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
present and the evening in things future and the last of these would last so long as they would take most of the night being invited thereunto by the solitude of the place or by the silence of the night or by the pleasure I took in thinking upon my displeasures For Madam life was a thing of so little value to me at that time as there was nothing I desired more then to see the end of it And being now resolved to use no violence against my selfe I wished that some accident or other would be so friendly to me as to doe that good office for me without my contributing unto the homicide of my selfe And I had an opinion that if sorrow increased on as it had done of late it would doe the worke for me so as I suffered this opinion to sway so much in my mind as I could seldome begotten unto my lodging unlesse the good old man or my servant came to fetch me This kind of life was so agreeable to my humour as I was oft in a mind to quit both Arms and Fortune and stay here all the rest of my dayes And in order to this designe I acquainted my servant advising him to retire himselfe with those goods which fortune had given me which I would freely bestow upon him if he would leave me in this place where I would despise fortune and bid her defiance But Halladine in a flood of teares could say nothing else but that nothing under heaven should separate him from me unlesse onely death and that he wished for no greater wealth then to serve me Then presently after he had gotten me to bed and hearing me sigh he came unto me and since he perceived I could not sleep he said thus unto me Is it possible Sir you should harbour such strange thoughts of ruining your selfe Ah my friend said I unto him I shall not be so ruined here but griefe and sorrows will find me out And so they may very well sir said he unto me as long as you doe thus forget your selfe and what you were wont to be in so much as you will not endeavour your happinesse and try if you can restore your selfe unto that state which you have lost Halladine said I and sighed It is the height of imprudence to attempt things impossible Why sir said he should you give the name of impossible unto that which you have not tryed nor has any reason to be so perswaded For my part I have such an opinion of my selfe that any thing which a servant can doe is not impossible and I am much more certaine that whatsoever any Cavalier in Europe can obtaine you can if you will If this Thersander who is the cause of your misery had this consideration he would attempt to remove you from Madonthe And why should not you doe as much for him you were once in her favour and he removed you and believe it sir so may you him for that which has once been done may be done againe Dost thou not know said I unto him that Madonthe loves him Yes said he And did she not once love you But now answered I she wishes me ill Have I not seen sir answered he her scorn him and scorn is much further from love then hatred Hatred replyed I is further from friendship then scorn 'T is true replyed he but there is much difference between love and friendship for Love is more proud and never looks upon things that are despiseable but alwaies upon the rarest highest and most estimable things And this is it which makes me thinke that Madonthe after she had scorned Thersander so much as she did and afterwards did love him so she may as well you against whom she had onely hatred but never the least shadow of scorn Friend replied I It is the love thou bearest unto me moves thee to talke thus in my advantage I talk Sir replied he as any that is without passion may Well said I unto him what is it thou wouldst have me do My affection sir said he is it which moves my tongue and I beseech you sir receive my language as proceeding from thence And since you command me let me tell you I would have you assume the same kinde of life you were wont to live and try if any happy encounter will help you to recover that happiness which is ravished from you For I cannot see how it should any way advantage you to stay here I have ever had an opinion that Madonthe does not hate you or if she doe hate you yet that she does not love Thersander so well as you imagine or if she doe love him yet as she has changed once so she may change againe For I have heard say that the whole world is nothing but change but say she should change and yet believe you dead this change would not availe you at all whereas if she doe but see you it is impossible but she should revive her first sparks of good will unto you Put out a Candle Sir and bring it to another that is light you shall see how suddainly it will light againe The heart of one who once loved is of the same nature when it comes in the presence of the person loved whereas absence puts all hopes out and is the very ruine and death of love Well well Halladine said I unto him we will thinke upon it and see what the heavens will advise us unto then turning me about I seemed as if I had an inclination to sleep and yet it was onely because I would not heare any more disswasions from my solitary humour but the Candle being put out and I not being able to sleep so soone I began to consult and consider upon the reasons and arguments which Halladine urged and finding them upon serious consideration to be very solid and good I was almost in a mind to leave this place being especially invited unto it out of a puissant desire of dying For I hoped that being in quest after adventures I might perhaps meet with one that would bring me to my death Besides this I considered that it was impossible for me to stay long there and not be known since certainly those Fishermen would be blabbing out all they knew of me And being not far from the place where Thorismond kept his Court I could very hardly conceal my self any longer These considerations and some others which I will omit lest I should be too tedious in my discourse did move me to take the advice which Halladine gave And as soon as it was day I walked then told him that I would take his counsell and that he should look out to buy Horses for himselfe and me also to provide me Arms and other things requisite Away he went immediately the gladdest man in the world to see me in this mind and though he made all the haste that possibly he could yet he stayed some twelve or fifteen dayes before he could get my Arms
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
wit in knowing so well how to disguise a â—alfe affection under a vizard of reall love and thy judgement in acknowledging and seeing the great advantages which I have above thee But if thus thou wilt not doe then expect the due punishment for thy arrogance and doe not think to deferre the just judgement of our Mistresse by tedious and frivloous answers And because I will be a good manager of time and hasten to receive that Glory which she will confer upon me I will wave and omit many other reasons and arguments which I could alledge and refer the whole matter unto the wise consideration of our fairest Mistresse assuring my selfe that she is better able to discern then I amâ—able to speak my most just pretensions which are as clear as the Sun in the fairest day onely Mistresse I desire you to consider this That Silvander does not onely make himselfe hateable by his fictions and dissimulations but also drawes an odium upon all other men and makes all their Courtships and expressions of affection and sidelity suspected so as his crime is of so high a nature as he cannot expect any thing but punishment from a severe but just judge But faire and wise Mistresse I refer my just cause and his counterfeit Glosses unto your wise and just censure Upon this Phillis making an humble reverence unto Diana and the rest of the company she set her selfe down casting a smiling eye upon Silvander who being commanded to speak for himselfe went unto Diana kneeled down and laid his Chaplet of Flowers at her feet Then returning to his place againe he began to speak thus The Answer of the shepherd Silvander WEre I not before the Temple of Astrea who is the Goddesse of Justice and hadâ— a worse Judge then Diana who is the intimate friend of the other Astrea I should feare the miscarriage of my cause and tremble at the ensuing judgement Not that I am at all startled by the sophisticated language of this shepherdesse and any of her glossed arguments she has urged against me though I must needs say she has very cunningly contrived the matter but my greatest feares proceed from a more valid consideration for the dispate betwixt us is grounded only upon this point which of us two can best win the love of the faire Diana whom we have chosen to be the Center in which all our services and all our affections ought to meet â—his is the point which we both aim at and which is so hard to be approached as I hold it almost impossible if it did not please the Great Tautates to shew himselfe as well a Tharamâ—s in purifying my love and clensing it from all imperfections which might make it unworthy to be offered unto this saâ—e Diana as he makes himselfe appear a Hesus which is as much to say as puissant in making her so fair and perfect as no mortall is able to equall her either in beauty or perfection Perhaps Mistresse you may wonder that being in this sacred place dedicated unto the Goddesse of Justice I dare pretend unto a favourable judgement since I am deficient in this main point But oh my just Judge I beseech you heare upon what basis I ground my just pretension It is the propriety of Justice not alone to judge strictly according to the Lawes which are given us but also after she has considered the true state of every thing to establish with equity the Law of Nature which is that he who does all he can is not oblig'd unto any more and though he do not reach so high as is necessary yet is ought not to be imputed a fault in him but rather attribute it unto the Ordinances of Nature who was pleased to establish it so And he is so far from being blameable for failing in such a case as he is to be much esteemed that can arrive at so high a point as no other of his kind can go beyond him and as very few can arrive at And therefore fairest Mistresse why should I fear to present my selfe before the Throne of this just Astrea's friend although I can never attaine unto that height of perfection which is requisite in any that pretend unto Dianas love for my affection is arrived to as high a point as any other can reach and higher then any lover will ever attain unto Why then injurious Phillis to fortifie your weak pretensions should you without any reason blame me since I cannot love with more adoration then I do It is not my fault but Natures who gave me no greater capacity if I do not love her to the height of her merit but I cannot complain since the same law is common unto all mortals none being able to doe it more then my selfe But wise nature would have it so and perhaps purposely to manifest the high beauty of Diana who constraines me to love her an Act far above all humane force or power to doe and against the rule of equality which Phillis you propose to be in them who love Then shepherdesse were you not jealous of Dianas Glory you would not blame me for loving her nor tax me with arrogance since it is the force of her beauty which constraines me and since by this the grandure of her perfections are more evidently seen Aks me no more I beseech you how I durst love her for though I doe acknowledge my selfe as unworthy as your self is yet I cannot chuse but be the most lost man in love that ever was But in asking me from whence proceeds my rash pretensions unto her love and therein calls me the monster of Arrogance and presumption you doe plainly make it appear that you doe not know what it is to love nor what effects Love useth to produce You have often confessed unto me that love in it selfe is good and I thinke you will not now say the contrary your silence makes 〈◊〉 believe your consent unto it and truly otherwise you would 〈…〉 reason For if every thing produce its like that love which proceeds from thâ—â—â—â—â—ledge of any faire and good thing must needs be faire and good it selfe And that which is faire and good cannot be seen and known but it must needs be loved I cannot think you so out of all reason but that you will confesse that I shall convince you out of your own words Beaâ—ty say you has such powerfull attracts as it doth often dim the eyes of those who behold it and makes their desires go beyond all reason If then that which is faire and good cannot be seen but it must be loved and if love be fair and good why doe you call that Arrogance in me which is reasonable in another Why should you say my pretensions to obtaine her love are rash For love being good and she knowing my love how can she know it but she must needs love it if she did not it would argue a defect in her judgement which I thinke none except your selfe
Mistress see what a fine peece of sophistry my enemy uses to prove that I doe not love you and to make you despise my affection and judge whether she ever so much as heard of such a thing as love Is she not very subtile in accusing me for never loving any but you and that you were the first that ever fettered me If this be a crime I must confesse I never heard of it before and must needs acknowledge my selfe culpable for Mistress you are not onely the first and onely one that ever I loved but more you must also be the last and onely one that ever I will love And if ever it be otherwise let the Sun cover me with eternal darknesse let the Earth which nourisheth me swallow me alive as not worthy to live in it Let the Air become my poyson and may all the elements become my enemies and wise men are all mistaken in their Tenet that whatsoever has a beginning must have an end For Phillis this affection which you have seene begin shall last to all eternity But Phillis I admire you should say that if my affection deserve any reward it is all due unto you You tell me that you were the cause of it and that all which does proceed from it ought to be attributed unto you as the originall cause But shepherdesse take heed lest this being granted it doe not turn to your disadvantage for those who are the cause of any evil deserve punishment And as you say that my Mistress ought rather to laugh then love me so it must consequently follow that she ought to laugh at you and not at Silvander because you attribute all unto your selfe But Philâ—is let that be the left of your feares I doe not meane to quit my just pretensions upon any such tâ—rmes when any one does any thing for another the intention of the doer is to be considered if the intention was good the evill which insues ought not to be laid unto his charge if he be no other way culpable but if the intention was evill he ought not to have any share in the benefit or glory which shall ensue by it this being granted as needs it must let us consider before we either commend or condemne you what your intention was when you propounded this wager We shall not be put unto much pain Mistress before we discover it for she her selfe has told us The fictions said she and the dissimulations once knowne will procure him hatred But Diana knowes that all my Courtships and amorous addresses unto her doe proceed onely from the wager which you made and if all the consequents of it be fictions and dissimulations then you are the cause of them You may observe Mistresse how she thought that I would use onely fictions and dissimulations in this wager Now since it is the Intention which makes the Action either good or bad have I not just cause to say It was you Oh Phillis who by your dissembling wager gave your selfe unto faire Diana but it was my heart which did really give me unto her by the knowledge which it had of her perfections and so by consequence all the punishment which such dissimulations deserve are due unto you and all the favours which a reall and unfained affection deserves are due unto my heart Wish me no more to quit the pretended victory unto you to shew my wit and my judgement my Wit in so hansomly disguising a false affection under the umbrage of a reall love and my Judgement in acknowledging the advantage which you have over me For on the contrary I should shew my self the veriest fool alive if I did counterfeit a love unto her who deserves to be perfectly loved above all the world And I should shew but little judgement if I did not see the advantage which my true and perfect affection does give me over your faigned follies I would have you shepherdesse recant all your reproaches and be the first who shall say That there is no affection be it never so ill begun either by a wager or pastime but may prove in earnest and become reall as mine for an example But oh my enemy all this discourse is but aire and I believe in vain for we are contending with one another for the victory whilst whosoever conquers perhaps may not be the couquerer I make no question but if either of us doe obtaine the victory which we pretend unto that this Chaplet of Flowers at the feet of the faire Diana will be mine But alas Phillis my great feare is and with abundance of reason that it will prove to be neither yours nor mine for all our arguments which we have alleaged to merit her favour may be valid as against one another but not at all in relation to Diana Diana whose transcendent perfections and merits is above all the power of Nature and therefore will not be subservient unto the lawes of Mortalls And then when we say That love ought to be paid with love and that long and faithfull lovers are worthy of reward and acknowledgement This is right and good reason as to men and does oblige them to follow those precepts but not at all Diana For she is one whom heaven has elevated above the degree of mortals and is equall unto Angels To whom then should I addresse my selfe unto what should I have recourse Shall I address my selfe unto Love and have recourse unto Justice by whom all things are equally ballanced and recompenced But alas Love and Justice has nothing to doe with Diana she is above them all Address then thy selfe Silvander and have recourse unto her selfe and waving all other powers and reasons say thus unto her Then he kneeled down before Diana and holding up his hands continued Oh Diana the onely honour of her Country the glory of Men and the Ornament of the whole world Be pleased to look upon a shepherd here before you who does not onely love you and offer at your feet his service and his life but does even adore you and does sacrifice his heart and his soul unto you in a most zealous and devout manner As Nature cannot make any thing which can equal you so Love cannot kindle so great a flame and perfect affection as can equall your merit It hath pleased the great Tautates to advance you so high above all the rest of his works as no extremity of love no sincerity of devotion can in any reason hope for any grace or favour from you or that you condescend so low as to look at my complaints and grievances I doe humbly acknowledge that all human hearts and all mortall services are most due unto you and cannot be denyed you without a sinne But alas we can merit nothing all we can do is to love serve and adore you and when all is done we cannot claim any reward because all is but a just duty Under these Notions and Qualifications I now present my selfe before you
Diana Think well upon all these things and after you have seriously considered them tell me what you think of them then I will further tell you what I conceive best to be done Paris hearing Leonide speak with so much consideration and eagerness did think at first that she had some designe to marry him somwhere else and therefore desired to divert him from Diana But afterwards seriously considering her reasons and finding much solidity in them he altered his opinion and found that all she said proceeded from her affection to him and therefore he returned her this answer That it was true he ought to acquaint Adamas with his intention That he did not doubt but to find him a very good Father as formerly he had upon all other occasions That as for the conditions of Diana It was meer folly to dispute upon a thing that was already resolved and that he could as well live without a soul as live happily without her and that this did answer all those considerations That as for the approbation of his Parents he thought none of them did love him better then he did himself and that therefore he was obliged to satisfie and content himself before any Kindred or Friends That as for the good Will and Affection of Diana It is true indeed Sister said he I must ask your counsel upon that point for you being a woman as she is you may better judge of her intention then I whose passion perhaps has disturbed my judgement I have several times attempted to know her Will and the last time she was at the house of Adamas when we walked so long together I complained unto her that all my services were so ill accepted and almost thrown away unto which she returned me an answer full of courtesie and civility And when I replied that it was neither courtesie nor civility but only Love which I looked for from her she answered That she did honour me as much as any man in the world and loved me as well as any Sister could love a Brother and told me that this was all she was able to do But when I reply'd that my designe and hopes was to marry her she answered me that she had Parents who had the disposition of her and she alwayes referred such things unto their discretions But Paris said she if you will know my mind let me tell you that I do not intend to marry either you or any else no nor ever will I will alwayes love you as a brother but never as a Husband upon this Sister we were interrupted and I would not urge her any further until I had your advice how to behave my self I conjure you therefore by the affection you have ever expressed towards me to assist me for to think of diverting my affection to her is meer folly because death only is able to do it Brother said Leonide and smiled you ask my advice in a business which it seemes you are resolved upon but I beleeve your desire is I should tell you how you should demean your self to win the affection of this Shepherdesse and truly since you are in such an extremity as you say you are I conceive your best course is to obtain leave of her to speak unto her Parents for they doubtlesse considering the advantage which will accrue unto Diana by it will not be against the proposition and shee who is very wise and one that hath alwayes carried her self with abundance of prudence and virtue she dares not be against their opinion least she should be thought either wilful or in love with some other or else tax her discretion Thus may she before she be aware engage her self so far that she cannot handsomly retire But my opinion is that your best way is not to speak unto her untill the very day we depart from hence to the end that if you do obtain this leave she may not know where to find you in case she have a mind to revoke it again or at the least not find you before you have made the overture unto some of her Parents This was the opinion of Leonide which Paris resolved to follow And whilest they were thus discoursing Adamas and all the Company joyned with them And because Sylvander was grown very bold by the discourse which he had heard as soon as all complements were passed he addressed himself unto Diana Mistris said he aloud I shall not refuse the judgement of those whom you appointed so you will but be pleased to do the like you need not question said Diana but I shall consent unto it since I know my cause to be good and made choice of my Judges The difference replied Sylvander needs not so much arguing as that betwixt Phillis and me and therefore I beseech you that without any more delay the matter may be judged I shall never be against it answered Diana since I hope for a decree to passe on my side For my part replied Sylvander I derive all my right and title from the permission which you gave me which was to continue my behaviour towards you always as I did during the wager betwixt Phillis and me How replied Diana did I ever permit you to continue alwayes so Good Shepherd do you take one day for alwayes And yet I permitted you the rest of the day only which being ended you was not to make any more use of your fiction I beseech you Mistris said he do you remember how you permitted me to end that day which remained after the judgement as I had begun it and to continue my behaviour as I did before It is very true said Diana but that day is ended and I have begun another You had good reason fair Shepherdesse said he to say that you began another day because it is the quality of the Sun to begin and limit days and you are the Sun of all our Horizon and therefore you cannot say that the day which you granted unto me is ended For I beseech you fairest Mistris as long as the light continues does not the day continue also I confess it answered Diana but you must confess also that when the Sun is set and cannot be seen it is night I do confesse it replied Sylvander and thereupon I have gained what I asked for my soul and my eyes acknowledging no other Sun but those glorious rayes of your beauty and perfection most certainly as long as I am not deprived of this Light and of this Sun it is not night unto me and since it is not night have I not good reason to say that the day which you allowed me was not ended but on the contrary that it will last as long as I live because your beauty and your merits will be alwayes in my soul Diana a little surprised or at least seemed so returned this answer I cannot deny said she but that when you asked me leave for a day you might mean such a day as you speak of but I
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
owne Picture as when she was about the age of eighteen or twenty yeares she kept her eye long upon it and afterwards casting them upon the Portraiture of Euricke she could not chuse but sigh and say Oh great Euricke how fatall was the expedition which ravished thy Scepter from thee and what great cause have I to grieve since it is not permitted me to follow thee Madam replied Alcidon it must needs be confessed that the losse of Euricke was a generall losse but it would have beene much greater if yours had followed and doe you not thinke that the Gods in preserving you had a great care of me Such is their goodnesse Madam that they never reject the prayers of the just I doe wonder at that the more said Daphnide because mine are not received which were made with so much justice and reason For is it not most just and reasonable to accompany in death those whom they loved in life Adamas hearing his discourse was very desirous to heare more so as beseeching Daphnide to submit her will to the great Tautates he desired her to sit downe and to beleeve that all things are so wisely disposed by him that all humane wisdome was constrained to confesse it selfe ignorant and blind in comparison of his omniscient Providence Then Daphnide sitting next unto Adamas and all the rest of the company taking their places she began thus The History of Daphnide Euricke and Alcidon I know very well reverend Father that the great Tautates does all things for the best For loving us as the workmanship of his owne hands it is not likely he will withdraw his love from us But let me tell you that as Phisique though for our good is yet very bitter and loathsome so those afflictions which wee receive from the hands of the Gods though they be very good for us yet are they very heavy upon those that receive them Those who murmur against his will are indeed much too blame but if when they feele the smart they shrinke and bewaile it they doe but pay the Tributeâ— of their weaknesse and humanity I doe confesse that the goods which I have received from his hands are innumerable and his favours are above his punishments but we being all of a nature more sensible of the bad than the good I am forced to say that the afflictions which I have received have almost blotted out the memory of the blessings And being resolved to retire my selfe from the stormes of the World there is nothing which hinders me but the pursuit of this Cavalier whom I call troublesome This being the occasion which brought me into this Country I beseech you Father give me leave to let you understand how the case stands betwixt us that since the Fountaine of loves Verity is shut we may by your wise Counsell and advice finde some ease in our troubles Know therefore that Thierry the great King of the Visigots dying honourably in the battle sought in the Cathalaunique fields he left many children behind him successors not only in his Crowne but also in his courage and valour He who first succeeded him was Thorismond his eldest Sonne he being received King and crowned in Tholouse he made it his principall study not only to enlarge the limits of his Kingdome but also to replenish it with Cavaliers and Ladies Heaven was at that time favourable unto his will for neither Ataulfes nor Vulalia his Predecessors nor the great Thierry his Father had neere so many accomplished Gallants nor so many faire and wise Ladies as this great and generous King had It was my Fortune at that time to be brought unto the Court by my mother when I was about fifteene or sixteen yeares of age I must confesse that I did not yeild unto any of my age in the good opinion which I had of my selfe either by reason of the confidence I had in my own beauty which the flatteries of men infused into me or by reason of that love which every one is apt to have of themselvs which made me thinke all things more perfect in me than in others But so it was that me thought I did attract the hearts as well as the eyes of all in the Court The King himselfe who was one of the most accomplished Princes that ever the Visigots had daâ—gned to cast a favourable eye upon me and to carrasse me but there being a disparity in our ages he did withdraw himselfe conceiving and considering that such a love was more fit for one that was younger than himselfe At the same time Alcidon was with the King and I may without flattery say before his face that then he was the very Sun of the Court the beauty of his face his stature his hansome proportion his garbe his becomingnesse in every thing his sweet disposition his courtesie valour vivacity of spirit and wit his generosity and his other perfections did get him the onely esteeme of the time The King who was infinitely desirous that his Court should flourish in the bravery of Cavaliers above all other Courts of Europe he observing the merit of Alcidon in his youth did take a particular care of him assuring himselfe that if this hopeful Plant wat carefully pruned he would prove the glory of his Court. Never blush Alcidon to heare me speake so advantagiously of you in your presence I would have you know that my just hatred of you shall not hinder me from speaking the truth and because she paused a little as if she expected he should answer I do admire said he that you should see in me such secret qualities which perhaps all that know me would contradict and yet that you should neither see nor beleeve my extreame affection it being so great as all that know me cannot be ignorant of it I have long debated this in my soule and can find no other reason for it unlesse that perhaps you resemble those that make their esteem to appeare highest when they would be shut of the person whom they seem to esteem We shall debate that said he another time then returning to her discourse she thus cotinued Thorismond intending to furnish Alcidon with all possible accomplishments and knowing that the bravest actions and noble designes doe spring from love to sow the seeds in his soule he commanded him to love and court me Alcidon who was not so young though not above eighteen yeares of age but he was apprehensive of the favour which the King did him and knowing also that his advancement depended upon his obedience he undertooke his Commands and applied himselfe unto me as much as any one of hils age possibly could and to traine up his Youth in all compleat exercises the King caused Bals to be kept very often also Riding at the Ring and Tilting It chanced that presently after Alcidon had received this command the Ball was kept in the presence of Thorismond and the Queene it was the custome at those Bals to dresse
your Ambition For all those reasons which you alledged unto me to shift me off from you was only in favour of this cursed ambition And if the love which you say I bore unto Clarinta was so potent in me why did I reject her service as soone as possibly I could Why else should I quit her as soone as ever Euricke was dead Had Clarinta treated me worse than usuall had she made any new choice or had there beene any bad understanding betwixt her and me then there had beene some cause to suspect my returne unto you but since she never gave me the least shadow of any cause what can you thinke could make me leave her but onely the inviolable affection which I still preserved for you But Father perhaps you may aske why the faire Daphnide who had formerly made so much affection unto me appeare both before and during Euricks love even to the hazard of our Fortune and reputation should after the death of this Prince thus change her mind â—nto me and give me no entertainment For it is not likely that a Lady so admirably accomplished every way and so full of judgment should alter her humour without some occasion No Sir but will you see her reason for it out of her owne words T is true that at first she loved that Prince onely out of ambition and as she cals it Reason of State but is it strange a finger should be burned if It be held in the flame nay it were rather a miracle if it should not for that were against Nature The great Eurick was doubtelesse a Prince so fully adorned with all accomplished blandishments that allure Love as the faire one was by degrees caught before she was aware and in lieu of loving him as she said she loved him as he deserved And to make this truth evident doe but observe how sadly she has resented his losse even unto this day who can doubt but that these are effects and certain consequents of a most reall and ardent affection I cannot relate the severall sad resentments she has expressed of his death for they will but open my wounds the wider But I am sure sage Adamas that you would judge them full of extreame affection and the bad entertainment which I have received from her proceeds from no other cause but from her love unto this Prince and as an umbrage of it she would set that fault upon my score which she should doe upon the great Euricks and my misfortunes But fairest Daphnide though you have loved him not as you say in reason of State but in good earnest yet against whom doe you thinke you have offended Not against one who has not love enough to pardon to forget my even to quite erasse the offence but it against Alcidon who you know adores you he is ready to give you his life and his soule and not to upbraid you with the injury Why doe you not put forth your hand unto him and by that action of kindnesse signifie that none but the great Eurick could ever interpose betwixt you and him It is no meane glory unto me that she whom I love should have beene adored by the greatest Prince in the whole Universe nor will it be a little satisfaction unto the Ghost of that great Prince you shorld love Alcidon who indeed did yeild unto him in Fortune but excelled him in love If I say any thing which your owne soule knowes not to be most true tax me with a lie but if you cannot deny this truth why will you toment me any longer and make me doe penance for a fault which you your selfe have committed Upon this Alcidon rising from his seat and falling downe upon his knees before the faire Daphnide and taking her hand I doe vow and sweare said he by this faire hand which is onely able to ravish away my heart that I did never in my life render any homage but unto her that owes it and that it is she alone who has and ever shall have the sole power over me Dispose of me and of my fortune as you please and let Daphnide be as cruell as she can yet still shall Alcidon love her for ever And you reverend Father said he and addressed himselfe to the Druid The great Tautates hath established you a Judge in this Country why doe you not condemne this Faire one to give me that heart which she hath so often given me and taken away againe If she doe accuse me for loving any else is it possible she should know better than I my selfe She affirmes I love Clarinta I sweare and protest the contrary why should she thinke to be beleeved more than I She sees onely my outward actions but I know the intentions of my heart perhaps she will say that I would deceive her and that she would not deceive me but why should I deceive her for if I did not love her I would not care for her affection and if I doe love her can she thinke that he who loves one will deceive her Thus spoke Alcidon adding much other discourse and many arguments which Daphnide could not handsomely answer At last the Druide spoke Methinkes Madam said he that the Oracle is cleared and that now is the time to compose this difference I would to God said she that it could be so composed as that quietnesse of mind might be restored unto Alcidon and me which we have taken from each other Are you pleased Madam said Adamas that I should be your Judge If Alcidon will consent unto it answered she and if he will stand unto what you shall doome I will never be against any thing which you shall deeme fit I doe protest by all that is sacred said Alcidon that there is nothing in the World which can keepe me from loving and adoring you and I sweare that I will so farre stand unto the doome of wise Adamas that if he doe sentence the contrary I will so farre obey it as that you shall never be troubled with me and if I faile in this Oath may all the Elements he my confusion Then Adamas with the gravity of a reverend old Judge began in a Majesticall manner to speak thus Tell me Madam said he did you ever love Alcidon well Above my life answered she and doe you now hate him replyed he I hate his levity and inconstancy said she but not him But say he be not inconstant replyed he nor ever loved any but you would you then love him still and be sorry for charging him wrongfully Doubtlesse I should said she Can you charge him with any other inconstancy continued the Druid but in this businesse of Clarinta Is not that enough answered Daphnide But when he first went about to serve Clarinta said Adamas was it not by your command and did he not undertake it against his will I must needs confesse said she that in this I was unwise and he adissembler But had he made a retreate said
the like for Astrea passionately desiring to get Alexis unto her Hamlet she waked betimes And Diana fearing least Paris should find her in bed although he carried himselfe at a respective distance yet she would not put it to the hazard but as soone as she saw Astrea wake she awaked Phillis and began to upbraid her what Servant said she are you not ashamed to be asleep and your Mistresse awake Mistresse said Phillis I did not know you to be awake but methinkes you should sleepe as well as I doe unlesse Silvander were in my room Oh Servant said Diana let Silvander be where he is he does not thinke upon us and let us thinke no more of him As well as I love you replyed Phillis I would not be tyed to thinke upon you so much as he does This is a bad opinion which you have of him replyed Diana but you shall see that when I have given my judgement which will be within this two or three dayes he will presently turne to his old byas Sister said Astrea doe you really and upon your faith thinke as you say When you aske me upon my faith said she I must consider a little better before I answer but if you will know what I would have him doe I will tell you and truly that I doe love him so well and my selfe also as for both our quiers I wâ—sh as I say Upon my faith said Phillis and smiled you doe lye and pardon me Mistresse if this offend you for there was never any woman yet that was angry for being loved and served by a person of merit but on the contrary I have seen many very angry with those that did love them and afterwards did fall off from loving though they had no designe upon them Nay I will goe a little further I never in my life saw any who were not inwardly angry at such changes I my selfe who never did love Hylas yet must needs confesse that when he quitted me I was angry at him though I carried it as well as I could and the reason of all this is because as the addrâ—sses of those who love us are arguments of our beauty and merit so their departures from us are arguments of the contrary You may thinke of me as you please said Diana but I protest that if it were in my choice whether he should continue or give over his addresse unto me I doe foresee that they would both be so troublesome unto us both as I know not which I should chuse For if he doe continue it what designe can I have in suffering it For it is not probable my Parents would ever suffer me to marry a person who is unknowne and I my selfe should be ashamed that Diana should ever commit such a fault Then againe if we should breake off all amity I assure you that I should long lament it because I thinke his merits make him worthy of Love It is the greatest folly in the World said Phillis that Parents should make marriages and we are very fooles to let them Has not this brought Astrea into the condition wherein she is had her Parents left her to the free disposition of her selfe she had married Celadon he had been alive and she for ever contented whereas on the contrary Parents crossing them has killed the one and the other is little better And now the old foole Phocion would bestow her upon Calidon and is so perswaded to bring it about that he never rests Ah that I had the hampering of him I should quickly resolve what to doe What would you doe said Astrea if you were in my roome I would tell him in few words said she that I could not abide him What would be thought of a woman said Diana that should speake so and what would they say of her Mistresse said Phillis words are but words and opinion is but opinion and both but wind but to marry a peevish Husband is a thing that would be felt all ones life And therefore I shall thinke you very inconsiderate in saying that you will not marry Silvander whom you confesse to be a man of much merit and every way compleat onely because you know not from whence he came Ah Mistresse will you not eat fine fruit unlesse you know the Tree whereon they grow Oh the grossest folly of all others to pursue appearances with all eagernesse and never care for things that are recall and truly good God has infinitely blest me in giving me Parents of another mind for I assure you had they beene of such a temper I should have found them worke enough Diana smiled at this and said Your counsell Sister is very good but not to be followed alwayes For I beseech you tell me this opinion which you sleight so much and these appearances which you condemne are they any thing else but reputation which is a thing as deare as life is is there any thing upon earth more miserable than a woman without this reputation is there any condition 〈◊〉 pittifull as that of a person who hath lost it I must confesse that consider it rightly and it will be found a folly but is there any thing amongst us which is not folly if it be searched to the bottome No no Servant all the world is nothing but a glosse a vaine shadow of good though you and I doe know this to be true yet by the common consent of all it is judged otherwise and you or I must not be the first to breake the Ice This makes me thinke upon the counsell that was given amongst the Rats who resolved for their safety to have a Bell tyed about the neck of the Cat to the end they might hear her when she came but upon the upshot of the result there was none amongst all the company that durst attempt the doing it Discoursing thus these faire shepherdesses drest themselves and Astrea not well knowing upon what designe did trim up her self with more care and curiosity than she did since the losse of Celadon which Phillis taking notice of she could not chuse but smile and hinting it unto Diana Mistresse said she the shepherdesses of Lignon are of a very odde humour Why said Diana because I see said Phillis that Astrea takes abundance of paines to dresse her selfe better than ordinary For my part I know no reason she has for it unlesse it be her affection to this faire Druid whose acquaintance was but of yesterday I pray tell me is it the humour of the shepherdesses of Lignon to assect so soone and rather shepherdesses than shepherds To which Astrea answered T is true I have a greater humour to make my selfe amiable than ever I had and there is good reason for it because when I was courted by shepherds I thought my selfe of merit enough to make my selfe loved amongst them never putting my selfe to any further trouble than to be seene But now if I will obtain the favour of this faire Druid I must
ceaseth that love nay sometimes to scorne and often to hate This question answered the Druid and smiled is a question fit for Hylas and you may see that this simpathy is a blind instinct since Hylas loving and ceasing to love one and the same subject yet he does not know why he does so But Hylas I will tell you to the end that hereafter you may know the reason of those things which you doe so well practise Imagine Hylas that those impressions which the soule makes in her body by which she represents this superiour beauty of her understanding and of her Planet be indeed corporeall For she drawes the lineaments in the fancy as a Lover does the features of those he loves in his imagination and represents them in such sort in his senses and in his complexion as she makes his humour melancholy if she have any influence from Saturne and merry if from Jupiter and so of the rest And afterwards as we have already said she takes so great a custome in contemplating and approving these things as she has made it habituall which though it be very difficult to change or lose yet it may be changed and lost As we see commonly come to passe in wax and a seale Though the wax have an impression and figure yet if one will make a new impression the same wax loses the first figure and takes the new so the soule having imprinted this Coelestiall Character in the senses if they through carelessenesse be not pleased with it or else any new objects make the will rove after them it is certaine these will marke his fancy with another figure and it will so lose the first resemblance as that it will retaine no shadow of it and then the party who was loved by him or who loved him by simpathy losing this resemblance which he had he loseth also the love which it caused For even as Habitudes so simpathy may be lost and gotten but Hylas if every time you have changed you have imprinted a new Idea in your selfe there is none in the world whose impressions are not in you so as my daughter may hope that you will be more constant unto her than you have been to all the world not that she merits more then her world of Predecessors but because she is the last Every one laughed at the conclusion and Hylas had answered if Astrea had not interposed I beseech you Father said she if it be so that love doth proceed from this sympathy how comes it to passe one should be long acquainted with another without any love and yet love at last The answer which I gave unto Hylas replyed Adamas may serve unto this question At the first that person had not the Character of the beauty of this intelligence and since by a new mark as with a new seale he might have it imprinted but to demonstrate it a little clearer The soul being wrapped in these bodies of ours as long as it is there shut up as in a Prison she does not understand nor comprehend any thing but onely by the senses by which as by so many windowes she come to the knowledge of all that is in the Universe And she does not onely not understand nor comprehend but by them but also she can neither understand nor comprehend but by corporeal representations although she does study and contemplate the incorporeal substances Hence it comes to passe that she cannot have a knowledge of things more perfectly then as the senses present them unto her and if they be false and deluders they deceive her and cause her to be of a false judgement as we see in such as are sick who think meats though never so good yet to be ill tasted because their gust is depraved So likewise such as have ill eyes they oftentimes see things double or of another colour or yet though the eyes be good and sound yet some interpositions betwixt the eye and the object may delude as if they look through a blew or red Glass all they see seems to be of the same colours A straight staff put into the water will seem crooked and all things greater or lesser according to the qualities of the Spectacles through which they are looked upon Now these falsities being represented by the senses for truths the soule which gives credit unto them is presently corrupted in her judgement because the things presupposed and from whence she drawes consequences are such The Judgement being made the Will immediately consents unto it The Will I say which has that which is good for her object and that which is judged so or which on the contrary does fly that which she thinks to be evill And from hence you may understand fair shepherdesse that the reason why sometimes we see one whom we doe not love yet afterwards do love is either because our eyes and our senses whose office is to present these things unto the soule are not faithful in the functions or else the Mediums by which they act have some imperfection which hinders them from doing their duties faithfully which imperfections being removed they come to discover the truth and relate it unto the soule which then finding this resemblance brings ardently to love that which before she saw and did not care for Diana who hearkened very attentively unto Adamas Reverend Father said she and smiled I would gladly propound one question unto you did I not thinke I should be too troublesome in it No said Adamas whatsoever so sweet a shepherdesse shall ask I shall answer if I be able Surely said she the wise Adamas is able to answer many more then such a filly ignorant shepherdesse as I am can aske Tell me I beseech you since love proceeds from sympathy which is an image represented in us of that Intelligence and Planet under which we were born how comes it to passe that faire ones are commonly loved by every one For it should seem that all those who love are born under one and the same planet which we know they are not being borne at severall times I ever expected answered Adamas that this subtil shepherdesse would aske some question which was not common but I will try if I can answer it All fair things although they be differing yet have some conformity amongst themselves as all good things have and therefore some have said That there is but one good and one faire after the similitude of which all things good and faire are judged to be such Now these Planets and these Intelligences which govern them are neither good nor faire but onely as they resemble most the supream good and faire And though they are amongst themselves separate and differing yet they are not amiable nor estimable but as they are good and fair And this Goodnesse and Fairnesse having alwaies conformitie though they be in divers subjects it need not be thought strange if many doe love those persons who are faire though they be not born under
said Alexis and smiled that my servant had been more religiously devoted unto these sacred Groves and had been the first that would offer himselfe at the Altars so as thinking him gone before me I went after to seek him You saw me when you entred in as I did you said Hylas and if your affection to me had been equall unto mine to you you would have stayed behind them Good Servant said Alexis may I not as well tax your affection in not following me for I should willingly have stayed behind had I known your intention of doing so Nay nay answered Hylas this is but an excuse you might well see that the God of this place was not pleased I should enter if you had looked upon the inscription over the door Then Alexis seeming not to see it before looked up and found written That no prophane persons who were not inspired with a constant love should not enter into that sacred place And what of all this said Alexis his meaning is said Silvander That since he is not inspired with a constant love he dares not set his foot into the sacred place lest he should prophane it and in this Madam he shewes himselfe more religious then a perfect lover Servant said Alexis Is this true which Silvander saith Mistresse answered Hylas Do you desire I should love you Yes said Alexis with all my heart Then said he Lend not any eare unto any such sowers of sedition in love as Silvander Then turning towards him Do you think Silvander said he that I did not enter into this sacred Grove because I was no perfect lover as well as religious What else would you have me thinke said Silvander I think you were afraid of punishment and therefore durst not enter now no more then the first time we came unto it I will not deny answered Hylas but that I do stand in fear of angering the Gods and let me tell you thâ— this my feare is more commendable then your arrogance For is there any who have not a Tincture of some humane imperfections Ah my good friend Dost thou thinke thy selfe unsullied and therefore how 〈◊〉 you be so impâ—â—ent as to set◠〈◊〉 in this forbidden place I confesse my selfe said Silvander subject unto humane imperfections but am not so grosly follied with them as some men are I know thou it 〈…〉 company without common imperfections and yet for all then they 〈…〉 into this sacred place since the condition of their entrance is that there be no fault in their love Now I â—m most certaine there is none in mine for I had rather die a thousand deaths then suffer the lest stain of imperfection in it A very fine fancy believe it said Hylas Good Silvander tell me if there be any such pure pieces in the world as you doe imagine your selfe and if there be any pray tell me where they are You may very well ask where they are said Silvander for I doe believe you know not any though there be many in this place Pray tell me What doe you take Phillis to be She said Hylas is too merry What then of Astrea said Silvander She answered Hylas in too sad What then of Diana said Silvander she replyed he is too wise What do you say unto Alexis said he She said Hylas knows too much Lâ—â—nide continued Silvander she said Hylas knows too much 〈◊〉 too little What faultin Celidea said Silvander Her virtue replyed heâ— is 〈◊〉 unto me What do you say of Florice said Silvander That fine has a jealous 〈◊〉 answered he What of Palanice replyed Silvender She said Hylas does too soon believe that she is loved Of 〈◊〉 said Silvander She said Hylas is â—â—â—soluto What fault in Carlis said Silvander She loved me too much answered he What do you think of Stilliana said Silvander She is too subtile said Hylas What of Dâ—â—phnide continued Silvander That she has lost him answered Hylas who would have made her esteemed more faire What do you say oâ— Lâ—anies said Silvander I say replyed Hylas that I do not love her And of Maâ—â—â—â—he said the shepherd She answered he is too like Diana Oh Heavens said Silvanderâ— Can I propose none in whom you will find no fault You have forgotten one shepherdesse amongst us said Diana and that is Stella Very true indeed said Silvander what do you say of her I must confesse said Hylas then that if she continue pleasing me as well as she hath done this morning I think that I shall find her according to my own mind How how servants said Alexâ—s presently will you quit me for her Hylas after he had thought a little bâ—â—ter with himselfe answered very faintly No no Mistresse I would not quit you but I hope I may let you have some company Why replyed Alexis cannot you content your selfe with me Fie fie I must needs complain of you to all the world 〈◊〉 you are too blame answered Hylas for have you not alwayes told me that our loves should be equall Most true replyed Alexis Then replyed he if it be equall you should let me love another besides your selfe since you doe the same Whom do you see me love said she besides your self Whom said Hylas What 〈◊〉 you doing all the day upon this Country wench called Astren Oh servant said Alexis she is a womanâ— Well then said Hylas may not I also love a woman Servant said Alexis if you were a woman as I am it were then allowable to love a woman but since you are not I have great reason to be jealous I beseech you Mistresse said Hylas let 〈◊〉 law be equall betwixt us No said she I can never consent unto so much wrong to my self And believe in Mistresse said Hylas I will not lose any of my priviledges I peâ—â—cive said Diana there is like to be a divorce betwixt you For my part said Astrea I shall be 〈◊〉 gaâ—â—ner by it which way soever it be for if they do break off I shall possesse that 〈◊〉 one to my selfe alone and if they doe not yet since she 〈◊〉 Hylas to love Sreâ—â—a I shall have the more opportunities of talking with her whilst he is entertaining his new Mistresse And for my part said Hylas I shall be also a gaâ—â—er By it for if we be divorced then I shall be free and if we continue then I shall have 〈…〉 to love me 〈…〉 of one I perceive said Alexis that the losse will be onely 〈◊〉 For if Hylas doe cease loving me I shall lose the friendship of a person whom I value an a high rate of esteem and if he do still love me with a condition of loving another I shall have but one half of a servant whilst Stella has the other 〈◊〉 as which way soever the wind blow it will be against me But servant is there no meanes to make you 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 Stella from having a share Alexis spoke this in such a resenting manner as one would have thought her in
should end the remainder of the day as you began it since Alexis and Astrea would have it so If I thought answered he that when this day is ended I should have done loving you I vow by him that gave me life I would not live it out You are permitted replied Diana to continue on your way of behaviour as long as the day lasts but take notice that the Sun is going to set and that then the day ends The day answered Sylvander doth last as long as there is any light I confess it answered Diana and therefore within an hour after the Sun is set there will be no light nor by consequence any day to continue the behaviour which your Wager permitted you Give me leave to tell you Fairest Mistris said he That no time can limit the service which I owe you nor any forbiddance has power to divert me from that real Affection which I have vowed unto you And fairest Shepherdess Let me further tell you in words of Truth That this Wager first began without any other Design then to conquer Phillis and for pastime unto the company But since those perfections which I have found in you have made it appear that there is no jesting with Love and that it is impossible to be long neer a great fire and not be burned Sylvander said Diana If you do intend I should believe these words I must answer you That I am so much dis-obliged by you as I cannot tell whether I shall ever forget the wrong if I did not think you intend to close the day according to your Wager I shall yet receive all you say as I have done since the difference betwixt Phillis and you began But when the day is done Take heed how you answer me that I may know what to do And I heartily entreat you to think well upon it Sylvander seeing Diana more in earnest then he imagined and fearing that if he went any further she should for ever banish him he resolved to incense her no farther but to refer it unto time which by his long services might have better influence upon her hoping that perhaps she might be glad of the like occasion to receive his Services and assurances of his Affection under the same cover which she now received them and therefore looking her full in the face Fairest Mistris said he The day is not yet done and when it is I shall be-think my self how to answer you In the mean time give me leave to use the priviledge which you granted me Upon that account answered Diana I shall most willingly entertain your Discourse But me-thinks you should begin now to talk as you must then for you see the Sun is almost set It is long Mistris answered he before you and I shall come to an accompt since the day you have granted me must last as long as I live As you live replyed Diana I shou'd be sorry your life should be so short and am so much obliged unto you as to wish it may last long Will you be pleased Fairest Mistris said he that we make choise of one to regulate this matter betwixt us Who would you chuse answered Diana Whom you shall please replied Sylvander so it be one that ever in their life loved Shall we refer it said Diana unto Astrea and Phillis With all my heart answered Sylvander though I know Phillis to be my enemy You are mistaken answered Diana and smil'd for however she seems the contrary yet there is not one Spepherdess that takes your part more really then she But I would not have our dispute to be made a publique business as that was betwixt Phillis and you for several considerations Let it be this night when every one is retired for we all sup this night at Astreas house where Phocion does treat Adamas and Daphnide and us all and there we may talk as privately as we please Oh what consolation were these words unto Sylvander For Dianas desire of secrecy was an argument unto him that his business was upon good terms And the truth is The good will of this Shepherdess was by degrees more and more inclinable unto Sylvander so as though she knew not well what to do yet it was impossible for her to dis-ingage her self In the mean time Asrea and Alexis went talking together and as it is usual in Discourse to pass from one subject unto another they fell at last upon the judgment of Diana Fair Shepherdess said Alexis unto Astrea Shall I speak my mind freely unto you As unto your self answered Astrea Then said Alexis What do you think of Sylvander's love I think answered she that this Shepherd is very deeply in love and that if Diana did not carry her self very prudently I should fear she does not dislike of it For my part replied the Druide I am of opinion that she does not wish him ill You are not singular in your opinion Madam replied Astrea for I have observed that the addresses of this Shepherd are not at all displeasing unto her and the truth is Sylvander is no despiseable Shepherd nor have I met with many of more merit Upon this she stood silent and so did Alexis At last Astrea began again with a deep sigh It is most certain said she that Diana does love this Shepherd and both Phillis and my self are the cause of it for we did constrain her even by force to permit Sylvander to make address unto her and though it was at the first in jest yet it proved afterwards in good earnest and I foresee that unless she take good heed she will not so easily dis-engage her self as she imagines Be pleased to know Madam that Sylvander is a Shepherd unknown and nothing beholding unto Fortune since she has concealed from him both his Country and the knowledge of his Parents So as Diana who has as high a mind as any Shepherdess in all the Neighborhood will never permit Sylvander to serve her openly be his merits never so great nor would her Parents who are the principal of all about the Banks of the Fatal Lignon allow of it And yet I see that Sylvander is so much taken with her Beauty and Perfections as I dare lay a wager that nothing in the world neither the rigour of the Shepherdess nor the forbiddance of Parents nor any other obstacle whatsoever can divert him so as when Diana commanding him to speak no more unto her as he did during the wager he will constrain himself a little but it will be absolutely impossible for him to overcome himself so as after so many great expressions of his affection the more he would hide it the more will she see it through his constraint I will not say any thing of what I have already thought concerning Diana for loving her as I do I should be very sorry to see her any way miscarry and yet considering the way she takes it is almost impossible she should do otherwise What does
any thing that could offend you As thou sayest thus unto her fall down upon thy knees and present thy naked Breast unto her that if she please she may take that heart which loves and adores her and which cannot rest until it be in her fair hands Upon this Alexis all in a rapture stepped forward as if he did intend to effect his thoughts and perhaps had now discovered himself had he not upon a sudden reprehended himself thus Oh Celadon said he canst thou be thus disobedient unto the command of this Shepherdess Must thou be upbraided with failing in the Laws of perfect Love Hast thou thus long served this Fair one with unstained affection and now by an imprudent and rash Act which will bring thee too late repentance spoil all O Celadon Dost thou not remember these words Go disloyal Lover and never see me again till I command thee Canst thou I say remember this and have so little affection as to dare to disobey No no saâ—d he Die die first and carry to the grave a pure and innocent love without any stain or reproach Upon this with teares in her eyes she went out of the chamber to view those places where formerly she had received so much contentment and to ask an account of all those sighes and desires which she had so often committed to their custody At first she went into the garden through which an arm of the River Lignon runs Then looked upon the Fountain which is in the midst of it over which stands the Goddesse Ceres upon an Arch supported by great Columns and under which is a great Basin resembling a Crown that receives this pleasant source Approching unto this Fountain she there washed her hands and her face as formerly she was wont and looking upon it here is the very place said she where Astrea has so often vowed eternal affection unto me This is the Fountain where taking my hand in hers she swore that she would sooner cease to live then cease to love Celadon Then stepping forward with a trembling pace to the basin which held the water here are the Letters of our Names said he engraved by her own hand Oh ye witnesses of my extream affection and now ye just accusers of the fairest Shepherds in the world why are you not defaced out of this Marble as well as out of her heart Or do you remain here still to upbraid her with her change Then going from this Fountain she went into a little wood of Hasels where the walks are contrived with so many turnings and windings that they will deceive those that walk in them and make them lose their way in going out again This was the place which brought into his memory his past happiness which he now resented so bitterly that his teares did testifie his grief For it was in this little wood where he was wont to talk often with his Fair Shepherdesse when their Parents even weary with crossing their loves did permit them more liberty of seeing each other and talking together then before they used Calling into memory therefore all the passions which she resented in that place and all the vowes of fidelity which she received from her Shepherdesse she could not chuse but wonder that she could forget all the vowes and oathes which she had sworn in that place This thought entertained her a long while not without the company of many a sigh and many a tear and had not her walk conducted her before she was aware unto the side of that arm of the River Lignon which ran about all the Garden she had not so soon got out but the sight of this River did so freshly revive the memory of her former happinesse as she could not chuse but sit down upon the bank and was so much transported out of her self as it was a long time before she knew where she was All this while she did not remember that perhaps Astrea would wake and that Leonide and she not finding her in the chamber would wonder extreamly what was become of her And so it hapned for it being already late enough Astrea wakned and the Sun shining very gloriously into the room she looked towards the bed of Alexis but seeing all the Curtaines open and none in bed she raised her self a little higher in the bed to look a little better and seeing she was not there she could not chuse but sigh so loud that Leonide heard her and asked her whether she was sick No answered Astrea but I am troubled that I cannot see Alexis in the bed where she lay the last night How said Leonide and started up is shee not there Then raising her self a little and finding it true and that the door was open what in the name of Heaven is become of her said she I beleeve said Diana that she is gone to walk before the heat of the day begin Leonide was afraid that the melancholy humour of Celadon might make Alexis take up some new resolution yet least she should discover too much of her thoughts unto these Shepherdesses I beseech you said she unto them let me dresse my self as soon as I can and see if I can find her for if Adamas should know that I let her go alone he would be very angry with me The Shepherdesses rose all out of bed and made such hast that they were ready before the Nimph although she made all the hast that possibly she could And going by Fortune out of the same door which opened into the Garden they went unto the Fountain of Ceres which Leonide found to be a very fine piece and exquisitly wrought From thence they went forward into the grove of Hazels and as if they were guided through that Labyrinth by the thred of Ariadne they came directly to the River side where Alexis was lying upon the ground and as fortune would have it was rising up to view the rest of those places where she had left so many marks of her former contentments and extream affection Astrea spied her first and shewing her unto the Nimph said unto her I think Madam that Diana can divine for see where the Druide is walking all alone upon the banks of the water which runs into that fatal River of Lignon Leonide then seeing that Alexis had no such intention as she feared she was very joyfull but as she was advancing towards her she heard one call upon her and turning her self about she saw it was Paris who seemed a far off very desirous to speak with her and because she knew not what his businesse might be and perhaps it might be such as was not for Diana to hear Fair ones said she I beseech you go you unto Alexis and stay with her whilest I go and see what businesse Paris hath with me The Shepherdesses were very glad of this commission for Astrea longed to see the face of Celadon in that Druide whose voice words and gestures were so resemblant unto that Shepherd
with an ill will and she remained alone with no less displeasure for though till then she never had the least resentment of Love yet these last expressions infused strange imaginations into her fancy and presently after considering upon the merits and perfections of the young Andrimartes and calling into memory the expressions of his particular good will unto her Love did begin so gently to scratch the skin that it became such an itch as by degrees became a wound incurable As soon as ever Andrimartes could steal away from Childerick he returned to Silviana begging a thousand pardons for leaving her alone and excusing it with the force which that young Prince used unto him I cannot blame him answered Silviana nor your friends for desiring the happiness of your company Oh Madam answered Andrimartes that you would rank your self in that number and think it a happiness to have my company Do you doubt of either replied Silviana No no Andrimartes you have merits enow to make all become your friends and desire your company and I have known you too long not to esteem them accordingly Madam answered he I should think this evening the happiest time of all my life could I think the Fair Silviana did ever daign to cast her Fair eye upon my actions and if I could have any assurance in what you are now pleased to say The young Silviana not dreaming that Love would oblige a heart to give it self away but thinking it only a piece of pleasing complaisance and delight in the company of one person with another she did believe that Andrimartes did Love her and also did intend to Love him as a Sister may Love a Brother or a Daughter a Father and therefore according to the innocency of her age and simplicity of her soul she answered him thus Be assured Andrimartes that I do really Love you and whereas you desire to have some assurance of my words I will most willingly give it protesting unto you that I do not Love any Brother so well as I do you Andrimartes who was older and more capable of Love then she did know very well that all this was but the words of a child yet thinking that he had already brought her to a very good passe he contented himself for that time hoping that time and continuance of his Courtship would work this innocent Love into such a perfect affection as he desired and therefore taking her hand he kissed it and with a smiling look said Now Madam do I think my self the most happy and best contented man alive since I have received this declaration from you which I desire above all the world only one thing more I beseech you Madam let me beg which is that you will be constant unto this assurance which you have given me and that you will be pleased to let me bear the name of your Brother and to call you Sister as an obligation unto us to continue in this amity With all my heart answered the young Lady and I do promise to Love and esteem you as much as if you were my Brother Andrimartes would have answered had it not began to rain which caused them both to remove however since that day he courted this young and Fair Lady so close as by degrees he taught her know that Love was not to be confined by the Laws of Friendship nor kept within compass of a meer good will for in a few days she loved him in such a height as she perceived it to be a thing impossible for her to make a retreat So as one day when she met him upon the banks of Seine where Methina according to her custom was walking and taking an occasion to retire themselves under a shade of Trees she said thus unto him Do you remember brother for so she called him what discourse we had in this place when I engraved my name upon the bark of yonder Tree Doubtless I do Sister answered Andrimartes and shall remember it as long as I live no time is able to desace it out of my memory for it was then I received my greatest hopes of happiness from you What did I then say replied she which gave you so much contentment These Madam answered he were your own words Be assured Andrimartes that I do really Love you Brother said Silviana will you have me confess the truth unto you I would have you believe said she and smiled that when I spoke those words I knew not what I said how Sister replied he presently not know what you said Certainly I did not answered she for how could I give you assurance of a thing which I was ignorant of and did not know Then said he unto her you did deceive me 'T is true indeed said Silviana I did deceive you but it was when I was first deceived my self for I must confess that when I said I did Love you I did not know what it was to Love and yet the good will which I had unto you did make me think it was Love which was only a childish kind of an inclination Andrimartes hearing her say so he was a little startled fearing that she intended to break her promise with this excuse But she who had other intentions seeing him so mute and suspecting the cause of his silence Brother said she be not troubled at what I say for it is only to give you a fuller assurance of that affection which I have unto you let me tell you now that I am more knowing then I was then and am better able to discern your merits and affection to me I know now what it is to Love not only as a Brother but as Andrimartes and knowing this I do protest unto you that I do Love you as well as you ought to desire Andrimartes hearing this welcom expression kneeled down upon the ground and said Should I employ all my dayes in thanks Madam and spend all my blood in doing you service I were not able to recompence you for this happiness which you have conferred upon me by this declaration but since you are pleased to be so infinitely good give me leave to beg that you will also be pleased to compleat this my happiness What is it said Silviana that I can say more Have I not professed that now I do know what it is to Love and that I do Love Andrimartes as much as he ought to desire I desire a little more Madam answered he for perhaps you may say that I ought not to desire so much as I do Then Andrimartes answered she I do Love you as much as I oght to do yet a little more good Madam answered he for there is not amongst men that can assume so much honour to himself as to say that you ought to Love him Then replied she I do Love Andrimartes as well as he does Love me upon this Andrimartes was satisfied Now said Silviana I will go further and do more then you desire for I do Love Andrimartes
quite contrary unto what you call fair All this were right replied Corilas and smiled if the beauty of a Woman and the beauty of a Dog were all one and the same thing Nay nay said Hylas this excuse will not pass and if thou wert but as learned as thy master Sylvander I would ask thee questions concerning Ideas of Beauty But thou my Friend who art not so high a Flyer I must deal with thee by demonstrations more easie and sensible Thou thinkest that thou hast given me a sufficient answer in saying That the beauty of a Woman and the beauty of a Dog are not the same But what wilt thou alledge when I shew thee that the beauty of Women has a contrary estimation The Gauls esteem white to be Beauty the Moors esteem Black to be the same The Transalpines loves those that are high coloured almost red they esteem great and fat women to be the prime Beauties the Gauls are for the slender and lean The Greeks admire the Black eye the Gauls the Grey All Europe esteem a little mouth red lips and an even proportioned nose The Affricans quite contrary a wide mouth flapping lips and a large saddle nose Now my good friend prithee tell me wherein does Beauty consist If thou dost deny it to be in the opinion of him that looks upon it tell me no more that Alexis is fairer then Stella since thou judgest by the Genius and Rules of thy Country and I by mine which is Camargue for I will tell thee that according to the Rules of that place where I was born there is none so fair as she who pleaseth Every one did laugh so much at the discourse of the Inconstant Hylas that Corilas could not answer him and just as he began they heard a Shepherd begin to sing who by his voice was known to be Sylvander All the company did presently turn their eyes upon Hylas as if they did advertize him that now he was like to have a more powerful enemy Stella who took notice of it Servant said she all the company looks upon you to see whether you begin to look pale at the encounter of this fierce Champion I amongst the rest do expect to see what defence you will make of my Beauty for I should be very glad for your own honours sake if you can with honour bring about the enterprize Not that I care for my own Interest at all for I do know very well that if Beauty do consist in opinion there is not a Shepherdess in the world who has more of it then I have Mistris answered he let this Giant come when he will I value him not it is not the first time we have grapled together Then said Corilas I am confident the victories were never doubtful No more then those I obtained over you answered Hylas I should confesâ— answered Corilas if you could perswade me that Stella is fairer then Alexis you have gotten a most signal victory of me It is very hard replied Hylas to perswade a man that is wilful but I am contented that all who hear us do judge me to be in the right If they do replied Corilas it may be said that Right is without Reason In the mean time Sylvander came unto them with a countenance of contentment more then he had cause for For Diana who was not able to dissemble her anger and left her countenance should discover it more then she was willing she went unto Phillis and whispered in her ear I beseech you Sister said she do not follow me for I am constrained to go unto Astrea upon a business which I forgot and I would not by any means draw you from this good company I will do whatsoever you command me answered Phillis but I shall be very glad to go with you Do what you please said Diana but if you do come let it be a little after me Upon this she went away four or five paces and then as if she had remembred somthing which she had once forgotten she turned hastily back to Phillis and said unto her in a low voice Be sure Sister you remember the Bracelet of my Hair for I desire you by all means to get it from him and afterwards I shall be extreamly desirous to hear what discourse you have had with this Lover of Madonthe Sister answered Phillis you believe upon too light grounds but if you will I shall speak unto Sylvander and give you an accompt of his answer His answer said Diana No Sister I desire it not nor any thing else from him but that unfortunate Bracelet which he had of mine But if you will take so much pains as to observe his countenance and gesture when you ask it of him you will do me a pleasure if you relate it unto me I know your mind answered Phillis and smiled and therefore trouble your self no further but commit the care of it to me Upon this Diana went away as fast as she could go and durst hardly look back lest she should give some suspition of the passion which she desired to conceal On the other side Alexis and Astrea who were separated from the company purposely to enjoy themselves in freedom of discourse they were no sooner alone but Astrea with contentment began thus I cannot tell Mistris what will be the end of my Enterprize nor how the Destinies will dispose of me but this beginning is so infinitely pleasing unto me that nothing can be added unto my desires for I am able to say that hopes never durst promise unto themselves so much as the kindness of my sweet Mistris hath granted unto me Servant said Alexis such is your merit that you may well assure your self of all the favours you can desire from me But if you will oblige me consider I beseech you how favourable the Heavens are to me in meeting with you For having such a bitter remembrance of the change in that woman whom I loved so well and yet do love her that bitter memory of her is driven from my heart by the sweetness which I find in your amity making it appear that the best remedy against a misery is alwaies the contrary Give me leave sweet Mistris replied Astrea with a little smile to tell you that by these extream favours which you do me you do make me jealous Is it replied Alexis because I say that I do love this Maid still of whose change I complain so much Have I not a little reason for it said Astrea Servant said Alexis You have no reason for it for I love you as my Servant and her as my Mistris This answered Astrea does not remove my jealousie but rather much more augment it because the love which one bears unto a Mistris does much surpass the good will which one bears unto a Servant Well Servant said Alexis to let you see that I will conform my self unto any thing you would have me I will take this course To cease loving this
for I see her run and make signs certainly she stands in need of us Upon this all of them doubled their pace and Diana as if some Demon had inspired her did feel such a kind of unaccustomed temper upon her heart as made her almost divine what the matter was When Phillis was come nearer and within distance of hearing Oh Diana Diana cryed she out Sylvander is dead Sylvander is dead Sylvander replied Diana who killed him You and I answered Phillis you in commanding me and I in obeying you At this Diana was seized with so much sorrow that she could not speak a word nor go one foot further making it appear that in her heart she never believed what was reported of Sylvander and that what she said against him was only words of an offended Love which was prone to jealousie Astrea and Alexis on the contrary who did highly esteem the vertue and merit of that Shepherd Alas alas said they is he dead It is but too true answered Phillis his face is pale and all tears do but follow me a little and you shall find him in the condition I tell you Then both of them began to run after her as fast as they could they presently saw him lying all along upon the ground and in the same condition Phillis left him Diana who followed a slower pace after them lest she should too much discover that passion which she desired to hide she no sooner cast her eye upon the Shepherd but her cheeks were all tears which she was not able to with hold and which to testifie the sorrows of her heart forced their passage through her eye-lids And because the modesty of this Shepherdess would not permit her to discover this passion she stayed ten or twelve paces from her companions and turned her self fromwards them seeming as if the accident did not trouble her But Alexis Astrea and Phillis out of abundance of compassion were very busie about him one lifted up his arm another his head and a third feeling if his heart did beat but finding no signes of life in him they gave over all hopes and said unto one another that he was dead These words reaching the ears of Diana were so many sharp swords which wounded her heart with new sorrows and coming unto Phillis she whispered her in the ear Good Sister seek about his arm for the Bracelet which you know of lest it should be found Phillis to give her companion satisfaction and thinking that she had good reason to desire that none should know of it she took the Shepherds arm and pulled off the Bracelet But as she was untying it she and her companions also spied a mark which in all probability he had worn from his Mothers womb it was a branch of Misleto so plain that any might know it to be so for the leaves the berries and the knots of Branches although they were not green yet were so perfectly marked that none could doubt it to be Misleto Whilst they were busie in looking upon this Misleto and untying the Bracelet and Diana at a good distance from them Sylvander revived out of his swoon but so much amazed to see himself in this condition and amongst so many Shepherdesses that he knew not whether he dreamed or waked All three did not a little rejoyce to see him alive after they had lamented his death for the vertue and merit of that Shepherd did get the love of all that knew him When he revived Phillis had not quite untied the Bracelet and though he perceived they had unloosed his sleeve yet he did not perceive the theft but thought that they only untied his sleeve to feel his pulse Alexis seeing that he spake not a word but let them do what they would unto him she thought it good to begin Shepherd said she unto him How comes this to pass What Does your Courage fail you Sylvander taking Alexis for a Shepherdess by reason of her Habit he thanked her and her companions for the pains they had taken about him and then told them that it was rather a signe of want of courage to endure the miseries which he resented and not die No no said Astrea you are deceived for it is courage to surmount all manner of accidents whatsoever and believe me your misery is not so great but being a man you may easily surmount it Phillis who feared that this discourse would renew his grief Come come said she Let us talk no longer of miseries and disasters but let us think how to cure them Sylvander then answered Astrea taking her for a Druide because of her Habit This Shepherdess Madam said he knows the Grandâ—ur of my disease better then any other and therefore she thinking it to be incurable has reason not to have it spoke of But said he and raised himself up though with pain the good Genius which hitherto hath had a care of my deplorable life will conduct me ere long unto a place where I hope to find a cure though that Shepherdess think it impossible Upon this thanking them for their help he offered to go away But all of them considering how wildly and ragingly his eyes looked they were afraid that he would kill himself Astrea as best experienced in the like accident she took hold of his arm and seeing that he took her for a Druide Know Shepherd said she unto him that the Genius of whom you speak commanded me to come hither as well to help you as to tell you for him That he would have you live with assurance that his aid shall never fail you neither in this occasion nor any other Also that within three days you shall find some favourable effects of his assistance unless you want will and courage to wait the time Remember what I say and I take all these Shepherdesses to witness that I have told you Upon this Astrea who counterfeited her voice as well as she could lest she should be known she went away seeming as if she did not know any of the Shepherdesses in the company and as if her coming thither were only upon that occasion Now see what power an opinion of Divine assistance has over the spirits of men Astrea had no sooner pronounced these words but Sylvander received them as coming from an Oracle so as beginning to hope again those wilde and raging looks which despair had brought into his eyes did leave them and his countenance became more calm and setled Afterwards with a religious look he kneeled down upon the ground lifted his hands and eyes up to heaven and uncovering his head he said From you oh omnipotent Tautates and Tharamis Do I expect that help which from no other I can hope for You know my punishment to be unjust and that I am not guilty of that fault for which I am condemned Help therefore Oh great Gods those injured persons who trust in you Alexis who saw Astrea go away and who could not endure to be from her
answered she that there is such a passion which is called by that name and which men are not capable of We will not meddle with that yet said Sylvander but I am contented that you do confess there is such a passion which is called Love Then tel me I beseech you what do you think this Love is It is said she a certain desire to possess that thing which one judges good and beautifull There is not a Druide in all Gaul replied Sylvander who could have given a better answer then this Fair Shepherdess But continued he and turned towards her is there not in the world some Animals that have reason and some that have none I have heard say answered Dorinde that there are such And in which of these two ranks replied Sylvander will you place man You put me to it said she and smiled for I cannot deny but that they are rational in some things and not in others and most commonly without any reason at all Yet is it not true added Sylvander that men do always seek after their delights and contentments Of this answered Dorinde there is no doubt for there is not one of them but will lose the best of their friends rather then the least of their delights I am satisfied replied Sylvander then that you confesse there is a Love that this Love is a desire of that which one thinks good or beautifull and that men are very earnest to accomplish their desires Now it will be an easie matter to prove unto you that men do not only Love but also that they do Love better then women If what I have said answered Dorinde presently will help you to prove what you say I will unsay it again and I had rather be reproached with it then such a false conclusion and consequence should be drawn from any thing which came from me All the company began to laugh at this answer and desired Sylvander to continue on which he did in this manner There needs not many words Fair Shepherdess to decide the business for it must of necessity be concluded that since men have such violent desires of their contentment and the will having nothing but a good for its object or at the least esteemed so it follows by consequence that Love being nothing but a desire as you have confessed he does Love most who has most objects of good before his eyes and the woman being much fairer and fuller of goodness then man who can deny but that a man Loves better then a woman who has not so worthy a subject to imploy her desires upon I do confess all said Dorinde until you come unto the conclusion which you infer you cannot replied Sylvander unless you take away that advantage which women have above men and therefore it is better for you to confess that there is none in all the world that knows how to Love so well as man yet if it happen that any judg the contrary it is not that the truth is so but is like a streight staff which being put into the water will seem crooked and all that we see through a glass seems to be of the same colour that the glass is for the Meduim by which the sight is conveyed does represent it false to the eye Even so it comes to pass that the actions of a Lover are seen and judged otherwise then indeed they are and all by reason of some defect in the Medium through which they are seen But the truth is every man does Love and this assertion is so true as one may boldly say that all those who Love not are not men for there was never any man that did not Love Though Sylvander was in no fit humour for any such discourse yet he could not but smile when Dorinde answered and when he began to offer other more solid reasons he was prevented by the coming of a great company of Shepherds and Shepherdesses who where all returning to their several homes as well to dine as to pass away some hot hours of the day in the cool shade and therefore he desired those Fair Shepherdesses to give him leave to retire himself for that time They who were very desirous to hear him talk and had a desire also to rest themselves especially Dorinde they invited him to their Cabin but he excused himself upon a promise that when they pleased at any other time he would better explain himself upon this subject Upon this leaving them Dorinde after she had considered well of him I must needs confess said she that if all the men of this Country were like unto Sylvander when I speak of my hatred unto all men in general I must except those who live about Lignon In the mean time this great company â—rew neer and these four strangers having no mind to engage with them they retired themselves to their Cabins so likewise Sylvander who desiring to shun all company he was no sooner out of sight but he sate himself down under the first hedg he came to entertained himself with his own new thoughts But his good Genius who had the care of his conduct being not willing he should gangrene his wounds too much by being alone did conduct all this great company which he desired to shun unto the very same place where he was and so opportunely that when he began his complaints he was prevented by their coming and some of them knowing him by sight did stay all the rest to ask him whether he knew where the great Druide was or else where he was that used to judg causes in his absence The great Druide Adamas answered Sylvander is perhaps at his house which is a remote distance from hence on the other side of the River Lignon upon a little hill which you may see on your right hand as you go to the great City of Marselles but the Druide Cloridamantes is not far from hence dwelling at an ancient Pallace which is called Julius after the name of him who conquered Gaul Then all the company entreated him to conduct them thither to the end they might have more speedy justice upon an injury which had been done unto all the Shepherdesses of Lignon and by one whom they had brought along with them Sylvander hearing this and casting his eyes upon the Shepherdess that had been wronged also being much moved as well by her beauty and modesty as by the general offence he thought himself obliged to conduct them although he had a great desire of staying alone to complain against his misery and disaster He quitted therefore his shady bush and went before them to shew the way having an opinion that if he did otherwise the Gods perhaps would punish him for the offence which others had committed since they had directed this company unto him All the way as they went this great company observed a very wary and strict silence which was no small contentment unto Sylvander for by that means he could both
did give poison unto the Fair one but it was because I was deceived by the words of him whom I could not suspect to have any such thoughts Let the fair Silvanire tell you how she found Alciron and me about her when she awaked with a Bottle of Water which we cast in her face to awake her All those of Menanders house can testifie that it was Alciron who hindred that Faire One from being embalmed lest it should have hurt her Oh Cloridamantes Could I but be declared innocent of this imposture I would willingly confess all the other crimes which are charged upon me I value not the torments of death a rush so my love and my fidelity be preserved pure and innocent for them do I extreamly desire to carry with me unblemished into the other world Thus spoke Tirintes leaving all the Auditory ravished at his resolute alacrity and pittying his mis-fortune Alciron who could not endure to see his friend thus at the stake and himself the author of the crime Sage Druide said he Tirintes is not only cleer and free from any guilt against Silvanire concerning the glass which I gave unto him but also from all the consequents of it for first though the glass be broken yet the pieces are to be seen and easily tryed whether the composition be mortal poyson or only of a stupifying quality It is compounded of such ingredients as Fossinde hath named here are the pieces and tryal of them if you please may be made then he pulled out his handkerchief wherein he lapped them up when Tirintes in anger against Fossinde broke it Every one turned away their eyes lest they should be tainted by the virtue of this Stone and Cloridamantes himself commanded him to put it up no no said he I cannot believe that either you or Tirintes had any such abominable intention because it is an act so extreamly horrid as it cannot be imagined it should enter into the thoughts of any in this Country but if you have any thing to say which will quit Tirintes of the violence which he offered unto this Shepherdess you may speak it before all this Assembly Then Alciron offered to speak as to that when Tirintes interrupted him Peace peace friend said he unto him for I will dye and happy is he that dyes who cannot live happily Yet I thank thee hartily for thy good will and evidencing that it was not my intention to make Silvanire dye whose life I beseech the Gods preserve to eternity But for all this the affection of Alciron made him begin to speak yet he had no sooner uttered the first word but Tirintes interrupted him again Oh sage Druide said he it is only compassion upon his friend and not the truth which makes him strive for some arguments to defend me for my part I disavow what he says and beseech you not to believe him but to do Justice according to the Law Cloridamantes then after he had imposed silence upon Alciron and the rest he arose from his seat and went to gather the voices of the other seven Druides for when the life of any one was in question they were to call that number at the least to assist them The time which he imployed in taking their votes was very long because there was some difference of opinions concerning the judgement Tirintes being resolved to dye since he had no hopes to obtain Silvanire all delay was tedious unto him Aglantes and Silvanire who thought the pain no less then a death to be separated one from the other they expected the issue of their enterprise with incredible impatience at the last the Druide after a long dispute and debate of the matter came and took his seat then pronounced these words The Judgement of Cloridamantes WE Cloridamantes being established in the absence of Adamas our Arch-Druide by the Great Tautates by Amasis and by all the order of Druids and Cavalry to do Justice in this Country of the Segusians after a full hearing of the difference that is betwixt Menander and Lerice of the one part and Aglantes and Silvanire on the other and also of the accusation preferred against Tirintes for an attempt against Silvanire after a long solemn and serious debate and consideration of the premises We do Sentence and declare that a Father and a Mother have by the Laws of God and Nature all that power and authority which can be had over free persons and that their children in this quality cannot disobey them without offence against Laws both divine and humane but withal we Sentence and declare that children are not born slaves but free for otherwise it were a shame for Fathers to get none but slaves and it would be a most miserable blemish to the Country that it of all Gaul should produce none but people of such vile quality for these causes therefore and for many other just and good considerations us thereunto moving we do ordain publish and declare that marriages be free and that no contract be but with consent of both parties that are to tye themselves together with that holy knot and that the rigour and compulsion of Fathers in such cases be held as tyranny and be null Upon these grounds this contract betwixt Aglantes and Silvanire is declared to be firm and indissolvable all due circumstances and conditions being observed And furthermore as in Justice to Tirintes since slights subtilties and artifices are permitted by the Laws of Love we do publish and declare him free and absolved from the fault which he is charged with by the artifice of the glass but in as much as all manner of force and violence is expresly forbidden by the Laws of Love and since it is averred that he hath made violent attempts upon the person of her whom he loved we do declare him guilty of high Treason against that great God and his Laws and therefore we do doom and condemn him to be thrown down headlong from the Fatal Rock The faces of all the Company were full of great joy and of great sorrow at this Sentence Aglantes and Silvanire and their friends seeing their marriage was declared according to their wishes their joyes were tryumphant on the other side abundance of Shepherds and Shepherdesses grieved for poor Tirintes for he was a very kind and courteous Shepherd and such an accident had not hapned of a long time So as every one was very sorry for him and blamed Fossinde for her bitter and malicious accusation Tirintes himself was the only one who seemed not to be troubled at it for he received the Sentence of death with a smiling and contented countenance and turning towards Silvanire Shepherdess said he unto her I hope that now you are contented and indeed so should I be if I did but go out of this world with a pardon from you Tirintes said she unto him with tears in her eyes if your life were in my power as well as a pardon be assured you should
either one or both and I could not be so inconstant unless I were a fool or a mad man This thought entertained him a long time and would not let him depart from that place he thought to have found that contentment which he had loft but on the contrary he met still with fresh causes of grief for wandering insensibly from one thought to another he began to think upon the sweet beginnings of his affection and with what discretion Diana received the first buds of his love under the notion of a wager with what kindness she suffered that plant to take root and how prudently she saw it grow up to that grandeur which now is arrived at And as concomitants of this thought he set before his eyes the pleasant jars of Phillis the favourable answers of his Shepherdess and briefly all those reasons which he had to hope that his affection would thrive and grow fruitfull Then did he bethink himself of that Bracelet of hair which was intended for Phillis and which he had obtained of Diana as an extraordinary favour He guided his hand to the place where he was wont to wear it thinking to have the contentment of a kiss from it but not finding it he looked upon the other arm but not finding it on either he was surprized with so much grief as not being able to endure the blow of that disaster he fell to the ground and so lay a long time without either motion or speech but at last he revived and concluded that now all hope was gone Sylvander had no sooner ceased his complaints but as he thought he heard some coming towards him and to know who they were and also out of fear to be seen lest by that means he should be interrupted in his solitary thoughts he kept still close and silent then did he plainly hear some coming and talking very loud but not so as he could understand them at that distance yet still keeping silence and they drawing neerer he perceived by the help of the Moon that they were two men talking together and when they were close by the place where Sylvander stood they stopt a little then did he hear one of them begin to sing and the effect of his song was That he had more love then she had cruelty He had no sooner done but the other began and the substance of his song was That he ought to love her for no other end but to love her Ah Brother said the first and interrupted the other you are in the right for whosoever does love for any other end but loving only he does abuse the name of love and most unworthily proâ—ane that pure and Sacred Divinity But give me leave to tell you that in what you alledged before concerning the torments which you and I do suffer you have as little reason as I have much to say that there is no torment in the world that is equal unto mine Brother answered the other with a deep sigh that love which every one doth bear unto himself is the cause of that judgment for when you see me suffer any pain do you not resent it more then any stranger would Doubtless I do answered the first Then Alcander replied the other the same reason which makes you resent my pain more then another does make you resent your own more then mine for as it is natural to love a brother more then a stranger so it is as natural to love ones self more then any else it is love which gives the weight unto all things which fall under opinion I do not know Amilcar said he how you intend this It is true that I am partly in the same belief and partly not I mean that it is love which doth cause resentment of sorrows and joyes and that it is by it and its ell we do measure the greatness or the littleness of all things but that every one does love themselves more then some others Indeed brother I must confess that if this be an effect of nature then nature has failed in me for I do protest and vow that I do love Circinca a thousand times better then I do my self and it is an easie matter to make this evident since I do find in my self towards her all the effects which a most extream love can produce for first I had rather any evil should fall upon my self then the least upon her and I desire her contentment infinitely above my own there is nothing be it never so full of difficulty but I would attempt it if there was any hopes it would conduce thereunto If any thing that pleased me displeased her believe it Amilcar I had rather dye then receive it and if these be not infallible arguments that I do love another better then my self I know not what are Brother replied Amilcar I do resent the very same effects of affection unto Palinice which you do unto Circinea but oh Alcander you are much mistaken if you do conclude thereby that you do love Circinea better then your self or that I do love Palinice more then I do my self For if we will but ingeniously confess it is the love of our selves that makes us love them and as the miser does expose his life for the preservation of that Gold which he loves so do we Sacrifice our selves to the pleasure of those fair ones whom we adore Fie fie Brother replied Alcander will you offer such a wrong unto our loves as to compare them unto a misers love of Gold Assure your self brother said Amilcar soberly there is no difference betwixt them only the love that we do give unto these fair ones is for a thing of greater value and merit and therefore it is more noble and reasonable but the very truth is the original of all loves is self love does not the misers care to preserve his dearly beloved Gold proceed from the love of himself and not his Gold Doubtless it does for what cares the gold into whose hands it fals since wheresoever it is it is still Gold as well as in his hands Then let us apply this reason unto our selves and you will find that it is the love which you hear unto your self which makes you have all those cares of Circinea and all those earnest desires of her contentment would you wish her so much happinesse and endeavour to procure it unto her upon condition she should extreamly love Clorian and devote her self wholly unto him without ever caring for you But did she love Clorian replied Alcander she would not be so happy as you suppose her But suppose she should be as happy said Amiliar would you wish her the enjoyment of all those contentments with Clorian I see you will not answer nor have you any reason but I will answer for you it is most certain that you and I had rather see the grim face of death then to see your Circinea happy with Clorian and I to see my Palinice the happy wife of
to your advantage To his advantage said Diana yes said Sylvander to my advantage so far as by my death to take me out of this misery No no said Phillis it is clearly in favour of Sylvander if Diana will Either I do not understand the words of this Oracle said Diana or else the words of it do not at all relate unto my will But said Phillis if they do relate and depend upon your will will you let this will consent unto his cure Diana made a stop at this and did not answer which gave occasion unto Alexis and Astrea to speak and addressing themselves unto Diana they told her that if this Oracle had any relation or dependency upon her will it was an argument and will that the Gods did command her to consent If the Gods said Diana do command me and Alexis and Astrea desire me I cannot in all reson refuse Will you consent said Phillis unto whatsoever the Oracle would have you I will answered Diana Nay said Phillis I will not trust you without an Oath swear therefore by the God of Lignon and by the Misleto of the New-year that you will consent unto any thing that shall be necessary for the rendring this Oracle advantagious unto Sylvander I do said she provided that I may not contribute any thing but my will Then Sylvander said Phillis rise up thank Diana for the favour she has done you and henceforward esteem your self the happiest Shepherd of all Lignon and hearken how the Gods have pronounced unto you all manner of contentment by this Oracle As for the first verse which tells you that your present pain shall quickly cease there needs no better interpretation then the event which you have already found As to the second which seems such a fatal saying unto you it is delivered in an ambigious manner as most Oracles are the ambiguity rests in this word Marry which has a double sence and may be taken two wayes first we usually say that a husband does marry his wife and secondly we say that the Druide does marry the husband and the wife and it is in this last sence it is to be understood that Paris must marry Diana he shall become a Druide like unto his Father Adamas and it shall be he who shall marry you together But said Sylvander and sighed I must not expect the accomplishment of my desires but in Sylvander's death Ah thou ignorant Shepherd replied Phillisâ— have you not told us a hundred times that he does dye in himself who does perfectly love another And therefore the Oracle does advertise you that you must not expect the accomplishment of your desires but by the death of Sylvander that is by loving Diana so as thou shalt dye in thy self and become her Astrea and Alexis hearing this doubtlesse said they the Oracle is to be thus understood and there wants nothing to make good her promise but adding her will Diana who perhaps was as well pleased with this interpretation as Sylvander could be though she made it lesse appear do you not see said she that I am not concerned at all in the businesse Nay nay said Phillis never deny it for it is plain that the Oracle refers wholly unto you do â—u not see that Sylvander can live in you and dye in himself if you will Love Sister is one of those misteries which cannot be in a single person moreover do you think that Paris can marry you unto Sylvander unless you will Unless you will give the Gods the lie and unless you break your Oath you must make good all that the Oracle would have you which is that you do not only let Sylvander love you but also that you love him so as he may live in you and you in him Ah Sister said Diana and turned a little the other way no no said Phillis and took her by the arm let me hear no more of your ah Sisters there is no middle way to be taken you must either be perjured or do as I say otherwise there is no recovery of this Shepherd Sister said Diana with a becoming blush and holding down her eyes what would you have me do I would have you observe the Oath answered Phillis which you have sworn and promised what did I promise said Diana and smiled you did swear answered Phillis to do all that was necessary to make this Oracle advantagious unto Sylvander 'T is true said Diana and what ought I now to do You must as I told you before replied Phillis love Sylvander in such a manner that he may live in you and you in him That answered she is above my Oath No said Phillis for amity consists in nothing but the will Diana said Alexis and Astrea you must needs give your consent Well said Diana after much importunity since you command me I will this will said Phillis must be a little better explained and say that I will love Sylvander so that hereafter as he lives in me I will live in him Oh Heavens said Diana is not that too much Yes said Sylvander too much for my merit not for his merit of affection replied Phillis nor to satisfie the Oracle Well said Diana I will do all that Alexis Astrea and Phillis would have me but if it be a fault let it be yours and upon the counsel which you give me so be it said Phillis but furthermore I do ordain that for assurance of your words Sylvander by your consent do kiss your hand with a protestation never to depart from your obedience Sylvander fell down upon his knees ravished with too much joy and was so surprised at this unexpected happiness that taking Dianas hand and kissing it it was a long time before he could speak one sillable and looked as if his eyes were dazled with too much light this inexcessive joy did almost take away from him the use of reason but his silence and his raptures had more eloquence in them then he had and better-spoke the grandeur of his affection then his tongue could and had it not been for Alexis and the Shepherdesses who helped him up he had continued long in this amorous extasie not knowing so much as what he did Diana her self was no less moved though she set a better gloss upon it but Phillis who observed all this and helped him to recover come Sylvander said shee unto him must I be still your enemy Do you see how fully I can revenge those wrongs that are done unto me The Shepherd being a little returned to himself I must needs confess Phillis said he unto her that you are the sweetest enemy that ever was and confesse also said she that I have as much power as the greatest Gods for wherein is their power more seen then in the good and bad fortune which they give And have not I when it pleased me made you the most miserable and then when it pleased me the most happy man upon earth What is it that fortune can
discreet Shepherdess replied Delphire that we have made you stay so long and we do find our obligations doubled since we have greater hopes that our cause will receive a more equitable judgment by the assistance of your company of which do not doubt for all our rest and tranquility depends upon what you shall please to ordain amongst us But oh just Judge said Thomantes and interrupted what shall be done unto those that are condemned and will not observe the Sentence which you shall doom This question is not moved without reason for I have seen this fair one pointing at Delphire so negligent in the observance of those Laws which all other humans hold inviolable as I have good cause to fear she will not observe what you shall ordain if it be against her mind Oh Thomantes said Delphire this reproach is insupportable and were I not in hopes that ere long our just Judge will revenge all the wrongs which I have received from you I would demand Justice upon this injury in particular You are so accustomed replied Thomantes to complain without a cause as I do not think it strange you should now do the like nor think it a lesse wonder to hear me speak so openly and freely having all my life behaved my self towards you under the Laws of such a grand respect that any complaints were not permitted me in my greatest pain but now we are here before our Judge and it is fit she should know both your cruelties and my torments that she may the better give judgment upon them I will not enter or hold any Discourse with you said Delphire but will only hint unto our Judge to observe from your language that it is the highest injustice to blind Justice Only beseech her not to lose any more time in hearing you but imploy it upon that which she is ordained unto by the Gods Whilst Delphire and Thomantes were talking thus Diana seated her self upon the ground and Alexis Astrea Phillis and the rest of the Shepherdesses seated themselves in such places where they might best hear this difference argued Filintes and Asphales with Sylvander did the same Now said Diana fair Shepherdesse and you courteous Shepherd if you desire any thing from me let me understand your demands and difference and in best order thereunto it is very fit you make choise of one which knows all the passages betwixt you to relate them unto us and afterwards both parties to speak for themselves Fair and Wise Shepherdesse said Asphale then we are four Shepherds and two Shepherdesses that are interested in the judgment which you are to give and therefore if you think it good Androgenes said he and pointed to him or I will relate unto you what concerns Thomantes Filintes and Delphire and afterwards either Filintes or Thomantes will relate the difference of Dorissea Androgenes and my self I conceive answered Diana that for brevities sake it is better that the Shepherdesses make the first relation and not the Shepherds who know too well to answer their reasons and therefore Dorissea I do appoint you unto the office not only to relate what concerns Delphire but also what concerns your self not questioning but so direct a Shepherdesse will give us true information Hereupon Dorissea after a low reverence took her place and after a little time of consideration she began thus The History of DELPHIRE and DORISSEA IF those who have heard tell of jealousie had but the experience of it as we have Oh Wise and Prudent Shepherdess doubtless they would all say that it is a great enemy unto love and as cold is contrary to heat so is it directly contrary to that passion which causeth love for fear iâ— the Mother of it and consequently it must be cold but love is always burning and in a flame Some on the contrary do esteem it to be the daughter of Love and so necessary to its preservation that as the water which the Smith throws upon the fire to make it burn more violent and ardently so likewise jealousie augments and makes the flame of love more violent in the souls of Lovers Had you not commanded me most Wise Shepherdess to relate unto you the differences betwixt Delphire Thomantes Asphales Androgenes and my self I would have instanced some examples to prove what I say but I assure my self that in the Discourse which I shall make unto you there will appear so many proofs of it as will force you to confess with me that if love can hardly be without jealousie jealousie can never be without effacing love Be pleased to know then fair and Wise Shepherdesse that Thomantes being the only son of his Parents was brought up with abundance of tender care by the Wise Shepherdess Ericanthe his Mother and by Eleaman his Father so tender was their care over him that they would never suffer him to be out of their presence as thinking that as soon as they lost the sight of him he was lost for ever And because Eleaman and Ericanthe were the wealthiest in all our Town as well in the great abundance of flocks and pastures as in the great number of Shepherds and Shepherdesses unto whose charge he committed the care of them the young Thomantes was brought up in all the qualities and exercises fit for a Shepherd of his rank in which for his age he did so profit himself that none in all our coasts could equal him Being got out of the hands of his Nurse an ancient and Wise Pastor was set over him as his Governour not that he was thereby excluded from the company of those women who waited upon his Mother for on the contrary he was amongst them till the age of ten or twelve years so beloved and caressed by all as well were they that could love him most for besides his being very amiable and had all the good qualities that one of his age could have he was looked upon as the darling and delight of the Pastor Eleaman and of the sage Ericanthe their Mistris But as it commonly happens at that age rather by instinct then by election to love one above another the young Thomantes no sooner saw ten years of age but he shewed a great inclination to love Delphire who was then brought up with Ericanthe and and not above eight or nine years old at that time Their innocent age and their design without design not being yet instructed in the art of dissimulation every one took notice of the particular affection of Thomantes unto Delphire whereof Ericanthe was very glad as well because that Shepherdesse was indeed very handsom and worthy of love and service as because many do think that there is nothing does more awake and enliven youth nor rouse it up unto noble designs then love doing in this the office of Steel which makes a flint to sparkle that is of it self cold and without light One may easily imagine what kind of infantine affection this was which they bore one
not out of habitude yet at the first he seemed to take no notice but dissembled his passion as discreetly as possibly he could Asphales also whose head was full of that news which was written unto Thomantes concerning the affection between Androgenes and me he also made a fair shew and set himself to be a spy over our actions out of which he drew no consequences to my advantage I know not how it came to pass but I being at that time in Ericanthes chamber where there was a great number of Shepherds and Shepherdesses Androgenes desired to talk with me as it is usual at such assemblies for every one to address themselves unto such as they have familiarity withall rather then unto strangers but because I took notice that Asphales observed us being unwilling to give him any occasion of discontent I turned another way and would not speak unto him and see how one is somtimes deceived in their design this action being observed by Asphales it made him suspect all that he saw not and think that all was true which had been written concerning Androgenes and me and the worst was Androgenes observing how I declined speaking unto him in consideration of Asphales he never sought for any opportunity of speaking unto me during all that Assembly but there being a great Looking-glasse upon the table which was fixed to the wall this discreet Shepherd did cast his eyes into it and as fortune was I looked into it at the same time Androgenes shrugged his shoulders as if he complained of my behaviour to him and I not utterly to disoblige him did wink upon him with one eye which perhaps was some contentment to him but I protest it was only out of desire to hide the odd humour of Asphales but as ill suck would have it he took notice of all these signs and supposing thereby that there was some close correspondency betwixt us he was so netled that he went out of the house and was not seen all night Perhaps you will think it strange discreet Shepherdess that Thomantes and Asphales who at their departures had such small shares in our good will should at their returns pretend so absolutely unto them but you must know that they obtained our affections during their absence more then whilst they were continually with us for when they were amongst us and served us we supposed they did it because they saw no greater beauties then our selves but when we heard that after they had seen the world and in it many beauties superior unto ours and yet kept themselves constant unto us we esteemed their affections at a higher rate so as by our Letters to them they knew that their absence obtained that which their presence had denied them This was the reason that the least favour which we shewed unto others seeming unto them a taking away their dues they could not endure we should so much as look upon any but them If we chanced to cast the least glance of an eye upon any one then these Shepherds or rather these Tyrants were ready to flye in our faces and would oblige us to such a constraint as was intollerable but because Delphire and I did not like to be banished from all the world we continued our conversation not only with Filintes and Androgenes but also with any others that addressed themselves unto us the number of which was not small and behaved our selves towards them as was fitting lest we should give occasion unto any of speaking ill of us which they did take so ill that after they had called a counsel amongst them two as if they were to govern and direct us they resolved to put a face of coldness and afterwards to seem as if they loved some others But not knowing whom to chuse for such a business they would only seem to stand as Neuters and be indifferent and for a conclusion they came at last unto down right incivility for so may their behaviours unto us be termed since they did not only leave off addresses and courting us as they were wont but when they met us at any time in Ericanthes chamber or any where else they would not so much as look upon us If at any time we found them in a place where it was impossible for them to turn away their eyes from us it was with so much scorn and they rendred their salutes in such a disdainful manner as was not civil This strange way of behaviour and proceeding caused every one to take notice of it and almost all that heard of it did tax them with inconstancy and levity but they on the contrary maintained that they were the same they were always wont to be that they had not changed but loved us and honoured us as much as ever they did that it was business which they were constrained to follow concerning the estate which belonged to their family which did divert them and hinder them from imploying all their time in those trivial services which they were wont to render Delphire and I must confess oh sage Diana that after we had several times talked together for our fortunes were the same and required the same remedies we resolved to take all manner of excuses from these two wavering minds by retiring our selves from all those who might give them the least umbrage and to do it the more handsomly we took this occasion Eleaman and Ericanthe took great delight in seeing Comedies acted by those in their own house and Delphire as she that had the best wit had commonly one of the best parts It hapned that Delphire in the play was to tell a Shepherd that he was never to hope for any thing in her affection by chance she spied Filintes very near the Theater harkning and admiring her action and conceiving him to be the greatest cause of jealousie in Thomantes when she was to speak unto the Shepherd in the Comedy she turned her self directly to Filintes and as if he had hore a part in the play and said thus unto him I do swear unto thee Shepherd that I can and will sooner die a hundred deaths then love thee cease all thy hopes trouble me no more with thy love for Shepherd I do hate thee The face of Delphire being turned towards Filintes and her eyes and gestures addressed unto him was a cause that not only the poor Shepherd knew her meaning but also Thomantes and almost all the Spectators which caused all eyes to be cast upon him who durst not before all that company let his anger appear A few dayes after when we were upon the banks of the Christal River of Lignon and as we were passing away the time upon the Sands by the River side Asphales Androgenes and many other Shepherds and Shepherdesses were all about me and I writ upon the Sand I LOVE Androgenes looking over my shoulder and seeing what I had writ upon the Sand is it I said he and smiled for whom you writ that word
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
you should be in full possession of Dorisseas favour was it not strange that meeting her eyes and Androgenes in a glass you should forget so many favours received which could not be merited by you nor any person in the world But the greatest wonder of all is that after you both had committed such high crimes crimes which in Love are impardonable you should still dare to ask and pretend unto the same favours and the same graces which you had so ungratefully disdained I am even ravished with admiration to see you dispute with them and question who is in the wrong but the wonder of all wonders is that you durst be so impudently bold as to enquire of the Oracle and to see with what confidence you present your selves before a Judge to demand justice For if justice be done unto you what lesse can you expect then to be banished from all places within the Dominions of Love or rather condemned unto all punishments that ungrateful wretches do deserve These oh just Judge are the faithful Lovers who after they were even loadned with favours and graces did not only ungratefully fall off from those services in which they ought to have continued until death but have even scorned those whom they ought to have adored nay more they came unto that height of ingratitude as to scandal them and contrive infamous Libels and Songs against them can you ever think that these fair ones will ever endure to look upon you again without blushes O ye good Gods in what an age do we live Must those that sin and wrong innocents not only escape punishments but pretend unto recompences and rewards Fie fie unfaithful Lovers leave it unto Androgenes and Filintes to ask for recompences and rewards for it is only we that by the Laws of Love deserve them and we do protest here before all this Company that if Thomantes and Asphales be not punished for their ingratitudes and infidelities and if on the contrary Filintes and Androgenes do not receive recompence and wages for their affection and fidelity then there is no hope that within the Dominions of Love any wrong or crime will ever be punished or any benefit or virtue rewarded since these highest degrees of sinners do passe unpunished and we without recompence or reward When Filintes had done and set down Asphales and Dorissea would have answered for themselves but Diana answered That sufficient information had been given already on all sides and therefore she took Alexis Astrea Phillis and Sylvander a part and asked their opinions concerning the difference betwixt these Shepherds and Shepherdesses at last she returned again to her place and pronounced this judgment The Judgement of DIANA LOve as all things in the universe are is preserved and perfected by motion and contrariety and in as much as this motion cannot work upon things that are in themselves solide and stable without some exterior Agent the motion and agitation which can preserve and perfect Love which is of it self firm and stable and requires another mover and it is often times moved by jealousie the daughter indeed of Love but a bastard not legitimate and yet almost inseperable We do see also that it is from jealousie all these trivial quarrels and petty dissentions do arise which by the sages are called Renewings of Love but yet it is to be understood it ought to be the Mother but no long the Nurse for if she suffer them to suck of her milk too long in lieu of trivial quarrels and petty dissentions they will be changed into great divorces and dangerous hatreds which in the end will most undoubtedly smother Love Now this difference before us betwixt Delphire and Dorissea on the one part Thomantes and Asphales on another and Filintes and Androgenes on another part does demonstrate these several sorts of dissentions and divorces For betwixt Filintes and Delphire appears only those petty and indeed amorous dissentions from which Loves takes a pleasing and acceptable strength and increase Betwixt Thomantes and Asphales towards Delphire and Dorissea appears nothing but these disunions and dissentions too long nourished by the milk of an obstinate jealousie by which if Love be not quite smothered yet it is in the agonies of death and gaspes for breath On the contrary one may see in Androgenes a patient sufferance which may be suspected of a little Love without his perseverance and continuing to love her These things being long debated and seriously considered by us unto whom the charge is committed by the voice of the Oracle We do declare that Thomantes and Asphales have transgressed against the Laws of Love and against that duty which they owed unto the name of Lovers in nourishing so long these dissentions by their inconsiderate jealousies That Filintes and Androgenes on the contrary have in all their actions shewed a most exact observance of all those duties requisite in real Lovers And in as much as impunity of crimes and good actions unrewarded are causes of ruine in all Estates and Republiques We do ordain by virtue of the power which is given unto us that all those services which unto this day Thomantes and Asphales have rendred under the notion of Lovers and Servants unto Delphire and Dorissea and that all the pains and inquietudes which they have suffered in loving them be taken as nul and as if they had never been not pretending unto any recompence or gratification for the future And on the contrary we do ordain that the services which Filintis and Androgenes have rendred unto Delphire and Dorissea and all the pains patience and inquietudes which they have suffered in loving and courting them shall remain in force and validity and serve them for the future as of right they ought Yet notwithstanding since repentance does almost by force exact a pardon We do ordain that if Thomantes and Asphales do really repent of their crimes and would love and serve Delphire and Dorissea a new they shall be obliged to receive and entertain them as new Servants and Lovers who from this day forward do begin to serve them and to shew their merits And as to the four queries which were put by Thomantes and Asphales we do say by way of answer unto the first That a Shepherdess may without any offence unto constancy suffer and permit but not seek nor desire to be served and courted by many Unto the second That this plurality of servants not sought to nor desired but suffered only does not allow a Lover to have many Mistrisses unless which is not likely they be such as are only suffered and not desired nor courted Unto the third That both the he and the she Lover ought to live amongst all but unto one only imitating in this fair fruit upon a tree which is looked upon and admired by many but tasted only by one mouth As to the last that he does go beyond the limits of constancy that does any thing which may offend the person loved And to the end that for the future such an ignominious ignorance amongst Shepherds may not be upon the banks of the River Lignon We do will and ordain that the aforesaid questions and resolutions be written by Sylvander under the Table of the Laws of Love to the end they may be seen in the Temple of the Goddesse Astrea FINIS
of wordly affaires to live in this sweet and harmless tranquillity Infinitely happy you are in all respects happy are you in this Country of Forrests happy in being obeyed and loved as a great Druid but much more happy in being so near a Neighbour unto the pleasant bankes of Lignon which is furnished with more accomplished shepherds and beautifull shepherdesses then ever bore the Name Madam answered Adamas I acknowledge all you say and do profess that I would not change my happinesse with the greatest Monarch upon earth having nothing to pray for from the Great Tautates but onely that it may continue for many yeares As for the commends you are pleased to bestow upon our shepherds and shepherdesses I am assured that they will not receive them without blushes though they will take any thing well which proceeds from you But Madam said he as you have heard the cause of their courtship will it please you to hear their judgement With much contentment said Daphnide Then the Druid turning towards Phillis It was you shepherdess said he who first provoked Silvander unto Combate and therefore it is reason you should also be the first who shall produce your Reasons and Arguments why the victory should be yours The Speech of the shepherdess Phillis I Did not think Mistress that amongst all the shepherds in this Country especially about Lignon any one would have been found so full of vanity as to think himselfe worthy of the esteem and love of a shepherdesse so full of merit as Diana Diana I say the most exactly accomplished and most perfect beauty that ever bore the name of shepherdesse And yet fairest Mistresse you see this man this arrogant man stand before you in a posture of Love and his head crowned with a Chaplet of Flowers as if he had already got the victory which he most unjustly pretends unto But shepherd I pray tell me from whence proceeds this rash presumption and what pretended reasons can you possibly have Thy hopes cannot be grounded upon thy own shallow merits when thou dost but look upon the perfections of Diana for they are such as holding no proportion with thine love cannot be produced by things so farre unequall I am confident thy own impudence cannot be so brazâ—n-fac'd as to deny the truth of this but thy own soul must needs tell thee that there is nothing in thee which can equall her perfections How durst thou be so arrogant and rash as dare to love her But as this is high impudence yet methinks that to pretend unto her love againe is much more extream But Silvander what colour canst thou have for this thy fond pretension what should make thee think of obtaining her love before me Thou canst not deny but every thing is naturally inclined to love its like and I being a woman as our Mistress is certainly she must needs naturally love me more then thee But besides this what will cause love sooner then long acquaintance and continuall converse By it perfections come to be better known and by it merits being better known love must needs take better and deeper root and by it occasions doe present themselves every minute to render reciprocall amity and devoires which are the very Nurses of a true and reall affection Now thou canst not deny but that I have had a longer and more intimate acquaintance with her then thou hast she her selfe knowes it and is able to contradict thee if thou dost deny it But should I wave all these Reasons yet I have one which will put thee to silence at the least unlesse thou bee'st impudence it self You must of necessity acknowledge thatâ— whatsoever is most faire and perfect is also most amiable and to be most esteemed then shepherd your cause is quite ruined for our sex being much more perfect then that of men thou art driven to confesse that I ought to be loved before thee But wave all these considerations again can counterfeiting lying and dissembling ever cause love Do you think that the faire Diana does not know that all thy addresses all thy services and all that affection which thou strainest thy selfe to make appear unto her is onely in respect of that wager which is betwixt us and proceeds only from a desire thou hast to overcome me and not from her beauty or wit Methinks I heare the answer already that it is true and that this reason might not be alleadged against me since the wager is reciprocall and all the demonstrations of affection which I make may have the same fault But shepherd you are mistaken for I loved her long before our contest began and I am sure she loved me which is more then thou canst say since all thou didst was onely to come amongst us and never look upon shepherdesse in way of love nor I believe hadst thou so much confidence as to dare it But speak the truth Silvande and confesse that before this wager thou didst not discern any difference betwixt Diana's face and mine or any other shepherdesse of Lignon And dost thou not thinke that all these extream passions which thou dost counterfeit in thy discourse all these languishings raptures transports and follies does rather invite one to laughter then to love This manâ— Mistress that is all in flame and rapture that does so Idolize your beauty at every word and that is ready to die with superabundant love This is the man that a minute before our wager began did hardly know whether such a one as Diana lived or at most had no deeper knowledge of you then what your name gave him And yet he can at a minutes warning be all in a flame all affection all love all yours will not such folly as this move more laughter then affection But admit that your beauty has kindled some sparkes of love in him Is it not my selfe unto whom all the recompence is due since it was onely I that am the cause of it It is most certaine and Mistresse you know it that if I had not upbraided him the wager had never been made and if it had not he had never been so bold and confident as ever to look upon you so as if he will pretend unto any favour from you for any services which he hath done unto you since that time is he not obliged unto me for it for making him what he is It is I then who in all reason may pretend unto any merits that are in him â—ince all his devices and all his actions which made him amiable in your eye ought to be put upon my account and teckoned unto my advantage Cease then shepherd contending with me for a thing which thou knowest to be my due prevent that judgement which thou canst not avoid consent that the glory shall be given unto me which my Fortune my Quality and my merits have given unto me before thee which if thou dost thou wilt make thy selfe appeare to be a man of wit and of judgement Thy