some ill design as of late she began to think he was apt to do Galathea was no sooner come to the house of Adamas but the Messenger from Polemas came also and delivered the message of his Master very bluntly unto her but she not being able to hide the displeasure which she had conceived against him answered him very sharply Go and tell your Master said she that I am very much displeased with those that belong unto him and if he do not take some better order I shall be very angry with him In the mean time Damon was got into bed and when the Chyrurgions searched his wounds they found them to be more painful then dangerous For though he was run through the Thigh in two or three several places yet as happy luck was no Nerve nor Vein was hurt which joyed Madonthe beyond all expressions The Chyrurgions knowing that the contentment of the mind was highly conducible to the cure of the body they intreated Madonthe not to stir from him and because she was desirous he should know all her adventures since she came out of Aquitane she did not only answer unto all his questions but related all the plots and subtilties of Leriana which she had contrived to the advantage of Thersander But when she came to rehearse the grief which she conceived at his death when Halladine brought the Handkerchief full of blood unto Leriana and Thersanders Ring unto her she was not able to refrain from tears then she related the horrours of that ignominious death which she was to dye and the unlookt for relief which she received from the Knight of the Tiger And his departing unknown continued she was the cause of my resolution to seek him out But cruel Damon said she for I must give you that Title how could you find a heart to go away and never tell me who you were Why should you after you had given life to my body ravish away the life of my soul Why would you not let me know you were alive Oh Damon how many sad sighes sorrows and tears had you spared me if you had Afterward she related unto him her resolution of seeking out this unknown Knight whom she was in quest of though she knew no reason why she should be so earnest after him But the all-wise providence of Heaven would have it so that I might find Damon under the name of another The truth is continued she I had a far fetched conceipt that I should find him thus or else I should never find him and you see how happily God brings all things about Thersander was the first cause of our separation and Thersander is the last cause of our conjunction how faithfully has he waited upon me and kept himself within the limits of a respectful distance maugre all the falacies and false hopes that Leriana had insused into him by which the best advised man might well have been deluded Upon this she acquainted him how her Nurse dyed at Mount Dor how she met with Laonice Hylas and Tirsis and how the Oracle caused her to come into this Country where she had spent her time in the Company of Astrea Diana Phillis and other Shepherdesses of Lignon from whom she departed that morning with a design of returning into Aquitane and there spend the rest of her days amongst the Vestals and Druides Daughters To be brief she omitted nothing but made a most faithful relation of every passage unto Damon who hearkned unto it with so much joy and contentment as he knew not which way to be thankful enough unto his good Fortune for this favour and after a while of ravishment in this contemplation he said unto her I shall Madam another time give you an exact relation of my life since I had the happiness of seeing you last but at this time the Chyrurgions forbid me speaking and therefore I will not use any long discourse only let me tell you that I hope our future Fortunes will be better then they have been For the Oracle which I consulted with at Mount Verdun assured me that I should be restored from death to life by that man whom I most hated and contemned And see how this poor Cavalier brought you hither where I find you For the Truth is I might most rightly be said to be dead when I was deprived of you and alive again in the happiness of being with you when I do consider the passage I cannot chuse but admire at the wise providence of the Great Gods who has ordered Thersander to give me a double life the life of my body by that relief which he brought me and the life of my soul in conducting you Madam unto the place where I was There is only one doubt in the Oracle which I do scruple at The Oracle AND thou O perfect Lover when Thou hear'st a Diamond speak Oh! then From Death to Life thou shalt return By help of him whom thou didst scorn I see said he that all is most perfectly accomplished except this hearing a Diamond speak unless the Oracle will have me to take you Madam for a Diamond in constancy and excellency of amity Adamas hearkned unto this Discourse very attentively Sir said he and smiled if I had been known unto you the obscurity of this Oracle would vanish for my name is Adamas which singifies in the Roman Language a Diamond so as this Oracle let you know that as soon as you hear me this accident shall befall you and so indeed it did For at the very same time that Alcidon Daphnide and I came unto the place where you were you met with Madonthe I must confess said Damon the Oracle is fully cleered and I am most humbly thankful unto that Deity which ordained me this happiness when I least expected it But Reverend Father continued he and looked about the Chamber I heard you name two persons whom I infinitely esteem and should think my self very happy to see in this place Then Alcidon stepped to him and imbracing him said yes Damon Daphnide and Alcidon are here and are conducted unto this Country of wonders by the same Love which brought you into it At the same time Daphnide came unto him and saluting him said yes yes Damon Madonthe can tell you that Daphnide is also here and presents her self unto you under the notion of one of your best Friends Damon being surprised to see this Cavalier and this Lady thus clad in the habit of Shepherds he knew not at first whether he was asleep or awake but afterwards touching them and hearing them speak he embraced them and cryed out O Alcidon I must needs confess with you that this Country is a Country of Wonders but they are wonders full of joy and happiness greater then ever I could hope to see Whilst Daphnide and Alcidon were saluting Madonthe and they were all rejoycing together at their happy meeting news was brought unto Adamas that the Nymph Amasis was entred into the Court
possibly displease her And in this perplexity they both stood a long while speechlesse at last the shepherdesse was the first who began to speake Madam said she unto her I see that you are changed upon a sudden and I cannot possibly chuse but be exceedingly troubled at it if I be the cause either by my discourse or otherwise I doe vow by that soule which loves you above all the World that I will presently be revenged upon my selfe for it if I be not then tell me I beseech you if my life can doe you any service and you shall see there is nothing so deare unto me which I would not sacrifice unto it Alexis knowing her fault and checking her selfe did endeavour to excuse and hide it as well as she could and therefore with a deepe sigh she answered thus T is true faire shepherdesse that the alteration which you observed in my face did proceed from you and yet you are not to be blamed but onely my owne soule which is too sensible of a thing which your words did bring into my memory And to give satisfaction unto your perplexity you must know that I being brought up amongst the Virgin Druids of Carnutes amongst the multitude that was there I made choice of one whom above all the rest seemed unto me most amiable and thought my selfe not mistaken in my choice she being esteemed so amongst all our Companions and having all desirable qualities which use to create love She was faire hansome and as well extracted as any in all the Country her wit was sutable to the perfections of her body everyway accomplished and all her actions were sweetned with affability and civility her sweetnesse flowed so upon me that I loved her and because I thought she loved me I loved her extreamly and this love came to that height betwixt us that I could not live without her nor she without me Thus we passed over many yeares with abundance of content and satisfaction from each other but whilst I thought my selfe more happy in this condition of friendship than the greatest Monarch can be of his Dominions this faire one quitted me and so seperated her selfe from all termes of friendship with me as she would never see me againe and without ever telling any cause fell into such hatred of me as she would never come neere me My perplexity at this alteration was so great and the blow so sensible as I becoming all sorrow I fell sicke and so dangerously as I beleeve you have heard that I thought I should never recover it Now when you fell into expression of your constant and unalterable humour I remembred the like expressions which this faire and wise Virgin used unto me and which were so ill observed and this caused the alteration which you observed in my countenance Madam said Astrea I am sorry that I should be any way the cause of your perplexity but I hope you will thinke me innocent for had I knowne it I would never have committed this fault But who would ever have thought that you who are so faire and full of all perfections enough to invite and keep the whole world in love with you should ever find a woman so simple and inconsiderate as to let a happinesse voluntarily escape her hands which every one ought to desire and covet Oh God! Oh Heavens Oh all that 's sacred how carefull should I be in keeping so great a happinesse if Heaven beyond my merit should ever raise me to so high a fortune And with how much carefull assiduity should I court it if by my care paines and travell I had any hopes to obtaine it But Heaven which has looked upon me with a frowning eye ever since I was borne will I feare never be so favourable to me as long as I live Faire shepherdesse said Alexis then let me intreat you that unlesse you will exceedingly disoblige me accuse not this faire and wise Virgin of any crime in treating me after this manner For I cannot endure without much displeasure she should ever receive any blame for that which is only my fault and the ill influence of that planet under which I was born And as to your desire of my succeeding in her place beleeve it Astrea it is I that would covet it with any Art but for one thing which gives me a checke And most assuredly were it not for that consideration my desires of it should exceed yours But faire shepherdesse I fear that though now at the first you judge me worthy of your amity yet when you do particularly know me your judgement will find it selfe mistaken and looke asquint at me as this faire and wise one did whose losse I doe so sadly resent and if such a fatall chance should befall me I know not what would become of poore Alexis being able to say and truly that I doe find my selfe so weake against such fatall blowes as I know not whether my life will last after I have received them And since it hath pleased the great Tautates to recover me from the danger of the last I must confesse that my feares of falling into the like makes me tremble and turnes my blood to ice It does not pleasâ— you Madam replyed Astrea I should say that this faire one was to blame in treating you thus and therefore because I will not upon any consideration whatsoever displease you I will not say it but by your permission I will say that she will never find such a jewell as she has lost and that if Tautates as a most particular blessing would preferre me unto her roome I would not part from it for a thousand worlds Ah faire shepherdesse said Alexis and sighed if such a happinesse should befall me I should vaule your amity at as a high rate as you can mine But beleeve me faire one you know not what you desire when you desire my amity I confesse Madam what you say answered Astrea for the happinesse which I desire is so high as the weaknesse of my understanding is not of capacity to comprehend it But Madam since it is not the meanesse of my merit what is it which hinders you from doing me this high favour since I doe call Tautates to witnesse that if I be so happy as to obtaine it I will preserve it deerer than my life nay even that life which would be an infinite happinesse if you thinke me worthy of it Alexis upon this swelling with contentment she tooke her hand and grasping it a little said unto her faire shepherdesse remember where we leave this discourse and we will finish it to morrow as we goe unto your Towne in the mean time be assured that I have a greater inclination and will to love you and serve you than you can tell how to desire The reason why Alexis referred this discourse untill another time was least lookers on should have any suspition had it continued longer besides she could not there hide her blushes and
interrupted them you presse too hard upon my late Servant I must needs take his part and say that inconstancy is better then madnesse since it does not take away the use of reason which doth onely distinguish men from beasts you are mistaken Shepherdesse said Silvander for the disease of Hylas and that of Adrastes are both of them reall maladies but that of Hylas is the worse because all maladies of soule are worse than those of the body As for the reason which you urge it is not considerable for if the cause of a malady doe proceed from some defect in the body yet that body may still be reasonable as we see those who are intoxicated with Wine now the malady of Adrastes doeth doubtlesse proceed from the weaknesse of his braine which is not able to endure the sentence which Leonide gave against him but that of Hylas proceeds from an imperfect judgement which hinders him from discerning good from bad but suffers vices to become habituall And because it is the reasonable soule which gives being unto men and makes them differ from beasts it is better according to your own Arguâ—â—t to be unsound in body than in soule 't is better to be a hansome Horse or a Dog then to be the bare outside of a man without a sound soule because a Horse is a perfect Animall but he who hath a rotten soule and unsound intellectuals is infinitely imperfect and therefore I conclude it is better to be diseased as Adrastes is then as Hylas All the Company did laugh at this conclusion and the noise was so high that it was long before Hylas could be heard And when he began they saw the sage Chrysante who spying them afarre off came to meet them with a great Company of her Virginsâ— therefore putting an end to all disputes they advanced forward to falute her and to doe her all the honour and reverence which was due unto her vertue and profession The Temple of the good Goddesse where the venerable Chrysante resided was at the bottome of a delightful Hill which was washed by the cleere waveâ— of delightfull Lignon and on the other side stood the sacred Grove of the great Tautates In this sumptuous Temple which the Romans dedicated unto Vesta and to the good Goddesse did the vestall Virgins officiate according to the custome of the Romans The venerable Chrysante was the chiefe Governesse though she was a Gallian and of the Druidâ—s order When the Romans under pretence of helping the Heduois whom they termed their friends and confederates did seize upon Gaule and subjected them unto their Republique one principall marke of their victory was to cause their Gods to be adored in all places of their usurpation not thinking themselves intire possessors if they did not interest their Gods and oblige them to their preservation and yet lest they should shew themselves insupportable at the first they permitted the Gaules who adored but one God under the names of Tautates Hesius Tharames and Bellinus to use their ancient customes and live in their old Religion knowing very well that nothing is more intolerable to men then tyrannically to force their beliefe And therefore when they entred into the Dominions of the Segusians they would not alter any of their Customes Manners Government or Religion But when they found in this sacred Grove an Altar dedicated unto a Virgin who should have a Child and that Divinity served by the Daughters of Druids they had much more respect unto it thinking that place was consecrated under another name either unto the good Goddesse in whose service men could not officiate or unto the Goddesse Vesta in whose Temple they were wont to place a statute of a Virgin holding a Child in her Arms Having this opinion not to lessen the honour and service which they rendred unto these two Goddesses whom they held in great reverence they built a Temple unto them both with two Altars alike and to the honour of the good Goddesse they called it Bonleia and to the honour of Vesta they are called Vestals and because the People were infinitely Religious towards the Gods whom they adored not knowing whether these Goddesses would be worshipped after the manner of the Romans or the Gaules and also to content the Inhabitants of the Country they left the Virgin Druids to their ancient Customes and Ceremonies unto whom they gave all authority concerning manners and oeconomique matters And thus was the venerable Chrysante absolute Mistresse of the Virgin Druids and Vestals This Temple was larger and more spacious then seemed to the eye being built in an orbicular some it was covered with lead in the middest and highest part of it was erected a Statute of a Virgin holding a Childe in her Armes in the midst of this Temple was placed two Altars at such equall distance that the one was no further from the middle then the other by the side of either of them there stood an Arke of white Marble supported by three Columnes in which was put all the Fruites which were offered at the doore stood a Bason of water which they called Lustrale in which the Torch which was at the Altar when divine Service was celebrated was first washed and afterwards extinguished When all this Company met the venerable Chrysante it was so early as the morning sacrifice was not then begun and therefore she invited all the faire shepheardesses unto it telling the shepheards that she was sorry to rob them of their good company but she was constrained unto it by the inviolable Ordinance of the Goddesse who commanded that all men should be banished those Altars Paris Calidon and Silvander who were most concerned made answer That they were sorry for the shallow merits of men since that was the cause which moved the Goddesse to thinke them unworthy of that honour and beseeched her and them all that they would not entertaine in their hearts the like hatred against men To which the venerable Chrysante answered That the wise Goddesse had not excluded men their Altars out of any hatred unto them but upon other respects and perhaps to make the Vestalls more attentive in their devotions and their minds not drawn another way by the sight of mens perfections Hylas who had no devotion unto the Gods of his own Country and much lesse unto those who were strangers unto him made answer That if those Goddesses did forbid him to love faire ones Hylas would be none of their Votaries Shepheard said the venerable Chrysante I advise you not to provoke the Gods Upon this word she retired into the Temple because one of the Vestals according to their custome came and cryed three times Hence all prophane ones Hylas therefore could not have time to reply as he intended for as soon shâ— he was entred the doors were shut so as Paris and all the shepheards were forced to goe and wait in the sacred Grove where the Druide was to sacrifice when the Vestalls had done
but they thought they heard Horses trampling in the streets which caused Cryseide and Clarina with their guide to put on their Horses the one way and Arimant with his faithful servant the other The Cavalier by the favour of the night and the thick wood did easily save themselves and the third day came to Vienna betimes where they lodged in the Inne next the Bridge At night asking newes of his Host he heard how King Gondebunt was returned from Gaul Cisalpine loadned with victory and spoil but at his return had received a very great displeasure because an Italâ—an Prisoner with whom he was much in love with had escaped from him and no intelligence could be given of her And to manifest the truth of this said the Host I will shew you the Kings Proclamation to that purpose this day published Then pulling out a great Paper printed he read these words Gondebunt the son of Gondioch King of Burgundy Lord of the Seguanois Lingones Vellaundonois Ambarres Heduois Catalauniques Matisques Alexens Allobroges Basilians Latobriges Sebusians Secusians Secusienses Vabromaines Sedunois Augustes Sallases Centrons Bramovices Ebroduntians Segovellaunians Galloligures Governour of the Alpes Sempronians Jovinians Pennines Coties Sebatians Maritimes c. Unto all to whom this our Will and Pleasure shall come Greeting In as much as there is nothing that more offends a generous courage nor gives it a more just desire of revenge then Ingratitude and Treason And whereas to our great griefe at our return from our long glorious and dangerous voyages we are advertised that Cryseide one of our Prisoners and one upon whom we had showred abundant favours has ungratefuly escaped our Guards which was impossibly for her to doe without the counsell and assistance of some persons ill affected unto us who have perfidiously stoln her away in contempt of our royall Power and Authority For these causes and many others thereunto moving us and by the advice of our Great Councell to chastise such ingratitude and Treason We doe Declare and Promise by the Great God whom we adore by the soul of our most honoured Father and by the majesty of our Crowne That whosoever shall bring unto us this ungratefull Cryseide our fugitive Prisoner or shall reveale him or them who are the cause of her flight or who does perfidiously keep her give her any assistance or favour of what quality nature or condition soever we will grant unto him such favour as he shall aske of us and will not upon any cause ground colour or consideration whatsoever break this our Royal word promise and solemn Oath And we do enjoyne and command all our Sheriffs and other Officers to publish this our Will and Pleasure throughout all our Dominions Given at our Royal Town of Lyons in the Iâ—es of July the second year of our Raign Arimant hearing this Proclamation was in extreame feare lest Cryseide should be known as she entred into the Town especially when the Host continued his discourse and told him that the King had sent persons who knows her unto all Bridges and advenues of Towns This caused him to take Bellaris apart and command him to provide mens habit both for Cryseide and Clarina in all possible haste and as soon as they were ready to carry them that way they were to come that they might so disguise themselves before they entred into the Town Bellaris did as he was appointed and all being ready he went to meet them In the mean time Arimant furnished himselfe with better Cloaths then those he had from Bellaris But fortune who was minded to vex these two generous Lovers yet a little longer and to have greater testimonies of their love and courage did so contrive the matter that at the very same time Bellaris met Cryseide and when she thanked the Gods for Arimants safe arrivall unto Vienna the King Gondebunt being hunting the Hart he rode close by her onely with five or six who followed him and because he observed that as soon as she spyed him she retired her selfe behinde the next bush which stood a little out of the way he followed her onely out of curiosity But Bellaris knowing him at the very first he clapped himselfe flat down upon the ground in a valley which Cryseide could not doe nor Clarina neither because they were on horseback so as the King overtaking her and seeing her in the Gaulish mode he thought at the first that she was some of that Country who because she would be retired went out of the high way but asking her who she was and whither she went as soon as ever she opened her mouth he knew her for though she had the language of Gaul very good yet she had the accent and tone of a stranger And looking a little neerly upon her though she endeavoured to hide her face all that possibly she could Oh Heavens said he it is Cryseide Then lighting from his Horse he ran to embrace her How long is it faire Ladie said he unto her since you first took this disguise What good Angel is it that hath broâ—ght you again into my hands and what Devil was it that took you out of them Poor Cryseide more amazed then is imaginable to see her selfe in the power of him whom she most feared and falne from such a height of happinesse into such a gulph of misery she stood a while and could not answer At the last seeing there was no way to conceal her selfe she resolved to take heart and most couragiously answered thus You ask me Sir when I assumed this habit and disguise and I answer ever since Love did command me And because you call that good Angell who got me out of your hands a Devill I must vindicate his honour and let you know Sir that it is unworthy in so great a King to break both the Lawes of Humanity and the Lawes of Chivalry which commands you to assist relieve and honour Ladies and not to take them Prisoners and keep them against their wills The King hearing the freenesse of Cryseides language and his love not letting him consent unto what he knew was the duty of a Cavalier he answered her Before any should doe you any wrong Madam I will lose both my Crown and my life and in this which I do I intend it for your good and advantage and not to harme or wrong you in the least degree She would have replyed but the King was so over-joyed at this happy encounter and not willing to enter any further into discourse he took her Horse by the bridle and led him into the high-way where taking his own Horse he returned to Lyons presently more contented with this prize then with all his Victories When Cryseide was thus taken Clarina could easily have saved her selfe if she would as well as the Guid but having no mind to leave her she did follow her voluntarily Thus was the sad Cryseide carryed back to Lyons and put amongst the rest of the
as she designed to separate her self from all conversation Fortune would have it so that which way soever she went she met with several encounters for having quitted her self of Delphire and Thaumantes as soon as she was out of their sight looking for the most unfrequented place of all the Wood she had no sooner seated her self under a shady thicket but she heard a stranger sing very neer her singing and the effect of the song was That men are without any amity As soon as Diana heard this voice she had a good mind to go and see who it was but hearing her begin to talk unto her self she thought it best to hear what she said and she heard her say thus What a hard and severe thing it is which Nature hath imposed upon Women that they must not only live amongst their enemies but also be subject unto their Tyrannical Dominion Had she but put a little more strength into our body we had not been subject unto that proud and fierce animal called Man but why did she not as well subject this man unto an Ox or an Horse which are stronger then he as he is stronger then us For if weakness be the cause of our subjection why should not they be subject unto them Nay upon the same reason why should not the weakness of their minds subject them unto our bodies For the strength of their judgements cannot be equal unto the strength of our bodies Is it not an infallible argument of a weak judgement to desire a thing most passionately and mediately not to desire it Which is he amongst men that has not deceived her that trusted in him Shew me the man who makes it a matter of conscience to keep his word his promises nay his very oaths and execrations when he intends to deceive They think their disloyalty is handsomly covered when they say that the Gods will not punish the oaths of perjured Lovers It is true indeed they do not punish them immediately upon the very act but yet they defer it only because they will punish them according to their merits altogether there is not a man breathing upon the face of the earth that does not swear and protest and vow and yet his intention is quite contrary their designes are meer Chimeras empty clouds one is no sooner begun but another seconds it and quite obliterates the first their promises and their oaths resemble great claps of thunder whose noise is no sooner ended but no more is heard of it what God is there whom they will not call to witness What curse will they not call for upon themselves And what assurance will they not give when they would obtain any thing of us But when the humour of it is past or when they have obtained what they desire who cares for any performances of promise or fears any curses they called upon themselves But presently seek out for excuses to avoid those chastisements which they deserve they are the very Pests of the earth the most imperfect works of the Gods sent only for our punishments and eternal torment Diana who heard every sillable that this Shepherdess spoke and thought all alluded unto Sylvander she approved of all she said and going to her with a desire to see her face she could not tread so softly but she made such a noise that the stranger heard her who thinking at the first that it was some man out of a hatred unto the very name she would have gone away but afterwards perceiving it was a Shepherdess she stayed but looked about her with such an affrighted countenance and wild eye as testified the words of her mouth proceeded from her heart Diana seeing her in this condition and thinking her astonishment proceeded from the same cause that her own perplexities did â—he began to pity her and saluting her with a kind aspect offered all the assistance and service she was able The stranger seeing her so fair and full of curtesie began to leave her affrighted and wild looks and assume her ordinary countenance and temper After she had saluted Diana and thanked her for her courteous offers she answered thus I am very willing and desirous Fair Shepherdess to render the same services unto you which you out of your goodness are pleased to offer unto me and wish with all my heart I were able to second my desires with real performances as your civility does oblige me but as the case is with me I must now be all upon the craving side and not only beg your assistance but also that remedy which by the appointment of the Gods I come to look for in this Country Assure your self answered Diana that you will find none here who will not be very ready to do you any service but I believe you will not find any here so vain as to think themselves able to Counsel others the innocent simplicity of our words will not permit so much arrogance to be amongst us Yet two things replied the stranger makes me hope well in my voyage the one that the Gods are no lyars nor breakers of their promises but have left that quality unto men The other is because my first encounter in this Country is a very good omen that I shall find what I look for your beauty your civility and your prudent expressions makes me hope for a happy success in my voyage The Gods indeed answered Diana are no lyars nor deceivers but sometimes they are pleased to render their Oracles so full of obscurity that men do often mistake and deceive themselves in the interpretation as for any thing that relates unto me I wish fair Shepherdess that the meeting may prove as serviceable unto you as it is pleasing unto me and as I desire to serve you If there be any thing in this Country which you think conducible unto your contentment I beseech you tell it unto me and if without prejudice to your self you may tell me what occasion brought you hither and what reason you have to enveigh so much against men Upon this the stranger stood mute a while and looked upon the ground at the last lifting up her head with a sad sih she returned this answer The question which you ask Fair Shepherdess is so reasonable that I will very willingly give you satisfaction knowing very well that the patient must discover his disease unto that Phisitian from whom he desires a remedy but before I trouble you with a hearing of it I beseech you satisfie my curiosity and tell me whether you be not either Astrea or Diana for one of my greatest inducements unto the voyage was my hopes of so much happiness as to be acquainted with those two Shepherdesses as well by sight as by those reports which Fame gives of them There may be many Shepherdesses in this Country answered Diana blushing whose names may be Diana and perhaps some one of them more favoured by the Heavens above the rest so as the name of Diana
woman of whom we speak is impossible as well because it shall never be said that I am unconstant as because it would be an unpardonable error to see so much merits and not love them But to cut the thred as even as I can betwixt you I will love this changeling still but I will love her only for your sake Perhaps I should be satisfied with this promise if I did understand it replied Astrea My meaning is replied Alexis That I will love her only because I am certain that when you do know her you will love her as well as I do and if it do not prove so then I protest that I will not love her But Servant I remember you once told me that you did love a Shepherd I beseech you let me know who that happy man is for if our amity continue as I make no question but it will then it is not reasonable we should live together as we are resolved to do and let any thing be concealed from each other Though Alexis had a great desire to know the cause of his Banishment yet this question came out before she was well aware otherwise her fears of a sharp answer would doubtless have stopped her mouth But the word being out and past recal she expected Astreas answer as a sentence of either life or death The Shepherdess on the other side or rather the new Druide she was a little troubled at this question and knew not well what answer to return but at last after she had stood a while mute she returned this answer with a deep sigh Ah Mistris you command me to tell you a thing which hath cost me many a bitter tear and the very memory of it cannot come into my mind without much sad resentment But since I am forced unto it by your command I will shut up my sorrows within my soul and tell you because I have made a vow never to disobey you Know therefore Mistris that the name of this Shepherd whom I loved is Celadon and an enmity that was betwixt our Families was not able to give any stop unto the affection that was between us but when we were in our highest hopes of a happy conclusion Death did ravish him away from amongst men and made me a widdow before I was married This Mistris is it that hath cost me a Sea of Tears and I beseech you pardon me that I make no longer a relation of it unto you for besides that I think it both out of season and impertinent also I desire you to have so much pity upon your Servant as not to open a wound which perhaps will never be cured and which is the most sensible that ever any received Alexis might well have been contented with this answer but his extream desire to know the full cause of his misery urged him to go further and say I am very sorry Servant I should be any cause of your sad resentments but you may think that this my curiosity is no small testimony of my affection to you and therefore if this consideration have any influence upon your soul I beseech you tell me why and how this Shepherd died when he was at the very top of all his hopes Ah Mistris said Astrea you touch the wound where it is most sore and yet let the pain be what it will I cannot disobey you When Astrea was ready to satisfie the Druide they were at the end of the long Walk and when they turned back they spied the Shepherdess Diana at the other end who was coming to them purposely to avoid the sight of Sylvander Astrea was very glad of this encounter which would serve her for an excuse in not satisfying the curiosity of Alexis who desiring to have no witnesses was the first which entreated her to defer this discourse until another time Presently after Diana came unto them with a countenance that spoke the displeasure she had received by meeting with Sylvander And because this alteration was very apparent Astrea and Alexis perceived it as soon as ever they saw her This moved Alexis to ask her whether she was not well to whom she answered yes but was on the contrary much delighted at the discourse of Hylas against Beauty But said she he found a more easie Antagonist of Corilas then he will of Sylvander Sylvander said Astrea is he in the Country Yes answered Diana faintly he came just as I came away and I saw all the company preparing themselves to hear him Then Astrea smiled and turned towards Alexis Mistris said she unto her you need not ask Diana whether she be ill for I know from whence proceeds that alteration which we observed in her face The reason of it is said Diana because I made such haste in coming to you and indeed I have not found my self of late so well as I was wont to be This excuse replied Astrea cannot hide it from us nor will our amity permit you should be thus close unto us Do you not consider said Diana in whose presence you are Very well replied Astrea both what I say and in whose presence But my Mistris is pleased to allow us so much liberty and freedom that you ought not to use any such distimulations and disguisements which it seems you would hide your self withal both from her and me Servant said Alexis and smiled unless you will have me accuse you of the same fault for which you blame Diana you will tell me openly what it is that she dissembles Mistris answered Astrea presently I cannot conceal any thing which you have a desire to know but lest this Shepherdess should have any reason to complain against me I beseech you command me and I will tell you Then I command you said Alexis with all the power that you have given me over you Astrea offering to speak Diana put her hand before her mouth and hindered her But Astrea putting her hand away and pulling Alexis betwixt them Diana said she though it cost me my life I will obey my Mistris in all her commands Madam said Diana Do not either hear or believe her for she cannot tell you any thing either of truth or worth your hearing But if you please you may spend your time much better in hearing the disputes between Hylas and Sylvander which cannot chuse but be very pleasant since your self is concerned in it for the Dispute is betwixt your Beauty and Stellas We will do so said Alexis since you will have us though neither Astrea nor I have any great confidence in our new Habits and as we go Astrea shall tell us what it is which you are so shye in imparting to us I would not have her tell you Fancies and Imaginations for truths replied Diana especially such imaginations as cannot be told without much offence Then Alexis taking in each hand one they walked that way from whence Diana came And Astrea began thus Sister said she you will be soon offended if
are not ignorant of it Alexis and Astrea began to laugh at the manner of Phillis in her expressions and Diana her self could not forbear although she endeavoured to hide it and therefore recollecting her self she answered thus I must confess Sister that I did blush to hear you speak thus especially before this great Druide what opinion do you think she will entertain of me who has not had the honour to be known unto her till of late But Madam said she and turned towards Alexis do not believe what this Shepherdesse doth say for all is but in jest and she her self does not think as she speaks Alexis would have answered and so would Phillis but they were so near Astreas house that they were constrained to change discourse lest Phocion should hear whom they saw at the door and who conducted them in where supper was ready upon the table During all the time of the repast nothing was discoursed upon but the accident of the day a passage so unaccustomed in that Country that Phocion said in all his time he never heard of the like unlesse that of Philander when a stranger offered to wrong Diana Alas alas said she that indeed was a day the most disasterous that Lignon had seen of a long time for since the death of him and Philidas I am sure that my contentment has been but a little I assure you said Astrea fortune will play her game out amongst us humanes every where as well in the Country as in great Cities and as well in Cottages as rooâ—s of Cedar and gilded Palaces of Princes alas Sister you observe the 〈◊〉 day when Philidas died because in hapned upon your occasion there is ano◠〈◊〉 that has good cause to remember another accident I have not forgot that 〈◊〉 â—hen Celadon drowned himself for then I lost a Father and Mother and am able to say and say truly that my eyes were never dry since as oft as I remembred that fatal mis-fortune And I said Alexis may say as much and almost about the same time at least if reports make a true calculation But these sad remembrances are the most cruel enemies we have and therefore for my part knowing them to be so I shun them as much as possibly I can Oh Mistris said Astrea It is an easie matter for you to expel such sad remembrances of things which grieve you for you have a good Father who loves you and helps you out with supplies of comforts but were you an orphan deprived of Father and Mother as I am I believe you would more deeply resent the remembrance of such fatal losses but however I have most just reason to be thankful unto Heaven which after so great a loss has not left me without some support in giving me a second Father unto whom I am obliged in double bonds of gratitude but for all that believe it Mistris it is a most sad constraint that separates a child from Father and Mother Upon this Phocion began to speak It is most certain children said he for so my age permits me to call you that fortune has the same power in all places alike and that she is pleased to make her power known as well in Villages as in great Monarchies But it is true also that as high and lofty Towers are more exposed to the tearing tempests and blustering winds then the humble Cottages wherein we live so also we do more seldom see any of these bloody consequences of fortune amongst us they are much more frequent in great Empires and proud Republiques which the more rest and quiet they have the fuller they are of motions and inquietudes and of greater turbulencies then our poor Villages are capable of so as what we esteem a storm is with them a calm This was the main reason why those from whom we are descended did chuse this kind of life as the most happy which mortals can make choise of But for all that replied Alexis I do hear as many complaints and griefs amongst you as amongst the greatest Potents upon earth So children answered Phocion do use to cry for the losse of an apple as if it were the losse of a great Empire For my part said Diana and interrupted I do not think sorrows are greater for having the greater causes of them but that is least which is least resented Most true replied Phocion it is so in regard unto the troubled soul but not so if it be resented and measured according to the right rules of reason for then every thing will be resented and esteemed as it is and oftentimes when the passion is ceased we do laugh at that at which we cryed before but all our discourse said Phocion seeing them ready to rise from the Table does teach us this that there is no place under the cope of Heaven which is entirely exempted from the blows of fortune and that we ought alwayes to stand upon our guards against them that when they come to assault us we may not only resist them but also without taking the shadow for the substance which is commonly the greater we may measure them according to reason and not with any partial resentments of those blows which we receive nor with too many tears which seldom do any good but with prudence reason moderation and patience Upon this they arose from the Table and after some other such Discourse bed-time being come the Druide and the three Shepherdesses retired themselves to their chamber On the other side Dorinde and her companions with those that conducted them went unto Marselles and endeavoured to beguil the length of the way and the perplexities of the sad Dorinde with various and pleasant discourse But Hylas who led her by the arm and was not much used to give way unto any melancholy dumps not being able to endure her silence for when others talked she was mute I pray good long since Mistris said he unto her how long must this simple silence last My long since Servant said she and smiled I beseech you pardon me for I am in a very naughty humour and cannot help it These dumpish humours replied he are allowable in any that have not a Hylas by them but in you who has me so near you it is a fault unpardonable and therefore resolve your self to leave one or the other for sorrow and I cannot be together I wish replied she that I were in a better mood and you should see 〈…〉 I desire it therefore I pray tell me what you would have me do Eith◠〈◊〉 â—and me said Hylas to relate the adventures which have hapned unto me 〈◊〉 saw you or else tell me yours for such and so many various actions has befallen me that you cannot hear them but be delighted I will promise not to make you any sadder then you are and commonly it is more delightful to hear the adventures of others then to tell their own No. said Thamires and began to speak it is more