interpretation of the Oracle but not a person would signifie it to him But on the contrary Telamon dissembling it I avow unto you said he unto him that I find so much obscurity in this answer that I know less of our doubt than I knew before Sometimes added Agamée we have seen the hopeless to find their Salvation in the same occasions where they seek for death Telamon feared lest these Words should push forward the Spirit of Tarsis to some tragical Reoslution which is the cause why he replyed thereunto There is little appearance Agamée that the Gods should Counsel Men to be desperate those who would that we should hope in them and undoubtedly it must necessarily be that there is in these Words some other sence than we yet do comprehend but will be made more clear in the Sequel Think you that the Gods will so soon discover us their Secrets and that they content themselves that it costs us the Pains of asking them No not so they sometimes take Pleasure to punish our curiosity in casting us into new Troubles They discover us the Truth but under Enigmatical Riddles or Mysteries which we are unable to unfold unless it be with much trouble and length of Time they would even be angry that we should believe we could understand them the first time as if it were easie for Men to penetrate into the Secrets of the Gods and they divert themselves in observing that after we have unprofitably laboured hard a little successful event disintangles and unpesters all and renders us astonished and confused with our own Ignorance While they thus discoursed they went out of the Temple and immediately after they had made to one of the Priests their Complements for Timothy they reassumed their Way to return to Cenome The Shepherdesses did also as much as in them was possible to turn the Sence of the Oracle to the Advantage and Consolation of Tarsis There was none but Philiste who could say nothing so much was she afflicted her self with the loss of her Sister and of the little hopes that the Gods seemed to give her of resinding her Ergaste also would not say any thing of his thoughts by reason of the Priests But when they had quitted them Will you said he that I speak freely unto you behold an Oracle which is as all others that is to say a free gibberish Fustian Language or Pedlars French Ah! let us speak of sacred things with respect replyed Telagie but let us speak also without Prevention replyed Ergaste if you will that we hold our Peace in convenient time and season But if you will intermedle with reasoning thereunto they must be examined with Reason Now is there reason to believe that the Gods so obscurely give Counsels to Men Who ever speaks doth it to be understood and in this case it is Ignorance in him not to be able to make himself understood either he speaks not to be understood and in that case 't is either Malice or Folly Now Ignorance nor yet Malice nor Folly can be presumed in the Gods This which possibly can be it is two things the one either that the Priests abuse us or that the Gods do mock us Also of all these Oracles is there not one alone which cannot square and suit with all sorts of Events I can tell you a thousand strange examples but there needs nothing than this here Seek Death and thou shalt find it Behold truly a very wonderful Prophecy is it Death or is it Zelie that one shall find if it be Death that great Miracle that one finds in seeking it if it is Zelie it must also necessarily be that one must meet her in seeking for Death because she sooner or later must dye and be found in the common Rendevouz of all Men. Ergaste having thus spoken Telamon reply'd him I avow Ergaste possibly there may have bin abuse in the Oracles but you cannot believe it of all It is easie for the Priests to counterfeit themselves Prophets so that there is but to pummel the eyes into the Head to open the mouth more than ordinary to counterfeit the furious and mad Man and to pronounce equivocable false and double Words But what will you say of that dreadful hideous and terrible Voice of those under-ground Thunders and even sometimes those Earthquakes which excite a little Stone a word a little Air agitated assuredly these things pass humane Invention But you have very well said that the Gods can render themselves dark and obscure to sport themselves with our curiosity and it is by that Reason that we must never be hopeless on the answer of their Oracles how disadvantageous soever they appear unto us because that which appears to us at first sight to be moreirksome is oftentimes by the success found to be that which we can desire to be most favourable See you Telamon said Ergaste if it be not needful to explicate you subterraneous Thunders your Flames and Earthquakes to destroy your Oracles they would not be yet so well established for in how many places do these very same things arrive naturally witness one simple hole in Sicilia where all that happens by the smallest thing that at the very first coming is cast there without any pretence that the Gods take upon them the trouble of intermedling themselves And if you will that I give you the reason I will tell you that the Air agitated by the Motion of the Stone cast in enters and issues out by the concavities of divers Figures and which forms the different Sounds and Noises that we hear as that Air in those places there is already disposed to take Fire it 's lighted by the smallest movement and is that which causeth those Flames and Smoaks and that being already too close shut up in these low and profound places this same agitation rarifies it and extends it so that it cannot be more contained in its Prison this is that which causeth the Earthquakes But added Telagie What will you say of the Oracles of Dodone where the Pidgeons and Trees speak as Men what will you say of that of Ephesus where a Statue of marble speaks as a Person animated I will tell you reply'd Ergaste that Men can hide and conceal them within the Bodies of Trees and make them appear animated with their Word I will say that by the same Artifice they can make poor prevented Spirits believe that their Voice is that of Pidgeons that there do nest if you will not better believe Hetorodoto who saith that these Pidgeons were no other than Women which boar the name and which medled with Prophecies I will say that of some subterranean Places they can by the means of some Pipe Quill or Reed make their words pass by the Mouth of a Statue and I will say in a word a thousand things more apparent than to believe that a Marble that a Pidgeon or that a Tree hath spoken What Ergaste said Pelagie you would destroy all
impatience that you see he hath to come out from thence Let 's reconduct him I pray you to Tempé and see only before a few Lines that his Impatience constrained him to make out You know undoubtedly Erasistrate the famous and so much renowned Physitian not only by the excellent Experiences which he hath manifested by his Art but by the profound and eloquent Meditations which he hath written above all that there is most concealed in the Nature of Man Yea assuredly interrupted Agamée and I have admired a Hundred times amongst his Works his Tract his rare Draft of the Passions where teaching us to know them he teacheth us also to combat with them and to cure our selves of those Diseases of the Mind whilst he prohibits us those of the Body That is the very same replyed Telamon you know the Friendship that the great President of the Areopagites hath for him My Brother who had need to hasten the Judgment of his process and litigious Suit which was the only Obstacle of his return to Zelie prayed Erasistrate to speak to him in his Favour and because he deferr'd it twice or thrice he thus pressed him I languish for some days of a Disease which according to appearance if I receive not some assistance must necessarily take a course bad enough This Disease is called Impatience which naturally still grows and increaseth and I see without speedy Succour my Cure apparently hopeless Famous Physitian of Souls and Bodies I ask not for those noble Efforts and Endeavours which render you famous from Gange even to the Gades Only vouchsafe to succour me with two words that I be not the first sick one whom you will have left to dye These words Telamon pursued produced two advantageous Effects to Tarsis The first that Erasistrate effectually made him have a very speedy Expedition The second that this illustrious Personage having tasted and sounded his Wit would contract Friendship with him Now behold another piece which makes me call to mind an occasion where this acquaintance was yet of more Utility to the Love of Tarsis But although they are both in the same Leaf by reason they are for the same Person behold the cause why others were made between them both it will be good therefore that we read them before-hand these here were made at another House in the Countrey that Alcidias hath a little off the other side of Gonnes Melicerte and Zelie were come there to spend some time and Tarsis was there with them After they were departed and returned to Calioure he sent them these Lines I was seiz'd near to you O divine Zelie with a thousand Transports of ravishing Joy but for these pleasant Moments I have sad and mournful days and so pass my Life did I think to recal your amiable Presence by the deceitful Charms of a sweet Memory all speak to me of your absence when I would think of you go I to walk in the Wood where Zelie came to take the fresh Air and the Shadow unfortunate one that I am all that I see there is that the fair one is departed Thou seekest her every where my Eye with Care and Fidelity following that of my Love the error which deceives thee thou â—eest a hundred places where the fair one was but there she is not Thou hast but the Pleasure there yet to see the green Turfe where Zelie leaned after her Paces thou knowest it by the bait of a hundred Flowers that she made there to disclose and open All the Grass hath taken a new Life in those certain places where the fair One walked thou seest Drought and Yellow with desire that which her Foot hath not touched In some places said they that she came to appear they see that of a fair Green the Earth is painted they saw the Trees through desire grow the Cherry to ripen was much more prompt and her Hands chusing the ripest of its Fruits made the others to blush with shame because they had not bin gathered they yet saw there things metamorphosed a thousand prodigious and surprizing Effects and of the Miracles which she hath done they yet see a thousand things but what serves that to the happiness of my Life all that 's of my Dolour I conceal and conclude that there I saw Zelie but in fine see her no more let 's now return to our Work But before it be read unto you it 's requisite to you to observe that a little after Tarsis was returned from Athens Erasistrate being fallen sick caused himself to be carried to Tempé there to take the benefit of our Waters whose Reputation you know is famous all over Greece There were then a considerable number of Persons of Quality that by the self same design had there bin conducted and there was not one but would have bin very willing to see and entertain Erasistrate As he was indisposed and not in a condition to pester and intangle his Spirits with the Maladies of others he had provided for that trouble in declaring at first that he would not only not make but would also receive nor accept of any Visits Leucippe who was also then sick a Bed had an unexpressible Passion to see him But he could not have that Priviledge Tarsis alone had Erasistrate who even in his Indisposition could not dwell Idle wrote at Tempé a Treatise upon the Nature of the Light and a little before he had finished it he shewed it to Tarsis with whom he took pleasure to communicate his Works Tarsis was so charmed that two hours after he had quitted him he sent him these Lines Finish the principal of the Work to which none is comparable make appear the day in it's Supreme degree give light even to light it self and from new Beams enlighten the Sun God drew out of the Chaos the bright shining Light Do with thy Pen what he did with his Voice and by the Divinity of thy learned Quill draw Light out of the confused Chaos a second time Until now it 's splendor scarce visible The day to us is dimmed and dazled the more are we sensible thereof and from it's proper and from its bright Glimps comes it's Obscurity But pursue thy Race and persist in thine Exercise and three of thy days Journeys goes throughout the whole universe to give more Light which the Sun hath not done since three thousand years Although these Lines speak of the Creation of the Light more according to the Opinion of Moses whose Books my Brother had read which followeth that of the Greeks who determin not that it was done with or by a Voice nor since what time the World hath bin made Howsoever Erasistrate unto whom this strange Doctrine was known so approved of this Piece found it so to his good liking and so much obliging that although he was at the even of his Departure he could not yet leave Tempé without sight of my Brother and went to seek him even to Callioure in
yielded her Place and Precedency by Civility so that the Shepherdess replyed thus That which you speak Ergaste is Gallant and Comely but however I do not well understand how you compare Love with War since that contrarily Love in my apprehension tends not but to Peace and Union of hearts And War Amiable Celiane replyed Ergaste tends it to any other thing than Peace Celiane not answering any thing Celemante took up the Cudgels for her and said no Ergaste not so Wars arise from the Disunion of Heart and thou wilt avow me that Love Ariseth and Springeth from Union and Correspondency That is that in which thou deceivest and cheatest thy self replyed Ergaste Love as well as War Springs yet from Disunion of Minds and Spirits and Tempers At this Discourse Celemante betook himself to laugh and turning himself to look after Philemon said Philemon behold here is news for you for what shall we be assured of in the world hereafter if Ergaste goes to make proof unto us as he saith that Love Springs from Divsunion of Hearts and Minds that is not very difficult replyed Ergaste Is it not true that Love is no other then a desire now all Desire comes from the absence of a good we wish and as we may say from its Disunion with us for if we were United in the thing we Desire we should surcease wishing for it being impossible to Desire that which we are in possession of already and with which we are United therefore thou must necessarily Avow me that Love being a Desire and Desire Springing from Disunion Love Springs likewise from the same Celemante would have replyed but Agamée Interrupted him thus I believe Ergaste that you would say as our Poets that the Man and the Woman were not formerly but one and the same person which were Disunited and Separated in two halves and to hold upon this Foundation that since that time one half dreams of nothing else nor seeks to Unite themselves as do the Parts of a Serpent cut in two prices so that when a Man loves a Woman or that a Woman loves a Man it is that they have both refound the half whereof from they had been Disunited Celemante having commended the thoughts of Agamée replyed him if that which you say should be true Agamée it would still be true that Love did Spring from Union and not from Disunion as Ergaste said For this Inclination of two halves to resemble themselves would not come to pass but from that which other whiles they would have been United But also it is certain that Ergaste Dreams not nor Conceives nor Apprehends what he says and that if the Spirits should not Unite before they Loved one another they should never be capable of Affection Hast thou sometimes taken Notice Ergaste of this Fatal Moment which giveth Birth to Love hast thou observed that which passeth in this first Interview of a Shepherd well shaped who meets with a Fair and Amiable Shepherdess I know well that they frequently long will look upon one another before they will joyn in Love and that other times they will never Love and that even many times they will conceive an Aversion one for another but also you will sometimes see that their Eyes are no sooner met then they feel themselves Inseparately tied one to another and so Love one another That is certain said Ergâ—ste but what conclusion doest thou draw or infer from thence that Love replyed Celemante never Springs but from Union of hearts My Poor Friend replyed Ergaste I see not but that returns too much to that which thou wilt shew us more then thou believest said Celemante For these different effects from the first interview come from this that Certain Spirits which commonly go out of us as the Beams go out of the Sun mingle themselves in a Moment one with another almost after the same manner as thou seest the Atomes and Motes fly from the Air. And as thou seest yet these same Motes to meet one another to knock one another to recoil sometimes one upon another sometimes to pass beyond and not to touch one another and sometimes to grasp one another together it arrives in the self same manner in the Medly and Mixture of Spirits sometimes they are long before they fix together and Unite together Whence it comes that it is a long time before they love one another other times in meeting they knock and justle one another and thence comes the Aversion sometimes they pass further without touching one another and from thence Springs the Indifferency But also sometimes they do no sooner touch they graple one another as one may say and they Unite together and 't is thence that this suddain Love ariseth which takes Birth at the very first Interview So thou seest that Union is always the Sole and True Cause of Love O Celemante cryed Coris all that is unknown to us think you that we know what is of the Spirits and what they are and that we can Imagine how it is possible that the Spirits Unite and as you say graple one another Dear Coris replyed he concieve you how that happens in the Body undoubtedly replyed Coris and I think that there needs not much skill to apprehend how a thing which is grapled and clasped is fixed to another thing in the like manner how a clasp or hasp holds to a Buckle how a Stone remains in the Iron Head of my Crook which is hollow nor how in fine how a Body which hath a Figure is fixed to another which likewise hath a Figure and Frame which is proper to it But how will you that I comprehend that of Spirits who have neither Body Frame nor Figure Amiable Coris said Celemante unto her behold you are therefore more Skilful and Expert then I am since you conceive that in the Body for in fine the Bodys and the Spirits are but one and the same thing the sole difference is but only in the Name They call those Bodyes that are Gross Ponderous Visible and Composed of many others They call Spirits Small Subtile Bodys that are Simple Light Imperceptible and whereof others are Composed But in Truth they are equally of the Body and the smallest of all have their Frames and Figures even as others Truly Celemante replyed Ergaste it Admirably becomes thee to speak here of these Small Bodys and so to Act the Doctor amongst Women Friend replyed Celmante that here is but a Doctrine of Love and I believe that he is not a Gentle-man but would very readily Learn or Teach how it is to Love such Fair and Amiable Shepherdesses Agamée who was ravished with joy to hear him said unto him They would pardon you Celemante if you did not also leave us in the same doubt where we were concerning that which hath given place to your Contest For we have told you enough how two Persons Love how they are indifferent and even how they hate but you teach us not how
as well as by the Actions of this unknown Person that she was without doubt some extraordinary one and of eminent Quality replyed with wonderful respect and modesty Madam the name of a simple Shepherd as I am is no way worthy your Curiosity and the very small service I have done you is over-paid by the honor I have had in being imploy'd for you Of a Shepherd quoth she you surprize me in saying that Shepherds have that capacity courage and civility which appears in you and if it be so which I can hardly believe the Shepherds of this Countrey do equal those of the most honourable and the most generous that are to be found in the Courts of the greatest Princes Madam reply'd the Shepherd you would be very injurious to the Shepherds of this Country if you doubted that there were not here those who in all respects were much more worthy than my self He stop't there because he sought no other occasion than to finish this Discourse and to remove where he was importuned by perplexity and by his Love Only he would willingly have known in few Words who this unknown was to find out whether his Fortune had not disintricated him in something with that of Zelie when she answer'd him I believe all the advantages that may be produced in a Countrey whence you sprung But you shall never perswade me but that you are more than a Shepherd and you handle the Dart too well then to make me believe that you were born to no other than that of a Crook However it be refuse me not the satisfaction and delay not to tell me who you are The Shepherd was not naturally willing to speak of himself but besides this natural repugnancy he was so taken up by his perplexity and grief that all other thoughts were as to him infernal Notwithstanding he was too civil with an ill grace to repulse that obliging Curiosity of a Person who appeared a Lady of quality and yet he was altogether as uncapable to tell his Name but that in hopes thereof he might ingage her to declare her own That which he then did was solely to abridge the Discourse and without entrance into the particularities of her Life to tell him singly her Name and to explicate also that of her Quality Madam saith he since it s your command I will declare unto you that I am named Tarsis and to assure you that which is most considerable in my Person it s in telling you that I am one of the Shepherds of this Valley I will add that our Original is French and that there are Olimpiades that our Fathers being sprung from the Gaules as have done for some two or three years other Gaules under the Conduct of the renowned Brennus and having bin very serviceable to the Lacedemonians and also to the Thebans in the Peleponnesian War the Greeks asign'd them by the treaty of Peace an habitation at the foot of these Mountains with the Territories of some Cities that surround them so that by this means they were rendred Possessors of this pleasant Valley Now in the Division which these Gaules made The Knights elected this here for their Habitations and Places of aboad And whereas in other Colonies the Captains dispose themselves within the Cities and give the circumjacent Land to the meaner and more inferior Souldiers for tillage and to be cultivated These here in conformity to the Course and Custom of their Nation do no more shut up themselves within the Cities than do the meanest Souldiers and chuse out for themselves the Villages and Hamlets of this delightful Valley As it abounds in Medows and hath its principal Revenue consisting no otherwise than in breeding up of Cattle upon which consideration by succession of time the Nobility which seemed to be born only for War bent themselves soly to Pastures so that they changed even the name of Knights to those of Shepherds so that quite contrary to what in Ages past hapned at Rome where the simple Shepherds turned themselves to be great Captains it appears here that Eminent Captains take complacency in being Simple Shepherds Brave Shepherd reply'd the unknown there needs no further discovery than what you have already made of your self nor to perswade my self better of you than you have said or of your worth But since you have taught me who you are it is but just you should know also who I am and besides it may not perhaps be out of season not to return so soon to the House whence we came I find my self so much indebted to your Worth and the Spirit of your Wisdom and Discretion hath so anticipated me that I shall not dissemble but confide in you the Secrets unknown to all the World besides The condition also wherein you see me will perhaps reduce me to have further need of you and this acquaintance will facilitate the occasion to continue me in your generous offices On these Words having turned about to see whether any person followed them she took him by the hand and advanced further into the Wood even into a Place more obscure and out of the way where they might remain undiscovered Tarsis in going marvelled at the Confidence which appeared in a Virgin so young that would ingage alone with a Man unknown in the mid'st of a Wood and in the Dark and although the state of her present Fortune gave no place to his present curiosity yet he impatiently attended the issue of this chance because he knew not as we have said whether he should there find some manifestation of hers When this unknown young Person discovered the amazement wherein he was having obliged him to sit by her in the thickest of the Forrest she spake unto him in these Terms History of Damalecinte IS it not true Tarsis that you find me a little too bold for a Maid and that these Passages must render me ill in your Opinion But be it known unto you also such a one as you conceive and that this Attire derogates from my Sex and covers the body of a most unfortunate Prince by so tragical an occasion and necessity and by the most amazing Encounter that hath hapned within the memory of these Ages Tarsis extremely astonished at this Discourse reply'd My Lord that which you now discover me is in effect very surprizing But permit me therefore to tell you that I am less astonish't at a young Prince under the Attire of a young Virgin than I was before to see a Virgin as couragious as an Hero And as he thus spake out of respect he would have risen up from the place whereon they sate to put himself in a posture which he thought due to a Prince but the Prince holding him by the hand and in civil treatment continued his discourse thus Have you known nothing of the Disasters of the unfortunate Nicholas King of Chipre the deplorable history of his House is too much proclaimed through all the World to be unknown
all the night These circumstances being lively and properly declared by this Woman caused Melicerte to judge that this unknown was no other than Zelie however as all was to her suspect she had the curiosity to see her The old one therefore led her as soft as possible into the Chamber where she reposed and Melicerte had no sooner set in her feet but was well assured she was her Daughter for she discerned near the Bed Attire which had no similitude to those of Zelie She observed even what Papers were scatter'd upon the Table there to be dryed and in approaching knew that they were recommendations for this Maiden whose name she saw was that of Hipolite She therefore retired without any further enquiry and returned mixing her moans and regrets to those of the disconsolate Tarsis In the interim this tragical accident having bin divulged of all sides a company of Shepherds came to offer themselves to Lencippe because he was one of the most considerable of the Country and a multitude of Shepherds also came to make their Complements to the wise Milicerte and to the vertuous Philiste wife of Telamon who promptly came to render himself to his Mother since she had advertized the accident of her Sister Tarsis whose anxiety rendred the company so much the more insupportable that every one on this accident cast his Eyes up in regard there was not any Person to whom his love was unknown insensibly stole himself from the press went and thrust himself into a small Grove which was hard by there to bemoan himself with more liberty He there sate upon the Grass his back leaning against a Tree his Hat fallen over his Eyes with his Arms across and in this state having burst forth a thousand Sobs he betook him again to perplex his Spirits with a thousand reflections wherein he neither became more knowing nor yet consolate But contrarily the torment and toyl which he gave to his Spirits through so many melancholy thoughts a hundred times reverberated served for no other use than to overwhelm him with dispair Now he doubted that Zelie had not bin conveyed away by force then that she had not caused her self to be carried off and sometimes he fell into conceit that she might be drowned and in that thought he was ready to precipitate himself in the same Waves where he believed her buryed After many confused reasonings and revolvings on all these Imaginations he meditated or contemplated this roll of Papers which he had set upon his knees and opened them to see whether he should not there meet some writing or other of Zelies which might enlighten him in the Design he had resolved upon He therefore unknit the string which bound them together and unfolding them before him the first Paper which fell into his hands contained these lines Of a Charm so sensible and so delicious And of so many Pleasures the Soul finds it self ravished from the first moment that they saw you adorable Zelie That she tastes here below all the Pleasures of Heaven But amongst all the transports of an infinite joy A poyson so subtil and pernicious Even from the bottom of the heart Trickled down from the Eyes That must soon or late cost loss of Life So that by two effects in equal Prodigies You make so many benefits And cause so many Evils That remaining confused in the doubt wherein we are We cannot judg if the Gods in displeasure For our Chastisement gave you amongst Men Or if they had pitty upon Vs Ha Tarsis thereupon cryed this poor Shepherd that this doubt is now explained and 't is this day easy to judge that the Gods cause thee not to see Zelie but to make thee suffer the most exquisit Torments that the most culpable are chastized with After these Words he remain'd a small space of time without speech his Eyes fixed before him however unfastned on any Object and in such a manner that it might be well seen that all his apprehensions were contracted in him and that he was solely taken up with his anguish He returned in conclusion with a profound sigh and took the second Paper which he found under his hands which he did but run over slightly where there were these Words Since thou wilt know why thou seest me pale and wan Melancholy and languishing Learn Telamon that I Love And so much the more because that I am absent But alas it is but too little to tell what or who I Love The Object that I love hath so many attractives That there was never one of the same Nor will they ever see any Her Stature her Visage and her Eyes full of flame Displayeth us a thousand treasures And I know not whether her Soul Can be more fair than her Body A thousand and a thousand Shepherds adore this fair one But they are all fair that adore her thousands do sigh after her Not one can cause her to sigh Nere her alone I have found some favour She hath some kindness for me Or rather 't is too much audacity She hath taken some pitty They would say what suffers she her self in her own heart The Evil or Sorrow with which mine is overtaken And if the Shepherdess love me not I believe that she at least condoles me Demand not therefore why thou seest me languishing Melancholy and grown wan Since thou Shepherd knowest that I love thee And that that which I Love is absent Poor Tarsis continued he for he remembred since he cast his Eyes on those Lines of the occasion whereof they were made what Complaints oughtest thou not now to make if thou so bemoanest thy Self in a time wherein thou wert happy Thou wert absent but it was to see Zelie again very speedily and thou perhaps shalt never see her again In thus speaking he took a third Paper wherein was traced what followeth Tarsis and Zelie My amiable Shepherd it may be I have in effect some wrong to afflict my self so much and that I should comfort my self in all my Evils only to think that you lov'd me Therefore then conceive that this second Voyage of Athens wherewith they menace me is at least a Months absence Certainly when I thereof think I doubt almost whether I am not to much solaced because there are already two days that they discourst me concerning that Voyage and yet am still living If I must yet abandon Zelie in that deplorable condition wherein you see me I must relinquish Life for of that Malady they never escape twice TARSIS Ha Fortune cry'd Tarsis in putting up this Paper in some heat wilt thou present me with no other than these things or who speaks of the beauty of Zelie to repeat the displeasure I have at her loss or by the memory of a light absence makes me contemplate the difference that there is betwixt my present Evil with that which is past and how more unfortunate I am this day than I have bin in all the disgraces I have
nor was diminished in the height of discourse nor was he sustained but only with pain he was constrained to lye down all at length and covered his very face with his Cloak as if he said Adieu in the day wherein he would wholly have renounced all if Telamon changed not the face of his destiny Agamée not only beheld Erigone with some kind of anger and indignation but as if he had not then too much subject to be satisfyed with that fair Sex he could not forbear to cry out O Women must the Gods have given you an Empire so absolute over the Spirits of Men and must these Men assâ—st yet their own blindness to maâ—e you the cruel Mistresses of their rest and of their Lives Telamon seem'd to have taken no notice of this small transportation of his friend but turning himself gently towards Erigone he signified to her that he was ready to hear all that she was desirous to speak in her own defence in the difference wherein she should be willing he should be a Judg. Erigone did accord and consent in the confidence she had of the sincerity of Eleandre and of all the recital he had made but she could not accord with him in the opinion that he would have given in relation to their Judges touching the injustice that she supposed they had made her But on the contrary she failed not to employ this eloquence which to her was natural to indeavor to perswade Telamon that all the injustice consisted in the obstinacy of Eleandre and if the Shepherd was not convinced by her reasons he could not defend himself from being shaken Eleandre answered nothing thereunto be it by reason of the weakness wherein he found himself be it that he believed he had there given satisfaction enough already So that being willing to desist from further speaking neither to the one nor the other it remain'd to Telamon to pronounce sentence But this wise Shepherd to whom the cause of Erigone appeared the least equitable would not therefore use that authority she gave him to condemn her He was willing that she should judg her self and by that means convince her by reason having then discovered that all her repugnancy proceeded from no other sentiment than honor which prohibited honest Women for any cause whatsoever to entertain thoughts of espousing the Murderer of her husband she knew so artificially to contend the scruples of her Spirits by the difference that was made her betwixt the actions which the intentions rendred criminal and those that are justified by their proper cause she knew so well to distinguish Eleandre murtherer of her husband as she conceived him from Eleandre Deliverer and passionate Lover of Erigone she knew so well in fine how to shew him that it was not Eleandre who had slain her Husband but that it was her Husband who would have kill'd Eleandre and she too and who had even kill'd himself and if then she changed not absolutely her obstinacy at least she disposed of it so as to give a beginning of some hope to this Shepherd and poor Lover that he might take some care of his own life After that Telamon had thus laboured for the repose of desolate Eleandre he reassumed his Inquietude for his dear Tarsis or however as may be said to reassume that which he had never quite quitted For although he had a little before heard some news they had not omitted to hold or keep him still in suspence and he was then allarm'd so much the more in regard that this Shepherd delayed his coming to find him longer than he had expected He spake with Agamée when he saw Celemante and Ergaste to return whom Telamon had left as we have said to take some care for the transporting of the dead body of that unknown one near unto whom he had met them He knew from them that they had bin delivered from that trouble by some Cavalliers who having placed the dead Corps before one of them was afterwards gone to take the same care of the other dead one whom Telamon had seen near the Pond and was afterwards return'd towards Gonnes Telamon inquired of these two Shepherds whether they had not met Tarsis and as he spake unto them they saw him arive Telamon ran immediately towards him and impatiently demanded of him whence he came Tarsis instead of replying him demanded himself Whether he had learn'd nothing of Zelie and seeing that he told him nothing of news Ah my Brother cryed he there is neither hope nor consolation for me Telamon feared that this Shepherd had learnt after he had quitted them some mournful news of Zelie he therefore inquired of him yet more amply than he had done at the first approach of that which the Shepherd had known but he found in conclusion that the subject of his dispair was no other than the unprofitable success of their inquiry Tarsis afterwards recounted to his Brother but with a voice interrupted with Sighs that which had detain'd him that long time He told him amongst others that at his coming out of Hippiqué ranging one side and the other indeavouring to learn something of Zelie he had seen some Women pass a far off in a Chariot invironed with a numerous Company of armed Men that his love having then made him doubt whether Zelie might not be amongst them he went in pursuite of the Coach or Chariot and that as he was following of it he perceived Telamon from a rising ground where he had past and from whence he had sent him a Shepherd that this pursuite had insensibly drawn him even to Gonnes where he knew that these Ladies were the Princesses Troyade Arsinoe and Antigonée whom Alcime had detain'd Prisoners and whom he had caused to be conducted from Pidne to Gonnes Ergaste and Celemante having joyn'd themselves to them sadly signified to them the resentment they had for the inquietude of Tarsis Agamée wisht even that Telamon would present him to his Brother because it was almost Night this wise Shepherd who would not quit Tarsis ingaged him to come to lye at Cenome They wanted not subject wherewith to entertain themselves by the way So many Adventures presented them in so little time that they seemed Fortune had taken delight and pleasure to pile and heap them one upon another sufficiently furnishing them with ample Matter of discourse Agamée above all had perpetually in his Mind the miracles which he had read in the history of Kion and Leonides but Tarsis could not dream of any other than of one only one of all his Adventures The loss of Zelie occupied and took up all his thoughts If he made reflection sometimes upon any others that hapned to him that was but there to search out the clear manifestation of that which caused the only subject of his thoughts His Brother and Friends used all their indeavours to comfort him and each of them according to his own Genius one may say that they
essayed all the different and various ways imaginable Telamon who was tender and complaisant entred into the sentiments of his dear Brother and that was no other but in dissembling his grief that he indeavoured to mitigate and sweeten it Ergaste who had his Wits more prompt and witty opposed it openly and would have convinced him by reason Celemante having an humour more frolick was desirous to make a diversion of his displeasure and indeavoured by little and little to change their serious discourses and considerations to more pleasant and jocund Entertainments Agamée who was preoccupied and forestalled with his own proper displeasure retired always to himself and consolated him by his own example Amongst other things Telamon said unto him My dear Brother without doubt you have cause to be afflicted but you must not therefore figure and frame things to the utmost extremity after the Idea of your own troubled imagination you know very well that Zelie is wise and you also do not in any wise doubt but that she loves you and the very last words that you your self repeated are a very authentick and an assured testimony thereof You ought not therefore to think that Zelie being prudent would not do any thing of concernment and importance without due and mature consideration nor that she loving you could take any resolution which might wound the amity and friendship she bears you That which I imagine is that this Shepherdess not being willing to see you against the Will of her Father and moreover not being able to live so near you without your sight she is possibly withdrawn to the house of some one of her Friends and there to attend the change of Lucippe However it be said Ergaste I find Tarsis you have no new subject to afflict your self How long hath it bin that you told us that you had lost hopes to espouse this Shepherdess and that you are reduced even to that necessity to deprive your self of her sight In very deed you ought to esteem your self happy in an occasion which should finish the dissolution of your Ingagements and thereby rendred you free and at liberty without which you had it may be bin in some more than ordinary pains and trouble to have had a recovery Have you not been not long since in the most dismal and deplorable state imaginable For I avow to you for my part that of all the tortures and racking torments of Love I find none so unsupportable as to be near one beloved and to be obliged to live and to live as if they were separated a hundred thousand â—urlongs and to be present and absent all at once that is to say to feel the movements of ardour and impatience which represâ—nts the presence of the Mistress and at the self same time all the regrets imaginable all the inquietudes and in a word all the troubles and pains of absence It must be avow'd reply'd frolick Celemante if we were all very wise we should never dream of having to do either with love or friendship and I say it all before thee Ergaste than me the very first I was very much a fool when I went to ingage my self to be thy friend For tell me a little if there be any thing more rediculous than to see a Man who hath still naturally more pains and trouble than he can sustain should he yet go and contrive and associate himself and bring upon his own self the troubles of others and that by example that I should go and constrain my self to condole all thy displeasures and regrets to be a Co-partner and Comrade in all thy weaknessess and to suffer for all thy follyes But that which is worst of all must it not be the loss of ones Wits and Senses to be figured as I have formerly bin as if I could not live without thee as if I had already lived there in times past and as if there were not one hundred thousand others with whom I might live without doubt much better Ergaste answered him not by reason he sufficiently divined what was his intention and that he would leave him at leisure with Tarsis to make himself applications upon these reflections So Agamée began to speak O Shepherd said he addressing himself to Telamon that you have reason to say if we were very wise we should never dream of Love for can there be put into the Spirit of a Man any thing more dangerous than a desire to overpress and overwhelm our selves with longer pinings and impatient Consumptions and which makes our destiny depend upon a feeble Sex unconstant capricious petulant and in as great an incapacity to command as to obey I can better speak than any other Person because I know it by experience and that I envy Tarsis all the subject that he believeth he hath to be afflicted Telamon who sought no other than an occasion to take from Tarsis the application which had unfortunately seized his Spirits had bin very joyful to have taken these pretexts and ingage Agamée to make them a recital or repetition of his Adventure imagining that he would not have made any scruple to tell it since he made no complaints before them and he demanded this repetition so much the more willingly in regard he remembred that he had heard him spake before that if Tarsis knew it he might thereby be able to meet with reasons to consolate himself But in regard they found themselves so near that Hamblet and that it was likewise very late and that Agamée had Affairs which obliged him to retire to his Hosts house he besought Telamon to remit the party or match to another day and quitted them with impatience to rejoyn them which is not comparable but to the extraordinary esteem which he had conceived for these illustrious Shepherds The End of the Third Book Tarsis and Zelie The Fourth BOOK TARSIS reposed not all night he wholly spent it in such regrets and alarms which are not conceiveable framing in his conceit a thousand dismal resolutions the execution whereof was not suspended but though I know not some remaining hopes that he supposed or felt even ready to finish He repast and went over again yet a thousand times more all the circumstances of his disgrace but the more reflections he made thereon the more he found subjects and grounds of desperation For though he had bin willing to perswade his Brother that assurance that he had to have heard and seen Zelie in the same boat which he had over-taken by swimming the preceding Night and where he also had not however found her moment afterwards that meeting that he had made the Morrow of the same Boat by the brink of the River according as he conjectured by the roll of Papers which he there had found this unprofitable search that not only himself but so many other persons whom he had still known had made all the day by the orders of Leucippe and Melicerte and above all that resolution
Nations Arabia Ireland and a thousand other Countreys have they not practised and do they not yet practise this Custom to espouse their Sisters of which Egypt hath advised and considered of only since some Ages to have it in horrour The Carians within the memory of Arthemise and of Mausole do they not reverence and adore the Alliance of a Sister and a Brother Do we not our selves make so much within the Feasts and Holy-days of Isis and of Osiris which we celebrate and solemnize every year That love was it not innocent every where and necessary even at the birth of the World And Jupiter I say Jupiter the great hath he not made his Wife of his Sister Wherefore will they then that this usage be contrary to Nature If that were it would never have bin just for nature hath bin from all times and it would be prohibited throughout the World for Nature is universal I left him to say all he could that so he might listen to me the more attentively when he would have any thing more to object unto me besides that I admired his reasonings and took much pleasure in harkning unto them although I signifyed him nothing After he had held his peace I reply'd to him in these terms Permit me to tell you my Lord that all that you alledge me of authorities and examples are not good reasons and that the sentiments of Zenon of Chrisippe nor those of the Chaldeans do not justify yours They might as well be deceived as you and to shew you that it 's not impossible but that even intire Provinces have bin abused that is that Arabia Egypt retaining to this day two Opinions so contrary it must necessarily be that one of the two must be deceived However my Lord they may say that they both have good reason that there is nothing naturally just nor unjust but that the Laws alone with usage justify and render evil all Actions So your love is criminal since that neither our Manners nor our Laws cannot suffer it and those of the Arabians cannot serve you to any purpose since you live in Egypt It is not but that there was some greater appearance in believing that Nature oppugâ—s she hath even given horrour to the very Beasts you may have read in Aristotle that the Horses have precipitated themselves to be fallen into the like default and she seemeth to apprehend in such a manner the incestuous union of the Brother and Sister that when she ingenders them together she separates them from one Membrane which is not found between two Boys twins nor between two Maidens I did not convince him by these reasons but in conclusion I dispos'd him to rise and go see the King Queen and Princess As to that of visiting the King Queen and Antigone there was yet no difficulty in the managing of that but it 's not conceivable with what emotions of Soul nor with what troubles of Spirit he entred the Chamber of Arsinoe He knew not where to commence his discourse he knew not almost even how to name her for to treat her as a Princess as a Stranger that seemed him to be too cold to a Sister to call her also his Sister that was too repugnant to his love as for Arsinoe she had not the same perplexity for as I have said the esteem and friendship which she had begun to conceive at Corcyre for Philadelphe served but to dispose her to receive a Brother with more joy Her heart was not nor had yet bin preoccupied as that of the Prince by the thoughts of an Alliance contrary to the proximity of blood and all that the change of her condition had bin surprize in her ended and terminated in a surprize pleasingly delightful and advantageous So that she had in this Incounter but a facile and delectable rejoycing in his Personage and therefore from the first moment she saw him enter into her Chamber where she was yet apparelling her self she advanced before him with a very joyful Gay and jocund Countenance and imbraced him with a thousand tender respects and with extreme demonstrations of joy O how had these tender and precious caresses rendred him happy some days before but the more he dreamed that formerly they had bin sweet and delectable pleasures the more he then conceived of Regrets It was a long time before that sweet name of Brother that she had repeated him so many times could draw from his Mouth any other then Sighs The Princess discern'd it but imputed it to no other than his indisposition that he had dissembled or feign'd the day preceding and 't was therefore that she often tenderly asked him what ailed him and whether he were yet sick and indisposed Philadelphe answered hre No but in so mournful a manner that the Princess was much troubled and disquieted and as she seared some disgrace had befallen him and that the presence of her Ladies of Honor hindred him to open his heart in the discovery she made them signs to withdraw and afterwards said unto him What aileth you my dear Brother for both my duty and inclination makes me to take so great a part and share in all that concerns you that I conceive I should demand why you seem troubled without signification of any indiscreet curiosity By your good favour my dear Brother free me from this inquietude and pain and let me thereby see that you consider me as your Sister At these words the Prince uttered a dâ—ep Sigh then looking upon her with the eyes of Love and Grief who unfolded and display'd themselves together he reply'd you ask me what ayleth me Alas Arsinoe Do you not even your own self tell me by the names of Brother and Sister what you give to both of us O Arsinoe Added he Arsinoé that you would bewaile me and that you would bewaile your own proper misfortune if you loved me as I love you The Princess who knew not to what excess and extremity the love of Philadelphe had bin would produce or extend unto and knew not yet the effects of a Passion that she had not resented was enough surprized at these Words and however as she called to mind how little the Prince had formerly expressed himself to her and that as she had an infinite quick pregnant accute and lively Spirit and Wit she omitted not to Divine of something so that she answered him O my Brother What reproaches do you make me I should have much more cause to tell you that you love not your Sister your self being you will recover her with so little Joy or at least you love her not as you ought I knâ—w not reply'd the Prince if I love you as I ought but I know I love you so well and so much that I bemoan my self and you ought to have Compassion upon me For in fine Princess the Prince Philadelphe hath the same heart that that unknown One had whom you saw at Corcyre and the Princess of Egypt hath the
near unto you that I believe my self to be in company Tarsis reply'd she excellently I never better saw that they would chase me away than when they sport themselves with me as you do and then she yet made another attempt to withdraw her self and go forth But Tarsis opposing himself thereto a second time and taking her by the hand how say you that I will drive you hence reply'd he since that I act even to incivilities to retain you Whilst they discourst thus Philiste having repeated unto me the inquietude of her Sister we laughed together to see her fallen unawares into the gin and snare even at the self same time when she thought to shun it Zelie doubted and did that but in her Sisters despight and quick enough withdrew her hand from Tarsis who had layen hold of it to stay her when she would have gone although her Sister could say unto her what she did as before We immediately recited her apprehension to Tarsis who upon that subject gave her these lines or stances I bemoan my self that you thus scorn me Seeing you so fair and fiery and yet cold And in the mean time fair Shepherdess They tell me that you fear me But tell me whence comes this fear Is it from my esteme of you is that the cause of your fright fair Zelie is it for me a subject of Joy and Complaint Always the fear of what they depaint to us accompanies a heart when it loves alas friendship it self is in the heart which fears But who knowes not that the timorous Sheep trembles at the Wolf which follow it that the Lark fears and flyes from the flight hasty course and speedy passage of the ravenous and violently impetuous Sparrow-hawk That a Shepherdess advizing upon the pace of the Serpent whose skin is speckled and spotted is surprized with a speedy and suddain fear and yet loves it not But should it be so with fair Zelie whose heart feareth even as it doth feareth it as it fears one whom it hates feareth it as it feareth one whom it loves I will add unto you here said Telamon that Tarsis shewed me these lines before she gave them to Telamon and I signified unto him that I found them passable but I did not counsel him him to give them unto her He very discontentedly asked me the reason and I answered I deemed it expedient for the success of his Love immediately to conceal it from Leucippe and Melicerte with all the care imaginable because that whil'st they believed him not in love with their Daughter they would freely give him the liberty of their house as my Brother but from the first moment they should perceive his design they would undoubtedly without fail cause him to withdraw as rendring him suspicious because I very well knew their thoughts were upon a design of making a new Alliance But my dear Brother reply'd me what will it serve me then to love if they do not know nor discern that I am amorous of their Daughter My dear Brother reply'd I be you prevalent by the success you have in their house and with the reputation that you have acquired make it there more discernably apparent by the sweetness of your Spirit and Wisdom and your other good Qualities to make your self to be beloved there Gain the heart without seeming to have a desire that 's the most effectual meanes to succeed well there and better than to cause a defiance You know they never surprize a place when once they discover their design of attacking it you have to do with Persons who know how to observe and compare the nature of things indeavour only to make your self valued and prized by those on whom you set a value and put your self in a state and condition where they may wish that you might be beloved before its discovery Ah dear my Brother reply'd he behold here are excellent counsels given but by what meanes shall they be followed think you that others have that opinion of me that your friendship gives and advizeth and what have I that can wake me deserve Zelie but the pure and perfect love whereof I make a Profession My dear Tarsis reply'd I imbracing of him thou knowest not thy own worth I say unto thee take courage and afterwards leave it to our cares both in point of time as well as with a due respect to thy good fortune I left him therefore resolved to be a little more reserved in the demonstration of his love and in the sequel made him sufficiently sensible that I had given him good counsel for you shall see that of Leucippe only had any doubt of his design he would immediately have used all his indeavours to frustrate his design and hindred him from seeing or entertaining his Daughter The first thing to which Tarsis applyed himself it was to gain the heart of Melicerte he did it for two reasons The first because that this Shepherdess as she was one of the first Persons of the World who had both wit and vertue she was also one of those which made the greatest observation in that of others and penetrated into the sublimest of all and that he had effectively an esteem and veneration for her who would have caused a research by all meanes imaginable to have gained her good Will though there he had had no other kind of interest The second reason was because that although that Leucippe did not permit her self to be governed by any person she knew notwithstanding so compleatly and dexterously to manage it that she still insensibly practised and contrived it to the end she designed These Papers that you see are therefore divers tickets that Tarsis writ to Melicerte then when he was returned to Cenâ—me and which without doubt she gave in charge to Zelie but I pass by what above to return to our Lines or Verses Behold they were made in an unpleasant and irksome occasion but were by the event sufficiently advantageous to my Brother and which contributed not a little towards the obtaining the savours of Melicerte and even those of Zelie One Evening they walked in a Plain which you may have seen below Callioure towards the Sea side In the middest there is a small River which glides along and disgorgeth it self into the Gulph it is deeply profound and sometimes large enough and she passed sometimes upon two Planks or Bridge In that walk Zelie marched before singing and gathering of flowers and Tarsis led Melicerte who went more slowly and leisurely behind Be it that these two Planks or Bridg was rotten be it that they were ill placed so it was that as Zelice was upon them she fell down into the water and into the River where the great Raines had swelled it to a most prodigious and horribly monstrous dreadful and terrible Torrent ghastly alone to behold I leave you to judg of the horrid fright and amazement wherewith Melicerte was surprized for she tenderly respected and loved
hath placed it in Health as thou hast done in Riches Telamon in Wisdom and others in Diversity of things various all from each other in the Interim Happiness is not in effect in any one of all these things as for example if it it were effectually in Riches it would follow that all that were Rich were happy and every one knows that that is not In like manner there are many people in good Health there are some that are Wise and if you ask any of them none of them will say that he finds himself happy But as for that which relates to Wisdom it is Happiness that 's for him who being Wise placeth his Happiness in his Wisdom for him whose Health is his Happiness for him who being Healthy placeth his Happiness in that Health in what then consisteth the Happiness It is not to be in Health to be Rich nor to be Wise but in placing the Happiness in that of these Things which they possess so that that Happiness precedes not the imagination nor the imagination which precedes the Happiness but the Happiness springing rising first appearing or coming into the World from the assembling closing or joyning together and from the concurrs of the imagination with the thing which they possess thou seest imagination agitateth when the Happiness riseth and springs up all at the same moment Euriloque feeling and finding himself vanquished and overcome conceived such a despight and vexation that not knowing how better to answer Tarsis he had an inclination and desire to quarrel with him All that thou hast said is rediculous said he unto him blushing and an Happiness where there needs so much imagination can be no otherwise than folly Tarsis began to laugh when he saw him grow angry and he only answered him all the difference that there is Euriloque it is that in folly is when the imagination disorders and irregularly governs the judgment and that in the happiness whereof I tell thee it is the judgment which regulates and governs the imagination That was not ill said as you see but Euriloque who began to burst and cleave assunder through despight and anger and jealousy and principally because all the World applauded Tarsis could not suffer that which my Brother said Go said he they well see that thy imagination disorders thee when thou speakest so and since that every one should place his happiness in that which he hath I approve the putting thine in the place of thy folly You may very well believe that Tarsis was not to remain without a forcible reply but considering that he was in the Chamber of Leucippe in the presence of Melicerte and Zelie and that he had bin to them very displeasing to see a sport terminate in a quarrel he resolved to convert the thing the best he could into a merriment Wise Shepherdess said he turning himself to Melicerte let 's learn for My honor to Euriloque our song yesterday in the Evening and at the same time he began to sing the Verse which he had made at table the day preceeding and the burden whereof was To rejoyce in being a fool is to be wise but I will not read it unto you because I believe it hath run through all Greece and I see not a Person that knows it not Agamée having also signified that he knew them Telamon continued in searching for new Papers This jeasting caus'd Euriloque to be inraged in such sort that step by step he came to the last or highest point of chollar and spleen Tarsis never replying a word but laughing but yet in a pleasing and bold hardy manner both together wherein he demonstrated at the same time his dispising and contempt of Euriloque and respect for them that were present and wherein Melicerte and others who knew his courage admired a thousand and a thousand times his discretion And indeed Euriloque having himself acknowledged his fault came to demand his excuse the succeeding day Now as I have told you these two occasions advancing well the affairs of my Brother with the hearts and minds of Melicerte and Zelie for that which he had done in her fall extreamly touched both the one and the other in their sencible acknowledgments towards this Shepherd and such as merited the service which he had rendred and his moderation in this last incounter caused them in an infinite esteem of his prudence and discretion Also he was so well received at the house that then when he came from Calioure Leucippe himself retain'd him often to lye with him and as my Brother had there that advantage which you see he was almost more often there than at my Fathers He always saw Zelie as if she had bin his Sister and Leucippe and Melicerte did not scarce make any difference between him and their own Children However he found himself netled wrackt and tortured because he durst not entertain her with his love openly and as since the scruple which I had put in his Mind he very well knew that 't was my counsel that procured him the advantage of living with Zelie without suspicion and to be received as the Son of the house of Leucippe he rendred himself very exact not to give him any cause of diffidence or mistrust He contented himself in conformity to my advice to essay and attempt to bestow his love without open demonstration and to cause their wish that he loved before he speak it however he was not able to live without speaking in some sort to Zelie of his passion and in that constraint he had found a sufficiently pleasing means to entertain her Zelie had a voice sweet enough and Melicerte who very much delighted to hear her sing testified her willingness that she should there learn But there were no Masters at Calioure so that my Brother although he knew not very much of the Art of Musick said smiling he would serve for one He betook himself then pleasantly to give her some Lessons and even to call her his Schollar that he might always by the more familiarity introduce her by names Now all that he instructed her in was songs it was as many Verses as he had made on the subject of his love and these two great leaves of Paper that you see are full of nothing else Agamée seeing that Telamon passed them What said he to him Is it that you believe that I know not to make my self read skilled and acquainted with songs that you do not read them unto me In saying so he took one of the leaves out of the hands of the Shepherd and read that which followeth In Prose Go you Sighs you light Spirits that in a moment can carry my heart to Zelie since 't is my Love which gives you life Of this same Love be you the Messengers they serve to make you be born serve to let them know it thou who counsellest me to love my heart how canst thou suffer and yet hold thy peace since thou inspirest me
with presumption to do it give me the courage at least to express it and if I dare not speak it let me at least have the liberty to sigh Another cease you diverting singers and part not my Sences any more by the consenting and concording charms of your Melody The object which occupies them hath many more repasts I think of fair Zelie you birds cease troubling me That pleasing remembrance which I am entertain'd with makes the sweetest moments that I ever passed in my life All other pleasures are to me superfluous I think of fair Zelie birds give no trouble Another Shepherds I love in two certain Places and dye for both the one and the other at one and the self same time but those two adorable places are your Mouth and Eyes They therefore seem enemies one destroys what the other hath promised demonstrate less of sweetness by your Eyes or with your little Mouth give us a more favourable treatment It 's true I have vaunted my self when I knew not the art of pleasing you and that in despight of your fury your heart and my Vows shall not be more contrary I will not dedicate my self in opposition to your anger I have said else where and again it again before you call me proud haughty timerarious prepare a hundred torments with which to punish me I know the art of pleasing you you cruel one for whom I go to dye You who see desarts as absent from Zelie I mournfully spend my life be you witnesses of my faithfulness and fidelity Ah without ceasing I think of her and possibly the cruel one never thinks of me Is it not true Desarts what of my sad moans you even the Rocks have attainted and convicted it and do bewail my torment so many Ecchoes do they hear which demonstrates that their hearts are more soft and tender than archers to the sighs of her lover Agamée would have continued but Telamon interrupted him I counsel you said he that we cease these lines to pass forward to the rest What reply'd Agamée is it that you less esteem Verses to carry the name of Songs It must be so possible reply'd Telamon and as there is nothing more difficult in well doing there is nothing also more to be esteemed For there must be very much sence and passion in a very few words and you know the most sublime efforts and indeavours of Spirits as well as of nature is to shut up much in a little space and room But it is as in beholding a so great Number I had rather lend them to you to read them in your particular because that you easily and sufficiently understand them alone I will only add to you touching these same Songs that Zelie mistrusted much that they were made for her and yet she counterfeited to seem to believe that he made them not but that there she should set her name instead of some other because that otherwise she should believe her self obliged for good behaviour and courtesy sake to learn them as she did Tarsis was not angry himself that Leucippe and Melicerte had that thought and for that end often singing them in their presence he there placed the name of Delie instead of that of Zelie that he might still avoid the suspicion of his love Sometimes therefore he made them so convenient for the subject and looked upon her with so much passion in singing them that they saw well that it was her own proper person that was expressed as for example this here which he composed on that which he shewed to this Shepherdess to sing I have no otherwise said than loved with a dying voice and languishing sound with an all resembling Air and a like Accent my Shepherdess said the same but I alas see well that we understand it not In the same words that I sigh I see her sigh just so as I did I see her repeating all my proper wishes that which I have said to her she saith to me must it be alas that we understand not our selves admire my extreme audacity I will teach you to sing though I know not how to do it my self but alas wherefore should I be astonished you apprehend not how they love and if you knew it not All that which you sing is very just to the very last point I am charmed at your understanding that which I would have you apprehend therefore you do not comprehend Gods the fair port of voices the sweet flection and bending one shall never sing the same but then when you say I love better to enter into passion The amorous Tarsis flattered a little therefore his evil by this address and so much the more sweetly that she served him the same time for a pretext to be every day near Zelie But he wearied himself therefore in not expressing him otherwise than in Misteries and enigmatical riddles and I call to mind when he would take an occasion to declare himself to her One day he stood to behold this Shepherdess who was attiring her self and coysing her self and dressing her head in the Chamber of Melicerte and was putting her self in the best posture that possibly she could to go to a Feastival that was made in these Hamlets she asked him if he found her well Tarsis answered that he found her vâ—ry ill for him But as she saw that he said that smiling she also smiling asked him what that was which he had to contradict and he observing Melicerte attentive about other matters replyed very softly Quartian prepare as many flights darts arrows to reinforce and redouble your strooks This Shepherdess is too cruel alas make you not so fair and amiable have some pitty upon us What Tarsis replyed she ought you not rather to know me grateful and essay and attempt to have me fair that I might not be evil in your Eyes Think you reply'd Tarsis that there is more danger in wounding the Eyes than the Heart I protest unto you fair Zelie that you have already so wounded mine a long time since that I know not what will become of me in the end if you have not some compassion on me She had no sooner understood this discourse that as if she believed not that a Maiden should ingage in that discourse she brake off pretending that she had lost something in the chamber where she would hasten seeming to go and fetch it Since that in reading you these lines I am insensibly ingaged to make you an historical narrative or recital of the affections of Tarsis and Zelie and that you as well have signified me your desire and how much inclination you have to learn it I will declare to you here in passing some particularities pleasant enough which I call to mind which will cause you to observe to what a point and pitch of love this poor Shepherd was reduced and how far his strong passion carried him both as to respect fear timidity and trouble At this time my Father sent
for him and commanded him to go to Athens to solicite a litigious process and great suit of law and we came Philiste and my self upon the point of coming to establish our Affairs and settle them at Cenome and to abandon the House of Leucippe where we had still lodged ever since we were Married Although the distance was not great from the place whence we intended to remove as you see yet it was a double affliction to Tarsis whose love considered the smallest things as very important first because it seemed to him that there was no cause of fear whilest we were present and saw all that past at the house of Leucippe and Melicerte in the second place because we should always serve him for a pretext to be almost always at Calioure But that which disquieted him the most was the long Voyage wherein he saw himself obliged to go to Athens The consolation wherewith he prepared himself was that he should not depart at least until he had clearly and manifestly demonstrated to Zelie the assurance and reality of his Love nor without sounding her heart to know if she would correspond with his desires and hopes For although the services he had done her were considerable enough to give him large hopes however his affection and his modesty caused him to make very light of these things that he trembled almost all times when he dreamed of declaring himself That which rendred also the execution of the design difficult was that he seldom or almost never saw Zelie but in the presence of her Mother before whom he durst not presume to discover it and when he found her alone and thought to speak to her of his love she had always some means or found out some way to defeat his design her vertue not permitting her to receive this declaration out of the presence of her Mother In fine he hazarded himself one day when Leucippe was gone into the fields and it casually hapned to be the same that two Shepherds came to visit Melicerte to propose unto her another marriage for Zelie For whilest they spake very softly our Lovers ignorant of their subject Tarsis who believed Melicerte very attentive to what they said finished some Airs which he sang before with Zelie and said unto her with a very low and soft voice My fair Scholar tell us also we pray you our secrets in particular since that others conceal theirs from us for to tell theirs also I know one that I am very impatient to let you learn Zelie mistrusted in some sort that which it was and as she would not enter into this discourse with him Tarsis answered she very loudly as I my self imagine that it was some good news since you apply your self to declare it to me I pray you attend a little that my Mother may have a share thereof Tarsis was angry in that he having spoken to her in secret she had answered him so loudly but that it was impossible they should not be understood What reply'd he softlier than before it seems you conceive not that behold other Persons besides Melicerte will be able also to hear you Pardon me answered Zelie yet aloud but it 's no secret nor have I any that I will conceal from any one Tarsis well believed that what she did was to no other end than to scoff or dally but as he would not remain there You will make these Shepherds believe answered he still very softly that I mistrust them In speaking softly reply'd she in the same tone she had began you would make them yet more believe it your self They may continued he still softly impute it to my discretion and of the fear I should have to interrupt them You had that fear so soon said Zelie laughing when we sang louder than I speak He was sometime without answering her and in a sweat afterwards he reply'd thus still continuing to speak softly as he began and had done It is not a piece of news that I would have you learn but it is for counsel that I demand of you Ah Tarsis interrupted she what I have need of for my self I ask it of Melicerte But added he answer you me that I may be able to discover it to Melicerte with security As I know not your affair continued Zelie I cannot answer you to any thing but if there were no security in telling it to Melicerte there would have bin no more in telling it to my self You see well Agamèe continued Telamon that it is not through aversion that she keeps her self so at a distance but altogether on the contrary she seemeth by all this discourse to incourage him to discover himself to Melicerte and in effect it was her design for as she knew the esteem that this Shepherdess had for him she doubted not but that he should be favourably received but her scrupulous vertue hindred her to declare it to him more openly If Tarsis had therefore thereunto taken good heed he had seen that she had given him the best counsel that she could possibly in making a pretence of refusing him but he who took and apprehended it quite otherwise he had an extream despight to see and find that she would not only not understand him and more than that when he discours'd to her so softly the more she affected to answer him very loudly He accused her in his heart for some kind of ingratitude believing that she ill corresponded with his love but he had yet more displeasure then when these two Strangers were both gone forth Melicerte had made known unto him all she had understood for she hath the Ear marvellous subtle and a Spirit and Wit so quick and lively that she can when she lifteth be attentive to three or four things all at one time What controversy had then Tarsis therefore so soon with Zelie said she unto him laughing indeed it is an ungrateful Schollar thus to refuse the counsel of her Master Tarsis blusht at this discourse and found himself so surprized that in lieu and stead of being prevailed upon the fair occasion he had to discover himself he estranged himself by some defeat which I know not was what in his imagination which suggested or prompted him to in this ill time Melicerte who had he Wit too penetrating not to be already mistrustful and diffident of the truth would not dig deep nor dive into its profundity and though she was better intentionally to him than he durst to hope however as she took notice how he blushed she made a scruple to press him But she designedly administred him another occasion yet more favourable than the former for altering her discourse all at once Know you well Tarsis said she that we are going to marry your Schollar and that these Shepherds come to speak to Leucippe but not having him they have addressed themselves to me You may judg continued she laughing if I went to iâ—gage the Schollar without demanding advice of her Master Admire
entring there with facility and gathering it self or contracting it self beneath it maketh there also almost as much Light as in the midst of the open Fields It is there where the Priests Apartments are Their Chambers are all Arched in the Rock and they have this advantage that there must be no going out from their Apartment to have a fair Walk for this same Court is surrounded with a double row of great Trees in the midst whereof glides a small Rivolet which falls from the Mountain by degrees with a kind of muttering and pleasant Murmurings of the World Also Agamée he was surprized with the Beauties of this place he was yet far more satisfied with the acquaintance of the High Priest It was one of the Brethren of Telamon and of Tarsis who was named Timothy He was Aged but a little more than forty years although there had bin already ten that he was High Priest Before him they had not received any so young But they had past by the ordinary rules in consideration of his merit In short he was amiable in Countenance well shaped in Body and his mind was enlightned with all the requisit Accomplishments necessary to his Profession He was very Profound in the Sciences of the Gods and none had ever spoke with so much Knowledge Eloquence nor Grace as he had done when any thing was in question as to the instruction of the People After he had received the Civilities of Agamée and that he had rendred those of his he made him see all the Rarities of the Place leaving the Women in the Temple because it was not permitted them to pass further and he accompanied this Divertisement with many curious observations which he made him understand in relating to the History He shewed him amongst others that Famous Ladder of Alexander which is a stair hewed in the Rock by which they ascend even to that Altar which is at the very top of the Mount Olimpie so much elevated above the Clouds that the Sacrifices which they leave there every year conserve themselves there from one year to another A little after their arrival Telamon observing some displeasure that crossed and troubled the Complaisance of Timothy he resented it particularly and as he knew the Pains of those wearisome and vexatious Intreagues which he suffered all and every time that he should necessarily pronounce an Oracle and the disagreement that was there My Brother said he unto him is it not the inquietude and the desire of Tarsis which puts you in Pain and hath it not already entertain'd you Timothy answered him it had not and asked him what then was his desire At the pronouncing these words Telamon called Tarsis that he himself in particular should explicate it to Timothy and thereupon Tarsis related him with Tears in his eyes the strange Adventure of Zelie which Timothy had not known from any other by reason of the little Commerce he had with the World Now added he in regard we can have no better recourse than unto the Gods in matters and things where the debility and weakness of Men cannot contribute any thing I come O my Brother to implore your assistance or rather that of Jupiter's and supplicate some inlightning in my Obscurity or Blindness and some certainty and clear Resolution in some abstruse Doubts which unto me are more cruel than Death it self Timothy answered him Tarsis the Gods have in effect always a delight that we have a recourse and make our Application to them and that by the succours we have from them upon our request we render them the Homage of their Omnipotency and avouch them our own Debility and Impotency but if they find good and approve of our Supplications unto them they are not willing that even our Interrogatories unto them should be so frequent that we demand not for any thing miraculous or extraordinary nor that by an indiscreet and rashly inconsiderate curiosity we so lightly and unsteadily tempt their Ability and Omnipotency Do you know Tarsis what you demand of Jupiter when you request from him an Oracle or divine Sentence will you expect that they should disorder the ordinary and regular Course of Nature that they should unridle and reveal to poor Mortals that which by the orders of Destiny should be by them concealed and unknown that they should give the Spirit of a God unto a mortal Man or that they should suffer him or make him penetrate into what shall succeed or come to pass by a peculiar priviledge that he Jupiter communicates not always even to the Gods themselves It is not but that in very important Extremities that he permits to wish for Miracles and that ought not nor should be but in actions of great moment where he agitateth in the lives of Princes of the Subversion of a Kingdom of the mischiefs adversities or calamities or contrarily the felicity tranquility and happiness of a people or Common-wealth But what but it seems your are amorous and in pain two dayes and in Love with a simple Maiden think you that the Spirit of Jupiter must descend and come down to the Earth as if he had not affairs more Important Certainly if it must be so that he come to make Responses to all peculiar and particular desires he must then make account no more to inhabit in the Heavens above and descend here yet once again and establish himself on the Earth here beneath My dear Brother reply'd Tarsis it is not the pain of Jupiter that disturbs you You know too well that his Spirit reigns throughout the Universe all at once that he is altogether in Heaven and on the Earth likewise that he listens hearkens and equally answers the desires of particular Persons and that the lives of Kings and potent Princes are no more considerable with him than those of Shepherds because that although they say he imprints I know not what Radiant beam of his Divinity on the Forheads of Soveraigns they cost him no more the making than the meanest Men. I have learnt all these things of you your self Timothy and so I very well see that it is not by any solid reason but simple pretences you take to refuse me I know the Subject that you have the Agitations the Toyl and Vexatious Pains that you must suffer to conceive and bring forth for so I may say the Oracles But believe not but that it is with trouble that I there expose you You know how long time is past that I have bin in Love how many crosses and thwartings I have suffered in my love how many years I have languished between hope fear without having made you the Supplication I have done this day It is not but upon very great and urgent Extremity I have done it to you and there is no middle between consenting to me or giving me my Death Timothy was angry to see the obstinacy of Tarsis and how in effect his discourse had but only a pretence to refuse him
Tarsis replyed she unto him I will hope that the Aversion of Leucippe will change and I could wish that we would hope it together What replyed Tarsis you replace me therefore yet in the change of Leucippe and I shall always be unhappy if he changeth not Tarsis continued she if 't is requisite for us as you said before to be happy there needs but Fidelity and Constancy you shall so find me as long as I live But it concerns me not more to answer you to any thing if you demand of me that which depends not but upon Leucippe As she finished Leucippe entred into the Chamber and surprizing them both there one near to the other though in the presence of Melicerte he could not refrain to signifie Displeasure and passed into the Garden not uttering nor speaking one word to Melicerte This Wise and Vertuous Woman as I have said dreading nothing more in the whole World than to anger him went there all disquieted after him with her Daughter and I admired a thousand times the address the sweetness the complaisance wherewith she essayed to repair restore and revive his Spirits In the mean time Tarsis had in his Soul many more regrets and anxieties than I can depaint and principally when he dreamed that his love having sparkled forth he would always be rendred suspect to Leucippe and deprived of that sweet liberty he had before to live near to Zelie in the familiarity of a Brother and that consequently he should loose his very principal Consolation 'T is not that Leucippe did not continue to see him with a very good eye in the House for as he knew by means of Melicerte and acknowledged a great Friendship for Tarsis he had always for her that Complaisance to receive him civilly into his House But he would no more permit him to have any Conversation with Zelie imagining it was that which entertained their Affection and thinking to repulse them by little and little by this Constraint A great errour not to know that Love is a Fire whose Heat is the more redoubled by it's being held shut up and 't is a Torrent which doth no other than swell greater by the Obstacles that one opposeth it It is true Leucippe knew not that their Love was yet formed or well knit and he believed it to be but only Friendship as yet In such sort that to hinder them to pass further he observed them with so much exactness that Tarsis suffered infinitely for to please him he abstained not only to speak to Zelie but it must be so that he hindered him to look upon her unless it were with a kind of indifferency and was constrained that for keeping his Court with Leucippe he must also almost testifie an Aversion against his Daughter In such wise that before Leucippe the two Persons of the World which loved most one another to be in a Chamber without speaking without approaching yea even without looking one upon another if their Amity did not sometimes steal a look unprevented by the Father but I more bewail Zelie than Tarsis by reason that in this vexatious Constraint it was necessary that she should pretend Liberty and Joy when Tarsis went and passed a long time without sight of her That was the time that she must manifest more of Merriment for that was the time when she was most observed and the least sadness she had missed not but to be imputed to her Affection It is true she had a marvellous command over her Spirit and Wit and she did so well counterfeit sometimes her Indifferency that Tarsis himself was sometimes thereby deceived and she would make him reproaches Now I have told you a part of all this to give you some sight and understanding of this Elegie that Tarsis made on the Subject of this Constraint Bewail a little my Lot adorable Zelie give some Sighs to the misfortune of my Life and refuse not the dolorous Complaints of a Lover that which the least Evils easily obtain you know the rigours of my sad Fortune I demand not but that they may be to you common can you be happy and I alone unfortunate I will only have all the Ills but let 's both bewail them The Heavens which made you to be born in such an adorable State made you not so to be miserable you would have had much less Grace which gives not so much of it to those whom it loves not but if it have not made you to be miserable it was not also to be unpitiful if it mixeth Tears in your eyes it hath so many inticements Ah! it was to weep over the Evils that they have done they have done all mine beloved Zelie I should not have had without them such bitterness of Life they would see me in Tranquility and Free even to the last Point and I should be happy for I should not love But what do I say Ah! Zelie excuse this Blasphemy if there be any one happy it 's he whom you Love and since your eyes have deigned to charm me I should be too happy if I durst love you it 's not my Love whereof I have cause or place to complain I complain much rather because they would extinguish it and that an obstinate Father will not permit me your heavenly Presence liberally to adore in all places he spies me and without Intermission he takes notice of me or if I accoast you or look upon you one cast alone towards you is scarcely permitted me if it be not one of those given to an Enemy or Enemies What Torments great Gods what difficult Constraints to be seen reduced to these cruel Pretences and that uneasily great Passions can subject themselves to so many Afflictions Alas must a legitimate fervour lie conceal'd in the same Method that one would conceal a Crime must a Man see himself so reduced to betray himself and to love so much and yet pretend to hate I am not more able to do it Zelie and my Soul is constrain'd this day to finish this mortal Dissimulation my Love goes to appear and I go to discover it Zelie they go to see and I go to dye Tarsis had taken a time when Leucippe was gone to fetch a Walk to present the foregoing Lines to Melicerte and Zelie and the Mother gave them her Daughter to read when the Rain unawares drove in Leucippe and he found them in the Hands of the young Shepherdess She was presently much surprized and would rashly have hid them but even that put an edge to the desire of Leucippe to see what it was and I cannot tell you what complaints he made not to Melicerte when he knew it Tarsis and Zelie for a very long time in this mournful manner led their Life but in fine the Friendship of Leucippe for Melicerte carried him away by her Policy so that by the generosity of this incomparable Mother whom we seconded Philiste and my self by all our cares Tarsis saw himself at the Even
of his good Fortune after which he had sighed after so many years I will not stay here to mark you out his Joy nor his Transports to the change of so desirable a Fortune for as you your self have very much loved you should better be able to conceive these things I will only read you these Lines he made in that time of his Patience to press Leucippe to conclude this Marriage He made them in form of a Request and very much after the method of those that he had seen when they served the Senate at Athens whilst he was there solliciting the litigious Suit of my Father A poor and unfortunate Lover humbly remonstrates and makes request saying that the same days Journey that his eldest Son by Hymeneé entred your House the younger was clapt in Prison The unfortunate one without Defiance and under the fidelity of an Alliance came to the Solemnity of a Marriage contracted and for this Ceremony he led the Company made the Sports the laughter the chearfulness the youth the liberty the pleasures and the indifferency and amongst the joy and delight the Imprudent took no heed to the Snares and Ginns that they prepared for him When Love learnt the mystery and Hymen that had done it without having bin contracted in this Divinity the whole Destiny having conducted wholly this sacred Himenée Then he became furious Fire sprang up in his eyes through despight he poured forth Tears and arming himself with all his Weapons he ran nimbly and lightly and protested to avenge himself and in his irredoubtable Fury without discerning the Guilty for a Sacrifice offered up himself The first he met withal Alas I was that miserable One. Immediately with a thousand or rather a hundred Darts he over-whelmed me He emptyed his Quiver but I therefore resisted him when I perceived my self that Zelie was of that Party also and perfidiously sent him the last Dart that he cast at me This Arrow done to satisfie him that which his own were not able to do for immediately I was felled down and even at the same Instant wholly overcome and soon without Compassion he loosned the string from his Bow and with a thousand inhumane Knots binding my hands and Feet delivered me as a Reward into those of the Shepherdess who a hundred other blows gave me and wickedly imprisoned me but in a Prison so strong that it 's not possible for me to get out and that her self could not thence draw me though she would for this Tragical Adventure was wholly done by Magick Art and you only have a Right to undo the Enchantment This therefore considered my Judge my Redeemer Refuge attended that being innocent and for a long time languishing it is not for your Justice to prolong my Torment By your gracious Favour let it be appointed that rest may forthwith even immediately be given me and that for to make recompence and reparation for my Pain within three days at most the inhumane One for a punishment may be committed to my Discretion to order a Correction in effecting which you will execute Justice Telamon having finished the reading of this Paper the Areopagite took it out of his Hand and as it was in some respect one certain piece of his Occupation he took Pleasure to read it over again Leucippe also found it very much to his satisfaction Telamon continued the Sequel and he was pleased to sign it with his own Name So you see that this Marriage was wholly resolved on But admire the misfortune of poor Tarsis for the succeeding day Leucippe fell Sick I know not whether it was through a purely natural Indisposition or by the Vexation that his litigious Suit had given him or by the Efforts and Endeavours that he had made upon his Spirits to overcome himself on this Marriage But so it was that a high Feaver seized him with such Malignity that in less than eight days he raved and talked idly There Desolation came and took place instead of the Joy that prepared it self Behold the prudent Melicerte who passionately loved him grieved excessively and Zelie in an Affliction inconsolable For besides the Love she had for her Father as Melicerte loved her Husband that is to say infinitely Besides the Obstacle that she saw in the success of her Affection that is that Leucippe perpetuallly named them she her self and Tarsis in his raving Fits That was not strange by reason that being fallen Sick at the time that he had the Marriage in his mind the fresh Impression and Smack thereof might make him naturally speak more of that than of any other thing even as those who rave rage ordinarily dream of the Thoughts wherein they were when they fell asleep In the interim Zelie by a scruple of Friendship and Tenderness for her Father went and put it into her Mind that she undoubtedly was the cause of his Disease and that possibly she should be the cause of his Death Behold her therefore in so great grief and trouble of Mind that she also fell Sick her self with Affliction and almost even to Extremity I will not however declare the Complaints and Moans and Alarms of poor Tarsis nor yet speak of the care and good Offices that he rendred her during her Illness She was fortunately restored and revived before Leucippe But however I know not if I ought to say Fortunately for it was not but with a Resolution undoubtedly worthy of a high Vertue but which cost poor Tarsis exceeding dear Leucippe yet continued Sick but however a little better when Melicerte whose Cares Toyls Troubles and Afflictions that she had had through the indisposition of her Husband was reduced to the necessity to think of her self she came to walk on the bank of the River to take the benefit of the Air and exercise her self a little I gave her my Hand on one side she with the other hold Philiste by the Arm and my Brother aided the fair Zelie in walking holding her by one Arm and she held in the other Hand her Crook leaning on it her weakness by her late Indisposition constraining her to follow softly after us not being able to go faster During the time of the Walk Tarsis told me that he found her speak Idly and Fantastically so that he understood not what she meant or said and through the disquietude he had by reason thereof he frequently asked her if her Disease reseized her At length after much pressing he saw her betake her self to Weeping Tarsis yet more alarmed impatiently asked her what she ailed and seeing the first Instances served to no purpose he conjured her by her Love and by all he knew might have most influence on her to declare to him the cause of her Trouble At length Zelie having discharged her Stomach of the Hickhocks or Yexing which hindred her Voice and seeing us so far as not to to be able to hear her resolved to speak to her thus Alas Tarsis you press me to tell
to approach In fine being much nearer they began to discern it was a small Island in the Sea wherein there was a Forrest burning and by and by we observed even some Men on the Sea who stretched their hands towards us and by a supplicating posture seemed to call us to their relief and succour Generous Oxiarte was the first to press the Mariners to go to them and he was Forward Zealous and Ardent in all acts of Humanity he was of those who leaped into the Boat to fetch those unknown ones ashore They there found only three Men lean lank scraggy looking like Ghosts that had nothing but Skin and Bones left on them having their Faces as it were drest or tann'd their Eyes sunk in their heads Men rather like Hobgoblins and Ghosts then Men. He made them enter into the Skiff and turning to one of them to enquire of him the cause of that great burning fire that they saw in the Isle he astonisht himself that the same Person casting himself about his neck and Imbracing him very streightly and closely said unto him O! My Dear Oxiarte is it possible that it should be you can you bring me no news of poor Eliante these words and the sound of that Voice soon instructed Oxiarte who it was that spake thus He however looked upon him again to see if he decieved not himself and having at last known him to be Alceste he let himself fall upon his neck quite confused without being able to say or speak one single word to him Alceste redoubling his imbraces and impatient to hear some tidings of me he asked again if there had a long time past since he came from Babylon and in what condition he left me there But Oxiarte Transported with Sentiments which I cannot very well express unto you never answered him but by Sighs At this silence Alceste perswaded himself all that his fear could suggest unto him the most dismal that he could imagine He believed that his Friend would not declare any thing unto him because he supposed he had none to tell him but what was Mournful and in that belief transported by an excess of Grief Ah! cryed he I see too too well how matters are Eliante is Dead or Marryed to Perinte and you will not declare it to me because you well know that will give me a Mortal Wound O Gods did you not conserve me from so many evils but to reserve me for this here the greatest and the most terrible of all those to which you have exposed me and the only one where I cannot any more expect a remedy But Eliante it shall not be said that I survive the news of your Marriage or Death nor that I conserve a Life which possibly serves no more but to separate my self from you At these words he turned to the edge of the Skiff to precipitate himself headlong into the Sea but Oxiarte returning to himself withheld him and streightly clasping his hand into his own and crushing it said unto him No Alceste Eliante is not Dead and you are going to see her even in our Ship He would have added something but from the first Syllable a blushing came up over all his face and Alceste observed him to shut his mouth again and look downwards with his Eyes with some Signs and Tokens of Confusion All that gave him Incredible Alarms and as he knew the kindness that Oxiarte had for him it was impossible for him to Divine that which could so moderate the contentment that the like encounter should in truth semblably bring to this Dear Friend nor that which held him so in suspence between Joy and Grief He therefore pressed him the third time to declare to him in what condition I was conceiving at least that I was undoubtedly seized with some dangerous Sickness In fine Oxiarte said unto him Reassure your self too happy Alceste there is no cause of fear neither for you nor for Eliante there is no cause of fear but for Oxiarte Ah Oxiarte replyed Alceste there can be no peril to you unless there be peril to me also On these words he began again to press him anew and instantly prayed him that he would no longer leave him disquieted Whilst all this passed the Skiff reapproached our Ship and I was not a little astonished to observe from the Deck all these Imbraces and all these Demonstrations of Friendship and Familiarity which had appeared between Oxiarte and one of those Men. I will not however conceal from you that a certain palpitation of heart seemed to advertise me that I had concernment and some part in that encounter but the Death of Alceste whereof I was perswaded and which I had always before my eyes too much preoccupied my mind to leave me some disposition to divine such an event I looked in the mean time from the Deck of the Ship with unparallel'd attention upon all that which is passed between them I attempted afar off to observe the Face and the Lineaments and Features of the Countenance of that unknown one but the nearer he approached the more his great change made me farther distant from the knowledg of the Truth I observed only when they were near that Oxiarte had his cheeks covered with Tears and after having Imbraced him to whom he spake in shewing him the Ladder that they had cast out unto them to ascend Go to O Happy Alceste Go and take a place which the Gods have Reserved you whilst that I as for my part will return to take that which they have prepared for my Misfortune It is a thousand times easier for you to imagine the effect that these words produced in me than for me to express them unto you For this great disguise which hindred me before to know Alceste disappeared in a moment in mine eyes and my Imagination giving him me again in the same instant all the former Features in which he had formerly appeared to me so amiable I felt my self wholly seized with an astonishment of all the joy that could transport an Heart in encounters so delectable auspicious and casual I knew Alceste in a word and cryed as if I had bin out of my Wits Ah Alceste is it possible that it should be you I could not speak more for Joy so dissipated all my Spirits that there remained not force enough to sustain and uphold my self and I was constrained to suffer my self to fall into the Arms of a Maiden which was near unto me On the other side Alceste had no sooner perceived me from the Skiff wherein he was that yet far more transported than I was he ascended or rather flew into our Ship without any more heeding what Oxiarte said unto him and came to cast himself at my Feet But amiable Shepherdesses I insensibly engaged my self in declaring unto you more then you have demanded of me Behold all which passed in the absence of Alceste it concerns him now to finish the rest for he was there present