But how apparent is it to refuse a man so constant that had loued me but three moneths Lisis seeing before his eyâ—s that which her outrage would not suffer him to loue and which his loue would not permit him to hate knew not with what words to answer her yet to interrupt this torrent of words he said Stelle it is sufficient we haue long since proued that you do know better what to say then to do and that words flow highest in your mouth when reason in you is at the lowest ebbe But hold that which I tell you for inuiolable as much as I haue heeretofore loued you so much at this houre do I hate you and there shall neuer be day of my life that I will not proclaime you for the most vngratefull and deceitfull woman that is vnder heauen At this word offering violence to his affection and the arme of Stelle wherewith she leaned on the wall to keepe him in against the window he left her alone and went amongst the other shepheards that for that time warranted him against his enemy Semire as I told you heard all this discourse and remayned so astonied and so ill satisfied with her that from that time he resolued neuer to make account of a spirit so flitting And that which yet gaue him more will was that by chance hauing long sought occasion to speake to her and seeing Lisis had left her alone I went to her for I must confesse that her allurements and trickes had more force in my soule then the wrong she had done to Lisis had giuen me knowledge of the imperfection of her spirit and as euery man goes flattering his desires I went fancying so that that which the merits of Lisis could not obtaine of her my good fortune might procure me So that so long as his wooing lasted I would neuer let my affection appeare for besides the kindred that was betweene him and me there was a very strait amity but when I sawe that he went off thinking the place to be voyd I neuer tooke heed to the suite of Semire I thought it to some purpose to discouer somwhat to her rather then to attend till she had another dessigne So then addressing my selfe to her and seeing her very pensiue I sayd It must needes be some great occasion which made her so changed for this sadnesse was not vsuall to her quicke humour It is the rage of Lisis answered she that will alwayes remember the time passed and walkes reproching me for the refusall I made of him And that said I shall it grieue you It cannot be otherwise answered she for we cannot put off our affection as we may our smocke And he takes in so euill part my delay that he alwayes calleth it a farewell Truly sayd I Lisis deserues not the honour of your good graces since that not being able to winne them by his merits he ought at least to endeuour it by his long seruices accompanyed with a strong patience but his boyling humour and it may be his little loue will not suffer him If this good lucke might befall me with what affection would I receiue it and with what patience would I attend it Father it may be you will thinke it strange to heare mee tell you the sudden change of this shepheardesse and yet I sweare vnto you that she receiued the ouerture of my loue so soone as I made it and so that before wee parted shee liked well of my offer of the seruice which I made her and gaue me leaue to call my selfe her seruant You may well thinke that Semire who was listening remayned no more satisfied with me then he had beene with Lisis and indeede from that time hee withdrew his suite yet so discreetly that many thought Stelle had beene the cause by her refusall For she made no shew of grieuing much at it because the place of his loue was filled with a new dessigne which she had in me which was the cause that I receiued more fauours from her then otherwise I should Which Lisis soone perceiued But loue which will alwayes triumphs ouer friendship with-held me from speaking to him fearing to displease the shepheardesse and though hee were very angry that I concealed it from him yet should I neuer haue spoken to him of it without the permission of Stelle who made shew to desire that this businesse might passe by his hands And since as I haue noted she did it with a purpose to reimbarke him once againe with her But I who then tooke no heede to all her trickes and who sought after nothing but the meanes to content her one night when Lisis and I lay together I vsed this language to him I must confesse Lisis that at last Loue sports himselfe with me and more there is nothing can deferre my death but that which shall come from you From me answered Lisis You may be assured that I will neuer be wanting to our friendship though your mistrust hath made you commit as great an offence and thinke not but I haue knowne your loue but your silence which displeased me made me hold my peace Since you replied I haue knowne it and haue not spoken to me of it I haue the more cause of offence For I confesse I haue failed in some things against our friendship in my silence but you must consider that a louer is not himselfe and in all his errours you are to accuse the violence of his disease but you that haue no passion can haue no excuse but the want of friendship Lisis beganne to laugh when he heard my reasons and answered me You are pleasant Corilas to pay me with a demaund yet will I neuer gaine-say you and since you haue this opinion see wherein I may amend this fault In doing for me answered I which you could not for your selfe that is I must tell you at last that if I attayne not the loue of Stelle there is no hope in me O God then cryed Lisis to what passage hath your misfortune led you Flie Corilas this dangerous sea where indeede there are nothing but rockes and bankes marked with the shipwracke of those which haue taken the same course I speake out of experience as you know I hope your merits may else-where gaine you a better fortune then me but neither vertue nor reason can do it heere I answered It is no small contentment to me to heare you vse this language for till now I was in doubt you had yet some feeling and that made me the more reserued but since God be thanked it is not so I desire in this loue to draw out an extreme proofe of your friendship I know that the hatred which succeeds loue measures it selfe after the greatnesse of the fall and hauing so dearely loued this fayre shepheardesse comming to hate her the hatred should thereby be the greater yet hauing knowne by Stelle her selfe that I cannot come to that I desire but by
I know not what may fall out her eaâ—ter and I referre my selfe to that that shall bee but for that which is yet there is no likelihood Now Polemas seeing that I heard what he would say and that I harkened to it with patience being there by made the more hardy not marking that I liued with others in the same sort is gone so far that he knows not what he does he is so much beside himselfe And indeede this night he daunced with me some while at the first so chiding that I was constrained without thinking of it to aske him what the matter was Shall it not displease you said he if I discouer it No answered I for I neuer aske for the thing I would not know Vpon this assurance he went forward I must tell you Madame that it is not in my power not to be offended at the actions which I see ordinarily before mine eyes and which touch me so to the quicke that if I had as great assurance as I haue suspition I know not if there were any thing able to keep me aliue In sadnes I was yet so simple that I knew not what he would say yet thinking his loue had tied mee to some sort of curiosity I asked what actions those were that touched him so to the quicke Then pawsing a little and looking stedfastly on me he sayd Is it possible Madame that without fiction you aske me this And why answered I would you not haue me do so Because added he it is you whom all these things concerne and it is from you that they proceed and then seeing that I spake not a word for I knew not what he would say he beganne togoe on and told mee I would not haue you dissemble in this businesse without blushing For resolutely I will enforce my selfe to tell you though the discourse cost me my life You know Madame with what affection since the heauens made me yours I haue indeuoured to giue proofe that I was truely the seruant of the faire Galathee you can tell if euen vntill-now you haue knowne any action of mine tended to other end than your seruice If all my dessignes haue not taken that poynt for their marke and if all my desires arising from thence haue not shevved themselues satisfied and contented I assure my selfe that if my fortune deny me to deserue any thing more in seruing you yet at the least she will not refuse me this satisfaction from you that you will confesse that truly I am yours and no others but yours Now if this be so iudge what griefe I ought to haue after so much time spent not to say lost when if there be any reason in Loue I ought with greater reason to haue expected some reward of my affection I see another fauoured in my place and an inheritour as I may say of my goods before my death Excuse mee for speaking in this manner the extreme passion drawes these iust complaints out of my soule which though it would yet can it not longer be silent seeing he that triumphs ouer me hath got the victory rather by destiny than merit It is Lindamor of whom I speake Lindamor whose seruice is the more happily receiued of you by that that he is to giue me place both in affection and faithfulnesse My griefe is not to see him more happy than he durst wish for but indeed to see him so at my cost Excuse me Madame I beseech you or rather accuse the greatnesse of my affection if I complayne since it is but a more manifest proofe of the power which you haue ouer your most humble seruant And that which makes me speake so is that I note you vse towards him the same words and the same fashion of treaty that you did towards me at the first breeding of your goodwill and when you permitted me to speake to you and that I might say to my selfe you knew mine affection This putteth mee so farre besides my selfe with such violence that hardly can I commaund ouer these furious extremities which you put me to and which the offence bringeth to my soule and can produce no effects of discretion He would haue sayd more but the passion wherein he was so suddenly tooke from him his voyce that it was impossible for him to hold on longer If I were offended at his words you may iudge for they were both rash and full of vanity and not to be borne with yet that I might not giue knowledge of this brabble to them that haue eyes but to spie the actions of others I was compelled to make him an answer a little lesse eager than I had done had I beene else-where and I sayd Polemas that which I am and that which you are will not suffer me to doubt that you are my seruant so long as you stay in the house of my mother and performe the seruice of my brother but I cannot wonder enough at the follies which you mixe in your discourse in talking of heritage and of your goods In that which is from my loue I know not by what right you pretend yours My intention Polemas hath bene to loue you and esteeme you as your vertue deserues and you are not to imagine beyond that And for that you talke of Lindamor get out of that error for if I vse him as I haue done you you are to thinke I will doe so to all those that heereafter shall merit it without other designe greater then to loue and esteeme him that deserues it in what subiect soeuer it be found And how madame said I then interrupting her thinke you this a gentle answer I know not how you could haue honestly sayd more for indeed it must be confessed hee is arrogant but yet it may not be denied but this arrogancy is bred in him vpon some shew of reason Of reason answered the Nymph prese ntly What reason can he alledge Many Madame replied I but to conceale them all but one I may say to you that truely you haue allowed him to serue in a more peculiar manner then any other That is said Galathee for that he pleased me more then the rest of my brothers seruants I confesse it madame said I and seeing himselfe so farre in your good graces how could he hope for lesse then to bee beloued of you Hee had heard talke of so many examples of loue betweene vnequall persons that hee could not flatter himselfe lesse then to hope the same for himselfe which he heard spoke of others I remember that vpon that subiect he made verses which he sung before you it is some while since you commanded him to conceale his affection they were these A SONNET VVHerefore if you loue me Feare you the world should know Then honest Amity What can make fairer shew The spirits vertuons It each to other ties And far from humane hearts Expelleth vanities But if your choice be such That you displeased are And that you thinke me vile Vnworthy such
nor any other accident will I refuse you euer For the apparances of that we desire will not suffer vs to please our selfe though from else-where we haue sufficient assurance Well brother since your will is so I will do that for you which shall not be small what hazard soeuer I thrust my selfe into And then she went on You know the likenesse of our faces of our stature and speech and but for our habit they that are ordinarily with vs would take vs the one for the other If you thinke the onely meane to come to your purpose is to conuerse with Diane without suspition how can wee finde one more easie or more secret then to change habits you and I For being taken for a mayde Filidas will neuer conceiue euil opinion how neere soeuer you come to Diane and I returning to Gerestan in your habit will tell him that Daphnis and Diane keep you there â—erforce and we must inuent some good excuse for me to get leaue of my husband to goe see them but I know not what were best since hee is as you know so hard to be intreated Indeed sister answered Filander I neuer doubted of your good nature but at this time I must consesse there was neuer a better sister and since it pleaseth you to take this paine I beseech you if I enioy her to accuse my loue which constrained it and to beleeue that it is the only meane to conserue the life of that brother whom you loue And then he embraced her with so great an acknowledgement of the obligation which hee hath had that shee became more desirous to pleasure him then before At last she sayd let vs leaue these words to those that loue lesse and let vs onely looke to set our hand to the worke For leaue sayd he wee shall easily get it dissembling that all the good cheere which was made mee by Filidas was to no other purpose then that Amidor had to woo the niece of your husband And because this charge will trouble him I assure my selfe it will be easie for you to goe if we giue him to know that you and Daphnis together may well treate of this marriage But what order shall wee take for our haire yours being long and mine ouer-short which will be a great inconuenience Trouble not your selfe for that said she if you suffer yours to grow a little it will be enough to serue vnder a coife as I vse and for mine I will cut them like yours But said hee Sister will you not be loth to clip your head Brother said she think not I hold any thing dearer then your contentment besides that I shall auoyd many importunities while you weare my clothes and not lying neere Gerestan so that if I must haue my head shorne I will not make difficulty to doe it With this word he embraced her saying that God would one day deliuer him of that torment And not to lose time Filander on the first occasion that he thought fit spake with Gerestan representing to him that alliance so easily to be compassed and so profitable that hee will suffer himselfe easily to be led But because Filander would giue time to let his haire grow he made shew to goe to giue order to his affayres and that hee would returne very shortly And Filidas no sooner knew of Filanders returne but she went to see him accompanied onely with Amidor and would not leaue him without bringing him to vs where he stayed seuen or eight dayes not hauing the hardinesse to shew himselfe to mee more then at the first During this time to shew how hard a thing it is to force nature long though Filidas counterfeited the man as well as sâ—â—â—e could yet was shee constrained to feele the passions of a woman for the courage and merits of Filander wrought the same effect in her that he desired they should in me But Loue which takes delight to turne the actions of the most aduised contrary to their purpose made him giue the blow on the side he least looked for So behold the poore Filidas so farre besides her selfe that she could not liue without Filander and wooed him with such apparent shewes that he was astonished at it and but for the desire he had to be neere me he would neuer haue endured that fashion of life In the end when he thought his hayre was long enough to put vnder a coife hee returned to Gerestan and told him he had made a good entrance to their businesse but that Daphnis thought fit before she spake that Amidor might see his neece in some place that they might know if she pleased him and that the better way was that Callire should bring her that so there might be a beginning of amity that could not choose but be auaylable Gerestan which desired nothing with more passion then to be discharged of his Niece thought this proposition very good gaue absolute coÌ„mandement to his wife who to egge him on the better made shew of not liking it well at the first propounding some difficulty in the iourney and seeming to be sorry to depart from him saying that shee knew well that such affairs wold not fal out as we would nor so readily as was expected and that in the mean time their affaires would speed the worse at home But Gerestan that would not haue her haue any other will then his was so earnest that three dayes after he caused her to goe with her brother and his Niece The first day she went to lodge at Filanders house where in the morning they changed habit which fell out so well for the one and the other that they which conuersed with them knew it not and I must tell you I was deceiued as well as others there being no difference betweene them that I could obserue But I may easily be deceiued since Filidas was so though shee looked but with the eyes of Loue which are said to bee more piercing then those of Linxe's For presently after their comming they left vs the fained Callire I would say Filander and led the true into a chamber to rest in As they were in the way her brother instructed her what to answer and especially informed her of the Loue-tricks shee should vse resembling said hee those that are in loue whereby both the one and the other were offended and though Callire were fully resolued to beare all his importunities for the contentment of her brother yet so it was that shee thinking Filidas to bee a man that it was no small horror to her that she was constrained to speake to him As for vs when we were withdrawn alone Daphnis I did all the kindnesses that are vsuall among women I meane among those where there is Loue and priuacy which this shepheard tooke and gaue with that transport that as hee since swore hee was quite beside himselfe If I had not beene a very child it may be his actions might haue made me
know him yet Daphnis made no question he knew so well to counterfeit And because it was late after supper wee withdrew apart whilst Callire and Filidas walked vp and downe the chamber for my part I knew not their discourse but ours grew onely from assurances of Loue which Filander vsed to me out of so intire affection that it was easie to iudge that if so often and in another habit he sayd nothing to me wee must not blame his want of will but of boldnesse onely And I likewise made the same shew to him for taking him for a woman I thought my selfe bound for his good will for his merit and for the kindred betweene her and Daphnis From that time Amidor that formerly had borne mee good will beganne to change his loue and to loue the fained Callire for that Filander who feared lest his abode might displease that young man did what hee could to giue him contentment The flitting humour of Amidor could not permit him to receiue these fauours without becomming amorous which I thought not strange for that the beauty the iudgement and the curiosity of the shepheard which in nothing belied the perfections of a mayd had giuen him ouer-great cause See what a foole Loue is and how he passeth his time Filidas that is a mayd he caused to fall in loue with a mayd and Amidor a man and that in such passion that for one particular that onely subiect was sufficient to entertaine vs. God knowes if Filander knew how to play the mayd and if Callire counterfeited well her brother and whether they wanted wisedome to draw on either his new Louer The coldnesse that Callire vsed to mee was cause that Filidas had no iot of suspition besides that his loue was a sufficient hinderance And I must confesse that seeing her so strongly to draw towards Filidas Daphnis I were of opinion that Fiâ—â—nder had changed his mind whereupon I receiued extreme contentment for the loue I bare his sister Seuen or eight dayes passed in this sort no one thinking the time too long because euery one had a particular defigne But Callire who feared her husband might be grieued at this stay sollicited her brother to make his purpose knowne to mee saying there was no likelihood but that the familiarity betweene him and mee might haue permitted mee to haue refused his seruice but hee assaying on all sides had neuer the hardinesse to discouer himselfe and to abuse Gerestan He desired her to goe to her husband in the habit which she had assuring her hee would finde out nothing and to let him know that by the aduice of Daphnis shee had left Callire at Filidas house that at more leasure she might treate of the marriage of Amidor and his Niece At the first his sister was astonished for her husband was very froward At last desirous to giue all contentment to her brother shee resolued and to make this excuse seeme more probable they spake with Daphnis about the marriage of Amidor which she long time misliked for many considerations which she layd before them but knowing they tooke this course to get leaue from Gerestan which otherwise they could neuer haue had she that delighted in their company acquainted me with it and we were of opinion that it was needfull to make shew that this alliance might bee easily compassed and on this resolution she wrote to Gerestan counselling him to let his wife stay somewhile with vs that our friendship might be a meane that this allyance might finde the lesse difficulty and that she beleeued all things should be well ended With this resolution Callire so attyred goes to finde out her husband who being beguiled by the habit tooke her for her brother and receiued the excuses for the stay of his wife beeing well pleased shee should stay there for that cause Iudge faire shepheardesses if I might not be deceiued when her husband could not know her So it was that by this the good will he bare me so increased that there was no other meane to conceale it whatsoeuer he could do the conuersation hauing that vertue with it that it makes that which was loued to be more beloued and more hated what is found euill And acknowledging his owne weakenesse hee aduised himselfe to perswade me that though he were a woman yet hee failed not to be in loue with me with such a passion and more then if hee had beene a man and spoke it so feelingly that Daphnis that loued mee dearely sayd Vntill that time shee neuer knew him But that it was true that she likewise was in loue which one might not thinke strange since Filidas who was a maÌ„ in such sort loued Filander the dissembled Callire swore that one of the most forcible occasions which constrained her brother to goe away was the suite hee made to him whereof they could alledge mee so many reasons that iealousie suffered my selfe to be perswaded that it was so determining with my selfe that there was nothing in it that imported me Hauing then receiued this fiction she made no difficulty to speak freely to me of her passioÌ„ but yet like a woman because she swore vnto me that the same feeling and the same passions that men haue for loue were in her and that it was a great solace to her to expresse them often being alone represent vnto mee her true affections and euen Daphnis who liked well of it would sometimes auow it Twelue or fifteene dayes passed thus with such pleasure to Filander that as he since swore to me he neuerspent more happy dayes though his desires gaue him extreme impaciencies and that was the cause of the daily increase of his affection and pleasing himselfe in his thoughts hee would oftentimes withdraw himselfe alone to entertaine them and because he would not remoue from vs in the day many times in the night when he thought euery body was asleepe he went out of his chamber and entred into a garden where vnder some trees he passed a great part of time in these his considerations and for that many times he went out in this sort Daphnis obserued it who lay in the same chamber and as commoÌ„ly we sooner suspect euill then good she had some conceit of her Amidor for the kindnesse which the yong shepheard did her and for more certainty she watched so that seeming to sleepe she perceiued the fayned Callyre to steale out of her bed and followed her so close that she was almost as soone in the vtter yard as the young shepheard casting ouer her but one garment for haste and following her step by step by the light of the Moone she sawe her goe out of the house thorow a doore not well locked and enter into a garden which was vnder my chamber window and passing into the midst of it saw her sit downe vnder some trees and lifting his eyes vp to heauen heard him say aloude So my Diane doth surpasse
duties are of an honest man I not onely not mistrust a fauourable iudgement but hold for certaine that if you were in the roome of Tircis you would be ashamed to be noted for such an error I will hold my selfe then from seeking out more reasons for this cause which is so cleere of it selfe that all other light would serue but for a shaddow and I will onely say that the name which he beares of man ties him to the contrary of that he doth and that the lawes and ordinances of heauen and of nature command him to dispute no longer about this cause Doe not the duties of courtesie ordaine to render good turnes receiued Doe not the heauens command that for enery seruice some reward should bee giuen And doth not Nature constraine to loue a fayre woman that loues him and to abhorre rather then to cherish a dead body But this quite contrary for the fauors receiued of Laonice he renders discourtesie and in stead of seruices which himselfe confesses she hath done him seruing him so long vnder the couerture of Cleons loue he payes her with ingratitude and for the affectioÌ„ which she hath borne him from her cradle he makes no shew but of misprisall Are you so honest a man Tircis and doe you so seeme to know the gods and yet me thinkes this shepheardesse is such an one that were it not that her influence easts her into misfortune it were more proper for her to make others feele then for her selfe to feele the wrongs where of she complaines If thou beest a man knowest thou not that it is proper to a man to loue the liuing and not the dead And if thou acknowledge the gods knowest thou not that they can punish them that contradict their ordinances and that Loue neuer pardons him that neuer loues If thou confessest that from the cradle she hath serued thee and loued thee O God shall it be possible that so long an affection and so pleasing seruices should at last be payd with contempt But be it that this affection and these seruices being voluntary in Laonice and not sought for of Tyrcis may weigh little with an ingratefull soule yet will I not beleeue that you will award O iust Siluander but that the deceiuer is to giue satisfaction to the party deceiued and as Tircis by his dissimulation hath so long time deluded this fayre shepheardesse shall he not be bound to repayre this iniury to her with as much true affection as he hath made her take lies and falshoodes that if euery one ought to loue his like will not you our Iudge ordayne that Tyrcis loue a person liuing and not one dead and place his loue there where he may liue and not among the cold a shes in a coffin But Tyrcis tell mee what may be thy dessigne after thou hast met with a floud of teares the sad relickes of the poore Cleon thinkest thou that thou canst rayse her vp agayne with thy fighes and teares Alas they pay Caron but once and they neuer but once enter into his boate You may well call her backe from thence but he is deafe to such cryes and neuer sendeth out person that comes aboord him It is impiety Tyrcis to goe about tormenting the rest of those whom the gods call away Loue is ordayned for the liuing and the Coffin for those that are dead Desire not to confound their ordinances in such sort that to a dead Cleon thou giue a liuing affection and to a quicke Laonice a graue And herein doe not arme thy selfe with the name of Constancy for it hath no right to it Dost thou thinke it fit that a man should go naked because he hath worne out his first garments Beleeue me it is as much worthy of laughter to heare thee say that because Cleon is dead thou wilt neuer loue more Re-enter re-enter into thy selfe confesse thine error cast thee at the feet of this Fayre acknowledge thy fault and so thou shalt auoyde thy constraint whereto our iust Iudge by his sentence will subiect thee Hylas ended in this sort to the great contentment of all but Tyrcis whose teares gaue notice of his griefe Then Phillis after she had commandement from Siluander lifting vp her eyes to heauen answered thus to Hylas The answer of Phillis for Tyrcis OFaire Cleon which vnderstandest from heauen the iniury which they purpose to doe thee inspire me with thy Diuinity for such I will esteeme thee if the Vertues may euer make a mortall become diuine and worke so that my ignorance may not weaken the reasons that Tyrcis hath that he should neuer loue but thy perfections And you wise shepheard that knowes better what I should speake in her defence than I can conceiue supply the wants which are in me by the abundance of reasons which are in my cause and to beginne I will say Hylas that all the reasons which thou hast alledged to prooue that beeing beloued one ought to loue though they be false yet they are agreed vpon for good but wherefore wilt thou conclude by it that Tyrcis must leaue the loue of Cleon to beginne a new with Laonice Thou demaundest things impossible and contraries impossible because no man is bound to do more than he can and how wouldst thou haue my shepheard loue if hee haue no will Thou laughest Hylas when thou hearest me say that hee hath none It is true interrupted Hylas what hath he done with it He that loueth answered Phillis hath giuen his very soule to the person beloued and the will is but one power But replyed Hylas this Cleon to whom you would he should be sent being dead hath nothing remaining of a person and so Tircis is to take that againe which was his Ah! Hylas Hylas answered Phillis you speake as if Loue were a Nouice for the donations which are made by his authority are alwaies irreuocable And what reioyned Hylas shall become of this will since the death of Cleon This little losse said she hath followed that great extreme losse which he had in losing her for that if pleasure be the obiect of the will since now he can haue no more pleasure what hath he to doe with will and it hath followed Cleon so that if Cleon be no more no more is his will for he neuer had it but for her but if Cleon be yet in any place as the Druides teach vs this will is in her hands so content to be in that place that if shee her selfe would dâ—â—â—e it away it would not returne to Tircis as knowing well it should bee vnprofitable but would goe into her coffin to rest with the beloued bones And this being so why accuse you the faithfull Tircis of ingratitude if it be not in his power to loue elsewhere And see how you command not onely a thing impossible but contrary to it selfe for if euery one bee bound to loue that that loues him why will you not that he loue Cleon who neuer fayled
must doe in loue as in other things the mediocrity is onely commendable so that you loue after an indifferent fashion to auoyde all those troublesome importunities neither yet is this sufficient for to please her it is not enough not to displease but you must haue some allurements which may be louely and that is to be pleasant cheerefull to be alwaies ready to tell a merry tale and aboue all to be neuer silent before her Thus Siluander must be binde a shepheardesse to loue vs and so gaine her good Graces Now see mistrisse if I may not go for a master and what reckoning you are to make of my affection She would haue answered but Siluander interrupted her beseeching her to suffer him to speake And then he questioned Hylas in this sort What is it shepheard that you most desire when you loue To be beloued answered Hylas But replyed Siluander when you are beloued what do you wish for most in this loue That the person whom I loue said Hylas make more of me then of any other that she trust me and endeuor to please me Is it possible then inferrs Siluander that to preserue life you take poyson how will you haue her trust you when you will not be faithfull But said the shepheard shee shall not know that And see you not answered Siluander that you will do that with treason which you should doe with sincerity If she know not that you loue another she will thinke you faithfull and so this dissembling may profit you but iudge if dissembling may doe you as much good as truth You talke of contempt and despite and there is nothing that soonēr brings them both in a generous spirit than to think that he whom now I see before mee on his knees is weary with doing so before a score that may not compare with me that mouth with which he kisses my hand is dried vp with the kisses it giues to the first hand it meets and those eyes with which he seemes to commit idolatry to my face are yet sparkling with the loue of all those that haue the name of woman and what haue I to doe with a thing so common And why should I make much of him when he will doe nothing more for mee then for the first that vouchsafes to looke on him When he talkes to me he thinks it is to such or such an one and the words that he vses hee learned at the schoole of such an one or he comes to studie heere that he may goe vtter it there God knows how soone contempt and despite may make her conceiue this thought and so for the second poynt that to make himselfe beloued hee must loue but a little he must be merry and pleasant For to be iocund and alwayes laughing is fit for a Iester and one of such a mould But for a louer that is for another our selfe O Hylas hee must haue other conditions You say that in all things mediocrity onely is good That is it shepheard that hath no part of the extreme of the meane or defect as faythfulnesse For he that is but a little faithfull is not faithfull at all and he that is is in the extreme that is to say there can be none greater than other in faythfulnesse so it is of valiancy and so it is of loue for hee that can measure it or that can imagine any other greater than his owne loues not So you see Hylas that when you commaund to loue in a meane you set downe a thing impossible and when you doe so you doe like vnto the melancholique fooles that thinke they know all Sciences and yet know nothing when you haue an opinion you loue but indeed you loue not But be it so that one may loue a little and know you not that Loue hath no other haruest but loue and all that it soweth is but only to reape that fruit And how would you haue her whom you loue but a little loue you a great deale since it must fall out that what shee gayneth she shall lose a part of that which shee soweth in so ingratefull ground Shee shall neuer know sayes Hylas that I loue so See sayd Siluander the same treason which I reproached you with before And imagine you whereas you say the effects of an extreme loue are the importunities which you haue reckoned that if you render them not shee will not easily coniecture the feeblenesse of your loue O Hylas how little you know in loue These effects which the extremity of Loue brings forth and which you call importunities are such it may be to those that like you know not to loue and neuer approached neere vnto that god Who hath lost his sight but they that are thorowly touched they which do loue in earnest and know what are the dueties and what the sacrifices which they offer at the Altars of Loue So farre are they from giuing to such effects the name of importunities that they call them felicities and perfect contentments Know you well that to loue is to die in himselfe to reuiue in another that it is not to loue himselfe but so much as he is pleasing to the beloued and shortly it is to transforme himselfe entirely if it may be into her And can you imagine that one that loues in this sort can be combred with the presence of him whom she loues and that the knowledge which she hath to be truely loued is not a thing so delightfull that all others in respect of it cannot so much as be tasted And if you had at any time prooued that it is thus to loue as I say you would neuer thinke that hee which thus loues could do nothing but displease when that should not be but onely for this that whatsoeuer is marked with this character of Loue cannot be displeasing and your selfe will confesse that it is so desirous to please that if it commit a fault euen that error pleases seeing with what intent it is done whereas the desire to be pleasing giues such force to a true loue that though he render himselfe not so to all the world yet is he neuer fayling to her whom hee loueth Thence it comes that many which are not iudged in generall more louely then others yet are beloued and esteemed by some one Now you see Hylas if you be not very ignorant that till now you beleeued you loued and yet you did but abuse the name of Loue abuse them whom you thought you loued How said Hylas did I neuer yet loue What haue I then done with Carlis Amarauthe Laonice and so many others Know you not said Silander that in all sorts of Artes there bee some that doe right and others wrong Loue is of that kinde for one may loue rightly as my selfe and wrongfully as you and so one may call me a master and you a marrer of Loue. At these last words there were none could hold from laughter but Licidas who hearing this discourse
buâ— when she would enter behold a man that cast 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 her feete and without saying any thing kissed her robe O God sayd the Nymph who is this Fleurial see a man Madame said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it is an heart that is yours How said she an 〈◊〉 And then she would haue fled away for feare but hee that â—â—ist her to be 〈◊〉 her backe Hearing these words I drew neere and presently I knew it was â—e that Flourial said was his cousin I knew not suddenly what to thinke I saw Galathee and my selfe in the hands of these women the one of 〈◊〉 was vnknowne to vs. What could wee resolue to doe 〈◊〉 wee 〈◊〉 to flye Galathee could not to trust to ouâ— owne 〈◊〉 there was no apparence At last all that I could doe was to castâ—â—â— selfe into the hands of him that held the Nymphs 〈◊〉 not being able to doe more I beganne to scratch and to bite him That which I did was with such speeds that the first thing that he felt was the biting Ah courmous 〈◊〉 said he how do you handle your enemies when you deale so ridely with your seruants Though I were almost besides my selfe yee I almost knew the voyce and asking him who liee was I am sayd her the man that beares the heart of Lindamon to this â—aire Nymph and then not raising him selfe from the earth turning to her he went on I must confesse Madam that this rashnesse is great yet is it no way equall to my affection which hath caused it See the heart of 〈◊〉 which I bring you I hope this present shall be as well accepted from the hand of the giuer as from a stranger yet it my misfortune deny me what Loue hath promised me hauing offended the diuinity whoâ— I only adore condemne this heart which I bring you to all the cruell 〈◊〉 you please for so the paine may satisfie you it shal beare it patiently and with as much contentment as pardon it I easily knew him then to be Lindamor and so did Galathee she seeing him at her 〈◊〉 whom she bewalled for dead and in the place of a Gardiner the Knight that giues place to none in all the Countrey And knowing that Galathee was so surprized I sayd Is it so Lindamer that you surprize Ladyes This is not the act of a Knight especially such as you are I coÌ„fesse said he gracious Nymph that it is not the act of a Knight but withall you cannot deny but it is of a Louer and what am I more then a Louer Loue that hath taught others to spnine teaches me to be a Gardiner Is it possible sayd he turning to the Nymph that this extreme affection which you haue caused is so displeasing to you that you wold haue it end in my death I haue had the hardines to bring you that which you would haue of mine this heart is it not more welcome to you in life then in death Now if it be your pleasure that it die behold here a dagger which may abbridge that which your rigour in time may bring The Nymph to all these words made no answer but Ah Leonide haue you betrayed me and with these words went out into the Alley where she found a seat sit for the purpose for she was so besides her self that she knew not where she was There the Knight cast himselfe on his knees and I came on the other side and sayd How Madame say you you are betrayed Why doe you accuse 〈◊〉 so I sweare by the seruice I haue vowed you that I knew nothing of this act Fleurial hath deceiued me as well as you But God be praised that the deceit is so commodious to cuery one behold one heart of 〈◊〉 which Flourial promised you but see him in a state to do you seruice may you not be glad of this treason It would be too long to tell you all the discourse wee had So it was that at last we made a peace and so that this loue was more strongly tied then euer before yet with condition that for that present he should depart to go whither Amasis and Clidaman had sent him This departure was vnpleasing yet hee must obey and so after hee had kissed Galathâ—â—â— hands without any greater fauour he departed Well hee went in great assurance that at his returne hee might see her at that houre and in that place But to what purpose should I particularize euery thing Lindamor returned to them that being his followers expected him from thence with great â—â—â—gence went where Clidaman thought hee was and by the way hee framed a thousand wise excuses of his stay sometimes accusing the incommodities of the mountaines and sometimes the sicknes which yet appeared in his face by reason of his wounds and thinking that all the while he was absent from from his Lady his businesse was not worth the stay he came backe with the permission of Amasis and Clidaman into Forrests where being arriued and hauing giuen a good account of his charge he was honored and made much of as his vertue deserued But all this went not to his heart in respect of that aspect which he had from the Nymph who since his last departure encreased so her good will that I know not if Lindamor had cause to call himselfe more louing then beloued This suite passed so farre that one night being in the garden he pressed her oftentimes to permit him to demand her of Amasis that he was certaine he had done such seruices to her and her sonne that they would not deny him this grace She answered You may more doubt of their good will then of your deserts you may be lesse assured of your merits then of my good will but I would not that you should speake of it vntill Clidaman be married I am yonger then he I may stay so long You may well answered he but so wil not the violence of my passion at least if you will not agree to this remedy giue mee one that cannot hurt you if your will be as you tell me If I may sayd she without offending my selfe I will promise you After he had kissed her hand Madam sayd hee you haue promised me to sweare before Leonide and the gods that heare our discourse that you will be my wife as I take an oth before them neuer to haue any other Galathee was ouertaken yet fayning that it was partly for the oth she had taken and partly by my perswasion though indeed it were her owne affection she was contented and swearing betweene my hands with condition that Lindamor should neuer come into that garden vntil the marriage were declared and that to preuent the occasion that may make them passe further behold Lindamor the most content that euer was full of al sorces of hope at least of all those that a louer might haue that was beloued and wayting but for the promised conclusion of his desires when Loue or rather Fortune would mocke
him he began in this sort Sir Knight this habit wherein you see me is not mine owne but Loue who sometimes hath cloathed men like women playes with me in this fort and making me forget in part what I am hath put me into an habit contrary to mine owne for I am not a man but a daughter of one of the best Houses of Brutayne and called Mellandra fallen into your hands by the greatest fortune that euer was conducted by Loue. It is some while since a young man named Lidias came to London flying out of his owne Countrey as I haue heard since for hauing killed his enemy in field They were both of that part of Gaule which they call Normandy but because the dead man was of kindred to the greatest among them he was enforced to flye hiâ— Countrey to auoid the rigour of Iustice Thus being then come to London is the custome of our Nation hee found such courtesie that there was no good House wherein he was not right soone familiar among others hee liued with that priuacie at my fathers as if hee had beene of his household And because hee had a purpose to stay there as long as his returne into his Countrey should be forbidden him he determined to make shew of louing some that he might the better frame himselfe to the humour of them of great Brittany that haue euery one some particular Lady On this resolution he turned I know not whether I may say for good or euill â—ortune his eyes on me were it that he found me more for his delight or more for his commoditie he began to professe himselfe to be my seruant What dissimulations what wooings what oathes were those which he vsed to me I will not trouble you with an ouerlong discourse So it was that after sufficient long wooing for hee continued two yeeres I loued him without dissimulation for that his beautie his courtesie his discretion and valour were ouer-great allurements to ouercome with long suit any soule how barbarous soeuer I blush not then to confesse it to one that hath had triall of Loue nor to say that this beginning then was the end of my quiet Now these things resting in this state and liuing with all the contentment that the party that loues and is assured of the person beloued may haue it fell out that the Franks after they had wonne so many battailes against the Roman Emperours against the Gothes and Gaules turned their Armes against the Normans and reduced them to those termes that because they are their ancient Allies they were constrayned to send to London to demaund succours which according to the allyance made betweene them and those of great Brittaine was graunted them both by the King and by the Estates This newes was suddenly divulged throughout the Realme and we that were of the principall Towne vnderstood it with the first And from that time Lidias began to thinke of his returne assuring himselfe that they of his side hauing neede of his like would easily absolue him of the death of Aronte Notwithstanding because hee had alwayes promised mee not to goe but hee would carry mee with him which the malicious man did to deceiue me and for feare lest I might impeach his departure hee concealed his purpose from mee But as there is no fire so closely couered from which there comes not some smoke so there is nothing so secret but some thing or other will discouer it and so many before I was aware told mee of it As soone as I knew it the first time I saw him I drew him aside Well said I Lidias haue you resolued that I shall not know that you will leaue me Thinke you my amitie so weake that it cannot beare out the strokes of your fortune If your affaires will haue you returne into your Countrey why will not your loue permit mee to goe with you Demaund me of my father I am assured hee will bee pleased with our allyance for I know hee loues you but to leaue mee here alone with your faith forsworne no Lidias beleeue mee doe not commit so great a fault for the Gods will punish you He answered me coldly that he had no thought of returne and that all his affaires were nothing worth to the good of my presence that I committed an offence in doubting and that his actions should constrayne me to confesse as much And yet this periured person within two dayes after went away with the first Troupes that came from great Brittaine and tooke his time so fitly that hee came to the Sea shore the same day that they were to goe and so tooke ship with them We were presently aduertised of his departure Yet had I so strong a fancie that he loued me that I was the last that beleeued it so that there were more then eight dayes after his departure before I could perswade my selfe that one so well borne could be so deceitfull and vnthankfull At last one day following after another without any newes I found I was deceiued and Lidias was gone If then my sorrow were great iudge you Sir Knight since falling sicke I was brought to those termes that my Physitians not knowing my disease despayred of me and forsaking me held me for dead But Loue who would shew his power and is a better Physitian then Esculapius healed me with a strange Antidote And see how hee delights in effects which are contrary to our resolution When I first knew of the flight of Lidias for in truth it may be so called I found my selfe in such sort displeased that after I had a thousand times called Heauen to witnesse of his perfidiousnesse I sware I would neuer loue him as often as hee had sworne to mee that hee would euer loue mee and I may tell you wee were both forsworne For while my hatred was in his greatest fury behold a Vessell that came from Callays to report that the Succours were happily arriued that told vs that Lidias went ouer with an intent to warre among them of great Brittaine but as soone as the Gouernour of the place who was a kinsman to Aronte vnderstood of it hee caused him to bee put in prison as hauing beene alreadie condemned that they accounted him for lost because the Gouernour was of great credit among the Normans that indeede there was one meane to saue him but so hard that there was no man that would hazard it beeing such an one As soone as Lidias saw himselfe arrested hee demaunded how a Knight of such reputation as hee was would reuenge his quarrels by Iustice and not by Armes for it is a custome among the Gaules neuer to runne to Iustice in what offends their Honor but to the Combate and they that doe otherwise are held dishonourable Lipandas which was the name of the Gouernour answered That he slew not Aronte like a man and if he were not condemned by lustice he would maintaine it by Armes but being ashamed to fight with
one attainted if he had any of his friends that would offer himselfe for him he proffered to fight in that quarrell that if he were ouercome he would set him at liberty that otherwise lustice should be done And to giue time to his kinsfolkes and friends he would keepe him a moneth in his custody that if none come within that time hee would giue him ouer into the rigorous hands of the Ancients of Roaâ— to be handled as he deserues and that there might be no aduantage to any he would this Combat should be fought with Sword and Dagger in their shirts But Lipandas being accounted one of the valintest men in all Normandy there was not one that had the hardinesse to vndertake this combate besides that the friends of Lidias not vnderstanding of it could not performe that good office Sir knight when I remember the contraries which shake me when I heard this newes I must confesse I was neuer more confounded in my life no not when this perfidious man forlooke me Then would Loue haue me know that the propositions made against him are more weake when he will then the waues that beat in vaine against the rock to make it shake for to pay the tribute of Loue you must run to the ordinary moneys with which his imposts are payd which are teares But after long and vaine bewailing the persidious Lidias I must in the end resolue of his safetie thogh it cost me both my restanâ—d honor And transported with this new furie or rather with this renewing of Loue I resolued to go to Callais with an intent to finde the meanes there to aduertise the kinsmen and friends of Lidias and giuing order with as great secresie as I could for my voyage one night I stole away in the habit you see me but my fortune was so hard that I stayd aboue fifteene dayes before I could find a ship that went that way I know not what became of my parents when they saw I was gone for I heard no newes of them since onely I know the old age of my poore father can hardly beare out this griefe for he loued me more tenderly then I did my selfe and hath euer so carefully bred me that I am oftentimes astonied how I could endure the discommodities which since my departure I haue borne and I must say it is Loue and not my selfe But to hold on our course after I had stayd fifteene or sixteene daies at the Sea side at last there came a ship in which I went to Callais when I had no more then fiue or sixe dayes of the Terme that Lipandas had giuen The tossing of the ship had so distempered me that I was constrained to keepe my bed two dayes so that I had no time to aduertise kinsmen of Lidias especially not knowing who they were nor where they dwelt If this troubled me you may iudge especially because me thought I was come at the time to see him die and to be present at his funerals O Gods how do you dispose vs I was so ouerlayd with this disaster that day and night the teares were in mine eyes At last the day before the Terme transported with a desire to dye before Lidias I resolued to enter into the combat against Lipandas What resolution or rather what despaire was this for all my life long I neuer tooke sword in my hand knew not well with which hand to hold the dagger or the sword and yet behold me resolued to enter into combat with a knight who all his life had bene vsed to that mysterie and who had alwaies wonne the title of braue and valiant But all these considerations were nothing against me that chose to die before he whom I loued lost his life And though I knew well I could not saue him yet was it no little satisfaction to me that he should haue that proofe of my loue One thing tormented me infinitely which I endeauoured to remedie which was the feare lest Lidias might know me and left that might hinder my designe because we were to fight vnarmed To remedy which I sent a scroule to Lipandas whereby after I had desyed him I desired that being both knights wee might serue our selues of the armor which knights vse and not like desperate persons Hee answered that the next morning he would be in the field and that I might come armed and so would he though he would haue it at his owne choyce after he had begunne the combat in that sort for my satisfaction to finish it for his owne as he had propounded at the beginning I that doubted not but in what sortsoeuer I was to die accepted what he would And with this purpose in the morning I presented my selfe in the field armed at all poynts but I must confesse the truth I was so combred with my armor that I knew not how to stirre They that saw me go staggering thought it was for feare of the combat and it was out of weakenesse Soone after behold Lipandas came armed and mounted to his aduantage who at his first setting out made them afraide whom the danger no way touched and beleeue you not that I was amazed But when the poore Lidias was brought on a scaffold to be present at the combat for the pitie which I had to see him in such case touched me so that I stayd long without being able to stirre At last the Iudges led me to him to know if he accepted me for his champion Hee asked me who I was then counterfeiting my voyce content your selfe Lidias sayd I I that am the onely man that will vndertake this fight for you Since it is so replyed hee you must be a person of valour and therefore sayd he turning to the Iudges I accept him and as I was going he sayd Valiant knight feare not but our quarrell is iust Lidias answered I I would you had no other iniustice and then I withdrew my selfe so resolued to dye that I hardly tarryed for the trumpets giuing signall of battaile Indeede at the first sound I set forward but my horse shooke me so sore that in stead of bearing my lance as I should I let it go as Fortune would so that in place of striking him I thrust it into the necke of the horse leauing the speare in his body whereupon the horse ranne at the first about the field in despite of his maister at last fell downe dead Lipandas was comming against me with such an eagernesse to do well that his ouer great desire made him misse his blow for my part my horse went whither he would for all that I could doe was to keepe my selfe from falling and stopping of himselfe and hearing Lipandas crying to me to turne him with many reuilings for that I had killed his horse I came backe when I had layd my hand on my sword the best I could and not without paine but my horse which happily I had spurred more then his courage would beare as soone
griefe and so many teares By fortune one day the amorous shepheard hauing risen very early to intertaine his thoughts leauing his flocks to fresh pastures went to sit downe on the banke of the winding riuer of Lignon waiting for the comming of the faire shepheardesse who stayed not long after him for being kept waking with an ouer-thoughtfull suspition she had not closed her eyes all the night By that time the Sun began to gild the tops of the mountaynes of Isour and Marsellyes the shepheard might perceiue from far a flock which within a while he knew to belong to Astrea for besides that Melampe the so beloued dog of his shepheardesse came fawning on him as soone as it saw him he noted that the sheepe which his Mistris made so much of had not that morning the ribons of diuers colours which it was wont to weare on the head in fashion of a garland because the shepheardesse ouercharged with deepe displeasure had not the leasure to dresse it vp after her manner shee followed after with a soft pace as a man might iudge by her behauiour she had somewhat in her mind that much rauished her and so intirely tooke vp her thoughts that whether of neglect or otherwise passing hard by the shepheard shee cast not her eyes to the place where hee was and went to sit downe farre enough from him on the banke of the riuer Celadon not much heeding it supposed she saw him not or that she went to seeke him where he was accustomed to attend her hearding his flocks with his sheep-hooke draue towards her who beeing set vnder an olde tree her elbow resting on her knees and her hand sustaining her head seemed so pensiue that if Celadon had not beene bewitched with his owne misfortune he might easily haue perceiued that this sadnesse could not grow but from an opinion of the change of his loue al other displeasures being vnable to work so sad pensiue thoughts But for that a misfortune vnexpected is most difficult to be borne I thinke fortune purposed suddainely to assault him that she might robbe him of all meanes of resistance Not knowing then the mis-hap that was so neere after he had made choyce of a commodious place for his sheepe neerest to the flocke of his shepheardesse he came to her to giue her the good morrow full of contentment that he had met with her whom she answered both with countenance and speech so coldly that the winter brings not with it more chilnesse and frost The shepheard that was not wont to see her in these tearmes grew much astonished at it and though hee did not forecast the greatnesse of his disgrace such as he found afterwards yet the doubt that hee had offended her whom he loued so filled him with sorrow that the least part of it was enough to take away his life But if the shepheardesse had vouchsafed to heare him or if her iealous suspition had suffered her to consider what a suddaine change the coldnesse of her answer caused in his countenance out of question the knowledge of such an effect had made her lose all her mistrust but it must not be that Celadon prooue a Phoenix of good fortune as he was of loue nor that fortune doe him more fauour then other men whom shee neuer leaues long in assurance of contentment Hauing then stayed some while thus pensiue at last hee came to himselfe and turning his eye toward his shepheardesse he saw by hap that shee beheld him but with a looke so sad that it left no kinde of comfort in his soule so forgetfull had the doubt wherein he was made him They were so neere the riuer of Lignon that the shepheard might haue touched it with his hooke and the streame held so strong a course that all glorious and charged with the spoyles of his bankes hee descended very mainely into the Loyre The place where they were set was a piece of earth somewhat mounted against which the fury of the water beat in vaine sustained in the bottome with a naked rock but on the top couered with a little mosse From this place the shepheard struck the riuer with his hooke wherewith he raised not more drops of water then he found diuers sorts of thoughts that assayled him which dashing on him like water were no sooner come then they were driuen away by others more violent There was no one action of his life nor one thought of his that he called not into his minde to enter into accompt with and to know wherein hee had offended but not being able to charge any one of them his Loue constrained him to demand of her the cause of her anger She that either saw not his actions or if shee saw them construed them to the disaduantage of the shepheard went forward to fire his heart with a more burning despight so that when he would haue opened his mouth she would not giue him leasure to bring forth his first words without interruption saying Is it not enough perfidious and dissoyall shepheard to deceiue and coozen the party that deserues it so little but that going forward in thy vnfaithfulnesse thou stickest not to abuse her that hath obliged thee to al faire courses How haue you the hardnesse to come in my sight when you haue so much offended me How dare you shew without blushing that dissembling countenance which hides a soule so double and forsworne Go go deceiue another faithlesse be gone and addresse thy selfe to some one to whom thy perfidious dealings are vnknowne and no longer thinke thou canst disguife thy selfe to me that haue found too much to my cost the effects of thy vnfaithfulnesse and treasons In what case this faithfull shepheard was he which hath truly loued may best iudge if euer such a reproch hath beene vniustly fastned on him Hee fell on his knees pale and gastly like a man dead Is this faire shepheardesse said he to try me or to cause mee to despaire Neither for the one nor other said she but for the truth there being no necessity to try a thing so well knowne Ah! said the shepheard why haue I not put this vnlucky day out of my life It had beene for the good of vs both said shee that not one day but all the dayes that I haue seene thee had beene put out both of thine and mine It is true that thy actions haue made me hold my selfe discharged of one thing which hauing done displeases me more then thy vnfaithfulnesse That if the remembrance of that which is passed betweene vs which I desire for euer might be defaced haue left mee any power bee gone dissoyall and haue a care I see thee not vntill I command otherwise Celadon would haue replyed but loue which vsually heareth readily enough at this time for his great hurt had stopped his eares and for that she would haue beene gone he was constrayned to hold her by the garment saying vnto her I keepe you not back
least of your desires Then the shepheardesse answered in choler Let vs leaue this discourse Licidas and thinke it cannot turne to your brothers benefit but if he haue beguiled me and left me displeased that I no sooner found out his deceits and craft he is gone with a great spoyle and faire markes of his vnfaithfulnesse You make me amazed replied Licidas wherein haue you found that which you reproach him with Shepheard added Astrea the story would be too long and grieuous content your selfe if you know it not you onely are in ignorance and all along this riuer of Lignon there is not a shepheard but can tell you that Celadon loued in a thousand places and not to goe farre yesterday I heard with mine owne eares the discourse of loue which he had to his Aminthe for so he called her whereto I had made longer stay but for shame and to tell true I had some businesse else-where that stood mee more vpon Then Licidas as one transported cries out I will no more enquire the cause of my brothers death it is your iealousie Astrea and iealousie grounded on great reason to be the cause of so great euill Alas Celadon at this time I see well thy prophecies fall out true of thy suspitions when thou saidest this wench will put thee to so much paine that it will cost thee thy life yet knewest thou not on which side this blow should be giuen Afterward addressing himselfe to the shepheardesse Is it credible said he Astrea that this disease is so great that it can make you forget the commandements which you haue so often enioyned him I can witnesse that fiue or sixe times at the least he hath falne on his knees before you to entreat you reuoke them Doe you not remember that when he came out of Italy it was one of your first ordinances and that within yonder bowre where I saw you meete together so often hee besought you to award him death much rather then to make shew to loue any other Astrea would he say while I liue I shall remember the very words it is not for that I refuse but because I am vnable to obserue this iniunction that I cast my selfe at your feete and beseech you that to make proofe what power you haue ouer me you command me to die rather then to ferue any other whomsoeuer but Astrea And you answered him my sonne I require this proofe of your loue and not your death which cannot be without mine owne for besides I know it is most hard to you yet will it bring vs a commodity which we especially are to looke after which is to shut vp both the eyes and mouthes of the most curious and reproachfull whether hee oftentimes replied hereto and whether hee made all the refusall which the obedience to which his affection bound him vnto you might permit I referre to your selfe if you haue the minde to remember it so farre am I from thinking he euer disobeyed you but for this onely cause and in truth it was so heauy an imposition that at all times when he returned from the place where he was enforced to dissemble he was compelled to take his bed as if he came from some great piece of seruice and there he would rest himselfe some while and then he vndertooke it afresh But now Astrea my brother is dead so it is whether you beleeue it or not beleeue it it will doe him neither good nor hurt so that you are not to thinke that I speake to you in his behalfe but onely for the truths sake yet may you credit me as you thinke good if I sweare vnto you that it is not aboue two daies since I found him engrauing of verses on the barke of these trees that stand by the great meddow on the left hand of the Beech and I assure my selfe that if you will vouchsafe to turne your eyes you may perceiue it was he that cut them for you may too well know his characters if forgetfull of him and of his passed seruices you haue not lost the remembrance of whatsoeuer concernes him but I am assured the gods will not suffer it for his satisfaction and your punishment The verses are these MADRIâ—AL I Haue my selfe at such a bent Although my Loue be violent That I can gaine this fauour small To say I doe not loue at all But to dissemble loue else-where Tâ— adore an eye the conquering part As I doe yours with trembling feare I know not how to haue the hart And if it must be that I die Dispach me hence then presently It may be some seuen or eight daies past that hauing had occasion to go for a time ouer the riuer of Loyre by way of answer he wrote me a letter which I am willing you should see and if in reading it you confesse not his innocency I will beleeue that you haue purposely lost for his sake all kinde of iudgement and then taking it out of his pocket he read it to her It was thus INquire no more what I doe but know that I continue alwaies in my ordinary paine To loue and not to dare shew it not to loue and sweare the contrary deare brother is all the exercise or rather the punishment of thy Celadon They say true contraries cannot be at one time in one place yet Loue and dissembled loue are ordinarily in my actions but wonder not at it for I am compelled to the one out of perfection and to the other by the commandement of Astrea If you thinke this manner of life strange remember that Miracles are the ordinary workes of gods and what would you my Goddesse should worke in me but Miracles It was long before Astrea would answer because the words of Licidas had almost put her beside her selfe So it was that iealousie which as yet helâ— some force in her soule made her take the paper as doubting if Celadon writ it And although she well knew it was he yet argued she the contrary in her mind following the custome of many moe persons who will alwaies strongly maintaine a thing as if it were their opinion And much about that time came diuers shepheards from seeking Celadon where they found no notice of him but his hat which was nothing to the sad Astrea but a fresh renewing of sorrow And because she remembred her selfe of a sleight which loue made them deuise and she was loth it should be knowne she made signe to Phillis to take it and then euery one betooke them to their lamentations and praises of the poore shepheard and there was not any that repeated not some vertuous action onely she that felt most was inforced to fit mute and to make lesse shew knowing well that the maine wisedome in loue is to hold affection hidden or at least not to discouer it vnprofitably And because the violence she did her selfe herein was great and she could hold out no longer she drew neere to Phillis and prayed her
to leaue her that the rest might doe so likewise and taking from her the hat she held in her hand she went from them alone and tooke the path she lighted vpon without any heed to her way Now there was not a shepheard in the company but he knew of Celadons affection because his parents by their displeasures discouered more then their owne actions but it was carried with such discretion that except Sâ—mirâ— Licidaâ— and Phillis there was not any that knew the good will she bare him and though they knew well this losse afflicted her yet did they attribute it rather to a good nature then to loue such profit comes of the good opinion they haue of a man in this meane time she held on her way all which time a thousand thoughts or rather so many displeasures tormeÌ„ted her pace after pace in such sort that sometimes doubting sometimes assured of the loue of Celâ—doÌ„ she knew not whether she had more cause to complaine of him or of her selfe When she remembred what Licidas came to tel her she iudged him innocent but when the words which she heard him vse to the shepheardesse Aminthe came into her mind she coÌ„demned him as guilty In this laborinth of diuers thoughts she went a long time wandring thorow the woods without election of way and by fortune or the wil of heauen that wold not suffer that the innocency of Celadon should remaine longer doubtfull in her soule her paces conducted her before she was aware along a little brooke among those trees that Licidas spake of where the verses of Celadon were engrauen The desire to know whether he said true was of power sufficient in her to prouoke her to seeke for them very curiously although they were much shaddowed but the cutting which as yet was fresh discouered them soon enough O God how soon she found them to be Celadons and how quickly she ranne to reade them but how to the quicke did they touch her soule She sat downe on the ground and laying in her lap the hat and letter of Celadon she held some while her hand clasped together and her fingers locked one in another holding her eyes vpon that which onely remained to her of her shepheard seeing that the hat was bigger about the place wherein he vsed to put his letters when he would giue them her in secresie she felt with her hand very curiously and thrusting her fingers vnder the lining she found the bare felt wherein loosening the buttoÌ„ she drew forth a paper which that day Celadon had put in This deuice they inuented betweene them when the euill will of their Parents hindred them from talking together for casting this hat from one to the other in sport they might easily take and giue their letters All trembling she took this out of this pretty packet cleane besides her self spreading it abroad shee cast her eye on it to reade it but she had so scared the powers of her soule that she was forced diuers times to wipe her eies before she could do it in the end she read these words MY Astrea if the dissembling which you enioyne me to be to cause mee die of paine you may more easily do it with a word If it be to punish my arrogancie you are a ludge too gentle to appoint me a lesse punishment then death But if it be to try what puissance you haue ouer me why doe you seeke out for me a readier witnesse then this whose length may bee so trouble some to you for I cannot thinke it is to conceale our dessâ—ine as you say for that not being able to liue in this constraint my death no doubt will giue a more speedy and deplorable a demonstration Iudge then my faire Astrea that this hath beene long enough endured and that it is now time you should permit me to act the personage of Celadon hauing so long and with such paine represented that of the person in the world that is most contrary to him Oh! what cutting rasors were these words to her soule when they brought into her memory the commandement which she had giuen him the resolution which they had taken to hide by this dissimulation their loue But see what the bewitchings are of loue she rooke extreme displeasure for the death of Celadon and yet she was not without some contentment in the midst of so great sorrow knowing that in truth hee was not vnfaithful and of which shee was assured the many proofes whereof had cleered the cloudy mist of her ielously all these considerations ioyned themselues together to haue the more force to torment her in such sort that not being able to runne to other remedy then teares as well to bewaile Celadon as to weepe for her owne losse she gaue beginning to her griefe with a riuer of teares and after with a thousand pittifull alasses distempering the quiet of her stomake with infinite sighes gasping for life and with vnpittifull hands beating her faire hands she called to remembrance the faithfull amity which she had formerly found in this shepheard the extremitie of his affection her despaire for hauing so readily thrust from her the life of her repose and then were represented the happy time of his seruice the pleasures and contentment which the honesty of their deuices had wrought her and what beginnings of sorrow she met with since by his losse which though she found very great yet did she not iudge it equall to her folly since the continuance of so many yeeres might haue giuen her assurance enough of his fidelitie On the other side Licidas that was so little satisfied with Astrea not being able with patience to suffer this griefe rose vp hard by Phillis but not to tell any thing of her companion which displeased him and went with a stomake so swolne his eyes so filled with teares and countenance so changed that his shepheardesse seeing him in this plight and giuing him some token of her loue followed him without feare of what men might say of her He went with his armes crosse his brest his head hanging downe his hat pull'd about his eares but his soule more ouerwhelmed with sorrow And because the commiseration of his euill bound the shepheardesse that loued him to take part in his sadnesse they followed him and lamented behind him but this pittifull office of theirs was but a renewing of his griefe For extreme sorrow hath this going with it that solitarinesse is his first garment because that in company the soule dares not freely disgorge it selfe of the venome of the euill and vntill that be vented it is neuer capable of any remedy by consolation Being thus pained by fortune they met a young shepheard lying along on the grasse and two shepheardesses with him the one holding his head in her lappe and the other playing on an Harpe while he went breathing out these verses his eyes lifted vp to heauen his hands layd on his brest and his face
If I must lament reioyned he as you do for all the Mistresses that I haue lost I should haue cause to complaine longer then I haue to liue If you do like me answered Tyrcis you should lament but onely for one If you do like me replyed Hylas you should lament for none of them all Heerein it is sayd the desolate that I account you miserable for if nothing can be the sufficient price of Loue but Loue you were neuer loued of any seeing you neuer loued any and so you may trade in many loues but not buy any not hauing the money which is payed for such a commoditie But how know you answered Hylas that I neuer loued I know it said Tyrcis by your perpetuall changes We are said he of a differing opinion for I beleeue the more expert the workman is the more he exercises the mysterie whereof he makes profession It is true answered Tyrcis when one followes the rules of Art but when they do otherwise it falleth out to them as to men out of their way the further they go the more they wander from it Therefore it is that as the stone that continually roules gets no mosse but rather durt and filth in like maner your lightnesse may gaine you shame but neuer loue You must know Hylas that the stripes of loue will neuer be healed God keepe me said Hylas from any one such stripe You haue reason replyed Tyrcis for if euery time you are strucke with a new beauty you had receiued an incurable wound I know not whether in all your body you had had a free place But so you should be depriued of those sweetes and happinesses which loue brings to the true louers and that miraculously as all his other actions by the same stroke that he gaue them so that if the tongue were able to expresse that which the heart cannot entirely rellish and it were permitted you to heare the secrets of this god I do not beleeue but you would willingly renounce your infidelity Then Hylas smiling Without faining said he you haue reason Tyrcis to put your selfe into the number of them whom Loue vseth so kindely As for me if he vse all others as he doth you I will willingly forgoe my part and let you enioy alone your felicities and contentments and feare not that I shall euer enuy you It is aboue a moneth since we ordinarily met together tell me the day the houre or the moment in which I could see your eyes without the wished company of teares and on the contrary name me the day the houre and moment in which you heard me onely sigh for my loues Euery man that hath not his taste peruerted as you haue your iudgement will he not find the delights of my life more pleasing and louely then the ordinary pangs of yours And turning to the shepheardesse which had complained of Tyrcis And you insensible shepheardesse will neuer take the courage to free your selfe of the tyranny in which this vnnaturall shepheard makes you liue Will you by your patience make your selfe companion in his fault Know you not that he glories in your teares and that your supplications raise him to such an arrogancie that he thinkes he bindeth you wonderfully to him when he heares you with misprisall The shepheardesse with a great alas answered him It is easie Hylas for him that is in health to counsell the sicke but if you were in my place you would know how vaine it is thus to aduise me and that this griefe may well driue my soule out of my body but not by reason chase this ouer-strong passion out of my soule So that if this beloued shepheard exercise any tyranny ouer me he may do it with more absolute commaund when it pleaseth him not hauing power to wish more of me then his authoritie ouer me reacheth to already Then giue ouer your counsels Hylas and cease your reproches which can but encrease my euill without hope of asswaging For I am so entirely the possession of Tyrcis that I haue not command of mine owne will How said the shepheard is not your will your owne What will it profit to loue and serue you Laonice answered As much as the amity which I tender to this shepheard auayles me That is to say replyed Hylas I shall lose my time and my paines and when I discouer vnto you my affection this is but to waken in you the words wherewith you may serue your owne turne when you speake to Tyrcis What would you Hylas that I should say more to you but that it is long since I haue gone bewayling this mis-happe but much better in my consideration then in yours I doubt not sayd Hylas but since you be of this humour and that I haue more power ouer my selfe then you can ouer yours Go take the shepheardesse sayd he reaching forth his hand or giue me leaue or take it of me and be assured that if you will not I will not be long before I goe backe as being ashamed to serue so poore a Mistris Shee answered him very coldly Neither you nor I shall receiue any great losse at the least I assure you this shall neuer make me forget the hard vsage which I haue from this shepheard If you haue answered he as much knowledge of that which you lose in losing me as you shew small reason in the pursuite you vndertake you will rather complaine for the losse of me then to wish for the affection of Tyrcis But the sorrow which you take for me shall be very small if it can not equall that which I haue for you and then sung out these verses as he went away A SONNET SInce we must needs pull vp that deep-set roote Which Loue in seeing you plants in my brest And which Desire with so great longing thirst Hath with so great care nurâ—'d to so small boote Since it must be that Time which saw it borne Must triumph in the end as Conquerour Attempt we brauely freed from Sorrowes power Let vs at one blow cut both flowre and thorne Chase we all these desires those fires put out Breake we those lines knotted with many boughes And of our selues let vs take free farewell So shall we vanquish Loue that vntamed Lord And wisely do out of our owne accord That whereto Time at last will vs compell If this shepheard had come into this Country in a time lesse troublesome without doubt he had found many friends but the sorrow for Celadon whose losse was so fresh as it made all them that dwelt thereabout so heauy that they could not attend his conceits and therfore they let him go without being curious to question either him or Tircis what was the cause that led them thither Some of them returned to their lodging and others continued on their search for Celadon and coasted now on this side and then on that side the Riuer not leauing euen a brier nor tree nor bush whose shaddowed hollownesse they
discouered not Yet was this in vaine for they found no more newes for all their search only Siluander met Polemas alone not far from that place where a little before Galathe and the other Nymphs had taken vp Celadon and because he had the commaund of all the Countrey vnder the authority of the Nymph Amasis the shepheard who had often seene him at Marsellis did him all the honour he could in his salutation and for that he asked what it was he searched for along the shore he told him of the losse of Celadon whereat Polemas was displeased hauing alwayes loued them of that family On the other side Licidas which was wandring with Phillis after he had beene somewhile silent at last turning to her Well faire shepheardesse what thinke you of the humor of your companion She which as yet was ignorant of the ielousie of Astrea answered It was the smallest displeasure that might be fall her and that in so great sorrow he might well be permitted to auoid and fly from all company For Phillis thought he had complained for that she was come forth alone It is true said Licidas it is small but yet I hold that in truth it is the greatest and I must tell you she is the most vnthankfull in the world and most vnworthy to bee beloued See for Gods sake what her humor is my brother neuer had any desire nay so far was he of he had not the power to loue any but her onely she knew it well enough cruell as she is for the proofes which he hath giuen her leaue nothing in doubt the time hath bene ouerpast the difficulties or rather the impossibilities cōtemned the absences ouercame the parents anger neglected her rigors her cruelties her disdaines sustained and that for so long time that I know no man could do more then Celadon and yet for all this will not this fickle piece who as I thinke hauing ingratefully changed her mind is sorry to see him longer liue whom at other times she hath done little lesse then cause to dye by her rigours and whom at this time she knew shee hath vnworthily offended this fickle piece I say will not who dissembling vnder a new pretence of hate and iealousie commands him to eternall exile and a despaire euen to seeking out of death O God said Phillis all amazed what doe you tell me Licidas is it possible that Astrea should commit such a fault It is too true answered the shepheard she told me a part of it her selfe the rest I may easily iudge of by her discourse But well though shee triumph ouer the life of my brother and that her perfidiousnesse and ingratitude giue a vizard to her fault as if she had ouerloued him yet will I sweare vnto you that neuer Louer had more affection and fidelity then he not that I care she should know it vnlesse it might bring her some extreme displeasure by the knowledge of what might haue falne our by her error for hence forth I will be as much her mortall enemie as my brother hath bene her faithfull seruant and she vn worthy to be beloued So went Licidas and Phillis discoursing he infinitely displeased with the death of his brother and as much enraged against Astrea and she sorry for Celadon troubled with the griefe of Licidas and astonished at the ielousie of her companion but seeing that the stroke was yet very sensible she would not as yet apply any strong remedies but only gentle preparatiues to sweeten not to confound for in any case she would not that the losse of Celadon should cost her Licidas and she considered well that if the hatred should continue betweene him and Astrea of necessity shee must breake with one of them and yet loue was vnwilling to giue place to friendship and friendship to loue and so the one would not consent to the death of the other On the other side Astrea euen full with so great occasions of sorrow as I haue told you giuing such way to her teares and so languished in her dolors that for not hauing teares enow to wash away her errour nor words to expresse her sorrow her eyes and mouth gaue vp their office to her imagination so long that weakned with ouer-much griefe shee fell asleepe with such thoughts The end of the first Booke THE SECOND BOOKE of Astrea and Celadon WHile these things passed in this sort among the shepheards and shepheardesses Celadon receiued from the three Nymphs in the palace of Isour◠all the best helpes that possibly they might but the weakenesse which the water brought him was so great that notwithstanding all the remedies they applied he could not open his eies nor giue other signe of life but by the beating of his heart In this sort hee passed the rest of the day and a good part of the night before he came to himselfe and then when he opened his eyes it was not without great astonishment to finde himselfe where he was for he remembred well enough what befell him on the shore of Lignon and that despaire had made him leap into the water but he knew not how he came into this place and after hee had stayed some while confounded with these thoughts hee asked himselfe whether he were aliue or dead If I liue said he how is it possible that the cruelty of Astrea doth not cause me to die Or if I be dead what is it O Loue that thou commest to search for in darkenesse Art thou not contented to haue had my life but thou wilt among the cinders kindle afresh the ancient flames And because the busie care wherein Astrea had left him was not abandoned called to his minde all his thoughts hee went on And thou most cruell remembrance of my passed good why doest thou represent vnto mee the displeasure which shee sometimes had for my losse to make my too true hurt worse by her thoughts whereas in place thereof for mine ease thou shouldest rather tell mee the contentment she hath for the hatred she beares me With a thousand such imaginations this poore shepheard fell into so sound a sleepe that the Nymphs had leasure to come and see how he did and finding him asleepe they softly opened the windowes and the curtains and sate down about to view him the better Galathee after she had somewhile considered was the first that said in a low voyce that they might not awake him How is this shepheard changed from that he was yesterday how fresh a colour is come into his face in so short time For my part I am not sorry for the trauaile of my iourney since we haue saued his life For as you say mayd turning to Siluie he is one of the principall of that Countrey Madame answered the Nymph it is most true for his father is Alcippe and his mother Amarillis What said she that Alcippe of whom I haue heard so much and who to rescue his friend brake vp the prison of
she said twice or thrice Alcippe Alcippe not looking on him He hearing himselfe named was about to aske her what she would with him but seeing her eyes turned another way he thought she spake to some other She that perceiued he harkned went on Alcippe it is to you I speake though I looke not vpon you if you desire to haue the best fortune that euer knight had in this Court be betweene day and night at the great crosse way which leads to the place of the Palace and there you shall know the rest of me Alcippe seeing her speake in this manner without looking on her likewise sayd he would be there wherein he failed not for the euening approching he went to the place assigned where he staied not long but the aged woman came to him almost hidden vnder a Tastata that she had on her head and drawing him aside said to him Young man thou art the most happy that liues being beloued of the most faire and most louely Lady in this Court and with whom if thou wilt promise that that I shal demand of thee at this houre I binde my selfe to make thee inioy all contentment The young Alcippe hearing this proposition asked who the Lady was See said shee the first thing that I would haue you promise me is not to inquire after her name and to keepe this fortune secret the other that you suffer me to couer your eyes when I bring you where she is Alcippe sayd to her Not to enquire after her name and to keepe this affaire secret I will willingly performe but to blindfold mine eyes I will neuer suffer And what is it you feare said she I feare nothing answered Alcippe but I will haue mine eyes at liberty O young man said the old woman that art yet to learne why wilt thou procure the displeasure of a person that so loues thee and will not this displease her to desire to know more of her then she would haue thee Beleeue me make no difficulty doubt nothing what danger can it be to thee Where is that courage that thy presence promiseth at the first sight Is it possible that a perill imagined can make thee forsake an assured good And seeing that he moued not Cursed be the mother said she that made thee so faire so little hardy without doubt both thy visage and thy courage are more of the woman then of that thou art The young Alcippe could not heare without laughing these words of the old woman vttered in such choler In the end after he had sometime thought in himselfe what an enemy he might haue finding that he now had none he resolued to go prouided she would suffer him to carry his sword and so let her blind his eyes and taking her by her garment followed her whither she would lead him I should be too long Madam if I should tell you all the particularities of this night So it was that after many turnings and hauing it may be many times passed one way he found himselfe in a chamber where his eyes yet bound hee was vncloathed by the same woman and laid in bed awhile after came the Lady that had sent for him comming neere him vncased his eyes because there was no light in the chamber But for all that he could do he was not able to get one word from her So that he rose from her in the morning without knowing who she was onely he iudged her faire and yong and an houre before day she that brought him came to carry him backe and lead him with the same ceremonies From that day they resolued betweene them that whensoeuer hee was to returne he should finde a stone at a certaine crosse-way before day While these things thus passed the father of Alcippe dies so that he is now more Master of himselfe then he was wont to be had not the commandement of Amarillis bene and his priuate intent which he held the loue which he bare to his shepheardesse might haply haue called him backe into the woods for the fauours of this vnknowne Lady could not put her out of his remembrance that if the great gifts which he had ordinarily of her had not retained him in this practice after the two or three first voyages he had retired though it seemed since that time he was come into the fauour of Pimander and Amasis But for that a young heart can hardly keepe any thing hidden long it fell out that Clindor his deare friend seeing him spend more then of custome demanded of him how he came by his meanes Whereto at the first answering diuersly in the end he discouered all his fortune and after told him that for all the Art he could vse he could neuer know who she was Clindor being very curious counselled him to cut out some halfe a foot of the frindge of the bed and in the day he should resort to the greatest houses which he might best suspect and there hee might know her eyther by the colour or by the piece This he did and by this craft my father had knowledge of her that thus fauoured him Yet he hath closely concealed her name that neyther Clindor nor any of his children could euer know it But the first time that he went thither after that when he was about to rise in the morning he coniured her that she would no longer hide her selfe from him that it was labour lost for he knew assuredly that she was such an one She hearing her selfe named was about to speake yet held her peace and stayed till the olde woman came to whom when Alcippe was risen from the bed she vsed such threatnings thinking it was she that discouered it that this poore woman came trembling to my father and sware he deceiued himselfe He then laughing told the craft he had vsed and that it was the inuention of Clindor She well eased with that which he had discouered after a thousand oaths to the contrary returned to tell this to the Lady who was risen of her selfe to heare their discourse and when she knew that Clindor was the inuenter she turned all her choller against him easily pardoning Alcippe whom she could not hate notwithstanding after that day she neuer sent more for him And because a spirit offended hath nothing so sweete as reuenge this woman turned so of euery side that she wrought a quarrell against Clindor for which he was enforced to combate with a cousin of Pimander whom he slew and though he were pursued yet he saued himselfe in Auverne by the helpe of Alcippe But Amasis so wrought that Alaricke King of the Visigots being then at Tholouse sent him prisoner to Vsson with commandement to his Officers to deliuer him ouer into the hands of Pimander who looked for nothing more then to finde commodity to send for him that he might put him to death Alcippe left nothing vnattempted to procure his pardon but all was in vaine for he had too strong
the hatred he bare to this stranger by reason of his arrogancy and cruelty and presently caused the Visigot to be aduertised by an Herauld of armes To make short my father ouer came him and presented the sword to Pimander and without the knowledge of any body but Amarillis that saw him out of Cleantes house he returned to Bisantum where he was receiued as before In this space Cleante that desired nothing more then to see him at liberty in Forests discouered him to Pimander who was very desirous to know the name of him that fought with the stranger He at the first astonyed in the end moued with the vertue of this man demaunded if it were possible he should be aliue Whereto Cleante answered recounting to him all his fortunes and all his long voiages in the end what accompt he was of with all the Kings whom he serued Without doubt then sayd Pimander the vertue of this man merits to be esteemed and not to be banished besides the great pleasure he hath done me Therefore let him returne and assure himselfe that I will esteeme of it and loue him as he deserues And hence forth I pardon him all that he hath done against me Thus my father after he had stayed 17. yeres in Greece came into his country honored of Pimander and Amasis who gaue him the chiefe charge that was about their persons But see what we are of our selues One may delight him with all things in aboundance and the desire satiated remaines without force As soone as my father enioyed the fauours of fortune as he could desire behold he lost the taste and disdained them And then some good Angell that was willing to draw him out of this gulph where so often he was like to make shipracke represented to him as I haue heard him say these considerations Come hither Alcippe what is thy desire Is it not to liue happily so long as Clotho spins out thy life If this be it or thinkest thou to finde this good but in quiet rest or it may be out of affaires how can they beare the ambition of the Court since the happinesse of ambition is the multiplicity of affaires Hast not thou sufficiently proued the inconstancy whereof they are so full at least haue but this consideration in thee Thy ambition is to command many euery of them hath the same desire that thou hast these their desires propound the same wayes going the same wayes cannot they come to the same that thou art and attaine it since ambition is a place so strait that it can hold but one alone so that either you must oppose against a thousand that will set on you or else giue way to them If thou oppose what can bee thy quiet since you are to haue an eye to your friends and to your enemies and that day and night their weapons are whetting against thee If thou giue way to them there is nothing so miserable as a country decayed Then Alcippe come againe into thy selfe and remember that thy fathers and grandfathers haue bene much wiser then thou be not more selfe willed but fixe the diamond nayle at the wheele of this fortune which thou hast so often proued changeable come backe to the place of thy birth leaue this purple and change it into thy former habits let thy launce be turned into a sheephook thy sword into a culter to open the earth and not the bellies of men there shalt thou finde that repose which for so many yeeres thou couldst neuer haue elsewhere See Madam the considerations which led my father to his formeÌ„r profession And thus to the great astonishment of all but with the great prayses of the wiser sort he came to his former estate where hee caused our ancient statutes to be renewed with so good liking of all men that he might say he was at the height of ambition though he were impouerished since he was so well beloued and honored of his neighbours that they tooke him for an Oracle And yet this was not the end of his paines for being after the death of Pimander retired to himselfe hee had not beene long in our grounds but Loâ—â—e renewes his old blowes there being of al Loues arrowes none sharper then that of conuersation Then behold Amarillis so high in his thoughts that she gaue him more paine then all his former trauailes It was at that time that he tooke againe the deuice which he had borne during all his voyages of the Pen of a Iay meaning to signifie Peinjay Of this loue came great hatred for Alce the father of Astrea was infinitely amorous of this Amarillis and Amarillis during my fathers exile had permitted this suite by the commandement of her parents and at this time she cannot withdraw it without so great trouble that he is ready to despaire On the other side Alcippe that casting off the habite of a knight but had not left the courage could not suffer a Riuall came to handy strokes manytimes with Alce who wanted not courage and a man may thinke but for the parents of Amarillis who resolue to bestow her on Alcippe there had beene much mischiefe betweene them But though by this marriage they cut off the boughs of this quarrell yet their hatred liued so and grew so high that there was neuer familiarity betweene Alce and Alcippe And this is said Celadon addressing himselfe to Siluie faire Nymph which you heard them talke when you were in our hamlet for I am the sonne of Alcippe and of Amarillis and Astrea is the daughter of Alce and Hipolite It may be you may thinke it strange that not parting from our woods and pastures I know so many particulars of the neighbour Countries But Madame all that I haue learned was but from my father who recounting vnto me his life hath beene driuen withall to tell me the things you haue heard So ended Celadon his discourse and indeed not without paine for speaking hurt him much hauing his stomake as yet distempered and this was the cause that he recounted the History much shorter then otherwise he could But Galathes rested more satisfied then he imagined for that she knew of what Ancestors this shepheard was descended whom she loued The end of the second Booke THE THIRD BOOKE OF Astrea and Celadon WHile the day lasted these faire Nimphs yeelded so good company to Celadon that had he not been displeased with the change of Astrea he had had no cause of griefe for these were both faire and full of iudgement yet in the case wherein he was all this was not enough to stay him from wishing himselfe to be alone And because he saw it could not be without the helpe of the night that would constraine them to withdraw hee wished for it euery houre But when he thought to haue beene alone theâ— found he more coÌ„pany for the night being come and these Nimphs goâ— into their chambers his thoughts came to accompany him with so cruell remembrance
how much I doe owe them you may in some sort know the quality of my loue since it not onely counterpoyses but weighs downe so great a weight Farewell and be no more incredulous By this time Siluie brought backe the letter and Galathee told her with great griefe that he loued and more that he was infinitely beloued and read the letter to her agayne which strucke her to the heart seeing she was to assault that place where so strong an enemy was already victorious for by those letters she iudged that the humour of this shepheardesse was not to be an halfe Mistris but with a right absolute power commaunded ouer those whom she vouchsafed to entertaine for hers she liked well of this iudgement when she read the letter that had beene dryed it was thus Licidas told my Phillis that yesterday you were in a naughty humor am I the cause or you if I it is without cause for would not I alwaies loue you and be beloued of you And haue you not a thousand times sworne to me that you desire but this to be content if you then you doe me wrong to dispose without my knowledge of any thing that belongeth vnto me for by the donation which you haue made and which I haue receiued both your selfe and all that is yours doe appertayne to me Aduertise me then and I shall foorthwith perceiue whether I may giue you permission but in the meane season take this as a forbidding With what empery sayd then Galathee doth this shepheardesse deale She doth him no wrong answered Siluie since she gaue him warning from the beginning and without fiction if it be she that I thinke she hath some reason being one of the most faire and complete persons that euer I saw Her name is Astrea and that which maketh me thinke so is this word of Phillis knowing that these two shepheardesses are sworne friends and yet as I may tell you though she be so extreme faire yet this is that that makes her least amiable for shee hath so many other perfections that this is least apparent in her This discourse serued but to wound the deeper since they discouered nothing but the greatest difficulties in her dissigne And because she would not that Siluie as then should know she shut vp the papers and went to bed not without a great company of sundry thoughts among which sleepe came stealing by little and little It was hardly day when the little Merill went out of the shepheards chamber who had complayned all night and his trauell and his sickenesse had but little asswagement till the comming of the morning And because Galathee had commaunded him to marke particularly whatsoeuer Celadon did and to repeate it to her he went to tell her what he had learned At that time Galathee being awaked talked so loude with Leonide that Merill hearing them knocking at the doore Madame quoth he all this night could I not sleepe for the poore Celadon is almost dead by reason of the papers which you tooke from me yesterday and because I sawe him very desperate I was constrained to giue him some ease by telling him you had them How sayes the Nymph knoweth he that I haue them Yes certainely Madam answered Merill and I assure my selfe he will intreate you to restore them for he esteemeth them very dearely and if you had heard him as I did I doubt not but he would make you pitty him Ah! tell me Merill sayd the Nymph what he said Madame sayd he after he had asked if I had not seene his papers and that in the end he knew you had them he turned like a man transported on the other side and sayd Now all things fall out the worst they may and after he had beene silent some while and that he thought I was in my bed I heard him sigh very loude and after vttered these words Astrea Astrea ought these banishments to be the recompence of my seruices If your loue be changed why doe you blame me to excuse your selfe If I haue failed why tell you me not my fault Is there no more iustice in heauen then there is pitty in your soule Alas if there be why feele not I some fauour that hauing no power to die as despaire will haue me I may do so at least as the rigor of Astrea commands Ha rigorous If I may not call it cruell commaundement in such an accident as this who could take a lesse resolution then that of death would it not giue signe of lesse loue then of great courage And here staying a while he thus beganne againe But wherefore my traiterous hopes come you flattering to me is it possible you should dare to come neere me doe you say she will change Consider then enemy of my repose what likelihoode is there that so much time spent so many seruices and affections acknowledged so many disdaynes borne vp and impossibilities ouercome haue done so little and yet onely absence may Hope rather for a fauourable tombe at thy death then a fauourable repentance from her After many such discourses he held his peace a great while but when I was gone backe I heard him shortly after beginne agayne his complaints which he held on vntill day and all that I could obserue was but his complaints which he made against one Astrea whom he accused of change and cruelty If Galathee had knowne lesse of Celadons affayres by the letters of Astrea she had learned so much from the report of Merill that for her own rest it had beene good for her to haue beene more ignorant Yet in flattering her selfe she conceited to her selfe that the disdayne of Astrea might make the way more easie to that which she desired Young Scholler in loue that knowes not that Loue neuer dies in a generous heart till the roote be wholy pluckt vp In this hope she wrote a little scroule which she folded vp and put among the papers of Astrea After giuing the bagge to Merill Hold heere sayd she Merill restore this bagge to Celadon and tell him I would I were able to giue him all the contentment he wants that if he be well and would see me tell him that I am not well this morning She said this that he might haue leisure to ouerlook his papers and reade that which she had written to him Merill went foorth and because Leonide was in an other bed she could neyther see the bagge nor heare the charge which she had giuen him but as soone as he was gone she called her and made her come to bed to her and after some other talke she spake in this sort to her You know Leonide what I told you yesterday of this shepheard how much it importeth me that he loue me or that he not loue me since that time I haue vnderstood of his businesses more then I would I had you haue heard that which Merill hath reported to me and that which Siluie said of the perfections of Astrea
loues you and that the heauens haue permitted the disdaine of Astrea for that they like not that a shepheardesse should any longer possesse that which a Nymph desires acknowledge your good hap and refuse it not The astonishment of the shepheard was great notwithstanding seeing that Merill obserued his actions he would make no shew of it Then locking them againe together and lying downe in his bed he asked who gaue them to him I tooke them said he out of my Ladyes deske and but for the desire I had to put you out of the paine wherein I saw you I durst not haue gone for them for that she is not well at ease And who is with her demanded Celadon The two Nymphs which you saw yesterday where of the one is Leonide the Niece of Adamas the other is Siluie the daughter of Diante the glorious and indeed she is not his daughter without reason for shee is the most lofty in her behauiour that you shall lightly see So receiued Celadon the first aduertisement of the good will of Galathee for though there were neither cipher nor seale to the scroule hee had receiued yet iudged he that it would not haue beene done without her knowledge And then he fore-saw that this would be a surcharge to his sorrowes and that he must vndergoe it Seeing then that halfe of the day was almost passed and finding himselfe in good case he would keepe no longer in bed thinking that the sooner he left it the sooner he might take his leaue of these faire Nymphs And being risen in this deliberation as he was ready to goe out to walke he met with Leonide and Siluie whom Galathee not daring to rise nor yet shew her selfe to him for shame of the scroule she had writ had sent to giue him entertainment They went downe into the garden And because Celadon would hide his sorrow he shewed a countenance as pleasant as he could dissemble and seeming to be curious to know euery thing he saw Faire Nymphs said he to them is it not heereabout that the Fountaine of the truth of Loue is I am very willing if it be possible to see it It is hard by answered the Nymph for wee must goe downe but this great Wood. But it is impossible to see it and you must thanke this faire that is the cause poynting to Siluie I know not replyed she why you accuse me For for my part I neuer heard the sword blamed which cut the foole that laid his finger vnder it It is true answered Leonide but if I be not deceiued that which wounds and your beauty are not in the number of those that are seene without homicide Such as it is answered Siluie with a little blushing it hath lynes strong enow euer to let that goe that it hath once tyed vp She said this vpbrayding her with the infidelity of Agis who hauing somtimes loued her for aielousie or for an absence of two months was entirely changed and for Polemas whom another beauty had robbed her of the which she vnderstood well enough So I confesse my sister replyed she my lines are easie to slide but that is because I would neuer take the paine to stiffen them Celadon hearing with great pleasure their prety disputation that they might not breake off too soone he sayd to Siluie Faire Nymph since from you the difficulty proceedes of seeing this admirable Fountain we shall a little be obliged vnto you if from your selfe we know how this fell out Celadon answered the Nymph somewhat smiling You haue businesse enough of your owne without need to search into any other yet if curiosity can haue any place in your loue this prattler Leonide if you request her will tell you the end since without any motion she hath so well told the beginning Sister answered Leonide your beauty makes all them to speake much better that discourse of it and since you giue me leaue to tell of one effect the world should take knowledge of yet lest we too much should trouble the shepheard I wil abridge for this bout as much as I can possibly Not for that interrupted the shepheard but to giue leasure to this Nymph to yeeld you the like Make no doubt of that replied Siluie but according to her vsage of mee I shall see what I haue to doe So what by the one and what by the other Celadon shall learne from their owne mouth their life in particular and that in the deliuery he might better heare them they placed him betweene them and walking a soft pace Leonide beganne in this manner The History of Siluie THey that say that to be beloued there needes nothing but to loue haue not tryed it neither in the eyes nor courage of this Nymph otherwise they were to know that as the water of the Fountaine runs incessantly from the spring so the Loue which rises from this faire wanders from her as farre as it can If when you haue heard the discourse which I am to make to you you will not auerre that that I say I am willing you should accuse me of small iudgement Amasis the mother of Galathee hath a sonne named Clidamon accompanied with all the amiable vertues that a person of his age and quality may haue for he seemeth to be borne to all that pertaine to Armes or Ladyes It is about three yeeres since that to giue some proofe of his gentle nature with the permission of Amasis he became seruant to al the Nymphs and that not by election but by lot For hauing put all the names of the Nymphs into a vessell and all the young Knights into another before all the assembly he tooke the youngest among vs and the youngest among them to the man he gaue the vessell of the Nymphs and to the mayd that of the men And then after the sound of the trumpets the Youth drew and the first name that came out was Siluie and the same instant the lot was drawne by the youngest Nymph who drew that of Clidamon Great was the applause of euery one but greater the gentlenesse of Clidamon who after he had receiued the scroule came with one knee on the ground to kisse the hands of this faire Nymph who out of shamefastnesse would not suffer him without the commandement of Amasis who said it was the least part of seruice that was due vnto her in the honour of so great a god as Loue. After her all the rest were called to some it fell out as they desired to others not so it was that Galathee had a most accomplished person named Lindamor who as then was but lately come from the Army of Meroue As for mine he was called Agis the most inconstant and deceitfull that euer was Now of those that were thus bestowed some serued onely in shew others of good will ratified to these faire the deuotion which fortune had made of them and they that maintained themselues best were such as before had conceiued some affection
Among others the yong Ligdamon was one this man fell to Siluie a Nymph indeed amiable enough but not for him who had formerly set his mind otherwhere And certainely it was his good fortune to bee absent then for hee would neuer haue done the fained homage to Siluie that Amasis commanded and that might haply haue wrought him some disgrace for you must know gentle shepheard that he was brought vp very young among vs being not aboue ten yeeres of age when he was placed heere for the rest so faire direct in all his actions that there was not a woman that thought not well of him and aboue all Siluie being very neere his age At the beginning their ordinary conuersation ingendred the amity of a brother to a sister such as their knowledge was capable to receiue By degrees as Ligdamon grew in age so likewise he encreased in affection so that his childhood changing into a state more settled about the age of foureteene or fifteene yeeres he beganne to change his will into desires and by little and little his desires into passions and yet he liued with that discretion that Siluie had neuer knowledge that her selfe caused this desire When he attained to some good vnderstanding and that he knew his euill he iudged within a while what small hope there was of healing not one of Siluies humours being likely to be hid from him So that the ioy and liuelinesse which was in his countenance and all his actions were turned into sadnesse and his sadnesse into so heauy a melancholy that there was no body but might perceiue the alteration Siluie was not one of the last that asked him the cause but she could draw out nothing but broken answers In the end seeing him continue still in this manner of life one day when she beganne to complayne of his small amity and reproching him that she had obliged her to conceale nothing from her she heard that he was no more able to restraine himselfe but that a deepe sigh escaped from him in stead of answer This brought her to be of opinion that loue might be the cause of his euill And see if the poore Ligdamon did not discreetly carry his actions since she was neuer able to imagine her selfe to be the cause I beleeue well that the humour of this Nymph which shrunke not a iot from this purpose might be in part the occasion For hardly do we thinke of a thing estranged from our owne intents But it must be confessed that heerein his wisedome was great and his coldnesse also that it could so wholy couer the heate of his affection She then pressed him more then before that if it be loue she promised him all the assistance and all the good offices that might be hoped for from their amitie The more he did to auoyde it the more she desired to know it in the end not being able to defend it any longer he protested to her it was loue but he had made an oath neuer to name the party For sayd he to loue is a great presumption in me but constrayned by so many beauties it may be excused and to dare name her what excuse can couer the discouery of my rashnesse Is this the friendship presently answered Siluie which you beare me Truly replyed Ligdamon I haue done it and your commandement also which I beseech you set before your eyes and this glasse which will make you see what you desire to know At that word he tooke vp that which hung at her girdle and held it before her eyes Think you how she was surprised incontinently knowing what he would say and she hath since sworne to me that she thought at first it had beene Galathee of whom he would haue spoken In the meane time that he had stood to behold her she stood as rauished to consider his simplicity in choller against him but much more against her selfe seeing well she had drawne this declaration by force from his mouth Notwithstanding her high courage would not suffer her to make any long defence for the lustice of Ligdamon For at an instant she lifts her selfe vp and without speaking to him departs full of despite that any durst presume to loue her arrogant beauty that iudgeth none worthy of it The faithfull Ligdamon stayed but without a soule and as an insensible Statue In the end comming agayne to himselfe he went as well as he could to his lodging out of which he went not some good time because the knowledge which he had of the small loue of Siluie touched him so to the quick that he fell sicke so that there was small hope of life when he resolued to write her such a letter The losse of my life was not of force sufficient to discouer vnto you the rashnesse of your seruant without your expresse commandement yet if you iudge that I must die and hold my peace say also that your eyes must haue had lesse absolute power ouer me For if at the first summons which their beauty made me I could not defend my selfe from giuing them my soule how hauing beene so often vrged could I haue refused the acknowledgement of that gift yet if I haue offended in offering my heart to your beauty I am willing for the fault I haue committed in presenting to such merits a thing of so small valew to sacrifice vnto you my life without sorrowing for the losse eyther of the one or of the other sith they be no more pleasing vnto you This letter was brought to Siluie when she was alone in her Chamber It is true that I came in at the same time and indeed well for Ligdamon for behold the humour of this fayre Nymph She had conceiued so great a despite toward him after he had discouered his affection that not only she blotted out the remembrāce of the amity passed but so lost her will that Ligdamon was like a thing indifferent to her So that when she heard that euery one despaired of his recouery she was no more moued at it then if she had neuer seene him I that particularly obserued it could not tell what to iudge of it but that her youth made her easily lose the loue of men absent But when now I saw her refuse that which one deliuered her in his behalfe I knew well that they needed no bad messenger between them This was the cause that I took the letter that she had refused and which the young boy that brought it by his masters commaundement had left on the table She then lesse heedfull then she would haue beene ranne after me and intreated me not to reade it I will see it sayd I and it be but for the deniall you make Then beganne she to blush and said Reade it not good sister binde me to you for it I coniure you by our friendship And what shall that be then answered I if it may suffer you to conceale any thing from me Thinke you that if it allow
you dissimulation enough to hide from me it shall not giue me curiosity enough to discouer you And how then said she is there no more hope of your discretion No more said I then of sincerity in your amity She staid some while silent looking on me and drawing neere me said At least promise me that you will not looke on it till I haue discoursed to you all that is past I am content sayd I prouided that you proue not a lyer After she had sworne to me she would tell me all truely and I sworne not to make shew of it she recounted vnto me all that I haue sayd of Ligdamon and at this present going forward he comes to send me this letter and I haue enough of his complaints or rather of his faynings But answered I what if they be true And if they be sayd she what haue I to doe with his follies For that reason sayd I that they are bound to helpe the miserable that haue throwne him downe head-long And what can I do to his euill replyed she Can I doe lesse then liue since I am in the world Wherefore hath he his eyes Why comes he where I am All these excuses sayd I are nothing worth for you are without doubt accessary to his euill If you were of lesse perfection if you could make your selfe lesse louely thinke you he would be brought to this extremity And truly said she smiling to me You are very pleasant to charge me with this fault What would you haue me to be if I should not be the same that I am And why Siluie answered I Know you not that he that puts a weapon in the hands of a mad man is in part culpable of the harme he doth And why should not you be so since this beauty which the heauens at your birth haue giuen you hath beene by you so curiously sharpned with so many vertues and amiable perfections which no eye without being strucken can looke on And shall not you be blamed for the murders which your cruelty commits Behold your selfe Siluie there is no necessity that you should be lesse faire nor lesse replenished with perfections but you are to study the more to make your selfe good as you are faire and to put as much sweetnesse into your soule as the heauens haue in your face But the mischiefe is your eyes to do the more hurt haue taken all away and haue left nothing at all but rigour and cruelty Now gentle shepheard that which makes me so affectionate to the defence of Ligdamon was that besides that we are some what allied hee was also well esteemed of all that knew him and I knew he was brought to very hard tearmes Then after such like talke I opened the letter and read it aloud that she might vnderstand it but she cast not so much as her eye to it which I found very strange and well foresaw that if I vsed not wondrous great force I should hardly draw from her any good remedy for my sicke patient which vrged me to tell her at the first blow that in any case I would not suffer Ligdamon to vndoe himselfe Good sister said she since you are so pittifull heale him your selfe It is not of me said I that his healing depends but I assure you that if you hold in this sort towards him as you haue done for the time passed I will cause you to haue some displeasure for I will make Amasis vnderstand of it and there shall be no one of our companions to whom I will not tell it So you shall play the foole well enough replyed she Doubt not answered I for to make short I loue Ligdamon and I will not see him lost so farre as I can helpe it You speake very wisely Leonide said she in choler these are the offices that I alwaies expected from your amity My amity answered I should be the same for you against him if he had done the wrong At this we staied some good while without speaking In the end I asked her what her resolution was Such as you will said she prouided you do me not the displeasure to publish the follies of Ligdamon for though I cannot bee blamed yet it would trouble me to haue it published See cried I out thē what humour is this of yours Siluie You feare it should be knowne that a man loues you you fear not to haue it known that you haue caused his death Because said she they may suspect the former to be produced by some consent on my part but not the latter Let vs leaue this replied I and resolue your selfe I will that Ligdamon for the time to come be entertained in another sort And then I went on that shee should assure her selfe that I would not suffer him to die and that I would haue her write to him in such a fashion that he might no more despaire that when hee were recouered I was contented she should vse him as she list prouided that she let him liue I had paine enough to obtaine this grace from her though I threatned to make it knowne so after long debate and hauing made her beginne againe once twice or thrice in the end shee wrote in this sort IF there be any thing in you that pleases mee your death is the least of all other the acknowledgement of your fault hath satisfied me and I will haue no other reuenge of your boldnesse then the paine which you shall haue Know your selfe hereafter and you shall know me Farewell and liue I wrote these words at the end of the letter to the end he might hope for better hauing so good a second LEonide hath put the pen into this Nymphs hand Loue wils it your iustice requires it her indeuour commands it but her obstinate conceit hath great defence since this fauour is the first I could procure you cherish your selfe and hope These letters were brought him so luckily that yet hauing strength enough to reade them he saw the commandement that Silue had giuen him to liue and because till then he would neuer vse any remedy that he might not disobey the Nymph he gouerned himselfe so that in short time he was better were it for that his disease hauing spent its force was declining or that the contentment of the soule was a good remedy for the paines of the body so it was that after that his disease dayly lessened But this so little mooued this cruell beauty that she changed not one whit towards him and when he was well the most fauourable answere he could haue was I loue you not neither doe I hate you rest contented that of all those which seeke me you are he that displeases mee least If he or I requested some better declaration she vses such cruell words to vs that no other but her courage could imagine nor other affection beare them then that of Ligdamon But not to draw this discourse in length Ligdamon loues and serued alwaies after
without any likelihood of hope but that which I haue told you vntill the time that Clidaman was chosen by fortune to serue her then he had almost lost resolution and had it not beene that he knew by me that he should be no better vsed I know not what would haue become of him Yet though this gaue him some comfort the greatnesse of his Riuall gaue him more of iealousie I remember once he gaue me this answer vpon that which I told him that he should not grieue so much for Clidaman Faire Nymph answered he I will freely tell you whence my care proceeds and then iudge if I haue wrong It is long time since I haue prooued that Siluie cannot be mooued neither by fidelity of affection nor by extremity of Loue that it is without doubt that she will neuer bee wounded on that side Notwithstanding as I haue learned of the wise Adamas your vnckle euery person is subiect to one certaine force the stroke whereof they cannot auoyd when ought it is touched And what may I think may be that of this faire if it be not the greatnesse and power and as I feare the fortune not the merits of Clidaman his greatnes and not his affection But indeed herein he hath wrong for neither the loue of Ligdamon nor the greatnesse of Clidaman can euer mooue one glance of good will in Siluie And beleeue not but loue reserues her for an example to others purposing to punish her by some vnusuall meanes Now at that time there fel out a great testimony of her beauty or at least of the force she hath to make her beloued It was the day so celebrated which euery yeere we make holy the sixt of the Moone of Iuly and on which Amasis vsed to make that solemne sacrifice as well for the honour of the Feast as for being the day of Galathees brith When they were at Sacrifice there came into the Temple a number of men clad in mourning in the middest of whom was a Knighr so full of Maiesty aboue the rest that he was easily iudged to be their master He was so sad and melancholy that it appeared that he had somewhat in his soule that troubled him His habite blacke infashion of a mantle trayning on the ground which kept the beauty of his proportion from sight but his face vncouered and his head bare the haire where of yellow and crisped shamed the Sun drew the eyes of all men to him He came with a stately pace to the place where Amasis was and after he had kissed her robe he withdrew waiting till the sacrifices were done and by fortune whether good or bad for him I know not he stood right ouer-against Siluie A strange effect of loue He had no sooner set his eyes vpon her but he knew her though he neuer saw her before and to be better assured he demanded of one of his followers who knew vs all his answer was accompanted with a deepe sigh from the stranger and all the while the sacrifice lasted his eye neuer went off her At last the sacrifice being ended Amasis returnes to her Palace where audience being giuen him he spake before them all in this sort Madam though the mourning you see in my garments be much more blacke in my soule yet can it not equall the cause I haue And though my losse be excreme yet thinke I not I am the onely man that haue lost for you are particularly weakned in your faithfull seruants of one which it may be was not the least affectioned nor the most vnprofitable in your seruice This consideration hath made me hope to obtaine of you some reuenge of his death against his murderer But since I entred into this Temple I haue lost all hope iudging that if the desire of reuenge die in me that am the brother of the wronged by much stronger reasou should it shrinke in you Madame in whom the compassion of the dead and the seruice which he vowed you may without more adoe cause some good will to arise Notwithstanding since I see the armes of my brothers murderer prepared already against me not to auoyd such a death but to instruct others I will tell you as briefly as I can the fortune of him whom I lament Though Madame I haue not the honor to be knowne to you yet I assure my self that at the naming of my brother who neuer loued but your seruice you will acknowledge me for your most humble seruant His name was Aristander and we were both the sonnes of that great Cleâ—mire which for your seruice visited so often the Tyber the Rhine the Danuâ—y and for that I was the younger it may be about nine yeers as soone as he saw me able to beare Armes he sent me into the Army of the great Meroue the delight of men and the most pleasing Prince that euer came into Gaule To tell you why my father sent me rather to Meroue then to Thierry King of the Visigots or to that of the Burgonyans it will be hard for me Yet I am of opinion it was that I might not serue a Prince so neere your estates that fortune might make your enemy So it was that my successe was such that Childerick his sonne a Prince warlike and of great hope seeing me neere about his age was pleased more especially to fauour me with his loue then any other When I came first to him it was about the time that great and wise Aetius treated of a peace with Meroue and the Franks for so he called all that followed him to resist that scourge of God Attilla king of the Huns who hauing gathered together from the Desarts of Asia an incredible number of people euen to 500000. fighting men discended like a deluge sacking furiously all the countrys where he passed and though this Aetius Lieutenant generall in Gaule of Valentinian was come with a purpose to make war on Meroue who during the gouernmeÌ„t of Castinus was possest of a part of Gaule yet thought he it better to make him his friend and the Visigots Burgonians like wise rather then to be ouerthrowne by Attilla who lately hauing trauersed in Germany was about the baÌ„ks of Rine where he stayd not long without aduancing himselfe so into Gaule that he besieged the towne of Orleance where the coÌ„ming of Thierry king of the Visigots made him raise his siege take another way but beset by Meroue Aetius with their coÌ„federates in the field of Cathalona he was defeated more by the valiance of the Franks the wisedom of Meroue then all the other force Since Aetius hauing bene killed it may be by the commandement of his master for some discontentment Meroue was receiued at Paris Orleance Sens other neighbour townes for Lord and King and all that people haue since borne him such affection that they wil not only be his but cause theÌ„selues to be called by the name of Franks to please him the
spoiles of many other mens liberties but in none more fully then that of his At this word hee kissed her hand and then held on thus after he was risen Among the papers where Aristander put his last Will we haue found this heere and because it is enclosed in the fashion you see and that he directed it to you I bring it you with the protestation which by his testament he commaunded me to make before you open it that if your will be not to grant the request he hath made you he beseecheth you not to reade it at all to the end that as well in death as in life he may not feele the strokes of your cruelty Then he presented her a letter which Siluie troubled with this accident would haue refused but for Amasis commandement And after Guymantes beganne his speech againe thus I haue hitherto performed the last Will of Aristander there remaines that I should pursue vpon his homicide his cruell death but if at another time the offence haue giuen mee the commaund at this time Loue ordaines that my most faire vengeance be the sacrifice of my liberty on the same Altar that yet smokes with that of my brother who being rauished from me when I breathed nothing against you but bloud and death giues witnesse that euery eye that sees you owes you his heart for tribute that vniustly euery man liues that liues not in your seruice Siluie somwhat confounded with this accident stayed some long while from answer so that Amasis tooke the paper which she had in her hand and hauing sayd to Guymantes that Siluie should make answer she withdrew aside with some of vs and breaking the boxe read these words If my affection haue not made my seruice pleasing nor my seruice mine affection at the least eyther this affection shall make my death in you more pittifull or my death assure you of the fidelitie of my affection and that as no man euer loued more of perfections so did neuer any loue with more passion The last testimony which I will giue you shal be the gift by him whom I hold most deare next you who is my brother for I know well what I giue you when I ordaine that he should see you knowing well by experience that it is impossible he should be and not loue you Desire not my sayre murderer that he should be inheritor of my fortune but heare of this that I haue lesse iustly merited of all others then of you He that writ it is a seruant who for hauing lesse of loue then one heart was capable to conceiue would rather die then diminish Amasis then calling Siluie demaunded what so great cruelty she had vsed against Aristander which brought him vnto that extremity The Nymph blushing answered that she knew not whereof he might complaine I would sayd she that you receiue Guymantes into his place then calling him before them all she asked if he would obserue his brothers will He answered Yes so it be not a thing contrary to his affection He requireth this Nymph sayd Amasis to receiue you into his place and that you haue better fortune then he To receiue you I command her for the fortune whereof he speakes it is neyther the prayer nor the commaundement of another that can frame that but the proper merit or the fortune it selfe Guymantes after he had kissed the robe of Amasis came to doe as much to the hands of Siluie in signe of seruitude but she was so displeased with him for the reproches which he had giuen her and with the declaration of his affection that without the commandement of Amasis she would not haue permited him As they were ready to depart Clâ—daman comming from hunting was aduertised of this new seruant of his mistris for which he made so loude a complaint that Amasis and Guymantes hâ—ard him and because he knew not whence it proceeded she told it him and she had scarcely ended when Clidaman snatching at her word complained that she had permitted a thing so much to his disaduantage that this was to call backe those ordinances which the Destinies had chosen for him which none nor she knew how to infringe without life Words which he spake with affection and vehemency because that out of good iudgement he had loued Siluie But Guymantes who besides his new loue had so good an opinion of himselfe that he would giue no place to any person in the world answered addressing his speech to Amasis Madam there be that would not I should be seruant to the faire Siluie they that speake it know little of loue otherwise they would not thinke that your ordinances nor of all the gods together were of sorce sufficient to diuert the course of our affection therefore it is that I declare couertly that if they deny me that which heeretofore hath beene allowed me I shall disobey and turne rebel that no consideration ought to change me And then turning toward Clidaman I know the respect I owe you said he but I feel withal the power that Loue hath ouer me If the Destinies haue giuen you to Siluie her beauty is it that hath gottâ—n me iudge whether of these two gifts ought to be most allowable Clidaman would haue answered when Amasis sayd to him Sonne you haue reason to grieue if they altered our ordinances but they haue not infringed them You were commaunded serue Siluie but they denyed to others Sweet oyntments giue the better smell when they are chased A louer likewise hauing a Riuall giueth more proofe of his merits So Amasis ordayned and now behold Siluie well serued For Guymantes forgot not any thing that his Loue commaunded and Clidaman out of enuy studied to appeare more carefull But aboue all Ligdamon serued her with such discretion and respect that oftentimes he durst not come neere her left he should giue notice of his affection to others And in my minde his seruice was as pleasing as any of the rest But indeed one time he almost lost his patience It happened that Amasis hand lighted on a bodkin made in the shape of a sword wherewith Siluie was wont to raise and dresse her haire and seeing Clidaman neere her she gaue it him to beare to his mistris but he kept it all the day to put Guymantes to some payne He doubted not Ligdamou and see how often one may hurt one man for another for the poyson which was prepared for Guymantes went to the heart of Ligdamon who not being able to dissemble it that knowledge might not be taken of it he withdrew himselfe to his lodging where after he had some-while inâ—enomed his euill by his thoughts he tooke his pen and writ this verse A Madrigall on the Sword of Siliuie in the hands of Clidaman Loue that lay hid in treason Of weapon stain'd with blond But not without all reason Cuts from my hope the good For wanting meanes to pay My heauy seruitudâ— With wages that would way To
couer his ingratitude He entertaines me cunningly Though not in loue in souldiery And at the end of these verses he addeth these words ONe may auerre faire Leonide that Siluie doth like the Sunne that casteth his beames as well on the most vile things as on the more noble Himselfe brought me this paper I could not with all my study vnderstand nor draw other thing from him but that Siluie had giuen him a blow with a Sword and leauing me he went away the most lost man on the earth See how artificiall a sencer is Loue that with so small weapons can make so great gashes It grieued me to see him in this case And to know if any new accidēt had befallen him I went to Siluie but she swore she knew not what it might be In the end hauing stayed some time to reade the verses on a suddaine she lifted vp her hand to her haire and not finding her bodkin she began to laugh and sayd That her bodkin had beene lost and some body had found it and without doubt it◠might be Ligdamon knew it She had scarcely sayd this when Clidaman came into the roome with this murdering sword in his hand I desired her to let him keepe it no longer I see sayd she his discretion hereafter I will vse the power I haue ouer him She fayled not of her purpose for being neere him she sayd See a Sword that is mine He answered So is he that beares it I would haue it sayd she I would answered he you would all of me that is yours Will you not giue it me said the Nymph How replyed he can I will any thing since I haue no will at all And sayd she what haue you done with that which you had You haue snatched it from me sayd he and now it is changed into yours Since then continued she that your will is but mine giue me that bodkin because my will is so Since sayd he that I will that thing that you would and that you will haue this bodkin it must of necessity be that I will haue it also Siluie smiled a little but in the end she sayd I will that you giue it me And I also said he will that you giue it me Then the Nymph thrust forth her hand and took it I wil neuer refuse it sayd he though you will take it from me and it were this heart for once Siluie had her Sword and I writ this scroule to Ligdamon THe good which without knowledge hath beene done to your Riuall with his knowledge is taken from him iudge in what termes his affayres are since the fauours he hath proceeded of ignorance but the disfauours of deliberation So Ligdamon was healed not by the same hand but by the same weapon that hurt him In the meane time the affection of Guymantes came to such an extremity that it may be it came nothing short of that of Aristander on the other side Clidaman vnder the cloke of courtesie had let grow in his soule a most ardent and true loue After they had many times assayed out of enuy who should be the most welcome to Siluie and knew that she fauoured and dis-fauoured them both alike they resolued one day because that otherwise there was mutuall loue betweene them to know which of the two was most beloued and came for that cause to Siluie from whom they had such ' cold answers that they could not assoile the iudgement Then by the counsell of a Druyde who it may be was displeased to see two such persons lose their time so vnprofitably which they might much better employ for the defence of the Gaules whom so many Barbarians attempted to ouer-run they came to the fountaine of the verity of Loue. You know what the property of this water is and how it declareth against their will the most secret thoughts of Louers for he that lookes in it sees his Mistris and if he be loued he sees himselfe hard by and if she loue any other that is his figure that hee sees Now Clidaman was the first that presented himselfe he layd his knee to the ground kissed the side of the fountaine And hauing besought the Demon of that place to be more fauourable to him then to Damon he bent himselfe somewhat into it Presently Siluie presented her selfe so faire and admirable that the louer transported stooped to kisse her hand bat this contentment was well changed when he sawe no body neere her He wichdrew himselfe much troubled after he had stayed some while And vnwilling to speake any thing he made signe to Guymantes that he should prooue his fortune He with all the ceremonies requisite hauing made his request cast his eye on the fountayne but was serued like Clidaman because that Siluie alone presented her selfe burning almost with her fayre eyes the water which seemed to play about her They were both astonished at this accident and demaunded the cause of this Druyde which was a great Magician He answered that it was for that Siluie as yet loued no person as being not capable to be burnt but onely to burne They that thought they could not be so much neglected hauing gone before seuerally now returned both together and sodainely both the one and the other shifted on diuers sides yet the Nymph appeared alone The Druyde smiling came to withdraw them from thence and tolde them that they should beleeue they were not beloued at all and that the shifting from side to side could not represent their figure in the water For you must know sayd he that as other waters represent the bodies which are before them this represents the spirits Now the spirit which is but the will the memory and the iudgement when it is beloued transformeth it selfe into the thing beloued and therefore it is that when you presented your selues heere it receiued the figure of your spirits and not of your body and your spirit being changed into Siluie it represented Siluie and not you Whereas if Siluie had loued you she should as well haue beene changed into you as you into her and so representing your spirit you sawe Siluie and seeing Siluie changed as I told you by this loue you should haue seene your selues also Clidaman stood very attentiue to this discourse and considering the conclusion was an assurance of that he feared being full of choller drawing out his Sword he strucke two or three blowes with all his might on the marble of the fountaine but his Sword being at the first resisted in the end it brake in the middle not leauing any marke of his blowes imitating heerein the angry dogge that biteth the stone one flings at him The Druyde gaue him to vnderstand that he trauailed in vaine because that his enchantment could not be ended by force but by extremity of loue yet if he listed to make it vnprofitable he knew the meane Clidaman nourished for rarity within great Cages of yron two Lions and two Vnicornes which he oftentimes
caused to fight with other beasts Now this Druyde demaunded them to keepe this fountaine and enchanted them in such sort that although they were set at liberty yet could they not leaue the entry of that Caue but onely when they were to seeke their foode For in that while there stayed but two and euer since they haue done no hurt to any but those which attempted to go to the fountayne but they assayled them with such fury that there is no likelihoode that any will hazard himselfe For the Lions are so large and terrible they haue their clawes so long and so piercing so nimble and swift and so animated to this defence that they doe deedes incredible On the other side the Vnicornes haue their hornes so poynted and so strong that they will pierâ—e a very rocke they strike with such force and swiftnesse that no man can auoide them As soone as this guard was thus ordered Clidaman and Guymantes departed away so secretly that Amasis nor Siluie knew nothing vntill they were farre off They went to seeke out Meroue and Childericke For they haue told vs since that since they were so equally handled by their loue they would try if Armes would fauour them as equally Thus gentle shepheard haue we lost the commodity of this Fountaine which so well discouered the secrets of deceiuing thoughts that if all were as Ligdamon they would not haue made vs lose it For when I knew that Clidaman and Guymantes were gone I counselled him to bee the third assuring my selfe he should be the more fauoured but he made me this answer Faire Leonide I alwaies counsell them that are in doubt of their good or euill that they hazard themselues sometimes to know the truth But would not this be folly for him that hauing neuer conceiued any hope of that he desires to seeke for a more sure knowledge of his disaster As for me I am not in doubt whether the faire Siluie loue me or not I am but too assured of it and when I would know more I neede not aske but of her eyes and her actions Since that time his affection hath still increased like the fire when they lay on more wood For this is the property of that faculty to make that which pleases more delightfull and that which offends most offensiue and God knowes how this cruell hath handled him The time is yet to come that she would looke on him without disdaine or cruelty and for my part I know not how a generous man can haue such patience because indeed the offences which she hath done him touch more of outrage then of rigor One day when he met her going out to walke alone with me because he had a sweete voyce I prayed him to sing he said these verses A Song on a desire VVHat is this ill that troubles me And will not giue me leisure still To finde anayling remedy Alas it is a burning will Which like a flame alwaies aspires To place most high and hard to gaine For that the good I most desire Is it that I cannot attaine Desire hath since first it bred For mother and for sister deere An hasty hope right strong of head That giues possession wel-neere But though of course a womans hart Takes neuer any hold of Loue Desire will not from my soule part Though Hope from â—e haue made remoue But if all Hope be cleane put out Wherefore desire so labour you To bring a greater worke about This will but shew small vertue true And she is alwaies flinty hard Without or fauours or regard So though my Hope be fully dead Yet will Desire lift vp his head He had no sooner ended but Siluie takes him vp thus Ha! tell me Ligdamon since I am not the cause of your euill why doe you lay it on mee It is your owne desire which you should accuse for it is it that makes you trauaile in vaine The passionate Ligdamon answered Desire indeed is chat which tormeÌ„ts me but it is not that which shuld be blamed but that which giues it birth and that is the vertues and perfections of Siluie If the desires replied she be not irregular they torment not and if they be irregular and goe beyond reason they ought to be borne of another obiect then of vertue and are not the true children of such a father since they resemble him nothing Till this time answered Ligdamon I neuer heard say that any disauowed a child for not resembling his father and yet the extreme desires are not against reason for is it not reasonable to desire all good things according to the degree of their goodnesse and so an extreme beauty should bee reasonably loued in extremity so that if they must be blamed in any thing a man should not say they are against reason but beyond reason Let this suffice replyed this cruell I am not more reasonable then reason therefore it is that I will not auow for mine that which exceedes At this word not to leaue him the meane to answer shee turned to meete some of her companions that followed her One time when Amasis returned from that little place of Mont-brison where the pleasure of the garden and solitarinesse had stayed her longer then she meant the night came on her before she came to Marsellis And because the euening was cold as we went I asked him on the way of purpose to make him speake before his mistrisse if he felt not the cold and humidity of the euening Whereto he answered that of long time the cold nor heate outward had done him hurt And asking him why and what his receit was To the one he answered me I oppose my burning desires and to the other my frozen hopes If it be so sayd I suddainly whence came it that I haue so often heard you say you burne and sometime that you freeze Ah! answered he with a great sigh Courteous Nymph the euill whereof I complaine torments me not outwardly but inwardly and yet so deepely that there is no secret part of my soule so retired where I feele not the griefe For you must know that aboue all other that the fire and colde are incompatibles alike But I haue had within my heart continually the fire on a flame and the colde frozen and onely feele the discommodity without any mitigation Siluie could hold no longer from making him feele her accustomed cruelties but till that word was ended Yet me thoght she wold scarce giue him the leisure to bring forth that so full of enuy she was to make him feele her stings when turning toward me with a smile she sayd disdainefully casting her head on his side Oh! how happy is Ligdamon to haue both cold and heat when he will at least he hath no cause to complaine nor to feele many discommodities for if the cold of his hope freeze he may chafe himselfe with the heate of his desires if his ouer-ardent desires doe burne him he may coole himselfe
with the ice of his hopes It is very necessary fayre Siluie answered Ligdamon that I should vse this remedy to maintayne me otherwise I had not beene long since but this is but a small asswaging of so great a fire so that the knowledge of these things is a fresh wound which offends me the more for that in the greatnesse of my desires I know their weakenesse and in their weakenesse their greatnesse You figure your euill replyed the Nymph such as you please but I beleeue not that the cold being so neere the heate and the heate so neere the cold neyther the one nor the other will suffer his neighbour to be much offended Indeede answered Ligdamon to make me burne and freeze at one time is not one of the least maruels that proceed from you but this is the greatest that it is of your cold that my heate commeth and of my heate your ice But yet it is more maruellous to see a man haue such imaginations added the Nymph for they conceiue such impossible things that he that beleeues them may aswell be taxed for want of iudgement as you that tell them for want of truth I confesse answered he that my imaginations conceiue things impossible but that proceeds from my ouer-great affection and from your ouer-great cruelty and as this is one of your least effects that you reproch me with so it is not one of my least tonments I beleeue sayd she that your torments and mine effects are of greatest force in your discourse Hardly sayd Ligdamon can a man say that which he doth not well vnderstand Hardly replied the Nymph may the conceits and vaine Ideaes of a distempered imagination come to be knowne If the truth adioyned Ligdamon accompany not this imagination I should hardly stand in so great need of your compassion Men answered the Nymph make their trophees of our bounty Do you any whit better said he out of our losse I neuer sawe replied Siluie any so vndone but they shifted wellenough as you do all The more I tel you of the cruelties of this Nymph and of the patiences of Ligdamon the more comes into my memory WheÌ„ Clidaman was gone as I told you Amasis would send after him the greatest part of the young Knights of this Countrey vnder the charge of Lindamor to the end hee might be taken by Meroue for the man he was Among other Ligdamon as a right gentle Knight was not forgot But this cruell would not bid him adieu faining to be sicke yet he that would not go without she knew of it in some sort writ me these verses On a Departure VVHy Loue since thou dost so desire That I should sâ—â—râ—h in so great fire Why must I go farre from my Dame I answered him TO worke in her some misteries Knowest thou not thus from ashes rise The Phoenix which dyes in the flame Hee had beene an happy man with this answer but this cruell hauing found what I writ and vnwilling to do him good her selfe and not suffering any other shold doe it snatcht the pen with great strength out of my hand telling mee that the flatteries which I vse to Ligdamon were the cause of the continuance of his follies and he had cause more to complaine of me then of her At last she writ this Siluies answer THe Phoenix from the cinders rise Because that in the flame it dies Absence giues a mortall stroke If presence no more comfort cause Neuer by cold there will be broke The yce which fire neuer thawes You may thinke with what contentment he parted It was to some purpose for him to be accustomed of long time to such blowes and that he remembred the disgraces which came from them whom they serue ought often to take the place of fauour And I remember that on this discourse he called himselfe the most happy man in the world since the ordinary disgraces which hee receiued from Siluie could not make him doubt that she had him in any great good memory that she would not acknowledge him for her seruant and that since she vsed not to deale so with others that were not particularly affectioned to her hee made himselfe beleeue that money was that wherewith she paid those that were towards her and such as it was he was to make reckoning of it because it had her marke and on this subiect hee sent these verses before hee parted A SONET THis soueraigne beauty she will haue it so What is impossible not what I can To make good triall that I am the man Such is her will and mine with hers shall go She shall at last see that my Loue for store Is at the spring like to a springing well The more of me she drawes by sorrowes fell The more she shall perceiue I loue her more The spring that brings forth my affection Is without more of her perfection Eternall in effect and so is she Assay then rigorous from my hard fate To draw incessantly my loue wants date The more you draw the greater it will be Leonide had held on discourse if a far off shee had not seeÌ„ne Galathee come who after she had long stayd alone and not able longer to depriue her selfe of the sight of this shepheard she was dressed the best to her aduantage that her glasse could giue counsell and came forth without any other coÌ„pany then the little Merill she was faire worthy to be beloued of an heart that had not already had another affection At that time by the confusion which the water had wrought in Celadons stomake hee felt himselfe ill at ease that by that time they came at the Nymph they were constrained to carry him backe the shepheard soone after went to bed where he remained some daies downe lying and vp-rising of his infirmity without being either grieuously sicke or very throughly recouered The end of the third Booke THE FOVRTH BOOKE OF Astrea and Celadon GAlathee that was thoroughly taken so long as the sicknes of Celadon lasted stirred not ordinarily from his beds head and when she was constrained to remoue from thence either to rest or for some other occasion she left him Leouide for the most part whom shee gaue in charge to lose no opportunity to giue the shepheard to vnderstand of her good will beleeuing that by this meanes shee might in the end giue him hope of that which his condition denied And indeed Leonide deceiued her not for though she were desirous Lindamor might me satisfied yet she that looked for all her aduancement from Galathee had no greater desire then to content her but loue which ordinarily makes pastime with the wisdome of louers and delights to conduct his effects contrary to their purposes made Leonide by conuersing with the shepheard to stand in more need of one to speake for her then any other in the company For the ordinary view of this shepherd who wanted nothing that might winne loue made her know that beauty hath ouer-secret
intelligences with our soule to suffer it so freely to come neere his powers without suspition of treason The shepheard soone perceiued it but the affection which hee bare to Astrea which yet exceedingly raged would not suffer him to indure this growing loue with patience That was the cause that hee resolued to take his leaue of Galathee when he began to find himselfe somewhat better But as soone as hee opened his mouth about it How is it said shee Celadon are you hardly vsed by me that you will be gone before you be throughly recouerd And when he answerd it was for feare of troubling her and for some busines he was constrained to returne to his Hamlet to assure his parents his friends of his health she interrupted him saying No Celadon doubt not my trouble so I see you want nothing and as for your affaires and friends without me whose company it seems mislikes you much you shall not be in this paine since you will no longer And me thinks the greatest businesse that you haue to do is to satisfie the obligation which you haue to me that your ingratitude should not be smal if you grudge mee some moments of your life which you hold all of mee Henceforth you must not fet your eies on things so base as your life passed but you are to leaue your hamlets and your flocks to them that haue not the merits that you haue and for the time to come you must place your eyes on me that can and will do for you if your actions alter not my minde Though the shepheard seemed not to vnderstand this discourse yet hee conceiued it easily enough and from that time auoided what hee could possibly to talke with her in priuate But the displeasure which this life brought him was such that almost losing all patience one day Leonide hearing him sigh demanded the cause seeing hee was in place where they desired nothing more then his contentment He answerd her faire Nymph among all miserable men I may hold my selfe to bee the most extremely handled by fortune for commonly they that be in griefe haue permission to complaine and haue the comfort to be moned but I dare not for that my misfortune comes couered with the most of the contrary and therefore in stead of being bemoned I am rather blamed as a man of small iudgement that if you and Galathee knew how bitter the wormewood is wherewith I am fed in this place happy indeed to any other but me I assure my selfe you would take pitty of my life And what want you said she to comfort you At this time sayd he I only want leaue to be gon Would you replied the Nymph I should speake of it to Galathee I beseech you sayd he by whatsoeuer you hold dearest Then it must be as by your selfe sayd the Nymph blushing and not turning her head toward him she went out of the chamber to seeke where Galathee was whom she found alone in the garden and who now began to suspect there was loue on Leonide's part fearing shee nothing forwarded the charge she had giuen her though she remained since all the day from him for that knowing how sharpe the weapons of the beauty of the shepherd were she thought it might as well part two as one yet being constrained to passe thorow her hands she went about to deceiue her selfe as well as was possible and so set on the same countenance toward the Nymph as she had accustomed and when she saw her comming toward her shee raised her selfe to aske how the shepheard did and hauing knowne hee was in the same state she left him she held on her walke and hauing gon some paces without speaking shee turned to the Nymph and sayd But tell me Leonide was there euer man so insensible as Celadon since neither my actions nor your perswasions can giue him any feeling of that hee ought to render me For my part answered Leonide I had rather accuse him of want of spirit and courage then of vnderstanding for I thinke either he hath not the iudgement to know whereto my actions tend or if he know my words he hath not the courage to attempt so high and so how much the loue of your perfections and fauours may raise him to you so much the weight of his owne small merit and condition may abase him But you must not thinke this strange since the Appletree beareth Apples and the Oake Acornes for euery thing brings foorth according to his nature So what can you hope the courage of a villaine can produce but the designes of a weake and base soule I thinke well answered Galathee the great difference of our conditions do worke in him a great respect but I shall neuer imagine if he knew the difference but he hath spirit enough to iudge to what end I vse him with this sweetenesse except it be that hee be so farre engaged to Astrea that he cannot goe backe Assure you Madame replied Leonide it is not respect but sottishnesse which makes him so misprising For I may auerre as you say that it is true he loues Astrea but if he had iudgement would he not contemne her for you who deserue so farre beyond comparison Yet is he so ill aduised that at euery turne when I speake to him of you hee answers me but with griefe for being so farre remoued from his Astrea with such displeasure that one may thinke that his stay here is infinitely troublesome to him And this morning hearing him sigh I asked him the cause He made me answer which would moue the stones to pitty and in the end the conclusion was that I should desire you he might be gone Yes replyed Galathee red with choler no longer able to dissemble her iealousie Confesse the truth Leonide he hath mooued you It is true Madam he hath moued me to pitty and me thinkes since he hath such a desire to be gone you ought not to hold him by force For Loue neuer enters into the heart for the blowes of a whip I thinke not replyed Galathee but he had moued you to pitty but speake no more of it it may be when he is recouerd he shall sooner find the effects of despight which he hath caused to be bred in me then those of loue which he hath wrought in you In the meane time to speake freely let him resolue not to go hence at his owne pleasure but at mine Leonide would haue answered but the Nymph interrupted her No more Leonide sayd shee it is enough content your selfe that I say no more but that this is my resolution So Leonide was forced to hold her peace and to bē gone taking this iniurie so to heart that she resolued to goe to Adamas her vnkle and to take no more care of Galathees secrets who at that time called Siluie that was walking in another alley alone to whom against her former purpose she could not hold in complayning of Leonide from making her
I thinke on it I am yet ready to die for shame yet my haire was dispersed and almost couered mee on it I had no other ornament then the garland which the day before hee had giuen me When the others were gone backe and when he saw me in this sort by him I obserued that twice or thrice he changed colour but I neuer suspected the cause for my part shamefastnesse had tainted my cheek with so fresh a colour that hee hath since sworne vnto me he neuer saw me so louely and he would haue beene contented hee might haue beene suffered to stay all the day long in that contemplation but fearing to be discouerd he was cōpelled to shorten his contentment and when he saw I said nothing for shame had tied vp my tongue And how Astrea sayd het hinke you your cause so good that you need not as well as others seek the Iudges good will I doubt not Orithee answered I that I shall haue more need to seduce my Iudge by my words then Stella or Malthe but I know wel also that I must as well giue place to them in perswading as in beauty so that but for the constraint whereto the custome tyes mee I had neuer come before you in hope to win the prize And if you beare it away answered the shepheard what will you do for me I shall haue sayd I the greater obligation to you by how much I thinke it merits lesse How then replied he will you make me no other offer The demand sayd I must come from you for I cannot teach you who deserues to be receiued Sweare to me said the shepheard you will giue me that which I shall demand and my iudgement shall be to your aduantage After I had promised him hee asketh of my haire to make him a bracelet which I did and after he had folded it in a paper hee sayd to me Now Astrea I will keepe these haires for a pledge of the oth which you haue made that if euer you gainesay it I may offer it to the goddesse Venus and demand vengeance of her That sayd I is superfluous since I am resolued neuer to faile Then with a smlling countenance hee sayd to me God be thanked faire Astrea that my designe hath falne out so prosperously for know that which you haue promised me is to loue me aboue any in the world and to receiue me as your faithfull seruant who am Celadon and not Orithee as you suppose I say that Celadon by whom loue hath giuen proofe that hatred is not of power sufficient to disappoint his effects since euen among the displeasures of our fathers he hath made me so yours that I had no feare to dye at the gate of this temple to giue you testimony of my affection Iudge wise Diane what became of mee for loue forbade me to seeke reuenge of my shamefastnes and yet shame encouraged mee against loue at last after a confused disputation it was impossible for me to consent to cause him dye since the offence which he made proceeded not but of too great loue to me yet knowing him to be a shepheard I could no longer stay before his eies and without making other answere I ranne to my companions whom I found almost dressed and taking vp my garments scarce knowing what I did I made my selfe ready as soone as was possible But to be short when we were all ready the dissembled Orithee placed her selfe at the entry of the gate and hauing vs all three before her I ordaine saith she that the prize of beauty be giuen to Astrea in witnesse whereof I present her the golden apple there is no cause any body should doubt of my iudgement since I haue seene her and though a maide yet I haue felt the force In saying those words he presented mee the apple which I receiued being much troubled and the father when with a loude voyce he sayd Receiue this Apple as a pawne of my affection which is as infinite as this is round I answered him Be content rash man that I receiue it to saue thy life and that otherwise I would refuse it as cōming from thy hand He durst not reply for feare he might be heard and knowne and because the custome was that she that receiued the Apple was to kisse the Iudge by way of thankefulnesse I was constrayned to kisse him but I assure you had I not knowne him vntill then I should then haue discouered him to be a shepheard for it was not the kisse of a maide Presently the noyse and the applause of the company separated vs because the Druyde hauing crowned me caused mee to be borne in a chaire to the place of the Assembly with so much honour that euery one wondered I was no more cheerefull But I was so troubled and so sore beaten betweene Loue and Despite that I scarce knew what I did As for Celadon as soone as he had finished the ceremonies he lost himselfe amongst the other shepheardesses and by little and little without the heeding of any body got out of the company and put off his borrowed garments to put on his owne naturall clothes with which hee came agayne to vs with a face so confident that no man would euer haue suspected him As for me when I sawe him I might scarce turne mine eyes to him being full of shame and choler But he that noted it and made no shew of it found the meanes to come to me and to say loude enough The Iudge which hath giuen you the prize of beauty hath shewed good iudgement and me thinkes that albeit the Iustice of your cause do well deserue so fauourable a sentence yet must not you be fayling to beare him some kinde of obligation I beleeue shepheard answered I softly enough that he is more obliged to me then I to him for that if he gaue me an apple which in some sort was due to me I haue giuen him life which his rashnesse merited to lose So he told me answered presently Celadon that hee would preserue it onely for your seruice If I had not more respect replyed I to my selfe then to him I had not let him goe without chasticement for so great a presumption But enough Celadon let vs cut off this discourse and content your selfe that if I haue not punished you as you deserue it was onely for feare of giuing occasion to others to talke their pleasure of me and not for want of will to see you punished If there be nothing but that sayd he to hinder my death tell me in what fashion you will haue me die and you shall see I haue no lesse courage to satisfie you then I haue had of loue to offend you This discourse would be too long if I should tell you all our talke in particular So it was that after many replies now on the one side and the other whereby it was impossible for me to doubt of his affection if at least the
fire of his loue nor the admirable beauties of those Romanes diuert him from the least part of what he had promised me O God with what contentment came he to meete me he besought me by his brother that I would giue him opportunity to speake with me I thinke I haue yet his letter Alas I haue more charily preserued that which came from him then himselfe And then she drew out letters which she had receiued from him and pulling out the first for they were all layd in order after she had wiped her eyes she read these words FArre Astrea my banishment hath beene ouercome of my patience God grant the like of your loue I went out with such griefe and am returned with so great contentment that not perishing neither in going nor comming I shall alwaies giue proof that one may not die neither of too much pleasure nor too much displeasure Let me then see you that I may recount my fortune vnto you that are my onely Fortune Faire Diane it is impossible I should remember the discourse which we had without wounding my selfe so that the least stroke is as greeuous to me as death During the absence of Celadon Artemis my Aunt and the mother of Phillis came to see her kinsfolke and brought with her this shepheardesse poynting to Phillis And because our fashion of liuing better pleased them then that of the shepheards of Alleer she resolued to dwell with vs which was no small contentment to vs for by this meanes we grew familiar and though the friendship was not so strait as it fell out afterward yet her humour so pleased me that I passed ouer many vnquiet houres reasonably well with her And when Celadon was returned and that he had some while conuersed with her he gaue so good a iudgement that I may truely say he is the ground of the strait amity which hath since beene betweene her and me It was about this time that he being of the age of seuenteene or eighteeneyeeres I of fifteene or sixteene we beganne to carry our selues with more wisedome so that to hide our loue I intreated him or rather I constrayned him to make loue to all the shepheardesses that had any shew of beauty that the suite he made to mee might be iudged to be rather common then particular I say I constrayned him because I thinke but for his brother Licidas he would neuer haue giuen his consent For after he had many times falne on his knees before me to call backe the charge I gaue him in the end his brother told him that it was necessary for my contentment it should be so and that if he knew no other remedy he might therein helpe himselfe by his imagination and when he spake to others he should conceit to himselfe it was to me Alas the poore shepheard had good reason to make such difficulty for he ouer-well foresaw that from it would arise the cause of his death Excuse me wise Diane if my teares interrupt my discourse seeing I haue so iust cause that it were impiety to forbid them me And after she had dryed her eyes shee renewed her discourse in this manner And because Phillis was vsually with me it was she to whom at the first he addressed himselfe but with such inforcement that I could hardly refraine from laughter and because Phillis thought he was in earnest and that she vsed him as they ordinarily doe him that beginneth to be a suiter I remember that seeing himselfe rudely handled he often sung this song which he made on that subiect A SONG VPon a certaine fountaines bankes Which moldy mosse all ouer-growes Whose water with a winding flowes Wandring through plaines in many crankes A shepheard gazing on the waue Sâ—â—g to his pipe these verses graue Cease one day cease too faire for me Before my death cruell to be Can it be that this grieuous paine Which I for louing you indure If gods be not cal'd iust in vaine At last may â—e no good procure Or can it be that such a Loue May neuer any pittie mooue The rather being great and true As that with which I honor you Those eyes whose wanton passages Haue often made me hope in vaine Full of so many forgeries Will they forsweare themselues so plaine They oft haue told me that her heart At last would rigor force to part Agreeing to which false report The rest of her faire face consort But how faire eies of shepheardesse Shall they to such false courses yeeld As are the Courtiers practices It seemes these beauties of the field Though without fucus on their skin Yet can they paint their heart within And learne a lesson in their schooles To giue but words the bane of fooles Enough it is high time O faire To end this ouer-cruell fit And thinke that beauty n'er so rare Which hath not sweetnesse mixt with it Is as an eye that wants day-light And faire that is without loue quite As most vnworthy of that cole Is like a body wanting soule Sister interrupted Phillis I remember it well you speake of and I shall make you laugh at the manner of his speech to me For for the most part it was with such broken language that we had need of an Interpreter to make vs vnderstand them and vsually when he was to name mee he would call me Astrea But see what our inclination is I knew well that Nature had in some sort preferred Celadon before Licidas yet not being able to tell you the reason Licidas was more welcome to me Alas sister sayd Astrea you bring to my remembrance the speech which he vsed about that time of you and of this faire shepheardesse sayd she turning to Diane Faire shepheardesse said he to me the wise Bellinde and your Aunt Artemis are infinitely happy in hauing such daughters and our Lignon is much bound to them since by their meanes it hath the happinesse to see vpon her shores these two faire wise shepheardesses And beleeue me if I know any thing they only deserue the amity of Astrea and therefore I aduise you to loue them for I perceiue by that little knowledge I haue of them that you shall finde great contentment in their familiarity Would to God one of them would vouchsafe to respect my brother Licidas with the like affection that I beare And for that at that time I had no great knowledge of you fayre Diane I answered that I desired he should rather serue Phillis and it fell out as I wished for the ordinary conuersation he had with her at the first brought forth familiarity betweene them and at last he loued in earnest One day when he found her at leisure he resolued to declare his affection with much loue and with the fewest words he could Faire shepheardesse said he you haue knowledge enough of your selues to beleeue that those which loue you can not but loue you infinitely It can not be that my actions haue giuen you any knowledge
of my affection for the little you know of it since none can loue you but in extremity you may sweare that my loue is wonderfull great and yet being such I demaund of you as yet but a beginning of good will Celadon and I were so neere that we could well heare this declaration and the answere also that Phillis gaue him which indeede was more rude then I expected from her For long time before she and I well enough knew by the eyes and actions of Licidas that he was in loue with her and we haue often talked of it and I haue found in her rather goodwill to him then otherwise yet at this brunt she answered him so bitterly that Licidas went away in despayre And Celadon who loued his brother more then ordinary not able to endure to see him vsed in this sort and not knowing how to take it grew almost angry with me whereat I could not hold from smiling and at last I told him Be not grieued at this answer Celadon for we are straitly tyed to it since the shepheards of these times for the most part delight to make euery one beleeue that they haue better fortunes then indeede they haue thinking that the glory of a shepheard shall be increased by the diminution of our honour And that you may know that I know well the humour of Phillis I tooke the charge vpon me to bring Licidas into her good grace prouided that he continue and that he haue a little patience But I must tell you that when I first talked with her she put me off so farre that I could but onely hope so that I resolued to winne her in time But Licidas who had no patience had a purpose to loue her no more and at that time he would ordinarily goe singing these verses STANZA'S On a resolution to loue no more VVHen I see those faire eyes that play the conqu'rers part I strait yeeld vnto them as princes of my heart Thinking that rigour should be banished from thence But finding now too well their cruelties offence I thinke to eternize on vs their tyranny This cannot well be loue but rather trechery It 's true it is of them from whence alway arise To meanest of their traines some am'rous nouelties But whereto serueth this that like as from the head No sooner water springs but instantly 't is fled Right so it is with loue which with a ranging thirst Flies far from those same eies that brought it forth at first By his example then fly we from those faire eies Fly them and let vs thinke in it our safety lies And when they will haue vs to follow where they list Let vs not stay for blowes which we cannot resist For better it is far to saue our selues by flight Then to attend the death which we may well acquite I thinke Licidas had not so readily put end to the cruelty of Phillis in refusing his affection if by fortune one day shee and I according to our manner going forth to walke by Lignon had not met this shepheard in an I le of the riuer in a place very darke and where there was no appearance of dissembling We saw him from one side of the riuer which was large and deepe to hinder vs from going to the place where hee was but not from hearing the verses which he went with complaining and drawing as it seemed some ciphers on the sand with the end of his sheephooke which wee could not know for the distance betweene vs but the verses were these A MADRIGALL That he should not hope to be beloued THinke we in louing her Our faithfull loue can cast A ground-worke that may last Alas in vaine it were I hold to my great paine That that which with my hand I write in flitting sand Will longer time remaine Then I for my auaile In her soule various Shall fixe in louing thus The hold that will not faile Within a while we heard after he had beene silent some time he tooke againe his speech in this manner with a great alas and lifting vp his eyes to heauen O God if thou beest angry with mee for that I haue adored with more deuotion the worke of thy hands then thine owne selfe why hast thou not compassion of the errour which thou causest me to commit Or if thou beest not pleased that Phillis should be adored either thou shouldest haue put lesse perfection in her or in me lesse knowledge of her perfections for is it not a kinde of profaning a thing of that merit to offer it lesse affection I thinke the shepheard held on in such like discourses but I could not heare them because Phillis taking me by force by the arme carryed me away with her And when we were some pretty distance remoued I sayd Naughty Phillis why hast thou no pitty on this shepheard whom thou seest ready to die for thy sake Sister answered she the shepheards of this countrey are such dissemblers that often their heart denies that which their mouth promiseth that if without passions we looke into the actions of such as hee wee shall finde nothing but cunning And for the words we heare for my part I iudge that hauing spyed vs afarre off he purposely set himselfe in our way that we should heare his dissembled complaints otherwise would they not as well be spoken to vs as to these woods and wilde riuers But sister answered I you haue forbid him See replyed she a great proofe of his small loue Is there any commandement strong enough to stay a violent affection Beleeue me sister the loue that may bend is not strong Thinke you not that if he disobey my commaundement I should thinke he loued me the better But sister in the end sayd I he obeyed you And well replied she hath he obeyed me and herein I held him very obedient but in that he hath quite giuen ouer his suite to me I hold him for a man very passionate And why was he of opinion that at the first discouery of his good will to me I should haue taken some witnes that he might not hereafter gaine-say it If I had not interrupted her I thinke shee had held on her discourse very long but because I desired that Licidas might be vsed in another fashion for the payne that Celadon suffered I told her that these kind of speeches were of some purpose to be vsed to Licidas but not to me who knew well that we are bound to shew more discontentment when they talke to vs of loue then we feele that thereby wee may trie what minde they haue that speake to vs that I would commend her if she vsed those terms but it is great wāt of trust toward me who haue not cōcealed from her that which was most secret in my soule that for conclusion since it was impossible she could auoyde the being beloued of some it was much better it might be by Licidas then by any other since she could not
to witnesse cannot with-hold you from making a new election before my face At the same time Licidas taking the fayre hand of Phillis after a great sigh hee sayd Faire hand wherein I had entirely placed my will can I liue and know that thou delightest to be borne to another heart then mine then mine I say that haue merited so much of fortune if a man may be worthy by the most great most sincere and by the most faithfull loue that euer was I could not heare the other words that Licidas went on with for I was constrained to answer Celadon Shepheard shepheard said I all these words of faithfulnesse and of amity are more in your mouth then in your heart and I haue more cause to complaine of you then to heare you But because I make no more reckning of any thing that comes from you I will not vouchsafe to complaine so should you doe if your dissimulations would suffer you But since our affayres be at these tearmes go on Celadon loue Phillis well serue her well her vertues deserue it and if in speaking vnto you I blush it is for spite that I haue loued that which was so vnworthy and hath so grossely deceiued me The astonishment of Celadon was so great hearing the reproches I vsed to him that he stayed a long time not able to speake a word which gaue me opportunity to heare what Phillis answered Licidas Licidas Licidas let him that ownes me demaund me You call me fleeting and you know well that that terme agrees best with your actions But thinke you in complaining first you can purge the wrong you doe me I falter not but your selfe for it is more shame to you to change then it is losse to me in your change But that which offends me is that you will accuse me for your owne fault and faine a good reason of your owne vnfaithfulnesse Yet it is true that he that deceiueth a brother may fayle her that is not so neere him And then turning her selfe to mee she sayd And you Astrea thinke that the gayne you haue made by diuerting him from my amitie can no longer last then vntill some other obiect present it selfe though I know well your perfections haue that power that if it be not an heart all of feathers they are able to slay it Phillis replyed I the proofe shall witnesse that you are a flatterer when you speake so of the perfections which are in me since hauing depriued me of Celadon they must needes be feeble not being able to hold him after they had gotten him Celadon falling on his knee before me It is not said he that I misprize the merits of Phillis but I protest before all the gods that she hath not kindled the least sparke of loue in my soule and that I beare with lesse griefe the offence you doe me in changing then that you commit against my affection in blaming it of inconstancy It is to no purpose wise Diane to particularize all our discourse for they would be too long and might offend you so that before we parted we were so well reduced to our good sences that I must tell you we acknowledged the small reason we had to suspect one another And we haue good cause to thanke heauen that we made this declaration all foure together for I thinke otherwise it had beene impossible to roote out this errour from our soule and for my owne part I assure you that nothing could haue made mee vnderstand reason if Celadon had not spoken after this manner before Phillis Now since that time we went with lesse heede then we were wont But to leaue this trauaile I enter into another no lesse troublesome for we could not so well dissemble but Alcippe that lay in watch knew that his sonnes affection to mee was not altogether extinct and for his more assurance hee looked so heedfully to his actions that noting with what curiosity he went alwaies to the old Willow where we layd our letters one morning he came first and after he had long sought noting the path which wee had made on the grasse by often going hee tooke it for his guide and the tract brought him right to the foote of the tree where he found a letter which I had layd there ouer-night It was thus The letter of Astrea to Celadon YEsterday we went out of the temple where we were assembled to bee present at the houres which they did to Pan and Siringue celebrating their day I should haue sayd feasting if you had beene there but the loue I bare you is such that not the diuine things if it may be lawfull for me to say so without you can please mee I finde my selfe so vnfit for our common businesse that but for the promise which I made to write daily to you I know not if this day you should haue heard any newes from me Receiue them then at this time for my promise set When Alcippe had read this letter he layd it in the same place againe and hiding himselfe to see the answer his sonne was not slacke in comming and not finding any paper he writ on the backe of my Letter and hath told me since it was thus The Letter of Celadon to the Shepheardesse Astrea YOu binde me and vnbinde me at one time pardon me if this word offend you when you tell me you loue me can I haue any greater obligations to all the gods But the offence is not small that you had not written at this time but for that you promised me For I am indebted to your promise and not to your loue Remember I beseech you that I am not yours because I haue promised you but because I am truly yours and that in like sort I desire not Letters for the conditions that are betweene vs but for the sole witnesse of your goodwill not welcomming them as merchandises but as being sent me from an entire good will Alcippe knew not who the shepheardesse might be to whom this letter was directed for there was no name to it but see how it came from a spirit that would be crosse he thought not much of his paine to stay in that place aboue 5. or 6 houres to see who she should be that would come to seeke it assuring himselfe the day would not be fully past but some one would come fetch it It was late before I went but presently when he sawe me for feare lest I should take him he turned himselfe and made shew as if he were asleepe And I that I might giue no cause of suspition turning my pace fayned to take another way He contrarily well satisfied for his payne as soone as I was gone tooke the Letter and carried it with him Whereupon incontinently hee made his dessigne to send away his sonne for that he would not in any case there should be alliance betweene vs for the extreme hatred betweene Aloe and him but rather to the contrary hee had a purpose to
Whereupon Alcippe meaning to make vse of it deuised this crafty tricke I tell you There was a shepheard named Squilinder dwelling on the bounds of the Forrest in an Hamlet called Argental a cunning fellow and vntrusty and who among his other industries knew so well to counterfet all kinde of Letters that the man whom he initated can hardly discerne thefalshood To him Alcippe shewes what he found at the foote of the tree as I haue told you before and causes him to write another to Celadon in my name which was thus The counterfeited Letter of Astrea to Celadon CEladon since I am compelled by my fathers commaundement you may not thinke it strange that I pray you to end this loue which heeretofore I haue coniured you to hold eternall Alce hath giuen me to Corebe and though the match be to my aduauncement yet can I not leaue to feele sensibly the separation of our amity Yet since it is folly to contrary that which must not fall out otherwise I counsell you to arme your selfe with resolution and so to forget all that is passed betweene vs that Celadon haue no more memory of Astrea as Astrea is constrayned from henceforth to lose for dueties sake all the remembrance of Celadon This LeÌ„tter was brought so sinely to Celadon by a young shepheard vnknowne O God! what was he at the encounter and how great was the displeasure that cut his heart Then sayd hee by Astrea It is true that there is nothing of duraÌ„ce in the world since that firme resolution which you haue so often sworne is so readily changed Now you will make me be a witnesse that what perfection soeuer a woman may haue she can not bereaue her selfe of her inconstancie by nature Haue then the heauens agreed that for my greater punishment my life should remaine after the losse of your amity to the end that I should onely liue more extremely to feele my disastor And then falling into a swowne he came no sooner to himselfe but the complaints were in his mouth And that which most easily perswaded him of this change was this that the Letter did but confirme the common report of the marriage betweene Corebe and me He lay all that day on a bed vnwilling to speake to any person and the night being come he depriued himselfe of his companions he tooke to the largest and desolatest wood shunning the meeting of men more like a sauge beast desiring to die farre from the society and companie of men since they were the cause of his sorrow In this resolution hee ranne thorow all the mountaines of Foreste on the side of Ceruieres where at the last he chose a place which he thought least frequented of purpose to finish the rest of his sad and mournefull dayes there The place is called Lapau where riseth one of the springs of the disastrous riuer Lignon for the other spring proceedeth from the mountaynes of Cholmesel Now on the sides of this fountaine he built a prety Lodge where he liued retired more then sixe moneths during which time his ordinary nourishment were teares and plaints It was at that time that hee made this song A SONG Of Celadon vpon Astreat change IT must be that my constancy Hath quite bereaued me of sence If I feele not the iniury Your change hath wrought to my offence And feeling it I should remaine Without recourse to your disdaine For sworne you haue disdained mee For one you scarce had in your eye Because he hath more it may be Of goods and wealthier is then I. Vnfaithfull dar'st thou be so bold To sacrifice to Calfe of gold Where are the othes which we did make Where are the teares that showring fell To gods when we our leaue did take No doubt the heauens did marke them well Though your heart do it now forget Yet your owne month did publish it Periured eyes vnfaithfull flame That louest nothing but to change Let Loue on beauty like the same Of thine for me worke vengeance strange That makes a shew of bearing loue Only the greater flame to moue So ouer-prestwith sad distresse In Loue betraid one'gan complaine When it was told him his Mistresse Did for another him disdaine And thundring heauen for meere pitty Promis'd to venge his amity The wretched downe himselfe he threw Neere Lignon floud and as he sate Vpon the sand with finger drew There ciphers as he vs'd of late This happy cipher oh said he To vs no more will proper be And then a teare chill'd of the paine Which dolour iust thrust in his face Vpon the sand dropping amaine These double ciphers did deface Deface sayd he oh showring teare Them in my heart but not these there Thou Louer that right cowardly So long bewayl'st so dolefully A soule all made of forgery Since thou her change know'st certainly Either thou shortly art to die Or else recâ—â—er presently The solitarinesse of Celadon had beene much longer but for the commandement that Alcippe gaue to Licidas to seeke out his brother hauing a purpose in himselfe since he so well saw how vnprofitable his trauaile was no more to crosse this amity Now Licidas had long sought him but for a chance that befell vs the same day I was vpon the banks of Lignon and held mine eies ouer his streame thinking at that time of the losse of Celadon and Phillis and Licidas talked together some good while when we saw some little balles that lay swimming on the water The first that tooke heed to it was Phillis who shewed it to vs but we could not ghesse what it might bee And because Licidas knew the curiosity of his mistrisse to giue her satisfaction he went as far as he could into the water and so reached with a long branch that he tooke one but seeing that it was but waxe because hee was wet and angry that he tooke such paine for a thing of so small worth hee cast it in a rage against the ground and breaking it vpon a great flint stone it fell all in pieces and there remained nothing but a paper which had beene put therein which Phillis ranne presently to take vp and hauing opened it we read these words Goe paper more happy then him that sends thee to see these shores so much beloued where my shepheardesse dwels and if accompanied with teares wherewith I make this Riuer to swell it chances thee to kisse the sands where her steps are imprinted stay thy course and abide with good fortune where my mishap denies me to be If thou happen to come to her hands which haue taken from me my heart and she demand of thee how I doe tell her O faithfull paper that day and night I turne my selfe into teares to wash away her vnfaithfulnesse and if touched with repentance she wet thee with some teares tell her that by vnbending the bow she can neuer heale the wound which she hath made in her faith my Loue and that my griefes are witnesses both
before men and gods that as she is the most faire and the most vnfaithfull in the world so I am the most faithfull and most affectionate that liues with assurance notwithstanding neuer to haue contentment but in my death We no sooner cast our eyes on this writing but we knew it all three to be from Celadon which was the cause that Licidas ran to draw out the others which floated on the water but the streame had carried them so farre that hee could not come by them yet we ghessed thereby that hee abode about the head of the Lignon which caused Licidas in the morning to goe seeke him luckily and vsed such diligence that three dayes after he found him in solitarinesse so changed from that that he was wont that he might scarce know him but when hee told him that he must come to me and that I so commanded him he could hardly be perswaded but that his brother came to deceiue him At last the letter which hee brought from me gaue him such contentment that within few dayes hee came to his former countenance and came to finde vs out yet not so soone but that Alcippe dyed before his returne and some few dayes after Amarillis followed him And then wee were of opinion that fortune had done her worst against vs since these two were dead that contraried vs most But it fell not out so by the mischiefe that the suite of Corebe went on so that Alce Hippolite and Phocion would giue mee no rest and yet it was not from them that our mischiefe came though Corebe were in part a cause for when hee came to make suite to mee because hee was very rich hee brought with him many shepheards among whom was Semire a shepheard indeede repleate with good qualities if he had not beene the most pērfidious and subtill fellow that euer was As soone as hee cast his eye on me he had a purpose to serue me forgetting the friendship that Corebe bare him And because Celadon and I to cloke our amity had layd a plot as I told you to dissemble he to make loue to al the shepheardesses and I to suffer indifferently the wooing of all sorts of shepheards hee thought at first that the good acceptance that I gaue him was the breeder of some greater affection and he had not so soone knowne what was betweene Celadon and me if by mischance he had not found my letters For though to his last losse it was well knowne hee loued mee yet there were few that thought I loued him I carried my selfe so coldly since Celadons last returne And because the letters which Alcippe had found at the foote of the tree cost vs deare wee would no more rely on those we wrote our selues but inuented a new trick which wee thought more assured Celadon had fastened to a corner of his hat on the inside a little piece of felt so cunningly that he could hardly see it and this was locked with a button on the out-side where he fayned to bind vp the brimme of his hat in that he put his letter and making shew to play either he cast me his hat or I tooke it from him or he let it lye or fayning to runne or leap better cast it on the ground and so I tooke and returned the letter I know not by what misfortune one day when I had one in my hand to giue him running after a Wolfe which came neere my flocks I let it fall vnhappily for me which Semire that came after took vp and saw it was thus The letter of Astrea to Celadon DEare Celadon I haue receiued your letter which was as welcome to me as I know mine are to you and I finde nothing that doth not satisfie me except the thankes you giue which me thinkes is to no purpose neither for my loue nor for Celadon who of long time is wholly giuen mine For if they be not yours know you not that whatsoeuer wanteth that title can neuer please mee And if they be yours why do you giue me separated that which at once I haue receiued when you gaue your selfe to me Vse it no more I pray you if you would not haue me thinke that you haue more ciuility then Loūe After he had found this letter he purposed to speake to me no more of Loue vntill he had done some euill to Celadon and began in this sort In the first place hee besought me to pardon him for being so rash that hee durst raise his eyes on me which my beauty compelled him to doe but he well knew his smal merit and therefore he protested to me neuer to mistake more onely he desired me to forget his boldnesse And after that he made himselfe so great a friend familiar to Celadon that it seemed there was nothing which hee loued more and to abuse mee the more hee neuer met me without finding some occasion to speake to the aduantage of my shepheard couering his intent so cunningly that no man would thinke that he had any such designe These praises of the person whom I loued as I told you deceiued me so that I took extreme pleasure to entertaine him and so two or three moneths passed right happily for Celadon and me but this was as I beleeue the more to make me feel that which since I cease not nor euer shall cease to bewaile At this word in place of speech her tears represented her displeasures to her cōpanions with such abundance that neither the one nor the other durst open their mouth fearing to increase her sorrow for the more you labor by Reason to dry the teares the more they increase their springs At last she began again thus Alas wise Diane how can I remember this accident not die From that time Semire was so familiar both with Celadon and me that for the most part we were together And when hee thought hee had gotten sufficient credit with mee to perswade that which he meant to vndertake One day when he found me alone after we had long talked of diuers treasons that the shepherds did to the shepheardesses whom they made shew to loue But I wonder much said he that there bee so fewe shepheardesses that take heede to their deceits though otherwise they be very circumspect That is answered I for that Loue hath shut vp their eyes Without fayning replyed he I beleeue so for otherwise it were not possible but you should know what they would doe to you and then holding his peace he seemed to prepare himselfe to say more but as if he repented that he had told me so much he beganne againe in this sort Semire Semire what thinkest thou to doe Seest thou not that shee delights in thy deceit Why wilt thou trouble thy selfe And then addressing himselfe to me he went on I see well faire Astrea that my discourse hath brought you some displeasure But pardon me for that I haue bin compelled to it by the affection which I haue
inueigled me for if I had had any iudgement remaining in me for this new iealousie at the least I might haue inquired of Celadon what his purpose was thogh he would haue dissembled it I shuld easily enough haue found out his fictiō But without other consideration the next morning when hee came to looke me at my flock I talked to him with such disdaine that desperately he cast himselfe into that gulph where drowning himselfe he hath at one blow drowned all my contentment At this word she grew pale like death and had it not beene for Phillis who raysed her vp pulling her by the arme shee had beene in danger of swouning THE FIFTH BOOKE OF Astrea and Celadon THe noyse that the shepheardesses made when Astrea fell into a swoune was such that Leonide waked with it and hearing them talke neer her her curiosity gaue her a mind to know who they were and because after they had refreshed themselues these three shepheardesses rose to goe away all that she could doe was to awaken Siluie to shew them her As soone as she saw them she knew Astrea though she were much changed for the displeasure she tooke for the losse of Celadon And the other two said Leonide what are they The one said she that is on the left hand is Phillis her deare companion and the other is Diane the daughter of the sage Bellinde and Celio◠and I am angry that we haue slept so long for I am assured we should haue heard some of their newes there being some likelihood that the occasion which withdrew them from others was but to talke more freely Truly answered Leonide I protest I neuer saw any more beautifull then Astrea and comparing her with all others I finde her beyond them all Ghesse replyed Siluie what hope Galathee may haue to diuert the affection of the shepheard This consideration touched Leonide also to the quick for her part as well as Galathee But loue which neuer lookes on the expence of any person without giuing them for their payment some kinde of hope would not handle this Nymph more niggardly then others and so though there were no great likelihood yet he would not fayle to promise her that the absence of Astrea and the loue which she made shew to beare him might haply make a change of will and after some other such discourse the Nymphs diuided themselues Leonide taking the way of Feurs and Siluie that of Isoure in which meane time the three fayre shepheardesses hauing gathered together their flockes went shortly after to their Lodges They had hardly set foote in the great pasture where they were wont to assemble but they perceiued Licidas talking with Siluander As soone as the shepheard sawe Astrea he became pale and so changed that for feare lest Siluander should know any thing he brake company with some bad excuse but desirous to auoyde the meeting with them Phillis went to crosse his way with Diane after she had told Astrea the bad satisfaction this shepheard had of her and because Phillis would not lose him hauing till then so charily kept him although he endeuoured to passe beyond them yet she ouertooke him smiling sayd If in this sort you flie from your friends what will you doe to your enemies He answered The company which you so cherish will not suffer you to hold that name She replyed the shepheardesse of whom you complaine suffereth more paine for offending you then your selfe doe That is said the shepheard but to breake the weapon rather then heale the wound By this time Astrea came addressing her selfe to Licidas said thus I am so farre shepheard from saying that the hatred you beare me is vniust that I auerre you know not how to hate me so deadly as you haue occasion Notwithstanding if the memory of him which is the cause of this euil satisfaction be yet as liuely in your soule as it shall euer be in mine you should remember I am that thing in the world he most loued and it will be euill for you to hate me since yet there is nothing that he loued more then me Licidas would you receiue not this satisfaction as you haue had reason hitherto so may you be blamed as much for being vnreasonable Astrea not resting on Dianes speech tooke her hand from his mouth and sayd No no wise shepheardesse restraine not Licidas let him vse all the rigorous words hee pleaseth I know they be the effects of his iust griefe yet I know well also that therein hee hath no more losse then I. Licidas hearing these words and the maner in which she deliuered them gaue testimony with his teares that she had wonne him and not being able to commaund himselfe so readily notwithstanding all the defence that Phillis and Diane could make he freed himselfe from their hands and went on the other side which Phillis perceiuing that she might haue the whole victory followed and knew so well to represent him the displeasure of Astrea and the villany of Semire that in the end she brought him backe to the company But in this meane time Leonide held on her way to Feur◠and though she made great haste yet could she not reach beyond Ponsius because she had slept ouer-long that was the cause that she waked long before day desirous to returne in good time that she might stay some-while in her returne with the shepheardesses whom she left yet durst she not goe vntil the light might shew her the way for feare of losing herselfe though she could not possibly close her eyes all the rest of the night As she lay entertaining her thoughts and as she was heedfully hearkening she heard one talke somewhat neere her for there was but a slight partition that diuided one chamber into two for that the Master of the house was an honest shepherd that out of courtesie the lawes of hospitality freely intertained al passingers without enquiring what they were and because his lodging was scant he was faine to make that diuision to make the more chambers Now when the Nymph came thither there were two stangers lodged but because it was late they were withdrawne already and asleep and by fortune the chamber where the Nymph was lodged was of this sort and hard by theirs without heeding it when she lay downe hearing one murmure hard by her bed for the beds head stood that way that she might the better vnderstand she layd her eare to an open place of the wall and by chance one of them lifting vp his voyce somewhat higher she heard that he answer'd the other thus What would you I shuld say more but that loue makes you so impatient And well either she shall be found wearied or sicke or distempered with some accident that hath made her stay And must one despaire for that Leonide thought she knew the voyce but she could not remember it so well as the other so soon as he answerd But looke you Climanthe that
awhile she raised her voyce and spake singing to him in this sort he likewise that she might not want answer replied A Dialogue betweene Stelle and Corilas STEL. VVHat will you then my shepheard bee For want of an inconstant loue COR. To follow your quicke spirit free Requâ—â—â— a wing 〈…〉 ble â—o â—â—ue Much rather then a courage high To follow you were foolery STEL. You haue not alwaies thought it so That louing me is such a crime COR. Speake not of times past long age He liues not well mâ—nds not in time Nothing returnes that 's past before And I remember it no more STEL. What 's this but not to know to loue Yet brag the contrary thereto COR. Wherefore will you me so reproue For that your selfe knowes not to do You loue out of opinion And not out of election STEL. I loue you and will loue you still Though your loue chang'd be in this wise COR. Mineâ— no no change I neuer will Her where my soule engaged lies Thinke not that euery day like you I change my old loue for a new STEL. What are you then resolued tell To seeke a loue that 's fresh and rare COR. If heretofore you pleas'd me well I iudg'd you then to be more faire But now in very deed I see Your beauty in a poore degree STEL. Will you vnfaithfull bring to nought An amity that was so great COR. You charge me with your owne default So makes an ends he whom you â—eate But you may say what fitt your braâ—uâ— The thing that was comes not againe STEL. But if you loued me indeed What makes you then so soone to start COR. When one his errour better heeds To change his minde is wisedomes part It 's better to repent though late Then still to hâ—ld a wandring gate STEL. Can neither duty nor yet honor Know such an humor to subdue COR. What if I can see in you more That may this amity renew Wherein your fainings sâ—ared me Which I mistooke so sillily STEL. I may you see for my reuenge Another loue and not be loued COR. Right soone of such disease to change Shall heale me as in yours I proued And if I then do otherwise I must haue lâ—st my Iudgements 〈◊〉 STEL. Haue you then no kind of r 〈…〉 se For so great infidelity COR. I haue prâ—nâ—â—nst that loue of forcâ— She owes me hers that asketh me But you may aske and make your moâ—â— All Lâ—â—â— 'twixt vs is dead and gone The shepheardesse seeing hee stood not without reply to her demands leauing to sing said And why Corilas is there no more hope in you No more said he then faithfulnesse in you and thinke not that your fained nor fayre words can change my resolution I am too much grounded in this opinion so that it is in vaine for you to try your armes against mee they are too feeble I feare their blowes no more I counsell you to proue them on others whose knowledge may make them misprize them as I haue done It cannot be but you shall finde some whom the heauens to punish some secret fault haue ordained to loue you and they shall be the more pleasing to you for that nouelty delights you aboue all things At this bout the shepheardesse was stung in earnest but fayning to turne the offence into laughter she said as she was going away I make good sport Corilas both at your selfe and your choler we shall see you shortly in your good humour In the meane time be content that I patiently suffer your fault which you cast on me I know replyed the shepheard it is your custome to make sport with them that loue you But if the humor which I haue last I assure you you may longer play vpon me then on a man that shall loue you So parted these two enemies and Adamas who had heard them hauing knowledge by their names of the families of which they were was desirous to know more of their affaires and calling Corilas by his name made him turne to him and because the shepheard seemed to be astonished at this surprize for the respect which is had to the habite and quality of a Druyde that he might be more assured he caused him to sit downe by him and then talked thus vnto him My childe for so I may call you for the loue I haue alwayes borne to them of your family there is no cause you should be sorry for your speaking so freely to Stelle before me I am glad that I haue seene your wisedome but I desire to know more that I may the better counsell you in this affaire that thereby you may commit no errour And for me I know not that there should be any difficulty since the lawes of coiuility and curtesie do more binde me it may be then you may imagine As soone as Corilas had the sight of the Druyde he knew him well hauing often seene him at diuers sacrifices but hauing neuer spoken to him he had not the boldnesse to tell thorowout what had passed between Stelle and him though he much desired that euery one might know the iustice of his cause and the vnfaithfulnes of this shepheardesse which Adamas perceiuing that he might encourage him gaue him to vnderstand that he knew a good part already and that many had reported it to his wrong which hee heard with no great pleasure for the loue he had alwaies borne to his It will said Corilas be losse of time for you to heare the particularities of our villages So far is it replied he it shal be a great satisfaction to know that you haue not beene wronged and besides I meane to passe away some part of the heate here and so the time may be employed The History of Stelle and Corilas SInce you command it so said the shepheard I must beginne my discourse somewhat higher It is a good while since Stelle remained the widdow of an husband whom the heauens had giuen her rather for name sake theÌ„ effect for besides that he was sickly his age which drew neer to 75. yeeres so weakened his forces that it constrained him to leaue this young widdow almost before she was truely married the loue she bare him wrought in her no great feeling of his losse no more did her humor which was neuer wonted to take neere to heart the accidents that befell her Remaining then well satisfied in her selfe so see her selfe freed at one blow of two so heauy burthens to wit the importunity of an angry husband the autority which her pareÌ„ts accustomed to haue ouer her presently she thrust her selfe in good earnest into the world and though her beauty such as you see bee not of that sort that may tempt men to loue her yet her behauiour for the most part displeased not them that saw her She might be about 17. or 18. yeeres an age fit enough to commit many follies when they be at liberty This was the cause that Saliam her
brother an honest and wise shepheard and one of the best friends I had not able to indure her licentious and vsuall behauiour that he might depriue her of such occasions resolued to send her farre from her Hamlet and place her in such company where shee might passe her more dangerous age without reproach For effecting this he prayed Cleanthe to like well that she might be a companion to his little daughter Aminthe because they were about an age though Stelle were some deale older And because Cleantho liked well of it they began a life so priuate and so familiar that these two shepheardesses were neuer the one without the other many wondring that being so differing in humor they could be so straitly ioyned but the sweete behauiour of Aminthe and the supple nature of Stelle caused it and so Aminthe neuer withstood the deliberations of her companion and Stelle neuer found euill in what Aminthe willed In this sort they liued with such priuacy that there was nothing hidden betweene them But at last Lisis the sonne of shepheard Genetian leauing the frosty places of Mount-Lune descended into our plaines where hauing seen her in a general assembly which was had at the TeÌ„ple of Venus iust ouer-against Mount-Suâ— then when Astrea got the prize for beauty he grew so amorous of her that I cannot tell whether he be in his graue and she found him so to her liking that after many voyages and many messages their affections were so forward that Lisis beganne to talke of marriage where to shee made as good an answer as he could desire In this space Saliam was constrained to make a long iourney so that hee knew nothing of this treaty besides that shee had now taken so great authority ouer herselfe that she would impart none of her affairs to him On the other side Aminthe seeing her so soon resolued on this marriage many times asked her if it were in good earnest and it seemed fit in a matter of so great importance to be well aduised Trouble not your selfe said she I will easily dispatch this businesse Hereupon Lisis who serued with great eagernesse set downe a day assigned to make the assembly and put himselfe to the expences vsuall in such occasions holding his marriage most assured but the accustomed humour of many women to make no man master of their liberty letted her from going on with her former purpose which shee endeuoured to breake by demands most vnreasonable that shee thought the parents and friends of Lisis would neuer giue their consent But the loue which he bare her being stronger then all difficulties she was in the end constrained to breake it without other cloke then the smalnesse of her good will If Lisis were offended you may iudge receiuing so great a wrong yet could he not driue away this loue but he would be the conquerour And I remember that vpon this discourse he made these verses which since when we were friends hee gaue me A SONNET On a despight of Loue. DEspight weake Warriour captaine audaâ—ious That leadst me to the field vnder so feeble arâ—es Against a Loue so arm'd with arrowes and with charâ—es Loue so accustomed to be victorious If Loue but of his wing when first alarme appeares Doe melt the Icicles which fill mine eyes like rhuâ—â—e What will the fires doe which euen the gods consume And which beare downe â—maine by torrent of their tâ—â—res I mercy come to cry vanquisht I heaue my hands Stooping vnto her yoake that so inhumane stands Which of thine owne defence shall much encrease the glory For safely I doâ— wish that pitty armour prooâ—â— And of my shepheardesse if she prouâ—ke the Loue My blood my triumph â—e my death my victory That which caused this change in Stelle was a new affection which the wrong of a shepheard called Semire bred in her soule whereof Lisis was the last that knew it because she kept it rather from him then any other This shepheard amongst all the men that euer I sawe is the greatest dissembler and most crafty otherwise an honest man and a person that had many louely parts in him which gaue occasion to this shepheardesse to refuse contrary to promise the alliance of Lisis setting that in place of a fauour to her new louer who yet triumphed not long in this victorie For it fell out that Lâ—pander making an affembly for the marriage of his daughter Olympâ— Lisis and Stelle were called thither and because wee were neere of kinne Olympe and I I would not fayle to be there I know not if it were the reuenge of loue or the inconstant nature of the shepheardesse by her vncertaine carriage brought it about where she was party so it was that as soone as she sawe Lisis againe she tooke a fancie to recall him and to effect it forgot none of those allurements wherein Nature had beene vnwisely prodigall vnto her The displeased courage of the shepheard gaue him armour enough not to loue her but onely to hide his affection In the end towards euening that euery one is busied either in dancing or in entertaining the person he likes best of she followed him in such sort that thrusting him against a window from which he could not honestly escape he was constrayned to sustaine the forces of his enemie On the other side Semire who had alwayes his eye on her hauing marked the pursuites that she made all that euening to this shepheard following the nature of euery louer beganne to let some iealousie breed in his soule knowing well that the Candle lately put out will easily be lighted againe and seeing that she had shoued him vp against the window that he might heare what she sayd to him making shew of talking with some other he came so neere her that he heard her aske him why he did fly from her so mainely Truely sayd Lisis this is a strange kinde of pursuing me and with too brazen a brow But though I know sayd Stelle whence these iniuries grow it may be that hearing me and iudging without passion all the wrong will not lie on that side you thinke For Gods sake answered Lisis shepheardesse â—eaue me in peace and let it suffice that these iniuries proceed from the hatred I beare you and the occasion of my hatred from your ficklenesse which makes it iustifiable that may it please heauen that he that hath done all the wrong may likewise feele all the displeasure But let vs treade all these things vnder foote and lose you as well the memory as I haue lost the will to loue you I vnderstand answered Stelle whence your anger growes and indeede you haue reason to carry your selfe in this maner Behold I beseech you the great wrong which is done not to take one for an husband as soone as he is tendered Is it not the custome alwayes to make a demand twice Indeed if I had not taken you at a word I had done you great wrong
may make him find your deniall more bitter This speech touched the shepheardesse in good earnest seeing how far hee was gone off from louing her so that to interrupt him she was constrained to say Me thinks Lisis that if Corilas be of the minde this paper makes shew of he was ill aduised to employ you since your words are more able to winne hatred then loue and you seeme rather a messenger of war then peace Stelle replyed the shepheard he was so farre from being ill aduised in this election that if hee had shewed as much iudgement in the rest of his actions he should not stand in so great neede of your succours he hath had tryall of your fancies hee knowes what your allurements are and of whom might hee better serue himselfe without suspition of making himselfe a competitor then of a louing friend such as I am whom you hate more then death And yet the Arte wherewith I serue my selfe is not bad for representing you so louely as you are you may the better acknowledge the honor he doth you to loue you But let vs leaue this talke and tell me in good earnest whether he be in your good grace and how long hee shall continue since in truth I dare not returne to him without bringing him some good answer I coniure you by his loue and ours passed To this reason the shepheard added some others with so many prayers that the shepheardesse beleeued hee spake in good earnest whereto she easily perswaded her selfe according to her good nature for it is the custome of them that easily affect themselues to thinke that they are more easily affected It was so that for this time Lisis could obtaine of her nothing but that the loue of his cousin for default of his owne should not be vnpleasing to her but Time should be her counceller And after at diuers times hee sollicited her so that hee had what assurance he would and because he remembred her flitting humour he laboured to bind her with a promise written with her owne hand and knew so well to turne her on euery side that he had what he would He came backe in that sort to me and discoursed vnto me all that hee had done except this promise for knowing the humour of Stelle he doubted alwaies that shee would deceiue him and if he spake to me of that paper I might be further engaged and so more painefull to with-draw mee All this was without the knowledge of Aminthe from whom Stelle concealed it rather then from any other When I had receiued such assurance of that which I most desired after I had thanked the shepheardesse I beganne with her permission to giue order for the marriage and made no difficulty to speake openly of it though Lisis alwaies fore-told me that in the end I should be deceiued but the apparence of the good we desire so flatters vs that hardly giue we care to them that tell vs the contrary While this marriage was divulged Semire who as I told you had left his suite by reason of Lisis and mee beeing prouoked with a speech which shee had vsed of him resolued to make the contrary appeare at what price soeuer to returne into her good graces with a purpose to leaue her in the end with that boldnesse that she might neuer say more that this separation proceeded from her There was no neede to vse any great Arte for her changing humour easily suffered her to returne to her nature and so at a blow behold her resolue to forsake me for Semire as a little before she had left Semire for me yet was shee not altogether without paine because of the promise which shee had written not knowing how to gaine-say it In the end the day of marriage beeing come when I had assembled the most part of my kindred and friends I held my selfe so assured that I receiued the reioycings of al the world but she that had another thought while I was busied in welcōming those that were come brake all this meeting with excuses more poorely grounded then the former wherewith I was so enraged that getting from her without bidding adieu I conceiued so great disdaine of her lightnesse that neuer since shee could cope with me Now iudge father if I haue cause to complaine of her and if they that tell it to my disaduantage were well informed Indeed answered Adamas you may see a woman vnworthy of that name and I wonder how it is possible that hauing deceiued so many there should be any that would trust her I haue not yet told you all replied Corilas for after euery one was gone but Lisis shee so wrought that Semire stayed with her vntill euening In the meane time as I thinke she laboured to vse some arte to haue her promise backe because shee saw well hee was throughly angry with her In the end very boldly she spake to him thus Is it possible Lisis that you haue so forgotten the affection which so often you haue sworne to me that you haue no minde to please me I sayd Lisis the heauens sooner kill me At this word what impediment soeuer she vsed hee got out of the house to be gone but she took such hold on him and taking his hand betweene hers she went with him clasping in such a fashion that euery one might iudge that there was loue and though he right well knew her humour and her deceits yet could he not containe himselfe from being pleased with her slatteries though he gaue no credit to them which hee well witnessed when considering her actions he said O God Stelle how doe you abuse the graces wherein the Heauens without reason haue beene so prodigall to you If this body did inclose a spirit which had any resemblance with the beauty who is hee that could resist you She who knew what force her allurements had placed all her arte in her eyes all her fictions in her mouth and all her malice in her inuention wherewith she so turned him on all sides that she almost set him besides himselfe then she vsed these words Gentle shepheard if it bee true that you bee that Lisis which sometimes haue so dearely affected me I coniure you by the remembrance of the time so happy for me that you will heare mee in priuate and beleeue that if you haue had any occasion to complaine I will make it plaine vnto you that this second fault or at least as you esteeme it so was not committed but to remedy the former At these words Lisis was ouercome yet that hee might not shew his weakenesse he answered See Stelle how farre you are gone from your opinion so far am I from desire to doe any thing that might please you that there is nothing displeasing which I will not endeuour to do Since there is no other remedy answered the shepheardesse come backe into the house to displease me With this intent answered he I will So then they
this cause since you appoint me to tell you a part of my life I coniure you by our loue neuer to speake of it and both of them hauing sworne she tooke againe her discourse in this sort The History of Diane IT would be very strange if the discourse which you desire to know of me might not be offensiue to you since faire wise shepheardesses it hath made me endure so much displeasure that I thinke not I shall at this time vse more words in telling it then it hath cost me teares in suffering it And since it pleaseth you that at last I shall renew that grieuous remembrance suffer me to abridge it that I may in some sort lessen the happinesse wherein I am by the memory of passed troubles I assure my selfe that though you neuer sawe Celion and Belinde yet you haue heard they were my father and mother and it may be haue knowne the crosses which they had for the loue of the one to the other which lets mee from telling them though they were presages of those I met with But you must know that after the cares of loue were ended in marriage that they might not remayne ydle suites of law and sundry troubles beganne to grow and so plentifully that wearied with charge of processe to make an accord many among the rest a neighbour of theirs named Phormion trauayled so that their friends were of aduice at last that to end all suits they should giue some promises of future alliance betweene them and because neither the one nor the other as yet had any children as hauing not beene long married they swore by Theurales on the Altar of Belenus that if they both had but one sonne and one daughter they should marry together and ratified this alliance with so many oathes that hee which brake them should be the most periured creature in the world Some time after my father had a sonne which was lost when the Gothes and Ostrogots ransacked this prouince Somewhat after that was I borne but so vnluckily for my selfe that my father neuer sawe me being borne after his death This was the cause that Phormion seeing my father dead and my brother lost for these Barbarians had carryed him away and it may be kill'd him or left him to die for want and that my vnkle Dinamis was gone out with displeasure of this losse resolued if he might haue a sonne to pursue the effect of those promises It fell out that some while after his wife lay downe but it was of a daughter and because his wife was old and he feared he should haue no more by her hee made it be giuen out that it was a sonne and vsed so great warinesse that neuer any body heeded it a tricke easie enough because there was no person that would suppose that he would vse such a deceit and vntill a certayne age it is hard by the face to know any thing and the better to deceiue the most crafty he called her Filidas And when she came to age he caused her to vse the exercise fit for young shepheards whereto she was not very vnâ—â—t The dessigne of Phormion was seeing me without father and without vnkle to make himselfe master of my good by this fayned marriage and when Filidaâ— and I should be greater to marry me to one of his nephews which he loued best And indeed he was not deceiued in his former dessigne For Belinde was too religious towards the gods to fayle in that whereto she knew her husband was bound It is true that seeing me taken out of her owne hands for presently after this dissembled marriage I was deliuered into them of Pharmion she tooke so great griefe that not being able to stay longer in this countrey she went to the lake Leman to be mistris of the Vestals and Druydes of Euiens as the old Cleoâ—tin informed her from the Oracle Now behold me in the hands of Phormion who shortly after brought me home to him his nephew to whom he meant to giue me who was named Amidor This was the beginning of my paines because his vnkle let him know that by reason of our young age the marriage of Filidas and me was not so assured but if the one could not like of the other hee could not well breake it yet if it should happen hee wished rather hee should marry me then another that he should make vse of this aduertisement with so much discretion that no man might take notice of it endeuouring in the meane time to winne me to his loue in such sort that I gaue my selfe to him if euer I came to be free This yong shepheard had so good a conceit of this dessigne that as long as this fancie lasted he could not tel how good occasion I had to reioyce my selfe for him About this time Daphnis an honest and wise shepheardesse came from the coast of Furan where she had abode many yeeres and because we were neighbours the conuersation which we had together by chance made vs so good friends that I beganne to be more vexed then of wont for I must confesse that the humor of Filidas was so vnsupportable to me that I could not almost indure it so that the feare which she had that I might come to more knowledge made her so iealous of me that I might not scarce speake to any body Things standing on these termes Phormion on a sudden faâ—leth sicke and the same day was choked with a Catar that he could not speake nor giue any order to his affayres nor mine Filidas at the first was astonished at last seeing her selfe absolute mistris of her selfe and of me resolued to keepe this authority considering that the liberty which the name of a man brings is much more pleasing then the seruitude to which our Sexe is more subiected Besides that shee was not ignorant that when she should discouer her selfe to be a maide she should giue no small cause of talke to all the country These reasons made her continue the name which she had during her fathers life and fearing now more then euer that some one might discouer what she was she held me so strait that I was seldome without her But faire shepheardesses since it pleaseth you to know my young passages you must when you heare them excuse them and withall haue this beliefe of me that I haue had so many and so great troubles for louing that I am no more sensible on that side hauing beene so hardened that loue hath neyther so strong nor so sharpe armes that he can pierâ—â—â—e Alas it is the shepheard Filander of whom I will speake Filander that first could giue me some feeling of loue and who being no more hath carried away all that that might be capable in me Truely interrupted Astrea eyther the loue of Filander hath beene very little or you haue vsed great discretion for that indeed I neuer heard speech of it Which is a rare thing for that the euill
â—ongue will pardon nothing no not that which is not That men haue not spoken of it answered Diane I am more bound to our good intent then to our discretion and for the affection of the shepheard you may iudge what it is by the discourse which I shall make But the heauens which knew our pure and cleane intents would fauour vs from that good houte The first time that I sawe him was on the day we celebrate to Apollo and Diane when he came to the game with a sister whom he resembled so much that they held on them the eyes of the greatest part of the assembly And because she was neere of kinne to my deare Daphnis as soone as I sawe her I embraced her and I welcomed her with a face so open that from that time she thought her selfe bound to loue me her name was Callyre and was married on the coast of Furan to a shepheard called Gerestan whom she had neuer seene vntill the day whereon she was married which was the cause of the little loue she bare him The entertainement which I vsed to the sister gaue occasion to the brother to tarry by me so long as the sacrifice lasted and by fortune I know not whether I should call it good or euill for him I set out my selfe that day as well as I could thinking by reason of my name that this feast concerned me more particularly then others He that comming from far had no other knowledge of the shepheards nor shepheardesses then that which his sister gaue him for sooke vs not all that day so that in some sort thinking my selfe bound to entertaine him I did what I could to please him and my labour was not vnprofitable for from that time this poore shepheard gaue birth to an affection which neuer ended but with his death And euen yet I am assured that if in the graue they haue any remembrance of the liuing hee loues me and in the very ashes conserues the pure affection hee swore to me Daphnis tooke note both of the day and the deed being that night in bed because that Filidas not being well could not come to the games she told me it but I reiected this conceit so long that she said I see wall Diane that this day wil cost me many prayers and Filander much paine but howsoeuer it happen you shall not be quite exempted She vsed to warre on me with such assaults because she perceiued I feard them this was the cause that I stayed not to giue her answer So it was that this aduertisement was cause that the next day me thought I found some apparâ—â—e of â—hat which she had told mee After dinner wee vsed to gather together vnder some trees and to daunce to the voyce where we sate downe in a round and spent the time with the discourse which we liked best of that wee might disquiet our selues in that assembly as little as possibly we could It fell out that Filander being vnknowne but to Daphnis and me came and sate betweene her and mee and attending to knowe whereto all the troope would resolue not to be dumbe I beganne to enquire of that which I I thought he could best answer which Amidor taking heede of entered into so great iealousie that forsaking the company without shewing the cause hee went singing this Towne-song hauing before cast his eyes on me to make it knowne that it was of 〈…〉 e he meant to speake A TOWNE-SONG Of Amidor THat man shall haue hâ—â— in the end That serues her last in place of friend Of heart that hundred time is moued More shifting then the nimble winde Who thinkes himselfe to be beloued May not be held for wise of minde For he shall haue her in the end That serues her last in place of friend The weather-cocke to all winds moues That stands on top of Tower tall So she to euery proffering lone Turnes both her heart her head and all For he shall haue her in the end That serues her last in place of friend The Hunter doth not much esteeme That which he takes though fat it were Th' inconstant ouerpasseth him Disliking such as hold her deare But he shall haue her in the end That serues her last in place of friend As one naile driues another forth The last that comes into her grace Shall of the first for all his worth Right suddenly vsurpe the place Therefore shall he haue her in th' end That serues her last in place of friend I had had sufficient command ouer my selfe to stay me from giuing knowledge of the displeasure which this song brought me had it not bene that euery one looked on me and without Daphnis I could not tell what would haue become of me But she full of discretion not staying for the end of this song interrupted it in this sort addressing her selfe to mee A MADRIGALL Of Daphnis on the loue which she bare to Diane SInce at your birth beauteous Diane Loue made you Loadstoone of all harts Why should they say that I profane Such beauty when my loue imparts Worship to you by destiny If Loue that is most absolute Of likenesse growes as it is sayd Then ours should be of strongest sute Since you and I one sexe are made And that I might better hide my blushing and make them thinke I tooke no heed to the words of Amidor as soone as Daphnis had made an end I answered her thus A MADRIGALL Of the same substance VVHerefore should it be thought so strange That being as you are a maide My Loue on you should be so stayde If Louer to be loued change The change in me were not so hard A shepheardesse to shepheardesse As shepheardesse vnto a shepheard After we had euery one as we sate on a rowe sung some verses and Filander who had a good voyce when it came to his turne sayd this with a good grace STANZA'S Of Philander on the birth of his affection THat his desires are great and his attempts in vaine His Loues full of great fires and fuller much of paine That loues and cannot finde requitall of desire Or if he be belou'd he takes but small delight Vnlesse he might haue hope or if he hope oh spight It is but to the end to set him more on fire Thus on my cradles head by fatall ordinance Hard Destiny it selfe did nine sad times pronounâ—e What should infallibly accompany my dayes Vpon the right hand heauen thick clouded thunder had And since I knew too well that these presages sad Cast eye on my designes and follow them alwaies Then be not you amaz'd if after this decree My Loue commencement take when I your beauty see That if I must be beat out of designe fore-told It to my solace is that men shall guilty finde The Loue of my hard Fate and praise my faulty minde Saying A heart that 's base durst neuer be so bold So when the thoughtfull care of an vnfertile Loue Consumes it selfe in beames
of that worlds starre aboue It seemes in following it to say Sunne of my skie Burne me with thine owne raies make that I die by thee At least in dying so this pleasure rests with me That other fire could not burne me but thine eye When Phoenix bird alone out of composure rare By Nature taught thereto doth first her selfe prepare From relickes of her tombe her cradle yet to haue Sheâ— saith to that great fire the garden of her soule I shall in glory rise by dying in thy cole And take my life againe from ashes of my graue He sayd some others but I haue forgotten them so that mee thought it was I to whom these words were directed and I know not if that which Daphnis had told me made me think so or his eyes which yet spake more plainely then his mouth But if this verse gaue me knowledge his discretion witnessed it much more afterwards for it is one of the effects of true affection to serue with discretion and not to giue knowledge of his disease but by effects ouer which they can haue no power This young shepheard finding the humour of Amidor and for that Loue had made him curious and inquiring if it were but of Filidas hee thought that the best point of Arte to shut vp the eyes of them both was to compasse a strait league with them not giuing any shew of that he bare me Loue made him so cunning and wise that holding on his designe hee deceiued not onely Amidor but my eyes also because that vsually hee would leaue vs to goe to him and he would neuer come but in his company It is true that the crafty Daphnis found it presently because said shee that Amidor is not so louely that he can draw so honest a shepheard as Filander to vse so carefull a search so that it must needes be for a more worthy subiect She was the cause that I began to haue a care of my selfe and I must confesse that then his discretion pleased me and if I could haue suffred my selfe to be beloued it should be of him but the houre was not then come that I should bee strucke on that side yet did I not forbeare to please my selfe with his actions and to approue his designe in some sort When hee was to take his leaue of vs hee accompanied vs a good way and at our parting I neuer heard such assurance of amity as he gaue to Amidor nor so many offers of seruices as to Filidas and the foole Daphnis vnhappy whispered in mine care Conceaue you that it is to you that he speakes and if you doe not answer him you doe great wrong And when Amidor beganne to thanke him she said Oh what a foole he is to beleeue that these offerings are ordained for his Altar but he could so well dissemble that hee made Amidor wholly his and got such ground on his good will that when he returned and was to deliuer that which Filander had on his part desired him to say to Filidas that this maid had a desire to see him and some dayes after hee added so many ouer-lashing commendations not saying any thing to me of it because that when I spake of him it was with such a coldnesse that it seemed to bee out of neglect they sent for him desiring him to come and see them God knowes whether he neede bee sollicited more then once for it was the thing he desired thinking it was impossible that his designe should haue a better beginning And by fortune the day that he was to come Daphnis and I went out to walke vnder some trees which are on the other side of that pasture that is next to this scarce knowing to whom to go while our flocks were feeding we went vncertaine whither our feete without election guided vs when wee heard a voyce farre enough off and wee thought it some strangers The desire to know it made vs turne directly to the place where the voice conducted vs and by reason Daphnis went first she spied Filander before me and made a signe to me to tread softly and when I came neer her she whispered in mine eare naming Filander who sate leaning against a tree entertaining his thoughts wearied as it seemed with the length of his way and by chance iust as we came he beganne in this sort A SONNET IN pride of heart I did misprize Loue with his crafts and sorceries When changing armes to these of yours The crafty greater ayde procures And yet before he did me wrong He vsde this language with his tongue A God against my Lawes growne proud For hauing got the victory Ouer a serpent disallowde The glory that is due to me But what I made him Daphne loue On him my greater force to proue The fire that burnt that glorious Came but from Nymphs eyes beauteous Whom he without her feeling lou'd But I will yours more fiery prou'd Comes not from Nymph but Dian selfe When I heard my selfe named fayre shepheardesses I trembled as if I vnawares had set my foot on a serpent and without longer stay I went away as softly as I could that I might not be seen albeit Daphnis to cause my returne suffered me to goe a great way alone At last seeing I kept on my way she stole away from him by little and little that shee might not be heard and at last ouertooke me and being scarce able to take her breath she went crying out a thousand broken reproches And when she could speake Vnfainedly sayes she if the heauens do not punish you I shall beleeue they are as vniust as you and what cruelty is this of yours not to heare him that complaynes To what end sayd I should I haue stayed longer To heare sayd she the euill you haue done him I answered I You iest in saying that I doe hurt the man that I thinke not of That is replyed she whereof you labour most for if you thought often of him it were impossible but you should haue pitty I blushed at that word and the change of colour gaue Daphnis to vnderstand that these words offended me This was the cause that smiling she sayd I am pleasant Diane that I said was but to passe the time away and beleeue not that I thinke it and concerning that he sung when he named your name it is for certaine that it was for another that bare your name or to refresh himselfe he sung these verses which he had receiued of some other We went discoursing in this sort and so long that being weary of walking we came backe another way to the same place where Filander was For my part it was by errour it may well be that Daphnis did it of purpose and finding him so neere vs I could not choose but looke on him at the first he was sitting and leaned against a tree but now wee found him layd all along on the ground one arme vnder his head and it seemed he was awake for
In beauty other beauties farre As doth the Moone by night deface The brightnesse of each other Starre Though Filander spake these words high enough yet Daphnis heard but some of them by reason she was farre off but taking it somewhat remote she drew toward him without being seene as softly as she could though he were so intentiue to his imagination that had she beene before him he would not haue perceiued it as he since swore to me Hardly had she got neere him but she might heare him fetch a deepe sigh loud enough and after with a lowe voyce say And why will not my fortune haue me as fit to serue her as she is worthy to be serued and why may not she as well receiue the affections of them that loue her as shee giue them extreme passions Ah Callyre how pernitious to my repose hath your disguising beene and my boldnesse punished with a right iust infliction Daphnis heard Filander very attentiuely and though he spake plaine yet could she not comprehend what he meant abused by the opinion that he was Callyre this was the cause that bending an care more curiously she heard him lifting his voyce somewhat higher say But ouer-bold Filander who shall euer excuse thy fault or what great chastisement shall equall thine error Thou louest this shepheardesse and seest not that how much her beauty commands so much her vertue forbids thee how often haue I warned thee and yet thou wouldest not beleeue me Accuse none other of thine euill but thine owne folly At this word his tongue stayed but his eyes and sighes in stead of it beganne to giue testimony what her passion was whereof he had discouered but a little And to diuert him from his thoughts or rather to continue them more sweetly he rose vp to walke as he vsed and so suddenly that he perceiued Daphnis though to hide her selfe she fled away But he that had seene her to know who it was pursued her to the entry of a very thicke wood where he ouertooke her and thinking she had discouered that which he had so concealed halfe in choler sayd What curiosity Daphnis is this to come and spie me out in the night heere It is answered Daphnis smiling to learne of you by craft that which I should not know otherwise and herein she thought she spake to Callyre not hauing yet discouered that it was Filander Well held on Filander thinking to be discouered what great newes haue you learned All sayd Daphnis that I desired to know Will you then sayd Filander satisfie your selfe with your curiosity As well answered she as you and you are like to finde hurt of your deceit For this keeping about Diane and this great affection which you make shew of to her will bring you in the end but trouble and displeasure O God! cryed Filander Is it possible I should be discouered Ah discreet Daphnis since you know so well the cause of my abode heere you haue in your hands my life and my death but if you will bethinke you of what I am and what offices of amity you haue receiued from me when occasion is presented I will rather beleeue that you wish my good and contentment more then my despayre and ruine Daphnis as yet thought she spake to Callyre and had opinion that this feare was because of Gerestan who would take it euill if hee vnderstood that she did this office to her brother and to assure him sayd You ought to be so farre from doubting that I know of your affayres that if you had informed me I should haue yeelded all the counsell and all the assistance which you could desire of mee But tell mee this dessigne from poynt to poynt that your freenesse may binde me more to your seruice than the mistrust you haue had of me gaue me offence I will O Daphnis sayd he prouided that you promise me not to tell it to Diane vntill I giue consent This is a discourse answered the shepheardesse which we shall make to no good purpose to her her humor heerein being more strange then you are aware of That is my griefe sayd Philander hauing from the beginning knowne that I enterprise a dessigne almost impossible For when my sister and I resolued to change habit shee taking mine and I hers I well fore-sawe that all that would be to mine aduantage was that I might conuerse more freely with her for some few dayes so disguised that she might not know me for Filander How interrupted Daphnis all surprized how for Filander and are not you Callyre The shepheard that thought she had knowne it before was halfe mad to be discouered so foolishly but seeing the fault was past and that he could not call backe the words he had spoken thought it to some purpose to preuent her and sayd You may see Daphnis if you haue cause to be sorry for me and to say that I trust you not since so freely I discouer vnto you the secret of my life For that which I will tell you is of that moment that as soone as any other knowes it there is no more hope of health in me but I will rely and so referre my selfe to your hands that I cannot liue but by you Know then shepheardesse that you see before you Filander in the habit of his sister and that loue in me and compassion in her haue beene the cause of our disguising and after went discoursing vnto her his extreme affection the fauours he had of Amidor and Filidas the inuention of Callyre to change habit the resolution to go to her husband attired like a man Briefly all that had passed in this affayre with such demonstration of loue that though at the beginning Daphnis wondred at his hardinesse and at his sisters yet so it was that she lost that wonder when she knew the greatnesse of his affection iudging that they might draw him into more great follies And albeit that if they had called her to thier counsell when they vndertooke the enterprize she would neuer haue aduised them to it yet seeing the effect had sorted to some good she resolued to assist him in all that was possible sparing neyther labour nor care nor art which she iudged fit to imploy and hauing made promise with all assurances of friendship she gaue the best aduice she could which was by little and little to engage me into his loue For sayd she Loue among women is one of those wrongs the words whereof offend more then the blowe It is a worke that none is ashamed to doe prouided the name be hidden So that I hold them the best aduised which cause themselues to be beloued of their shepheards before they speake a word to them of loue So that I oue is a creature that hath nothing rude in it but the name being otherwise so pleasing that there is none offended at it And therefore that Diane may entertayne it it must be without naming it especially without seeing it and
such wisedome must be vsed that she must loue you as soone as she may know that you loue her out of loue For being once embarked she cannot retire her selfe into the hauen though she see likelyhood of torment round about her It seemes hither to you haue beene guyded by great wisedome but you must proceed The shew which you haue vsed to be in loue with her although you be a woman is to good purpose it being certayne that all loue which is suffered in the end will prooue answerable But you must goe forward We doe easily many things which we thought very hard if Custome had not made them easie Therefore it is that they which are not acquainted with a meate find it at the first to be of an harsh raste which by little and little afterward becomes pleasing to the vsage You must frame your selfe to vse amorous discourses to Diane to make it more easie that by custome that which she hath not bin vsed vnto may be ordinary and the better to attayne it you must deuise some inuention to make her more to delight in your wooing and that you may do though you be a woman in the same termes that the shepheards vse For as the eare which is accustomed to musike is capable to fit his voyce both by raysing and abasing it to tunes that be harmonious though otherwise they know nothing in that arte In like manner the shepheardesse which often heaâ—es the discourse of her louer yeelds the powers of her soule albeit she know not how to loue letting her selfe to be carried in an insensible manner to the feelings of loue I meane shee loueth the company of that person in feeling a farre off some pitty of his euill and in conclusion loues in effect without thinking so much Looke to it Filander you make profit of these instructions else-where and think that if I loued you not and did not pitty you I would not discouer this secret out of the schoole but take that which I say as an earnest of that I desire to doe for you With such words seeing the day approched they returned into their lodging not without iesting at the loue of Amidor who tooke him for a mayd reporting some part of his speech to laugh at it And about morning falling asleepe in this resolution they lay longer in bed to recompence the losse of the night which gaue commodity to the young Amidor to surprize them And had it not beene that at that time I came into their chamber I beleeue he had found out their deceit for addressing himselfe to the bed of the fayned Callire though she played her part well speaking with as great modesty as was possible setting on it a seuere countenance to put him by the hardinesse to hazzard himselfe yet it may be his affection would haue found licence and his vnwise hands might haue discouered her bosome But immediately vpon my comming in Daphnis desired me to stay him which I did to the great contentment of Filander who sayning to thanke me for it kissed my hand with so great affection that if I had beene any thing suspitious I should haue perceiued that indeed it had come of loue After I had giuen them the good day I tooke Amidor away with mee that they might haue leisure to clothe themselues And because they had a purpose to performe that which they had propounded presently after dinner when wee were withdrawne as of custome vnder some trees to enioy the fresh ayre though Amidor were there Daphnis thought the occasion fit being well pleased that it was in his presence to put him from all suspition and that if at any time by mischance hee heard them speake like a man hee should not thinke it strange when making a signe to Filander that hee would further this dessigne she sayd to him And what is it Callyre can make you dumbe in the presence of Diane Because answered he I go making many wishes to my selfe for the desire I haue to the seruice of my mistris and among others one which I neuer thought to desire What is that interrupted Amidor That is continued Filander that I wish to be a man to doe more seruice to Diane How added Daphnis are you amorous of her More answered Filander then all the rest of the world is aware of I rather desire said Amidor you should be a woman as well for my good as for that of Filidas The consideration neither of the one nor the other replyed Filander shall not make mee change my desire And what reioyned Daphnis are you of opinion that Diane loues you againe I am to hope said Filander by the lawes of Nature if it be not that as in her beauty shee out-goes her forces in her humour she will not disdaine her ordinances You may thinke of me as it pleaseth you said I I truely sweare vnto you that there is no man in the world that I loue more then you So replyed hee to me there is no person that hath vowed so much seruice to you but this happinesse will last with me but vntill you finde my small merit or some other better subiect present it selfe Doe you thinke me replyed I so flitting as you make mee to bee It is not answered hee for that I suppose in you the imperfections of inconstancy but I know well I am the cause of the defaults that be in me The defaults said I be rather on my side and at that word I embraced him kissed him with as sincere an affection as if he had bene my sister Whereat Daphnis smiled in her selfe seeing me so much abused But Amidor interrupting vs iealous as I beleeue of them both I thinke saith he it is in good earnest and that Callire mocks not How said he I mook Let the heauens punish mee more rigorously then they euer chastised periured wretch if there were euer any loue more violent nor more passionate then that which I beare to Diane And you were a man added Daphnis you would learne well to vse mens wordes to declare your passion Though said she I haue lesse spirit yet so it is that my extreme affection will neuer suffer me to be dumbe in such an occasion Let vs see fayre said Amidor if it be no trouble to you how you will behaue your selfe in such an enterprize If my mistrisse said Filander permit mee I will doe it with promise notwithstanding that she condiscend to three supplications which I shall make to her The first that shee answere that I demand the other that she thinke it not dissembled which vnder another person then Callire I shall represent vnto her but take them for true though feeble passions And lastly that shee neuer suffer any other then mee to serue her in this quality I that saw they all tooke pleasure and likewise in truth loued Filander vnder his sisters habit answered that for the second and last demand they were granted as shee desired that for
answered Siluander the lesser yeelds alwaies to the greater part where you are these shepheardesses must doe as you doe And why added Diane disdainefull shepheard esteeme you so slenderly of vs You should rather thinke answered Sluander that it is for the good opinion I haue of you that I thus speake for if I thought hardly of you I would not say that you were a part of this great Nymph since that thereby I make you no whit her inferiour but that she deserues to be beloued and respected for her beauty for her merits and for her condition and you for your beauties and merits You mock your selfe Siluander answered Diane I would haue you thinke that I haue sufficient to winne the affection of an honest shepheard She spake thus for that hee was so farre from all Loue that among them hee was alwaies called the vnsensible and she delighted to make him talke Whereto he answered Your conceit may be as pleaseth you yet I must tell you that for effecting this you want one of the principall parts And what is that said Diane The will replyed he for your will is so contrary to this effect that said Phillis interrupting him Siluander would neuer loue more The shepheard hearing her speake drew aside to Astrea saying that they ouer-charged him and that hee was wronged when so many set against him The wrong said Diane is turned onely to me for this shepheardesse seeing me in the hands of so strong an enemy and conceauing a sinister iudgement of my courage and force would haue helped me It is not in this said he faire shepheardesse that she hath offended you for she had had small iudgement if she thought not your victory certaine but it was for that seeing me already vanquished she would robbe you of the honor in attempting to giue me a blow at the end of the combate but I know not what her meaning was for if you meddle no further I assure you she shall not so easily get this glory as she thinkes Phillis who of her nature was pleasant and who on this day resolued to passe away the time for Leonide answered him with a certaine lifting vp of her head It is good Siluander that you haue an opinion that to vanquish you is a thing to be desired and honourable for me I say for mee who will place this victory among the least that euer I wanne You should not so much vnder-valew it said the shepheard since this serues not but to be the first that hath conquered me As much replyed Phillis as there is honour to bee the first in that which is of worth so much shamefull is it in the contrary Ah shepheardesse interrupted Diane speake not so of Siluander for if all the shepheards which are lesse then he should bee vnder-valewed I know not him that we are to esteeme See Diane answered Phillis the first blowes by which you come ouer him without doubt he is yours It is the custome of these haggard wilde spirits to suffer themselues to be taken at the first attracts and for that they haue not beene acquainted with such fauours they receiue them with such a taste that they haue not power to resist them Phillis spake these words to mock him yet it fell out that the gracious defence of Diane made the shepheard thinke that he was bound to serue her by the lawes of courtesie And after that that opinion and the perfections of Diane had that power ouer him that hee conceaued this bud of Loue that time and conuersation might encrease as we will tell you afterwards This disputation held some while among the shepheardesses to the good contentment of Leonide who wondred at their gentle spirit Phillis at last turning her selfe to the shepheard said But whereto serue so many wordes If it bee true that you are such let vs come to the proofe of it and shew me what shepheardesse makes any speciall account of you She answered the shepheard whom you see me make especiall account of You meane added Phillis that you seeke not after any but that proceeds from want of courage Much rather replyed Siluander from want of will And then going onward And you which vnder-valew me so much tell vs what shepheard it is whom you loue so especially All them who haue spirit and courage answered Phillis For whosoeuer sees that which is louely without louing it wanteth spirit or courage That reason sayd Siluander bindes you then to loue me or accuse your selfe of great want But let vs not speake so generally name one in particular whom you loue Then Phillis with a countenance graue and seuere I would with a good will there were boldnes enough to vndertake it That is then added Siluander for want of courage Rather said Phillis want of will Wherefore then cryed out Siluander would you it should be thought more out of want of will in you than in me Would it be well sayd the shepheardesse that the actions which do besit you should be permitted me Would you thinke well of it if I should runne play on the Lute or leape as you do But our disputation is too long about so bad a subiect let Diane set downe the conclusion and see if I be not confident in the iustnesse of my cause since I take a partiall iudge I shall be alwayes answered Diane according to the reason of my knowledge Well sayd Phillis when words cannot make good that which they would vphold is he not bound to come to his proofes Yes without doubt answered Diane Condemne then this shepheard sayd Phillis to giue proofe of the merit which hee sayes is in him and that on this occasion to vndertake to serue and loue a shepheardesse of that sort that he will enforce her to confesse that hee deserues to be beloued that if he cannot that hee freely acknowledge his little valour Leonide and the shepheardesses found this proposition so reasonable that by a common voyce it was enacted Not sayd Diane smiling that he be constrayned to loue her For in Loue Constraint can do nothing and his birth must grow from a free will But I ordayne that hee serue and honour her as you say My Iudge answered Siluander though you haue condemned mee without hearing me yet will I not appeale from your sentence but onely I require that she whom I must serue may merit and know how to acknowledge my seruice Siluander Siluander sayd Phillis because your cunning fayles you seeke out starting-holes But I will put you besides all these meanes by her whom I will name for it is Diane in whom there is wanting neyther spirit to know your merit nor desert to giue you will to serue her For my part answered Siluander I acknowledge more then you can speake prouided that it be no profaning of her beauties to serue them for wages Diane would haue spoken and excused her selfe of this charge but at the request of Leonide and Astrea she consented yet with this
the amazement of the Nymph and all the company he answered to Siluander Gentle shepheard you aske me what brought me and what holdes me in this Countrey Know that it is no other then you and it is you alone whom I haue so long sought for Me answered Siluander how could that be by reason I had no knowledge of you That is in part a cause said he why I seek you If it be so replied Siluander it is a long while since you were with vs who will say that you euerspake to me Because answered Tyrcis I know you not and to satisfie the demand you haue made me for that the discourse is long if it please you I will tell it after you haue againe taken your places vnder those trees which you had before our comming Siluander then turning to Diane Mistrisse sayd he is it your pleasure to sit downe agayne It is Leonide answered Diane of whom you should haue asked that question I know well answered the shepheard that Ciuility commands me so but Loue ordains it otherwise Leonide taking Diane and Astrea by the hand sate downe in the middle saying That Siluander had reason because Loue that hath any other consideration but of it selfe is no true loue and after them the other shepheardesses and shepheard sate in a round And then Tyrcis turning toward the shepheardesse that was with him See the happy day said he Laonice which we haue so much desired that since our first entry into this Country we haue expected with such impatiency It concerneth none more then you that wee get out of this payne as the Oracle hath ordayned Then the shepheardesse without making him other answer directing her selfe to Siluander spake thus The History of Fyrcis and Laonice OF all friendship there is none so farre as I can heare of which is more affectionate then that which is bred in youth because custome which this young age takes hold of by little and little groweth to be changed into Nature which if it be hard to put off they know that endeuour to contrary it I say this to serue my selfe of some kind of excuse then gentle shepheard when you see mee constrayned to tell you that I loue Tyrcis for this affection was almost sucked in with the milke and so my soule raysing it selfe with this nourishment receiues in her selfe as her owne the accidents of that passion and it seemed euerything from my birth gaue agreement to it for wee continued neighbours the friendship betweene our fathers our ages which were very euen and the gentlenesse of the young yeeres of Tyrcis gaue me but ouer-great commodity yet misfortune would that much about that time Cleon was borne in our Hamlet which it may be had more graces then I but out of question with much more better fortune For euen when this Maide beganne to open her eyes it seemed that Tyrcis receiued the flame into his heart seeing that in the very Cradle he tooke pleasure to behold her At that time I might be about sixe yeeres and he ten yeeres old and see how the heauens disposed of vs without our consent From the houre I first sawe him I loued him and from the time he sawe Cleon he loued her and though our liues were such as our yeeres might beare yet were they not so small but there might very well be found the difference betweene vs. Afterward as we grew so did our loue likewise and that to such an extraordinary height as it may be there was not any that might surpasse it In this youth you may weâ—lthinke I went without any great heed taking to his actioÌ„s but growing to more age I noted in him such a want of good will that I resolued to turne another way a resolution which many delights made me conceaue but which no true Louer could execute as I prooued long time after Yet my courage being ofâ—â—â—ded had sufficient power to make me dissemble and if I could not indeed withdraw my selfe intirely yet at least make shew to take some kinde of leaue That which tooke from me all meanes to doe it was that I could not see that Tircis affected any other shepheardesse for all that he did to Cleon could not mooue suspition that it was any thing but childishnesse for that as then she could not be aboue nine yeeres old when she began to grow and that she could feele the tracts of Loue she so remooued from him that it seemed that this withdrawing would haue warranted her against all such blowes But Loue more crafty then shee knew so well to come neere and set before her soule the merits the affection and the seruices of Tircis that at last shee found her selfe in the very middest and so turned on all parts that if she auoyded wounding on the one side the stroke that she receiued on the other was the greater and more deepe So that shee could not flie to a better remedy then dissimulation not to auoyde the blowes but onely to keepe it from the knowledge of her enemy or any other She might well vse this dissembling while it beganne to be but a little scratch but when the sore became great then must shee yeelde and confesse her selfe to be vanquished Thus you see Tircis beloued of Cleon and behold him playing with the honest sweetnesse of an amity though at the beginning he scarce knew what his disease was as these verses witnesse which he made at that time A SONNET O God what ill is this thus tortures me Since time that first I did faire Cleon see I felt within my heart new rising paine Although her eye tooke it from me againe Since by an hot desire I haue beene galde If such a motion may desire be calde Whose iudgement is bewitched in such wise That it my will ioynes to his practices And from that spring my harme beginning takes For this desire so great encreasing makes That I thereby lose both my sleepe and foode In place whereof growes an vnquiet moode That helpes desire to build my seruitude Thus it the ill I feele not vnderstood After Tircis had knowledge of the good will of happy Cleon he receiued it with so great contentment that his heart beeing vnable to hide it he was forced to impart it to his eyes which God knowes how suddainly changed from that they were gaue but too manifest knowledge of their ioy The discretion of Cleon was such that shee gaue no aduantage to Tircis for his duty so that iealousie of her honor perswaded her to make shew of louing me that they which noted her actions might stop at those which were more euident and goe no further to seeke out those which she would conceale She made choyce of mee rather then any other for that she had long before perceiued that I loued him and knowing well it is hard to be beloued and not to loue againe she thought that euery body would beleeue that this friendship not hauing bene long betweene
vs might be thought to grow from the good will which I bare him He that had no designe but that which Cleon allowed presently endeuoured to effect that which shee had commanded him O God when I remember the sweete words which he vsed to me I cannot though they were lyes containe my selfe from entertaining them and thanke Loue for those happy moments wherewith he delighted me at those times and wish since I cannot be more happy that I might at least bee alwaies so deceiued And indeed Tircis found it no great paine to perswade mee that he loued me for besides that euery one easly beleeues the thing they desire me thought it might haue bin so because I did not iudge my selfe to be so vnlouely but that so long a conuersing as ours was might haue gayned somewhat of him especially with the care I had to please him Whereby this glorious Cleon oftentimes passed the time with him but if Loue had bin iust he shuld haue made the deceit fal on her self by suffring Tircis to come loue me vnfainedly yet it fell not out so but contrarily this dissimulation was so vnsupportable that he could not continue it and did not Loue shut vp the eyes of them that loue I could not chuse but haue perceiued it as wel as the greater part of them that saw vs together to whom as to my professed enemies I would giue no credit and because Cleon I were very familiar this cunning shepheardesse feared that time the sight I had might put me out of the errour wherein I was But geÌ„tle shepherd it had bin necessary that I had bin as forecasting as she yet the better to hide herselfe she inuented a sleight which was not euill Her purpose as I haue told you was to shadow the loue which Tircis bare her by that which hee made shew of to me and it succeeded as shee set downe for they beganne to talke somewhat loude and to my disaduantage and though it were but they that looked no further then to apparence yet this nuÌ„ber being greater then the other the bruit ran presently and the suspitioÌ„ that they had before of Cleon died at that instant so that I may say that she loued at my cost But she that feared as I told you lest I should come to discouer the practice would cloke it vnder another and counselled Tircis to let me know that euery body beganne to finde out our loue and to censure it shrowdly enough and that it was necessary to cause it to cease by wisedome and that it was fit he should seeme to loue Cleon that by this diuerting they which talked the worst might reforme themselues And you may tell her said she that you haue chosen me rather then any other for the commodity you haue to be neere her and to speake to her I that was all honest and without craft found this counsell good so that with my permission from that day when we three were together he made not dainty to entertaine Cleon as he was accustomed And indeed it was very pleasing to them and to any other that knew this dissimulation for seeing the suite that hee made to Cleon I thought he â—ested and could hardly hold my selfe from laughter On the other side Cleon noting my fashions and knowing the deceit wherein I thought her to be was extremely pained to dissemble it especially when this crafty companion made certaine winks with her eye which oftentimes were so farre from the purpose that I might accuse the loue shee bare to the shepherd and the contentment that this deceit brought him And see if I were in my right minde that of pitty I felt the displeasure which she should haue when she knew the truth But since I found that I complaine in her person yet may I excuse my selfe for who hath not beene beguiled since that Loue as soone as he gets intire possession of a soule spoyles it presently of all distrust in the person beloued And this dissembling shepheard played his part so well that if I had beene in Cleons place it may bee I should haue doubted his shewes had beene true Being sometimes in the middle betweene vs two if hee laboured to make ouer-great demonstration of his loue to Cleon hee would instantly turne to me and aske me in mine care if he had not done well But his master-fraud stucke not at so small a thing heare you I beseech you whereto it passed In priuate he spake more often to Cleon then to mee he would kisse her hand he would bee an houre or two on his knees before her and would not conceale it from me for the cause I haue told you but generally he would neuer budge from me sued to me with such dissimulation that the greatest part held on the opinion they formerly had of our loues which he did of purpose desirous that I onely should see his courting of her because hee knew well I would not beleeue it but hee would not in any case that they who might iudge rightly should come to the least knowledge And when I told him we could not put out of mens heads the opinion of our loue and that none would beleeue it when it was told me that he loued Cleon How answered he will you haue them beleeue a thing that is not So it is that our plots in despite of the worst conceits shall be beleeued in generall But he that was well aduised seeing an occasion presented to passe yet further sayd to mee That aboue all we must deceiue Cleon and if she were once deceiued we had then almost accomplished our purpose that for this cause of necessity I must speake to her for him and I should doe it confidently She saith he that already hath this opinion will with all her heart receiue those messages which you bring her and so we shall liue in assurance Oh! what a miserable fortune doe we oftentimes runne into for my part I thought that if at any time Cleon beleeued that I loued this shepheard I should make her lose that opinion when I prayed her to loue him and confidently spake for him But Cleon knowing what speech I had with the shepheard and seeing in what restraint she liued iudged she might by my meanes haue messages and especially letters This was the cause that she tooke in good part the proposition which I made her and from that time she treated with him as with the man she loued and I serued to no other vse than to carry letters from the one to the other O Loue to what an occupation didst thou then put me Yet may I not complayne for that I haue heard say that I am not tho first that haue done such offices to others thinking to worke for themselues About that time because the Frankes Romans Gothes and Burgonians raysed a cruell warre we were constrayned to go into the Towne which beares the name of that shepheard that was Iudge to the three goddesses
for our place of abode was not farre from thence vpon the banks of the great riuer of Seyne And for that by reason of the great accesse of people which from all parts came to withdraw them there and the want of those commodities which they were vsed vnto in the Champaine the contagious sickenesse beganne to take so violent a course throughout the Towne that euen the great men could nor defend themselues It fell out that the mother of Cleon was attaynted with it And although that this disease were so fearefull that there was neither parentage nor obligation of loue that could retayne the sound about them that were infected yet the good nature of Cleon had such power ouer her that she would not depart from her mother whatsoeuer she sayd vnto her but on the contâ—ary when some of her familiars would haue withdrawne her representing the danger whereinto she thrust her selfe and that it was offensiue to the gods to tempt them in this sort If you loue me would she say vse not this speech to me for doe I not owe my life to her that gaue me it and can the gods be offended that I serue him that taught me to worship them On this resolution she would neuer abandon her mother and staying with her serued her as freely as if it had beene no infectious disease Tyrcis was all the day long at their doore burning with desire to enter into their lodging but the for bidding of Cleon stayed him who would not suffer him for feare lest they that were ready to thinke the worst might iudge his presence preiudiciall to her chastity He that would not displease her not daring to enter caused to be carried to them all things necessary with so great care that they were neuer in want of any thing Yet as the heauens would this happy Cleon would not escape the infectioÌ„ of her mothers disease whatsoeuer preseruatiues Tyrcis could bring When this shepheard knew it it was no more possible to keepe him backe from entring into their lodging thinking it was now no time to dissemble nor to feare the biting of the bad-speaker He then set in order all his affayres disposed of his goods and declared his last will then hauing left a charge to some of his friends to send him succour he shuts himselfe in with the mother and the daughter resoluing to runne the same fortune that Cleon did It would serue to no purpose but to lengthen the discourse to tell you what were the good offices what the seruices that he did to the mother for the consideration of the daughter for he could not imagine more then those which his affection made him performe But when he sawe her dead and that there remayned no more then his Mistris whose disease growing worse and worse I do not thinke that this shepheard rested one moment He 〈◊〉 her continually in his armes or else dressed her sores Shee on the other side who had alwayes loued him so dearely acknowledged so great loue in this last action that her owne was much increased so that one of her griefes was the danger wherein she saw him for her cause He on the contrary side tooke such satisfaction that Fortune though his enemy yet had offered him this meane to giue testimony of his goodwill that he could not giue her thankes enow If fell out that the disease of this shepheardesse being in case needfull to be launced there was no Surgeon that would for feare of danger hazzard himselfe to touch her Tyrcis whose affection found nothing hard being instructed what he was to doe tooke the launcer and lifting vp her arme launced it and dressed it without feare Shortly gentle shepheard all the most dangerous things and most noysome were sweet vnto him and very casie So it was that the disease hourely encreasing brought this Nymph beloued Cleon to that estate that there remayned no more strength but to speake these words I am sorry that the gods will no longer draw out the threed of my life not that I haue a desire to liue longer time for this desire can neuer make me wish it hauing had triall of the discommodities which follow mortals but onely that in some sort I would not die so much obliged to you but that I might haue time to giue you testimony that I am not attainted with Ingratitude nor misprising It is true that when I consider what are the obligations which I owe you I thinke the heauens are right iust to take me out of the world since that if I should liue as many ages as I haue done dayes I know not how to satisfie the least of that infinite number which your affection hath brought forth Receiue then for all that which I owe you not an equall good but indeed all that I can which is an oath which I make you that euen death shall neuer wipe out the memory of your loue nor the desire I haue to make all the acknowledgements that a true louing person may yeeld to him to whom she is bound These words were vttered with much payne but the loue she bare the shepheard gaue her the strength to deliuer them Whereto Tyrcis answered Faire Mistris I can hardly thinke I haue bound you nor that euer I shall because that which I haue hitherto done hath not satisfied my selfe and whereas you say you are obliged to me I see well you know not the greatnes of the loue of Tyrcis otherwise you would not thinke that so small a thing was able to pay the tribute of so great duty Beleeue mee fayre Cleon the fauour you haue done me so kindely to receiue the seruices which you say I haue done you charge me with so great a burden that a thousand liues and a thousand such occasions know not how to discharge me The heauens which haue caused me to be borne but for you will accuse me of misprisall if I liue not for you and if I haue any dessigne to employ one single moment of this life other then to your seruice He would haue held on longer but the shepheardesse ouerladen with her sickenesse interrupted him Cease friend and let me speake to the end that the small remainder of my life may be employed in assuring you that you may not be better beloued than you are of me who finding my selfe ready to depart giue you an eternall farewell and intreate you for three things alwayes to loue Cleon to cause mee to be buryed neere my mothers bones and to take order that when you are to pay the duety of mortality your body be layed neere mine that I may rest with this contentment that not hauing the power to be vnited to you in life yet I may be so at least in death He answered The gods should be vniust if hauing giuen beginning to so good an amity as ours they should sunder it so soone I hope they will yet preserue you or at least they will take me away before you
if they haue any compassion of the afflicted but if they will not I onely desire of them so much life as may satisfie the commandements which you make me and then permit me to follow you that if they cut not off my threed and my hand be free assure your selfe fayre Mistris you shall not be long without me Friend answered she I enioyne you beyond this to liue as long as the gods please for in the length of your life they shall shew themselues pittifull vnto vs since that by this meanes I shall make relation in the Elisian fields of our perfect amity you may publish it to the liuing and so the dead and liuing men shall honour our memory But friend I perceiue my disease enforces me to leaue you farewell the most louely and the best beloued among men At these last words she dyed leaning her head on the bosome of her shepheard To tell you the displeasure hee tooke and the complaynts hee made were but to strike the sword deeper into the wound besides that his gashes are yet so open that euery man seeing them may well iudge what the blowes were O death cryed Tyrcis that hast robbed me of the better part of my selfe either restore me that thou hast taken or take away the rest And then to giue roome to teares and sighes which this remembrance pluckt from his heart he held his peace for a while when Siluander told him he was to resolue himselfe since there was no remedy and that for things happened and may no more be complaints were but witnesses of weakenesse So much the rather sayd Tyrcis find I occasion of complaynt for if there were any remedy it were not the part of a man aduised or one of courage to complayne but he may be well allowed to bewaile that which can find no other asswagement Then Laonice taking agayne her speech continued in this sort At last this happy shepheardesse being dead and Tyrcis hauing rendred the last offices of loue hee tooke order she should be buryed by her mother but the ignorance of them to whom he gaue the charge was such that they placed her else-where for as for him he was so afflicted as he stirred not from off his bed there beingnothing to preserue his life but the cōmandements she had giuen him Somes dayes after enquiring of those who came to visit him in what place the body so beloued was layed hee knew it was not by her mother whereat he conceiued such a displeasure that contracting for a great summe with those that vsed to bury they promised to take her vp and to lay her with her mother And indeed they went about it and hauing opened the ground they tooke her vp betweene three or foure of them but hauing carryed her a little way the infection was so great that they were compelled to leaue her in mid-way resolued rather to die then to carry her furder Where of Tyrcis being aduertised after he had made them yet greater offers and seeing they would not respect it And why sayd he aloud canst thou hope that the loue of gayne may do more in them than thine in thee Ah Tyrcis this is too great an offence to thy Loue. Hee spake thus and as one transported he runnes to the place where the body was and though it had beene three dayes buryed and that the stinke was extreme yet tooke he it betweene his armes and carryed it to her mothers graue which was by that time couered And after so good a deed and so great a testimony of his affection withdrawing himselfe out of the Towne he stayed forty nights separated from all men Now all these things were vnknowne to me for one of my Aunts being sicke of the like disease almost at that time we conuersed not with any and the same day that he came backe I returned like wise Hauing vnderstood onely of the death of Cleon I went to him to know the particularities but comming to his chamber doore I layd mine eye to the key-hole because I came neere I heard him sigh and I was not deceiued for I saw him on his bed his eyes lifted to heauen-ward his hands ioyned together and his face couered with teares If I were astonished gentle shepheard iudge you for I did not thinke he had loued her and came in part to delight my selfe with him At last after I had beheld him some while with a sigh which seemed to part his stomake in pieces I heard him bring foorth these words Stanzaes on the death of Cleon. VVHy dowe hide our teares this is no time to faine A Loue which her sad death by my dole maketh plaine Whoceaseth to haue hope ought likewise cease to feare The hope that fed my life lies closed in her beare She liued once in me and I alwayes in her Our sprites with thousand knots so strait combined were Each knit to other so that in their faithfull loue We two were but an one and each as two did moue But in the poynt that Loue vpon a firme laid ground Assur'd me pleasures I the quite contrary found For that my happinesse had toucht the poynt that was Allotted me to reach and not to ouer-passe It was in Paris towne that those delightfull thoughts Which Loue infusde in me her death did bring to nought What time a man might see the Gaules right sore distrest Against th' inuading force of strangers doe their best And must there be a tombe of lesse celebritie Then Paris holding that I nurc'd so charily Or that my ill should fall in times lesse sorrowing Then when all Europe stood at poynt of perishing But I am wide O God my Cleon is not dead Her heart to liue in me farre from her selfe is fled Her body enely dyes and so by contrary My spirit dyes in her and hers dath liue in me O gods what became of me when I heard him speake thus my amazement was such that vnawares leaning against the doore I entred but halfe in whereat he turned his head and seeing me he made none other signe but holding out his hand to me prayed me to sit on the bed by him and then wiping his eyes for so he should alwayes need an handkercher hee spake to mee in this sort Well Laonice the poore Cleon is dead and we are left to bewayle her rauishment And because the paine I was in gaue me no power to answer he went onward I know well shepheardesse that seeing me in this plight for Cleon you are amazed that the fayned loue I bare her should giue me so true feelings But alas leaue that errour I beseech you so me thinkes I should commit a greater fault against Loue if without cause I should hold on that dissembling whereto my affection till now commaunded me Know then Laonice that I haue loued Cleon and that all other suites were but to cloake that and if you did euer beare me friendship for Gods sake Laonice condole with me this disaster
true that the shepheardesse vsed more coldnesse towards him or rather want of heate then she had done before she frequented the company of Diane for that this new friendship and the pleasure that Astrea Diane and she tooke together so possessed her that she no more heeded those small wanton trickes wherewith the affection of Licidas was nourished and hee which knew well that a loue cannot build vp it selfe but with the ruine of the former was of opinion that that which made her more luke-warme towards him and lesse carefull to entertayne him was some new amity which turned her aside And not being able to know who was the subiect hee went all alone gnawing vpon his thoughts and withdrew into the most couert places that he might complayne to himselfe with most liberty and by mis-hap when he was minded to returne he sawe as I told you Siluander and Phillis come along a sight that brought him no small suspiâ—ion For knowing the worth of the shepheard and of the shepheardesse he easily supposed that Siluander hauing neuer yet loued any was now giuen to her and that she following the humor of those of her Sex had willingly enough receiued the donation All these considerations gaue him much suspition but much rather when passing by him without seeing him he heard or he thought he heard the words of loue and that may well be by reason of the sentence which Siluander came from giuing But to put him out of all patience it fell out that suffering them to passe by he went from the place he was in and that he might not follow them he tooke the way they had come and fortune would that he went to sit downe neere the place where Laonice was not seeing her Where after he had some while rayled out of his displeasure transported with ouer-much griefe hee cryed out aloude O Loue is it possible thou shouldst suffer so great an iniustice without punishing it Is it possible that in thy kingdome wrongs and seruices are equally recompenced And then holding his peace for a while at last his eyes lifted vp to heauen and his armes acrosse letting himselfe goe backeward he beganne agayne thus For conclusion it pleaseth thee Loue that I must giue witnesse that there is no constancy in any woman and that Phillis for being of that Sex though furnished with all other perfections is subiect to the same lawes of naturall inconstancy I say that Phillis whose loue heretofore hath beene more assured to me than mine owne will But why O my shepheardesse am not I the samâ— Licidas whose affection thou hast made shew to nourish so much That which you haue at other times iudged commendable in me is it so much changed that you take more delight in an vnknowne Siluander a vagabond a man whom the whole earth contemues and will not professe him for hers Laonice who heard this shepheard and Phillis and Siluander named desirous to know more beganne to giue her eare in good earnest and so fitly for her that she learned before she went from thence all that she could desire of the most secret thoughts of Phillis and thereon taking occasion to anger her or Siluander resolued to set this shepheard yet furder into this opinion assuring her selfe that if she loued Licidas she would make him iealous and if it were Siluander shee would publish the loue so that euery one might know it And as soone as this shepheard was gone for his euill would not suffer him to stay long in a place she also went from thence and setting forward after him came very neere him talking with Corilas whom he had met in the way and seeming to demaund of them newes of the desolate shepheard they answered they knew none such It is a shepheard sayd she to them that goes lamenting a dead shepheardesse and who as they tell me is almost euer since dinner in the company of the shepheardesse Phillis and of her seruant And who is that answerd presently Licidas I know not continued the shepheardesse If I knew to tell his name right I thinke hee is called Silander or Siluander a shepheard of a reasonable hansomnesse of visage somewhat long and of an humour pleasing enough when he list Who told you answered Licidas that hee was her seruant The actions of them both answered she for I haue passed by such straits and I rememberyet vpon what feet they go But tel me if you know any news of him I seek for night drawes on and I know not where to finde him Licidas could not answer her he was so surprized but Corilas told her that she must follow that path and as soone as shee was out of this wood she should see a great pasture where doubtlesse she might learne some newes for it was there that euery night they met together before they drew homeward and that for feare lest she might wander he would beare her company if she pleased She that was willing to dissemble yet more fayning not to know the way receiued with great courtesie the offer he made her and giuing the good night to Licidas tooke the way which was shewed her leauing him so quite besides himselfe that he stood a great while vnmoueable in one place at last returning as out of a long swound he went repeating the words of the shepheardesse whereto it was impossible but he should giue credit not able to suspect her of falshood It would be too long to repeate heere the sorrow he made and the wrongs he did to his faithfull Phillis So it was that all the night he did nothing but goe compasse in the most retired part of the wood where toward morning wearied with sorrow and long trauaile he was constrained to lie downe vnder some trees where all wet with teares at the last his extreme griefe enforced him to sleepe The end of the seuenth Booke THE EIGHTH BOOKE OF Astrea and Celadon AS soone as the day appeared Diane Astrea and Phillis came together to be at the rising of Leonide who not able to esteeme sufficiently of their worth and courtesie was ready drest by that time the light shone ful into her chamber that she might not lose one moment of the time that she was to stay with them so that these shepheardesses were astonied to see her so diligent When they had opened the doore and taken each other by the hand they came out of the Hamlet to beginne the exercise of the former day They had hardly passed beyond the vttermost houses of the Towne but they might perceiue Siluander who vnder the dissembled wooing of Diane began to feele a new growing and true loue for troubled with this new care he had not closed his eyes all the night long his thoughts were so busie in representing to him the discourse and all the actions which he had seene of Diane the day before that not being able to stay for the morning in his bed he got him downe and had till now wayted
about the village to see when his new mistrisse would come forth and as soone as hee spyed her hee came toward her singing these verses STANZA'S On an high raysed Desire HOpes like Ixions in boldnesse Disdaining heauens dire menacoâ— Will you aspire aboue your size With Icarus t'assaile the skie Is but to tumble from on hiâ— Forbeare not yet to enterprizâ—â— Euen so sometimes Prometheus With brest peckt by birds raâ—enous His torments did immortall make By stealing downe Celestiall fire He said to this good I aspire To doe what none dares vndertake My heart on rock of constaney Deuoured by my paciency Will say The sprights of loftiest size Haue they not dar'd to steale that coale So may this glory take my soule To doe what none dares enterprize Eccho that for Narcissus loue Bewrayes her griefe the rocks to moue Comforts her selfe in her dismay And tels them in her angry moode If I of this be not belou'd There is no other else that may Phillis that was of a pleasant disposition and would well discharge her selfe of the experiment whereto she had beene enioyned turning to Diane Mistrisse said she will you hereafter giue any credit to the words of this shepheard Yesterday he loued you not at all now hee is dead at least for loue Since he would say so much he ought to begin in a better houre to serue you or pause somewhile before he proffer such words Siluander was so neere that he might heare Phillis that made him cry out a farre off O mistrisse shut your eares against the euill words of mine enemy And then being come at them Ah naughty Phillis said he is it so that by the ruine of my contentment you seeke to build your owne You doe well answered Phillis to talke of your contentment haue not you with others this perfection of the most part of shepheards wâ—o out of a vanity say they are infinitely content and fauoured of their mistrisse though contrarily they bee hardly vsed talke you of contentment You Siluander haue you the boldnesse to vse these words in the presence euen of Diane what will you say in other places when you haue the sawcinesse to talke so before her She had gone on but that the shepheard after he had saluted the Nymph and the shepheardesses interrupted her thus You would haue my mistrisse mislike that I should speake of the contentment which I haue in her seruice and why will you not haue me say so if it be true Is it true answered Phillis see what vanity this is will you say yet that she loues you and that she cannot liue without you I may not say replyed the shepheard that it is so but I may well say I wish it were so but you seeme to thinke it so strange that I say I haue contentment in the seruice which I tender my mistris that I am coÌ„pelled to aske you if you haue not At least said she if I haue I doe not brag of it It is ingratitude replyed the shepheard to receiue good from any without thanks and how is it possible we can loue that person to whom we are vnthankfull By that interrupted Leonide I iudge that Phillis loues not Diane There are few that giue not the same iudgement answered Siluander and I beleeue she thinks so her selfe If you haue reasons good enough you may perswade me replyed Phillis If there want nothing but reason to proue it said Siluander I haue no more to doe for whether I proue a thing or deny it it cannot make it other then it is so that since I want but reasons to prooue your small loue what haue I to doe to conuince you That that is to be done that you loue not Diane belongs to you to prooue Phillis here staid a little troubled to answer and Astrea said to her It seemes sister you approue that which the shepheard saith I doe not approue it answered she but I am much troubled to disproue it If it be added Diane you loue me not at all for since Siluander hath found the reasons which you demand and against which you cannot resist you must confesse that that which he saith is true At this word the shepheard came to Diane and said Faire and iust mistrisse is it possible that this enemy shepheardesse hath yet the hardinesse not to suffer me to say that the seruice which I yeeld to you brings me contentment when this cannot be for the answer which you make so much to mine aduantage In saying answered Astrea that Phillis loues her not she doth not say therefore you do loue her or that she loues you If I could heare these words answered he I loue you or you loue me out of my mistrisses mouth it should not be a contentment but a transport that rauisheth me from my selfe for ouer-great satisfaction and yet if hee that holds his peace seeme to consent to that he heares why may not I say my faire mistrisse confesses that I loue her since without contradiction she heares what I say If Loue replyed Phillis consist in words you would haue more then all other men together for I doe not thinke they will euer faile you as bad a cause as you haue Leonide tooke wonderfull pleasure at the discourse of these shepheardesses and had it not beene for the payne wherein she was for the disease of Celadon she would haue tarried many dayes with them for albeit she knew he was out of his feuer yet she could not but feare his relapse That was the cause she desired them to take with her the way of Laigneu to the riuer for that she might the longer enioy their company They agreed willingly for besides courtesie so commaunded them they were exceedingly pleased with her company So then taking Diane on the one side and Astrea on the other shee went toward the Buttresse But Siluander was deceiued who by chance was gone furder from Diane than was Phillis so that she tooke that place that he desired Whereat Phillis being very glorious went mocking the shepheard saying that his Mistris might easily iudge that hee was too slouthfull to serue her Shee may grant so much answered he to your importunity but not to your affection For if you loued her you would not haue left mee the place you had That should rather be a signe of the contrary sayd Phillis if I suffer another to come neerer than my selfe for if the party that loues desires almost to be transformed into the thing beloued hee approacheth neerest and so attaynes the perfection of his desires The louer answered Siluander that hath more regard to his owne contentment than of the person beloued deserues not that title at all So that you which regard more the pleasure which you take in being neere your Mistris than you do her commodity may not say you loue her but your selfe onely For if I were in the place you are I would helpe her to goe and you do but let her If my
had thanked her I told her she should not feare the fuâ—y of Azahyde and that I would so prouide that she should haue no displeasure that for her part shee must onely doe that which her father had giuen in charge and that I would finde a remedy both for her safety and mine owne but aboue all things she must be secret And then toward night I prouided my selfe of all the money I could get without the knowledge of Abariel and set so good an order to that I was to doe that the houre being come when I must goe to the place appoynted after I had taken leaue of the olde man who came with me to the shore I mounted into a little barke which hee had prouided and then going softly vnder the window I made shew to tye vp my selfe but it was onely my clothes filled vp with grauell and suddainely withdrawing myselfe aside to see what would happen I heard them fall at once into the lake where with the ore I gently beat the water that they might thinke when they heard the noyse that it was I that beat so but I was quickly compelled to be gone from thence because they cast downe so many stones that I could hardly saue my selfe and soone after I saw a light set in the window whereby fearing to be discouered I hid my selfe in the boat lying all along groueling This was the cause the night being very darke and my selfe gotten a prety was off that they could not see me but thought the boat did float so of it selfe Now when euery one was gone from the window I heard a great noyse about the place where I left Abariel and as I might iudge me thought I heard his exclamations which I tooke to be occasioned by the noyse that hee had heard in the water fearing I was drowned so it was that I resolu'd neuer to go to him more not that iâ— grieu'd me to serue him in his old dayes for the great obligation that I was tied to him in but for the ouer-great assurance of the euill will of Azahyde I knew well that if it were not at this brunt it would be at another that he would accomplish his wicked designe So then being come to the chaines which lock the port I was forced to leaue my boat to goe swimming ouer to the other side whither being come with some danger by reason of the darkenesse of the night I went to that place where I had hid my other clothes and whatsoeuer I had of worth and taking the way of Agaune I came by the poynt of day to Euians and I assure you I was weary for hauing gone fast I was constrained to rest all that day there where by fortune not beeing knowne I was willing to take counsell as others did in their most vrgent affaires of the wise Bellinde who is mistrisse of the Vestals which are along the lake and as I learned since is the mother of my faire mistrisse so it was that letting her know all my disasters shee consulted the Oracle and the next day she told me that the god commanded me not to be distempered for so great aduersities and that it was necessary if I would be gone to seek our the fountaine of the verity of Loue because in that water was my onely remedy and as soone as I should be there I might know both my father and my country And asking her in what place this fountaine was she gaue me knowledge that it was in this countrey of Forrests and then told me the property and the enchantment with that courtesie that I am infinitely yet bound vnto her From that time I resolued to come hither and taking my way by the towne of Plancus it is some moneth since I came where the first that I met with was Celadon who at that time was returned froÌ„ a long voiage by whom I vnderstood where this admirable fountaine was but when I should go I fell sicke so that I came not out of my chamber for sixe moneths togeather somewhile â—fteâ— finding my selfe strong enough so that I set my selfe on the way I vnderstood by them there-abouts that a Magician by Clidamans procurement had put it vnder the custody of two Lyons and two Vnicornes which he had enchanted and that the sorcery might not bee vndone but with the blood and death of two the most faithfull Louers that euer were in this countrey God knowes whether this news brought not me sorrow seeing my selfe almost out of hope of that I desired yet considering this was the Countrey which the heauens had destined for me to know my parents I thought fit stay here and it may be these faithfull in loue may at last be found out but yet it is a merchandize so rare that I dare not haue too great an hope With this purpose I resolued to clothe my selfe in shepheards weeds that I might more freely liue with such good companies which are along the riuer of Lignon and that I might not be idle I imployed all the remnant of my money which I had vpon cattell and a little cabbin to which I haue since retired See faire Leonide that which you desired to know of mee and behold my payment to Phillis for the place which she sold me which hereafter she shall not haue the boldnesse to take since she hath giuen it for so good a price I am much delighted answered Leonide in hearing you tell your fortune and I must tell you that you ought to hope well of your selfe since the gods by their Oracles shew themselues to haue such care of you for my part I pray them for it with all my heart And so do not I comes in Phillis writhing her selfe for if he were knowne it may bee the worth of his father might make him carry away our mistrisse it being very certaine that good and alliance may do more in marriages then their worth or loue Take heede what you say said Siluander you are so farre from wishing me so much hurt that I hope by your means to come to the knowledge I desire By my meanes answered she how can that be By your meanes continued the shepheard for since it must be that the Lyons shall die by the bloud of a Louer and of a faithfull beloued why may not I thinke that I am this Louer and you the Beloued Faithfull I am it is true answered Phillis but valiant I am not so that in well louing my mistris I will giue place to none but for my bloud life talke no more of it for what seruice can I doe her when I am dead I assure you answered Diane that I wish your life of the two and not your death and I desire rather to be in danger my selfe then to see you so by my occasion While they discoursed in this sort and as they drew neer to the bridge of the buttresse they might see sarre off a man comming apace towards them and drawing neerer
was quickly knowne of Leonide for it was Paris the sonne of the great Druide Adamas who being returned from Feurs and hauing knowne that his Niece was come to seeke him and secing she came not back he sent his sonne to let her know he was returned and to vnderstand what occasion had brought her so alone for that it was not the custome to goe without company As soone as the Nymph spyed him a farre off she told his name to the faire shepheardâ—sses and they that they might not be wanting in their ciuility wheÌ„ he came neere them saluted him with so great courtesie that the beauty and pleasing fashion of Diane gaue him that delight that he stood as almost rauished and had it not bin that the welcomming of Leonide diuerted him a little the could hardly haue hidden this surprize yet after the first salutation and that he had told her what brought him to her But sister said he for Adamas would haue them call brother and sister where found you this faire company Brother said she we haue beene together two dayes and yet I assure you we are not weary This here shewing him Astrea is the fayre shepheardesse whom you haue so often heard speech of for it is Astrea and that there is Diane the daughter of Belinde and Celeon and the other is Phillis and that shepheard is the vnknowne Siluander whose vertue is so well knowne heere that there is none in this Court but loues him Vndoubtedly sayd Paris my father did not well to feare you were ill accompanyed and if hee had knowne that you had beene so well hee would not haue beene so disquieted Gentle Paris said Slunder a person that hath so much of vertue as this Nymph can neuer be ill accompanyed And yet much lesse answered he when she is among so wise and faire shepheardesses And as he spake this word he turned him to Diane who perceiuing her selfe to be summoned answered It is impossible courteous Paris that one can adde to a thing that is accomplished Yet so it is replyed he that in my iudgement I loue better to be with her when you are neere than when she shall be alone This is your courtesie answered shee that you vse these termes in the behalfe of strangers You cannot answered Paris call your selues strangers to me but withall you must terme me a stranger to you which is a reproch to me whereof I am much ashamed because I cannot be freed from blame to be neighbor to such beauties and so great merits and yet be almost vnknowne to them but to amend this error I resolue to do better for the time to come to conuerse with you as much as without reason I haue beene remoued from you heereâ—ofore and in speaking these last words hee turned towards the Nymph And you sister though I be come to seeke you said he yet shall you go alone since it is not farre from hence to the house of Adamas For for my part I will tarry till night with this good company I would I might do so too said she but for this time I am constrayned to make an end of my iuorney Yet am I purposed so to order my affayres that I may liue as well with them as you for I doe not thinke there is a more happy life than theirs With such other like discourse she took her leaue of the faire shepheardesses and after straite embracements promised to come againe to them very soone and so parted much contented and satisfied with them so that shee resolued to change the vanities of the Court to the simplicity of that life but that which moued her most was that she had a desire to free Celadon out of the hands of Galathee and thought that he would presently returne into the Hamlet where she determined to conuerse vnder the shaddow of these shepheardesses Thus you see what was the voyage of Leonide who sawe the birth of two great loues that of Siluander vnder a fayned wager as wee haue sayd and that of Paris as wee will speake of to Diane For since that day he grew so amorous that to be more familiar with them he forsooke the life he vsed and attired himselfe as a shepheard and would so be called among them that so hee might make himselfe more pleasing to his Mistris who for her part honoured him according to his merit and as his good will obliged her But for that in the course of our discourse wee are to speake after of it we will say no more at this time Then returning to their Hamlets as they drew neere the great meddow where the most part of the flockes fed ordinarily they might see come from farre Tircis Hylas and Licidas whereof the two first seemed to disport in good earnest for the gesture of his armes and the rest of the bodie of Hylas shewed as much as for Licidas he was by himselfe his hat pull'd downe and his hands behind him he went looking on his feet shewing well hee had something in his soule that much troubled him and when they were so neere that they might know them and that Hylas perceiued Phillis among the shepheardesses and for that since the former day hee beganne to loue her leauing Tircis he came to her and without saluting the rest of the company tooke her vnder the arme and in his accustomed humor without other shew of words told her the desire hee had to serue her Phillis who beganne to know him and was contented to passe the time said I know not Hylas whence this wil springs for there is nothing in me that may moue it If you thinke that you say sayd he you owe mee the greater obligation and if you doe not thinke it you may iudge me a man of spirit that can know what is worthy to be serued and so you may esteeme of me the better Doubt not sayd she howsoeuert it be that I esteeme you and that I receiue your loue as it merits and were it not for any other consideration yet at least for that you are the first that loued me By fortune while they were talking Licidas comes in whose iealousie was so high growne that it ouer-topped his affection and for his greater hurt he came in euill time so that he might heare the answer that Hylas made to Phillis which was thus I know not faire shepheardesse if you will continue as you beginne with me but if you doe you shall be the truer for I know well that Siluander at least will help to giue you the lie and if hee will not doe it for feare of displeasing you I assure my selfe that all that were here yesterday wil witnesse Siluander was your seruant I know not whether he hath left his loue vnder his pillow Siluander that thought not of the loue of Licidas thinking it would be a shame for him to disprooue Hylas and besides that that hee should offend Phillis to say otherwise before her answered Shepheard
you must seeke no other witnesse than me in this matter 〈◊〉 and you are not to thinke that the shepheards of Lignon can cloath and vncloath themselues so readily of their affections for they are grosse and therefore heauy and slowe in that they doe But as a nayle the grosser it is and the more weight it holdes the harder it is to be wrested out so the tougher and grosser our affections are in vs the longer they last in our soules so that if you haue seene mee seruitour to this fayre shepheardesse you may see mee so still for we change not euery time we sleepe But if this befall you I say you that haue an hote brayne as well as a balde head and a red hayre bewrayes much you are not to giue the same censure of vs. Hylas hearing as his shepheard speake so frankly and so truly to his humor thought that either Tyrcis had told him somewhat or that he must know it elsewhere and therefore all astonied Shepheard sayd he haue you seene me at any time or where learned you this you speake of me I neuer saw you sayd Siluander but your phisiognomy and your discourse made me iudge that I say For hardly may a man suspect in another that fault whereof he is wholly exempted Of necessity then answered Hylas you cannot be exempted from that inconstancy which you suspect in me The suspition replyed Siluander growes either out of some small likelihood or of the appearance of that which is not but onely in imagination and that a man cannot haue of another without himselfe be spotted But that which I sayd of you is not of suspition but of a certainty Call you that suspition when we heare you say that you haue loued Laonice and leauing her for this second who was heere yesterday with her now you haue left them both for Phillis whom without doubt you will leaue for the first commer whose eies will vouchsafe to look on you Tircis who heard them thus discourse seeing Hylas stand as ouercome beganne to speake in this sort r Hylas you must no longer hide your selfe you are discouered This shepheard hath cleere eyes to see the spots of your inconstancy you must confesse the truth For if you fight against it besides that at the last you shal be counted a liar you being not able to resist for that nothing is so strong as Truth you shall be faine to shew your weakenesse Confesse it then freely to be as it is and to encourage you I will beginne Know gentle shepheard that it is true that Hylas is the most inconstant the most disloyall and the greatest traitour to shepheardesses to whom he promises goodwill that euer was And so added Phillis that he will oblige them whom he loues not at all And Me mistris answered Hylas are you also against me will you beleeue the impostures of these malicious Doe you not see that Tircis finding himselfe bound to Siluander for the iudgement he gaue in fauour of him thinks fit to pay him in some sort by giuing you an euill opinion of me What doth this import sayd Phillis to Siluander What doth this import said the inconstant know you not it is harder to take a place possessed then that which no man holds He would say added Siluander The more you loue him the harder it will be for me to acquire your good graces But my friend Hylas how much are you deceiued so farre that when I see she daines to cast her eye on you I shall be assured of her loue For I know her to be of so good iudgement that shee hath alwayes knowledge to choose the better Then answered Hylas It may be glorious shepheard you thinke to haue some aduantage ouer me Mistris beleeue him not for he is of no worth and indeed what man can he be that neuer had the hardinesse to loue nor to serue but one onely shepheardesse and that so coldly that you would thinke he iested Whereas I loue as many as I see fayre and of them all I haue beene as well entertayned as I would wish What seruice can you hope for of him that is such a nouice that he knoweth not how to beginne But I that haue serued of all sorts of all ages and of all humours know of what fashion and what ought and what ought not to please her and for proofe of what I say suffer me to question him if you would know his ignorance And then turning toward him he went on What is it Siluander that ought most to binde a fayre shepheardesse to loue vs That is said Siluander to loue none but her And what is that continued Hylas that may please her most That is answered Siluander to loue her extremely Now see then sayes the inconstant how ignorantly amorous is this man so farre is that which he sayes from truth that it ingenders contempt and hatred For to loue but her alone giues her cause to thinke that it is want of courage that hee dares not vndertake and so thinking herselfe to be beloued for want of another she will despise such a louer Whereas if you loue in common for the small worth of the thing shee will not thinke when you come to her that it is not for that you know not whither else to goe and this will binde her more to loue you especially if you come to particulars and make it appeare to her that you rely more vpon her and to perswade her the better you tell her all that you know of others and once in the week you bring to her all that you haue sayd and what they haue answered fitting the encounter as occasion requireth to the end you may make her the more pleasing draw her to cherish your company This way yong louer this way shall you binde her to any loue But to please her you must on the contrary flie as from poyson the extremity of loue because there is nothing more grieuous betweene two louers than this so great affection for you that loue in this sort to please your selfe labour to be alwayes neere her to be alwayes talking with her she cannot cough but you must aske her what she ayles she cannot turne her foot but you must doe the like To be short she is almost constrayned to carry you you presse her and importune her so But the mischiefe is if she be sicke sometimes and that she smile not on you if she speake not to you and intertaine you not as she was wont then you fall to whining to teares but such plaints I say as wherewith you so fill her eares that to free her selfe of these importunities she is forced to restraine her selfe and sometimes when she would be alone and locke vp her selfe for a time to her owne thoughts she must be compelled to come see you to entertayne you and tell you a thousand tales to content you Thinke you this to be a good meane to haue her loue you You
could not but more strengthen himselfe thereby in his iealousie which Phillis greatly regarded not thinking she had giuen proofs great enough of her loue so that in reason he was not to doubt it but ignorance knowes not that iealousie in Loue is Iuie that drawes to it selfe the nourishment which should goe to the good branches and good fruit and the greater it is the more it shewes the fertility of the place and the strength of the plant Paris that admired the great spirit of Siluander knew not what to iudge of him and thought that if he had beene bred among ciuill folke he had beene without paralell since liuing among shepheards hee was such that he knew none more gentle That was the cause that he resolued to make friendship with him more freely to enioy his company And to procure theÌ„ to hold on their disputation he turned to Hylas said that he must confesse he had taken the worse part since he stood so long mute He neede not be astonied for that said Diane since there is not so violent a iudge as the conscience Hylas knowes well hee argues against the truth and it is onely to flatter his fault And though Diane held on this discourse some while yet Hylas answered not a word being busie in beholding Phillis who when she was neere Licidas entertained him coursely enough and because Astrea would not haue him ouer-heare what she said to him she diuers times interrupted him vntil at last she constrained him to say If Phillis be so importuned I will not loue at all Truely shepheard said she expressely to hinder him from harkening if you bee as vngracious to her as vnciuill to vs shee will make no great account of you And for that Phillis without taking heede to this dispute held on her discourse Diane said to her What Phillis doe you thus shew the duty you owe me Will you leaue mee then to entertaine a shepheard Whereat Phillis surprized answered I would not mistrisse this errour should displease you for I was of opinion that this goodly discourse of gentle Hylas would haue kept you from heeding mee who in the meane time was giuing order to an affaire that this shepheard spoke of to mee and indeede she lyed not for she was much busied for the coldnesse shee â—ound in him It were good then Phillis said Diane with the words of a true mistrisse you thinke to pay all your faults with excuses but remember that all these defects are but small proofes of your little loue and that in time and place I shall remember in what fashion you serue me Hylas had taken Phillis by the waste and not knowing the wager of Siluander and her was amazed to heare Diane speake so therefore seeing her ready to beginne her excuse he preuented her saying Who would say faire mistrisse that this glorious shepheardesse would handle you thus coursely will you yeeld to her in any thing Commit not this fault I beseech you for though she be faire yet haue you beauty enough to make you a part and which it may be giues no place to hers Ah! Hylas said Phillis if you knew against whom you speake you would rather choose to be mute the rest of your life then to be prouided of a word that might displease this faire shepheardesse who in the twinkling of an eye may if you loue make you the most vnhappy mâ—n that euer loued On me said the shepheard she may rayse or cast downe open or shut her eyes but my misfortune no more then my happinesse shall neuer dependâ— neither of her eyes nor of her whole face and yet I loue you and will loue you If you loue mee added Phillis and I haue any power ouer you shee hath much more for I may be moued either by your loue or by your seruices not to vse you hardly but this shepheardesse being neither loued nor serued of you will neuer haue pitty And what neede haue I sayd Hilas of her pitty Yes certainely replyed Phillis you want her mercy for I will nothing but what she wills and can do nothing but what shee commands for behold the Mistris I loue whom I serue and whom I adore so that she is all my loue all my seruice and all my deuotion Now fee Hylas whom you haue offended and what pardon you are to sue for Then the shepheard casting himselfe at the feete of Diane all astonied after he had a little be held her sayd Mine owne faire Mistris if he that loues may behold any other thing then the subiect beloued I might well haue seene in some sort that euery one was to honor and do reuerence to your merit but since I haue mine eyes closed against al other things but my Phillis you shuld shew too great cruelry if you pardoÌ„ not the fault which I confesse for which â—â—ry you mercy Phillis that was sorry to be thus pâ—stred with this man that she might talke with Lieidas as he had desired made haste to answer him before Diane and to tell him that Diane would not pardon him but with condition that he should tell them the suites and aduentures which hee had had since hee beganne to loue for it was impossible but the discourse would be very pleasing since he had serued in so many sorts the accidents must needes be accordingly Truely Phillis sayd Diane you are a great diuiner for I had a purpose neuer to pardon him but with that condition and therefore Hylas resolue to do it How sayd the shepheard will you constraine me to tell my life before my Mistris and what opinion will shee haue of me when shee shall heare say that I haue loued aboue an hundred that to some I haue bid farewell before I left them and left others before I sayd any thing to them when shee shall know that at one and the same time I was diuided among many what will she thinke of me Nothing worse then shee now thinkes sayd Siluander for she will then but iudge you inconstant as she doth already It is true sayd Phillis but that you may not enter into this doubt I haue businesse elsewhere whither Astrea shall go with me if she please and in the meane time you shall obey Diane's commandement At this word she tooke Astrea by the arme and with-drew to the side of the wood where Licidas was euen now gone and because Siluander had ouerheard her answere to Licidas he followed afarre off to see what his meaning was whereto the euening somewhat serued his turne that he might not be seene for it waxed late besides that he went behind the bushes hiding himselfe so that hee followed them at pleasure vnseene and came so fitly that he heard what Astrea sayd to her what humor is this of Licidas to desire to speake with you at this howre and in this place hauing so many other commodities that I know not what he meanes to choose out so vnfit a time I know not
sayd Phillis I haue found him very sad this euening and I cannot tell what hath befalne him but he hath so coniured me to come hithor that I cannot delay it I beseech you to walke â—here-about while we are together for aboue al he desires I should be alone I will do answered Astrea what pleaseth you but take heed it bee not euill thought of to see you talke with him at so vnfit houres especially being alone in this darke place It is for that cause answerd Phillis that I haue put you to the paine to come hither therefore I pray you to walke so neere vs that if any one come on vs hee may thinke that we three are together While they talked thus Diane and Paris preÌ„ssed Hylas to tell them his life to satisfie the commandement of his Mistris and though he made much difficulty yet at last hee began in this sort The History of Hylas YOu will then mine owne faire Mistris and geÌ„ntle Paris that I tell you the aduentures befalne me since I began to loue Thinke not that my refusal was for that I knew not what to say for I haue loued too much to want matter but rather for that I haue too little day to haue the leysure not to tell you all that would be too long but not to begin alone Yet since for obedience I must satisfie your wil I pray you harken to me while I put you in mind that all things are subiect to some superior power which almost enforceth vs to actions which it pleaseth vs and that whereto mine enclines so violeÌ„tly is loue for otherwise it may be you wold woÌ„der to see me so carried that there is no chaine either of duty or obligation that may withhold me And I freely confesse that if euery one must haue some inclination of nature mine is of inconstancy for which I am not to bee blamed since the heauens ordaine mee so Haue this consideration before your eyes while you heare the discourse which I am to make Among the principal Countries that the Rosne in his swift course visits after it hath receiued Arar Isere Durance other riuers he comes dashing vpon the ancient walls of the towne of Arles chiefe of that country and the most peopled and richest of the Romane prouince Neere this faire towne there incamped a great while since as I heard our Druides tell a great Captaine named Cains Marins before the notable victory which he got against the Cimbres Cimmerieux and Celtoseites at the foote of the Alpes who being deuided by the deepe Scitique Ocean with their wiues and children purposing to sacke Rome were so ouerthrowne by this great captaine that there remained not one aliue and if the Romane armes had spared any one the barbarous fury that was in their courage made them turne their owne hands against themselues and in rage kill themselues that they might not liue being vanquished Now the Romane army to assure their allies and friends of their common wealth comming to encampe as I told you neere that towne and according to the custome of that wary nation compassing their campe with trenches it fel out that being nere to Rosne this riuer which is most violeÌ„t and which threatens and beates incessantly his bankes by little and little in time met with these large deepe ditches and with maine strength entring into the chanell which he found already made runs with such fury that makes the ditches stretch out to the sea where hee goes discharging himselfe by this meanes two wayes for the ancient course hath alwayes followed his ordinary way and this new one is growne so great that it equalls the greatest riuers making betweene both a most delectable and forcible Iland and because they were the trenches of Cains Marins the people by corruption of the word call it Carmage of his name and since for that the place is inuironed with these two armes of Rosne and the midland sea they call it the Isle of Camarge I would not haue sayd so much about the originall of this place had it not bene that it was the countrey of my natiuity and where they of whom I am descended haue long time dwelt for by reason of the fertility of the place and that it is as it were cut out from the rest of the land there is a number of shepheards that are withdrawne thither which for the abundance of pasturage they call Pasture and my fathers haue alwayes bene held in some consideration among the principall were it for that they were thought good and vertuous men were it for that they had honestly and after their condition acquired the goods of fortune so they left me sufficiently prouided for when they died which was without doubt too soone for me for my father died the day that I was borne and my mother bred me vp with all manner of delicatenesse an only child or rather a marred child endured but till I was twelue yeeres of age Iudge what master of an house I was like to proue among other imperfectious of youth I could not auoyd that of presumption supposing there was not a shepheard in all Camarge which ought not respect me But when I was a little aduanced and that Loue began to mingle with this presumption mee thought all the shepheardesses were in loue with me and that there was not one which receiued not my loue with obligation And that which fortified me in this opinion was that a faire and wise shepheardesse my neighbour called Carlis made me all the honest showes which neighbour-hood might challenge I was so yong as yet that none of the incommodities which loue vses to bring to the louer by his violent transports could reach me that I felt nothing but sweetenesse and on that subiect I remember that some time I went singing these verses A SONNET On the sweetnesse of Loue. VVHen speakes my shepheardesse or rather when she sings Or with her eies sweets glaâ—ce to mine she daz'ling brings Loue seemes to talke in her and with her gracious sounds Rauishes vs by thâ—â—are with charmes our sight confounds Not as you see him when he cruelly torments The hearts that are possest with passions violent But then when like a child full wantonly he moues Plaies on his mothers lap and formes a thousand loues Nor when he sports himselfe with those the Paphean maids Nor when on graces lap himselfe to rest he laid You could see him so pleas'd as neere my shepheardesse But when he burteth so may we him Loue confesse He is so when he playes and makes his place of rest In Carlis bosome sweete as on his mothers brest Though the age wherein I was suffered me not to know that it was Loue yet forbare I not to delight my selfe in the company of that shepheardesse and to vse those deuices wherewith I vnderstood that they whom they call Louers serued their turne so that the long continuance made many thinke that I knew more
then my age would allow of And that was the cause that when I was come to 18. or 19. yeeres I found my selfe engaged to serue her But for that my humor was not to care much for this vaine-glory which the most part of them which trade in Loue will arrogate to themselues that is to be esteemed constant the good countenance of Carlis tyed mee more then this imaginary duty From thence it came that one of my greatest friends tooke occasion to diuert me from her his name was Hermante and without any heede of mine was become so amorous of Carlis that hee tooke no contentment but to be neere her I who was young neuer perceiued this new affection as I had but two little craft to finde it since the subtillest in that mystery are scarce able to do it Hee was older then I and by consequence wiser so that he knew so well to dissemble that I doe not thinke that any at that time suspected him But that which brought him most discommodity was that the parents of this shepheardesse desired there might be a marriage betweene her and me for that they were of opinion that it would be for her aduantage Whereof Hermante being aduertised especially knowing by the speech of the shepheardesse that indeede shee loued me he thought she would withdraw from me if I began to withdraw from her Hee well found out as I told you that I would change as soone as occasion was offered And after he had considered with himselfe how he might beginne this designe he thought that working in mee an opinion of my greater worth he might maâ—â—me neglect for vncertainty that which was most assured to me Hee brought it about very easily for besides that I beleeued him as my friend this good could not be very deare vnto me which befel me without paine made me beleeue I might compasse any thing of the best if I would bestow the study Hee on the other side knew so well to perswade me that I held for certaine that there was not a shepheardesse in all Carmage that would not more willingly entertaine me then I would make choyce of her Assured by this beleefe I thrust Carlis wholly out of my soule after I had made election of another whom I iudged the worthier and without doubt I deceiued not my selfe for she had beauty enough to winne loue and wisedome to carry it her name was Stilliane esteemed among the fairest and wisest of all the Iland otherwise lofty and such an one as I must haue to put me out of the error wherein I was And see what my presumption was Because she was serued by many and they all lost their time I beganne to woo her the more willingly that the world might take better knowledge of my merit Carlis which truely loued me was astonied at this change not knowing what cause I might haue but she must needes suffer it She did much to recall me and at the first vsed all forts of allurements which she could think of which I tooke no heede of to returne I was in the deepe seas there was no meane to come backe to land so readily But if she tooke displeasure at this separation she was fully reuenged on him that was the cause of the euill for conceiting to my selfe that as soone as I assured Stilliane of my loue shee would more willingly giue her selfe to me at the first time I met her to talke within an assembly which was purposely made dauncing with her I said Faire shepheardesse I know not what your force is nor with what charmes your eyes furnish themselues so it is that Hylas sees himselfe now so much become your seruant that no man can bee more Shee thought I mocked her knowing well the loue that I had borne to Carlis which made her answer smilingly These discourses are they of those that you learne in the schoole of faire Carlis I would haue answered when acording to the order of the dance there were that separated vs and I could not come neere her afterward howsoeuer I laboured it so that I was constrained to stay vntill the assembly brake vp And seeing her goe with the formost to withdraw themselues I aduanced my selfe and tooke her by the arme Shee at the first beganne to smile and after said Is it vpon resolution Hylas or commandement that this night you haue enterprized thus on me Why answered I make you this demand Because said she I see so small likelihood of reason in that you do that I can not suspect but from those two occasions It is said I for them both for I am resolued neuer to loue but the faire Stilliane and your beauty commaunds me to loue none other I beleeue answered she that you thinke not that you speake to me or that you know me not and that you may no longer deceiue your selfe know that I am not Carlis and that I call my selfe Stilliane I must be much deceiued answered I to take you instead of Carlis for she is too imperfect to be taken for you or you for her And I know too well for my liberty that you are Stilliane and it were more for my rest that I knew lesse Wee were come as farre as her lodging and yet could I not find whether she liked of it or no. The next morning it was no sooner day but I went to seek out Hermante to tell him what befell me In the euening I found him yet in his bed And seeing me somewhat moued How now fayd he what newes Is the victory obtained without combat Ah my friend answered I I haue found out one I may talke to she disdaines mee she mockes me she sends me at euery word to Carlis to be short she vses me like a Mistris He could not hold from laughter when he had heard all the discourse at length for he expected no lesse But knowing well my changing humour hee feared I would goe backe to Carlis and that she would entertaine me which was the cause that he answered me Did you hope for lesse from heâ— Would you thinke her worthy your loue if not yet knowing in truth that you loue her she should giue her selfe to you How may she giue credite to a few words which you haue vsed hauing heretofore heard so much or that you sweare the contrary to Carlis Vndoubtedly it were a very easie conquest that she should shew herselfe vanquished for so small a fight But said I before I am beloued of her if it be needfull that I tel her what I haue done to Carlis when should this be by your aduice Truely answered Hermante you little know what belongs to Loue you must learne Hylas that when one sayes to a shepheardesse I loue you especially when they make some demonstration she doth not so easily beleeue it for that it is the custome of shepherds well bred to haue it of courtesie and it seemeth their Sexe for the weakenesse of it binds men to serue
her hand before her eyes and afterwards began to run as if shee had allured mee to run after her At the first I was so amazed with the blow I made as though I heeded it not but when she came back the second time I fell on running after her and she after she had somewhat run about her cōpanions started from them and when she was a litle from them faining to bee out of breath lay downe behind a thicke bush I that at first ran without any dessine seeing her on the ground and in a place where shee might not bee seene seeming desirous to bee reuenged for the paine shee had put mee to began to clap her whereto shee made a small resistance but so that she shewed this priuacy displeased her not especially for that seeming to defend her she discouered purposely as I thinke to make her white skin seeme whiter by much then one would iudge by her face At last being risen vp she sayd to mee I did not thinke Hylas you had bene so rude a gamester otherwise I would not haue meddled with you If this displease you said I I craue pardon but if it be not so I was neuer in my life better payd for my indiscretion then now How meane you that sayd shee I meane said I faire Floriante that I neuer saw fairer then that I spied eene now See said shee what a lier you are and at this word strooke me gently on the cheeke and ran backe to her companions This Floriante was the daughter of an honest knight that then was sicke and kept neere the shore of Arar and shee hearing of her fathers sickenesse went to seeke him out hauing stayed somewhile with one of her sisters who was married in Arles her face was not very faire for she was somewhat browne but she had such conceits and was of so liuely an humor that I must tell you this meeting made me lose the will I had to Aymee and that so quickly that I felt little displeasure in leauing her so that the contentment in finding this cleered me of all griefe I then forsooke Aymee me thought and addicted my selfe wholy vnto Floriante I may say me thought for it was not true altogether seeing that often when I saw her I tooke pleasure to talke with her though the affection which I bare the other drew me with a little more violence but indeed when I considered sometime what I sayd I found that whereas I was wont to loue but one I did now serue two It is true that this was with no great paine for when I was neere Floriante I neuer remembred Aymee and when I was neer Aymee Floriante had no place in my memory And ther was nothing so much tormented me as when I was far from them both for I was sorry for them both together Now gentle Paris this entertainement lasted with me to Vienna but being by chance at our lodging for almost euery night we went ashore and specially when we passed by any good townes lo there comes a shepherdesse to intreat the master of the boate where I was to let her haue a place as farre as Lyons because her husband being wounded by some enemies had sent vnto her to seeke him out The master who was curteous receiued her willingly so the next morning she placed her selfe in the boate with vs. Shee was faire but somodest and discreet that she was to be no lesse commended for her vertue otherwise so sad and full of melancholy that she moued pitty from all the company And because I haue alwayes had much compassion on the afflicted I had it infinitely ouer this endeuored to comfort her the best I could wherat Floriante was not contented what countenance soeuer she set on it nor Aimee neither for conceiue gentle Paris that though a woman dissemble yet shee cannot choose but feele the losse of a louer for that it seemeth to be a wrong to her beauty and beauty being the thing that this Sexe most esteemes is the most sensible part in her Yet I that with my compassion beganne to mingle a little loue not seeming to looke on those two wenches I held on talke with her and among other things to the end our discourse might not fayle and to haue the greater knowledge of her I intreated her to tell me the cause of her sorrow She then full of courtesie began to speake thus The compassion which you haue of my paine bindes me courteous stranger to giue you more satisfaction than that you demaund and you would thinke it a great fault if I refused so small a thing But I beseech you to consider withall the state wherein I am and to excuse my discourse if I abridge it as much as I can Know then shepheard that I was borne about the bankes of Loyre where I was as charily brought vp to the age of fifteene yeeres as one of my sort might be My name is Cloris and my father is called Leonce the brother of Gerestan into whose hands I was deliuered after the death of my father and my mother being of the age I told you and from that time I beganne to feele the blowes of Fortune for my vncle hauing more care of his owne children than of me thought himselfe ouer-layd with my charge All the comfort I had was from his wife called Collire for she loued me and prouided for what she could possibly without her husbands knowledge But the heauens would afflict mee in all for when Filander the brother of Collire was slaine she tooke such a griefe that none could perswade her to suruiue him so that within few dayes after she dyed and I abode with her two daughters who were so young that I had little contentment to be with them It fell out that a shepheard of the prouince of Vienna named Rosidor came to visit the Temple of Hercules that stands on the shore of Furan on the top of a rocke that rises in the midst of the mountaines much aboue them all that are there-about On that day there were together a great company of vs young shepheardesses For it was a solemne day for for that place I should vse but needlesse words to tell you the speech we had together and the fashion wherewith he shewed me his loue So it was that from that day he gaue himselfe to me so that hee neuer made shew of contradicting it He was young and goodly for his wealth he had much more than I might hope for for the rest his spirit so like that which appeared outwardly in his body and there was a perfect agreement His suite lasted foure yeeres and I cannot say that in all that time he either did or thought any thing wherewith he acquainted me not and asked my aduice This extreme submission so long continued made mee most certaine of his loue and his merits which then had not a little bound mee to loue him haue since that time wonne me in
not changed to his benefit Ah shepheardesse you may well thinke that my heart is without feeling of your blowes since it hath so liuely felt those of your eyes How long is it since to talke you haue withdrawne your selfe from me since you took no pleasure to talke with me and that it seemed you send about for other company that you may auoyde mine Or where is the care you were wont to haue of my businesse or the griefe which my stay from your presence brought you You may remember how svveete the name of Licidas hath beene to you and hovv often it slipped out of your mouth for the abundance of your heart when you meant to name some other You may remember your selfe I say and haue at this time nothing in the same heart and in the same mouth but the name and affection of Siluander with whom you liue in such asort that there is not so great a stranger in our Country but knovves that you him And thinke you it strange that I which am the same Licidas which I haue alvvayes yet beene and was not borne but onely for you Phillis haue entred into some doubt of you The extreme displeasure of Licidas raysed so great aboundance of words in his mouth that Phillis to interrupt him could not geÌ„t a time to answer him for if she opened her mouth to beginne he went on with the more vehemency not considering that his complayning made it worse and if there were any thing that might helpe him it was onely her answer which he would not heare and on the contrary not heeding that this torrent of words tooke avvay all leisure for the shepheardesse to ansvver him he iudged that her silence proceeded of the sense of her being guilty so that hee went on amplifying his iealousie at all motions and all actions that he savve her vse Whereat she found her selfe so suâ—prized and so much discontented that she thus letted knevv not with what words to beginne either to complayne of him or to remooue him out of the opinion vvhere in hee was but the passion of the shepheard vvhich vvas so extreme that it gaue him not leisure to dreame of iâ— for though it vvere almost night yet he saw her blush or at least he thought he savve her vvhich vvas the conclusion of his impatience holding that for certaine vvhere of as yet he had no cause to doubt And so vvithout furder stay after he had called twice or thrice on the gods as iust pâ—nishers of the vnfaithfull he ranne into the woods vnvvilling to heare or tarry for Phillis vvho vvent after him to discouer to him his errour but it vvas in vaine For he ranne so svviftly that soone left him in the thicket of the trees And in the meane time Leonice well pleased that she had discouered this affection and savv so good a beginning of her desseigne vvithdrevv as vvas the custome vvith the shepheardesses her companions and Siluander on the otherside resolued vvith himselfe since Licidas tooke such ielousie at so cheape a rate to sell him it for the time to come at a dearer making shew to loue Phillis in sadnesse when he should see him neere her The end of the eight Books THE NINTH BOOKE OF Astrea and Celadon LEonide in the meane time arriued at the house of Adamas and gaue him to vnderstand that Galathee had infinit occasion to vse him and vpon vrgent cause which shee would tel him by the way That he might not disobey he resolued to be gone as soone as the moone would shine which was some halfe howre before day On this resolution as soone as the light began to appeare they set themselues on the way and when they were come to the foote of the little hill hauing no more then one plaine to bring them to the Palace of Isour the Nymph at the request of her vncle began her speech in this sort The History of Galathee and Lindamor MY father for so she called him bee not moued I beseech you to heare that which I haue to say to you and when you haue occasion remember that the same loue caused this which at some other time hath driuen you to the like or more strange accidents I durst not speake to you of it if I had not a commission namely if I had not bene commanded but Galathee whom this businesse concernes is willing since shee hath chosen you as the Phisicion for this sicknesse that you should know both the breeding and the proceeding yet hath she enioyned me to draw some words from you that you will neuer speake of it The Druide which well knew what respect hee was to beare to his Lady for so hee esteemed her answered that hee had wisedome enough to conceale that which he knew might concerne Galathee that therein the promise was more then needed Vpon this assurance continued Leonide I will attempt to tel you what you are to know It is now a long time since Polemas became to be in loue with Galathee to tell you how it grew were vnprofitable so it was that he loued her so that in earnest one might call him amorous This affection passed on so far that Galathee her selfe could not be ignorant of it so much it wanted that in particular shee made it diuers times appeare that his seruice was not displeasing to her which tied him so fast that nothing since could euer withhold him and without doubt Galathee had some good occasion to fauour Polemas for he was a man that merited much for his race you know hee is of the ancient stocke of Surien that in nobility giues not place to that of Galathee as for his person he is very louely hauing both a face and fashion able to win loue aboue all hee hath great knowledge yet ashamed of it before the wisest But why go I about to tell you these things Your father knows them better then I. So it was that these good conditions made him so commendable that Galathee vouchsafed to fauour him more then any other in the court of Amasis yet it was with that discretion that no man noted it Now Polemas hauing the wind so fauorable liued with that contentment to himselfe as a man founded vpon hopes might But this inconstant Loue or rather this inconstant Fortune which delights in change as in her nourishment was willing that Polemas as well as the rest of the world should feele what the stripes are that come from her hand you may remember that it is somewhile since Amasis permitted Clidaman to bestow vs on his seruants from this occasion as from a swarme haue issued so many loues that besides that the court was pestered with them all the country feeles them Now among others by chance Lindamor was giuen to Galathee hee hath much worth yet she receiued him so coldly as the ceremony of that feast would suffer But he that before it may bee had some such intention which he durst not make shew
a share Disdainefull beauty that Liest hid from all mens eyes And neuer mad'st appeare That 〈◊〉 thee pitty lies Yet Dido did not scorne A wanderer by sea Paris a shepheard yong Wonne loue from Oenone Diane found some griefe For her Endimion Loue not regards the state Or pompe of any one The sheepehooke with the mace Of Kings he equall makes And in the purest Loue All his contentment takes Then Adamas asked her And how Leonide it seemes by the words of Galathee that she despised Polemas and by these verses there is no man but will iudge she loued him and that only he could not brooke with patience that she should dissemble Father replied Leonide it is true that she loued him and she had giuen him that proof that if he gaue credit to it hee was not so arrogant but that one might very well haue thought him to be of small vnderstanding if he did not beleeue it and though she would dissemble with me yet I know she had drawne him by shewes and hopes of good will whereof the earnest was not so small as the first but that many others haue bene deceiued and I know not considering what assurances were giuen that any would thinke shee would lose them and gainesay her going forward but he deserued this chastisement for his vnfaithfulnes which he vsed to a Nymph whose deceiued affectiō cryes vengeance so that loue at last gaue an care for without faining he is the most deceitfull the most vnthankfull and most vnworthy to be beloued for this misprifall of any vnder heauen and deserues not to be pittied if hee now feele the griefe which other haue suffered for him Adamas seeing her so much moued against Polemas demaunded who the Nymph was that hee deceiued and said that shee was some of her friends since she tooke the offence so to the quicke Then shee perceiued that she had yeelded too much to her passion and that vnawares shee had made knowne that which shee had kept so long secret yet as shee had a quicke spirit and that would not lie long in her fault she couered by her dissimulation this errour so well that Adamas then tooke no great heed to it And how my daughter sayd Adamas know you not that men liue with a purpose to ouercome and finish all that they vndertake and that the loue which they make shew of to other women is but to make the way easie You may see Leonide that all loue is for the desire of the thing that is wanting and the desire being satisfied there is no more desire if there be no more desire there is no more loue therefore you may behold that they which will be long loued are they that giue least satisfaction to the desires of their louers But added Leonide she whereof I spake is one of my particular friends and I know she neuer treated with Polemas but with as great coldnesse as she could That likewise replyed Adamas makes the desire to be lost for desire is nourished with hope and fauours Now look how the match of the Lampe goes out when the oyle failes so desire dies when the nourishment of it is put out therefore it is that we see so many loues are changed some for too many othersome for too few fauours But let vs returne to that you sayd to Galathee what was that that she answered If Polemas answered Leonide had had said she to me as much iudgement to measure himselfe as he had rashnesse to dare to loue me he would haue taken these fauours as from my courtesie and not from my loue But continued Galathee this is nothing to the worth of the accident which befell at that time for I had scarcely answered Polemas what you haue heard but Lindamor following the course of the daunce was come to snatch or robbe and vvith that dexterity that Polemas cou'd not auoyd it and by that meanes not answer me but with his eyes but certainly with a looke so frowning that I know not how I held from laughter As for Lindamor whether he took heed to it or perceiuing it would not let it appeare so it was that presently after he spake to me in that sort it had beene enough to haue made the poore Polemas madde if he had heard it Madame sayd he to me is it possible that all things should goe so quite contrary and that iesting should turne to so true earnest and the presages likewise which your eyes speake of to me when I behold them Lindamor said I to him so you may be punished as you deserued if iesting you meet with earnest This punishment answered he is so welcome to me that I should beshrew my selfe if I did not loue and cherish it as the greatest happinesse that might befall mee What meane you by that sayd I for it may bee wee speake of diuers things I meane sayd hee that in this course of the dance I haue stolne away you and in the truth of loue you haue stolne from mee both soule and heart Then blushing a little I answered him in choler How now Lindamor what discourse is this remember you what I am and what you are I do so Madam sayd he and that is it that makes me speake so vnto you for are you not my Lady and am not I your seruant Yes answered I but not as you take it for you ought to serue mee with respect and not with loue or if there be any affection it should grow out of your duty He presently replied Madam if I serue you not with respect neuer was diuinity honored by a mortall man but whether this respect bee the father or childe of my affection it concernes you but little for I am resolued whatsoeuer you are to mee to serue you to loue you and to adore you and thinke not herein that the duty whereto Clidaman by the law of the game hath subiected vs is the cause well it may be the couerture but to conclude your merits your perfections or to say true my destiny giues me to you and thereto I assent for I must acknowledge that what man soeuer sees you and loues you not deserues not the name of a man These words were deliuered with such a vehemency that he made it appeare to me that he truly told me what was in his soule behold I pray you this pleasant encounter I neuer heeded this affection thinking that al he did was in sport should haue neuer perceiued it but for the ielousie of Polemas but since I haue alwayes had an eye to Lindamor and I should not lie I haue found him as well capable of loue as ielousie so that it seames that the other hath whetted the knife wherewith hee would cut the threed of the small loue I beare him for I know not how Polemas hath euer since so displeased mee in all his actions that I could hardly endure him to bee neere me the rest of that night On the contrary all
that Lindamar did came so kindly to mee that I wonder I marked it no sooner I know not whether Polemas by reason of his being crossed haue changed his behauiour or whether the euill opinion which I haue conceiued of him haue altered my eyes when I behold him yet so it is that either mine eyes see not as they were wont or Polemas is no more the man hee was wont to be I must not lie to you when Galathee spake in this sort against him I was no whit sorry because of his ingratitude on the contrary the more to hurt him I sayd I do not wonder Madam that Lindamor is more welcome to you then Polemas for the qualitites and perfections of them both are not equall euery one that sees them will giue the same iudgement that you do of them It is true that heere in I fore-see a great hurly burly first betweene them and after betweene you and Polemas And why sayd Galathee Are you of opinion he hath any power ouer my actions or of Lindamors Not for that said I Madam but I knew the humour of Polemas so well that he will leaue nothing vnattempted and wil remooue heauen and earth to recouer the happinesse that he thinkes hee hath lost and for it he will commit these follies which cannot be hidden but to those that will not see them and so shall you haue displeasure and Lindamor be offended and God graunt it fall not out worse No such thing Leonide answered she if Lindamor loue me he will do as I commaund him if he do not loue me he will not care what Polemas doth and as for him if he passe the bounds of reason I knovv hovv to reforme him leaue that labour to me for I can prouide well enough for that At this word she commaunded mee to draw the curtaine and let her rest if at least these new desseignes would suffer her But at the breaking vp of the daunce Lindamor who had noted what countenance Polemas had made when he tooke Galathee from him had a conceit that he loued her Notwithstanding hauing neuer perceiued any thing by his actions passed he would aske him the question resolued that if he found him in loue he would indeuour to diuert himselfe for that he thought himselfe some what bound to it for the loue he made shew of which hee thought to be vnfained and so going to him desired he might haue a word with him in priuate Polemas who vsed al maner of cunning that a Courtier was capable of paynted his face with a fained shew of good will and said What is it that Lindamor is pleased to commaund of me I neuer vse commoundement said Lindamor where my prayer onely may take place and at this time I neede neither of them but onely as a friend demaund a thing of you which our friendship bindes you to tell me What may it be replyed Polemas since our friendship so bindes me you are to thinke that I will answer you with the same freedome that you desire to know This it is replyed Lindamor that I haue some while serued Galathee as I was tied by the ordinance of Clidaman at last I am constrayned so to do by that of Loue. For it is true that after I had long time serued her by the disposing of that fortune that gaue mee to her her merits haue since so wonne me that my will hath ratified that gift with so great affection that to draw backe would be as much want of courage as it is now arrogancie to say that I dare loue her Yet the friendship which is betvveene you and me hauing beene of longer date than this of Loue giues mee resolution enough to tell you that if you loue her and haue any pretention to her I hope as yet to haue that povver of my selfe that I can withdravv and giue proofe that Loue is lesse in me than Friendship or at least the follies of the one shall giue place vnto the Wisedome of the other Tell mee then frankely that which you haue in your soule to the end that neither your friendship nor mine may complayne of our actions That which I say is not to discouer the secrets of your intentions since I lay open to you mine you are not to be afraid that I should know yours besides that the lawes of friendship commaund you not to hide them from me prouided that not curiosity but the desire of preseruing our goodwill makes me demaund it of you Lindamor spake to Polemas with the same freedome that a friend should poore and ignorant Louer that thought he could since it in loue On the contrary the dissembling Polemas answered him Lindamor this faire Nymph of whom you speake is worthy to be serued of all the world but as for my selfe I haue no pretention yet this I will tell you that as concerning loue I am of opinion that euery one for his part should do what he can Then Lindamor repented that he had vsed a language so full of courtesie and respect since he required it so ill Here solued to doe his best to aduance himselfe into the good graces of the Nymph and yet hee answered him Since you haue no such dessigne I am right glad as of the thing most welcome to mee for that to haue withdravvne my selfe it would haue beene a paine to me little lesse than death So farre off aâ— I added Poleman from hauing any pretention of loue that I neuer looked on her but with an eie of respect such as we are all bound to giue her For my part replyed Lindamor I honour Galathee as my Lady but I likevvise loue her as a faire Lady and me thinks my fortune mayayme as high as it is permitted mine eyes to looke and that I shall offend no diuinity by louing her With such like discourses they parted neyther of them well satisfied yet some what differing Polemas out of iclousie and Lindamor for hauing found the vnfaithfulnesse of his friend From that day they liued in a pleasant fashion for they were ordinarily together and yet they concealed their dessignes Yet not Lindamor in apparance but in effect hid himselfe in all hee propounded and purposed to do and knowing well that occasions passed may not be recalled he would not lose a moment of leisure which he employed not to make his affection apparent to the Nimph. In which hee neyther lost his time nor his payne for she liked so well of this good will which hee made shew of that if shee had not so much loue as he in her eyes she had it at the least in her heart And because it is an hard matter to hide a great fire so well but something will discouer it their affections which beganne to burne in good earnest were hardly to be concealed for all the wisedome they could vse This was the cause that Galathee resolued to speake with Lindamor as seldome as she could and to find some inuention for him to
letter of Lindamor to Galathee IT is not to complaine of my Lady that I dare take vp my penne but onely to deplore the misfortune which make me so coâ—â—â—mâ—ed of her that at other times was not wont to vse mee in this sort I am the same man that haue serue you with all sort of respect and submission and you are the same Lady that first was mine siâ—ce you receiued me for yours I am become no lesse nor you greater if it be thus why doe you not iudge mâ— worthy of the same entertainement I haue called my soule to account for her actions since it pleaseth you I will display them all before your eyes for my part I cannot accuse any one of them if you shall iudge otherwise when you haue heard them it shall be no small consolation to the poore condemned to know at least the cause of his punishment This letter was brought her as of custome by Fleurial and so fitly that though she would yet durst shee not refuse it and without lying it was impossible that any other could haue playd this part better then he for his request was so suited with words of pitty and reuerence so well sorting to that which hee seemed to demand that there was 〈◊〉 but might haue bene deceiued and for my part if Galathee had not told me I should neuer haue regarded it but for that it was hard or rather impossible but the tender heart of the Nymph must discharge her selâ—â— of it to some trusty person to whom she might freely impart that which pressed her so sore among the rest she chose out me as the most assured as she thought and most affectionate Now suddenly as shee had receiued this paper faining to haue forgot something in her cabinet she called me and told the other Nymphs that shee would come backe presently and that they should attend her there Shee went vp into her chamber and then into her cabinet without saying any thing to mee I iudged shee had somewhat that troubled her but I durst not aske her for feare of troubling her she sate downe and casting the request of Fleurial on the table shee sayd This beast Fleurial alwayes comes to mollest me with the letters of Lindamor I pray thee Leonide bid him bring me no more I was somewhat astonied at this change yet I knew well that loue could not long last without brawles and that these disputes are as bellowes that do more kindle the coles yet I forbare not to say to her Since when Madam hath he done thus Some good while sayd she and know you nothing of it No truely Madam sayd I. Then she with a little frowning brow It is true sayd she that heretofore I haue liked it but now hee hath abused my fauoues offended me by his rashnes And what is this fault replyed I The fault added she is not great yet it displeaseth mee more then if it were of importance Thinke you what his vanity is to make it knowne that he loues me and that he hath told me so O Madam sayd I this cannot be true his enemies haue inuented it to vndo him both with you with Amasis It is wel replied she but in the meane time Polemas talkes of it euery where and is it possible any should know it and that he only should be deafe at this bruite or if he heare it should not remedy it And what remedy answered I would you hee should haue What sayd the Nymph sword and blood It may bee sayd I â—e doth it with great reason for I remember I haue heard it said that that which touches vs in loue is so subiect to slander that the lesse light is giuen it the better it is See sayd she these good excuses at least he should haue demanded of me what my will was hee should do herein he had done as he ought and I should haue beene satisfied Haue you seene the letter answered I which he wrote you No said shee and I will tell you more I will neuer see them more if it be possible and will auoyde as much as I can to speake to him Then tooke I the paper that Fleurial brought and opening the letter I read aloud that which I tolde you euen now and added at last Well Madame ought not you to loue the thing is wholly yours and not to bee so soone offended with him that hath not committed any fault Then it is well said she Is there any likelihood that he alone should not heare these bruits But dissemble he as long as he will at least I wil coÌ„fort my selfe that if he loue me he shall truely pay the interest of the pleasure which he hath had in vanting of our loue and if he loue me not let him assure himselfe that if I haue giuen him any subiect for the time passed to conceiÌ„ue such an opinion I wil put him out of it hereafter and giue him occasion to smother it how great soeuer it hath beene And to beginne I pray you command Fleurial that he be not so hardy to bring any thing from this arrogant Madame said I I will doe what pleases you to command me yet it shall be very necessary to consider ripely of this affaire for you may doe your selfe much hurt thinking to offend another You know well what manner of man Fleurial is he hath no more spirit then will serue to keepe his garden if you let him know this euill carriage betweene Lindamor and you I am afraid that out of pure feare he will discouer it to Amasis or else runne away that which shall make him discouer it shal be to excuse himselfe of mischiefe For Gods sake Madame consider what displeasure this will bring wil it not be better without breaking forth to deuise some meanes to complaine to Lindamor And if you will not doe it I will and I assure my selfe he will satisfie you or if he doe not then shall you haue occasion to breake off all loue with him telling him so much your selfe without giuing Fleurial knowledge of it How to speake to him I know not said shee and to heare him speake my courage will not snffer mee for I wish him much euill Seeing her to haue a heart so swolne with this offence At the last said I you must write to him Talke no more of that said she hee is too proud he hath too many of my letters already At the last not being able to get other thing at her hands shee suffered mee to fold vp a piece of paper in fashion of a letter and to put it in to the request of Fleurial and to carry it to him And this that he might not perceiue this dissention What the astonishment was of poore Lindamor when he receiued this paper it is hard to say to one that neuer prooued it And that which afflicted him more was that hee must of necessity depart the next morning to goe his voyage where the affaires of
Amasis and Clidaman tied him to stay some long time To deferre his departure he could not and to goe was death At last heÌ„e resolued presently to write to her yet a course rather to hazzard then to hope for any good fortune Fleurial did what hee could to present it speedily to Galathee but he could not doe it for that she feeling this displeasure at her heart was not able to beare this dis-vnion but with such griefe that she was constrained to keepe her â—ed out of which she rose not many dayes Fleurial at last seeing Lindamor gone tooke the hardinesse to seeke her chamber and I must tell you true because I wished ill to Polemas I did what I could to piece vp this affection of Lâ—ndamor and for this cause I gaue meanes for Fleurial to enter If Galathee were surprized iudge you for shee looked rather for any thing then that yet she was constrained to dissemble and to take that which he presented which were but flowers in appearaÌ„ce I would be in the chamber that I might be of the counsell and to bring somewhat that might be to the contentment of poore Lindamor And indeed I was not altogether vnprofitable for after Fleurial was gone and that Galathee found her selfe alone she called me and told me shee thought to haue bene exempted from the importunity of the letters of Lindamor when hee had bene gone but for ought she saw he had nothing to be his warrant I that would serue Lindamor though hee knew nothing of it knowing the Nymph to bee in an humor to talke of him made it very cold knowing well that if I contraried her at first it was the way to lose all and to affirme that which shee sayd would serue the more to punish her for though she were not well satisfied toward him yet loue as yet was the more strong and in herselfe she was willing that I should take Lindamorâ— part not to giue me way but to haue more occasion to speake of him and put her choler out of her soule so that hauing all these considerations before mine eyes I held my peace the first time she spake to mee She that would not haue this silence added But what thinke you Leonide of the arrogancy of this man Madame sayd I I know not what to say but if he haue fayled he must do penance But sayd she what may I thinke of his rashnesse why goes he disgracing me with his tales had hee no other fitter discourse then of me and then after she had looked on the letter he writ I haue some what else to do that he continues to write to me to this I answered nothing After she had held her peace a while she sayd And why Leonide answere you me not haue I not reason to complaine Madame sayd I is it your pleasure I should speake freely You shall please mee sayd shee I must tell you then continued I that you haue reason in all except it bee when you seeke for reason in loue for you must know that he that referrs himselfe to the lawes of iustice puts the principall authority out of himselfe which is to be subiect but to himselfe so that I conclude that if Lindamor haue failed in that he loues you he is culpable but if by the lawes of reasou and prouidence it is you that deserue chastisment that will put loue that is free and commands others vnder the seruitude of a superior And why sayd she haue I not heard it sayd that loue to make it praise worthy must be vertuous If this be so he must bee tied to the lawes of vertue Loue answered I is a thing some what greater then this vertue of which you speake and therefore it giues it selfe lawes without the publishing of any other person but since you command me to speake frankly tell me Madam are not you more culpable then hee both in that for which you accuse him and in that which concernes loue for if hee haue had the hardnesse to say he loued you you are the cause in that you haue sufferd him Though it bee so answered shee yet by discretion he was bound to conceale it Complaine you then sayd I of his discretion and not of his loue But hee hath more occasion to complaine of your loue since vpon the first report at the first conceit that hath beene giuen you you haue chased from you the loue you bare him without taxing him that he hath bene wanting in affection Excuse me Madam if I speake so frankly you do the greatest wrong in the world to vse him in this sort at least if you would condemne him to so great a punishmeÌ„t it ought not to be without coÌ„uincing him or at leastwise to make him blufh at his errour She stood somewhile before shee answered me at last she sayd Well Leonide the remedy shall be timely enough when hee returnes not that I am resolued to loue him nor to permit him to loue me but to tell him where in hee hath failed and so I shall content you and bind him from importuning mee more if hee bee not aâ— impudent as rash It may be Madam you will deceiue your selfe to think it will be time enough at his returne if you knew what the violencies of loue are you would not beleeue that these delayes were like other affairs at least looke on the letter That is to no purpose replied she for by this time he is well gone and with that word she gaue it mee and saw it was thus The letter of Lindamon to Galathee SOmtimes loue at this time the despaire of loue hath put the pâ—n into my hâ—â—d with a purpose if it returne mee no asswagement to change it into a sword which promiseth 〈◊〉 a full though a crâ—â—ll healing This blaâ—â—â— paper which you haue sent me for an answere is a true testimony of my innocency since it is as if it had sayd you haue found nothing to accuse me of but it is also an assurance to me of your disdaine for from whence can this silence proceed vnlesse it be from â—t the one contents mee in my selfe the other makes mee despaire in you If you haue any remembrance of my faithfull seruice for pitty I demand of you or life or death I depart the most desperate that euer had cause of despaire It was an effect of Loue which brought a change in the carriage of Galathee for I sawe her much mollified but this was no small proofe of her lofty humour not to giue knowledge of it and not beeing able to commaund her countenance which was become pale shee so tyed her tongue that she spake no word which might accuse her of relenting but going out of her chamber to walke in the garden not speaking a word of the Letter for the Sunne beganne to grow lowe and her disease which was but trauaile of spirit might finde more refreshing out of the house than in the bed so after she was quickely made
life brings Wise Nymph answered the shepheard this that you say is more than true if we were out of the power of Loue but you must know that the same effects which Ambition bringeth foorth in Courts Loue causeth to growe in our villages For the enuy of a Riuall is no lesse than of a Courtier and the artificiall practices of Louers and Shepheards giue no place to others And that is the cause that slaunderers retaine the same authority among vs to make good their owne actions as well as among you It is true that we haue one aduantage that instead of two enemies that you haue which is Loue and Ambition we haue but one and from thence it comes that there be some things particularly among vs which we may call happy but none as I suppose among Courtiers for they that loue not at all neede not auoyde the allurements of Ambition and whoso is not ambitious shall not for it haue his soule frozen to resist the flames of many faire eies so that hauing but one enemy we may the more easily resist him as Siluander hath done hitherto a shepheard indeede repleate with many perfections yet more happy a man may say without offence than wise for though this may in some sort proceed out of his wisedome yet this is it that I hold That it is a great happinesse neuer to haue met with a beauty that pleased him and hauing neuer found the beauty that drew him he neuer had familiarity with any shepheardesse which is the cause that he so preserues his liberty because I thinke for my part that if one loue not else-where it is impossible for him to conuerse long with an amiable beauty but he must loue it Silâ—ie answered him I haue so small knowledge in this learning that I must referre my selfe to what you say yet doe I thinke that it must be some other thing than beauty that causes loue otherwise the Lady that is loued of one should be so of all There be many answers said the shepheard to this obiection For all beauties are not seene of one eie so that as among colours there be that please some and displease others so wee may say of beauties for all eyes doe not iudge alike besides that these faire looke not on all with the same eie and one shall please such whom she indeuoureth to please and another quite contrary whom she seekes not to be pleasing vnto But aboue all these reasons mee thinkes that of Siluander was very good when one demaunded of him why he was not in loue He answered he neuer yet found his Loue-stone and when he found such an one he knew well he must infallibly loue as others did And answered Siluie whom meant he by the Loue-stone I know not replied the shepheard whether I can better instruct you For he is well studied and among vs we hold him for a man of great vnderstanding Hee sayes hee learned it from the Druydes that when the great God formed all our soules hee touched euery of them with a piece of a Loue-stone and that after he put all those pieces into a place apart and likewise those of the women after hee had touched them he locked them into another store-house by it selfe Afte when hee sent the soules into the body hee brought foorth those of women where are the loue-stones which touched those of the men and those of men to those of women and caused them to fasten each to other If there be wicked soules they take more pieces which they hide It happens that as soone as the soule is in the body and that it meeteth with it that is his loue-stone it is impossible but hee should loue and from hence proceed all the effects of loue For as for them that are beloued of many it is for that they were theeuish and had taken more pieces as for that which loues euery one and is not beloued it is for that he had his loue-stone and she had not hers Many oppositions were made when he spake these things but hee answered them all very well Among others I said But what would he say that diuers times one shepheard loues diuers shepheardesses That is said he for that the piece of loue which touched it being among others when the god mixed them brake and being in diuers pieces they all as many as there were drew to them that soule But withall marke that those persons which are taken with diuers loues loue not much that is for that these little pieces beeing separated haue not that force as if they were vnited Moreouer he said that hence it comes that we see often some in loue with others which in our eyes haue nothing amiable in them whence proceede likewise those strange loues that fall out sometimes that a Gaule bred vp among the most beautifull Ladyes came to loue a barbarous stranger It was Diaâ—e that asked him what he sayd of Tymon of Athens that neuer loued any nor any loued him His piece of loue said he either was in the great gods Store-house when he came into the world or she which had it dyed in the cradle or before that Tymon was borne or of yeeres to know her So that euer since when we see any that is not beloued wee say his piece of Loue was forgotten And what sayd he said Siluie of that that no man loued Tymon That sometimes answered Celadon the great god reckoned the stones that remained and finding the number disagreeing because some of the theeuish soules had taken more as I haue told you that hee might set the pieces in their euen number the soules which were then ready to enter into the body carried none with them And thence it comes that sometimes we see shepheardesses compleate enough which are so neglected that none loue them But the gracious Corilas asked him a question concerning himselfe at that time what hee would say of one that hauing long time loued came to leaue her and to loue another Siluander answered to this that the piece of Loue that changed was broken and that that which he first loued should haue had a greater piece than the other for whom he left her And as when we see yron betweene two loadstones suffers it selfe to be drawne by that which hath most strength so the soule leaues it selfe to bee carried by the stronger part of his loue Truely said Siluie this shepheard must be gentle hauing so good conceits but tell me I pray you what he is It will be hard for me answered Celadon to tell for himselfe knowes not yet wee hold him to be of a good house according to the iudgement that may be made of his good qualities for you must know that it is some yeeres since he came to dwell in our village with smal meanes without knowledge of himselfe but that he sayd hee came from the Lake Leman where he was bred a childe So it was that after hee was knowne euery one
all times the weakenesse of my affection So that I am enforced by your vertueite beseech you to turne this ouer-ardent passion into a moderate amitie which I entertaine with all my heart For this is not a thing impossible and that which is not so cannot be ouer-hard to me for your seruice This answer had beene sufficient to haue diuerted her if Loue had not been of the nature of powder which is then most violent when it is most restrained For against those former difficulties she opposed some sort of reason that Celion ought not so soone to leaue Bellinde it would be too great lightnesse if at the first summons hee should be gone But Time taught her to her cost to deceiue her selfe For after that day the shepheard disdained her so that he shunued her and often chose rather to be absent from Bellinde than to be forced to see her It was then that so easily she shipped her selfe on so dangerous a sea and so notable for the ordinary shipwracks of them that ventured on them and not long able to beare out this displeasure she grew so sad that shee fled from her companions and the places where in before she delighted and at last fell sicke in good earnest Her deare Bellinde went presently to see her and vnawares desired the shepheard to beare her company But as the sight of the good we cannot get doth but increase the desire so this visitation did but make Amaranthes euill worse The night being come all the shepheardesses withdrew and there stayed but Bellinde with her so sorry for the euill of her companion for she knew not what it was that she tooke no rest and when shee asked her of it for answer she had nothing but sighes Whereat Bellinde at the first being astonied in the end offended with her said I neuer thought Amaranthe had so little loued Bellinde that she could haue concealed any thing from her but by that I see I was deceiued And where as I might haue said heretofore I had a friend I may now say I loue a dissembler Amaranthe who for shame had shut vp her mouth vntill then seeing they were alone and being pressed with such an affection resolued to trie the last remedy which she thought fittest for her defence Casting from her all shame as farre off as she could twice or thrice she opened her mouth to tell her all but her words died so betweene her lippes that this was all she could do to bring foorth these broken words laying her hand ouer her eyes as not daring to looke on her to whom she spake My deare companion sayd she for so they called themselues Our amity will not suffer me to hide any thing from you knowing well that though it be told you what concernes me shal be as carefully kept secret by you as by my selfe Excuse then I beseech you the extreme error which to satisfie our amity I am constrained to discouer to you You aske me what my griefe is and whence it comes know that it is Loue borne from the perfections of a shepheard But alas at this word ouercome with shame and displeasure turning her head another way she held her peace with a torrent of teares The astonishment of Bellinde could not make her coniecture yet to giue her courage to make an end she said I did not thinke that a passion so common to all would haue brought you this trouble To loue is a thing ordinary but that it is from the perfections of a shepheard this happens but to persons of iudgement Tell me then who this happy man is Then Amaranthe taking her speech againe with a sigh drawne from the depth of her heart said But alas this shepheard loues else-where And who is he said Bellinde It is answered she since you will know your Celion I say yours my companion because I know he loues you and that this sole amity makes him disdaine mine Excuse my folly and without seeming to know it leaue me alone to complaine and endure mine euill The wise Bellinde was so ashamed when she heard this discourse of the error of her companion that though she loued Celion as well as any might be loued yet she resolued on this occasion to giue proofe of that she was not And therefore turning towards her she said Indeed Amaranthe I suffer in paine more than I can speake of to see you so transported in this affection for it seemeth our sex will not permit vs so intire an authority of loue but since you are in these termes I thanke God it lights in such a place that I may giue proofe of what I am to you I loue Celion I will not deny it as if hee were my brother But I loue you also as my sister and I wish for I know hee will obey me that he loue you more than mee rest your selfe on mee and reioyce you alone prouided you acknowledge when you are recouered what Bellinde hath beene vnto you After some other like discourse the night constrained Bellinde to withdraw leauing Amaranthe with such contentment that forgetting her sadnesse in few dayes shee recouered her former beauty In the meane time Bellinde was not without paine who studying for some meane to make her purpose knowne to Celion found at last as fit a commodity as she wished By fortune she met him as he was playing with his Ram in the great pasture where the greatest part of the shepheards fed their flockes This beast was the leader of the troopes and so well taught that he seemed to vnderstand his master when he spake to him Whereat the shepheardesse took such pleasure that she stayed long at it At last she would trie if it knew her as well as him but it was much more ready to euerie thing shee willed whereupon drawing aside from the company shee said to Celion What thinke you brother of the acquaintance betweene your Ramme and me It is the pleasantest that euer I sawe Such as it is faire shepheardesse sayd he if you will do me the honor to receiue it it is yours But you are not to wonder that he giues you all obeâ—sance for he knowes well I would else disclame him for mine hauing learned by so many songs which hee hath heard of mee as I passe vp and downe that I was more yours then mine owne This well expresses saith the shepheardesse the obedience of your Ram which I wil not receiue to to bee emploied more for you then mee but since you giue mee so intire power ouer you I will try it by ioyning to a commandement a most affectionat prayer There is nothing answered the shepheard which you may not command me Then Bellinde thinking she had found the commodity she sought for pursued her discourse thus from the day that that you assured me of your amity I iudged the same good will to be in you so also it bindeth mee to loue and honor you more then any person liuing Now though I say
was very aduised and was not ignorant of the affaires of this shepheardesse but that he had heard speech of the loue which Colion bare her suddenly entred into conceit that this flocke was his and that Bellinde went to seeke him Now though he made no doubt of the chastity of his mistris yet did he easily beleeue that shee hated him not thinking that so long a suite could not haue beene continued if shee had misliked it And to satisfie his curiosity as soone as he sawe her vnder the trees and that she could not spie him fetching a compasse somevvhat about hee hid himselfe among some bushes where hee perceiued the shepheardesse set on the turffes which were raised about the Fountaine in the fashion of seates and Celion on his knees by her What an assault receiued he at this sight Yet for that hee could not heate what they sayd hee went softly and he came so neere them that there was nothing but an hedge which compassing about the fountaine like a pale shaddowed him From that place then casting his eyes betvveene the opening of the leaues and being very attentiue withall to their discourse he heard the shepheardesse answer him And how Celion is it power or will to please me that makes you wanting in this occasion Shall this accident haue more force ouer you than the power you haue giuen me Where is your courage Celion or rather where is your amity Haue you not heeretofore ouercome for the loue you beare me greater misfortunes than these If it be so where is the affection or where is the resolution that made you doe it Would you haue me beleeue that you haue lesse now than you had then Ah shepheard consent thou rather to the shortening of my life than to the lessening of that goodwill which you haue promised me and as hitherto I haue had that power ouer you that I listed so for the time to come let nothing be able to diminish the same Ergaste heard that Celion answered her Is it possible Bellinde that you can enter into doubt of mine affection and of the power you haue of me Can you haue so great a want of vnderstanding and can the heauens be so vniust that you can forget those testimonies which I haue giuen you and that they haue suffered that I should suruiue the good opinion which you are to haue of mee You Bellinde you may call into question that which neuer any one of my actions nor of your commaundements left doubtfull At least before you take so disaduantagious opinion against me demaund of Amaranthe what she beleeues demaund the respect which makes me silent demaund of Bellinde her selfe if euer shee imagined any thing difficult that my affection did not surmount But now that I see you entirely anothers and after the end of my disappoynted loue leauing you in the armes of a more happy man than my selfe I must be gone and banish my selfe for euer from you Alas can you say it is want of affection or of will to obey you if I feele a paine more cruell than that of death How shepheardesse can you thinke I do loue you if without dying I know you another mans Will you say it should be loue and courage that make me insensible of this disaster rather in truth shall it not be neither loue nor courage to suffer this without dispaire O shepheardesse oh that you and I shall be a Fable a long while for if this weaknes which makes me vnable to liue and support this misfortune makes you doubt of my affection on the contrary that great constancy and that extreme resolution which I see in you is to me an ouer-certaine assurance of your small amity But withall why must I hope more of you when another O the cruelty of my destiny is to enioy you At this word the poore shepheard fell on the knees of Bellinde without strength or sence If the shepheardesse were touched to the quicke as well at the words as at the swowning of Celion you may iudge faire Nymph since she loued him as much as was possible and she must dissemble that she had no feeling of this dolorous separation When she saw him in a swownd and that she thought she was not heard but of the Sicomors and the water of the fountaine vnwilling to hide from them the displeasure which she had kept so secret from her companions and those whom she ordinarily sawe Alas said she wringing her hands Alas O soueraigne goodnesse take me out of this misery or out of this life for pitty either breake off my cruell disaster or let my cruell disaster breake me And there casting downe her eyes on Celion And thou sayd she ouer-faithfull shepheard which art not miserable but in that thou louest miserable me let the heauens be pleased either to giue thee the contentments thou deseruedst or to take me from the world since I am the only cause that thou sufferest the displeasures which thou meritest not And then holding her peace a while she beganne againe O how hard a thing it is to loue well and to be wise withall For I see well my father hath reason to giue mee to the wise Ergaste whether for his merits or for his substance But alas what doth this knowledge auaile me if Loue forbid mine affection to delight in him I know that Ergaste merits more and I can hope for nothing more to my benefit than to be his But how can I giue my selfe to him if Loue haue already giuen mee to another Reason is on my fathers side but Loue is for me and not a loue lately borne or that hath no power but a Loue which I haue conceiued or rather which the heauens haue caused to be borne with me which grew vp with me from my cradle and which by so long tract of time is so insinuated into my soule that it is more my soule than my soule O God! can I hope to put it off without losse of life And if I cannot vndoe it tell me Bellinde what will become of thee In bringing out these words the great teares fel from her eyes and running downe along her face wet both the hand and cheeke of the shepheard who by little and little comming to himselfe caused the shepheardesse to breake off her complaints and wiping her eyes for feare lest hee should marke it changing both her countenance and voyce she spake to him in this sort Shepheard I will confesse that I haue a feeling of your paine it may be as much as your selfe and that I cannot doubt of your goodwill vnlesse I were the most mis-vnderstanding person in the world But to what end serue this acknowledgement and those feelings since the heauens haue subiected me to him that hath giuen mee being would you haue me so to be that I disobey him But be it that affection more strong preuaile aboue duty shall we therefore Celion be at rest Is it possible if you loue me that
the Wife the rest She smiling said vnto him And how friend Lidias it seemes you haue forgotten the custome you should haue left me my part God forbid said hee wife Ameryne for it is of poyson which I haue chosen to end my life rather then to be wanting in my promise to you and in the affection which I owe to the faire Siluy O God said she is it possible as yet thinking it was her true Lidias but that hee had changed his good will during his absence and vnwilling to liue without him ran with the Cup in her hand where he was that had giuen the Wine mixed for the day before he had caused it to be made at the Apothecaries and before it was knowne what my Master said notwithstanding any forbidding of his because it was the custome they gaue her the full cup which she presently drunke of And then returning to him she said O cruell and ingratefull thou hast loued death more then me and I also loue it rather then thy refusall But if that God which hath hitherto conducted our affections doe not venge me on a soule so periured in another life I shall thinke he hath neither care to heare false oathes nor power to punish them Then euery one drew neere her to heare her reproches and it was then that Ligdamon answered her Discreete Amerine I confesse I haue offended you if I were he whom you thinke I am but beleeue me that am now at the ende of my dayes I am not Lidias I am Ligdamon and whatsoeuer errour may bee of mee at this houre I assure my selfe that time will discouer my iustice And in the meane time I rather choose death then to be wanting to the affection which I haue promised to the faire Siluy to whom I haue consecrated my life not being otherwise able to satisfie both And then hee continued O faire Siluy receiue this will which I offer you and let this last of all my actions be best receiued because it is imprinted with the best character of my faithfulnesse By little and little the poyson gained on the spirits of these two newly married so that they could hardly draw their breath when turning his eyes on me he sayd Goe my friend finish that thou hast to doe and aboue all truly recount what thou hast seene and that death is welcome to me that keepes me from offending the fidelitie which I haue vowed to the faire Siluy Siluy was the last word hee spake for with that word the faire soule parted from the body and for my part I beleeue that if euer louer were happy in the Elisian fields my maister is attending vntill he may see you againe there And how sayd Siluy is it true that Ligdamon is dead without doubt answered he O God cryed out Siluy At this word all that she could doe was but to cast her selfe on a bed for her heart fayled her and after shee had lyen somewhile with her face towards the beds head she prayed Leonide who was with her to take Ligdamons letter and to tell Egide that he should goe to her lodging because she would haue him serue her So Egide withdrew but so affected that he was couered with teares Then would loue shew one of his puissances for that Nymph that neuer loued Ligdamon while hee liued at this time when she heard of his death shewed so great a feeling that the most passionate in loue could not do more It was vpon this speech that Galathee talking to Celadon fayde that hereafter shee would beleeue it is impossible but a woman once in her life must loue some thing for this young Nymph hath vsed such cruelties towards all them that loued her that some are dead for griefe others euen of despaire haue banished themselues from her sight and especially this whom she be wailes dead she hath heretofore brought to that extremitie that without Leonide the same had befallen him then so that I would rather haue sworne loue might rather haue found place in the Ice of the coldest of the Alpes then in her heart and yet you see now whereto she is reduced Madame answered the shepheard beleeue not that it is loue it is rather pitie In truth she must be harder then euer was stone if the report which this yong man hath made haue not touched her to the quicke for I know not who would not in hearing him relate it though one had no other knowledge of him but this onely action and for my part I must say true I hold Ligdamon happyer then if he were aliue since he loued this Nymph with such affection and shee vsed him with as great rigour as I haue knowne for what greater happinesse can befall him then to ende his miseries and to enter into those felicities which doe accompany them What thinke you was his contentment to see that Siluy laments him sorrowes for him and esteemes of his affection but I meane that Siluy that hath dealt so roughly with him And then what is that which the louer desires more then to bee able to giue assurance to the party beloued of his faithfulnesse and affection and to come to this point what punishments what deaths will he refuse At this time when hee sees from the place where he is the teares of his Siluy when he heares her sight what is his happinesse and what his glory not onely for that he hath assured her of his loue but for him to be certen that she loues him O no Madame beleeue me Ligdamon hath no cause to complaine but Siluy for and in time you shall see it all that shee will represent to her selfe shall bee the ordinary actions of Ligdamon the discourse of Ligdamon his fashion his amitie his valour briefly this I dole will bee ordinarily houering about her almost like an auenger of the cruelties with which shee hath tormented that poore louer and repentance which galling her thoughts will be the executioner of the Iustice of Loue. THese speeches were so lowde and so neare Siluy that shee heard them all and that made her burst for anger for she thought them probable At last after she had endured them some while and finding her selfe too feeble to resist so strange enemies shee went out of that chamber into her owne where there were none to let her from teares For hauing shut the dore after her and prayde Leonide to leaue her alone she cast her selfe on her bed her armes acrosse her stomacke and her eyes toward heauen in her memory shee passed through all their life what affection he had alwayes shewed to her how patiently hee bore her rigours with what discretion he had serued her how long time this affection had lasted and in the end said she all this is now enclosed in a little earth And in this sorrow remembring her owne discourses her adues her impatiencies and a thousand small particularities she was constrained to say Hold thy peace memory
let the ashes of my Ligdamon be at rest since if thou thus torment me I know he will disauow thee for his and if thou be not his I care not for thee At last hauing stayed some while silent she said well the die is cast let it shorten or lengthen my life as please the gods and my destinie but I will not cease to loue the memory of Ligdamon to cherish his loue and to honour his vertues Galathee in the meane time opened the letter which yet remained in Leonides hands shee found it was thus Ligdamons Letter to Siluy IF you haue â—eâ—e offended at the presumption which hath forced me to loue my death which followes it shall reuenge it for you But if it be indifferent to you I assure myselfe that this last acte of my affection shall gaine me somewhat more in your soule If it fall out so I shall cherish there semblance of Lidias more then my birth since by it I came into the world to be too troublesome to you and by the other I goe out of it to your good liking These are without faining sayde Celadon the great reuenges of loue It is very true answered Galathee that loue leaues not an offence against himselfe vnpunished and thereof it comes that we see herein more strange accidents then in all other of mens actions But if this be so Celadon how quakâ— not you for feare and how from moment to moment expect not you the reuenging arrowes of this god And why sayd the shepheard should I feare since I am the party offended Ah Celadon said the Nymph if all things were iustly ballanced how much heauier should you finde your selfe in the offences you doe then in those you receiue This is said the shepheard this is the heape of misfortune when the afflicted man is thought happy and they can see him languish without taking pitty on him But answered the Nymph tell me shepheard among all the greatest offences doe not those of Ingratitude take the chiefe place It doth without doubt answered the shepheard Now since it is so continued Galathee how can you wash your selfe since for the great loue I shew to you I receiue from you but coldnesse and disdaine I must at last tell you thus You see shepheard being the woman I am and seeing who you are I cannot thinke but in some thing or other I haue offended Loue since he punisheth me with so many rigors Celadon was extremely sorry that he had begun this discourse for he laboured to auoid it as much as possibly hee could notwithstanding since it was done he resolued to cleare it intirely and said thus to her Madame I know not what to answer to your words except by blushing and yet Loue which makes you speake constraynes me to answer you That which you call Ingratitude in me my affection calls duty and when it pleases you to know the reason I will tell you it And what reason interrupted Galathee can you alledge but that you loue elsewhere and that your loue tyes you to it But the Law of Nature proceeds quite otherwise thâ—â— commands vs to seeke after our owne good and can you desire a greater then my amitie Who is there in all this Countrey that is as I that can doe that for you that I can These be mockeries Celadon to relye on these follies of fidelitie and constancie words which old folke and they that are become deformed haue inuented to hold in their lynes the soules which their faces set at liberty They say that all vertues are chayned together then Constancie cannot be without Prudence but should this be Prudence to disdaine a certaine good to auoid the title of inconstant Madame answered Celadon Prudence neuer teaches vs to make our profit by vniust meanes and Nature by her Lawes neuer commandâ— vs to build before we haue layed a good foundation But is there any thing more shamefull then not to keepe promise Is there any thing more nimble then the Spirit that flyes about like a Bee from flower to flower drawne with euery new sweet sauour Madame if faithfulnesse be lost what foundation can I lay in your amitie since if you follow the Law you speake of how long shall I remaine in this happinesse â—o long as you remaine in that place where there is no other man then my selfe The Nymph and the shepheard discoursed thus while Leonide withdrew to her chamberâ— to make a dispatch to Lindamor who in the end was to come backe with all diligence that nothing should stay him otherwise he was to despaire of all things And the morning that Flurial came backe after shee had giuen him the Letter shee said to him See Flurial it is now that I shall by your diligence know the loue which you beare to Lindamor for delay can bring him no lesse then death Be gone then or rather flye and bid him come with all speed and as he returnes let him goe the direct way to Adamas his house for that I haue wonne him intirely for him and when hee is here hee shall know the most notorious Treason of Loue which was euer yet inuented but he must come vnknowne to any if it be possible Thus parted Flurial so desirous to serue Lindamor that hee would not returne to his Aunts house that he might not lose the least time and would haue no occasion to send him whom Lindamor had dispatched defirous to doe the seruice himselfe So passed ouer three or foure dayes during which time Celadon found himselfe so amended that hee almost felt no more of his disâ—ase and alreadie began to thinke the returne of the Druide to bee long for the hope he had to be goâ—â—â—rom that place And to shorten the ouer-long dayes hee went oftentimes to walke in the Garden and sometimes into the great Wood of the high growne Trees but neuer without being accompanied by one of the Nymphs and often by all three The humour of Siluy was it that pleased him best as more sympathizing with his owne therefore hee sought her out as often as hee could It fell out one day all foure being abroad to walke they passed by the great Denne of Damon and of Fortune and because the entrance seemed faire and made with great Art the shepheard demaunded what it was to whom Galathee answered Would you see shepheard one of the greatest proofes that Loue hath made of his power of long time And what is it answered the shepheard That is said the Nymph the loâ—es of Mandrake and of Damon for for the shepheardesse Fortune it is a thing ordinarie And who is replyed the shepheard this Mandrake If by the Worke said Galathee one may know the Workeman to make good that I say you will iudge shee is one of the greatest Magicians of Gaule for it is she that by her enchantment hath made this Den and diuers other rarities which are hereabout And entring in the shepheard stood rauished with consideration of
onely rest for they are couched on the foure feete and haue their nose along their forefeet holding alwayes their eyes open as curiously as a man can But let vs see the other Table The second Table BEhold the second Table which is cleane contrary to the former for if that were full of Neglect this is full of Loue if that shew nothing but Pride in this appeares nothing but sweetnesse and submission and loe here the cause Marke this Shepheardesse set against a bush how faire she is and neatly attired her haire raised vp before sporting at libertie ouer her shoulders it seemes the wind enuies nature by his blowing makes them frizle in a round but being iealous of the small loues which they finde hid and which goe bewraying their wearinesse it will disperse them And indeede see some of them carried by force others which foulding into knots which they haue made and others which assay to returne but cannot so much is their yet enfeebled wing contraried by the importunitie of Zephirus This is the faire shepheardesse Fortune of whom Loue would serue himselfe to do the vengeance promised against Damon who is the shepheard that you see by her leaning on his shephooke Consider these little loues which are all busied about them and how attentiue euery one is about that he doth Behold one that takes the measure of the browes of the shepheardesse and giues it to another that with his knife markes his bow that he may compasse the like at his returne And see another that hauing stolne some haires of this faire of so faire theft would make a string for his companions bow See how he is set on the ground how he hath tyed one end of his string to his great toe which giues backe a little as being too hard drawne Marke how to twist it the better another brings him a handfull of a louers teares for him to wet his fingers Consider how he holds the raines I know not how twisted that vnder the right arme you may see the half appeare before though he shew all behind the right shoulder Behold another that hauing put a string to one of the nockes of his bow that he might do the like in the other bowes downe on that side to the earth and with his left knee bends the bow against his stomack and giues vpward with his left hand and with his right endeauours to make the string slide to the bottome Cupid is a little higher whose left hand holds his bow holding the right as yet behind his eare as if he newly had let his arrow slip for see him with rest vp his arme drawne backe the three former fingers wide open and stretched out and the other two drawne into his hand and indeed his shot was not in vaine for the shepheard was so wounded that death ouely could heale it But behold a little on the other side and you shall see this Aâ—teros which with chaines of roses and flowers tyes the armes and necke of this faire shepheardesse Fortune and then puts them into the hands of the shepheard this is to make vs know that desert loue and seruices of that louely shepheard which are figured by these flowers bindes Fortune to a reciprocall loue towards him But if you thinke it strange that Auteros is represented here greater then Cupid know that this is to shew you that loue that growes from loue is alwayes greater then that whence it proceeds But let vs pasie to the third The third Table THen Adamas went on See your faire riuer of Lignon see where it takes a double head the one comming from the mountaines of Coruieres the other from them of Chalmasel which come to ioyne a little aboue the marchant towne of Bâ—ing How well are these passages made and the winding shores of this riuer with these little Elder trees that grow there ordinarily Know you not this wood which confines on this great pasture where most vsually the lasie shepheards vse to feed their flocks Mee thinkes that great tust of trees on the left hand this little byas which creepes on the left side and this halfe moone which makes the riuer on this corner may well set it before your eyes that if it bee not at this present altogether alike it is not for that the table is false but for that some trees since that time are dead others growne vp that the riuer in some places hath gotten and in other is beaten backe and yet no great change Now marke a little lower along Lignon see a flocke of sheepe in the shadow how some of them chaw the cud and others hold their nose to the ground to draw out the freshnesse This is Damons flocke that you may see if you turne your eyes hitherward in the water to the middle Consider how these yong lopped trees doe hide it from the beames of the sunne and yet seeme to to reioyce that other besides themselues may see it And yet the sunne is so curious that he finds passage betweene some of their leaues for some of his beames Note how well this shadow and this brightnesse is represented But certainly it must be confessed that this shepheard cannot be surpassed in beautie Consider the draughts and proportions of his face his stature strait and tall his flanke round his brest hie and see if he haue any imperfection yet some what stooping to serue himselfe of the water and with his right hand he rubs his left arme so it is he doth doth not that action that may hinder the knowledge of his perfect beautie Now cast your eye on the other side the riuer if you be not afraid to looke on the deformed in her perfection as in his owne you haue seene the faire for among these fearefull bryars you may see the magician Mandrake be holding the shepheard in his bath Behold her clothed almost in despite of them that looke on her haire spread one arme naked her gowne on one side trussed vp aboue her knee I think she comes to some in chantment But iudge here the effect of a beauty This olde Crone that you see so wrinkled that euery moment of her life hath set a furrow in her face leane little al gray her haire halfe cut all crooked and for age fitter for the coffin then to liue is not ashamed to doate on this yong shepheard If loue come by simpathy as they say I know not how it may bee found betweene Damon and her See what countenance she makes in her extasie Shee thrusts out her head with her long necke shrugs vp her shoulders holds downe her armes at length and her hands clasped in her lap and the sport is when shee thought to smile she made a mouth So it is that such as she is yet forbeares she not to seeke the loue of this faire shepheard Now rayse vp your eyes a little and see within that cloud Venus and Cupid who beholding this new louer seeme to laugh outright
these three accidents at the comming of Amasis at the surprisall of Galathee and at your quicke inuention Shepheard sayd she that which I do proceedes of the good will I haue to rid you of your paine and would to God all the rest of your contentment would sort as luckily as this doth then you should know how much good I wish you For requitall of so great an obligation answered the shepheard I can but offer you the life which you haue preserued with such discourses they entertained themselues till Merill came into the chamber and seeing Celadon almost ready he was rauished and sayd There is no body that can know him and I that am all day with him would not beleeue it is he vnlesse I saw him dressing Celadon answered him who told you I was disguised Thus it was answered he My Lady who commanded me to call you Lucinde and that I should say you are the kinswoman of Adamas and sent me presently to the Druide to let him know it who could not forbeare laughter when he heard it and he promised me to do as my Lady had appointed See that all things goe well sayd the shepheard and take heed you forget not your selfe In the meane time Amasis being come out of her charriot met Galathee at the stayres foote with Siluy and Adamas Daughter sayd she you haue bene ouer long in your solitarinesse I must recreate you a little specially for that newes which I haue seene from Clidaman and Lindamor doe reioyce me that I can enioy it no longer alone therefore came I vnto you to giue you a part and desire to haue you goe with me to Marcellis where I will haue bonefires made for so good newes I thanke God answered Galathee for so great happinesse and I beseech God to keepe you yet an age longer but indeed Madame the place is so pleasing to me that it makes mee sorry to leaue it It shall not bee long replyed Amasis but because I will not goe backe till toward night let vs go walke and I will tell you al that I haue learned Then Adamas kissed her robe and sayd your newes madame must be good since to tell them to my Lady your daughter you came abroad so early It is two or three daies sayd Amasis since I receiued them and suddenly resolued to come hither for me thinks I cannot ioy at such contentment alone and indeed the thing deserues to be knowne With such discourse she descended into the garden where beginning to walke hauing Galathee on the one side and Adamas on the other she went on in this sort The history of Lidias and Melander COnsidering the strange accidents which happen by Loue mee â—hinks we are almost constrained to confesse that if Fortune haue many wheeles to aduance and cast downe to turne and change humane things the wheele of loue is that with which she often serues her turne for there is nothing that yeelds so many changes as this passion of Loue. The examples are alwayes so common before our eyes that it should be superfluous to tell them Yet must you confesse when you haue heard what I will I say that this accident is one of the most remarkable that yet you haue euer heard told You know how Clidaman by lot became seruant to Siluy and how Guimaâ—â—es by the letter which he brought from his brother became likewise amorous I assure my selfe since that time you cannot be ignorant of the designe that made them both depart so secretly to seeke out Meroue nor that I might not leaue Clidaman alone in a place so farre off I sent after him vnder the charge of Lindamor a company of yong knights of this country but you can hardly know what befell them since their departure and that is it which I will now tell you for there is nothing more worthy to be knowne As soone as Clidaman came to thearmy Guimantes who was well knowne there brought him to kisse the hands of Meroue and Childericke and without shewing who he was only gaue them to vnderstand that he was a yong knight of a good house that desired to serue them They were receiued with open armes and especially for comming in a time when their enemies had renued their forces and taking good courage had threatned to giue battell But when Lindamor was come and that they knew what Clidaman was the honour and welcome which they did him cannot be told for within two or three fights he was so famous that both his friends and enemies knew him and esteemed of him Among other prisoners which he and Guimantes tooke for commonly they went together in all enterprises they found a youth of great Brittaine so faire but so sad that it wrought pittie in Clidaman and because the longer he remained in captiuitie the more appeared his sorrow one day he caused him to be called before him and after he had enquired of his estate and condition he asked the occasion of his sadnesse saving that if it proceeded of his imprisonment he must like a man of courage beare such accidents and he was to thanke the heauens that had prouided hee should fall into their hands since hee was in a place where he should receiue nothing but curtesie and the delay of his libertie proceeded but from the command of Merouâ— who had forbidden that the prisoners should as yet be ransomed and when he would giue them leaue he should see what their curtesie was This yong man thanked him yet was not able to forbeare fighing whereat Clidaman somewhat more moued demanded the cause to whom he answered Sir knight this sadnesse which you see painted in my face and these sighes which steale so often from my brest proceed not of this prison you speak of but of another which binds me more stâ—aightly for time and ransome may free mee from this but from the other there is nothing but death that can â—â—deeme mee And I am resolued to beare it with patience if I did not foresee an ouer-speedie end not by my death onely but the losse of that partiâ— that keepes me in so strait hold Clidaman knew well by his words that it was Loue whereof he laboured and by the experience which he had found in himselfe considering the disease of his prisoner he tooke such pittie on him that he assured him his liberty the soonest hee could possibly knowing well by proofe that they be the passions and disquietnesses that accompany the person that truly loues Since faid he you know that it is Loue and that your courtesie binds me to beleeue that the knowledge you may haue of me shall not make you change your good will to the end you may iudge of the cause which I haue to complayne of or rather to despayre of seeing the euill so neere and the remedy so farre so you will promise me not to discouer it I will tell you things which without doubt will astonish you and when he had promised
rather his owne destruction then to see himselfe so much obliged made some difficultie But Melandre came toward him and told him in his care Lidias be gone trouble not your selfe for me I haue a meane to get out of prison very easily when I will and if you will doe any thing for me I pray you goe serue Meroue and particularly Clidaman who is the cause that you are at liberty and tell him that it is for my sake that you came to him And is it possible said Lidias that I should goe before I know who you are I am answered she the sad Knight and this shall suffice till you haue better opportunitie to know more So went Lidias away with a resolution to serue the King of the Franks since hee to whom hee twice ought his life would haue it so But in the meane time Lipandas expressely commaunded that Melandre should be well guarded and put her into a Denne with yrons on her hands and feet resoluing to let her lye there till shee dyed through miserie Iudge in what case this young maid was and what complaints she might make against Loue Her food was vile and her lodging fearefull and all other discommodities great that if her affection had not supported these things it is impossible but shee must haue dyed But in the meane time the rumor spred throughout all Normandy that Lidias by the meanes of his friend was deliuered from the prison at Callais and that he was gone to serue the King Meroue this was the cause that his banishment was renewed and he declared Traytor to his Countrey Yet hee forbare not to come to the Campe of the Franks where searching for the Tent of Clidaman it was shewed him As soone as he saw it and that Lindamor and Guymantes spyed him they ran to embrace him but with such affection and such courtesie that he was astonied for they all tooke him for Ligdamon that a little before was lost in the battaile which they had against the Normans whom he so much resembled that all they that knew Ligdamon were deceiued In the end being knowne to be Lidias the friend of Melandre he led him to Meroue where in the presence of them all Lidias discoursed to the King the story of his prison as you haue heard and the courtesie which he had twice receiued of that vnknowne Knight and at last the commaundement which hee gaue him to come and serue him and particularly Clidaman Then Clidaman after the King had entertained him and thanked him for his loue said Is it possible Lidias you know not him that fought and is in prison for you No truely sayd he Behold sayde hee the strangest mistaking that I euer heard spoken of haue you euer seene one resemble him Not as I remember sayd Lidias all astonished Then will I tell the king sayd Clidaman an history the most worthy of compassion that euer loue wrought And thereupon hee began the discourse which Lidias had told that he went into great Brittaine of the contents he found there whereto he adioyned very discreetly the loue of Melandre of the promises he made of the carrying her into Normandie with him if he were constrained to goe of his flight and lastly of his imprisonment at Callais The poore Lidias was so astonished to heare such particularities of his life that he knew not what to thinke But when Clidaman repeated to him the resolution of Melandre to set on her voyage and her attiring her selfe like a man to giue his friends knowledge of it and after to arme and enter in close field against Lipandas and the fortunes of the two combats there was not one of the hearers that was not rauished and much more when he ended all that which I haue tolde you O Gods cryed out Lidias is it possible that mine eyes haue beene so blinded what is there for mee to doe to free my selfe of this obligation There is nothing more sayde Clydaman then to hazard for her that which she hath preserued in you That added Lidias with a deepe sigh me thinks it is but a small thing if the intire affection which she beares me be accompanyed with mine owne In the meane time that they had this discourse they which heard Clidaman said that this maid alone deserued to haue this great Army to assaile Callais In truth sayde Meroue I will neglect all other things rather then not get the libertie to a Lady so vertuous and wee know not how our armes may bee better employed then in such seruice The euening being come Lidias goeth to Clidaman and discouers to him that hee had an infallible enterprise on Callais which hee had noted during the time hee was prisoner that if they would giue him souldiers without doubt he would put them into the towne This aduice being reported to Meroue it was found so good that he resolued to send him So there were giuen him fiue hundred archers conducted by two hundred men at armes to execute this enterprise The conclusion was for I cannot tell you all the businesse Callais was taken Lipandas prisoner and Melandre freed out of captiuitie But I know not how nor why hardly was the tumult of the taken town ceased but it was noted that Lidias and Melandre were gone so that since is vnknowne what is become of them Now during all these things the poore Ligdamon hath been more tormented for Lidias then may well be told for being prisoner in the hands of the Normans he was taken for Lidias and as soone condemned to death Clidaman so wrought that Meroue sent them two Heralds at Armes to let them know how they deceiued themselues but the assurance which Lipandas had newly giuen them made them passe it ouer without giuing credit to Meroue So behold Ligdamon put into the Cage of the Lyons where it is said hee did more then a man might doe but without doubt he had dyed had it not been that a very faire Lady had demaunded him for Husband The custome which permits it to be so saued him for that time but shortly after hee dyed for louing Siluy with such an affection that it would not suffer him to marry any other then her hee rather made choise of a Tombe then that faire Dame so that when they would marry him he poysoned himselfe and she that beleeued it was indeed Lidias who heretofore had loued her so dearely poysoned her selfe also with the same potion So is the poore Ligdamon dead with such lamentation of euery one that there is none among his enemies but bewayles him But that is a gracious reuenge wherewith Loue hath punished the cruell Lipandas for calling to his remembrance the vertue the beautie and the affection of Melandre he is become so farre in loue with her that poore as hee is hee takes no consolation but in speaking of her My sonne sends me word that he doth what he can to get him out of prison and that he hopes to obtaine it
worlds â—â—crâ—ts tâ—â—s shepheard was seruant to Astrea and that which hindred them from marriage was the hatred of their parents And how sayde they replâ—ed Celadon was this shepheard lost They tell it sayd he in diuers soâ—ts some in speaking after their opinion others according to apparances and others after the report of some and so it is told diuersly for my part I came into that coast the same day that he was lost and I remembred I saw euery one so disquieted with that accident that there was no man that could giue me a good account At last and that is the more common opinion because Phillis Astrea and Licidas themselues told it so being layd to sleepe on the riuers banke he must needs fall in and indeede the faire Astrea did the like but her cloathes saued her Celadon then iudged that they three had wisely found this inuention lest they might giue occasion to many to speake some euill of it and was well pleased for hee had alwayes feare that they would suspect somewhat to the disgrace of Astrea and therefore holding on his demands But sayd he what thinke they is become of him That he is dead answered the desolate shepheard and assure your selfe that Astrea carries howsoeuer she dissemble such a loade of griefe that it is incredible how much they say she is changed Yet as it is if Diana be not a let shee is the fayrest of all those that euer I saw my deare Cleon excepted but those three may goe ioyntly Euery other man added Celadon will say as much of his mistresse for Loue hath this property not to shut vp the eyes as some beleeue but to change the eyes of them that loue into the loue it selfe and for that there were neuer soule loues neuer shall a louer finde his mistresse foule That answered the shepheard would haue serued well if I had loued Astrea and Diana but being not capable of it I am a iudge without exception And you that doubt of the beautie of these two shepheardesses are you a stranger or doth hatred make you commit an error so contrary to that which you say proceeds from loue I am neither of them sayd Celadon but indeede the most miserable and most afflicted shepheard in the world That wil I neuer yeeld to vnlesse you put me out of the number for if your euill come from any other thing then loue your stripes are not so grieuous as mine for that the hart being the most sensible part we haue we feel more to the quick the offences of it But if your euill proceede of loue yet must it giue place to mine since of all the euils of loue there is none like to that which hath no hope hauing heard say long agoe where hope may onely licke the sore it is not ouer grieuous Now this hope may mingle it selfe in all those accidents of loue be it disdaine be it anger bee it iealousie be it absence except where death takes place For that pale goddes with her fatall hand cuts off hope at one blow when the thred of life is broken But I more miserable then all others most miserable I go bewayling an euill without remedy and without hope Celadon then answered him with a great sigh Shepheard how are you deceiued in your opinion I will confesse that the greatest euils are those of loue thereof I am too faithfull a witnesse but to say that they that are without hope are the most grieuous so farre is it that they meriâ—e not to be felt at all for it is an act of folly to be waile a thing that cannot be remedied And loue what is it answered hee but a purefolly I will not replyed Celadon enter now into that discourse because I would finish the former But tell me bewayle you this death for loue or no It is answered he for loue Now what is this loue fayd Celadon but as I haue heard it sayd of Siluander and the most vnderstanding of our shepheards but a desire of the beautie which we finde to be such It is true sayd the stranger But replyed Celadon is this a thing in a man reasonable to desire a thing he cannot haue No certainly sayd hee Now you may see sayd Celadon how the death of Cleon ought to bee the remedy of your euills for since you confesse that desire ought not to be where hope cannot reach and that loue is nothing but desire death which by that which you say depriues you of all hope should by consequent put from you all desire and desire dying it should draw away loue into same coffin and hauing no more of loue since the euill you complained of is fallen I know not how you can feele it The desolate shepheard answered Be it loue or hatred so it is that it is truer then I can tell you that my euill is most extreme And for that Celadon would haue replyed hee that could not abide to be contradicted in that opinion thinking that if hee endured to heare the contrary reasons he should offend the ashes of Cleon saide shepheard that which is vnder â—ence is more certaine then that which is in opinion therefore all the reasons which you alledge are to giue place to that I feele And thereupon commends him to Pan and takes another way and Celadon likewise passeth ouer the riuer and because solitude hath this propertie to represent most liuely either ioy or sadnesse being alone he beganne to be so handled for the time by his fortune and loue that he had no cause of torment in him which was not before his eyes He was exempted onely of iealousie yet with such sorrowes that if that monster had taken hold on him I know not what armieâ— had beene able to haue faued him In these sad thoughts holding on his pace hee found the bridge ouer which being passed hee went against the riuer not knowing which way to take for in any case hee would obey the commandement of Astrea who had forbid him to come in her sight vntill she bad him At last being come neare Boulieu inhabited by the vestals hee was as surprised with shame for comming so neare vnwares from whence his resolution commanded him to go and minding to turne he thrust into a wood so large and in some paâ—t so fennie that hâ— could hardly get out this constrained him to draw nearer the riuer for the grauell was lesse trouble some to him then the mudde By fortune being weary of the long way he went about seeking a place wherein he might rest attending till the night might giue him leaue to withdraw himselfe without meeting of any body purposing to go so far where they might neuer heare news of him he cast his eye on a caue which on the side of the entry was washed by the riuer and on the other side was halfe couered with some trees and bushes which by their thicknesse tooke the sight of him from them that passed along that way and
he himselfe had not heeded it had it not been that being constrayned to passe along the Riuer hee found himselfe before the entry whither by fortune being got vp and thinking hee might there be well hidden till night the place pleased him so well that he resolued to passe the rest of his sorrowfull and disasterous dayes there hauing a purpose all the day long not to goe from the hollow of that Caue In this de liberation he beganne to trimme it the best he could sweeping out all the rubbish which the riuer being great had brought in It was nothing but a little rocke which the water being strong had made hollow by little and little and that with great â—ase because that hauing at the beginning found it grauily and tender it was easily vndermined so that the diueâ—s hollowes which the enforced water had made rounded it as if it had purposely bene done Afterward being to lie downe it serued for a bed which was not aboue three or foure paces off The roome might be some sixe or seuen paces long and because it was round it had the greater bredth It was a little higher then a man yet in some places there hung downe some points of the Rocke which the shepheard by throwing grauell stones at it by little and little broke off and because by chance it was found hardest at the bottome the water had not made it â—â—llow in many corners which gaue Celadon cause breaking with little paine the coynes that were highest to make a place for a Bed made out in the hardest of the Rocke which afterwards he couered with mosse which was a great commoditie to him for that when it rayned foundly vpon his Caue which was of a tender Rocke it was pierced through by the water so that he had no other place dry but that delicious Bed Being in short time fitted in this manner he put off his Coat and his Wallet and other Weeds which troubled him most and tying them together layed them on the bed with his Pipe which alwayes he bare in fashion of a Scarfe but stripping himselfe by chance there fell a paper on the ground which he knew full well to come from the faire Astrea This remembrance being hindered by nothing which might draw him other where for nothing was presented to his eyes but the course of the Riuer had such power ouer him that there was no trouble befallen him since his banishment that came not into his memory At last raysing himselfe from these thoughts as from a sound sleepe hee came to the doore of the Caue where vnfolding the deare Paper which he had in his hand after a thousand ardent and amorous kisses he said Ah deare Paper heretofore the cause of my contentment and now the occasion of renewing my sorrowes how is it possible that you should keepe in you the conceit of her that writ you without changing it since the good will which then was there is so changed that she and I are no more that we were wont to be Oh what fault is this A thing without spirit is constant and the most faire of spirits is not so At this word hauing opened it the first thing that presented it selfe was the cypher of Astrea ioyned with his owne This put him in minde of his happinesse passed so liuely in his spirit that the griefe to see himselfe so fallen almost brought him to the terme of despayre Ah cyphers said he witnesses too certaine of the misfortune wherein for hauing beene ouer-happy I now finde my selfe how are not you separated to follow the minde of my faire shepheardesse for if heretofore she hath vnited you it was in a time when our spirits were much more but now when our disaster hath so cruelly separated vs how cyphers most happy remaine you so together It is as I thinke to shew that the Heauens may rayne downe on me all their disasterous influences but neuer can make my will differing from Astreas Hold on then O faithfull cyphers that symbole of my intentions to the end that after my last houre which I wish may be as ready as the first moment that I shall breath you may manifest to all those that shall see you of what qualitie was the loue of the most vnfortunate shepheard that euer loued And it may be it will happen if at the least the Gods haue not lost all remembrance of me that after my death for my satisfaction that faire may find you and beholding you she shall acknowledge that she did as great wrong to thrust me from her as shee had reason to tye you together At this word hee sat downe on a great stone which hee had drawne from the Riuer to the entry of his Denne and after he had wiped away his teares he red the Letter which was thus The Letter of Astrea to Celadon GOd permit Celadon that the assurance which you giue me of your loue may continue as long with me as I yeeld supply of affection to you and to beleeue that I hold you more deare then if you were my brother and that euen to my Tombe I shall be yours These few words of Astrea were cause of much euill to Celadon for after he had often red them he was so farre from finding any asswagement that on the contrary it did but more enuenome his soare so that it called to his memory by one and by one all the fauours this shepheardesse had done him which made him lament so dolefully that had not the night come vpon him hee could hardly haâ—e giuen truce to his eyes which rayned downe that which the tongue bewayled and the heart fuffered But the darkenesse causing him to goe into his Caue interrupted for some while his sad thoughts and permitted his body wearied with his sorrowes and with the length of the way to take some rest at least by sleepe Now twice had the day giuen place to the night before this shepheard remembred to eate for his sad thoughts busied him so and the melancholy so filld his stomacke that he had no appetite to other victuals then that which the remembrance of his sorrowes could prepare softened with so many teares that his eyes seemed two heads of Fountaines and had it not beene for feare of offending the Gods in suffering his owne death and much rather that of loosing by his death that faire Idea which hee had of Astrea in his heart without doubt he would haue beene glad so to end the sad course of his life But seeing himselfe so restrayned he goes to the Wallet which Leonide had well furnished the prouision whereof lasted him many dayes for he did eate as little as he could At last he was forced to runne to hearbes and to the rootes that were most tender He found not farre off a Fountaine which abounded with Water-Cresses which was his most certaine and delicious foode for knowing where to finde that with which he might liue he employed his time but on his sad thoughts and they gaue him so faithfull companie that as they could not be without him so no more could he be without them So long as the day lasted if he saw no body about his little Lodging he would walke along on the grauell and there he often engraued on the tender barkes of young Trees the subiect of his sorrowes sometimes his cypher and Astreas and when hee alighted on them interlaced together suddenly he would deface them and say Thou deceiuest thy selfe Celadon this is no more the season that these cyphers were allowed thee The more constant thou art the more to thy disaduantage are all things changed Deface deface miserable man that ouer-happie testimonie of thy good time passed and if thou wilt set downe with thy cypher that which pleases her most set downe thy marke of teares of paines and of death With such speeches Celadon reprehended himselfe if at any time he forgetâ— himselfe in his thoughts But when the night comes it is then that all his displeasures touch him to the quicke in his memory for darkenesse hath this propertie that it makes the imagination more strong Moreouer he neuer returned home but when it was farre night if the Moone shone he passed the night vnder some Trees where often ouercome with sleepe before he was aware he found himselfe the next morning So went this sad Shepheard drawing on his life which in few dayes made him so pale and leane that one might hardly know him and himselfe sometimes going to drinke at the next Fountaine was astonied when hee saw his Figure in the Water as beeing brought to that passe that hee could not long liue His beard could not make him looke grimme for hee had none as yet but his hayre which was much growne the leanenesse which had changed the roundenesse of his face and made his nose long and sadnesse which had driuen out of his eyes that liuely brightnesse which at other times had made him so gracious now made him become quite other then he was wont to be Ah if Astrea had seene him in that case what ioy and contentment would the paine of that faithfull Shepheard haue giuen her knowing by so assured a testimonie how truly she was beloued of the most faithfull and most perfect Shepheard of Lignon FINIS