embraces of my love and me shall be Such as the Cyprian boy from our abundance Shall take his fires to kindle other hearts Yet leave with us a flame which we will cherish And keepe alive unto eternitie Do. Women are ever credulous most then When knowledge of the truth would but afflict them I dare not now distrust you though I knew What you have said were false it has a semblance Of such a pleasing truth Give me thy hand And take thou mine whilst we walke thus intwin'd I shall thinke Daphnis never was unkind SCENA 4. Eubulus Cleander to them Thyrsis Sylvia WHat are they dead Is the Kings will obey'd Cle. No Sir they live and Hymen in his bands Has ty'd them both the happiest knot that ere Knit two such equall hearts and loves together Oh I am ravish'd with the newes my joy Is greater now then if sh 'had beene the daughter Unto our King and I had married her Eu. I am amaz'd pray Jove thou beest not mad Cle. Somewhat exalted Sir beyond my my selfe But yet not mad Goe Sir unto the King Tell him Cleander lives to make him happy Eu. Sure thou wilt come unto thy selfe anon Prethee bethinke thee Cle. Yes Sir I doe thinke And know that I have newes to make him live And you an age yet longer Eu. This is strange Cle. T is true Eu. But what is true Cle. T is true my Sister Shall be a Queene Eu. If she doe live I thinke She will but yet you know we were commanded To cut that life off Cle. But your hastie sonne That came so speedy with a fatall message Was not so forward now they both doe live And both are married Eu. Jupiter forbid Cle. The Fates command it 't is their proper worke The Shepheard is a Prince your Prince and mine And married to my Sister Eu. Ha! what 's that Prithee digest thy troubled thoughts and tell me What Prince is this thou mean'st Cle. Archigenes Eu. Thou dream'st it cannot be Cle. No then come forth You royall paire and testifie your selves Enter Thyrsis and Sylvia Syl. Father your blessing Eu. Ha! Cle. Nay I 've told all She knowes she is your daughter looke Sir here Here we must place our reverence Eu. Who 's this Cle. Not yet then looke upon this Circle that You know for certaine though you know not him Eu. 'T is it it is the same Archigenes Sonne of Euarchus and Eudora This is my character and this my seale Thy. Sir I have heard that by your piety My infant life was sav'd now by the goodnesse Deriv'd from you unto your sonne I have Not onely found my life but my content The summe of all my hopes this Lady here Without whose love my life had bin a torment Syl. And I the happiest maide that ever was Conducted by the power of simple love Have found in place of him I thought a shepheard A Princely lover Eu. Rise Calligone The Gods are just I see that favoring My innocence have brought this match about But say Cleander what Fate guided thee To this discovery Cle. Sir should I tell you How many waies I cast to save my sister After the fatall message which I brought I should be tedious and keepe you from What you do long to heare In short I soone Resolv'd to make away this royall shepheard And knowing that in this affaire to keepe it Secret dispatch was needefull I commanded A servant of whose faith and courage I Was well assur'd to kill him in my presence Eu. 'T is strange thou should'st be present at a murder Cle. 'T was a necessity was laid upon me Because I would be sure to see him dead I bad him choose his death when manfully He said he car'd not how so he might die I knew to strangle him was the readiest way Which death himselfe was ready to embrace This his so noble resolution Did stande me from mine my servants hands Trembled for feare Presaging what a sinne they were to act He bad him be assur'd he would not start And often call'd him to dispatch him quickly Syl. What man could have a heart for such a deed And see his face Cle. The Prince before he came To put the fatall twist about his necke Besought me as I ever hop't for peace I should preserve the Princesse this I promis'd And whatsoever else he would desire He answered nothing now but hasty death Then stripping off his doublet I espide With a quick eye this golden Circle here When hastily I bid my servant hold And let him goe He ask't me why I staid I told him that about his necke was Sacred He would have rent it off but I forbad it Eu. What did you then Cle. Sir I did well remember What I had heard of th' Oracle and you Which with the computation of his yeares I found agreeing to make up a truth Which you before assur'd me then I ask't him Whether he would be married to the Princesse Before he died he thought that I had mockt him And said I practis'd Tyrannie upon him Then went I to my sister and desir'd The same of her in fine I saw them both Joyne hands and hearts together but the Prince Thought this a dreame of life which certaine death Would wake him from untill I did assure him Of his great State and that his love whom now He thought to be the Princesse was my Sister All which I did referre unto your knowledge Eu. This day for ever let it holy be And you whom love has brought through deepe despaire Unto the haven of your happinesse Enjoy each other freely Of you brave shepheard But now my Prince I shall enquire anon Where and with whom you liv'd Thy. Sir the shepheard Whom I call father stayes without Montanus His name is by whose gentle hands as he as often told me I was rescu'd first From cold and death since under his kind roofe fosterd and bred as his Eu. Goe call him in Enter Montanus Mirtillus you 're welcome both you may applaud your fortune That brought you such a Shepheard stay all here Whilst I goe to the King This day will adde More yeares unto his life when he shall say no day shone brighter on Arcadia Exit Mon. We are both come to doe our duties to you as being sent for and Mirtillus with me To celebrate your joyes within a while The Shepheards and the Nymphs will all be here Thy. My old companions shall be welcome all As you are now I never shall forget Your courtesie nor theirs Syl. Nor I the Nymphs Once my deare fellowes but you Mirtillus Though you did scorne to love yet could you sing Well if you listed of it Cle. Can shepheards then despise that Deity which we adore Mi. Madam I reverence it in you The perfect'st patterne of a constant lover And in the honour of your Nuptialls I have a Song which if your Grace will heare 'T will entertaine the time Syl. Let it be sung Song
Hymen God of marriage bed Be thou ever honoured Thou whose torches purer light Deaths sad tapers did affright And insteed of funerall fires Kindled lovers chast desires May their love Ever prove True and constant let not age Know their youthfull heate t' asswage 2. Maides prepare the Genial bed Then come night and hide that red Which her cheekes his heart does burne Till the envious day returne And the lusty bridegroome say I have chac'd her feares away And insteed Of virgin head Given her a greater good Perfection and womanhood Thy. Thanks good Mirtillus this indeed was proper Unto your subject Mi. Your thrice happy match Being but now come to my knowledge made me contract my selfe into a straiter roome Then the large subject might afford Cle. The King To these Euarchus Eubulus Eu. Although I wonder yet I doe beleeve thee My faithfull Councellor Eub. Your Majesty Has found me alwaies reall but this truth The Oracles accomplishment will prove That did foretell their match Eu. Reade it Eubulus Once more and then call in my sonne and daughter Eub. If ere thy Issue Male thou liv'st to see The childe thou thinkst is thine thine shall not bee Eu. Calligone is not my childe proceed Eub. His life shall be obscure twice shall thy hate Doome him to death yet shall he scape that Fate Eu. 'T is true that twice I did command his death First thinking him a bastard then a shepheard For his offence the Gods are just Goe on Eub. And thou shalt live to see that not long after Thy onely sonne shall wed thy onely daughter Eu. This was a riddle ever till this day Their marriage has made it plaine Eubulus Call in Archigenes and call thy daughter The faire Calligone that I may powre My blessings on them And I long to see Those characters thou writst about his necke That I may call him mine Eub. See where they are Eu. Archigenes come neerer for thou art A stranger yet although thou be my sonne The Character is plaine it is the same Eubulus writ to me you heavenly powers Give me a heart that may be large enough T' expresse my joy for these and thanks to you Thy. My royall father for I am instructed To call you so If I have don amisse In hasting to this match I aske your pardon Syl. And I for daring to aspire so high Without your leave Eu. Rise both you have my blessing But who are these Thy. This is the shepheard Sir Who tooke me up first whom till now I call'd Father and he deserv'd it for his care Eu. Eubulus this is he Montanus i st not Eub. He is deliverd to me for the shepheard Of whom your Majesty may if you please Be well inform'd of all those passages I left untold Eu. Some other time we 'le heare them Let him be well rewarded Thy. Sir these shepheards Are come to entertaine your Majestie With their devices as their custome is In which sometimes untill my fortune chang'd I bore apart Eu. Let them be feasted all And studdy something new to celebrate These Nuptials which I will have proclaim'd Throughout my kingdome and Eubulus see That every thing be fitted for their honor Come let us to the Temple that we may With holy sacrifice appease the Gods Whose great decrees though we did strive to hinder Yet are they now fulfill'd It is in vaine T' oppose the Fates whose lawes do all constraine Exeunt FINIS The Epilogue to the KING and QVEENE TO you most royall paire whose lives have brought Vertue in fashion and the world have taught That chast innocuous sports become the stage No lesse then civill manners do the age We dedicate this Piece but yet with feares To have displeas'd so chast so tender eares Which if you free us from we 'le call this play No more the Shepheards but our Holy-day THYRSIS A Pastorall Elegie in the person of Sir Kenelme Digby on the Death of his Noble Lady the Lady Venetia Digby THe gentlest Swaine that Arcady ere bred Who Thyrsis hight the saddest of that name Close by a Rivers side his heavy head Laid downe as he with teares would fill the same Regarding nought that might him pleasance give Since what was his delight had left to live And whilst that other Shepheards of his ranke If any Shepheard of his ranke might be Plaid on their merry Pipes upon some banke Making the hills resound their jollity Hee in sad plight his woefull daies did spend Their joyous sports caring not to attend There as hee by that silent water lay Regardlesse of his youth and lusty head His swelling griefe in vaine he did assay To vent in grievous plaints which more it fed Whilst to the ruthlesse waves he did relate The story of his losse and heavy Fate You Nymphs if any doe inhabite here And I have heard that Nymphs in waters dwell Lend to my carefull Verse a gentle eare Whilst I the saddest wight that ere did tell His owne mishaps unfold to you my case In this your balefull place If to the Sea of which you branches are I ever honour did when list me change My Shepheards staffe to seeke adventures farre In the wide Ocean where I long did range And brought renowne home to my native soyle The glory of my toyle Doe not mistake nor offer to compare Those dayes with these wherein my griefe exceeds The joy which once I had to see my faire Welcome me home and gratulate my deeds Which to atchieve her grace as well did move As did my countries love But now with her those graces all are gone Weepe with me waters to make up my moane Gone is my Love and why then doe I see Nature the same as ere shee was before Since to her making all her forces shee Wisely imploy'd and she could give no more Though shee should frame the most caelestiall mould That ere the Earth did hold To draw from all the heads of noble blood The best and to infuse it into one To make a mixture of all faire and good Rare Symmetry and sweete proportion Was it to shew that such a thing might be Without eternitie It was and wee are taught how fraile the trust Is that wee give unto mortality How soone shee is resolved into dust Whom erst the world so beautifull did see But you were just that tooke her though unkinde In leaving me behinde Alas why was I left thus all alone Weepe with mee waters to make up my moane Shee 's gone and I am here yet doe I finde With some small joy the languishing decay Of th' other halfe which she has left behind For halfe of me with her shee bore away Unto those fields where shee immortall is Heaped with heavenly blisse I see her faire soule in that blessed place Where joy for ever dwells and now I know How in a dreame she saw an Angells face And it admiring wisht she might be so Which the celestiall powers would not deny So did shee sleeping dye So did shee breake the bonds of heavy night And when shee wak't wak't to eternall day Where shee in formes Angelicke now is dight And sees her maker and shall see for aye O happy soule I will not thee envy O let me rather flye Unto that blessed place where thou art gone Then waters weepe no more but end your moane I come yet something does retard me here The pledges of our love thou left'st with me Those whom thou living didst account so deare Who still with mee preserve thy memory For their lov'd sakes yet must I longer stay Then will I poste away Then to thy lasting name I have uprear'd A Monument which time shall ne're deface And made the world which as yet have not heard Of thy rare vertues and thy honour'd race Know who thou wert and that thou wentst from hence At Natures great expence Then world farewell you I have seene enough And know how to despise your vanity Your painted glories are of baser stuffe Made to delude those that with halfe eyes see He that 's abstracted from you stands much higher And greater things admire 'T is you I leave to goe where shee is gone Then waters weepe no more here end your moane This to the empty winds and waters hee Alas in vaine they car'd not for his teares Did thus unfold to ease his misery When loe the Messenger of night appeares For the falne Sun which warn'd him to be gone Chang'd to the light uncertaine of the Moone DE TVMVLO PER ILLVStrissimum Dominum Kenelmum Digby lectissimae conjugisuae structo ejusque memoriae dicato EPIGRAMMA HAc tua chara jacet Digbeie Venetia terrâ Quae pietate tuâ nobile marmor habet En Parios lapides atque hac in mole repertum Quod Phidiae potuit Praxitelisve manus Aspicis ut vivunt statuae caelataque doctâ Aera manu quin ut vertice ipsa micat Gloria defunctos si tangit posse videtur Credibile hoc illam velle cubare modo Quaerenti cineres respondent corde jacebo Conjugis tumulo nobiliore tegar Obijt 1. Maij 1633
And yet behold They doe appeare as fresh and full of verdure As when my Love cloth'd in her clearest lookes Did give them grace and lustre Why do we Poore silly men bred up in cares and feare The Nurse of our Religion stoope to Nature That onely knowes to forme not to preserve What she has made since carelesse of her worke She leaves to giddy Fortune the whole power Of ruling us These senselesse Trees stand still And flourish too and in their pride upbraide My losse to me but my deare Sylvia being Natures best peece made to excuse the rest Of all her vulgar formes ay me was left To desolation till some horrid Satyr Bred in these Woods and furious in his lusts Made her his prey and now has carried her Into his darke retirings or some Cave Where her poore Thyrsis never more shall see her But I will be reveng'd this Wood that now Is so bedeckt with leaves and fresh array I le levell with the ground untill it be As desolate as I Mon. Alas poore shepheard Thy. It shall affoord no shade to any thing That hither us'd to come for its releife But henceforth be for ever infamous That when some gentle shepheard passes by And sees this ground rent with the crooked plough Here he may say here 't was that Sylvia Was lost and then shall turne another way Mon. Good Thyrsis do not make so much of griefe Y'have fed it with too many teares already Take comfort now Thy. What has my present state To doe with comfort if you see the trees Widdow'd of leaves the earth growne hard and spoild Of the greene mantles which she wont to weare You wonder not if winter then appeare Mon. By these we know that season Thy. And must I When she is gone whose Sun-like eyes did cherish An everlasting Summer in my life Feele any spring of joy to comfort me No father griefe with me is best in season Mon. But whilst you mourne thus who looks to your flock Thy. All as the shepheard is such be his flocks So pine and languish they as in despaire He pines and languishes their fleecy locks Let hang disorder'd as their Masters haire Since she is gone that deckt both him and them And now what beauty can there be to live When she is lost that did all beauty give Mon. But yet mee thinks for one that is a stranger Scarce knowne to any here but by her name These plaints are overmuch besides there are In fruitfull Arcady as faire as she I 'me sure more rich and wise make out of them A choise Nerina is as faire as she Dorinda's flocks are more then Silvia's And carry on their backs more wooll then hers Thy. Let such base Pesants as the Gods do hate Admire their wealth and them for what they have Their bodies and their soules materiall Alike of drossie substance are compounded And can contemplate nothing but the earth No Silvia whom some better God perhaps For the reward of my well tuned pipe Sent downe to me made up of ayre and fire Though since because I knew not how to use With faire respect a gift so great as she Has justly reft her from me is so much So great a part of me that in her absence Amidst my griefe I feele some little joy To see how much of me each minute wasteth And gives me hope that when I shall dissolve This earthly substance and be pure as she For sure the Gods have taken her undefil'd I may injoy her lookes and though it be Prophane to touch a hallowed thing like her I may adore her yet and recompence With my religion the proud thoughts I had once to injoy her Mo. See how fond you are T' embrace a shadow and to leave the substance The love of Hylas to Nerina has More hopes then yours though she be yong and coy Yet whilst Nerina is and Hylas too One time or other they may both haue joy Thy. May they prove happy in each others love And nothing please but what each other do For so liv'd Thirsis and his Silvia Whilst Silvia was and Thirsis was her loue What ever Thirsis pip'd pleasd Silvia Thirsis admird what ever Sylvia sung And both their joyes were equall or but one Well I can now remember and it is Some comfort to remember what I moane That when our loves began how first I gaz'd On her and she was pleasd that I should looke Till greedily I had devour'd the hooke Love gave me courage then to speake my thoughts And gave her pitty to receive my words They linkt our hearts together from that time When ere she saw me strike the furious Boare Though then my case she ru'd and sigh'd full oft Yet was she pleas'd to see my victory And I receiv'd my vigour from her eye Then would she make me Chaplets of the best And choicest flowers to adorne my head Which when I wore methought I then did graspe The Empire of the world but what of that The more I then enjoy'd of heavenly blisse The more my present griefe and passion is Mon. Well Thyrsis since my words doe but renew The story of your griefe I 'le leave to use Perswasions to you for 't is time I see And not my words must cure your maladie Exit Thy. That time must put a period to my life Or else it never will unto my griefe Come Boy and under this same hanging bow The note which thou attemperst to my words Sing and be happier then thy Master Boy Boy 1. SHall I because my Love is gon Accuse those golden darts Which to a blessed union Strooke our two loving hearts Since Fortune and not Love hath caus'd my moane 2. No her pure Image I shall prize Imprinted in my brest More then the fairest Mistresse eyes That ever Swaine possest Which in eternall bonds my fancie tyes 3. Come then you sharpest griefes and try If you can pierce my heart But use if you would have me dye The best you can of Art To wound a breast so arm'd with constancy Thy. Enough I 'le sigh the rest out Goe my boy Be carefull of thy tender Lambes whilst I Seeke out some hidden place to pine and dye SCENA SECUNDA Hylas Mirtillus BEleeve Mirtillus never any love Was bought with other price then love alone Since nothing is more precious then it selfe It being the purest abstract of that fire Which wise Prometheus first indu'd us with And he must love that would be lov'd againe Mi. Why who can say Mirtillus does not love Mirtillus he who has imploy'd his youth Ever in service of the fairest Nymphs Hy. Mirtillus cannot love Mi. No gentle Hylas This Ribband and this haire you see me weare Are they not ensignes of a lover say What shepheardesse whom ever Swaine thought faire Has not Mirtillus courted and obtaind Some favour from but you will thinke because I do not fold my armes and sigh and spend The dayes the Gods have given me to
rejoice In whining passion walking still alone Now proud with hopes then cast downe with despaire Unequall to my selfe in every thing I cannot love No Hylas know I love Dorinda Cloris Amarillis all Whom ever love did to his Altars call And when this Mistresse frownes I am content To take another when that flame is spent By time or put out by a Rivall straite A third supplies her place perhaps more worthy If lesse because she loves I le thinke her so Hy. Alas Mirtillus I doe pitty thee Pittie the error which thou wandrest in That thinkst thou lov'st and know'st not what it is Mi. Why what is love say you if mine be not Hy. I know Mirtillus that no lover yet Purchas'd a lasting pleasure without griefe For love has gall in it as well as honie And so compounded that who so ere will taste The sweetes of it must take the bitter too Out of both which is made our constancy You that embrace the false delights alone Are a faign'd lover or more truly none Mi. I know not what you meane by constancy I 'me sure I loue the fairest Hy. Still you erre For if you lov'd the fairest none had bin The object of your choise but my Nerina Nerina she the glory of these woods The only subject of all shepheards song Mi. She has her share of beautie with the rest And I confesse she 's fit for love as any But why she onely should take up your breast And shut out all that have a right as good Whose equall or transcendent beautie pleades As just a title to 't as hers can do I cannot reach the reason but admire Your faith and what you praise your constancie Hy. Mirtillus though I know your stubborn heart Could never entertaine a lovers thought Yet did I thinke you would have bin more tender How you prophan'd a name so sacred as Nerina's is whom never any Swaine Nor rurall God nor Satyr though he be Of savage kinde would ever violate Nerina in whose forme love ever dwells Attended by the Graces which do range Themselves in order 'bout her comely face Whose breasts without are hills of whitest snow Within the seate of blamelesse modestie Regard of honor and pure chastity Nor may a loose thought ever harbor there To tempt such lovers as you seeme to be Is it for that you slight her Mi. No I loue her As I do others with whom I compare her But you that loue with such intemperance Make of your love a glasse wherein you see Each thing much greater then indeed it is My loves too cold you say but I am sure Yours is too hot for any to endure A meane perhaps 'twixt these I might approve Hy. You might if there were any meane in love Mi. But whilst we talke thus see the flame has caught you your beauteous flame Nerina is at hand Dorinda with her dare you stay th' encounter Hy. No let 's with draw and watch her where she gos SCENA III Merina Dorinda DOrinda I have mist the chase to day Such is my chance and he that lodg'd the deere Told me it was the fairest in these Woods Do. The Gods doe love you sure that have left Your thoughts so free for sport mine are not so Ne. Thou art in love I warrant art thou not Do. That angry God pursues me in his fury And forces me to love where I am scorn'd Haplesse Dorinda why should he despise thee Many a Swaine and many a rurall God Have sought thy favors and have sought in vaine Now thou art justly punisht with disdaine Ne. Trust me Sweet-heart I cannot choose but wonder To thinke that one of such a comely grace I doe not flatter you could sue to any For love who are much fitter to be lov'd Scorne him asmuch as he does thee for men Love us no more when we love them agen Do. Ah good Nerina you have spoken truth It may warne other Nymphs by my example How they professe their loves to any man I 'me past the cure he that wounded me Has left me quite disarm'd and robb'd me of All those defensive arts which men will say Are naturall and proper to our sexe I cannot change a face or weepe one teare Or laugh against my will so violently My Fate hath thrust me to this love that all My faculties confesse their weaknesse and My flame is got so much above my reach I can not put it out nor smother it Me. Alas poore wench tell me who is the man Made up of so much rigid cruelty That I may shun him wheresoere I goe Do. Do not you know him Me. No Do. I heare he boasts To every shepheard and to every Nymph How much I love him Me. Then it must be Daphnis Do. Venus forgive me if I do disclose him But he will do 't himselfe T is he Nerina Me. Daphnis that woes my father to win me He is my daily suitor now I know How much he owes to pitty and to thee Untill he pay that debt I shall despise him Do. Why do not you love him as much as I Me. Love him I know no greater misery Then to love one that 's not of humane race A Tyger rather but a Tyger is More milde then he Do. For loves sake say not so He has a manly feature and does shew As much of grace in his comportment as The best of shepheards can him Titan made Of better clay then he did other men Although his heart be flint and hardest rocke Yet is his heart so hard or are my parts Rather unequall to his high deserts For he can love I see since you he loves And you deserve it had he thought me worthy He would have lov'd me too but as I am Worthlesse Dorinda I am made his scorne And I had rather be so then Nerina Should want a servant such as Daphnis is Me, Prethee no more of him I hate his name As much as I would do the losse of honor Which he injuriously would rob me off No no Dorinda if by love I be inthrald to any Daphnis is not he Do. Why is there any can deserve you more Me. Yes many that I could tell how to love Rather then him for why should I love him Whilst Hylas lives and languishes for me Hylas who lov'd me in my infancy And being then a boy was never well If I was absent nor indeed was I Content with any but his company Our flocks still fed together I on him And he on me did feed his greedie eyes Since though his yeares have stild him man he has Continu'd that first love with such respects So full of innocence and simple truth That howsoere my outward coynesse is My heart within tells me 't is onely his Ay me my father prithee let 's away Do. But Daphnis comes with him for loves sake stay SCENA QVARTA Hylas Mirtillus Charinus Daphnis PAn be as cruell to his flocks and him As he has bin to me Mi. Go leave
your cursing And follow her let me alone with him Cha. Ha! have I found you Hoh Nerina stay Your father calls you was not that my daughter That made away so fast Mi. Who she that 's gon beleeve your eies no more they are false to you Could you take one for her that 's nothing like her T was Cloris went from us Cha. I st possible Mi. T is true Da. I thought that it had bin my love Cha. I durst have sworne that she had bin my daughter What made she here 'T will nere be otherwise Young women will be chatting with young men What ere their father say It was not so When I was young a boy as you are shepheards Mi. Wee are not men with him till after fiftie Cha. We never durst keepe company with women Nor they with us each one did carefully Attend his charge And when the time was come That we grew ripe in yeares and were staid youths Our Fathers would provide us wives we did not Carve for our selves as now a daies they doe But now our children thinke themselves as wise Nay wiser then their Fathers and will rule 'em They can no sooner peepe out of the shell But they must love forsooth I would faine know Whether 't were fit a Maide should be in love I speak now of that skittish girle my daughter Before she aske her Fathers leave and liking Da. T is true Charinus 't were not fit indeed Who should bestow the daughter but the Father Mi. But Shepheards did you never heare that once There was an Age the nearest to the Gods An age we rather praise then imitate When no mans will nor womans was inforc'd To any bent but its owne motion Each follow'd Natures lawes and by instinct Did love the fairest and injoy'd their wishes Love then not ty'd to any interest Of blood or fortune hastned to his end Without controll nor did the Shepheard number Her sheepe that was his choice but every grace That did adorne her beauteous minde or face Riches with love then were not valued Pure uncompounded love that could despise The whole worlds riches for a Mistresse eyes Pray tell me Daphnis you are young and handsome The lover of our fairest Nymph Nerina Would you for all that fruitfull Sicilie Can yeeld or all the wealth of Persia Change one poore locke of your faire Mistresse haire Whilst she is yours and you her shepheard are Da. Would she were mine I 'de aske no portion Mi. Spoke like a Lover of the ancient stampe Cha. Sonne sonne she shall be yours why am not I Her Father she my daughter may not I Bestow her where I please Mi. Yes if she like The man she will bestow her selfe ne're feare it Cha. What she bestow herselfe without my leave No no Mirtillus you mistake my daughter I cannot get her once to thinke of marriage And truely I do muse to see a wench That in all other things although I say it Has wit at will can pin her sheepe in fold As well as any knowes when to drive them home And there she can do twenty things as well Yet when I speake to her of marriage She turnes the head shee 'le be a Dryade she Or one of those fond Nymphs of Dians traine Mi. Old man beleeve her not she meanes not so She loves to keepe the thing for which she is So much belov'd I meane her Maidenhead Which whilst she has she knowes to play the Tyrant And make us slaves unto her scornefull lookes For beauty then it selfe most justifies When it is courted if not lov'd it dies Cha. Well we will thinke of this Come Daphnis come I see you love my daughter and you onely Shall have her it is I that tell you so That am her Father Da. Thanke you good Charinus But I had rather she had told me so ACTUS SECUND. SCENA PRIM Thyrsis Montanus To them Mirtillus THis day the Sunne shot forth his beames as faire As ere he did and through the trembling aire Coole Zephyrus with gentle murmuring Breath'd a new freshnesse on each Tree and Plant My Kids as game some too as ere they were All shew a face of gladnesse but my selfe Mon. And why not you aswell by their example Thy. Not in this life here joy would be untimely The Gods reserve for me their comforts in Th' Elyzian fields or else they mocke my sorrows Mon. O say not so they 're just and pittifull Thyr. They are but Father so I still must call you When in the sadnesse of my soule I askt Before the Altar of our great Apollo What should become of me or where my love Bright Silvia was whether alive or dead Why should the Oracle reply Goe home Thou shalt enjoy thy Silvia Mon. What more could you Desire to heare Th. I but when greedily I askt the time the answere was That day Thou art not Thirsis nor she Silvia Then in this life I 'me sure it must not be For I was Thyrsis ever call'd and she Knowne by no other name then Sylvia Mon. It may be for your importunity You might deserve this answere or else is it Because the Gods speake not their mysteries To be conceiv'd by every vulgar sence I now remember what Acrisius The wise and vertuous Acrisius Was wont to say Th. Why what said he Does it concerne me ought Mon. It may do sonne He bid us flie all curiositie Seeking to know what future time may bring To us which onely Gods above do know And if at any time they do impart This knowledge unto us it is inwrapt In such a mist as we shall neere see through it Because said he we have enough to doe With what is present the celestiall powers Would not cut of our hopes nor multiply Our cares by shewing us our destinie Thy. Oh this discourse to a despairing lover What comfort does it bring for heavens sake leave it And me for I am best I finde alone Yet stay there 's something that I faine would aske you You said this Circle here about my necke Has so continu'd from my infancie When first you tooke me up Mon. T is true that Circle Hung loosely then about your necke which since Is filld with it I left it there because I saw some letters that were wrought about it Thy. And may they not be read Mon. I thinke they may But I could never finde so greate a Clerke As could tell how t' expound the meaning of them Thy. My life is nothing but a Mystery That which I was and that which I shall be Is equally unknowne Now if you 'le leave me Unto my thoughts they 'le keepe me companie Mon. I will but here is one come to supplie me Enter to him Mirtillus Mi. I let me alone Sings HE that mournes for a Misteris When he knows not where she is Let him kisse her shaddow faire Or ingender with the ayre Or see if with his teares he can Swell at an ebb the Ocean Then
I thought you would When I am dead the Martyr of your beautie Shed one poore teare on my untimely grave And say that Hylas was unfortunate To love where he might not be lov'd againe My ashes would find rest and so farewell The fairest but the cruellst Nymph alive Mi. What will you leave her thus Hy. I prithee come The sentence of my banishment is past Never to be recall'd Mi. Are these the hopes You fed upon O what a thing in Nature Is a coy woman or how great a foole The man is that will give her leave to rule SCENA TERTIA Nerina ALas my Hylas my beloved soule Durst she whom thou hast call'd cruell Nerina But speake her thoughts thou wouldst not thinke her so To thee she is not cruell but to her selfe That law which Nature hath writ in my heart Taught me to love thee Hylas and obey My father too who saies I must not love thee Oh disproportiond love and duty how Do you distract me if I love my choise I must be disobedient if obedient I must be linkt to one I cannot love Then either love give me my libertie Or nature from my duty set me free Exit SCENA QUARTA Daphnis NErina since nor teares nor praiers can move Thy stubborne heart I le see what gifts can do They of my ranke whom most do deeme unworthy Of any virgins love being rough and bred To mannage the estates our fathers left us Unskild in those hid mysteries which loues Professors onely know have yet a way To gaine our wishes first we get the father He knowes our pleasures and gives his consent The daughters eies being blinded with our gifts Cannot so soone spie our deformities But we may catch her to This Alcon saies A man whom age and observation taught What I must learne yet though most women be Such as he has deliver'd my Nerina Seemes not to have regard to what I give But holds me and my gifts both at one rate What can I hope then out of this poore present A looking-glasse which though within our Plaines 'T is seldome seene yet I have heard in Citties They are as common as a locke of wooll However if she take it I am happy So Alcon tells me and he knowes full well He gave it me that whosoe're shall looke Her face in it shall be at my dispose In confidence of this I will present it And see my Fortune sure I must needs speed My friend her father comes along with her But oh my Fate is not that Nymph Dorinda Which keepes them company Yes sure 't is she A curse light on her importunitie Her father urges something and I hope On my behalfe let me observe a little SCENA QUINTA Charinus Nerina Dorinda Daphnis ANd as I oft have told you I doe wish To see you wise Do. Is she not so Charinus Does she say any thing that 's out of reason Cha. Do not tell me of reason I would heare Of her obedience therefore I say be wise And doe as I would have you Do. What would you Have her to doe you see she answers not To contradict you Cha. I will have her answer To what I now demand that is to marry Daphnis and I will have her love him too Do. Love him Charinus that you cannot do Her body you may linke i' th' rights of Hymen Her will she must bestow her selfe not you Da. Oh she was borne to be a plague unto me Aside Cha. Why should she wish or hope for any thing But what I 'de have her wish or hope for onely Come to be short answere me and directly Are you content to marry Daphnis say Ne. What is your pleasure Father Cha. You do not heare It seemes but what you list I aske you once Againe if you will marry Daphnis speake Ne. Sir I would marry whom you please to give me I neither can nor ought to make my choice I would referre that to you But you know My inclination never lay to marry Cha. I know you shal do that which I command Ne. Now heaven forbid that I who have thus long Vow'd to Diana my Virginitie To follow her a Huntresse in these Woods Should yeeld my selfe to the impure delights Of Hymen and so violate my faith Cha. A fine devotion is it not to make A vow and never aske your Father leave The Lawes will not permit it to be so Do. The vow Charinus is not made to men The Lawes have not to doe with that which is Seal'd and recorded in the Court of Heaven Cha. Do not tell me of vowes I 'le have her marry And marry Daphnis Is he not rich and handsome Do. Ay me I would he were nor rich nor handsome It may be then he would regard my sufferings Aside Cha. No Daughter do not you beleeve you can Catch me with shifts and tricks I see I tell you Into your heart Ne. Alas I would you did Then your discourse would tend another way Cha. Yes you have made a vow I know which is Whilst you are young you will have all the Youth To follow you with lies and flatteries Foole they 'le deceive you when this colour fades Which will not alwaies last and you goe crooked As if you sought your beautie lost i' th' ground Then they will laugh at you and finde some other Fit for their love where if you doe as I Command you I have one will make you happie Ne. Ay me most miserable Da. Now I 'le come in And see what I can doe with this my gift Cha. Looke now as if the Fates would have it so He comes just in the nicke of my discourse Come use him kindly now and then you shall Redeeme what you have lost my good opinion Ne. O most ungratefull chance how I doe hate The sight of him Do. Were it to me he came How happie would this faire encounter be Cha. Daphnis you 're welcome very welcome to me And to my Daughter what is that you have there Da. A present which I meane to give my love Cha. See but how true a lover Daphnis is His hand is never emptie when he comes Welcome him Daughter looke what he has for you Da. O good Charinus none must looke in it But she herselfe to whom it is presented Cha. I am an old man I and therefore care not To see my wither'd face and hoarie haire Give it that young thing she knows what to doe with it Daughter come hither use him courteously And kindly too Be sure you take his gift Daphnis I 'le leave you both together here My sheepe are shearing I can stay no longer Da. Farewell old man health to my dearest Mistresse Ne. And to you shepheard Do. Daphnis am not I Worthy to have a share in your salute Do. How can I give thee part of that whereof I have no share my selfe Do. If you would love There where you are belov'd againe you might Make your content such as you
would your selfe Da. If you Nerina would vouchsafe to love Him that loves you and ever will you might Make your content such as you would your selfe Ne. Shepheard I oft have wisht you not to trouble Me and your selfe with words I cannot love you Da. As oft Dorinda have I spoke to you To leave to trouble me I cannot love you Do. Will you then slight my love because 't is offer'd Da. Will you then slight my love because 't is offer'd Ne. Some body else may love you I cannot Da. Some body else may love you I cannot Do. O cruell words how they do peirce my heart Da. O cruell words how they do peirce my heart Ne. How can I helpe it if your destinie Lead you to love where you may not obtaine Da. How can I helpe it if your destinie Leade you to love where you may not obtaine Do. It is not destinie that injures me It is thy cruell will and marble heart Da. It is not destinie that injures me It is thy cruell will and marble heart Ne. No Daphnis 't is not hardnes of my heart Nor any crueltie that causes this Da. Then 't is disdaine of me Ne. Nor is it that I do not see in Daphnis any thing To cause disdaine Do. Why do you not replie In those same words to me malicious Eccho Da. Pray leave me I have other businesse now To trouble me if you disdaine me not Faire Nymph as you pretend receive my offer Ne. What 's that Da. My heart Do. I will gentle Daphnis Da. O importunitie Ne. Give her thy heart She has deserv'd it for she loves thee Daphnis Da. First I would teare it peecemeale here before you Do. O me unfortunate O cruell man Ne. Stay good Dorinda I 'le goe with thee stay Da. Let her goe where she will behold sweete saint This Mirror here the faithfull representer Of that which I adore your beautious forme When you do see in that how how lovely are your lookes you will not blame my love Ne. If I refuse it My father will be angrie let me see it Here take thy glasse againe what ailes my head I know not where I am it is so giddie And something like a drousinesse has seiz'd My vitall spirits Da. How do you love not well Ne. Heavy o' th suddaine I le goe home sleepe Da. So let her goe and let this worke awhile Shee cast an eye upon me as she went That by its languishing did seeme to say Daphnis I 'me thine thou hast o'recome at last Alcon th' hast made me happy by thy art ACTUS 3. SCENA 1. Sylvia Delia Q. TEll me what you thinke on earth The greatest blisse A. Riches honor and high birth Q. Ah what is this If love be banished the heart The joy of Nature not of Art 2. What 's honor worth or high descent Or ample wealth If cares do breed us discontent Or want of health A. It is the order of the Fates That these should waite on highest states 3. Cho. Love onely does our soules refine And by his skill Turnes humane things into divine And guides our will Then let us of his praises sing Of love that sweetens every thing Del. Madam you 're overheard Sy. I care not Delia Although my libertie and free discourse Be here denide me yet the Aire is common To it then will I utter my complaints Or to thee friend to whom my love will dare To shew the secrets of my heart for others I do not care nor feare so thou be faithfull Del. Madam I have no life but what I wish May be imploy'd to do your beauties service My tongue is rul'd by yours what you would have It speake it shall else further then my thoughts Nothing shall venter that you leaue to me And those my thoughts I le keepe to such restraint As they shall never come within my dreames Lest they betray your counsells this I vow Religiously by Syl. Hold I will not Have thee to sweare nor would I thou shouldst thinke That I so much suspect thee as to urge An Oath I know thou hast too much of goodnesse That 's bred within thee to betray a trust And therefore without further circumstance I 'le let thee know my fortunes part of which I 'me sure th' hast heard already Del. Madam I have And wisht that they had sorted to your wishes Syl. I thanke thee Delia but my evill Genius That has pursu'd my innocence with hate Brought me from thence where I had set my heart Unto this cursed Court which though it be My place of birth and breeding I doe finde Nothing but torment and affliction in it Del. I guesse the cause sweet Madam but that 's past And now forgotten if you cleere your looks Your Father will inlarge you and ne're thinke On what you did but that you are his daughter Syl. Alas my Delia thou dost mistake My liberty is of no worth to me Since that my love I feare will ne're be free Nor doe I care what idle Ladies talke Of my departure or my strange disguise To colour my intents I am above Their envie or their malice But for th' unluckie chance that sent to me The over-curious eyes of him I hate Thou know'st the man De. Yes you meane Cleander Sonne to Eubulus who is now your keeper What Starre directed him to finde you out Syl. His love forsooth for so he colour'd his Unseason'd boldnesse told me he was not able To want my sight and so when every one Had given o're their strict enquirie of me He onely with too much officiousnesse Observ'd me in the Woods walking alone And when I would have shunn'd him which perhaps Had I not done he had not so well knowne me He came and utter'd as his manner was His tedious complaints untill at length He brought me with him making no resistance And to ingratiate himselfe the more He said he would convey me where my Father Should have no knowledge of me I refused it Willing however to be ridde of him And now you know it is a full Moneth since I did returne to Court but left my heart Behinde me in those fields wherein I joy'd Del. Madam has not the Court more pleasure in it Then the dull Countrie which can represent Nothing but what does taste of solitude 'T was something else that carried you away Syl. T is true my Delia for though thou wert Privie to my departure yet the cause Thou couldst not tell which I will now unfold And thinke I trust my honor in thy hands And maiden modestie 't was love that did it Del. Love Madam sure it is impossible You should finde any thing there worth your love Syl. Thou know'st the shepheards that do dwell about This place which for their entertainements onely The King my father built did use to come As now they do being sent for unto Court I ever lik't their sports their harmelesse mirth And their contentions which were voide of
malice And wisht I had bin borne just such a one Del. Your state is better Madam as you are Syl. But I confesse the rather cause there was One amongst them of a more comely grace Though none of them did seeme uncomely to me Call'd Thyrsis and with him me thought I could Draw out my life rather then any other Such things my fancie then suggested to me So well he sung so passionate his love Shew'd in his verse thereto so well exprest As any one would judge it naturall Yet never felt he flame till this of me Often he came and oftner was desir'd Of me nor did I shame in publique there Before my father to commend his graces Which when I did the whole Court as they use Consented with me and did strive to make them Greater then I or any else could thinke them At last I was surpriz'd I could not helpe it My Fate with love consenting so would have it Then did I leave the Court I 've told thee all Del. T is strange but Madam though in that disguise How could you hope a stranger to be lov'd Of him you held so deare Syl. I fain'd my selfe Of Smyrna and from thence some Goats I had And Sheepe with them a rich commoditie Neare him I bought me land to feed them he Seem'd glad of it and thinking me a stranger Us'd me with such civilitie and friendship As one would little looke for of a shepheard And did defend me from the avarice Of the old shepheards which did thinke to make A prey of what I had At length I saw He did addresse himselfe with feare to me Still gazing on me knowing my love to him I easily beleev'd he lov'd me too For love alas is ever credulous And though I was resolv'd having my end Which was no more then to discourse with him Never to let him know what flame I felt Yet when I saw his teares and heard his vowes Perswasive speakers for affection I could not choose but open to his view My loving heart yet with this caution That he should ever beare respect unto My honor and my virgin chastitie Which then he vow'd and his ambition Never was more then to attaine a kisse Which yet he hardly got thou seest sweete Delia How willingly I dwell upon this Theame But canst thou helpe me now that I have open'd My wound unto thee Del. Alas I would I could Invent the way to cure you I should soone Apply my helpe yet stay this day it is The shepheards come to Court Syl. 'T is true they come But what is that to me if Thyrsis come not Or if he come how shall he know me his Or I injoy his companie Del. Let me alone To worke out that Syl. Thou dreamst thou canst not do it Del. I le undertake it but how shall I know him Without inquiring which must breede suspition Syl. True and beware thou aske the Majestie Which sits upon his brow will say 't is he Thyrsis my love but yet perhaps at this time If I my selfe not flatter thou shalt know him By his eies cast downe and folding of his armes And often sighs that interrupt his words For if his sorrow weares the liveries Which mine does for his absence by these signes Thou shalt descrie him Del. These are silent markes Yet will I not despaire to finde him out Syl. But when thou hast what wilt thou say to him Del. Give me but leave to use my mother wit You would be gone together would you not Syl. Thou speak'st my thoughts do this and I will crowne Thy faith thou shalt be Queene in steed of me Del. If you could crowne me with your vertues Madam I should be a Queene indeed in the meane time As I am Delia I le do this busines Sil. Do it and when th' hast don the God of love Reward thee with thine owne desires for this Del. Madam withdraw I heare your keepers comming SCENA 2. Cleander Eubulus SIr you have put a bridle on my passions And given my soule the libertie it wisht I now intreate your pardon for beginning A thing of so great consequence without Leave and advice from you Eu. T is well Cleander It will behove you then to be reserv'd And locke this secret up for 't is no jesting With Kings that may command our lives and fortunes You now perceive her whom we call the Princesse To be your sister and the love you beare her Must be a brothers freindship not a lovers Passionate heate but yet she must not know That I her father am and you her brother And trust me son had I not seene despaire Of life in you which this love brought you too I should not have reveal'd what now you know Cle. It was a comfort Sir I doe confesse That came in time to rescue me from death So great her scorne was and my love so violent Eu. Now you 're at peace I hope Cle. I am but if I be too curious in asking where The Kings son is I shall desire your pardon For sure it were injustice to deprive So great a Prince of that which he was borne too Eu. You are too far inquisitive yet because I have ingag'd you in a secret of As great importance this I will not hide The King I told you when his wife grew neere The time of her deliverie sent to know Of our great Oracle whether the childe should be Female or Male and what should be their fortune Cle. What said the Oracle have you the answere Eu. It onely was imparted unto me And this it is which I have never shewen To any but the Queene here take and reade it If ere thy issue male thou live to see The childe thou thinkst is thine thine shall not be His life shall be obscure twice shall thy hate Doome him to death Yet shall he scape that Fate And thou shalt live to see that not long after Thy onely son shall wed thy onely daughter This Oracle is full of mysterie Eu. It is and yet the King would needs interpret That should it prove a man-childe t was a Bastard And being loth that one not of his blood As he conceiv'd by this should be his heire Told me in private that if it were Male He would not have it live yet fearing most To publish his dishonor and his wives He charg'd me not reveale it unto any But take the childe and see it made away And make the world beleeve it was still borne Cle. And did you so Eu. No for indeed I durst not For any thing become a murderer Cle. How did you then Eu. I went unto the Queene Shew'd her the state she was in and besought her To be as carefull of me as I was Of her and we would worke a better end Then she expected so we both agree'd That if the Childe she then did labour with Prov'd to be Male I should with care conceale The birth of it and put a female childe Insteed
Farewell what shepheard 's that lies on the ground Is it not Hylas Do. Yes it is he Nerina Ne. Alas poore shepheard t is my greatest griefe That I have grieved him I would beg life For nothing but to make him satisfaction Mi. Hylas what on the ground looke up and speake Alas he 's dead Ne. It cannot be good father Let me goe to him and but touch his eare It may be that my voice may have more vertue Cha. Do what thou wilt sweete heart see my poore child How charitable she is being halfe dead Her selfe she pities others Ni. Marke her finenesse Now at the brimm of death she kisses him And tooke this way to mock her simple father O fine invention sure a womans wit Does never faile her Ne. Hylas Hylas speake Nerina calls thee speake to thy Nerina Mi. What cannot love doe It revives the dead He 's come to himselfe againe Hy. What God is it That has the power to returne my soule From the Elysian fields Mi. It is no God A Goddesse rather Hylas 'T is Nerina Looke where she is Hy. Ah then I do not wonder I cannot die when my best soule comes to me Shall wee live ever thus Ne. How faine I would Forthy sake Hylas but it cannot be I feele a heavy sleepe sit on my head And my strength failes me helpe me sweet Dorinda Farewell for ever oh I die I die Hy. And must I then be call'd to life againe To see my life expire before my face You Fates if you will take a ransome for her Then take my life but you are sure of that You le say already for in her one death Two lives are forfeit Nerina gentle Nymph The cause why now I live open these eyes Once more and I shall flourish like those plants The sunne gives life to else I fall and wither Leaving behinde naught but a worthlesse stemme Speake to thy Hylas sweete Nerina speake Cha. Ay me my daughter hadst thou liv'd perhaps I might have seene thee married to Daphnis Now we must see thee buried Ay me Ne. Hylas Hy. She lives give me some more of that That water there see now she comes againe O gentle destinies but spare this thred And cut a thousand courser speake Nerina Give me some comfort give thy father some Or else behold three lives fall in thy death Ne. You Fates that keepe th' accompt of all our daies Adde but one minute to my life that I May quit my soule of those two heavy burthens Which now oppresse it Dry your eyes good father Remember that the Gods doe send us nothing But for our good and if my journey be Shorter then yours the lesse will be my trouble Will you forgive me father that I have not Paid so much duty to you as I ow'd you Take my good will I pray insteed of it Cha. See her good Nature I childe 't is enough Thou alwaies wert obedient Ne. Shall I dare To speake my thoughts and so discharge my soule Of one loade yet Cha. I doe my childe speake freely Ne. I 've heard you say that no sinne was so heavy As is ingratitude Cha. 'T is true Nerina How she remembers what her father said Ne. Then be not angry if I now must tell you That this poore shepheard whose swolne eyes you see Cover'd with teares for many yeares now past Has courted me but still with such a love So full of truth and gentle services That should I not requite him with my love I should be guilty of ingratitude Therefore before I die spray give leave That he may have my dying heart which living I still debar'd him of Hylas thy hand O stay a little death here take thou mine And since I cannot live the wife of Hylas Yet let me die so Sir are you content Cha. I am with any thing that pleaseth thee Ne. Tell me are you so Hylas Hy. O my love Aske me if I would live amongst the Gods But aske not this Sir have we your consent Cha. You have it is in vaine now to denie it You see Dorinda what her vow 's come to Ne. Then let me die take me into thy Armes Sweet love you 'le see my coffin strew'd with flowers And you Dorinda will you make a garland I die a virgine though I die his wife Do. Alas she 's gon Hy. She 's dead and do I live Cha. Looke to the shepheard there oh my Nerina Do. Vexe not her soule I pray with often calling You see she 's dead Cha. Then there is no hope left Pray helpe us shepheards now to beare her hence You 'le come I hope to see her in her grave ACT. 4. SCENA 1. Thyrsis Delia HEre I am come unto a place where griefe They say has no abode In Princes Courts I 've heard there is no roome for loves laments For either they enjoy or else forget Thrice happy men to whom love gives such leave It may be that this place or people may Worke so with me and melt this frozen heart Ah foole that canst beleeve the change of place Or ayre can change thy minde the love thou bearst Is woven so within thy thoughts that as Out of this piece thy Sylvia wrought for thee Thou canst not take her name forth but withall Thou must deface the whole so Thyrsis thinke The winde that here may rise or heat or raine Thou maist auoide thy love will still remaine And when thou diest then may it die with thee Till then resolve to endure thy misery Del. This is the garden which I saw him go to And that is he for all the markes she gave me To know him by he beares Thy. A heavinesse Weighs downe my head and would invite me to Repose my selfe I le take the offer here I le rest awhile for I have need of it Del. How if I be deceiv'd and this should proove Another man what then I can excuse it He 's layd already and I feare asleepe I le stay untill he wake but then suppose That any body come and take me here What will they thinke of me Best wake him shepheard It is a hansome youth see what a grace Shewes it selfe in his feature such a face Might take the heart of any Lady living I though she were a Princesse shepheard what Not yet his sleepes are sound Thy. Ah Sylvia Preserve thy life oh let me die Alas I do but dreame me thought I saw my selfe Condemn'd to die and Sylvia to save me Offerd her selfe and would needs die for me 'T was a sweet shadow let me court this dreame Del. He must not sleepe againe shepheard looke up Thy. Who envies me this small repose indeed I do not often sleepe ha who are you Del. Sent to thee from thy Sylvia shepheard rise And follow me Thy. Doe I dreame still what are you Came you from heaven where my Sylvia is And must I thither whoso ere you are An Angell or a feind in such a name You come as
cruell fate Angry with men that gave us hearts alike And fortunes so asunder you 're a Cedar I a poore shrub that may looke up unto you With adoration but ne're reach your height Syl. But Thyrsis I do love you love and death Do not much differ they make all things equall The Monuments of Kings may shew for them What they have bin but looke upon their dust The color and the weight of theirs and beggers You 'le finde the same and if 'mongst living men Nature has printed in the face of many The characters of noblenesse and worth Whose fortune envies them a worthy place In birth or honor When the greatest men Whom she has courted beare the marks of slaves Love sure will looke on those and lay aside The Accidents of wealth and noble blood And in our thoughts wil equall them with Kings Thy. 'T is true divinest Lady that the soules Of all men are alike of the same substance By the same maker into all infus'd But yet the severall matters which they worke on How different they are I neede not tell you And as these outward Organs give our soules Or more or lesse roome as they are contriv'd To shew their lustre so againe comes fortune And darkens them to whom the Gods have given A soule divine and body capable Of that divinity and excellence But 't is the order of the Fates whose causes We must not looke into But you deare Madam Nature and fortune have conspir'd to make The happiest alive Syl. Ay me most wretched What pleasure can there be in highest state Which is so crost in love the greatest good The Gods can tell how to bestow on men Thy. Yet some do reckon it the greatest ill A passion of the minde form'd in the fancy And bred to be the worst disease of reason Syl. They that thinke so are such as love excludes Men full of age or foule deformitie No Thyrsis let not us prophane that deity Love is divine the seed of every thing The cause why now we live and all the world Thy. Love is divine for if religion Binds us to love the Gods who never yet Reveald themselves in any thing to us But their bright Images the fairest creatures Who are our daily objects loving them Wee exercise religion let us not Be scrupulous or feare the Gods have care Of us and of our piety Syl. But take heed We cannot be too warie many things Oppose our wills yet if you thinke it fit And this nights silence will so favour us Wee le goe together if we quit this Countrie It is no matter all the world to me Will be Arcadia if I may injoy Thy company my love Thy. No Sylvia Pardon mee deare if still I call you so Enjoy your fortunes thinke how much your honor Must suffer in this act For me I finde It is enough that I have ever lov'd you Now let me at the light of your bright eie Burne like the bird whose fires renew her nest I shall leave you behind me to the world The Phenix of true love and constancy Nor is that bird more glorious in her flames Then I shall be in mine though they consume me Syl. It must not be for know my dearest shepheard I shall not tell one minute after thee I finde my soule so linkt to thine that death Cannot divide us Thy. What then shall we do Shall we resolve to live thus till we gaze Our eies out first and then lose all our senses In their succession shall we strive to leave Our soules breath'd forth upon each others lips Come let us practise this our envious Fates Cannot deny us Cleander enters Cle. What a sight were this To meete her father This would make him mad Indeed and execute his rage himselfe Madam your father 's here Syl. Ha Delia Cleander is it thou then I 'me betraid The second time but must thy fortune make thee The instrument of my undoing still Cla. Shepheard I will not honor thee so much As to enquire thy name thou hast don that Thou wilt pay deare for And I hope thy death Will take away the blot of this disgrace Th' hast laid upon the Princesse Thy. If you do this You le make me happy it was this I lookt for My triviall acts of life this of my death Will recompence with glory I shall die To save my Princesse and what 's more to save The life of her life her unspotted honor Blest Lady though you are as innocent And chaste as purest Virgins that have yet Seene nothing in a dreame to warme their blood Yet the malicious world the censuring people That haste to cast durt on the fairest things Will hardly spare you if it once be knowne That we were here together As for me My life is nothing but variety Of griefe and troubles which with constancy I have borne yet t is time that now I die Before I do accuse the Gods that have Brought me to this and so pull on my death A punishment Will you be mercifull And end me quickly Cle. Shepheard know for this Thy resolution which in noble bloods I scarce have found I willingly would grant What thou desir'st But somthing must be knowne Before that time either from you or you Syl. I know Cleander it is me you aime at I do confesse this shepheard is my love For his sake I did leave the Court and thee Unworthy as thou art to be his Rivall Cle. Madam my duty bids me speake to you Not as a lover now but as you are My Princesse and the daughter of my King I would not for the world have those desires Which I had then for sure my bolder love Would have transgrest the limits of all duty And would have dar'd to tell you that this shepheard Was not a match for great Arcadias heire Nor yet one fit for my Competitor 'T is not his outward feature which how faire It is I do not question that can make him Noble or wise Whereas my birth deriv'd From ancient Kings and yeares not far unsuiting Those of your owne to these my education To you well knowne perhaps might make me worthy Of being your servant Syl. Canst thou looke on this This piece Cleander and not blush to boast Thy follies thus seeking to take away From his full vertue if but this one act Of his appeare unto the world as know It shall for I le not shame to publish him Though I die for it will it not devoure Thy empty glories and thy puft up nothings And like a grave will burie all thy honors Do take his life and glory in that act But be thou sure in him thou shalt kill two Cle. What meane you madam Syl. Not to live a minute After his death Gle. That all the Gods forbid Syl. No they command it rather that have made Our soules but one Cleander thou wert wont To be more courteous and I do see Some pitie in thee if not for
is made of and I know th' effects it workes and can dicourse 'em Da. Let me heare them Al. Have patience and you shall the Glasse you see Of this rare Mirrour which I gave you is Made of a Memphian stone that has the power To bring a deadly sleepe on all the senses With it to make th' effects more strong is mingled The Quintessence extracted in a Limbecke Of the Torpedo which has such a quality That if the Fisher touch it with his hooke A poison straite will creepe through all his veines Till it benumme his senses This compounded And made into a glassie metall soone Reflects upon the eyes of him that lookes in 't A sleepie poison which will stupifie The vitall parts Yet he that gave it me Taught me the Cordiall water which he us'd To restore spirits and heate unto those vitalls And I have brought it with me for our purpose What have I wrong'd you now or is my present Worthy the thankes you give me Da. Yet you were Too blame that you 'd not tell me this before I gave it her Al. In that I shew'd my love For I did feare your resolution Though I were certaine of recovering her Da. And what must now be done Al. Here where you found me I saw her laid and buried in the clothes she wont to weare her father so would have it I waited on the funerall with purpose To see the stone laid hollow on her grave For feare of hurting her Da. It was well don Al. Here I le apply my medicine you shall see Whether I lie or no Da. Let 's lose no time I long to see my love alive againe Al. Then helpe to lift this stone see where she lies The same Nerina Da. She is dead I see Al. Love is still full of feares give me the water Da. Here but take heede it do not spoile her face Al. If she be dead you neede not feare the change Of any color what a childe is love Da. The Gods I see will not let beautie die She breathes she stirs her eies begin to open As after sleepe O miracle Al. How now Is she alive will you beleeve your sence Now I have put her in your hands be sure You do not let her goe and lose no time If you give credit to her words you 're lost What cannot womens words and flatteries Effect with simple lovers thinke on that Be confident I le leave you to your Fate Ne. You Gods where am I now what place is this What light is this I see are the same things Seene in this new world as they are in th' other Or in the grave do men see waters trees As I do now and all things as I liv'd But sure I live still if I doe why then Was I here buried amongst these flowers Sure I am dead but yet I walke and speake And I have heard that those who once are dead Can never use their voice or action But who is this I see here Daphnis ha Are you dead too as well as I Da. No sweet I live to be the servant of Nerina Ne. I so said Hylas whil'st I liv'd with him Da. She thinks of Hylas still what shall I do Ne. But tell me Daphnis in what place am I Da. In Daphnis heart you live and ever did Ne. And so said Hylas when we liv'd together Da. O Gods againe Nerina thinke not on him You must love me Ne. Must they in this new world As they have chang'd their lives so change their loves I never shall do that Da. You are deceiv'd You are not dead Ne. Not dead how came I hither then Da. By my device to keepe me company Ne. But will you not declare how I came hither Da. Aske me not that but goe along with me Ne. Stay shepheard whither would you have me goe Da. Where love and silence shall befriend us best Ne. But tell me Daphnis was not I once dead Da. You were but I your servant chang'd that death into a sleepe Ne. I know not what you meane Can you change death into a sleepe Da. I can And did for love of you Ne. This is a riddle Pray let me know what you do meane by it Da. Come with me and you shall Ne. Nay tell me first Da. Then know faire shepheardesse that when I saw My love my services my gifts my vowes Did all returne to me without your love I had recourse unto this Artifice A pleasent one of loves Invention Which you may well remember Ne. What was that Da. I did present you with a looking glasse Ne. You did but what of that Da. Nothing at all Pray goe this way with me Ne. But tell me first Da. That cast you into this deepe lethargie Such was the Magicke of it Ne. To what purpose Did you do this Da. To make you mine Ne. Yours Daphnis How could you hope that without my consent Da. My services I thought would merit it Besides the world not dreaming but you were Dead and here buried we two might liue Together without being knowne to any Ne. But could you practise tricks on those you love Now you are paid with your owne Artifice For know ther 's none that can dispose of me But Hylas who has long preserv'd my heart And now my father whom I did resolve For ever to obey has made him mine By giving his consent which had not bin But for this tricke of yours Da. Why then it seemes You do not love me Ne. Love you know I had Rather embrace my death againe then thee Da. Then 't is no time to dally come along Or I will force you Ne. Helpe me shepheards helpe Da. Foole stop your mouth no humane helpe shal save thee Enter Hylas Hy. This is the place where I am come to pay My teares first sacrifice upon this tombe That glories in the spoiles of all my wealth Ne. Hylas come helpe me see'st thou not that Daphnis Will ravish me Hy. Ha what doe I heare The voice of my Nerina so she spake When shee did live but now alas shee 's dead Some Devill mockes me with a vision And voice unto it Ne. Will you see me ravisht Before your face O Hylas oh my Love Hy. T is she it is no vision hold Ravisher My love thou canst not take without my life Enter Mirtillus Montanus Charinus Mi. What noise is this Mo. Some shreike much like a womans Ne. Oh helpe my love Mirtillus Mi. Shepheard hold Let goe this Nymph Da. Or death or victory Shall crowne my enterprize Cha. Who makes this out-cry Mi. Sir I shall coole you if you be so hot Cha. My daughter here was shee not buried Away foule spirit away let 's part these shepheards Ne. O father do you thinke that I am dead I am alive as you are touch me see Cha. She is alive indeede how cam'st thou hither Ne. Daphnis whom you would have to be my husband Brought me to this supposed death and
grave Cha. By what strange meanes Nerina Ne. By the glasse You bid me I should take he has confest To mee that it was poison'd Cha. Can it be Can Daphnis doe this he had little reason Da. She was a foole to crie I should ha' pleas'd her Ere this perhaps Cha. Here Hylas take my daughter For she is thine you Daphnis I did further In all I could till you would finde a tricke To put your selfe beside her Ne. I forgive him For though it was ill meant yet did it sort By accident unto my good Mo. But will Our Lawes permit a Ravisher to live Hy. No no Montanus let him live and envie Our present happinesse Da. Cover you Gods The world in publique ruine or else shew me A way to hide my shame Mo. What will he doe Mi. He will go hang himselfe what plots hee had To foole himselfe with Mo. They that practise tricks Finde them as jades that throw 'em first then kick 'em As his has don Cha. Come shepheards le ts away And solemnize these nuptials Mi. Stay Montanus Did the King send for you Mo. He did Mi. And how Mo. The message came from Thyrsis Ni. I 'le goe with you 'T is strange the King should send for you pray heaven Thyrsis have done no mischiefe there he 's hansome Of a good grace and moving eloquence Perhaps some Lady may have taken him Up for her selfe and he I le lay a wager Will be so squeamish that if Sylvia Come in his minde he ne're will do her reason And then her plot will be how to betray him Would I were in his place Mo. I would thou wert So he were safe Mi. I would comply ne're feare it They live a heavenly life of love in Court To that which we do here a Mistresse there Will satisfie the longings of her lover And never trouble Hymen for the matter Then if they like not they may looke else-where Mo. Thou wilt be punisht one day for thy mischiefe Mi. The mischiefe 's in my tongue I ne're do any Mo. No I have heard that Stella was with childe By thee and thou must father it Mi. Who I Take me at that once fathering of children And make me common father of them all A child 's a prettie thing and I should joy To see one of mine owne I le tell thee truth Montanus by this hand I never lay With any woman in my life Mo. How then You have courted all who is it that Mirtillus Has not profest to love Mi. I do confesse it And that is all I could do for before I could get earnest of any ones love To whom I made addresse even she would say You have another mistresse go to her I wil not be her stale and so by this meanes Nor this nor that would do me any reason Mo. You had ill lucke it seemes 't was not your fault Mi. No for if they would beleeve me I did sweare I had no other Pray Montanus tell me For you have knowne the severall waies of wooing Which is the best and safest Mo. O Mirtillus Gray haires have put the wilder thoughts of love Out of my head cold blood and frozen limbes Fright all those heates away in place of which Discretion and sobriety should come Mi. But I have heard old men doe sometimes love Mo. They dote Mirtillus give it the right name In old mens bloods Cupid does quench his flames But as we goe I le tell thee not to love At all is best but if you needs must love Love one and seeke no further thou wilt finde Enough of her if once she prove unkinde SCENA 3. Daphnis Alcon To Daphnis Dorinda THere is no way to avoide the shame of this Each shepheards boy that sings unto his flocke Will make me the scorn'd subject of his song Al. Had you bin suddaine as I counsail'd you You had not faild but you young men doe never Goe through with any thing Do. For heavens sake Call not that wicked deede to my remembrance I do repent me that I e're beganne it I would not for a world have ended it Nerina's chaste and faire and I a villaine Leave me I pray for something tells me you Did first advise me to this damned act Al. Nay if you prize my friendship at this rate I 'le leave you to your pennance Exit Da. This old man Is full of malice nothing troubles him The ills that he has done flie from his thoughts And he rejoyces that he did them queintly I have begun my youth as if I meant To have my age so punisht as his is Enter Dorinda Who 's this Dorinda I have done her wrong I su'de for love to her first which obtain'd I stucke disgraces on her let me aske Forgivenesse now for 't were too much to hope That she should love one stain'd with such a deed As I have done so foule and impious Do. Great love if yet thou art not satisfied With all the wrongs I have sustain'd for thee My blood I hope thy anger will appease Which thou maist glut thy selfe with Da. Gentle Nymph Do. I 've beene too gentle doe not mocke me with 't O Daphnis is it you this is not well To mocke me thus your looks when arm'd with frownes Gave not my heart so deepe a wound as this Da. I meane no scorne I come to aske your pardon For what I 've done already not to heape More sinnes upon my head Do. 'T is very strange Da. But true Dorinda will you spit upon me Take your revenge for I have well deserv'd it Do. But is this serious Daphnis oh take heed Cracke not my heart with such a loade of griefe And scorne so prest as this is if you doe The Gods will punish it for though they have Neglected me thus long they will revenge Such injuries as these Da. My many ills Discredit my repentance if my words Can finde no faith with you beleeve my teares Indeed they are not feign'd Do. Even so you look't When first you stole my heart but I forgive you What ere become of me I still must love you Da. Forgive me first and then I will beginne By my endeavours and true services To deserve something of you if not love Do. There is not that hard heartednesse in man Which I did thinke for he repents I see O Daphnis if thou mean'st not this as scorne Take me into thine armes and I will be Thy slave Da. O say not so let me Rather be thine it will be pride in me To be ambitious of it Do. Oh my heart What suddaine joy thou strik'st into it now But yet methinkes I feare thou dost not love me Da. Why should you feare by Pan you are to me What ere you can imagine equall above All that I ere thought faire and if you be Content to hide my faults and take me to Your nuptiall bed which yet I dare not hope But if you will when ere that day shall come Th'