last since his time of stay was but short he thus said unto me My Astrea for so he phrased me alwaies in private I shall leave with you my Brother Lycidas from whom I will never conceale any of my thoughts he knowes how I have vowed my selfe unto your service I beseech you promise me if it be your pleasure I should depart with any joy that you will receive as from me all the services which he shall do you and by his presence renew the memorie of absent Celadon And truly he had good reason to make this request unto me For Lycidas during his absence was so diligent to observe his Brothers commands that many thought that he succeeded his Brother in the affection which he bore unto me this was the reason why Alcippes after he had kept him three yeares out of this Country did call him home in a confidence that so long a time had worne away that light impression of Love which had a little entred into his green heart and that he being now grown more wise would weane Lycidas also from my affection But his returne was an extreame assurance of his fidelitie absence could not extinguish the ardency ot his Love no nor all the so much admired Romane beauties could ever startle him He intreated me by his Brother that I would give him leave to come unto me Oh Heavens how gladly did he come when I gave him licence I think I have his Letters about me for alas I have kept them better then him then pulling a little bundle out of her pocket like unto that which Celadon used to carry or in imitation of him and in which she very charily preserved those which came from him she took the first for she kept them in order as they came unto her then after she had wiped away her pearly teares she read these words Celadons Letter unto Astrea Fair Astrea MY patience hath vanquished my exile and heavens grant also that it may vanquish all hinderances of our happinesse I departed with so much sorrow and returne with so much joy That not dying neither in going nor coming it manifests that one cannot dy with too much delight nor of too much sadnesse Permitt me I beseech you to wait upon you that I may relate my fortunes unto her who is my only happinesse Fair Diana it is impossible to remember all the discourse we then had unlesse I should open those wounds again which are more dolorous to me then death During Celadons absence Artemis my Aunt and Mother of Phillis did come upon a visit unto us and brought with her this Fair shepherdesse Phillis And because our manner of living seemed more pleasant unto her then the shepherds of Allier she was pleased to stay with us which beleeve it was no small contentment unto me for her humours were very pleasing unto me and I have passed over many tedious hours with her When Celadon returned his judgment was so good and he liked her so well as I may truly say he was the cause of the great League which ever since hath been twixt her and me At this time he arrived at the age of seaventeen or eighteen and I at fifteen or sixteen and began to manage matters with more prudence so as to disguise our loves I did intreat him or rather indeed constraine him to be very familiar with all shepheardesses which could pretend unto any shadow of Beauty to the end his applications unto me might be taken rather as common then particular I say I constreyned him unto it for he did severall times upon his knees begge for a revocation of this command and alas he had good reason so to do for he did too well foresee that from hence would proceed the cause of his death Excuse me wise Diana if a few due teares interrupt my discourse since I have so much sad cause for them as it were impiety to stop them Then after she had dryed her eyes she began her discourse again And because that Phillis was most commonly with me it was unto her that he first made his addresses unto according to my command I could scarsly forbear my smiles especially when Phillis beleeved him to be in good earnest and treated him as it is the custome to treat such as begin the like addresses I remember that when he was once very sharply treated he sang this Song which he composed upon this subject A Song CLose by a River cleare whose bankes were clad With Mossie cussions and a channell had Which like a Serpent wreathed and did glide A long a lovely plaine with swelling pride Did sit a Shepheard chanting it in verse And with his Pipe did these sad Lines rehearse Cease Fair one Cease cease once your cruelty Let me enjoy one day before I die The torments I endure for loving you Are greater farr then is for hatred due If gods be good and infinitly kind Then Love and Hate a difference will find Is 't possible a pure and perfect Love Should never never any pitty move Are animals insensible as stones Which never moved are with sighes and groanes Those amorous glances of your winning eyes Have oft encourag'd up my hopes to rise And since they swell with promises so fair If they do violate they perjured are Oft have they told me that your stony heart Would melt and from severitie depart Each charming part of your fair face did say In their false Language they would ne're betray But how Does shepheardesses eyes out vie The glistering Court in all its falsitie Can they who live and only haunt the fields Use any art but what plaine nature yeilds Has rurall beauties found a subtile art Though not their faces yet to paint the heart Are these the Doctrines that your Schoole affords Only to flatter and to give good words No no my Fair one these are fallacies And far unsutable with your fair eyes Learne to be kind and banish cruelty This cometh neerest to a Dietie Beauty that bringes not sweetnesse with it might Be likned to an eye that wanteth sight To her that has no Love and yet is fair A Corps without a Soul I will compare I do very well remember said Phillis and interrupted her how his addresses unto me made you laugh for commonly his discourse was only a few fragments of words so disordered as they could hardly hold sense And commonly when he would name me his thoughts so run upon you that he would call me Astrea But see the variety of severall inclinations I know very well that Celadon had some advantages of nature above Lycidas yet I thought though I knew no reason for it Lycidas to be much more agreeable unto my fancy Sister said Astrea to her you bring into my memorle a discourse which once he had concerning you and this fair shepheardesse said she and turned towards Diana Fair shepherdesse said he to me the wise Belinda and Artemis your Aunt are infinitly happy in two Daughters
favour as well as he And it seemes Love could never finde any rest in the breast of Galathea the memory of one was no sooner out but another was presently in and now at this very time her thoughts are all upon a Shepheard whose qualities as a Shepheard may indeed merit much but never to be Galathea's Servant and yet she is so extreamly passionate and tender of him that if his-sicknesse should continue I know not what would become of her for I never saw one so carefull nor so troubled as she hath been ever since he was ill But this is not all most wise Adamas Your Niece is also so taken with Celadon as I know not whether Galathea or she be more and hereupon great jealousie is grown betwixt them and though I qualifie the matter as well as I can yet so it is that I do despair of it for the future And therefore I thank the gods that you are come for really without you I know not how to carry my selfe betwixt them Excuse me in speaking thus freely unto you since it is upon a businesse that concerns you the affection I do bear unto you constraines me to it Thus did Silvia end her discourse with abundance of demonstration of her hatred against this kinde of life for which Adamas did much esteem her And to begin the cure of this Shepheard and these Nymphs for the last of these was the greater difficulty Adamas asked her advice For my part said she I would first take away the cause which is this Shepheard and the effects may of themselves follow but this must be done with much artifice else Galathea will never let him go 'T is very true answered the Druide but in the mean time untill that can be handsomly contrived care must be taken that he do not fall in love with them for there is such a sympathy between Youth and Beauty that if they should conjoyne affections once all separations will be in vain Oh Adamas said Silvia did you but know Celadon as well as I do this would be the least of all your fears for he is so rooted in the love of Astrea that all the beauty in the world except hers cannot shake him especially now he is sick for his care may well be more of his cure than any thing else Fair Silvia answered the Druide you speak as one that is ignorant in Love and never knew the force of it this little god can do such miracles that when there is least appearance of any effects even then will he shew his power Be not therefore so secure for there is no kinde of vertue whatsoever that is Armour-proof against Love Chastity it selfe cannot do it witnesse Endymion Away away said Silvia Oh! wise Adamas why do you terrifie me with so great a dysaster Because said he I would have you arme your selfe against the forces of this god lest being too secure in your opinion of that which you judge impossible you should be surprised before you be prepared I have heard say that Celadon is so handsome so discreet and so every way accomplished as he is furnished with all perfections which cause Love and therefore there is danger Treasons of Love are so hard to be discovered that not one of a thousand can see them Nay nay said Silvia let me alone for that and tell me only what I should do in this businesse that we have already discovered I do conceive said the Druide this cure must be wrought very much by the eye and when I have seen how the world goes we shall order things to the best advantage we can and in the mean time let us keep our design secret Hereupon Silvia left Adamas to his rest and went to Galathea who with Leonide was by Celadon's bed side for they hearing he was awake they could neither of them hold from him He esteemed Leonida very much her carrasses did oblige him to it but Silvia's humour pleased him much better A litter after they fell into discourse of Adamas much extolling his wisdome prudence and goodnesse Upon which Celadon asked whether it was not he who was son unto great Pelion of whom so many wonders are reported The very same said Galathea and he is come hither purposely to be your Physician Oh Madam answered the Shepheard he must have abundance of Art if he can cure my disease but I am of opinion that when he knowes it he will so despair of my recovery as he will not undertake the cure Galathea thought that he had spoke of the disease in his body But is it possible said she that you should finde your selfe so ill I am confident that if you would but help your selfe you would be able to quit your bed in two or three daies Perhaps not Madam said Leonida for some are so inwardly sick as they themselves do not know of it untill it be at the height Their discourse had lasted longer had not the Druide come to see how squares went and he found him well enough disposed in body for the Malady was past the height and in its Decline but when he talked with him he found the disease to be most in the minde though he did not believe it was for any of these Nymphs Yet like a prudent Physician he would feel how the pulse of his minde did beat and therefore to begin the cure he would try how he stood affected first to Galathea and in order to this when all the Nymphs were retired he shut the dores and began thus I see Celadon said he that your astonishment is not little to finde your selfe exalted so suddenly unto such a height of fortune as this you enjoy for I am confident it was above your hopes since being born a Shepheard and brought up in a Village you are now carrassed cherished and waited upon by Nymphs and such as are accustomed to command and more then that such as command the whole Country You have great reason to be thankfull unto the gods for it and pray that it may continue Adamas spoke in this manner purposely as an invitation to make him speak the truth of his affection thinking by this means seeming to approve of it he would discover himself Unto which the Shepheard answered with a deep sigh Father said he if this be such a high fortune then certainly my mouth is out of tast for I did never in all my life relish more bitter Wormwood than this which you call good-fortune and since I came into this condition wherein you find me Why said the Druide the better to discover his subtlety is it possible you should be so insensible of your happinesse as not to see the Grandure unto which you are advanced Alas alas said Celadon all this does but shew me a Precipice and menace me with the greater fall Are you afraid said Adamas that this good fortune will not last I fear said the Shepheard that it will last longer than I would have it Why
hath captivated She said this as twitting her with the infidelitie of Agis who once Loved her and either out of jealousie or some two monthes absence was quite changed also upbraiding her with Polemas who was stolne from her by another beauty which Leonida understood very well and thus replied I must confesse Sister that my cords are easily untyed and the easier because I would never take so much paines as to tye them faster Celadon hearkned unto their pretty quarrells with much delight and to the end they should not end too soon he said unto Silvia fair Nymph since it seemes you are the cause why this admirable Fountaine cannot be seen I beseech you oblige us so far as to tell us how it came to passe Celadon answered the Nymph and smiled you have businesse enough at home and need not meddle much in that of others but if your Love will allow of so much curiositie Leonida if you request her may perhaps tell you the end as she did undesired the beginning Sister answered Leonida since you permit me to tell the story I Love you so well as I will not let your victories be unknowne especially those which you so much desire should be knowne But because I will not tyre this shepherd I will be as brief as possible I can Not for that reason I beseech you said the shepherd but if you will because she may have time enough to do the like office for you Never doubt that replied Silvia but according as she useth me I shall know how to repay her Thus from their own mouthes Celadon was acquainted with all the particulars of their lives and to the end he might the better hear as they walked they placed him in the mindst and thus Leonida began The History of Silvia WHosoever saith that Love is sufficient to procure Love againe never had any experience either in the eyes or the courage of this Nymph for if they had they would have known that as water runs from the fountaine so the Love of such as Love her run away and never troubleth her If when you have heard the discourse I intend to make you do not acknowledge as much I will freely give you leave to taxe my judgement Amasis the mother of Galathea hath a Son called Clidaman owner of as many excellent qualities as any person of his age and ranke is capable of for he is exquisite at any thing which relates either to Arms or Ladyes About three years agoe to give some testimonie of his gentle disposition and by the permision of Amasis he gave a servant unto all the Nymphs and this not by election but lot for having put the names of all the Nymphs into one basin and the names of all the young Caveliers into another then in an open assembly the basin in which the Nymphs were was presented to the young Gallants and the basin in which the young Gallants were was presented unto the Nymphs Then by the sound of several trumpets the young Clidaman did draw his lot and it chanced to be Silvia afterwards the young Nymph did draw her lot and it chanced to be Clidaman Great were the applaudes which every one gave but the behaviour of Clidaman was most extolled who as soon as he had received his lot went and kneeling down before this Nymph did kiss her fair hand She out of modesty would not have suffered it without the command of Amasis who said it was the least homage she could receive After her all the rest took their chances to some it happned according to their desires and to others not Galatheas fortune fel upon a brave Gallant called Lindamor who then was newly returned from the armie mine fell upon one whose name was Agis the most perfidious and unconstant wethercock that ever was Some of these who took their fortunes did only in appearance like their chances others did with their hearts ratifie what fortune had done and those who were most pleased with their chances were such as before that had conceived some seeds of affection Amongst the rest young Ligdamon was one whose lot light upon Silera a Nymph truly very amiable but not to him who had already disposed of his heart And certainly it was happy for him that he was then absent for he would never have performed that faigned homage which Amasis would have commanded that perhaps would have brought him into disgrace For you must know that he was brought up amongst us and was so faire and handsome in all his actions as every one esteemed him especially Silvia they being both of an age At first their ordinary conversation begot a Love like unto that between Brothers and Sisters such a Love as their age was capable of but as Ligdamon grew in years so he did in affection so as at fourteen or fifteen years of age his wil began to change it self into desires and his desires by degrees became passions Yet he carried the matter so discreetly that Silvia her selfe had never knowne it if she had not forced him unto it Afterwards when he knew his disease and confidered what smal hopes there was of his cure then the mirth and pleasantnesse which was wont to be in his lookes and all his actions was turned into sadnesse and from sadnesse into such lumpish melancholy that every one took notice of the alteration Silvia was not the last of those who asked him the reason but she could draw nothing from him but heartlesse answers At last when she saw his dulnesse continued one day when she was complaining against the coldnesse of his affection and obliging him to conceale nothing from her she perceived that he could not so well constraine himselfe but that a sad sigh came out in lieu of an answer This moved her to beleeve that perhaps Love was the cause of his ill Did not poor Ligdamon carry the matter very discretly all the while in all his actions since she could never imagine her self to be the cause Perhaps the Nymphes humour not liking the businesse was partly the cause however his prudence was great that could conceal such ardent affection Now Silvia begins to urge him more then she did before and told him that if Love was the cause she would contribute all her assistance and do all the good offices he could desire The more he denied it the more desirous was she to know it at last not being able to hold any longer he confessed that it was Love but said that he had sworn never to tell with whom T is most high presumption said he to love her but being compelled to it by such an unresistable beauty I am the more excusable yet should I name her what excuse could I find for my rashnesse The same excuse that your friendship to me hath said Silvia Then Madam replied Ligdamor that and your command together shall plead my excuse do but look in that glasse and you will see what you desire to know Upon this
was a hundred miles out of my memorie Nothing troubled me so much as when I was far from them both for then I grieved for both Thus generous Paris did I spend my time till I came to Vienna where being in our lodging for we landed every night at some good Town or other a Shepheardesse came and desired the Master of the Ship or Boat to give her room in it as far as Lyons pretending that her Husband had been wounded in the Warres and had sent for her The Master of the Boat being very civill did very kindly receive her and so the next morning she went into the Boat with us She was fair and so modest and discreet as she was no lesse commendable for her vertue than her beauty but so sad and melancholly as she moved all the company to pitty her And I being ever very compassionate towards the afflicted I did amongst the rest extreamly pitty her also and cheered her up as much as possibly I could at which Floriante was nothing pleased nor Aymea neither Now generous Paris you must consider that though a woman do put a fained glosse upon it yet she cannot for her life choose but resent the losse of any Lover as thinking it an affront unto her beauty and beauty being a thing most deer unto that Sex it is the most sensible thing that is in them However I that began to blend a little Love with my compassion not seeming to regard these two Shepheardesses did continue on my discourse unto this and amongst otherthings to the end we should not let down discourse and also to have more acquaintance with her I did intreat her to tell me the occasion of her sadnesse and she being fluent in courtesie began thus The compassion which you seem to have of my griefe obligeth me courteous Shepheard to give you that satisfaction which you desire and I should think it a great crime to refuse so small a thing But yet I do beseech you to consider the condition I am in and excuse me if I do abbreviate my discourse into as little room as possibly I can Know then Shepheard that I was born upon the coast of the River Loire where I have been educated with as much tender care as possibly one of my quality could be untill the fifteenth year of my age My name is Cloris my Father's Leonces Brother to Gerestan into whose hands I was transferred after the death of my Father and Mother And here I began to resent the blowes of fortune for my Uncle having more care of his own Children than of me did think himselfe overcharged with me All the comfort I had was in his Wife whose name was Callirea for she loved me and furnished me with all things that I wanted unknown to her Husband But the heavens had decreed to afflict me for when Filander Callirea's Brother was killed she took his death so sadly that within a few daies after she died and I was left with her two Daughters so young as could afford me no contentment It happened that a Shepheard of the Province of Viennoise called Rosidon came to visit the Temple of Hercules which is upon the coast of Furan seated upon a high Rock which elevates its head above all the rest of the Mountains That day on which he came thither was a day of great solemnitie and many Shepheards and Shepheardesses were there also It would be impertinent to relate all passages and the manner how he declared his Love unto me but so it was that ever since that day he has so devoted himselfe to me as he became wholly mine He was young and handsome and as for his Estate it was much better than ever I could hope for Moreover his Spirit and his Body were so resemblant and sutable as did make up a most perfect composure His courtship continued four years in all which time I cannot say he ever did or thought any thing which he did not render me an account of and asked my advice This extream submission and long continuance did assure me of his Love and merits and obliged me to love him extreamly We lived and loved thus above a year in as much perfect amitie as could possibly be between two Lovers and at last our joyes were compleated in our Marriage Now were we as happy as Mortalls could be conducted we were to the Temple the Songs of Hymen did sound on all sides and being returned to our lodgings nothing was to be heard but Instruments of joy and when we were in the height of felicity we were separated by the most averse fate that ever chanced unto any We were then at Vienna where the greatest part of Rosidor's Estate did lie It hapned that some debauched young fellowes of those Townes about Lyons where our Druides use to keep the missltoe which they got in the great Forrest of Mars would needs commit some disorders which my Husband could not brook but after some gentle disswasions did hinder them in the execution at which they were so incensed that thinking they could not anger Rosidor worse then to affront me one of them offered to throw a glasse of Inke in my face but I seeing the blow coming turned aside my head so as I had none of it light upon me but in my neck the marks whereof are yet very fresh My Husband seeing my breast full of Inke and blood did think that I was wounded and therefore drew his sword and ran it through the body of him that gave me this affront and afterwards with the help of some friends did drive them away Judge Shepheard how much I was troubled for I thought my selfe worse wounded than I was and when I saw my husband all bloody with a wound which he received on his shoulder But after this first fray was parted and his wound searched he had no sooner dressed himselfe but Officers came to seize upon him and carried him away with such violence that they would not permit me so much as to bid him adieu but my affection was so much above their denyall that I did come unto him and held him about the neck so fast that they could hardly pull me off On the other side he seeing me in this condition and chusing rather to die than to part from me did so shew both his love and courage that though wounded yet he broke from them and got out of the Town This kept him from an Imprisonment but it made his cause worse in the eye of Justice which caused severall Proclamations to issue out against him During all which time his greatest griefe was that he could not be with me and his desire of seeing me being very great he disguised himselfe and in the night came unto me and there stayed God knowes how great my joyes were and also how great my fears for I knew that his pursuers knowing his love to me would have all eyes about the house and do all they could possible to
me suspect those assurances which heretofore you have given of your affection for it may be that you would deceive me in your Love as it seemes you do your selfe in mine Shepheardesse answered Lycidas were my affection of the common strain as to consist more in shew then realitie I should condemn my selfe for suffering the violence of it to transport me beyond the limits of reason but since it is not of so low an ebb but as you know did flow like an Ocean you must think such an extream love is never without some fears though they have no cause those fears do turn themselves into jealousie and jealousie into grief or rather into such a frenzie as you may perceive in me Whilst Lycidas and Phillis were talking thus thinking these words were heard only by themselves and that Trees have no ears Silvander was behind a Tree and lost not a syllable Laonice also who was asleep there she wakened at the beginning of their discourse and knowing them both was very glad she was there so opportunely assuring her selfe that before they parted they would impart many secrets unto each other which she might employ to their ruine and it happened according to her hopes for Phillis hearing Lycidas say that he was jealous asked him Of whom and Why Oh Shepheardesse answered the wounded Lycidas do you ask me this question I beseech you tell me from whence proceeds all that faint and hollow coldnesse which you have used towards me of late and that great familiarity with Silvander unlesse your affection to me had been withdrawn and conferr'd upon him Ah Shepheardesse you must not think but my heart is very sensible of such blowes since it hath resented those from your fair but false eyes how came you to fall off from me why would not you speak as familiarly unto me as you were wont where is all the care which heretofore you used in enquiring how I did and your griefe when I was at any time absent You can remember when the name of Lycidas founded sweetly in your ears and I do remember when out of the abundance of your heart you named him when you should have named another But now who but Silvander Silvander is in the same heart and tongue where Lycidas had once a considerable room but now the veriest stranger in all the Country is preferred before him that is still the same Lycidas that ever he was and was born only unto Phillis whom he now suspects The extream displeasure of Lycidas did force out so many words as Phillis could not put in one by way of interruption for if she opened her mouth to speak he still continued on with more vehemency not considering that the more he complained the more his misery encreased and that if any thing could cure him it was that answer which he would not hear And never considering that it was his torrent of words which hindred the Shepheardesse from answering he conceived that her silence proceeded from her guilt so as every action that she used did more and more augment his jealousie The Shepheardesse all this while was so amazed and offended that she had not time to convince him of his error but though something dark he saw her blush at least thought so which then did put him out of all taking that for granted now which he did but doubt of before Thus after he had called upon the Gods that were just punishers of all infidelitie he ran away from her through the wood and would not hear her when she call'd him back she followed intending to convince him of his error but it was in vain for he ran so fast as she quickly lost the sight of him in the thick wood In the mean time Laonice was very glad that she had discovered this affection and to see so good a beginning of her designe and therefore she retired Silvander on the other side seeing Lycidas was so apt to be jealous he resolved for the future to be the bellowes that would blow it into a greater flame and would seem as if he loved Phillis in earnest the next time he saw him with her Leonida in the mean time came to the house of Adamas and letting him understand that Galathea had extraordinary businesse with him he resolved to set out as soon as the Moon began to shine which would be about an houre before day and accordingly they did so When they were come to the bottom of the Hill and had only a long plain to go through before they came to the Pallace of Isaure the Nymph at the request of her Uncle began to relate the businesse thus The History of Galathea and Lindamor DO not wonder I beseech you Father for so she called him I should entreat you to hear me with patience and when you see occasion to remember that it is the very same Love which is the cause of all this which in former times has driven you upon the like if not stranger accidents I durst never have spoken to you about it had I not had both permission and a command to do it But Galathea whom the business concerns doth earnestly desire since she hath made choice of you for the Physician to cure her that you should be acquainted with it both the beginning and progress and that it may be kept secret from all the world The Druide who knew what reverence was due unto his Lady for so he reputed her did answer that his Prudence taught him to conceal any thing that concerned Galathea and therefore any promise concerning that was superfluous Upon that assurance said Leonida I shall acquaint you with the businesse It is a long time since Polemas first begun to love Galathea To tell you how it came to passe is to no purpose but so it was he did love her This love proceeded so on that Galathea her self could not be ignorant of it but did many times in private make it appear that his service was not displeasing unto her And truly he was a man of very high deservings As for his Pedigree it is as you know derived from the ancient Line of Surieu which in Noblenesse is not inferiour unto Galathea her self As for his Person he is very handsom every way so composed as to move Love Above all he is a great Scholar and in any Learning can silence the greatest Doctors But Father all these things are known unto you better than I can relate them But so it was that these qualities did so recommend him unto the consideration of Galathea that she was more favourable unto him than unto any in the Court of Amasis yet it was with so much discretion that none could ever take any notice of it Then Polemas having such a favourable wind did sail so contentedly in the sea of his hopes as no man could live more happily than hee But this inconstant Love or rather inconstant Fortune would have Polemas as well as the rest of the world feel the
shall endeavour to give them It hath already been said that Love doth first begin at the eyes but it is not the eyes that doth nourish it Beauty and goodnesse without any more give it a growth in us when they are once known Now the knowledge of this Beauty indeed comes first by the eyes but when that knowledge is once in our souls wee may love afterwards without the help of eyes which you will easily grant if ever you were in love Consider and tell mee would you lose your love if you lost your eyes No certainly and therefore you must needs confesse it is not your eyes which does preserve your love As for the knowledge of goodness it is produced either by actions or by words both which doe stand in need of presence to be first known but afterwards not at all for that knowledge is afterwards preserved in the secret Cabinet of the memory whereupon a soul does afterwards sufficiently feed Then I beleeve you know Madam that the more knowledge one hath of the party loved the more doth love encrease but then it is apparent that the turbulent motion of the senses doe infinitely hinder the clearnesse of the understanding and as the plummets of a Clock the one cannot ascend unlesse the other doe descend so when the senses are up the understanding part must needs bee down and so the contrary when the senses are absent the Intellectuals are best present and does work more perfectly than they would if they were disturbed by any objects of the eye which is able to doe nothing else but look and desire and sigh If you would think seriously upon any matter has not wise Nature taught you to put your hand upon your eyes to the end that the sight should not divert the understanding another way And therefore hence you must needs conclude with me in my argument and confess that Love digests it self better in absence than in presence But if it be so said Paris how comes it to passe that all Lovers should so passionately desire the sight of them they love It proceeds from ignorance answered Silvander He cannot attribute unto himselfe the name of a Lover who thinkes his love so great that it is impossible it should augment If any be of that opinion he will never seeke after any means to increase it nor bee in any quest of further knowledge but rests himselfe contented with as much onely as his eye can afford him without any deeper contemplation But O great Nymph what a vast difference there is betwixt a love that is nourished by the eyes and a love that is nourished by the understanding As much doubtless as the soul is superiour to the body so much is the understanding to be preferred before the eyes And absence in such is so far from diminishing love that it augments and begets fresh and violent desires to augment it and contemplation of a Beauty does imprint it deeper into the fancy than any eye can If it be so said Paris I wonder you doe not absent your selfe from Diana to the end you may the more love her I told you before answered Silvander that I ought to doe so but that I have not yet obtained so much mastery over my self for generous Paris we are all but men I mean all imperfect and the imperfections of humanity are not upon a sudden removed We are all sensitively inclined and love to see tast smell and touch and must needs hanker after these corporal senses This is the point unto which I have not yet arrived and unto which I ought Reason will forbid such considerations and bid us act all by the intellectual faculties Nature bestowed the senses upon us onely for instruments by which the soul may receive the knowledge of things but not to be our companions in the pleasures and felicities of them as being altogether incapable of so great a good This discourse had continued longer if they had not by chance heard Phillis sing neare the field of Mercury Shee was sitting with another Shepheardesse under a shady tree looking upon their Flocks as they were feeding untill the heat of the day was over As soon as Silvander heard her tone hee turned his head that way and knowing them hee turned his head again so suddenly that Leonida could not chuse but smile What doe you hear and see said she which causeth you to turn your head so quickly away I have seen Madam said he her whom I never see without sorrow Phillis I meane the most cruel of my enemies since she is the cause of my servitude At the very same time Lycidas was walking the same way and was upon them before he was aware Jealousie which made him fly all company made him shun Silvander more than any other but now Civility constrained him to salute Leonida and Paris and being invited to follow them though at first he would have desired their pardon with some frivolous excuses But Leonida who loved him for Celadous sake was so importunate with him that he was forced to make one in the company And Paris who was very desirous to know where Diana was did ask him if he knew who it was that was with Phillis under that shady Tree Lycidas who had not yet taken notice of them looked and then answered that it was Astrea Then going on their way Leonida resumed the discourse which she had begun with Silvander And why Shepheard said she unto him are you so offended against that Shepheardess for though shee be the cause of your love yet is shee also the cause of your becoming a more accomplished man And I beleeve you will confess that love is able to adde much ornament unto our soules and if it be so you are rather much obliged unto her I must needs confesse answered Silvander that I believe without Phillis I had not fallen in love but I must tell you withall that she is the cause that I have lost my liberty and am lesse my own than hers whom I adore And I must also tell you that liberty is of so high a price that I am not so much obliged to her for making me more accomplished as I am disobliged to her for the losse of my dear and desirable freedom But added the Nymph by her means you may perhaps obtain the affection of her whom you adore and love And a well born soul as yours is will set such a value upon that be it at any rate whatsoever as he cannot complain against her who is the cause of it A well born and generous soul replyed he will not upon any termes thank her who is the cause of her servitude for servitude be it in what degree it will is still servitude At the first when Lycidas heard Phillis named he stood still with much attention but after he had heard all the discourse and replyes of Silvander he did beleeve that he really loved her and not being able to hide his Jealousie as
this affection to her but it was heaven that forced mee to love her whether I would or no. For I did often absent my self from her and opposed all manner of arguments that reason could suggest against it but that did rather augment than diminish my affection which in the end grew to a most extreame height About this time Calidon returned out of the Boyen Province and was some eighteen years of age or thereabouts He was taller than usually that age allows any handsomly proportioned his complexion for a brown extreamly fair his mind his garb and his discourse was higher than perhaps his quality required but yet not at all proud nor vain-glorious I must confesse that when I saw him so much improved I loved him better than I did before For before I did love him onely in consideration of Consanguinity and upon the recommendation of my Uncle but when I found him to be so amiable so extreamly well accomplished and every way so well improved that I having neither Wife nor Child or then intending to marry resolved to make him my Heir after my death unto all my estate which perhaps was not very inconsiderable And to oblige him unto a reciprocal good will unto me I declared as much unto all my Kindred and Neighbours Now because I did foresee that dwelling in my house it was almost impossible but he should fall in love with the fair Celidea I gave him a most strict charge to look upon her onely with the eyes of a Brother and not of a Lover He protested with a thousand asseverations and oaths that he would obey me in this and all things else and would not doe any thing in the world that should displease me Yet before the Moon had run a full course he was charmed with Celidea and not daring to declare it unto her or me or any else after he had languished a while hee was forced to keep his bed his eyes shrunk into his head his complexion grown yellow and grown so lean and altered as he was not knowable I brought the most knowing and experienced Physicians in all the Country unto him If Fame cryed up any man I spared neither cost nor pains till I got him I caused Sacrifices to be offered upon every Altar of the Country to appease Tautates Hesus Tharamis and Belinus if Calidon by chance had offended them I sent to enquire of every Oracle and Augurer I sent for all the Bardi to come and pray with him I sent also for the best Musicians to try if Musick would allay the Melancholly which oppressed his soul To bee short there was not one sage Sarronide which at my request did not come to visit him and give him wise precepts against grief and sorrow But all these had no operation nor could all the teares which I shed by his beds side get him to tell me the cause of his disease Thus languishing in this manner and no remedies could doe any good upon him there was an old Physician a friend of mine who hearing of my sorrows for Calidon came unto me to comfort me in my affliction and after as good and wise advice as any humane Prudence could give hee bade me resign Calidon and my own will into the hands of Tautates and to believe that if I did it unfeignedly I should receive more comfort than I could from all men living When he was ready to goe away he desired to see Calidon We went both into his chamber he fell into talk with him and considered him very seriously he felt his pulse observed his actions and gestures turned him every way to finde out his disease And after hee had been two hours with him Young man said hee unto him chear up and bee assured that you shall not dye of this disease I have found out the cause and I have known many sick of the same but never knew one dye of it Then going out of the Chamber he took me aside and said thus unto me The age I have attained unto is great and though I have not employed all my time very well yet not all unprofitably I have studyed the art of Physick very long and have attained unto no meane reputation I have been employed by many of the best quality amongst the Boyens the Seguanonans and the Allobrogians Long experience have I had in my Art which makes me speak with more assurance than any that is younger than my self can Let me tell you that Calidons disease proceeds not from the body but the mind and if his body be sick it is because of the near union it hath to his sick mind which makes it resent the pain as if it were its own as we see one friend sensible of the pain of another And though these kinde of maladies be very painfull yet are they not so dangerous as those of the body for the mind is not subject to corruption or dissolution of parts but onely to change its quality I tell you this that you may not despair of the young mans cure whose Malady I think I have very rightly discovered And by all symptomes I finde that he is extreame passionately in Love and is either sleighted or else dares not declare it As soon as ever the Physician said so I presently apprehended that certainly it was with the fair Celidea and because of my forbidding him hee durst not speak of it When the Physician perceived me sad in lieu of rejoycing at the matter hee asked mee the reason to whom I answered that I was more in fear of him than ever because his malady was without the compasse of my cure and he might love one I had no power over or else a stranger or perhaps some enemy and therefore I saw no reason to rejoice There is a remedy said he against any thing but death and therefore never fear but I shall keep Calidon alive and if you will please to give me leave to be with him a few dayes I shall discover well enough whether he be in love with any that has any dependance upon you or with a stranger You cannot hope said I unto him ever to get it from his own mouth No no said he that 's not the way but fear not I shall bring it about Matters of Love be they never so close may easily be discovered if prudent artifice be used But great Nymph I should be extreamly tedious if I should relate every trivial passage therefore for brevities sake I shall onely tell you that this Physician was for seven or eight daies never from Calidons bed side In the mean time he advised me to get all the young Shepheardesses in the neighbourhood to come and see him under pretence of sorrow for his sicknesse As for the Physician hee was alwaies holding him by the arme and felt his Pulse to know when any caused an extraordinary motion in him So it was that Celidea at that time was gone a journey with Cleontine and stayed away
have brought up whom I love and whom I have chosen not onely for my Heir but also for my Companion in all the estate which the Heavens and Fortune hath or for the future shall give me You are obliged unto this by our Friendship as well as I am by my duty Love therefore my Calidon if ever you loved me and make it thereby appear that you are but a Lover and Religious towards the Gods who certainly would never have given me liberty to part with you against my will had they not so decreed it in their infallible Destinies Great and wise Nymph this is the language which Thamires doth or ought to use of which I am onely the instrument And which as I conceive is so just and so worthy of himself as I hope he will not disown it And therefore after I have vowed by the great Tautates that Calidon doth infinitely love Celidea and that there never was a more faithfull Lover than he I will use no other arguments or reasons but his own and so referring my life my death my happinesse my misery and my All unto your wise discretion I pray unto the Gods to endue you with all Wisdom and Justice Calidon concluding thus with a low and humble reverence he went unto Celidea and falling down upon his knees before her hee waited for her answer Thamires he proferred to speak but Leonida told him that Celidea was to speak before him since he had already spoke unto the matter So that Shepheard going againe to his place Celidea by the Nymphs command began thus The Answer of the Shepheardesse Celidea I Am so unaccustomed great Nymph to speak upon such a subject as this especially before so much company that though I doe blush and express my self with a trembling tongue yet I hope it will be no prejudice to the justice of my cause Were I not most confidently assured that my reasons not to love this Shepheard are in themselves so clear that they need no manner of artificial dresse to illustrate them unto you I durst not be so bold as to open my mouth upon this subject I perceive the eloquence of Calidon is much above mine I want both wit spirit and eloquence to glosse a matter as he can My words are onely simple and sutable to my reasons which though not many yet valid enough to make it manifest unto you that since I never did love Calidon I ought not to beginne at this instant nor continue that affection which once I had unto Thamires since I have so many reasons to the contrary But where shall I begin What Divine Powers must I ask assistance from in this dangerous combat I am assaulted not by Love but by Monsters of Love A combat ful of danger indeed since my wel or ill being depends upon it And Monsters of Love indeed they are since they will make me love by force and compel me to love and hate according to their wills I have heard our great and wise Druids say that Hercules whom we see erected upon our Altars with a Club in his hand and a Lyons skin upon his shoulders was in his time a great Hero who by his strength and valour quelled Monsters and was a great Patron of Truth From whom therefore in this extream necessity should I implore aid sooner than from this valiant Hero And the rather because as I have heard hee loved a Lady of Gaùle and doubtlesse will for her sake afford me the aid I implore To him therefore do I addresse my self to subdue these monstrous spirits and to furnish me with so much eloquence and audacity as may make my reasons apparent unto my Judges I beseech thee therefore by thy valour O great Hercules and by the fair Galathea our Princesse I conjure thee to deliver me from these monstrous Lovers and so to cleare my reasons unto this Nymph that she may give a just judgement and keep me from loving both Thamires and Calidon And to begin what dost thou mean Calidon by calling me before the God of Love whom thou dost make both thy Judge and thy God Dost thou think that he hath any power over us who are ashamed that his Name should be in our mouths though it do reach our ears A Maid Calidon who ever scorned to have any thing to do with this Love is now summoned to appear before his Throne to receive her doom And canst thou expect I will make any other answer but that let this God of Love doom what he will I will not obey him But I prethee tell me when I have observed his statutes and am constrained to live according to his will what recompence may I expect from him onely this to be called the most amorous Maid in all the Country A very brave and honourable title indeed for a maid of any quality and one that desires to live without a blemish upon her honour Therefore Oh Shepheard never summon mee before his Tribunal whose Power and Jurisdiction I will not acknowledge and unto whom I doe declare my self to bee an enemy If you will have me give an answer let us both appeal unto Virtue and Reason and certainly wee need not goe any farther than this great Nymph who is pleased to take so much pains to hear our differences Before her I shall answer unto any thing you have or can object which as I conceive may be reduced unto three heads First that I ought to love you because you love me and because I knew it Secondly because the favours which you received from me in your sickness and which as you say caused your cure have obliged me And lastly because Thamires hath given me unto you But Madam that I may give full answers unto all these objections I beseech you command him to answer unto my questions that you may come to the knowledge of the Truth out of his own mouth I ask you Calidon what allurement did I use to make you in love the first time you begun to love me When she saw he stood silent and gave no answer she addressed her self unto the Nymph Madam said she I beseech you command him to answer me And Leonida appointing him so to doe You ask me a question said he which you your self can best resolve but since you will needs have it from my mouth I will tell you It was the favour which I received from you in being pleased to shew your self unto me at the Sacrifice which was celebrated at the sixth of the month Was I the onely woman that assisted at the Sacrifice said Celidea and were you the only Shepheard of the Town that was there No answered hee for almost all the Shepheardesses and Shepheards of the Town were there also What one act was it I beseech you replyed she that did attract your affection In this answered Calidon you must acknowledge that my love was the decree of heaven You did no sooner turn your eyes towards me but as soon as
my life Nay may I not disown him for a Friend since he will not doe the same offices for mee in my necessity which I did for him Nay more May I not account him the most cruel enemy I have since he pursues me against all reason with such violent arguments to my very death The very thought of Ingratitude from such as we have obliged is so extreamly odious unto all as I cannot possibly give punctual answers unto every particular instance of this Shepheard who hath so extreamly offended me Give me leave I beseech you Madam to present this offer unto him in a few words As he ows his life unto mee for yeelding Celidea unto him I will release him of that obligation so he will yeeld her again unto me And to make it appear that he is out of all danger he cannot deny but that it is above a month since Celidea refused him She told him that she would never love him she let him know that her Mother promised not to marry her against her consent and at the same time told him that heaven and earth should meet before she would contract any affection with him yet for all this ye see he lives and strives to take away the life of him that did preserve him Since he is most certainly assured that Celidea will never be his is he not the most ungratefull person in the world in offering to hinder mee from obtaining her There is not any hopes for him and hee would also ruin all mine Should he desire that another should enjoy this happinesse before me the whole world would never know the like Ingratitude I gave him that which was mine and hee will not let me have that which is not his I saved his life by depriving my self of that which was most deare unto me and he will refuse that unto me which never was his But great Nymph all these hot disputes 'twixt him and me are me-thinks to no purpose since his misfortune and my too much affection unto him hath taken from us both that happinesse which we are disputing about What right can you have unto Celidea since she does not love you You will say no other but from your affection to her and from my gift But Shepheard what pretence can you have from your affection since you see she disdains and refuseth you And what can you pretend unto by my gift since I gave you no more than what I had my self to give Now all the right that I had depended upon her own will and if this will be contrary unto mine what power or right had I in it Therefore Shepheard you can have none nor make the least shaddow of pretence unto any Now I beseech you let us see what right I my self can pretend unto Oh heavens how great would it be if there was no Calidon in being An affection begun in the Cradle so long carefully continued a courtship so full of pure intentions an affection so violent and so long in possession of favours all these would make my cause very strong if Calidon were not in the world or had no eyes or else if he could have guided them according to reason I must needs confess fair Celidea and so I do with teares in my eyes and sorrow in my heart that you have more reason to complain of me than all your words and mine can expresse I acknowledge that never did any affection receive a greater affront than yours hath by my imprudency yet who should endure nay overcome great difficulties but those who have strength and courage 'T is true I have extreamly wronged you but may not you make this an occasion to shew how highly you can love by passing by and pardoning such an offence What testimonies of your love have you heretofore promised me What is it which you have not said you would surmount for my sake I do now summon you unto your promises and put you to the Test And what greater testimony can you give then by this occasion which I now offer unto you When I did oblige you by my services by my affection and by all manner of obsequious observancie you did continue your affection unto me But this is no testimony of affection it is rather an acknowledgement of a debt It had been a right testimony of your affection if you had continued when I did hate you Fortune would have this occasion to present it self though I am extreamly sorry for it to put you to the tryal of your affection and as a summons to keep your word I hope you are not like unto those who vaunt that they doe not fear dangers yet at the very first encounter of an enemy will submit without resistance But you objected against me How can you hope Thamires to gather any fruits from love since you have cut up the Tree Oh fair Celidea let me tell you I had rather cut away my life than that deare Tree of Love Nay though I should offer it yet it would be impossible for me to do it But admit that I had imprudently cut it up you know that the Mirtle is the Tree of Love and why would you have it to be the Cypress The Mirtle is of a nature that the more it is cut the more branches it puts forth Oh that I could see this effect in your soul that I might beleeve there is growing in you this Tree of Love and not a Tree of Mourning But admit my fault in guilting you to bee so great as you make it must my fault make you to commit the like If you think so then you must confesse that you catch at bad examples and not at good ones unlesse as I doe leave you so you leave me and when I doe return unto you you doe return unto me also Otherwise you are more moved with an offence than with a full satisfaction for it and evil hath a greater predominancie in you than good But this is unworthy of Celideas soul which promiseth all goodnesse and sweetnesse But you say that since I have given you unto Calidon if I would have any thing of you I must ask him This would puzzle mee to answer if I had not heard you say that it was impossible for me to give you unto him Now the matter is brought to that passe as you must be either his or mine If you will not be mine because I have imprudently given you away then Celidea you must be Calidons Consider whether this change be pleasing unto you If on the contrary you will not be Calidons then you cannot deny but you must be mine since having been mine before and my gift taking no effect all right in the world is that the thing given should revert unto the first possessor And you ought not to be offended with me for offering you as a Sacrifice for Calidons recovery because Sacrifices which are offered unto the gods are alwaies of the best and most precious things we have
be no interruption he would not return an answer And Hylas seeing him silent after he had shook his head he fell into the discourse from which he had digressed See now said he the issue of these Loves the frequent conversation which I had with Dorinde began to encrease my love unto her the more And in as much as the conferring of one favour drawes on another that is greater so she did every day give me cleerer evidences of her love which was a cause that our Letters began to alter style and became more affectionate and passionate then usuall This was a reason why I gave them unto Florice but seldome and then only those which had fewest expressions of affection and craftily kept the rest to my selfe Thus I lived for a while in a sea of delights being welcome unto both but it was too high to hold and this happinesse did not last long For it hapned one day that as I pulled some things out of my pocket in the presence of Florice and other company she espied two or three little Letters lapped up after the very same manner as Dorinde's were which I had given unto her She began presently to suspect the truth and many daies passing and I not giving them unto her she concluded her selfe to be deluded and resolved to steal them from me and because I took no notice she easily got them out of my pocket whilst I was talking unto others who did what they could to abuse me and give her a better opportunity to play the thief thinking she did it only to make me seek them She took them out so dexterously that I perceived not she went away immediately and was no sooner come unto her lodging but locking her selfe up in her closet she threw them all upon the Table and found five some very freshly written and others of a longer date The first she took which was last writ contained these words Dorinde's Letter unto Hylas I Have here sent you the picture which you desired of me not to make you lose the person whom you have wone as heretofore you did with the like-present but to assure you that you have as much power over her that sent it as you have of the Picture when it is in your hands If it were permitted me I should be as often with you as it is and though it be in that more happy then I am yet it is less in not knowing the happiness it enjoyes which I should esteem infinitely above my life Then throwing this Letter upon the Table with an angry look and pushing away the rest further from her she went back a pace or two Then folding her armes and lifting up her eyes Oh heavens said she can this possibly be true Hast then betrayed me Hylas Couldst thou so long fool me and I never see thy treason Then standing silent a long while at last she struck both her hands upon the Table and said Well Traitor thou shalt not passe unpunished I will discover thee unto her whom thou hast betrayed as well as me and perhaps we shall both grow a little wiser by thy follies She had no sooner fixed upon this resolution but she lapt up all her Letters and went to Dorinde and desired her to go into her Closet and then shutting the dore Sweet cosen said she unto her I am come to manifest my affection unto you but upon condition that when I have discovered a secret unto you that you do prudently conceal it I know that Hylas hath long courted you and that you have long thought he loved you but I come now out of my true affection to you to undeceive you and to let you see that he hath deceived you Upon this Dorinde blush'd and seemed a little shie No no said Florice do not think Cosen to hide that which I do know better then your selfe I say better for you only know your own intentions and not his but I do know both If you do said Dorinde I must confesse you to be very knowing but what I beseech you do you know of mine I know said she that you do love him and sent him your picture and receives all his addresses Dorinde being touched to the quick she had not so much impudence as to deny it but looked down and blushed more holding her hands before her face for shame Do not vex Dorinde said she that these things should be thus known but rather rejoyce they are fallen into my hands not anothers who lesse loves you if you love your own honour withdraw your affection for the 〈◊〉 from this man who courts you only to get such favours from you as he brags of There hath been heretofore some familiarity betwixt him and me and that is the reason which you have reason to be glad of that he hath addressed himselfe unto me I do not think you ever spoke one syllable unto him which he hath not told me and because it would be too long to repeat them see here most of the Letters you have written unto him which you may do well to burn lest he should make use of them hereafter to your disadvantage Dorinde both seeing and knowing them she did ingenuously confesse that she did believe I loved her and therefore thought her selfe obliged unto what she did but for the future she would hate me a thousand times more then ever she loved me She thought her selfe infinitely obliged unto Florice for this discovery and commended her for the best friend in the world Then both of them began to inveigh against me with all possible bitternesse especially Dorinde who thought her selfe the most offended Florice having revenged her selfe upon me according to her desires returned unto her lodging fully resolved never to love me again no nor ever to see me again if it were possible But when the heat of her anger was a little cooled and when she began to recall into her memory the discourse which Dorinde and she had she remembered that what affection soever I had unto Dorinde yet I had never acquainted her with the affection I had unto Florice nor of any favour I ever received from her concluding from hence that I loved her more then I did Dorinde so as she began to repent of what she had don for she did believe that if I 〈◊〉 discoursed any thing concerning her she should certainly have heard of it upon this occasion The more this came into her minde the more she repented of her too much haste or said she what though he did visit her I my selfe was the cause If he did court her I did command him so to do If he did love her it was because she was amiable If he did receive her favours it was the better to cloak that affection which he bore unto me And the truth is being young very few of his age would have refused such a fortune If he did dissemble with me and not shewe me how much he was favoured
truth as all the favour I could obtain from the King was to ordain that the matter should be tryed by Armes and that within fifteen daies we should finde out the Cavaliers which should enter into the lists for us The newes of all this was quickly dispersed throughout all Aquitain so as my Mother heard of it as well as others and because Leriana had produced so many Witnesses she believed as almost all others did that I had committed the fault whereof I was accused and she having lived alwaies in great honour and same it grieved her so much as she fell sick and being old withall she died within ten or twelve daies after she first heard of it but in such a bad opinion of me as she would never send to see me nor assist me in my justification And see how many severall waies the gods were pleased to afflict me for this grieved me more then I am able to expresse Thus was I without Father or Mother destitute of all friends and universally blamed by every one I must confesse I did many times intend to throw my selfe out of the window to rid my selfe out of so many sorrowes but still the gods preserved me in hopes that my innocency would at last appear putting into my minde that if I should die so I should leave all Aquitain in a bad opinion of me But when Leriana offered Leotaris and his Brother for her Champions and when neither Thersander nor I could name any as well because we were not prepared for it as because no man would enter into so bad a quarrell as every one thought this was I must confesse I was astonished and now more then ever grieved for poor Damon assuring my selfe that had he been alive I could not have wanted a Champion Thersander on the other side he must defend his cause by fighting both with Leotaris and his Brother one after another But the terme being past the King in favour allowed us eight daies longer and they being past he added three more without any further delay at the expiration of which we were brought into the Lists I all in mourning and without any other company but the Officers of justice and Leriana on the contrary all triumphant and in the company of many Gallants she was upon another Scaffold opposite to that where I was Leotaris and his Brother were already in the Lists armed Cap apé and bravely mounted vaunting the more because they believed to finde no Antagonist but Thersander for none else could we finde because Leontidas who was the Kings favourit did take Leriana's part and those who heretofore had made addresses of Love unto me and would have undertaken a hundred such Combats for me were now all cold and backward because I had sleighted them for Thersander Thus you may see a falshood is hardly to be known from truth when it is subtlely disguised with a handsome glosse At last Thersander enters the Lists against them both hoping that the justice of his cause would bear him out It was ordained by the Judges that if during the Combat any Cavalier would present him selfe for me he should be received and that Leotaris and his Brother might fight with Thersander both together or severally if they would These two Brothers were men of great courage and persons of honour so as they would undertake him one after another but Leriana would not by any means suffer it so as they ran both of them together against him Judge sage Shepheardesses in what a condition I was I do assure you that I was so much out of my selfe as I could not see any thing I looked at At last the command was given and the Trumpets sounded Thersander who was couragious enough putting his confidence in the gods and justice of his cause set spurrs to his Horse and with his Lance hit the Brother of Leotaris and doing him no hurt brake it but he himselfe at the same time was dismounted by two Lances with the sadle betwixt his legs Leriana seeing so great an advantage on her side she was all joy I on the contrary all fear Thersander seeing himselfe in this extremity did not for all that lose his understanding but running to his Horse he pulled the bridle off from his head before his Antagonists could return upon him The Horse being of a high spirit and finding himselfe without either bridle or sadle began to run up and down the place and as if the gods had inspired him came to Leotaris and his Brother and began to paw with his feet and bite with his teeth kicking and bounding and did so fiercely assault them that they in lieu of fighting with Thersander had enough to do to defend themselves from this Animal This did amuse them a while because they could not kill him so soon as they did imagine because of his nimblence and perpetuall motion but at the last they dispatched him and being animated the more against Thersander resolved to dispatch him also presently and therefore falling both upon him in the heat of their fury he had no other way but to run close to his dead Horse which lay gasping in the end of the Lists and which did him some service after his death for the Horses of his enemies did boggle so at him that their Riders could hardly come neer him and this prolonged the Combat At the last Leotaris seeing he could not get his Horse any neerer he alighted from him and so did his Brother from his and leaving their Horses both loose in the place went both up to Thersander and fell upon him who certainly did as much as one man could well do but having to deal with two of the stoutest Cavaliers in all Aquitain at once it was impossible for him to make any long resistance He had received severall wounds and lost so much blood as he had not strength to defend himselfe any longer when the gods out of pitty unto me did send a Cavalier who desired entrance into the Lists in defence of me and Thersander The dore was presently opened unto him and because he saw Thersander in great extremity he spurred his Horse furiously up unto them but when he was come neer he stooped and cryed out unto them Hold Cavaliers and do not any longer offend against the Lawes of Chivalrie come off that wounded man and fall both upon me who am sent hither purposely to punish you Leotaris and his Brother hearing his voice did recoile and were sorry that they were both on foot and therefore ran towards their Horses But the stranger rid up to them and told them That if they had their Horses they should receive it as a courtesy from him and not from their own nimblenesse But get up said he I scorn to take the advantage of my Horse against you They both did infinitely esteem this generous act of this stranger but I was very sorry for it conceiving that he might very well have taken all advantages
frequently with her For I thought my selfe obliged to preserve her honour and reputation at any rate whatsoever If she complain that I did not acquaint her with this untill now she may as well complain against my extream love of her for the reason why I did not impart it unto her was because I was loath to make her a partner in my sorrowes for I know that she who was ever so carefull to keep her honour free from all calumny could not endure to hear of these without extream vexation and sad resentment Now great Nymph I beseech you to consider by this most true relation whether such effects are usuall amongst vulgar affections and from thence you may perceive the quality of mine and being such as gives a manifest proof of its grandure why may I not and with reason aske as well some proofes of hers since love is never requited but with love again As for the businesse of Pantesmon which she alledgeth as a great matter of complaint against me I conceive my apprehensions of him did not proceed from an ill grounded jealousie as she termes it but from abundance of reason for this shepheard as she her selfe confesseth being such a one as he is it was probable she would rather love him then scorn him Moreover the friendship betwixt her Brother and him was no small ground for my suspitions but especially the favourable eye which she cast upon him which indeed was such as knowing of my jealousie she was more to be blamed for behaving her selfe so then I for thinking so And indeed their Marriage was openly spoken of so as from hence I had strong grounds for jealousie and she to cleer her selfe had good reason to do as I requested If friendship have a priviledge above love she might well have denyed my request if it have not why should she think it strange my love should desire a preheminency above that amity which she had unto her Brother From hence it was great Nymph that all our miseries had their originall for when I was angry with her for the countenance which she gave unto this shepheard she answered me that her Brothers affection unto him was the cause of it But when I replyed that the report of her Marriage unto him was so common as it was impossible I could endure to hear it What would your fantasticall suspicion answered she with an angry look have me to do You may call it what you please said I unto her but I shall never be at rest untill I see him banished from you Well said she with a more angry eye I will give you satisfaction this time but I wish this may be the last of your odd humours she expressed her selfe in such a manner as made me more suspect her then if she had denyed me with some handsome excuse This made me resolve to look more narrowly into the matter and trust unto no eyes but my own Oh most unhappy diffidence Oh what an abominable resolution was this which hath cost so much sorrow such extream torment and so many tears In order therefore unto this designe I spied out a time when Pantesmon went unto her Chamber for as fortune was either for displeasure or for some ill disposednesse she kept her bed that day And going up a back pair of staires which conducted to her Lodgings I came through a Lobby into a little Closet which had a dore over against her bed Such was my misfortune as I could through the key-hole see all they did but being at too far a distance I could not hear one word I saw and too plainly for my contentment this shepheard sit by her bed-side I saw him take her hand and kisse it several times I saw him talk bare-headed and at last kisse her lip without any resistance and for ought I could observe she answered him with no words of anger Oh heavens what a dagger was this to my heart I knew not what to do with my selfe I knew not how I should suffer this and live But such was my extraordinary affection unto her that though I had these bitter resentments yet it made me constantly to endure any thing which I thought pleasing unto her Pantesmon went away and I also he very ill satisfied with me and I absolutely mad at him Thus did Love drive us both away Now I beseech you great Nymph tell me Would you have thought I had loved her had not this gone to my very soul Could my resentment be lesse then to retire my selfe or Could it be carried with more discretion then never to speak of it unto any I do confesse I did endeavour to regain my liberty and when I found abundance of difficulty in unloosing the cords wherewith she held me I said severall times to my selfe That I would cut those I could not untie And when I was thus striving with my selfe it is true she sent one of her friends unto me But what could I think of her message more then that it was a continuation of her delusions Could I possibly give the lye unto such dear witnesses as my own Eyes So being full of anger I made that answer which she thus complaines of which was That one Nail drives out another Now since I had a beliefe that she had thus ungratefully betrayed me how could I give her a milder check I was obliged unto as much by the Lawes of my affection which would not let me lie now no more then before If she took it in any other sense then I intended it her innocence was the cause of it and my error made me say so She does not know of any other Love that ever driv my love of her out of my heart and yet my fears of displeasing her hath even untill this time deprived me of my greatest contentment When I at any time resolved to upbraid her for all this Love which had ever a great prevalence in my soul restrained me and gave me a check telling me that this would too much offend her whom I once loved so well that it was not handsome to twit her with her faults and make her ashamed of them but that I should be well contented with being loose from those perfidious obligations in which I had been so long entangled Oh! this advice was most pernicious unto me for doubtlesse had I at the first told her what I had seen she would have related unto me all that she had done and so I should have received as much satisfaction happinesse and contentment as I have since suffered torments and miseries But absenting my selfe wholly from her it was long before I knew that Pantesmon had left her And the worst was I durst not so much as enquire lest I should hear something which would encrease my griefe At last my love being stronger then my resolution or my anger I did by degrees go neer her and at the very first sight forgetting all the wrongs which as I thought I had received
which you have preserved And upon assurance of secresie he continued thus Alexis would have continued her discourse and related all that Vrsaces told her but the comming of Adamas gave a stop unto her for both Leonida and she were constrained to rise and render that honour unto him which was due The sage Druide taking one in one hand and the other in another he began to walk in a Laund which though shaded from the Sun yet had a most delicious prospect towards the Wood of Issoures And whilst they were discoursing upon severall subjects one came to acquaint them that Silvia was arrived and already entred into the house Alexis was very shie and would not be seen lest she should be known but considering how willing that Nymph was to help her out of the Palace of Issoures she hoped she was not changed Yet Adamas had no minde that Silvia should see her fearing lest the young years of that Nymph and the favours which she lately received from Galathea should make her speak more then she should he would have kept the matter so close that if he could he would have kept it from his very selfe Therefore he commanded Leonida to go unto her Companion but be sure that if she desired to see Alexis to tell her that they were busie together concerning their Offices and that she being to return very shortly unto Carnutes and finish out her terme she would not be seen but as little as possibly she could So Leonida thus instructed went to Silvia who when they met kissed and embraced each other as if they had not met of seven years before After these first complements Silvia told her Companion that the Country had not a jot blasted the fresh complexion of her cheek And Leonida in requitall told her The Court Beauties were alwaies above the Country Complexions as plainly appeared by comparing theirs together Afterwards Silvia said thus unto her The sequell of the History of Lindamor THough Sister I had no businesse to invite me unto a visit yet my desires of seeing you are invitations sufficient But I must tell you that at this time that desire was not only my conductor but also some businesse I would impart unto you and if you think good unto Adamas also a business which I thought fit to let you know because Galathea and we may receive much contentment or much displeasure by the result of it Know therefore Sister that Flurial is returned from the place whither you sent him and hath brought Letters from Lindamor and wondred much not to finde you at Marcelles and would have come hither but Galathea took notice that he talked unto me and suspecting that you sent him to me for she knew of the journey which you had commanded him to make she called him to her asked him from whence he came and what was his businesse to me He thinking he had don well without concealing any thing answered her that he came from Lindamor and presently shewed her some Letters which he had She asking who sent him that voyage He answered that it was you since we were at the Palace of Issoures Galathea then turning towards me and shaking her head Do you see said she what humour your Companion is of And refusing the Letters she commanded him to give them unto me to send unto you Afterwards she went into her Chamber and commanded me to follow her This was the reason that I could not say any thing unto Fluriall but only taking his Letters I bad him stay there till I had done talking with the Nymph What do you think of your Companion said she unto me is she not fully resolved to do me all the mischiefe she can Madam said I unto her I cannot tell what to say unto it she must be talked with to know what her businesse and designe was I know it replyed she better then she will tell you for she will not confesse unto you the truth she has acquainted Lindamor with my love unto Celadon Can it be possible Madam answered I that she should take so much pains as to write that newes so far and by such a dangerous way See what is in Lindamors Letters said she unto me and I believe you will finde that I do not lie Then taking the Letters out of my hand she broke open the Seales and read them The first was directed unto you and having brought them you may read them Then putting her hand into her pocket she pulled them out and gave Leonida that Letter which was directed unto her which was in these terme Lindamor's Letter unto Leonida IT seemes you conceive my presence to be requisite and I think the like but in a different manner then as you expect Doubtlesse it is requisite two waies The one to bring me out of this miserable life wherein I am it being impossible for me to live and see such an alteration in my Lady And the other in taking revenge upon him that is the cause of my misery I vow by all the gods that the blood of this perfidious Rivall is the only satisfaction I can take for so great an offence I shall to these ends come to you within the compass of that time which the bearer hereof will tell you In the interim if you think it convenient let my Lady see the Letter which I have writ unto her importing that the end of my life and the death of that Villain shall testifie unto her that I cannot live without a fulfilling of her promise nor die till I have taken revenge See said Galathea unto me continued Silvia what I alwaies most feared The imprudence of Leonida or rather her malice is so great that she has told Lindamor of my affection unto Celadon and this report is the cause that he will come and kill him I had rather die then that shepheard should receive the least harm for my sake Alas how easily may hee do it since the poor shepheard never thinks upon it nor has any Armes but his sheephook Can there be a more pernicious malice then hers in procuring his death who never displeased her I believe rather it is rage for she loves him and because he sleights her she will be revenged Madam answered I I cannot believe that my Companion has committed this fault though perhaps she may as great for upon reading of Lindamor's Letter I cannot think he speaks of Celadon but Polemas for why should he phrase Celadon perfidious And why not Celadon replyed she presently as well as Polemas Because Madam said I unto her she has acquainted Lindamor with the Artifice which Polemas practised with the false and counterfeit Druide And why Silvia said she unto me do you yet believe that Leonida told you or Lindamor truly concerning that Druide Do you not know that it was meerly a device of her own pernicious invention to make me cast off Celadon that she her selfe might solely enjoy him Now let me tell you if you
wronged her the best way was to refer revenge unto Hesius who had power to do it That if she did her selfe take revenge it was to be feared that she unto whom it was done would pay her back double in her owne coyne To be briefe she used all possible arguments and perswasions to divert her from this designe But Celidea whose designe was different from what she made appear did still resolutely persist in her request telling the woman that she upon whom she would be revenged was not a person that could revenge again besides it should be carried so secretly as she should never know from whence it proceeded therefore conjured her in all love to satisfie her request protesting that if she did not she would cause her to attempt something that was much worse The good woman answered that she should be very sorry to be a cause of any worse accident therefore within two or three daies she would give her an answer Do not fail me then said Celidea for if you do you will be the cause of a far greater mischiefe The terme being expired which this good woman took only to passe on time she desired a longer But Celidea who knew that this was only delay yet she seemed to believe her whilst in the interim she would take the best way she could to accomplish her designe setting a face of beliefe in the good old woman upon it lest she should discover her intention unto Cleontine Celidea then seeking out for any way to dissigure her selfe as ill luck was she came in the morning unto Cleontine's Chamber when she was in bed and because Cleontine was accustomed to wear a pointed Diamond upon her finger as a token that she was dedicated unto Theutates as you know Madam it is the custome of all our Druides she used every night when she went into bed to put it off and to take it again in the morning So it hapned that Celidea taking up this Ring she put it upon her finger and from one to another trying which it would best fit perhaps not thinking what she did which Cleontine perceiving Daughter said she are you willing to wear that Ring upon the same conditions that I do If I were able answered Celidea there is nothing in the world I should more desire How then can you think said Cleontine to satisfie both Thamires and Calidon as you have promised That answered she would be the best remedy of all others for they are so religiously disposed as if I were once dedicated unto Theutates neither of them would offer to have me out again Love said Cleontine is above either duty of religion But pray Daughter tell me which way do you think to give them both satisfaction for truly I cannot understand which way you can do it For in the first place you are Wife unto Thamires therefore if you would you cannot dedicate your selfe unto Theutates without his leave But suppose you were a Druide do you think that would content them both No surely but rather discontent them both since then both are deprived of you Mother answered Celidea the great gods will doubtlesse inspire me with some way or other and by their aide I do not doubt but I shall effect it for in them I put my whole trust Daughter said Cleontine the gods do never fail those that trust in them and therefore since you make them your confidence I shall believe you may bring it to passe Cleontine would have continued on her discourse but Celidea by accident did give her hand such a scratch with the Diamond that she cryed out at which Cleontine starting What have you done said she have you cut your selfe with the Diamond A small scratch answered Celidea though the pain of it did make me cry out You think it small said Cleontine but you are deceived for the mark will never out and the cut is very hard to be healed Then looking into her hand and seeing it much scratched Believe it Celidea said she you have a mark as long as you live and had it been upon your face it had been quite spoiled How said Celidea is a Diamond so venomous The mark of it said Cleontine will never out and that 's the reason why I leave it off every night when I go to bed Oh! how glad was this young shepheardesse when she heard of this secret she thought that the gods had purposely taught it her to accomplish her designe I shall now acquaint you Madam with the strange resolution of this young woman It was already five or six daies since Thamires received his hurt and his wound not being dangerous he recovered so fast that he began to go out of his Chamber Calidon and Thamires both did summon Celidea to the performance of her promise She with a smiling brow told them That tomorrow she would give them both content At night when her Aunt was in bed she stole her Ring and when she came into her Chamber she caused all to go to bed and shut the dore Then she set her selfe down by a Table upon which stood a Glasse in which against all Festivalls she was wont to dresse her selfe As soon as ever she saw her fair face in it Oh Mirrour said she with whom I was wont to consult with so much care and circumspection how to adorn this face How different is the occasion now that makes me take thy counsell I was wont by thy advice to make my selfe more fair but now I come to know how I shall blast this beauty which was formerly so deer unto me Upon this opening the Glasse and seeing her face all swell'd with tears Oh eyes said she you were not human did you not lament the losse of that beauty which heretofore did swell you with so much delight Afterwards being silent a while and considering particularly her beauty her grace the just proportion of her parts the lively and sweet lustre of her eyes the freshnesse of her rosie complexion the composure of her mouth and briefly all the pleasing parts of her face I know very well said she Oh my most precious and dearly loved treasures how valuable you are but alas what are you worth unto me if I cannot enjoy any contentment in preserving you I have formerly esteemed this beauty as my highest and richest jewell I know how much I have been courted for your sake but when I shall charge you before the Throne of Reason to have been the cause of all the torments I have endured when I blame you for the dissention that is betwixt the Uncle and the Nephew nay when I charge you as guilty of their blood and ruine nay more perhaps of their death what can you say in your own defence what reasons can you alledge why I should still retain and preserve you Perhaps you will say that it is a very sweet thing to be fair but tell me how bitter are those effects which that sweet doth produce and how
in all his life saw a more imperious or haughty minded man aiming at no lesse then the Monarchy of the whole world and then gave himselfe the title of King of the Hunnes Medes Goths Danes and Gepides He also took upon him the title of The terrour of the world and the scourge of god And because I asked him whether his stature was equall to his courage he answered me That he was rather low then tall that he had a large breast a great head little eyes but quick and sparkling his nose flat his hair browne his strutting pace shewed the pride of his minde and the whole Symmetry of his face spoke him to be a lover of War Moreover he was subtle and though he was couragious yet seldome used to fight in person unlesse in great extremity reserving himselfe alwaies for a great necessity As he was very cruell and inhumain to his enemies so was he very sweet and courteous to such as submitted or having offended asked pardon unto whom he would alwaies keep promise inviolable and defend them against all whomsoever This character which Priseus gave of Attilas at his return to Rome did cause Honorica Sister unto Valentinian to desire a Marriage with him as afterwards I shall tell you But in the mean time to return unto Aetius be pleased to know kinde Silvander that this great Captain being out of Attilas's danger yet he knew that he was entring into a greater for should the Francks Burgundians and Visigots come to know their own strength they might much offend the Empire To keep them therefore in some fear he thought it expedient to save Attilas thinking that the fear they would have of so great an enemy would keep them alwaies united to the Emperour And because Thierres King of the Visigots was slain in this Battle and Thorismond and Thierres his Children in revenge of their Father would needs force Attilas in his Camp he seemed to love them much more then he hated Attilas and advised them to return in all haste unto Tholouse with the rest of their Army lest their Brothers who were left there should seize upon the King dome in their absence Thorismond who was of a distrustfull nature and knowing that he had three other Brothers in the Country called Frederick Rotomer and Honorick also taking Aetius for his friend without more delay he took the Body of his Father and went in all haste into Aquitain where he was very well received his Brothers having no such intention as Aetius perswaded him These Forces being thus separated from our Army it remained so weak that every one was of opinion that it was best to let Attilas go away and that a prudent Captain will make a Bridge of gold sometimes for his enemy to passe over Thus therefore this enemy of the Empire escaped the hands of Aetius and though this great Souldier had a good intention in it yet afterwards the Emperour took it very ill I alwaies followed Aetius in all this last expedition and durst not leave the Army as well because severall occasions of fighting presented themselves as because the fair Eudoxe commanded me so to do being desirous I should be absent from her lest any should take notice of my familiarity with her god only knowes how much it was against my will and how often I resolved to depart setting all considerations of duty and discreâ—â— behinde me but when I remembered the expresse command which she had laid upon me I could not disobey it Yet I stayed therefore in the Army about twelve years at the end of which time this Battle which I have told you of was fought 'T is true that in this long exile I received many Letters from Eudoxe by which she did still continue unto me assurances of her favour And because I had a great desire to do something which was worthy the amity of so great a Princesse I let passe no occasion of signalizing my selfe and giving testimonies of my courage by this means I got much reputation in the Army but more in the opinion of the fair Eudoxe who comming to the knowledge of it by Letters which Aetius writ unto the Emperour she rejoyced at it I shall as long as I live remember a Letter which I received from her after this great Battle it was thus written Eudoxe's Letter unto Ursaces IT is only my Cavalier that can astonish his enemies by his arme and his friends by his valour Twice to relieve the Roman Eagle and recover it from the Francks and Gepides thrice in one day to set Aetius upon his Horse when he was ready to be trodden in pieces by his enemies are actions most worthy of him who has my heart Since fortune hath hitherto seconded your valour I do forbid you to venture your selfe so far for the future as you have done for the time past And I command you to preserve your selfe not as your own but as mine have a care therefore of that which I give you to keep And when Aetius leaves the Army come you also and give me an account of it that as you have shared with him in his pains and dangers you may share also with him in that honour and welcome which all Italy will give him and which I will prepare for you During the time I was in the Army I fell into a great intimacy with a young Roman Cavalier called Olimbres the same you see here many good Offices passed betwixt one another as in such places many occasions fall out which tie such knots of friendship as never are loosed so as nothing ever since could separate us This Cavalier in respect of the amity betwixt us was so much in favour with Eudoxe that he was called to the Senate and created a Senator And certainly next her he prised my friendship at the highest rate unlesse Placidias for you must know that the intimacy of affection which was betwixt us would never let us part since the first beginning of our acquaintance unlesse it were in the service of each other So as he seeing me resolved upon a return for Rome when Aetius returned he would needs come with me and since nothing could be so secret which was not communicated unto one another I freely acquainted him with my affection to Eudoxe and her favours to me yet imposed a strict injunction of secrecy upon him and to take no notice of it lest she should be offended at me This declaration was a cause that he growing into familiarity with Eudoxe he presumed so high as to cast his eye upon Placidia her Daughter and began to court her when she was not above twelve years of age shewing in this a sympathy of humour betwixt him and me for it was at the same age when I began to court her Mother whom this her Daughter did much resemble Olimbres was younger then I being then not above seven and twenty years of age and I about thirty five and the fair Eudoxe about
and Amarillis the Father and Mother of Celadon and how their hatred accompanied them to their graves which have caused abundance of trouble amongst the shepheards of this Country insomuch as I beleeve few or none about the fatall River of Lignon are ignorant of it and yet Love to shew the greatnesse of his power did unite two of these enemy-families so firmly that nothing could dissolve the knots of their affection but only death For Celadon no sooner arrived at the age of fourteen or fifteen yeares and I at twelve or thirteen but at an assembly in the Temple of Venus which is upon the top of a high Mountain neer the Castle of Mount Brison this young shepheard saw me and as he since hath told me he had long before an extream desire of it by some reports he had heard of me but the jarres which were amongst our Parents was the impediment which hindred him and I must ingeniously confesse that I think his desire of it was no greater then mine For I know not why but when I heard speak of him my heart did beat unlesse it was a presage of those troubles which afterwards befell me by reason of him When he first saw me I cannot tell what causes of Love he found in me but so it is that since that time he resolved to Love and serve me and it seemes that at the first enterview we were both strucken with the darts of Love for as soon as ever they told me that he was the Son of Alcippes I perceived a kind of chang in me which was not ordinary then all his actions beg in to please me and seemed much more agreeable unto me then any other young shepheard whatsoever and because he durst not yet approach me also because speaking with me was forbidden him his looks and eys by their turning to fro did utter such language unto me as I knew he desired to say more And indeed at a Braul which was held at the foot of a Mountain under a plump of antient Elmes which cast a pleasant shaddow he carried it so cunningly that without any heed of me and seeming as if it were out of a merry carelessenesse he got me by the hand For my part I seemed as if I took no notice of it but carried my selfe to him as to all the rest but he in taking my hand did stoope with his head as if he would kisse his hand but I perceived his mouth upon mine this did cause some colour to come into my face but I feigning to take no notice did turne away my head as if I only minded the braule which we danced this caused him to stay a while silent not knowing I beleeve how he should begin to speak at last being unwilling to lose such an opportunitie as this which he had long longed for he came very neer me and whispering Corilas who took me out to dance in the eare yet so loud but seeming to whisper that I did plainly heare what he said Oh Corilas said he I wish with all my soul that the quarrells between this shepherdesses Father and Mine might be decided by her and me To which Corilas answered very loud Nay never wish that Celadon for perhaps it is the most dangerous wish that ever you made Let the hazard be what it will answered Celadon very lond I 'le not go from what I have said though I were to give my heart as a pledge And because I seemed to take no notice of their discourses he addressed himselfe unto me and thus said And you fair shepheardesse what opinion have you of this offer I do not know answered I what you speak of He told me replied Corilas that to draw a great good from a great evil he wishes that the inveterate hatred of your Fathers were changed into love amongst their Children How answered I seeming not to know him are you Alcippes Son Yes answered he and more then that I am your most devoted servant Me thinkes said I that it had been more proper for you to have applied your discourse unto some other who may be more agreeable to you then I I have heard say replied Celadon that the gods do use to punish the sinns of the Fathers upon their Children but this is not the use amongst men unlesse your beauty which is divine will assume the same priviledges with the gods and if you do then like them you must give pardon when it is asked how now shepheard said Corilas what Do you begin your combate with crying mercy In such a combate as this answered he to be vanquished is a kind of victory and for my part I am most willing to be so provided she will be pleased to take the spoile I think they had continued their discourse longer had the Brawle longer lasted but at last we parted and every one returned to his place Not long after the shepheards used severall exercises as wrastling running leaping and throwing the barre and a Garland to be given unto him who got the better in the severall activities Celadon as being too young was admitted only unto that of running and did win the Garland composed of divers flowers which was put upon his head by all the assembly with high commendations that being so young as he was he should overcome so many other nimble shepheards He not valuing himself did take it from his head and put it upon mine saying This fair one is in confirmation of what I said before I was so surprised at this that I could not return any answer had it not been for Artemis your Mother Phillis I had given it unto him again not but that coming from his hand it was very acceptable unto me but it was because I feared Alces and Hippolyta would be angry with me But Artemis who desired rather to extinguish then enflame these old grudges did command me to receive it and thank him Which accordingly I did but in such a hollow manner as made every one think I did it only upon my Aunts command All that day was thus spent and the next day also in both which the young shepheard lost no opportunities of manifesting his affection And it was the custome upon the third day in the honour of Venus to represent the judgement which Paris gave of the three goddesses Celadon resolved to put himself amongst the Maides in the habit of a shepherdesse You know that upon the third day after the banquett he Grand Druide has a custome to throw a Golden Apple amongst the Maides upon which are written the names of the three shepheardesses which seem unto him to be the fairest of all the company with this Motto Let this be given to the fairest of the three Afterwards the person that by lot was to represent Paris does enter into the Temple of Venus with the three shepheardesses where the dores being shut judgement is given upon the beauty of these three seeing them all naked except for a linnen
finding her afterwards with me brought her this Letter from his Brother which was indited by my advice The Letter of Lycidas unto Phillis Phillis IT is true that of late I have lodged my love in my heart and would not suffer it to appear either in my eyes or my words If in this I have done amisse then blame your own fair selfe who commanded it And if you do not believe I love you put me to what Test you please and you shall finde it better then by all my weak though reall expressions of words At last wise Diana after many a perswasive argument we brought things to that passe as Lycidas was entertained and ever since all foure of us have found much contentment in our lives and invented many a stratagem to colour our designes both by discourse and by writing one unto another Perhaps you have taken notice of a great Rock in the high way towards Rochell which without much ado cannot be ascended but when one is at the top there is no fear of any eye to discover And because it was neer the high way we made choice of it for our rendevouz if any did meet us we seemed as if we went on in the high-way but when the coast was clear we ascended 'T is true that this Rock being so neer the high way we were in some danger of being heard by passengers if we spoke any thing loud and therefore commonly Lycidas or Phillis were placed as guards to spie when any came And because businesse did sometimes so employ us as we could not every day meet in this place we used to write one to another and we made choice of another place of conveniercy in which we laid our Letters one to another In briefe wise Diana we used all possible waies to conceal our selves and Celadon and I did so seldome converse together in publick as many believed that Celadon's will was wholly changed for assoon as ever he saw Phillis then he made all his applications unto her and she again treated him with all possible complacency Also as soon as Lycidas appeared I left all other company to talk with him so as in a short time Celadon himselfe had a conceit that I loved Lycidas and I believed that he loved Phillis Phillis thought that Lycidas loved me and Lycidas believed that Phillis loved Celadon And thus unawares were we so intangled with these opinions as jealousie began by degrees to kindle amongst us The truth is said Phillis we were then but fresh Schollars in the School of Love for to what purpose was it to conceal a reall love and publish a false one was there not as much cause to fear the divulging of your love to Lycidas as your love to Celadon Sister sister said Astrea when a thing is not we never fear what people think of it But the contrary when it is then the least suspition of it puts all out of order But now continued she and turned to Diana jealousie had so seized upon all foure as I believe our lives had not been long if some good Genius had not inspired us to make all clear in the presence of one another It was now seven or eight daies since we saw each other at our Rocky rendevouz and the Letters which passed 'twixt Celadon and me were so different from the usuall strain as if they were writ by different persons At last as I told you some good Angel having care of us all foure did meet in one place where no other company was And Celadon whose affection had most vigour in it began thus to speak Fair Astrea did I think that time would cure a disease that raignes in me I would wait for that remedje but since I know the older it growes the more it will encrease I am forced to complain against you for the wrongs which you have done me and with more alacritie since I can do it before such Judges as are my peers When he would have gone on Lycidas interrupted him saying that his pain was greater then his Greater said Celadon that 's impossible for mine is extream And mine believe it said Lycidas is without any comparison Whilft the Shepheards were thus debating the matter I was upon Phillis and said Do you see Sister how these Shepheards complain of us Yes answered she but I believe we have greater cause to complain of them Though I am much incensed against Celadon said I unto her yet I am much more incensed against you who under a disguise of friendship which you seemed to bear unto him has drawn him from that affection which he bare unto me so as I may well say you have stollen him from me And because Phillis stood silently amazed at this and knew not what to answer Celadon addressed himselfe unto me and said Ahl fair Shepheardesse but as sickle as fair have you so soon lost the memory of all Celadon's services and your own vowes I cannot so much complain against Lycidas as against you for notwithstanding the consanguinity and amitie betwixt us your perfections might well make him a Traitor and forget his duty but me thinks it should be absolutely impossible that so long a service as mine and such a perfect affection should ever finde the least stain of inconstancy in your soul But admit that all in me was too little to deserve so great a happinesse how can you so far violate and dispence with your vowes as before my eyes to entertain a new affection At the same time Lycidas took Phillis by the hand and with a deep sigh said Oh fair hand to whom I had given up my soul can I live and see thee take possession of any heart but my own my owne I say that did deserve the same happinesse if ever any did deserve it by the most sincere and pure affection that ever was I could not hear any more what Lycidas said because I was constrained to answer Celadon Shepheard Shepheard said I unto him these words Fidelity and Affection are more conversant in your tongue then your heart and I have more reason to complain against you then hearken unto them but because now I do not care for any thing that comes from you I will not take so much pains as grieve at it that office is more fitly yours if your dissembling heart would give you leave to do it But Celadon since things are thus love on love Phillis still and serve her her vertues will deserve it and if I do afford thee a blush it is for anger that I should suffer my selfe to be so grosly deceived and for over-loving one that is so much unworthy of it as thy selfe Celadon was so much astonished at this that he stood stock still a long time could not answer one word which silence gave me leasure to hearken unto that answer which Phillis returned unto Lycidas Lycidas Lycidas said she unto him you that can call me sickle inconstant and I know not what you
first that asked us of the state of our fortunes And therefore we do in all humility submit our selves and fortunes unto your doom beseeching you to determine the difference between us And to the end all things might be done according to the will of the Gods the old Matron who delivered the Oracle told us that both of us were to chuse our Advocate amongst the company by Lot the first Lot to plead for Laonice and the last for me Upon this he entreated them all that they would be pleased to take these offices upon them unto which they all consented The first Lot fell upon Hylas and the last upon Phillis Hylas he smiled and said thus If I were now as heretofore I was a servant unto Laonice I should very hardly be perswaded to argue in her behalf that Tircis ought to love her but now at this time since I am all for Madonche I am very willing to obey that God who so ordained it Shepheard said Leonida you may by this observe the great Providence of this Divinity who to move one unto change hath committed the charge of it unto unconstant Hylas as unto one who best knows the way and to move one to a faithful amity hath cast the Lot upon a Shepheardesse that is firm and constant in her actions Also such a Judge is chosen as will not be partial For Silvander is the most fit since he is neither constant nor unconstant in his affection because he never loved Then Silvander began to speak and thus said unto them Since Tircis and Laonice you are both willing that I should be the Judge of your differences I shall require you both to swear that you wil inviolably observe my Sentence for otherwise the Gods may be the more incensed and all our labours lost Which both consented unto and then Hylas began in this manner The Oration of Hylas in behalfe of Laonice Most wise and impartiall Judge WEre I to plead before some hard harted and unnaturall person I should feare lest perhaps the defects of my capacity should prejudice the justice of my Clients cause But since I am to argue the businesse before you who has the heart of a man I mean who knowes the duties of a man well born I cannot chuse but be confident of a favourable judgment and take it for almost certain that if you were in the roome of Tircis you would be extreamly ashamed to be branded with such a crime I wil not strive for any far fetcht reasons to approve that which is so abundantly cleere in it selfe only shall hint thus much unto you that the very name of man does oblige him unto a confession of his error And the Lawes and ordinances both of heaven and nature do all command him to dispute no further in the cause Does not the rules of courtesie and gratitude require a retaliation for benefits received Does not heaven it selfe say that all services ought to be remunerated with some wages And does not nature force him to love a faire woman who loves him and to abhor rather then to dote upon dead corps But this man is a grand offend eragainst all these sacred Laws for in lieu of all the great favour he hath received from Laonice he has returned high discourtesies in lieu of all those services which he himself confesseth she hath done him serving him so long for a cloak of his amity to Cleon he does pay her the wages of ingratitude and for that dear affection which she ever bore him even from her cradle he answers her only with scorne If thou beest a man Tircis make it appeare thou dost adore the gods and recompence this fair shepheardesse who has run so many hazards and miseries for thy sake And if thou beest a man then surely thou hast the qualitie of one which is to love the living and not the dead If thou dost acknowledge the gods dost thou not know they use to punish such as despise their ordinances and that Love never pardons crimes betwixt a Lover and a Loved If thou doest confesse that she hath served and loved thee even from her very cradle Oh heavens is it ever possible such a long affection and agreeable service should be payed with scorne But admit and suppose that this affection and service being voluntary in Laonice and not courted or desired by Tircis yet surely I cannot beleeve Oh just and wise Silvander but you wil decree that a deceiver ought to make satisfaction unto the party deceived and so by consequence Tircis who has so long deluded this fair Shepheardesse by his dissimulations and trickes ought he not to repair the injury done her with a reall and unfaigned affection He has long used lyes and falsities let him at last use truths and honesty nor can I ever think you will decree that Tircis should Love and live with a dead person and not a living but will rather doome his Love to be bestowed upon me that can love him again rather then upon a few could ashes in a coffin But good Tircis tell me what thy designe is when thou hast drowned the sad reliques of poor Cleon in a flood of teares dost thou think that it and all thy sighes and groanes can ever raise her up again Alas Caron never wafts any over but once and is ever after deaf to all cries and calls No no Tircis 't is flat impiety to trouble the tranquillitie of those whom the gods have called to themselves Amitie is ordained for the living and coffins for the dead do not then so preposterously give thy affection unto the dead Cleon and a coffin unto the living Laonice This does not get thee the name of constant for Cleon now has no interest in thee must one alwaies go naked because their first cloathes are worne And that is no more ridiculous then to heare you say that because Cleon your old Mistrisse is worn away therefore you will never have a new one Fie fie call your selfe to accompt acknowledge your error cast your self at the feeet of this fair one acknowledg unto her your fault and so avoid that sentence unto which our just Judge by this sentence will doom you Hylas thus ended with much contentment unto every one except Tircis whose teares did testifie the grandure of his griefe When Phillis by the command of Silvander began to answer Hylas thus The Answer of Phillis in the behalf of Tircis Oh Fair Cleon who out of heaven hears the injury that is offered unto thee inspire me with thy Divinity for so I may wel esteem thee if vertue couldever make any humane person divine and so furnish me with soliditie of reasons as I may make it most apparant that Tircis ought never to love any but thy perfections And you prudent Judge whose wisdom is infinitly above my shallow conceptions I beseech you let the abundance of reason which is in my cause supply those wants that are in me And to begin Let
hopes but still be sure thou dost forget thou hast a tongue Upon these words Galathea came to us and laughing told us that Flurial and she had been in a long discourse of Love but said she it was upon love of the Garden and the love of Simples Flurial for his part after two or three turnes in the Garden seeming as if he had some imployment went out with a mind full of this businesse for he was not so ignorant but he knew well enough the dainger he should incurre from Amasis if he were discovered and from Galathea if he did not execute her commands imagining the businesse to be a matter of Love and he had often heard say that all offences against Love do wound the very heart At last his affection to Galathea and desire of gaine together made him resolve since he had promised to keep his word and thereupon went presently to Lindamor who expected him For the Nymph told him that she would send Flurial unto him and by him he might let her understand any thing he pleased As soon as Lindamor saw him he seemed as if he knew nothing but asked before the company if he had any businesse with him Unto which he answered aloud that he came to beseech him he would be pleased to acquaint Amasis with his long service and the little wages he had received which was due unto him and thereby he would create him his vassal then in a low voice he acquainted him with the businesse he came about and offered to do him what service he was pleased to command him Lindamor gave him thankes and acquainting him freely what he should do he conceived the way was handsomly contrived So as from hence forward when Lindamor would write unto her Flurial seemed to present a Petition unto the Nymph and when she would returne an answer she would give it unto him lapped up in that order which Amasis appointed in the businesse upon the Petition And because it is ordinarie for many old Servants to have many things to Petition for he wanted not occasion to present every hour a Petition unto her who often obtain'd such advantageous answers to them as were beyond all hopes All this while the affection of this Nymph unto Polemas did so wither that she could hardly speake unto him without disdaine which he not being able to endure and knowing well enough that all did proceed from her Love of Lindamor he was so transported that though he durst not speak much against Galathea yet he gave out many disadvantageous speeches against Lindamor and amongst the rest he said that though Lindamor was a very brave man and accomplished with many remarkable qualities yet his over good opinion of himselfe did not take his measures aright since he was so presumptuous as to lift his eyes so high as Galathea and that not only to Love her in his heart but also to vaunt and bragge of it in his discourse Which language came at last to the eares of Galathea and indeed had so spread it selfe that all the Court was acquainted with it The Nymph was so much offended at this as she resolved to treat Lindamor so for the future as he should have no occasion to publish her vanities this was the reason she would not speake unto him and those who observed her actions and behaviour were perswaded that there was no such thing as Love betwixt them And Lindamors departure presently after did much help on that belief for Amasis sent him upon a businesse of great importance as far as the banks of the River Rhine Yet his departure was not so suddain but he found an opportunity of talking with Galathea before he went to know the cause of her change and watching for his time that morning when she went unto the Temple with her Mother he came to her when she was so in the midst of us that Amasis could hardly see him As soone as she saw him she would have changed place had he not held her by the Gown and said thus unto her Madam what is my offence and why this alteration in you She answered as she was going away There is neither any offence in you nor alteration in me for I am still the same Galathea and you are still the same Lindamor a subject too low for me to be offended with His actions did make it appear how these words went to his heart for though he was just upon his departure yet he could not give any orders of any businesse so much was his mind taken up with the thoughs of this matter At last finding himselfe cleerely innocent he writ this Letter unto her Lindamor's Letter unto Galathea I Do not Madam bid my pen complain against you but only to deplore that fatall mishap which hath rendred me so scorned by her who was wont to treat me far otherwise I am indeed the very same Servant who ever did adore you with all possible reverence and humility and you are the very same Lady that first was my adored Saint Since you did me the honour to take me for yours I am not growne lesse nor you greater and if so then why do you not think me worthy of the same treatment I have called my Soul to an accompt for all its action when you please I shall display them all before you As for me I cannot taxe it without fault and if when heard you can it will not be a small comfort unto a poore condemned sinner to know the cause of his punishment This Letter was brought her as the custom was by Flurial and at such a time that though she would yet she could not refuse it because we were all about her and the truth is it is impossible any should carry the businesse better then Flurial did For he presented his Petitions with such reverent and pittiful language so sutable unto the thing petitioned for as he might deceive any whosoever as for me had not Galathea acquainted me I should never have taken any notice of it But it being very hard or indeed impossible for the young heart of this Nymph to endure without some Confident unto whom it might impart it selfe amongst the rest she did me the honour to make choice of me as most affectionate as she thought most secret So that as soon as she receiv'd this Letter she seeming to have forgotten something in her closset she went thither and called me telling the rest of the Nymphs she would returne presently to them again She stayed a good while in her closset and spoke not a word so as I perceived somthing did much trouble her but yet I durst not aske her for feare of vexing her Yet she did sit down and cast Flnuials pettion upon the table saying unto me this fool Flurial is continually troubling me with Letters from Lindamor I pray Leonida tell him that I would have him bring no more I was a little astonished at this charge yet I knew that
was and is more loved than you by me When he uttered these last words he blusht and with a smile she answered thus Polemas Polemas old Souldiers can shew their valour by wounds and never use to brag of it but you that talk so much of yours would be put to your shifts to shew them if Love your Captain General should ask you where they are Cruel Nymph said Polemas you are much mistaken for I would onely bid him look upon the fair eyes of my enemy and fully satisfie him for then he would receive such wounds as I have in my heart and never complain of me However it is my glory to have such a worthy author for my wounds Should Love enter into argument with me I should sooner satisfie him than you for he would be sensible of my pain which you never can because a fire cannot burn it self You can never be so sensible of our tears who are so full of rigour that though we do adore you as fair yet we can hardly commend you as humane Leonida did love Polemas but as yet shee would not let him know it On the other side she feared that if she should put him quite out of hope she should then quite lose him and therefore she answered him thus Polemas if your affection be such as you say then time will give me better knowledge of it than all your well spoken words can which are too eloquent to proceed from affection for I have heard say that affection cannot be without passion and passion will not permit a spirit the freedome of discourse But when time has told me as much as you have done you may think I am not such a stone but I shall be sensible of your merits and your amity may perhaps finde a favourable reception untill then never hope for any more from me then what you may from all the rest of my Companions in generall Polemas would have kissed her hand by way of assurance but she forbad him saying Cavalier be discreet many eyes are upon us if you use any such things you will lose me Upon this she rose up and came to us who were gathering flowers Thus was the first overture of any affection between them which gave occasion unto Galathed to intermeddle in the businesse for seeing this passage in the Garden and having a designe upon Polemas she would know that night what had passed between Leonida and him And being ever very familiar with your Niece she durst not absolutely deny the truth of this addresse but Galathea pressed the matter further and would needs know the very same words which passed between them unto which your Niece did partly answer truth and partly dissemble but she said enough to exasperate Galathea so much as from that very day she resolved to get his love and went to work with so many artifices as it was impossible he should resist First she began with Leonida and charged her to let this love betwixt Polemas and she go no further then told her that it was her best policy to root it out for she knew that Polemas had another aime and made use of her only to laugh at Further if Amasis should come to know of it she would be much offended Leonida who then had no more subdety in her than a little Child received the words of the Nymph us from her Mistresse and never penetrated into the depth of her designe but was for some daies so strange unto Polemas as he could not chuse but wonder what the matter was This at the beginning made him more hot upon this addresse as it is ordinary for young spirits to be most violent upon that which is most difficult unto them And indeed he did so continue his courtship that Leonida had much ado to dissemble the affection which she bore unto him insomuch as Polemas perceived well enough that she loved him But see how love had ordained it After three or foure months continuance in his most violent prosecution of his courtship and when he had attained to as much assurance as almost he could desire his affection began to slack and lose its violence and by degrees grew so faint and bold as it was quite dead The Nymph did not take any notice that she was single in this affection the truth is Galathea was partly the cause for having a design upon Polemas she did use such artifice and was so indulgent towards him as it may be said she did insensibly steal him for when Leonida was shurp with him Galathea was sweet when the one did flie his company the other carrassed him and all this so long together and so openly that Polemas began to cast his eyes upon Galathea and a little after his heart followed for he seeing himselfe favoured by the greater and sleighted by the inferiour he began to embrace the smiling fortune But Oh! wise Adamas see how it pleaseth Love to play with hearts At this time Agis at the motion of Clidaman became a Servant unto your Niece not so much as you know by election as by instigation At the first this new Cavalier did apply himselfe in all becomming courtship unto his new Mistresse and she was still wholly devoted unto Polemas Agis who like a Miser that has still his eye upon his treasure did take notice of it and complained unto his Mistresse but her faint and hollow answers in lieu of extinguishing his jealousie did by little and little stifle his love for considering what loose hold he had of her soul he resolved to let it go and be gone himselfe The best receipt as I have heard say for the cure of a Lover For as Love has its beginning from the eyes so its decay must needs be from not seeing them which cannot be but in absence where oblivion swallowes up all memory of the party loved And so it did in Agis he was no sooner gone but all love vanish'd out of his soul and entertained disdain in lieu of it so as Leonida in striving to get Polemas lost him who perhaps would have been entirely hers But the rallerie of Love rested not here Polemas must have his share as well as the rest for just about this time the affection of Lindamor began to break out and as Leonida had lost Agis for Polemas and polemas Leonida for Galathea so Galathea cast off Polemas for Lindamor It is a task too hard to relate all their particular follies but so it was that Polemas seeing himselfe paid in the same coin that he payed your Niece would not for all that be out of either hope or love but on the contrary did use all inventions to ingratiate himselfe but all to this very houre in vain But yet this satisfaction he found that he who was the cause of his misery did not enjoy that happinesse he aimed at For whether it was by reason of his stratagems or the will of the gods I know not but Lindamor is out of
see her untill she did command him At last being come near Bonleiu the habitation of the chast Vestals hee was ashamed that he had so rashly approached that place and therefore intending to goe farther off hee went into a Wood so thick and boggy that hee had much adoe to get out again This forced him to draw nearer the River for the thinne gravel was lesse troublesome to him than the thick mud So walking along untill hee was weary hee looked for a convenient place to rest upon intending to keep so close untill night that none should see him At the last hee cast his eye upon a little Cave whose entrance on one side towards the River the water had washed and the other side was so covered with Trees and Bushes as those in the way could not see it nor had he himselfe taken notice of it had hee not gone along the River side The place did so please him that he resolved to passe away the rest of the day in it and not to come out of this Grotto untill night And therefore hee beganne to trim it up as well as he could removing the Rubbish which the River had brought into it The place was nothing else but a Rock which the water beating upon had by degrees worn away and made a Cave and that in such various Rooms as if it were done on purpose so as stooping a little hee entred into a room like a Bed-chamber the place was about six or seven paces in length and as much broad It was about the height of a man though in some places the points of the Rock were troublesome which the Shepheard did by degrees break off with a Flint Hec contrived himself a place like a bed which he covered with Mosse and having fitted all things in this manner he laid his coat and such things as troubled him upon his bed and then looking upon the ground he found a Letter which he knew to be from the fair Astrea which hee did let fall Hee rouzed up himselfe as out of a deep sleep and came into the entrance of the Cave where looking upon the dear paper which he held in his hands after a hundred zealous and amorous kisses hee said Oh thou most deare paper heretofore my great joy and now the occasion of my most bitter sorrowes Upon this opening it the first thing that presented it selfe to his eye was Astrea's Character joyned with his This did so freshly revive the memory of his former happinesse as now he was reduced almost unto tearms of despair Oh ye Characters said he too true testimonies of my misfortune why are you not separated from mine to wait upon the will of my fair Shepheardess Time was when you might have done me good service but now that such fatall dysasters have separated us why are you here Perhaps it is to make it appear that the heavens showre all their dysasterous influences upon me but can never make my will distinct from Astrea's Upon this he sat down upon a great stone which he had rouled out of the River to the entrance into the Grotto and then after he had wiped away all the tears from his eyes he read these ensuing words Astrea's Letter unto Celadon HEavens grant Celadon that those assurances which you have given me of your affection may continue for ever And I do passionately desire you to believe that I do hold you more dear than if you were my Brother and am yours to my very grave These few words of Astrea's caused abundance of misery unto Celadon for after he had many times read them over they did make his wounds to bleed afresh for he recollected into his memory one after one all the favours that ever this Shepheardesse did him which moved him unto so much regreet as had not night approached he had not suffered his eyes to cease from crying or his tongue from complaining against what his heart suffered but darknesse caused him to enter into his Cave and being very weary with walking and grieving he fell asleep Two daies were past before this sad Shepheard ever thought of eating for he was so taken up with sad thoughts and his mind was so full of melancholly as he never thought upon any meat but was so distempered with tears that his eyes seemed two Fountains and had he not feared offending the gods in causing his own death and wore in thereby losing the Idea of his fair Astrea doubtlesse he had ended the course of his life but seeing he was constrained unto it he did visit that bag of victualls which Leonida had furnished him withall which provision lasted him many daies for he did eat as little as possible he could At last he was constrained to have recourse unto roots and fallads All the day long if he saw none neer his solitary habitation he would walk upon the gravelly shore and often engraved the cause of his sorrowes upon the bark of Trees sometimes he would engrave Astrea's Characters and his own then upon a sudden would he deface them saying Thou art deceived Celadon this is not a time for Characters for thou art still constant and to thy grief all things else are changed Let all those testimonies of past happiness alone and if thou wilt needs be writing in Characters engrave with them thy tears thy sorrowes and thy death as most suitable unto thy condition When night came then his sad thoughts came fresher into his memory for darkness being more sit for it his imagination was the stronger nor did he ever retire unless it was night and if the Moon shined he would walk all night long and sometimes sinde himselfe asleep under a tree in the morning Thus this sad Shepheard leading this disconsolate life he was grown so pale and lean that he was not knowable and sometimes when he went unto a Fountain to drink he would wonder to see himselfe in the water his hair was grown all into disorder his eyes shrunk his nose sharp and long so as it was a wonder he should live Oh! had Astrea seen him in this sad condition what abundance of content would it have been unto her to see by undeniable arguments that she was perfectly loved by the most faithfull and compleat Shepheard of all Lignon The Moon had been twice at the full since Celadon escaped out of Galathea's hands and still in obedience to the commands of Astrea he durst not present himselfe unto her but senlked himselfe in his Grotto And though three months were compleatly past since his losse yet the resentments of it were so fresh in the soul of his Shepheardesse that all her prudent circumspection was not able to conceal it from such as had any observance over her It seems heaven as a punishment upon her denyed her that remedy which Time usually affords unto those that are subject unto sorrow for in lieu of allaying the bitternesse of it she did daily discover new occasions and matter for her
where he thought him selfe so unworthily treated and betrayed he would see whether all that was said was true and therefore took the Mirror in his hand seeming as if he much admired it and as he offered to take out the Glasse it broke at which he started as if it had been done by chance and seeing the glasse broken Mistress said he I beg your pardon I am obliged to make amends and put in another Glass She answered him that it was a small matter and not worth the pains upon this word she held out her hand to take it again but he thinking that she would not let him have it lest he should see the Picture in it he was the more backward in restoring it and in this dispute he took out the Glass then the paper and then he found what I had said was true Although he did believe me before yet when he saw my Picture he was so surprised that he could not speak of a long time and the amazement of Dorinde was no less Periander who stood mute looking sometimes upon the Picture and sometimes upon Dorinde and considering her amazement also had an opinion that she only seemed so to be thought ignorant of it therefore he was extreamly transported with anger Let me tell you said he unto her that both in well loving in secresy and in dissimulation you are the most admirable that ever I knew Periander said she I do protest by all that 's sacred that I am ignorant of it Take heed said he how you invoke things that are sacred but since you are not the first whose humour hath deceived me I will leave the place to another that I may have so much contentment as not to be the last whom you will deceive Upon this he went away in an extream fury Dorinde did all she could to undeceive him but that did more augment his opinion of her dissimulation Thus he left her and to observe the Lawes of friendship he resolved upon Travell not knowing any better way to overcome Love then absence which yet would not do as I shall tell you afterwards Now look upon me as arrived at the port of my designe having the place free unto my selfe But Oh! generous Paris when I went to see Dorinde Oh how she was displeased at me She had sent for her who sold her the Mirror and forced her to confesse of whom she had it and finding it to be my selfe I cannot expresse unto you the greatnesse of her anger Perfidious Impostor said she unto me why would you so mortally offend one that never gave you any occasion for it How durst you after so great an injury be so impudent as to come in my sight I had before han I prepared my selfe for a chiding yet could not endure it without a blush but knowing that the only way to stop an impetuous torrent of fury was to let her just anger cool a little before I gave any answer therefore I stayed mute untill she had vented all she had to say and then I answered her thus I must needs confesse that all your reproaches are just but alas I cannot complain against you for it only against Love who having inflamed my soul towards you did freez yours towards me Had Love been just it would in some sort have cooled my too ardent affection and then I should not have been forced to offend you and needed not have used any tricks to drive away my Rivall from you But alas I see that I am a very Novist in Love since I look for any reason in any thing it doth But for all that fair Dorinde you do me wrong in complaining against my actions since being but effects of Love yet you should expect them to be squared according to any rules of Reason I must confesse that I have sinned against the rules of Reason but not against Love and I beseech you take me not as rationall but as amorous and most extreamly wounded with the darts of Love I expressed the extremity of my affection with so much dejected humility and passionate language as it had a good melting influence upon her soul so as within a few daies after she began to smile upon me and pardon my offence and see how an ill chance is sometimes profitable for that which was the cause of her anger was it which augmented her good will unto me and considering the artifice which I had used she had an opinion that I did most certainly love her And this consideration caused Thcombres to misse his Mistresse for she devoted her selfe wholly unto me so as it may seem that I did love her only to make her hate him And yet for all this I loved Florice much more then I did Dorinde Truth is that when Dorinde's favours did flow more then usuall upon me I did begin to love her more for nothing doth kindle affection and augment it so much as favours Living then thus ambodexterously with Florice and Dorinde Florice began to enter into some suspition of me and the common brute of this affection was blown all over Therefore one day she spoke unto me as if she were quite altered and I who did really love her did vow and swear that all my courtship of Dorinde was but an effect of her own command to cover thereby my affection unto her That if she would I would never look upon Dorinde again and told her that if she would but look her selfe in a glasse and look upon Dorinde that sight would give her better assurance of my service and affection then all my words could To be brief with good language I brought her into a good opinion of me yet I was forced to promise that I would give her all the Letters which Dorinde writ unto me Take heed said she unto me lest you should promise and not perform for that would for ever lose me if I come to know it I will never fail in any thing I promise said I unto her and much lesse unto Florice then unto the gods Thus were we upon better termes then ever And because none was so dear unto me as Florice yet had I a corner in my heart for Dorinde and was much delighted in her company she conferred many favours upon me and I courted her so close with severall Letters that she answered me in Letters again which I presently carried unto Florice who read them and kept them carefully Hylas seeing Silvander sit neer Diana and whispering then laughed together he broke off his discourse to answer what he had a conceit they said I believe you laugh Silvander said he unto him at my loving Florice and yet held correspondency with Dorinde If I do meet in my way unto the happinesse of Florice with any delights in the conversation of Dorinde do I contradict the Lawes of reason if I do receive them Should I refuse that good which the gods do send me and which your unnaturall austerity disallowes Now because Silvander would
did court her and that she could not chuse but love him But her Mother who could not upon any termes approve of her behaviour did tell her in a very angry manner That Theombres did not give so many testimonies of his love to her as she of her love to him To which Florice in much disorder answered That Theombres did court her in the way of honour and since his End was only at Marriage she could do no lesse then allow of him If it be so said her Father let him acquaint us with his intentions otherwise we shall think you only invented this thereby to excuse your selfe She who had a very reverentiall respect and fear of her Father and Mother and who besides had ever lived in great reputation did think it expedient that Theombres should make some overtures of Marriage unto her Parents yet not intending to go any further then a meer motion for she hoped that it might be easily broken off Therefore she spoke unto Theombres concerning it who was joyed at it beyond all expressions and not to lose a minute of time he entreated two of his Uncles to make the motion unto Florice's Father and Mother which accordingly they did with so many fair offers as they were received as well as they could desire for he was very rich and an advantageous Match unto Florice which being known and considered by her Parents they would not prolong time but did conclude the Marriage that same day and the more willingly because they believed it agreeable unto the liking of their Daughter Thus is Florice's Marriage with Theombres made up all things agreed upon Writings sealed and nothing wanting but a Priest to Marry them But Oh! what a wonder was all this unto Florice when she heard of it Her Father thinking she would be very glad of it would himselfe be the messenger of the newes But when he told her how all things went though she would have faigned yet she could not but broke out into a deluge of tears at which her Father was much amazed How Daughter said he unto her this is very strange does Florice cry at what she her selfe desired I told you Father said Florice all in tears that Theombres courted me in way of Marriage but I never told you that I did desire it Were not you the cause said the Father which moved Theombres to make the motion It was upon your command replied she and not upon my own desire and I did believe you would have given me some time to consider upon it Come come said he in an angry manner you knew well enough how such businesses use to be carried Resolve with your selfe that since they have gone thus far they shall go on What! would you be further courted and give all the world an occasion to talk of you Would you have further time to make me more ashamed No no Florice content your selfe I have blush'd enough for you already when your friends acquainted me with your behaviour and I will prevent it for the future if I can Upon this he left her alone and went to his Wife who hearing what discourse had passed came to her with all the sharp language which she could invent and for a conclusion told her that nothing but death could hinder that Marriage from taking effect and therefore she must resolve upon it Thus poor Florice was in a worse condition than ever for she had not only lost me whom she loved but was likely to be enjoyed by another whom she loved not but hated worse then a death Imagine in what a wildernesse of thoughts she was and what various combats was in her soul In conclusion she resolved that death should be the remedy against all her restlesse afflictions not that she had so much courage as to kill her selfe for the thought of such a cruelty made her to tremble but because she thought her life was not able to endure so many sad and tormenting miseries But see the strange consequents of Love she did not so much grieve for the losse of me and at her being anothers whom she loved not as to think that I should put a bad construction upon that affection which she expressed unto me For though she was angry at me because of Dorinde yet she did love me and excused me for loving her no more accusing her selfe with the offence which she had committed against me Being thus perplexed and since she could not avoid her Marriage with Theombres she resolved to give her selfe so much satisfaction at the least as to let me know that her minde was not changed and that her affection should for ever be the same as I had found it Her Letter was thus written Florice's Letter unto Hylas WHen you look upon this hand perhaps you will remember that you have seen it heretofore when you loved her that writ it and that now so much offended you Consider how great my affection is unto you since after so great an injury I take pen in hand to let you know the condition she is in whom once you so much loved and who loves you still infinitely above all the world maugre all the injuries you have done me Know that by the rigorous Lawes of Marriage I am now going to be anothers and that there is no other remedy unlesse you will this very houre prevent it Assuring my selfe that my Parents woudl be better pleased with your Alliance then that of Theombres unto whom alas I am destined unlesse you do love me as well as I love you When this Letter was brought unto me I was sorry at those frequent reports of this Marriage and though I was resolved to be wholly Dorinde's yet I could not chuse but resent the losse of Florice for I esteemed her lost in the alliance of Theombres And see the subtlety of Love He knew well enough that to assault me openly was in vain because I was still in mine anger and therefore he would go another way with me First he propounded unto me my hatred of Theombres how undeserving he was of this advantage and how happy he would be in Florice Then he represented unto me the beauty and merits of Florice what pitty it was that such a man should enjoy her and brought into my memory all those favours which I had received from her To be briefe he did so imprint these considerations in my soul that ere I was aware I was more in love with her then with Dorinde so as when her Letter came unto my hands and considering with a sound judgment the beauty the quality and the merits of the Writer I did acknowledge that I had done her wrong in quitting her for another much inferiour and repenting of it I intended to return to her again Truth is when I considered the remedy which she propounded to break off her Marriage with Theombres I knew not what to resolve upon for I hated that fatall Tie of Marriage more then I can expresse
never come out I shall now make a strange relation unto you I did still love Damon most extreamly and the memory of him since his death was so imprinted in my soul that he was commonly alwaies before my eyes But since this accident and since I saw this strange Cavalier I know not how but I began to change my first affection and placed it upon him and though I never saw his face yet I must confesse I love him so as it may be said I was in love with a face of Armour I know not whether my obligation to him was the cause of it or whether his valour and courage and noble minde forced me unto it but so it is I never loved any since that day but this unknown Cavalier and in testimony of it after a long expectance of his return and hearing no newes of him I resolved to go my selfe unto Gergovea and the Golden Mount After I had consulted with my selfe about this designe I acquainted Thersander with it who offered me all his assistance and I addressed my selfe unto him rather then unto any other because since the day he fought for me he had wholly dedicated himselfe unto my service and because I had often heard him say that he was infinitely desirous to know that valiant Cavalier who had so bravely relieved us I gave out therefore that I would go and visit my Estate I prepared my Train I left the Court and came to my own house where leaving all my retinue I took with me only my Nurse for a companion and Thersander to defend me and so setforwards towards the Golden Mount The Country was extreamly rough and mountainous almost never without snow and ice my poor Nurse dyed there and having interred her I was much grieved to be alone with Thersander but I presently met with Tircis Hylas and Laonice whose company pleased me so much that not to lose it I resolved to put on the habit of a Shepheardesse as now you see me and Thersander in the habit of a Shepheard Then after we had stayed a while amongst the Mountains in hopes to hear some newes of him I was in quest of I resolved to come into this Country since he appointed us to make that way thinking that when I came to Gergovea I should haply finde this Cavalier unto whom I was so much obliged Madonthe was thus telling her story and not without bedewing her cheeks with tears whilst Paris and the rest of the shepheards were talking together for their mindes were possessed with that malady which above all others is an enemy to sleep For Tircis he loved his deceased Cleon although he was out of all hopes of ever seeing her again And because there was none of them so free as the inconstant Hylas he bore it out the best of any in the company and was least troubled with his Love Tircis thinking upon his dear Cleon he could not chuse but sigh very loud and Silvander at the same time did the same See said Hylas what difference there is betwixt these two sighes What is the difference said Paris The difference is said Hylas that Silvander doth sigh so to cool the fire which scorcheth him and Tircis sighes and blowes to kindle that fire which heretofore did scorch him Hylas had said very well said Tircis if he had said he had thought so for this is only a meer imagination of a soul that knowes not how to love How now Tircis said Hylas do you also upbraid me that I know not how to love I thought there had been none but that fantasticall Silvander who had been of that opinion If you would judge according to reason said Tircis you would be of our opinions Why said Hylas is it requisite that to love well I must needs Idolize one that 's dead as you do Did you but know how to love aright said Tircis questionlesse if you should meet with so great a misfortune as mine you would think your selfe obliged in duty so to do How how said Hylas in love with a Grave a Coffin believe it shepheard I will never be in love with any such Mistresses But come a little to reason what contentment and what end do you aime at in such a love Love said Tircis is a great god which can aime at or desire nothing but himself he is his own Center and has no aime or inclination but what begins and ends in himselfe Love is like a Ring it begins where it ends and ends where it begins it is perpetuall it aimes at no ends but is pleased and contented with its own nature These are delicate dreames indeed said Hylas for my part I believe them to be all fables invented by some silly women What is it Hylas said Tircis which you think so far from truth All that you say answered Hylas is so palpably grosse as I were mad if I did not see the simplicity of them You say Love desires nothing but it selfe and I say we see the contrary for we never desire any thing but that which we have not If you did understand answered Tircis how by the infinite power of Love two persons becomes but one you would know that a Lover can desire nothing but himselfe for as soon as you do understand how a Lover is transformed into the person Loved and the person Loved into the Lover and both becomes but one though being Lover and Loved they are two you would finde Hylas and confesse that since the Lover desires nothing but the person Loved and since he is himselfe both the Lover and the Loved by this conjunction he can desire nothing but himselfe See said Hylas how the old Proverb is truly verified one Errour begets a hundred You would perswade me into a beliefe of things impossible as that the Lover becomes the person Loved why by this argument I am Phillis for I do love her and yet I am Hylas and I do desire her The conclusion said Silvander is not good for you do not love her Had you said that I in loving Diana were transformed into her you had said right Well said Hylas are you then Diana is your Cap there changed into a Coyfe and your Coat into a Gown My Cap said Silvander does not love her Coife Very good said the inconstant Hylas if you be changed into Diana you should then dresse your selfe in the habit of a woman It is not handsome that so wise a shepheardesse as you are should disguise your selfe thus in the habit of a man There was none in all the company could forbear laughing at the pleasant expressions of this merry shepheard Silvander himselfe could not hold But afterwards he answered him thus I will if I can convince you of your errour Know therefore that there are two parts in a man the one is the Body which we see and touch and the other is the soul which we cannot see nor touch but is known by words and actions for neither words
this my Uncle did encourage us to continue in this laudable designe Afterwards he went homewards and we towards Marcelles but first consulted together what Answers should be given unto Galathea lest we should contradict one another knowing very well that no eye is so quick and penetrating as the eye of Jealousie In the mean time Galathea's minde was only on her dear Lucinde commending my wit and subtlety in putting you into that habit hoping that under that shadow she might without any suspition have you alwaies with her not shepheard that she had ever any unchast or unworthy thoughts but designing to marry you and not daring to declare it as long as Amasis lived she thought she might alwaies have you in her presence under that umbrage And though she could not doubt of the affection which you had unto the fair Astrea yet flattering her selfe she hoped that the sight of so much grandore and magnificence would easily withdraw your love from that shepheardesse so as hugging her selfe in these thoughts she was the most contented woman in the world and nothing seemed tedious into her but the length of the way But when she came to Marcelles and did not see her dearly beloved Lucinde amongst the rest of her Nymphs Oh! how she was disordered and what haste did she make in going to her Chamber and from her Chamber into her Closet I who plainly foresaw this storme did follow her but not with that alacrity as usuall and I must needs confesse that being in some sort guilty of treason I did fear her presence and yet lest she should suspect me as soon as she did call I ran unto her and commanding me to shut the dore Well Leonida said she unto me what 's become of Celadon Madam said I unto her seeming much astonished and displeased I cannot tell for as soon as ever you were gone Silvia and I looked for him all over the Palace and not finding him we cannot devise what should become of him unlesse Adamas can tell us How 's this said Galathea surprised at this unexpected answer do you know no more of him And seeing I did not answer Did not I command you said she to have extraordinary care of him Am I no better obeyed than thus Go go Leonida go immediately to your Uncle if Celadon be there bring him hither or otherwise never come again into my presence and assure your selfe I shall make you fell the smart of this offence as well as my selfe Seeing her so angry and fearing that replies would but aggravate I made her a low and humble reverence I went away to acquaint my Companions with it Silvia not being far off followed me out of the Chamber and I acquainted her with all the discourse of Galathea and how she commanded me to retire I knew said Silvia that it was impossible this businesse should end without making her extreamly angry but I should have imagined any thing rather than this course she hath taken What will every one think of your departure How can she hide it from Amasis Well my dear Companion said she unto me I see all the blame is laid upon you though I have equally contributed to the same fault if that which we have done deserve not praise but since it is so I shall use all my best endeavours to have you recalled as soon as possible In the mean time if any enquire of me the cause of your absence I shall say That Adamas desired Galathea to let you be with him for a certain time in hopes that some affection may grow betwixt his Son Paris and you and I shall say this as a secret to the end it may make the lesse noise in the world After this we kissed and recommended each other to the tuition of the gods And so I went unto my Uncle unto whom I related the whole passage In the mean while Galathea being alone in her Closet and seeing all her hopes and all her designes blasted she was so surprised with sorrow as she laid her selfe down upon a green Bed and could scarcely breathe At last she started up with a deep sigh and casting her eyes upon a great Glasse which was over against her she saw the tears that trickled down her cheeks Alas alas Galathea said she what is thy Beauty worth which hath caused so many Idolaters since it is not able to captivate him whom thou most desirest to please a poor despisable Shepheard despiseth it Am I not the most unfortunate woman in the world since a mean and ungratefull Shepheardesse is able to do more then I am Oh! how pleasing and sweet were my designes at the first and at the last how bitter and vexatious are they all turned Then being silent for a while she broke out again But is it possible Celadon thou shouldst not love me Can I no way wean thy affection from a silly shepheardesse Can a rustick country Beauty have a greater influence upon thee than mine Has the heavens to torment me made thee so pleasing and so silly She had continued longer in these exclamations had not Silvia knocked at the dore and acquainted her that Amasis her Mother was comming to see her She presently drying up her tears as well as she could and lying down upon the bed she put a handkerchiefe over her face feigning to be asleep and therefore Silvia went to meet Amasis at the dore and acquainted her how Galathea was not well telling her that she thought her disease to be nothing but a little head-ach which a little rest would cure Amasis did easily believe it when going neerer Galathea she saw her face red and burn like fire The Nymph at the comming of her Mother seemed as if she were asleep and starting up did her reverence unto her and holding her hand before the eyes she confirmed what Silvia had said Amasis advised her to go into bed and to rest that night that she might be better disposed to be a spectator of the publick Bone-fires of joy which were to be made and last two or three daies After this she retired purposely to give her the more time of rest Galathea was very glad of this excuse to be along and when all was gone out of her Chamber she undressed her selfe and went to bed suffering none to be in the Chamber but Silvia whom she commanded to stay by the bed side that she might near if she called Silvia who knew her disease prepared her self with remedies accordingly but she was mistaken for the Nymph stayed untill it was night and never gave one word expecting that Silvia should first begin At last when it was supper time Go Silvia said she go to supper and send some other in you room as for me I will not eate any thing Madam answered Silvia I beseech you give me leave to stay with you for my meat will not do me any good as long as you are not well Sweet-heart said the Nymph I thank you and believe
must needs phrase my past services And though her cruelty hath been such unto me yet must I in some sort excuse her since being engaged unto Palemon perhaps she had offended against her fidelity in doing otherwise But now when thanks be to the Fates she hath quitted him what reason or colour can she have for her cruelty since she tells you that she loved Palemon because she thought it reasonable to love him who loved her Upon her own ground reason and judgment I do appeal unto you great Nymph swearing unto you by her fair selfe for a greater oath cannot be that never did any Beauty cause a greater more sincere or more faithfull love then that of Adrastes unto the fair Doris Thus Adrastes ended his Oration with so many demonstrations of a perfect love as all that heard him were partners in his resentments And the shepheardesse Doris seeing he had said all he could after an humble reverence answered thus Great Nymph I am very sorry for this shepheard 's sake that all he hath said is true for since he loves me so well it grieves me that he should be ill treated yet you may perceive by what hath been said that the fault is not in me but it is himselfe only that pursues his ill fortune The first time he declared his minde unto me we were both so young that neither knew what Love was so as what he said unto me moved me no more then a person who was nothing at all concerned Afterwards he travelled and when he returned he found me not mine own for I had given my self unto Palemon So that as at the first time he might complain of my ignorance in love so at this second he might much more complain of my too much knowledge in it But he has no reason at all to complain against me for shepheard can you complain against me who was not capable of love for not loving you Lay the blame upon Nature accuse those Lawes unto which she hath submitted us all Then can you think it strange I will not love you when my will was not my owne Alas I have but one heart and one soul and one will You may with more reason complain and that me-thinks is the only plea you have that you did addresse your selfe unto me too soon and returned too late You say that I never looked upon you but with scorn but was ever very averse from shewing any favour unto you Truly Adrastes if you rightly interpret my actions you will finde that you are more obliged unto me for that then if I had done otherwise For had you received any satisfaction from me unto what a strange extremity would your love have been driven that was so great maugre all my rigours Consider Adrastes that favours from me would rather have been aggravations then any consolations in your misery Besides I could not have shewed them without much offence unto that sincere affection which I had promised Palemon I must needs confesse that it is just to love one that loves us but I do not say it is injustice not to love all those that have any affection unto us for if it were there would be no fidelity nor assurance in love if it were so you your selfe were obliged to render a reciprocall love unto the shepheardesse Bebliena who is ready to die for you But I mean that a woman being free from all other affection may without blame love him that loves her if there be no other reason of hatred but his love Now this case is nothing resemblant unto that betwixt you and me for I being engaged another way I cannot contract any new affection with you without a ruine of that which I have contracted already Had I dissembled with you or held you in hopes with any smooth language you might with reason complain against me but if I did ever tell you my minde plainly and freely are you not obliged unto me for it Have I not a thousand times over entreated conjured nay commanded as far as I had any power over you that you should extinguish your affection to me And have you not alwaies answered me that you would if you could do it and live And when you did continue on was it not for your own sake and not mine But great Nymph see how that which as I gather from his wordâ— he thinks to be his advantage does deceive him Doubtlesse he thinks that my affection unto Palemon was the only cause which kept me from giving entertainment unto his And indeed he no sooner heard of the dissentions betwixt that shepheard and me but presently he was blowne up with hopes to effectuate his desires and to lose no occasions of promoting them he hath ever since that time so importunately pressed me that I may and with reason call him rather my enemy then my friend But he is much deceived in these thoughts and does not consider that if ever this affection of mine do cease I shall with it so cease from ever any other love as I shall never resent any effects of it again Thus ended Doris Adrastes would have replyed but Leonida commanded silence and taking Chrisante Astrea Diana Phillis Madonthe and Laonice aside she asked them their opinions and advice But being long in consultation and the shepheards who were not called to counsell being impatient and could not be idle Hylas addressed himselfe unto Doris I do admire said he unto her that you should be angry for being too rich How do you mean answered she I mean said Hylas that you ought to entertain not only these two shepheards who love you but also as an evidence of your beauty all those that would offer themselves unto you For it is a womans honour to be loved and courted by many besides the benefit she may get by it I do believe answered Doris very carelesly that this would be a good way for those who would be esteemed fair and are not or for such as prefer that vanity before tranquillity and solid contentment If it be a Good to be loved replyed he the more that love you the more good you have And if it be ill replyed Doris the more I am loved the more ill it is True replyed Hylas but how can it be ill to be loved by many They will hate us in the end answered she Yes replyed he if you do not content and entertain them How should one satisfie and content many replyed Doris when it is impossible to satisfie and content one But said Hylas is it not good to have many Servants They will in the end become our enemies said she and in loving me they will more trouble then benefit me You must have a care said he to keep them your friends The paines replyed the shepheardesse is above the pleasure The gods said the shepheard do never think themselves troubled that many should bring offerings unto their Altars Most true answered she but it is a peculiar priviledge of
and Polemas and I must confesse that whosoever would rid me of them would infinitly oblige me For I am sure they will never let me be in any quietness nor suffer Celadon to be neere me And therefore I would try if I could be shut of one by meanes of the other which may be effected by the mediation of Leonide whom I would have you counsell to acquaint Lindamour with all that Climanthe said concerning him but to take especiall care that she do not thinke I have any thoughts of Celadon And to the end she may thinke if I have not quite forgotten that shepherd you may tell her that the presence of Lindamor who is a man of so much Merit will make me forget him by this meanes Lindamor will either destroy Polemas or Polemas him So shall I be rid of one at the least and both if good fortune's favour be so much as that one kill theother I do not desire this should be by death but rather be rid of them some other way But I am so extreamly pestered with them and do love Celadon so well that if there be none other remedy I consent unto it so it be not by my hand or knowne that it proceeds from me I must confesse Sister that when I heard these words I was astonished and resolved to acquaint you not to incite you unto what she desires but rather to divert you I answered the Nymph that it was first requisite to know of Flurial what time Lindamor said he would come which she thought to be expedient and therefore commanded me to call him which I did but before he spoke unto her I charged him not to tell Galathea the time of his comming nor the place where he would be and that if she asked him he should say that he would come much latter then the time he told him Though the fellow had no great matter of wit yet he had some apprehensions which made him stagger at my perswasions yet at last he harkened unto them then I brought him to her and he lyed so confidently that she beleeved him And because she thought it expedient that I should come unto you to get you to write unto Lindamor or at least to let him know what Polemas had done against him I thought good to bring Flurial with me that he might tell you more then perhaps he would me but he feares that you are angry with him for so simply giving your Letters unto Galathea that he dare not come in your sight Now me thinks that though he did very simply in it yet he ought not to be so chid for it as to lose him True said Leonide and perhaps he hath not done so much hurt as he thinkes since by his meanes Galathea hath read Lindamors Letter which I should not have dared to present unto her least she should have banished me as she hath already Assure him therefore that I am not at all angry with him but rather pleased Silvia upon this went out and called for Flurial whom she told what she had done and afterwards brought him unto Leonida who looked upon him very kindly and assured him that she was nothing displeased with him Then asking him every particular of his voyage he began to answere thus I was afraid Madam that I had committed a fault and therefore beseeched Silvia to make my excuse but since thankes be to Cod it proves otherwise I am most heartily glad of it and thinke it to be the greatest happinesse that could come unto me For I have vowed my selfe so much unto the service of Lindamor that though he may perhaps find me failing in my wit and discretion yet never in my fidelity and affection Therefore as soon as I had your commands upon me to go unto him I went with as much haste as possibly I could and came unto a City called Paris where Meroveus then was being returned from the Neustrian Country This City is seated in an Isle so as the walls about it are washed with a River which runs round on all sides of it And so as there is no comming to it but by bridges As soon as he saw me I observed a great alteration in his countenance but he being in bed then and having many persons about him he could not speak unto me nor aske me the occasion of my voyage But when he was alone he called for me and asking what businesse brought me thither I told him that he would be best informed by your Letter Is there none saith he presently from my Lady You will know all answered I by that Letter He changed colour when I said so unto him thinking that certainly there was some great alteration or other in the wind but when he had read your Letter I never saw a man so amaz'd I cannot tell what was in that paper but it was like to have cost him his life I do remember said Leomda the very words they were but short and therefore Sister I would have you heare them that you may acquaint Galathea with them if you think it requisite Leonida's Letter unto Lindamor AS I have heretofore told you that you might trust in me so I must tell you now that you must trust to your self not that the least thought of my affection to your service is diminished but because the subtility of Polemas is such as that it hath taken away all my power to serve you Your business goes so very badly on as you must not expect any good successunless you speedily returne I cannot say any more unto you unless it were by word of mouth it not being fit any but your selfe should know of that which none but your selfe can remedy You gave him said Silvia a very hot alarme and I do not wonder he should blush when he redd it for such newes might very well cause the like effects How could I write any lesse said Leonida is it not true For my part I cannot tell a lie especially to my friends and such as trust in me Your words replyed Flurial were very effectuall By fortune there was none with him unlesse a young man who waited upon him in his Chamber He had such a command over his sorrowes as he restrained his complaints till he had commanded this young man and my selfe to retire and wait in his Wardrobe untill he called for us Then causing the Curtains to be drawn he began to sigh so loud that though the dore was shut yet we could hear him Then I enquired what was the cause of keeping his bed and I understood that it was by reason of some wounds he had received in a skirmish wherein the Neustrians were defeated by the valour of Clidaman and Lindamor and because I was very inquisitive after newes and desired to know all passages the young man made this relation to me I believe Fluriall said he unto me for he knew my name having often seen me in the Gardens of Mount-Brison and in his Masters
Chamber when you sent me to him that you have heard of the Battles that have been wone from the Neustrians by the King yet with the assistance of Clidaman and my Master I assure my self also that you have heard talk of a Lady he did name her said he unto Leonida but I have forgot it who putting her selfe into the habit of a man did follow beyond the Sea a Neustrian whom she loved and who resembled Ligdamon so much who was taken for him and dyed because he would not marry a woman for whom that man fought and killed a man for which Murther being banished he fled into a Country beyond Sea I cannot hit upon the name of it and afterwards upon his return was Prisoner by a kinsman of him that was killed And had it not been for this Lady of whom I mean he had been put into the hands of Justice but she fought for him and stayed in Prison her selfe to release him This intricate tale of Flurial's made the Nymphs to laugh though Silvia in memory of Ligdamon and Leonida also had a good minde to help him out Thou dost mean Flurial said Silvia the fair Melander True true said he that 's her name And Lydias continued the Nymph who was kept in Calice by Lypandas because of Arontes his death The very same said Fluriall and clapped his hands together but I shall never remember their names and therefore I shall finish my relation upon condition that you will help me out Now this Lady continued he was the cause of Calice being taken by the Francks and Lypandas I cannot tell whether I name him right was made a Prisoner As for Melander who was in Prison as soon as ever she was released she would go unto Lydias thinking that Ligdamon who was in the hands of his enemies had been Lydias as every one reported him to be As soon as Lydias heard of this Ladies departure he followed after her not fearing any severity of enemies nor rigour of justice But Lypandas who was in Prison knowing that he had kept a Woman Prisoner and that he had fought with her he fell so in love with her that he never left soliciting till he obtained his liberty and then went as fast as he could to the Town whither she was gone I have quite forgot the name of it for it was a very hard word Was it not Rhothomages said Leonida The very same said Flurial Oh god what fine stories could I tell you if I had a good memory But so it was that the King's Son fell upon some of the Enemies and defeated them after a long Combat in which Lindamor was so wounded that he was forced to keep his bed Truly said Leonida you are an excellent story-teller and therefore I pray proceed My memory said he is not so as I wish it but I had rather not tell many things then lie Now whilst this young man told me these things Lindamor sighed and sometimes spoke but I could not possibly hear what he said because the dore was shut At the last I heard him call me and not drawing the Curtains he said unto me Fluriall I would have thee return to morrow and I would be before thee if I could endure a Horse-back but I will presently follow thee tell Leonida that I will come to the house of Adamas and it shall be within this twenty nights at the least if my wounds will give me leave Upon this he commanded me to take my rest But I was much astonished when they told me that very same night that they thought him dead two or three times and that his wounds were so much changed upon a sudden that he was in great danger of his life I do believe that the Letter which you writ was the cause He continued long in this condition so as I could not be dispatched of a month after within which time he grew better and not in so much danger Besides his wounds he had such a Feavour as caused him very often to talk lightly and ordinarily name Galathea Leonida and Polemas Love revenge death At the last he recovered but not so well as to go out of his bed and the Physicians told him that he must not stir out of his Chamber at the least of fifteen nights And therefore he dispatched me saying that before the sixteenth of the next Month he would be here and gave me the Letters which you have seen commanding me to tell you many fine words which did only signifie thanks and which in good faith Madam I have quite forgotten The Nymphs could not chuse but laugh at Fluria's discourse and good memory And because they would talk together they commanded him to go out and stay till Silvia returned especially to have a great care he told none when Lindamor would be back Then being alone together they resolved to tell Galathea plainly the truth of that voyage hoping that perhaps the merits of Lindamor would make her more considerate but by all means to conceal from her the time of his comming lest if she should know it she should advertise Polemas not out of any good-will unto him but only that he might stand upon his guard and that Lindamor intending to kill him they might be both in a possibility of dying or that so acquainting him with the designe of Lindamor he might challenge him the field and there die This then being the designe Silvia thought it expedient to communicate the matter unto the sage Adamas and to know his opinion But Leonida told her that she would acquaint him with it at leasure but now he was very busie with his Daughter And shall not I see her said Silvia It will not be convenient at this time said Leonida for they are both exceedingly busie because it is not much above a month before the Druides assemble at Dreux And I do believe that for this year my Uncle will be exempted because of his Daughter whom he will be constrained to bring back whose presence he would enjoy as long as possible he can Yet if you please I shall acquaint them for I know they will be extreamly glad to see you No no said Silvia I am very glad that Adamas resolves to stay at home this year for I believe his presence will be more necessary unto us then we imagine I will not by any means disturb them it sufficeth me to know that they are well Then after some other discourse Silvia took her leave and returned unto Marcelles where Galathea was in a longing expectation for her desiring to know what discourse Leonida and she had but above all to know what newes of Celadon assuring her selfe that Leonida could tell But when she understood that the shepheard was not in his Town and that none knew where he was she was not a little perplexed but knew not how to accuse Leonida for she imagined that if this shepheard had escaped by her contrivance she would never have suffered him to
company of all your shepheards and shepheardesses and not hear how you are a servant unto Phillis and how after a long continued service you are at the last growne jealous of Silvander Certainly I should have been of a very dull composition if seeing so compleat a shepheard as Lycidas and loving Phillis as I do I had not enquired of your life If I did seem shepheard as if I were ignorant it was only out of discretion for I do know as much of your affaires as you do almost your selfe and if you will I will tell you such particulars as shall make you confesse it Lycidas hearing her say so he was extreamly confused and thought that all her knowledge came from Astrea and Phillis I perceive said he that you are acquainted with my follies and that things are not so secretly carried as I wish they were But to make it appear that I am as much your servant as your Informers can be I will tell you more then they could since they are passages which hapned since they had the honour to see you still beseeching you to be secret I have so great an esteem answered the Nymph both of the versue of Phillis and of your merits as you may be most certain I shall be secret in any thing that concernes either of you And you may see I can be silent since I was so long before I imparted unto you what I did know But when you told me that Phillis was contented I wondred because I knew her to be much troubled at your faintnesse and jealousie Oh great Nymph said Lycidas and smiled great alterations have been since I had the honour to see you Oh how oft have I been upon my knees Believe it Madam Phillis knowes how to bring me into my senses and can make me know my duty Had I but time to tell you the whole series of the story you should see what abundance of difference there is betwixt a Lover and a Wiseman I do not know any thing replyed the Nymph which I more desire to know and as for leasure you may have time enough since Adamas Phocion and Diamis are entred into discourse for old men will never have an end of their old stories The Nymphs chiefe end in holding him thus in discourse was in consideration of Alexis lest he should take too much observance of her and conceiving the first time to be the most dangerous because when the opinion was once fixed it would better passe afterwards for currant therefore she desired him to proceed Lycidas thinking it would be pleasing unto the Nymph began thus The History of the jealous Lycidas YOu know Madam that the familiar conversation which was between Phillis and Silvander by reason of their striving which should make Diana love them best was the cause of my jealousie A jealousy which I may well say was within a small degree of madnesse Insomuch as I have often wondered how it was possible I should live in that torment The paines of death could not be greater Every houre some accident or other added fresh tortures my eye could not turne itself without findingout some new aggravation of misery And worst of all when I had greatest curiosity to find out the causes of my displeasures Nay my imagination would fancy things so beyond all manner of reason as I wonder how it was possible my judgement should be perverted When she spoke any thing freely unto Silvander Oh how every accent pierced me to the heart When she was silent and did not speake at all I concluded she dissembled when she carrassed me I thought she had a designe to deceive me when she slighted me I said this was a signe of a change in her affection when she shunned Silvander I thought she did so lest I should see her if she applyed her selfe unto him then I thought she was desirous to vexe me and shew how well she was contented in her new affection If she was not at any time sad then I said there was some amorous quarrell fallen out betwixt them To be briefe every thing she did offended me And when there was nothing to ground my displeasure upon I should accuse my judgement for being so simple as not to see their dissimulations How oft have I wisht my selfe no eyes that I could not see neither Silvander nor Phillis But to what purpose would that be said I presently after for though I were blind yet they would love But said I it were much better to lose my love since the thought of it doth thus torment me and ever will till I be in my grave See unto what extremity I was driven since in lieu of loving Phillis I did hate her I could have wished her ugly and yet I should have been very sorry if she had lost the least part of her beauty and handsomnesse And this I found presently at the same time for she having had three or foure fits of an ague which had caused a little alteration in her face I was so displeased at it that she herselfe observed me Living therefore or rather languishing in this manner and almost reduced unto an absolute despaire the gods had pitty upon me One Night Silvander chanced to fall asleep in the wood neere unto the Temple of the good goddesse when he awaked he found a Letter in his hand not knowing how it came Upon his returne he shewed it unto Diana and the shepherdesse Astrea they thought it to be writ by the hand of Celadon and they hoping to heare more of him in the place where this Letter was found they entreated Silvander to conduct them thither When they were there night so surprised them that they were forced to stay there untill it was day During this short time Astrea fell asleep and had such dreames and visions as caused her to think that Celadon was in pain and that his Ghost walked because he had not received the last office of a buriall she therefore resolved to erect an empty Tombe for him but thought it more expedient to be done in the name of Paris then her owne these ceremonies were so long and the shepheardesses so weary that at their return they went into their owne cabins to rest themselves For my part I left them betimes and after I had dined retired my selfe into a thick covert neere the way which conducts to our Towne It is so thick with underwood as though it joyne upon the high way yet it was impossible I should be seen And yet I could plainy see all passengers going or comming After a long entertainment of my owne thoughts sleepe did so surprise me that I did not waken untill the Sun was almost set And intending to retire I would first see whether any were in the medow that I might avoyd meeting with Philis By fortune I espyed Astrea and her who having rested themselves in their Cabins came to walk in the fresh Aire of that place On the other side I saw
sentence of his Mistris he did oppose his innocency then the suddain execution of it did appear in the eyes of his fancy And as he was falling from one thought into another his hand fell a cidentally upon the Riband tyed to his arme in which was Astreas Ring Oh what horrid memorialls came then into his mind Then did he fancy the fury which her soul expressed both by words and actions when she pronounced the sentence of his banishment Then after a long and sad contemplation upon this last dysaster he began to think upon the change of his Fortune how happy he had been and how she favoured him Then begun he to think what she had done for him how for his sake she had slighted many well qualified shepherds how little she valued the displeasure of her Father or anger of her Mother when they opposed against her affection then began he to consider that Fortune is as fickle in matters of Love as in any thing else and how few of all her favours remained with him which was only a Bracelet of her hair tyed about his arme and a Picture which he wore at his brest whose Case he kissed many a time as for the Ring which he wore about the other arme he esteemed that rather as forced then of any benevolence Then upon a suddain he remembred the Letters which she had writ unto him in the happie dayes of his being in favour and which he alwayes carried about with him in a little bagg Oh what rapture was he in when he first thought upon them for he feared lest the Nymphes when they pulled off his cloathes should have seen them In this doubt he called out aloud for the little Merril for he allwayes waited in a Lobby close by The little boy hearing him call so hastily two or three times came to see what his pleasure was My little officer saith Celadon doest thou know what is become of my clothes for they containe somthing which would much perplex me to lose Your clothes Sir said he are not far from hence but there is nothing in them for I searched them Oh Meril said the Shepheard thou art much mistaken for there was something which I valued above my life then turning towards the other side of the bed he began to make exceeding sad complaints a long while together Meril hearing him was on the one side very sorry to heare him lament as he did and on the other side was in great doubt whether he should tell him all he knew at last not being able to be longer a witnesse of his sorrowes he told him that he needed not to trouble himselfe so much for he was sure the Nymph Galathea loved him too wel to keep from him any thing which he so much valued At this Celadon turned towards him and asked whether that Nymph had them I beleeve it is the same said he at least I found a litle bundle of papers and as I was bringing them unto you she met me and took them from me Oh Heavens said the Shepheard things are worse and worse then turning on the otherside he would speak no more Mean time Galathea did read the Letters for it was true she did take them from Merill and as those in Love are alwayes full of curiositie so she read them but she had strictly charged him to say nothing because she intended to restore them as unknown that she had seen them Silvia held the candle whilst Galathea unloosed the string which tyed them together we shall see said Silvia whether this Shepheard be such a dull fellow as he would seeme to be and whether or no he be in Love then Galathea took out the papers gently for feare of tearing them and the first she laid her hand upon was this Astrea's Letter unto Celadon Celadon WHat 's this you do attempt Into what a confusion are you about to bring your self Take my advice who counsell you as a friend and leave off this your design of serving me t is too ful of inconveniency beleeve it what content Celadon can you hope for I shal be extreamly intolerable you may with as much ease attempt an impossibility you must wait and suffer and be patient and have neither eyes or Love for any but me for never think I will share affection with any other nor accept of halfe-love I am full of suspitions extreamly Jealous I am exceeding hard to be woon and very easily lost quickly offended but abominably hard to be pleased my will must be destiny it selfe my opinions must passe for reasons and my commands must be inviolable Lawes Shepheard be wise and keep out of this dangerous Labyrinth Cease from a designe which may prove soruinous I know my selfe better then you do never think to alter my naturall Genius I shall certainly break rather then bend and if you will not beleeve what now I say do not hereafter complaine against me Never credit me said Galathea if this Shepheard be not in Love It cannot be doubted said Silvia being so well accomplished Then Galathea gave her another Letter which had been wet to hold unto the fire meanewhile she took another Letter which contained these words Astrea's Letter unto Celadon Celadon YOu will not beleeve that I Love you and yet you desire I should beleev you Love me If I do not Love you what will my credence in your affection profit you perhaps you thinke that beliefe will oblige me to it but alas Celadon that consideration is too weak if your merits and services were not more considerable but this is the state of your condition I would not only have you know that I think you Love me but I would have you know also that I do Love you and amongst many other this is an infallible argument of it that I have valued my Love to you above my obedience to my Parents If you consider how great my duty is to them you may by it value my Love to you since it is above all duties Adieu be not any longer incredulous As soon as this Letter was read Silvia brought the other and Galathea told her with a sad heart that Celadon was in Love and which was worse that he was extreamly loved which grieved her to the very soul for now she saw that she was to force a Fort which a victorious enemy was possessor of For by these Letters she found that the humour of this Shepherdesse was not to be halfe a Mistris but would have an absolute command over such as she daigned to accept as her servants and her opinion of this was much fortified when she read the other Letter which had been wet it was thus penned Astrea's Letter unto Celadon Celadon LYcidas told Phillis that yesterday you were in a very bad humour Am I the cause of it or you If it be I it is without occasion for did I ever desire any more then to Love and be loved by you And have you not sworne a
thousand times that you would never desire any more to compleat your happinesse If your selfe be the cause of it then you do me wrong to dispose of that which is mine without my knowledge for whatsoever is yours is by donation mine accquaint me how the matter is and I will consider whether or no I can allow of these humours in the meane while I forbid them How imperiously does this Shepherdess carry it said Galathea She doth not injure him said Silvia since she told him as much at the first And truly if it be she whom I suppose it is She is one of the fairest and most admirably qualified persons that ever mine eyes beheld her name is Astrea and that which induceth me to beleeve it is she is this word Phillis for those two Shepherdesses are intimate companions And though as I told you her beauty be beyond al comparisons yet it is the least amiable quality in her for she is so ful of severall perfections as her beauty is the least considerable This discourse was but a wider opening of Galatheas wound since stil greater difficulties appeared in the accomplishment of her designe And being unwilling to impart any more unto Silvia she tyed up the papers and went to bed not without a croud of various thoughts which sleep by degrees did compose As soon as the day dawned litle Merill went out of the Shepherds chamber who had done nothing but lament all the night long and Galathea having commanded him to have a very strict observance over all the actions of Celadon and to make a report unto her he went out to accquaint her with his observations Galathea was awake and talking aloud with Leonida litle Merill knocked at the dore and came in Madam said he not a wink of sleep have I got all this night for poor Celadon is even at deaths dore for want of those papers you took from me yesterday and seeing him in such lamentable despaire I could not chuse but comfort him a little by telling him that you had them How Replied the Nymph knowes he that I have them Yes Madam said Merill and he told me that he would ask you for them for he has a great esteem of them had you heard as I did how he lamented the losse of them it would have forced your heart to pitty him Good Merill said the Nymph tell me what he said Madam replied he after he had enquired whether I saw his papers and I told him that you had them â—he turned to the other side as if distracted and said Now are all things at the very worst and after a while silence thinking me in bed and a sleep I heard him sigh and say aloud Oh Astrea Astrea must banishment be the recompence of all my faithfull services If thy affection be changed why dost thou blame me to excuse thy selfe If I have been faulty why is not my fault made knowne unto me Is there no Justice in Heaven nor pitty in thy heart If therebe why do I find no favour from either that I might either dy or obey Astreas comwand Oh most cruell command if I should die would it not argue rather deficiency of Love then excesse of courage Then he paused a while and afterwards began again But whither would my flattering and truycerous hopes transport me Dare ye once againe appear unto me what shadow of any hope can possibly be after so much time spent after so many services performed so much affection expressed so many disdaines endured and many impossibilities vanquished Must absence be the pittifull reward of all these No no hope rather for a favour from a grave than from her After much such like discourse he was silent a long while then turning himselfe in bed I heard him begin his lamentations which continued untill day and all were complaints against one Astrea whom he accused of change and cruelty Galathea knew so much of Celadons estate by Astreas Letters and by Merills report that it had been better for her if she had been more ignorant yet flattering her selfe she imagined that Astrea's scorne might happily make the way more easie to accomplish her desires But those are Novists in the School of Love who know not that Love never dies in a noble generous heart and that the root of it is never quite pulled up Yet in this hope she writ a note and put it amongst the Letters of Astrea afterwards giving the bundle to Merill Here Merill said flie carry this bundle unto Celadon and tel him that I wish I could as well render him all the contentments which he wants If he be well and desires to see me tel him I am not wel this morning She said this to the end he might have the more leasure to peruse his papers and to read that which she had writ Merill he went away and Leonida being in another bed she did not see the bundle nor hear the message which Galathea sent but as soon as he was gone she called her into the same bed then began thus to talke You know Leonida what discourse we had yesterday concerning this Shepherd since that I have met with more intelligence then I could have wished you heard what Merill said and what Silvia reported concerning Astreas perfections so as since the Fort is taken I foresee a double difficultie in getting it againe yet I find that this happy Shepheardesse hath much offended him and a generous heart cannot brook a disdain with out a resent Madam answered Leonida I could wish with all my heart you could extinguish all these kind of thoughts for if you continue in them you will wrong your selfe exceedingly do you think it possible to carry it alwaies secretly what a blame will it be unto your honour if it should be knowne The whole course of your actions will be measured by it what would you think of another that should lead such a life You wil answer me perhaps that you do no ill Oh Madam it is not enough for a person of your quality to be free from crime but they must be also free from scandall Were he a man worthy of you I should with some patience allow of it but Celadon though he be the chiefe of the Country yet he is a Shepherd and not known for any more and this vaine opinion of happy or unhappy can it so far bewitch you and so degenerate your spirit as to equall sheep-keepers clownes and halfe-savages with your selfe For Heavens sake Madam consider these things and be your selfe Leonida had continued on if Galathea in a great rage had not interrupted her I told you before said she that I wil not allow any more of such moral doctrine I am resolved When I ask your advice ehen give it mean time no more of this discourse unlesse you will incurre my displeasure Upon this she turned away to the other side of the bed in such a fury that Leonida knew she had much displeased