sad News of your Death which he credited brought him to the Noose the Sword or something else which has prov'd his Death Sylv. Your Suspicion of his Death will be as vain as that of mine for every one to the utmost of his Power endeavours to save his Life Da. O Sylvia Sylvia you neither can conceive nor believe how much the Fire of Love can do within a Breast a Breast of Flesh and not of Stone as thine is for if you had believ'd it you would have lov'd him who lov'd you more than the Apples of his Eyes or the Breath of his Life for my Part I believe it nay I have seen it and know it I saw him when you ran away O more Savage than the cruel Tyger and at that time when you ought rather to have embrac'd him I saw him point a Dart towards himself and press it to his Breast despairing and unrepenting of the Action through his Garments and his Skin it pass'd and was dy'd in his Blood and the Steel would have enter'd within and pierc'd that Heart which you had pierc'd more cruelly had not I held his Arm and hinder'd it from going farther Alas that slight Wound was perhaps only a Proof of his Fury and his desparing Constancy and shew'd the Way to the Daring Steel which afterward it was to follow more freely Sylv. Alas What do you tell me Daph. I saw him afterwards when he heard the most bitter News of your Death faint away with Grief and then furiously depart in hast to kill himself and he has kill'd himself most certainly Sylv. And do you really believe it Daph. I don't at all doubt it Sylv. Alas Why did you not follow him and prevent him Ah! let us go and seek him for since he dies because of my Death because I am alive he ought to Live Daph. I follow'd him but he ran so swiftly that soon he got out of sight and in vain afterwards I sought his Steps Now where will you seek him out without any Track to follow him Sylv. Alas he'll Die if we don't find him out and will be his own Destroyer Daph. Cruel perhaps you grieve that he should take from you the Honour of that Action would you then have been his Murtheress and think you that his Cruel Death ought not to be the Work of any other Hand but your own Comfort yourself for in what Manner soever he dies he dies for you and you are the Person that kills him Syl. Ah! how you afflict me and that Grief which I feel for his Misfortune is embitter'd by the Memory of my Cruelty which I call'd Honour and so indeed it was but it was too severe and rigorous Now I perceive it and repent Daph. What do I hear Are you Compassionate and do you feel within your Heart any Breath of Pity Oh! What do I see Do you Weep proud Maid Oh! Wonder What Tears are these Tears of Love Sylv. Not Tears of Love but of Pity Daph. Pity is the Forerunner of Love as Lightning is of Thunder Chor. Nay oftentimes when Love has a Mind to steal into a Virgin's Breast whence he was before excluded by severe Honour he takes the Habit and the Shape of his Servant and Messenger Pity and with such disguise deceiving the Simple he gets Possession within their Breast Daph. These are the Tears of Love they flow so fast What! Are you silent Do you love Sylvia You love but in vain Oh! the Power of Love which inflicts on her a just Chastisement Unhappy Aminta you like a Bee which Dies as he strikes and leaves his Life in another's Wound have at length pierc'd that hard Heart which you never could do when you was alive Now if thou wandring Spirit free'd from thy Body wanderest here-about as I believe look on her Tears and rejoice Loving in Life belov'd in Death and if it was thy Destiny to be belov'd in Death and if this Cruel Maid was resolv'd to sell thee her Love at so dear a Price thou hast given that Price which she requir'd and thou hast bought her Love with thy Death Chor. A dear Price to him that pays it but to the Receiver useless and infamous Sylv. Oh! Could I with my Love purchase his Life nay with my own Life purchase his if he is Dead Daph. O! Wise and Compassionate too late when nothing will avail SCENA SECONDA Nunzio Choro Silvia Dafne IO hò sì pieno il petto di pietate E sì pieno d' horror che non rimiro Ne odo alcuna cosa onde mi volga La qual non mi spaventi e non m' affanni Cho. Hor ch' apporta costui Ch' è sè turbato in vista in favella Nun. Porto l' aspra novella De la morte d' Aminta Sil. Ohimè che dice Nun. Il più nobil Pastor di queste selve Che fù così gentil così leggiadro Così caro à le Ninfe à le Muse Et è morto fanciullo ahi di che morte Cho. Contane prego il tutto acciò che teco Pianger possiam la sua sciagura e nostra Sil. Ohimè ch' io non ardisco Appressarmi ad udire Quel ch' è pur forza udire empio mio core Mio duro alpestre core Di che di che paventi Vattena incontra pure A quei coltei pungenti Che costui porta ne la lingua e quivi Mostra la tua fierezza Pastore io vengo à parte Di quel dolor che tú prometti altrui Che à me ben si conviene Piú che forse non penfi io l ricevo Come dovuta cosa hor tu di lui Non mi sii dunque scarso Nun. Ninfa io ti credo bene Ch'io sentii quel meschino in sù la morte Finir la vita sua Co'l chiamar il tuo nome Daf. Hora comincia homai Questa dolente historia Nun. Io era à mezzo l colle ove havea teso Certe mie reti quando assai vicino Vidi passar Aminta in volto e in atti Troppo mutato da quel ch' ei soleva Troppo turbato e scuro Io corsi e corsi Tanto che l giunsi e lo fermai egli Mi disse Ergasto io vo che tu mi faccia Un gran piacer quest è che tu ne venga Meco per testimonio d' un mio fatto Ma pria voglio da te che tu mi leghi Di stretto giuramento la tua fede Di startene in disparte e non por mano Per impedirmi in quel che son per fare Io chi pensato havria caso sì strano Nè sì pazzo furor come egli volse Feci scongiuri horribili chiamando E Pane e Palla e Priapo e Pomona Et Hecate notturna indi si mosse E mi condusse ov è scosceso il colle E giù per balze e per dirupi incolti Strada non già che non v è
SCENE the FIRST Daphne Sylvia Daph. ARE you resolv'd then Sylvia to spend this Youth of yours a stranger to the Pleasures of Venus will you never hear the sweet Name of Mother and will you never see your little Boys play prettily around you Ah! change change I pray thee thy Resolution fond trifler that thou art Sylv. Let others follow the Delights of Love if there's in Love any Delight this State of Life pleases me and all my Diversion is the Care of my Bow and Arrows to pursue the flying Beasts and pin the Savage to the Ground in Combat and if there fails not Arrows to my Quiver or wild Beasts to the Wood I don't fear that Sports will ever fail me Daph. Insipid Sports truly and insipid Life and if it pleases you 'tis only because you have not experienc'd any other Thus the first Race of Mankind who liv'd heretofore in the World whilst it was yet in its Simplicity and Infancy accounted Water and Acorns delicious Drink and delicious Food and now Water and Acorns are become the Food and the Drink of Beasts since Corn and the Grape are brought into Use Perhaps if you had tasted but once the Thousandth Part of the Joys which an amorous Heart feels in the Return of mutual Love you would say repenting with a Sigh Lost is all the Time that is not spent in Love Alas my Ill-spent Youth How many lonely Nights how many melancholly Days have I spent in vain which might have been employ'd in that Use which the oft'ner 'tis repeated proves more delightful Change Change thy Resolution fond Trifler that thou art for it avails nothing to repent too late Sylv. When I shall say repenting with a Sigh these Words which you invent and adorn as you please the Rivers shall return back to their Fountains the Wolves shall fly from Lambs and Grey-Hounds from the tim'rous Hares the Boar shall love the Sea and the Dolphin the Alps. Daph. Well I know the perversness of Youth As thou art now such once was I such was my Carriage and my Face and such my beautiful Hair my Mouth like thine was of Vermilion Die and thus the Rose was mixt with pure White on my plump and delicate Cheeks it was then my highest Pleasure now I perceive it the Pleasure of an Idiot to spread my Nets to lay the Birdlime Twiggs to sharpen my Dart upon a Whet-stone to spy out the Foot-steps and the Cover of the Game and if at that time I saw an ardent Lover looking on me I cast down my Eyes Rustick and Savage as I was full of Disdain and of Shame to me my own Beauty was disagreeable and whatever I had that pleas'd others was displeasing to my self as if it had been my Fault my Shame and my Reproach to be lookt at lov'd and desir'd But what can not Time do and what can't a faithful and importunate Lover by Service Merit and Intreaty I was conquer'd I confess and the Arms of the Conqueror were Submission Sufferings Tears Sighs and Importunity in requesting a Return to his Love The Shade of one short Night shew'd me then that which along Course of Time and the Light of a Thousand Days had not shew'd me Then I blam'd my self and my blind Simplicity and said with a Sigh Here Cynthia take thy Horn take thy Bow for I renounce thy Arrows and thy way of Life Thus I hope to see that one Day your Aminta will tame your savage Nature and will soften that Iron rocky Heart of thine Perhaps he is not handsome or loves not you or no one else loves him or perhaps he changes either for the Love of another or your Hatred perhaps he yields to you in Birth if you are the Daughter of Cidippus to whom the God of this noble River was Father he is the Son of Sylvanus to whom Pan was Father the great God of the Shepherds Bright Amarillis is no less Fair than you if ever you did view your self in the Mirror of a clear Fountain and yet he despises her inviting Charms and follows your contemptuous Scorn Now make a Fiction and Heaven grant it may be only a Fiction that he being disgusted at you should bring himself at last to love the Maid by whom he is lov'd so much what will thy Mind be then and with what Eyes will thou behold him another's happy in another's Arms and insulting thee with a Smile Sylv. Let Aminta dispose of Himself and his Love as he pleases it matters not me and so he be not mine let him be whose he will but he can't be mine except I will neither were he mine would I be his Daph. From whence does your Hatred takes its Birth Sylv. From his Love Daph. Too gentle Father for so cruel a Son but when were ever Tygers born of tame Lambs or Crows of beautiful Swans Either you deceive me or your self Sylv. I am an Enemy to his Love because That is an Enemy to my Honour and I lov'd him as long as he would have nothing of me but what I'd have Daph. You made the worse Choice He only wishes to you what he wishes to himself Sylv. Daphne Either be silent or speak of some other Subject if you will have an Answer Daph. Look ye there now observe the coy Disdain of Youth Answer me now however should another love you would you treat his love in this manner Sylv. In this manner would I treat every Ensnarer of my Virginity whom you call a Lover and I an Enemy Daph. Do'st thou esteem then an Enemy the Ram to the Ew the Bull to the Heifer do'st thou esteem then an Enemy the Turtle to his faithful Mate do'st thou imagine then the pleasant Spring to be the season of Enmity and Wrath which now jocund and smiling reconciles the whole World to Love as well brute Beasts as Men and Women and do'st thou not perceive how all Things are now inspir'd with a joyous and salutary Love See there that Dove which flattering with sweet murmurs Kisses his Companion hear that Nightingale which hops from Bough to Bough singing I love I love Even the Adder whether thou know'st it or no lays aside his Poison and runs desirous to his Lover Tygers rush into Love the haughty Lion loves and you only more Savage than all the wild Beasts deny Love a Reception in your Breast But why do I mention Lions Tygers and Serpents which are indued with Sense nay moreover even the Trees Love You may observe with how great Affection and how many repeated Embraces the Vine twines herself around her Husband the Fir-Tree loves the Fir-Tree the Pine the Pine the Elm for the Elm and for the Willow the Willow and one Beech-Tree for another burns and sighs That very Oak that appears so rugged and savage feels within itself the Power of an amorous Fire and if thou hadst any Spirit or Sense of Love thou would'st hear his mute Sighs Will you be then inferiour to the Plants
speme non tacerla Tir. Dirollo volontieri Allhor che prima Mia sorte mi condussè in queste selve Costui conobbi è lo stimava io tale Qual tu lo stimi in tanto un dì mi venne E bisogno e talento d'irne dove Siede la grand Cittade in ripa al Fiume Et â costui ne feci motto egli Così mi disse andrai ne la gran Terra Ove gli astuti e scaltri Cittadini E i Cortigian malvagi molte volte Prendenci à gabbo e fanno brutti scherni Di noi Rustici incauti però Figlio Và su l'auviso non tappressar troppo Ove sian drappi-colorati e d'oro E pennachi e divise e foggie nove Mà sopra tutto guarda che mal Fato O giovenil vaghezza non ti meni Al magazino de le ciancie ah fuggi Fuggi quell incantato allogiamento Che luogo è questo io chiesi ei soggiunse Quivi habitan le Maghe che incantando Fan traveder e traudir ciascuno Ciò che diamante sembra oro fino E vetro e rame e quelle arche d'argento Che stimeresti piene di thesoro Sporte son piene di vesciche bugge Quivi le mura son fatte con arte Che parlano e rispondono à i parlanti Ne già rispondon la parola mozza Com' Echo suole ne le nostre selve Mà la replican tutta intiera intiera Con giunta anco di quel ch' altri non disse I trespidi le tavole le panche Le scranne le letiere le cortine E gli arnesi di camera e di sala Han tutti lingua e voce e gridan sempre Quivi le ciancie in forma di Bambine Vanno trescando e se un muto v'entrasse Un muto ciancerebbe à suo dispetto Mà questo è'l minor mal che ti potesse Incontrar tu potresti indi restarne Converso in salce in acqua ò in foco Acqua di pianto e foco di sospiri Così diss egli io n'andai con questo Fallace antiveder ne la Cittade Et come volse il Ciel benigno à caso Passai per la dov e'l felice Albergo Quindi uscian fuor voci canore e dolci E di Cigni e di Ninfe e di Sirene Di Sirene celesti e n'uscian suoni Soavi e chiari e tanto altro diletto Ch'attonito godendo ammirando Mi fermai buona pezza Era sù l'uscio Quasi per guardia de le cose belle Huom d'aspetto magnanimo e robusto Di cui per quanto intesi in dubbio stassi S'egli sia miglior Duce ò Cavaliero Che con fronte benigna insieme grave Con regal cortesia invitò dentro Ei grande e'n pregio me negletto e basso O che sentii che vidi allhora I vidi Celesti Dee Ninfe leggiadre e belle Novi lumi Orfei altre ancora Senza vel senza nube e quale e quanta A gl' Immortali appar vergine Aurora Sparger d'argento e d'or rugiade e raggi E fecondando illuminar d' intorno Vidi Febo e le Muse e frà le Muse Elpin seder accolto in quel punto Sentii me far di me stesso maggiore Pien di nova vertù pieno di nova Deitade e cantaì Guerre Heroi Sdegnando pastoral ruvido carme E se ben poi come altrui piacque feci Ritorno à queste selve io pur ritenni Parte di quello spirto nì già suona La mia Sampogna humil come soleva Mà di voce più altera e più sonora Emula de le Trombe empie le selve Udimmi Mopso poscia e con maligno Guardo mirando affascinommi ond ìo Roco divenni poi gran tempo tacqui Quando i Pastor credean ch' io fossi stato Visto dal Lupo e'l Lupo era costui Questo t'hò detto acciò che sappi quanto Il parlar di costui di fede è degno E dei bene sperar sol perche ei vuole Che nulla speri Am. Piacemi d'udire Quanto mi narri à te dunque rimetto La cura di mia vita Tir. Io n'havrò cura Tu frà mez'hora qui trovar ti lassa SCENE the SECOND Aminta Thyrsis AMINTA I have seen the Rocks and Waters compassionately reply to my Complaints I have seen the Woods accompany my Complaints with sighs but I have never seen nor hope to see Compassion in the cruel Fair whom I know not whether to call Woman or Brute but she denies herself to be a Woman because she denies Compassion where inanimate things have not denied it Thyr. The Lamb feeds on the Grass the Wolf on the Lambs but cruel Love feeds on Tears and never shews himself satisfied Am. Alas Love is long since satisfied with my Tears and now only thirsts after my Blood and soon I am resolv'd that he and that cruel Creature shall drink my Blood with their Eyes Thyr. Ah Aminta Aminta what are you talking or why do you rave thus comfort your self now for you will find another if this cruel one disdains you Am. Alas how can I find another if I cannot find my self if I have lost my self what Acquisition shall I ever make that can please me Thyr. Poor Man never despair of gaining her Length of Time has taught Men to Rein the Lions and the Tygers of Arcania Am. But an unhappy Wretch can't a long Time sustain the Delay of his Death Thyr. The Delay will be short Woman is soon angry and soon appeas'd a Creature moveable by Nature more than the slender Twig or the pliant Ear of Corn before the Wind but prithee let me know something farther of thy hard Condition and thy Love For though you have often confest to me that you were in Love yet you never told me where you plac'd your Love and our faithful Friendship and our common study of the Muses deserves that what is conceal'd from others should be discover'd to me Am. I am content Thyrsis to tell you that which the Woods the Mountains and the Rivers know though 'tis unknown to Men for I am now so near my Death that there is good Reason that I shou'd leave one behind who may relate the Cause of my Death and engrave it on the Bark of a Beech-tree near the place where my dead Body shall be buried that the cruel Maid when she passes by may take delight to trample my unhappy Bones with her proud Foot and say within herself Here lies my Triumph and may rejoice to see that her Victory is known to all our country Shepherds and the Strangers whom chance directs this way and perhaps alas my Hopes are too high a Day may come when she being mov'd with too late a pity may lament him dead whom living she kill'd and say oh were he here and were he mine Attend now Thyr. Go on then for I am attentive and perhaps to better purpose than you imagine
had not yet mingled its Disquietude amongst the sweet Endearments of the amorous Train and its hard Laws were not yet known to Souls accustom'd to Liberty but only that Golden happy Law which Nature made if it pleases 'tis Lawful Then amongst the Flowers and Streams the little Loves led up their jocund Dances without their Bows and without their Torches The Shepherds and Nymphs sate together mingling Whispers with their pretty Discourses and with their Whispers Kisses closely tenacious The naked Maid display'd her blooming Roses which she now keeps conceal'd beneath the Veil and the Apples of her Breast now bitter and distasteful and often in a Fountain or a Lake the loveful amorous Boy beheld himself wantonly playing with the Maid he lov'd Thou Honour first didst stop the Spring of Pleasures denying Water to the thirst of Love thou first didst teach lovely Eyes to stand reserv'd within themselves and keep their Beauty from all others secret you first wove into a Net those Hairs that were before scatter'd loosely to the Wind you made sweet amorous Behaviour copy and disdainful you gave Words a Bridle and to Steps an Art Honour 'tis thy doing that what was once the Gift of Love is now the Theft Our Pains and our Complaints are thy egregious Effects But now great Master of Love and Nature thou Conquerour of Kings what does thou do within these cloister'd Woods which can't contain thy Grandeur go hence and disturb the Repose of the Illustrious and Powerful and suffer us neglected humble Company to live without thee after the manner of the Ancient Race of Men. Let us love for the Life of Man has no Truce with Years and is still consuming let us love for the Sun dies and is born again our short Light sets from us and Sleep brings on eternal Night ATTO SECONDO SCENA PRIMA Satiro solo PIcciola è l'Ape e fà colpicciol morso Pur gravi e pur moleste le ferite Mà qual cosa e più picciola d' Amore Se in ogni breve spatio entra e s'asconde In ogni breve spatio hor sotto à l'ombra De le palpebre hor trà minuti rivi D'un biondo crine hor dentro le pozzette Che forma un dolce riso in bella guancia E pur fà tanto grandi e si mortali E coâ—ì immedicabili le piaghe Ohime che tutte piaga e tutte sangue Son le viscere mie e mille spiedi Hà ne gli occhi di Silvia il crudo Amore. Crudel Amor Silvia crudele ed empia Più che le Selve O'come à te confassi Tal nome e quanto vide chi te'l pose Celan le Selve angui Leoni Orsi Dentro il lor verde tu dentro al bel petto Nascondi odio disdegno impietate Fere peggior ch' angui Leoni Orsi Che si placano quei questi placarsi Non possono per prego nè per dono Ohime quando ti porto i fior novelli Tu li ricusi ritrosetta forse Perche fior via più belli hai nel bel volto Ohime quando io ti porgo i vaghi pomi Tu li rifiuti disdegnosa forse Perche pomi più vaghi hai nel bel seno Lasso quand io t'offrisco il dolce mele Tu lo disprezzi dispettosa forse Perche mel via più dolce hai ne le labra Mà se mia povertà non puo donarti Cosa ch' in te non sia piu bella e dolce Me medesmo ti dono Hor perche iniqua Scherni abborri il dono non son io Da disprezar se ben me stesso vidi Nel liquido del mar quando l'altr hieri Taceano i venti ei giacea senz onda Questa mia faccia di color sanguigno Queste mie spalle larghe e queste braccia Torose e nerborute e questo petto Setoso e queste mie velate coscie Son di virilità di robustezza Indicio e se no'l credi fanne prova Che vuoi tu far di questi tenerelli Che di molle lanugine fiorite Hanno à pena le guancie e che con arte Dispongono i capilli in ordinanza Femine nel sembiante e ne le forze Sono costoro hor dì ch' alcun ti segua Per le selve e pe i monti e'ncontra gli Orsi Et incontra i cinghiai per te combatta Non sono io brutto nò nè tu mi sprezzi Perche sì fatto io sia mà solamente Perche povero sono ahi che le Ville Seguon l'essempio de le gran Cittadi E veramente il secol d'oro è questo Poiche sol vince l'oro e regna l'oro O' chiunquè tu fosti che insegnasti Primo à vender l'amor sia maledetto Il tuo cener sepolto e l'ossa fredde E non si trovi mai Pastore ò Ninfa Che lor dica passando Habbiate Pace Mà le bagni la pioggia e mova il vento E con piè immondo la Greggia il calpestri E'l Peregrin Tu prima svergognasti La nobiltà d'amor tu le sue liete Dolcezze inamaristi Amor venale Amor servo de l'oro è il maggior Mostro Et il più abominabile e il più sozzo Che produca la terra o'l mar frà l'onde Ma perche in van mi lagno Usa ciascuno Quell armi che gli hà date la Natura Per sua salute Il Cervo adopra il corso Il Leone gli attigli il bavoso Cinghiale il dente e son potenza armi De la Donna Bellezza e Leggiadria Io perche non per mia salute adopro La violenza se mi fè Natura Atto à far violenza à rapire Sforzero rapirò quel che costei Mi niega ingrata in merto de l'amore Che per quanto un Caprar testè mi hà detto Chi osservato hà suo stile ella hà per uso D'andar sovente à rifrescarsi à un fonte E mostrato m'hà il loco ivi io disegno Trà i cespugli appiattarmi e trà gli arbusti Et aspettar sin che vi venga e come Veggia l'occasion correrle adosso Qual contrasto col corso ò con le braccia Potrá fare una tenera Fanciulla Contra me sì veloce e sì possente Pianga e sospiri pure usi ogni sforzo Di pietà di bellezza che s'io posso Questa mano rauvoglierle nel crine Indi non partirà ch' io pria non tinga L'armi mie per vendetta nel suo sangue ACT the SECOND SCENE the FIRST Satyr solus SMALL is the Bee and makes with his small Sting the most grievous and painful Wounds But what Thing is smaller than Love in every little Space he enters and hides himself in every little Space Sometimes under the Shade of an Eye-lid sometimes amongst the little Curls of beautiful Hair sometimes within the Dimples which a sweet Smile forms in a lovely
Indolence and without Pleasure For 'tis only by Loving that Man knows what Pleasure is Thyr. That Man that avoids Love does not leave the Delights of Venus but culls and tastes the Sweets of Love without the Bitter Daph. Insipid is that Sweet and soon Cloys which is not season'd with some Bitter Thyr. 'Tis better to be Cloy'd than to be Famish'd both in Feeding and after too Daph. Not if the Food be pleasing and possest and once tasted always invites to taste Thyr. But who possesses that which pleases him so as to have it always ready when Hunger craves Daph. But who can find that Good he never seeks Thyr. 'Tis dangerous to seek that which once found pleases a little but not found torments much more Thyrsis shall be no more a Lover till Love shall have no more Tears and Sighs in his Empire I have wept and sigh'd sufficiently already let others take their Turn Daph. But you have not been pleas'd sufficiently Thyr. Neither do I desire to be pleas'd if Pleasure costs so dear Daph. Love will be forc'd upon you whether you will or no. Thyr. He never can be forc'd that keeps far off Daph. Who keeps far off from Love Thyr. He that fears and flies Daph. To what purpose is it to fly from him that has Wings Thyr. Love when new born has but short Wings 'tis as much as he can do to bear them and he can't spread them to fly Da. A Man does not perceive when he is born and when a Man perceives him he is grown big and able to fly Thyr. True if he never felt him grow before Daph. We shall see Thyrsis if your Eyes can avoid him as you say But I protest since you pretend to be so swift a flyer that when I shall see you asking for Help I won't move one Step to assist you one Finger one Word no not so much as one Eye-brow Thyr. Cruel would your Heart give you to see me die if you would have me love do you love me let us make love by Consent Daph. You jeer me perhaps you don't deserve such a Mistress as I am Alas how many has a painted artificial Face deceiv'd Thyr. I don't jest no but by such Protestations as you have made you don't accept of my Love as the Manner is of all you Women but if you won't have me I'll live without Love Daph. Live more content than ever you have done Thyrsis Live in Ease for Ease always engenders Love Thyr. O Daphne a God has given me this Ease he who may be esteem'd a God here whose ample Herds and numerous Flocks feed from the one to the other Sea upon the fair Pastures of the most fruitful Fields and the craggy Backs of the Apennines He said to me then when he made me his Thyrsis let others chace the Wolf and Thieves and watch my walled Sheep-Folds let others dispense Punishments or Rewards to my Servants and let others feed and tend my Flocks let others keep the Wool and Milk and others dispose of them do you sing in the Enjoyment of your Fase hence 'tis but just that my Muse should sing not the loose Strain of Earthly Love but the Ancestors of my living and true God whom I know not whether to call Apollo or Jove for in his Actions and his Looks he resembles them both Ancestors more worthy than Saturn or Coelus too mean a Muse to sing a Prince's Worth yet whether clear or hoarse she sounds he does not despise her I do not sing him because I am not able to do him worthy Honours but by Silence and Adoration But may his Altars never be without my Flowers and without the sweet Smoke of Odoriferous Incense and then only shall this simple and devout Religion leave my Heart when in the Air the Stags shall feed on the Wind when Rivers shall change their Bed and Course the Persian shall drink the Sone and the Gaul the Tigris Daph. Oh! you are upon the high Strain prithee descend a little to our Purpose Thyr. Here lies the Point that as you are going to the Fountain with her you endeavour to soften her I in the mean while will take Care that Aminta shall repair thither and perhaps my Task will be no less difficult than yours go then Daph. I am going but I meant our other Purpose Thyr. If I well discern that Face at a Distance that's Aminta that's coming yonder 'tis the same SCENA TERZA. Aminta Tirsi Am. VOrrò veder ciò che Tirsi havrà fatto E s'havrà fatto nulla Prima ch' io vada in nulla Uccider vò me stesso inanzi à gli occhi De la crudel Fanciulla A lei cui tanto piace La piaga del mio core Colpo de' suoi begli occhi Altrettanto piacer devrà per certo La piaga del mio petto Colpo de la mia mano Tir. Nove Aminta t'annoncio di conforte Lascia homai questo tanto lamentarti Am. Ohime che di che porte O' la vita ò la morte Porto salute e vita s'ardirai Di farti loro incontra mà fa d'huopo D'esser un huom Aminta un huom ardito Am. Qual ardir mi besogna e'ncontra à cui Tir. Se la tua Donna fosse in mez un bosco Che cinto intorno d'altissime rupi Desse albergo à le Tigri à Leoni V'andresti tu Am. V'andrei sicuro e baldo Più che di festa Villanella al ballo Tir. E s'ella fosse tra ladroni armi V'andresti tu Am. V'andrei più lieto e pronto Che l'assetato Cervo à la fontana Tir. Bisogni à maggior prova ardir più grande Am. Andrò per mezò i rapidi torrenti Quando la neve si discioglie e gonfi Li manda al mare andrò per mezo'l foco E ne l'Inferno quando ella vi fia S'esser può Inferno ov è cosa sì bella Hor sù scuoprimi il tutto Tir. Odi Am. Dì tosto Tir. Silviat attende à un fonte ignuda e sola Ardirai tu d'andarvi Am. Oh che mi dici Silvia m'attende ignuda e sola Tir. Sola Se non quanto v'e Dafne ch' è per noi Am. Ignuda ella m'aspetta Tir. Ignada mà Am. Ohime che mà tu taci tu m'uccide Tir. Mà non sà già che tu v'habbi d'andare Am. Dura conclusion che tutte attosca Le dolcezze passate hor con qual arte Crudel tu mi tormenti Poco dunque ti pare Che infelice io sia Che à crescer vieni la miseria mia Tir. S' à mio senno farai sarai felice Am. E che consigli Tir. Che tu prenda quello Che la fortuna amica t'appresenta Am. Tolga Dio che mai faccia Cosa che le dispiaccia Cosa io non feci mai che le spiacesse Fuor che l'amarla e questo à me fù forza Forza di sua bellezza e non mia
to my own Hand I am I am content that my own Hand shall take that Office since either thou refusest or can'st not perform it Alas if nothing is now wanting to the Certainty and nothing wanting to the Extremity of my Misery why do I linger what can I more expect O Daphne Daphne to what End to what bitter End have you reserv'd me Pleasant and Sweet had been my Death then when I would have kill'd myself but you denied me that and Heaven too which knew that I should by my Death have prevented that Misery it had prepared for me But now it has inflicted upon me the Extremity of its Cruelty it will suffer me to Die and you ought also to give me leave Daph. Wait before your Death till the Truth be better known Am. Alas what would you have me wait Alas I have waited too long and heard too much Ner. Ah! would I had been Dumb. Am. I beseech you Nymph give me that Veil the sad and only Remainder of her that it may accompany me in this short Space of Way and Life which is yet remaining to me and by its Presence encrease that Martyrdom which indeed would be no Martyrdom if I wanted any thing more to help me to Die Ner. Ought I to give it or deny it the Reason why he asks makes it my Duty to deny it Am. Cruel Nymph do you deny me so small a Gift in my last Extremity and in this my Fate shews it self still more Malicious I yield I yield may it remain with you and stay ye also I go never to return again Daph. Stay Aminta hear me Alas with what Fury he parts from us Ner. He runs so swiftly that 'twould be in vain to follow him my best way is to go on my Journey and perhaps it would be better for me to hold my Peace and say nothing to the unhappy Montanus CHORO NON bisogna la Morte Ch' à stringer nobil core Prima basta la fede e poi l' amore Ne quella che si cerca E sì difficil fama Seguendo chi ben ama Ch' amore è merce con amar si merca E cercando l' amor si trova spesso Gloria immortal appresso CHORUS THERE's no Need of Death to move a generous Heart Fidelity and Love are sufficient neither is the Fame of being a faithful Lover which is so often sought after so difficult to be acquir'd Love is a Trading-Ware and is bought with Love and often he that seeks only Love gains immortal Glory into the Bargain ATTO QUARTO SCENA PRIMA Dafne Silvia Choro NE porti il vento con la ria novella Che s' era di te sparta ogni tuo male E presente e futuro tu sei viva E sana Dio lodato io per morta Pur hora ti tenea in tal maniera M' havea Nerina il tuo caso dipinto Ahi fosse stata muta ed altri sordo Syl. Certo il rischio fù grande ella havea Giusta cagion di sospettarmi morta Daf. Ma non giusta cagion havea di dirlo Hor narra tu qual fosse l rischio e come Tu lo fuggisti Syl. Io seguitando un lupo Mi rinselvai nel più profondo bosco Tanto ch' io ne per dei la traccia hor mentre Cerco di ritornare onde mi tolsi Il vidi e riconobbi à un stral che fitto Gli haveva di mìa man press un orecchio Il vidi con molt altri intorno à un corpo D' un animal c havea di fresco ucciso Ma non distinsi ben la forma Il lupo Ferito credo mi connobbe e'ncontro Mi venne con la bocca sanguinosa Io l' aspettava ardita e con la destra Vibrava un dardo tu sai ben s' io sono Maestra di ferire e se mai soglio Far colpo in fallo Hor quando il vidi tanto Vicin che giusto spatio mi parea A la percessa lanciai un dardo e'n vano Che colpa di fortuna ò pur mia colpa In vece sua colsi una pianta allhora Più ingordo incontro ei mi veniva io Che l vidi sì vicin che stimai vano L' uso dell arco non havendo altr armi A la fuga ricorsi io fuggo egli Non resta di seguirmi Hor odi caso Un vel c haveva involto intorno il crine Si spiegò in parte e giva ventilando Sì ch' ad un ramo avviluppossi io sento Che non sò che mi tien e mi ritarda Io per la tema del morir raddoppio La forza al corso e d' altra parte il ramo Non cede e non mi lascia al fin mi svolgo Del velo e alquanto de' miei crini ancora Lascio svelti col velo e cotant ali M' impennò la paura à i piè fugaci Ch' ei non mi giunse e salva uscii del bosco Poi tornando al mio albergo io t' incontrai Tutta turbata e mi stupii vedendo Stupirti al mio apparir Daf. Ohimè tu vivi Altri non già Syl. Che dici ti rincresce Forse ch' io viva sia M' odi tu tanto Daf. Mi piace di tua vita ma mi duole De l'altrui morte Syl. E di qual morte intendi Daf. De la morte d' Aminta Sil. Ahi com'è morto Daf. Il come non sò dir nè sò dir anco S' è ver l' effetto ma per certo il credo Sil. Che è ciò che tu mi dici à chi rechi La cagion di sua morte Daf. A la tua morte Sil. Io non t' intendo Daf. La dura novella De la tua morte ch' egli udì e credette Havrà porto al meschino il laccio o'l ferro Od altra cosa tal che l' havrà ucciso Sil. Vano il sospetto in te de la sua morte Sarà come fù van de la mia morte Ch' ogn uno à suo poter salva la vita Daf. O Silvia Silvia tu non sai nè credi Quanto l foco d' amor possa in un petto Che petto sia di carne e non di pietra Com' è cotesto tuo che se creduto L' havesti havresti amato chi t'amava Più che le care pupille de gli occhi Più che lo spirto de la vita sua Il credo io ben anzi l' hò visto ò sollo Il vidi quando tu fuggisti ò fera Più che tigre crudel in quel punto Ch' abbracciar lo dovevi il vidi un dardo Rivolgere in se stesso e quello al petto Premersi disperato ne pentirsi Poscia nel fatto che le vesti anco La pelle trapassossi e nel suo
if he was Alive calling him Happy and Fortunate O hard Condition of Lovers Perhaps he thinks him a fortunate Lover who Dies and at length finds Pity in the Heart of his Nymph after he is dead and this he calls the Paradise of Love and hopes the same to himself With what slender Reward does the Winged-God content his Servants Are you then Elpin in such miserable State your self as to call the unhappy Death of wretched Aminta fortunate Would you be content with the same Fate Elp. Cheer up my Friends the Report which came to you of his Death is false Chor. How comfortable to us is that News which you relate is it not true then that he leapt from the Precipice Elp. That's very true indeed but the Precipice was Propitious to him and under the sad Image of Death reach'd out to him Life and Joy He is at this Time lying close on the Bosom of his beloved Nymph who is by so much the more Compassionate now as she was Cruel before and she's wiping the Tears off his Eyes with her Mouth and I am going to find out Montanus her Father to conduct him where they are for 'tis only his Consent which is wanting and which prolongs the Accomplishment of their mutual Wishes Chor. Their Age their Birth and their Desire agree and good Montanus is desirous of having Posterity and arming his old Age with so sweet a Guard so that he'll make their Consent his own But pray tell us Elpin what God what Fortune preserv'd Aminta in his dangerous Fall from the Precipice Elp. I am content hear me hear what I saw with my own Eyes I stood before my Cave which lies near the Valley and at the Foot of the Hill where the lowest Declivity makes a shelving Lap. There I was discoursing with Thyrsis about her who in the same Snare first took and Captivated him and afterwards me and preferring my sweet Servitude to his Escape and State of Freedom when a Shreek drew our Eyes upwards and all in an instant we saw a Man fall from the Summit and light upon a Thicket There grows on the side of the Hill a little above us a large Tuft of Plants and Thorns and other Boughs closely Join'd together and Interwoven with each other thereon he fell before he struck on any other Place and though he made Way through them with his Weight and fell down to the Ground before our Feet yet that Stop so abated the Force of the Fall that it prov'd not Mortal however it was so dangerous that he lay an Hour or more quite Stunn'd and out of his Senses We knowing him were struck Dumb with Pity at the unexpected sight but perceiving that he was not Dead and perhaps not like to Die we moderated our Grief Then Thyrsis gave me a full Account of his Secret and Tormenting Love But while we endeavour'd to revive him by different Means having at the same Time sent for Alfesibeus whom Phoebus taught the Art of Physick when he gave me the Lute and the Lyre Daphne and Sylvia came up together to us who as I heard since were coming to search for the Body which they suppos'd Dead But when Sylvia knew and saw the beautiful tender Cheeks of Aminta discolour'd like the Violet which looks so sweetly Pale and saw him languishing in such a Manner that his Soul seem'd to be breathing out in his last Sighs She like a Bacchanal crying and beating her Breast let herself fall upon his Body and Join'd Face to Face and Mouth to Mouth Chor. Did not Modesty then retain her who is so Severe and Coy Elp. Modesty may restrain a feeble Passion but 'tis too weak a Curb for Powerful Love She as if she had a Fountain in her Eyes began to bath his cold Face with her Tears and that Water was of so great Vertue that he reviv'd and opening his Eyes sigh'd forth a dolorous Alas from the Bottom of his Breast But that Alas which parted bitter from the Heart met the Breath of his Dear Sylvia and being caught by her sweet Mouth was all of sudden Sweeten'd there Who can express the Condition of both the Lovers at that Time When one was assur'd of the others Life and Aminta assur'd of the Love of his Nymph and found himself close within her Arms. He that is a Servant of Love may from himself imagin it but none else can conceive it much less express it Chor. Is Aminta so well then that he is in no Danger of his Life Elp. Aminta is safe and sound he has only Scratch'd his Face a little and somewhat Bruis'd himself but it will be nothing and he does not value it Happy is he who has given so great Proof of his Love and now tastes its Sweets to which extreme Grief and Danger give a sweet and delightful Relish But Adieu I'll go on my way to find out Montanus CHORO NOn sô se il molto amaro Che provato ha costui servendo amando Piangendo e disperando Raddolcito puot esser pienamente D' alcun dolce presente Ma se più caro viene E piu sigusta dopo'l male il bene Io non ti chieggio Amore Questa beatitudine maggiore Bea pur gli altri in tal guisa Me la mia Ninfa accoglia Dopo brevi preghiere e servir breve E siano i condimenti De le nostre dolcezze Non sì gravi tormenti Ma soavi disdegni E soavi ripulse Risse e guerre à cui segua Reintegrando i cori ò pace ò tregua IL FINE CHORUS I Know not whether all the Bitter this Lover has tasted in Service Courtship Mourning and Despair can be sufficiently sweeten'd by any present Sweets If Pleasure comes more grateful and relishes better after Pain Love I don't crave this eminent Happiness bless others in that Manner as for me let my Nymph receive me after short Entreaties and short Service and may the Seasoning of our Enjoyments be not such grievous Torments but sweet Disdaining sweet Repulses Quarrels and Wars to which may soon succeed either Peace or a Truce which may reunite our Hearts FINIS To the Translator of Tasso's Aminta WE British Lovers aukwardly complain Of Female Pride and undeserv'd Disdain So faint our Language tho' our Hearts sincere Our cold Address acquits the gen'rous Fair. Their conscious Beauty claims a decent Pride And where it yields wou'd fain be justified A Virgin Breast no Rigour entertains Proof to the Charms of Tasso's melting Strains Cou'd every Lover like Aminta plead The Fate of Female Pride were soon decreed Venus to fix her Empire o'er Mankind Her Cestus to the Tuscan Muse resign'd And Love now Meditates a surer Blow From Tasso's Lyre than his own golden Bow I hear the Whispers of the conscious Grove The Fountains Trees and Rocks all tun'd to Love But hark what Voice so softly sweet complains Of Nymphs obdurate and of dying Swains Too well I feel the Magick of that Tongue And Sympathy's the Eccho to his Song Blest Italy thy Genius now upbraids The Savage Fame of rugged Roman Shades Thy Sons far nobler Wars and Conquests boast The World for Musick and for Love well-lost You gallant Frenchman whom the Fates design The rough-hewn British Vertue to refine In pity to our cold unactive Clay Celestial Beams of Tasso's Fire convey May ev'ry God the bold Attempt approve But if they punish be the Vulture Love Fond as Narcissus of reflected Charms The Mirrour of thy Page e'en Tasso warms That Love prov'd mortal to the destin'd Boy The Poets Fates their kinder Powers employ And Tasso gazes with immortal Joy