is that our actions have not given sufficient testimonies that we love them Consider oh most just Judge consider I beseech you upon what a sandy foundation this charge is built and how quickly it will fall to the ground when our actions and behaviours to them were all fire and full of impatiencies then they charged us that we did not love them when we saw this way would not prevail nor perswade them to believe the truth of our affections we had recourse unto the contrary we put on a garb of coldness and became all patience but they forgetting the judgment they had before given do now accuse us of want of love more sharply then before What should we do if to our mis-fortune two contraries do work the same effect upon their unjust souls if neither heat nor cold will testifie our Love what can we do Yet these considerations or rather contradictions do put us unto abundance of pains not that they who do see and weigh every thing with a sound judgment can ever enter into any doubt of us but since there are more of those who are inclined to judge ill of others then of those who hold an even scale of judgment it must ensue that the greater part of men will blame us and which is worst of all or which is indeed insupportable these fair ones may nourish a stinister opinion of us in their souls although we never courted any thing with more desires then to perswade them of the contrary and therefore though we know very well that we ought in all other things to yeild unto them yet in this we are constrained to contradict them and bring the matter unto the judgment of another which we would not have to be taken as any defect of love or respect but rather for excess and height of affection which transports us beyond all rules of duty In this excesse we have several times desired that since they do charge us with inconstancy they would first agree that heretofore we did love them and afterwards that they would prescribe unto us those limits in which a Lover ought to keep himself within compass of this constancy to the end one may judge as by a straight rule whether the line be right and come no neerer one side then another and so oh our just Judge it may appear whether we be inconstant or no. The Gods are they who have sent us unto you and the Gods are they will inspire you with a spirit of right judgment But in the mean time we do require and conjure the God of Love to take away all incredulity out of the souls of these fair ones which makes them condemn our actions which truly if they were different from what they were wont to be it was not out of any alteration of will but urgent affairs which was the cause and which hindred us from paying the tribute of those trivial services we were wont to render and in which we could not imploy our time without much prejudice unto our estates Has not all seasons their proper actions does not nature teach us that flowers are proper for the spring and fruits for summer if trees should bloom all the year they would bloom in vain and why should not the same be said of us If we should be alwayes bearing those little flowers which are proper and natural at the beginning of Love we should not produce so much fruit in the summer of Love but should in a manner derogate from the Law of Nature But perhaps that which induceth them to this opinion is the more familiar conversation which we have with others then we were wont to have and that this conversation proceeds from some Love we bear unto those we are familiar with all truly if a Lover ought to be
could delude the eyes of so many persons All the people of your owne Towne your friends your familiars have seen you and been deceived your owne Brother himselfe is mistaken but the favours of Tautates rest not here for hee inspired Astrea to come and see you what can you desire more for a prosperous beginning Yet I see such is your ingratitude that still you complain or at least receive not these benefits with a thankefull heart Take heed Child you provoke not a Diety too sarre least they should withdraw these favours and give you a just cause of condolement Father answered Alexis I doe most gratefully acknowledge the goodnesse of Tautates and your indulgent care over mee but still I cannot chuse but complaine for I am yet like unto a poore afflicted man who hath a thousand torments at once upon him though one or two of those torments be taken away yet the rest which remaine are enough to move complaint The Druide was ready to answer when he saw Paris coming towards them who being clad in his shepherds habit made it manifest that Love prompted unto the dresse Leonide also flattering her selfe in an opinion that her beauty needed not to submit unto the beauty of Astrea she used all her art and trimmed up her selfe to the best advantage that Alexis seeing her in that dresse and comparing Astrea with her the artificiall lustre of the one might dimme the naturall simplicity of the others beauty Alexis in her usuall habit seemed to care least for this visit though she had the most interest and because she desired not to be knowne by any shee added nothing to her ordinary dresse besides she knew that her happinesse was to be expected from fortune and not beauty but however she appeared so fair in that simple habit without any artifice that Leonide could not keep her eyes off her After some common discourse Paris who was passionately in love with Diana to make himselfe more pleasing in her eye he assumed the habit of a shepherd and not being furnished with so much patience as to stay till their coming he told Adamas that if it pleased him he would goe and meet those fair shepherdesses who were to visit his Sister and conduct them to the best and neerest way The Druide knowing what affection he had unto Diana and not disallowing it for some reasons which hereafter shall be declared did commend his designe hinting unto him that courtesie and civility of all the vertues did most attract the hearts of people and that it was the naturall quality of persons well borne Paris upon this leave went presently towards Lignon and going down the Hill unto the bridge of Boteresse he followed the River taking into a little path upon his right hand which led him into the Wood where the empty tombe of Celadon was erected and passing on he came unto the Meadow which is before the Temple of Astrea He had no sooner set foot in it but he spyed on the other side of it two Horsemen the one of which was armed he had on his right hand a Gantlet and on the other a Buckler a Plume of black and white which waved over the Crupper of his Horse his Corslet was set with Lions his Sword Falchion like which turned up at the end like to a demi-circle hung by his side in a rich scarfe As soon as Paris perceived him he remembred what hapned unto Diana when Filidas and Filander were slaine and therefore retreated into the Wood yet being very desirous to know more of them he still kept his eye upon them through the thick Wood. He saw that as soone as they were entred into the Meadow and spyed the pleasant Fountaine which is at the entrance into the Temple the Cavelier lighted from his Horse and the other whom he judged to be his Servant ran to him held his stirrop tooke his Horse unbridled him and without any respect unto the place let him eat upon the sacred Grasse Meane while the Cavelier went to the Fountaine dranke of the water and washed his hands and face Paris by his deportment did imagine that his intention was not to offer harme unto any and this opinion made him so bold as to go neerer him yet still concealing himselfe in the thicke Wood so as he unseen came so neere them that he could both heare and see all that they said and did He saw that the Cavalier was both young and faire though extreame sorrow appeared in his face then looking upon his Armes he thought him to be a Gaule and that he was in love for he bore upon his silver Sheild a Tyger feeding upon a Hart with this Motto Thou gav'st me death and I maintaine thy life Perhaps he had observed every thing both longer and better had he not beene prevented by the sighs of this Caveller who looking fixedly upon the Fountaine rowsed himselfe as out of a deepe slumber and lifting up his eyes towards Heaven he taxed his courage with Pusillanimity for supporting so many misfortunes his words were seconded with many a sigh and sighs seconded with showers of teares which trickled downe his cheekes into the Fountaine Presently after lying along upon the ground and letting his arms hang loose he grew pale and his complexion changed so as his servant who kept an eye upon him seeing him in this condition he was affraid least he should swoone he ran therefore unto him cast a little water in his face and recovered him before he lost his knowledge or strength But hee opening his eyes and lifting them faintly up to heaven made such sad Lamentation that his servant could not chuse but sigh which he observing what Halladine said he dost thou sigh Sir said the Servant I sigh more to see suchan alteration in you then for the distaster of which you complain for to be deceived by a woman to be betrayed by a Rivall that virtue should procure envy and that fortune should favour the designes of enemies is not at all strange because it is ordinary But I must needs wonder to see the courage of Damon which hitherto I believed invincible and which hath made him esteemed and feared both of friends and enemies should now shrink at a common accident which inferiour courages are wont to resist A thought of revenge if nothing else methinkes sir should move you to preserve your selfe untill you have found out Madonthe that you might in herpresence call them to an account who are the causes of your displeasure For Gods sake sir consider that a Calumny which is not disproved may well passe for a truth and consequently Madonthe had reason to treat you as she did Paris observed that at the name of Madonthe the Cavelier assumed a little vigour and that looking upon him he answered with a faint voice Ah Halladin didst thou but know what torments are upon me thou wouldst say that I doe want courage since I doe endure them any longer and live Oh
you returne I shall enquire of you what I shall doe then but in the meane time I will love the body of the faire Alexis not as she will be a hundred yeares hence but as she is now at this present the most perfect workmanship of the gods Thus talked Hylas and Silvander would have replyed when all the Company came to a narrow planke where every shepheard was officiously carefull to helpe his shepheardesse over and when they were all on the other side Silvander offered to fall into discourse againe but Diana hindred him because hearing a shepheard and a shepheardesse singing she desired him to listen All the Company turned their eyes to the place from whence the voice came and drawing a little neerer they saw a shepheardesse sitting under a shady Tree and a shepheard upon his knees before her courting her and she returning him very disdainfull answers Enough enough Alcidon said she if you will have me to stay any longer here either be silent or talke of something else and beleeve it that whatsoever you say upon this subject will onely increase my disaffection to you If I had not more hope answered hee in the justice of love then in yours I should long since not onely have ceased talking but ceased living What can your hopes be said Daphnide for if the God of whom you speake were just he would long since have made you an example unto all such as are so bold as to offer wrong Doe not offend him said Alcidon who hath power to order things according to his will and of whose power you cannot be so ignorant as to thinke that you ought to scorne me as you doe The shepheardesse would have replyed had not the company been so neer as caused her to be silent Astrea and the rest of the Company who heard these strangers being invited by the beauty of the shepheardesse and the hansome deportment of the Shepheard as well to satisfi their curiosity as their duty unto which the lawes of hospitality did oblige them which were most religiously observed in that Country they addressed themselves unto the shepheardesse and after salutation offered her and all her company all manner of assistance for at the same time there came unto her two other shepheardesses and a shepheard who had strayed from them and stayed under a shade untill the heat of the day was a little over Daphnide seeing this faire Company accoast her with such courteous expressions she answered with all possible civility and told them all in generall that the Heavens had beene most gracious unto the Country being inhabited by persons so accomplished with all manner of merits Astrea made answer thus There is not any here who is not very much devoted unto your service as well in obedience to our Lawes which command us to be hospitable unto Strangers as out of desire to have the honour of doing service unto persons of so much merit as you and your companions Since my first encounter is so good said the Stranger I begin to hope for a happy conclusion in my voyage And since your courteous offers doe imbolden me to enquire of what is necessary to be known I beseech you fair shepheardesse tell me if there be not a Fountaine in this Country which is called the Fountaine of Loves verity and where it is Astrea looked upon Paris and Silvander and returned no answer which cansed Silvander to answer for her Faire shepheardesse said he the Fountaine of which you enquire is in this Country bnt love hath so ordered it that upon the matter it is not here being guarded by such inchanted Animals as there is no accesse unto it And where is it replyed Astrea How said the Stranger are you of this Country and ignorant of a thing so rare It is almost incredible Those who see your face which is so faire cannot chuse but love you and by consequence you cannot but be so curious as to know the truth of their affections who love you which as I have heard say may be seen in this fountain I know said Astrea and blusht a little that it is your Complement which makes you speake so advantagiously of my face and nothing else therefore I will not answer unto that But as for that curiosity which you thinke is in me first I have no occasion for it because I was never so happy as to be loved in that manner and secondly we never use to have recourse unto the Fountaine you speake of to know the mindes of those who serve us because we have a better and more sure way What is that I beseech you said the stranger It is said Astrea Time and the effects of it I do conceive said Daphnide that this way is very uncertaine and I my selfe can say that I have been often deceived by it If that do faile us replyed Diana then we doe use another remedy What is that said the stranger It is answered Diana not to love at all That remedy said Alcidon is most unjust for thereby the innocent will be punished and not the culpable For he who deceives any shepheardesse in faigning to love her cares not whether she love him or no and so receives no punishment for his fault and he who does really love her bears all the blame and punishment You see generous shepheard said Hylas that our shepheardesses are as unjust as faire and yet for all that we can't chuse but love them what then should we do if their minds were as sweet as their faces One of the shepheardesses hearing Hylas speak thus began to fix her eyes upon him thinking that she should know him And doubtlesse but for his habit which did a little disguise him she had not stood so long in doubt but after she had a little better considered with her selfe she addressed her selfe unto Thameres and asked him in a low voice whether that shepheard who spoke was not Hylas and he answering yes she whispered Daphnide in the eare and said unto her Madam he whom you spake unto is Hylas and you know him not The stranger blushed and holding her hand before her face as being ashamed to be seen in that habit went back a pace or two crying out Oh heavens Hylas how your habit alters you and perhaps mine alters me as much Then Hylas coming nearer her he looked seriously upon her so as though he had not seen her of a long time and though her habit had much changed her yet he knew her to be Daphnide esteemed the fairest Lady in all Arles or the Roman Provinces but he was so much amazed at the sight of her that he knew not whether he dreamed or waked At the last after a long pause he went back looked upon her and was not able to speake one word which the stranger perceiving Certainly said she This is a Country of wonders for I find in it shepheardesses more civilized than any persons in Cities Naturall beauties without any artifice and the
greatest wonder of all is to see Hylas silent Hylas turned towards her and knew her that spoke unto him to be Carlis the other Stiliana and Hermanthe with them this sight did so amaze him that not able to speake a word he ran to embrace his deare friend Hermanthe and after a long embracement he parted and imbraced againe have I met with my dear Hermanthe said he Is it possible I should find here the greatest beauties in all the Province of the Romans I might have said the whole world if this Country in which we are were excepted What The so much admired Daphnide the proud Stiliana and Carlis who first taught me to love The Gods have been abundantly favorable to me in conducting you hither Madam said he unto Daphnide you and your company are come to be witnesses of my Glory and Felicity Hylas answered the stranger you enjoy no contentment but I do participate in it as your friend but if you wonder to see me in this equipage I do no lesse to see you thus disguised and in a place where I had no thoughts of finding you however I doe thinke the encounter most happy if it will make me any sharer in the Glory and Felicity which you enjoy Madam said Carlis he nevers offers any signe of joy for meeting with me or with Stiliana Oh my first Mistresse said he why do you think so you know that ones first love is never forgotten But you shew the contrary said she for love cannot be when the party loved is forgotten and you cannot deny but that you had forgotten us all I am compounded of another mettal said he then other lovers are for I never use to forget those whom I ever loved nor is my affection to them extinguished 'T is true my memory will sometimes stumble and be covered over with oblivion as fire will be in the embers and my affections will slacken as a bow that hath been too long bent but my memory will get up againe blow but the ashes from the embers and the fire will be in and the bow after a little unbending will assume its first strength even so will my memory and my affection when the ashes of oblivion are blown away by the fight or presence of the party loved I perceive said Stiliana that Hylas is still Hylas I hope said Daphnide that we shall have leisure to know further of your welfare but in the meane time lest we should commit some errors amongst these fair shepheardesses I pray Hylas tell us who they are and whether Astrea and Diana be in the company Madam answered Hylas they are both there and then he shewed them unto her then Daphnide saluted them againe and after she had well looked upon them Fame I perceive said she has undervalued the truth for I see your beauty goes beyond all reports Madam answered Astrea and blusht those that live as we do may say that they are hardly in the world for living onely in woods and fields fame can take no notice of us and we think our selves very happy in her silence You may say what you please replyed Daphnide but now I have seen you I am able to say and truly that though fame should speak highly in your advantage yet she both is and would be sarre short of the truth and do you wrong Madam said Diana it is onely your sweet civility which is pleased to bestow these attributes upon us And though we are as my companion saith almost out of the world yet would we gladly be such as you are pleased to say we are for perfection is desireable in all You cannot desire more then you have replyed the stranger for if you should your desires would be above the power of Nature and I cannot believe it possible she should make two different beauties more perfect How Madam said Hylas though they be such as you say they are yet I was never in love with them or so little as it may be termed nothing All birds answered Daphnide are not pleased with the pure light of the Sun nor by consequence your bad sight with these great beauties Nay nay Madam replyed he It is rather because there are greater beauties in this Country then they are and you know Hylas was ever a lover of the fairest I can very hardly believe what you say answered the stranger I shall make you confesse it said he if you will goe whether all this company are going Discreet shepheardesses continued he and turned towards Astrea and Diana know that you see here in the habit of a shepheardesse and shepheard the fairest Lady and most generous Cavalier in all the Province of Galloligures and I believe your Country never received a greater favour from heaven then in receiving them therefore Noble Paris I beseech you let them not depart from this company until Adamas have seen them at his house Paris and the shepheardesses addressing themselves unto Daphnide did excuse themselves for not rendring them that honour which was their due and beseeched them to favour the great Druid so far as to visit his house which they consented unto as well to satisfie the request of Paris and the shepheardesses as out of their desire to speak with sage Adamas about some affairs which brought them unto that place having heard very much of his wisdom Hylas was very glad when they consented and because Daphnide knew him in the Isle of Camaâ—gâ—es and in Arles and was well acquainted with his honour she proposed many questions unto him by the way unto which the shepheardesses would sometimes answer for him and sometimes Silvander And though he was in a little kind of constraint before Daphnide Stiliana and Carlis yet he could not chuse but break out often in his answers especially when Silvander spake at which these strangers did so laugh that addressing himselfe unto Daphnide Madam said he unto her I think that in taking upon you the habit of these shepheardesses you have also taken their humour since this shepheard 's talk does please you so very well for he never opens his mouth to contradict me but presently all fall a laughing But my good friend Silvander said he and turned towards him you must know that it is at you whom this Lady laughs and not at me for thy education being onely Rurall thou speakest accordingly therefore I think thy best discretion is to talk no longer Courteous shepheard said Daphnide do not believe Hylas you do not know him so well as I do but I should be very sorry you should have any such opinion of me Madam answered Silvander Hylas and I have often such contests as these and never believe each other But Hylas said he and turned towards him do not mistake your selfe for I do know before whom I speak and know this Lady I had spent my time very ill amongst the Massilians and had been both deafe and blind if I had not heard of her merit and seen her beauty
that ever he loved so he ought to be the last is not this true Hylas Consider Carlis said he unto her that every thing wil most certainly return to its first beginning and as the first time that ever I did see you I did not love you so shall I not love you the last time I see you None could forbeare laughiâ—g at the answers of Hylas which continued so long that Alexis and Astrea had time enough to talke but though Alexis might have imployed that time very well yet she was so long before she could begin being hindred by severall considerations that perhaps the opportunity had been lost if Astrea had not begun to speake first For this disguised Druid seeing her before her eyes who had commanded her never to see her fearing to be known by her voice or some other of her gestures was so mute that she durst not open her mouth which Astrea attributed unto the little acquaintance that was betwixt them or else considering that she had beene alwayes conversant with the Virgin Druids she knew not how to talke of Country affaires But the shepherdesse was much mistaken for the reason was because she knew too much and because that face which did represent that of Celadon as well in her memory as before her eyes it made her extreamly desirous to gaine the favour of Alexis which was already but too much gotten and therefore shee was the first that broke silence thus When I doe consider the beauty of your face and the Graces wherewith the heavens have adorned you above all the Beauties of our age I am almost ready to tax them with injustice in depriving this Country so long of that which it produceth most rare and in hiding you amongst the Druid Virgins so farre from us But when I call to mind that the whole Universe is not too good to serve that great God who made it I must confesse that the choice of you was most just being the most perfect peece in the World I wish said Alexis that those perfections which your civility puts upon me were as truly mine as yours are in you that I might in some sort be worthy to serve the great Tautates Idoe not blush faire shepheardesse to heare you use this language which rather puts me in mind of my imperfections then represents unto me what I am I am sorry replied Astrea that you should have so ill an opinion of mee as to thinke that I suppose any imperfections in you For though the heavens have made me a shepheardesse and have given me no more wit then suits with a rurall life yet as the Sunne is seene by all upon whom it shines by some more some lesse according to their Capacities so may I see your Perfections and know them so farre as to admire them though I must confesse that many others unto whom Tautates hath given better judgement may discerne them better but cannot admire them more then I doe I shall not contradict a judgement so favourable replied Alexis only I pray God that when you know me better you doe not revoke it For though neither my intention nor profession will let me be long in this place yet I shall alwayes thinke my selfe exceedingly happy in the favour of all those who resemble you particularly your selfe whose acquaintance I have so long desired and I assure you that this desire will make me leave my Companions with lesse griefe when I know that I shall see Astrea Madam answered Astrea this favour is transcendent For if you have a will to be with us our happinesse is immeasurable or if it be out Complement onely to oblige us yet we are happy in that you entertaine such thoughts in you But I may most truly say that the newes of your coming filled the Country both with joy and sorrow sorrow in hearing of your sicknesse and joy to hear we should be so happy as to see you It is so long before you came hither said Alexis that if any other but you fair shepherdesse had told me so I should not have beleeved it but to let this discourse alone I beseech you tell me how you use ordinarily to spend your time for I am told that the shepherds and shepherdesses of Forrests doe live the happiest of any people in the World It is certainly said Astrea very happy unto such whom Fortune hath not forsaken and you know Madam that those who were once happy when they lose part of what they injoyed are more miserable then those who alwayes were miserable T is true said Alexis but I doe not thinke your rurall and solitary life doth meet with any rubs of Fortune Not so much said Astrea as those who live in Court and in the transactions of the World but as Lakes though lesse then the Sea have their stormes and tempests so it is with us we also have our misfortunes and miseries and for my part I may well say that having within the space of one month lost a Father and a mother my affliction is so great that I am not yet recovered of it Is it long said Alexis since you had this losse About foure or five months since said Astrea and upon this she fetched a deep sigh It is a very sad affliction said Alexis to lose such friends but nothing is more naturall then for Parents to dye before Children and this may be your comfort that they left you at an age wherein you are able to governe your selfe One thing said Astrea doth most exceedingly trouble me which is that I am partly a cause of their death Truly said Alexis you bring it into my memorie that I have heard something concerning it and I thinke they told me that they were drown'd in endeavouring to helpe you out of a water into which you were falne Pardon me Madam said Astrea it is true that I fell into that fatall River of Lignon as I endeavoured to helpe a shepherd who was drowned there and the newes being carried to Hippolita my Mother that I was drowned she was surprised with such a fright that she did never recover it but dyed presently after and my Father for griefe of her followed her Thus was I at once deprived both of father and mother Astrea could not relate these accidents without much griefe and Alexis also seeming as if it were out of compassion I pray said she who was that poore shepherd which was drowned I know not said Astrea sadly whether you heard of him but his name was Celadon brother unto Lycidas whom you see there Was it Celadon said Alexis who was sonne unto Alcippes and Amarillis The same said Astrea I have often heard talke of him said Alexis truly it was a very sad accident I assure you Madam said Astrea that all manner of delights hath been ever since banished out Coasts For when he was alive there was nothing but mirth and jollity amongst us and now such a dulnesse reignes as if it were not the same
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
a long time for every one tooke me for dead Oh happy had I been if it had been to then should I have buried all my sorrows all my contentments would have followed him to his Grave Upon these words such a flood of teares flowed in her eyes as she was not able to speake of a long time which gave a sufficient testimony how deepely she resented her losse but at last the wind of severall sighes drying up the raine of her eyes she assumed her spirit and continued thus Pardon I beseech you Father the weaknesse of a woman for such an occasion might perhaps excuse a spirit of a higher temper than mine did any resent them so neer the heart as I doe But to passe over such sad remembrances which cannot chuse but be tedious unto you and to fall into the discourse where I digressed give me leave to tell you that whilst I was in the midst of laments and could not find any rest or consolation to my sad soule this cruell Alcidon to loaden me with more misery did presently quit Clarinta and comes impudently upon me as if he had never let any other have a share in his affection I must confesse I was much amazed to see him without blush talke to me with as much confidence as formerly but I was more offended at him for coming upon me so impudently and never offering to aske pardon for the injury he had done me and to talke to me of love and affection For nothing under the Sun offends a woman more than after profession of Love to quit her and love another I permitted his discourse a long while and gave no answer I beleeve he attributed my silence unto the resentments of my losse but seeing he continued on my patience could hold out no longer and therefore I was constrained to say thus unto him Alcidon let me intreat you to hold your peace such talke as this is not now seasonable betwixt us though heretofore it was permitted yet now since both you and I are much changed from what we were it is not allowable He would have answered but I gave him the stop and said unto him Yes yes Alcidon both you and I are very much altered I in this because heretofore I thought you had loved only Daphaide and am now assured of the contrary And you in this that heretofore you devoted your selfe wholly unto me and now the faire Clarinta onely possesseth you and may she long and peacably enjoy her Conquest I promise you Alcidon that I am so farre from envying her happinesse as I will pray the Heavens it may many ages continue Alcidon was mightily amazed at this and would gladly have justified himselfe but I was so certaine of the truth as all his talke did rather move anger than love Afterwards for at that time he saw me so angry as he could not put in a word I left him in as angry a mood as I my selfe was But the next morning he surprised me before I was drest and by chance Carlis and Stiliana were then both in my Chamber and they being very familiar with us neither he nor I concealed any thing from them He fell downe upon his knees protested that he would never rise unlesse I would promise him to heare his Justification patiently and then he would let me dispose of his life and happinesse as I pleased I who was sufficiently loaded with misfortunes already had no mind to adde unto them those displeasures which I foresaw but persisted in my resolution not to hear him knowing very well that good wits never want good words to perswade what they will especially Alcidon whose eloquence I was not ignorant of but was affraid he would incline me to imbrace that service which had so basely quitted me for another At last Carlis and Stiliana hearing our contest they told me that such a Judge was unjust as would condemne a Party before he heard him Most true my dear friends said I unto them but did you know as well as I what charmes his words have whom you would have me hear you would advise me to stop my eares rather than lend them unto the inchantments of such a Charmer as Serpents doe But since you will have it so let me oblige you to assist me which both promising they would he rose up and knew so well how to plead his Cause as they were both absolutely for him And because I knew very well that all his eloquence was but oyled words and gilded language to gloze over his excuses without any reality of truth I so farre resisted him as it was resolved upon by both sides to have recourse unto the Oracle which returned us this answer Upon a day you 'l see A Fountaine in Forrest Called Loves Veritie Will set your hearts at rest This Answer so obscure and full of ambiguity none of us knowing the Country nor ever so much as heard of the Fountaine of Loves Verity it did much perplex us And Alcidon to shew what a great desire he had that the truth of his affection might appeare he made such enquiry of this Fountaine as hearing of it he could not rest untill a Voyage unto it was resolved upon I must needs confesse Father his importunity did much move me unto it but one of the cheife reasons which induced me thereunto was my desire of being for a while absent from the place where I had so many sad Memorandums of my losse hoping that being farre off them my sorrowes would by degrees lessen And unto this may be added my curiosity of seeing whether that Country and those who dwelt in it were so happy as reports went for wonders were told me of the places beauty of the sweetnesse of the Aire the abundance of Rivers full of Fish and the pleasantnesse of the Fields But when I heard of the delectable lives of the Shepherds and Shepherdesses of Loire of Furant of Argent of Serane but especially of Lignon I was ravished and wondered that all Europe did not go and inhabit in Forrests To know therefore whether all this fame was true I conseuted unto this journey and because we heard that all those who are there were habited in the garbs of shepherds and shepherdesses also desiring not to be knowne we disguised our selves in this habit as well for the reasons aforesaid as because we needed not any great train of Servants to attend us Thus reverend Father you have heard not onely a relation of our lives past and of our difference but also the cause of our Voyage and of our disguise we want nothing now but your prudent direction how we may see and have addresses unto this Fountain and your sapient Counsell unto such as stand in such need of it as we doe Thus ended the faire Daphnide leaving Adamas in a great opinion of her Prudence and Wit and because he perceived she expected his answer he replyed thus Who is it Madam that hath heard of great Euricke
then it and which I have very often found to be most true in my selfe since it so pleased my fortune and this faire one to have it so and the wounds smart now worse then ever since she continues her ill opinion of me and blames me in the presence of so reverend a person as the wise Adamas And because I know that a charge untrue may passe for truth and because I had rather die any way then in her ill opinion I must humbly beseech you Madam give me leave to speake the truth in my own defence Then because the Druid said it was but reason he continued thus THis faire one sage Father has taken the paines to relate unto you the whole series of my miserable fortune and I must needs say she has done it truly unlesse in her two dogmaticall opinions I must needs say she is like unto those who look through coloured Glasse whose eyes see all things to be of the Isame colour for her minde being possessed either with Love or Ambition she judges of all things according to those Glasses so as every thing which she sees in me seems unto her to be as she sees them in her self Alas fairest Daphnide it grieves me to upbraid you thus and I wish I could make it false with the losse of my blood and life but you have testified that it is but too true both by effects and by words when you commanded me with so many protestations of affection to court Clarinta what promises did you then make me you have heard them grave Father for she has rightly related them and the reasons also why she thought it requisite I should addresse my selfe unto Clarinta I shall onely hint at them to bring them into your memory If I be ruined in the opinion of Eurick said she then are you the same because our two fortunes are conjunct and inseparable But what kind of ruine was it she menaced and meant onely forsooth to be banished with her from the Court If Clarinta said she doe prosper in her designes she will banish us both the Court Why Daphnide Is it such an intollerable torment and an utter ruine to spend the rest of your dayes with one that loves you beyond all expression Oh that your language had been as full of truth as cunning and that Love had as much power over you as Ambition then would you never have enjoyed me to court her who would have ruined nothing in us but this idol Ambition Nay on the contrary she would with abundance of thankes have been glad of the occasion of our living together But I beseech you reverend Sir observe what a fine gilded Pill she gave me to swallow and what a delicate cover she had to excuse her setting me away from her You cannot be ignorant said she how liberall both Heaven and Nature hath been unto you in all excellent endowments If you doe court Clarinta she will be taken with them which Eurick seeing he will scorn her and she will give her Selfe and all her Ambition unto you Oh Love wilt thou not revenge such poysoning flattery She would perswade me that Clarinta would quit that same Ambition which causeth Daphnide to reject me and give me unto another but why should any imagine she should desire my separation from her Is it out of any secret hatred she beares unto me or because she thinkes me troublesome No no none of these but for the same reason she her selfe alleadged Eurick said she seeing you Court her and she entertaining you he will sleight her and retire This this Father was the maine end all her candid eloquence did aime at Thus would she have shifted me off unto Clarinta Well she commanded it and I was all obedience but have I not great reason to complaine since she is not satisfied with thus deceiving me but she must also at my returne accuse me of her own fault I sweare unto you said she that all the paines you take in Courting her shall be put upon my accompt and I will be your paymaster Is it possible Daphnide you should speake this and now blame me for Courting Clarinta Nay have I not rather reason to require my wages for doing your commands as near as I could But perhaps you say that when Eurick was once out of fancy I should have desisted and as the occasion varies so ought the enterprise I must confesse Madam that when the cause ceaseth the effects must cease also but since the King was diverted from his affection unto Clarinta by reason of my addresse so had presently desisted why might it not well be imagined that then his affection would have returned would not this last fault have beene worse then the first But fairest Daphnide if you had a mind that I should have desisted why did not you command me Could you imagine that you had not an absolute power over me having had formerly so many signall testimonies of it But here comes in a very fine accusation As soone as ever Eurick was dead sayes she he presently leaves his Clarinta and never so much as asking any pardon comes to me as impudently as if he had never devoted himselfe unto another What is it thou ever canst doe unfortunate Alcidon to give a testimony of thy fidelity since that which in all reason is the greatest evidence of it is taken for the contrary I courted Clarinta by command and against my will onely as Daphnide said through reason of state and to the end Eurick should disgust her Now can it be thought strange that when Euricke is dead during this counterfeit Courtship I should desist from it had I not done so it might be thought I had some other designe But said she you ought to have asked me pardon before you returned to your wonted way of conversation with me Good God must I in lieu of payment and recompence aske pardon And why Madam I beseech you should I aske it Perhaps you will answer because you have courted Clarinta but I beseech you did not you command it and command it with a promise of recompence but perhaps you will say again that I continued longer in the service than I should have done but why Madam should I not have continued longer since I expected your commands for it May not this same Question be as well asked a Gally-slave whose will depends upon anothers If one should aske him why he is so long in that Captivity Has he not more reason to aske why doe they keep me in it so long You tell me you are sure I loved Clarinta and endeavoured for particular favours But suppose I did and that this affection did displease you can you blame any but your selfe for it why did you command me to serve her Is it not an evident demonstration that ambition is more predominate in you than love and must you not needs confesse that since I obeyed your command so willingly Love was more strong in me than
too much to blame all the rest No said Corilas my intention is not to blame them I onely say that I cannot conceive they have not same imperfections I doe not say they have them and in this I blame onely my selfe as not having the judgment to know the truth But of all this I accuse this deceiver who yet cannot glory in her victory for she has paid deer for it Daphnidâ— and Alcidon did hearken with much delight unto the dispute of these shepherds and shepherdesses and admired that these Rurall wits brought up amongst Woods and in Fields should be so polite and civilized But Daphnide having a very curious spirit and desiring to know every thing she addressed her selfe unto the sage Adamas Methinkes Father said she unto him that to part these two friendly Enemies for she knew they were so called and to satisfie a curiosity wherein I have long lived you would doe very well to tell us what this Simpathy is of which they speake and whether it will cause love and in so doing you will feast us double both in our bodies and in our minds Madam answered Adamas your curiosity is commendable and did I not give it satisfaction I were much to blame as well in not obeying what you please to command as in not informing such as desire it as my charge obliges me and the sooner because I am able to doe it in few words Be pleased to know Madam that Tautates the supream Creator of all things did make Heaven which is his chiefest Mansion and the place where he created all soules and because it is nothing likely that any thing should come out of the hand of such an excellent Workeman which is not in its full perfection he formed the soule by intellectuall participation Now this participation is taken from the pure intelligence of that Planet which is predominate when it is created and this perfection which it receives is so agreeable to it as it is inflamed with love of that intelligence which did impart it unto it And even as a Lover doth forme an Idea of the thing loved in his fancy as perfectly as possibly he can to the end it may fill the eyes of his soule and please himselfe in this contemplation when he is deprived of the sight of that beloved face so likewise this soule being in love with the supream beauty of this Intelligence and of this Planet when it entred into the body unto which it gave the forme it did imprint not onely the sense and the airy body in which the learned say it is wrapped but also the fancy with this Character with the beauty of which it was ardently inflamed in heaven so as it can apprehend a figure and perfect resemblance of it and pleasing it selfe in this contemplation it conceives a certaine naturall disposition to esteeme all that resembles it good and beautifull and to dislike generally all that is unlike unto it accustoming its judgement in such sort unto this will as it becomes habituall from which we cannot refraine without very great force upon our selves From hence it is that as soone as we cast our eyes upon any one if they doe report unto our soules as faithfull Mirrrors that there is in this person something which doth resemble that Image of Intelligence immediately we doe love without any farther discourse in our selves or other search for the occasion of this good will being drawne unto it by an instinct which may be termed blind On the contrary we doe hate if we doe find them different and this is it they call simpathy which is that conformity which we find betwixt one another and which indeed is the source of love and not beauty altogether as many believe For if beauty were the source of love it would follow that all faire ones would be loved of all But we see on the contrary that not the most faire and the most worthy but those onely who come neerest to our humour and with whom we have most conformity are those whom we doe love best Here the Druide stopt and Daphnide began thus I must confesse with thankes reverend Father that you have at once cleered severall doubts unto me yet one remaines in which I much desire satisfaction If it be so that love proceeds from that resemblance that I meet with all in the party that I doe love How comes it to passe that the same resemblance does not make him love me For if I do love by this simpathy and if this simpathy doe come as you doe say Methinkes it is impossible but that he must have the same inclination unto me that I have unto him My meaning is that the same Planet must have the same influence upon us both yet for all that we see many who doe not at all affect those who are even ready to dye for the love of them Your doubt Madam replyed Adamas deserves a cleering it is very ingeniously moved and shewes the excellency of that spirit from whence it comes Be pleased therefore to know Madam that as I told you the soule fancies unto it selfe an Idea and the most perfect image that it can of this Planet and of that Intelligence or apprehension which it loves but in as much as to represent so faire and so perfect an Image the matter is of such an inferiour sort as it is able to doe it but very imperfectly It must ensue that this representation is not equally perfect in every one because the matter of the body is better disposed in some than in others and accordingly as the soul does find it so does it worke more or lesse perfectly As in painting if the pencill and the colours be naught the Painter must needs make bad work and but little resemblant unto the thing he would represent so the soule finding the body indisposed to receive the figure and lineaments that she would give of this beauty which it loves the resemblance remaines so imperfect as the features are hardly knowable And when this happens thus doubtlesse he that hath the most perfect representation of this Intelligence and of the Planet shall be loved by simpathy of the other who hath it though ill done For his soule though it hath not the representation of this face which it loves in this body to the life yet does love the Portraiture when he sees it well done in what place soever it be but on the contrary that soule which shall meet with a matter well disposed and which by consequence hath the Idea and patterne well represented it daigns not to turne its eyes upon the other either because it scornes it seeing it so ill made or because it knowes it not having so little resemblance and from hence proceeds that love which is not mutuall But said Hylas and interrupted good Father give me leave to aske you one question If these loves proceed from simpathy how comes it to passe that after one hath loved another he sometimes
receive your doome before I depart from this place My judgement said Diana shall be just and as for the forbidding which you so much feare let me understand what you meane and I will answer you Silvander then assuming a more serious looke I never had the least doubt said he but that you would be most just but give me leave to tell you that extream justice is extreame injury and because you desire an exposition upon my second request I conceive Mistresse continued he and smiled that it is best to defer the businesse untill another time to the end I may have the more time to informe my Judge Upon this they were interrupted by Adamas who invited Daphnide and the rest of the company to goe and walke for the heat of the day being over it was more pleasant abroad than in the house And most of the company being desirous to take the Aire the delightsomenesse of the place inviting them they all set forward some singing and others discoursing upon such subjects as best pleased them The Cavalier who was close by the Temple of Astrea taking the same way that Paris went he came present to the bridge of Botereux and a little after to the height of the Plaine which discovered the Castle and great Cittie of Marcellies The Country seemed very delectable unto him For on the one side he saw the fertile Hils of Cousant which from the tops to the bottomes were enricht with many Vineyards and upon the tops of all great Woods which Nature had placed there to fence them from blustering winds The Plaine extended it selfe as farre as Mont Brison and following those delightfull Hils enlarged it selfe towards Surida Mount Round and Feurs with so many little Rivolets and Lakes that the variety made the prospect beyond imagination pleasant And because the way in which he was conducted to Marcellies and his face being that way it was the first place his eye fell upon The Castle scituated upon the point of a Rock which made it obvious to the eye and seen farre did presently bring into his memory the place where he first saw Madonthe For its grandure its Towers and magnificence of structure had a great resemblance of the place where she dwelt This Memorandum brought into his fancy the many pleasing passages which formerly he had seen with her and the extream perplexities and sorrows he had sustained since his disgrace And because this comparison could not chuse but much trouble his mind this poor Cavalier was constrained to lite from his horse and rest himself under the first shade he found where leaving his Horse with his Servant he went under a shady tree he lifted his eyes up to heaven stood so ravished in contemplation as he could neither hear nor see anything about him The Servant who did exceedingly love his Master and was sorry in his soule to see what a miserable life he lived did heartily curse love and her that was the cause of it By fortune at the same time hearing a voice he began to listen and stepping a little neerer saw a Cavalier complaining against the ingratitude and inconstancy of a Lady And because he thought this would be a good excuse to make him retire from his sad thoughts Sir said he unto him hearken I beseech you unto the Cavalier is singing who is neer you Away away said he I care not for medling with the matters of another Dost thou not thinke I have enough to doe with my owne The businesse of another Sir replyed the Servant may doe good if good use be made of them Upon this they hearkned and heard the Cavalier singing a very invective song against his owne Lady and against all others The one Cavalier hearing the other blame all women against reason for the fault of one was much offended against him for it taxing him with indiscretion and injustice And thinking that if he should suffer it without revenge and let such blasphemies passe unpunished he should commit a great fault against the faire Madonthe And therefore he would presently make him eat his words and cry mercy for the injurious language he had uttered but upon better consideration he thought it more expedient to give him occasion of seeking Combate for said he if he be couragious he will resent the offence I shall give and require satisfaction and if he be a Coward he is not worthy my fighting with him In this resolution the Cavalier rose up and turning towards the other Cavalier after he had a little considered what he should say he sung in as loud and distinct a voice as he could a song which intimated That since he saw how inconstant his Lady was it was his part either to die or else cure himselfe with disdaine of her This being distinctly heard by the other Cavalier he could not chuse but thinke that these words were intended against him And being one of the most couragious Cavaliers in all that Country he tooke it for such an affront that without more adoe he pulled downe his Helmet for he was armed Capape and went through the Wood to the place from whence the voice came The other who expected to see what effects his answer would produce as soone as he saw him coming and being resolved that if he did not resent his words he would adde such as should provoke him to fight But the arrogance of him with whom he had to do was such as he needed small provocations as well because he was confident of his own strength skill as because he was Nephew unto Polemas whose authority was so heighted since the departure of Clidemant and Lindamor as he was neere the capacity of making himselfe absolute Lord of the Segusians The name of this Cavalier was Argenteus he was taller than the common height and so well proportioned every way as it was easie to judge him a man of great strength and courage He had long courted one of Galatheas Nimphs and whether it was true or no I know not but so it was that he thought she loved him her name was Silere one that was very faire and highly hansome but when he was urgent with her for some testimony of her good will and when she denied him he according to his arrogant humour would needs use a kind of authority over her which she taking very ill she chose rather to break quite off with him than any longer to endure his arrogancy He seeing himselfe deceived in his hopes fell into such a passion of anger against her as he conceived an extreame hatred against all women whatsoever for her sake and ever since did vent the most bitter invectives against them that he could invent Argenteus then according to his custome arrogantly approaching the other Cavalier without any salute or action of civility was it to me Cavalier said he that you intented your song The Stranger who naturally could not put up any incivility and being already ill satisfied with him
by my beds side and looking a while upon me he began thus to speak My Son since the great God hath made his love unto you evidently appeare by sending you such unexpected Assistance you are the more obliged unto thâ—nkes for so great a mercy and favour and to be obedient unto whatsoever he commandâ— For as the acknowledgement of favours received from him does invite his hand unto more liberality so ingratitude provokes him to slack his mercies and in lieu thereof to chastise Take good heed of this my Son and let us see how you will expresse your thankes by your words and with what demonstrations you will acknowledge the particular Cure which hath been over you upon this he was silent to see what I would answer This good old man had a very venerable and grave aspect a pleasing look a sweet Physiognomy and so mild a voyce as it seemed as if some God had spoken by his mouth But yet my amazement was so great as it was long before I returned him an answer He fearing that it was my weaknesse or the pain of my wounds which hindred me Son said he if your paine and weaknesse will not permit you to answer yet make a sign in testimony of your desire and God will so well accept it as he will give you further strength Then recollecting my spirits I forced my selfe to answer him with a feeble voyce in these words Father it is not the wounds of my body hath brought me into this condition wherein you see me but it is the wounds of my soul which expecting no other cure or remedies but such as death useth to give unto those that are miserable made me look for an end of my life from a River which it seems is so pittilesse as she will not not afford me that help which she never denyes unto others These things are still in my memory but I cannot tell how I came out of that River wherein I threw my selfe nor how I came into this place and in your presence Son replyed the Druid I perceive your crime and the favour of Tautates are greater then I did imagine them For I had an opinion that some of your enemies had thus used you and that the great God had saved and delivered you out of their hands but for ought I see you would have procured your own death a sin so great execrable both unto God man as his mercy is infinitely abundant in not chastising you in his anger Fratricide Patricide are â—innes of a very high strain because they are neere unto us How monstrous then is the murther of our selves since none can be so neer us as our selves are Madam should I relate all his instructions I should be too long and he would have continued longer if he had not been prevented by the Fishermen who came into the Chamber and brought with them a man tyed with cords so as at the first I did not know him as well because my mind was distracted another way as because he looked with a strange affrighted looke and his habit had so disguised him as he was much changed As soone as ever he saw me he would have falne upon his knees but he could not because he was bound At last looking more earnestly upon him and hearing him say Aâ— my Master my Master I knew him to be Halladine my Servant You may imagine Madam whether I was amazed to see him in that condition for I could remember how I pulled him into the water and thought he had been drowned but I was much more amazed when I heard one of the Fishermen addresse unto the Druid assure him that this was the man who had brought me into the condition I was and that he was not content with what he had done but he was looking about for the corps that he might hide it and his wicked act together The good old man would have spoke when I interrupted and told him No no my friends you are mistaken he is innocent he is my Servant and the most faithfull Servant I ever had set him at liberty I intreat you and let me imbrace him once more The poore men wondered to see me hug him so affectionately and he falling downe upon his knees at my bed side with eyes showring tears he was so transported with joy that he could not speake But when he was unbound I embraced him as tenderly as if he had been my borther I was extreamly desirous to know whether he had delivered my message as I commanded him and how he came to be brought thus unto me but I durst not aske him least I should discover what I desired to keepe secret The Druid who was discreet and wise did perceive as much For presently upon it seeming as if he would go and enquire the manner of their meeting with this Servant he went out of the Cell and carryed with him all but us two My curiosity would not suffer me to be any longer without asking him whether he had seene Madonthe what she and Lerianâ— had said and done and how he fell into the hands of these men He answered me a farre off that he had accomplished my commands and failed in nothing that all those who heard of my death did extreamly lament me that had he thought to have found me alive he would have brought me an answer unto my letter but being desirous to doe me the last service he could he came to looke for my corps along the River side that he might give it buriall intending afterwards to retire himselfe from that Country and all habitable places And this morning going along the River side he met these Fishermen of whom he enquired for what he sought And they after they had looked upon him and whispered a while together they fell upon him and bound him as I saw he was thinking it was he who had treated me in that manner that doe all they could he would not tell my name nor give them any light by which they might know whom I was But Sir said he I beseech you by what good fortune came you hither and what good God was it that restored you unto life againe Then joyning his hands together and lifted up his teare swelled eyes to Heaven for ever happy may he be said he that did this good worke Halladine my Friend said I unto him I thanke thee heartily for thy good will and I am very glad thou hast not revealed my name for I would not have any know me to be alive And as to thy question how I came hither you must enquire of some body else than me for I am as ignorant as thou art And yet let me tell thee that though Heaven has preserved my life against my will I cannot chuse but thank it since I can by thee heare of Madonthe Madonthe whom I beseech the Heavens to preserve and unto whom I wish all happinesse and contentment Oh Heavens said Halladine
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
called upon him and pinched him to make him come to himselfe but seeing all would not doe and fearing he should dye in his arms he presently laid the Hankercher upon the bed tester and ran to call for helpe All the people in the house ran to him and brought such remedies as at last they recovered him the first word he spoke was Alas but presently taking notice that the Chamber was full of people he restrained both his sighes and his teares least he should give knowledge unto any of the cause And because his constraint did almost trouble him as much as his malady he intreated theâ—â— all to leave him unto his rest telling them that he desired to have none with him but that young man They who had not the least suspition of the cause and thought it nothing else but some faintnesse caused by fasting they obeyed him Then seeing the roome cleer What is become said he of the Hankercher Sir said the young man I am unwilling to let you see it again since I know the sight will but greeve you the more No no said he let me have it for in lieu of augmenting my griefe it will be a comfort unto me seeing she had a memory of me unto the lâ—st minute of her life Then giving it unto him Oh most deer Hankercher said he the dire messenger of the greatest dysaster that could befall me what name should I bestow upon thee Then being silent and fixing his eyes upon the blood Well said he she has shewed me the way and I am ready to follow it I grieve at nothing more than that I did not goe before at least keepe her company Then turning himselfe towards the young man but Friend said he unto him you have not yet told me how this accident came to passe Sir said he if you will be pleased to give me a little time and promise me that it shall not afflict you more I will tell you all I know No no replied Arimant presently nothing can either augment or lessen my griefe therefore tell me all I shall then tell you Sir said the young man That I came thither betimes in the morning and according to your instructions I watched when Clarina went to the Temple where I found her and conveyed the Letter so closely into her hand that none perceived me and desiring her to dispatch me with an answer as soone as she could she told me that tomorrow morning I should have it Presently after I went into the house of Rithimer where she lodged and I was no sooner entred but I heard a great bisling on every side and Chryseide Chryseide continually named I went up the stairs and found Clarina all in tears and great disorder who as soon as she saw me It is but a sad answer said she that you must carry your Master at this time alas Chryseide is dead and onely because they would needs force her to marry Clorangus carry him this Hankercher wherein he will find written with the hand and blood of Chryseide cause enough to love her memory After this she cryed and went into another Chamber Oh Heavens cryed out Arimant can I live and heare this But go on I intreat you You may imagine Sir said the messenger that this did much amaze me and to know the more certainty of the matter I stayed a little longer and saw three or foure persons come out of Chryseides Chamber all in tears holding up their hands and saying that truly she dyed very strangely This inspired me with more curiosity and boldnesse to enter into the room seeing all the house did the like There Sir I saw her Oh dismall sight I saw her dead on her bed and it so full of blood that it ran downe upon the ground At this time Rithimer and many women entred and I heard Rithimer cry out and say she had cut her veines I was then afraid least any should know me and because you had expresly forbidden that and thinking I could hear no more I came presently out of the Towne and made all haste that possibly I could because you had so commanded though with much sorrow to be the messenger of such sad Newes Alas alas cryed he I see it is but too true that Chryseide is dead since you have seen her so with your owne eyes could the Gods ever consent unto such a cruelty and can I heare this Newes and still live He would have continued on when his Father hearing of his being ill and who loved him most tenderly being his onely Son came and knocked at the Chamber door The young man knowing his voice he advertised Arimant who setting as good a face upon it as he could bad him open the door The windows were yet shat and the curtaines drawne so as when his father came into the Chamber he could not well see the sadnesse in Arimants face but coming to him and taking his hand he asked him how he did Well Sir answered he but only for a little faintnesse which proceeds from repletion of humours for want of exercise but if you thinke it good I desire to ride abroad and take some journey as well to dissipate those humours as for change of Aire I like it very well said the Father but whither would you goe My greatest fancy answered Arimant is to the Libicens as well because it is the place of my birth and naturall aire as to see my kindred and friends I should like it very well said the Father but that I feare the hatred of Rithimer Sir replied Arimant never fear it I must confesse that for you to goe would be dangerous but not for me for there will not any advantage acrue unto Rithimâ—r by me if I were dead besides being there amongst so many kindred and friends he could not have any intention against me but it would be told me and easily prevented The Father beleeving what he said was easily brought to his opinion which was not a little happinesse unto us all especially unto Arimant For having before resolved to kill himselfe he now deferred the execution of what he intended unto the end of this voyage He accoutred himselfe therefore as well as he could and the next morning set forward taking none with him but this man and another to walte upon him in his Chamber telling his Father it was more safe to goe with a small Traine than if better attended because lesse notice would be taken of him His designe of going to the Libicens was to meet with Clorangus and when he had dispatched him then to go unto the place where I was interred there to sacrifice himselfe unto my ashes And truly it was happy that this revenge was thus intended for it retarded his intention of killing himselfe and the messenger whom I sent had more leasure to carry him our Letters The same day he departed from his Father halfe of it was gone before Arimant thought either upon eating or resting himselfe and
any either generosity or love in this woman or any other quality or condition which you can desire And thus I ended extreamly astonishing the father who walked two or three turnes without speaking one wordâ— whilst I was in expectation of the sentence either of life or death At last lifting up his head which he had all the while hung downe he answered thus I must confesse Cleomire you have told me most strange things which may well plead my excuse for being a little pensive But considering that there is nothing in this world which comes by chance but by the wise providence of the Gods I will beleeve that all these things which you have told me have happened by their wils since it is so I should be very harsh if I offer to crosse them My Son you say loves Cryseide and I do beleeve it for I have heard that his voyage to the Libicians was only to make addresses unto her and fight with Clorangus who pretended unto her Cryseide hath also given very great testimonies of her love to him I doe conclude from hence that the Gods do never make such contraries to meet and sympathetically agree but they are contented with the good will which is betwixt them Friend I do commend my Sons choice for Cryseide doth highly deserve to be loved and now I know her reasons which induced her unto what she did my esteem of her is double unto what it was Tell therefore my Son as much for I see that it was he who imployed you to speak unto me Tell him that since according to his duty he has respected me so much as not to contract with Cryseide without my consent I doe take it so kindly as I both approve and commend his choice and pray unto the Gods that I may soon see them both together And though I doe foresee that Richimer will rage more hatred against me and colour it with my Sons offence in ravishing his wifes Cozen out of his house yet that shall not make me alter my opinion being resolved to countenance and maintain them in spite of all danger that can come unto me I beleeve Hylas you thinke that this answer did give me as much contentment as I could desire and well you might for after I kneeled downe and thanked him in behalf of his Son and Cryseide not daring to declare my selfe without the advice of my dear Arimant I thought he would never have satisfied himselfe with thanking me hugging and kissing me Then I parted from him and went to acquaint Arimant with my happy successe which ravished him beyond all expression At last it was resolved amongst us that since I had told his Father I was amongst the Vestals I should not yet declare my selfe lest I should be taken in a lie For all lies have this quality that when they are known they make truth it selfe suspected And to avoid the rage of Rithimer and my mother we thought it best to conceale our marriage for a while whilst in the mean time endeavours were used to pacific them Arimants Father approved of this and from thence forward referred the whole matter unto the will of his Son Now Hylas see how men purpose and God disposeth who would have thought but that their businesse was brought to as good a passe as we could wish or expect And yet all our crosses hitherto were but playes in comparison of what ensued For Arimant and I desiring to consummate our design pretended to go unto Cryseide and after we had provided womens cloths and all that was necessary for our marriage and were come into a Towne of the Caturges we intended to stay there so long as to make the father beleeve we were gone unto her whom we had with us But as ill luck was Gundehunt King of the Burgundians having passed over the Alps with a puissant Army did fall into the Territories of the Taurinois and Caturges so unexpectedly as he found them without any defence or thoughts of any Enemy And by fortune the very next day we came into this Towne he fell upon it where all they could do was to shut the Gates against the surprise of the first Comers but when the maine body of the army came up all the inhabitants could then do was to render their Town upon such pittifull condition as little mended the matter unlesse that the women were not ravished nor their Temples pillaged as they were in other places and all the rest left to the discretion of the ravenous Souldier â— Oh heavens Hylas what a lamentable sight was it to see women carried away Captives out of the arms of their husbands No intreaties no tears nor no offers could redeeme them So sadly did I resent this misery as I can speake it experimentally as fortune was I was that day in womanâ— habit and as I thought not ill dressed though my haire was so short that I could not trim my selfe so well as I desired and poor Arimant did carasse me as if he did foresee it should be the last time The Towne was presently distributed into quarters and every place assigned unto some troope who by degrees turned the Owners out of doors both men moveables and horses Arimant hearing of this base capitulation went crying through the Towne that it was better to dye than submit unto such unworthy termes telling the people that their wals were yet up that the Enemies had no wings to fly over them that their arrowes were not all spent nor their bowes broken he promised them that he would defend their Towne till Rithimer came to relieve them who was already upon his march and that they should never be branded with so much ignominy But seeing there was no remedy and that none stirred upon his words he drew his Sword and cryed in the open streets that the principals of the Towne had betrayed and sold the people that for their parts they would receive no harm but all would fall upon the poor people so as it was better to give them up to the Enemy and save the rest And thus he cryed out so lowd as he was followed by some with whom he seized upon a Gate which he defended so well that Gondebunt was forced to retreat and fall on upon another Quarter where the Inhabitants did let him in And thus betrayed by those of the place whilst he was repulsing those Enemies which were before him he was assaulted so furiously upon the backe as at last vertue being over powred by number and he receiving many wounds he was taken and killed though he would never yeild chusing rather to dye then fall into the hands of those whom he called Barbarians As for me to my misery though I may call it good fortune that part of the Towne where I hapned to be was assigned for the Quarter of King Gondebunt and those who were with him tooke me and many other Ladies prisoners and all committed to safe custody where we stayed
untill the coming of this great King in hopes his generosity would give us liberty as well as his vertue had preserved out chastity Now Hylas you know both me and my fortune which I beleeve you will thinke to be very strange since when I was even at the very top heaven dashed them and took away my â—â—berty and thus you see my miserable condition Thus has the fair Cryseide said Hylas related her fortune unto me and I was so delighted with it as I did not thinke it a quarter of an houre since her first beginning when it was so late that all her companions came to tell her it was time to retire And waiting upon them unto the side of the River Arar I then retired as full of love as I was of satisfaction to know that this faire one had learned how to love and that her affection was not settled any where since the death of Arimant which gave me abundance of hope to arrive at the Port of my desires All the company stood very attentive and desirous to heare the conclusion of this Relation Hylas stood silent and so as it seemed as if it was onely because they were then come unto a place where onely one could passe at once And when all were passed thy flocked about him as desirous to heare the continuation of his discourse giving great attention unto it What what doe you expect more from me said he and wondred they should expect it If there be any amongst you that knowes any more of the story then I have related I shall willingly lend them audience but if you look for any more from me good friends you will be mistaken for I have not a jot more to tell you All the company broke out into laughter to see their expectations thus frustrated Servant servant said Alexis did you thinke that you performed your promise with this short come off Did you not promise me a relation of your severall loves and you have related onely the misfortunes of Cryseide and Arimant you have told us what you did not promise and left untold that which you did promise resembling those who had rather give where they doe not owe then pay their due debts Hylas being thus twitted smiled and said not a word knowing that Alexis was in the right At last casting up his head Mistresse said he I doe confesse all you say but the fault is your own but if the money which I payed you was not good why did not you refuse it I mean if you did not like what I told why did you not interrupt me for my part I thought the money so good that when I received it from Cryseide it contented me and was pleased with the repetition of it unto you However said Alcidon and interrupted since you have begun the story of this generous Lady you should have ended it I assure you Sir said Hylas I have emptied my Purse of all that money I mean that I know no more of Cryseides story onely this that she went away without bidding adieu unto any and I could never hear whither Madam said Florice then and turned towards Alexis are you desirous to heare the conclusion of that story Yes answered the Druid and I should be obliged unto those that would tell it me and I believe the rest of our way will permit it I shall be very glad replyed Florice to satisfie your curiosity for Cryseide since the departure of Hylas related unto me at Lyons all that he hath and that I shall tell you But it shall be upon this condition that Hylas shall make good his promise another time and he assuring her he would she began thus The sequell of the History of Cryseide and Arimant BE pleased to know Madam that this generous Lady being detained a Prisoner in Lyons as you have heard going one morning unto the Temple a young man came unto her and in the croud did put a little Book into her hand and said unto her in the Italian language To morrow about this time you shall see me here and suddainly thrusting himselfe among the people he left her in the greatest astonishment that ever was for she knew him not not understood the meaning of this little Book yet being very discreet she made no shew of her amazement onely as long as divine service lasted she beseeched Mercury to grant that it might be good newes The Sacrifice seemed longer unto her then ordinary and being extreamly impatient to know what this Book was she opened it her Companions who saw her very intent upon it thought it to be a Prayer Book as indeed it was and never took notice of any thing else After she had turned over many leaves and found nothing she was more zealous in her devotion unto Mercury and Apollo who is the revealer of all obscurities to direct her in the understanding of this never remembring all this while the way of conveying Letters betwixt poor Arimant and her selfe she thought him dead and therefore could not imagine any use of such a Book but at last looking upon it more precisely and turning over more leaves she found a Letter the superscription of which she knew Oh how she was startled 〈◊〉 it she blusht her hands and legs began to tremble and all being ready to go away she remained still upon her knees not knowing what she did nor what she should doe yet none took great notice of it onely thought that her stay proceeded from her devotion At the last her companion pulled her by the sleeve and made her follow the rest who walkked two and two as Hylas related She was no sooner in the house but she went into a Closet shut the doore after her and looking upon the Letter also imagining Arimant to be dead she thought it some trick of Hylas but opening it she found these words Arimant's Letter unto Cryseide MAdam I live still if it can be called life to be from you I have sent this faithfull messenger to know how you doe and to tell you how I am Oh ye Gods preserve Cryseide and grant Arimant patience enough to endure all his misfortunes Till now she knew not what to thinke but when she found the name of Arimant she knew that he was alive she fell down upon her knees and lifted up her eyes to heaven Blessed be the Gods said she for this transcendent happinesse when I had the least hopes of it Afterwards rising up she sat down upon the bed where she kissed the Letter a hundred times accused her selfe of oblivion for not knowing him who brought it and calling her memory to account she knew him to be the faithfull Bellaris that young man who used to bring Letters from Arimant and brought her from her Mother unto Arimant Where were my eyes said she to her selfe and where was my judgement that seeing him and hearing his voice yet I should neither know his face nor his tongue Then looking upon the Letter
liberty nay more yet she is coming to you Clarina and she doe stay for you in Gergovia Bellaris said the Cavalier and smiled is this all true thou sayst Doe you thinke Sir said this faithful servant that I would bring you any lies The goodnesse of the Gods be praised said Arimant and lifted up his hands and eyes to heaven Then turning himself towards Bellaris But friend is it possible all this should be so Can so much happinesse come all at once Sir answered he doe not make any doubt of what I say and to testifie my affection and fidelity you may to morrow if you will see this fair one who has taken so much paines to give you contentment but then I am afraid it will be the last service I ever shall doe you Alas said Arimant I would not buy my contentment at so dear a rate as the losse of thee but if it could be any otherwise I should be most heartily glad of it I will tell you Sir said he what I did determine to doe Then he began to relate unto him how he met with Cryseide in the Temple and in the Garden her resolution to escape how they got away how she was in Gerâ—â—via in the Gaulish habite where she expected him and briefly all the whole passage Then he continued Now Sir you must make all the haste you can to get from hence for doubtlesse King Gondebunt is even very now upon his return and then you may assure your selte that Bellimart will either come or send for you you know his covetous and greedy mind and God knowes how he will use you you may remember his ingratitude towards you and you cannot hope for any courtesie from him who has shewed himselfe already so unworthy Besides it is impossible that Cryseide should stay long where she is and Gondebunt not be advertised of it and you must know how that King is so much in love with her as he has declared some intention of marrying her You see therefore it is full time to make all possible haste out of this Country and judge whether or no Cryseide love you chusing rather to run all these hazards for your sake then to marry so great a King You must therefore desire the Captaine to let me return this night to Beâ—limart you must seem much displeased with me for not staying till his returne he will easily grant it Then as soon as the doors are open you may put on my cloathes and I will stay in your room Oh Belâ—arâ—â— said Arimant I am afraid these men will doe you some hurt and if it could be contrived some other way it would be better No no Sir said Bellaris there is no other way For in the first place time does presse you and there is no probability that this man who guards you will be corrupted by Gifts because he thinkes your Ransome will be very high and it is probable that Bellimart has promised him a share And as for me never let it trouble you for I am confident the Gods will help those who hope in them and are faithful to their Masters by some unexpected meanes Can I doe you any better service Sir then in a businesse of this importance But suppose the Barbarian should use me with the worst of his cruelty shall any danger whatsoever deter me from doing you service If I die it is no more then I ought to doe for you And I can never doe it with more honour then in gaining your liberty and contentment If on the contrary I should not I may be upbraided all the dayes of my life for losing so faire an opportunity of testifying how much I am devoted to you Doe not ravish from me this Glory I beseech you sir I aske it in recompence of all the service I ever did you and onely require three things from you The first That if I die you will remember you never had a more faithfull servant Secondly if I live that you will give Clarina unto me for my Wife And lastly That when you are got out from hence you will make all haste away that possibly you can lest you should be taken againe Thus continuing his discourse with so much urgency he prevailed so far with Arimant as not to deny him his request though it was with abundance of sorrow to leave him in so much danger Night then being come Arimant entreated the Captaine as Bellaris proposed to give him leave to goe again who the King knowing would ere long beat Lyons and desirous to be fingering of the Ransome as soon as he could whereof he was to receive a good share he did not onely give leave but advised him unto it and that he would send a Letter by him unto Bellimart Thus the departure of Bellaris was resolved upon and the Gate was ordered to be opened for him when he would Bellaris informed Arimant in all things to wit where he shoulâ— find Cryseide in what place the Horses stood and which way he should passe telling him it was better to go a little about and go more safely In such discourse as this they spent a good part of the night another part in shifting habits and taking order for all things requisite so as when it was break of day after Arimant had embraced his faithful servant with many teares and recommending himselfe unto Mercury he set forward towards the Gate in great feare of discovery for though he had the clothes of Bellaris yet he was not like him being much bigger and faces so unlike as it was impossible not to know the one from the other if the least notice was taken yet he passed without any rub it being dark and speciall order being given for it Bellaris looked after him out of his Chamber window as farre into the plain as his eye could reach and he observed how Arimant looked often back to see whether any followed him At last when he was out of sight then the danger wherein he was began to present it selfe before his eyes and he thought upon the horrors of death But neither death nor danger nor any thing could make him repent of what he had done or be sorry for it in the lest manner Yet as every one desires to prolong his life as much as possibly he can so soon as he had got his Master away he would now try what he could doe for himselfe He turned the Doublet and the Stockings of Arimant the wrong side outward and sullied his Hat so as it had a resemblance of his own As fortune was Arimant had left his Cloak behind him perhaps on purpose to be the lighter To be briefe he tricked up himselfe as well as he could and with a confident countenance he went to the Gate and offered to goe out The Corporal who commanded there denyed him saying that one was already gone out and he had no command for any more But Bellaris shewing him a Letter which
who being come the might before would not faile to be there with Callirea as well to see the sacrifices as her deare companion from whom she had been long absent As soon as they saw each other they left all other company and running with open armes they embraced one another with such abundance of joy as they made it appeare that absence had no power over their affections After they had long embraced Astrea and Phillis came and parted them and desired to be participants in the Carraffes See here my companion said Diana to her see what I have got since you saw me here are two other Daphnis whom I doe love as I doe my life and would have you love them also being certaine that according to your merits they will love you as well as you love me Then Astrea and Diana confirming that assurance with a hundred protestations of amity and Daphnis receiving them with the like cordial affection they contracted such a society amongst themselves as never after was broken In the mean time Adamas being destrous to know whether all things necessary for the sacrifice was ready he found that the Priests had been very careful in their offiecs So as after they had washed their hands and faces in the fountaine which was at the entrance into the Temple of Amity and being clad in white and crowned with Vervine He and the Vaites Eubages Sarronides and others appointed for the sacrifice they took all those things with which they would sacrifice One carried the Gilden Hatchet wherewith they used to cut the Missletoe Another the white silken Rope in which they tyed it Another a bundle of Savine Another of Vervine two carried the Bread and the Wine which they were to sacrifice At last came two white Bulls Crowned with Savine and Vervine decked almost all over their bodies with Flowers and driven by â—ight Victimaries The sage Adamas all these things thus prepared and passing in order before him he came with a Gravity becoming a great Druid and taking two or three turnes about the sacred Meadow being followed by all the shepherds and shepherdesses with great 〈◊〉 rence he set the Missletoe upon an Altar which was erected at the foot of the happy 〈◊〉 upon which the new Missletoe did grow The place was where the Temple of Astrea was made by lapping together little trees one with another in form of an Arbor by the shepherd Celadonâ— And because they must first passe through the Temple of Amity as formerly I told you many of those who followed the sacrifice were constrained to stay there because the Temple of 〈◊〉 was too little to hold so great a company Moreover the two white Bulls and the eight Victimaries took up a great deale of the room and yet Adamas was forced to offer the sacrifice there because the Tree wherein the Missletoe was did bâ—are up almost all the roofe of this Temple and according to the custome the Thanks must be given at the root of this Tree which heaven had so much favoured After the Great Druid had ranged every thing in order and saw all the people zealously at their devotion he caused a great Chaffing dish of coles to be brought and putting it on the Altar he took three leaves of the Missletoe as many of Savine and three branches of Vervine and threw them into the fire Laying his hand upon the Altar he said thus Unto thee O great Hesus Bellinus Tharamis that this people doe render thankes for the Missletoe which thou hast sent amongst them It is unto thee as their onely Tautates that in this Wood they offer the sacrifice of Thanks in this Bread and Wine together with the blood and lives of these white Bulls The one in testimony that we acknowledge it to be from thee we have the preservation of our lives And the other to shew our sincerity with which we doe adore thee and consecrate these pure and immaculate Victims As Hesus strengthen the arm of our Cavaliers and Souldiers and infuse such courage into them as they may be able not only to defend us from our enemies but also to get the victory over them As Bellinus be thou the God of men and preserve them As Tharamis clense and purge us from all our sinnes And as our Tautates be still our onely one God and look upon us through this Goddesse Astrea from whom we hope for all manner of Benediction Upon this he threw a little of the Bread and Wine into the fire and made a figne to knock down the Victims Two did receive the blood in Basons and two held the legges of the Bulls lest they should hurt the Victimaries Afterwards the Priests causing them to be carried into the sacred Meadow they opened them and searched their entralls and found them to be very sound perfect and of a good Augury At which all being very joyfull and contented they made the report of it unto the Grand Druid before all the Assembly he thanked Great Tautates for being pleased with their sacrifice of Thankes beseeching him to continue still his favours towards them Then after a Benediction the sacrifice ended all were full of joy and contentment and most of the old shepherds returned to their homes In the mean time the Victims being cut in pieces and the fire having consumed a part according to the custome the rest was dressed and eaten by the Priests and other shepherds as would be in their company None staying in the Temple of Astrea but Adamas Daphnide Alcidon aud the rest of the shepherds and shepherdesses that came into their company And because Daphnide who had beene accustomed onely unto sacrifices after the Roman manner was very desirous to know why they used any other ceremonies in this Country Madam said Adamas unto her Though this Country of the Segusians which we call Forrests be in extent much lesse then any Province in Gaule yet the great God hath had a greater care of it then any other For to say nothing of other the Gallo-ligures which is that Country commonly called the Province of the Romans because they had a great affinity with the Romans and the principall Towns are Colonies of Focenses and are addicted unto plurality of Gods though at the first as Gaules they had the Religion of their Fathers yet as errors are apt to insinuate themselves by degrees into all things they did the same amongst their Ceremonies and brought into their sacrifices the false and idolatrous opinions of several people and made a Miscellany of the Gaule Roman and Greek Religion and so became much corrupted But on the contrary this little Country of Forrests never having any communication with strange people unlesse with some Romans have been exceedingly careful to preserve these Ceremonies which you see pure and entire as they received them of old from those Ancients who after they had long floted upon the waters brought in that true and pure Religion which they learned from that great
the reward of them must needs be accordingly and her feares which you mention of losing me must needs be lesse since most assuredly as long as I live she shall never lose me Even thus replyed Phillis does all faint-hearted Souldiers fly all occasions of any danger but I on the contrary dare look the grimmest dangers boldly in the face and give testimony of my courage Why good Silvander do you shrink like a coward from the hazard of that judgement which is to be the touch-stone of our merits And what other excuses than those I have named can Diana have for her retarding it any longer I am afraid answered Diana that your rustick discourse will be troublesome to the assembly especially unto the faire Daphnide and the valiant Alcidon who being used to more high and noble subjects will think Country pastimes very tedious and because Diana would have continued her excuses No no discreet shepherdesse you are mistaken said Adamas Daphnide and Alcidon are now become shepherds of Lignon having assumed the same habits and will conform themselves unto us and you must thinke that as they know how to behave themselves in their own high qualities so they can as well condescend and suit their minds unto the humble innocency of your lives and therefore I did make this Proposition to the end that by your judgement this new shepherd and fair shepherdesse may see and learn how to behave themselves after our Country mode and the rather because the Sun does shine so hot that we cannot yet go into the great Meadow where the shepherds use to perform their accustomed exercises after the sacrifice and therefore the time cannot be better imployed then to heare the difference betweene Silvander and Phillis argued and judged I know reverend Father said Diana that nothing can proceed from you but what is grounded upon great reason and we are all obliged unto whatsoever you shall command and therefore without more adoe I will doe whatsoever you shall please onely I beseech Daphnide and Alcidon to look upon the simplicity of our trifles with a favourable eye and attribute them unto that obedience which we are all obliged to render both unto you and them Fair shepherdess answered Daphnide all that I have hitherto seen amongst you has filled me with so much contentment and admiration that you need not doubt but all your pastimes will be very pleasing unto me Then the Reverend Druid commanded that seats should be set in a round circle and one higher then the rest for Diana against the back of a Tree whose branches doe overshade the Circle And when all were placed according to his desire he caused three Garlands to be made of Flowers and put one upon the head of Diana another upon the head of Phillis and the third upon the head of Silvander Afterwards taking Diana by the hand he placed her in her seaâ— of Judgement before her a little on the right hand he placed Phillis and a little on the left hand Silvander and after silence desired he appointed Leonide to make known unto these strangers the beginning of the dispute betwixt Phillis and Silvander to the end they might better judge of the difference thinking it fit and reasonable that Leonide should be the relater because she was partly the cause of it Leonide who little thought of being more then an Auditor in this assembly was a little surprised to see her selfe an Orator but in obedience to the Druid she undertook it and after she had a little recollected her memory she turned towards Daphnide and began thus Perhaps Madam you have observed that Silvander and Phillis called Diana their Mistresse and have been as officious and ready to serve her as shepherds could be I believe you will think it strange that so fair and amiable a shepherdess as Diana is should be so free in the entertainment of that shepherd I believe also you wonder that Phillis who is a shepherdesse should court her as if she were a shepherd and use the same expressions and behaviour of a most passionate lover for it is not usual to see a woman so assiduous and courtly unto another woman But to satisfie your wonder Madam be pleased to know That Silvander lived long amongst these fair young and lovely shepherdesses yet never was in love with any insomuch as he got the Name of the insensible shepherd None of all these young beauties having power enough to kindle the least flame in his heart Phillis admiring that a shepherd so young and hansome should live so long near such beauties and never shew the lest spark of any heat she could not chuse but enter into some interrogatories with him faigning to believe that the reason why he did not undertake to serve some one or other was either want of courage or else consciousnesse of his owne imperfections and want of merit And because the shepherd whose delight was all hunting and looking to his flock maintained the contrary and said that the reason why he did not love was onely because he had better imployment Astrea Diana and I being present we condemned him to give us some good testimonie that the reason why he did not love any was not as Phillis had alleadged And Diana being a shepherdess both of beauty and and judgement fit to judge of his merit she was proposed to be as it were his Mistresse and he was to court her under that Notion unlesse he wanted the courage to undertake it Upon this he began to serve her and court her as close as if he had been really in love Phillis was not exempt from the same task she was also condemned to love and serve Diana with all the passion that shepherds use unto those whom they doe passionately love and at the end of three moneths Diana was to judge which of them two knew best how to love Ever since there has been such an emulation betwixt this shepherd and that shepherdesse that they have neglected no manner of behaviour or expression which could manifest a most servent and real affection And though the prefixed term of three moneths be expired during which time they were to demonstrate their merits unto Diana yet their addresses unto her has continued longer because it was thought reasonable that as I was at the first condemnation unto that task so I should be present at the judgement which Diana was to give so as it seems the heavens did prolong it untill now to the end this judgement might be given with more solemnity in your presence Thus ended the Nymph Leonide and then Daphnide began to speak I must needs confesse said she and turned towards Adamas that it was not without some wonder I should see Phillis court Diana with the very expressions of a man But now changing my wonder into envy I must needs tell you Father That I never did envy the happiness of any so much as yours for heaven has exempted you from the inquietudes
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
goodness still unto you Thus spake the Priest And both the Nymph and the Cavalier upon their knees seemed to be very devout towards heaven by many actions of thanks Afterwards retired to their Lodgings with intention to go the next day unto the Temple of the good Goddess and afterwards in their return to see the Shepherdess of Lignon with Daphnide and Alcidon though Damon's intention was to make himself as little known unto them as he could intending to stay amongst them a few days and afterwards if he found no remedy against his displeasures to go so far away that he should not hear either Aquitain or any he knew spoken of Being set down at the Table therefore with this resolution and Dinner being almost done the Nymph saw enter into the Room a Cavalier from Amasis who was in great favour and confidence with her This Cavalier after all due reverence came unto her and told her in her ear That he had great matters to impart unto her from Amasis but the discourse of it would be long and fit to be kept in secret and therefore he would speak no more of it until she commanded him to wait upon her in private The Nymph hearing this and seeing his face in a kind of confusion she began to think upon what the Priest told her concerning the defects in the Victims And not being able to think upon any greater misfortune then the loss of her Mother she asked him aloud how Amasis did Madam answered he thanks be to heaven she is in good health and does passionately desire to see you thinking every hour an age you are absent from her We will wait upon her presently said Galathea since Damon is in a condition to ride for it was not reasonable to leave him in a sick condition since he received his wounds by defending us against the injuries of Argenteus Upon this she retired presently into her chamber and caused the Cavalier to be called Has my Mother said the Nymph unto him received any News from the Army of the Francks And does she hear how Clidemant does Madam answered the Cavalier she did receive some news this morning which is not very good but she desires to communicate it her self unto you and would have you make all the haste you can unto her She commanded me to let you understand that the Francks have been in great Tumult upon King Childerick who was forced to retire into Thurin I am afraid that this was not without great bloodshed and you know Clidemant Lindamore and Gayamant were always with him I beseech God no misfortune have befaln them I can assure you of one thing Madam That Amasis your Mother is very sad and much troubled and extreamly desires to speak with you Friend said Galathea your discourse does much amaze me and I wish either that I knew not so much or that I knew more I must before I send you away talk a little with the sage Cleontine and with Damon who is a person which may be very serviceable unto us in such accidents as may happen and causing them to be both called she acquainted them how Amasis had sent for her And because she knew not whether she should return presently or first go unto Bonlieu to offer some prayers there as the Oracle did wish her she asked the opinion of the old Cleontine who answered her thus I conceive Madam that in all our affairs we should have recourse unto Tautates and you especially since by the relation of the Priest you are menaced with some great misfortune and to divert it the best remedy is to have recourse unto him from whom all proceeds and to beseech him he would with hold his chastning hand And therefore my opinion is your best course is to go unto the good Goddess offer your sacrifice unto her and the same day go into Marcelles Damon was of the same opinion You hear said Galathea unto the Cavalier which Amasis sent what the opinion of Cleontine and Damon is Assure Amasis that to morrow I will wait upon her and in the mean time will pray unto the great Tautates for a blessing upon us all Thus the Cavalier went away leaving Galathea in such a perplexity as she had no mind to see the fair Shepherdesses or Daphnide and Alcidon but resolved to depart the next morning betimes which being come Damon armed himself according to his custome and having put Galathea and her Nymphs into their Coaches he mounted a Horse which the Nymph gave unto him and which was one of Clidemants her Brothers This Cavalier appeared so gallant in the eyes of Galathea that he put her in mind of the generous Lindamore and passing from one thought unto another she imagined that the news perhaps that Amasis would tell her was of that Cavaliers death and then she plotted how to get Polimas to go in his room as well to pack him further from her and be rid of his importunity as in hopes that Amasis would cast her eyes upon Damon in case Lindamore was dead and yet remembring his actions and glory he had gotten in this voyage together with the affection he had born unto her she could not chuse but lament the losse of him and in case he was not dead and that she could be convinced of the imposture of Clemanthis then to have some advantagious thoughts of him These thoughts entertained her a great part of the way to Bonlieu But passing over the river of Lignon she began to think upon Daphnide Alcidon and all those Shepherdesses whom she intended to see but being unwilling that this stranger Lady should go away and shee not see her she sent unto the sage Adamas to desire him he would come to her unto Bonlieu and in case she was gone before he came to follow her unto Marsellis and that he would infinitely oblige her if he would bring Daphnide and Alcidon with him Afterwards she arrived at the Temple of the good Goddess where the venerable Chrisante received them with all honour and civility and because the Nymph acquainted her with her hast unto Marselles Chrisante caused all possible hast to be made with the sacrifice telling her that the Victimes which was offered for the publique and the happy voyage of Clidamant were found so defective as it was evident some great disaster was towards But in the mean time Sylvander who had obtained that permission which he desired he was so intent and busie in it as he had forgotten to tell Madonthe and Thersander that there was a Cavalier in quest of them with many terrible menaces and threats and had he not accidentally met them one morning as they were walking to take the ayr certainly it had been long before they had been acquainted with it for he was so much taken up with his passion as he had no room in his soul for any other thought But meeting them so opportunely he acquainted them with all that Paris told him and
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
some ill design as of late she began to think he was apt to do Galathea was no sooner come to the house of Adamas but the Messenger from Polemas came also and delivered the message of his Master very bluntly unto her but she not being able to hide the displeasure which she had conceived against him answered him very sharply Go and tell your Master said she that I am very much displeased with those that belong unto him and if he do not take some better order I shall be very angry with him In the mean time Damon was got into bed and when the Chyrurgions searched his wounds they found them to be more painful then dangerous For though he was run through the Thigh in two or three several places yet as happy luck was no Nerve nor Vein was hurt which joyed Madonthe beyond all expressions The Chyrurgions knowing that the contentment of the mind was highly conducible to the cure of the body they intreated Madonthe not to stir from him and because she was desirous he should know all her adventures since she came out of Aquitane she did not only answer unto all his questions but related all the plots and subtilties of Leriana which she had contrived to the advantage of Thersander But when she came to rehearse the grief which she conceived at his death when Halladine brought the Handkerchief full of blood unto Leriana and Thersanders Ring unto her she was not able to refrain from tears then she related the horrours of that ignominious death which she was to dye and the unlookt for relief which she received from the Knight of the Tiger And his departing unknown continued she was the cause of my resolution to seek him out But cruel Damon said she for I must give you that Title how could you find a heart to go away and never tell me who you were Why should you after you had given life to my body ravish away the life of my soul Why would you not let me know you were alive Oh Damon how many sad sighes sorrows and tears had you spared me if you had Afterward she related unto him her resolution of seeking out this unknown Knight whom she was in quest of though she knew no reason why she should be so earnest after him But the all-wise providence of Heaven would have it so that I might find Damon under the name of another The truth is continued she I had a far fetched conceipt that I should find him thus or else I should never find him and you see how happily God brings all things about Thersander was the first cause of our separation and Thersander is the last cause of our conjunction how faithfully has he waited upon me and kept himself within the limits of a respectful distance maugre all the falacies and false hopes that Leriana had insused into him by which the best advised man might well have been deluded Upon this she acquainted him how her Nurse dyed at Mount Dor how she met with Laonice Hylas and Tirsis and how the Oracle caused her to come into this Country where she had spent her time in the Company of Astrea Diana Phillis and other Shepherdesses of Lignon from whom she departed that morning with a design of returning into Aquitane and there spend the rest of her days amongst the Vestals and Druides Daughters To be brief she omitted nothing but made a most faithful relation of every passage unto Damon who hearkned unto it with so much joy and contentment as he knew not which way to be thankful enough unto his good Fortune for this favour and after a while of ravishment in this contemplation he said unto her I shall Madam another time give you an exact relation of my life since I had the happiness of seeing you last but at this time the Chyrurgions forbid me speaking and therefore I will not use any long discourse only let me tell you that I hope our future Fortunes will be better then they have been For the Oracle which I consulted with at Mount Verdun assured me that I should be restored from death to life by that man whom I most hated and contemned And see how this poor Cavalier brought you hither where I find you For the Truth is I might most rightly be said to be dead when I was deprived of you and alive again in the happiness of being with you when I do consider the passage I cannot chuse but admire at the wise providence of the Great Gods who has ordered Thersander to give me a double life the life of my body by that relief which he brought me and the life of my soul in conducting you Madam unto the place where I was There is only one doubt in the Oracle which I do scruple at The Oracle 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 I see said he that all is most perfectly accomplished except this hearing a Diamond speak unless the Oracle will have me to take you Madam for a Diamond in constancy and excellency of amity Adamas hearkned unto this Discourse very attentively Sir said he and smiled if I had been known unto you the obscurity of this Oracle would vanish for my name is Adamas which singifies in the Roman Language a Diamond so as this Oracle let you know that as soon as you hear me this accident shall befall you and so indeed it did For at the very same time that Alcidon Daphnide and I came unto the place where you were you met with Madonthe I must confess said Damon the Oracle is fully cleered and I am most humbly thankful unto that Deity which ordained me this happiness when I least expected it But Reverend Father continued he and looked about the Chamber I heard you name two persons whom I infinitely esteem and should think my self very happy to see in this place Then Alcidon stepped to him and imbracing him said yes Damon Daphnide and Alcidon are here and are conducted unto this Country of wonders by the same Love which brought you into it At the same time Daphnide came unto him and saluting him said yes yes Damon Madonthe can tell you that Daphnide is also here and presents her self unto you under the notion of one of your best Friends Damon being surprised to see this Cavalier and this Lady thus clad in the habit of Shepherds he knew not at first whether he was asleep or awake but afterwards touching them and hearing them speak he embraced them and cryed out O Alcidon I must needs confess with you that this Country is a Country of Wonders but they are wonders full of joy and happiness greater then ever I could hope to see Whilst Daphnide and Alcidon were saluting Madonthe and they were all rejoycing together at their happy meeting news was brought unto Adamas that the Nymph Amasis was entred into the Court
damnable thoughts did freely answer him that he was ready to serve him in this occasion or any other and that though he loved Silviana as his wife yet he loved Childerick as his Soveraign and to shew that these two affections were not incompatible he would testifie that he held nothing more dear unto him then his service Upon this Childerick gave him some colourable instructions and gave him no longer time to prepare himself for his journey then that night and therefore Andrimartes acquainted his dear Silviana with his imployment and told her that he hoped to return within five or six dayes at the furthest The wise Silviana gave a patient hearing unto what Andrimartes told her and having a quick and apprehensive wit she answered him with a deep sigh thus This journey I am afraid will not bring me any contentment and I beseech Heaven I be deceived in my thoughts Andrimartes you may remember that Childrick did once love me or at the least seemed so whilst his Father lived and he has used very strange expressions unto me such as I never did impart unâ—o you but such as make it manifest that he slights all those services which you have done for him and Merovius and having all the power in his own hands Heavens know how far he will extend it you see what kind of life he lives and how apt he is to be hurried unto any violent act and therefore what good can we ever hope for from him for my part I am extreamly afraid of the man and he has two qualities which may well make any to fear him that is a wicked will and absolute power what imployments can he have for you that are good Why should he be so hasty in packing you away I beseech Heaven it be with a good design upon this she took him about the neck and kissed him but bathed her kisses in a flood of tears which did exceedingly move the heart of this Generous Cavalier unto compassion then seriously thinking upon the discourse of Silviana and finding much reason in it he answered her thus These teares my dearest do infinitely swell my soul with sorrows and I must confess I find all your words so full of reason that I wish some other were imployed in my room but since I have already taken it upon me and have his instructions in my keeping what excuse can I make to come off withal And how can I be quit of my imployment without an extream displeasing him It cannot possibly be but since I have gone thus far I must go further and do as well as we can and therefore I will tell you what I think we ought to do First I must go and return with all the haste that possible I can make in the mean time go you unto the house of Andrenick our old and trusty servant yet unknown unto any If Childerick have any bad design doubtless he will either come unto you or send for you by this his intentions will be known unto us if they prove good I shall be very glad that no more noise is made of our jealousies of him and if they be bad I shall give him but a very smal time to execute his design for he shall not live a day after my return because I will give his wicked soul a passage out of his body in the midst of all his guards and souldiers but being yet in doubt of it I would not have 〈◊〉 said that ever Andrimartes committed such an act upon a bare jealousie This was the resolution of Andrimartes who setting forward in the morning very early acquainted the trusty Andrenick with his purpose concerning Silviana commanding him to keep it secret from all the world This Andrenick was an old servant who had the government of him in his youth whose affection was so great and his fidelity so well known as Andrimartes was as sure of him as of himself His house was neer the house of Andrimartes and he took it because he thought that ere long his Master would go into Gaul Armorique and he having a wife and children could not go with him As soon as ever Andrimartes was gone Silviana without acquainting any of her maids went unto the house of Andrenick and commanded them that if any Ladies came to visit her to say that she was not well and desired to see no body Silviana in the interim locked her self up with the wife of Andrenick trembling at every noise which she heard and thinking that she saw Childerick at her Chamber door It is very strange to observe what a blind knowledg we shall sometimes have of accidents that are to happen Silviana indeed had reason to fear the exorbitant insolencies of Childerick but yet since the death of Merovius she needed not have any such deep apprehensions since his insolencies fell upon some others so as she might well imagine his thoughts to be diverted from her and carried another way but I cannot tell some good Genius told her that she should never see her Husband again and that some mis-fortune would befal both him and her this was the reason of her fears and study to prevent all manner of disasters and because she had a great confidence in the wife of Andrenick she acquainted her with her fears and they two plotted together what course was best to be taken Silviana asked her what they should do if Childerick not finding her at her own house should look for her there First of all they sought out for some private place where she might hide her self for it was impossible to resist the power and force of the King but finding the house to be very little and very inconvenient for such a purpose there being no places of privacy in it she began to think upon having recourse unto death as her ultimate refuge but the good woman loving her very well and knowing that Andrimartes would never survive her No no Madam said she never think upon any dying but if you will follow my directions I will secure you from all manner of violence You are young and tall you have a good leg and no big brests I would advise you to disguise your self in the habit of a Cavalier I have here a suit of Clothes which is newly made for one of my Sons he never wore them and therefore none can know them and I am confident that none who sees you with a Sword by your side and a Feather in your hat will ever take you for Silviana as for your hair what if you did cut it though not till we see an absolute necessity of it in the mean time therefore whilst we have leisure let us put you into this trim for however there is no harm in it whether you shall stand in need of it or no. Oh Mother cryed out Silviana blessed for ever may she be that bore you for now by your prudence I shall hope to preserve my self for my dearest Andrimartes there is
no better way under Heaven then this dear Mother let us make all the hast we can for my heart tels me that we shall be presently put unto all our shifts and as for my hair let the Scissers be in readinesse for I will not make any scruple of it Upon this the virtuous Silviana began to undress her self whilest the good woman went to fetch the Suit of Clothes which she spoke of and because she desired to do her all the service she was able she returned again immediately she shut the door fast she helped to trick up Silviana who appeared to be the bravest Cavalier in all the Court and so disguised her that the good woman verily believed she would pass unknown by any the suit did fit her so well and became her that when she girded the Sword about her now said she do I create you a Cavalier and under that name oblige you to defend the honour of Ladies Mother answered Silviana this Sword will defend the honour of one Lady at the least and having it by my side I fear not the violence of Childerick but will make use of it against him or if he prove too strong for me against my self who as feeble as I am have courage enough to pass into another world without any stain unto my honour but Mother me thinks I want Boots and Spurs for if this Tyrant do come hither it is not likely I should stay here and if I go away to be in this habit and on foot is not handsom but will rather render me more suspitious since you are so courageous said the good woman I do not fear your safety as good luck is there are two horses in the house which I have heard Andrenick say are very gentle and fair conditioned I will accompany you and before I disguise my self I will command them to be made ready the Footman of Andrimartes shall hold them and if we stand in need of them we will then mount them Whilst the good woman went down to take order about these Horses and Boots and Spurs Silviana stayed alone in the Chamber so glad of her disguise that she knew not how to be thankful enough unto Heaven for this happy occasion of preventing the designes of Childerick for remembring his last language unto her she verily believed that he had sent Andrimartes away only to have more opportunity of offering some violence unto her this memory filled her full of chill fears I know said she in her self that the Tyrant intends violence unto me and because he feared the courage of Andrimartes has packed him away with a design of getting him to be killed at his return As she was in these thoughts the wife of Andrenick returned unto her to whom with a trembling voice and tears in her eyes she said thus Oh Mother I am but a dead woman unless you help me for this wicked man knows very well that the courage of Andrimartes will never endure the injury which he thinks to do unto me without revenge and therefore for certain he will cause him to be murdered at his return if we do not some way or other prevent it Madam answered she let me dress my self as soon as I can that I may follow you for me thinks I hear some noise in the streets what you say Madam is not without some probability for a Tyrant never acts his villany by halfs She had no sooner dressed her self but a messenger brought them word that the King had been at the house of Andrimartes that he sought for Silviana and menaced Andrenick and the rest of the Domestiques to know where she was Silviana now did cut her hair and the hair of Andrenicks wife and then went all three to the horses and so opportunely that they were no sooner out of the house but Childerick with all his guard entred in at another door making such a noise that the poor Ladies trembled out of fear of falling into their hands but the footman who had been in several dangers with his Master in the wars he was not at all affrighted follow me said he and fear not for I swear by the life of my Master that I will kill him who shall offer any injury unto his wife Thus hasting them away because the noise encreased he got them over the bridg and mending their pace he carried them towards the Mount of Mars and in a close valley under the Mountain they did hide themselves intending when it was night to go unto some Town a little farther off But the wife of Andrenick who was in great fear of her Husband and Silviana being very desirous to know what Childerick did when he found her not they commanded him to go into the Town and hear what news the Footman went as luck was came into the Town just as they were ready to shut up the gates leaving these two Ladies so astonished to see themselves in such a solitary place so disguised as they could not chuse but be in great perplexity But Silvianas great affection unto Andrimartes when she considered the danger he was in at his return made her desire to be going towards him and certainly had she known the way she would not have stayed for the return of the Footman but advising with the good woman upon the best course it was judged dangerous to venture without a guide and therefore comforting themselves as well as they could they stayed until Heaven shewed them a better course Expecting therefore the return of the Footman with much impatience and time beginning to seem very tedious unto them at the last they spied him coming and running as fast as he could and because they perceived that none could see them they went to meet him being extreamly desirous to know what news he brought As soon as he came unto them he wanted breath to speak Madam said he unto Silviana the Heavens have helped you beyond all expressions and you could never have taken a better course then thus disguising your self and getting away for Madam that ungrateful Childerick for he deserves not the name of a King that wicked man that Tyrant has committed more strange insolencies and violences in your house and in the house of Andrenick then any Barbarian would ever have offered in the sacking and plundering of an enemies Town Oh Friend said Silviana prethee tell us the whole story of his actions Madam said the wife of Andrenick and interrupted her first let him tell me how my husband does Your Husband answered the man is well and was joyed beyond all measure when I told him what course you had taken but because this place is too neer the Town I think it best Madam to get us further from it and by the way I will make a full relation unto you Good Friend said Silviana conduct us towards the place where Andrimartes is for I am resolved to go unto him and tell him my self what has hapned The man then directed
answered Clidemant I do not want courage but yet I am not able to resist the power of death Guyemant with tears in his eyes then said unto him I hope that Tautates will not afflict us so much as to ravish from us a Prince so necessary for the happiness of men but will let us enjoy him longer to our happiness and comfort Guyemant answered he we are all in the hands of the great Tautates he may dispose of us as he pleaseth and for my part so he will be pleased to let me leave this life with that good reputation which my Ancestors did leave unto me I shall be well contented and satisfied with the time that I have already lived Then calling Lindamore unto him who was wounded though not so mortally as he and who was all in tears to see his Lord in this extremity You two said he unto Lindamore and Guyemant are the persons in whom I have greatest confidence Guyemant I conjure you to tell Childerick that I do die his servant and am very sorry that I have given no greater testimony of my affection yet tell him that if the services which I have done unto the King his Father have any influence upon him I hope he will not take it ill if you tell him from me that if he do not leave this ignominious life which he hath lived since he was King he must expect a punishment from Heaven And you Lindamore as soon as I am dead or at least as soon as your wounds will permit you carry back all the Segusian Cavalry into their own Country restore them back from me unto the Nymph my Mother unto whose service I conjure you to continue faithful as you have begun desire her not to grieve for the loss of me since it is the will of Heaven to have it so and desire her to comfort her self with this that I have imployed the time which I lived in the way of honour and die without reproach Also tell my dear Sister that if any thing make me unwilling to die so soon it is my desires of seeing her more then any thing else then causing us all to be called for and seeing most of us standing by his beds-side with tears in our eyes he stretched out his hand unto us and commanded us to obey Lindamore as himself but above all to serve you Madam and the Nymph Galathea with all the fidelity of true Cavaliers assuring us that we should receive from you a full recompence for all the services which we had done unto him He would have said something more but his Spirits fail'd him and he dyed in the arms of Lindamore who seeing this for grief fell into a swoon I cannot express our sorrows nor the sorrows of all the Court when they heard of his death the very people of the Town who commonly are very dull in such resentments did lament him and also applaud him to the Heavens saying that the death of this Prince was a great loss unto their Nation and Crown they were sure he never consented unto the Violent Extravagancies and Tyranny of Childerick and doubtless our condolements had been much more but for the imminent peril and danger which presently after did threaten us the fear of our lives forced us to stand upon our guard And at the same time as fortune was all the Lords and Grandees which were assembled at Province not knowing of this accident came all to feel the pulse of the people and finding them to beat after their own tempers and with Arms in their hands they put it into the peoples heads to go and clamor at the Palace Royal with abundance of Drums and Trumpets which making a great noise Childerick began to fear the fury of these mutinies And because he had a great confidence in the valour of Lindamore and in the advice of Guyemant he sent for them both to advise about his safety neither of them both would in this juncture of danger upbraid him with his faults but both offered him their aid and assistance to the hazard of their lives Lindamore though wounded advised to fall presently upon the enemy and counselled the King to die like a King and a man of courage But Guyemant like a wise and prudent Counsellor advised the contrary Sir said he let us not too desperately precipitate our selves till there be no hopes of safety though we were near a thousand men yet we were nothing to the number of the enemy time is the master of occasions and may unexpectedly fit us with them it is wisdom therefore to submit unto time and sail with the wind nothing is now to be done but to use our best endeavours for the changing the mind of this tumultuous people since we see all the Grandees both of Gaul and of the Franks are joyned with them it is to be expected Andrimartes and all his Friends will also comply for he is already sent unto Gillon the Roman likewise with all his adherents will doubtless be stirring and who knows whether Renauld and his Brother the Sons of Clodion will not be fishing in these troubled waters And therefore what good can we ever hope to do by force I advise therefore and Sir if you will follow my Counsell I will engage my life to restore you unto the Crown of your Father I advise you I say to yeild unto the violence of this averse piece of Fortune retire your self out of this Kingdom and rest quiet with Basin in Thuring he is your Kinsman and your Friend he will be glad to have you in his house and ready to assist a great affied Prince In the mean time I call the Gods to witness that when you are absent I will imploy my whole interest and endeavours to reconcile you unto the People and I make no doubt but to effect it if you will follow the advice which I shall give Guyemant had no sooner done speaking but they heard a Trumpet which being come neerer the draw Bridge sounded thrice and afterwards they heard these words uttered in a loud voice The Druides the Princes and all the Cavalry of the Franks and Gaules assembled and united do declare and proclaim GILLON King of the Franks and Childerick a Tyrant and incapable of wearing the Crown of his Father Childerick and Guyemant upon this looked out of the window into the street and they saw Gillon carried according to the custom upon the peoples shoulders with such loud acclamations of the people that Childerick saw Guyemant told him truly and therefore fearing lest his own servants should betray him he retired himself with the faithful Guyemant and after some short discourse together he parted from him carrying with him one half of a piece of gold for a token that when Guyemant sent him the other half he might return into his Kingdom in safety the Figure of this piece being joyned together was on one side a Tower to express constancy and on the other a
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
very smoak But because she would not fail in those commands which she had laid upon her being of such great concernment after she had conferred with her Uncle Adamas she went with her companion Silvia to make this discovery When they came first to the place they made a doubt whether it was Climanthes or no for they found every thing so changed as they hardly thought it to be the same place which formerly it was Now was the place trimmed up very fine and larger then before with windows to give more light This alteration did at the first astonish them yet seeing the door shut they resolved to knock and be better resolved They went up eight or ten steps higher unto the Temple then it was before and when they were at the top through the windows which were on either side the door they saw an Altar at the other end of the Temple and before it a man at his prayers but they could not know him because his back was towards them The Cell being but little they could hear what he prayed so it is Oh most Puissant Deity said he I beseech thee for a sign from Heaven and having repeated the same words thrice over in a loud voice they saw the fire kindle upon the Altar of it self as readily as it was wont to do at other times which made the two Nymphs believe him to be the same Impostor whom they looked for and they were not deceived for he having spied them afar off he prepared himself into this disguise of Sanctity but they seeming not to have the least suspition of his Artifice they uttered unto one another words of great admiration in an audible voice which he hearing did much rejoyce at it believing that they did not suspect his knavery and the more to delude them by his new jugling he turned his head towards them at the noise which they made and because they desired to enter into the Temple and speak with him he took some Holy Water and washed his eyes and his eares becausâ— he had both seen and heard these Nymphs whilst he was at his devotion then throwing some Veruin and a few leaves of Oak and Misleto into the fire he elevated his voice and said If it be thy pleasure Oh most omnipotent Deity that they shall enter into thy Sacred Temple then open thou the doors and let them in He had no sooner uttered these words but the doors opened of themselves though none touched them which made the two Nymphs to wonder so much that though they knew the fellow to be but a jugling knave yet they could not chuse but be afraid and therefore they stood a while as if they doubted whether they should enter or no until he himself in his Sacerdotal robes and with a face full of gravity came to invite them since it seemed to be the will of God they should by this particular sign of favour unto them Leonide and her companion being grown a little more confident and seeming to bear a great reverence unto him they entred and followed him as far as the Altar where kneeling down after the example of this Impostor they remained in that posture until he rose up and said unto them Leonide and Silvia the Deity of the place whom I adore is pleased with your coming into this Holy Temple for having advertised me of your coming and commanded me to let you enter without purifying you either by perfumes or holy water I could not chuse but be astonished at it and therefore I asked of him an extraordinary sign of his will upon which the fire did presently kindle of it self Then when you were come I not being able to think that you should enter in this manner I beseeched him to shew his pleasure by opening the doors of the Temple unto you which he most miraculously did as you have seen Now Oh most Omnipent and infinite Deity if it be thy pleasure said he and turned towards the Altar that these Nymphs should adore thee in thy Sacred Cell as it seems it is by opening the dore unto them shew us some sign of thy divine will that thou art pleased they should make their supplications unto thee When he uttered these words the fire that wâ—â— upon the Altar did extinguish and the doors did miraculously shut of themselves at which the Nymphs were so amazed though they knew him to be a cunning knave yet they feared that his tricks were done by some inchantment or witchcraft and therefore they would needs go out of that place which they thought swarmed with fiends and divels but he took them both by their arms and said that since the doors were shut by the will of God they would greatly offend him if they offered to open them before it was his pleasure but he desired them to let him know the cause of their coming thither to the end he might pray unto God to inspire him with an answer Though the Nymphs were both afraid yet partly by force and partly by â—â—king courage Leonide acquainted him with the desire of the Nymph Galathâ— beseeching him if it was his pleasure to come unto her and as soon as possibly he could because she had a business of great importance to communicate unto him and delay might be very prejudical unto her We are not Oh sage Nymphs said he unto them like unto other men who may dispose of themselves after their own wills for we who have dedicated our selves unto the service of Heaven neither ought nor can dispose of our selves but according to the will of Heaven and I must tell you more that I am expresly forbidden to go out of the Limits which are appointed unto me by this Divinity without their express permission and therefore I cannot give you any direct answer until I have consulted with the Oracle if you will please to come again unto me about four or five dayes hence you shall know what answer I receive from it but in the mean time that we may have some knowledg of his future good will let us offer unto him a small sacrifice which we will make of the Sacred Misleto Veruin and Savine which are so pleasing unto him Upon this taking a few Oak leaves and making two Chaplets in form of Garlands he put them upon their heads then lighting the fire upon the Altar he threw in some of those leaves before named lastly kneeling down he seemed to make some prayers in a low voice and when he saw it was time Oh Great and Omnipotent Deity said he in a loud voice if the requests and supplications of these Nymphs be pleasing unto thee open thou the doors of the Temple unto them that after they have adored thee they may go home unto their houses with content and satisfaction The Nymphs hearing these words took particular notice of all the Actions of Climanthes to see if they could spy by what trick the doors were opened but they seemed to open
know their customs but most religiously observe them now I cannot think of any which are fitter for us then the names of Mistris and Servant as well because they are names not ordinary amongst them as because me thinks they sound well betwixt you and me I do accept of this honour said Astrea with a thousand thanks and with a protestation and vow unto the Goddess Vesta that for ever not only in name but in deed I will take you for my Mistris and profess my self your servant Alexis smiled at this I had rather said she that you would take the name of Mistris and let me have that of servant but since you have made your choise I am contented Now Servant continued she give me your hand in testimony that you accept of this name and that you will never break this alliance of Love which we now make and I swear by the Great God of Love who is the God that is adored at Carnutes that I will eternally live with you as with the only person whom I perfectly Love and of whom only I desire to be Loved in the like manner Then Astrea said I do not only give my hand but both hands nay more my heart and my soul in testimony that I will love you and you only consecrating and dedicating my self my desires my affections and all that is mine unto you and if ever I fail in the observance of this promise or ever stain that honourable Name which I have received let me be abhorred by Heaven and Earth and all that is in them Upon this they both embraced and kissed each other as an assurance of what they had promised and carrassed themselves with so much affection as if they would never have ended In the mean time Phillis went unto Diana thinking to find her in bed but that Shepherdess was so very ill pleased that she could not rest so long for she was up long before and after she had put all things into order in her little house she went out with her flock and without any other company but her own thoughts By fortune she came unto the same place upon the Banks of Lignon when the accident of Celadon did happen when the jealousie of Astrea made him throw himself into the River After she had seated her self and long looked upon the current of the water without any other action which shewed life but only sighing at last as if she had revived out of a profound Lethargy and sending forth a deep sigh Thus said she does all things mortal run into the Gulf of Oblivion then stopping a while she broke out thus This River is not the same water it was yesterday for it glides away and fresh comes in the room of it nay I my self am not the same Diana that I was when I came hither time by an uncontrollable power runs on and drives all before it The Sun it self which is the measure of time as all things in the universe is is hurried on by time and is not the same it was when I began to speak why then Diana shouldest thou think an ordinary thing to be strange and extraordinary Every thing changes and rechanges again If it be a generall Law amongst all things that nature produceth to change why shouldst thou wonder that one particular person should do so It is very unreasonable to observe it in thy self and not allow it in another canst thou say that it is not thy self which doth change but art the same thou wert wont to be Ah fond flatterer of thy self remember what thou wert before Fiiander saw thee what operation his Courtship had upon thee and how thou didst behave thy self after his deplorable loss Consider thy humour as it was when Sylvander or rather that deceive began first unluckily to look upon thee How wast thou won by his counterfet affection And how dost thou find thy self now after a knowledg of his treason Needs must thou confess that as the humours complexions and tempers do change once every seven yeers thine changes ofter and not only in seven yeers for a year is an age unto thee but in a month in a week in an hour nay even in a munite This thought touched her to the quick for never having this opinion of her self before yet finding it now to be true she was so astonished at it that she was not able to utter one word At the last rousing her self up as out of a dead sleep she began again thus Oh Heavens Oh Earth art thou not changed Yes yes Diana and so that if thou dost but look well upon thy self thou wilt hardly know thy self thou wilt not find any thing of the first Diana in thee but only the very Name Answer me I pray thee to these questions how didst thou heretofore abhor the flatteries of men what credit wast thou wont to give unto their supple language Hast thou quite lost the memory of all those wise instructions and good Counsels thou wert wont to give thy companions Or dost thou think that thy self does not need them as much as they Ah Diana do not deceive thy self but confess that thou art now much different from what thou wert wont to be Recollect thy self a little better and tell me dost thou not remember the time when thou wert the first Diana and when all that this cosening Shepherd either said or did was indifferent unto thee And why should thou now if thou art the same Diana be angry at this loving Madonthe at his following her and at his going with her whether she would or no If these things do vex thee then confess that thou art not the same Diana and if thou dost deny it will not thy own conscience accuse thee Well said she if I be not the same Diana I was wont to be then what am I become now Quite contrary answered she to that Diana I was wont to be Oh Heavens what a deplorable alteration is this How much better and more honourable had it been for me to have dyed in the dayes of the first Diana then have lived to see this alteration When she was in the height of her displeasure against her self she was diverted by the coming of some Shepherds and Shepherdesses which talked and disputed amongst themselves very vehemently and though she was very busie in her own perplexed thoughts yet they making a great noise and she hearing them a far off she had time enough to withdraw her self unseen behind a great Bush which grew close to the way which she did with intention to let them pass on and then to return unto the place again and continue on those thoughts which they had interrupted but she was disappointed for they as if it was upon some express design went straight to the place from whence Diana came and seated themselves upon the bank as if they intended to stay there a long time but she fearing to be discovered and perhaps constrained to remain with
guide them and entertain his own sad thoughts When they were come to the house and Cloridamantes understood that they were persons who demanded reparation of some injury which had been done he came into the great Hall where he was wont to do Justice unto such as demanded it and there entred not only all those whom Sylvander brought but also many others who followed them only out of curiosity Cloridamantes was no sooner entred into the Hall and seated upon his Tribunal but an old Pastor holding his wife almost of the same age by the hand began to speak thus unto him Most Reverend and most Just Father you see here before your Tribunal a Father and a Mother extreamly grieved and offended by a new way of Proceeding and by injuries committed against them and their only Daughter all who come to demand Justice of you we have brought before you the offences the offenders and the witnesses that when the matter is heard equity and right may be done according to your custom and wicked offenders punished according to their merits The Druide then with such a gravity as became a Judge assured them that the Scale of Justice should be held even betwixt both parties offences should be punished and right should be done unto them all and to the end continued he a more sound and just judgment may be given make choice of one amongst you who is not interested in the business who may let us understand your difference and afterwards let each party alledg what they can for themselves Then the old Pastor turning himself towards those who came with him to see who amongst them was without interest and knew all the particulars of the difference all the company cast their eyes upon a Shepherdess who came with them and because doubt was made whether being a woman the Druide would admit of her yes yes said Cloridamantes truth is as good from the mouth of that woman as from any other provided the parties interested do acknowledg what she says and therefore if you think her able to inform us of the whole matter we will admit of her for the innocency of her age and sex will be a strong argument and testimony of the truth By the command therefore of the Druide and by the election of all parties this woman began thus The History of Silvanire SInce it hath pleased you most Reverend Father that I should relate unto you the cause of our coming before you I shall do it with as much truth as possibly I can or you can desire and since you think a Person un-interested is required to be the Relator I cannot altogether say that I am such a one for I am a friend unto the parties who are most offended and besides I am concerned in the general injury that is done unto all the Shepherdesses of this Country but withall I must tell you that what interest soever I have my humour is not to lie especially in this occasion wherein is concerned the life and honour of those whereof I am to speak and since there is not a Shepherd nor a Shepherdess in all the company but can relate all the particulars better then my self I shall faithfully relate all I know for from my infancy I have been brought up with the young and Fair Silvanire said she and pointed to a young Shepherdess which stood between an old Pastor and a Shepherdess of the same age and therefore I have been a witness to all the passages of that Love from the beginning until now which is the cause of our now coming before you so that if you would know every circumstance which relates unto that business none can give you so exact account as my self After therefore a most solemn-protestation to speak the truth I shall tell you Reverend Father that neer this place on the other side of the River of Lignon at the foot of that high and great Mountain which is called Mount Luna is seated that Village where we inhabit and amongst us is a very venerable Pastor whose name is Menander said she and pointed to him one that is held of the best rank and reputation both for his estate and for his wisdom This sage Pastor being joyned in marriage many years with Lerice that wise and discreet Shepherdess whom you see next unto him they never had any testimony of their mutual affection but only that Fair and young Shepherdess whom I named before and who stands now betwixt them As soon as it pleased Heaven to bestow her upon them all their care was to see her educated in all those virtues which beget esteem and nature whilst her Parents were careful in the cultivating of her mind did imbellish her body with as many graces and beauties as she was able to bestow were she not in presence I should praise her more but so it is that in the spring of her age she grew unto that height of perfections that she attracted all eyes upon her and swelled them with admiration at her beauty One of Menanders next neighbours and perhaps also one of his best friends was that Reverend old man whom you see upon the other side of him whose name is Arion a Pastor without reproach and whose Ancestors have long with great integrity governed the small business of our Village But I must tell you and I hope he will not be angry with me for saying it that his Father was studious to leave him more honour then estate so that though he was well to live yet perhaps not so rich as some of his neighbours Some two or three years before Silvanire was born Arion had that young Shepherd to his Son who stands next him and whose name is Aglantes whom he educated in all commendable qualities The friendship and good correspondency of the Fathers the neerness of their dwelling the beauty of Silvanire and the inclination or rather the destiny of Aglantes made it a thing impossible for this young Shepherd to see her and not devote himself wholly unto her and he courted her with a design so innocent and harmless that none could but think very well of it Silvanire on the other side seeing her self served with so much submission not knowing yet what Love was did entertain this Shepherd with such a childish sincerity and good will that neither her Father nor Mother seemed to dis-approve of it when Aglantes attained to the age of twelve or thirteen years and Silvanire unto nine or ten they always played in the fields together and seldom were they seen asunder and when they returned home Menander and Lerice did make so much of the little Aglantes that he was more at their house then at his Fathers All those that observed their actions and behaviour did admire them the extraordinary indulgence and continual care of this young Shepherd in courting this Shepherdess and her sweet modesty in intertaining him was very strange If the Sheep of this young Shepherdess did at any time
live many years for I do not only pardon but pity you and shall grieve for you as long as I live Then Tirintes kneeled down upon the ground and most hartily thanked her and said that he should be more happy in his punishments then ever he was in his services In the mean time Fossinde seeing her design did hit according to her wish she went unto Tirintes Shepherd said she unto him It joyes my soul to see you reduced unto this point which I have so long and so much desired and I said Tirintes am also very glad my death will give you so much contentment and I shall leave the world without any rancor or malice in my heart Oh Tirintes Tirintes said she unto him you shall know ere it be long that I am as free from any malice or rancor as you and that my own life is not so dear unto me as yours alas all that I have done is only out of the excesse of my love then addressing her self unto Alcas her Father Father said she unto him you promised that you would very willingly give me leave to chuse my Husband most true answered Alcas and I will perform it for I do not approve of the humour in Fathers to be tyrannical towards their children Then addressing her self unto Cloridamantes and the other Druide Oh sage and just Judges said she unto them you have according to the Law condemned Tirintes to die and by the same Law I do demand him for my Husband and by that means free him from that punishment unto which he was condemned Upon this all the Assembly shouted and clapped their hands in sign of joy and said with an universal voice Thanks thanks Then did all the friends of Tirintes run to imbrace him and rejoyce with him Every one commended the good act of Fossinde for it was a Law most religiously observed that if any woman came to demand a condemned person for her husband he should be delivered unto her Menander and Lerice only looked but half contented and could not consent unto the marriage of Silvanire but seeing the publique joy and Aglantes upon his knees with Silvanire at their feet their anger began to cool and they imbraced both Aglantes and Silvanire with a joyful countenance and confirmed the Sentence of the Druides Then all the Assembly rejoyced and Cloridamantes who by the force of the Laws had condemned Tirintes was very glad of such an occasion to deliver him and therefore causing some Chaplets of Flowers to be brought he first put two upon the heads of Silvanire and Aglantes and afterwards turning towards Fossinde here Shepherdess said he unto her take this which I put upon your head and I leave the other in your hands give it unto Tirintes for a testimony that you have given him both his life and Fossinde The Shepherdess rendred most humble thanks for the favour and said I do take this which you have given to me and put it upon the head of Tirintes and I do take his and put it upon my own in witness that we will never be separated And now since such an universal joy was unexpectedly fallen upon them all it was thought fit to go into the Temple and thank the Gods And since the impatience of these two Lovers were very great it was resolved upon that they should then be married and the rest of the ceremonies be performed afterwards when they returned to their homes But Sylvander who could not endure to be amongst so many joyful and contented persons after he had received many thanks from Aglantes and Silvanire he left the company and went into the Woods to lament his own miserable fortune Diana and Phillis who dined that day with Astrea to keep Alexis company being risen from the Table and the question being put how they should spend the rest of the day they were advertized that a certain stranger was come who was exceedingly desirous to see Astrea so as said they that did advertize them unless you make very great haste away assure your selves she will be before you which if she be you must resolve upon her company all the day Alexis who was extreamly afraid of any such diversions oh God good Servant said she let us not stay her coming for we shall not be rid of her all the day and if I be in so long a constraint I shall most infallibly be sicker then I was in the morning Astrea laughed to hear her say so Dear Mistris said she command and be obeyed I think it best answered Alexis to take our own habits and go to meet her This motion was no sooner made then executed and the more speedily because Diana who conducted them did make more haste then usual because she was exceedingly desirous to see this stranger who inveighed so much against men of whom shâ— had as bad an esteem though she knew how to cover it discreetly When Florice saw these Shepherdesses afar off see Dorinde said she how courteous the fair Astrea is who knowing your coming prevents you in civility and is coming to meet you I should be ashamed answered she that all those discreet Shepherdesses should take so much pains for me but I must confess I have an extream desire to see them Since it is so said Circinea and if you would not be over-loadned with curtesie let us go as fast as we can to meet them to the end they may know that if you had known their designe you would not have put them to that trouble Upon this the four strangers taking hands they went as fast as they could towards these fair Shepherdesses who received them with such free expressions and testimonies of good will that Dorinde could not enough admire them both for their Beauty and their Civility Alexis also was not a little in their esteem who knew how to play the woman so well that not one of her actions did belye that name and because Dorinde observed that every one did bear a great respect and honour unto the Druide she thought it becoming her to do the same so as addressing her self unto her Madam said she one of my wishes is accomplished for I have very long desired to see Lignon and all those Beauties about it and I see heaven is very favourable to my desires in letting me see the best first I confess said the Druide that when you see Astrea Diana and Phillis you have seen the glory of Lignon which heaven hath favoured above all the Rivers in Europe and there is none precedes these whom ye see before your eyes These commendations said Astrea which it pleases the fair Druide to bestow upon us are testimonies of that honour which she confers upon us by her love my companions and I do receive them upon that account though they be much above our merit But fair Shepherdess I would not have you deceived by them lest that belief should cause you to esteem less of the Shepherdesses of
which had not made me capable but insensible of such addresses and the short time he stayed there did defend me from any wicked designs he could have upon me for whether he had already served this Fair Florice whom he since married or that then he began to love her preseâ—tly after I cannot tell but so it was that his addresse served to no other purpose but to teach me if I had made use of it that all men are deceivers and that the most constant amongst them is like unto a Camelion which changes colour according to the objects it looks upon Almost at the same time Periander a young and lovely Cavalier and owner of many excellent qualities free from the vices of custom which are in all men he would make me believe that he was in Love with me And because his Fathers house was not far distant from the place where I dwelt he had all the convenient opportunities of shewing his good will that he could desire Indeed I was very young and knew not at all what it was to Love yet his constant addresses the time he spent and the flattery of domestiques made me believe he wisht me well my capacity was able to reach no farther and see how much children are obliged unto their Parents and how thankful they ought to be unto Heaven when they have such as are Wise and Prudent If Arciâ—gentorix had been too hasty in marrying me as many Fathers are who desire nothing more then to be rid of their daughters he had certainly bestowed me upon Periander whom now I see rather then I would have married I would with my life have pulled my heart out of my brest But my Father out of a Prudent design which he had was the cause why this marriage was delayed many thought it a match very sutable and advantagious for me as well in respect of age as of the nobleness and valour of Periander but especial of his estate which is the main thing most Fathers consider This business being spun out to the length it hapned presently after that one Hylas a Cavalier or a Pastor of the Isle of Carmagues in the Province of the Romaâ—s came accidentally unto Lyons There is none in the company said Astrea and interrupted who does not know him very well Dorinde then smiled since you know him so very well replied she I shall nor need to relate his tricks which he has put upon me We do know said Diana of his Love unto you how he put his picture in a glass and presented it unto you and briefly of all his behaviour with you and with Periander until his departure from Lyons I believe said Dorinde that he has been forward enough in blazing his Heroick Acts but I make a question whether he was true in his relation Do not doubt it Cosen said Florice for I heard all he said and he has not the gift of lying as he has of inconstancy Lest then I should be tedious continued Dorinde I will wave all discourse concerning him only will observe that Hylas is the second person that deceived me for Periander who was the second who loved me he had not yet compleated his treason But I must needs confess that of all those who ever deceived me I complain least of Hylas for he protested seriously unto me that he would Love me most faithfully as long as his humour continued but if that were past neither Heaven nor Earth had bonds strong enough to hold him so as this free and ingenious confession keeps me from blaming him and when I think upon his change I do only accuse the general fault of men amongst which I reckon Hylas the least deceiver of all But since you know all the passages betwixt him Periander Florice and my self I will return to the discourse where I left I must tell you that Theombres carried Florice out of the Town and how Cryseide that Fair stranger escaped out of King Gondebauts prison assuring my self Madam that he could tell you no farther since then he left the banks of Arar to follow the Fair trans Alpine Cryseide as many say Be pleased to know then that Periander seeing himself alone with me having lost the Rival whom he always much feared he did so devote himself wholly unto me at least in shew that his Love was unknown only unto such as would not know it As soon as ever I waked every morning I was sure of a servant from him to bid me good morrow and to bring either some flowers or some rare fruits of the season I no sooner set my foot out of doors towards the Temple but I found him ready to tender his services unto me after dinner no garden or publique rendevous of gallantry was about the Town but he carryed me thither after supper bals never failed either at my house or some of my friends by his procurement that night was very blustering and stormy if I had not musick at my window somtimes voices somtimes Instruments somtimes one sort another time another all his Domestiques wore no other Livery but mine himself never wore any favour but what he begg'd from me To be brief Madam all this was not done in a corner but as I may say upon the house top he called and professed himself my servant publiquely I must confess that he did so flatter my young unexperienced youth as I did comply with him and the rather because my Father considering the merit of this young Cavalier and the affection which he expressed unto me was minded contrary to his design to marry me unto him About the same time there was two Cavaliers who did both cast their eyes upon me one was a stranger and called Bellimartes the other was a neighbour about the banks of Arar and his name was Merindor the first of these came with King Gondebaut from beyond the Alps and was a Goth to shew that be a man born in any Region wheresoever yet he cannot be exempt from the fault of his sex I mean from being giddy unconstant and a deceiver This Bellimartes was he who kept Arimant prisoner the servant and since the Husband of the unfortunate and happy Cryseide for so I praise the unfortunate and fortunate events which she resented during the time of their Loves and were not the story too long I would relate it for I am confident you would be of the same judgment You need not take so much pains said Astrea for we know it already partly from Hylas and partly from the Fair Florice 'T is very well said Dorinde for thereby you will better understand the sequel of my relation This Bellimartes then after he had renounced all his pretensions unto Arimant as Florice I believe has told you he addressed himself particularly unto the King and put him in memory of all his long services which he had done the dangers he had passed the wounds he had received and the blood he had lost also shewed many great
down at the feet of Gondebaut who pardoned her Husbands fault upon condition he would live with her as he ought Whilst these things hapned it seems the Gods were pleased to mock Periander for the spring coming on and some remedies which a Phisitian gave me did so restore my complexion and features that it was much better then before and indeed my companions said she unto the three strangers I believe you will confesse it better then ever you saw it before but so it hapned that as my deformity did chase away Periander from me so my recovery called him back I cannot express the joy and contentment of Merindor when from day to day he saw my complexion return and not being able as he said to endure any longer delay in our marriage he entreated my Father to give him consent that he might go unto his Mother for hers there being nothing else which could hinder it Oh Heavens what new protestations did he make to my Father and me when he departed I have wondred since a hundred times that the earth did not open and swallow him alive I should but trouble you Madam did I relate the whole series of his actions but so it was that going away he lost all memory of me and all his oaths about three months after his departure he sent one of his Brothers unto me with a Letter which I will read unto you for I keep it still about me to convince him of his falshood and perjury then putting her hand into her pocket she pulled out a paper and read these words MERINDORS Letter unto DORINDE I Would to God Fair Dorinde that I were out of the World or else that I were not the Son of that Woman who is my Mother or at least that I were my Brother and al to the end as your most humble servant that I might obtain that happiness which I desire but being as I am it is not permitted me the offer which I make of him makes it evident unto all that all marriages are made in Heaven Do you not wonder discreet and Fair Shepherdesses said Dorinde that Merindor should write such a Letter unto me For if he had quitted me one would have thought in all reason that he should have done it when I was ugly and deformed as Periander did but that he should with such assiduity abide the horror of my disease that he should never care for any deformity in my face but even then to court me with such violence and zeal and then to leave me when my Beauty was restored and when I thought nothing could separate us but his own will or rathe levity this seems to be against the grain of all reason in the World And I must needs confess the truth this action did go so neer unto my heart that I vowed never hence-forward to trust any man living but to flye and shun all such as bore the name and never to have any more to do with them My Father was offended at this as much as I and therefore without any further consultation or heeding any applications that Merindorâ— Brother would have made unto me he sent him back with this sudden and peremptory answer that his Daughter was neither for Merindor nor his Brother and therefore he intended to dispose of me another way And because the young man desired an answer unto his Brothers Letter with my Fathers leave I returned this DORINDES answer unto MERINDOR I Would to God unfaithful Merindor that you were not upon the earth or that I never had had any eyes to see you or at the least that I were a man for a time and not a woman and all this to the end that as your mortal enemy I might take that revenge of your perfidy which I desire but since being as I am that is not permitted me The offer which you make unto me of your Brother which I refuse makes it evident that the marriage betwixt him and me is not made in Heaven at the least I assure you shall never be accomplished on Earth Now Madam continued she you may observe three of the most horrid infidelities to omit the rest that ever were committed against any woman These that I have told you are enough to make any that have eyes or their wits never to trust any that has either the name or the figure of a man but hear what torments they caused me to endure and then I am confident you will confess that the hatred which I bear unto this animal man is grounded upon most just cause Dorinde would have continued had not the noise of men on horse-back disturbed them these Fair Shepherdesses being unaccustomed to see such assemblies in their Villages they all ran out of curiosity to the door Dorinde and the other strangers did the same then they saw passe along the way which joyned almost close to the door of this Cabin fifteen or sixteen persons very well mounted and armed alter the Burgundian fashion having head-pieces upon their heads Suits of Arms for back and brest a Javelin in their right hands and a Buckler on their left arm These men marched in order and in the head of them was him who conducted them as might be imagined both by the goodnesse of his Horse which was much fairer then the rest and by the richness of his Armor which was almost all gilt and a Plume in his Head-piece which made him remarkable above the rest This Troop marched very fast and their Armor and Horses seet made a great noise as for the men they talked not loud though they did hold some discourse which could not any distance be understood When they came neer unto this Cabin they cast their eyes upon these Shepherdesses which out of curiosity were come to the door and seeing them so Fair they stayed a little almost ravished to see such Fair Faces in such rural Cottages Oh Heavens cryed he that commanded them is not yonder Dorinde She hearing her self named and looking him in the face she presently remembred that she had seen him very often with King Gondebaut and therefore fearing some violence she retired into the Cabin to try if she could hide her self but he being more assured by this action that it was she did presently alight and five or six of his companions with him and entring very blusteringly amongst these women they came to the place where Dorinde was retired who trembling for fear and hiding her face with her hands she looked as pale as death Celadon in the dresse of Druide wished now that he had Arms to repulse the injury which these strangers seemed to offer unto Dorinde and not being able to endure any outrage should be done unto her in his presence he first used entreaties and fair language and seeing them slighted and offers made to carry away that trembling woman out of the Cabin he could not chuse but joyn hands unto his language and beyond the strength of a woman like
man resist this violence The Captain and the Souldiers would quickly have dispatched him had they believed him to be a man but thinking him to be a woman Druide their respect unto that sex and the reverence they bore unto her habit made them take it into their consideration All the rest of the women seeing this attempt of the Druide after her example did their endeavours to save Dorinde and perhaps this feeble defence had held them long in play had not the Captain being grown into choller made a sign unto the Souldiers that without any consideration of these women they should use force and carry her away As Celadon was holding the arms of this man so as he could not stir Astrea and Diana were on both sides of Dorinde and held her by the arms but the Souldiers who had received the sign from their Commander pushing them both very roughly away they constrained these Shepherdesses to let their hold go and with such violence that Astrea fell to the ground Who crying out and the Druide turning about her head seeing her so unworthily used she grew as furious as any raging Lyon and letting him go whom she held and ran upon him who did the affront with such violence and gave him such a blow upon the face as she constrained him to let Dorinde go who was already pulled out of the door and after he had reeled two or three paces he fell amongst the horses feet which trampled him so as he was not able to do more harm unto this fair company the Captain in the mean time being out of the Druids hands and seeing they had carried Dorinde out of the place he went out also to see her carried away according to his design but when he was out he saw his companions on foot and running after her in the fields for fear made her so swift as she seemed to have wings at her heels At the first he laughed for he confidently believed she would be taken again But whilst he was looking and laughing at this chase for so may the flight of Dorinde be termed they saw appear six Cavaliers who being very well mounted and armed came riding the same way At the first they rid in file as Travellers use in a Journey but when they saw so many men running after one woman they drew up together and galloped to oppose the violence which they thought would be done unto her Yet they could not come in so soon but Dorinde was first taken and because she had no other defence they saw her fall down upon her knees hold up her hands and make lamentable prayers and supplications to them The Souldiers on the other side without any compassion took her and would have carried her away when these Cavaliers came up unto them they out of pity though they knew not Dorinde opposed this violence but one of them upon a sudden casting his eye upon her did know her Oh ye crew of villains said he unto the Souldiers and unworthy to bear arms since you imploy them so ill cease wronging her whom ye all ought to honour and serve or else by Heaven said he and drew his sword I will chastise you according to your merits Sir answered one of them King Gondebaut commanded us to do what we have done and none ought or can oppose his will Upon this not caring for the menace of the Cavalier and seeing him so slenderly accompanied also his Captain and company coming to his relief he continued on his way at which the Cavalier was so incensed that he gave him such a blow upon the shoulder that for all his Coat of Male it gave him a deep wound and being a little distant from Dorinde he rid upon him with his horse and trod him to the ground In the mean time the rest of the Cavaliers advanced against the Captain and his Souldiers who without any expostulations did assault them very furiously The Cavaliers being better armed and better mounted and having more courage though they were interior in number yet gave them such a hot salute that the combat did not last above a quarter of an hour for the Captain being killed the rest were quickly routed and fled some one way and some another as fast as ever their horses could carry them This victory was the sooner gotten by reason that most of one party was on foot and were running after their horses which were broken loose in the fields But of these six Cavaliers two of them were killed and one so wounded that he could hardly sit his horse Dorinde seeing this unlook'd for relief although she thought she knew the voice of him who spoke yet not being sure because his head-piece covered his face she retired as fast as she could in a trembling and panting pace unto her companions though not so much affrighted as when she was first seized upon But when she was told of the end of the combate for she was gotten into the cabbin and that one of the Cavaliers who defended her was much wounded she went out of the cabin with watry eyes and cheeks to receive him and help him all that possibly she could And because his three companions took off his helmet to give him Ayr as soon as she cast her eye upon him she knew him to be Bellimartes at which she was so surprized that she knew not whether she dream'd or waked But whilst the three Cavaliers were laying him upon the Bed and one of them stayed with him the other two pulled off their helmets and kneeled down before her shewing all signs of humble obedience she all the while was so surprized at the sight of them that she could not utter a word for the one was Merindor and the other Periander Oh heavens cryed she out at the last when she could speak Oh heavens Is it possible I should be thus much obliged unto three men who have made me hate all men living for their sakes Merindor then began first to speak Oh Dorinde said he unto her do not by your disfavours lessen that contentment which heaven has given us in rendring you a testimony that we do love you more then you would be loved by us After this Periander continued Heaven fair Dorinde has made choice of us to render you this little service and believe that the choice could not be made of any others who have vowed so much affection as we Receive we most humbly beseech you the willingness we have to expose our lives in repulsing that violence which was offered unto you I do protest said Bellimartes and turned his head towards her I shall leave this world the most contented man that is in it since I have lost my life in your service and if you will have me think my death more welcome then ever was my life fair Dorinde Do but only say Go in peace Bellimartes Dorinde turning her eyes upon Bellimartes and seeing a mortal paleness in his face she only embraced
was not changed Diana who was the first that heard him would have drawn off the company from hearing any further but for all that they would needs hear him on and then they heard him break out into these expressions Miserable Sylvander said he with a deep sigh why dost thou drone on this miserable life and has such and so much reason to die Is it out of hopes of any better Fortune Ah fond man is it not full time to undeceive thy self at least if thou hast any consideration any feeling or any sensibility of thy unfortunate life Thou beginnest now to enter into the fifth luster since the miserable day of thy birth and in so many nights so many weeks so many moneths and so many years canst thou name one minute that was not remarkable for some misfortune or other I cannot indeed call that hour disastrous in which I first saw Diana since in her I saw all the excellencies and perfection that Nature can give unto mortals but was not that the time that Fortune took a greater Empire over me then ever she had before For if she had any power over me before it was only over my poor sheep and the little stock which I had but my soul was free and exempt from blows and changes But oh ye Gods since I saw this fair this divinely fair Diana my soul is a slave and from being insensible is grown so weak and so submiss that the least Will of this Shepherdess is a Law unto me her commands are Oracles and the least twinkle of her commands so absolute that I would rather chuse the worst death then disobey the least shaddow of her Will and is not this the very height of misery that all my cares all my services all my endeavours and all my extream passions should be so many offences and so many injuries unto her If the Universe and all that is comprised in it be ruled and governed by reason what reason is there that I having no designe but to do her service with all manner of affection and fidelity that she should make no return but hatred and scorn Then making a stop and staying mute a while he began again But oh ye Gods I do understand this secret or at the least I think I do It is to punish me because I have loved this divine Diana too much and have preferred my affection unto her before that which I owed unto you But if it be so give me leave with all reverence to expostulate a little with you why did you not make her with less perfection For being as she is it were a sin to love her less then I do But well said he with a profound sigh do your pleasure and if you think good double and redouble your punishment for I cannot lessen or diminish one jot Whilst Sylvander was talking thus to himself Diana had got a good distance off and Phillis having no mind to leave her alone did show her unto Alexis and Astrea and whispered them in their ears that if they intended to stay any longer she would go and stay with her but the Druide and her companion seeing it was late they thought it would be to no purpose to stay any longer in that place where they could not receive any better satisfaction of this Shepherds innocency then they had and therefore stealing off unperceived they went as fast as they could to overtake Diana unto whom they told all that they could in discharge of Sylvander But she seeming as if she cared not she answered in such a kind of neglective manner as if he were not Sylvander they talked of or as if she was not Diana whom they talked to Alexis admiring the strength of Dianas spirit knowing very well by experience how hard a thing it is to resist a domineering passion I must confess fair Shepherdesses said she That I could never have met with any women such absolute Mistisses of themselves nor men such Lovers as I see there are about the banks of Lignon Why do you say this said Astrea Because servant answered Alexis hearing the discourse of Sylvander and the anguish he endures it must be acknowledged that he does love infinitely who can endure it And with what coldness Diana does slight it I must needs confess and say that in her alone passion does cease to be passion and become seeming reason Madam answered Diana I beseech you pardon me if I tell you That you are mistaken in both the judgements which you have given For as to that which relates unto me believe it to be a very easie matter to carry it as I do having no interest at all in the business as you think I have And as to that which relates unto the Shepherd be assured That not only about the Banks of Lignon but every place where the name of Love is known men do study more to disguise and dissemble their affections then to render them real and great They resemble puft up bladders which seem to be somthing that 's big whilst they are nothing but empty wind and the least prick of a pin discovers their empty imperfections Sage Shepherdess replied the Druide I do believe that you have more knowledge then I in the humours of those you speak of but give me leave to tell you that Sylvander does love I do believe it Madam answered Diana but it is Madonthe I do believe said Alexis that Sylvander does love and that he does love none but Diana Then certainly replied she Madonthe has changed her name and calls her self Diana and if you will not believe me I will refer you unto Laonice You will find said said the Druide in the end that there is some secret mistery in the report of Laonice for if it were so that Sylvander did love Madonthe why should he seem to love you What benefit will accrue unto him by disguising it To blind the eyes answered she of the jealous Thersander this might be so replied Alexis in the time of Thersander and when Madonthe was here but now they are gone to what purpose should he so do Oh Madam said Diana did you but know the humours of men especially of Sylvander you would not make such a wonder at it you must know that there is not a man under the cope of Heaven who desires more to give a good opinion of himself then he and this is the reason that having made a shew of loving me formerly he is now ashamed his falshood should be discovered all his passionate expressions and behaviour which you see and think they proceed from affection are but tricks and glosses which he uses out of shame to be thought a dissembler and a man of no faith If he were ashamed as you object said Alexis that shame would produce contrary effects for if he loved Madonthe he would with all speed flye from those places where his dissimulation would be known and doubtless would follow her whom he loved for
comprehended since both parties have one and the same will and so consequently are one and the same person As for your arguments of inconstancy drawn from turning my self in my bed inferring it to proceed from want of judgement in not chusing the best side at the first you must know Hylas that the body which is heavy and subject to wearinesse by its own weight must ease it self by turning that both sides may bear the weight alike but the soul which is all spirit is not subject unto such inconveniences and therefore ought not to change but good Hylas give me leave to laugh a little before I answer your argument of walking and speaking saying that those who walk if they will be constant must never go but upon one leg and hop or when they speak never use but one word I believe Hylas if nature had called you to councel when she appointed to every thing their motions perhaps you had invented some other way for men to walk and had made hopping serve the turn but since you were not you cannot call them inconstant who walk as nature ordained them since they can do no otherwise and as for matter of speaking know Hylas that speaking was given unto men to make those who hear them understand the secret conceptions of their souls now do but invent one word that can make to be understood all that the mind conceives and then I will say we were inconstant if we used any words but that alone do you see therefore how shallow all your reasons and arguments are Certainly you must needs confesse that they are grounded upon sand which is as loose and fleeting as your inconstant humour is But are you not exceedingly pleasant in saying that those whom you quit for others ought not to lay the blame upon you but upon their constellation and their destiny It is most true indeed that they have reason to complain against their malignant influence for I think it a very great mis-fortune unto them that are troubled with your addresses but are not you extreamly to blame in being the instrument of this malignant influence Tell me I beseech you is not the gallows upon which a malefactor is hanged a horror unto every one and scorned Ah my friend what are you unto those poor women that are destined unto your inconstancies but the gallows where they receive their punishments At this all the company laughed a long while and Hylas also though it was against himself and when he began to reply he was prevented by Adrastes who having met with Doris did so hang upon her that she could not be rid of him at the first he ran unto her and kneeled before her he would have kissed her feet and with all humble reverence touched the hem of her garment but seeing she went still on he would not go out of those limits unto which he was by a kind of witchcraft confined he was so bold as to stay her by her gown and would have taken her by her arm which caused her to cry out and Palemon being not far off ran in to help her but do what Palemon could Adrastes would not let his hold go when he pulled one hand off Adrastes took hold with the other and Adrastes being a big strong man Palemon would hardly have mastered him but for the coming of this company who advancing towards them the Shepherds took hold of Adrastes and gave Doris time to escape out of his hands The state and miserable condition of this poor Shepherd moved Dorinde to pity him and the beauty of Doris made her very desirous to know how the dissention did arise Palemon as a very civil and courteous Shepherd said unto her be pleased to know fair stranger for so he thought her by her habit that this Shepherd and I were both in love with this Shepherdess she being adjudged unto me he received the sentence so sadly that he fell mad and lost the use of reason A thousand pities said Dorinde for he seems to be a Shepherd of excellent qualities were he in the Town where I was born I believe there might be found a remedy for him for I have seen one cured of the same disease and so may he especially if it be not long since the mis-fortune did befal him It was not above two months since said Palemon and I am so exceedingly sorry for him that I would do any thing which might be conducing to his cure doubtless said Dorinde this will I have had the experience of it and the remedy is very easie is there not a Temple of Jupiter in this Country And is there not another near unto it dedicated unto the Goddesse Minerva There is many of them answered Thamires which they say the Romans built but as for us we do never frequent them because our Druids teach us that the Majesty of the Great Tautates is so incomprehensible that the whole Universe is only a Temple worthy of his grandeur which he himself did build for such as are built by the impotent hands of men are too mean for such a Divinity and this is the reason why all our Sacrifices are offered in Sacred Groves and under no other roof but the glorious Arch of Heaven But that people whom I mentioned had Sacrificers which served in Temples and I think that I have seen such a one in the great City of Marselles for the Founder did not only give it his own name but also planted his Religion there and I remember very well there is also another dedicated unto Minerva which as I think joyns unto that of Jupiter If so said Dorinde and that you desire the cure of this poor Shepherd carry him thither and I am confident of his cure for there needs no more then to drive a nail which hath touched his Pemples into the wall of Jupiters Temple which is on that side towards the Temple of Minerva If that be all said Palemon I swear that to morrow I will neither eat nor drink until I have driven one so far as it shall hardly be pulled out but by breaking the wall It is not you replied Dorinde that ought to do that ceremony but it must be the principal person of the place If so said Palemon I will fall upon my knees before Amasis I will beseech her to do that charitable Act and I will make a vow that if this poor Shepherd recover I will not deny the first thing that shall be asked of me be it made by whom it will And because Adrastes still followed the company and the place which he used to haunt very near Palemon entreated Doris that she would either by prayers or any other way to make him follow them unto Marselles whither he understood all this good company was going Doris to please him though much against the grain of her mind went to that poor Shepherd when she saw him ready to leave them Adrastes said she unto him will you
of his dear friend and therefore as soon as ever he saw him he held out his arms of love to embrace him and shewed as much entire affection as if he had been his own son Father said Lycidas unto him for so he called him if I have been backward in rendring that duty which I owe unto you I beseech you lay the blame upon the rural woods which will hardly permit their inhabitants to frequent great Cities without offence unto the Laws of their solitary lives Son said Clindor I do both excuse and envie you I excuse you because Alcippes did all his life most religiously observe the vow of his ancestors and I do envie the happy lives you lead when I consider the turbulency and inquietude of ours But Son continued he and embraced him you are very heartily welcome and your companion also assuring your self that I cannot receive any greater contentment then to see the son of my dear friend Alcippes well and with me This assurance Sir said Lycidas made me so bold as to offer your house to a great number of my friends who accompanied me hither though I did not know whether it would be thought too great a trouble Son said Clindor with a smiling countenance those who do come unto my house especially under so good a conductor as Lycidas shall have as much power in it as my self the trouble that will be will be only unto them but much honour and contentment unto me and then hearing who those were whom he brought with him I am very sorry said he that I had no sooner notice but since they have surprized me I hope tâ—â—y will excuse the inconveniences of my house and the they are most heartily welcome Then calling for his son Leontidas said he for that was his name go along with your brother offer this house unto those strangers to whom he will conduct you and tell them that if my age would permit me I would have waited upon them my self Thus Lycidas with Leontidas went unto the company which expected him who after many complements of civility Leontidas took Dorinde by one arm and Hylas took her by the other when they came to the gates the guards asked them who they were and from whence they came The three Cavaliers told them their names and satisfied their demands and Leontidas added that they were going to the house of Clindor The guards then cryed them mercy and asked pardon for their strictness because it was but according to their duty and commands received from their superiour Officers Thus they entred and were conducted unto the house of Clindor who received them with so kind a countenance and treated them so nobly as every one admired he should have set his house in such excellent order as they found it In the mean time the sad Sylvander who after he had left Dorinde and her company was retired into the thickest woods where he could least be seen and there past away the rest of the day with his own melancholy and mortal thoughts till at night he came to the place where Diana Alexis Astrea and Phillis found him retired He did so avoid the sight of every one that he knew not what had hapned unto Dorinde for as soon as he saw any he shunned them like a savage person His sad melancholy retained him in this place until it was night but when he saw the canopy of heaven spangled with glistering stars and thought that none was abroad he went out not with any designe of diverting himself but only to resent his sorrows more apprehensively and that his sorrows might the sooner do that which his hand durst not against his life lest heaven should be offended if he gave himself a violent death This thought did insensibly conduct him unto the place where Phillis delivered the cruel message from Diana unto him Oh most fatal place said he and most infamous for the highest piece of injustice that ever was committed upon the Banks of Lignon Oh thou most abominable and and odious piece of ground I do wonder Heaven does not cause the earth to open and swallow thee in her deep Abyss and never suffer thee to be sooting for any innocent Shepherd to tread upon again Then folding his arms one within another he continued But if heaven will needs pursue me with a perpetual hatred as it hath done ever since that cursed day on which I was born why does it not execute and compleat its cruel destinies upon me Should I wish all places where I have resented the unjust malignity of its influence to be Abysses Alas then all places where-ever I did set my foot must be swallowed up into the profundity of the earth Then coming to the place where he fell into a swoon he stopped short and looked long silently upon it at last he began again 'T was here said he where my disasterous cogitations did muster themselves to overwhelm me but how comes it to pass I did endure them and not die And is not heaven ashamed to see it self surmounted by the constancy of a mortal It is not more strange to see how obstinate the Destinies are in rendring me miserable then it is to see the insensibility of my soul in supporting their blows But upon good consideration I needs must say that heaven will either try what power it has in tormenting or what courage I have in suffering But fairest Diana must you needs be the instrument of so many cruelties Can your beauty ever consent unto the ruine of him that adores you What excuse can you alledge for your self You are either the partner in this fault or at least the cause and the original for it is as impossible I should love any but Diana as it is for Diana to live and not be the fairest in the whole world and as long as I live the most loved Shepherdess upon earth But alas alas you look for no excuse where you cannot repent of the fault or to say better where repentance would be a thousand times greater satisfaction then the wrong Then standing a while silent and the moon shining very clear he went looking and staring upon every thing about him like a man that was distracted and hardly knew what it was that he did look upon at last the cruel discourse of Phillis and the opinion which Diana had of his change coming into his mind he could not chuse but cry out Oh God! Oh Heavens Is it possible that the judgment of Diana which is so sound and quick in all other things should to my misery be thus mistaken Can she think Madonthe has any power to divert me from her and her service Could that Wise Prudent and Solid Shepherdess believe that those eyes which have her can look upon any other eyes but hers Have I Oh Fairest Shepherdess by any of my actions given any testimony that I become a Hylas or an Adrastes For before I commit such a sin I must needs be
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
and far for I do not confesse that I was in the wrong but indeed I say that I was deceived and the opinion which I had of that Shepherd was false but that I did it in believing what was told me I am so far from confessing that I think I had done ill if I had done otherwise But I beseech you Sisters said Astrea expâ—nd your words that this fair Druide and I may rejoyce with you Ah sluggard said Phillis as deep in bed yet as when we left you Had we two been in bed still as you are we had never understood what we do which you desire to know may I not see him to day that I Love best if I do tell you Then tell it to me said Alexis yes to you I will said Phillis because you were the cause of our rising so soon and consequently of the encounter which we met withall and which only could drive that angry Shepherdess out of that opinion which she entertained had we missed this occasion we had never recovered it because she who hatched and brought forth all these traiterous devises went away as soon as ever she had unknown to her self done this good office unto Sylvander Hereupon she related the whole discourse betwixt Laonice and Tircis and forgot not a sillable of those things which Laonice spoke either against her or against poor Sylvander Here is now said she that cholerick Diana convinced she that would not give credit unto any but Laonice who thought that she only could speak the truth and that poor silly we were all lyers I thank God said Astrea for conducting both you and Diana so opportunely to hear her and all her trechery for had you been seperated I verily believe Diana would not have believed your reports nay though she her self had heard it without a witness it would have been a long time before she would have confessed her knowledge 'T is true answered Diana and I thank the goodnesse of Heaven that has so happily directed me to the only means that could clear all my doubts From hence may be observed said the Druide that innocency is never left without a helper since the poor and innocent Sylvander has found it when his hopes were most remote And see said Astrea how good Heaven is and how somtimes to our consolation it causeth future things to be foretold by persons who speak them in jest I my self have found this to be so in this accident for when I was honoured in the habit of my Mistris I told Sylvander that within three dayes he should see an end of the pain wherein he was I spoke it only to keep him alive by infusing this hope and not that I thought it would come to passe yet you see I foretold the event as truly as if I had received it from the mouth of a God To make your predictions true said Phillis it is very requisite and full time you rise out of your bed that we may go unto the place where Sylvander uses to be unless you will carry your bed with you into the wood where we will go and desire that Shepherd to bring you your smock Neither you nor he need to take that pains answered Astrea pray go you unto him and bring him hither into this chamber where he never yet was whilst I was in my bed Is it possible said Alexis no I assure you said Astrea neither he nor any other Shepherd and of this I dare take an oath Never swear replied Alexis unlesse you be most certainly assured I believe you do think so but perhaps you may be deceived and what do you know but that there may at this time be one concealed and hid You are pleased to jear me replied Astrea but believe it Mistris we do keep a more reserved distance with the Shepherds of Lignon then you do think we do Sister said Diana the time was when I durst have taken such an oath as that which if I had you know I had been forsworn However said Astrea if you will please to give me a little leisure I will dresse my self to save Sylvander a labour of coming hither Upon this Alexis rose up and fetched her own cloaths unto her dear Shepherdess Servant said she I would have you take my cloaths be you my Mistris and call me servant and when I take them then I will be the Mistris and you the Servant What will people say answered Astrea when they hear me call you so They will say replied Alexis that it were strange if you should call me otherwise I being in the habit of a Shepherdesse and you in a Druides and so of me if I should call you by any other name then Mistris for my part said Astrea I had rather fail by obeying you then not to do as you command and to shew my obedience Servant said she if you do not help me to put on this Gown I assure you I am so ignorant that I know not where to begin Alexis then took Astrea by one hand did put that into one arm of the Gown and then getting upon the bed did put her other arm into the sleeve of the Gown and with so much contentment or rather rapture that she knew not what she did for this new Druide did so confidently believe her to be a woman that she did not hide any thing from her At the last she was dressed and because it was somthing late they left the house and went all together to bid Phocion good morrow who seeing them disguised in this manner did at the first mistake them but afterwards taking better notice of them he was extreamly delighted at it But these fair Shepherdesses had such a desire to put Sylvander out of his pain that without entertaining any motions of dinner from Phocion they all took their leaves of him and went unto the place where they hoped to meet Sylvander Sylvander after he had got into the wood to avoid the company of Alcander and his Brother went walking and wandering up and down all the night until it was break of day and he by fortune found himself upon the banks of Lignon where resting himself sleep so seised upon his eyes that the Sun was a good height when some dogs of the neighbouring Towns running at wolves did awake him Before his mind was thus tormented with these turbulent perplexities if he had heard the barking of a dog he would have been the first of all the Shepherds in running to preserve either his own or his friends flocks but now he stirred no more then if he had no interest in any flocks which shews that the stronger passion makes the soul contemn the weaker By fortune at the same time an Officer who used to wait at the Oracle of Mount-Verdune and who knew Sylvander passing by him and seeing him not stir at the course of the dogs he did much wonder at it and had an opinion that he was not well because it was
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
fortune for into what place soever Heaven sent this Sacred Misleto it brought with it alwayes abundance of prosperity Every one therefore prepared themselves according to the custom to honour the day and to perform those exercises which were intended as running wrestling throwing the bar and shooting the young Shepherds spruced up themselves in all their gaiety and gallantry Filintes desiring to be very fine he begged a favour of Delphire which she denied with the best excuses she could find but he who was bold enough and thought that the greatest pleasure in love was as in hunting to take what one pursues by force he put his hand about the Shepherdesses neck and took out of her head a flower made of silk which the Sister of that Shepherd had pinned there Delphire who thought it better to let him take it thus before all the company then in private after two or three times asking well said she what the sister gave me the Brother takes from me but Filintes went away unto his Sister to get it fastned to his hat it chanced that Thomantes was there who knowing the flower and thinking that Delphire had bestowed it upon him with her free consent he fell into such a jealousie that a fever seised upon him and that in so violent a degree that it constrained him to keep his bed This sudden sicknesse set the sage Shepherdesse Ericanthe off the humour of any rejoycing so as the bravery of Filintes was spoiled for this time for Eleaman having the whole authority of the Town deferred the solemnity and because Ericanthe was desirous that we should go and visit Thomantes especially Delphire she desired me to go with her and when we came to his chamber door we heard him talking very loud so as being told that he was all alone by himself we went as softly as we could to hear what he said and being very near we heard him make extream complaints as if he had received some strange injury offered unto the fidelity of his Love and perhaps he had continued longer in his lamentations if Delphire had 〈◊〉 purposely as I think made a noise being unwilling I should hear any more but she kept a great bustle at the door and as if it had been against her will oh what a noise do I make said she It is no matter said I seeming to take no notice of it upon this opening the door we entred into the chamber We found him indeed in a very bad condition for besides the violence of his fever which much perplexed him we saw his face all tears which his jealous fancy had fetched from his heart This sight though he wiped his eyes as well as he could might very well move my companion for I protest it moved me to much pity not knowing what the matter was yet doubting that it was against her that he complained so as looking upon her my very eyes invited her to give the Shepherd some comfort And she with abundance of modesty and discretion went to his bed-side Alas Thomantes said she unto him how long must our sorrows last in grieving at your sickness The Shepherd then raising himself up as desirous to thank us for the favour which we did him in the visit I am but too well in being sick answered he since such fair Shepherdesses daign to have a care of me But Thomantes said I unto him if your sickness continue you will cause small joy for the Sacred Misleto Such an unfortunate Shepherd as Thomantes answered he can never hinder the joyes of so many fair Shepherdesses especially such as are so free in their favours as they care not if all the the world do see them Delphire till now never thought that the complaints and sicknesse of this Shepherd proceeded from the flower which Filintes took from her and was very glad that she had found it out to the end she might undeceive him but not being willing that I should understand any thing of this difference she seemed as if she did not apprehend it but turned her Discourse into expressions of Ericanthes sorrows for his sickness and how much all the house was troubled at it and afterwards told him how every one were preparing themselves for the exercises and pastimes of the day and wanted assistants briefly she told him all that she could to cheer him up and to undeceive him in the opinion which he was in that she favoured Filintes more then him yet so cautiously that I could not judge that she had any interest in those favours she spoke of And because I was not ignorant that this Shepherd did love her and knew how Lovers loved privacy I walked up and down the chamber looking upon every thing in it and seemed very busie in my own thoughts and all purposely to give them the better opportunities of private talk Delphire who was very desirous to undeceive him and to lose no time lest any should come in to interrupt she bowed her self nearer him Is it possible Thomantes said she unto him in a low voice and with a smiling eye that you should be jealous Is it possible Delphire answered he that you should be so kind unto Filintes as you are and that I loving you as I do should not be as much in your favour as he Upon this the Shepherdess could not hold from laughing Oh Heavens Shepherdesse said he do you laugh at my misery What hopes can I have ever to be happy Truly said she I do laugh at a thing which you your self would laugh at with me if you knew the truth How replied he do you think I can laugh to see one whom I would have to love me love another and that I should see Filintes with my own eyes trimm'd up in your favours and not die with despair Oh Delphire if you think so of me you do more offend me by that thought then by the favour which you have given him for in your favouring of him more then me you do only intimate that I should yeild unto him in happiness but by this thought you do as good as tell me that you have an ill opinion of my love which is an offence so unjust as is not to be endured Thomantes Thomantes said she unto him never let it trouble you but set your heart at rest and be assured that in this I have not offended either against you or your love unto me that which you call a Favour was a theft a violent robbery against which I could not defend my self so many several witnesses are of it that I need not insist upon any farther clearing of my self for my chamber was full of Shepherds and Shepherdesses from whom if you will not believe me you may know the truth Now since it is thus as most truly it is have I not good reason to laugh No no Thomantes as long as you behave your self towards me as you do I shall have more regard of your satisfaction then you imagine and if