she has kept her faith without the least stain though she hath since had so many occasions to hate you she has still continued her love to you and entertaines in her soul those assurances which you gave unto her and though she has had many inducements to cast you quite off yet her heart would never consent unto it being resolved rather to part from her life then those pledges which you gave her of your fidelity These eyes which have been so often idolized by the young Alcidon have been witnesses of many a teare shed for your long absence when I remembred your young promises which now I find to be so false for you never had the least sparke of memory or thought of her unto whom you promised eternal memory Oh Alcidon you shall heare how I have lived since the death of the great King unto whom both you and I were so much obliged and you will confesse if you be not the most unjust man that ever breathed that your silence hath made you unworthy of love but that my affection is still greater then your offence Then she began to repeat all passages since the beginning of our separation unto this meeting not omitting any circumstance that argued my oblivion wherewith she accused me and on the other side to testifie the memory she had of me she related all the remarkable actions that I had done and after a long repetition of them at which I was amazed that she should know so many particulars I perceive said she that you are amazed I should relate your own life unto you but had you beene as you ought I should have come to the knowledge of them from your selfe and not from others which argues a defect in your affection and your silence is a signe of your shameful forgetfulnesse She had continued thus upbraiding me and in relating both her own life and mine very near two hours and would not suffer me to open my mouth in my own defence nor to answer her At last this offended beauty finding some proofe of the power which she had over me she began to change her countenance and language Now Alcidon said she I permit you to speak being contented with two hours silence in my presence in exchange of two yeares voluntary silence in my absence It argues your abundant goodnesse said I unto her and smiled that you will thus change years into hours Your crime is such replyed she that no punishment can equall it but I will shew my selfe as merciful as I am able to punish you if I will Madam said I unto her I should kisse your faire hands by way of thankes for such extraordinary favours were I not afraid I should be perceived but I lay my heart at your feet in testimony of my gratitude I doe most ingenuously confesse Madam the fault wherewith you charge me But if your goodnesse would be pleased to let me tell you the occasion and reason why I was so long silent perhaps you would thinke me as worthy of commendations as of blame Since I have pardoned you said she and given you leave to speake you may say what you please and I wish you may shew such reasons as may perswade me that you are in no fault Let me say then continued I that you may well conceive I grieved extreamly at the death of a Master who loved me so exceedingly and raised me by his favours above the reach of all Court Envy Now I should have extreamly offended against his memory and the offence would have been thought high ingratitude if I should have entertained the least kind of contentment in my soule Times of mourning injoynes us unto sad habits and forbids any thing of joy or content Now the poor and disconsolate Alcidon was forbidden all manner of happinesse and deprived himselfe of all that came from you Madam who was and is his only joy and felicity To satisfie then both my duty and my affection I made choice of so bidding my selfe the honour of hearing from you to the end nothing should divert me from my sadnesse which was then seasonable But Loves knowes and that miserable heart which loves and adores you knowes that in the midst of my bitter sorrowes none grieved me so much as that I was distanced from your presence and memory Two things principally may argue the truth of this unto you First if I had not truly loved you my age would not have permitted me to live so long amongst so many faire Ladies without love Secondly as soone as I had in some sort forgotten my sorrowes for my great losse my continuall thoughts of you would never let me be in quietnesse untill I had the honour of seeing you The danger of the journey nor the distance from the great Euricke whose favours shine upon me as fast as those did from Thorismond could not hinder me Now Madam I prostrate my selfe at your feet resigning unto you all my affections all my thoughts my heart and soule beseeching you to receive them not as any new offering or fresh acquisition but as yours from my infancy my Destiny my Master and my heart did give me unto you I shall receive your excuse said she unto me as they use to receive a debt from a bad pay-master though the money be a little too light and I will beleeve what you say upon condition that none of your future actions give me any cause of doubt When I would have answered I was hindred by the Lady of the house who came to tell us it was Supper time therefore we referred the rest of our discourse till after it was done And it was no sooner ended but I out of civility falling into discourse with one of her Sisters she came unto us and having separated me a little from the rest we fell into talke where we left with so much contentment unto me that I must needs confesse my joyes were never greater Thus we spent part of the night at last bed time forcing us to part we advised upon a more safe place of meeting and being constrained to depart in the morning it was now long before we could resolve upon the place At the last she said unto me but in a very doubtfull manner I am loath Alcidon to put you into any danger but since you are so urgent upon it I will tell you that I have a Sister married within five or six Leagues of this place where we might very well meet were it not that my brother in law is an Enemy unto King Euricke yet were there no other difficulty but that we might find a remedy but as ill lucke is he hath invited a great Company to the marriage of one of his Sisters so as all things seeme contrary unto us I do not think there is one of any quality in all the Province which is not an enemy unto the King your Master I must confesse Father I found much danger this way but when I considered
with an ill will and she remained alone with no less displeasure for though till then she never had the least resentment of Love yet these last expressions infused strange imaginations into her fancy and presently after considering upon the merits and perfections of the young Andrimartes and calling into memory the expressions of his particular good will unto her Love did begin so gently to scratch the skin that it became such an itch as by degrees became a wound incurable As soon as ever Andrimartes could steal away from Childerick he returned to Silviana begging a thousand pardons for leaving her alone and excusing it with the force which that young Prince used unto him I cannot blame him answered Silviana nor your friends for desiring the happiness of your company Oh Madam answered Andrimartes that you would rank your self in that number and think it a happiness to have my company Do you doubt of either replied Silviana No no Andrimartes you have merits enow to make all become your friends and desire your company and I have known you too long not to esteem them accordingly Madam answered he I should think this evening the happiest time of all my life could I think the Fair Silviana did ever daign to cast her Fair eye upon my actions and if I could have any assurance in what you are now pleased to say The young Silviana not dreaming that Love would oblige a heart to give it self away but thinking it only a piece of pleasing complaisance and delight in the company of one person with another she did believe that Andrimartes did Love her and also did intend to Love him as a Sister may Love a Brother or a Daughter a Father and therefore according to the innocency of her age and simplicity of her soul she answered him thus Be assured Andrimartes that I do really Love you and whereas you desire to have some assurance of my words I will most willingly give it protesting unto you that I do not Love any Brother so well as I do you Andrimartes who was older and more capable of Love then she did know very well that all this was but the words of a child yet thinking that he had already brought her to a very good passe he contented himself for that time hoping that time and continuance of his Courtship would work this innocent Love into such a perfect affection as he desired and therefore taking her hand he kissed it and with a smiling look said Now Madam do I think my self the most happy and best contented man alive since I have received this declaration from you which I desire above all the world only one thing more I beseech you Madam let me beg which is that you will be constant unto this assurance which you have given me and that you will be pleased to let me bear the name of your Brother and to call you Sister as an obligation unto us to continue in this amity With all my heart answered the young Lady and I do promise to Love and esteem you as much as if you were my Brother Andrimartes would have answered had it not began to rain which caused them both to remove however since that day he courted this young and Fair Lady so close as by degrees he taught her know that Love was not to be confined by the Laws of Friendship nor kept within compass of a meer good will for in a few days she loved him in such a height as she perceived it to be a thing impossible for her to make a retreat So as one day when she met him upon the banks of Seine where Methina according to her custom was walking and taking an occasion to retire themselves under a shade of Trees she said thus unto him Do you remember brother for so she called him what discourse we had in this place when I engraved my name upon the bark of yonder Tree Doubtless I do Sister answered Andrimartes and shall remember it as long as I live no time is able to desace it out of my memory for it was then I received my greatest hopes of happiness from you What did I then say replied she which gave you so much contentment These Madam answered he were your own words Be assured Andrimartes that I do really Love you Brother said Silviana will you have me confess the truth unto you I would have you believe said she and smiled that when I spoke those words I knew not what I said how Sister replied he presently not know what you said Certainly I did not answered she for how could I give you assurance of a thing which I was ignorant of and did not know Then said he unto her you did deceive me 'T is true indeed said Silviana I did deceive you but it was when I was first deceived my self for I must confess that when I said I did Love you I did not know what it was to Love and yet the good will which I had unto you did make me think it was Love which was only a childish kind of an inclination Andrimartes hearing her say so he was a little startled fearing that she intended to break her promise with this excuse But she who had other intentions seeing him so mute and suspecting the cause of his silence Brother said she be not troubled at what I say for it is only to give you a fuller assurance of that affection which I have unto you let me tell you now that I am more knowing then I was then and am better able to discern your merits and affection to me I know now what it is to Love not only as a Brother but as Andrimartes and knowing this I do protest unto you that I do Love you as well as you ought to desire Andrimartes hearing this welcom expression kneeled down upon the ground and said Should I employ all my dayes in thanks Madam and spend all my blood in doing you service I were not able to recompence you for this happiness which you have conferred upon me by this declaration but since you are pleased to be so infinitely good give me leave to beg that you will also be pleased to compleat this my happiness What is it said Silviana that I can say more Have I not professed that now I do know what it is to Love and that I do Love Andrimartes as much as he ought to desire I desire a little more Madam answered he for perhaps you may say that I ought not to desire so much as I do Then Andrimartes answered she I do Love you as much as I oght to do yet a little more good Madam answered he for there is not amongst men that can assume so much honour to himself as to say that you ought to Love him Then replied she I do Love Andrimartes as well as he does Love me upon this Andrimartes was satisfied Now said Silviana I will go further and do more then you desire for I do Love Andrimartes
love this Cavalier who complaines thus of me I should neither be in these feares wherein I am nor he in the danger wherein he is I answered her If you speak from your heart Madam then cure me of the malady which proceeds from your selfe and never doubt that I can receive any harme as long as I am in the honour of your favour Delia then smiled and said I perceive that when you have been together a little the pain of the one will be changed into contentment and the feares into confidence But lest fortune should hinder your designes speak as low as you can and I will go and sit by the Candle seeming to read that I may put it out if any chance to come or else I will fall in talk with them and tell them how you doe without bidding enter But Cavalier said she and addressed her selfe unto me Remember the promise which you made when I opened the door unto you and admitted you unto this adventure which was to performe the conditions then proposed and if you be worthy of the name of a Cavalier you will keep your word You have kept your promise so well with me answered I that I were a most unworthy recreant if I did not the same with you Then said she unto me you are obliged according to the conditions established not to attempt any thing upon any occasion nor for any respect or reward whatsoever against the honour of the Ladies who are here but on the contrary you ought to be contented with those favours which they confer upon you not seeking or desiring any greater I will sooner sheathe my sword in my heart answered I then entertain a thought against this ordinance Every Cavalier of honour is obliged unto it by his very Name for that respect is due as unto one of the principal statutes of love I ever thought answered Delia of Alcidons discretion and I doe exceedingly rejoyce you doe thus second my thoughts since the law had not been established but for you How said I not established but for me was it made onely to restrain my indiscretion Is it thought that I am more impudent than any of the Knight errantry That is not the reason said she unto me but is it not reason this constraint should be established for you onely in this adventure which you terme the adventure of perfect love since you onely are permitted to attempt it But since before you have done you are to deal with a fiercer Champion then I am I will leave you together with your enemy lest you should complain of disadvantage Upon this not staying for my answer she went away and sat down with a book in her hand and left my fairest mistresse and me together as she said she would At which I being transported with abundance of contentment after I was set down upon the bed by her I tooke her hand and kissing it many times I said unto her Madam I am most sensible of my extreame obligations and my life is too little a price to be paid for such a happinesse Did you knoâ— what paines I have taken said she to give you this testimony of my good will doubtlesse you would set a good value of esteem upon it For though my sister does now shew her selfe so stout in the matter yet believe me Alcidon she is not alwaies so and it was not weak perswasions which could make her consent unto it Oh what artifice and tricks have I used to deceive not onely my brother in law but all his kindred and friends or indeed all the whole Province Consider Alcidon what a strange resolution I had in putting my honour and your life into so great a danger For to permit your coming into this place is no lesse Madam said I and kissed her hand if you consider my extream affection unto you Love and You were unjust if you did not answer it by extraordinary proofes of your good acceptance and I doe confesse that this is above my merit though it doe not equall my affection For it is such that most certaine death cannot make me start from your service Alcidon answered she if your affection be such as you say I wish it may continue as long as I live But I doe much feare the love of a young heart Madam said I unto her doubts use to enter into the soules of those who are not well grounded in their Faith and these in you give me more cause to fear weaknesse of affection on your side for the principal effect of true love is to remove out of the Lover all manner of mistrust of the person loved and it is impossible to love one whom they mistrust By this replyed she you may know the grandure of my affection since having so many occasions to doubt you yet is it still stronger then all those doubtfull occasions and makes me still give you such testimonies of my good will Yet Madam said I unto her give me leave to say in mine owne defence that you doe wrong my love in taxing it with youngnesse for I am twice ten years of age Ah Alcidon said she before any good assurance can be you had need be twice twelve At this I laughed and said that Madam were indeed requisite in those who love common beauties but for you and I time is not so much to be insisted upon for our ties and obligations are as strong now as they will be foure yeares hence She would have replyed when Delia began to cough as an advertisement that she heard some coming presently after her brother in law came to the doore unto whom she made a signe with her finger and went as softly to him as she could as if she were afraid to wake her sister her brother in law asked her how Daphnide did She complained a long while said she unto him and now she is fallen asleep What said he will you not come downe and dance to what end did you else dresse your selfe in that habit I hope brother answered she that my sister will be well after she has slept a while and if she be I will come and finish our designe with the rest but if she continue ill we must deferre it until another time and if you will come up againe about halfe an hour hence I shall tell you more upon this her brother in law went away and she came unto us to tell us what he had said and when I desired her to defer it until to morrow she answered me I perceive Alcidon that you are all for your selfe and care not for the interests of another so you can enjoy your opportunities as long as you stay you care not what becomes of us when you are gone You doe not well said Daphnide to make this construction of what this Cavalier said for I am most confident he has more care of us then so but if he love us as I beleeve he does he will not take it ill if we leave
a long time for every one tooke me for dead Oh happy had I been if it had been to then should I have buried all my sorrows all my contentments would have followed him to his Grave Upon these words such a flood of teares flowed in her eyes as she was not able to speake of a long time which gave a sufficient testimony how deepely she resented her losse but at last the wind of severall sighes drying up the raine of her eyes she assumed her spirit and continued thus Pardon I beseech you Father the weaknesse of a woman for such an occasion might perhaps excuse a spirit of a higher temper than mine did any resent them so neer the heart as I doe But to passe over such sad remembrances which cannot chuse but be tedious unto you and to fall into the discourse where I digressed give me leave to tell you that whilst I was in the midst of laments and could not find any rest or consolation to my sad soule this cruell Alcidon to loaden me with more misery did presently quit Clarinta and comes impudently upon me as if he had never let any other have a share in his affection I must confesse I was much amazed to see him without blush talke to me with as much confidence as formerly but I was more offended at him for coming upon me so impudently and never offering to aske pardon for the injury he had done me and to talke to me of love and affection For nothing under the Sun offends a woman more than after profession of Love to quit her and love another I permitted his discourse a long while and gave no answer I beleeve he attributed my silence unto the resentments of my losse but seeing he continued on my patience could hold out no longer and therefore I was constrained to say thus unto him Alcidon let me intreat you to hold your peace such talke as this is not now seasonable betwixt us though heretofore it was permitted yet now since both you and I are much changed from what we were it is not allowable He would have answered but I gave him the stop and said unto him Yes yes Alcidon both you and I are very much altered I in this because heretofore I thought you had loved only Daphaide and am now assured of the contrary And you in this that heretofore you devoted your selfe wholly unto me and now the faire Clarinta onely possesseth you and may she long and peacably enjoy her Conquest I promise you Alcidon that I am so farre from envying her happinesse as I will pray the Heavens it may many ages continue Alcidon was mightily amazed at this and would gladly have justified himselfe but I was so certaine of the truth as all his talke did rather move anger than love Afterwards for at that time he saw me so angry as he could not put in a word I left him in as angry a mood as I my selfe was But the next morning he surprised me before I was drest and by chance Carlis and Stiliana were then both in my Chamber and they being very familiar with us neither he nor I concealed any thing from them He fell downe upon his knees protested that he would never rise unlesse I would promise him to heare his Justification patiently and then he would let me dispose of his life and happinesse as I pleased I who was sufficiently loaded with misfortunes already had no mind to adde unto them those displeasures which I foresaw but persisted in my resolution not to hear him knowing very well that good wits never want good words to perswade what they will especially Alcidon whose eloquence I was not ignorant of but was affraid he would incline me to imbrace that service which had so basely quitted me for another At last Carlis and Stiliana hearing our contest they told me that such a Judge was unjust as would condemne a Party before he heard him Most true my dear friends said I unto them but did you know as well as I what charmes his words have whom you would have me hear you would advise me to stop my eares rather than lend them unto the inchantments of such a Charmer as Serpents doe But since you will have it so let me oblige you to assist me which both promising they would he rose up and knew so well how to plead his Cause as they were both absolutely for him And because I knew very well that all his eloquence was but oyled words and gilded language to gloze over his excuses without any reality of truth I so farre resisted him as it was resolved upon by both sides to have recourse unto the Oracle which returned us this answer Upon a day you 'l see A Fountaine in Forrest Called Loves Veritie Will set your hearts at rest This Answer so obscure and full of ambiguity none of us knowing the Country nor ever so much as heard of the Fountaine of Loves Verity it did much perplex us And Alcidon to shew what a great desire he had that the truth of his affection might appeare he made such enquiry of this Fountaine as hearing of it he could not rest untill a Voyage unto it was resolved upon I must needs confesse Father his importunity did much move me unto it but one of the cheife reasons which induced me thereunto was my desire of being for a while absent from the place where I had so many sad Memorandums of my losse hoping that being farre off them my sorrowes would by degrees lessen And unto this may be added my curiosity of seeing whether that Country and those who dwelt in it were so happy as reports went for wonders were told me of the places beauty of the sweetnesse of the Aire the abundance of Rivers full of Fish and the pleasantnesse of the Fields But when I heard of the delectable lives of the Shepherds and Shepherdesses of Loire of Furant of Argent of Serane but especially of Lignon I was ravished and wondered that all Europe did not go and inhabit in Forrests To know therefore whether all this fame was true I conseuted unto this journey and because we heard that all those who are there were habited in the garbs of shepherds and shepherdesses also desiring not to be knowne we disguised our selves in this habit as well for the reasons aforesaid as because we needed not any great train of Servants to attend us Thus reverend Father you have heard not onely a relation of our lives past and of our difference but also the cause of our Voyage and of our disguise we want nothing now but your prudent direction how we may see and have addresses unto this Fountain and your sapient Counsell unto such as stand in such need of it as we doe Thus ended the faire Daphnide leaving Adamas in a great opinion of her Prudence and Wit and because he perceived she expected his answer he replyed thus Who is it Madam that hath heard of great Euricke
have no greater operation nor produce any more reciprocall good will in your soule Though my services cannot merit so high as love for that were too much happinesse yet Methinkes they might at the least produce some sparkes of good will and be in some degree pleasing unto you I have tryed all wayes and in this cannot but accuse the meanesse of my merit and the greatnesse of my misfortune I have tryed I say and doe find all wayes that are advantagious unto others who are in love but find them all unprofitable unto me you injure my extreame affection my services displease you my patience makes me despicable my constancy tedious unto you and the very age I spend in loving serving and adoring you is so sterile as you hardly take notice I am any thing yours Oh Heavens can such cruelty if not ingratitude accompany such a noble soule will you never suffer my tears to mollifie your heart of Adâ—manâ—â— At this word Paris was silent as well because he feared that his eyes could not restraine those teares which these words would bring from his heart if he continued his discourse as because he would give Diana time to speake some words of consolation to him She who did love him as I told you before not thinking him so deeply engaged in the Fetters of love and desiring if it were possible not to let him depart displeased after a sweet glance of her eye towards him said thus unto him I did not thinke generous Paris to have heard such language from you which is as farre from my expectation as the Heavens are from the Earth you blame me for being insensible and that I doe not acknowledge the affection which you have unto me and I beseech you what would you thinke of me if not loving you yet I should behave my selfe towards you as I doe Have I not shewed you as much plausibility and favour as I am capable off Did I not alwayes answer you with all courtesie and civility that was hansome for me doe What can you desire more of me do you see me Garasse any more then your selfe do I not apply my selfe more unto you then any other and at this very time do I offer to talk or glance any eye upon any but your selfe Oh fairest shepheardess said Paris and sighed I do confess all you say and that you do more for me than for any other but what am I the better as long as you do nothing for any else nor me neither If my affection were not as it is I mean extream perhaps I should not with so much importunity beg testimonies of your good will And as much as you say you have done for me what I beseech you have you done but onely as to the son of Adamas the first time you saw him and before he gave testimony of any affection All your actions towards me I must confesse are full of civility and sweetnesse But are you not obliged to the same towards all of my qualitie Can you thinke these duties that belong to my Name and Quality can satisfie for those that are due unto a violent affection No no fair one Civility and Courtesie will serve the son of Adamas but nothing else but Love can satisfie Paris There must be a reciprocall compliance before I can leave complaining and I must blame you of insensibility and my selfe of ill fortune in loving so great a beauty with a hard heart Then Diana after a little pause returned him this answer I thought until now Paris that there had been nothing in my actions but what would have pleased you thinking that I had regulated them according to the Rules which Virgins ought to observe even when they have a designe to please and oblige but I perceive I was mistaken but to shew my repentance and how free I am with you I will very sincerely tell you my thoughts I honour you Paris as much as I do any man in the world and I do love you as much as I do my brother if this will not content you I cannot tell what you can desire more Fair Diana said Paris This Declaration is indeed very pleasing unto me and as the Son of Adamas I am fully satisfied but as Paris not at all because my affection requires nothing more not Courtesie for Courtesie but Love for Love If you be not contented and satisfied with this I have told you Paris replyed the shepheardesse you must look for more from your selfe since you suffer your desires to go beyond due limits and I have a just cause of complaint against you if I would take it for pretending more from me then I ought to give 'T is very true replyed Paris that you would have most just cause of complaint if faire shepherdesse I should desire any thing from you which was not fit for you to grant But all my desires being grounded upon honour and virtue methinks you should not complaine against them And to open my heart most freely unto her that owes it know fair shepherdesse that I am so wholly devoted unto you that I shall never enjoy any rest or contentment untill you be also mine upon condition of marriage You do me much honour replyed Diana in having such thoughts but you must know that I have Parents unto whose wisdome I refer all such matters and yet if you will have me shew you my very heart I do sweare Paris that neither you nor they nor any alive are able to move me unto any such mind of marriage I do love you as my Brother but cannot as a Husband and do not think this strange for my minde is the same towards all men living Oh ye Gods said Paris then must I never receive any perfect contentment You say that you do love me as your Brother but you ordain that this Love must all my life long be a barren steril and fruitlesse love Paris said she what would you have me say have you a mind I should deceive you or with some smooth dissembling language give you some deluding hopes methinks I have obliged you in discovering my resolution so freely and genuinely unto you Oh shepherdess said Paris with a profound sigh what a most disobliging obligation is this how many sad sighs and sorrowful tears must I pay unto your cruelty to acquit my selfe of his fatal obligation They would have continued longer when coming to a cross-walk they were hindred by the rest of the company who were returning to the house for Adamas was told it was dinner time and Alexis tired with the talke of Hylas and to be so long separated from Astrea she took all occasions of being with her againe and as soon as she saw Diana I beseech you fair shepherdesse said Alexis unto her help me to defend my selfe against the fine discourse of Hylas for I assure you I know not how to answer him Mistresse said Hylas those that cannot defend themselves they must yield unto the courtesie
of their enemies I had rather die said Alexis and smiled then render my selfe unto the mercy of such a conqueror Rather then you should die said Hylas I would render the victory and yeeld my selfe the conquered Truly said Alexis you are very courteous but Hylas I am of so proud a temper and so little desirous to be obliged as I know not whether I should receive your offer Why should you make a question of it said Hylas is it perhaps you scorn it No answered Alexis but rather because I feare lest being victorious in that manner I should be overcome Oh heavens said Hylas and cryed out I ever thought it a dangerous businesse to love a learned woman and one that is brought up amongst the Druids of Carnutes I do vow and sweare by the love I have to you that when I began first to love you I was afraid of nothing more then that you were not simple enough Why good Hylas said Diana who was very glad to mingle discourse purposely to be rid of Paris would you love one that was simple Truly said Hylas I would not have her a fool nor would I have her over-wise so she have as much wit as to believe all I tell her I would not have her able to expound the deep sciences of our learned Druids But if she should have no more wit then to believe you replyed Diana you would be put to a great deale of paine by reason of the cure you would have in the carriage of her selfe You are much deceived shepherdesse said Hylas for what is pleasure to one is never painful Some say so indeed said Diana but I do not think so for I believe the pleasure onely keepes them from thinking of the paine but that they have none is an error since if they be put to any violent exercise they will blow and paint as if they wanted breath See Diana said Hylas you are one of those two whom I would not love you have too much wit and put me to pain in studying how to answer you which is a thing I cannot abide but on the contrary I should be extreamly contented if she admire all I do and all I say from admiration proceeds from a good opinion and from this good opinion will proceed the love that I desire Silvander who was neare and watched for an occasion of seconding Diana in her discourse Admiration said he will work the contrary effect which you desire Why so said Hylas for if she admire me she will believe me full of great and high parts and when I speak I am an Oracle unto her my desires will be Lawes and my will Commands Admiration will produce quite contrary effects replyed Silvander For the learned say that Admiration is the mother of Verity in as much as admiring any thing the minde of man is naturally apt to search for the knowledge of it and this search makes him find out the truth and so Hylas in saying that she will admire you you doe as much as say that she will know you and knowing you she will finde that if shee esteemed any thing in you she is mistaken and then in scorning you she will admire that she should admire you I perceive shepheard answered Hylas that you are one of those wits which were I a woman I should never love But though you can talk well yet talke as long as you will I am still in the same opinion for he who does admire whilst he is in that admiration does he not infinitely esteem the party that causeth it 'T is true said Silvander but then presently after that he will change when he comes to the knowledge of the Truth This replyed Hylas does give me satisfaction for in saying she will change presently let me tell you my good friend Silvander said he and clapt him upon the shoulder she may chance to doe as I may do but let her make as much haste as she can I will pardon her if she change sooner then my selfe and if she do chance to be before me faith I le over take her presently This answer caused every one to laugh and this discourse entertained them till they came into the house where the Table was furnished with many delicacies and every one sat down as the night before All dinner while nothing was almost talked on but the merry humour of Hylas and to put him upon discourse there was alwayes some or other who took his part Amongst the rest Stella who though she did it in shew to please the company yet was it not at all against her humour she having all her life long followed the rules of this Doctrine And Corilas who had heretofore resented the effects of it hearing how she took part with Hylas Shepherd said he unto Silvander I beseech you tell me is it true that love does grow from sympathy All those who ever spoke of it answered Silvander say Yes Then said Corilas am I the onely one that believes the contrary and have had full experience of it For can two humours be more like than those of Hylas and Stella and yet I do not see there is any love betwixt them There was not one at all the Table who did not laugh when they heard this discourse of Corilas And when Silvander would have answered Stella interrupted him in saying I do not blush shepherd at a thing which hath given me all the contentment I enjoy for had I not changed when I loved you I had lost it and you must accuse the reason which Silvander gave for my changing which is that Admiration is the mother of Truth for at the first not knowing you I did admire you and when I did know you scorned you so as you may very well give this Motto Farre off something neer nothing But said she and smiled as you say that I am Inconstant for loving you once and not loving you so you may better say that I am Constant in changing once only and continuing in a resolution of never loving you as long as I live The question which I asked replyed Corilas is not whether you be a wavering Weather-cocke or no But whether Hylas and you being alike and simpathy being a cause of love whether you doe love one another Unto this she presently said I will tell you Corilas that simpathy may worke its effects when there is no greater force to oppose it And that simpathy which may be betwixt Hylas and me might have so much force as to make us love if it were not that knowing thee so little worthy of love thou hast made me have such an ill opinion of all other shepherds as I know not whether ever I shall love any You have taught me a lesson said Corilas For having had so much experience of you I cannot conceive that those who are under the same habit you are doe not hide under those habits the same imperfections Fie fie said all the shepherds this Corilas is
far from the eye never troubles the heart Florices stay out of Town a whole moneth a term long enough to kindle and extinguish a dozen severall loves in me had been enough to quench all my flames to her But her stay being to continue a longer time I resolved with my selfe to take my leave of her for I could never like those loves that can feed themselves with thoughts and fancies and fond imaginations But finding Love to be a fire and my selfe burned with it I thought the best Cure was by sympathy and to cure my selfe by another fire and in order to this I sought out for some new beauty which might cure my old burn and at last heaven which alwayes favours designes that are just sent me such a fire as I stood in need of One evening as I was walking without any other design but taking the air by the River Arar close by a Bridge and looking about I espied three Coaches drawn by six Horses apeece And because that was amongst us an equipage unusual I drew neerer the bridge to see them passe In one of them was four Ladies habited much different from our Mode and very rich and their uncouth habits made me look upon them with more curiosity and eagernesse The first whom fortune fixed my eye upon did keep it upon her as long as I could see She was in the first Coach and seated in the best place her hair was faire something inclinable to Chesnut her Complexion no dye could make a mixture of such perfect vermilion upon snow her eyes black but so quick sweet and piercing as no heart had humour good enough to resist them her lips exact Corrall her Nâ—ck a Column of purest Alablaster and every part proportionable in perfection as for her stature I could not perfectly see it but as near as I could judge it was neither tall nor little as for her Hand which she often shewed in lifting up her haire which lay upon her shoulder in curles it could not be equalled unto any thing so well as to the whitenesse of her neck Judge Madam whether such a beauty could be looked upon and not loved she was the fire by which I cured all my other burnings so as quite forgetting Circinea Palanice Dorinde and Florice I devoted my selfe wholly unto her But perhaps you will thinke it strange that she being in a Coach and onely passant I should observe so many particulars in this beauty but you must consider that I looked upon her with more eyes then my own and had those of love to help me in looking upon this wonder Nor must you believe any such thing which Silvander is often alleadging that Love is blind but on the contrary that those who look with his eyes can look through dresses and see such beauties as are hid from others But it seems that love had a design upon me at this time for he would not let me make use of his eyes and my hands but loadned the Coach heavier then it was before because it carried my heart away with it I see Silvander you laugh and I know you would say that the Coach was not a jot more loadned for having my heart in it but know that my heart as light as it is yet is as heavy as yours I know not that said Silvander but I am sure the Coach which carried your heart had need go very fast or else your heart would quickly be out for it cannot endure to be long in a place This said Hylas was Perianders opinion when he found me looking upon these strangers as they passed This good friend of mine perceiving me halfe out of my selfe did begin to suspect the cause and coming unto me Courage Hylas said he unto me you will recover of this I warrant you as well as you have done of others I answered him with a love sick look I see Periander you mock me but did you know how great my pain was you would pitty me though I must confesse it proceeds from love Ah ah my friend said he and laughed have a good heart this is not the first time you have been sick of the same disease and never dyed 'T is true said I unto him then I did know who was the cause but now I am ignorant of it How friend said Periander and laughed What in love and knows not with whom So it is said I unto him and I cannot help it Love has catcht me That you do love said he I doe believe but that you should love and not know her whom you doe love though I should believe you in any thing else yet in this I am incredulous And if it be true I say it is a thing as easily done as to perswade any to believe it Whether you believe it or no said I and sighed yet I am sure it is so How long said he have you been sick of this fantastical disease A little longer answered I then we have been talking of it Upon this Perâ—ander laughed and laying his hand upon my shoulder said Well friend if you be long sick of this disease I will pay your Doctors then he offered to go away but I laid hold upon his Cloak What said I unto him is this all the helpe and consolation I must expect from your friendship What can I doe for you answered he as long as you doe not know her that is the cause of your malady You may help me replyed I and contrive it how I should come to the knowledge of her whom I adore This is strange folly said he Can I know her better then you doe Why not replyed I Is it not ordinary for people in health to tell sick folks their disease and to give them such remedies as they themselves knew not Ah Periander did you love me as well as you professe you would not deny me that assistance which friendship requires To which he answered In the name of Heaven Hylas what would you have me to say or doe upon my faith I think you are become a fool A fool said I is it folly to love her whom I adore she whom I am ready to die for will not yeeld unto any Goddesse in beauty she has more Graces then all the Graces themselves and if Love were not hood-winckt doubtlesse he would dote upon her but the truth is I know not who she is This is fine folly indeed replyed he where and when did you see her Oh Heavens said I are you blind that you could not see the Sun when it shin'd Did you not see the Coaches which passed by In the first of them was she whom I love and know not Is it so said he unto me then friend know that you are a Prisoner unto a Prisoner Gondebunt our King did take them beyond the Alpes and hath sent them hither as Trophies of his Victory Thus I understood who this faire stranger was and had it not been very late I had endeavoured to have seen
as she took extream delight in her company and Diana was glad also to be thus rid of Paris as well because she did not love him as because love made her think very well of Sylvander and she could not permit her eares to hearken unto any words of affection which came from any mouth but of that kind Shepherd Leonide then went to meet Paris and the two Shepherdesses went towards the disguised Druide whom they found looking upon an old willow which time had decayed and which retained no more of it self but a hollow bulk and a withered bark Oh Willow said Alexis to her self what is become of these letters which I trusted thee with all And why dost thou not render me the same good offices thou wert wont in assuring me of my Shepherdesses good will For thou seest me now with no less love nor less affection then I had at that time Oh beloved Willow I know thy meaning for had the heart of my Fairest Shepherdesse retained the memory of my services thou vvouldst have still retained those characters vvhich vvere the dear testimonies of her good will but I see that time has vvorn both thee and them out of her thoughts had she spoken these words any louder the Shepherdesses had heard them but as luck was she expressed them unto her self only in thought And because they were unwilling to interrupt those pleasing imaginations vvhich they thought she fancied they stopped and vvhen the Druide vvalked they did the like not vvith any intention to discover any thoughts of her soul but only lest they should divert her by their presence from that which she thought most pleasing Alexis then thinking her self alone continued on her thoughts and likevvise her vvalk along the River side until she found a Tree on her right hand where two dayes before her unfortunate accident she had engraved some verses which testified vvith how much constraint she courted the Shepherdesse Aminthe and casting her eyes thereupon Oh how this sight did vvound her memory Perhaps the reading of those vvords had made her speak something so loud as to be heard by those Shepherdesses which followed her if by fortune Sylvander at the same time had not a far off began to sing and the voice came so distinctly towards them that Alexis turning her head that way espied the Shepherdesses close by her shee vvas sorry to see them so neer and perceive them no sooner fearing lest her passion had made her utter some vvord or use some action vvhich might discover vvhat she desired to conceal But that which most troubled her vvas her eyes vvhich vvere full of tears and which being so surprised she could not hide yet faining not to see them she turned the other way and vviped her eyes as well as she could and then setting a good face upon it she came unto them and bad them good morrow calling them sluggards and faining she could not sleep because the pretty birds began to sing so sweety at her chamber-window It was rather Madam answered Astrea because they troubled you No indeed answered Alexis for I took so much delight in their Musick that I could not chuse but rise to hear them more plainly as I walked by this River side and I think the time so short that it seems not above a quarter of an hour since I came hither But Madam answered Diana you have slept so little that I fear it will do you some injury It is true indeed answered Alexis and you may see my eyes have done pennance for it but I was so much delighted in hearing the warble of these pretty birds and in taking the fresh ayr that it is impossible to receive any harm The best remedy will be replied Astrea to go to bed betimes at night that you may enjoy your rest and sleep before the day do break and before these little chanters of the wood begin to sing and then we shall Madam be glad to bear you company and carry you unto places which are better furnished with this kind of harmony Alexis offered to reply when Sylvander began to sing and because they spied Phillis coming towards them they stayed for her whilest Sylvander sung Phillis being come unto them after she had saluted the Druide and her company Madam said she how do you like this Shepherds voice I like it very well answered Alexis and think him to be a very well accomplished Shepherd and a very perfect lover Madam answered Diana and both smiled and blushed perhaps you may be mistaken in your judgement of him for the Shepherds of Lignon do often hide dissembling souls under the innocent habit which they wear Perhaps indeed replied the Druide that this may be so in some but I am most confident I am not mistaken in my opinion of this Shepherd Tell her Madam said Phillis and interrupted her that she her self thinks the same and that if the Shepherdesses of Lignon were not greater dissemblers then this Shepherd she would not have spoken so as she did Sister replied Diana I am much beholding to your rallary for speaking thus of me in the presence of this Druide you will infuse a strange opinion of me into her Do not fear said Alexis and smiled that these words can make me believe any thing of you but good I know the virtue and merits of Diana very well besides dissimulation is sometimes so necessary unto our sex as it may well be taken for a kind of virtue But since we have gone so far give me leave to tell you out of my affection to you what Phillis hath formerly said unto your dear friend here upon the same subject Madam answered Diana you will do me an honour in it but the worst is I fear it is nothing worthy of your paines which you can tell me that concerns my self I make no doubt wise Shepherdesse said Alexis but you have often heard the same which I shall tell you but because we are all oftentimes partiall in our causes and because the advice of friends will do no harm I will tell you what discourse Astrea and I had yesterday concerning you and I shall desire Phillis also to give her advice because I know you have a great confidence in them both Upon this she related unto Diana all the considerations which they had upon Sylvanders love and after they had all concluded that it was no fiction nor by reason of the wager but reall and in good earnest she continued thus Now Fair Diana it concerns you to consider well upon it as for Sylvander to love or not to love you does not depend upon him he has but the choice of these two wayes either to grieve or to live happily with you even as you shall appoint But upon you does depend not only his misery and his happinesse but your own also And though I may believe that perhaps you are not sensible of those torments which his love inflicts upon him yet I conceive
more then he Loves me and I vow by all the Nymphs and Deities of the River that I will never Love any else Only one thing Brother I shall request which is that you will promise me upon your Faith never to desire of me any thing which my honour and decency may not allow Let all the torments of Hell fall upon my head answered Andrimartes presently and may Heaven blast all my hopes and desires if ever I do entertain the least thought of offering beyond those Limits which you shall freely allow me When this discourse passed betwixt them Silviana was about thirteen or fourteen years of age and Andrimartes about sixteen or seventeen an age so apt to take all amorous impressions that Love did imprint in their young hearts all the characters of it self so as ever since that time they did both so grow in affection that had not their young and familiar education together been an umbrage for all their amorous actions and shadowed them with a vail of courtesy and long acquaintance certainly many had taken notice of it but since this familiarity did begin when they were little children none did wonder at their kindness unto each other especially both of them being yet but very young Thus they did live together in all possible satisfaction and contentment waiting until such time as they could handsomly procure the consent of their Parents unto a marriage And this happy condition lasted until such time as Childerick did unluckily cast his eye upon this shinning Star for seeing her at a Ball where Silviana was disguised according to the custom of the Romans he took such a liking to her that ever since he loved her most desperately Silviana took notice of it presently and because she thought it would be a sin unpardonable in her if she did not impart all that she knew unto her dear Brother as soon as ever she saw him she acquainted him with all passages Andrimartes was apt to believe it Sister said he unto her it is no wonder if all the World do Love you but must your ambition to be the Mistris of a Kings Son extinguish your affection unto a Brother And must I be the widdowed Turtle left desolate without a Companion Brother said she then unto him and took his hand be assured that you shall never be the Turtle which you speak of until death do ravish me from you and if I thought any such doubt did enter into your soul the affection which I bear unto you would be extreamly angry be confident Andrimartes that death it self shall not alter my affection for I will preserve it unto that second life which our Druides tell us of after this Here Brother said she take this Ring and if you be the same Andrimartes which I take you to be summon me by it either in this or the next life to keep that promise which now I do most solemnly confirm for ever unto you I want words Madam wherewith to express the joyes of young Andrimartes he fell down upon his knees he kissed her hand and the Ring which she gave him a hundred times with a vow to present it unto her at that time when she commanded him Then taking a pin and pricking that finger whereon he wore the Ring he caused it to bleed in several places and making his handkerchief all bloody he presented it unto Silviana Madam said he unto her I do seal the vow which I have made with my blood and I conjure you to restore me this handkerchief when you command me to restore unto you this Ring to the end that by these marks both the living and the dead may know how great the affection is which Andrimartes bears unto Silviana and how happy this affection has been above its merits in meeting with her reciprocal affection Thus did Love link the hearts of these two young Lovers together with faster knots as if all the powers upon earth were not able to unty them But for all that Childerick continued his begun Love which grew to that height that he could not enjoy any contentment nor rest but when he was with her At the first lest Merovius should be advertised of it he hid his passion as much as he could and this was the reason why he durst not in words declare it unto Silviana though all his actions did make it so apparent unto every one as it was a thing superfluous to tell her that which none was ignorant of At the same time taking infinite delight in looking upon her he commanded an Artist to take her Picture unknown unto her thinking that she would not permit it otherwise and the Picture-drawer was so ready to satisfie this young Prince as he took her Picture very exquisitely at two or three times seeing her in the Temple when Childerick saw it he kissed it a thousand times and thinking that his happiness was not compleat unless Silviana did know what â—ewel he possessed and meeting her in the Anti-chamber of the Queen his Mother he took her aside and said thus unto her Fair Silviana I can tel you some news which perhaps you are ignorant of for you think your self to be the only Daughter of your Mother yet let me tell you that you have a Sister Did I think this news to be true Sir said Silviana I should think it the best that ever I heard and think my self much obliged unto you for telling me of it You have good reason to be glad of it said Childerick for though she be not so fair as you are yet she does very much resemble you and because your self shall be judge whether or no I speak the truth pray look upon this As soon as ever Silviana saw it she presently knew it and started to see her self in any other hands then those of Andrimartes and desiring to look upon it he gave it unto her After she had a while looked upon it and not knowing how to get it handsomly from him she threw it into the fire and it was burned before Childerick took notice of it yet she did not cast it into the fire so soon as she repented of her haste when she saw that young Prince stand as if he were planet-struck with amazement and to excuse her self in some sort Oh God Sir said she it was so ill-favouredly done that I could not endure to see my self so ugly Silviana answered Childerick you have angered me to the soul and I cannot tell whether I have patience enough to endure it Sir answered Silviana and blusht I am extreamly sorry for it but the truth is it was so very ill done that I had rather have seen the Picture of death then it Love and anger had now a great debate in the heart of this offended Prince but Love at last triumphing I shall see said he whether that was your reason or no or whether you did it as an affront unto me for if it be as you say then you will
and think your Love great when it is not so for you want experience Madam answered Astrea the dispute betwixt us is of such a nature that the victory is prejudicial to the Conqueror and the conquered is victorious and yet I will not throw away my Arms upon very easie terms though I will yeild unto you in what you please but it would be a most extream shame unto me if I should let you outstrip me in affection as you do in merit Give me leave Madam therefore to tell you that I began to Love when I was even in my Cradle and have continued that affection so constantly that no difficulties no time no absences no commands of those that had the dispose of me nor any thing under Heaven could divert me from it but death only and yet I swear and swear most truly that I do Love you better then ever I loved any and though this be but a proud word to issue from the mouth of a poor Shepherdess yet give me leave to pronounce it and say again that though others may bear a greater respect yet never any more Love and more Affection then Astrea unto the Fair Alexis Upon this they embraced each other with such mutual expressions of Love that if Alexis durst but have said I am Celadon nothing could have made them both more happy in each other But the feares of this Druide did make her relish all these sweet imbraces with a kind of bitter amongst them because she still feared lest her raptures of joy should make her discover her self and therefore she withdrew her self a little with a blushing collour which came into her cheeks and after she had stood a while silent she uttered these words with such a modest shamefastness that if any of her actions had raised any doubts of what she desired to hide it was enough to clear them all But fairest Shepherdess said she unto her I cannot tell what the violence of my affection to you may make you think of me unless yours and your goodness plead me excuse and yet I do swear unto you by Vesta and all that is sacred that I am so far from any such affections as many women of my age are apt unto that I did never love any man but all my passions were wholly imployed in my love of one woman whom truly I did love as much as I was then able though not comparable unto you now and though perhaps you may laugh at my humour yet I must tell you that I took as great delight in kissing and caressing of her as if I had been a man or she not a woman And indeed I find the very same humour to revive in me when I am with you which I can attribute unto nothing but the excess of my affection which I bear unto you and which I should be infinitely sorry if it were displeasing or troublesome unto you Astrea shewing by her countenance how well she was pleased with these expressions did return this answer It is my part Madam to use the same excuses unto you since I have more reason to fear being troublesome unto you by following the inclination of my affection too far I must needs confess Madam that I did Love a Shepherd but let me tell you truly that I was never more joyed at any testimonies of his good will unto me then I am of yours Oh Heaven said Alexis how much am I obliged unto it and you for this affection my joyes and my satisfaction is compleat But Fairest Shepherdess said she shall we live together in the same freedom and affection when we are together in private that we do now I say in private for it is fit to be more reserved before other Shepherds and Shepherdesses least we should give occasion to suspect us of somthing which may be disadvantagious unto us How Madam said Astrea do you ask me this question Nay may you not better ask whether I should not die for sorrow if you should forbid me But Madam since you see I have observed your first command I beseech you what is the other That by obeying it also I may call my self the wost happy woman alive Fairest Shepherdess answered Alexis it is not yet time to tell it but since I see you are desirous to know it I promise you that when I think it fitting that you should know it I will not put you to the trouble of asking me In the mean time to try whether this kind of life will be as agreeable unto us as we imagine let us begin to live together as we must do all the rest of our dayes I mean with that honest freedom and liberty that two perfect Lovers ought to use unto each other In the first place I beseech you let us leave off in our discourse these terms of Madam and Druide and begin to be free and familiar as we must for ever be Madam said Astrea in what place soever I be and of what quality soever I am I will alwayes render unto you those respects which I am bound to pay that will not be any hindrance to those contentments which I hope for from you but rather further them by keeping my self within the terms of my duty You are mistaken answered Alexis and though you can have so much power over your self yet I cannot for I am not able to endure that one whom I take to be my other self should use such words as speak any difference betwixt us and if the principal consequence of Love be union why should we allow such Tyrannies disguised under the names of respect or civility or duty to hinder that perfect union of wills which ought to be betwixt us I do ordain therefore that Astrea shall be Alexis and Alexis shall be Astrea and that we banish from amongst us not only all words but also all manner of actions that may put any difference between us and you shall see that when we have lived long in this mutual freedom and liberty Love wil double and still encrease Then Madam replied Astrea I beseech you let it be under the notion of a command that my obedience unto it may excuse the fault which I shall commit in it If that be all answered Alexis to satisfie you I do command it with a promise that I will not repent it as long as I live And because it is fit we conform our selves unto the customs of those with whom we are to live know therefore Shepherdess that it is the custom of the Druides at Carnutes not to call themselves by their proper names but by others which their affection unto one another makes them invent and their new names are called amongst them Alliances as much as to say that they are Allied and obliged by those names unto more Affection and Love I conceive it requisite we do the like as well to confirm our Loves as to let those Druides see when we come amongst them that we do not only
know their customs but most religiously observe them now I cannot think of any which are fitter for us then the names of Mistris and Servant as well because they are names not ordinary amongst them as because me thinks they sound well betwixt you and me I do accept of this honour said Astrea with a thousand thanks and with a protestation and vow unto the Goddess Vesta that for ever not only in name but in deed I will take you for my Mistris and profess my self your servant Alexis smiled at this I had rather said she that you would take the name of Mistris and let me have that of servant but since you have made your choise I am contented Now Servant continued she give me your hand in testimony that you accept of this name and that you will never break this alliance of Love which we now make and I swear by the Great God of Love who is the God that is adored at Carnutes that I will eternally live with you as with the only person whom I perfectly Love and of whom only I desire to be Loved in the like manner Then Astrea said I do not only give my hand but both hands nay more my heart and my soul in testimony that I will love you and you only consecrating and dedicating my self my desires my affections and all that is mine unto you and if ever I fail in the observance of this promise or ever stain that honourable Name which I have received let me be abhorred by Heaven and Earth and all that is in them Upon this they both embraced and kissed each other as an assurance of what they had promised and carrassed themselves with so much affection as if they would never have ended In the mean time Phillis went unto Diana thinking to find her in bed but that Shepherdess was so very ill pleased that she could not rest so long for she was up long before and after she had put all things into order in her little house she went out with her flock and without any other company but her own thoughts By fortune she came unto the same place upon the Banks of Lignon when the accident of Celadon did happen when the jealousie of Astrea made him throw himself into the River After she had seated her self and long looked upon the current of the water without any other action which shewed life but only sighing at last as if she had revived out of a profound Lethargy and sending forth a deep sigh Thus said she does all things mortal run into the Gulf of Oblivion then stopping a while she broke out thus This River is not the same water it was yesterday for it glides away and fresh comes in the room of it nay I my self am not the same Diana that I was when I came hither time by an uncontrollable power runs on and drives all before it The Sun it self which is the measure of time as all things in the universe is is hurried on by time and is not the same it was when I began to speak why then Diana shouldest thou think an ordinary thing to be strange and extraordinary Every thing changes and rechanges again If it be a generall Law amongst all things that nature produceth to change why shouldst thou wonder that one particular person should do so It is very unreasonable to observe it in thy self and not allow it in another canst thou say that it is not thy self which doth change but art the same thou wert wont to be Ah fond flatterer of thy self remember what thou wert before Fiiander saw thee what operation his Courtship had upon thee and how thou didst behave thy self after his deplorable loss Consider thy humour as it was when Sylvander or rather that deceive began first unluckily to look upon thee How wast thou won by his counterfet affection And how dost thou find thy self now after a knowledg of his treason Needs must thou confess that as the humours complexions and tempers do change once every seven yeers thine changes ofter and not only in seven yeers for a year is an age unto thee but in a month in a week in an hour nay even in a munite This thought touched her to the quick for never having this opinion of her self before yet finding it now to be true she was so astonished at it that she was not able to utter one word At the last rousing her self up as out of a dead sleep she began again thus Oh Heavens Oh Earth art thou not changed Yes yes Diana and so that if thou dost but look well upon thy self thou wilt hardly know thy self thou wilt not find any thing of the first Diana in thee but only the very Name Answer me I pray thee to these questions how didst thou heretofore abhor the flatteries of men what credit wast thou wont to give unto their supple language Hast thou quite lost the memory of all those wise instructions and good Counsels thou wert wont to give thy companions Or dost thou think that thy self does not need them as much as they Ah Diana do not deceive thy self but confess that thou art now much different from what thou wert wont to be Recollect thy self a little better and tell me dost thou not remember the time when thou wert the first Diana and when all that this cosening Shepherd either said or did was indifferent unto thee And why should thou now if thou art the same Diana be angry at this loving Madonthe at his following her and at his going with her whether she would or no If these things do vex thee then confess that thou art not the same Diana and if thou dost deny it will not thy own conscience accuse thee Well said she if I be not the same Diana I was wont to be then what am I become now Quite contrary answered she to that Diana I was wont to be Oh Heavens what a deplorable alteration is this How much better and more honourable had it been for me to have dyed in the dayes of the first Diana then have lived to see this alteration When she was in the height of her displeasure against her self she was diverted by the coming of some Shepherds and Shepherdesses which talked and disputed amongst themselves very vehemently and though she was very busie in her own perplexed thoughts yet they making a great noise and she hearing them a far off she had time enough to withdraw her self unseen behind a great Bush which grew close to the way which she did with intention to let them pass on and then to return unto the place again and continue on those thoughts which they had interrupted but she was disappointed for they as if it was upon some express design went straight to the place from whence Diana came and seated themselves upon the bank as if they intended to stay there a long time but she fearing to be discovered and perhaps constrained to remain with
spite against Periander thinking it a full revenge if I gave my self unto another but never thinking that it was a revenge against my self but it was imprudence which commonly is a consequent of little experience did give me this simple counsel which since hath cost me many a tear and much torment The answer that I gave him was this Do you think Merindor that any one who has a design to make themselves loved will say less then you I think said he that those who have the same desires which I have may make use of the same words But said I if all those who have the same desires do speak as you do and all deceive those who trust them what assurance can I have in your words Periander used them a thousand times and even deafned me with his candid language which was only a glosse upon intended treachery If my words replied Merindor were not accompanied with some more assured testimonies I must needs confesse the treachery of Periander might make you suspect all I say But Oh Dorinde I hope I am not so unfortunate but that you have taken notice of my actions and how since the very first day I ever saw you I have devoted my self to be wholly yours 'T is true answered I and I should be very ungrateful if I did not acknowledg that your proceeding and behaviour does much oblige me but with all let me tell you That I think all men make it their glory to deceive those who put any trust in them If so replied Merindor then I protest Madam that henceforward I will not be a man the very name shall be odious unto me and I will abominate the title as much as I do that of Vilain or Traytor Do you speak this in good earnest said I unto him Madam answered he Do you ask this question in good earnest Is it possible you should still doubt of Merindors affection No no Dorinde Do not give your eyes your ears your judgement the lie I am sure they all tell you that Merindor loves you had he been prone to change he might with more reason then Periander who received favours a thousand for one Merindor said I I do confess it and having observed your affection to me ever since you first saw me and continued during all the time of my sickness I have often said unto my self what would he have done if he had found as much good will from me as I have shewed unto that Deceiver Periander But this is not enough to assure me that you will not change for all men by the example of one hath taught me that it is Beauty which they love and not the person of her who has it so as when by any accident this Beauty is gone their love is immediately gone with it Oh Dorinde said he you are an unjust Judge to pronounce sentence against all men in general for the offence of one particular man Do you not see that into what condition soever your sickness hath brought you yet still I love nay even adore you Perhaps said I you may love me yet because you have not seen my face and does not think it so deformed as it is by my sickness But to cure you of your disease I will let you see it upon condition you will lament my loss and afterwards leave me at rest to endure my malady alone Upon this I pulled off my mask and shewed him my face which had no resemblance of what it was before more then the name of a Face This I did with design that he seeing me might not love me any longer and so I should be neither troubled nor deceived then if he did continue loving me I might be assured that my ugliness would never make him change it being impossible I should be worse then I was I observed that as soon as he saw me he stood mute and was much astonished and that tears presently after trickled from his eyes so as he was not able to speak but a little after he began thus I must confess Madam that your disease used you more unkindly then any unless they saw you can imagine but this alteration cannot change my affection to you if you think it does Madam you do wrong me Periander's action is unpardonable but be assured I beseech you that only death and not any accident of Fortune whatsoever is able to quench those flames which your Vertues and your Merits have kindled in the heart of Merindor I do not deny but â—hat it was your-Beauty which first invited me unto you which gave me a will to serve you but since I have had the honour and happiness to be better acquainted with you oh Dorinde I find more lasting invitations and allurements unto Love then any Beauty can be Your Soul you Soul Dorinde your noble and sweet soul is far fairer then ever was your face and therefore as your face first invited me your soul will eternally keep me to your service I should be too long Madam should I relate all the discourse which we had upon this Subject and it is fit I bury them in silence as he did presently after in oblivion But so it was I thought that I had found a man that was not a Deceiver and in that belief I contracted amity with him The way of your behaviour to me said I unto him ever since you first saw me and the assurance you give me that my face does not affright you nor lessen your affection to me does oblige me to esteem and love you more then I thought I could any after such an unworthy falshood as that of Periander and if you do continue as hitherto you have assure your self Merindor that I will love and esteem you as your merits do oblige me Oh Dorinde replied he I am not contented with this promise since your love is to be proportioned according to my merits and therefore I am afraid your love will be but a little No no said I it may be infinite and yet but hold proportion with your merits but to content you I do promise that if you do not Perianderize I will love you as much as you can desire Merindor having this assurance he fell upon his knees took my hand by force and though it was covered with marks of my disease yet he kissed it several times with such abundance of thanks as this action gave me more full assurance of his love then my words could him of my good will and I believe that if my Father had not come he would never have ceased his Demonstrations of Affection and Thanks My Father at his entrance smiled because he either saw him kneeling before me or else some of the Domestiques told him This invited me to tell him all the passages betwixt us and to speak very advantagiously in behalf of Merindor My discourse and my free expressions were so agreeable unto my Father that taking me aside he asked me whether I did really love that
provide for me good store of handkerchiefs before hand to dry up the tears which I shall shed Thus these two Shepherdesses discoursed whilst they were dressing themselves and in the mean time Alexis and Astrea were talking somtimes giving assurances of their mutual good will and otherwhiles kissing each other somtimes as women and otherwhiles as lovers and therefore Diana seeing Astrea made no offers of rising out of bed she turned to Phillis and said unto her me thinks Sister that though you have been somthing out of charity with me this morning yet we may go together and look to our flocks and return again before this sluggard rise out of bed Do not think answered Phillis that my anger is so great as to make me fail in that respect and affection which I do ow unto her that was my Mistris and ever shall be so as long as I live And you Sister sluggard said she unto Astrea since we will not command you any things that are either impossible or grievous I pray let us find you in the same place at our return where we leave you at our going away and in the mean time that you may have no excuse for your absence we will take care of your flock so bidding them good morrow they went out of the chamber and went talking upon several subjects and Diana being in a little better opinion of Sylvander then she was she began to be in her good humour again Being then going out of Astreas house Phillis who was silent a while did make a stop upon a sudden and looking upon Diana Sister said she unto her dare I tell you what I am thinking upon Why do you make it a question answered Diana you know our familiarity does not allow us to conceal the least motion of our souls from each other I was thinking said Phillis upon the extream and sudden amity betwixt Astrea and Alexis and what should be the cause of it I have known Astrea long but I never saw her so apt and forward to contract amity upon a push with a stranger and leave her old for new affections and yet she no sooner saw this Druide but she loved her extreamly and in loving her does a little slight the company of Diana and Phillis who were wont to be so dear unto her To which Diana answered I have had the same conceptions Sister said she but then considering that Astrea did extreamly love Celadon and Alexis having so great a resemblance of him she was quickly moved to love her as fancying her to be her dearly beloved Shepherd you know she never loved any but only him as this being her first and only affection it is no wonder she should keep it alive in this woman well said Phillis this reason may pass as relating unto Astrea but what do you alledge as in relation to the Druide who at the very first sight was so wholly devoted unto a Shepherdess that she forgets and forsakes her very Father and kindred to be with this Shepherdess and to wear her clothes and seems as if she had quite forgot both Carnutes and all her companions Unto this said Diana no answer can be made but that as Alexis has the face of Celadon so also she has his heart and for my part I believe she has when I do see her Idolize after the same manner that Shepherds use I assure you answered Phillis you phrase it right in saying that she does Idolize her as if she were a Shepherd have you observed her actions and behaviour when she is with her I assure you Sister that were she trimmed up in mans clothes I would say here is a Shepherd Sister replied Diana you know that Astrea has rare attracts to move love and having an affection unto this woman she renders her all the testimonies of her good will that she can we ought not to think it strange that her natural perfections should become inchantments we have found it our selves by experience and I dare swear that never any loved better then we loved Astrea and I do believe that I cannot love any more then her But said Phillis what shall we say of Adamas and Leonide who have left her here upon so slight a cause and seem as if they had forgotten her When Adamas went answered Diana we know she was not well and when Leonide left her she went away in haste because the Nymph Amasis did send for her so as she had not leisure to conduct her unto the house of Adamas and why said Phillis did she not carry her with her unto Marsellâ—s where her Father was I cannot well answer you unto that point said Diana but I do believe that Adamas would not have her she being a Druide go amongst great companies but desired rather she should passe the time away amongst us and recover of that sicknesse which so long tormented her which was the reason of her coming from Carnutes whither as I hear say she is presently to return Thus Diana answered unto all the objections in the discourse of Phillis as she did in real sincerity think of Alexis and used such good arguments to clear her doubts that she quite removed them Afterwards they walked unto the Wood where they thought to find no Shepherds stirring because it was very early but when they came into a long walk they saw at the other end a Shepherd and a Shepherdesse but they could not know whom they were by reason of the distance of the place and shade of trees These two Shepherdesses desiring no other company but themselves their design was to hide themselves in the Wood until the other couple was walked past them and then to continue on their own intended walk and therefore finding a thick Bush by the walk side they sat themselves down in it with a reserve of silence till they were past and therefore they heard them coming when they were at a good distance off and because they were somthing loud in their discourse they knew by their voices the one of them to be Tiâ—ces and the other Laonice Yonder is said Phillis in a whisper the good friend of Sylvander and rather mine answered Diana for she has acquainted me with that which of all things in the world was most necessary for me to know Well Sister replied Phillis I hope to see the day when you will see your errour and then you will take me under the notion of your good friend Diana durst not answer lest they should be heard because they were very near and as they passed they heard Tircis say I protest Lâ—onice you are the most spiteful woman in the world Phillis and Sylvander are not to be blamed for they were obliged unto all they did and not by their own choice but by the will of the Gods Tirces answered she do you not know that those who have been beaten with a rod and cannot be revenged upon them that beat them yet they receive some contentment in
gave them permission to call themselves Lovers and assume unto themselves a title so honourable not knowing the least duties of a right Lover what could they expect but a most severe punishment for usurping a name so much above their merit Now as it is ordinary for those that are guilty of any vice to desire that all others may be of the same die to the end they themselves may not be upbraided they propound four doubts ayming by the first to tax us by the second to excuse themselves and by the two last to be instructed in what they are very ignorant We should return them such an answer as they deserve were it not unto you our Judg that they address their queries and in which we beseech you to inform them not out of any hopes to amend them for the future but to let every one see how far they are out of the right way And in as much as a great blunder is made about some letters which were written unto them we beseech you oh our Judge to command that those Letters may be produced for by their own confession they were written only upon common fame and not as known truths what then must every thing that is taken up in the streets be believed as true Oh Thomantes if such reports may pass for truths I could tell you strange tales of your new affections unto several other Shepherdesses but being only common fame I let them pass without belief and was not this example sufficient for you to do the like And whereas you say that one ought to think nothing but virtue to be in the person loved can I think that you do love me since you do thus upbraid me with levity and inconstancy Thus most just Judge you have heard the Requests which these two Shepherds have made unto you and to the end it may not be said that there was ever upon the banks of Lignon any Shepherds so ignorant in Love as these we do add our Request also that they may be forbidden to usurp unto themselves the honourable name of Lover of which they are so much unworthy and for a punishment of their crimes which they have committed against us that they may bâ— forbidden ever to have the names of Dorissea or Delphire in their memories and that contenting themselves with having so long abused us they may hereafter make their addresses some other way and practice upon others those sapient instructions which you in your wisedom shall give unto them Thus Delphire ended and after a low congie to the Judge she seated her self in her place in expectation of Dianas judgment An universal humming was heard amongst all that heard her some approved and others dis-approved of her reasons but all in generall admired the excellency of her wit and the modesty wherewith she spoke and because Diana thought that none had any thing else to say she began to ask the opinion of the Shepherds and Shepherdesses in private when Filintes and Androgenes stood up beseeching that before judgment they might be heard because they were as much interested in the business as any Diana then sitting down again in her place commanded Filintes to speak for them both and when the murmure was ceased he began thus The Speech of FILINTES JF the greater Lovers be the worst speakers as that fair Shepherdess assures us they are then think it not strange most Wise Judge if according to that maxime Filintes say but little of his love unto Delphire nor of Androgentes unto Dorissea let not defect of language redound unto our disadvantage since from the parties themselves you hear that we have loved Delphire and Dorissea with so much affection and fidelity as that they never found any failer in us nor any remarkable fault For my part I began to love Delphire before Thomantes had any eyes to look upon her and Androgenes served Dorissea when Asphales by his inconstancy shewed himself weary of that glorious service This first affection like to the eldest son deserves the greatest portion and this last of Androgenes as a survivor and a worthy successor deserves the estate and though one of us was the first and the other the last yet both of us have ever since we began lived in such great observance and respect that we have patiently born all those favours which before our eyes were done unto these two inconstant weather-cocks I must needs confess that spleen has somtimes made me conceive some impressions of anger and made me murmure against those hard rigours which that fair one made me suffer but let her self say if she can whether in my greatest fury I expressed any action which was not all love As soon as ever she cast her eye upon me I returned immediately unto my duty and what can this signifie but that my affection was stronger then her rigour And Androgenes seeing Dorissea prefer Asphales before him he continued still with so much discretion and fidelity as is a most strong argument that nothing could divert him from this love and faithful service They say that the dropping of water by continuance of time will wear the hardest marble and will not a most constantly continued service have as great an influence upon the marble of an insensible heart Must we be they who must continually serve without any recompence Must we sow the ground and reap no Corn Will love be ungrateful only unto us And can they be niggardly unto us alone who have served with most fidelity Judge what reason or what Justice is in this Androgenes and I have oftentimes comforted our selves with thought when without reason we saw these two Weather-cocks obtain recompences in lieu of those punishments which they deserved that we must think to fight and strive before we must look to overcome and groan a long time under pain and travel before we tryumph but now we must confess that two things do extreamly astonish us the one is to see these two inconstants tryumph before they travelled and the other is that we cannot overcome the rigour of these cruel ones after so much travail and so long a combate and nothing does strike us into so much admiration as the pretensions not to say presumptions that Thomantes and Asphales have to hope nay ask as their dues to be loved by these two fair ones for if ever love had any cause to revenge the wrongs which are done unto him it is against them they ought to let drive all the arrows of his justice and make them exemplary unto all such as abuse the name of Lovers I am astonished Thomantes that after you had so many favours from Delphire the least of which was enough to fix the heart of Mercury that yet as if they had never been done unto you you should be full of mistrusts full of reproches and never satisfied I cannot chuse but admire Asphales that when you went away you went and was not loved and that when you returned
you should be in full possession of Dorisseas favour was it not strange that meeting her eyes and Androgenes in a glass you should forget so many favours received which could not be merited by you nor any person in the world But the greatest wonder of all is that after you both had committed such high crimes crimes which in Love are impardonable you should still dare to ask and pretend unto the same favours and the same graces which you had so ungratefully disdained I am even ravished with admiration to see you dispute with them and question who is in the wrong but the wonder of all wonders is that you durst be so impudently bold as to enquire of the Oracle and to see with what confidence you present your selves before a Judge to demand justice For if justice be done unto you what lesse can you expect then to be banished from all places within the Dominions of Love or rather condemned unto all punishments that ungrateful wretches do deserve These oh just Judge are the faithful Lovers who after they were even loadned with favours and graces did not only ungratefully fall off from those services in which they ought to have continued until death but have even scorned those whom they ought to have adored nay more they came unto that height of ingratitude as to scandal them and contrive infamous Libels and Songs against them can you ever think that these fair ones will ever endure to look upon you again without blushes O ye good Gods in what an age do we live Must those that sin and wrong innocents not only escape punishments but pretend unto recompences and rewards Fie fie unfaithful Lovers leave it unto Androgenes and Filintes to ask for recompences and rewards for it is only we that by the Laws of Love deserve them and we do protest here before all this Company that if Thomantes and Asphales be not punished for their ingratitudes and infidelities and if on the contrary Filintes and Androgenes do not receive recompence and wages for their affection and fidelity then there is no hope that within the Dominions of Love any wrong or crime will ever be punished or any benefit or virtue rewarded since these highest degrees of sinners do passe unpunished and we without recompence or reward When Filintes had done and set down Asphales and Dorissea would have answered for themselves but Diana answered That sufficient information had been given already on all sides and therefore she took Alexis Astrea Phillis and Sylvander a part and asked their opinions concerning the difference betwixt these Shepherds and Shepherdesses at last she returned again to her place and pronounced this judgment The Judgement of DIANA LOve as all things in the universe are is preserved and perfected by motion and contrariety and in as much as this motion cannot work upon things that are in themselves solide and stable without some exterior Agent the motion and agitation which can preserve and perfect Love which is of it self firm and stable and requires another mover and it is often times moved by jealousie the daughter indeed of Love but a bastard not legitimate and yet almost inseperable We do see also that it is from jealousie all these trivial quarrels and petty dissentions do arise which by the sages are called Renewings of Love but yet it is to be understood it ought to be the Mother but no long the Nurse for if she suffer them to suck of her milk too long in lieu of trivial quarrels and petty dissentions they will be changed into great divorces and dangerous hatreds which in the end will most undoubtedly smother Love Now this difference before us betwixt Delphire and Dorissea on the one part Thomantes and Asphales on another and Filintes and Androgenes on another part does demonstrate these several sorts of dissentions and divorces For betwixt Filintes and Delphire appears only those petty and indeed amorous dissentions from which Loves takes a pleasing and acceptable strength and increase Betwixt Thomantes and Asphales towards Delphire and Dorissea appears nothing but these disunions and dissentions too long nourished by the milk of an obstinate jealousie by which if Love be not quite smothered yet it is in the agonies of death and gaspes for breath On the contrary one may see in Androgenes a patient sufferance which may be suspected of a little Love without his perseverance and continuing to love her These things being long debated and seriously considered by us unto whom the charge is committed by the voice of the Oracle We do declare that Thomantes and Asphales have transgressed against the Laws of Love and against that duty which they owed unto the name of Lovers in nourishing so long these dissentions by their inconsiderate jealousies That Filintes and Androgenes on the contrary have in all their actions shewed a most exact observance of all those duties requisite in real Lovers And in as much as impunity of crimes and good actions unrewarded are causes of ruine in all Estates and Republiques We do ordain by virtue of the power which is given unto us that all those services which unto this day Thomantes and Asphales have rendred under the notion of Lovers and Servants unto Delphire and Dorissea and that all the pains and inquietudes which they have suffered in loving them be taken as nul and as if they had never been not pretending unto any recompence or gratification for the future And on the contrary we do ordain that the services which Filintis and Androgenes have rendred unto Delphire and Dorissea and all the pains patience and inquietudes which they have suffered in loving and courting them shall remain in force and validity and serve them for the future as of right they ought Yet notwithstanding since repentance does almost by force exact a pardon We do ordain that if Thomantes and Asphales do really repent of their crimes and would love and serve Delphire and Dorissea a new they shall be obliged to receive and entertain them as new Servants and Lovers who from this day forward do begin to serve them and to shew their merits And as to the four queries which were put by Thomantes and Asphales we do say by way of answer unto the first That a Shepherdess may without any offence unto constancy suffer and permit but not seek nor desire to be served and courted by many Unto the second That this plurality of servants not sought to nor desired but suffered only does not allow a Lover to have many Mistrisses unless which is not likely they be such as are only suffered and not desired nor courted Unto the third That both the he and the she Lover ought to live amongst all but unto one only imitating in this fair fruit upon a tree which is looked upon and admired by many but tasted only by one mouth As to the last that he does go beyond the limits of constancy that does any thing which may offend the person loved And to the end that for the future such an ignominious ignorance amongst Shepherds may not be upon the banks of the River Lignon We do will and ordain that the aforesaid questions and resolutions be written by Sylvander under the Table of the Laws of Love to the end they may be seen in the Temple of the Goddesse Astrea FINIS
all considerations and like a Torrent which is stopped in its course will at last overflow its own banks and all the fields about it So I say your forbiddance may for a time be a stoppage unto the stream of his violencies but his affection will at last break down all before it and overflow all your commands that obstruct it and perhaps with such violence as every one shall see it If it should so fall out as you may very well expect it will what can you doe more but still renew your first forbiddances Perhaps your language will be more sharp but alas words are but words and too weak to give a check unto one that really loves as I believe Silvander does Sister said Diana faintly I never yet met with any such obstinate Lovers which you speak of and when I doe I shall find out a way to be rid from them Heaven has not made us so miserable but though they have denyed us strength yet have they given us prudence enough to preserve our selves Thus these faire shepheardesses discoursed while they were dressing themselves and when they were ready they went towards the field of Mercury where they were all to rendezvous then to go unto the Temple of the good Goddesse and from thence to Alexis Silvander was before all the rest finding no contentment but when he saw Diana When they came there this shepheard was singing and was so rapt up in his own imagination as though they were very near him yet he perceived them not Diana seeing him in this condition she knew very well that Astrea and Phillis had spoken truth and that he prepared himself for a great Combat with her who since the death of Philander had never any spark of good will unto any man but this shepheard but not enduring that Silvander should serve her being a person altogether unknown she resolved upon extream rigor against the affection of this shepheard and perhaps something against her own inclination Whilst she was in these thoughts Phillis who loved Silvander for causing the jealousie of Lycidas to vanish She pittied him and turning towards Diana whispered thus in her eare I doe ingeniously confesse Mistriss that this shepheard does love you better then I doe and I am affraid that if you be judge the cause will go against me Dianas mind being directed another way she did not reply but as soon as Silvander had done singing How now shepheard said Phillis unto him doe you value this company so little that you will not daign them a look Silvander being roused out of his deep thoughts by this voice as out of a profound sleep he started up and saluted the shepherdesses I must confesse said he that Phillis hath obliged me though perhaps contrary to her intention Your ingratitude answered Phillis is such towards me as I shall never advise any to oblige you since you doe so ill acknowledge it doe you thanke me thus for advertising you of your duty and for bringing her unto you whom you say you love methinkes common civility should prompt you unto a more handsome acknowledgement then this Phillis answered Silvander you put me in mind of those Cowes who when they have filled the Paile with milk doe throw it downe with their foot for when you had in some sort obliged me you cancell the obligation by upbraiding me with it I must confesse that what you have done does merit acknowledgement but what acknowledgement is due the very same that Diana useth unto her little Dogge Driope when he hath done any thing which pleaseth her and if you aske her what recompence she gives him she will tell you that she onely chocks him under the chin and strokes him half a dozen times upon the back and since you have done no more for me methinkes you should be content with the same paiment Astrea and Diana could not chuse but laugh at his merry answer Upon which Silvander stepped towards her and offered to stroke her as Diana did her Dogge but she pushed him away and with a frowning look said unto him If you use to pay your debts with such money I believe all your Creditors will cast you off as I doe since your payment is so bad but ungrateful person you cannot deny your Obligation unto me to be great for changing your melancholly thoughts into a sight of the fair Diana This Obligation said he I must needs confesse to be very great if it was done intentionally but it was done with a quite contrary designe because all that proceeds from an enemy may well be suspected What ill designe could I have in it replyed Phillis Perhaps you thought said he that the severity of my Mistress would more perplex me then my melancholly thoughts or because you know that the more one sees the person loved the more is love augmented you thought there was no speedier way to kill me then by the sight of this faire shepheardsse But Phillis doe not think that I will ever shrink from such a death since I am sure I cannot avoid it and since no life can be more desireable then such a death is This dispute had lasted longer between this shepheard and shepheardesses had they not seen a company coming towards them and very neare all with intentions of going together as visitants of Alexis One of the company to make the time seem lesse tedious did sing and the substance of his song was against an unconstant shepheardesse Silvander and Diana listned with silent attention unto the words of the Song the finger was presently known to be Corilas who being stung with the perfidious tricks of Stella he could not hide those resentments of hatred which he had conceived against her That shepheardesse also after addresses in hopes of regaining him finding all her endeavours to be in vaine she also turned her amity into hatred which was so publiquely known unto every one as they were commonly called The Friends Enemies The shepheardesse did not at that time returne any answer because Hylas as she began did silence her with singing out these lines Of loving many JF love be good then it must be confest That God communicable is the best What crabbed Timon then can me reprove Or check me for communicating love If love be bad then certainly none will Condemn me for avoiding what is ill But be it good or bad to me all 's one I 'le either many love or else love none The Universe doth change and all that 's in 't The life is dull tha't 's tasked to a stint Natures delight is in variety If all sublunaries doe change faith why not I At these last words this Company was so neare Astrea and her Companions that they all saluted each other and left singing to enquire of each others welfare Hylas he applied himselfe unto Silvander Oh my good friend said he unto him I see that here is not one in all the company that knows how to love but I for
if there was you would not thus trifle away your time but go presently to the faire Alexis I believe answered Phillis that we shall be there time enough to imploy all your Constancy No no replied Silvander he has all the reason in the world to make haste otherwise there would be some danger lest the end of his love should be before the beginning of our journey Perhaps you think said Hylas that you have given me a notable check in saying that I doe never love any long but I take it as one of the greatest commendations you can give me For good Silvander tell me Is not he that goes as much ground in an hour as another does in a whole day is not he I say the best Footman and a Mason that builds a House in a moneth which another will not undertake under a whole yeare is not he the best Workman If you will make your love a Lackey said Silvander I shall think the faster it goes the better it is But as for your Mason let me tell you Hylas that he who makes most haste is not the best workman but he who does his work the best does best deserve that name for most haste makes worse work and often spoils all Hylas would have replied when all the Company began to set forward towards the Temple of the good Goddesse where Chrysante expected them at Dinner for that venerable Druid understanding their determination and being desirous to visit the faire Alexis she invited them all unto her house that she might make one of their company this request which was honourable unto them was not denyed and therefore Silvander left the inconstant Hylas to wait upon Diana being exceedingly glad of this opportunity of being with her when Paris was not Had the disguised Alexis looked the right way she might easily have seen them come from the field of Mercury for the Grove where she was surveyed the place but her eyes were so fixed upon the place where Astrea dwelt that she stood like a statue expressing no signes that she was alive but onely breathing or rather sighing She had longer stood in this musing posture if Leonide had not diverted her this Nymph not being able to extinguish her flames of affection towards Celadon she was so much delighted in the company of Alexis that she was absent from him as little as possible she could The wise Adamas having the words of Silvia still fresh in his memory though he knew well enough what ardent affection that shepheard had unto the faire Astrea yet did he live in much perplexity knowing very well that his Neece was not so disfurnished of natures gifts but that she might in time worke upon a young heart and make it forget all respects of loyalty and duty This consideration was so strong in him that she would never have permitted this young shepheard to enter his house under the habit name and motion of his Daughter Alexis had not the Oracle made a promise unto him that when Celadon did enjoy his contentment his age should then be happy so as being interested in point of happinesse he chose rather to take so much paines to watch the actions of them both then to lose that happinesse which the Heavens had promised Now because he could not have his eye alwayes upon them in respect his domestique and publique affaires invited him another way he charged Paris to be present with them as much as he could This morning when he heard they were both gone out of the house and that Paris was not with them he went immediately after them and followed his Neece so close as he was in the Grove almost as soone as shee where Alexis had beene along while entertaining her thoughts the noise which the Nimphs made as she came caused Celadon to looke that way and as he turned he spyed the Druide comming unto whom she bore so much respective reverence that though she had rather have beene alone entertaining his thoughts of Astrea yet seeming otherwise she went to meet him and bid him good morrow with a countenance of joy more then accustomed of which Adamas taking notice after his morning salute he told her that her countenance of jollity did presage but a bad conclusion of the day If it please good Father answered Alexis you shall receive contentment by it for as for me I have no hopes but in death and if you did observe me with a merrier countenance then ordinary it is because I thinke my selfe every day neerer the end of that torment which Fortune hath ordained for mee imitating in this those who are in a long and tedious journey who when they come to their Inn at night are pleased to thinke that so much of their paines is lessened the Druide returned this cold answer My dear Child those who do live without hope of comfort in their miseries doe not only offend against the Providence of great Tautates but also against the prudence of them who have the Guardianship of them In this occasion therefore I have a double cause of Complaint against you you have offended both the Gods and Mee as Druide of the Country into whose hands the Oracle hath committed you Father answered Alexis I should be extreamly sorry should I offend either the great Tautates or you and for an explanation of my words give me leave to tell you that my intention was not to doubt either in the Providence of our great Gods or in your Prudence but I doe beleeve it is not the will of the Gods to give me any contentment as long as I live and that my misfortune is so great as it is beyond all humane Prudence to helpe it You must know replyed Adamas that the slighting of a benefit received does often withdraw the hand of the Benefactor and makes it more slacke in conferring then it was before take heed you provoke not the Heavens unto the like for you doe so ill accept of what they have begun to doe for you as you have reason to feare that in lieu of happinesse they will inflict new punishments Doe you not consider that when you had mured up your selfe in a Salvage Rocke the Gods sent Silvander with consolation unto you Then to make their goodnesse more apparent unto you did not he cause Astrea her selfe to come unto you Did you not see her nay almost hear her and the Lamentations she made for you what better beginnings of happinesse could you possibly hope for then these I will not instance the visits of Leonide and my selfe for perhaps they were troublesome unto you but I may well mention the goodnesse of the Gods to you in inspiring mee to bring you unto my house under the notion and habit of my Daughter Alexis for doubtlesse it is her whom Astrea comes to see What more auspitious beginning can you have then this Can you imagine that without the particular aide and assistance of the Gods this habit and disguise
Dreame which she had This message caused Hylas to be hotter upon his departure then before and seeing that the venerable Chrysante could not go his importunity was such that the fair shepheardesses were forced to go away sooner then otherwise they would Astrea indeed was very desirous of haste in going though her discretion did hansomely dissemble it which Hylas and his free humour could not Having therefore taken their leave they set forward accompanied with the kind shepheards and because the Paths were in some places very narrow every one did undertake the conduct of her who was most agreeable to his fancy except Silvander who out of respect was forced to quit Diana unto Paris and Diana had desired Phillis not to be farre from her lest Paris should fall into discourse of his affection Phillis therefore took Diana by the other arm and mixed discourse amongst them seeming as if without design It happened that being come out of the Wood and having passed over Lignon at the bridge of Botereux the way was so broad that many might goe abrest Phillis therefore called Lycidas unto her and seeing that Silvander was constrained to entertaine Hylas Silvander said she purposely to interrupt Paris pray give me your opinion which of us two hath the better place I think answered the Shepherd that this which I have long had is the best you must have very good reasons said Phillis if you can make me beleeve it and your affection is very cold if you thinke so yet it is true said Silvander though not beleeved so as whatsoever you thinke of my place or affection to Diana I would not change with you for as sure as you are Phillis my place is better then yours I have heard said Philis that the neerer one is to the party loved the more is the Lover contented you have heard the truth replyed Silvander You see said Phillis that I am neere Diana and you are at a great distance For all that answered hee I am neerer to her then you are for you are only by her side and I am in her heart I shall no longer be sorry for the paines you take in walking said Hylas for now I see it is Diana that gives you strength to make long journeys without wearying your thighs Silvander smiled at the answer and replyed I know Hylas that you doe not understand what I say nor indeed is it to you that I speake but unto Phillis who the truth is I find to be ignorant enough in the mysteries of love but yet she is willing to learne so as she doth better deserve to heare me than you doe If Phillis desire to be a Schollar in the Schoole of love said Hylas and will follow my documents I shall make her an excellent Artist Every one laughed at Hylas and because Silvander observed that Astrea and Diana looked downe with their eyes he would change discourse therefore said unto him I perceive Hylas that you are very liberall of your Doctrine but to returne unto what I spoke unto Phillis I say againe that I am neerer Diana then she is though she stand close by her side because Diana is in my heart you said replyed Phillis presently that you were in her heart I say it againe answered Silvander beleeve it said Phillis there is a great deal of difference for if you doe love Diana it may be said that she is in your heart and if Diana love you then it may be said that you are in hers After the common and vulgarspeech said Silvander it may be so understood but amongst persons of understanding the one may be taken for the other for to be in any place is to be understood two wayes The one when the body is in a place and then the outside is in onely there the other is when the soul which is all spirit doth hover in any place as mine doth in the heart of Diana for a soule lives more where it loves then where it breaths To live is an immediate act of the soule it followes therefore that if I love Diana I am really in her it is also a common phrase to say My heart is there though my body be here This answered Phillis is a little too obscure for me but by all this you onely prove that your soule is there and not Silvander and therefore my place is the better for one part of me at the lest and that which is most apt for passion the body is neerer her then you are I confesse answered he that in body you are neerer then I am but you cannot conclude by it that your place is better because the soule is so much superiour to the body as there is no comparison betwixt them I wish withall my heart Shepheard said Hylas that we two were both in love with one Shepheardesse for since you contemne the body I would willingly take it for my share and leave the soule freely to you though it were the most learned soule among all our Druids As for example leave the body of Alexis to me and I will leave the soule of Adamas unto you who is a very knowing man Every one did laugh at this proposition unto which Silvander answered thus If all things be taken according to their true merit certainly your choise is not the best For the body which you only love is an object unworthy of the soules love because love should alwayes adde some perfection unto the Lover for it is confessed by all that love is a desire of something which is wanting Alas the body is unworthy of the soul's love because it is vile and base and much below it such Hylas as love onely the body are Pigmalion-like who fell in love with a peece of Marble Nature it selfe is very repugnant to it and you will confessâ— it Hylas when I aske you this Question If Alexis were dead would you then love her body To which Hylas making no answer I see you are mute truth hath silenced you or else you are ashamed of a bad opinion Neither the one nor the other said Hylas but what should I answer Doe you thinke I can divine I can give you an accompt of things past if I can remember them and of things present when I know them but as for things future good Friend who doe you take me for Doe you thinke I had one of the Sibils to my Tutor or that I was brought up at the schoole of Prediction Good Silvander if you discourse with me talke of things within compasse of mans capacity and let the secrets of the Gods alone leave things future unto them they have reserved them unto themselves If you aske whether I doe love the body of Alexis I answer you that I do but if you aske me what I would doe if the body had not a soule I must send you to such as can foretell things you may take them along with you if you will upon an errand to the Destinies and when
greatest wonder of all is to see Hylas silent Hylas turned towards her and knew her that spoke unto him to be Carlis the other Stiliana and Hermanthe with them this sight did so amaze him that not able to speake a word he ran to embrace his deare friend Hermanthe and after a long embracement he parted and imbraced againe have I met with my dear Hermanthe said he Is it possible I should find here the greatest beauties in all the Province of the Romans I might have said the whole world if this Country in which we are were excepted What The so much admired Daphnide the proud Stiliana and Carlis who first taught me to love The Gods have been abundantly favorable to me in conducting you hither Madam said he unto Daphnide you and your company are come to be witnesses of my Glory and Felicity Hylas answered the stranger you enjoy no contentment but I do participate in it as your friend but if you wonder to see me in this equipage I do no lesse to see you thus disguised and in a place where I had no thoughts of finding you however I doe thinke the encounter most happy if it will make me any sharer in the Glory and Felicity which you enjoy Madam said Carlis he nevers offers any signe of joy for meeting with me or with Stiliana Oh my first Mistresse said he why do you think so you know that ones first love is never forgotten But you shew the contrary said she for love cannot be when the party loved is forgotten and you cannot deny but that you had forgotten us all I am compounded of another mettal said he then other lovers are for I never use to forget those whom I ever loved nor is my affection to them extinguished 'T is true my memory will sometimes stumble and be covered over with oblivion as fire will be in the embers and my affections will slacken as a bow that hath been too long bent but my memory will get up againe blow but the ashes from the embers and the fire will be in and the bow after a little unbending will assume its first strength even so will my memory and my affection when the ashes of oblivion are blown away by the fight or presence of the party loved I perceive said Stiliana that Hylas is still Hylas I hope said Daphnide that we shall have leisure to know further of your welfare but in the meane time lest we should commit some errors amongst these fair shepheardesses I pray Hylas tell us who they are and whether Astrea and Diana be in the company Madam answered Hylas they are both there and then he shewed them unto her then Daphnide saluted them againe and after she had well looked upon them Fame I perceive said she has undervalued the truth for I see your beauty goes beyond all reports Madam answered Astrea and blusht those that live as we do may say that they are hardly in the world for living onely in woods and fields fame can take no notice of us and we think our selves very happy in her silence You may say what you please replyed Daphnide but now I have seen you I am able to say and truly that though fame should speak highly in your advantage yet she both is and would be sarre short of the truth and do you wrong Madam said Diana it is onely your sweet civility which is pleased to bestow these attributes upon us And though we are as my companion saith almost out of the world yet would we gladly be such as you are pleased to say we are for perfection is desireable in all You cannot desire more then you have replyed the stranger for if you should your desires would be above the power of Nature and I cannot believe it possible she should make two different beauties more perfect How Madam said Hylas though they be such as you say they are yet I was never in love with them or so little as it may be termed nothing All birds answered Daphnide are not pleased with the pure light of the Sun nor by consequence your bad sight with these great beauties Nay nay Madam replyed he It is rather because there are greater beauties in this Country then they are and you know Hylas was ever a lover of the fairest I can very hardly believe what you say answered the stranger I shall make you confesse it said he if you will goe whether all this company are going Discreet shepheardesses continued he and turned towards Astrea and Diana know that you see here in the habit of a shepheardesse and shepheard the fairest Lady and most generous Cavalier in all the Province of Galloligures and I believe your Country never received a greater favour from heaven then in receiving them therefore Noble Paris I beseech you let them not depart from this company until Adamas have seen them at his house Paris and the shepheardesses addressing themselves unto Daphnide did excuse themselves for not rendring them that honour which was their due and beseeched them to favour the great Druid so far as to visit his house which they consented unto as well to satisfie the request of Paris and the shepheardesses as out of their desire to speak with sage Adamas about some affairs which brought them unto that place having heard very much of his wisdom Hylas was very glad when they consented and because Daphnide knew him in the Isle of Camaâ—gâ—es and in Arles and was well acquainted with his honour she proposed many questions unto him by the way unto which the shepheardesses would sometimes answer for him and sometimes Silvander And though he was in a little kind of constraint before Daphnide Stiliana and Carlis yet he could not chuse but break out often in his answers especially when Silvander spake at which these strangers did so laugh that addressing himselfe unto Daphnide Madam said he unto her I think that in taking upon you the habit of these shepheardesses you have also taken their humour since this shepheard 's talk does please you so very well for he never opens his mouth to contradict me but presently all fall a laughing But my good friend Silvander said he and turned towards him you must know that it is at you whom this Lady laughs and not at me for thy education being onely Rurall thou speakest accordingly therefore I think thy best discretion is to talk no longer Courteous shepheard said Daphnide do not believe Hylas you do not know him so well as I do but I should be very sorry you should have any such opinion of me Madam answered Silvander Hylas and I have often such contests as these and never believe each other But Hylas said he and turned towards him do not mistake your selfe for I do know before whom I speak and know this Lady I had spent my time very ill amongst the Massilians and had been both deafe and blind if I had not heard of her merit and seen her beauty
I know Hylas and perhaps better then you do who the faire Daphnide is who Alcidon and who is the great and renowned King Eâ—rick perhaps I can give a more particular relation of the City of the Massilians and of Arles then many others and therefore though I am a shepheard doe not think to daunt me with your big words Daphnide then interposed truly said she I doe beleeve this shepheard knowes me and I beleeve what he sayes and also I beleeve he knowes more then you thinke he doth But kind shepheard said she unto Silvander if it will not be too much trouble unto you tell us how you came to know all these things Madam answered Silvander I was along time in the Massilian schools where your Name was so cryed up by the Bardi that every one did hear of it How came you now to be in the habit of a shepheard said she and what cause doth retaine you in it Fortune said he brought me into this Country and Love stayes me in it And said Hylas Love brought me into this Country and Alexis stayes me in it Who is that happy Alexis said she and smiled She is one said Hylas who will make you blush for shame and grow pale with envie she is so faire that she hath no equall Aylas answered she you say so much that I must needs beleeve you in part and too much to be beleeved in all your owne eyes said he will be witnesses presently against your selfe and will enforce you to justifie all my words for I have not spoke one syllable too much in her Commendations Alcidon hearing this thought himselfe concerned Hylas said he I will acknowledge your Mistresse to be faire but that she is fairer then Daphnide if words will not maintaine the contrary my blood and life shall Hylas hearing this assumed a very serious looke as farre as words will goe said he I will maintaine what I say but if you come to matter of blood and life I will not onely quit her unto you but unto any that shall maintaine the contrary for my profession is talking not killing every one began so to laugh at this answer that Alcidon could not reply of a long time after Doubtlesse their discourse had continued longer if they had not been very neer the house of Adamas In the meane time Alexis in contemplation of that contentment which she promised unto her selfe in the sight of Astrea did stand leaning against a window which looked towards the Plaine and talked with Leonide When she perceived the company comming and assured her selfe that Astrea was amongst them she started sometimes she looked upon one and sometimes upon another shepheardesse but when she spyed Astrea oh into what an extasie she was transported she fixed her eye upon her and spoke not a word as if she would take her fill of that pleasing Object At last fetching a deepe sigh she shewed her unto Leonide with her finger see see said she the fairest sight in the whole world being as bad almost in that rapture as Adrastes was Then keeping silence a while she went a pace or two backe from the window and folding her armes upon her brest Oh heavens said she how dare I present my self before her when she hath commanded me the contrary What said Leonide will you relaps into your old errour Were not these considerations sufficiently debated with Adamas before you came hither have you so soone forgotten his prudent reasons Doe not thinke said Alexis that I have forgotten them but I am sure Astrea will see me and I shall see her she will speake unto me and I unto her and is not this disobedience to her Command Goe goe said shee unto me I shall never forget those cruell words goe disloyall man and never come in my sight unlesse I commmand thee The Nymph thinking that if this discourse went on it would much disquiet Alexis she would not answer unto her only thus these thoughts Alexis must not now come into your mind it is already resolved upon the time is now come wherein you must shew your selfe a man Sonne to Alcippes whose courage was so highly esteemed by every one you must I say change your Countenance and Garbe you must receive Astrea without any wonder and at the first accoast of her have so much power over your selfe that none may discover you you know that the first impressions take deepest roote and upon them the most sure judgement is built therefore resolve with your selfe so to disguise the matter that those whom your habit deludes may not be undeceived by your actions Ah Madam said Alexis how easie a matter it is for those that are well to give counsell unto the sicke here is a fault committed already replyed Leonide why doe you call me Madam and not Sister you know Adamas will needs have me call Paris Brother and so he commands me to call you Sister and if you doe not the like you will be suspected you know that your face does extreamly resemble Celadon and therefore you must use abundance of Art to deceive people Sister answered Alexis since you are pleased I should call you so I shall endeavour to carry my selfe as well as I can but I assure you never was any more put to it then your miserable Sister is upon this occasion and unlesâ—e some helpe me out I know not how I shall delude the eyes of Astrea with whom I never used any dissimulation or disguisement Upon such occasions as these said the Nymph we must make our wit and courage appeare and as they say make a vertue of necessity Assure your selfe the Authority of Adamas is so great and every one hath such an opinion of his Wisedome that with a little helpe of your own none will question but that you are his daughter As they were thus talking Adamas being advertised of the coming of Astrea he came to hearten Alexis which was no small Prudence for she was so much out of her selfe that good preparatives were but necessary least she being surprised she might give too much knowledge who she was When they were in the midst of their discourse newes was brought them that all the Company was come in to the first Court of the Castle Alexis blusht and her legs trembled so that she was constrained to fit downe Leonide who perceived it the better to hide all faults told Adamas that it was good to draw the Curtains of the windowes and to let in as little light as might be that the alterations in the face of Alexis might not be discerned and that the pretence for it might be to hinder the Sunne from keeping the roome too hot The Druide liking the Counsell commanded all the Curtaines to be drawne But as they were busie in preparing all things on the one side Astrea was as much perplexed on the other her heart did beat extreamly and coming unto Phillis said to her in her eare Good Sister find some excuse or
Country And for my part having lost a Father and a Mother who loved me most tenderly and falne into the hands of an Uncle my sorrowes are double But Madam I beseech you pardon me for troubling you with such sad discourse Oh said Alexis you doe infinitely ingage me in it and you will doe me an extreame pleasure if you will give me a relation of every particular which concernes you for besides your merit and vertue which obligeth every one to esteem you I have a most particular desire to be interested in your love and therefore I beseech you continue on Madam said Astrea it is an infinite honour to me and I protest unto you that from the very first minute I saw you there is something which so devotes me unto you that nothing can divert me from your service but death Alexis would have replied and perhaps have entred farther into discourse if the jealousie of Hylas had not hindred her but he not being able to endure this long discourse betweene these two Lovers he did impudently fall upon his knees before Alexis and taking her hand kissed it before she was aware which she perceiving pulled backe and said unto him how now Servant does the faire shepherdesses of Lignon permit such familiarities The Virgin Druids from whence I came I assure you would thinke this very strange Mistresse said Hylas even as I doe not use to regulate my selfe according to the civility of these shepherdesses so you ought not to follow the severity of those Druids for if you doe neither you nor I shall receive much contentment by it I know not what you meane said Alexis but I am sure you must have very strong arguments to divert me from following the example of those holy Virgins amongst whom I have beene so long conversant I do beleeve what you say replied Hylas but you must know you need no worse Rhethorique to make me change my Nature I should be sorry answered Alexis to force you unto any change for I would have you be as you are onely let the law be equall between us and this as your Mistresse you may very well allow T is true said Hylas but how doe you meane I meane said Alexis that as I allow you to be as you are so you must allow me to be as I am and without any changing of humours either in you or me we may love each other as we did at first I doe allow of part of what you say replied Hylas but the rest is not according to my mind and I feare you have beene so cloystered up amongst the Camutes that you are halfe spoiled Every one began to laugh at the discourse of Hylas In the meane time Adamas entertained Daphnide and Alcidon after this manner Madam said he unto her I make no question but that it was upon a good occasion you came into this Country for otherwise you would never have left the lustre and delicacies of the Court I should not have presumed to aske the cause had not your selfe emboldned me and knowing thereby that you expect some service from me my readines to do it prompts me to ask what it is to the end I may serve you according to your merit and my duty Father answered Daphnide your wisdom and my need of your assistance makes me trust you both with this secret and the greatest I shall ever have I shall think my condition very happy said the Druid if I meet with any occasions to employ my selfe in your service and to make it appeare how much I esteem your merit I beseeth you take so much paines to see a Gallery which is in this house and there you shall find your own Picture ranked as it deserves I did never think said Daphnide thatâ— a thing so little worthy of either seeing or preserving should be in the possession of the Great Adamas Yet since you have done so I shall think the Gods intend good unto me by infusing this curiosity unto you which argues a willingnesse to helpe me in this businesse from whence my whole happinesse must proceed I shall acquaint you Father before we part with the occasion which brought me hither in the meane time I beseech you till me in what part of this Country is the fountaine of loves verity and how I may see it I can verily tell you Madam said the Druid where this Fountaine is for it is not farre from hence but I thinke it to be a thing impossible for you to see it because it is strangely inchanted and guarded by Lyons and other fierce Animals so as no humane force can quell them If the hazard of a life said Alcidon will conduce unto the contentment of my Lady she shall quickly receive what she desires I doe believe said the Druid that if courage and valour could doe any thing against inchantments the faire Daphnide would have what she desires by the meanes of the valiant Alcidon But you must know that the strength of all men in the world united together will do no good for spirits which are superior unto the nature of men are so puissant that even one of them is able to ruine the whole Vniverse unlesse the great Tautates for the preservation of mankind did restrain them so as the safer way is to have recourse unto Prayers and Supplications or else stay untill the time prefixed be expired and the conditions of the inchantment performed What are the conditions said Alcidon They are said Adamas very strange For the enchantment must not end but in blood and by the death of the most faithfull lover and loved that ever was in this Country This said Daphnide is a most strange Fate and must needs be miserable My selfe said Alcidon can furnish out the most faithfull lover yes said Daphnide and smiled if to love in severall places at once be fidelity If you replyed Alcidon could but manifest your fidelity as I can Alcidon would presently hazard his life I assure you said Daphnide I am not so desperate as to die to make inchantments cease But Madam said Alcidon It should seem the will of the Gods so to doe since they commanded us to come hither I shall obey the will of the Gods said Daphnide as far as possibly I can but before I take this course must have a more cleare and absolute command for it This replyed Alcidon argues but a very faint affection I do confesse it said she for I cannot undertake to be a sacrifice for the publique besides I am not now in love with any and therefore why should I hazard my life for any and if I were I would not do it I should think them out of their wits that would for it is not likely any that loves well would deprive themselves of the sight and presence of them they love to put an end to an inchantment But Father said she and turned towards Adamas I see that Alcidon constraines me to discover unto you the cause
owne Picture as when she was about the age of eighteen or twenty yeares she kept her eye long upon it and afterwards casting them upon the Portraiture of Euricke she could not chuse but sigh and say Oh great Euricke how fatall was the expedition which ravished thy Scepter from thee and what great cause have I to grieve since it is not permitted me to follow thee Madam replied Alcidon it must needs be confessed that the losse of Euricke was a generall losse but it would have beene much greater if yours had followed and doe you not thinke that the Gods in preserving you had a great care of me Such is their goodnesse Madam that they never reject the prayers of the just I doe wonder at that the more said Daphnide because mine are not received which were made with so much justice and reason For is it not most just and reasonable to accompany in death those whom they loved in life Adamas hearing his discourse was very desirous to heare more so as beseeching Daphnide to submit her will to the great Tautates he desired her to sit downe and to beleeve that all things are so wisely disposed by him that all humane wisdome was constrained to confesse it selfe ignorant and blind in comparison of his omniscient Providence Then Daphnide sitting next unto Adamas and all the rest of the company taking their places she began thus The History of Daphnide Euricke and Alcidon I know very well reverend Father that the great Tautates does all things for the best For loving us as the workmanship of his owne hands it is not likely he will withdraw his love from us But let me tell you that as Phisique though for our good is yet very bitter and loathsome so those afflictions which wee receive from the hands of the Gods though they be very good for us yet are they very heavy upon those that receive them Those who murmur against his will are indeed much too blame but if when they feele the smart they shrinke and bewaile it they doe but pay the Tributeâ— of their weaknesse and humanity I doe confesse that the goods which I have received from his hands are innumerable and his favours are above his punishments but we being all of a nature more sensible of the bad than the good I am forced to say that the afflictions which I have received have almost blotted out the memory of the blessings And being resolved to retire my selfe from the stormes of the World there is nothing which hinders me but the pursuit of this Cavalier whom I call troublesome This being the occasion which brought me into this Country I beseech you Father give me leave to let you understand how the case stands betwixt us that since the Fountaine of loves Verity is shut we may by your wise Counsell and advice finde some ease in our troubles Know therefore that Thierry the great King of the Visigots dying honourably in the battle sought in the Cathalaunique fields he left many children behind him successors not only in his Crowne but also in his courage and valour He who first succeeded him was Thorismond his eldest Sonne he being received King and crowned in Tholouse he made it his principall study not only to enlarge the limits of his Kingdome but also to replenish it with Cavaliers and Ladies Heaven was at that time favourable unto his will for neither Ataulfes nor Vulalia his Predecessors nor the great Thierry his Father had neere so many accomplished Gallants nor so many faire and wise Ladies as this great and generous King had It was my Fortune at that time to be brought unto the Court by my mother when I was about fifteene or sixteen yeares of age I must confesse that I did not yeild unto any of my age in the good opinion which I had of my selfe either by reason of the confidence I had in my own beauty which the flatteries of men infused into me or by reason of that love which every one is apt to have of themselvs which made me thinke all things more perfect in me than in others But so it was that me thought I did attract the hearts as well as the eyes of all in the Court The King himselfe who was one of the most accomplished Princes that ever the Visigots had daâ—gned to cast a favourable eye upon me and to carrasse me but there being a disparity in our ages he did withdraw himselfe conceiving and considering that such a love was more fit for one that was younger than himselfe At the same time Alcidon was with the King and I may without flattery say before his face that then he was the very Sun of the Court the beauty of his face his stature his hansome proportion his garbe his becomingnesse in every thing his sweet disposition his courtesie valour vivacity of spirit and wit his generosity and his other perfections did get him the onely esteeme of the time The King who was infinitely desirous that his Court should flourish in the bravery of Cavaliers above all other Courts of Europe he observing the merit of Alcidon in his youth did take a particular care of him assuring himselfe that if this hopeful Plant wat carefully pruned he would prove the glory of his Court. Never blush Alcidon to heare me speake so advantagiously of you in your presence I would have you know that my just hatred of you shall not hinder me from speaking the truth and because she paused a little as if she expected he should answer I do admire said he that you should see in me such secret qualities which perhaps all that know me would contradict and yet that you should neither see nor beleeve my extreame affection it being so great as all that know me cannot be ignorant of it I have long debated this in my soule and can find no other reason for it unlesse that perhaps you resemble those that make their esteem to appeare highest when they would be shut of the person whom they seem to esteem We shall debate that said he another time then returning to her discourse she thus cotinued Thorismond intending to furnish Alcidon with all possible accomplishments and knowing that the bravest actions and noble designes doe spring from love to sow the seeds in his soule he commanded him to love and court me Alcidon who was not so young though not above eighteen yeares of age but he was apprehensive of the favour which the King did him and knowing also that his advancement depended upon his obedience he undertooke his Commands and applied himselfe unto me as much as any one of hils age possibly could and to traine up his Youth in all compleat exercises the King caused Bals to be kept very often also Riding at the Ring and Tilting It chanced that presently after Alcidon had received this command the Ball was kept in the presence of Thorismond and the Queene it was the custome at those Bals to dresse
nothing but truth it is reason you should know it from her since she accuseth me and would have me punished T is true said Delia it is your part to speake first I shall let you understand it in few words replyed she for our discourse was not long he spake these words unto me How Madam doe you command me to live I answered him I would not have you live as you have done for the time past for if you doe I shall never pardon you after I have given you such testimonies of my good will He answered this is a most strange command and I doe vow that I will never obey it and when I charged him with his disobedience you entred and hindred me from knowing what he would answer Then Delia turning towards me Has Daphnide told the truth said she Yes my Judg answered I and upon these words I require justice as for the injury she offered in calling me perfidious and Traytor I say nothing because you heard them and besides that they are but consequents of the first offence But said Delia which way hath she offended you For Cavaler answer unto these questions doe you not prosesse your selfe a lover of this Lady Yes answered I so that when I cease to love I cease to live Then replyed Delia do you not know that it is one of the principallest laws of Love for a Lover to obey the person loved Yes answered I and so the commands be not contradictory to his affection as if she should command him not to love her she is not to be obeyed T is true replyed Daphnide for every thing doth naturally fly that which would destroy it but how can you excuse your selfe as not offending against this Precept in this occasion where you have not onely thought the command which she made that you should love her to be strange and hard but also has vowed to disobey her My Judge answered I I did protest it and I vow and protest it still and with this resolution that if I could die and die againe aâ— many times as I have lived houres since my first birth I would rather chuse all those deaths then not vow and protest it You hear said Daphnide being extreamly angry how he speaks and judge whether he does not deserve punishment My Judge said I and smiled let my Mistresse command me to fight against a whole Army of men let her appoint me to cast my selfe into the fire nay if she please let her presently put a dagger through my heart I will immediately obey her And to let her see what dominion she has over me let her put me to what test she pleases for I am sure she cannot command me any thing be it never so dangerous or full of difficulty but my love will prompt me immediately to obedience Doe you not remember that when you first admitted me entrance and enjoyned conditions upon me how I promised to performe them all provided they did not contradict my love I doe remember it answered Delia Then my Judge replyed I methinkes you should not take it ill that I should make this vow and protestation of disobedience unto my Mistresse for had I done otherwise I had been perfidious and a Traytor both to her and Love I asked her how it was her pleasure I should live I would not have you live answered she as you have done for the time past Now if I did love her for the time past as much as a heart could love in commanding me not to love her as I did for the time past is not this to command me not to love her and should I not be disloyall and perfidious if I should obey such a command No no Madam I cannot doe it I loved you when I was a Child I have continued it when I was a man and shall love you till death nothing can divert me from this resolution it is so rivitted in my heart that it will never out as long as I live nay it will be found in my heart after my death Delia then began to smile and said I see that Love is a Child and a little thing will set him a crying my sentence is this I doe ordaine first that all differences shall cease then that Alcidon as a punishment for his fault in answering Daphnide so peremptorily that he would disobey her that presently he doe kisse the hand of his Mistresse and that Daphnide as a punishment for commanding him a thing which she would not have done had she rightly understood it that she shall kisse Alcidon as a testimony of her repentance This judgement was executed to my great contentment and we spent all the rest of the night in such pleasant discourse as when I heard a clocke strike me thought that it did not make quarters of hours I should never make an end should I relate all the discourse we had amongst us I will therefore onely tell you that being ready to depart after I had deferred it as long as possibly I could I took the hand of my fairest Mistresse and kneeling downe I said thus unto her I am now Madam upon the last minute of my happinesse for Delia and the time forceth me to depart I perceive that neither of them are sensible of my passion and for ought I perceive you who are the cause of it are as insensible as they Alcidon answered she doe not complaine of me but consider that if I did not love you I should never run the hazard of my honour and your life which is dearer to me then my owne and you thinke that the passion which blinds my eyes unto all these considerations must needs be very great Madam said I unto her this is it which most amazeth me that since you have already done so much for me you should now doe so little Then her Sister being at a little distance doing something in the Chamber Daphnide answered me Remember Cavalier that the conditions betwixt Delia and you at your first entrance into this adventure were that you should not be too importunate in your demands but to be patient and persevere At this word she held her hand unto me which with a sigh I devoutly kissed Then said I unto her all that I have to doe is to pray unto the great God Saturne who is the Governour of time that he will make it passe away quickly so as I may arrive at my happinesse before my death otherwise that if I must never arrive at it then that my life may quickly passe so as I may not live and languish too long in paine Live Cavalieâ—â— said she unto me and live contentedly and consider that I doe love you These were the last words she then spoke unto me for the clocke strucke twelve which was the hour of my departure by appointment And Delia lest he who stayed for me at the doore should be perceived would not let me stay any longer Besides I was so extreamly grieved that the
yet at lest a pretender unto it yet God knowes what force ambition has upon the spirit of a woman especially upon a woman of a generous soule Whilst we were thus discoursing upon the businesse newes was brought the King that they of Arles were resolved to submit themselves into his hands upon those conditions he offered unto them to wit the conservation of their Franchises and priviledges without which the Inhabitans of the Town were so couragious as they would never have consented to acknowledge him This is the reason said the King and tooke me aside why I aske you whether you are as prosperous in Love as I am in Warre For this City is the chiefe of all the Province and it rendring it selfe unto me it is to be thought that all the rest after its example will doe the like Sir said I unto him it is a very happy Omen unto me and if I doe bring about my designe I will not change my prize for yours The King imbraced me with a smile and said afterward aloud we shall heare the rest of your businesse another time Meane while I will goe and take orders to content those of this Towne so as may invite others to doe as they have done that Sir said I unto him is the best course you can take for a great King as you are should force people unto submission more by sweetnesse then violence Whilst the King was busie on his side I was no lesse on mine for at the same time I dispatched Alvian which was the name of him whom Daphnide gave me for a guide and because she had a great trust and confidence in him and that his fidelity and affection was already known unto me I desired him to contrive it so that by his prudence I might sometimes see that fair Lady I told him that I would never forget my obligations unto him which I would repay any way he would desire so he departed with a promise that he would study my contentment and upon every occasion would testifie his desire of doing me service Thus I left him and was in such raptures of Love as I had no other thought but of Daphnide I found by experience that Lovers doe not measure their time like other men but according to the impatiency of the passion which possesseth them for dayes seemed unto me whole months so long did I thinke them hearing no newes from this faire Lady my sweetest entertainment was my owne thoughts which when I could get my selfe out of all company ran continually upon the passages of my voyage The great Eurick having nothing to doe after the rendition of this Towne would refresh his Army for some dayes for it had been much tyred out in that occasion and dividing them into severall Quarters he kept no more about him then were requisite for the safety of his person And because it was his custome when he tooke Truce with Mars to begin warre with Venus and with his sport in hunting he devoted himselfe unto them two there being nothing more odious unto his courage then idlenesse and it was his ordinary Apothegme that to live and do nothing was to bury himselfe before he was dead My office called me to be continually about his person but my affection to him much more and therefore I was never from his elbow The truth is this new love or rather this renewing of my old love to Daphnide had made me so melancholly that I could hardly speake unto any Which the King perceiving one day when he was hunting whether it was to mocke at my passion or whether it pleased him to heare talke of her who tyed my heart and my tongue I know not but he called me unto him and with a smile said May one not interrupt your thoughts so farre Alcidon as to tell you that they are so much taken up with absent persons that they care not for us that are present Sir said I unto him there is a necessity of it upon me which I hope wil serve for an excuse For ought I see Alcidon replyed he none but I am a loser in this Adventure Why Sir said I unto him Because said he Daphnide hath gotten a Servant and you in lieu of a Master have gotten both a Master and a Mistresse But I have lost for whereas I alone did possesse you now I have a Companion who has a share with me and perhaps a greater then I have Did I thinke Sir replyed I prâ—sently that my affection would any manner of way divert me from that service which I owe unto you doubtlesse Sir in lieu of Love I would chuse Death and should thinke my selfe unworthy to live if I did not to my last breath continue in this desigue But then if without prejudice to your service I may obtaine that happinesse which Love doth promise me and which my heart does so passionately desire I cannot thinke it any losse to you for a good Master as you are does alwayes desire to see his Servants thrive in contentment I must confesse said he unto me and laughed that this affection so it do you no harm it will not doe me any but I much feare that as disease cannot continue long but it must needs either increase or diminish so if yours do not quickly diminish it will so increase that we shall be both losers And therefore you must either be diverted from it or else use some remedies Sir said I unto him the care which you are pleased to have of me will guard me from all danger But to cure or diminish my affection is to attempt a thing which is beyond the reach of all possibility This said the King is a most strong and violent passion Sir said I unto him did you but see her who is the cause of it you would say all is too little to equall her But is it credible said he that she should be so fair as you speake her Sir answered I did I not feare that I my selfe should be the cause of my owne ruine I would tell you and truly much more but I am afraid that in so doing I should sharpen the weapon which will kill me How doe you meane said he unto me and because I did not answer Speak freely Alcidon said he tell me what your fear is and he commanding me two or three times at last I continued I feare Sir and not without reason lest Daphnide being so infinitely faire should have as great an influence upon your soule as she hath upon mine if that should happen there is no way for me but death and a death so desperate that my most mortall enemies would pitty me I knew by severall circumstances said he then unto me that you were in this doubt and I had a mind to put you out of it No no I would not offer such wrong unto any of my servants much lesse unto you upon whom I have conferred so many signall testimonies of my particular good will
considering that when the desires of people are thwarted they are most violent and when the desires of persons in power are once knowne they are prompted to use violence But the great constraint in which I lived did so perplex me that I fell sicke By this reverend Father you may judge how great my affection was since it had power to bring me into such a condition The King did not thinke my sicknesse so great as it was but it increasing every day and his affaires constraining him not to abide long in one place he left me in the City of Avignion upon the report of the Physitians who told him how great my disease was Thus I tarried in this Towne so ill that but for the contentment which I received from some Letters which Daphnide sent me by Alvian I know not what would have become of me However it was more then eight dayes that I kept my bed before I heard any newes from Daphnide because she not knowing of my sicknesse but supposing me to be in the Army she sent Alvian thither In the meane time I who thought that she knew of my sicknesse I pined away with sorrow and griefe having an opinion that her silence proceeded from a defect in her affection and then I blamed the inconstancy and ambition of women supposing that the Kings affection to her was certainly the cause of it At last my impatiency not being able to indure this incertainty I sent unto her my Servant who carried my Letters the first time unto her and in the extremity of my sicknesse I writ these few words unto her Alcidons Letter unto Daphnide I Have all the reason in the world at this time to complaine against my Fortune being at once left both by my Master and my Mistresse I know not Madam whether it be permitted me to phrase you so But in this I must needs commend her who seeing the injuries which both of them doe me she would not let me live any longer least I should any longer indure this unjust punishment See sage Adamas how Love will sometimes both wound and cure his Subjects almost at the very same time Alvian who was sent to seeke me in the Army and hearing that I lay sicke in Avignion he returned in all haste to his Mistresse who presently dispatched him unto me and by fortune the same day that her Letter came to me mine came to her The Letter which Alvian brought imported these words Daphnides Letter unto Alcidon THe Bearer hereof hath been a great distance off to seeke you and to my great griefe will find you neerer If my Health be any thing deer unto you let me heare of yours When I received this message and understood by word of mouth the reason why she writ so short was because she thought me so sicke as I was not able to read more Oh sage Adamas I cannot expresse my joyes I was indeed very sicke and the Physitians who applyed onely corporall remedies were farre besides the marke since my malady was only of the mind The truth is that from the first houre of Alvians arrival I recovered strength and not to disobey the command which I received from Daphnide I sent him back the next morning with this answer Alcidons Answer unto Daphnide Madam IT is from Daphnide you must inquire of Alcidons health since it wholly depends upon her If you continue upon him the honour of your favours he is well otherwise he is not onely dead but sorry that ever he lived On the other side Daphnide seeing my thoughts or rather my jealousie she was very desirous that Alvian might remove it from me for she knew very well that I had a great confidence in him And further to make her good will appeare she sent my Servant backe with so many good words and assurance she would never alter as I was constrained to beleeve it Her answer was this Daphnides Answer unto Alcidon IF it be so that one may judge of another by themselves I have great reason to doubt of that fidelity which you have promised me for you have done so of mine If you were in my roome should ambition transport you above love Oh no I will not harbour such an opinion of you For I must confesse Alcidon if I did I would not love you so well as I doe wrong me therefore no more in this kind unlesse you would have me beleeve that you would have that affection diminish which you have sworne unto me Thus we continued many dayes writing unto one another with so much contentment unto me that my disease was forced to leave me and when I had got so much strength as I hoped every day to ride abroad Alvian came to bring me two Letters which the King had writ unto her from the Army And in testimony of her free way she lived with me she sent them yet sealed as when she first received them Daphnides Letter unto Alcidon NOw the Wars are begun I have sent you two Prisoners none yet ever spoke with them treat them as you please I freely give them unto you as I will doe all the rest that fall into my hands In this I received at once a great pleasure and a great displeasure I cannot expresse my contentment to see that Daphnide did so well performe her promise to me but it wounded me to the very soule to see that the King should attempt that which he had sworn unto me the contrary To withdraw my selfe from Daphnide I thought a thing impossible and I knew that if the minde of this faire one proved strong enough to resist him he would in a transport of passion banish me the Court Also if she yielded or was overcome then there was no hopes of any life for me I remained long in this doubtfull incertainty at last love having the predominancy in my heart I resolved to advise her not to receive any such messages from him if it were possible yet my curiosity prompted me to see what the King had writ having an opinion that though I did not yet she would read them and I should never know so I returned her this Answer Alcidons Answer unto Daphnide THese two Prisoners Madam are not of that quality to be kept long in my prison I have therefore sent them both back But take heed lest in hearkning unto any more the Fort which Parleyes doe render it selfe I should be too tedious should I relate all the Letters which we writ unto each other at that time for since it was not above six or seven leagues betwixt us we sent unto each other almost every day But so it was that the King being resolved to be as victorious in Love as in War he persisted so close in the Courtship of this faire one as what excuse soever she can find she must confesse that if it was not Love yet it was Ambition at the least which invited her to hearken unto him and to entertaine his Courtship
great God who punisheth all false Oathes that all the paines you shall imploy in the Courtship of Clarinta shall be put upon my score and account and that it shall be my selfe who will pay you your wages Methinkes that if Alcidon did love me these expressions would content him and yet I perceive this enterprise goes against his heart and he will attempt it onely because he will not disobey me But so it was that in observance of his promise to me he resolved upon it and according to his best discretion he began this addresse in which truly he found more difficulty then we imagined and much more had met with if fortune had not removed some great impediments by an encounter which I shall relate unto you The History of the Artifice of Alcires IT is easie to be imagined that Clarinta being such a captivating beauty and brought up in a Court full of generous young Gallants was not long without many servants Amongst the rest there was two who under an umbrage of Consanguinity had insinuated themselves highly into her favour The one was called Amintor and the other Alcires both of them indeed very valiant and amiable Cavaliers And who if I be not mistaken did imbarque themselves at first into the affection of this beauty under the notion of friendship a subtilty very ordinary and often used by love the better to surprise those who are of harder tempers to give it entertainment Besides the kindred which was between these two Gallants their long education together the conformity of exercises unto which they addicted themselves and their concurrency in age did unite them in a strong league of friendship and adopted them brothers in matter of Armes and to sweare amity and assistance of each other But love which never admits of any companion did make a fraction in this league of friendship as hereafter I shall relate unto you Fire cannot be so hid but some smoak will appeare but I believe it is a matter more hard to cover love long especially from those who have any interest in it And therefore Alcires finding that Amintor did thrive in his addresses better then himselfe and seeing all just wayes would not avail him he resolved to have recourse unto subtilty thinking that so he could overcome all wayes are allowable in Love It is usuall amongst persons of any quality to make choice of one amongst their servants whom they make a confident and trust such a one more then any other Clarinta made choice of one amongst her maids whom she loved very well and trusted with her most intimate secrets Alcires who knew what prevalence such servants use to have with their Mistresses had long before hand courted the good will of this wench and being a brave Gallant and very liberal he got himselfe so farre in her favour as he could mould her into a model so as when Amintor and he met together at the faire Clarinta's he would alwaies yield place unto him and entertaine this wench who stood a distance from them And when he saw Amintor look upon him he would alwaies have some secret to whisper in her eare and smile doing all he could to make Amintor enter into some suspition Amintor observing this as the nature of lovers is he presently suspected that this familiarity betwixt them proceeded from some greater cause then from that wench and perhaps from some design which Alcires had upon the Mistresse Amintor being a man of a free open heart and one that could not long smother his thoughts from a friend one day meeting with a fit opportunity he said thus unto him Good Alcires what businesse of importance could you have with Clarinta's maid which made you so earnest with her as you seemed Alcires seeing his plot began to take did at first answer him onely with a smile and afterwards would you have me tell you said he you doe so wholly take up the Mistresse when you are with her as I being all alone am forced to take up with what you leave me the maid But heretofore said Amintor you were not wont to doe thus and I am no more a taker up of the Mistresse then I was wont to be what new mood has of late possessed you Alcires paused a while before he answered and then looked upon him with a subtile smile at which Amintor was more troubled then before and seeing that he spoke not a word Why said he doe you not give me an answer have I any interest in your familiarity with her if I have I pray let me know it that I may share in your mirth Alcires then setting a more serious face upon the matter Amintor said he unto him Although there was no ligaments of Consanguinitie us yet as I am your friend you may easily believe that I will impart any thing unto you and the very truth is I had long since acquainted you with what you desire to know at this time had I not feared your disgust of it and this consideration will still stop my mouth unlesse you assure me of the contrary I will not give you that assurance said he if you tell it with an intention of displeasing me but if you tell it with an intention that I may prevent any inconveniency I shall think it a very great obligation If you will promise me said Alcires to use it with discretion and to take well the advertisement which I shall give you onely with intention to bring you forth of a great error I am very ready to tell it you as your kinsman and as your friend but otherwise I shall not for unlesse you make good use of it it may doe you much hurt Then Amintor making that promise unto him Alcires went thus on Know Amintor that after a long Courtship of the faire Clarinta I prospered so well that she is intirely mine aad I have enjoyed her Oh Heavens said Amintor doe you know what you say have you enjoyed Clarinta Yes yes said Alcires I have enjoyed her and therefore set your heart at rest for she is so much mine as very few nights passe but I am with her and therefore you see I shun her company as much as I can purposely to deceive inquisitive eyes as she desired me Oh ye Gods said Amintor and lifted up his hands Oh heavens will you not punish her I assure you said Alcires that I had a longing desire to acquaint you because I was extreamly sorry to see you so deceived but as I told you before I much feared that it would vex and displease you Amintor upon this folded his Arms and stood silent a long time at last said thus I should be extreamly angry with you Alcires for ravishing Clarinta from me did I not know that when we both courted Clarinta we had no designe of deceiving one another for as those who run for a prise though many run yet onely one can win it so I have no reason to be angry with you
alteration had come sooner she stood astonished at this answer and when she would have continued discourse his Physitians came unto him so as she durst not make any further replies but after a little longer stay she went away the worst satisfied person in the world in the meane time Alcires to lose no time in the seconding so good a beginning and to comply with all occasions that presented themselves he grew more kinde and familiar with Amintor then before and kept himselfe so constantly near him as it was impossible for any to speak with him and he not heare For knowing very well that his disease proceeded from despaire principally he was loath any should undeceive him or let him know the truth But because he had not yet accomplished his chiefe worke but thought it necessary that as he had deceived Amintor so to deceive Clarinta also purposely to make her fly from him as he fled from her one day therefore when he was with his companion alone in his Chamber he made a shew as if he would write something which was of some importance but as if his fancy was not pleased with what he writ he raced out sometimes a word and sometimes a whole line and at last as if he were angry at the dulnesse of his genius he tore the paper in pieces and flung away the Pen at which Amintor smiling and wondering at it he asked him why he did so I assure you answered he that my wits are off the hinges this day This morning the King commanded me to write a Letter of thankes unto a Lady for some favour which she had done him and to carry it to him when I had done that he might transcribe it but my genius is so dull to day that I am not able to write one significant syllable to the purpose Amintor loving Alcires and knowing that Eurick used to imploy his friends sometimes in such Commissions whom he thought had a happy faculty in penning he would try whether his malady would permit him to write this Letter for his friend and taking his scribled Paper out of his hand the better to hint him upon the subject he writ these Lines Amintors Letter in the name of King Eurick IT is Madam by the grandure of my affection that you have measured the favour which I have received from you but by what rule can I square and equall the thanks which I owe unto you for it it must needs be by some rule that is infinite for such is my will to doe you service which I beseech you to receive as from a person who loves you above all the world and thinkes himselfe the most obliged person in it Alcires did desire no more but that Amintor should write such a Letter upon this subject not with intention to give it unto the King as he pretended but to effect another designe which he had plotted in himselfe he much commended therefore the acutenesse of his fancy and his facility of expression then thanked him for it and put it in his pocket after this he went away pretending to transcribe it in his Closet where he was to doe such things By fortune the rude Copy which he first writ remained upon the Table which the poore sick Amintor laid up in a little drawer where he was wont to put such Papers without any other designe but that it might not be seen Alcires in the mean time sealed the Letter but gave it no superscription and went to Clarinta taking a time when he thought to find her alone Two dayes were already expired since the last time Clarinta did visit Amintor and since she returned so ill satisfied and though she was very desirous to know why Amintor should speake in that manner unto her yet she durst not goe againe so soon lest she should thereby give occasion of scandal And now seeing Alcires also knowing what familiarity there was betwixt them and not being ignorant that Alcires loved her as well as Amintor yet she could not chuse but aske him how he did Alcires seeming as if he did not know that his friend loved her did answer her very coldly I believe Madam he is very well for he is of late so jocond and merry as it is not likely he will long keep his Chamber since all the Physitians say that the cause of his malady was excessive sorrow I believe said Clarinta that the Physitians said truly but if he be so jocond as you say he is much changed since I saw him for the last time I was with him he could scarcely open his mouth to give me a word I know not said Alcires when it was you saw him but I am sure that never man looked with a more contented face then he did yesterday morning and it was not without good reason if he who obtaines his desires has any reason to be contented I beseech you Alcires said she presently let me know what it is which causeth him so much contentment that as his Cousen and friend I may participate in his joyes Madam replyed he I should willingly obey your command but that I know very few women who can be secret and should he ever come to know it I should quite lose his friendship which I value at a very high and deare rate I must confesse said she that I am a woman but none of those who you say cannot keep a secret having ever made a constant profession not to speak of any thing which I promise to conceal as at this time I sweare and protest I will Upon this promise said he I will tell it you but upon a condition that you shall not by your soveraigne power over me urge me to tell more then I am willing to impart I assure you said she that I will not Know then replyed Alcires most craftily that poor Amintor is secretly become desperately in love with one of the prime and fairest Ladies in all the Court and loving her extreame passionately he resolved to try how her pulse did beat in good will towards him but finding himselfe not not so happy as in his hopes he resented it so sadly that he fell sick and fell into such strange fits of melancholly as there are very few persons but that ghesse her to be the onely cause of it Of which this faire one being advertised was moved unto so much compassion as to visit him and since finding the grandure of his affection she gave him so much cause of contentment as before she did of despaire Do not expect Madam that I should tell you who it is unlesse you can guess at her by the effects which I shall relate but so it is that this very morning he hath a writ a Letter unto her and made me his confident to carry it Clarinta hearing this and being infinitely surprised at it she could not chuse but blush extreamly and because she would not have Alcires see her she held her Hankercher before her face and
me but still upon condition that you tell me what the perfidie is whereof you accuse me and whether it arise from such another originall as that of Alcires I do beleeve said she that it is possible to be so yet your owne hand writing which I know very well will hardly let me thinke you innocent Then causing a box to be brought unto her she tooke out the torne paper which Alcires gave unto her and giving one piece unto him can you deny said she that this is your writing Amintor having looked well upon it I must confesse Madam said he that this is my hand Then said Clarinta when all the peeces are put together they will shew you the perfidie whereof I accuse you for I confesse the Letter was brought whole unto my hands but when I saw my selfe so basely betrayed by a person from whom I least expected it very spite and anger made me tear it thus in pieces Amintor was so much amazed as he could not answer but she raising her selfe up in her bed and spreading the pieces of paper upon it she joyned them so together as she read unto him that thankes which he gave for the extraordinary favour which he had received Amintor calling to memory the time when he writ this Letter and by what cunning he was induced to write it I must needs confesse Madam said he that Alcires is the most subtle crafty and pernitious man that ever breathed t is true I writ this Letter and gave it unto him onely as a Copy and without any seale and so he told the whole story and truth of the businesse but said he I doe remember one thing which remains in my hands and which confirmes as you said that God never fails the innocent for that will shew you the truth of what I tell you and therefore by your permission I will send for a little box in which I put the paper that Alcires writ when he intreated me to indite that Letter for him according as he said the King had commanded him By which you may plainly see that what I did was only at his instance and without any concernment of my owne Clarinta had a great desire to sift out the matter and therefore desired him to send for this paper which being presently brought did cleerly testifie the truth of what Amintor said which gave such full satisfaction unto Clarinta for she knew the hand of Alcires very well as giving her hand unto Amintor I aske your pardon wronged Amintor said she for the ill opinion which I entertained of you protesting for the future that no Artifice whatsoever shall make me mistrust your affection Madam answered Amintor and kissed her hand I shall place this day in my Calender as the happiest I ever lived since it has discovered two things which would never have come to light by any other meanes The one is That it hath let me know how my own eyes have betrayed me And the other is That it hath let you see how I am still your most faithfull servant These two happy encounterâ— doe so much tâ—nsport me beyond my selfe as I must confesse I have not words to expresse my thankes unto you and my good fortune He would have continued but he was prevented by the Kings coming in who hearing how ill this Lady was he came to visit her almost all alone lest too much company should disquiet her and he came in upon such a suddaine as he surprised the pieces of the Letter which were upon the bed As for Amintor he had presently put his up but Clarinta was so surprised at the Kings suddaine coming and finding that Cavalier with her as she forgot to put hers up And the King spying them laid his hand upon them so quickly as she could not hinder him and all her prayers were fruitlesse to make him render it back again But on the contrary lapping it up very carefully in his Hankercher and after he had talked with her a while he retired himselfe to his Closet where putting the pieces of Paper into order and saw the thankes which Amintor gave her for he knew it to be his hand imagine you in what a case he was All Lovers are commonly jealous but especially this King whether it was that he loved with great violence or whether his generous courage could not brooke a Rivall yet so it was that this jealousie moved him to such a hatred of this fair wise Lady as he did not content himselfe with telling this unto me and shewing the Letter unto Amintor but he blazed it abroad and made such a publique matter of it as all the Court had talke enough upon that subject Observe sage Father how this pettish god whom they call Love is pleased to make himselfe merry with such as serve him I desired to break off the amity betwixt Eurick and Clarinta and in order thereunto I made use of Alcidons love by way of gratification and to the end I should not be beholding to my own prudence did raise up Alcires who with a Letter which fell into the hands of the King did doe the work for me The drift of Alcires was to take off a servant from Clarinta and by his subtilty make her hate his Rivall and quite contrary the disatisfaction of Clarinta was the cause of her receiving Alcidon into her favour And so Alcires in lieu of one Rivall found two Alcidon on the other side who gave that Paper of Verses unto Clarinta in hopes to obtaine her favour he gave occasion to Amintor to be reconciled unto her and to find out the knavery of Alcires Alcires he got Amintor to write a Letter with intention to make the faire Clarinta hate him by it and this Letter quite contrary to his aime did make himselfe out of favour But the worst of all is and which is the cause of my coming into this Country I who aiming to make Clarinta lose a servant I gave her one and deprived my selfe of him to resigne him unto her for Alcidon since that time has so wholly devoted himselfe unto her that he is mine onely in his tongue and hers in his heart Oh the giddy and unconstant humours of men There is nothing in the world will make them and their fleeting minds firm and stable But this Cavalier having begun a Courtship of this Lady by my commands he continued it according to his will so as she may very well boast that as I took one servant from her she has also ravished another from me and with this advantage that she loved Eurick onely out of ambition but I did love Alcidon really and cordially At the first I did not resent the losse because I received extream contentment in being delivered from that inquietude which Clarinta kept me in till of late But I did not long enjoy this rest for it seems the heaven is pleased I should tread alwaies upon thornes for I had no sooner enjoyed this happy
and amongst the wonders of his History does not admire the puissance that the beauty of Daphnide had over his soule I beleeve that Ganges and Thyle have heard so much discourse of it as that your names are as well knowne here as in Gaule But I must confesse that presence which usually does diminish the opinion which fame gives of absent persons does make it appeare that the opinion which I had of Daphnides beauty and merit was much below what I find to be true I thanke the Gods for honouring my house so much as to see you in it and should be much more thankfull if I can be any way serviceable unto you For and it is without any flattery I was never more affected unto the service of Amasis or Galathea then I am unto yours and I shall esteem ery day happy that gives me any opportunity to shew the truth of this Let also this my devotion extend it selfe very farre unto Alcidon And as to the Question which you aske me concerning the Oracle I can at present say no more but this that it is impossible you should receive that benefit which the Oracle promiseth from the Fountaine unlesse some strange and even miraculous things do come to passe For Madam this Fountaine as I told you before is indeed in this Country and not farre from this house but Clideman and Gugâ—man procured a learned Druide to inchant it and set such guards upon it as it is a thing impossible to attempt the seeing it by force For it is perpetually watched by most fierce Animals and such Charms cannot be uncharmed but by the death of the most faithfull Male and Female Lovers in the world What kind of Animals are they said Alcidon for to testifie that I doe and ever did love this fairest Lady I am very willing to venture one If you can but finde said the Druid and smiled the most faithfull female as it seemes you have the male perhaps you may with the losse of your life let the faire Daphnide see this Fountaine but I believe you will hardly finde a companion and since it is so I advise you to leave off your designe and take my word that no humane wit or power can bring it to passe but this way I have told you It is guarded by two of the greatest and most fierce Lions that ever any eye beheld and two of the keenest Unicorns which guard the entrance into this Fountaine whilst the Lions go about to looke for their prey As for the Unicornes they fed like Horses and Deer upon Grass and Leaves But it is most strange that these Lions though of a fierce and keen nature yet never offer any harme but unto such as offer to enter into this Fountaine in so much as the little Children feare them no more then they doe little Dogges but if any doe approach neare a hedge which growes about the Fountaine you shall see the Lions grin with their teeth and their eyes sparkle and also the Unicornes prepare themselves in such a fearful posture as is most terrible to behold There is no thoughts therefore of any force but in as much as I know that the Great Tautates is no lyer and that by his Oracle he answers you that one day you shall see the Fountaine of Loves Verity It is very fit methinks that we discourse a little upon this subject for Oracles are never false but the interpretation of them does very often deceive us because sometimes they must be understood according to the naturall word and sometimes Allegorically To come therefore to the interpretation of this If one should take it literally and according to the word it might be thought that the Inchantment of this Fountaine will quickly end were it not for one word which is One day which methinkes intimates as much as if it were a thing farre off for so we use to say when we wish for any thing which we long for And upon this consideration I ground that the Oracle is perhaps to be understood in another manner which I thus interpret The proper quality of the Fountaine of Loves Verity is to see whether or no one doe truly love Then any thing that can let us see the same thing may upon the same reason be said in that particular to be the Fountaine of Loves Verity that is working the same effects which this Fountaine doth Now Time Perseverance and Services may doe the same It followes therefore that Time Services and Perseverance is this Fountaine of which we speak And that which induceth me unto this opinion is this word One day For that denotes length of time which gives occasions of doing service and gives leasure to shew perseverance To tell you why the Oracle did Allegorically speak rather of Forrest in particular then of the Roman Province since time may worke the same effects there as well as here is a thing which I cannot doe and yet since there cannot be any thing superfluous or defective in the Oracles which are the words of the Gods I thinke this Country was made choice of for two respects The one because you should be farre from your own Country where your quality your businesse your kindred friends and acquaintance may so disturbe you that the least part of this time which should be imployed to bring you unto this knowledge is imployed as the Oracle commands whereas being here free and without any constraint the whole time is your own The other respect is and I believe the greater that heaven would have you sojourne a while in this Country to the end that by observing the daily conversation of these sincere shepheards and shepheardesses you may the better come to know the sincerity of that affection which Alcidon professeth to you or else his falsity and dissimulation For whitenesse will best appeare when black is opposed to it I conclude therefore by one way or other that the Oracle is to be understood thus That you ought to stay for a time in this Country as well to see whether the inchantment will cease as to try the truth of Alcidons affection of which in the interim I am in very great hopes for it is to be thought that the Gods like good Physitians would never apply remedies to diseases that are incurable I meane that had they known the anger of Daphnide would be perpetuall they would never have propounded this remedy Thus the sage Druid ended his discourse and because Daphnide offered to be going away Adamas did the like but Alcidon stayed him beseeching him to make Daphnide sit downe againe that he might in his presence import a businesse of some importance Then the Druid staying her almost by force Alcidon began thus He Revernd Father who said he was cut with the sharpest sword and being asked what sword answered that it was the sword of Calumny does thereby intimate unto our understandings that there is nothing which deeper pierceth the heart and the soule
your Ambition For all those reasons which you alledged unto me to shift me off from you was only in favour of this cursed ambition And if the love which you say I bore unto Clarinta was so potent in me why did I reject her service as soone as possibly I could Why else should I quit her as soone as ever Euricke was dead Had Clarinta treated me worse than usuall had she made any new choice or had there beene any bad understanding betwixt her and me then there had beene some cause to suspect my returne unto you but since she never gave me the least shadow of any cause what can you thinke could make me leave her but onely the inviolable affection which I still preserved for you But Father perhaps you may aske why the faire Daphnide who had formerly made so much affection unto me appeare both before and during Euricks love even to the hazard of our Fortune and reputation should after the death of this Prince thus change her mind â—nto me and give me no entertainment For it is not likely that a Lady so admirably accomplished every way and so full of judgment should alter her humour without some occasion No Sir but will you see her reason for it out of her owne words T is true that at first she loved that Prince onely out of ambition and as she cals it Reason of State but is it strange a finger should be burned if It be held in the flame nay it were rather a miracle if it should not for that were against Nature The great Eurick was doubtelesse a Prince so fully adorned with all accomplished blandishments that allure Love as the faire one was by degrees caught before she was aware and in lieu of loving him as she said she loved him as he deserved And to make this truth evident doe but observe how sadly she has resented his losse even unto this day who can doubt but that these are effects and certain consequents of a most reall and ardent affection I cannot relate the severall sad resentments she has expressed of his death for they will but open my wounds the wider But I am sure sage Adamas that you would judge them full of extreame affection and the bad entertainment which I have received from her proceeds from no other cause but from her love unto this Prince and as an umbrage of it she would set that fault upon my score which she should doe upon the great Euricks and my misfortunes But fairest Daphnide though you have loved him not as you say in reason of State but in good earnest yet against whom doe you thinke you have offended Not against one who has not love enough to pardon to forget my even to quite erasse the offence but it against Alcidon who you know adores you he is ready to give you his life and his soule and not to upbraid you with the injury Why doe you not put forth your hand unto him and by that action of kindnesse signifie that none but the great Eurick could ever interpose betwixt you and him It is no meane glory unto me that she whom I love should have beene adored by the greatest Prince in the whole Universe nor will it be a little satisfaction unto the Ghost of that great Prince you shorld love Alcidon who indeed did yeild unto him in Fortune but excelled him in love If I say any thing which your owne soule knowes not to be most true tax me with a lie but if you cannot deny this truth why will you toment me any longer and make me doe penance for a fault which you your selfe have committed Upon this Alcidon rising from his seat and falling downe upon his knees before the faire Daphnide and taking her hand I doe vow and sweare said he by this faire hand which is onely able to ravish away my heart that I did never in my life render any homage but unto her that owes it and that it is she alone who has and ever shall have the sole power over me Dispose of me and of my fortune as you please and let Daphnide be as cruell as she can yet still shall Alcidon love her for ever And you reverend Father said he and addressed himselfe to the Druid The great Tautates hath established you a Judge in this Country why doe you not condemne this Faire one to give me that heart which she hath so often given me and taken away againe If she doe accuse me for loving any else is it possible she should know better than I my selfe She affirmes I love Clarinta I sweare and protest the contrary why should she thinke to be beleeved more than I She sees onely my outward actions but I know the intentions of my heart perhaps she will say that I would deceive her and that she would not deceive me but why should I deceive her for if I did not love her I would not care for her affection and if I doe love her can she thinke that he who loves one will deceive her Thus spoke Alcidon adding much other discourse and many arguments which Daphnide could not handsomely answer At last the Druide spoke Methinkes Madam said he that the Oracle is cleared and that now is the time to compose this difference I would to God said she that it could be so composed as that quietnesse of mind might be restored unto Alcidon and me which we have taken from each other Are you pleased Madam said Adamas that I should be your Judge If Alcidon will consent unto it answered she and if he will stand unto what you shall doome I will never be against any thing which you shall deeme fit I doe protest by all that is sacred said Alcidon that there is nothing in the World which can keepe me from loving and adoring you and I sweare that I will so farre stand unto the doome of wise Adamas that if he doe sentence the contrary I will so farre obey it as that you shall never be troubled with me and if I faile in this Oath may all the Elements he my confusion Then Adamas with the gravity of a reverend old Judge began in a Majesticall manner to speak thus Tell me Madam said he did you ever love Alcidon well Above my life answered she and doe you now hate him replyed he I hate his levity and inconstancy said she but not him But say he be not inconstant replyed he nor ever loved any but you would you then love him still and be sorry for charging him wrongfully Doubtlesse I should said she Can you charge him with any other inconstancy continued the Druid but in this businesse of Clarinta Is not that enough answered Daphnide But when he first went about to serve Clarinta said Adamas was it not by your command and did he not undertake it against his will I must needs confesse said she that in this I was unwise and he adissembler But had he made a retreate said
Adamas and Eurick closed with Clarinta againe would you not then have blamed Alcidon for disobeying your Commandement I thinke I should answered she Hear then your dooms oh Daphnide and Alcidon said the Druid The great Tautates who made the whole world by Love and by Love preserves it would not onely have things insensible should be united and linked together by the bonds of Love but things also sensible and rationall From hence it is that he hath given unto the insensible Elements qualities which linke them together by sympathy Unto Animals he hath given love and desire to perpetuate their kind and unto men reason which teacheth them to love God in his Creatures and the Creatures in God Now this Reason tels us that whatsoever is amiable ought to be loved according to the degrees of its goodnesse and so whatsoever is most amiable and has most goodnesse ought to be most loved Yet in as much as we are not obliged unto this love untill this goodnesse be known unto us it followes by consequence that themore any good is known the more it ought to be loved But since God hath made every thing by love and that the end of every thing is alwayes most perfect we may easily judge that since all good things have Love for their end Love is the best of all things Now knowing this goodnesse of love we are obliged by the Lawes of Reason to esteem it above all things and the more it is known the more we ought to esteem it The Oracle which was given you for composing your difference makes good what I say For it is this Upon a day you 'l see A Fountaine in Forrest Called Loves Veritie Will set your hearts at rest That is In Forrest you shall come to know that you doe really love each other and then your hearts will be set at rest for the Great Tautates who gave this Oracle unto you knowing how religiously you payed what was due both unto Him and Reason did also know that as soon as you were assured of each others affection you would presently thinke it most reasonable to love according to your merits And therefore Daphnide since you see that Alcidon does love you for why should he so passionately desire your love if he did not truly love you And you Alcidon since you see the love of Daphnide towards you for why should she be jeâ—lous of you and Clarinta unlesse her love were the Mother of her jealousie I doe Ordaine or rather the Great Tautates commands you that forgetting all past passages and without any stay to see any other Fountaine of Loves Verity you doe presently unite your affections and revive your ancient loves of each other make it appeare that none loves better then you two for none have more cause since heaven hath infused it into both Upon this Adamas took both their hands and joyning them together said May this union be happy and eternall It is a thing impossible to expresse the joyes of Alcidon or the thanks he gave unto the great Druid but especially unto Daphnide Stiliana and Carlis and Hermantes rejoyed for Alcidons sake for where ever he came he had the happinesse to get all mens love Thus was the dispute betwixt Daphnide and Alcidon composed by the prudence of the sage Adamas Although he conceived the meaning of the Oracle to be That their jealousies of each other should vanish by a sight of this Fountaine yet like a person of deep apprehension judging by their discourse that he should doe them a better office and more sutable to their will in reconciling them he thought it fit to expound the Oracle in this manner and also to advise them to stay in this Country a while to the end that if any suspitions yet remained in them and that if it pleased the Heavens to uncharme the Fountaine they might there be perfectly cured of their malady Whilst these things passed thus in the presence of Adamas the shepheards and shepheardesses who were in the Great Chamber with Leonide and Alexis as soone as the Collation was ended did fall into their severall discourses where they left But Alexis and Astrea for feare of being interrupted did take each other by the arm and walked to the other end of the Chamber which made well for Alexis for by moving she might the better hide the alterations in her face and better excuse her disorderd language Astrea who was no lesse transported to see such a lively resemblance of Celadon and not able to hide her contentment was very glad of this convenience to talke with Alexis walking as well because none could heare them as because she might with more freedom expresse the affection which she bore unto her After therefore they had walked two or three turns neither of them knowing well how to begin discourse Astrea broke silence thus I shall as long as I live Madam observe this day as a Holiday in memory of the high favour which I have received on it in making me so happy as to know you and to expresse my most zealous desires of doing you service The sacred Missletoe which it hath pleased the Great Tautates to make grow in our Hamlet this yeare was an Omen of the happinesse which we were to receive by your coming into this place shewing thereby that the liberall hand of the great God where it bestowes one favour does accompany it with many others The happinesse and good fortune of it said Alexis is all on my side in coming hither at such a season when this sacred Missletoe is to be gathered for that is the cause of my happinesse in seeing you it being one of my greatest desires How Madam said Astrea doe you thinke it your happinesse in wronging us all and me in particular by thinking we came hither onely because of this sacred Missletoe I will thinke said Alexis as you please but give me leave to say that it is at this time the cause of my happinesse in seeing you and though I had not been here yet you would have come to invite Adamas unto the sacrifice of Thanks I doe most seriously protest Madam said Astrea that it is your selfe onely which invited me to come hither for I never in my life had a more earnest desire of any thing than of seeing of you beseeching you to believe that it is not my humour to meddle with any publique matters but I leave them unto our wiser Pastors who takes the cure of them according to their custome and according as they thinke most advantagious for this Country I should be very proud of my selfe said Alexis if I could be perswaded of it for it is a thing which I most wish and prise above any happinesse that ever happened unto me But pray tell me fair shepheardesse in what place is this Missletoe found If the Sun would permit you to looke out of the window answered Astrea I should let you see it from hence I believe said
doe you not aske me who this one is because said she it would be indiscretion in me for I am sure that if you had a mind to name her you would and if you desired to conceale her I were very indiscreet if I did importune you She added Paris unto whom I have given my heart may very well know all thâ— secrets of it nor ought I to conceale them Men in giving such gifts answered Diana dâ— often give and take againe If you meane by me replyed Paris pardon me fairest Diana if I tell you that you wrong me since from the first day that I gave my selfe unto you the gift was with so full a consent of my heart as I shall never enjoy any contentment untill you have taken full possession of it and it was of you I spoke when I mention'd one from whom I must receive my full contentment I should be very unworthy answered the shepherdesse and blusht if I did not receive this honour you are pleased to doe unto me with much obligation unto your civility Nay nay said Paris never tell me of any civility or respect but in lieu of those words put in that word of Love That word said she fals not handsomely from the tongue of a woman If it will not come off your tongue replyed he then let it be in your heart That would be too great a crime replyed Diana and would render me unworthy of this honour you are pleased to doe me Silvander and Hylas had now done singing and there was not a word amongst all the company as if they were in hopes of their beginning to sing againe which was a cause that many perceived not onely the affection wherewith Paris spoke unto Diana but also the passion in which Silvander was to see their long discourse which Hylas considering and thinking to get some advantage over him Come come Silvander said he we have sung enough let us now be a little serious and rationall if we can Tell me upon your faith whether you persist still in the same opinion which you were wont to be I am not much addicted unto changing said Silvander but of what opinion doe you meane Are you still in the heart of Diana replyed Hylas and is she still in yours why doe you aske me this question said Silvander Because said Hylas I will at this time make you confesse the contrary Methinkes Hylas answered Silvander you had better have slept on then wake to no purpose Whilst every one laughed at this question and this answer Phillis tooke an occasion to interrupt the discourse of Paris and Diana and to call her companion to heare this fine dispute In the meane time Hylas answered shepherd shepherd I doe not wake to so little purpose as you thinke since to put one out of an errour is a worke never out of season but answer me Are you still in the heart of Diana and is Diana in yours Diana hearing this question Hearken said she unto Paris what Hylas sayes For I am confident it will be some mad piece of discourse or other Then they heard Silvander answer thus Doe you thinke Hylas that because you are continually changing others are the like Diana and I are in the very same places we were wont to be Why then said Hylas she is in your heart and you in hers It is as you say answered Silvander Then prethee good Silvander tell me said Hylas since you are in the heart of Diana whether the discourse which Paris had now with her did please her or no And Diana since you are in Silvanders heart tell us whether Silvander was pleased at the Discourse There was none in all the company except Silvander who did not laugh so loud as they caused Astrea and Alexis to turne about and see what the matter was which Hylas observing he stayed not for Silvanders answer for Astreas long discourse was as vexatious unto him as that of Paris was unto Silvander but ran presently to her Mistresse said he unto Alexis These shepherdesses of Lignon are such bewitching flatterers that unlesse one take very good heed it is almost impossible to resist their charms I beleeve Servant said Alexis that you speake like a very knowing man T is true said he I have not been so long Apprentice but I have learned my Trade For before I loved Phillis I thought Laonice faire and before her Madonthe and before them both Criside Here is three strangers said he pointing at Florice Palanice and Circenea can witnesse I am no Novist when I was Servant unto them and if Carlis who is in the Gallery with Daphnide were here she could tell you how she was the first who taught me my Primer But Servant said Alexis I doe not thinke that Carlis can boast that you hold her for your last Mistresse as you did for your first for I have heard you say that you have loved but as many as you have met Mistresse said he you should have added as many faire ones as I have met for I doe confesse that wheresoever my eye observed beauty I was a lover and servant of it and methinks you should like my humour very well since it hath made me yours and without which ill-favoured Carlis had still possessed me I like your humour extreamly well answered Alexis did I not feare that as it is now the cause of your being mine so it will hereafter make me grieve for the losse of you Oh fairest Mistresse said Hylas I beseech you not to thinke any such thing for besides your offence unto my love it is most impossible any such thing should ever be for I never loved any thing but beauty and out of you it is most impossible to find it I should be very glad answered Alexis to have you continue long in this opinion of me that I may not lose as others have but I had rather that all your perswasions could make me believe all you say of me to be true I need no perswasions answered he where every eye is able to testifie If all did see me with your eyes answered Alexis their testimonies might perhaps be favourable unto me I am certaine replyed Hylas that there is none here will give my eyes the lie Your eyes indeed may see things as they are answered Alexis but your mouth may perhaps be given a little to Hyperbolize and your tongue which is so glib in attributing unto me more then is my due does testifie that you have learned in more Schools then one I doe confesse it replyed Hylas but withall I am able and without vanity to speak it that the Schollar surpassed the Master You never told me said Florice that when you were my Schollar you learned your lesson of Circenea and Palinice also And had we all three united our learning together we might have kept you longer at School How servant replyed Alexis what serve three at one time You may judge by that Mistresse said he the greatnesse of
the like for Astrea passionately desiring to get Alexis unto her Hamlet she waked betimes And Diana fearing least Paris should find her in bed although he carried himselfe at a respective distance yet she would not put it to the hazard but as soone as she saw Astrea wake she awaked Phillis and began to upbraid her what Servant said she are you not ashamed to be asleep and your Mistresse awake Mistresse said Phillis I did not know you to be awake but methinkes you should sleepe as well as I doe unlesse Silvander were in my room Oh Servant said Diana let Silvander be where he is he does not thinke upon us and let us thinke no more of him As well as I love you replyed Phillis I would not be tyed to thinke upon you so much as he does This is a bad opinion which you have of him replyed Diana but you shall see that when I have given my judgement which will be within this two or three dayes he will presently turne to his old byas Sister said Astrea doe you really and upon your faith thinke as you say When you aske me upon my faith said she I must consider a little better before I answer but if you will know what I would have him doe I will tell you and truly that I doe love him so well and my selfe also as for both our quiers I wâ—sh as I say Upon my faith said Phillis and smiled you doe lye and pardon me Mistresse if this offend you for there was never any woman yet that was angry for being loved and served by a person of merit but on the contrary I have seen many very angry with those that did love them and afterwards did fall off from loving though they had no designe upon them Nay I will goe a little further I never in my life saw any who were not inwardly angry at such changes I my selfe who never did love Hylas yet must needs confesse that when he quitted me I was angry at him though I carried it as well as I could and the reason of all this is because as the addrâ—sses of those who love us are arguments of our beauty and merit so their departures from us are arguments of the contrary You may thinke of me as you please said Diana but I protest that if it were in my choice whether he should continue or give over his addresse unto me I doe foresee that they would both be so troublesome unto us both as I know not which I should chuse For if he doe continue it what designe can I have in suffering it For it is not probable my Parents would ever suffer me to marry a person who is unknowne and I my selfe should be ashamed that Diana should ever commit such a fault Then againe if we should breake off all amity I assure you that I should long lament it because I thinke his merits make him worthy of Love It is the greatest folly in the World said Phillis that Parents should make marriages and we are very fooles to let them Has not this brought Astrea into the condition wherein she is had her Parents left her to the free disposition of her selfe she had married Celadon he had been alive and she for ever contented whereas on the contrary Parents crossing them has killed the one and the other is little better And now the old foole Phocion would bestow her upon Calidon and is so perswaded to bring it about that he never rests Ah that I had the hampering of him I should quickly resolve what to doe What would you doe said Astrea if you were in my roome I would tell him in few words said she that I could not abide him What would be thought of a woman said Diana that should speake so and what would they say of her Mistresse said Phillis words are but words and opinion is but opinion and both but wind but to marry a peevish Husband is a thing that would be felt all ones life And therefore I shall thinke you very inconsiderate in saying that you will not marry Silvander whom you confesse to be a man of much merit and every way compleat onely because you know not from whence he came Ah Mistresse will you not eat fine fruit unlesse you know the Tree whereon they grow Oh the grossest folly of all others to pursue appearances with all eagernesse and never care for things that are recall and truly good God has infinitely blest me in giving me Parents of another mind for I assure you had they beene of such a temper I should have found them worke enough Diana smiled at this and said Your counsell Sister is very good but not to be followed alwayes For I beseech you tell me this opinion which you sleight so much and these appearances which you condemne are they any thing else but reputation which is a thing as deare as life is is there any thing upon earth more miserable than a woman without this reputation is there any condition 〈◊〉 pittifull as that of a person who hath lost it I must confesse that consider it rightly and it will be found a folly but is there any thing amongst us which is not folly if it be searched to the bottome No no Servant all the world is nothing but a glosse a vaine shadow of good though you and I doe know this to be true yet by the common consent of all it is judged otherwise and you or I must not be the first to breake the Ice This makes me thinke upon the counsell that was given amongst the Rats who resolved for their safety to have a Bell tyed about the neck of the Cat to the end they might hear her when she came but upon the upshot of the result there was none amongst all the company that durst attempt the doing it Discoursing thus these faire shepherdesses drest themselves and Astrea not well knowing upon what designe did trim up her self with more care and curiosity than she did since the losse of Celadon which Phillis taking notice of she could not chuse but smile and hinting it unto Diana Mistresse said she the shepherdesses of Lignon are of a very odde humour Why said Diana because I see said Phillis that Astrea takes abundance of paines to dresse her selfe better than ordinary For my part I know no reason she has for it unlesse it be her affection to this faire Druid whose acquaintance was but of yesterday I pray tell me is it the humour of the shepherdesses of Lignon to assect so soone and rather shepherdesses than shepherds To which Astrea answered T is true I have a greater humour to make my selfe amiable than ever I had and there is good reason for it because when I was courted by shepherds I thought my selfe of merit enough to make my selfe loved amongst them never putting my selfe to any further trouble than to be seene But now if I will obtain the favour of this faire Druid I must
she was silent and said not a word more But Hylas observing this and having an opinion that if any would divert Astrea he might the more easily talke with Alexis he made a signe unto Calidon which made him more confident than usuall and therefore after an humble reverence unto the Shepherdesse he tooke her arme pretending he would helpe her to walke The Shepherdesse seeing there was no remedy turned her head towards Alexis and said thus I see that bad examples are sooner followed than the good and I must now recall that advantage which I gave unto the Shepherds of Lignon Alas said Alexis and shooke her head if our lives had none of these bitter wormwoods we should be but too happy she spoke this in so low a voice that neither Hylas nor Calidon heard her yet the cold entertainment which this shepherd received from this shepherdesse did make him thinke that she had much rather be alone with the Druide but seeming to take no notice of it he continued on his designe so as now there was none without a Companion but Silvander But Laonice who still nourished a spirit of revenge against him and sought for an occasion of doing him some signall displeasure ever since the day that by his judgement she lost Tircis seeing him thus alone she thought now that she had met with a fit opportunity she knew already what affection he had unto Diana and what affection Diana had unto him For their loves being great it was impossible to hide it from her who kept a very observant eye over all their actions Therefore seeing him alone and very pensive she went unto him and put on a face far different from her heart Shepherd said she I see so many signes of sorrow painted in your face as I cannot chuse but thinke that perhaps you are in love Shepherdesse answered Silvander I have so many severall occasions of sorrow as you need not aske me whether Love be a cause I thinke said she you have no new occasions for of late dayes you are more contented than usuall but will you give me leave to tell you what I thinke The cause of your melancholly proceeds either from a disease present or from a disease absent You must explane the Riddle answered the shepherd before I can returne an answer I meane replyed Laonice since you would have me speake cleerly that either griefe present torments you seeing another in your roome with your Mistresse or else the good which is absent for I know that you doe love Madonthe Sage shepherdesse said Silvander I see you are a great Propheresse For it is one of these two that does torment me but perhaps said he and smiled not so much as you imagine Sometimes in such diseases said Laonice one is apt not to think themselves so ill as they are but in good earnest Silvander which of these two is it that most troubles you Which doe you thinke said Silvander If I should tel you my opinion said Laonice perhaps you would not confess it Were it a crime to love said Silvander I must confesse I had no reason to confesse but since it is rather a vertue or at the least an action which in it selfe is neither good nor bad why should you thinke I will not confesse it since in denying a truth I should commit a greater sinne Most true shepherd replyed Laonice for every one who would be esteemed good ought above all things to be very carefull they never injure the truth and therefore Silvander tell me upon your reputation does not the absent good trouble you more than the present evill Silvander had no mind of making his affections knowne unto this stranger if possibly he could avoid it and therefore with a smile answered her I cannot chuse but admire at the quicknesse of your sight discreet Laonice for I durst have sworne that none had taken notice of these things but I beseech you how came you to this knowledge Silvander said she content your selfe with this that all these dissimulations which you use to Diana may perhaps amuze Thersander but not such as have with my eyes observed your actions All those that live about the delectable River of Lignon have their hearts so possessed with their owne passions as they never observe anothers have no eyes for any but for them they love But I who have nothing else to doe but to observe the actions of all I doe plainly see that Madonthe does please you more than Diana but be not sorry that I know it for perhaps it will not be unserviceable to you Madonthe loves me and I think she will be easily induced unto any thing I shall perswade I know what it is to love and which way to compasse the contentments of it and I promise you to aide and serve you in all I am able Silvander could not chuse but laugh to heare her talke thus and to confirme her in the opinion which she had conceived he beseeched her to be silent and above all not to acquaint Madonthe least it should offend her and so ruine his whole designe he thanked her for her kind offers which he would not refuse but would not make use of at that time for severall reasons which hereafter should be made knowne unto her Silvander thought himself very subtle in this but Laonice who seemed to beleeve him began to contrive the mischiefe which she intended him upon it and which since she made him pay so dear for In the mean time Paris and Diana were entred deepe into discourse for this young man was so inflamed with a violent affection unto this shepherdesse as he could never rest but when he was with her Certainly if she had intended to love any she would have pitched here but since the death of Filander she would never suffer love to take any hold of her affections thinking none worthy to be Successor unto such a shepherd as Filander If she did afterwards love Silvander it was not out of designe but upon a surprize which the merits and addresses of that shepherd made upon her so as the good will which she had unto Paris was no more than as a sister unto a brother and so farre she thought her selfe obliged by the affection he had unto her and she was hindred from any farther by the affection she bare unto the memory of the courteous Filander yet he whose affection had no limits to render unto her all possible testimonies of his love he resolved to try his fortune and thinking this opportunity to be good he would not let it slip leading her therefore by the arm he drew her a little from the rest and whilst every one was busied in their owne various conceptions he spoke thus unto her I cannot chuse but wonder fairest Diana that all my endeavours to doe you all service should not let you see the great affection which I have unto you or if you do see it I wonder more that it should
too much to blame all the rest No said Corilas my intention is not to blame them I onely say that I cannot conceive they have not same imperfections I doe not say they have them and in this I blame onely my selfe as not having the judgment to know the truth But of all this I accuse this deceiver who yet cannot glory in her victory for she has paid deer for it Daphnidâ— and Alcidon did hearken with much delight unto the dispute of these shepherds and shepherdesses and admired that these Rurall wits brought up amongst Woods and in Fields should be so polite and civilized But Daphnide having a very curious spirit and desiring to know every thing she addressed her selfe unto the sage Adamas Methinkes Father said she unto him that to part these two friendly Enemies for she knew they were so called and to satisfie a curiosity wherein I have long lived you would doe very well to tell us what this Simpathy is of which they speake and whether it will cause love and in so doing you will feast us double both in our bodies and in our minds Madam answered Adamas your curiosity is commendable and did I not give it satisfaction I were much to blame as well in not obeying what you please to command as in not informing such as desire it as my charge obliges me and the sooner because I am able to doe it in few words Be pleased to know Madam that Tautates the supream Creator of all things did make Heaven which is his chiefest Mansion and the place where he created all soules and because it is nothing likely that any thing should come out of the hand of such an excellent Workeman which is not in its full perfection he formed the soule by intellectuall participation Now this participation is taken from the pure intelligence of that Planet which is predominate when it is created and this perfection which it receives is so agreeable to it as it is inflamed with love of that intelligence which did impart it unto it And even as a Lover doth forme an Idea of the thing loved in his fancy as perfectly as possibly he can to the end it may fill the eyes of his soule and please himselfe in this contemplation when he is deprived of the sight of that beloved face so likewise this soule being in love with the supream beauty of this Intelligence and of this Planet when it entred into the body unto which it gave the forme it did imprint not onely the sense and the airy body in which the learned say it is wrapped but also the fancy with this Character with the beauty of which it was ardently inflamed in heaven so as it can apprehend a figure and perfect resemblance of it and pleasing it selfe in this contemplation it conceives a certaine naturall disposition to esteeme all that resembles it good and beautifull and to dislike generally all that is unlike unto it accustoming its judgement in such sort unto this will as it becomes habituall from which we cannot refraine without very great force upon our selves From hence it is that as soone as we cast our eyes upon any one if they doe report unto our soules as faithfull Mirrrors that there is in this person something which doth resemble that Image of Intelligence immediately we doe love without any farther discourse in our selves or other search for the occasion of this good will being drawne unto it by an instinct which may be termed blind On the contrary we doe hate if we doe find them different and this is it they call simpathy which is that conformity which we find betwixt one another and which indeed is the source of love and not beauty altogether as many believe For if beauty were the source of love it would follow that all faire ones would be loved of all But we see on the contrary that not the most faire and the most worthy but those onely who come neerest to our humour and with whom we have most conformity are those whom we doe love best Here the Druide stopt and Daphnide began thus I must confesse with thankes reverend Father that you have at once cleered severall doubts unto me yet one remaines in which I much desire satisfaction If it be so that love proceeds from that resemblance that I meet with all in the party that I doe love How comes it to passe that the same resemblance does not make him love me For if I do love by this simpathy and if this simpathy doe come as you doe say Methinkes it is impossible but that he must have the same inclination unto me that I have unto him My meaning is that the same Planet must have the same influence upon us both yet for all that we see many who doe not at all affect those who are even ready to dye for the love of them Your doubt Madam replyed Adamas deserves a cleering it is very ingeniously moved and shewes the excellency of that spirit from whence it comes Be pleased therefore to know Madam that as I told you the soule fancies unto it selfe an Idea and the most perfect image that it can of this Planet and of that Intelligence or apprehension which it loves but in as much as to represent so faire and so perfect an Image the matter is of such an inferiour sort as it is able to doe it but very imperfectly It must ensue that this representation is not equally perfect in every one because the matter of the body is better disposed in some than in others and accordingly as the soul does find it so does it worke more or lesse perfectly As in painting if the pencill and the colours be naught the Painter must needs make bad work and but little resemblant unto the thing he would represent so the soule finding the body indisposed to receive the figure and lineaments that she would give of this beauty which it loves the resemblance remaines so imperfect as the features are hardly knowable And when this happens thus doubtlesse he that hath the most perfect representation of this Intelligence and of the Planet shall be loved by simpathy of the other who hath it though ill done For his soule though it hath not the representation of this face which it loves in this body to the life yet does love the Portraiture when he sees it well done in what place soever it be but on the contrary that soule which shall meet with a matter well disposed and which by consequence hath the Idea and patterne well represented it daigns not to turne its eyes upon the other either because it scornes it seeing it so ill made or because it knowes it not having so little resemblance and from hence proceeds that love which is not mutuall But said Hylas and interrupted good Father give me leave to aske you one question If these loves proceed from simpathy how comes it to passe that after one hath loved another he sometimes
ceaseth that love nay sometimes to scorne and often to hate This question answered the Druid and smiled is a question fit for Hylas and you may see that this simpathy is a blind instinct since Hylas loving and ceasing to love one and the same subject yet he does not know why he does so But Hylas I will tell you to the end that hereafter you may know the reason of those things which you doe so well practise Imagine Hylas that those impressions which the soule makes in her body by which she represents this superiour beauty of her understanding and of her Planet be indeed corporeall For she drawes the lineaments in the fancy as a Lover does the features of those he loves in his imagination and represents them in such sort in his senses and in his complexion as she makes his humour melancholy if she have any influence from Saturne and merry if from Jupiter and so of the rest And afterwards as we have already said she takes so great a custome in contemplating and approving these things as she has made it habituall which though it be very difficult to change or lose yet it may be changed and lost As we see commonly come to passe in wax and a seale Though the wax have an impression and figure yet if one will make a new impression the same wax loses the first figure and takes the new so the soule having imprinted this Coelestiall Character in the senses if they through carelessenesse be not pleased with it or else any new objects make the will rove after them it is certaine these will marke his fancy with another figure and it will so lose the first resemblance as that it will retaine no shadow of it and then the party who was loved by him or who loved him by simpathy losing this resemblance which he had he loseth also the love which it caused For even as Habitudes so simpathy may be lost and gotten but Hylas if every time you have changed you have imprinted a new Idea in your selfe there is none in the world whose impressions are not in you so as my daughter may hope that you will be more constant unto her than you have been to all the world not that she merits more then her world of Predecessors but because she is the last Every one laughed at the conclusion and Hylas had answered if Astrea had not interposed I beseech you Father said she if it be so that love doth proceed from this sympathy how comes it to passe one should be long acquainted with another without any love and yet love at last The answer which I gave unto Hylas replyed Adamas may serve unto this question At the first that person had not the Character of the beauty of this intelligence and since by a new mark as with a new seale he might have it imprinted but to demonstrate it a little clearer The soul being wrapped in these bodies of ours as long as it is there shut up as in a Prison she does not understand nor comprehend any thing but onely by the senses by which as by so many windowes she come to the knowledge of all that is in the Universe And she does not onely not understand nor comprehend but by them but also she can neither understand nor comprehend but by corporeal representations although she does study and contemplate the incorporeal substances Hence it comes to passe that she cannot have a knowledge of things more perfectly then as the senses present them unto her and if they be false and deluders they deceive her and cause her to be of a false judgement as we see in such as are sick who think meats though never so good yet to be ill tasted because their gust is depraved So likewise such as have ill eyes they oftentimes see things double or of another colour or yet though the eyes be good and sound yet some interpositions betwixt the eye and the object may delude as if they look through a blew or red Glass all they see seems to be of the same colours A straight staff put into the water will seem crooked and all things greater or lesser according to the qualities of the Spectacles through which they are looked upon Now these falsities being represented by the senses for truths the soule which gives credit unto them is presently corrupted in her judgement because the things presupposed and from whence she drawes consequences are such The Judgement being made the Will immediately consents unto it The Will I say which has that which is good for her object and that which is judged so or which on the contrary does fly that which she thinks to be evill And from hence you may understand fair shepherdesse that the reason why sometimes we see one whom we doe not love yet afterwards do love is either because our eyes and our senses whose office is to present these things unto the soule are not faithful in the functions or else the Mediums by which they act have some imperfection which hinders them from doing their duties faithfully which imperfections being removed they come to discover the truth and relate it unto the soule which then finding this resemblance brings ardently to love that which before she saw and did not care for Diana who hearkened very attentively unto Adamas Reverend Father said she and smiled I would gladly propound one question unto you did I not thinke I should be too troublesome in it No said Adamas whatsoever so sweet a shepherdesse shall ask I shall answer if I be able Surely said she the wise Adamas is able to answer many more then such a filly ignorant shepherdesse as I am can aske Tell me I beseech you since love proceeds from sympathy which is an image represented in us of that Intelligence and Planet under which we were born how comes it to passe that faire ones are commonly loved by every one For it should seem that all those who love are born under one and the same planet which we know they are not being borne at severall times I ever expected answered Adamas that this subtil shepherdesse would aske some question which was not common but I will try if I can answer it All fair things although they be differing yet have some conformity amongst themselves as all good things have and therefore some have said That there is but one good and one faire after the similitude of which all things good and faire are judged to be such Now these Planets and these Intelligences which govern them are neither good nor faire but onely as they resemble most the supream good and faire And though they are amongst themselves separate and differing yet they are not amiable nor estimable but as they are good and fair And this Goodnesse and Fairnesse having alwaies conformitie though they be in divers subjects it need not be thought strange if many doe love those persons who are faire though they be not born under
possibly displease her And in this perplexity they both stood a long while speechlesse at last the shepherdesse was the first who began to speake Madam said she unto her I see that you are changed upon a sudden and I cannot possibly chuse but be exceedingly troubled at it if I be the cause either by my discourse or otherwise I doe vow by that soule which loves you above all the World that I will presently be revenged upon my selfe for it if I be not then tell me I beseech you if my life can doe you any service and you shall see there is nothing so deare unto me which I would not sacrifice unto it Alexis knowing her fault and checking her selfe did endeavour to excuse and hide it as well as she could and therefore with a deepe sigh she answered thus T is true faire shepherdesse that the alteration which you observed in my face did proceed from you and yet you are not to be blamed but onely my owne soule which is too sensible of a thing which your words did bring into my memory And to give satisfaction unto your perplexity you must know that I being brought up amongst the Virgin Druids of Carnutes amongst the multitude that was there I made choice of one whom above all the rest seemed unto me most amiable and thought my selfe not mistaken in my choice she being esteemed so amongst all our Companions and having all desirable qualities which use to create love She was faire hansome and as well extracted as any in all the Country her wit was sutable to the perfections of her body everyway accomplished and all her actions were sweetned with affability and civility her sweetnesse flowed so upon me that I loved her and because I thought she loved me I loved her extreamly and this love came to that height betwixt us that I could not live without her nor she without me Thus we passed over many yeares with abundance of content and satisfaction from each other but whilst I thought my selfe more happy in this condition of friendship than the greatest Monarch can be of his Dominions this faire one quitted me and so seperated her selfe from all termes of friendship with me as she would never see me againe and without ever telling any cause fell into such hatred of me as she would never come neere me My perplexity at this alteration was so great and the blow so sensible as I becoming all sorrow I fell sicke and so dangerously as I beleeve you have heard that I thought I should never recover it Now when you fell into expression of your constant and unalterable humour I remembred the like expressions which this faire and wise Virgin used unto me and which were so ill observed and this caused the alteration which you observed in my countenance Madam said Astrea I am sorry that I should be any way the cause of your perplexity but I hope you will thinke me innocent for had I knowne it I would never have committed this fault But who would ever have thought that you who are so faire and full of all perfections enough to invite and keep the whole world in love with you should ever find a woman so simple and inconsiderate as to let a happinesse voluntarily escape her hands which every one ought to desire and covet Oh God! Oh Heavens Oh all that 's sacred how carefull should I be in keeping so great a happinesse if Heaven beyond my merit should ever raise me to so high a fortune And with how much carefull assiduity should I court it if by my care paines and travell I had any hopes to obtaine it But Heaven which has looked upon me with a frowning eye ever since I was borne will I feare never be so favourable to me as long as I live Faire shepherdesse said Alexis then let me intreat you that unlesse you will exceedingly disoblige me accuse not this faire and wise Virgin of any crime in treating me after this manner For I cannot endure without much displeasure she should ever receive any blame for that which is only my fault and the ill influence of that planet under which I was born And as to your desire of my succeeding in her place beleeve it Astrea it is I that would covet it with any Art but for one thing which gives me a checke And most assuredly were it not for that consideration my desires of it should exceed yours But faire shepherdesse I fear that though now at the first you judge me worthy of your amity yet when you do particularly know me your judgement will find it selfe mistaken and looke asquint at me as this faire and wise one did whose losse I doe so sadly resent and if such a fatall chance should befall me I know not what would become of poore Alexis being able to say and truly that I doe find my selfe so weake against such fatall blowes as I know not whether my life will last after I have received them And since it hath pleased the great Tautates to recover me from the danger of the last I must confesse that my feares of falling into the like makes me tremble and turnes my blood to ice It does not pleasâ— you Madam replyed Astrea I should say that this faire one was to blame in treating you thus and therefore because I will not upon any consideration whatsoever displease you I will not say it but by your permission I will say that she will never find such a jewell as she has lost and that if Tautates as a most particular blessing would preferre me unto her roome I would not part from it for a thousand worlds Ah faire shepherdesse said Alexis and sighed if such a happinesse should befall me I should vaule your amity at as a high rate as you can mine But beleeve me faire one you know not what you desire when you desire my amity I confesse Madam what you say answered Astrea for the happinesse which I desire is so high as the weaknesse of my understanding is not of capacity to comprehend it But Madam since it is not the meanesse of my merit what is it which hinders you from doing me this high favour since I doe call Tautates to witnesse that if I be so happy as to obtaine it I will preserve it deerer than my life nay even that life which would be an infinite happinesse if you thinke me worthy of it Alexis upon this swelling with contentment she tooke her hand and grasping it a little said unto her faire shepherdesse remember where we leave this discourse and we will finish it to morrow as we goe unto your Towne in the mean time be assured that I have a greater inclination and will to love you and serve you than you can tell how to desire The reason why Alexis referred this discourse untill another time was least lookers on should have any suspition had it continued longer besides she could not there hide her blushes and
alterations in her face as she hoped to doe by the way when every one would imploy their eyes in looking at their feet and chusing the way And besides that she intended to advise with Adamas and Leonide what to doe upon this occasion And by fortune Hylas as if he had been some expresse Envoy came to interrupt their discourse Mistresse said he if you continue talking thus long with this shepherdesse I shall beleeve you thinke the shepherdesses of this Country more amiable than the shepherds Never doubt that said Alexis and lay the blame only upon Nature which inclines every thing to love its like but Servant be not angry nor troubled at it for I have love enough for you yet I thought replyed Hylas that being brought up amongst the Druids and learned Virgins you had knowne the Lawes of Nature better than you doe but since you come from amongst them so ignorant I will instruct you Mistresse a little better than they have done Perhaps Servant answered she and smiled you will lose both your time and your paines as well as they and therefore I advise you to let it alone Yet I cannot endure the wrong you have done me replyed Hylas without complaint since you will not be told of your faults and instructed in your errours I should be sorry said Alexis that Hylas should complain of me in earnest but I hope he is onely in jest How can you thinke I should chuse but be angry replyed Hylas when I heare you say that you have love enough yet left for me after you have loved these shepherdesses It seemes I must be contented with the refuse of others and take what they leave I do expect Mistresse that they should have what I leave and all reason requires it so If that be it which angers you replyed Alexis and smiled we shall make all straight I will divide my amity into two one half shall be to love shepherdesses and the other shepherds and amongst all the shepherds you shall be in the first place But of these two parts said Hylas Which shall be the prime and the greater There is no question answered Alexis but it must be that which is to be imployed amongst shepherdesses and with reason because of shepherds you are the onely one whom I will love and of shepherdesses there is not one whom I will not love and serve Then said Hylas I must confesse you are in the right and that I am too blame for accusing you of ignorance since I see you are more knowing then even Silvander is Whilst they were talking thus the rest of the company were discoursing upon severall subjects in the Great Chamber and Phillis who had her eye continually upon Astrea seeing Calidon going towards her and knowing he had a designe of particular discourse with her she advanced to interrupt them and left Silvander alone with Diana for as fortune was Paris desiring to consult with Leonide he was gone with her to her Chamber so as Silvander had the opportunity of coming nearer this shepheardesse with whom Phillis alwayes stayed until Calidon caused her to go away And because there was continual contests between them Mistress said she as she went away I would not have you think me jealous so as I dare not leave this shepherd with you for I am so confident of my good fortune and of his shallow merit as I do not at all fear him And to shew the truth of my words I will leave you both together whilst I go and helpe Astrea in a great Combate which I see she is preparing for against an approaching enemy so without stay for any answer she went towards Astrea who imagining the occasion of her coming took her by the hand and pulled her so near as Calion could not well accost her But that young shepherd who was really wounded with the beauty of Astrea could not forbeare from coming to her and because his addresses unto her were known unto Phocion who liked very well of it and was advised unto it by Thamires he thought it no matter though he spoke unto this shepherdesse in the presence of any other and that Phillis perhaps would help him out in the declaration of his minde because she might think it a match advantagious to her companion Phocion had already declared himselfe to be of the same judgement who was held to be one of the wisest Pastors of his time and Uncle unto the shepherdesse and who since the death of her Father and Mother had ever as much care of her as if she had been his Daughter Approaching therefore with this assurance unto this faire shepherdesse Shall I not be too troublesome said he unto her after a salute if uncall'd I make a third in your Councell Never Calidon answered Astrea for he cannot be troublesome in what place so ere he comes especially unto us who highly esteem him I could wish answered the shepherd that this Epithete of Esteem had been changed into Love Sometimes we doe wish said the shepherdesse things that are prejudicial unto others and not advantagious to our selves I do believe said Calidon that what you are pleased to say may fall out in any other occasion sooner than in this which presents it selfe For fair shepherdess give me leave to tell you that you may believe my desires are not disadvantageous to you since the said Phocion is of another judgement Phocion who in prudence and wisdome is reputed for the Oracle amongst all the shepherds of this Country and who did me the honour to grant my request which I made unto him by Thamires Also to say it is any prejudice unto my selfe it cannot be for on the contrary I shall never enjoy contentment until it be brought to passe I cannot tell replyed Astrea with a little anger in her eye what the request whereof you speak may be But if it be any thing that concerns me there is none who either ought or can promise any thing for me against my will and consent since my Father and my Mother to my sad misfortune are both taken away And as to what you say concerning Phocion you cannot tell me any thing of his prudence and wisdome more then I do know but this does not conclude him and I to be both of the same judgement and though that his may be the better yet it must be some time before I can consent unto it Also to tell you truly I do believe that if this wise Pastor did know my mind he would quickly change his opinion and that is it which makes me entreat you to change yours for if you do continue in it besides the doing of your self no good it will draw much discontent both upon your selfe and me Fair ones replyed Calidon are like unto Gods they will be overcome by supplications I cannot tell what fair ones you meane replyed Astrea but I am most sure that neither your words nor your prayers will ever obtaine any thing from me
that will please you Perhaps said he that when you see me even ready to die before your faire face you will not be so extreamly cruel as to let no pitty be found amongst so much beauty If you continue answered Astrea you will make me believe that you think you are still talking to the fair Celidea But Calidon to be free and plain with you since death hath taken from me him whom I desired I will never give death so much advantage as to desire any more do not think but that I do esteem and honour your merit as much as I do any shepherd in the Country I do acknowledge my selfe obliged unto you for this addresse but never thinke that these considerations or any other whatsoever can ever make me alter my will And take this as a Doom written by immutable destiny Since Astrea hath lost her first Love she shall not love any other but Tautates unto whose service she shall devote all the rest of her life Consider this Calidon and believe this Prophecy which if you doe not time will tell you how true it is and make you repent of your incredulity This Answer was so resolute that Astrea amazed the shepherd so as she stroke him dum and could not reply and the shepherdesse seeing him in such a confusion she rose up and left Phillis in her room Then she went towards Alexis who seeing her coming and knowing by her looks that she was troubled she left Hylas to aske her what the matter was Madam said Astrea unto her with a smile mixed with disdaine you may think that it is easie for me to support my burthen but I was never more weary of it in all my life for the importunities of these Lovers are abominably troublesome Calidon knows how to chuse his time and he knowes how well discourses of Love does please me I advised him to continue if he did intend to lose his labour and his time and that perhaps he thought he was speaking unto Celidea Then she related unto the Druid all the discourse and the answer she had given him with so much passion as Alexis saw that there was no feare of this Rival In the mean time Silvander was with Diana she sat and he kneeled and so over-joyed to see himselfe with her in the absence of Paris and Phillis as he could not be thankful enough to Love for so great a favour Mistresse said he unto her How shall I begin to thank you for this high favour in staying here with me whereas you might spend the time in talk with these kind shepherds and fair shepherdesses Silvander said she though I would oblige you yet in this I do not do it so much as you say for I am confident there is none in all the company who would not be glad to change places with me and I sweare shepherd that I think my selfe so well as I would not with them Did I think replyed Silvander that your heart is consentant to the harmony of your tongue I should think my selfe the happiest shepherd in the Universe If that be all that 's wanting to make you happy replyed she be confident Silvander that then you are as happy as you can wish What assurance said Silvander can I have of it You are a person of so much judgement answered the shepherdesse as you will quickly find the truth of it if you will but be pleased to look for it or if you could not what else do you think could stay me here I could find excuses in abundance to go away But I rather fear Silvander that I am wearysome to you and that it is onely civility which keeps you here with me Fairest Mistresse said Silvander presently This excess of kindnesse which you are pleased to shew me does but offend me since if you have that opinion of me or think me a man of so weak a judgement you doe a manifest wrong unto your and my affection for certainly I were a man without common sense if I did not see the perfections of the faire Diana which every one that sees confesses and admires Is it possible that Silvander should be the onely man that is blind Can he not see the Sun when it shines But the truth is I am so dazled with so great a light when I am with you as I have no eyes but onely to see nor spirit but onely to adore divine Diana upon earth whom I hold transcendent to her in the heavens since the one is surmounted in Glory by the Sun her brother but the other surpasseth all that is in the Universe Silvander said the shepherdesse and smiled I permit you to say what you will of me who knows well enough what I am but who would ever have thought that the wager which you undertook could inspire you with such fained expressions But as to your wager with Phillis how long shepherd must I be your Mistresse when must I change that Name to that of your Judge Those expressions wherewith I am inspired replyed Silvander are so full of reallity as they have no dependance upon the wager And as for the name of Mistresse whereof you speake beleeve it faire Diana that you may take the name of Judge when you please but never can shake off the name of Mistresse which not the wager nor fiction but your perfections and my affection have so justly gotten upon my soule I have formerly told you replyed the shepherdesse that I allow you to speake thus untill the wager be decided but pray tell me when shall we all three be discharged of this businesse For it has continued so long that the term of three Months is almost doubled For my part said Silvander I shall neither prolong nor retard the time being assured that come when it will I shal not alter my condition Do not talk of the future said Diana but with doubt since none but the gods can tell what it will produce but tell me Silvander shall we imploy the afternoon in ending the difference I conceive it a convenient opportunity and we shall have as good assistance as we can desire Silvander knowing that he could not hope to live with her in such freedome when this fiction was taken away he made a stop and did not returne an answer to the shepherdesse which she perceiving how he was perplexed it did the more assure her of his affection but feigning as before accustomed why do you not give me an answer shepherd said she would you have us take this convenient opportunity or would you have it deferred untill to morrow when we are at our owne Town See what a tractable Judge I am I refer it unto your will My Judge said Silvander and smiled before I give an answer I beseech you let some Articles passe betwixt us promise me that your judgement shall passe to my advantage and that the thing which is most pleasing to me may not be forbidden me and then if you please I will
present and the evening in things future and the last of these would last so long as they would take most of the night being invited thereunto by the solitude of the place or by the silence of the night or by the pleasure I took in thinking upon my displeasures For Madam life was a thing of so little value to me at that time as there was nothing I desired more then to see the end of it And being now resolved to use no violence against my selfe I wished that some accident or other would be so friendly to me as to doe that good office for me without my contributing unto the homicide of my selfe And I had an opinion that if sorrow increased on as it had done of late it would doe the worke for me so as I suffered this opinion to sway so much in my mind as I could seldome begotten unto my lodging unlesse the good old man or my servant came to fetch me This kind of life was so agreeable to my humour as I was oft in a mind to quit both Arms and Fortune and stay here all the rest of my dayes And in order to this designe I acquainted my servant advising him to retire himselfe with those goods which fortune had given me which I would freely bestow upon him if he would leave me in this place where I would despise fortune and bid her defiance But Halladine in a flood of teares could say nothing else but that nothing under heaven should separate him from me unlesse onely death and that he wished for no greater wealth then to serve me Then presently after he had gotten me to bed and hearing me sigh he came unto me and since he perceived I could not sleep he said thus unto me Is it possible Sir you should harbour such strange thoughts of ruining your selfe Ah my friend said I unto him I shall not be so ruined here but griefe and sorrows will find me out And so they may very well sir said he unto me as long as you doe thus forget your selfe and what you were wont to be in so much as you will not endeavour your happinesse and try if you can restore your selfe unto that state which you have lost Halladine said I and sighed It is the height of imprudence to attempt things impossible Why sir said he should you give the name of impossible unto that which you have not tryed nor has any reason to be so perswaded For my part I have such an opinion of my selfe that any thing which a servant can doe is not impossible and I am much more certaine that whatsoever any Cavalier in Europe can obtaine you can if you will If this Thersander who is the cause of your misery had this consideration he would attempt to remove you from Madonthe And why should not you doe as much for him you were once in her favour and he removed you and believe it sir so may you him for that which has once been done may be done againe Dost thou not know said I unto him that Madonthe loves him Yes said he And did she not once love you But now answered I she wishes me ill Have I not seen sir answered he her scorn him and scorn is much further from love then hatred Hatred replyed I is further from friendship then scorn 'T is true replyed he but there is much difference between love and friendship for Love is more proud and never looks upon things that are despiseable but alwaies upon the rarest highest and most estimable things And this is it which makes me thinke that Madonthe after she had scorned Thersander so much as she did and afterwards did love him so she may as well you against whom she had onely hatred but never the least shadow of scorn Friend replied I It is the love thou bearest unto me moves thee to talke thus in my advantage I talk Sir replied he as any that is without passion may Well said I unto him what is it thou wouldst have me do My affection sir said he is it which moves my tongue and I beseech you sir receive my language as proceeding from thence And since you command me let me tell you I would have you assume the same kinde of life you were wont to live and try if any happy encounter will help you to recover that happiness which is ravished from you For I cannot see how it should any way advantage you to stay here I have ever had an opinion that Madonthe does not hate you or if she doe hate you yet that she does not love Thersander so well as you imagine or if she doe love him yet as she has changed once so she may change againe For I have heard say that the whole world is nothing but change but say she should change and yet believe you dead this change would not availe you at all whereas if she doe but see you it is impossible but she should revive her first sparks of good will unto you Put out a Candle Sir and bring it to another that is light you shall see how suddainly it will light againe The heart of one who once loved is of the same nature when it comes in the presence of the person loved whereas absence puts all hopes out and is the very ruine and death of love Well well Halladine said I unto him we will thinke upon it and see what the heavens will advise us unto then turning me about I seemed as if I had an inclination to sleep and yet it was onely because I would not heare any more disswasions from my solitary humour but the Candle being put out and I not being able to sleep so soone I began to consult and consider upon the reasons and arguments which Halladine urged and finding them upon serious consideration to be very solid and good I was almost in a mind to leave this place being especially invited unto it out of a puissant desire of dying For I hoped that being in quest after adventures I might perhaps meet with one that would bring me to my death Besides this I considered that it was impossible for me to stay long there and not be known since certainly those Fishermen would be blabbing out all they knew of me And being not far from the place where Thorismond kept his Court I could very hardly conceal my self any longer These considerations and some others which I will omit lest I should be too tedious in my discourse did move me to take the advice which Halladine gave And as soon as it was day I walked then told him that I would take his counsell and that he should look out to buy Horses for himselfe and me also to provide me Arms and other things requisite Away he went immediately the gladdest man in the world to see me in this mind and though he made all the haste that possibly he could yet he stayed some twelve or fifteen dayes before he could get my Arms
her I said I would upon condition it might be presently And because at the same time a throng of Ladies came to congratulate her delivery and also because I feared the King would cause me to declare my selfe also because I had some wounds which required dressing I went into the croud and so stole away so as every one being diverted another way none took any notice which way I went And so I came to the place where I left my servant where binding up my wounds as well as I could and letting my Horse graze a little I got up againe and went to my good old Druid I forgot to tell you Madam That meeting a man going to the Town I entreated him to make my excuse unto Madonthe and lest she should think me uncivil I feigned to be engaged another way by promise but if she had any further service to imploy me in she might hear of me towards Mount d'Or and that I would still weare my ensigne of a Tiger My designe was to make her believe I was gone that way though I did not intend it least the Kings curiosity should be such as to find out who I was I cannot Madam expresse unto you with what joy the good Druid received me nor his thankes when he knew the cause of my voyage and the successe and service I had done Madonthe in her great necessity For he told me that her Father brought him up and that in this action I had over paid him for all the paines and care he had taken about me And because he saw my arms bloody he took them off and looked about every part of me then finding some wounds he was so careful of me and took such courses as I was well again in a little time But since the best Physick and no other could cure me but to hear more of Madonthe I intreated the good old Druid to send one of the Fishers unto the place where Thorismond was to inquire what newes The good man did as I desired and the Fisher inquired so well as at his return he brought me but too much newes for my contentment That Madonthe was gone to her house and carried Thersander with her wounded as he was for it was he who before I came was in Combate with Leotaris and his Brother I understood farther that a little after the departure of Madonthe how King Thorismond was killed by his Chyrurgion who in letting him blood had cut the vein and that his brother Eurick succeeded him I cannot expresse Madam how near these two accidents went unto my heart onely thus far I never think upon them but the memory is so sad as I conclude no rest belongs unto me but in my Grave Thus every thing from whence I expected comfort augments my misery all my hopes are now quite blasted solitary places displeased because there I thought upon nothing but the Towne of Tectosages and my thoughts grated upon my very soul when they represented unto me the ingratitude of this woman To be brief I was angry with my selfe because I loved her against reason and could not chuse but love her My condition grew worse then ever my wounds indeed being but small did heal in a few days but I became so pale as if I were dead and this palenesse presently after turned into such a yellownesse as if I had rubbed my selfe with Saffron Halladine who had heard somthing of Madonthes actions did suspect what the cause was of my being thus disordered and watched for an opportunity of speaking unto me But the good old man not knowing what to thinke he advised me to change aire hoping that exercise and diversion might recover my health and I according to the advice of this good man resolved to see the world and wander from place to place and rest no where till death arrested me After then I had given most hearty thankes unto this good man I departed without any other designe in my voyage than continuall wandring yet as fortune was our way did lie towards Madonthes house where we heard such newes as did more and more aggravate my misery For we heard that this ill advised woman as Halladine calls her was gone or rather stolne away without any in her company but her Nuâ—se and Thersander Imagine what operation this report had upon me my Servant would have perswaded me that she did me no wrong in it but onely herselfe for she believing me to be dead as all Aquitane did I had no reason to blame her But however my displeasure was so great as not being able to endure the sight of such places where formerly I found such delight and now displeasure I resolved to leave Europe and never to leave wandring till I met with something that would shorten my sad life So I passed into Africa there I saw King Genserick and Honorius his Son and found every where that Love works the same effects that it did in me I meane that it augments and diminisheth changes and rechanges delights and displeasures in all those that are subjects unto it according to its own pleasure without any reason For being amongst these Vandals I heard of the fortunes of Ursases and Olimbres and of young Placidia and her Mother Eudoxe wife unto Valentinian all whom by their examples could not divert me from still loving but I learned rather this lesson That whosoever will love must prepare themselves for good and bad and receive them both with the same visage And considering the various changes in the fortune of Eudoxe the long perservance of Ursases his love the prudent behaviour of young Olimbres and the happy conclusion of their loves I resolved not to afflict my selfe so much at the crosses which I had in my affection but thence forward to endure them with more patience And because Halladine who was tired out with my long and tedious travels did advise me not to love her any longer who did not think me so much as in the world thinking that if he could bring me to this consideration I should easily be perswaded to return into Aquitane I told him to put him out of all hope that I would love her still In conclusion finding no rest any where nor satisfaction in any diversion I saw that all humane prudence was to no purpose and therefore I would have recourse unto divine Counsells so as hearing that at the further end of the Pirenian hills towards the Sea there was an Oracle which was called the Temple of Venus I returned into Europe and enquired of the Oracle of which I asked nine dayes together what it was which would either put to an end or else cure my 〈◊〉 The Oracle answered Forrests The next morning I asked where Forrests was it answered againe Forrests and notwithstanding my importunity the Oracle was mute and would give no other answer but Forrests so as I resolved to look for Forrests all Europe over I will not tell you Madam how many severall
places I passed and all in vaine onely in generall how after I had run through all Spain Cantabria Gaul Narbon and Aquitane I came into the Country of the Gebennes and resolved to see Hircania and Ardennes and all other places through the world For I cannot be perswaded that this God who is most true and just unto all other men should be a deceiver unto me alone but on the contrary I hope that in these solitary places I shall finde that contentment which is promised unto me Thus Damon concluded the History of his miserable life And Galathea who had formerly heard the first part was very glad she had heard the rest and desired to give him all the contentment this Country afforded Therefore when he had finished she said thus unto him I must needs confesse sir you have reason to complaine against your fortune having without any reason been so long afflicted but still you must not let your hopes droop for the Gods are no Impostors nor deceivers and having received such an answer from them you must beleeve that you shall find that contentment which you desire T is true they are pleased sometimes to give ambiguous and obscure answers and that to teach us that there is no happinesse to be obtained without a mixture of misery and that they are pleased humane wits should busie themselves in finding out the truth and true meaning of their Oracles and if you will have my opinion upon this answer you have received I think you have not rightly understood it in conceiving that this word Forrests does signifie Woods and solitary places peopled only with Trees but you must know that this Country wherein you now are is not only called the Country of the Segusiaus but more particularly called Forrests so as I do beleeve it is this Forrests in which the Oracle intends you shall find that happiness which you are to receive And to tell you truly it is very probable that this is the Country and place and not in Woods places solitary For it may so fall out that Madonthe may come hither upon some occasion which may be hid from you therefore take heart and beleeve that as one evill never comes alone so one good is alwayes accompanied with another It is a happinesse you should light upon the place which the Oracle foretels shall put an end unto your miseries and ere long it will be seconded with such another as may afford you the effects of all Madam answered Damon and sighed I find all you say to be grounded upon great reason and I doe believe I shall shortly see the accomplishment of the Oracle which promiseth that in Forrests I shall finde an end of my misery For I hope Death will doe that which Love could not No no Sir said the Nymph you must have better hopes than so and being to inquire with me to morrow of the Oracle in this place I hope you will receive better contentment and in this opinion I have taken order to provide all things necessary for the Sacrifice both for you and me In the the meane time our Coaches and your Servant may returne but I have one request unto you Sir which is that you will not leave me untill you have brought me unto the house of Amasis my Mother who I am sure will bid you most heartily welcome The Cavalier answered her That it was his intention to consult with the Oracle of this place and that he tooke it for a great honour she would permit him to inquire with her also he would wait upon her unto Amasis and tender his service unto her that as for the hopes which she gave him truly he did hope but it was onely in death which could not come so soone as he did passionately desire In the mean time Galathea dispatched a messenger unto Bonlieu to the venerable Chrysante to acquaint her that she would come unto her and upon the messengers returne understood that Astrea Diana Phillis and all the shepherds dined there and intended to goe and visit Alexis the daughter of Adamas This messenger was a young fellow that had been brought up in her service from his infancy and therefore being very familiar with her he used to acquaint her with all the newes he met withall in any place where he had been At this time after he had delivered the answer of the venerable Chrysante he followed his custome and said I assure you Madam that except your selfe I never saw any so faire as Astrea and Diana Galathea desirous to make him speake on and to heare more of these shepherdesses hoping to find something concerninâ—â—er beloved Celadon and to heare what was become of him she spoke alowd before Damon and said unto him How Lerindas for that was his name doe you thinke those shepherdesses so faire that you prefer them before all my Nymphs It is not I who prefers them said he but it is truth But how canst thou make us believe replyed Galathea that such Country wenches as they are so very faire Madam said he I vow that were I a Cavalier I would maintaine their beauties against all the World and did you see them I am confident that for all your valour you would not enter into the Lists against me upon so bad a quarrell But tell me Lerindas said Galathea and smiled which of them does please you most Doubtlesse answered he Astrea is the fairer but she is so sad and melancholly as therefore Diana pleaseth me best For those wenches that are so deepely in Love never pleased me so well as others Who is it replyed Galathea whom Astrea loves I can onely tell you Madam replyed he that she is sad and melancholly and they say she is so because a Shepherd was drowned about four or five Months since And Diana said the Nymph is she in love with any They say No answered he yet there are two about her who torment her much if she doe not love them the one is called Paris and the other Silvander the truth is if I were to chuse I should give my voice for Silvander for though he be but a shepherd yet I never saw one more Gentile nor civilised If thou goest on said Galathea thou wilt make us all desirous to become shepherdesses onely to enjoy such good company Madam answered he you may chance beleeve these to be but Fables but I am confident two or three dayes could not be better imployed then amongst them Then Galathea turning towards the aged Cleontine Mother said she I am halfe in a mind to stay here two or three dayes that Damon may a little ease his wounds whilst in the interim walk towards Lignon and see whether all these reports of the shepherdesses be true Madam answered Cleontine their conversation is the sweetest and pleasantest you can imagine and beleeve it there is nothing of Rustique in them but the name so as if you desire to take that pleasure now is the
onely As she was walking down a little hill with Astrea Hylas did so awake her by his discourse as she perceived it no dream but a reall voyage and then she was so full of contentment that every one might perceive it in her eyes and face Astrea on the other side who could not wish for more happinesse then to be with this disguised Druid in whose face was such a lively picture of Celadon she was so fully contented as almost forgetting the aversenesse of her past fortune she was now the happiest shepherdesse of Lignon And because Adamas did let her understand that he intended to lie this night with Phocion and that Leenide and Alexis should be there also she dispatched a messenger to give them notice In the meane time they all walked on a gentle but a merry pace some singing others talking all doing something or other to beguile the length of the way Calidon who still had in memory the cruel answer which Astrea gave him not having so much confidence as to accoast her yet not being able to conceale his displeasure nor his extream affection he walked sometimes before her and sung some verses which imported that to love her was recompence enough Hylas who was next him and could not endure any of these obstinate affections as soon as Calidon ended he sung some other verses which imported that Let them change that that would for his part he would never change Every one did laugh at the song of Hylas and because Stiliana who walked with Carlis and Hermantes next them did hearken very attentively unto what Hylas said surely Hylas said she unto him those who accuse you of inconstancy doe you much wrong since never was man more constant than you are For from the very first time I ever saw you untill now you were still the same Oh good old Mistresse said he unto her I wonder you should not know this before now have all the men and women of our age so little wit as not to know this truth This replyed she and smiled is a bad recompence for a good office you call me old Mistresse and doe you not know Hylas that there is nothing under the Sun more offends a woman than to be called old I doe beleeve so said Hylas but it is so long since we were acquainted that I thought it no injury Daphnide who was talking with Adamas hearing those that were about Hylas to laugh so heartily and being desirous to know at what she inquired of Diana who was next her and she acquainting her with the cause I must confesse said Daphnide that his humour is the most pleasant that any one can meet with in his kind and I beleeve all the company would be very sorry to lose him But I beseech you tell me how long is it since first he came amongst you what moved him to come and what businesse has he here To which Questions Diana answered it is about four or five Months since first he came as for the cause of his stay I thinke it is superfluous to tell you knowing his humour so well as you do for you may easily imagine it but for the occasion which brought him hither I think none knowes except himselfe not that he is of so close and retired a temper as that he will not tell any thing but because alwayes when he began to tell us his story either he has been interrupted or else time would not serve him to tell it out And I assure my selfe Madam if you would but intimate the least desire of knowing it he would without any difficulty tell it for he thinkes himselfe obliged unto any that will hearken unto him in the relation of his fortunes I thinke said Daphnide that it would be a very good diversion if he would entertaine us with it and the way would seeme lesse tedious unto us but the best way to bring him to it will be this faire Druid said she and pointed at Alexis if she would be pleased to command him Alexis hearing her selfe named and seeing Daphnide point unto her to shew that she was not too serious in her discourse with Astrea did aske her if she had any service to command her and knowing by Diana what she desired I assure you Madam said Alexis that none has more power than your selfe yet since you are pleased to put me upon it I will try what I can doe Then calling unto him Servant said she I am growne very jealous Fairest Mistresse said Hylas you have no occasion for it Yes said Alexis the occasion is very great For besides the beauty of these faire strangers which is occasion enough you know there is good reason to suspect one of theft who is accustomed to steale You meane answered Hylas and smiled that I have been accustomed to steale away the hearts of those who looke upon me and you feare I should doe the like by these new shepherdesses but never feare it fairest Mistresse for it may be I shall commit this theft but though I doe take their hearts yet I promise you they shall not take mine for it is only yours This assurance Servant said Alexis does please me very well but that is not my meaning For it is that these strangers are very fair and you doe make it your glory and boast to love all those who have any beauty Hylas then going neerer Alexis I perceive Mistresse said he unto her that you doe not yet know after what manner I use to love You must know that I use to doe as Merchants use when any of them has an intention to buy any commodity they looke well upon it and consider what it is worth and lay by such a stocke of money as is equall to the worth and as far as that sum will go they will bid and no farther and when they have bought the commodity they value it at such a sum as they gave and spend accordingly Now I use to doe the like for when I first intend to love a Lady I presently looke upon her beauty for you must know that it is beauty which sets the worth and value upon a woman and when I have considered the full value of it presently I lay by a stocke of Love in my soule equall unto the price and value of beauty which she has and when I love I bid so much as that stocke comes unto and spend upon it Then after I have spent all that sum in her service for whom I first laid it by I have no more for her but if I will love I must looke out for another beauty and lay by another sum for it so as in this my money and my love are alike I mean that when I have spent them I can spend no more therefore Mistresse you might have some reason to feare if I never had loved these new shepherdesses before but it is so long since I spent all stocke which I laid by for their beauties as I have
none left for them my money is gone and it will not come againe But Servant said Alexis Merchants that are rich though they have once or twice emptied their purses yet will they fill them againe to buy that at the second bidding which they could not at the first Perhaps they may replyed Hylas but Mistresse such rich Merchants and I am not alike for they will chaffer and bid two or three times whereas I bid all at the first besides if they have no money they will borrow upon their credit and I spend and trade only upon my owne stock This replyed Daphnide and smiled is the finest way of loving that ever it was my fortune to heare of It is so said Alexis but not very advantageous unto me for I am affraid that you will quickly have spent your stocke of Love which you laid up for me and then you will love me no longer T is true indeed said Hylas that should I spend it all you could not hope for any more in me but that is absolutely impossible for when I first lay by a stocke of Love I do make it equal unto the beauty which I love and yours being infinite you must thinke that the heap that I laid up to equall it is a vast Mountaine I am glad of it replyed Alexis and esteeming you as I doe should be very sorry to lose you and this moves me to intreat you that if this Mountaine be not so big as you doe say it is you will abate a little and lessen your expences to the end your Provision may hold out the longer I had rather you would spend a little lesse and imitate those good Husbands who spend one day as it may hold out the whole year Mistresse said he presently if that be all your care set your heart at rest for my mountaine of Love to you will last as long as I live But good Servant said Alexis though your mountaine be as bigge as you say yet methinkes you should desire mine should be as big to you least this love should be lame and let downe of one side You say very well replyed Hylas and I doe desire it with all my heart Then said Alexis you must use some meanes whereby you may come to the knowledge of it I have heard that nothing is more requisite unto Love than the knowledge of the thing loved and how doe you thinke I should love you unlesse I know you Hidden treasures are not estimable your actions I make no question would render you of high esteem if they were once known and therefore if you do desire that I should love you than you must let me know the Story of your life especially at this time when you may have so good an Auditory and therefoâ— I would not have you let slip the opportunity What Mistresse said Hylas is all this long preamble onely for this the very least syllable you could have hinted would have commanded it and you shall see that my affection is above your curiosity though let me tell you I hold the maxime in Love to be false that one must know before one can love as well as I doe all the rest which Silvanâ—er most absurdly vents But to shew my obedience I will tell you all I know of my selfe Then placing Adamas in the middle of the Company every one was very attentive and to heare the better some almost trode upon his heeles And then seeing all silent he began thus The History of Chryside and Hylas IGnorance has this quality that it causeth many things to be condemned which in themselves are laudable And this I have often found to be true since I came amongst these shepherdesses about the River Lignon where the false Tenents of Silvander are so much followed as all he sayes is Oracle and it is held an offence against the very Gods not to believe what ere he sayes This is an error so rooted in the opinion of all that fect as it is in matter of Love a crime of the highest nature to contradict him Yet I who am not swayed by opinion but by truth and who will not be convinced by words but by reasons I have ever followed that which reason dictates unto me and bids me doe Can any be so irrationall as to blame experience which is the mother and the Nurse of Prudence yet talke to Silvander or any of his hereticall sect and they will maintaine it even with their lives that all experience is vicious and fallacious and that they must cleave unto their own errors like snailes which once sticking to a wall must not part from it As if the Gods had not given us a judgement and reason to discern things that are good things that are better and things that are most perfect These Considerations I beseech you fairest Mistresse set before your eyes when you see that I have sometimes loved and changed and yet do not feare I shall change you for any other because it is impossible to find one that is better or more perfect For when I am come once to the highest step I cannot go any higher You are not the first fairest Mistresse that has desired to understand the sequell of my strange fortune many others have had the same curiostry and some in this company What I have formerly related into them I will not relate now because they can inform you as well as I And therefore I will onely tell you that I am originally of Carmargues where I began my Apprentiship with Carlis and ended it with Stiliana Afterwards being but yet a novist in my trade I quitted that place and came to Lions after that I had by the way loved the faire Aymea the fool Ploriante and the sad Cloris Then being come thither I saw Circena whom as my love unto her began in the Temple so it dyed as soon as I was out againe and revived it selfe in the charitable Palinice and from her was transferred unto the kind Parthenopea afterwards to the crafty Dorinde and the proud Florice And because Florice is the last I named I will begin my discourse where my love to her ended that you may the better understand what you desire to know concerning my life Periander a very brave Cavalier and one that was passionately in love with Dorinde to please her was a cause of my declining Florice by stealing from me though my friend some Letters which she had written unto me And Dorinde to be revenged both of her and me shewed them like a spitefull woman as she was unto Theombres the husband of Florice who upon this fell into such a suspition of her as he carried her out of the the Town so as in a little time I began to forget her for Mistresse I must ingenuously confesse that as my love began first by my eyes so it ended as soon as it wanted nourishment from my eyes according to that true Maxime Out of sight out of mind and what is
all his miseries and mine He tooke occasion to declare his love unto me in a Ball wherein many use to dance at once by two and two walking only round the roome and observing the cadency a little The name of it was the great Ball and invented purposely to give a hansome opportunity unto Cavaliers of talking unto Ladies Arimant tooke me out and though it was with a designe of discovering his affection yet was it long before he durst begin yet at last least he should lose such an opportunity as was hard to be met with againe he forced himselfe and said thus unto me Fair Chrysiede said he unto me for he had enquired my name the Iawes of this Country are too rigid if not unjust in keeping so close that which is most faire I doe not know said I unto him upon what you doe ground your speech Upon custome answered he which is to keepe the Ladies up so close as that they shew themselves so seldome as a man can hardly say he sees them and not to goe farre for an example Is it not extreame cruelty I should be six Months in this Towne and this is the first time I have the happinesse to see you Faire Ladies Sir said I unto him doe conceale themselves upon very good consideration For too often seene too much contemned But why should you put me in the Catalogue of faire ones or complaine of seeing me so seldome Since certainely the sight of me must needs be very indifferent unto you It is too much said he and sighed to overcome one person twice it was enough your eyes had already got the victory over me without doubly surmounting me by the sweetnesse and charms of your refined wit This suddaine declaration did surprise me yet I cannot tell how it did not offend me and I answered him thus You are easily overcome Sir if vanquished by such simple arms as your Conqueror is owner of and since she never so much as thought of obtaining this victory However said he I am vanquished and I am neither ashamed nor sorry for being vanquished by such arms I knew not all this while who this young Cavalier was having never seen him before yet since he was so confident as to addresse himselfe unto me I did imagine him a man of principall Rank amongst the Sallases his hansome presence and the expression of his affection made me very desirous to know his name And I must confesse I had been put hard to it for an answer if the Ball had continued longer But it being ended I had opportunity to enquire of what I desired He who began to be sensible of loves first blows which commonly are full of impatience and who thought that perhaps it would be long before he had such another opportunity he took me out to dance againe although it was not the custome but being grown more bold and a better husband of his time he said thus unto me I have been assured that faire ones will never believe things that are true and rather hearken unto things things that are not so Though I should leave it unto fair ones to give you an answer said I yet since they doe not hear I will aske you why you accuse them of that fault Because answered he I find it so in you Pardon me fair Cryside if I offend you Why do not you believe me when I say that I am your most devoted servant for it is most true Arâ—mant said I words onely cannot perswade me to believe what you say since reason gives your tongue the lye and since I know that men make profession of giving much for a little money If it be so said he then I doe protest that I am not a man What are you then replyed I presently I am said he your servant and the most faithfull and zealous servant that ever was I must needs confesse Hylas that his noble extraction and his neat wit had obliged me to give him another kind of answer then I did but for some other considerations which hindred me and therefore I onely said thus unto him we shall see Arimant whether you continue in the same mind the next time we meet and I will deferre my answer until then The Ball now ended and the company parted for it was supper time and doe what he could I would not give him any opportunity of speaking unto me againe thinking that for the first time he might be very well contented with such answers as he had received And because the joy for this marriage continued many dayes the next day and as oft as the meetings continued he did not omit any opportunity of testifying the truth of his expressions which at the last I was perswaded to believe and to satisfie him so farre as to let him thinke I loved him 'T is true I stayed until the very last day before I did so declare my self unto him lest if I had done it sooner he should pretend to any greater favour and had I tarried any longer I could not have told him so much but I would not upon any terms let him go without some assurance of my good will Since this time it was long before we saw each other except in Temples and publique places which I must confesse did trouble me because indeed I did begin to love him considering his discretion in the carriage of the businesse so as none could suspect his designe He would come often in the night to my window and present me with some Serenades but that was all the visits I had from him My discourse kind Hylas would be too long and tedious if I should relate all the particulars of this Courtship Let it suffice that Arimant could not with discretion testifie the good that he wished unto me although he sought out all wayes and neglected no opportunity of doing it Oh Hylas how full of subtilty Love is and though they paint him but a boy yet what old tricks he has They are very ignorant who know it not or who think to master him I know and I know it by experience and to my grief that they who would overcome him must fight as those doe who get their victory by flying for otherwise if they come to handy-blowes he will get the better it is absolutely impossibly to resist him for he has so many tricks and can use so many severall sorts of Arms as with one or other doubtlesse if he doe not wound yet at least he will foile and make scratches and his weapons are also impoysoned that as soon as ever they draw blood there is no hope of health for him that is so wounded for his wounds will so itch as he himselfe will scratch them and make them sore Oh that I had known this before For Hylas at the first I did not admit of this addresse but onely to see Arimant languish before my face as a testimony of my beauty Afterwards his obsequioushesse and kindnesse moved me to
look upon him a little better and then his Noble Extraction his Merits his Generosity and his Discretion made me thinke very well of him and a little after to esteem him so as I should be sorry to lose him And love was no sooner possessor of heart but presently I was constrained to render it unto him since time did put me out of all doubt of his loving me But I beseech your consider how suddenly my humour changed when love had gotten this victory over me As long as I did not love him I cared not at all who knew of his affection to me but on the contrary was very glad it should be divulged as thinking that the more passionately he loved me and the more it was known the more was the honour of my beauty But then as soon as I began to love him I cannot expresse how I was offended at the least knowledge of it in so much as every time I talked of him my principal charge was to be silent and secret and carry all close Our affaires then standing upon these terms and our affections growing every day to a higher straine our onely endeavours were for hansome occasions to testifie them unto each other But such was the constraint in which the women beyond the mountaines lived being kept as it were Prisoners as it was impossible for us to see one another unless by chance nor to speak together but in the presence of some and that too very seldome This made him think upon an old woman who got her living by going unto houses and selling Laces and Ribbands that by her meanes we might speak unto each other by Paper though not by voyce He easily gained the woman what by promises and what by Gifts And she coming to the house where I was seeming to take measure of me for a piece of Lace to a Gorget and to that end drawing me to the window she would have thrust a Letter into my hand saying not a word but onely Arimant I knew well enough it was a Letter from him but being unwilling to be obliged unto the discretion or fidelity of this woman whom I knew not and knowing well enough that such kind of people being insinuators into the secrets of such as are so fond as to trust them would afterwards prove very Tyrants or else sell their silence at so dear a rate as it was impossible to content them I would not receive it but on the contrary rejected it with such sharpe language yet low that the poor woman was quite out of countenance and carried it back unto him that gave it her intreating him to imploy her nomore in any such matters He who thought it would have been very welcome to me and hoped for some assurance of my good will in the answer to it seeing this refusall and hearing what sharpe words I used he was the most astonished man in the world and not knowing unto whom to complaine he came that very night into our street with a consort of Musick after they had played a lesson or two and supposing I was come unto the window he came just under my window and sung some Verses which contained a complaint that she would not receive his Letters I easily apprehended the reason of his complaint and because my refusal did not proâ—oed from want of affection I thought my selfe obliged to advertise him of it so as taking Pen presently I writ these lines as fast as I could and threw it out of the window Cryseide's Letter unto Arimant MY complaint would be more just if my affection to you would give me leave to complain of you and if yours be equall to mine it will not give you leave to complain of me for my last refusall nor to take it as an argument of little love since it proceeded from no other designe but the preservation of my honour and your tranquillity which in that act you put in danger I doe not accuse you of want but rather excesse of affection which would not suffer you to consider the danger into which you put me by putting me into the hands of one unknown unto me and perhaps not faith full to you since mercenary end no more yours but as your money makes heâ— Be hereafter not lesse loving but more prudent and be contented that I know you love me Now Hylas you must know that considering with my selfe it was impossible to continue this secret affection long without a third person because as I told you before the constraint of women was so great as we knew not which way to meet Therefore I thought it a necessity to trust my selfe unto some discreet person who might both comfort and counsell me In order unto this I cast my eye upon all that were in the house where I lived and found none more fit than my Nurses daughter who was brought up with me and loved me so very well as she thought her self happy in any service she could do me This wench was of my owne age and such a one as I stood in need of for she had more courage than I and was so stout as she would often laugh at my feares and doubts Moreover she had wit at will and was full of such petty contrivances as I stood in need of As for her fidelity and discretion I was so confident of them as I durst trust her as soon as my selfe with any secret Moreover she did governâ— her owne Mother who had the guardianship of me and lay in my Chamber This was she whom I made choice of for my assistant and acquainting her with what I thought expedient I found her so sutable to my desires as at last I imparted the very bâ—ttome of my heart and that my resolution was never to love any but Arâ—mane Now Clarina for so was her name considering the danger unto which I exposed my selfe in throwing the Letter so out of the Window she found out an invention to write with lesse danger and it was this The evening before I intended he should receive my Letter from me it was agreed betwixt us that I should hang out a Hankercher out of my window as if it were to dry and by which we understood that the next morning at the time when others went unto the Temple he was to go also and where we saw the greatest throng of people there we would be to prevent suspition If I could let a little Book fall in which I should seem to be at devotion and none see then I should doe it otherwise when I went away I should pretend that I had carelesly left it behind me in the place where I knâ—eled or to let it fall some way or other when he saw me and he who had his eye still upon me and who at that time was to be as near me as he could he should presently reach it up if none saw then he was to look into it but if any did perceive it then he was to
marriage between Cryseide and Clorangus for I vow and protest I will sooner consent unto the losse of all my fortunes then unto a match so unsutable They offered to reply but he interrupted them by saying I have sworn it by the life of Athemius by the head of my Father and by all that 's holy Not a word more of it and whosoever shall doe otherwise shall find my displeasure Upon this both of them went away and spoke not a word Rithimer highly esteeming my generous resolution his good will unto me did so augment as from thence forward it may well be said be was in love with me He went away and visited me a hundred times in a day and most commonly by himselfe And because he durst not speak unto me lest it should be prejudicial unto me he talked with Clarina would sometimes aske her how she came to know that the marriage with Clorangus made me take that resolution other whiles he would thanke her for acquainting him with it and did so manifestly make the greatnesse of his affection appear as his wife perceived it and Clarina also As for me I took all his actions as proceeding from that compassion which such an accident caused in his generous soul Besides the condition wherein I was would not permit me any discourse with him for I was so weakned as I did nothing else but sleep and rest my selfe I rested thus two or three dayes and never remembred my Hankercher wherein I had written with my blood but one morning when I found my selfe a little better it came unto my mind Clarina observing that she never went from me but she heard the â—igh she asked me whether I felt any new pain My paine answered I faintly is in my minde But good Clarina were you the first that found me in that condition into which I had brought my selfe Who doe you thinke said she has the greatest care of youâ— I know very well said I that it is Clarina but if you were the first did you not see a Hankercher which was spotred with my blood Yes answered she I did see it and alas now you put me in mind I have committed a great fault which I must presently remedy For Mistresse that unhappy morning Arimant had written unto you and I came with all joy to bring the Letter when I found you in that sad condition I ran through the house like a fool crying and tormenting my selfe and being thus out of my selfe I met the messenger which Arimant sent with the Letter who not knowing of the accident which had hapned unto you he was urgent with me for an answer I told him you were dead and gave him the Hankercher whereof you speak to carry unto his Master in testimony of your affection to him How said I Has Arimant the Hankercher Doubtlesse he has answered she for it is three dayes since I sent it to him Oh God cryed I I feare it will ruine him what will become of him Clarina when he sees that assurance of my death Upon this she stood mute a while and at last answered 'T is true Mistress said she that if the messenger did depart without any further enquiry of the particulars of your death it might perplex Arimant Of whom replyed I could he enquire but your selfe Indeed Clarina you were much to blame and if when you saw me past danger you did not advertise him of it your second fault was worse then your first Mistresse said she I beseech you pardon me my griefe was so great as when I saw you dead I was resolved to follow you and I must confesse that I sent the Hankercher unto Arimant purposely to invite him unto the same But since that danger was over I have been so busie about you as I have hardly remembred to eate my meat Go said I unto her and write unto him presently from me if I can I will adde a word with my owne hand Clarina upon this shut the door left any should surprise her and taking Pen Ink and Paper did write these words Clarina's Letter unto Arimant I Do give my selfe the lie for Arimant Cryseide lives still and has commanded me to acquaint you with it the truth is she was dead when I sent you that message but the Gods have revived her for you You are the most happy Cavalier that lives in the love of the fairest Lady in the Universe and unhappy onely in this that you cannot be a witnesse of your owne happinesse Then with much ado I took the Pen and postscribed these words Arimant I doe live and live onely for Arimant Then sealing it up she went with all haste unto him whom she had formerly imployed upon such occasions commanding him to make all post haste Afterwards seeing none in the Chamber but our selves we opened the Letter which Arimant had formerly sent and found in it these words Arimant's Letter unto Cryseide IN the day I am nothing but a composition of frights and panique feares in the night I doe nothing but dream that you are going to die and I am going to follow you this does so much trouble me that I cannot call this a life which I live so distane from you I have sent this messenger to know how she who is my life does I will follow him as soon as I find by his returne my way to be ready and at this time the hatred which Rithimer beares unto me must yeeld unto the love which I bear unto you This Letter did infinitely comfort me upon severall considerations the one because I thought the neerer he was this place the sooner he would hear the reports of my death to be false Another was because I found that he did really love me and lastly because I hoped ere long to see him and to communicate unto him a designe which I had in hand But in the mean time his messenger made such haste that travelling both night and day he found him in bed intending to depart that day And the messenger coming unto him Sir said he I have very great Newes to tell you and therefore let all the men retire Then commanding all to goe out and to shut the doore and seeing the Man stand and stare as if he were out of his wits he suspected to heare of some great accident Then rising up in his bed and as it were divining it What said he is she dead or alive Then the Messenger falling into tears and presenting the Hankercher unto him Alas Sir said he this will tell you that which my griefe will not suffer me to relate and then he weeped and sighed as if he would have dyed Arimant spreading the Hankercher and reading what I had written with my finger Oh God said he she is dead and then falling a crosse the bed there he lay as if he were dead The Man taking notice that the Cavalier spoke not did run unto him and finding him in a swoone he raised him up
blood that his wounds were much worse than they were before and he in great danger I ran in a fright unto him and found that the blood was stopped but the Chirurgion desired me to let him rest all that night and told me that there was no great danger yet but that there might be if good heed was not taken Then was I forced to retire my selfe without seeing him And see Hylas what love can doe the day before I was so weary with travelling as I was not able to keep my eyes open but now after as much more pains taken I could not close an eye all the night long but was still sending to know how Arimant did and could not rest till the next morning it was permitted me to see him Brother said I unto him were you so ill and would not tell me I must confesse indeed said he that I did perceive my wounds to bleed but I must confesse withall that I was desirous to lose a little blood for you as in payment of the abundance which you lost for me Oh Brother said I unto him our designes in that were much different for in losing mine the intent was to preserve my self for you but you by this would take your selfe from me But Hylas why should I stand relating all these passages since this time which I must accompt the happiest of all my life is thus changed and nothing remaines of it but so much memory as to lament the losse of it But however let me tell you that after we had stayed six weeks in this place for the recovery of Arimant his Father sent for him for he hearing of the Duell with Clorangus he was in continuall feare of him not onely in respect of the wounds he had received but also of Rithimers hatred His being thus ill of his wounds was the cause why he deferred all his designs that he had upon me until he was better recovered and quitted his bed And now when he was recovered and well he began to urge me further then I would permit him I told him that he might consider I was his and that those Testimonies which I had given might well put him out of all doubt of it That what he desired was not reasonable unlesse upon such conditions as might be free form all manner of blame That he might well thinke that when I put my selfe into his hands it was with a designe of giving up my self entirely unto him as I had done and yet would doe but yet I beseeched him to have regard unto what both of us ought to doe for as I owed unto him all manner of contentment and satisfaction so he owed unto me the preservation of that thing which onely could make me worthy of him which was my chastity And when he answered that he never had any other designe and that he had rather die then move any thing unto me but upon conditions of marriage I told him that it was impossible the marriage could be in that place but Rithimer would know it and pursue his revenge and therefore it was requisite to deferre unto some other time and place which was out of danger Besides this consideration it were good that his Father were acquainted with it And though we were both resolved to go through with our designe yet it was but fit and reasonable to render him that duty I put him in minde that the Gods were well pleased with the reverence and obedience of Children to their Parents and that if we did so they would blesse our intentions and actions the better To be briefe Hylas I used so many arguments and reasons to him as he taking me in his armes and kissing me It is impossible said he to resist against any thing you please and therefore order and dispose of my life and contentment as you shall think good And when he received his Fathers command to go unto him doe you not see said I unto him how God begins to prosper our designe since we are going unto that place where we may more easily accomplish it He therefore went unto him and carried me also but being unwilling his Father should know me before he had consented unto his marriage he changed my name and called me Cleomires saying I was a Transalpine Gaul and that I having that language I should the better passe so Then for a better colour of keeping me with him he said I had saved his life in his Combate with Clorangus having hindred two of his men in ambush from falling upon him and forced them to fly so as this generous act forced him never to part from me Thus we set forward in our journey and arrived at Eporedes where Arimants Father received us with such welcome as did manifest the affection which he bore unto his Son And when he understood me to be Cleomires of whose valour and assistance his Son had informed him I cannot expresse those thankes and offers which he made unto me for truly he was a very noble minded Cavalier full of virtue and worthy of the Title which he had Both Arimant and I were very glad of so good a beginning hoping that ere long this good entertainment would bring us to a happy conclusion of our desires Some dayes being past and Arimant not able to rest until our marriage was concluded we consulted together how to bring it about In conclusion we did all foure concur in opinion for Clarina and the young man were alwaies admitted to our Counsells that the best way was for me to make the overâ—ture unto the Father because since I came I had insinuated my selfe so farre into his good opinion us he believed whatsoever I said and would be counselled and advised unto any thing I would I took this charge upon me much against my heart thinking it to be against custome for me to be the wooer it being ordinarily the mans part Yet having already broken the customes of other women and assumed the habit of man I thought my affection at this time might well make me undertake it and seeing it was Arimants mind I thought it a crime to contradict it I went therefore unto the Father who was walking by himself in the Garden and after a salute and some discourse of the fine scituation of the place I fell at length to talk upon the contentment which every one had in seeing themselves perpetuated in their Children And afterwards hinting unto him that it should be his also when â—e considered Arimant as the most nobly accomplished Cavalier not onely of all the Salases and bâ—â—bicians but also of all Aemilia he answered me that my affection to him made me blind and moved me to think him so I must needs confesse Sir said I unto him that I doe love him above any Cavalier I ever knew but I doe assure you Sir before I did love him in that high degree I did esteem and thinke him so and all those that ever saw him are of the
same judgement But Sir since I am gone so farre give me leave to tell you I cannot chuse but wonder that it should be so long before you marry him It is full time his age requires it and I believe it would be a great addition of contentment unto you to see your selfe a Grandfather of many sweet Children it is very true answered he and I desire nothing more but good wives are so very rare and I see so few of them 〈◊〉 we must of necessity tarry till heaven find such a one out for him Perhaps Sir said I you are too curious in your choice I beseech you pardon me said he for truly I am not provided I could find out a noble and a vertuous woman in whose family there is no blemish I should not insist must upon Riches Methinkes Sir said I unto him that you omit one principall quality What is that said he it is Sir said I that they doe love each other very well Most true replyed he presently but I did not insert that quality because it is to be first presupposed protesting unto Cleomires I had rather die thâ—n to see my selfe driven to such a necessity as to force Arimanâ— to marry a woman unworthy of himselfe or one he could not love having already broke off one marriage because it was not according to his fancy In this said I you are a good Father But Sir what will you say if I that am a stranger should propose one in this Country who has all the qualifications and conditions which you mention and â—one with whom it shall be long of your selfe if it be not a match I will then say replyed he that you do know more then we doe No Sir said I not that I know more but because perhaps I have had more opportunity of knowing her better then others and if you please I will propose her unto you but it shall be upon condition that you honour me so farre as to take all I say to proceed from one who infinitely honours you and loves Arimans above all the world You have already given my Son good testimony of what you say answered he and I have such a beliefe of your affection unto me as you need not question but I shall take whatsoever you propound as coming from one whom I ought to love honour and belive before any that I know In this assurance Sir replyed I I shall tell you that there is one in this very Towne whose noblenesse of Family virtue and such love as ought to be betwixt Husband and Wife may be found in her and as for her Portion it is sutable to such as are of her quality These things altogether are not inconsiderable Good Cleomires said he name her quickly It is Sir replyed I and blushed Cryseide Truly said he then as for her Family and Portion I must needs confesse it but as for the rest I know not what to say and I must tell you the time was when I thought to motion it unto her mother and had done it but that she was so neare of kin unto the wife of Rithimer who is my mortall enemy Sir said I unto him will you be pleased to let me speak in her behalfe without offence unto your judgement unto which he answering yes I went on thus Cryseide has done two things which may well make you change your judgement of her The first is The cutting her veines and chusing rather to die then marry Clorangus And the other is Her flight out of the hands of her Mother But to cleare these two things unto you Sir I must discover a thing unto you which I believe you did not know and which I beseech you not to take ill since all due respect was ever preserved unto you Be pleased therefore to know Sir that Arimant having seen her of whom we speak and considering her beauty he fell in love with her and used all wayes to make himselfe loved She being sensible of the honour which you Son did her after long Courtship and such addresses as are usuall amongst persons that love she aked him what his intention in it was Arimant in this as well as in all other his actions shewed himself a noble Cavalier and one that did not degenerate from the vertue of his illustrious Predecessors but answered her that his pretensions were to obtaine her favour in way of marriage And when she set before him the hatred which Rithimer bore unto you and the neer relation betwixt his wife and her mother Arimant answered that the Gods who would not have this emnity perpetuall perhaps intended to reconcile the two Houses by this alliance and assured himselfe that when you Sir were acquainted with it for he would do nothing without your permission you would like of it and commend his just design After this Love did every day so increase on both sides as they promised each other to marry provided your approbation could be procured and in the mean time both of them to use their utmost endeavours to obtain the consent of their Parents When things was brought to this passe Chryseide was carried away unto Rithimers house where they would needs force her to marry Clorangus you know Sir what kind of man he was the most deformed and vitiously minded of all men living but though he had been the most compleat and pleasing yet Cryseide could not marry him having already given her selfe unto your Son Yet in this you may see her vertue because she had promised nothing but upon condition of their consent upon whom she depended and finding their minds so far from her desires she resolved to dye this was an act of vertue beyond Lucretia's for Cryseide would prevent the crime before hand and dye but the other dyed not till after the crime committed If this be not a great demonstration of her love to Arimant and whether she was not resolved to preserve her affection intirely for him I refer it Sir unto your judgement But so it was that she being miraculously rescued from the grave and began to recover the great losse of her blood she was advertised by one of her Mothers maids that her Mother and Rithimers wife would packe her out of the presence of that Prince to make her marry Clorangus whether she would or no. Now she thought it high time to have recourse unto the last remedy and doubtlesse had if Arimant had not come unto her and with tears in his eyes diverted her from that mortall resolution and told her that most certainly if she did dye he would follow her and therefore it was better to retire her selfe from this cruell tyranny of her Mother that if she would trust him he would vow by all sacred and inviolable oathes he would carry her amongst the Vestals where she might stay untill he could obtain your approbation of their marriage Now Sir I beseech you judge whether these two actions can be disliked or whether there wanted
any either generosity or love in this woman or any other quality or condition which you can desire And thus I ended extreamly astonishing the father who walked two or three turnes without speaking one wordâ— whilst I was in expectation of the sentence either of life or death At last lifting up his head which he had all the while hung downe he answered thus I must confesse Cleomire you have told me most strange things which may well plead my excuse for being a little pensive But considering that there is nothing in this world which comes by chance but by the wise providence of the Gods I will beleeve that all these things which you have told me have happened by their wils since it is so I should be very harsh if I offer to crosse them My Son you say loves Cryseide and I do beleeve it for I have heard that his voyage to the Libicians was only to make addresses unto her and fight with Clorangus who pretended unto her Cryseide hath also given very great testimonies of her love to him I doe conclude from hence that the Gods do never make such contraries to meet and sympathetically agree but they are contented with the good will which is betwixt them Friend I do commend my Sons choice for Cryseide doth highly deserve to be loved and now I know her reasons which induced her unto what she did my esteem of her is double unto what it was Tell therefore my Son as much for I see that it was he who imployed you to speak unto me Tell him that since according to his duty he has respected me so much as not to contract with Cryseide without my consent I doe take it so kindly as I both approve and commend his choice and pray unto the Gods that I may soon see them both together And though I doe foresee that Richimer will rage more hatred against me and colour it with my Sons offence in ravishing his wifes Cozen out of his house yet that shall not make me alter my opinion being resolved to countenance and maintain them in spite of all danger that can come unto me I beleeve Hylas you thinke that this answer did give me as much contentment as I could desire and well you might for after I kneeled downe and thanked him in behalf of his Son and Cryseide not daring to declare my selfe without the advice of my dear Arimant I thought he would never have satisfied himselfe with thanking me hugging and kissing me Then I parted from him and went to acquaint Arimant with my happy successe which ravished him beyond all expression At last it was resolved amongst us that since I had told his Father I was amongst the Vestals I should not yet declare my selfe lest I should be taken in a lie For all lies have this quality that when they are known they make truth it selfe suspected And to avoid the rage of Rithimer and my mother we thought it best to conceale our marriage for a while whilst in the mean time endeavours were used to pacific them Arimants Father approved of this and from thence forward referred the whole matter unto the will of his Son Now Hylas see how men purpose and God disposeth who would have thought but that their businesse was brought to as good a passe as we could wish or expect And yet all our crosses hitherto were but playes in comparison of what ensued For Arimant and I desiring to consummate our design pretended to go unto Cryseide and after we had provided womens cloths and all that was necessary for our marriage and were come into a Towne of the Caturges we intended to stay there so long as to make the father beleeve we were gone unto her whom we had with us But as ill luck was Gundehunt King of the Burgundians having passed over the Alps with a puissant Army did fall into the Territories of the Taurinois and Caturges so unexpectedly as he found them without any defence or thoughts of any Enemy And by fortune the very next day we came into this Towne he fell upon it where all they could do was to shut the Gates against the surprise of the first Comers but when the maine body of the army came up all the inhabitants could then do was to render their Town upon such pittifull condition as little mended the matter unlesse that the women were not ravished nor their Temples pillaged as they were in other places and all the rest left to the discretion of the ravenous Souldier â— Oh heavens Hylas what a lamentable sight was it to see women carried away Captives out of the arms of their husbands No intreaties no tears nor no offers could redeeme them So sadly did I resent this misery as I can speake it experimentally as fortune was I was that day in womanâ— habit and as I thought not ill dressed though my haire was so short that I could not trim my selfe so well as I desired and poor Arimant did carasse me as if he did foresee it should be the last time The Towne was presently distributed into quarters and every place assigned unto some troope who by degrees turned the Owners out of doors both men moveables and horses Arimant hearing of this base capitulation went crying through the Towne that it was better to dye than submit unto such unworthy termes telling the people that their wals were yet up that the Enemies had no wings to fly over them that their arrowes were not all spent nor their bowes broken he promised them that he would defend their Towne till Rithimer came to relieve them who was already upon his march and that they should never be branded with so much ignominy But seeing there was no remedy and that none stirred upon his words he drew his Sword and cryed in the open streets that the principals of the Towne had betrayed and sold the people that for their parts they would receive no harm but all would fall upon the poor people so as it was better to give them up to the Enemy and save the rest And thus he cryed out so lowd as he was followed by some with whom he seized upon a Gate which he defended so well that Gondebunt was forced to retreat and fall on upon another Quarter where the Inhabitants did let him in And thus betrayed by those of the place whilst he was repulsing those Enemies which were before him he was assaulted so furiously upon the backe as at last vertue being over powred by number and he receiving many wounds he was taken and killed though he would never yeild chusing rather to dye then fall into the hands of those whom he called Barbarians As for me to my misery though I may call it good fortune that part of the Towne where I hapned to be was assigned for the Quarter of King Gondebunt and those who were with him tooke me and many other Ladies prisoners and all committed to safe custody where we stayed
untill the coming of this great King in hopes his generosity would give us liberty as well as his vertue had preserved out chastity Now Hylas you know both me and my fortune which I beleeve you will thinke to be very strange since when I was even at the very top heaven dashed them and took away my â—â—berty and thus you see my miserable condition Thus has the fair Cryseide said Hylas related her fortune unto me and I was so delighted with it as I did not thinke it a quarter of an houre since her first beginning when it was so late that all her companions came to tell her it was time to retire And waiting upon them unto the side of the River Arar I then retired as full of love as I was of satisfaction to know that this faire one had learned how to love and that her affection was not settled any where since the death of Arimant which gave me abundance of hope to arrive at the Port of my desires All the company stood very attentive and desirous to heare the conclusion of this Relation Hylas stood silent and so as it seemed as if it was onely because they were then come unto a place where onely one could passe at once And when all were passed thy flocked about him as desirous to heare the continuation of his discourse giving great attention unto it What what doe you expect more from me said he and wondred they should expect it If there be any amongst you that knowes any more of the story then I have related I shall willingly lend them audience but if you look for any more from me good friends you will be mistaken for I have not a jot more to tell you All the company broke out into laughter to see their expectations thus frustrated Servant servant said Alexis did you thinke that you performed your promise with this short come off Did you not promise me a relation of your severall loves and you have related onely the misfortunes of Cryseide and Arimant you have told us what you did not promise and left untold that which you did promise resembling those who had rather give where they doe not owe then pay their due debts Hylas being thus twitted smiled and said not a word knowing that Alexis was in the right At last casting up his head Mistresse said he I doe confesse all you say but the fault is your own but if the money which I payed you was not good why did not you refuse it I mean if you did not like what I told why did you not interrupt me for my part I thought the money so good that when I received it from Cryseide it contented me and was pleased with the repetition of it unto you However said Alcidon and interrupted since you have begun the story of this generous Lady you should have ended it I assure you Sir said Hylas I have emptied my Purse of all that money I mean that I know no more of Cryseides story onely this that she went away without bidding adieu unto any and I could never hear whither Madam said Florice then and turned towards Alexis are you desirous to heare the conclusion of that story Yes answered the Druid and I should be obliged unto those that would tell it me and I believe the rest of our way will permit it I shall be very glad replyed Florice to satisfie your curiosity for Cryseide since the departure of Hylas related unto me at Lyons all that he hath and that I shall tell you But it shall be upon this condition that Hylas shall make good his promise another time and he assuring her he would she began thus The sequell of the History of Cryseide and Arimant BE pleased to know Madam that this generous Lady being detained a Prisoner in Lyons as you have heard going one morning unto the Temple a young man came unto her and in the croud did put a little Book into her hand and said unto her in the Italian language To morrow about this time you shall see me here and suddainly thrusting himselfe among the people he left her in the greatest astonishment that ever was for she knew him not not understood the meaning of this little Book yet being very discreet she made no shew of her amazement onely as long as divine service lasted she beseeched Mercury to grant that it might be good newes The Sacrifice seemed longer unto her then ordinary and being extreamly impatient to know what this Book was she opened it her Companions who saw her very intent upon it thought it to be a Prayer Book as indeed it was and never took notice of any thing else After she had turned over many leaves and found nothing she was more zealous in her devotion unto Mercury and Apollo who is the revealer of all obscurities to direct her in the understanding of this never remembring all this while the way of conveying Letters betwixt poor Arimant and her selfe she thought him dead and therefore could not imagine any use of such a Book but at last looking upon it more precisely and turning over more leaves she found a Letter the superscription of which she knew Oh how she was startled 〈◊〉 it she blusht her hands and legs began to tremble and all being ready to go away she remained still upon her knees not knowing what she did nor what she should doe yet none took great notice of it onely thought that her stay proceeded from her devotion At the last her companion pulled her by the sleeve and made her follow the rest who walkked two and two as Hylas related She was no sooner in the house but she went into a Closet shut the doore after her and looking upon the Letter also imagining Arimant to be dead she thought it some trick of Hylas but opening it she found these words Arimant's Letter unto Cryseide MAdam I live still if it can be called life to be from you I have sent this faithfull messenger to know how you doe and to tell you how I am Oh ye Gods preserve Cryseide and grant Arimant patience enough to endure all his misfortunes Till now she knew not what to thinke but when she found the name of Arimant she knew that he was alive she fell down upon her knees and lifted up her eyes to heaven Blessed be the Gods said she for this transcendent happinesse when I had the least hopes of it Afterwards rising up she sat down upon the bed where she kissed the Letter a hundred times accused her selfe of oblivion for not knowing him who brought it and calling her memory to account she knew him to be the faithfull Bellaris that young man who used to bring Letters from Arimant and brought her from her Mother unto Arimant Where were my eyes said she to her selfe and where was my judgement that seeing him and hearing his voice yet I should neither know his face nor his tongue Then looking upon the Letter
againe and knowing most certainly that it was the Character of Arimant Oh ye Gods said she I thank you most heartily for preserving my life so long as to heare this good newes I praise ye oh soveraign Goodnesses and I now desire no more but onely to be so happy as that these eyes may see him and that this mouch which hath so often lamented him may kisse him She had continued longer if Clarina who would neverforsake her had to come to look her she opened the door unto her Oh Clarina said she and kissed her I have good news to tell you but Clarina telling her that dinner was upon the Table and that every one stayed for her she could not then tell her any more but the joyes of her face did sufficiently speak the inward contentment of her soul Cryseide did love Clarina very well but though she had loved her lesse she would willingly have lost her dinner to tell her this newes for it is the quality of all those who receive any great contentment never to thinke it compleat until they have communicated it unto those they love On the other side Clarina was so netled with impatience that she no sooner saw her Mistresse from the Table but she followed her into the Closet where she found her before and the door being shut Oh Clarina said she and took her about the neck Oh my deare friend I have great newes to tell you Know my wench that Aâ—imant it alive Oh heavens said Clarina Arimant alive Yes yes Clarina replyed Cryseide he is alive and has sent me this Letter and now I value not all my miseries since he is alive to helpe me in supporting them But Madam I beseech you said Clarina How came you to know all this Here sweet-heart said she and gave her the little Book here is the messenger of the welcome newes Clarina then tooke the Book and kissed it a hundred times and did so wet it with teares of joy as Cryseide said unto her Oh Clarina you spoile it with your teares methinks you should better preserve it Then whilst Clarina took the Letter in it and read it Cryseide related unto her all the passage in the Temple and how she did not know Bellaris whom yet she hoped to see againe the next day when she went againe but if by fortune I cannot speak unto him by reason of my companions and others who have eyes upon me Then Clarina said she you must by any means go unto him and enquire how all squares go with my dear Arimant In the mean time provide me Pen Ink and Paper that I may return an answer I shall not faile Madam answered Clarina and it shall go hard but I will speak with him for in this Country they are not so circumspect over us as in ours But Madam let us not stay too long together here lest we should give any cause of suspition unto those who guard us True Clarina answered Cryseide the Gods have sent thee into the world to be my comfort and Counsellor Upon this they went out of the Closet unto the rest of the Ladies Prisoners who began already to aske where Cryseide was for she having the first rank she could not be well missed and besides she was so exceedingly loved of them all as there was not one amongst them who would not serve her with their lives She began therefore a hundred pretty sports amongst them to passe away the time of their Deteâ—â—ion or rather imprisonment For Gondebunt had in his absence commanded they should be so treated as that they should have no cause to grieve for being out of their Country This day seemed long unto Cryseide and Clarina and the night longer and the morning being come they both thought that they went unto the Temple later than accustomed At last the so much desired hour being come they went together And Cryseide cast her eyes on both sides in hopes of seeing Rellaris and she had no sooner received the holy water at her entrance into the Temple but she espied him staying there purposly the better to see her when she passed Cryseide going as neere unto him as well she could had no more leisure as she passed by but to say unto him Clarina followes me he quickly understood her meaning and conceiving it the best way to avoid suspition he looked about for her passing by which was after all the Ladies and because the women went without order he thrust in amongst them and going neer her he said unto her and looked another way as he walked Where may I meet you Madam In the Athenian Garden answered she if we go thither this evening but how does Arimant He is in good health answered heâ— Upon this she lifted up her eyes unto heaven and went on to avoid suspition Bellaris went presently and enquired about the Towne vâ—ry warily to know where this Athenian Garden was and being informed of every thing he went unto the Gardiner and for money got leave to walke there when he would For the Gardiner never refused such a courtesse unto any that seemed to be of any kind of quality especially he pretending that he was sicke and the Physitians had prescribâ—d him to walke for recovery of his health Having therefore put his businesse into such good order he went to the side of the River Arar that he might see when they went unto the garden In the mean time as soon as Sacrifice was done Clarina acquainted her Mistresse with the discourse she had with Bellaris and how it was appointed to goe that day unto the Athenian garden how he assured her Arimant was in good health and could not have any more particulars from him the reason was because the place was not convenient and it may be he desired to tell the good News unto you first I do like very well of the Athenian garden answered Cryseide because there none will interrupt us They had talked longer if dinner had not beene upon the Table and because Cryseide did passionately desire to speake with the trusty Bellaris she went to walke something sooner than usuall and all the Company did like well of her humour As soon as Bellaris saw her enter into the boat for the River Arar was betwixt the house and the garden he got before them and entring in walked in an Alley neer the door When the Ladies went to walke Clarina and the rest of the women who waited in their Chambers did not go with them but might goe into the Towne with any of the guard and this was the reason why Cryseide went alone As soone as she was entred she cast her eye on all sides and presently espied Bellariâ— and he seeming to be very inquisitive first looking upon one and then another as they walked then as if he were extreamly moved unto compassion he spoke aloud in Italian Oh what a losse hath Gaule Cisalpine being deprived of so many faire and virtuous Ladies But
time to go unto the Sacrifice he prepared for her a most glorious Chariot and constrained her to weare the Royall Crown causing all the rest of her Companions to wait upon her in great state as if she were already the Burgundian Queen thinking to shake her constancy with such Grandures and Pomp she appeared indeed very faire and lovely and this dresse was not a little addition unto her beauty but for all that the inward disgust of her soule appeared in her face and all her actions The King was so much pleased to see her in this deck as he did imagine her already his wife Thus they passed through the Town and came to the Monument of the two Lovers where the sacrifice was to be offered When they were there and the King Cryseide and all the rest of the Ladies had taken their places the Sacrifices came and the Victimaries brought the white Bulls and the Priests approaching as neare as they could to the Tomb they commanded the Victims to be killed when they were opened and their intralls searched they were found to be â—ound and perfect such as presaged happinesse of which the King was was very glad and told Cryseide that it was an evidence the Gods were well pleased with their alliance She who till then had some hopes in the justice of this unknown God and now seeing her intent frustrated she knew not what to have recourse unto you but despair In that resolution she seemed desirous to see the intralls of the Victim her selfe and asked permittance to go unto them The King who was confident in the Reports of the Priests she was very glad she had such a desire thinking that the sight would make her more inclinable unto him when she saw the will of the Goddesse So being helped down she went unto the place of the Sacrifice seemed very busie in looking upon the Liver upon the Heart and the rest of the Noble parts And whilst the Sacrificers were all very busie in shewing these things unto her she seized upon a Knife yet all bloody wherewith they killed the Victims Afterwards running as fast as she could unto the Tomb of the two Lovers she laid hold upon one of the corners and then lifting up the Knife with a most resolute countenance she said aloud Dost thou see this Knife which I have in my hand magnanimous Prince I will presently run it into my heart if any one offer any force unto me and thâ—n setting the point of it against her breast she continued thus The great God of Heaven and Earth be my witnesse Oh great and invincible King that I do esteem and admire thy person and all that proceeds from thee I see thou art favoured by the Gods loved by thy Subjects honoured by thy Neighbours and feared by the enemies I acknowledge Prudence in all thy actions Generosity in all thy enterprises Justice towards all in generall and a particular love towards me which does not onely oblige me to admire thee and serve thee as all the rest of the world doe but also to esteeme thee and love thee as much as possibly I can Knowing therefore all these things and being sensible of the honour you are pleased to do unto me in such an advantageous marriage It must needs be something that has a great power over my affection and over my duty that can divert my will from accepting of it Would you be pleased Sir to consider this I should hope for a pardon if I doe any thing that displeaseth youâ— for believe it Sir could I dispose of my selfe I should be more willing to content you then you can be to command me But be pleased to know Oh great King that as soon as ever I came out of my infancy the Gods would have me love a Cavalier I say the Gods would have me for had it not been the will of the Gods and had not they written it in the unalterable Role of Destiny doubtlesse this affection would have long since withered away with so many bitter blasts and tormenting stormes of fortune First my Parents who had power over me Next Rithimer whom you know is puissant and now you oh great King would pull me out of the arms of my Husband for so may I call him unto whom I have promised marriage calling both Juno and Hymen for witnesses of our reciprocal oaths and to send just curses upon such as break them If all this be not true may these two faithful Loveâ—s who rest in this Tombe and whose soules are with God and enjoy the reward of their fidelitity may they I say punish me with all the rigour of divine justice But if all I say be true then I dâ—e conjure them by that inviolable love they bore unto each other to shew their power in thee oh Great King by obtaining of the Gods to change and divert thy mind another way Be assured oh Great and generous Prince that this is all thou canst obtaine of me unlesse by force which if thou wilt use then this knife shall send my soule out of my body and leave nothing in thy power but a cold carcasse without either life or love But if thou dost indeed love me and art that Great King who has made all Italy to tremble at the very noise of thy Arms make it now appeare not onely in setting me at liberty but also restoring him unto me whose I am and from whom nothing but death can divorce me If thou wilt get the name of just thou must render unto every one that which is unjustly taken from them And if thou wilt shew thy self magnanimous doe it in surmounting thy selfe thy selfe I say who hitherto has been invincible If all this thou dost not doe then O King expect the vengeance of the Gods who at this very hour doe sit in Heaven and see how thou wilt carry thy selfe in this action and will most certainly either punish or reward thee for it And you oh perfect and blessed soules said she and turned towards the Tombe who perhaps whilst you lived here resented the same miseries that I do have compassion upon me and let mâ— not this day before so great an assembly embrace your Tombe in vain or call upon you without reliefe Thus Cryseide ended and embracing the corner of the Sepulchre she held the knife against her breast ready to strike it to her heart if she saw any offer to pull her from thence All the assembly were infinitely astonished when they heard and saw the resolution of this Lady But the King above all the rest was confounded at the Accident For the Sepulchre of these two Lovers was a sanctuary unto all those who laid hold upon it and received any wrong in matters of Love and was so religiously observed that neither Father nor Mother themselves could recal their own Children when they held by one of the corners The King could not imagine that Cryseidâ— should make this use of it or that
sent him into the Country of the Visigots what reason has he to take him againe now since he escaped as for safety into your Dominions and so much the rather because your Majestie having made a peace with all the poor people of Cisalpine Gaul there is no likelihood that all those who fly hither for refuge should be seized upon as Enemies This Sir is the last service I am like to doe for this noble Cavalier unto whom I doe owe much more then I am able to pay Thus the faithful Bellaris ended his speech which contained in it so much affection and reason that the King could not chuse but admire the love of Cryseide the Generosity of Arimant and the fidelity of Bellaris in so much as he stood amazed at them along while and began to relent At last he broke out into these expressions Great are the Judgements of Tautates and his wayes are so deep that no mortal man can find the bottome I made choice of this sacrifice in hopes of perswading Cryseide to love me and on the contrary she flyes to the priviledge of the Tomb of the two Lovers I published a Declaration thinking by promises to regain lost Cryseide and that Declaration is it which hath ravished her from me and made me quite lose her even when she was in my own hands and all this to shew that all humane wisdome is but folly compared to the infinite wisdome of that great God whom we adore And though I do see all these things do conduce unto the confusion of all my designs and plainly foresee that there is no hopes for me in the fair Cryseide yet must I needs confesse that all things have been alleadged upon such sound reason as I protest that had I known the beginning and progresse of this great and vertuous affection I would sooner have dyed then suffered it to be separated And therefore oh you happy couple of Lovers I doe declare you free and exempt from all manner of punishment or imprisonment be it either in relation to me or unto Bellimart upon those reasons so strongly urged by that faithful servant whose offence I doe also most freely remit wishing rather such a friend and such a servant then such another Kingdome as I have I do give you all three free power and liberty to live in any part of my Dominions or else to go whither you please yet if you will afford me so much contentment as to see you married before you depart I shall think both my Kingdom and my self much honoured and very happy in it Upon this he commanded that Arimant should be unloosed who with the generous Lady and faithfull Servant came and cast themselves at his feet upon their knees some kissing his hands others his knees and all the Assembly did commend the Magnanimity and justice of the King who by the grandure of his courage knew so well how to vanquish himself Thus Florice ended the relation of the fortunes of these two perfect Lovers every one admiring their virtues some did highly esteeme Cryseide for refusing the Scepter and Crown of Rithimer and Gondebunt to preserve her fidelity unto Arimant Others admired the resolution of Arimant in offering so voluntarily to die for the liberty of Cryseide but all with one commune consent commended the fidelity and affection of Bellaris Hylas onely laughed at all three and at all those who did commend their actions Was ever the like folly seen said he Cryseide like a fool as she was might have beene a Queen and now she is onely a silly Country wench Arimant also like a fond obstinate Coxcombe in his courtship of Cryseide must lose his time be wounded taken Prisoner and after abundance of perill and trouble be at last like to lose his life in disgrace and had done so if Gondebunt had not been more courteous in performing his promise then he was wise in putting him to it Had it not been better for both parties if Cryseide had been a Queen and afterwards given Arimant that satisfaction he desired But Silvander all their perplexities and miseries do proceed from that which you call Constancy It is that onely which tormented them so pittifully onely that which had like â—o have cost them their lives and made them the sport of fortune and chance Silvander hearing himselfe named came neerer Hylas and answered him thus All these things which you have named Hylas are indeed the consequents of constancy which you doe so much condemn aud how much they are accompanied with paines and dangers so much more are they to be esteemed they are onely generous spirits that dare attempt difficulties to accomplish their designs They are but simple soirits said Hylas who run after a shadow and leave the substance Arimant is tyed to a thing called Constancy very finely he must spend all his youth in the service of Cryseide and when he is old then she will give her self unto him this is as much as to give a hard bone to knaw upon unto a Dogge that has no teeth Had not this Cavalier done better if he had stayed in Eporedes and comforted his poor old Father who loved him than to break his heart with griefe or at least made his old age so full of sorrows and misfortunes as death was welcome to him And then for Arimants own proper contentment doe you thinke there was no women in all the Town but Cryseide Ah my friend Silvander what grosse folly is it to lose ones time and spend all one has upon one Commodity had he followed my Lawes when he met with so many difficulties opposing his desires he would have wisely turned his back upon them and have made his addresses unto some other whose conquest would have been more easie and perhaps more advantageous Every one did laugh at the opinion of Hylas and Tircis began then to speak I perceive Hylas said he that you are one who will never build any Temple unto Fortune because you will not have any thing to doe with her And I perceive said Hylas that you are one whom onely those that are old and ugly will adore And why said Tircis Because answered Hylas those who are old il-favoured to invite any to love and serve them do propose you as a God You I say who are so far out of your senses as to love one that is dead This Hylas replyed Tircis is inhumane to represent unto the afflicted the cause of their griefe but be it so that I should be esteemed by these old ones of whom you speak and proposed as a God what hurt is it unto me Is it not better my friend to be thought a God then to be held for an unconstant man And Hylas are not Altars and Sacrifices pleasing unto the Gods whom we adore and why then should they not be so unto men Do you think Tircis answered Hylas that I have not as many Altars and Sacrifices as you certainly I have for
who being come the might before would not faile to be there with Callirea as well to see the sacrifices as her deare companion from whom she had been long absent As soon as they saw each other they left all other company and running with open armes they embraced one another with such abundance of joy as they made it appeare that absence had no power over their affections After they had long embraced Astrea and Phillis came and parted them and desired to be participants in the Carraffes See here my companion said Diana to her see what I have got since you saw me here are two other Daphnis whom I doe love as I doe my life and would have you love them also being certaine that according to your merits they will love you as well as you love me Then Astrea and Diana confirming that assurance with a hundred protestations of amity and Daphnis receiving them with the like cordial affection they contracted such a society amongst themselves as never after was broken In the mean time Adamas being destrous to know whether all things necessary for the sacrifice was ready he found that the Priests had been very careful in their offiecs So as after they had washed their hands and faces in the fountaine which was at the entrance into the Temple of Amity and being clad in white and crowned with Vervine He and the Vaites Eubages Sarronides and others appointed for the sacrifice they took all those things with which they would sacrifice One carried the Gilden Hatchet wherewith they used to cut the Missletoe Another the white silken Rope in which they tyed it Another a bundle of Savine Another of Vervine two carried the Bread and the Wine which they were to sacrifice At last came two white Bulls Crowned with Savine and Vervine decked almost all over their bodies with Flowers and driven by â—ight Victimaries The sage Adamas all these things thus prepared and passing in order before him he came with a Gravity becoming a great Druid and taking two or three turnes about the sacred Meadow being followed by all the shepherds and shepherdesses with great 〈◊〉 rence he set the Missletoe upon an Altar which was erected at the foot of the happy 〈◊〉 upon which the new Missletoe did grow The place was where the Temple of Astrea was made by lapping together little trees one with another in form of an Arbor by the shepherd Celadonâ— And because they must first passe through the Temple of Amity as formerly I told you many of those who followed the sacrifice were constrained to stay there because the Temple of 〈◊〉 was too little to hold so great a company Moreover the two white Bulls and the eight Victimaries took up a great deale of the room and yet Adamas was forced to offer the sacrifice there because the Tree wherein the Missletoe was did bâ—are up almost all the roofe of this Temple and according to the custome the Thanks must be given at the root of this Tree which heaven had so much favoured After the Great Druid had ranged every thing in order and saw all the people zealously at their devotion he caused a great Chaffing dish of coles to be brought and putting it on the Altar he took three leaves of the Missletoe as many of Savine and three branches of Vervine and threw them into the fire Laying his hand upon the Altar he said thus Unto thee O great Hesus Bellinus Tharamis that this people doe render thankes for the Missletoe which thou hast sent amongst them It is unto thee as their onely Tautates that in this Wood they offer the sacrifice of Thanks in this Bread and Wine together with the blood and lives of these white Bulls The one in testimony that we acknowledge it to be from thee we have the preservation of our lives And the other to shew our sincerity with which we doe adore thee and consecrate these pure and immaculate Victims As Hesus strengthen the arm of our Cavaliers and Souldiers and infuse such courage into them as they may be able not only to defend us from our enemies but also to get the victory over them As Bellinus be thou the God of men and preserve them As Tharamis clense and purge us from all our sinnes And as our Tautates be still our onely one God and look upon us through this Goddesse Astrea from whom we hope for all manner of Benediction Upon this he threw a little of the Bread and Wine into the fire and made a figne to knock down the Victims Two did receive the blood in Basons and two held the legges of the Bulls lest they should hurt the Victimaries Afterwards the Priests causing them to be carried into the sacred Meadow they opened them and searched their entralls and found them to be very sound perfect and of a good Augury At which all being very joyfull and contented they made the report of it unto the Grand Druid before all the Assembly he thanked Great Tautates for being pleased with their sacrifice of Thankes beseeching him to continue still his favours towards them Then after a Benediction the sacrifice ended all were full of joy and contentment and most of the old shepherds returned to their homes In the mean time the Victims being cut in pieces and the fire having consumed a part according to the custome the rest was dressed and eaten by the Priests and other shepherds as would be in their company None staying in the Temple of Astrea but Adamas Daphnide Alcidon aud the rest of the shepherds and shepherdesses that came into their company And because Daphnide who had beene accustomed onely unto sacrifices after the Roman manner was very desirous to know why they used any other ceremonies in this Country Madam said Adamas unto her Though this Country of the Segusians which we call Forrests be in extent much lesse then any Province in Gaule yet the great God hath had a greater care of it then any other For to say nothing of other the Gallo-ligures which is that Country commonly called the Province of the Romans because they had a great affinity with the Romans and the principall Towns are Colonies of Focenses and are addicted unto plurality of Gods though at the first as Gaules they had the Religion of their Fathers yet as errors are apt to insinuate themselves by degrees into all things they did the same amongst their Ceremonies and brought into their sacrifices the false and idolatrous opinions of several people and made a Miscellany of the Gaule Roman and Greek Religion and so became much corrupted But on the contrary this little Country of Forrests never having any communication with strange people unlesse with some Romans have been exceedingly careful to preserve these Ceremonies which you see pure and entire as they received them of old from those Ancients who after they had long floted upon the waters brought in that true and pure Religion which they learned from that great
said Alexis and smiled that my servant had been more religiously devoted unto these sacred Groves and had been the first that would offer himselfe at the Altars so as thinking him gone before me I went after to seek him You saw me when you entred in as I did you said Hylas and if your affection to me had been equall unto mine to you you would have stayed behind them Good Servant said Alexis may I not as well tax your affection in not following me for I should willingly have stayed behind had I known your intention of doing so Nay nay answered Hylas this is but an excuse you might well see that the God of this place was not pleased I should enter if you had looked upon the inscription over the door Then Alexis seeming not to see it before looked up and found written That no prophane persons who were not inspired with a constant love should not enter into that sacred place And what of all this said Alexis his meaning is said Silvander That since he is not inspired with a constant love he dares not set his foot into the sacred place lest he should prophane it and in this Madam he shewes himselfe more religious then a perfect lover Servant said Alexis Is this true which Silvander saith Mistresse answered Hylas Do you desire I should love you Yes said Alexis with all my heart Then said he Lend not any eare unto any such sowers of sedition in love as Silvander Then turning towards him Do you think Silvander said he that I did not enter into this sacred Grove because I was no perfect lover as well as religious What else would you have me thinke said Silvander I think you were afraid of punishment and therefore durst not enter now no more then the first time we came unto it I will not deny answered Hylas but that I do stand in fear of angering the Gods and let me tell you thâ— this my feare is more commendable then your arrogance For is there any who have not a Tincture of some humane imperfections Ah my good friend Dost thou thinke thy selfe unsullied and therefore how 〈◊〉 you be so impâ—â—ent as to set◠〈◊〉 in this forbidden place I confesse my selfe said Silvander subject unto humane imperfections but am not so grosly follied with them as some men are I know thou it 〈…〉 company without common imperfections and yet for all then they 〈…〉 into this sacred place since the condition of their entrance is that there be no fault in their love Now I â—m most certaine there is none in mine for I had rather die a thousand deaths then suffer the lest stain of imperfection in it A very fine fancy believe it said Hylas Good Silvander tell me if there be any such pure pieces in the world as you doe imagine your selfe and if there be any pray tell me where they are You may very well ask where they are said Silvander for I doe believe you know not any though there be many in this place Pray tell me What doe you take Phillis to be She said Hylas is too merry What then of Astrea said Silvander She answered Hylas in too sad What then of Diana said Silvander she replyed he is too wise What do you say unto Alexis said he She said Hylas knows too much Lâ—â—nide continued Silvander she said Hylas knows too much 〈◊〉 too little What faultin Celidea said Silvander Her virtue replyed heâ— is 〈◊〉 unto me What do you say of Florice said Silvander That fine has a jealous 〈◊〉 answered he What of Palanice replyed Silvender She said Hylas does too soon believe that she is loved Of 〈◊〉 said Silvander She said Hylas is â—â—â—soluto What fault in Carlis said Silvander She loved me too much answered he What do you think of Stilliana said Silvander She is too subtile said Hylas What of Dâ—â—phnide continued Silvander That she has lost him answered Hylas who would have made her esteemed more faire What do you say oâ— Lâ—anies said Silvander I say replyed Hylas that I do not love her And of Maâ—â—â—â—he said the shepherd She answered he is too like Diana Oh Heavens said Silvanderâ— Can I propose none in whom you will find no fault You have forgotten one shepherdesse amongst us said Diana and that is Stella Very true indeed said Silvander what do you say of her I must confesse said Hylas then that if she continue pleasing me as well as she hath done this morning I think that I shall find her according to my own mind How how servants said Alexâ—s presently will you quit me for her Hylas after he had thought a little bâ—â—ter with himselfe answered very faintly No no Mistresse I would not quit you but I hope I may let you have some company Why replyed Alexis cannot you content your selfe with me Fie fie I must needs complain of you to all the world 〈◊〉 you are too blame answered Hylas for have you not alwayes told me that our loves should be equall Most true replyed Alexis Then replyed he if it be equall you should let me love another besides your selfe since you doe the same Whom do you see me love said she besides your self Whom said Hylas What 〈◊〉 you doing all the day upon this Country wench called Astren Oh servant said Alexis she is a womanâ— Well then said Hylas may not I also love a woman Servant said Alexis if you were a woman as I am it were then allowable to love a woman but since you are not I have great reason to be jealous I beseech you Mistresse said Hylas let 〈◊〉 law be equall betwixt us No said she I can never consent unto so much wrong to my self And believe in Mistresse said Hylas I will not lose any of my priviledges I peâ—â—cive said Diana there is like to be a divorce betwixt you For my part said Astrea I shall be 〈◊〉 gaâ—â—ner by it which way soever it be for if they do break off I shall possesse that 〈◊〉 one to my selfe alone and if they doe not yet since she 〈◊〉 Hylas to love Sreâ—â—a I shall have the more opportunities of talking with her whilst he is entertaining his new Mistresse And for my part said Hylas I shall be also a gaâ—â—er By it for if we be divorced then I shall be free and if we continue then I shall have 〈…〉 to love me 〈…〉 of one I perceive said Alexis that the losse will be onely 〈◊〉 For if Hylas doe cease loving me I shall lose the friendship of a person whom I value an a high rate of esteem and if he do still love me with a condition of loving another I shall have but one half of a servant whilst Stella has the other 〈◊〉 as which way soever the wind blow it will be against me But servant is there no meanes to make you 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 Stella from having a share Alexis spoke this in such a resenting manner as one would have thought her in
good earnest Hylas whose constancy could not continue any longer and fearing to offend against his old principles Mistresse said he I cannot continue any longer upon uncertaine terms you must either leave Astrea or let me take in Stella or else break all off our Market is quite done for I am a Merchant at a word your own law of equality obliges me unto it Do what Alexis could she could not chuse but laugh at the discourse of Hylas and staying long before she answered What said he are you laughing in lieu of an answer Truly servant said Alexis I must tell you truly I had rather be alone then to have ill company It is in your choice Mistresse replyed Hylas Well servant said she since I see you are a merchant so punctuall to your word I will believe you are resolved to quit me Stella hearing her selfe named came in and knowing that it was of her whom Hylas spoke Madam said she unto Alexis if you will but please to let Hylas serve me it will redound unto your advantage for when he finds my unworthinesse he will more esteem your merit Kind shepherdesse answered Alexis I rather feare the contrary for when Silvander asked him what faults he found in me he found some but in you none Nay rather answered Stella he found so many as he could not name them all No no said Alexis Love useth to blind the eyes of all those who love well Come come said Hylas to what purpose is all this talk Mistresse said he are you resolved I pay tell me for I cannot stay any longer Alexis who began to be weary of him because he often interrupted her discourse with Astrea she answered thus Servant we Druids use not to be so hasty as others for we use to consult with the Oracle in all our affaires But Mistresse said Hylas do you never any thing without the leave of the Oracle Nothing said she If as a reward of my serving you some moneths said Hylas I should ask you a kisse would you consult with the Oracle about it Servant replyed Alexis and laughed we never use to aske leave of the Oracle for such things for we know that we ought not to do it How how said Hylas not after a long service allowed one kisse No replyed the Druid What hopes then is there said Hylas in serving you any longer The contentment said she in loving and serving me Contentment said Hylas I take no delight in such a journey as will not bear its own Charges Well Servant said the Druid I perceive you intend to leave me and I will not stay you Methinks said he that so many services as you have received from me may very well permit me to kisse your hand at parting Although said Alexis I am very sorry to part from you and though the strict Lawes of the Druids do in some sort forbid it yet Hylas for a parting blow I will permit you a kiss of my hand Upon this Hylas kneeled down and said I receive this favour in testimony that I esteemed Alexis the most perfect in the quality of a Druid that ever was and having kissed her hand he ran to Stella and taking her hand Unto you faire shepherdesse said he do I come and offer all those favours which I obtained from those I loved and that you may not thinke me very poor receive in the first place this kiss which this faire Druid hath given me If you have no others said Silvander that are greater then this I believe Hylas you have not many to brag of Why answered Hylas Do not you esteem it a favour which Alexis hath done me I think it said Silvander rather a Ransome then a favour What Ransome doe your mean said Hylas I mean said Silvander that this fair and wise Druid rather then be any longer troubled with you did free and ransome her selfe from you by permitting you that kisse of her hand I do believe said Hylas that you are much mistaken but I know Silvander that you have been long my enemy and I will not believe any thing you say no more then I desire you should believe any thing I say against you But fair shepherdesse I beseech you believe not a word from this shepherd for if you doe I am sure we shall not long love each other Stella who was not ignorant of the humour of Hylas nor much displeased with it Now servant said she I am so well acquainted with Silvander that you need not say any more concerning him But pray tell me are you in good earnest my servant How replyed Hylas Do you think I dissemble as the shepherds of Lignon use No no be pleased to know that my heart is in my tongue and all my words are true do you not see that I have lest loving Alexis as I told her I would I shall believe all you have said replyed the shepherdesse and more if need be and therefore I desire you would do as much for me in what I shall say And to the end we may live contentedly together I desire that Articles of agreement may be drawn betwixt us which will oblige us to the observance of them and which we will call the Laws of Love And for our better remembrance of them I desire they may be put in writing before we make a full conclusion My future Mistresse said Hylas for so I will call you untill our conditions beset down in black and white I doe foresee so much contentment in our future amity that I will not delay it a jot longer I think I have an Inkhorn in my pocket and as for Paper I hope to find some also some way or other All the company who heard this new way of loving could not chuse but laugh and were so desirous to see the conditions as they every one began to look for some Paper and a piece being found Hylas himselfe would needs be the Secretary But Stella said that it was more reason it should be she because it was she that first made the Proposition At last after a long dispute Hylas agreed that she should dictate unto him and both parties should consent unto every Article But still Stella feared that Hylas would not set down according to her Dictates and Hylas feared the like of her so as they durst not trust each other This dispute could not be without abundance of delight to the company and because Astrea saw her dear Druid laugh heartily at the businesse she told Silvander that he might do very well to be the Secretary unto them both I should willingly undertake the office fair shepherdesse said he if that true and perfect affection which I beare unto Diana could suffer my hand to write things so contrary to the fidelity and purity of my love and truly I had rather die than any such conditions should ever be seen under the hand of Silvander Nay nay scrupulous Lover said Hylas never trouble your selfe for an excuse I will
save you the labour of it For the true love which is to be betwixt this shepherdesse and me cannot endure that any one of so different an humour should ever be Secretary unto our Ordinances Corilas who heard all this discourse and was extreamly desirous to see Hylas and Stella linked together since never two was more like Hylas said she Pray put the office upon me and I promise to write just as it is agreed upon betwixt you unto which both consenting he sat down and writ these ensuing Articles as they agreed upon them The twelve Articles and Conditions upon which Stella and Hylas doe promise to love each other for the future EXperience being that which makes persons the most prudent and shewes them wayes to avoid inconveniencies wherein we have seen many ruined and seeing by the severall events which we have observed amongst Lovers that most of their dissentions and bitter quarrells have proceeded onely from that Tyranny which the one would exercise over the other We Stella and Hylas to avoid all those inconveniencies are agreed upon these Articles and conditions following 1. That the one shall not usurp over the other that soveraigne authority which may truly be called Tyranny 2. That both of us shall be at one and the same time both the lover and the loved 3. That our affection shall be eternally without constraint 5. That we shall love one another as long as we please 5. That the party who would cease loving may doe so without any brand of infidelity 6. That without any breach of Amity we may love whom we please without asking any leave 7. That jealousie complaints and teares and all such pulings be banished from amongst us as things incompatible with our perfect amitie 8. That we shall be free in our conversation and both of us say and do what they please without any offence unto either 9. That to avoid being lyers and slaves either in word or deed all these termes of fidelity service and eternal affection be never so much as named betwixt us in our discourse 10. That we may both of us or else one without the other continue or cease loving one another 11. That if this Amity doe cease on one side or of both we may renew it when we please 12. That lest we should be tyed unto a long love or a long hatred we be obliged to forget both favours and injuries These Articles being thus written Well Hylas said Stella doe these conditions please you Do they please you said Hylas Who I replyed the shepherdesse I would never have suffered them to be written had I not thought them most just and reasonable If the case were mine said Silvander I would add one Article more What is that said Hylas It is replyed Silvander That whâ—n you shall please you may break any one of conditions which you have written for otherwise you contradict your own intentions because you aim is to love without any constraint Now if you be obliged to observe what you have writ are you not constrained to follow what you have writ â— protest my dear future Mistresse said Hylas after he had better thought upon it this shepherd does not speak without reason Why my future Servant said Stella will you change your opinion upon the advice of Silvander Silvander I say whom you have published to be your proâ—essed enemy I do not think it any shame said Hylas to take any counsell which I think to be good It is a Maxime I have ever followed That none so blâ—nd as they that will not see As for Silvanders being my enemy I doe confesse it But is there any thing more venemous then a Toad and yet it is used in Physick Wise men will gather some good from their very enemies and so may I from Silvander But let us consider whether his advice be good or bad for my part I have ever lived in a perfect and absolute liberty and it would vex me to the soul that a bit of scribled Paper should tie me to alter my way of life which I should be if I should subsribe unto these Articles for all manner of obligations are constraints unlesse Silvanders condition he included For my part said Stella I am contented it should be added for my liberty is as sweet unto me as yours can be to you but because I am afraid lest there be some hidden subtilty in his words I would have them written as a condition added by Silvander I revoke that said Silvander for I will not be mentioned in your conditions neither as adviser nor as witnesse You cannot chuse said Hylas but be both for every one sees you are a witnesse of what we have done and every one hears that we add this thirteenth condition unto the rest by your advice All the company did fall into such a laughter that the noise reached unto Daphnide and Alcidon who were talking with Adamas and they out of curiosity to know what the matter was came out and asked Silvander what was the cause of their laughter he answered that Hylas and Stella offered him wrong which he had rather suffer death than endure Then he related unto them all the passage and shewed them the writing which was approved of by both sides And I advised them said he to add another Article that either of them might break any of these Articles when they pleased they will needs add this Article unto their own under the name of Silvander The reverend Druid Daphnide and Alcidâ—n could not forbear laughing at these fine conditions and also to see Silvander so angry his name should be used in such a contract but the more Silvander refused the more earnest was Hylas and Stella to have it so Then Adamas began to speak Children said he unto them Are you contented that I should decide the difference For my part said Hylas I give consent both for Stella and my self And for my part said Silvander I do not only consent but beseech him unto it Tell me then Hylas said the Druid Why you would have Silvander to be inserted both a witness and author of that Article because said Hylas I am â—a lover of truth and cannot abide ingratitude Now the very truth is he is a witnesse of the Conditions betwixt Stella and me and gave us the advice unto it so as we should be ungratefull if we did not acknowledge it to proceed from him And you Silvander said Adamas what can your object to the contrary I say answered Silvander that though I was present yet I would not be a witnesse and in reason I ought not to be constrained unto it For is not the Great Tautates witnesse enough for all and of all and yet when any evill act is committed do they use him for a witness And why not said Hylas because answered Silvander he is to be judge and punish all wickednesse and upon the same reason I cannot be a witness But you said Hylas are not
the reward of them must needs be accordingly and her feares which you mention of losing me must needs be lesse since most assuredly as long as I live she shall never lose me Even thus replyed Phillis does all faint-hearted Souldiers fly all occasions of any danger but I on the contrary dare look the grimmest dangers boldly in the face and give testimony of my courage Why good Silvander do you shrink like a coward from the hazard of that judgement which is to be the touch-stone of our merits And what other excuses than those I have named can Diana have for her retarding it any longer I am afraid answered Diana that your rustick discourse will be troublesome to the assembly especially unto the faire Daphnide and the valiant Alcidon who being used to more high and noble subjects will think Country pastimes very tedious and because Diana would have continued her excuses No no discreet shepherdesse you are mistaken said Adamas Daphnide and Alcidon are now become shepherds of Lignon having assumed the same habits and will conform themselves unto us and you must thinke that as they know how to behave themselves in their own high qualities so they can as well condescend and suit their minds unto the humble innocency of your lives and therefore I did make this Proposition to the end that by your judgement this new shepherd and fair shepherdesse may see and learn how to behave themselves after our Country mode and the rather because the Sun does shine so hot that we cannot yet go into the great Meadow where the shepherds use to perform their accustomed exercises after the sacrifice and therefore the time cannot be better imployed then to heare the difference betweene Silvander and Phillis argued and judged I know reverend Father said Diana that nothing can proceed from you but what is grounded upon great reason and we are all obliged unto whatsoever you shall command and therefore without more adoe I will doe whatsoever you shall please onely I beseech Daphnide and Alcidon to look upon the simplicity of our trifles with a favourable eye and attribute them unto that obedience which we are all obliged to render both unto you and them Fair shepherdess answered Daphnide all that I have hitherto seen amongst you has filled me with so much contentment and admiration that you need not doubt but all your pastimes will be very pleasing unto me Then the Reverend Druid commanded that seats should be set in a round circle and one higher then the rest for Diana against the back of a Tree whose branches doe overshade the Circle And when all were placed according to his desire he caused three Garlands to be made of Flowers and put one upon the head of Diana another upon the head of Phillis and the third upon the head of Silvander Afterwards taking Diana by the hand he placed her in her seaâ— of Judgement before her a little on the right hand he placed Phillis and a little on the left hand Silvander and after silence desired he appointed Leonide to make known unto these strangers the beginning of the dispute betwixt Phillis and Silvander to the end they might better judge of the difference thinking it fit and reasonable that Leonide should be the relater because she was partly the cause of it Leonide who little thought of being more then an Auditor in this assembly was a little surprised to see her selfe an Orator but in obedience to the Druid she undertook it and after she had a little recollected her memory she turned towards Daphnide and began thus Perhaps Madam you have observed that Silvander and Phillis called Diana their Mistresse and have been as officious and ready to serve her as shepherds could be I believe you will think it strange that so fair and amiable a shepherdess as Diana is should be so free in the entertainment of that shepherd I believe also you wonder that Phillis who is a shepherdesse should court her as if she were a shepherd and use the same expressions and behaviour of a most passionate lover for it is not usual to see a woman so assiduous and courtly unto another woman But to satisfie your wonder Madam be pleased to know That Silvander lived long amongst these fair young and lovely shepherdesses yet never was in love with any insomuch as he got the Name of the insensible shepherd None of all these young beauties having power enough to kindle the least flame in his heart Phillis admiring that a shepherd so young and hansome should live so long near such beauties and never shew the lest spark of any heat she could not chuse but enter into some interrogatories with him faigning to believe that the reason why he did not undertake to serve some one or other was either want of courage or else consciousnesse of his owne imperfections and want of merit And because the shepherd whose delight was all hunting and looking to his flock maintained the contrary and said that the reason why he did not love was onely because he had better imployment Astrea Diana and I being present we condemned him to give us some good testimonie that the reason why he did not love any was not as Phillis had alleadged And Diana being a shepherdess both of beauty and and judgement fit to judge of his merit she was proposed to be as it were his Mistresse and he was to court her under that Notion unlesse he wanted the courage to undertake it Upon this he began to serve her and court her as close as if he had been really in love Phillis was not exempt from the same task she was also condemned to love and serve Diana with all the passion that shepherds use unto those whom they doe passionately love and at the end of three moneths Diana was to judge which of them two knew best how to love Ever since there has been such an emulation betwixt this shepherd and that shepherdesse that they have neglected no manner of behaviour or expression which could manifest a most servent and real affection And though the prefixed term of three moneths be expired during which time they were to demonstrate their merits unto Diana yet their addresses unto her has continued longer because it was thought reasonable that as I was at the first condemnation unto that task so I should be present at the judgement which Diana was to give so as it seems the heavens did prolong it untill now to the end this judgement might be given with more solemnity in your presence Thus ended the Nymph Leonide and then Daphnide began to speak I must needs confesse said she and turned towards Adamas that it was not without some wonder I should see Phillis court Diana with the very expressions of a man But now changing my wonder into envy I must needs tell you Father That I never did envy the happiness of any so much as yours for heaven has exempted you from the inquietudes
of wordly affaires to live in this sweet and harmless tranquillity Infinitely happy you are in all respects happy are you in this Country of Forrests happy in being obeyed and loved as a great Druid but much more happy in being so near a Neighbour unto the pleasant bankes of Lignon which is furnished with more accomplished shepherds and beautifull shepherdesses then ever bore the Name Madam answered Adamas I acknowledge all you say and do profess that I would not change my happinesse with the greatest Monarch upon earth having nothing to pray for from the Great Tautates but onely that it may continue for many yeares As for the commends you are pleased to bestow upon our shepherds and shepherdesses I am assured that they will not receive them without blushes though they will take any thing well which proceeds from you But Madam said he as you have heard the cause of their courtship will it please you to hear their judgement With much contentment said Daphnide Then the Druid turning towards Phillis It was you shepherdess said he who first provoked Silvander unto Combate and therefore it is reason you should also be the first who shall produce your Reasons and Arguments why the victory should be yours The Speech of the shepherdess Phillis I Did not think Mistress that amongst all the shepherds in this Country especially about Lignon any one would have been found so full of vanity as to think himselfe worthy of the esteem and love of a shepherdesse so full of merit as Diana Diana I say the most exactly accomplished and most perfect beauty that ever bore the name of shepherdesse And yet fairest Mistresse you see this man this arrogant man stand before you in a posture of Love and his head crowned with a Chaplet of Flowers as if he had already got the victory which he most unjustly pretends unto But shepherd I pray tell me from whence proceeds this rash presumption and what pretended reasons can you possibly have Thy hopes cannot be grounded upon thy own shallow merits when thou dost but look upon the perfections of Diana for they are such as holding no proportion with thine love cannot be produced by things so farre unequall I am confident thy own impudence cannot be so brazâ—n-fac'd as to deny the truth of this but thy own soul must needs tell thee that there is nothing in thee which can equall her perfections How durst thou be so arrogant and rash as dare to love her But as this is high impudence yet methinks that to pretend unto her love againe is much more extream But Silvander what colour canst thou have for this thy fond pretension what should make thee think of obtaining her love before me Thou canst not deny but every thing is naturally inclined to love its like and I being a woman as our Mistress is certainly she must needs naturally love me more then thee But besides this what will cause love sooner then long acquaintance and continuall converse By it perfections come to be better known and by it merits being better known love must needs take better and deeper root and by it occasions doe present themselves every minute to render reciprocall amity and devoires which are the very Nurses of a true and reall affection Now thou canst not deny but that I have had a longer and more intimate acquaintance with her then thou hast she her selfe knowes it and is able to contradict thee if thou dost deny it But should I wave all these Reasons yet I have one which will put thee to silence at the least unlesse thou bee'st impudence it self You must of necessity acknowledge thatâ— whatsoever is most faire and perfect is also most amiable and to be most esteemed then shepherd your cause is quite ruined for our sex being much more perfect then that of men thou art driven to confesse that I ought to be loved before thee But wave all these considerations again can counterfeiting lying and dissembling ever cause love Do you think that the faire Diana does not know that all thy addresses all thy services and all that affection which thou strainest thy selfe to make appear unto her is onely in respect of that wager which is betwixt us and proceeds only from a desire thou hast to overcome me and not from her beauty or wit Methinks I heare the answer already that it is true and that this reason might not be alleadged against me since the wager is reciprocall and all the demonstrations of affection which I make may have the same fault But shepherd you are mistaken for I loved her long before our contest began and I am sure she loved me which is more then thou canst say since all thou didst was onely to come amongst us and never look upon shepherdesse in way of love nor I believe hadst thou so much confidence as to dare it But speak the truth Silvande and confesse that before this wager thou didst not discern any difference betwixt Diana's face and mine or any other shepherdesse of Lignon And dost thou not thinke that all these extream passions which thou dost counterfeit in thy discourse all these languishings raptures transports and follies does rather invite one to laughter then to love This manâ— Mistress that is all in flame and rapture that does so Idolize your beauty at every word and that is ready to die with superabundant love This is the man that a minute before our wager began did hardly know whether such a one as Diana lived or at most had no deeper knowledge of you then what your name gave him And yet he can at a minutes warning be all in a flame all affection all love all yours will not such folly as this move more laughter then affection But admit that your beauty has kindled some sparkes of love in him Is it not my selfe unto whom all the recompence is due since it was onely I that am the cause of it It is most certaine and Mistresse you know it that if I had not upbraided him the wager had never been made and if it had not he had never been so bold and confident as ever to look upon you so as if he will pretend unto any favour from you for any services which he hath done unto you since that time is he not obliged unto me for it for making him what he is It is I then who in all reason may pretend unto any merits that are in him â—ince all his devices and all his actions which made him amiable in your eye ought to be put upon my account and teckoned unto my advantage Cease then shepherd contending with me for a thing which thou knowest to be my due prevent that judgement which thou canst not avoid consent that the glory shall be given unto me which my Fortune my Quality and my merits have given unto me before thee which if thou dost thou wilt make thy selfe appeare to be a man of wit and of judgement Thy
wit in knowing so well how to disguise a â—alfe affection under a vizard of reall love and thy judgement in acknowledging and seeing the great advantages which I have above thee But if thus thou wilt not doe then expect the due punishment for thy arrogance and doe not think to deferre the just judgement of our Mistresse by tedious and frivloous answers And because I will be a good manager of time and hasten to receive that Glory which she will confer upon me I will wave and omit many other reasons and arguments which I could alledge and refer the whole matter unto the wise consideration of our fairest Mistresse assuring my selfe that she is better able to discern then I amâ—able to speak my most just pretensions which are as clear as the Sun in the fairest day onely Mistresse I desire you to consider this That Silvander does not onely make himselfe hateable by his fictions and dissimulations but also drawes an odium upon all other men and makes all their Courtships and expressions of affection and sidelity suspected so as his crime is of so high a nature as he cannot expect any thing but punishment from a severe but just judge But faire and wise Mistresse I refer my just cause and his counterfeit Glosses unto your wise and just censure Upon this Phillis making an humble reverence unto Diana and the rest of the company she set her selfe down casting a smiling eye upon Silvander who being commanded to speak for himselfe went unto Diana kneeled down and laid his Chaplet of Flowers at her feet Then returning to his place againe he began to speak thus The Answer of the shepherd Silvander WEre I not before the Temple of Astrea who is the Goddesse of Justice and hadâ— a worse Judge then Diana who is the intimate friend of the other Astrea I should feare the miscarriage of my cause and tremble at the ensuing judgement Not that I am at all startled by the sophisticated language of this shepherdesse and any of her glossed arguments she has urged against me though I must needs say she has very cunningly contrived the matter but my greatest feares proceed from a more valid consideration for the dispate betwixt us is grounded only upon this point which of us two can best win the love of the faire Diana whom we have chosen to be the Center in which all our services and all our affections ought to meet â—his is the point which we both aim at and which is so hard to be approached as I hold it almost impossible if it did not please the Great Tautates to shew himselfe as well a Tharamâ—s in purifying my love and clensing it from all imperfections which might make it unworthy to be offered unto this saâ—e Diana as he makes himselfe appear a Hesus which is as much to say as puissant in making her so fair and perfect as no mortall is able to equall her either in beauty or perfection Perhaps Mistresse you may wonder that being in this sacred place dedicated unto the Goddesse of Justice I dare pretend unto a favourable judgement since I am deficient in this main point But oh my just Judge I beseech you heare upon what basis I ground my just pretension It is the propriety of Justice not alone to judge strictly according to the Lawes which are given us but also after she has considered the true state of every thing to establish with equity the Law of Nature which is that he who does all he can is not oblig'd unto any more and though he do not reach so high as is necessary yet is ought not to be imputed a fault in him but rather attribute it unto the Ordinances of Nature who was pleased to establish it so And he is so far from being blameable for failing in such a case as he is to be much esteemed that can arrive at so high a point as no other of his kind can go beyond him and as very few can arrive at And therefore fairest Mistresse why should I fear to present my selfe before the Throne of this just Astrea's friend although I can never attaine unto that height of perfection which is requisite in any that pretend unto Dianas love for my affection is arrived to as high a point as any other can reach and higher then any lover will ever attain unto Why then injurious Phillis to fortifie your weak pretensions should you without any reason blame me since I cannot love with more adoration then I do It is not my fault but Natures who gave me no greater capacity if I do not love her to the height of her merit but I cannot complain since the same law is common unto all mortals none being able to doe it more then my selfe But wise nature would have it so and perhaps purposely to manifest the high beauty of Diana who constraines me to love her an Act far above all humane force or power to doe and against the rule of equality which Phillis you propose to be in them who love Then shepherdesse were you not jealous of Dianas Glory you would not blame me for loving her nor tax me with arrogance since it is the force of her beauty which constraines me and since by this the grandure of her perfections are more evidently seen Aks me no more I beseech you how I durst love her for though I doe acknowledge my selfe as unworthy as your self is yet I cannot chuse but be the most lost man in love that ever was But in asking me from whence proceeds my rash pretensions unto her love and therein calls me the monster of Arrogance and presumption you doe plainly make it appear that you doe not know what it is to love nor what effects Love useth to produce You have often confessed unto me that love in it selfe is good and I thinke you will not now say the contrary your silence makes 〈◊〉 believe your consent unto it and truly otherwise you would 〈…〉 reason For if every thing produce its like that love which proceeds from thâ—â—â—â—â—ledge of any faire and good thing must needs be faire and good it selfe And that which is faire and good cannot be seen and known but it must needs be loved I cannot think you so out of all reason but that you will confesse that I shall convince you out of your own words Beaâ—ty say you has such powerfull attracts as it doth often dim the eyes of those who behold it and makes their desires go beyond all reason If then that which is faire and good cannot be seen but it must be loved and if love be fair and good why doe you call that Arrogance in me which is reasonable in another Why should you say my pretensions to obtaine her love are rash For love being good and she knowing my love how can she know it but she must needs love it if she did not it would argue a defect in her judgement which I thinke none except your selfe
will offer to imagine Confesse therefore Phillis unlesse you will extreamly wrong her that knowing my love she does love me and that my pretension is not so nighly impudent nor I such a deformed monster as you would describe me If you object that this does not prove her love unto me but onely my love unto her I answer shepherdesse That the love which her beauty produceth in me is an inseparable accident of my soule so as the one cannot subsist without the other And should I say that they are so incorporated the one into the other that my soul is this love and this love is my sonle I should speak a most certain truth For it is not more true that I cannot live without this soul which gives me life than it is that I cannot live without this love which I bear unto her If you reply That though this should be granted yet it does not follow that this shepherdesse should love me because she has not yet seen or known this love in me I shall answer shepherdesse That indeed I doe not believe she knowes yet the grandure and extream immensity wherewith I doe love and adore her because there are no services nor demonstrations so great as can sufficiently illustrate it But yet I am confident the excellency of herwit cannot chuse but see and observe it in part and that in a great part also and that my actions cannot doe it so well as I desire yet your own reproaches and language has sometimes helped me against your knowledge nay in the presence of all this Noble company you told her that I did present my selfe before her in raptures of love and surely the testimony of an enemy when it is to our advantage is much more credible then the testimony of persons indifferent So as fairest Mistresse you cannot doubt of my affection since it is testified by one that cannot be suspected of untruth But Phillis what shallow argument did you use in having recourse unto those favours which Nature hath bestowed upon you simply alledging that you being a woman therefore she ought to love you before a shepherd thinking that by this quality you have the advantage of me But let me tell you that it is more naturall for a woman to love a man then a woman And if you will but look into the Lawes of Nature you will find that it is so amongst all Animalls Does not the Hen follow the Cock sooner then another Hen Will not the widdowed Turtle lament her losse Does not all femalls of all kindes the like you know this Phillis as well as I doe or if you do not common experience will teach you Nay things even insensible doe observe the same law of Nature The Palme will it thrive unlesse by another Palme Will the femall Myrtle live without the male Therefore Phillis It is not by the lawes of Nature that Diana must love you more then me for if she follow them they will turne her eyes from any thoughts of you But if you will have it so I am content shepherdess that she should love you as a woman so you will also consent she should love me as a man and her most devoted servant You cannot be against this for as certainly as you are a woman so certainly am I her servant nor is it more naturall for one woman to love another woman then it is for every one to love whatsoever loves them This is the way for us both to obtaine what we aske But I see now that you will alter your opinion and without any further recourse unto this naturall amity which cannot be advantageous to you you will fly unto such advantages as proceed from election You conceive she must love you better than me because of your more intimate converse together which you say does beget a neerer and more mutual affection But Phillis you may be much mistaken for by the very same reason you may perhaps as well meâ—t with hatred as with love for by continuall conversation close and hidden imperfections are better discovered as well as good qualities And let me tell you that being perpetually together does oft break off amity as well as augment it little separations makes love more violent continuall presence is apt to cloy I would not urge this point so farre Oh my enemy did I thinke you could make any use of it to my disadvantage But I must tell you that you have done as ill Orators use who in lieu of maintaining their Clients cause doe marre it and discover the reasons which make against them otherwise could you imagine that continuall conversation should get you more love since on the contrary it shewes the defects of your affection which are very great and of which you cannot deny but I have convinced you a hundred times in the presence of my fairest Mistress But oh my most just judge and fairest Mistress my hope is that you will punish her impudence in pretending unto so much of your love by reason of her continual converse when as it hath onely shewed her imperfections and therefore Phillis the advantage which you get by your intimate conversation does more hurt then help you And indeed your Allegation has much more malice in it then matter and all things rightly considered I think my selfe more happy in my conversation with her then you can be in yours for your stay with her is onely in the day and that also you imploy much of it out of her presence either in the businesse of your house and flock or other diversions which steal you from her so as you dedicate the least of the day unto my fairest Mistress whereas I on the contrary what day did ever dawne which I spent not wholly in her company When was the night I was not with her as long as decency would permit me Could ever any diversion draw me from her And when any unwilling accident did keep me away did I not continually think upon her and in my heart adore her Can you say Phillis that you are more with her then I Fie fie shepherdesse never think it but know that she is not more with her selfe then I am for she is sometimes diverted from her selfe by the presence of other shepherdesses sometimes by visits of civility sometimes by domestique cares and sometimes by cross accidents whereas I am continually with her as Prometheus upon his Rock or rather as the body and soul are linked by the ligaments of life For it is not more natural for the body to die as soon as the soul is separated from it then it is for me to die if I be but one minute separated from my sweet thoughts of her I see very well shepherdesse how you laugh to heare me say that I am continually with my Mistress thinking that it being onely in thought I am a man much pleased with my own imagination But Phillis what would you have me doe I must confesse that if I
could be alwayes present with her both in thought and body I should be more contented but how ever let me tell you that as I am I am more perfectly with her then you are since when you are present with her your thoughts of her are farre off retaining nothing with her but your body which is the inferiour part whereas my heart is with her though my body be distant If you doe object that these imaginary thoughts are not at all serviceable unto her because they are meer fancies I must answer you shepherdesse that it is in thought onely that we adore the great Tautates and never speak unto him but onely in contemplation And I doe serve and adore Diana upon the earth as all the world does adore the great Tautates in heaven which is in heart and thought You see therefore Phillis how this reason argues more for me then you And as to that advantage which you say your sex hath over mine I answer thus That I doe most ingeniously confesse that women are really of more merit then men and doe come nearer the divine and immortal Intelligences I do believe that women may well be ranked amongst them and they doe so much excell us in perfections as it is a kinde of wrong to reckon them amongst men we may with reason esteem them the medium betwixt Angels and us since we find by experience that all the good thoughts which men have do take their beginning from them It is at them they aim and terminate themselves in them and questionlesse it is by them that we come unto those pure thoughts And God hath placed them on earth to draw us unto heaven For my part I do believe it and will maintaine it unto the end of my life But this does not at all argue you Oh shepherdesse to be the better loved by my Mistress but rather will produce contrary effects I told you before that when one has done all that nature has given him power to doe and hath raised himselfe unto that height to which naturally he may rise it is highly to be esteemed And I say again that whosoever does lesse then naturally he may doe is much to blame especially when the thing is in it selfe laudable and he through naturall impuissance leaves it undone Now shepherdesse does not this argument much condemn you who being born a woman of a sex so perfect as you hold a medium betwixt the Angels and us and yet to love so imperfectly as you do especially a subject so full of perfection I am most confident that Diana did never out of her naturall sweetnesse consider my extream affection without esteeming it nor look upon the shallownesse of your Amity without condemning it For when she found mine so perfect so pure so entire and so exempt from all exceptions she could doe no lesse then highly commend it that such a perfect love should be found in so imperfect a sex as the masculine And on the contrary she is ashamed that so many faults and imperfections should be found in you and your sex which is by nature so much above ours But Mistress let us examine her other reasons whereby she argues me so guilty in matter of love She says that all my demonstrations of love are onely fictions disguisements and dissimulations and she thinks she has proved this Calummy very well when she sayes that I began to love you onely upon the wager and did not love you before But I beseech you my fair and just judge take notice of the evill consequences which she drawes from these presuppositions I doe confesse Phillis That the wager did move me first to love Diana and that this wager did give beginning unto my affection But must it from hence be concluded that my love is only dissimulation or that because I never loved any before therefore I do not love Diana now These shepherdesse are absurd conclusions If one do run for a wager and win it can it be thought he did run for it in jest and not in good earnest Tell me no more my enemy that my extream passions and raptures are but disguisements fictions and dissimulations For it is true I did love upon that wager but it is more true that my affection is most real And I am not so sure I am Silvander as that I am the most real servant of the fair Diana What a silly syllogism is it to say that because I did not once love Diana therefore I doe not love her now If such a conclusion may be drawn then one may say that because Phillis was not in the world forty years since therefore she is not in it now Had you said it was not long since this love began you had said truly and I would have confessed it with you with sorrow that it was no sooner But to prove that I doe not love because the time was when I did not know her is as much as if you should say that he who is not born to day will never be born Now Mistress be pleased to observe how she does contradict her selfe But it is not strange for it is the property of lying and calumny to be in severall tales whereas truth is alwayes in one and the same But admit said she that your beauty did a little move him and by this meanes he is in some sort become yours Is it possible Phillis you should be so long conversant with the fair Diana and know her perfections no better Doe you think it is possible to love her but a little Oh ignorant Phillis in the force of her beauty not one dart flyes from her faire eye which does not reach the heart and wound it mortally You might well keep your littles for common beauties which when they have scratched the skin a little do think they have given a great testimony of their power But as for Diana's beauty it seems you have not felt the blowes of it since you can talk so of a little But know Oh my enemy that a Remora which can stay a Ship under full sayle has not halfe the force of her perfections Diana's beauty takes not hearts by Littles but by All 's and he assured that the Gordian knots are more easily dissolved then those by which she fetters soules That fire which our Druids tell us must consume all the Universe has lesser flames then those of her fair eyes say not therefore ignorant shepherdesse that one can love her a little or that one can be in some sort hers All those who love her doe love her extreamly and all those who are hers are hers entirely so as when you grant that I doe love her a little you doe grant that I do love her infinitely and by consequence that nothing can equall the grandure of my affection Whereas you Phillis that can speak so doe thereby argue your selfe incapable of being moved and is insensible of that which is able to kill others But I beseech you
Mistress see what a fine peece of sophistry my enemy uses to prove that I doe not love you and to make you despise my affection and judge whether she ever so much as heard of such a thing as love Is she not very subtile in accusing me for never loving any but you and that you were the first that ever fettered me If this be a crime I must confesse I never heard of it before and must needs acknowledge my selfe culpable for Mistress you are not onely the first and onely one that ever I loved but more you must also be the last and onely one that ever I will love And if ever it be otherwise let the Sun cover me with eternal darknesse let the Earth which nourisheth me swallow me alive as not worthy to live in it Let the Air become my poyson and may all the elements become my enemies and wise men are all mistaken in their Tenet that whatsoever has a beginning must have an end For Phillis this affection which you have seene begin shall last to all eternity But Phillis I admire you should say that if my affection deserve any reward it is all due unto you You tell me that you were the cause of it and that all which does proceed from it ought to be attributed unto you as the originall cause But shepherdesse take heed lest this being granted it doe not turn to your disadvantage for those who are the cause of any evil deserve punishment And as you say that my Mistress ought rather to laugh then love me so it must consequently follow that she ought to laugh at you and not at Silvander because you attribute all unto your selfe But Philâ—is let that be the left of your feares I doe not meane to quit my just pretensions upon any such tâ—rmes when any one does any thing for another the intention of the doer is to be considered if the intention was good the evill which insues ought not to be laid unto his charge if he be no other way culpable but if the intention was evill he ought not to have any share in the benefit or glory which shall ensue by it this being granted as needs it must let us consider before we either commend or condemne you what your intention was when you propounded this wager We shall not be put unto much pain Mistress before we discover it for she her selfe has told us The fictions said she and the dissimulations once knowne will procure him hatred But Diana knowes that all my Courtships and amorous addresses unto her doe proceed onely from the wager which you made and if all the consequents of it be fictions and dissimulations then you are the cause of them You may observe Mistresse how she thought that I would use onely fictions and dissimulations in this wager Now since it is the Intention which makes the Action either good or bad have I not just cause to say It was you Oh Phillis who by your dissembling wager gave your selfe unto faire Diana but it was my heart which did really give me unto her by the knowledge which it had of her perfections and so by consequence all the punishment which such dissimulations deserve are due unto you and all the favours which a reall and unfained affection deserves are due unto my heart Wish me no more to quit the pretended victory unto you to shew my wit and my judgement my Wit in so hansomly disguising a false affection under the umbrage of a reall love and my Judgement in acknowledging the advantage which you have over me For on the contrary I should shew my self the veriest fool alive if I did counterfeit a love unto her who deserves to be perfectly loved above all the world And I should shew but little judgement if I did not see the advantage which my true and perfect affection does give me over your faigned follies I would have you shepherdesse recant all your reproaches and be the first who shall say That there is no affection be it never so ill begun either by a wager or pastime but may prove in earnest and become reall as mine for an example But oh my enemy all this discourse is but aire and I believe in vain for we are contending with one another for the victory whilst whosoever conquers perhaps may not be the couquerer I make no question but if either of us doe obtaine the victory which we pretend unto that this Chaplet of Flowers at the feet of the faire Diana will be mine But alas Phillis my great feare is and with abundance of reason that it will prove to be neither yours nor mine for all our arguments which we have alleaged to merit her favour may be valid as against one another but not at all in relation to Diana Diana whose transcendent perfections and merits is above all the power of Nature and therefore will not be subservient unto the lawes of Mortalls And then when we say That love ought to be paid with love and that long and faithfull lovers are worthy of reward and acknowledgement This is right and good reason as to men and does oblige them to follow those precepts but not at all Diana For she is one whom heaven has elevated above the degree of mortals and is equall unto Angels To whom then should I addresse my selfe unto what should I have recourse Shall I address my selfe unto Love and have recourse unto Justice by whom all things are equally ballanced and recompenced But alas Love and Justice has nothing to doe with Diana she is above them all Address then thy selfe Silvander and have recourse unto her selfe and waving all other powers and reasons say thus unto her Then he kneeled down before Diana and holding up his hands continued Oh Diana the onely honour of her Country the glory of Men and the Ornament of the whole world Be pleased to look upon a shepherd here before you who does not onely love you and offer at your feet his service and his life but does even adore you and does sacrifice his heart and his soul unto you in a most zealous and devout manner As Nature cannot make any thing which can equal you so Love cannot kindle so great a flame and perfect affection as can equall your merit It hath pleased the great Tautates to advance you so high above all the rest of his works as no extremity of love no sincerity of devotion can in any reason hope for any grace or favour from you or that you condescend so low as to look at my complaints and grievances I doe humbly acknowledge that all human hearts and all mortall services are most due unto you and cannot be denyed you without a sinne But alas we can merit nothing all we can do is to love serve and adore you and when all is done we cannot claim any reward because all is but a just duty Under these Notions and Qualifications I now present my selfe before you
as before a Deity not daring to aske any recompence for all my services or my affection for that were a demand too arrogant and above my hopes and deserts but onely to beseech you that you will be a witnesse how none knowes better how to love than Silvander nor any that deserves to be more loved again Thus Silvander ended and would not rise but still continued kneeling in expectation of her judgement And because Phillis offered to reply Adamas seeing the time of departure to draw on he told her that it was not to be allowed so that Diana after a pause of consideration she gave sentence in these words The Judgement of the shepherdess Diana LOve being a thing which requires better testimony then words and the difference between Phillis and Silvander being of that quality we have been no lesse observant of their actions and behaviours ever since the first beginning of the wager then we are now attentive unto their Reasons which both have at this time alleadged And having seriously and deliberately ballanced every thing in an equall seale we doe declare and pronounce That Phillis is more amiable then Silvander and that Silvander knowes better how to love then Phillis And to make our intention more manifest We doe ordain That Phillis shall sit in the seat where I am and that Silvander shall kiss my hand That Phillis shall restore the Chaplet of Flowers unto Adamas who gave it unto her and that Silvander shall take his from my hands and alwayes wear it hereafter by renewing it with fresh flowers when these decay Upon this she rose up and took Phillis by the hand causing her to restore her Garland unto the Druid And taking up Silvanders Garland she put it upon his head and gave him her hand to kiss as he kneeled which he received with so much contentment and joy that the shepherdesse was well assured it was not a kisse which proceeded from any dissembled affection The heat of the day was much abated when Diana gave her judgement and Adamas being desirous that Alcidon and Daphnide might see the exercises of the shepherds he arose from his seat which caused all the rest to doe the like and so they parted And because Phillis and Silvander did dispute the matter amongst themselves as questioning unto whom Diana had given the advantage and the Druid perceiving that the dispute was not easily determined he advised them to talk of it by the way because it would be a good diversion to make the way seem shorter As soon as they were set forward Phillis began to fall upon the shepheard Well Silvander said she what doe you think of Dianas judgement Shepherdess answered Silvander I never hoped for so much as our Mistress hath given unto me And I will maintaine that never was judgement pronounced with more equity nor wise considerations then this which she hath given Why shepherd said Phillis doe you thinke that Diana has given you any advantage above me Whosoever doubts it answered Silvander does either not understand her judgement or has no judgement to understand For my part said Phillis I doe not onely understand it but doe admire it for I do very well understand that I have won the wager and do admire it because both parties are pleased for commonly in other cases one party complains of injustice In this as in all her other actions answered Silvander the admirable wit of Diana shewes it selfe and yet said Phillis It is I that am declared the more amiable and it is I unto whom Dianas seat is given as unto her who best deserves it intimating thereby that it is I unto whom Silvander owes the same duties and honours which our Mistress formerly received from us Oh shepherdesse said Silvander the mystery of this judgement is very deep and abundance of study is requisite to understand it And if our fairest Mistress would be pleased to constitute a Judge to declare her intention in it I should quickly make it appear that her judgement is more in my advantage then yours And if it please her to heare us now you shall see that it is my part to thank her for the victory which she has most justly judged on my side Silvander said Diana then There is no necessity of any further explanation for I think I have declared my selfe so plainly as there is no necessity of it But I beseech you since now there is no wager betwixt Phillis and you and since I am not now either your Judge or your Mistress I pray remember that my name is Diana and so let me be called These words were uttered with such a serious brow that Silvander saw it was her will to have it so yet seeming to take it in another manner he answered thus I doe know very well that you are the faire Diana whom Phillis and I have served I know also that you permitted me to take you for my Mistress which I did and doe you think I am of the humour of Hylas Pardon me I beseech you if I hate inconstancy and let me continue as I begun for I cannot change Hylas who did not hate Silvander but though they were continually in contest with one another yet he thought him the most accomplished shepherd in all the Country Methinks fair Diana said he that you are obliged by many reasons to like this shepherds proposition which you cannot deny without offence against your own judgement But if to ease you of that labour you will let me declare what your intention is in your judgement I should have quickly condemned Silvander I perceive Hylas answered Diana and smiled That you would be as good a judge unto them as you are a Counsellor unto me No no said Phillis I will not admit of any partial Judge and Silvander has the same reason But if it please the Reverend Adamas to undertake it let him ordain and compose the matter No said Adamas there is no reason that any should be judge but Diana her selfe but if you please to alleadge what you thinke conducing to your advantage we shall all give our advice unto her Then said Phillis I doe wonder Silvander you should be so prejudicated with the love of your selfe as not to see a thing which is as clear as the Sun I am confident that none here but thinks you to be a man of reason and that you doe this onely to shew the subtilty of your wit Could ever any speak more plainly then Diana did I doe declare said she that Phillis is more amiable then Silvander and the better to clear her intention she added the honour of setting me in her own seat to shew that there was as great a difference betwixt you and me as there is between you and Diana and that in this regard you should behave your selfe unto me with the same respect and honour Could she doe more to shew my victory or declare it in more express words on the contrary in saying that
being deficient in other things which should make you loved and which she finds in me she has declared me to know better how to make my self loved then you do And this Shepherdesse if you do rightly understand it is most just and not at all dis-advantagious to you For all three must be considered Diana is she who was to receive our services and our passions And you and I were to serve and Court her It is the property of a man to serve and Court a fair Mistris I have done according to the duty and office of a man in my Courtship of Diana and she has done the right office of a woman in receiving my services But it is preposterous and absurd for you who are a woman to Court a woman and therefore it is not at all strange that though you be more amiable yet Sylvander should know how to procure love better then you since it is his part to court and yours on the contrary to be courted and certainly our just Judge did so intend it when she placed you in her room intimating that as it was hers so it was your part not to serve but to be served Confess therefore Phillis that I have won the wager and I will confesse you to be more amiable then I And let us both say that never was a more wise and just Judge nor a fairer Mistris then Diana whose judgement has given me the victory and whose perfections have made me eternally hers Thus Sylvander ended leaving every one very well satisfied with his reasons and modesty Phillis her self was forced to yeild unto him and therefore Diana seeing there was no need of a second judgement she said no more Hylas only who jeared at all he had said and held Stella under the Arm seeing all was silent he began to talk Well Sylvander said he To what purpose is all this long Discourse And what can we learn from it You may learn answered Sylvander that the just judgement which Diana gave upon such solid reason had like to have suffered the same injury by the mis-interpretation of Phillis that most Oracles do receive from those who will turn them according to their own desires and wrest them so as they suit with their own passions And Stella and you may learn That as there is but one Sun which resembles Love so all ought to have but one Love If it be so said Hylas that Love like the Sun gives life and that none do live without it and that you never loved any until of very late then you have been alive but very lately And if so good Sylvander tell me how you did being dead to look so well to your Flock to hunt to talk to sing to run and wrestle I should be very glad to learn that trick of you that I may do the same when I am dead for I have seen some assoon as they are dead cast presently into the earth and there 's an end of them but I must confess you are the finest dead man that ever I saw and if I could but do as you did before you were in love I would not care a rush for death Sylvander could not chuse but laugh at the discourse of Hylas but by way of answer he said 'T is true that Love is the life of our souls if it be rightly understood and to that end you must know Hylas that there are two kinds of life in a soul The one is that which it lives in the body and the other which it lives with it self The first doth animate the Body makes it walk talk eat and do all those things which you knew I did before I had the happiness to love Diana And the other gives life unto the Soul and makes it live in it self For it enlightens the Understanding forms the Imagination and takes up the Will The first kind of life is common unto man as unto all other animals for all living do produce the same actions But the other soaring higher then the Body does give the Soul another kind of life which is common unto those pure thoughts of which we spoke before Now Hylas when I said that Love gives life unto Souls I did not then say that the Body was dead in that sense which you apprehend it for then I had said things impossible Impossible because none can die before he live and he who never loved never lived and he who never lived cannot die Ask me no more therefore how being dead I came to talk sing leap run and such like for all those actions do depend upon a life which love daigns not to meddle with Then I perceive said Hylas that your love is only in thought and imagination No question of it replyed Sylvander and as for other things I leave them unto that instinct which Nature gives unto every one Then replyed Hylas It is pity but we two should love one Shepherdess for we should both agree excellently well You in the Favours which she should shew you in thought and imagination and I in those which your love leaves unto that instinct of Nature Alcidon and most of the Shepherds did laugh heartily at the merry humour of Hylas and especially Sylvander who at last returned him this answer Ah Hylas Did you know how to Love you would not speak thus nor confound things as you do Though my Soul doth live in its own thoughts yet for all that it gives life unto that body which it animates The Sun which as I told you is the true Embleme of Love though it do shine upon Celestial things yet it does also cast his rayes upon Bodies here below And why should not Love which enlightens our Understanding and forms the thoughts of our souls give such desires also unto our Bodies as are natural unto it No no Hylas here lies all the difference Those who love as I do they have none of those desires whereof you speak but because they love And those who love as you do do not love but because they have those desires But Sylvander said Stella who was a little netled at this discourse since you have these desires Are you not very bold when you consider who you are and who Diana is I must needs confess answered Sylvander That when I do look upon my self with eyes of equality I think you are in the right but when I consider my extream love and the hopes which she was pleased to give me I think my self not too blame Your extream love said she and your hopes also are things invisible But the actions of my fairest Mistris answered Sylvander may make them visible And though mine have not hitherto been so great as to demonstrate them yet I hope to render her such service as shall evidence it to her and all the world that my Love is the greatest that ever was But had you observed her actions as well as I you would not have upbraided me with my hopes as you have done
which was within two or three paces of the place where they were set so listning attentively he heard what Alexis had propounded and what was resolved upon Oh how much did he think himself obliged unto that fair Druide for giving such counsel unto Diana And when they went away he did accompany them with a thousand wishes of happiness and when he saw them so far off as they could not think he heard them he rose up and followed and to make them look back he began to play upon his Corner Alexis who loved this Shepherd very well as one whom she ranked in the catalogue of her best friends Come Sylvander said she unto him Do you not think your self much obliged unto me for bringing the fair Diana hither For had I not been she would have been still in her chamber and you deprived of your happiness in seeing her Madam answered the Shepherd you cannot do me so great a favour as I expected always from your fair face Why said Alexis does my face promise you so much Yes Madam replyed Sylvander for it has such a lively resemblance of a Shepherd who would have exposed his life for my contentment as I can think no less I am very glad answered Alexis that Nature has been so favourable unto me as to make me like unto any whom you love for I make no doubt but though I do not deserve it yet you will love me for his sake Madam replied Sylvander were he alive I should love him for your sake your merits being so high as not to yeild unto any And to let you see the truth of my words I will put my life into your hands if you will be pleased to take so much pains as to judge a difference which is dearer unto me then my life Shepherd replied Diana Why would you change the Judges which you have already chosen Not but that I am willing to submit unto whatsoever the fair Alexis shall ordain but me-thinks it is a signe you know your cause to be bad and would corrupt your Judges by flatteries and reject those who are already chosen I did not think fairest Mistris answered Sylvander That any praises which one could give unto this fair Lady was esteemed flattery for merit cannot be flattered nor can any flattery equal her perfections I would not have you think I refuse those Judges which you were pleased to chuse But I propounded this fair Druide only to be an Umpire in case those two Judges cannot agree amongst themselves and that then she should ordain what she thought most consonant to Justice I cannot deny answered Diana the advantagious language which you give of this fair Lady nor any commendation that can be given her and therefore I do most willingly accept her for our Umpire Sylvander would have replied had they not seen coming Adamas Daphnide Alcidon and all the company which supped the night before at the house of old Phocion except Leonide and Paris who parted from the rest of the company to finish the discourse which they had begun in the house of Adamas for Paris adoring Diana beyond all measure and having received from her another kind of answer then he desired he would take Leonides counsel in the business and she being very affectionate to him was willing to give him the best advice she could And therefore retiring themselves into the Grove of Hazles Brother said she unto him I have twice deferred the giving you my opinion in the business whereof you spoke hoping that time would alter your mind but now since I see nothing will work any alteration in it I beseech you tell me what your intention is Sister replied Paris my intention is to Court Diana in the way of marriage And do you think said Leonide that Adamas will approve of it for you ought to have a special consideration of that I have not expresly acquainted him with it said Paris but he knows that I do love her and does not disapprove of it This answered Leonide is not enough you ought to acquaint him with it seriously and ask his consent In the second place which indeed ought to be the first you ought to consider seriously with your self whether this marriage be fit and convenient for you For Love is a partial Judge and many things are handsome in a Mistris which are insufferable in a Wife Oh Brother there is abundance of difference betwixt Love and Marriage for Love lasts no longer then one pleaseth but Marriage must continue long and therefore is more displeasing Love is an Embleme of Liberty because it never forceth the Will but Marriage on the contrary is an Embleme of servitude because nothing but death can break the Bonds 'T is true when a marriage is made between fit and sutable persons I believe there is no greater happiness amongst mortals because all joys and contentments are doubled the joy of the one is the joy of the other And because such is the misery of all Mortals as they are subject unto a thousand disasters of Fortune a faithful companion in marriage does help to bear the burthen of them To be brief it is almost impossible to enjoy any compleat happiness without a second self unto whom all things may be communicated But Paris give me leave to tell you that the man who marries must not consult altogether with his eyes or his desires but with his reason and judgement and you must consider whether there be any thing desirable in Diana besides her Beauty not only as a Mistris but also as a Wife For Beauty does ordinarily deceive and is often like an Inn-signe before a poor Inn where no good accomodations can be had Beauty resembles those Spectacles which makes every thing look greater then they are and is at best but a fair fading Flower which when once decayed and one is tyed unto it repentance comes too late So much in consideration of Beauty Then Brother Great heed must be taken that nothing be done which may redound unto your dishonour and reproach You are son unto the Grand Druide Diana I must needs confess is a Shepherdess of much merit but yet she is a Shepherdess and do you think that such Alliance will not be much wondred at We are not born for our selves we must somtimes leave our own contentment for the satisfaction of those who love us and those unto whom we are obliged Consider Brother that Marriage is the happiness or the misery of every one and therefore be not too rash in your actions But to wave all these considerations this only is enough for all That one had better be a Gally-slave and be tyed to serve a Tyrant then marry one that loves him not Imagine Brother What delight can one find in eating or drinking lying or sleeping with his enemy It is requisite therefore that you know her mind For if she do love another or cannot love you I would advise you to marry a grave rather then
Diana Think well upon all these things and after you have seriously considered them tell me what you think of them then I will further tell you what I conceive best to be done Paris hearing Leonide speak with so much consideration and eagerness did think at first that she had some designe to marry him somwhere else and therefore desired to divert him from Diana But afterwards seriously considering her reasons and finding much solidity in them he altered his opinion and found that all she said proceeded from her affection to him and therefore he returned her this answer That it was true he ought to acquaint Adamas with his intention That he did not doubt but to find him a very good Father as formerly he had upon all other occasions That as for the conditions of Diana It was meer folly to dispute upon a thing that was already resolved and that he could as well live without a soul as live happily without her and that this did answer all those considerations That as for the approbation of his Parents he thought none of them did love him better then he did himself and that therefore he was obliged to satisfie and content himself before any Kindred or Friends That as for the good Will and Affection of Diana It is true indeed Sister said he I must ask your counsel upon that point for you being a woman as she is you may better judge of her intention then I whose passion perhaps has disturbed my judgement I have several times attempted to know her Will and the last time she was at the house of Adamas when we walked so long together I complained unto her that all my services were so ill accepted and almost thrown away unto which she returned me an answer full of courtesie and civility And when I replied that it was neither courtesie nor civility but only Love which I looked for from her she answered That she did honour me as much as any man in the world and loved me as well as any Sister could love a Brother and told me that this was all she was able to do But when I reply'd that my designe and hopes was to marry her she answered me that she had Parents who had the disposition of her and she alwayes referred such things unto their discretions But Paris said she if you will know my mind let me tell you that I do not intend to marry either you or any else no nor ever will I will alwayes love you as a brother but never as a Husband upon this Sister we were interrupted and I would not urge her any further until I had your advice how to behave my self I conjure you therefore by the affection you have ever expressed towards me to assist me for to think of diverting my affection to her is meer folly because death only is able to do it Brother said Leonide and smiled you ask my advice in a business which it seemes you are resolved upon but I beleeve your desire is I should tell you how you should demean your self to win the affection of this Shepherdesse and truly since you are in such an extremity as you say you are I conceive your best course is to obtain leave of her to speak unto her Parents for they doubtlesse considering the advantage which will accrue unto Diana by it will not be against the proposition and shee who is very wise and one that hath alwayes carried her self with abundance of prudence and virtue she dares not be against their opinion least she should be thought either wilful or in love with some other or else tax her discretion Thus may she before she be aware engage her self so far that she cannot handsomly retire But my opinion is that your best way is not to speak unto her untill the very day we depart from hence to the end that if you do obtain this leave she may not know where to find you in case she have a mind to revoke it again or at the least not find you before you have made the overture unto some of her Parents This was the opinion of Leonide which Paris resolved to follow And whilest they were thus discoursing Adamas and all the Company joyned with them And because Sylvander was grown very bold by the discourse which he had heard as soon as all complements were passed he addressed himself unto Diana Mistris said he aloud I shall not refuse the judgement of those whom you appointed so you will but be pleased to do the like you need not question said Diana but I shall consent unto it since I know my cause to be good and made choice of my Judges The difference replied Sylvander needs not so much arguing as that betwixt Phillis and me and therefore I beseech you that without any more delay the matter may be judged I shall never be against it answered Diana since I hope for a decree to passe on my side For my part replied Sylvander I derive all my right and title from the permission which you gave me which was to continue my behaviour towards you always as I did during the wager betwixt Phillis and me How replied Diana did I ever permit you to continue alwayes so Good Shepherd do you take one day for alwayes And yet I permitted you the rest of the day only which being ended you was not to make any more use of your fiction I beseech you Mistris said he do you remember how you permitted me to end that day which remained after the judgement as I had begun it and to continue my behaviour as I did before It is very true said Diana but that day is ended and I have begun another You had good reason fair Shepherdesse said he to say that you began another day because it is the quality of the Sun to begin and limit days and you are the Sun of all our Horizon and therefore you cannot say that the day which you granted unto me is ended For I beseech you fairest Mistris as long as the light continues does not the day continue also I confess it answered Diana but you must confess also that when the Sun is set and cannot be seen it is night I do confesse it replied Sylvander and thereupon I have gained what I asked for my soul and my eyes acknowledging no other Sun but those glorious rayes of your beauty and perfection most certainly as long as I am not deprived of this Light and of this Sun it is not night unto me and since it is not night have I not good reason to say that the day which you allowed me was not ended but on the contrary that it will last as long as I live because your beauty and your merits will be alwayes in my soul Diana a little surprised or at least seemed so returned this answer I cannot deny said she but that when you asked me leave for a day you might mean such a day as you speak of but I
here and then you may be better informed of all passages Thus did Galathea enquire of these fair Shepherdesses and the more she enquired the reason she thought Celadon had to love Astrea since every one gave her such a high Character above others And Dinner being done she went to visit Damon who stirred not yet out of his chamber because his loss of blood and going so far on foot in his Arms had so wearied and weakned him that he was constrained to keep out of the Ayr for fear of a further inconvenience In the mean time Halladine was come unto him and never stirred from his Beds feet but waited upon him with so much care and vigilance that Galathea did much esteem him for it It was now the third day since he received his wounds and the Nymph who thought her self much obliged unto the valour of this Cavalier for being wounded in defence of Ladies moreover being her Kinsman and injured in her own Dominions and presence she resolved never to leave him until he was perfectly recovered And to divert him a little she would have Lorindas relate in his presence all the passages of his voyage Thus was the day spent and when it was night Celidea and Thamires returned Galathea would needs see them presently as well because she highly esteemed that Shepherdess as because she desired to know more particularly of those Shepherdesses whom she had visited Come wise Shepherdess said she unto her tell us I beseech you the news of your Voyage Madam answered she we have done our duties both unto God and man for we have offered a sacrifice of Thanks unto Tautates for the Missetoe of the New Year and we have done our duty unto Adamas in visiting his daughter Alexis and I assure you we are all very well satisfied For be pleased to know Madam that Alexis is the most fair most lovely and most courteous Lady that ever eye beheld and has given such contentment to us all that there is not one of us who does not even adore her and Adamas has entertain'd us beyond all expression As for the Sacrifice the great Tautates has well accepted of it for all the victimes were as sound and perfect as we could desire The Missleto which we saw is so large and great that we call it another Tree that is fixed unto the Oak so as our Druides have no reason to spare either us or our cattel this year in our Sacrifices But besides this we have also been highly delighted with the Loves of Hylas who is the most pleasant humored Shepherd that ever was that no diversion could equal it Also we heard the judgement of Diana upon the controversie between Sylvander and Phillis And the presence of Daphnide and Alcidon was no small grace unto all the Assembly Who is that Hylas of whom you speak said Galathea He is a young man answered Celidea who falls in love with all the Shepherdesses he meets and maintains that it is not inconstancy with such pleasant arguments and quirks as it is impossible to hear him and be sad For Madam he is not above twenty or one and twenty years of age and he reckoned up above twenty with whom he had been in love and most of them present The last he quitted was the fair and wise Alexis and God knows for whom I assure you Madam it is not for a fairer for he has made choise of Stella one that is old enough and not comparable to the fair Druide in point of Beauty But I beseech you said Galathea Does the daughter of Adamas suffer him to serve her and before the eyes of every one Yes Madam answered Celidea but I assure you without any scandal and if you saw her you would say as much There is not the daughter of any Druide whom he does not Court Nay Madam I am confident that if he had the honour to see you neither you nor any of your Nymphs would escape his Courtship for he would express his mind at the very first But what is the judgement of Diana replied Galathea Madam answered the Shepherdess It hapned upon a time that Phillis and Sylvander were in a hot dispute which of them had most merits to make themselves loved For Sylvander although he be as well a qualified Shepherd as any in all the Country yet did he never love any particularly nor was loved And because Phillis did upbraid him that reason was his want of courage and merit and Sylvander said as much by her they were both of them condemned by the company to Court Diana and at three months end she was to judge which of them won the wager Doubtless said Damon Diana would adjudge it on the womans side Her judgement answered Celidea is somthing doubtful She adjudged Phillis to be more amiable then Sylvander and that Sylvander knew better how to make himself loved then Phillis did Certainly said Damon Diana is a very discreet and wise Shepherdess for I see she had a mind to content both and she has done it with much discretion But Madam continued he and turned towards Galathea you have not yet asked her who that Daphnide is I heard Lerindas say she was one of the fairest of all the Shepherdesses and I would gladly know who she and Alcidon is for some respects which afterwards I shall tell you Then Thamires began to speak Sir said he unto Damon Lerindas was in the right to say she was fair for indeed she is so but he was in the wrong in saying she was a Shepherdess for she is not so but only to disguise her self does wear the habit of a Shepherdess We understood by Hylas that Daphnide is one of the greatest Ladies in the Province of the Romans and Alcidon the greatest Favourite of King Euriche and that they came into this Country out of curiosity to see the Fountain of Loves Verity It is enough said Damon and then turning towards Galathea Madam said he unto her you must by all means see these two persons and be acquainted with them for Daphnide is one of the fairest of all the Gallo-Ligurians and was highly loved by King Guricke so as had he lived she had been his Queen As for Alcidon I shall commend him unto you Madam for the most accomplished Cavalier in the Court of Thorismond and I saw him so caressed and loved by that King as he could not give demonstrations enough of his good will towards him I could relate many things worthy of knowledge but since he is so near you it is better you know them from his mouth then from mine Damon then began to whisper with the Nymph which caused Thamires and Celidea to remove a little further distant But Madam said Damon unto her Is the face of this Shepherdess thus spoiled with cutting She seems to be very wise and discreet how came this misfortune to pass These cuts in her face answered Galathea are the most glorious marks that ever woman wore thereupon
she related the whole story and how happily her designe prospered since the fond affection of Calidon was extinguished and the perfect Love of Thamires augmented by it so as never was any more tenderly loved then she is now in her deformity Damon admired the resolution of this young woman especially in a Shepherdess because such generosity is seldom but amongst higher and more noble spirits You are mistaken Sir said the Nymph The Shepherds of this Country are not Shepherds of necessity nor constrained to keep their flocks for a livelyhood but have made choice of this kind of life purposely to enjoy more tranquillity and live at ease for the truth is they are of kin and allied unto the greatest Nobility in all our Dominions Madam answered Damon although the scars in this womans face were made with the point of a Diamond yet I do know one that can most certainly cure them provided she have so so much courage as to do what is requisite thereto As for her courage replied Galathea you need not doubt so much as her will How replied he and was amased has she no will to become fair Truly I believe she is the only woman in the world who is of that opinion Call her said Galathea and you shall see what she will say Upon which he calling her by her name she came to know what Galathea would be pleased to command her Celidea said the Nimph here is a Cavalier who pittying the mis-fortune of your face and inquiring how it came to pass does say that most certainly he can get you cured and make you as fair as ever you were if you please Shepherdesse said Damon It is most undoubtedly true for when I was in Africa one of Eudoxes women was wounded in her face with a Diamond and so deep that the bone in her cheek did almost appear yet there was a skilful Chirurgion who wetting a little stick with her blood did dresse the stick with a remedy called the Sympathy Salve and so cured her against the opinion of all the world And because I thought this cure to be very rare I was so full of curiosity as to ask some of the Salve but he answered me that it was a thing which he could not give unto any because he was obliged to it by oath but that whensoever I had any need if I would but sent unto him a little piece of wood bloodyed in the wound he would presently work the cure though he were a thousand miles distant if I would only keep the wound clean Therefore Shepherdess if you would be cured you need only but scratch the wound so as blood may run a little and you shall see you will recover your former beauty Sir answered Celidea your kindness and the care you have of my face obliges me very much unto you for it but give me leave to tell you that this beauty which you are pleased to speak of is at this time a thing so indifferent unto me as if I could recover it again by going to the door I should hardly stir a foot that way if there was any other way out of the house When I call to memory what abundance of trouble and importunity it caused me I assure you Sir I would rather go out at the window then that way or have any correspondency with it again Surely said Damon all women have a particular desire to be fair or at the least not to be deformed Those who are so eager after beauty replied Celidea perhaps have some designs to procure the Love of some whose amity they desire But for my part I do protest unto you Sir that I desire to be fair only in the eyes of Thamires and if I would make my self invisible to any else Me thinks yet replied Damon you should desire that Thamires should see you fair It is very true replied she but I believe these scars in my face do seem as fair unto him as all beauty or delicacy of Features can be since they came unto me only for his sake This consideration replied the Nimph may make him have a great opinion of your affection goodness and virtue but perhaps he desires you were fair as well as virtuous For my part Sir replied Celidea I am so very well contented and satisfied with being as I am that I think I should offend Tautates should I desire to be better yet if Thamires do desire to have it so I am most ready to do whatsoever is his pleasure Dearest said Thamires were you never so fair most certainly I could not Love you better then I do as you are But I must needs confesse that if I thought it were possible to restore you unto your former beauty I would spare no paines or cost to procure it for I am obliged unto it and should think my self most ungreatfull if I did not and therefore Sir said he to Damon if you know of any remedy I beseech you acquaint me with it and I shall think my self eternally obliged unto you for it Most certainly said Damon she will be cured and without much pain for I have seen the experience of it A little stick must be wet in the blood of the wounds and carried unto the place which I shall direct very carefully you will not be above twelve or fifteen daies in going and I will write unto a Chirurgion who questionless will presently work the cure Now did Celidea hate the very thought of this beauty since for the gaining of it she was to be so long deprived of her dearest Thamires Oh Heavens said she with teares in her eyes did I take so much paines to deprive my self of this beauty to buy it now again at so dear a rate Ah Thamires content your self with your Celidea as she is and do not run your self into so much hazard of losing her for ever For if you go so far into a strange Country from her grief perhaps may bring her to her grave before your return because she is not able to be so long absent from you Hast thou not told me a hundred times Thamires that thou couldst live with me as I am the happiest Shepherd in the World And what dear Thamires needs more Wouldst thou be better then happy No no the joy of my life enjoy that happiness which Heaven has given thee and strive for no more then thou art like to obtain content thy self with what the Gods have thought good for thee to be contented with If it be for my sake dearest Thamires you desire this beauty believe it that your absence is so odious to me as I had rather die then be deprived of you one week the journey I perceive is so long so full of danger that I cannot consent unto it you are to go amongst the Barbarians perhaps he unto whom you go is dead who knows whether his receipt be proper to cure me Perhaps it has his right upon another but I am confident the wound
one Shepherd who is to be blamed for all the miseries that befal all the Shepherds of this Country in this kind Sylvander is he I mean for he having a very subtile wit does insinuate himself so in the good opinion of the Shepherds as by his false and sophistical arguments he perswades them That a Lover is a man lost in point of reputation if when he is ill entertained he change his affection as if a man were a Rock immoveable and able to abide all the angry blâ—sts and storms of a raging Sea so as a Shepherd becomes so much enslaved as in spite of all injuries he cannot discontinue his service and good will but he must presently be branded with inconstancy and thus all become subjects unto the Tyrany of Women whereas if these maximes were not they would not delight so much in seeing their servants to languish but would add every day fresh favours in hopes to keep us from changing Unto all this Calidon answered thus you are much mistaken Hylas if you think Sylvander to be the first Author of these opinions The Shepherds of this Country have for many ages observed the same Laws and though custome did not oblige us unto it yet the beauty of our Shepherdesses would constraine us For is it possible to Love them once and not alwayes I see replied Hylas that now you do Love Astrea and therefore one must not argue the matter with you according to the rules of reason But I hope to see you as far from this affection as you are from that of Celidea Several reasons answered Calidon did divert me from her you last named and many more do oblige me never to cease loving the other unless I cease to live for besides the accident which took away the beauty of Celidea and which was the first cause of my affection I was obliged to restore her unto Thamires in point of honour but setting this and all other considerations aside having submitted my self by oath unto arbitration doubtlesse I should have drawn upon me both the anger of Heaven and hatred of men if I had not been obedient unto it On the other side all things do induce and invite me never to change my affection unto Astrea for in the first place her beauty is such as cannot be equalled She is so much the prouder for that said Hylas No matter answered Calidon a little pride in a Woman makes her the more amiable Yes said Hylas so she be proud unto others and not unto us but is not beauty very subject unto the injury and blasts of time Oh Hylas answered Calidon when age has blasted the beauty of Astrea the same age will make Calidon not much care for beauty moreover Parents who have the government of her and those who have the power over me do allow of this affection The contentment of Parents replied Hylas is often a cause that Women will not Love those who otherwise are not displeasing unto them as well because they cannot abide Parents should be courted more then themselves as because constraint is odious unto them For Love never comes by constraint nor the opinion of others but only by the will of those who love But Astrea is so wise replied Calidon that she will be conformable unto the opinion of her friends May be not replied Hylas Astrea is able to build upon her own resolution I should easily believe it said Calidon did I not see that she is disengaged and free from loving any and as yet I have not done her service sufficient to engage her so as should she be easily won she would not be so estimable Oh Calidon said Hylas Do you think long service will make her love Alas alas poor Shepherd I pity you if you be of that opinion you had need to make provision of Spectacles to see her Beauty withal at that time for when it comes I believe you will not be able to see without them Did you never hear how Celadon loved her Yes replied Calidon but he being dead that makes nothing against me Nothing against you said Hylas Yes yes perhaps more then you imagine For why else according to Sylvanders doctrine should she preserve the memory of him so freshly as Tyrcis does of his dead Cleon But this is not that I would say Do you know how long this Celadon Courted her Some four or five years answered Calidon Well friend answered Hylas Do you not think a pair of Spectacles will do very well at five years end I do not think said Calidon that so long a time is requisite to win her but though it be yet I should not be reduc'd unto any such necessity as you speak of Shepherd shepherd replied Hylas you may flatter your self as long as you please but you may consider that nothing is more certain then experience and what you have formerly seen come to pass Consider if you be wise that it may come to pass again You say she is not engaged in her affection unto any Why this is it Friend which makes me think worse of your business for those women which will love any may be drawn and won to love us but these insensible Creatures are such things as do not so much as know what and whom is to be loved Calidon began to boggle at the reasons which Hylas urged and thought them very strong I assure you Hylas said he I stand in need of all these consolations which you give me I think my self happy in meeting with you If you would have me flatter you said Hylas I could speak in another dialect but if your judgement be sound you will see I speak like a friend If you desire to find comfort in your misery you must use the like remedies which I alwaies did in the like cases which if you do I will warrant you from taking any harm from such a disease as this But let me tell you answered Calidon that if you mean quitting Astrea or loving any other I had rather lose my eyes then look upon any other Beauty then hers and lose this heart which gives me life then ever love any other Shepherdess then Astrea Upon this being a little angry with Hylas he would have gone away from him But Hylas held him and smiling said unto him Nay said he if you be upon that lock and desire so much to see Astrea you may go into the Grove of Hazles For I saw her there alone but would not tell you because I feared you would but lose all your labour For a woman is somtimes like unto death which comes upon us before we be aware and least think upon it Hylas said Calidon It was not friendly done to keep me so long from my happiness in being with her Nay nay said Hylas take heed you come not soon enough to receive a course entertainment Calidon having not so much patience as to stay so long to reply he went as fast as he could to the place which
Hylas named thinking it the most happy opportunity that possibly could be to find her in a place where none would interrupt their discourse Hylas thought he had told him right for seeing Alexis only behind in the habit of Astrea he was mistaken In the mean time the Druide being desirous to enjoy her own sweet Imaginations of that Vision which she had lately seen she went a great pace unto the wood where the solitude of the place and the fresh memory of those Favours she had received did represent before the eyes of her fancy the Beauties and sweet Kisses of Astrea in such lively apprehensions that folding her Arms and lifting her eyes up to heaven Oh good Gods said she that Alexis could be happy without Celadon or that Celadon could be happy without Alexis Were I really Alexis and not Celadon how happy should I be in Astreas favours And oh how much more happy should I be if being Celadon she did not do me these Favours as being Alexis Was ever Lover so happy and unhappy both as I am Happy in being caressed by the Fairest and most Lovely Shepherdess in the world and unhappy in that all these favours would most certainly be turned into Torments were I not shrouded under the vail of Alexis Here stopping a little and afterwards beginning again But Celadon said he how long must this disguise last What end dost thou aim at in this thy designe Dost thou think thou canst delude always Why foolish Lover dost thou not declare thy self Does she not as good as tell thee that all her amity with Alexis proceeds only from her resemblance unto Celadon This manifests that she does not hate this Shepherd since thinking him dead she does cherish his memory And dost thou think thy presence would not be welcome to her when she sees himself upon his knees before her living and adoring her Go go and cast thy self at her feet say thus unto her Here Fairest Shepherdess is Celadon most humbly before you he died when you were displeased and now is revived again since you are pleased with him in the face of Alexis If he hath sinned in any thing against you he hath done penance for it but if you think his fault yet unexpiated command him what torments you shall please and you shall find him more ready to obey then you can be to command Upon this standing a while silent he considered whether this resolution was good or no but afterwards beginning again Peace peace Celadon said he content thy self with being dead and envie not the happiness of Alexis since thou canst not thy self let her enjoy it for all the hopes thou hast is by the intercession of this Druide unto whose conduct thou ought wholly to submit thy self And do not flatter thy self so much as to think that she loves thy resemblance in her Perhaps indeed thy face may be like hers but it is thy fault which invites her to hate thee If there be any thing in thee which can please her it is that in thy soul thou didst never infringe the Laws of a perfect affection and wilt thou stain the innocency of thy Love by so great a disobedience as this I do command you said she unto thee never to see my face until I do allow it Love her then oh Celadon Obey her and be silent if thou wilt live and love without reproach Thus did this Druide think her self in a place where she might enjoy her own thoughts with delight and Love who perhaps was jealous of the Favours which Fortune had done her did venome them with these mortal imaginations so as her eyes being over-flowed with Tears she was constrained to the use of her Handkerchief And because Calidon at the same time came into the Wood she no sooner spied him but she started back as if she were ready to tread upon a Serpent and went away shunning him into another Walk which was in the high Wood out of the Grove But as Fortune was Hylas was walking there and seeing her did suspect the reason of her coming into that Wood for he saw her run and observed the place into which she entred and stayed a while to inform Calidon whom he believed was not far off and yet he was deceived for Calidon not thinking her to be gone out of the Wood he sought her in every place there as if he had looked for a pin But finding all his labour lost he then believed that she had purposely hid her self from him and thinking this indignity too great to be endured he was so vexed to see himself thus slighted as first in anger and afterwards in despair he resolved an hundred times never to love Astrea any longer But then assoon as he thought upon her Beauty and perfectious he changed that thought and was more entangled in this affection then ever In the mean time Hylas who stayed to shew him which way Astrea passed began to be weary of this stay when he saw coming from towards the House Leonide Diana Phillis and amongst them as he thought Astrea At the first he durst have sworn the contrary for he thought that he had seen her on the other side but going neerer he could not give his eyes the lie which assured him that Astrea was in the company when one came behind him and laid their hands upon his eyes intending to make him guess who it was Hylas stood still feeling her hands and finding them to be the hands of a woman I know said he who you are but my wonder is how you got behind me whilst he was talking thus all the company came up and could hear Hylas continue his talk I do know said he that you are Astrea Then letting him go he saw himself mistaken and that it was Laonice What Hylas said she do you know your friends no better then so No wonder Shepherdess said he that I should thus mistake you for Astrea for I saw her just now enter into that Wood and as soon as you laid your hands upon my eyes I saw her just before me amongst this company What should I think when seeing her in several places at once but that she can be every where How Hylas said Astrea Did you see me enter into that Wood I did see you answered he and I am not alone that saw you for Calidon is still amongst the Hazles looking for you Astrea and the rest of the company did know well enough his mistake but seeing otherwise Certainly said Diana your eyes are not very good this morning for this Nymph and we all are able to witness that Astrea has been all this day with us I see Astrea is there said Hylas and I know that the Astrea which I saw yonder could not possibly be so soon with you for she went the quite contrary way But I am certain that I did see one Astrea there else I le never trust my eyes again Leonide and all the company laughed to see him
in such a maze And because Astrea was very desirous to see this Astrea which he spake of Hylas said she we will think you out of your wits if you do not shew us this other Astrea and therefore shew us which way she went You may think me as much out of my wits as you please said Hylas and I assure you I think as much my self for I am the most mistaken man alive if I did not see one Astrea there and another yonder and therefore I beseech you let us go and look for her Upon this he led the way into the high wood and having looked long in vain at last he thought that he saw her sitting by an arm of the River Lignon under a shady Tree Hylas went on as fast as he could hye and when he came so neer as to know her he beckned unto the rest of the company to come neerer and taking Astrea by one hand and pointing at Alexis with the other Look Shepherdess said he unto her Are not you sitting under yonder Tree Unto which Phillis answered I believe late servant said she that you are of the nature of Lions who know their Keepers better by their clothes then by their faces Why do you say so answered Hylas Because replied Phillis those clothes which you see are like unto those which Astrea wears therefore you are perswaded it is she They talked so loud and Hylas made such a noise that Alexis turned about and saw all the company coming towards her Therefore wiping her eyes and setting as jolly a look upon it as she could she rose up and came to meet them And because Astrea and Diana beckned unto her to seem as if she were a stranger she demeaned her self so that both Hylas and Laonice did not know her As for Phillis they had acquainted her already with the passage Hylas went to her and said I assure you fair Shepherdess you had almost turned my mind when I saw you at a distance and now I see you neerer I am afraid you will quite make me alter my affection Alexis seeming not to know him or what he said I beseech you Shepherd said she pardon me if I do not answer for I do not understand what you say I mean replied Hylas that taking you for Astrea in one place and seeing Astrea presently in another I was almost out of my wits but now I do see you perfectly I fear you will steal away my heart which I gave unto another You do very much oblige me answered Alexis to take me for so fair a Shepherdess whom I have so much desired the happiness of seeing and knowing but then you do as much dis-oblige me in suspecting me for a Thief for you must know I never use to take anything but what is my own But if you will repair the injury you have done me shew me which of all these fair ones is Astrea and I will pardon the offence I believe said Hylas that did you know me you would not think that in letting you take my heart from another I have committed any offence for Hylas never gives it unto any yet since it is an easie matter to repair the injury which you pretend I have done you I will not dispute it any further upon condition that when i have satisfied your curiosity in shewing you Astrea you will not disdain to accept the gift of this heart of Hylas and so free your self from the guilt of theft First answered the new Shepherdess shew me which is Astrea and we will talk afterwards of the heart of Hylas as it seems you call your self This is she answered Hylas and shewed her Astrea who could not chuse but laugh as well as all the company to see Hylas so blind as not to know Alexis who going unto Astrea saluted her and held some discourse of civility purposely to deceive Hylas the more who was so much taken with the behaviour of this stranger that he could not chuse but press her to the reception of his heart How now my late servant said Phillis what will Stella say when she hears you offer your self unto this Fair stranger What should she say answered he but that I have observed our articles by which it was permitted me to Love whom when and where I lifted without any offence to her How Shepherd said the new Shepherdess can you think I will allow of any sharer in Love Why not answered Hylas as long as I love you as much as you can desire But I beseech you said she would you in earnest Love me and Love another besides Yes said Hylas and if after dinner there remain any meat would you have have me throw it to the dogs And so after I have Loved you as much as you can desire and have some Love yet to spare why should I not imploy it in loving those who stand in need of it Oh Shepherd said the stranger believe it I will not allow of any sharers with me he that Loves me must Love only me and therefore you are not like to have me for your Mistris Nor you me answered Hylas for your servant and since you are of such an humour I advise you to look out for one Sylvander who is such a one as will fit your turn Now Sylvander is mentioned said Phillis where is he for I wonder we do not see him this morning It is well for you Hylas that he is not here for he would have checked you for thus talking of Love unto this Paire stranger at the first sight Hylas would have answered but Laonice interrupted him Nay nay Hylas said she you may talk of Love or what you will to day for I am sure you will not see him and though he were here I could not contradict you for he is imployed in the like service and offered himself unto it What service is that said Diana presently You must know answered the spiteful Laonice that Paris chanced to meet with a strange Cavalier who thundered out many menaces against Thersander and Sylvander undertaking to acquaint Madonthe with it from him he did this morning tell her of it and she fearing lest Thersander should receive some hurt by reason of her she resolved to return presently into Aquitain and desired me to make her excuses unto you all giving a thousand thanks for the favours she has received and promising never to forget them But poor Sylvander seeing her ready to depart and not able any longer to hide the secret affection which he bare unto her in the first place he used al the arguments that possibly he could to divert her journey and then seeing he could not prevail he offered himself to wait upon her but she being unwilling to accept of his offer lest as I believe she should make Thersander jealous she refused him an hundred times He seeing he could not obtain that favour from her he fell down upon his knees kissed her feet and conjured with the
most earnest solicitations that ever I heard to give him leave and she not knowing how in civility to put him off after such importunity she permitted him to go with her a days journey or two I believe said Astrea that you are mistaken if you think Sylvander in Love with any In Love with any said Hylas pray what do you think of his behaviour towards Diana Oh! answered Phillis that is only a Fiction Yes Hylas replied Laonice his behaviour towards that Shepherdess is but a fiction he himself swore it this morning a hundred times when Madonthe charged him with it Well well Sylvander said Madonthe to him though my absence do a little trouble you yet the presence of Diana will comfort you Diana answered he does merit more then my service neither should I ever have rendered her any but in respect of my wager with Phillis and I wish she were here that you might see the truth of my words Phillis who knew that this discourse would much displease her Companion did answer thus I cannot possibly believe that Sylvander does Love Madonthe for he never made the least shew of it I believe said Diana and interrupted her that you are much mistaken for I have seen sufficient signs of it and why should not a young Shepherd that has Wit and Spirit enough Love a Woman that is so amiable as Madonthe Especially since Laonice speaks it knowingly and saw him obtain this permission to wait upon her with so much importunity But good Laonice said Astrea is it certain that Sylvander has followed Madonthe Do you think said the subtile Shepherdesse that I would say it unless I saw them depart Why should I verifie a thing which if it were not true would so easily be proved to be a lye Farewel Sylvander said Diana and come back again even when you have a mind Upon this seeming as if she were not troubled at it she turned away and went from them but Phillis followed her and heard her upbraid Sylvander with inconstancy Ah Shepherd said she are these the effects of that Love which you shewed unto me Is this the eternity of thy affection And didst thou trouble both thy self and me with thy disguise to quit me for Madonthe Hast thou so often and so long blamed the Inconstancy of Hylas to become as ill thy self Then Diana seeing Phillis follow her Well Sister said she what do you now think of Sylvander I must needs confess answered Phillis that if Laonice say truly I was never in my life so mistaken as in this Shepherd for I have seen him make such demonstrations of a real passion as I thought it impossible to be ever extinguished But is there any credit to be given to Laonice Yes doubtless said Diana for besides what she hath told us I have alwaies observed a great affection in him towards Madonthe and when Paris sent him word of the menaces which were threatned unto Thersander how ready he was to be the Messenger It must be confessed that Madonthe is very fair and discreet yet truly in my eye she is not very amiable and were I a man I should serve many others that are not so fair rather then her and all this while she has been amongst us have we seen any that loved her except Hylas and Sylvander For my part said Phillis I have the same opinion of Madonthe which you have but I cannot believe that Sylvander loves her and as for your observations of him truly I think them only effects of his curtesie and civility towards that stranger But replied Diana what do you think of his so earnest solicitation to wait upon her Think answered Phillis That it was still his curtesie It had been curtesie sufficient answered Diana to have undertaken the office of Laonice and brought us her excuses but to fall upon his knees to shed tears and to go with her almost by force and leave us without bidding one adieu if this be curtesie and not Love I know not what is Love But it s no matter I am sure he has much obliged me in this action for I must confess his continual courtship and his discreet behaviour had begun in me such a good opinion of him as I began to be inclineable to wish him very well and indeed to love him What a lamentable condition had I been in if he had stayed a little longer And since he is of this humour I had rather both he and I were dead then he should have known my mind Phillis perceiving that Diana did love this Shepherd and foreseeing that she could never decline it without most mortal displeasure Sister said she unto her let us not give such easie credit unto Laonice stay till Sylvander return and condemn not a man before you hear him answer for himself Nay nay Sister replied Diana presently the stone is already thrown let him say and do what he will I know what to think But sister said Phillis It is unjust to condemn before you hear No no said Diana all that hear him will judge him in the wrong and if you love me offer not to divert me from the mind I am in But because I remember he has a Bracelet of my hair which once I made for you I beseech you ask it of him from me the next time you see him I know that Shepherds of his humour use to brag of such favours as they can get from unadvised Shepherdesses and if I could I would not have him do so by me Phillis seeing Diana much vexed and thinking it not a time to contrary her she was silent a while and when they offered to continue their discourse they saw all the company coming towards them but much encreased because Adamas Daphnide Alcidon Paris Hermantes Stiliana and Carlis were there Amongst them also was Lerindas the messenger from Galathea unto the great Druide who would not return before he had seen Astrea and Diana of whose Beauty he thought he could not speak too high But Adamas was much perplexed since he understood by Lerindas the mind of Galathea for he was unwilling to displease her and he saw there was no going to her without Alexis and he feared that she who had seen Celadon in the habit of Lucinda would find him under the disguise of Alexis Therefore not knowing whom to advise withal but Leonide and this disguised Druide he acquainted that Nymph with his perplexity Leonide having an excellent wit presently returned this answer Sir said she you must leave Alexis and me here for be assured if Galathea sees her she knows her and if she should know her it would be a great blemish to your profession The Gods do seem to direct you unto this course for you see Alexis so disguised in the habit of a Shepherdess that Hylas does not know her and which is of most concernment I am confident Lerindas will not so as it is an easie matter to perswade all the strangers that Alexis is
better to disguise his design he entreated Daphnide and Alâ—idon to let him go and see in what condition she was seeming to be much troubled at his hasty departure And because both of them would accompany him Astrea and Leonide finding her in bed they shut the windows and made the room so dark that her face could not be seen Alexis pretended to be exceedingly troubled in her head and when Adamas told her how earnestly Galathea had sent for him she offered to rise and said she hoped her disease was not so great but that she might follow him But Astrea beseeched Adamas not to suffer her to walk in the heat of the Sun which doubtless would make her worse she told him that all the Town would be extreamly sorry his daughter should go from amongst them in such a condition and that every one would be as officious and ready to serve her with all things that should be requisite as he himself could be and therefore as a witness of all this she beseeched him to let Leonide keep her company Phocion and all the rest joyned with her in this desire and used so many Arguments that Adamas was easily perswaded to leave this disguised Druide amongst them yet seemed very sorry for her and said he was afraid she would be too troublesome unto them But Phocion answered all those objections with words so full of civility and affection that Adamas told him he would leave her and Leonide amongst them commanding them both to come away as soon as Alexis was well again Afterwards going unto the Bed and taking Leonide by the hand he told them in a low voice that as soon as Galathea was past he would either send unto them by Paris or come himself Then hearing that meat was upon the Table he left the pâ—etended sick person and as soon as Dinner was ended thanking Phocion and Astrea he went away with Daphnide and Alcidon and the rest of the company But Paris who did not see Diana amongst the company did ask Phillis and Astrea where she was Who answered that perhaps she had some business at her house Which Adamas and the strangers hearing they desired Phillis and Astrea to present their sorrows unto her that they had not taken their leaves of her and that if possibly they could they would see her again before they went out of the Country All being thus parted and those who accompanied Adamas returned Paris would no longer delay his business but addressing himself unto Adamas he beseeched him he would be pleased to let him communicate a thing unto him by the way which concerned himself and Diana Adamas imagining his business told him with all his heart But Paris having obtained this leave and not knowing how to begin he stood a long while and spake not a word yet Adamas knew well enough that love was the cause of his silence Well Paris said he and smiled Is this all you have to say Paris opened his mouth two or three times but blushed and trembled so as he could not utter a word Well well said Adamas unto him I understand you very well and to put you out of your pain I know that you are in love with Diana but does Diana love Paris Or rather Does not Sylvander possess that place which Paris desires to have This infused so much confidence into Paris that he answered Adamas That he was afraid he had done amiss in suffering his affection unto that Shepherdess to go too far before he made him acquainted with it That having used the habit of a Shepherd and seeing her so oft his love was grown to that height as he was not able to live unless he had such contentment as those who really love do desire and therefore considering that those Shepherds and Shepherdesses were extracted out of as ancient and honourable Families as any was in the Country he thought it would be no disparagement unto his House if he married Diana and that Love did at last force him to acquaint her with his passion And what answer did you receive from her said Adamas That Belinde answered Paris was her mother and had the sole disposition of her Then said Adamas unto him I have long observed that you have loved that Shepherdess and had I disliked that alliance I should have forbidden the Banes before now I do commend your choice for Diana and Astrea are extracted out of the best Families not only of this Country but all Gaul Amasis her self when she knows of it will acknowledge as much Also the Vertue and Modesty of this Shepherdess is such as I shall think him very happy that marries her I mention not her Beauty because that is one of the least considerable qualities in a Wife though she may brag that she is one of the fairest about all Lignon and this Lignon includes all Europe And therefore I do not only give you all the leave you can desire but do counsel and advise you not to lose a minute of time And because I am now going to Bonlieu where Galathea may perhaps stay me a day or two I advise you to go home and make all ready for your journey and when you come to Bonlieu I will have a letter ready for you to carry unto Belinde that she may know who you are and treat you according to your own desires Upon this Paris kissed the hand of Adamas gave him a thousand thanks for this favour and taking leave of him of Daphnide of Alcidon and of all the rest of the Company he took upon the left hand and went unto the house of Adamas full of contentment and joy As soon as dinner was done the Nymph Galathea and Damon departed from Bonlieu to go unto Amasis who being very impatient or rather troubled at the news which she received had sent another Cavalier to haste them away This was a cause why Adamas setting out later then the Shepherds and Shepherdesses he did not find her at the Temple of the good Goddesse as she extreamly desired but he being very diligent to observe her as his Lady and Mistress and knowing she was gone he entreated Daphnide and Alcidon to continue on their journey and he would send Lerindas to acquaint the Nymph who he was confident would stay for them and take them in her Coach These strangers were willing to satisfie his desire and continued on the way and Lerindas at the Druides command ran before In the mean time the Nymph and Damon went on their journey and talked upon several things as well as the way would permit them For Damon would not go in the Coach but armed rid upon an excellent Horse which the Nymph sent him thinking himself in a condition to defend Fair Ladies and therefore that day he wore his Head-piece and his Buckler which at other times his servant was wont to carry Riding on in this manner when they were past the Bridge of Bouteress and entred into a wood through
and which said thus WHen Paris is the Prime of Gaul A Gaulish stranger govern shall Now Merovius and the Franks thought that their Ancestors being Gaules this Oracle was spoken of them and I assure my self that Madam you know how this delectable River of Seine runs round about that City And when the Queen went to walk upon the banks of it all the Ladies and Cavaliers waited upon her and walked also two and two where and how they pleased One evening therefore after supper Methina went to take the Air and Andrimartes taking Silviana under her arm he entertained her as he was wont with his young affections unto which she answered in as innocent Language as infancy it self could imagine As they were wandering amongst the thick of the wood they sate down at the first under an old Willow which grew by the River side but the young Lady not liking to stay too long in a place and being weary with sitting she rose up and went unto a little tree of Osiers and making choise of one whose bark was smooth and tender she had a mind to engrave her name upon it so as taking a Gold Bodkin which she wore in her hair she engraved the Letters of Silviana Andrimartes seeing what she began to do he went upon the other side of the tree and write upon the same stalk as if it were in the very same line these words I Love so as what he writ meeting with what Silviana had written both together made I Love Silviana but she going on his side she could see only what he had written how Andrimartes said she do you Love I beseech you who You may see Madam said he unto her if you will please to read on the Line For my part said she I see nothing but what you have written look a little better Madam said he and you may find that which is engraved upon my heart as well as upon that bark where is the name said she that you speak of Look well said Andrimartes and you will find it not far off I do not understand you answered she for I see nothing but that which you writ what then is this answered Andrimartes and pointed unto what she had engraved That is Silviana answered she Then said Andrimartes joyn what I writ and what you writ together I see replied she that by joyning them together there is I Love Silviana but it was my self that wrote it Most true answered Andrimartes and it is you who has engraven it in my heart Your heart replied she and wondred how could I do that for I never saw your heart I know not Madam how you did it answered he but I am sure that with you Fair Eyes you have done it Fie fie cryed she out I cannot believe it for my eyes cannot engrave or if they could I should surely have seen when they did it had they that quality I should not have used my Bodkin to engrave upon this bark This childish answer did plainly shew Andrimartes how ignorant she was in matters of Love yet for all that he continued on It is no wonder Madam said he that your Fair Eyes cannot engrave your Name upon a bark because it is a thing insensible but said she I have often looked upon the Queens little dogs which she loves so well and can you find one letter of my Name upon them No no replied he they are animals without reason it is only upon the hearts of men and men who are most worthy of that character How said Silviana can I do it and not perceive it I beseech you Madam said Andrimartes do you perceive your self to grow Alas said she I do that naturally and you do naturally replied Andrimartes make wounds in hearts Oh my good God replied she I have heard say that all wounds upon the heart are mortal and if my eyes have wounded yours I shall be the cause of your death and you will have all the reason in the world to hate me T is most certain replied he that all wounds upon the heart are mortal and those which you have given me will cause my death unless you give me a remedy but however I cannot hate you since on the contrary I think that I cannot love you so much as I desire and as you deserve I conceive the best way will be answered the young Silviana that since my eyes do hurt you so much to hide them from you for the future By no means Madam I beseech you answered he unless you would have me die as soon as you begin that mortal remedy for you must know that if any thing under Heaven can save my life it must be by giving me new wounds This remedy said the young Silviana is very strange and least you should dye I will not only do as you say but desire all my companions to do the same in hopes that the multitude of wounds which their eyes do make may ease you in those you receive from me The eyes of your companions answered he can neither hurt nor heal me what difference said she do you find betwixt my eyes and theirs For my part I know not any There is so much replied Andrimartes That I had rather be dead then want the least wound which I have from you and I would accord theirs as much as I can I do not understand said she why you should think so for wounds are wounds from whomsoever they be received There are replied Andrimartes wounds that are honourable and pleasing and others that are ignominious and painful those which I receive from you are of the first sort and those which your companions can give are of the other I cannot imagine answered the young Silviana what the difference should be If there were other Silvianas said Andrimartes as Fair and full of Excellencies as you are and as able by their beauty to make such welcom wounds I should then agree with you that they would be all desirable alike but since that cannot be assure your self Madam I shall think nothing to be a favour or a remedy which comes not from your Fairest self Silviana was very young and yet not so young but hearing Andrimartes speak thus she understood his good will unto her for self love is so natural unto us that nothing does oblige more at what age soever then a good esteem which is held of us and that made him to return this answer the good opinion which you have of me moves you unto this language but believe it Andrimartes you are as much obliged unto it by the good opinion which I have of you Perhaps their discourse had gone farther but for the coming of Childerick who with a great number of young boyes came running and leaping through those woods and parted them for this young Prince carried away Andrimartes almost by force to leap and exercise with his companions as he who excelled them all in agility and nimbleness He left the Fair Silviana
permit that another be taken with more leisure that the Artist may do it better then he could the first but if you deny me this request then I have reason to think that you did it by way of affront and that you scorn a Prince who never adored any but your self The young Silviana fearing the displeasure of her friends was constrained to grant what he desired in such a civil and courteous manner as he could not chuse but be very well contented with this satisfaction Will you permit said the Prince that another Picture may be taken Sir answered she I will permit any thing you please as far as is in me but doubtless the Queen will take it very ill if I should suffer it without her permission or at least without the permission of my governess It is enough said Childerick that I know I have your consent unto what I desire and that you threw the Picture into the fire only because it was ill done And because she seemed to be much troubled at her so much displeasing him last some by-standers should take notice of it he himself confessed that it was indeed so ill drawn that it deserved no less punishment then the fire If this Picture were good for nothing else yet it served this young Prince to make his Love known unto Silviana for this young Lady durst not but receive all that he said with a favourable aspect last otherwise he should complain against her for casting this Picture so hastily in the fire and continuing still his Courtship he omitted no occasion which might testifie the grandeur of his affection to her and because it is extream hard for the violent passion of Love to be confined unto the limits of reason and discretion it so increased that very often transgressing the Laws of modesty it hapned one day hearing her sing that he was so transported with this puissant passion of Love that though it was amongst many Ladies and Cavaliers yet he could not forbear from kissing her per force Silviana having no inclination at all unto Childerick seemed to be extreamly offended with him for this violence and seeing it was done in the face of all the Court she made many great complaints against him and the rather because Andrimartes was present unto whom she would not give the least thought that the Courtship of Childerick was able to alter her from her vowed resolution But the young Prince though he saw her much offended yet he turned all to rallary and laughed it out But yet Silviana would not take the continuation of his Love as in jest and Andrimartes as good a face as he set upon the matter yet was he netled to see his master become his Rival knowing very well that Love and Dominion will not admit of any Companions and therefore he resolved to ask the Queens consent to marry Silviana but because he would not do any thing that might displease Silviana he did communicate this resolution unto her which she approved of very well as well said she to be out of the Tiranny of Childerick as that we may afterwards live together freely without any constraint Andrimartes therefore whose only desire was to be the sole possessor of his Fair and dear Silviana made it his sute unto his Father that he might not longer trifle away his time amongst a company of boys but rather imploy iâ— nobly in the way of Arms under Merovius to the honour of his Family and after their examples especially his own for he was now ashamed to be alwayes amongst none but boyes and women and therefore humbly desired him that he might leave off the name of child and assume the name of a Frank in memory of his predecessors and after his own particular example his humour and his age prompting him thereunto The Father who had a generous soul seeing his Son so inclinable unto Arms was very glad to find this generous disposition in him and promised to give full satisfaction unto his desire and to defer it no longer he acquainted Merovius with it who approving of it made it known unto Childerick and intended to honour him with the order of Knighthood and with all those Ceremonies of girdâ—ng him with a Sword and putting on a Spur in imitation of Arthur King of Great Brittain when he admitted young Cavaliers into the Rank of Knights Childerick who was extreamly in Love with the Fair Silviana was very glad of this honour intended unto Andrimartes in hopes that as soon as he was become a Knight of Arms he would be constrained to go into the Army and leave Silviana solely unto him whose favour he hoped more easily to obtain whâ—n this young man was out of her eye who he saw wished him very well Every thing thus favouring the design of Andrimartes he was dubbed a Knight by the hands of Childerick who had received the same honour a little before from the hand of Merovius When Andrimartes was to be girt with the Sword and demanded what Lady he would make choise of to be his Mistris he kneeled down and beseeched the Fair Silviana to let him make choise of her that he might make it his boast that he received his honours from the Fairest Hand and Fairest Lady that lives Childerick was extreamly surprized at this request and was ready to break out into some violent demonstrations of his displeasure yet the presence of the King his Father restrained him though not from blushing and letting many see how much this Act displeased him and much more was he incensed when he saw in what a joyfull manner this Fair Lady gave consent unto the request which Andrimartes made and express her contentment by her eyes and all her actions But the joyes of this young Knight was unimaginable when thanking her for the favour which he received he protested and vowed to imploy both his sword and his life in her service And she who never offered to hide the good will which she bore unto him knowing that ere long he would ask the Queens consent unto a marriage prayed heartily unto Hesus to make his Sword victorious and said that she would with all her heart do any thing within the compass of her power to testifie the great esteem which she had of his merits But Sir said she I neither will nor can confer this favour upon you without the Queens consent who has the disposition of me Andrimartes thinking that she spoke with much discretion he kneeled down before Methina Madam said he unto her Is it your pleasure I should this day receive the greatest honour that ever I can pretend unto Childerick transported at this beyond all patience interrupted him and said Me thinks Andrimartes that unless you were too impudent you would never offer to make this request unto the Queen and Silviana until you had by some noble action made your self worthy of it Andrimartes who knew very well what it was which made Childerick speak so Sir
said he unto him I must needs confess that I do not deserve this favour and honour but yet I ask it out of a desire I have of doing you some service and I know that when once I am honoured with the Title of Silvianas Knight that glorious name will so invigorate and encourage my spirits as no enterprise can be so difficult but I shall bring it happily to pass This thought answered the angry Prince were good if it were not unjust But it is not reasonable you should assume unto your self a name which cannot be merited but with blood My blood replied the young Cavalier presently shall never be spared in such a cause no more then my life in the service of the King But Sir I find my self much mistaken in my hopes for I thought that in this and upon all other occasions you would have been my Protector and furthered thered me all you could as a Prince unto whom I am devoted both by nature and my own inclination Childerick would have answered and perhaps according to the violence of his passion if Merovius misliking the action of his Son had not interposed and to cover the imprudence of Childerick said thus You had reason Andrimartes to expect all favour from Childerick I know that he intends it and I do command him unto it what he said was only by way of rallary and both he and I will become your Mediators unto the Queen to consent that Silviana may receive you as her Knight for it is but reason so Fair a Lady should have so brave a Cavalier for her Knight The young man all transported with joy offered to kiss the hands of Childerick and the King and though the young Prince did permit him yet it was with such a brow as plainly shewed that he did it only out of respect unto the King and though Methina saw this as well as Merovius yet she commanded Silviana to receive Andrimartes as her Knight since the King did approve of it The young Lady never obeyed any command more willingly then this and did it with a face so full of contentment as every one took special notice of it This did so sting the heart of Childerick that he resolved whatsoever came of it to break off this Love which went so much against his heart And because he knew that he had too much discovered his passion and that the King was not well pleased with it he constrained himself as much as possibly he could to make it believed that what he had done was only out of rallary as Merovius said but there was not one in all the company which did not know the contrary especially Andrimartes who knew very well that it proceeded from his affection unto Silviana and well did plainly foresee many a storm towards from him however come what come could he resolved to continue his Love and because that Honourable Order of Knight-hood which he had taken upon him was an obligation upon him to shake off the drowsie life of being always among women he resolved to quit that idle and effeminate kind of life and to go into the Army as soon as he had obtained Silvianas leave and not to return until some signal act had spoken him meritorious of the Fair Lady She who saw a kind of necessity upon him to take this course and thought that it would much conduce unto that contentment which they both aimed at she consented unto it though with abundance of sorrow to part with him and knowing that it was the Kings custom to incite all Generous young Spirits unto gallant actions and to recompence those that by their valour did signalize themselves in the Army they did both of them overcome themselves and with a River of Tears parted in hope that their absence would bring them to their desired end sooner then their presence To relate all the passages of this sad parting and the demonstrations of good will unto each other is neither pertinent to the story nor indeed possible let it suffice therefore that Silviana expressed her affection as far as her modesty and honour would permit and Andrimartes as became a perfect and noble minded Lover But I conceive it necessary to acquaint you with the sequel of this design when he was in the Army though the day be not long enough to relate the hundred part of his brave deportments for he gave such testimony of his courage and valour that Merovius made choise of him to command that relief which he sent into Belgium against the children of King Clodion Renald and Alberick who being come at full age Alberick being Lord of Cambray and the bordering Countries and Renald Duke of Austrasia and having married Husemide Daughter unto Multiades King of Tongres they contracted a league with the Saxons and with a formidable Army fell into Austrasia so as had not Merovius very prudently sent this relief under the conduct of the valiant Andrimartes certainly their Arms had reached as far as the gates of Paris and perhaps had not only retarded all the conquests of this Valiant King but also had put his very Crown into great hazard But the Valour and Prudence of Andrimartes was such that giving a stop unto the progress of these two brothers he constrained them to keep within the confines of Austrasia until Merovius had quelled those enemies which the Romans had secretly stirred up against him and this piece of service was so great that Merovius did highly acknowledg it and thought no recompence sufficient for such services as he had received from the brave Andrimartes It is a hard matter to express the joys of Silviana when she heard of all the valiant exploits of her beloved Andrimartes whose presence she did infinitely desire that she might rejoyce with him for his happy success and yet she was well contented with his absence since she her self was a sharer in his glory and since it conduced so much unto the advantage of the Crown of the Franks shewing her self by her wise and virtuous moderation to be the Grand-child of Semmon Duke of Gaul Armorique the faithful friend of King Merovius There was not a man who did not love and highly commend the Valiant and Wise Andrimartes and for six years together which he continued in the Army he met not with one accident which did not end in happy success Childerick only excepted who grudged at all his victories though they were all to the advantage of that Crown which he was to inherit after Merovius but his love being above his ambition he disliked all his actions and detracted from his glory as much as possible he could knowing very well that all these applaudes of him would kindle the affection which Silviana bore unto him But at length Andrimartes not being able to live any longer from his adored Lady though he received Letters continually from her he obtained leave from the King to return unto Paris to settle some affaires which he pretended
which I do bear cannot make me believe my self the same you speak of since Fame has no ground of any reports from me but such as I am I will not deny the name of which you have so good an opinion and wish I were able as I am willing to do you any such service as might make you continue here Are you said the stranger the companion of Astrea I am replied Diana Then said the stranger there are no more Dianas in this Country whom I desire to know it is you only and your companion who have filled me so full of curiosity and made me more willingly come into this Country though the Gods did advise me unto it by their Oracle upon this she saluted her with such demonstrations of good will that Diana was obliged unto the like At the same instant Phillis who had been looking for Diana in all places where there was any probability of finding her saw them thus saluting and caressing each other and therefore she made the more haste towards them The stranger seeing her coming and being very desirous to see Astrea she shewed her unto Diana and asked her whether that was her Companion She is my Companion answered Diana but I believe not that Companion whom you desire to see for the name of this is Phillis and though perhaps she must yeild unto the other in point of beauty yet I assure you there is not one in all the Country that exceeds her in discretion and virtue I make no question of it answered the stranger since she is your Companion Indeed she is answered Diana and the dearest Companion that Astrea and I have and such a one as when you know her you will think worthy of Love and esteem Upon this Phillis was come unto them and broke off their discourse and Diana going to her Sister said she unto her make much of this stranger and for my sake Love her since she is come to encrease the number of the Shepherdesses of Lignon Phillis as well to answer the desires of her Companion as in observance to the Laws of the Country she presently advanced towards her and the stranger did the like infinitely satisfied with the kind entertainment of these Shepherdesses whose sweet civility she could not sufficiently admire thinking that they did much surpass all the reports that Fame had trumpetted in their praise But Diana though she made no shew of it yet was her soul full of perplexity by reason of Sylvander and the constraint wherein she was since she met with this stranger seemed intollerable to be endured any longer and therefore she intended as soon as she had learned the cause of her coming into this Country to leave her Sister said she unto Phillis This fair stranger is come into the Country to find a remedy against a displeasure which presseth her and because she merits the service of us all I shall desire her since you are come to acquaint us with the cause of her voyage that we may be better enabled to do her that service which we desire and she deserves Phillis on the contrary who was not willing to lose so much time as to hear this discourse she answered thus I must confess Sister that you have great reason for your desire but me-thinks we should much wrong our companion if we do not answer her expectation of our company and therefore I conceive it best to defer it until such time as Astrea may be present Diana did quickly understand the reason which caused Phillis to say so and approving of it they all went together towards the great Walk into which as soon as they entred they saw Florice Cercenea and Palinice very near them who having long debated upon the subject which Phillis overheard they came thither to pass away their time till the rest of the Shepherds and Shepherdesses assembled according to their Custome When the stranger first saw them she knew them not nor ever imagined that they were in this Country also their habits of Shepherdesses did so disguise them that she might very well mistake them and when they came nearer she knew them by their voices and not by their visages I am either extreamly deceived said she in a great amazement or else I do see my dear friends Florice then and her two companions looking upon her and hearing her speak they knew her they went unto her and embraced her with such extream joy as made it manifest that people love one another better when they meet in a strange Country then when they are together in their own For they had not so much patience as to embrace her one after another but fell upon her all at once one kissed her lips another her cheek and a third grasped her hand with such demonstrations of good will as perhaps never passed amongst them when they met upon the Banks of Arar Phillis who saw all these great caresses and was half weary of this company Sister said she unto Diana in a low voice had we not best leave this stranger amongst her acquaintance For I am afraid Astrea will not like we should carry her unto her before we have given her notice as well in respect of Alexis as because you know she will be in the habit of the Druide Sister answered Diana I am of your opinion and am very glad that these other strangers come in to relieve us for otherwise I know not how we should have been rid of her Whilst they were thus talking Florice and her companions could not sufficiently satisfie themselves with caressing their companion and had not ceased so soon but for Phillis who addressing her self unto them Fair Shepherdesses said she unto them since my companion and I do see there is so much intimacy and affection amongst you we will not be any cause of separating you and therefore since we must needs go and wait upon the Druide who as you know stays at the house of Astrea for the love of us we cannot leave this fair stranger in better company then she has met withal And therefore said she unto the stranger I beseech you give us leave to pay our duties and we promise that ere it be long we will wait upon you unto Astrea Fair and wise Shepherdesses said she since it is your pleasure I should stay with my dear friends whom I have met withal I will willingly do so but upon condition you will be as good as you promise in making me known unto the Fair Astrea and in the mean time assure her that you have met with one who with all her soul desires the happinesses of her Love All this answered Diana we do faithfully promise and more we promise to do any thing else which may conduce unto your real service In the mean time Phillis thought it expedient to engage Florice Cercinea and Palinice lest their impatience should make them depart the Country too soon and therefore when she saw that Diana had taken her
quite contrary unto what you call fair All this were right replied Corilas and smiled if the beauty of a Woman and the beauty of a Dog were all one and the same thing Nay nay said Hylas this excuse will not pass and if thou wert but as learned as thy master Sylvander I would ask thee questions concerning Ideas of Beauty But thou my Friend who art not so high a Flyer I must deal with thee by demonstrations more easie and sensible Thou thinkest that thou hast given me a sufficient answer in saying That the beauty of a Woman and the beauty of a Dog are not the same But what wilt thou alledge when I shew thee that the beauty of Women has a contrary estimation The Gauls esteem white to be Beauty the Moors esteem Black to be the same The Transalpines loves those that are high coloured almost red they esteem great and fat women to be the prime Beauties the Gauls are for the slender and lean The Greeks admire the Black eye the Gauls the Grey All Europe esteem a little mouth red lips and an even proportioned nose The Affricans quite contrary a wide mouth flapping lips and a large saddle nose Now my good friend prithee tell me wherein does Beauty consist If thou dost deny it to be in the opinion of him that looks upon it tell me no more that Alexis is fairer then Stella since thou judgest by the Genius and Rules of thy Country and I by mine which is Camargue for I will tell thee that according to the Rules of that place where I was born there is none so fair as she who pleaseth Every one did laugh so much at the discourse of the Inconstant Hylas that Corilas could not answer him and just as he began they heard a Shepherd begin to sing who by his voice was known to be Sylvander All the company did presently turn their eyes upon Hylas as if they did advertize him that now he was like to have a more powerful enemy Stella who took notice of it Servant said she all the company looks upon you to see whether you begin to look pale at the encounter of this fierce Champion I amongst the rest do expect to see what defence you will make of my Beauty for I should be very glad for your own honours sake if you can with honour bring about the enterprize Not that I care for my own Interest at all for I do know very well that if Beauty do consist in opinion there is not a Shepherdess in the world who has more of it then I have Mistris answered he let this Giant come when he will I value him not it is not the first time we have grapled together Then said Corilas I am confident the victories were never doubtful No more then those I obtained over you answered Hylas I should confesâ— answered Corilas if you could perswade me that Stella is fairer then Alexis you have gotten a most signal victory of me It is very hard replied Hylas to perswade a man that is wilful but I am contented that all who hear us do judge me to be in the right If they do replied Corilas it may be said that Right is without Reason In the mean time Sylvander came unto them with a countenance of contentment more then he had cause for For Diana who was not able to dissemble her anger and left her countenance should discover it more then she was willing she went unto Phillis and whispered in her ear I beseech you Sister said she do not follow me for I am constrained to go unto Astrea upon a business which I forgot and I would not by any means draw you from this good company I will do whatsoever you command me answered Phillis but I shall be very glad to go with you Do what you please said Diana but if you do come let it be a little after me Upon this she went away four or five paces and then as if she had remembred somthing which she had once forgotten she turned hastily back to Phillis and said unto her in a low voice Be sure Sister you remember the Bracelet of my Hair for I desire you by all means to get it from him and afterwards I shall be extreamly desirous to hear what discourse you have had with this Lover of Madonthe Sister answered Phillis you believe upon too light grounds but if you will I shall speak unto Sylvander and give you an accompt of his answer His answer said Diana No Sister I desire it not nor any thing else from him but that unfortunate Bracelet which he had of mine But if you will take so much pains as to observe his countenance and gesture when you ask it of him you will do me a pleasure if you relate it unto me I know your mind answered Phillis and smiled and therefore trouble your self no further but commit the care of it to me Upon this Diana went away as fast as she could go and durst hardly look back lest she should give some suspition of the passion which she desired to conceal On the other side Alexis and Astrea who were separated from the company purposely to enjoy themselves in freedom of discourse they were no sooner alone but Astrea with contentment began thus I cannot tell Mistris what will be the end of my Enterprize nor how the Destinies will dispose of me but this beginning is so infinitely pleasing unto me that nothing can be added unto my desires for I am able to say that hopes never durst promise unto themselves so much as the kindness of my sweet Mistris hath granted unto me Servant said Alexis such is your merit that you may well assure your self of all the favours you can desire from me But if you will oblige me consider I beseech you how favourable the Heavens are to me in meeting with you For having such a bitter remembrance of the change in that woman whom I loved so well and yet do love her that bitter memory of her is driven from my heart by the sweetness which I find in your amity making it appear that the best remedy against a misery is alwaies the contrary Give me leave sweet Mistris replied Astrea with a little smile to tell you that by these extream favours which you do me you do make me jealous Is it replied Alexis because I say that I do love this Maid still of whose change I complain so much Have I not a little reason for it said Astrea Servant said Alexis You have no reason for it for I love you as my Servant and her as my Mistris This answered Astrea does not remove my jealousie but rather much more augment it because the love which one bears unto a Mistris does much surpass the good will which one bears unto a Servant Well Servant said Alexis to let you see that I will conform my self unto any thing you would have me I will take this course To cease loving this
what I shall say will do it For when I assure my Mistris that the alteration which she observes in your face proceeds only from your meeting with Sylvander do I tell any thing but what is truth Why should she change her countenance said Alexis at the seeing of one whom she so much loves and honours Mistris said Astrea I beseech you do but look upon her and you shall see her face answer for me Diana then held her hands before her eyes and turning her head the other way she held it so a long while and would not be seen But at last considering that her companion would certainly tell what she desired to conceal she thought it better to tell it her self then suffer another to do it Madam said she and smiled What Astrea tells you is a meer Imagination but since you have such a desire to know I had rather tell it my self then suffer her and when I have told you then judge what probabilities there is in the matter You know Madam that according to the Wager that was betwixt Phillis and Sylvander this Shepherd seemed long as if he had really loved me and since we have discovered that he is extreamly in love with Madonthe Who is that Madonthe asked Alexis A stranger answered Astrea who was here a while amongst us and one whom Diana has an opinion that Sylvander is in love withal An opinion replied Diana Why Sister do you not positively say she is one whom Sylvander loves as much as he can love for you know it to be true Did I know it answered Astrea I would say as you do but I swear that I think all he does is only out of civility Civility cryed out Diana Do you call it Civility to cry to pray to beg to importune and to kneel at the feet of Madonthe to get leave that he may follow her If this be civility then I do not know what is Love Sister said Astrea you believe all that Laonice tells you and I would have you suspend your Belief until the Shepherd return that you may have the truth from his own mouth Fie fie Friend replied Diana I wonder you should speak thus Would you have me look for any truth from the mouth of a Man a man in Love Or to speak all in one word from a Sylvander from him that thinks he can by the volubility of wit and tongue blind the eyes of our mind as Juglers do the eyes of our Body No no there is no credit to be given unto any thing he says Why should you think said Alexis that Sylvander loves any but your self I never thought he loved me answered Diana nor ever had any intention to suffer him Surely said Astrea you had an opinion once that he did love you but if he did not why should he take so much pains about you as he did To pass away his time answered Diana or because he had nothing else to do Do you think said Astrea that so fine a Wit as Sylvanders can find it self nothing to do but to trifle away his time about one whom he loves not You may remember Sister if you please how that Shepherd lived before he cast any amorous eye upon you and compare that time with the time of his love unto you and consider what a difference there was which of your commands nay the least shaddow of your will did he not observe as a Law inviolable To be brief Sister Tell me what greater reverence he could render unto any Grandee upon earth nay unto the Gods themselves then he hath alwaies done unto you And whether there be not certain symptomes signs and consequents of a real love let any hearer judge Sister answered Diana since you speak so highly in behalf of Sylvander I believe you think as you say But I who never saw nor will see any such matters I will believe the reports of Laonice and if those signs which you have observed in him be any testimonies of Love they may be of his love to Madonthe No replied Astrea for I have heard him in my presence say a hundred and an hundred times that it is you and you only whom he loves It is the common quality of men answered Diana thus to delude those silly women who hear them and do you not think he has said as much in private unto his dear Madonthe But if I be not much deceived he never said as much to me nor ever shall I perceive said Alexis you are apt to believe all that is said against Sylvander as confidently as if you had seen it your self I believe it Madam answered Diana because it is true But I am contented to forgive him with all my heart and will believe all that Laonice has told me Me thinks said Alexis you are over-apt and too partial to believe the reports of that woman you ought to suspend your belief and judgement till you hear him answer for himself Ah Madam said Diana I assure you that I care so little either for his love or hate as I would not have one word more spent about the matter For do you think to draw truth from a false and dissembling tongue For my part said Astrea I cannot believe him in any fault But if he be in fault his fault is his love unto Madonthe now when she is gone his fault will appear and if he be in no fault then he will continue his addresses still unto you I do not think said Diana that he will continue them But if he do continue them said Astrea what will you say then I will say answered Diana that he will be ashamed to shew his Inconstancy If he was ashamed of that replied Astrea he would not have so freely discovered it before all those who saw him take his leave of Madonthe Perhaps answered Diana he was not so absolute a master of himself but he was surprized with this sudden and unexpected departure so as though he be his Arts master in matter of lying yet he could not chuse but upon such a surprize discover the truth But Sister why should we spend so much time about a thing which is not worth it Let us leave Sylvander to his beloved Madonthe and have no more memory of him then he has of us for I believe his soul is capable of no thought but his sorrows at this sad separation Whilst these Shepherdesses were thus discoursing presently after Dianas departure from Phillis Sylvander came to the place from which Diana went and he had hardly saluted all the company before Hylas accosted him Will you say Sylvander said he unto him that Diana is Fairer then Stella Will you deny Hylas said Sylvander that the Sun is cleerer then Darkness All the Company began to laugh at the answer of Sylvander and the question of Hylas but Hylas without being at all daunted I will maintain said he that Stella does not only equal but much excel the beauty of Diana I do not
were true that I were in love with Madonthe and had taken upon me that office which Paris gave me to acquaint her and Thersander with the coming of this stranger If I say I was so greedy and affectionate to take it upon me can you think my violent love would have let me stay so long before I acquainted her Yet if Diana please she may remember I received this Commission the same day that we went unto Adamas and I did not acquaint them before yesterday Believe it Shepherdess those that are enflamed with Love are seldom so slow in rendring such services or to say better in forgetting them as I did for I swear that I never thought upon it till I saw them and had I not seen them I think I should have never remembred it But I beseech you consider that if I were so far in love with this woman as you seem by your discourse to believe why should I not follow her whithersoever she went What consideration should stay me in this Country unless my love to Diana I know no occasions I have else in it more then any where else My miserable Fortune is such that I have neither Parents or Estate to stay me nor do I get any thing here more then my industry would get me in any other place If then I do not leave this Country to follow Madonthe me-thinks it should be a stronger argument unto my Mistris and you that I do not love Madonthe and that nothing stays me here but the love of Diana But I beseech you Phillis Did you not see that I did not love her before our Wager I know you will confess you never saw the least inclination in me that way I must confess that naturally I am not prone unto that passion But then the conversation which I have had with Diana has forced me to serve her she has ravished my heart I cannot tell what you have thought of me since I have had the honour to live amongst you yet I think you have had a good opinion of me and thought me not without some Wit and Judgement till this action whereof I am accused and which is a disaster so fatal that I cannot tell whether the poor Adrastes had a greater What a gross defect in Wit and Judgement were it to chuse Madonthe and reject Diana Diana the fairest the wisest and the most accomplished woman in the whole Universe and Madonthe who only merits to be esteemed in her resemblance of Diana though in an inferiour degree of perfection Moreover were it not madness in the highest degree if I knowing that Madonthe does love a Cavalier and wanders in quest of him if I should pretend to divert her These considerations are so strong that when I reflect upon them I cannot chuse but admire at the opinion which you have conceived of me and fear that heaven which from my birth hath condemned me unto so many misfortunes will have the end of my life like the beginning The Shepherd had many other arguments and was full of such discourse as this unto which Phillis and Diana did hearken with much attention for though the opinion of Diana was extreamly prejudicated yet being rational these last considerations did work upon her heart and made her think there was some truth in them moreover commendations which are given without suspition of flattery do get more favour then such as are given in presence so that this discreet Shepherdess began to relent and champ upon the reasons which Sylvander urged yet her haughty spirit would hardly permit her to clear him absolutely but put the question whether Laonice or he said truly And that she had learned enough for that time also fearing she should be perceived either by that Shepherd or Phillis she stole away as softly as she could and went to seek Alexis and Astrea Phillis also at the same time thinking the Shepherd to be well recovered and that her stay any longer at that time would do him no good Well Shepherd said she unto him I am very glad to hear as much as you have told me Comfort your self and believe that your discourse shall not be unprofitable to you for indeed when I consider your reasons I believe you to be wrongfully accused and I promise you I will not be mute unto Diana but hope that ere long you shall find the effects of my solicitation in the interim do what is fit to be done on your part and continue loving that Shepherdess who cannot possibly be excelled in Beauty and merit by any nor equalled but by very few Upon this Phillis left him and stayed not to hear the thanks which he would have given her for her kind promises nor the protestations of inviolable and eternal affection which he would ever have unto Diana what treatment soever he had from her But when he was alone and none to divert him then did his displeasures present themselves before his eyes And though the assurances which he received from that Druide which was unknown unto him and the promises which Phillis made did give him some hopes yet the consideration of those misfortunes which besel him even from his cradle did put him out of all hopes for against them the arms of prudence reason were almost of no validity Being thus pressed with extream sorrows he walked gently towards the River Lignon and sate himself down upon the Bankâ— Then there was not a sillable of that cruel message which Phillis brought him from Diana but the solitude of that place did freshly bring into his memory and he lamented the crossness of his sullen fate in a thousand various expressions He had continued longer in this lamenting vein had not Florice Cercinea and Palinice with that stranger their companion who were retiring homewards heard him Cercinea knew his voice and because the stranger was desirous to know how they should pass away the rest of the day Cercinea said unto her that if they were in the company of that Shepherd whom they heard talking it would be impossible to think the time tedious or ill spent and I am confident said she when you see him you will say as much as I. But tell me I beseech you said she if he be a man how will it please Dorinde who says that if she were one she should not abide her self I do believe said Cercinea and I dare venture a wager that when you have seen Sylvander if you do continue your hatred of men yet at the least you will say that Shepherd is not a man What should he be then asked she Somthing more answered Cercinea and the tryal will but cost you the time that you shall employ in seeing him He must indeed be more then a man said Dorinde if he force such a confession from my mouth For if a God be it spoken without blasphemy should assume the shape of a man he would grow near to become ungrateful and a Traytor and I could
not chuse but hate him It seems said Florice that you have a very bad opinion of men Yes replied Dorinde and worse then my words can express for I do believe that there is none no not one single one that can love You will alter your opinion said Palinice when you see Sylvander with Diana I cannot tell what I may do answered Dorinde but I never yet met with any woman who trusted in them that was not deceived When you understand replied Florice how some do drown themselves some banish themselves and others kill themselves by reason of too much passion you will be very hard of Belief if you do not confess that there are men in this Country that can and do love Those resolutions of which you speak said Dorinde are indeed very high but anger may produce them as well as love and who knows but that they were transported with that Passion for believe it Ladies Men are of a very bad Nature they do all by contraries they are a kind of Beasts which never do any good but when they think to do ill Thus as these Shepherdesses disputed they came to the place where Sylvander was whom they found so plunged in his own sad thoughts that for all the noise which they made he never heard them he lay all along his head leaning upon his hand his eyes up to Heaven and upon either cheek a river of tears Dorinde after she had looked upon him in this condition Is this the Shepherd said she in a low voice that never deceived any who trusted in him Why do you ask this question answered Palinice because replied Dorinde if he never did deceive any he weeps because he never did and if he has deceived any he weeps because he has deceived no more This Shepherd said Cercinea has a better reputation then so and is held for a very good man This reputation answered Dorinde is the stalking horse by which men come to deceive us But dear friends observe how a glass shews those things which are on the right side to be of the glass in its left side the best remedy is to do so with them take all that they do or say by contraries and as for the tears of this Shepherd assure your selves my Companions they are but the tears of a Crocadile he can cry and feign till he has gotten one into a belief of him and then he will deceive Nature to our misery has given them power to cry or laugh when they please so it be but to deceive a poor woman that puts her trust in them they are of a most depraved nature and are like unto hunters who make it their delight in taking abundance of paines to catch a poor silly harmlesse Woman that flyes before them The earnestness wherewith Dorinde spoke made her raise her voice so high before she was aware that Sylvander heard her and turning her face towards them he was ashamed they should so surprise him in that condition for such was his warie discretion that he had rather have dyed then give them any knowledg of that real affection which he bare unto Diana therefore to remove all such suspitions he enforced himself to shew them a more contented face then his heart was so as drying his eyes as well as he could and seeming to be doing something else Oh Fair Shepherdesses said he unto them how much am I obliged unto you for diverting me From a melancholy mood There is none of us answered Florice who are not very glad to pleasure Sylvander in any thing and thinks not our walk well imployed since we have met which such a courteous Shepherd and the rather added Cercinea because at the first we were afraid lest we should be a disturbance unto you Oh never answered Sylvander it is impossible but the presence of such Fair and Lovely Shepherdesses should bring me all manner of happiness and contentment The posture in which we found you replied Palinice made us doubt it for every thing will trouble us when we are troubled our self Sylvander now conceived that they saw those tears which he would have concealed and to drive them from any opinion that they proceeded from any Love It is very hard Wise Shepherdesses said he unto them to keep dry eyes when the soul is pressed with any tormenting thoughts for to consider that I know neither who was my Father nor Mother no nor the ground upon which I first breathed nor to have any estate or fortune or any hopes but in my own industry are not these thoughts enough to draw tears from the heart of him who is in that miserable condition Did I not say replied Dorinde that they were not tears of Love Though all my Companions would needs perswade me to the contrary Sylvander then looking upon her and not knowing her but seeing her to be very Fair and Lovely Why Fair stranger said he unto her can you discern tears of Love from others Before you ask that question answered Dorinde you should tell me whether there be any such things as tears of Love Nay rather replied the Shepherd whether there be any else but tears of Love Why said Dorinde do you think one never cryes but for Love I do not only think it said Sylvander but I am sure you will confess it when I have made you understand it That said she can never be at the least I am sure that if one never cry but for Love Dorinde never cryed your beauty and your age answered the Shepherd will hardly excuse you from paying that tribute unless Love be contented which make those only cry who do Love you If some must cry replied she I had rather the lot should fall upon any other then my self yet to return unto what we spoke of before be assured Sylvander that if none ever cryed but for Love then never any man cryed for never any man neither did nor will or can Love This opinion replied Sylvander is much worse then the first and if you please to give me leave it shall be the first that I will make cleer unto you I am afraid answered Dorinde you will but lose your labour because I have had most certain experience of what I say against which no reasons nor arguments be they never so well framed can prevail or work any effect upon me But perhaps answered Sylvander when we haâ—â— examined your reasons and experiences by a true touch-stone you may be convinced of your errour Upon which she was so prepossessed with this opinion that she would needs turn the discourse upon some other subject but her Companions did almost force her to hear what Sylvander would say and then the Shepherd began thus Amongst all the Doctors in the Massilian Schools I learned this lesson never to dispute with those that will deny Principles Tell me therefore Fair Shepherdess whither you do believe that there is any such thing in the world as is called Love I do believe
answered she that there is such a passion which is called by that name and which men are not capable of We will not meddle with that yet said Sylvander but I am contented that you do confess there is such a passion which is called Love Then tel me I beseech you what do you think this Love is It is said she a certain desire to possess that thing which one judges good and beautifull There is not a Druide in all Gaul replied Sylvander who could have given a better answer then this Fair Shepherdess But continued he and turned towards her is there not in the world some Animals that have reason and some that have none I have heard say answered Dorinde that there are such And in which of these two ranks replied Sylvander will you place man You put me to it said she and smiled for I cannot deny but that they are rational in some things and not in others and most commonly without any reason at all Yet is it not true added Sylvander that men do always seek after their delights and contentments Of this answered Dorinde there is no doubt for there is not one of them but will lose the best of their friends rather then the least of their delights I am satisfied replied Sylvander then that you confesse there is a Love that this Love is a desire of that which one thinks good or beautifull and that men are very earnest to accomplish their desires Now it will be an easie matter to prove unto you that men do not only Love but also that they do Love better then women If what I have said answered Dorinde presently will help you to prove what you say I will unsay it again and I had rather be reproached with it then such a false conclusion and consequence should be drawn from any thing which came from me All the company began to laugh at this answer and desired Sylvander to continue on which he did in this manner There needs not many words Fair Shepherdess to decide the business for it must of necessity be concluded that since men have such violent desires of their contentment and the will having nothing but a good for its object or at the least esteemed so it follows by consequence that Love being nothing but a desire as you have confessed he does Love most who has most objects of good before his eyes and the woman being much fairer and fuller of goodness then man who can deny but that a man Loves better then a woman who has not so worthy a subject to imploy her desires upon I do confess all said Dorinde until you come unto the conclusion which you infer you cannot replied Sylvander unless you take away that advantage which women have above men and therefore it is better for you to confess that there is none in all the world that knows how to Love so well as man yet if it happen that any judg the contrary it is not that the truth is so but is like a streight staff which being put into the water will seem crooked and all that we see through a glass seems to be of the same colour that the glass is for the Meduim by which the sight is conveyed does represent it false to the eye Even so it comes to pass that the actions of a Lover are seen and judged otherwise then indeed they are and all by reason of some defect in the Medium through which they are seen But the truth is every man does Love and this assertion is so true as one may boldly say that all those who Love not are not men for there was never any man that did not Love Though Sylvander was in no fit humour for any such discourse yet he could not but smile when Dorinde answered and when he began to offer other more solid reasons he was prevented by the coming of a great company of Shepherds and Shepherdesses who where all returning to their several homes as well to dine as to pass away some hot hours of the day in the cool shade and therefore he desired those Fair Shepherdesses to give him leave to retire himself for that time They who were very desirous to hear him talk and had a desire also to rest themselves especially Dorinde they invited him to their Cabin but he excused himself upon a promise that when they pleased at any other time he would better explain himself upon this subject Upon this leaving them Dorinde after she had considered well of him I must needs confess said she that if all the men of this Country were like unto Sylvander when I speak of my hatred unto all men in general I must except those who live about Lignon In the mean time this great company â—rew neer and these four strangers having no mind to engage with them they retired themselves to their Cabins so likewise Sylvander who desiring to shun all company he was no sooner out of sight but he sate himself down under the first hedg he came to entertained himself with his own new thoughts But his good Genius who had the care of his conduct being not willing he should gangrene his wounds too much by being alone did conduct all this great company which he desired to shun unto the very same place where he was and so opportunely that when he began his complaints he was prevented by their coming and some of them knowing him by sight did stay all the rest to ask him whether he knew where the great Druide was or else where he was that used to judg causes in his absence The great Druide Adamas answered Sylvander is perhaps at his house which is a remote distance from hence on the other side of the River Lignon upon a little hill which you may see on your right hand as you go to the great City of Marselles but the Druide Cloridamantes is not far from hence dwelling at an ancient Pallace which is called Julius after the name of him who conquered Gaul Then all the company entreated him to conduct them thither to the end they might have more speedy justice upon an injury which had been done unto all the Shepherdesses of Lignon and by one whom they had brought along with them Sylvander hearing this and casting his eyes upon the Shepherdess that had been wronged also being much moved as well by her beauty and modesty as by the general offence he thought himself obliged to conduct them although he had a great desire of staying alone to complain against his misery and disaster He quitted therefore his shady bush and went before them to shew the way having an opinion that if he did otherwise the Gods perhaps would punish him for the offence which others had committed since they had directed this company unto him All the way as they went this great company observed a very wary and strict silence which was no small contentment unto Sylvander for by that means he could both
affection towards me so as I hope that when he remembers how he himself has heretofore passed through the same difficulties he will consider mine and as for you Father who shews so much good will in your sapient admonitions I do beseech and conjure you to assist me with all your aide and power Aglantes answered the good old man it is true I love you and knowing how hard a thing it is for a young heart to be rid of that passion which you resent I wish you were free from it that you might avoid those evils which may fall upon you and which I see almost inevitable but since you are resolved hearken unto the counsel that I will give Does she whom you court deserve to be your wife I know your passion will make you tell me wonders of her merit but for this time setting aside all partiality answer me if you can like a judicious man and ingeniously tell me who she is that I may out of my Love to Arion to you and your Family give you such sound counsel as may be good for you Aglantes knowing this old man to be a lover of him and all his Family did name Silvanire The good man hearing her named answered thus I must confess Aglantes that if you have committed a fault in Loving you are to be pardoned and your crime is commendable I would yet farther know whether you ever did let that Fair one know that you Love her I have spent all my time hitherto in serving her answered he and to my misery when she was not in an age to know Love she seemed as if she did know it and Love me but since she came to be of age she seems absolutely insensible Perhaps said the prudent old man she does it to try your constancy Four years answered Aglantes is too long for a tryal Does she not Love some other asked the old man The question may better be asked said Aglantes whether ever she turn her eyes upon her self Did you ever give her any cause asked the Pastor to alter her good will unto you Never that I know of answered Aglantes Then said the old man believe it from me and assure your self that you will not repent it she Loves you and to dissemble it according to the humour of most women lest other should see it she will not make it appear unto you I assure you said Aglantes that I cannot accuse her of dissembling it for she treats all others as she does me and behaves her self towards all alike So much the better answered the old man for were she engaged unto any other you would find much more difficulty in your enterprise but she does dissemble it to make you the more affectionate knowing that things most hardly obtained are most desired Oh Father said Aglantes and interrupted I fear that in this you are mistaken for she cannot wish me more affectionate then she knew I was Then said the old man it is because her Father has commanded her so to do and she being wise and virtuous will not disobey him but be her reason what it will I would advise you to make a shew as if you Loved some other for by that you will know what her design is she is extream crafty if she dissemble it then and to tell you truly women are somtimes tyred with being too much loved as you see there is none but loves light but too much light dazles and we are oft forced to put our hands before our eyes to ease them I do believe said Aglantes that this stratagem might be good in them that can act it but I must confess it is impossible for me to do it I should be ashamed that any should think me of so little judgment or that Silvanire should any way suspect my fidelity Oh young man said the old one and smiled you are a very novice in the mistery of Love the shame or the glory of him that attempts any thing is to effect it or not effect it and if a Lover can make himself loved that is all he desires or aims at For my part said Aglantes my design is to Love her and said the old man interrupting him to be beloved To be beloved replied Aglantes is above all my hopes Then Shepherd said the Pastor if you cannot seem to Love another I would advise you however to let it be reported so for you must know that these young women though they shew the contrary are not always affectionate when they smile upon those that court them but it is more out of vanity that it may be said their beauty has gotten such a number of servants and somtimes out of envie at their companions but be it what it will it is still very good for him that Loves to put them into some doubts and if you be not so hardy as to undertake this enterprise leave the paine of it unto me and I will effect it for you it will be sufficient for your discharge that when it is a fit time to make known your real affection to say that you are not accessary unto the stratagem The wise old man made it presently be rumoured abroad that Aglantes was changed in his affection and every one was apt to believe it because Silvanire was so cold towards Aglantes But though Silina a Fair and Virtuous Shepherdess and Daughter to this old Pastor was reported to be his Mistris and that the marriage was ready to be solemnized yet Silvanire would never believe it 'T is true it did a little trouble her but not so much as to make her alter her behaviour towards Aglantes for Menander her Father had a design to marry her unto Theaner one of the richest Shepherds in all our Village and though she did scarse know him whom they would have her to marry yet was she resolved to follow the will of Menander One day I chanced to surprise her as she was saying aloud unto her self that he could not change though he faigned the contrary Silvanire was a little astonished to see her self surprised as she was saying so but seeming as if what she had said was not any thing that concerned her but only a part of some song which she had heard some other sing she continued talking upon several other subjects but as cunning as she was I suspected that she was troubled at the report of the marriage of Aglantes And by fortune as if that Shepherd came purposely to answer for his own innocency we saw him afar off coming with a sheep before him as soon as Silvanire saw him she knew the Sheep Yonder said she is the man that is to be married who it seems thinks very little upon it for yonder sheep which you see is the same which I lost this morning It will be very hard for him answered I not to have Silvanire alwaies in his memory But continued I what do you conceive of that marriage You must ask him that question
Alciron who could not endure to see his friend in such torment had not interrupted him with intentions to give some comfort The Gods Tirintes said he unto him do know our weakness and imperfections and out of their infinite goodness will excuse and pardon them But they will not endure the crime of those who will make them guilty of their own errors Therefore dear friend Do not by any such blasphemies provoke their just anger against thee Oh my dear friend replied Tirintes with a deep sigh since they do know our imbecilities and imperfections and will pardon them doubtless they will not impute that crime for which you reprehend me for it is weakness only which makes me commit it protesting that my intention was not to transgress their commandment but when I could not obey them And to make it appear that it is so good Alciron tell me who is he that can love such a most amiable piece less then I do And in loving her so passionately who can blaspheme less then I if it be blasphemy to say that I cannot chuse but love her Oh Tirintes replied Alciron Do not flatter thy self in thine own fault for this passion which you say is so potent in thee is indeed only thy own Will which if thou wouldest surmount thou hast power enough to do it I do confess said Tirintes coldly that it does depend upon my own will But do you not see that I cannot will any thing but what she please So then it seems said Alciron you will cease to be a man that you may become a Lover If being a man said Tirintes be not to love Silvanire I neither am nor will be a man Not to make use of Reason replied Alciron is not to be a man and can there be any thing more unreasonable then to cease loving ones self to love another Is not self preservation the great and principal law of Nature Oh dear friend said Tirintes let me not see the greatness of my wound I hope it is not incurable but you take the course to make it more desperate But the stone is thrown it is resolved upon that I will die in loving Silvanire and be assured that I wish for nothing now but to end this life quickly for here I hope for no mitigation of my pain And I conjure you Alciron to promise that when I am dead you write this Epitaph upon my Tomb Here lies he that was murdred by the Fairest Eyes under Heaven I hope that one day this cruel Fair One will in these few words read my affection and her own cruelty and the Gods to my satisfaction move her unto some repentance Oh how happy should I be if in the other life I hear one say that her Fair Eyes was once wet or that one single tear did trickle down her Fair Cheek Fie fie Tirintes said Alciron why this talk of death and Tombs Love is the God of life and nothing can ruine his empire but death Live live man though it were for nothing but to preserve a faithful Lover for this Silvanire whom you Love so well and for my part I will promise you that if you will follow my directions and do as I bid you I will quickly give this Fair One unto you Oh Alciron said Tirintes impossible promises never oblige those unto whom they are made this which I do promise replied Alciron is no impossibility provided you will but do as I say then he continued thus Tirintes said he I desire as much as I do my own life to see you rid of this tormenting passion but since I see all perswasions are in vain I promise to give you this woman in a very short time she shall be so much your own that it shall be long only of your self it you do not dispose of her according to your own will do not think it a thing impossible for you shall presently find it effected and confess that I never promised but I performed In order to this within a few days after he came unto him again and brought him a Mirrour in which he forbad him to look and assured him that if by any artifice he could so contrive it as Silvanire might cast her eye upon it certainly she were his own How said Tirintes is it an enchantment No answered Alciron but it is a natural power which is in this glass and what effects will it cause asked Tirintes Nay nay said Alciron be not too inquisitive be contented she shall be yours And what said Tirintes will she Love me Still too much curiosity answered Alciron can you not be contented that she shall be yours But Tirintes take special heed that neither you nor any other whomsoever look into it for the consequence will be very bad and if you should before you are aware cast your eye upon it come presently unto me that I may remedy the fault which you shall commit Tirintes took this Mirrour with much contentment and thanks and to lose no time went presently unto Silvanire unto whom he presented the glass with many supplications she would be pleased to take it And because she made some question whether she should receive it from him as thinking it not handsome for any maid to take any thing from a young Shepherd without the knowledg of her Parents he pressed her with so many humble entreaties and arguments of perswasion that at last she would give him that satisfaction but upon condition that she would keep it no longer then she pleased So after she had looked in it and much commended it she gave it him presently back he who saw his design was attained he pressed her no farther but was well satisfied that he had done as Alciron appointed him but his contentment lasted but a while for presently after Silvanire was taken with such a giddiness in her head and such a drowsiness that she fell a sleep and they could not awake her she was troubled above three hours in this manner and none knew her disease The noise presently ran about the Town that this Fair One was poisoned and no hopes of life left in her you may imagine that Aglantes and Tirintes did run with sad hearts to see what the matter was but as soon as Tirintes saw her in that condition he knew it to be an effect of the Mirrour which made him so extreamly angry against Alciron that had he met him doubtless he had dyed for it This villain said he to himself designed her death to deliver me from the affection which I bare unto her but cruel wretch that he is he never considered that my life depended upon hers and that when she dies it is impossible for me to live O thou most inhumane Tiger Couldst thou find a heart to hurt this Fair One Who never thought thee the least hurt Certainly the blackest fiend in Hell was thy Nurse and gave thee suck but Barbarian thou shalt receive a death by no other hand but my own
he offered to continue his discourse telling them that the case was well enough understood and therefore there needed no more time to be spent At the same instant Theantes desired audience and in a loud voice said Oh wise Cloridamantes there is no greater folly under the Sun then to love without any hopes of ever being loved again and marriage is a most miserable torment when it is not tyed with mutual and reciprocal knots and therefore I conclude and declare that Silvanire may marry but never Theantes Upon this he made an humble reverence to the Druide and the Assembly and went his way Cloridamantes then rose up to ask the opinion of other Druids and to give judgement upon the case But Tirintes who could not with any patience endure to hear that Silvanire should be given unto any other he said with a raging voice and incensed eye Who is he that does accuse me and why am I kept here a prisoner Fossinde then began to speak Wicked Shepherd said she unto him Dare you be so impudent as to ask why you are kept here or who will accuse you Does not your own conscience tell you that never was a greater malefactor brought before the Tribunal of any Justice Does not every thing every circumstance accuse you of Treason and Infidelity The Heavens that see you the Earth that bears you Trees Men Gods and all things oh perfidious and miserable Shepherd do accuse you and call for vengeance upon your crime Every one wondered to hear Fossinde give such tart language for there was very few in the whole assembly who did not know that she loved Tirintes and though unfruitfully yet had done long so as to see her now thus exasperated against him it seemed much against the stream of her long continued custome and it was strange that her extream affection should so soon change it self into such an implacable hatred as she would have made him lose his life But Tirintes stood still and without any alteration in his countenance Speak said he unto the Judges if you have any charge against me it is they from whom you must have justice Do you think I have not courage enough to abide all your objections Fossinde blushed at these words and turning towards Cloridamantes she beseeched him to sit down again and hear what she could say and then she began thus This impudent Shepherd oh wise Cloridamantes who is brought before you is the most worthy of death of any man that lives he says he loves Silvanire but who believes him Nay who can believe him if they consider his actions Most certainly he never knew the power of Love though to excuse himself he would cast all the fault upon that God For what are the effects of love To serve to honour nay even to adore the person that is loved But what witnesses does this wicked Shepherd give of his affection unto Silvanire In lieu of serving her he gives her poyson he caused her to be buried alive and suffer intollerable torments in lieu of honouring her he would have blasted her reputation and made her the most infamous Shepherdess that lives if these be the effects and consequents of Love I dare say that Love has changed its Nature But haply he will be apt to say that these are meer impostures and aspersions cast upon him and that he did never commit any such crimes Sage Druide here is the wicked man he cannot deny it his conscience flies in his face and ties his tongue The truth is his vilany is so great that it is hard to find words to excuse it under the umbrage of a Lover or with any glosses of affection and fidelity To give poyson unto a poor innocent woman so subtilly couched in a glass what excuse under heaven is there for such a black horrid invention He cannot gloss it over with an excuse of ignorance nor say that Alciron did not tell him the effects of it for it is most infallibly certain his intention was to make her die and be revenged upon her for loving another or at least for having no inclination unto him But seeing his design frustrated perhaps by the strong constitution of Silvanire which resisted the poyson or as it is most probable by the Will of God who would not deprive the world of so fair so wise and sweet a woman to excuse or extenuate his crime he must pretend that his intention was only to cast her asleep But oh sage Druide I beseech you ask the good Menander Lerice Aglantes and all those that saw her in the Agony she was whether in any sleeping fits they use to have such cruel pain such convulsions such contraction of Nerves and so many symptomes of inevitable death and then judge whether it was not a most mortal poyson which the Gods by a miracle made ineffectual to his intentions But this cruel Barbarian not being satisfied with her death but he would also with the same cruel eyes see her in the Tomb to glut his cruelty and finding her revived he never offers to ask a pardon but would carry her into some desolate place God knows where and certainly but for the relief of those Shepherds which came in upon her cry he had executed his most wicked designe Judge now just Cloridamantes whether in all this there be the least shadow of any Love Consider that if such a Treason as this pass unpunished there is no safety for any Shepherdess to live in Forrests How can we guard our selves against such violences I beseech you therefore let us dwell safely in our houses and quietly in our fields and make this man exemplary by inflicting such severe punishments as may be a terror unto others Thus spake Fossinde who after a low congie unto the Druide and the rest of the Assembly she fate down in her place Every one were astonished to hear this tart accusation Tirintes only stood un-amazed for having lost his hopes of Silvanire he valued not his life But making a signe that he desired to speak and the Druide permitting him he answered thus This Shepherdess most wise Cloridamantes is in the right when she says that I have done ill but she is in the wrong when she accuses me of a crime unto which I never consented but am as innocent as her self No no Fossinde I refuse not one of those torments or punishments which are prepared for me and which I know are my due I will not excuse my self for I cannot and assure your self that though I could I would not But bitter and malicious Shepherdess Why should you add false crimes unto crimes that are true You had no reason in the earth for it for those which I have committed are sufficient to glut your soul be it as cruel as it can be Oh Cloridamantes the affection which I bear unto the fair Silvanire is too great to make me think of any such impieties as Fossinde falsly charges me It is true I
did give poison unto the Fair one but it was because I was deceived by the words of him whom I could not suspect to have any such thoughts Let the fair Silvanire tell you how she found Alciron and me about her when she awaked with a Bottle of Water which we cast in her face to awake her All those of Menanders house can testifie that it was Alciron who hindred that Faire One from being embalmed lest it should have hurt her Oh Cloridamantes Could I but be declared innocent of this imposture I would willingly confess all the other crimes which are charged upon me I value not the torments of death a rush so my love and my fidelity be preserved pure and innocent for them do I extreamly desire to carry with me unblemished into the other world Thus spoke Tirintes leaving all the Auditory ravished at his resolute alacrity and pittying his mis-fortune Alciron who could not endure to see his friend thus at the stake and himself the author of the crime Sage Druide said he Tirintes is not only cleer and free from any guilt against Silvanire concerning the glass which I gave unto him but also from all the consequents of it for first though the glass be broken yet the pieces are to be seen and easily tryed whether the composition be mortal poyson or only of a stupifying quality It is compounded of such ingredients as Fossinde hath named here are the pieces and tryal of them if you please may be made then he pulled out his handkerchief wherein he lapped them up when Tirintes in anger against Fossinde broke it Every one turned away their eyes lest they should be tainted by the virtue of this Stone and Cloridamantes himself commanded him to put it up no no said he I cannot believe that either you or Tirintes had any such abominable intention because it is an act so extreamly horrid as it cannot be imagined it should enter into the thoughts of any in this Country but if you have any thing to say which will quit Tirintes of the violence which he offered unto this Shepherdess you may speak it before all this Assembly Then Alciron offered to speak as to that when Tirintes interrupted him Peace peace friend said he unto him for I will dye and happy is he that dyes who cannot live happily Yet I thank thee hartily for thy good will and evidencing that it was not my intention to make Silvanire dye whose life I beseech the Gods preserve to eternity But for all this the affection of Alciron made him begin to speak yet he had no sooner uttered the first word but Tirintes interrupted him again Oh sage Druide said he it is only compassion upon his friend and not the truth which makes him strive for some arguments to defend me for my part I disavow what he says and beseech you not to believe him but to do Justice according to the Law Cloridamantes then after he had imposed silence upon Alciron and the rest he arose from his seat and went to gather the voices of the other seven Druides for when the life of any one was in question they were to call that number at the least to assist them The time which he imployed in taking their votes was very long because there was some difference of opinions concerning the judgement Tirintes being resolved to dye since he had no hopes to obtain Silvanire all delay was tedious unto him Aglantes and Silvanire who thought the pain no less then a death to be separated one from the other they expected the issue of their enterprise with incredible impatience at the last the Druide after a long dispute and debate of the matter came and took his seat then pronounced these words The Judgement of Cloridamantes WE Cloridamantes being established in the absence of Adamas our Arch-Druide by the Great Tautates by Amasis and by all the order of Druids and Cavalry to do Justice in this Country of the Segusians after a full hearing of the difference that is betwixt Menander and Lerice of the one part and Aglantes and Silvanire on the other and also of the accusation preferred against Tirintes for an attempt against Silvanire after a long solemn and serious debate and consideration of the premises We do Sentence and declare that a Father and a Mother have by the Laws of God and Nature all that power and authority which can be had over free persons and that their children in this quality cannot disobey them without offence against Laws both divine and humane but withal we Sentence and declare that children are not born slaves but free for otherwise it were a shame for Fathers to get none but slaves and it would be a most miserable blemish to the Country that it of all Gaul should produce none but people of such vile quality for these causes therefore and for many other just and good considerations us thereunto moving we do ordain publish and declare that marriages be free and that no contract be but with consent of both parties that are to tye themselves together with that holy knot and that the rigour and compulsion of Fathers in such cases be held as tyranny and be null Upon these grounds this contract betwixt Aglantes and Silvanire is declared to be firm and indissolvable all due circumstances and conditions being observed And furthermore as in Justice to Tirintes since slights subtilties and artifices are permitted by the Laws of Love we do publish and declare him free and absolved from the fault which he is charged with by the artifice of the glass but in as much as all manner of force and violence is expresly forbidden by the Laws of Love and since it is averred that he hath made violent attempts upon the person of her whom he loved we do declare him guilty of high Treason against that great God and his Laws and therefore we do doom and condemn him to be thrown down headlong from the Fatal Rock The faces of all the Company were full of great joy and of great sorrow at this Sentence Aglantes and Silvanire and their friends seeing their marriage was declared according to their wishes their joyes were tryumphant on the other side abundance of Shepherds and Shepherdesses grieved for poor Tirintes for he was a very kind and courteous Shepherd and such an accident had not hapned of a long time So as every one was very sorry for him and blamed Fossinde for her bitter and malicious accusation Tirintes himself was the only one who seemed not to be troubled at it for he received the Sentence of death with a smiling and contented countenance and turning towards Silvanire Shepherdess said he unto her I hope that now you are contented and indeed so should I be if I did but go out of this world with a pardon from you Tirintes said she unto him with tears in her eyes if your life were in my power as well as a pardon be assured you should
of when it is too late he went unto him and saluted him and when he saw that he did not answer what Merindor said he and took him by the arm will you not speak unto your friends Merindor hearing this voice and feeling himself held by the arm stopped short and looked upon Euphrosias as if he were newly revived out of an extasie and after he had stood a while mute Good Euphrosias said he pardon this fault which proceeds from a very bad humour which has seised upon me I will answered his friend upon condition you will tell me the cause Though perhaps you would not know it answered Merindor yet I beseech you hear it for I have need of your counsel in a business which concerns me as neer as my life but let us go aside lest any should hear us discourse Upon this making choise of a private place he began to tell him the original of his Love the progress and the present condition wherein he was afterwards he acquainted him with the Love of Bellimartes and Periander but when he came to the discourse he had with me in the Temple and my answers in favour of Periander he entred into such a passion that the Prudent Euphrosias did see that the affection which he had unto me was too great to be diverted either by reasons or entreaties and therefore to avoid the two evils which he foresaw he thought it most necessary to draw him only from the most dangerous which was his hatred unto Periander and as for the cure of his affection there was no way but to refer it unto time therefore in lieu of any sharp reprehensions or any four looks he smiled upon him and answered thus Good Merindor said he tell me upon your faith if this be all the cause of your being thus discomposed How said Merindor is not this enough since my affection is such unto Dorinde that it is a thing most impossible for me to help it And do I not see before my face the man that is the great obstructor of my happiness Is there no way answered his friend to find a remedy None answered Merindor that I know but to take away the life of him that takes away from me that happiness without which I cannot live Oh Merindor cried out Euphrosias you take things at the worst Tell me I beseech you do you think Dorinde Loves Periander Think it said Merindor nay I were the most incredulous fool that lives if I were not certain of it Then replied his Wise friend you must not go the worst way to compasse what you desire for you can never hope to get the good will of Dorinde by murdering that person whom she Loves best your passion does but flatter and deceive you for by that course you will make her hate you even to the very death Certainly said Merindor there is no remedy if this be not good Certainly said Euphrosias this is neither good nor a remedy but I beseech you tell me why you think it so necessary for Periander to die Because said he the Love that Dorinde bears unto him is the cause why she does not Love me If that be it replied Euphrosias make the same reason as well obstruct him as he obstructs you I mean that she shall not Love Periander because she Loves Merindor Yes yes said Merindor you are very kind but here is the difficulty how should I make her love me Do as Periander does answered Euphrosias nay and better why should you think heaven will not be as favourable to you as any other Cavalier of your age But Euphrosias said he she does love Periander So much the better answered Euphrosias it is a signe she is not insensible nor invulnerable by the blows of Love Pray why should you think your services should not work as happy effects as his You see Merindor that you do love Dorinde in such a height that you cannot retire resolve with your self to love her still in such extremity that it shall invite her unto Love again or rather to constrain her unto it Oh my dear friend said Merindor and sighed how difficult is it to bring this enterprize to pass Yet let me tell you notwithstanding all I told you before concerning Periander that I do verily believe she does not love him but all she does is only in obedience unto her Father So much the better still said Euphrosias for if she does not love him you will far sooner win her then if she were engaged unto any Oh but if she do love Periander said Merindor what hopes can I have Why should not you hope as well as another replied Euphrosias Will not most merit soonest obtain Or say that Argument have no validity in it you must know Merindor that the love of women is one of those things that must not be sought after by the Rules of Reason and of whom one must never despair for be most assured that there is a certain hour in the day in the which they can deny nothing And therefore the answer of the Oracle was good when a Lover asked what he should do to overcome the cruelty of his Mistris The Answer was Love be Bold and Continue With such discourse as this Euphrosias diverted his friend from his designe against Periander and filled him so full of new hopes that he began to court Dorinde with such fresh assaults as Periander and Bellimartes could not chuse but be jealous for until then he did not openly declare himself but thought himself out of hopes yet now by reason of the time of my Father's answer unto Periander he was the only mote in his eye and certainly not without reason for I seeing my father very inclinable to give me unto him I thought my self already so certain to be his wife that I devoted my self wholly unto him Whilst these three were thus striving who should win me the term which my Father set for Periander's answer drew on and he who expected with extream impatience the day whereon he should be pronounced happy that very evening he failed not to go unto my Father with three of his neerest kinred As soon as he came into his presence he fell down upon his knees and beseeched him with as much earnestness as if his life was at stake that he would be pleased to give him that answer which he promised But Sir said he if it be not sutable to my desires make but a signe and it shall suffice to be rid of me for I am most perfectly resolved to throw my self and all my desires and designs into the bottom of Arar He accompanied these words with such actions of his hands head and every part of his body that every one believed they came from his heart And my Father as the rest being deceived by this opinion did hold out his hand to take him up from his knees Son said he unto him for so I will hereafter call you rise up and believe that
if I have any thing which is dearer then Dorinde I will give it unto you and your merit I do here give her unto you and pray unto the heavens to make you a most happy pair Periander ravished with joy did kiss the hand of Arcingentorix an hundred times with so many demonstrations of Love as none doubted but that his Love was extream At the same time my Father called for me and taking my hand carried me in to Periander Daughter said he I would have you love this Cavalier as him that must be your husband and unto whom I now do give you and within these eight days I will prepare for your marriage Upon this Periander advanced and came to salute me and I Sir said he do take you for my Lord and Father and her for my Wife and Mistris Judge I beseech you Madam and you wise and fair Shepherdesses whether such promises as these so solemnly made would not make any one believe them indissolvable But with shame to all humane kind you shall hear the perfidie of all men in general included in this one particular man These eight days which Arcingentorix prefixed for a conclusion of the marriage were variously imployed For my Father 's whole care was in providing all things necessary for this marriage All the Neighborhood to shew how much they loved and honoured our Family designed several diversions of Tilting Masks Dancings and such like Bellimartes on the contrary was perpetually whispering into the Kings ear and contriving how to break off this marriage But Merindor what in sighs and tears what in caressing me and my Father his time was so spent that he could hardly sleep He was continually telling several tales and foretelling me of Periander's inconstancy dissimulation and perfidie which since I have found but too true and unto which I would not then hearken thinking it an offence against the love which he bore unto me and which I had unto that Deceiver As for Periander his whole care was in caressing me and treating me with all the diversions about the Town and thought upon nothing else at least in shew For my part I must confess I thought my self so obliged to him that my study was wholly how to please him Now sage Druide see how heaven does laugh at all our Designs and can change them During this while whether it was with too much dancing or by eating too much fruit or rather as I think by coming into some infectious place or to say better whether it was the will of heaven by this small sickness to prevent a greater misery I cannot tell but upon the sixth day I was taken with an extream pain in my head and a Fever so violent as put me all into a flame and continued several days and still with such a drowsiness upon me as I could hardly lift up my eyes and after it had thus tormented me one morning when the Phisicians came to see me they found me full of red spots which by little and little growing bigger did so become blisters that I was a horrid sight to be seen It was a disease which children are commonly subject unto and many other children and young people of my age in the same Town were at the same time infected as I was This malady thus falling out it prevented all designs and preparations for I was so exceedingly tormented that many thought I would die Periander at the first came twice or thrice to see me and seemed to be extreamly displeased that our marriage should be thus retarded But as soon as the Smal pox appeared he would never after so much as set his foot into the house where I was he sent indeed somtimes to see how I did but he was so afraid of me and catching the disease that he would not so much as come neer the door As long as pain was upon me I must confess I did not resent his behaviour though every one else did think it very strange but I was so full of pain as I never asked what became of him yet afterwards when the violence was a little past I did enquire what became of Periander and perceiving the little memory he had of me I began to think that Merindor spoke truth when he foretold me of Periander's inconstancy and yet I could not chuse but seek out for some reasons to excuse him somtimes I did imagine that perhaps some business had carryed him out of Lyons and that it grieved him as much as it did me that he could not hear how I did otherwhiles I had an opinion that my Father had changed his mind and had forbidden him to see me somtimes I thought he was sick and that none in my house would acquaint me Briefly I turned every stone and tryed all my wits and all how to deceive my self But my malady continuing long and this perfidious man also continuing in his neglect I was but too well assured that his mind was turned What do you think Madam and you fair Shepherdess the resentment of this offence might move me unto At the first I wept and was silent and hid my tears from the sight of every one But when I heard it the common talk and that every one condemned his falseness it was impossible for me to hide my resentments any longer On the contrary Merindor as if my sickness had augmented his affection he was continually at my chamber door asking how I did and would gladly have seen me if they would have permitted him And as soon as ever he heard all danger was past he brought musique of several sorts unto my door to divert me and because he knew of Perianders change I remember he caused a song to be sung at my chamber door which intimated the inconstancy of a Lover And because he thought that perhaps I did not understand the words at that distance he sent the song in a paper unto me by a woman that came into my chamber yet I was so attentive that I heard and remembred every word I seemed not to take any notice of all this though I had a great resentment of it but when I was alone the thoughts of Perianders neglect and oblivion made me even hate his humour and more when being out of my bed and yet durst not go out of my chamber because my face was much changed as is common in that disease he did not so much as send to see how I did now I thought it time to forget him as well as he did me and I thank Heaven for it I did so exclude him from my thoughts that I made him a very stranger unto them It would be but loss of time to tell you what reproaches I laid in his dish how I resolved my self against him how sadly I first resented this separation for the truth is I had such confidence in his promised affection that I thought it impossible to alter but now finding my self deceived and my disease to be the cause
of his apostacy I could not complain against him enough and indeed against my self for believing him now did I admire his inconstancy and for his sake condemn the fickleness and perfidy of all men whatsoever Yet notwithstanding I had sworn a hundred times never to care for him again and that though he should return yet never to look upon him yet for all this I could not chuse but ask him by one that I imployed what was the cause of this so sudden separation And she who asked him the question was a woman that waited upon me and in whom I had great confidence during all the time of his addresses unto me Periander said she unto him how comes it to passe that you never see Dorinde nor ask what becomes of her How Dorinde answered he is she alive still Alive said the woman why she is recovered and ready to come out of her chamber Ah Sweet-heart replied Periander you are much mistaken or else does mock me certainly she is dead but has left in her roomâ— a certain ugly woman whom for the Love of her they call Dorinde but the Fair Dorinde whom I Loved is certainly dead and I am so sorry for it as I will not go and see this Dorinde lest the memory of the other should give an occasion of tears Fie fie Periander replied the woman much amazed at his answer is it not enough to seperate your self from her but you must mock at her misery Dorinde as I told you before replied he presently is not in the world What would you have me go and Love her in her grave And as for her that is in her room alas Sweet-heart she is so ugly that I will leave her to whom that will As soon as he had said so he went away and stayed not for any answer Judge Madam whether this was to be endured and yet I must swallow this bitter pill and seem as if I did not tast it But was it not the height of cruelty to strike one that was so deeply wounded before For first my sickness had spoiled my face which was wound enough without the addition of another from a person whom I least expected it A little while after my Father came to see me and not without tears in his eyes to find me so much changed which I perceiving Father said I unto him never afflict your self for the loss of that which could not be long kept but rather I beseech you to rejoyce with me since by the loss of a trifle I am rescued from an ill fortune Upon this I told him all that Periander had done and said then falling down upon my knees I beseeched him that he would not command me to have any more converse with this perfidious man Dorinde said he and took me up I promise you I will not and I command you not so much as to name him unto me who thinks him the most unworthy Cavalier that lives Upon this my Father went away and left me extreamly well satisfied with his promise And from hence forward I began to think more of Merindor then formerly I had as thinking that his behaviour towards me did oblige me to prefer him before any other for though Bellimartes did send often to visit me and was very careful in sending all such remedies as were proper for that disease yet his humour and disposition was contrary unto mine so as I could not for my heart Love him In the mean time I recovered very fast not but that my face was so blasted as I was hardly knowable and when I looked in a glass I admired to see my self and therefore I still kept the door of my chamber shut very close to the end none should enter but such as waited upon me hoping still that time might hapâ—y make some amendment But Merindor whose affection to me seemed to be greater then before and who never stirred out of my anti-chamber with several sorts of musick as I told you before one day when I was alone with that woman whom I sent unto Periander and when the door was but ill shut he entred in upon such a sudden that he was upon his knees before me ere I could see him As fortune was I had a mask upon my face but I could no way hide my eyes but with my hands and they were so blasted that I was ashamed to shew them for I had not time to put on my gloves You may imagine me not a little surprised when I saw him I did my endeâ—vour to get into my Closet but he kneeled so before me and held my knees that I was not able to rise from my seat Oh Merindor said I unto him you are exceeding troublesome unto me and would do me a great pleasure if you would think upon me no more then Periander doth Alas alas answered he do you think to limit the effects of my affection unto the shallow amity of him whom you named Ah Madam pardon me I beseech you if I think his offence not so great unto me as it is unto you Unto me answered I I assure you Merindor if Perianders offences trouble you no more then me you will never complain against him for as for my part I am so far from any memory of his name that whatsoever he does cannot offend me But let us talk of somthing else I beseech you and tell me what makes you so desirous to see me in this condition wherein I am for me thinks you should rather shun all occasions of it then desire it upon this question I caused him to rise and a chair to be set for him because I would not suffer him to kneel Madam answered he the affection of him who loves will never let him rest till he have satisfied his curiosity by seeing her whom he loves and adores and such is mine to you do not imagine I beseech you that I do love you with any reserved thoughts to leave off though you should not be so Fair as you was before such a love deserves not the name and I do esteem rather a treason and not to be entertained into any heart that loves well my affection sets no other term but eternity nor no other condition but to Love Dorinde as she is and as she shall be for the future as well as for the present Now see Wise and Fair Druide how apt one is to judg others by themselves a very dog that is burned will fear the fire yet I lesse wise then those animals after I had been deluded by the supple language of Periander could not chuse but give credit unto the gilded flatteries of Merindor thinking that a man well born and a Cavalier ought above other men to be just and to have his heart in his tongue but I confess that I did partly believe that which I should not have believed at all I began to fancy that I might live happily with him but to tell you truly I did it much out of
Cavalier and whether I thought he loved me and I answering that considering both Perianders behaviour and his I did both love him and that he loved me Since it is so said he unto me I like him better then I do Periander Sir said I unto him you may dispose of me as you please for I have no will but yours We must not be too hasty in any thing answered he nor must we slight them since he has behaved himself so well let us entertain him with a few handsome delays and resolve upon the matter at more leisure then turning towards Merindor he looked upon him with a kind aspect thanked him for the care he had of me in my sickness and commanded me to bid him welcome and honour him as I was obliged Since this day the door was never shut against Merindor as soon as I was drest he might enter into my chamber at all times without denial and he who let no opportunity slip was in it from morning till night with so much shew of affection that it seemed my deformity did augment it On the other side Bellimartes seeing how this Cavalier had admittance and thinking the same might as well be allowed unto him did send to know whether he might come in or no And my Father since Merindor was permitted durst not deny him so as one afternoon he came to see me but being advertised of his coming I put on my Mask and my Gloves with a protestation not to pull them off as long as he stayed in my chamber The discourse of Bellimartes smelt more of a States-man then a Lover and though he saw the sickness had much changed me yet he seemed not to care but within a few days after he made such addresses unto King Gondebaut that he solicited my Father to marry me Bellimartes being of another Nation and never beloved amongst us my Father desired no alliance with him but rather with Merindor whom he thought to be a man of much merit and whose estate and parents were not unknown therefore he beseeched the King to pardon him if he not consent unto the marriage because I only was the support and comfort of his age and to marry me unto a stranger who had no setled estate in his Dominions was not any comfort unto him He told him that if I did dis-obey him he would desire to punish me no more then to marry me unto that man for I should be as good as banished from him Moreover he said that I was at sufficient age to make my own choice and he would never contradict my Will since it was a business that made me either happy or miserable all my life and therefore he would not by any means force my Will and for a conclusion he beseeched the King to remember the faithful services which he and his Ancestors had ever done him and for a recompence of all that he would do him the favour not to constrain me unto this The King who loved Bellimartes and intended to oblige him further by doing this office for him did answer unto all those objections which my Father urged and to every point did give good reasons to cover that Soveraign power which he intended to use in this business And as to that objection that Bellimartes had no estate in his Dominions and that he was a stranger therefore he should never see me again he answered That he would confer such an estate upon him in his Kingdom as should take away that exception and that Bellimartes did intimate as much in his addresses unto me whose Beauty now was not such as could invite him to marry me for any matter of Love but reason of State and to get Alliance in a Country where he was a stranger That this resolution would make him more tractable unto me more obedient towards him and more serviceable towards all our kinred then any other he could mention unto him That as to the choice and free liberty of my Will which he would leave unto me in this business that it was great indiscretion to do so because youth and wisdom can never be together and that being so young as I was he would commit a great fault in leaving it to my own choice which I could never make but with indiscretion but on the contrary that he was obliged by the very name of a Father to find out a Husband for me such a one as might be advantagious and not to leave it unto me to chuse at random and without judgement That if they ordained Guardians to such as are within age so certainly marriage which is to last for life must be contracted by the approbation and consent of Wise and Prudent persons who have the Tuition of any young and unadvised child That it was generally observed few marriages which were made for Love prove prosperous in the end and almost all those that were made by advise the contrary and that the authority of Wise Parents is commonly seconded by all sorts of happinesse and felicities And as to the services which he and his Ancestâ—rs had done him he did make it appear that he had them in memory by taking so much pains in marrying me unto one whom he esteemed and loved that had he not remembred them he would have marryed him unto some other within his Dominions who was as rich and as well allyed as I was but in this action he thought to acquit himself of those services which he had received from him and his house To be brief he desired the marriage might be and if it was not he had an occasion to take it unkindly upon this he left my Father so astonished that he neither could nor durst answer him a word The authority of a Soveraign Prince has such a stroke with it in the mind of loyal subjects that it strikes dead what resolutions soever was to the contrary especially when it comes with a colour of reason for most certain it is that subjects ought naturally to obey their Prince dis-obedience is against honour and against great Tautates in all other things good excuses may be used and cannot be rejected by persons of judgment But in this my Father had no will to bestow me upon this stranger and had rather have dyed then to see me in his hands one while he had a mind to tell him that he had already given me unto Merindor but he was presently off that because when the King spoke unto him he did not tell him so then other whiles he resolved to marry us secretly assuring himself that when it was done Gondebaut could not break it but upon a sudden he foresaw so many miseries that would befal both him and us that he altered his opinion for he knew the Kings anger would never cool till he was revenged upon us sometimes his thoughts prompted him to admit me amongst the Vestals but when he fancied that he saw me so reclus'd and buried before I was dead he waved
was fully resolved that when all hope was past to kill himself but yet to send Bellimartes out of the world before him he was not the last man that was advertised of this accident and as if a new life had been given unto him he leaped up clapping his hands together and blessing the Fates for this happy fortune then leaving his chamber he made all the haste that possibly he could unto mine where he expressed himself the most joyful man alive and asked an hundred merry questions He asked me how I did after my marriage and whether it was good to be two wives to one Husband and because I knew not well whether I should laugh or cry I said unto him well well Merindor do not mock at me perhaps when you are married you may also find a wife that has two husbands If I have said he the stronger will drive the other out of the house but I fear not any such accident will ever befal me unless it be by you By me answered I Nay Merindor the resolution which I have will free you from that fear for within these few days if my Father will give me leave I will become of those that are to keep in the Sacred Fire How how replied he will you become a Vestal Yes certainly said I purposely to be rid of men amongst whom I find nothing but deceit and pâ—â—fidie You do wrong me said he not to put me out of the general number since I am sure you never saw any action or heard any language from me which was derogatory from my vowed affection or which in any reason could induce you to put me into that rank One indeed replied I does make no number but what do you say of Theombres of Hylas of Periander and of Bellimartes I say answered he that they deserve not only to be razed out of the rank of men but also out of the number of the living But I say that all men ought not to be blamed for them and of all men especially Merindor Oh Madam give me leave to tell you it is most extream injustice to punish a number of innocents for a few culpable and since faults are personal every person ought to bear the burthen of his own punishment I must confess Merindor said I unto him that you are in the right but I am not to be blamed for having found so much falshood and perfidie in all those that ever made any addresses unto me I had good reason to fear the same from all others This Dorinde said he is a second wrong not inferiour to the first for you rank me in the number of those who have deceived you since you cannot exclude me from the number of those who have made addresses unto you Hitherto replied I I cannot say I have been deceived by you but I cannot tell what you may do upon occasion Whilst we were talking thus my Father came into the chamber still much moved at the former accident and seeing this young Cavalier with me Come Merindor said he unto him are you not much offended against my Daughter and me for the fault which the Kings power caused us to commit Sir answered Merindor I am more your servant then to be offended at you but on the contrary I thank the Gods for making the vilany of that wicked man known unto you though let me tell you that if his vilany had been executed the Vilain should not have lived an hour after for I swear by the great God Ifesus this sword should have washed away his crime with his own blood for not one single drop should have remained But Sir thanks be to God that there is no need of such extremities and remember I beseech you for the future that our old Fathers had good reason to say That no man ought to rub an herd which he knows not And Sir there are many in this Province whose Ancestors and Estates are known unto you and who would think themselves honoured and happy in your Alliance And if heaven would make me so happy as to obtain that favour what services said he and kneeled down would I not pay unto you all my life and what love what duty and affection should not Dorinde receive from me Dorinde I say whom you know I ever loved and honoured what accidents soever hapned The good old man who knew how affectionate he alwaies appeared even all the time of my sickness and seeing him still continue his passionate expressions he did believe him But oh Heavens who might not as well have been deceived as he Merindor said he unto him speak freely and ingeniously as you are a Cavalier Are you real or is it only out of your civility and courtship that you use these expressions Sir answered he I cannot commit an act so unworthy of the name I bear as to dissemble or deceive and therefore I do protest and swear that all the words which I have spoke do proceed from the real thoughts of my heart with all sincerity and true meaning else may Bellinus root me and my name out from the number of men If so replied Arcingentorix and that it prove so that Bellimartes has another wife and that your mother do consent unto your desires I do promise you Dorinde for your wife and I do call the Gods to be a witness unto the promise which now I make unto you And I added Merindor do call all the Gods to witness that I do receive this promise as the greatest happiness I can desire for hence forward I do devote my self unto you Sir as my Lord and Father and unto Dorinde as my Lady and Mistress and I do vow and swear unto you both an affection without end and perpetual obedience Who would have thought that heard these solemn protestations expressed which so much freeness but that they proceeded from his heart But alas so they did I confess they did proceed from his heart but it was from the most wicked vile perfidious heart that ever was in any traiterous and perjured man certainly it is enough to expresse him to say that he is a man without any addition of traiterous or perfidious or perjured for I do believe all others that breâ—th upon the face of the earth are so Now this man according to the nature and custom of all others went from us in appearance full of contentment as full as man could be and went unto the Palace to hear more certain news of Alderina and of her marriage at night he returned again and told us that the King having seen the attestations of the Druids and Nobles of Gergovia was highly offended against Bellimartes and had commanded him to depart his Dominions and never to come into his presence again yet some Grandees about Gondebaut were in hope to obtain his Pardon when the King his choller was a little over and so it hapned for a while after they were reconciled by the mediation of Alderina her self who fell
Merindor and Periander and not having leisure to speak unto them she ran unto Bellimartes who expressed such signs of perfect contentment as every one observed an alteration in his eyes and countenance but especially when she took his hand and said unto him If heaven hath decreed that you must end your days in this relief which your Valour has given me be assured Bellimartes that it shall never be forgotten and if it be the pleasure of the Gods as I shall pray it may to prolong your life unto my contentment be confident that I will never be ungrateful unto Bellimartes Madam said he and forced himself to speak to give you my life which is so much your due deserves no recompence but I beseech you accept also of my soul which I do most religiously devote unto you and will never take it out of the fair hands of Dorinde Upon this he would have kissed her hand but he wanted strength for he grew pale and cold and immediately died in the arms of that Cavalier who held him in the bed and whose tears and lamentations made all beholders pity him This last action of Bellimartes did so mollifie the heart of Dorinde that forgetting the fault which he had committed against her and reviving the memory of that affection which by so many addresses he had expressed unto her she could not chuse but accompany his death with tears of compassion and amity an office which she continued long in performing and had continued longer if the company moved unto pity had not removed her by force from the Corps so seeing her self constrained to leave him Adieu Bellimartes said she unto his corps if thou didst think it a happiness to have my love go contented into the Elizian fields be assured that thou art happier in thy death then in thy life These expressions were accompanied with tears to testifie they were real and that he had gotten her love in dying more then he could have obtained by living Whilst all these things thus passed a great number of Shepherds in the neighbouring Vilages came running with Pike-staves and such Arms as they used in hunting and some brought Bows and Arrows such as they used at their general Assemblies in the Forrest of Isoures and other meetings so as in a little time there was a great Army about this little Cabin Their astonishment was not a little when they heard of the violence which was offered unto that fair stranger by the first company and when they heard of the relief which the last brought her so opportunely and their wonder was more yet when they saw those marks which the Cavaliers left of their courage and valour Merindor and Periander seeing Dorinde in the hands of the Druide and Shepherdesses they thought it fit to leave her a little to dry up her tears whilst in the mean time they went to pay that office unto their dead companions which the survivors were obliged unto and the more because Periander had lost a cosin german and Merindor a brother whom they exceedingly loved Leaving therefore the other Cavalier with the corps of Bellimartes they went out of the cabin accompanied with many Shepherds and went afterwards amongst the dead to look for their kinred They found them both close by one another the one was run through with a Javelin which pierced his heart and Merindor's brother lay under his horse with a wound given by a sword through his breast but as a note of their valour four dead enemies did lie about these two who held their swords still in their hands with visages which seemed to threaten as well dead as alive The griefs and lamentation of Merindor and Periander were indeed very great and had been greater if some Druides had not at the same time come thither and this great number of people were sent by their authority to appease the tumult as upon such occasions they used to do These Druides understanding the just and generous defence which those Cavaliers had made in relieving this stranger after that they had highly commended them and in the name of the Country given them many thanks they endeavoured by all manner of ways to comfort them and therefore they desired them to leave their immoderate grief and also leave the care of their friends interment unto them which after many entreaties they permitted but not without embracing and kissing their dead kinred several times and bidding them their last farewel The Druides being advertized that there was yet one of their companions dead in the next cabin they went and brought him thither and there washed their Corps in the River Lignon afterwards interred them in the place where the combate was and lastly they raised up monuments of Earth upon their graves and decked them with all the rural Art that is imaginable This Funeral ceremony was performed with so much honour and order that Merindor Periander and the Cavalier who was friend unto Bellimartes had reason in some degree to lessen their mourning Dorinde during all the time of this ceremony never stirred out of the cabin because she had not yet recollected her self nor was rid of her fears The Shepherdesses Astrea Diana and Phillis with the disguised Druide did keep Florice Cercinea and Palinice company all whom could not sufficiently wonder at this unaccustomed accident And when Periander and Merindor returned to give an account of that charitable office which they had performed they saw a Shepherd coming who seemed to be in very great haste when he was a little nearer he was known to be Hylas Periander no sooner heard him named but he cryed out Oh God said he is it Hylas of the Isle of Camargues the best humored man alive and the most jolly companion The very same answered one of the Druides that came with them he has sojourned in this Country several moneths and he found every day so delightful as I do not think he will ever leave it Periander then turning towards Merindor Brother said he I beseech you go you unto Dorinde and tell her if she ask for me that you left me with Hylas I am confident she will be very glad to hear it for I must needs go and meet and embrace him as one of my best friends Upon this he went a great pace towards Hylas who seeing him coming did not know him as well because of his Arms as because he little expected to find him in that place Periander held out his Arms and embraced him he not knowing that these caresses came from Periander But when he said unto him Is it possible Hylas that you should be turned a Shepherd of Forrests and quite forget your good friends His voice made him know that face which he had forgotten and therefore he took him about the neck and kissed him and was so transported with joy that he seemed to be almost out of himself Then Periander said unto him see Hylas whether I have not good reason to
was not changed Diana who was the first that heard him would have drawn off the company from hearing any further but for all that they would needs hear him on and then they heard him break out into these expressions Miserable Sylvander said he with a deep sigh why dost thou drone on this miserable life and has such and so much reason to die Is it out of hopes of any better Fortune Ah fond man is it not full time to undeceive thy self at least if thou hast any consideration any feeling or any sensibility of thy unfortunate life Thou beginnest now to enter into the fifth luster since the miserable day of thy birth and in so many nights so many weeks so many moneths and so many years canst thou name one minute that was not remarkable for some misfortune or other I cannot indeed call that hour disastrous in which I first saw Diana since in her I saw all the excellencies and perfection that Nature can give unto mortals but was not that the time that Fortune took a greater Empire over me then ever she had before For if she had any power over me before it was only over my poor sheep and the little stock which I had but my soul was free and exempt from blows and changes But oh ye Gods since I saw this fair this divinely fair Diana my soul is a slave and from being insensible is grown so weak and so submiss that the least Will of this Shepherdess is a Law unto me her commands are Oracles and the least twinkle of her commands so absolute that I would rather chuse the worst death then disobey the least shaddow of her Will and is not this the very height of misery that all my cares all my services all my endeavours and all my extream passions should be so many offences and so many injuries unto her If the Universe and all that is comprised in it be ruled and governed by reason what reason is there that I having no designe but to do her service with all manner of affection and fidelity that she should make no return but hatred and scorn Then making a stop and staying mute a while he began again But oh ye Gods I do understand this secret or at the least I think I do It is to punish me because I have loved this divine Diana too much and have preferred my affection unto her before that which I owed unto you But if it be so give me leave with all reverence to expostulate a little with you why did you not make her with less perfection For being as she is it were a sin to love her less then I do But well said he with a profound sigh do your pleasure and if you think good double and redouble your punishment for I cannot lessen or diminish one jot Whilst Sylvander was talking thus to himself Diana had got a good distance off and Phillis having no mind to leave her alone did show her unto Alexis and Astrea and whispered them in their ears that if they intended to stay any longer she would go and stay with her but the Druide and her companion seeing it was late they thought it would be to no purpose to stay any longer in that place where they could not receive any better satisfaction of this Shepherds innocency then they had and therefore stealing off unperceived they went as fast as they could to overtake Diana unto whom they told all that they could in discharge of Sylvander But she seeming as if she cared not she answered in such a kind of neglective manner as if he were not Sylvander they talked of or as if she was not Diana whom they talked to Alexis admiring the strength of Dianas spirit knowing very well by experience how hard a thing it is to resist a domineering passion I must confess fair Shepherdesses said she That I could never have met with any women such absolute Mistisses of themselves nor men such Lovers as I see there are about the banks of Lignon Why do you say this said Astrea Because servant answered Alexis hearing the discourse of Sylvander and the anguish he endures it must be acknowledged that he does love infinitely who can endure it And with what coldness Diana does slight it I must needs confess and say that in her alone passion does cease to be passion and become seeming reason Madam answered Diana I beseech you pardon me if I tell you That you are mistaken in both the judgements which you have given For as to that which relates unto me believe it to be a very easie matter to carry it as I do having no interest at all in the business as you think I have And as to that which relates unto the Shepherd be assured That not only about the Banks of Lignon but every place where the name of Love is known men do study more to disguise and dissemble their affections then to render them real and great They resemble puft up bladders which seem to be somthing that 's big whilst they are nothing but empty wind and the least prick of a pin discovers their empty imperfections Sage Shepherdess replied the Druide I do believe that you have more knowledge then I in the humours of those you speak of but give me leave to tell you that Sylvander does love I do believe it Madam answered Diana but it is Madonthe I do believe said Alexis that Sylvander does love and that he does love none but Diana Then certainly replied she Madonthe has changed her name and calls her self Diana and if you will not believe me I will refer you unto Laonice You will find said said the Druide in the end that there is some secret mistery in the report of Laonice for if it were so that Sylvander did love Madonthe why should he seem to love you What benefit will accrue unto him by disguising it To blind the eyes answered she of the jealous Thersander this might be so replied Alexis in the time of Thersander and when Madonthe was here but now they are gone to what purpose should he so do Oh Madam said Diana did you but know the humours of men especially of Sylvander you would not make such a wonder at it you must know that there is not a man under the cope of Heaven who desires more to give a good opinion of himself then he and this is the reason that having made a shew of loving me formerly he is now ashamed his falshood should be discovered all his passionate expressions and behaviour which you see and think they proceed from affection are but tricks and glosses which he uses out of shame to be thought a dissembler and a man of no faith If he were ashamed as you object said Alexis that shame would produce contrary effects for if he loved Madonthe he would with all speed flye from those places where his dissimulation would be known and doubtless would follow her whom he loved for
expedient that this fair Stranger do relate unto us the cause of her coming into this Country then for Hylas to relate unto us his constant inconstancies which every one here does know Oh good Thamires said Hylas indeed you have great reason to twit me with my inconstancies Pray tell me when ever any of them did so much hurt as your obstinate humour called constancy has done I do not blame you nor your humour said Thamires nor do I commend them but leave it to the judgement of those that will take the pains to consider them I only ask you wherein did my obstinate humour called constancie do you any harm It is not to me alone replied Hylas that it is obnoxious but unto all those that are about the Banks of Lignon and to all the whole Country of Forrests all whom do resent the injury you have done them in spoyling the beauty of this wise woman pointing at Celidea who was one of the greatest ornaments of the Country Shepherd said Celidea and interrupted him I do think my self infinitely happy in that which you think a loss for by parting with a thing of a poor trivial value I have in exchange the greatest tranquility of Spirit and as much contentment of mind as can possibly be desired We do not talk of the tranquility of your mind wise Shepherdess said Hylas nor of your contentments but of that happiness which we have lost by the obstinacie of Thamires and if such a chance had hapned unto Hylas perhaps you should become as fair as ever you was Is not Dorinde fairer then she was when first I began to love her Look upon Florice Cercinea Palinice and did you see Cryseide you would say that all those whom I love are hugely beholding to me for I leave them all fairer then I found them and not like those blasters of Beauty for so may all your Thamyreses your Tyrcises your Sylvanders and such like be called who never leave any one of those they love till they have either made them ugly or brought them to their graves as two of you have done and you shall see what will become of Diana before the wilful Sylvander and she part you see she is now young and very fair and I dare venture the affection which I have unto Stella that before he quit her either he or she are in their graves then what will become of those fair eyes and a hundred alluring features Well well God keep you from such servants as will never let those they love alone till they be dead nay even in their very graves they will be troubling them Pray see I beseech you if any that ever I served were used so indiscreetly No no when I leave them I leave them in such a condition as others are contented to love them after me Do not think Hylas answered Thamires soberly that this constancy which we do so religiously observe and which you do so much inveigh against is either an humour or any obstinacy but only an earnest desire not to fail in those duties which we owe both unto our selves and unto those we love Unto our selves because alteration of opinion is to condemn that which we once approved of and there is nothing more shameful nor which shews more defects in a man then that For if it be understanding which prefers us before the rest of animals are not those who want this understanding no better then beasts without reason But of all vices Inconstancy does most discover and argue that defect then Hylas you must of necessity confess that none can commit a greater offence then by shewing themselves wavering and inconstant For the Will which never consents unto any thing but what the Judgement tells him is good chusing another object does undeniably argue that his judgement was deceived either the first or the second time And therefore though there were no other reason but our own particular reputation we ought never to consent unto inconstancy which renders us most worthy of all scorn and contempt But further it a most unpardonable offence against the person whom we do love For Hylas does any change but when they think they change for the better And therefore is it not an injury unto her whom we loved to leave her for another since we do as good as say that the last is the better Hylas not being able to endure that Thamires should go any further with this discourse without interruption he went nearer him and looked him in the face and seeming desirous to look under his clothes Shepherd said he unto him let me see if under the habit of Thamires Sylvander be not disguised for me-thinks I hear him speak in his tone Ah Hylas answered Thamires your having that opinion is a signe you think my arguments to be good for there is nothing which comes from so excellent a wit which ought not to be esteemed so You are very much mistaken good Thamires replied Hylas for hearing your arguments so shallow and ill-grounded I thought them to be his or he himself which uttered them and not Thamires who is held for a very prudent and wise Shepherd and to make good what I say I will shew you how false your reasons are You affirm that one ought to continue in his obstinacy of loving one that they once loved in two considerations The one in respect of himself and the other in respect of her whom he loves Ah Thamires It is an easie matter to you who are antiquated for your clothes are not only made after the old mode but your opinions are as old and cut out according to the old Gaulish garb Good friend is there any thing in a man more despisable then silliness and indiscretion And is it not the height of indiscretion and silliness to know what is happiness and to court and follow that which will make him miserable I beseech you fair and discreet Shepherdesses be judges and tell me whether you would not think that husbandman a very fool that has divers times found by experience such a piece of ground is not fit for corn and will still continue sowing it with the same seed and only out of a foolish fear lest it should be said that he had no judgement at the first Ah my good friend Thamires is it any thing but gain and profit that gets reputation in these days And indeed if one should enquire of the quality and capacity of any one be it either as a servant or any other ways Did you ever hear the question asked such a one whether he be constant or inconstant No no Thamires but only whether he can manage well his business whether he be rich whether he have good flocks and such things as can encrease and keep them not by an obstinate resolution never to part with them but by selling and changing them as oft as occasion shall require Suppose friend you were upon the Sea you would quickly be shipwrack'd if
you kept your Sayl constant to one wind no no wise men will turn their sayl to all winds The very same it is in the affairs of the world and it is soverain wisdom to change according to occasions And as to your assertion that changing does offend against the person whom one did love good Thamires what do you think of me Or whom do you think I am Is there not some persons who make bread and others who eat it Do not some make clothes and others wear them Why should I not give them the same counsel that I would take my self I mean that as I change them for others so let them change me for whom they like better when they have a mind unto it But in as much as I think it is impossible that those whom I once loved should ever meet with a better they must even content themselves as well as they can and consider that of all things in the world some are destined unto happiness and others unto misery Amongst horses some are for the plow and some are for the saddle amongst dogs some lie in Ladies laps and others lick the dripping pan in the kitchin and so amongst men some to be served and others to serve 'T is true their fate is hard but will they complain of Hylas for it No it is not in me to command him who ordained them that cruel destiny but if they will be complaining it must be for being born under such an unlucky constellation and yet I must tell you that this very offence which you presuppose is nothing but imagination For when a Musician changes notes does he change them because he thought those he left to be worse then those he took No no Shepherd but it was to make his Musique better and more delightful which otherwise would be dull and tedious If a Painter change colours â—ay somtimes the very piece it self is it because he despised the first colour No but on the contrary because he would more enliven it and shadow the first colour so that he sets it off with greater luster then at the first So Thamires when we do leave a Shepherdess whom we did love and take another it is not as you think because we esteem her more then her we left but only to follow the rules and dictates of Nature which reacheth us that it is nothing but variety which renders the universe delightful Look upon every thing even from the lowest to the highest and you will find that nature has engraved this instinct and this Law in such characters as cannot be defaced Tell me Thamires when you lye in your bed do you never turn from one side to another If you do you are inconstant and shews want of judgement in chusing the worse side at the first when you walk or dance why do you change legs but rather hop upon the first you began with if you will be punctual to your first beginnings When you speak why do you not make use still of the same word Why do Fidlers finger more strings then one And why do they vary into so many several tunes I see Shepherd that you laugh at what I say but believe it I have greater reason to laugh at you when you say that one is inconstant in loving several Shepherdesses or that one offends her whom he leaves I must needs confess said Thamires that I do laugh at the arguments which you use to maintain your fickle humour I believe there is none in the company but does the like and perhaps Hylas himself also if not in his face yet in his heart for it is a very hard matter to forbear upon such a subject and I wish Sylvander were here to answer as it is necessary unto your Sophistry I am glad to hear replied Hylas that you call for help it is a sign you think your self overcome but never be ashamed of it for though Sylvander himself were here whom you accompt your Oracle yet I am confident he would confesse my victory and himself submit unto it Oh Hylas said Thamires you do mistake the reason why I desired Sylvanders company it is not because I want any arguments to answer your assertions for it is an easie matter unto any that will take the pains but it is because that Shepherd is able by his splendent fancies and excellent eloquence to give this fair company better contentment then is my dull genius and yet in his absence since he who is silent unto truth is culpable of a lye I will briefly answer you but it shall be upon a condition that you give me leave to laugh at what you have asserted in the first place I confess Hylas that Husbandman to be very indiscreet who having found by tryal that his ground is not proper for one seed will not sow it with another and change his seed but Hylas this does not prove what you assert for love ought not to precede the knowledg of the party loved The Husbandman had no knowledge at the first of the quality of his Land so as he ought not to change his seed till he has found it by experience and knowledg and therefore all those consequent arguments which you used to change the sail according to the wind and that it is prudence to know how to comply with occasions we do agree with you that it is indeed high wisdom to be guided by and according to the weather and the reason is because we cannot command the wind and the weather as we will so that Hylas you must know that in things which have dependency upon our selves and which are in our own power it is a shame to change but on the contrary in those things which depend upon the power of another it is high prudence to know how and when to turn and change according to occasion Now Love which does depend upon the will there is no question but it is in our power since God did never give us any thing which is more absolutely ours then this will which has no matter of chance or fortune in it as there is in the Sea or in the Winds But truly your instance of Musitians in changing Notes and Painters in colours is a very subtile argument indeed but good Hylas do you not know that their first designs are to arrive at the end of their works The Musitian he designs to make good Musique and the Painter to illustrate his work and by changing Notes and using several colours they both arrive at their first designed end most right said Hylas and interrupted and even so I doe never change but with a design to arrive at the end of my desires But replied Thamires Love will not allow of that whose perfection does so much consist in unity as it can never be perfect until it attain unto that one which it aymes at and hence it is that our Druids say two persons that do love become one and the same which is easily
either one or both and I could not be so inconstant unless I were a fool or a mad man This thought entertained him a long time and would not let him depart from that place he thought to have found that contentment which he had loft but on the contrary he met still with fresh causes of grief for wandering insensibly from one thought to another he began to think upon the sweet beginnings of his affection and with what discretion Diana received the first buds of his love under the notion of a wager with what kindness she suffered that plant to take root and how prudently she saw it grow up to that grandeur which now is arrived at And as concomitants of this thought he set before his eyes the pleasant jars of Phillis the favourable answers of his Shepherdess and briefly all those reasons which he had to hope that his affection would thrive and grow fruitfull Then did he bethink himself of that Bracelet of hair which was intended for Phillis and which he had obtained of Diana as an extraordinary favour He guided his hand to the place where he was wont to wear it thinking to have the contentment of a kiss from it but not finding it he looked upon the other arm but not finding it on either he was surprized with so much grief as not being able to endure the blow of that disaster he fell to the ground and so lay a long time without either motion or speech but at last he revived and concluded that now all hope was gone Sylvander had no sooner ceased his complaints but as he thought he heard some coming towards him and to know who they were and also out of fear to be seen lest by that means he should be interrupted in his solitary thoughts he kept still close and silent then did he plainly hear some coming and talking very loud but not so as he could understand them at that distance yet still keeping silence and they drawing neerer he perceived by the help of the Moon that they were two men talking together and when they were close by the place where Sylvander stood they stopt a little then did he hear one of them begin to sing and the effect of his song was That he had more love then she had cruelty He had no sooner done but the other began and the substance of his song was That he ought to love her for no other end but to love her Ah Brother said the first and interrupted the other you are in the right for whosoever does love for any other end but loving only he does abuse the name of love and most unworthily proâ—ane that pure and Sacred Divinity But give me leave to tell you that in what you alledged before concerning the torments which you and I do suffer you have as little reason as I have much to say that there is no torment in the world that is equal unto mine Brother answered the other with a deep sigh that love which every one doth bear unto himself is the cause of that judgment for when you see me suffer any pain do you not resent it more then any stranger would Doubtless I do answered the first Then Alcander replied the other the same reason which makes you resent my pain more then another does make you resent your own more then mine for as it is natural to love a brother more then a stranger so it is as natural to love ones self more then any else it is love which gives the weight unto all things which fall under opinion I do not know Amilcar said he how you intend this It is true that I am partly in the same belief and partly not I mean that it is love which doth cause resentment of sorrows and joyes and that it is by it and its ell we do measure the greatness or the littleness of all things but that every one does love themselves more then some others Indeed brother I must confess that if this be an effect of nature then nature has failed in me for I do protest and vow that I do love Circinca a thousand times better then I do my self and it is an easie matter to make this evident since I do find in my self towards her all the effects which a most extream love can produce for first I had rather any evil should fall upon my self then the least upon her and I desire her contentment infinitely above my own there is nothing be it never so full of difficulty but I would attempt it if there was any hopes it would conduce thereunto If any thing that pleased me displeased her believe it Amilcar I had rather dye then receive it and if these be not infallible arguments that I do love another better then my self I know not what are Brother replied Amilcar I do resent the very same effects of affection unto Palinice which you do unto Circinea but oh Alcander you are much mistaken if you do conclude thereby that you do love Circinea better then your self or that I do love Palinice more then I do my self For if we will but ingeniously confess it is the love of our selves that makes us love them and as the miser does expose his life for the preservation of that Gold which he loves so do we Sacrifice our selves to the pleasure of those fair ones whom we adore Fie fie Brother replied Alcander will you offer such a wrong unto our loves as to compare them unto a misers love of Gold Assure your self brother said Amilcar soberly there is no difference betwixt them only the love that we do give unto these fair ones is for a thing of greater value and merit and therefore it is more noble and reasonable but the very truth is the original of all loves is self love does not the misers care to preserve his dearly beloved Gold proceed from the love of himself and not his Gold Doubtless it does for what cares the gold into whose hands it fals since wheresoever it is it is still Gold as well as in his hands Then let us apply this reason unto our selves and you will find that it is the love which you hear unto your self which makes you have all those cares of Circinea and all those earnest desires of her contentment would you wish her so much happinesse and endeavour to procure it unto her upon condition she should extreamly love Clorian and devote her self wholly unto him without ever caring for you But did she love Clorian replied Alcander she would not be so happy as you suppose her But suppose she should be as happy said Amiliar would you wish her the enjoyment of all those contentments with Clorian I see you will not answer nor have you any reason but I will answer for you it is most certain that you and I had rather see the grim face of death then to see your Circinea happy with Clorian and I to see my Palinice the happy wife of
Sileines and therefore let us both ingeniously confesse that all the happinesse which we do wish unto them is but like the love of a Miser to his Gold that is for our own particular interest though the excesse of our passions makes us think the contrary Upon this these strangers continued on their walk and for a while were silent Sylvander who heard them and thought them to be persons of merit and understanding had a good mind to be talking with them had it not been for the scurvy humour into which the jealousie of Diana had put him but considering this vexing humour he thought it better to be as he was then interrupt them and therefore he designed to go away but as he was going he saw these strangers turn back as men that knew not which way to go but having found that walk would passe away the rest of the night in it His fears to be seen caused him to keep close till they were past and afterwards to fall into the thick of the Wood. But whether he made some noise as he couched down or whether the Moon shined clearer then it did when they passed by before I know not but Alcander spied him and shewed him to his brother who stepping nearer certainly said he it is a Shepherd who is a sleep Sylvander who seeing himself discovered and who thought that they would not go away before they made him speak he thought also that it was better to prevent them and therefore he answered if I do sleep then it may be said that a man may sleep and not rest for the miserable condition wherein I am will not let me enjoy any do not think Amilcar continued he and rose up that it is any love which I bear unto my self makes me judge my misery unequalled for should I judge by passion upon that which relates unto me it would be rather by hatred then love since I am able to say and say truly that I never wished any so much harm as I do unto my self And though the misery which I endure be as much as any mortal man can endure yet am I so much my own enemy that my hatred cannot be satisfied unless by wishing my miseries multiplied above the number of all the leaves in this Wood. I must confess said Amilcar that if your condition be as bad as you speak it all sorrows must submit unto yours Oh Amilcar said Sylvander it is but too true and did you but know my wounds you would confess it also but because it would be some kind of comfort to tell it I will not give my self so much contentment It seems said Alcander that the greatness of your misery hath driven you into despair and you know despair argues but little knowledge and little courage I must confess said the Shepherd that my misery is changed into despair but I do deny that despair is alwaies from want of knowledge or courage for were it not a strange ignorance to have such extream misfortunes as I have and not to know them And would it not argue a great defect of courage and resentment to stand in such fear of death as to wish living in such misery This may pass amongst petty and trivial mischances and miseries such as are common and ordinary but amongst such as are grown to that height as there is no remedy nor no cure it is a folly a madness an argument of a poor low courage to endure the shame which cannot be avoided by any way but by being no more However replied Alcander it is an argument of a faint and poor courage to want a heart that will endure the blows of an enemy Most true replied the Shepherd but there is no reason to hope for a thing which there is no hopes to obtain and thereupon I say it is that my misery is desperate not that I do conclude thereby that I will run a sword into my breast to kill my self or throw my self head long down a precipice such an act would argue a defect in courage nay worse it is a great impiety and sin committed against the great Tautates for man being the workmanship of his hands it were a most horrid sin to destroy what he hath made He as the Potter with his pot may do what he will with us and we were made to be as he will have us and not to dispose of our selves according to our own will if it be his pleasure we should endure pain and abundance of misery we must endure and not endeavour to cross his will by any sudden death but I begin to resent some mittigation of my sadness by this discourse which I have had and therefore because I will not do my miseries so much wrong I do conjure you Amilcar by your love unto Palinice and you Alcander by yours unto Circinea that you let me go and retire my self into the most solitary parts of this wood and in requital I will tell you that if you seek for those two fair Shepherdesses where you may find them and that is where I have often seen them upon the banks of Lignon in the company of the fair Diana Astrea and their companions upon this he saluted them and went into the Wood as fast as he could lest he should be followed by these strangers They on the other side ravished to hear such discourse come from a Shepherd they were so astonished as they could not stir a foot after him But having held their eyes a while upon the place where he entred into the Wood Alcander broke silence first Brother said he did you ever hear such a shepherd His habit indeed said Amilcar does speak him Shepherd but not his tongue for my part said Alcander I think him to be the good Genius of Lignon who presented himself unto us in that habit to shew us that there are some who are in greater misery then we are Perhaps replied Amilcar I should have been of the same opinion if we had been in any Country but Forrests where I have heard there are so many discreet and well accomplished Shepherds as the encounter seems not so strange unto me If he be a Shepherd continued Alcander and the rest like him it must needs be confessed that Cities have reason to envie these Woods and solitary places but said he and pointed at a paper which lay in the place where they first found Sylvander I do see a thing like a letter and perhaps the Moon will give us light to read it Amilcar upon this took up a paper which Sylvander accidentally dropt in which were writ a copie of verses importing That she she only is worthy of her self It is certain said Alcander that he is a Shepherd and not the Genius of this place but it must needs be acknowledged that these Woods are extreamly happy in having such guests But Alexis in the mean time who lay according to her custome in Astreas chamber where Diana and Phillis also lay she was
Good God said Diana keep us from any such friends Now Diana replied Phillis learn from hence that all which is said is not always true though never so probable Most true answered Diana for who could avoid believing this piece of wickednesse Consider I beseech you how cunningly she made her relation and upon what likely probabilities she grounded it How subtilely did she take her time when Madonthe went away and Sylvander accompanied her So as every circumstance was a confirmation of what she had related Oh Sister said Phillis those that live with such turbulent spirits as these had need be well advised I must confesse said Diana that I was deceived but the falshood was so contrived as I was not to blame but on the contrary had been blamable if I had not been deceived by it for I did thereby make it appear that my pure and innocent soul was free from any such wickednesse so as I could not imagine any such thoughts could enter into any other But Diana said Phillis what shall we do to poor Sylvander whose sorrows may be his death and who perhaps is looking for some way to finish his disasterous life I should be very sorry answered Diana that Sylvander should receive any harm for I plainly see he is not culpable and the first time that I see him that same hand which gave the wound shall cure it I pray God replied Phillis that despair do not drive him into some desperate course No no said Diana Sylvander is not in any such danger despair will not easily work upon such a spirit as his Yet let me tell you replied Phillis that persons of such a cold constitution as his when griefs seises upon them are apt for strange resolutions Sister said Diana as strong constitutions when a Fever seises upon them have fits more violent then those that are weak so also can they resist them better and endure them longer It is the same with such strong spirits as that of Sylvander it is certain they are more sensible of pain but then they are more able to endure and resist it However Sister said Phillis let not this confidence make him endure any longer pain I am confident said Diana that we shall see him sometime this day and then he shall not depart without a good remedy if he be in any such necessity of it as you think he is But in the interim I conceive it best to take our way towards Astrea and Alexis and acquaint them with the mornings adventures Upon this they made their course towards the house of Astrea whom they found still in bed For as soon as these two companions were gone out of the chamber in lieu of dressing her self she was talking with Alexis and shewing her such abundance of good will that the disguised Druide was hardly able to resist so many expressions of favour and the truth is never was any lover so near delights without a taste as Celadon was under the guise of a woman which he durst not throw off This constraint went so against the grain of this disguised Druide that she blushed several times which Astrea perceiving Mistris said she I am afraid that you are not well for I have observed your colour to change several times I beseech you use no constraint for you cannot be in any place of the world where you have more power then in this house Servant answered Alexis I value not the pain as I do the favour which you do me in observing the colour in my face 'T is true indeed I am not well but it does not much trouble me for it is only a dreg of my last great sickness which I am often troubled with but it will be past immediately and I am sorry that you took any notice of it Ah Mistris replied Astrea you suffer no pain which is little unto me and you do me wrong in concealing it from me since I might as your servant have sought out for some remedy Servant replied the Druide I perceive that you do love Alexis more then she deserves but never trouble your self at her pain for my body is not in so much disorder as my mind Your mind said Astrea I beseech you Mistris what is it that can be a trouble to it Does not all things comply even to your very wishes Have you not a Father that loves and cherishes you above all his children Are you not supplied with every thing your heart can desire Moreover are you not esteemed and honoured by all that see you What then is it that can possibly trouble your mind You have forgot one thing said Alexis which would be a greater contentment unto me then all the world and which I desire to possesse before it which is that Astrea will love Alexis Oh God answered Astrea and embraced and kissed Alexis it is a sin impardonable if Mistris you do not think I love you Yes yes Mistris I do love you and love you so that I wish Heaven may never love me if I do not and punish me with eternal torments when I have the least thought of any ceasing to love and honour you Do not say that you do love me answered the Druide but that you do love Alexis I do not understand said Astrea what you mean by that but I am sure that if I do love Alexis it is not the name for if you had any other my love to you will be still the same and if you will know what it is that I do love it is your person your spirit and your merit Suppose I were not a Druide replied Alexis would you love me then I would to God answered Astrea that without any prejudice to your self you were for my contentments sake a Shepherdess of Lignon for then I should hope that the equallity which would be betwixt us would more invite you to accept of my affection Suppose also said Alexis that I were a Shepherd would you still continue the same good will unto me Unto that replied Astrea very soberly I will answer very freely that it is absolutely impossible for me to love you any otherwise then I doe And truly it would not well become me to love a man so well as I do you and though it were permitted me yet I think that I could not it is enough that I did love one and therefore will love no more men Alexis was sorry her curiosity had gone so far but since the Ice was broke she would step a little farther I knew servant said she unto her that it was only Alexis whom you loved and not her person for otherwise if the Gods should make me become a Shepherd why should you then cease to love me If the Gods should do so answered Astrea I should have an occasion to complain against them for depriving me of all the happiness that I hoped ever to receive and from that time I would bid adieu unto all delights and contentment But why should you not
honour answered he as to be surprised in a lie you need not fear that shame replied she for you know that none can look into your heart to convince you Actions answered he are they that open the doors of a heart and you see that all mine do testifie unto you how Thomantes does love Delphire and that he does never look with the eyes of love upon any other beauty but hers and I do make this declaration unto you upon my birth-day to testifie that I believe Heaven gave me life only to imploy it in loving and serving you which I do vow to do with so much affection and fidelity that I am forced to call my self your most devoted servant Thomantes added unto these many other expressions which for brevities sake I omit and which Delphire did not interrupt because though she had a quick wit and sound judgment yet was she so surprised that she could not answer for the respect which she bore unto him as the Son of Ericanthe the good will which she already had unto him as Thomantes the virtues and affections which she found in him and her fears to fail in her duty did hold her in a suspense of resolution and therefore Thomantes after a while of silence in expectation of her answer and when he saw she remained still mute he continued thus I perceive fairest Delphire that your silence does menace me and that those hopes which the sweetnesse of your eye does promise me are not very certain but on the contrary the augure which I might take from that black habit which you wear does but too truly portend my ruine Upon this he changed colour and his words did die in his mouth and though he did offer several times to fall again into his discourse yet he was so confused at her returning no answer that he could not speak Delphire then to ease him from any longer pain she said unto him The words Thomantes which I heard you utter are very like unto those which most Shepherds do commonly use unto Shepherdesses and I will believe they were spoken more out of custom then with any design yet the respect which I do ow unto you and the honour which you do me in discoursing with me does oblige me to esteem them as coming from so kind a Shepherd whom I will alwayes esteem and honour as I ought and as he deserves and because she would not have this discourse continue any longer or go any further at this time she went away unto her Companions Be oh sage Shepherdesse pleased to know that a long time before Filintes who is that Shepherd whom you see next unto Delphire and who is a near kinsman unto Thomantes was become a servant unto that same Shepherdess and being older then he he had also more boldness to declare himself so But some urgent affairs constraining him to leave our Town and to take a long voyage it seems Heaven would favour the design of Thomantes in taking from him this rival who was no smal mote in his eye Filintes then departed full of love and full of sorrow and about twelve or thirteen months after returned with the same love he carried away unless perhaps encreased and grown bigger as his body was But at his departure he had an opinion that he had some advantage of Thomantes yet found at his return what a mortal enemy absence is unto Love for he found the design of his rival so thriven and his own so blasted as any but himself would have lost all hopes Yet his generous courage would not shrink at any difficulties and therefore resolved a second defeat at his return then he renewed his addresses added new supplications to his old prayers and seconded his old services with new ones Briefly he was so assiduous and did so importune her that though he could not win any thing upon the resolved mind of Delphire yet he raised most extream suspitions and strong jealousies in the soul of Thomantes For though Delphire did prefer Thomantes yet the true love of that Shepherd would not let him be in rest knowing very well that love works wonders and does miracles And from hence did proceed so many disquiets and so many torments which these two Shepherds have caused unto each other And yet although their loves were very great and the violence of their affections did daily increase yet for all this the friendship and amity that was betwixt them did not alter a quality which was highly estimable in Filintes who was least loved and whose humour was naturally splenetique and yet who could submit himself unto the laws of reason The advantage of Thomantes was great having the authority of Eleaman and principally of Ericanthe to back him and yet the encouragement of Filintes was not a little having a sister brought up also with Ericanthe who had a very great prevalency with Delphire and indeed it was unto her to whom Filintes did commonly make his complaints At last it fell out that this Shepherd after he had observed upon several occasions how this Shepherdesse preferred Thomantes before him and after he had made all the complaints he could seeing that he received nothing but fresh testimonies of his being not loved and being out of all hope and patience he resolved to make a retreat and draw off from a siege which would disgrace him if continued So seeking for an opportunity of speaking to her at last finding her in a place where none could hear he gave her this language You know Delphire how I have loved you and I say you know it for your excellent and pregnant wit cannot chuse but clearly see it in all my actions ever since you can remember me you know also that coldnesse nor your disdains nor my too long absence could ever divert my affection nor in the least degree diminish it But now being pressed or rather oppressed by those scorns and injuries which I daily receive from you I come to tell you that finding them insupportable I must quit the name of servant unto Delphire and that which neither any time nor absence nor your rigours could do your scorn which is insupportable to my spirit does move me unto a just spleen Delphire without the least disquiet and almost glad of this his resolution did answer him extream carelesly I never thought nor desired Filintes that you had any mind unto that Title which now you quit and it is a thing so very indifferent unto me that if you think there is any one amongst my Companions that deserves it I shall advise you to love and serve her This cold answer and the carelesse manner of giving it did still more offend the courage of Filintes and this was the reason why he went away with a lowring brow which sufficiently shewed his ill satisfaction But spleen being a passion which blinds the judgement he thought that no way was better to be revenged upon Delphire then to divert the affection of Thomantes
Yes answered I and I observed that Asphales blushed when I spoke that word but do you understand continued I what it signifies I do understand the word answered he perhaps not the meaning of the writer answered I for I mean that the Love which I bear unto you is like the writing which you see and trod upon it with my foot and which you shall never see again Asphales and all that heard me fell into such extream laughter which perhaps surprised Androgenes as much as what I said unto him One would think sage Shepherdesses that these two actions of Delphire and me should have contented these two stubborn Lovers if at the least this term Lovers be not too good for them but on the contrary they still continued their high humours and whensoever they came into company they presently began to sing their invective songs against us upbraiding us with inconstancy Now sage Shepherdess we both of us resolved to have no more to do with them but become as very strangers as if we had never seen them to the end none should think we cast them off by reason of any new affections we retired our selves at the same time from all manner of conversation not upon a sudden lest it should be thought strange but see fair and Wise Shepherdess how those who upbraided us with inconstancy are inconstant themselves we had not lived above two months in this cold restraint but as if our Ice by a contrary operation had re-kindled fire in their souls they come and cast themselves at our feet with all manner of submission and prayers but I know not whether I should say with the same importunities they used before Filintes and Androgenes were the first who opposed them at their return saying that their inconstancy was too great and gross ever to be entertained or endured and that if such Weather-cock minds were not punished by some eminent corrections there would be no faith or loyalty amongst Shepherds We whose humours were well enough disposed never to entertain them again did easily consent unto the opinion of Filintes and Androgenes And in this resolution as oft as Asphales and Thomantes came to us we laid their inconstancy before them and they on the contrary to shew that no cause is so bad but will find some maintainers they used all the arguments and reasons they could to justifie themselves affirming that they were not inconstant and asked what inconstancy was and within what terms and limits it was confined when it was made a rule or rather a Law and then maintained that they did never break that Law This dispute went so far that in the end being wearied with their importunate prayers we all resolved together to addresse our self unto the Oracle for a decision of the controversie by whose answer we were sent unto you fair and Wise Shepherdess from whom we wait for a just judgment to deliver us all from burthens that are too heavy to be endured Dorissea thus ended her Discourse and after an humble reverence she returned unto her place to vvait for vvhat the Shepherdess Diana vvould ordain vvho after she had asked the opinion of Alexis Astrea Phillis Sylvander and some others she ordained that Thomantes and Asphales should deliver their reasons by vvhich they vvould maintain that they vvere not inconstant and Thomantes spoke thus in behalf of them both The Speech of THOMANTES WE do see and know very vvell oh most just Judge that it vvas upon great reason you ordained Asphales and me to deliver unto you those reasons by which we may clear our innocency and wipe off those aspersions which the malice of our accusers had cast upon us for otherwise it is impossible any humane understanding should come to the knowledge of the truth which is now put into doubt the artifice of those who have done the wrong is great and they have so gilded over rotten reasons with flourishing arguments of eloquence as it is a very hard matter to see the simple and pure face of truth but by the oppositions and answers of those that are oppressed We do see and know also very well that we who have hitherto made it our whole business profession and study to love well and not to speak well are by the rigour of those whom we have served driven to defend our selves by words It is a very hard matter for us to speak well that which we have so perfectly and so religiously observed in as much as none ought to meddle in that mistery and trade which they have not learned and of which they have not made profession and oh our just Judge is it not very hard that we who have made it our whole profession to love well and not to speak well should now be driven to that which is not our profession and to use words to verifie our actions to which we referred all our eloquence and rethorique This consideration makes us extreamly doubt the issue of this enterprise knowing very well that we have to do with persons who quite contrary unto us have more studied to speak well without loving then love well without speaking now all the arms which we are to use are only words which being their own and in which they are exercised and skilful most certainly they know better how to use them then we and therefore have a very great advantage of us unless our just Judge by her prudence and soundness of judgment do balance the sincerity of our naked reasons against the gilded glosses and well speaking of our adversaries and upon this confidence we take the boldness to present our reasons plainly unto you and as briefly as possibly we can But when all is well considered what kind of accusations oh my friend Asphales are those which they charge upon us Had they blamed us for loving too much had they accused us of being transported with too much violent affection had they said that we go beyond the limits of Love had they complained that the excesse of our passion makes us troublesome or insupportable in our continual addresses these accusations might perhaps have had some shadow of likelyhood and we should have found a hard task to discharge our selves of such objections But that they should accuse us that we should not Love those whom none can look upon without adoration Is not this to mock us and those if I may say so that hear them Can they say Asphales does not love whose affection surmounted so long an absence If absence be called the Death of Love what should one say of that Love which is not dead after so long an absence but that certainly it is immortal Immortal then is the love of Asphales unto Dorissea Immortal is that of Thomantes unto the fair Delphire who have not only resisted absence but also the rigours of that fair one which perhaps had been insupportable unto any other length of time which they say ruins and rots the most lasting
thing never shook his constancy no nor any monsters of difficulties which he met with nay even impossibilities were not able to stop him in his designed course Oh Gods who does not know that Thomantes hath loved the fair Delphire even in her Cradle at an age when she was not capable if I may say so of knowing either to love or cause love And can it be imagined that Thomantes should now fall off and not love her when her eyes enflames all that they daign to look upon and cast their rayes on Who can have seen this Thomantes overcome all the rigours and scorns of Delphire abide the length of time surmount all difficulties and believe that the same Thomantes should not love her when this fair Monster of Beauty seemed pliable to his will and desires Truly these accusations are as far from any common sence as they are from reason and truth and there is no other answer to be given unto them but this that there is no disputing against those that will deny principles and no more ought I against those persons who make these oppositions who yet do fill Heaven and Earth with their complaints against us and will by force have us confess that we do not love them They will needs take upon them to know what we do better then we our selves Love is an act of the will and is there any so clear sighted as can see my will better then my self But as humane nature is more apt to believe the bad then the good so should we but once tell Delphire and Dorissea that we do not love them oh how presently would they believe us But if we should tell them and tell them again a thousand and a thousand times that we do infinitely love them they would presently say it was not true Why should you not believe us in the one as well as in the other But we and it is no small argument of that love which you deny to be in us if you once tell us that you do love us we presently believe it and never make the least doubt of the truth and from whence proceeds this easie faith and belief Even from love from love I say which makes us believe that truth as well as all other virtues is in the person loved so consequently in you But these fair ones would never confess that we loved them but alwayes denied it and now they tax us with inconstancy This last injury my dear Asphales is an argument for us for from their own opinion must be concluded that we do love them now for they confess that we did not love them heretofore and by saying that we are inconstant they say that we do love now in this sence fair Shepherdesses we should agree with you were it not that Love who forced this truth from your own mouths against your wills will not let us confess that we did not love you before but on the contrary we do say and maintain that we did love you and do love you and ever shall love you and that never was affection more perfect then the affection of Asphales and Thomantes Now the main argument they have against our affection is that our actions have not given sufficient testimonies that we love them Consider oh most just Judge consider I beseech you upon what a sandy foundation this charge is built and how quickly it will fall to the ground when our actions and behaviours to them were all fire and full of impatiencies then they charged us that we did not love them when we saw this way would not prevail nor perswade them to believe the truth of our affections we had recourse unto the contrary we put on a garb of coldness and became all patience but they forgetting the judgment they had before given do now accuse us of want of love more sharply then before What should we do if to our mis-fortune two contraries do work the same effect upon their unjust souls if neither heat nor cold will testifie our Love what can we do Yet these considerations or rather contradictions do put us unto abundance of pains not that they who do see and weigh every thing with a sound judgment can ever enter into any doubt of us but since there are more of those who are inclined to judge ill of others then of those who hold an even scale of judgment it must ensue that the greater part of men will blame us and which is worst of all or which is indeed insupportable these fair ones may nourish a stinister opinion of us in their souls although we never courted any thing with more desires then to perswade them of the contrary and therefore though we know very well that we ought in all other things to yeild unto them yet in this we are constrained to contradict them and bring the matter unto the judgment of another which we would not have to be taken as any defect of love or respect but rather for excess and height of affection which transports us beyond all rules of duty In this excesse we have several times desired that since they do charge us with inconstancy they would first agree that heretofore we did love them and afterwards that they would prescribe unto us those limits in which a Lover ought to keep himself within compass of this constancy to the end one may judge as by a straight rule whether the line be right and come no neerer one side then another and so oh our just Judge it may appear whether we be inconstant or no. The Gods are they who have sent us unto you and the Gods are they will inspire you with a spirit of right judgment But in the mean time we do require and conjure the God of Love to take away all incredulity out of the souls of these fair ones which makes them condemn our actions which truly if they were different from what they were wont to be it was not out of any alteration of will but urgent affairs which was the cause and which hindred us from paying the tribute of those trivial services we were wont to render and in which we could not imploy our time without much prejudice unto our estates Has not all seasons their proper actions does not nature teach us that flowers are proper for the spring and fruits for summer if trees should bloom all the year they would bloom in vain and why should not the same be said of us If we should be alwayes bearing those little flowers which are proper and natural at the beginning of Love we should not produce so much fruit in the summer of Love but should in a manner derogate from the Law of Nature But perhaps that which induceth them to this opinion is the more familiar conversation which we have with others then we were wont to have and that this conversation proceeds from some Love we bear unto those we are familiar with all truly if a Lover ought to be
a salvage person and without communication I must confess they have reason but since the name of Lover does not signifie any Wilde Man or Wolf or Tyger or Barbarian we see no reason or ground they have for their opinions All these doubts and all these judgements which they have conceived of our affections must receive a decision from you sage Shepherdess we mean those doubts and judgments which they have in dis-advantage of our affection for of all other things whereof they blame and accuse us as we are Asphales and Thomantes we dare not so much as whisper the least complaint against them but will with all reverence and respect suffer what they please but when they accuse us as we are Lovers then we are forced to open our mouths not to accuse or complain against them but to sigh as those do whom excessive pain torments above their strength otherwise we could say that when they charge us with inconstancy they themselves are the cause of our change and should seek out for some reasons to excuse it and should urge that so many services paid and received did not deserve that Filintes during the absence of Thomantes should be entertained in his place nor Androgenes in the room of Asphales that the favours which both those received during our absence would afford us ample matter and cause to accuse them that the news which was writ unto us from all sides was enough to make us believe it And because they say that a woman neither can nor ought to hinder any from loving them so it be with all requisite discretion respect and honour we ask your judgment oh our most just Judge upon these four questions first whether she who permits many to love and serve her do keep her self within compass of the Laws of Constancy Secondly if this plurality of Lovers be allowed unto women whether may it not be as well allowed unto men Thirdly whether the Laws of Constancy do ordain that a Lover should flye the sight of all other Shepherdesses And lastly what are the terms and limits of this Constancy so much talked of by all and so little known unto any and all this to the end that these fair Shepherdesses may know whether or no we be true and faithful Lovers and not be offended if our affections cannot endure such injuries should be offered unto them In all these things oh most just Judge we desire and expect your judgement Thus ended Thomantes and after he had made an humble reverence Diana appointed Delphire to answer unto what Thomantes had said if she had any exceptions against it then Delphire began thus The answer of Delphire unto Thomantes WE think it not strange fair and discreet Shepherdess to hear such abundance of windy words from the mouth of Thomantes as vvell in his own behalf as in that of Asphales for he that does love truly cannot speak vvhat he resents and it seems by the rule of contraries that he vvho loves but a little will never be weary of talking doe but observe with what a torrent of words he argues not with reasons but with dis-reasons if I may coyn the word And though upon the same consideration I mean because Dorissea and I do not love I could with the same fluency of tongue make a long opposition of their arguments yet I will not as well because that were to abuse the patience of our Judg and all that hear me as because all their arguments are grounded upon such simple foundations and glossed over with such thin covers as the falsity of them are easily seen and truly seen so clearly that I should not think them worth an answer were it not in obedience unto the command of our just Judge To begin then What do you mean Thomantes by all this talk of your affection You who sayes you are accustomed to Love without speaking as we are to speaking without love What do you mean I say since you do confess that if Dorissea and I do but say once that we love you you will believe us for ever Ah Shepherd since we have been so accustomed to speaking what do you complain of Why are you not both satisfied To what purpose did you make addresses to the Oracle and trouble this Assembly with so many words since we have been so accustomed to speaking it But oh just Judge I perceive the strength and subtilty of his argument he dares not directly say that we are accustomed to speaking it but only that we are accustomed as much to say that we love and yet do not love as they are to love and yet not speaking it and because that they have not been accustomed to love it consequently follows that neither have we been accustomed to speaking it and in this sence they are in the right for it is very hard to speak of a thing which they do not know witness all the discourse of Thomantes in which there are not more words then contradictions But to give them some satisfaction let us confesse that they cannot speak well upon this subject because if they loved heretofore as they say they did they loved without speaking it and that now they do not love they are yet constrained to speak well we will allow this and now Thomantes and Asphales are you contented You may be at least since you are allowed what you ask but what 's all this to our difference Nothing at all nor is it any proof that they do love us for it might perhaps be available if men I mean men of their age did guide themselves by reason then one might infer from hence somthing of what they say but for them who do all things at hazard out of humours and nothing according to the right rules of reason what can one infer from hence but that then their humour was such and now is quite different But say they why should they then take so much paines To which we answer who can find the reason of that which has no reason I say it was either out of obstinacy or to deceive or out of ambition of the name of a Lover without any effects or out of some worse or more pernitious designe What reason can be expected from persons that are unreasonable But say they we do know that we do love is there any that knows our own wills and minds better then our selves Oh most just Judge there is no question but others may know them better can any judge aright whose Spirits are prepossessed with passion What likelyhood is there that these Shepherds can give any sound judgement upon a thing that concerns themselves But we who are without passion and are unconcerned in any thing which concerns them we judge soundly As for example cannot those that see Adrastes better judge of his madness then himself And to shew that they 〈◊〉 know what they would have nor what they do do they not wish and unwâ—â—â— the very same things in one minute
O Gods cry they out that humane nature should be apter to believe the bad sooner then the good certainly they mean the natures of men and particularly of Thomantes and Asphales as for our parts we neither believe nor unbelieve but what is fit so to be and to shew that it is so we do confesse unto you that if you tell us you do not love us we do believe it for commonly every one believes what they desire Moreover we do know by experience that you cannot love when you tell us that you do love us we do not believe it because we know all men are lyers which is a mistery in Love which we are ignorant in and cannot do it But all your actions do belie your words And when you tell us any thing to your own advantage we give no credit thereunto for we know that you use to flatter your selves when it is to your disadvantage we do believe it knowing very well that then it is true and therefore you may see that our belief is grounded upon reason and that which you say of uâ— is untrue But oh just Judge here is a fine piece of ostentation the Love say they which is in us does make us believe that you speak true and Thomantes if you believe so why are you not assured that I do not love Filintes nor Dorissea Androgenes since we have so often told you so But to relate all their contradictions would be too tedious I will briefly answer unto those objections which have weight in them it must needs be said they that if we did not love you heretofore and now you call us inconstant you do as much as say that we do love you Shepherds without setting our thoughts either of love or hatred we called you inconstants as much to say that you had changed your lives and in that your inconstancy is indubitable and that which we do charge you withal you do not deny before all this Assembly so as we are not obliged to prove a thing which is not put in doubt and you never needed to excuse the change with that shallow argument which you alledged that having used all actions of fire and finding we did not believe them to be sparks of Love you had recourse unto actions of Ice for besides that this argument is most ridiculous there is no necessity of alledging it since you do know very well in your own souls that all these flames and fires whereof you speak are meerly imaginary and only to gloss over your Discourse And it is no wonder at all that we should not believe them since they are but only flourishes and seeming as if you did love us And is there any doubt of it since for all your Ice and cold fits you have made addresses and courted others before our faces Is not the voice of the people the voice of God Would you have us give our own eyes and our own ears the lye and not believe when every one sayes it and when we see it by your actions We never courted any say they but only out of a desire to perswade them ah Shepherd you have confessed the truth without a rack it is very true Shepherd you did never court any but to perswade us that you did love us but it was to perswade only and not to love us Alas we knew this ambition in you long since and if we did not yet now we do and it is better to be late wise then never But what a most delicate excuse they have to cover their changing If our actions and behaviours say they were different from what they were wont to be it was because multitude of business and urgent occasions did divert us Then Thomantes if you any time came unto me it seems it was only because you had nothing else to do and know not how to trifle away your time any where else oh how much am I beholding to you Am I not infinitely indebted and can never come off without some great recompence But most just Judge I beseech you look upon these Fathers of great families who have the whole charge of all the estate and house upon their shoulders How their house Nay of all the communaltie or rather of the whole Republique of the Gaules oh Heavens how great are their imployments And what a sin it were against the publique good to disturb them or make them lose one minute of time Indeed you Fathers of families without children and Senators without any business we do agree with you that you could not imploy the time which you spent in those trivial courtships as you call them since those munits were so pretious and useful to the publique better then you did but did you not imploy that time with us which you spent in the particular conversations and familiarities which you had with other Shepherdesses Why did you come to us when you had nothing else to do Why should we receive you when all other company excluded you For had it not been so we should never have seen you If you be so full of business let Love alone for Love is a Deity so great that it is an injury unto him to offer that time unto him which remains after the service of the other Gods he requires the first offerings and the best of things and if any remain then offer unto the other Dieties do you think he will be contented with the refuse and dregs of devotion And out of this Discourse you may gather Thomantes that it is true as to others every season has its proper actions but not to Love for in Loves Garden Trees do Bloom and bear fruit all at once Do you not see that Love makes the young as wise as the old and old ones as very fools as the young You may see that there is no distinction of ages with him but all of an age did you never observe that the most tender Flowers of Love are most sweet fruits For what are hopes but flowers and hopes excel all other contentments which one can have out of Loves Garden Oh Thomantes ignorant in Love Thomantes know that the Fruits of Love are Flowers and his Flowers Fruits for there is alwayes contentment in hopes and hopes are renewed by contentments and therefore it is that the Orange-tree is given for an Embleme of Love because it bears his fruit and his flower together You see most just Judge how little these prtended Lovers do know what Love is and they have good reason to desire you would let them understand what constancy is for being so ignorant in Love it is no wonder they should be also ignorant in it andyet as ignorant as they are they will maintain that they forsooth have observed all the Laws of Constancy to a tittle though if they be constant it is by chance and hazard not out of any resolution or design But if they were convented before the severe Throne of Love and were asked who
thou knowest better how to make your selfe loved then I doe this was as much as if she Irad said that you are suller of subtilty and art then I am and so far I confesse it but whatsoever is amiable in it selfe needs no art or subtilty to make it selfe loved Although she did give you a Garland of Flowers and caused me to restore mine unto him who gave it unto me yet this was onely to shew that she saw nothing amiable in you but such things as resemble flowers which grow and die in a day And because she thought my merits more solid and durable she would not emblem them by things so fadeable And to the end you might the better know it not being willing any thing should passe without recompence consider Silvander what it is which she gave you and what it is which I receive in recompence of my service she permitted you to kiss her hand which is a gratification used unto slaves and such as are in little esteem but unto me she surrendred her place to shew she thought none more worthy then my selfe and to intimate unto you that she adjudged it your duty to doe me the same honour which you did unto her Boast then Silvander of the advantage which you pretend to receive by the this judgement Keep well in memory the great victory which you have this day obtained Go unto the Temple of the good Goddess and there let it be Chronicled in the Annalls that future ages may also know it After this Phillis was silent and when Silvander would have answered Hylas prevented him saying If I were to give my opinion I should declare Phillis victorious Hylas said Adamas and smiled you give your judgement with too much precipitation for you condemn a man before he be heard Silvander has not yet spoke for himselfe 'T is true said Hylas but all 's one for I know he cannot answer any thing to the purpose Every one began to laugh at the discourse of Hylas and when they were all silent Silvander began to answer thus The Answer of the Shepherd Sylvander upon the Judgement of Diana I Have learn'd in the Massilian Schools that Prometheus had such a subtle wit as he mounted up to heaven and from thence stole that Fire from the Gods wherewith he did animate the Statue which he made and that for a punishment of his Theft he was ty'd to a Rock where an Eagle did continually feed upon his Liver Shall not I run the same Fortune if in declaring the intentions of the fair Diana I should steal from her that secret which she would reserve unto her self for I think the Theft not inferiour to that of Prometheus nor that I sin against a less Divinity But on the other side shall I comply with the crime of Phillis who to my disadvantage and against all equity and the good judgement of Diana does attribute unto her self more then is her due Truly should I let fall so just a cause when I am able to maintain it by clear Reasons I shall fear my self extremely culpable What then wilt thou do Sylvander Canst thou not do what is fit to be done unless thou incur a danger Have recourse then unto the fair Diana her self and by supplications ask that by way of gift which thou may'st justly steal from her It is unto you therefore O fairest and divine Mistris that I address my Prayers begging leave to declare the equity of your judgement and the truth of my Victory Protesting that in this action I will have a greater regard unto any thing which shall concern you then unto any thing that shall concern my self For the matter would not concern me so much though Phillis had the advantage of me because notwithstanding I should be no less your servant then I am but that Phillis by her subtle glosses should make it thought that you are the Author of a judgement against all manner of Reason This would wound the honour of your Wit and Judgement But in a confidence that your silence gives consent I will answer Phillis thus It seems Shepherdess that you have a mind to be twice overcome and will make me your superiour by two Judgements I see you would have appealed from Dianas Throne unto another and if our prudent Druide had not hindred you perhaps this injury had been done unto her But it is no wonder that she who does not know how to love should be ignorant in the secrets and ordinances of Love yet to the end that neither you nor those who hear you may not rest any longer in that error hearken Shepherdess unto this Truth which I shall briefly declare unto you That great God which is in the highest heavens and who with one single look doth behold not only all things which the Sun doth shine upon but also all the secrets that are hidden in the Intrals of the Earth and deepest Abyss of Waters he was pleased to give this priviledge unto man that he only can know and understand his mind and for his further help he did not endue him with this knowledge to conceal it from all but to communicate and participate this knowledge unto others And that he might do it the more intelligibly he gave unto him two ways whereby he might declare himself which is by Speech and by Actions And by these two every one may discover their intentions and make them more intelligible unto one another And therefore when our Actions are Ambiguous we add Speech to make them the more plain And when our Speech is obscure and dubious we do interpret them by our Actions And the great Tautates was pleased to order it thus to the end that those deluding spirits which take delight in deceiving all those they have converse withal may be without excuse when their decreitfulness is discovered Now the most wise and just Diana being willing to let us know what she thought of our difference and to manifest her mind more clearly unto us hath used these two ways whereby to express her self First She has declared her self in clear words and to her words she has added actions which demonstratively do speak her mind Yet since the ignorance of Phillis is such and to leave none in any doubt of the Truth I am forced to go a little further and to say That to discover this Truth it is requisite to sound it to the bottome and to know who has got the victory by the judgement of Diana It is necessary to consider the beginning of the Difference which caused our Wager The Nymph Leonide did very faithfully relate the Truth when she said That three months being expired Diana was to judge whether Phillis or I did know better how to make our selves Loved For our wager was grounded upon the saying of Phillis that the reason why I did not attempt to serve any of our Shepherdesses was because I was defective in such things as might procure Love And because I
maintained that the only reason was want of will both Phillis and I were ordered to serve the fair Diana three months and afterwards she was to judg which of us two did know better how to make our selves Loved This being well understood I beleeve there is none here who does not plainly see that by the words of the fair Diana I have obtained that which I did pretend unto Her words were these We do declare that Sylvander does know how to make himself beloved better then Phillis Could she expresse her mind by any words more intelligibly and cleerly And yet to leave no scruple of any doubt she has added actions unto her words and such as none can consider but they must presently confesse my victory Her Actions were two First putting the Crown upon my head secondly giving me her hand to kisse both of them are favours so high as hardly any can be greater For Phillis Unto whom are Crowns given but such as overcome and unto whom do Mistresses use to give their hands to kisse but unto those whom they think worthy of their Loves I cannot tell Shepherdesse what Country it is where the custome is to permit such kisses unto their slaves and such as they little esteem but if they use to confer such favours upon those whom they dis-esteem what will they do unto those who are high in their Favours Believe me O my enemy that after this rate there are very few who would not be very glad my Fairest Mistresse would despise them and I assure you I would be contented to live and die in such disesteem And as to what you say That our judge in giving me a Garland of Flowers does intimate thereby that whatsoever is amiable in me is like those flowers which grow and die in a day I beseech you consider what she has added unto those flowers as if she did foresee that this would be objected We do ordain said she that Sylvander shall take his chaplet of flowers from my hands and wear it hereafter by renewing it with fresh flowers Can you think Shepherdesse that she intended it to wither in a day since she would have me wear it for eternal memory But in this I must confesse you are excusable For it is one of those misteries in Love which you do not understand and which I will unfold unto you to the end you may know why our just judg did ordain that you should restore that Garland which was given unto you and why I should wear mine alwaies Love which our sage Druides esteem to be the great Tautates whom the Doctors in the Massilian Schools do say was the first of all the gods who after the Chaos did separate things mortal from things immortal and gave them life and perfection And because man was only created to know to love and to serve this great Tautates whom we were not able to comprehend by any corporeal representations or Ideas he did set before our eyes a body so perfect as might in some sort represent unto us that which he would have us know of him To the end that knowing him we might come to love him and loving him to serve him And in as much as nothing is so bright and pure as this great Tautates he created that which he thought most pure and perfect and did imbellish it with all the beauties and accomplish it with all the perfections that a body could be capable of and called it the Sun Thus the Sun appeared presently from one side of Heaven unto the other gave life and motion unto all that was upon the earth and wrought such admirable effects as many did think it to be the great God of whom it was only but an imperfect resemblance and did adore it in lieu of that which it did represent Now Phillis if you would know in some sort what this great Tautates Love is you must learn it by the Sun and such things as fall under our senses And when you see how the Sun gives life unto all that is in the universe you ought to say it your self that Love gives life unto all souls when it shines not only in heaven but also throughout all the earth you must acknowledg Love to be the light which gives understanding unto all spirits for there is none so blind but it is able to open his eyes and make him cleer sighted And if this Sun of Love do not shine then is he all in darknesse without any light or understanding consider also how as the Sun does alter and change seasons Love does the like It causeth the Spring by producing in our spirits the flowers of hopes It causeth Summer by giving us the fruits of those hopes It causeth Autumn by letting us enjoy them and it causeth Winter by giving us so much understanding as to know how to preserve them long I should be too long if I should relate all the resemblances betwixt Love and the Sun Let it suffice Shepherdess that by this resemblance already instanced you may understand how these flowers which you so much undervalue say are withered as soon as blown are the hopes which Love produceth in his Spring Oh Love What greater favour could I receive from my fairest Mistresse Oh Phillis how dear and infinitely pleasing are these flowers unto me especially when I consider the consequents of this favour These fair and sweet flowers are the Spring of my hopes and can you think that Summer will not presently follow after the Spring Is not that kisse of her fair hand which she was pleased to afford me the fruit of those hopes Does not this Glorious Sun of my soul afford me also an Autumn and a Winter Doubtlesse Phillis my fairest Mistresse did not omit them when she ordained I should wear that Crown of flowers continually amongst the Shepherds and renew it with fresh ones Is not this an Autumn and Winter both since I must preserve it long and renew my happinesse Consider O my enemy how in taking these flowers from you and restoring them unto Adamas she intimates that you must not hope for any thing And if you have flattered up your self with any fond hopes without any ground of reason it is fit you be deprived of them before all this venerable company There remaines nothing now to answer but only to tell you why my fairest Mistris was pleased to say that Phillis was more amiable then Sylvander and upon what reason she placed you in her own seat For the better understanding of it know Shepherdesse That whatsoever is good is amiable but if the good be unknown it is like unto a hidden treasure which none can esteem until it be known when Diana did declare that you were amiable she did it with good reason for doubtless the vertues which are in you are good for resembling my fairest Mistris in sex and other gifts of Nature there is no doubt but therein you are amiable and much more then Sylvander But
it very hard that one should be loved and served so discreetly by such a very excellently qualified Shepherd and have no spark of good will towards him but however it be can you think to exempt your self from all the torment of it And that you are not accessary unto his You are mistaken wise Shepherdesse if you be in that opinion for if you should forbid him to love you you may as well do nothing for you may be certain he will not obey and if by any rigorous language you command him to get out of your sight then the violence of his affection will so divulge it self all over the Country as perhaps not a Shepherd but will know it So as I see the inconvenience is unevitable unlesse you resolve upon some wise expedient All those that know Sylvander do think him a Shepherd so amiable as they think there is not a Shepherdesse but may well daign to love him and that the Shepherdesse whom he loves may if she have any wit very well do the like what opinion then will the world have of Diana whom every one knows to have wit and judgement when they see how this Shepherd loves her serves her and adores her with so much affection I shall by way of advice propose two wayes unto you the one of which I conceive more safe then the other The one way is since I see it a thing impossible to divert this Shepherd from his affection to you permit him to serve you secretly and this permission will be a way by joyning his prudence unto yours to hide this affection from all such as have nothing else to do but censure and pâ—y into the actions of others But if you do not love this Shepherd this counsel is naught because this secret correspondency will oblige you unto certain indulgencies and testimonies of affection which may cost you very dear Therefore I conceive this other expedient to be better Let him continue that guise in which he hath hitherto served you by this permission his flame will not flash with such violence and if by fortune it should so break out that every one takes notice of it they wil not at all think it strange because he is already accustomed unto it and his Courtship being under that pretence of dissimulation they will not think he loves you in earnest I know there will be some malevolent minds that will be spending their censures but who can avoid the lash of such tongues But most will not believe it And the best thing of this way is you will not be obliged unto him For there is nothing so dangerous as for a woman to commit her self unto the discretion of him she loves because most men being naturally of a wavering temper when they change their affection they will not for all that lose the memory of things past but on the contrary thinking to make themselves the more esteemed they blaze them abroad and brag how much they have been loved by such a one and the bad condition of our age being as it is and people more apt to believe the evil then the good it is presently believed that such a woman is a very loving soul who will love more then she is loved Now Fair Diana by permitting him to continue his guise of dissimulation you will not be in any danger this way because you are not obliged to render him any knowledge of your good will But on the contrary may take his real affection as if it were Fiction and he cannot complain against you This also is another thing considerable in this course I know very well that Diana has a little vanity and good reason has she for it being a Sherherdess so full of perfections and the principal in all this Country on the contrary Sylvander being a person unknown and Owner of no Fortune but what his own Industry can get I am afraid that Diana would blush if any should see her allow of any real address from a Shepherd so much her inferiour But fair Shepherdess you are by this expedient exempt from this inconveniency having a good excuse when you receive his complements of Love as if all were but in jest to exercise his wit and sharpen it with feigned conceptions of an imaginary Love Thus Alexis ended and when Diana would have answered Astrea interrupted her Nay nay Sister said she there is no more to be said after this fair Druide She has cleared all doubts that could possibly be foreseen and fully answered them so as I shall not think you to be so wise as I ever took you if you do not follow her counsel Phillis I am confident will be of the same opinion But one thing does a little scruple me against which a remedy may haply be applyed which is That if Diana do permit this disguised Courtship of this Shepherd she must have a good occasion for the permission otherwise I am afraid the Artifice should be discovered And you know Madam that if one he found jugling in one trick all the rest of their actions will be suspected Never trouble your self said Phillis about that for Sylvander himself did yesterday give an excellent occasion to colour the permission For Diana told me the last night when we were retired that Sylvander having obtained leave to continue his Courtship all the rest of the day he pretended that this permission was to last alwaies and both he and she falling in difference about it the business was referred unto Astrea and my self and should have been determined that same night But because Diana was not willing the matter should be argued in Publique and both you Madam and Leonide being in the chamber the difference was deferred until another time and Sylvander accompanying me to my Lodging he told me how glad he should be if it could be deferred because till then he might enjoy his Priviledge There is no necessity therefore that the business should be made so private but on the contrary I am of opinion that the matter is to be argued in some publique place to the end that when all do see Sylvander continue his addresses to Diana they may know it is upon the old score as he begun it Alexis and Astrea did very well approve of this advice and Diana who perhaps did like of it as well as they and till then stood mute she seemed to be convinced by the reasons of Alexis and the approbation of her two dear friends so as it was resolved that the difference should come to hearing at such a time when Adamas Alcidon and Daphnide were present and that Astrea and Phillis should give judgment in the behalf of Sylvander As fortune was Sylvander hearing the voices of these fair Shepherdesses so near him he turned that way and spied them and seeing all their backs towards him being prompted by a Lovers curiosity he got as near them as he could unseen and creeping upon the ground he got behind a Bush
any harm for she spoke very simply and innocently I beseech you said Sylvander what did she say She said answered Phillis that you your self were instrumental to your own hurt of which afterwards you could not cure your self for meeting Madonthe you acquainted her with the coming of that stranger who had some bad designs upon her It is most true answered the Shepherd I did so and I thought my self obliged unto it by the Laws of Civility The Laws of Civility did not enjoyn you to accompany her as far as Aquitane replied Phillis much less when she denied you to fall upon your knees and with a torrent of tears beg nay force her to give leave you might wait upon her at the least part of a dayes journey telling her after your tears had obtained leave that she might well permit you the happiness of so short a time since you were to endure so long a torment of absence from her But here comes the misery of it when she answered you with a smile that though her absence did grieve yet the presence of Diana would comfort you you answered again Diana merits much more then my service but I pay them unto her only upon a wager I wish she were to go this journey in your room and you to stay in hers here in this Country Do you think Shepherd that any Laws of Civility oblige you to use any such discourse unto Madonthe and to speak with such scorn of Diana Do you think it strange she should be offended at you and resolve to take all occasions from you of treating her so unworthily Oh Heavens Oh Earth Oh God! Oh Diana cri'd Sylvander What treason is invented against me Treason said Phillis why Can you deny it How replied the Shepherd presently I say or do any such things as these I had rather my Sheep-hook were run through my heart then any such thoughts should be in it do you deny replied Phillis that you accompanied Madonthe as far as she would permit you I must confess answered Sylvander that it is true I did accompany her but it was upon such reasons as if I have done otherwise I had been blamed by all those that heard of it and that you may know the truth give me leave to make a short relation of it unto you Diana hearing Sylvander prepare himself to speak I am confident said she to her self that if one word of truth be in his discourse it is against his will and design but see with what a brazen face he sets himself to lie Then Sylvander began thus Shepherdess said he it is long since Paris was telling how that stranger was come into the Country with a bad design upon Madonthe and when I saw him much troubled how he should acquaint her with it I took upon me to make it known unto her he does not tell replied Diana to her self how ready he was to offer himself in this service lest any other should undertake that charitable office In the mean time Sylvander went on with his story Yesterday morning said he I met her with Thersander and I thought the blame of all the accident might be charged upon me if I did not acquaint her I told her therefore as it was told me and seeing her eyes flow in tears I must confess I was much moved unto compassion nay passion you should have said replied Diana to her self And I to assure her said Sylvander against the injuries of this unknown person I offered my self to accompany her with some of my friends if she pleased He is her Champion said Diana and will defend her against all her enemies And so I did said Sylvander but it was no further then the place where Paris saw that stranger It was said Diana because she would not suffer him to go any further Could I do any less said Sylvander unless I transgressed against the Laws of Civility and Humanity If I did any more then what I have told you Shepherdess may I be denied Heaven and perish eternally as a punishment of my crime But said Phillis did you not follow her as far as Aquitane or would you not if she had permitted you Had I thought answered Sylvander that she had stood in need of me I must confess I had accompanied her farther thinking it the duty of man to help any in distress Henceforward said Diana we shall have this Shepherd become the Hercules of Gaul and wander from Province to Province to fight with Giants and Monsters But continued he that I should be importunate or press her or do any more then civilly desire her is a thing so false as I admire any should be so impudent as to invent it or say it None more likely then Sylvander said Diana 'T is true I did offer my self said Sylvander to be her convoy and guard her till she was out of Forrests But is it true replied Phillis that you did not shed any tears nor kneel down nor speak of Diana nor lament her departure Now said Diana is he pumping and preparing himself for a lie Shepherdess answered Sylvander if any one sillable of all these be true let the Justice of Heaven strike me dead immediately let the earth swallow me up alive and never let me see the face of men again let the anger of Gods and men do all their worst against me if all that you have said unto me be not false and invented by some who wish my death and has some designs upon Diana Now has he hit upon it said Diana for what pretensions or designs can Laonice have upon me or his life Shepherd said Phillis when you know who it is certainly you will be of another mind But you must needs confess a fault in accompanying this Shepherdess without asking leave of your Mistris Ah Sister said Diana I beseech you give no such Name unto me that Shepherd shall be none of my Servant You know Sylvander said Phillis that one who loves truly ought never to dispose of himself without the Will of the party loved why then would you go away and never tell her He is at a non-plus said Diana and knows not what to say Certainly answered Sylvander if the journey which I was to take had deserved the name of a journey I had done as you say but since it was not above two or three miles I thought neither she nor you could take any exceptions Besides Madonthe departed so suddenly as it was impossible for me to have done it unless I had failed in doing her that civil office Observe said Diana that rather then fail Madonthe he will fail in his duty to us But it is impossible said Sylvander that the excellent wit of my Mistris Raze out the words said Diana unless you speak of Madonthe It is impossible I say continued he that the Judgement of Diana which is never deceived Unless in you said Diana should so easily believe such a falsity But good Shepherdess tell me If it