my life Nay may I not disown him for a Friend since he will not doe the same offices for mee in my necessity which I did for him Nay more May I not account him the most cruel enemy I have since he pursues me against all reason with such violent arguments to my very death The very thought of Ingratitude from such as we have obliged is so extreamly odious unto all as I cannot possibly give punctual answers unto every particular instance of this Shepheard who hath so extreamly offended me Give me leave I beseech you Madam to present this offer unto him in a few words As he ows his life unto mee for yeelding Celidea unto him I will release him of that obligation so he will yeeld her again unto me And to make it appear that he is out of all danger he cannot deny but that it is above a month since Celidea refused him She told him that she would never love him she let him know that her Mother promised not to marry her against her consent and at the same time told him that heaven and earth should meet before she would contract any affection with him yet for all this ye see he lives and strives to take away the life of him that did preserve him Since he is most certainly assured that Celidea will never be his is he not the most ungratefull person in the world in offering to hinder mee from obtaining her There is not any hopes for him and hee would also ruin all mine Should he desire that another should enjoy this happinesse before me the whole world would never know the like Ingratitude I gave him that which was mine and hee will not let me have that which is not his I saved his life by depriving my self of that which was most deare unto me and he will refuse that unto me which never was his But great Nymph all these hot disputes 'twixt him and me are me-thinks to no purpose since his misfortune and my too much affection unto him hath taken from us both that happinesse which we are disputing about What right can you have unto Celidea since she does not love you You will say no other but from your affection to her and from my gift But Shepheard what pretence can you have from your affection since you see she disdains and refuseth you And what can you pretend unto by my gift since I gave you no more than what I had my self to give Now all the right that I had depended upon her own will and if this will be contrary unto mine what power or right had I in it Therefore Shepheard you can have none nor make the least shaddow of pretence unto any Now I beseech you let us see what right I my self can pretend unto Oh heavens how great would it be if there was no Calidon in being An affection begun in the Cradle so long carefully continued a courtship so full of pure intentions an affection so violent and so long in possession of favours all these would make my cause very strong if Calidon were not in the world or had no eyes or else if he could have guided them according to reason I must needs confess fair Celidea and so I do with teares in my eyes and sorrow in my heart that you have more reason to complain of me than all your words and mine can expresse I acknowledge that never did any affection receive a greater affront than yours hath by my imprudency yet who should endure nay overcome great difficulties but those who have strength and courage 'T is true I have extreamly wronged you but may not you make this an occasion to shew how highly you can love by passing by and pardoning such an offence What testimonies of your love have you heretofore promised me What is it which you have not said you would surmount for my sake I do now summon you unto your promises and put you to the Test And what greater testimony can you give then by this occasion which I now offer unto you When I did oblige you by my services by my affection and by all manner of obsequious observancie you did continue your affection unto me But this is no testimony of affection it is rather an acknowledgement of a debt It had been a right testimony of your affection if you had continued when I did hate you Fortune would have this occasion to present it self though I am extreamly sorry for it to put you to the tryal of your affection and as a summons to keep your word I hope you are not like unto those who vaunt that they doe not fear dangers yet at the very first encounter of an enemy will submit without resistance But you objected against me How can you hope Thamires to gather any fruits from love since you have cut up the Tree Oh fair Celidea let me tell you I had rather cut away my life than that deare Tree of Love Nay though I should offer it yet it would be impossible for me to do it But admit that I had imprudently cut it up you know that the Mirtle is the Tree of Love and why would you have it to be the Cypress The Mirtle is of a nature that the more it is cut the more branches it puts forth Oh that I could see this effect in your soul that I might beleeve there is growing in you this Tree of Love and not a Tree of Mourning But admit my fault in guilting you to bee so great as you make it must my fault make you to commit the like If you think so then you must confesse that you catch at bad examples and not at good ones unlesse as I doe leave you so you leave me and when I doe return unto you you doe return unto me also Otherwise you are more moved with an offence than with a full satisfaction for it and evil hath a greater predominancie in you than good But this is unworthy of Celideas soul which promiseth all goodnesse and sweetnesse But you say that since I have given you unto Calidon if I would have any thing of you I must ask him This would puzzle mee to answer if I had not heard you say that it was impossible for me to give you unto him Now the matter is brought to that passe as you must be either his or mine If you will not be mine because I have imprudently given you away then Celidea you must be Calidons Consider whether this change be pleasing unto you If on the contrary you will not be Calidons then you cannot deny but you must be mine since having been mine before and my gift taking no effect all right in the world is that the thing given should revert unto the first possessor And you ought not to be offended with me for offering you as a Sacrifice for Calidons recovery because Sacrifices which are offered unto the gods are alwaies of the best and most precious things we have
sentence of his Mistris he did oppose his innocency then the suddain execution of it did appear in the eyes of his fancy And as he was falling from one thought into another his hand fell a cidentally upon the Riband tyed to his arme in which was Astreas Ring Oh what horrid memorialls came then into his mind Then did he fancy the fury which her soul expressed both by words and actions when she pronounced the sentence of his banishment Then after a long and sad contemplation upon this last dysaster he began to think upon the change of his Fortune how happy he had been and how she favoured him Then begun he to think what she had done for him how for his sake she had slighted many well qualified shepherds how little she valued the displeasure of her Father or anger of her Mother when they opposed against her affection then began he to consider that Fortune is as fickle in matters of Love as in any thing else and how few of all her favours remained with him which was only a Bracelet of her hair tyed about his arme and a Picture which he wore at his brest whose Case he kissed many a time as for the Ring which he wore about the other arme he esteemed that rather as forced then of any benevolence Then upon a suddain he remembred the Letters which she had writ unto him in the happie dayes of his being in favour and which he alwayes carried about with him in a little bagg Oh what rapture was he in when he first thought upon them for he feared lest the Nymphes when they pulled off his cloathes should have seen them In this doubt he called out aloud for the little Merril for he allwayes waited in a Lobby close by The little boy hearing him call so hastily two or three times came to see what his pleasure was My little officer saith Celadon doest thou know what is become of my clothes for they containe somthing which would much perplex me to lose Your clothes Sir said he are not far from hence but there is nothing in them for I searched them Oh Meril said the Shepheard thou art much mistaken for there was something which I valued above my life then turning towards the other side of the bed he began to make exceeding sad complaints a long while together Meril hearing him was on the one side very sorry to heare him lament as he did and on the other side was in great doubt whether he should tell him all he knew at last not being able to be longer a witnesse of his sorrowes he told him that he needed not to trouble himselfe so much for he was sure the Nymph Galathea loved him too wel to keep from him any thing which he so much valued At this Celadon turned towards him and asked whether that Nymph had them I beleeve it is the same said he at least I found a litle bundle of papers and as I was bringing them unto you she met me and took them from me Oh Heavens said the Shepheard things are worse and worse then turning on the otherside he would speak no more Mean time Galathea did read the Letters for it was true she did take them from Merill and as those in Love are alwayes full of curiositie so she read them but she had strictly charged him to say nothing because she intended to restore them as unknown that she had seen them Silvia held the candle whilst Galathea unloosed the string which tyed them together we shall see said Silvia whether this Shepheard be such a dull fellow as he would seeme to be and whether or no he be in Love then Galathea took out the papers gently for feare of tearing them and the first she laid her hand upon was this Astrea's Letter unto Celadon Celadon WHat 's this you do attempt Into what a confusion are you about to bring your self Take my advice who counsell you as a friend and leave off this your design of serving me t is too ful of inconveniency beleeve it what content Celadon can you hope for I shal be extreamly intolerable you may with as much ease attempt an impossibility you must wait and suffer and be patient and have neither eyes or Love for any but me for never think I will share affection with any other nor accept of halfe-love I am full of suspitions extreamly Jealous I am exceeding hard to be woon and very easily lost quickly offended but abominably hard to be pleased my will must be destiny it selfe my opinions must passe for reasons and my commands must be inviolable Lawes Shepheard be wise and keep out of this dangerous Labyrinth Cease from a designe which may prove soruinous I know my selfe better then you do never think to alter my naturall Genius I shall certainly break rather then bend and if you will not beleeve what now I say do not hereafter complaine against me Never credit me said Galathea if this Shepheard be not in Love It cannot be doubted said Silvia being so well accomplished Then Galathea gave her another Letter which had been wet to hold unto the fire meanewhile she took another Letter which contained these words Astrea's Letter unto Celadon Celadon YOu will not beleeve that I Love you and yet you desire I should beleev you Love me If I do not Love you what will my credence in your affection profit you perhaps you thinke that beliefe will oblige me to it but alas Celadon that consideration is too weak if your merits and services were not more considerable but this is the state of your condition I would not only have you know that I think you Love me but I would have you know also that I do Love you and amongst many other this is an infallible argument of it that I have valued my Love to you above my obedience to my Parents If you consider how great my duty is to them you may by it value my Love to you since it is above all duties Adieu be not any longer incredulous As soon as this Letter was read Silvia brought the other and Galathea told her with a sad heart that Celadon was in Love and which was worse that he was extreamly loved which grieved her to the very soul for now she saw that she was to force a Fort which a victorious enemy was possessor of For by these Letters she found that the humour of this Shepherdesse was not to be halfe a Mistris but would have an absolute command over such as she daigned to accept as her servants and her opinion of this was much fortified when she read the other Letter which had been wet it was thus penned Astrea's Letter unto Celadon Celadon LYcidas told Phillis that yesterday you were in a very bad humour Am I the cause of it or you If it be I it is without occasion for did I ever desire any more then to Love and be loved by you And have you not sworne a
suddain what have you done with that promise which once you had of me in favour of Corilas for if you have given it unto him it will extreamly crosse our designes Who could possibly imagine but that after all this she had loved Lysis So this Shepheard having an opinion that she would do that for him which she had refused me he restored back unto her that promise which he had so closely kept from me Assoon as ever she saw it she took it and tore it all in pieces then threw it into the fire Afterwards turning towards Lysis laughing she thus said unto him Honest Shepheard you may now be gon when you please I know none that will hinder you and it is very late Oh heavens cryed out Lysis seeing himselfe over-reached is it possible I should be so simple as to be gulled three times by one and the same person What reason have you to say said Stella that you are gulled Oh! most perfidious woman said he did you not tell me that you would make it appear that your second fault was committed only to give satisfaction for the first and to shew me that you were constant you would discover your very heart and intentions to me Lysis said she you are still harping upon the wrong string pray tell me wherein have I wronged you if I did never love you am I not constant in not loving you still And do I not discover my heart and intentions to you since now I have gotten that from you which I desired I give you free libertie to go home in peace Could you think that all my words which I have given you for this houre together tended to any other purpose but to get this paper from you and now I have it I will bid you good-night good Lysis You may imagine what crestfallen Shepheard Lysis was when he heard all this he was so damped that he sneaked away and never gave one word But since this Semires revenged all our quarrells and he who as I told you was the cause of my misery or indeed my happinesse for so may my separation from her be called he I say resenting still the first affront which she put upon him and considering her extream levity as Lysis and I were served so served he her and broke off the Marriage with her in the midst of the Congregation which gave many an occasion to say That often she who hurts another receives her punishment by the same armes Thus Corilas concluded and Adamas in a smiling manner said thus unto him The best counsell I can give you is to fly this deluder to beware of her fallacies and to please your Parents who do so much desire to see you married When any good match is offered take it and never insist upon the circumstances of Love for nothing will sooner wash off these istains which this giddy woman has cast upon your honour nor sooner purchase esteem amongst your neighbours then to marry your self not by Love but by Reason for that is the greatest action of your life Upon which depends all the happinesse or misery of man Upon these words they parted towards their severall homes for it began to be late Againe Leonida not finding Adamas at home she went away again as soon as ever she had dined and because she was resolved to stay all that night with those fair shepheardesses which she had seen the day before out of a desire she had to be more intimately acquainted with them she went to the place where she found them before and there she espied one a farre off but could not discerne who it was yet drawing neere she perceived it to be the same she looked for She might very well esteem this as a happy meeting for all these shepheardesses as chance was were come out of the Town purposely to pass away all the rest of the day together to the end they might more freeely impart their secrets unto each other out of the reach of all eares So as Leonida could never have come in a more opportune time to satisfie her curositie then she did and stealing neer them she heard Astrea say unto Diana Now wise shepheardesse I hope you will performe your promise unto Phillis and me in acquainting us with your story since we have imparted ours unto you Fair Astrea answered Diana my promise doubtles obligeth me unto it but much more the amity that is betwixt us knowing well that amongst friends it is a crime impardonable to conceale any corner of their soules from each other the only reason why it is so long before I have given you that satisfaction beleeve it dear shepheardesse was because time and leasure would not permit it And though I am certain that I cannot relate the follies of my youth unto you without many blushes yet that dificulty will easily be over come when I consider that it is to please you Why should you blush at all answered Phillis since it is no crime to Love If it be not one replied Diana yet it is such a shadow of one and so resemblant as one is oft taken for the other Such as are so deceived answered Phillis sure have very ill eyes T is very true indeed said Diana but this is our misery that there is more bad eyes then good ones we shall be very angry said Astrea if you think ours such The Love I beare unto you both answered Diana may assure you that I cannot make a wrong judgement of you and I dare trust you with my very soul But should I impart my self so freely unto some I should find my actions meet with a wrong construction And therefore since it is your pleasure and command that I should relate my life unto you I do conjure you both by all the sacred Lawes of friendship never to speak of it again Then both of them protesting to bury all in eternall silence she thus began her discourse The Historie of Diana IT will be very strange Fair and discreet shepheardesses if this discourse which you desire should be related do not prove tedious unto you since the relation I shall make has not so many words it it as it hath cost me teares but since it is your pleasure I should revive the sad remembrance of them I beseech you give me leave to make it as short as I can I do assure my selfe that though you have never seene either Celion or Belinda yet you have heard that they were my Father and Mother and perhaps have heard of the crosses which they met withall for the Love of one another which shall spare me the relating of them though they were presages of my ensuing miseries And be pleased to know that after the heats of Love were a little cool'd by marriage to the end they might not be idle they began to look narrowly into the businesse of their estate and had envolved themselves into so many suites of Law as they were forced to compose some
will tell you what it is to love It is to dye in ones self that he may live in another Never to love any thing but what is pleasing and agreeable unto the party loved The will must be absolutely transformed into a Mistris And can you think that one who loves thus will ever be troubled with the presence of her whom he loves The knowledge she hath of being loved is a thing so infinitely pleasing as all things else in comparison of that have no relish And if you do but know what it is to love you will never think that he who loves can do any thing to displease All his actions are marked with the sweet character of love and cannot be displeasing If he chance to commit any fault the fault it self pleaseth considering with what intention it was committed The very desire of being amiable has such vigour in a right Lover as though he cannot chuse but be rough to all the world in general yet will he be sure to smooth and spruce up himself towards her he loves And from hence is the reason that many who are not at all rellished by most in general are yet loved and esteemed by some one in particular Do you see Hylas that hitherto you have been ignorant in the Laws of Love and have only abused the Name of it and deceived those whom you thought you had loved How said Hylas Have I not loved all this while What then have I done unto Carles Amuranthe Laonice and a hundred more You must know said Silvander that in all sorts of Arts there are both good and bad proficients in them And so in Love for some do love well as I do and some ill as you So as I may be termed the Master and you the Changling of Love At this every one smiled except Lycidas who hearing all this discourse grew higher in his jealous apprehensions which Phillis did not observe thinking it rather an effect of his affection to her since in reason he could never doubt her One that is ignorant and knows not that Jealousie in Love is a sucker which draws unto it self that nutriment which should go into the branches and good fruit does not know that the greater it is the more doth it argue the kindness of the place and vigour of the plant Paris who admired the neat wit of Silvander did not know how to judge of him but thought that were he more conversant amongst civilized people he would be unparaleld since living amongst Shepheards he was such as he found him And therefore he resolved to contract friendship with him to the end he might more freely enjoy his company and to make them proceed in their disputation he addressed himself unto Hylas and said unto him It seems Hylas your cause is naught since you are so mute and has not a word more to say in the defence of it No wonder said Diana for I beleeve he is pricked in conscience Hylas knowing that he argued all this while against the truth only to put a handsom gloss upon his fault he would not reply a word but looked very attentively upon Phillis who was got near unto Lycidas and talked with him in a low voice and because Astrea would not have him hear what she said she did often interrupt him and so often as she forced him to say that if Phillis were as troublesom as she was he should not love her Truly Shepheard said she purposely to keep him from hearing If you should be as uncivil to her as you are to us she will make no great accompt of you And because Phillis never heeding this talk continued on her discourse Diana said unto her what Phillis is this all the duty you will pay unto me Will you let me go and entertain a Shepheard in discourse To which Phillis upon a sudden answered No no I beseech you Mistris but pardon my error for I thought that the jolly discourse of Hylas would have kept you from taking any notice of me who in the mean time was talking of a business which this Shepheard desired some satisfaction in And indeed she spoke but truth for she was much troubled at the faint and cold behaviour of Lycidas Well well Phillis answered Diana in the language of a real Mistris you alwaies think to cover your faults with excuses but pray take notice that these frequent negligences are so many testimonies of your small affection and that when time and place serves I shall remember how you use me Hylas had the hand of Phillis in his and not knowing how things were betwixt Silvander and her he wondered to hear Diana say so and therefore seeing her ready to begin an excuse he interrupted her saying What does my fairest Mistris say unto this imperious Shepheardess who treats you in such coorse language Will you yeeld unto her in any thing Commit no such sin I beseech you for though she be indeed fair yet you have beauty enough to make your party good enough with her if not excell her Oh Hylas said Phillis did you but know against whom you use this language you would rather bee dumb all your daies than displease this fair Shepheardess who did you love her were able with the least glimpse of her eye to make you the most wretched thing that ever loved Make me so said the Shepheard No no she may doe what she will with her eyes open or shut them and never hurt me my misery or happiness depends not upon her flames neither in her eyes face nor any part else but I doe love you and more than that inspite of her will love you If you do love me said Phillis and I have any power of you then surely she hath much more I may be moved by your affection and services not to treat you ill But this fair Shepheardess having no services or love from you will have no pitty upon you What have I to doe with her pitty said Hylas am I at her mercy Yes certainly said Phillis you are at her mercy for my will is her will and I can doe nothing but what she is pleased to command She is the Mistris whom I do love serve and adore So as she and she onely is all my affection all my service and all my devotion See therefore Hylas how you have offended her and what mercy and pardon you stand in need of Then Hylas throwing himself at Diana's feet after a little time of consideration thus said unto her Fair Mistris ormine if he that loves could have eyes to see any thing but the thing loved certainly I had seen that it is the duty of every one to honour and reverence your merits But since my eyes were shut against all but my fair Phillis I shall think you too full of cruelty if you doe not pardon a crime which I confess and beg a mercy for Phillis who had a mind to be rid of this man that she might talk unto Lycidas
me is rather an argument of your little merit then of any ensuing victory for so it is usuall to do only to make all even What do you mean by that said the shepheard I mean replyed she that on that end which is too leight they use to put some weight to counterpoise it untill the journey be ended but when they are arrived there then they throw away that which was only to make an equall ballance So till we are arrived at the end of our terme Diana does wisely ballance that side which is the leighter by her favours but afterwards she will give her judgment without any regard unto the weight of my affection or the levity of your little love And then God knowes on whom the victory you speak of will fall Silvander smiled and answered It is rather the custome of miserable people to be envious and lessen the happinesse of others which they infinitely esteem by their language Phillis without any further reply left him and went unto the two shepheardesses and was extreamly offended at them And because Diana laid the fault upon Astrea and Astrea could not well excuse her selfe Silvander began to speak for them both addressing himselfe unto Diana I beseech you fairest Mistresse said he consider how prudent Love is and how wisely he governes the actions of those he is pleased withall You thought hitherto that Phillis loved you and indeed I know none but have in some sort been deceived by her dissimulations Love who knowes all the interiour faculties of the soul and purposing to undeceive you hath caused you to favour me with this Bracelet of your hair not onely as a mark of my affection but also to discover the hollow affection of this deluder by her jealousie For as it is a thing impossible that two contraries should be at the same time in one place so much more that love and jealousie should be at the same time in one and the same heart Silvander's aim was only to torment Phillis the more for knowing how jealous Lycidas was he doubted not but to trouble her by proposing that Love and Jealousy are inconsistent And she being touched to the quick could not chuse but answer him thus Pray Shepheard what reasons and arguments have you to maintain so bad an opinion Such said he as will make you confesse your selfe of the same at the least if you know what the reason is Love is nothing but a desire and every desire is hot Jealousie is nothing but a fear and all fear is as cold as ice and how can you imagine such a cold Child should be the issue of such a hot Parent We see said Phillis that flint which is cold will send sorth sparks that are hot Most true answered Silvander but fire never produceth cold Yet by your favour replied Phillis ashes that are cold do proceed from fire Yes answered the shepheard but when the ashes are cold the fire is not in them Phillis was almost non-plust at this reply and much more when Diana spoke So likewise said she when cold jealousie begins Love that is hot ends Mistresse replyed Phillis my enemy may well get the victory if he have so good a Second as your selfe Then turning her selfe towards Astrea And you fair shepheardesse said she I may justly think you a very ill friend if seeing me assaulted by two you will not take my part Astrea answered very sadly I do hold it for a thing so certainly true that jealousy may proceed from love as not to bring it into any doubt I will not dispute it lest I should be forced to confess that I my selfe did not love because I was jealous as I do see you are forced to confess that being jealous of Diana you do not 〈◊〉 her or at the least being in doubt whether jealousie may proceed from love you are not well assured whether you love her or no. I do kiss the hand of this fair and just shepheardess said Silvander who without respect of persons speaks with so much truth in my advantage If you be obliged unto me said Astrea then surely you do think that I did speak partially in your favour for none are beholding unto him that speaks truth more then to him that payes a debt justly due Most true answered Silvander if it be taken in the rigour of justice but we do live in an age wherein so few do follow vertue simply and cleerly as we may think our selves obliged unto those that will but acknowledge any benefit although they are obliged unto it But what can you argue against that experience which we daily finde said Phillis unto him For I know a shepheard who after he had loved long and fell into extream jealousie yet afterwards recovering out of it did continue his affection long after Can you say that this was a fire extinguished which produced these ashes It is not impossible answered Silvander but one that is well may fall sick and after that sickness grow well again nor that a fire may be put out and afterwards kindled again Affection that was long hot may be put out by cold jealousie and that jealousie being gone it may become as hot as ever it was before But it cannot be that health and sickness hot fire and cold ashes love and jealousie should be in the same subject at the same time And for a full clearing of this truth let us observe the effects of love and jealousie and by them judge whether the causes from whence they proceed have any conformity together The effects of Love is an extream desire in our soules to see the person loved to serve her and to please her as much as possibly we can The effects of jealousie is a fear to meet her whom we love a carelessness to please her and a disdaining to serve her And who can think such contrary effects can proceed from one and the same cause If we do we must confess that nature will destroy her selfe if she will have contraries to consist together Phillis would gladly have answered but she was so non-plust as she knew not where to begin at which Diana could not chuse but laugh especially when she considered the jealousie of Lycidas And to add more matter for her perplexities she did purposely speak in this manner Jealousie is a signe of love as old ruines are signes of ancient buildings which are the greater the more magnificent the Edifice was And therefore a great jealousie cannot proceed from a little love But as we cannot give the name of buildings unto these ruines so jealousy cannot be called love And if I may judge by my own humour if I did love I should not have power to be jealous And what would you be said Phillis if he whom you should love should love another His enemy answered Diana I would say hate him And though I do foresee that such an accident would displease me yet it would be more for being deceived so long then for
that I cease loving you and I obey for if I die I cannot love you and if I do not love you I cannot delight in any life May you and your love to me said Phillis be immortall and so they shall before they die by my command But my desire is to have a relation of that from your own mouth which you hindred Florice from imparting to us Diana hearing this request and being much offended with the extremity of the Suns heat did say she would be a very willing Auditor so they could finde out an umbrage from the Sun's heat for she believed the discourse of Hylas would be very pleasant Astrea who longed to go about their businesse did think as much and therefore in compliance unto Diana's will she said that she would make one So said Hylas it shall not stick upon me and I should think my selfe to be very bad company if I were not very willing to give you satisfaction and my selfe also for I do believe there is as much delight in thinking upon old and past Loves as if they were present for the delights of Love are commonly more in the imagination then in the thing it selfe and in relation of things past the soul doth cast her eye upon those images which remain in the fancy and looks upon them as if they were present And therefore let us look out for a convenient shade from the rayes of the Sun It is impossible said Silvander to finde a more convenient place in all the Wood then by this little brook which you see for the coolnesse of the shade and murmure of the water is very inviting besides it is nothing out of our way All the company concur with him and when they came unto it every one began to wash their hands and sit round the Fountain of it unlesse Silvander who got into a great Cherry Tree which made part of the shade unto the Fountain and brought some of the best Cherries unto Diana who gave some to Paris and the shepheardesses and picking out some of the best she gave them unto Silvander saying Here Silvander I must needs give you some who gave them unto me I would to god said he and kissed the hand that gave them you would receive all I give you with as good a will as this Then taking his place as neer her as he could Hylas when they had eaten all their Cherries began his discourse thus The History of Parthenopea Florice and Dorinde I Have often laughed in my thoughts at all those who condemn inconstancy and are professed enemies against it considering that they themselves are not able to be as they say nor more constant then those whom they brand with that vice for when they do fall in love do they not fall in love with Beauty or something they think that is pleasing unto them Now when this Beauty doth fade as time doubtlesse will make all Beauty do are not they inconstant in still loving those faces that are now grown ugly and retain nothing of what they were but only the very name of a face If to love that which is contrary unto that which was loved be inconstancy and if uglinesse be contrary unto beauty then he that did love a fair face and continues loving it when it is ugly must be concluded inconstant This consideration makes me think that the way to avoid inconstancy is alwaies to love beauty and when it fades farewell love finde some other that is fair and still love beauty and not its contrary unlesse you be unconstant to your first love I know full well that this is point blank against the opinion of the vulgar But by way of answer let me tell you that the Heard of people the vulgar is but a heard of rude and ignorant beasts and in this they give a true testimony of it Do not think it strange fairest Mistresse nor you generous Paris if in relating the story of my life you hear of many such changes For I am so carefull not to decline from this constancy that I had rather quit all those whom hitherto I have loved then recede from it You have formerly been acquainted with the cause why I came out of Camargues how I came unto Lyons why I loved Palinice and Cercenea And when I interrupted Florice she would have told you how she began to captivate me but because she forgot some things which are requisite you should know I shall speak out that which she did so subtlely conceal and then relate the story of my life if we have time enough Be pleased to know then fairest Mistresse that Clorian was very ill advised in employing me to be his spokes-man unto Cercenea in such a businesse as that it is dangerous to make choice of a friend that is better accomplished then himselfe a hundred to one but in lieu of Friend he becomes a Lover and he that sent him not loved for if his Mistris have any wit she will chuse the better The truth is when I went with Palinice unto Cercenea in the behalfe of Clorian my intention was to serve him as a friend and to use all possible addresses which might conduce unto his contentment but assoon as I saw this Beauty I remembered that I my selfe was in love with her ever since I saw her that night in the Temple so as now the state of the question was whether I should stifle Friendship or stifle Love and after a long debate with my selfe unto which I should yield I concluded that the last commer must give place unto the first Love told me that it had taken possession of my soul almost assoon as I was born and that my affection unto Cercenea was before my love of Palinice which was the cause of my friendship with Clorian and therefore my friendship coming after my love it is injustice if I let it keep still in possession No surely thought I we see the Lawes allow primogeniture in Children and Nature it selfe seemes to approve of it This was the reason why I applyed my selfe unto Cercenea as Florice hath told you And I beseech you judge whether I am obliged to endeavour the contentment of another before my own Why should she upbraid me with the name of Traitor to my friend For if of two evills the lesser be alwaies to be chosen if killing ones selfe be the worst of murders who that is in his senses will say but I had better betray friendship then love and have a greater regard unto the preservation of my own life and contentment then the life and contentment of Clorian Clorian loved me and I loved Cercenea Clorian desired me to speak for him and my affection bad me speak for my selfe If I did not satisfie Clorian I offended against my friendship to him if I did not satisfie my affection I offended against Cercenea and Hylas I do love Clorian and I do love Hylas also Put selfe and another in the scales and selfe I dare
ASTREA A ROMANCE WRITTEN IN FRENCH BY Messire Honore D'Urfe AND TRANSLATED BY A Person of Quality LONDON Printed by W. W. for H. Moseley T. Dring and H. Herringman And are to be sold at their shops in St Pauls Church-yard Fleetstreet and in the Lower vvalke in the New Exchange 1657. TO THE READER OF all the Books that Mankind hath convers'd with since it was first refin'd by Letters none hath contributed so much to the civilization thereof or gaind that esteeme and Authority with it as those of POETRY by which terme I meane FICTION in the largest extent Under this are comprehended the highest noblest productions of man's wit ROMANCES a kinde of writing so full of charme and insinuation that even Religious worship in the dis-illuminated times of Paganism was oblig'd to it for most of its Ceremonies the strange influence it had over the multitude For what were the Oraâ—les what all ancient Mythologies what Numa's pretended correspondence with his Nymph Aegeria but so many politick Roâ—ances cunningly advanc'd to create in the minds of the people a feare and veneration of some power above humane Lawes whereby they were deterr'd from those things which were out of their reach and cognizance Hence was it that some stumbled on that Paradoxe That mankinde look't on generally had made greater advantages of Fiction than ever it had done of Truth the one it seemes by reason of her nakednesse finding so much the colder reception the other disguized in the dresses of Witt and Eloquence the noblest entertainement that could be expected from reverence admiration and Idolatry But if Endeavours of this nature were so succesfull and advantageous to piety a civill life in their infancy while they were yet shrowded in Fables and Oracular cheats and ambiguities and lay levell to the capacities of the multitude what may not those contribute that are calculated to the meridian of the most criticall and most ingenious What was before censur'd as extravagance of imagination is now reconcil'd to probability and restrain'd by judgement What falsly ravish'd the eager apprehension into amazement at impertinent and Quixoticall Attempts doeâ— now but gently enflame the minde into an aemulation of the perfections a sympathy for the weakeness sufferings it finds represented Thus an excesse of Austerity in some hath reduc'd many to a greater compliance with and submission to Nature and the elevation of the voice in Singing Masters above the note does but direct the Learner to reach the tone This READER is the designe of the worke thou now hast in thy hands Here thou find'st a cleare representation of the Noblest and most generous images of life and such an accompt of the passions and actions of Men as few bookes of this nature afford so plentifull with such variety of excellent discourses and an extraordinary sententiousnesse as deservedly celebrate this above any Author of the kinde Here thou hast a jealous and distrustfull ASTREA a despairing yet faithfull CELADON asickle and unconstant HYLAS and such intricate scenes of Courtship Love Jealousie and the other passions as cannot but raise in â—ee a consideration of humane Affairs sutable to the severall emergencies But to close up the elogies may be given this worke with the greatest that any of this kind ever receiv'd I shall onely adde â—he judgement of it of the late famous Cardinall of RICHELIEU That he was not to be admitted into the Academy of Wit who had not been before well read in ASTREA J. D. ASTREA The First part Book I. NEere the Antient Cittie of Lyons towards the West lieth that part of the Country called Forrests which in it's little circumference comprehends more varities then the rest of France for being divided into Plaines and Mountaines both of them are so fertile and seated in such a temperate Aire that the soile is capable of whatsoever the industrious Husbandman can expect or desire In the heart of the Country is a most Pleasan plaine circled about as with a strong wall by its Neighbour hills and watered with the River Loyre which from its not farre off originall glides gently through the midst of it without any swelling pride Many other Rivulets doe in divers places bestow their chrystall streams the chiefe of which is Lignon which though extravagant in its course as well as delectable in its Scource runs Meander-like through the plaine neere unto the losty mountaines of Servieres and Chalmasel unto Feures where the Loyre receiving it and swallowing up its name carrieth it as tribute unto the Ocean Upon the banks of these delighting Rivers are continually to be seene abundance of shepheards who though litle beholding to fortune yet by reason of the aires naturall sweetnesse and the Soiles fertilitie do live in abundance of contented happinesse They would never have envied the golden contentednesse of the first happy age had Love let them alone to enjoy that felicitie of which the heavens were so prodigall unto them but slumbering upon the downy beds of ease they became subject unto Loves flattery who presently turned his Authoritie into Tyranny Celadon was one of them who did most feelingly resent it and who was so captivated with the perfections of Astrea that the very odium of their Parents could not preserve him from losing himselfe in her The truth is that if ever happinesse could be found in the losse of ones selfe it was by him in losing himselfe to gaine the favour of the faire Astrea who being assured of his affection did scorne ingratitude and received him and his services with reciprocall affection so that if any changing bee seene in either of them afterwards 't is probable that the heavens did allow it to shew that nothing is more constant then inconstancie which is constant in alteration For these two having lived together most happily the space of three yeares even then when they least feared any dysasterous accident they found themselves betrayed unto the worst of loves misfortunes by the perfidie of Semyres so as Celadon to disguise his affection from their Parents who by reason of an inveterate hatred amongst themselves did strive to thwart their amorous designes did seeme as if his addresses to that shepheardesse were rather out of civill course then any courtship This umbrage was handsome enough if Semyres had not made it his stalking horse to betray Astrea which she since repayed by many a sigh and Teare As Fortune was one day this amorous shepheard rising betimes to bid his thoughts good morrow and leaving his flocke to graze he went to rest himselfe upon the banks of the River Lignon there expecting the appearance of his faire shepheardesse who was not long behind him for she out of too much fancy had scarcely closed her eye that night The Sunne no sooner begun to gild the top of the mountains of I soures and Mâ—rcillies then this shepheard espied a farre off a flock which he presently knew belonged unto Astrea for Melampe a dogge
commands of my Astrea If this kind of lâ—fe seeme strange unto thee consider that miracles are the common workes of the gods and why should not my goddesse doe the same in me Farewell Live and Love thy Celadon It was long before Astrea answered a word for the discourse of Lycidas had almost astonished her but the sparks of jealousie which yet had some power in her soul caused her to take the letter as doubting whether or no it was Celadon which writ it And though she knew it well enough to be his hand yet according to the humor of many who will often argue against their owne opinions she disputed it At the same time many shepheards came from the quest of Celadon but had found no other signes of him then that of his Hat which was no small grief unto Astrea She remembring a privat retyring place which love helped them to find out and which she would not have found out did becken unto Phillis to take that away but every one began to lament and extoll the poore shepherd and not one but had some Noble act or other to Trumpet in his praise But Astrea who was the most sensible was the least talkative she was constrained to be mute and to shew her sorrow the least knowing that it is the highest point of prudence in love to conceale affection or at least never to let it appeare unprofitably but because the constraint she was in was great and she not able to endure it she came to Phillis and entreated her not to follow her to the end others might do the like So taking Celadons hat into her hand she stole away alone and followed the first path she lightt upon Every shepherd in the company knew of Celadons affection to Astrea though the perversnesse of their Parents did discover it more then his actions but she did carry the matter with so much discretion that none knew of hers to him except Semira Lycidas and Phillis And though they knew very well that the losse of Celadon did much perplex her yet they did attribute it more unto the goodnesse of her nature then her love However she continued on her way and every step had its thought or rather griefe so as sometimes doubtfull sometimes assured of Celadons affection she knew not whether she should lay the blame upon him or herselfe when she thought upon what Lycidas had said she judged him innocent when the discourse he had with the shepherdesse Aminthé came into her memorie she thought him culpable In this labirinth of thoughts she went wandring through a wood without any election of path but either by fortune or by the direction of heaven to manifest the innocence of Celadon she came to the place where Lycidas said he had engraved some verses upon a tree which was so fresh that shee quickly found them out Oh heavens how soone she knew them to be Celadons and how readily she ran to read them She sat downe upon the ground and beholding Celadons hat and letter in her lappe she wrong her hands and looked fixedly upon the reliques of her deare shepherd and seeing his hat to swell a little in the place where he was wont to put his letters when he had a designe to convey a letter unto her she unripped the lining with her fingers and pulled out a paper which Celadon the same day had put there this was a device contrived betwixt them when their parents had forbidden them any intercourse of language for he seeming to throw his hat in jeast unto her they might easily convey letters unto each other With a trembling heart and hand she tooke this letter out and after she had remooved from her eyes a thousand pearly teares she read these words Celadons Letter unto Astrea My dearest Astrea IF you did impose this constrained dissimulation upon me with a designe to kill me with griefe alas you might more easily have done it with one single syllable and have said Die If it was to punish me for my faults you were too gentle a Judge in ordaining me a lesse punishment then death If it was to try what power you had over me why did you not find out a more speedy way of triall then this which would be so long before you could be satisfied I cannot think it your intention to umbrage our designe since I not being able to live long under such constraint my death will be a deplorable testimony of it Oh pitty me my brightest Starre consider that I have endured torment enough and that it is now full time to be Celadon againe after so long and lamentable a dissimulation of himselfe Oh how these words did wound her soul when she called to memorie the command she had laid upon him and the resolution which they fixed upon to dissemble their affection But see the strange enchantments of love for though shee grieved extremely at the death of Celadon yet she was not without some consolation in the midst of her sorrowes to think that he was not perfidious though this consideration brought much force with it to torment her so as having no other remedie to fly unto but teares as well to lament Celadon as her owne losse she began with a river of teares and afterwards with a thousand pittifull groanes and sad sighes She called to mind the faithfull affection of that shepheard and the despaire wherein he was at her severe answer then againe thinking upon the happy times past the pleasures and contentments which he formerly afforded her and now the losse both of him and them she extreamly condemned her selfe of silly imprudence On the otherside Lycidas being so extreamly displeased at Astrea that he could hardly with patience thinke upon her he did rise up from Phillis and went away with eyes so full of teares and so sad a countenance that his shepherdesse seeing him in that condition did follow him not fearing how others might censure her for it he went away with folded armes his hat pulled downe but his soul much more downe in sorrow and pittie obliging the rest of the shepheards to participate of his sorrowes they followed also and lamented with him But these officious complements were only additions to his griefe for in company the soule dares not so freely disburthen it selfe of its load but when it is once discharged of its venime then it is capable of consolation Being in this sad estate they accidentally found a young shepherd lying upon the graffe and two shepherdesses with him the one of them holding his head in her lappe and the other playing upon a Lâ—te whilst he sighed out these verses with eyes up to heaven and face all tears Upon the death of Cleon. That beautie once a glorious Sunne Alas it Set and done Those eyes once Angelike divine Againe will never shine Shee 's dead who did all hearts revive Unlesse in mine alive Perfection from the world is fled Since shee the owner's dead What hopes amongst the
enough to expresse her griefe both her eyes and mouth did leave their offices unto her imaginations so long as both eyes toung imagination and all other faculties being tyred out she fell asleepe Whilst things passed thus amongst the Shepheards and Shepheardesses Celadon was observed by the three Nymphes in the Pallace of Isoures with all indulgent care but the hurt which the water had done him was so great that for all their remedies which they applied he could not open his eyes nor give any signe of life but only by the beating of his heart passing all the day and a good part of the night before he came to himselfe And when he opened his eyes he was in a great amazement to find himselfe in that place for he very well remembred what he had done and how a rash despair had made him throw himselfe into the water but he knew not how he came thither And after he had stayed a long while in this confused thought he asked whether he was alive or dead If I be alive said he how is it possible that the cruelty of Astrea should not kill me And if I be dead why cruell Love dost thou torment me in the shades of death is it not enough that thou hast my life but thou must receive my old flames out of my dead ashes And the great perplexitie in which Astrea had left him having now forsaken him he called into his memory all his former conceptions and his mind being full of imagination both of his miseries and also of his former happinesse he fell into such a sound sleepe that the Nymphes had time enough to come and see him and finding him fast asleepe they opened the curtaines and windowes very gently and did sit downe by him the better to view and contemplate upon him Galathea after a whiles confideration did in a low voice for feare of wakeing him say oh how this Shepheard is changed since yesterday What a fresh complexion is upon a suddaine come into his face seriously I do not repent of all the paines I have taken in saving his life for as you said sweetheart said shee and turned towards Silvia he is one of the principall in al the country Madam answered the Nymph most certainly he is for Alsippes is his Father and Amarillis his Mother How said Galathea that Alsippe so famous who to save his freind did break open the Prison of the Visigotts at Ussum The very same said Silvia I have seene him severall times at feasts which are kept by the Townes about Lignon And because Alsippes seemed unto me most worthy of observation I looked long upon him for the formalitie of his beard and the gravitie of his venerable age did exact honour and observance from every one But as for Celadon I remember that of all the Shepheards there was only he and Silvander who had confidence enough to approach me by Silvander I knew which was Celadon and by Celadon which Silvander for both of them had in their Garbes and discourse somthing more generous then the name of Shepheard useth to owne Whilst Silvia spake Love in mock age of the subtiltie of Climante and Polemas who were the cause of Galatheas coming to the place where she tooke up Celadon did begin to kindle new flames in this Nymph for all the while that Silvia spoke she had her eyes upon the Shepheard and the applauds which she gave him did enter into her soul and the more easilie because she was prepared for it by the coming of Climante who counterfetting himselfe to be a Druide had foretold her that the man whom she should meet with in the place where she found Celadon should be her husband unlesse she would be the most miserable woman in the world the plot being that Polemas should go to that place at the hour to the end that she might more willingly be induced to marry him which otherwise the affection she bore unto Lindamor would not permit But Fortune and Love are too hard for Prudence and sent Celadon thither by chance as I have told you so as Galathea intending to fixe Love upon this Shepheard did thinke him to be extreame Lovely And seeing he did not wake she went out as gently as she could to entertaine her new thoughts There was neere his chamber a backe paire of staires which opened to a low Gallerie out of which by a draw bridge one might go into a Garden full of choice varieties Fountaines Statues Walkes Arbors and all that Art could invent out of this Garden was a dore into a Wildernesse of severall sorts of Trees in which was severall Labirinthes wherein one might wander to the losse of ones selfe yet by reason of the umbrage were very delightfull In one of which was a Fountaine called The truth of Love a place in truth marvelously pleasing for by force of Inchantment a Lover who looked in it might see her he loved if he were Loved he might see his Mistrisse by him if she Loved another that other would be presented and not himselfe And because it did discover all the deceipts of Lovers it was called the Truth of Love In another Labirinth was the Cavern of Damon and Fortune and in another was the denn of an old Mandrake full of so many wonders and witchcrafts that every vanitie appeared a fresh miracle Moreover in the other parts of the wood there was severall other Grotts so well counterfeited and neere the naturall as the eye did oft deceive the judgment It was in this Garden where the Nymph did walke waiting for the waking of the Shepheard And because her new desires would not permit her to be silent she faigned to forget somthing which she commanded Silvia to go and seeke for she confided lesse in her green youth then in Leonidas whose age was arrived at more maturitie though both these Nymphes were her secret confidents And being alone with Leonida she thus said unto her what do thinke Leonida has not this Druide a strange knowledge of things Does not the gods freely communicate themselves unto him for what is future he knowes as well as the present The truth is answered the Nymph he did very directly shew you in the Mirror the very place where you found this Shepheard and also told you the very time but his words were so ambiguous that I beleeve he hardly understood them himselfe Why do you say so answered Galathea since he hath particularly told me every thing as perfectly as I my selfe do not now kow them better than he did before they happened he only told you answered Leonida that you should find in this place a thing of an inestimable value though formerly it had beene disdayned Nay Leonida said she he has told me more then that particularly Madam said he you have two very contrary influences the one the most unfortunate under the heavens the other the most happie that can be desired And it is in your choice to take which
you will And to the end you may not deceive your selfe be pleased to know that you are and shall be coveted by many great and Noble personages where vertues and merits may easily moove you but if you measure your affection by their meritts or their Love and not by what I shall tell you from the supream gods I do Prognosticate that you will be the most miserable woman alive And to the end you may not be mistaken in your choice remember that such a day you shall see at Marseilles a Knight in such a habit who does and will court you for marriage which if you permit then I do pronounce your misery And therefore I advise you to shun such a man and thinke upon him rather as your sad fate then as your servant on the contrary observe well the place which is represented in this Mirror for on such a day at such an hour you shall there meet a man in whose affection the heavens has placed all your felicitie if you can so order it that he do Love you never beleeve the gods againe if you become not more happie then you can desire but be sure that the first of you two who shall meet be the first that shall begin Love This Leonida is as cleere as the Sun at noone and I do already perceive that his predictions are true For I seeing this Shepheard first I must tell you truly I find some sparkes of affection towards him Good heavens Madam said Leonida unto her do you intend to place your Love upon a Shepheard do you not remember who you are I do so Leonida said she and you must know that Shepheards are men as well as Druides and Knights and their Noblenesse is as great as others both being sprung from one and the same originall so as if this Shepheard be well borne why should I not think him as worthy of me as any other The truth is Madam said Leonda disgrace it as you will he is a Shepheard The truth is said Galathea he is a well accomplished man But Madam answered Leonida you who are so high a Nymph Lady after Amasis of all these goodly Countries can your courage descend so low as to Love a man of common ranke a Rustique a Shepheard a man not worth a straw Friend replyed Galathea remember that Enone became a Shepheardesse for Paris his sake and when she lost him She shed many a bitter teare Madam laid Leonida Paris was a Kings sonne and the error of another ought not to move you to the like If it be an error answered she the blame is in the gods who advise me unto it by the Oracle of their Druides but my freind Celadon is not so farre off in kindred from Paris are they not both come from the same originall Did you not heare what Silvia said of him and his Father You must know they are not shepheards out of any want but because they would enjoy that sweet and harmlesse kind of life But deare Madam added Leonida can you thus forget the affection and services of the generous Lindamour I am not willing said Galathea that oblivion should be the recompence of his services but I am unwilling withall that my affection unto him should be the utter ruine of all my happinesse Oh Madam said Leonida I beseech you remember how full of fidelity he hath ever been Oh my friend said Galathea I beseech you consider what it is to be eternally miserable Certainly said Leonida an extream affection a pure fidelitie the imployment of a whole age and continuall services ought not to be so long entertained but merited a better requitall then a change For God sake Madam consider what impostures all these Fortune tellers are they vent for truthes the idle imaginations of their fond dreames they are flat lyars since of a hundred predictions hardly one happens truly they are so foolishly ignorant since for all their businesse in others mens matters they know not their owne fortune will you bee perswaded by the fantasticall talke of this fellow to make that man miserable who hath bin so much yours Look but a little upon his Love consider what hazards he hath run for you how he fought with Polemas what despaire he was then in what torments you now prepare for him and how hee will certainly invent some way of death to himselfe when he knowes it Galathea did shake her head and thus answered Leonida I must not now thinke upon either Lindamor or Polemas as heretofore but upon my owne eternall either happinesse or misery the motives you use are very good for your selfe who will be concerned no further then to a little pittie but for my selfe they are very dangerous since the misery does not menace me for a day but for ever T is true were I in your place and you in mine perhaps I should give the same advice but certainly an eternall misery is very terrible As for the fabulous conjectures of those Divinres which you speak of I will for your sake beleeve that perhaps they will not so fall out and perhaps they will but I beseech you tell me do you think any prudent person will for the satisfaction of another conclude all his happinesse or all his misery upon a perhaps But if you Love me use no more of this discourse for if you do I shall thinke you aime at the satisfaction of Lindamure more then mine And as for him never feare but he will find out a better way of care then death reason and time will temper him how many desparato's have you seene whom a little time has not perfectly cured These two faire Nymphs thus discoursed when they saw Silvia returne and therefore they broke off this discourse but Galathea said thus unto Leonida consider that not only my contentment but all my felicitle is at the stake Leonida could not reply beeause Silvia was so neere as to heare their discourse She being come Galathea understood that Celadon was awake for listning at the dore she heard him sigh and groane T is very true that a little while after their departure from his chamber he did waken and the Sun shining very splendently upon his bed as he opened his eyes he was so dazled that being confused with so great a light he knew not where he was his last dayes paine had much astonished him but at that time he was without any pain so as remembring his fall into the River and the opinion which he had a little before of his being dead and now finding himselfe in such a glorious light he knew not what to thinke unlesss that Love had ravished him into heaven in recompence of his fidelitie and that which most induced him to this opinion was to see the chamber hung with such rich hangings and admirable pictures so lively that his yet weake eye could not distinguish them from substances On the one side he saw Saturne leaning upon her sithe with her dangling long
But about fourteen or fifteen ages since a Romane who in ten yeares conquered all the Gaules did cut some of the Mountaines by which the water rann away and drained our plaines which seemed so pleasant unto him as he would needs make them habitable and to that end caused all those who lived on the Mountaines to come and live in the plaines and caused the first building there to be called after his owne name Julius And because the humid plaines produced abundance of Trees some say the country was called Forrests and the people Forresters whereas before they were called the Segusians but those were much deceived For the name of Forrest did come from Forum a little Towne which the Romans built and called Forum Segusianorum as if they would have said the place or the marsh of the Segusians which indeed was onely the place where they kept their Armes whilst they were putting their neighbour Countries into order This Celadon is the antiquitie of this Province as some do confidently hold but there are two opinions quite contrary The Romans say that when our plaines were all covered with water the chaste goddesse Diana thought the place so pleasant that she dwelt there very much for her Driades and Amadriades did live and hunt in those great woods and high hills which circled about this great Levell of waters and because there was no great store of Fountaines she came hither often with her Naiades which also dwelt here but when the waters were let out the Naiades were forced to follow and go with them into the wide Ocean So as the Goddesse losing halfe her Nymphs and not being able to take her full swinge of delight with so small a Traine she made choice of some daughters of the Principall Druides and Knights and joyned them unto the Nymphs which remained unto whom also she gave the name of Nymphs But so it hapned that many amongst them some being brought up under fond and tender Mothers others used to the courtship of servants and not being able to take the paines of hunting nor lose the memorie of their affectionate servants they would needs go back to their houses againe and Marrie At which the Goddesse was so incensed that She forsooke this prophane Country and did fly from that vice which she so much abhorred But not to punish the vertues of some for the errours of others before she departed she did for ever most ignominiously banish out of the Country all those who had beene faultie and made choice of one unto whom she gave the same Authoritie which she had over all the Country and willed that the Race of this one should have all the Soveraigne power for ever And ever after she permitted them to marry Yet expresly forbidding that any man should ever succed her Since this time there hath been no abuse amongst us our Lawes have been since most inviolably observed But our Druides do tell a quite contrary tale For they say that our great Princesse Galathea daughter unto the King of Celtes wife of the great Hercules and Mother of Galathea who gave name unto the Gaules that were before called Celtes being infinitly in Love with her husband did follow him whither soever his courage and vertue did invite him against the Monsters and Gyants At that time these mountaines which seperate us from Aâ—vergne and those more on the left hand which are called Cemene and Gebene were a retreat unto some Gyants who were terrible unto all the Country Hercules being advertised thereof went thither and because he did infinitly love his deare Galathea he left her in this Country which was nearest to him where she might take much pleasure either in hunting or in the company of the Country Ladies and because she was Queen of all the Gaules when Hercules had vanquished the Gyants necessitie of affaires called him away before her departure in eternall memorie of the delight she tooke in that Country she ordayned that which the Romans say the Goddesse Diana did But whether it was Galathea or Diana yet so it is as if by a supernaturall priviledge we have ever since been maintained in our priviledges since none ever troubled our tranquillitie Nay Alaricke King of the Visigots when with Aquitaine he had conquered all the Provinces on this side Loire knowing our statutes did confirme the priviledges and without any usurpation did leave us in our antient freedome Perhaps you will thinke it strange I should so particularly talke of things which transcend the capacity of my age but you must know that Pimander my Father was very inquisitive unto the Antiquities of this country so as the most knowing Druides did commonly make it their discourse with him I gleaned such fragments from them as most delighted me Thus I came to know that Amasis my Mother was in a continued line descended from her whom the Goddesse Diana or Galathea did elect she being sole Lady of all these Countryes and having one Sonne called Clidaman She brought up with us many young maides and daughters of Druides and Knights where being in so good a schoole they might learne all the vertues which their age and sexe was capable of The Virgins go habited as you see us in the same fashion which Diana or Galathea was accustomed to weare and which in memorie of her we have constantly kept Now Celadon I have acquainted you with our condition and I am confident that before you part from us for I would have you see us altogether before you go you will confesse that our assembly will not yeild unto any other either in vertue or beautie Celadon now knowing who these Nymphes were he knew also what reverence was due unto them and though his conversation had been onely amongst his equall Shepheards yet his good education had taught him how to behave himselfe unto his superiors After he had rendred them all the honour which he thought himselfe obliged unto I cannot chuse but wonder said he to find my selfe amongst so many great Nymphs and I who am but a simple sillie shepheard to receive so many favours from them Celadon answered Galathea vertue in what place soever it is will merit both Love and Honour as well when it is shrowded under the cheap habit of a shepheard as under the rich and glorious Purple of a King and for your particular you are in no lesse consideration amongst us then the greatest of the Druides or Nobles of our Court for since your merits are as great our favours shall be no lesse And as for your wonder at finding your selfe amongst us know that it proceeds from the Providence of the Gods who have so ordained it as at more leasure you may know either because they would not have so much vertue lost in the Forrests or intending to make you greater then you are they will by you make a person who loves you happy live then and be happy for you need desire no more then your
Clindor his dear friend seeing him spend after a vast rate he asked him how he was able to maintaine so great an expence At first he was somthing shie but afterwards told him his adventure of this unknown Lady and how all the art he had could not discover who she was Clindor advised him the next time he went to cut off a peece of the fringe at the foot of the bed and the next morning to go unto all the houses which he could suspect and try if he could find any such bed which he did and by this trick my Father came to the knowledge of her who was so favourable unto him Yet he ever kept it so secret that neither Clindor or any of his children could ever know it But the first time he went to her after this when he was ready to rise in the morning he conjured her to conceal her selfe no longer for he knew she was such a one She hearing her selfe named was ready to speak yet she kept silence untill the old woman came then when Alcippes was gone she terrified her with a thousand meanaces supposing that she had discovered her unto him so as the poor old band came trembling to my Father and told him that he had deceived her Then he in a smiling manner told her his device which he had used and that it was the invention of Clindor She extreamly glad of this discovery after a thousand denialls of it went to tell this Lady of it And when she knew that Clindor was the inventor of this artifice she turned her anger against him easily pardoned Alcippe whom indeed she could not hate yet from that day she never sent for him again And since nothing is so sweet as revenge unto an offended spirit this woman was never at rest till she had sprung a quarrell between Clindor and one that was Cozen unto Pimander whom Clindor killed and though he was pursued yet by the help of Alcippes he got into Anvergne and saved himselfe But Amasis transacted so with Alerick King of the Visigots who was then at Thoulouse as he did imprison him at Usson with command unto his officers that they should remit him into the hands of Pimander who intended his death Alcippe left no stone unturned to obtain his pardon but all in vaine Wherefore foreseeing the inevitable ruine of his freind he resolved at what rate soever eyther to save him or die with him He was then at Usson as I told you before a place so strong as it seemed meere folly to attempt the getting him out however not being able to live without Clindor he resolved to be beforehand with those who were to go thither from Pimander so as going away in a discontent he get a dozen freinds and came to the gates of the Castle clad like Country fellowes having under their jackets short swords and baskets on their armes as if they came to sell something I have since heard him say that there was three Forts all one within another These resolute Peasants came to the outmost of them where they found very few of the Visigots upon the Guard for most of them were gone into the Town to provide necessaries for the Garrison Being come so neer they offered their commodities to sell at so cheap a rate that almost all within came to buy them Then my Father spying his opportunity got him who guarded the gate by the neck killed him and at that very instant every one of his commpanions killed his man and entring in kept the rest out at the swords point then running to the Prisons they found Clindor and so many others as being armed they thought able to maintaine the Garrison To abridge my discourse I will onely tell you Madam that though upon the Alarme the gates of the Town were shut yet they forced them and got out without the losse of one man though the Governour who was killed there did make a very brave resistance Thus was Clindor saved Alerick being accquainted that this enterprize was acted by my Father he was so incensed against him as he sent to Amasis to demand justice upon him she unwilling to lose his friendship sent presently to sease upon my Father but his friends gave him such timely notice of it that he got out of the Country and joyned himselfe with a Nation who a little after entred France and in hostile manner came as farr as the Rosne and Arar and some part of the Allobroges and being desirous to enlarge their territories they made a fierce warr upon the Visigots the Ostrogots the Romans amongst these was my Father entertained being known for a man of valour was presently honoured with severall Commands But within a few yeares Gondioch King of this Nation dying Gordebert his Sonn succeeded him in the Throne of Bourgundie and being desirous to settle his affaires in the beginning he contracted peace with his neighbours marrying his Son Sigismond unto one of the Daughters of Theodorick King of the Ostrogots and to hold faire with Alerick who was implacably offended against Alcippes he promised to entertaine him no longer So as he departed thence and closed with another people who from the Reihn◠did sease upon part of France in spight of the Gaules and Romans But Madam the discourse would be much too tedious should I particularise every passage of this voyage for from thence he was forced to London unto King Arthur who as I have heard did at that time institute the order of Knights of the Round Table afterwards being hunted out by Alerick he passed the Seas and went to Bizantium where the Emperour gave him the command of his Gallies But the Love to ones own country being above all others my Father though in great favour with so many Emperours yet had greater desire to breathe in his own native aire and Fortune did present the meanes unto him when he least expected it Alerick died and Tyherre his Son succeeded him who having many Brothers had enough to do in maintaining his own without thinking upon his Fathers enemyes And therefore being desirous to carry fair withall in the beginning of his Reigne he published a generall Act of Oblivion which pardoned all offences committed in his Kingdome This was a good step to Alcippes returne if Pimander had once forgot the injurie which he received yet as the Visigots were instrumentall in his banishment so Fortune would have them as forward in his repeal◠〈◊〉 little before as I told you Arthur King of great Brittaine had instituted the Knights of the Round Table an order consisting of a certain number of young vertuous men who were obliged to go and seek adventures to punish the wicked to relieve the oppressed and to defend the honour of Ladies Then the Visigots of Spaine which then dwelt in Pampoluna in imitation of this Order did chuse out a number of Knights who went into many Countries and shewed their valour And at that time
hath captivated She said this as twitting her with the infidelitie of Agis who once Loved her and either out of jealousie or some two monthes absence was quite changed also upbraiding her with Polemas who was stolne from her by another beauty which Leonida understood very well and thus replied I must confesse Sister that my cords are easily untyed and the easier because I would never take so much paines as to tye them faster Celadon hearkned unto their pretty quarrells with much delight and to the end they should not end too soon he said unto Silvia fair Nymph since it seemes you are the cause why this admirable Fountaine cannot be seen I beseech you oblige us so far as to tell us how it came to passe Celadon answered the Nymph and smiled you have businesse enough at home and need not meddle much in that of others but if your Love will allow of so much curiositie Leonida if you request her may perhaps tell you the end as she did undesired the beginning Sister answered Leonida since you permit me to tell the story I Love you so well as I will not let your victories be unknowne especially those which you so much desire should be knowne But because I will not tyre this shepherd I will be as brief as possible I can Not for that reason I beseech you said the shepherd but if you will because she may have time enough to do the like office for you Never doubt that replied Silvia but according as she useth me I shall know how to repay her Thus from their own mouthes Celadon was acquainted with all the particulars of their lives and to the end he might the better hear as they walked they placed him in the mindst and thus Leonida began The History of Silvia WHosoever saith that Love is sufficient to procure Love againe never had any experience either in the eyes or the courage of this Nymph for if they had they would have known that as water runs from the fountaine so the Love of such as Love her run away and never troubleth her If when you have heard the discourse I intend to make you do not acknowledge as much I will freely give you leave to taxe my judgement Amasis the mother of Galathea hath a Son called Clidaman owner of as many excellent qualities as any person of his age and ranke is capable of for he is exquisite at any thing which relates either to Arms or Ladyes About three years agoe to give some testimonie of his gentle disposition and by the permision of Amasis he gave a servant unto all the Nymphs and this not by election but lot for having put the names of all the Nymphs into one basin and the names of all the young Caveliers into another then in an open assembly the basin in which the Nymphs were was presented to the young Gallants and the basin in which the young Gallants were was presented unto the Nymphs Then by the sound of several trumpets the young Clidaman did draw his lot and it chanced to be Silvia afterwards the young Nymph did draw her lot and it chanced to be Clidaman Great were the applaudes which every one gave but the behaviour of Clidaman was most extolled who as soon as he had received his lot went and kneeling down before this Nymph did kiss her fair hand She out of modesty would not have suffered it without the command of Amasis who said it was the least homage she could receive After her all the rest took their chances to some it happned according to their desires and to others not Galatheas fortune fel upon a brave Gallant called Lindamor who then was newly returned from the armie mine fell upon one whose name was Agis the most perfidious and unconstant wethercock that ever was Some of these who took their fortunes did only in appearance like their chances others did with their hearts ratifie what fortune had done and those who were most pleased with their chances were such as before that had conceived some seeds of affection Amongst the rest young Ligdamon was one whose lot light upon Silera a Nymph truly very amiable but not to him who had already disposed of his heart And certainly it was happy for him that he was then absent for he would never have performed that faigned homage which Amasis would have commanded that perhaps would have brought him into disgrace For you must know that he was brought up amongst us and was so faire and handsome in all his actions as every one esteemed him especially Silvia they being both of an age At first their ordinary conversation begot a Love like unto that between Brothers and Sisters such a Love as their age was capable of but as Ligdamon grew in years so he did in affection so as at fourteen or fifteen years of age his wil began to change it self into desires and his desires by degrees became passions Yet he carried the matter so discreetly that Silvia her selfe had never knowne it if she had not forced him unto it Afterwards when he knew his disease and confidered what smal hopes there was of his cure then the mirth and pleasantnesse which was wont to be in his lookes and all his actions was turned into sadnesse and from sadnesse into such lumpish melancholy that every one took notice of the alteration Silvia was not the last of those who asked him the reason but she could draw nothing from him but heartlesse answers At last when she saw his dulnesse continued one day when she was complaining against the coldnesse of his affection and obliging him to conceale nothing from her she perceived that he could not so well constraine himselfe but that a sad sigh came out in lieu of an answer This moved her to beleeve that perhaps Love was the cause of his ill Did not poor Ligdamon carry the matter very discretly all the while in all his actions since she could never imagine her self to be the cause Perhaps the Nymphes humour not liking the businesse was partly the cause however his prudence was great that could conceal such ardent affection Now Silvia begins to urge him more then she did before and told him that if Love was the cause she would contribute all her assistance and do all the good offices he could desire The more he denied it the more desirous was she to know it at last not being able to hold any longer he confessed that it was Love but said that he had sworn never to tell with whom T is most high presumption said he to love her but being compelled to it by such an unresistable beauty I am the more excusable yet should I name her what excuse could I find for my rashnesse The same excuse that your friendship to me hath said Silvia Then Madam replied Ligdamor that and your command together shall plead my excuse do but look in that glasse and you will see what you desire to know Upon this
make such deep wounds He vexed me to see him in this condition and to enquire further of things I went unto Silvia but she protested that she knew not what they meant At last after a reading of these verses two or three times she lifted up her hand to her head finding her bodkin not there she begun to laugh and say her bodkin was lost that some or other had found it and that Ligdamon knew of it She had no sooner said so but Clidaman came into the Hall with this murdering sword in his hand I intreated her to let him have it no longer I will first try his discretion said she afterwards I will use all the power I have with him She was as good as her word for as soone as he came she said unto him This sword is mine He answered so Madam is he that hath it I would have it said she I wish with all my soul said he you would have all that 's yours Will you not restore it said the Nymph how can I will any thing replied â—e since I have no will at all What have you done with that which you had said she You Madam have ravished it from me said he and at this very minute it is changed into yours Since it is so said she that your will is mine you must restore the bodkin because my will is so Since I would the some that you would said he it must of necessity follow that I would have it also Silvia smiled a little but at last she said I would have you give it me I also said he would have you give it me Then the Nymph put out her hand and took it I will never deny you said he though you would have me and all Thus Silvia receaved her sword and I writ this Note unto Ligdamon Leonida's Letter unto Ligdamon Ligdamon THat which you thought to be a favour conferred upon your Rivall was only ravished and when the owner know of it she took it from him againe Judge you how things are the favours which your Rivall hath proceed from ignorance and his disfavours from deliberation Thus was Ligdamon cured not by the same hand but by the same sword which wounded him In the meane time Guyamants affection grew to this height as it was little short of Aristanders On the other side Ligdamon under the colour of Complement did suffer a most passion at Love to plant it selfe in his soul After that both of them had vyed which should most please Silvia and found that she did equally favour and frown upon them both they resolved one day to try which of them was most in favour and to that end they both came to Silvia from whom they both received such cold answeres that the controversie could not be decided Then by the counsel of a Druide who was grieved to seetwosuch men unprofitably lose that time which might better be spent in defence of their countryes they went unto the Fountain of the veritie of Love You know what the property of that water is and how it discovers the most secret thoughts of Lovers for he who lookes into it shall there see his Mistris and if she Love him he shall see himselfe by her but if she Love another then that other shall appear Clidaman was the first which presented himselfe before this Fountain he kneeled downe upon the ground kissed the side of the Fountain and after he had implored the Angell of the place to be favorable unto him he leaned a little over immediatly Silvia was seen so admirably fair that the transported Lover could not chuse but stoope to kisse her hand but his contentment was soone cooled when he saw no body by her He retired with a perplexed mind and after a discontented pause he beckned unto Guyamant to come and try his fortune He having with all requisite ceremonies prayed unto the Dietie of the place did cast his eye upon the Fountain but he fared no better then Clidaman for Silvia alone appeared and with her fair eyes seemed to burn the water Both of them much amazed at the matter they went to a Druide who was highly versed in Magique and asked the cause He answered that the reason was because Silvia loved neither of them nor any else as being capable of burning others but not of burning herselfe They who could not beleeve themselves to be so much out of favour as they looked severally before so now they would returne and looke in the water both together and though both of them leand over on severall sides yet the Nymph appeared alone The Druide saw them retire and smiled telling them that they might certainly beleeve themselves not loved for said he you must know that as all other waters do represent the body this represents the spirits Now the spirit which is only the will the memorie and the judgment when it loves is transformed into the thing loved And therefore when you present your selfe here it receives the figure of your spirit and not of your body and your spirit being changed into Silvia it represents Silvia and not you If Silvia loved you she would have been changed as well into you as you into her and so representing your spirit you should see Silvia and seeing Silvia changed by Love as I told you you should see your selves also Clidaman listned very attentively unto this discourse and considering that the conclusion was an assurance of that which he most feared he drew his sword and struck two or three times as hard as he could upon the Marble of the Fountain His sword broke in two and left no impression or signs of his blows but still striving to break the stone like an angry dogge which bites the stone which is thrown at him the Druide told him that he lost his labour for the inchantment of the place would never end by force but by extremity of love but if he would make it uselesse he could inform him of a way Clidaman had brought up for rarity in great Iron Cages two Lyons and two Unicornes which he often baited with severall sorts of Animals These the Druide begged for guards of the Fountain and so enchanted them aâ— though they ranne at libertie yet they would never go â—rom the entrance into the grate nor will they ever offer any hurt unlesse to such as will attempt upon the Fountain but such as will be so adventurous they assault with extream fury for the Lions are so great and terrible their Clawes so long and sharp they are so nimble and active and so unimated unto this defence as is incredible Again the Unicomes have Hornes so sharp and strong as they will pierce the hardest Rock and do thrust with such force and nimblenesse as none can escape them Assoon as this guard was placed Clidaman and Guyamant went to travell and departed so secretly that neither Amasis nor Silvia knew of it untill they were gotten a great way from them They went
know full well that these titles are most suitable unto yourselfe and your own actions Do you think that because you have got the start and complain first you can therefore palliate your faults and wipe away the wrongs which you have done me me I say not sickle as your selfe is who have more reason to be ashamed of your changing then I have to be vexed at it But that which most vexeth me is that you should charge me with your own faults and counterfeit a good occasion for your own infidelity But 't is no matter he that will deceive his own Brother may well deceive her that is no relation to him And then turning towards me And you Astrea said she unto me you that have stollen away the heart of a Servant from me do you think to keep it any longer then the first new object that shall present it selfe ' No no though I know your perfections have power enough to keep any heart but such a one as is compos'd of feathers and has wings to flie away yet this light Butterflie will give you the slip Phillis replied I you talk of some perfections that should be in me but certainly they are much inferiour unto yours since they are not able to hold Celadon from you Celadon had now a little recollected himself and kneeling down he said unto me It is not my Astrea to undervalue the merits of Phillis that I make these most solemn vowes before all the most sacred gods but to convince you that she did never kindle the least spark of love in my soul and the wrong you have done me in changing is not greater then your taxing my pure affection with inconstancy The story would be too tedious sage Diana should I trouble you with every particular of our discourse But so it was that before we parted we were all so well setled in our senses again that all of us did acknowledge that we had no reason to suspect one another and gave thanks unto heaven for this happy meeting all together without which I believe the roots of jealousie had never been eradicated As for my part I think it was impossible ever to have brought me to reason had I not heard Celadon declare himselfe so Ingenuously before the face of Phillis After this we were more discret but I no sooner got rid of this distemper then I entred into another no lesse daingerous for we could not so well disguise the businesse but Alcippes had a jealousie that the sparkes of his Sons affection were not quit extinguished and had such a curious eye over all his actions as observing how Celadon went every day to the place where we were wont to lay our Letters he himselfe went thither and observing how the grasse was troden by our often going thither a kind of tract did lead him to the very place where I had put a Letter for Celadon the night before it contained these words Astreas Letter unto Celadon YEsterday we all went into the Temple where every one assembled to offer Sacrifice unto Pan I would have said to have kept a holy day had you been there But such is my devotion to you that even divine things themselves without you are displeasing to me I am now so full of common businesse as were it not for the promise I have made to write every day unto you you should hardly have heard from me Receive therefore this only as a testimony that I will for ever keep all my promises to you When Alcippes had read this Letter he put it into the place again and hiding himselfe in hopes that it would be fetched away his Son came presently after and having no paper about him he writ thus upon the back of my Letter Celadon's Letter unto Astrea YOu oblige and disoblige both at once but pardon me if this expression offend you I am not more obliged unto the gods then unto you because you say you Love me but by saying you would not have written unlesse because you had promised this doth infinitly disoblige me for so I become a debtor only to your promise and not to your affection Consider I beseech you that I am not yours because I have promised but because I am purely yours without any other circumstance nor do I wish for any Letters from you which come only upon the conditions which are betwixt us but only such as proceed from your good affection I value them not as matters of Covenant and Marchandise but as testimonies of a pure affection Alcippes yet knew not who the shepherdesse was unto whom this Letter was intended for it named none but see what a spirit of contradiction will do he waited at the least six or seaven houres longer in expectation of her who was to fetch this Letter assuring himselfe that it would be before night It was very late before I came thither as soon as he espied me for feare I should not take the Letter he lay him down as if he were a sleep and I to avoid all suspition turned back and took another way He well satisfied with his paines as soon as I was gone did take the Letter and went home from whence he intended to send his son immediatly because he would not upon any tearms there should be any alliance betwixt us by reason of the deadly emnity that had been betwixt Alces and him but on the contrary intended to marry him unto Malthea the Daughter of Forelle To whose house he sent him During this seperation Olimpia daughter unto the Shepheard Lupeander dwelling upon the confines of Forrest towards the River of Furan came with her Mother unto our Town This good old woman did Love Amarillis very well being brought up together from the cradle and therefore came to visit her This young shepheardesse was not so fair as affected and entertained so good a conceit of her self as she thought that all the shepheards which ever looked upon her were in Love with her And therefore as soon as she came into the house of Alcippe she began to busie her selfe with Lycidas having an opinion that the cruelties which he had used towards her proceeded from Love which as soone as Lycidas perceived he came to ask our advice how he should behave himself And we counselled him to cherish this conceit in Olimpia to the end he might the better umbrage his affection unto Phillis And a little after as ill luck was it happned that Artemis had some businesse close by the River Allier and do what we could she carried Phillis with her During this separation which was sixe or seaven Monthes the Mother of Olimpia returned and left her Daughter with Amarillis in hopes that Lycidas would Marry her because for ought she could see he loved her very well And being an advantageous March for her the Mother advised her to trim her selfe up in as amarous a dresse as possibly she could and I assure you Fair Diana she did trick up her selfe
indifferent in you both became now particular and Love did furnish his soul with all such passions as usually do accompany it likwise you began to bear him so much good will as to accept of his affection and services above others The first time he ever made any overtures unto you was when Amasis did walk in the gardens of Mount-Brison when he took you by the hand and after a long pause upon a suddain he broke into these expressions Fair Nymph I will no longer dispute with my selfe whether I should or I should not declare the thoughts of my soul unto you for now my soul begins to be angry with me and constraines me to it Here I stopt and said unto her Leonida will you have me repeat the very same words to a syllable that you used in answer to him Beleeve me said Polemas them you run a great hazard to be discovered No no answered Cleanthes and to give a testimonie that I have not lost my memorie I wil repeat unto you the same words But replyed Polemas perhaps I might either forget or mistake them Oh never doubt that said Cleanthes for I beleeve she herself cannot remember her own very words so as having an opinion that I recieved mine from the gods doubtlesse she would have beleeved them the same though you had never been familiar with her But remembring that you served her long and that your services were alwayes well received untill you changed affection and addressed it unto Galathea and upon that reason she took part with Lindamor against you therefore I spoke more confidently of the past passages knowing well that Love wil not let a lover conceal any thing from the party loved but to returne to the purpose she answered me I see you can tell us what you wil but we can believe what we please this she said as being a little nettled in that which perhaps she would have concealed from her companions however I went on True Leonida said I you may beleeve what you please but I am sure tell you nothing but what you know is true you answered Agis as if you did not understand his meaning whatsoever it be Agis said you unto him out with it for dissimulation misbecomes all men especially such as you This advice answered he together which my own passion constraines me to tell your Fair Nymph That the inequality of my merits compared with yours is not able to stop the violence of my affection but if the will of a giver be more to be looked unto then the quality of the gift I dare boldly say that mine is not a despisable sacrifice For the heart which I do give I do give it with all the affections with all the faculties and with all the power of my soul and this so absolutely as hereafter it is not mine I do disavow and renounce it as a thing that does not belong unto me untowhich you answered Agis I shall beleeve these words when time and your services has told as much as your tongue This Leonida was the first declaration of affection which you received from him which afterwards he did prosecute with many addresses and quarrells which he underwent against many when he was jealous It was now the time Leonida when you as you were curling your haire with hot Irons you burned your cheek upon which subject he composed these verses Agis Upon the burning of Leonida's cheeke AS Love was sporting in the fuire And lovely tresses of your haire A sparkle of his fire did seek To kisse the beauty of your cheeke And being full of hot desire He kissed it as hot as fire Judge cruell Nimph by this what pain Poor lovers by Lov 's fire sustaine Since but apittance or a part Of his great fire can cause such smart The scorching Luster of your eyes So full of flaming cruelties Against my heart a hundred sends Whilst only one your cheek offends But had Love bit aright the mark Upon your heart had light the spark Judge cruell Nymph by this what pain Poor Lovers by Loves fire sustain Since but a pittance or a part Of his great flame can case such smart Now Leonida to make it appear that I do know al these things from a Divinitie who never lies and whose eye and eare does look into the very center of all hearts I will tell you one thing which none did ever know but your self and Agis She was now afraid lest I should discover some secret which would anger her and indeed it was my design to make her have that apprehension and therefore with a troubled mind she said thus unto me man of God though I do not fear that you or any other can say any thing which will much prejudice me yet the discovery of secrets is a thing of so tender a concernment as be they touched by never so gentle a hand yet it wil annoy therefore I beseech you let this discourse have an end she uttered these words with so much alteration in her lookes and in such a faint tone as to cheere her up I was forced to say thus you need not think me of so shallow discretion but that I know how to conceale any thing which will offend you and therefore fince you will know no more I know how to be silent also it is time for me to returne to that Divinity who calls me then I did rise up and bad them adieu Then after I had ceremoniously washed my hand in this River upon my knees I said Oh Soveraigne Dietie which resides in this place behold how in this water I wash away and purifie my self from all the prophanitie which the conversation with men might have defiled me withall since I came out of thy holy Temple At this word I washed my hands my head my feet and all parts over so entred into my cabin not speaking a word after unto her and because I did imagine that their curiositie would invite them to come and see what I did I went unto my Altar and kneeling down I let down the plank which had the steel in it and which immediatly fell upon the flint and fired my composition The Nymphs first seeing my looking glasse which cast a very resplendent Luster and after such a flaming combustion upon a sudden they returned home with a great opinion of my sanctitie and reverence towards the Divinitie whom I adored Could matters be better executed then this No certainly answered Polemas for I believe any one that was not acquainted with it might have been deceived as well as the Nymphs Whilst Climanthes talked thus Leonida who heard him was so ravished out of her selfe as she hardly knew whether she was awake or asleep for she found all he related to be very true and yet she could not well believe that it was so But whilst she was thus in dispute with her selfe she heard Climanthes begin again thus Then these Nymphs went away and what reports they made of me
I know not but I conjecture they talked very highly of me and such strange things that all the Court was full of me for as fame alwaies encreaseth by passing from mouth to mouth so an infinite number came to see me some out of curiosity others to know their Fortunes and many to see whether all reports of me were true so as I was put to all my shifts for maintaining my reputation To avoid some I said that this was a day on which the deitie would not hear nor answer to others I said that some had offended the divinity and therefore they would give no return untill I had appeased them by fasting to others I did prescribe a long pennance before I could undertake them And when all was done I said they had either done too much or too little of that which I did impose upon them and so I alwaies gained time As for such as I knew any thing of their businesse I dispatched them readily enough and that was the reason why all others who desired to know as much as they did wholly submit unto whatsoever I did impose upon them At the last Amasis her selfe came to see me and brought Galathea with her after I had satisfied Amasis in all her demands which in sum was whether Clideman should be prosperous in his voyage and I answered her that he should run through much varietie of fortune that he should be wounded and that he should be in three Battles with the Princes of France but that at last he should return with much glory Then she went away well satisfied and desired me to recommend her son unto the tuition of the deitie whom I adored But Galathea much fuller of curiosity then her Mother taking me aside thus said unto me Good Father I beseech you oblige me so far as to let me know what Fate I must expect Then I did bid her shew me her hand I looked her in the face I made two or three circles on the ground and turned towards the same then I took the measure of her hand of her foot of her neck and many other ceremonies did I use At last looking stedfastly upon her I said Galathea You are infinitely happy if you can but know how to take the advantage of one houre and you are extreamly miserable if either out of carelessnesse or out of love or out of fear you let this houre slip But the very truth is unlesse you would make your selfe uncapable of that happinesse unto which the heavens destined you you cannot attain unto greater felicity all your happinesse or all your misery depends upon Love Be advised therefore and take a strong resolution not to be intangled by the allurements of love let neither the counsell of Friends nor command of Parents stagger you for if you do then there is none under heaven will be more miserable then your selfe Oh heavens said Galathea then how you amaze me Nay never wonder said I unto her for this which I tell you is only for your good and to the end you may carry your selfe with more prudence I will discover unto you as much as the deitie will permit me but be sure you keep all I shall say most secret and do not impart it to any upon earth After she had promised me so to do I proceeded on Daughter said I for so my divine office allowes me to call you you shall be courted and sued unto by many noble Cavaliers whose vertues and merits may haply move you to cast an eye upon some of them but if you do measure your affection either by their merits or by their loves and not by what I shall say unto you then you will become as miserable as one that is out of the favour of the gods can be As for me who am the interpreter of their will by thus telling you I do deprive you of all excuses which can be drawn from ignorance You know that heaven requires obedience and submission above all other sacrifices therefore be sure you remember what I say Upon the Bacchanalian feast day when men are swell'd with the enthusiasms of their god you shall be in the great Town of Marcelles where many Gallants will see you but take good heed of him who shall wear a suit made of green cloth of gold If you do love him I shall lament your sad fate for you shall be the Butt of all disasters and misfortunes Father said she unto me I do know a good remedie against all these and that is to love none at all My Child said I unto her there is danger also in this remedie for you may as well offend the gods in not doing that which they would have you do as in doing that which they would not have you do therefore take heed of that How then must I behave my selfe said she I have already told you what you must not do answered I And now I will tell you what you must do In the first place you must know that all corporeall or sphituall bodies have their sympathies and antipathies from the lesser we may come to the proof of the greater My aim is to make you understand that you have both a good and a bad Genius waiting upon you one contrary to the other and to avoid the bad you must court the good who will make you infinitely happy did you but know to hit your houre Oh Father said she I do conjure you by the divinity whom you adore to tell me what I should do There is another person answered I whom if you do marry you will enjoy more felicitie then ever any mortall did I beseech you said Galathea who is it That fair Nymph said I must not come from me but only from Hecathe whom I adore so as if I do not satisfie you in that do not think it is for want of any good will but because she hath not yet revealed it unto me may be because I had not so much curiosity as to enquire it But if you would know then observe what I shall say unto you and then you shall know as much as is necessary for as the Gods do liberally dispence their benefits unto men when they please so they would be acknowledged Gods The sacrifices of mortalls are pleasing unto them as testimonies that they are not ungratefull for the benefits which they receive The Nymph much ravished then answered That she desired no more and that she would punctually observe whatsoever I should ordain Now then is the time said I unto her for the Moon is now at the full or very neer it and if you should let her decrease it would for ever after be too late Then I did command her to do the same things I did Silvia and Leonida to wash her selfe before day in this little River both thighes and armes and to come thus with a Chaplet of Vervine and a Girdle of Mosse or Fem before my Cell and that I would prepare all things
why he shunned her so much To which Lysis replied The reason is because you do so impudently pursue me But Shepheard replyed Stella I know from whence your discontents proceed and I believe not from him whom you imagine For gods-sake answered Lysis let me alone in quietnesse it is enough that thy offence proceeds from your hating me and your hatred from your own levity But 't is no matter all 's forgotten and now I have no minde to love Well well answered she I know from whence all your anger proceeds and certainly you have some seeming reason for it but I beseech you consider it a little better Is it such an impardonable injury not to take a man to a husband as soon as ever he hath asked the question Is it not the custome of our Country that he should ask that question twice The truth is if I had marryed another I had done you an injury But what likelyhood is there that I should ever refuse a man so constant that hath loved me almost these three months The offended spirit of Lysis not suffering him to love her and his affection not suffering him to hate her he did not know in what termes to answer her and yet to stop the torrent of words he thus said unto her I have had sufficient experience Stella that you know better how to say then do and that you abound much more in words than reason but take this for an unalterable certainty that look how much I loved you heretofore so much or more do I hate you now and shall do as long as I live so as there shall not be a day in which I will nor divulge you unto all the world for the most ungratefull and consening woman under heaven Upon this forcing his affection and the arme of Stella away he broke from her and left her alone in the window whilst he went amongst the rest of the Shepheards Semires who as I told you heard all this discourse was both so amazed and ill satisfied with her as he resolved ever since to make no more addresses unto such a wavering weathercock which resolution was much more confirmed by me for I having long looked for an opportunity of speaking to her and seeing Lysis had left her alone I accosted her for I must confesse that her allurements had some power upon my soul and so much as the affronts which she had put upon Lysis would not let me see her imperfections and fleeting disposition And as every one is apt to flatter himselfe in his own desires so I supposed that what the merits of Lysis could not obtaine from her my good fortune might As long as Lysis courted her I would not let my affection appeare for besides consangunity there was a great league of amitie betwixt us but when I saw he was off and thinking the place vacant for I never took notice of Semires I thought it a fit time to open my self before she entertained any other so addressing my selfe unto her and finding her all pensivenesse I said unto her that certainly it was some great occasion which thus had altered her for sadnesse was seldom seen in her pleasant humour It is that troublesome Lysis answered she who has put me in mind of old stories and still upbraids me with the refusing of him Does that trouble you said I unto her can it chuse answered how she for affection is not so soon put off as ones cloaths are but because I did a little delay his desires he took it for an absolute discharge Truly said I Lysis did not deserve the honour of your favour for what he could not compasse by his merits he ought to have tryed what all his services accompanied with a long patience would do but his boyling temper together with perhaps his too little love would not permit him Had the same happinesse hapned unto me as unto him with what affection should I have entertained it And with what patience should I have waited for it You would think it strange reverend Father to heare me tell you how suddenly this shepheardesse changed yet I protest she entertained the overture of my Love as soon as ever I made it and in such a manner as before we parted she permitted me to call my self her servant You may easily conceive that Semires who heard all this was no better satisfied with me then he was with Lysis but ever since he hath discontinued his addresses yet so discreetly as many think Stella to be the cause for she seemed not to care for it because the place of her affection was possessed with the new hopes she had of me which was the cause that I received many favours from her and which Lysis quickly perceived But Love which alwaies will tryumph over freindship did keep me from speaking unto him lest I should offend the shepheardesse and though he was much offended that I should thus conceale my my selfe from him yet I never did speak unto him without Stella's leave who also seemed desirous it should be so But I who then was ignorant of her tricks and strived at nothing but how to content her one night when Lysis and I were together I had this discourse with him I must confesse Lysis said I unto him that I have not so clearly opened my self unto you as our freindship required but now you must help me out or else I am undon I answered Lysis why you may be assured that I will never faile the part of a friend though your mistrust of me might alter the case and yet do not think but I do know of your Love but your silence so offended me that I said nothing of it Since you did know it replied I and never spoke to me of it I have the greater cause to be offended for I do confesse that I have somthing failed in point of freindship by my silence but you must consider that a lover is not himselfe and his disease is an excuse for all his errours but you who are not troubled with the same passionate disease you have no excuse for your failings in point of freindship Lysis hearing my reasons began to smile and said You are very pleasant Corilas and I will not contradict you but I pray you tell me how I may make amends for my fault In doing that for me said I which you could not for your self which is that I may obtain the affection of Stella Oh heavens cryed out Lysis then unto what a dangerous precipice have you brought your self Shun it Corilas shun it for it is a most dangerous passage which ruines all those which ever took it I speak unto you by experience you know it I know that from any other your merits can obtaine more then mine but it is grosse folly to hope for any thing from this perfidious woman whom neither vertue nor reason will move to which I answered that to hear him say so was no smal contentment for said I until now
I was afraid you had retained some thoughts for your self therefore I was so reserved but since thāks be to the fates it is not so I wil in this business put you to the tryal of friendship I know that the hatred which succeeds Love is alwaies measured according to the grandure of its predecessor and that you once loving this shepheardesse and now comming to hate her your hatred will be far greater then if you had never loved her Yet understanding from Stella her self that I can never arrive at my desires but by your meanes I do conjure you Lysis by our friendship to aide me either by advising or speaking for me or any other way I will take it as a most extream proof of your fidelity Lysis was extreamly surprised at this desire expecting any other prayer frō me then this by which besides his dislike from this of speaking unto Stella he had lost a freind whom he loved most Yet he answered thus unto me Corilas I will do as you desire you can expect no more from me but still remember that in messages of Love such persons should be imployed as are not hated Thus poor Lisis in lieu of a lover became a messenger of Love a difficultie which his affection to me made him undertake and he had full intentions to serve me though afterwards he changed his mind but the violence of his Love must plead his excuse for Love hath a most predominate power over men and truly his affection to me is to be both commended and admired since he was once willing to part from her he loved to let me enjoy her One day watching an opportunitie of speaking unto her he found her at home by herself none being by to interrupt their discourse then calling to memorie the affronts he formerly had received he so armed himself against her charmes as Love at this time could have no hope of overcomming And though the shepheardesse studied alwaies to tryumph over him yet he did so oppose his spleen against her and his freindship to me that at this combate he was conquerer Before he began to speak she went to meet him and pumped for some of her affected language What new happynesse is this said she that hath brought back my long'd for Lysis to me What an unexpected favour is this Come come since you are returned I will begin to hope againe for I dare swear that never since you left me have I enjoyed a minute of content to which the shepheard answered More eloquent then faithfull shepheardesse I am better satisfied with this your ingenuous confession then if I had not been offended at your in fidelity but let us leave off this kind of discourse and forget it for ever answer me only to such demands as I shall make unto you Are you still resolved to deceive all those who shall ever Love you For my part I must beleeve you are for none of your humours are unknowne unto me but I came to see and ask how many adorers you have and whether you did not say and protest and swear unto them that none should ever be deceived by you for if you did certainly they are in my predicament and rank The shepheardesse did not expect these reproaches yet she answered him and thus Shepheard though you came only with designes to wrong me yet I give you thanks for the visit and confesse that you have reason to complaine against me I complaine answered he no I pray you let that alone I will neither wrong you nor complain against you but am so farre from it that I will rather commend your humour for had you seemed to love me any longer I had been longer deluded And I pray God the losse of your Love bring me no more hurt then it doth sorrow you shall never heare that I complain of you for injurie and truth cannot subsist together no more then you fidelity can but take this for a most certain truth that you are the most deluding and ungrateful shepheardesse in all Forrests Me thinks discourteous shepheard answered Stella that this language would become any other mouth better then yours Then Lysis began to addresse himself in another dialect Hitherto said he I have borrowed my language from the just anger of Lysis but now I will borrow it of one that hath more to do with you then Lysis hath that is from a discreet shepheard who loves you and who values nothing upon earth comparable to your favorable acceptance of him his services She thinking that Lisis mocked her answered him thus Leave off this discourse Lysis it is enough that you once did Love me without any reviving of the memorie of your errors 'T is very true said the Shepheard they were errors indeed that moved me to love you out you erre as much as I did if you think that I do love you now or that I speak for my selfe No no I speak in behalfe of poor Corilas who is so wholly your devoted as nothing can draw him off I told him how I had tried you and what little assurance there was to be found in your soul and words I swore unto him that you would certainly deceive him and that I was sure you would keep me from being forsworn But the poor miserable loving thing is so blinded as he thinks what I cannot obtain his merits can and yet to undeceive him I told him that merit was the greatest impediment to obtain any thing from you And to the end you may believe what I say I pray read this Letter which he hath sent you But because Stella would not read my Letter Lysis did open it and read it aloud unto her The Letter of Corilas unto Stella Fairest Shepheardesse IT is most impossible that any eye should look upon you and not love and as impossible to love you and not be extream in his affection If you please but to consider this truth when this paper shall be presented unto your most lovely eyes I assure my selfe that the grandure of my pain will out of pitty finde a pardon for aspiring unto such a height as your merits though this presumption does justly merit punishment In expectation of your doom I beseech you give my thoughts leave to kisse your fair hands a hundred thousand times not being able within the compasse of that number to include those sorrowes which the deniall of this supplication will give me nor those joyes which will swell me if you receive me as most truly I am Your most affectionate and most faithfull Servant Assoon as Lysis had read this Letter he went on with his discourse Come Stella said he what death must he die or how must he live For my part I pitty him with all my heart and wish you could do the like I pray consider how bitter your deniall will be to him This discourse did touch this Shepheardesse to the quick and seeing how far Lysis was from loving her she
of them by mediation of friends Amongst the rest a neighbour of theirs called Phormion did so trouble them that to stop all those gaps their friends advised them to make some alliance with him and because neither of them had any children neither having been long married they both swore by Theutates upon the Altar of Belinus that if they had but one Son and one Dauyhter they should Marry together and this promise was confirmed by so many sacred oathes as he who broke them was the most perjured man in the world A little after my Father had a Son who perished when the Goths and Ostrogoths did ravage this Province A little after that I was born but in such an unhappy houre for me that my Father never saw me he dying before I was born Phormion seeing my Father dead and my Brother lost for those barbarians took him away and either killed him or let him starve for want and that my Uncle Diamis was gone away in displeasure at this losse he resolved if he had a Son to accomplish their former promise It happened a little after that his wife was brought to bed but it was of a Daughter and fearing lest he should have no more children by his wife he caused it to be rumored that it was a Son and carried it so cunningly that none knew the contrary And it was the more easie to be don because none believed that he would use any such tricks also the better to colour the matter he caused her to be named Philidas Whom when she was grown to an age of practising such excercises as young shepheards use she was not ill at them Phormions designe was that seeing me without Father Brother and Uncle to make himself Master of my estate by this dissembled marriage and when Philidas and I were growen bigger then to marry me unto one of his Nephews whom he loved very well and truly he was not frustrated in his designe for Belinda was too religious to be wanting in any duty to her husband But yet she seeing me ravished away and gotten into their hands for presently upon this pretended marriage I was seised into Phormions custody she did so dislike this course as not being able to endure it she left the Country and went into the Lake Lemane to be Mistresse of the Vestalls and Druides of Emenes as the aged Cleontine did Prophesie by her Oracle Meane while I was in the hands of Phormion who presently sent for his Nephew â— upon whom he intended to bestow me whose name was Amindor here did begin my griefes For Phormion his Uncle did let him understand that by reason of our nonage the marriage of Philiduss and me was not so assured but that if we two did not well agree he could well enough break it off and that if such a thing should be he had rather she should marry me then any other therefore he advised him to carry it with so much discretion as none should take any notice of it but still to win upon my affection as much as he could to the end I might bestow my self upon him when I was free This young shepheard did so take this designe to heart as he neglected no manner of courtship and complacency towards me At the same time Daphnis a very handsom and discreet shepheardess returned from the confines of Furan where she had lived many yeares and because we were neigbours our conversation made us such friends as I began to be lesse discontented then I was wont for I must confesse that the humour of Philidas was so displeasing unto me as I could hardly endure her also her feares of my growing more knowing made her so jealous of me that I could hardly speak unto any Things being upon these tearms Phormion fel suddenly sick and was so soon stuffed with a cattarh that he could neither speak nor give any order either about his own businesse or mine Philidas at the first was a little troubled but afterwards seeing that she was absolute Mistresse of her self and me also she resolved to keep up this authority considering that the libertie which the name of Man doth carry with it was much more pleasing then the servitude of our sex Nor was she insensible of that wonder which would be over all the Country when she should declare her selfe to be a woman upon these reasons she continued in the same name and notion which she did when her Father was alive and fearing more then ever lest some should discover what she was she kept me so neer her as she was seldom or never without me But Fair shpheardesses since you must know all my young follies I must first begge your excuses and that you will know I had so great an inclination to Love another way but that my heart was so hardned against Philadis and Amindor as love had not armes or arrowes strong and sharpe enough to peirce so much as my skin But alas it was the shepheard Filander who had my heart Filander who having given me some assurance of his love and now not being has carried with him all that was mine surely said Astrea and interrupted her either Filanders affection was very little or else you did carry it with a great deale of prudence for I never so much as heard of it Which is a thing very strang That it was not talked of answered Diana I am more obliged unto your good intentions then our prudence And as for the affection of this shepheard you may judge what it was by my ensuing discourse And the heavens who know our pure and cleere intentions had a mind to favour them The first time I ever saw him was upon that day which we celebrated unto Apollo and Diana when he came into those sports in the company of a Sister so extreamly like him that the eies of all the assembly were upon them And because he was neerely allyed unto my dear friend Daphnis as soone as I saw her I did so imbrace and carresse her as ever since she thought her self obliged to love me Her name was Callirea and was married unto a shepheard called Gerestan upon the confines of Furan whom she had never seen untill the very day she married him which was a reason why there was but a very flender affection between them My complacence to the Sister gave occasion unto the Brother to stand by me as long as the sacrifice lasted and I cannot tell whether to his good or bad fortune but I had that day dressed up my selfe in my best trim conceiving that my very name upon this feast did more particularly oblige me to it then any other And he being a stranger and having no other acquaintance amongst the Shepheards and Shepheardesses than such as his Sister brought him did not leave us all that day So as I conceiving my selfe in some sort obliged to entertain him I did what I could to please him and my labour was not lost for from that time
love with me and should be much more were he a man and expressed himselfe so very passionately that Daphnis who loved me very well did say that untill then she never knew it but that she her selfe was also in love me which was no stranger then that Philidas should love Filander And this disguised Callirea protested that the chiefe reason why she did constrain her Brother to go was this match which was propounded for which many so reasons were shewed me that I easily believed it to be so Being thus satisfied with this excuse she spoke of her passion unto me without any difficulty but still as a woman and vowing unto me that the very same resentments and passions which use to be in men that were in love were in her and that it was a great consolation unto her to expresse them Twelve or fifteen daies thus passed with so much delighting satisfaction unto Filander as he hath since sworn unto me that he never spent his daies more happily although his desires did swell him with abundance of impatiency which yet did daily augment his passion And pleasing himself in these thoughts he would very often walk alone to entertain them Now because he was seldome from us in the day time he would often make use of the night when he thought all asleep and go into the Garden where under some trees he would enjoy his thoughts and using often to go out thus Daphnis took notice of it who lay in the same Chamber And as commonly the worse rather then the better is suspected she was jealous of Amindor and her but for her satisfaction she would watch and watched so that seeing the disguised Callirea go out of his Bed she followed him by the light of the Moon into the Garden where just under my Chamber window she saw him sit down and lifting up his eyes unto heaven she heard him say thus aloud Even as the Moon doth quite outshine And dimn another star So my Diana most divine Transcends all beauties far Though Filander uttered these words loud enough yet Daphnis was so far off that she could not hear but here and there a word and therefore she stepped neerer as gently as she could though he was so taken up with his own imagination that had she walked before him he had hardly seen her as since he told me Assoon as she had gotten her selfe neer him so as she could hear him sigh she heard him say in a low voice to himselfe How unreasonable is my partiall fate that hath made her worthy of all services and yet me not worthy to serve her And that she should not accept of their affections who do love her yet to inspire them with extream passions Ah Callirea how pernitious proves thy plot unto thy tranquillitie and how art thou punished for thy bold presumption Daphnis did hearken unto Filander very attentively but though he spoke loud and distinct enough yet her prejudicated conceit of his being Callirea would not suffer her to comprehend his meaning But afterwards her curious ear heard him utter these words But Oh presumptuous Filander what excuse caust thou finde for thy fault and what punishment can equall thy offence Thou dost love this Shepheardesse yet how durst thou be so imprudently bold as to offer this injury unto her At this word he stopt but still his eyes and his sighs did expresse the extremity of his passion And to divert his sad thoughts or rather to flatter them he started up upon a suddain to walk and spied Daplnis though she to conceal her selfe did run away but because he was resolved to know who it was he ran after her and at the corner of the little wood overtook her and thinking that now she had discovered all which he had so closely concealed in a kinde of halfe anger he said unto her What Daphnis makes you so full of curiosity as so to spie out my actions in the night It is answered Daphnis in a smiling manner to get that out of you by craft which otherwise I could not And this she thought she had spoken unto Callirea not having yet discovered that he was Filander Well then replied Filander thinking he had been discovered what great Novelties have you learn'd by it All said Daphnis that I desire to know Then said Filander your curiosity is sufficiently satisfied So well answered she that I see all your diligence about Diana and all the great affection which you make a shew of unto her will in the end be repayed with grief and vekation Oh heavens cryed out Filander I see I am discovered But wise and discreet Daphnis since you do now know the cause of my being here with Diana you have in your hands both my life and my death But surely if you do consider how much I am yours and how ready I was ever to serve you upon all occasions I hope you rather wish my contentment and happinesse than my despair and ruine Daphnis still thought it to be Callirea that spoke and had a conceit that all these fears proceeded from Gerestan who would have taken it very ill his Wife should do any such office for her Brother but to satisfie him she said Callirea you need not to make any question of me for I am so well acquainted with your businesse that I would have contributed my best counsell and assistance though you had never spoke unto me but that I may the better serve you I beseech you acquaint me with the whole businesse to the end your freedome towards me may the more oblige me and your mistrust of me may not offend me I will dear Daphnis said he upon condition you promise me to say nothing unto Diana untill I consent unto it This request answered the Shepheardesse might have been well spared for such is her humour that I would never advise you to trust her with it Hence is my griefe said Filander for I do already so well know it that I do think my designe almost an impossibility For at the first when my Sister and I resolved to change habits she assuming mine and I hers I did then foresee that all the advantage I should get by it was that I might with more freedome be neer her a while in that disguise and not be taken for Filander How 's this said Daphnis all amazed for Filander Are not you Callirea The Shepheard who thought she had known him before was now very sorry that he had so rashly discovered himselfe but seeing it was now past and that there was no revocation of his words he bethought himselfe how to make the best use of it he could and therefore said thus unto her You see Daphnis that I do cleerly trust you with all my hopes and have freely discovered the greatest secret of my soul unto you a secret of such importance that if any besides your selfe should know it all my hopes are dead fore ever therefore I do put my selfe and all my happinesse
no other language to expresse my selfe unto you but what you used unto Diana only add this consideration unto you to the end you may know the grandure of my Love that if the blow may be judged of by the strength of the arm that gave it then my wound must needs bâ— the deeper since the beauty of Diana is not comparable unto yours if you do love her so extreamly Judge how great the affection of Amindor must needs be that loves Callirea For hee knowes not how to declare it better unto you but by making a comparison of it with your own Shepheard answered Filander your declarations of any Love to me are both unjust and very offensive unto me who have a husband that will not with patience suffer such affront if he knew it Moreover since you speak of Diana unto whom I have wholly dedicated my selfe I must tell you that if you will have me measure your affection by mine according to the causes which we have to love I cannot beleeve you have much since what you call beauty in me is not worthy to retain the name of it if compaâ—â—ed with hers Fair shepheardesse said Amindor then I could never have beleeved it an offence to love you but since it is I do confesse that I merit punishment and am ready to receive what doome soever you please but you must resolve to put altogether and punish me for loving you as long as I live for it is impossible I should livâ— and not Love But never think I beseech you that the displeasure of Gerestâ—â—n can at all divert me he who feares neither dainger nor death it self can never feare a man But as to your selfe I must â—eâ—ds confesse my selfe to blame in comparing Diana unto you since doubtlesse she comes infinitly short which if you can be so good as to pardon I will protest never to commit the like error againe Philander who had an opinion that Amindo loved me and who did love mâ— himselfe could hardly endure to heare me thus un lervalued but having a designe not to discover himself he had so much power over himself as to put it up and thus answered him How is it possible Amindor said he that your tongue should so much bely your heart Can you think I do not know that you dissemble And that all this while your affection is devoted unto Diana My affection replyed he as if surprised Nono that is wholly yours may never any love me if I love any but you I cannot say but heretofore I have wished her well but her humour is so full of inequalitie somtimes all fire and somtimes all Ice that now I am very indifferent towards her I wonder said Filander how you dare to say so for I know she loves you and you still love her I will not deny said Amindor but that she may love me but who cares This was right according to Amindors humour which was ever full of vanitie and would have all men beleeve that he could have many good fortunes At this time Filander found out his artifice and had he not feared the discovery of himselfe he was so incensed against him in my behalfe that I beleeve he would have given him the lye However he could not chuse but give him a very sharp answer Amindor said he you are the most unworthy Shepheard that ever lived and not fit for any good society Can you find a heart to speake thus of Diana unto whom you have professed so much amitie and unto whom you are so much obliged What can we hope for from you since you will not spare her who transcends us infinitly in merit and perfection As for me I think you the most daingerous person that lives and such as would live in rest must fly you as from the Plague At this word Filander left him and came to us with a countenance so inflamed with anger as Daphnis knew that he was offended at Amindor who was so astonished at the seperation that he knew not what to do At night Daphnis asked Filander what their discourse was and because she thought this might much increase my amitie towards the disguised Callirea The next morning she related it all unto me with such bitter invectives against Amindor and so advantageously for Filander that I must confesse that I could never since forbid my selfe from loving him when I knew him conceiving that his reall good-will unto me did oblige me to it But Daphnis who knew that if I loved him as Callirea I should also love him as Filander did advise him to discover himselfe unto me telling him that though at the first I might perhaps repulse him and be angry yet in the end all would be well and for her part she would so solicite in his behalf that she feared not but to bring all unto a good conclusion Yet all her perswasions could not infuse so much courage into him so as Daphnis resolved to do it her selfe without him or his knowledge for she foresaw that Gerestan would ere long have his Wife home again and then all the plot was spoiled With this resolution she came one day unto me when she found me alone and after much other-common discourse she began thus Diana said she what should be the meaning of Callirea's folly I verily believe she will run out of her wits she loves you so extream passionately as I think she will not live All day long she is in your Chamber and all nights in the Garden and so pleaseth her selfe with her own melancholy fancy that I cannot shake her out of her musings I would I could give her any consolation answered I but what would she have me do do I not repay affection for affection do I not make it appear in all my actions am I failing in any point of courtesy or duty towards her All this is true replied Daphnis but did you hear her discourses to her selfe I believe you would extreamly pitty her and I beseech you unknown to her let us go one night and hear her I did promise her that I was very willing and would go with her assoon as she would for Philidas would ere long make a visit unto Gerestan and then would be the fittest time A few daies after Philidas according to his intentions went to see Gerestan and carried Amindor with him resolving not to return of seven or eight daies When he was gone Filander according to his custome went into the Garden halfe dressed when he thought every one was a sleep Daphnis who went to bed the first as soon as he was gone did come to me and told me I put on my clothes as fast as I could and followed her untill we came into the Garden When she found where he was she beckened unto me to come a little after her and when we were so neer as to hear we sat our selves down upon the ground Presently after I heard him say But why should I put my selfe to
become so happy as to obtain your affection again Callirea answered her I do not know Philidas what affection you would have nor how it should be greater unto you than it is unlesse you your selfe do instruct me Ah! said she were your will like mine I should quickly instruct you I do wonder Philidas said Callirea that you having had sufficient triall of me you should make any doubt Do you not know said Philidas that extream desire is alwaies followed by doubting If you will swear that you will never fail me in point of amitie I will declare unto you something that perhaps will make you wonder Callirea was a little surprised at this not knowing what Philidas should mean yet being desirous to know the conclusion she answered him thus I will swear Philida whatsoever you would have me nor can I any waies expresse my desires of doing you service Upon this by way of thanks and being transported together Philidas took her about the neck and kissed her with that vehemency as Callirea blusht and pushing him away with her hand very angrily asked him what scurvie fashion that was I do know answered Philidas that my action makes you wonder but if you will have a little patience to hear me I assure my selfe that you will rather pitty than have any ill opinion of me Then she began to relate unto her all the passages betwixt Phormion and Celion our Fathers the subtletie of her Father to let her passe for a man although she was a woman and all that I have related already unto you and then continued in this manner Now that which I do require in performance of your promise is that knowing my extream affection to you you would take me to be your Wife and I will marry Diana unto Amindor whom my Father hath brought up in his house purposely to that end And hereupon she added so many arguments to perswade him that Callirea amazed beyond all expression answered him That it was true indeed he had told her most strange things and such as she could hardly believe unlesse she had some other assurance than words Then he unbuttoning his doublet did shew him in her breasts a convincing token of her being a woman Oh heavens said she for shame shew me no more Callirea then that she might have the more time to consult with us did seem as if she were glad of the motion but pretended that she had Parents from whom he expected all his advancement and without whose advice she could not resolve upon a businesse of this importance and therefore she charged him to keep the businesse secret for divulging of it would give the world an occasion to talk and assured him that if nothing was wanting but her consent she would give him good testimony of her good-will With such discourse as this they ended their walk and returned to their lodging where all that day Callirea durst not come unto us lest Philidas should think she should speak unto us but at night she acquainted her Brother with all the discourse and afterwards both of them went unto Daphnis and acquainted her You may imagine how great the wonder of every one was but Filander was most pleased conceiving it conduced much unto the accomplishment of his desires In the morning Daphnis desired me to go and see the feigned Callirea and the reall one stayed with Philidas to the end she should not suspect any thing The heavens know how I was astonished at this newes I protest unto you my admiration was so great as I knew not whether I was awake or asleep Daphnis she complained against me for concealing it so long from her to which I answered That I knew nothing of it untill this houre and when I told her that though we were Children together yet I thought all men to be like Philidas She laughed untill her sides did ake at my ignorance At the last lest Belinda should dispose of me according to her pleasure or that Philidas should put me upon Amindor and he have rash attempts upon me I promised Filander at the solicitation of Daphnis and Callirea to marry him This was the reason why after he had assumed his own habit and assured Philidas that he would make the motion unto his Parents he returned so soon with his Sister unto Gerestan who never had the least suspition of this disguise Since that time I permitted Filander to write unto me and he conveyed his Letters so finely unto me that neither Philidas nor Amindor ever knew of them Hitherto fair Shepheardesses this businesse had no bitternesse in it But alas that which followed was so full of wofull wormwood that I shall never relish any sweet again as long as I live It chanced to my fatall misfortune that a stranger travelling through this Country did finde me asleep neer the Fountain of Sicomores whither I was invited by the coolnesse of the shades and the murmuring of the spring to sit me down and so fell asleep he no sooner had cast his eye upon me but he found somthing that pleased him Oh heavens what kinde of man or rather what kinde of monster he was His face was as black as hell his hair ruffine like resembling wool but much longer and more disordered his beard like grisly mosse about his chin his nose crooked and long his mouth big and his lips hanging over his chin like unto tripes but nothing was so horrid as his staring eyes in all his face there was not one bit of white to be discovered This lamentable Lover was designed me by destiny and to take from me all thoughts of ever loving again For being ravished at the sight of me and transported with leud desires he could not chuse but come neerer to kisse me but being armed and onhorseback the noise awakned me and so that as he was slooping to satisfie his hellish desire I opened my eyes And seeing this Monster so near me I first cryed out and afterwards did strike him upon the face with all my force He being half up and half down and not expecting such resistance was so surprised at the blow as he leaned on the other side so as I had time to rise When I was up he did rise and being very heavily armed and fear adding wings to my heels he could not overtake me on foot and therefore he leaped suddenly into his saddle and galloped after me and when I was almost quite out of breath poor Philidas who was not far off hearing my voice did come running unto me and saw this cruel fiend pursue me with a drawn sword in his hand for his anger at this blow which made him stagger made him also forget all love Philidas did most generously oppose his fury making it appeare by this last act that her Love unto me was as great as her Sex would permit At the first she got hold of his bridle which so incensed this Barbarian that with enequalled inhumanity he ran her through
since there is no such sympathy betwixt your high merits Great Nimph and my poor imperfections you need not wonder if your perfections did not attract me unto you Your modesty Sir said Lemida does onely make the dissimilitude betwixt us Doe you think it is in your body or your soul If in your body your face and the rest of your parts argues the contrary if in the soul me thinks if you have one that is reasonable it is not different from ours Silvander found that now he had not to deal with Shepheardesses but with one of a higher strain and therefore he resolved to answer her with more solid reasons than he used amongst Shepheardesses therefore thus replied Every thing in the whole universe fair Nimph must be valued according to its own proper quality for otherwise Man who is of highest esteem would be the lowest since every animal excels him in some particular thing or other one in strength another in swiftness another in sight another in hearing another in smelling and so in many priviledges of body But when it is considered that the gods have made all these Animals for the service of Man and man for the service of the gods it must needs be confessed that the gods are above all from hence I argue that to know the true value of every thing it must be looked into to what service the gods did make them and it is they that set the value upon things nor surely the gods could never be so much mistaken as to equall your merit and mine and yet make you a great Nymph and me but a poor silly shepheard Leonida did in her mind much commend the wit of this Shepheard who could put so good a glosse upon a bad matter And therefore to give him more subject to continue she said thus unto him But allow all this in regard of me yet why could not these shepheardesses invite you since according to your own argument there is the same proportion and simpathy betwixt you and them Sage Nymph answered Silvander the lesse does alwayes submit unto the greater part and where you are these sherheardesses must do the same why disdainful Shepheard said Diana do you so little esteem of us I did say so said Silvander because I did esteeme you so much for if I had an ill opinion of you I should never have said that you were a part of that great Nymph since thereby I do not make you her inferiour Only in that she deserves to be loved for her merits for her beauty and for her quality you only for your merits and for your beautie I should be glad Silvander said Diana that I had so much merit or beauty either as to obtain the Love of so wel an accomplished Shepheard as you are She spoke this because he was so far from any thoughts of Love that he was called amongst them The insensible man and she was very desirous to make him speake of it Unto whom he answered think and beleeve what you please so you will confesse you want one of your principall parts And which is that said Diana Your wil replyed he for it and the effects of it are contrary No no said Phillis and interrupted him for I beleeve Silvander loves her as much as her will would have him The Shepheard hearing her say so turned towards Astrea and said that they did him wrong to be two to one The wrong said Diana is offered unto me for this shepheardesse seeing me in combate with a strong enemy and suspecting my courage and strength would needs aid me That is not it which does offend you fair Shepheardesse said he for she has more judgement then to make any doubt of your victory but that which does offend you is that she seeing me already vanquished she must needs steal the victorie and the honour of it in offering to give me a blow at the latter end of the combate but I do not know how she did intend it for I assure you if you had not medled she had not so easily gotten the glory as she thought Phillis who had a good natural and pleasant wit who resolved to spend that day with Leonida as pleasantly as she could did answer him in a haughty manner T is very well Silvander said she that you thinke it a thing so desirable and honorable to me to vanquish you but let me tell you I rank the victory amongst the meanest that ever I got Neither ought you to despise it said the Shepheard since it is the first you ever got of me As it is honorable replyed Phillis to be the first where there is merit so it is a shame where there is none Ah Shepheardesse said Diana never say so of Silvander for if all Shepheards who are inferior to him in merit should be scorned I know not who should be loved This this is the very blow that will overcome him said Phillis nay doubtlesse he is yours Uncivilized and wild spirits are to surprised at the very first attracts for not being accustomed to such favours they recieve them with such a gust as they are not able to make any resistance Phillis spoke thus in way of mockery but the gratious defence of Diana had such an influence upon this Shepheard that he thought himselfe obliged by the Lawes of courtesie to serve her and in that opinion the perfections of Diana had so much power over him that he conceived such seeds of love as time and practice did increase to a great heights as afterwards I shall tell you This dispute passed amongst these Shepheardesses with much delight unto Leonida who admired their quaint wits then Phillis turning towards the Shepheard said unto him Come come Shepheard words are but wind come to the test and tell me truly Who is the Shepheardesse which particularly is your adored Saint Even she answered he whom you see me adore That is as much to say said Phillis that you adore none but that proceeds alas from want of courrage Rather replyed Sylvander from want of wil. But you fair one who doe so much despise me I pray tell me Who is the Shepheard whom you do particularly Love All such answered she as have any wit or courage And he that sees a perfect beautie and cannot love certainly wants wit or courage or both This is an answer too generall said Silvander pray come to particulars and tell us that one whom you do love I wish said she there were any so forward as to attempt it Then added Silvander it is for want of courage Then Silvander said she it is for want of will Why said Silvander would you have any to think that it is more want of will in you then me I would those actions which are decent in you said the shepheardesse were permitted me do you think it handsome in me to leap and run as you do But let us dispute no longer let Diana be Judge in the businesse and thereby you
was none of those deluders that use to disemble their in perfections since he did put them into a Ballet The reason is answered Silvander because he does not think it any vice but glories in it Assoon as they were come and all saluting complements performed Silvander remembred the Nymphs question concerning these Shepheards and therefore he addressed himselfe unto Tircis for so was the mourning Shepheard called and said thus unto him Tircis if it be not troublesome to you I beseech you tell us what inducements brought you into this Country of Forrests and who it is which stayes you here Tircis then kneeling down upon the ground and holding up his hands and eyes towards heaven he thus said Oh infinite goodnesse who by thy wise providence does govern the whole Universe be thou for ever praised for what thou hast been pleased to take from me Then rising up and admiring the Nymph and the rest of the company he addressed himselfe by way of answer unto Silvander Worthy Shepheard said he unto him you asked me what it was which brought and retained me in this Country and I must answer you that it is your selfe it is you only that I have so long looked for Me said Silvander how can that possibly be since I do not know you That 's partly the reason said Tircis why I have looked for you Since it is so said Silvander and since you have been long amongst us why would you never speak unto me Because answered Tircis I had no acquaintance with you but to give you a fuller satisfaction when you are all set down because the discourse will be long I will if you please give you a full relation Mistrâ—sse said Silvander is it your pleasure to sit down under these shady trees You ought to addresse your self with that question unto Leonida said Diana I do know very well fairest Mistresse said he that civility commands it so but love does enforce me unto you Then Leonida taking Diana by her hand and Astrea in the other she did sit down betwixt them telling Silvander that he was in the right because that love which hath any consideration of respect above it selfe is not right love And after all the rest of the Shepheardesses and Shepheards were set round Tircis turned towards the Shepheardesse which came with him and said unto her Now Laonice is the happy and so much desired time which we have with so much impatience expected ever since we came into this Country It rests only upon you to do according to the Oracle Then the Shepheardesse without any reply unto him addressed her selfe unto Silvander in this manner The History of Tircis and Laonice I Have heard say and I think truly that of all amities there is none more affectionate than that which begins in Infancy because that custome which is taken in that age does by degrees become a nature which growing up with years growes solid and unalterable This Prologue generous Shepheard must plead for an excuse since I am forced to tell you that I do love Tircis I sucked in this affection almost with my milk and my soul being ever since nourished with this food did receive as its own the accidents of this passion Neighbours we alwaies were the amity of our Parents the equalitie of our ages and the sweet disposition in Tircis his younger years were so many sweet allurements to make me his But cursed Fate would have it so that almost at the same time Cleon was born and perhaps with more graces than I but certainly with much better fortune for as soon as she began to open her eyes the heart of Tircis was inflamed by them for hâ— began to love her in the Cradle About that time I was some six years of age he ten But see how the heaven disposed of us against our wills assoon as ever I saw him I loved him and assoon as ever he saw Cleon he loved her And though these were yet but green affections such as the age was capable of yet were they not so small but they knew how to make a difference amongst us Afterwards growing up with time they came to such a height that I believe never any exceeded them In the Infancy of my Love you may think I took no great notice of his actions but being grown unto a more observing age I found such coldnesse of good-will towards me thaâ— I resolved to divert my self some other way A resolution which many maleconâ—ented persons may fancy but never any true Lover could execute as afterwards I found by a long and sad experience However my offended spirit had power enough to make me dissemble and if I could not by any means attract him then to try at the least if I could take my leave of him My greatest wonder was that I could never finde that Tircis affected any other Shepheardesse and as for Cleon she raised no suspition by reason of her youth since then not above nine yeares old but when she was grown and could be sensible of Loves Arrowes she could so withdraw her selfe from him as any would think such a separation were enough to heal up all wounds But Love more subtle then she did stil so wound her heart with the merits affection and services of Tircis that she had no other remedy to run unto but dissimulation not that she hoped thereby to avoid the blowes of Love but only to hide them so as neither her enemy nor any other should see them This disguise was armes indifferent as long as her skin was only a little scratched but when the wound was great then no way but to throw them away and acknowledge her selfe vanquished Thus was Tircis happy in the love of his Cleon and enjoyed all the pleasant fruites of it though at the beginning he hardly knew what his disease was as appeared by some Verses which he composed at that time A Sonnet WHat new distempers does disturb my soul My heart and all my faculties controul Feavers have intervalls and sometimes burnes And sometimes cold and have their fits by turnes But min's an ague of that strange condition As never meets with any intermission Cleon so fair so full of flaming fire Has kindled in my soul such hot desire As cannot die nor live in any rest My heart my mind and all is so possest With her who though the Author of my pain I think a pleasure of the highest strain 'T is strange that pain and pleasure should subsist And harbour'd be within the selfe-same breast But this is true this my distemper is To scorch in pain and yet to think it blisse You cannot under stand it 't is above The reach of any that is not in Love Assoon as ever Tircis found out the good-will of his happy Cleon he received it with so much contentment as his heart was not able to contain his joyes but his eyes also did share in the happinesse and were so much altered from what they were
she would not forsake her Mother but shut her selfe up with her and was as busy in helping her as if the disease had not been at all contagious Tircis stood all the day at the dore and wooed to come in but Cleon would upon no termes permit him lest if she had it might have been scandalous unto her But still he waited at the dore and caused all manner of necessaries to be brought unto them yet so the heavens would have it that Cleon notwithstanding all antidotes and preservatives which Tircis brought unto her was infected When the Shepheard heard that it was impossible to keep him from entring into the house since now it was not a time to think upon dissimulations or to fear any teeth of detractors but he set all things in order disposed of his estate and declared his Will afterwards putting it in the charge of a friend to help him he entred and shut himselfe up with the Mother and the Daughter resolving to run the same fortune with Cleon. It is not materiall to relate unto you what good offices he did them and how officious and servicable he was unto the Mother for the Daughters sake But at last the Mother dyed and when none was left in the house but he and his Mistresse whose maladie still increased I do not think the poor Shepheard got one minute of rest he held her continually in his armes and dressed her She on the other side alwaies loving him did take this last action for such an evident testimony of his love that hers augmented much more and her greatest griefe was the danger he was in for her sake He on the other side had so much satisfaction as to rejoyce as much as a sad occasion would permit that he had the means to testifie his good will so it hapned that this Shepheardess being in a condition to be cut a Physician could not be procured that would venture to touch her for fear of danger Tircis whose affection prompted him unto any thing being taught how to do it he took the Lancer and lifting up her Arm he did cut it and dressed it when he had done To be brief all things of most danger and difficulty were easie and sweet unto him in hopes of doing her some good But her malady still encreased and brought his beloved Cleon into such a sad condition that she had no more strength left than to utter these words I am very forry Tircis that the gods are not pleased to draw the thread of my lamentable life a little longer onely to testifie my extreme gratitude but though I should live as many yeares as I have already done dayes I should never bee able to satisfie you for the abundance of your affection to me These words were uttered with much pain but her affection to this Shepheard gave her power to utter them Unto which Tircis answered My dearest Mistris all I have done and all I can ever do is all far short of my will to do any real service beleeve me dearest Cleon my obligations to you are greater than a thousand lives can pay The heavens which gave me a being only to be yours would accuse me of mispending my time should I employ one minute of my life otherwise then in your service He would have continued longer but the Shepheardess finding her self extreamly ill did interrupt him Cease my dear friend and leave talking to me that I may imploy that little time I have to live in assuring you that I can love you as much as ever my soul is capable of So seeing my time is very near I bid thee eternal adieu and desire three things of you To love thy Cleon for ever to enterre my corps near my Mothers and when you do pay the debt which is due unto humanity let your corps be layd near mine that though our bodies could not be united alive yet they may in death To which he answered The Gods would be unjust if after they have begun so perfect an amity as ours they should so soon destrov it But I hope they will preserve you at least take me away before you But if they will not I will onely beg as much life as to fulfill those commands you have laid upon me and then to let me follow you Be assured dearest soul that unlesse they alwaies tye up my hands I will not be long after you Friend answered she I command you to live as long as the Gods have ordained that so whilst I am chanting our perfect amity in the Elizian Fields you may publish it unto the living And so both the dead and they living will honour ouâ— memory But friend I perceive my malady is forcing me to leave you Adieu adieu the most perfect Lover left amongst the living At these words she dyed leaning her head in the bosom of her Shepheard To repeat his sorrows would but open his wounds and make them bleed afresh Oh most fatal death cryed out Tircis that hath robbed me of the better part of myself either restore that life which thou hast taken from me or else take the rest Then to give way unto those tears and sighs which this remembrance did revive in his heart he stood silent untill Silvander told him that to grieve for what there was no remedy was but a testimony of weakness Oh said Tircis I doe grieve because there is no remedy for if there were I should not grieve Laonice then continued on This happy Shepheardess being dead and Tircis having performed the last office of amity he procured her to be interred next her Mother but the carelesness of those who had it in charge was such as they layd her corps in another place As for him his sorrows were such as he never stirred off his bed as if he lived only to obey her commandements Some few dayes after enquiring of those who came to see him where they had laid his beloved corps he understood that she was not enterred by her Mother at which he was infinitely displeased and for a great sum of mony hired some to take it up again and lay it by her Mother which accordingly was done They went unto the place uncovered the earth and four of them took up the corps but having carryed it a little way the Infection was so violent that they were forced to leave it by the way and could carry it no further whereof Tircis being advertised after he had made great offers unto them to go on and seeing they would by no means undertake it What Tircis said he didst thou think the love of gain could work more with them than thy affection with thee Fie sie Tircis this is too great an affront offered unto thy amity So as if he were transported he ran to the place where the corps lay and though it had layn in the earth three dayes and smelt extreamly he took it up in his arms and carried it unto the Tomb of her Mother which was
me tell you Hylas that all those reasons which you have instanced for a proof that the loving party ought to be loved again though they be fals yet shall be allowed as good But how can you conclude from them that Tircis ought to betray the amitie of Cleon by beginning a new love of Laonice These are impossibilities and contradictions Impossible because none is obliged unto more then they can do How would you have this Shepheard love when he has no will You laugh Hylas when you heare me say he has none Faith I do so said Hylas I pray what has he done with it He that loves answered Phillis doth give his soul it self all its faculties unto the party loved and so by con equenee his wil is not in his power But this Cleon replyed Hylas being dead has nothing and therefore Tircis ought to to take his own again Ah Hylas Hylas answered Phillis you talke like an ignorant in Love for such gifts as are disposed on by Loves authoritie are for ever irrevocable Pray then said Hylas what is become of this will since the death of Cleon The lesse followes the greater replied Phillis if pleasure be the object of the will if that cease to be a pleasure where 's the will And so it hath followed Cleon if Cleon be not then there is no will for he had never had it but for her But if Cleon be in some certain place as our Druids hold that she is then this will is in her hands so contented in the place where she is that if she her selfe would chase it away she cannot returne it to Tircis as knowing well it would be in vain but it goes into the grave and rests with her beloved Ashes this being so why do you tax the faithful Tircis with ingratitude if it be in his power to love any other Also you do not only require things impossible but also things in themselves contraries for if every one ought to love the party that loves why should he not then love Cleon who never failed him in amitie And as for the recompences which you demand for the Services and Letters which Laonice carried pray let her remember the contentment she received by them and how merry she made herselfe as long as this fallacie lasted who otherwise would have droned out a dull and melancholy life So as if she balance the payment which the service I assure my selfe she will think her selfe very well payed You say Hylas that Tircis deceived her but I say it was no deceipt but a just punishment of love who returned her own blows upon her selfe for her intention was not to serve him but to delude Cleon. Thus Silvander have I briefly answered the false reasons of this Sheapheard and there remaines no more but to make Laonice confesse that she injured Tircis in her unjust pursuing of him which I shall easily do if she will be but pleased to answer me Fair Shepheardesse pray tell me do you love Tircis Shepheardesse answered she all that knowes me knowes I do If he were forced to be absent replyed Phillis and another in the mean time should court you would you not change affection No answered she for I would still hope he would returne If you heard that he would never return said Phillis would you then cease to love him No certainly answered she Then Fair Laonice answered Phillis think it not strange that Tircis who knowes that his Cleon is in heaven that she sees all his actions and rejoyceth in his fidelity should not change the affection he bore unto her nor let this distance of place seperate their loves since all the hindrances of life could never do it Do not beleeve what Hylas said that none ever returnes over the River Acheron many that have been beloved of the gods have both gone and come and who knowes but Cleon who was adorned with so many excellencies of soul may find the same favour from Love Oh Laonice were but your eyes permitted to look upon Divinitie you would see that Cleon to defend her own cause is in this place and whispers these words into my eares which I utter in her defence Then would you confesse that Hylas was in the wrong when he said that Tircis was mad to love her cold ashes Me thinks I see her in the midst of us and in lieu of a fragile body subject unto humane accidents she is cloathed with glorious imortality and chiding Hylas for the blasphemies he had breathed against her What wouldst thou answer Hylas if thy happy Cleon should say thus unto thee Wilt thou offer O thou inconstant wretch to stain my Tircis with thy own insidelity If he did heretofore love me dost thou think it was my Body If thou shouldst answer Yes I would then reply that then he ought to be condemned to love the ashes which I have left in my Coffin as long as they will last For a Lover never ought to retreat from a Love once begun If thou dost confesse that it was my Soul he loved which was my principall part then Oh thou fond and unconstant sinner why should he now change his will since she is now more perfectly glorious than ever she was Otherwise such is the misery of the living I should be jealous I should be vexed and I should be seen by many eyes as I am by his But now I am delivered from such mortall imperfections and am no more capable of any infirmities And wouldst thou Hylas with thy sacrilegious perswasions divert him from me in whom I only lived upon earth and by a most barbarous cruelty endeavour to give me a second death Oh! most horrid to hear These words wise Silvander do make such a Turring sound in my ears as I do believe they will make your heart resent them as well as mine And therefore to let this divinity argue the cause in your soul I will be silent only let me hint thus much unto you that Love is so just as you your selfe ought to stand in awe of his punishing hand if Laonice's pitty rather then Cleon's reasons should move you At this word Phillis made a low congee intimating thereby that she had no more to say in the behalfe of Tircis Laonice offered to answer further but Silvander would not suffer her saying that now she was to hear the sentence which the gods would pronounce by his mouth Then after he had weighed the reasons on both sides he pronounced this Doom The Judgment of Silvander THe principall point in the cause debated before us is to know whether Love can die by the death of the party loved Unto which I say that the Love which is perishable is not right Love for it ought to follow the subject which gave it life and therefore those who love only the Body ought to enclose their love of that body in the same Coffin where it is but such as love the Soul ought with their love to flie
the end they might be ready to wait upon Leonida as soon as she was up but she was so much taken with their sweetnesse and courtesy that she had dressed her selfe by the first dawning of the day that she might not misse a minute of their company whilst she stayed with them so as these Shepheardesses when they opened her Chamber dore did all wonder at her earlinesse and after all had done their morning complement they went out of the house to begin the same exercises which they had the day before and assoon as ever they came into the meadow they espied Silvander who under the colour of a faigned courtship of Diana began to be really in earnest and in love with her He was so intent upon this new growing love that he had not closed an eye all the night but still passed away the time in thinking upon the discourse and gestures of Diana which he had seen and heard the day before so as Aurora no sooner began to visit his window but he was up and waited for the coming of his new Mistresse and as soon as he saw her he sung these Verses as he met her Upon High Desires and Hopes HOpe 's that Ixion like do swell so high As levell at the heavens supremacy Are too audacious and do aim much higher Than does become their duty to aspire Prometheus when he filch'd Celestiall fire And so provoked all the gods to ire My joyes said he amidst my torments are That I have done what none before did dare Fond Icarus with his faint feathers plum'd Like Eagles in the air to stie presum'd But yet in spite of danger he did aim At Altitudes and did attempt the same As Eccho for the love of fair Narcisse Did tell the Rocks how great his torment is He cheered up himselfe and said if she Do not me love no other lov'd shall be Although she be all soveraignty As high as heaven and be a deitie Yet still my high-blown hopes will have the glory To enterprise an Act beyond all story Phillis being of a very merry and pleasant humour resolved to undertake the task that was imposed upon her therefore turning off towards Diana Mistresse said she you must take heed what this Shepheard saies unto you for yesterday he did not love you but to day he is ready to die for love of you he should have begun sooner to serve you or else have stayed longer before he used any such language as this Silvander was so neer as to hear this and therefore said I beseech you fairest Mistresse stop your ears from the detracting language of my enemy Must you needs Phillis build up your own happinesse by the ruine of mine Dare you Silvander answered Phillis be so bold as to speak of happinesse before Diana's face I wonder what impudent phrases you will use behinde her back who assume to your selfe so much before her face Would you have my Mistresse to think that it is not my happinesse to serve her said Silvander and why I pray should I not tell it is so since it is nothing but a most certain truth You may as well say said Phillis that she does love you and cannot live out of your sight I do not say so answered Silvander but let me say unto you by way of answer that I wish with all my heart it were so But do you think it so strange I should say that I think it a happinesse to serve my Mistresse If you do I pray let me ask what happinesse do you finde in serving her Though I should think it a happinesse replyed Phillis yet surely I would not brag of it It is ingratitude replyed Silvander to receive a benefit and not to give thanks for it and how is it possible to love a person that is ungratefull From hence I judge said Leonida and interrupted that Phillis does not love Diana Most will concur in that judgment answered Silvander and I believe Diana her self does think so I beseech you shew your reason for this opinion said Phillis if you think to bring me into it The Affirmative part said Silvander must alwaies be proved and not the Negative The question is whether or no you do love Diana You affirm and I deny it and therefore it is your part to prove it Phillis was at a stand for an answer when Astrea said Sister do you hear and allow of what the Shepheard saies I do hear but not allow of it answered she for I should be put upon a hard task to prove it If so said Diana I must think you do not love me for Silvander demands nothing but what is reason Upon this the Shepheard addressed himselfe unto Diana and said unto her Most fair and no lesse just Mistesse it is now impossible my enemy can be so impudent as to say that I have not an infinite happinesse in serving you you are pleased to give such a favourable answer in my behalfe By Diana's saying that Phillis does not love her said Astrea she does not thereby say that you do love her or that she loves you Should I but hear such heavenly words answered he come from the mouth of my Mistresse as I do love you or You do love me I should not only think this a happinesse but be ravished with joy and yet since she is silent it argues a consent unto what she heares Why therefore may I not say that she confesseth she loves me Did Love consist in words replyed Phillis you are more in love than all men I know put together and you can argue a bad Cause better than any Lawyer Leonida was so delighted with the discourse of these Shepheardesses that had she not been troubled for Celadon she could have stayed amongst them as long as she had lived And that was the reason she desired them to walk with her towards the River-side homewards and they were very ready to wait upon her for besides the complement of common courtesie they were much delighted in her company So then she taking Diana on the one side and Astrea on the other they walked along but Silvander was further from Diana than Phillis she having taken that place which he desired at which the vain-glorious Phillis was not a little glad and laught at the Shepheard saying that her Mistresse might easily judge which of them was most ready to serve her since she had applied her selfe so officiously to be near her and he never cared My Mistresse answered he did admit you to the honour of that place for your importunities sake and not your affection for had you loved her you would have suffered me to enjoy that place which you do Nay rather the contrary answered Phillis if I had let any come neerer her than my selfe For a Lover thinks he can never be neer enough the person Loved That Lover answered Silvander who regards his own particular contentment more then the contentment of the party Loved does not deserve the title
him it will be hard for me to get into your favour But my friend Hylas I believe you are much mistaken for though I see she daignes to cast her eye a little upon you yet am I very confident of her amitie for out of a sound judgment I do know that she will alwaies make choice of the better To which Hylas answered Perhaps you think vain-glorious Shepheard that you have some advantage of me but I pray where does it lye none can see it nor does my Mistresse believe it What kinde of a silly thing is he that never had the courage or confidence to love and serve above one Mistresse and that too so faintly and simply as you would swear he mocked her whereas I that have loved as many Beauties as I have seen I have been bid welcome by them all What pittifull service is to be expected from him that knowes not where to begin But I that have courted and served all sorts of all ages conditions and humours I can turn and winde and do any thing to please or displease And for a proof of what I say I pray give me leave to catechise him a little that you may see his sillinesse Then turning towards Silvander he asked him what that was which would most oblige a fair Shepheardesse to love It is said Silvander to love only her And what is it said Hylas which will most please her It is answered Silvander to love her extreamly Do you see said Hylas what a simplician this is Why this is the way together scorn and hatred for to love her only gives her an occasion to think that it is for want of courage that you dare not attempt to love any else and therefore she will scorn such a faint hearted Lover whereas did you love all you look upon she would not think you come to her because you knew not whither to go else but she will then prise you the higher and will be obliged to love you especially if you particularize her above any other and tell her some stories which you have gleaned from others then once a week come and professe your service or may be oftner if a good occasion require this will render you more pleasing and invite her to cherish your company This is the way fond Novice to oblige her unto love but to pule and please her continually is the only way to make her look asquint at you Nothing is so tiring and tedious as these huge and extream affections such as love so must needs be perpetually imprisoned never at liberty alwaies present continually talking to her she cannot stir a foot but you must do the like To be briefe you are abominably troublesome to her But the Devill of all is if she chance to be at any time ill and do not smile upon you nor please you forsooth then must you put the finger to eye and cry cry tears insomuch as you force her to flie you Do you think this to be the way to make her love you No no it is in Love as in all things else the Mean is the best Measure so as to avoid all these frivolous follies the only way is to love but indifferently and the best way to please her is to be pleasant merry and jocund and above all never to be mute before her This Silvander is the way to make a Shepheardesse love you and to get her favour And you fairest Mistrasse may by this see how to value my affection She would have answered but Silvander beseeched her to give him leave to speak And then he did examine Hylas upon these Interrogatories What is it Shepheard that you desire most when you do love To be loved again answered Hylas But when you are loved replied Silvander what do you desire or expect from this amity that the person whom I love answered Hylas do prize me above all others that she trust me and endeavour to please me Do you use poyson to preserve your life said Silvander how can you ever expect she should trust you when you are not faithfull unto her Oh said Hylas she shall never know it Then I see said Silvander that you will do that by treachery which ought to be done with sincerity As long as she does not know that you love another she thinks you faithfull and so you shrond your selfe under this false shadow You talk of scorn can any thing provoke a generous spirit more unto it than to imagine that this man whom I see so submisse at your feet adoring you should have his lips blistered with the kisses of others and those eyes which seem to adore you ready to sparkle love at every woman they look upon What should any woman of any Soul have any thing to do with a thing common He will do no more for you than he will for any one that has the resemblance of a woman when he speaks to you his minde is a hundred Leagues off and is thinking of such a one that a thousand to one is ten thousand degrees your inferiour the words he makes use of are some fragments gleaned from another such as his heart never ownes Oh! how horrid a scorn deserves such a man As to the next point which he urged to obtain love by which is To be jolly and galliard and alwaies laughing Truly that is a principall quality for a Buffon or one that has nothing at his heart but for a Lover to be of that temper is absurd unlesse Hylas such a Lover as your selfe Again you say that a mean in Love is the best but let me tell you that he who is but halfe faithfull is not faithfull at all and he that loves not in the highest point of extremity does not love one jot he who can be indifferent and love all alike cannot love one as he ought to do Valourand Love are resemblant and he that can measure them or thinks any greater than his own is neither valiant nor a lover worth a Rush So Hylas you see that to injoyn a mediocrity in Love is to impose an impossibility And when you love so you do as those melancholly fools do that think they are expert in all Sciences and know nothing 'T is just your case in thinking you love when you doe not But be it so that one can love a little Do you not know that Amity hath no other Harvest but Amity and all that is sowed is onely to reap some fruit How can you that sow but a little ever expect to reap much Ah Hylas you little know what belongs to Love For those effects which belong to an extream love and which you call Troubles are so indeed to such as you who know not how to love but such as are really and in good earnest in love and know what sacrifices and duties belong unto the Altars of Love they are so far from calling those effects troubles as they think them felicities and perfect contentments But Hylas I
vainglorious humour which most Lovers use to attribute to themselves which is to be reputed constant the kind treatment of Carlis obliged mee much more than that imaginary duty And therefore one of my chiefest and familiariest friends took an occasion to divert mee from her his name was Hermantes who ere I was well aware was so deeply and desperately in love with Carlis that hee had no felicity or contentment but in being near her I being but a Novice in Love never perceived this new affection nor had I subtlety enough to finde it out He was something older then I and consequently more cunning and knew so well how to dissemble as I did not think any suspected such a thing But his greatest trouble was that the Parents of this Shepheardesse desired this match betwixt her and I should proceed because they thought it advantageous to her of which Hermantes being advertised and finding by his discourse with the Shepheardesse that she did love me he conceived that she would fall off from me if he could procure me to fall off from here He knew well enough that I would change assoon as a good occasion offered it selfe and after he had well considered with himself how he should begin his designe he thought that if he could infuse an opinion into me that I deserved a better match I should easily disdain her And indeed he found that no great piece of difficulty for first I had a very good opinion of him as my dearest friend and next I had a conceit that there was nere a Shepheardesse in all Camargue but would be glad to entertain me Upon these grounds I dispossessed Carlis from any share in my thoughts and made choise of one whom I thought more deserving and doubtlesse I was not mistaken for she was one that had beauty enough to make one love her and prudence enough to behave herselfe her name was Still ana esteemed to be the fairest and wisest in all the Isle and such a one as did draw me out of my former error But see the fondnesse of my proud fancy because she had been courted by very many and all of them bastled I did the more willingly fall on to the end my merits might be the more noted Carlis who did really love me wondred at the alteration not knowing what occasion I could have for it but to reduce me to her service she began to cast about and use all manner of allurements she could devise yet I being now upon the main Ocean could not think upon any landing so soon But though she was much displeased at this separation yet she was shortly after revenged by the very same that caused her misery For imagining with myselfe that assoon as I gave Stilliana any assurance of my love she would freely resigne herselfe unto me therefore the first time that I met her at a dancing meeting I said thus unto her as we danced together Fairest Shepheardesse I cannot tell what power it is which you have nor what kinde of charmes they are which sparkle from your fair eyes but I am sure Hylas is so much your servant that no mortall can be more She thought I mock'd her knowing how I loved Carlis and therefore in a smiling manner answered thus Is this the language Hylas that you learned in the School of Carlis I would have answered when by the order of the Ball we parted so as I was constrained to stay till the assembly parted then seeing her go out the first I stepped to her and took her by the hand At the first she smiled afterwards said thus unto me Is it Hylas out of resolution or out of command that you apply your selfe this night unto me I beseech you said I why do you ask that question Because said she I see so little reason for it as I must needs think it one of these occasions It is said I out of a resolution never to love any but the fair Stilliana and your beauty commands me never to love any other I believe answered she that you are mistaken and does not think you speak unto me or else you do not know me but not to let you run on any longer in your error know that I am not Carlis but my name is Stilliana He must be blinde answered I that takes you for Carlis she comes infinitely too much short of you to take her for you or you for her But I do know too well for my liberty that you are Stilliana and it would be more my tranquillity if I knew it lesse Thus I talked her to her lodging not knowing whether I was welcome to her or no. It was no sooner day the next morning then I went unto Hermantes to tell him the passage of the last night I found him in Bed and perceiving me to be netled at something Well said he what newes is the victory gotten before the combat Ah friend said I I have been pittifully bafled she disdaines me mocks me and at every word sends me to Carlis she will treat me as a cruell Mistresse and laughs at me But Hermantes knowing my fleeting disposition and fearing that indeed I would return to Carlis also that she would entertain me he answered me thus Why friend did you ever expect any lesse from her would you esteem her worthy of your love if she give herselfe unto you before she knowes whether you do really love her How could she possibly at the very first give any credit to you since all the Isle knowes you heretofore loved Carlis Certainly she were very easily vanquished if so small an attempt should win her But friend said I unto him is it not first requisite I acquaint her with my slighting of Carlis before I do declare my love unto her It seemes answered Hermantes that you are ignorant in Love I must tell you Hylas that when a declaration of Love is made unto a Shepheardesse she never well believes it at the first because it is the common custome and garb of all Shepheards to be courteous and civill and the weaknesse of their Sex does oblige men to serve and honour them in generall On the contrary upon the least appearance of any hatred they do easily think themselves to be hated because amitie is natuturall and enmity the contrary From hence I argue Hylas that it is much more easie to make Carlis believe you hate her than to perswade Stilliana that you love her And because you finde that your affection unto Carlis does stick upon her stomack your best way is to make her know that you do not love this Carlis which you must do by some action made known not only unto Carlis but unto Stilliana and many others To be briefe fair Shepheardesse he knew so well how to turn me any way he pleased that I writ this Letter unto the poor Carlis Hylas his Letter unto Carlis I Do not write now Carlis to let you know that I do love you for you have but
too much believed that but it is to assure you that I will never love you any more I am sure you will wonder at this declaration since you alwaies loved me more then ever I desired I must be plain and tell you that it is your bad fortune which cannot keep within the compasse of our amitie and my good which will not let me stay any longer where it is not worth the staying And to the end you may not complain of me I bid you adieu and give you free liberty to make the best of your fortune you can for of me there is no hopes When she received this Letter she chanced to be in very good company and as fortune was Stilliana her selfe was there amongst them and did so much disapprove of this action as none in all the company more which Carlis perceiving I beseech you all said she unto the company oblige me so far as to help me with an Answer for me For my part said Stelliana I will be the Secretary Then taking Pen Inke and Paper she writ as altogether indited in the name of Carlis The Answer of Carlis unto Hylas HYLAS Too great a conceipt of your selfe is it which perswades you that I do love you and the knowledge I have of your humour together with my own will which never relished you is it which ever kept me from loving you so as all the affection I ever had have or shall have to you is only in your own conceit And therefore if you do think that either my bad fortune or your good did consist in any Love I had unto you you were most grosly mistaken I do swear unto you Hylas by all those merits which you think you have and have not that I never cared a straw for you And this advantage I shall get by all this that for the future I shall be freed from being troubled with you And because I will not be quite ungratefull for the pleasure you have done me in this I shall wish the heavens will continue you in this resolution to my contentment as before they put you upon me to my trouble In the mean time live contentedly which if you doe as well as I shall being delivered from such a trouble believe it Hylas you are happy and so farewell This Letter I must confesse did a little nettle me for my Conscience told me I had wronged this Shepheardesse but my new affection unto Stilliana would not let me acknowledge it but did prompt me to lay the fault upon her for said I to my selfe Since she is neither so fair nor pleasing as Stilliana why should I any longer love her Am I to be blamed for her imperfections For my part I cannot mend her all I can do is to condole with her her poverty but yet that shall not hinder me from desiring and adoring the riches of another Upon these motives I endeavoured to drive Carlis from my heart and thinking that now I had nothing to do but to court Stilliana whom I thought already mine I desired Hermantes to carry a Letter from me to her and also to shew her a Copy of that I writ unto Carlis to the end she might not question my love to her Hermantes being truly my reall friend in any thing which related not unto Carlis did without any difficulty take it upon him and chusing a convenient time when she was alone in her lodging presented my Letters unto her and smilingly said thus Fair Stilliana if the fire do burn him that shall approach too neer it if the Sun do dazzle that eye which dares look upon its lustre and if the Sword do wound him that thrusts it to his heart you must not wonder if the miserable Hylas comming too neer you be scorched if in beholding you he be dazled and if in receiving the fatall dart of your fair eyes he resent the mortall wound in his heart He would have gone on had not she in a furious impatiency interrupted him No more no more good Hermantes said she you trouble your selfe in vain Hylas has neither merit enough nor you eloquence sufficient to perswade me unto any minde of changing my contentment for his nor do I wish my selfe so much ill nor Hylas so much good as to believe your words 'T is well Hermantes that I am acquainted with the humour of Hylas at the cost of another and not mine own it is too much that Carlis hath been so basely deluded by him and let him not make you instrumentall in the ruine of another As you do love Hylas so I do love Stilliana and if you will advise him as a friend counsell him as I do never to love Stilliana nor Stilliana to love Hylas and if he will not believe you assure him that all his labour will be lost And as for this Letter which you bring me from him I care not if I do take it for I am so well armed against him that I do not fear his charmes Upon this she opened the Letter and read it aloud It was only an assurance of my affection that I had quitted Carlis for her sake and an earnest imploring her to love me When she had read it she smiled and turning towards Hermantes asked him whether he would have her return an Answer and he answering that he did passionately desire it she said she would and did in these Termes Stilliana's Answer unto Hylas SEe Hylas what a simple man you are in thinking I should Love you because you have left Carlis whereas there is nothing could more invite me to hate then that You say you do love me Truly if any other more just then your self had said it perhaps I should have beleeved him because I do in some sort deserve it but I do assure you and beleeve it that I neither do nor will Love you for it would argue in me a most simple judgement to love any such contemptible humour as yours If you think this Language a little too ruffe and harsh consider Hylas that I am forced to it to the end you may never expect the least quittance of any love from me Carlis has told me the mind of Hylas and Hylas may now tell her mine if he please If this answer please you thank the importunity of Hermantes for it And if it do not blame your selfe that deserves no better Hermantes had not seen this Letter when he gave it unto me and though he imagined that it would prove some cold and faint deniall Yet he did not think she would have been so sharp but he did not wonder at it so much as my selfe for I was almost stark mad tearing the Letter in peeces and throwing it upon the ground then recollecting my selfe a little I pulled my hat over my browes looked upon the ground crossed my armes over my breast and walked in the chamber without speaking a word unto Hermantes He stood all the while like a stock and still fixed his eyes
was a hundred miles out of my memorie Nothing troubled me so much as when I was far from them both for then I grieved for both Thus generous Paris did I spend my time till I came to Vienna where being in our lodging for we landed every night at some good Town or other a Shepheardesse came and desired the Master of the Ship or Boat to give her room in it as far as Lyons pretending that her Husband had been wounded in the Warres and had sent for her The Master of the Boat being very civill did very kindly receive her and so the next morning she went into the Boat with us She was fair and so modest and discreet as she was no lesse commendable for her vertue than her beauty but so sad and melancholly as she moved all the company to pitty her And I being ever very compassionate towards the afflicted I did amongst the rest extreamly pitty her also and cheered her up as much as possibly I could at which Floriante was nothing pleased nor Aymea neither Now generous Paris you must consider that though a woman do put a fained glosse upon it yet she cannot for her life choose but resent the losse of any Lover as thinking it an affront unto her beauty and beauty being a thing most deer unto that Sex it is the most sensible thing that is in them However I that began to blend a little Love with my compassion not seeming to regard these two Shepheardesses did continue on my discourse unto this and amongst otherthings to the end we should not let down discourse and also to have more acquaintance with her I did intreat her to tell me the occasion of her sadnesse and she being fluent in courtesie began thus The compassion which you seem to have of my griefe obligeth me courteous Shepheard to give you that satisfaction which you desire and I should think it a great crime to refuse so small a thing But yet I do beseech you to consider the condition I am in and excuse me if I do abbreviate my discourse into as little room as possibly I can Know then Shepheard that I was born upon the coast of the River Loire where I have been educated with as much tender care as possibly one of my quality could be untill the fifteenth year of my age My name is Cloris my Father's Leonces Brother to Gerestan into whose hands I was transferred after the death of my Father and Mother And here I began to resent the blowes of fortune for my Uncle having more care of his own Children than of me did think himselfe overcharged with me All the comfort I had was in his Wife whose name was Callirea for she loved me and furnished me with all things that I wanted unknown to her Husband But the heavens had decreed to afflict me for when Filander Callirea's Brother was killed she took his death so sadly that within a few daies after she died and I was left with her two Daughters so young as could afford me no contentment It happened that a Shepheard of the Province of Viennoise called Rosidon came to visit the Temple of Hercules which is upon the coast of Furan seated upon a high Rock which elevates its head above all the rest of the Mountains That day on which he came thither was a day of great solemnitie and many Shepheards and Shepheardesses were there also It would be impertinent to relate all passages and the manner how he declared his Love unto me but so it was that ever since that day he has so devoted himselfe to me as he became wholly mine He was young and handsome and as for his Estate it was much better than ever I could hope for Moreover his Spirit and his Body were so resemblant and sutable as did make up a most perfect composure His courtship continued four years in all which time I cannot say he ever did or thought any thing which he did not render me an account of and asked my advice This extream submission and long continuance did assure me of his Love and merits and obliged me to love him extreamly We lived and loved thus above a year in as much perfect amitie as could possibly be between two Lovers and at last our joyes were compleated in our Marriage Now were we as happy as Mortalls could be conducted we were to the Temple the Songs of Hymen did sound on all sides and being returned to our lodgings nothing was to be heard but Instruments of joy and when we were in the height of felicity we were separated by the most averse fate that ever chanced unto any We were then at Vienna where the greatest part of Rosidor's Estate did lie It hapned that some debauched young fellowes of those Townes about Lyons where our Druides use to keep the missltoe which they got in the great Forrest of Mars would needs commit some disorders which my Husband could not brook but after some gentle disswasions did hinder them in the execution at which they were so incensed that thinking they could not anger Rosidor worse then to affront me one of them offered to throw a glasse of Inke in my face but I seeing the blow coming turned aside my head so as I had none of it light upon me but in my neck the marks whereof are yet very fresh My Husband seeing my breast full of Inke and blood did think that I was wounded and therefore drew his sword and ran it through the body of him that gave me this affront and afterwards with the help of some friends did drive them away Judge Shepheard how much I was troubled for I thought my selfe worse wounded than I was and when I saw my husband all bloody with a wound which he received on his shoulder But after this first fray was parted and his wound searched he had no sooner dressed himselfe but Officers came to seize upon him and carried him away with such violence that they would not permit me so much as to bid him adieu but my affection was so much above their denyall that I did come unto him and held him about the neck so fast that they could hardly pull me off On the other side he seeing me in this condition and chusing rather to die than to part from me did so shew both his love and courage that though wounded yet he broke from them and got out of the Town This kept him from an Imprisonment but it made his cause worse in the eye of Justice which caused severall Proclamations to issue out against him During all which time his greatest griefe was that he could not be with me and his desire of seeing me being very great he disguised himselfe and in the night came unto me and there stayed God knowes how great my joyes were and also how great my fears for I knew that his pursuers knowing his love to me would have all eyes about the house and do all they could possible to
me suspect those assurances which heretofore you have given of your affection for it may be that you would deceive me in your Love as it seemes you do your selfe in mine Shepheardesse answered Lycidas were my affection of the common strain as to consist more in shew then realitie I should condemn my selfe for suffering the violence of it to transport me beyond the limits of reason but since it is not of so low an ebb but as you know did flow like an Ocean you must think such an extream love is never without some fears though they have no cause those fears do turn themselves into jealousie and jealousie into grief or rather into such a frenzie as you may perceive in me Whilst Lycidas and Phillis were talking thus thinking these words were heard only by themselves and that Trees have no ears Silvander was behind a Tree and lost not a syllable Laonice also who was asleep there she wakened at the beginning of their discourse and knowing them both was very glad she was there so opportunely assuring her selfe that before they parted they would impart many secrets unto each other which she might employ to their ruine and it happened according to her hopes for Phillis hearing Lycidas say that he was jealous asked him Of whom and Why Oh Shepheardesse answered the wounded Lycidas do you ask me this question I beseech you tell me from whence proceeds all that faint and hollow coldnesse which you have used towards me of late and that great familiarity with Silvander unlesse your affection to me had been withdrawn and conferr'd upon him Ah Shepheardesse you must not think but my heart is very sensible of such blowes since it hath resented those from your fair but false eyes how came you to fall off from me why would not you speak as familiarly unto me as you were wont where is all the care which heretofore you used in enquiring how I did and your griefe when I was at any time absent You can remember when the name of Lycidas founded sweetly in your ears and I do remember when out of the abundance of your heart you named him when you should have named another But now who but Silvander Silvander is in the same heart and tongue where Lycidas had once a considerable room but now the veriest stranger in all the Country is preferred before him that is still the same Lycidas that ever he was and was born only unto Phillis whom he now suspects The extream displeasure of Lycidas did force out so many words as Phillis could not put in one by way of interruption for if she opened her mouth to speak he still continued on with more vehemency not considering that the more he complained the more his misery encreased and that if any thing could cure him it was that answer which he would not hear And never considering that it was his torrent of words which hindred the Shepheardesse from answering he conceived that her silence proceeded from her guilt so as every action that she used did more and more augment his jealousie The Shepheardesse all this while was so amazed and offended that she had not time to convince him of his error but though something dark he saw her blush at least thought so which then did put him out of all taking that for granted now which he did but doubt of before Thus after he had called upon the Gods that were just punishers of all infidelitie he ran away from her through the wood and would not hear her when she call'd him back she followed intending to convince him of his error but it was in vain for he ran so fast as she quickly lost the sight of him in the thick wood In the mean time Laonice was very glad that she had discovered this affection and to see so good a beginning of her designe and therefore she retired Silvander on the other side seeing Lycidas was so apt to be jealous he resolved for the future to be the bellowes that would blow it into a greater flame and would seem as if he loved Phillis in earnest the next time he saw him with her Leonida in the mean time came to the house of Adamas and letting him understand that Galathea had extraordinary businesse with him he resolved to set out as soon as the Moon began to shine which would be about an houre before day and accordingly they did so When they were come to the bottom of the Hill and had only a long plain to go through before they came to the Pallace of Isaure the Nymph at the request of her Uncle began to relate the businesse thus The History of Galathea and Lindamor DO not wonder I beseech you Father for so she called him I should entreat you to hear me with patience and when you see occasion to remember that it is the very same Love which is the cause of all this which in former times has driven you upon the like if not stranger accidents I durst never have spoken to you about it had I not had both permission and a command to do it But Galathea whom the business concerns doth earnestly desire since she hath made choice of you for the Physician to cure her that you should be acquainted with it both the beginning and progress and that it may be kept secret from all the world The Druide who knew what reverence was due unto his Lady for so he reputed her did answer that his Prudence taught him to conceal any thing that concerned Galathea and therefore any promise concerning that was superfluous Upon that assurance said Leonida I shall acquaint you with the businesse It is a long time since Polemas first begun to love Galathea To tell you how it came to passe is to no purpose but so it was he did love her This love proceeded so on that Galathea her self could not be ignorant of it but did many times in private make it appear that his service was not displeasing unto her And truly he was a man of very high deservings As for his Pedigree it is as you know derived from the ancient Line of Surieu which in Noblenesse is not inferiour unto Galathea her self As for his Person he is very handsom every way so composed as to move Love Above all he is a great Scholar and in any Learning can silence the greatest Doctors But Father all these things are known unto you better than I can relate them But so it was that these qualities did so recommend him unto the consideration of Galathea that she was more favourable unto him than unto any in the Court of Amasis yet it was with so much discretion that none could ever take any notice of it Then Polemas having such a favourable wind did sail so contentedly in the sea of his hopes as no man could live more happily than hee But this inconstant Love or rather inconstant Fortune would have Polemas as well as the rest of the world feel the
Lindamor observing the discontented looks of Polemas when he took Galathea from him he had an opinion that he did love her yet having never observed it by any former passages he resolved to ask him and if he did finde him in love then to disswade him from it and this he thought himselfe obliged unto by their former friendship therefore comming unto him he desired to speak a word with him in private Polemas being as subtle as ever was any did colour his countenance with a glosse of good will and said What is it which Lindamor is pleased to command me Oh Sir said Lindamor I never use commands where intreaties may prevail and at this time I will make use of neither but only as a friend ask you a question which our friendship obliges you to answer Be it what it will replied Polemas you may be certain I shall answer you with as much freedome as you can desire It is this then said Lindamor After I had served Galathea a good while according to the Ordinance of Clidaman I was at last forced to do it by the commands of Love for the truth is after I had served her according to the dispose of fortune who cast me upon her great merits she had such an influence upon my affection as I did ratifie it by the dedication of my self unto her and therefore must assume to my selfe so much boldnesse as to say that I do love her yet that friendship which is betwixt you and me being contracted long before this love began I resolved to tell you that if it be so that you do Love her and have any pretentions unto her I hope that I have so much command over my selfe as to make a retreat and make it appeare that my love is lesse then my friendship and that the follies of the one ought to give place unto the wisdome of the other Tell me therefore freely how your soul is affected to the end the lawes of friendship between you and me may be observed My intention is not to discover your secrecyes and since I do thus ingenuously open my selfe unto you I conceive you need not feare doing the like for it is not out of any curiositie but onely a desire to preserve our friendship that I ask you this question Lindamor spoke unto Polemas in such a dialect as did become a friend but like an ignorant lover that thought such a thing as a friend was to be found in matter of Love But Polemas the Grand dissembler answer'd thus Lindamor this fair Nymph you speak of deserves the Love and adoration of the whole universe but as for me I have no pretentions unto her But withall I must tel you that for matter of Love I conceive every one ought wil do what he can for himself Lindamor did now repent himself of his courteous and civill language since he had received such an od answer and resolved to do what he could to advance himselfe into the favour of this Nymph yet he answered him thus Since Polemas you have no pretentions unto her I will endeavour to preferre my selfe unto a happinesse which to recede from would be death it selfe unto me For my part said Polemas my pretentions unto her in matter of Love are only with an eye of reverence and respect such as we are all obliged to render unto her For my part replyed Lindamor I do honour Galathea as our great Lady and also do Love and adore her as my fairest Mistris I do think my fortune may wel pretend unto such a height as to cast my eyes upon her and do conceive it is no offence unto a Divinity to Love her With such discourse as this they parted both of them very ill satisfied with one another but upon different grounds for Polemas was stung with jealousie and Lindamor displeased at the perfidie of his friend from this day they lived at a distance for though indeed they were alwaies together yet they did hide and disgnise their desigues and actions one from another but Lindamor did not neglect a minute that could be imployed to make his affection appear unto this fair Nymph and certainly he did not lose eyther his time or paines for it was so aceptable unto her that though much love did not appear in her eyes yet she was ful of it in her heart and because it was a hard matter to conceale so great a fire but some flame will be flashing out do what they could therefore Galathea resolved to talke to Lindamor as little as possible she could and to devise some way or other for conveying letters secretly betwixt them And in order to that her designe was upon Flurial Nephew unto the Nurse of Amasis and Brother unto hers whose good will unto her she had been long accquainted with for he being the Gardiner at Mount-Brison as his father was before him when Galathea was brought thither to walk he would often take her in his armes and gather her what flowers she pleased and you know that such infant amities as are suckt in with the milk do become almost naturall also she knowing that all old people are covetous she was so liberal unto him that she made him wholly hers One day when she was got some distance from us she called him unto her as if the businesse was to enquire the names of some flowers which she had in her hand and after she had asked him severall such questions she said thus unto him in a low voice Come hither Flurial dost thou Love me Madam answered he I were the vilest varlet that ever breathed if I did not Love you above all the world May I be sure of this thou sayest said the Nymph May I never live a minute replyed he if I had not rather neglect my duty to Heaven then to you How Said Galathea without any exception suppose it were a thing that would offend Amasis or Clidaman I care not whom it would offend said Flurial if you Madam command it I will never enquire further for I am wholly yours and though my Lady do pay me my wages yet it is from you that my service is conferred upon me and besides I have ever from your very Infancy so loved you that I did at the very first dedicate my self wholly unto you But Madam I beseech you why so many words I shall never be truly happy untill you put me to the tryall Then said Galathea to him hark thee Flurial if thou continuest in that resolution and wilt be secret thou shalt be the happiest man alive of thy qualitie and what I have done for thee in times past is nothing in comparison of what I intend for the Future but be sure thou beest secret and remember that if thou beest not I shal become thy most mortal enemy and assure thy self nothing lessthen thy life shal satisfy me Go unto Lindamor and do as he shall direct thee and beleeve it I will reward thy vice beyond thy
hopes but still be sure thou dost forget thou hast a tongue Upon these words Galathea came to us and laughing told us that Flurial and she had been in a long discourse of Love but said she it was upon love of the Garden and the love of Simples Flurial for his part after two or three turnes in the Garden seeming as if he had some imployment went out with a mind full of this businesse for he was not so ignorant but he knew well enough the dainger he should incurre from Amasis if he were discovered and from Galathea if he did not execute her commands imagining the businesse to be a matter of Love and he had often heard say that all offences against Love do wound the very heart At last his affection to Galathea and desire of gaine together made him resolve since he had promised to keep his word and thereupon went presently to Lindamor who expected him For the Nymph told him that she would send Flurial unto him and by him he might let her understand any thing he pleased As soon as Lindamor saw him he seemed as if he knew nothing but asked before the company if he had any businesse with him Unto which he answered aloud that he came to beseech him he would be pleased to acquaint Amasis with his long service and the little wages he had received which was due unto him and thereby he would create him his vassal then in a low voice he acquainted him with the businesse he came about and offered to do him what service he was pleased to command him Lindamor gave him thankes and acquainting him freely what he should do he conceived the way was handsomly contrived So as from hence forward when Lindamor would write unto her Flurial seemed to present a Petition unto the Nymph and when she would returne an answer she would give it unto him lapped up in that order which Amasis appointed in the businesse upon the Petition And because it is ordinarie for many old Servants to have many things to Petition for he wanted not occasion to present every hour a Petition unto her who often obtain'd such advantageous answers to them as were beyond all hopes All this while the affection of this Nymph unto Polemas did so wither that she could hardly speake unto him without disdaine which he not being able to endure and knowing well enough that all did proceed from her Love of Lindamor he was so transported that though he durst not speak much against Galathea yet he gave out many disadvantageous speeches against Lindamor and amongst the rest he said that though Lindamor was a very brave man and accomplished with many remarkable qualities yet his over good opinion of himselfe did not take his measures aright since he was so presumptuous as to lift his eyes so high as Galathea and that not only to Love her in his heart but also to vaunt and bragge of it in his discourse Which language came at last to the eares of Galathea and indeed had so spread it selfe that all the Court was acquainted with it The Nymph was so much offended at this as she resolved to treat Lindamor so for the future as he should have no occasion to publish her vanities this was the reason she would not speake unto him and those who observed her actions and behaviour were perswaded that there was no such thing as Love betwixt them And Lindamors departure presently after did much help on that belief for Amasis sent him upon a businesse of great importance as far as the banks of the River Rhine Yet his departure was not so suddain but he found an opportunity of talking with Galathea before he went to know the cause of her change and watching for his time that morning when she went unto the Temple with her Mother he came to her when she was so in the midst of us that Amasis could hardly see him As soone as she saw him she would have changed place had he not held her by the Gown and said thus unto her Madam what is my offence and why this alteration in you She answered as she was going away There is neither any offence in you nor alteration in me for I am still the same Galathea and you are still the same Lindamor a subject too low for me to be offended with His actions did make it appear how these words went to his heart for though he was just upon his departure yet he could not give any orders of any businesse so much was his mind taken up with the thoughs of this matter At last finding himselfe cleerely innocent he writ this Letter unto her Lindamor's Letter unto Galathea I Do not Madam bid my pen complain against you but only to deplore that fatall mishap which hath rendred me so scorned by her who was wont to treat me far otherwise I am indeed the very same Servant who ever did adore you with all possible reverence and humility and you are the very same Lady that first was my adored Saint Since you did me the honour to take me for yours I am not growne lesse nor you greater and if so then why do you not think me worthy of the same treatment I have called my Soul to an accompt for all its action when you please I shall display them all before you As for me I cannot taxe it without fault and if when heard you can it will not be a small comfort unto a poore condemned sinner to know the cause of his punishment This Letter was brought her as the custom was by Flurial and at such a time that though she would yet she could not refuse it because we were all about her and the truth is it is impossible any should carry the businesse better then Flurial did For he presented his Petitions with such reverent and pittiful language so sutable unto the thing petitioned for as he might deceive any whosoever as for me had not Galathea acquainted me I should never have taken any notice of it But it being very hard or indeed impossible for the young heart of this Nymph to endure without some Confident unto whom it might impart it selfe amongst the rest she did me the honour to make choice of me as most affectionate as she thought most secret So that as soon as she receiv'd this Letter she seeming to have forgotten something in her closset she went thither and called me telling the rest of the Nymphs she would returne presently to them again She stayed a good while in her closset and spoke not a word so as I perceived somthing did much trouble her but yet I durst not aske her for feare of vexing her Yet she did sit down and cast Flnuials pettion upon the table saying unto me this fool Flurial is continually troubling me with Letters from Lindamor I pray Leonida tell him that I would have him bring no more I was a little astonished at this charge yet I knew that
Love cannot be long without some triviall quarrells which in the end does but prove a pair of bellowes to blow the fire into a greater flame therefore I said thus unto her When did he give you any Madam Not long replyed she do not you know of it No certainly Madam said I unto her Then with a frowning brow she told me that indeed it was true he was much in her favour but now he had so much abused her favour by his rashnesse and presumption that she was quite out with him I beseech you said I unto her what is his fault The fault said the Nymphs is no great businesse yet it displeaseth me more then if it were of greater importance What a grosse peece of vanitie was it in him to report it that he was in love with me that he had professed it unto me Oh Madam said I unto her this can never be true his enemies certainly have invented it onely to ruine him both in your favour and the favour of Amasis This may be replied she but Polemas reports it every where yet he is silent and gives a check unto none of these reports But suppose he do hear the report how can he help them Said I unto her what remedy would you have him use against them what remedy said the Nymph why a sword and death to the reporter Truly Madam said I unto her I have heard say that matters of love are so subject unto censure that the lesse it is medled with it is the better These said she are but excuses but might he not very well have asked me what course he should take Had he done so I should have been satisfied Have you seen the Letter Madam said I unto her which he writ unto you No said she and more then that let me tell you that I never will but will avoid all occasions of ever speaking unto him Then I took the Petition of Flurial and read it aloud unto her then said thus but good Madam ought you not to love one that is wholly devoted unto you and can you be so easily offended against him that perhaps never offended you Come come said she if he does love me I will make him pay deare interest for the pleasure he takes in vaunting of our love if I have heretofore given him any occasion to think I ever loved him I shall for the future give a stop unto all such conceipts and to begin I pray charge and command Flurial that he never presume to bring me any thing from this rash and vain glorious man Madam said I unto her I shall do whatsoever you are pleased to command me but give me leave to tell you that I think it requisit to consider a little better upon the businesse for you may do your selfe an injury by thinking to spite another you know what kind of fellow this Fluriall is whose wit cannot reach beyond his Garden should you let him know of this passage betwixt Lindamor and you I am afraid he should discover the businesse unto Amasis to excuse himselfe For gods sake Madam consider what a displeasure this would be unto you were it not much better you did expostulate the matter with Lindamor or if that do not please you then let me do it for I assure my selfe he will give you satisfaction or else you may tell him your selfe when he departs the occasion oâ— your breaking off with him without making it known unto Fluriall As for spea king with him said she I cannot do it my courage will not permit it nor will I permit any other for I wish him not so well When I saw her so incensed against him I told her that she could do no lesse than write unto him By no means answered she too many of my Letters has made him thus presumptuous At last when I could obtain no more from her she permitted me to lap up a piece of paper in the manner of a Letter and to put it into Flurialls Petition so he to carry it unto him and this purposely that Fluriall might not perceive this dissention Oh how Lindamor was amazed when he opened this blank paper but the greatest affliction to him was that he must depart in the morning betimes unto a place where the affairs of Amasis and Clidaman did of necessity oblige him to stay a long time to defer his journey he could not and to go upon these tearmes was even death unto him At last he resolved to dispatch another Letter to her presently more as a thing of hazard than any hopes of good fortune Fluriall did his best indeavour to deliver it presently unto Galathea but he could not do it because she being extreamly vexed at this fraction was forced to go into her bed and did not rise out of it many daies Fluriall seeing Lindamor was gone took upon him so much boldnesse as to go into her Chamber and because I was I must confesse an ill-willer unto Polemas I used my best invention to piece up this affection between Lindamor and her and therefore gave Fluriall an opportunity to enter Judge you whether or no Galathea was surprised when she saw him for she expected nothing lesse then this yet she was forced to set a good face upon the matter and to take what he presented unto her which in appearance was only a Posie of flowers I would by all means be present that I might put in the best advice I could in the behalfe of Lindamor and certainly my being there was not unprofitable to him for after Fluriall was gone and Galathea was alone she called me unto her and told me that she had thought not to be any more troubled with Letters from Lindamor now he was gone but for ought she saw he was as impudent as ever I who was a reall well-wisher unto Lindamor though he knew it not seeing the Nymph in an humour of talking to me did seem to be very slack in the businesse knowing that to contradict her at the first was the way to spoile all and that to sooth her in all she said was the only way to bend her And though she was much displeased at him yet Love was still the most predominant in her minde and she her selfe was glad that I took Lindamor's part that she might have occasion of talking of him and give the anger of her soul some vent So as having all these considerations in my minde I was silent when she talked of him at last she not being pleased at my silence said thus unto me Leonida what do you think of the presumption of this man Madam said I unto her I know not what no say or think farther then this that if he have offended he will be extreamly sorry for it But what can I think of his rash impudency said she has he no other subject for his discourse but me Then looking upon the Letter which he writ were it not a madnesse in me if I should suffer him
to continue his Letters unto me To this I answered nothing And when she saw me a long while silent she said thus unto me What 's the reason Leonida you do not answer me have I not good reason for all my complaints Madam said I unto her will you give me leave to speak my minde freely With all my heart said she Then said I unto her I must tell you that I think you to be reasonable in all things but in looking for reason in Love for you must know that to reduce Love unto the Lawes of justice and reason is to take away its principall prerogative which is to be a subject only unto its selfe so as I conclude that if Lindamor have failed in matter of Loving you he is to blame but if he have failed only against the Lawes of reason and prudence then it is you that deserve to be punished for offering to bring Love which is free and commands all others under the servitude of a Superior But why said she I have heard that if Love be laudable it is vertuous and if so then it is subject unto the Lawes of vertue Love answered I is above that vertue whereof you speak and gives Lawes unto it self without any subserviency unto any But Madam since you command me to speak freely I beseech you tell me are not you more culpable than he is of that whereof you accuse him and of matter of Love For say he were so bold as to tell it that he loved you you your selfe is the cause of it since you permitted him Though I had answered she yet out of discretion he should have concealed it Then said I complain of his indiscretion and not of his Love but believe me he hath more occasion to complain against your love since upon the very first report and before you can justly tax his affection you have repulsed that Love he bore unto you Excuse Madam the freedome of my language if I tell you that you do him the greatest wrong in the world in treating him thus and condemning him before he have answered for himselfe and is convinced of his crime She stayed a good while before she answered and at last said thus unto me Well Leonida there is time enough to make him amends when he returnes not that I am in any minde to love him or let him love me but then I shall tell him wherein he is faulty and in that satisfie you and oblige him to trouble me nomore unlesse he be impudence itselfe Perhaps Madam said I unto her you may deceive your selfe in thinking that his return will be time enough for all this for did you but know the violencies of Love you would never think delaies unto a Lover so tolerable as unto others therefore the least you can do is to see his Letter That is to no purpose answered she But to satisfie you give it me Upon this she took it and found it thus penned Lindamor's Letter unto Galathea BEfore it was love now despair that dictates to my pen which must if it bring me no comfort be changed into a Sword so will it be a thorough though a cruel cure This white paper which you have sent me by way of Answer is an emblem of my innocency and argues you had no accusation against me to write in it yet alas it is a too plain Assurance of your disdaign for from whence else could your silence proceed If there do yet remain in you any memory of my faithfull service let me out of pitty beg from you a Sentence either of life or death I am now departing the most desperate forlorn man that ever had once any reason for hope This alteration in Galathea's courage was an effect of Love for I plainly perceived her heart to melt but withall it was no small argument of her high spirit for since she would not give any knowledge of it unto me and not being able to hold her countenance which grew pale she did so tie up her tongue that she did not utter one word which did argue any inclination to bend but went out of her Chamber into the Garden and spake not one syllable of this Letter for the Sun began to grow low and her maladie which was a disease of the minde might better divert and solace it selfe abroad than in bed so as after she had sleightly dressed herselfe she went into the Garden and would have none but me with her I asked her by the way whether she pleased to return any answer unto his Letter And she answering No Will you then Madam said I unto her be pleased to give me leave to write unto him You said she what will you write What you please to command me said I. Nay what you will said she so you will not mention me You shall see Madam what I will write said I unto her Having gotten this leave whilst she was walking I writ in an Arbour what I thought most pertinent and least offensive But she that would by no means see it yet could not have so much patience as to let me finish but she read it whilst I writ Leonida's Answer unto Lyndam or in the behalfe of Galathea DRaw from your misory the knowledge of your happinesse if you were not loved but set at a small esteem you should not have known so much you cannot know your offence untill you be present but however I bid you hope well in your affection and your return She did not like the Letter should run thus but I did over-rule her and gave it unto Fluriall with a command to deliver it into no hand but Lindamors only but drawing him aside I opened the Letter and added these words unknown unto Galathea Leonida's Postscript unto Lindamor I Understand that you are gone very pitty of your misery moves me to acquaint you with the occasion of your disaster Polemas hath published that you do love Galathea and that you do make it your common boast Such a high spirit as hers cannot put up so great an offence without resentement The same prudence you were wont to be a Master of must canduct you in this businesse Because I do love you and pitty your misery I cannot chuse but grieve for you unto whom I promise all the favour and assistance that I can I sent him this hint as I told you unknown unto Galathea but believe me I did afterwards repent it as I shall tell you It was now above a Month since Fluriall went when there arrived a Knight armed Cap a peâ— and a Herauld of Armes with him and the better to disguise himselfe his face was covered The Herauld at the Gates of the Town desired to be conducted unto Amasis and every one out of curiosity to hear what newes went along with him The Guards of the Town did let them in and after Amasis was acquainted they were conducted unto her who had sent for Clidaman to entertain these strangers After the
further the businesse Madam said Leonida I do not speak without some ground you shall see if you do imploy him what service he will doe you Thus the Nimph was the most contented person in the world fancying her self already at the very top of all her desires But whilst they were thus discoursing Silvia and Adamas were talking of the same business For this Nymph being at the first very familiar with him did at the first speak openly unto him Adamas much desiring to know whether all his Neece had related was true he entreated her to relate unto him all she knew which Silvia did without any dissimulation and as briefly as she could in this manner The History of Leonida KNow that for the better understanding of what you desire I am forced to touch upon all the particulars of Leonida's life whose Destiny seems to twist together all her designes with those of Galathea What I shall say concerning her is not by way of reprehension or blame nor with any intention to divulge her faults for in telling them unto you I think them to be as secret as if they had never been told You must know then that the beauty and merits of Leonida had long since gotten the affection of Polemas and the merits of that Cavalier being very high your Neece gave his affection a kind reception yet behaved her self with so much discretion that it was long before Polemas knew it I know that your self have loved in your time and knows better than I doe how hard a thing it is to hide love And so it was that the vaile being taken away both of them did know that both of them were lovers and both loved However they durst not of a long time declare it After the Festivall which Amasis did Solemnize every yeare as her day of Marriage with Pimander So it was that after dinner we all walked in the Garden at Mont-brison and she and I set our selves down under some Trees to shelter our selves from the heat of the Sun No sooner were we set but Polemas came to us seeming as if but accidentally though I observed that he followed us by the eye a good way distant And because we sat silent a long while together also he having an excellent good voice I told him he would much oblige us if he would sing I shall do so said he pointing at Leonida if this fair one wil be pleased to command me Commands said she would shew indiscretion but if you have any Song that is new I shall think my entreaties very well bestowed I shall answered Polemas and moreover I will promise you that this which you shall hear is so new as it was made during the time of the Sacrifice this morning whilst you were at your Prayers How said I unto him is my companion the subject of the song Yes certainly answered he I am a witness of it and then he began thus Upon a Lady at her Prayers A Saint in Sacred Temple paid Devotion to the Gods and pray'd She that all humane hearts adores Adores the gods and help implores And she whose mercy may men save With eyes and voice doth mercy crave Although she does her eyes disarm And will not suffer any charm In either voice or eye to glance As might their lustre more advance Such charming influence still they have As must all eyes and ears enslave Her eyes with holy Zeal inspir'd Half shut as high as heaven aspir'd And courted it with such a glance As if her soul were in a trance Such raptures of Coelestial Love Must needs both Earth and Heaven move Great God said she I do implore Mercy from thy abundant store Have mercy on me too said I Oh fairest female Dietie Religion bids you to impart To others with a willing heart Since thou art pleas'd O God said she To call us Children O then be A Father not a Judge severe Since you the worlds fair Mistris are Oh then be mine and kind said I Resembling so a Dietie Consider Lord said she how I Have Essence from thy Majesty 'T is onely Thou I doe adore And shall doe so for evermore So it is onely you said I VVhom I adore eternally Measure thy Mercy Lord said she According to thy Love not me Measure your pitty then said I According to my Amity Here then she stopt and went not on Only in Contemplation Her prayers were heard but mine alass Rejected were as poor and base Yet I dare confidently say Mine were as full of Zeal as they She onely by her Faith obey'd I saw the Saint to whom I pray'd Her Prayers did find an easie task Who could deny when she did ask But I poor silly mortal must Return a sinner to my dust And never any mercie find Since she disdaineth to be kind Wee were both very attentive unto his air and perhaps I should have heard more had not Leonida feared lest Polemas should out with something which she desired should be kept secret and therefore as soon as ever he had done singing she began to speak I dare lay a wager said she that I doe know her of whom this Song was made then whispering him in the ear as if she would name her she bade him take heed what she said before me He very cunningly answered aloud No no you are mistaken I swear it is not she whom you named Then I perceived that she did conceal her self from me and therefore seeming as if I would goe and gather some flowers I parted from them but not so farre distant but still I held an eye upon their actions Now since Polemas and she fell off he hath confessed all unto me but when they were in league together I could never make her tell mee any thing But being then together they fell to discourse and she did first begin it Come come Polemas said she why doe you jest thus with your Friends Tell mee truly upon whom was those Verses made Fair Nymph said he your own soul can tell you as well as I for whom they were made How should I know said she do you think I can divine things Yes certainly answered Polemas and I doe think you one of those who does not obey that god who speaks by your mouth but rather will be obeyed by him How do you explain this aenigma said the Nymph I do explain it thus replyed he The god of Love doth speak by your mouth otherwise your words could not be so full of Fire as to kindle so many flames as they doe in the hearts of all those that hear them And yet you do not obey that god when hee commands That all those who love should be loved again but you all disobedience doe make all those who love you to think you infinitely fair but not at all loving no not so much as pittifull I speak Madam for my own particular and can safely swear without the least danger of perjury that never any beauty under the Sun
favour as well as he And it seemes Love could never finde any rest in the breast of Galathea the memory of one was no sooner out but another was presently in and now at this very time her thoughts are all upon a Shepheard whose qualities as a Shepheard may indeed merit much but never to be Galathea's Servant and yet she is so extreamly passionate and tender of him that if his-sicknesse should continue I know not what would become of her for I never saw one so carefull nor so troubled as she hath been ever since he was ill But this is not all most wise Adamas Your Niece is also so taken with Celadon as I know not whether Galathea or she be more and hereupon great jealousie is grown betwixt them and though I qualifie the matter as well as I can yet so it is that I do despair of it for the future And therefore I thank the gods that you are come for really without you I know not how to carry my selfe betwixt them Excuse me in speaking thus freely unto you since it is upon a businesse that concerns you the affection I do bear unto you constraines me to it Thus did Silvia end her discourse with abundance of demonstration of her hatred against this kinde of life for which Adamas did much esteem her And to begin the cure of this Shepheard and these Nymphs for the last of these was the greater difficulty Adamas asked her advice For my part said she I would first take away the cause which is this Shepheard and the effects may of themselves follow but this must be done with much artifice else Galathea will never let him go 'T is very true answered the Druide but in the mean time untill that can be handsomly contrived care must be taken that he do not fall in love with them for there is such a sympathy between Youth and Beauty that if they should conjoyne affections once all separations will be in vain Oh Adamas said Silvia did you but know Celadon as well as I do this would be the least of all your fears for he is so rooted in the love of Astrea that all the beauty in the world except hers cannot shake him especially now he is sick for his care may well be more of his cure than any thing else Fair Silvia answered the Druide you speak as one that is ignorant in Love and never knew the force of it this little god can do such miracles that when there is least appearance of any effects even then will he shew his power Be not therefore so secure for there is no kinde of vertue whatsoever that is Armour-proof against Love Chastity it selfe cannot do it witnesse Endymion Away away said Silvia Oh! wise Adamas why do you terrifie me with so great a dysaster Because said he I would have you arme your selfe against the forces of this god lest being too secure in your opinion of that which you judge impossible you should be surprised before you be prepared I have heard say that Celadon is so handsome so discreet and so every way accomplished as he is furnished with all perfections which cause Love and therefore there is danger Treasons of Love are so hard to be discovered that not one of a thousand can see them Nay nay said Silvia let me alone for that and tell me only what I should do in this businesse that we have already discovered I do conceive said the Druide this cure must be wrought very much by the eye and when I have seen how the world goes we shall order things to the best advantage we can and in the mean time let us keep our design secret Hereupon Silvia left Adamas to his rest and went to Galathea who with Leonide was by Celadon's bed side for they hearing he was awake they could neither of them hold from him He esteemed Leonida very much her carrasses did oblige him to it but Silvia's humour pleased him much better A litter after they fell into discourse of Adamas much extolling his wisdome prudence and goodnesse Upon which Celadon asked whether it was not he who was son unto great Pelion of whom so many wonders are reported The very same said Galathea and he is come hither purposely to be your Physician Oh Madam answered the Shepheard he must have abundance of Art if he can cure my disease but I am of opinion that when he knowes it he will so despair of my recovery as he will not undertake the cure Galathea thought that he had spoke of the disease in his body But is it possible said she that you should finde your selfe so ill I am confident that if you would but help your selfe you would be able to quit your bed in two or three daies Perhaps not Madam said Leonida for some are so inwardly sick as they themselves do not know of it untill it be at the height Their discourse had lasted longer had not the Druide come to see how squares went and he found him well enough disposed in body for the Malady was past the height and in its Decline but when he talked with him he found the disease to be most in the minde though he did not believe it was for any of these Nymphs Yet like a prudent Physician he would feel how the pulse of his minde did beat and therefore to begin the cure he would try how he stood affected first to Galathea and in order to this when all the Nymphs were retired he shut the dores and began thus I see Celadon said he that your astonishment is not little to finde your selfe exalted so suddenly unto such a height of fortune as this you enjoy for I am confident it was above your hopes since being born a Shepheard and brought up in a Village you are now carrassed cherished and waited upon by Nymphs and such as are accustomed to command and more then that such as command the whole Country You have great reason to be thankfull unto the gods for it and pray that it may continue Adamas spoke in this manner purposely as an invitation to make him speak the truth of his affection thinking by this means seeming to approve of it he would discover himself Unto which the Shepheard answered with a deep sigh Father said he if this be such a high fortune then certainly my mouth is out of tast for I did never in all my life relish more bitter Wormwood than this which you call good-fortune and since I came into this condition wherein you find me Why said the Druide the better to discover his subtlety is it possible you should be so insensible of your happinesse as not to see the Grandure unto which you are advanced Alas alas said Celadon all this does but shew me a Precipice and menace me with the greater fall Are you afraid said Adamas that this good fortune will not last I fear said the Shepheard that it will last longer than I would have it Why
by his Brother Diamis who presented them unto her under a colour of presenting her with some fruit She would often return him such satisfactory answers as he had some reason to be contented with And this affection was carried with so much prudence as few perceived it Amaranthe her selfe though she was continually with them had been ignorant of it had she not accidentally found a Letter which her companion had lost And see I beseech you the consequences of it with this Note That it is very dangerous for any young soul to come neer the fire of Love Till now this Shepheardesse never had the least resentment of any love no nor so much as any minde of being loved but as soon as she saw this Letter whether out of envie to her companion whom she thought no superiour in beauty or because she was of that age which is most apt to take fire or whether this Letter contained such hot and servent expressions as would thaugh a piece of Ice so it was that she began to swell with desire not only to love but to be loved again by this Shepheard And then she read over the Letter again severall times which was thus penned Celion's Letter unto Belinde Fair Shepheardesse IF your fair eyes were as full of truth as they are of motives to love the sweetnesse which at the first they do promise would then make me adore them with as much contentment as they do now produce in me vain hopes but they are so far from making good their deluding promises as they will not so much as confesse them and are so far from curing my wounds as they will not so much as say they are the causers of them The truth is they can hardly deny them if they do but consider that no other Beauty but theirs could ever make them so great However as if you intended to make your cruelty to equall your beauty you ordain that affection which you inspired may cruelly die in me Oh heavens was there ever such a mercilesse Mother as to murder her own child But I that am more dear of any thing that comes from you than of my life will never suffer such a piece of injustice and therefore I am resolved to carry this affection along with me to my grave hoping still that heaven considering my patience will once move you to be as pittifull unto me as you are now dear and hard-hearted Amaranthe read over this Letter severall times and ere she was aware sucked in the sweet poyson of Love as a weary person by degrees falls asleep If her imagination brought the face of this Shepheard before her eyes Oh how full of beauty and handsomnesse she fancyed him His behaviour and mind was agreeable his wit rare and every part so exquisite as she thought her companion infinitely happy in his love Then would she read the Letter over again and when she came to the end of it she flattered her desires being blown by the bellowes of vain hopes with an opinion that Belinde did not yet love him but that she her selfe might perhaps easily get him but this poor fond Lover never took notice that this was the first Letter he writ unto her and that since this much alteration might be Belinde's friendship sometimes gave her a check but love presently surmounted friendship In conclusion she writ this Letter unto Celion Amaranthe's Letter unto Celion YOur Perfections may well excuse my error and your Civility may as well receive that affection which I do offer unto you May I perish if I love any that is inferiour unto you but such is your merit as I make it my glory to love you and my shame to stoop so low as to love any other If you do refuse this offer it will be for want of will or courage and which of the two soever it be it will be more dishonourable to you than me that you refused me She gave this Letter her selfe unto Celion who not imagining what it should be as soon as he came to a private place he read it but not with more wonder than scorn and had he not known her to be the dear friend of his Mistresse he would not have daigned her an answer yet fearing left she should some way or other prejudice him he sent her this Letter by his Brother Celion's Answer unto Amaranthe I Cannot tell what is in me that can move you to love me However I do think it to be as great an honour that such a Shepheardesse should daigne to look upon me as I do think it a misfortune that I cannot receive such an happinesse Oh! that it would please my Destinies to let me give my selfe unto you Fair Amaranthe I should think my selfe the happiest man alive if I could live in your service but since it is not in my power I beseech you excuse me and blame neither my wit nor my courage for that which is hindred by a compulsive Necessitie It would be abundance of happinesse and glory unto me to be in your favour but it would be as much griefe unto you to finde a continuall impediment in my affection so as I am forced most humbly to beseech you even by your vertue to temper your too hot passion by a moderate affection which I shall with all my heart entertain for there is no impossibility in that but whatsoever is in me that is within the compasse of possibility is wholly at your service This answer had been sufficient to have diverted her if Love of its own nature were not like unto Gun-powder which the more it is restrained the greater force it hath Her apprehensions did oppose against these difficulties some shadowes of reason as that Celion could not so soon cast Belinde off that it would argue too great a levity in him if he should upon the very first Summons deliver up the Fort. But time told her to her cost that this was but a meer shadow of reason for ever since that day this Shepheard did to disdain her that he shunned her company and often chose rather to be without Belinde ' then have hers with it Now perceiving her selfe to be imbaâ—qued upon a Sea so full of dangers as was impossible to avoid a Ship-wrack and finding her selfe not able to brook so great a displeasure she grew so sad as she shunned all company and places where any pleasure was to be found and at last fell sick in good earnest Her dear friend Belinde came presently to visit her and not dreaming of any thing desired Celion to come with her but the sight of a happinesse which one cannot have augmenteth the desire of it the more and this visit did but more fester the disease of Amaranthe Night being come all retired to their lodgings except Belinde who was very much troubled at her companions misery though she did not know what it was for when she asked her any question she was answered only by sighs at which Belinde
unto me you will place your love upon one of the fairest Shepheardesses about Lignon Perhaps you will think this a strange office from Belinde but your wonder will vanish when I tell you that she is one whom I do most love for it is Amaranthe Her I do command you to love by all the power that I have over you for she has earnestly begg'd it of me She was thus hasty in her command because she feared that if she should have retarded it any longer she should not have had power to resist his supplications which she foresaw he would make What do you think fair Nymph said Celadon to Silvia became of poor Celion he looked as pale as death it selfe and so much out of himselfe as he could not speak one single syllable But at last when he had a little recovered the use of his languishing tongue and in a Tone like one in the midst of Torment he cryed out Oh cruell Nymph have you preserved my life hitherto thus inhumanely to ravish it away This command is too ful of cruelty to be heard live and my love is too great to let me die without despair Alas if I must die let me die faithfull and if there be no other way to cure Amaranthe but by my death I will most freely sacrifice my selfe unto her health so you will but change the doom of your command and bid me die loving only you Belinde was much startled at this but not altered Celion said she unto him leave off all these vain expressions you will give me cause else not to believe what you told me if you do not satisfie me in the first command that I do impose upon you Cruell Shepheardesse said the sad Celion must you needs command me impossibilities for though I dare not love you beyond your commanded limits yet command what you will I cannot love any other Pitty did begin a little to melt her heart and it was abundance of content unto her to see that he whom she loved most did most certainly love her And this perhaps had altered her resolution had she not been resolutely fixed to take away all thoughts from Amaranthe that she was stung with the same disease therefore she constrained all her pitty to retreat which began already to draw tears into her eyes and to the end they should not be seen she went away and at parting said unto him Think well upon it Celion and be certain I will never see you again unlesse you will effect my entreaty and your own promise Whether Celion had a sad dejected soul seeing himselfe so far from any consolation or resolution let them that ever loved judge He was two or three daies like a man lost he ran into the Woods and shunned all manner of company at last an old Shepheard that was an intimate friend of his Fathers and one that was very wise also loved Celion very well seeing him in this condition and perceiving that nothing but effects of Love could thus distract him he was some comfort unto him by his counsell For in his younger daies he himselfe had been in the like straits and began to mock Celion for being so much troubled for so poor a businesse demonstrating unto him that the remedy was easie and so very easie as he was ashamed that Celion who was reputed wife and a man of courage should not hit upon it I know said he that to fulfill this command of Belinda's is at the first a matter of some difficulty and she will think your affection to be extream but that will oblige her the more to love you yet since you have made such professions of obeying her it will content her if you do dissemble and seem as if you did obey what she has commanded This counsell sounded well in the ears of Celion and was accordingly executed But before this he had writ this Letter unto Belinde Celion's Letter unto Belinde HAd I merited so ruffe a Treatment as this which I have received from you I should sooner have dyed than endured it but since it is for your contentment I shall entertain it with a little more willingnesse then if in exchange you had hidden me die Since I have wholly dedicated my selfe unto you it is but reasonable you should have the whole disposure of me But I beseech you consider that as long as this constraint lasts so many daies are navished from my life for I cannot call those daies life that are full of sorrow and death Shorten them therefore Oh most severe Shepheardesse if there be but one spark of pitty remaining in you It was impossible that Bolinda should not resent these expressions which she knew proceeded from a most perfect affection withall it was impossible any thing could divert her from her designe She did advertise Amaranthe that Celion would love her and that she would know it as soon as she was recovered Which advertisment did so hasten her recovery as she did make it appear that to the cure of the body the cure of the minde is not unprofitable But Oh! what a lamentable constraint did Celion live in and how intolerable was his torment He grew so lean and was so altered as he was not knowable But see the extream severity of this Shepheardesse she was not contented with what she had done but because she thought Amaranthe had some jealousie of their affection she was resolved to drive the Naile so to the head that neither of them should think she jeasted The Shepheards addresse unto Amaranthe was observed by every one for it was openly declared the Father also of this Shepheard being acquainted with the commendable vertues of Leon and knowing his family to be honourable he did not disapprove of this Match Belinde her selfe did propound the Marriage and it was almost made up before Celion knew of it but when he heard of it he could not forbear speaking unto Belinde and was so plain with her that she was halfe ashamed but the Shepheard seeing words would not do he resolved upon another course and a better way which was to apply himselfe unto his Father Sir said he I should be very sorry to disobey you in anything and more in this than any other thing I see Sir that you do like of this alliance with Amaranthe and as becomes me I have made addresses to her and I do know no Shepheardesse more affectionate than she But Sin give me leave to tell you that I do love her better for a Mistresse than a Wife yet I do humbly beseech you command me not to tell you my reason Upon this the Father had some suspition that he knew of some ill quality in the Shepheardesse and did heartily commend the prudence of his Son who he thought had such a command over his own affections Thus this Match was broken off and the former passages being publickly known many did ask the question from whence this coldnesse of the businesse should proceed The
wave as it begun Is like my Sorrows that doe flow Upon my soul woe after woe As like a Vagabond it wanders Murmuring it self into Meanders So I must glide away and rove Murmuring against my Fate and Love Whilst this Shepheard was thus talking to himself and so troubled at this dysaster as he talked loud enough to be heard a long way off Belinde who had not forgot the time and place of appointment as soon as ever she had rid her self of her company shee came unto him so troubled at the thought of losing him as she could not so hide her sorrows but some appeared in her face Ergastes who was that morning got up betimes to walk by fortune spied her afarre off and seeing shee was by her self as if she sought for some close place hee had a minde to see whither shee intended to goe and following her at a distance he saw she went towards the Fountaine of Sicamours then looking a little further hee saw though it was very early a Flock feeding Ergastes not being ignorant of all passages betwixt his Shepheardesse and Celion had a conceipt that it was his Flock and that Belinde was going unto him Although hee did not suspect the Chastity of his Mistris yet he was easily induced to beleeve that she did not hate him imagining that so large a Courtship had never been if it had been disagreeable unto her And so to satisfie his curiosity as soon as he saw her amongst the Trees so as she could not perceive him he crept nearer and hid himself in a bush from whence he could see the Shepheardesse sitting upon the grassie seats about the Fountain and Celion upon his knees before her Oh how he was startled as soon as he saw this Yet because he would hear what they said he crept close under the hedge which was about the Fountain and so heard every syllable what the Shepheardesse said What Celion said shee is this your profession to please mee Hath this accident more force upon you than the power which you have given me hath Where is your courage Celion or indeed where is your affection Have you not out of your love to me surmounted greater difficulties than this Where is your affection What is become of those resolves which you once professed Would you have me beleeve that you have lesse affection unto me now than at that time Oh Shephead rather rob mee of my life than of that good will which you long since have promised unto mee How comes it to passe that hitherto I have had as much power over you as I could desire And why should I have any lesse for the future Ergastes heard also what Celion answered Is it possible Belinde said hee that you can make any question of my affection or the power you have over me Can you be so forgetfull of all those testimonies which I have rendred you of it And must I survive that good opinion which you ought to have of mee Can you Belinde tax mee in any of my actions or ever doubt of my obedience unto all your commands I pray before you doe entertain any such ill opinions of mee aske Amaranthe what she thinks Nay ask Belinde her self if ever she imposed any difficulty upon mee which my affection has not surmounted Even at this very time when I see you are giving your selfe unto another I am ready to leave you in the arms of one more happy than my selfe by putting an end to my dysasterous love and banishing my selfe for ever from you Alasse can you say that this is any want of affection or will to obey you since I doe resent it more dismally than death it self Oh Shepheardesse what strange misunderstandings are betwixt you and me For if you doe doubt of my affection because I support this dysaster and live I will tell you that your extreme resoluteness is too certain an argument of your small affection But to what purpose should I retain any hopes of you since another O fatal word another must enjoy you At this word the poor Shepheard without any strength or thought leaned upon Belinde's knee and there swooned Whether Belinde was toucht to the heart at this I leave you to judge fair Nymph since she did love him as well as was possible to love and seemed onely as if shee did not resent this sad separation When she saw him in this swounding fit and thought there was no witness but the Sicamours and Fountain she would not conceale from them what shee had kept so secret from her all companions Alass said she and held up her hands Oh ye soveraigne powers either deliver me from this misery or from my life either remove this cruel dysaster or let this cruel dysaster remove me Then casting her eyes upon Celion and thou O too faithfull Shepheard said shee who hadst not been so miserable if thou hadst not loved me Oh that the heavens would either give thee that contentment which thy affection deserveth or else take mee out of the world since I am the onely cause that thou endurest these miseries which thou doest not deserve Then pausing a while she went on O how hard a thing it is to love well and be wise both together I know very well that my Father has good reason to bestow me upon the prudent Shepheard Ergastes because the Alliance is convenient for him but alass what 's that to mee as long as my love and affection lookes another way I know Ergastes deserves very well and I could never hope for a more advantageous match than him but how should I give my selfe unto him when as Love hath disposed of me unto another Reason is on my Fathers side but Love is on mine And not a love newly begun but a love even from my cradle by a long continuance hath so insinuated it self into my soul that he is more my soul than my soul it self is Oh heavens Is it possible to lose my soul and live Tell me Belinde wilt thou not be utterly undone when it is gone As she uttered these words a river of tears ran from her eyes and fell upon the hands and cheeks of the Shepheard who coming to himselfe by little and little caused the Shepheardess to be silent and wipe away her teares from her eyes lest hee should take any notice of them And changing her countenance and voice spake thus unto him Shepheard I must needs confesse I am very sensible of your pain and did I doubt of your affection I were the most ungreateful person in the world But alass what will my acknowledgements and sensibilitie avayl since heaven hath subjected mee unto the will of him who gave mee my being Would you wish me to requite him with disobedience But admit I should suffer my affection to transport me beyond my duty Will that Celion set us in any more tranquillity Can it be any contentment unto you if you doe love me to see me grieve and mourn
Ligdamon who ever had an eye upon him assoon as he saw him upon the ground did ride up and lay about him so couragiously that he made a Wall of dead bodies about Clidaman who in the mean time had leasure to recover himselfe from under his Horse and who doubtlesse without my Masters help and valour had been troden to pieces for Ligdamon lighted from his Horse and set Clidaman on the back of him whilst he himselfe was so wounded and pressed with enemies that he could not get upon that Horse which I led Now was our party forced to recoile wanting the invincible Arme of my Master and we were in such a desperate condition and we were amidst so many enemies as there was no hopes of any life However Ligdamon would never render himselfe and though he was wounded and weary yet there was not an enemy seeing what deadly blowes came from his Arme that was so bold as to lay hold of him At the last five or six came galloping up with all their fury and he having run his sword into the first Horse it broke at the very bilt and the horse being run through the heart fell upon him I ran to help him up but halfe a score more that was fallen upon him hindred me Thus both of us halfe dead were carried away and the accident was the more dylasterous because almost at the very same time our Party recovered what they had lost by the reliefe which Childerick brought from the Rear guard and were Masters of the Field burning all the enemies Hutts most part of them being taken or killed As for us we were carried unto their principall City called Rhotomages where my Master was no sooner arrived but many came to visit him some said they were his Cosens others his friends though he knew not one of them For my part I knew neither what to say nor think of it when I saw so many strangers carrassing and making so very much of him yet much more was our amazement when a Lady well attended came to visit him saying he was her Son with so many demonstrations of affection as he was almost out of himselfe and much more when she said Oh Lydias my Child how great are both my joyes and fears at the sight of you in this place Alas how am I afraid to see you in this cruell Town since your enemy Arontes is dead of those wounds which you gave him and since you are condemned to death by Justice For my part I know no other way but to ransome you presently and hide you till you be able to get away Ligdamon was extreamly amazed at all this and knew that he was taken for some other but he could not answer her because at the very same instant he who took him came into the Chamber with two Officers of the Town to take a list of the names and qualities of the Prisoners for many being taken they intended to exchange them The poor Lady was much affrighted thinking they came to seize upon him and carry him to Prison and hearing them ask his name she told them her selfe but my Master said his name was Ligdamon a Segusian She had an opinion that he would dissemble his name and to remove all suspicion went presently to her house with a resolution to ransome him before he was known The truth was my Master did so resemble Lydias that every one did take him for the same This Lydias was a young Gallant of that Country and being in love with a great Beauty had fought with Arontes his Rivall and killed him yet had time enough to escape the hands of Justice but after the death of Arontes was so prosecuted by his friends that Lydias though absent was condemned to death Ligdamon was so wounded that he could not think of these things I foreseeing what danger might ensure still pressed the Mother to ransome him which she did yet not so secretly but the Enemies of Lydias were acquainted with it so as the very same day that this good Lady paid the ransome and carried him to her house the Officers of Justice came and carried him to Prison say what Ligdamon could Thus being by every one taken for Lydias he was in very great danger but much more the next morning when he was examined upon such interrogatories of which he was so ignorant that he knew not what to answer However the Judges persisted in their former judgment and confirmed it giving him no longer term than the healing of his wounds The noise was presently all about the Town that Lydias was a Prisoner and condemned to die not only as a Murderer but as a Rebell being taken in Armes for the Franks and therefore as the custome of that time and place was for such an offence he was to be put into a Den of Lions nothing else was talked of through all the Town At last it came to my ears upon which I disguised my selfe and with the help of that good Lady who had paid his ransome I came to Paris unto Merovea and Childerick whom I acquainted with the accident at which they were much astonished thinking it almost impossible two persons should resemble so much as to finde no difference but to prevent any danger they presently sent two Heraulds of Armes to acquaint the enemy with their errour But all this conduced to no purpose but confirmed them in their opinion and rather hasted the execution of the Sentence than otherwise The wounds of Ligdamon were now healed so as they pronounced the Sentence That he should die by Lions which should be his Executioners yet being of a noble Family they would do him so much favour as to let him wear his Sword and Dagger as Armes belonging to a Cavalier with which if he had so much courage he might defend himselfe or at least generously revenge his death At that time they returned unto Merovea that thus they alwaies punished their own Country-men who were Traitors unto their Country Thus see poor Ligdamon in most pittifull danger yet his Courage that never fainted unlesse in matters of Love seeing there was no other remedy resolved to defend himselfe as well as he could Lydias being one of the best Families of the Neustrians almost all the Citty assembled to behold this Spectacle When he was ready to be put into this close horrour his only request was that he might fight with these Lions one after another The people hearing this just demand did approve of it by their acclamations and clapping of hands in spite of the prosecutors Now see Ligdamon alone in a great Court and the Lions seeing their prey through some Bars did roar so horridly as would have chilled the blood of any but him who taking notice which dore first opened lest he should be surprised he saw a huge hungry Lion come out who at the first pawing with his foot upon the ground and striking himselfe with his taile he began to stretch forth his
of revenge from that god Why should I fear said the Shepheard since it is I that am the offended party Ah Celadon said the Nymph were all things equally ballanced you would finde your offences committed much greater then those you have received This is the very height of misery said Celadon that a person afflicted should be thought happy and when his pain is palpable yet not to be pittied But I pray tell me Shepheard said the Nymph does not Ingratitude of all crimes and offences that are accounted great hold the first place Doubtlesse it does answered the Shepheard If it do said Galathea how can you clear your selfe since for all the love and affection I have shewed unto you I receive nothing but a hollow faintnesse and disdain from you This for all considering what I am and considering what you are I cannot conceive how I have any waies offended against Love that he should punish me with so much rigour Celadon was extreamly sorry for beginning this discourse but since it was already on foot he resolved to clear himselfe and therefore said thus unto her Madam I know not how to give an answer unto your speeches but by blushes yet Love which makes you speak constraines me to answer That which you call ingratitude in me I must call Duty and if you shall please to ask me my reason I shall give it What reason can you give said Galathea unlesse that you do love another and that your faith is obliged to her But let me tell you that the Law of Nature is before all others and that Law commands us to seek and prefer our own good before anothers And can you desire a greater good than my affection Whom have you in the Country like me who can do as I can for you These are meer mockeries Celadon to insist so much upon these follies of Fidelity and Constancy termes invented only by old women and ugly to keep such within their Pales as their faces has set at liberty They say all the Vertues are chained together Constancy cannot be without Prudence And can it be any Prudence to let go a certain good only to avoid the bare name and title of Inconstant Madam answered Celadon Prudence never taught us to thrive by any shamefull means nor did the Lawes of Nature ever command us to build before we have a sure foundation Is there any thing more dishonest and shamefull than not to observe and be punctuall in promises Is there any thing fuller of levity than a Minde that like a Bee flying from flower to flower is still in quest of new sweetnesse If Fidelity be once lost Madam what sure foundation can I have in your affection Since you follow the Law which you speak of I shall remain no longer in this happinesse then you stay in a place where there is no Man but my selfe The Nymph and the Shepheard discoursed thus whilst Leonida went into her Chamber to dispatch a Letter unto Lindamor which was to invite him home with all haste otherwise to despair for ever And the next morning when Flurial came again after she had given him her Letter she said thus unto him Go Flurial let thy love to Lindamor be seen in thy haste for delay may be no lesse then death unto him Go or rather flie bid him return with all speed and in his return go straight to the house of Adamas whom I have gain'd to him there he shall finde the most notable treachery in Love that ever was invented but if it be possible let him come unknown Thus Flurial departed so desirous to serve Lindamor that he would not go unto his Aunts because he would lose no time Thus three or foure daies passed on during which time Celadon began to long for the return of the Druide in hopes that when he came he should then get out of this place and to make the time seem lesse tedious he went sometimes into the Garden and sometimes into the Woods but never without the company of one of the Nymphs and often all three Silvia's humour pleased him best as most sympathizing with his own and therefore he courted her as much as he could It hapned one day being all four together that they passed by the Grotto of Damon and Fortune and because the entrance seemed to be very fair and made with much art the Shepheard asked what it was To whom Gaelathea answered Will you see Shepheard one of the greatest proofes of Love's power that ever was What is that said the Shepheard It is said the Nymph the Loves of Mandrague and Damon as for the Shepheardesse Fortune that is ordinary Who is that Mandrague said the Shepheard If one may know what the Worker is by the Work said Galathea you will finde her to be one of the greatest Magicians in all Gaul for 't was she who by her enchantments made this Grotto and many other Rarities that are within it Then entring in the Shepheard was ravished with the curiosity of the work the entrance was very high and spacious on both sides in lieâ— of Pillars were great Statues which with their shoulders supported the Arches of the Portall The one represented Pan the other Syringes which were most industriously carved into hair veines eye-browes and beard also the hornes of Pan were excellently wrought The Arch without was of Rustick work and the Vault both without and within was adorned with abundance of excellent Statues which being hollow within conveyed water into severall Fountains and every one of them represented some effect of the puissance of Love In the midst of the Grotto was a Tombe some twelve or fourteen foot high and all about it hung such pictures as the sight of them deceived the judgment The space betwixt every piece was filled up with a Demi-columne of black polished Marble and at the top was a Cornish of white Marble unto which the severall pictures were chained After Celadon had contemplated them in generall he was so full of curiosity as he desired to know more of the particulars and therefore to give an occasion to the Nymph to say something more upon every part he commended the Invention and Art of the worker These are the spirits of Mandrague said the Nymph who were left here to testifie that Love does not pardon either old or young fair or foul and to relate unto those who come hither the unfortunate Loves of Damon and she and of the Shepheardesse Fortune But said Celadon is this the Fountain of Love's Verity No said the Nymph but that is not far from hence But would I had so much ingenuitie as to interpret these Pictures unto you for the story is very well worthy of your knowledge As she was beginning to expound them she saw Adamas enter who being returned and not finding the Nymphs within imagined that they were gone to walk and after he had hid the clothes which he brought he came after them Galathea no sooner saw him but
she cryed out Oh Father you are come in excellent good time to help me out and then addressing unto Celadon Here 's one Shepheard said she that will satisfie you in the story of these Pictures Then after she had asked him how he did and after salutations on all parts Adamas in obedience to the Nymphs commands and to satisfie the Shepheards curiosity going with them neer the Tomb he began thus The History of Damon and Fortune AS the Work-man is pleased to make his work and form it into what he pleaseth so likewise the great gods by whose hands we are all formed are pleased to make us act such parts upon the Theater of this world as they have put upon us But amongst all there was none that had such fantasticall imaginations as Love for he makes the old grow young and the young old and all in the twinkling of an eye This History which is fuller of truth than I wish it were will make this so evident that it cannot be denyed as by the sequell of my discourse you will finde The first Picture BEhold there a Shepheard sitting upon the ground with his back against an Oake 〈◊〉 legs acrosse and playing upon Bag-Pipe That is the Shepheard Damon whose perfection of face gives him the title of Fair. This young Shepheard fed his Flock upon the banks of Lignon descended from one of the best Families about Mount Verdam and nor far off in kindred from the old Cleontine and Leonida's Mother so consequently my Allie Observe how his face besides the beauty of it does lively represent a person whose cares are only to content himselfe for you cannot finde the least cloudy imagination in his brow Then on the contrary remove your eye and observe those Shepheardesses that are about him then you will judge by their composure of face that they are not without much paines For as Damon's spirit is quiet and free so these Shepheardesses have hearts extreamly passionate towards him and yet you see he will not daigne to bestow a look upon them And therefore there is placed by him on the right hand that little boy with a Bow and a Torch in his hand his eyes bound up his back winged and upon his shoulders a Quiver This is Love who being much offended at the disdain of this Shepheard to these Shepheardesses does swear that he will be revenged of him And for the imbellishment of the piece observe well the shaddowes and proportions of every part observe how the arme of the Shepheard does as it were stir and blow his Bag-pipe which is betwixt his arm and body and how the Pipes end at which he blowes hath a little lost his colour the reason of it is because the mouth of the Shepheard hath worn it away Look upon the left hand and see how his Flocks doe feed see how some lie down in the shade and those two Raâ—â—â—s running against each other with all their force The duty of the Dogs is not to be passed by unobserved how like Centinels they are placed upon hills and ready to run upon any necessity Do but look well upon the curious industry of the Painter for whereas Dogs that are dull and sleep without care use to lie round and hide their heads often under their pawes these here do lie after another manner to shew they do not sleep but rest themselves only for they do lie upon their four feet with their nose upon them and eyes alwaies open But let us look upon the other Picture The second Picture THis is quite contrary to the other for that is all Disdain this Love That shewes only pride and scorn in this appeares nothing but humility and sweetnesse And this is the cause of it Look well upon yonder Shepheardesse which sitteth under that shade how fair she is and handsomely drest Look how the gentle winde whistles her hair backward and makes it spread upon her shoulders It is the fair Shepheardesse Fortune in whose favour Love promiseth revenge upon Damon who is that Shepheard which is next her leaning upon his Sheephook Observe those little Cupids which are all so busie about them and each of them attentive upon what he doth see how one of them is taking measure of the Shepheardesse's eye-brow and gives it unto another who having stollen some of that Beautie 's hair is making a Bow string of it for his Companion see how he sits upon the ground and twines it betwixt his finger and his thumb and that he may the better twine it a third fetches him a handfull of a Lovers tears to wet his fingers See how another is bending his Bow setting the one end of it to the ground the other to his breast and leanes upon it to make it bend Cupid who is a little higher having in his left hand a Bow and right hand behinde his ear as if he were ready to let an Arrow flie see how he drawes back his arme lifts up his elbow his three first fingers open and the rest close and so levells at a mark which he hits for the poor Shepheard whom he shot at was so wounded that nothing but death can cure him But look on the other side and see how Anteros with Violets and Roses dresses the arme and head of the fair Shepheardesse Fortune and tying a Chain about the neck of the Shepheardesse gives the end of it unto the Shepheard This represents unto us that the merits love and services of this Shepheard which are denoted by those flowers do oblige Fortune unto a reciprocall love of him And if you think it strange that Anteros here should be represented bigger than Cupid it is to let you understand that Love which proceeds from Love is alwaies greater then that from which it doth proceed But lee us passe to the third The third Picture LOok here upon your pleasant River of Lignon see how it has a double source the one comming from the Mountaines of Cervieres and the other from the Chilmasell hills and meet a little below the Merchants Town of Boinge How well the Channell is drawn how the River runs crooked and the banks full of Offers Do you not know the Wood there which joynes to the great Plain where the Shepheards use to feed their Flocks If that tuft of Trees on the left hand where the River cringles it selfe like unto a Serpent and makes a halfe Moon in another seem strange unto your eye and is not so at this houre you must know that the Picture notwithstanding is true for since it was drawn some Trees are decayed others cut down and others growne in their room Then look a little lower the River and behold a flock of sheep feeding in the shade that is the flock of Damon whom you may see there in the River up to the Middle Observe how that young copps of Trees do bid resistance to the Sun and as it were rejoyce that they have another under them and yet such is the
replyed unto him Celadon said she I have seen you in a place where all in it have thought you not so ignorant in matters of Love Fair Nymph answered hee in what place soever that was there was much beauty in it if you were there but as too great a fire rather burns than warms so your beauties are too high for our Rustique hearts for they do rather make us admire than love and adore rather than serve With such discourses as this all this faire company went homeward where Dinner waited for them As soon as day did break Leonida according as it was resolved upon over night by Adamas her companion and Celadon did come unto the Shepheards chamber to dresse him in those clothes which her Uncle had brought But the little Merill who by Galathea's command did alwayes stay with Celadon as well to be a spye over the actions of Leonida as to wait upon the Shepheard did a long while hinder their design At last some noise or other that was made in the Court made Meril run out to see what the matter was Then Celadon did rise immediatly and the Nymph see what love will doe did help to dresse him for without her hee knew not how to put his clothes on handsomly Presently after Meril returnes yet Celadon hearing him went into a Wardrobe and hee was no sooner entred but Meril asked where Celadon was He is in the Wardrobe said the Nymph and will come out presently what wouldst thou have with him I would tell him sayd the boy that Amasis is coming hither Leonida was a little surprised that she could not finish what she had begun yet that she might goe and give Celadon some counsel she sayd unto Meril Go little Meril run and acquaint thy Lady lest she be surprised The Boy ran as fast as he could and Celadon came out laughing at the news Oh why do you laugh said the Nymph her comming will hinder your going out Come come said hee make haste and dresse me for amongst so many Nymphs I shall the more easily steal away But whilst they were very busie at their work Galathea entred and upon such a sudden that Celadon could not get into the Closet You may well imagine how both Leonida and Celadon were surprised at this accident Yet the crafty Leonida seeing Galathea enter she held Celadon and would not let him hide himself but turning towards Galathea and seeming much troubled Madam said she if you doe not use some means that my Lady come not hither we are all undone for my part I am doing what I can to disguise Celadon in a womans habit but I am afraid I shall not have time enough Galathea who knew not at the first what to think of this Metamorphosis did much commend this witty invention of Leonida's and when she saw Celadon so well disguised she could not chuse but laugh and said unto Leonida Friend but for you we had been all undone for we could never have hidden Celadon amongst so many Nymphs as will come with Amasis but now wee are well enough and may safely shew him unto all your companions who will take him for a woman Thus Galathea after it was agreed upon that Celadon should say he was Cosen unto Adamas and called Lucinde went out to meet her Mother I must ingenuously confesse said Celadon after she was gone I was never in my life so astonished as at these three accidents First at the coming of Amasis Secondly at Galathea's surprising us and thirdly at your sudden invention Shepheard said Leonide what I do proceeds from my desires to rid you out of your pain and I would to the gods you knew my heart then would you find what happinesse I wish you By way of gratitude for so great an obligation said the Shepheard I cannot chuse but tender you my life since you have preserved it Thus they talked till Meril came into the Chamber and seeing Celadon almost drest hee was ravished and said no live person could know him for hee that was continually with him had he not seen him dressing should have been mistaken Who told thee said Celadon that I was disguised My Lady said he and commanded me to say your name was Lucinde the Cosen of Adamas and to acquaint the Druide with it who could not chuse but laugh when hee heard it and promised to doe as my Lady commanded him In the mean time Amasis was come out of her Coach and met Galathea at the stairs foot with Silvia and Adamas Daughter said she unto her me-thinks you have been too long in solitude and I am come to disorder you a little The good news I have received from Clidaman and Lindamor does so rejoyce mee that I cannot contain my joyes alone and therefore I am come to make you a participant with me and would have you goe with me unto Marcelles where Bonefires shall be made through every street I doe much rejoice at your happinesse Madam said Galathea and wish it may continue eternally But truly Madam this place pleaseth me so well that I have no desiring Genius to leave it No more you shall long replyed Amasis but because I will not goe thither untill night let us walke together and I will acquaint you with the news I have received Then Adamas made a low reverence and said Certainly Madam your news is very good since you are stirring so early to impart it unto your Daughter I have received it said shee two or three daies since but found that I could not enjoy the contentment of it alone and truly the news deserves to be divulged Thus they talked until they came into the Garden when as they began to walk Amasis took Galathea on one side and Adamas on the other and then she proceeded thus The History of Lydias and Melandre Considering the strange variety of accidents which are caused by Love me-thinkes it must needs be confessed that the Wheel of Love does turn about as fast as the Wheel of Fortune and that Passion causeth as many changes and alterations in humane affairs as any thing else The examples of these are so frequently before our eyes that it is impertinent to instance them And yet when you have heard this which I intend to relate you will confess you never heard of any more remarkable It is known unto you how Clidaman by hazard and Lot became a servant unto Silvia and how Guyemant in bringing a Letter unto her from his Brother fell in love with her And since that I believe you are not ignorant of their design in departing both together to goe unto Merovea Nor how I sent a great number of the young Cavalrie under the conduct of Lindamor after them But I beleeve you do not know what they have done since they went And therefore I do at this time intend to make a relation of their voyage unto you for it is worthy of knowledge As soon as Clidaman came unto the Army Guyemant
came from me 'T is impossible I should goe said Lydias before I know who you are I am the sorrowfull Cavalier said shee and that 's enough and you need know no more Thus Lydias went with an intention to serve the King of the Frankes since hee who twice saved his life would have it so But in the mean time Lypandas did expresly command that Melander should be well guarded and shackles put upon her hands and feet not caring if shee had dyed with the misery Judge in what a sad condition this young woman was her victuals were bad her lodging miserable and all accomdations wanting So as if her affection had not been some comfort unto her it was impossible shee should have lived so long in that misery In the mean time it was divulged throughout all Neustria that Lydias by the procurement of a friend was released from his imprisonment at Callice and was gone to serve the King Merovea and thereupon was declared a Traitor of his Country Yet he failed not to go unto Merovea's Camp where he found out which was Clidamans Tent. As soon as Lindamor and Guyemant saw him they ran to him and embraced him with abundance of love and courtesie at which hee was extreamly astonished for they took him for Ligdamon who a little before was lost in the battle which they had with the Neustrians and was so extreamly like him that any one would have taken the one for the other At the last being known to be Lydias Melanders friend he was recommended unto Merovea before whom Lydias related the whole story of his imprisonment and the courtesie which he had received from an unknown Cavalier Also how he came by this unknown Cavaliers command to serve him especially Clidaman After the King had received him and given him thanks for his good wil unto him Clidaman spoke to him and said Is it possible Lydias you should not know him that has fought for you and is now in prison to release you No certainly said hee I doe not know him This is the strangest thing I ever heard of said Clidaman did you never see any that did resemble him Not that I remember said Lydias and wondered Then said Clidaman I shall relate unto the King a story the most worthy of compassion that Love ever caused Then he related how Lydias went into Great Brittaine the courtesies he received there the affection of Melandre to him the promises hee made to carry her into Neustria with him when he went away his flight and his imprisonment at Callais Poor Lydias was so astonished to hear so many particulars of his life that he knew not what to thinke But when Clidaman related Melandres resolution to assume mans habit and to sight a Duel with Lypandas and all that I have formerly related every one was ravished Oh heavens said Lydias is it possible I should be so blind What should I doe to answer this obligation You can doe no lesse said Clidaman than give that life to her which shee has preserv'd That is little answer'd he unlesse accompanyed with affection Whilst they were thus in discourse every hearer concluded this noble act of this Womans deserved that this great Army should goe and assault Callais for her sake I protest said Merovea our Army cannot be better employed than in the rescue of so virtuous a Lady Night being come Lydias told Clidaman that whilst he was at Callais a prisoner he discovered a weak place in the Walls of the Town where had he but a few men he could infallibly enter This being reported unto Merovea it was approved of So Lydias had given him five hundred Archers and three hundred Men at Armes for the execution of this enterprise In conclusion for I will not relate all particulars Callais was taken Lypandas imprisoned and Melandre released out of her captivity But I know not how it came to passe nor why yet as soon as all was quiet after the Town was taken Lydias and Melandre went away and it was never since known what became of them In the mean time poor Ligdamon hath been most miserably tormented for Lydias for being taken prisoner by the Neustrians he was mistaken for Lydias and condemned to death Clidaman procured Merovea to send two Heralds at Armes purposely to let them know that they were mistaken but they would not beleeve it Thus was Ligdamon put into a den of Lyons where they say hee did things beyond Man but doubtlesse he had dyed amongst them had not a fair Lady demanded him for her Husband which custome did at that time save him but hee dyed presently after for hee loving Silvia would not marry that Lady but chose death rather than her for just upon the very Marriage he poysoned himselfe and shee also 〈…〉 to be Lydias did poyson her selfe in the same Cup. Thus poor Ligdamon dyed so lamented by every one that his very enemies did pitty him But Love had a most notable way of Revenge upon Lypandas for when hee knew Melandre to be a woman and remembring her virtue beauty and affection hee fell so desperately in love with her that the poorman had no other consolation but to talk of her My Sonne sent me word that he endeavoured to get his release and hoped to obtain it Thus see said Amasis how they live in the plenitude of Honour and none in all the Army more esteemed than they I pray heavens to continue their good fortune said Adamas And whilst they were thus talking they saw Leonida Lucinde and the little Meril coming towards them I say Lucinde for so it was agreed Celadon should be called Amasis who knew her not asked who she was It is one that is Cosen unto Adamas answered Galathea her name is Lucinde one that is so fair and every way so virtuous as I desired her to stay with me some certaine dayes She seems said Amasis as good as fair I doe beleeve Madam said Galathea that her disposition would be very pleasing unto you and if you think good she shall goe with us unto Marcelles By this time Leonida was come so near that Lycinde bowed her self and kissed the hand of Amasis with so good a grace as any one living would have taken her for a woman Amasis did her the honour to kisse her and said that any who had a relation to Adamas were as dear unto her as her own children Then Adamas began to speak lest if the disguised Lucinde should have answered her voice might betray her but hee needed not to feare that for shee knew so well how to feigne her voice as it did rather help to deceive them However at this time she suffered Adamas to answer and after a low reverence shee went amongst the other Nymphs watching her opportunity how to steal away At the last Dinner time being at hand Amasis went into the house where finding meat upon the Table every one dined with a merry heart except the fair Silvia
wish thee joy with all my heart since I can doe no more I hope thou wilt take my wish in good part and in requital of my love I pray thee tell me whether thou doest know Astrea Phillis and Lycidas and if thou dost then tell me all thou knowest of them Kinde Shepheard answered hee thy civil language obliges me to pray that thou mayst never have any such occasion of sorrows as I have And I will freely tell thee all I doe know concerning those persons you mention although my own grief forbids me to meddle in any other businesse but my own It is about a month or six weeks since I came into this Country of Forrests not as many doe to try what the Fountain of Loves verity will shew me for I am but too certain of my sad fate but by the commandment of the gods who from the fertile banks of the famous Siene sent mee hither with assurance that I should here finde a remedy against my miseries And ever since I came I have taken up my lodging in such Villages as seemed most agreeable to my condition and humour with a resolution to stay as long as the heavens shall permit me This design hath moved me to enquire of all the Shepheards and Shepheardesses of these parts I am able to satisfie you in any thing you desire to know of them All I desire to know said Celadon is to be satisfied how they doe All of them said he are well but they are all troubled very much at one act of blind and fickle Fortune and that is at the losse of one Celadon a Shepheard altogether unknown to me who was the Brother of Lycidas This lost Shepheard was so loved and esteemed of every one that he is generally lamented by all especially by those three persons whom you named unto me It was conceived that this Shepheard was a devoted servant unto Astrea and it was the enmity of their Parents which hindered them from Marriage How is it reported said Celadon this Shepheard was lost It is variously reported answered he Some speake as opinion leads them others according to circumstances and appearance and some as others doe report So as it is divers wayes related As for me I came hither into these quarters the very same day he was lost and I doe remember that every one was so affrighted at the accident as none knew how to make a perfect relation of it In conclusion and that is the best received opinion because Phillis Astrea and Lycidas themselves doe say it that this Shepheard sleeping close by the River side he fel in and Astrea also but her clothes did save her Celadon imagining that they had prudently invented this report to take away occasion of talking ill upon the accident he was very glad for his feares alwayes were that reports would reflect much upon Astrea's honour and therefore hee asked him further But what doe they think said he is become of this Shepheard That hee is dead answered the sad Shepheard And I assure you Astrea takes it so sadly that though shee puts the best face of it she can yet every one saies it is almost incredible that shee should be so much changed however for ought I see she is so fair that except Diana hinders her I never saw any fairer except my dearest Cleon and indeed they three may well be compared together Every one said Celadon will speake well of his own Mistris and Love has a quality not onely to blind but to change the eyes of Lovers so as there was never any Lover that thought his Mistris ugly This answered the Shepheard were something if I were in love with Astrea or Diana but since I am ever incapable of that I may be a competent judge And you who seem to doubt of this Shepheardesses beauty you must needs be either a stranger or else some ill-willer I am neither of those two said Celadon but truly I am the most miserably afflicted Shepheard that is in the whole world I shall never grant that said Tircis unlesse you except me For if your misery proceed from any thing else but Love the pain cannot be so great as mine since the heart is the most tender part we have and is most sensible of any sorrows And though your misery doe proceed from love yet it must needs submit unto mine for of all the miseries in love despair is the most intolerable disdain anger hatred jealousie absence or any thing is short of death for this pale Goddesse with her fatall hand does cut away both hope and life so as I the most miserable amongst all men living doe complain of a misery without any remedy or hope Celadon answered with a deep sigh Oh Shepheard how much doe you erre in your opinion I doe confess that the greatest miseries are those which doe proceed from Love of which I have had a full experience But I cannot by any means allow that those miseries which are without hope are the most sad nor indeed doe they deserve to bee resented for it is a meer act of folly to weep for a thing which cannot bee helped And Love answered hee what is that but a meer folly I will not enter upon that said Celadon before we have done with the other for that alone will take up much time But I pray tell me Doe you lament this death out of love or not Certainly out of love answered he If it be out of love answered Celadon then I have heard Silvander and all our learned Shepheards say that Love is nothing but a desire to enjoy that beauty which you find in the person loved 'T is very true said the stranger Then replyed Celadon Will any reasonable man desire a thing which cannot bee had No certainly said Tircis Then said Celadon the death of Cleon ought to be the cure of all your grief for since you confesse that desire never ought to be where there is no hope of obtaining and that Love is nothing else but a desire Death which puts you out of all hopes to enjoy ought by consequence to put you out of all desire and desire being dead all Love should die with it The sad Shepheard answered that whatsoever he said he was sure that his misery was most extream and because he would not revive the memory of his dead Cleon hee would not argue the matter any longer onely thus farre hee said Shepheard that which comes under sence is more certain than that which is onely in opinion And therefore all those reasons which he alleged could not convince him of that which he was so sensible of So recommending him unto the tuition of Pan Celadon and he parted And Solitude being most suitable to a Lovers thoughts Celadon went on through the Woods untill hee came to the Bridge of Boutresse and passing over the River there he was in doubt which way to wend but this was his full resolution to obey Astrea who had forbidden him to
Amasis the most honoured by all the Country never considering that Love useth not to measure by the Ell of Ambition or Merit but by opinion only Silvander whose education in the Phocencian and Massellian Universities had compleatly civilized though the meeting of Paris was but halfe pleasing to him yet he turned to the Nymph and him to salute them I need not ask you said Leonida unto him and smiled what thoughts entertained you in this solitary place for I am sure that Diana was the chiefe But I would gladly know why you do prefer the thoughts before the fight of her and what occasions does invite you from her presence I will not deny Madam said he unto her but that those pleasing thoughts whereof you speak were my deer companions as well in this place as every where else when I am absent from Diana But that I should think them more deer unto me then the sight of her give me leave to tell you that though it ought to be so yet I have not obtained so much Mastery of my selfe and though you now see me without her it is only to passe away more sweetly in contemplation those houres which her râ—past does constrain me to be absent from her And indeed I was just now going unto her at the field of Mercury for now 's the time she useth to be there in her way to Astrea and my intention was to wait upon her And we answered Leonida came with resolutions to spend the remainder of this day with those fair Shepheardesses and therefore I beseech you Shepheard conduct us thither and by the way tell us why the thoughts of her you adore ought to be more dear unto you then her presence which is the first cause of them For my part I conceive it so discordant to reason that I cannot imagine how it should be Silvander in obedience to her commands shewing a Path-way which was a nearer cut thorough a great Meadow began thus to reply The question Great Nymph is of no such great difficulty to be understood if it be but taken as it ought for it is most certain that the eyes are the doores by which Love first enters into our soules If any doe fall in love upon report of beauty and perfection of absent parties that is either a love not lasting nor violent being rather a shaddow than any real love or else the soul which received it had some grand defect in it self for reports having commonly as many falsehoods as truths that judgement which builds upon any such uncertain foundation cannot bee found nor proceed from a well-tempered soul but as that which produceth a thing is not the same which gives it nutriment and makes it grow up to perfection so it may be rightly said of Love Our Ewes bring forth their Lambs who at first doe seek a little nutriment from their Milk yet it is not that Milk which brings them up unto perfection but it is a more solid nutriment which they receive from the grasse which they feed upon So likewise the eyes may conceive and produce a green infant-affection but there must be something more solid and substantial to make it grow unto perfection and that must be by a knowledge of the virtues beauties merits and a reciprocal affection of the party loved Now this knowledge does take its originall indeed from the eyes but it must bee the soul which must afterwards bring it to the rest of judgement and by the testimonies both of eyes and eares and all other considerations concoct a verity and so ground upon it If this verity bee to our advantage then it produceth in us such thoughts whose sweetnesse cannot be equalled by another kinde of contentment than the effects of the same thoughts If it be onely advantageous to the party loved then doubtlesse it doth augment our affection but yet with violence and inquietude and therefore no question but absence doth augment love so it bee not so long as that the very image of the party loved be quite effaced Whether it be that an absent Lover never represents unto his fancy but onely the perfections of the person loved or whether it bee that the understanding being already wounded will not fancy any thing but what pleaseth it or whether it be that the very thought of such things does adde much unto the perfections of the party loved Yet this is infallibly true that he does not truly love whose affection does not augment in absence from the person loved For my part answered Leonida My judgement is much different from yours and I have ever been of opinion that absence is the greatest and most dangerous enemy which Love hath Presence replied the Shepheard is without comparison much more as wee may see by dayly experience for you shall find a hundred loves that change in presence for one in absence and to demonstrate that presence is more enemy unto love consider that if one absent cease loving its cessation iâ— without any violence of strugling and the change is onely because the memory is by degrees smothered with oblivion as a fire is with its own ashes but when love breaks off in presence it is never without a noise and extream violence and which is a strange argument â—o prove my assertion converts that love into a greater hatred than if the love had never beâ—n And that proceeds from this reason A lover is alwaies either loved or hated or held in a degre of indifferency if he be loved as abundance is apt to glut so love being loaden in presence with too many favours grows weary If hee be hated then hee meets with so many demonstrations of that hate every minute as at length he is forced to ease himself If hee be in a degree of indifferency and finds his love still slighted he will at length if he be a man of any courage make a retreate and resist the continuall affronts which are put upon him whereas in absence all favours received cannot by their abundance glut since they do rather set an edge upon desire And the knowledge of hatred entring into our souls onely by the ear the blow smarts not so much as that which is received by sight and likewise disdain and slight bee much more tolerable in absence than in presence doubtlesse therefore absence is much more fit to preserve affection than presence is I must needs confesse answered the Nymph that there happens many accidents in presence which destroyes love that absence is exempted from But for all that you cannot perswade me but that I must needs think the sight of the party loved does augment love much more than by not seeing her for carresses and favours are the food of love and those which are conferred in presence are far greater and more sensibly obliging than any others I thought Madam answered the Shepheard that I had already sufficiently answered your demand but since it is your pleasure to desire more clear reasons I
shall endeavour to give them It hath already been said that Love doth first begin at the eyes but it is not the eyes that doth nourish it Beauty and goodnesse without any more give it a growth in us when they are once known Now the knowledge of this Beauty indeed comes first by the eyes but when that knowledge is once in our souls wee may love afterwards without the help of eyes which you will easily grant if ever you were in love Consider and tell mee would you lose your love if you lost your eyes No certainly and therefore you must needs confesse it is not your eyes which does preserve your love As for the knowledge of goodness it is produced either by actions or by words both which doe stand in need of presence to be first known but afterwards not at all for that knowledge is afterwards preserved in the secret Cabinet of the memory whereupon a soul does afterwards sufficiently feed Then I beleeve you know Madam that the more knowledge one hath of the party loved the more doth love encrease but then it is apparent that the turbulent motion of the senses doe infinitely hinder the clearnesse of the understanding and as the plummets of a Clock the one cannot ascend unlesse the other doe descend so when the senses are up the understanding part must needs bee down and so the contrary when the senses are absent the Intellectuals are best present and does work more perfectly than they would if they were disturbed by any objects of the eye which is able to doe nothing else but look and desire and sigh If you would think seriously upon any matter has not wise Nature taught you to put your hand upon your eyes to the end that the sight should not divert the understanding another way And therefore hence you must needs conclude with me in my argument and confess that Love digests it self better in absence than in presence But if it be so said Paris how comes it to passe that all Lovers should so passionately desire the sight of them they love It proceeds from ignorance answered Silvander He cannot attribute unto himselfe the name of a Lover who thinkes his love so great that it is impossible it should augment If any be of that opinion he will never seeke after any means to increase it nor bee in any quest of further knowledge but rests himselfe contented with as much onely as his eye can afford him without any deeper contemplation But O great Nymph what a vast difference there is betwixt a love that is nourished by the eyes and a love that is nourished by the understanding As much doubtless as the soul is superiour to the body so much is the understanding to be preferred before the eyes And absence in such is so far from diminishing love that it augments and begets fresh and violent desires to augment it and contemplation of a Beauty does imprint it deeper into the fancy than any eye can If it be so said Paris I wonder you doe not absent your selfe from Diana to the end you may the more love her I told you before answered Silvander that I ought to doe so but that I have not yet obtained so much mastery over my self for generous Paris we are all but men I mean all imperfect and the imperfections of humanity are not upon a sudden removed We are all sensitively inclined and love to see tast smell and touch and must needs hanker after these corporal senses This is the point unto which I have not yet arrived and unto which I ought Reason will forbid such considerations and bid us act all by the intellectual faculties Nature bestowed the senses upon us onely for instruments by which the soul may receive the knowledge of things but not to be our companions in the pleasures and felicities of them as being altogether incapable of so great a good This discourse had continued longer if they had not by chance heard Phillis sing neare the field of Mercury Shee was sitting with another Shepheardesse under a shady tree looking upon their Flocks as they were feeding untill the heat of the day was over As soon as Silvander heard her tone hee turned his head that way and knowing them hee turned his head again so suddenly that Leonida could not chuse but smile What doe you hear and see said she which causeth you to turn your head so quickly away I have seen Madam said he her whom I never see without sorrow Phillis I meane the most cruel of my enemies since she is the cause of my servitude At the very same time Lycidas was walking the same way and was upon them before he was aware Jealousie which made him fly all company made him shun Silvander more than any other but now Civility constrained him to salute Leonida and Paris and being invited to follow them though at first he would have desired their pardon with some frivolous excuses But Leonida who loved him for Celadous sake was so importunate with him that he was forced to make one in the company And Paris who was very desirous to know where Diana was did ask him if he knew who it was that was with Phillis under that shady Tree Lycidas who had not yet taken notice of them looked and then answered that it was Astrea Then going on their way Leonida resumed the discourse which she had begun with Silvander And why Shepheard said she unto him are you so offended against that Shepheardess for though shee be the cause of your love yet is shee also the cause of your becoming a more accomplished man And I beleeve you will confess that love is able to adde much ornament unto our soules and if it be so you are rather much obliged unto her I must needs confesse answered Silvander that I believe without Phillis I had not fallen in love but I must tell you withall that she is the cause that I have lost my liberty and am lesse my own than hers whom I adore And I must also tell you that liberty is of so high a price that I am not so much obliged to her for making me more accomplished as I am disobliged to her for the losse of my dear and desirable freedom But added the Nymph by her means you may perhaps obtain the affection of her whom you adore and love And a well born soul as yours is will set such a value upon that be it at any rate whatsoever as he cannot complain against her who is the cause of it A well born and generous soul replyed he will not upon any termes thank her who is the cause of her servitude for servitude be it in what degree it will is still servitude At the first when Lycidas heard Phillis named he stood still with much attention but after he had heard all the discourse and replyes of Silvander he did beleeve that he really loved her and not being able to hide his Jealousie as
Leonida prompted by the report of Lycidas was very desirous to know their difference therefore she advanced towards them and after a civill salute invited them in the name of all the company to sit down and rest themselves upon the stairs where they did sit Celidea who was full of civility and knew what reverence was due unto the Nymph and also very glad to avoid the importunities of the two Shepheards she did most willingly accept of Leonida's offer And when all were taking their places Diana came unto them and after all civill salutations she sat down amongst the good company Lycidas not being able to endure that Silvander should sit next Phillis he stole out of the company before any took notice of him and went to entertain his own sad thoughts in the thick of the wood Then Leonida having caused Celidea to sit next her on one hand and Astrea on the other Diana sat next the stranger and Paris next her And because Phillis had taken her place next the sad Astrea Silvander was with Thamires and Calidon and though they did not sit about the statue yet their backs were towards the fair Shepheardesses and could not see them Paris and Phillis did sit a little turning from them yet so as by a little turning their bodies they could both see and speak unto them Being thus ranged Leonida seeing Celidea's modesty would not permit her to speak and intending to inspire her with more confidence she thus broke silence Although fair Celidea you were unknown unto us by sight yet the fame of your beauty hath reached all our ears which swells us all with extream curiosity to know both you and your fortune Lycidas hath partly acquainted us with the difference that is betwixt you and these two courteous Shepheards but since there goes various reports of it we should be extreamly glad to hear the truth from your own mouth Madam answered the stranger I shall be very loath to requite your civility with a tedious History of our dissentions but if the knowledge of it will any way contribute unto your service I shall most freely do it Although the relation and remembrance of things past be nothing pleasing unto me Yet great Nymph I cannot chuse but desire that you might entertain the time with some other and some better discourse Madam said Calidon since this shepheardesse is unwilling to undertake the satisfaction of your knowledge I beseech you impose the task upon me let me be the Relator both in the presence of her and Thamires to the end they may correct me if I deviate from the truth Great Nymph said Thamires since it is I that am most interressed in the businesse it is most reasonable you should receive it from my mouth Upon that account replyed Celidea it belongs most unto my selfe to be the relater for you are both combined against me I finde no reason in that said Calidon for though fair Celidea you are against us both yet both of us are for you And as for Thamires I would have him know that he who has most wrong has most reason to complain And great Nymph it is most peculiarly proper unto me to inform you of the extream injury that is done me for it is I whom the fair Celidea hath injur'd in refusing me and it is Thamires that hath wronged me in offering to ravish that from me which Love hath ordained unto me and he himselfe hath give me To return your own arguments upon your selfe said Thamires it is I that ought to speak being the most injured I that have reason to complain against Celidea because she did once love me and now does not and against Calidon because he is the most obliged unto me and yet the most ungratefull And I great Nymph replyed Celidea have most reason to complain because I am the But at which both their importunities and vexations are shot at and both of them are resolved to vex me to death rather then let me enjoy any quietnesse so as if the party most interressed must most complain it is both their parts to be silent and give me the liberty to tell my dolefull talâ— The dispute had lasted longer if Leonida in a smiling manner had not put an end unto it and imposing silence she proposed that the difference might be decided by Lot and all being contented the Lot fell upon Thamires so as all fixing their looks upon him after an humble reverence he began thus The History of Celidea Thamires and Calidon SInce it hath pleased the great Tautates to make choice of me for a relater of the dissentions that are betwixt us I do professe that though it be the custom of all interressed persons to speak only what is to their own advantage yet I will not conceal and disguise the truth in the least manner upon this condition that when every one hath said all they can for themselves I may have liberty to alledge my own reasons apart Be pleased to know then great Nymph that though both Calidon and my selfe do dwell in that Town which adjoynes unto mount Verdun yet we are not of that Country our Fathers and their Predecessors are Boyens who heretofore came out of Gaul with the King of Beloveses and went to seek out new habitation beyond the Alpes who after they had planted themselves there and continued many ages were in the end expulsed out of those Townes which they had built by a people called Romans some being plundred of all their goods went into Hircania others returned into their own ravaged Country our Ancestors came into Gaul and at last linked themselves by Marriages unto the Segusians Thus wise Nymph I do present unto your knowledge that you may the better judge how great the amity betwixt Calidon and me ought to be for being both of us Boyens both descended from the same stock and are Cosens both strangers and heretofore both friends all these circumstances are so many inviting arguments to love one another Also I do ingenuously confesse that I did ever affect him as dearly as if he were my own son I may well be allowed to use that phrase for I have done him the offices of a kinde and good Father having educated him with as much indulgent care as his own Father who was my Uncle could even in his Infancy when he had not so much knowledge as to discern good from bad then and ever since was my indulgency over him This fair Celidea was brought up by the prudent Cleontines a neer neighbour unto my habitation and though she was then of an age far unlikely to cause love being scarce nine years of age yet I must confesse that her Infantine actions did much please me and did take me in such an unaccustomed manner as I suited my selfe to her own young sports and though I was an age of years above her yet I played with her as if I were as young as she How oft have I wisht us of an
this affection to her but it was heaven that forced mee to love her whether I would or no. For I did often absent my self from her and opposed all manner of arguments that reason could suggest against it but that did rather augment than diminish my affection which in the end grew to a most extreame height About this time Calidon returned out of the Boyen Province and was some eighteen years of age or thereabouts He was taller than usually that age allows any handsomly proportioned his complexion for a brown extreamly fair his mind his garb and his discourse was higher than perhaps his quality required but yet not at all proud nor vain-glorious I must confesse that when I saw him so much improved I loved him better than I did before For before I did love him onely in consideration of Consanguinity and upon the recommendation of my Uncle but when I found him to be so amiable so extreamly well accomplished and every way so well improved that I having neither Wife nor Child or then intending to marry resolved to make him my Heir after my death unto all my estate which perhaps was not very inconsiderable And to oblige him unto a reciprocal good will unto me I declared as much unto all my Kindred and Neighbours Now because I did foresee that dwelling in my house it was almost impossible but he should fall in love with the fair Celidea I gave him a most strict charge to look upon her onely with the eyes of a Brother and not of a Lover He protested with a thousand asseverations and oaths that he would obey me in this and all things else and would not doe any thing in the world that should displease me Yet before the Moon had run a full course he was charmed with Celidea and not daring to declare it unto her or me or any else after he had languished a while hee was forced to keep his bed his eyes shrunk into his head his complexion grown yellow and grown so lean and altered as he was not knowable I brought the most knowing and experienced Physicians in all the Country unto him If Fame cryed up any man I spared neither cost nor pains till I got him I caused Sacrifices to be offered upon every Altar of the Country to appease Tautates Hesus Tharamis and Belinus if Calidon by chance had offended them I sent to enquire of every Oracle and Augurer I sent for all the Bardi to come and pray with him I sent also for the best Musicians to try if Musick would allay the Melancholly which oppressed his soul To bee short there was not one sage Sarronide which at my request did not come to visit him and give him wise precepts against grief and sorrow But all these had no operation nor could all the teares which I shed by his beds side get him to tell me the cause of his disease Thus languishing in this manner and no remedies could doe any good upon him there was an old Physician a friend of mine who hearing of my sorrows for Calidon came unto me to comfort me in my affliction and after as good and wise advice as any humane Prudence could give hee bade me resign Calidon and my own will into the hands of Tautates and to believe that if I did it unfeignedly I should receive more comfort than I could from all men living When he was ready to goe away he desired to see Calidon We went both into his chamber he fell into talk with him and considered him very seriously he felt his pulse observed his actions and gestures turned him every way to finde out his disease And after hee had been two hours with him Young man said hee unto him chear up and bee assured that you shall not dye of this disease I have found out the cause and I have known many sick of the same but never knew one dye of it Then going out of the Chamber he took me aside and said thus unto me The age I have attained unto is great and though I have not employed all my time very well yet not all unprofitably I have studyed the art of Physick very long and have attained unto no meane reputation I have been employed by many of the best quality amongst the Boyens the Seguanonans and the Allobrogians Long experience have I had in my Art which makes me speak with more assurance than any that is younger than my self can Let me tell you that Calidons disease proceeds not from the body but the mind and if his body be sick it is because of the near union it hath to his sick mind which makes it resent the pain as if it were its own as we see one friend sensible of the pain of another And though these kinde of maladies be very painfull yet are they not so dangerous as those of the body for the mind is not subject to corruption or dissolution of parts but onely to change its quality I tell you this that you may not despair of the young mans cure whose Malady I think I have very rightly discovered And by all symptomes I finde that he is extreame passionately in Love and is either sleighted or else dares not declare it As soon as ever the Physician said so I presently apprehended that certainly it was with the fair Celidea and because of my forbidding him hee durst not speak of it When the Physician perceived me sad in lieu of rejoycing at the matter hee asked mee the reason to whom I answered that I was more in fear of him than ever because his malady was without the compasse of my cure and he might love one I had no power over or else a stranger or perhaps some enemy and therefore I saw no reason to rejoice There is a remedy said he against any thing but death and therefore never fear but I shall keep Calidon alive and if you will please to give me leave to be with him a few dayes I shall discover well enough whether he be in love with any that has any dependance upon you or with a stranger You cannot hope said I unto him ever to get it from his own mouth No no said he that 's not the way but fear not I shall bring it about Matters of Love be they never so close may easily be discovered if prudent artifice be used But great Nymph I should be extreamly tedious if I should relate every trivial passage therefore for brevities sake I shall onely tell you that this Physician was for seven or eight daies never from Calidons bed side In the mean time he advised me to get all the young Shepheardesses in the neighbourhood to come and see him under pretence of sorrow for his sicknesse As for the Physician hee was alwaies holding him by the arme and felt his Pulse to know when any caused an extraordinary motion in him So it was that Celidea at that time was gone a journey with Cleontine and stayed away
who had any interest in the businesse did think her able to be the Judge she would most willingly arbitrate the matter according to the best of her judgment upon condition they would all promise to observe it otherwise all their labour would be but lost Thamires kneeled down upon his knees and said Oh great Nymph I do refer my life my death and the contentments of them unto your wise judgment if I do disobey your doom let our Druides excommunicate me from ever assisting them at their holy sacrifices and forbid me for ever coming into the sacred groves or our celestiall woods For my part said Calidon if I do not the same may the Misleto of the ninth year be never wholsome unto me let the great Tautates animate all his furies against me and never let me be at rest if I do not submit unto your judgment as proceeding from the great god And because Celidea stood silent Astrea said unto her Are not you pleased fair Shepheardesse to be rid of all the importunities which you receive from these two Shepheards and refer your selfe unto the judgment of this great Nymph I am most willing to be rid of them answered she but I am afraid to fall into a greater misery And certainly I should refer the hazard of this judgment unto any if the gods had not advised me the last night in a dream to take another course For presently after midnight me-thought I saw my Father who hath been long dead open my breast take out my heart and cast it as a stone in a sling over the River Lignon then spoke these words unto me Go my child unto the other side of the fatall River Lignon there thou shalt finde that heart which so much torments thee or else a full satisfaction and rest untill thou comest unto me Upon this I awaked and therefore I am resolved to passe over the River to see if I can finde that tranquillity which is promised unto me However Madam said she and addressed her selfe unto Leonida you may be certain that I shall never disobey any command which you shall impose upon me since I do believe that the gods will speak by your mouth Since it is so said Leonida I do promise you all three to give as just a Judgment as I my selfe would receive upon the like occasion And that I may not erre in my judgment Paris and these fair Shepheardesses and Silvander shall help me with their advice before I pronounce the Sentence And therefore Calidon said she shew me your reasons why you conceive Celidea ought to be yours and not Thamires's who hath so long been her Guardian and brought her up as his own That Shepheard then rising up and after a low reverence he began in this manner The Oration of the Shepheard Calidon OH great god of Love who by thy unresistable puissance hast ravished from me all that reason was wont to have over my will hearken I beseech thee unto the supplication of the most faithfull soul that ever resented the power which beauty by thy means hath over the hearts of men and inspire me with such language and reason as thou didst when I was weary of Celidea's scorn and was resolved to decline from her service Let this great Nymph be moved with my arguments let her whom thou hast given me and who was also given me by him that had the greatest interest in her be preserved and kept for me both against her own scorn and against the violencies of him that would ravish her from me Were it not in hopes of assistance from this divinity whom I invoke I durst not great Nymph open my mouth against a person whom of all men in the world I am most obliged unto For I must needs ingeniously confesse that Thamires by his sweet indulgency towards me has more obliged me than my Father who gave me life the one gave me only a being but the other a well-being Thamires has been troubled with all the vexations of my child-hood and hath brought me up even from my Cradle he hath spared no paines nor cost in my education nor care nor prudence in causing me to be well instructed so as the Appellation of Father is in all reason his due and I must acknowledge my selfe his Child having received from him all those indulgencies which those names require And in confessing all these obligations how can I open my mouth against him without incurring the ugly brand of ingratitude If this dispute did depend only upon my selfe I had rather be in my grave sleeping with my fathers and wish that my Cradle had been my Coffin rather then oppose Thamires in any thing Thamires I say who hath made me what I am Thamires unto whom I owe all I have Thamires in whose service when I have spent all my life yet halfe my obligations are not cancelled But alas it is all long of himselfe it is Love which commanded me he himselfe also commanded me Let Thamires tell me whether it be possible that a heart which Love hath touched to the quick can disobey him in any thing If he have found this to be true by experience then I do conjure him by the god of Love who hath such power over his soule to pardon that fault which I have been forced to commit against him and that he give me leave to maintain that all reason ordaines Celidea to love me and that there is none but my selfe that can pretend unto her For to begin with the first point what can Calidea answer if I call her before the Throne of Love and if in the presence of this equitable company I do complain against her in this manner This is the fair one Oh great god of Love which presents her self before thee This is she whom thou hast commanded me to love and serve upon hopes of such reward as thou usest to give unto those that follow thee If from the first minute of my beginning unto this instant I did ever contrary thy will if I have notalwaies continued in a full resolution to spend my whole life in thy obedience Then Oh Love who lookest into all hearts and seest all my designes let me be punished as a perjured villain and let all the thunderbolts of the great Tharamis fall upon me as a perfidious person But if truth and my words agree and if never any loved like me why dost thou suffer her to deceive my hopes why does she not make good thy promises and why wilt thou let her laugh at all those miseries which thou hast made me to endure for her Assoon as ever I saw her I loved her and assoon as ever I loved her I did dedicate my selfe and soul to adore her But perhaps this affection is unknown unto her or I have only acquainted the solitary Woods and Rocks with it No no Oh Love she hath heard my complaints she hath seen my tears she knowes of my affection somthing from my
own mouth more from Thamires Cleontina and other of my friends but most of all from the effects of my passion Has she not seen me in the bed of death for her has she not held me by the hand and pulled me from my grave saying unto me Live live Calidon thy pretensions are not hopelesse And since I had suffered the very pangs of death why did she call me from that rest which my grave would have given me If it was to make me die again without pitty it was extream cruelty Must I be punished with a second death for obeying and adoring her But perhaps she will say that I ought to measure her by my own Ell and consider that as I have not power to quit her and love another so she being engaged another way she cannot disengage her selfe to love me Oh Love these are only words bare excuses Let her shew the contract of this engagement and if thou dost not presently adjudge it to be false then let me be condemned She never loved any but the shepheard Thamires as she hath told me but I dare say farther and maintain that she never loved this Thamires Did she love him Alas when Even when she was not able to love when her hands and mind were wholly taken up with childish Gew-gawes when her desires could not reach any higher then to be a little Fine or to make a Baby and dresse it and talk to it Was she not wholly ignorant what Love was or if she did at that age love Thamires or thought it to be love must she needs love him still Alas alas such young green affections as that is like our clothes to be cast off when we will Oh! puissant god of Love how ignorant was she or rather how did she despise all thy statutes and ordinances Is it not by thy Lawes declared a most capitall crime to think that ones Love shall ever end What then shall we think of this shepheardesse who could not so much as think because she was uncapable of desire but who is really retreated from that love which she bare unto him as she her selfe told Thamires Can it besaid Oh great deity that she was ever one of thy subjects Wilt thou acknowledge her or let her enjoy those priviledges which she pretends unto or suffer her to oppose me But if it be so that thy super-abundant goodnesse which transcends the goodnesse of all other deities will allow her to enjoy the benefit of true Lovers because she flies unto thee for sanctuary and may plead that loving Thamires will not love me no nor so much as look upon me how can she answer this that she her selfe hath confessed she would not love Thamires any longer With what excuse can she palliate her impiety And why dost thou not punish this high disobedience If thou dost not then she is the only one that despising is not punished and I the only one who adoring thee does not finde the reward of thy accustomed goodnesse I do believe Oh great Nymph that Celidea being thus accused before the Throne of this great deity she can hardly answer nor avoid being condemned to give me satisfaction for all the paines I have taken and to render love for love whilst Thamires cannot oppose me with any particular interest For what interest can he claim in that which he hath freely given me He hath estated the whole title upon me and is so far debarred from any right that he ought in reason rather to defend and maintain my title against all men living since it was from him I derived my title But perhaps he will say that it was his meer free and voluntary act without any consideration but his own love to me and therefore is not obliged unto any warrantie But why Thamires do you call that a meer voluntary act which you have confessed before your Judge that you were obliged unto it by your promises unto my dying Father unto whom you were much obliged for severall benevolences Do you call that a meer free act of your will which you were constrained unto to be quit of so many obligations Do you think you do oblige your Creditors by paying your due debts I must confesse great Nymph that Thamires hath paid both principall and interest which renders him not to be ungratefull but I do absolutely deny that there was nothing in this act which did oblige his will But admit it so that it was an act of his own meer free will and that he did it of himselfe did not the effect of this will aime at his own peculiar satisfaction If he do but consider the debt due unto the memory of my Father and his aime of obliging me by this act of giving Celidea unto me he will finde that it was not an act of pure and meer free will but a way to satisfie himselfe by paying that debt which was due to my Father and a way to purchase my obligations unto himselfe so as what he hath done is but a loan which I must perpetually pay interest for and which he may claim as an obligation upon me to pay If I should sail in paying my acknowledgments he might justly call me ingrate but he cannot say that he gave me Celidea freely since in consideration of himselfe and by the rules of human prudence he was obliged unto it and hath so debarred himselfe as he is obliged to maintain my claim unto her against any that shall hinder me from enjoying her The god of Love be my witnesse Father for so I will call you as long as I live unlesse you forbid me the great god of Love be my witnesse I say whether it grieves me not to the very foul I should oppose you in this businesse You your selfe doe know in what a sad condition you have seen me You know how Love had almost brought me to my grave and you must needs confesse that it was the power of Love which compelled me to displease you such was the force upon me that I had no free will unto it at all but was forced by a compulsive necessity unto it Nothing else under the Sun could have made me contradict your commands if there be let the gods punish me as the most ungratefull person that ever breathed But Father since there was an unresistable force upon me I beseech you pardon my weaknesse and do not you your selfe help me to complain against you for were not you the cause of all this For since it was wholly in your dispose why did you bring me from amongst the Boyens before you had married Celidea Could you think that being your Kinsman I should not sympathize with you and so be in danger to love her as well as you But perhaps you will say that you thought your command upon me not to love her was enough to keep me within the bounds of my duty and make me look upon her onely as my Sister But wise Thamires I doe wonder you
should not remember the follies of youth and that it is the nature not onely of all those of that age but generally of all men whatsoever to think things that are most forbidden to be most sweet I admire you should forbid me loving her before ever I saw her as if you had a minde to make me love her by the ear before she was seen by the eye What was this but to awaken my desires and to kindle a fire like a Flint which is strucken which before was cold and had no appearance of heate in it But perhaps again you will say that you did allow me to love her in the degree of a Sister and so limit my desires as I should neither offend you nor my selfe you in not constraining me too much and me in not confining me too narrowly but allowing me to keep within your prescribed limits But O great Nymph consider I beseech you what kind of command this was Thamires shewes me a beauty of an infinite lustre allows me converse with her commands me to love her but will not have my love stir one foot beyond his limit nor love her above the quality of a Brother Oh heavens what did he think I was made of Can Love that thinkes the whole universe too narrow a compasse to be confined unto and who disposeth of all our wills according to his pleasure be hemmed up in such strait limits as hee prescribes Will Love be ruled and governed by the will of any but himselfe But what in the name of Heaven does Thamires thinke of me Does hee conceive that I have more power than either Men or Gods or the whole World hath It had been but just to have measured me by himself and if he could have tamed his own affections and passions then might he have had some reason to impose the like task upon me But that hee who had experience of his own strength and of Loves power for him I say to command a thing which he himselfe could not observe whose age and experience had great advantage over my green years this was too much too unreasonable Perhaps again he wil complain that I have not payd him such respect as is due unto a Father that his great indulgency towards me might very well oblige me unto much more than all this Alass alass does he not consider that what I did was done by compulsion and that I had rather dye than fail in any point of duty to him The torments I did endure when I was in the very Arms of death is a sufficient testimony of all this The grave Physician found it by my Pulse and alteration in my complexion Let him consider that such was my respect of him that I chose death rather than I would discover the cause of my Malady If he will blame any he must blame Nature for not giving me power to command my Interior motions as well as my Tongue and exterior actions and parts Alass I would never have received life from him but on condition that Celidea might be mine I doe confesse that never man was more obliged unto another than I am to him I know that never Kinsman received more indulgent kindnesse from another Kinsman nor ever any Child greater testimonies of affection from a Father than I did from Thamires when he resigned Celidea unto me But now at this time since he offers to ravish her from me May I not rightly say that never man received greater injury from another never Cosen more unkindness from a Cosen nor child more tyrannique treatment from a Father than Calidon from Thamires So as now all my former obligations to him are cancelled and changed into so many injuries For Thamires though it is true you had a care of mee in my very cradle though you have brought me up with all indulgent care though you have declared mee your Heir yet for all these if you doe deprive mee of that thing which farre above all the world is most dear unto me and which you your self did give me doe you not give me a death much worse than that which you preserved me from And if I doe not enjoy that which you would ravish from me your estate your education nay my life it self is of no value unto me Consider wise Thamires that to take back a gift by force doth more offend him that did receive it than if being asked it had been denied him and therefore wonder not if I say that this act hath cancelled all my obligations unto you Which to prevent I beseech you joyn with me and own what I shall say unto Celidea on your behalf How is it possible my fair Daughter would I have you say unto her that Calidons extream affection should find no acceptance from you Will all my perswasions and recommendations of him reach no farther than your eares and have no effectual influence upon your soul Have you not often promised that I should have the absolute dispose of you If it be so why doe you not make good your promise Did I ever propose any unto you who was not worthy to be loved Is he whom I doe now motion unto you such a one or unknown to you or without kindred or friends I beleeve there is not a Shepheardesse in all the Country that would not thinke his amity to be advantageous unto her The wise Cleontine thinks it so and so does your Mother though out of an over-fond tendernesse she will not command you any thing against your mind But perhaps you say that Thamires it is you only whom I love and cannot love any other unto you have I wholly given my self you have the absolute power over me and may do any thing with me but giving me unto another The heavens doe know my fair Daughter how pleasing this declaration of yours is unto me and that there is nothing under heaven can be more acceptable unto me But if you doe indeed love me you will endeavour to preserve my honour and love me under the name of Calidon who is my very self and of my very blood As for his soul he loves you as I doe so as there is a sympathy betwixt us And since amongst friends all things are in common so since I love him I have nothing he hath not a share in as well as my self So as if I have any share in your affection as you say I have he must of necessary consequence be a participant with me Doe not complain against me for this and say that I break faith with you and change you for another for I am fully resolved never to love any but you you you onely were the beginning and shall bee the end of my affection But since Destiny forbids me to enjoy you and constrains mee to bequeath you unto another both by the Laws of Duty and Nature I shall think it faire Daughter an infinite contentment to see you his whom I have made choice of whom I
have brought up whom I love and whom I have chosen not onely for my Heir but also for my Companion in all the estate which the Heavens and Fortune hath or for the future shall give me You are obliged unto this by our Friendship as well as I am by my duty Love therefore my Calidon if ever you loved me and make it thereby appear that you are but a Lover and Religious towards the Gods who certainly would never have given me liberty to part with you against my will had they not so decreed it in their infallible Destinies Great and wise Nymph this is the language which Thamires doth or ought to use of which I am onely the instrument And which as I conceive is so just and so worthy of himself as I hope he will not disown it And therefore after I have vowed by the great Tautates that Calidon doth infinitely love Celidea and that there never was a more faithfull Lover than he I will use no other arguments or reasons but his own and so referring my life my death my happinesse my misery and my All unto your wise discretion I pray unto the Gods to endue you with all Wisdom and Justice Calidon concluding thus with a low and humble reverence he went unto Celidea and falling down upon his knees before her hee waited for her answer Thamires he proferred to speak but Leonida told him that Celidea was to speak before him since he had already spoke unto the matter So that Shepheard going againe to his place Celidea by the Nymphs command began thus The Answer of the Shepheardesse Celidea I Am so unaccustomed great Nymph to speak upon such a subject as this especially before so much company that though I doe blush and express my self with a trembling tongue yet I hope it will be no prejudice to the justice of my cause Were I not most confidently assured that my reasons not to love this Shepheard are in themselves so clear that they need no manner of artificial dresse to illustrate them unto you I durst not be so bold as to open my mouth upon this subject I perceive the eloquence of Calidon is much above mine I want both wit spirit and eloquence to glosse a matter as he can My words are onely simple and sutable to my reasons which though not many yet valid enough to make it manifest unto you that since I never did love Calidon I ought not to beginne at this instant nor continue that affection which once I had unto Thamires since I have so many reasons to the contrary But where shall I begin What Divine Powers must I ask assistance from in this dangerous combat I am assaulted not by Love but by Monsters of Love A combat ful of danger indeed since my wel or ill being depends upon it And Monsters of Love indeed they are since they will make me love by force and compel me to love and hate according to their wills I have heard our great and wise Druids say that Hercules whom we see erected upon our Altars with a Club in his hand and a Lyons skin upon his shoulders was in his time a great Hero who by his strength and valour quelled Monsters and was a great Patron of Truth From whom therefore in this extream necessity should I implore aid sooner than from this valiant Hero And the rather because as I have heard hee loved a Lady of Gaùle and doubtlesse will for her sake afford me the aid I implore To him therefore do I addresse my self to subdue these monstrous spirits and to furnish me with so much eloquence and audacity as may make my reasons apparent unto my Judges I beseech thee therefore by thy valour O great Hercules and by the fair Galathea our Princesse I conjure thee to deliver me from these monstrous Lovers and so to cleare my reasons unto this Nymph that she may give a just judgement and keep me from loving both Thamires and Calidon And to begin what dost thou mean Calidon by calling me before the God of Love whom thou dost make both thy Judge and thy God Dost thou think that he hath any power over us who are ashamed that his Name should be in our mouths though it do reach our ears A Maid Calidon who ever scorned to have any thing to do with this Love is now summoned to appear before his Throne to receive her doom And canst thou expect I will make any other answer but that let this God of Love doom what he will I will not obey him But I prethee tell me when I have observed his statutes and am constrained to live according to his will what recompence may I expect from him onely this to be called the most amorous Maid in all the Country A very brave and honourable title indeed for a maid of any quality and one that desires to live without a blemish upon her honour Therefore Oh Shepheard never summon mee before his Tribunal whose Power and Jurisdiction I will not acknowledge and unto whom I doe declare my self to bee an enemy If you will have me give an answer let us both appeal unto Virtue and Reason and certainly wee need not goe any farther than this great Nymph who is pleased to take so much pains to hear our differences Before her I shall answer unto any thing you have or can object which as I conceive may be reduced unto three heads First that I ought to love you because you love me and because I knew it Secondly because the favours which you received from me in your sickness and which as you say caused your cure have obliged me And lastly because Thamires hath given me unto you But Madam that I may give full answers unto all these objections I beseech you command him to answer unto my questions that you may come to the knowledge of the Truth out of his own mouth I ask you Calidon what allurement did I use to make you in love the first time you begun to love me When she saw he stood silent and gave no answer she addressed her self unto the Nymph Madam said she I beseech you command him to answer me And Leonida appointing him so to doe You ask me a question said he which you your self can best resolve but since you will needs have it from my mouth I will tell you It was the favour which I received from you in being pleased to shew your self unto me at the Sacrifice which was celebrated at the sixth of the month Was I the onely woman that assisted at the Sacrifice said Celidea and were you the only Shepheard of the Town that was there No answered hee for almost all the Shepheardesses and Shepheards of the Town were there also What one act was it I beseech you replyed she that did attract your affection In this answered Calidon you must acknowledge that my love was the decree of heaven You did no sooner turn your eyes towards me but as soon as
ever I saw you I loved you as if I were forced unto it by some interior power which it was impossible to resist But perhaps said the Shepheardesse when I knew you did love me did I use any art to cherish it or augment it by any fresh favours No said he my affection did beginne without you continue without you and augment without you I mean without your contributing any thing unto it but by being your self But on the contrary the first time you knew it for though I did not discover it by my words yet I knew you did perceive it Oh what harsh treatment did I receive from you And what extreame dislike have you since shewed So as if I be as you say a Monster of Love I am so because it is a thing most monstrous that a Lover should so long preserve his affection maugre so many rigorous affronts and causes of hatred for I may safely say that every one of your actions towards me deserves no other name but of Rigour and Hatred So as it is apparent when you came to visit me in my sicknesse your design was to save my life onely that afterwards you might murder me more cruelly Then Celidea replyed thus You see great and wise Nymph by Calidons own mouth that if hee did love me it was without any contributing to it by me unlesse by being my self and against that what remedy can I invent What would he answer if I should ask him these questions before the Throne of Reason and your self Since Shepheard I never did consent unto any of your addresses why would you have me participate in your own troubles shame and errours Is it not enough that I have all this while endured your importunities without revenge You doe love me you say and because you love me I must love you again But pray hear what Reason saith You have loved Celidea and in loving her you have offended her and what other recompence can you expect from her but hatred The truth is Shepheard that being unwilling to be revenged of you as in reason I might I contented my self with hating you in my very soul and for Thamires his sake I pardoned the rest If you doe object that I doe know of your love by your teares and by your sicknesse Alasse this does not oblige mee one jot the more to love you but rather to hate you more extreamly Tell me Calidon since Thamires hath taken so much care to bring you up in literature and travails in what part of the world have you seen it decent for a young maid as I am to love or suffer her self to be loved If it bee not the custome in any place of the world but where Vice is held for Virtue doe you not infinitely offend in tempting mee to that which is contrary to my duty You love me you say because you cannot chuse but doe so Good friend how am I obliged unto you for doing that which you cannot chuse but do You do excuse your selfe to Thamires for loving me against his will by saying that you are not to blame because you are forced unto it Can you think your self exempt from blame in sinning by compulsion and do you think your selfe worthy of recompence for being forced unto a thing whose contrary deserves a recompence Either confesse your selfe culpable towards Thamires or else cease seeking a recompence for your forced service But if you do love me against my will am I to be punished for it Did I ever entreat you to it did I ever give you any occasion You say No. Will your love be any contentment or advantage unto me Shall I become more fair more vertuous or ever the better by it Oh heavens Calidon where are your wits Are you mad to ask a recompence where a punishment is deserved Or rather what an impudent affront is this before this great Nymph to demand â—â—vour and wages of me in lieu of a pardon and in lieu of repenting for your faults I believe you will say that I should not have flattered you in your errour nor kept you alive when you were sick by giving you good language But Calidon have I not good cause to say you are an ungratefull man and does not acknowledge the good office I did you in misconstruing of it and taking it in another sense then you ought Did a guilty person ever finde or think his Judge too milde or sweet or did any offendor ever complain that in lieu of punishment he received favour and courtesy Because I wished not your death am I blamable for saving your life You accuse me for having pitty upon you and shewing favour instead of revenge and would have me punished for it Judge Madam how his understanding is out of the way and how he takes reason the wrong way But Shepheard neither blame me nor commend me for my act since according to your own argument it was an act forced upon me which ought neither to be recompensed nor punished It was my affection to Thamires who conjured me unto it by all the obliging arguments he could devise which induced me unto it I see Calidon that you do smile that I should say it was my affection unto Thamires which moved me to treat you in that manner because you conceive that she who a little before did declare her selfe such an enemy to Love cannot now well say that Love had such an influence upon her soul But Shepheard you are much mistaken if you think that in being an enemy unto Love I am so also unto Amity and friendship or void of that vertue which makes us think of things as they ought to be I have heard say great Nymph that one may love two manner of wayes the one according to reason the other according to desire That which hath reason for its rule is called vertuous and honest Amity and that which suffers it selfe to be transported with desire Love With the first of these we do love our Parents our Kindred our Friends our Country and both in generall and particular all those in whom any vertue shines As for the other those that are infected with it are transported and distempered as with a frenzy Feavour and do commit so many grosse faults that the name of it is as infamous amongst persons of honour as the other is good and laudable I shall without a blush then confesse that I did love Thamires but withall I must tell you it was for his vertue If Calidon do ask me how I can distinguish and discern between these two kinds of affection since the one does commonly appear in the habit of the other I shall answer him that the wise Cleontine teaching me how to behave my selfe in the world did give me the difference Daughter said she my age hath furnished me with experience in many things and hath taught me that things are the most certainly known by their effects and the better to discern after what manner we
Nor doe not think that by continuing to love you afterwards I doe commit any sacrilege nor doe prophane any sacred or holy thing since we doe all love the gods themselves The greatest command which they doe impose upon us mortals is to Love them But for Gods sake doe not say that I ask you onely to sacrifice you again for the recovery of some other For my desire is onely to have you again for my own sake I doe confesse my fault and will not insist upon any other argument or reason but my extream affection and will not argue with her any where but before the Throne of Love I doe here prostrate my self upon my knees and vow by all eternity never to rise as long as I live unlesse I be ingratiated into Celideas favour again As he pronounced these words he kneeled down and his eyes flowed with such a River of Tears that all the company did pitty him Celidea her self was a little moved and putting her hand before her face did turn her head the other way Then the Nymph seeing they had no more to say did rise up and taking Paris Silvander and the Shepheardesses aside did ask their opinions upon this difference Their opinions did much vary some to one side some to another At last and after a long and serious debate they all returned to their places and Leonida pronounced her sentence in this manner The Judgement of the Nymph Leonida THree things doe present themselves unto us upon the difference betwixt Celidea Thamires and Calidon The first Love The second Duty The third an Offence In the first we observe three great Affections in the second three great Obligations in the third three great Injuries Celidea hath loved Thamires from her Cradle Thamires hath loved Celidea though he be elder and Calidon hath loved her from the first time hee ever saw her Celidea hath been much obliged unto the virtuous affection of Thamires Thamires much obliged unto the memory of Calidons Father and Calidon much obliged unto the Indulgency of Thamires Again Celidea hath been extreamly offended with Thamires for giving her unto Calidon Calidon no lesse offended with Thamires and Celidea Thamires offended with Calidon for refusing to doe the same courtesie he received And Celidea offended with Calidon for offering to constrain her will and making her to lose him whom she did love All these things being long debated and seriously considered we conceive that as those things which Nature produceth are alwaies more perfect then those that are produced by Art so the Love that comes by a natural inclination is greater and more estimable than those affections that doe proceed from designes or obligations Furthermore those obligations which we receive in our own persons being greater than those in the behalf of another so it is certain that a benefit obligeth more than a memory An offence which hath any tincture of ingratitude it is much more hainous than a bare offence without it and deserves a greater punishment Now we do find that the Love of Thamires does proceed from a natural inclination for commonly such loves are reciprocal and so he loving Celidea he was loved again But so is not the love of Calidon whose sterile affection produceth nothing but hatred and scorn Moreover the good offices which Calidon hath received from Thamires doe render him more obliged than Thamires can be upon the score of an Uncle Again Calidons offence against Thamires having a stain of Ingratitude upon it is much greater than the offence of Thamires against Calidon since Thamires may almost cover it with the name of Revenge or Chastisment Therefore in the first place we doe ordain that the love of Calidon do submit unto the love of Thamires That the obligation of Thamires be esteemed lesse than the obligation of Calidon And the offence of Calidon greater than the offence of Thamires And as for that which concerns Thamires and Celidea we do declare that Celideas obligation unto Thamires is above the offence of Thamires in respect of his pure and innocent love and in respect of his carefull and indulgent education of her so as shee would be ingrateful if she did not think her self much obliged 'T is true his offence is not small when in disadvantage of his affection he would needs satisfie the obligations which he thought he owed unto Calidon And yet in consideration there is no offence but may be pardoned by a person that truly loves we doe ordain with the advice of all those who have heard the difference That the Love of Celidea shall surmount the offence which shee hath received from Thamires And that the Love which Thamires for the future shall bear unto her shall surpasse that affection which hitherto he hath born unto her for such is our Judgement This was Leonida's Sentence which hath since been observed by all three though the poor Calidon received it with so much disgust that but for the extream disdain of Celidea he should hardly have supported it But his malady at this time proved to be his remedy when from a more sound judgement he considered how much he was obliged unto Thamires and how great his folly was in thinking to make Celidea love him by force But at the first these considerations had not so much power upon him as to cut off all his hopes at one blow which the Nymph wisely foreseeing and to avoyd the complaints and teares of this Shepheard as soon as ever she had pronounced the last word of her Sentence she did rise up being partly invited unto it by the night which came on apace and she had no more day left than to carry her unto her Uncles house Therefore after shee had saluted all the fair Shepheardesses she and Paris entreated Silvander to conduct them through the Wood of Bonlieu lest they should lose their way it being very late and too troublesom for the Shepheardesses to accompany her Thus they parted and presently after the Nymph and Paris dismissed Silvander and came unto the house of Adamas as he was ready to goe unto his supper Silvander as he returned left Bonleiu on his left hand a Temple where many Vestals and chast Daughters of Druids doe inhabit under the charge of the venerable Chrisante and hee went through a Wood so thick that though the Moon was up and shined yet hee could not hit his way And indeed his own wandring thoughts as well as the darknesse of the Wood did put him besides his aym For hee was so wholly taken up with Diana that he minded nothing else And walking on he came at last upon an open place where hee saw the Moon she was a little past her Full and shined very clearly The Shepheard fell down upon his knees to adore her and because of the conformity in Names between Diana and her he loved that Starre above all the rest in the Cope of Heaven Having thus adored her and Diana in her hee stood up
and fixing his eyes upon her he uttered these Lines A Comparison between DIANA and the Moon MOst glorious Star that shines so clear And radiant in the spangled Sphear As makes the Night like Day appear Just so does my Diana fair Like to thy self so chast her breast With so much cruelty is drest As it is fond Acteons best To court her with no loose request Of all the Tapers in the Night 'T is thou that gives us greatest light Of all the Beauties none so bright Diana is the prime delight Yet when Diana I think upon You doe not hold comparison For you had one Endymion But my Diana ne're had one Oh heavens cryed he out then what then will become of thy Silvander since she will not admit of any Endymion Can it possibly be that Nature who cannot chuse but be pleased with her workmanship should not finde one in all her Treasury worthy of her Can she possibly bestow so much beauty upon this Shepheardesse and make her incapable of Love However they have no eyes that are not delighted with so rare a piece of excellency Does not the gods allow that as our hearts receive the greatest blowes so our hearts should resent the greatest contentment Did they make her so fair and not to be loved Or if we do love her did they make her to consume us Ah! alas I see that as this beauty was made to be loved so it is for her own glory and for the torment of those who love her as I do This thought gave him such a stop that he left walking and after a long agitation of thoughts he uttered these Lines That no Consideration whatsoever can hinder him from loving his Mistresse WHy does my thoughts suggest And bid me not to love her But set my heart at rest She 's aimed for another If for a Mortall why Not I as any other If for a god then I Will worship and adore her ' Mongst mortalls there is none Can equall flame with me Nor ' mongst the gods not one That can more zealous be What though this cruell soul Disdains all them that love her Love will at last control Or Reason needs must move her If Reason will but do 't By Merit I 'le her gain If Love will bring her to 't I 'le love and love again The Moon then as if purposely to invite him to a longer stay in that place did seem to lend him a double lustre And because he had left his flock with Diana's and assured himselfe she would out of her curtesy take all requisite care over it he resolved to spend part of the night there according to his usuall custome for he took abundance of delight in entertaining himselfe with his new thoughts that retiring from all company he used to get into some private valley or some solitary wood and day would oftentimes overtake him before he began to think of any sleep making his long and amorous thoughts see both the evening and the morning Thus at this time did he wander chusing that path which by chance his foot did fall into and after he had fancyed a thousand Chimera's he found himselfe in the midst of a thick wood and knew not where he was and though at every step almost he stumbled against something or other yet could he not give over his pleasing thoughts all that he saw furnished his fancy with some conceit and fed his imagination If he chanced to stumble upon any thing I found greater rubs would he say in my desires If he heard the leaves shake when they were moved by some blast of winde I tremble more for fear would he say when I am by her and when I would acquaint her with my reall passions which she thinks to be fained If he look'd up and saw the Moon he would say The Moon in the heavens and my Diana upon earth This solitary place silence and the pleasing light of the night caused this shepheard to walk so long with the sweet entertainment of his thoughts that being got into the thick of the wood he lost the light of the Moon which was 〈◊〉 by the leaves of trees and desiring to get out of that gloomy place he no sooner looked about to make choice of a good path but he heard one not far off talking and though he made choice of that place for privacy yet his curiosity invited him to know who those were that passed away the night without sleep assuring himselfe that they were some that were sick of his own disease and making it appear by this that every thing lookes for its like and that curiosity hath a great power in Love since when he was so sweetly taken up with his own thoughts that he despised all the world in comparison of them except the sight of Diana yet was he content to forsake them to see who these were so as quitting them for a time and giving way to his curiosity he turned that way from whence he heard the voice He had not gone above fifteen or twenty paces but in the most obscure part of the wood he found himselfe close by two men whom he could not possibly know as well by reason of the darknesse as because their backs were towards him yet he knew by their habits that one of them was a Druide and the other a Shepheard They were set under a Tree which spread its leaves over a chrystall fountain whose pleasing murmur invited them to spend part of the night in that place When Silvander was mostdesirous to know them he heard one answer the other thus But Father it is very strange and I cannot sufficiently admire it that you should by your discourse intimate as much as if it must be confessed that there are many other beauties more perfect then the beauty of my Mistresse which truly I cannot believe without an unpardonable offence For certainly every one does think his own the fairest and to confesse she is not is a crime both against his Mistresse and against Love Then he heard the Druide answer in this manner My Son there is no doubt of what I say nor any fear of offending her Beauty or Love and I am confident that I shall in a few words make you understand it You know that all beauty proceeds from that soveraign goodnesse which we call God it is a Ray of himselfe and transcends all his other creatures and as the Sun which we see does enlighten the Aire the Water and the Earth with the same beams so also the eternall Sun does enlighten the angelick Understanding the rationall Soul and the Matter But as the cleernesse of the Sun appears more bright in the Air than in the Water and in the Water then in the earth so the illumination of God appears with greater lustre in the Angelick Understanding then in the Rationall Soul and in the Rationall Soul more then in the Matter Into the first he hath infused Ideas into the second Reason
and into the last Formes The Druide would have gone on had not the shepheard interrupted him in this manner Your discourse Father is a little too high and you do not consider the capacity of him unto whom you speak my wit is too dull to soar so high But if you will please to make me understand what the Angelicall Understanding is what the Rationall Soul is and what the Matter is of which you speak perhaps I shall understand something more My Son said the Druide Angelicall Understanding is that pure Intellect by which they see that Soveraign Beauty and are adorned with all kinde of Ideas The Rationall Soul is that by which men are distinguished from beasts it is it by which we come to the knowledge of things which is called Rationall The Matter is that which falls under the Senses which is imbellished with divers forms that are given unto them and by which you may judge whether she whom you love has in perfection the two last beauties which we tearm Corporeall and Rationall and which we may without any offence say that there is in others greater beauties then in hers which you will understand by a comparison of Bottles full of water for as the greater do hold more then the little ones and yet the little ones are as full as the greater so it may be said of all things capable of beauty for there are substances which by their perfection of Nature can receive much more beauty then others which yet cannot be termed imperfect because they have as much perfection as they can receive And under this notion comes the beauty of your Mistresse whom you may say is perfect and yet without offence confesse that she hath lesse beauty then these pure Intellectualls which I speak of If you be not too much transported with young and imprudent affections and set too great a price upon the beauty of her face you will set your whole affection upon the beauty of her minde in which you will finde something so lasting fair as will give you as much delight and satisfaction as the beauty of a face gives you sorrow and perhaps despair I have heard much discourse upon this subject answered the Shepheard but it so much displeased me that I did not remember it But I remember that one of you Druides endeavoured to prove that the minde the eye and the ear have only their parts in Love For said he Love is only a desire of Beauty and there being three sorts of Beauties that of the fight of which the eye is the only judge that of harmony of which the ear is only capable and that of reason which the minde can only discern it must follow that the eyes the ears and the minde have only their satisfactions If any other Senses do intrude they resemble those impudent guests that come unto Marriages before they be invited Oh Son said the Druide this is a Doctrine which perhaps is understood by many but certainly followed by very few and therefore no wonder that so many vexations and misfortunes do fall out amongst Lovers For Love which most certainly is the greatest and most holy of all the gods seeing himselfe so many waies offended by such as call themselves his Votaries either in contemning his ordinances or prophaning his purity does very often chastise them to the end they may know their faults For my Son what are jealousies disdains slanders quarrells infidelities and all breaches of amity but punishments of that great god Did our desires stretch no further then discourse no further then the sight nor no further then the ear why should we ever be jealous why disdainfull why angry why enemies why treacherous and briefly why should not all love and be loved since then the possession of another would not one jot lessen our happinesse Then Silvander heard the Shepheard interrupt the Druide with a deep sigh in this manner Alas Father how true is your discourse unto all Lovers but my selfe for my love is full of purity and chast desires as it cannot offend the most demure Vestall Let the god of Love be the most severe of all the gods yet I am sure he can finde no fault with my affection and yet for all this never was Lover so rigorously treated as I am Son said the Druide many things do produce different effects according to the subjects they meet withall A Line which is streight is not made only to draw another straight Line by but often to know what is not straight Those dysasters which you resent though in others they are called punishments yet in you they may be termed testimonies and proofs of your love and vertue which will at last so turn to your advantage as you may with reason say that you had never been happy unlesse you had been miserable And in the interim be assured your Mistresse will repent of her fault and the wrong she does you After this because it was very late he rose up with intention to go away and took the shepheard by the hand who as he followed answered thus I beseech you Father and conjure you by your love unto me not to say my Mistresse is in any fault much lesse that she does me wrong for she having power to dispose of me as much as my selfe you will offend the most perfect piece that ever nature produced and will more disoblige me by such language then your assistance can please me Silvander hearkened very attentively unto their discourse and though he did very precisely observe all their actions yet such was the obscurity of the place that he could not know them and though he thought he knew the Druide yet seeing only his back he was not certain As for the shepheard he was altogether unknown unto him so as he did not remember he ever heard his voice before This incertainty therfore caused him to follow them hoping for a better discovery by the Moon when they were out of the woods but keeping at a good distance lest he should be seen by them he lost them amongst the Trees and never since could tell what became of them which being very sorry for he left not his quest of them untill most of the night was spent but wearinesse at the last made him look for a place to rest in not knowing how to hit the way unto his Town When Silvander was asleep he waked not untill the Sun was very high The Shepheard that discoursed with the Druide in the night was as early as Aurora and the place of his dwelling being very neer as he was taking his usuall morning-walk he espied Silvander asleep He having not been above a month in the Country and having no acquaintance with any Shepheard he was very desirous to know who Silvander was and therefore went very softly to him He no sooner set his eye upon Silvander's face but he knew him to be his most intimate friend the remembrance of their former acquaintance and of
I am not only come my selfe unto you but I have left behinde me two of your greatest enemies Since it is so answered he I do much more fear your blowes My blowes said the shepheardesse do not offend or if they do it is only such as would have them do so It is very true said Silvander they do indeed offend none but those as would have them do so but yet that 's the reason why there are so many wounded for all those that see you do desire to receive your wounds The blowes which are desirable replyed Diana need not be feared Your wounds answered Silvander are desired but not desirable and are terrible but not terrifying When I did say that I feared them it was rather to shew what I ought to do then what I did I shall but laugh at you said Diana if you know your own good and will not follow it But to leave this discourse pray tell me shepheard from whom this Letter is and to whom it is directed Silvander not knowing how he lost it returned this answer My heart and your eyes if they did but look in a glasse would answer for me that it is directed unto you as Unto the most fair and the most loved shepheardesse in the whole Universe And your severity and my affection may tell you that it comes from me The most unfortunate yet the most faithfull of all your servants But said Diana unto him and then Astrea with Phillis came to them if this Letter came from you why did you not write it Because said he I found a better Secretary than my selfe and I must needs ingenuously confesse that there is something supernaturall in it since I found my own conceptions in it without writing them and since you have it and I never gave it unto you But my good Angell who was my Scribe seeing I was too slow in presenting it unto you did steal it from me though I did stay only for an opportunity of privacy to present it And why so said Diana Do you think I will receive any Letters in private which I would refuse in publick My intention of privacy replyed Silvander was in consideration of my selfe and not of you because I had rather receive a denyall from you without a witnesse then before the face of my enemy But I see that he who assumed the boldnesse to write of me has found out a way to let you see it I shall receive your excuse said Diana upon condition you will tell me who was your Secretary This last night answered the shepheard after a long meditation and entertainment of my own thoughts I chanced to fall asleep in a wood not far distant hence and in the morning when I awaked I found this Letter in my hand At the first I was much amazed at it but after I had read it I conceived that some good Angell which loved me and had read the same thoughts in my imagination did write them in this paper for me to present them unto you Phillis who had wit at will seeing Diana mute did ask him if he knew the way unto the wood No said he if there be none but you that would go unto it but if it be the pleasure of my Mistresse I will wait upon her unto it and I assure my selfe that the Trees which heard me almost all the night will relate the discourse which I had with my selfe amongst them Astrea being very desirous to see the place did make a signe with her eye unto Diana that she should take him at his word who thereupon asking whether they had time enough to go and return and being answered Yes she intreated him to conduct them all thither Silvander who was full of civility and who desired nothing more passionately then to do any service unto his fair Diana did freely consent to shew them the way So Diana turning towards the shepheardesses purposely to umbrage Astrea's designe did very particularly intreat them they would be pleased to go along with her and they should command her as much another time Astrea who was very glad that Silvander took Diana to be the Author of this designe did answer That she would most willingly follow her whithersoever she was pleased to go So committing the charge of their flocks unto one of their neighbours who came accidentally Silvander took the shortest way to the wood and conducted them thither Where the way was narrow and bad Silvander alwaies went before but assoon as they came into the Meadow which is often watered by the River Lignon he waited upon his Mistresse and led her by the arme She who had Phillis on the other side who was betwixt her and Astrea did accept of her shepheards service with a very good will lest the length of the way should weary her and giving him her left arme You Silvander said she I make use of you in this voyage as my Servant and of you Phillis for my Companion Phillis desiring to make Silvander talk that the company might be the lesse weary and who would not have a word so much to her advantage pronounced by Diana to pass unobserved she addressed her selfe unto the shepheard and asked him what he thought of this favour That it is greater answered Silvander then we deserve But replyed Phillis how do you take the difference that she puts betwixt us As a faithfull Servant ought to take what is pleasing unto his Mistress said Silvander But you said the shepheardess who are so great a stickler against jealousie have not you some sparks of it your selfe in seeing the great favour which your Mistresse hath conferred upon me I do perceive said he that you measure my affection by your own since you think any thing that pleaseth my Mistress can displease me But however I were a meer simplician in matters of Love if I did not think the favour she hath done me to be a very great honour unto me and disadvantageous unto you Diana hearing this answer smiled and Phillis who expected another kinde of an answer was so surprised as she knew not what to say but looked earnestly upon him yet he beginning to walk Phillis said he that smile is only a cloak for your ignorance I have not yet made you understand neither by my words nor my actions any of Love's mysteries but I do not accuse any except the defects that are in your affection If I do not understand these mysteries said Phillis you might accuse me of ignorance but not of defect in affection since understanding is not an act of will as affection is You are mistaken said the shepheard and this is one of those mysteries you are ignorant of and whereof I do not accuse either your understanding facultie or your will but this fair Diana How said Diana do you make me culpable of the ignorance of Phillis I do not think you culpable fair Mistress replyed Silvander but I do say you are the cause as I have learned
from an antient Oracle by which I understand said he and turned towards Phillis that I am better loved by our Mistress then you are Astrea who had not yet spoke This discourse said she is the most obscure and the reasons the most intricate that ever I heard Will you but please to give me leave said Silvander I am confident I shall cleer them unto you and make you confess them as well as my selfe And for your better understanding I say once again that the reason why Phillis does not understand the mysteries of Love is because she does not love enough and that for this defect in her love I ought not to accuse her will but Diana onely as an ancient Oracle tells us by which I know that she loves me more then she doth Phillis and this is the reason When you desire to know what is the will of the gods unto whom do you use to address your selves to come to the knowledge of it Doubtless said Phillis unto those that are Priests in their Temples and whose office it is to wait at their Altars And why do you not rather address your selfe said Silvander unto those that are more knowing than unto those Ministers of the Temple who commonly are ignorant in every thing else but their Office Because said Phillis the gods do more freely communicate themselves unto those that are entred into those mysteries and more familiar about their Altars than unto any strangers though they be more knowing See said Silvander then the power of Truth which constraines you to speak it against your intention For if you do not understand the mysteries of the god of Love is not that a signe you are a stranger unto him For you confesse that the gods do communicate themselves more freely unto those who serve in their Temples and wait at their Altars But which way should they serve at the Altar of the god of Love unlesse it be by Loving Hearts are the only sacrifices which are acceptable unto that deity Do you not see then Phillis that if you be ignorant in these mysteries it is not a fault in your understanding but in your love And if it should be so said Phillis which I will never grant how can you accuse Diana for any defects in my affection Is she not fair enough or are not her merits sufficient to make her selfe loved This said Silvander is a second mystery of that god which I will explain unto you Diana has no defects neither in beauty nor merit but she is all perfection the defect is only in your selfe that you do not love enough and that your love does not equall those admirable excellencies which you see in her But it is impossible you should love her in that height because she does not love you according to the Oracle of which I spoke Venus seeing her Son so little did ask the gods what she should do to make him grow To which question she received this answer That she should get him a Brother and then he would grow to full proportion but as long as he was alone he would never grow Do you not see Phillis that this answer was given against you and in favour of me For if your love be little and a dwarfe the reason is because it hath not a Brother If mine on the contrary do excell the highest it is because Diana my most fair Diana hath given it one whom he loves whom he honours nay whom he adores And do you think Silvander replyed Phillis that she does love you better then she does love me It can be no more doubted answered the shepheard then truth it selfe The gods do never lie Oracles are the interpreters of their will How dare you tax an Oracle with any untruth No no Phillis since I do love this fair Diana better then you do most certainly she does love me better then she doth you otherwise the gods would be impostors and not gods Many have been deceived said Phillis in the understanding of Oracles 'T is true answered Silvander but when that is the contrary event doth presently discover it and so they remain not long undeceived But the Oracle of which I speak is answered by such conformable effects both in you and me that it would be impiety to doubt it since do what you can you cannot make your love so great as mine And to confirm it the more is it not a common received opinion that whosoever will be loved must love Why shepheard said Phillis and interrupted him do you think by loving much to make your selfe much loved If you would give me leave to expound this mystery unto you said Silvander perhaps you would be as ready to confesse it as you have been to interrupt me but this is all I will say if the way to get love be to love then there is no doubt but that Diana who constraines me to love her with such ardency of affection doth love me extreamly Phlllis was dumb at this not knowing what to answer the shepheard who indeed defended his cause but too well Astrea whispered Diana in her ear Never credit me again said she in a whisper if this shepheards jeast do not turn to earnest and if he do not like children who play so long with their finger about the candle that at last they burn themselves Diana answered that such a thing might perhaps be if I were as capable of burning as he is of being burned but since he himselfe is only in the fault let him only bear the punishment as for me I do not intend to participate with him This talk had continued longer if Phillis had not interposed and chid them for taking Silvander's part We did not take his part answered Diana but we may well say that you are too weak to argue with him for his knowledge is much above yours But I would gladly know said Phillis how he can conceive that what you said unto him at the beginning was more advantageous to him than to me for I do apprehend it to be a greater honour unto me since you did thereby chose me to be your Companion She did confer that honour indeed upon you answered the shepheard but her affection upon me No no replyed the shepheardesse under the name of Companion is both affection and honour comprehended for they do almost signifie the same thing You may as well assert answered Silvander that affection and flattery are the same and not contrary If that person whom you love best should tell you that your perfections do transcend any goddesse would you not say this is grosse flattery And why poor deceived thing that you are do you not think the same of Diana when she sayes that you are her Companion For as you your selfe expound it that Companion signifies one like her selfe and her perfections are so transcendently above all other women as there cannot be a greater difference between men and gods then betwixt you and her Poor blinded
Phillis do you not see that this sweet word which is so pleasing to you is only pure flattery which my Mistresse is pleased to put upon you to acknowledge in some sort that shallow affection which you bear unto her For since she cannot love you she will give you satisfaction in this coyne In taking you for a Companion she shewes flattery and flattery shewes small affection On the contrary in taking me for her Servant she shewes the good will she bears unto me since I am capable of that favour if any mortall man be Oh impudence cryed out Phillis Oh love answered Silvander Why replyed the shepheardesse do you think your selfe worthy to serve her whose merits are above all mortalls The greatest gods said the shepheard are served by men and are pleased with their service and duty Then why if I be a man as I hope you do not question will you not permit me to serve and adore my goddesse especially since she her selfe requires this holy duty from me Phillis standing mute and considering well of Silvander's reasons she knew not how to answer one word but did really think that Diana did confer a greater favour upon Silvander then upon her and therefore addressing her speech unto her Mistresse said she upon consideration of my enemies reason I finde that he is in the right and that you have conferred more favour upon him than me Is it possible you should do it intentionally If you did I shall have a just occasion of complaint and take it ill he should be so much advanced above his merit I see said Diana coldly that opinion hath a greater power of you then truth and you are guided only by it Within this quarter of an houre you were boasting of the favour which I did you in preferring you before Silvander And now this opinion being changed you complain of the contrary so as I am afraid that your affection also is nothing but opinion No question of it said Silvander for every word she hath spoken is an argument of it Is it any argument of Love Phillis to finde fault with the actions of your Mistresse If they be to my disadvantage said she would you have me to think well of them It were but your duty to conform your selfe and strive to get more love then you have said Silvander Would you have Diana conform her selfe unto your will or ought you to conform your selfe unto hers I wish to the gods said she that I had as much advantage over her as it seemes she hath given you over me If it were so said Silvander pray tell me which of you two should be the Mistresse and which the Servant Truly shepheardesse I do not think you ever received the least scratch in Love's War Astrea who silently heard their difference was at last constrained to say thus unto Diana I think wise shepheardesse that this shepheard will take away from Phillis the use of her tongue No said Silvander it is rather Love for hitherto she thought that she had loved but now she sees the contrary Thus those fair Shepheardesses deceived themselves in the length of the way and the Sun shining very hot they asked Silvander how far it was yet unto the place which he conducted them unto and understanding that they were about the mid way they resolved to rest themselves at the next Fountain or the next good shade they come unto and Silvander told then that they should presently come unto such a one where they should finde a Cherry tree full of ripe fruite In order to this resolution they doubled their pace but meeting with Laonice Hylas â—â—â—cis Manduates and Thirsander they stayed awhile These shepheards and shepheardesses were walking together seeking for cool shades and pleasent Fountaines for they were strangers and having no flocks to keep they passed away the time as pleasantly as possibly they could And intending not to part that day they walked up the banks of the delectable River of Lignon Now these two Companies being met Hylas presently left Laonice and came to Phillis and she left Astrea and Diana and went to him at which Silvander was not sorry thinking himselfe in more absolute possession of his Mistresse Tircis seeing Astrea alone for Thirsander did lead Maduntes he addressed himselfe in a humble manner unto her and offered his service in leading her She having a great esteem of that shepheard especially because there was a conformity betwixt their fortunes did very willingly accept of his offer so as every one had a Companion except Laonice who as I told you formerly having an extream desire to be revenged of Phillis and Silvander all her aime was to watch an occasion of doing them some mischiefe And to compasse her designe she kept a spying eye upon all their actions hearknâ—â— unto all their discourse especially when they spoke low or in secret and when 〈…〉 by their gestures that they spoke any thing affectionately She had formerly 〈…〉 partly a cause of the jealousie of Lycidas and had since learned much of Silâ—â—â—â—â—â— and other shepheardesses yet more from her own suspicions then any else But 〈…〉 much more and became so knowing as it may be said she knew all 〈…〉 as well as themselves Also there being none in the company who suspected her designe she had more free accesse to hear none taking any notice when she 〈◊〉 them After she had 〈◊〉 upon all the shepheards and shepheardesses and 〈…〉 Companion to divert her she got as neer as she could unto Silvander who led Diana 〈…〉 to whom she wished most ill and having already an opinion of their being in love the passionately desired to discover more Diana who had no designe at all upon Silvander though she did wish him better then any shepheard of Lignon did not care whether her words were heard or no And Silvander took no heed because he was so attenive unto what his Mistresse said as he did hardly see the ground he trod upon which gave Laonice a better opportunity to hearken Silvander then assoon as he was alone with his Mistresse Well my fairest said he unto her what do you think now of Phillis and me I do think answered she that Phillis of all persons in the world is the worst lyar and that of all the shepheards I know Silvander is the best dissembler for certainly you can counterfeit a passionate part the best of any living Ah shepheardess replyed Silvander it is an easy matter to counterfeit what one does really resent This replyed Diana is that which confirmes what I say I could never believe that a feigned passion could be glossed with words and actions so resemblant unto truth Ah Diana said he how far short are both my actions and my words of declaring the truth of my affection Could you but see my heart as wel as my face you would have a better opinion of me I must confess the wager betwixt Phillis and me hath been a cause that I have
Palinice and her modesty was such as would have given a check unto any but Hylas from moving any matters of Love unto her Yet before the third visit was paid he acquainted her with his minde and was as familiar as if he had been brought up with her from his cradle You have fair one said he unto her at the very first accost preserved my life and good reason it should be imployed in your service and I will do it though only out of gratitude And not to detract from your first favour which you have done me I beseech you accept this offer of my service and believe that there is no person upon earth that can love you better then I nor whose heart is swell'd with more affection My Companion who was unaccustomed to any such expressions did at the first answer him very coldly but seeing he persisted she grew angry and would not suffer him to use any such language At the last when by his continuall visits she found his humour she did nothing but laugh at him which did not offend him at all for he had this good quality that as he was free with every one so he allowed every one to be free with him However his Love did so increase that my companion did grow weary of him not but that Hylas is certainly a man of much merit and is owner of many qualities which deserve Love but she being a Widow and not intending to marry this courtship could not but be very disadvantageous to her It seemes that the Heavens had pitty upon Palinice and at the same time sent her a Companion and presently after that another to help her to support a burthen so heavie Palinice had a Brother who had been long a devoted Servant unto Cercenea my companion who now sits next me And respect being most in the hearts of those that love most Clorian for that was the name of Palinice's brother had not yet the confidence to acquaint the fair Circenâ—a with his affection She on the other side was yet too young to discover it by his actions so as Clorian loved and in vain because his love was not known Hylas in the mean time continued his frequent visits unto Palinice and as he said himselfe it being one of Loves chief precepts to get the favour of the kindred friends and servants of the party loved he courted the friendship of Clorian with all obsequious offers he could make which was no difficulty to obtain because the young man was all civility and sweetnesse and had an affection to get the love of all But Hylas being more subtle and crafty as being older and having travelled he faigned what Clorian did in good earnest so as he was only a superficiall friend whilst the other loved him as his Brother and the ensuing story will make this appear For Clorian's affection unto Cercenea daily augmenting and not daring to make it known unto her Hylas took notice of it Cercenea took a journey to see her Father who was sick in a Town within the Country of the Sebusians towards the Allobrogians by reason whereof Cercenea was long absent from our Town and consequently from Clorian And because as I have heard say there is no greater comfort to a true Lover then to think often of the party Loved Clorian did often retire himselfe into a house which he had in that Town that stood upon the top of a hill towards the Sebusians From this place might be viewed the Rosne on one side and Arar on the other and one might also see the Forrest of Mars called 〈◊〉 and if the tops of high Trees did not obstruct the eye questionless it might see further from thence then any other place When he turned towards the Temple of Venus Iâ— might see as far as the Segusian Mountains when he looked towards Arar he might behold the 〈◊〉 and when towards the Rosne he might see as far as the huge hills of 〈◊〉 beyond the plains of the Sebusians And certainly it was a most lovly prospect every way It was to this place whither Clorian did commonly retire himselfe and looking towards the Sebusian plains did ravish himselfe with thoughts of his fair Cercenea It hapned that Hylas being very familiar with him and not finding him in the house he made no question but he was gon unto this Mount and being jealous that his Companion was in Love for he knew that this solitude and melancholly musing could proceed from no other cause he went up the stairs as softly as he could and finding the dore halfe open he saw him looking out of that window towards the Sebusians so ravished in his own thoughts that he could not hear it thunder and therefore could not hear the noise which Hylas made in opening the dore and entring but he himselfe spoke so loud that Hylas could hear these words A Discourse unto the Winde MIld Zephyrus that wantonly Amongst all fragrant flowers doth file Filching from them that sweetest are Thou dost by theft perfume the Air. If ever pitty did thee move Waft o're these plaines unto my Love And blow my thoughts into that breast Where they can only finde a rest But carry with thee on thy wing Those amorous Sighs I sadly sing Tel her in this my sad restraint She is my fair and only Saint Those lovely Twins her lips will yield Odors more sweet then all the field But when thou thus perfumed art Return and let me have a part Have I taken you Clorian said Hylas taking him about the neck and kissing him I must confesse you are the closest Lover that e're I knew yet you cannot hide your selfe from me No more I will not said Clorian after a little considering with himselfe for neither at this time nor any other will I ever hide any thing from you I am satisfied almost said Hylas upon condition you will ingenuously confesse what I do already know What is it replied Clorian which you desire to know of me I will not ask said Hylas what your malady is but only from whence it proceeds Oh Hylas said he and sighed you need not ask me who the cause is But I would to the gods you could as easily give me any comfort as I can freely satisfie your curiosity So sitting down upon a Couch he told him of his affection and how the love he bare unto Cercenea was so great as he durst never acquaint her with it When Hylas heard the name of Cercenea he thought he had heard of it before though he could not well remember when or where and therefore he asked him which of all those he had seen was she Since you do not know her name answered Clorian I believe you never saw her for her beauty is such that it is impossible you should see her and not enquire her name and make you remember her But when I calculate the time of your comming unto this Town I believe you never saw her I came said
Hylas at the last Fâ—ast which was celebrated unto Venus Clorian after a whiles consideration answered him That he could not see her unlesse he came that very day because the morning after she went away unto her Father who was sick in the Province of the Sebusians and never returned since Well said Hylas though she be never so fair do you think that she would not be loved Can you believe that those only who are ugly will permit it No no if such should be told they are loved they would think themselves jeer'd I do not think said Clorian that if Beauties bâ— told they are loved they will be offended but their modesty may How said Hylas let her be as modest as she can do you think she will be angry at being loved Ah Clorian their modesty is not any sorrow for being loved but only because they doubt whether what is said be true And indeed where is that woman who when she is assured of a mans affection is not extreamly well pleased with it and gives him no testimony of her satisfaction No no Clorian of all the actions which we do next unto those that preserve life there is none so naturall as this of Love And can you imagine women such enemies to Nature that they will hate what is naturall Come come let me give you advice which unlesse you be a very Novice in Love you will follow and finde that I am my Arts Master in such things Let Cercenea know that you do love her and that assoon as possibly you can for the sooner she knowes it the sooner will she love you May be at first she will turne her head aside and bid you talk no more of any Love Perhaps shee'â— seem to be in a great fury and will not speak to you But however do you continue and be assured that if you be but assiduous you will win her When they give us these peevish answers and refuse the affection which we present unto them they put me in minde of those Physicians and Lawyers that refuse the Fee yet put out their hand I am older then you are I have run through some parts of the world and let me tell you I have loved many this gives me encouragement to speak the more freely unto you and you must not take any exceptions Be certain that never any faint hearted Lover sped well And in matters of Love no fault is so great as being too respectfull He that will speed well must dare attempt ask begg importune presse take nay he must ravish Did you never know the humour of women Clorian Hearken unto the great Oracle which in our time spoke thus Shee 'l flie away and yet would fain With all her heart be overta'n She will deny yet seem to daunt A Lover when she fain would grant She will resist that you at length May seem to vanquish her by strength For thus her honour does ordain She should resist and yet but faign He that has no courage to do thus let me advise him to take upon him some other trade then that of Love for he will never thrive by it Clorian therefore my counsell is that you do assume so much confident boldnesse as not only to declare your love unto her but to hope that she will love you again so you will but let her know your minde I cannot generous shepheard remember all the documents and amorous advises which Hylas gave but I understand since from Palmice who heard her brother relate them that he did make himselfe appear to be his Arts Master in such things But the conclusion of all was that since Clorian had not so much confidence as to declare his Love unto his Mistresse as soon as she returned which would be within a few daies Hylas should be his Advocate and speak for him Hylas did very willingly accept of the imployment for said he I shall oblige two at once by it to wit Clorian in doing him the good office and Cercenea in bringing her such good newes It hapned that presently after my Companion returned to the Town and though the death of her Father had put her into a mourning habit and though her own sadnesse was suitable unto it yet all her sorrowes had not at all lessened her beauty but had added such a kinde of sweetnesse unto her countenance as invited all that saw her to love her by reason of a certain attractive compulsion which rendred her much more pleasing Hylas in prosecution of his promise no sooner heard of her return but he courted all opportunities to see her in which Palinice was not unwilling to help him because her Brother desired it She who knew nothing of their designe and believed it to be only out of curiosity was glad to satisfie her Brother though she cared not for the company of Hylas As fortune was Cercenea's Mother would offer a sacrifice unto the gods for the soul of her Husband and did invite Palinice as one of her best friends thither she went and with her Hylas But see if he be not as good a friend as a faithfull Lover he no sooner saw Cercenea again but he was deep in love with her I say saw her again because looking upon her he remembered that he had seen her before in the Temple of Venus when Palinice saluted her and because he then found some sparks of good will unto her his first flames did kindle again in his heart as easily as any Sulphure at the fire Looking upon her therefore very seriously he began by degrees to remember that Cercenea was she whom he saw in the Temple and remembring how excellently she could sing and all that Love could make him apprehend at the first sight he quite forgot his promise unto Clorian and thought only how to speak for himselfe Thus you may see how dangerous a thing it is to imploy a Second in such a businesse He accosted her afterwards saluted her And she out of sweet civility returned him a salute again Then both being in the Temple and every one going to their devotion he said thus unto her I see fair Cercenea that the sight of you is fatall unto me and comming hither to be an assistant unto your sacrifices I am become a sacrifice my selfe She who knew not the man or ever heard of him did look him in the face and then after a little consideration she concluded him to be a stranger both by his language and habit because though they were made according to the garb of our Town yet he did wear them in that manner as was plain he was a stranger For strangers though they do disguise themselves in our fashion yet they have some trick or other in their Air by which one may see they are not of the same Country And I do believe that this difference is lesse found amongst the Franks then any other Nation Now Circenea not knowing Hylas she thought that he had taken her for some
not finding any better in any other place he is forced to rest here It does concern me said Phillis to answer because Hylas is my servant yet believe it I will not answer for his fidelity since I must needs think that having once loved so great a Beauty as yours and falling off that it is not beauty which makes him in Love What then said Hylas can it be An humour of changing said Florice and a certain levity of minde that will not let you continue foure and twenty houres in one opinion Oh! said Hylas you are a partie and therefore your judgment may be suspected If you mean answered she that I am the party offended I do freely forgive the injury and do think my selfe more obliged unto you for your changing then I should have received satisfaction in your constancy And if you think me a party that does pretend any thing unto you believe it Hylas I will with all my heart quit all my pretensions unto any that will have them who if they will receive them they will more oblige me by it then they will finde benefit by the gift You have reason to dispose thus of me said Hylas halfe angry for you may as freely dispose of me as of the stars All this while Paris had addressed himselfe unto Diana whom after he had saluted This said he is a more happy encounter than I could ever have hoped for since I did the least expect you here It is indeed happy for me said Diana since we shall enjoy your company unlesse these fair strangers do deprive us of it At this word she blush'd knowing that Paris loved her As this blush did please Paris so it had a contrary effect in Silvander who knowing that Paris loved her could not defend himselfe against some stings of jealousie when he saw the good reception of his Rivall and this experience taught him to confesse that jealousie might proceed from love The shepheardesse who had no inclination to hate Silvander took notice of it and so did Laonice though the shepheard did dissemble it as well as he could and they had known it better if Astrea had not parted them for desiring most passionately to finish their journey she broke company And because Paris had taken Diana by the arme Silvander went towards Phillis who seeing him comming It seemes said she unto him that we are too too many and that though we were absent they could entertain themselves I cannot deny it said Silvander I must shrug my shoulders patiently and pay this kinde of tribute without murmur When he would have answered farther Hylas came to them and not caring for these strangers ran unto Phillis and lest Palinice Cercenea and Florice as if he had never loved them Diana who could not chuse but admire this humour in him did make a signe unto Phillis by way of wonder Phillis who did esteem him as an excellent man to make sport after she had looked upon him But Hylas said she unto him can I believe you to be in earnest Can you doubt it said he â—â—nce I have left all these whom I did love to wait upon you That is an excellent argument indeed said she but I pray tell me did you ever love these strangers whom you have left to come unto us You may gather as much said he from Florice's own mouth I had some reason said she to ask this question for if you did ever love them how could you finde a heart to leave them so soon in a place where they are strangers Even as I have heretofore left others for them said Hylas so now I do leave them for you and I must needs confesse that if my affection unto you were not much above all termes of civility I should have thought my selfe in some sort obliged to wait upon them Doubtlesse said Phillis you do very much oblige me but I do admire that since you did love them you should now make so little account of them I did love them 't is true said Hylas but I will do so no more my love to them is now dead and me-thinks this should be no such great piece of wonder to see a man free when the cord which tyed him is broken I do believe said Silvander that Hylas did never love these strangers for if he had he would have loved them still since the cords of Love cannot be broken Though they cannot be broken said Hylas yet I am sure they may be untied No said Silvander all Love knots are Gordian knots If they be said Hylas I have a sword as well as he who when he could not untie them did cut them and I am sure I have done so severall times Never believe you did love them said Silvander for if you had you would have loved them still Shall I not believe what I do know said Hylas But to do you a pleasure I will not believe it But pray trouble neither me nor your selfe any further keep your selfe to your own melancholly humour and vex me no more with your impertinent opinions Phillis who was discreet and seeing Hylas in his angry altitudes to interrupt him said thus However Hylas I must needs be angry with you for hindring me from knowing some things which these strangers had begun to relate Mistresse answered he I had rather never have loved them then you should misse of your satisfaction by any means of mine I know answered Phillis that the love you bear unto them and the satisfaction you speak of will not trouble you for since you do not love them now what will it concern you whether you did or did not love them Why my Fairest said Hylas do you not esteem past contentments If my contentment do not continue said Phillis the remembrance of it does but grieve me the more The services then that were done you a week since said he are vanish'd if it be so the worse for Hylas Silvander answered in the behalfe of Phillis Your Mistresse said he does not speak of services but of contentments received and before you complain it is requisite to know of her whether your services be in that rank Hylas answered Those who mistrust their own merits as you do may make that doubt but not I. Silvander who knowes that Love cannot be paid but by Love again and she unto whom I devote mine hath more goodnesse then not to acknowledge it and more judgment then not to esteem it Silvander would have answered but Phillis interposed I do esteem Hylas said she as I ought to do and do acknowledge his merits are very worthy to beloved nor need he think his services are forgotten for he continuing to love me they are all esteemed as present And if this declaration do please him I will request one thing of him which he ought not to deny me unlesse he would have me think that he does not love me Command fairest said Hylas what you please but two things that I die or
say will out-weigh So I and Clorian The gods did favour my designe so as Cercenea after some courtship did love me may be as well as I loved her and when you know what assurances of it she did give me I believe you will say as much as I. But because there was some unto whom she owed duty and particularly her Mother she desired me to let her faign as if she loved Clorian because there was already some probability of a Marriage betwixt them being both of one Town and one quality Moreover Clorian being very rich her Mother would doubtlesse like well of the Match whereas if my love unto her had been discovered being a stranger and perhaps had a wife in some other place she would have disallowed of it and perhaps charged her daughter not to see me I was very glad of the motion because I knew not with what language I could put Clorian off any longer having worn out all my excuses till they were thread-baâ—e so as he seeing me so much with Cercenea and yet doing nothing for him began to be in some doubt of me Then I acquainted Cercenea with all passages betwixt Clorian and me and how he had employed me to speak unto her But fairest Mistresse I told her by way of mocking him lest if I should have set forth unto her his affection as it was she should entertain any sparks of love unto him but I did it so dexterously that Cercenea had a greater minde to make use of him as a cloak for her love of me with lesse suspition and told me That her Mother had often proposed him unto her for a Husband and that she knew he had some good will unto her Then I went unto Clorian unto whom I faigned a long Prologue as an introduction of what I intended to say I related unto him the speeches answers and replyes that I made in his behalfe and did assure him that I had made a way for his affection to finde a welcome Oh! what thanks did he give me and what promises to serve me upon the like occasion for which I thanked him but did not desire to be in his hands as he was in mine At the last he took heart and according to my advice he resolved to speak of it unto Cercenea but with more fear and heart-beating then if he were to fight with the most valiant man alive Yet the courage which I had infused into him and assurance that he should be welcome to her did make him surmount those fears which had solong silenc'd him and finding an opportunity he acquainted her with his intentions in the best language he could invent the effect of which was that he bore unto her so much humble respect as without me he never had durst to declare his affection unto her that it was all purity and vertuous desires Truly answered she you have a very good friend of Hylas and you may well think him so and by all meanes preserve such a Jewell for he hath done nothing above a month but continually talk in commendation of you Also you may understand from him that I am not so obdurate as you imagine but does think my selfe obliged to entertain a man of your merit when you come with honest and pure designes of Marriage as your friend tells me you do and therefore I am contented to live with you according to the purity of such affection but I shall be very glad to have Hylas a witnesse of all that passeth betwixt us that he may arbitrate all matters betwixt us I must be briefe my fair Phillis otherwise an age would not serve to relate all the accidents that befell me But be pleased to know that ever since this day Clorian was so far ingaged that he could not retreat and because their Parents began to take notice of it I did acquaint her Mother that Clorian did intend to marry her Daughter and that because I thought it an advantageous Match unto Cercenea I had contributed all my endeavours to bring it about but since I had not yet spoken of it unto his Father and Mother I desired that the businesse might be kept secret Cercenea's Mother knowing Clorian to be rich and well born did heartily thank me for my endeavours and did desire that if Clorian had any such minde he would speak unto her and she would keep it as secret as he pleased but she desired to have that satisfaction from himselfe I assured her he should and accordingly within a few daies after we went unto her again and Clorian told her more then I had done Thus all things went very well for my part I was welcome to the Mother more welcome to Clorian but most of all to Cercenea You see into what a passe I was brought to seem as if I did not love this fair one I was forced to quit my place unto Clorian and to speak for him When there was any company I stood before them that Clorian might unseen kisse her hand but it vexed me to the soul when he kissed her mouth as often he did in my presence And though it did displease me very much and Cercenea more yet we did constrain our selves that she and I might have some opportunities sometimes of privacy For the Mother believing me to be a mediator only for Clorian did give me all the liberty I could desire Nay more I brought her Letters from Clorian and oftentimes did answer them my selfe for she did only write them and god knowes not without much laughter and jearing of him Thus did I live the most contented man alive till Fortune upon a sudden turn'd the wheel and yet it went not so neer my heart as it would anothers because I had so good a receipt against all such maladies The Facchanalian Feasts being at hand to be celebrated Clorian and I resolved to maintain a Tournement Clorian took for his device a Picture of Circe with Circenea's face amongst the Companions of Ulysses with this Motto To her had fewer Charmes But I not daring to declare my selfe as he did I did a little disguise her name and painted a Syren and Ulysses tyed to the Mast of his Ship with this Motto What Bâ—nds would be sufficient I thought that I had done very well and that she was infinitely obliged unto me for it But see the Fate As chance was there was a young Beauty in Lyons whose name was Parthenopea a neer neighbour unto my lodging with whom how ever it came to passe I had no great familiarity for it was not my humour to have any fair neighbours and not to visit them When I was in the Lists those that were curious began to interpret our devices as for that of Clorian every one could easily understand it Circenca's face and the clinch of her name did sufficiently discover it But as for mine none could give it a meaning At the last an old Knight that was upon the Scaffold amongst the Ladies where
the reason why all the Town made it their common talk and reports alwaies encreasing by going they went so much in disadvantage of Florices honour that at last they came to her ears by a friend who acquainted her She repented her selfe of the imprudent carriage of the businesse though too late She acquainted me and told me that we must be more circumspect in our expressions of good will and the better to hide it for the future she willed me not to come unto her but at night and so give a stop unto reports if it were possible To give her satisfaction I refrained comming for a while but because she was as much displeased with the deprivation of my company as I of hers it was resolved betwixt us to finde out some way or other to avoid the censure of the world and yet be together After consideration she advised me to seem as if I loved some who used to be familiarly with her and under that shaddow I might come unto her And upon serious thoughts none deemed more fit for this purpose then Dorinde as well because she was her cosen and frequently familiar as because she was fair though not very subtle And though she was not so fair as Florice nor so rich nor so well descended yet she did excell the most both in beauty and merit The day that I declared my selfe Dorinde's servant was that upon which the people celebrated a Feast in memory of the restauration and building of their Town by Nero after that most terrible fire which in one night consumed it to the ground At this time of publick joy every one did strive to appear as fine as possibly they could as well to assist at the sacrifices offered unto Jupiter the Restaurator and to the Titular gods as to be seen in the Theaters and publick Shewes Dorinde desirous to be seen and observed did set out her beauty with all the illustrations that Art could devise Before the day ended I did so accost Dorinde with my expressions of that affection I had unto her that she did believe them At that time and day I became acquainted with a young Cavalier called Periander a man indeed full of civility discretion and sweetnesse This man seeing me so obsequious to Dorinde and finding my humour agreeable unto his own resolved to make me his friend And I on the other side being desirous of acquaintance in that place where I intended to stay since Love did so oblige me to it I thought him to be a man of merit and therefore was glad to have him my friend This encounter of friendship which proceeded from one and the same sympatheticall cause was sooner contracted betwixt him and me then betwixt me and Dorinde although Florice the better to disguise her own love did contribute all that possibly she could unto it But poor Florice did not foresee how she was sharpning a sword which gave her a deep wound she did not know how it was alwaies my humour never to see any Beauty but I must needs love her a little so as ere I was aware I was in Love with Dorinde as well as with Florice yet I did love Florice better she being more fair and of a higher rank Two months were spent in this manner and the friendship betwixt Periander and me grew to that height that we were commonly called the two Friends and because we both desired a continuation of it we took reciprocall oathes of a most faithfull and perfect friendship calling the gods to witnesse to the oath which we had taken and to be punishers of him who should violate the Lawes of friendship After this protestation nothing was in the soul of one but it was discovered unto the other It hapned one morning for commonly we lay both together after much discourse upon the Beauties of the Town he asked me whether there was any of them which I loved And answering him Yes He told me that before he would ask me who my Mistresse was he would tell me who was his I desire said I unto him to be the first in that freedome because you were the first that asked the question Then I related unto him all the addresses which I had made unto Dorinde since the last two months but would not by any means mention Florice as well because I loved her more and desired that that Love should be kept secret as because I knew that one of his consens did court her in Marriage As soon as I had named Dorinde How said he do you love Dorinde Dorinde the Daughter of Arcingentorix The very same said I and I do assure you that I have courted her above this six months Oh heavens cried he how cruelly doth love treat me And after he had paused a while I do swear said he and protest that it is she whom I have long loved Could a greater misfortune befall me I had rather die then retreat and if I continue I shall offend against the Lawes of Amitie I was much astonished to hear him say thus for though I loved him yet it went against my heart to leave Dorinde unto whom Love had kindled new desires in me And therefore after I had held my eyes up to heaven as one that was much troubled I said thus unto him Brother since our Loves did begin in us before our Friendship it argues a sympathy in our humours which forceth us to love the same but however let the Lawes of Friendship be inviolable since we have thus far agreed let our prudence endeavour to continue so for the future and in order to that let us see whom this Lady most affects To think that our friendship should make us quit her the one unto the other this would be rather tyranny then friendship and to think that we can continue Rivalls and Friends is Folly What then should we do Let us refer all to Reason and see which of us she loves most Tell me I do conjure you by the Oath which we have taken whether it be true that she doth love you and what testimonies of it she hath given you I do swear Brother answered he that I will not tell you a lie either in this or any thing you shall ask I will first die a hundred deaths Know then that it is impossible I should give you any assurance that she loves me since her discretion and modesty keeps all close in her own soul Then said I unto him since we are both in one condition let us swear by our friendship one unto another and call all the divinities to punish most rigorously the perjured that he who can obtain most affection from her and give a testimony of it unto the other he shall only enjoy her By this means we shall not offend against the Lawes of Friendship it being most reasonable that he whom she loves most should enjoy her and the other quit her I conceive your Proposition to be very just said Periander and I swear
be no interruption he would not return an answer And Hylas seeing him silent after he had shook his head he fell into the discourse from which he had digressed See now said he the issue of these Loves the frequent conversation which I had with Dorinde began to encrease my love unto her the more And in as much as the conferring of one favour drawes on another that is greater so she did every day give me cleerer evidences of her love which was a cause that our Letters began to alter style and became more affectionate and passionate then usuall This was a reason why I gave them unto Florice but seldome and then only those which had fewest expressions of affection and craftily kept the rest to my selfe Thus I lived for a while in a sea of delights being welcome unto both but it was too high to hold and this happinesse did not last long For it hapned one day that as I pulled some things out of my pocket in the presence of Florice and other company she espied two or three little Letters lapped up after the very same manner as Dorinde's were which I had given unto her She began presently to suspect the truth and many daies passing and I not giving them unto her she concluded her selfe to be deluded and resolved to steal them from me and because I took no notice she easily got them out of my pocket whilst I was talking unto others who did what they could to abuse me and give her a better opportunity to play the thief thinking she did it only to make me seek them She took them out so dexterously that I perceived not she went away immediately and was no sooner come unto her lodging but locking her selfe up in her closet she threw them all upon the Table and found five some very freshly written and others of a longer date The first she took which was last writ contained these words Dorinde's Letter unto Hylas I Have here sent you the picture which you desired of me not to make you lose the person whom you have wone as heretofore you did with the like-present but to assure you that you have as much power over her that sent it as you have of the Picture when it is in your hands If it were permitted me I should be as often with you as it is and though it be in that more happy then I am yet it is less in not knowing the happiness it enjoyes which I should esteem infinitely above my life Then throwing this Letter upon the Table with an angry look and pushing away the rest further from her she went back a pace or two Then folding her armes and lifting up her eyes Oh heavens said she can this possibly be true Hast then betrayed me Hylas Couldst thou so long fool me and I never see thy treason Then standing silent a long while at last she struck both her hands upon the Table and said Well Traitor thou shalt not passe unpunished I will discover thee unto her whom thou hast betrayed as well as me and perhaps we shall both grow a little wiser by thy follies She had no sooner fixed upon this resolution but she lapt up all her Letters and went to Dorinde and desired her to go into her Closet and then shutting the dore Sweet cosen said she unto her I am come to manifest my affection unto you but upon condition that when I have discovered a secret unto you that you do prudently conceal it I know that Hylas hath long courted you and that you have long thought he loved you but I come now out of my true affection to you to undeceive you and to let you see that he hath deceived you Upon this Dorinde blush'd and seemed a little shie No no said Florice do not think Cosen to hide that which I do know better then your selfe I say better for you only know your own intentions and not his but I do know both If you do said Dorinde I must confesse you to be very knowing but what I beseech you do you know of mine I know said she that you do love him and sent him your picture and receives all his addresses Dorinde being touched to the quick she had not so much impudence as to deny it but looked down and blushed more holding her hands before her face for shame Do not vex Dorinde said she that these things should be thus known but rather rejoyce they are fallen into my hands not anothers who lesse loves you if you love your own honour withdraw your affection for the 〈◊〉 from this man who courts you only to get such favours from you as he brags of There hath been heretofore some familiarity betwixt him and me and that is the reason which you have reason to be glad of that he hath addressed himselfe unto me I do not think you ever spoke one syllable unto him which he hath not told me and because it would be too long to repeat them see here most of the Letters you have written unto him which you may do well to burn lest he should make use of them hereafter to your disadvantage Dorinde both seeing and knowing them she did ingenuously confesse that she did believe I loved her and therefore thought her selfe obliged unto what she did but for the future she would hate me a thousand times more then ever she loved me She thought her selfe infinitely obliged unto Florice for this discovery and commended her for the best friend in the world Then both of them began to inveigh against me with all possible bitternesse especially Dorinde who thought her selfe the most offended Florice having revenged her selfe upon me according to her desires returned unto her lodging fully resolved never to love me again no nor ever to see me again if it were possible But when the heat of her anger was a little cooled and when she began to recall into her memory the discourse which Dorinde and she had she remembered that what affection soever I had unto Dorinde yet I had never acquainted her with the affection I had unto Florice nor of any favour I ever received from her concluding from hence that I loved her more then I did Dorinde so as she began to repent of what she had don for she did believe that if I 〈◊〉 discoursed any thing concerning her she should certainly have heard of it upon this occasion The more this came into her minde the more she repented of her too much haste or said she what though he did visit her I my selfe was the cause If he did court her I did command him so to do If he did love her it was because she was amiable If he did receive her favours it was the better to cloak that affection which he bore unto me And the truth is being young very few of his age would have refused such a fortune If he did dissemble with me and not shewe me how much he was favoured
spacious Arbour in the form of a Temple at the entry there was some Verses written which Silvander stayed to read All the Company being weary they called upon him severall times He in a great amazement turned towards Diana Mistresse said he do not repent your selfe of the pains you have taken in comming hither for though you are a little digressed of the way yet you shal see here a wonder of the Wood Then taking her hand he conducted her to the entry the rest of the Shepheards and Shepheardesses followed in sile and longed to see this rarity of which Silvander spoke Before the entrance was a Court of green grasse about thirty paces square environed with thick wood on three sides so as none could see them A chrystall Fountain which took its originall opposite to the Porch or rather Arbour of this Temple did Meander like run by the one side which rendred the place most delectable This Grove was ever a place that had been dedicated as sacred unto the great Heseus Tentates and Taramis And there was no shepheard that ever durst presume to drive his Flock neer this Thicket and the reason why it was never frequented was lest they should disturb the solitude and sacred silence of the Nymphs Pans and Egipans The grasse was never sullied the wood never felt the axe nor was broused by any cattle and the Fountain was never defiled by any foot so as this little Grove dressed into the fashion of an Arbour or rather a Temple did plainly demonstrate that it was dedicated unto some deitie And therefore all these Shepheards approaching the entrance with reverence before they passed any further they did read the Verses which were written upon a Table of wood over the Porch They were these Unless with sacred Love you be enflam'd Unto this sacred place be all asham'd To enter Here 's the Grove where every day A Heart that is all Love and Zeal doth pay Religious duty here he doth implore And here divine Astrea doth adore The Shepheards and Shepheardesses stood amazed at this Inscription and looked upon one another as if they were desirous to know whether any of the Company did either know or had seen this before Diana addressed her selfe unto Silvander Is this the place Shepheard said she unto which you did intend to bring us No answered he I never saw this place in my life before It is evident said Paris that these boughes have been lately lopped and put into this order for the leaves of them are yet green However said he we must go in But lest we should offend the deitie unto whom the place is consecrated let us enter in with all possible reverence and first let us make our selves as clean as we can Every one consented except Hylas who answered That for his part he had nothing to do there For said he since all those are forbidden to enter that are not enflamed with an holy Love I know not whether or no I ought to enter I know that I am enflamed with Love but whether it be holy or no faith I am not sure How Servant said Phillis and smiled a defect in your Love What do you in our company For my part answered he I have abundance of affection after my own fashion but what know I whether it be such affection as these Verses means And I have heard say that it is not good jeasting with the gods See Hylas said Silvander what a shame your impure affection doth bring upon you in this good Company You say very true indeed said Hylas but did you take this act as you ought to do you would rather commend me for it for in being obedient unto the commands of the divinities which are adored in this place I do make it appear by my great reverence of them that I do reverence them as I ought to do whereas you who despise their commands do prophane the sacred place by your presumptuous boldnesse for your own soul if it would not dissemble can tell you that your affections are not so sacred as is required I shall answer you presently said Silvander Then he and all the company washed their hands put off their shoes and with bare feet entred into the Arbour Then Silvander turning towards Hylas Hearken Hylas said he and be a witnesse of my words Afterwards reading the Verses again and lifting his eyes up to heaven and kneeling Oh great deity said he who is adored in this place I here enter into the sacred Grove being most assured that I do not contradict thy will knowing my love to be so holy and so pure that thou wilt be pleased to accept the vowes and supplications of a soul so amorously sanctified as mine and it this profession which I here make be not true punish O great deitie this my perjury and presumption After this with hands lifted up and head bare he entred into the Arbour and all the rest after him except Hylas The place was spacious some sixteen or seventeen paces round and in the midst a great branch-soreading Oake at the root of this Tree was erected a grassy Table in the form of an Altar upon which stood a Picture in it two Cupids drawn who did strive with one another for a branch of Mirtle and Palm wreathed together As soon as this devout company was entred every one fell upon their knees and after they had in private adored the deity of the place Paris approaching the Altar and taking upon him the office of a Druide having gathered some Oake leaves Accept said he O great deitie that is adored in this place the humble devotion of all this zealous Company I do with all humility and devotion offer unto thee in their names a few leaves of this blessed Tree under whose shade it pleaseth thee to be ador'd Then every one arose and went unto the Altar to look upon the Picture which was upon it in which they saw two Cupids as I told you who holding in both their hands a branch of Mirtle and Palm wreathed together the one did strive to take it from the other The Limner was exquisite in his Art for these little lovely Boyes were plump and fat yet their Muscles and Nerves might be seen which by reason of their striving seemed to be raised up both their right thighes were advanced and their feet almost touched each other both their armes were stretched out and their bodies leaned backwar I as if they knew that the further off a weight is the heavier it is and the weight of their little bodies lent more strength unto their striving armes Their faces were both fair but blushing by reason of the blood which came into them by striving which the great veins upon their temples and foreheads did sufficiently testifie And the Artist had been so carefull and wrought it with such industry that though he did represent an action which made it appear that both of them would vanquish yet one might perceive
it possible his Love Should sooner then the firmest Rock remove If any such advice to him shall use Let him as Heterodox the same refuse Who so shall ever such an errour move He is a very Schismatick in Love Hylas hearing what Silvander read I do not think Silvander said he that one word of all this is written in that Picture which you have in your hand but you having long since composed them after the rate of your melancholly genius do now to give them the more authority and the more easily to delude the Company do put them upon the score of that Picture That might have been said Silvander if there was none here but my selfe that could read or if these Lawes were contrary unto Reason or the antient Statutes of Love If it were not as I say said Hylas you would bring me the Picture hither that I might see it If you do think said Silvander that this sacred place would have been profaned by your body I have greater reason to think that these holy Lawes would be polluted if by your reading your soul should have any communication with them This moved all the Company to laugh and this unconstant Lover would have replyed yet could he not be heard For Silvander having set the Picture upon the Alar and done reverence unto it every one followed Paris who opening a little dore made of Osyers he passed out of this Arbour into another more large over the dore was written on a table of wood these Verses If through Loves Temple you dare boldly venter The sacred Temple of Astrea enter Where Love by his commanding Law decrees I should adore her ever on my knees As unto her I dedicate my daies So likewise nights my sorrowes to her payes Astrea was she who was most concerned at this whether it was because of the name in which she thought her selfe most interessed or whether because she heard speak of the dedication of dayes and sorrowes so it was she did apprehend that by it was meant the fortune of the poor and unfortunate Celadon She looked and long pondered upon this inscription and in the mean time the rest of the company going a little farther and finding a Vault like to the first but much bigger they all fel down upon their knees and having paid their particular devotions in silence unto the deity to whom that place was consecrated Paris as he did before so now offered for all the Company an Oaken bough upon the Altar It was of grasse like unto the other but made triangular and in the midst stood a goodly Oake whose top surveyed all the Trees of this sacred Grove It seemed by this Tree that Nature was wanton in her production of it having from one stock sent forth three severall branches three severall wayes yet most admirably united at the top without the help of any Artifice on one branch was written upon the bark Hesius upon another Belinus and on the other Tharamis upon the stock which sent forth these three branches Tautates and at the top where they reunited Tautates again These things which were according to the customes of their Religion did not much astonish them for they did use to worship god under Oakes but that which they saw on the left hand amazed them very much it was another Altar of grasse also with two great Pots of earth out of which did grow two stocks of Mirtle betwixt which was a Picture over which the two Mirtles twisted their branches into a resemblance of a Crown This was apparently visible not to be Naturall but wreathed in that manner by Art The Picture represented a Shepheardesse at the top of it was written This is the goddesse ASTREA and at the bottome this More worthy of our Adoration than we of her As soon as Diana looked upon it she turned towards Phillis Did you never see any said she whom this Piece resembles Resembles said she it is the very substance of Astrea I never saw Picture so exquisitely done nor more like in all my life Is not that the very same sheephook which Astrea hath in her hand Observe the Letters C and A which are upon it and intertwisted together with knots You are in the right said Diana and see there is Melampus lying at her feet that Dog is very knowable by his Marks halfe his head white the other black and upon the black ear a white spot Observe also the white list about his neck in fashion of a coller and the silver halfe Moon upon his sable coat also the black and white list along his legs Silvander came to her and Phillis and said unto them Amongst all the Flock there I have found which is that that Astrea loved best There it is all white except the ears which are black Astrea hearing all this discourse stood astonished and mute and with admiration beheld all she saw yet going neerer the Altar and finding severall pieces of paper lapped up upon it she took one of them and opening it with a trembling hand she found these Verses Wanting the Substance Shaddowes comforts be IF any passenger do ask who in this Grove Gave me this Picture Know that it was Love 'T is all my joy my sole felicity Wanting the Substance Shaddowes comfort be My drooping soul swel'd to the brim with grief And like to break did beg of it reliefe Although thou art not halfe said I yet see Wanting the Substance Shadowes comfort me To render homage unto thee I dwell Within the confines of this shady Cell Be so indulgent as to say to me Wanting the Substance Shadowes comfort thee Though by a fatall dire and dismall doom Unto thy Substance I must never come Yet this fair figure may a witnesse be VVanting the Substance Shadowes comfort me Oh! Fairest figure e're was left in pawn Or ever was by any Pencill drawn No Lover ever loved as I Thee VVanting the Substance Shadowes comfort me I do adore thee then without Idolatry Not as an Image but a deity For by experience I do plainly see VVanting the Substance Shadowes comfort me Astrea retiring her selfe she read and pondered these verses and the more she looked upon the Hand the more she thought it did resemble Celadons so as after a long combat in her selfe she could not possibly restrain her tears and to hide them she turned her selfe towards the Altar But Phillis who was as full of wonder as any in the Company having taken up another paper she went unto her supposing that the reason why Astrea did thus separate her selfe from the Company was because she knew this Picture and these Papers were Celadons And Diana also following her Phillis beckned unto her to go back lest Silvander and Paris should follow her also which signe she quickly understood and therefore turning towards Astrea's Picture she opened some of those papers which lay upon the Altar The first she laid her hand upon was this Upon the Eyes of a Picture PAinter I
ask thee what they are That spark les in those Eyes so fair VVhat are they soules or flames that fly And hover so about that Eye They are flames which death to foules do give Or rather soules that makes Love live 'T is strange that from the selfe same eyes A Life and Death should both arise The works of gods all wonders are And so these Sunâ— seemes sure as rare To think them human is a sin Since reverence from the gods they win To love them they command thy heart Since thou to look allowed art 'T is true but yet my heart doth bear In it such reverentiall fear As bids devotion pay not Love To one that equalls gods above But star the gods who blessings shoure VVill not require above our power But try I say and thou wilt prove Thou canst not look but thou must love Whilst Diana to amuse the company did read these Lines aloud and these being ended took others of which the Altar was full Phillis addressed her selfe unto Astrea Oh heavens dear Sister said she unto her how I am amazed at all I finde in this place For my part answered Astrea I am so much out of my selfe as I know not whether I be asleep or awake Look upon this Writing and then tell me whether you ever saw the like unto it This answered Phillis is Celadon's writing or else I am not Phillis There is no doubt of it answered Astrea and I do very well remember that he writ this last line VVanting the Substance Shadowes comfort me upon a little Picture which he had of me and which he wore about his neck in a little bag of persumed Leather I pray see said Phillis what is in this paper which I took up from under your Picture Stay stand and gaze did e're eye see A Saint so pure so fair as she Can any be so dully dumb As not Idolater become And rather all the gods give o're Then not so fair a Saint adore But soft ere I devotion pay Let me consider what I say These flaming Beauties are not eyes Only a Picture which I prize It is not reall only shade By an in genious Artist made Are they not eyes Can any Art Like them so captivate a Heart Sure Pictures be they ne're so like So mortally can never strike But be they what they will I 'me sure No Mortall can the blowes endure Since by their power I wounded am I 'le flie them to avoid the same But why fond Lover wilt thou flie From such a fatall piercing eye Thy heart 's already wounded by it What e're it be 't is vain to flie it Oh Sister said Astrea it is most certainly Celadon that writ these Verses it is without any manner of doubt for about three years since he did write them upon my Picture which my Father had of me to give unto my Uncle Focion Upon this tears flowed from her eyes But Phillis fearing the rest of the Company would see her Sister said she this is rather a cause of rejoycing then sorrow for if Celadon did write it as I do believe he did certainly he is not dead although you think he was drowned and if it be so what greater cause of joy could you have Ah Sister said she turning the other way and pushing her from her for gods sake do not torment me with any such language Celadon is too certainly dead by my folly and I am most miserable in the losse I see the gods are not yet contented with those tears that I have already shed for him since they have brought me hither to give me a fresh subject for more But since they will have it so I will turn my selfe wholly into tears and though I cannot wholly wash away my offence by them yet I will never cease untill I have lost either my eyes or my life or both I do not tell you said Phillis that Celadon is alive but I must tell you that if he did write these Verses I must of necessity conclude that he is not dead Sister said she our Druides tell us that we have soules which never die although our bodies do and so in that sence he may live I have heard say answered Phillis that it is our duty to give a buriall unto the dead and to put a piece of mony in their mouths to pay the Ferry-man for wafting them over the Stygian Lake and that such as are deprived of buriall are a hundred years wandring about the places where they lost their bodies and how can you tell but that the soul of Celadon having lost his body and being denyed that charitable office may be wandring about the fatall River of Lignon and still retain the same affection and thoughts which he had before Ah Sister said Astrea these are but meer phantasms Celadon is certainly dead and these are the testimonies of his affection and my folly What I do say answered Phillis is grounded upon more then phantaims and Chimeraes and I hint then upto you out of my desire to contribute unto your tranquillity I do know it Sister replyed Astrea but consider that if I should think Celadon alive and afterwards finde him to be dead nothing could preserve my life this would be to see him die twice and the gods and my own heart do know how near his first death did bring me to my grave Yet you may receive this satisfaction by it answered Phillis as to know that death could not extinguish the affection which he bore unto you That said Astrea conduceth unto his glory and my punishment Nay rather said Phillis this construction may be made of it that he being dead does cleerly and without a cloud see the pure and entire affection which you bear unto him and that the jealousie which caused your anger against him did proceed only from the superabundance of your love for I have heard say that our soules separated from the bodies do still see and behold them This answered Astrea would be the greatest satisfaction that I can receive for I do not doubt but as my imprudence did give him great cause of griefe so this sight of my affection would give him contentment For if I did not love him above all the world and if I do not continue stil in the same affection may the gods never love me These two Shepheardesses were talking thus whilst Diana entertained the rest of the Company sometimes in reading the papers which she found upon the Altar and sometimes a king Paris Tircis and Silvander what was their thoughts of these things There is not any here but knowes said Paris but this Picture was made for Astrea and conceives that he who put it in this place does not only â—ove but adore her For my part said Silvander if Celadon were not dead I should believe these Characters to be his How said Tircis Celadon who was drowned some three or four months since in the River Lignon The same answered Silvander
Did he said Tircis love Astrea I have heard say that there was a most inveterate enmity betwixt their Families The beauty of this shepheardesse answered Silvander was greater then their hatred and since he is dead I hope there is no danger in saying so Nor do I believe there would said Diana if he were alive for he being so discreet and Astrea so wise their affection could not offend any Astrea hearing what they said of her though her eyes were not yet dry she could not chuse but answer them These tears said she which I cannot hide do testifie that Celadon did love me but these Manuscripts do testifie that Astrea hath rather offended against Love then Duty But to give him satisfaction after his death I will ingenuously confesse more then decency would permit me when he was alive and say I did love him Upon these words all the company came to her and Diana shewing her the papers which she had in her hand Is this said she Celadon's writing Doubtlesse it is answered Astrea Then said Diana it is a signe he is not dead Unto which Phillis answered That is it of which we have been speaking but she tells me that Celadon's soul which wonders about the River Lignon did write them Why said Tircis was he not buried That 's the reason said Astrea why he wanders thus for they never made him a Tombe This said Paris was most carelesly done to let so brave a soul as Celadon's suffer so long pain for want of a little care You may see said Tircis how little those that are alive do care for the dead so as I esteem them to be wise who bury themselves alive Indeed said Diana it is very strange that this shepheard so much loved and lamented not only by all his Kindred but by all the Neighbourhood should not have that charitable office done him which many have who are lesse loved Perhaps said Thorsander the gods did so ordain it to the end he should not so soon have that place he had so much loved and being recompensed with his love he had rather stay some while neer her he had adored However I conceive said Tircis that even as our bodies cannot be in the Aire Water or Fire without much pain because being ponderous and heavy they must perpetually be unquiet as long as they are in such pure Elements as have no solidity in them to rest upon so the soul seperated from the body not being in its proper Element as long as it is amongst us is in continuall pain untill it enter into the Elizian fields where it will finde another Earth another Aire another Water and another Fire more perfect proper and suitable unto its nature then unto our dull and grosse bodies And therefore when my dearest and so much loved Cleon dyed I was in a resolution not to bury her that I might have retained her dearest soul the longer about me but our Druides convinced me of that error and told me as I have told you For my part said Sivander since for went of buriall men shall stay some time longer in the place where they dyed I heartily desire all my friends that if I do die in this Country not to bury me that I may the longer look upon my fairest Mistresse for there are no joyes in the Elizian fields comparable unto that blessed vision nor any pains that a soul can suffer by being out of its proper Element but are recompensed by it That would do very well said Tircis if after we be separated from our bodies we did retain our affections but our Sages tell us that our passions are only â—ibutes of humanity and the gods did bestow them upon us to the end the race of men should not fail but after death soules being immortall and not in a capacity of engendring our Passions and our Loves are lost in it even as our desires of eating or drinking or sleeping But said Silvander if Celadon did write these Papers it is not likely he hath lost his affection love unto this Shepheardesse Who knowes said Tircis but that the gods who are infinitely just were pleased to give him that particular satisfaction in recompence of that pure and sacred affection which he had unto that shepheardesse If so said Silvander why should not I hope to finde the gods as just and favourable unto me as him since my affection shall not yield unto him or any other either in purity or zeal But said Astrea if the gods do shew him this as a favour would it not be impiety to deprive him of that contentment by endeavouring to give him a buriall and so set him out of this world No said Tircis for the gods do favour him in it only as a comfort in the pains which he is continually in being constrained to be absent from heaven so contrary to its nature The Shepheards were thus discoursing when Phillis espied a place which seemed as if some had been upon their knees for such marks were imprinted upon the earth and because it was just opposite to the Altar and she also spying a piece of Parchment close by it she went to see what it was and opening it she found these words A Prayer unto the goddesse Astrea OH great and puissant goddesse although your perfections cannot be equal'd and though all our sacrifices come infinitely short of your merits yet I beseech thee let them be acceptable in thy sight since if you should receive none but such as are worthy of you the gods themselves must be the Victim This which I here most humbly offer unto your divinity is a Heart and a Will which were never dedicated unto any but only your selfe If this offering be acceptable look with the eyes of pitty upon that soul who ever found them full of love and by an act worthy of your selfe â—rid it out of that pain in which it hath long languished I do most heartly beg this favour by the name of Celadon if ever the name of your most faithfull and affectionate servant can merit from your divinity so much glorious satisfaction Phillis making a signe with her hand and calling Astrea Come hither Sister said she see what Celadon asks and you will finde what Tircis said to be true Then all comming neer she read aloud this prayer whilst Astrea did accompany every word with a tear though she did strive all that possibly she could to restrain them When Phillis had ended Truly said Astrea I shall satisfie his most just demand and if his Parents will not build him a Sepulcher which they are obliged unto by Consanguinity he shall receive one from me as his friend Upon this word going from that place all the Company went back to Hylas who was not idle all the while for seeing them all very serious and intentive in the other Arbour he came into that where was the twelve Statutes of the Lawes of Love and taking the Picture in his hand he
the night did possesse them with fears they laid themselves close upon an heap Diana being next Mandonthe did ask her what fortune brought her into that Country Wise Diana answered she the story of it is both too long and too tedious let this I beseech you serve for all that the same Love that is so Regent in your Villages hath as great a Soveraignty over Ladies and Knights and it is it which brought me hither into this state although my quality hath raised me above it If it be only your fears of being tedious to us said Phillis I dare undertake for all the Company that this objection ought not to hinder you from giving us a relation of it for we have all longed to have the satisfaction from you And I conceive no time more convenient than now since we are without the hearing of any shepheard The reason said Diana why I in particular do desire it is because those who see us assunder do say that we resemble one another very much so as me-thinks I am as much concerned in your fortune as my own and obliged to enquire after it It would be great glory unto me said Madonthe to resemble such a Beauty as yours but I wish for your tranquillities sake that your fortunes may never resemble mine I am much obliged unto you said Diana for your good will but every one hath their own loads and knowes best where the shoe doth pinch them and others are not concerned further then by way of compassion Therefore I beseech you give satisfaction unto our request Then I beseech you give me leave said Mandonthe to speak in a low voice that the shepheards who are neer us may not hear for I should be extreamly ashamed they should be witnesses of my errours especially Thersander for some reasons which you shall understand by the sequell of my discourse Then she began in this manner The History of Damon and Mandonthe IT is best for me wise and discreet Company to relate the story of my life unto you by night that darknesse may shadow my shame in relating my follies for so must I praise those occasions which made me quit the quality unto which I was born and assume this in which you see me For though I am now in this habit with a sheep-hook in my hand yet I am no shepheardesse but descended from Parents more noble My Father following the fortunes of Thierres had gotten such reputation of a Souldier that in his absence he commanded all his Armies not because he was a Visigot as he was but because he had great authority among the Aquitains This King did so love and honour him that he was obliged to dedicate himselfe wholly unto him in whose service besides the Estate which he inherited from his Ancestors he so enlarged his possessions as there was none in all Aquitain that could vie with him in riches Having lived thus many years his greatest griefe was that he had no other Child but me And though his death was suddain yet it was with so much honour as I hold it to be the best piece of his fortune For after he had raised the Siege of Orleans and pursued Attiles as far as the Cathalaunique Country Thierres Merovea and Etius gave him Battle As fortune was my Father fought that day upon the right hand of his King who had the left Wing and Merovea the Right and almost the whole strength of Attiles was upon Thierres side After a long fight the King of the Visigots was killed and my Father also who after he had received a hundred wounds was found upon the body of his King to defend whom he received those blowes which were made at him which Torrismond his Successor and Son did take so well as he buried his Father and mine both in one Tomb and after the Battle was won engraved most honourable Inscriptions to his eternall memory When my Father dyed I was about seven or eight years of age and began then to resent the rigours of Fortune For Leontidas who succeeded my Father in his Charge and whom Torrismond loved above all the Cavaliers in Aquitain did use such artifice as I was committed unto his Guardianship and almost ravished from my own Mother under a pretence which they called Reason of State saying that having such great possessions and so many places of strength he would see that I married my selfe unto such a one as was very well affected unto the service of Torrismond Thus was I deprived both of Father and Mother the one by death the other by reason of State Yet Fortune was so favourable unto me in the honesty and sweetnesse of Leontidas that I could not desire better offices then those I received from him nor wanted he any thing but the name of a Father But his Wife was of another nature for she used me so cruelly as I may say I could not hate death more then she Now Leontidas his designe was to educate me untill I was at Marriage estate and afterwards to bestow me upon his Nephew whom he intended to adopt his Heir having no Children of his own But constraint being the greatest means to hinder a generous spirit from complacency it hapned so as his Nephew had never any affection unto me nor I to him both of us conceiving our Fortunes so noble as we needed not any additions to make them greater These considerations and some others more secret did hinder our affections unto one another But when I came unto age of more discretion I found greater impediments then these For the Courtship of many young Gallants who addressed themselves with abundance of honour and respect made me think the faint and hollow love of Leontidas his Nephew did dishonour me On the other side he being vexed that I should so sleight him he retreated so as I never saw him but as a stranger of which I was not a little glad And though the respect which every one did bear unto Leontidas by reason of the extraordinary favours which Torrismond shewed him did stave off many from openly declaring themselves yet there was a Cavalier a neer Kinsman unto Leontidas who notwithstanding all those considerations did undertake to serve me though he had but small hopes to obtain At the first he had no designe to embarque himselfe in good earnest but only to keep himselfe out of idlenesse and to make it appear he had both merit and courage enough to love and court the love of her that was esteemed the highest Match in all the Court When this young Gallant began to serve me he was a man without any respect violent and quick and so couragious that the praise of Temerity was more his due than that of Valiant But since Love took him into discipline he changed all his imperfections into so many Vertues and made him so amiable as since he is grown the very pattern of civility and gallantry unto all the Cavaliers of Torrismond His
name was Damon neer kinsman unto Leontidas of whom the King had at the first no good opinion but since he began to change the King also changed his minde But Leontidas being one that was extreamly observant of every ones actions he took such notice of his designe that he could not endure him because he thwarted his aimes of giving me unto his Nephew And to give a stop unto this new courtship he did so peremptorily forbid me from seeing him and him from speaking unto me as both of us were extreamly offended at him We loving better because forbidden had ever since a greater desire to see each other than before so as you may believe that this prohibition was it only which did oblige me to it When Damon began first to court me his humour was so displeasing unto me as I could not endure him but after Leontidas with menaces and harsh language did expresly forbid me seeing him and seemed to distrust me he vexed me so extreamly as I resolved with my selfe never to love any other And therefore I did with all possible diligence correct his vices which his nature did most incline him unto sometimes blaming them in others and sometimes telling him that my humour was not to love those that were addicted to them Thus forming him into a new modell when I saw the conditions of this young Cavalier were changed I loved him much more then if he had begun to serve me with the same qualities and perfections for every one is much better pleased with the works of their own hands then any others yet I did carry my selfe so discreetly towards him as none could perceive that I did love him and stood so upon my guard as he had not so much boldnesse as to declare his minde unto me by his words But at last thinking that all his service was lost if I did not know his intentions he resolved to take more heart and put it to the venture and because he thought it more expedient to do it by Letter then Tongue after a long disputation in his minde he writ this Damon's Letter unto Mandonthe MADAM It is extream temerity to love an owner of so eminent perfections but I conceive it my duty to serve and adore them And if you will extinguish the affection of those who love you you must also extinguish those perfections which cause you to be loved which if you will not do not think it strange you should be disobeyed for force does alwaies excuse an offence that is committed against their will and necessity does not acknowledge those Lawes which the gods themselves do impose He was not a little perplexed how he should bring it to passe that I should see this Letter for he knew that I would not receive it unless by some Artifice And see what inventions Love hath He came unto me seeming to entertain me with some Court-newes and told me two or three passages which hapned very lately at the last he told me that he had discovered a new League of Love but feared to tell me the Parties because the Lady was one of my friends and the Cavalier one of his Why said I unto him do you think me to be so indiscreet as I cannot conceal what is not fit to be known Oh no said he but my fear is lest you should be an ill willer unto my friend And why so answered I a pure and honest Love cannot offend any one I plainly saw sweet shepheardesses that he was perplexed and knew not what to do but I could not imagine that it was any businesse concerning his own particular since if he had any such minde he might have spok unto me long since having had opportunities to do it And therefore I was very urgent with him and more perhaps then I ought to be And at the last he told me that as for their names he durst not tell them for severall considerations but he would let me see a Letter which he had found that morning Upon this he put his hand in his pocket and shewed me the Letter which he had writ unto me which without any scruple I took and read but knew not his hand because I had never seen it before But as I had before a little desire to know their names so after the reading of it my desire was extream and was more urgent then before At which he smiled and put me off with some bad excuses Why Damon said I will you not give me so much satisfaction as to tell me what I ask I am affraid said he that I shall offend you if I should obey for she unto whom this Letter is addressed is very much a friend of yours Nay certainly said I you will much more offend me by your disobedience Then I am said he betwixt two great extreams but since the fault which I shall commit is by your command it will be the lesse and therefore I will obey Then taking the Letter he read it aloud but when he came to the end he stopt and named no body See fairest Shepheardesse the strange effects of Love sometimes it hurries the poorest and basest spirits into incredible impudence and other times it makes the highest courage to tremble at such things as the meanest person would not dorre at Damon serves for an example of this since he whom no dangers could make start had not so much courage as to tell his name unto a woman and a woman whom he knew wished him no harm But as his courage failed him so my understanding more for I might well have known by his fear that it neerly concerned him and I well believe that it was Love which did infatuate me intending by us to make his puissance the better known unto others otherwise certainly I had seen it since I did love him and since they say the eyes of Love looks though stone-walls However it was I must confesse I did not apprehend it and seeing him stand silent What Damon said I must I know no more Truly I did think that I had a greater power over you then I see I have From thence it is answered he that my silence proceeds for your too much power over me makes me mute and yet what I have said might have sufficed you for what can I declare more after I have read the Letter and you heard my voice How Damon said I to him extreamly amazed was 't your selfe that writ it It was I said he and he 'd down his head and looked upon the ground Then I beseech you tell me said I unto whom it is directed Since it is your pleasure to know it said he directly it is unto the fair Mandonthe Upon this word he was silent purposely as I believe to see how I would receive his declaration I must confesse I was much surprised for I expected any other answer then that and though I did love him and that with a resolved will yet honour which ought to have the
we accidentally met and never in the presence of any many had an opinion that the generous spirit of Damon would not long endure the disdain which I used towards him and that he was quite fallen off from me Leontidas himselfe was also deceived though his Wife who was of a very suspicious nature did still assure him of the contrary and because he did most passionately desire to bestow me upon his Nephew to satisfie his minde he set over me a Woman whose office was to be a spie over all my actions without making any shew of it her name was Leriana and well in years yet of a very pleasing nature but withall as subtle and crafty as ever lived I was not so quick-sighted as Damon for presently he discovered the designe of Leontidas But I finding her to be very good company and one that did strive all she could to please me I could not believe she had any bad intention He continually telling me that she would deceive me and bidding me to take heed of her we resolved to go more subtlely to work And because it was not in our dispose to turn her away we thought it most expedient to seem as if her company was very pleasing and welcome unto us By this artifice we thought we should oblige her not to do all the ill offices she could but to make Leontidas think that we had no designes but what we were willing he should know Oh how well advised had we been if we had put this determination into execution after a more solid consideration Leriana seeing what carrasses I used did shew her selfe so desirous to please me that at the last I began insensibly to love her And she on the other side taking notice of the applications which Damon made unto her did believe that he loved her and this beliefe together with the beauty of this young Cavalier did quickly invite Leriana to love him so as there was none of us but poor Damon who was not deceived yet he payed the dearest for our errours though he knew all this from the first yet could he not help it I shall as long as I live remember the words he used when he said unto me Sister you do love Leriana but take heed she deserve it I am afraid you will finde it when it is too late her designe is naught both against you and me for the Wife of Leontidas sets her over you only as a spie And believe it the carrasses which you have commanded me to use unto her has made her believe that I love her and therefore she wisheth me no harme So much the better Brother said I unto him for I know you cannot be in love with her nor shall I be jealous However the good will she bears unto you will perhaps keep him within compasse and hinder her from doing you any hurt Pray heavens Sister said he it falout so but I am in fear this affection will end quite contrary for it is impossible I should continue my carrasses long unto her then when she finds her selfe deceived and sleighted Oh heavens what mischiefe will she not be apt to do unto me No no said I unto him she can never think to win upon you by force I pray god replyed he that I prove a bad diviner and that she do not do all she can to do us mischiefe I did see that this woman was very kinde unto him but I could not imagine she could be in love with him only thought that her application to him was out of her desire to be complaisant Now though Leontidas did treat me with all possible sweetnesse yet the harsh usage of his Wife made me almost weary of my life I told Damon that he ought to consider the miserable life which I led that I had no contentment but in him nor consolation but in Leriana that I did not think Leontidas and his Wife had any intentions of setting Leriana as a spy or if they did I thought they might be deceived and that this woman thought her selfe so obliged by my carrasses as I am almost sure she loves me Damon seeing me in this opinion could do nothing but shrug his shoulders and durst never since speak of it unto me for fear of displeasing me And see what force this good opinion which we have of a person hath over us I did plainly see her applications unto Damon but could not imagine it was with any bad intentions conceiving it to be only out of complacency Oh how the vizard of dissimulation does disguise vices and makes us mistake them for vertues And upon this ground I was very angry with Damon very often conceiving he did not treat Leriana as he ought since I had told him that I loved her and that this was the least thing he could do for me to make much of those whom I cherished This Damon knew well enough and durst not complain lest he should make the matter worse only nourished in his heart an extream hatred against her which he had much ado to hide On the contrary Leriana did so grow every day in affection to him that seeing he took no notice of it she could not chuse but write a Letter unto him so full of passionate expressions that Damon could not dissemble but did put herso out of hopes as she did not only stifle her love to him but entertained a most deadly hatred in its room Could she have proved what she knew of our affection doubtlesse she would have done it in accusing him unto Leontidas but our happiness was that what familiarity soever was betwixt us I never spoke the least thing of it before her but since that I found her so subtle and crafty as I did believe if she could not have made any proofes yet she would notwithstanding inform but that which restrained her as I thought was her Letter which she writ unto Damon by which Leontidas might have seen her to be but a bad woman yet this consideration was nothing because she might say that she did seem to love Damon only to insmuate her selfe into the more credit And doubtless Leontidas and his Wife had believed her having entertained so good an opinion of her as they thought her to be one of the gravest and wisest Matrous in all Gaul But as I was mistaken in my affection to her so also Damon was much to blame for had he shewed me the Letter which Leriana writ unto him doubtlesse he had shewed me my errour and we had not fallen into those misfortunes in which since we have lived and the reason as I think why he did not was because of his sharp answer which he returned fearing if I saw it I should be angry with him But however he kept it so secret as I knew nothing of it Now Leriana plotting revenge upon this Cavalier she conceived no way would bring it about but such occasions as I should give her thinking that keeping in familiarity with me
instructions she did ever since that day apply her selfe with so many carrasses unto Damon that he and all that saw it did wonder The noise of it went so far as I came to hear of it and that by the artifice of Leriana who by the means of Thersander caused it to be spoken of in a place where I might come to know of it and to the end I should think there was no jugling in the businesse Thersander never spoke of it but caused some of his friends However I could not believe Damon could love this foolish Wench better then me since me thought her beauty did not equall mine as my Glass assured me Moreover when I considered my extraction and Ormanthe's I could not imagine he should be so inconsiderate in his choice as to sleight me for such a one which this crafty Leriana knowing very well she was put upon a greater piece of artifice There was an old woman Aunt unto Leriana who had lived all her life in much honour and reputation Leriana did contrive the matter so as this good old woman was acquainted with the carrasses which Ormanthes used unto Damon which were such as when she heard of them she could not rest untill she sent for Leriana and she sent for her to meet her in my Chamber purposely that I might see when she spoke unto her Their discourse was long and the anger that I observed in them made me desirous to know when this good old woman was gone what the matter was She seemed very unwilling to tell me and stood a long time without an answer At the last because I was very urgent with her she said thus unto me See Mistresse for so she called me how subtle Damon is but yet not so subtle as my selfe he thought that by his feigning love to you I should not see the affection which he bears unto Ormanthe This subtlety had been good had it been unto any other but my Niece but this doth so neerly concern me that I must needs look neerly unto it and he hath carried the matter so far beyond all prudence as he must needs be blind that doth not see it I think that I have been told of it by above a hundred persons and this good old woman came hither purposely to tell me of it it is growne the common talk and so dishonourable to my Niece as I were to blame if I did suffer it since she is under my charge I have chid Ormanthe many times for it but I think he hath bewitched her For my part I know not which way she takes him for though she be my Niece yet I must needs say there is not any one more unlikely to make one in love with her then she Oh! how these words went to my heart I retired into my Closet whither this crafty woman followed me being too well experienced in such accidents to be ignorant of the operation these words had in me And because I did put my whole confidence in her when we were alone it was impossible for me to restrain my tears or conceal from her my affection which I had so long hid Oh! what extream contentment Leriana received by this declaration And though her whole designe was only to divert me from the love of Damon yet she knew it was not yet time to strike but must first weaken it a little more before she did down-right attempt it And in order to that she would needs make me believe that she was very much a friend unto that Cavalier purposely because I should not mistrust her and therefore she spoke thus unto me I must confesse Mistresse that you have eased my heart yet I am sorry I should buy my ease at the expence of your sorrowes Had I thought that Damon had loved you I should never have feared his loving my Niece he is a man of better judgment then to change you for any other it is only but some flash of youth which makes him go a little astray from you he will return again I warrant you and therefore let not this withdraw your affection from him However I make no doubt but this act does much afflict you and displeaseth you as much as if it were some grand injury and the reason is because Love is a child and is offended at a trifle But Mistresse let it not trouble you any more if you will but use a remedy which I shall prescribe you shall both be presently cured I will warrant you Do you not know that an over great light doth dazle and that too great a noise doth deaf So perhaps the beams of your affection shining too freely upon him hath lessened his love for my part I am apt to believe it so I know young spirits are ordinarily subject unto such things and being too well assured of what they enjoy they grow carelesse and kick at abundance which does beget in them new desires But against this disease as against many others contraries must be applied I am confident that if you did but seem a little to withdraw from him he will presently return to his duty and cry you mercy for his fault You may believe Mistresse that I do love you because I use this language unto you and I do give you the same counsell as if it were my case I would take my selfe In conclusion this cunning Piece of subtlety so dissembled the matter as with many thanks I promised to follow her counsell It hapned that Damon finding me something faint towards him and laying the blame upon the carrasses which Ormanthe used towards him did by degrees withdraw from her and shunned her as much as if he had been the Woman and she the Man Leriana took notice of it as well as I and not to let slip any good occasion one day when we were by our selves in my Closet she asked me whether her counsell was not good and whether I would not believe her another time And I answering Yes She continued Then Mistress said she we-must do as good Physicians use to do who having prepared the humours by some sleight medicines do afterwards draw them quite away by remedies more strong I will acquaint you with an art which I have seen much used amongst Lovers There is nothing which a Lover does more sharply resent then paugs of jealousie nor which awakens him more nor will sooner make him return to his duty If Damon were a little touched with it you should see how soon he would return how he would cast himselfe at your feet and acknowledge his offence I could not chuse but laugh when I heard these words thinking that I was not able to obtain so much power over my selfe yet considering what good effects her first counsell produced I resolved to believe her in this But said I unto her of whom shall we make use of for this businesse She durst not propound Thersander unto me because of the former passages but she had a desire it
a vertue of necessity and spoke to him in a confident tone saying What do you mean Damon how dare you be so bold as to interrupt me in my way Necessity Madam answered he which hath no Law hath constrained me to commit the fault if after you have heard me you shall deem it worthy of punishment I will promise you to receive it or any thing that shall give you satisfaction Then lifting his eyes up to heaven Oh ye gods said he who hear and see the secrets of all dissembling hearts be witnesses unto what I shall say unto this fair One and if I do not say truth you are not just if you do not punish me before her fair face Then turning towards me I will not at this time fair Mandonthe said he either excuse my selfe or accuse you for the choice you are pleased to make of Thersander before me and your forgetting so many vowes and oaths which you invoked the gods to witnesse But I must needs complain against my fortune which will not let me avoid that misery which I do foresee As soon as ever Leriana came to you me thought some Daemon foretold me of the harm which she would do me you know how oft we resolved never to confide in her but my bad destinies more strong then all our resolutions hath made you change your minde and would needs have you to love her If you do but finde any contentment in it though I endure the most cruell torments that ever soul suffered I shall thank the gods and pray them to continue it But it being a thing impossible for me to leave you in any doubt of my fidelity and though I know it will be in vain and that you will not credit it yet I must needs tell you how maliciously and craftily she hath ruined all my happinesse Then he told me how Leriana loved him how she had carrassed him how he rejected her and how deadly she did hate him for this refusall and to verifie what he told me he shewed me the Letters which she had written unto him and acquainted me with the counsell and instructions she gave Ormanthe to apply her selfe unto him only to make me believe he was in love with her and acquainted me how he came to the knowledge of all this and how this malicious woman did not value the honour of her Niece so she could thereby ruine me and make you love Thersander which she knew she could never do but by ravishing from me the honour and happinesse of your favour But Oh ye gods is it possible she should ever bring it to passe can I so much as ever doubt it since I saw the Letter in the Gloves and since I see you so kinde unto him that is so much unworthy of you But what better evidence then your own words can I have to assure me that I am most miserable that I am condemned and that I am for ever lost Well Mandonthe since it is my bad fortune to be a cause that the generous spirit which I ever knew to be in you is not only stained with Inconstancy but with a choice that is base and dishonourable I am resolved not to survive your affection but will make it appear that I have love enough to wash away your offence with my blood Imagine wise Diana how I was amazed at this expression I was so struck with fear as I could not answer him or speak one word of a long time And when I began with intention to give him all the satisfaction he could desire I saw the Chase comming upon us and it was so neer us as not to be seen alone with Damon I was constrained to part from him and had not time to say any more but this Truth shall alwaies prevail Then switching my Horse I rid into the Wood very sorry that I could not give him a better answer I would have commanded him to follow me if I durst but I was afraid any should see us together and therefore referred it untill a better occasion Now observe I beseech you how the gods does mock at mortall prudence I made choice of the next morning to put poor Damon out of his pain and it was that day which brought him more torment I need not tell you how he passed away that night it is easily imagined that he had not any good rest but as soon as day came he went out of his Chamber and it being about the houre I was used to rise he went to walk in a Gallery out of which he might see into my Chamber when the dore was open intending to go in as soon as he understood that I was out of my bed But as fortune was I awaked very late that morning as well because I was weary with hunting the day before as because I sat up very late reading and musing upon the Letters which Leriana writ unto him and he had given unto me In which I found such supplications and expressions as were most unworthy of any woman for in the conclusion of one of them I found these words Accept Oh dearest and lovely Damon the prayers of her that wholly gives her selfe unto you upon no other condition but only to be yours and this if not out of Love yet I beseech you out of Pitty Truly I was extreamly astonished at it and I vexed so that I should be so extreamly deceived as I could not close my eyes a long time after I was in bed But whilst Damon as I told you was walking in this Gallery Leriana who saw him there would try whether a Lover could be put to death by displeasure for having found Thersander also at the same time she carried him unto a window just under that on which she saw Damon leaned sometimes when he was weary with walking and having observed that he was there at that time she spoke thus unto Thersander in a voice loud enough and purposely to be heard And to the end you may know dear Brother that Mandonthe does really love you and that she does but laugh at all those who think she loves them she commanded me yesterday when she came from Hunting to give you this Ring which she caused to be made purposely for you She desires you to love her and to wear it as a symbol of your affection she hath another which she wears her selfe just like it which she will alwaies wear as an assurance that her will shall never differ from yours more then the Ring she sends you differs from hers Oh heavens what treason is this Is it possible such villany should be invented by any human spirit For the truth is I had a Ring just like that which she gave him and had worn it long and this wicked Devill got another to be secretly counterfeited purposely for this end Damon who as I told you leaned upon the window and hearing her voice did presently know it and leaning his head further out of the window to
never come out I shall now make a strange relation unto you I did still love Damon most extreamly and the memory of him since his death was so imprinted in my soul that he was commonly alwaies before my eyes But since this accident and since I saw this strange Cavalier I know not how but I began to change my first affection and placed it upon him and though I never saw his face yet I must confesse I love him so as it may be said I was in love with a face of Armour I know not whether my obligation to him was the cause of it or whether his valour and courage and noble minde forced me unto it but so it is I never loved any since that day but this unknown Cavalier and in testimony of it after a long expectance of his return and hearing no newes of him I resolved to go my selfe unto Gergovea and the Golden Mount After I had consulted with my selfe about this designe I acquainted Thersander with it who offered me all his assistance and I addressed my selfe unto him rather then unto any other because since the day he fought for me he had wholly dedicated himselfe unto my service and because I had often heard him say that he was infinitely desirous to know that valiant Cavalier who had so bravely relieved us I gave out therefore that I would go and visit my Estate I prepared my Train I left the Court and came to my own house where leaving all my retinue I took with me only my Nurse for a companion and Thersander to defend me and so setforwards towards the Golden Mount The Country was extreamly rough and mountainous almost never without snow and ice my poor Nurse dyed there and having interred her I was much grieved to be alone with Thersander but I presently met with Tircis Hylas and Laonice whose company pleased me so much that not to lose it I resolved to put on the habit of a Shepheardesse as now you see me and Thersander in the habit of a Shepheard Then after we had stayed a while amongst the Mountains in hopes to hear some newes of him I was in quest of I resolved to come into this Country since he appointed us to make that way thinking that when I came to Gergovea I should haply finde this Cavalier unto whom I was so much obliged Madonthe was thus telling her story and not without bedewing her cheeks with tears whilst Paris and the rest of the shepheards were talking together for their mindes were possessed with that malady which above all others is an enemy to sleep For Tircis he loved his deceased Cleon although he was out of all hopes of ever seeing her again And because there was none of them so free as the inconstant Hylas he bore it out the best of any in the company and was least troubled with his Love Tircis thinking upon his dear Cleon he could not chuse but sigh very loud and Silvander at the same time did the same See said Hylas what difference there is betwixt these two sighes What is the difference said Paris The difference is said Hylas that Silvander doth sigh so to cool the fire which scorcheth him and Tircis sighes and blowes to kindle that fire which heretofore did scorch him Hylas had said very well said Tircis if he had said he had thought so for this is only a meer imagination of a soul that knowes not how to love How now Tircis said Hylas do you also upbraid me that I know not how to love I thought there had been none but that fantasticall Silvander who had been of that opinion If you would judge according to reason said Tircis you would be of our opinions Why said Hylas is it requisite that to love well I must needs Idolize one that 's dead as you do Did you but know how to love aright said Tircis questionlesse if you should meet with so great a misfortune as mine you would think your selfe obliged in duty so to do How how said Hylas in love with a Grave a Coffin believe it shepheard I will never be in love with any such Mistresses But come a little to reason what contentment and what end do you aime at in such a love Love said Tircis is a great god which can aime at or desire nothing but himself he is his own Center and has no aime or inclination but what begins and ends in himselfe Love is like a Ring it begins where it ends and ends where it begins it is perpetuall it aimes at no ends but is pleased and contented with its own nature These are delicate dreames indeed said Hylas for my part I believe them to be all fables invented by some silly women What is it Hylas said Tircis which you think so far from truth All that you say answered Hylas is so palpably grosse as I were mad if I did not see the simplicity of them You say Love desires nothing but it selfe and I say we see the contrary for we never desire any thing but that which we have not If you did understand answered Tircis how by the infinite power of Love two persons becomes but one you would know that a Lover can desire nothing but himselfe for as soon as you do understand how a Lover is transformed into the person Loved and the person Loved into the Lover and both becomes but one though being Lover and Loved they are two you would finde Hylas and confesse that since the Lover desires nothing but the person Loved and since he is himselfe both the Lover and the Loved by this conjunction he can desire nothing but himselfe See said Hylas how the old Proverb is truly verified one Errour begets a hundred You would perswade me into a beliefe of things impossible as that the Lover becomes the person Loved why by this argument I am Phillis for I do love her and yet I am Hylas and I do desire her The conclusion said Silvander is not good for you do not love her Had you said that I in loving Diana were transformed into her you had said right Well said Hylas are you then Diana is your Cap there changed into a Coyfe and your Coat into a Gown My Cap said Silvander does not love her Coife Very good said the inconstant Hylas if you be changed into Diana you should then dresse your selfe in the habit of a woman It is not handsome that so wise a shepheardesse as you are should disguise your selfe thus in the habit of a man There was none in all the company could forbear laughing at the pleasant expressions of this merry shepheard Silvander himselfe could not hold But afterwards he answered him thus I will if I can convince you of your errour Know therefore that there are two parts in a man the one is the Body which we see and touch and the other is the soul which we cannot see nor touch but is known by words and actions for neither words
what is then your intention To punish us both answered Diana I mean to chastise him for his presumption in loving me and also to punish my selfe for my fault in liking him to the end we may both be more just and better advised But Sister said Astrea this designe in my apprehension is very pernicious for by this you bring your selfe no satisfaction but much sorrow and perhaps extream shame Take heed lest in holding a flint you strike fire if you strike it against any thing which is harder and so the hidden fire discover it selfe Young spirits and hearts if they do love well and if they be prudent they will discreetly hide their affections and not disclose them unto any of their acquaintance but when they are strucken I mean when they are rigorously used then they are so transported with their passions as it is impossible they should dissemble And this believe it cannot be without abundance of vexation and sorrow in the soul of her that is concerned for on which side soever the reports go they cannot be advantagious to the woman Your wisdome Sister does enable you to give very good counsell unto any other but the wisest eyes are often blinde in their own case And this invites me to ask you Whether do you love this shepheard or you do not love him for if you love him not then break off all manner of conference and all correspondency with him and so entirely and speedily that he may not have one spark of any hopes from you And in this do not flatter your selfe and say that a woman cannot help it if men will needs love her no more then she can hinder them from looking upon her this is an excuse to fool some silly person withall For at the very first the fire must be quenched all hopes must be taken from him not in part but totally and entirely If there be found sometimes some opinionative and obstinate man it is only for a few daies for certainly Love no more then all other Mortalls cannot live without nutriment and the proper nutriment of Love is Hope But then if you do love as you say and as indeed he deserves then Sister me thinks it is a great folly to deprive your selfe of that which pleaseth you Sister said Diana that which pleaseth is not alwaies honourable nor reasonable and since they are not vertue commands us to shun them and for my part I had rather die than do otherwise I make no question of it answered Astrea for I am most confident of Diana's vertue But pray let us see whether this act be contrary unto reason or honour Is it any way in the world contrary to reason to love a generous wise handsome and discreet Shepheard For my part it seemes unto me so full of reason as I can see no contrariety in it Now any thing that is reasonable cannot be dishonourable and since it is not why should you not love him It is an easy matter to conclude in the advantage of this shepheard said Diana as long as none does contradict it but to argue thus Is it reasonable that Diana who hath ever held a good repatation amongst the shepheards and shepheardesses of this Country should marry an unknown shepheard one who has nothing but himselfe and what his ingennity acquires I believe you will decline from your first opinion upon this consideration And upon this cause I am fully resolved to suffer his addresses and affection no longer then I can faigne and seem not to believe it But if be should bring me to that passe as I could not umbrage my selfe under this shadow I do protest I will presently discard him and never permit him to see me or if he did either see me or speak to me or love me I will treat him in such a manner as he shall believe me in good earnest and I think love me no longer And what will you your selfe do said Astrea in the mean time Doubtlesse I will love him answered Diana and I will punish my selfe for my offence in so doing I do foresee said Astrea that this vain Chimera will afford you but false contentment and that this designe will beget in you many a mortall displeasure Whilst these shepheardesses were thus discoursing and thinking that none did hear them Laonice was so attentive that not to lose one syllable of what was said she durst hardly breathe for there was nothing which she did so passionately desire as to discover this which she heard But Silvander was ravished and when he heard at the beginning those favourable expressions of Diana Oh! how happy did he think himselfe Afterwards when he heard the counsell which Astrea gave her and how she took his part how much did he think himselfe obliged But when at last he heard Diana's dire resolution Oh heavens in what a dump was his soul smother'd It was well for him that these shepheardesses had a disposition to sleep otherwise it had been impossible but he should have discovered himselfe to be there by some of his deep and groaning sighes for he could not obtain so much of himselfe as to go further and sigh at ease so desirous was he to hear the end of their discourse and therefore I say it was well for him that after they had bid goodnight unto each other they presently fell asleep for then he retired and went to his companions looking whether any of them were awake and finding them to be all fast asleep he began to entertain his own thoughts and lifting up his eyes he contemplated upon the Stars and the various Chimaeraes which were formed in the Clouds but he found none amongst them so various as his own thoughts upon the discourse which he had heard buying his knowledge that Diana loved him very dear making a doubt whether he was more obliged to his curiosity which let him know she loved him or disobliged unto it for hearing that cruell resolution which she had taken This imagination held a long debate in his soul At last Love out of very pitty closed his eyes and suffered him to fall asleep But now it is full time to return unto Celadon whom we have long left in his Cell without any company but his own thoughts which had no other subject for themselves but his past happinesse and his present misery Fifteen or sixteen daies passed thus on with so little care of his life that sorrowes nourished him more then any other thing which he eat All his delight was in his imaginations in which he passed away his daies and nights which were all one to him since being so distant from the eyes of Astrea all seemed dark There was not one passage in all his life which came not then into his memory and to his misery he alwaies stayed longest upon those that were most sad as most suitable to his present condition If at any time he had any more pleasing he presently gave them a check as
not a tust in all the Cave nor betwixt the Cave and the Fountain nor between the fountain and all the places he had been at that day but he turned it over and over nay not a leaf which was likely to hide them but he sought under it so vexed was he at the losse and so desirous was he to finde them For as these Letters were infinitely dear unto him as being written by the fair hand of his dearest shepheardesse so he loved them as the witnesses of his fidelity and as the sweetest entertainment that he had in the miserable life which he led At last seeing all his laborious quest to be in vain and that there was no hopes of finding these beloved Letters Alas alas said he lifting his eyes up to heaven what unjust Daemon hath ravished from me that little remnant of contentment which I had for a Daemon certainly it must needs be since no mortall ever useth to come hither or if they did they would never have been so cruell Well well Celadon said he yet thou art happy in this thy miserable life though thou hast lost those happy testimonies of thy past felicity comfort thy selfe in thy losse and render thanks unto heaven that hath made thee so conformable unto the will of thy dearest shepheardesse and make it appear that neither her rigour nor the force of Fate can ever make thee weary in obeying her nor ever separate thee from the thoughts of her it is but sit that since thou hast lost her good-will thou shouldest also lose all manner of consolation In the mean time Leonida rejoyced very much in her Larcenie and having got a good distance from this shepheard she opened the little bag which contained these Letters which she believed had been written by the hand of Phillis and being out of measure desirous to see into the secrets of that shepheardesse she poured them out into her lap and the first which she light upon was this Astrea's Letter unto Celadon THat you do love me I believe and you may know it by this that I am well pleased you should give me assurance of it If you have as much understanding as you have resentment of Love you may know that I do love you by my permitting you to tell me that you do love me And by this you may assure your selfe that you have from me as much as it seemes you wish to make you happy If after this declaration you are not contented I shall say that you do not love Astrea since Amitie ought to desire nothing but Amity again When Leonida saw the name of Astrea she stopped and lifting the paper neerer her eyes she read that word two or three times over At last remembring the jealousie that had been betwixt Celadon Lycidas Astrea and Phillis she believed that perhaps it was not ill grounded but that Astrea did love Lycidas and therefore lapping it up she put it in her bosome and took another which she found to be thus written Astrea's Letter unto Celadon MUst it not needs be now confessed that I do love you more then you love me since I have sent you my Picture and could never obtain yours by all my prayers But Love is just in it since he knowes that he alwaies ought to help those that are in greatest necessity The faintnesse of your affection hath more need of such a remembrancer than mine hath Receive it therefore as a testimony of your own fault But what do you think of me Celadon Can you believe I love you and yet doubt of your affection No no I do but feast Shepheard for had I that opinion of you I would not desire you should have that beliefe in me and therefore never doubt it but be most certainly assured that as long as I make it appear that I have a memory of you I do think my selfe truly loved by my Son Surely said Leonida extreamly astonished Lycidas has found these Letters amongst some of his Brothers things after his death me-thinks if it had been so he should not have carried them about him for fear of losing Then she took another which she found thus written Astrea's Letter unto Celadon IT seemes my Son that you have lesse courage then I have You say that it is a signe that I do love the lesse but see how I prove the contrary That which makes me surport all the miseries which I endure for your sake is certainly the affection which I bear unto you Now that affection which makes me surmount the greatest miseries must needs be great and therefore this courage which you blame in me is a mark of my great affection Never be startled at the threats of our common Enemies for so Celadon I call call them and not Parents if you will have me think your affection equall unto mine which for your sake does not only surmount but scorn all manner of miseries and afflictions Leonida read this Letter not well knowing what she did Now she began to suspect that it was Celadon and not Lycidas and much more when she remembered that Galathea had spoken to her of some such Letters Oh heavens said she certainly it is Celadon Where was my eyes that I could not know him when I saw him Then she lapped up the Letters and went with all speed unto the Fountain where she left him but extreamly angry she was with her selfe when she found him not there and broke into many expressions of griefe Then she turned about every way to see if she could finde any relicks of him but he was retired into his Cave after his long and laborious search for what she had stolne At the last Love which is alwaies very circumspect prompted her to take notice that the grasse about the Fountain was troden and that there was a new Path not halfe beaten she imagined very aptly that this Path would conduct her to the place where the shepheard was And indeed Celadon using to passe between his Cave and that place had made a kinde of a Path. Leonida then taking it for her guide she had not followed it foure or five hundred paces but she came to the Rock where Celadon made his retreat yet the trees and bushes being very thick about it she was afraid to approach neer lest it should prove the den of some Wolfe or wilde Boar or at the least of many Serpents As she was standing thus in suspence she thought that she heard him breathe which assured her that some was there but knowing that Serpents do sometimes hisse in the same manner she therefore trode very circumspectly and cautiously and so softly that Celadon never perceived her And though she did afterwards make some noise yet the shepheard was so attentive upon his own thoughts that he took no notice of her Now she was got so neer the entrance that she heard him breathe plainly and sometimes speak yet she could not understand the words but comming a little neer and putting
her head a little into the entrance she heard him say thus Now heart begin to hope well for as the snuffe of the Lamp ceaseth to burn when the flame hath consumed all the Oyle so may I hope my miseries will cease having by little and little consumed all the comforts and contentments that I have Oh happy losse how I would cherish thee if by thy means I go out of this miserable life which I lead Oh my dearest Papers how I would blesse the day on which you were ravished from me if my grieving for your losse would end 〈◊〉 For alas there is no hopes left that my sorrowes should ever end but with my life Leonida hearing this was moved with much compassion knowing him now to be Celadon and was also surprised with such a sudden joy that though she had a great desire to let him complain on and hearken longer what he said yet she was constrained to go to him with open armes and cry unto him Ah Celadon away with these lamentations and sorrowes you have had too many of them 't is time now to change your course of life and enjoy some pleasant dayes You may easily imagine that Celadon was extreamly surprised when he heard this voice upon a sudden and seeing her come unto him for he had not seen any of a long time and his spirits being wholly retired into his thoughts she had spoken all this before he heard or knew what she said He started up upon a sudden but the life which he had lived and bad food together had so weakened him that he was constrained to sit down again presently Then the Nymph gave him leasure to recollect himselfe and sitting down by him took him by the hand Well Celadon said she unto him did you so impatiently desire to get out of Galathea's hands only to live thus Is it possible our company should be so displeasing to you that you had rather be amongst senslesse Rocks and wild Woods The Shepheard having recollected his spirits did faintly answer You see fair Leonida unto what Love hath brought me and what power you have over those that love you How is it possible said she that Love should make you thus neglect your own preservation Is it possible answered the shepheard that you who vaunts to know what Love is should doubt but that my affection can endure the greatest extremities However replyed the Nymph if I were condemned to die I would at the least ask him that condemned me the reason why I am condemned What better reason can be given said Celadon then that she who has the soveraigne power over me will have it so so as the reason of my ill-being is because my well-being displeaseth her Oh Celadon said the Nymph and pittyed him in what a miserable condition you are See sage Nymph said he how you are mistaken I cannot desire more happinesse then the misery which I endure for can I wish a greater happinesse then to please her If my misery please her can I grieve for it No no I must rejoyce at whatsoever is pleasing unto her Oh happy Celadon said he and in one thing the more happy that Astrea does not know that thou art happy Leonida hearing these expressions stood astonished and looked upon him with admiration At last after she had been a long while mute she said unto him I must needs confesse shepheard that if this be the way to love there is only you amongst all men living that can follow it But shepheard take heed that as many good things are corrupted and spoiled with abuse so your melancholy and obstinacy do not corrupt your affection I care not for all the accidents that can come said the shepheard so my Love be not offended But said Leonida do you love Astrea You aske me a question answered he unto which you are able to give an answer your selfe If you do love her said the Nymph you ought to love all that 's hers and if so then you ought to love your selfe since you are so entirely hers that you are not your own Since I do love Astrea replyed the shepheard I ought to hate all that she hates Astrea hates the miserable Celadon why then fair Nymph should not I Every one said she is obliged to have a greater care of their own preservation then of the love or hatred of any other That Law said the shepheard is good and allowable amongst Men but not amongst Lovers Why said the Nymph do they cease to be Men when they become Lovers If you do mean a man said he that is subject unto all sorts of miseries and inquiotudes I do confesse that a Lover remaines a Man still but if that Man have any will of his own and judges of things as they are and not according to the opinion of another I deny that a Lover is a man since as soon as ever he becomes a Lover he does so dispossesse himselfe of his will and judgment as he neither willeth nor judgeth but as she willeth and judgeth whom he loves Oh the miserable condition of a Lover said the Nymph But much more miserable answered the shepheard is he that loves not since he cannot enjoy the most perfect and highest happinesse that the world affords for the very least of Loves joyes does exceed all others that the world hath without it Is there any pleasure comparable unto those that consist in the thought When a Lover thinks upon the beauty of her that he loves nay when he does but remember any one of her actions nay even the very place where he last saw her do you think he would change his contentment for any diversion in the whole Universe He is so jealous and so carefull to entertain this very thought that lest he should make any a sharer with him he will retire into the most solitary and unfrequented places that he can finde he cares not for the society of men or all the delights that men can devise and use to court with such care so he may but enjoy his own thoughts Now Leonida since the contentment of thoughts are such is it possible the weaknesse of any human heart should think to endure so much blisse as to enjoy the sight of her whom he loves to hear her speak to kisse her hand to hear her own mouth pronounce the word I love you Is it possible he should hear this and not be ravished and be disordered with too much felicity and delight I do not mention those great and last assurances which one receives when he is loved nor those languishments in the breast of the person loved for these are contentments of so high a nature as they cannot be gusted without transport and absolute ravishment out of our selves nor can they be expressed by any words unlesse imperfectly Now tell me fair Nymph whether the condition of a Lover be so miserable now I say when you know what high felicities he does enjoy I do confesse said
the Nymph after she had heard him with admiration that Celadon does love if to love be to be out of his wits and to live only upon bare thoughts Alas I cannot chuse but think his condition extreamly miserable in finding such contentments in such vain imaginations and Chimeraes and I am so far from thinking them felicities as my opinion of the contrary is much fortified But Shepheard let us leave this discourse since I see it will do you no good and tell me how you have lived since I left you Wise Nymph answered Celadon as I have lived since you met me so have I lived since I parted from you for as soon as ever I left you I shut my selfe up in this place expecting untill either Love or Death released me But why Celadon said she do you not go unto your own Town where your friends and kindred do so much grieve for you Astrea said he who has a far greater power over me than either any Parents or friends hath forbidden me ever to see her untill she command and therefore as I told you I have shut my selfe up in this Cell untill either Love or Death release me But if my adored Shepheardesse had commanded me never to see her again doubtlesse I had shut my selfe up in my grave with death And as soon as I came to my selfe again after my fall into the River I knew that Lignon would not give me a death because she did not peremptorily command it but remembering her words and that her banishment of me was not for ever only untill she commanded me to return I have lived in this manner as you see expecting till Love recall me as it seemes she hath promised or else untill death do it for her which shall be welcome unto me in this life which I live But poor deceived shepheard replyed the Nymph how can you ever hope she should recall you as long as she is ignorant where you are Love answered he which conducted me hither knowes the place well enough where I am and does daily visit me and since it is by it that I do hope she will recall me there is no doubt but it will without me let her know the place unto which it hath conducted me If your imaginations replyed the Nymph had an influence upon others as they have upon your selfe all this you say might perhaps be but believe it shepheard the gods will never help those who will not help themselves and do not think that I speak without good reason for I am very certain that if Astrea did know you were alive she would passionately desire your company How fair Nymph said he presently do you know that I know it said she by that sadnesse which sits in her face Perhaps said the shepheard that proceeds from some other cause But where have you seen her since we parted I shall be very glad said she to entertain you with a discourse upon this subject and to relate unto you all that hath hapned since we parted so I can but by it cheer you a little up and rouse you out of this dull kinde of life Believe it said Celadon that the sight of you does bring me more content then any thing in the world could except Astrea and since I am deprived of her your discourse will be very pleasing unto me Then Leonida began thus The History of Galathea SInce Celadon you do desire to know how I have lived since I parted from you which is some fifteen or sixteen daies since I will very willingly make a relation of it unto you upon a condition that if you be weary with the length of the discourse we may break it off and finish it another time when any convenient opportunity shall present it selfe Know therefore that in my return from conducting you I came into the Palace of Issoures at the same time when Amasis was taking Coach to go unto Marcelies and carrying Galathea with her because being desirous to render thanks unto Hesius for the happy successe of her Son Clidaman which he had in the Battle against the Neustrians she would by all means have Galathea with her purposely to render the solemnity more celebrated And because retardment in such actions as these does in some sort resemble oblivion and oblivion ingratitude she departed so soon that she scarcely gave the Nymph time to tell us what we should do with you and though she was extreamly troubled at it yet she durst not let it appear lest Amasis should take notice of it who alwaies held her by the hand not out of any suspition but only the more to carrasse her she being thus constrained to go with her into the Coach all that she could do was to say thus unto me You Silvia and Lucinde come after us in my Coach and follow us with all the haste you can I made a low reverence and shewed by my actions that I did understand what she said but I did not intend to obey her because my aimes were only upon you And though I did well enough foresee her anger yet I preferred the good office which I intended to you above it chusing rather to fail in my duty to that Nymph then in my affection to you However faigning as if my going out were in obedience to my Uncle I met Silvia who was in quest of me and I told her how you was escaped whilst none took any notice of you But I was never in all my life so surprised as when in my return from you I met Amasis and Galathea as they were taking Coach for I had been utterly undone if they had spied me out of the dores But I did addresse my selfe unto my Uncle and Silvia Father said I unto him and smiled and you my dear Companion you must needs both of you help me out in this businesse Daughter answered Adamas never fear any blame for what you have done as long as it is but what you ought to do nor ever grieve upon such occasions the gods upon whom all events depend are so just as they will ever bear you out and if at any time the contrary seem to happen take speciall notice Daughter that it is to redouble the contentment and as if they hapned only to augment your joyes And because it is very expedient you endeavour to preserve your selfe in the favour of your Mistresse Silvia shall testifie that you did not any thing but what she knowes of very well and to make the matter more easie for you I am contented that you shall both of you have some suspition of me for I shall not be sorry that he should think that I do hate any thing which is contrary unto vertue and I would permit you to charge me down-right with the act but that it is necessary I should be something in her esteem only to draw her off from those foolish and false imaginations which Climanthes hath infused into her With such discourse as
it I take you good-will unto me very kindely in spite of the ingratitude which I finde in others But tell me freely and ingenuously I intreat you said she and drew the Curtains did you ever observe that Leonida helped Celadon to escape Madam answered Silvia if she did I must needs say she is the most subtle woman that ever lived for she never stirred one step without me and if you will be pleased to let me tell you what I think I will assure you Madam that if any helped him to escape it was Adamas for I observed that as soon as ever you were set at dinner he took Celadon apart and talked with him very passionately a long time Moreover I observed that after you were gone when he saw us searching all about and much troubled he smiled two or three times and told us that it had been well if Celadon had never come there How said Galathea is it so then that Leonida never consented unto it Madam answered Silvia very discreetly I will not swear she is innocent but I dare swear that I think she is not and that if any be to blame besides that ungratefull shepheard it is Adamas Do not tell me thus said she to excuse your Companion I know that you are very good but had she any advantage over you she would make use of it against you she is the craftiest and most jealous that ever I saw of all those that are about me and especially when I speak of you Madam answered Silvia the consideration of any of my Companions shall never make me fail in the duty which I do owe unto you and as for their envie and jealousie it shall never make me start or recoile from my well wishes unto Leonida for I believe that if she did not love you she would never be jealous of any that comes about you Sweet-heart said Galathea and kissing her I do finde you so discreet for your age as for your sake I will recall Leonida whom I have forbid my house but with this intention that you shall be alwaies neerest unto me and unto you I will impart all my secrets your young years hath hitherto kept me something reserved from you but now I finde that though you be young in years yet you are old in wisdome and discretion and therefore from henceforth keep as near me as you can and though I do not call you yet enter freely into what place soever I am for I would have it so And to the end Leonida should think her selfe obilged unto you send her word what you have done for her and bid her return Madam answered Silvia and making low reverence the honour which you do me is so great that I shall never forget it and shall not think that any merits of my own but only your free goodnesse did invite you to do me this honour I shall receive it as the greatest blessing of heaven and do vow Madam that I will never fail in that fidelity which is owing unto your service more then I will in my duty to the gods themselves And as concerning Leonida would it not be expedient that you stayed untill the day of publick joy when Adamas will be there to the end you may seem as if you remitted the offence for his sake But sweet-heart answered she it is Adamas that I am angry withall for it is he that hath offended me Madam replyed Silvia give me leave to tell you what counsell my Mother gave unto me when I left her Daughter said she unto me whensoever any of your Companions does you any injury remember that you never shew as if you wished them any ill untill you have found the means how to be revenged for if you do it at another season and shew teeth before you be able to bite it will but exasperate them the more against you So Madam you should not shew your selfe displeased at Adamas untill you can make him resent your displeasure lest when he sees himselfe out of your favour he should either say or do something that may more displease you Thus by the prudence of this Nymph Galathea's anger against me was partly mitigated and she resolved to make no shew of any displeasure to my Uncle untill times changed of which Silvia did presently advertise me to the end Adamas might be at the Feasts which Amasis prepared But in the mean time Polemas was not without abundance of vexation for he saw that by every Letter which came from the Army Lâ—ndamor was highly extolled and the Trumpet of Fame sounded his name louder then any's else and thereby extreamly eclipsed the glory of his Rivall But that which vexed him to the heart was The Imposture of Climanthes did not operate unto his advantage and not knowing what was become of him he was the most blanked man that ever was yet though he did daily see the Nymph and often talk with her he never seemed to take any notice of it so as one day as Galathea was talking with him to try whether what I had told her concerning the stratagem of Polemas and Climanthes was true he seemed to know so little concerning it that the Nymph believed I had invented all those tricks to the advantage of Lindamor as I heard since by the report of Silvia to whom Galathea imparted every thing However I lived a life in the mean time not disagreeable to my minde had I had the happinesse which now I have of seeing you For Celadon you must know that Paris is so extreamly in Love with Diana as he quitting his former garb is now in the habit of a shepheard and affects no exercises but such as belongs to them Do you mean that Diana said Celadon which is Daughter unto the wise Belinde The same answered the Nymph I assure you said the shepheard she is one of the fairest the wisest and most accomplished shepheardesses that I know and one who deserves a good fortune and I pray unto Tautates that she may enjoy all the good fortune in the world I am of your opinion said the Nymph but I do not believe that she will marry Paris for she has told me that truly she does love and honour him that she knowes what an honour it is he should make any addresses unto her and what a great advantage such a Match would be to her but yet though she knowes not why she cannot love him otherwise then as a Brother and that though she knowes him to be a man of great merit yet she can love him no otherwise How said Celadon and interrupted her does she speak of these things so familiarly unto you I assure you I think it very strange when I remember her humour which was wont to be so reserved and close even from her best beloved Companions Astrea and Phillis that they knew very little of her intentions Oh shepheard answered the Nymph there is great alterations within this three or foure Months since you have been
there for Astrea Diana and Phillis are all one they are alwaies together and since your supposed losse Diana may be said to succeed in your room Moreover if you remember Silvander whom they called the Shepheard without affection he is now so deeply in love that except Celadon none is comparable to him and it came thus to passe Phillis and he fell into some difference concerning their merits and because that shepheard being educated in the Massilian Schooles and having an excellent acute wit did produce better and more valid reasons then that shepheardesse could she out of a pleasant humour propounded that Silvander to give a testimony of his merits should court and serve Diana with as much obsequious observance as if he did really love her The shepheard accepted of the proposition upon condition that Phillis should be constrained to do the same After much discussion Astrea Diana and I did ordain that both of them should court and serve the same shepheardesse and that at the three months end that shepheardesse should judge which of them two had most merits to make themselves loved This being thus resolved Diana was made choice of to be their Mistresse so as since this time Phillis hath acted a passionate part so very well as no shepheard could better acquit himselfe Now see what is the issue of this fiction Silvander who as I told you was all insensibility is become by his counterfeiting so desperately in love with Diana as every one does plainly see that he goes farther then the bounds of a siction and I know that Diana will give her judgment on his side for though she is a shepheardesse of great modesty and wisdome yet it is well enough known that this courtship does not displease her and for my part I must confesse that I know no shepheard except Celadon who is more worthy to be loved And because of this faigned courtship Phillis is almost continually with Diana and Silvander leaves her as seldome as possibly he can Lycidas your Brother thinks that there is a matter of Love betwixt Phillis and Silvander and is so fully perswaded of it as he is so jealous that he cannot endure they should be together And since Phillis cannot banish her selfe from the company of Astrea and since Diana is alwaies with Astrea and Silvander with Diana poor Lycidas not being able to endure it never sees Phillis unlesse at such meetings when he cannot avoid it This is a great alteration indeed answered the sad Celadon and I must confesse they are all much to be pittyed especially Lycidas who is fallen into the very worst disease of Love but I do not think it strange for I know the nature of my Brothers temper was alwaies apt to take such impressions For my part I must protest that we are not Brothers in that I cannot deny but that I was once jealous but I think it is because all Lovers are once in their lives subject unto it as they say little Children are of a certain dangerous malady which never comes unto them but once Phillis also is to blame who having given so many assurances of her good-will unto Lycidas will suffer him to enter into any doubt of her affection but I do believe that she knowing this jealousie of my Brother does proceed from an excesse of Love she suffers it with more patience As for Silvander and Diana I must confesse it is impossible that two subjects for love should be more equally met for as Diana does surpasse Silvander in Beauty and Estate so the vertue and merits of the shepheard do equally ballance the Scales Yet I do infinitely pitty them both for I know them most absolute Masters of themselves and actions but now I know by experience into what a Chaos of confusion and troubles they are plunged so as I must needs pitty them for making such a disadvantageous change Thus wise Nymph we may see that there is no assured happinesses amongst mortalls Celadon answered the Nymph you would be Tautates himselfe if you could perswade them that they are not much happier then before nay Silvander himselfe thinks so whose company is much more pleasant then it was wont to be as I have heard from those who knew him before For my part said Celadon I am of that shepheards opinion for though there be some pains in the life of Love I pray tell me in what kinde of life there is not so as well But if you do consider those contentments which a Lover receives in loving and being loved I believe you will agree with me that there is no happier life then that of Love Ah Celadon said the Nymph with a great sigh how dearly are those contentments bought I refer it unto your own selfe if you would but ingenuously confesse your passion Every one that loves replyed Celadon does not meet with Astrea's But said Leonida since you are of this opinion why do you say you pitty them Because answered Celadon as it is a pleasing thing to conquer so the contrary to be conquered therefore I fear that there being abundance of labour and pains to be taken in Love lest they should be overcome or astonished at the difficulties and retire before they have surmounted them And therefore have I not good reason to pitty those who I see do enter into a danger the issue whereof is so uncertain But I do much wonder how you should know so much of Diana whom I know to be alwaies the most reserved and secret of all our Shepheardesses The love of Paris answered she is the cause of it who hath made me see her ofter then otherwise I should I had a good inclination of my own to go unto your Town in hopes to finde you there and when I was thinking upon some good excuse for it I met with Paris who that night I returned spoke thus unto me Sister said he for Adamas would have us call Brother and Sister do you remember how much contentment we received that night we lay in the Town of Astrea and Diana and how pleasing their conversation was I who knew very well he had been oft there since did answer him thus I do Brother said I but I do believe you have a better memory then I and as I have heard have better reason It is true said he unto me and I cannot deny but that the merits of those fair and discreet Shepheardesses have much invited me to get their friendship and more then I make appear Brother said she you tell me more then I aske 'T is no matter replyed he and smiled I will ingenuously tell any thing unto you in hopes that you will not deny me one request that I shall make unto you and which I do conjure you unto by our friendship Aske what you will Brother said I unto him for I cannot deny you any thing upon that conjuration I beseech you then said he that since you do not return unto Marcelles you will be pleased
but I can take no delight in seeing her and in seeing her displeased But why said the Nymph do you think she will be displeased with seeing you Because answered the shepheard she hath commanded me never to see her untill she command otherwise How can she command otherwise said Leonida if she never see you nor knowes where you are but thinks you to be dead Ah Nymph said the shepheard Love is a most puissant god and as he has blindely found out a way to banish me her presence he may also finde a way to recall me when he pleaseth Are you then resolved said Leonida not to present your selfe before her I had rather die answered he and therefore let Love do as it lists Upon this he arose purposely to change discourse and taking the Nymphs hand he came to the dore of his Cave but when she saw him in the light and perceiving him so extreamly altered she could not restrain her tears which Celadon seeing Nay nay sweet Nymph said he never grieve at the alteration which you finde in my face for it is a signe that ere long I shall have a long rest It would be too tedious to relate all their discourse But to be briefe all her arguments and perswasions could obtain from him no more then this that he would suffer her to visit him sometimes At the last the Sun being almost set she was constrained to leave him with a promise to see him very often For all Leonida's resolution of not loving Celadon yet could she not extinguish the flames of her first affection to him so difficult a thing it is to expell this passion when it has once taken deep root in a heart which entertains it and therefore this meeting with him was no small contentment unto her but her sorrowes to see him in such a miserable condition were as great and the greater when she thought upon his strange resolution so as her joyes to finde him and her sorrowes to finde him thus did a little puzzle her which to adhere most unto All the way she went she was inventing what course she should take to disswade him from this course of life Sometimes she was in a minde to acquaint the shepheardesse Astrea with it in hopes that her influence might effect it But this minde changed as soon as she considered that this was the way to put her selfe out of all hopes to get his love knowing very well that if Astrea once knew he was alive and could finde him she would give him such sweet demonstrations of her good-will unto him as would blast all her hopes of him Changing therefore this opinion and having heard that Adamas had been a great lover of Celadon's Father she thought it expedient to acquaint him with his course of life assuring her selfe that he would do all that was requisite and fit Yet notwithstanding when she considered that the place where Celadon was was as fit a place as she could wish to enjoy his company alone and to expresse her own passion she conceived the best way was to acquaint none as yet but to try what time would doe and to divert him from his sad thoughts as much as she possibly could and if she found that her presence and artifice could not work upon him then it would be time enough to acquaint her Uncle This then was the course she fixed upon and to effect it she failed not to visit him every day The shepheard knowing that all this could not proceed from any thing but love he was displeased at it thinking that if he suffered so much indulgency from this Nymph he did offend against the promise of fidelity unto his shepheardesse Besides he thought all those houres that were spent in these visits were lost because they kept him from entertaining his own dear and sweet thoughts so as in lieu of growing more joyfull he became more sad which the Nymph perceiving and seeing that he did every day grow leaner and paler she consulted with her selfe and at last resolved to have recourse unto the sage advice of the grave Adamas but to acquaint him with it in such a manner as he should be sure not to suspect any thing to her disadvantage Being therefore one evening in a better humour then ordinary she went unto her Uncle whom she found walking upon a Tarrasse which had the prospect of all that plain from whence she came After salutation the Druide asked her where she left Paris To which she answered that all the shepheardesses were so kinde and civill as to accompany them as far as the Temple of the good goddesse and Paris went to conduct them back again But Father said she I have met with a fine encounter which stayed me so long that I thought Paris would have been back before me What is it said the Druide It is Celadon answered Leonida you must know that since he went from the Palace of Issaures in lieu of going to his kindred and friends he has retired himself into a Cave where he so hides himself from all his acquaintance as every one yet thinks him dead Why said Adamas does he so I believe answered sh that he is very sick in minde and will not live long for he can scarcely go he eats nothing but grasse and is grown so lean and sad as you cannot know him Why think you said the Druide that it is in his minde I conceive so said she because he speaks after an interrupted manner and so little as it is easie to see that discourse displeaseth him I do believe the love he bears unto Astrea is the cause of it If it be so answered Adamas he is the more like unto his Father for Alcippe was once so very much transported with his love unto Amarillis that I did never in all my life see one commit greater follies and therefore it was that he left a Country-life for the Court and continued long in the exercises of Chivalry Is it lawfull for them said Leonida thus to change their quality Child said the Druide neither Celadon nor any of these shepheards about the banks of Lignon nor most of those about the Loire and Furan are of a worse extraction then you your selfe are you must know that their Ancestours made choice of this kinde of life as most sweet and least subject unto inquietudes Indeed this Celadon of whom you speak is your neer kinsman For the House of Laigneau and his did branch both out of one stock so as Lindamor and he are your Cosens in the same degree My Grandfather and the great Grandfather of Lindamor and Celadon were Brothers Leonida hearing how neerly they were allied was astonished fearing lest this consanguinity should forbid the banes of her loving him as Love commanded her to do yet lest her Uncle should take any notice of her fears she said unto him That since they were so neerly allyed they were the more obliged to have a care of him and that the
name would require so much of you As Phillis was thus talking to her she held in her hand the paper which she took up and Astrea casting her eye accidentally upon it and knowing it to be Celadon's hand she asked her what Letter that was which she held in her hand Phillis answered that she took it up seeing it fall from her as she arose I did feel something said Astrea fall from my breast but I was so much out of my selfe that I never minded it Then taking it and reading the Superscription she said it was that Letter which Silvander found That cannot be said Phillis for I have that in my pocket and putting her hand into it she pulled it out What should it then be said Astrea I am sure it is the same hand Then reading it she found these words Celadon's Letter unto the Shepheardesse Astrea IF the occasion of your comming into this place where all that remaines of Celadon yet is was only to see what power you have over him it was too much paines for a thing of so little value If any sparks of compassion brought you hither what services can merit so great a recompence If fortune only without any designe was your conductor it was too kinde unto one that is so miserable So as whatsoever the occasion was there was no reason for it That affection which I had unto you was beyond all bounds of reason and therefore it is most just that reason should disdain him who disdained reason However I thank you as the vam shadow of a man can do for truly â—am no more for comming to see what power you have over me for it is one of my greatest desires to live in your memory I thank you also that you would permit pitty to bring you hither for though it be very late yet consolation is better late then never Also I do thank you For â—o lowing fortune into this place since I know by it that it was only long of her I did no sooner resent the effects of your sweetnesse This last consideration moves me to say that as you are the fairest Shepheardesse in the whole Universe so since fortune and my own constancy wiâ—â— have it so I am the must unfortunate but the most affectionately faithfull of all your Servants Now did these shepheardesses believe that Celadon was dead indeed and Love made Astrea resolve to render him the last duty of her amity Then she went to wake Diana and the other shepheardesses because it was late when they came they found Silvander looking upon Diana as she slept and gazing like an immovable Statue he uttered these words in a very loud voice Oh! how this fair one deprives me of that rest which she takes her selfe See how many Cupids play about her lovely face Who can chuse but love her and lose that rest which she findes To look upon her and to love her is one and the same thing And if she captivate thus when she is asleep and without designe what is she able to do when shee 's awake and will use her power He spoke thus loud because he was not afraid of awaking her since she commanded him so to do as soon as the Moon shined But Celadon's good fortune would not have it so to the end he might enjoy the happinesse of seeing his Mistresse in that place After Silvander had uttered these words he kneeled down to kisse her hand but fearing to be seen by these two shepheardesses who he saw were not in their places he rose up very sorry he had done so much if he were seen In the mean time these two shepheardesses looked upon him and Phillis who was very desirous to divert Astrea Never trust me Sister said she unto her if this shepheard do not love Diana and is not so subtle as he thinks himselfe I spoke yesterday with Diana answered Astrea very sadly and for ought I could perceive he can expect nothing but much sorrow for she will neither love him nor suffer him to love her That resolution said Phillis may in a short time bring Silvander into the same condition with Celadon and Diana into the same state with Astrea Ah Sister said Astrea Silvander may run that fortune but as long as Diana is free from love her fortune will never be so bad as mine I do confesse replyed Phillis that if she be really exempt from love she is not in that danger but if she be exempt only out of dissimulatâ—â—â— what think you then That she will be happy only in opinion said Astrea and in deed and truth miserable But there is no likelyhood of that Diana's humour and Silvander's perfections being such that neither the shepheardesse nor he can be subject unto such dysasters Upon this Phillis took her by the hand and walked towards Diana yet answered her Oh Sister said she you are deceived if you be of that opinion for as concerning the merits of Silvander believe it that when a shepheard has a designe to please he spruseth himselfe up and is quite another man from what he really is And hence it is that we often wonder to see some shepheards loved and welcomed who are thought not at all pleasing or handsome and from hence I believe the Proverb came that Love makes all seem handsome Nay I will say more I never yet saw any shepheard displeasing unto her he courted if there were not some other occasion of hatred then his love for their courtship and desire to please does make them dresse up themselves in the smoothest garb they can purposely to render themselves complaisant as this is the quality of all in generall so more specially in Silvander whose wit and handsome composure by nature may easily supply all defects And as for the humour of Diana her affection unto Philander is an infallible argument that she hath not been alwaies insensible of Love and why may not that which was once be again For my part I do believe Love is as good an Archer as ever he was and has not forgotten the skill he used the first time he wounded her and Silvander may have the same fortune Philander had In this said Astrea you and I do differ in opinion and I do think it impossible Diana should ever love again for I think a Maid who never was in love may easily be allured by the pleasing flatteries of it but impossible that a stayed person who did once love and lost the person loved should ever let love take any root again in her soul And me-thinks the Cypresse-Tree is a right emblem of my affection which when once cut never puts out branch again As soon as she had said so they were come so neer unto Diana that Phillis could make no other answer but this Sister we shall quickly see which of our opinions is the right Whilst these shepheardesses were thus talking Paris Hylas Tircis and Thersander being awakened by Silvander they came to the shepheardesses and
is wholly devoted unto your will prompts me unto more then you can say I shall untill the very last minute of my life do whatsoever you shall command me without any other aime end or designe but only to obey you Yet if my affection my services and obedience can merit so great a favour I shall beseech and conjure you by him you love most and who perhaps is the cause of my banishment that when I bid you my last and eternall adieu you will permit me so much honour as to aspire unto a kisse of your lip I cannot chuse Oh great Nymph but blush in my relation But however I must confesse the truth I did permit him conceiving that his goodness did oblige me unto as much Presently after he departed and I never found him since in any place where it was probable I should see him Now I beseech you were not all these testimonies of my affection enough to oblige this ungratefull shepheard for ever unto one But I found him quite contrary for afterwards he would never see me neither in the way of a Lover no nor so much as in the way of a Friend I much desired to know the cause of his retreat and therefore I did employ a faithfull friend to go unto him from me But no other answer could be gotten but this that Love drives out Love as one naile dxives out another Upon this I had two conceptions First that he was fallen in love with some other shepheardesse and this second love had driven out the first unto me Secondly that by his sleighting of me he gave me counsell to do the same Being thus abandoned and forsaken though it was extreamly requisitie to use my best armes against such an accident yet would I not make use of any such as my enemy sent me for scorning them as his I thought them unworthy of my selfe and I esteemed them perfidious because I esteemed their Inventor so I had recourse therefore unto other remedies which though more slow yet more certain in their effects which was Time Time I say was my Armes and it which taught me the use of them it was both my Physician and my Physick And truly as most things that are slow are yet most sure so the cure it wrought was through not for a day but I thank god for all the rest of my life I say I do thank god for indeed I had abundance of reason for great Nymph when I call into my memory the life I lived as long as this perfidious man seemed to love me and compare it with that which I do live now I must needs confess that I am more obliged unto him for betraying me then I am unto Pantesmon for obeying me For then I cannot call it a life but a slavery my affection was not affection but obedience and his love was not love but tyranny Now this disloyall man being as I believe envious at my happy life or else not contented with once triumphing he must needs make a second attempt And as at the first he surprised me by submission and great demonstrations of a violent affection so he thinks now to catch me with the same bait And therefore Oh great and wise Nymph you see him here on his knees before me using such language and expressions as they do who are really in love But he does not consider that finding my selfe weakest on that side I have more strongly fortified it I am fully resolved to hold him out at armed end let him attempt as long as he will his dissimulations in lieu of love have renewed such extream disdain of him in my soul that I cannot endure the very sight of him And if his designe was to displease me I must needs confess he hath brought it to passe but if that be not his designe as he swears and would make me believe it is not but that as a just punishment from heaven he hath revived his flame that he himselfe was the only author of his own misfortune and that he is prepared for punishment I must then confesse that in giving me this occasion of revenge upon the wrong he hath done me he is a just man but still no good Lover But yet why does he tell me of his misfortunes and miseries me I say who would not so much as remember that he is in the world Or why does he take up such Armes as thinking to hurt me with them he wounds himselfe He cannot ever have any hopes to obtain any thing from me whose soul smarts with the memory of what is past as oft as I look upon him Let him therefore let me alone and leave me to enjoy that happinesse which he conferred upon me by a contrary designe If the heavens as often they do have converted that unto my happinesse which he prepared for my misery why is he sorry I should enjoy it I know better how to make use of these favours from heaven then he hath of those which I have done him heretofore Let him acknowledge and confesse that the heavens have most justly maintained my cause and defended my innocent affection against the most ungratefull and perfidious person that ever pretended to be a Lover If like a losing gamester he ask any thing for his last hand this great and wise Nymph is all I can do for him I will confesse my selfe satisfied for his ingratitude and forgive it I will pitty him upon condition he will never see me nor trouble me any more and this shall be all the revenge I will take for all his injuries Thus the shepheardesse ended with so much colour in her face as rendred her fairer then she was wont to be Then Leonida perceiving she had no more to say she commanded Palemon to speak what he had to say for himselfe Then the shepheard rising up after an humble reverence unto the Nymph he began thus The Answer of the Shepheard Palemon GReat Nymph I acknowledge that to be most true which I have often learned from divinity That gods and goddesses do never come into any place without doing some good You who in your merits and quality are a representation of them amongst us were no sooner come into this place but you may 〈◊〉 me undeceived and convinced of that errour wherein I have long lived if I can call that a life which hath brought me more torments then death it selfe I do most ingenuously confesse all that this fair shepheardesse hath related unto you is most true and that I am infinitely more obliged unto her then either she or I can expresse But having heard her reproach me for complaining that the heavens as envious of my blisse hath kept me from it I should think this to be a greater occasion of sorrow and to accuse it of injustice did I not know that all men are in the like condition and that there is no perfect contentment here below I cannot chuse but beg leave to grieve for the wrong this
fair shepheardesse hath done unto that affection which she hath promised me by misinterpreting mine and taking that for an injury which she ought to take for the greatest assurance and demonstration of my affection But Oh great god of Love how dare I complain against her since thou hast commanded me to think all well that she doth I will therefore use no complaints against her for my heart will not give me leave to contradict her in any thing But Oh wise Nymph I will endeavour to let you see by telling the truth that Palemon doth love and that Doris has no reason to believe the contrary And to be as briefe as I can she does confesse that I did love her and that she did love me but why does she upbraid me with any infidelity Her reason is because I was jealous and I confesse I was But if she did love me as she saies she did for loving her why should my affection be pleasing to her and not the effects of my affection If all that looked upon her made me jealous if their conversation their words nay their very lookes made me suspitious was not this a most certain testimony that I did infinitely love her She hath often told me that to doubt of her was to offend her and to make a sinister construction of her Ah great Nymph did this fair shepheardesse know as well how to love as her eyes do to make her adored she would say that this was rather extream love and the high opinion of her which made me doubt her Had I not thought her most worthy to be served by every one I should never have thought that every one had served her And had I not been of that beliefe how could I have been jealous of every one Jealousie therefore Oh fair Doris is not a lesser signe of affection and violent love then sighes and tears are for it hath its originall from the knowledge one hath of the perfections in the person loved but sighes and tears do often proceed from her cruelty only and from the torments which they resent by reason thereof She therefore knowing Oh great Nymph that I was jealous ought she not therefore to encrease her affection in some sort to ballance the weight which mine endured but on the contrary she rewards me with cruelty she her selfe unties the knot of that amity which so many services and demonstrations of a perfect affection ought to have made indissolvable And to give some colourable pretence for all this she alledgeth faintnesse and coldness on my side and negligence and carelessenesse which alas was only in her own opinion She alledgeth that at that time I absented my selfe from her Indeed when I consider this allegation I must confesse that all actions may be suspected when the effects produce contrary semblances or are not known unto those that have interest in them If I should ask you fair Doris what opinion you had of me when my fortune had brought me into your acquaintance I am confident you will say that I loved served honoured and adored you with as much faithfull zeal of true affection as ever any shepheard could And let it not displease you if before this great Nymph and reverent Druide I beseech and conjure you to tell them who that shepheardesse is that ever I adressed my selfe unto except you or you ever heard of If you do not know nor ever heard of any but must needs confesse my affection was never placed any where else why do you complain of me and why should you suspect and put a misinterpretation upon my actions Me-thinks it is but very ill Logick to conclude that Palemon did love me but because he sees me not so oft as he was wont therefore he does not love me Were it not a better piece of sophistry in the Schooles of Love to argue thus Palemon does not see me so oft as he was accustomed but I know there is some urgent occasions which keeps him away Had you been thus compassionate upon the torments I endured in being absent from you and judged others by your selfe you had never so cruelly offended him who did never offend against the affection which he promised But perhaps you will ask me what I did mean by so many minute visits whereas formerly whole daies would not content me I shall tell you Oh sage Nymph and when you have heard me you will not make such a sinister construction of my actions as this fair one doth of my fidelity only I beseech you to consider the kinde of life which I led at that time and amongst what company I lived I can and truly say Oh great Nymph that never man lived a more salvage life then I no not such whose profession is to inhabit amongst Rocks and Desarts excepting only when my affection constrained me once a day to see her for as soon as day began to dawn I went out of my Cabin and shunning all manner of company I did not return untill dark night retiring my selfe sometimes into the most close and unfrequented Caves and other times upon the tops of the highest Mountains so solitarily alone as nothing but my own thoughts could finde me out but they still kept me so good company as they did often invite me unto some such place from whence I might see her habitation thinking the very sight of the happy walls where she dwelt to be no small consolation unto me Nothing could withdraw me from this kinde of solitary life no not the friendship of Neighbours nor duty to Parents nor care of my Flocks nor any thing in the world else but only my desire of seeing her every day once and that in such short visits as to my sorrow alwaies when I returned I thought I did but only go thither and not see her Now my extream affection unto her was the cause why I did not acquaint her with my reason for this kinde of life Now great and wise Nymph it was ever my opinion that he who loves as he ought to do ought to be more tender of her honour whom he loves then of his own contentment The malice of ill disposed men is never so weak nor drousie but it may alwaies finde out some subject to asperse those that are most vertuous And at this time our frequent visits were eyed and gave occasion unto those malignant spirits to spit their venome and talk very broadly and yet so closely that all the diligence I could use could never bring me to know who were the authors of these poysonous Impostures What should I do in such a case To undertake a long voyage I could not because I was not a free Master of my own actions and to cease to love her had been to cease to live Since our great familiarity was it which gave a colour for their calumny what could I better do then stop the black mouthes of scandall by abridging my selfe of my own contentment in not being so
frequently with her For I thought my selfe obliged to preserve her honour and reputation at any rate whatsoever If she complain that I did not acquaint her with this untill now she may as well complain against my extream love of her for the reason why I did not impart it unto her was because I was loath to make her a partner in my sorrowes for I know that she who was ever so carefull to keep her honour free from all calumny could not endure to hear of these without extream vexation and sad resentment Now great Nymph I beseech you to consider by this most true relation whether such effects are usuall amongst vulgar affections and from thence you may perceive the quality of mine and being such as gives a manifest proof of its grandure why may I not and with reason aske as well some proofes of hers since love is never requited but with love again As for the businesse of Pantesmon which she alledgeth as a great matter of complaint against me I conceive my apprehensions of him did not proceed from an ill grounded jealousie as she termes it but from abundance of reason for this shepheard as she her selfe confesseth being such a one as he is it was probable she would rather love him then scorn him Moreover the friendship betwixt her Brother and him was no small ground for my suspitions but especially the favourable eye which she cast upon him which indeed was such as knowing of my jealousie she was more to be blamed for behaving her selfe so then I for thinking so And indeed their Marriage was openly spoken of so as from hence I had strong grounds for jealousie and she to cleer her selfe had good reason to do as I requested If friendship have a priviledge above love she might well have denyed my request if it have not why should she think it strange my love should desire a preheminency above that amity which she had unto her Brother From hence it was great Nymph that all our miseries had their originall for when I was angry with her for the countenance which she gave unto this shepheard she answered me that her Brothers affection unto him was the cause of it But when I replyed that the report of her Marriage unto him was so common as it was impossible I could endure to hear it What would your fantasticall suspicion answered she with an angry look have me to do You may call it what you please said I unto her but I shall never be at rest untill I see him banished from you Well said she with a more angry eye I will give you satisfaction this time but I wish this may be the last of your odd humours she expressed her selfe in such a manner as made me more suspect her then if she had denyed me with some handsome excuse This made me resolve to look more narrowly into the matter and trust unto no eyes but my own Oh most unhappy diffidence Oh what an abominable resolution was this which hath cost so much sorrow such extream torment and so many tears In order therefore unto this designe I spied out a time when Pantesmon went unto her Chamber for as fortune was either for displeasure or for some ill disposednesse she kept her bed that day And going up a back pair of staires which conducted to her Lodgings I came through a Lobby into a little Closet which had a dore over against her bed Such was my misfortune as I could through the key-hole see all they did but being at too far a distance I could not hear one word I saw and too plainly for my contentment this shepheard sit by her bed-side I saw him take her hand and kisse it several times I saw him talk bare-headed and at last kisse her lip without any resistance and for ought I could observe she answered him with no words of anger Oh heavens what a dagger was this to my heart I knew not what to do with my selfe I knew not how I should suffer this and live But such was my extraordinary affection unto her that though I had these bitter resentments yet it made me constantly to endure any thing which I thought pleasing unto her Pantesmon went away and I also he very ill satisfied with me and I absolutely mad at him Thus did Love drive us both away Now I beseech you great Nymph tell me Would you have thought I had loved her had not this gone to my very soul Could my resentment be lesse then to retire my selfe or Could it be carried with more discretion then never to speak of it unto any I do confesse I did endeavour to regain my liberty and when I found abundance of difficulty in unloosing the cords wherewith she held me I said severall times to my selfe That I would cut those I could not untie And when I was thus striving with my selfe it is true she sent one of her friends unto me But what could I think of her message more then that it was a continuation of her delusions Could I possibly give the lye unto such dear witnesses as my own Eyes So being full of anger I made that answer which she thus complaines of which was That one Nail drives out another Now since I had a beliefe that she had thus ungratefully betrayed me how could I give her a milder check I was obliged unto as much by the Lawes of my affection which would not let me lie now no more then before If she took it in any other sense then I intended it her innocence was the cause of it and my error made me say so She does not know of any other Love that ever driv my love of her out of my heart and yet my fears of displeasing her hath even untill this time deprived me of my greatest contentment When I at any time resolved to upbraid her for all this Love which had ever a great prevalence in my soul restrained me and gave me a check telling me that this would too much offend her whom I once loved so well that it was not handsome to twit her with her faults and make her ashamed of them but that I should be well contented with being loose from those perfidious obligations in which I had been so long entangled Oh! this advice was most pernicious unto me for doubtlesse had I at the first told her what I had seen she would have related unto me all that she had done and so I should have received as much satisfaction happinesse and contentment as I have since suffered torments and miseries But absenting my selfe wholly from her it was long before I knew that Pantesmon had left her And the worst was I durst not so much as enquire lest I should hear something which would encrease my griefe At last my love being stronger then my resolution or my anger I did by degrees go neer her and at the very first sight forgetting all the wrongs which as I thought I had received
I applyed my selfe more unto her then ever before But how did I finde her she had the same eyes the same mouth and the same beauty but she was not the same Doris who when I left her loved none but Palemon esteemed none but Palemon and carrassed none but Palemon At this sad return I saw nothing but disdain found nothing but hatred and resented nothing but rigour and anger so as untill very now it was impossible for me to let her know the cause of my retirement because she would never let me tell her but still interrupted my speech Now Oh great Nymph if these things be not testimonies of a most faithfull and violent love I will not desire her favour though the favour which I ask is not a pardon of any fault committed against love but only for loving her too much perhaps more then she would have me or more then she believes If Love would let me complain against her as in reason I may I should tell her that the hath done abundance of wrong both unto Love unto Doris and unto Palemon For Love may complain that she hath extinguished that fire which blazed with so pure a flame that Vertue it selfe could not be offended with its heat and in lieu of it she has kindled flames of anger and spleen so smothered with black smoak that in lieu of enlightning her soul they fill it full of darknesse and confusion But Doris has greater reason of compliant that so sleight a ground should make her perjured and break so many reiterated Oathes sworn unto that unfortunate shepheard never to change her minde And what can she answer Palemon if he should say unto her Is it possible unthankfull shepheardesse that so many years service so many testimonies of affection so many assurances of my fidelity should not make you have a better conceipt of me 'T is true I was jealous but was it not a fruit of Love I beseech you why not jealous if amorous Who should I be jealous of but of her I love But admit it be a fault and ought to be punished is it not the rigour of justice to equall the punishment to the crime But admit that it ought to equall it and that an eye for an eye and an arme for an arme ought to expiate the sin yet why should you punish me for being jealous of you for then the same punishment ought to be inflicted upon you since you were also jealous of me Is this an act glorious and worthy of a Lover But perhaps you will say unto me You cast me off and quitted me and has therefore rendred your selfe unworthy of any favour Well suppose I did cast you off you must therefore cast me off also and perhaps you have done it already Suppose us to be both upon equall tearmes I have cast you off and you have cast me off But now when I return again with abundance of repentance and sorrow for what is past are not you obliged by the Law of Like to do the like Here I am upon my knees before you with as many bitter tears of repentance as ever Lover had and can your anger extend so far as not to re-admit me into my former happinesse Forgivenesse is the greatest glory of the gods and it has this operation that it converts the greatest offenders into the greatest lovers Thus Palemon ended and Leonida and Chrisante prepared themselves to give Judgment when the other shepheard desired to be heard what he could say for himselfe The History of the Shepheard Adrastes I Beseech you great and puissant Nymph and you venerable Chrisante to stay your judgment untill you have heard me that you may have the better conusance of our differences and be able to put a just conclusion unto all our miseries and inquietudes I have loved this shepheardesse even from her very Cradle I have never since ceased loving her but still encreased in my desires to do her service I have endured all her disdaines and patiently suffered her to place all her affection upon another before my face Length of time has not lessened my love nor diverted my designe her rigours could never afright me and yet hitherto I could never make her leave the least of her cruelties She equally ballanced her selfe with favours unto Palemon and disfavours unto me and ever most cruelly scorned both my love and patience But all was one all her affronts did but the better enure me to endure the intolerable burthen of them they were so far from diverting me from her service that the more difficulties and miseries I met with the more did they confirme the violence of my love Oh heavens can any man infected with this disease be wise Can he look for any cure when his will cannot consent unto it All such as give me any counsell against Love are my declared enemies and though all manner of hopes were blasted yet my affection was unalterable it was never in the least degree startled or lessened No great Nymph I had rather die then diminish the least spark of that flame which burned me She has seen me severall times swim in tears before her she has seen me fall at her feet out of my wits But neither my tears nor danger of my life could ever obtain any thing from her but scorn and mockery A just resentment whereof had been revenged upon Palemon if my love could have consented unto any thing that might displease this cruell one But this passion of revenge was so unable to make me undertake such a designe as I am sure she cannot taske me with the least blemish in my affection and whatsoever she is pleased to say of me I may truly without any ostentation give my selfe the name of A Lover without a fault for jealousie could never finde any harbour in my soul as it did in this too happy shepheard nor did I ever think any ill or finde any fault with any of her actions Love can be my witnesse that even her very rigours were welcome to me when I considered that they were pleasing unto this fair Doris And though I am not so far out of Fortunes favour but any other shepheardesse would perhaps look upon me with a favourable eye yet most certain I am that I never professed any fidelity to them but abundance unto her But Love not to let so much disdain go unpunished and not to forsake a Love so pure as mine hath suffered her to resent the bitternesse of disdain by the divorce betwixt her and this shepheard But before Palemon ever loved her I did yet for all her bitter treatment she never saw the least alteration in me I was the first that served her I am the only one that has continued constant and shall be for ever in the same minde I do not set these things before her eyes by way of reproach but for truthes-sake only yet such truths as shall not put her unto any sad remembrances for so I
must needs phrase my past services And though her cruelty hath been such unto me yet must I in some sort excuse her since being engaged unto Palemon perhaps she had offended against her fidelity in doing otherwise But now when thanks be to the Fates she hath quitted him what reason or colour can she have for her cruelty since she tells you that she loved Palemon because she thought it reasonable to love him who loved her Upon her own ground reason and judgment I do appeal unto you great Nymph swearing unto you by her fair selfe for a greater oath cannot be that never did any Beauty cause a greater more sincere or more faithfull love then that of Adrastes unto the fair Doris Thus Adrastes ended his Oration with so many demonstrations of a perfect love as all that heard him were partners in his resentments And the shepheardesse Doris seeing he had said all he could after an humble reverence answered thus Great Nymph I am very sorry for this shepheard 's sake that all he hath said is true for since he loves me so well it grieves me that he should be ill treated yet you may perceive by what hath been said that the fault is not in me but it is himselfe only that pursues his ill fortune The first time he declared his minde unto me we were both so young that neither knew what Love was so as what he said unto me moved me no more then a person who was nothing at all concerned Afterwards he travelled and when he returned he found me not mine own for I had given my self unto Palemon So that as at the first time he might complain of my ignorance in love so at this second he might much more complain of my too much knowledge in it But he has no reason at all to complain against me for shepheard can you complain against me who was not capable of love for not loving you Lay the blame upon Nature accuse those Lawes unto which she hath submitted us all Then can you think it strange I will not love you when my will was not my owne Alas I have but one heart and one soul and one will You may with more reason complain and that me-thinks is the only plea you have that you did addresse your selfe unto me too soon and returned too late You say that I never looked upon you but with scorn but was ever very averse from shewing any favour unto you Truly Adrastes if you rightly interpret my actions you will finde that you are more obliged unto me for that then if I had done otherwise For had you received any satisfaction from me unto what a strange extremity would your love have been driven that was so great maugre all my rigours Consider Adrastes that favours from me would rather have been aggravations then any consolations in your misery Besides I could not have shewed them without much offence unto that sincere affection which I had promised Palemon I must needs confesse that it is just to love one that loves us but I do not say it is injustice not to love all those that have any affection unto us for if it were there would be no fidelity nor assurance in love if it were so you your selfe were obliged to render a reciprocall love unto the shepheardesse Bebliena who is ready to die for you But I mean that a woman being free from all other affection may without blame love him that loves her if there be no other reason of hatred but his love Now this case is nothing resemblant unto that betwixt you and me for I being engaged another way I cannot contract any new affection with you without a ruine of that which I have contracted already Had I dissembled with you or held you in hopes with any smooth language you might with reason complain against me but if I did ever tell you my minde plainly and freely are you not obliged unto me for it Have I not a thousand times over entreated conjured nay commanded as far as I had any power over you that you should extinguish your affection to me And have you not alwaies answered me that you would if you could do it and live And when you did continue on was it not for your own sake and not mine But great Nymph see how that which as I gather from his wordâ— he thinks to be his advantage does deceive him Doubtlesse he thinks that my affection unto Palemon was the only cause which kept me from giving entertainment unto his And indeed he no sooner heard of the dissentions betwixt that shepheard and me but presently he was blowne up with hopes to effectuate his desires and to lose no occasions of promoting them he hath ever since that time so importunately pressed me that I may and with reason call him rather my enemy then my friend But he is much deceived in these thoughts and does not consider that if ever this affection of mine do cease I shall with it so cease from ever any other love as I shall never resent any effects of it again Thus ended Doris Adrastes would have replyed but Leonida commanded silence and taking Chrisante Astrea Diana Phillis Madonthe and Laonice aside she asked them their opinions and advice But being long in consultation and the shepheards who were not called to counsell being impatient and could not be idle Hylas addressed himselfe unto Doris I do admire said he unto her that you should be angry for being too rich How do you mean answered she I mean said Hylas that you ought to entertain not only these two shepheards who love you but also as an evidence of your beauty all those that would offer themselves unto you For it is a womans honour to be loved and courted by many besides the benefit she may get by it I do believe answered Doris very carelesly that this would be a good way for those who would be esteemed fair and are not or for such as prefer that vanity before tranquillity and solid contentment If it be a Good to be loved replyed he the more that love you the more good you have And if it be ill replyed Doris the more I am loved the more ill it is True replyed Hylas but how can it be ill to be loved by many They will hate us in the end answered she Yes replyed he if you do not content and entertain them How should one satisfie and content many replyed Doris when it is impossible to satisfie and content one But said Hylas is it not good to have many Servants They will in the end become our enemies said she and in loving me they will more trouble then benefit me You must have a care said he to keep them your friends The paines replyed the shepheardesse is above the pleasure The gods said the shepheard do never think themselves troubled that many should bring offerings unto their Altars Most true answered she but it is a peculiar priviledge of
the gods to do good unto many without any trouble to them Me-thinks said Hylas that since love depends upon the will and since the will does extend it selfe to all it pleaseth there should be no great pains in loving severall persons The Lovers of this age answered she are not contented with matter of will but they would enjoy it in the effects an I therefore I think it impossible that the will should be divided amongst severall persons at one time Every one of them replyed he must but have a part This answered the shepheardesse I do think to be most impossible But suppose it might since the love of one is so painfull what would a great multitude be Then it seemes said he that you will love but one One answered she is too many and therefore I will love none at all And you shepheards said Hylas unto Palemon and Adrastes what do you say to this We said Palemon do make it appear that we think one to be enough How said Hylas must one love but one Nay fewer answered Palemon since we are two and love but one The discourse of Hylas had continued longer if the Nymph had not returned with all her company and stopped him She therefore and every of them taking their places again she spake thus The Judgment of the Nymph Leonida ALthough we do observe in this difference before us severall accidents which seem contrary to one another yet none of them are contrary unto Love for it is not more naturall for Fire to flame and burn then for Love to produce such dissentions amongst Lovers and those who go about to take them away do attempt a thing no lesse impossible then to take away heat from fire or keep it from flaming On the other side considering that he does not love who does not wholly and entirely dedicate himselfe unto her he loves we conceive it to be a kinde of treason to let any other have a share in his affection And though we do expresse our selves only in the Masculine person yet it doth hold as well in the Feminine Therefore all things being long and seriously debated and considered we do conclude that it would be unjust that love should be extinguished by a thing that is so naturall unto it selfe or to divide it amongst many upon any consideration whatsoever And we do declare that these fallings out and little quarrells are only renewings of love and that to divide or change affection is a crime of the highest nature that can be committed against Love Upon this ground we do ordain that Doris shall love Palemon and that Palemon being assured of her affection shall for the future give her some better testimonies of his love then by those of jealousie though we do conclude that jealousie be a signe of love but it is a signe of love as sicknesse is a signe of life for as one cannot be sick unlesse he live so one cannot be jealous unlesse he love but as sicknesse is a signe of an ill tempered life so jealousie is an argument of an ill tempered love Doris shall pardon and receive Palemon into her favour again and forget all former displeasures considering that Love is a most violent passion and makes one commit many things which are not allowed of by him that committed them nor ever would be had he not been infected with that disease And to avoid those displeasures which she hath resented for the time past we do ordain that as Doris shall treat Palemon as the person whom of all the world she loves best so likewise Palemon shall submit himself unto the will of Doris for if he will be free it will at last fall into tyranny And as for the patient and unfortunate Adrastes we do ordain that it shall be in his choice whether he will continue an example of a faithfull and unfruitfull affection by loving Doris still without any hopes of being loved again or whether he will by breaking the cords of his first love by violence by anger or by despair satisfie the affection of her who loves him and is ready to die for him This was the judgment of the Nymph which produced three very different effects in these three persons in Palemon an extream contentment in Doris so great an astonishment as she stood speechlesse but in Adrastes such a suddain stupification of spirits that he fell down as dead So as whilst Palemon in an extasie of joy and with a thousand confused expressions endeavoured to thank his Judge for so favourable a judgment Doris said not a word but fixed her eyes upon the ground as not knowing whether she should be glad or sad and Adrastes lying all along without any sense did move all that saw him unto so much griefe that Doris her selfe did pitty him All the Company flocked about him and lent him all possible assistance When he came unto himselfe again Leonida accompanyed with Astrea and all her Companions left them all three together but they continued so not long for presently after Palemon taking Doris under the arme went towards Mount Verdun and Adrastes following them with his eye and losing the sight of them amongst the Trees Farewell said he you happy and most perfect Lovers go and enjoy both your happinesse and mine whilst I by this most unjust Ordinance do all my life lament the losse of that felicity which you enjoy These were the last words he uttered out of a sound judgment for a long time for ever since his spirits were so troubled that he lost his wits and committed such absurd follies that even such as could not chuse but laugh at him could not chuse also but pitty him Hylas finding no justice in this Judgment which the Nymph had given did maintain his opinion against all those who conceived that this difference could not be better determined And because Leonida Paris were not ignorant of his humour they were very desirous to passe away the time in talking with him and in order thereunto Paris began thus Me-thinks Sister said he that you have done poor Adrastes abundance of wrong and might have well given a milder sentence for him Are not you of that opinion Hylas For my part answered he I believe the heavens had a minde to punish the fool Adrastes for otherwise it was not likely they would have suffered him to be thus condemned but I must needs confesse that his fond and foolish passion does not deserve a lesse punishment You Hylas and I answered the Nymph are of very different opinions for his love unto Doris continued with so much constancy and resolution me-thinks is so far from deserving any punishment that I do much commend him for it and therefore I gave him leave to continue it still if he would A very fine leave indeed said Hylas Why you might as well give him leave to live all his life in misery for my part I think you were very rigorous in it and I am sure
that were it my case I would revoke your judgment What judgment would you have given said the Nymph and smiled if you had been in my room I should have contented them all three answered he I am sure said Silvander and interrupted them that this Ordinance proceeds from a solid and well disgested judgment I am sure said Hylas that such as are of Silvander's melancholly temper are not fit to be Judges of Love but if you will solidly and seriously consider the reasons why one should love you will say that I am in the right and that Doris Adrastes and Palemon might have been all three contented and satisfied How could that possibly be said the Numph By ordaining replyed Hylas that Doris should love them both and that both of them should serve her for by this means they would have had what they desired which was that she should love them and she would have been better served There was none in the Company that could refrain from laughing when they heard this judgment especially Leonida Which Hylas seeing It seemes great Nymph said he that I have made you all very merry and that you mock me Nay rather answered she it seemes Hylas that you mock us Excuse him Madam said Silvander for he speaks as he thinks If your thoughts said he unto Silvander almost angry be different from mine you think but very ill and I would gladly know what arguments you have to blame my judgment in this Silvander answered very carelesly Common sense tells us that what many have a share in is entirely possessed by none If many have shares in the love of Doris Adrastes and Palemon can have but their parts and he that has but a part in love has nothing of it at all But why said Diana unto Silvander do you speak thus unto Hylas do you not know how he does not understand that language Truly said Hylas you do very well to put in your vie also for perhaps Silvander alone is not Babell enough to confound all the World Then addressing himselfe unto Leonida Did you ever Madam hear such an absurd opinion said he as this of Silvander's that if one have but a part of a thing he hath nothing at all Will any one think that there is no water in a River because the Sea is not in it I would gladly know what this Common Sense is which teacheth such false Doctrines Silvander answered If Love could be divided and still remain Love as Water may and still be Water I should yield unto you Water is of such a nature that the least drop is Water as well as the whole Sea but Love on the contrary is no longer Love if the least part be wanting and to prove this to be a truth Love does consist principally in an extream affection and perpetuall fidelity if you take either of these parts from it it is love no longer I believe there is none in the Company except Hylas but will confesse it for if the extream be wanting in the affection or if fidelity be wanting it is treason and not love if fidelity be in it and not perpetuall it is not fidelity but perfidie So as Hylas I must conclude that who so hath only one part of Love hath nothing of it at all If it be so that Love is a thing individuall it had been against reason to enjoyne Doris to divide her love partly to Palemon and partly to Adrastes Upon this Paris began to speak Me-thinks Hylas said he that we have reason of our side but Silvander has by his discourse gotten the favourable opinion of all the Company and let me tell you that if you do not answer him I shall acknowledge what he saith Generous Paris said Hylas whatsoever Silvander saies or whatsoever you think yet truth will never change and for my part I am sure experience is more certain then all manner of words for there is no arguing against it Now Silvander has nothing but a few smooth handsome words to prove what he saith but I have found what I say by so many effects and familiar experience that I will never seek any further then my selfe for any arguments For I have loved many at once and say what he will or can I am sure I did truly love them and therefore may not Doris do the same Many replyed Silvander do think they do things when they do them not All Artificers but more especially those that do addict themselves unto the Arts and Sciences which are not Mechanicall have a very great opinion of what they do and very few but think their own works much better and more perfect then any others when as it is apparent they do but deceive themselves and very often great imperfections are seen in them by others Selfe-love is ever blinde but alwaies open to the eyes of others Hylas thinks he loves and that he loves well though he be but a very bad workman and therefore whosoever would love aright and not erre must never take him for a pattern Who then said Hylas my selfe If any answered Silvander believe it Silvander is he See said Hylas one of the greatest pieces of presumption that ever self-selfe-love produced Do you think none but your selfe can love well I say answered Silvander that my affection is pure and perfect that you cannot tax it with any fault nay more that you cannot name me another that excells me So so said Hylas was ever any so over-weened and arrogant as this shepheard Is he the only one that knowes how to love Came he from heaven Is he the great pattern unto men and gives them the Lawes of Love and can measure the grandure and perfection of our wills Fair Nymph if it would not be too tedious unto you I beseech you give me leave to shew him his error Then cocking his Beaver with one arme a kembow and the other accompanying by its gesture the violence of his speech he spoke thus I observe two things Silvander in your speech the one that your affection is pure and perfect and unalterable the other that I cannot name another more accomplished Can any thing be added unto that which is perfect I am confident you will say No for if it would admit of any addition then it wants something and cannot be perfect That thing unto which nothing can be added must be arrived at its extremity and therefore it must be confessed that whatsoever is perfect is extream Now if your affection be perfect then nothing can be added unto it nor can it be made greater then it is nor more accomplished Now tell me presently What is Love Is it not a desire of beauty and of a good which you want But your love is a desire of a good which you want Therefore it must consequently be confessed that something may be added unto your Love which it hath not Moreover you say that your affection cannot be taxed with any crime If I should ask you whom
be only a desire how can you think that desires will be augmented by enjoyment which do diminish and glut them Therefore Hylas do not say that my Love being a desire cannot be perfect without enjoyment And do not accuse of arrogance because there ought to be an equall proportion betwixt Diana and me unlesse you will deny that men may love the gods for then I shall yield unto you But if you confesse that to love the gods be the greatest commandment upon us then I ask you shepheard whether there be a greater disproportion betwixt Diana and me then betwixt Thautates and Hylas And to convince you of your errour it is requisite I explain this secret mystery of Love unto you We cannot love unlesse we do know the thing which we do love Oh said Hylas how false is that position For I do love above a hundred Ladies and Shepheardesses and yet I never knew one of them well for as soon as I found them to be peevish and disdainfull I left them and was angry with my selfe for thinking otherwise of them then I found them This reason answered Silvander ought to make you confesse what I do say For you did love that which you knew not that is having an opinion that they were full of perfections you judged them amiable you loved them but finding out the truth you left loving them and by this you see that the knowledge of the persons was the originall and source of your love and truly if the will from whence love begins be never moved unto any thing but what the judgment thinks good there being no likelyhood that the understanding can judge upon a thing of which it hath no knowledge I do wonder how you can imagine one should love that which he doth not know I do confesse that as the eye may sometimes be deceived so may the understanding and may judge that amiable which is not But yet Love must come from knowledge be it true or false Now this being so have you not learned in the Massilian Schooles that understanding and the thing understood are but one and the same thing What! still harping upon the same string said Hylas are you Diana Silvander as you were the other day Truly Diana said he and turned towards her you are a very pretty Boy And you Silvander said he and turned towards him you are a very handsome Wench Believe me shepheard you are excellent good company and will ere long be as pleasant a Fool as ever was in Forrests Every one began to laugh at this Silvander himselfe could not hold hearing how he interpreted what he had said and his way of speaking and therefore he continued thus You may very well shepheard said he make your selfe merry with me since I had no more wit then to prophane these mysteries by communicating them unto you nor should I have done it had we been alone but I was constrained unto it because I would not leave those that hear us in an errour But though you will not allow what I say for Orthâ—dox yet perhaps you will hearken unto what your selfe said concerning Phillis I mean that you did alledge the good opinion which you had of your own merits and the merits of Phillis as a good argument and that you did not esteem heâ—s such but that yours might equall them Now if you had this beliefe of your selfe why will you not allow me to take the same advantage of selfe conceit for I do think that the same proportion that is betwixt the fire and the wood which the fire burnes is betwixt Diana and me Now if you deny this to me good friend why do you take more priviledge to your selfe But I dare with assurance affirme that Hylas does not love Phillis I shall maintain it to be absolutely impossible For the chiefe Ordinance of Love is That a Lover do think all things most perfect in the person Loved And truly it is a Law most just and grounded upon great reason for if a Lover ought to love his Mistresse above all things in the whole Universe ought he not to esteem her above all things since his will directs him alwaies unto that which his understanding tells him is best But it does plainly appear that it is Hylas you love and not Phillis by saying that none loves but for their own contentment Now the pains which Lovers do voluntarily take only in doing service unto those they love does plainly make the contrary appear And have you not heard say that we live more where we love then where we breathe I shall never believe that answered Hylas this is nothing but talk that comes from such idle imaginations as yours Had you said replyed Silvander that the talk came from such a wounded imagination as mine you had said right for the imagination of a Lover is so We see some ready to die upon the wound of one little word upon the cast of an eye nay sometimes upon very suspition Sometimes you shall see a Lover deny unto himselfe all manner of rest and contentment only to enjoy the sight of the party loved for one minute But Hylas did you know what a felicity it is to be a fool in such occasions you would confesse that all the wisdome of the world is not comparable to this pleasing folly Were you able to comprehend it you would never aske what pleasure and contentment those faithfull Lovers whom you phrase melancholly and pensive do receive for you then would know that they are so ravished in contemplation of the party whom they love and adore as scorning all that is in the whole Universe they do not repent of any thing more than the losse of that time which they spend any where else and their soules not being well able to contain the grandure of their contentment they stand astonished at so much treasure and so many felicities which transcends their knowledge Know that the happinesse which Love doth recompense unto faithfull Lovers is the same that he may give unto the gods And these Lovers raising themselves above the nature of men do almost make themselves gods for all other pleasures which you do so highly prise are such only as a bastard-Love does afford unto such Animals as are without reason and such men as are only taken with them they do degenerate from the nature of Men and become almost Animals deprived of all reason Into such a Monster Hylas do you degenerate when you do love otherwise then as you ought such a Monstrositie I say does appear in you since there is no proportion in it and like Monsters it cannot produce its like and to be briefe like a Monster it cannot live long On the contrary my love is every way so perfect as nothing can be added or diminished without an offence to reason for both in grandure and quality I can without any vanity say that it is arrived at perfection In saying that my affection could not be blamed
or taxed I had great reason to say so for she from whence it doth proceed did never produce any thing but what was most perfect And I know that the gods would chastise me if I should dare to offer unto a soul so perfect as hers an affection that could any waies be blamed Silvander would have continued when Hylas not being able to be patient any longer interrupted him in this manner Silvander how long do you intend to abuse the patience of those who hear you How long will you fill their ears with your vanities and fond imaginations And how long do you think I can endure the impertinences of your language All the Company were surprised to hear Hylas come out with his expressions in so loud a voice as every one began to laugh so loud that he was forced to be silent And because the day was almost spent and Leonida was to return unto Adamas to relate unto him all these passages as Hylas was beginning to speak she said thus unto him No no you have disputed long enough Hylas for one time the reverend Chrisante is not accustomed to be so long from the Temple of the good goddesse Let it suffice shepheard that we know you have very good arguments against Silvander but we entreat you to refer them untill another time in the mean time we will go away in this belief that if you had had time to express your self you would have gotten the better of him as yet he hath got the better of you See said Hylas halfe angry how there will be still some imperfections or other in our natures What do you say replyed the Nymph I say answered Hylas that though you be a Nymph yet you make it appear you are but a woman and has not patience to hear out the truth but is pleased with the tickling flatteries of this shepheard who does but deceive you You do not at all offend me said Leonida smiled in calling me a woman for truly I am so and would be so and would not change sexes with the most accomplished man in the Country But I know not why you should accuse me with the fault that Silvander hath committed in alledging very good reasons and with the fault which Hylas hath committed in answering him so very ill Questionlesse Hylas had replyed if he had heard the Nymph but he being gone away in a chase he did not hear these last words And Leonida seeing it was very late she went with Chrisante and the Druides Daughters unto the Temple of the good goddesse and afterwards went to Adamas Paris not following her for his affection unto Diana was such as he enjoyed no felicity but in her presence Thus the Nymph went unto her Uncles and Paris taking the contrary way went unto the fair shepheardesses and stayed with them a long time Leonida desired very much to relate unto her Uncle all that had been done for Celadon and by fortune she met him walking upon a Tarrasse which was shadowed with Sicamours before the house He wondred to see her return so soon and she telling him the cause he could not chuse but laugh that every one should be so deceived I think said Leonida that it will be a good inducement unto him to leave this kinde of life which he lives for if he should be acquainted that his shepheardesse loves him and laments his losse doubtlesse he would take a resolution to see her but I do not conceive it so fit for me to tell him as for you assuring my selfe that the amity and respect he bears unto you will have better operation upon him then all the Rhetorick I can use for your words have more weight and solidity in them then mine have I shall tell Celadon said the Druide but I know not what effects my speaking will produce for I know he loves me and bears much respect unto me in all things but concerning his affection And I must confesse that I had long since acquainted the shepheardesse Astrea where he was knowing that she loved him had I not feared it would have been a means to make him go unto some other salvage and retired place where I could not finde him again but my fears of losing him did restrain me It is now two daies since we saw him and therefore it will not be amisse if tomorrow we give him a visit and do the best we can to prevail with him In this resolution therefore they went to bed and in the morning day did no sooner appear but Leonida got up and Adamas also so that as soon as they were dressed they set forward That morning the shepheard was not gone out of his Cave but was beyond measure pensive at the passages of the preceeding day yet very glad and wel pleased with his fortune that had given him leave to see the fair Astrea once more before he dyed And considering that he had never received such a favour from her as at that encounter except when he was a young Child when he saw her in the Temple of Venus he cryed out Oh most happy misfortune that hath been more favourable unto me then my best fortune Oh the goodnesse of Love which in his greatest torments gives the greatest contentments Who would ever retire himselfe from thy obedience since thou haste so great a care of all that are thine Whilst this shepheard was thus entertaining himselfe Adamas and Leonida came to him And because Celadon's face did testifie the contentment which he received the Druide and the Nymph after common salutations told him that they much rejoyced to see him look better then he did and hoped that he had received some kinde of comfortable courage The comforts which you do finde in my countenance answered Celadon are like unto Suns in Winter which rise late and set early and which indeed do give some light but it is through so many muddy clouds that neither the light nor the heat do much warm Then he related to them his encounter with Silvander how he had put a Letter into his hand how he saw Astrea with all the shepheardesses and had put a Letter into her breast But alas Father said he this happinesse was too great for me and I am afraid that it was only to make me more sensible of my sorrowes and that heaven to make me more sad in my miserable condition did only let me see her whose I ought to be if there were any justice in Love No Childe answered the Druide Love having care of you and intending to make you more happy then you are hath given you this small contentment lest you should be driven out of one extremity into another knowing very well that such sudden changes are very dangerous And in confirmation of what I say Leonida will tell you what she hath seen and what declarations of amity she has seen the fair Astrea make Then the Nymph acquainted him with the empty Tombe that was erected for him with
the ceremonies the tears and discourse of every one and particularly of Astrea and that you may give credit unto what I say said the Nymph let us go and see Celadon's Tombe for it is so neer this place that perhaps you heard the voices of the Druides Daughters and the Priest You tell me such stories said Celadon that I should hardly believe them had they come from the mouth of any other I would not have you replyed the Nymph give more credit unto me then to the veryest stranger in the world but come and believe your own eyes Upon this the Druide and Leonida got him out of his Cave and conducted him into the Wood where his empty Tombe was erected Oh! how astonished he was and how presently he began to read that Inscription which Silvander had set upon it and having read it three or foure times over I must needs confesse said he that you told me truth But having received so great a contentment would it not be want of love if I should have any desire since I must not see her Doubtlesse said Adamas if you should live a Recluse and never see her it would argue want of courage and love in you Want of Love answered the shepheard presently Ah no I confesse it might argue want of courage which upon this occasion might fail me because I have such abundance of Love I should believe answered Adamas that you do not love Astrea if knowing that she loves you and you may see her you absent your selfe from her presence Love answered the shepheard commands me to obey her and since she hath commanded me not to see her do you call it want of love if I observe her commandment When she laid that command upon you said the Druide she did hate you but now she loves you and grieves for you not only as absent but as dead Be it as it will answered Celadon she Commanded me and be it as it will I will Obey her Yet replyed Adamas as perfect an observer as you are of her commands you have already disobeyed since you have seen her and were present before her eyes She did not forbid me said Celadon from seeing her but only not to come in her sight and how could she see me when she was asleep Since it is so said the Druide I will finde out a way that you shall see her every day if you please and she shall not see you I conceive that said Celadon to be very difficult for she must either be asleep or else I must be close hid in some place No replyed the Druide for more then that you may speak to her also if you please This cannot be replyed the shepheard unlesse I be in a very dark place You shall said Adamas be in the open light and see her if you have but courage or if Love have the power to make you attempt it Do not think Father answered Celadon that there shall be either want of love or courage in me provided I do not disobey her commands Now see said the Druide how I do intend to contrive it It is the goodnesse of the great Tautates to give me a Daughter whom I deerly love above my own life This Daughter according to the rigour of our Lawes is educated amongst the Druides Daughters in the Monosteries of Carnutes it will be above the expiration of eight long years before I can have any hopes of her comming out Perhaps you may remember how I told you how there is a great resemblance betwixt you and her both in age and face Now I do intend to give it out that she has been sick and upon such an occasion the antient Druides will allow her to retire untill such time as she be able to officiate in the necessary Exercises A few daies after you shall assume her habit and I will receive you into my house under the notion and name of my Daughter Alexis And it is very requisite to give out that she is sick for your way of living these last two Months hath so altered your face and taken away that fresh colour which was wont to be in your cheeks as any that sees you would be deceived And though the resemblance which is betwixt you be not so great but that when you are both together a great difference may be found it is no matter for it is so long since any in this Country saw her that though the resemblance were lesse yet when they hear me call you Daughter they will certainly take you for her I see nothing in all this but one inconvenience which is that every year we all use to assemble our selves at Dreux a place so neer the Carnutan-Monastery that the Druides and Priests may come to discover that my Daughter is not gone from thence But this shall be no stop for it will be two months before these Druides do assemble and they must stay there two months more and god knowes whether before that time you may not have changed your habit and life Now Celadon consider whether all this be not very feasable Ah! Father said Celadon after he had a while thought upon it do you think that Astrea by this means will not see me Do you think andswered the Druide that she can see you when she does not know you How can she know you when you are in such a habit But Father replyed Celadon let me be habited as you will I shall be still Celadon in reality so as I shall thereby disobey her That you are still Celadon is true answered Adamas but still you do not by this disobey her command For she has not forbidden you to be Celadon but only that she shall not see this Celadon Now when she sees you she does not see Celadon but Alexis And for a conclusion of all if she do not know you you do not offend her and though she should know you and be angry and command you to die yet were not such an end better then to languish to death in this manner This Father said the shepheard is a good reason and I will ground upon it therefore Father I will put my selfe my life and my contentment all into your hands dispose of me therefore as you please Thus did Adamas work upon the obstinacy of Celadon and to the end he should not change his minde he returned that very houre to take order for what was necessary and especially to spread abroad a report that his Daughter was sick and was to return home For it was the custome of Druides Daughters when they were sick to come out of their Monasteries and if their Parents were negligent the Ancients of the Monastery would send unto them for they held it as a great misfortune if any dyed there Therefore he gave out that the Antients had sent unto him that his Daughter was to come home and that he expected her every day Adamas and Leonida were very busie in providing all things necessary for
do not know it already that she is so extreamly in love with him that she cannot endure I should look upon him And had she as much power over me as I have over her she would never have suffered me to come into the place where she was Did you never observe Silvia how she feeds upon him with her eyes if I may so expresse my selfe and to look off him is a death unto her To see me neer him struck her to the heart and swelled every vein with jealousie I have many a time observed the variety of passions that are in her I have seen her sometimes no fire hotter and immediately upon a sudden as pale as death sometimes she would be all talk and afterwards as mute as if she had not tongue I have often seen her so fix her eyes upon him as if she would have look'd him through and I have laughed at her in those extasies and ravishments And she desiring to engrosse him wholly to her selfe and take me off has invented this tale she hath told you which is as false as the gods are just and true Upon this she took another of Lindamor's Letters which was directed to her selfe which you may read said Silvia Which Leonida took and found in it these words Lindamor's Letter unto Galathea SInce my fatall absence does not only deprive me of your presence but also ravish from me the honour anâ— happiness of your favour I do vow that I will live only to render a testimony that I do better deserve that happiness which you have promised unto me than that perfidious man who is the cause of my disgrace This wicked Villain shall never aspire unto that honour either by Love or by Armes or by Artifice as long as I do live He shall ere long confess what I do say or else that sword which he hath already felt the sharpness of shall cut his throat who lives now too happily for the miserable and unfortunate Lindamor to endure When Leonida had read this Letter I assure my self Sister said she that Galathea did finde that her so deerly beloved Celadon was not in any danger of his life by any means of mine but rather that Traitor Polemas who is the cause of all our misery May Hesius punish him by armes and Tamaris by Thunderbolt that my Lady may know I did not lie when I related unto her the wickednesse of Climanthe and the cosening Lover For every syllable I said unto her is true If I did lye let the Sacred Misleto never be Salubrious unto me To be brief Sister I sweare by all that 's Sacred that this is true And though I do not care for returning unto Marcelles as long as she continues in this humour yet I shall be very glad you would take all occasions and use your best endeavours to let her see her errour Not for any other end but because I would vindicate my honour and live within the compasse of my owne quality without reproach Sister said Silvia you need not use so many othes to assure me of the subtility of Polemas For I did ever beleeve it both from what you told me and from my owne observation of his actions And you may beleeve I will take all occasions use my best Arguments and not leave one stone unturned to perswade the Nymph of the truth But I must not flatter you in this For I cannot hope either any words or perswasions will work with her untill her minde be better settled which perhaps will be too late unlesse God send some unlookt for meanes For I see that Polemas hath a bad designe which he would not hide but for his feares that he hath of Clideman and Lindamor whom he knowes to be armed and so much in favour with King Childerick who is successor unto the great Meroveus and who has a very great particular love unto Clideman and Lindamor especially unto Guyemant so as he cannot be without them Polemas being subtile and crafty does feare that if she should attempt any novelty in the State these Frankes would by force ruine all his designes But to let Matters of State alone which should be medled with by more able persons then we are Let me tell you Sister that when Galathea read Lindamors Letter she plainly found that Celadon was not in danger therefore halfe of her anger was over Did I not tell you Madam said I unto her That Lindamor did meane Polemas T is very true said she unto me and I confesse that I accused Leonida wrongfully but it was my compassion unto that poore shepheard which moved me unto that language Madam sayd I I beseech you beleeve that Leonide would willingly never do you that displeasure but she knowing very well that you did not love Polemas she had good reason to desire that Lindamor might obtaine the happinesse of your favour because there is a neere relation of Kindered betwixt her and him For be pleased to know Madam that Lindamor is of the illustrious blood of Lavieu and she of Fieur which have bin so long linked together by alliances that those two families seeme but one On the contrary there was ever emnity betwixt the house of Surieu and that so as she may well be excused if she did desire and endeavour to defeat Polemas from the happynesse which he pretended unto I do know answered Galathea that there hath beene great emnity betweene the house of Lavieu and Surieu and since the combate betwixt Lindamor and Polemas there hath been no amity betwixt them And I must needs confesse Leonida has reason for what she did for it is Naturall to desire that the Family from whence any do derive themselves may flourish and be advanced And had I knowne it sooner I should not have taken her protection of Lindamor so ill whether it was against Polemas or against Celadon Also when I consider upon what you tell me I am apt to beleve that it was Adamas who helped Celadon to escape to the end that Lindamor being as you say his cosen might arrive at his desire and I do think Leonida to be innocent in the matter Therefore in that consideration and because she did not send unto Lindamor any of our passages in the Pallace of Issoures I will pardon her yet said she we must make further use of her in a businesse which by her meanes may be effected Here Silvia stopt and leaving her discourse upon that subject said thus unto Leonide You see Sister that I do hide nothing from you because our friendship bids me be open unto you but if you should discover me I am utterly ruin'd And therefore I beseech you be as secret in it as possible you can I had rather I were eternally dumb said Leonida then I should commit such a fault Know then continued Silvia that Galathea after she had well bethought herselfe said thus unto me you see Silvia how extreamly I am troubled with these two men I meane Lindamor
sit downe Hylas who from the first sight of her had a good mind to her so as Phillis was almost quite out and this in his heart he took her by the arme and made her sit downe as it were by force then sitting by her his eyes were never off her face In the meane time Leonida and Lycidas went unto the window there continued on their discourse but Lycidas still eying Alexis he first said I cannot chuse but looke upon the faire Daughter of Adamas for she has such a resemblance of my poore Brother both in her features and Aire as I can finde no difference betweene them but in habit Is it long said Leonida since he dyed It is answered he about four monthes since I have heard so many good reports of him said Leonida that I am sorry I never saw him As for his Interiour parts I cannot describe him unto you said Lycidas But as for his face and actions looke upon Alexis who is the just picture of him The very same eyes the same mouth the same symmetrie of every part Alexis all this while did suffer all that Hylas said but it was with much adoe Oh heavens said Lycidas the very same smile the same turne of his head Was there ever such a resemblance as this Leonida fearing that his consideration of her resemblance unto Celadon might discover that she was Celadon indeed she said thus unto him But Lycidas to returne unto our former discourse when Paris erected his Tombe I heard that Astrea did infinitly love him and could not chuse but breake out into many expressions of it I would it had pleased the gods answered Lycidas with a deep sigh that she had never loved him for then my brother had bin now alive Why said Leonida do you accuse her for his death I have heard that she has so grieved his losse as she herselfe hath been in danger The story said Lycidas very faintly would be too long and tedious to relate now but if she be unhappy in marrying Calydon who loves her not It is the just revenge of love upon her for the death of Celadon who adored her of which she is too guilty Is it long since Celadon was lost said Leonida It is about twelve or fifeene dayes since answered he Then said the Nymph it was presently after she received our judgement Ten or twelve dayes after said the shepheard I assure you all that knew her laments her losse For my part said the Nymph I never heard of it untill now yet beleeve me I do deeply resent it but pray Lycidas tell me how it came to passe The Sequell of the History of Celidea I Had thought Madam answered Lycidas that you had heard of this pittifull story because it was an accident so strange as every one reported it as a great wonder But since I perceive you have not Be pleased to know that poore Calidon being by your sentence condemned he grieved beyond thought Yet after a long condoling of his sad fate reason began to take place He setting before his eyes his duty unto Thamire the disdaine of Celidea and his oath to obey your doome he rooted that domineering passion out of his soul and set his heart at rest In the mean time Thamires acquainting Cleontine with his designe and especially Celideas Mother within a fortnight all things were in that forwardnesse as there wanted nothing to consummate the marriage but going to bed together That night being come the house was all joy in hopes of that support which all Celideas friends expected by her mariage with this rich man Untill just now Calidon obeyed your doome But when he began to thinke that this very night Celidea was to be in the armes of another and not his all his resolutions failed his eyes saw that they never saw before and his heart began to have other thoughts He retyred himselfe to a corner of the chamber and there drooped in his owne thoughts whilst every one was dancing Thamires who loved him as his owne Sonne did doubt from whence this sadnesse proceeded so as out of pitty he went gently to him and heard him uttering these words A Lover cannot live and see His mistress any other's be For he that loves can never yeild Another master of the Field But though I dye I shall retaine A memory of mourning paine So when I have resign'd my breath Sorrowes will follow after death So whether I do live or dye My fate is onely misery And sadder Fate sure none can have As not to rest within a grave Thamires hearing this did exceedingly pitty him and more when after these words he saw him lift up his hands and eyes and so swel'd with teares that he was not able to speak he withdrew gently to tell Celidea in what condition she found him desiring her to give him some consolation The shepheardesse was very willing to obey Thamires nor was she desirous to lose Calidons favour since she was to live with his Unckle therefore she went unto him whom finding in that condition How now shepheard said she unto him what all alone when we are in dancing Ah shepheardesse answered he you may well allow me that liberty since all your mirth is at my cost but I wish it were without offence to god or you that I might end my sad dayes before this night came to put me out of all hopes of any contentment What do you meane said the shepheardesse my meaning is replyed he that did I not offend the great Tautates in putting my selfe to death and you in making you to lose a most faithfull servant this very hand should dispatch my life before that night come in which I shall see Thamires enjoy her whom my affection onely can merit Celidea seeming to take no notice of any such things I thought said she that you had forgotten all those follies and I do wonder they should be still in your memorie How replyed Calidon with a deep sigh can Calidon ever forget Celidea are you not afraid Thamires will punish you for an offence so great against my love Take heed your offence be not greater answered she when you call to minde the promise made unto Leonida to observe the sentence she should pronounce have you so soone forgot it or do you think the gods ever will How can you ever hope that the Misleto of the new yeare should ever be salubrious unto you since you swore by it to obey your doome Ah shepheardesse replyed Celadon Do not think I have forgot the unjust judgment of that pittilesse Nymph pardon me Madam for repeating his words The memory of it is too sadly fresh to be so soone forgotten nor do not thinke I am of opinion that the gods forget my oath no nor that I care whether the Misleto of the new yeare be Salubrious or no since in loving you there is nothing in this world that I do care for Yet Do you not stand in feare said she of
beauty be the matter said Corilas Phillis is not defective in it She hath lesse then Alexis said Hylas for she is not able to hold me now I have seen the other and therefore I must fairly take my leave of her Silvander who had been long silent seeing Corilas did not reply he undertook the discourse for him It is not any defect in the beauty of Phillis said he which moveth this shepheard to make his retreat but it is his owne naturall inconstancy Very well said Hylas do you call it inconstancy when one goes on step by step unto the place where they intend to arrive No said Silvander And yet said Hylas such a one does set his foot sometimes upon the ground sometimes in the air sometimes before sometimes behinde And is not this inconstancy as well as that which you lay in my dish For intending to arrive at a perfect beauty I do set one foot before another and never leave changing till I arrive at my intended place Even so have I done by all I have hitherto loved untill I found Alexis who I finde to be the most perfect beauty of all This might hold good answered Silvander if you could demonstrate to us that you do merit to love Alexis For as you have gotten the name of Inconstant by loving so many so now you will get the name Presumptuous in loving Alexis Alexis was long silent taking great delight in the discourse of these shepheards but when she heard her selfe so highly commended she thought it fit to speak Did I as much merit the affection of Hylas said she as I am willing to entertain it certainly he should have no small reason to love me Then tuming her selfe in a smiling manner towards Hylas Servant said she unto him take heed lest the language of this shepheard should divert you for you would wrong both your selfe and me if it should It would be a shame for you to attempt an enterprise and so soon give it over and it would be too evident an argument of my little merit if you should so soon quit me But Hylas said Silvander do you not dread the displeasure of Teupates in addressing your selfe unto one who is consecrated unto him Ignorant Silvander said Hylas the gods do command us to love themselves and how can they be angry with us for loving that which is theirs You see said Alexis that this shepheard hath some designe upon us he would cunningly turn you from me by artifice for he knowes well enough that if I will I can leave off that profession which I have taken upon me Whilst these shepheards were thus talking Adamas was entertaining Phocion Diaonis and Tircis and because he esteemed them very much both for their age their vertues and for his designe in making a Match between Celadon and Astrea he did all that possibly he could to bid them welcome And because Tircis was a stranger and had never seen the raritles of his House he asked him if he would take so much paines as to walk and see it And hearing him answer that he did infinitly desire it he took him by the hand and willed Paris to do the like unto Hylas and the rest of the shepheards if they had a minde Alexis with the help of Hylas who led her by the arme followed Adamas with the rest of the Company The House was very fine and furnished with many excellent singularities but because the discourse of it would be too long we will speak no more of it then what is pertinent to our purpose They entred then into a large Gallery which had a prospect of Plaines on the one side and Mountains on the other which made it very delectable and pleasant The sides was Wanscot fretted and betwixt the windowes hung with Maps of the severall Provinces of Gaul At the higher end hung Pictures of severall Countries Kings and Emperours and amongst them the Portractures of severall very beautifull Women The top was adorned with Gold and Azure very richly imbossed with many severall devices Every one fixed their eyes upon that which was most agreeable unto their fancies But Hylas whose heart was all for beauty looking upon a Picture which contained two Ladies See said he two very delicate faces Which of these two should one judge to be the fairer Adamas who heard him That said he on the right hand is the Picture of the Mother in Law and the other on the left the Daughter in Law Both of them were two Princesses as fair and as wise as ever any and as much tossed and turmoiled by the stormes of Fortune as any in our Times This which seemes the more aged is the wise Placidia Daughter unto the great Theodosius Sister unto Arcudius and Honorius Wife unto Constantius and Mother unto Valentiniaen all five Emperours whose Pictures are a little farther off The other is the Picture of Eudoxe Daughter unto Theodosius the Second and Wife unto Valentinian whom Genserio carried into Affrica They were two Princesses said Tircis of great beauties and as great extractions But wherein was their Fortunes so averse I shall briefly tell you replyed Adamas and shall thereby acquaint you with some of these Pieces which you see here Then after a while of silence he began thus The History of Placidia THEODOSIUS the first of that name Emperour of the East one of the greatest Princes the World had since Augustus he had three Children One Arcadius who after him was Emperour of the East Another was Honorius who was Emperour of the West And the third was the wise Placidia whose fortune was so various that we see in her how Vertue is ordinarily crossed For she being at the dispose of her Brother Honorius and he under the government of Stilicon unto whose Guardianship the great Theodosius had committed him during his nonage she was so variously tossed and tormented by severall accidents as if Fortune had made choice of her to shew the power it hath in all human things of which Stilicon was the greatest cause who having great power over the person of Honorius and the whole Empire his ambition aspired at more absolute authority and aimed to make himselfe sole Emperour as when his designes were discovered it did plainly appear He being a man of a deep reach and managing his matters so as might most condure to his desired end and grandure he thought it expedient for him to make use of policy and subtlety where it was impossible for him to compasse it by force His way was therefore at the first to stretch his authority to the highest pitch before he made his intentions known and afterwards to fortifie himselfe by marrying his Daughter unto young Honorius for the very name of Father in Law to an Emperour looked big and procured him a great honour and fear Afterwards he held secret intelligence and correspondency with all such as he thought fit instruments for the advancement of his designe And lastly resolved to weaken the
she added unto all these which was not inferiour to any of the precedent And gave him two children by his dearest and so highly beloved Placidia the one called Valentinian and the other Honoriques of whom I have been very curious in getting their pictures This peece is Valentian's next unto Eudoxe his wise Daughter unto the Emperour Arcadius And that peece is Honoriques next Attilia who after she married him followed him into Pannonia Now behold Placidia and Constantius at the highest step of their felicity But it seems fortune had onely made truce with this wise Princesse not a lasting peace For when her husband had prepared a formidable army to reduce Spaine entirely unto the Empire he fell sick of a violent disease and a few dayes after dyed All the comforts that this wise Princesse now had was in the lamentations and love of the whole Empire And also in the two Children which her husband had left her whom she educated with all possible care There was at that time a very wise and valiant Captaine in the army whose name was Aetius Sonne unto the great Gaudentius who was slaine in Gaule I must needs confesse that I am very partiall towards him for having made long warre in the neighbor Provinces we never received any harme by him or his Army But on the contrary I have known him so careful for our preservation that indeed all the Gaules are obliged unto him I was therefore very carefull in getting his Picture which I have placed next that of Attilia because it was he who held this scourge of god from the Gauls Observe in his Aquiline nose his Generosity in his large forehead full of wrinkles his Prudence and his quick and sparkling eyes his Vigilance and Celerity Indeed he was one of the most prudent and most valiant men of his time he could foresee things before there was any shadow of appearance unto others he was infinitly courteous and so liberall as in imitation of Alexander he reserved nothing to himselfe but Hope This was he who was made choice of by Honorius to prosecute the Enterprise in Spaine in whom the advice of Placidia had a great stroake But how miserable is the man that lives by the opinion of others for if he have no reputation he is scorned and if he have reputation and do not presently answere that opinion which men have of him he is suspected too light in the ballance And the worst is when he meets with such as have no experience It was the misfortune of this great person who thinking to go into Spaine without any stay in Gaule he was much deceived For finding the Burgundians ready to seize upon the Country of the Heduois and Seguanois and that the Frankes under the conduct of Pharamond their King had passed over the Rhine and would quarter in Gaule he was forced by this at home to make head against them before he passed any further which he did so happily that he sent back the Burgundians to the place from whence they came and forced back the Franks over the Rhine where they stayed yet not without many dangerous skirmishes as you may imagine For the rankes of all the Northerne people are the most hardy and warlick and have a great conformitie with the Gaules both in their Lawes Policies and Religion which argues that formerly theywere all but one people and that the Franks originally were Gaules But however Pharamond went back over the Rhine and by the prudence and valour of Aetius was forced to stay there Now though Aetius was victorious yet was he so much weakned that when he passed into Spain he found himselfe weaker then those he was to undertake for the Vandals fortifying in the Betique under the the conduct of Genserick were growne very puissant The Swedes and Almaines entered into Meridea and there quartered And the Gothes after the Death of Vualius having lost all good will unto the Romane Empire and not contented nor contianing themselves within their limits in Aquitaine they enlarged them in Spain so as what the Romans had was the least part Which constrained this great Captaine seeing his enemies stronger then himselfe to use prudence more then the sword and to make them enemies amongst themselves so as he thought it most expedient to temporize with them till he espied his advantage and to run no hazards in the meane time But Aetius having already chased the Burgundians and the Franks away Honorius expected that as soon as he was arrived in Spain he should presently heare newes of the defeat of the Vandals Swedes Almaines and Goths And seeing the newes was long in comming he suspected him and had an opinion that he was slack in his enterprises This Prince was timerous and having never been in armes he was ignorant in matters of warre So as he knew nothing by sight but measured every thing by the happy success of the great Theodosius and Constantius In so much as mistrusting Aetius he called him back and sent Castinus in his roome This Castinus was a great freind of Aetius And therefore the affaires of the Empire went the better because Aetius gave him the best instructions that he could opening unto him all their designes and the meanes to put them in execution In the mean time he returned to Rome where he gave an account of his actions unto Honorius But finding that the Emperour had some jealousie of him he retired unto his owne house and lived a private person afterwards seeing these jealousies did daily increase and that they would question him for his life he was forced to save himselfe in Pannonia amongst the Hunnes and Gepides And it it was a very prudent consideration which moved him to fly unto them rather then any other For had he gone to the Franks Burgundians Gothes Vissigots or Vandals It might have been said that the Emperor had just cause to suspect him and that he had held a compliancy with them But this could not be said of the Hunnes and Gepides because they were scarcely knowne unto the Romane people Placidia being extreamly angry with her Brother as well for the losse of Aetius as for the bad carriage of every thing else she resolved to retire unto Constantinople to her Nephew Theodosius whither she had gone long before had not Arcadius her Brother lying upon his death bed committed his Sonne Theodosius unto the Protectorship of Isdigerdes King of the Persians Parthians For though he was his friend and confederate yet the people had beene long enemies of the Empire and therefore she did not like that any strangers should have the government of her Nephew Yet Isdigerdes shewed himselfe a very good man in the businesse And because he could not go in person he sent a very great Captain unto Constantinople to govern the person and the state of this young Prince who was then about eight years of age The name of this Parthenian was Antiochus a man who did acquit
himselfe as much as he could unto this Princesse But see what constraint in love produceth Valentinian could never love her though she was the fairest Princesse in the world yet because he would not displease Placidia nor his Cosen-german upon whom all his fortunes depended he dissembled the matter so that every one thought him really in love with her I being brought up with this young Princess I must confesse that I did very inconsiderately cast my eye upon her and fell so fatally in love as it was impossible for me to make a retreat Should I say the sight of her was a happinesse unto me that hath cost me so much sorrow and pain But why should I make any doubt in the question since notwithstanding all my paines and sorrowes never was man more happy in such a generous designe then my selfe So then I became a servant unto this Princesse And there being then Tournements held in the Hippodrome at which Eudoxe was present as Valentinian entred the Lists under the notion name of the fair Eudoxe's Cavalier it may wel besaid I did the same being so captivated with her beauty and vertue that never man was more At the same time there was a young Lady of the best Families in all Greece preferred unto the young Eudoxe to be brought up with her her name was Isedore and it must needs be confest that there was none in all the Court alwaies excepting Eudoxe which was comparable unto her Valentinian no sooner cast his eye upon her but he fell presently in love with her But she was so charie of her honour and reputation as knowing that Valentinian could not marry her she would not allow of his addresse but at the first did refuse it in as milde a manner as she could but afterwards did reject it in a more harsh manner then perhaps the quality of Valentinian deserved And though he was very hot in pursuance of his affection yet did she behave her selfe so as she forced him to retreat in appearance because she vowed that if he continued she would acquaint Theoodosius and Placidia with it This young Prince fearing to displease the Emperour and his Mother did so conceal his desires as none could see them except Eudoxe and my selfe In the mean time my affection still encreased though this young Princesse did not perceive it The priviledge of my youth permitted me to see her when I pleased without suspition and I was so perpetually assiduous and diligent about her person as she employed me ofter then any other of my Companions And though at that time I hardly knew what Love was yet I took such infinite delight in being neer her in receiving her commands serving her and sometimes kissing the thing which she gave unto me as she did attribute it unto my civility I remember one day as she was walking in a Gallerie where there was abundance of rare Pictures there was amongst the rest that of Icarus whose wings failing fell into the Sea Ursaces said she unto me what does these scattered feathers and this man falling into the Sea signifie Madam said I unto her he was a young man who being inflamed with a generous courage would not he contented to flie so low as his Father whom you see by him and because his wings were set on with wax the heat of the Sun melted them so as he was forced to fall as you see him Truly answered she he was very rash and inconsiderate However replyed I he was of a most generous and noble spirit To what purpose said she since it brought him to his death Death answered I is very welcome when it leaves a brave memory behinde it What! said she unto me do you commend his act I do so much commend it Madam said I as I would not refuse to die upon conditions of the like glory This Princesse was at this time about some twelve years of age and I about fifteen or sixteen an age yet hardly capable of Love's resentments and yet I was not absolutely free however I had not so much boldnesse as to discover any thing unto her I perceive said she that you do esteem your life but very little Doubtlesse Madam said I unto her there are many things which I do esteem much more What! said she for when we are once dead all that we leave behinde us concernes us not Honour and Love answered I. What is this honour said she unto me It is an opinion replyed I which we do leave of our selves and of our courage and Love is a desire to enjoy something that is great and noble and therefore Madam I should not refuse to die in any generous acts or in doing you service first for the glory I should have by it and secondly for my affection unto you How said she Unto me like a very childe have you any love to me How do you know it By the effects answered I for when I am out of your sight I burn till I see you again and when I do see you I am vexed that I shall not see you long enough How did you come by this disease said she unto me and what is the cause of it Your perfections Madam said I unto her and your beauty hath caused this disease by staying long with you Were I as you answered she I would stay as little as possible could be but is there no remedy for the cure of this disease Yes said I unto her if you please to love me as well as I love you How said she presently would you have me burn when I see you not Good Ursaces look for some other Receipt for believe it you shall not have this I remember that when I have burned my finger I was in so much pain as I will hardly undergo so much again for your cure I durst not reply because there were many Ladies and Knights talking together in the Gallery and took no notice of us though they were there to accompany the young Princesse but her childhood and my youth permitted me to be with her without suspition But afterwards she grew more knowing and I grew more in love then before Valentinian whose whole designe was upon the fair Isidore did hold Tournements as oft as he could for having a good agility in that exercise he thought by that means to insinuate himselfe into the favour of that wise Lady still seeming as if all he did was for Eudoxe Now because he commonly took such as were of his own age and there being not above two years difference betwixt him and me I was alwaies of his party Fortune it seemes had a minde to favour me and conferred the Prize very often upon me which seeming as if it were in behalfe of Valentinian I alwaies carried unto Eudoxe and when she received it she permitted me to kisse her hand Oh how well did I think all my pains bestowed Yet I carried the matter with so much discretion as she could not possibly
be offended although she did sometimes remember the discourse which I had formerly with her for conceiving them to be but imprudencies of Infancy she passed by them thinking that age would better instruct me in my duty The first time that she suspected the contrary was one day when she was walking in the Emperours Garden after she had wearied her selfe with walking she set her selfe down in the shade and fell asleep in the lap of Isidore There was a great knot of young Cavaliers discoursing together not far off the Arbor where she slept when a Bee did rest it selfe upon her faire lippe and after it had sucked it a while it did sting it very much The paine caused her to start up and laying her hand upon her paine she complained against Isidore for the little care which she had off her Valentinian who was walking in the Garden hearing her cry and when he was come seeing her chide Isidore he told her that I had a receipt that would presently cure her and that he had seene the experience of it upon many and particularly upon my selfe within this two dayes What will he do said she unto him he will speake some certaine words answered Valentinian upon the place which is pained and the paine will immediatly cease Then she asked me whether it was true and I answered yes and that it never used to faile me nor did I think fortune would be lesse favourable to me in curing her then she hath been in curing others It vexed her extreamly that I should bring my mouth so neere hers and giving me her hand she commanded me to try upon it But I drew my mouth neerer her lippe and touched it she took away her hand and pulled back her head telling me that this was a kisse and not a receipt and would not permit me to use it but the raine did so much increase as it forced her to bid me teach it unto Isidore and she should use the charme upon her lip This was much against my will for I did extreamly long to have the celestiall happinesse of kissing her lip though I was very sorry for the paine she endured Love did advise me to teach other words unto Isidore to the end that finding no ease by them she might have recourse unto me My designe did take according to my wish for she muttering a few grosse idle words which I taught her and using other ceremonies the paine ceased not At which Valentinian laughing Do you think Mistresse said he that any one can administer this receit For my part I professe unto you I have tryed it and I found a present ease Now if it do you no good it is because Isidore hath omitted something Upon this going out of the Arbor he returned againe and brought in with him all the young Cavaliers Her pain did exceedingly encrease and her lip began to swell when she turning towards me Will you say upon your faith Ursaces said she that the receit is good I do sweare unto you Madam said I unto her by that honour which I owe you that I never knew it faile and I am sorry Isidore knowes not how to do it aright but I wish I were for this once a woman that I might do you this service I know not Madam said Isidore why you should be so scrupulous but I am confident that if you did see how your mouth is swelled you would use any remedy to help it But pray tell me Ursaces replyed Eudoxe will you be long in applying your receipt As little a time as I can Madam answered I. Then going to her she went into the most obscure part of the Arbor as being ashamed to be seene and the excessive pain forced her to let me use my Enchantment Was ever any Sorcerer so happy as my selfe I spoke the words upon her lippe but when I tooke hers between mine and as I sucked it did presse it a little certainly if ever any did dye of delight it would have been Ursaces She went away from me and blushed for shame This said she is the strangest receipt that ever was But Madam said Isidore Do you finde any amendment Me thinkes answered she that I do Your paine Madam said I unto her will presently be gone but I shall have it all my selfe How Ursaces said she must you have it all your selfe yes Madam answered I the condition of this receipt is such that he who cures must have the paine she who did not understand it or at least seemed so Truly Ursaces said she I am very much obliged unto you for taking my pain upon you Madam answered I could I as well take upon me all the paine that ever hereafter you shall endure be confident it should never trouble you Isidore smiled and said Madam if you have as much good will unto him as he has unto you you must presently cure him of his paine as he hath yours I had rather in this be beholding unto him answered she than he unto me and I am sure he is so civill and courteous that he will not now give me that paine againe which he hath taken from me Most true Madam said I unto her but I must tell you my paine is not so much in my lippe as my heart She understood my meaning very well though she seemed not to heare me and had not Isidore beene present I had talked more unto her I should be too tedious Silvander should I relate the whole Series of my affection from the beginning I shall therefore tell you onely what is necessary for you to know and omit the rest Love did at the last render me so hardy as I resolved to declare unto her the resentments of my soul yet I was long in dispute with my selfe whether it should be by Letter or by word of mouth at last I concluded it better to use my tongue then pen having long since learned that to write where one may speake argues too much feare and those who aske any thing fearefully do teach how to deny besides I saw there was much difficulty in the conveying of Letters unto her But Oh heavens how oft did I turne back againe after I was gone out of my lodging with this resolution But heaven at the last favoured my designe and afforded me an opportunity Eudoxe used very often to frequent the Emperors Gardens And I was alwayes very officious ready to be imployed in her service though it were but to gather her a flower in a day I was well centented with it and having long since learned that love does as often begin by trifles as by things of greater importance which very seldomfall out that those services which oblige much doe rather produce emnity then love but that nothing winnes more upon another then affection therefore I was very assiduous in serving her upon every triviall occasion Not one of her servants was so officious as my selfe It happened one day that Valentinian followed
so second her promise as her affection was no lesse to me then mine to her At the first I believed her intention was not to go so farre But love in this resembles death for as one cannot dye so one cannot love by halves Now as I was pumping for a good excuse to stay at home the Emperour received inetlligence of a great Army which was marching towards Constantinople This newes invited many to stay who otherwise in point of honour and duty would have gone under the conduct of Artabures who carryed a very great Army by Sea having with him Aspar his Son a very valiant and fortunate Commander as afterwards he made it evidently appeare by taking John in Ravenna and delivering his Father Now though I was not jealous of Valentinian for all Eudoxe's favourable aspect upon him because I knew it was onely to please Theodosius yet I seemed as if I were and seemed to rejoyce very much at his departure I shall not now relate unto you the voyage of Valentinian for I believe you have heard it by many But so it was that after all things were set in good order in the West he returned to Constantinople Where he was received by Theodosius as if he were his Sonne And by the solicitation of Phacidia who stayed in Italy the marriage of the faire Eudoxe was concluded upon It is imposible I should expresse my sad resentments upon this occasion I could not believe it and was so surcharged with feares and sorrow that but for Eudoxe I had not been able to have supported them But she who was wise and prudent though it grieved her to the very soul that she was to be his whom she did not love yet she surmounted her sorrow by resolution And because she saw in what paine I lived she gave me the opportunity of speaking to her in her closset when none was present but Isidore whom she did infinitly love Well my Cavalier said she unto me I see you still doubt of my affection and complaine against me My fairest Princess said I unto her had I not been accustomed to receive more favour from you than I can any way merit you might have had some reason to say so now when I do receive so high a one as transcends all degrees of gratitude to acknowledge sufficiently But why will you not give me leave to complaine of my fortune who shewing me the good which she may give me gives it unto another whose merits in matter of love are inferiour unto mine my Cavalier answered she live contentedly and be assured that Ursaces enjoyes all that a violent affection can obtaine And what favour I shew unto any other is more out of duty then love and since it is so what reason have you to complaine against your fortune My reason for it replyed I is as great as my obligation unto you for this assurance Why my fairest Princess should I not complain of her who in lieu of favouring my affection does deprive me of that which onely can bring me unto the happinesse which I desire Oh Cavalier said she you do offend me What would you not have loved me but onely to obtaine that of me which my duty desires you What did you think of me and how little did you love me if you have so bad an opinion of me I was not able to answer her seeing how she took it but kneeling down with a deep sigh I stopped my mouth by holding her hand upon it At the last I rose up again and answered her I must needs confesse my fairest Princesse that I do love you more then you would and more then reason would but who can love you lesse I must confesse that neither reason nor duty can measure the grandure of my affection and if I do offend you in it I beseech you pardon me considering that to love you lesse would be to prophane your beauty Also I beg your pitty who have so much courage yet want so much merit And yet you might well winke at these faults if love had a little more force in you I do not understand you said she unto me Alas replyed I how hard a matter it is to make you understand it by my words if love will not make you conceive it But I mean my Princesse that if love had a little more power over you this duty which you speak of would have lesse the too-happy Valentinian would enjoy what he is in quest of and I what I desire Oh Cavalier said she with a deep sigh did you but know the resentments of my soul and what restraint it is in you would know that Love hath as much power over me as it can have over any heart If I do deny you any testimony of this power consider my birth and unto what Lawes it obliges me Had I been the Daughter of the Athenian Leontine as my Mother was I might have disposed of my selfe and my affection but being Daughter unto the Emperour Theodosius Grandchild unto the Emperour Arcadins and having Theodosius the great unto my great Grandfather do you not see I am not my owne but theirs who gave me my beeing It is the Tribute of humanity and the Law of divinity to submit unto Emperours and Grandure Reason of State as well as Love is to be considered This is no newes either to you or me we both foresaw this long since and when I first set my eyes and affection upon you it was still with a resolution to marry Valentinian I am confident you had the same thoughts the first day you began to love me What is it then which now troubleth you What accidents have hapned which should divert us from our first principles These words touched me so to the quick that I could not permit her to go on without interruption Can you think Madam said I unto her that these are considerations of Love Can love be confined to any Lawes of duty Oh heavens how infinitely are you and I mistaken You in thinking that you love and I in thinking that you loved me Then stopping a little I began again when I saw she offered to speak The Lawes of Love Madam are far different from those you mention and if you would know what they are read them in me and you will finde that as the great inequality which is betwixt us could not keep me from lifting up my eyes so high as my fairest Princesse so it should not divert you from looking so low as your poor Cavalier for there is no more difference betwixt you and me then betwixt me and you And as to what you alledge concerning your birth since it is so high that it is in the superlative degree and can admit of no higher then you are why should you not in lieu of looking at Grandure which can receive no addition in you cast your eyes upon your own contentment to the end that as you are by birth the greatest Princesse in the world so
five or six daies and therefore she was almost the last of all the visitants though the nearest neighbour I contrived it so that all my friends and neighbours sent both their Sisters and Daughters to my house when we were almost out of all hope to discover what I desired to know this way one came to tell us that Celidea was at the door As fortune was the Physician held him by the arm at that time and his pulse did beat a slower pace than it had done all the day but as soon as ever he heard Celidea named it began to beat as if he were in a most high Feaver The Physician finding this did look him in the face and saw his eyes more quick and lively than ordinary his complexion came into his cheeks and he saw so great an alteration every way as hee would hardly stay till Celidea entred for better assurance but when she entred his pulse then did keep a mad mans time and all parts were different from their ordinary temper Therefore drawing me aside Thamires said he It is not Celidea which enters into the Chamber but it is Calidons Wife if you would have him live Oh heavens how those words pierced me to the heart They struck me dumb I was not able to speak one word Afterwards when I had a little recollected my self I asked him whether considering the condition he was in it were fit to marry him No said he it will be enough if you can procure the Shepheardess to give him some knowledge of her affection and in the mean time you may talk with Clcontine who being wise will not bee against a match so advantageous The Physician went away and left me in a worse condition than his patient Oh what strange contrarieties were in my soul One side bade mee yeeld Celidea unto Calidon for friendship sake Love on the other side forbade the banes But said Friendship unto me Calidon will dy if you doe deny her and there is no Physician but this can cure him And Love answered how canst thou live thy self if thou doest not enjoy her Canst thou not surmount a vain passion said Friendship and be ruled by the Laws of Reason What reason is it replyed Love to dye thy self to make another live Doe you not consider replyed Friendship that Calidon is young and therefore lesse able than thy self to master his unruly passion Wilt thou that art arrived at grave and stayed yeares shew thy self weaker than he or to express it a little better wilt thou buy a little transitory pleasure that is past almost as soon as had at so deare a rate as the death and eternal losse of Calidon Away away change thy minde consider not what thou art but what thou shouldst be Think how the Father of that young Shepheard will reproach thee Did he not with his last dying breath recommend his young childe then in his cradle unto thy indulgent care Didst thou not swear he should be as dear unto thee as thy self Doest thou not remember the many good offices thou receivedst from him Oh Thamires do not buy thy repentance at so dear a rate Repent repent for shame of an act so unworthy an ancient Boyen from whence it is thy boast to be descended and let not thy soul be continually gnawed upon by an evil conscience I must confesse that these considerations had such a prevalency with me as I did once resolve to part with Celidea and resign her unto Calidon But O Madam what extream difficulties did I finde in the execution of it First to the end this young Shepheard might recover his health I begun with him and acquainting him with my knowledge of his disease I shewed him my extream desire of his cure At the first he denyed it unto me but at last hee did confesse it with watry eyes and asked me forgivenesse with so many apparent signes of sorrow that seeing his errour was by a most compulsive power of Love I could not chuse but take his fault upon my selfe But the grand difficulty was to speake unto Celidea for shee was so farre from loving him that shee did down right hate him And certainly this hatred proceeded from an Antipathy in Nature since she had not the least shaddow of any cause for it and the Shepheard had so many excellent good qualities that in all reason they should rather have gotten love than hatred And yet shee would alwaies say unto me that Calidon of all men shee knew should be the last man she would love But being resolved to make this overture so contrary both unto her will and my own I was at an extream puzzle where and how to begin At last I thought it best to break the Ice by degrees for to bid her downright to love Calidon was not the way both in respect of her affection to me and disaffection to him I went therefore to work by degrees and now she was not to be treated as a child I hinted unto her my extreame sorrows for the Shepheard how dear his life was unto me and how I should never enjoy any delights if I lost him That Physicians and all knowing persons told me his malady proceeded from nothing else but sorrow and not knowing what was the cause I could not chuse but desire all them that loved mee to study how to make him merry or at least to finde out the cause of his sicknesse And that she being one whom I loved and honoured most shee was in some sort obliged more than any to endeavour the cure of this Shepheard for my sake Therefore I conjured her by our friendship to see him as often as she could and to carrasse and cheer him up to keep him from that melancholly which would kill him She who did really love me did promise to doe it so oft as she conveniently could And indeed did so which on the one side did content me and on the other did so grieve me as I did thinke I should not live I had a conceit that her familiarity with him would in time engage her to liking of him which afterwards might the more easily make her bee perswaded unto love Shee having no other design did onely as shee promised but did not change her minde However this wrought good effects upon Calidon who receiving so many favourable visits and being so kindly carrassed above his expectation did in a short time begin to recover And though he was not presently cured yet there was apparent signes of amendment Now because that shee was weary of this life and because I saw my design did not take according to my thoughts I intended to oblige her another way I addressed my self unto Cleontine acquainted her with my affection unto Calidon with my intention of making him my Heir I represented unto her the quality of this young Shepheard his virtues and to be brief with the love he had unto Caledon and used all manner of arguments that might advance the
match Judge great Nymph if I went not very farre and whether he be not much obliged unto me Cleontine thinking the Match to be advantageous did thank me for my good will unto Celidea then gave me her word that she would use all her endeavours in favour of Calidon but that the young Shepheardesse had a Mother who loved her exceedingly well and shee could not dispose of her without her consent But she would motion it unto her and in the mean time prepare Celidea as wel as possibly she could Thus Madam you see how miserable my fortune was I invented all possible ways to deprive my selfe of the onely good that could render my life pleasing unto me and I did foresee that though I did bring it passe yet I should reap no contentment by it Had I obtained for Calidon that which I did endeavour what could I ever have hoped for in my life Had I not obtained it how should I have grieved for that Shepheard who was asdeaâ— unto me as if he had been my own child This being my condition which I knew not whether to tearm a death or a life one day after I had received Cleontine's answer I went unto Celidea with whom I was not so familiar as formerly My dear and fairest Daughter said I unto her Cleontine has acquainted me with her intention and I conceive that you ought to approve of it Then fearing she should ask me what it was I seemed to have earnest and suddain businesse to do and went away leaving her in a great doubt what it was But I went away with a sad heart for strive what I could against my own will I could not blot her out of my soul and as often as I fancyed Celidea in the armes of another I must confesse that I had not resolution enough to endure the very thought of it Imagine in what condition I should have been if the Marriage had taken effect which truly I did most vigorously endeavour for Calidon's fake Then Cleontine thinking my proposition advantageous for Celidea she took her aside and broke the matter unto her Then before she asked her opinion of it she told her what was heâ—â— and the more to induce her told her how much she was obliged unto me for motioning it unto her That Shepheardesse Madam can best tell you how she started at the motion especially when she heard that it came from me but so it was that she had much ado to conceal her anger in Cleontin's presence yet giving her a very modest answer though it were very far from her thoughts she referred her selfe unto her judgment and the pleasure of her Mother unto whom she was never disobedient In conclusion being resolved to marry a Grave rather then Calidon she came unto me Assoon as ever I saw her I perceived that something did trouble her for her eyes trembled in her head her eye-lids frowning and her colour higher than ordinary But I could not imagine that she should be offended against me nor believe that Cleontine had told her the motion came from me As fortune was I was under a great Elme alone which stood by it selfe almost in the midst of Mount Verdun's plain neer the high way As soon as ever I saw her I did rise up and holding her hand as I was went I was amazed to see her pul back her arme and look upon me with an angry eye Thamires said she how dare you take her hand whom you have given to another Was it not enough and too much that you have abused me as long as ever the innocence of my age could endure it Do you think your selfe so subtle and me so simple that now being past a child I cannot see your cunning perfidie When she saw me stand amazed and did not answer Nay nay Thamires said she never think to deceive me any more by your words nor assurances of amity I am now grown more crafty and I wish to god I had alwaies been so then I should not have now so much reason to complain of you But go ungratefull person and cruell yea I may most justly call you both ungratefull and cruell since you have so ungratefully forgotten the reasons you had to love me and since you have so cruelly abused my innocency by your craft Away ungrateful and cruell man What did you ever finde in me that should give you any occasion to use me thus Was there ever any old enmity between our Parents that you would revenge upon me Did I ever attempt against your life Have I ever spoken against you or any of your friends Did I ever fail in my word or friendship Have you ever found any fault in me that did invite you to cast me off Or do you now think me not wise or rich or fair enough for you If it be to revenge the fault of a Father upon a Daughter me-thinks it should be an act unworthy of Thamires If I did ever attempt against your life why did you not take mine away at a blow but put me into the power of an enemy with whom I should live a dyinglife every minute If I be not fair enough nor so vertuous as to please you good Thamires go and seek out a better But alas why must I as a pennance for a fault in nature be put into the hands of him whom nature it selfe makes me abhor For gods sake leave me in the same liberty you found me when by your craft you began to deceive me and content your selfe with those sorrowes I shall have all my life for not knowing your designe sooner If ever I failed in friendship I must confesse you are just in doing the like But Thamires I beseech you lay it in my dish and tell me wherein I ever failed Ah! most unnaturall Shepheard you are mute and cannot speak a word Is it for the sham for the wrong you have done me or have you any new piece of subtlety against silly Celidea Go go perfidious and disloyall Thamires This act hath put me out of opinion that ever you loved me The knowledge of your tyranny shall keep me for ever from subjecting my selfe unto any man in the world Never think that all you can do shall ever make me Calidon's Death shall be more welcome unto me then the most accomplished Shepheard in all this Country Let the memory of this be a sad stain upon thy soul to eternity And I am confident the just gods will see me revenged In offering to give me unto Calidon you have for ever deprived your selfe of the truest and most faithfull affection that ever was and never hope it will revive unlesse an universall conflagration should set the whole world a fire and so kindle this love in me again Away away there is not a man upon the face of the whole earth but Monsters and Tigers that would devour me Upon this taking from her neck a platted Chain which I gave her as she gave it into my