I was afraid you had retained some thoughts for your self therefore I was so reserved but since thāks be to the fates it is not so I wil in this business put you to the tryal of friendship I know that the hatred which succeeds Love is alwaies measured according to the grandure of its predecessor and that you once loving this shepheardesse and now comming to hate her your hatred will be far greater then if you had never loved her Yet understanding from Stella her self that I can never arrive at my desires but by your meanes I do conjure you Lysis by our friendship to aide me either by advising or speaking for me or any other way I will take it as a most extream proof of your fidelity Lysis was extreamly surprised at this desire expecting any other prayer frō me then this by which besides his dislike from this of speaking unto Stella he had lost a freind whom he loved most Yet he answered thus unto me Corilas I will do as you desire you can expect no more from me but still remember that in messages of Love such persons should be imployed as are not hated Thus poor Lisis in lieu of a lover became a messenger of Love a difficultie which his affection to me made him undertake and he had full intentions to serve me though afterwards he changed his mind but the violence of his Love must plead his excuse for Love hath a most predominate power over men and truly his affection to me is to be both commended and admired since he was once willing to part from her he loved to let me enjoy her One day watching an opportunitie of speaking unto her he found her at home by herself none being by to interrupt their discourse then calling to memorie the affronts he formerly had received he so armed himself against her charmes as Love at this time could have no hope of overcomming And though the shepheardesse studied alwaies to tryumph over him yet he did so oppose his spleen against her and his freindship to me that at this combate he was conquerer Before he began to speak she went to meet him and pumped for some of her affected language What new happynesse is this said she that hath brought back my long'd for Lysis to me What an unexpected favour is this Come come since you are returned I will begin to hope againe for I dare swear that never since you left me have I enjoyed a minute of content to which the shepheard answered More eloquent then faithfull shepheardesse I am better satisfied with this your ingenuous confession then if I had not been offended at your in fidelity but let us leave off this kind of discourse and forget it for ever answer me only to such demands as I shall make unto you Are you still resolved to deceive all those who shall ever Love you For my part I must beleeve you are for none of your humours are unknowne unto me but I came to see and ask how many adorers you have and whether you did not say and protest and swear unto them that none should ever be deceived by you for if you did certainly they are in my predicament and rank The shepheardesse did not expect these reproaches yet she answered him and thus Shepheard though you came only with designes to wrong me yet I give you thanks for the visit and confesse that you have reason to complaine against me I complaine answered he no I pray you let that alone I will neither wrong you nor complain against you but am so farre from it that I will rather commend your humour for had you seemed to love me any longer I had been longer deluded And I pray God the losse of your Love bring me no more hurt then it doth sorrow you shall never heare that I complain of you for injurie and truth cannot subsist together no more then you fidelity can but take this for a most certain truth that you are the most deluding and ungrateful shepheardesse in all Forrests Me thinks discourteous shepheard answered Stella that this language would become any other mouth better then yours Then Lysis began to addresse himself in another dialect Hitherto said he I have borrowed my language from the just anger of Lysis but now I will borrow it of one that hath more to do with you then Lysis hath that is from a discreet shepheard who loves you and who values nothing upon earth comparable to your favorable acceptance of him his services She thinking that Lisis mocked her answered him thus Leave off this discourse Lysis it is enough that you once did Love me without any reviving of the memorie of your errors 'T is very true said the Shepheard they were errors indeed that moved me to love you out you erre as much as I did if you think that I do love you now or that I speak for my selfe No no I speak in behalfe of poor Corilas who is so wholly your devoted as nothing can draw him off I told him how I had tried you and what little assurance there was to be found in your soul and words I swore unto him that you would certainly deceive him and that I was sure you would keep me from being forsworn But the poor miserable loving thing is so blinded as he thinks what I cannot obtain his merits can and yet to undeceive him I told him that merit was the greatest impediment to obtain any thing from you And to the end you may believe what I say I pray read this Letter which he hath sent you But because Stella would not read my Letter Lysis did open it and read it aloud unto her The Letter of Corilas unto Stella Fairest Shepheardesse IT is most impossible that any eye should look upon you and not love and as impossible to love you and not be extream in his affection If you please but to consider this truth when this paper shall be presented unto your most lovely eyes I assure my selfe that the grandure of my pain will out of pitty finde a pardon for aspiring unto such a height as your merits though this presumption does justly merit punishment In expectation of your doom I beseech you give my thoughts leave to kisse your fair hands a hundred thousand times not being able within the compasse of that number to include those sorrowes which the deniall of this supplication will give me nor those joyes which will swell me if you receive me as most truly I am Your most affectionate and most faithfull Servant Assoon as Lysis had read this Letter he went on with his discourse Come Stella said he what death must he die or how must he live For my part I pitty him with all my heart and wish you could do the like I pray consider how bitter your deniall will be to him This discourse did touch this Shepheardesse to the quick and seeing how far Lysis was from loving her she
that I cease loving you and I obey for if I die I cannot love you and if I do not love you I cannot delight in any life May you and your love to me said Phillis be immortall and so they shall before they die by my command But my desire is to have a relation of that from your own mouth which you hindred Florice from imparting to us Diana hearing this request and being much offended with the extremity of the Suns heat did say she would be a very willing Auditor so they could finde out an umbrage from the Sun's heat for she believed the discourse of Hylas would be very pleasant Astrea who longed to go about their businesse did think as much and therefore in compliance unto Diana's will she said that she would make one So said Hylas it shall not stick upon me and I should think my selfe to be very bad company if I were not very willing to give you satisfaction and my selfe also for I do believe there is as much delight in thinking upon old and past Loves as if they were present for the delights of Love are commonly more in the imagination then in the thing it selfe and in relation of things past the soul doth cast her eye upon those images which remain in the fancy and looks upon them as if they were present And therefore let us look out for a convenient shade from the rayes of the Sun It is impossible said Silvander to finde a more convenient place in all the Wood then by this little brook which you see for the coolnesse of the shade and murmure of the water is very inviting besides it is nothing out of our way All the company concur with him and when they came unto it every one began to wash their hands and sit round the Fountain of it unlesse Silvander who got into a great Cherry Tree which made part of the shade unto the Fountain and brought some of the best Cherries unto Diana who gave some to Paris and the shepheardesses and picking out some of the best she gave them unto Silvander saying Here Silvander I must needs give you some who gave them unto me I would to god said he and kissed the hand that gave them you would receive all I give you with as good a will as this Then taking his place as neer her as he could Hylas when they had eaten all their Cherries began his discourse thus The History of Parthenopea Florice and Dorinde I Have often laughed in my thoughts at all those who condemn inconstancy and are professed enemies against it considering that they themselves are not able to be as they say nor more constant then those whom they brand with that vice for when they do fall in love do they not fall in love with Beauty or something they think that is pleasing unto them Now when this Beauty doth fade as time doubtlesse will make all Beauty do are not they inconstant in still loving those faces that are now grown ugly and retain nothing of what they were but only the very name of a face If to love that which is contrary unto that which was loved be inconstancy and if uglinesse be contrary unto beauty then he that did love a fair face and continues loving it when it is ugly must be concluded inconstant This consideration makes me think that the way to avoid inconstancy is alwaies to love beauty and when it fades farewell love finde some other that is fair and still love beauty and not its contrary unlesse you be unconstant to your first love I know full well that this is point blank against the opinion of the vulgar But by way of answer let me tell you that the Heard of people the vulgar is but a heard of rude and ignorant beasts and in this they give a true testimony of it Do not think it strange fairest Mistresse nor you generous Paris if in relating the story of my life you hear of many such changes For I am so carefull not to decline from this constancy that I had rather quit all those whom hitherto I have loved then recede from it You have formerly been acquainted with the cause why I came out of Camargues how I came unto Lyons why I loved Palinice and Cercenea And when I interrupted Florice she would have told you how she began to captivate me but because she forgot some things which are requisite you should know I shall speak out that which she did so subtlely conceal and then relate the story of my life if we have time enough Be pleased to know then fairest Mistresse that Clorian was very ill advised in employing me to be his spokes-man unto Cercenea in such a businesse as that it is dangerous to make choice of a friend that is better accomplished then himselfe a hundred to one but in lieu of Friend he becomes a Lover and he that sent him not loved for if his Mistris have any wit she will chuse the better The truth is when I went with Palinice unto Cercenea in the behalfe of Clorian my intention was to serve him as a friend and to use all possible addresses which might conduce unto his contentment but assoon as I saw this Beauty I remembered that I my selfe was in love with her ever since I saw her that night in the Temple so as now the state of the question was whether I should stifle Friendship or stifle Love and after a long debate with my selfe unto which I should yield I concluded that the last commer must give place unto the first Love told me that it had taken possession of my soul almost assoon as I was born and that my affection unto Cercenea was before my love of Palinice which was the cause of my friendship with Clorian and therefore my friendship coming after my love it is injustice if I let it keep still in possession No surely thought I we see the Lawes allow primogeniture in Children and Nature it selfe seemes to approve of it This was the reason why I applyed my selfe unto Cercenea as Florice hath told you And I beseech you judge whether I am obliged to endeavour the contentment of another before my own Why should she upbraid me with the name of Traitor to my friend For if of two evills the lesser be alwaies to be chosen if killing ones selfe be the worst of murders who that is in his senses will say but I had better betray friendship then love and have a greater regard unto the preservation of my own life and contentment then the life and contentment of Clorian Clorian loved me and I loved Cercenea Clorian desired me to speak for him and my affection bad me speak for my selfe If I did not satisfie Clorian I offended against my friendship to him if I did not satisfie my affection I offended against Cercenea and Hylas I do love Clorian and I do love Hylas also Put selfe and another in the scales and selfe I dare
the reason why all the Town made it their common talk and reports alwaies encreasing by going they went so much in disadvantage of Florices honour that at last they came to her ears by a friend who acquainted her She repented her selfe of the imprudent carriage of the businesse though too late She acquainted me and told me that we must be more circumspect in our expressions of good will and the better to hide it for the future she willed me not to come unto her but at night and so give a stop unto reports if it were possible To give her satisfaction I refrained comming for a while but because she was as much displeased with the deprivation of my company as I of hers it was resolved betwixt us to finde out some way or other to avoid the censure of the world and yet be together After consideration she advised me to seem as if I loved some who used to be familiarly with her and under that shaddow I might come unto her And upon serious thoughts none deemed more fit for this purpose then Dorinde as well because she was her cosen and frequently familiar as because she was fair though not very subtle And though she was not so fair as Florice nor so rich nor so well descended yet she did excell the most both in beauty and merit The day that I declared my selfe Dorinde's servant was that upon which the people celebrated a Feast in memory of the restauration and building of their Town by Nero after that most terrible fire which in one night consumed it to the ground At this time of publick joy every one did strive to appear as fine as possibly they could as well to assist at the sacrifices offered unto Jupiter the Restaurator and to the Titular gods as to be seen in the Theaters and publick Shewes Dorinde desirous to be seen and observed did set out her beauty with all the illustrations that Art could devise Before the day ended I did so accost Dorinde with my expressions of that affection I had unto her that she did believe them At that time and day I became acquainted with a young Cavalier called Periander a man indeed full of civility discretion and sweetnesse This man seeing me so obsequious to Dorinde and finding my humour agreeable unto his own resolved to make me his friend And I on the other side being desirous of acquaintance in that place where I intended to stay since Love did so oblige me to it I thought him to be a man of merit and therefore was glad to have him my friend This encounter of friendship which proceeded from one and the same sympatheticall cause was sooner contracted betwixt him and me then betwixt me and Dorinde although Florice the better to disguise her own love did contribute all that possibly she could unto it But poor Florice did not foresee how she was sharpning a sword which gave her a deep wound she did not know how it was alwaies my humour never to see any Beauty but I must needs love her a little so as ere I was aware I was in Love with Dorinde as well as with Florice yet I did love Florice better she being more fair and of a higher rank Two months were spent in this manner and the friendship betwixt Periander and me grew to that height that we were commonly called the two Friends and because we both desired a continuation of it we took reciprocall oathes of a most faithfull and perfect friendship calling the gods to witnesse to the oath which we had taken and to be punishers of him who should violate the Lawes of friendship After this protestation nothing was in the soul of one but it was discovered unto the other It hapned one morning for commonly we lay both together after much discourse upon the Beauties of the Town he asked me whether there was any of them which I loved And answering him Yes He told me that before he would ask me who my Mistresse was he would tell me who was his I desire said I unto him to be the first in that freedome because you were the first that asked the question Then I related unto him all the addresses which I had made unto Dorinde since the last two months but would not by any means mention Florice as well because I loved her more and desired that that Love should be kept secret as because I knew that one of his consens did court her in Marriage As soon as I had named Dorinde How said he do you love Dorinde Dorinde the Daughter of Arcingentorix The very same said I and I do assure you that I have courted her above this six months Oh heavens cried he how cruelly doth love treat me And after he had paused a while I do swear said he and protest that it is she whom I have long loved Could a greater misfortune befall me I had rather die then retreat and if I continue I shall offend against the Lawes of Amitie I was much astonished to hear him say thus for though I loved him yet it went against my heart to leave Dorinde unto whom Love had kindled new desires in me And therefore after I had held my eyes up to heaven as one that was much troubled I said thus unto him Brother since our Loves did begin in us before our Friendship it argues a sympathy in our humours which forceth us to love the same but however let the Lawes of Friendship be inviolable since we have thus far agreed let our prudence endeavour to continue so for the future and in order to that let us see whom this Lady most affects To think that our friendship should make us quit her the one unto the other this would be rather tyranny then friendship and to think that we can continue Rivalls and Friends is Folly What then should we do Let us refer all to Reason and see which of us she loves most Tell me I do conjure you by the Oath which we have taken whether it be true that she doth love you and what testimonies of it she hath given you I do swear Brother answered he that I will not tell you a lie either in this or any thing you shall ask I will first die a hundred deaths Know then that it is impossible I should give you any assurance that she loves me since her discretion and modesty keeps all close in her own soul Then said I unto him since we are both in one condition let us swear by our friendship one unto another and call all the divinities to punish most rigorously the perjured that he who can obtain most affection from her and give a testimony of it unto the other he shall only enjoy her By this means we shall not offend against the Lawes of Friendship it being most reasonable that he whom she loves most should enjoy her and the other quit her I conceive your Proposition to be very just said Periander and I swear
arise VVhich may be from my flowing eyes More swelling waves thou never had Then I misfortunes great and sad As thou dost glide without designe So without hope away I pine Thy scource from Mountains high doth flow From Beauty high proceeds my woe Through Rocks so hard thou find'st a way Through Rocks of griese I pass each day Though our resemblances be such Yet in one point we differ much Thy waves increase by falling snowes And frist addes tears unto my woes And yet which I do most admire Thou art all Cold and I all Fire Ah! River River continued he thou that art a witnesse how I am now the most miserable as formerly I was the most happy shepheard in the world why wast thou so mercilesse as to save my miserable life when it was in thy power to put an end unto all my sorrowes by taking this pittifull life away Will things that are insensible conspire against me and deny me that which naturally they bestow upon others But perhaps thou art loth to lose thy third scource knowing that my tears did more abundantly swell thy Chanell then both those from whence thou hast thy originall If this was the motive that moved thee unto this cruell pitty I 'le assure thee thou art not deceived since as long as I live my tears shall never fail thee Upon this last word a most profound sigh gave a stop unto his voice so as for a while his tongue was silent and as he was beginning again Leonida unawares stirred He turning his head that way he was extreamly surprised to see Adamas with her in that place he presently arose and came to salute the Druide who advanced towards him The thin and pale looks of Celadon did not a little astonish Adamas And having former experience of the force of Love he conceived that this violent malady might reduce him unto a more dangerous condition if no remedies were applyed Therefore after common saluations and discourse he took him by the hand and caused him to sit down and then began this discourse unto him Son what a strange condition is this in which I finde you Was it to live thus that you requested me to help you out of the pain that you were in within the Palace of Issaures Did you intend to shut your selfe up in this Cave and live like a salvage from the society of men You are born Celadon unto a better fate the great Thamaris tells me as much he has bestowed upon you great Flocks and large Pastures and do you think your selfe not obliged to render an account of them All under the cope of heaven is his we are all but his Stewards and questionlesse he will exact a particular accompt and Soh when that time comes what will you then answer Although he hath submitted these things unto our wills yet our very wills are not our own and we may expect a severe punishment if we dispose of our selves otherwise than as we ought How can you think it reasonable to live without any care of Flocks or Friends or Kindred or Men Dare you contemn those remedies which that great god hath upon this occasion put into your hands Perhaps you will say that your affection unto the shepheardesse Astrea does force you unto it But Son consider well with your selfe that if you have offended her all your services cannot wipe away the offence as long as you keep at distance from her and if you have not offended her how can you ever hope or think she should know your innocency if she never see or hear of you Now my Son I do grant that for the time past you had some reason to absent your selfe from her presence nay from all the world to the end she may see what power she hath over you and that you value the losse of her favour as the losse of your reason But now that time is expired you must now return unto your selfe again and make it appear that you are both in Love and that you are a man Though your sorrowes may deprive you of your reason yet now reason ought to revive that she may not repent of having a Servant who is not a Man Unto this Celadon returned this cold answer I would to god Father that your sapient advice were addressed unto one capable to receive it as for me I must confesse there remaines nothing of a man in me but my memory having lost both my understanding and my will and I believe this memory that remains with me is only as a nourishment of my sad thoughts so as he whom you now see before you is not Celadon the Son of Alcippes and Amarillis whom the great Druide Adamas heretofore did honour with his friendship but he is only one that the heavens conserves here amongst the Woods as a testimony that Celadon knowes how to love In answer unto all you object let this serve for all I love For sage Adamas if I do love I need not fear that Tharamis will be offended at me for doing that which Love commands since he would have me or at least permits me to love Now those who do permit a thing they permit all that depends upon it and who can deny but that this miserable life which I lead is a dependency of this love Can he be called a Lover who has eyes that will look upon any thing but that he Loves Ah! Father doubtlesse I do love and I am blinde unto all Flocks and Friends and Kindred and all Men living If the heavens as you say have given me any thing why should it exact an account of me since I do resigne them back again as freely as ever they were bestowed upon me If any account be required of Celadon it must be required of her whose Celadon is as for me I have nothing to account of for I have resigned all the heavens would have it so for it is by destiny that I do love and the heavens do know it As soon as ever I had any will I gave my self wholly unto her and have continued so ever since To be briefe the heavens are pleased with it otherwise I had not been so happy as I was many years If therefore the heavens would have it so do know it and were pleased with it how can they in justice punish me for doing that which I cannot chuse but do Do what thou wilt with me Oh great Thamaris let what will become of my flocks let my Friends and Kindred have what opinion of me they please they all ought to be satisfied with this answer that I do love But answered Adamas will you alwaies live thus The election answered the shepheard does not depend upon him that hath neither will nor understanding If you do said Adamas you will cease to be a man That replyed the shepheard has been a long time the least of my cares But if you do love said the Druide why do you not enforce your selfe to see her whom
must needs phrase my past services And though her cruelty hath been such unto me yet must I in some sort excuse her since being engaged unto Palemon perhaps she had offended against her fidelity in doing otherwise But now when thanks be to the Fates she hath quitted him what reason or colour can she have for her cruelty since she tells you that she loved Palemon because she thought it reasonable to love him who loved her Upon her own ground reason and judgment I do appeal unto you great Nymph swearing unto you by her fair selfe for a greater oath cannot be that never did any Beauty cause a greater more sincere or more faithfull love then that of Adrastes unto the fair Doris Thus Adrastes ended his Oration with so many demonstrations of a perfect love as all that heard him were partners in his resentments And the shepheardesse Doris seeing he had said all he could after an humble reverence answered thus Great Nymph I am very sorry for this shepheard 's sake that all he hath said is true for since he loves me so well it grieves me that he should be ill treated yet you may perceive by what hath been said that the fault is not in me but it is himselfe only that pursues his ill fortune The first time he declared his minde unto me we were both so young that neither knew what Love was so as what he said unto me moved me no more then a person who was nothing at all concerned Afterwards he travelled and when he returned he found me not mine own for I had given my self unto Palemon So that as at the first time he might complain of my ignorance in love so at this second he might much more complain of my too much knowledge in it But he has no reason at all to complain against me for shepheard can you complain against me who was not capable of love for not loving you Lay the blame upon Nature accuse those Lawes unto which she hath submitted us all Then can you think it strange I will not love you when my will was not my owne Alas I have but one heart and one soul and one will You may with more reason complain and that me-thinks is the only plea you have that you did addresse your selfe unto me too soon and returned too late You say that I never looked upon you but with scorn but was ever very averse from shewing any favour unto you Truly Adrastes if you rightly interpret my actions you will finde that you are more obliged unto me for that then if I had done otherwise For had you received any satisfaction from me unto what a strange extremity would your love have been driven that was so great maugre all my rigours Consider Adrastes that favours from me would rather have been aggravations then any consolations in your misery Besides I could not have shewed them without much offence unto that sincere affection which I had promised Palemon I must needs confesse that it is just to love one that loves us but I do not say it is injustice not to love all those that have any affection unto us for if it were there would be no fidelity nor assurance in love if it were so you your selfe were obliged to render a reciprocall love unto the shepheardesse Bebliena who is ready to die for you But I mean that a woman being free from all other affection may without blame love him that loves her if there be no other reason of hatred but his love Now this case is nothing resemblant unto that betwixt you and me for I being engaged another way I cannot contract any new affection with you without a ruine of that which I have contracted already Had I dissembled with you or held you in hopes with any smooth language you might with reason complain against me but if I did ever tell you my minde plainly and freely are you not obliged unto me for it Have I not a thousand times over entreated conjured nay commanded as far as I had any power over you that you should extinguish your affection to me And have you not alwaies answered me that you would if you could do it and live And when you did continue on was it not for your own sake and not mine But great Nymph see how that which as I gather from his wordâ— he thinks to be his advantage does deceive him Doubtlesse he thinks that my affection unto Palemon was the only cause which kept me from giving entertainment unto his And indeed he no sooner heard of the dissentions betwixt that shepheard and me but presently he was blowne up with hopes to effectuate his desires and to lose no occasions of promoting them he hath ever since that time so importunately pressed me that I may and with reason call him rather my enemy then my friend But he is much deceived in these thoughts and does not consider that if ever this affection of mine do cease I shall with it so cease from ever any other love as I shall never resent any effects of it again Thus ended Doris Adrastes would have replyed but Leonida commanded silence and taking Chrisante Astrea Diana Phillis Madonthe and Laonice aside she asked them their opinions and advice But being long in consultation and the shepheards who were not called to counsell being impatient and could not be idle Hylas addressed himselfe unto Doris I do admire said he unto her that you should be angry for being too rich How do you mean answered she I mean said Hylas that you ought to entertain not only these two shepheards who love you but also as an evidence of your beauty all those that would offer themselves unto you For it is a womans honour to be loved and courted by many besides the benefit she may get by it I do believe answered Doris very carelesly that this would be a good way for those who would be esteemed fair and are not or for such as prefer that vanity before tranquillity and solid contentment If it be a Good to be loved replyed he the more that love you the more good you have And if it be ill replyed Doris the more I am loved the more ill it is True replyed Hylas but how can it be ill to be loved by many They will hate us in the end answered she Yes replyed he if you do not content and entertain them How should one satisfie and content many replyed Doris when it is impossible to satisfie and content one But said Hylas is it not good to have many Servants They will in the end become our enemies said she and in loving me they will more trouble then benefit me You must have a care said he to keep them your friends The paines replyed the shepheardesse is above the pleasure The gods said the shepheard do never think themselves troubled that many should bring offerings unto their Altars Most true answered she but it is a peculiar priviledge of
be only a desire how can you think that desires will be augmented by enjoyment which do diminish and glut them Therefore Hylas do not say that my Love being a desire cannot be perfect without enjoyment And do not accuse of arrogance because there ought to be an equall proportion betwixt Diana and me unlesse you will deny that men may love the gods for then I shall yield unto you But if you confesse that to love the gods be the greatest commandment upon us then I ask you shepheard whether there be a greater disproportion betwixt Diana and me then betwixt Thautates and Hylas And to convince you of your errour it is requisite I explain this secret mystery of Love unto you We cannot love unlesse we do know the thing which we do love Oh said Hylas how false is that position For I do love above a hundred Ladies and Shepheardesses and yet I never knew one of them well for as soon as I found them to be peevish and disdainfull I left them and was angry with my selfe for thinking otherwise of them then I found them This reason answered Silvander ought to make you confesse what I do say For you did love that which you knew not that is having an opinion that they were full of perfections you judged them amiable you loved them but finding out the truth you left loving them and by this you see that the knowledge of the persons was the originall and source of your love and truly if the will from whence love begins be never moved unto any thing but what the judgment thinks good there being no likelyhood that the understanding can judge upon a thing of which it hath no knowledge I do wonder how you can imagine one should love that which he doth not know I do confesse that as the eye may sometimes be deceived so may the understanding and may judge that amiable which is not But yet Love must come from knowledge be it true or false Now this being so have you not learned in the Massilian Schooles that understanding and the thing understood are but one and the same thing What! still harping upon the same string said Hylas are you Diana Silvander as you were the other day Truly Diana said he and turned towards her you are a very pretty Boy And you Silvander said he and turned towards him you are a very handsome Wench Believe me shepheard you are excellent good company and will ere long be as pleasant a Fool as ever was in Forrests Every one began to laugh at this Silvander himselfe could not hold hearing how he interpreted what he had said and his way of speaking and therefore he continued thus You may very well shepheard said he make your selfe merry with me since I had no more wit then to prophane these mysteries by communicating them unto you nor should I have done it had we been alone but I was constrained unto it because I would not leave those that hear us in an errour But though you will not allow what I say for Orthâ—dox yet perhaps you will hearken unto what your selfe said concerning Phillis I mean that you did alledge the good opinion which you had of your own merits and the merits of Phillis as a good argument and that you did not esteem heâ—s such but that yours might equall them Now if you had this beliefe of your selfe why will you not allow me to take the same advantage of selfe conceit for I do think that the same proportion that is betwixt the fire and the wood which the fire burnes is betwixt Diana and me Now if you deny this to me good friend why do you take more priviledge to your selfe But I dare with assurance affirme that Hylas does not love Phillis I shall maintain it to be absolutely impossible For the chiefe Ordinance of Love is That a Lover do think all things most perfect in the person Loved And truly it is a Law most just and grounded upon great reason for if a Lover ought to love his Mistresse above all things in the whole Universe ought he not to esteem her above all things since his will directs him alwaies unto that which his understanding tells him is best But it does plainly appear that it is Hylas you love and not Phillis by saying that none loves but for their own contentment Now the pains which Lovers do voluntarily take only in doing service unto those they love does plainly make the contrary appear And have you not heard say that we live more where we love then where we breathe I shall never believe that answered Hylas this is nothing but talk that comes from such idle imaginations as yours Had you said replyed Silvander that the talk came from such a wounded imagination as mine you had said right for the imagination of a Lover is so We see some ready to die upon the wound of one little word upon the cast of an eye nay sometimes upon very suspition Sometimes you shall see a Lover deny unto himselfe all manner of rest and contentment only to enjoy the sight of the party loved for one minute But Hylas did you know what a felicity it is to be a fool in such occasions you would confesse that all the wisdome of the world is not comparable to this pleasing folly Were you able to comprehend it you would never aske what pleasure and contentment those faithfull Lovers whom you phrase melancholly and pensive do receive for you then would know that they are so ravished in contemplation of the party whom they love and adore as scorning all that is in the whole Universe they do not repent of any thing more than the losse of that time which they spend any where else and their soules not being well able to contain the grandure of their contentment they stand astonished at so much treasure and so many felicities which transcends their knowledge Know that the happinesse which Love doth recompense unto faithfull Lovers is the same that he may give unto the gods And these Lovers raising themselves above the nature of men do almost make themselves gods for all other pleasures which you do so highly prise are such only as a bastard-Love does afford unto such Animals as are without reason and such men as are only taken with them they do degenerate from the nature of Men and become almost Animals deprived of all reason Into such a Monster Hylas do you degenerate when you do love otherwise then as you ought such a Monstrositie I say does appear in you since there is no proportion in it and like Monsters it cannot produce its like and to be briefe like a Monster it cannot live long On the contrary my love is every way so perfect as nothing can be added or diminished without an offence to reason for both in grandure and quality I can without any vanity say that it is arrived at perfection In saying that my affection could not be blamed
is after I had long endured the faintnesse of Thamires I and the fiery affection of Calidon I rejected them both as in reason I might since Calidon had made me lose Thamires and Thamires without cause had resigned me to Calidon Afterwards when I was wholly adjudged unto Thamires by the Sentence of the Nymph Leonida yet still was I tormented by him when he was in all reason obliged to decline me both out of duty of a friend and the Nymphs command yet still he persisted and would needs die On the other side the kinde nature of Thamires seeing his Nephew in that condition did leave me in bed and made it appear that his affection unto Calidon was greater then his love to me whom he had courted with so much earnestnesse and passion I was extreamly astonished at this accident when I was told that both my Husband and his Nephew were brought in chaires as dead I must confesse that when I saw them and heard how all was I knew not what to resolve upon But afterwards considering the whole state of the matter I lifted up my heart unto Tharamis beseeching him to advise me what course to take to compose this businesse Doubtlesse he did inspire me with the means This therefore Oh shepheards was the holy inspiration Consider said that god unto me the violent affection of Calidon and be assured of this that he will never leave you as long as you are fair never think that either religion to the gods or any duty to men will restrain him Nor can you imagine that Thamires though he be your Husband and love you above his life can ever enjoy any contentment as long as he sees his Nephew so tormented As for your part What kinde of life can you hope to live as long as you are the cause of both their miseries To give your selfe unto Calidon your own will cannot consent unto it besides you are already devoted unto Thamires that nothing can separate you but death The violent passion of Calidon will not suffer you to be quiet with Thamires nor can the kinde nature of Thamires endure the continuall displeasures of his Nephew What then Celidea caust thou do Put on a generous resolution and deprive thy selfe of that which is the root of all this dissention Caust thou think it any thing else but the beauty of thy face 'T is true answered I but in losing that beauty I shall also lose the love of Thamires as well as Calidon and if so I had better die You are deceived answered he the love of these two shepheards is different Thamires loves Celidea and Calidon adores the beauty of Celidea If your fears should prove true you had better die presently then live long and be assured that when age has made you unhandsome Thamires will cease to love you But let that be the least of your fears Thamires loves Celidea and let Celidea become what she will still Thamires will love her This Shepheards was the sacred counsell which the gods did inspire into me unto which I durst not be disobedient and therefore sought out for means to put it in execution so as having heard my Aunt say that the wounds which were made by a Diamond would never heal I intended to sacrifice that beauty which was in my face unto your tranquillity and union But Oh my Thamires I hope you will not cease loving Celidea though she has not the same face she had for what she has done was only to satisfie the desires of Calidon that she might be entirely yours Thus ended Celidea leaving all that heard her full of admiration at her generous act It would be too long and tedious to relate Calidon's reproching her the displeasure of Thamires the sorrowes of Cleontine and Celidea's Mother with all those that considered her condition But so it was that when the Chirurgions had dressed her pittifull sacrificed face they all concluded that she would never recover her beauty again for the cuts were so deep and in such places that they had for ever spoiled all her delicate features and proportion So it falls out that Calidon seeing her so deformed his fiery flaming passion did quite extinguish and Thamires as she hoped continues his love so as she has ever since lived in abundance of satisfaction and quietnesse and so much esteemed and honoured by every one as she hath vowed that she never in all her life received halfe that contentment from her beauty as she has since from her deformity You have related said Leonida the most generous and commendable act that ever was done by a woman and I am extreamly glad to hear that such a vertuous resolution should proceed from one so neerly allyed unto me as Celidea is I beseech the gods to make her as happy in Thamires as Thamires has reason to love her and esteem her vertue Now continued Lycidas Thamires thinking he shall never have any Children he would gladly make a match between Calidon and Astrea and to invite Phocion unto it he offers to give him all his Lands and Flocks Astrea who grieves so for the losse of Celadon and resolves never to love any again she will not upon any termes hear of it and when her Uncle made the motion unto her she did nothing but weep insomuch as when he pressed her unto it she answered That she would spend all the rest of her daies amongst the Vestalls and Druides so as in order unto that she desired me to speak unto the venerable Chrisante about it Do you think said Leonida that Chrisante will receive her without the consent of her Parents I asked her the very same question answered Lycidas but she answered me that Astrea having neither Father nor Mother living she might dispose of her selfe and that if she could not dispose of her selfe this way she would then enter into her grave I perceive said Leonida that she is excessively afflicted But I pray tell me who is contented Would I durst tell you answered the shepheard Why should you make more difficuly in telling me that replyed the Nymph then in telling me the rest There are many reasons for it replyed he but since I have gone so far I will venter to go a little farther therefore Madam be pleased to know that it is Phillis whom I mean But I most humbly beseech you to ask me no farther I cannot chuse said she but swell with a strange curiosity at your request and do wonder why you should so conceal that which I do so extreamly desire to know For loving Phillis as I do why would you not have me enquire of her contentment But I perceive you do strictly observe the Lawes of Love the chiefe of which is to Conceal and be silent And because he would needs seem as if it did not concern him Nay nay said she never think to hide your selfe from me for shepheard I do know more of you then you imagine Can you think I could frequent the
having no suspition of me so handsomely did we carry the matter and so discreet and faithfull was Isidore unto her Mistresse that Maximus permitted her So she came to see me and leaving all her followers at the dore she brought with her none but the little Princesse Placidia knowing that Olimbres would so entertaine her in discourse as she would not mind what she said She came to my beds side and sitting downe offered to speake but could not At last seeing teares flowe from mine eyes and that I was not able to utter one word she turned herselfe so that none should observe our griefe Thus silently we sat along while and spoke not one word At last having tooke a little courage I spoke these words For ought I see Madam there is none losers by the bargain but Valentinian and Ursaces He in losing his life his Empire and his wife and I the favour of the faire Eudoxe But alas his losse is nothing unto mine for being dead he has lost all sensibility of misery and I that am alive can onely be called miserable because I do resent my misery She answered me first with her teares which she could not restraine and then by her words Will you my Cavalier help to augment my griefe and in lieu of giving me some comfort and pitty will you by your reproaches make me more miserable But it is well done I am contented to be killed since I see Ursaces does not love me Oh heavens cryed I as loud as I could being offended at her words and sorry I had cryed so loud for two or three came running to me to know what I ayled to whom I answered that my wounds pained but the paine was gone and when they were gone also I began to speake againe How Madam Does not Ursaces love you Can you say it and not blush are you not afraid the heavens will punish you for the wrong you do me Ursaces not love you Madam how long have you knowne him changed was it before Valentinian dyed No you have writ the contrary Was it since his death No surely you cannot chuse but remember my vowes and promise But perhaps it is since the wrong you have done me in giving your selfe unto this cruell Tyrant If so t is time indeed to change my miserable life for a happy death but you may thank Olimbres that I live for he onely has hindred me from dying But since I live you may be certaine that you shall live no longer then till I recover so much strength as to take a life away though you do not love me yet you might well have rendred me some testimony of pitty But what pitty or compassion can I expect from the wife of a Tyrant how can I ever think you any thing but a peece of ingratitude if you would live and enjoy your tyranicall husband do you your selfe reach me my sword that you may save your own life and his and see that it is not want of will but strength that keeps me alive She not being able to endure I should continue any longer coming neerer answered me thus In saying that Valentinian and you are the only losers you might very wel have put me into the number for since you do not love me my loss is the greatest of all Did I not feare our discourse would be observed I would say more and sweare that I love none but you and beseech you to beleeve that as you are kept alive by force so revenge keeps me for I do not take this Maximus either for husband or Emperour but for the most cruell Tyrant that ever was in Rome Were it not in desire and hopes of this revenge I would not live a minute and see you thus wounded But heaven which is just does promise me revenge for the blood of Valentinian and for the wrong which is done unto Ursaces and the miserable Eudoxe In the meane time my Cavalier take corrage and recover of your wounds as soone as you can for there is no other meanes to come unto our desired ends but that This declaration was comfort enough to my soul in so much as I recovered of my wounds very suddainly For this time she would say no more but went away to prevent all suspition of our designe But about three or four dayes after she came to see me againe told me the manner how Maximus had killed Valentinian and how he intended to marry her as he said himselfe at which she was so extreamly offended as she resolved to dispatch him some way or other out of the world Oh my Princesse said I unto her you must do nothing imprudently for if you once failn your enterprise you can never after hope to attempt it without abundance of danger to your selfe besides you would do me very great wrong if you employ any other hand but mine in the blood of him who is the Parricide of my Soveraine and the ravisher of you This is the course which I conceive best to be taken Valentinian long before Attilas turned his armes against Italy had concluded a peace with Genserick King of the Vandals and left all that he had in Affrica unto him upon condition he should be his friend and confederate This Barbarian hath ever since made great demonstrations of love unto the Emperour and would never take part with any that were his enemyes Make knowne unto him the wicked machinations of Maximus acquaint him with the murder of Valentinian shew him how he hath usurped the Empire complaine unto him of the force he offereth unto you and summon him unto the promise upon which Affrica is his Feare not but he will relieve you for though he be a Barbarian yet he is generous and it is their Nationall vertue to keep promise unto death and more unto the dead then unto their loving friends Now to make sure work because all these Barbarians are naturally greedy and covetous offer him the Empire that he may be more eager upon it tell him what friends and meanes you can make for him in Italy And that you are able to make his way easy unto him by the assistance of those who are adherents unto you against the murderer of the Emperor now though I must need say it is hard to endure that any Barbarian should ever Lord it in Italy yet better so then to be without revenge Eudixe considering a while upon what I said did answer me that all the difficulty in the businesse would be how to treat so secretly and speedily with this Barbarian that he might be in Italy before it was discovered and considering my present condition she knew not whom to employ that would be quick enough in the expedition that she had rather die a hundred deaths then ever Bed with this Tyrant that she could put it off a while by counterfeiting sicknesse but that could not be long I advised her to continue her counterfeiting and the better to delude the eyes of those
sentence of his Mistris he did oppose his innocency then the suddain execution of it did appear in the eyes of his fancy And as he was falling from one thought into another his hand fell a cidentally upon the Riband tyed to his arme in which was Astreas Ring Oh what horrid memorialls came then into his mind Then did he fancy the fury which her soul expressed both by words and actions when she pronounced the sentence of his banishment Then after a long and sad contemplation upon this last dysaster he began to think upon the change of his Fortune how happy he had been and how she favoured him Then begun he to think what she had done for him how for his sake she had slighted many well qualified shepherds how little she valued the displeasure of her Father or anger of her Mother when they opposed against her affection then began he to consider that Fortune is as fickle in matters of Love as in any thing else and how few of all her favours remained with him which was only a Bracelet of her hair tyed about his arme and a Picture which he wore at his brest whose Case he kissed many a time as for the Ring which he wore about the other arme he esteemed that rather as forced then of any benevolence Then upon a suddain he remembred the Letters which she had writ unto him in the happie dayes of his being in favour and which he alwayes carried about with him in a little bagg Oh what rapture was he in when he first thought upon them for he feared lest the Nymphes when they pulled off his cloathes should have seen them In this doubt he called out aloud for the little Merril for he allwayes waited in a Lobby close by The little boy hearing him call so hastily two or three times came to see what his pleasure was My little officer saith Celadon doest thou know what is become of my clothes for they containe somthing which would much perplex me to lose Your clothes Sir said he are not far from hence but there is nothing in them for I searched them Oh Meril said the Shepheard thou art much mistaken for there was something which I valued above my life then turning towards the other side of the bed he began to make exceeding sad complaints a long while together Meril hearing him was on the one side very sorry to heare him lament as he did and on the other side was in great doubt whether he should tell him all he knew at last not being able to be longer a witnesse of his sorrowes he told him that he needed not to trouble himselfe so much for he was sure the Nymph Galathea loved him too wel to keep from him any thing which he so much valued At this Celadon turned towards him and asked whether that Nymph had them I beleeve it is the same said he at least I found a litle bundle of papers and as I was bringing them unto you she met me and took them from me Oh Heavens said the Shepheard things are worse and worse then turning on the otherside he would speak no more Mean time Galathea did read the Letters for it was true she did take them from Merill and as those in Love are alwayes full of curiositie so she read them but she had strictly charged him to say nothing because she intended to restore them as unknown that she had seen them Silvia held the candle whilst Galathea unloosed the string which tyed them together we shall see said Silvia whether this Shepheard be such a dull fellow as he would seeme to be and whether or no he be in Love then Galathea took out the papers gently for feare of tearing them and the first she laid her hand upon was this Astrea's Letter unto Celadon Celadon WHat 's this you do attempt Into what a confusion are you about to bring your self Take my advice who counsell you as a friend and leave off this your design of serving me t is too ful of inconveniency beleeve it what content Celadon can you hope for I shal be extreamly intolerable you may with as much ease attempt an impossibility you must wait and suffer and be patient and have neither eyes or Love for any but me for never think I will share affection with any other nor accept of halfe-love I am full of suspitions extreamly Jealous I am exceeding hard to be woon and very easily lost quickly offended but abominably hard to be pleased my will must be destiny it selfe my opinions must passe for reasons and my commands must be inviolable Lawes Shepheard be wise and keep out of this dangerous Labyrinth Cease from a designe which may prove soruinous I know my selfe better then you do never think to alter my naturall Genius I shall certainly break rather then bend and if you will not beleeve what now I say do not hereafter complaine against me Never credit me said Galathea if this Shepheard be not in Love It cannot be doubted said Silvia being so well accomplished Then Galathea gave her another Letter which had been wet to hold unto the fire meanewhile she took another Letter which contained these words Astrea's Letter unto Celadon Celadon YOu will not beleeve that I Love you and yet you desire I should beleev you Love me If I do not Love you what will my credence in your affection profit you perhaps you thinke that beliefe will oblige me to it but alas Celadon that consideration is too weak if your merits and services were not more considerable but this is the state of your condition I would not only have you know that I think you Love me but I would have you know also that I do Love you and amongst many other this is an infallible argument of it that I have valued my Love to you above my obedience to my Parents If you consider how great my duty is to them you may by it value my Love to you since it is above all duties Adieu be not any longer incredulous As soon as this Letter was read Silvia brought the other and Galathea told her with a sad heart that Celadon was in Love and which was worse that he was extreamly loved which grieved her to the very soul for now she saw that she was to force a Fort which a victorious enemy was possessor of For by these Letters she found that the humour of this Shepherdesse was not to be halfe a Mistris but would have an absolute command over such as she daigned to accept as her servants and her opinion of this was much fortified when she read the other Letter which had been wet it was thus penned Astrea's Letter unto Celadon Celadon LYcidas told Phillis that yesterday you were in a very bad humour Am I the cause of it or you If it be I it is without occasion for did I ever desire any more then to Love and be loved by you And have you not sworne a
no other language to expresse my selfe unto you but what you used unto Diana only add this consideration unto you to the end you may know the grandure of my Love that if the blow may be judged of by the strength of the arm that gave it then my wound must needs bâ— the deeper since the beauty of Diana is not comparable unto yours if you do love her so extreamly Judge how great the affection of Amindor must needs be that loves Callirea For hee knowes not how to declare it better unto you but by making a comparison of it with your own Shepheard answered Filander your declarations of any Love to me are both unjust and very offensive unto me who have a husband that will not with patience suffer such affront if he knew it Moreover since you speak of Diana unto whom I have wholly dedicated my selfe I must tell you that if you will have me measure your affection by mine according to the causes which we have to love I cannot beleeve you have much since what you call beauty in me is not worthy to retain the name of it if compaâ—â—ed with hers Fair shepheardesse said Amindor then I could never have beleeved it an offence to love you but since it is I do confesse that I merit punishment and am ready to receive what doome soever you please but you must resolve to put altogether and punish me for loving you as long as I live for it is impossible I should livâ— and not Love But never think I beseech you that the displeasure of Gerestâ—â—n can at all divert me he who feares neither dainger nor death it self can never feare a man But as to your selfe I must â—eâ—ds confesse my selfe to blame in comparing Diana unto you since doubtlesse she comes infinitly short which if you can be so good as to pardon I will protest never to commit the like error againe Philander who had an opinion that Amindo loved me and who did love mâ— himselfe could hardly endure to heare me thus un lervalued but having a designe not to discover himself he had so much power over himself as to put it up and thus answered him How is it possible Amindor said he that your tongue should so much bely your heart Can you think I do not know that you dissemble And that all this while your affection is devoted unto Diana My affection replyed he as if surprised Nono that is wholly yours may never any love me if I love any but you I cannot say but heretofore I have wished her well but her humour is so full of inequalitie somtimes all fire and somtimes all Ice that now I am very indifferent towards her I wonder said Filander how you dare to say so for I know she loves you and you still love her I will not deny said Amindor but that she may love me but who cares This was right according to Amindors humour which was ever full of vanitie and would have all men beleeve that he could have many good fortunes At this time Filander found out his artifice and had he not feared the discovery of himselfe he was so incensed against him in my behalfe that I beleeve he would have given him the lye However he could not chuse but give him a very sharp answer Amindor said he you are the most unworthy Shepheard that ever lived and not fit for any good society Can you find a heart to speake thus of Diana unto whom you have professed so much amitie and unto whom you are so much obliged What can we hope for from you since you will not spare her who transcends us infinitly in merit and perfection As for me I think you the most daingerous person that lives and such as would live in rest must fly you as from the Plague At this word Filander left him and came to us with a countenance so inflamed with anger as Daphnis knew that he was offended at Amindor who was so astonished at the seperation that he knew not what to do At night Daphnis asked Filander what their discourse was and because she thought this might much increase my amitie towards the disguised Callirea The next morning she related it all unto me with such bitter invectives against Amindor and so advantageously for Filander that I must confesse that I could never since forbid my selfe from loving him when I knew him conceiving that his reall good-will unto me did oblige me to it But Daphnis who knew that if I loved him as Callirea I should also love him as Filander did advise him to discover himselfe unto me telling him that though at the first I might perhaps repulse him and be angry yet in the end all would be well and for her part she would so solicite in his behalf that she feared not but to bring all unto a good conclusion Yet all her perswasions could not infuse so much courage into him so as Daphnis resolved to do it her selfe without him or his knowledge for she foresaw that Gerestan would ere long have his Wife home again and then all the plot was spoiled With this resolution she came one day unto me when she found me alone and after much other-common discourse she began thus Diana said she what should be the meaning of Callirea's folly I verily believe she will run out of her wits she loves you so extream passionately as I think she will not live All day long she is in your Chamber and all nights in the Garden and so pleaseth her selfe with her own melancholy fancy that I cannot shake her out of her musings I would I could give her any consolation answered I but what would she have me do do I not repay affection for affection do I not make it appear in all my actions am I failing in any point of courtesy or duty towards her All this is true replied Daphnis but did you hear her discourses to her selfe I believe you would extreamly pitty her and I beseech you unknown to her let us go one night and hear her I did promise her that I was very willing and would go with her assoon as she would for Philidas would ere long make a visit unto Gerestan and then would be the fittest time A few daies after Philidas according to his intentions went to see Gerestan and carried Amindor with him resolving not to return of seven or eight daies When he was gone Filander according to his custome went into the Garden halfe dressed when he thought every one was a sleep Daphnis who went to bed the first as soon as he was gone did come to me and told me I put on my clothes as fast as I could and followed her untill we came into the Garden When she found where he was she beckened unto me to come a little after her and when we were so neer as to hear we sat our selves down upon the ground Presently after I heard him say But why should I put my selfe to
the end they might be ready to wait upon Leonida as soon as she was up but she was so much taken with their sweetnesse and courtesy that she had dressed her selfe by the first dawning of the day that she might not misse a minute of their company whilst she stayed with them so as these Shepheardesses when they opened her Chamber dore did all wonder at her earlinesse and after all had done their morning complement they went out of the house to begin the same exercises which they had the day before and assoon as ever they came into the meadow they espied Silvander who under the colour of a faigned courtship of Diana began to be really in earnest and in love with her He was so intent upon this new growing love that he had not closed an eye all the night but still passed away the time in thinking upon the discourse and gestures of Diana which he had seen and heard the day before so as Aurora no sooner began to visit his window but he was up and waited for the coming of his new Mistresse and as soon as he saw her he sung these Verses as he met her Upon High Desires and Hopes HOpe 's that Ixion like do swell so high As levell at the heavens supremacy Are too audacious and do aim much higher Than does become their duty to aspire Prometheus when he filch'd Celestiall fire And so provoked all the gods to ire My joyes said he amidst my torments are That I have done what none before did dare Fond Icarus with his faint feathers plum'd Like Eagles in the air to stie presum'd But yet in spite of danger he did aim At Altitudes and did attempt the same As Eccho for the love of fair Narcisse Did tell the Rocks how great his torment is He cheered up himselfe and said if she Do not me love no other lov'd shall be Although she be all soveraignty As high as heaven and be a deitie Yet still my high-blown hopes will have the glory To enterprise an Act beyond all story Phillis being of a very merry and pleasant humour resolved to undertake the task that was imposed upon her therefore turning off towards Diana Mistresse said she you must take heed what this Shepheard saies unto you for yesterday he did not love you but to day he is ready to die for love of you he should have begun sooner to serve you or else have stayed longer before he used any such language as this Silvander was so neer as to hear this and therefore said I beseech you fairest Mistresse stop your ears from the detracting language of my enemy Must you needs Phillis build up your own happinesse by the ruine of mine Dare you Silvander answered Phillis be so bold as to speak of happinesse before Diana's face I wonder what impudent phrases you will use behinde her back who assume to your selfe so much before her face Would you have my Mistresse to think that it is not my happinesse to serve her said Silvander and why I pray should I not tell it is so since it is nothing but a most certain truth You may as well say said Phillis that she does love you and cannot live out of your sight I do not say so answered Silvander but let me say unto you by way of answer that I wish with all my heart it were so But do you think it so strange I should say that I think it a happinesse to serve my Mistresse If you do I pray let me ask what happinesse do you finde in serving her Though I should think it a happinesse replyed Phillis yet surely I would not brag of it It is ingratitude replyed Silvander to receive a benefit and not to give thanks for it and how is it possible to love a person that is ungratefull From hence I judge said Leonida and interrupted that Phillis does not love Diana Most will concur in that judgment answered Silvander and I believe Diana her self does think so I beseech you shew your reason for this opinion said Phillis if you think to bring me into it The Affirmative part said Silvander must alwaies be proved and not the Negative The question is whether or no you do love Diana You affirm and I deny it and therefore it is your part to prove it Phillis was at a stand for an answer when Astrea said Sister do you hear and allow of what the Shepheard saies I do hear but not allow of it answered she for I should be put upon a hard task to prove it If so said Diana I must think you do not love me for Silvander demands nothing but what is reason Upon this the Shepheard addressed himselfe unto Diana and said unto her Most fair and no lesse just Mistesse it is now impossible my enemy can be so impudent as to say that I have not an infinite happinesse in serving you you are pleased to give such a favourable answer in my behalfe By Diana's saying that Phillis does not love her said Astrea she does not thereby say that you do love her or that she loves you Should I but hear such heavenly words answered he come from the mouth of my Mistresse as I do love you or You do love me I should not only think this a happinesse but be ravished with joy and yet since she is silent it argues a consent unto what she heares Why therefore may I not say that she confesseth she loves me Did Love consist in words replyed Phillis you are more in love than all men I know put together and you can argue a bad Cause better than any Lawyer Leonida was so delighted with the discourse of these Shepheardesses that had she not been troubled for Celadon she could have stayed amongst them as long as she had lived And that was the reason she desired them to walk with her towards the River-side homewards and they were very ready to wait upon her for besides the complement of common courtesie they were much delighted in her company So then she taking Diana on the one side and Astrea on the other they walked along but Silvander was further from Diana than Phillis she having taken that place which he desired at which the vain-glorious Phillis was not a little glad and laught at the Shepheard saying that her Mistresse might easily judge which of them was most ready to serve her since she had applied her selfe so officiously to be near her and he never cared My Mistresse answered he did admit you to the honour of that place for your importunities sake and not your affection for had you loved her you would have suffered me to enjoy that place which you do Nay rather the contrary answered Phillis if I had let any come neerer her than my selfe For a Lover thinks he can never be neer enough the person Loved That Lover answered Silvander who regards his own particular contentment more then the contentment of the party Loved does not deserve the title
him it will be hard for me to get into your favour But my friend Hylas I believe you are much mistaken for though I see she daignes to cast her eye a little upon you yet am I very confident of her amitie for out of a sound judgment I do know that she will alwaies make choice of the better To which Hylas answered Perhaps you think vain-glorious Shepheard that you have some advantage of me but I pray where does it lye none can see it nor does my Mistresse believe it What kinde of a silly thing is he that never had the courage or confidence to love and serve above one Mistresse and that too so faintly and simply as you would swear he mocked her whereas I that have loved as many Beauties as I have seen I have been bid welcome by them all What pittifull service is to be expected from him that knowes not where to begin But I that have courted and served all sorts of all ages conditions and humours I can turn and winde and do any thing to please or displease And for a proof of what I say I pray give me leave to catechise him a little that you may see his sillinesse Then turning towards Silvander he asked him what that was which would most oblige a fair Shepheardesse to love It is said Silvander to love only her And what is it said Hylas which will most please her It is answered Silvander to love her extreamly Do you see said Hylas what a simplician this is Why this is the way together scorn and hatred for to love her only gives her an occasion to think that it is for want of courage that you dare not attempt to love any else and therefore she will scorn such a faint hearted Lover whereas did you love all you look upon she would not think you come to her because you knew not whither to go else but she will then prise you the higher and will be obliged to love you especially if you particularize her above any other and tell her some stories which you have gleaned from others then once a week come and professe your service or may be oftner if a good occasion require this will render you more pleasing and invite her to cherish your company This is the way fond Novice to oblige her unto love but to pule and please her continually is the only way to make her look asquint at you Nothing is so tiring and tedious as these huge and extream affections such as love so must needs be perpetually imprisoned never at liberty alwaies present continually talking to her she cannot stir a foot but you must do the like To be briefe you are abominably troublesome to her But the Devill of all is if she chance to be at any time ill and do not smile upon you nor please you forsooth then must you put the finger to eye and cry cry tears insomuch as you force her to flie you Do you think this to be the way to make her love you No no it is in Love as in all things else the Mean is the best Measure so as to avoid all these frivolous follies the only way is to love but indifferently and the best way to please her is to be pleasant merry and jocund and above all never to be mute before her This Silvander is the way to make a Shepheardesse love you and to get her favour And you fairest Mistrasse may by this see how to value my affection She would have answered but Silvander beseeched her to give him leave to speak And then he did examine Hylas upon these Interrogatories What is it Shepheard that you desire most when you do love To be loved again answered Hylas But when you are loved replied Silvander what do you desire or expect from this amity that the person whom I love answered Hylas do prize me above all others that she trust me and endeavour to please me Do you use poyson to preserve your life said Silvander how can you ever expect she should trust you when you are not faithfull unto her Oh said Hylas she shall never know it Then I see said Silvander that you will do that by treachery which ought to be done with sincerity As long as she does not know that you love another she thinks you faithfull and so you shrond your selfe under this false shadow You talk of scorn can any thing provoke a generous spirit more unto it than to imagine that this man whom I see so submisse at your feet adoring you should have his lips blistered with the kisses of others and those eyes which seem to adore you ready to sparkle love at every woman they look upon What should any woman of any Soul have any thing to do with a thing common He will do no more for you than he will for any one that has the resemblance of a woman when he speaks to you his minde is a hundred Leagues off and is thinking of such a one that a thousand to one is ten thousand degrees your inferiour the words he makes use of are some fragments gleaned from another such as his heart never ownes Oh! how horrid a scorn deserves such a man As to the next point which he urged to obtain love by which is To be jolly and galliard and alwaies laughing Truly that is a principall quality for a Buffon or one that has nothing at his heart but for a Lover to be of that temper is absurd unlesse Hylas such a Lover as your selfe Again you say that a mean in Love is the best but let me tell you that he who is but halfe faithfull is not faithfull at all and he that loves not in the highest point of extremity does not love one jot he who can be indifferent and love all alike cannot love one as he ought to do Valourand Love are resemblant and he that can measure them or thinks any greater than his own is neither valiant nor a lover worth a Rush So Hylas you see that to injoyn a mediocrity in Love is to impose an impossibility And when you love so you do as those melancholly fools do that think they are expert in all Sciences and know nothing 'T is just your case in thinking you love when you doe not But be it so that one can love a little Do you not know that Amity hath no other Harvest but Amity and all that is sowed is onely to reap some fruit How can you that sow but a little ever expect to reap much Ah Hylas you little know what belongs to Love For those effects which belong to an extream love and which you call Troubles are so indeed to such as you who know not how to love but such as are really and in good earnest in love and know what sacrifices and duties belong unto the Altars of Love they are so far from calling those effects troubles as they think them felicities and perfect contentments But Hylas I
vainglorious humour which most Lovers use to attribute to themselves which is to be reputed constant the kind treatment of Carlis obliged mee much more than that imaginary duty And therefore one of my chiefest and familiariest friends took an occasion to divert mee from her his name was Hermantes who ere I was well aware was so deeply and desperately in love with Carlis that hee had no felicity or contentment but in being near her I being but a Novice in Love never perceived this new affection nor had I subtlety enough to finde it out He was something older then I and consequently more cunning and knew so well how to dissemble as I did not think any suspected such a thing But his greatest trouble was that the Parents of this Shepheardesse desired this match betwixt her and I should proceed because they thought it advantageous to her of which Hermantes being advertised and finding by his discourse with the Shepheardesse that she did love me he conceived that she would fall off from me if he could procure me to fall off from here He knew well enough that I would change assoon as a good occasion offered it selfe and after he had well considered with himself how he should begin his designe he thought that if he could infuse an opinion into me that I deserved a better match I should easily disdain her And indeed he found that no great piece of difficulty for first I had a very good opinion of him as my dearest friend and next I had a conceit that there was nere a Shepheardesse in all Camargue but would be glad to entertain me Upon these grounds I dispossessed Carlis from any share in my thoughts and made choise of one whom I thought more deserving and doubtlesse I was not mistaken for she was one that had beauty enough to make one love her and prudence enough to behave herselfe her name was Still ana esteemed to be the fairest and wisest in all the Isle and such a one as did draw me out of my former error But see the fondnesse of my proud fancy because she had been courted by very many and all of them bastled I did the more willingly fall on to the end my merits might be the more noted Carlis who did really love me wondred at the alteration not knowing what occasion I could have for it but to reduce me to her service she began to cast about and use all manner of allurements she could devise yet I being now upon the main Ocean could not think upon any landing so soon But though she was much displeased at this separation yet she was shortly after revenged by the very same that caused her misery For imagining with myselfe that assoon as I gave Stilliana any assurance of my love she would freely resigne herselfe unto me therefore the first time that I met her at a dancing meeting I said thus unto her as we danced together Fairest Shepheardesse I cannot tell what power it is which you have nor what kinde of charmes they are which sparkle from your fair eyes but I am sure Hylas is so much your servant that no mortall can be more She thought I mock'd her knowing how I loved Carlis and therefore in a smiling manner answered thus Is this the language Hylas that you learned in the School of Carlis I would have answered when by the order of the Ball we parted so as I was constrained to stay till the assembly parted then seeing her go out the first I stepped to her and took her by the hand At the first she smiled afterwards said thus unto me Is it Hylas out of resolution or out of command that you apply your selfe this night unto me I beseech you said I why do you ask that question Because said she I see so little reason for it as I must needs think it one of these occasions It is said I out of a resolution never to love any but the fair Stilliana and your beauty commands me never to love any other I believe answered she that you are mistaken and does not think you speak unto me or else you do not know me but not to let you run on any longer in your error know that I am not Carlis but my name is Stilliana He must be blinde answered I that takes you for Carlis she comes infinitely too much short of you to take her for you or you for her But I do know too well for my liberty that you are Stilliana and it would be more my tranquillity if I knew it lesse Thus I talked her to her lodging not knowing whether I was welcome to her or no. It was no sooner day the next morning then I went unto Hermantes to tell him the passage of the last night I found him in Bed and perceiving me to be netled at something Well said he what newes is the victory gotten before the combat Ah friend said I I have been pittifully bafled she disdaines me mocks me and at every word sends me to Carlis she will treat me as a cruell Mistresse and laughs at me But Hermantes knowing my fleeting disposition and fearing that indeed I would return to Carlis also that she would entertain me he answered me thus Why friend did you ever expect any lesse from her would you esteem her worthy of your love if she give herselfe unto you before she knowes whether you do really love her How could she possibly at the very first give any credit to you since all the Isle knowes you heretofore loved Carlis Certainly she were very easily vanquished if so small an attempt should win her But friend said I unto him is it not first requisite I acquaint her with my slighting of Carlis before I do declare my love unto her It seemes answered Hermantes that you are ignorant in Love I must tell you Hylas that when a declaration of Love is made unto a Shepheardesse she never well believes it at the first because it is the common custome and garb of all Shepheards to be courteous and civill and the weaknesse of their Sex does oblige men to serve and honour them in generall On the contrary upon the least appearance of any hatred they do easily think themselves to be hated because amitie is natuturall and enmity the contrary From hence I argue Hylas that it is much more easie to make Carlis believe you hate her than to perswade Stilliana that you love her And because you finde that your affection unto Carlis does stick upon her stomack your best way is to make her know that you do not love this Carlis which you must do by some action made known not only unto Carlis but unto Stilliana and many others To be briefe fair Shepheardesse he knew so well how to turn me any way he pleased that I writ this Letter unto the poor Carlis Hylas his Letter unto Carlis I Do not write now Carlis to let you know that I do love you for you have but
too much believed that but it is to assure you that I will never love you any more I am sure you will wonder at this declaration since you alwaies loved me more then ever I desired I must be plain and tell you that it is your bad fortune which cannot keep within the compasse of our amitie and my good which will not let me stay any longer where it is not worth the staying And to the end you may not complain of me I bid you adieu and give you free liberty to make the best of your fortune you can for of me there is no hopes When she received this Letter she chanced to be in very good company and as fortune was Stilliana her selfe was there amongst them and did so much disapprove of this action as none in all the company more which Carlis perceiving I beseech you all said she unto the company oblige me so far as to help me with an Answer for me For my part said Stelliana I will be the Secretary Then taking Pen Inke and Paper she writ as altogether indited in the name of Carlis The Answer of Carlis unto Hylas HYLAS Too great a conceipt of your selfe is it which perswades you that I do love you and the knowledge I have of your humour together with my own will which never relished you is it which ever kept me from loving you so as all the affection I ever had have or shall have to you is only in your own conceit And therefore if you do think that either my bad fortune or your good did consist in any Love I had unto you you were most grosly mistaken I do swear unto you Hylas by all those merits which you think you have and have not that I never cared a straw for you And this advantage I shall get by all this that for the future I shall be freed from being troubled with you And because I will not be quite ungratefull for the pleasure you have done me in this I shall wish the heavens will continue you in this resolution to my contentment as before they put you upon me to my trouble In the mean time live contentedly which if you doe as well as I shall being delivered from such a trouble believe it Hylas you are happy and so farewell This Letter I must confesse did a little nettle me for my Conscience told me I had wronged this Shepheardesse but my new affection unto Stilliana would not let me acknowledge it but did prompt me to lay the fault upon her for said I to my selfe Since she is neither so fair nor pleasing as Stilliana why should I any longer love her Am I to be blamed for her imperfections For my part I cannot mend her all I can do is to condole with her her poverty but yet that shall not hinder me from desiring and adoring the riches of another Upon these motives I endeavoured to drive Carlis from my heart and thinking that now I had nothing to do but to court Stilliana whom I thought already mine I desired Hermantes to carry a Letter from me to her and also to shew her a Copy of that I writ unto Carlis to the end she might not question my love to her Hermantes being truly my reall friend in any thing which related not unto Carlis did without any difficulty take it upon him and chusing a convenient time when she was alone in her lodging presented my Letters unto her and smilingly said thus Fair Stilliana if the fire do burn him that shall approach too neer it if the Sun do dazzle that eye which dares look upon its lustre and if the Sword do wound him that thrusts it to his heart you must not wonder if the miserable Hylas comming too neer you be scorched if in beholding you he be dazled and if in receiving the fatall dart of your fair eyes he resent the mortall wound in his heart He would have gone on had not she in a furious impatiency interrupted him No more no more good Hermantes said she you trouble your selfe in vain Hylas has neither merit enough nor you eloquence sufficient to perswade me unto any minde of changing my contentment for his nor do I wish my selfe so much ill nor Hylas so much good as to believe your words 'T is well Hermantes that I am acquainted with the humour of Hylas at the cost of another and not mine own it is too much that Carlis hath been so basely deluded by him and let him not make you instrumentall in the ruine of another As you do love Hylas so I do love Stilliana and if you will advise him as a friend counsell him as I do never to love Stilliana nor Stilliana to love Hylas and if he will not believe you assure him that all his labour will be lost And as for this Letter which you bring me from him I care not if I do take it for I am so well armed against him that I do not fear his charmes Upon this she opened the Letter and read it aloud It was only an assurance of my affection that I had quitted Carlis for her sake and an earnest imploring her to love me When she had read it she smiled and turning towards Hermantes asked him whether he would have her return an Answer and he answering that he did passionately desire it she said she would and did in these Termes Stilliana's Answer unto Hylas SEe Hylas what a simple man you are in thinking I should Love you because you have left Carlis whereas there is nothing could more invite me to hate then that You say you do love me Truly if any other more just then your self had said it perhaps I should have beleeved him because I do in some sort deserve it but I do assure you and beleeve it that I neither do nor will Love you for it would argue in me a most simple judgement to love any such contemptible humour as yours If you think this Language a little too ruffe and harsh consider Hylas that I am forced to it to the end you may never expect the least quittance of any love from me Carlis has told me the mind of Hylas and Hylas may now tell her mine if he please If this answer please you thank the importunity of Hermantes for it And if it do not blame your selfe that deserves no better Hermantes had not seen this Letter when he gave it unto me and though he imagined that it would prove some cold and faint deniall Yet he did not think she would have been so sharp but he did not wonder at it so much as my selfe for I was almost stark mad tearing the Letter in peeces and throwing it upon the ground then recollecting my selfe a little I pulled my hat over my browes looked upon the ground crossed my armes over my breast and walked in the chamber without speaking a word unto Hermantes He stood all the while like a stock and still fixed his eyes
Lindamor observing the discontented looks of Polemas when he took Galathea from him he had an opinion that he did love her yet having never observed it by any former passages he resolved to ask him and if he did finde him in love then to disswade him from it and this he thought himselfe obliged unto by their former friendship therefore comming unto him he desired to speak a word with him in private Polemas being as subtle as ever was any did colour his countenance with a glosse of good will and said What is it which Lindamor is pleased to command me Oh Sir said Lindamor I never use commands where intreaties may prevail and at this time I will make use of neither but only as a friend ask you a question which our friendship obliges you to answer Be it what it will replied Polemas you may be certain I shall answer you with as much freedome as you can desire It is this then said Lindamor After I had served Galathea a good while according to the Ordinance of Clidaman I was at last forced to do it by the commands of Love for the truth is after I had served her according to the dispose of fortune who cast me upon her great merits she had such an influence upon my affection as I did ratifie it by the dedication of my self unto her and therefore must assume to my selfe so much boldnesse as to say that I do love her yet that friendship which is betwixt you and me being contracted long before this love began I resolved to tell you that if it be so that you do Love her and have any pretentions unto her I hope that I have so much command over my selfe as to make a retreat and make it appeare that my love is lesse then my friendship and that the follies of the one ought to give place unto the wisdome of the other Tell me therefore freely how your soul is affected to the end the lawes of friendship between you and me may be observed My intention is not to discover your secrecyes and since I do thus ingenuously open my selfe unto you I conceive you need not feare doing the like for it is not out of any curiositie but onely a desire to preserve our friendship that I ask you this question Lindamor spoke unto Polemas in such a dialect as did become a friend but like an ignorant lover that thought such a thing as a friend was to be found in matter of Love But Polemas the Grand dissembler answer'd thus Lindamor this fair Nymph you speak of deserves the Love and adoration of the whole universe but as for me I have no pretentions unto her But withall I must tel you that for matter of Love I conceive every one ought wil do what he can for himself Lindamor did now repent himself of his courteous and civill language since he had received such an od answer and resolved to do what he could to advance himselfe into the favour of this Nymph yet he answered him thus Since Polemas you have no pretentions unto her I will endeavour to preferre my selfe unto a happinesse which to recede from would be death it selfe unto me For my part said Polemas my pretentions unto her in matter of Love are only with an eye of reverence and respect such as we are all obliged to render unto her For my part replyed Lindamor I do honour Galathea as our great Lady and also do Love and adore her as my fairest Mistris I do think my fortune may wel pretend unto such a height as to cast my eyes upon her and do conceive it is no offence unto a Divinity to Love her With such discourse as this they parted both of them very ill satisfied with one another but upon different grounds for Polemas was stung with jealousie and Lindamor displeased at the perfidie of his friend from this day they lived at a distance for though indeed they were alwaies together yet they did hide and disgnise their desigues and actions one from another but Lindamor did not neglect a minute that could be imployed to make his affection appear unto this fair Nymph and certainly he did not lose eyther his time or paines for it was so aceptable unto her that though much love did not appear in her eyes yet she was ful of it in her heart and because it was a hard matter to conceale so great a fire but some flame will be flashing out do what they could therefore Galathea resolved to talke to Lindamor as little as possible she could and to devise some way or other for conveying letters secretly betwixt them And in order to that her designe was upon Flurial Nephew unto the Nurse of Amasis and Brother unto hers whose good will unto her she had been long accquainted with for he being the Gardiner at Mount-Brison as his father was before him when Galathea was brought thither to walk he would often take her in his armes and gather her what flowers she pleased and you know that such infant amities as are suckt in with the milk do become almost naturall also she knowing that all old people are covetous she was so liberal unto him that she made him wholly hers One day when she was got some distance from us she called him unto her as if the businesse was to enquire the names of some flowers which she had in her hand and after she had asked him severall such questions she said thus unto him in a low voice Come hither Flurial dost thou Love me Madam answered he I were the vilest varlet that ever breathed if I did not Love you above all the world May I be sure of this thou sayest said the Nymph May I never live a minute replyed he if I had not rather neglect my duty to Heaven then to you How Said Galathea without any exception suppose it were a thing that would offend Amasis or Clidaman I care not whom it would offend said Flurial if you Madam command it I will never enquire further for I am wholly yours and though my Lady do pay me my wages yet it is from you that my service is conferred upon me and besides I have ever from your very Infancy so loved you that I did at the very first dedicate my self wholly unto you But Madam I beseech you why so many words I shall never be truly happy untill you put me to the tryall Then said Galathea to him hark thee Flurial if thou continuest in that resolution and wilt be secret thou shalt be the happiest man alive of thy qualitie and what I have done for thee in times past is nothing in comparison of what I intend for the Future but be sure thou beest secret and remember that if thou beest not I shal become thy most mortal enemy and assure thy self nothing lessthen thy life shal satisfy me Go unto Lindamor and do as he shall direct thee and beleeve it I will reward thy vice beyond thy
was astonished And at last a little offended at her she said I did not think Amaranthe that you had loved Belinde so little as to conceal any thing from her but I see I was deceived And whereas hitherto I could say that I loved you now I can only say that I love a dissembler Amaranthe whose mouth was closed with very shame when she saw Belinde alone with her and being prompted unto it by the violence of her affection she resolved to make tryall of the most desperate remedies that might cure her disease Laying shame aside therefore as well as she could she opened her mouth two or three times to declare the whole businesse but the word died as soon as it was on her lips all the could do was to profer some interrupted words but at last holding her hands before her eyes as not daring to look her in the face whom she spoke unto My dear Companion said she unto her for so they called one another our friendship will not permit me to conceal any thing from you knowing very well that whatsoever is spoken unto you will be ever kept as secret as if locked up in my own heart but I beseech you excuse an extream error which to satisfie the Lawes of friendship I am forced to open unto you You ask me where my pain is and from whence it proceeds Know that it is Love which ariseth from the perfections of a certain Shepheard But alas being at this word overcome with shame and sorrow she turned her head to the other side and was silent but turned her silence into a torrent of tears Belinde wondred and knew not what to think but to cheer her up I could not believe said she unto her that a passion so common unto every one should so much trouble you To love is a thing most ordinary but to love the perfections of a Shepheard argues an act of judgment I pray tell me who this happy Shepheard is Amaranthe fetched a sigh from the very root of her heart and said Alas alas this Shepheard loves another But who is he said Belinde Since you will needs have it said Amaranthe it is your Celion I say yours my friend for I know he loves you and disdaines me Excuse my follies I beseech you and without notice taken leave me alone to endure my own torment The wise Belinde hearing this was so ashamed of her companions error that though she loved Celion as well as possible yet she resolved upon this occasion to render a strange testimony of her friendship and turning towards Amaranthe said thus unto her Truly Amaranthe I am extreamly troubled to see you thus transported with this affection And though our Sex has not an absolute authority over Love yet thanks be to the gods seeing you in this condition I have and wil give you a cleer testimony of my being your faithfull friend I do love Celion I will not deny it yet it is as a Sister may love a Brother But I do love you also as my Sister and will have him to love you more then me for I know he will obey me Rest therefore your selfe contented rely upon me and when you are well recovered you shall see how much Belinde is yours After much other such discourse night called upon Belinde to retire leaving Amaranthe so full of contentment as forgetting all sorrow in a few daies she recovered her former beauty In the mean time Belinde was not a little troubled but seeking for an opportunity to acquaint Celion with her designe at last she met with one as fit as she could desire By fortune she found him playing with his Ram in that great Plain where Shepheards do commonly feed their Flocks this Animall was the leader of the flock and was so well taught that he seemed as if he understood his Master when he spoke unto him in which the Shepheardesse took so much delight that she stayed longer there at last she would try whether the Ram would obey her as well as him and he seemed much more obedient What do you think Brother said she unto him of the acquaintance betwixt your Ram and me I think fair Shepheardesse said he that he is yours if you will be pleased to do me the honour to accept of him but it is no wonder he should be so obedient unto you for he knowes that if he had not I should have disowned him for mine having heard me often say and sing that All I had was more yours than mine 'T is very well said the Shepheardesse I will try whether I have so much power over you as you seem to give me and will not only command but earnestly entreat a thing from you There is nothing answered the Shepheard which you may not more absolutely command Then Belinde seeing this fit opportunity began to open her minde thus Since that day we first began our friendship Celion I have ever thought my selfe obliged to love and honour you more than any person living and I would not have you think I do intend to lessen this love for it shall accompany me to my grave and yet perhaps you would make it diminish did I not advertise you before hand that my life and my friendship shall lessen together These expressions made Celion admire not knowing what she intended At last he told her that he waited to know her pleasure in much joy and much fear Joy because he could think upon no greater honour then her commands and Fear because he knew not what she meant yet death it selfe should be welcome if it came by her command Then Belinde went on thus You have ever as well as now given me such full assurance of your obedience that I cannot doubt of it and therefore I shall not only intreat but conjure Celion by all the amity he bears unto Belinde that he will obey her in this one thing I will not impose any impossibilities upon him nor to lessen the love which he bears unto me but on the contrary would have him rather to augment it But before I go any further I pray you let me know whether your affection was ever of any other quality then it is at this time Then Celion looking more cheerfully than before answered That heretofore he did love her with such affection and passions and with the same designes that youth useth to produce in hearts most transported with Love and in this he would not except one that did exceed him but since that her commands had such power over him as he hath moderated his passion and his friendship has so surmounted his love as he hath had no thoughts of her but such as would not offend a Sister I protest Brother replyed she for so I will hold you to be as long as I live you could never have obliged me more than by this Know then what it is I do desire from you only this that preserving still inviolably this affection which you do now bear
Amasis the most honoured by all the Country never considering that Love useth not to measure by the Ell of Ambition or Merit but by opinion only Silvander whose education in the Phocencian and Massellian Universities had compleatly civilized though the meeting of Paris was but halfe pleasing to him yet he turned to the Nymph and him to salute them I need not ask you said Leonida unto him and smiled what thoughts entertained you in this solitary place for I am sure that Diana was the chiefe But I would gladly know why you do prefer the thoughts before the fight of her and what occasions does invite you from her presence I will not deny Madam said he unto her but that those pleasing thoughts whereof you speak were my deer companions as well in this place as every where else when I am absent from Diana But that I should think them more deer unto me then the sight of her give me leave to tell you that though it ought to be so yet I have not obtained so much Mastery of my selfe and though you now see me without her it is only to passe away more sweetly in contemplation those houres which her râ—past does constrain me to be absent from her And indeed I was just now going unto her at the field of Mercury for now 's the time she useth to be there in her way to Astrea and my intention was to wait upon her And we answered Leonida came with resolutions to spend the remainder of this day with those fair Shepheardesses and therefore I beseech you Shepheard conduct us thither and by the way tell us why the thoughts of her you adore ought to be more dear unto you then her presence which is the first cause of them For my part I conceive it so discordant to reason that I cannot imagine how it should be Silvander in obedience to her commands shewing a Path-way which was a nearer cut thorough a great Meadow began thus to reply The question Great Nymph is of no such great difficulty to be understood if it be but taken as it ought for it is most certain that the eyes are the doores by which Love first enters into our soules If any doe fall in love upon report of beauty and perfection of absent parties that is either a love not lasting nor violent being rather a shaddow than any real love or else the soul which received it had some grand defect in it self for reports having commonly as many falsehoods as truths that judgement which builds upon any such uncertain foundation cannot bee found nor proceed from a well-tempered soul but as that which produceth a thing is not the same which gives it nutriment and makes it grow up to perfection so it may be rightly said of Love Our Ewes bring forth their Lambs who at first doe seek a little nutriment from their Milk yet it is not that Milk which brings them up unto perfection but it is a more solid nutriment which they receive from the grasse which they feed upon So likewise the eyes may conceive and produce a green infant-affection but there must be something more solid and substantial to make it grow unto perfection and that must be by a knowledge of the virtues beauties merits and a reciprocal affection of the party loved Now this knowledge does take its originall indeed from the eyes but it must bee the soul which must afterwards bring it to the rest of judgement and by the testimonies both of eyes and eares and all other considerations concoct a verity and so ground upon it If this verity bee to our advantage then it produceth in us such thoughts whose sweetnesse cannot be equalled by another kinde of contentment than the effects of the same thoughts If it be onely advantageous to the party loved then doubtlesse it doth augment our affection but yet with violence and inquietude and therefore no question but absence doth augment love so it bee not so long as that the very image of the party loved be quite effaced Whether it be that an absent Lover never represents unto his fancy but onely the perfections of the person loved or whether it bee that the understanding being already wounded will not fancy any thing but what pleaseth it or whether it be that the very thought of such things does adde much unto the perfections of the party loved Yet this is infallibly true that he does not truly love whose affection does not augment in absence from the person loved For my part answered Leonida My judgement is much different from yours and I have ever been of opinion that absence is the greatest and most dangerous enemy which Love hath Presence replied the Shepheard is without comparison much more as wee may see by dayly experience for you shall find a hundred loves that change in presence for one in absence and to demonstrate that presence is more enemy unto love consider that if one absent cease loving its cessation iâ— without any violence of strugling and the change is onely because the memory is by degrees smothered with oblivion as a fire is with its own ashes but when love breaks off in presence it is never without a noise and extream violence and which is a strange argument â—o prove my assertion converts that love into a greater hatred than if the love had never beâ—n And that proceeds from this reason A lover is alwaies either loved or hated or held in a degre of indifferency if he be loved as abundance is apt to glut so love being loaden in presence with too many favours grows weary If hee be hated then hee meets with so many demonstrations of that hate every minute as at length he is forced to ease himself If hee be in a degree of indifferency and finds his love still slighted he will at length if he be a man of any courage make a retreate and resist the continuall affronts which are put upon him whereas in absence all favours received cannot by their abundance glut since they do rather set an edge upon desire And the knowledge of hatred entring into our souls onely by the ear the blow smarts not so much as that which is received by sight and likewise disdain and slight bee much more tolerable in absence than in presence doubtlesse therefore absence is much more fit to preserve affection than presence is I must needs confesse answered the Nymph that there happens many accidents in presence which destroyes love that absence is exempted from But for all that you cannot perswade me but that I must needs think the sight of the party loved does augment love much more than by not seeing her for carresses and favours are the food of love and those which are conferred in presence are far greater and more sensibly obliging than any others I thought Madam answered the Shepheard that I had already sufficiently answered your demand but since it is your pleasure to desire more clear reasons I
who had any interest in the businesse did think her able to be the Judge she would most willingly arbitrate the matter according to the best of her judgment upon condition they would all promise to observe it otherwise all their labour would be but lost Thamires kneeled down upon his knees and said Oh great Nymph I do refer my life my death and the contentments of them unto your wise judgment if I do disobey your doom let our Druides excommunicate me from ever assisting them at their holy sacrifices and forbid me for ever coming into the sacred groves or our celestiall woods For my part said Calidon if I do not the same may the Misleto of the ninth year be never wholsome unto me let the great Tautates animate all his furies against me and never let me be at rest if I do not submit unto your judgment as proceeding from the great god And because Celidea stood silent Astrea said unto her Are not you pleased fair Shepheardesse to be rid of all the importunities which you receive from these two Shepheards and refer your selfe unto the judgment of this great Nymph I am most willing to be rid of them answered she but I am afraid to fall into a greater misery And certainly I should refer the hazard of this judgment unto any if the gods had not advised me the last night in a dream to take another course For presently after midnight me-thought I saw my Father who hath been long dead open my breast take out my heart and cast it as a stone in a sling over the River Lignon then spoke these words unto me Go my child unto the other side of the fatall River Lignon there thou shalt finde that heart which so much torments thee or else a full satisfaction and rest untill thou comest unto me Upon this I awaked and therefore I am resolved to passe over the River to see if I can finde that tranquillity which is promised unto me However Madam said she and addressed her selfe unto Leonida you may be certain that I shall never disobey any command which you shall impose upon me since I do believe that the gods will speak by your mouth Since it is so said Leonida I do promise you all three to give as just a Judgment as I my selfe would receive upon the like occasion And that I may not erre in my judgment Paris and these fair Shepheardesses and Silvander shall help me with their advice before I pronounce the Sentence And therefore Calidon said she shew me your reasons why you conceive Celidea ought to be yours and not Thamires's who hath so long been her Guardian and brought her up as his own That Shepheard then rising up and after a low reverence he began in this manner The Oration of the Shepheard Calidon OH great god of Love who by thy unresistable puissance hast ravished from me all that reason was wont to have over my will hearken I beseech thee unto the supplication of the most faithfull soul that ever resented the power which beauty by thy means hath over the hearts of men and inspire me with such language and reason as thou didst when I was weary of Celidea's scorn and was resolved to decline from her service Let this great Nymph be moved with my arguments let her whom thou hast given me and who was also given me by him that had the greatest interest in her be preserved and kept for me both against her own scorn and against the violencies of him that would ravish her from me Were it not in hopes of assistance from this divinity whom I invoke I durst not great Nymph open my mouth against a person whom of all men in the world I am most obliged unto For I must needs ingeniously confesse that Thamires by his sweet indulgency towards me has more obliged me than my Father who gave me life the one gave me only a being but the other a well-being Thamires has been troubled with all the vexations of my child-hood and hath brought me up even from my Cradle he hath spared no paines nor cost in my education nor care nor prudence in causing me to be well instructed so as the Appellation of Father is in all reason his due and I must acknowledge my selfe his Child having received from him all those indulgencies which those names require And in confessing all these obligations how can I open my mouth against him without incurring the ugly brand of ingratitude If this dispute did depend only upon my selfe I had rather be in my grave sleeping with my fathers and wish that my Cradle had been my Coffin rather then oppose Thamires in any thing Thamires I say who hath made me what I am Thamires unto whom I owe all I have Thamires in whose service when I have spent all my life yet halfe my obligations are not cancelled But alas it is all long of himselfe it is Love which commanded me he himselfe also commanded me Let Thamires tell me whether it be possible that a heart which Love hath touched to the quick can disobey him in any thing If he have found this to be true by experience then I do conjure him by the god of Love who hath such power over his soule to pardon that fault which I have been forced to commit against him and that he give me leave to maintain that all reason ordaines Celidea to love me and that there is none but my selfe that can pretend unto her For to begin with the first point what can Calidea answer if I call her before the Throne of Love and if in the presence of this equitable company I do complain against her in this manner This is the fair one Oh great god of Love which presents her self before thee This is she whom thou hast commanded me to love and serve upon hopes of such reward as thou usest to give unto those that follow thee If from the first minute of my beginning unto this instant I did ever contrary thy will if I have notalwaies continued in a full resolution to spend my whole life in thy obedience Then Oh Love who lookest into all hearts and seest all my designes let me be punished as a perjured villain and let all the thunderbolts of the great Tharamis fall upon me as a perfidious person But if truth and my words agree and if never any loved like me why dost thou suffer her to deceive my hopes why does she not make good thy promises and why wilt thou let her laugh at all those miseries which thou hast made me to endure for her Assoon as ever I saw her I loved her and assoon as ever I loved her I did dedicate my selfe and soul to adore her But perhaps this affection is unknown unto her or I have only acquainted the solitary Woods and Rocks with it No no Oh Love she hath heard my complaints she hath seen my tears she knowes of my affection somthing from my
have brought up whom I love and whom I have chosen not onely for my Heir but also for my Companion in all the estate which the Heavens and Fortune hath or for the future shall give me You are obliged unto this by our Friendship as well as I am by my duty Love therefore my Calidon if ever you loved me and make it thereby appear that you are but a Lover and Religious towards the Gods who certainly would never have given me liberty to part with you against my will had they not so decreed it in their infallible Destinies Great and wise Nymph this is the language which Thamires doth or ought to use of which I am onely the instrument And which as I conceive is so just and so worthy of himself as I hope he will not disown it And therefore after I have vowed by the great Tautates that Calidon doth infinitely love Celidea and that there never was a more faithfull Lover than he I will use no other arguments or reasons but his own and so referring my life my death my happinesse my misery and my All unto your wise discretion I pray unto the Gods to endue you with all Wisdom and Justice Calidon concluding thus with a low and humble reverence he went unto Celidea and falling down upon his knees before her hee waited for her answer Thamires he proferred to speak but Leonida told him that Celidea was to speak before him since he had already spoke unto the matter So that Shepheard going againe to his place Celidea by the Nymphs command began thus The Answer of the Shepheardesse Celidea I Am so unaccustomed great Nymph to speak upon such a subject as this especially before so much company that though I doe blush and express my self with a trembling tongue yet I hope it will be no prejudice to the justice of my cause Were I not most confidently assured that my reasons not to love this Shepheard are in themselves so clear that they need no manner of artificial dresse to illustrate them unto you I durst not be so bold as to open my mouth upon this subject I perceive the eloquence of Calidon is much above mine I want both wit spirit and eloquence to glosse a matter as he can My words are onely simple and sutable to my reasons which though not many yet valid enough to make it manifest unto you that since I never did love Calidon I ought not to beginne at this instant nor continue that affection which once I had unto Thamires since I have so many reasons to the contrary But where shall I begin What Divine Powers must I ask assistance from in this dangerous combat I am assaulted not by Love but by Monsters of Love A combat ful of danger indeed since my wel or ill being depends upon it And Monsters of Love indeed they are since they will make me love by force and compel me to love and hate according to their wills I have heard our great and wise Druids say that Hercules whom we see erected upon our Altars with a Club in his hand and a Lyons skin upon his shoulders was in his time a great Hero who by his strength and valour quelled Monsters and was a great Patron of Truth From whom therefore in this extream necessity should I implore aid sooner than from this valiant Hero And the rather because as I have heard hee loved a Lady of Gaùle and doubtlesse will for her sake afford me the aid I implore To him therefore do I addresse my self to subdue these monstrous spirits and to furnish me with so much eloquence and audacity as may make my reasons apparent unto my Judges I beseech thee therefore by thy valour O great Hercules and by the fair Galathea our Princesse I conjure thee to deliver me from these monstrous Lovers and so to cleare my reasons unto this Nymph that she may give a just judgement and keep me from loving both Thamires and Calidon And to begin what dost thou mean Calidon by calling me before the God of Love whom thou dost make both thy Judge and thy God Dost thou think that he hath any power over us who are ashamed that his Name should be in our mouths though it do reach our ears A Maid Calidon who ever scorned to have any thing to do with this Love is now summoned to appear before his Throne to receive her doom And canst thou expect I will make any other answer but that let this God of Love doom what he will I will not obey him But I prethee tell me when I have observed his statutes and am constrained to live according to his will what recompence may I expect from him onely this to be called the most amorous Maid in all the Country A very brave and honourable title indeed for a maid of any quality and one that desires to live without a blemish upon her honour Therefore Oh Shepheard never summon mee before his Tribunal whose Power and Jurisdiction I will not acknowledge and unto whom I doe declare my self to bee an enemy If you will have me give an answer let us both appeal unto Virtue and Reason and certainly wee need not goe any farther than this great Nymph who is pleased to take so much pains to hear our differences Before her I shall answer unto any thing you have or can object which as I conceive may be reduced unto three heads First that I ought to love you because you love me and because I knew it Secondly because the favours which you received from me in your sickness and which as you say caused your cure have obliged me And lastly because Thamires hath given me unto you But Madam that I may give full answers unto all these objections I beseech you command him to answer unto my questions that you may come to the knowledge of the Truth out of his own mouth I ask you Calidon what allurement did I use to make you in love the first time you begun to love me When she saw he stood silent and gave no answer she addressed her self unto the Nymph Madam said she I beseech you command him to answer me And Leonida appointing him so to doe You ask me a question said he which you your self can best resolve but since you will needs have it from my mouth I will tell you It was the favour which I received from you in being pleased to shew your self unto me at the Sacrifice which was celebrated at the sixth of the month Was I the onely woman that assisted at the Sacrifice said Celidea and were you the only Shepheard of the Town that was there No answered hee for almost all the Shepheardesses and Shepheards of the Town were there also What one act was it I beseech you replyed she that did attract your affection In this answered Calidon you must acknowledge that my love was the decree of heaven You did no sooner turn your eyes towards me but as soon as
ever I saw you I loved you as if I were forced unto it by some interior power which it was impossible to resist But perhaps said the Shepheardesse when I knew you did love me did I use any art to cherish it or augment it by any fresh favours No said he my affection did beginne without you continue without you and augment without you I mean without your contributing any thing unto it but by being your self But on the contrary the first time you knew it for though I did not discover it by my words yet I knew you did perceive it Oh what harsh treatment did I receive from you And what extreame dislike have you since shewed So as if I be as you say a Monster of Love I am so because it is a thing most monstrous that a Lover should so long preserve his affection maugre so many rigorous affronts and causes of hatred for I may safely say that every one of your actions towards me deserves no other name but of Rigour and Hatred So as it is apparent when you came to visit me in my sicknesse your design was to save my life onely that afterwards you might murder me more cruelly Then Celidea replyed thus You see great and wise Nymph by Calidons own mouth that if hee did love me it was without any contributing to it by me unlesse by being my self and against that what remedy can I invent What would he answer if I should ask him these questions before the Throne of Reason and your self Since Shepheard I never did consent unto any of your addresses why would you have me participate in your own troubles shame and errours Is it not enough that I have all this while endured your importunities without revenge You doe love me you say and because you love me I must love you again But pray hear what Reason saith You have loved Celidea and in loving her you have offended her and what other recompence can you expect from her but hatred The truth is Shepheard that being unwilling to be revenged of you as in reason I might I contented my self with hating you in my very soul and for Thamires his sake I pardoned the rest If you doe object that I doe know of your love by your teares and by your sicknesse Alasse this does not oblige mee one jot the more to love you but rather to hate you more extreamly Tell me Calidon since Thamires hath taken so much care to bring you up in literature and travails in what part of the world have you seen it decent for a young maid as I am to love or suffer her self to be loved If it bee not the custome in any place of the world but where Vice is held for Virtue doe you not infinitely offend in tempting mee to that which is contrary to my duty You love me you say because you cannot chuse but doe so Good friend how am I obliged unto you for doing that which you cannot chuse but do You do excuse your selfe to Thamires for loving me against his will by saying that you are not to blame because you are forced unto it Can you think your self exempt from blame in sinning by compulsion and do you think your selfe worthy of recompence for being forced unto a thing whose contrary deserves a recompence Either confesse your selfe culpable towards Thamires or else cease seeking a recompence for your forced service But if you do love me against my will am I to be punished for it Did I ever entreat you to it did I ever give you any occasion You say No. Will your love be any contentment or advantage unto me Shall I become more fair more vertuous or ever the better by it Oh heavens Calidon where are your wits Are you mad to ask a recompence where a punishment is deserved Or rather what an impudent affront is this before this great Nymph to demand â—â—vour and wages of me in lieu of a pardon and in lieu of repenting for your faults I believe you will say that I should not have flattered you in your errour nor kept you alive when you were sick by giving you good language But Calidon have I not good cause to say you are an ungratefull man and does not acknowledge the good office I did you in misconstruing of it and taking it in another sense then you ought Did a guilty person ever finde or think his Judge too milde or sweet or did any offendor ever complain that in lieu of punishment he received favour and courtesy Because I wished not your death am I blamable for saving your life You accuse me for having pitty upon you and shewing favour instead of revenge and would have me punished for it Judge Madam how his understanding is out of the way and how he takes reason the wrong way But Shepheard neither blame me nor commend me for my act since according to your own argument it was an act forced upon me which ought neither to be recompensed nor punished It was my affection to Thamires who conjured me unto it by all the obliging arguments he could devise which induced me unto it I see Calidon that you do smile that I should say it was my affection unto Thamires which moved me to treat you in that manner because you conceive that she who a little before did declare her selfe such an enemy to Love cannot now well say that Love had such an influence upon her soul But Shepheard you are much mistaken if you think that in being an enemy unto Love I am so also unto Amity and friendship or void of that vertue which makes us think of things as they ought to be I have heard say great Nymph that one may love two manner of wayes the one according to reason the other according to desire That which hath reason for its rule is called vertuous and honest Amity and that which suffers it selfe to be transported with desire Love With the first of these we do love our Parents our Kindred our Friends our Country and both in generall and particular all those in whom any vertue shines As for the other those that are infected with it are transported and distempered as with a frenzy Feavour and do commit so many grosse faults that the name of it is as infamous amongst persons of honour as the other is good and laudable I shall without a blush then confesse that I did love Thamires but withall I must tell you it was for his vertue If Calidon do ask me how I can distinguish and discern between these two kinds of affection since the one does commonly appear in the habit of the other I shall answer him that the wise Cleontine teaching me how to behave my selfe in the world did give me the difference Daughter said she my age hath furnished me with experience in many things and hath taught me that things are the most certainly known by their effects and the better to discern after what manner we
Nor doe not think that by continuing to love you afterwards I doe commit any sacrilege nor doe prophane any sacred or holy thing since we doe all love the gods themselves The greatest command which they doe impose upon us mortals is to Love them But for Gods sake doe not say that I ask you onely to sacrifice you again for the recovery of some other For my desire is onely to have you again for my own sake I doe confesse my fault and will not insist upon any other argument or reason but my extream affection and will not argue with her any where but before the Throne of Love I doe here prostrate my self upon my knees and vow by all eternity never to rise as long as I live unlesse I be ingratiated into Celideas favour again As he pronounced these words he kneeled down and his eyes flowed with such a River of Tears that all the company did pitty him Celidea her self was a little moved and putting her hand before her face did turn her head the other way Then the Nymph seeing they had no more to say did rise up and taking Paris Silvander and the Shepheardesses aside did ask their opinions upon this difference Their opinions did much vary some to one side some to another At last and after a long and serious debate they all returned to their places and Leonida pronounced her sentence in this manner The Judgement of the Nymph Leonida THree things doe present themselves unto us upon the difference betwixt Celidea Thamires and Calidon The first Love The second Duty The third an Offence In the first we observe three great Affections in the second three great Obligations in the third three great Injuries Celidea hath loved Thamires from her Cradle Thamires hath loved Celidea though he be elder and Calidon hath loved her from the first time hee ever saw her Celidea hath been much obliged unto the virtuous affection of Thamires Thamires much obliged unto the memory of Calidons Father and Calidon much obliged unto the Indulgency of Thamires Again Celidea hath been extreamly offended with Thamires for giving her unto Calidon Calidon no lesse offended with Thamires and Celidea Thamires offended with Calidon for refusing to doe the same courtesie he received And Celidea offended with Calidon for offering to constrain her will and making her to lose him whom she did love All these things being long debated and seriously considered we conceive that as those things which Nature produceth are alwaies more perfect then those that are produced by Art so the Love that comes by a natural inclination is greater and more estimable than those affections that doe proceed from designes or obligations Furthermore those obligations which we receive in our own persons being greater than those in the behalf of another so it is certain that a benefit obligeth more than a memory An offence which hath any tincture of ingratitude it is much more hainous than a bare offence without it and deserves a greater punishment Now we do find that the Love of Thamires does proceed from a natural inclination for commonly such loves are reciprocal and so he loving Celidea he was loved again But so is not the love of Calidon whose sterile affection produceth nothing but hatred and scorn Moreover the good offices which Calidon hath received from Thamires doe render him more obliged than Thamires can be upon the score of an Uncle Again Calidons offence against Thamires having a stain of Ingratitude upon it is much greater than the offence of Thamires against Calidon since Thamires may almost cover it with the name of Revenge or Chastisment Therefore in the first place we doe ordain that the love of Calidon do submit unto the love of Thamires That the obligation of Thamires be esteemed lesse than the obligation of Calidon And the offence of Calidon greater than the offence of Thamires And as for that which concerns Thamires and Celidea we do declare that Celideas obligation unto Thamires is above the offence of Thamires in respect of his pure and innocent love and in respect of his carefull and indulgent education of her so as shee would be ingrateful if she did not think her self much obliged 'T is true his offence is not small when in disadvantage of his affection he would needs satisfie the obligations which he thought he owed unto Calidon And yet in consideration there is no offence but may be pardoned by a person that truly loves we doe ordain with the advice of all those who have heard the difference That the Love of Celidea shall surmount the offence which shee hath received from Thamires And that the Love which Thamires for the future shall bear unto her shall surpasse that affection which hitherto he hath born unto her for such is our Judgement This was Leonida's Sentence which hath since been observed by all three though the poor Calidon received it with so much disgust that but for the extream disdain of Celidea he should hardly have supported it But his malady at this time proved to be his remedy when from a more sound judgement he considered how much he was obliged unto Thamires and how great his folly was in thinking to make Celidea love him by force But at the first these considerations had not so much power upon him as to cut off all his hopes at one blow which the Nymph wisely foreseeing and to avoyd the complaints and teares of this Shepheard as soon as ever she had pronounced the last word of her Sentence she did rise up being partly invited unto it by the night which came on apace and she had no more day left than to carry her unto her Uncles house Therefore after shee had saluted all the fair Shepheardesses she and Paris entreated Silvander to conduct them through the Wood of Bonlieu lest they should lose their way it being very late and too troublesom for the Shepheardesses to accompany her Thus they parted and presently after the Nymph and Paris dismissed Silvander and came unto the house of Adamas as he was ready to goe unto his supper Silvander as he returned left Bonleiu on his left hand a Temple where many Vestals and chast Daughters of Druids doe inhabit under the charge of the venerable Chrisante and hee went through a Wood so thick that though the Moon was up and shined yet hee could not hit his way And indeed his own wandring thoughts as well as the darknesse of the Wood did put him besides his aym For hee was so wholly taken up with Diana that he minded nothing else And walking on he came at last upon an open place where hee saw the Moon she was a little past her Full and shined very clearly The Shepheard fell down upon his knees to adore her and because of the conformity in Names between Diana and her he loved that Starre above all the rest in the Cope of Heaven Having thus adored her and Diana in her hee stood up
and fixing his eyes upon her he uttered these Lines A Comparison between DIANA and the Moon MOst glorious Star that shines so clear And radiant in the spangled Sphear As makes the Night like Day appear Just so does my Diana fair Like to thy self so chast her breast With so much cruelty is drest As it is fond Acteons best To court her with no loose request Of all the Tapers in the Night 'T is thou that gives us greatest light Of all the Beauties none so bright Diana is the prime delight Yet when Diana I think upon You doe not hold comparison For you had one Endymion But my Diana ne're had one Oh heavens cryed he out then what then will become of thy Silvander since she will not admit of any Endymion Can it possibly be that Nature who cannot chuse but be pleased with her workmanship should not finde one in all her Treasury worthy of her Can she possibly bestow so much beauty upon this Shepheardesse and make her incapable of Love However they have no eyes that are not delighted with so rare a piece of excellency Does not the gods allow that as our hearts receive the greatest blowes so our hearts should resent the greatest contentment Did they make her so fair and not to be loved Or if we do love her did they make her to consume us Ah! alas I see that as this beauty was made to be loved so it is for her own glory and for the torment of those who love her as I do This thought gave him such a stop that he left walking and after a long agitation of thoughts he uttered these Lines That no Consideration whatsoever can hinder him from loving his Mistresse WHy does my thoughts suggest And bid me not to love her But set my heart at rest She 's aimed for another If for a Mortall why Not I as any other If for a god then I Will worship and adore her ' Mongst mortalls there is none Can equall flame with me Nor ' mongst the gods not one That can more zealous be What though this cruell soul Disdains all them that love her Love will at last control Or Reason needs must move her If Reason will but do 't By Merit I 'le her gain If Love will bring her to 't I 'le love and love again The Moon then as if purposely to invite him to a longer stay in that place did seem to lend him a double lustre And because he had left his flock with Diana's and assured himselfe she would out of her curtesy take all requisite care over it he resolved to spend part of the night there according to his usuall custome for he took abundance of delight in entertaining himselfe with his new thoughts that retiring from all company he used to get into some private valley or some solitary wood and day would oftentimes overtake him before he began to think of any sleep making his long and amorous thoughts see both the evening and the morning Thus at this time did he wander chusing that path which by chance his foot did fall into and after he had fancyed a thousand Chimera's he found himselfe in the midst of a thick wood and knew not where he was and though at every step almost he stumbled against something or other yet could he not give over his pleasing thoughts all that he saw furnished his fancy with some conceit and fed his imagination If he chanced to stumble upon any thing I found greater rubs would he say in my desires If he heard the leaves shake when they were moved by some blast of winde I tremble more for fear would he say when I am by her and when I would acquaint her with my reall passions which she thinks to be fained If he look'd up and saw the Moon he would say The Moon in the heavens and my Diana upon earth This solitary place silence and the pleasing light of the night caused this shepheard to walk so long with the sweet entertainment of his thoughts that being got into the thick of the wood he lost the light of the Moon which was 〈◊〉 by the leaves of trees and desiring to get out of that gloomy place he no sooner looked about to make choice of a good path but he heard one not far off talking and though he made choice of that place for privacy yet his curiosity invited him to know who those were that passed away the night without sleep assuring himselfe that they were some that were sick of his own disease and making it appear by this that every thing lookes for its like and that curiosity hath a great power in Love since when he was so sweetly taken up with his own thoughts that he despised all the world in comparison of them except the sight of Diana yet was he content to forsake them to see who these were so as quitting them for a time and giving way to his curiosity he turned that way from whence he heard the voice He had not gone above fifteen or twenty paces but in the most obscure part of the wood he found himselfe close by two men whom he could not possibly know as well by reason of the darknesse as because their backs were towards him yet he knew by their habits that one of them was a Druide and the other a Shepheard They were set under a Tree which spread its leaves over a chrystall fountain whose pleasing murmur invited them to spend part of the night in that place When Silvander was mostdesirous to know them he heard one answer the other thus But Father it is very strange and I cannot sufficiently admire it that you should by your discourse intimate as much as if it must be confessed that there are many other beauties more perfect then the beauty of my Mistresse which truly I cannot believe without an unpardonable offence For certainly every one does think his own the fairest and to confesse she is not is a crime both against his Mistresse and against Love Then he heard the Druide answer in this manner My Son there is no doubt of what I say nor any fear of offending her Beauty or Love and I am confident that I shall in a few words make you understand it You know that all beauty proceeds from that soveraign goodnesse which we call God it is a Ray of himselfe and transcends all his other creatures and as the Sun which we see does enlighten the Aire the Water and the Earth with the same beams so also the eternall Sun does enlighten the angelick Understanding the rationall Soul and the Matter But as the cleernesse of the Sun appears more bright in the Air than in the Water and in the Water then in the earth so the illumination of God appears with greater lustre in the Angelick Understanding then in the Rationall Soul and in the Rationall Soul more then in the Matter Into the first he hath infused Ideas into the second Reason
me is rather an argument of your little merit then of any ensuing victory for so it is usuall to do only to make all even What do you mean by that said the shepheard I mean replyed she that on that end which is too leight they use to put some weight to counterpoise it untill the journey be ended but when they are arrived there then they throw away that which was only to make an equall ballance So till we are arrived at the end of our terme Diana does wisely ballance that side which is the leighter by her favours but afterwards she will give her judgment without any regard unto the weight of my affection or the levity of your little love And then God knowes on whom the victory you speak of will fall Silvander smiled and answered It is rather the custome of miserable people to be envious and lessen the happinesse of others which they infinitely esteem by their language Phillis without any further reply left him and went unto the two shepheardesses and was extreamly offended at them And because Diana laid the fault upon Astrea and Astrea could not well excuse her selfe Silvander began to speak for them both addressing himselfe unto Diana I beseech you fairest Mistresse said he consider how prudent Love is and how wisely he governes the actions of those he is pleased withall You thought hitherto that Phillis loved you and indeed I know none but have in some sort been deceived by her dissimulations Love who knowes all the interiour faculties of the soul and purposing to undeceive you hath caused you to favour me with this Bracelet of your hair not onely as a mark of my affection but also to discover the hollow affection of this deluder by her jealousie For as it is a thing impossible that two contraries should be at the same time in one place so much more that love and jealousie should be at the same time in one and the same heart Silvander's aim was only to torment Phillis the more for knowing how jealous Lycidas was he doubted not but to trouble her by proposing that Love and Jealousy are inconsistent And she being touched to the quick could not chuse but answer him thus Pray Shepheard what reasons and arguments have you to maintain so bad an opinion Such said he as will make you confesse your selfe of the same at the least if you know what the reason is Love is nothing but a desire and every desire is hot Jealousie is nothing but a fear and all fear is as cold as ice and how can you imagine such a cold Child should be the issue of such a hot Parent We see said Phillis that flint which is cold will send sorth sparks that are hot Most true answered Silvander but fire never produceth cold Yet by your favour replied Phillis ashes that are cold do proceed from fire Yes answered the shepheard but when the ashes are cold the fire is not in them Phillis was almost non-plust at this reply and much more when Diana spoke So likewise said she when cold jealousie begins Love that is hot ends Mistresse replyed Phillis my enemy may well get the victory if he have so good a Second as your selfe Then turning her selfe towards Astrea And you fair shepheardesse said she I may justly think you a very ill friend if seeing me assaulted by two you will not take my part Astrea answered very sadly I do hold it for a thing so certainly true that jealousy may proceed from love as not to bring it into any doubt I will not dispute it lest I should be forced to confess that I my selfe did not love because I was jealous as I do see you are forced to confess that being jealous of Diana you do not 〈◊〉 her or at the least being in doubt whether jealousie may proceed from love you are not well assured whether you love her or no. I do kiss the hand of this fair and just shepheardess said Silvander who without respect of persons speaks with so much truth in my advantage If you be obliged unto me said Astrea then surely you do think that I did speak partially in your favour for none are beholding unto him that speaks truth more then to him that payes a debt justly due Most true answered Silvander if it be taken in the rigour of justice but we do live in an age wherein so few do follow vertue simply and cleerly as we may think our selves obliged unto those that will but acknowledge any benefit although they are obliged unto it But what can you argue against that experience which we daily finde said Phillis unto him For I know a shepheard who after he had loved long and fell into extream jealousie yet afterwards recovering out of it did continue his affection long after Can you say that this was a fire extinguished which produced these ashes It is not impossible answered Silvander but one that is well may fall sick and after that sickness grow well again nor that a fire may be put out and afterwards kindled again Affection that was long hot may be put out by cold jealousie and that jealousie being gone it may become as hot as ever it was before But it cannot be that health and sickness hot fire and cold ashes love and jealousie should be in the same subject at the same time And for a full clearing of this truth let us observe the effects of love and jealousie and by them judge whether the causes from whence they proceed have any conformity together The effects of Love is an extream desire in our soules to see the person loved to serve her and to please her as much as possibly we can The effects of jealousie is a fear to meet her whom we love a carelessness to please her and a disdaining to serve her And who can think such contrary effects can proceed from one and the same cause If we do we must confess that nature will destroy her selfe if she will have contraries to consist together Phillis would gladly have answered but she was so non-plust as she knew not where to begin at which Diana could not chuse but laugh especially when she considered the jealousie of Lycidas And to add more matter for her perplexities she did purposely speak in this manner Jealousie is a signe of love as old ruines are signes of ancient buildings which are the greater the more magnificent the Edifice was And therefore a great jealousie cannot proceed from a little love But as we cannot give the name of buildings unto these ruines so jealousy cannot be called love And if I may judge by my own humour if I did love I should not have power to be jealous And what would you be said Phillis if he whom you should love should love another His enemy answered Diana I would say hate him And though I do foresee that such an accident would displease me yet it would be more for being deceived so long then for
from an antient Oracle by which I understand said he and turned towards Phillis that I am better loved by our Mistress then you are Astrea who had not yet spoke This discourse said she is the most obscure and the reasons the most intricate that ever I heard Will you but please to give me leave said Silvander I am confident I shall cleer them unto you and make you confess them as well as my selfe And for your better understanding I say once again that the reason why Phillis does not understand the mysteries of Love is because she does not love enough and that for this defect in her love I ought not to accuse her will but Diana onely as an ancient Oracle tells us by which I know that she loves me more then she doth Phillis and this is the reason When you desire to know what is the will of the gods unto whom do you use to address your selves to come to the knowledge of it Doubtless said Phillis unto those that are Priests in their Temples and whose office it is to wait at their Altars And why do you not rather address your selfe said Silvander unto those that are more knowing than unto those Ministers of the Temple who commonly are ignorant in every thing else but their Office Because said Phillis the gods do more freely communicate themselves unto those that are entred into those mysteries and more familiar about their Altars than unto any strangers though they be more knowing See said Silvander then the power of Truth which constraines you to speak it against your intention For if you do not understand the mysteries of the god of Love is not that a signe you are a stranger unto him For you confesse that the gods do communicate themselves more freely unto those who serve in their Temples and wait at their Altars But which way should they serve at the Altar of the god of Love unlesse it be by Loving Hearts are the only sacrifices which are acceptable unto that deity Do you not see then Phillis that if you be ignorant in these mysteries it is not a fault in your understanding but in your love And if it should be so said Phillis which I will never grant how can you accuse Diana for any defects in my affection Is she not fair enough or are not her merits sufficient to make her selfe loved This said Silvander is a second mystery of that god which I will explain unto you Diana has no defects neither in beauty nor merit but she is all perfection the defect is only in your selfe that you do not love enough and that your love does not equall those admirable excellencies which you see in her But it is impossible you should love her in that height because she does not love you according to the Oracle of which I spoke Venus seeing her Son so little did ask the gods what she should do to make him grow To which question she received this answer That she should get him a Brother and then he would grow to full proportion but as long as he was alone he would never grow Do you not see Phillis that this answer was given against you and in favour of me For if your love be little and a dwarfe the reason is because it hath not a Brother If mine on the contrary do excell the highest it is because Diana my most fair Diana hath given it one whom he loves whom he honours nay whom he adores And do you think Silvander replyed Phillis that she does love you better then she does love me It can be no more doubted answered the shepheard then truth it selfe The gods do never lie Oracles are the interpreters of their will How dare you tax an Oracle with any untruth No no Phillis since I do love this fair Diana better then you do most certainly she does love me better then she doth you otherwise the gods would be impostors and not gods Many have been deceived said Phillis in the understanding of Oracles 'T is true answered Silvander but when that is the contrary event doth presently discover it and so they remain not long undeceived But the Oracle of which I speak is answered by such conformable effects both in you and me that it would be impiety to doubt it since do what you can you cannot make your love so great as mine And to confirm it the more is it not a common received opinion that whosoever will be loved must love Why shepheard said Phillis and interrupted him do you think by loving much to make your selfe much loved If you would give me leave to expound this mystery unto you said Silvander perhaps you would be as ready to confesse it as you have been to interrupt me but this is all I will say if the way to get love be to love then there is no doubt but that Diana who constraines me to love her with such ardency of affection doth love me extreamly Phlllis was dumb at this not knowing what to answer the shepheard who indeed defended his cause but too well Astrea whispered Diana in her ear Never credit me again said she in a whisper if this shepheards jeast do not turn to earnest and if he do not like children who play so long with their finger about the candle that at last they burn themselves Diana answered that such a thing might perhaps be if I were as capable of burning as he is of being burned but since he himselfe is only in the fault let him only bear the punishment as for me I do not intend to participate with him This talk had continued longer if Phillis had not interposed and chid them for taking Silvander's part We did not take his part answered Diana but we may well say that you are too weak to argue with him for his knowledge is much above yours But I would gladly know said Phillis how he can conceive that what you said unto him at the beginning was more advantageous to him than to me for I do apprehend it to be a greater honour unto me since you did thereby chose me to be your Companion She did confer that honour indeed upon you answered the shepheard but her affection upon me No no replyed the shepheardesse under the name of Companion is both affection and honour comprehended for they do almost signifie the same thing You may as well assert answered Silvander that affection and flattery are the same and not contrary If that person whom you love best should tell you that your perfections do transcend any goddesse would you not say this is grosse flattery And why poor deceived thing that you are do you not think the same of Diana when she sayes that you are her Companion For as you your selfe expound it that Companion signifies one like her selfe and her perfections are so transcendently above all other women as there cannot be a greater difference between men and gods then betwixt you and her Poor blinded
Palinice and her modesty was such as would have given a check unto any but Hylas from moving any matters of Love unto her Yet before the third visit was paid he acquainted her with his minde and was as familiar as if he had been brought up with her from his cradle You have fair one said he unto her at the very first accost preserved my life and good reason it should be imployed in your service and I will do it though only out of gratitude And not to detract from your first favour which you have done me I beseech you accept this offer of my service and believe that there is no person upon earth that can love you better then I nor whose heart is swell'd with more affection My Companion who was unaccustomed to any such expressions did at the first answer him very coldly but seeing he persisted she grew angry and would not suffer him to use any such language At the last when by his continuall visits she found his humour she did nothing but laugh at him which did not offend him at all for he had this good quality that as he was free with every one so he allowed every one to be free with him However his Love did so increase that my companion did grow weary of him not but that Hylas is certainly a man of much merit and is owner of many qualities which deserve Love but she being a Widow and not intending to marry this courtship could not but be very disadvantageous to her It seemes that the Heavens had pitty upon Palinice and at the same time sent her a Companion and presently after that another to help her to support a burthen so heavie Palinice had a Brother who had been long a devoted Servant unto Cercenea my companion who now sits next me And respect being most in the hearts of those that love most Clorian for that was the name of Palinice's brother had not yet the confidence to acquaint the fair Circenâ—a with his affection She on the other side was yet too young to discover it by his actions so as Clorian loved and in vain because his love was not known Hylas in the mean time continued his frequent visits unto Palinice and as he said himselfe it being one of Loves chief precepts to get the favour of the kindred friends and servants of the party loved he courted the friendship of Clorian with all obsequious offers he could make which was no difficulty to obtain because the young man was all civility and sweetnesse and had an affection to get the love of all But Hylas being more subtle and crafty as being older and having travelled he faigned what Clorian did in good earnest so as he was only a superficiall friend whilst the other loved him as his Brother and the ensuing story will make this appear For Clorian's affection unto Cercenea daily augmenting and not daring to make it known unto her Hylas took notice of it Cercenea took a journey to see her Father who was sick in a Town within the Country of the Sebusians towards the Allobrogians by reason whereof Cercenea was long absent from our Town and consequently from Clorian And because as I have heard say there is no greater comfort to a true Lover then to think often of the party Loved Clorian did often retire himselfe into a house which he had in that Town that stood upon the top of a hill towards the Sebusians From this place might be viewed the Rosne on one side and Arar on the other and one might also see the Forrest of Mars called 〈◊〉 and if the tops of high Trees did not obstruct the eye questionless it might see further from thence then any other place When he turned towards the Temple of Venus Iâ— might see as far as the Segusian Mountains when he looked towards Arar he might behold the 〈◊〉 and when towards the Rosne he might see as far as the huge hills of 〈◊〉 beyond the plains of the Sebusians And certainly it was a most lovly prospect every way It was to this place whither Clorian did commonly retire himselfe and looking towards the Sebusian plains did ravish himselfe with thoughts of his fair Cercenea It hapned that Hylas being very familiar with him and not finding him in the house he made no question but he was gon unto this Mount and being jealous that his Companion was in Love for he knew that this solitude and melancholly musing could proceed from no other cause he went up the stairs as softly as he could and finding the dore halfe open he saw him looking out of that window towards the Sebusians so ravished in his own thoughts that he could not hear it thunder and therefore could not hear the noise which Hylas made in opening the dore and entring but he himselfe spoke so loud that Hylas could hear these words A Discourse unto the Winde MIld Zephyrus that wantonly Amongst all fragrant flowers doth file Filching from them that sweetest are Thou dost by theft perfume the Air. If ever pitty did thee move Waft o're these plaines unto my Love And blow my thoughts into that breast Where they can only finde a rest But carry with thee on thy wing Those amorous Sighs I sadly sing Tel her in this my sad restraint She is my fair and only Saint Those lovely Twins her lips will yield Odors more sweet then all the field But when thou thus perfumed art Return and let me have a part Have I taken you Clorian said Hylas taking him about the neck and kissing him I must confesse you are the closest Lover that e're I knew yet you cannot hide your selfe from me No more I will not said Clorian after a little considering with himselfe for neither at this time nor any other will I ever hide any thing from you I am satisfied almost said Hylas upon condition you will ingenuously confesse what I do already know What is it replied Clorian which you desire to know of me I will not ask said Hylas what your malady is but only from whence it proceeds Oh Hylas said he and sighed you need not ask me who the cause is But I would to the gods you could as easily give me any comfort as I can freely satisfie your curiosity So sitting down upon a Couch he told him of his affection and how the love he bare unto Cercenea was so great as he durst never acquaint her with it When Hylas heard the name of Cercenea he thought he had heard of it before though he could not well remember when or where and therefore he asked him which of all those he had seen was she Since you do not know her name answered Clorian I believe you never saw her for her beauty is such that it is impossible you should see her and not enquire her name and make you remember her But when I calculate the time of your comming unto this Town I believe you never saw her I came said
Hylas at the last Fâ—ast which was celebrated unto Venus Clorian after a whiles consideration answered him That he could not see her unlesse he came that very day because the morning after she went away unto her Father who was sick in the Province of the Sebusians and never returned since Well said Hylas though she be never so fair do you think that she would not be loved Can you believe that those only who are ugly will permit it No no if such should be told they are loved they would think themselves jeer'd I do not think said Clorian that if Beauties bâ— told they are loved they will be offended but their modesty may How said Hylas let her be as modest as she can do you think she will be angry at being loved Ah Clorian their modesty is not any sorrow for being loved but only because they doubt whether what is said be true And indeed where is that woman who when she is assured of a mans affection is not extreamly well pleased with it and gives him no testimony of her satisfaction No no Clorian of all the actions which we do next unto those that preserve life there is none so naturall as this of Love And can you imagine women such enemies to Nature that they will hate what is naturall Come come let me give you advice which unlesse you be a very Novice in Love you will follow and finde that I am my Arts Master in such things Let Cercenea know that you do love her and that assoon as possibly you can for the sooner she knowes it the sooner will she love you May be at first she will turne her head aside and bid you talk no more of any Love Perhaps shee'â— seem to be in a great fury and will not speak to you But however do you continue and be assured that if you be but assiduous you will win her When they give us these peevish answers and refuse the affection which we present unto them they put me in minde of those Physicians and Lawyers that refuse the Fee yet put out their hand I am older then you are I have run through some parts of the world and let me tell you I have loved many this gives me encouragement to speak the more freely unto you and you must not take any exceptions Be certain that never any faint hearted Lover sped well And in matters of Love no fault is so great as being too respectfull He that will speed well must dare attempt ask begg importune presse take nay he must ravish Did you never know the humour of women Clorian Hearken unto the great Oracle which in our time spoke thus Shee 'l flie away and yet would fain With all her heart be overta'n She will deny yet seem to daunt A Lover when she fain would grant She will resist that you at length May seem to vanquish her by strength For thus her honour does ordain She should resist and yet but faign He that has no courage to do thus let me advise him to take upon him some other trade then that of Love for he will never thrive by it Clorian therefore my counsell is that you do assume so much confident boldnesse as not only to declare your love unto her but to hope that she will love you again so you will but let her know your minde I cannot generous shepheard remember all the documents and amorous advises which Hylas gave but I understand since from Palmice who heard her brother relate them that he did make himselfe appear to be his Arts Master in such things But the conclusion of all was that since Clorian had not so much confidence as to declare his Love unto his Mistresse as soon as she returned which would be within a few daies Hylas should be his Advocate and speak for him Hylas did very willingly accept of the imployment for said he I shall oblige two at once by it to wit Clorian in doing him the good office and Cercenea in bringing her such good newes It hapned that presently after my Companion returned to the Town and though the death of her Father had put her into a mourning habit and though her own sadnesse was suitable unto it yet all her sorrowes had not at all lessened her beauty but had added such a kinde of sweetnesse unto her countenance as invited all that saw her to love her by reason of a certain attractive compulsion which rendred her much more pleasing Hylas in prosecution of his promise no sooner heard of her return but he courted all opportunities to see her in which Palinice was not unwilling to help him because her Brother desired it She who knew nothing of their designe and believed it to be only out of curiosity was glad to satisfie her Brother though she cared not for the company of Hylas As fortune was Cercenea's Mother would offer a sacrifice unto the gods for the soul of her Husband and did invite Palinice as one of her best friends thither she went and with her Hylas But see if he be not as good a friend as a faithfull Lover he no sooner saw Cercenea again but he was deep in love with her I say saw her again because looking upon her he remembered that he had seen her before in the Temple of Venus when Palinice saluted her and because he then found some sparks of good will unto her his first flames did kindle again in his heart as easily as any Sulphure at the fire Looking upon her therefore very seriously he began by degrees to remember that Cercenea was she whom he saw in the Temple and remembring how excellently she could sing and all that Love could make him apprehend at the first sight he quite forgot his promise unto Clorian and thought only how to speak for himselfe Thus you may see how dangerous a thing it is to imploy a Second in such a businesse He accosted her afterwards saluted her And she out of sweet civility returned him a salute again Then both being in the Temple and every one going to their devotion he said thus unto her I see fair Cercenea that the sight of you is fatall unto me and comming hither to be an assistant unto your sacrifices I am become a sacrifice my selfe She who knew not the man or ever heard of him did look him in the face and then after a little consideration she concluded him to be a stranger both by his language and habit because though they were made according to the garb of our Town yet he did wear them in that manner as was plain he was a stranger For strangers though they do disguise themselves in our fashion yet they have some trick or other in their Air by which one may see they are not of the same Country And I do believe that this difference is lesse found amongst the Franks then any other Nation Now Circenea not knowing Hylas she thought that he had taken her for some
not finding any better in any other place he is forced to rest here It does concern me said Phillis to answer because Hylas is my servant yet believe it I will not answer for his fidelity since I must needs think that having once loved so great a Beauty as yours and falling off that it is not beauty which makes him in Love What then said Hylas can it be An humour of changing said Florice and a certain levity of minde that will not let you continue foure and twenty houres in one opinion Oh! said Hylas you are a partie and therefore your judgment may be suspected If you mean answered she that I am the party offended I do freely forgive the injury and do think my selfe more obliged unto you for your changing then I should have received satisfaction in your constancy And if you think me a party that does pretend any thing unto you believe it Hylas I will with all my heart quit all my pretensions unto any that will have them who if they will receive them they will more oblige me by it then they will finde benefit by the gift You have reason to dispose thus of me said Hylas halfe angry for you may as freely dispose of me as of the stars All this while Paris had addressed himselfe unto Diana whom after he had saluted This said he is a more happy encounter than I could ever have hoped for since I did the least expect you here It is indeed happy for me said Diana since we shall enjoy your company unlesse these fair strangers do deprive us of it At this word she blush'd knowing that Paris loved her As this blush did please Paris so it had a contrary effect in Silvander who knowing that Paris loved her could not defend himselfe against some stings of jealousie when he saw the good reception of his Rivall and this experience taught him to confesse that jealousie might proceed from love The shepheardesse who had no inclination to hate Silvander took notice of it and so did Laonice though the shepheard did dissemble it as well as he could and they had known it better if Astrea had not parted them for desiring most passionately to finish their journey she broke company And because Paris had taken Diana by the arme Silvander went towards Phillis who seeing him comming It seemes said she unto him that we are too too many and that though we were absent they could entertain themselves I cannot deny it said Silvander I must shrug my shoulders patiently and pay this kinde of tribute without murmur When he would have answered farther Hylas came to them and not caring for these strangers ran unto Phillis and lest Palinice Cercenea and Florice as if he had never loved them Diana who could not chuse but admire this humour in him did make a signe unto Phillis by way of wonder Phillis who did esteem him as an excellent man to make sport after she had looked upon him But Hylas said she unto him can I believe you to be in earnest Can you doubt it said he â—â—nce I have left all these whom I did love to wait upon you That is an excellent argument indeed said she but I pray tell me did you ever love these strangers whom you have left to come unto us You may gather as much said he from Florice's own mouth I had some reason said she to ask this question for if you did ever love them how could you finde a heart to leave them so soon in a place where they are strangers Even as I have heretofore left others for them said Hylas so now I do leave them for you and I must needs confesse that if my affection unto you were not much above all termes of civility I should have thought my selfe in some sort obliged to wait upon them Doubtlesse said Phillis you do very much oblige me but I do admire that since you did love them you should now make so little account of them I did love them 't is true said Hylas but I will do so no more my love to them is now dead and me-thinks this should be no such great piece of wonder to see a man free when the cord which tyed him is broken I do believe said Silvander that Hylas did never love these strangers for if he had he would have loved them still since the cords of Love cannot be broken Though they cannot be broken said Hylas yet I am sure they may be untied No said Silvander all Love knots are Gordian knots If they be said Hylas I have a sword as well as he who when he could not untie them did cut them and I am sure I have done so severall times Never believe you did love them said Silvander for if you had you would have loved them still Shall I not believe what I do know said Hylas But to do you a pleasure I will not believe it But pray trouble neither me nor your selfe any further keep your selfe to your own melancholly humour and vex me no more with your impertinent opinions Phillis who was discreet and seeing Hylas in his angry altitudes to interrupt him said thus However Hylas I must needs be angry with you for hindring me from knowing some things which these strangers had begun to relate Mistresse answered he I had rather never have loved them then you should misse of your satisfaction by any means of mine I know answered Phillis that the love you bear unto them and the satisfaction you speak of will not trouble you for since you do not love them now what will it concern you whether you did or did not love them Why my Fairest said Hylas do you not esteem past contentments If my contentment do not continue said Phillis the remembrance of it does but grieve me the more The services then that were done you a week since said he are vanish'd if it be so the worse for Hylas Silvander answered in the behalfe of Phillis Your Mistresse said he does not speak of services but of contentments received and before you complain it is requisite to know of her whether your services be in that rank Hylas answered Those who mistrust their own merits as you do may make that doubt but not I. Silvander who knowes that Love cannot be paid but by Love again and she unto whom I devote mine hath more goodnesse then not to acknowledge it and more judgment then not to esteem it Silvander would have answered but Phillis interposed I do esteem Hylas said she as I ought to do and do acknowledge his merits are very worthy to beloved nor need he think his services are forgotten for he continuing to love me they are all esteemed as present And if this declaration do please him I will request one thing of him which he ought not to deny me unlesse he would have me think that he does not love me Command fairest said Hylas what you please but two things that I die or
that now we are upon eeven termes for your stealing of Dorinde from me by your artifice of the Mirror But friend said I unto him I have restored your Mistresse unto you and you have caused me to lose mine I know not answered he how to give you satisfaction in that unlesse by restoring her unto you in acquainting her with my theft Truth is I did love Periander and perhaps as much as I did any of these Ladies therefore I received his excuse conceiving it to be the only means to reingratiate my selfe into Florice's favour And therefore turning all into rallarie we waited for Florice's return But Theombres being but halfe satisfied with his Wife's excuses he resolved to stay a while in the Country the better to discover who made any addresses unto her and to finde out her humour and he stayed so long that I was in the interim past my patience therefore I went to see Criside and seeing her loved her and the truth is she did deserve it for I never in all my life saw a more lovely and attractive stranger Astrea had taken much delight in the discourse of Hylas had it been at any other season but being extreamly desirous to be at the place where Silvande found Celadon's Letter she was impatient at any thing which gave a stop unto it And this was the reason why upon the first occasion which presented it selfe she made a signe unto Phillis that it was time to be gone and that she was weary of so long a stay When she saw that Phillis did not understand her meaning and likewise saw Hylas offering to continue his discourse of Criside she prevented him with these words I did not think that the beauty of Phillis could have had so much power over so free a spirit as to hold him in one discourse above an houre but since her rigour does not consider his constraint let us shew our selves more kinde and discreet in interrupting him for the heat of the day being over walking will be more delightfull then talking Upon this she rose up and the rest of the Company followed her Hylas taking Phillis under the arme I am very glad fairest Mistresse said he that she who is the most insensible does resent some of that pain which you put upon me and does see the love I have unto you He meant this by Astrea whom he thought to be a person that never had loved any And see how commonly our judgments are deceived by appearances and shewes for Phillis desiring to leave him in that opinion Those said she who do love well do never use to give testimony of their affection by the report of persons who do not know how to love but by their own obsequious services And as for that patience which you have been put to in speaking so long I believe you are as sufficiently payed for it by my hearing you so long This said Hylas is the intolerable arrogance and ingratitude of all the Shepheardesses in this Country And because Phillis would follow the rest of her Companions he lead her by the arme and continued thus Because you will not be obliged unto me you will not only deny me the merit of my patience but you think I am beholding unto you for hearing me By what Law I beseech you is this The same said she that a Lord doth impose upon his Slave Nay rather said he a Tyrant upon his People Why replyed Phillis do you take me for a Tyrant Surely there is this difference betwixt us that I do not use any force or violence against you Can you say so said Hylas and not blush Do you think it is not by force that Hylas hath continued so long under your power I pray said she where are my Fetters my Manacles my Compulsions and my Prisons Ah! most ignorant and too much dissembling shepheardesse said Hylas your Chains are so strangely indissolvable that I would not be delivered from them for all the freedome and liberty in the world Judge if your Manacles be not very strong since Hylas cannot break them Hylas I say whom a thousand Beauties could never hold nor keep him from breaking loose from them all In the mean time Paris having taken Diana by her hand Silvander out of his discretion kept a distance for he would force his affection and in his respect unto his Shepheardesse give place unto Paris as all the shepheardesses were very ready to pay all due respects unto him who for their sakes had quitted the grandure and eminency of his quality As fortune was Mandonte was alone and because I hersander was taken up with Laonice Silvander took her hand and resolved to wait upon her during all the voyage and though he made this addresse unto her at the first because he knew not where to finde a better yet afterwards he was well pleased with his choice for this shepheardesse was both fair and discreet and had some features in her face and actions which did much resemble Diana not that she was so fair as she nor so like being together but if assunder they had much one of the other in their resemblance Silvander since he could not be with Diana was very glad his lot fell upon one that had any thing like her but much more when by discourse with her he found a neerer resemblance in her Tone and therefore ever since this day he was much pleased with her company yet a little after he payed very dear for his delight Tireis waited upon Astrea Paris upon Diana and Hylas upon Phillis so as Thersander seeing his place was taken up by Silvander he was forced to fall upon Laonice She who kept her eyes continually upon Phillis and Silvander did observe how that shepheard was much pleased with Mandonte and that she might know more she desired Thersander to go neerer them which his jealous apprehensions prompted him very easily to do yet they could not hear any thing but common discourse They had not walked above a quarter of an houre in a long Meadow but Silvander shewed them the Wood unto which he would conduct them Presently after they entred into a thick Cops and because the Path was very narrow they were constrained to go in file At last Silvander who as their conductor walked first he much wondred to see some boughes of trees heaped one upon another in the fashion of an Arbour which obstructed his passe All the Company going through this Arbour came up to him to know why he stayed and seeing no path How now Silvander said Phillis do you that undertook to be our Guide conduct us thus I must confesse said he that I have lost the way which I went the last morning but I believe this to be a neerer and better The way said Hylas is very good if you had conducted us to Hunt for I see nothing but Wood. Silvander was vexed that he lost his way but he was more amazed then before when hesaw another more
Did he said Tircis love Astrea I have heard say that there was a most inveterate enmity betwixt their Families The beauty of this shepheardesse answered Silvander was greater then their hatred and since he is dead I hope there is no danger in saying so Nor do I believe there would said Diana if he were alive for he being so discreet and Astrea so wise their affection could not offend any Astrea hearing what they said of her though her eyes were not yet dry she could not chuse but answer them These tears said she which I cannot hide do testifie that Celadon did love me but these Manuscripts do testifie that Astrea hath rather offended against Love then Duty But to give him satisfaction after his death I will ingenuously confesse more then decency would permit me when he was alive and say I did love him Upon these words all the company came to her and Diana shewing her the papers which she had in her hand Is this said she Celadon's writing Doubtlesse it is answered Astrea Then said Diana it is a signe he is not dead Unto which Phillis answered That is it of which we have been speaking but she tells me that Celadon's soul which wonders about the River Lignon did write them Why said Tircis was he not buried That 's the reason said Astrea why he wanders thus for they never made him a Tombe This said Paris was most carelesly done to let so brave a soul as Celadon's suffer so long pain for want of a little care You may see said Tircis how little those that are alive do care for the dead so as I esteem them to be wise who bury themselves alive Indeed said Diana it is very strange that this shepheard so much loved and lamented not only by all his Kindred but by all the Neighbourhood should not have that charitable office done him which many have who are lesse loved Perhaps said Thorsander the gods did so ordain it to the end he should not so soon have that place he had so much loved and being recompensed with his love he had rather stay some while neer her he had adored However I conceive said Tircis that even as our bodies cannot be in the Aire Water or Fire without much pain because being ponderous and heavy they must perpetually be unquiet as long as they are in such pure Elements as have no solidity in them to rest upon so the soul seperated from the body not being in its proper Element as long as it is amongst us is in continuall pain untill it enter into the Elizian fields where it will finde another Earth another Aire another Water and another Fire more perfect proper and suitable unto its nature then unto our dull and grosse bodies And therefore when my dearest and so much loved Cleon dyed I was in a resolution not to bury her that I might have retained her dearest soul the longer about me but our Druides convinced me of that error and told me as I have told you For my part said Sivander since for went of buriall men shall stay some time longer in the place where they dyed I heartily desire all my friends that if I do die in this Country not to bury me that I may the longer look upon my fairest Mistresse for there are no joyes in the Elizian fields comparable unto that blessed vision nor any pains that a soul can suffer by being out of its proper Element but are recompensed by it That would do very well said Tircis if after we be separated from our bodies we did retain our affections but our Sages tell us that our passions are only â—ibutes of humanity and the gods did bestow them upon us to the end the race of men should not fail but after death soules being immortall and not in a capacity of engendring our Passions and our Loves are lost in it even as our desires of eating or drinking or sleeping But said Silvander if Celadon did write these Papers it is not likely he hath lost his affection love unto this Shepheardesse Who knowes said Tircis but that the gods who are infinitely just were pleased to give him that particular satisfaction in recompence of that pure and sacred affection which he had unto that shepheardesse If so said Silvander why should not I hope to finde the gods as just and favourable unto me as him since my affection shall not yield unto him or any other either in purity or zeal But said Astrea if the gods do shew him this as a favour would it not be impiety to deprive him of that contentment by endeavouring to give him a buriall and so set him out of this world No said Tircis for the gods do favour him in it only as a comfort in the pains which he is continually in being constrained to be absent from heaven so contrary to its nature The Shepheards were thus discoursing when Phillis espied a place which seemed as if some had been upon their knees for such marks were imprinted upon the earth and because it was just opposite to the Altar and she also spying a piece of Parchment close by it she went to see what it was and opening it she found these words A Prayer unto the goddesse Astrea OH great and puissant goddesse although your perfections cannot be equal'd and though all our sacrifices come infinitely short of your merits yet I beseech thee let them be acceptable in thy sight since if you should receive none but such as are worthy of you the gods themselves must be the Victim This which I here most humbly offer unto your divinity is a Heart and a Will which were never dedicated unto any but only your selfe If this offering be acceptable look with the eyes of pitty upon that soul who ever found them full of love and by an act worthy of your selfe â—rid it out of that pain in which it hath long languished I do most heartly beg this favour by the name of Celadon if ever the name of your most faithfull and affectionate servant can merit from your divinity so much glorious satisfaction Phillis making a signe with her hand and calling Astrea Come hither Sister said she see what Celadon asks and you will finde what Tircis said to be true Then all comming neer she read aloud this prayer whilst Astrea did accompany every word with a tear though she did strive all that possibly she could to restrain them When Phillis had ended Truly said Astrea I shall satisfie his most just demand and if his Parents will not build him a Sepulcher which they are obliged unto by Consanguinity he shall receive one from me as his friend Upon this word going from that place all the Company went back to Hylas who was not idle all the while for seeing them all very serious and intentive in the other Arbour he came into that where was the twelve Statutes of the Lawes of Love and taking the Picture in his hand he
name was Damon neer kinsman unto Leontidas of whom the King had at the first no good opinion but since he began to change the King also changed his minde But Leontidas being one that was extreamly observant of every ones actions he took such notice of his designe that he could not endure him because he thwarted his aimes of giving me unto his Nephew And to give a stop unto this new courtship he did so peremptorily forbid me from seeing him and him from speaking unto me as both of us were extreamly offended at him We loving better because forbidden had ever since a greater desire to see each other than before so as you may believe that this prohibition was it only which did oblige me to it When Damon began first to court me his humour was so displeasing unto me as I could not endure him but after Leontidas with menaces and harsh language did expresly forbid me seeing him and seemed to distrust me he vexed me so extreamly as I resolved with my selfe never to love any other And therefore I did with all possible diligence correct his vices which his nature did most incline him unto sometimes blaming them in others and sometimes telling him that my humour was not to love those that were addicted to them Thus forming him into a new modell when I saw the conditions of this young Cavalier were changed I loved him much more then if he had begun to serve me with the same qualities and perfections for every one is much better pleased with the works of their own hands then any others yet I did carry my selfe so discreetly towards him as none could perceive that I did love him and stood so upon my guard as he had not so much boldnesse as to declare his minde unto me by his words But at last thinking that all his service was lost if I did not know his intentions he resolved to take more heart and put it to the venture and because he thought it more expedient to do it by Letter then Tongue after a long disputation in his minde he writ this Damon's Letter unto Mandonthe MADAM It is extream temerity to love an owner of so eminent perfections but I conceive it my duty to serve and adore them And if you will extinguish the affection of those who love you you must also extinguish those perfections which cause you to be loved which if you will not do not think it strange you should be disobeyed for force does alwaies excuse an offence that is committed against their will and necessity does not acknowledge those Lawes which the gods themselves do impose He was not a little perplexed how he should bring it to passe that I should see this Letter for he knew that I would not receive it unless by some Artifice And see what inventions Love hath He came unto me seeming to entertain me with some Court-newes and told me two or three passages which hapned very lately at the last he told me that he had discovered a new League of Love but feared to tell me the Parties because the Lady was one of my friends and the Cavalier one of his Why said I unto him do you think me to be so indiscreet as I cannot conceal what is not fit to be known Oh no said he but my fear is lest you should be an ill willer unto my friend And why so answered I a pure and honest Love cannot offend any one I plainly saw sweet shepheardesses that he was perplexed and knew not what to do but I could not imagine that it was any businesse concerning his own particular since if he had any such minde he might have spok unto me long since having had opportunities to do it And therefore I was very urgent with him and more perhaps then I ought to be And at the last he told me that as for their names he durst not tell them for severall considerations but he would let me see a Letter which he had found that morning Upon this he put his hand in his pocket and shewed me the Letter which he had writ unto me which without any scruple I took and read but knew not his hand because I had never seen it before But as I had before a little desire to know their names so after the reading of it my desire was extream and was more urgent then before At which he smiled and put me off with some bad excuses Why Damon said I will you not give me so much satisfaction as to tell me what I ask I am affraid said he that I shall offend you if I should obey for she unto whom this Letter is addressed is very much a friend of yours Nay certainly said I you will much more offend me by your disobedience Then I am said he betwixt two great extreams but since the fault which I shall commit is by your command it will be the lesse and therefore I will obey Then taking the Letter he read it aloud but when he came to the end he stopt and named no body See fairest Shepheardesse the strange effects of Love sometimes it hurries the poorest and basest spirits into incredible impudence and other times it makes the highest courage to tremble at such things as the meanest person would not dorre at Damon serves for an example of this since he whom no dangers could make start had not so much courage as to tell his name unto a woman and a woman whom he knew wished him no harm But as his courage failed him so my understanding more for I might well have known by his fear that it neerly concerned him and I well believe that it was Love which did infatuate me intending by us to make his puissance the better known unto others otherwise certainly I had seen it since I did love him and since they say the eyes of Love looks though stone-walls However it was I must confesse I did not apprehend it and seeing him stand silent What Damon said I must I know no more Truly I did think that I had a greater power over you then I see I have From thence it is answered he that my silence proceeds for your too much power over me makes me mute and yet what I have said might have sufficed you for what can I declare more after I have read the Letter and you heard my voice How Damon said I to him extreamly amazed was 't your selfe that writ it It was I said he and he 'd down his head and looked upon the ground Then I beseech you tell me said I unto whom it is directed Since it is your pleasure to know it said he directly it is unto the fair Mandonthe Upon this word he was silent purposely as I believe to see how I would receive his declaration I must confesse I was much surprised for I expected any other answer then that and though I did love him and that with a resolved will yet honour which ought to have the
not a tust in all the Cave nor betwixt the Cave and the Fountain nor between the fountain and all the places he had been at that day but he turned it over and over nay not a leaf which was likely to hide them but he sought under it so vexed was he at the losse and so desirous was he to finde them For as these Letters were infinitely dear unto him as being written by the fair hand of his dearest shepheardesse so he loved them as the witnesses of his fidelity and as the sweetest entertainment that he had in the miserable life which he led At last seeing all his laborious quest to be in vain and that there was no hopes of finding these beloved Letters Alas alas said he lifting his eyes up to heaven what unjust Daemon hath ravished from me that little remnant of contentment which I had for a Daemon certainly it must needs be since no mortall ever useth to come hither or if they did they would never have been so cruell Well well Celadon said he yet thou art happy in this thy miserable life though thou hast lost those happy testimonies of thy past felicity comfort thy selfe in thy losse and render thanks unto heaven that hath made thee so conformable unto the will of thy dearest shepheardesse and make it appear that neither her rigour nor the force of Fate can ever make thee weary in obeying her nor ever separate thee from the thoughts of her it is but sit that since thou hast lost her good-will thou shouldest also lose all manner of consolation In the mean time Leonida rejoyced very much in her Larcenie and having got a good distance from this shepheard she opened the little bag which contained these Letters which she believed had been written by the hand of Phillis and being out of measure desirous to see into the secrets of that shepheardesse she poured them out into her lap and the first which she light upon was this Astrea's Letter unto Celadon THat you do love me I believe and you may know it by this that I am well pleased you should give me assurance of it If you have as much understanding as you have resentment of Love you may know that I do love you by my permitting you to tell me that you do love me And by this you may assure your selfe that you have from me as much as it seemes you wish to make you happy If after this declaration you are not contented I shall say that you do not love Astrea since Amitie ought to desire nothing but Amity again When Leonida saw the name of Astrea she stopped and lifting the paper neerer her eyes she read that word two or three times over At last remembring the jealousie that had been betwixt Celadon Lycidas Astrea and Phillis she believed that perhaps it was not ill grounded but that Astrea did love Lycidas and therefore lapping it up she put it in her bosome and took another which she found to be thus written Astrea's Letter unto Celadon MUst it not needs be now confessed that I do love you more then you love me since I have sent you my Picture and could never obtain yours by all my prayers But Love is just in it since he knowes that he alwaies ought to help those that are in greatest necessity The faintnesse of your affection hath more need of such a remembrancer than mine hath Receive it therefore as a testimony of your own fault But what do you think of me Celadon Can you believe I love you and yet doubt of your affection No no I do but feast Shepheard for had I that opinion of you I would not desire you should have that beliefe in me and therefore never doubt it but be most certainly assured that as long as I make it appear that I have a memory of you I do think my selfe truly loved by my Son Surely said Leonida extreamly astonished Lycidas has found these Letters amongst some of his Brothers things after his death me-thinks if it had been so he should not have carried them about him for fear of losing Then she took another which she found thus written Astrea's Letter unto Celadon IT seemes my Son that you have lesse courage then I have You say that it is a signe that I do love the lesse but see how I prove the contrary That which makes me surport all the miseries which I endure for your sake is certainly the affection which I bear unto you Now that affection which makes me surmount the greatest miseries must needs be great and therefore this courage which you blame in me is a mark of my great affection Never be startled at the threats of our common Enemies for so Celadon I call call them and not Parents if you will have me think your affection equall unto mine which for your sake does not only surmount but scorn all manner of miseries and afflictions Leonida read this Letter not well knowing what she did Now she began to suspect that it was Celadon and not Lycidas and much more when she remembered that Galathea had spoken to her of some such Letters Oh heavens said she certainly it is Celadon Where was my eyes that I could not know him when I saw him Then she lapped up the Letters and went with all speed unto the Fountain where she left him but extreamly angry she was with her selfe when she found him not there and broke into many expressions of griefe Then she turned about every way to see if she could finde any relicks of him but he was retired into his Cave after his long and laborious search for what she had stolne At the last Love which is alwaies very circumspect prompted her to take notice that the grasse about the Fountain was troden and that there was a new Path not halfe beaten she imagined very aptly that this Path would conduct her to the place where the shepheard was And indeed Celadon using to passe between his Cave and that place had made a kinde of a Path. Leonida then taking it for her guide she had not followed it foure or five hundred paces but she came to the Rock where Celadon made his retreat yet the trees and bushes being very thick about it she was afraid to approach neer lest it should prove the den of some Wolfe or wilde Boar or at the least of many Serpents As she was standing thus in suspence she thought that she heard him breathe which assured her that some was there but knowing that Serpents do sometimes hisse in the same manner she therefore trode very circumspectly and cautiously and so softly that Celadon never perceived her And though she did afterwards make some noise yet the shepheard was so attentive upon his own thoughts that he took no notice of her Now she was got so neer the entrance that she heard him breathe plainly and sometimes speak yet she could not understand the words but comming a little neer and putting
the Nymph after she had heard him with admiration that Celadon does love if to love be to be out of his wits and to live only upon bare thoughts Alas I cannot chuse but think his condition extreamly miserable in finding such contentments in such vain imaginations and Chimeraes and I am so far from thinking them felicities as my opinion of the contrary is much fortified But Shepheard let us leave this discourse since I see it will do you no good and tell me how you have lived since I left you Wise Nymph answered Celadon as I have lived since you met me so have I lived since I parted from you for as soon as ever I left you I shut my selfe up in this place expecting untill either Love or Death released me But why Celadon said she do you not go unto your own Town where your friends and kindred do so much grieve for you Astrea said he who has a far greater power over me than either any Parents or friends hath forbidden me ever to see her untill she command and therefore as I told you I have shut my selfe up in this Cell untill either Love or Death release me But if my adored Shepheardesse had commanded me never to see her again doubtlesse I had shut my selfe up in my grave with death And as soon as I came to my selfe again after my fall into the River I knew that Lignon would not give me a death because she did not peremptorily command it but remembering her words and that her banishment of me was not for ever only untill she commanded me to return I have lived in this manner as you see expecting till Love recall me as it seemes she hath promised or else untill death do it for her which shall be welcome unto me in this life which I live But poor deceived shepheard replyed the Nymph how can you ever hope she should recall you as long as she is ignorant where you are Love answered he which conducted me hither knowes the place well enough where I am and does daily visit me and since it is by it that I do hope she will recall me there is no doubt but it will without me let her know the place unto which it hath conducted me If your imaginations replyed the Nymph had an influence upon others as they have upon your selfe all this you say might perhaps be but believe it shepheard the gods will never help those who will not help themselves and do not think that I speak without good reason for I am very certain that if Astrea did know you were alive she would passionately desire your company How fair Nymph said he presently do you know that I know it said she by that sadnesse which sits in her face Perhaps said the shepheard that proceeds from some other cause But where have you seen her since we parted I shall be very glad said she to entertain you with a discourse upon this subject and to relate unto you all that hath hapned since we parted so I can but by it cheer you a little up and rouse you out of this dull kinde of life Believe it said Celadon that the sight of you does bring me more content then any thing in the world could except Astrea and since I am deprived of her your discourse will be very pleasing unto me Then Leonida began thus The History of Galathea SInce Celadon you do desire to know how I have lived since I parted from you which is some fifteen or sixteen daies since I will very willingly make a relation of it unto you upon a condition that if you be weary with the length of the discourse we may break it off and finish it another time when any convenient opportunity shall present it selfe Know therefore that in my return from conducting you I came into the Palace of Issoures at the same time when Amasis was taking Coach to go unto Marcelies and carrying Galathea with her because being desirous to render thanks unto Hesius for the happy successe of her Son Clidaman which he had in the Battle against the Neustrians she would by all means have Galathea with her purposely to render the solemnity more celebrated And because retardment in such actions as these does in some sort resemble oblivion and oblivion ingratitude she departed so soon that she scarcely gave the Nymph time to tell us what we should do with you and though she was extreamly troubled at it yet she durst not let it appear lest Amasis should take notice of it who alwaies held her by the hand not out of any suspition but only the more to carrasse her she being thus constrained to go with her into the Coach all that she could do was to say thus unto me You Silvia and Lucinde come after us in my Coach and follow us with all the haste you can I made a low reverence and shewed by my actions that I did understand what she said but I did not intend to obey her because my aimes were only upon you And though I did well enough foresee her anger yet I preferred the good office which I intended to you above it chusing rather to fail in my duty to that Nymph then in my affection to you However faigning as if my going out were in obedience to my Uncle I met Silvia who was in quest of me and I told her how you was escaped whilst none took any notice of you But I was never in all my life so surprised as when in my return from you I met Amasis and Galathea as they were taking Coach for I had been utterly undone if they had spied me out of the dores But I did addresse my selfe unto my Uncle and Silvia Father said I unto him and smiled and you my dear Companion you must needs both of you help me out in this businesse Daughter answered Adamas never fear any blame for what you have done as long as it is but what you ought to do nor ever grieve upon such occasions the gods upon whom all events depend are so just as they will ever bear you out and if at any time the contrary seem to happen take speciall notice Daughter that it is to redouble the contentment and as if they hapned only to augment your joyes And because it is very expedient you endeavour to preserve your selfe in the favour of your Mistresse Silvia shall testifie that you did not any thing but what she knowes of very well and to make the matter more easie for you I am contented that you shall both of you have some suspition of me for I shall not be sorry that he should think that I do hate any thing which is contrary unto vertue and I would permit you to charge me down-right with the act but that it is necessary I should be something in her esteem only to draw her off from those foolish and false imaginations which Climanthes hath infused into her With such discourse as
it I take you good-will unto me very kindely in spite of the ingratitude which I finde in others But tell me freely and ingenuously I intreat you said she and drew the Curtains did you ever observe that Leonida helped Celadon to escape Madam answered Silvia if she did I must needs say she is the most subtle woman that ever lived for she never stirred one step without me and if you will be pleased to let me tell you what I think I will assure you Madam that if any helped him to escape it was Adamas for I observed that as soon as ever you were set at dinner he took Celadon apart and talked with him very passionately a long time Moreover I observed that after you were gone when he saw us searching all about and much troubled he smiled two or three times and told us that it had been well if Celadon had never come there How said Galathea is it so then that Leonida never consented unto it Madam answered Silvia very discreetly I will not swear she is innocent but I dare swear that I think she is not and that if any be to blame besides that ungratefull shepheard it is Adamas Do not tell me thus said she to excuse your Companion I know that you are very good but had she any advantage over you she would make use of it against you she is the craftiest and most jealous that ever I saw of all those that are about me and especially when I speak of you Madam answered Silvia the consideration of any of my Companions shall never make me fail in the duty which I do owe unto you and as for their envie and jealousie it shall never make me start or recoile from my well wishes unto Leonida for I believe that if she did not love you she would never be jealous of any that comes about you Sweet-heart said Galathea and kissing her I do finde you so discreet for your age as for your sake I will recall Leonida whom I have forbid my house but with this intention that you shall be alwaies neerest unto me and unto you I will impart all my secrets your young years hath hitherto kept me something reserved from you but now I finde that though you be young in years yet you are old in wisdome and discretion and therefore from henceforth keep as near me as you can and though I do not call you yet enter freely into what place soever I am for I would have it so And to the end Leonida should think her selfe obilged unto you send her word what you have done for her and bid her return Madam answered Silvia and making low reverence the honour which you do me is so great that I shall never forget it and shall not think that any merits of my own but only your free goodnesse did invite you to do me this honour I shall receive it as the greatest blessing of heaven and do vow Madam that I will never fail in that fidelity which is owing unto your service more then I will in my duty to the gods themselves And as concerning Leonida would it not be expedient that you stayed untill the day of publick joy when Adamas will be there to the end you may seem as if you remitted the offence for his sake But sweet-heart answered she it is Adamas that I am angry withall for it is he that hath offended me Madam replyed Silvia give me leave to tell you what counsell my Mother gave unto me when I left her Daughter said she unto me whensoever any of your Companions does you any injury remember that you never shew as if you wished them any ill untill you have found the means how to be revenged for if you do it at another season and shew teeth before you be able to bite it will but exasperate them the more against you So Madam you should not shew your selfe displeased at Adamas untill you can make him resent your displeasure lest when he sees himselfe out of your favour he should either say or do something that may more displease you Thus by the prudence of this Nymph Galathea's anger against me was partly mitigated and she resolved to make no shew of any displeasure to my Uncle untill times changed of which Silvia did presently advertise me to the end Adamas might be at the Feasts which Amasis prepared But in the mean time Polemas was not without abundance of vexation for he saw that by every Letter which came from the Army Lâ—ndamor was highly extolled and the Trumpet of Fame sounded his name louder then any's else and thereby extreamly eclipsed the glory of his Rivall But that which vexed him to the heart was The Imposture of Climanthes did not operate unto his advantage and not knowing what was become of him he was the most blanked man that ever was yet though he did daily see the Nymph and often talk with her he never seemed to take any notice of it so as one day as Galathea was talking with him to try whether what I had told her concerning the stratagem of Polemas and Climanthes was true he seemed to know so little concerning it that the Nymph believed I had invented all those tricks to the advantage of Lindamor as I heard since by the report of Silvia to whom Galathea imparted every thing However I lived a life in the mean time not disagreeable to my minde had I had the happinesse which now I have of seeing you For Celadon you must know that Paris is so extreamly in Love with Diana as he quitting his former garb is now in the habit of a shepheard and affects no exercises but such as belongs to them Do you mean that Diana said Celadon which is Daughter unto the wise Belinde The same answered the Nymph I assure you said the shepheard she is one of the fairest the wisest and most accomplished shepheardesses that I know and one who deserves a good fortune and I pray unto Tautates that she may enjoy all the good fortune in the world I am of your opinion said the Nymph but I do not believe that she will marry Paris for she has told me that truly she does love and honour him that she knowes what an honour it is he should make any addresses unto her and what a great advantage such a Match would be to her but yet though she knowes not why she cannot love him otherwise then as a Brother and that though she knowes him to be a man of great merit yet she can love him no otherwise How said Celadon and interrupted her does she speak of these things so familiarly unto you I assure you I think it very strange when I remember her humour which was wont to be so reserved and close even from her best beloved Companions Astrea and Phillis that they knew very little of her intentions Oh shepheard answered the Nymph there is great alterations within this three or foure Months since you have been
there for Astrea Diana and Phillis are all one they are alwaies together and since your supposed losse Diana may be said to succeed in your room Moreover if you remember Silvander whom they called the Shepheard without affection he is now so deeply in love that except Celadon none is comparable to him and it came thus to passe Phillis and he fell into some difference concerning their merits and because that shepheard being educated in the Massilian Schooles and having an excellent acute wit did produce better and more valid reasons then that shepheardesse could she out of a pleasant humour propounded that Silvander to give a testimony of his merits should court and serve Diana with as much obsequious observance as if he did really love her The shepheard accepted of the proposition upon condition that Phillis should be constrained to do the same After much discussion Astrea Diana and I did ordain that both of them should court and serve the same shepheardesse and that at the three months end that shepheardesse should judge which of them two had most merits to make themselves loved This being thus resolved Diana was made choice of to be their Mistresse so as since this time Phillis hath acted a passionate part so very well as no shepheard could better acquit himselfe Now see what is the issue of this fiction Silvander who as I told you was all insensibility is become by his counterfeiting so desperately in love with Diana as every one does plainly see that he goes farther then the bounds of a siction and I know that Diana will give her judgment on his side for though she is a shepheardesse of great modesty and wisdome yet it is well enough known that this courtship does not displease her and for my part I must confesse that I know no shepheard except Celadon who is more worthy to be loved And because of this faigned courtship Phillis is almost continually with Diana and Silvander leaves her as seldome as possibly he can Lycidas your Brother thinks that there is a matter of Love betwixt Phillis and Silvander and is so fully perswaded of it as he is so jealous that he cannot endure they should be together And since Phillis cannot banish her selfe from the company of Astrea and since Diana is alwaies with Astrea and Silvander with Diana poor Lycidas not being able to endure it never sees Phillis unlesse at such meetings when he cannot avoid it This is a great alteration indeed answered the sad Celadon and I must confesse they are all much to be pittyed especially Lycidas who is fallen into the very worst disease of Love but I do not think it strange for I know the nature of my Brothers temper was alwaies apt to take such impressions For my part I must protest that we are not Brothers in that I cannot deny but that I was once jealous but I think it is because all Lovers are once in their lives subject unto it as they say little Children are of a certain dangerous malady which never comes unto them but once Phillis also is to blame who having given so many assurances of her good-will unto Lycidas will suffer him to enter into any doubt of her affection but I do believe that she knowing this jealousie of my Brother does proceed from an excesse of Love she suffers it with more patience As for Silvander and Diana I must confesse it is impossible that two subjects for love should be more equally met for as Diana does surpasse Silvander in Beauty and Estate so the vertue and merits of the shepheard do equally ballance the Scales Yet I do infinitely pitty them both for I know them most absolute Masters of themselves and actions but now I know by experience into what a Chaos of confusion and troubles they are plunged so as I must needs pitty them for making such a disadvantageous change Thus wise Nymph we may see that there is no assured happinesses amongst mortalls Celadon answered the Nymph you would be Tautates himselfe if you could perswade them that they are not much happier then before nay Silvander himselfe thinks so whose company is much more pleasant then it was wont to be as I have heard from those who knew him before For my part said Celadon I am of that shepheards opinion for though there be some pains in the life of Love I pray tell me in what kinde of life there is not so as well But if you do consider those contentments which a Lover receives in loving and being loved I believe you will agree with me that there is no happier life then that of Love Ah Celadon said the Nymph with a great sigh how dearly are those contentments bought I refer it unto your own selfe if you would but ingenuously confesse your passion Every one that loves replyed Celadon does not meet with Astrea's But said Leonida since you are of this opinion why do you say you pitty them Because answered Celadon as it is a pleasing thing to conquer so the contrary to be conquered therefore I fear that there being abundance of labour and pains to be taken in Love lest they should be overcome or astonished at the difficulties and retire before they have surmounted them And therefore have I not good reason to pitty those who I see do enter into a danger the issue whereof is so uncertain But I do much wonder how you should know so much of Diana whom I know to be alwaies the most reserved and secret of all our Shepheardesses The love of Paris answered she is the cause of it who hath made me see her ofter then otherwise I should I had a good inclination of my own to go unto your Town in hopes to finde you there and when I was thinking upon some good excuse for it I met with Paris who that night I returned spoke thus unto me Sister said he for Adamas would have us call Brother and Sister do you remember how much contentment we received that night we lay in the Town of Astrea and Diana and how pleasing their conversation was I who knew very well he had been oft there since did answer him thus I do Brother said I but I do believe you have a better memory then I and as I have heard have better reason It is true said he unto me and I cannot deny but that the merits of those fair and discreet Shepheardesses have much invited me to get their friendship and more then I make appear Brother said she you tell me more then I aske 'T is no matter replyed he and smiled I will ingenuously tell any thing unto you in hopes that you will not deny me one request that I shall make unto you and which I do conjure you unto by our friendship Aske what you will Brother said I unto him for I cannot deny you any thing upon that conjuration I beseech you then said he that since you do not return unto Marcelles you will be pleased
fair shepheardesse hath done unto that affection which she hath promised me by misinterpreting mine and taking that for an injury which she ought to take for the greatest assurance and demonstration of my affection But Oh great god of Love how dare I complain against her since thou hast commanded me to think all well that she doth I will therefore use no complaints against her for my heart will not give me leave to contradict her in any thing But Oh wise Nymph I will endeavour to let you see by telling the truth that Palemon doth love and that Doris has no reason to believe the contrary And to be as briefe as I can she does confesse that I did love her and that she did love me but why does she upbraid me with any infidelity Her reason is because I was jealous and I confesse I was But if she did love me as she saies she did for loving her why should my affection be pleasing to her and not the effects of my affection If all that looked upon her made me jealous if their conversation their words nay their very lookes made me suspitious was not this a most certain testimony that I did infinitely love her She hath often told me that to doubt of her was to offend her and to make a sinister construction of her Ah great Nymph did this fair shepheardesse know as well how to love as her eyes do to make her adored she would say that this was rather extream love and the high opinion of her which made me doubt her Had I not thought her most worthy to be served by every one I should never have thought that every one had served her And had I not been of that beliefe how could I have been jealous of every one Jealousie therefore Oh fair Doris is not a lesser signe of affection and violent love then sighes and tears are for it hath its originall from the knowledge one hath of the perfections in the person loved but sighes and tears do often proceed from her cruelty only and from the torments which they resent by reason thereof She therefore knowing Oh great Nymph that I was jealous ought she not therefore to encrease her affection in some sort to ballance the weight which mine endured but on the contrary she rewards me with cruelty she her selfe unties the knot of that amity which so many services and demonstrations of a perfect affection ought to have made indissolvable And to give some colourable pretence for all this she alledgeth faintnesse and coldness on my side and negligence and carelessenesse which alas was only in her own opinion She alledgeth that at that time I absented my selfe from her Indeed when I consider this allegation I must confesse that all actions may be suspected when the effects produce contrary semblances or are not known unto those that have interest in them If I should ask you fair Doris what opinion you had of me when my fortune had brought me into your acquaintance I am confident you will say that I loved served honoured and adored you with as much faithfull zeal of true affection as ever any shepheard could And let it not displease you if before this great Nymph and reverent Druide I beseech and conjure you to tell them who that shepheardesse is that ever I adressed my selfe unto except you or you ever heard of If you do not know nor ever heard of any but must needs confesse my affection was never placed any where else why do you complain of me and why should you suspect and put a misinterpretation upon my actions Me-thinks it is but very ill Logick to conclude that Palemon did love me but because he sees me not so oft as he was wont therefore he does not love me Were it not a better piece of sophistry in the Schooles of Love to argue thus Palemon does not see me so oft as he was accustomed but I know there is some urgent occasions which keeps him away Had you been thus compassionate upon the torments I endured in being absent from you and judged others by your selfe you had never so cruelly offended him who did never offend against the affection which he promised But perhaps you will ask me what I did mean by so many minute visits whereas formerly whole daies would not content me I shall tell you Oh sage Nymph and when you have heard me you will not make such a sinister construction of my actions as this fair one doth of my fidelity only I beseech you to consider the kinde of life which I led at that time and amongst what company I lived I can and truly say Oh great Nymph that never man lived a more salvage life then I no not such whose profession is to inhabit amongst Rocks and Desarts excepting only when my affection constrained me once a day to see her for as soon as day began to dawn I went out of my Cabin and shunning all manner of company I did not return untill dark night retiring my selfe sometimes into the most close and unfrequented Caves and other times upon the tops of the highest Mountains so solitarily alone as nothing but my own thoughts could finde me out but they still kept me so good company as they did often invite me unto some such place from whence I might see her habitation thinking the very sight of the happy walls where she dwelt to be no small consolation unto me Nothing could withdraw me from this kinde of solitary life no not the friendship of Neighbours nor duty to Parents nor care of my Flocks nor any thing in the world else but only my desire of seeing her every day once and that in such short visits as to my sorrow alwaies when I returned I thought I did but only go thither and not see her Now my extream affection unto her was the cause why I did not acquaint her with my reason for this kinde of life Now great and wise Nymph it was ever my opinion that he who loves as he ought to do ought to be more tender of her honour whom he loves then of his own contentment The malice of ill disposed men is never so weak nor drousie but it may alwaies finde out some subject to asperse those that are most vertuous And at this time our frequent visits were eyed and gave occasion unto those malignant spirits to spit their venome and talk very broadly and yet so closely that all the diligence I could use could never bring me to know who were the authors of these poysonous Impostures What should I do in such a case To undertake a long voyage I could not because I was not a free Master of my own actions and to cease to love her had been to cease to live Since our great familiarity was it which gave a colour for their calumny what could I better do then stop the black mouthes of scandall by abridging my selfe of my own contentment in not being so
frequently with her For I thought my selfe obliged to preserve her honour and reputation at any rate whatsoever If she complain that I did not acquaint her with this untill now she may as well complain against my extream love of her for the reason why I did not impart it unto her was because I was loath to make her a partner in my sorrowes for I know that she who was ever so carefull to keep her honour free from all calumny could not endure to hear of these without extream vexation and sad resentment Now great Nymph I beseech you to consider by this most true relation whether such effects are usuall amongst vulgar affections and from thence you may perceive the quality of mine and being such as gives a manifest proof of its grandure why may I not and with reason aske as well some proofes of hers since love is never requited but with love again As for the businesse of Pantesmon which she alledgeth as a great matter of complaint against me I conceive my apprehensions of him did not proceed from an ill grounded jealousie as she termes it but from abundance of reason for this shepheard as she her selfe confesseth being such a one as he is it was probable she would rather love him then scorn him Moreover the friendship betwixt her Brother and him was no small ground for my suspitions but especially the favourable eye which she cast upon him which indeed was such as knowing of my jealousie she was more to be blamed for behaving her selfe so then I for thinking so And indeed their Marriage was openly spoken of so as from hence I had strong grounds for jealousie and she to cleer her selfe had good reason to do as I requested If friendship have a priviledge above love she might well have denyed my request if it have not why should she think it strange my love should desire a preheminency above that amity which she had unto her Brother From hence it was great Nymph that all our miseries had their originall for when I was angry with her for the countenance which she gave unto this shepheard she answered me that her Brothers affection unto him was the cause of it But when I replyed that the report of her Marriage unto him was so common as it was impossible I could endure to hear it What would your fantasticall suspicion answered she with an angry look have me to do You may call it what you please said I unto her but I shall never be at rest untill I see him banished from you Well said she with a more angry eye I will give you satisfaction this time but I wish this may be the last of your odd humours she expressed her selfe in such a manner as made me more suspect her then if she had denyed me with some handsome excuse This made me resolve to look more narrowly into the matter and trust unto no eyes but my own Oh most unhappy diffidence Oh what an abominable resolution was this which hath cost so much sorrow such extream torment and so many tears In order therefore unto this designe I spied out a time when Pantesmon went unto her Chamber for as fortune was either for displeasure or for some ill disposednesse she kept her bed that day And going up a back pair of staires which conducted to her Lodgings I came through a Lobby into a little Closet which had a dore over against her bed Such was my misfortune as I could through the key-hole see all they did but being at too far a distance I could not hear one word I saw and too plainly for my contentment this shepheard sit by her bed-side I saw him take her hand and kisse it several times I saw him talk bare-headed and at last kisse her lip without any resistance and for ought I could observe she answered him with no words of anger Oh heavens what a dagger was this to my heart I knew not what to do with my selfe I knew not how I should suffer this and live But such was my extraordinary affection unto her that though I had these bitter resentments yet it made me constantly to endure any thing which I thought pleasing unto her Pantesmon went away and I also he very ill satisfied with me and I absolutely mad at him Thus did Love drive us both away Now I beseech you great Nymph tell me Would you have thought I had loved her had not this gone to my very soul Could my resentment be lesse then to retire my selfe or Could it be carried with more discretion then never to speak of it unto any I do confesse I did endeavour to regain my liberty and when I found abundance of difficulty in unloosing the cords wherewith she held me I said severall times to my selfe That I would cut those I could not untie And when I was thus striving with my selfe it is true she sent one of her friends unto me But what could I think of her message more then that it was a continuation of her delusions Could I possibly give the lye unto such dear witnesses as my own Eyes So being full of anger I made that answer which she thus complaines of which was That one Nail drives out another Now since I had a beliefe that she had thus ungratefully betrayed me how could I give her a milder check I was obliged unto as much by the Lawes of my affection which would not let me lie now no more then before If she took it in any other sense then I intended it her innocence was the cause of it and my error made me say so She does not know of any other Love that ever driv my love of her out of my heart and yet my fears of displeasing her hath even untill this time deprived me of my greatest contentment When I at any time resolved to upbraid her for all this Love which had ever a great prevalence in my soul restrained me and gave me a check telling me that this would too much offend her whom I once loved so well that it was not handsome to twit her with her faults and make her ashamed of them but that I should be well contented with being loose from those perfidious obligations in which I had been so long entangled Oh! this advice was most pernicious unto me for doubtlesse had I at the first told her what I had seen she would have related unto me all that she had done and so I should have received as much satisfaction happinesse and contentment as I have since suffered torments and miseries But absenting my selfe wholly from her it was long before I knew that Pantesmon had left her And the worst was I durst not so much as enquire lest I should hear something which would encrease my griefe At last my love being stronger then my resolution or my anger I did by degrees go neer her and at the very first sight forgetting all the wrongs which as I thought I had received
the gods to do good unto many without any trouble to them Me-thinks said Hylas that since love depends upon the will and since the will does extend it selfe to all it pleaseth there should be no great pains in loving severall persons The Lovers of this age answered she are not contented with matter of will but they would enjoy it in the effects an I therefore I think it impossible that the will should be divided amongst severall persons at one time Every one of them replyed he must but have a part This answered the shepheardesse I do think to be most impossible But suppose it might since the love of one is so painfull what would a great multitude be Then it seemes said he that you will love but one One answered she is too many and therefore I will love none at all And you shepheards said Hylas unto Palemon and Adrastes what do you say to this We said Palemon do make it appear that we think one to be enough How said Hylas must one love but one Nay fewer answered Palemon since we are two and love but one The discourse of Hylas had continued longer if the Nymph had not returned with all her company and stopped him She therefore and every of them taking their places again she spake thus The Judgment of the Nymph Leonida ALthough we do observe in this difference before us severall accidents which seem contrary to one another yet none of them are contrary unto Love for it is not more naturall for Fire to flame and burn then for Love to produce such dissentions amongst Lovers and those who go about to take them away do attempt a thing no lesse impossible then to take away heat from fire or keep it from flaming On the other side considering that he does not love who does not wholly and entirely dedicate himselfe unto her he loves we conceive it to be a kinde of treason to let any other have a share in his affection And though we do expresse our selves only in the Masculine person yet it doth hold as well in the Feminine Therefore all things being long and seriously debated and considered we do conclude that it would be unjust that love should be extinguished by a thing that is so naturall unto it selfe or to divide it amongst many upon any consideration whatsoever And we do declare that these fallings out and little quarrells are only renewings of love and that to divide or change affection is a crime of the highest nature that can be committed against Love Upon this ground we do ordain that Doris shall love Palemon and that Palemon being assured of her affection shall for the future give her some better testimonies of his love then by those of jealousie though we do conclude that jealousie be a signe of love but it is a signe of love as sicknesse is a signe of life for as one cannot be sick unlesse he live so one cannot be jealous unlesse he love but as sicknesse is a signe of an ill tempered life so jealousie is an argument of an ill tempered love Doris shall pardon and receive Palemon into her favour again and forget all former displeasures considering that Love is a most violent passion and makes one commit many things which are not allowed of by him that committed them nor ever would be had he not been infected with that disease And to avoid those displeasures which she hath resented for the time past we do ordain that as Doris shall treat Palemon as the person whom of all the world she loves best so likewise Palemon shall submit himself unto the will of Doris for if he will be free it will at last fall into tyranny And as for the patient and unfortunate Adrastes we do ordain that it shall be in his choice whether he will continue an example of a faithfull and unfruitfull affection by loving Doris still without any hopes of being loved again or whether he will by breaking the cords of his first love by violence by anger or by despair satisfie the affection of her who loves him and is ready to die for him This was the judgment of the Nymph which produced three very different effects in these three persons in Palemon an extream contentment in Doris so great an astonishment as she stood speechlesse but in Adrastes such a suddain stupification of spirits that he fell down as dead So as whilst Palemon in an extasie of joy and with a thousand confused expressions endeavoured to thank his Judge for so favourable a judgment Doris said not a word but fixed her eyes upon the ground as not knowing whether she should be glad or sad and Adrastes lying all along without any sense did move all that saw him unto so much griefe that Doris her selfe did pitty him All the Company flocked about him and lent him all possible assistance When he came unto himselfe again Leonida accompanyed with Astrea and all her Companions left them all three together but they continued so not long for presently after Palemon taking Doris under the arme went towards Mount Verdun and Adrastes following them with his eye and losing the sight of them amongst the Trees Farewell said he you happy and most perfect Lovers go and enjoy both your happinesse and mine whilst I by this most unjust Ordinance do all my life lament the losse of that felicity which you enjoy These were the last words he uttered out of a sound judgment for a long time for ever since his spirits were so troubled that he lost his wits and committed such absurd follies that even such as could not chuse but laugh at him could not chuse also but pitty him Hylas finding no justice in this Judgment which the Nymph had given did maintain his opinion against all those who conceived that this difference could not be better determined And because Leonida Paris were not ignorant of his humour they were very desirous to passe away the time in talking with him and in order thereunto Paris began thus Me-thinks Sister said he that you have done poor Adrastes abundance of wrong and might have well given a milder sentence for him Are not you of that opinion Hylas For my part answered he I believe the heavens had a minde to punish the fool Adrastes for otherwise it was not likely they would have suffered him to be thus condemned but I must needs confesse that his fond and foolish passion does not deserve a lesse punishment You Hylas and I answered the Nymph are of very different opinions for his love unto Doris continued with so much constancy and resolution me-thinks is so far from deserving any punishment that I do much commend him for it and therefore I gave him leave to continue it still if he would A very fine leave indeed said Hylas Why you might as well give him leave to live all his life in misery for my part I think you were very rigorous in it and I am sure
the ceremonies the tears and discourse of every one and particularly of Astrea and that you may give credit unto what I say said the Nymph let us go and see Celadon's Tombe for it is so neer this place that perhaps you heard the voices of the Druides Daughters and the Priest You tell me such stories said Celadon that I should hardly believe them had they come from the mouth of any other I would not have you replyed the Nymph give more credit unto me then to the veryest stranger in the world but come and believe your own eyes Upon this the Druide and Leonida got him out of his Cave and conducted him into the Wood where his empty Tombe was erected Oh! how astonished he was and how presently he began to read that Inscription which Silvander had set upon it and having read it three or foure times over I must needs confesse said he that you told me truth But having received so great a contentment would it not be want of love if I should have any desire since I must not see her Doubtlesse said Adamas if you should live a Recluse and never see her it would argue want of courage and love in you Want of Love answered the shepheard presently Ah no I confesse it might argue want of courage which upon this occasion might fail me because I have such abundance of Love I should believe answered Adamas that you do not love Astrea if knowing that she loves you and you may see her you absent your selfe from her presence Love answered the shepheard commands me to obey her and since she hath commanded me not to see her do you call it want of love if I observe her commandment When she laid that command upon you said the Druide she did hate you but now she loves you and grieves for you not only as absent but as dead Be it as it will answered Celadon she Commanded me and be it as it will I will Obey her Yet replyed Adamas as perfect an observer as you are of her commands you have already disobeyed since you have seen her and were present before her eyes She did not forbid me said Celadon from seeing her but only not to come in her sight and how could she see me when she was asleep Since it is so said the Druide I will finde out a way that you shall see her every day if you please and she shall not see you I conceive that said Celadon to be very difficult for she must either be asleep or else I must be close hid in some place No replyed the Druide for more then that you may speak to her also if you please This cannot be replyed the shepheard unlesse I be in a very dark place You shall said Adamas be in the open light and see her if you have but courage or if Love have the power to make you attempt it Do not think Father answered Celadon that there shall be either want of love or courage in me provided I do not disobey her commands Now see said the Druide how I do intend to contrive it It is the goodnesse of the great Tautates to give me a Daughter whom I deerly love above my own life This Daughter according to the rigour of our Lawes is educated amongst the Druides Daughters in the Monosteries of Carnutes it will be above the expiration of eight long years before I can have any hopes of her comming out Perhaps you may remember how I told you how there is a great resemblance betwixt you and her both in age and face Now I do intend to give it out that she has been sick and upon such an occasion the antient Druides will allow her to retire untill such time as she be able to officiate in the necessary Exercises A few daies after you shall assume her habit and I will receive you into my house under the notion and name of my Daughter Alexis And it is very requisite to give out that she is sick for your way of living these last two Months hath so altered your face and taken away that fresh colour which was wont to be in your cheeks as any that sees you would be deceived And though the resemblance which is betwixt you be not so great but that when you are both together a great difference may be found it is no matter for it is so long since any in this Country saw her that though the resemblance were lesse yet when they hear me call you Daughter they will certainly take you for her I see nothing in all this but one inconvenience which is that every year we all use to assemble our selves at Dreux a place so neer the Carnutan-Monastery that the Druides and Priests may come to discover that my Daughter is not gone from thence But this shall be no stop for it will be two months before these Druides do assemble and they must stay there two months more and god knowes whether before that time you may not have changed your habit and life Now Celadon consider whether all this be not very feasable Ah! Father said Celadon after he had a while thought upon it do you think that Astrea by this means will not see me Do you think andswered the Druide that she can see you when she does not know you How can she know you when you are in such a habit But Father replyed Celadon let me be habited as you will I shall be still Celadon in reality so as I shall thereby disobey her That you are still Celadon is true answered Adamas but still you do not by this disobey her command For she has not forbidden you to be Celadon but only that she shall not see this Celadon Now when she sees you she does not see Celadon but Alexis And for a conclusion of all if she do not know you you do not offend her and though she should know you and be angry and command you to die yet were not such an end better then to languish to death in this manner This Father said the shepheard is a good reason and I will ground upon it therefore Father I will put my selfe my life and my contentment all into your hands dispose of me therefore as you please Thus did Adamas work upon the obstinacy of Celadon and to the end he should not change his minde he returned that very houre to take order for what was necessary and especially to spread abroad a report that his Daughter was sick and was to return home For it was the custome of Druides Daughters when they were sick to come out of their Monasteries and if their Parents were negligent the Ancients of the Monastery would send unto them for they held it as a great misfortune if any dyed there Therefore he gave out that the Antients had sent unto him that his Daughter was to come home and that he expected her every day Adamas and Leonida were very busie in providing all things necessary for
beauty be the matter said Corilas Phillis is not defective in it She hath lesse then Alexis said Hylas for she is not able to hold me now I have seen the other and therefore I must fairly take my leave of her Silvander who had been long silent seeing Corilas did not reply he undertook the discourse for him It is not any defect in the beauty of Phillis said he which moveth this shepheard to make his retreat but it is his owne naturall inconstancy Very well said Hylas do you call it inconstancy when one goes on step by step unto the place where they intend to arrive No said Silvander And yet said Hylas such a one does set his foot sometimes upon the ground sometimes in the air sometimes before sometimes behinde And is not this inconstancy as well as that which you lay in my dish For intending to arrive at a perfect beauty I do set one foot before another and never leave changing till I arrive at my intended place Even so have I done by all I have hitherto loved untill I found Alexis who I finde to be the most perfect beauty of all This might hold good answered Silvander if you could demonstrate to us that you do merit to love Alexis For as you have gotten the name of Inconstant by loving so many so now you will get the name Presumptuous in loving Alexis Alexis was long silent taking great delight in the discourse of these shepheards but when she heard her selfe so highly commended she thought it fit to speak Did I as much merit the affection of Hylas said she as I am willing to entertain it certainly he should have no small reason to love me Then tuming her selfe in a smiling manner towards Hylas Servant said she unto him take heed lest the language of this shepheard should divert you for you would wrong both your selfe and me if it should It would be a shame for you to attempt an enterprise and so soon give it over and it would be too evident an argument of my little merit if you should so soon quit me But Hylas said Silvander do you not dread the displeasure of Teupates in addressing your selfe unto one who is consecrated unto him Ignorant Silvander said Hylas the gods do command us to love themselves and how can they be angry with us for loving that which is theirs You see said Alexis that this shepheard hath some designe upon us he would cunningly turn you from me by artifice for he knowes well enough that if I will I can leave off that profession which I have taken upon me Whilst these shepheards were thus talking Adamas was entertaining Phocion Diaonis and Tircis and because he esteemed them very much both for their age their vertues and for his designe in making a Match between Celadon and Astrea he did all that possibly he could to bid them welcome And because Tircis was a stranger and had never seen the raritles of his House he asked him if he would take so much paines as to walk and see it And hearing him answer that he did infinitly desire it he took him by the hand and willed Paris to do the like unto Hylas and the rest of the shepheards if they had a minde Alexis with the help of Hylas who led her by the arme followed Adamas with the rest of the Company The House was very fine and furnished with many excellent singularities but because the discourse of it would be too long we will speak no more of it then what is pertinent to our purpose They entred then into a large Gallery which had a prospect of Plaines on the one side and Mountains on the other which made it very delectable and pleasant The sides was Wanscot fretted and betwixt the windowes hung with Maps of the severall Provinces of Gaul At the higher end hung Pictures of severall Countries Kings and Emperours and amongst them the Portractures of severall very beautifull Women The top was adorned with Gold and Azure very richly imbossed with many severall devices Every one fixed their eyes upon that which was most agreeable unto their fancies But Hylas whose heart was all for beauty looking upon a Picture which contained two Ladies See said he two very delicate faces Which of these two should one judge to be the fairer Adamas who heard him That said he on the right hand is the Picture of the Mother in Law and the other on the left the Daughter in Law Both of them were two Princesses as fair and as wise as ever any and as much tossed and turmoiled by the stormes of Fortune as any in our Times This which seemes the more aged is the wise Placidia Daughter unto the great Theodosius Sister unto Arcudius and Honorius Wife unto Constantius and Mother unto Valentiniaen all five Emperours whose Pictures are a little farther off The other is the Picture of Eudoxe Daughter unto Theodosius the Second and Wife unto Valentinian whom Genserio carried into Affrica They were two Princesses said Tircis of great beauties and as great extractions But wherein was their Fortunes so averse I shall briefly tell you replyed Adamas and shall thereby acquaint you with some of these Pieces which you see here Then after a while of silence he began thus The History of Placidia THEODOSIUS the first of that name Emperour of the East one of the greatest Princes the World had since Augustus he had three Children One Arcadius who after him was Emperour of the East Another was Honorius who was Emperour of the West And the third was the wise Placidia whose fortune was so various that we see in her how Vertue is ordinarily crossed For she being at the dispose of her Brother Honorius and he under the government of Stilicon unto whose Guardianship the great Theodosius had committed him during his nonage she was so variously tossed and tormented by severall accidents as if Fortune had made choice of her to shew the power it hath in all human things of which Stilicon was the greatest cause who having great power over the person of Honorius and the whole Empire his ambition aspired at more absolute authority and aimed to make himselfe sole Emperour as when his designes were discovered it did plainly appear He being a man of a deep reach and managing his matters so as might most condure to his desired end and grandure he thought it expedient for him to make use of policy and subtlety where it was impossible for him to compasse it by force His way was therefore at the first to stretch his authority to the highest pitch before he made his intentions known and afterwards to fortifie himselfe by marrying his Daughter unto young Honorius for the very name of Father in Law to an Emperour looked big and procured him a great honour and fear Afterwards he held secret intelligence and correspondency with all such as he thought fit instruments for the advancement of his designe And lastly resolved to weaken the
so second her promise as her affection was no lesse to me then mine to her At the first I believed her intention was not to go so farre But love in this resembles death for as one cannot dye so one cannot love by halves Now as I was pumping for a good excuse to stay at home the Emperour received inetlligence of a great Army which was marching towards Constantinople This newes invited many to stay who otherwise in point of honour and duty would have gone under the conduct of Artabures who carryed a very great Army by Sea having with him Aspar his Son a very valiant and fortunate Commander as afterwards he made it evidently appeare by taking John in Ravenna and delivering his Father Now though I was not jealous of Valentinian for all Eudoxe's favourable aspect upon him because I knew it was onely to please Theodosius yet I seemed as if I were and seemed to rejoyce very much at his departure I shall not now relate unto you the voyage of Valentinian for I believe you have heard it by many But so it was that after all things were set in good order in the West he returned to Constantinople Where he was received by Theodosius as if he were his Sonne And by the solicitation of Phacidia who stayed in Italy the marriage of the faire Eudoxe was concluded upon It is imposible I should expresse my sad resentments upon this occasion I could not believe it and was so surcharged with feares and sorrow that but for Eudoxe I had not been able to have supported them But she who was wise and prudent though it grieved her to the very soul that she was to be his whom she did not love yet she surmounted her sorrow by resolution And because she saw in what paine I lived she gave me the opportunity of speaking to her in her closset when none was present but Isidore whom she did infinitly love Well my Cavalier said she unto me I see you still doubt of my affection and complaine against me My fairest Princess said I unto her had I not been accustomed to receive more favour from you than I can any way merit you might have had some reason to say so now when I do receive so high a one as transcends all degrees of gratitude to acknowledge sufficiently But why will you not give me leave to complaine of my fortune who shewing me the good which she may give me gives it unto another whose merits in matter of love are inferiour unto mine my Cavalier answered she live contentedly and be assured that Ursaces enjoyes all that a violent affection can obtaine And what favour I shew unto any other is more out of duty then love and since it is so what reason have you to complaine against your fortune My reason for it replyed I is as great as my obligation unto you for this assurance Why my fairest Princess should I not complain of her who in lieu of favouring my affection does deprive me of that which onely can bring me unto the happinesse which I desire Oh Cavalier said she you do offend me What would you not have loved me but onely to obtaine that of me which my duty desires you What did you think of me and how little did you love me if you have so bad an opinion of me I was not able to answer her seeing how she took it but kneeling down with a deep sigh I stopped my mouth by holding her hand upon it At the last I rose up again and answered her I must needs confesse my fairest Princesse that I do love you more then you would and more then reason would but who can love you lesse I must confesse that neither reason nor duty can measure the grandure of my affection and if I do offend you in it I beseech you pardon me considering that to love you lesse would be to prophane your beauty Also I beg your pitty who have so much courage yet want so much merit And yet you might well winke at these faults if love had a little more force in you I do not understand you said she unto me Alas replyed I how hard a matter it is to make you understand it by my words if love will not make you conceive it But I mean my Princesse that if love had a little more power over you this duty which you speak of would have lesse the too-happy Valentinian would enjoy what he is in quest of and I what I desire Oh Cavalier said she with a deep sigh did you but know the resentments of my soul and what restraint it is in you would know that Love hath as much power over me as it can have over any heart If I do deny you any testimony of this power consider my birth and unto what Lawes it obliges me Had I been the Daughter of the Athenian Leontine as my Mother was I might have disposed of my selfe and my affection but being Daughter unto the Emperour Theodosius Grandchild unto the Emperour Arcadins and having Theodosius the great unto my great Grandfather do you not see I am not my owne but theirs who gave me my beeing It is the Tribute of humanity and the Law of divinity to submit unto Emperours and Grandure Reason of State as well as Love is to be considered This is no newes either to you or me we both foresaw this long since and when I first set my eyes and affection upon you it was still with a resolution to marry Valentinian I am confident you had the same thoughts the first day you began to love me What is it then which now troubleth you What accidents have hapned which should divert us from our first principles These words touched me so to the quick that I could not permit her to go on without interruption Can you think Madam said I unto her that these are considerations of Love Can love be confined to any Lawes of duty Oh heavens how infinitely are you and I mistaken You in thinking that you love and I in thinking that you loved me Then stopping a little I began again when I saw she offered to speak The Lawes of Love Madam are far different from those you mention and if you would know what they are read them in me and you will finde that as the great inequality which is betwixt us could not keep me from lifting up my eyes so high as my fairest Princesse so it should not divert you from looking so low as your poor Cavalier for there is no more difference betwixt you and me then betwixt me and you And as to what you alledge concerning your birth since it is so high that it is in the superlative degree and can admit of no higher then you are why should you not in lieu of looking at Grandure which can receive no addition in you cast your eyes upon your own contentment to the end that as you are by birth the greatest Princesse in the world so
wood with their chariot into which they all did get Leonida undertooke to be their guide and because they should not be seene by the guards of the Castle they went in at a backe secret dore As soone as they were gone Astrea reviving from her swounding fit did fall into the water as I told you before Lycidas and they who went to search for Celadon could heare no other tidings of him then as formerly I told you so as Lycidas being but too well assured of his brothers death he went to Astrea to condole with her their common disaster She sad soul did nothing else but walk mourning along the River side untill she was so weary that she was forced to sit downe as full of anger griefe and amazement as a little before she was of inconsideration and jealousie She was sitting a lone by herselfe for Phillis seeing Lycidas returne went out to heare some newes as the rest did This Shepheard when he came being weary and desirous to know how this misfortune came to passe he did sit downe by her and taking her by the hand began to talke Oh heavens fair shepherdesse said he what a fatall mischance is this which hath happned unto us I say us for as I have lost a deare brother so you have lost one who was not himselfe without you Whether Astreas mind was intent upon some other thing or whether this discourse was displeasant unto her I know not but she returned no answer At which Lycidas being angry thus said Is it possible Astrea that the losse of this unfortunate Son for so Astrea called him should so little perplex you that you cannot afford him one teare Had he not loved you or had you been ignorant of his affection then to resent his misfortune so slightly had been excusable but since he loved you infinitly above himselfe and that you could not be ignorant of it beleeve me Astrea it grieves me to see you as little concerned at it as if he were a meere stranger unto you The shepherdess then looked sadly towards him and after a little pause of consideration answered Shephered I am much grieved at the death of your brother not in consideration of any affection which he bore unto me but in respect of his many other excellent qualities which might well move any to grieve at his misfortune for as for the affection which you spoke of it was so common unto other shepheardesses my companions as it was their parts to lament him more then mine Oh most ungratefull shepherdesse cryed out Lycidas I shall thinke the gods unjust if they do not punish you for your injustice you have small reason to thinke him unconstant who for all the anger of his Parents and cruelty of your rigour would not diminish the least sparke of his affection to you This is ingratitude in the height since all his actions and services could not assure you of the thing which none living ever doubted of but your selfe This am I certaine of that he would sooner have disobeyed the Supreame gods then the least of your commands Then did the shepheardesse in an angry manner answer that this discourse was disadvantagious to his Brother for she had sufficient testimonies of his infidelitie You fill me full of wonder replied Lycidas but I beseech you how came you to the knowledge of it Shepherd answered Astrea the story is too long and lamentable to be told satisfie your selfe with this that if you do not know it you are the only one that is ignorant of it for there is not a shepherd about the banks of Lignon which cannot tell you that Celadon had a hundred Mistrisses And to be short these eares of mine were no longer then yesterday witnesses of the amorous discourse which he held with his Aminthé for so he called her and I had hearkned longer unto it had I not beene displeased at his perfidie or to tell you truly had I not other businesse which was more advantagious unto me Lycidas at this like a man distracted cryed out oh now I see the cause of my brothers death it was your jealousie Astrea your jealousy is the onely cause of this dire disaster Poore Celadon I now remember thy Prophetique words when thou saidest thy fain'd affection would cost thee thy life Then addressing himselfe unto her Is it possible Astrea said he that you should forget those commands which you so often and pressingly did lay upon him five or six times at the least I can witnesse he was down upon his knees begging a revocation of them You may remember when he returned from Italie it was your first injunction to dissemble love unto another which he intreated you rather to bid him die then do My deare Astrea said he I shall never forget his words though I must will be perfectly obedient unto all your commands yet I cannot chuse but throw my selfe at your feet imploring onely so much favour as to bid me Die rather then bid me serve any other then Astrea And you did answer Nay Shepheard far be it from my thoughts to command you to Die but it is to try your affection and principally to blind the eyes and stop the mouths of all inquisitive spies that I do enjoyn this dissimulation upon you He not being able to disobey you in any thing undertooke the difficulty and indeed difficulty I rightly phrase it For he never went unto the place where hee was to put his dissimulation into practice but he first laid himselfe downe upon his bed as if a trembling fit of a feaver came upon him Not above two dayes since I found him engraving upon a tree these ensuing verses whose characters if you have not quite forgotten both him and his services you will know if you please to turne your eyes towards yonder tree on the other side of the River which containes these lines So much surmount my selfe I may Though I am all in flame And burne in love both night and day Yet to deny the same But then to play the Hypocrite And seeme anothers slave Whilst I adore a starre so bright A heart I cannot have Yet if to doo 't or die you Doome Then this should bee my choice Just now to chuse death's dismall Roome And in your Doome rejoyce Then did Lycidas ' shew her a letter which Celadon by way of Answer had written unto him some seaven or eight dayes before Celandons Answer unto Lycidas Brother ENquire no further what and how I do but know that I am still sick of my former disease to love and not dare to shew it Not to love yet sweare the contrary deare Brother is the continuall course or rather torment of thy Celadon They say two contraries cannot subsist in one thing at one and the same time And yet both true and false affection is ordinary in all my actions but never wonder at it for I am forced to the one by the perfections and to the other by the
living left Since we of her bereaft It seems deare Saint your better fate Death did anticipate And lieu of Cradle Coffin sent Since gone as soone as lent No no it is not you did die But it is rather I For only you did animate My soul and life create Both soul and heart and what is mine Eternally is thine Thus Love or'e death gets victorie Since still you live in mee Or else God-like lets Lovers live Yet them no hearts doth give A Sea of Teares from fluent eyes To the I le sacrifise And when those mountaines are growne dry I le come to thee and die Lycidas and Phillis had a good mind to enquire the cause of this shepherds griefe if their owne would have permitted them but finding him to stand as much in need of consolation as themselves they would not add the miseries of another unto their owne And therefore leaving the rest of the shepherds to hearken further they went on their way and none followed them Lycidas was no sooner gon but they heard another voice a far off which seemed to draw neere them and setting themselves to hearken they were interrupted by that shepherdesse who held the head of a shepherd in her lappe and uttered these complaints Fie fie thou obdurate peece of cruelty thou pittilesse shepheard how long will thy heart be marble and eares stopped to my prayers Why should one who is not be preferred before one that is vowed thine Tircis Tircis thou Idolizer of the dead and enemy of the living looke upon my poore affection Love those that are alive and let the dead rest quiet trouble not their happie ashes with thy unprofitable teares take heed thou dost not draw vengance upon thy selfe for thy cruelty and injustice The shepherd not so much as turning towards her coldly answered I wish faire shepherdesse that I could give you satisfaction by my death I would willingly die to rid both you and my selfe from our torments consider I beseech you Laonice that you have no reason to urge me to put my deare Cleon twice to death It s enough she has once paid the debt due to Nature If now she is dead she should once againe revive in me by force of my affection would you have me remove her by entertaining a new love into my soul No no shepherdesse all your arguments are too weake to make me hearken unto any such counsell that which you call cruelty in me I tearm fidelitie and that which you thinke worthy of punishment I conceive deserves exceeding commendations I have already told you that the sacred memory of my Cleon shall live with me in my grave I have vowed it a thousand times both unto her and the immortall gods with whom she is and do you not thinke that they would punish Tircis if he should breake all those solemne vowes and become unfaithfull Yes yes the heavens shall sooner raine Thunderbolts upon my head then I will either offend against my vowes or my deare Cleon. She would have replyed when the shepheard which they heard singing came neere and interrupted her with these verses The Song of the inconstant Hylas If ere my Mistrisse me disdaine then hang me if I ere complaine I le ne're be drowned in puling sorrow but court a new one ere to morrow It is a toile would tire a horse to make a woman Love by force Those beauties which are over wise and our addresses do despise Have at their hearts a fire more hot although so close we see it not Whilst Lovers dote upon such dames Rivals do warme them at their flames It s flat Idolatry by Jove to court a cruell beauties Love Will any man of wit adore Idols that have no help in store A constant lover is but gull'd and by his Loyaltie befoold That simple crue of faithfull Lovers you 'l find them alwayes full of dolors Compos'd of sighes and cries and teares they do both sleep and wake in feares So as a Lovers life is found the worst that breathes upon the ground Such as do child-like Pule and crye when they have lost some foppery Cannot be called by the Name of men who any honour claime A Loving foole is still most fit for such a silly Amourite Such fables I have learnt to fly which nothing bring but misery I can be wise by others follie and ' spite of Love I can be Jollie I Value not a Rush if all the Ladies me unconstant call At this last verse this Shepherd was so neare Tircis that he perceived the teares of Laonice and though strangers yet having a superficiall acquaintance Hilas knowing how it was betweene Laonice and Tircis he addressed himselfe thus unto him Disconsolate shepheard for so every one did call him by reason of his sadnesse If I were like unto you I should thinke my selfe the most pittifull peece of misfortune that lives upon earth Tircis hearing this thus answered And I Hylas were I like unto you I should think my selfe more unfortunate then I am Should I like you replied Hylas drop teares for every Mistrisse that I have Lost I should teare out my eyes before I had done Were you like unto me answered Tircis you would have but one to drop any teares for And were you like unto me said Hilas you would not drop a teare for any That 's the reason replyed the sad shepheard I do think you miserable for if love be the only price and reward of Love never any did love you because you never loved any How do you know answered Hilas that I never loved any I know it said Tircis by your perpetuall changing You and I do differ in opinions said he for I ever thought that the more a workman is exercised in his trade the more perfect he is in it T is true answered Tircis when he workes by the rules of Art but if otherwise he is like unto travellers out of their way the more they goe the more they erre and further from the right way And as the rowling stone never gathers any mosse but rather dirt so your leight inconstancy may get some shame but never any Love You must know Hilas that the wounds of Love are such as will never heale Heavens deliver me from any such said Hilas You have good reason for your prayer replied Tircis For if every time you were wounded with a new beautie you should receive an incurable wound I am afraid there would not be one sound part in all your body Moreover you never can relish any of those sweets and felicities which Love bestowes upon all true Lovers and that miraculously like the rest of his actions for they are cured by the same which wounds like the sword of Telephus which both cuts and heales and I am perswaded that were you once permitted to know the secrets of that god you would presently renounce your inconstancy Hilas at this smiled and said There is very great reason Tircis that you should put your selfe in the
number of those whom Love useth very well but as for my part I do with all my heart quit my share in all his sweets you may keep to your selfe all his felicities and contentments without any feare that ever I shall envie you 'T is now a whole month since first we met and I think we met every day I do not remember that day that hour nay nor that minute in which you were not entertaining your Love forsooth with that good company of teares on the contrary tell me that day that hour or that minute in which you heaâ—d me bid Love welcome so much as with one single sigh There 's no man whose taste is not quite out of tune as yours is but will find more sweetnesse in the pleasantnesse of my life then in your dolefull sighs and sobs Then turning himselfe towards the Shepheardesse who complained so of Tircis And you faire but unwise Shepheardesse take courage and deliver your selfe from the Tyranny of this unnaturall Shepheard cheere up and live Will you by your patience make your selfe a complice with him in his crimes do you not see that he glories in your teares know you not that your supplications doe puff him up with so much arrogancy as he thinkes you to be highly obliged unto him if he does hearken unto you with disdaine The Shepheardesse with a deepe sigh answered It is an easie matter Hylas for him that is sound to counsell the sick but if you were in my stead you would know that all this advice is in vaine you might find that sorrow would sooner drive my soule out of my body then reason can drive this passion out of my soul For this my beloved Shepheard has such a Soveraigne power over me that his authoritie can command what he pleaseth spare then all your sapient advisements Hylas they will but fester my wounds the more for I am so wholly devoted unto Tircis that my will is not my owne How said the Shepheard your will not your owne to what purpose is it then to Love and serve you The same answered the Shepheardesse that my Love and services are unto this Shepheard That is as much to say answered Hilas that I should lose both all my time and my paines and that if I should professe my affection unto you you would only make use of my words to expresse your affection unto Tircis but since such is your humour and since I have more command over my selfe then you over yours I will only kisse your hand and take my leave for I shall be ashamed to serve such a poore and pittifull Mistrisse Neither you nor I answered she shall receive any great losse by it Were you as sensible of your losse in losing me said Hilas as you shew simplicitie in courting him you would lament the losse of me sooner then desire the affection of Tircis but if you care no more for losing me then I do for losing you I le warrant you neither of our sorrowes shall ever hurt us Then walking merrily away he sung these verses A Song Love having wings will fly away as well as Time and soone decay Then let 's be wise and from us banish the thing which of it selfe will vanish Let 's cut Loves cords and quench its fires with all exorbitant desires That thing let 's voluntary do which time at last will force us to Thus or'e the Gyant Love shall we be victors most triumphantly Had this Shepheard come into the country in a more merry season doubtlesse with more friends but Celadons losse did sit so sadly upon the soules of all that neighbourhood that none was in any mood of rallarie and therefore they left him some returned to their cabins others in farther quest of Celadon some on this side some beyond the River Loire neither tuft nor tree escaped their inquisitive search yet all in vaine for no newes could be heard of him Only Silvander did meet Polemas just at the place where Galathea and the other Nymphes had a little before taken him up And because he Governed the country under the Authoritie of the Nymph Amasis the Shepheard who had often seene him at Marcelles did render him all possible honour and acquainted him with the losse of Celadon at which Polemas was very sorry being ever a Lover of all Celadons familie On the other side Lycidas who was walking with Phillis after a long silence at last he turned towards her well faire Shepheardesse said he unto her what do you thinke of your companion she not yet knowing of Astreas Jealousie did answere him that she could not be much blamed if she upon such a sad accident did shun all company for Phillis thought that he complayned because she went away alone Nay nay replyed Lycidas that 's nothing but I doe thinke her to be the most ungratefull woman in the world and the least worthy of any Love for my brother never intended nor could he Love any but only she she knew it well enough cruell woman that she was the testimonies he gave her were too evident to be doubted he overcame all difficulties he stopt not at impossibilities he valued not the anger of Parents but endured her rigours her cruelties and scorns and all this so long that I beleeve no other but Celadon was able to do it And yet for all this 〈◊〉 did most unworthilie change her mind her foolish pretences of hatred and jealousy has eternally exiled him and being grown desperate he did chuse death rather then such a piece of crueltie as she Oh Heavens Lycidas said Phillis in a great amazement what 's this you say Is it possible Astrea should ever commit such a crime It is most certainly true answered the Shepheard she has partly told me as much and I do conjecture the rest by his discourse She tryumphs in the death of my brother and her infidelitie and ingratitude can palliate her crime but I do sweare unto you by all that 's sacred never any Lover was fuller of affection and fidelitie then he I care not whether or no she ever know her error unlesse to vexe and grieve her for now I am as professed an enemy unto her as ever my brother was faithfull Thus Lycidas and Phillis discoursed he being infinitely grieved for the death of his brother and as much offended against Astrea and she very sorry for Celadons death angred at the anger of Lycidas and astonished at the Jealousie of her companion would not apply any extreame remedies at the first but only some gentle preparatives to mollifie him She would not by any meanes that the death of Celadon should cost her Lycidas and she considered that if any hatred was betweene him and Astrea she must of necessitie breake off with one of the two yet Love would not yeeld unto friendship On the other side Astrea was so swelled in teares and suncke in sorrow as having not teares enough to wash away her error nor words
enough to expresse her griefe both her eyes and mouth did leave their offices unto her imaginations so long as both eyes toung imagination and all other faculties being tyred out she fell asleepe Whilst things passed thus amongst the Shepheards and Shepheardesses Celadon was observed by the three Nymphes in the Pallace of Isoures with all indulgent care but the hurt which the water had done him was so great that for all their remedies which they applied he could not open his eyes nor give any signe of life but only by the beating of his heart passing all the day and a good part of the night before he came to himselfe And when he opened his eyes he was in a great amazement to find himselfe in that place for he very well remembred what he had done and how a rash despair had made him throw himselfe into the water but he knew not how he came thither And after he had stayed a long while in this confused thought he asked whether he was alive or dead If I be alive said he how is it possible that the cruelty of Astrea should not kill me And if I be dead why cruell Love dost thou torment me in the shades of death is it not enough that thou hast my life but thou must receive my old flames out of my dead ashes And the great perplexitie in which Astrea had left him having now forsaken him he called into his memory all his former conceptions and his mind being full of imagination both of his miseries and also of his former happinesse he fell into such a sound sleepe that the Nymphes had time enough to come and see him and finding him fast asleepe they opened the curtaines and windowes very gently and did sit downe by him the better to view and contemplate upon him Galathea after a whiles confideration did in a low voice for feare of wakeing him say oh how this Shepheard is changed since yesterday What a fresh complexion is upon a suddaine come into his face seriously I do not repent of all the paines I have taken in saving his life for as you said sweetheart said shee and turned towards Silvia he is one of the principall in al the country Madam answered the Nymph most certainly he is for Alsippes is his Father and Amarillis his Mother How said Galathea that Alsippe so famous who to save his freind did break open the Prison of the Visigotts at Ussum The very same said Silvia I have seene him severall times at feasts which are kept by the Townes about Lignon And because Alsippes seemed unto me most worthy of observation I looked long upon him for the formalitie of his beard and the gravitie of his venerable age did exact honour and observance from every one But as for Celadon I remember that of all the Shepheards there was only he and Silvander who had confidence enough to approach me by Silvander I knew which was Celadon and by Celadon which Silvander for both of them had in their Garbes and discourse somthing more generous then the name of Shepheard useth to owne Whilst Silvia spake Love in mock age of the subtiltie of Climante and Polemas who were the cause of Galatheas coming to the place where she tooke up Celadon did begin to kindle new flames in this Nymph for all the while that Silvia spoke she had her eyes upon the Shepheard and the applauds which she gave him did enter into her soul and the more easilie because she was prepared for it by the coming of Climante who counterfetting himselfe to be a Druide had foretold her that the man whom she should meet with in the place where she found Celadon should be her husband unlesse she would be the most miserable woman in the world the plot being that Polemas should go to that place at the hour to the end that she might more willingly be induced to marry him which otherwise the affection she bore unto Lindamor would not permit But Fortune and Love are too hard for Prudence and sent Celadon thither by chance as I have told you so as Galathea intending to fixe Love upon this Shepheard did thinke him to be extreame Lovely And seeing he did not wake she went out as gently as she could to entertaine her new thoughts There was neere his chamber a backe paire of staires which opened to a low Gallerie out of which by a draw bridge one might go into a Garden full of choice varieties Fountaines Statues Walkes Arbors and all that Art could invent out of this Garden was a dore into a Wildernesse of severall sorts of Trees in which was severall Labirinthes wherein one might wander to the losse of ones selfe yet by reason of the umbrage were very delightfull In one of which was a Fountaine called The truth of Love a place in truth marvelously pleasing for by force of Inchantment a Lover who looked in it might see her he loved if he were Loved he might see his Mistrisse by him if she Loved another that other would be presented and not himselfe And because it did discover all the deceipts of Lovers it was called the Truth of Love In another Labirinth was the Cavern of Damon and Fortune and in another was the denn of an old Mandrake full of so many wonders and witchcrafts that every vanitie appeared a fresh miracle Moreover in the other parts of the wood there was severall other Grotts so well counterfeited and neere the naturall as the eye did oft deceive the judgment It was in this Garden where the Nymph did walke waiting for the waking of the Shepheard And because her new desires would not permit her to be silent she faigned to forget somthing which she commanded Silvia to go and seeke for she confided lesse in her green youth then in Leonidas whose age was arrived at more maturitie though both these Nymphes were her secret confidents And being alone with Leonida she thus said unto her what do thinke Leonida has not this Druide a strange knowledge of things Does not the gods freely communicate themselves unto him for what is future he knowes as well as the present The truth is answered the Nymph he did very directly shew you in the Mirror the very place where you found this Shepheard and also told you the very time but his words were so ambiguous that I beleeve he hardly understood them himselfe Why do you say so answered Galathea since he hath particularly told me every thing as perfectly as I my selfe do not now kow them better than he did before they happened he only told you answered Leonida that you should find in this place a thing of an inestimable value though formerly it had beene disdayned Nay Leonida said she he has told me more then that particularly Madam said he you have two very contrary influences the one the most unfortunate under the heavens the other the most happie that can be desired And it is in your choice to take which
be as firme in my obstinacie as you are in your importunitie The shepherd would have replyed but he was interrupted by many shepherds comming towards them So as Amarillis for a conclusion said unto him in a low voice you will do me a great displeasure Alcippe if your resolution should be knowne I can be contented to know your follies but should be much displeased if any other should know them Thus ended my Fathers first discourse with Amarillis which did infinitly angment his desire of serving her As they went along the way they met Celion and Belinda who were observing two turtles billing and making Love unto each other not caring a straw who saw them which gave Alcippes an occasion to remember the last commands of Amarillis and to sing these verses and because his voice was very good every one did lend a silent eare A Song upon the Constraints of honour Loook yonder on the open Loves of those two billing turtle Doves See how this happie little paire in Love what libertines they are They kiss and care not who doth know it but to the envious world do show it The Lawes of honour so unjust like fettred slaves observe we must This bugbeare Honour which affrights fond Lovers in their free delights Will not allow them any blisse unlesse they steal their happinesse While these free Lovers of the Aire what eyes do see them doe not care But Love and kisse and take a pride in that which honour bids us hide Honour 's a Tyrant then and we are slaves whilst turtle doves are free Since this time Alcippes was so transported with Love that he knew no Limits And Amarillis on the contrary shewed her selfe all Ice unto him and one day when he was desired to sing he made this his subject thus put into verse Upon the Coldnesse of Amarillis Her heart is Ice her eyes all flame mine all contrary to the same I 'me Ice without within all fire my hearts inflam'd with hot desire Love I beseech thee change designe and thaw her heart or else freeze mine At this very time as I told you before Alces was a professed servant unto Amarillis and being a shepheard of very excellent qualities also held to be exceeding wise the Father of Amarillis inclined more unto him then unto Alcippes because of his turbulent spirit On the contrary the shepheardesse loved my Father better because their humours were more sutable which her Father knowing and being unwilling to use any violence or absolute authoritie over her he conceived that time and absence might worke an alteration in her and therefore resolved to send her awhile unto Artemis sister of Alces who dwelt alone by the River of Allier When Amarillis understood her Fathers mind she resolved to acquaint Alcippes with her good will unto him before she went and to that end writ these lines The Letter of Amarillis unto Alcippe Alcippe YOur resolutenesse hath surpassed mine and mine also far surmounted my selfe as to accquaint you that tomorrow I am gone And if you will meet me today where we parted yesterday I will there bid you adieu AMARILLIS It would be too tedious Madam to tell you all the particular passages betwixt them let it suffice to tell you in short that they met at the place appointed and there it was where my Father received the first assurance of the Love of Amarillis there she perswaded him to quit a shepherds life as unworthy of a noble spirit promising him to be most constant to her resolution of loving him After they were parted Alcippes engraved these verses upon a Tree in the wood Alcippes upon the Constancy of his Affection When Rocks remove and Rivers backwards run when Marble melts and Glowewormes dim the Sun And when Impossibilities are done then may my heart my Amarillis shun When it is knowne what is Eternitie when Gnats o're Eagles getts the victorie When Fire doth freeze and the vast Ocean's dry then may my Love to Amarillis die VVhen Swans and Snow are Metamorphos'd black when Starres do fall and the two Poles do crack When loving Turtles do their Mates for sake Then may my Love to Amarillis slake VVhen in the Orient Sun and Stars do set when mortals in a bagge the wind doe get VVhen Steele the attracting Loadstone will not meet then Amarillis may I thee forget VVhen Shippes do saile full ' gainst the blasting wind when Light is darknesse Angells are unkind VVhen Heavens dissolve and Time an end does find then Amarillis thou art out of mind When she was gone and when he began to resent the horrour of absence he went to the same place where he bad adieu unto his shepherdesse and sighed out these verses severall times In absence of Amarillis Fair Amarillis and the Sun do hold exact comparison And both alike dispenseth light by presence and by absence Night What glorious Summer is it here when she is present in our Sphere How like to winter lookes the day when she her Rayes does not display When shee 's not present I 'me undon as Earth in absence of the Sun With Owles and Bats and Birds of night I sit and sigh away delight And am society for none but such a sad companion Since absence was my dismal doome my heart alas was not at home My eyes two Fountaines are which vie with Lignon which should first be dry All faculties do droop and mourne till Amarillis do returne But when the day shall dawne that she within our Hemisphere shall be Then VVinter's gone and Summer's come I 'le bid my heart a welcom home I 'le wipe all teares from swelled eyes my Batts and Owles I will despise And with the joviall birds in spring to her an Antheme I will sing But he not being able to abide in that place where he was wont to see her he resolved whatsoever came on 't to be gone and as soone as he sought for an occasion he found it to his hearts desire A little before the Mother of Amasis died and Preparations were in hand to entertaine her in the great Citie of Marselles as their new Lady with abundance of Tryumph This solemnity did draw thither out of curlositie most of the Country and amongst the rest my Father obtained leave to be one from hence did spring much of his miserie He was in the prime of his age faire beyond any in the Country his hair flaxen which naturally curled in rings and which he wore very long in briefe Madam he was such a one as I beleeve Love did chuse out for a marke of revenge and thus it was There was a certain Lady which had seen him and loved him in such a secret disguise that we could never know her name When he came first to Marselles he came as a shepherd but in a very handsom mode and to the end he should not run into any extravagancyes as he did in his owne Hamlet his Father sent two shepherds with him as guardians the
principall of which was called Cleantes a man whose humour was sutable unto my Fathers insomuch as he affected him exceedingly This Cleantes had a Son called Clindor equall in age with my Father and had a naturall inclination to Love Alcippe Alcippe in retaliation of this affection did also Love him above any other which was so pleasing unto Cleantes that he could not deny my Father any thing and therefore after they had observed how other Gallants were habited how they were armed and how they fought at Barriers both of them beseeched Cleantes for such allowance as might put them into the equipage of appearing amongst those Knights and Gallants Have you so much courage said Cleantes unto them as to equal your selves with them Why not answered Alcippes have I not armes and thighes as well as they Though you have said Cleantes yet you have not learned the Garbe and civill deportment of Townes T is true answered he but such ceremonies are not so difficult as to blast the hopes of quickly learning them You have not yet the use of your armes said Cleantes nor know how to fence or fight as they do T is no matter replyed Alcippes we have courage enough to supply that defect Why would you leave off a country life Said Cleantes what should men do in woods Answered Alcippes and what good can men learne amongst beasts It will vexe you said Alcippe to be slighted by the Ladies who will slight and scorne you and upbraid you with the name of shepheards If to be a Shepheard be ignominious said Alcippe let us own that profession no longer and if it be not then the disdain will not hurt us for if they do I will indeavour by my actions to get honour and esteem amongst them At last Cleantes seeing their resolutions to change their lives well children said he since you are thus resolved let me tell you that though you passe under the notion of shepherds yet your extraction is from the best branch in the Country and the noblest Knights in all France have no better a pedigree then you have though your Ancienters upon some certain considerations made choice of such a retired kind of life Never fear therefore the finding a good reception amongst these Cavaliers since the very best amongst them is of your own blood These words did kindle the sparks of their desire unto a flame and made them more forward to put their resolutions into execution never reflecting upon the future nor thinking what inconveniency that kind of life might bring them nor dorring at the displeasure of Alcippes Father Cleantes provides them all necessaries they did quickly insinuate themselves into acquaintance and get love amongst the best Alcippes was grown so expert in armes that he was accompted one of the best Knights of his time During this feast which lasted two monthes a certain Lady as I told you before had seen my Father and was so much taken with him that she devised this Stratagem to bring her ends about Upon a day when my Father was in the Temple an old woman came and set her selfe close by him and seeming as if she were at her prayers she said two or three times Alcippes Alcippes but never looked towards him He hearing himselfe named did think to ask her what she would have with him but seeing her eyes turned another way he thought she had spoken to some other She perceiving that he heard her continued Alcippes it is to you I speak though I did not look upon you if you will enjoy a better fortune then ever any Knight in our Court did meet me in the twilight at the Piazza neere the Pallace and there I will accquaint you further Alcippe hearing this answered her with a regardlesse look that he would be there and he failed not For as soon as night came he went to the place appointed where he tarried not long for the old woman who mufled up in a taffatle hood took him aside and said unto him Young man thou art the happiest man alive in the affection of the fairest Lady and greatest beautie in all this Court whom upon such conditions as I shall require if thou wilt thou shalt enjoy and receive fullnesse of delight Young Alcippe hearing this faire offer asked who the Lady was First said she you must promise never to enquire her name but to keep your happy fortune extreamly secret the next condition is that you let me blind your eyes when I conduct you to her Alcippe told her that as for enquiring her name and keeping secresy he would most willingly consent but as for his being blinded he would never suffer it What dost thou fear man said she I fear not any thing answered he but I would have mine eyes at liberty Fond young man said the old woman what a novice yet thou art Canst thou find a heart to slight such a fair opportunity upon such easie conditions Come come never dorr at it nor doubt any danger where is the courage that thy presence promiseth can any imaginary perill affright thee from a most certain happinesse Then seeing him un willing Cursed be thy mother said she who brought thee forth thou hast thy countenance thy courage more from her then thy father Young Alcippes could not hear the language of this angry old woman without laughing and afterwards bethinking himselfe what enemyes he had he resolved to go along with her provided she would let him weare his sword and so he suffered her to hood wink him and conduct him whether she would I should be too long and tedious Madam should I relate every particular of this night but after many turnings and windings and perhaps severall times one way he was brought into a chamber where blindfold he was undressed by this old woman and got into bed A little after came the Lady who sent for him and went to bed unto him where after the light was taken away she did unmuffle his eyes but do what he could he could not draw one syllable from her So as he rose the next morning and knew not who his bedfellow was onely he imagined her to be young and fair and an hour before day she who brought him thither came to conduct him back again with the same ceremonies And it was agreed between them that whensoever he was to come again he should find a little stone in a corner of the Piazza the same morning Whilst these things thus passed Alcippes Father dyed so as he was sole Master of himself and had not the commands of Amarillis restrained him perhaps he might have retired himselfe into a Country life again For all the favours of this unknowne Lady could not drive her out of his mind The great gifts which he often received from her could not do it nor could the favours of Pimander and Amasis which he had obtained have retained him from the woods But it being hard for a young spirit to keep any thing secret long
hath captivated She said this as twitting her with the infidelitie of Agis who once Loved her and either out of jealousie or some two monthes absence was quite changed also upbraiding her with Polemas who was stolne from her by another beauty which Leonida understood very well and thus replied I must confesse Sister that my cords are easily untyed and the easier because I would never take so much paines as to tye them faster Celadon hearkned unto their pretty quarrells with much delight and to the end they should not end too soon he said unto Silvia fair Nymph since it seemes you are the cause why this admirable Fountaine cannot be seen I beseech you oblige us so far as to tell us how it came to passe Celadon answered the Nymph and smiled you have businesse enough at home and need not meddle much in that of others but if your Love will allow of so much curiositie Leonida if you request her may perhaps tell you the end as she did undesired the beginning Sister answered Leonida since you permit me to tell the story I Love you so well as I will not let your victories be unknowne especially those which you so much desire should be knowne But because I will not tyre this shepherd I will be as brief as possible I can Not for that reason I beseech you said the shepherd but if you will because she may have time enough to do the like office for you Never doubt that replied Silvia but according as she useth me I shall know how to repay her Thus from their own mouthes Celadon was acquainted with all the particulars of their lives and to the end he might the better hear as they walked they placed him in the mindst and thus Leonida began The History of Silvia WHosoever saith that Love is sufficient to procure Love againe never had any experience either in the eyes or the courage of this Nymph for if they had they would have known that as water runs from the fountaine so the Love of such as Love her run away and never troubleth her If when you have heard the discourse I intend to make you do not acknowledge as much I will freely give you leave to taxe my judgement Amasis the mother of Galathea hath a Son called Clidaman owner of as many excellent qualities as any person of his age and ranke is capable of for he is exquisite at any thing which relates either to Arms or Ladyes About three years agoe to give some testimonie of his gentle disposition and by the permision of Amasis he gave a servant unto all the Nymphs and this not by election but lot for having put the names of all the Nymphs into one basin and the names of all the young Caveliers into another then in an open assembly the basin in which the Nymphs were was presented to the young Gallants and the basin in which the young Gallants were was presented unto the Nymphs Then by the sound of several trumpets the young Clidaman did draw his lot and it chanced to be Silvia afterwards the young Nymph did draw her lot and it chanced to be Clidaman Great were the applaudes which every one gave but the behaviour of Clidaman was most extolled who as soon as he had received his lot went and kneeling down before this Nymph did kiss her fair hand She out of modesty would not have suffered it without the command of Amasis who said it was the least homage she could receive After her all the rest took their chances to some it happned according to their desires and to others not Galatheas fortune fel upon a brave Gallant called Lindamor who then was newly returned from the armie mine fell upon one whose name was Agis the most perfidious and unconstant wethercock that ever was Some of these who took their fortunes did only in appearance like their chances others did with their hearts ratifie what fortune had done and those who were most pleased with their chances were such as before that had conceived some seeds of affection Amongst the rest young Ligdamon was one whose lot light upon Silera a Nymph truly very amiable but not to him who had already disposed of his heart And certainly it was happy for him that he was then absent for he would never have performed that faigned homage which Amasis would have commanded that perhaps would have brought him into disgrace For you must know that he was brought up amongst us and was so faire and handsome in all his actions as every one esteemed him especially Silvia they being both of an age At first their ordinary conversation begot a Love like unto that between Brothers and Sisters such a Love as their age was capable of but as Ligdamon grew in years so he did in affection so as at fourteen or fifteen years of age his wil began to change it self into desires and his desires by degrees became passions Yet he carried the matter so discreetly that Silvia her selfe had never knowne it if she had not forced him unto it Afterwards when he knew his disease and confidered what smal hopes there was of his cure then the mirth and pleasantnesse which was wont to be in his lookes and all his actions was turned into sadnesse and from sadnesse into such lumpish melancholy that every one took notice of the alteration Silvia was not the last of those who asked him the reason but she could draw nothing from him but heartlesse answers At last when she saw his dulnesse continued one day when she was complaining against the coldnesse of his affection and obliging him to conceale nothing from her she perceived that he could not so well constraine himselfe but that a sad sigh came out in lieu of an answer This moved her to beleeve that perhaps Love was the cause of his ill Did not poor Ligdamon carry the matter very discretly all the while in all his actions since she could never imagine her self to be the cause Perhaps the Nymphes humour not liking the businesse was partly the cause however his prudence was great that could conceal such ardent affection Now Silvia begins to urge him more then she did before and told him that if Love was the cause she would contribute all her assistance and do all the good offices he could desire The more he denied it the more desirous was she to know it at last not being able to hold any longer he confessed that it was Love but said that he had sworn never to tell with whom T is most high presumption said he to love her but being compelled to it by such an unresistable beauty I am the more excusable yet should I name her what excuse could I find for my rashnesse The same excuse that your friendship to me hath said Silvia Then Madam replied Ligdamor that and your command together shall plead my excuse do but look in that glasse and you will see what you desire to know Upon this
he took up a little glasse which she wore and held it before her eyes You may imagine how she was surprised at this and she hath since swore unto me that she verily beleeved it to be Galathea whom he adored Whilst he stood amazed in contemplation of her she stood amazed at her own simplicity she was very angry with him but more with her selfe that she should be so simple as to force this manifesto of Love from him Yet all her haughty spirit would not permit her to condemne Ligdamor but she did rise up upon a sudden and without a word went away full of rage that any mortall durst presume to Love her Proud beauty that thinks none worthy of thee Faithful Ligdamor stayes still but without soul like an immoveable statue At last recollecting himselfe he got to his lodging as well as he could out of which he stirred not a long time for Silvias cold entertainment of his affection did so pierce his heart that he fell sick and when none hoped for any life he writ this Letter unto her Lygdamors Letter to Silvia Madam THe losse of my life had not been sufficient to discover unto you the rashnesse of your servant without your expresse command If you conceive that it was my duty to die and he silent then you must consider that your fairest eyes ought to have lesse power over me for if at the very first summons their beauty forced me to surrender up my soul what power is able to resist when they do peremptori ie command Yet if I have offended in offering my heart unto your beauty a thing of so poor a value unto a Deitie of so much merit I will in satisfaction of the fault sacrifice my life unto you and never so much as grieve for the losse of it since it displeased you This Letter was brought unto Silvia when she was alone in her chamber but I came in immediatly after and indeed happily for poor Ligdamor For observe the humour of this Nymph she conceived such a hatred against him ever since he discovered his affection to her as their former friendship is not only out of mind but she hates him and is so carelesse of him that when she heares any lamenting desparing of his recovery she is no more moved then if she had never seen him I who particularly took notice of it did not know what to think unless that her youth might make her forget absent persons but at this time when I saw her refuse the Letter which came from him then I knew there was some fallings out betweene them Therefore I took up the Letter which she refused and which the boy who brought it had by his Masters command left upon the table Silvia lesse subtile then she might have been ran after me and desired me not to read it I am resolved to see it said I though for no other reason but because you forbid it Then she began to blush and said deare sister do not read it I beseech you oblige me and let it alone I conjure you to it by our friendship what can the businesse be answered I which you thus conceale from me Beleeve it Silvia if you use any dissimulations to hide your matters from me it will fill me so full of curiositie as to discover you Why sister said she may I not hope well in your discretion No more said I then I can in the sinceritie of your affection After a long wrangling about this Letter I made her sweare to tell me all upon condition of secrecy Then she told me what I have told you concerning Ligdamor and at this very hour said she he troubles me with his Letters but what have I to do with his complaints or rather dissimulations Nay answered I they are not dissimulations but truthes Suppose they be said she what have I to do with his follies You are obliged answered I to help such miserable men as you have throwne downe a precipice What helpe can I bring said she must I not live in the world Why is he where I am Would you have me run away when he comes in presence Let him keep at home and I shall never trouble him All these excuses answered I are of no validitie for doubtlesse you are an accessary if not a principal in his misery had you fewer perfections were you lesse amiable did you not a use so much care in your dresse beleeve it he had never been brought to this extremity Very good said she and laughed you are very pleasant in charging me with these faults what would you have me to be if you would not have me to be what I am Do you not know Silvia answered I that whosoever sharpens a sword in a mad mans hand is culpable of all the harme he doth That beauty which the heavens hath bestowed upon you so liberally hath had a sharp edge set upon by you so as no eye can look upon it without a wound may not you be justly taxed with all the murders which your cruelty commits Silvia you ought not to be so faire and full of perfections unlesse you studie to make your selfe as good as you are fair and get as much sweetnesse into your soul as heavens have put into your face but alas you are so farre from healing that you are full of nothing but rigour and cruelty The reason why I was so passionate in defence of Ligdamor was besides a relation of kindred never any knew him but loved him and I had heard unto what a pittifull condition he was brought Then after much discourse to this purpose I opened the Letter and read it aloud that she might hear it But it had no more operation upon her than upon a stone which I much wondred at and perceived that I must use some violent remedies which did induce me to tell her that whatsoever came on it I would not have Ligdamor perish Well Sister said she since you are so pittifull I may cure him It is not upon me answered I that his cure depends but you but I assure you if you continue towards him as formerly you have I shall spite you with a very notable displeasure For Amisis shall know it and I will tell it to every one I meet In short I Love Ligdamor and will not see him dye if I can hinder it You say very well Leonida said she in a fret these are the good offices I ever expected from your friendship My friendship said she shall be as much to you as him and shall be for you against him if he were in the wrong Here we made a long pause and spoke not a word At last I asked her what her resolution was What you will said she so you will not publish the follies of Ligdamor for though I cannot be charged with any crime yet I should be sorry the businesse should be divulged Oh Silvia cryed I out this is an excellent humour you are afraid it should
be known that a man Loves you but you are not afraid to murder a man Come come looke a little better on Ligdamor give him as much hope as may make him recover then afterwards use him as you please so you let him live Write two lines of a little comfort to him I had much adoe to obfaine this favour from her yet I still did threaten to tell all if she did not but after a long debate she writ thus unto him Silvia's Answer unto Ligdamor Ligdamor IF there be any thing in you which can please me it is your life most and your death least the acknowledgment of your fault hath given me full satisfaction and I desire no other revenge for your presumption then the paines you have endured Beware for the time to come Adien and Live And I writ these words at the bottom of her Letter to the end he might hope the more having so good a second Leonida's Postcript in Silvia's Answer LEonida did put the pen into the hand of this Nymph Love would have it so your justice did invite me to it her duty did exact it but her obstinacy made a strong resistance this is the first favour I ever obtained for your live to enjoy it and hope well in the interim This Letter came very opportunely for when he had hardly so much strength as to read it he found a command from Silvia to live and when he was resolved never to use any more remedies yet in obedience to this Nymph he ordered himselfe so as in a short time he mended But for all that this fair peece of cruelty was still as cold as ice towards him when he was recovered the most favorable answere he ever could obtaine from her was I Love you not neither do I hate you let this satisfie you that of all those who serve me you displease me the least When either he or I made any addresses to her she gave us such cruell language as is unimaginable by any but she and insupportable to any but Ligdamor But to abbreviate this discourse Ligdamor loved her and courted her ever since without any other appearance of hope but what I have told you till Clidaman by Lot be-became her servant And had he not known by me that Clidaman fared no better then he in her affection I know not what would have become of him But though this did a little comfort him yet the grandure of his rivall infused some fits of jealousie I remember when once I told him that he need not fear Clidaman he returned me this answer Fair Nymph said he I will ingeniously tell you from whence my jealousie proceeds and judge you whether or no I am in the right I have had such long experience of Silvia as I must needs know that fidelity of affection nor extremity of Love will never move her so as doubtlesse such motives will never move her yet as I have learned from the reverend Adamas your Unckle every one is subject unto some fatall stroke which they cannot avoide when they are once touched by it what can I imagine will subject this fair one except it be grandure and power Therefore I do fear it is the fortune and not the merits of Clidaman will win her his grandure and not his affection will carry her But certainly in this he was in the wrong for neither the Love of Ligdamor nor the grandure of Clidaman could ever move the least spark of goodwill in Silvia I beleeve Love reserves her for an example unto others intending to punish so much disdaine by some unaccustomed way At this time there chanced a very notable testimonie of her beauty or at least the power she had to make her selfe loved Upon that Festivall which every yeare was celebrated the sixth day of the Moon in July on which Amasis was wont to offer a solemne sacrifice as well by reason of the feast as because it was the birth day of Galathea in the midst of the sacrifice there came into the Temple a number of men in the morning amongst them was one so full of noble Majesty as it was easy to imagine that he was Master to the rest He was so sad and melancholy as it was evident somthing did much afflict his soul His habit was deep black trayling upon the ground which did eclipse the handsomenesse of his proportion his head was bare his hair fair and curling as bright as Sun beames which attracted the eyes of every one upon him He came up as farre as the lowest step of the Throne where Amasis did sit and after an humble reverence he retired again waiting untill the sacrifice was ended and whether to his good or bad fortune I know not he seated himselfe directly opposite unto Silvia He no sooner cast his eyes upon her but he knew her though he had never seen her before but for more suerty he asked one of his servants who knew us all who answered only with a deep sigh Afterwards as long as the ceromony lasted he never took his eyes off her At last the sacrifice being ended Amasis returned to her Palace where when audience was permitted him he spake thus MADAM Though the mourning you see in my habit be much blacker in my soul yet it cannot equall the cause but though my losse be extreame yet I do not thinke I am the only loser for you Madam from amongst your faithfull servants are lessed of one who perhaps was not the least affectionate nor the most unprofitable in your service This consideration gave me some hopes of obtaining a revenge of his death against the homicide but as soon as ever I entred into the Temple I lost all my hopes thinking that if the desire of revenge did die in me who am a Brother to the injured it would sooner die in you Madam who have lesse relation to him Yet because I see the armes of my Brothers murderer already prepared against me I shall as briefly as possible tell you the Fortune of him whom I mourn for Though Madam I never had the honour to be known unto you yet I am confident that at the name of my Brother who never lived but in your service you will list me in the catalogue of your most devoted servants His name was Aristander both of us Sonnes unto the great Clemir who in your service did so often visit Tiber Reine and Danube I being the younger by nine yeares as soon as he saw me capable of bearing armes he sent me into the Armie of the great Merovea the delight of men the most pleasing Prince that ever came in Gaule I cannot well tell you why he rather sent me to Merovea then to Thierry King of the Visigots or to the King of the Burgundians Yet I conceave his reason was because I should not serve a Prince so neer your Dominions whom Fortune might make your enemy My fate was this that Childerick his Son a warlike Prince and of great
make such deep wounds He vexed me to see him in this condition and to enquire further of things I went unto Silvia but she protested that she knew not what they meant At last after a reading of these verses two or three times she lifted up her hand to her head finding her bodkin not there she begun to laugh and say her bodkin was lost that some or other had found it and that Ligdamon knew of it She had no sooner said so but Clidaman came into the Hall with this murdering sword in his hand I intreated her to let him have it no longer I will first try his discretion said she afterwards I will use all the power I have with him She was as good as her word for as soone as he came she said unto him This sword is mine He answered so Madam is he that hath it I would have it said she I wish with all my soul said he you would have all that 's yours Will you not restore it said the Nymph how can I will any thing replied â—e since I have no will at all What have you done with that which you had said she You Madam have ravished it from me said he and at this very minute it is changed into yours Since it is so said she that your will is mine you must restore the bodkin because my will is so Since I would the some that you would said he it must of necessity follow that I would have it also Silvia smiled a little but at last she said I would have you give it me I also said he would have you give it me Then the Nymph put out her hand and took it I will never deny you said he though you would have me and all Thus Silvia receaved her sword and I writ this Note unto Ligdamon Leonida's Letter unto Ligdamon Ligdamon THat which you thought to be a favour conferred upon your Rivall was only ravished and when the owner know of it she took it from him againe Judge you how things are the favours which your Rivall hath proceed from ignorance and his disfavours from deliberation Thus was Ligdamon cured not by the same hand but by the same sword which wounded him In the meane time Guyamants affection grew to this height as it was little short of Aristanders On the other side Ligdamon under the colour of Complement did suffer a most passion at Love to plant it selfe in his soul After that both of them had vyed which should most please Silvia and found that she did equally favour and frown upon them both they resolved one day to try which of them was most in favour and to that end they both came to Silvia from whom they both received such cold answeres that the controversie could not be decided Then by the counsel of a Druide who was grieved to seetwosuch men unprofitably lose that time which might better be spent in defence of their countryes they went unto the Fountain of the veritie of Love You know what the property of that water is and how it discovers the most secret thoughts of Lovers for he who lookes into it shall there see his Mistris and if she Love him he shall see himselfe by her but if she Love another then that other shall appear Clidaman was the first which presented himselfe before this Fountain he kneeled downe upon the ground kissed the side of the Fountain and after he had implored the Angell of the place to be favorable unto him he leaned a little over immediatly Silvia was seen so admirably fair that the transported Lover could not chuse but stoope to kisse her hand but his contentment was soone cooled when he saw no body by her He retired with a perplexed mind and after a discontented pause he beckned unto Guyamant to come and try his fortune He having with all requisite ceremonies prayed unto the Dietie of the place did cast his eye upon the Fountain but he fared no better then Clidaman for Silvia alone appeared and with her fair eyes seemed to burn the water Both of them much amazed at the matter they went to a Druide who was highly versed in Magique and asked the cause He answered that the reason was because Silvia loved neither of them nor any else as being capable of burning others but not of burning herselfe They who could not beleeve themselves to be so much out of favour as they looked severally before so now they would returne and looke in the water both together and though both of them leand over on severall sides yet the Nymph appeared alone The Druide saw them retire and smiled telling them that they might certainly beleeve themselves not loved for said he you must know that as all other waters do represent the body this represents the spirits Now the spirit which is only the will the memorie and the judgment when it loves is transformed into the thing loved And therefore when you present your selfe here it receives the figure of your spirit and not of your body and your spirit being changed into Silvia it represents Silvia and not you If Silvia loved you she would have been changed as well into you as you into her and so representing your spirit you should see Silvia and seeing Silvia changed by Love as I told you you should see your selves also Clidaman listned very attentively unto this discourse and considering that the conclusion was an assurance of that which he most feared he drew his sword and struck two or three times as hard as he could upon the Marble of the Fountain His sword broke in two and left no impression or signs of his blows but still striving to break the stone like an angry dogge which bites the stone which is thrown at him the Druide told him that he lost his labour for the inchantment of the place would never end by force but by extremity of love but if he would make it uselesse he could inform him of a way Clidaman had brought up for rarity in great Iron Cages two Lyons and two Unicornes which he often baited with severall sorts of Animals These the Druide begged for guards of the Fountain and so enchanted them aâ— though they ranne at libertie yet they would never go â—rom the entrance into the grate nor will they ever offer any hurt unlesse to such as will attempt upon the Fountain but such as will be so adventurous they assault with extream fury for the Lions are so great and terrible their Clawes so long and sharp they are so nimble and active and so unimated unto this defence as is incredible Again the Unicomes have Hornes so sharp and strong as they will pierce the hardest Rock and do thrust with such force and nimblenesse as none can escape them Assoon as this guard was placed Clidaman and Guyamant went to travell and departed so secretly that neither Amasis nor Silvia knew of it untill they were gotten a great way from them They went
of this Nymphs cruelties and Ligdamon's patiences I do relate the faster they come into my memorie When Clidaman as I told you before was to travell Amasis would have the greatest part of the young Gallantry in this Country to go along with him under the conduct of Lindamour amongst the rest Ligdamon being a most accomplished Caveliere he was not omitted But this cruel Mistrisse would not so much as daigne him an Adien but faigned her selfe sick Yet he would by some meants or other first let her know of it and thereup on writ these verses unto me Upon a Departure Since Love will have me live and die Within his scorching flames then why Should I thus fatally depart From her that solely has my heart I answered him The reason of it is fond Boy That thou maist find a fuller joy Dost thou not know the Phoenix came From Ashes when he dyed in flame He had thought himselfe very happy in this answer but this cruell one finding me writing this and being unwilling to do him any good or suffer another she snatcht away the paper by force out of my hand telling me that these flatteries wherewith I fed Ligdamon did make him so full of follie and that he had more reason to complain against me then her Then she writ thus unto him Silvia's answer The Phoenix from the Ashes came But first he died in the flame If Presence ineffectnall prove Absence will never conquer Love Ice will not thaw by cold when heat No conquest over it cold get You may imagine with how much contentment he departed it was a kind of happiness to him that he had been so long beforehand accustomed to such blows and that he remembred this Maxime that the disfavours of a Mistris must often passe for favours I well remember that upon this discourse he thought himselfe the happiest lover in the world imagining that the disfavours of Silvia were arguments that she held him in her memorie that she took him to be her servant and that since she did not treat all the rest of her servants in the like measure it was to be thought that this was the coyne in which she payed such as she esteemed hers and therefore he ought to cherish it since it had her stamp upon it and upon this subject he sent me these Lines A Sonnet My Soveraigne beautie does intend to try The height and depth of my fidelity By things impossible and farre above Performances of any humaine Love And well since she will ha'te so I 'me content For so she 'l see the bottomlesse extent Of my affection which is like a Well That with unfathomable waters swell The more she strives to pumpe and draw me dry The more shee 'l see my Loves eternitie The Fountainwhence I draw affection Is her fair selfe and her perfection Then try me fairest to eternity The more you 'l find I Love the more you try Leonida had continued her discourse had she not seen Galathea comming who after she had been by her selfe alone a long while and not being able any longer to be out of her shepherds sight she dressed her self to as much advantage as her glasse could advise her and so came without any other company but the little Merill she was very fair and worthy to be beloved of any whose heart was not forestalled by anothers affection At this very time Celadons stomack began to be very ill so as they were all constrained to retire and the shepheard went to bed which he kept a long time as being neither very sick nor very well Galathea who in good earnest was in love as long as Celadon's sicknesse lasted she scareely stirred from his bed and when she was constrained to go away either to rest her self or do any other businesse she left Leonida with him and charged her to take all occasions of letting the shepheard know her good-will towards him thinking by this means to infuse such hopes in him as his qualitie might perhaps forbid him And certainly Leonida did not fail her for though she wished with all her heart that Lindamor might thrive in his desires yet since the hopes of her advancement depended wholly upon Galathea her designe was wholly to please and comply with her But Love which often useth to make himselfe merry at the prudence of Lovers and is pleased to thwart their intentions did make Leonida by the conversation of this shepheard to stand more in need of one to speak for her then she to speak for another The shepheard quickly perceived it But his affection to Astrea for all her harshnesse would not permit him to suffer this growing affection with patience This was the reason that he resolved to take his leave of Galathea assoon as he began to be a little better But assoon as ever he mentioned any such offer How Celadon said she unto him has your entertainment by me been so bad that you would be gone before you be recovered And when he answered That it was because he was troublesome to her because of some businesse of her own also to assure his Parents and friends of his health and therefore he desired to return home unto his own Village Then she interrupted him saying No no Celadon never fear any troubling of me and as for your businesse and friends it is no matter me thinks your greatest businesse should be to satisfie your obligations unto me and it will be high ingratitude in you not to spend each minute of that life which you hold of me in my service besides you must not for the time to come cast your eyes upon so low a thing as your life past You must leave your Village and your Flocks to such as want those merits which you have and for the future look upon me who can and will recompence you to the height if your actions do not take away my good-will unto you Though the shepheard seemed as if he did not understand the meaning of this language yet he did and therefore he avoided talking with her in private as much as possibly he could and he did so much disgust this kinde of life that being one day almost out of all patience when Leonida heard him sigh she asked him the reason since he was in a place where nothing was more studied then his contentment Fair Nymph answered he amongst all the miserable wretches of Fortune I may professe my selfe the most coorsly treated for others may grieve and enjoy so much comfort as to complain but this is denyed me for my misery is shadowed with a Mask of happinesse and therefore in lieu of pittie I am rather blamed and taxed for a man of shallow judgment But if you and Galathea knew what bitter wormwood I do meet 〈…〉 in this place happy truly unto all but me I am confident you would bestow some pitty â—pon my life What is it you would have said she that will comfort you Nothing 〈◊〉 he unlesse you will get
this my discourse is that I do think very fit to finde out some good remedie and that I can conceive no better expedient then the interposition and mediation of my Uncle who by his prudence and good counsell may happily do some good upon her Sister answered Silvia I do extreamly like your advice and that you may have more time to bring Adamas unto her I will return and tell her that I have been at the house of Adamas but found neither him nor you 'T is very well replyed Leonida and it will not be amisse if we go and rest our selves under some hedge that it may seem as if you had been longer seeking me Also to tell you truly I am so tired that if I will get to my journeyes end I must sleep a little Come then said Silvia and believe it is a good work for your selfe if you can get Celadon from amongst us for I do foresee by Galathea's humour that his stay here in a little time may cause you a great deal of displeasure And so looking about for a convenient place where they might passe away part of the day they spied a place on the other side of Lignon which seemed to be very fit for that purpose so as passing over at the Bridge of Botereux and leaving Bonlieu the house of the Vestalls and Druides on the left hand and walking down the River they came to a handsom thicket of wood where they both slept together As they were thus reposing themselves Astrea Diana and Phillis did accidentally drive their flocks unto the same place and never seeing the Nymphs they sat down by them And as that friendship which reseth out of adversitie is often more firme then that of prosperitie so Diana had contracted a most firme league with Astrea and Phillis since the disaster of Celadon and such a correspondency was grown between them that they were every day together And certainly Astrea stood in need of all consolation for almost at one and the same time she lost Alces her Father Hippolita her Mother Hippolita died of a fright when she heard that Astrea was fallen into the water and Alces dyed for griefe at the losse of his deer Wife But these losses were a kinde of comfort unto her for under the umbrage of mourning for her Father and Mother she could lament the losse of Celadon Now as I told you before Diana the Daughter of prudent Belinda to perform the rites of neighbourhood did go often unto Astrea and found her humours so pleasing and she hers and Phillis both that they vowed eternall friendship and never since could seperate This was the first day Astrea came out of her Chamber since her sad disasters and she was no sooner set down but she espied Semires coming towards her This shepheard had been long in love with Astrea and knowing that she loved Celadon he caused this sedition betwixt them conceiving that if he could once get rid of Celadon then he should with ease step into his steed And now he came unto her in hopes to advance his designe but he was much mistaken for Astrea having smelt out his subtletie she conceived such an inveterate hatred against him that assoon as she saw him she put her hand before her eyes as unwilling to look upon such a base impostor and desired Phillis to go and tell him from her that she could not endure his company These words were pronounced with so much vehemency as her companions plainly perceived her great animositie against him which made Phillis more hasty in running towards this shepheard When he heard this message he was so Planet-struck as he seemed absolutely immovable At last being conscious and stung with the bitter sense of his own errour he said unto her Discreet Phillis I must needs ingenuously confesse that the heavens are most just in punishing a heart with more griefe then it is able to endure I cannot chuse but sadly say that the chastisement cannot equall the offence since I have destroyed the most perfect league of friendship that ever was But to the end the gods may stop their vengeance I beseech you tell that fair shepheardesse I most cordially beg a pardon both from her and the ashes of Celadon and assure her that the extream affection which I bore unto her was the only cause of my fault But I will go and all my life long lament I have offended her and those fair eyes which are so justly incensed against me After these words he went away so dismally dejected that his repentance moved some pitty in the heart of Phillis who being returned to her companions related all his answer unto them Alas alas dear Sister said Astrea what sad cause have I to flie from this fatall villain for 't is he he only that is the cause of all my miserie How Sister said she Semires the cause has he had such power over you If I durst relate his villanie and my own simplicitie said Astrea I should tell you that he hath used the most cunning artifice that ever any subtle wit could invent Diana believing that it was by reason of her that she would not speak more clearly unto Phillis since their familiarity was not above seven or eight daies old she turned towards the sad Astrea and said Fair Shepheardesse you will give me occasion to think you do not love me if you use lesse freedome towards me then towards Phillis for though I have not been so long happy in your acquaintance as she hath yet you may be as confident of my affection as of hers Phillis then answered I assure my selfe that Astrea does speak as freely before you as to her own selfe for she cannot be halfe a friend and since amitie is vowed betwixt your I believe she will open the very closset of her heart unto you Most certainly I will said Astrea but the reason why I would speak no more of that sad businesse was only because I would not too much vex a wound with too much rubbing upon it If that be all replied Diana I should think that free imparting a misery unto a friend is halfe the cure and if I durst use so much free boldnesse as to desire it nothing would give me greater satisfaction then to know the Historie of your life which in requitall I will repay with a relation of my own whensoever you shall command it Since it is your desire replied Astrea I shall make you a sharer in my miserable storie but with much brevitie unlesse it were fuller of good fortune then it is So all three sitting round she thus began The History of Astrea and Phillis THose who are of opinion that loves and hates do hereditarilie descend from Father to Son did they but know what hath been Celadons Fortune and mine doubtlesse would confesse themselves mistaken For Fair Diana perhaps you have heard of the implacable emnitie that was between Alces and Hippolyta my Father and Mother and Alcippes
cover which reacheth from the middle to the knee and because some abuse had formerly been by some shepheards who used to mixe themselves amongst the shepheardesses it was ordained by publique Edict that he who should commit the like crime should without remission be stoned by the Maides at the gates of the Temple but so it was that this young Boy never considering the extream danger of it did this day dresse himselfe in the habit of a shepherdesse and putting himselfe into our company was taken for a maide Then as if fortune was resolved to favour him my name and Malthea and Stella were written upon the Apple and when they came to draw the name that was to represent Paris I heard Orithea named which was the name that Celadon took upon him Heavens knowes whether his soul was not infinitly joyed to see his designe thrive so well At the last we were conducted into the Temple where the Judge being set upon his Throne the dores shut and we three only within with him we began according to the Law to undresse our selves and because each apart did go and speak unto the Iudge and offer as heretofore the three Goddesses did unto Paris Stella was the quickest to undresse her selfe and did first present her selfe whom the Judge did a while contemplate and after a full hearing what she would say for her selfe he caused her to retire and give place unto Malthea who was forwarder in undressing her selfe then I was for I being much ashamed to shew my selfe so naked I trifled out the time as much as I could Celadon unto whom time seemed too long and after he had slightly looked upon Malthea seeing I did not come he called me so since constrained I went But Oh Heavens how much ashamed am I to think upon it My haire was dishevel'd and almost covered me over which all the ornament I had was the Garland which the day before he had given me When the rest were retired and he saw me in this then dresse before him I observed that he changed colour two or three times but I could not yet so much as suspect the cause For my part shame had so dyed my cheeks with a fresh colour that he has since vowed unto me he never saw me fairer and could have been well contented to have spent the whole day in this contemplation but fearing to be discovered he was constrained to abridge his delight And seeing I said nothing unto him for shame had tyed up my tongue Why fair Star said he unto me do you think your cause so good that as the rest have done you need not plead it before your judge No Orithia answered I I will submit unto Stella and Malthea both as well in beautie as in Rhetorick so as had not customobliâ—ged me to come I should never have appeared before you in any hopes to win the prise But if you do carry it from them both answered the shepheard what remuneration may I expect from you I shall then think said I unto him that I have more then I do deserve What said he is this all the offer that you make I know not what to offer said I unto him that deserves a reception and therfore you must first aske Then swear unto me said the shepheard that you will give me what I shall aske and my judgement shall be in your advantage After I had promised that I would he asked a lock of my hair for a Bracelet which I gave him and after he had lapt it up in a paper he said unto me now Astrea I will keep this hair as a testimonie of this oath which you have taken to the end that if ever you break it I may offer it unto the Goddesse Venus and beg revenge That is but superfluous answered I since I am fully resolved never to faile in it Then with a smiling countenance he said unto me the gods be praised my fairest Astrea that my designe hath so happily prospered for know that the thing which you have promised is to Love me better then any in the world and to receive me as your most fathfull and vowed Servant who am Celadon and not Orithea as you imagine the very same Celadon that in spight of all old emnities betwixt our Parents is so infinitly devoted yours as he will rather die at the dore of the Temple then not give a testimony of his affection unto you Imagine wise Diana in what a perplexitie I was now in Love did forbid me from taking revenge yet shame did animate me against Love at last after a confused dispute with my self I could not possibly consent to make him die because his offence proceeded only from his excesse of loving me but now knowing him to be a shepheard I could not any longer stay in his sight but without returning any answer I ran to my companions whom I found to be almost dressed and not well knowing what I did I dressed my self as soon as possibly I could But to be short when we were al ready the disguised Orithea stood at the threshold of the dore and having all three about him I do ordaine said he that the prise of beauty be given unto Astrea in testimonie whereof I do present unto her the golden apple let none ever doubt of my judgement for I have veiwed and examined her and finds her to be full of all perfection Upon these words he presented the apple unto me which I received with a troubled mind but more when he said unto me in a low voice take this apple as a pledge of my affection which like it is pure and endlesse To whom I answered be contented rash youth that I receive it only to save thy life which otherwise comming from thy hand I would refuse He could not reply for fear of being heard and known And because it was the custom that she who received the Ball should by way of thankes kiss the Judge I was constrained to kisse him But I assure you I was at this ceremonie almost ready to discover him Then the grand Druide caused me to be carried in a chair through all the croud with loud applauds and acclamations so as every one did wonder why I did not enjoy this honour with more alacrity for truly I was so confounded betwixt Love and Anger that I hardly knew what I did As for Celadon as soone as the ceremonies were done he thrust himself amongst the rest of the shepherds and by little and little without any notice taken got out of the croud and putting off his borrowed habit he assumed his own in which he came presently unto us with such confident lookes as none could ever suspect him For my part when I saw him again my heart was so full of shame and anger that it would scarcely let my eyes look upon him but he who did take a seeming regardlesse notice of it did find an occasion to accost me and in a loud voice said The Judge
and our Lignon is much obliged unto them since by their meanes it has the honour to have these two fair ones upon their bankes And if I have any judgement they only do merit the amitie of Astrea and therefore I do advise you to love them for by that short acquaintance I have had with them I do foresee you will receive much satisfaction in their familiarity I wish that one of them would daigne to look upon my Brother Lycidas with as much affection as I do And then fair Diana having but little acquaintance with you I answered him that my desire was he should rather become a servant unto Phillis and it hapned as I did wish for ordinarie discourse between them first begot a familiaritie and at last a Love in good earnest between them One day finding fit opportunitie for it he resolved to declare his affection to her and to couch the most Love in the fewest words he was able Fair one said he to her I hope you know your selfe so well as to beleeve that those who love you must needs love you infinitly It must be my actions only which must make my affection known unto you and at the first begge no more then an admittance into your favour Celadon and I were so neer as we could hear this declaration and also the answer which Phillis returned and which indeed was more sharp then I expected from her For she and I did long before know by the eyes and actions of Lycidas that he loved her and she did not dislike of it that at this time she answered him with so much sharpnesse that Lycidas was almost desperate and Celadon who loved his Brother very much being extreamly angry he should receive such a baffle he was halfe angry with me at which I could not chuse but laugh and at last tell him Never be so angry Celadon at this harsh answer which Lycidas hath received Phillis could do no lesse shepheards of these times do too much glorie in the easinesse of their Mistrisses but to the end you may see that I do very well know the humour of Phillis I will undertake to bring Lycidas into favour with her provided he will but practise a little patience and continue on his addresses I must confesse when first I spake unto her she was so shie as I knew not what to think but still hoped and resolved to win her with time But Lycidas he was out of all patience and resolved to give her over and Love her no longer upon which occasion he writ these verses Upon a resolution not to Love WHen I beheld those glorious eyes Triumphant in their Victories I did submit unto their darts As to the only Queen of hearts So lovely did they look and kinde As if no rigour I should finde But when it plainly does appear That cruelty it selfe is there 'T is time to shrink and fall away Rather than Tyranny obey For ever which will only prove Pusillanimitie not Love 'T is true her lustre has such arts As conquer can all human hearts But when resistance cannot doe Then flie and 't is discretion too 'T is better far to make retreat Then stay and have a sure defeat Lycidas had lost all hopes of ever obtaining and therefore as Phillis and I were walking according to our custom by the River side we found him writing with his Sheep-hook these ensuing verses upon a bed of Sand which when he was gone a little further for he saw us not we read The verses were these Upon no hopes of ever being Loved CAn it be thought the wanton winde will stay And whistle ever where it does to day Will any think these Letters in loose sand Can last and to eternity will stand If so then there is hopes my Love may finde Some sure foundation in her fleeting minde Away away with these fond hopes and think That sand and winde and she and all will shrink Afterwards we heard him break out into these dolefull expressions lifting up his eyes to Heaven O ye gods said he if you are angry with me because I do with more devotion adore the work of your hands then I do you I hope you will pardon that error which you your selves have caused Had it been contrary to your will that Phillis should be adored surely you would have made her with fewer perfections or else infused lesse knowledge of them into me Would it not be prophanation to offer lesse affection unto a Divinitie of such superlative excellencies as she is adorned with I believe this Shepheard continued in such discourses but I could not hear them for Phillis forcing me by the arme I went with her And when we were gone a little further I said unto her Stony-hearted Phillis why have you no more pitty upon this Shepheard that is ready to die for you Sister answered she the Shepheards of this Country are so full of dissimulation that their hearts do commonly denie what their tongues do promise And if you do well observe this Shepheard here you will finde him all Artifice and as for those expressions which now we have heard I do believe that when he espied us coming he set himself in the way purposely that we might hear his dissembling complaints otherwise had they not been better spoken unto us then to the aire and senslesse woods Sister said I you have forbidden him any addresses to you Even this answered she is a great argument of his little love to me Is any command of power enough to stop the current of a violent affection Believe it Sister Love that can bend is never strong Do you think I should have loved him lesse if he had disobeyed me But Sister said I unto her he has obeyed you and will you be angry with him for that It 's true Sister replied she he has obeyed me but let me tell you that I hold this obedience for very great disobedience and leaving off his adresses to me argues his passion very indifferent If I had not interrupted her I believe she would have continued her discourse much longer but because I much desired that Lycidas might finde better entertainment for Celadon's sake I told her that this kinde of discourse did become her towards Lycidas but not towards me Towards Lycidas it was allowable by way of tryall and I commended it but towards me it argued too much distrust to conceal any secret of her soul As for my part I would open all my heart unto her and therefore told her that since it was impossible but she must love some or other she could not make a better choice then of Lycidas since she might already gather most certain symptomes of his affection To which she answered that she never did nor would dissemble or conceal any of her thoughts from me but should be extreamly sorry I should have any such opinion of her And since I would have her entertain Lycidas she would obey me And hereupon Celadon
finding her afterwards with me brought her this Letter from his Brother which was indited by my advice The Letter of Lycidas unto Phillis Phillis IT is true that of late I have lodged my love in my heart and would not suffer it to appear either in my eyes or my words If in this I have done amisse then blame your own fair selfe who commanded it And if you do not believe I love you put me to what Test you please and you shall finde it better then by all my weak though reall expressions of words At last wise Diana after many a perswasive argument we brought things to that passe as Lycidas was entertained and ever since all foure of us have found much contentment in our lives and invented many a stratagem to colour our designes both by discourse and by writing one unto another Perhaps you have taken notice of a great Rock in the high way towards Rochell which without much ado cannot be ascended but when one is at the top there is no fear of any eye to discover And because it was neer the high way we made choice of it for our rendevouz if any did meet us we seemed as if we went on in the high-way but when the coast was clear we ascended 'T is true that this Rock being so neer the high way we were in some danger of being heard by passengers if we spoke any thing loud and therefore commonly Lycidas or Phillis were placed as guards to spie when any came And because businesse did sometimes so employ us as we could not every day meet in this place we used to write one to another and we made choice of another place of conveniercy in which we laid our Letters one to another In briefe wise Diana we used all possible waies to conceal our selves and Celadon and I did so seldome converse together in publick as many believed that Celadon's will was wholly changed for assoon as ever he saw Phillis then he made all his applications unto her and she again treated him with all possible complacency Also as soon as Lycidas appeared I left all other company to talk with him so as in a short time Celadon himselfe had a conceit that I loved Lycidas and I believed that he loved Phillis Phillis thought that Lycidas loved me and Lycidas believed that Phillis loved Celadon And thus unawares were we so intangled with these opinions as jealousie began by degrees to kindle amongst us The truth is said Phillis we were then but fresh Schollars in the School of Love for to what purpose was it to conceal a reall love and publish a false one was there not as much cause to fear the divulging of your love to Lycidas as your love to Celadon Sister sister said Astrea when a thing is not we never fear what people think of it But the contrary when it is then the least suspition of it puts all out of order But now continued she and turned to Diana jealousie had so seized upon all foure as I believe our lives had not been long if some good Genius had not inspired us to make all clear in the presence of one another It was now seven or eight daies since we saw each other at our Rocky rendevouz and the Letters which passed 'twixt Celadon and me were so different from the usuall strain as if they were writ by different persons At last as I told you some good Angel having care of us all foure did meet in one place where no other company was And Celadon whose affection had most vigour in it began thus to speak Fair Astrea did I think that time would cure a disease that raignes in me I would wait for that remedje but since I know the older it growes the more it will encrease I am forced to complain against you for the wrongs which you have done me and with more alacritie since I can do it before such Judges as are my peers When he would have gone on Lycidas interrupted him saying that his pain was greater then his Greater said Celadon that 's impossible for mine is extream And mine believe it said Lycidas is without any comparison Whilft the Shepheards were thus debating the matter I was upon Phillis and said Do you see Sister how these Shepheards complain of us Yes answered she but I believe we have greater cause to complain of them Though I am much incensed against Celadon said I unto her yet I am much more incensed against you who under a disguise of friendship which you seemed to bear unto him has drawn him from that affection which he bare unto me so as I may well say you have stollen him from me And because Phillis stood silently amazed at this and knew not what to answer Celadon addressed himselfe unto me and said Ahl fair Shepheardesse but as sickle as fair have you so soon lost the memory of all Celadon's services and your own vowes I cannot so much complain against Lycidas as against you for notwithstanding the consanguinity and amitie betwixt us your perfections might well make him a Traitor and forget his duty but me thinks it should be absolutely impossible that so long a service as mine and such a perfect affection should ever finde the least stain of inconstancy in your soul But admit that all in me was too little to deserve so great a happinesse how can you so far violate and dispence with your vowes as before my eyes to entertain a new affection At the same time Lycidas took Phillis by the hand and with a deep sigh said Oh fair hand to whom I had given up my soul can I live and see thee take possession of any heart but my own my owne I say that did deserve the same happinesse if ever any did deserve it by the most sincere and pure affection that ever was I could not hear any more what Lycidas said because I was constrained to answer Celadon Shepheard Shepheard said I unto him these words Fidelity and Affection are more conversant in your tongue then your heart and I have more reason to complain against you then hearken unto them but because now I do not care for any thing that comes from you I will not take so much pains as grieve at it that office is more fitly yours if your dissembling heart would give you leave to do it But Celadon since things are thus love on love Phillis still and serve her her vertues will deserve it and if I do afford thee a blush it is for anger that I should suffer my selfe to be so grosly deceived and for over-loving one that is so much unworthy of it as thy selfe Celadon was so much astonished at this that he stood stock still a long time could not answer one word which silence gave me leasure to hearken unto that answer which Phillis returned unto Lycidas Lycidas Lycidas said she unto him you that can call me sickle inconstant and I know not what you
accordingly and did court more then she was courted by much One day when he was gone into the woods to seeke a strayed sheep she met with her beloved shepheard and after some common discourse she laid her armes in a loving posture upon his shoulders and after she had kissed him thus said Dear shepheard what displeasing qualities are in me that I should never find the least demonstration of favour from you The reason is answered he and smiled because my favour is not worth the having Should those words proceed from any but your selfe said she I would say the speaker either wanted judgment or was blind But dear shepherd how must I Love you before I obtaine the blisse of being loved againe How many dayes must I spend in courting you before I find a returne I beleeve those shepheardesses who have the happinesse of your addresses are not more amiable then my selfe nor have any advantages above me unlesse in the enjoyment of your favour Olimpia uttered these words with so much zealous passion that Lycidas was startled and Fair Diana as oft as I think upon this passage I cannot chuse but laugh unlesse my sad disaster forbid it But however Phillis had commanded him to counterfeit Love of this Olimpia who thinking his favours to be in good earnest became ever since his scorne and having made so much use of her as served his own turn he fell to such a disdaining of her as that he could not endure to come nigh her But afterwards he came unto me with so many signes of discontent as I was perswaded that he did repent of his foolery but presently after Olimpia proved to have a bigge bellie and when she began to perceive it Phillis returned from her Journey and as I expected her with much impatience so I received her with abundance of joy But as it is ordinary for one to enquire of that which lyeth nearest the heart so Phillis after the first Salute asked me how Lycidas did and how he had behaved himselfe towards Olimpia Very well answered I and I am sure it will not be long before he make his appearance I did cut off this discourse as soon as I could lest I should say somthing which might prejudice Lycidas who for his part was not in a little perplexitie not knowing how to accost his shepheardesse but at last resolving to endure any torment rather then a banishment from her presence he came unto her lodging where he knew to find me And when Phillis saw him she runnes with open armes to salute him But he retreating thus said unto her Fair Phillis I have not so much boldnesse as to come neer you unlesse you will first pardon a fault which I have committed The shepheardesse thinking he meant his comming no sooner thus answered There 's nothing shall debarre me from the Salute of Lycidas and though his crimes were more then they are yet I would pardon them all Upon this word she went unto him and saluted him with abundance of affection But her joyes were a little quelled when he addressed himselfe unto me and desired me to accquaint his Mistrisse with his fault that he might know unto what punishment she would condenme him Not said he but that my sorrowes for offending her shall accompany me to my grave but because I would know my sentence This word made colour come into the face of Phillis beleeving now that the matter was of more moment then she expected Of which Lycidas taking notice Ah fair one said he I have not courage enough to hear your condemnation But pardon fair Mistriss if I leave you if my life displease you my death will satisfie for my crime then let me live no longer At this word he went away and though Phillis called him back yet he would not returne but pulled to the dore after him and left us two alone You may imagine it was not long before Phillis enquired what the matter was why he was in such a perplexity and without any long prologue I acquainted her laying all the fault on our selves who were so much unadvised as not to foresee that it was a piece of difficulty for such a young man to resist such a temptation also hinting unto her that the sin was not of so horrid a degree as to be impardonable At the first I could not mollifie her implacabilitie nor obtaine the pardon which I desired but a few dayes after Lycidas by my advice came and threw himselfe at her feet and because she would not look upon him she ran into another chamber and out of that into another still flying from Lycidas who still followed her and was resolved never to leave her untill he had obtained either his pardon or his death At last when she could go no further she stayed in her closet where Lycidas entring and shutting the dores after him he fell down at her feet speaking not one word but expecting her sentence But the importunity of this affectionate begger was more prevalent then all my perswasions For after she had a long time been there and not a syllable proceeded from either of them at last she said thus Go go troublesome man it is thy importunity and not thy selfe that has obtained a pardon Upon this blessed word he did rise and kiss'd her hand then came and opened the dore to shew me that he had got the victory then was he in as good a condition as ever and his Shepheardesse did so fully pardon him as seeing him much troubled to conceal the big belly of Olympia who now did swell so as it was visible to the eye she her self went to visit and assist her all that possibly she could This indeed said Diana and interrupted is a most strange testimony of affection this Phillis was too much and I must confesse my courage could never have brooked it By this you may judge at the height of my affection said Phillis It was rather a fault said Diana then superabundance of Love to pardon so easily an injury done against the Lawes of Love Oh Diana said Phillis you know better how to make others love you then how to love If so said Diana I am more obliged unto Heaven for it then for my life But however am I not able to judge of love unlesse I love my selfe No said Phillis you cannot be a competent judge for otherwise you will be of too hard a temper and cannot pardon as love requires For Love if it be rightly in tune resembles Musick consisting of severall parts which if all be well tuned makes a melodious harmony but if one part discord then all is harsh So cruell Diana perhaps you will say that after one hath gon through a long and pleasing service the first offence will spoile all the former services 'T is very true said Diana Oh heavens cryed out Phillis what a hard task hath he who loves you He who loves me replyed Diana must take heed he never
offends me in matter of affection and believe me Phillis you have done Lycidas more injury than he hath done you Then said Phillis and laughed heretofore I said that it was love that prompted me unto this act but hereafter I will say it was revenge and to such as are the most curious I will say it was for such a reason as I learned of you They will judge added Diana that heretofore you did love and now that you know what it is to love However answered Phillis if it be a fault it proceeds from ignorance and not from any defect in Love for I think my selfe obliged unto it but you that have been so long mute I pray tell us how I assisted to bring this child into the world Then Astrea replied thus Assoon as this Shepheardesse declared her selfe Lycidas did very confidently accept of her offer and sent a young Shepheard unto Moin to bring a Midwife from thence with her eyes blinded that she might not know whither she went Diana then as being astonished did put her finger to her mouth and said Shepheardesse this is not such a secret as you imagine for I remember I have heard of it I beseech you said Phillis tell us how you heard it that we may see how reports do jump I cannot tell added Diana whether or no I do well remember it the poor Philander was the relator and assured me that he had it from Lucina a Midwife One day as she was walking in the Park betwixt mount Brison and Moin with severall of her companions a young man came unto her whom she knew not and at first brought some commendations to her from some of her friends who were at Feurs and afterwards told her some particulars purposely to draw her from the rest of her company and when he had her alone he told her that a better occasion brought him thither and it was that for all pitties sake she would go and help an honest woman who without her aid was in very great danger The good woman was a little surprised at this but the young man conjured her to conceale her wonder for he would rather chuse a death then this businesse should ever be suspected Lucina being now a little better assured and promising she would be secret she asked him the time when she should be ready Prepare your selfe said the young man for a voyage of two months and to the end you may be no loser by the bargain here is as much mony as you can get any where else in that time Then he gave her some pieces of gold in a paper and asked her if she would go in the night And the woman finding her wages to be very good did answer him that she would go at what time he pleased About fifteen or sixteen daies after as she was comming out of Moin about five or six of the clock in the evening she saw him return with his face quite altered and coming to her he said Mother the time is come we must depart the horses are ready and necessitie requires haste She would have gone into her house to have taken order about some businesse but he would not let her lest she should tell any So going into a little private bottom close by the way side she saw two horses and a handsome man in black cloths who kept them Assoon as this man saw Lucina he came to meet her with a smiling face and after many thanks he set her on horseback behinde him who fetched her then getting upon another horse they set forward through the fields a good pace and when they were got a little off the Towne and night grew dark this young man pulled a handkercher out of his pocket and do what Lucina could he blindfolded her Then afterwards turning the horse halfe a score times round to the end she should not know which way they took they travelled a good part of the night she not knowing which way they carried her unlesse as she thought over a River two or three times then causing her to alight she walked a while on foot and as she could guesse through a Wood where she got a glimpse of light through the handkerchieffe which presently after they untied and then she found her selfe in a very fine Tent hung with Tapestry and made so close as no winde could come in on the one side she saw a handsome young woman lying in a little field bed groaning and crying out very loud but masked at the beds feet she saw another woman masked also who by her habit seemed to be well in years and held up her hands with tears in her eyes on the other side she saw a young Chamber maid masked holding a candle in her hand At this Tent dore stood the man who held the horses grieving much for the pain this woman was in and the other man behind whom she rid did fetch all things that was necessary You may easily imagine how much Lucina was amazed at all this for it is to be thought that this young woman thus in pain was in Labour and it was not long before she was delivered of a Daughter so as she being well brought to bed and the Child put into a Cradle Lucina's eyes were again blinded and after a full reward for her pains she was carried the same way she came And all this I received from Philander Astrea and Phillis harkened unto this tale very attentively and Phillis could not chuse but laugh which Diana seeing asked her the reason It is said she because you have told us a story which we are altogether ignorant of and for my part I cannot imagine who this should be for it cannot be Olympia but must of necessitie be some other Shepheardesse Truly answered Diana then I was mistaken I took that handsom man who held the horses for Lycidas that old woman for the Mother of Celadon and the Chamber-maid for you and imagined that you were all masked because you would passe unknown I assure you said Astrea it was not Olympia for Phillis used no other artifice but only to get Lucina unto her house for as fortune was Artemis was then from home And because Olympia was with Amarillis she was to faigne her selfe sick which as the case was with her she might easily do and desire some change of aire so she was to come unto Phillis who would be glad of her company Amarillis yielded to the desire and so Phillis came to fetch here And when her time drew neer Lycidas got the Midwife and blinded her eyes that she might be ignorant which way she went but when she was come to the house her eyes was then at liberty nor was Olympia or any masked imagining that the Midwife could not know any of their faces This was all the artifice that was used and when Olympia was well again she returned home Also we have been told since that she used a very fine device for the bringing up of
me did so revive him that in a few dayes he cheered up his countenance and came unto us yet not so soon but Alcippes dyed before his return and Amarillis followed him a few dayes after Then had we some hopes that fortune had shot her worst arrowes against us since they two who did most crosse our designes were dead but it did not so happen for the businesse of Corebes so continued that Alces Hippolita and Phocion did much trouble my tranquillity and yet our misery did not proceed from them though Corebes was partly the cause of it for when he came to make his addresses to me being very rich he brought many shepheards with him amongst which was Semires a shepheard truly of many excellent qualities but the most false and cunning man that ever lived as soon as ever he saw me his designe was to serve me not valuing the friendship twixt Corebes and him and since Celadon and I had agreed to dissemble it the better to colour our loves he to seeme as if he loved all shepheardesses and I to admit patiently of all addresses to me he presently did think that my good reception of him did proceed from some good affection to him But he had not so soon knowne of the affection betwixt Celodon and me had he not by ill luck found some of my Letters Now though all knew that he loved me yet few beleeved that I loved him so coldly did I carry my selfe towards him and because Alcippes had found our Letters which had cost us so dear we would not trust them that way any longer but invented another trick which we thought more safe Celadon was wont to have a hole in the lining of his hat in which he used to put such Letters as he writ unto me then he would throw it at me in a jesting manner or else leave it by me that I might take it out and returne mine the same way back againe I know not how but one day as ill luck was I let fall one of my Letters and Semires took it up which when he read he found these lines Astreas Letter unto Celadon My dear Celadon I Have received your Letter with as much joy as I know you did mine there is not a syllable in it but is a full satisfaction to me unlesse your thanks they are neither becomming my affection nor Celadon who long since gave me all he had These thankes you give are either yours or not yours if they be not yours then nothing that was this title can be acceptable to me if they be yours why do you give me that which you gave me before Celadon I beseech you use no more any of these complements unlesse you will have me think you to be fuller of Civility then Love After he had found this Letter his thoughts were not so much of Love as how to make Celadon and me at odds and he began thus In the first place he beseeched me to pardon him for being so bold as to lift up his eyes so high as upon me whose beauty had constrained him unto it that he was so conscious of his own smal merits that he would never trouble me any more only beseeched me to forget his rash attempt afterwards he did so much court the friendship and familiarity of Celadon as if he had loved him above all the men in the world And the more to blind me lie never met me but took an occasion to speak very advantageously of my shepheard covering his intentions with such a subtile cloak that none could imagine he had a designe it it his commends of the person whom I loved did as I said before so deceive me that I took great delight in talking with him thus two or three Monthes passed very happily both for Celadon and me But I think it was to make me the more sensible of of my ensuing misery which I shall never remember but with warry eyes here she stopped and in lieu of words did by her tears represent her sorrowes unto the company that neither she nor they durst open their mouthes fearing to augment her teares for the more one thinkes to stop the current of teares by reason the more they will flow At last she began to pursue her former discourse Alas wise Diana said she I cannot remember this fatall disaster without a tribute of sad teares Semires now had gotten such familiarity both with Celadon and me as we were seldome asunder And when he thought he had sufficiently insinuated himselfe into credence and thought he could perswade me to what he would one day after we had long talked of severall infidelities which shepheards used towards shepherdesses whom they faigned to Love I wonder said he that so few shepherdesses should take warning by so many examples though otherwise they are very discreet and wise The reason is answered I because Love hath blinded their eyes 'Faith I think so replied he for otherwise it is impossible but you should see somthing which concernes your self Then holding his peace and seeming as if he could say more but repented of what he had said Semires Semires said he turning his back what dost thou do Dost thou not see that she will be displeased at the knowledge of it Why wilt thou then torment her And then addressing himself unto me he went on I see fair Astrea that my talk had like to have displeased you but pardon me I beseech you since it was only my zeal to your service that I said so much Semires said I unto him I am much obliged to you for your good will to me and should be much more if you would finish that discourse which you begun Oh shepheardesse answered he I doubt I have said too much already but perhaps time will tell you more and then you will know Semires to be your faithfull servant Oh deceitfull man how good did he make his wicked promises unto me For since that I have known but too much to know it with any desire of living at that time he would tell me no more purposely to whet my desire of knowing it but when he thought that my desire was now eager enough after I had very importunately urged him to tell it he answered me thus Fair shepheardesse you seem to be so very desirous that I should think it a fault in me if I did disobey you but truly I am much afraid it will more displease you Then after I had assured him there was nothing could much displease her he knew so well how to perswade me that Celadon loved Aminthea Daughter unto the Sonne of Cleanthes that jealousy the usuall companion of all Soules who Love truly began to make me think this might be true forgetting the command which I had imposed uppon him to faine all love unto all shepheardesses However to disguise my displeasure I answered Semires that I never did nor would beleeve Celadon did more particularly apply himself unto me then
few daies many took notice of me and my fame was so great that it reached the ears of Amasis who used often to come and walk in the Gardens of Mount-Brison Upon a time Sildres Silvia Leonida and severall others of their company did walk along the banks of my little River where then I seemed as if I were gathering some herbs assoon as I perceived they saw me I ran hastily into my Cabin they being full of curiosity to see me and to talk with me did come after me through the wood I by that time had got upon my knees and when I saw them look through my dore I went towards it where the first that met me was Leonida and because she had thrust open the dore and was ready to enter I sharply reprehended her saying Leonida the Deities whom I adore does command you not to prophane their Altar Upon these words she was a little surprized and retreated for my habit of a Druide got me reverence and my naming Deitle did strike with terror But aften a little recollection of her selfe she said thus unto me The Altars of your Deities be they whom they will cannot be profaned by receiving my devotion which came hither only to render that honour which the heavens demands of us The heavens indeed answered I doth expect both devotion and honour but not different from such as they ordain If any zeal to the divinity whom I adore has brought you hither then you must observe what she commands What is her commandements said Silvia Silvia said I unto her if you come with the same devotion that your companion doth then do as I shall bid you and your devotion will be acceptable unto my deitie Before the Moon does enter into her decrease wash your right thigh as low as your knee and your right arm as low as your elbow before day in this River which runs before this sacred Cave and afterwards come hither with a Chaplet of Vervine upon your head and a Girdle of Fern about your middle then shall I declare unto you the mysteries of this holy place Then taking her by the hand I said thus unto her Would you have me for a testimony of that favour which the deities are pleased to confer upon me tell you some passages of your life past and some that are to come No not I said she for I am not so full of curiosity but you my Companion said she and turned towards Leonida I have known you heretofore full of such curiosity And so I am still said Leonida and presented her hand unto me Then calling to memorie what you told me concerning these Nymphs in particular I took her hand and asked her whether she was born in the night or in the day time and understanding that it was in the night I took her left hand and after a considering pause I said unto her Leonida This Line of Life being handsome well marked and long does demonstrate that you must live long and free from any corporeall maladies but this little Crosse upon the same Line almost at the top of the Angle does portend some maladies of Love which will hinder you from being so sound in minde as in body and these five or six little Points which are sowed like little grainee here and there upon the same Line do signifie that you will never hate them that love you and will much delight in being courted Then look upon the other Line which takes its root from that which we spoke of before which passing through the midst of the hand does raise it selfe up towards the hill of the Moon it is called the middle naturall Line These fractions which you see and seem so little do signifie that you are easily angred even against those over whom Love has given you authoritie And this little star which turnes against the rising of the pulse doth shew that you are full of goodnesse and sweetnesse and that your anger is soon over But observe that Line which we call the Table Line which joynes it selfe with the middle naturall Line so as both do make an Angle this doth demonstrate various troubles in matter of Love and which will often render your life very displeasing and tells me that it will be very long or never before your desres come to a conclusion I would have continued when she pulled back her hand and told me that this was not that which she did ask of me but she defired to know what would become of that designe which she had in hand and that I would not speak so generally as before but come to particulars To which I answered that the Divine powers did keep the future to themselves unlesse somtimes out of their goodnesse they revealed them unto their servants and that somtimes for the publique good somtimes to satisfie the servent prayers of those who do often importune them at their Altars and very often to show that nothing is hid from them but alwayes unto such as are prudent and discreet for the secrets of the gods would not be made common or divulged but upon speciall occasions I tell you this that your curiositie may rest contented though I have not so clearely discovered things unto you as you desire Nor is it either expedient or necessary I should tell you any more but to the end you may know that the gods are not niggards of their favours but speak familiarly unto me I will tell you of such things as have happened unto you by which you may very well Judge that I do know them In the first place fair Nymph you know that though I never saw you before yet at the very first entrance I called you by your names which I did that you might beleeve me to be above the common degree of knowledge not that I do ascribe any glory unto my selfe for that would be high presumption but unto the gods whom I do adore in this place Then you beleeve that all I say I learned from my master And in this I lyed not for it was you Polemas who told me all But continued I particularities will make my discourse very long it were convenient if we went under some of those shady trees Upon this we went and then I began thus Truly Clemanthes said Polemas to him and interrupted him you could not carry out this beginning with more artifice You shall judge answered Cleanthes whether I did not continue it with as much or more prudence Then thus I began Fair Nymph it is now about three yeares since the noble Agis in a full assembly was given unto you for a Servant At the first you were very indifferent for then the unripenesse of both your ages had not made you capable of such passions as Love did conceive but since that time your beautie in him and his addresses unto you did by degrees kindle those sires which nature at the first had laid a foundation for so as that which at the first was but
indifferent in you both became now particular and Love did furnish his soul with all such passions as usually do accompany it likwise you began to bear him so much good will as to accept of his affection and services above others The first time he ever made any overtures unto you was when Amasis did walk in the gardens of Mount-Brison when he took you by the hand and after a long pause upon a suddain he broke into these expressions Fair Nymph I will no longer dispute with my selfe whether I should or I should not declare the thoughts of my soul unto you for now my soul begins to be angry with me and constraines me to it Here I stopt and said unto her Leonida will you have me repeat the very same words to a syllable that you used in answer to him Beleeve me said Polemas them you run a great hazard to be discovered No no answered Cleanthes and to give a testimonie that I have not lost my memorie I wil repeat unto you the same words But replyed Polemas perhaps I might either forget or mistake them Oh never doubt that said Cleanthes for I beleeve she herself cannot remember her own very words so as having an opinion that I recieved mine from the gods doubtlesse she would have beleeved them the same though you had never been familiar with her But remembring that you served her long and that your services were alwayes well received untill you changed affection and addressed it unto Galathea and upon that reason she took part with Lindamor against you therefore I spoke more confidently of the past passages knowing well that Love wil not let a lover conceal any thing from the party loved but to returne to the purpose she answered me I see you can tell us what you wil but we can believe what we please this she said as being a little nettled in that which perhaps she would have concealed from her companions however I went on True Leonida said I you may beleeve what you please but I am sure tell you nothing but what you know is true you answered Agis as if you did not understand his meaning whatsoever it be Agis said you unto him out with it for dissimulation misbecomes all men especially such as you This advice answered he together which my own passion constraines me to tell your Fair Nymph That the inequality of my merits compared with yours is not able to stop the violence of my affection but if the will of a giver be more to be looked unto then the quality of the gift I dare boldly say that mine is not a despisable sacrifice For the heart which I do give I do give it with all the affections with all the faculties and with all the power of my soul and this so absolutely as hereafter it is not mine I do disavow and renounce it as a thing that does not belong unto me untowhich you answered Agis I shall beleeve these words when time and your services has told as much as your tongue This Leonida was the first declaration of affection which you received from him which afterwards he did prosecute with many addresses and quarrells which he underwent against many when he was jealous It was now the time Leonida when you as you were curling your haire with hot Irons you burned your cheek upon which subject he composed these verses Agis Upon the burning of Leonida's cheeke AS Love was sporting in the fuire And lovely tresses of your haire A sparkle of his fire did seek To kisse the beauty of your cheeke And being full of hot desire He kissed it as hot as fire Judge cruell Nimph by this what pain Poor lovers by Lov 's fire sustaine Since but apittance or a part Of his great fire can cause such smart The scorching Luster of your eyes So full of flaming cruelties Against my heart a hundred sends Whilst only one your cheek offends But had Love bit aright the mark Upon your heart had light the spark Judge cruell Nymph by this what pain Poor Lovers by Loves fire sustain Since but a pittance or a part Of his great flame can case such smart Now Leonida to make it appear that I do know al these things from a Divinitie who never lies and whose eye and eare does look into the very center of all hearts I will tell you one thing which none did ever know but your self and Agis She was now afraid lest I should discover some secret which would anger her and indeed it was my design to make her have that apprehension and therefore with a troubled mind she said thus unto me man of God though I do not fear that you or any other can say any thing which will much prejudice me yet the discovery of secrets is a thing of so tender a concernment as be they touched by never so gentle a hand yet it wil annoy therefore I beseech you let this discourse have an end she uttered these words with so much alteration in her lookes and in such a faint tone as to cheere her up I was forced to say thus you need not think me of so shallow discretion but that I know how to conceale any thing which will offend you and therefore fince you will know no more I know how to be silent also it is time for me to returne to that Divinity who calls me then I did rise up and bad them adieu Then after I had ceremoniously washed my hand in this River upon my knees I said Oh Soveraigne Dietie which resides in this place behold how in this water I wash away and purifie my self from all the prophanitie which the conversation with men might have defiled me withall since I came out of thy holy Temple At this word I washed my hands my head my feet and all parts over so entred into my cabin not speaking a word after unto her and because I did imagine that their curiositie would invite them to come and see what I did I went unto my Altar and kneeling down I let down the plank which had the steel in it and which immediatly fell upon the flint and fired my composition The Nymphs first seeing my looking glasse which cast a very resplendent Luster and after such a flaming combustion upon a sudden they returned home with a great opinion of my sanctitie and reverence towards the Divinitie whom I adored Could matters be better executed then this No certainly answered Polemas for I believe any one that was not acquainted with it might have been deceived as well as the Nymphs Whilst Climanthes talked thus Leonida who heard him was so ravished out of her selfe as she hardly knew whether she was awake or asleep for she found all he related to be very true and yet she could not well believe that it was so But whilst she was thus in dispute with her selfe she heard Climanthes begin again thus Then these Nymphs went away and what reports they made of me
I do vow annually to pay so as great goddesse thou wilt let me see what I desire At this word I let down the plank which had the steel in it which being fallen upon the flint the fire did flash presently so as Galathea was surprised with fear But I did say unto her Fear not fair Nymph it is Hecathe who shewes you what you desire Then the smoak by degrees vanishing the Looking glasse was to be seen and as good luck was the Sun shined so clearly and directly upon it as made the painted paper most plainly appear in it After they had a while beheld it I said unto Galathea Know Nymph that Hecathe by me does let thee know It is in this place which you see in the Glasse where you shall finde a jewell halfe lost and despised out of a thought that it is false and yet it is of an inestimable value take it and keep it carefully This River which you see in it is Lignon that Grove of Willowes beyond it is towards Mount Verdan Observe well the place and remember it Then taking Galathea aside I said unto her You have as I told you before a Genius that swells with abundance of malevolent influence and another the most benign and sweet as possibly can be desired From the evill influence guard your selfe if you do love your own contentment the good influence is that which you do see in the mirrour Observe well the place which I have let you see and to the end you may the better remember it I bid you go and see it and observe it well for when the Moon shall be just of the same age that this day she is a little sooner or a little later you shall finde him whom you most love If he see you before you see him he shall love you and you with much a do will love him On the contrary if you see him first he shall be hardly brought to love you but you will love him immediately But however you must overcome your selfe and love him yea and overcome him also if need be for doubtlesse you will at last bring it to passe If you do not meet him the first time then go again the next Moon upon the same day and same houre and so to the third for come he will though Hecathe will not assure me of the day Then taking a little branch of Hollin in my hand I went unto the Looking-glasse and with the end of it shewed her all these places Look said I see where the Mountain of I soures is see where Mount Verdun is see where the River Lignon is see a little beyond it where the Meadow is through which you have oft gone to hunt All these places you may perhaps know but I do not know them Now Nymph the sacred deitie of this place commands me to tell you that if you do not punctually observe what I say and what you have promised she will augment all the miseries which your destiny does threaten you with all For my part I do think my selfe happy that before my departure I have given you this advice for though I am not of this Country yet your vertue and piety does oblige me to love you and to pray unto Hecathe to make you fully happy And with this prayer I will take my leave of you for the goddesse whom I adore hath commanded me to depart before the day to morrow An this word I did put them all out of my Cabin after I had taken from them their Vervine Ferne and Hollin Chaplets which I did burn in the fire I did prefix her three Moones to the end that if you failed one day you might be there another I told her that if she saw you first then she should easily love you and if you saw her first the contrary only because I knew very well you would be first there so as she would finde in her selfe the truth of my prediction for you know she loves Lindamor I told her that I was to depart before to morrow to the end she should not think strange at my departure if out of some fresh curiosity she should come again For having now done as much as my aimes did drive at my best way was to haste away lest some Druide should hear of me and punish me which you know was alwaies my fear Do you think Polemas I have omitted any materiall circumstance No certainly said Polemas only me thinks you gave her too large a time I would you had confined her to one day and then I should have been sure to have met with her For my part said Climanthes I know not what to think but that she hath counted the age of the Moon wrong and I do verily believe that but for this Shepheard who was drowned and who caused many people to seek about for him you had met with him that day But let us have a little patience for I am confident that the same reason which made you retreat did also make her do the like But me thinks it is time to rise to the end we may depart Then opening the window he perceived it to be bright day Away away make haste said Climanthes to Polemas the houre will be past else you had better be many houres too soon then a minute too late Would you have me go thither now said Polemas do you think she will come since it is fifteen daies past the prefixed time No matter answered he perhaps she has miscounted the dayes who can tell and therefore let us go Leonida was afraid least Polemas and Climanthes should see her and therefore durst not rise till they were gone but when they were out of the house she dressed herself And after she had taken leave of her host she continued on her Journey so confused at the cunning artifice of these two persons as she almost never minded her way and she was touched so to the quick that Polemas should so despise her beauty that to be revenged of him she would make Lindamor acquainted with his treachery which she thought she could not better do then by the meanes of her Uncle Adamas unto whom she intended to communicate the matter And in this resolution she made all the haste she could unto Feurs where she thought to find him but she came too late for he went homwards betimes in the morning having the day before finished all ceremonies belonging to the sacrifice as he went the day was very hot therefore when he was in the plain of Mount Verdun he turned out of the way where he saw a handsom shade of trees to rest himself a while And he was no sooner come at it but he espied a shepheard comming and seeming as if he intended to take the same conveniency of shade And because when he came neere he seemed to be exceeding pensive he would not take any notice of him lest he should disturbe his thoughts but shaded himselfe purposely to heare what
he would say at last he heard him break out thus Why should I be so simple as to love this wethercock in the first place her beauty cannot much move for she has so little as all she has cannot merit the name of Fair moreover there are no other considerations that can help out her merits or retaine any man of parts in her service Again her affection is all that can possibly oblige me and that is of such a mutable temper as if she have any impression of Love in heart I beleeve it is but like unto wax and wax so soft as will easily take any new impression and deface the old at the most if I do love her I must confesse it is meerly because I think she loves me This shepheard had gone on his discourse had not a shepheardesse overtaken him who it seemes followed after him and sitting down by him thus began to say Come Corilas come what new disgust is it that makes you thus pensive ' The shepheard returned as disdaining an answer as he could and never so much as turning his head towards her answered thus I am thinking what a trick of Legerdemaine you have used to get away from them whom even now you loved why Corilas said she can you think I Love any but your self Than you Said the shepheard can you think I beleeve you Love me What then do you beleeve of me said she I beleeve you are a foole said he to love one that hates you You have a very strange opinion of me said she And you said Corilas have strange effects in yourself Oh heavens said the shepheardesse what kind of a man have I met withall I have more reason to say in so meeting with Stella answered he what kind of a woman have I met withall For never was any more incapable of amity then you you I say who delights in nothing more then deceiving those who trust you who imitates Hunters that with abundance of toyle does hunt the game and then gives it as a reward to the dogges There is so litele reason in all you say said she as those have lesse that wil stay to answer you I wish said the shepheard that I had alwaies as much reason in my soul as there is at this time in my words then should I not grieve so much as I do Afterwards both of them being silent a long while at last she began to sing and thus in singing to expresse her self unto him Also he because he would not sit mute without returning answer thus replyed unto her The Dialogue between Stella and Corilas Stell COme shepheard come and tell me why For want of Love thou dost me fly Cor. Because to follow such a light And ayrie spirit is a flight Which must be followed with wings And men do never use such things Stell I do remember well the time When Loving me you thought no crime Cor. Of passed time no talking spend He lives but ill that does not mend Time past is past recovery And so with it my memorie Stell To Love I fear you do not know Only can make a loving show Cor. Why do you lay on me the blame When you are guilty of the same You Love by false opinions voice And not by any prudent choice Stell By heaven I Love you and lament You unto changing thus are bent Cor. Where once my Love becomes a due I am unalterably true And think me not in Love like you Who every day does love a new Stell No no I find thee faint and hollow And can a new affection follow Cor. If any time you pleased me Then did I think you fair to be T' was only thought the troth is this You did no beauty e're possesse Stell Perfidious Lover canst thou find A heart to kill her that is kind Cor. You charge me when your self offends Must he that 's injur'd make the mends But I ne're Lov'd and tak 't from me What never was will never be Stell Nay once you lov'd me but ' its strange That you so cruelly can change Cor. When loving you a crime I find 'T is wisdom sure to change my mind Repentance late is better farre Then never turne when one does erre Stell T is fitter far you did regret Your infidelity so great Cor. What you call infidelity Discretion is and policie And this is all that can be said All Love betwixt us two is dead The shepheardesse seeing he had all his replyes so ready she left off her singing and said thus unto him why Corilas is there no manner of hope in you No said he no more then there is in your fidelity Never think that all your flattery and fair language can make me change my resolution for beleeve it I am most firmly fixed It is meer vanitie to make use of any armes or charmes against me they are all too weak I would advise you Stella to imploy them and your time upon some other who not knowing you will not perhaps sleight you as I do Noveltie is pleasing you know and perhaps you may meet with some whom heaven having a designe to punish may Love you The shepheardesse was in good earnest nettled at this yet turning it into a seeming Jeast she smiled and said Oh Corilas I cannot chuse but laugh at your cholerique humor but ere long I shall see you in a better mood Nay I know replyed the shepheard that it is your humour to laugh at those who love you but I assure you that you may laugh long enough at me before I do Love you Thus these two enemies parted and Adamas knowing by their names of what families they were he had a desire to know more of their businesse and calling Corilas by his name he came unto him and causing him to sit down by him he thus said my Son for so I may call you out of the affection I ever had unto your familie you need not be sorry that you have spoken so freely unto Stella before me I am very glad to see you so discreet but I do desire to know further of your businesse to the end I may give you my faithfull advice As soon as Corilas saw the Druide he remembred that he had often seen him officiating in severall Sacrifices but since he had never spoke to him before he had not the confidence to relate the passages twixt Stella and him that he was ever willing that all the world did know the Justice of his cause and the perfidy of Stella which Adamas perceiving by way of encouragement told him that he was partly acquainted with the businesse already and that to his comfort many did speak in his behalfe I am afraid Father said Corilas that the trifles of our villages will be very tedious unto you No No replyed Adamas a relation of this businesse will much please me and time also will be well imployed by so spending away the heat of the day The History of Stella and Corilas
why he shunned her so much To which Lysis replied The reason is because you do so impudently pursue me But Shepheard replyed Stella I know from whence your discontents proceed and I believe not from him whom you imagine For gods-sake answered Lysis let me alone in quietnesse it is enough that thy offence proceeds from your hating me and your hatred from your own levity But 't is no matter all 's forgotten and now I have no minde to love Well well answered she I know from whence all your anger proceeds and certainly you have some seeming reason for it but I beseech you consider it a little better Is it such an impardonable injury not to take a man to a husband as soon as ever he hath asked the question Is it not the custome of our Country that he should ask that question twice The truth is if I had marryed another I had done you an injury But what likelyhood is there that I should ever refuse a man so constant that hath loved me almost these three months The offended spirit of Lysis not suffering him to love her and his affection not suffering him to hate her he did not know in what termes to answer her and yet to stop the torrent of words he thus said unto her I have had sufficient experience Stella that you know better how to say then do and that you abound much more in words than reason but take this for an unalterable certainty that look how much I loved you heretofore so much or more do I hate you now and shall do as long as I live so as there shall not be a day in which I will nor divulge you unto all the world for the most ungratefull and consening woman under heaven Upon this forcing his affection and the arme of Stella away he broke from her and left her alone in the window whilst he went amongst the rest of the Shepheards Semires who as I told you heard all this discourse was both so amazed and ill satisfied with her as he resolved ever since to make no more addresses unto such a wavering weathercock which resolution was much more confirmed by me for I having long looked for an opportunity of speaking to her and seeing Lysis had left her alone I accosted her for I must confesse that her allurements had some power upon my soul and so much as the affronts which she had put upon Lysis would not let me see her imperfections and fleeting disposition And as every one is apt to flatter himselfe in his own desires so I supposed that what the merits of Lysis could not obtaine from her my good fortune might As long as Lysis courted her I would not let my affection appeare for besides consangunity there was a great league of amitie betwixt us but when I saw he was off and thinking the place vacant for I never took notice of Semires I thought it a fit time to open my self before she entertained any other so addressing my selfe unto her and finding her all pensivenesse I said unto her that certainly it was some great occasion which thus had altered her for sadnesse was seldom seen in her pleasant humour It is that troublesome Lysis answered she who has put me in mind of old stories and still upbraids me with the refusing of him Does that trouble you said I unto her can it chuse answered how she for affection is not so soon put off as ones cloaths are but because I did a little delay his desires he took it for an absolute discharge Truly said I Lysis did not deserve the honour of your favour for what he could not compasse by his merits he ought to have tryed what all his services accompanied with a long patience would do but his boyling temper together with perhaps his too little love would not permit him Had the same happinesse hapned unto me as unto him with what affection should I have entertained it And with what patience should I have waited for it You would think it strange reverend Father to heare me tell you how suddenly this shepheardesse changed yet I protest she entertained the overture of my Love as soon as ever I made it and in such a manner as before we parted she permitted me to call my self her servant You may easily conceive that Semires who heard all this was no better satisfied with me then he was with Lysis but ever since he hath discontinued his addresses yet so discreetly as many think Stella to be the cause for she seemed not to care for it because the place of her affection was possessed with the new hopes she had of me which was the cause that I received many favours from her and which Lysis quickly perceived But Love which alwaies will tryumph over freindship did keep me from speaking unto him lest I should offend the shepheardesse and though he was much offended that I should thus conceale my my selfe from him yet I never did speak unto him without Stella's leave who also seemed desirous it should be so But I who then was ignorant of her tricks and strived at nothing but how to content her one night when Lysis and I were together I had this discourse with him I must confesse Lysis said I unto him that I have not so clearly opened my self unto you as our freindship required but now you must help me out or else I am undon I answered Lysis why you may be assured that I will never faile the part of a friend though your mistrust of me might alter the case and yet do not think but I do know of your Love but your silence so offended me that I said nothing of it Since you did know it replied I and never spoke to me of it I have the greater cause to be offended for I do confesse that I have somthing failed in point of freindship by my silence but you must consider that a lover is not himselfe and his disease is an excuse for all his errours but you who are not troubled with the same passionate disease you have no excuse for your failings in point of freindship Lysis hearing my reasons began to smile and said You are very pleasant Corilas and I will not contradict you but I pray you tell me how I may make amends for my fault In doing that for me said I which you could not for your self which is that I may obtain the affection of Stella Oh heavens cryed out Lysis then unto what a dangerous precipice have you brought your self Shun it Corilas shun it for it is a most dangerous passage which ruines all those which ever took it I speak unto you by experience you know it I know that from any other your merits can obtaine more then mine but it is grosse folly to hope for any thing from this perfidious woman whom neither vertue nor reason will move to which I answered that to hear him say so was no smal contentment for said I until now
interrupted him in this manner Me thinks Lysis said she if Corilas were in such a minde as this paper speaks him he was very ill advised to employ you since your mediation is more like to procure him hatred then love and you rather a messenger of war then peace Stella it 's true answered he he was very ill advised in his choice but if he had shewed as much judgment in the rest of his actions as in this he would not have stood in need of your help he has had tryall of your dissimulations he knowes what force your charmes have and what friend could he have made choice of without the danger of a competitor unlesse my selfe whom you hate even unto death But let us leave this discourse and pray tell me plainly and in good earnest whether or no you will shew him any favour for the truth is I dare not return to him unlesse I carry a good answer with me unto which I do conjure you both by his affection that now is and mine that was Unto this the Shepheard added so many arguments and importunate prayers as the Shepheardesse believed him to be in good earnest and her own naturall disposition did easily encline her to it for it is the custome of such as easily love to believe as easily that they are loved but Lysis at this time could obtain no further from her then that the affection of his cousin for want of his should not be disagreeable unto her but time should advise her farther And since this Lysis has severall waies so solicited her that he got from her as much assurance as he desired and because he was well acquainted with her levitie he obtained from her a promise in writing under her hand and knew so well how to turn her that he obtained of her whatsoever he desired Thus he returned to me and gave me an account of all he had done except of this promise for knowing Stella's humour he alwaies doubted she would deceive him and that if he shewed me this paper it would imbarque me the more and be harder to get me off All this was unknown unto Amintha from whom Stella concealed it more then from any other After I had received so much assurance as I could desire no more and after I had given her all humble and hearty thanks I began by her permission to take orders for the marriage and spake it very freely and openly though Lysis alwaies foretold me that in the end I should be deceived But the very shadow of that good which we desire does so flatter us that we lend but a deaf ear unto any that shall tell us the contrary Whilst this Marriage was preparing and publickly divulged Semires who as I told you discontinued his addresses by reason of Lysis and me he being netled with the discourse which went of him resolved at what rate soever to infinuate himselfe into her favour with a designe to quit her afterwards and make it appear that this separation proceeded from himselfe There needed no great artifice to bring this about for her sickle humour according to its fleeting temper did at the very first assault quit me for Semires as a little before she had quitted Semires for me But for all that the promise which she had given under her hand and which she could not deny did exceedingly stick in her stomack At last the Marriage day being come and I had assembled together all my Parents my Friends and Neighbours I held my selfe so sure as I thought upon nothing but bidding them welcome But she whose thoughts were quite another away when we came to the very point of Marriage she started back and formed excuses far worse then her first at which I was so extreamly offended that I went away without ever bidding her adieu and ever since I held her in such disdain that she could never infinuate her selfe again into my esteem Judge reverend Father whether or no I had good reason to hearken to her and whether those who speak in my disadvantage be not wrongly informed Truly answered Adamas she is a woman that is unworthy of her name and I do wonder since she has deluded so many that any man will ever trust her Nay Sir said Corilas I have not yet told you all for after every one was fallen from her except Lysis all her artifice was how to get the promise which he had out of his hands because she saw that it was a great thorn in her side Therefore with an impudent and dissembling brow she thus spoke unto him Is it possible Lysis said she you should have lost all that affection which you have so often vowed unto me Is there no spark of love yet left in you In me said Lysis no I 'le sooner die Upon this word he went out of the house but she followed him so close as she got hold of his hand and holding it between hers she brought him back in such an amorous posture as any would have judged them to be very loving and though he knew her deluding humour well enough yet could he not chuse but be pleased with her flatteries although he gave no faith unto them and therefore thus said unto her Oh heavens Stella why do you so abuse those favours which the heavens have so prodigally bestowed upon you Did but that fair body contain a soul that had any neer resemblance unto it who could possibly resist it She who knew well enough what charms were in her carresses did use all the artifice of her eyes mouth tongue and all the invention she had to make him melt insomuch as he was almost out of himselfe And at last she came out with these words Lovely Shepheard said she if you be the same Lysis who was once so sweetly affectionate unto me I beseech you hearken unto these words and believe them and if you do finde any cause of complaint I will make it evidently appear that this which you esteem as a second fault was committed only as a remedy for the first which I will repair with all possible and desirable satisfaction These smooth words wrought upon Lysis and did overcome him yet not to shew himselfe so simply weak he answered thus Stella I am so incredulous of all you say as I believe not a syllable and if I knew any thing which would displease you I would do it If you would displease me said the Shepheardesse then come into the house With that intention I will answered he Thus when they were entred into the house and stood neer the fire she began thus Now Shepheard will I unmask the Riddle of all my dissimulations with you and make it most apparent that poor Stella whom you have accounted such a leight huswife is much more constant then you imagine her and will let you plainly see that in satisfaction of those wrongs you have done me that you have reason to confesse them and be sorry But said she upon a
this poor Shepheard did begin such affection to me as did not end till he died And I am most confident that if the dead have any remembrance of the living he loves me still and in his ashes preserves that pure affection which he vowed unto me Daphnis took notice of this the very same day and at night told me of it but I did so long reject any such thoughts as she was forced to say thus unto me I see Diana you will not believe me but be assured that Filander does extreamly love you This advertisment did so imprint it selfe in my minde as the next day made me observe somthing which induced me to be of her opinion For in the afternoons we were accustomed to assemble under some shady tree and sitting round to sing It chanced that Filander having no acquaintance but Daphnis and me he did sit down between us which Amindor taking notice of did swell with such a pittifull fit of jealousie that he in a fuming chafe left the company and first looking upon me as if it were I that he meant he went away singing this Catch Amindor's Catch against Levitie God in his mercy may do much and save her But he that commeth next is sure to have her Can any be so blinde As think to get her Love Who wavers like the winde Which wantonly doth rove No God in 's mercy may do much and save her But he that cometh next is sure to have her A Weather-cock can move At every blast of winde And she at any love Can turne her fleeting minde So God in 's mercy may do much and save her But he that commeth next is sure to have her One Nail drives out another And he that next does kisse her Will quite drive out the other And make the first to misse her God in thy mercy I beseech thee make her In Love more constant else the Devill take her I had so much power over my selfe as not to seem any thing troubled at this song and Daphnis out of her discreet affection unto me never staying the end of this Catch did interrupt him and begun another song addressing her selfe unto me The Madrigall of Daphnis upon the affection she bore unto Diana SInce fair Diana I do finde you prove The Center unto which all hearts do move Then why not mine why should I not adore Her that of beautles hath the greatest store And since they say the purest Love of all Hath from resemblance its Originall Then our affections needs must be extream Since both our Sexes are the very same Then the better to cover the colour of my cheeks and to make it seem I took no notice of Amindor's invective Catch assoon as Daphnis had done I answered her thus A Madrigall upon the same Subject WHy such a wonder should it seem that I And you though both be women yet should vie Affection Is 't a miracle to see That women well as men should Lovers be But if impossible Oh then be you The Shepheardesse and I the Shepheard true After us every one sung their own fancies and Filander when it came to his turn he did sing these ensuing Verses with an excellent voice Filander upon the begining of his Love THough I foresaw my expectation high And my desires were swell'd with vanity That Love was full of flaming fire and pain And though I lov'd should not be lov'd again Yet still I hoped and at her I aim'd Only because I would be more inflam'd 'T was so decreed by fate and 't was not I That could anticipate my destinie No wonder then that in obedience Unto this dire and fatall Ordinance I should adore her and I hope no crime A heart that 's base so high could never clime But as the fading Marygold doth die And wither only by the world 's fair Eye So I like it did say Oh! glorious Sun Let me be scorched till my daies be done For in that death this pleasure I shall have No fire but thine could burn me to my grave When as the Phoenix by an art so rare And nature both together doth prepare To make her Cradle in her Tombe she saies Unto the fire wherein her corps she laies By dying in thy flame I will assume My glory out of ashes now my Tombe Many more did then expresse their severall conceptions in verse but I have forgotten them But so it was that me thought Filanders words were aimed at me and I cannot well tell whether it was the hint which Daphnis had given me or the language of his eyes which spoke much more plain then his tongue I cannot tell but either the one or both made me apply this song to my selfe and as these verses did give me a little light of it so his discretion did a little after much more plainly testifie it unto me For it is the principall effect of a true affection to carry it discreetly and never to let it be known but by those effects which cannot be hid This young Shepheard knew of Amindor's humour and love had taught him so much curiosity as to finde out that his jealousy was no lesse than that of Philidas and therefore he conceived that the best way to blinde both their eyes was to court their friendship and Love had made him so subtle and prudent that in the carriage of the matter he did not only deceive Amindor's but almost all eyes else for he would never come where we were but suffered us alwaies to come unto him 'T is true that crafty Daphnis did presently finde it out for said she Amindor is not a man of such agreeable parts as to attract unto him such a well accomplished Shepheard as Filander but there must needs be some farther reach in all Filanders addresses to him she indeed did prompt me to take the first notice of it and I must confesse that his discretion did so please me that if I would suffer any to love me it should be him but the time was not yet come that I could be wounded this way although his actions and carriage did please me and though I did in some fore approve of his designe When we at any time took our leaves of him he would alwaies wait upon us a long way and at parting I never heard such expressions of friendship as he used to Amindor nor such offers of service as he tendred unto Philidas Then would slie Daphnis whisper me in the ear and say All these expressions are meant unto you and you do him wrong if you do not answer him And when he thanked Amindor for any favour she would say Oh what a fool is he to think that these offerings are intended to his Altar And he so well knew how to dissemble that he serued himselfe into the very heart of Amindor And Philidas was so tickled with his high commendations of her as she would often send to desire him he would come see her Heavens knowes how oft he had
solicited for this opportunity for it was as much as he could desire thinking his designe could not possibly have a better beginning As fortune was one day when Daphnis and I were walking under some shady trees and talked our selves almost quite out of discourse we heard a voice which at the first we thought to be of some stranger the desire of knowing who it was made us draw towards the place and Daphnis going first she espied Filander before me and beckned unto me that I should tread gently and when I was come neer her she named Filander in a low voice who was laid down leaning his head against a tree and began thus I should defie and scorn Love and all his policies and charms did he not make use of my fairest Diana's armes against me And so went on When I heard my selfe named fair Shepheardesses I trembled and trode upon the ground as if a Serpent were under my feet and without any longer stay I went away as gently as I could lest I should be seen though Daphnis in hopes to make me come again did let me go by my selfe At last she seeing I continued on my way she also stole softly off and afterwards ran after me as fast me as fast as she could and when she could hardly draw her breath she chid me in a very interrupted manner but when she had recovered her wind and could speak plain she thus said unto me As I live Diana if the heavens do not punish you I shall think they are unjust Could you be so cruell as not so much as to lend him a hearing What good could I do unto him said I by staying any longer there You might have heard what hurt you have don him said she unto me I do him hurt answered I you do me wrong in saying I could hurt one whom I never thought upon Therein said she you hurt him most for did you ofter think upon him you could not chuse but be moved unto pitty I blushed at that word and the changing of my colour did make Daphnis believe that I was offended with her and therefore in a smiling manner she said unto me I did but jeast Diana and do not believe he thought upon you and as for using your name I believe he meant some other of the same name that yours is Thus we went on talking and walking we knew not whither untill another path had brought us unto the same place where Filander was and though I did it out of heedlessnesse yet Daphnis perhaps did it out of designe however I was forced to look upon him lying upon the ground leaning his head upon his arme and seeming as if he were awake for he had a Letter before him all wet with tears which trickled down his cheeks but indeed he was asleep and we were more assured of it when Daphnis more consident then I stooped gently down and brought me the Letter all steeped in tears which sight did much move me to pitty and much more the Letter which was thus written Filanders Letter unto Diana THose who have the honour to see you do run a most dangerous piece of fortune If they do love you then they are too bold and if they do not then they have no judgment your perfections being such as with reason they can neither be loved nor not loved and I being constrained to fall into one of these two errors have chosen that which is most congruent to my humour and from it it is impossible to retreat Do not take it ill fair Diana that since it is an absolute impossibility to look upon you and not love that since I have seen you I do so If my rashnesse do merit punishment remember that I had rather love you and die than live and not love you But alas why do I say I had rather as if it were in my choice for I must out of a fatall necessitie be your most humble servant and you must be what you are which is the fairest Shepheardesse that ever lived So as without any Rathers I must both live and die under this fatall Must I had no sooner read this Letter but with a trembling hand I returned it and Daphnis did gently put it in the place where she found it she came softly off without waking him and coming unto me who stood a pretty distance off I pray sweet Diana said she unto me give me leave to speak freely unto you Our friendship Daphnis answered I does give you that power without the asking Then Diana said she I must tell you that I do pitty Filander with all my heart for most certainly he loves you and your own soul I 'me sure cannot deny it Daphnis said I unto her let the faulty do the penance If so said she then I 'me sure that Filander must not for I cannot allow it any fault to love you but I believe his fault had been much greater if he had not loved you for fair ones were made only to be loved I dare appeal unto your judgment answered I whether I can pretend unto that title But however I do conjure you by our friendship not to let him understand that I have any knowledge of his intention and if you do love him advise him never to mention it unto me For esteeming both him and Callirea his Sister as I do I should be very sorry to banish him our company which you know I should be forced unto if ever he speak of it unto me How then would you have him to live said she unto me I would have him live replied I as he did before he ever saw me But that he cannot do replied she for then he was not scorched with those flames which now do burn him Then said I let him seek some remedy to quench those flames without offending me The fire is great added she and will not be quenched Be the fire as great as it will said I it will not burn him if he will not come neer it Although answered she the burned use to flie the fire yet if he do flie he will carry his fire with him and the pain too In conclusion I told her that if it was so then let him burn on for I could not help him With such discourse as this we returned towards our flocks and at night to our lodgings where we found Filander so carressed by Philidas and Amindor also that Daphnis believed he had bewitched them it not being their humours to use others so He stayed many daies amongst us and all that while he made not the least shew of any thing unto me but lived in such a discreet manner that had not Daphnis and Iseen what we did we had never entertained the least suspition of his intention At last he was forced to depart and not knowing what to resolve upon he went unto his Sisters house for he loved her and had as great a confidence in her as in himselfe This Shepheardesse as I
last when he thought his hair was reasonably well grown he returned to Gerestan and told him that he had already broken the Ice of the businesse but Daphnis did think it expedient to see his Neece before she spoke in the businesse and likewise that Amindor also saw her and therefore she thought the best course was to let Callirea carry her thither and she to shew her selfe as complaisant as she could unto Amindor and the rest Gerestan who desired nothing more then to be rid of his Neece did hearken unto this proposition with a very willing eare and did peremptorily command his wife to make her self ready for the voyage who to make him more eager upon it did seem to be a little unwilling and shewed some signes of sorrow to part from her Husband saying that such businesse as this might be wel enough effected without her and that it would take up a great deale of time which might better be spent in her houshould affaires But Gerestan who would have her will to yeeld to his in all things was so extreamly hot upon the matter that three dayes after she departed with her Brother and her Neece The first dayes Jorney was to Filanders where they changed habits which so well fitted each other that even those in their company could not perceive the change And I must confesse I was deceived as wel as they and found no manner of difference betwixt them But well might I be deceived when Philidas was who looked upon him with the eyes of Love which they say are more observant then all the eyes of Linx for as soon as they came she left the faigned Callirea I mean Filander and carried the true into a chamber to rest her self All the way as they came Filander instructed his Sister in all passages and how she should find the persons with whom she was to transact now though Callirea was resolved to undergo all difficulties for her Brothers contentment yet thinking Philidas to be a man it went much against the hair of her mind to talk with her As for us when Daphnis and I were retired we treated Filander with all the civilities that are used amongst women I mean such as either amitie or privacie requires which that shepheard did receive with much Jollitie and as he hath since sworn to me he was almost transported besides himselfe Had I not been a meer child in matter of observation certainly his actions and behaviour would have discovered him unto me but the truth was shee did counterfeit the matter so exceeding well that Daphnis was deceived as well as I while we retired into our chambers after supper Callirea and Philidas did walk into the chamber I know not what their discourse was but ours was nothing but assurance of amitie and cordiall expressions of affection which Filander used in such a passionate way as it was easie to judge that though she would have said nothing yet he could not be blamed for want of any good wil but for the want of boldnesse For my part I was extreamly free in my expressions also for beleeving him to be a woman I thought my selfe to be obliged unto it by his expressions of good will to me by his merits and by the kindred of her and Daphnis From this time Amindor who before bore me much good will began to change his affection to love the faigned Callirea And Filander fearing his demeans would not please this young man did strive as much as possibly he could to comply with him and the fleeting humour of Amindor would not let him receive such favours without being in Love Which I do not at all think strange For the beauty the judgement and deportment of Filander was such as that he came nothing short in the perfections of a woman so as he might well delude any man Observe what a wanton Love is and how he sports and spends his time He made Philidas who was a woman to love a woman and Amindor who was a man to love a man and that so extream passionatly that this very particular was subject enough to discourse of Filander he knew how to play the woman most admirably and Callirea did so well counterfeit her Brother and neither of them wanted prudence to carry out the matter That cold demeanure which Callirea shewed unto me removed all causes of jealousie out of Philidas and besides Philidas did love her and I must confesse that seeing her so fall off from Philidas from Daphnis and from me we had an opinion that Filanders mind was changed at which I much rejoyced by reason of the amity I bore unto his Sister Seaven or eight dayes were thus spent and none did think them one jot too long for every one of us had a particular designe But Callirea who feared lest her Husband should be angry at this long stay did solicit her Brother to make known his design unto me telling him that it was not likely I should refuse his service since he bad been so familiar with me But for all that he had not yet the confidence to declare himselfe Yet to delude Gerestan he desired her to go unto her Husband in that dresse wherein she was assuring her that he could not finde any difference between them and to let him understand that by the advice of Daphnis she had left Callirea with Philidas to treat with Amindor about the marriage of his Niece This proposition at the first did astonish his Sister for her Husband was a piece of angry flesh and the least disgust would move him unto passion At the last her desires to content her Brother in every thing did move her to yield unto the motion And to render this excuse more colourable they did speak unto Daphnis concerning Amindors marriage which for divers considerations she rejected but knowing that this businesse was their pretence under which they got leave to come this journey and without which they never had obtained it Daphnis who was well pleased with their company did communicate the matter unto me and we all agreed that the best way was to seem as if the project were feasible And in order to that Daphnis did write unto Gerestan advising him to let his Wife to stay a little longer amongst us the better to effect the businesse and that she hoped all things would be brought to a happy issue Upon this Embassie and thus clad Callirea went unto her Husband who being beguiled by her dresse as well as the rest he took her for her Brother and liked the cause of his wifes stay so well that he willingly consented unto the motion upon those termes Judge fair Shepheardesses whether I might not well be deceived since her own Husband was and could not distinguish them Now Filanders affection grew to that height that he could no longer conceal it do what he could and therefore he told me that though he was a woman yet he could not chuse but be extreamly in
love with me and should be much more were he a man and expressed himselfe so very passionately that Daphnis who loved me very well did say that untill then she never knew it but that she her selfe was also in love me which was no stranger then that Philidas should love Filander And this disguised Callirea protested that the chiefe reason why she did constrain her Brother to go was this match which was propounded for which many so reasons were shewed me that I easily believed it to be so Being thus satisfied with this excuse she spoke of her passion unto me without any difficulty but still as a woman and vowing unto me that the very same resentments and passions which use to be in men that were in love were in her and that it was a great consolation unto her to expresse them Twelve or fifteen daies thus passed with so much delighting satisfaction unto Filander as he hath since sworn unto me that he never spent his daies more happily although his desires did swell him with abundance of impatiency which yet did daily augment his passion And pleasing himself in these thoughts he would very often walk alone to entertain them Now because he was seldome from us in the day time he would often make use of the night when he thought all asleep and go into the Garden where under some trees he would enjoy his thoughts and using often to go out thus Daphnis took notice of it who lay in the same Chamber And as commonly the worse rather then the better is suspected she was jealous of Amindor and her but for her satisfaction she would watch and watched so that seeing the disguised Callirea go out of his Bed she followed him by the light of the Moon into the Garden where just under my Chamber window she saw him sit down and lifting up his eyes unto heaven she heard him say thus aloud Even as the Moon doth quite outshine And dimn another star So my Diana most divine Transcends all beauties far Though Filander uttered these words loud enough yet Daphnis was so far off that she could not hear but here and there a word and therefore she stepped neerer as gently as she could though he was so taken up with his own imagination that had she walked before him he had hardly seen her as since he told me Assoon as she had gotten her selfe neer him so as she could hear him sigh she heard him say in a low voice to himselfe How unreasonable is my partiall fate that hath made her worthy of all services and yet me not worthy to serve her And that she should not accept of their affections who do love her yet to inspire them with extream passions Ah Callirea how pernitious proves thy plot unto thy tranquillitie and how art thou punished for thy bold presumption Daphnis did hearken unto Filander very attentively but though he spoke loud and distinct enough yet her prejudicated conceit of his being Callirea would not suffer her to comprehend his meaning But afterwards her curious ear heard him utter these words But Oh presumptuous Filander what excuse caust thou finde for thy fault and what punishment can equall thy offence Thou dost love this Shepheardesse yet how durst thou be so imprudently bold as to offer this injury unto her At this word he stopt but still his eyes and his sighs did expresse the extremity of his passion And to divert his sad thoughts or rather to flatter them he started up upon a suddain to walk and spied Daplnis though she to conceal her selfe did run away but because he was resolved to know who it was he ran after her and at the corner of the little wood overtook her and thinking that now she had discovered all which he had so closely concealed in a kinde of halfe anger he said unto her What Daphnis makes you so full of curiosity as so to spie out my actions in the night It is answered Daphnis in a smiling manner to get that out of you by craft which otherwise I could not And this she thought she had spoken unto Callirea not having yet discovered that he was Filander Well then replied Filander thinking he had been discovered what great Novelties have you learn'd by it All said Daphnis that I desire to know Then said Filander your curiosity is sufficiently satisfied So well answered she that I see all your diligence about Diana and all the great affection which you make a shew of unto her will in the end be repayed with grief and vekation Oh heavens cryed out Filander I see I am discovered But wise and discreet Daphnis since you do now know the cause of my being here with Diana you have in your hands both my life and my death But surely if you do consider how much I am yours and how ready I was ever to serve you upon all occasions I hope you rather wish my contentment and happinesse than my despair and ruine Daphnis still thought it to be Callirea that spoke and had a conceit that all these fears proceeded from Gerestan who would have taken it very ill his Wife should do any such office for her Brother but to satisfie him she said Callirea you need not to make any question of me for I am so well acquainted with your businesse that I would have contributed my best counsell and assistance though you had never spoke unto me but that I may the better serve you I beseech you acquaint me with the whole businesse to the end your freedome towards me may the more oblige me and your mistrust of me may not offend me I will dear Daphnis said he upon condition you promise me to say nothing unto Diana untill I consent unto it This request answered the Shepheardesse might have been well spared for such is her humour that I would never advise you to trust her with it Hence is my griefe said Filander for I do already so well know it that I do think my designe almost an impossibility For at the first when my Sister and I resolved to change habits she assuming mine and I hers I did then foresee that all the advantage I should get by it was that I might with more freedome be neer her a while in that disguise and not be taken for Filander How 's this said Daphnis all amazed for Filander Are not you Callirea The Shepheard who thought she had known him before was now very sorry that he had so rashly discovered himselfe but seeing it was now past and that there was no revocation of his words he bethought himselfe how to make the best use of it he could and therefore said thus unto her You see Daphnis that I do cleerly trust you with all my hopes and have freely discovered the greatest secret of my soul unto you a secret of such importance that if any besides your selfe should know it all my hopes are dead fore ever therefore I do put my selfe and all my happinesse
into your hand so as you must either become my friend or else I must die Know therefore Daphnis that here you see before you Filander in the habit of his Sister and that love in me and compassion in her hath caused us thus to disguise our selves Afterward he related unto her his extream affection his compliance with Amindor and Philidas the invention of Callirea her resolution to go unto her Husband in a mans habit and in short all the passages with all possible demonstrations of love So as though Daphnis did wonder at the bold attempt of him and his Sister yet she saw the grandure of his affection which might well lead him unto such follies Yet had she been of their counsell at the first she would not have advised unto this enterprize but seeing things did hit so happily she resolved to aid him all that possibly she could and to spare no pains nor care to effect his desires After which promises with many assurances of amitie she gave him the best advice she could which was to insinuate himselfe by degrees into my affection For said she the very word of Love does more offend a woman than the thing it selfe doth and it is alwaies very welcome unto any so the name of it be hid Therefore I think them to be well advised who do make themselves loved of their Mistresses before ever they speak of Love for Love is a thing displeasing only in the name though in it selfe it be agreeable unto all And therefore that you may finde a more favourable reception from Diana you must not so much as name Love no nor to let her see it but must carry the matter so discreetly that she may first love you as soon as ever she shall know that you love her for she being once embarqued she cannot afterwards retire to the Port although she should see a storm in coming Me thinks hitherto you have carried it with very much prudence but you must still continue it The seeming to be in love with her although you seem a woman is to very good purpose for certainly any Love that is once suffered will in the end produce a reciprocall return We see that we do many things with much facility which would seem full of difficulty if the custome of doing them did not render them easie unto us Meats unaccustomed are often at the first disgusted which afterwards are pleasant by use An ear that is accustomed to Musick will tune the voice higher or lower unto a right harmonious cadency when one that is not used to the Art will make a jar So a Shepheardesse who often heares the well tun'd talk of a Lover will in time make her soul ply unto the harmoy of it and in time will incline insensibly to the resentments of Love my meaning is she will love the company of that person and by little and little begin to pitty his pain and at last before she be aware will love him Judge Filander by these instructions whether or no I love you and have pitty of you since I do discover unto you the secrets of our School and receive this advice as an earnest of what I desire to do for you With such discourse as this the day beginning to draw on they returned into the house laughing at the love of Amindor who took him for a woman And falling asleep again to recompense the last nights losse they did lie in bed long in the morning which gave the young Amindor an opportunity of surprising them and had not I entred at the same time into the chamber I believe the jugling had been discovered for he going to the supposed Callirea's bed-side his love began to be a little too licentious and his rash indiscreet hands had like to have gon too far but Daphnis desired me to take him off to part them which I did with no small contentment to Filander who by way of thanks kissed my hand so affectionately as if I had any sense in me I might have known him to be really in love Afterwards bidding them good morrow I carryed Amindor away with me that they might have time to dresse themselves And because they intended to put their proposed designe into execution presently after dinner when we all according to our custome assembled under a shade of trees to enjoy the cool air although Amindor was there yet Daphnis conceived the opportunity to be good for to hear such discourse in his presence â— would remove all manner of suspition and he would not think it strange if afterwards he should by chance hear Filander speak like a man unto me Daphnis then beckening unto Filander to the end he should second her in the designe she thus said unto him What is it Callirea that makes you so mute in Diana's company The reason is answered he because I am thinking what wishes I should make that might make me more servicable unto my Mistresse and amongst the rest I had one which I think I ought not to desire What is it said Amindor It is said Filander that I were a man that I might render more acceptable service unto the fair Diana Why said Daphnis are you in love with her Yes answered Filander and infinitely more then I am with all the world besides I should sooner wish said Amindor that you were a woman again both for my sake and for Philidas It is not the consideration of either of them said Filander shall make me change my wish Why said Daphnis do you think that Diana would love you better I should hope so said Filander and the Lawes of Nature would oblige her to it unlesse as in her beauty she transcends her power so she should in her humour disdain her ordinances You may think what you please of me said I unto him but if you will believe me there is not a man upon earth that I do love more then you Also replyed he there is none that breathes which is more devoted to your service then I But fair Diana that happinesse you mention will last no longer then untill you shall discover the poornesse of my merit or untill some better object present it selfe Do you think me replied I of such a wavering temper It is not Fairest that I think you guilty of the sin of inconstancy replied he but it is because I am conscious that the fault is in my selfe The fault is more on my side answered I And upon this word I did embrace him and kisse him with as much sincere affection as if he had been my sister Hereupon Daphnis smiled in her selfe to see me so deceived But Amindor jealous as I think of us both did interrupt us I think said he that all this is in good earnest and that Callirea does not dissemble I dissemble said he Heaven punish me more then ever perjury was punished if ever any love was more passionate or sincere than mine to Diana If you were a man said Daphnis
do you think you could expresse your passion in the language of a man Though I must confesse said he that my wit and eloquence is but very shallow yet I beleeve I should not stand mute upon such an occasion for my extream affection would prompt me supply all other defects I beseech you fair one ' said Amindor let us see how you could behave your selfe upon such an occasion If my Mistris will give me leave said Filander I will but yet upon condition that she will grant me three requests The first is that she will answer unto what I shall ask her The second that she will not think what I shall present unto her under another person then Callirea to be fained but take them as most reall and true though impuissant passions And the last is that she will never permit any but my selfe to serve her in this kind I seeing every one delighted with the motion and also really loving Filander under the notion of his Sister did answer him that for his second and last request they were granted as soon as desired but as for the first I was so unaccustomed to answer all questions as I was sure they would be but unpleasing Yet because I would not be refractory in any thing I said that I would acquit my selfe as well as I could Upon this word he took me by the hand and began thus I could never have beleeved Fair Mistris considering the transcendency of your perfections that any mortall durst have loved you had I not experimentally found in my selfe that it is impossible to look upon you and not Love But knowing the heavens to be more Just than to impose impossibilities upon any I tooke it for granted that they would have you loved because they suffered you to be seen In this beleefe I assumed the boldnesse to look upon you which I had no sooner done but my heart immediatly submitted The Law permits one to goe and dispose of their own take it not ill Fair shepheardesse that I give you my heart which if you refuse I shall for ever disavow it to be mine Here he stopped to see if I would answer him but in such a manner that had not his habit disguised him I could not have doubted but that he was in good earnest And because I would be as good as my promise I answered him thus Shepheardesse were all these high applauds which you bestow upon me true perhaps then I should think they proceeded from your affection to me but knowing them to be meer flatteries I must needs think the rest no better then dissimulation This Fair one said he does too much disparage your judgement for it is impossible to make any doubt of your perfections and merit but I rather think that perhaps you are used with such excuses to deny such things as you are not pleased to grant But I am able and with all truth to swear by Teutates and all that 's holy and you may know I am not forsworne that you did never in all your life refuse any thing that was given you with a more sincere and perect good will I do know very well answered I that the shepheards of this Country are accustomed to such language as has little truth in it nor do they think that the gods will punish all the perfidious oathes of seeming lovers Whether or no it be the peculiar vice of your shepheards said he I referre it unto your knowledge But for my selfe who am not of this country I am not guilty either of their shame or crime but will out of your most cruell words draw some satisfaction to my selfe If the gods do punish the oaths of perfidious lovers and if I be guiltiy then the gods will send the punishment of perjurie upon me and if they do not then you must be forced to confesse that since I am not punished I am no lyer And if I be no lyer then you must confesse I am your lover So let your wit turne it which way you will it cannot be denyed but that you are the fairest upon earth or else there is none in it and that your beauty is infinitly adored by that shepheard who presents himselfe before you and who implores your favour which he thinks he may merit if a most perfect love could ever do it Whether I am fair or no replyed I I will be judged by any indifferent eyes but how ever you cannot deny that you do dissemble and are perjured and I must tell you Callirea that these expressions which you have used as a man shall make me resolve never to credit any words since you being a woman do know how so wel to dissemble Why Diana do you interrupt the discourse of your Servant said he and smiled do you wonder that Callirea should expresse so much affection to you No no it is absolutly impossible to diminish or increase for it is most violent shall be eternall I will in spite of opposition love you Love you to my grave and in my grave also if it be possible as Tirisias being a woman became a man why may I not hope that the gods may as well change me Beleeve it Fair Diana that since the gods never made any thing in vaine it is not likely they should inspire me with a most perfect affection to no purpose Daphnis seeing this discourse went a little too farr and was daingerous because this Lovers passion had a little transported him and might discover him unto Amindor she did interrupt him and said Doubtlesse Callirea your love is not in vain since it is imployed to serve this shepheardesse no more then a candle consumes it selfe in vaine which gives light unto all about it For all the world adores her as well as you and you do most excellently imploy your time if it be in her service Come come said Amindor let us leave this discourse see where Philidas comes who though he be a man yet he will take no delight in it Then Philidas came and every one rose to salute him But Amiâ—dor who was pittifully in love with the disguised Callirea when his cosin came tooke an opportunitie to draw her aside Then taking her by the arme and seeing none within hearing began to say thus unto her Is it possible fair Callirea that the language wherein you expressed your selfe unto Diana should proceed from your heart Or did you use them only to shew the acutenesse of your wit Beleeve me Amindor answered Filander I am no lyer and the expression of my affection to her was the very thoughts of my heart and if there be any want of truth in it it was only want of words to expresse my resentments Unto which with a deep sigh he answered thus Since it is so fair Callireâ— and that you are sensible of the same wounds I cannot but thinke you can be also very sensible of that affection which others bear unto you And therefore I shall use
the body and she died immediatly falling between his Horses feet who fell so to bound and curvet that he threw his Rider And because Philidas upon the first receipt of her wound did cry out aloud and named Filander he not being far off did hear the voice and seeing her in so sad a condition he was much moved but much more when he saw this Barbarian running after me with a naked sword in his hand and I as I told you so out of breath that I could hardly set one foot before another How doe you think this poor Shepheard did now behave himself I doe not think ever any enraged Lioness robbed of her young ones did run so fiercely after him that carried them away as Filander did after this cruel Monster and he being heavily clogged with his Arms the poor Shepheard soon overtook him and cryed out Stay Knight stay doe not offer any violence unto her that deserves rather to be adored And because he still stayed not either because his fury had stopped his ears or because he did not understand the Language Filander took up a stone and threw it at him which hit him such a blow upon the head that he fell to the ground and which without his Armour had certainly killed him but getting up again immediatly he forgot his anger against me and turned it so furiously upon poor Filander as he having nothing in his hand for defence but onely a Shepheards hook he could not avoid that fatal blow which he received upon his body But yet feeling his enemies sword already entred such force and courage did his natural generosity give him that in lieu of recoyling he advanced and so far as till the sword was up to the hilt and gave his cruel enemy such a blow on the forehead with his Shepheards hook that he felled him to the ground and seizing upon his throat with his hands and teeth he made a shift to kill him But alass this victory was dearly bought for as this Fiend fell dead on one side Filander fell on the other but so that the point of his sword hitting upon a stone the weight of his body made it come out of the wound I who alwaies was looking behind me to see whether this Monster did overtake me when I saw him wounded so dangerously forgetting all manner of fear I stopped and when I almost dead as well as he did see him in this lamentable state sat down upon the ground calling him in a most sad tone by his name and using all my diligence to help him but hee had lost so much blood that hee could not answer Yet see the force of a pure affection I who had used never to see so much blood without a Faint had now the courage to put my handkerchief into his wound and to tear my other linnen to stop the course of blood on the other side This officious diligence did him some service for he having his head in my lap he opened his eyes and began to speak and seeing me all in tears he forced himself to say thus unto me If ever I hoped for a more favourable End than this fair Shepherdess I pray the heavens never to have pitty upon me I did alwaies foresee that the meaness of my merit could never bring me to my desired happiness and my fears alwaies were lest despair should drive me unto some cruel resolution against my self The Gods who do know what is good for us better then we do our selves did very well know that I had not lived so long but for you and therefore they would have me also to dye for you Judge then what contentment it is to me since I do not onely die for you but also to preserve that which is most dear unto you your Chastity Oh my most fair and dearest Mistris there wants nothing now but one thing to compleat my contentment And that my soul may sing an Anthem unto you in the Elizian fields I doe most humbly beg it He uttered these dying words with much pain and seeing him in that sad condition I gave him as satisfactory an answer as his heart could desire Dearest friend said I surely the Gods never inspired you with such a sweet and pure affection to extinguish it so soon I hope yet they will lend you so much life as may give me opportunities to let you see that I will not yeeld unto you in point of amity no more than you doe unto any in point of merit And for a testimony of my unfeigned affection to you ask what you will of me and obtain it for there is nothing that I will deny you At these words he took my hand and drawing it nearer him I doe kiss this fair hand said he with a thankful soul for all the favours it hath done me But ah fairest Mistris since I doe suffer the pangs of death for your sake I doe conjure you by my most pure affection and by your own good promise to let me carry so much contentment with me out of the world as to say I am your Husband and then my soul dye when it will will be at ease I do vow unto you fair Shepherdesses that these words did so pierce my heart that I was hardly able to sustain myself and it was onely my desire of pleasing him which gave me courage and therefore as soon as he had made his request I said thus unto him Filander I do consent unto what you doe require of me and doe swear unto you before all the Gods and particularly the deities of this place that Diana receives you for her Husband and with her whole heart and soul gives her self unto you In speaking these words I kissed him And I said he do give my self and soul unto you thinking my self most happy in the glorious Name of Husband unto the fair Diana Alass this word Diana was the last he ever breathed for drawing me towards him to kiss me he expired leaving his last breath upon my lips What should I now doe fair Shepherdess since he is dead for I did love him with most perfect affection I fell upon him and without either pulse or any motion was carried home Oh heavens how I did resent this loss and have ever since preserved so lively a memory of him in my soul that me thinks I see him every hour before my eyes and me-thinks I heare him every minute bid me love him still And so I do fair soul with an eternal love And if thou hast any knowledg of what is don here below receive dearest friend these tears which I do offer unto thee as a testimony that as long as Diana lives she wil love her dear Filander Astrea to interrupt the grieving language of Diana said thus unto her I beseech you fair Shepherdess who was this monstrous piece of cruelty that was the cause of this dire disaster Alass said Diana I know not what they call him but I am sure he
since there is no such sympathy betwixt your high merits Great Nimph and my poor imperfections you need not wonder if your perfections did not attract me unto you Your modesty Sir said Lemida does onely make the dissimilitude betwixt us Doe you think it is in your body or your soul If in your body your face and the rest of your parts argues the contrary if in the soul me thinks if you have one that is reasonable it is not different from ours Silvander found that now he had not to deal with Shepheardesses but with one of a higher strain and therefore he resolved to answer her with more solid reasons than he used amongst Shepheardesses therefore thus replied Every thing in the whole universe fair Nimph must be valued according to its own proper quality for otherwise Man who is of highest esteem would be the lowest since every animal excels him in some particular thing or other one in strength another in swiftness another in sight another in hearing another in smelling and so in many priviledges of body But when it is considered that the gods have made all these Animals for the service of Man and man for the service of the gods it must needs be confessed that the gods are above all from hence I argue that to know the true value of every thing it must be looked into to what service the gods did make them and it is they that set the value upon things nor surely the gods could never be so much mistaken as to equall your merit and mine and yet make you a great Nymph and me but a poor silly shepheard Leonida did in her mind much commend the wit of this Shepheard who could put so good a glosse upon a bad matter And therefore to give him more subject to continue she said thus unto him But allow all this in regard of me yet why could not these shepheardesses invite you since according to your own argument there is the same proportion and simpathy betwixt you and them Sage Nymph answered Silvander the lesse does alwayes submit unto the greater part and where you are these sherheardesses must do the same why disdainful Shepheard said Diana do you so little esteem of us I did say so said Silvander because I did esteeme you so much for if I had an ill opinion of you I should never have said that you were a part of that great Nymph since thereby I do not make you her inferiour Only in that she deserves to be loved for her merits for her beauty and for her quality you only for your merits and for your beautie I should be glad Silvander said Diana that I had so much merit or beauty either as to obtain the Love of so wel an accomplished Shepheard as you are She spoke this because he was so far from any thoughts of Love that he was called amongst them The insensible man and she was very desirous to make him speake of it Unto whom he answered think and beleeve what you please so you will confesse you want one of your principall parts And which is that said Diana Your wil replyed he for it and the effects of it are contrary No no said Phillis and interrupted him for I beleeve Silvander loves her as much as her will would have him The Shepheard hearing her say so turned towards Astrea and said that they did him wrong to be two to one The wrong said Diana is offered unto me for this shepheardesse seeing me in combate with a strong enemy and suspecting my courage and strength would needs aid me That is not it which does offend you fair Shepheardesse said he for she has more judgement then to make any doubt of your victory but that which does offend you is that she seeing me already vanquished she must needs steal the victorie and the honour of it in offering to give me a blow at the latter end of the combate but I do not know how she did intend it for I assure you if you had not medled she had not so easily gotten the glory as she thought Phillis who had a good natural and pleasant wit who resolved to spend that day with Leonida as pleasantly as she could did answer him in a haughty manner T is very well Silvander said she that you thinke it a thing so desirable and honorable to me to vanquish you but let me tell you I rank the victory amongst the meanest that ever I got Neither ought you to despise it said the Shepheard since it is the first you ever got of me As it is honorable replyed Phillis to be the first where there is merit so it is a shame where there is none Ah Shepheardesse said Diana never say so of Silvander for if all Shepheards who are inferior to him in merit should be scorned I know not who should be loved This this is the very blow that will overcome him said Phillis nay doubtlesse he is yours Uncivilized and wild spirits are to surprised at the very first attracts for not being accustomed to such favours they recieve them with such a gust as they are not able to make any resistance Phillis spoke thus in way of mockery but the gratious defence of Diana had such an influence upon this Shepheard that he thought himselfe obliged by the Lawes of courtesie to serve her and in that opinion the perfections of Diana had so much power over him that he conceived such seeds of love as time and practice did increase to a great heights as afterwards I shall tell you This dispute passed amongst these Shepheardesses with much delight unto Leonida who admired their quaint wits then Phillis turning towards the Shepheard said unto him Come come Shepheard words are but wind come to the test and tell me truly Who is the Shepheardesse which particularly is your adored Saint Even she answered he whom you see me adore That is as much to say said Phillis that you adore none but that proceeds alas from want of courrage Rather replyed Sylvander from want of wil. But you fair one who doe so much despise me I pray tell me Who is the Shepheard whom you do particularly Love All such answered she as have any wit or courage And he that sees a perfect beautie and cannot love certainly wants wit or courage or both This is an answer too generall said Silvander pray come to particulars and tell us that one whom you do love I wish said she there were any so forward as to attempt it Then added Silvander it is for want of courage Then Silvander said she it is for want of will Why said Silvander would you have any to think that it is more want of will in you then me I would those actions which are decent in you said the shepheardesse were permitted me do you think it handsome in me to leap and run as you do But let us dispute no longer let Diana be Judge in the businesse and thereby you
may see what confidence I have in my cause since I make choice of a partiall Judge I shall judge according to reason said Diana Then said Phillis since words cannot justifie a businesse is it not requisite to come to proofes Doubtlesse it is said Diana Condemne then this shepheard replyed Phillis to render some proofs of that merit which he saith is in him and that he undertake to serve and love a shepheardesse in such a manner as she be constrained to confesse that he merits to be loved againe and if he cannot do that then that he ingenuously acknowledge his unworthynesse Leonida and the shepheardesses thought this proposition so agreeable to reason that with one common voice he was condemned Not said Diana that he should be constrained to love for that must ever proceed from a free voluntary genius and not from constraint but I do ordain that he do serve and honour as you do say My Judg answered Silvander though you have condemned me without hearing me yet I will not appeal from your sentence only I require that she whom I must serve do merit and ackowledge my service Silvander Silvander said Phillis because you want courage you fly unto evasions but I shall prevent you by a proposition which I shall make I do propound unto you one against whom there is no exceptions either in matter of wit courage or beauty and that is Diana For my part said Silvander I do accept of the motion provided it be with the approbation of all these beauties Diana would liave answered and made some excuse but at the request of Leonida and Astrea she consented upon condition that this essay should not last above three monthes This courtship being Silvanders sentence he kneeled down and kissed the hand of his new Mistrisse as if he had taken his oath of fidelitie and afterwards rising up he said thus Fairest Mistriss I do in all humility submit unto your ordinance but I do most humbly beseech you to let me make one proposition And when Diana said that he had free liberty he went on As I have been justly condemned to make this proof of my selfe for speaking too highly of my own merits against a person who despised me So I beseech you why should this vain glorious Phillis who infinitly outswells me in vanitie and who was the first cause of this dispute why I say should not she be sentenced to render the like testimony Astrea not staying for Dianas answer said that she thought the motion so just as she was consident it would be granted and Diana asking the Nymphs opinion who was of the same mind she condemned the shepheardesse as was requested I did never expect a more favorable doome said Phillis but well what must I do You must get the favour of some shepheardesse said Silvander That said Diana is not reasonable She must do more then that For I do ordaine that she do love and serve a shepheardesse and so as she do cause her selfe to be loved and he or she of you two who shall be least unto her you serve shall be constrayned to yeild unto the other Then my desire is said Phillis that I may serve Astrea Sister said she you are about a work which is already done to your hand but it were much better you made choice of Diana not only for the two reasons which you alledged unto Silvander which was her merits and wit but also because she is best able to judge of both your services if they be both addressed unto her This did carry such a sound of reason with it that it was immediately consented unto then after Diana had taken an oath that without any regard but truth the should do equall justice at the three months end It was very pleasant to observe the passages of this new love For Phillis was a very excellent servant and Silvander feigning to be one became one in good earnest as afterwards you shall heare Diana on the other side did so well know how to play the Mistrisse that any would have thought it to be in reall earnest As they were thus discoursing and Leonida thinking this kind of life to enjoy more happinesse then any other they saw two Shepheardesses and two Shepheards comming along the meadow who by their habits seemed to be strangers and when they were a little neerer Leonida who was very inquisitive to know the names of the Shepheards and Shepheardesses of Lignon did aske who they were To which Phillis answered that they were strangers to which Silvander said that surely he should know one of them particulary whose name is Hylas a merry shepheard and one that loves all he lookes upon but the best is he who receives the blow has the plaister for as he can soon love so he can soon forget and he has the maddest and most extravagant arguments to prove his inconstant humour to be the best as it is impossible to heare them and not laugh truly said Leonida his company will be very good let us put him upon that discourse as soon as he comes That 's easily don said Silvander for he will alwaies be talking of it but as this is his humour so there is one with him of a quite contrary disposition for he does nothing but pule and grieve for the death of a Shepheardesse whom he loved he is a sâ—ber and discreet man but so sad and lumpish as nothing proceeds from him but expressions of a melancholy soul is he this country man said Leonida Fair Nymph said Silvander I do not know but if you please I will ask them at this word they were come so neer that they heard Hylas chanting out these verses Hylas his catch upon Inconstancy IF any beauty constant make me 'T is more her honour so to take me I love to change by Jove and must Unto my liberty be just And why should any be so shy To shun me for Inconstancy Since if a beauty constant make me 'T is more her honour so to take me It argues beautie in the height To make a crooked Lover streight And 't is a miracle more high To make my heart all Constancy Therefore if any Constant make me ' â—ie more her honour so to take me To stay a stone that still doth stand Is easie worke for any hand But 't is a matter much more high To stop an Eagle in the skie Therefore if any constant make me 'T is more her honour so to take me But why should any think it strange That I should for the better change Will any that have wit or eyes Not after for a better prize Then if a beauty constant make me 'T is more her honour so to take me Come then dear Mistrisses that faine The prize of beautie would obtain Settle my wanton wavering mind By Carrassing and being kind For she that can ere constant make me Has got the honour Let her take me Leonida smiled at Silvander and told him That this Shepheard
as they could not chuse but send forth signes of their too much joy Cleon's discretion was such that she conferred no more favours upon Tircis in the eye of the world than ordinary but being jealous of her honour she desired him to counterfeit a love unto me to the end all eyes might be upon me and off her and me sooner than any other it being long observed that I loved him He who was all obedience unto whatsoever Cleon commanded did accordingly apply himself unto me Oh heavens when I think upon the sweetest expressions he used unto me I cannot chuse though they were all false but cherish them and wish since I can be no otherwise happy that I were so deceived again And certainly Tircis had no hard task to perswade me that he loved me For I did not think my selfe so disagreeable but that a long continued practice together with my endeavours to please him might work upon him at which the vain-glorious Cleon did oft make her selfe sport with Tircis but had Love been just and turned the love of Tircis to me into earnest her mockery might have lightt upon her selfe This life of dissimulation was so tedious to him that he was not able to endure it any longer and had not Love blinded the eyes of all Lovers certainly I should have perceived it as well as most did who saw us together but I would not lend any believing ear unto them no more than unto my most mortall enemy And because Cleon and I were very familiar this subtle Shepheardesse was afraid lest time should discover my error unto me which to prevent she invented this stratagem Her designe was as I told you before to conceal that affection which Tircis bore unto her under his cloak of seeming to love me and it was effected accordingly for every one talked aloud of the love of Tircis unto me But Cleon as I told you before fearing this stratagem would be discovered did invent another full as subtle as the other She advised Tircis to make me believe that the world talked very broad of our amitie and put wrong constructions upon it and therefore it was necessary to stop all scandalous tongues by prudence and in order to that he would counterfeit a love unto Cleon and tell her said she that you make choice of me rather than any other because of your conveniency in being neer me and speaking to me I who was all sinceritie and no subtletie did think this counsel to be very good so as from thence forwards with my permission when we were all three together he talked with Cleon as he was wont without any difficultie And certainly it was good sport to them and would have been to any other that had known the dissimulation For when I saw him so officious about Cleon I thought he had all that while but mocked her and had much adoe to forbear laughing On the other side Cleon observing my actions and knowing how I was deluded she could hardly contain her thoughts of mirth But see how good natur'd I was I did extreamly pitty her for the griefe she would resent when she came to know the truth But alas afterwards I found that the pitty belonged unto my selfe and who as well as I might not as well have been deceived for Love assoon as ever he takes entire possession of a soul does presently expell all diffidence of the party loved And this dissembling Shepheard did personate his part so well that had I been in Cleons room perhaps I should have doubted whether he acted a fiction or a truth Sometimes when he was betwixt us both and had given Cleon some notable demonstration of affection presently he would turn to me and ask me in my ear whether he did not act his part well but his grand craft rested not in such a trifle I beseech you hear what an Arts-Master he was in his Art he talked with Cleon in private more often then with me he would kisse her hand be down upon his knees two houres together before her and never hid any passage from me for the reasons aforesaid But in publick he never stirred from me and courted me with so much dissimulation that most had the same opinion of our Loves which he did upon designe desiring that I only should see his courtship unto Cleon because he knew I did not believe it but would not by any means that any others should be witnesses And when I told him that we could not remove that opinion which the people had of our amitie and that none would believe he loved Cleon then would he answer me Why how should they ever believe a thing which is not no nor well enough dissembled But said he whatsoever we do we must deceive Cleon let others think what they will for if she be but handsomely deluded our designe is almost compleated Hereupon he desired me that I would speak unto her in his behalfe and become as it were his confident She said he who has that opinion already will the more gladly receive the messages that you shall bring and so we shall live in more assurance and freer from all suspition Oh! what a miserable fortune do we often follow For my part I thought that if Cleon did believe I had loved this Shepheard I should destroy that beliefe by desiring her to love him and by speaking for him as his confident But Cleon knowing the discourse between the Shepheard and me and living in a kinde of constraint she thought that by this means she might most conveniently receive all her Messages and Letters from him and therefore she bade the proposition which I made unto her very welcome and after this treated me as one she loved And thus I was made use of only as a Letter Carryer between them Oh Love what a misery didst thou put me upon But I am not the first who has done the like offices for another in thinking to do it for themselves At that time the Franks the Romans the Goths and the Burgundians being all up in Armes we were constrained to live in Townes and there being a huge concourse of people from all parts also wanting their Country-accommodations a pestilent disease did so raign in the Town as most of the people died of it so it chanced that Cleons Mother was infected and though the disease was so contagious that hardly either Parent or kindred would stay with the party infected yet such was the naturall affection of Cleon to her Mother that she would never part from her but would still stay notwithstanding all the perswasion of friends who told her that she offended the gods in running into a wilfull danger unto whom she still returned this answer If you love me never use any more of this discourse for do I not owe my life unto her who gave me mine and will the gods be offended with me for helping her who taught me to serve them In this pious and filiall resolution
already covered Then after this high testimony of affection he returned to the Town and would not be seen of any When all these passages were known unto me but yet onely hearing Cleon was dead I went unto his chamber to enquire of all particulars When I came at the chamber door which stood half shut and half open me-thought I heard him sigh and was not mistaken for looking in at a chink of the door I saw him lying upon his bed with eyes and hands lifted up to heaven and his face swimming all in tears Judge generous Shepheard whether or no I was astonished for I did not think he had loved her but came rather with intentions to rejoice with him than to condole Then after I had seen him in this sad condition I heard him utter these words Upon the Death of CLEON. Tears turn to Rivers never hide But swel your selves into a flowing tide She 's dead who whilst she liv'd did lustre give To as much virtue as did ever live No faigning now my Love my grief will show No hopes are left for Lovers here below All that are left are lodged in her grave And he that has no hopes no fears can have She liv'd in me I liv'd in her and both So twisted were together by an oath Of faithful Love as both though two but one And now my Cleon dead is I am none But stay me thinks she is not dead her heart To live in me did from her self depart Her body 's onely dead And now I see My spirits dy'd in her hers live in me Oh heavens what a weeping statue was I turned when I heard him utter these words My astonishment was so great as leaning against the door it opened at which he turning his head and seeing me he put out his hand and bade me sit down upon the bed by him and when he had wiped away some tears from his swelled eyes he spoke thus unto me Alass Laonice poor Cleon is dead and we are left here below to lament her loss And because my grief would not suffer me to return an answer he continued on I know Shepheardess that you seeing me in this condition doe much wonder that the feigned amity which I professed unto her should make me mourn so excessively for her loss But alass remove your error I beseech you for I think it is too great a sin against Love to continue any longer under the cover of dissimulation which my affection forced me to assume And know Laonice that all this while I did love Cleon and all my addresses unto you were but coverings of that love And therefore if you did ever love me for Gods sake Laonice turn that love into pitty and condole with me this sad disaster which at one blow has cut off all my hopes If ever I did offend you I beseech you pardon me since it was committed onely because I could not fail in my duty to my dearest Cleon. I was so transported at these words that I went out and could hardly hit the way to my own home where I kept my chamber a long time lamenting this sad disaster And I did with Tircis whom I still loved excuse all those Treasons he had committed against me and pardoned the dissimulations whereby he offended me thinking them no dissimulations nor treasons but onely violencies of love I was the more easily induced to pardon him since Love as a Consederate with his faults did flatter me with some hopes of succeeding Cleon in his affection As I was thus soothing my self in these thoughts one came to tell me that Tircis was gone and none knew whither or where he was This surcharge of sorrow so surprised me as I did immediatly resolve to follow him And to the end none might hinder me I departed so secretly at the beginning of the night as before morning I was gotten farre off Whether I was astonished when I was alone in the dark the heavens do know unto whom my complaints were addressed but however Love who was my secret companion did inspire me with courage enough to go through with my design Following then on my voyage and taking the path my feet first trod upon for I know not which way Tircis went nor my self neither I went wandering like a Vagabond for three months together and never heard the least syllable of him At the last passing over the Mount Dor I met with this Shepheardess said she and pointed unto Madonche and with her this Shepheard called Thersander sitting under a shady Rock to pass away the heat of the day And it being my custom to enquire of all I met concerning Tircis I understood by some signs which they gave me that he was in those desarts and went wandring and lamenting the loss of Cleon. Then I related unto them all the same story which I have told unto you and conjured them to give me the best directions they could Madonche moved with pitty did give me such a sweet answer as I judged her to be sick of the same disease I was and I was not mistaken for I heard since the story of her sorrows by which I found that Love wounds as well in the Court as Country And because there was much resemblance in our fortunes she desired we might both goe together since both were upon the same quest I did with open arms embrace the motion and thought it better to enjoy such a sad companion than to be alone But this discourse is impertinent since I intend onely to relate the story of Tircis and my self Well generous Shepheard after three months quest in this Country I met with him and so contrary to his expectation that hee was extreamly surprised At the first he looked upon me with a loving eye but afterwards when he saw the occasion of my voyage was my Love to him hee openly declared the affection which he still bore unto Cleon and that it was not in his power to love me Love I beseech thee and not this ungrateful man If there be any justice in thee let me have some recompence for all my pains Thus Laonice ended and addressed her self in a sad posture unto Silvander as if she courted his favour for Justice in her cause Then Tircis began to speak in this manner Though the story of my misfortunes be as this Shepheardess hath related them yet my sorrows are infinitely more pittifull which I will not relate lest I should too much trouble you and all this company onely with this that when we could not support our sorrows we did with common consent address ourselves unto the Oracle to know our dooms from it and we received this answer from the mouth of Arontine THE ORACLE Look Lovers ' mongst the Shepheards that abide Where Lignon like a Serpent there doth glide There shall you find one Learned in the Laws Of Love and Justice he shall Judge your Cause And though we have long resided in these parts yet you are the
first that asked us of the state of our fortunes And therefore we do in all humility submit our selves and fortunes unto your doom beseeching you to determine the difference between us And to the end all things might be done according to the will of the Gods the old Matron who delivered the Oracle told us that both of us were to chuse our Advocate amongst the company by Lot the first Lot to plead for Laonice and the last for me Upon this he entreated them all that they would be pleased to take these offices upon them unto which they all consented The first Lot fell upon Hylas and the last upon Phillis Hylas he smiled and said thus If I were now as heretofore I was a servant unto Laonice I should very hardly be perswaded to argue in her behalf that Tircis ought to love her but now at this time since I am all for Madonche I am very willing to obey that God who so ordained it Shepheard said Leonida you may by this observe the great Providence of this Divinity who to move one unto change hath committed the charge of it unto unconstant Hylas as unto one who best knows the way and to move one to a faithful amity hath cast the Lot upon a Shepheardesse that is firm and constant in her actions Also such a Judge is chosen as will not be partial For Silvander is the most fit since he is neither constant nor unconstant in his affection because he never loved Then Silvander began to speak and thus said unto them Since Tircis and Laonice you are both willing that I should be the Judge of your differences I shall require you both to swear that you wil inviolably observe my Sentence for otherwise the Gods may be the more incensed and all our labours lost Which both consented unto and then Hylas began in this manner The Oration of Hylas in behalfe of Laonice Most wise and impartiall Judge WEre I to plead before some hard harted and unnaturall person I should feare lest perhaps the defects of my capacity should prejudice the justice of my Clients cause But since I am to argue the businesse before you who has the heart of a man I mean who knowes the duties of a man well born I cannot chuse but be confident of a favourable judgment and take it for almost certain that if you were in the roome of Tircis you would be extreamly ashamed to be branded with such a crime I wil not strive for any far fetcht reasons to approve that which is so abundantly cleere in it selfe only shall hint thus much unto you that the very name of man does oblige him unto a confession of his error And the Lawes and ordinances both of heaven and nature do all command him to dispute no further in the cause Does not the rules of courtesie and gratitude require a retaliation for benefits received Does not heaven it selfe say that all services ought to be remunerated with some wages And does not nature force him to love a faire woman who loves him and to abhor rather then to dote upon dead corps But this man is a grand offend eragainst all these sacred Laws for in lieu of all the great favour he hath received from Laonice he has returned high discourtesies in lieu of all those services which he himself confesseth she hath done him serving him so long for a cloak of his amity to Cleon he does pay her the wages of ingratitude and for that dear affection which she ever bore him even from her cradle he answers her only with scorne If thou beest a man Tircis make it appeare thou dost adore the gods and recompence this fair shepheardesse who has run so many hazards and miseries for thy sake And if thou beest a man then surely thou hast the qualitie of one which is to love the living and not the dead If thou dost acknowledge the gods dost thou not know they use to punish such as despise their ordinances and that Love never pardons crimes betwixt a Lover and a Loved If thou doest confesse that she hath served and loved thee even from her very cradle Oh heavens is it ever possible such a long affection and agreeable service should be payed with scorne But admit and suppose that this affection and service being voluntary in Laonice and not courted or desired by Tircis yet surely I cannot beleeve Oh just and wise Silvander but you wil decree that a deceiver ought to make satisfaction unto the party deceived and so by consequence Tircis who has so long deluded this fair Shepheardesse by his dissimulations and trickes ought he not to repair the injury done her with a reall and unfaigned affection He has long used lyes and falsities let him at last use truths and honesty nor can I ever think you will decree that Tircis should Love and live with a dead person and not a living but will rather doome his Love to be bestowed upon me that can love him again rather then upon a few could ashes in a coffin But good Tircis tell me what thy designe is when thou hast drowned the sad reliques of poor Cleon in a flood of teares dost thou think that it and all thy sighes and groanes can ever raise her up again Alas Caron never wafts any over but once and is ever after deaf to all cries and calls No no Tircis 't is flat impiety to trouble the tranquillitie of those whom the gods have called to themselves Amitie is ordained for the living and coffins for the dead do not then so preposterously give thy affection unto the dead Cleon and a coffin unto the living Laonice This does not get thee the name of constant for Cleon now has no interest in thee must one alwaies go naked because their first cloathes are worne And that is no more ridiculous then to heare you say that because Cleon your old Mistrisse is worn away therefore you will never have a new one Fie fie call your selfe to accompt acknowledge your error cast your self at the feeet of this fair one acknowledg unto her your fault and so avoid that sentence unto which our just Judge by this sentence will doom you Hylas thus ended with much contentment unto every one except Tircis whose teares did testifie the grandure of his griefe When Phillis by the command of Silvander began to answer Hylas thus The Answer of Phillis in the behalf of Tircis Oh Fair Cleon who out of heaven hears the injury that is offered unto thee inspire me with thy Divinity for so I may wel esteem thee if vertue couldever make any humane person divine and so furnish me with soliditie of reasons as I may make it most apparant that Tircis ought never to love any but thy perfections And you prudent Judge whose wisdom is infinitly above my shallow conceptions I beseech you let the abundance of reason which is in my cause supply those wants that are in me And to begin Let
me tell you Hylas that all those reasons which you have instanced for a proof that the loving party ought to be loved again though they be fals yet shall be allowed as good But how can you conclude from them that Tircis ought to betray the amitie of Cleon by beginning a new love of Laonice These are impossibilities and contradictions Impossible because none is obliged unto more then they can do How would you have this Shepheard love when he has no will You laugh Hylas when you heare me say he has none Faith I do so said Hylas I pray what has he done with it He that loves answered Phillis doth give his soul it self all its faculties unto the party loved and so by con equenee his wil is not in his power But this Cleon replyed Hylas being dead has nothing and therefore Tircis ought to to take his own again Ah Hylas Hylas answered Phillis you talke like an ignorant in Love for such gifts as are disposed on by Loves authoritie are for ever irrevocable Pray then said Hylas what is become of this will since the death of Cleon The lesse followes the greater replied Phillis if pleasure be the object of the will if that cease to be a pleasure where 's the will And so it hath followed Cleon if Cleon be not then there is no will for he had never had it but for her But if Cleon be in some certain place as our Druids hold that she is then this will is in her hands so contented in the place where she is that if she her selfe would chase it away she cannot returne it to Tircis as knowing well it would be in vain but it goes into the grave and rests with her beloved Ashes this being so why do you tax the faithful Tircis with ingratitude if it be in his power to love any other Also you do not only require things impossible but also things in themselves contraries for if every one ought to love the party that loves why should he not then love Cleon who never failed him in amitie And as for the recompences which you demand for the Services and Letters which Laonice carried pray let her remember the contentment she received by them and how merry she made herselfe as long as this fallacie lasted who otherwise would have droned out a dull and melancholy life So as if she balance the payment which the service I assure my selfe she will think her selfe very well payed You say Hylas that Tircis deceived her but I say it was no deceipt but a just punishment of love who returned her own blows upon her selfe for her intention was not to serve him but to delude Cleon. Thus Silvander have I briefly answered the false reasons of this Sheapheard and there remaines no more but to make Laonice confesse that she injured Tircis in her unjust pursuing of him which I shall easily do if she will be but pleased to answer me Fair Shepheardesse pray tell me do you love Tircis Shepheardesse answered she all that knowes me knowes I do If he were forced to be absent replyed Phillis and another in the mean time should court you would you not change affection No answered she for I would still hope he would returne If you heard that he would never return said Phillis would you then cease to love him No certainly answered she Then Fair Laonice answered Phillis think it not strange that Tircis who knowes that his Cleon is in heaven that she sees all his actions and rejoyceth in his fidelity should not change the affection he bore unto her nor let this distance of place seperate their loves since all the hindrances of life could never do it Do not beleeve what Hylas said that none ever returnes over the River Acheron many that have been beloved of the gods have both gone and come and who knowes but Cleon who was adorned with so many excellencies of soul may find the same favour from Love Oh Laonice were but your eyes permitted to look upon Divinitie you would see that Cleon to defend her own cause is in this place and whispers these words into my eares which I utter in her defence Then would you confesse that Hylas was in the wrong when he said that Tircis was mad to love her cold ashes Me thinks I see her in the midst of us and in lieu of a fragile body subject unto humane accidents she is cloathed with glorious imortality and chiding Hylas for the blasphemies he had breathed against her What wouldst thou answer Hylas if thy happy Cleon should say thus unto thee Wilt thou offer O thou inconstant wretch to stain my Tircis with thy own insidelity If he did heretofore love me dost thou think it was my Body If thou shouldst answer Yes I would then reply that then he ought to be condemned to love the ashes which I have left in my Coffin as long as they will last For a Lover never ought to retreat from a Love once begun If thou dost confesse that it was my Soul he loved which was my principall part then Oh thou fond and unconstant sinner why should he now change his will since she is now more perfectly glorious than ever she was Otherwise such is the misery of the living I should be jealous I should be vexed and I should be seen by many eyes as I am by his But now I am delivered from such mortall imperfections and am no more capable of any infirmities And wouldst thou Hylas with thy sacrilegious perswasions divert him from me in whom I only lived upon earth and by a most barbarous cruelty endeavour to give me a second death Oh! most horrid to hear These words wise Silvander do make such a Turring sound in my ears as I do believe they will make your heart resent them as well as mine And therefore to let this divinity argue the cause in your soul I will be silent only let me hint thus much unto you that Love is so just as you your selfe ought to stand in awe of his punishing hand if Laonice's pitty rather then Cleon's reasons should move you At this word Phillis made a low congee intimating thereby that she had no more to say in the behalfe of Tircis Laonice offered to answer further but Silvander would not suffer her saying that now she was to hear the sentence which the gods would pronounce by his mouth Then after he had weighed the reasons on both sides he pronounced this Doom The Judgment of Silvander THe principall point in the cause debated before us is to know whether Love can die by the death of the party loved Unto which I say that the Love which is perishable is not right Love for it ought to follow the subject which gave it life and therefore those who love only the Body ought to enclose their love of that body in the same Coffin where it is but such as love the Soul ought with their love to flie
after this loved Soul as far as the highest heavens and no distance ought to separate them All these things therefore well considered I do ordain that Tircis do love his Cleon still and that the two Loves which are in us the one do follow the Body into the grave and the other the Soul into heaven That Tircis do not any more disturb the rest of Cleon's Soul by any compliance unto the importunities of Laonice This is the Will of the gods pronounced by me Having thus given Sentence not staying to hear the complaints of Laonice and Hylas he made a low congie unto Leonida and the rest of the company and went away without any company but Phillis who would not tarry to hear the sad resentments of this Shepheardesse And because it was late Leonida went that night unto Diana's house with all the rest of the Shepheards and Shepheardesses except Laonice who was so extreamly offended at Silvander and Phillis as she swore she would not go out of that Country before she had done them some remarkable displeasure It seemes fortune did conduct her as she desired for having left the company and sitting down in the wood where she might with more liberty lament her disasters her better Genius did represent before the eyes of her fancy the insupportable disdain of Tircis how he was unworthy of her Love and was so ashamed of his fault as she vowed a thousand times to hate him and for his sake both Silvander and Phillis Whilst these things thus passed in her memory it hapned that Lycidas who of late was displeased with Phillis for some coldnesse towards him espied Silvander and her talking together 'T is true this Shepheardesse was not altogether so full of triviall expressions of Love to him as ' she was before her frequent association with Diana for that new amitie together with the delight which Astrea Diana and she took in being together did so much take her up as she minded not those fond trifles of affection which nourished the love of Lycidas so as he had a conceit that the reason why she was not so conversant with him as before was some new Love which had diverted her from him and not being able to imagine who it should be that she now loved he went wandring up and down in places most melancholy and unfrequented that he might with more freedome lament his miseries And as ill luck was he spied as I told you before Silvander and Phillis in discourse together which sight did not a little increase his jealousie for knowing the merits of the Shepheard and Shepheardesse he easily believed that Silvander who never yet loved any had bestowed himselfe upon her and that she according to the humour of her Sex did willingly accept of the gift These considerations did much stir up his suspition but much more when they passing by him and not seeing him be heard or thought he heard the words of a Lover and those perhaps were only some repetition of Silvander's sentence But to put himselfe out of all patience it happened that having let them passe by he did rise out of the place where he was and because he would not follow them took the contrary way and as fortune would have it he did sit down neer the place where Laonice was who all this while never saw him After he had a while nursed upon his mishaps and being transported with the thoughts of them he cryed out aloud Oh Love is it possible thou shouldest suffer such an injury to passe unpunished Wilt thou recompense wrongs and services with equall favours Afterwards being a while silent with crossed armes and eyes turned up to the skies he breathed out many a sad sigh and then began again I plainly see that there is not any constancy in any woman Phillis because she will shew that she is of the same Sex and though otherwise full of perfection yet in this she is subject to her Sexes naturall inconstancy Phillis I say of whose affection I have been heretofore more assured than of my own will But Oh my Shepheardesse am I not the very selfe-same Lycidas that I was before and whose affection has been so welcome unto you Must I now be cast off and Silvander succed in my happinesse a stranger a vagabond a man that all the world despiseth and cannot own him for any possessor of any part in it Laonice who overheard hearing him name Phillis and Silvander and being desirous to know more she began to hearken more attentively so as she heard him utter the most secret thoughts both of himselfe and Phillis and from thence she resolved to sooth him up in his opinion assuring her selfe that if Phillis loved Lycidas she should make him jealous and if she loved Silvander she would so divulge it to the world that every one should know it So when Lycidas was gone for his tormented minde would not let him belong in one place she came out of her lurking place and following after she overtook him as he was talking to Corilas whom he met upon the way and faigning to enquire some newes of a disconsolate Shepheard they answered that they knew of no such He is a Shepheard said she who wanders up and down lamenting a dead Shepheardesse and I am told he useth to be every afternoon in the company of the fair Shepheardesse Phillis and her Servant Her Servant answered Lycidas who is that I know not said she but it is such a name as Silander or Silvander or some such like he is of a middle stature his face something long and of a very pleasing humour when he will But who told you replied Lycidas that he was her Servant Both their actions answered she for I know what I have both seen and heard of them But I pray tell me if you know any way how I should meet with him I look for Lycidas was so surprised that he could not answer a word but Corilas told her that if she followed on that path it would bring her through the wood into a Meadow where they used to assemble and lest she should lose her way he would be her companion if she pleased She seemed as if she did not know the way and was very glad of his courteous offer So bidding goodnight unto Lycidas went along with her companion But Lycidas was so much out of himselfe that he stood still immovable a long while but at last recollecting himselfe he ruminated upon the words of this Shepheardesse unto which he could not chuse but give much credit It would be too long to relate his dolefull expressions and injuries he did unto the faithfull Phillis But all the night long he wandred in the thick wood and in the morning he was so tired out with his woes and walking that he was forced to lie down under a tree and with eyes swelled with tears at the last he fell asleep Assoon as day did break Diana Astrea and Phillis did rise to
of a Lover so as you regarding your own delight in being so neer your Mistresse more then her satisfaction it cannot be said you do love her but your selfe only for were I in your room I should lead her and help her to walk whereas you do only trouble her Did my Mistresse scold with me as you do replyed Phillis I know not whether I should love her or no. I am most certain said the Shepheard that were I in lieu of your Mistresse I should never love you How dare you offer such an affront as to say you think you should not love her upon any condition This Phillis is a grand maxime in the Law of Love that those who can think they cannot love upon any conditions are no Lovers for Love does not admit of any Ifs or Conditions but is alwaies absolute Mistresse I demand justice and require it on the part of Love that you punish this crime of so high a nature and that you will remove her from that place which is too honourable for her that thinks she shall not love and place me in the room who lives only to love you Mistresse said Phillis I perceive that this envier at my happinesse will never let me alone untill I quit the place and I fear he will with his smooth language move you to consent unto it and therefore with your favour I will leave it unto him upon condition that he tell you one thing which I shall ask him Silvander never staying for the answer of Diana said unto Phillis The condition is easie and I will never refuse it since without it I should never conceal any thing which she desires to know Then Phillis did yield him the place and said unto him Envious Shepheard though the place is not to be bought and sold yet you have promised more for it than you are aware for you are obliged to tell us who you are and what occasion brought you into this Country for you have been long amongst us and we are all ignorant of what you are Leonida who was very desirous to know who Silvander was said unto Phillis thus Believe me Phillis you have shewed much prudence in this proposition for I believe none here but does much desire the same satisfaction I wish said Silvander that I could satisfie your desires but Fortune hath so denyed it unto me as I may well say that I am more desirous and almost as ignorant of it as you are For Fate only sent me into the world lets me know that I do live but conceals from me all other knowledge of my selfe And that you should not believe that I am any thing unwilling to perform my promise I do swear unto you by all the gods and by the beauty of Diana that I will truly tell you all that I know of my self The History of Silvander WHen Aetius was Lieutenant General in Gaul unto the Emperour Valentinian hee thought it very dangerous unto the Romans that Gondeoch the first King of the Burgundians should be possessed of the greatest part and therefore resolved to drive him out and drive him on the other side of the Rhine from whence he came a little before when Stilico for the good service he had done the Romans against Radagrise the Goth gave him the ancient Provinces of the Authunois and Seguinois and Allobroges whom he named Burgundy without the command of Valentinian and it is to be thought he did it onely to get all the Forces of the Empire into his own hands But the Emperour having his hands full of many enemies as the Goths the Huns the Vandals and the Franks who were ready to fall upon him in several places he commanded Aetius to let them alone in peace which was not so soon put into execution but first the Burgundians had already received great routs and their enemies made such ravage and waste as they carried away with them all they found I then being some five or six years of age was with many others carried away unto the utmost Town of the Allobroges by some Burgundians who out of revenge went into those Countries that were confederate with their enemies and committed the same disorders which they had received I cannot tell you why they took me unlesse in some hopes of money for a ransom but my fortune was so kind unto me as I fell into the hands of an Helvetian who had an old and very rich Father and who taking a liking to me either for my physiognomy or some pleasing answer which my young Genius gave him did take me unto himself with intention to educate me in Literature And though the Son was much against it yet the Father continued his design and spared no cost or care to instruct me in all Learning sending me unto the Universities of the Mussilians in the Province of the Romans So as I may very well say that I had been lost if I had not been lost However though nothing was more sutable to my Genius than Learning yet was it a continual torment unto me to be ignorant from whence and who I was thinking still this to bee a greater misfortune than hapned unto any other And being much troubled at it a friend advised me to enquire the truth from the Oracle for I was so young when I was first taken that my memory could not inform me any thing of my birth or parents or place from whence I came but this friend had such a perswasive power over me that both of us went together unto the Oracle and the answer which we received was this THE ORACLE Born thou wert within a Land Where Neptune lately did command To know the place which gave thee birth Thou canst not till Silvanders death This from thy cradle is thy Fate To which thou art Predestinate Judge fair Diana what satisfaction I received from this answer For my part I resolved to sit still and enquire no further since it was impossible to know any more unless I dyed but lived afterwards in much more tranquillity of mind referring my self unto the conduct of heaven and applying my self unto my studies in which I was so good a proficient that old Abariel for that was the name of his Father who took me away had a longing desire to see me before hee dyed Being come unto him and entertained as well as I could wish one day when I was alone with him in his chamber he spoke thus unto me My Son for so have I ever esteemed you since the rigour of War brought you into my hands I do not think you to be so ignorant of what I have done for you as to make any doubt of my good will towards you Yet if my cares to instruct your youth have not given you a knowledge of it I will because I do intend very well towards you You know that my Son Ahazides who took you and brought you to me hath a Daughter as dear unto me as my self And because I
will tell you what it is to love It is to dye in ones self that he may live in another Never to love any thing but what is pleasing and agreeable unto the party loved The will must be absolutely transformed into a Mistris And can you think that one who loves thus will ever be troubled with the presence of her whom he loves The knowledge she hath of being loved is a thing so infinitely pleasing as all things else in comparison of that have no relish And if you do but know what it is to love you will never think that he who loves can do any thing to displease All his actions are marked with the sweet character of love and cannot be displeasing If he chance to commit any fault the fault it self pleaseth considering with what intention it was committed The very desire of being amiable has such vigour in a right Lover as though he cannot chuse but be rough to all the world in general yet will he be sure to smooth and spruce up himself towards her he loves And from hence is the reason that many who are not at all rellished by most in general are yet loved and esteemed by some one in particular Do you see Hylas that hitherto you have been ignorant in the Laws of Love and have only abused the Name of it and deceived those whom you thought you had loved How said Hylas Have I not loved all this while What then have I done unto Carles Amuranthe Laonice and a hundred more You must know said Silvander that in all sorts of Arts there are both good and bad proficients in them And so in Love for some do love well as I do and some ill as you So as I may be termed the Master and you the Changling of Love At this every one smiled except Lycidas who hearing all this discourse grew higher in his jealous apprehensions which Phillis did not observe thinking it rather an effect of his affection to her since in reason he could never doubt her One that is ignorant and knows not that Jealousie in Love is a sucker which draws unto it self that nutriment which should go into the branches and good fruit does not know that the greater it is the more doth it argue the kindness of the place and vigour of the plant Paris who admired the neat wit of Silvander did not know how to judge of him but thought that were he more conversant amongst civilized people he would be unparaleld since living amongst Shepheards he was such as he found him And therefore he resolved to contract friendship with him to the end he might more freely enjoy his company and to make them proceed in their disputation he addressed himself unto Hylas and said unto him It seems Hylas your cause is naught since you are so mute and has not a word more to say in the defence of it No wonder said Diana for I beleeve he is pricked in conscience Hylas knowing that he argued all this while against the truth only to put a handsom gloss upon his fault he would not reply a word but looked very attentively upon Phillis who was got near unto Lycidas and talked with him in a low voice and because Astrea would not have him hear what she said she did often interrupt him and so often as she forced him to say that if Phillis were as troublesom as she was he should not love her Truly Shepheard said she purposely to keep him from hearing If you should be as uncivil to her as you are to us she will make no great accompt of you And because Phillis never heeding this talk continued on her discourse Diana said unto her what Phillis is this all the duty you will pay unto me Will you let me go and entertain a Shepheard in discourse To which Phillis upon a sudden answered No no I beseech you Mistris but pardon my error for I thought that the jolly discourse of Hylas would have kept you from taking any notice of me who in the mean time was talking of a business which this Shepheard desired some satisfaction in And indeed she spoke but truth for she was much troubled at the faint and cold behaviour of Lycidas Well well Phillis answered Diana in the language of a real Mistris you alwaies think to cover your faults with excuses but pray take notice that these frequent negligences are so many testimonies of your small affection and that when time and place serves I shall remember how you use me Hylas had the hand of Phillis in his and not knowing how things were betwixt Silvander and her he wondered to hear Diana say so and therefore seeing her ready to begin an excuse he interrupted her saying What does my fairest Mistris say unto this imperious Shepheardess who treats you in such coorse language Will you yeeld unto her in any thing Commit no such sin I beseech you for though she be indeed fair yet you have beauty enough to make your party good enough with her if not excell her Oh Hylas said Phillis did you but know against whom you use this language you would rather bee dumb all your daies than displease this fair Shepheardess who did you love her were able with the least glimpse of her eye to make you the most wretched thing that ever loved Make me so said the Shepheard No no she may doe what she will with her eyes open or shut them and never hurt me my misery or happiness depends not upon her flames neither in her eyes face nor any part else but I doe love you and more than that inspite of her will love you If you do love me said Phillis and I have any power of you then surely she hath much more I may be moved by your affection and services not to treat you ill But this fair Shepheardess having no services or love from you will have no pitty upon you What have I to doe with her pitty said Hylas am I at her mercy Yes certainly said Phillis you are at her mercy for my will is her will and I can doe nothing but what she is pleased to command She is the Mistris whom I do love serve and adore So as she and she onely is all my affection all my service and all my devotion See therefore Hylas how you have offended her and what mercy and pardon you stand in need of Then Hylas throwing himself at Diana's feet after a little time of consideration thus said unto her Fair Mistris ormine if he that loves could have eyes to see any thing but the thing loved certainly I had seen that it is the duty of every one to honour and reverence your merits But since my eyes were shut against all but my fair Phillis I shall think you too full of cruelty if you doe not pardon a crime which I confess and beg a mercy for Phillis who had a mind to be rid of this man that she might talk unto Lycidas
did interrupt Diana in her answer and told him that Diana would not pardon him unless upon condition to relate all his Courtships and Adventures which he had ever since he first loved For it was impossible but that discourse should be very delightful since he had such variety of Mistresses Certainly Phillis said Diana you can divine my thoughts for I did intend not to pardon but upon the same condition And therefore Hylas if you expect any mercy from me resolve upon it How said Hylas will you force me upon such a Rock as may chance to split me and constrain me to relate the story of my life before my Mistris What opinion will she have of me when she hears that I have had above a hundred some of one complexion and humour and some of another what will she think of me No worse than she does answered Silvander for she knows you to be an extravagant peece and light as the wind 'T is very true said Phillis but because I will not spoyl any sport I shall desire that I may go about some business which I have with Astrea whilst Hylas is obeying the commands of Diana So upon this she took Astrea by the Arm and did lead her to the side of the Wood where Lycidas was gone before and because Silvander over-heard her answer he followed at a distance to see what his design was and the evening was very favourable to him for it began to be dark so as hee might follow unseen and stole from tree to tree so near them as he heard Astrea say unto Phillis what strange humour is this in Lycidas that he should desire to speak with you at such a time in such a place as this I cannot tell answered Phillis but he hath been very sad all this evening and conjured me to come hither let me entreat you to walk here a little whilst we are together But it was his special charge that I should be alone I shall do what you please said Astrea but take heed that he be not more displeased at you for meeting him at such undue hours and alone in such a dark place Upon that consideration answered Phillis I do entreat you to take the pains of comming hither And I beseech you walk so near us that if any chance to come he may think we are all three together Whilst they were talking thus Diana and Paris pressed Hylas to relate the story of his life and obey the commands of his Mistris And though he seemed to be very unwilling yet at last he began thus The History of Hylas WILL you needs have it so fair Mistris of my Mistris and you noble Paris that I must tell all my fortune ever since I began first to Love I pray doe not think that the refusal which I made was because I had nothing to say For beleeve me I have loved too many to want subject but it was because me-thinks we want day I doe not mean to tell you all but to tell you one of my Adventures for all would require a little Age before the story would be ended Yet in obedience to your commands I will begin and beseech you to consider that every one is subject unto some superiour Power against which there is no resistance That predominate Power unto which I am so violently devoted is Love otherwise perhaps you will wonder that there should be no chain either of duty or obligation strong enough to hold me I must freely confess that as every one has a natural inclination that mine is unto Inconstancy for which I ought not to be blamed since it is the decree of Heaven upon me Amongst all the fine Scituations which the River Rosne doth in his impetuous course visit after it hath taken in Arar Iseres Durance and several other Rivers it dasheth it self against the old walls of the Town of Arles the Metropolis of its Country the best peopled and richest of all the Roman Provinces Near unto this good Town did encamp as I have heard our Druides say the great Commander called Caius Marius a little before that signal Victory which he obtained against the Cimbres the Cimmerians and the Celts at the foot of the Alpes who being gone through the Scythique Ocean with intentions to sack Rome were so defeated by this great Captain that not one of them came off with life And if the Roman Arms did spare any the barbarous fury of their courage did turn their own hands against themselves and being ashamed to live killed one another Then the Roman Army for the security of their Allies and Friends came to encamp before this Town and according to the custome of that Nation did circle about their Camp with a most profound and deep Trench which extended to the very banks of Rosne whose impetuous source was such as entring into those Trenches did divide its chanel into two wales The ancient River ran its old course and the new had such a pass by these Trenches as did equal the greatest Rivers and made a most pleasant fertile Island between them And because of the Trenches of Caius Marius the people call it corruptively Carmargue and these two Armes of Rosne running into the Mediterranean Sea they call the Isle between them Camargue I should not have derived the Pedigree of this place so high had it not been the place which gave me birth and where my Ancestors have long continued Where by reason of the places abundant fertility many Shepheards resort and my Predecessors ever held a considerable rank amongst them alwayes esteemed both rich and virtuous and when they dyed left me enough to live upon and indeed too soon for me did my Father dye since it was the very same day that I was born and my Mother who had the education of me did doat upon me as her only child or rather spoyled me Judge what a fine Master of a house I was Amongst the rest of my young imperfections I could not avoyd that of Pride thinking that all the Shepheards in Camargue ought of duty to reverence me And when I was grown to riper years I thought every Shepheardess was in love with me and that any of them would bee beholding to me for my affection I was most fortified in that opinion by a fair and wise Shepheardess my neighbour called Carlis who carressed me extreamly I was yet so young that the pangs of Love could not much torment me so as I did onely resent the sweetness of her favours and that was all My age did not permit me to know whether or no it was Love but however I was infinitely pleased in the company of this Shepheardess and used such courtship as they doe who are in love So as this continual practice made many think that I knew more than my age permitted And therefore when I arrived at eighteen or nineteen years of age I found my self deeply engaged to serve her But since I never affected that
was a hundred miles out of my memorie Nothing troubled me so much as when I was far from them both for then I grieved for both Thus generous Paris did I spend my time till I came to Vienna where being in our lodging for we landed every night at some good Town or other a Shepheardesse came and desired the Master of the Ship or Boat to give her room in it as far as Lyons pretending that her Husband had been wounded in the Warres and had sent for her The Master of the Boat being very civill did very kindly receive her and so the next morning she went into the Boat with us She was fair and so modest and discreet as she was no lesse commendable for her vertue than her beauty but so sad and melancholly as she moved all the company to pitty her And I being ever very compassionate towards the afflicted I did amongst the rest extreamly pitty her also and cheered her up as much as possibly I could at which Floriante was nothing pleased nor Aymea neither Now generous Paris you must consider that though a woman do put a fained glosse upon it yet she cannot for her life choose but resent the losse of any Lover as thinking it an affront unto her beauty and beauty being a thing most deer unto that Sex it is the most sensible thing that is in them However I that began to blend a little Love with my compassion not seeming to regard these two Shepheardesses did continue on my discourse unto this and amongst otherthings to the end we should not let down discourse and also to have more acquaintance with her I did intreat her to tell me the occasion of her sadnesse and she being fluent in courtesie began thus The compassion which you seem to have of my griefe obligeth me courteous Shepheard to give you that satisfaction which you desire and I should think it a great crime to refuse so small a thing But yet I do beseech you to consider the condition I am in and excuse me if I do abbreviate my discourse into as little room as possibly I can Know then Shepheard that I was born upon the coast of the River Loire where I have been educated with as much tender care as possibly one of my quality could be untill the fifteenth year of my age My name is Cloris my Father's Leonces Brother to Gerestan into whose hands I was transferred after the death of my Father and Mother And here I began to resent the blowes of fortune for my Uncle having more care of his own Children than of me did think himselfe overcharged with me All the comfort I had was in his Wife whose name was Callirea for she loved me and furnished me with all things that I wanted unknown to her Husband But the heavens had decreed to afflict me for when Filander Callirea's Brother was killed she took his death so sadly that within a few daies after she died and I was left with her two Daughters so young as could afford me no contentment It happened that a Shepheard of the Province of Viennoise called Rosidon came to visit the Temple of Hercules which is upon the coast of Furan seated upon a high Rock which elevates its head above all the rest of the Mountains That day on which he came thither was a day of great solemnitie and many Shepheards and Shepheardesses were there also It would be impertinent to relate all passages and the manner how he declared his Love unto me but so it was that ever since that day he has so devoted himselfe to me as he became wholly mine He was young and handsome and as for his Estate it was much better than ever I could hope for Moreover his Spirit and his Body were so resemblant and sutable as did make up a most perfect composure His courtship continued four years in all which time I cannot say he ever did or thought any thing which he did not render me an account of and asked my advice This extream submission and long continuance did assure me of his Love and merits and obliged me to love him extreamly We lived and loved thus above a year in as much perfect amitie as could possibly be between two Lovers and at last our joyes were compleated in our Marriage Now were we as happy as Mortalls could be conducted we were to the Temple the Songs of Hymen did sound on all sides and being returned to our lodgings nothing was to be heard but Instruments of joy and when we were in the height of felicity we were separated by the most averse fate that ever chanced unto any We were then at Vienna where the greatest part of Rosidor's Estate did lie It hapned that some debauched young fellowes of those Townes about Lyons where our Druides use to keep the missltoe which they got in the great Forrest of Mars would needs commit some disorders which my Husband could not brook but after some gentle disswasions did hinder them in the execution at which they were so incensed that thinking they could not anger Rosidor worse then to affront me one of them offered to throw a glasse of Inke in my face but I seeing the blow coming turned aside my head so as I had none of it light upon me but in my neck the marks whereof are yet very fresh My Husband seeing my breast full of Inke and blood did think that I was wounded and therefore drew his sword and ran it through the body of him that gave me this affront and afterwards with the help of some friends did drive them away Judge Shepheard how much I was troubled for I thought my selfe worse wounded than I was and when I saw my husband all bloody with a wound which he received on his shoulder But after this first fray was parted and his wound searched he had no sooner dressed himselfe but Officers came to seize upon him and carried him away with such violence that they would not permit me so much as to bid him adieu but my affection was so much above their denyall that I did come unto him and held him about the neck so fast that they could hardly pull me off On the other side he seeing me in this condition and chusing rather to die than to part from me did so shew both his love and courage that though wounded yet he broke from them and got out of the Town This kept him from an Imprisonment but it made his cause worse in the eye of Justice which caused severall Proclamations to issue out against him During all which time his greatest griefe was that he could not be with me and his desire of seeing me being very great he disguised himselfe and in the night came unto me and there stayed God knowes how great my joyes were and also how great my fears for I knew that his pursuers knowing his love to me would have all eyes about the house and do all they could possible to
apprehend him And it hapned as I alwaies feared for there he was taken and carried to Lyons whither presently I followed and very opportunely for him for the Judges whom I continually solicited had so much pitty of me that they shewed him favour and so maugre all the pursuit of his enemies he was delivered As I had abundance of trouble in the businesse so courteous Shepheard I had abundance of joy to see him out of all danger But because his Prison had made him very sick he was forced to stay a few daies in Lyons and I with him endeavouring to cheer him up as well as possibly I could At last being out of danger he entreated me to go unto his house and prepare all things for the entertainment of his friends whom he would invite to rejoyce with him for his good successe in his businesse When I was gone these debauched fellowes seeing they could not revenge themselves by Law they resolved to murder him in his bed and entring into his lodging gave him two or three stabbs with a Dagger and leaving him dead as they thought fled Judge kinde Shepheard what cause have I to grieve at this fatall accident Thus ended Cloris her story with eyes swimming in tears which dropped upon her fair breast like links of Pearl Now generous Shepheard this which I am now about to tell you is a fresh gale of Love The sorrowes which I saw in this Shepheardesse moved me unto so much compassion that though her face perhaps was not able to cause love yet plain pitty touched me so to the quick that I must confesse neither Carlis Stilliana Aymea Floriana nor all of them together ever tyed me in such strong chaines as this poor desolate Cloris not that I did not love those but because there was yet a place void in my soul for this Thus see me resolved upon Cloris as upon the rest but I knew it was to no purpose to mention my love unto her untill Rosidor were either dead or recovered for her sorrowes had taken up all her soul Thus came we to Lyons where every one parted and my new affection unto Cloris moved me to wait upon her to her lodging where I did visit Rosidor purposely to be acquainted with her for I knew the way to get into the favour of the Wife was to begin with the Husband She thought he had been much more wounded than she found him for what one fears is alwaies apprehended in the worse sense and changed colour when she saw him up and walking about the Chamber But see how things happen the sorrowes of Cloris in the Boat was the ground of my affection and now her joyes and contentment makes it die which argues that a disease may be cured by its contraries for I entred into the house a captive and went out a man of liberty and Master of my selfe But considering this accident I called Aymea and Floriante into my memory again Now am I presently in quest of their lodgings and enquiring of every one I met with at last by fortune I found them both together The next morning was the great Feast of Venus and according to the custome of the day the preceding day unto the Festivall the Maids do sing in the Temple Authems unto the honour of that goddesse and remain there untill midnight I heard that the Step-mother of Aymea would be then there in performance of her vow Floriante at the earnest request of Aymea promised to be there also And I resolved to disguise my selfe in the habit of a Virgin and to get in when it was dark and when I was in I stayed in the most blinde and least frequented corner of the Temple till it was nine or ten of the clock Then was the dores shut and not a man but my self in unlesse some that might be as full of curiosity as my selfe and so disguised but when the Hymnes began then came I out of my lurking corner And because the Temple was very large and had no lights but such as was about the Altar I might the more safely mingle amongst the rest of the Virgins without fear of being knowne Then looking about me where Aymea was I saw her carry a taper unto a young Virgin who rising up aprpoached the Altar and after some certain ceremonies she began to sing some staves which at the end of every stave was answered by all the company as a Chorus I know not whether it was the dimnesse of the light For it does often hide the imperfections of a complexion or what it was or whether she was really very faire but so it was that as soone as ever I saw her I loved her Some affirme that Love proceeds from the eyes of the party loved but this cannot be for her eye never looked upon me nor did mine see her so much as to know her againe and this was the reason that I thrust in amongst the Shepherdesses that stood neerest her But but as ill luck was after I had with much dainger gotten neere her she ended her Anthem and carried her taper into its wonted place so as it became so darke that though neere her yet could I not well see her Yet in hope that eyther she or some other would ere long sing again I stayed there a little longer but I perceived the light was carried into another Quire and presently after one that was there began to sing as my new and unknown Mistriss had done before the difference betwixt them both in voice and face was very great for neither was comparable unto her that I began to love so as not being able to hold out any longer I addressed my selfe unto a Lady was the further off from any company and counterfetting my voice as well as possible I could I asked her who it was that sung the last before Certainly said she you are a meere stranger that askes this question and does not know her Perhaps said I I should know her did I heare her named Who does not know that said she by her face does ask that question in vain but to satisfie you her name is Cyrcenna the fairest Virgin that is in all the Country and so known unto every-one that if you do not know her certainly you are of another world Hitherto I counterfeited my voice so well that as the night deceived her eyes so my words did her eares but not forgetting my selfe I told her that in recompence of that favour she had done me no man could be more her servant then my selfe How 's this said she unto me who are you that useth any such lauguage unto me then observing me a little more neerely she found by my dresse and Garb what I was Then in a great amaze she said unto me how durst you be so bold as thus to break the holy lawes of this sacred place do you not know that you must expiate this crime with the losse of your life The truth is I did not
think the punishment had been so great but seeming unto her to be a stranger and ignorant of their statutes she took pitty upon me and said that it was a thing impossible to obtain a pardon so rigorous was the law Yet seeing that I did not come with any bad intention she would do what she could to save me And in order to that I must not stay untill thâ— midnight bell did ring for then all the Druides would come unto the Temple dore with Torches or candles and look upon all their faces But now the dore was shut yet she would try if she could get it open then putting a vaile upon my head and lending me her Mantle it did so muffle me up as in the night none could know whether I was man or woman being thus equipped she told one of her neighbours that came with her she was not well so they went both together to desire the key of the dore upon that occasion And going all three together unto the dore with a little candle which she almost covered with her hand for feare of the wind we crowded out altogether and so by her favour I escaped that dainger Then the better to disguise the matter also out of a desire to know unto whom I was so much obliged I went amongst the rest unto her lodging But fair Shepheardesse said Hylas and addressed himselfe unto Diana this discourse is not yet at the halfe and me thinks the Sunne is low therefore I conceive it convenient to referre the sequell untill another opportunitie T is very true courteous Shepheard said she we must not spend all we have at once And therefore will save some against another time besides Paris who has a long way home would be put upon the night should he stay any longer I can never think the time long said he as long as it is spent in your company I wish Sir said Diana there were any thing in me worth your acceptation and I should most willingly devote it to your service for your merit and civility obliges every one unto it Paris would have answered when Hylas interrupted him by saying I would to god generous Paris that I were you and Diana Phillis that I might have the honour of such language from her If it were so said Paris you could not be more obliged to her then both you and I am T is true said Hylas but I did never feare being more obliged unto those who already have entirely obliged me your obligations Hylas said Diana are none of the longest dates for you can break loose from them when you please It 's good answered he to have two strings to a bow for if one fail the other may do service and I do beleeve that Phillis is glad I am of that humour for otherwise she might sleight my service With such discourse as this Diana Paris and severall other Shepheardesses came to the great Plain where they alwaies used to assemble before they parted and then Paris bidding good night unto Diana and the rest of the company he went towards Laigneu All this while Lycidas was talking with Phillis and his jealousie of Silvander did so torment him that he was not able to bear the weight of it upon his heart untill the morning he was so much out of himselfe as he never minded whether any eares could overhear but thinking he was alone with her after a hundred deep sighes he thus began to ease himselfe Is it possible Phillis said he unto her that the heavens should preserve my life so long as to make me resent your infidelity The Shepheardesse who expected any other discourse sooner than this was so surprized at it that she could not answer and the Shepheard seeing her mute and thinking it was onely to pump for some excuse continued on You have reason indeed fair Shepheardesse not to give me any answer for your eyes do too well speak the truth to let me ever hope for any happinessie and your silence does but too well answer and assure me of what I desire to know The Shepheardesse being extreamly offended at this language did in a very angry maner give him this answer Since my eyes can speak so wel for me why would you have me answer you any otherwise if my silence can so wel inform you of my infidelity that all my former actions cannot assure you of my affection do you think I can ever hope that words wil be a better testimony but I perceive Lycidas that you would gladly make an honest retreat you have a designe somwhere else and not daring it without some colorable excuse of your levitie you faign these Chimeras of displeasure that your fault may reflect upon me But Lycidas bring out your reasons to the Test let us see what they are and if you will not then get you gone and do not accuse me with your own crimes let your continuall complaints wherewith you trouble both heaven and earth reflect upon some body else not me who am most mortally displeased at them My doubts did much displease me replyed the Shepheard but this assurance which your tart language gives me makes me die I pray you said the Shepheardess what are your feares Not little ones answered he since the complaints which proceed from them does trouble both heaven and earth as you do upbraid me And if you would know them I will in few words tell you that I fear Phillis does not love Lycidas Is it so Shepheard replyed Phillis can you think that I do not love you Yet remember what you did for me and Olimpia Is it possible you should consider my former actions yet make any such doubts I do know answered the Shepheard that you did love me and had I doubted it my griefe had not been so great as it is but I feare a great wound though it do not kil yet it wil leave a scarr and that which love made in you does only leave a mark that it was a wound Phillis turning her head aside at these words with a discontented gesture answered him thus since Shepherd I see that all my good offices and testimonies of affection have no better operation I do assure you that the greatest griefe I will have shall be the pains and time I have bestowed Lycidas saw that he had much offended his Shepheardesse but he himselfe was so full of jealousie that he could not chuse but returne this answer This anger Shepheardess said he is but a fresh confirmation of my feares for to be angry when you are put in mind of a great affection is a signe it never was accepted Phillis hearing this reproach turned aside and answered Lycidas dissimulation in all manner of persons did ever displease me especially in those I would lust withall can Lycidas tel me that he doubts my affection and I not think he dissembles What testimonies can I give more than I have already Shepherd Shepherd these words beleeve me makes
me suspect those assurances which heretofore you have given of your affection for it may be that you would deceive me in your Love as it seemes you do your selfe in mine Shepheardesse answered Lycidas were my affection of the common strain as to consist more in shew then realitie I should condemn my selfe for suffering the violence of it to transport me beyond the limits of reason but since it is not of so low an ebb but as you know did flow like an Ocean you must think such an extream love is never without some fears though they have no cause those fears do turn themselves into jealousie and jealousie into grief or rather into such a frenzie as you may perceive in me Whilst Lycidas and Phillis were talking thus thinking these words were heard only by themselves and that Trees have no ears Silvander was behind a Tree and lost not a syllable Laonice also who was asleep there she wakened at the beginning of their discourse and knowing them both was very glad she was there so opportunely assuring her selfe that before they parted they would impart many secrets unto each other which she might employ to their ruine and it happened according to her hopes for Phillis hearing Lycidas say that he was jealous asked him Of whom and Why Oh Shepheardesse answered the wounded Lycidas do you ask me this question I beseech you tell me from whence proceeds all that faint and hollow coldnesse which you have used towards me of late and that great familiarity with Silvander unlesse your affection to me had been withdrawn and conferr'd upon him Ah Shepheardesse you must not think but my heart is very sensible of such blowes since it hath resented those from your fair but false eyes how came you to fall off from me why would not you speak as familiarly unto me as you were wont where is all the care which heretofore you used in enquiring how I did and your griefe when I was at any time absent You can remember when the name of Lycidas founded sweetly in your ears and I do remember when out of the abundance of your heart you named him when you should have named another But now who but Silvander Silvander is in the same heart and tongue where Lycidas had once a considerable room but now the veriest stranger in all the Country is preferred before him that is still the same Lycidas that ever he was and was born only unto Phillis whom he now suspects The extream displeasure of Lycidas did force out so many words as Phillis could not put in one by way of interruption for if she opened her mouth to speak he still continued on with more vehemency not considering that the more he complained the more his misery encreased and that if any thing could cure him it was that answer which he would not hear And never considering that it was his torrent of words which hindred the Shepheardesse from answering he conceived that her silence proceeded from her guilt so as every action that she used did more and more augment his jealousie The Shepheardesse all this while was so amazed and offended that she had not time to convince him of his error but though something dark he saw her blush at least thought so which then did put him out of all taking that for granted now which he did but doubt of before Thus after he had called upon the Gods that were just punishers of all infidelitie he ran away from her through the wood and would not hear her when she call'd him back she followed intending to convince him of his error but it was in vain for he ran so fast as she quickly lost the sight of him in the thick wood In the mean time Laonice was very glad that she had discovered this affection and to see so good a beginning of her designe and therefore she retired Silvander on the other side seeing Lycidas was so apt to be jealous he resolved for the future to be the bellowes that would blow it into a greater flame and would seem as if he loved Phillis in earnest the next time he saw him with her Leonida in the mean time came to the house of Adamas and letting him understand that Galathea had extraordinary businesse with him he resolved to set out as soon as the Moon began to shine which would be about an houre before day and accordingly they did so When they were come to the bottom of the Hill and had only a long plain to go through before they came to the Pallace of Isaure the Nymph at the request of her Uncle began to relate the businesse thus The History of Galathea and Lindamor DO not wonder I beseech you Father for so she called him I should entreat you to hear me with patience and when you see occasion to remember that it is the very same Love which is the cause of all this which in former times has driven you upon the like if not stranger accidents I durst never have spoken to you about it had I not had both permission and a command to do it But Galathea whom the business concerns doth earnestly desire since she hath made choice of you for the Physician to cure her that you should be acquainted with it both the beginning and progress and that it may be kept secret from all the world The Druide who knew what reverence was due unto his Lady for so he reputed her did answer that his Prudence taught him to conceal any thing that concerned Galathea and therefore any promise concerning that was superfluous Upon that assurance said Leonida I shall acquaint you with the businesse It is a long time since Polemas first begun to love Galathea To tell you how it came to passe is to no purpose but so it was he did love her This love proceeded so on that Galathea her self could not be ignorant of it but did many times in private make it appear that his service was not displeasing unto her And truly he was a man of very high deservings As for his Pedigree it is as you know derived from the ancient Line of Surieu which in Noblenesse is not inferiour unto Galathea her self As for his Person he is very handsom every way so composed as to move Love Above all he is a great Scholar and in any Learning can silence the greatest Doctors But Father all these things are known unto you better than I can relate them But so it was that these qualities did so recommend him unto the consideration of Galathea that she was more favourable unto him than unto any in the Court of Amasis yet it was with so much discretion that none could ever take any notice of it Then Polemas having such a favourable wind did sail so contentedly in the sea of his hopes as no man could live more happily than hee But this inconstant Love or rather inconstant Fortune would have Polemas as well as the rest of the world feel the
most true that she did love him and did give him so many proofs of it as he had been but a very shallow man had he not seen it And though she would have dissembled it with me yet I do know that she drew him in by such artifices and hopes of her goodwill towards him that I seeing demonstrable assurances given him did think her wholly his But he does most justly merit this punishment for that perfidie which he hath used towards a Nymph whose beguiled affection had just cause for revenge which Love at the last did execute upon him The truth is he is the basest impostor the most ungratefull and the most unworthy to be loved that is under heaven for his ingratitude and if he do resent that pain which others have endured for him he deserves no pitty Adamas seeing her so exasperated against Polemas asked her who that Nymph was which he had deceived for said he to her she must needs be one of your friends since you are so sensible of the offence which was done unto her She now saw that her passion had carried her too far and that she had unawares bolted out a thing which had been kept long a secret yet having a quick wit she so dissembled the businesse as Adamas took no notice of it Do you not know Daughter said Adamas that the aimes of all men is to overcome and compasse the designe which they attempt and the amitie which they shew unto you women when they love you is but to make the way more easie You see Leonida all Love is but a desire of something which is wanting that desire being sadded and cloyed is no more desire and there being no more desire there is no more love and therefore those that would be loved long are those that give least satisfaction unto the desires of their Lovers But said Leonida she whom I do speak of is one of my intimate friends and I know she never treated Polemas but with all the coldnesse she could That replied Adamas did stifle desire for desire is nourished by hopes and favours As a Lamp when Oyle is wanting doth extinguish so does desire die when that which should nourish it is taken away Thus does many Loves die some by too many some by too few favours But let us returne unto the discourse betwixt Galathea and you What was it which she did say unto you She said thus answered Leonida If Polemas had been so discreet as to measure himselfe aright as he was presumptuous in loving me he had taken these favours as flowing from my courtesie and not love But this is nothing to the passage that happened at that time for I had no sooner made an answer unto Polemas but Lindamor according to the order of the Dance came and stole me away and so dexterously that Polemas could not avoid it nor by the same means answer me but with his eyes but truly he made such a sourâ— face at me as I could not for my heart but laugh as for Lindamor he either took no notice of it or else would not make it appear but presently after he talked to me after such a manner as was enough to make Polemas mad had he heard it Madam said he is not this a fatall exchange What do you mean said I unto him I mean said he that in this Dance I have stolne you and in the very truth you have stollen my soul and my heart Then blushing at this I returned this seeming angry answer Fie Lindamor what strange language is this do you not consider who you are and who I am I do so Madam said he and that does invite me to this language for are not you my Lady and I your servant Yes answered I but not so as you do intend it for it is your duty to serve me with reverence and not love or if it be with any affection it must be such as proceeds from your duty To which he presently replyed Madam if I do not serve you with all humble reverence never was any deitie reverenced by any mortall but this reverence must be either the Father or the Child of my affection and call it what you please I am resolved to serve you to love you and to obey you your merits your perfections and my own fate has made me eternally yours he that sees and does not love you deserves not the name of Man and Clidaman's Lottery though it was some cause yet was it only a cover of my soules affection These expressions were uttered with a vehemency as made it plainly appear that his heart and tongue agreed and I beseech you observe one pleasant passage for said Galathea to me I never took any notice of this affection thinking it to be only in jeast and I never had perceived it untill the jealousie of Polemas did hint it unto my thoughts but ever since I have so set my thoughts upon Lindamor and I have sound him as well capable of causing love as jealousie and Polemas ever since that time hath so displeased me in all his actions as I could hardly endure him On the contrary all Lindamors actions did seem so plausible unto me as I wondred that I should observe them no sooner so as the jealousie of Polemas did quench my love of him and transferred my affection upon Lindamor This change had such an operation upon Polemas as ever since caused him to look asquint upon me and I am sure my eyes did not look upon him as they were wont When Galathea spoke thus against him I was not at all sorry by reason of his ingratitude but on the contrary the more to prejudice him I said thus unto her I do not at all wonder Madam that Lindamor should win more upon you than Polemas for their qualities and parts are not comparable and every one that sees them are of the same judgment you are It is true indeed I do foresee much jangling will arise first betwixt them two and secondly betwixt you and Polemas And why said Galathea to me do you think he has such an influence upon my actions or Lindamors That is not it Madam that I do mean said I unto her but I am so well acquainted with the humour of Polemas that he will try all manner of waies leave no stone unturned and will conjure both heaven and earth to ingratiate himselfe unto that happinesse which he hath lost and will commit such grosse follies as will be visible unto all but such as will not see them and such as will offend both you and Lindamor No no Leonida answered she if Lindamor do love me he will do as I shall command him and if he do not love me he will never care what Polemas does And as for Polemas I know how to order him Upon these words she commanded me to draw the Curtain and took her rest at least as well as these new designes would permit her But when the Ball was ended
Love cannot be long without some triviall quarrells which in the end does but prove a pair of bellowes to blow the fire into a greater flame therefore I said thus unto her When did he give you any Madam Not long replyed she do not you know of it No certainly Madam said I unto her Then with a frowning brow she told me that indeed it was true he was much in her favour but now he had so much abused her favour by his rashnesse and presumption that she was quite out with him I beseech you said I unto her what is his fault The fault said the Nymphs is no great businesse yet it displeaseth me more then if it were of greater importance What a grosse peece of vanitie was it in him to report it that he was in love with me that he had professed it unto me Oh Madam said I unto her this can never be true his enemies certainly have invented it onely to ruine him both in your favour and the favour of Amasis This may be replied she but Polemas reports it every where yet he is silent and gives a check unto none of these reports But suppose he do hear the report how can he help them Said I unto her what remedy would you have him use against them what remedy said the Nymph why a sword and death to the reporter Truly Madam said I unto her I have heard say that matters of love are so subject unto censure that the lesse it is medled with it is the better These said she are but excuses but might he not very well have asked me what course he should take Had he done so I should have been satisfied Have you seen the Letter Madam said I unto her which he writ unto you No said she and more then that let me tell you that I never will but will avoid all occasions of ever speaking unto him Then I took the Petition of Flurial and read it aloud unto her then said thus but good Madam ought you not to love one that is wholly devoted unto you and can you be so easily offended against him that perhaps never offended you Come come said she if he does love me I will make him pay deare interest for the pleasure he takes in vaunting of our love if I have heretofore given him any occasion to think I ever loved him I shall for the future give a stop unto all such conceipts and to begin I pray charge and command Flurial that he never presume to bring me any thing from this rash and vain glorious man Madam said I unto her I shall do whatsoever you are pleased to command me but give me leave to tell you that I think it requisit to consider a little better upon the businesse for you may do your selfe an injury by thinking to spite another you know what kind of fellow this Fluriall is whose wit cannot reach beyond his Garden should you let him know of this passage betwixt Lindamor and you I am afraid he should discover the businesse unto Amasis to excuse himselfe For gods sake Madam consider what a displeasure this would be unto you were it not much better you did expostulate the matter with Lindamor or if that do not please you then let me do it for I assure my selfe he will give you satisfaction or else you may tell him your selfe when he departs the occasion oâ— your breaking off with him without making it known unto Fluriall As for spea king with him said she I cannot do it my courage will not permit it nor will I permit any other for I wish him not so well When I saw her so incensed against him I told her that she could do no lesse than write unto him By no means answered she too many of my Letters has made him thus presumptuous At last when I could obtain no more from her she permitted me to lap up a piece of paper in the manner of a Letter and to put it into Flurialls Petition so he to carry it unto him and this purposely that Fluriall might not perceive this dissention Oh how Lindamor was amazed when he opened this blank paper but the greatest affliction to him was that he must depart in the morning betimes unto a place where the affairs of Amasis and Clidaman did of necessity oblige him to stay a long time to defer his journey he could not and to go upon these tearmes was even death unto him At last he resolved to dispatch another Letter to her presently more as a thing of hazard than any hopes of good fortune Fluriall did his best indeavour to deliver it presently unto Galathea but he could not do it because she being extreamly vexed at this fraction was forced to go into her bed and did not rise out of it many daies Fluriall seeing Lindamor was gone took upon him so much boldnesse as to go into her Chamber and because I was I must confesse an ill-willer unto Polemas I used my best invention to piece up this affection between Lindamor and her and therefore gave Fluriall an opportunity to enter Judge you whether or no Galathea was surprised when she saw him for she expected nothing lesse then this yet she was forced to set a good face upon the matter and to take what he presented unto her which in appearance was only a Posie of flowers I would by all means be present that I might put in the best advice I could in the behalfe of Lindamor and certainly my being there was not unprofitable to him for after Fluriall was gone and Galathea was alone she called me unto her and told me that she had thought not to be any more troubled with Letters from Lindamor now he was gone but for ought she saw he was as impudent as ever I who was a reall well-wisher unto Lindamor though he knew it not seeing the Nymph in an humour of talking to me did seem to be very slack in the businesse knowing that to contradict her at the first was the way to spoile all and that to sooth her in all she said was the only way to bend her And though she was much displeased at him yet Love was still the most predominant in her minde and she her selfe was glad that I took Lindamor's part that she might have occasion of talking of him and give the anger of her soul some vent So as having all these considerations in my minde I was silent when she talked of him at last she not being pleased at my silence said thus unto me Leonida what do you think of the presumption of this man Madam said I unto her I know not what no say or think farther then this that if he have offended he will be extreamly sorry for it But what can I think of his rash impudency said she has he no other subject for his discourse but me Then looking upon the Letter which he writ were it not a madnesse in me if I should suffer him
to continue his Letters unto me To this I answered nothing And when she saw me a long while silent she said thus unto me What 's the reason Leonida you do not answer me have I not good reason for all my complaints Madam said I unto her will you give me leave to speak my minde freely With all my heart said she Then said I unto her I must tell you that I think you to be reasonable in all things but in looking for reason in Love for you must know that to reduce Love unto the Lawes of justice and reason is to take away its principall prerogative which is to be a subject only unto its selfe so as I conclude that if Lindamor have failed in matter of Loving you he is to blame but if he have failed only against the Lawes of reason and prudence then it is you that deserve to be punished for offering to bring Love which is free and commands all others under the servitude of a Superior But why said she I have heard that if Love be laudable it is vertuous and if so then it is subject unto the Lawes of vertue Love answered I is above that vertue whereof you speak and gives Lawes unto it self without any subserviency unto any But Madam since you command me to speak freely I beseech you tell me are not you more culpable than he is of that whereof you accuse him and of matter of Love For say he were so bold as to tell it that he loved you you your selfe is the cause of it since you permitted him Though I had answered she yet out of discretion he should have concealed it Then said I complain of his indiscretion and not of his Love but believe me he hath more occasion to complain against your love since upon the very first report and before you can justly tax his affection you have repulsed that Love he bore unto you Excuse Madam the freedome of my language if I tell you that you do him the greatest wrong in the world in treating him thus and condemning him before he have answered for himselfe and is convinced of his crime She stayed a good while before she answered and at last said thus unto me Well Leonida there is time enough to make him amends when he returnes not that I am in any minde to love him or let him love me but then I shall tell him wherein he is faulty and in that satisfie you and oblige him to trouble me nomore unlesse he be impudence itselfe Perhaps Madam said I unto her you may deceive your selfe in thinking that his return will be time enough for all this for did you but know the violencies of Love you would never think delaies unto a Lover so tolerable as unto others therefore the least you can do is to see his Letter That is to no purpose answered she But to satisfie you give it me Upon this she took it and found it thus penned Lindamor's Letter unto Galathea BEfore it was love now despair that dictates to my pen which must if it bring me no comfort be changed into a Sword so will it be a thorough though a cruel cure This white paper which you have sent me by way of Answer is an emblem of my innocency and argues you had no accusation against me to write in it yet alas it is a too plain Assurance of your disdaign for from whence else could your silence proceed If there do yet remain in you any memory of my faithfull service let me out of pitty beg from you a Sentence either of life or death I am now departing the most desperate forlorn man that ever had once any reason for hope This alteration in Galathea's courage was an effect of Love for I plainly perceived her heart to melt but withall it was no small argument of her high spirit for since she would not give any knowledge of it unto me and not being able to hold her countenance which grew pale she did so tie up her tongue that she did not utter one word which did argue any inclination to bend but went out of her Chamber into the Garden and spake not one syllable of this Letter for the Sun began to grow low and her maladie which was a disease of the minde might better divert and solace it selfe abroad than in bed so as after she had sleightly dressed herselfe she went into the Garden and would have none but me with her I asked her by the way whether she pleased to return any answer unto his Letter And she answering No Will you then Madam said I unto her be pleased to give me leave to write unto him You said she what will you write What you please to command me said I. Nay what you will said she so you will not mention me You shall see Madam what I will write said I unto her Having gotten this leave whilst she was walking I writ in an Arbour what I thought most pertinent and least offensive But she that would by no means see it yet could not have so much patience as to let me finish but she read it whilst I writ Leonida's Answer unto Lyndam or in the behalfe of Galathea DRaw from your misory the knowledge of your happinesse if you were not loved but set at a small esteem you should not have known so much you cannot know your offence untill you be present but however I bid you hope well in your affection and your return She did not like the Letter should run thus but I did over-rule her and gave it unto Fluriall with a command to deliver it into no hand but Lindamors only but drawing him aside I opened the Letter and added these words unknown unto Galathea Leonida's Postscript unto Lindamor I Understand that you are gone very pitty of your misery moves me to acquaint you with the occasion of your disaster Polemas hath published that you do love Galathea and that you do make it your common boast Such a high spirit as hers cannot put up so great an offence without resentement The same prudence you were wont to be a Master of must canduct you in this businesse Because I do love you and pitty your misery I cannot chuse but grieve for you unto whom I promise all the favour and assistance that I can I sent him this hint as I told you unknown unto Galathea but believe me I did afterwards repent it as I shall tell you It was now above a Month since Fluriall went when there arrived a Knight armed Cap a peâ— and a Herauld of Armes with him and the better to disguise himselfe his face was covered The Herauld at the Gates of the Town desired to be conducted unto Amasis and every one out of curiosity to hear what newes went along with him The Guards of the Town did let them in and after Amasis was acquainted they were conducted unto her who had sent for Clidaman to entertain these strangers After the
swear unto you I was never so put to it in all my life But since the Shepherd revived his complexion came into his face he appeared to be a very handsom man and of a wit above the capacity of a Shepheard I never saw any in our Court more civiliz'd nor more deserving love So as no wonder Galathea should be so desperately in love with him as shee cannot be absent from him either night or day But certainly she is much mistaken in him for he is most desperately in love with a Shepheardess called Astrea So as all these things make not a little against Lindamor For the Nimph finding all true that this Impostor told her she is resolved rather to dye than to marry Lindamor and studies all waies to win upon the affection of this Shepheard who does nothing even in her very presence but sigh for his absence from Astrea I know not whether his imprisonment be the cause for shee will not let him goe out of the Palace or whether it be the abundance of water which hee swallowed when he was in the River but so it is he is fallen into a most violent Feaver So as not knowing what to doe for his health Galathea commanded mee to come in all haste unto you to the end you might see him and tell us what was best for him The Druide stood very attentive unto this discourse and had several conceits according to the subject of his Neeces words and perhaps some not far off the truth for he perceiceived that she was not altogether exempted either from love or blame Yet he did very discreetly dissemble it and told her he was very glad to serve either Galathea or Celadon whose Parents he ever loved and who though he was a Shepheard yet he was descended from the best of our Knights whose Ancestors made choice of that kind of life as more tranquill and happy than that of the Court and therefore he honoured him and would be glad to serve him But yet this kind of living with him was neither safe nor honourable for either Galathea or her And when hee came to the Palace and saw their deportments then he would tel her how she should demean her self Leonida being a little ashamed answered him that she did intend long since to tell him of it but truly she had neither the confidence nor the conveniency to do it Yet of a truth Climanthes was the cause of all this Oh answered Adamas could I but catch him I should with usury pay him for falsly usurping the title of a Druide That Sir said the Nymph will be an easie matter by the means that I shall finde out For he told Galathea that she should come four or five times to the place where she was to meet with this man that would make her happy in case she did not meet with him the first day And I know that Polemas and he coming too late the first day will not fail to be there the dayes following And whosoever will catch this Conjurer must hide themselves in a place where I shall direct and they will be sure to find him As for the daies of his comming I can bee informed from Galathea though for my part I have forgotten them With such discourse as this the Druide and the Nymph beguiled the length of the way and they were both so attentive as they were at the Palace of Isaures before they were aware But the Druide extreamly disliking this kind of life they led did instruct Leonida what she should say unto Galathea but whatsoever shee did not to let her know that hee disapproved any of her actions for said hee such courages and spirits as the Nymphs must be wonne upon by sweetness and lenity not by rigour and force And you Neece I pray consider and remember your duty and know that these follies of love are dishonourable both for those that own them and those that favour them He had continued on his Instructions had they not met Silvia at their Palace gates who conducted them unto Galathea At that time she was walking in the Garden whilst Celadon reposed himself As soon as ever she saw them she went unto them the Druide kneeled down and kissed her hand Leonida did the same Afterwards the Nymph embraced them both and thanked Adamas for his paines in comming to her promising requital upon the first occasion Madam said he unto her all my services are but just duties and the very best of them cannot merit half this expression I am sorry onely that I want occasions to make the grandure of my affection known unto you and if I have not at any time been deficient it was onely want of opportunities not of any will to serve you Adamas answered the Nimph the service which you have done unto Amasis I take as done unto my self And what I have received from your Neece I accept of as from you And therefore considering all circumstances I have had sufficient tryal of your goodness I do acknowledge your services past to be great but this which I am now to imploy you in is the greatest and will be the most acceptable unto me for no greater cure can be than of a wounded spirit We wil talk more of it at leasure in the mean time goe and rest your self Silvia will conduct you to your chamber whilst Leonida does give me an accompt of what she hath done Thus the Druide was dismissed and Galathea carrassing Leonida more than usual asked her what she had done in her journey Unto which Leonida gave her a satisfactory answer Madam said she I thank the gods that I have found you more joyful than I left you Friend said the Nimph Celadons recovery is the cause for you must know that you were not gone a mile from hence before the Feaver left him and ever since he hath so mended as he himself hopes within two or three daies hee shall be able to rise This answered Leonida is the best news I could desire and had I known as much I should not have brought Adamas hither But to the purpose said Galathea What does he say to this accident For I assure my self you have acquainted him with it Pardon me Madam said Leonida I told him no more than what I thought could not be concealed from him when he came He knows of the affection you beare unto Celadon which I told him was onely an effect of your pitty Hee knows the Shepheard very well and all his family and is confident he can perswade him unto what he pleaseth For my part I think that if you doe imploy him hee will doe you good service but then you must be ingenuous and speak freely and openly unto him Oh my God said the Nymph do you think this possible Certainly when hee understands the whole story he will never apprehend it unto my contentment for his prudence and judgement is so great as I doubt he will rather condemn than
further the businesse Madam said Leonida I do not speak without some ground you shall see if you do imploy him what service he will doe you Thus the Nimph was the most contented person in the world fancying her self already at the very top of all her desires But whilst they were thus discoursing Silvia and Adamas were talking of the same business For this Nymph being at the first very familiar with him did at the first speak openly unto him Adamas much desiring to know whether all his Neece had related was true he entreated her to relate unto him all she knew which Silvia did without any dissimulation and as briefly as she could in this manner The History of Leonida KNow that for the better understanding of what you desire I am forced to touch upon all the particulars of Leonida's life whose Destiny seems to twist together all her designes with those of Galathea What I shall say concerning her is not by way of reprehension or blame nor with any intention to divulge her faults for in telling them unto you I think them to be as secret as if they had never been told You must know then that the beauty and merits of Leonida had long since gotten the affection of Polemas and the merits of that Cavalier being very high your Neece gave his affection a kind reception yet behaved her self with so much discretion that it was long before Polemas knew it I know that your self have loved in your time and knows better than I doe how hard a thing it is to hide love And so it was that the vaile being taken away both of them did know that both of them were lovers and both loved However they durst not of a long time declare it After the Festivall which Amasis did Solemnize every yeare as her day of Marriage with Pimander So it was that after dinner we all walked in the Garden at Mont-brison and she and I set our selves down under some Trees to shelter our selves from the heat of the Sun No sooner were we set but Polemas came to us seeming as if but accidentally though I observed that he followed us by the eye a good way distant And because we sat silent a long while together also he having an excellent good voice I told him he would much oblige us if he would sing I shall do so said he pointing at Leonida if this fair one wil be pleased to command me Commands said she would shew indiscretion but if you have any Song that is new I shall think my entreaties very well bestowed I shall answered Polemas and moreover I will promise you that this which you shall hear is so new as it was made during the time of the Sacrifice this morning whilst you were at your Prayers How said I unto him is my companion the subject of the song Yes certainly answered he I am a witness of it and then he began thus Upon a Lady at her Prayers A Saint in Sacred Temple paid Devotion to the Gods and pray'd She that all humane hearts adores Adores the gods and help implores And she whose mercy may men save With eyes and voice doth mercy crave Although she does her eyes disarm And will not suffer any charm In either voice or eye to glance As might their lustre more advance Such charming influence still they have As must all eyes and ears enslave Her eyes with holy Zeal inspir'd Half shut as high as heaven aspir'd And courted it with such a glance As if her soul were in a trance Such raptures of Coelestial Love Must needs both Earth and Heaven move Great God said she I do implore Mercy from thy abundant store Have mercy on me too said I Oh fairest female Dietie Religion bids you to impart To others with a willing heart Since thou art pleas'd O God said she To call us Children O then be A Father not a Judge severe Since you the worlds fair Mistris are Oh then be mine and kind said I Resembling so a Dietie Consider Lord said she how I Have Essence from thy Majesty 'T is onely Thou I doe adore And shall doe so for evermore So it is onely you said I VVhom I adore eternally Measure thy Mercy Lord said she According to thy Love not me Measure your pitty then said I According to my Amity Here then she stopt and went not on Only in Contemplation Her prayers were heard but mine alass Rejected were as poor and base Yet I dare confidently say Mine were as full of Zeal as they She onely by her Faith obey'd I saw the Saint to whom I pray'd Her Prayers did find an easie task Who could deny when she did ask But I poor silly mortal must Return a sinner to my dust And never any mercie find Since she disdaineth to be kind Wee were both very attentive unto his air and perhaps I should have heard more had not Leonida feared lest Polemas should out with something which she desired should be kept secret and therefore as soon as ever he had done singing she began to speak I dare lay a wager said she that I doe know her of whom this Song was made then whispering him in the ear as if she would name her she bade him take heed what she said before me He very cunningly answered aloud No no you are mistaken I swear it is not she whom you named Then I perceived that she did conceal her self from me and therefore seeming as if I would goe and gather some flowers I parted from them but not so farre distant but still I held an eye upon their actions Now since Polemas and she fell off he hath confessed all unto me but when they were in league together I could never make her tell mee any thing But being then together they fell to discourse and she did first begin it Come come Polemas said she why doe you jest thus with your Friends Tell mee truly upon whom was those Verses made Fair Nymph said he your own soul can tell you as well as I for whom they were made How should I know said she do you think I can divine things Yes certainly answered Polemas and I doe think you one of those who does not obey that god who speaks by your mouth but rather will be obeyed by him How do you explain this aenigma said the Nymph I do explain it thus replyed he The god of Love doth speak by your mouth otherwise your words could not be so full of Fire as to kindle so many flames as they doe in the hearts of all those that hear them And yet you do not obey that god when hee commands That all those who love should be loved again but you all disobedience doe make all those who love you to think you infinitely fair but not at all loving no not so much as pittifull I speak Madam for my own particular and can safely swear without the least danger of perjury that never any beauty under the Sun
was and is more loved than you by me When he uttered these last words he blusht and with a smile she answered thus Polemas Polemas old Souldiers can shew their valour by wounds and never use to brag of it but you that talk so much of yours would be put to your shifts to shew them if Love your Captain General should ask you where they are Cruel Nymph said Polemas you are much mistaken for I would onely bid him look upon the fair eyes of my enemy and fully satisfie him for then he would receive such wounds as I have in my heart and never complain of me However it is my glory to have such a worthy author for my wounds Should Love enter into argument with me I should sooner satisfie him than you for he would be sensible of my pain which you never can because a fire cannot burn it self You can never be so sensible of our tears who are so full of rigour that though we do adore you as fair yet we can hardly commend you as humane Leonida did love Polemas but as yet shee would not let him know it On the other side she feared that if she should put him quite out of hope she should then quite lose him and therefore she answered him thus Polemas if your affection be such as you say then time will give me better knowledge of it than all your well spoken words can which are too eloquent to proceed from affection for I have heard say that affection cannot be without passion and passion will not permit a spirit the freedome of discourse But when time has told me as much as you have done you may think I am not such a stone but I shall be sensible of your merits and your amity may perhaps finde a favourable reception untill then never hope for any more from me then what you may from all the rest of my Companions in generall Polemas would have kissed her hand by way of assurance but she forbad him saying Cavalier be discreet many eyes are upon us if you use any such things you will lose me Upon this she rose up and came to us who were gathering flowers Thus was the first overture of any affection between them which gave occasion unto Galathed to intermeddle in the businesse for seeing this passage in the Garden and having a designe upon Polemas she would know that night what had passed between Leonida and him And being ever very familiar with your Niece she durst not absolutely deny the truth of this addresse but Galathea pressed the matter further and would needs know the very same words which passed between them unto which your Niece did partly answer truth and partly dissemble but she said enough to exasperate Galathea so much as from that very day she resolved to get his love and went to work with so many artifices as it was impossible he should resist First she began with Leonida and charged her to let this love betwixt Polemas and she go no further then told her that it was her best policy to root it out for she knew that Polemas had another aime and made use of her only to laugh at Further if Amasis should come to know of it she would be much offended Leonida who then had no more subdety in her than a little Child received the words of the Nymph us from her Mistresse and never penetrated into the depth of her designe but was for some daies so strange unto Polemas as he could not chuse but wonder what the matter was This at the beginning made him more hot upon this addresse as it is ordinary for young spirits to be most violent upon that which is most difficult unto them And indeed he did so continue his courtship that Leonida had much ado to dissemble the affection which she bore unto him insomuch as Polemas perceived well enough that she loved him But see how love had ordained it After three or foure months continuance in his most violent prosecution of his courtship and when he had attained to as much assurance as almost he could desire his affection began to slack and lose its violence and by degrees grew so faint and bold as it was quite dead The Nymph did not take any notice that she was single in this affection the truth is Galathea was partly the cause for having a design upon Polemas she did use such artifice and was so indulgent towards him as it may be said she did insensibly steal him for when Leonida was shurp with him Galathea was sweet when the one did flie his company the other carrassed him and all this so long together and so openly that Polemas began to cast his eyes upon Galathea and a little after his heart followed for he seeing himselfe favoured by the greater and sleighted by the inferiour he began to embrace the smiling fortune But Oh! wise Adamas see how it pleaseth Love to play with hearts At this time Agis at the motion of Clidaman became a Servant unto your Niece not so much as you know by election as by instigation At the first this new Cavalier did apply himselfe in all becomming courtship unto his new Mistresse and she was still wholly devoted unto Polemas Agis who like a Miser that has still his eye upon his treasure did take notice of it and complained unto his Mistresse but her faint and hollow answers in lieu of extinguishing his jealousie did by little and little stifle his love for considering what loose hold he had of her soul he resolved to let it go and be gone himselfe The best receipt as I have heard say for the cure of a Lover For as Love has its beginning from the eyes so its decay must needs be from not seeing them which cannot be but in absence where oblivion swallowes up all memory of the party loved And so it did in Agis he was no sooner gone but all love vanish'd out of his soul and entertained disdain in lieu of it so as Leonida in striving to get Polemas lost him who perhaps would have been entirely hers But the rallerie of Love rested not here Polemas must have his share as well as the rest for just about this time the affection of Lindamor began to break out and as Leonida had lost Agis for Polemas and polemas Leonida for Galathea so Galathea cast off Polemas for Lindamor It is a task too hard to relate all their particular follies but so it was that Polemas seeing himselfe paid in the same coin that he payed your Niece would not for all that be out of either hope or love but on the contrary did use all inventions to ingratiate himselfe but all to this very houre in vain But yet this satisfaction he found that he who was the cause of his misery did not enjoy that happinesse he aimed at For whether it was by reason of his stratagems or the will of the gods I know not but Lindamor is out of
nothing inferiour unto my others and so detraction and censuring of others is as rise amongst us as you The truth is we have this advantage of you for in lieu of two enemies which you have which are Love and Ambition we have but one of them And from hence it is that there are some particular men amongst us which may be called happy and none I believe amongst you Courtiers For such as doe escape being in Love doe not escape the allurements of Ambition and such as doe escape Ambition have not such frozen souls as can resist the flames of so many Fair eyes whereas wee that have but one enemy may the more easily resist him as Silvander hath hitherto done a Shepheard truly full of excellent perfections but more happy than wise for he having yet never met with any beauty that pleased or could attract him he never holds familiarity with any Shepheardess which is the reason that he preserves his liberty for my part I beleeve that unless one do love some where else it is impossible to be long with an amiable beauty and not love her Silvander answered I am so little versed in this science that I submit unto what you say yet I doe believe it is something else than beauty which causeth Love otherwise one Lady that is loved of one man should be loved of all There are answered Celadon severall answers to this position All beauties are not looked upon with one and the same eye Colours some please one eye some another none all So of Beauties all eyes do not judge alike but Silvanders reason me-thinks is above all If any ask him why hee never was in Love he will answer that he has not yet found his Loadstone and when he has found it then he shall infallibly love as others do What does he mean said Silvia by his Loadstone I know not replyed Celadon whether I can well inform you but hee is a man very well studyed and held amongst us for a good Scholar Hee sayes that when great Jupiter first formed man and all souls he touched every one with a several peece of a Loadstone and afterwards put all the peeces in a place by themselves Likewise the souls of women after he had touched them he put them in a Magazine by themselves Afterwards when he sent the souls into bodies he brought those of the women to the place where the Loadstones were which touched the soules of the men and likewise the souls of the men into the place where the loadstones were which touched the women and made every one to take one peece If there were any theevish souls they took several pieces and hid them Now when that man meets with that woman that has that piece which touched his soul it is impossible but hee must love her the Loadstone shee hath doth attract his soul And from hence proceeds the severall effects of Love For those who are loved of many are those theevish souls who took many peeces of the Loadstone If any doe love one who loves not him again that was one who took her Loadstone but she not his Many questions upon this were put unto him unto which hee answered very well Amongst the rest I put this How comes it to passe said I that one Shepheard loves many Shepheardesses Thus answered he the peece of Loadstone which touched him being amongst the rest when Jupiter did mingle them all together it broke and being in several peeces all those who have them doe attract his soul but perhaps those who are taken with so many several Loves will never love much because those little bits cannot have so much force as if it were a whole one Moreover said he from hence it comes to passe that we do often see some persons love others who in our eyes are nothing amiable Also from hence proceeds those strange loves which sometimes fall out As that a Gaule brought up amongst many beauties should fall in love with a barbarous stranger Diana asked him what he could say for Timon the Athenian who never loved any nor any loved him His Loadstone answered he is either still in Jupiters Magazine or else she who took it dyed in her cradle So as when we doe see any one who does not love wee use to say his Loadstone was forgotten But sayd Silvia what could hee say unto this that none did love Timon That sometimes answered Celadon Jupiter did count the pieces that remained and finding the number come short because some theevish souls had taken more than they should he sent those souls into their bodies without stones and hence it comes to passe that many Shepheards and Shepheardesses who are accomplished with many excellent qualities yet are disfavoured and none loves them But Corilas put this question to him One loves another a long time How comes hee to quit her and love another Silvander answered unto this That his Loadstone who changed had been broken and hers whom hee loved last was a greater peece than the other as wee see a peece of Steel between two Loadstones will goe to that which hath the greater force and so the soul will goe to that party who hath the most attractive power Truly said Silvia this must needs bee an admirable Shepheard that is full of such fine conceptions But I beseech you tell me Who is he I shall hardly tell you that Madam said Celadon for he cannot tell himself yet by the judgement we can make of him by his good qualities he is from somegood place for you must know that he came into our village not long since with a very short pittance of estate and without any acquaintance onely this hee said that hee came from about the Lake Lemane where he had been brought up of a child Since he has got acquaintance every one is ready to help him Besides being an excellent Herbalist and having great knowledge in the nature of Animals his Flock so increases under his hands and he thrives so well as at this hour he may be called Rich at least in content And fair Nymph it is no great difficulty to attain unto so much wealth for Nature is contented with a little and we who live according to her Rules are Rich if contented and our contentment being easily obtained our Riches are quickly gotten You are said Silvia much richer in happiness than we are But you spoke of Diana I know her onely by sight Pray tell me who was her Mother The Mother was Belinda answered he Wife unto the sage Celion who dyed young And Diana said Silvia who is she and what humour is she of She is said Celadon one of the fairest Shepheardesses about the River Lignon and let mee but except Astrea and I will say she is the fairest for besides those that are obvious unto the eye she has so many beauties of mind as no more can be said or desired than is in her Oftentimes we have been three or four of us
by his Brother Diamis who presented them unto her under a colour of presenting her with some fruit She would often return him such satisfactory answers as he had some reason to be contented with And this affection was carried with so much prudence as few perceived it Amaranthe her selfe though she was continually with them had been ignorant of it had she not accidentally found a Letter which her companion had lost And see I beseech you the consequences of it with this Note That it is very dangerous for any young soul to come neer the fire of Love Till now this Shepheardesse never had the least resentment of any love no nor so much as any minde of being loved but as soon as she saw this Letter whether out of envie to her companion whom she thought no superiour in beauty or because she was of that age which is most apt to take fire or whether this Letter contained such hot and servent expressions as would thaugh a piece of Ice so it was that she began to swell with desire not only to love but to be loved again by this Shepheard And then she read over the Letter again severall times which was thus penned Celion's Letter unto Belinde Fair Shepheardesse IF your fair eyes were as full of truth as they are of motives to love the sweetnesse which at the first they do promise would then make me adore them with as much contentment as they do now produce in me vain hopes but they are so far from making good their deluding promises as they will not so much as confesse them and are so far from curing my wounds as they will not so much as say they are the causers of them The truth is they can hardly deny them if they do but consider that no other Beauty but theirs could ever make them so great However as if you intended to make your cruelty to equall your beauty you ordain that affection which you inspired may cruelly die in me Oh heavens was there ever such a mercilesse Mother as to murder her own child But I that am more dear of any thing that comes from you than of my life will never suffer such a piece of injustice and therefore I am resolved to carry this affection along with me to my grave hoping still that heaven considering my patience will once move you to be as pittifull unto me as you are now dear and hard-hearted Amaranthe read over this Letter severall times and ere she was aware sucked in the sweet poyson of Love as a weary person by degrees falls asleep If her imagination brought the face of this Shepheard before her eyes Oh how full of beauty and handsomnesse she fancyed him His behaviour and mind was agreeable his wit rare and every part so exquisite as she thought her companion infinitely happy in his love Then would she read the Letter over again and when she came to the end of it she flattered her desires being blown by the bellowes of vain hopes with an opinion that Belinde did not yet love him but that she her selfe might perhaps easily get him but this poor fond Lover never took notice that this was the first Letter he writ unto her and that since this much alteration might be Belinde's friendship sometimes gave her a check but love presently surmounted friendship In conclusion she writ this Letter unto Celion Amaranthe's Letter unto Celion YOur Perfections may well excuse my error and your Civility may as well receive that affection which I do offer unto you May I perish if I love any that is inferiour unto you but such is your merit as I make it my glory to love you and my shame to stoop so low as to love any other If you do refuse this offer it will be for want of will or courage and which of the two soever it be it will be more dishonourable to you than me that you refused me She gave this Letter her selfe unto Celion who not imagining what it should be as soon as he came to a private place he read it but not with more wonder than scorn and had he not known her to be the dear friend of his Mistresse he would not have daigned her an answer yet fearing left she should some way or other prejudice him he sent her this Letter by his Brother Celion's Answer unto Amaranthe I Cannot tell what is in me that can move you to love me However I do think it to be as great an honour that such a Shepheardesse should daigne to look upon me as I do think it a misfortune that I cannot receive such an happinesse Oh! that it would please my Destinies to let me give my selfe unto you Fair Amaranthe I should think my selfe the happiest man alive if I could live in your service but since it is not in my power I beseech you excuse me and blame neither my wit nor my courage for that which is hindred by a compulsive Necessitie It would be abundance of happinesse and glory unto me to be in your favour but it would be as much griefe unto you to finde a continuall impediment in my affection so as I am forced most humbly to beseech you even by your vertue to temper your too hot passion by a moderate affection which I shall with all my heart entertain for there is no impossibility in that but whatsoever is in me that is within the compasse of possibility is wholly at your service This answer had been sufficient to have diverted her if Love of its own nature were not like unto Gun-powder which the more it is restrained the greater force it hath Her apprehensions did oppose against these difficulties some shadowes of reason as that Celion could not so soon cast Belinde off that it would argue too great a levity in him if he should upon the very first Summons deliver up the Fort. But time told her to her cost that this was but a meer shadow of reason for ever since that day this Shepheard did to disdain her that he shunned her company and often chose rather to be without Belinde ' then have hers with it Now perceiving her selfe to be imbaâ—qued upon a Sea so full of dangers as was impossible to avoid a Ship-wrack and finding her selfe not able to brook so great a displeasure she grew so sad as she shunned all company and places where any pleasure was to be found and at last fell sick in good earnest Her dear friend Belinde came presently to visit her and not dreaming of any thing desired Celion to come with her but the sight of a happinesse which one cannot have augmenteth the desire of it the more and this visit did but more fester the disease of Amaranthe Night being come all retired to their lodgings except Belinde who was very much troubled at her companions misery though she did not know what it was for when she asked her any question she was answered only by sighs at which Belinde
unto me you will place your love upon one of the fairest Shepheardesses about Lignon Perhaps you will think this a strange office from Belinde but your wonder will vanish when I tell you that she is one whom I do most love for it is Amaranthe Her I do command you to love by all the power that I have over you for she has earnestly begg'd it of me She was thus hasty in her command because she feared that if she should have retarded it any longer she should not have had power to resist his supplications which she foresaw he would make What do you think fair Nymph said Celadon to Silvia became of poor Celion he looked as pale as death it selfe and so much out of himselfe as he could not speak one single syllable But at last when he had a little recovered the use of his languishing tongue and in a Tone like one in the midst of Torment he cryed out Oh cruell Nymph have you preserved my life hitherto thus inhumanely to ravish it away This command is too ful of cruelty to be heard live and my love is too great to let me die without despair Alas if I must die let me die faithfull and if there be no other way to cure Amaranthe but by my death I will most freely sacrifice my selfe unto her health so you will but change the doom of your command and bid me die loving only you Belinde was much startled at this but not altered Celion said she unto him leave off all these vain expressions you will give me cause else not to believe what you told me if you do not satisfie me in the first command that I do impose upon you Cruell Shepheardesse said the sad Celion must you needs command me impossibilities for though I dare not love you beyond your commanded limits yet command what you will I cannot love any other Pitty did begin a little to melt her heart and it was abundance of content unto her to see that he whom she loved most did most certainly love her And this perhaps had altered her resolution had she not been resolutely fixed to take away all thoughts from Amaranthe that she was stung with the same disease therefore she constrained all her pitty to retreat which began already to draw tears into her eyes and to the end they should not be seen she went away and at parting said unto him Think well upon it Celion and be certain I will never see you again unlesse you will effect my entreaty and your own promise Whether Celion had a sad dejected soul seeing himselfe so far from any consolation or resolution let them that ever loved judge He was two or three daies like a man lost he ran into the Woods and shunned all manner of company at last an old Shepheard that was an intimate friend of his Fathers and one that was very wise also loved Celion very well seeing him in this condition and perceiving that nothing but effects of Love could thus distract him he was some comfort unto him by his counsell For in his younger daies he himselfe had been in the like straits and began to mock Celion for being so much troubled for so poor a businesse demonstrating unto him that the remedy was easie and so very easie as he was ashamed that Celion who was reputed wife and a man of courage should not hit upon it I know said he that to fulfill this command of Belinda's is at the first a matter of some difficulty and she will think your affection to be extream but that will oblige her the more to love you yet since you have made such professions of obeying her it will content her if you do dissemble and seem as if you did obey what she has commanded This counsell sounded well in the ears of Celion and was accordingly executed But before this he had writ this Letter unto Belinde Celion's Letter unto Belinde HAd I merited so ruffe a Treatment as this which I have received from you I should sooner have dyed than endured it but since it is for your contentment I shall entertain it with a little more willingnesse then if in exchange you had hidden me die Since I have wholly dedicated my selfe unto you it is but reasonable you should have the whole disposure of me But I beseech you consider that as long as this constraint lasts so many daies are navished from my life for I cannot call those daies life that are full of sorrow and death Shorten them therefore Oh most severe Shepheardesse if there be but one spark of pitty remaining in you It was impossible that Bolinda should not resent these expressions which she knew proceeded from a most perfect affection withall it was impossible any thing could divert her from her designe She did advertise Amaranthe that Celion would love her and that she would know it as soon as she was recovered Which advertisment did so hasten her recovery as she did make it appear that to the cure of the body the cure of the minde is not unprofitable But Oh! what a lamentable constraint did Celion live in and how intolerable was his torment He grew so lean and was so altered as he was not knowable But see the extream severity of this Shepheardesse she was not contented with what she had done but because she thought Amaranthe had some jealousie of their affection she was resolved to drive the Naile so to the head that neither of them should think she jeasted The Shepheards addresse unto Amaranthe was observed by every one for it was openly declared the Father also of this Shepheard being acquainted with the commendable vertues of Leon and knowing his family to be honourable he did not disapprove of this Match Belinde her selfe did propound the Marriage and it was almost made up before Celion knew of it but when he heard of it he could not forbear speaking unto Belinde and was so plain with her that she was halfe ashamed but the Shepheard seeing words would not do he resolved upon another course and a better way which was to apply himselfe unto his Father Sir said he I should be very sorry to disobey you in anything and more in this than any other thing I see Sir that you do like of this alliance with Amaranthe and as becomes me I have made addresses to her and I do know no Shepheardesse more affectionate than she But Sin give me leave to tell you that I do love her better for a Mistresse than a Wife yet I do humbly beseech you command me not to tell you my reason Upon this the Father had some suspition that he knew of some ill quality in the Shepheardesse and did heartily commend the prudence of his Son who he thought had such a command over his own affections Thus this Match was broken off and the former passages being publickly known many did ask the question from whence this coldnesse of the businesse should proceed The
Father he could not hold from speaking of it unto his familiar friends and they unto others so as Amaranthe at the last came to hear of it who at the first was much grieved but afterwards seeing her own folly in thinking to make her selfe loved by force she did by degrees fall off resolving to entertain the next motion of marriage that was offered Thus were these Lovers eased of an intolerable burthen but it was to be loadned with one much more heavie Belinde was now at an age full fit for Marriage and Philemon very desirous to see her well bestowed he would have been very glad to entertain Celion but Belinde hating marriage as much as death had charged him not to speak unto her yet promising him that whensoever she saw her selfe forced to marry she would acquaint him to the end that then he might put in for a share of her and demand her in Marriage And this was the reason that Philemon perceiving the coldnesse of Celion he would not offer her unto him In the mean time Ergastes the prime Shepheard of all the Country and one who was generally esteemed for his many vertues did make an overture of Marriage with her and because he would not have the businesse talked of untill he was sure of speeding he who did treat about the matter did carry it so closely that a promise was made of the Marriage as soon as asked for Philemon making himselfe sure of his Daughters obedience did first passe his word and then acquainted her At the first she could not resolve what to do because he was a man whom she had never seen However this lofty spirit that never would sink under the burthen of any misery did presently rouse up it selfe and did not seem the least discontented at it for her own sake which was more than she could do for Celion and now her error of obstinate hatred against marriage must be washed away with tears So it was that to be as good as her promise she acquainted poor Celion that Philemon intended to marry her As soon as Celion had this so much desired permission he did so solicite his Father that the very same day he made the motion unto Philemon but it was too late for which Belinde's Father was very sorry for he loved Celion much better then Ergastes Oh heavens what griefe when he heard the doom of his misfortune he went immediately out of the house and never rested till he found Belinde At his first accost he could not speak but his looks did sufficiently tell what was Philemon's answer Though she stood in as great need of some good counsell as he and strength to support this blow yet she would shew her selfe so stout as not to stoop to any dysaster but she would not shew her selfe so insensible as not to shew how she resented the Shepheards misery but made it appear unto him that it did displease her Whereupon she asked him how her Father relished the motion The Shepheard related the very same answer which Philemon gave adding so many sighs and sad lamentations that she had been a very Rock had she not been moved at them yet she did interrupt him surmounting her selfe with as much vertue as possible and told him that lamentations were only for poor weak spirits and did not become persons of courage and therefore he did both himselfe and her wrong if he used any such expressions Celion said she where is that brave resolution which you said you had armed your selfe withall against all accidents whatsoever except at the change of my affections can any thing else make you stagger Consider that words do no good at all only make those that hear them think worse both of you and me For heavens sake do not stain my honour with that pusillanimity which hitherto I have with so much pain avoided and since there is no better remedy be patient as I am perhaps the heavens will hereafter contrive things better to our contentment then we at this time ought to desire For my part I will avoid the misfortune as much as I can possibly and if there be no better remedy we will resolutely fly from it and leave one another These last words made him almost desperate imagining that her great courage proceeded from the faintnesse of her affection Could I as easily resolve upon this accident as you answered the Shepheard I should think my selfe unworthy of your Love for a hollow faint affection deserves not such a happinesse For a reward of all my services you bid me resolve to lose you and does implicitely bid me not despair if I see you Another's Ah Belinde with what face can you look upon your new friend with what kinde of heart can you love and how can you ever carrasse him since you have promised a thousand times never to love any but me since your heart has so often sworn never to be any but mine Well you do command me to leave you and to obey you I will do so for the last minute of my life shall be the first of my disobedience I pray the heavens you may be as happy in your new choice as I shall be miserable Live and enjoy all contentment with Ergastes and may you enjoy as much good fortune together as I have will to do you service may this new affection swell with all delights and last as long as life whilst I am sure my most faithfull affection will be smoothered with extream griefs Belinde did let Celion speak so long together because she feared that if she spoke her tears would do the office of words and that would argue too little power over her selfe Oh proud beauty that had rather be censured for want of love than resolution But at last finding her selfe confident enough she said thus unto him Celion you think that all this is an argument of your affection but I think the contrary for how can you love me and have such an ill opinion of me If you took this opinion up since this last accident it is to be believed that that affection is not very great which can so suddenly change If you have not an ill opinion of me how can you possibly think that once I did love you and now do not Consider how unlikely it is that Celion whom I loved above all the world and whose humours were ever as agreeable to me as my own should be changed for Ergastes whom I never saw and whom rather then I will marry I will marry a Grave If I be forced it is by the commands of a Father whom neither in duty nor honour I ought to disobey But is it possible you should so soon forget all those vowes and protestations which I have made unto you never to marry How comes this change to passe For if you did love me without marrying me why cannot you love me still without marrying me And when I have a Husband who can forbid me to love a Brother
still with as much affection as is due unto a Brother Adieu adieu my Celion live and love me who will love you to the last whatsoever becomes of Belinde At this word she kissed him which was a greater favour than ever yet she did him and left him so much out of himselfe that he could not utter one syllable When he returned to himselfe and considered that love ought to bend unto duty and that there was not one spark of hope left which could help him out of his griefes like a man that ravelled in his resolutions he wandred up and down Woods and unfrequented places where he did nothing but lament his cruell dyfaster do what all his friends could they could not perswade him from this errant life Thus he lived many daies in which he moved the very Rocks unto pitty And to the end she who was the cause of his misery might a little resent it he sent her these Verses Celion upon the Marriage of Belinde and Ergastes 'T Is hard by Jove that after so much love And service paid you should anothers prove Must I that serv'd a Prenti hip of sorrow See you anothers joy and blisse to morrow And have no other wages for my pains But sad remembrance of anothers gains You once did love me well 't is very true But Oh this fatall Did does griefe renew What am I better for a Love that 's past When you are in another's a mesembrac'd When you are once anothers halfe not mine Away my soul with sorrow needs must pine Had he more merit or more love than I Then were I silenc'd in my misery But this is cruell Martyrdome that he In one short day should finde felicity Without desert and I denyed am Who long had lov'd and merited the same Oh cruell memory of happinesse that 's past Out of my thoughts since hope is quite defac'd There is no reason you should harbour there Where nothing is but horror and despair Although he seemed by his actions to be quite out of any hope yet there was a little spark left because the Contract of Marriage was not yet past and he knew that some Matches have been broken off which were believed to be as currant as this But when he understood that the Writings were Signed and sealed on both sides Oh! in what a dismal despair was he then then did he wring his hands together scratch his head tear his hair beat his stomack and in short was so transported and besides himself that he was in a hundred minds to go and kill Ergastes and when he was upon the very point of putting it into execution this consideration amidst his fury did come into his minde that this perhaps would offend Belinde unto whom for all his madnesse he writ severall Letters full of love and reproaches which she could hardly read without tears and amongst the rest he sent her this Celion's Letter unto Belinde in his Transport WHat inconstant Shepheardess must my misery equall my affection must I still love you when I see you clasped in the armes of another Surely the gods do punish me for loving you too much or rather indeed for not loving you enough yet I do love you as much as ever any other in the world can And yet for gods-sake tell me why I should love you since you do love a person whom I do not And then again why should I not love you since I did once love you so well Faith me thinks I have no reason to love you because you are ungratefull your soul is a very stone and is insensible of any love But be you what you will you are still Belinde And can Belinde be and Celion not love her Should I love you then or should I not love you pray Shepheardesse be judge your selfe As for me my spirit is so much troubled that I cannot discern any thing but that I am the most afflicted person in the world At the lower end of this Letter he writ these Verses I never can excuse Such fond inconstancy As you it seemes do use In changing Amitie To change for better may Be called Prudence good But for the worse I say Is madnesse understood When Belinde received this Letter and Verses she had a good minde to send him one of hers for hearing what a strange kinde of life he lived and what language he used against her she was much displeased at it considering that it gave occasion of discourse unto such as have no ears nor tongues but to hear and talk of the businesse of others Her Letter to him was this Belinde's Letter unto Celion IT is impossible I should any longer indure the injuries which your strange kinde of life does both your selfe and me I cannot say but that you have reason to complain against our fortune but I must needs also say that any wise person cannot without abundance of blame play the fool Though your raptures and transport does let all the world know that you are ready to die for the love of me yet you do thereby force me to believe that in reality and truth you do not love me for if you aid you would never thus displease me Do you not know that death it selfe cannot be more horrour unto me than that opinion which you do raise in every one of our Amity Take heed therefore dear Brother I intreat you and by that name conjure you to have a care how you blemish my honour If you cannot endure this dysaster without divulging it to the censorious World then I conjure you to go away that my name may no more be brought into question If you do satisfie me in this then you will make me believe that it is a superfluitie and not defect of Love which hath made you erre thus against me And this will oblige Belinde to keep in memory her dear Brother whom in spite of all these in supportable injuries she loves Although Celion was so transported that he was hardly capable of any reason that his friends could urge unto him yet his affection did so open his eyes as he saw that Belinde advised him well So as resolving upon travel he took order for his departure and the day before he was to goe he writ unto his Shepheardesse intimating his intentions of obeying her and desiring so much favour onely as to take his leave of her before he went The Shepheardesse who did really love him though she did foresee that this would but augment his sorrows yet would not deny him his request but appointed him to meet her the next morning at the Fountain of Sicamours Day did no sooner dawn but the disconsolate Shepheard did drive his Flock towards this Fountaine where staying by the side of it and fixing his eyes upon the course of this streame he waited for his Shepheardesse and after a long silence sighed out these Verses The comparison of a Fountaine unto his Griefs THis restless River that doth run Wave after
of whom I speak is shee who is held amongst us for one of the fairest and wisest Shepheardesses in all Forrests Celadon was thus relating unto the Nymph the History of Celion and Belinde whilst Leonide and Galathea were discoursing upon the news which Flurial brought for as soon as the Nymph saw Leonide she took her aside and told her that she would not have Flurial see Celadon for said she he is so much a creature of Lindamors as he will tell him all hee sees Keep him therefore in discourse till I have read my Letters and when I have done I wil acquaint you what news Upon this the Nymph went out of the chamber and carried Flurial with her Then after some other talk Well Flurial said shee what news dost thou bring unto thy Lady Very good answered he and such as both you and she will be glad to hear for Clideman is well and Lindamor has done such wonders in a Battle that Merovia and Childericke doe esteem him as his virtue deserves But here is a young man with me that would speak with Silvia and is denyed entrance by the Guards hee can relate all particulars better than I for hee came from thence and I but from my Aunts where one of Lindamors men brought these Letters and stayes for an answer Dost thou not know said Leonida what his business is with Silvia No answered he he would never make me of his counsel He must enter said the Nymph so going unto the doore she remembred that she had seen him with Ligdamon and supposing her companion desired the businesse should be secret shee would not ask him any questions seeming as if shee knew him not onely told him she would acquaint Silvia Afterwards drawing Flurial aside Dâ—st thou know Flurial said she unto him the misfortune that is faln upon Lindamor No said hee wee all think him to be extreamly happy for hee has got so much Glory that Amasis at his return cannot deny him Galathea Oh Flurial said she didst thou know how all things goe here thou wouldest confesse that the voyage of our Friend is to him a voyage of death and I beleeve when he returns he will dye of grief Oh my good God said Flurial what 's the matter It is as I tell thee Flurial said she and there is no remedy against it unlesse it comes from thee From me said he if that will doe be confident there is nothing in the world which I will not doe Then said the Nymph bee sure thou beest secret I will tell thee more anone but now I must see what the poor absent man has writ unto me He sent them said Flurial by a youngman unto my Aunts and she hath sent me hither with them and here is one directed unto you She opened it and found these words Lindamor's Letter unto Leonida ALthough I find that distance and absence has but little power upon my soul yet I am afraid it hath too much upon yours whom I adore My Faith bids me hope wel but my Fortune menaces me with the contrary However the assurance that I have in my prudent Confident makes me live in less fear Remember therefore that you doe not deceive the hopes I have in you nor fail the assurance which I have of your friendship Well said the Nymph Flurial I would have thee goe this night to the neerest Lodging thou canst find and return to me in the morning betimes for then I will acquaint thee with a story that shall make thee wonder Then she called for the young man that would speak with Silvia and carried him as far as Galathea's Anti-chamber where bidding him to stay she entered and told the Nymph what she had done with Flurial Here Leonide said shee pray read this Letter which Lindamor hath written unto me Which shee did and found these words Lindamor's Letter unto Galathea NEither the length of my voyage nor the horrours of VVar no nor all the beauties of Gaule are able to make the memory of your most faithfull servant for get you Madam one minute So as not being able to deny my affection the curiosity of knowing how my most adored Lady doth after I had kissed your feet a thousand times I doe present unto you all the good fortune which Armes have favoured me withall and lay them at your feet as a Divinity unto whom I owe them If you will but be pleased to accept of them I shal think myself more honoured thereby than by all that Renown which Fame can trumpet in my praise I care not a straw said Galathea neither for him nor his victories He would oblige me much more if he would forget me For Gods sake Madam said Leonide do not say so did you but know what a high esteem both Merovia and Childerick have of him I cannot thinke but you would set a higher value upon him than upon this Shepheard A Shepheard that does not love you but even before your face sighs for a Shepheardesse who has his heart You will say perhaps that all this I say is said out of some cunning Artifice It is very true answered Galathea Well Madam answered she you may think and say what you please but I doe swear unto you by all that 's sacred that what I told you concerning the Impostor Climanthes and the crafty Polemas is most true Leonide said Galathea you doe but lose your time I am fully resolved what to doe and therefore talke no more I shall do Madam said Leonide as you command me if you will give me but leave to ask you one question and it is this What do you intend to do with this Shepheard I will have him love me answered she How I beseech you do you think this love will end said Leonide How eager you are said Galathea to know future events Let him but once love me and we will afterwards see how it will end Although we cannot know future events said Leonide yet every one does propose unto themselves an end at which they aym I have no other end said Galathea but that of Love nor aym at any thing else but that he should love me That certainly is all that you can aim at replyed Leonide for there is no likelyhood you should ever marry him and if you should not marry him what then will become of your honour Your honour I say which you have ever been so tender of will be extreamly endangered This new affection cannot surely so blinde you but you must needs see what wrong you do yourself to have a man your Lover whom you would not have your Husband And you Leonide said she you that make such a scruple of it have you any desire to marry him I Madam answered she I beseech you do you think me so low in my own thoughts as to look upon such a silly fellow as he But if ever there were a man that was within the compass of causing me to love the respect I owed you
halfe and the Wife the other Upon which she smiled and said unto him It seemes Lydias you have forgot the Custome for you should have left me a part God forbid wise Amarina said he for it is poyson which I have chosen to finish my life withall rather then fail in my promise to you and in my affection which I owe unto the fair Silvia Oh my god said she is this possible And then thinking that he was Lydias but that during his absence he had changed his minde and not desiring to live without him she ran with the Cup in her hand to the Bottle where the poysoned wine was and before Ligdamon was aware had drunk it off for the Apothecary whom Ligdamon had prepared had filled the Bottle full Afterwards returning to him she said You cruell man had rather have death then me and I rather then be without you Oh Amerina said Ligdamon I confesse that I had offended if I had been him you took me for but believe me now I am upon my last breath I am not Lydias but Ligdamon and time will discover the error However I choose death rather then break my promise made unto the fair Silvia unto whom I have consecrated my life since I am not able to satisfy both Then he continued Oh fairest Silvia accept of this good will I now offer unto thee and of all my actions let this last be best received since it is imprinted with the noble character of Fidelity The Poyson now began to work by degrees upon the spirits of these two new-marryed persons so as he could hardly breathe when turning his head towards me he said Go go my friend go and do thy businesse relate what thou hast seen and that death is more welcome unto me than life which would have stained that Fidelity which I have vowed unto the fair Silvia Silvia was the last word he ever spake for as he uttered it his Soul departed out of his Body into the Elizian fields where if ever any Lover was happy it is he in expectation of seeing you there with him Is it then certainly true said Silvia that Ligdamon is dead Alas too true answered he Oh ye gods cryed out Silvia All she was able to do was to lie down upon the bed for her heart quite failed her where after she had been awhile she called for Leonida to take Ligdamon's Letter and to tell Egides that she would have him serve her Thus Egides with-drew with eyes swimming in tears Now did Love shew his power for this Nymph who never much loved Ligdamon alive now she heard of his death she expressed as much griefe as was possible for any Lover Upon this occasion Galathea talking unto Celadon she said That hereafter she would think it impossible that a woman should never in her life love any one for said she this Nymph hath been too cruell unto all those that loved her that some have dyed for very griefe others have been banished out of her sight by despair and this very man whom she now laments for she did heretofore drive into such extremity that but for Leonida he had then dyed also so as I durst have sworn Love would have sooner harboured in the most snowie part of the Alps than in her heart and yet you may see unto what she is reduced now Do not think this to be Love Madam said Celadon but rather Pitty for she had been the hardest piece of Marble that ever was had she not been extreamly perplexed at this report For my part I think Ligdamon more happy than if he were alive since he loved this Nymph so extreamly and she was so hard hearted unto him For what greater happinesse can be then to be at the end of misery and to enter into felicity How joyed would he be to see Silvia mourn for him and set a value upon his affection No no Madam Ligdamon is not to be mourned for so much as Silvia for you shall see that all her minde and fancy will run upon Ligdamon The discourse the garb the affection the valour and briefly every action of this Lover will in revenge of her cruelty continually torment her minde and will in revenge be the Executioner of Love's justice This discourse was spoken so loud and so neer Silvia that she heard it all and it did but increase her griefe so as she went out of this Chamber into her own where she could no longer restrain her tears for shutting the dore after her and desiring Leonida to leave her she threw her selfe upon the bed where with watry eyes and folded armes she called to minde all the former life of Ligdamon how great his love was how patiently he endured all her rigour with what discretion he served her how constant he was in his love and in the end said she all this is now enclosed in a little piece of earth Then calling to minde her own demeanor her discourses her farewells her impatiencies and a thousand more particulars she was forced to say Oh fatall memory let the ashes of my dear Ligdamon rest in peace if thou dost torment me thus I know he will not be contented with it At last after she had been a while mute Well said she it is resolved upon be my life long or short as it shall please the Fates I will never cease loving my dear Ligdamon nor forget his affection or vertues Galathea in the mean while opened Ligdamon's Letter which was in Leonida's hands and found in it these words Ligdamon's Letter unto Silvia IF you are offended at my over-boldnesse in loving you my death will revenge your Quarell If you stood neutrall and indifferent I am confident this last act of affection will have such an operation upon your soul as will gain me some more esteem which if it do I shall cherish my resemblance of Lydias more then my own birth since by the one I was but a trouble and by the other acceptable unto you These are the great revenges of Love said Celadon And I do remember another though upon another subject how a Shepheard writ this Epitaph upon a jealous Husband An EPITAPH Upon a Jealous Husband HEre in this durty Dungeon lies One of god Cupid's enemies The wages of his crime was death Who troubled all whilst he had breath This Tyrant ever made a Theft Of Love which ought to be a gift This was the man who Argos ey'd More faults than ever was espi'd And out of his depraved Minde Still look'd for what he would not finde But Love at last did stop his breath And in revenge did send him death Love injur'd though he make no haste Will be revenged yet at last It is most true answered Galathea Love never suffers an offence committed against him to escape unpunished and hence it is we see so many strange accidents in all human actions And therefore Celadon I wonder that you poâ— not tremble for feare and every moment expect an Arrow
of revenge from that god Why should I fear said the Shepheard since it is I that am the offended party Ah Celadon said the Nymph were all things equally ballanced you would finde your offences committed much greater then those you have received This is the very height of misery said Celadon that a person afflicted should be thought happy and when his pain is palpable yet not to be pittied But I pray tell me Shepheard said the Nymph does not Ingratitude of all crimes and offences that are accounted great hold the first place Doubtlesse it does answered the Shepheard If it do said Galathea how can you clear your selfe since for all the love and affection I have shewed unto you I receive nothing but a hollow faintnesse and disdain from you This for all considering what I am and considering what you are I cannot conceive how I have any waies offended against Love that he should punish me with so much rigour Celadon was extreamly sorry for beginning this discourse but since it was already on foot he resolved to clear himselfe and therefore said thus unto her Madam I know not how to give an answer unto your speeches but by blushes yet Love which makes you speak constraines me to answer That which you call ingratitude in me I must call Duty and if you shall please to ask me my reason I shall give it What reason can you give said Galathea unlesse that you do love another and that your faith is obliged to her But let me tell you that the Law of Nature is before all others and that Law commands us to seek and prefer our own good before anothers And can you desire a greater good than my affection Whom have you in the Country like me who can do as I can for you These are meer mockeries Celadon to insist so much upon these follies of Fidelity and Constancy termes invented only by old women and ugly to keep such within their Pales as their faces has set at liberty They say all the Vertues are chained together Constancy cannot be without Prudence And can it be any Prudence to let go a certain good only to avoid the bare name and title of Inconstant Madam answered Celadon Prudence never taught us to thrive by any shamefull means nor did the Lawes of Nature ever command us to build before we have a sure foundation Is there any thing more dishonest and shamefull than not to observe and be punctuall in promises Is there any thing fuller of levity than a Minde that like a Bee flying from flower to flower is still in quest of new sweetnesse If Fidelity be once lost Madam what sure foundation can I have in your affection Since you follow the Law which you speak of I shall remain no longer in this happinesse then you stay in a place where there is no Man but my selfe The Nymph and the Shepheard discoursed thus whilst Leonida went into her Chamber to dispatch a Letter unto Lindamor which was to invite him home with all haste otherwise to despair for ever And the next morning when Flurial came again after she had given him her Letter she said thus unto him Go Flurial let thy love to Lindamor be seen in thy haste for delay may be no lesse then death unto him Go or rather flie bid him return with all speed and in his return go straight to the house of Adamas whom I have gain'd to him there he shall finde the most notable treachery in Love that ever was invented but if it be possible let him come unknown Thus Flurial departed so desirous to serve Lindamor that he would not go unto his Aunts because he would lose no time Thus three or foure daies passed on during which time Celadon began to long for the return of the Druide in hopes that when he came he should then get out of this place and to make the time seem lesse tedious he went sometimes into the Garden and sometimes into the Woods but never without the company of one of the Nymphs and often all three Silvia's humour pleased him best as most sympathizing with his own and therefore he courted her as much as he could It hapned one day being all four together that they passed by the Grotto of Damon and Fortune and because the entrance seemed to be very fair and made with much art the Shepheard asked what it was To whom Gaelathea answered Will you see Shepheard one of the greatest proofes of Love's power that ever was What is that said the Shepheard It is said the Nymph the Loves of Mandrague and Damon as for the Shepheardesse Fortune that is ordinary Who is that Mandrague said the Shepheard If one may know what the Worker is by the Work said Galathea you will finde her to be one of the greatest Magicians in all Gaul for 't was she who by her enchantments made this Grotto and many other Rarities that are within it Then entring in the Shepheard was ravished with the curiosity of the work the entrance was very high and spacious on both sides in lieâ— of Pillars were great Statues which with their shoulders supported the Arches of the Portall The one represented Pan the other Syringes which were most industriously carved into hair veines eye-browes and beard also the hornes of Pan were excellently wrought The Arch without was of Rustick work and the Vault both without and within was adorned with abundance of excellent Statues which being hollow within conveyed water into severall Fountains and every one of them represented some effect of the puissance of Love In the midst of the Grotto was a Tombe some twelve or fourteen foot high and all about it hung such pictures as the sight of them deceived the judgment The space betwixt every piece was filled up with a Demi-columne of black polished Marble and at the top was a Cornish of white Marble unto which the severall pictures were chained After Celadon had contemplated them in generall he was so full of curiosity as he desired to know more of the particulars and therefore to give an occasion to the Nymph to say something more upon every part he commended the Invention and Art of the worker These are the spirits of Mandrague said the Nymph who were left here to testifie that Love does not pardon either old or young fair or foul and to relate unto those who come hither the unfortunate Loves of Damon and she and of the Shepheardesse Fortune But said Celadon is this the Fountain of Love's Verity No said the Nymph but that is not far from hence But would I had so much ingenuitie as to interpret these Pictures unto you for the story is very well worthy of your knowledge As she was beginning to expound them she saw Adamas enter who being returned and not finding the Nymphs within imagined that they were gone to walk and after he had hid the clothes which he brought he came after them Galathea no sooner saw him but
piercing curiosity of the Sun that it findes a passage between some leaves for some of its rayes Take notice how well the shade and the rayes are represented But certain it is that the Shepheard cannot be surpassed in beauty look wel upon the delicate proportion and symmetry of his face his tall and proper stature and see how every part is painted in the height of perfection although he stoopes a little to reach the water and with his right arme washeth his left yet for all that you may easily perceive his perfect beauty Then cast your eye upon the other side of the River and there you may behold uglinesse in its height as on this side you did beauty for there amongst those dirty Rushes you may see the Sorcerene Mandrague looking upon the Shepheard as he is bathing himselfe see how she is drest as it were in spite of those that look upon her her rufled hair her foul and naked arme and her pittifull petticoat tucked up higher then her ugly knee I believe and so would any that she was going to conjure But see here the strange effects of Beauty This old Hag with one hip in her grave with her little lean wrinckled and meager face and hair as gray as old age could make it she is not ashamed to fall in love with this young and lovely Lad If there be any sympathy in Love as they say there is I wonder where it could be betwixt Damon and her look what an extasy she is in how she lifts up her hoary head and withered hands and intending to smile makes a miserable mouth But be she as ugly as she is she intends to love and court this Shepheard Then lift up your eyes a little higher and see how Venus and Cupid in that cloud looking upon this new Lover do seem as if they laughed at it Certainly this was some wager which that little god had laid with his Mother that he could make this wither'd stump bestir her selfe in Love or if it were not upon a wager it was to shew by this old hag that dry wood burnes better and sooner then green or else to shew his power upon this aged Monument he would try what heat was in his Torch with which it seemes he can inspire new soules and in a word make life revive and come out of the grave The fourth Picture PAsse then unto the next and you shall see night very well represented See how in that gloomy shade some Mountains do a little appear but so as you can hardly tell what they be Observe how these stars do seem as if they twinkled there is Ursa major which though it have seven and twenty stars belonging to it yet the judicious workman has represented clearly unto us but twelve and of that twelve but seven that shine clear There again is Ursa minor And consider that though all these seven stars do never hide themselves yet one of them is of the third Magnitude and foure of the fourth and yet to us they seem all of the same proportion There is also the Dragon unto which belongs thirty and one stars yet thirteen only to be seen five of which are of the fourth Magnitude and eight of the third There again is Adrian's Crown which hath in it eight stars whereof one is more splendent then the rest Behold there the Milkie way by which the Romans say that the gods used to go and come from heaven How well those clouds are represented how in some places they cover the sky with a dusky thicknesse in others lesse as they are more or lesse in height so in clearnesse Now let us consider the Story of this Picture Look upon Mandrague in the midst of a Circle with a wand in her right hand and an old worm-eaten book in her left with a candle of green wax and a pair of rotten spectacles on her nose see how she seemes to mutter her mouth awry her browes like clouds and every action seemes to groan out her affection Observe how her feet her arms her left side is naked being on the same side with her heart All those phantasmes which you see about her are Demons and Spirits which she conjures up unto her by her charms to know of them what she should do to make Damon love her They tell her of his affection unto Fortune and that there is no better way then to tell him that this Shepheardesse loves another and not him and in order to that it is requisite she should presently change the vertue that is in the Fountain of Loves verity Before you go any further observe the art of the Drawer see the effects of Mandrague's candle in the dark how light it is on her left side and how dark it is on the other side of her face as if it were two different complexions Then see what a difference the shadow of this candle makes amongst the Demons some in darknesse some in light as she does turn her selfe Observe again the Painters art in drawing his distances somethings at hand and some afar off Mandrague here is far off at the Fountain of Loves verity But for your better understanding be pleased to know that a little before there was a fair Shepheardesse the Daughter of a very cunning Magician was secretly desperately in love with a Shepheard Whether it was that the charmes of Magick had no influence upon the charmes of Love or that he was so attentive upon his studies that he did not minde her but so it was that after a most extream affection and disdain of the Shepheard she took it so to heart that she dyed and all her Fathers skill could not help her At which the Magician being extreamly sorry when he understood the occasion to eternize her memory he changed her Tombe into a Fountain which he called the Verity of Love because whosoever looked in it he should see his Mistresse and if she did love him he should see her and himselfe together and if she did not love any then she should appear alone And this is the vertue that Mandrague would change to the end that when Damon came to look into the Fountain he might finde that his Mistresse loved another and so his affection unto her might die and she her selfe might possesse it See how she did inchant it what Characters she makes about it what Circles what Triangles and od Figures she useth Before she began to conjure she called all her Divells about her to her aide yet Love being stronger then all they they durst not attempt any thing against him only counselled her to betray these two faithfull Lovers and to forbear that qualitie for a certain time Now since the vertue of this Fountain did sust come unto it by a Magician Mandrague who excelled all her Predecessors in that Science might easily obtain that request But let us passe to the next Picture The fift Picture THis Piece contains two actions The first is Damon
when he came unto this Fountain to be satisfied in those doubts into which an angry Dream had put him The other when being deceived by the art of Mandrague and saw that the Shepheardesse Fortune loved another in despair he killed himselfe Now let us see how these things are represented See Damon there with his Faulchion for he was in his hunting equipage observe how his Dog followes him look how that observant Animal eye 's his Master for whilst he looked in the Fountain the Dog fixed his eye upon him as if he were desirous to know what it was which so amazed him Mandrague had in a dream let him see Maradon a young Shepheard who taking one of Cupid's Arrowes opened Fortune's breast and took away her heart Damon as all Lovers are being in much doubt as soon as ever he waked got up and went to the Fountain to see whether his Mistresse still loved him I beseech you observe very well his amazement if you compare his face which is in all the other three Pictures with this you shall finde a strange alteration Those two faces which you see in the Fountain is the Shepheardesse Fortune's and the other the Shepheard Maradon's which the Witch caused to be represented rather then the other and so Damon believed his Shepheardesse loved Maradon which beliefe made him resolve upon death Do you see how the water seemes to tremble that is caused by poor Damon's tears that had dropped into it But let us pass on to the second Action The dead man whom you see lying upon the ground is poor Damon who being desperate killed himself with his Falchion His action is very naturally done with one Arm engaged under his body being surprised with the suddennesse of the fall and having no strength to recover himself his head hanging over his right shoulder his eyes half shut and half turned upwards his mouth open his teeth apparent and so all signes of a sudden death A man quite dead is not represented but a man betwixt life and death as if there were a medium Look how the blood is running out of his wound I do not think you ever saw any thing more naturally represented But let us see what is in the other peece The sixth Picture NOw be pleas'd to look upon the sixth and last Peece which containes four actions of the Shepheardesse Fortune The first is a Dream which Mandrague caused her to have The other how she went unto the Fountain to clear her doubts The third how she complains against the Inconstancy of her Shepheard And the last is how she dies which is the conclusion of this Tragedy Let us look upon all these particulars Look upon the Rising of the Sun observe how long the shadows are how the sky is not so clear on the one side see how clouds and mists are expelled and how those little Birds do dresse and prune themselves against its approach Passe your eye a little further and see the Shepheardesse Fortune asleep in her bed and how the Sun shines through the window upon her naked breast Also the sleeve of her smock being loose the beauty of her Arm as high as the Elbow is to be seen See how the Daemons of Morpheus doe hover about her all which are so many servants unto Mandrague and inspire her with a minde to goe unto the Fountain of Loves verity which accordingly shee did having dreamed that her Shepheard was dead and therefore shee came to the Fountaine of Loves verity to know the truth She had no sooner cast her eye upon the water but she saw Damon but alass she saw by him the Shepheardess Melinde a fair Shepheardess and one who was never suspected to love Damon yet though hee neither did love her shee was by this Sorcery to appear See how Fortune bewails the accident in the very same place where Damon was almost dead Behold how sadly she sits against yonder Rock her arms crossed upon her breast It seems as if she sighed and her heart panted her eyes looking up to heaven asking revenge upon the Persidie which shee beleeves Damon to bee guilty of and because her passion was extream she complained against him in a very loud tone And Damon who you see near her though hee was at the last gasp yet hearing the lamentation of his Shepheardess and knowing her voice did call unto her She hearing a faint hollow voice went towards him Oh heavens how the sight of him did amuse her and forgetting the occasion of her comming thither when she saw him in that condition she asked who had used him so It is said hee unto her the change of my fortune It is your Inconstancy which hath deceived me with a shew of affection To be brief it is the happiness of Maradon whom I saw in the Fountain next you and doe you thinke it possible I should live and see you love another Fortune hearing this Oh Damon said shee this Fountain is an errant Lyar for it hath also shewed me Belinde next you whom I see dying for the love of me Thus these two Lovers found out the falsity of this Fountain and being more assured than ever of each others affection they dyed in each others Armes Damon of his wound and Fortune for griefe of his death Behold there the Shepheardesse sitting against a massie Rock and Damon leaning his head in her lap taking his last farewel and bidding her Adieu See how indulgent she is about tying up his wound and stooping to kisse him whilst her lap is full of blood That old hagg which is next them is Mandrague the Witch who finding them both dead cursed her Art hated all her Daemons tore her hair and extreamly grieved at the death of these two faithful Lovers and her own contentment Look a little further off and see how Cupid weeps his Bow and Arrows broken his Torch extinguished and his eyes swimming in teares for the losse of these two faithfull Lovers Celadon was all this while very attentive unto the discourse of the sage Adamas and often blamed himself for want of courage in not using the same remedy Damon did And because these considerations made him very mute Galathea taking Celadon by the hand and going out of the Grotte she said thus unto him What doe you think Celadon of the effects of Love I doe think said he that the effects of Love are simplicity and folly And it is a popular errour wherewith every one is apt to cover their ignorance or excuse their faults alwaies to attribute those effects unto some Divinity when they do not know the causes Why said the Nymph doe you think there is no Love If there be replyed the Shepheard it must be nothing but sweetness But bee it what it will Madam you speak of it unto one that is the most ignorant person that lives For besides my qualities which will not permit me to know much my dull capacity renders me incapable Then the said Silvia
who did most sadly resent the death of her dear Ligdamon When Dinner was done some of the Nymphs had a minde to play others to view the house some to walk in the Gardens and others to fit and discourse in the Chamber of Amasis Leonida seeming as if she would make her self ready for her going with Amasis went out of the Chamber and presently after Lucinde followed and then seeming as if they would walk they went out of the Castle having most of the Shepheards clothes under their Petticoats and when they were got into the thick of the Wood the Shepheard undressed himself and putting on his own cloathes he thanked the Nymph for her good assistance offering her in exchange his life all that did depend upon it Then the Nymph with a deep sigh said unto him Well Celadon have I not performed my promise I pray remember yours also I should think my selfe sayd Celadon the most unworthy man that lives if I did not perform all my promises unto you Then Celadon said she remember what you swore unto me for I am resolved to put you to the Test this very hour Fair Nymph answered Celadon dispose of me as far as I am able as freely as you can of your self for I am fully resolved upon obedience Have you not made a promise unto me replyed the Nymph that I should search into all your life past and if I found any thing which you could doe for me you would doe it And he answering that it was true then Celadon said she I have done as you did bid me and though they say Love be blind yet I have so much light left in me as to know that you ought to continue that love which you have so often promised unto your Astrea for disgusts of love will not allow any one to be perjured or unfaithfull and therefore ye ought not to fail in your duty though they have treated you ill The faults of others can never excuse or wash away our own Love therefore the fair and happy Astrea with as much sincerity of affection as ever you did serve her adore her and more if it bee possible for Love requires extreames in his sacrifice But yet I know that the good offices which I have done you does deserve something And because Love can never be payd but with Love you are obliged to pay mee in the same coyn if no impossibilities doe intervene But since one heart is not capable of any more but one love let me be paid with what it can And since you cannot love me as your Mistris I would have you love me as your Sister and ever hereafter to love mee cheerish me and treat me in that manner Celadons contentment cannot be expressed after hee heard this language for he confessed it was infinitely his own desire And therefore after he had given the Nymph a Million of thanks for her affection hee vowed to receive her as his Sister and under that notion to doe whatsoever shee commanded him And so they parted extreamly well contented and satisfied one with another Leonida returned to the Castle the Shepheard to his voyage shunning all such Plains where he thought he might meet with any Shepheards of his acquaintance And leaving Mount Verdun on the left hand he went unto a little rising ground from whence he could view most of those places where hee was accustomed to feed his Flock where Astrea was wont to come unto him and where they used to shade themselves from the scorching Sunne in the heat of the day Briefly this Prospect presented to his eye all those contentments which hee had been so long deprived of And in contemplation of them hee sate down under a shady tree and sighed out these Verses A Prospect YOnder 's the place my fairest Sun Did bliss mee 'fore the day begun Whilst th' other like a sluggard slept Or out of drousie bed was crept She crown'd with Violet and Rose Did there her early self repose And with her self such light did bring As made those fields appear a Spring The other Sun with his hot rayes Such over-scorching heat displays As dryes and withers every plant And makes the Ploughmans heart to pant My Sun with influence so sweet Such onely as have souls doe greet On those she never heat imparts But burneth onely Lovers hearts Yonder 's the Fountain which doth claim From Sycamors a borrowed Name There did my Shepheardesse Divine Whilst her fair hand was linkt in mine Answer my Love in equal flame Celadon shall ne'r forget the same For there he vow'd to her and swore Eternally her to adore Under yond spreading leaved tree Which shaddowed both her and me Purest vermilion there did seek For harbour in her lovely cheek When she did blush for shame to hear A Shepheard swear that she was fair No no said she to me for I Fair would be onely in thy eye But O thou hollow Rock where we So oft have been in secrecie Where is that Love which we did vow And what becometh of it now Did she and I the gods adore And all in vain their help implore Have I not reason to complain Since she does pay me with disdain And thou old Tree whose barkie leather Defends thee from the stormy weather To thee I doe address my plaint And doe this sad divorce lament How oft did we our Letters hide Within thy old worm-eaten side But now alass too plain I see Both thou and she all changed bee These thoughts and imaginations had kept Celadon longer in that place but for the coming of a disconsolate Shepheard who pittifully lamenting his losse came towards him sighing out these Verses Upon too over-soon a Death YOu that my weeping eyes do see Did you but know what misery Has swell'd my heart In lieu of blaming me you would Adde all the sorrows that you could And take my part Within the gloomy shade of death The fairest that had ever breath Inhabits now VVhy should not destiny so tart As well my body as my heart That place allow No sooner she her self did show Amongst us mortals here below But she was gone So as it seemeth she was sent Onely to make us all lament And her bemoan As loving I vy clings about A wither'd Tree when life is out Even so would I And live contentedly I could If close to her but cling I could Untill I dy Celadon having no mind to be seen by any that could know him when hee spied this Shepheard a good distance off he concealed himself behinde a thick bush and when hee was past he followed him at an unseen distance untill he saw him sit down and then hee crept so neare that hee could heare all his sad complaints The humour of this unknowne Shepheard sympathizing with his own it swelled him with a curiosity to know somthing from him both concerning his own Mistris and his also Therefore going to him he began to speak thus Sad Shepheard I doe
wish thee joy with all my heart since I can doe no more I hope thou wilt take my wish in good part and in requital of my love I pray thee tell me whether thou doest know Astrea Phillis and Lycidas and if thou dost then tell me all thou knowest of them Kinde Shepheard answered hee thy civil language obliges me to pray that thou mayst never have any such occasion of sorrows as I have And I will freely tell thee all I doe know concerning those persons you mention although my own grief forbids me to meddle in any other businesse but my own It is about a month or six weeks since I came into this Country of Forrests not as many doe to try what the Fountain of Loves verity will shew me for I am but too certain of my sad fate but by the commandment of the gods who from the fertile banks of the famous Siene sent mee hither with assurance that I should here finde a remedy against my miseries And ever since I came I have taken up my lodging in such Villages as seemed most agreeable to my condition and humour with a resolution to stay as long as the heavens shall permit me This design hath moved me to enquire of all the Shepheards and Shepheardesses of these parts I am able to satisfie you in any thing you desire to know of them All I desire to know said Celadon is to be satisfied how they doe All of them said he are well but they are all troubled very much at one act of blind and fickle Fortune and that is at the losse of one Celadon a Shepheard altogether unknown to me who was the Brother of Lycidas This lost Shepheard was so loved and esteemed of every one that he is generally lamented by all especially by those three persons whom you named unto me It was conceived that this Shepheard was a devoted servant unto Astrea and it was the enmity of their Parents which hindered them from Marriage How is it reported said Celadon this Shepheard was lost It is variously reported answered he Some speake as opinion leads them others according to circumstances and appearance and some as others doe report So as it is divers wayes related As for me I came hither into these quarters the very same day he was lost and I doe remember that every one was so affrighted at the accident as none knew how to make a perfect relation of it In conclusion and that is the best received opinion because Phillis Astrea and Lycidas themselves doe say it that this Shepheard sleeping close by the River side he fel in and Astrea also but her clothes did save her Celadon imagining that they had prudently invented this report to take away occasion of talking ill upon the accident he was very glad for his feares alwayes were that reports would reflect much upon Astrea's honour and therefore hee asked him further But what doe they think said he is become of this Shepheard That hee is dead answered the sad Shepheard And I assure you Astrea takes it so sadly that though shee puts the best face of it she can yet every one saies it is almost incredible that shee should be so much changed however for ought I see she is so fair that except Diana hinders her I never saw any fairer except my dearest Cleon and indeed they three may well be compared together Every one said Celadon will speake well of his own Mistris and Love has a quality not onely to blind but to change the eyes of Lovers so as there was never any Lover that thought his Mistris ugly This answered the Shepheard were something if I were in love with Astrea or Diana but since I am ever incapable of that I may be a competent judge And you who seem to doubt of this Shepheardesses beauty you must needs be either a stranger or else some ill-willer I am neither of those two said Celadon but truly I am the most miserably afflicted Shepheard that is in the whole world I shall never grant that said Tircis unlesse you except me For if your misery proceed from any thing else but Love the pain cannot be so great as mine since the heart is the most tender part we have and is most sensible of any sorrows And though your misery doe proceed from love yet it must needs submit unto mine for of all the miseries in love despair is the most intolerable disdain anger hatred jealousie absence or any thing is short of death for this pale Goddesse with her fatall hand does cut away both hope and life so as I the most miserable amongst all men living doe complain of a misery without any remedy or hope Celadon answered with a deep sigh Oh Shepheard how much doe you erre in your opinion I doe confess that the greatest miseries are those which doe proceed from Love of which I have had a full experience But I cannot by any means allow that those miseries which are without hope are the most sad nor indeed doe they deserve to bee resented for it is a meer act of folly to weep for a thing which cannot bee helped And Love answered hee what is that but a meer folly I will not enter upon that said Celadon before we have done with the other for that alone will take up much time But I pray tell me Doe you lament this death out of love or not Certainly out of love answered he If it be out of love answered Celadon then I have heard Silvander and all our learned Shepheards say that Love is nothing but a desire to enjoy that beauty which you find in the person loved 'T is very true said the stranger Then replyed Celadon Will any reasonable man desire a thing which cannot bee had No certainly said Tircis Then said Celadon the death of Cleon ought to be the cure of all your grief for since you confesse that desire never ought to be where there is no hope of obtaining and that Love is nothing else but a desire Death which puts you out of all hopes to enjoy ought by consequence to put you out of all desire and desire being dead all Love should die with it The sad Shepheard answered that whatsoever he said he was sure that his misery was most extream and because he would not revive the memory of his dead Cleon hee would not argue the matter any longer onely thus farre hee said Shepheard that which comes under sence is more certain than that which is onely in opinion And therefore all those reasons which he alleged could not convince him of that which he was so sensible of So recommending him unto the tuition of Pan Celadon and he parted And Solitude being most suitable to a Lovers thoughts Celadon went on through the Woods untill hee came to the Bridge of Boutresse and passing over the River there he was in doubt which way to wend but this was his full resolution to obey Astrea who had forbidden him to
griefe and when any resentments did divert her memory of them her eyes would then six themselves upon no objects but such as were sad which to avoid she kept her selfe most commonly in her Cabin But her greatest affliction was she was deprived of that consolation which is found even in the greatest misfortunes I mean she could not lay the fault upon any but her self nor could she find out any excuse to turn it another way And certainly it had bin absolutely impossible for her to have lived under such a load of griefs if the society of Diana Phillis had not helped her to bear the burthen for the presence of reall friends is doubtlesse one of the most soveraigne remedies that griefe can receive and these two reall friends not being ignorant of it they had so great a care of her that one or both of them were continually with her they would pull her out of her Chamber by force and carry her into the most unfrequented places for unto others they would not lest they should meet with some accidents which might bring Celadon afresh into her memory so as these kinde Shepheardesses did sweeten many an houre and stole many a bitter minute from Astrea Silvander on the other side under pretence of a faigned addresse unto Diana did fall so extreamly in reall love with her as he hath been an excellent example unto all the Country and at his own expences taught them this Doctrine that Love will not be jeasted withall He findes now so many compulsive causes of love in that Shepheardesse as he admires he should be acquainted with her so long and love her no sooner And though this task of courtship which he had undertaken was the Origen of his disease yet he made no complaint because Diana without any offence allowed him liberty to expresse his passion for such was the violence of his love that if it had not been allowed some vent it would have broke him and he could not possibly have lived without it When he consulted with himselfe he plainly saw that he had made a disadvantageous change especially when he remembered how happy he was an absolute Master of himselfe oft did he muster up all his arguments drawn from reason to rid himselfe from this new servitude and when he found that reason was too weak to do it he would arme himselfe with violent resolutions against it But alas look how oft he tryed all these waies so oft did he see that it is in vain for any man to strive aganst the ordinances of heaven and that whoso is wise will rather comply and submit his will thereunto And therefore every morning and night when civility denyed him Diana's company he used to retire himselfe from all manner of company as well because all the world without her was irksome unto him as to consult more freely with himselfe and to consider which way he had best take to effect his desires And though he saw many impossibilities in the pursuit of his affection yet for all that he could fix upon no resolutions which concluded not in advantage of his love If at any time he started a designe to make a retreat Oh how suddenly would his heart give a check unto himselfe If he determined to pursue Oh what difficulties what rubs and how many Martyrdoms did he foresee What shall we do Silvander would he say to himselfe since both pursuit and retreat are equally impossible Then would he say in answer to himselfe Thy best way is to do as the heavens they would have thee Can it be imagined that the heavens would ever have made her so admirably fair but only that all those who see her should love her And since in going both forward and backward thou findest equall impossibility chuse that course which is most agreeable to the will of heaven and to thy selfe She is made so fair purposely to be loved and adored and for my part I will far sooner quit my life then her service What then needs any further consultation since the will of heaven and my own do so well agree upon it As he was in discourse with himselfe he chanced to be neer the pleasant River of Lignon opposite to a Rock which resounded an Eccho that distinctly answered to the last syllable of every sentence And therefore after much turbulency of spirit he roused up himselfe as if awakned out of a dream and said Why should I thus turmoile my selfe in so many ravelled contrarieties The Eccho which inhabits in this place will tell me what it hath heard from the mouth of my fairest Shepheardesse and therefore it is the most infallible Oracle which I can consult withall Then clearing up his voice he began to enquire thus of it ECCHO TEll me where goes my cries and care Thou blabbing Daughter of the Air To the Air. Do'st think my heart which Torments nurse A better End will meet or worse Worse What then doth mean that charming eye Which seemes to love eternally A Lie If so then what will me recover And from my Errour me deliver Leave her How leave her saist thou to another How can I leave her when I love her Love her The best advice that thou couldst frame But did Diana say the same The same Had she but said that she did Love Oh! then I should most happy prove Happy prove And so I should could I but finde That thou wert sure this is her minde This is her minde Although Silvander knew well enough that he was his own Answerer and that the Aire being beaten by his voice into the concavities of the Rock was reverberated into his ears yet could he not chuse but resent great consolation from the auspicious Answers which he received conceiving that nothing was governed by Chance but all by an All-wise Providence and therefore he believed those words which the Rock returned to his ear were inspired into his tongue by some good Demon that loved him so as in this opinion he followed the custome of all Lovers who use to flatter themselves in what they desire and find such hopes out of very bare appearances in which there in no appearance of reason After he had given thanks unto the Genius of the Rocks and to the Nymphs of Lignon he intended to go and present himselfe unto his Shepheardesse at the field of Mercury for there she used to call in her way to Astrea and as he winded his course that way he espied afar off the Nymph Leonida and the generous Paris who hearing his voice turned towards him as well to enquire of the Shepheardesses Astrea Diana and Phillis as to enjoy his good company For though Paris did well enough know what affection he bore unto Diana yet did he love and esteem him very much because he could never believe that that wise and discreet Shepheardesse could prefer him before himselfe by reason of the grandure of Adamas who for his quality of Grand Druide was next unto
shall endeavour to give them It hath already been said that Love doth first begin at the eyes but it is not the eyes that doth nourish it Beauty and goodnesse without any more give it a growth in us when they are once known Now the knowledge of this Beauty indeed comes first by the eyes but when that knowledge is once in our souls wee may love afterwards without the help of eyes which you will easily grant if ever you were in love Consider and tell mee would you lose your love if you lost your eyes No certainly and therefore you must needs confesse it is not your eyes which does preserve your love As for the knowledge of goodness it is produced either by actions or by words both which doe stand in need of presence to be first known but afterwards not at all for that knowledge is afterwards preserved in the secret Cabinet of the memory whereupon a soul does afterwards sufficiently feed Then I beleeve you know Madam that the more knowledge one hath of the party loved the more doth love encrease but then it is apparent that the turbulent motion of the senses doe infinitely hinder the clearnesse of the understanding and as the plummets of a Clock the one cannot ascend unlesse the other doe descend so when the senses are up the understanding part must needs bee down and so the contrary when the senses are absent the Intellectuals are best present and does work more perfectly than they would if they were disturbed by any objects of the eye which is able to doe nothing else but look and desire and sigh If you would think seriously upon any matter has not wise Nature taught you to put your hand upon your eyes to the end that the sight should not divert the understanding another way And therefore hence you must needs conclude with me in my argument and confess that Love digests it self better in absence than in presence But if it be so said Paris how comes it to passe that all Lovers should so passionately desire the sight of them they love It proceeds from ignorance answered Silvander He cannot attribute unto himselfe the name of a Lover who thinkes his love so great that it is impossible it should augment If any be of that opinion he will never seeke after any means to increase it nor bee in any quest of further knowledge but rests himselfe contented with as much onely as his eye can afford him without any deeper contemplation But O great Nymph what a vast difference there is betwixt a love that is nourished by the eyes and a love that is nourished by the understanding As much doubtless as the soul is superiour to the body so much is the understanding to be preferred before the eyes And absence in such is so far from diminishing love that it augments and begets fresh and violent desires to augment it and contemplation of a Beauty does imprint it deeper into the fancy than any eye can If it be so said Paris I wonder you doe not absent your selfe from Diana to the end you may the more love her I told you before answered Silvander that I ought to doe so but that I have not yet obtained so much mastery over my self for generous Paris we are all but men I mean all imperfect and the imperfections of humanity are not upon a sudden removed We are all sensitively inclined and love to see tast smell and touch and must needs hanker after these corporal senses This is the point unto which I have not yet arrived and unto which I ought Reason will forbid such considerations and bid us act all by the intellectual faculties Nature bestowed the senses upon us onely for instruments by which the soul may receive the knowledge of things but not to be our companions in the pleasures and felicities of them as being altogether incapable of so great a good This discourse had continued longer if they had not by chance heard Phillis sing neare the field of Mercury Shee was sitting with another Shepheardesse under a shady tree looking upon their Flocks as they were feeding untill the heat of the day was over As soon as Silvander heard her tone hee turned his head that way and knowing them hee turned his head again so suddenly that Leonida could not chuse but smile What doe you hear and see said she which causeth you to turn your head so quickly away I have seen Madam said he her whom I never see without sorrow Phillis I meane the most cruel of my enemies since she is the cause of my servitude At the very same time Lycidas was walking the same way and was upon them before he was aware Jealousie which made him fly all company made him shun Silvander more than any other but now Civility constrained him to salute Leonida and Paris and being invited to follow them though at first he would have desired their pardon with some frivolous excuses But Leonida who loved him for Celadous sake was so importunate with him that he was forced to make one in the company And Paris who was very desirous to know where Diana was did ask him if he knew who it was that was with Phillis under that shady Tree Lycidas who had not yet taken notice of them looked and then answered that it was Astrea Then going on their way Leonida resumed the discourse which she had begun with Silvander And why Shepheard said she unto him are you so offended against that Shepheardess for though shee be the cause of your love yet is shee also the cause of your becoming a more accomplished man And I beleeve you will confess that love is able to adde much ornament unto our soules and if it be so you are rather much obliged unto her I must needs confesse answered Silvander that I believe without Phillis I had not fallen in love but I must tell you withall that she is the cause that I have lost my liberty and am lesse my own than hers whom I adore And I must also tell you that liberty is of so high a price that I am not so much obliged to her for making me more accomplished as I am disobliged to her for the losse of my dear and desirable freedom But added the Nymph by her means you may perhaps obtain the affection of her whom you adore and love And a well born soul as yours is will set such a value upon that be it at any rate whatsoever as he cannot complain against her who is the cause of it A well born and generous soul replyed he will not upon any termes thank her who is the cause of her servitude for servitude be it in what degree it will is still servitude At the first when Lycidas heard Phillis named he stood still with much attention but after he had heard all the discourse and replyes of Silvander he did beleeve that he really loved her and not being able to hide his Jealousie as
Leonida prompted by the report of Lycidas was very desirous to know their difference therefore she advanced towards them and after a civill salute invited them in the name of all the company to sit down and rest themselves upon the stairs where they did sit Celidea who was full of civility and knew what reverence was due unto the Nymph and also very glad to avoid the importunities of the two Shepheards she did most willingly accept of Leonida's offer And when all were taking their places Diana came unto them and after all civill salutations she sat down amongst the good company Lycidas not being able to endure that Silvander should sit next Phillis he stole out of the company before any took notice of him and went to entertain his own sad thoughts in the thick of the wood Then Leonida having caused Celidea to sit next her on one hand and Astrea on the other Diana sat next the stranger and Paris next her And because Phillis had taken her place next the sad Astrea Silvander was with Thamires and Calidon and though they did not sit about the statue yet their backs were towards the fair Shepheardesses and could not see them Paris and Phillis did sit a little turning from them yet so as by a little turning their bodies they could both see and speak unto them Being thus ranged Leonida seeing Celidea's modesty would not permit her to speak and intending to inspire her with more confidence she thus broke silence Although fair Celidea you were unknown unto us by sight yet the fame of your beauty hath reached all our ears which swells us all with extream curiosity to know both you and your fortune Lycidas hath partly acquainted us with the difference that is betwixt you and these two courteous Shepheards but since there goes various reports of it we should be extreamly glad to hear the truth from your own mouth Madam answered the stranger I shall be very loath to requite your civility with a tedious History of our dissentions but if the knowledge of it will any way contribute unto your service I shall most freely do it Although the relation and remembrance of things past be nothing pleasing unto me Yet great Nymph I cannot chuse but desire that you might entertain the time with some other and some better discourse Madam said Calidon since this shepheardesse is unwilling to undertake the satisfaction of your knowledge I beseech you impose the task upon me let me be the Relator both in the presence of her and Thamires to the end they may correct me if I deviate from the truth Great Nymph said Thamires since it is I that am most interressed in the businesse it is most reasonable you should receive it from my mouth Upon that account replyed Celidea it belongs most unto my selfe to be the relater for you are both combined against me I finde no reason in that said Calidon for though fair Celidea you are against us both yet both of us are for you And as for Thamires I would have him know that he who has most wrong has most reason to complain And great Nymph it is most peculiarly proper unto me to inform you of the extream injury that is done me for it is I whom the fair Celidea hath injur'd in refusing me and it is Thamires that hath wronged me in offering to ravish that from me which Love hath ordained unto me and he himselfe hath give me To return your own arguments upon your selfe said Thamires it is I that ought to speak being the most injured I that have reason to complain against Celidea because she did once love me and now does not and against Calidon because he is the most obliged unto me and yet the most ungratefull And I great Nymph replyed Celidea have most reason to complain because I am the But at which both their importunities and vexations are shot at and both of them are resolved to vex me to death rather then let me enjoy any quietnesse so as if the party most interressed must most complain it is both their parts to be silent and give me the liberty to tell my dolefull talâ— The dispute had lasted longer if Leonida in a smiling manner had not put an end unto it and imposing silence she proposed that the difference might be decided by Lot and all being contented the Lot fell upon Thamires so as all fixing their looks upon him after an humble reverence he began thus The History of Celidea Thamires and Calidon SInce it hath pleased the great Tautates to make choice of me for a relater of the dissentions that are betwixt us I do professe that though it be the custom of all interressed persons to speak only what is to their own advantage yet I will not conceal and disguise the truth in the least manner upon this condition that when every one hath said all they can for themselves I may have liberty to alledge my own reasons apart Be pleased to know then great Nymph that though both Calidon and my selfe do dwell in that Town which adjoynes unto mount Verdun yet we are not of that Country our Fathers and their Predecessors are Boyens who heretofore came out of Gaul with the King of Beloveses and went to seek out new habitation beyond the Alpes who after they had planted themselves there and continued many ages were in the end expulsed out of those Townes which they had built by a people called Romans some being plundred of all their goods went into Hircania others returned into their own ravaged Country our Ancestors came into Gaul and at last linked themselves by Marriages unto the Segusians Thus wise Nymph I do present unto your knowledge that you may the better judge how great the amity betwixt Calidon and me ought to be for being both of us Boyens both descended from the same stock and are Cosens both strangers and heretofore both friends all these circumstances are so many inviting arguments to love one another Also I do ingenuously confesse that I did ever affect him as dearly as if he were my own son I may well be allowed to use that phrase for I have done him the offices of a kinde and good Father having educated him with as much indulgent care as his own Father who was my Uncle could even in his Infancy when he had not so much knowledge as to discern good from bad then and ever since was my indulgency over him This fair Celidea was brought up by the prudent Cleontines a neer neighbour unto my habitation and though she was then of an age far unlikely to cause love being scarce nine years of age yet I must confesse that her Infantine actions did much please me and did take me in such an unaccustomed manner as I suited my selfe to her own young sports and though I was an age of years above her yet I played with her as if I were as young as she How oft have I wisht us of an
equall age and that her time might go forward and mine backward How many times have I striven to withdraw my selfe from this vain affection But not having power to do it when she came at ten years old her beauty did put forth such hopefull budds as I was then not ashamed at my loving an Infant And I remember upon this subject I composed these Lines Upon a young Beauty AURORA usher to a day The fairest in the month of May Did never promise one so gay And would you early Roses pick And Lillies that are timely seek Behold them springing in her Cheek The Sun did never rise so cleer Noâ— halfe so radiant all the Year As she in budding does appear But if her Morning be so bright Her Noon when Beauty is at height Will quite eclipse the Sun of light If Beauty do begin so soon And charme i' th Bud before well grown What will it when the Bud is blown I 'le venture ods that then she shall Enflame both gods and men and all And Mistresse be Imperiall Heaven I beseech thee let us finde Her heart like to her eyes both kinde Else make our hearts and eyes both blinde Now because I did foresee that this Beauty would be the object of many eyes and that my heart would not burn alone I resolved to be the first that should insinuate himselfe into her minde And considering that her age was not yet capable of any solid affection I courted her with childish toyes and sometimes talked of Love of Passion of Desire and of Flame not that I thought her able to resent such things yet but my end was only to accustome her to those phrases which commonly does more offend the ears of shepheardesses then the effects themselves do I continued this life above a year during which time I would sometimes steal a kisse sometimes put my hand into her bosome and indeed great Nymph so tampered with her that I did extreamly win upon her affection for when she came to be eleven years of age she loved me as she her selfe said as well as she did her Father and her affection growing every day she vowed unto me that she loved me much above the degree of either Father or Brother And when she accomplished the age of twelve she loved me above all the world And indeed she was so void of all malice and so easy to be wrought upon at that age as I could have engaged her unto any thing if I had not designed to marry her when she was a little older But that consideration together with the reall affection I did bear unto her did restrain me from all manner of evill thoughts But because her simplicity made me fear lest any other should deceive her since many began already to court her I was continually laying before her that high esteem which every one did set upon constancy and fidelity how contemptible those were that loved many how almost all Shepheards are unfaithfull and deceivers and there was no credit to be given to their words nay that it was a grand fault in any young woman to hear them But one day when she answered me That if this be a fault then she ought not to suffer me to speak as I did I perceived that she was still in her innocent Infancy since she did not know my aim and therefore I read her a loving Lecture upon Love and Amitie telling her that we came purposely into the world to love that without this vertue there was no delight in life that it was Love which made all bitter sweet and paines easie that whosoever was without that quality were extreamly miserable because none could ever love them that she saw before her eyes the example of her Father and Uncle her Mother did Love her Father and her Aunt her Uncle but such as love above one are scorned by every one But I beseech you replyed she are shepheards also obliged to love but one Doubtlesse they are answered I And do you not see that I do love only you But I beseech you tell me said she did you never love any one before I was born and if I should die would you not love some other I could not chuse but laugh at this downright demand and in answer to it Know my Fairest said I unto her that I did never love any till you did come into the world and if you should die before me my love would die with you and never live again for any other And if you should die before me said she must I of necessity do the like If I must pray Father teach me how I must bury my Love in your Coffin Daughter said I unto her and smiled you must still let your love of me live in your memory as I should of you if you did die before me But how said she should I love one that is dead When you did at any time kisse me and put your hand into my breast if I did ask you why you did so you alwaies answered that it was because you loved me And when you are dead must I do the same Fair Daughter said I unto her taking her in my armes and kissing her shepheardesses never use to hang upon the necks of those shepheards whom they love nor use any such carrasses as testimonies of their loves unto them It is enough for them to suffer and not act such things I beseech you tell me replied she is suffering ones selfe to be kissed and carrassed in this manner a testimony of love Doubtlesse it is said I unto her and therefore they ought not to suffer any so to do unlesse such as they do love And how do shepheards expresse their loves said she unto me As I do answered I when I kisse you and take delight in playing with you It seemes said she that when one would kisse me and play in that manner with me I may by that know he loves me I do relate the simplicities of this young Shepheardesse unto you Madam that you may the better know of what nature that affection was which she bore unto me and with what indulgent care I brought her up more like a Father then a Lover you may hereby conceive how much beholding she ought to be unto me for not loving her after a vicious manner nor working upon the simplicity of her age and disposition for you may perceive by her Questions and Answers that her minde might have been tempered into what Mould soever I would Perhaps you will wonder that I who was of more solid years could take any delight in the conversation of one who was so very young but if you will please to consider that Love is alwaies a childe and takes most delight in youth you will not think it strange that since I must love with a most pure and sincere affection an innocent and harmless beauty should be most agreeable unto mee And the very truth is it was not I that was the author of
five or six daies and therefore she was almost the last of all the visitants though the nearest neighbour I contrived it so that all my friends and neighbours sent both their Sisters and Daughters to my house when we were almost out of all hope to discover what I desired to know this way one came to tell us that Celidea was at the door As fortune was the Physician held him by the arm at that time and his pulse did beat a slower pace than it had done all the day but as soon as ever he heard Celidea named it began to beat as if he were in a most high Feaver The Physician finding this did look him in the face and saw his eyes more quick and lively than ordinary his complexion came into his cheeks and he saw so great an alteration every way as hee would hardly stay till Celidea entred for better assurance but when she entred his pulse then did keep a mad mans time and all parts were different from their ordinary temper Therefore drawing me aside Thamires said he It is not Celidea which enters into the Chamber but it is Calidons Wife if you would have him live Oh heavens how those words pierced me to the heart They struck me dumb I was not able to speak one word Afterwards when I had a little recollected my self I asked him whether considering the condition he was in it were fit to marry him No said he it will be enough if you can procure the Shepheardess to give him some knowledge of her affection and in the mean time you may talk with Clcontine who being wise will not bee against a match so advantageous The Physician went away and left me in a worse condition than his patient Oh what strange contrarieties were in my soul One side bade mee yeeld Celidea unto Calidon for friendship sake Love on the other side forbade the banes But said Friendship unto me Calidon will dy if you doe deny her and there is no Physician but this can cure him And Love answered how canst thou live thy self if thou doest not enjoy her Canst thou not surmount a vain passion said Friendship and be ruled by the Laws of Reason What reason is it replyed Love to dye thy self to make another live Doe you not consider replyed Friendship that Calidon is young and therefore lesse able than thy self to master his unruly passion Wilt thou that art arrived at grave and stayed yeares shew thy self weaker than he or to express it a little better wilt thou buy a little transitory pleasure that is past almost as soon as had at so deare a rate as the death and eternal losse of Calidon Away away change thy minde consider not what thou art but what thou shouldst be Think how the Father of that young Shepheard will reproach thee Did he not with his last dying breath recommend his young childe then in his cradle unto thy indulgent care Didst thou not swear he should be as dear unto thee as thy self Doest thou not remember the many good offices thou receivedst from him Oh Thamires do not buy thy repentance at so dear a rate Repent repent for shame of an act so unworthy an ancient Boyen from whence it is thy boast to be descended and let not thy soul be continually gnawed upon by an evil conscience I must confesse that these considerations had such a prevalency with me as I did once resolve to part with Celidea and resign her unto Calidon But O Madam what extream difficulties did I finde in the execution of it First to the end this young Shepheard might recover his health I begun with him and acquainting him with my knowledge of his disease I shewed him my extream desire of his cure At the first he denyed it unto me but at last hee did confesse it with watry eyes and asked me forgivenesse with so many apparent signes of sorrow that seeing his errour was by a most compulsive power of Love I could not chuse but take his fault upon my selfe But the grand difficulty was to speake unto Celidea for shee was so farre from loving him that shee did down right hate him And certainly this hatred proceeded from an Antipathy in Nature since she had not the least shaddow of any cause for it and the Shepheard had so many excellent good qualities that in all reason they should rather have gotten love than hatred And yet shee would alwaies say unto me that Calidon of all men shee knew should be the last man she would love But being resolved to make this overture so contrary both unto her will and my own I was at an extream puzzle where and how to begin At last I thought it best to break the Ice by degrees for to bid her downright to love Calidon was not the way both in respect of her affection to me and disaffection to him I went therefore to work by degrees and now she was not to be treated as a child I hinted unto her my extreame sorrows for the Shepheard how dear his life was unto me and how I should never enjoy any delights if I lost him That Physicians and all knowing persons told me his malady proceeded from nothing else but sorrow and not knowing what was the cause I could not chuse but desire all them that loved mee to study how to make him merry or at least to finde out the cause of his sicknesse And that she being one whom I loved and honoured most shee was in some sort obliged more than any to endeavour the cure of this Shepheard for my sake Therefore I conjured her by our friendship to see him as often as she could and to carrasse and cheer him up to keep him from that melancholly which would kill him She who did really love me did promise to doe it so oft as she conveniently could And indeed did so which on the one side did content me and on the other did so grieve me as I did thinke I should not live I had a conceit that her familiarity with him would in time engage her to liking of him which afterwards might the more easily make her bee perswaded unto love Shee having no other design did onely as shee promised but did not change her minde However this wrought good effects upon Calidon who receiving so many favourable visits and being so kindly carrassed above his expectation did in a short time begin to recover And though he was not presently cured yet there was apparent signes of amendment Now because that shee was weary of this life and because I saw my design did not take according to my thoughts I intended to oblige her another way I addressed my self unto Cleontine acquainted her with my affection unto Calidon with my intention of making him my Heir I represented unto her the quality of this young Shepheard his virtues and to be brief with the love he had unto Caledon and used all manner of arguments that might advance the
hand she broke it in pieces Thus said she is our love to one another for ever broken and never to piece again She had no sooner spoken these words but she ran away with a piece of the chain in her hand and left the other in mine who was in such an extasy that I was not able to speak one word by way of excuse nor follow her one step I must confesse Madam that these words did sting me to the very heart and when I did seriously consider what good reason she had to speak them I could not lay the blame upon her but wholly upon my selfe However I kept my selfe still constant to my resolution of endeavouring the contentment of Calidon He knowing that I had spoken of it unto Cleontine and hearing the report of their Marriage publickly divulged he did not much wonder that his Shepheardesse should never see him but when Cleontine came to visit him conceiving it but fit for her so to do since their Marriage was so much spoken of so as in a few nights he recovered his former health and got out of his bed and a little after out of his Chamber In the mean time Celidea was much perplexed and having no other hopes but in the tender affection of her Mother since she saw I had gained Cleontine assoon as ever she saw her she fell down upon her knees and would not rise untill she had obtained a promise never to marry her against her will Celidea was so exceedingly contented with this assurance as shcould not rest untill she had advertised us of it thinkinking her desires not compleatly satisfied till then It is very hard to say great Nymph whether I was more sorry or more pleased for on the one side I feared Calidon's relaps and on the other I was glad that none should enjoy Celidea But when I saw Calidon though something sad yet in health I must confesse that I was extreamly pleased at Celidea's repulsing him and did in my heart commend her prudence and resolution for I had a conceit that all she did was only to reserve her selfe for me not imagining her anger against me was so high as utterly to extirpate the affection which she bore unto me so as recollecting my selfe I did confesse that the injury which I had done her was not with a designe to extinguish my love unto her for I never had any such intention nor could ever hope to be so much Master of my selfe but only had a minde to sacrifice it unto Calidon's health So then must the act which I would have done be phrased for my aim was only at the saving of his life and not at the satisfaction of his pleasures These considerations being often in my minde Love began to be more violent in me then ever and easily it might for having resigned this fair one unto Calidon only to save his life and seeing that he lived still though she was not his self I conceived that my quitting her having wrought its intended effect I might very justly fall on upon my own score as I fell off for Calidon's Upon this account I went to the shepheardesse I shewed her the reason why I dealt so with her and why I did now dedicate my selfe wholly to her service befeeching and conjuring her to pardon and forget the fault if she thought it to be one To be briefe I used the best arguments and eloquence I could devise to advance my cause but I found her to be so exceedingly altered that all my arguments excuses and reasons could not move her more then they could a Rock nor obtain the least glance of a favourable look upon me As fortune was whilst I was speaking to her Calidon comes in and thinking to finde me a very good second he advanced towards us to speak to her for himselfe but when he heard my words never man was more amazed he durst not then apbraid me with breach of faith and abusing him but stepping back three or foure paces with folded armes Oh heavens said he is there any loyalty in any man living Is it he that brought me up lie whom I call Father and he who hitherto hath done me all indulgent offices is it he I say that puts a dagger into my heart and sends me to my grave Unto which I returned a faint answer shewed him the reasons why I quitted Celidea and why I did again apply my selfe to her But Love did so transport him into such violent raptures that there could be no bitter invective wherewith he did not asperse me But the shepheardesse did laugh at us both Nay nay said she never strive for Celidea for neither of you have the least share in her Not you said she and turned to Celidon for I never did love you Nor you said she and turned to me because you are extreamly unworthy of that love which once I did bear unto you Then she left both in a confused amazement We also parted And ever since that shepheard hath continued with one of his Kinsmen and never came at his own Cabin Three Moones have changed since this separation and do both he and I what we could we could not obtain one good word from her but the more violent we are in our loves the more violent she is in her hatred In the mean time such is my extream affection to her that it will not admit of the least diminution but does still more and more encrease so as did she but know it I do believe that since she did love me before out of an opinion I loved her she would love me much more now because I do love her now much more than I did then and more than any man living can Thus Thamires ended his relation and after a while of silence he began again Now Madam said he as chance was we met this shepheardesse upon the banks of the River Lignon and because love continues in us and disdain in her we both of us shewed her the best reasons we had to convince her that she ought to love one of us I pleaded that it was I upon whom her election ought to be Calidon on the other side whom I have so much obliged by many good offices he very opinioatively maintaines that it belongs to him Now knowing that your wisdome can much better understand reason then I can expresse I would with all my heart to put an end to our long dissentions for we are already grown the common talk of our Town that you great Nymph would be pleased to hear our reasons and arguments from our own mouths and ordain what you shall conceive to be just for I shall most freely submit my selfe unto your judgment It would be a work well worthy of your selfe it would be acceptable to the gods and would infinitely oblige us all unto you Leonida thanked him for the pains he had taken in the relation of of the matter and did assure him that if he and all those
own mouth more from Thamires Cleontina and other of my friends but most of all from the effects of my passion Has she not seen me in the bed of death for her has she not held me by the hand and pulled me from my grave saying unto me Live live Calidon thy pretensions are not hopelesse And since I had suffered the very pangs of death why did she call me from that rest which my grave would have given me If it was to make me die again without pitty it was extream cruelty Must I be punished with a second death for obeying and adoring her But perhaps she will say that I ought to measure her by my own Ell and consider that as I have not power to quit her and love another so she being engaged another way she cannot disengage her selfe to love me Oh Love these are only words bare excuses Let her shew the contract of this engagement and if thou dost not presently adjudge it to be false then let me be condemned She never loved any but the shepheard Thamires as she hath told me but I dare say farther and maintain that she never loved this Thamires Did she love him Alas when Even when she was not able to love when her hands and mind were wholly taken up with childish Gew-gawes when her desires could not reach any higher then to be a little Fine or to make a Baby and dresse it and talk to it Was she not wholly ignorant what Love was or if she did at that age love Thamires or thought it to be love must she needs love him still Alas alas such young green affections as that is like our clothes to be cast off when we will Oh! puissant god of Love how ignorant was she or rather how did she despise all thy statutes and ordinances Is it not by thy Lawes declared a most capitall crime to think that ones Love shall ever end What then shall we think of this shepheardesse who could not so much as think because she was uncapable of desire but who is really retreated from that love which she bare unto him as she her selfe told Thamires Can it besaid Oh great deity that she was ever one of thy subjects Wilt thou acknowledge her or let her enjoy those priviledges which she pretends unto or suffer her to oppose me But if it be so that thy super-abundant goodnesse which transcends the goodnesse of all other deities will allow her to enjoy the benefit of true Lovers because she flies unto thee for sanctuary and may plead that loving Thamires will not love me no nor so much as look upon me how can she answer this that she her selfe hath confessed she would not love Thamires any longer With what excuse can she palliate her impiety And why dost thou not punish this high disobedience If thou dost not then she is the only one that despising is not punished and I the only one who adoring thee does not finde the reward of thy accustomed goodnesse I do believe Oh great Nymph that Celidea being thus accused before the Throne of this great deity she can hardly answer nor avoid being condemned to give me satisfaction for all the paines I have taken and to render love for love whilst Thamires cannot oppose me with any particular interest For what interest can he claim in that which he hath freely given me He hath estated the whole title upon me and is so far debarred from any right that he ought in reason rather to defend and maintain my title against all men living since it was from him I derived my title But perhaps he will say that it was his meer free and voluntary act without any consideration but his own love to me and therefore is not obliged unto any warrantie But why Thamires do you call that a meer voluntary act which you have confessed before your Judge that you were obliged unto it by your promises unto my dying Father unto whom you were much obliged for severall benevolences Do you call that a meer free act of your will which you were constrained unto to be quit of so many obligations Do you think you do oblige your Creditors by paying your due debts I must confesse great Nymph that Thamires hath paid both principall and interest which renders him not to be ungratefull but I do absolutely deny that there was nothing in this act which did oblige his will But admit it so that it was an act of his own meer free will and that he did it of himselfe did not the effect of this will aime at his own peculiar satisfaction If he do but consider the debt due unto the memory of my Father and his aime of obliging me by this act of giving Celidea unto me he will finde that it was not an act of pure and meer free will but a way to satisfie himselfe by paying that debt which was due to my Father and a way to purchase my obligations unto himselfe so as what he hath done is but a loan which I must perpetually pay interest for and which he may claim as an obligation upon me to pay If I should sail in paying my acknowledgments he might justly call me ingrate but he cannot say that he gave me Celidea freely since in consideration of himselfe and by the rules of human prudence he was obliged unto it and hath so debarred himselfe as he is obliged to maintain my claim unto her against any that shall hinder me from enjoying her The god of Love be my witnesse Father for so I will call you as long as I live unlesse you forbid me the great god of Love be my witnesse I say whether it grieves me not to the very foul I should oppose you in this businesse You your selfe doe know in what a sad condition you have seen me You know how Love had almost brought me to my grave and you must needs confesse that it was the power of Love which compelled me to displease you such was the force upon me that I had no free will unto it at all but was forced by a compulsive necessity unto it Nothing else under the Sun could have made me contradict your commands if there be let the gods punish me as the most ungratefull person that ever breathed But Father since there was an unresistable force upon me I beseech you pardon my weaknesse and do not you your selfe help me to complain against you for were not you the cause of all this For since it was wholly in your dispose why did you bring me from amongst the Boyens before you had married Celidea Could you think that being your Kinsman I should not sympathize with you and so be in danger to love her as well as you But perhaps you will say that you thought your command upon me not to love her was enough to keep me within the bounds of my duty and make me look upon her onely as my Sister But wise Thamires I doe wonder you
should not remember the follies of youth and that it is the nature not onely of all those of that age but generally of all men whatsoever to think things that are most forbidden to be most sweet I admire you should forbid me loving her before ever I saw her as if you had a minde to make me love her by the ear before she was seen by the eye What was this but to awaken my desires and to kindle a fire like a Flint which is strucken which before was cold and had no appearance of heate in it But perhaps again you will say that you did allow me to love her in the degree of a Sister and so limit my desires as I should neither offend you nor my selfe you in not constraining me too much and me in not confining me too narrowly but allowing me to keep within your prescribed limits But O great Nymph consider I beseech you what kind of command this was Thamires shewes me a beauty of an infinite lustre allows me converse with her commands me to love her but will not have my love stir one foot beyond his limit nor love her above the quality of a Brother Oh heavens what did he think I was made of Can Love that thinkes the whole universe too narrow a compasse to be confined unto and who disposeth of all our wills according to his pleasure be hemmed up in such strait limits as hee prescribes Will Love be ruled and governed by the will of any but himselfe But what in the name of Heaven does Thamires thinke of me Does hee conceive that I have more power than either Men or Gods or the whole World hath It had been but just to have measured me by himself and if he could have tamed his own affections and passions then might he have had some reason to impose the like task upon me But that hee who had experience of his own strength and of Loves power for him I say to command a thing which he himselfe could not observe whose age and experience had great advantage over my green years this was too much too unreasonable Perhaps again he wil complain that I have not payd him such respect as is due unto a Father that his great indulgency towards me might very well oblige me unto much more than all this Alass alass does he not consider that what I did was done by compulsion and that I had rather dye than fail in any point of duty to him The torments I did endure when I was in the very Arms of death is a sufficient testimony of all this The grave Physician found it by my Pulse and alteration in my complexion Let him consider that such was my respect of him that I chose death rather than I would discover the cause of my Malady If he will blame any he must blame Nature for not giving me power to command my Interior motions as well as my Tongue and exterior actions and parts Alass I would never have received life from him but on condition that Celidea might be mine I doe confesse that never man was more obliged unto another than I am to him I know that never Kinsman received more indulgent kindnesse from another Kinsman nor ever any Child greater testimonies of affection from a Father than I did from Thamires when he resigned Celidea unto me But now at this time since he offers to ravish her from me May I not rightly say that never man received greater injury from another never Cosen more unkindness from a Cosen nor child more tyrannique treatment from a Father than Calidon from Thamires So as now all my former obligations to him are cancelled and changed into so many injuries For Thamires though it is true you had a care of mee in my very cradle though you have brought me up with all indulgent care though you have declared mee your Heir yet for all these if you doe deprive mee of that thing which farre above all the world is most dear unto me and which you your self did give me doe you not give me a death much worse than that which you preserved me from And if I doe not enjoy that which you would ravish from me your estate your education nay my life it self is of no value unto me Consider wise Thamires that to take back a gift by force doth more offend him that did receive it than if being asked it had been denied him and therefore wonder not if I say that this act hath cancelled all my obligations unto you Which to prevent I beseech you joyn with me and own what I shall say unto Celidea on your behalf How is it possible my fair Daughter would I have you say unto her that Calidons extream affection should find no acceptance from you Will all my perswasions and recommendations of him reach no farther than your eares and have no effectual influence upon your soul Have you not often promised that I should have the absolute dispose of you If it be so why doe you not make good your promise Did I ever propose any unto you who was not worthy to be loved Is he whom I doe now motion unto you such a one or unknown to you or without kindred or friends I beleeve there is not a Shepheardesse in all the Country that would not thinke his amity to be advantageous unto her The wise Cleontine thinks it so and so does your Mother though out of an over-fond tendernesse she will not command you any thing against your mind But perhaps you say that Thamires it is you only whom I love and cannot love any other unto you have I wholly given my self you have the absolute power over me and may do any thing with me but giving me unto another The heavens doe know my fair Daughter how pleasing this declaration of yours is unto me and that there is nothing under heaven can be more acceptable unto me But if you doe indeed love me you will endeavour to preserve my honour and love me under the name of Calidon who is my very self and of my very blood As for his soul he loves you as I doe so as there is a sympathy betwixt us And since amongst friends all things are in common so since I love him I have nothing he hath not a share in as well as my self So as if I have any share in your affection as you say I have he must of necessary consequence be a participant with me Doe not complain against me for this and say that I break faith with you and change you for another for I am fully resolved never to love any but you you you onely were the beginning and shall bee the end of my affection But since Destiny forbids me to enjoy you and constrains mee to bequeath you unto another both by the Laws of Duty and Nature I shall think it faire Daughter an infinite contentment to see you his whom I have made choice of whom I
are loved consider the actions of those that love us if you finde them to be irregular and contrary to reason vertue or duty flie them as dishonourable if on the contrary you finde them to be moderate and not ramping beyond the limits of honesty or duty then cherish them and esteem them as vertuous This sapient lesson Shepheard teacheth me to cherish the affection of Thamires and to flie yours For what effect does the love of Calidon produce Violencies raptures transports and despairs were never the effects of vertue If the love of Thamires be considered we shall finde it to be all vertue When did he begin to love me At a time when there was no likelyhood any vice could invite him to it How has he continued this affection So as neither duty nor honesty could take the least exception against it But why did he give over For the reasons which he himselfe hath given Whether reason do not appear in all this I refer my selfe Madam unto your judgment These considerations moved me to entertain the affection of Thamires and reject the love of Calidon And this Amity and nothing else did enforce me to visit this Shepheard when he was sick to give him such good words as might recover him and all this as well to satisfie Thamires as out of a naturall compassion which all ought to have one unto another If I did fail in my love to Thamires Calidon for your satisfaction I will confesse it and repent with a protestation to love Thamires no more nor fall into the like fault But I cannot believe that therefore I am obliged to love you for if I should it would be to correct one errour by committing another which is worse Perhaps you will alledge against my defence that having given the whole disposition of my selfe unto Thamires and he transferring me into your hands I cannot contradict his disposall of me This is an excellent conclusion indeed I chuse you for my husband presently after you may give me unto another this is very fine Logick You must know Calidon that the reason why I gave Thamires all the power of my selfe was because I did love him and he loved me and therefore if he have any power over me he must love that is the implicite condition of his power but if he do not then the cause ceasing the effect must needs cease and therefore if he do not love me he hath no power over me But haply you will reply that he swears he does continue loving me still and that it is reason not want of affection which made him transfer me over unto another I must answer both him and you Shepheard that I do not believe him and yet if reason can so well perswade with his affection why should not reason have as much power over my affection Is there any reason I should love him whom nature and reason both forbids me to love Nature forbids the banes for since the first houre I ever saâ— you there was such a contrariety in my heart and such a secret antipathy in it against you that I disliked every thing I saw you do Believe it Calidon what I say proceeds not from any scorn of you but from the very truth I had rather chuse to rest in my grave then live with you not but I do know and confesse you deserve a much better fortune but the reason is because Nature does hold me from you with abundance of violence and without any cause And since it is so upon what pretence can you desire I should be yours since Nature does forbid it and Reason likewise which neverthwarts Nature Go go Calidon live in quietnesse do not wilfully endeavour to make two persons miserable for the truth is you will be as miserable by it as my selfe If you do love me let it suffice that your love is most troublesome to me and do not strive to surcharge me with an intolerable burthen by forcing me to love you And be assured of this that Lignon shall sooner run backward then you shall finde any place in the affection of Celidea This Madam is the Answer which I shall give unto the shallow reasons of Calidon But now I have another more dangerous enemy to encounter withall who has better Armes and who gives more smarting blowes I mean the ungratefull Thamires Thamires whom I did really love and whom I thought had loved me as well as any possibly could But alas what would he have now Can he expect any thing from her whom he hath betrayed into the hands of her most cruell enemy Does he yet hope for any love from her whom he hath most ungratefully wronged Whan colour and upon what ground can he desire me to love him Is it because he did love me or because I loved him This Madam had been some reason at that time but now since he has left loving me and would force me to love another and not himself why does he urge unto me the time past which is not nor ever will return The memory of that time is an argument to hate him the more since I do finde him at this present so unworthy I do confesse I did love him but when he resigned me unto another he did demonstratively shew that he neither did nor does love me And therefore let him not think it strange that since my affection did proceed from his mine should cease as well as his for his was the cause and mine the effect and the cause ceasing the effect must follow Why did he cut up a Tree from which he expected fruit He hath done me more wrong then I him since he was the first offendor and yet I am satisfied I complain not I can quit him with a very good will and cannot wish he should court me again because it is a thing impossible to obtain me What is it he would now have Does he not know that as long as our love was mutuall I was his and he was mine and then by the Lawes of Amity he might dispose of me as his own If he have given me unto Calidon how can he pretend me to be his If he have any thing to require from me he must addresse himself to him unto whom he hath given me if he can have his consent I will afterwards consider what I have to do if he cannot why does he complain of me or ask me for what he has given away He hath sacrificed me as he saith to Calidon's health manifesting thereby that Calidon was dearer unto him than I was and in very good time But can he not be contented that his sacrifice is accepted and that his deer Calidon is recovered from death Would he so sacrilegiously recall what he has dedicated unto the gods Remove Thamires all such thoughts out of your soul lest the gods do punish you for it and do not hope that since I have been offered unto the gods for the health of Calidon I will ever stoop
and into the last Formes The Druide would have gone on had not the shepheard interrupted him in this manner Your discourse Father is a little too high and you do not consider the capacity of him unto whom you speak my wit is too dull to soar so high But if you will please to make me understand what the Angelicall Understanding is what the Rationall Soul is and what the Matter is of which you speak perhaps I shall understand something more My Son said the Druide Angelicall Understanding is that pure Intellect by which they see that Soveraign Beauty and are adorned with all kinde of Ideas The Rationall Soul is that by which men are distinguished from beasts it is it by which we come to the knowledge of things which is called Rationall The Matter is that which falls under the Senses which is imbellished with divers forms that are given unto them and by which you may judge whether she whom you love has in perfection the two last beauties which we tearm Corporeall and Rationall and which we may without any offence say that there is in others greater beauties then in hers which you will understand by a comparison of Bottles full of water for as the greater do hold more then the little ones and yet the little ones are as full as the greater so it may be said of all things capable of beauty for there are substances which by their perfection of Nature can receive much more beauty then others which yet cannot be termed imperfect because they have as much perfection as they can receive And under this notion comes the beauty of your Mistresse whom you may say is perfect and yet without offence confesse that she hath lesse beauty then these pure Intellectualls which I speak of If you be not too much transported with young and imprudent affections and set too great a price upon the beauty of her face you will set your whole affection upon the beauty of her minde in which you will finde something so lasting fair as will give you as much delight and satisfaction as the beauty of a face gives you sorrow and perhaps despair I have heard much discourse upon this subject answered the Shepheard but it so much displeased me that I did not remember it But I remember that one of you Druides endeavoured to prove that the minde the eye and the ear have only their parts in Love For said he Love is only a desire of Beauty and there being three sorts of Beauties that of the fight of which the eye is the only judge that of harmony of which the ear is only capable and that of reason which the minde can only discern it must follow that the eyes the ears and the minde have only their satisfactions If any other Senses do intrude they resemble those impudent guests that come unto Marriages before they be invited Oh Son said the Druide this is a Doctrine which perhaps is understood by many but certainly followed by very few and therefore no wonder that so many vexations and misfortunes do fall out amongst Lovers For Love which most certainly is the greatest and most holy of all the gods seeing himselfe so many waies offended by such as call themselves his Votaries either in contemning his ordinances or prophaning his purity does very often chastise them to the end they may know their faults For my Son what are jealousies disdains slanders quarrells infidelities and all breaches of amity but punishments of that great god Did our desires stretch no further then discourse no further then the sight nor no further then the ear why should we ever be jealous why disdainfull why angry why enemies why treacherous and briefly why should not all love and be loved since then the possession of another would not one jot lessen our happinesse Then Silvander heard the Shepheard interrupt the Druide with a deep sigh in this manner Alas Father how true is your discourse unto all Lovers but my selfe for my love is full of purity and chast desires as it cannot offend the most demure Vestall Let the god of Love be the most severe of all the gods yet I am sure he can finde no fault with my affection and yet for all this never was Lover so rigorously treated as I am Son said the Druide many things do produce different effects according to the subjects they meet withall A Line which is streight is not made only to draw another straight Line by but often to know what is not straight Those dysasters which you resent though in others they are called punishments yet in you they may be termed testimonies and proofs of your love and vertue which will at last so turn to your advantage as you may with reason say that you had never been happy unlesse you had been miserable And in the interim be assured your Mistresse will repent of her fault and the wrong she does you After this because it was very late he rose up with intention to go away and took the shepheard by the hand who as he followed answered thus I beseech you Father and conjure you by your love unto me not to say my Mistresse is in any fault much lesse that she does me wrong for she having power to dispose of me as much as my selfe you will offend the most perfect piece that ever nature produced and will more disoblige me by such language then your assistance can please me Silvander hearkened very attentively unto their discourse and though he did very precisely observe all their actions yet such was the obscurity of the place that he could not know them and though he thought he knew the Druide yet seeing only his back he was not certain As for the shepheard he was altogether unknown unto him so as he did not remember he ever heard his voice before This incertainty therfore caused him to follow them hoping for a better discovery by the Moon when they were out of the woods but keeping at a good distance lest he should be seen by them he lost them amongst the Trees and never since could tell what became of them which being very sorry for he left not his quest of them untill most of the night was spent but wearinesse at the last made him look for a place to rest in not knowing how to hit the way unto his Town When Silvander was asleep he waked not untill the Sun was very high The Shepheard that discoursed with the Druide in the night was as early as Aurora and the place of his dwelling being very neer as he was taking his usuall morning-walk he espied Silvander asleep He having not been above a month in the Country and having no acquaintance with any Shepheard he was very desirous to know who Silvander was and therefore went very softly to him He no sooner set his eye upon Silvander's face but he knew him to be his most intimate friend the remembrance of their former acquaintance and of
the most faithful and unfortunate shepheard it must be Silvander Thus Silvander went away in a perswasion that this Letter was directed unto Diana and desiring she should see it after humble thanks given unto his kinde Angel from whom he had received this good office he went that way which he thought the shortest cut unto his Town with a design that if he did not meet her to go in quest of her assoon as he had dined so as not meeting her he dispatched his repast assoon as possibly he could hee let forth his flock out of the fold which had too long waited for him and took the path that conducts to the Fountain of Siccanours hoping there to heare of her and he was not deceived in his hopes for as soon as he entered into the meadow adjoyning to it he saw her sitting under a thick bush with Astrea Love swell'd him immediately with a desire to hear their discourse unseen since they seemed to be very serious at their work and in order to this design he crept from Tree to Tree and from Bush to Bush till he got so neer them unperceived that he could hear what they said having left his flock a little behinde him in the wood under the tuition of his Dog In the mean time Astrea talked thus unto Diana Certainly Phillis does not deserve so much favour from you and I must confesse that I am a little jealous of her though I have laid no wager with her as Silvander hath for I would not have her or any else in the world have a greater share in your favour then my selfe Fair Astrea answered Diana it belongs unto me to beg the favour of your affection which I do with abundance of zeal so as in this I will not yield unto Phillis of whom you speak Dearest Sister replyed Astrea your merits do so much transcend all others as they do render you much above the common rate of Love But how comes it to passe said Diana I should be so long with you before I could obtain this happinesse I must needs confesse answered Astrea that I was either blinde if I had been with you so long and not loved you or else I must confesse we are not Mistresses of our own wills but that there is some supream power which disposeth of us all as it pleaseth Diana blushed at these words and sweetly casting down her eyes answered her Your language dear Sister would put me to the blush if I were not wholly devoted to be yours but this will which you mention makes me take all that comes from you for favours though if they should come from any other I should esteem them no better then mockeries If you should take my expressions in that sense said Astrea you would injure that affection which I do bear unto you and that which you have promised unto me This mutuall affection said Diana is too holy and too sacred to be injured and therefore to obey you and please my selfe I will believe that your expressions are commendations of me which does proceed not so much from truth as from your affection to me which makes things seem to be greater then truly they are and casts a mist before your eyes Unlesse dear Sister said Astrea you hold me for one of a very weak judgment you will believe that they do proceed both from truth and from my affection also As for truth said Diana I do set a high estimation upon it and as for your affection I do desire it above any thing upon earth Upon these words they both embraced and kissed each other with abundance of zealous affection which Silvander seeing he wished himselfe Astrea a hundred times that he might have received the like favours After this they set themselves down again and falling unto their work again he thought that he heard them name him and therefore that he might hear the better he crept neerer unto them and saw that his Mistresse was making a bracelet of her hair When he was beginning to be jealous lest any but himselfe should wear it he heard Astrea say Silvander would be very jealous if he saw his enemy in greater favour than himselfe I do believe said Diana that she did ask it of me with that designe I do think so also said Astrea but you do wrong the shepheard in it if you do favour the one more than the other you are not as good as your word because you have promised the contrary The advantage which I seem to confer upon Phillis said Diana nor the wager it selfe is not of any great importance besides the shepheard did never request me for it as she did But I do beseech you said Silvander shewing himselfe unawares if he do request one I hope you will be pleased to bestow it The shepheardesses hearing him speak were much amazed and their wonder was so great as they were a long time before they spake one word only gazed upon one another fearing he had heard the discourse they had a little before he came At last Astrea began to speak and told him thus Fie Silvander I wonder your discretion should be no more then to harken unto the secrets of others Do you so little respect your Mistresse as to steal a hearing when she would not have any hear but me I do not know what secrets you mean answered Silvander but I am sure that the curiosity which invited me hither was only to hear my own secrets from the mouth of my fairest Mistresse it is from her that I must be informed and I am very sorry I came no sooner since all that I heard informes me no further then concerning a Bracelet which with much injustice is intended for Phillis You need not be sorry shepheard said Astrea for comming no sooner since if you had your crime in offering thus to steal the secrets of your Mistresse had been no lesse then his that stole fire from heaven and in reason you could not expect a more milde chastisement Oh! answered Silvander it is not any fear of punishment which can give a stop unto my just curiosity for I do so much esteem the means of rendring her proofes of my affection as all manner of punishments are sweet unto me upon that account Good Silvander said Astrea unto him how can you think to give her any testimonies of affection this way I will tell you fair shepheardesse said Silvander should I not render her a most infallible testimony if knowing what she desires should be secret I should conceal it For we now live in an age when every one does not only tell all they know but all that they do imagine In so doing shepheard answered Astrea you do make your discretion appear But more affection said he As for discretion said Astrea I will allow it but as for affection I will refer my selfe unto her to whom it is addressed I will make answer for her said he Would you have Silvander who heretofore
was a declared enemy to Love yet now must love and adore would you I say have him make his love known But how comes it to passe fair Mistresse said he and addressed himselfe unto Diana that you would not answer unto what I say but seemes as if my discourse did not concern you Perhaps the reason is answered Diana because I must not be your Mistresse above fourteen or fifteen daies If that do trouble you said he you may easily finde a remedy by obliging me by your favours to continue in your service as your beauty and perfections have hitherto most really constrained me Ah Silvander answered Diana let us talk no more of any favours and service since the terme of three Months prescribed for your faigned affection is almost past it would be too great a trouble to you to constrain your naturall inclination any longer Fairest shepheardesse answered Silvander I would not have you believe I do think your service any trouble but I 'le assure you that it is abundance of delight unto me to do any service upto a person of so great a merit insomuch as though my Nature were contrary unto Love more then it is yet should I with abundance of delight continue in such a service Although shepheard you should said Diana and smiled yet it is agreed upon but by one party for though your naturall Genius do incline that way yet you can never hope that I will These words did touch Silvander's heart so to the quick since he perceived by them that he had gained a small influence upon her good-will as he was not able to hide his sad resentments of them but his countenance did plainly discover them by changing colour Which Astrea perceiving How now Silvander said she unto him what does your heart fail you It were strange replyed he if such cruell language from my Mistresse should not extreamly trouble me yet do not think my heart shall ever fail me though she and the heavens have the disposure of all my hopes and life Is not this answered Astrea rather rashnesse in you then courage and are you not too presumptuous in denying such powers No replied the shepheard it is a most true reall perfect and most faithfull love which makes me speak so By these and the like expressions Diana perceived that Silvander did really love her Silvander he did foresee abundance of difficulties and very small hopes unto himselfe And Astrea did conceive that Love had laid a foundation of an exquisite and lasting affection And though they all three had different thoughts yet were they all true as afterwards you shall perceive But Silvander interrupting the subject of this discourse addressed himselfe unto Diana I hope fairest Mistresse said he that this Bracelet of your fair hair which you have made for Phillis is only to be rid of her importunities and if it be so you are obliged to favour Silvander as much as her and lest you should be taxed with partiality you ought to treat us both with equall favour though the affection which you have caused in my soul cannot be equall'd by any other And why not said Astrea taking the part of Phillis since both sour affections do proceed from the same cause one grain of corn produceth severall ears Allthough the cause of our affections be the same said Silvander yet the effects may be different But experience shewes the contrary said Astrea for the affection of Phillis hath obtained that favour which is denyed yours This is not or want of any love answered the shepheard but for want of good fortune yet since the dropping of water upon the hardest Marble will in continuance of time pierce it why may not I as well hope that my Love and fervency of prayers long continued may as well work upon the marble heart of this fair one Then after he had looked upon her or rather adored her a long while be fell down upon his knees If Love my fairest Mistresse said he unto her have any influence upon beauty and if prayers caused thunderbolts to fall out of the band of Jupiter how is it possible that the extream affection of Silvander and his most zealous supplications cannot obtain as much favour as the shallow affection and troublesome importunities of Phillis hath obtained from you If it cannot I may with as much reason say that the way to obtain love is not to love and the way to overcome an obdurate heart is not by prayers and earnest supplications but only by dissimulation and vexing importunities Silvander used many other such expressions as these by which the shepheardesse gathered more assurance that love had taken root in him And Astrea knowing Diana's minde not to be very averse from granting Silvander what he asked would needs oblige them both by one act and therefore joyned her prayers unto Silvander's and she prevailed so with Diana that the Bracelet which was intended for Phillis was bestowed upon this Shepheard yet upon a condition that he should keep it no longer then the end of the terme which he was to serve her which she meant was to end within a few dayes which the shepheard with some difficulty assented unto but remembring that though the time of his faigned service would soon expire yet he remembred also that the time which he was to serve her 〈…〉 earnest would last as long as his life It is impossible to expresse the thankfulnesâ—◠〈◊〉 Silvander's soul but much more his satisfied resentments Let it suffice that he who heretofore was wont to despise all manner of favours from Love and who could not imagine any could finde any contentment in such follies as he called them that he does now confesse that there is no felicity comparable unto this favour which he now resented And when he was in the midst of his sweet imaginations it seemes Love had a minde to compleat his joyes in making the shepheardesse Phillis to enter For he whose happinesse is unknown to any but himselfe cannot be said to be compleatly happy but the more it is known the more happy he is and much the more when this happinesse does not come by Fortune but by Merit Assoon as Silvander saw her he ran unto her and in a most jocund manner shewed her the arme on which he had already put his most beloved Bracelet and passed it often before her eyes saying Here Phillis here is the earnest of my ensuing Victory Phillis who had been seeking Lycidas with a desire to convince him of his jealousie and could not finde him was so sad and so weary as she needed not to counterfeit any anger nor change any countenance to testifie her displeasure and sorrowes which this favour might have caused in her And because Silvander was very troublesome unto her not only in this Act but in being the bellowes which did blow up the jealousie of Lycidas she said unto him in as sharp a manner as she could This earnest shepheard which you shew
Phillis do you not see that this sweet word which is so pleasing to you is only pure flattery which my Mistresse is pleased to put upon you to acknowledge in some sort that shallow affection which you bear unto her For since she cannot love you she will give you satisfaction in this coyne In taking you for a Companion she shewes flattery and flattery shewes small affection On the contrary in taking me for her Servant she shewes the good will she bears unto me since I am capable of that favour if any mortall man be Oh impudence cryed out Phillis Oh love answered Silvander Why replyed the shepheardesse do you think your selfe worthy to serve her whose merits are above all mortalls The greatest gods said the shepheard are served by men and are pleased with their service and duty Then why if I be a man as I hope you do not question will you not permit me to serve and adore my goddesse especially since she her selfe requires this holy duty from me Phillis standing mute and considering well of Silvander's reasons she knew not how to answer one word but did really think that Diana did confer a greater favour upon Silvander then upon her and therefore addressing her speech unto her Mistresse said she upon consideration of my enemies reason I finde that he is in the right and that you have conferred more favour upon him than me Is it possible you should do it intentionally If you did I shall have a just occasion of complaint and take it ill he should be so much advanced above his merit I see said Diana coldly that opinion hath a greater power of you then truth and you are guided only by it Within this quarter of an houre you were boasting of the favour which I did you in preferring you before Silvander And now this opinion being changed you complain of the contrary so as I am afraid that your affection also is nothing but opinion No question of it said Silvander for every word she hath spoken is an argument of it Is it any argument of Love Phillis to finde fault with the actions of your Mistresse If they be to my disadvantage said she would you have me to think well of them It were but your duty to conform your selfe and strive to get more love then you have said Silvander Would you have Diana conform her selfe unto your will or ought you to conform your selfe unto hers I wish to the gods said she that I had as much advantage over her as it seemes she hath given you over me If it were so said Silvander pray tell me which of you two should be the Mistresse and which the Servant Truly shepheardesse I do not think you ever received the least scratch in Love's War Astrea who silently heard their difference was at last constrained to say thus unto Diana I think wise shepheardesse that this shepheard will take away from Phillis the use of her tongue No said Silvander it is rather Love for hitherto she thought that she had loved but now she sees the contrary Thus those fair Shepheardesses deceived themselves in the length of the way and the Sun shining very hot they asked Silvander how far it was yet unto the place which he conducted them unto and understanding that they were about the mid way they resolved to rest themselves at the next Fountain or the next good shade they come unto and Silvander told then that they should presently come unto such a one where they should finde a Cherry tree full of ripe fruite In order to this resolution they doubled their pace but meeting with Laonice Hylas â—â—â—cis Manduates and Thirsander they stayed awhile These shepheards and shepheardesses were walking together seeking for cool shades and pleasent Fountaines for they were strangers and having no flocks to keep they passed away the time as pleasantly as possibly they could And intending not to part that day they walked up the banks of the delectable River of Lignon Now these two Companies being met Hylas presently left Laonice and came to Phillis and she left Astrea and Diana and went to him at which Silvander was not sorry thinking himselfe in more absolute possession of his Mistresse Tircis seeing Astrea alone for Thirsander did lead Maduntes he addressed himselfe in a humble manner unto her and offered his service in leading her She having a great esteem of that shepheard especially because there was a conformity betwixt their fortunes did very willingly accept of his offer so as every one had a Companion except Laonice who as I told you formerly having an extream desire to be revenged of Phillis and Silvander all her aime was to watch an occasion of doing them some mischiefe And to compasse her designe she kept a spying eye upon all their actions hearknâ—â— unto all their discourse especially when they spoke low or in secret and when 〈…〉 by their gestures that they spoke any thing affectionately She had formerly 〈…〉 partly a cause of the jealousie of Lycidas and had since learned much of Silâ—â—â—â—â—â— and other shepheardesses yet more from her own suspicions then any else But 〈…〉 much more and became so knowing as it may be said she knew all 〈…〉 as well as themselves Also there being none in the company who suspected her designe she had more free accesse to hear none taking any notice when she 〈◊〉 them After she had 〈◊〉 upon all the shepheards and shepheardesses and 〈…〉 Companion to divert her she got as neer as she could unto Silvander who led Diana 〈…〉 to whom she wished most ill and having already an opinion of their being in love the passionately desired to discover more Diana who had no designe at all upon Silvander though she did wish him better then any shepheard of Lignon did not care whether her words were heard or no And Silvander took no heed because he was so attenive unto what his Mistresse said as he did hardly see the ground he trod upon which gave Laonice a better opportunity to hearken Silvander then assoon as he was alone with his Mistresse Well my fairest said he unto her what do you think now of Phillis and me I do think answered she that Phillis of all persons in the world is the worst lyar and that of all the shepheards I know Silvander is the best dissembler for certainly you can counterfeit a passionate part the best of any living Ah shepheardess replyed Silvander it is an easy matter to counterfeit what one does really resent This replyed Diana is that which confirmes what I say I could never believe that a feigned passion could be glossed with words and actions so resemblant unto truth Ah Diana said he how far short are both my actions and my words of declaring the truth of my affection Could you but see my heart as wel as my face you would have a better opinion of me I must confess the wager betwixt Phillis and me hath been a cause that I have
had the honour to be often 〈◊〉 you But I cannot keep my selfe within the confines of our wager Oh my fairest Mistresse do not be here it possible I should Your perfections are too high to be loved only by a seeming to love Heavens be my witnesse and I attest all the sacred duities of these solitary places that I do love you with a most reall perfect pure and eternall affection The reasons why this shepheard spoke thus was because he saw that within a few 〈◊〉 his terme of 〈◊〉 months would end and that after it he should finde more difficulty to express his affection knowing the humour of this shepheardess well enough so as he resolved to make use of his time And though it did but further his designe very little yet was it not altogether in vain for by this he had accustomed his shepheardess unto such discourse which perhaps iâ— not one of the least acts whereof an advised Lover ought to make use for custome renders things easy which at the beginning astonish us and which we think impossible Diana hearing this language though she thought it true yet would she not seem to believe it but continuing as she begun This shepheard said she does more confirme main the opinion I had of you and you may believe what I say to be true if you do observe how faintly I hear and answer you for did I give any credit unto your words be certain that the first word you should speak unto me should be the last word that I would hear Silvander would have answered had he not been prevented by an encounter Astrea and Tircis went first Phillis and Hylas next Mandonte and Tersander after them Diana and Silvander the next and after them the slie Laonice In this order they followed the path which Silvander shewed them and without much noise they came into a very pleasant Wood which was in their way The discourse of Astrea and Tircis being only upon things indifferent they espyed in the thick of the wood under a shade three shepheardesses with the generous Paris the son of Adamas the shepheardesses were unknown unto Astrea as for Paris he was of late grown so familiar amongst all that company as there was none in all that Town which did not both know and love him His love unto Diana brought him unto that acquaintance and to make himselfe more plausible as often as he came to see his Mistresse he put on the habit of a Shepheard and with his hook in his hand frequented that company as if he had been of the same quality Such power hath Love to free the most generous soules from all ambition And because one of those shepheardesses did at that time sing Astrea and Tircis stopt and turning towards those which followed them did make a signe that they should make no noise But because the Song was almost ended they heard only this last verse of it By Thought or Deed did I offend By Deed I neer did condescend And if by Thought I did amisse I le swear my thought a Traitor is The voice of this shepheardesse was so ravishing that all the company were very sorry they came not till her song was ended But Hylas leaving Phillis to get a little neerer he no sooner set his eyes upon them but he knâ—w them Had any observed him they might easily have seen that these shepheardesses were not unknown unto him yet that he might hear what they said he constrained himselfe as well as he could Then he heard her that sung say Generous Paris since we have satisfied your curiosity and desire we hope you will acquit your selfe of your promise made unto us I shall never deny you answered Paris any thing that is within the compasse of my power Then taking a Lute which these shepheardesses had he sung this Song unto that Instrument A Song 1. WHen Hylas did the splendid eye Of Phillis his fair Mistresse spy Was ever such a glorious Queen Said he unlesse in heaven seen 2. Fair Phillis with a blushing Aire Hearing these words became more fair Away said he you need not take Fresh Beauty you more fair to make 3. Then with a winning smile and look His candid flattery she tooke Oh stay said he 't is done I vow Hylas is captivated now 4. If he for liberty complain Let him said she take it again 'T is more divine said he in you That conquer can and pardon too 5. A captive Prisoner is blest When he does fear to be releast That Lover's happy who does cry When any does his bonds unty Assoon as this Song was ended these strangers asked him who Phillis and who Hylas was If you did ever hear said Paris of the Plain that is called Forrests and in it of the delectable River of Lignon certainly you have heard the names of the fair Shepheardesses Diana and Astrea This Phillis of whom you enquire is a deer Companion unto them as for Hylas I can tell you nothing unlesse it be that he is a stranger but of the sweetest and most jocosive humour that ever my conversation cop'd withall for he was never tired with the service of any shepheardesse but still will quit her after six daies courtship before any distaste shall be on any side Did he not dwell in a place called Camargue said one of these strangers which is in the Roman Province And Paris answering Yes Oh then said she you need not tell us any more since we know both his Name and Country as for all his other conditions we know them well enough to our own costs And after she had paued awhile she began again in this manner The History of Palinice and Cercenea I Shall never think any thing strange generous Shepheard when I remember Hylas and consider that most things do consist only in Opinion For nothing is so directly contrary unto each other as vertue and vice and this man taking the one for the other doth shew us that it is meerly opinion which puts the price upon all things And doubtless he is the most unconstant piece that ever thought himself in Love and he will go about to prove by arguments and reasons that it is a vertue to change or love many at once and that this is no inconstancy Also it is questionless that he speaks as he thinks and his arguments and reasons are the issues of his heart I remember that when he came from Camargue unto Lyons he got into the Temple amongst the women at the grand Feast and if Palinice had not shewed much compassion upon him for so is the name of this my Companion certainly he had payed very dear for his curiosity but she finding that his fault proceeded from folly and not malice disguised him with a vail and got him out of the Temple then carryed him to his lodging which was in a demi-Isle betwixt the Rosne and the Arar This courtesy was enough to oblige Hylas unto a gratefull visit of
that I loved her My reason why I treated her at such a distance of respect was the grandure and state that she kept which in truth was such that of all I ever loved before I never stood in such reverentiall fear as of her It hapned as I hoped for after she had received many of the flowers which I gathered she told me I had taken too much paines and that I would think her to be uncivill if she suffered me to continue To which I answered That I thought every one obliged to do her all service since she had so excellently well defended her friend in her absence Do you mean Dorinde said she unto me The very same said I in whose person you have obliged all others Truly said she I could not endure the vanity of Theombres for you see what he is and yet he thinks we are all ready to die for the love of him Then certainly said I Ladies must needs be either very loving or of very little judgment for I think him to be rather a remedy against Love then of any capacity to cause it I am clearly of your opinion said she for if I had an inclination to love this man of all men living should be the last I would chuse If you should love him said I it would be a grand offence against the gods who having adorned you with so much beauty you would that way profane it I cannot tell said she what beauty there is in me but I am most sure that I could never love him Cannot you tell what beauty there is in you said I then you cannot tell what all the world doth see but perhaps it is only your modesty which makes you seem ignorant of it No no said she I do really believe that there is nothing in my face which can merit that name you give it But be it what it will pray let 's talk no more of it for more would be out of season and little delighting I shall obey you said I unto her but it shall be with this protestation then that I will never speak again what I think and what you have forbidden to be in my mouth shall as long as I live rest in my heart We had discoursed longer had not the company called us away for they were already gone into the Barge Then she rose up without making any answer and putting her flowers in a corner of her Gown I took her hand and conducted her to her company where not daring to revive the discourse which we left lest I should be too bold for so much forwardnesse in the first declaration of Love is a signe of but little affection I contented my selfe at this time with what I had already said At last the generall genius of the company was all for singing and when it came to my turn I sung these ensuing Verses to assure Florice that all which I had said was true A Song Amorous Oathes FAirest you murder my desires Which yet to none but you aspires I swear by your fair eyes that are More splendid then the Sun by far I swear by my own heart and soul Which you imperiously controul I swear by your own sweetnesse which Does all my faculties bewitch I swear by your disdain and scorn Intolerable to be born I swear by all that amorous fire Which makes men love you and admire By all my hopes and all my fear And all my hot desires I swear I swear by your fair selfe that is The Center of my happinesse I swear by all that life affords And yet you credit not my words Thus fair Phillis was a good foundation laid for since the very first time I saw Florice it was impossible for me to make a retreat yet it angred me that I should lose Palinice as well because I was obliged unto her as because she was really a woman of much merit Moreover the love of Cercenea much grieved me for this young Beauty being offended she sleighted all the reasons I could bring in to convince her However though she did not love me yet it vext her to see that Florice should have a more absolute power over me then ever she could have thinking this to be an argument of her being inferiour in beauty And this was the reason why she did me all the ill offices she could both to Palinice and Florice But so it hapned that her malice did me no harm but did more for me then all my services perhaps of a long time could have done for Florice presently found that Cercenea did speak it out of a passionate partiality and therefore she gave no credit unto her And on the contrary considering and observing my actions more neerly she began to finde them agreeable and by little and little to please her so as Love like a slie and subtle spie did insensibly insinuate himselfe into her soul However I being very desirous to keep my selfe in Palinice's favour I was a little vexed But learn this from me Silvander said he and turned towards that Shepheard that there is none whom women esteem more then those who are in love with them Nor none whom they more despise said Silvander then those that leave them and love another But upon this consideration said Hylas I endeavoured to keep fair with all if it was possible but all in vain for Florice was too full of vanitie and had too over good an opinion of her own merits to entertain a heart in which any other had a share And this proud soul resolving to be sole Mistresse and to love none but me she did one day do me so much favour as to assurence of her love But said I unto her what shall we do with Theombres thinking to upbraid her with him She presently answered me in my own element Let us give him unto Palinice I understood her meaning well enough and therefore I swore unto her never to love any but Florice and that if she would banish Theombres out of her sight I would promise her never to look upon Palinice again Nor because you desire it said she but because he does extreamly displease me I will swear and protest unto you that I will never love him and that if it were handsome I would banish him out of my sight for when you consider that action well you will finde it to be a greater wound unto me then it can be satisfaction unto you Since this time she gave her selfe wholly unto me and I contrary to my own nature did give my selfe wholly unto her and declined all others From morning untill night I never stirred out of her lodging unlesse she went and if any came upon visits they must be persons of great eminency if they did interrupt our discourse At every word I was in her mouth and she in mine and we could not speak unlesse the one called the other as a witnesse Judge yet whether Palinice and Cercenea had not enough to talk off This was
it was because he thought I should be angry at it and all men of reputation will preserve the honour of those who do oblige them but most certainly he loved me more then her since he never spoke of our affection These thoughts made her condemne what she had done and extreamly repent of the fault which she had committed and earnestly desire a reconciliation On the contrary Dorinde justly incensed against me and swelling with anger after a flood of tears flowing upon her cheeks and breast she went into her Closet and vented all the bitternesse and animosity that her sorrowes could inspire into her tongue And as fortune was just as she was wiping the tears from her eyes I came to her house and when she heard me walking she ran and pulled to the dore which she had left open when Florice went out and which her minde being upon other things she had forgot to shut yet she could not do it so suddenly but I saw how red her eyes were with crying and when I wondred both at her tears and that she should deny me entrance she opened her Closet and standing in the dore Perfidious Traitor said she and called me by my name are you come with any designes of injury unto me And because I answered nothing being so surprised that I could not speak Perhaps ungratefull wretch said she you will deny your villany Ah most wicked person said she and shewed me her Letters here are all the testimonies of my too easy beliefe but know that there is not one of thy treasons which is not known unto me and be certain that thou hast made me forever thy most mortall enemy Then she pushed me out of the dore and shut it so suddenly that I could not hinder her Thus fairest Mistris seeing she would not open the dore I went away the most ashamed man in the world but so incensed against Florice that revenged I would be at what rate soever for it was she I knew that took my Letters I saw it was she that gave them unto Dorinde purposely to displease me I did imagine that it was envie or jealousie which made her commit this crime against our amity and conceiving that nothing would more vex her then to seem as if I had quitted her for Dorinde I resolved to break off entirely with her and devote my selfe wholly unto the other The greatest difficulty was to appease Dorinde but I armed my selfe with a full resolution to endure all manner of disdain and anger rather than not be revenged upon Florice Within a few daies after I went in this designe unto Dorinde in her Closet for the displeasure which she had received made her more retired then usuall and offering to shut the dore upon me I fell down upon my knees so suddenly as she could not avoid me then after I had begged a thousand times for a pardon I told her all the truth to wit how Florice having long loved me and to keep our affections more secret she commanded me to faigne a courtship of her which accordingly I did both at the first and when I gave her all those Letters but afterwards comming to love her in good earnest I then gave Florice no more Oh! y ar said she unto me did you not carry her the last which I writ also 'T is true said he that she hath them but she stole them from me and if you will not believe me ask of those who helped her to play the thiefe Then I named two who had seen her steal them and told me of it and therefore when Florice sound her selfe punished by her own invention she acquainted you with all that could break off your affection from me But is not Love just in making her suffer that harm which she prepared for you Why should she make your beauty the cloak for all her designes May the gods never be favourable unto me if I do not hate such things most abominably and if I do not love you above all the world and into whose favour I do desire most to ingratiate my selfe Let not her jealousie and slander of me have a greater influence upon you then my affection hath and let not her anger at my disdaining her for you prejudice me in your good opinion I used many such expressions which at the first did not operate according to my desires and expectance but so disposed her that when I made the theft of Florice manifest unto her she would pardon me And presently after we renewed love upon stâ—icter obligations then ever before which took me off from Florice as much as if I had never seen her and I did it without any constraint for it is most true she was fairer then Dorinde and of a higher rank and quality yet my anger against her had so changed my eyes as this Beauty did not at all please them but made me sleight her Florice for a while did endure all this seeming not to care a jot what became of me as if all my actions were very indifferent unto her but at length she repented and extreamly grieved that she had so lost me and being assured that I did once love her also thinking that a reall affection could not so easily extinguish she conceived that if she did seem as if she loved some other doubtlesse it would have so much influence upon me as would make me return again unto her And in order to this designe she could not think of any more fit to fool then Theombres because she thought his disposition was amorously inclined and because he had formerly loved her Then she began to carrasse Theombres with all imaginable expressions and shew as if all he said or did did please her especially when I was within compasse of taking any notice and then she would talk to him and whisper as if she had made choice of him for the only Cabinet of all her secrets I presently observed this redintegration and told Dorinde who could not chuse but laugh when she heard how Theombres was embarqued Florice seeing I did not return unto her according to her expectance did the more multiply her favours upon him insomuch as many did dislike her behaviour and acquainted her Parents with it for she was so free and open in the dispensation of her favours as in lieu of hiding them as is usuall she exposed them to the view of every one nay studied how to make them seen otherwise I had not come to the knowledge of it for I never saw her but in publick and when I was with her in any publick place I shunned her Now her Father as I have told you being advertised of this Love did exceedingly reprehend her and much more her Mother who for honour and chastity was an eminent example to all the Country At the first shâ— would have glossed the matter with an excuse but afterwards seeing excuses would not do it she did confesse it and said that it was true Theombres
did court her and that she could not chuse but love him But her Mother who could not upon any termes approve of her behaviour did tell her in a very angry manner That Theombres did not give so many testimonies of his love to her as she of her love to him To which Florice in much disorder answered That Theombres did court her in the way of honour and since his End was only at Marriage she could do no lesse then allow of him If it be so said her Father let him acquaint us with his intentions otherwise we shall think you only invented this thereby to excuse your selfe She who had a very reverentiall respect and fear of her Father and Mother and who besides had ever lived in great reputation did think it expedient that Theombres should make some overtures of Marriage unto her Parents yet not intending to go any further then a meer motion for she hoped that it might be easily broken off Therefore she spoke unto Theombres concerning it who was joyed at it beyond all expressions and not to lose a minute of time he entreated two of his Uncles to make the motion unto Florice's Father and Mother which accordingly they did with so many fair offers as they were received as well as they could desire for he was very rich and an advantageous Match unto Florice which being known and considered by her Parents they would not prolong time but did conclude the Marriage that same day and the more willingly because they believed it agreeable unto the liking of their Daughter Thus is Florice's Marriage with Theombres made up all things agreed upon Writings sealed and nothing wanting but a Priest to Marry them But Oh! what a wonder was all this unto Florice when she heard of it Her Father thinking she would be very glad of it would himselfe be the messenger of the newes But when he told her how all things went though she would have faigned yet she could not but broke out into a deluge of tears at which her Father was much amazed How Daughter said he unto her this is very strange does Florice cry at what she her selfe desired I told you Father said Florice all in tears that Theombres courted me in way of Marriage but I never told you that I did desire it Were not you the cause said the Father which moved Theombres to make the motion It was upon your command replied she and not upon my own desire and I did believe you would have given me some time to consider upon it Come come said he in an angry manner you knew well enough how such businesses use to be carried Resolve with your selfe that since they have gone thus far they shall go on What! would you be further courted and give all the world an occasion to talk of you Would you have further time to make me more ashamed No no Florice content your selfe I have blush'd enough for you already when your friends acquainted me with your behaviour and I will prevent it for the future if I can Upon this he left her alone and went to his Wife who hearing what discourse had passed came to her with all the sharp language which she could invent and for a conclusion told her that nothing but death could hinder that Marriage from taking effect and therefore she must resolve upon it Thus poor Florice was in a worse condition than ever for she had not only lost me whom she loved but was likely to be enjoyed by another whom she loved not but hated worse then a death Imagine in what a wildernesse of thoughts she was and what various combats was in her soul In conclusion she resolved that death should be the remedy against all her restlesse afflictions not that she had so much courage as to kill her selfe for the thought of such a cruelty made her to tremble but because she thought her life was not able to endure so many sad and tormenting miseries But see the strange consequents of Love she did not so much grieve for the losse of me and at her being anothers whom she loved not as to think that I should put a bad construction upon that affection which she expressed unto me For though she was angry at me because of Dorinde yet she did love me and excused me for loving her no more accusing her selfe with the offence which she had committed against me Being thus perplexed and since she could not avoid her Marriage with Theombres she resolved to give her selfe so much satisfaction at the least as to let me know that her minde was not changed and that her affection should for ever be the same as I had found it Her Letter was thus written Florice's Letter unto Hylas WHen you look upon this hand perhaps you will remember that you have seen it heretofore when you loved her that writ it and that now so much offended you Consider how great my affection is unto you since after so great an injury I take pen in hand to let you know the condition she is in whom once you so much loved and who loves you still infinitely above all the world maugre all the injuries you have done me Know that by the rigorous Lawes of Marriage I am now going to be anothers and that there is no other remedy unlesse you will this very houre prevent it Assuring my selfe that my Parents woudl be better pleased with your Alliance then that of Theombres unto whom alas I am destined unlesse you do love me as well as I love you When this Letter was brought unto me I was sorry at those frequent reports of this Marriage and though I was resolved to be wholly Dorinde's yet I could not chuse but resent the losse of Florice for I esteemed her lost in the alliance of Theombres And see the subtlety of Love He knew well enough that to assault me openly was in vain because I was still in mine anger and therefore he would go another way with me First he propounded unto me my hatred of Theombres how undeserving he was of this advantage and how happy he would be in Florice Then he represented unto me the beauty and merits of Florice what pitty it was that such a man should enjoy her and brought into my memory all those favours which I had received from her To be briefe he did so imprint these considerations in my soul that ere I was aware I was more in love with her then with Dorinde so as when her Letter came unto my hands and considering with a sound judgment the beauty the quality and the merits of the Writer I did acknowledge that I had done her wrong in quitting her for another much inferiour and repenting of it I intended to return to her again Truth is when I considered the remedy which she propounded to break off her Marriage with Theombres I knew not what to resolve upon for I hated that fatall Tie of Marriage more then I can expresse
not with Florice in particular but with any woman in generall conceiving that there was no greater tyranny nor slavery amongst the sons of men then that of Marriage Thus was I in a Labyrinth of ravelled resolutions for on the one side Dorinde was not displeasing unto me on the other side I could not endure that Theombres should enjoy Florice especially in the way of Marriage But after a long contest with my selfe I resolved to renew that love which was betwixt us and to do all that possibly I could to prevent Theombres And in order to this resolution I seemed as if I had not received the Letter which she had writ unto me which I might easily do because he who brought it left it for me at my lodging I not being then within So taking pen inke and paper I writ thus unto Florice Hylas his Letter unto Florice ARe you mad to marry Theombres Have you so soon forgot Hylas and his affection that you should prefer this man before him Can you content him and make me grieve for you Oh ye gods will ye permit it or if ye do permit it will you no! punish the ungratefull Florice The reason why I seemed as if I had not received her Letter was because she should not think it was her invitation but my own affection which made me return unto her for had I come upon her summons she would have thought my love lesse which I would not have her think When she received my Letter she was extreamly joyed to finde that I loved her and was sorry when she saw I had not received hers therefore she writ unto me again to let me know that she had advertised me of a course which I should take to free her from that misery which was prepared for her And because she feared her Letter was lost she repeated it again in this But I without returning any answer unto it seemed as if I was gone out of the Town as not being able to endure the sight of her Marriage with Theombres and to the end she might believe it I gave order that almost at the very same time another Letter from me should be carried unto her It was thus indited Hylas his Letter unto Florice SInce it is impossible but Florice must needs follow the course of her fatall destiny I must needs also depart the Town not being able to endure a sight so deplorable unto my selfe I had rather take the unhappy success by my ears then by my eyes which I do reserve to swim in tears at such sad newes The gods give you as much content as you have left me little and may it continue as long as my smarting misery will last which will be to my grave where I will lament your inconstancy and my own sad fate Now fair Phillis I writ this Letter unto her to the end she should think I had not received hers for otherwise I had been obliged unto an answer unlesse I had utterly declined her and rather consented unto a death then to marry her not but that I did infinitely esteem her but these bonds of Marriage were most horrid unto me and I had so good an opinion of my selfe as I thought it certain she would not be denyed me if I asked her of her Parents And least she should be troubled about her Letter which she had written unto me I caused it to be carried back unto her by one of my servants who was instructed to let her know that I was gone out of the Town two or three daies before and since he knew not whither I was gone nor when I would return he brought it back unto her lest it should be lost She did not know that it had been opened for it was sealed with the same seal both she I having long since each of us a Seal as like one another as possibly could be made Shee took the Letter with a sad sigh and afterwards enquired why I went away and what urgent occasion had constrained me to be gone so soon He answered her according to my instructions That he knew nothing only he never saw me so sad in all his life as I was at my departure Ah me said she then with a most profound sigh I am afraid he will return too late for my contentment Then to hide the tears which trickled from her eyes she turned the other way When this man returned he told me all that she said and did and I must needs confesse I pittyed her but I could not for my life resolve to marry her Therefore I kept my selfe close untill the Marriage were past and sent the man every houre to hearken newes At the last I heard that all was concluded I should be too tedious fairest Mistris if I should relate all the artifices which she used but let me only tell you that the night before the Marriage she writ these words unto me Florice's Letter unto Hylas Could I send you my life in this paper as well as the truth of my intention I should not complain at heavens injustice in destinating me to fail both in my love and in my duty Tomorrow is the last day of my life if I may call that a death which takes away all my contentment If Hylas do love me miserable as I am and will accompany my sorrowes with his let him resort to my grave Judge whether this Letter did not touch me to the quick since I did really love her but seeing no remedy but to marry her I must confesse my affection was not of force enough to bring my will unto it The next morning she was constrained to signe the Contract and to agree unto all that her Father and Mother would have her but with such incredible griefe and trembling that her legs were not able to bear her nor her hand to guide the pen wherewith she subscribed her name Oh ye gods said she unto one of her Companions what a most cruell Law is this that ordaines the innocent to signe their own death But when she went to the Temple and through the street where my lodging was lifting up her eyes to the windowes she said thus unto her selfe Why Oh happy lodgings are not the gods as favourable unto me as you And as fortune was I being at the window which I held halfe open to see her passe by she espied me But Oh ye gods how this vision went to her heart she fell into a swoond and lay in the armes of those that went with her And lest I should do the like I was constrained to lie down upon my bed and stirred not from it most part of that day At the last she was married with so many tears as every one pittyed her And because I feared lest she having seen me she should think I did but only give out that I was gone away I procured an intimate friend that same night to let her understand that I was departed only because I would not
see this unhappy Marriage and that my intention was never to return again but since my affection would not give me leave to be so far distant I was constrained to return but arrived in the most unfortunate minute that could be and that it was absolutely impossible I should live unlesse she gave me some assurance that her affection was not changed She as if she never heard him took a Ring off from her finger and put it into his hand This Diamond said she may assure him that it hath lesse constancy then the affection which I promised unto him Now hear I beseech you what hapned That very same night and I believe about the very same houre when Theombres had her in his armes I was in my bed and held my hand upon my breast having the Ring upon my finger I know not how but it cut me and made so deep a wound that my shirt and sheets were all bloody and ever since hath left a mark upon my side neer my heart Oh heavens cryed I out upon a suddain thinking upon the wrong which I had done Florice and Theombres had done me how sensible am I of the offence and injury that is done unto my affection Perhaps I have insisted too long upon these particulars but I beseech you excuse Hylas since he was never so touched to the heart by any other except by you my fairest Phillis Or except any in this Company said she But pray tell us how you left Dorinde Unto which Hylas replyed thus When I was in the depth of my perplexities for indeed I did love Florice as well because she was fair as because I thought Dorinde loved another the heavens helped me out with as good an occasion as I could desire Periander who as I told you was constrained to quit Dorinde unto me and not being able to see me enjoy her was gone out of the Town was at length forced to return as not being able to endure so long out of her sight and though he did foresee his sorrowes would be greater in seeing then in hearing of our affection yet could he not chuse but return thinking it would be some consolation unto his wound to see the hand that gave it And because he came at the first to see me assoon as he came I resolved to give as they say two blowes with one stone to rid my selfe of Dorinde and to oblige Periander Two or three daies passed on and he never talked one word unto me concerning Dorinde and one time being separated from the Company I said thus unto him Periander it is impossible for my affection unto you to suffer my selfe to be a cause of that melancholly which I have observed in your face any longer I love you too well than to see you suffer for my sake You do not doubt of my affection unto Dorinde but you shall lesse doubt of the affection I have unto you And to give you evident testimony that it is not a little I release this Dorinde unto you whom my good fortune took from you and the affection I bear unto you shall surmount the love I bear unto her Receive her therefore Periander from me and be assured that I shall lesse grieve to part with her then to see you thus sad for my sake or be deprived of your presence If ever any condemned person was joyed when a Pardon came Periander was as much when he heard this and yet his discretion and affection unto me made him at the first refuse it but when he saw I persisted in this minde he received it with so many thanks as I was constrained to tell him that she was justly his due knowing very well that he did surmount me in love as my good fortune and cunning surpassed his Then I retired by little and little from Dorinde and Periander on the contrary advanced But in the mean time I attempted upon Florice I found out the means to speak unto her and assured her of my affection To be briefe I contrived it so as there was never better correspondency betwixt us and that which most helped me was the hollow-hearted affection which she bore unto Theombres 'T is true she had alwaies some suspition of Dorinde and therefore after she thought that she had made me hers she told me peremptorily that she would have me so clearly and openly break off with Dorinde as she should never be in any doubt of it afterwards otherwise she should live in a continuall incertainty of my affection and that she had rather part fair with me then live in such continuall apprehensions I desired that my breach with Dorinde might be done by some civill way and least offensive unto her But she would needs have it done by some rude and publick affront and she would not be perswaded otherwise At the last I resolved upon it Upon the sixt of July all the Gallantry of the Town went with the Druides to gather the sacred Misletoe in the Forrest of Mars called Erieu and then Florice charged me to satisfie her request All the Ladies were trimmed in their gayest dresses and every one in the Athenian habit The sacrifice being ended and publick rejoycings beginning I took Periander apart to the end he should not be offended at what I did I told him how I saw Dorinde had some hopes yet in me and therefore she did not receive his service so well as she ought but I would undeceive her and dash all her hopes Then seeing her with Florice and in the midst of the best company I went to her and after some common discourse I said unto her so loud as all about her might hear Now I see Dorinde that what is told me of you is true What 's that said she and smiled little expecting such an answer as I gave That you have replyed I the best opinion of your selfe of any person in the world Then she blush'd and asked me the reason of my judgment Because said I you measuring others by your selfe as you do love all you look upon so you think every one is in love with you and I know you are in that errour concerning me thinking that I am ready to die for the love of you but I would have you know that your merits are too mean to make me such a fool if you think otherwise undeceive your selfe and be assured that Hylas is ashamed he ever loved you or if he was such a fool that he is wiser now Imagine noble Paris how blank Dorinde was For my part I would not exchange a syllable more with her but went away and left her most pittifully out of countenance Ever since Florice was the most satisfied that is imaginable and wholly devoted her selfe unto me And as Theombres stood for a Husband so I enjoyed her as a Friend But Dorinde extreamly incensed against me resolved to do me all the mischiefe that possibly she could and discovering the intimate familiarity betwixt Florice and me she
by their countenances that there was no enmity betwixt them having for all their Combat mixed a kinde of sweetnesse and smiling in their eyes and about both their mouths Their Torches which were on each side of them which they had let fall by chance fell one against another so as they united together and made but one by this means added lustre to each other and gave the greater light with this Motto Our Wills are but one Their Bowes were so linked and twisted one with the other that they could not draw them but both together their Quivers which were hung upon their shoulders were full of Arrowes but by the colour of their feathers one might know that those which the one had belonged unto the other because in the gilded Quiver were silver feathered Arrowes and in the silvered Quiver gilded Arrowes The Company had looked long and not understood this piece i the shepheard Silvande at the request of Paris had not interpreted the signification These two Cupids said he do signifie the Lover and the Loved this Palm and Mirtle-wreath doth expresse the victory of Love for the Palme is an emblem of Victory and the Mirâ—e of Love The Lover and the Loved do strive which shall be victorious that is which shall be most loving Those Torches whose flames are joyned together and by this union more splendent doth shâ—w that reciprocall Love doth augment affection The Bowes intertwisted and linked so together that one cannot draw them without the other do teach us that all things are so in commun betwixt friends as the puissance of the one is that of the other so as neither can do any thing unlesse his Companion contribute his which the changing of the Arrowes doth more illustrate One may also see by this conjunction of Bowes and Flames and change of Arrowes and union of two Wills into one that the Lover and the Loved are but one So as I perceive this Picture represents unto us that the endeavours of two Loves to get the victory one over the other their contest is not who should be best Loved but who should best Love giving us to understand that the perfection of Love consists in striving how to Love and not how to be Loved Now if this be so fairest Mistresse said he and turned towards Diana you may see how much you are in my debt I must ingenuously confess said she that after this rate I had rather be in your debt than have you in mine Hylas who stood at the entrance and durst go no further though he had a great desire unto it and the more when peeping in he saw the grassy Altar and Picture upon it And because he could not well see he employed his ear with all attention to hearken unto Silvander's discourse and heard what he said unto Diana I perceive fairest Mistress said Silvander that neither you nor I are represented in this piece since they in it are both Lovers and Loved you are loved but do not love and I do love but am not loved and all this more by ill fortune then by reason There is no difference betwixt us said Diana but in words for I call that reason which you do call ill fortune and yet it is the same thing If all the difference said he were only in words I would not care but the worst is that which you call reason and I ill fortune fills me full of all miseries and its contrary would make me the most happy shepheard in the whole Universe Afterwards he turned towards the Picture and as Diana would have answered I beseech you my Fairest said he do not talk any more of your small affection to me but let me see what is yet more rare in this Picture Then taking her by the hand he read these words thus written in the bottom The twelve Statutes containing the Lawes of Love which upon pain of his high displeasure he commands all Lovers to observe The first Statute HE that 's a perfect Lover and a just And as he ought love infinitely must Extreames in Love allowed are as best Mediums will never make a Lover blest But odious are All Mediocrity Signe is of Treason not fidelity The second Statute Let him th' puissant god of Love adore And let him love some One and not one more Above one Object never let his eye Once look upon or wantonly espie It is decrced by Loves Emperiall Law That he his Blisse from this one Fountain draw The third Statute Unto this fair One and her service he Must dedicate himselfe and liberty He must his heart and all delights resigne To her and only her himselfe consine The rate he sets upon himselfe must be According as she loves him so must he The fourth Statute If he advancement to himselfe does seek Let his ambitious aime be at the cheek Which gave his love a life let him confesse She is the center of his happinesse Which he does only aim at and aspire To set the lustre of her glory higher The fifth Statute Let his affection to his Mistris be So dear so chaste so full of purity As he fruition of her shall despise Before a stain upon her honour rise If hers and his come in comparison Let him prefer hers far before his own The Sixt Statute If any offer to asperse the fame Or cast a blemish on his Mistris name Let him unsheath his anger give the lye To him that offers such a calumny If any dure to put affronts upon her Let him then die or vindicate her honour The seventh Statute Then let his love arrive at such a height As he esteems her 'bove all mortall weight The Sun the Stars and glories of the skies He value must inferiour to her eyes Perfection in the abstract he must deem her And think him guilty that does less esteem her The eighth Statute He must inflamed be with fits of Love So violently hot as they must move His pulse to beat a mad-mans temper He Must sigh must languish and halfe dead must be And ever in such violencies swell As ask him what he ailes he cannot tell The ninth Statute He must forsake his habitation His soul must ever live by love alone He must no being have but on the score Of her whom he does worship and adore So into her transformed he must be As that without her eyes he cannot see The tenth Statute Those daies that in her presence are not past He must esteem as absolutely lost Court all occasions Let him spare no pain To bring him back into his heaven again And whilst his body does a distance finde Let him be present with her in his minde The eleventh Statute For her he must depart even from his reason Bid welcome unto Manacles and Prison In sharpest torments think himselfe at ease So he thereby his fairest Saint shall please And all without expectance of rewards To love her is the honour he regards The twelfth Statute He must not think
ask thee what they are That spark les in those Eyes so fair VVhat are they soules or flames that fly And hover so about that Eye They are flames which death to foules do give Or rather soules that makes Love live 'T is strange that from the selfe same eyes A Life and Death should both arise The works of gods all wonders are And so these Sunâ— seemes sure as rare To think them human is a sin Since reverence from the gods they win To love them they command thy heart Since thou to look allowed art 'T is true but yet my heart doth bear In it such reverentiall fear As bids devotion pay not Love To one that equalls gods above But star the gods who blessings shoure VVill not require above our power But try I say and thou wilt prove Thou canst not look but thou must love Whilst Diana to amuse the company did read these Lines aloud and these being ended took others of which the Altar was full Phillis addressed her selfe unto Astrea Oh heavens dear Sister said she unto her how I am amazed at all I finde in this place For my part answered Astrea I am so much out of my selfe as I know not whether I be asleep or awake Look upon this Writing and then tell me whether you ever saw the like unto it This answered Phillis is Celadon's writing or else I am not Phillis There is no doubt of it answered Astrea and I do very well remember that he writ this last line VVanting the Substance Shadowes comfort me upon a little Picture which he had of me and which he wore about his neck in a little bag of persumed Leather I pray see said Phillis what is in this paper which I took up from under your Picture Stay stand and gaze did e're eye see A Saint so pure so fair as she Can any be so dully dumb As not Idolater become And rather all the gods give o're Then not so fair a Saint adore But soft ere I devotion pay Let me consider what I say These flaming Beauties are not eyes Only a Picture which I prize It is not reall only shade By an in genious Artist made Are they not eyes Can any Art Like them so captivate a Heart Sure Pictures be they ne're so like So mortally can never strike But be they what they will I 'me sure No Mortall can the blowes endure Since by their power I wounded am I 'le flie them to avoid the same But why fond Lover wilt thou flie From such a fatall piercing eye Thy heart 's already wounded by it What e're it be 't is vain to flie it Oh Sister said Astrea it is most certainly Celadon that writ these Verses it is without any manner of doubt for about three years since he did write them upon my Picture which my Father had of me to give unto my Uncle Focion Upon this tears flowed from her eyes But Phillis fearing the rest of the Company would see her Sister said she this is rather a cause of rejoycing then sorrow for if Celadon did write it as I do believe he did certainly he is not dead although you think he was drowned and if it be so what greater cause of joy could you have Ah Sister said she turning the other way and pushing her from her for gods sake do not torment me with any such language Celadon is too certainly dead by my folly and I am most miserable in the losse I see the gods are not yet contented with those tears that I have already shed for him since they have brought me hither to give me a fresh subject for more But since they will have it so I will turn my selfe wholly into tears and though I cannot wholly wash away my offence by them yet I will never cease untill I have lost either my eyes or my life or both I do not tell you said Phillis that Celadon is alive but I must tell you that if he did write these Verses I must of necessity conclude that he is not dead Sister said she our Druides tell us that we have soules which never die although our bodies do and so in that sence he may live I have heard say answered Phillis that it is our duty to give a buriall unto the dead and to put a piece of mony in their mouths to pay the Ferry-man for wafting them over the Stygian Lake and that such as are deprived of buriall are a hundred years wandring about the places where they lost their bodies and how can you tell but that the soul of Celadon having lost his body and being denyed that charitable office may be wandring about the fatall River of Lignon and still retain the same affection and thoughts which he had before Ah Sister said Astrea these are but meer phantasms Celadon is certainly dead and these are the testimonies of his affection and my folly What I do say answered Phillis is grounded upon more then phantaims and Chimeraes and I hint then upto you out of my desire to contribute unto your tranquillity I do know it Sister replyed Astrea but consider that if I should think Celadon alive and afterwards finde him to be dead nothing could preserve my life this would be to see him die twice and the gods and my own heart do know how near his first death did bring me to my grave Yet you may receive this satisfaction by it answered Phillis as to know that death could not extinguish the affection which he bore unto you That said Astrea conduceth unto his glory and my punishment Nay rather said Phillis this construction may be made of it that he being dead does cleerly and without a cloud see the pure and entire affection which you bear unto him and that the jealousie which caused your anger against him did proceed only from the superabundance of your love for I have heard say that our soules separated from the bodies do still see and behold them This answered Astrea would be the greatest satisfaction that I can receive for I do not doubt but as my imprudence did give him great cause of griefe so this sight of my affection would give him contentment For if I did not love him above all the world and if I do not continue stil in the same affection may the gods never love me These two Shepheardesses were talking thus whilst Diana entertained the rest of the Company sometimes in reading the papers which she found upon the Altar and sometimes a king Paris Tircis and Silvander what was their thoughts of these things There is not any here but knowes said Paris but this Picture was made for Astrea and conceives that he who put it in this place does not only â—ove but adore her For my part said Silvander if Celadon were not dead I should believe these Characters to be his How said Tircis Celadon who was drowned some three or four months since in the River Lignon The same answered Silvander
read them then altered them according to his own humour and having a quick and ready Wit he changed them thus The twelve Statutes of Love falsified by the Inconstant Hylas The first HE that 's a perfect Lover and a just And true never love infinitely must Extreames in Love are never counted best Mediums will ever make a Lover blest And happy bee All Mediocrity Signe is of prudence and fidelity The second Let him no puissant god of Love adore But let him love some One and many more Above one Object alwaies let his eye Still look upon and wantonly espie It is decreed by Loves licentious Law That he his Blisse from many Fountains draw The third To many fair Ones and their service he Must dedicate himselfe and liberty He must not heart and all delights resigne To one and only her himselfe confine The rate he sets upon himselfe must be As many love him so himselfe must he The fourth If he advancement to himselfe does seek Then let it be in loving every cheek Which can give love a life let him confesse In loving many is his happinesse Which he does only aim at and aspire To make the lustre of his glory higher The fifth Let his affection to his Mistris be So dear so sweet so full of amity As the fruition of her he shall prise Above all stains of honour that can rise If hers and his come in comparison None must be dearer to him than his own The sixt If any offer to asperse the fame Or cast a blemish on his Mistris name Let him conceal his angerâ— give no lye To him that offers such a calumny If any dare to put affronts upon her Let him not die to vindicate her honour The seventh Then let his love arrive at such a height As that his judgment may be pure and streight All Suns and Stars and glories of the skies He value must superiour to her eyes Perfection in the abstract do not deem her Nor think him guilty that does less esteem her The eighth He must inflamed be with fits of Love So temperately hot as they may move His pulse to beat a gentle temper He Must never sigh and pule and halfe dead be Nor ever with such violencies swell As ask him what he ailes he cannot tell The ninth He must not quit his habitation Nor think his soul can live by love alone He must some being have besides the score Of her whom he does worship and adore Not into hor transformed so to be As that without her eyes he cannot see The tenth Those daies that in her service are not past He must not think as absolutely lost Some good occasion may reward the pain Though it ne're bring him to that heaven again And when his body does a distance finde Let him contented be within his minde The eleventh For her he must not derogate from reason Or welcome bid to Manacles and Prison Can he intorments think himselfe at ease Though he thereby the fairest Saint should please Since all without expectance of rewards The honour vain to love her he regards The twelfth He must not think it impossible his Love Should sooner then the firmest Rock remove If any such advice to him shall use Let him as Orthodox the same peruse Who so shall ever such advice o're move He 's far from any Schismatick in Love Hylas made all the haste that possibly he could in altering these twelve Statutes and that the alteration might be lesse discemed he first erased out what he thought fit with the point of his knife then did polish it with the haft of his knife then did write upon it what he had changed and when all was done he set it in its place again and went out unperceived by any so as when they came out he was found sitting at the entry as if he were fast asleep and because sad Astrea going out the first did take no notice of him he lay still and would not stir but when Phillis who came after spied him in this lazy posture How now Hylas said she unto him how have you spent your time whilst we have been viewing the greatest rarities that are in all the Country Faith I have some thoughts answered Hylas rising up lazily and rubbing his eyes which trouble me more then ever I did imagine they could What are they said Phillis I will tell you said he if you will promise to do one thing forme which I shall ask I will not engage my word said she before I know what it is You may do it said Silvander by adding conditions that he shall ask nothing which is unfitting for a wife and vertuous shepheardesse to grant Upon that condition said Phillis I will Know then fairest Mistresse said Hylas that I do believe this place to be really a sacred Grove which is dedicated unto some great divinity for ever since I heard Silvander read the Lawes of Love I have had such inward remorse as I cannot be at quiet within my selfe conceiving that I have hitherto lived in a most grosse errour and contrary unto those Statutes which the god who is adored in this place hath commanded unto all those who will love insomuch as I am ready to abjure my errour and submit my selfe unto the Lawes which he hath ordained There was only one thing which hindred nie from doing it whilst you were within the sacred Grove and I will declare it unto you You know fairest Mistresse that ever since there was any sympathy betwixt my heart and you and since Hylas first called himselfe your servant I never found in all this Country a more contradicting spirit nor an humour more antipathyous unto mine then that of Silvander upon all occasions he hath thwarted me and used all artifice to subvert whatsoever I intend as in that unjust Sentence which he gave against Laonice only because I spoke for her otherwise he could not be so grosse as to prefer one that was dead before so fair and accomplished a shepheardesse Calling these things into my memory and consideration I had a conceit that he read the Ordinances of this god after another manner then they are written and only to crosse me Therefore I do conjure you not only by your promise but the honour you owe unto Love and the deity of this place that you will take so much paines as to fetch me hither those Lawes that I may read them my selfe be satisfied in my doubt of Silvander and follow those Lawes all the rest of my life Is this request uncivill Silvander and unfit to be made unto a wise and vertuous shepheardesse No said Silvander but I rather think it in vain No said Hylas but let us make another promise to one another Promise me before all this Company that you will follow those Statutes which are there written as long as you live and I will do the like I shall said he most willingly for I have long since promised the same unto
impossible to return unto their Townes by day light In this resolution then they went on and Silvander not quitting Astrea did shew her the Wood where he found the Letter which caused this voyage This said Astrea is a place very retired to receive any Letters in You will more think it so said he when you are there for it is the most salvage and rude place and the least frequented of any about all the River Lignon So as none could hit the way said Astrea except you and Love For my part said he I know what it is and as for Love I will be silent for I have heard say that sometimes when he would throw flames into a heart he has burnt himselfe and who can tell whether he did not so by the beauty of my Mistris and if any thing cure him it is doubtlesse the Fillet which he hath before his eyes Ah Silvander said the Shepheardesse that Fillet does not hinder but he can see when he pleaseth and his Arrowes hit so right upon the mark they are aimed at as it is not likely one that 's blinde did shoot them I have seen wise shepheardesse said Silvander a blind man who could hit the way unto every house and turn at every turning in the Town having gotten it by a long custome And why may we not well say that Love who is the prime and eldest of all the gods hath by a long accustomacy learned to hit the hearts of men though he be blinde and to shew you that it is more by custome then skill observe that he loves us only in the eyes and yet hits our hearts If he were not blinde do you think he would wound with Love so many unequall persons Superious with Inferiours and Shepheards with Queens But I speak this as a person interested for I that does not know what I am it hath caused me to love Diana whose merits are above the degree of any shepheards and it hath made Paris who is Son unto the Prince of Druides to love a shepheardesse As for your merits answered Astrea you do equall the perfections of Diana and Diana by her vertue doth transcend the grandure of Paris so as the inequality is not so great as to make you accuse Love of blindnesse Silvander stood mute at this reply not but that he could easily have answered but because he was sorry he had by his words given knowledge of his affection and repented of them fearing it would offend Diana if she should know of it But by good fortune his words were well addressed for Astrea knowing what pure and sincere affection he bore unto Diana she would most willingly have left him all assistance And the nature of all such as know how to love well is never to prejudice the Love of another unlesse it be prejudiciall unto their own By this time they were come unto the Wood and therefore Silvander said unto her This wise shepheardesse is the Wood which you have so much longed to see but being already Sun-set we have not time to view it If we do finde in it said she as many rarities as we did in that from whence we came I shall think our journey and time very well imployed With such discourse as this they entred into the Wood and it grew so dark as they could not see one another nor follow but by the voice then going further into the Wood he so lost his way as he was forced to confesse that he knew not where he was The cause of this was a Plant over which he walked which they of the Country do vulgarly call Wander-weed because it hath a quality to make those that tread upon it to wander out of their way and as the common bruit was there was much of it in that Wood. Whether this be true or false I cannot tell but so it was that Silvander and all the Company could not finde their way again all that night though he turned and winded almost through all the Wood and at the last they were all so wildred as they were constrained to follow one another by taking hold of each others clothes for the night was so dark as if it were so purposely to hinder them from getting out of the Wood. Hylas who by chance was got betwixt Astrea and Phillis I begin Mistresse said he to hope well in the service which I have done you Why said Phillis Because said he you are very much afraid to lose me and whereas I was wont to follow you now you follow me 'T is true said she but you must thank Silvander for it whom you say is your greatest enemy I cannot tell said Hylas whether I should more thank him for the favour I receive from you or chide him for the pains I have taken You may judge of that afterwards said Phillis when you have put the pleasures and the pains which you have received both into a ballance I wish Mistris said Hylas that you would hold the ballance and judge which was the heavier Every one did laugh at the good-will of Hylas and Silvander who heard it answered him only thus I confesse Hylas that I am a blind man who leads many others But the worst is said Hylas they are blind only because they trusted too much unto your eyes If you had been out of the Company said Silvander we had not been so blinde Why said Hylas did I put out your eyes No said Silvander but you did take away our means of seeing holding us so long in discourses of your inconstancy and by falsifying the sacred Lawes which did put us upon the night Silvander said Hylas you put me in minde of those who when they had found good Wine did blame it because they were drunk Good friends may the Wine say why did ye drink so much And good friend Silvander why did you hearken to me so long Did I nail your ears to any post No said Silvander there were stronger chaines in that company and place then yours But be it as it will we are now so wandred out of the way either by reason of the night of by going over the plant Wonder-weed as there is no hopes of getting into the way again untill it be day or at the least untill the Moon do shine What 's then to be done said Paris No better course said Silvander then to rest ourselves under one of these Trees untill the Moon do shew her selfe Every one approved of the motion And the shepheards spreading all their Coats upon the ground under the dryest Tree the shepheardesses did sit upon them and so rested altogether till the Moon appeared Although the night was already far spent when these shepheardesses did sit themselves down upon the Coats of the Shepheards yet being unaccustomed to such a Canopy as the Cope of heaven and unused to sit upon the grasse in the night they talked a long while before any sleep did seize upon their eyes And because the horrour of
first place in our soules did make me think his words did offend me And though I knew that I my selfe was the cause of his boldnesse yet would I not excuse him upon that conceiving that notwithstanding he ought to have held his peace The truth is the love I had unto him was a good Advocate for him and though it could not quite qualifie my resentments of honour yet it did infinitely sweeten them At the last I answered him thus Damon I did little expect this treason from you in whom I durst have trusted as in my selfe but by this act you have taught me never to trust in any young and rash person yet I will not lay the whole blame upon you because I my selfe am partly guilty in living with you heretofore as I have don but your over boldnesse shall cause me to be more advised for the future I shall hereafter take heed both of you and all that resemble you Madam said he unto me if you call it treason to love you I must confesse I have betrayed you and shall do as long as I live knowing that neither you nor any in the world can imagine the grandure of my affection And if you do think that my youth made me so bold I shall maintain it against all men that never was age more prudent then this youth nor ever any prudence more wise then this temerity which you blame me for If I have failed and that you are guilty of it your manner of living with me is not the cause but because being so admirably fair and full of all perfection it is impossible any should look upon you and not commit the same fault Alas did you not tell me that a pure and perfect Love could not offend any And why should you now judge otherwise against me But if my words do offend you here 's Damon that spoke them offers his breast unto you and the heart that adores you chastise him as you shall please and if he refuse any thing you shall doom him unto unlesse forbidding him to serve you hold him for the worst of Traitors and the most unworthy of your favours of any man alive Had you been contented said I unto him to have given me some testimonies of your affection by your humble respect and not by such impudent language I had then found some reasons to love you as now I do to hate you Do you think Damon I can put up these injuries without revenge Do you not remember who my Father was Have you been ignorant of my life and what care I have had not only to be as I ought to be but also to preserve my fame from all manner of scandall Consider these things and if you do continue you will make me persecute you by all the waies I can invent Madam answered he presently never set before me any pains you can imagine he that can endure the anger of your fair eyes need not to fear all the torments in the Universe Do not think I am ignorant who you are nor from whom you are descended your vertues are too deeply engraved on my soul and I am too much obliged unto those who gave you a beeing in the world ever to lose the memory of them But if I have only offended you in words and not out of any designe but to do you service forget Madam I beseech you and forgive my tongue command me to be dumb so you will let me adore you in my heart and I will never speak again But if you think your reputation of which you are so justly tender would be blemished by my telling the world that I love you you would take the only way to force me unto it if you should do according to your menaces for it would be impossible but my affection would break out and so that which I now tell you in private would be published all over the Court and would not that much more offend you Before you pronounce your doom against me I beseech you Madam consider well upon what I have said and that if my fault have displeased you why should you do worse in publishing it unto all the world It would be a hard task for me wise shepheardesses to repeat all the reasons which Damon alledged and though I cannot expresse them well yet I assure you he did I must confesse I do approve of their counsell as very good who say that a Lover ought not to declare his affection unto any Lady before he have obliged her unto some kinde of good will unto him for then the offence which she receives by the declaration will be mitigated and she will hearken unto his words with a more favourable ear I did approve of it I say at this time by experience for I could not possibly part from him though I did resent the injury which he did me And on the contrary before our discourse ended I did consent he should love and serve me so it was with honour and discretion And because Leontidas had his eye perpetually upon us I commanded him not to see me so often and to deceive him to dissemble as well as possible he could I do remember that at that time Leontidas though a great and a wise Captain yet was possessed with the love of some woman who seeming to love him did get what mony they could from him yet in secret favoured others Damon composed some Verses which he sent unto me And because we feared lest if our Letters should be lost our names would make known what we desired should be secret I called him Brother and he me Sister I think that I remember the Verses yet which were these Although he belch out envy at my blisse And vomit venome at my happinesse Although by looking in our eyes he see VVhat he does think within our soules to be Although that I am not my selfe he knew Having no life dear Sister but from you Although he plot to make us jealous be And stain our actions with black calumny Although he should divorce me from my joy And all my dearest happinesse destroy Yet spite of fate and him and all that 's ill Do what they can yet I shall love you still Maugre his malice spite of all the lies That bitter tongues against us can devise Tortures and torments all is one to me Even in my grave still yours I vow to be I wish this irksome Argus would employ His hundred eyes and not us thus annoy In watching of his Mistresse whom they say Another loves and yet he does her pay But to return from whence I digressed Ever since Damon did so regulate and conform himselfe unto my will as I could not deny but that I did love him and indeed he was such a one as it was hard to do otherwise especially considering how his affection unto me had made him change his vices into vertues And because to delude the eyes of Leontidas we did not speak together unlesse as
it was impossible but some occasions would present themselves which would fit her purpose and in order to that she courted me and followed me as close as my own shadow She having a most notable piercing wit which would dive into the very thoughts of persons she found that Thersander did love me I say this same Thersander whom you see here with me It is requisite sage Shepheardesses that I acquaint you with his condition as for his person you see what it is Be pleased to know therefore that his Father following mine in all his martiall expeditions they were both killed the same day Thierres dyed And this Thersander being brought up of a child in my Fathers house he conceived such affection to me as the difference of our qualities could not restrain him from looking upon me otherwise then he ought and perhaps I might ignorantly be the cause of it for the great inequality betwixt us made me receive his services not as a Lover but as a domestick But Love who is blinde did make him entertain such thoughts as were far from any grounds of reason yet Leriana who was far more subtle then I having cast her eyes upon him and found out his intentions she thought him a fit subject for a begining of her revenge She knew very well that amongst all the bitters of Love there is none so sharp as that of jealousie nor so easily infused into a soule that loves well she began therefore to insinuate her selfe into familiarity with him expressing much good-will unto him offering him all the assistance that lay in her power and briefly did by degrees get him access unto me and opportunities to speak with me But finding that his modesty would not permit him to declare his affection unto me she resolved to infuse more courage into him And in order to that one day when they were together after some far-off discourse to be a prologue unto the main businesse she told him that she and I had often wondered he should never make choice of any Mistress and that I should say I could not imagine the cause that it could not be for want of will for his age would not permit that and therefore it must needs be want of courage though if he did set himselfe out he might get the favour of the fairest Lady in all the Court and therefore that I could see nothing but that or that he thought none worthy of him Thersander who believed her and who was touched to the very soul Alas alas said he both my Lady and you have but ill observed my actions since you have not found out my follies Alas I do love and do love in such a place that it is better for me to sit still in silence then declare it in any hopes of obtaining Slie Leriana knowing his meaning very well yet seeming not to understand him did still turn and winde her discourse so as she got out of him the name of Mandonthe but with so many excuses as she saw it very requisite to continue her designe in infusing more courage into him and therefore she told him That she saw no such inequality betwixt me and him but that he might very well go on that though Fortune did not favour him with any great Estate nor could derive his Pedigree from any great Ancestours yet his vertues did supply those defects and made him equall to me in merit All this she told him to make him the more confident of himselfe and much more which she invented as That she knew by my words that I did very much esteem him nay love him and was weary of Damon for his sake and would often say unto her that Damon was changed into Thersander Thus did she infuse as good a conceipt of himselfe as possibly she could Having thus laid a foundation for her treason she would now found how I stood affected and sometimes naming Damon as if by chance she would still be harping upon Thersander and something in his commendations All this I did not understand for I had never cast any eye upon him And finding me to speak of him as of a person indifferent she had an opinion that I would receive Letters if they were handsomely given unto me The time of the year was at hand when it was customary to present New-years gifts She conceived that a pair of perfumed Gloves would be a handsome cover for a Letter and therefore procured one from Thersander and put it into the finger of a Glove and when she saw her time that the best and most company was with me she presented her New-years gift unto me By fortune Damon was present and because she feared lest meeting with it I should not make it known unto every one she told me that there was a seam unripped and she would mend it Upon this she took that wherein the Letter was leaving the other in the hands of those that desired to smell at it But I finding the Paper in the finger I asked what it was To which she answered that it was the seam which rippeed when I tryed them I who did not understand this piece of subtlety replyed that it could not be so She with incredible impudence answered that she her selfe had ripped it and that I could not have it untill it was mended I perceived that there was something which was to be dissembled amongst so much company but I was too young and simple to apprehend it or to dissemble Yet Damon who had his eyes alwaies upon us and who knew by experience how ingenious Love makes men he presently conceived that there was some Letter in the Gloves which must be concealed from him but he could not devise from whom it should be as for Thersander he was out of all suspition yet now he began to have some thoughts of him For my part though I had a desire to do nothing but what was fitting yet I had a great desire to know what it was which was in this Glove and therefore retired as soon as I could When I was alone I took out the Letter and opening it I found these words Thersander's Letter unto Mandonthe AS being constrained not as esteeming my self worthy I do assume so much boldness MADAM as to call my selfe Your most humble Servant If you will be served by none but such as are worthy of you such then only must have the honour to see you Though we have not merits yet we have desires which are more intolerable to us because they are lesse accompanyed with any hopes But if Love continuing his ordinary miracles shall make an extream affection pleasing unto you I shall then Madam esteem my selfe infinitely happy and you be most faithfully served For I do know that though all the hearts in the world should joyne their forces together to love and adore you yet they could not all equall the grandure of my Passion The flatteries of this Letter did please me but comming from
a vertue of necessity and spoke to him in a confident tone saying What do you mean Damon how dare you be so bold as to interrupt me in my way Necessity Madam answered he which hath no Law hath constrained me to commit the fault if after you have heard me you shall deem it worthy of punishment I will promise you to receive it or any thing that shall give you satisfaction Then lifting his eyes up to heaven Oh ye gods said he who hear and see the secrets of all dissembling hearts be witnesses unto what I shall say unto this fair One and if I do not say truth you are not just if you do not punish me before her fair face Then turning towards me I will not at this time fair Mandonthe said he either excuse my selfe or accuse you for the choice you are pleased to make of Thersander before me and your forgetting so many vowes and oaths which you invoked the gods to witnesse But I must needs complain against my fortune which will not let me avoid that misery which I do foresee As soon as ever Leriana came to you me thought some Daemon foretold me of the harm which she would do me you know how oft we resolved never to confide in her but my bad destinies more strong then all our resolutions hath made you change your minde and would needs have you to love her If you do but finde any contentment in it though I endure the most cruell torments that ever soul suffered I shall thank the gods and pray them to continue it But it being a thing impossible for me to leave you in any doubt of my fidelity and though I know it will be in vain and that you will not credit it yet I must needs tell you how maliciously and craftily she hath ruined all my happinesse Then he told me how Leriana loved him how she had carrassed him how he rejected her and how deadly she did hate him for this refusall and to verifie what he told me he shewed me the Letters which she had written unto him and acquainted me with the counsell and instructions she gave Ormanthe to apply her selfe unto him only to make me believe he was in love with her and acquainted me how he came to the knowledge of all this and how this malicious woman did not value the honour of her Niece so she could thereby ruine me and make you love Thersander which she knew she could never do but by ravishing from me the honour and happinesse of your favour But Oh ye gods is it possible she should ever bring it to passe can I so much as ever doubt it since I saw the Letter in the Gloves and since I see you so kinde unto him that is so much unworthy of you But what better evidence then your own words can I have to assure me that I am most miserable that I am condemned and that I am for ever lost Well Mandonthe since it is my bad fortune to be a cause that the generous spirit which I ever knew to be in you is not only stained with Inconstancy but with a choice that is base and dishonourable I am resolved not to survive your affection but will make it appear that I have love enough to wash away your offence with my blood Imagine wise Diana how I was amazed at this expression I was so struck with fear as I could not answer him or speak one word of a long time And when I began with intention to give him all the satisfaction he could desire I saw the Chase comming upon us and it was so neer us as not to be seen alone with Damon I was constrained to part from him and had not time to say any more but this Truth shall alwaies prevail Then switching my Horse I rid into the Wood very sorry that I could not give him a better answer I would have commanded him to follow me if I durst but I was afraid any should see us together and therefore referred it untill a better occasion Now observe I beseech you how the gods does mock at mortall prudence I made choice of the next morning to put poor Damon out of his pain and it was that day which brought him more torment I need not tell you how he passed away that night it is easily imagined that he had not any good rest but as soon as day came he went out of his Chamber and it being about the houre I was used to rise he went to walk in a Gallery out of which he might see into my Chamber when the dore was open intending to go in as soon as he understood that I was out of my bed But as fortune was I awaked very late that morning as well because I was weary with hunting the day before as because I sat up very late reading and musing upon the Letters which Leriana writ unto him and he had given unto me In which I found such supplications and expressions as were most unworthy of any woman for in the conclusion of one of them I found these words Accept Oh dearest and lovely Damon the prayers of her that wholly gives her selfe unto you upon no other condition but only to be yours and this if not out of Love yet I beseech you out of Pitty Truly I was extreamly astonished at it and I vexed so that I should be so extreamly deceived as I could not close my eyes a long time after I was in bed But whilst Damon as I told you was walking in this Gallery Leriana who saw him there would try whether a Lover could be put to death by displeasure for having found Thersander also at the same time she carried him unto a window just under that on which she saw Damon leaned sometimes when he was weary with walking and having observed that he was there at that time she spoke thus unto Thersander in a voice loud enough and purposely to be heard And to the end you may know dear Brother that Mandonthe does really love you and that she does but laugh at all those who think she loves them she commanded me yesterday when she came from Hunting to give you this Ring which she caused to be made purposely for you She desires you to love her and to wear it as a symbol of your affection she hath another which she wears her selfe just like it which she will alwaies wear as an assurance that her will shall never differ from yours more then the Ring she sends you differs from hers Oh heavens what treason is this Is it possible such villany should be invented by any human spirit For the truth is I had a Ring just like that which she gave him and had worn it long and this wicked Devill got another to be secretly counterfeited purposely for this end Damon who as I told you leaned upon the window and hearing her voice did presently know it and leaning his head further out of the window to
handkerchiefe of blood was still before my eyes so as it was no more then requisite I should have one alwaies by me to add some consolation Leriana who thought that I was ignorant of all her wicked devices would needs be with me as usuall and the better to dissemble it came crying to my bed-side But as soon as ever I saw her I must confesse I had not so much power over my selfe as to dissemble my hatred of her and indeed I thought it in vain since Damon was dead Away away most wicked and perfidious wretch said I unto her away thou very Pest of all human society come not near me with thy damned and hellish tricks had I as much strength as will I would strangle thee with my own hands and tear thy heart in pieces Those who were in the Chamber being ignorant of the cause I had for these expressions were infinitely astonished at them But she who had the readiest wit in her wickednesse of any that ever breathed went from me holding up her hands and eyes and told them that to hee great griefe I was mad and quite out of my wits which they easily believed having heard me utter some odd expressions and thus she went out of my Chamber with this excuse In the mean while Thersander recovered for his wounds were not mortall and the losse of blood only was the cause of his sounding Presently after I also began to be my selfe again and to enquire what reports went of me at Court I understood that every one talked according to their severall fancies but that all in generall blamed me for the death of Damon and how every one thought that Leriana had told many a tale unto Leontidas and his Wife and at the same time I saw Thersander come into my Chamber The very sight of him made me start and having no minde to speak with him when he fell down upon his knees at my beds side I turned my head the other way 'T is very true Madam said he you have no reason to look upon a man who of all men in the world is the most unworthy of your aspect for I must needs confesse I merit that lesse then any man that lives since I have given you so much cause to hate me But if your goodnesse will be pleased to daigne me a hearing perhaps you will not deem me so culpable as now you do And because I answered him very sharply and would not give him leave to speak my Nurse who was with me took his part and told me that I ought to hear him for if he were not in fault I had no reason to treat him so and if he were in fault then I might after a hearing with more reason banish him my presence Well well said I what do you think he will or can alledge I know as well as he he will say that the affection he bears unto me hath forced him to do what he did But what have I to do with his affection if it be so prejudiciall to me I shall not Madam said he unto me insist only upon that affection you speak of though perhaps to any other that might be a better plea and excuse as you think it but I shall go further and tell you that never any were so perniciously subtlely consened as you and I have been by Leriana And hereupon he told the whole story of her jugling artifice how she infused so much confidence into him as to look upon me to speak unto me to aspire unto my favour how she puffed him up by reports unto him of favours from me what stratagems she invented against Damon how she made the world believe he loved Ormanthe how she instructed silly Ormanthe for that purpose and how she gave him a Ring from me which he conceived to be the cause of the quarrell betwixt Damon and him Now Madam said he and continued do you think it possible but that such hopes as she infused into me should swell the most prudent soul that ever was Alas I dare not so much as wish so great a happiness but me-thinks I may in reason be excused since I was meerly drawn in and possed up with vain hopes by the artifice of Leriana with whose persidie I thought fit to acquaint you that you may hereafter beware of her and her wicked devices with which she has cheated both you and me Then he let me understand how this wicked woman seeing she could no longer deceive me and him and being also reprehended by Leontidas and his Wife for having so little care of me she to excuse her selfe had told them all that her subtle imagination could devise against us how I was in love and how I was loved by many and so many as she could hardly number them and amongst those whom she named Damon and Thersander were not forgotten At which Leontidas was so angry and his Wife more both against me and against him as he thought it fit to acquaint me with it to the end I might take the best course I could And lastly he made such humble supplications that I would pardon him for daring to love me and such serious protestations to live for the future as he ought that I was constrained by the intreaties of my Nurse to pardon him But now wise Shepheardesses I shall acquaint you with one of the greatest villanies that ever was invented against an innocent person I told you before how Ormanthe by Leriana's command was extreamly fond of Damon and you must know that she was not so ill favoured nor so disgusted but her kindnesses to him were well accepted so as she proved to be with Child The poor silly Wench presently acquainted her crafty Aunt with it who at the first was much astonished and offended at it but afterwards having recourse to her accustomed subtlety she plotted and intended to make use of this occasion to make Damon believe that I had this Child by Thersander and therefore she expresly charged Ormanthe to tell no body of it in the world and afterwards because her belly began to swell she taught her how to dresse her selfe that it might best deceive the worlds notice But when Damon was dead and that all things were changed yet she resolved to pursue her plot and make use of it to my ruine and thus she went to work Since this sad accident of Damon I kept my bed almost continually unlesse in the afternoones I rose and shut my selfe up in my Closet and there stayed till nine or ten of the clock at night entertaining my own melancholly thoughts alone and none knew where I was except my Nurse and some Maides that waited upon me whom I had charged to tell none in the world where I was And because it might be thought strange I never went to the Queen if it were known I was not sick I faigned my selfe to be so and to deceive the Physicians I did not complain of a Feavour or any
never come out I shall now make a strange relation unto you I did still love Damon most extreamly and the memory of him since his death was so imprinted in my soul that he was commonly alwaies before my eyes But since this accident and since I saw this strange Cavalier I know not how but I began to change my first affection and placed it upon him and though I never saw his face yet I must confesse I love him so as it may be said I was in love with a face of Armour I know not whether my obligation to him was the cause of it or whether his valour and courage and noble minde forced me unto it but so it is I never loved any since that day but this unknown Cavalier and in testimony of it after a long expectance of his return and hearing no newes of him I resolved to go my selfe unto Gergovea and the Golden Mount After I had consulted with my selfe about this designe I acquainted Thersander with it who offered me all his assistance and I addressed my selfe unto him rather then unto any other because since the day he fought for me he had wholly dedicated himselfe unto my service and because I had often heard him say that he was infinitely desirous to know that valiant Cavalier who had so bravely relieved us I gave out therefore that I would go and visit my Estate I prepared my Train I left the Court and came to my own house where leaving all my retinue I took with me only my Nurse for a companion and Thersander to defend me and so setforwards towards the Golden Mount The Country was extreamly rough and mountainous almost never without snow and ice my poor Nurse dyed there and having interred her I was much grieved to be alone with Thersander but I presently met with Tircis Hylas and Laonice whose company pleased me so much that not to lose it I resolved to put on the habit of a Shepheardesse as now you see me and Thersander in the habit of a Shepheard Then after we had stayed a while amongst the Mountains in hopes to hear some newes of him I was in quest of I resolved to come into this Country since he appointed us to make that way thinking that when I came to Gergovea I should haply finde this Cavalier unto whom I was so much obliged Madonthe was thus telling her story and not without bedewing her cheeks with tears whilst Paris and the rest of the shepheards were talking together for their mindes were possessed with that malady which above all others is an enemy to sleep For Tircis he loved his deceased Cleon although he was out of all hopes of ever seeing her again And because there was none of them so free as the inconstant Hylas he bore it out the best of any in the company and was least troubled with his Love Tircis thinking upon his dear Cleon he could not chuse but sigh very loud and Silvander at the same time did the same See said Hylas what difference there is betwixt these two sighes What is the difference said Paris The difference is said Hylas that Silvander doth sigh so to cool the fire which scorcheth him and Tircis sighes and blowes to kindle that fire which heretofore did scorch him Hylas had said very well said Tircis if he had said he had thought so for this is only a meer imagination of a soul that knowes not how to love How now Tircis said Hylas do you also upbraid me that I know not how to love I thought there had been none but that fantasticall Silvander who had been of that opinion If you would judge according to reason said Tircis you would be of our opinions Why said Hylas is it requisite that to love well I must needs Idolize one that 's dead as you do Did you but know how to love aright said Tircis questionlesse if you should meet with so great a misfortune as mine you would think your selfe obliged in duty so to do How how said Hylas in love with a Grave a Coffin believe it shepheard I will never be in love with any such Mistresses But come a little to reason what contentment and what end do you aime at in such a love Love said Tircis is a great god which can aime at or desire nothing but himself he is his own Center and has no aime or inclination but what begins and ends in himselfe Love is like a Ring it begins where it ends and ends where it begins it is perpetuall it aimes at no ends but is pleased and contented with its own nature These are delicate dreames indeed said Hylas for my part I believe them to be all fables invented by some silly women What is it Hylas said Tircis which you think so far from truth All that you say answered Hylas is so palpably grosse as I were mad if I did not see the simplicity of them You say Love desires nothing but it selfe and I say we see the contrary for we never desire any thing but that which we have not If you did understand answered Tircis how by the infinite power of Love two persons becomes but one you would know that a Lover can desire nothing but himselfe for as soon as you do understand how a Lover is transformed into the person Loved and the person Loved into the Lover and both becomes but one though being Lover and Loved they are two you would finde Hylas and confesse that since the Lover desires nothing but the person Loved and since he is himselfe both the Lover and the Loved by this conjunction he can desire nothing but himselfe See said Hylas how the old Proverb is truly verified one Errour begets a hundred You would perswade me into a beliefe of things impossible as that the Lover becomes the person Loved why by this argument I am Phillis for I do love her and yet I am Hylas and I do desire her The conclusion said Silvander is not good for you do not love her Had you said that I in loving Diana were transformed into her you had said right Well said Hylas are you then Diana is your Cap there changed into a Coyfe and your Coat into a Gown My Cap said Silvander does not love her Coife Very good said the inconstant Hylas if you be changed into Diana you should then dresse your selfe in the habit of a woman It is not handsome that so wise a shepheardesse as you are should disguise your selfe thus in the habit of a man There was none in all the company could forbear laughing at the pleasant expressions of this merry shepheard Silvander himselfe could not hold But afterwards he answered him thus I will if I can convince you of your errour Know therefore that there are two parts in a man the one is the Body which we see and touch and the other is the soul which we cannot see nor touch but is known by words and actions for neither words
nor actions are parts of the Body but of the Soul which makes use of the Body only as an instrument and organ for the body does not see of it selfe nor understand it is the Soul which does it and so by consequence when we do love it is not the Body which loves but the Soul and so it is only the Soul which transformes it selfe into the person Loved and not the Body But said Hylas I do love the Body as well as the Soul and so if a Lover be changed into the thing Loved my Soul should be changed as well into the Body of Phillis as into her Soul This said Silvander does thwart the Lawes of Nature for a Soul which is spirituall cannot become a Body no more then a Body can become a Soul If it be so said Hylas that the change be but in part and that part be the Soul it is that part which I do least care for In this said Silvander you do make it evidently appear that you do not love or at least that you do love against reason For the Soul ought not to debase it selfe unto that which is interiour unto it selfe and therefore they say that Love ought to be betwixt equalls that is a Soul to love a Soul which is its equall and not the Body which is its inferiour and which Nature gave him only as an instrument Now to make it appear that the Lover becomes the party Loved and that if you do love Phillis Hylas is Phillis and if Phillis love Hylas Phillis is Hylas consider what the Soul is It does consist Shepheard of the Will the Memory and of the Understanding Now Philosophers do hold that we can love only that which we do know and if the knowledge and the thing known be one and the same thing it must consequently follow that the knowledge of him who Loves and her who is loved is the same That if the Will of a Lover ought not to differ from the Will of the person Loved and if he do seek her by his thoughts which is onely an effect of the Memory as well as by his corporeall eyes who can doubt but that the Memory the Understanding and the Will being changed into the person loved his Soul which consists of these three faculties is changed also By Tautates said Hylas you fetch it very high and though I have been long a Student in the Massilian Schooles yet I cannot reach you It was there said Silvander where I learned this Philosophy Though you have puzzled my brains with your discourse said Hylas yet you cannot demonstrate unto me that a Lover is changed into the Loved since there is one part left out which is the Body The Body said Silvander is not a part but only an organ or instrument of the Soul and if the Soul of Phillis were separated from her Body would it not be said there is the Body of Phillis and not Phillis her selfe And if that be properly spoken then it must be understood that Phillis is somewhere else and if you do love aright it is into that Phillis into which you should be transformed so as if this be so you can have no desire out of your selfe for comprising all your love in your selfe you do also comprize all your desires within your selfe If it be so said Hylas that the Body is but the instrument which Phillis maketh use of I will give you that Phillis and let me have the rest and see whether you or I shall be better contented But to end all our differences it were good if we could get a little sleep Upon this he was silent and would not give any further answer Also all the Company by little and little fell asleep except Silvander whose soul being swelled with abundance of reall affection he could not close his eye of a long time after In the mean time Madonthe as I told you before had related the story of her fortune unto these fair shepheardesses and because a great part of the night was already spent sleep did by degrees steal into the eyes of Phillis and her But Astrea who could not sleep still talked with Diana who for her part seeing how extreamly Silvander loved her she began also to love him although her affection to him did insensibly begin she not taking any notice of it At the first it was no more then a meer acknowledgment of his merit so requisite is Knowledge before Love and afterwards ordinary conversation with him did win her to a liking of his company at last his addresses unto her with so much reverence and discretion made her love him yet without any designe or intention so to do Astrea who entertained the same thoughts of Celadon not being in dispose to sleep and seeing Phillis and Madouthe both fast also thinking that none could hear her she spoke thus unto Diana Sister I must confesse that one imprudent act doth draw many sorrowes after it and when one fault is once committed it requires abundance of wisdome to repair it Consider I beseech you how this crime which I committed against the affection of Celadon hath hurried me into a sea of sorrowes I do verily believe that as long as I live nay and after my death too if the dead have any knowledge of past actions as I believe they have I shall never cease my grief for my offending against the fidelity of Celadon yet you see unto what a passe this fault hath brought me This love which with so much paines and care I have so long kept secret and would hardly acquaint my dearest companions with it see I say how I do at this houre my selfe discover it unto strangers who are not any waies in the world obliged unto me Ah! could I recall that happinesse which I have lost me-thinks I could manage it with more prudence Sister said Diana all human imbecillity hath this property that the malady can very hardly be known untill it be present the gods themselves only will be esteemed perfect and wise And you must think that if the losse of Celadon which you caused had not fallen out that way doubtlesse it had some other for there is nothing firme and truly solid amongst men I cannot say but perfect prudence may a litle foresee and mitigate these accidents but believe me Sister we must know withall that we are all but human and full of imperfections You see answered Astrea how some do passe their lives more sweetly than others or at the least their actions are not seen or known unto the world and I need not go any further for an instance then in your misfortune in Philander but who can blame you for it Ah Sister said Diana there is no sharper reproofes of our faults then the knowledge that we our selves have of them It is very true said Astrea but you must needs confesse that as any good which we do enjoy is better and greater for being known so also the sorrowes and
pains when they are known are far more bitter and smarting And hence it is that every one strives to hide and conceal the afflictions which befall them and oftentimes had rather they were greater and secret then lesse and publick Now Sister there is one thing which my affection to you prompts me to advertise you of unto which me thinks your prudence ought to apply some remedies and I am sure if before my misfortune did befall me I had met with a friend who had freely spoken unto me I should not have been so sadly ashamed as I am Sister said Diana this is a great argument of your good affection to me and you will infinitely oblige me if not only now but alwaies you will tell me your opinion of all my actions freely and clearly and especially now when all are asleep Although these two Shepheardesses did think that none did hear them yet they were deceived for Laonice who was in the company although she seemed to be asleep yet she was awake and being extreamly desirous to hear more that she might according to her designe do them a displeasure she listened with a most attentive ear On the other side Silvander seeing all his company asleep and hearing the sheph eardesses talking he thought that he heard the voice of Diana and having an itching desire to hear their discourse he stole so gently neer them upon his hands and knees as he could hear them very distinctly and by fortune he came just as Astrea did begin to say thus Do you remember what I said unto you yesterday in you ear when Silvander disputed with Phillis Was it not said Diana concerning the affection of that shepheard towards me The very same answered Astrea and be pleased to understand that since I have discovered it more plainly by the discourse which I have had with him and you may most infallibly expect a most extream and violent affection from him If this affection be displeasing unto you it is requisite you keep him at a distance from you though I cannot tell whether that will do any good since his humour is of such a nature as the more it is crossed the more violent it will grow but if it be pleasing unto you it is most requisite you use abundance of discretion that it may not be known unto any but your selfe Sister said Diana after she had a while considered upon it I see you make your love unto me most evidently appear and will keep any thing secret which I shall say I will therefore open my very heart unto you but with a hearty desire that what e're I shall say may go no further no not to Phillis her selfe if it be no offence to the friendship that is betwixt you I should think answered Astrea my selfe unworthy of your love if I should impart any secret which you shall trust me withall unto any other nay I should think my selfe to be a most horrid Traitor And as for Phillis be confident Sister that as I would not do any act which might wound that affection I bear unto her so she shall never make me offend against the love I have vowed unto you Not that I have any diffidence in the discretion of Phillis said Diana but because I would if I could hide it from my own selfe Upon this she paused a while and then continued When I lost Philander as Sister I have told you I was so exceedingly grieved at it that for a long time after I resolved never to love any again but to spend all the rest of my mourning daies in an eternall widowhood For though Philander was not my Husband yet I do verily believe he had been if he had survived Philidas In this resolution I may most safely and truely protest unto you I have lived hitherto so insensible of any love as if I had neither any eyes or ears to see or hear any motion that was presented unto me in that kinde Amidor kinsman unto Philidas can testifie as much who though of a wavering humour had parts sufficient to make himselfe loved and who before he married Alfâ—runte did often offer to take me upon what conditions soever I should require Witnesse also the poor Nicander I call him poor because of the strange course which he took after my refusall To be briefe witnesse all those who since that day have made addresses of love unto me The memory of Philander has unto this very day so defended me against all others as I have not had so much as any thought of love But I must needs confesse that since the faigned addresse of Silvander I perceived my selfe much changed I know this shepheard at the first did only court me for a wager and yet as soon as he began his addresses did please me On the contrary the generous Paris did very really love me and quitted the grandure of his quality for my sake and yet for all his merits I could finde in my selfe no other love unto him then that of a Sister unto a Brother To finde out the reason of all this is a thing impossible but yet it is most certainly true Now Sister if I do say that I do love Silvander after another manner mistake me not do not think that I am in love with him but that I do resent the very same beginings which I remember I resented at the beginning of my affection unto Philander I beseech you Sister said Astrea unto her what is it which pleaseth you best in him First said Diana I perceive he never loved any before and this cannot be attributed unto any stupidity of his understanding since he does plainly evidence the contrary by his discourse Then he does so handsomely submit himselfe and gives me such an absolute power over his will as he never speaks a word but he fears the offending me Then again there is a continued and constant discretion in all the actions of his life you shal never see him either too much or too little in any thing he does and lastly which is the prime cause of my amity I do think him to be an honest plain open-hearted man and without vice I do assure you Sister said Astrea I do observe the same qualities to be in this shepheard and for my part I do think that if ever the heavens do destinate you to love any you will be very happy in him But let me tell you that if you will avoid displeasures you must use all your prudence I do wonder Sister said Diana why you should use this expression unto me for know that though I do love him better then any other I ever saw since the losse of Philander yet I would not have him to know it or that I have any intention to let him serve me and that if he should be so bold as to declare it unto me I do assure him I would treat him so as he should never dare to speak of it twice unto me But Sister said Astrea
her head a little into the entrance she heard him say thus Now heart begin to hope well for as the snuffe of the Lamp ceaseth to burn when the flame hath consumed all the Oyle so may I hope my miseries will cease having by little and little consumed all the comforts and contentments that I have Oh happy losse how I would cherish thee if by thy means I go out of this miserable life which I lead Oh my dearest Papers how I would blesse the day on which you were ravished from me if my grieving for your losse would end 〈◊〉 For alas there is no hopes left that my sorrowes should ever end but with my life Leonida hearing this was moved with much compassion knowing him now to be Celadon and was also surprised with such a sudden joy that though she had a great desire to let him complain on and hearken longer what he said yet she was constrained to go to him with open armes and cry unto him Ah Celadon away with these lamentations and sorrowes you have had too many of them 't is time now to change your course of life and enjoy some pleasant dayes You may easily imagine that Celadon was extreamly surprised when he heard this voice upon a sudden and seeing her come unto him for he had not seen any of a long time and his spirits being wholly retired into his thoughts she had spoken all this before he heard or knew what she said He started up upon a sudden but the life which he had lived and bad food together had so weakened him that he was constrained to sit down again presently Then the Nymph gave him leasure to recollect himselfe and sitting down by him took him by the hand Well Celadon said she unto him did you so impatiently desire to get out of Galathea's hands only to live thus Is it possible our company should be so displeasing to you that you had rather be amongst senslesse Rocks and wild Woods The Shepheard having recollected his spirits did faintly answer You see fair Leonida unto what Love hath brought me and what power you have over those that love you How is it possible said she that Love should make you thus neglect your own preservation Is it possible answered the shepheard that you who vaunts to know what Love is should doubt but that my affection can endure the greatest extremities However replyed the Nymph if I were condemned to die I would at the least ask him that condemned me the reason why I am condemned What better reason can be given said Celadon then that she who has the soveraigne power over me will have it so so as the reason of my ill-being is because my well-being displeaseth her Oh Celadon said the Nymph and pittyed him in what a miserable condition you are See sage Nymph said he how you are mistaken I cannot desire more happinesse then the misery which I endure for can I wish a greater happinesse then to please her If my misery please her can I grieve for it No no I must rejoyce at whatsoever is pleasing unto her Oh happy Celadon said he and in one thing the more happy that Astrea does not know that thou art happy Leonida hearing these expressions stood astonished and looked upon him with admiration At last after she had been a long while mute she said unto him I must needs confesse shepheard that if this be the way to love there is only you amongst all men living that can follow it But shepheard take heed that as many good things are corrupted and spoiled with abuse so your melancholy and obstinacy do not corrupt your affection I care not for all the accidents that can come said the shepheard so my Love be not offended But said Leonida do you love Astrea You aske me a question answered he unto which you are able to give an answer your selfe If you do love her said the Nymph you ought to love all that 's hers and if so then you ought to love your selfe since you are so entirely hers that you are not your own Since I do love Astrea replyed the shepheard I ought to hate all that she hates Astrea hates the miserable Celadon why then fair Nymph should not I Every one said she is obliged to have a greater care of their own preservation then of the love or hatred of any other That Law said the shepheard is good and allowable amongst Men but not amongst Lovers Why said the Nymph do they cease to be Men when they become Lovers If you do mean a man said he that is subject unto all sorts of miseries and inquiotudes I do confesse that a Lover remaines a Man still but if that Man have any will of his own and judges of things as they are and not according to the opinion of another I deny that a Lover is a man since as soon as ever he becomes a Lover he does so dispossesse himselfe of his will and judgment as he neither willeth nor judgeth but as she willeth and judgeth whom he loves Oh the miserable condition of a Lover said the Nymph But much more miserable answered the shepheard is he that loves not since he cannot enjoy the most perfect and highest happinesse that the world affords for the very least of Loves joyes does exceed all others that the world hath without it Is there any pleasure comparable unto those that consist in the thought When a Lover thinks upon the beauty of her that he loves nay when he does but remember any one of her actions nay even the very place where he last saw her do you think he would change his contentment for any diversion in the whole Universe He is so jealous and so carefull to entertain this very thought that lest he should make any a sharer with him he will retire into the most solitary and unfrequented places that he can finde he cares not for the society of men or all the delights that men can devise and use to court with such care so he may but enjoy his own thoughts Now Leonida since the contentment of thoughts are such is it possible the weaknesse of any human heart should think to endure so much blisse as to enjoy the sight of her whom he loves to hear her speak to kisse her hand to hear her own mouth pronounce the word I love you Is it possible he should hear this and not be ravished and be disordered with too much felicity and delight I do not mention those great and last assurances which one receives when he is loved nor those languishments in the breast of the person loved for these are contentments of so high a nature as they cannot be gusted without transport and absolute ravishment out of our selves nor can they be expressed by any words unlesse imperfectly Now tell me fair Nymph whether the condition of a Lover be so miserable now I say when you know what high felicities he does enjoy I do confesse said
for he was wont to make very much of him for his Mistresse's sake The Shepheard presently rose up and looked round about but could not see her yet he saw Lycidas hearkening and Phillis who seeing him rise went to him as Diana desired but as she went towards him she espied Lycidas which made her change her intention for she knowing that he was jealous of Silvander she turned another way and this made Lycidas the more suspect her thinking she did it purposely to hide it from him Silvander who knew both their hearts and being resolved to augment the jealousie of Lycidas he faigned as if he did not see Lycidas and ran unto Phillis and taking her hand did imprint two or three zealous kisses upon it afterwards asked her how Diana and Astrea did The Shepheardess was very sorry that Lycidas did see all this and so perplexed at it as she knew not how to answer him Paris and I who intended to follow Astrea and Diana we now went unto Silvander and Phillis Lycidas extreamly ill satisfyed with all this turned another way as if he had never seen us We foure being together we went that way Astrea and Diana went after Silvander had taken order both for his ownflock and that of Phillis's This was a sore heart-burn unto Lycidas and his jealousie was much more increased by it when he saw that Shepheard so carefull about the flock of Phillis so as your Brother was continually turning his head towards us to see what we did I profess said Celadon and interrupted her he is much to be pittyed for I have found by my little experience of it that jealousie is one of the most extream fortunes of a Lover But fair Nymph what became of him afterwards I cannot tell answered she for I saw him not all the day after and as for us we went unto Diana and Astrea who as I believe stayed for our company and we spent all that day together with much contentment Paris he applyed himselfe unto Diana Silvander unto Phillis and I unto Astrea whom indeed I finde to be most worthy of Celadon's affection Fair Nymph said Celadon I beseech you give me leave to be a little more inquisitive What is it said Leonida that you desire to know of me Did you ever hear said Celadon so sweet a voice as hers has she not a kinde of an harmonious accent in her pronunciation which charmes the ear Certainly she has said the Nymph and that which most takes me is that she useth no art or affection in her language but all her expressions are plain and full of modesty and civility But I beseech you sweet Nymph said Celadon did she never speak of me She did said I but it was my selfe who began the discourse for I knew the reason why she spoke so little of you was the opinion which every one had of your affection to her For heavens sake sweet Leonida said the shepheard tell me what discourse you had together It was not much said she unto him yet I know not whether I shall remember it or no I was very desirous to hear what was become of you and when Paris desired me to go unto your Town I had not the confidence to speak of you And when I saw Paris so deeply in love with Diana as he minded nothing but her and not finding you amongst the shepheardesses I was extreamly troubled At last after some other discourse I told her how I did not think that the shepheards of Lignon had been so civilized as I found them The first time I stayed with them was purposely to see whether the reports I had heard were true and Silvander that day confirmed them all I must confesse answered Astrea that Silvander is a very well accomplished shepheard But Madam had you come at another time I believe you would have found better satisfaction for there was a time when we had a most excellent company of shepheards What is become of them answered I Some said she are dead as the poor Celadon others are so grieved for the losse of him as they are grown so many lumps of melancholly and frequent none but solitary places as Lycidas and some are so astonished at the accident as they have quite left the fatall Lignon and indeed we are all so sad ever since as we do not seem the same we were Celadon replyed I was not that he whom I heard talk off when I was last here The same said she unto me with a deep sigh Was he your Cozen said I unto her No answered she but on the contrary his Father and mine were most mortall enemies But Madam he was the most gentle and finest shepheard in all the Country and though there was a most deadly enmity between our two families yet his sweet and good conditions constrained me and every one that knew him to resent his losse At this she changed colour and putting her hand before her eyes she seemed as if the rubbed her forehead I perceived by this discourse that you were not yet returned unto her since I left you and knowing that she could not tell me any thing that could satisfie my longing desires of seeing you and that such talk would only grieve her I changed discourse and presently after it being late Paris and I retired It was then I heard from Silvander of your Brother's jealousie for walking by the River side I asked him the cause of your Brother's sadnesse and why we could never see him And he told me that Lycidas being a devoted servant unto Phillis he was jealous of her and him and that he to torment him the more did seem as if he were in love with Phillis and gave out all the demonstrations of it that possibly he could Thus Celadon did we spend that day and since that because I could not hear any newes of you I visited this Company every day thinking that being in the company of those whom you loved I was in some sort with you This was the reason that when Amasis after great preparations of joy was constrained to leave them because of the newes of Merovea's death though Silvia by the command of Galathea did let me know that I might return unto Marcelles when I would yet I would not go because I took abundance of delight in the society of these discreet shepheardesses Why said Celadon did Amasis grieve so for the death of that King Because as I believe Clidamant was with him answered I Now lest my Uncle should make me return unto that Nymph I did conceal Silvia's Letter from him But Celadon tell me truly do you not envie me for seeing Astrea and speaking with her as oft as I would I shall not be sorry at any thing that pleaseth you answered he but I could wish my selfe a share in the happinesse And why answered the Nymph do you deprive your selfe of it Ah Leonida said he could you but look into my heart you would see I do not
you love If I do love answered he do you think I will displease or disobey her whom I love nay do you think that I do not receive extream contentment and delight in pleasing and obeying her But said the Druide she does not know that you do obey her It is no matter answered he whether she do or no I must do my duty The Druide knew not whether he should esteem him for the acutenesse of his wit in these answers or blame him for the errours he was in but conceiving that his malady was not yet at the height therefore he would not apply any violent remedies untill he had tryed some more milder and therefore after a while of silence he said thus unto him Now Celadon what I have said was because I thought my selfe obliged unto it by the Lawes of friendship and duty of my charge and not to contrary you in any thing only one favour I shall desire from you which I hope you will not deny since it will conduce much unto my contentment You must know that I have a Daughter whom I love above all the blessings which the goodnesse of Tharamis hath bestowed upon me I have long wanted my greatest contentment in wanting her and I am afraid it will be longer before I shall see her again Now the first time I saw you at the Palace of Issoures 't is true I loved you for Alcippe's and Amarillis's sake but much more for your great resemblance of my dearest Daughter therefore I conjure you by her that hath most power over you to be pleased that I may sometimes interrupt your solitude that I may in your face see the Picture of her whom I love above all the world The shepheard who was full of courtesy answered That he would take it for a very particular favour if he would be pleased to take the paines and that he thanked Nature for favouring him so much as to give him a resemblance of any he loved and that if he had not excluded himselfe from all the world he would come to his house and present him his service To be briefe Adamas resolved to visit this shepheard very often hoping by degrees to draw him out of his melancholly Cell True it was that Alexis his Daughter had a little resemblance of this shepheard and she being by their Lawes to stay amongst the Druides Daughters in the Cells of Carnutes untill she was forty years of age Adamas did take delight in seeing Celadon who had a kinde of resemblance of her It had been ordained by Dis Samothes and since confirmed by great Druis the first Institutor of the Druides that those Priests which had any Sons should send the eldest of them unto the Schooles of Carnutes where they spent ten years in learning their Science ten years more in teaching others and ten years more yet they officiated in the publick Sacrifices and Judgments and afterwards they might return to their homes and exercise the charge of Druides throughout all Gaul If they have none but Daughters they are constrained to send their eldest after ten years of age unto the same place where they are instructed do instruct and at last judge as I told you before For the Gaules do build very much upon the judgment of these Female Druides And these times being expired they may return to their Fathers and may marry Now this course being resolved upon Celadon was he that reaped the most profit by it for Leonida did at the first restore unto him those Letters which she stole from him which was a good presage of better fortune having often heard say that as one misfortune seldome comes alone so also one good fortune drawes on another And he being very often visited sometimes by Leonida and sometimes by the Druide he was much diverted from those sad thoughts which would quite have consumed him besides the care of Adamas was such as he sent him victualls very often secretly which much revived his drooping spirits The affection of this Nymph and the goodnesse of Adamas was a happy encounter for Celadon for both of them were carefull of him beyond measure and indeed beyond their duty and quality but the greatest comfort unto this shepheard was that this Nymph furnished him with Pen Inke and Paper because being alone he did employ himselfe much in putting his passionate thoughts into writing which gave him much contentment in the reading them For the wounds of Love are of such a nature that the more they are smothered and kept in the more they fester and talking of them is as soveraigne a remedy as can be received in absence Now Adamas conceived that too much thinking did but fester and rancle the melancholly of this shepheard and therefore he advised him to passe away his time sometimes in the sacred Groves which were neer and there engrave some fancies upon the barks of Trees and furnished him with tooles fit for the purpose This Shepheard having gotten a little more strength and recovered some of his former complexion also reassuming his understanding facultle he was sensible of this good counsell which Adamas gave him to shun this carelesse and idle kinde of life wherein he lived and therefore he took his advice and fell to work Adamas in this did like a good Physitian consider the disease which he was to cure and there seasoned all his counsells with some designes of Love You see Son said he unto him that though according to our Statutes we ought not to erect Temples unto Teutates Hesius Belinus and Tharamis our god yet since the Romans by their Armes brought in strange gods unto Gaul and losing our antient freedome we were constrained to sacrifice after their fashion we have Temples in which our god is adored amongst us and because the custome of it is become a Law it is lawfull for you Celadon to dedicate part of this Grove not only unto the highest and prime divinity but as a most perfect work of that divinity unto your fair Astrea which our great god will as well allow as those Temples that are dedicated by strangers unto the goddesse Fortune unto the goddesse Sickness or the goddesse Fear Therefore said he unto him let me advise you to prime and dresse up this goodly Oake to cut away the thick underwood and make a place which we will dedicate unto Amity At the root of the Oake cast up a bank of grass in form of an Altar upon which I will set a Table which shall be an emblem of Amity When this is finished we will make another more spacious which shall be under that Oak which truly is one most admirable for out of one stock three branches do grow and afterwards reunite themselves into the same bark You see said he unto him that this is a most lively symbol of Teutates Hesius Belinus and Tharamis our god How Father said Celadon you name foure and yet you say our god you should have said gods and I
name would require so much of you As Phillis was thus talking to her she held in her hand the paper which she took up and Astrea casting her eye accidentally upon it and knowing it to be Celadon's hand she asked her what Letter that was which she held in her hand Phillis answered that she took it up seeing it fall from her as she arose I did feel something said Astrea fall from my breast but I was so much out of my selfe that I never minded it Then taking it and reading the Superscription she said it was that Letter which Silvander found That cannot be said Phillis for I have that in my pocket and putting her hand into it she pulled it out What should it then be said Astrea I am sure it is the same hand Then reading it she found these words Celadon's Letter unto the Shepheardesse Astrea IF the occasion of your comming into this place where all that remaines of Celadon yet is was only to see what power you have over him it was too much paines for a thing of so little value If any sparks of compassion brought you hither what services can merit so great a recompence If fortune only without any designe was your conductor it was too kinde unto one that is so miserable So as whatsoever the occasion was there was no reason for it That affection which I had unto you was beyond all bounds of reason and therefore it is most just that reason should disdain him who disdained reason However I thank you as the vam shadow of a man can do for truly â—am no more for comming to see what power you have over me for it is one of my greatest desires to live in your memory I thank you also that you would permit pitty to bring you hither for though it be very late yet consolation is better late then never Also I do thank you For â—o lowing fortune into this place since I know by it that it was only long of her I did no sooner resent the effects of your sweetnesse This last consideration moves me to say that as you are the fairest Shepheardesse in the whole Universe so since fortune and my own constancy wiâ—â— have it so I am the must unfortunate but the most affectionately faithfull of all your Servants Now did these shepheardesses believe that Celadon was dead indeed and Love made Astrea resolve to render him the last duty of her amity Then she went to wake Diana and the other shepheardesses because it was late when they came they found Silvander looking upon Diana as she slept and gazing like an immovable Statue he uttered these words in a very loud voice Oh! how this fair one deprives me of that rest which she takes her selfe See how many Cupids play about her lovely face Who can chuse but love her and lose that rest which she findes To look upon her and to love her is one and the same thing And if she captivate thus when she is asleep and without designe what is she able to do when shee 's awake and will use her power He spoke thus loud because he was not afraid of awaking her since she commanded him so to do as soon as the Moon shined But Celadon's good fortune would not have it so to the end he might enjoy the happinesse of seeing his Mistresse in that place After Silvander had uttered these words he kneeled down to kisse her hand but fearing to be seen by these two shepheardesses who he saw were not in their places he rose up very sorry he had done so much if he were seen In the mean time these two shepheardesses looked upon him and Phillis who was very desirous to divert Astrea Never trust me Sister said she unto her if this shepheard do not love Diana and is not so subtle as he thinks himselfe I spoke yesterday with Diana answered Astrea very sadly and for ought I could perceive he can expect nothing but much sorrow for she will neither love him nor suffer him to love her That resolution said Phillis may in a short time bring Silvander into the same condition with Celadon and Diana into the same state with Astrea Ah Sister said Astrea Silvander may run that fortune but as long as Diana is free from love her fortune will never be so bad as mine I do confesse replyed Phillis that if she be really exempt from love she is not in that danger but if she be exempt only out of dissimulatâ—â—â— what think you then That she will be happy only in opinion said Astrea and in deed and truth miserable But there is no likelyhood of that Diana's humour and Silvander's perfections being such that neither the shepheardesse nor he can be subject unto such dysasters Upon this Phillis took her by the hand and walked towards Diana yet answered her Oh Sister said she you are deceived if you be of that opinion for as concerning the merits of Silvander believe it that when a shepheard has a designe to please he spruseth himselfe up and is quite another man from what he really is And hence it is that we often wonder to see some shepheards loved and welcomed who are thought not at all pleasing or handsome and from hence I believe the Proverb came that Love makes all seem handsome Nay I will say more I never yet saw any shepheard displeasing unto her he courted if there were not some other occasion of hatred then his love for their courtship and desire to please does make them dresse up themselves in the smoothest garb they can purposely to render themselves complaisant as this is the quality of all in generall so more specially in Silvander whose wit and handsome composure by nature may easily supply all defects And as for the humour of Diana her affection unto Philander is an infallible argument that she hath not been alwaies insensible of Love and why may not that which was once be again For my part I do believe Love is as good an Archer as ever he was and has not forgotten the skill he used the first time he wounded her and Silvander may have the same fortune Philander had In this said Astrea you and I do differ in opinion and I do think it impossible Diana should ever love again for I think a Maid who never was in love may easily be allured by the pleasing flatteries of it but impossible that a stayed person who did once love and lost the person loved should ever let love take any root again in her soul And me-thinks the Cypresse-Tree is a right emblem of my affection which when once cut never puts out branch again As soon as she had said so they were come so neer unto Diana that Phillis could make no other answer but this Sister we shall quickly see which of our opinions is the right Whilst these shepheardesses were thus talking Paris Hylas Tircis and Thersander being awakened by Silvander they came to the shepheardesses and
of that fault which hath quite extinguished all the good-will which I did bear unto you As for that answered he in lieu of language I will expiate it with my blood and life but dare not beg unlesse in silence and submission since indeed I do not well know what it is Palemon replyed she there is none so ignorant as he that will not know when he may But that is all one to me for I am so perfectly cured of the wound that there is not any mark of it remaines It is an easie matter said the shepheard to cure a wound that was but very smal I will not tell you answered she how it began to fester lest I should increase your vanity but let me tell you that I had rather die then relapse into that disease out of which I am recovered and I had rather never see any whilst I live then see you in the condition and state in which you were wont to be Also I charge you to talk no more of it nor to retain me by any force Since you are pleased said he to forbid me speaking yet I beseech permit me to sing what my heart does sadly resent Then he sighed and sung out these Verses which she to vex him answered A Dialogue between Palemon and Doris Pal. IF I do any love but you may I Be damn'd and tortur'd be eternally Dor. May I a Statue turn and never move If any other but my selfe I love Pal. Love or love not yet you I 'le still adore That you my constancy may see the more Dor. Love or love not faith all is one to me But that I love you you shall never see Pal. Though heaven and earth conspire to crosse my will Yet will I vanquish them and love you still Dor. My heart is so averse to love that I Rather than love a hundred deaths will die Pal. Your pride in scorning all men living must Be punished in you if heaven be just Dor. If heaven be just as none deny it dare It will us keep both in the mindes we are Pal. It is most just if you to love it move But most unjust in taking hopes from love Dor. If you to love and me to hate it move ' I will punish you and will revenge my love Though Doris was very tart in all her answers yet the shepheard did take some kinde of delight in seeing and hearing her talk but she desiring to avoid his company she came towards the place where Diana was who seeing she could not hide her selfe any longer she and her company advanced towards this shepheardesse and after common salutations said unto her I wonder not sweet Doris that these shepheards whom I see with you should be so much captivated with your beauty since it is such as those must needs be blinde that do not admire it but I must needs wonder at the cruelty you use towards them since you are the only she who disdaines that which is their own and which you have gotten by such fair and deer armes Whilst Diana was saying so Palemon came to them and heard Doris return this answer Sage shepheardesse that beauty which out of your complaisance you are pleased to call mine is most really and truly your own and to be admired by all such as see you And I do not know with what armes I have captivated these you speak of unlesse such as are very unhappy in making such a conquest Beauty said Diana does well become all women but pride and presumption does much eclipse beauty Did you know answered Doris the occasion which makes me speak thus you would wonder at the power which I have over my selfe in being able so much as to look upon this shepheard Upon this Palemon kneeled down and with his hat in his hand addressed himselfe thus unto Diana I do beseech and conjure you Oh most wise and discreet shepheardesse by the person whom you most do love and by that sweetnesse which your eyes do promise to take so much pains as to hear our difference if you shall think me culpable I will not value my life but if on the contrary she be in the wrong I shall only aske leave to serve her as long as I live Diana would have answered when she saw Astrea returning from the Temple with a greater company than she carried with her for the Nymph Leonida was there and Chrysante the Governesse of the Druides with some of the Virgins who came to honour the Funeralls of Celadon bringing with them the Priest of that place who did officiate in the daily sacrifice of the Town in the Temple of the good goddesse This Priest brought thither all that was necessary for the empty Tombe of Celadon the Druides Daughters were loadned some with flowers others with milk and others with wine and water and did drive before them the sheep and young bulls requisite for the sacrifice Lycidas also being come that morning unto the Temple of the good goddesse to pay some vowes and make some prayers which haply his jealousie prompted him unto he likewise came being acquainted with the designe of Paris for the Rest of his Brothers soul though it went to his heart to see Phillis and Silvander there and having made choice of a great Sowe to sacrifice according to the custome unto Ceres and the Earth he gently followed after this Company Diana therefore seeing this great company following Astrea she could not give answer either to the shepheard or shepheardesse only this that the Nymph Leonida who was comming with so many Druides would beglad to hear their difference and after the Ceremony was ended at which they would do an act of pitty if they would be present she could compose all the businesse betwixt them So not staying for any answer she with Paris advanced and went to salute the Nymph and Chrysante After some common discourse the Priest asked where Celadon's Tombe was erected and being conducted thither by Paris he went about his work But first he began with the Sowe which Lycidas brought as a sacrifice unto Ceres and the Earth then killing the Sheep and young black Bulls he kept the blood of them in bowles he ordered the Druides Daughters according to the Ceremony unto some he gave the sacred Milke unto others the Wine and made choice of Lycidas to carry the Altar-water Then going to the Tombe he sprinkled all these things with a little bough of Cypresse calling divers times upon the soul of Celadon Then they poured the Water the Wine the Milk the Blood upon the Tomb calling still upon the soul of Celadon Then all the Druides Daughters and others with their hair disheveled begun with tears sad condolings to lament the loss of Celadon When they had continued a while in this pittifull office the Priest began to go round about the Tomb three times and every one following strewing Roses and Flowers upon the grass he said in a loud voice Adieu CELADON
eare and seeming to whisper he presently went away from her and seemed very angry that Lycidas saw him This went to the very heart of Lycidas for he thought that he left Phillis only because of him and that certainly there was a close corespondency betwixt them and therefore not being able to endure this sight he endeavoured by little and little to retire But Phillis being very desirous to be reconciled unto him and seeing him slinking away Lycidas said she will you go away I pray you come hither and hear the discourse of these strangers There is very good Company without me answered he since there is too much constraint where I am Were I of your counsell said Phillis I would advise you to value your own contentment above any others I see said Lycidas that you give me such counsell as you do follow your selfe and I am very sorry I cannot do the like but truly I have not so much power over my selfe Phillis did very well understand what he meant and was netled to the very soul yet faigning otherwise she answered him thus I believe Lycidas that if the Nymph should undertake to agree all differences in the Company you and I should not be out of the number I do believe the same said the shepheard and blushed for anger but it would be Silvander that were the fittest judge And why Silvander said the shepheardess Because said he there is none that is better informed Upon this not staying for any answer he flung away into the Wood as fast as he could This passage did so sting the soul of Phillis that one could not get a good word from her all that day Whilst Leonida and the venerable Chrisante were in quest of a convenient place to sit down in they espied some shepheardesses in the Wood comming towards them for the Trees being at a good distance from one another without any underwood one might see a great way both through and beyond it When Leonida asked who they were none could tell her but when they were a little neerer Hylas who was amongst them was known to be one and presently after the shepheardesses were also known to be Palinice and Florice with whom Hylas met upon the way and stayed with them never thinking upon the Inke which he went to seek and had they not asked him whither he went and from whence he came he had not remembered what he went about but this question putting him in memory he desired them to stay a little till he went for the Inke and he would return to them Then he acquainted them with the Ceremony of Celadon's Tombe unto which they came to be assistants but they came too late Leonida not knowing who they were she desired to see them And Hylas whose tongue was never mute came on a jolly pace singing these verses That he is a Fool who loves and is not loved A Song WHen I a Lover pale do see Ready to faint and sickish be With hollow eyes and cheeks so thin As all his face is nose and chin When such a Ghost I see in pain Because he is not lov'd again And pute and faint and swound and cry Oh! There 's your loving Fool say I. For love with love should be repaid And equally on both sides laid Love is a load a Horse would kill If it do hang on one side still But if he needs will be so fond As rules of reason go beyond And love when he 's not lov'd again Faith let him take it for his pain These strangers were so neer Leonida and Chrisante that the Nymph knowing Hylas she rose up to salute them and Chrisante also being informd by her who they were she did the same And because Phillis laughed at Hylas for not bringing the Inke Do you think shepheardesse said he unto her that I came into Forrests to do any service for the dead Thircis that has nothing else to do may do well to employ his time in such melancholly moods but as for Hylas he is of another temper And therefore do not think it strange if by an honest leave I tell you that if you do not like me as I am you must never think to finde any alteration in me when I am old Phillis who had other matters in her head did thus answer him I swear Hylas if you were of any other temper then what you are I shall not love you so well as I do But as I must not hope to change you so you must not think to make me any other then what I am and therefore when I would laugh let me laugh and let me be silent when I have no minde to talk and I will allow your humours the like liberty so in this freedome we shall live both contentedly and without any trouble to one another Oh Mistresse said he how dearly do I love you nay rather adore you for this humour I did never think to meet with such a jolly one And in saying so he hugged her and would have carried her in his armes but she would not let him Every one laughed at the anger of Phillis and the humour of this shepheard In the mean while Leonida and Chrisante having found out a convenient place they took their places as for Paris he kept alwaies close unto Diana which was no small displeasure unto Silvander since he durst not out of respect approach This was the reason that being deprived of the happinesse in talking with her he would enjoy the happinesse of seeing her and therefore seated himselfe just over against her Every one being set Palemon and Adrastes kneeled down before Doris and say what the Nymph and Chrisante would they would not rise At last the shepheardesse by command began thus The History of Doris and Palemon I Have ever been of opinion great and wise Nymph and you venerable Chrisante that if there be any obligations amongst Mankinde to tye one unto another it is Amity Whether this be so or no I refer it unto the judgment of any who were ever loved I being thus in this beliefe after I had been long loved by this shepheard I thought my selfe in some sort obliged to render him amity for amity The truth is this amity at the first had but a very slender and faint beginning and I could not imagine it should ever grow into that magnitude it did it did insensibly take so deep a root by long continued conversation as when I perceived it I found it was not in my power to root it out and so as I never questioned his affection nor could he desire any thing of me which he obtained not atleast in any reason Yet notwithstanding I know not how to my misfortune when he was in full assurance of me he did even then mistrust me so as he was not contented I should leave frequenting all those whom I was accustomed to see but would needs have others deprived of seeing me so as not being contented with my not
visiting any of my Companions but if any of them came to see me it was a thing intolerable unto him Have I not all the reason in the world to be offended at him for this bad opinion of me which his jealousie hath infused into him For gods-sake judge into what extream tyranny is his amity changed Yet neverthelesse rather then displease him I chose rather to lose the good-will of all my friends neighbours and acquaintance rather then he should receive any dis-satisfaction from me God knowes in what a strange constraint I lived and though I did strive to be as agreeable to his humour as I could and to content him and though it was pleasing to me so to do yet my strange retirednesse from all shepheards and shepheardesses from all my friends and acquaintance as if I were sick of some infectious disease was extreamly hard unto me If this jealousie of his did proceed from his affection unto me was not he as much obliged to do as much for me as he constrained me to do for him But he was so far from that as during all this time which I may well terme a salvage life for truly so was mine become only to be suitable unto his humour he would not visit me above halfe a quarter of an houre in a day visits so short as I could do no more then see him but hardly speak one word unto him Judge I beseech you whether I have not good reason to say that his affection is turned into tyranny since he was growne like unto those who at the first under a colour of good husbandry do afterwards grow so niggardly both unto themselves and those that depend upon them as they will not allow a sufficient competency to live upon For I do believe his life was no more pleasing unto him then mine unto me unlesse in this that his was voluntary and mine constrained But see whether I was not very good unto him and loved him very well I endured all his tyranny without the least murmur and had not he himselfe released me I my selfe never had The last testimony which I gave him of my obedience for so I may phrase it better then affection was such as was enough to qualifie all his perverse and odd humours Be pleased to know great Nymph that I lived very young without Father or Mother under the tuition of a Brother who being elder then I was ever so affectionate and indulgent towards me as he did very well supply the want of Father both in the education of my Person and management of my Estate and abundantly officious in doing me the offices of a very Father He being thus good unto me common reason besides other considerations commanded me to conform my selfe unto his will as much as possibly I could and contrary him in nothing Palemon without any consideration of all this would needs have me absolutely to break off from him not that I should go out of his house for he knew not whither else I could go but that I should not have any corespondency with those whom he loved nay that I should forbid them the sight of me Those who live under the authority of another do know whether this be feasable or no. Yet to let him see how ready I was to give him any testimony of my affection I did attempt to give him satisfaction in this My Brother amongst the rest of his neighbours did love a shepheard whose name was Pantesmon a man truly who was qualified with all good conditions to render him amiable and pleasing he was wise civill respective affable couragious and a good friend and amongst shepheardesses he was the most discreet in all the Town These qualities did invite my Brother to love him and there grew so greet a familiarity between them that they were never assunder Now I must needs confesse that as he loved my Brother very well yet I know not whether he observed any thing in me which pleased him or whether it was that he bore good will unto the Sister for the Brothers sake yet so it was that I knew he loved me Now you shall see whether I did not behave my selfe as I ought to do with Palemon As soon as ever I knew this I told him of it and related unto him all passages and all the demonstrations of affection which I observed in him If I had had any designes you may imagine I would never have done thus Oh heavens what reverence what honour and what submission did this shepheard render unto me His merits and affection were so worthy of all entertainment together with my Brother's friendship that as I did understand since he did intend to marry us together But I notwithstanding the relation of a Brother's friend did receive his addresses with more saintnesse then any other For knowing he loved me I thought it an injury unto the affection of Palemon if I gave him any countenance though civility in any other might have done it without offence This was the man whom Palemon charged me not to see And how do you think it was possible for me to obey him Pantesmon had a greater desire to obey me then Palemon had reason for his request for how could I give him satisfaction which way should I forbid him my Brothers house who perhaps loved him better then he loved me However I took Pantesmon aside and acquainted him with my will I will manifest my affection unto you said he not only by the effects of my affection but also by the effects of your hatred You are pleased without any reâ—son to banish me your presence and the wrong which you do me shall evidence my love since to shew what power you have over me I will without the least murmure obey your commands though most unjust to give you contentment I will deny it unto my selfe and retire out of your sight Though I lose this happinesse yet shall I not lose the least of my affection to you but will preserve it entire as long as I live though without all hope for your merits bid me to love because you are your selfe and not to leave loving because you do not love me Pantesmon said I unto him this power which you give me over you does make me extreamly sorry to banish you from me and that I am not in a condition to dispose of my own will and I do assure you that your merits and that affection which you expresse makes me grieve that I can do no more for you but I beseech you believe it for a most certain truth that it is not without some reason and much griefe that I do make this request unto you If you could have any hopes in me you had the more reason to be angry but since you cannot what pleasure can you take in rendring me miserable by loving me without any hopes but in my displeasure You need not use any more words to perswade me answered he my affection which
is wholly devoted unto your will prompts me unto more then you can say I shall untill the very last minute of my life do whatsoever you shall command me without any other aime end or designe but only to obey you Yet if my affection my services and obedience can merit so great a favour I shall beseech and conjure you by him you love most and who perhaps is the cause of my banishment that when I bid you my last and eternall adieu you will permit me so much honour as to aspire unto a kisse of your lip I cannot chuse Oh great Nymph but blush in my relation But however I must confesse the truth I did permit him conceiving that his goodness did oblige me unto as much Presently after he departed and I never found him since in any place where it was probable I should see him Now I beseech you were not all these testimonies of my affection enough to oblige this ungratefull shepheard for ever unto one But I found him quite contrary for afterwards he would never see me neither in the way of a Lover no nor so much as in the way of a Friend I much desired to know the cause of his retreat and therefore I did employ a faithfull friend to go unto him from me But no other answer could be gotten but this that Love drives out Love as one naile dxives out another Upon this I had two conceptions First that he was fallen in love with some other shepheardesse and this second love had driven out the first unto me Secondly that by his sleighting of me he gave me counsell to do the same Being thus abandoned and forsaken though it was extreamly requisitie to use my best armes against such an accident yet would I not make use of any such as my enemy sent me for scorning them as his I thought them unworthy of my selfe and I esteemed them perfidious because I esteemed their Inventor so I had recourse therefore unto other remedies which though more slow yet more certain in their effects which was Time Time I say was my Armes and it which taught me the use of them it was both my Physician and my Physick And truly as most things that are slow are yet most sure so the cure it wrought was through not for a day but I thank god for all the rest of my life I say I do thank god for indeed I had abundance of reason for great Nymph when I call into my memory the life I lived as long as this perfidious man seemed to love me and compare it with that which I do live now I must needs confess that I am more obliged unto him for betraying me then I am unto Pantesmon for obeying me For then I cannot call it a life but a slavery my affection was not affection but obedience and his love was not love but tyranny Now this disloyall man being as I believe envious at my happy life or else not contented with once triumphing he must needs make a second attempt And as at the first he surprised me by submission and great demonstrations of a violent affection so he thinks now to catch me with the same bait And therefore Oh great and wise Nymph you see him here on his knees before me using such language and expressions as they do who are really in love But he does not consider that finding my selfe weakest on that side I have more strongly fortified it I am fully resolved to hold him out at armed end let him attempt as long as he will his dissimulations in lieu of love have renewed such extream disdain of him in my soul that I cannot endure the very sight of him And if his designe was to displease me I must needs confess he hath brought it to passe but if that be not his designe as he swears and would make me believe it is not but that as a just punishment from heaven he hath revived his flame that he himselfe was the only author of his own misfortune and that he is prepared for punishment I must then confesse that in giving me this occasion of revenge upon the wrong he hath done me he is a just man but still no good Lover But yet why does he tell me of his misfortunes and miseries me I say who would not so much as remember that he is in the world Or why does he take up such Armes as thinking to hurt me with them he wounds himselfe He cannot ever have any hopes to obtain any thing from me whose soul smarts with the memory of what is past as oft as I look upon him Let him therefore let me alone and leave me to enjoy that happinesse which he conferred upon me by a contrary designe If the heavens as often they do have converted that unto my happinesse which he prepared for my misery why is he sorry I should enjoy it I know better how to make use of these favours from heaven then he hath of those which I have done him heretofore Let him acknowledge and confesse that the heavens have most justly maintained my cause and defended my innocent affection against the most ungratefull and perfidious person that ever pretended to be a Lover If like a losing gamester he ask any thing for his last hand this great and wise Nymph is all I can do for him I will confesse my selfe satisfied for his ingratitude and forgive it I will pitty him upon condition he will never see me nor trouble me any more and this shall be all the revenge I will take for all his injuries Thus the shepheardesse ended with so much colour in her face as rendred her fairer then she was wont to be Then Leonida perceiving she had no more to say she commanded Palemon to speak what he had to say for himselfe Then the shepheard rising up after an humble reverence unto the Nymph he began thus The Answer of the Shepheard Palemon GReat Nymph I acknowledge that to be most true which I have often learned from divinity That gods and goddesses do never come into any place without doing some good You who in your merits and quality are a representation of them amongst us were no sooner come into this place but you may 〈◊〉 me undeceived and convinced of that errour wherein I have long lived if I can call that a life which hath brought me more torments then death it selfe I do most ingenuously confesse all that this fair shepheardesse hath related unto you is most true and that I am infinitely more obliged unto her then either she or I can expresse But having heard her reproach me for complaining that the heavens as envious of my blisse hath kept me from it I should think this to be a greater occasion of sorrow and to accuse it of injustice did I not know that all men are in the like condition and that there is no perfect contentment here below I cannot chuse but beg leave to grieve for the wrong this
I applyed my selfe more unto her then ever before But how did I finde her she had the same eyes the same mouth and the same beauty but she was not the same Doris who when I left her loved none but Palemon esteemed none but Palemon and carrassed none but Palemon At this sad return I saw nothing but disdain found nothing but hatred and resented nothing but rigour and anger so as untill very now it was impossible for me to let her know the cause of my retirement because she would never let me tell her but still interrupted my speech Now Oh great Nymph if these things be not testimonies of a most faithfull and violent love I will not desire her favour though the favour which I ask is not a pardon of any fault committed against love but only for loving her too much perhaps more then she would have me or more then she believes If Love would let me complain against her as in reason I may I should tell her that the hath done abundance of wrong both unto Love unto Doris and unto Palemon For Love may complain that she hath extinguished that fire which blazed with so pure a flame that Vertue it selfe could not be offended with its heat and in lieu of it she has kindled flames of anger and spleen so smothered with black smoak that in lieu of enlightning her soul they fill it full of darknesse and confusion But Doris has greater reason of compliant that so sleight a ground should make her perjured and break so many reiterated Oathes sworn unto that unfortunate shepheard never to change her minde And what can she answer Palemon if he should say unto her Is it possible unthankfull shepheardesse that so many years service so many testimonies of affection so many assurances of my fidelity should not make you have a better conceipt of me 'T is true I was jealous but was it not a fruit of Love I beseech you why not jealous if amorous Who should I be jealous of but of her I love But admit it be a fault and ought to be punished is it not the rigour of justice to equall the punishment to the crime But admit that it ought to equall it and that an eye for an eye and an arme for an arme ought to expiate the sin yet why should you punish me for being jealous of you for then the same punishment ought to be inflicted upon you since you were also jealous of me Is this an act glorious and worthy of a Lover But perhaps you will say unto me You cast me off and quitted me and has therefore rendred your selfe unworthy of any favour Well suppose I did cast you off you must therefore cast me off also and perhaps you have done it already Suppose us to be both upon equall tearmes I have cast you off and you have cast me off But now when I return again with abundance of repentance and sorrow for what is past are not you obliged by the Law of Like to do the like Here I am upon my knees before you with as many bitter tears of repentance as ever Lover had and can your anger extend so far as not to re-admit me into my former happinesse Forgivenesse is the greatest glory of the gods and it has this operation that it converts the greatest offenders into the greatest lovers Thus Palemon ended and Leonida and Chrisante prepared themselves to give Judgment when the other shepheard desired to be heard what he could say for himselfe The History of the Shepheard Adrastes I Beseech you great and puissant Nymph and you venerable Chrisante to stay your judgment untill you have heard me that you may have the better conusance of our differences and be able to put a just conclusion unto all our miseries and inquietudes I have loved this shepheardesse even from her very Cradle I have never since ceased loving her but still encreased in my desires to do her service I have endured all her disdaines and patiently suffered her to place all her affection upon another before my face Length of time has not lessened my love nor diverted my designe her rigours could never afright me and yet hitherto I could never make her leave the least of her cruelties She equally ballanced her selfe with favours unto Palemon and disfavours unto me and ever most cruelly scorned both my love and patience But all was one all her affronts did but the better enure me to endure the intolerable burthen of them they were so far from diverting me from her service that the more difficulties and miseries I met with the more did they confirme the violence of my love Oh heavens can any man infected with this disease be wise Can he look for any cure when his will cannot consent unto it All such as give me any counsell against Love are my declared enemies and though all manner of hopes were blasted yet my affection was unalterable it was never in the least degree startled or lessened No great Nymph I had rather die then diminish the least spark of that flame which burned me She has seen me severall times swim in tears before her she has seen me fall at her feet out of my wits But neither my tears nor danger of my life could ever obtain any thing from her but scorn and mockery A just resentment whereof had been revenged upon Palemon if my love could have consented unto any thing that might displease this cruell one But this passion of revenge was so unable to make me undertake such a designe as I am sure she cannot taske me with the least blemish in my affection and whatsoever she is pleased to say of me I may truly without any ostentation give my selfe the name of A Lover without a fault for jealousie could never finde any harbour in my soul as it did in this too happy shepheard nor did I ever think any ill or finde any fault with any of her actions Love can be my witnesse that even her very rigours were welcome to me when I considered that they were pleasing unto this fair Doris And though I am not so far out of Fortunes favour but any other shepheardesse would perhaps look upon me with a favourable eye yet most certain I am that I never professed any fidelity to them but abundance unto her But Love not to let so much disdain go unpunished and not to forsake a Love so pure as mine hath suffered her to resent the bitternesse of disdain by the divorce betwixt her and this shepheard But before Palemon ever loved her I did yet for all her bitter treatment she never saw the least alteration in me I was the first that served her I am the only one that has continued constant and shall be for ever in the same minde I do not set these things before her eyes by way of reproach but for truthes-sake only yet such truths as shall not put her unto any sad remembrances for so I
that were it my case I would revoke your judgment What judgment would you have given said the Nymph and smiled if you had been in my room I should have contented them all three answered he I am sure said Silvander and interrupted them that this Ordinance proceeds from a solid and well disgested judgment I am sure said Hylas that such as are of Silvander's melancholly temper are not fit to be Judges of Love but if you will solidly and seriously consider the reasons why one should love you will say that I am in the right and that Doris Adrastes and Palemon might have been all three contented and satisfied How could that possibly be said the Numph By ordaining replyed Hylas that Doris should love them both and that both of them should serve her for by this means they would have had what they desired which was that she should love them and she would have been better served There was none in the Company that could refrain from laughing when they heard this judgment especially Leonida Which Hylas seeing It seemes great Nymph said he that I have made you all very merry and that you mock me Nay rather answered she it seemes Hylas that you mock us Excuse him Madam said Silvander for he speaks as he thinks If your thoughts said he unto Silvander almost angry be different from mine you think but very ill and I would gladly know what arguments you have to blame my judgment in this Silvander answered very carelesly Common sense tells us that what many have a share in is entirely possessed by none If many have shares in the love of Doris Adrastes and Palemon can have but their parts and he that has but a part in love has nothing of it at all But why said Diana unto Silvander do you speak thus unto Hylas do you not know how he does not understand that language Truly said Hylas you do very well to put in your vie also for perhaps Silvander alone is not Babell enough to confound all the World Then addressing himselfe unto Leonida Did you ever Madam hear such an absurd opinion said he as this of Silvander's that if one have but a part of a thing he hath nothing at all Will any one think that there is no water in a River because the Sea is not in it I would gladly know what this Common Sense is which teacheth such false Doctrines Silvander answered If Love could be divided and still remain Love as Water may and still be Water I should yield unto you Water is of such a nature that the least drop is Water as well as the whole Sea but Love on the contrary is no longer Love if the least part be wanting and to prove this to be a truth Love does consist principally in an extream affection and perpetuall fidelity if you take either of these parts from it it is love no longer I believe there is none in the Company except Hylas but will confesse it for if the extream be wanting in the affection or if fidelity be wanting it is treason and not love if fidelity be in it and not perpetuall it is not fidelity but perfidie So as Hylas I must conclude that who so hath only one part of Love hath nothing of it at all If it be so that Love is a thing individuall it had been against reason to enjoyne Doris to divide her love partly to Palemon and partly to Adrastes Upon this Paris began to speak Me-thinks Hylas said he that we have reason of our side but Silvander has by his discourse gotten the favourable opinion of all the Company and let me tell you that if you do not answer him I shall acknowledge what he saith Generous Paris said Hylas whatsoever Silvander saies or whatsoever you think yet truth will never change and for my part I am sure experience is more certain then all manner of words for there is no arguing against it Now Silvander has nothing but a few smooth handsome words to prove what he saith but I have found what I say by so many effects and familiar experience that I will never seek any further then my selfe for any arguments For I have loved many at once and say what he will or can I am sure I did truly love them and therefore may not Doris do the same Many replyed Silvander do think they do things when they do them not All Artificers but more especially those that do addict themselves unto the Arts and Sciences which are not Mechanicall have a very great opinion of what they do and very few but think their own works much better and more perfect then any others when as it is apparent they do but deceive themselves and very often great imperfections are seen in them by others self-Selfe-love is ever blinde but alwaies open to the eyes of others Hylas thinks he loves and that he loves well though he be but a very bad workman and therefore whosoever would love aright and not erre must never take him for a pattern Who then said Hylas my selfe If any answered Silvander believe it Silvander is he See said Hylas one of the greatest pieces of presumption that ever self-selfe-love produced Do you think none but your selfe can love well I say answered Silvander that my affection is pure and perfect that you cannot tax it with any fault nay more that you cannot name me another that excells me So so said Hylas was ever any so over-weened and arrogant as this shepheard Is he the only one that knowes how to love Came he from heaven Is he the great pattern unto men and gives them the Lawes of Love and can measure the grandure and perfection of our wills Fair Nymph if it would not be too tedious unto you I beseech you give me leave to shew him his error Then cocking his Beaver with one arme a kembow and the other accompanying by its gesture the violence of his speech he spoke thus I observe two things Silvander in your speech the one that your affection is pure and perfect and unalterable the other that I cannot name another more accomplished Can any thing be added unto that which is perfect I am confident you will say No for if it would admit of any addition then it wants something and cannot be perfect That thing unto which nothing can be added must be arrived at its extremity and therefore it must be confessed that whatsoever is perfect is extream Now if your affection be perfect then nothing can be added unto it nor can it be made greater then it is nor more accomplished Now tell me presently What is Love Is it not a desire of beauty and of a good which you want But your love is a desire of a good which you want Therefore it must consequently be confessed that something may be added unto your Love which it hath not Moreover you say that your affection cannot be taxed with any crime If I should ask you whom
it is you do love you would answer that it is Diana If I should aske further who this Diana is you would reply that she is the most perfect shepheardesse in the world Then answer I If this shepheardesse be so perfect as you esteem her are you not very bold in daring to love one that is so full of perfection For there must alwaies be some proportion betwixt the Lover and the Loved and I cannot believe that all your presumption can perswade her that you are so perfect as you think your selfe Perhaps you will charge me with the same fault in loving Phillis who you will say hath much more perfection then I. But I am of a contrary beliefe unto you for I do not hold her for such a one as you do your Diana I do confesse she is owner both of beauty and merit and am I without She has wit so have I She is wise I am no fool She is a shepheardesse I am a shepheard She is Phillis and I am Hylas Is there not an eeven conformity and equality betwixt us So as in answer unto all you can aske I propose it as a more perfect love then yours so as if one desire to love aright Hylas and not Silvander must be the pattern For to what purpose is it to love unlesse to have contentment But what contentment or pleasure can these drooping melancholly Lovers have who are perpetually musing and fretting at their hearts against this Bug-bear and Chimaera of Constancy Diana does Silvander say does not love me alas she loves another and scornes me but for all that I will love and serve and adore her lest I should be taxed with inconstancy Phillis does Hylas say does not love me she loves another and scornes me why should not I change this ungratefull woman for another that will love me and scorn some other for my sake Shall this Bug-bear of being taxed with inconstancy hinder me Ah friends I pray tell me what kinde of Beast is this Inconstancy Who did it ever devour What disease did it ever breed Did any ever die of it How many have you seen in mourning by reason of it No no it is a meer imagination a fancy a chimaera or rather an invention of some subtle Lover who seeing her selfe growne ugly or ready to be changed for some other that was fairer then her selfe did broach this opinion and made it to be thought a mortall sin to be Inconstant Will any man in his witts be thus deluded Can he be so silly as to consume all his life without any comfort Do you call this Love forsooth and Constancy May it not with much more reason be called madnesse and folly What! languish in the lap of an old ugly and ungratefull Mistresse Fie fie it is an errour far unworthy of a man that pretends unto any wit or courage Let not Silvander therefore ask any more wherein I can taxe his Love or where I can finde one that is more perfect for I am confident there is not one in the Company who will not say that Hylas loves and Hylas alone loves as a man of wit and courage ought to do Thus ended this inconstant shepheard so moved with his own arguments that he was as hot as any fire Every one smiled and looked upon Silvander in expectation of what he would say and he to give them satisfaction very sleightly answered thus I thought Madam I should have encountred with a Shepheard in the presence of Ladies and Shepheardesses but for ought I see I shall finde him an Athenian Oratour so much is Hylas transported with his eloquence Yet I wish so confident I am in the goodnesse of my cause that he of us two who shall be condemned may be so severely chastised for speaking so boldly before such sacred Altars as he shall either give his Oration the lie or else be plunged in the River Resne That is not reasonable said Hylas unlesse I had been advertised of it before I began to speak or might have such Judges as I did not suspect of partiality Why said the Nymph do you suspectus Because said Hylas you believe all that Silvander saith to be an Oracle and because he has been a while at the Massilian Schooles you admire all he saies and think him to be alwaies in the right No no Hylas said Silvander never refuse to abide the judgment of this great Nymph and the venerable Chrisante never fear shepheard I see they are not disposed unto rigour and the worst will be but an acknowledgment of your errour And therefore I will begin You say Hylas that there is no perfect love without an acquisition of some desired good because Love is only a desire of some good which it wants But Madam I humbly beseech you before I answer this shepheard to pardon me if for the discovery of his subtleties I use some termes which are not frequently used amongst us Therefore answer me shepheard Does any desire that which they do possesse You will say No because desire is only of something wanting But if Love as you say is only a desire do you not see that to possesse what one desires is to quench Love since none does desire that which they possesse Why said Hylas doth not one love that which they possesse If they do not I had rather you should love and that I should not love to the end you may desire and I may possesse I do not say so said Silvander but I say that Love is not only a desire to possesse as you would perswade but on the contrary possession and enjoyment does rather make it die then live If enjoyment do not make it live replyed Hylas yet it is enjoyment which gives it perfection No neither said Silvander for enjoyment is not at all necessary to make a perfect Love A Diamond is as perfect a Diamond before it be wrought as after the Artist hath polished it For if the perfection of Love did depend upon this Enjoyment it would not be in the power of him that loves to love perfectly since the enjoyment does not depend upon him but upon the consent of another And yet Love being an act of the Will which is guided as the Understanding thinks good and the Will being free in all that it does this act of his Will cannot depend upon any other then himselfe But admit that Love be nothing but a desire must it be concluded from thence that Love may be encreased by the enjoyment of that which one desires If you consider it well you will say that Love is rather lesse by it for our soules do in this resemble a Bow the more the string is stretched with more violence doth it shoot its Arrowes So our soules do shoot out more violent desires when the thing desired is hard to be accomplished than when it is easie and in our power If desires do lessen at things easily accomplished much more when it is glutted And if Love
time we had to be together in free discourse sometimes because of the conveniency of the place we went into yonder Rock which you may see is something neerer us which is hollow and left Lycidas or Phillis as Centinells to advertise us when any passengers came by because being neere a high way we might be heard At one time above the rest we passed over by great stones into this little Isle of Lignon And though we had already taken leave of one another severall times lest we should be surprised for my Father concealed from me the day of my departure yet still we were taking leaves and bidding adieus to the last When we were there and could perceive no body she sat downe upon the ground under a Tree I kneeling before her tooke her hand kissed it washed it with my teares and as soone as I could speake I sayd thus unto her Now my fairest Astrea I must be at a fatall distance from you and will not die because you bid me live but how shall I be able to do it since the very thought of this distance is so intolerable that it is ready to take away my life as oft as I thinke upon you To this she answered nothing but pulled me by the arme and made me sit besides her purposely because I should not see those teares which stood in her eyes and afterwards gushed out And because I expected she should say something I was a while mute she in the meane time wiped her eyes and me thought I heard some imprisoned sighes which she restrained and would not let have a vent lest I should heare them I all this while considering in silence my future fatall misery at last spoke thus unto her Alas my Astrea will you not will you not pitty a poore shepheard whose cruell Father and fate will banish him from you She answered me with a deepe sigh Can you have any memorie Sonne of my past life and make any doubt but that I shall most sadly resent any thing that shall displease you Beleeve it Celadon I will make it apparent that I do love you and shall give cleerer testimonies of it I raised my selfe up to see what testimony this would be that she would give me of her affection but she turned her head the other way and with her fair hand pushed me into the place where I sat before to the end I should not see her teares of which she was in point of honour ashamed Perhaps said Leonide it was her lofty spirit which would not let any know that Love could conquer her Whatsoever it was said Alexis she made it evident unto me that she did love me But why my Fairest Astrea said I unto her do you not command me to stay with you if my absence be displeasing unto you Can you think that the Command of a Father or any thing upon earth can make me disobey what you ordaine Sonne said she then unto me I had rather die then divert you from your voyage It would be too great an offence both against your duty and my owne honour Do not think I make any doubt of that absolute power which I have over you I judge of you by my selfe whom I am sure neither the power of Father authority of Mother desire of Kindred or salutation of Friends shall ever make me do any thing against that affection which my heart has unto you And to the end you may depart from me with some contentment carry this assurance with you I do vow and promise in the presence of all the gods whom I call to witnesse and by this soul which you love so well said she and layd her hand upon her Brest that neither heaven nor earth shall ever make me love any but Celadon nor keep me from loving him eternally Oh most strange Language said Alexis then and sighed strange indeed they should be spoken unto him who since was so out of favour A few dayes after I departed and passed over the affrighting Precipices of the Sebucians Caturgians Bravomecians and Carrocleans as farre as the Seguisians where the very horrour of death did often appeare unto me yet all these were not able to divert me from my thoughts And having passed these I desired to avoyd the dangerous Mountain of Caturiges therefore taking into the Rosne I resolved to go down that Lake whose waves do beat against the ragged Rockes of this hideous Mountaine but alas I found no more comfort by water then by Land but on the contrary was in much greater danger of death by blustering winds and waves dashing us against the Rockes but all this while my thoughts were still the same At the going out of this Lake I crossed through the great wood of Caturiges And after I was past Iseres a River which comes from Centrons I crossed the straight vallyes of Carroclees and Bramovices which conducted me as farre as the Cotian Hills Leonide being very desirous to divert him from his sad thoughts I beseech you said she unto him Relate what you have seene rare in your voyage That answered Alexis would be too long for Italy is the very wonder of the world But I shall relate unto you one very pleasant adventure which I met withall And I beleeve we shall have time enough for it The History of Ursaces and Olimbres BE pleased to know therefore Madam that Alcippes intending to send me far enough from Astrea he commanded me to lay aside the habit of a shepheard that I might be more fit to keepe good company for in those Countryes persons of any quality do all live in great Townes which they call Cittyes where their Pallaces of Marble and magnificence of furniture is able to amaze beholders And none but vile persons and Peasants do live in the Country Yet every one of the Province was extreamly affrighted at the comming of a Barbarian by Sea into Italy who plundered almost all the Province especially Rome I was so extreamly desirous to render my selfe amiable as hoping thereby to make Astrea love me the better as I was strangely swelled with curiosity to learne and enquire of every thing Comming therefore neere the Appennine Hills I heard that there was some Mountaines which burned continually And that I might be the better able to give an account of them at my returne I would needs see them But in my way thither I met with an encounter which gave a stop to my designe For I had not gone up the hills above two thousand paces or two miles as they call them there but I heard a voyce which pittifully lamented and because I had a conceipt that happy it might be some who stood in need of helpe I turned that way as my eare guided me And I had not gone a hundred paces but I spyed a man lying all along upon the ground who not seeing me broke out into these expressions Should I live or should I die amidst so many fatall misfortunes If I
and spreads it selfe above all the Trees in the Grove There we found the falubrious Misleto so fresh and well growne as by the report of all the Priests none in all the Country is comparable unto it There the sacred name of the great Tautates is engraven with the names of Hesius Tharamis and Belinus upon the three branches which doth evidence unto us that god loves the place and would be there adored Thus the Priest related these things unto the Druide who knew them better then himselfe being the Inventor of them It was a custome amongst the Gaules that a Month before the sixteenth of July they searched throughout all the Country for an Oake that had the finest Misleto then to make a report of it unto the grand Druide to the end it might be ceremoniously gathered To that end all the Priests assembled seeking for it in all the groves then when they found it they gave it a mark Now thinking it to be a signe of gods love that it should be found in the Grove next their own Town the People of it were wont to offer a particular sacrifice of thanks where the grand Druide used to officiate if he was pleased to favour them so much Now forasmuch as Adamas did very much love these men besides his designe upon Alexis upon whose contentment he thought his own depended according to the Oracle therefore he promised to go with them whensoever the Priest would advertise him The Shepheards returned their thanks in the best expressions that possibly they could Although said Adamas and smiled I have some reason to be sorry that the shepheardesses of your Town are the only neighbours who have not favoured me with a visit in congratulation of my Daughters return yet I must needs let them know that I do esteem them above any in the Country Paris desiring to excuse his Mistresse with the rest did humbly make addresse unto him Father answered he I beseech you excuse them for I have heard them resolve to come and see my Sister but Astrea being so sick as forced to keep her bed hath a little deferred it because they desire to have her company Since it is so said Adamas I am satisfied with the excuse otherwise I should take it a little unkindly Phoceon then addressing himselfe It is most true said he that my Niece hath of late been very sickly so as I conceive her best Physick will be to marry You may do very well said Adamas to let it be your indulgent care for she is now of a fit age for it Whilst Adamas was thus talking with these shepheards Leonida and Alexis entertained others But as soon as Lycidas fixed his eye upon his Brother it was long before he could draw it off for he thought he saw the very face of Celadon then considering it a little more precisely he admired that two persons should resemble one another so much yet the setled opinion of his death the authority of the Druide who said she was his Daughter the habit of a Nymph together with a little alteration in the face of Alexis did make Lycidas give the lie unto his own eyes After a little longer looking upon her he could not chuse but say thus Madam If I did as much resemble him whom you love most as you do the person whom I love and honour most I should hope ere long to engratiate my selfe into your favour Kinde Shepheard answered Alexis I am glad I have any resemblance of the person whom you love for knowing from my Father how he esteemes you I shall take any occasion to continue that amity you bear unto him The obligations we do owe unto the Father answered Lycidas together with the merits of the Daughter commands us to do you all service but me above all others who does see him live again in your face whose life was deerer to me then my own These were the first complements which passed between the two Brothers Though Leonida constrained her selfe as much as possibly she could yet she could not chuse but smile to see how Lycidas was deceived but fearing lest Alexis should not at the first act a womans part very well she interposed seeming to be very zealous in enquiring how all the shepheardesses her friends did Therefore good Lycidas said she leave off your fine complements and tell me how all my dear friends do Some answered Lycidas are merry others sad and some neither merry nor sad but do glide away time smoothly without extreams Who is it said Leonida that is so insensible either of mirth or sorrow as she resents neither It is the shepheardesse Diana answered Lycidas for she loving none is neither merry nor sad since if these do not proceed from love they do not deserve the name I do believe said Leonida that you do think as you speak but every one is not of your opinion Those that think otherwise said he are like unto those Antients who thought Water and Akehornes to be the finest food when they knew not what Wine and Wheat was but now we think that to be food only for Beasts So those who have tryed the sweets and bitters of Love will confesse that all others are nothing in comparison Do you think said Leonida that Diana never did love any nor does love any yet For what is past said Lycidas I will not answere but for the present I beleeve she lets all matters of love alone you tell me ill newes for Paris replyed Leonida This said the shepheard is the folly of our Towne for I verily beleeve that Diana is not sensible of the honour which Paris doth her yet if I be deceived I am not the first that is mistaken in Women Well said Leonida let us leave Diana for this time and tell me who is she that is the sad one It is Astrea answered Lycidas for Phoceon a covetous Uncle who as most old men do thinkes there is no happinesse but in marrying his Neece richly will needs bestow her upon a Boyen shepheard called Calydon whom she never saw above one minute at the most and whom she does not love yet for my part I beleeve the old fellow will bring the match about Is not this Calydon said the Nymph Nephew unto Tamares The very same answered he But replyed Leonida has he forgot his love unto Celidea Oh Madam said he Celidea is not the same she was the accident of her losse was indeed very strange Why said the Nymph is Celidea lost she may be termed so answered he and the heart of Tamire is now wholly upon marrying Calydon Though Alexis was talking with Corilas Hylas and Amidor yet she lent an eare unto Lycidas whose words went so to her heart that every one tooke notice of her because at the first she blushed then presently after grew as pale as ashes This caused Leonida to aske her how she did and to say that this was a relique of her old disease therefore desired her to
I should avoid them by preserving you Perhaps you will reply that love is the effect and consequent of beauty and nothing in the world is more pleasing then to be loved and carrassed Perhaps again you will say that whilst I am fair every one will adore me and when I am foul every one will disdain me But for all that let me tell thee by way of answer that in doing so strange an act every one will admire me and be apt to believe that there is some hidden perfection in me which does transcend this outward beauty Also in defacing thy luster I shall but anticipate time of a few minutes For this beauty which we so much prize for all our carefull preservation will quickly fade a few years more will ravish it from me Is it not therefore better to part from it voluntarily having so good an occasion and to sacrifice it unto the tranquillity of Calidon who hath born me so much affection What will the worst consequence be of it Why when I am ugly fewer persons will love me I cannot hope to finde any affection but from Thamires Now if the affection of Thamires be grounded only upon my beauty it will quickly fall off when my beauty decayes but if he have 〈…〉 any other basis for his love certainly he will love me the more because I have made my selfe wholly his since none else will yet look upon me To be briefe it is this beauty which hath caused all the miseries both of Calidon Thamires and my selfe I will ease them therefore and my selfe too by parting from that which would of it selfe ere long part from me I will set them both at liberty and my selfe at rest Now Madam I shall relate unto you a most strange and generous act Celidea as soon as she had said so took the Diamond and with a resolute hand did cut the skin of her fair face in severall places though the pain of it was extream yet she cut on still gnashing her teeth till she had made five or six long and dâ—â—â— gashes in her cheeks and forehead so as all her beauty was quite defaced Imagine Madam how sadly she must needs resent this act but she did not at all seem to be sorry for it only put a cloth about her head put out the Candle went into her Aunts Chamber laid the Ring in its place and went to bed you may easily imagine she took no greatrest that night But when morning was come and every one awake and up Cleontine wondered she did not see her Niece and fearing she had not been well she went softly to her bed-side but when she saw her all bloody she cryed out thinking she had been dead All the house ran up to her and found her kissing Celidea though her face was nothing but wounds and congealed blood Oh heavens Daughter said the good old woman who has thus inhumanly used you What barbarous hand could finde a heart to spoil this fair face Celidea in a low voice beseeched her to let her rest and she should know who had done it as soon as Thamires and Calidon were come Chirurgeons were immediately sent for and Thamires hearing in what condition Celidea was he ran presently to her Chamber but when he saw her he stood immovable and gave no signes of life but only by tears in his eyes At the last after a little recollecting of himselfe Is this Celidea whom I see in this sad plight said he Could the gods ever permit such a piece of cruelty What Tiger in the shape of a Man could have a heart to do it Was ever so much inhumanity executed Celidea turning gently towards him Thamires said she though you have lost the face of Celidea yet she hath preserved all the rest of her selfe if you will permit me to take revenge I will tell you who hath done this unto me Calidon upon this came into the Chamber which hindred Thamires from returning answer and Calidon hearing of this accident he had run himselfe so out of breath that he could not speak yet one might hear him utter vowes that the villain who had thus injured Celidea should not live till night Oh Calidon said she do not swear lest you should be perjured perhaps it may be such a one as you had rather die then keep your oath I do swear still by Hesius replyed Calidon and by my own soul who ere he be except Thamires he shall die Upon this he kneeled down by her bed side and offering to kisse her hand she pushed him back Calidon said she why should you offer to kisse my hand Look upon my face and take notice that I am not now the same Celidea whose beauty you so much esteemed The shepheard was so transported with fury that he had not yet looked upon her but when he fixed his eyes upon her and saw her so gastly transformed he stood more astonished then Thamires Then laying his hand upon his eyes and turning his head the other way it was impossible for him to endure the sight and stared like a man that had been frighted She all the while was not at all angry but with incredible courage endured it Then holding out her hand unto Thamires Friend said she unto him I hope this will be contentment unto you to see that I am all yours and that none now can or will ever pretend unto me This face thus disfigured was only done to make me only yours I cannot believe Thamires but that your affection unto me was built upon a better foundation then a fading face Now because I see you desirous to know who it was that made me thus know Thamires that it was Calidon And you Calidon know that it was Thamires Did you put her into this condition cried they both out Yes said she it is Calidon and Thamires that have thus wronged Celidea But have a little patience and you shall hear how Every one did wonder at these words but especially the two shepheards And when Calidon offered to speak she interrupted him thus Calidon do not go about to excuse your selfe for though Thamires and you both be the cause yet you are more to blame then he There is none that knowes me is ignorant how Thamires hath loved me from my infancy and hath ever since continued his affection to me this affection became reciprocall as soon as ever I was capable of Love and as his addresses unto me did invite me to love him so the good entertainment that he found from me invited him to continue it And indeed how happily had we lived unto this very day if Calidon had not cast his eye upon me so as I may say and Thamires knowes it that never two loved each other better than Thamires and Celidea But as soon as Calidon came all our happinesse and contentment was blasted first by his sicknesse afterwards by the gift which Thamires made of me unto him which I could never consent unto Truth
himselfe as much as he could unto this Princesse But see what constraint in love produceth Valentinian could never love her though she was the fairest Princesse in the world yet because he would not displease Placidia nor his Cosen-german upon whom all his fortunes depended he dissembled the matter so that every one thought him really in love with her I being brought up with this young Princess I must confesse that I did very inconsiderately cast my eye upon her and fell so fatally in love as it was impossible for me to make a retreat Should I say the sight of her was a happinesse unto me that hath cost me so much sorrow and pain But why should I make any doubt in the question since notwithstanding all my paines and sorrowes never was man more happy in such a generous designe then my selfe So then I became a servant unto this Princesse And there being then Tournements held in the Hippodrome at which Eudoxe was present as Valentinian entred the Lists under the notion name of the fair Eudoxe's Cavalier it may wel besaid I did the same being so captivated with her beauty and vertue that never man was more At the same time there was a young Lady of the best Families in all Greece preferred unto the young Eudoxe to be brought up with her her name was Isedore and it must needs be confest that there was none in all the Court alwaies excepting Eudoxe which was comparable unto her Valentinian no sooner cast his eye upon her but he fell presently in love with her But she was so charie of her honour and reputation as knowing that Valentinian could not marry her she would not allow of his addresse but at the first did refuse it in as milde a manner as she could but afterwards did reject it in a more harsh manner then perhaps the quality of Valentinian deserved And though he was very hot in pursuance of his affection yet did she behave her selfe so as she forced him to retreat in appearance because she vowed that if he continued she would acquaint Theoodosius and Placidia with it This young Prince fearing to displease the Emperour and his Mother did so conceal his desires as none could see them except Eudoxe and my selfe In the mean time my affection still encreased though this young Princesse did not perceive it The priviledge of my youth permitted me to see her when I pleased without suspition and I was so perpetually assiduous and diligent about her person as she employed me ofter then any other of my Companions And though at that time I hardly knew what Love was yet I took such infinite delight in being neer her in receiving her commands serving her and sometimes kissing the thing which she gave unto me as she did attribute it unto my civility I remember one day as she was walking in a Gallerie where there was abundance of rare Pictures there was amongst the rest that of Icarus whose wings failing fell into the Sea Ursaces said she unto me what does these scattered feathers and this man falling into the Sea signifie Madam said I unto her he was a young man who being inflamed with a generous courage would not he contented to flie so low as his Father whom you see by him and because his wings were set on with wax the heat of the Sun melted them so as he was forced to fall as you see him Truly answered she he was very rash and inconsiderate However replyed I he was of a most generous and noble spirit To what purpose said she since it brought him to his death Death answered I is very welcome when it leaves a brave memory behinde it What! said she unto me do you commend his act I do so much commend it Madam said I as I would not refuse to die upon conditions of the like glory This Princesse was at this time about some twelve years of age and I about fifteen or sixteen an age yet hardly capable of Love's resentments and yet I was not absolutely free however I had not so much boldnesse as to discover any thing unto her I perceive said she that you do esteem your life but very little Doubtlesse Madam said I unto her there are many things which I do esteem much more What! said she for when we are once dead all that we leave behinde us concernes us not Honour and Love answered I. What is this honour said she unto me It is an opinion replyed I which we do leave of our selves and of our courage and Love is a desire to enjoy something that is great and noble and therefore Madam I should not refuse to die in any generous acts or in doing you service first for the glory I should have by it and secondly for my affection unto you How said she Unto me like a very childe have you any love to me How do you know it By the effects answered I for when I am out of your sight I burn till I see you again and when I do see you I am vexed that I shall not see you long enough How did you come by this disease said she unto me and what is the cause of it Your perfections Madam said I unto her and your beauty hath caused this disease by staying long with you Were I as you answered she I would stay as little as possible could be but is there no remedy for the cure of this disease Yes said I unto her if you please to love me as well as I love you How said she presently would you have me burn when I see you not Good Ursaces look for some other Receipt for believe it you shall not have this I remember that when I have burned my finger I was in so much pain as I will hardly undergo so much again for your cure I durst not reply because there were many Ladies and Knights talking together in the Gallery and took no notice of us though they were there to accompany the young Princesse but her childhood and my youth permitted me to be with her without suspition But afterwards she grew more knowing and I grew more in love then before Valentinian whose whole designe was upon the fair Isidore did hold Tournements as oft as he could for having a good agility in that exercise he thought by that means to insinuate himselfe into the favour of that wise Lady still seeming as if all he did was for Eudoxe Now because he commonly took such as were of his own age and there being not above two years difference betwixt him and me I was alwaies of his party Fortune it seemes had a minde to favour me and conferred the Prize very often upon me which seeming as if it were in behalfe of Valentinian I alwaies carried unto Eudoxe and when she received it she permitted me to kisse her hand Oh how well did I think all my pains bestowed Yet I carried the matter with so much discretion as she could not possibly
Neverfear Madam said she that Receipt will not do any effect upon me because I do not believe in his words See upon what termes I was when Valentinian married this fair Princesse whom presently after he carried into Italy I shall passe over my sorrowes and displeasures I had especially the marriage night But those of the fair Eudoxe were no lesse as afterwards she told me and Isidore whom she carried with her when she left Greece because of the great confidence she had in her You may imagine that Valentinian did not contrary her in it But as this first night was almost intollerable to me so I needed not to seek out for an excuse in not following this fair Princesse for I was fallen extreamly sick upon the great displeasure which I conceived when Valentinian departed After I had recovered my health I begged leave of the Emperour to follow Ariobindes and Asilas two great Commanders which he preferred unto Valentinian with an Army to assist him against the innundation of the barbarous people who threatned from all sides to fall upon the Empire My age and my just request easily obtained what I asked But as ill luck was this Army was countermanded back because Attilas with the Hunnes Almaines and Gepides and an infinite world of people were upon their March towards Constantinople This countermand was no sooner brought unto Ariobindes and Asilas but they heard of the death of Theodosius who being infected with the Plague dyed suddenly without Issue-male I had no disposition to carry this sad newes unto the fair Eudoxe but besought Ariobindes that I might accompany the Messenger whom he sent seeming very desirous to see Italy before I returned which request he easily granted unto me In our way we came to Naples and from thence to Rome where I was welcomed with all desirable carasses Eudoxe did sadly resent the death of her Father as nature required of her and during the dayes of mourning Valentinian received intelligence that Pulcheria the Sister of Theodosius who had married an old Generall called Marcianus had gotten him to be elected Emperour This Marcianus was he whom Genserick King of the Vandalls having him Prisoner in Affrica did see the Eagle flie and with whom he afterwards contracted a great league of friendship And because he was a very great Commander and of high reputation he quickly forced Attilas to retreat into Pannonia where envying his Brother Bledas he traiterously murdered him that he might remain sole King over all those barbarous People When I had intelligence of the election of this new Emperour and that Attilas was repulsed I conceived that then there was nothing which could invite me out of Italy but that War being on all sides it was better to stay where my Love invited me As I was in these considerations the Emperour was advertised that this Attilas who may well be phrased the scourge of god had taken Gaul for his first designe and having by his Armes subjected Valamer and Ardarick Kings of the Ostrogots and Gepides he constrained them to joyne with his Forces which were composed of Erulians Almains Turingians Marcomances and of some Francks who remained in their old habitations beyond the Rhein when under the great Pharamond this warlick People forced their passage and possessed themselves of that Country which now they hold in Gaul and which began then from the name of Francks to be called France As soon as this newes was made certain the Emperour re-inforced the Army of the Patriarch Aetius who was one of the best and greatest of all the Roman Captains and who had the charge of the Gaules Now though it went much against my minde to leave the fair Eudoxe yet go I must and when I asked leave of her Why my Cavalier said she unto me will you be so far distant from me What cause have I given unto you Have you so slender affection as to leave me thus My fairest Princesse said I unto her if I should not go in this expedition wherein all the Gallantry of the Court are employed what will the world think of my courage What will they think if I stay at home Nay what would your selfe think of me Unto which she answered with a smile I remember that before my Marriage none of these excuses were urged What! do you love me lesse now then before Believe it though I will keep within compasse of my duty yet I do love you as well now as then and shall be very sorry to part from you Then she kissed me Remember continued she that you return quickly and be still faithfull Thus I left her and went unto Aetius In the mean time Valentinian who was infinitely in love with the wise Isidore continued still his addresses but with abundance of warinesse and discretion and thinking that her denyall proceeded only from some fears as commonly young women have that it would spoil her Marriage if it should be known that she was loved Therefore he resolved to marry her and thinking with himselfe who in all the Court was most fit for her he pitched upon Maximus a Roman Knight of great authority he was thought the fittest person for the businesse as well because he was often in Rome so by consequence he might easily see her as because he was very ambitious and by doing him honours he might the more easily deceive and abuse him Maximus who desired to marry and who expected his advancement from the Emperour received this offer as a very great honour for the Lady was very fair and of an illustrious Family also had as good a reputation as any in the Court Isidore on the other side was not against it for Maximus was as rich as any in Rome and had been twice Consul Also the Empresse who infinitely loved this Lady was very glad that she was to be married in Rome so advantageously There being therefore no obstruction in this Match Marriage was presently consummated to the contentment of them both But when the Emperour some few daies after offered some addresses unto the wise Isidore he found her more slack and cool in her affection then before at which the Emperour was so vexed as he resolved to have no longer any recourse unto supplications It hapned then that he and Maximus being at play as they often used fortune was so averse to Maximus that he lost all his mony and having nothing about him to make stake but a Ring which he usually sealed withall he pulled it off from his finger put it to the stake and lost it The Emperour conceiving he had met with a good occasion to accomplish his designe he pretended some important business and leaving one in his room he bad him play on upon credit till Maximus had quitted all he had won which he did only upon designe to amuze him the more In the mean time he sent to the wise Isidore in her Husbands name commanding her to come and visit the Empresse and as a
token of his desire shewed unto her the Ring of her Husband She giving credit to the Messenger and suspecting nothing went and was conducted into the Garden being told that the Empresse was there Being brought into the most retired place of all the Garden you may imagine how astonished she was when she saw her selfe in the hands of Valentinian She began presently to look very pale upon it and to tremble The Emperour seeing it took her by the hand and would have carried her to sit downe in an Arbour which was in the midst of the Garden but seeing her selfe alone with him she refused to enter yet he taking her by the arme forced her in and shut the dore after them Oh heavens Silvander in what a terrible affright was poor Isidore when she saw this violent beginning it was as great as if she had been brought to the place of execution But the Emperour thinking to vanquish her by fair words and thinking that no woman would deny him he sat down by her and spoke in this manner I make no doubt fair Isidore but you think this stratagem which I have used very strange and perhaps are angry with me for it but I hope when you consider the violence of my affection how long it hath continued and how neither my owne reasons nor your rigour can quench it I hope I say that you will pardon my boldnesse that you will not think this action strange but will render my affection some satisfaction before you depart from hence Every thing does invite us to it first my unequal'd affection next the quality of him who loves you who being Emperour you may aspire unto the Empire if you will render me as much satisfaction as my love deserves and lastly the consideration of Maximus may move you unto it since you may see by his Ring that he does not only consent unto it but desire it What then my fair Isidore should hinder you from giving satisfaction to my longing desires Then offering to kisse her she turned her head the other way and would not permit him but beseeched him to sit down and hear her desiring if it were possible to overcome him by sweetnesse I must needs confesse Sir said she unto him that I am infinitely amazed to see my selfe alone with you in this dark and solitary place and so much against my minde since upon it depends the ruine of my honour and my life but I have a great confidence that you will do nothing against reason or my will especially when I do consider who you are and who I am Considering you as your selfe why should I fear being in the hands of the great Valentinian Son to the generous Emperour Constantius the most accomplished of any that ever wore the name of Cesar Valentinian I say whose Mother was the wise Placidia the honour and patterne of all Ladies Can you think great Sir that I am affraid of you whose wisdome is known throughout all the world and whose prudence every one admires also one from whom Justice is generally expected I should shew my selfe too ignorant of my Emperour's excellencies did I doubt his goodnesse or fear any harm from him in this solitary place where I am alone with him No no I dare trust my selfe any where in the hands of my honoured Emperour but I must needs confesse I think it strange that I should be brought hither by the consent of Maximus It vexeth me to the soul that he should thinke me so unworthy and that I should have one to my husband who is the very shame and scorne of men Now Sir I will not aske what it is you would have of me nor what occasion brought you to this place That Traytor who is the owner of this Ring and your owne discourse does but too plainly tell it But I do most humbly beseech you great and good Sir to consider that I have no more honour when this is gone and if you love me let me live worthy of great Cesars love Consider Sir that you trample under your feet the honour and the life of her you love and will so much injure your owne honour and reputation as well as mine as I know it will be impossible for you to repaire it againe You tell me that in rendering you this satisfaction I may pretend unto the Empire Oh heavens can you think me worthy so much as to live after so great a crime and staine unto mine honour If you do beare any good will unto me preserve me unstained untill you can make me such as you say and stay till it shall please the gods to bring it to passe If there be any truth in your words that you do love me And if you do love me never offer that which will make me exteamly hate you Can you imagine I shall ever love him that ravisheth away my honour which is much dearerto me then my life No no Sir I never can But I beseech you think upon Constantius your Father think upon Placidia your Mother and think upon God who hath miraculously seated you in the Throne he hath given you power to vanquish John by the hand of young Aspar John I say who otherwise had possessed the Empire he hath overcome for you the valiant Castinus by the valour of Artabures who a little before was a prisoner in Ravenna he hath subjected unto you the Prudent Aetius by the meanes of those who hardly knew you He hath defeated Boniface the Usurper of Affrica he hath made the Puissant Genserick King of the Vandals your friend To be briefe what has not this great God done for you And how thankfull ought you to be unto him Now Sir the very same god who has done all these for you does at this very instant see you and observes what cause you will give him either to continue his favours or to send you punishments Consider what miserable accidents and fatall tragedies have heretofore besalne this Empire upon the like occasions as this Oh most omnipotent Diety rather showre downe all thy thunderbolts upon me and hide me in the profundity of the earth then suffer me to be any cause of moving thy wrath against this Emperour Upon this she kneeled downe and continued And you great Sir I beseech you rather put me to death then ravish from me that which makes me worthy of your love or before you make me instrumentall to bring the odium both of god and men upon you Now Sir shew that you are truly Cesar and be as well a commander over your passions as you are victorious over your enemyes Valentinian seeing her upon her knees he tooke her up and was so moved with her expressions as he was ashamed of what he had done and wished that he had never attempted it Her words did so flow with reason as fast as her eyes with teares so as working upon her good nature they forced him into a resolution of overcoming himselfe and promised
cease loving where once he is with reason fixed all reason constraines me to this amity for he is transcendently vertuous an unparalelled friend and I owe him my life Were it not an absurd contradiction of reason if I should faile in poynt of friendship Therefore grave and wise Sirs since heaven has ordained you for a comfort unto the afflicted deny not this remedy unto me lest you should contradict your owne lawes and ordinances which you have for many ages adjudged to be so just and sacred Every one admired the resolution of this constant friend The Councell after a long debate was in doubt whether they should grant or deny their demands untill the Principall of the Councell by the advice of them all asked Ursaces whether he would permit his friend to dye Unto which he answered No. And why asked the wise Massilans Because answered Ursaces he ought to live and comfort if he can his unfortunate Lady and mine Have you said the Massilian permission from the Lady that you love to dye because you are not able to relieve her I have not answered Ursaces for I never saw her since this misfortune happened But I dare assure you that her generous heart would consent unto it and if she were in my place she would make the same request which I do The Lords of the Councell after this did long argue the matter amongst themselves And it was resolved and agreed upon and the Principall with a grave and audible voice gave this Judgement The Judgement of the Councell of Six Hundred UPon the request presented unto us by these two Petitioners to obtain the consolation of all humane miseryes the Councell doth ordaine that before it be granted unto the first Petitioner he shall procure the permission of the Lady whom he loves to dispose of his life and upon a certificate of the same his desire shall be granted As for the other since his friend will not consent unto his death he is declared incapable of obtaining the favour And because both of them are lovers and loved and because a lover ought not to live for himselfe but for the Person whom he loves therefore by consequence he neither can nor ought to dispose of his life without the permission of her whose he is Oh heavens cryed out Ursaces having heard this doome how shall I passe away my sad dayes and nights Then making an humble reverence to the Lords he went from the Councell but so sad that he could not obtaine his demand as every one did admire the constancy and firme desire of death Olimbres was not so eager of it because his desire of death was onely to accompany his friend and therefore was very glad of the denyal Then they retyred to their lodgings much lamenting their miserable fortunes And the noyse was spread not onely all over the Towne but also through the Country that two great Roman Persons were come purposely to demand the poison Upon this a great Astrologer who was desirous to know who they were came to visit them This man was very old and had wholly addicted himselfe unto that science so as he was growne very admirable in predictions This man being advertised of their designe fearing that their corrages disposing them so eager of death and the poison being denyed them that they would have recourse unto the sword he desired he might advise them according to the rules of his Art With this intention he went unto them one morning when they were alone in their chamber He desired me to be his conducter because we had some acquaintance when I was a student there I shall not make any relation of the particular discourse which they had for they were very long But so it was that punctually knowing the time of their Nativities having long contemplated upon their Physiognomies and hands and having drawne some lines in paper which he parted and then joyned together he said thus unto them Sirs live and preserve your selves for a better season which the heavens do promise unto you As for you said he unto Ursaces you shall recover her whom you have lost by the meanes of a man whom of all the world you love best you shall enjoy full contentment and possesse her many yeares in the same Towne where your love first begun And you said he unto Olimbres you shall marry her whom you love you shall bring her back unto her Country with her Mother you shall not dye till an Emperour of the West be made These things which I tell you are infallible and nothing can divert them The reputation of this man had such an influence upon Ursaces that he resolved to believe him and follow his counsell and conjured him by the great God whom he adored to assist him with his best advise Then he propounded unto him the hatred of Genserick and the danger he should incurre by going into Affrica You must said he send back all your domestiques into Italy and make a shew as if you would kill your selfe to the end the report of your death may be spread abroad some few dayes after you must designe your selfe in the habit of a slave and put your selfe into the service of your friend who may carry you into Affrica where he shall meet Genserick and doubt not but that being thus unknowne you will compasse your desires I would advise you to go unto Constantinople there stay till Olimbres come to you with Eudoxe and Placidia for I finde by my observations that he will bring them thither But I have three reasons to say that you must go into Affrica First because I do foresee that you must be taken for a slave and you cannot avoyd it Secondly that perhaps your stay there will be very vexatious to you in being so long without your friend and not seeing her you love and lastly that you may assist Olimbres with your counsell who will have occasion to stand in need of it Moreover it is very necessary that you make â— report run that you are dead to take away all suspition from Genserick and all the ill will that he may conceive against Olimbres if you stay either in Greece or in Italy it is impossible but some or other will discover you Thus did this wise man advise him and after he had committed him to heavens custody he went home to his house Ursaces having consulted long with himselfe what to do at the last resolved to observe him punctually in every thing and therefore one evening having gotten a bladder full of blood close to his side under his clothes he went to walk by the Sea-side with most of his domesticks following him and many others of the Towne where after he had made a long and sad discourse of his miseries and complained extreamly against his refusall of poyson faigning that he would not live any longer he thrust a knife into his side and made the blood in the bladder run out in great abundance so
assure you I think of nothing lesse How Servant said Phillis and seemed to be troubled will you not have me to be your Mistresse Good shepheardesse said he do not use the word Servant and the word Mistresse so familiarly for they are not seasonable amongst us At what Game said she have I lost you Hylas At the Game of the Fairest answered he Do you not know that it was alwaies my custome to leave those I loved as soon as I found one that was fairer Aske Florice Cyrcenea Palliuice Madonthe and Laonice if I did not so by them If none of these will tell you then ask Phillis your very good friend for if she will confesse the truth she will tell you how I have left her for Alexis who indeed is the fairest and most lovely that ever I saw Every one did laugh heartily at the discourse of Hylas and Phillis amongst the rest who said thus unto him Why shepheard are you then fully resolved to love me no longer It is possible you should quit me for a Druide But my comfort is it will be long before you can have any fruition of your love for Alexis cannot marry untill her time with the Carnutans be expired Hylas smiling and shaking his head at this I assure you shepheardesse said he you tell me a thing that would make me in love with Alexis if I were not so before for ever since I began to look upon women I never loved any yet so but I began to hate her as soon as ever I thought of marriage So as if Alexis be not content with her time I will give her as much more and yet love her Now let me tell you there is an odd kinde of ambition in my love which I must by all means strive to satisfie I have already loved Maides Wives and Widowes I have courted my Inferiours my Equalls and my Superiours I have served fooles crafty ones and good ones I have met with severity courtesy and insensibility to either love or hatred I have tried old ones middle aged and very children I have liked the fair the black and the browne beauties I have made addresses unto some that did love me unto others that did not love me I have tryed all conditions and all humours that can be in women But I must confesse I never courted a Druide or a Vestall before I have been hitherto a Novist in that holy Tribe and I think the gods have sent me this fair Alexis to the end I may make it my boast that I am the most perfect and experienced Lover that ever was None in the Company could forbear laughing Florice she addressed her selfe unto him Hylas said she are you not afeard that Tharamis will blast you with lightning from heaven for offering to court one that is dedicated unto him Oh! Florice said Hylas you that are so religiously devoted unto the gods have not you dedicated your selfe unto Tharamis and yet you have had Theombres in your armes a thousand times and never feared any blasting with lightning from heaven 'T is true said Florice very faintly but things that are absolutely forbidden do more offend the gods then those which are indifferent A very fine excuse indeed said Hylas and well found out pray tell me where do you finde that the gods did ever forbid it If you had ever seen a Druide or a Vestall received into their Orders by their Antients said she you would not have asked me this question Oh Oh said Hylas I do now understand you very well it is the old drie Druides that does forbid them but yet they are no gods It is a Law made only by men men that are old and not able to enjoy the pleasures of youth and therefore are envious and deny unto youth what their age is deprived of Fie shepheard said Tircis mingle not things prophane with things sacred and consider that the gold of Apollo's Temple which cost us Gaulians so dear was dedicated unto him by men Oh my good friend Tircis said Hylas how long is it since you became so amorous You I say who were not wont to be contented with the Living but would rake the Tombes and Monuments for one whom it pleased the gods to take unto themselves from amongst men you that were not wont to be conversant amongst the living but the dead do you now come to talk of the gods and of things that belong to living men Oh Hylas said Tircis and sighed how infinitely you wrong me I do confesse that I do love Cleon and I shall rather lose the memory of my selfe then of her and her perfections But wherein do I offend the gods or in my duty towards men Would it not be infinite ingratitude to the gods not to honour their most perfect work And he were not a man that would not love or forget that thing which above any in the world is most worthy of love and memory Thus these Shepheards discoursed whilst Lycidas related unto Phillis and the fair Astrea what he had seen in the house of Adamas and how fair Alexis was Truly said he I hope that I may without offence tell you that she is the very perfect resemblance of my dear and dead Brother when he was in his greatest beauty for I did never in all my life see two faces no nor any Glasse represent a more exact resemblance Is it possible said Astrea So true said Lycidas that I know no difference between them but in their habit and to tell you truly me thought Alexis to be a little fairer of the two Oh heavens said Astrea can you favour me so far as to help my eyes unto this long'd for sight Then turning to Diana and whispering her in the ear I promise you Sister said she that if I can obtain the favour I will go with her and turn Druide Oh god Sister said Diana never think of such a sad separation or else resolve to take Phillis and me with you Oh said Astrea that is too unreasonable for it would be too great a wrong unto Silvander and Lycidas Diana would have replyed but Astrea made a signe unto her to be silent lest they should be heard After this all the Company retired to their own homes resolving to visit Adamas and the fair Alexis within three daies after A terme which Astrea thought to be an age so extreamly did she long for a sight of this so much beloved resemblance In the mean while Celadon was as impatient for a sight of her The end of the two first Tomes of Astrea according to the Originall FINIS
say will out-weigh So I and Clorian The gods did favour my designe so as Cercenea after some courtship did love me may be as well as I loved her and when you know what assurances of it she did give me I believe you will say as much as I. But because there was some unto whom she owed duty and particularly her Mother she desired me to let her faign as if she loved Clorian because there was already some probability of a Marriage betwixt them being both of one Town and one quality Moreover Clorian being very rich her Mother would doubtlesse like well of the Match whereas if my love unto her had been discovered being a stranger and perhaps had a wife in some other place she would have disallowed of it and perhaps charged her daughter not to see me I was very glad of the motion because I knew not with what language I could put Clorian off any longer having worn out all my excuses till they were thread-baâ—e so as he seeing me so much with Cercenea and yet doing nothing for him began to be in some doubt of me Then I acquainted Cercenea with all passages betwixt Clorian and me and how he had employed me to speak unto her But fairest Mistresse I told her by way of mocking him lest if I should have set forth unto her his affection as it was she should entertain any sparks of love unto him but I did it so dexterously that Cercenea had a greater minde to make use of him as a cloak for her love of me with lesse suspition and told me That her Mother had often proposed him unto her for a Husband and that she knew he had some good will unto her Then I went unto Clorian unto whom I faigned a long Prologue as an introduction of what I intended to say I related unto him the speeches answers and replyes that I made in his behalfe and did assure him that I had made a way for his affection to finde a welcome Oh! what thanks did he give me and what promises to serve me upon the like occasion for which I thanked him but did not desire to be in his hands as he was in mine At the last he took heart and according to my advice he resolved to speak of it unto Cercenea but with more fear and heart-beating then if he were to fight with the most valiant man alive Yet the courage which I had infused into him and assurance that he should be welcome to her did make him surmount those fears which had solong silenc'd him and finding an opportunity he acquainted her with his intentions in the best language he could invent the effect of which was that he bore unto her so much humble respect as without me he never had durst to declare his affection unto her that it was all purity and vertuous desires Truly answered she you have a very good friend of Hylas and you may well think him so and by all meanes preserve such a Jewell for he hath done nothing above a month but continually talk in commendation of you Also you may understand from him that I am not so obdurate as you imagine but does think my selfe obliged to entertain a man of your merit when you come with honest and pure designes of Marriage as your friend tells me you do and therefore I am contented to live with you according to the purity of such affection but I shall be very glad to have Hylas a witnesse of all that passeth betwixt us that he may arbitrate all matters betwixt us I must be briefe my fair Phillis otherwise an age would not serve to relate all the accidents that befell me But be pleased to know that ever since this day Clorian was so far ingaged that he could not retreat and because their Parents began to take notice of it I did acquaint her Mother that Clorian did intend to marry her Daughter and that because I thought it an advantageous Match unto Cercenea I had contributed all my endeavours to bring it about but since I had not yet spoken of it unto his Father and Mother I desired that the businesse might be kept secret Cercenea's Mother knowing Clorian to be rich and well born did heartily thank me for my endeavours and did desire that if Clorian had any such minde he would speak unto her and she would keep it as secret as he pleased but she desired to have that satisfaction from himselfe I assured her he should and accordingly within a few daies after we went unto her again and Clorian told her more then I had done Thus all things went very well for my part I was welcome to the Mother more welcome to Clorian but most of all to Cercenea You see into what a passe I was brought to seem as if I did not love this fair one I was forced to quit my place unto Clorian and to speak for him When there was any company I stood before them that Clorian might unseen kisse her hand but it vexed me to the soul when he kissed her mouth as often he did in my presence And though it did displease me very much and Cercenea more yet we did constrain our selves that she and I might have some opportunities sometimes of privacy For the Mother believing me to be a mediator only for Clorian did give me all the liberty I could desire Nay more I brought her Letters from Clorian and oftentimes did answer them my selfe for she did only write them and god knowes not without much laughter and jearing of him Thus did I live the most contented man alive till Fortune upon a sudden turn'd the wheel and yet it went not so neer my heart as it would anothers because I had so good a receipt against all such maladies The Facchanalian Feasts being at hand to be celebrated Clorian and I resolved to maintain a Tournement Clorian took for his device a Picture of Circe with Circenea's face amongst the Companions of Ulysses with this Motto To her had fewer Charmes But I not daring to declare my selfe as he did I did a little disguise her name and painted a Syren and Ulysses tyed to the Mast of his Ship with this Motto What Bâ—nds would be sufficient I thought that I had done very well and that she was infinitely obliged unto me for it But see the Fate As chance was there was a young Beauty in Lyons whose name was Parthenopea a neer neighbour unto my lodging with whom how ever it came to passe I had no great familiarity for it was not my humour to have any fair neighbours and not to visit them When I was in the Lists those that were curious began to interpret our devices as for that of Clorian every one could easily understand it Circenca's face and the clinch of her name did sufficiently discover it But as for mine none could give it a meaning At the last an old Knight that was upon the Scaffold amongst the Ladies where