me so much ill will from my Lady your Sister as I am afraid the King should remove me from her service and yours also Say he should replyed Rosanira would you continue serving me Nay Madam answered he both alive and dead that resolution shall never alter But say I would have it for said she would you disobey me If your Will Madam replyed he were stronger then Destiny you might do what you pleased but since it is not most certainly you would be disobeyed in that Then replyed the Princess you shall never by my consent leave my service Upon this fearing lest her Sister or some other should come in upon them she retired giving him a gentle blow with her hand upon his cheek as a gage of that promise which she had made unto him with which he was so well satisfied that he was highly contented with his fortune And as he increased in age he encreased also in affection of which the vertues of the Princess and continual conversation with her was both Mother and Nurse Yet knowing himself to be a slave he durst not presume so high as to discover any such thing On the other side Rosanira though she feigned otherwise yet was she not quite exempted from passion yet her haughty spirit would not allow her to love one that was unknown and this consideration was a great stop to the growth of her affection All the leave that she gave unto her self freely was to grieve and lament as oft as she considered the baseness of his fortune A little while after the King seeing him to be every way very handsome had a desire to have him wait upon the young Ariontes and so have him more in his eye but fate which had designed him for other imployments did afford him such a glorious occasion to shew himself as the like is not upon the Theater of the whole universe The King Policander being one that did abominate all ease and idleness did much delight in hunting one day as he was chasing a Hart through a thick wood a lion rushed out so near the King that his horse extremely affrighted began to turn about and so unhappily that he fell backward with the pomel of the saddle against the Kings brest so as the King being under his horse he was not able to disengage himself The horse was run through the body by the Kings sword so as he died presently the King also received a little wound in his thigh all those that followed the King were so affrighted by this fierce beast which they knew very well being the greatest and most furious of all those the King kept in iron cages and was escaped out that they were all glad that their horses were affrighted and in lieu of holding them in they spurred them away as fast as they could The fair slave only lighting from his horse he ran towards the King and in such a happy nick of time that he got between the Lion and him when this fiery animal was with open mouth ready to devour him but the courageous boy without more ado drew his sword and wielded it so happily that he ran the Lion to the heart but for all that though the sword was in the midst of his heart yet this furious animal in dying did give his valiant enemy such a wound upon his shoulder with one of his claws as might very well have dispatched him At the first the fair slave staggered and afterwards fell some five or six paces distant from his dead enemy but though his wound was great and his fall violent yet half astonished he presently got up again and ran betwixt the King and the Lion apprehending him still alive He stayed so a while and seeing the furious animal now tame enough he run to help the King who was striving to get himself from under his horse and with much ado he helped him up but when he spied the bloud to run from the Kings thigh O Sir said he you are wounded and with tears in his eyes would have held him up Policander who had more courage then to be daunted at any dangers did admire the valour and affection of this young boy fair slave said he and embraced him thou hast not this day imployed thy courage for an ungrateful master and till a better occasion offer it self ask what thou wilt and I swear by my fathers soul it shall not be denied The slave kneeled down Sir said he unto him it is your own goodness to acccept of this service which I have done you but alas Sir both this and all that I am able to do are but tributes of that seruice which I ow and I dare not pretend unto any recompence An act so generous as this replied the King argues the height of merit and cannot be equall'd by any recompence and therefore I command thee to ask something that may argue me not ungrateful Sir replied he the gods do not measure they benefits the bestow upon us according to our merits but their own good will and pleasure and knowing that in this you are pleased to imitate them I dare presume since you command me to ask of you that which is most dear unto me and that is my liberty not that I desire ever to be out of the honour of your commands but to testifie unto you for the future that it is my own free will and desire to serve you as long as I live The King who thought he would have asked some great summ of money or other matter of profit did still more and more admire the Generosity and Magnanimity of his courage and embracing him again yes said he your request is granted you are from this hour free and in testimony of it you shall receive the honour of knighthood as soon as we are returned unto Avarick and though in any other your age would not permit it for he was then not above eighteen yet in you your courage and fortune requires it In the mean time most of those that ran away for fear returned and finding the Lion dead they were ashamed that so young a boy should have more courage and resolution then themselves and durst hardly look the King in his face but when they saw what extraordinary favours the King did unto him then every one swelled with envy for noble actions does cause envy in the souls of base people and emulation in â—enerous spirits The King who desired only to invite others unto well doing by the example of this valiant youth as soon as he came into Averick he made this slave a Knight and although their wounds would not give them leave to use much ceremony yet would he needs have the Princesses Cephise and Rosanira with all the Ladies to be present He himself put on his spurrs and girt him with a sword and kissing him commanded the Princess Rosanira to do the like which she did with much willingness and contentment when all Ceremonies were performed the
suffered himself to be besieged in Vienna where afterwards he was taken and lost his life by the Kings just command and though this punishment was no more then due yet the wound smarts still in the heart of Clotilda and I do not think it will ever heal or be forgotten so as she will most certainly do the King all the displeasure she can and therefore your Mistris must be sure to speak nothing of it unto her unless she will ruin the whole businesse Indeed said Duriana you have imparted a thing which I am very glad to know for it is of great importance and I perceive by your expressions you desire I should interest my self in the business which I promise you to do as well because I shall be glad to give you any contentment as because if the Kings intention be so as you say it will be so great and honour and advancement unto my Mistris as I must needs say she is ill advised if she refuse it Within a few dayes I shall tell you more and in the mean time take special care least the business be discovered until it be fully resolved upon for publication of it may be a great impediment to the progresse This was the Discourse betwixt Ardilan and Duriana who believed all for most infallible truths and I have since found the saying of my Father to be most true which was that if any Prince have a design to deceive another he must first deceive the Embassadour which is employed betwixt them because he once having an opinion that what is told him is true wel invent reasons and expressions to imprint belief better then he could if he had lyed So Duriana believing my marriage as a matter most certain and foreseeing future grandures upon me and her self above al hopes I knew she watched for an opportunity of talk with me but thinking it to be only about some domestique affaires and never dreaming she could know any thing of this business I did not give her that opportunity she longed for Yet at night when we were al alone because I did love her for the fidelity and affection to me and seeing her so desiring to speak unto me wel Duriana said I unto her what news have you to tel me She answered with a smile news Madam unto you it may be none said she but unto me it was news and news which gave me abundance of contentment when I heard it good Duriana said I unto her what dost thou mean for my part I do not understand thee Madam replied she you do but dissemble when you say so but do you think there is any under the Cope of Heaven that loves you better then I I protest Madam I wil not yeild unto that love which you hear unto your self and yet you are pleased to conceale your self from Duriana From Duriana I say who to serve you would forsake Father Mother and al the kindred she has in the world I could justly complain against you if I would but I dare not sin so far as to disapprove of any thing you do I protest said I unto her and smiled I know of no cause you have to complain against me I protest answered she again you do not speak as you think but Madam why should you hide a thing from me which I desire so much to know but do you think I am ignorant of it Mistake not your self perhaps I knew more particulars of it then your self Good Duriana said I unto her what is it that you mean Wel said she since you wil have me tel you that which you should have told me long since I wil upon condition that you conceal nothing hereafter from your most faithful Duriana Do you think Madam I do not know that thanks be to God the King is in love with you With me answered I and laid my hand upon her mouth be silent you fool and say no more I see you talk you know not what Duriana went back a pace or two talk I know not what replied she Yes yes assure your self I do know what I say and know it very wel and must tel you again that it is your own fault if you be not Queen of the Burgundians At this word Queen I blusht and holding one hand before my face I think said I unto her that you are out of your wits and if any heard us they would think us both so I see replied she that none does hear us but believe me were I in your room the business should be quickly concluded say and do what you will if you refuse such a favour from fortune she wil never offer you the like again How Mistris May be Queen of the Burgundians and wil not You say I am mad but if you refuse such a fortune I wil say you are ten times madder This she continued a long while and I seeing her affection and manner of expression could not chuse but smile which when she saw she grew half angry and shaking her head said unto me Wel wel Mistris you laugh now at what I say but I dare venture a good wager that if you wil not believe me we shal see you ere long with tears in your eyes I could not forbear laughing out right at this which caused her to be angry in good earnest and would have gone away swearing that since I so mocked her she would never speak to me of any business again nor tel me any thing she heard But I being desirous to hear what she could tel me and what she knew I catched hold of her saying Why Duriana wil you not let me laugh when you tel me any thing that pleaseth me Do you think that to be a Queen is such bad news as to make me cry when I hear it The truth is you tel it in such a manner as I cannot tel whether you be in earnest or in jest come come tel me the whole story of the business and how you come to know of it Madam replied she let me then tel you truly that King Gondebaut will make you Queen of the Burgundians if you will and that presently unless you your self hinder it What good ' Duriana said I unto her should I do to bring this to passe Only marry the King answered she who loves you above his life How came you to know thus much said I unto her nay nay answered she presently you shall not know that tiâ—l you tell me whether you will have him to your husband or no for if you refuse the offer why should you desire to know any more of it Canst thou doubt Duriana said I unto her that I will not receive the Crown of the Burgundians most willingly if there be any likelyhood of getting it Surely I were out of my wits if I did but the fault is not in my will but the Kings who perhaps is only in jest The King answered she is not in jest but if you will behave your self as you
because it hath been seen I believe Madam said he that if I do not see it my self it will retain its vigour for you see that though the King have looked upon it yet I do not bleed again as I did before I am glad of it answered Rosanira because I cannot make it any more for the condition of the Receipt is such that it cannot be made above twice for one person Rosilion did very well understand she meant that he should write no more this way and yet he could not chuse but answer her 't is hard the favours which we receive from the Gods should be always so conditioned that we can enjoy them but a while The favours of the Gods replyed she ought to be desired no further then in cases of necessity and we ought not to grumble because we have them not in abundance The King did hear these words and Cephise also but understood them not so presently after he retired and commanded all those that were about Rosilion to have as great a care of him as if he were the Prince Ariontes his Son and by fortune as the King went out the Prince came in who meeting his Sisters going away he carried them back for company which pleased Policander very well for he was desirous all manner of favours should be shewed unto this Cavalier to invite others to follow his example in valour Rosilion received the Prince with all due respects and after he had kissed his hand for so great a favour Sir said he unto him the honour you are pleased this day to confer upon me is so great as makes me ashamed of my little merit But since he is not ungrateful who though unable to satisfie as he ought yet strives to do all he can so I assure the Prince Ariontes that for these extraordinary favours Rosilian shall never be branded with that odious name since I do from this very day dedicate all the days of my life not to exonerate my self of this debt because it is impossible but in doing you all the services that a man can do unto his Master and Lord. Rosilion answered the Prince your blood employed in the preservation of the King my father can never be fully recompenced as well for the generosity wherewith you spilt it as for the great service you have done and the whole State in it assure your self that it shall never be forgot And because he would have replyed and the Prince not pleased to use more words of ceremony he interrupted him and embracing him said you may Rosilion overcome me in good language but never in testimonies of affection And going to a Chyrurgion who stood at the Beds feet he expostulated with him concerning the state of his health and whether his wound was dangerous whilst Cephise and Rosanira staying with him did hinder one another for if I be not much mistaken Cephise loved him as well as Rosanira but because she always saw he had a greater inclination to her Sister she durst not shew it and Rosanira who saw it did keep the matter as secret from her as from any other As these two Sisters were sitting silently for fear of one another Ariontes called Cephise to shew unto her the terrible claws of the Lyon which had wounded Rosilion which indeed were as sharp as any needles so Rosanira remaining alone with him and Rosilion to acknowledge his extream obligations Oh God Madam said he unto her when will Fortune give me leave to employ this life which you have preserved in your service If you think you are obliged to me said she for the Receipt which I sent you I do acquit you of it and think my self very well paid by what you have done in lieu of it assuring you that I was never in my life so affrighted as when the King was so impertinently desirous to see it You might very well think Madam said Rosilion that if your Receipt had been there I would sooner have lost my life then suffer a sight of it But Madam continued he I most humbly beseech you to ordain the way in which it is your pleasure I should behave my self You may find those directions said she in the last Receipt she returned this answer in haste because she saw the Prince and Cephise returning and the better to dissemble it as they came she went to see the Lyon which though dead was a most dreadful sight Presently after taking his leave they both followed him and the Princess had no conveniency of talk with Rosilion But Madam I am afraid I shall be too tedious in relation of all the success but I thought it necessary to acquaint you with the beginning of Rosaniras and Rosilions love for indeed they did already love each other though they durst not tell it but still were in hopes that hereafter the fortune and valour of this Cavalier might haply be such as they might marry And in the mean time the wound of Rosilion causing him to keep his Bed a long while did give Rosanira an opportunity of longer discourse with him For Cephise busying her self with looking upon some Pictures she left her alone with him and Rosilion not to let such an opportunity slip Madam said he if my tongue durst utter any complaint against you or my soul consent unto it I think I should be a little angry with my Fairest Princess Take heed Rosilion answered she your anger be not without a cause for if you do well consider my Receipt certainly you will confess that it was beyond your desires at least your hopes But I must confess that in this I was a little too free and perhaps had I well considered with my self I had not sent it since men are of such a temper that they must not be too far acquainted with our good wills unto them for they are all apt to be transported with too much vanity or contentment and to fancy many things that were never thought upon drawing conclusions from thence that are very disadvantageous to us Is it your pleasure Madam replied Rosilion I should think that the favours you have conferred upon me were done without your consideration No said Rosanira but on the contrary I would have you know that if I had not done as I did I should have blamed my self but I say that it was done without any debate with my self for I was so transported with joy to hear that the King was delivered from so great a danger and that it was by the valour of Rosilion as without any consult I suffered my hand to intimate my joyes unto you Then Madam replied Rosilion should those expressions which you are pleased infinitly beyond my merit to make work in me any of those effects you mention I should think my self the most unworthy man that ever lived upon the earth but Madam I did not draw any such consequencies or hopes as you are pleased to say from them nay on the contrary your favour so far
perform all my commands as to be out of that place where he had received so sad a loss Now you must know that this Amerina and this Lideas were of them of the best Families amongst all the Neustrians and exceedingly beloved and allied so as the noise of this accident was presently spread through all Rothomagues and the Temple was so full of people that one could hardly stir in it for it was an accident of such admiration as moved every one to come and see us They had laid us upon the ground one by another and cast a cloth over our faces whilst all about us wept some for love some for pity and many for company They were ready to carry us into a Vault where the Ancestors of Amerina and Lideas were entombed when a Physitian came thrusting through the croud and addressed himself unto one that stood by us Friend said he in a loud voice is this Lidies who lies under that cloth The same answered the man By what accident did he die asked the Physitian Alas answered he both he and this woman who lies by him did voluntarily poyson themselves No no said the Physitian they are not dead let some water and vinegar be fetched and by the help of Tautates I shall recover them Many were ready to run for these remedies and when they were brought the Physitian rubbed our Temples with Vinegar and put some into our Noses and afterwards threw water into our faces This did awake us presently as out of a deep sleep but so astonished that we knew not where we were the candles about us for it was grown night and the admiration of all the people who came to see us that for half an hour together we still seemed to be out of our wits At last we were carried to our Lodgings where we understood from the Physitian that it was he from whom I had the potion and because he feared I intended some hurt in lieu of poyson he gave this Dormative for which he was much commended by all that heard him But though this composition was not mortal yet it made us very ill many days and Anderina worse then I being of a weaker constitution This sickness was a great contentment unto me for it gave me time to think what I should do Amerinas kinred were all extreamly offended that I should rather chuse death then living with their Cosin conceiving that this disdain could proceed from no other cause but from an ill opinion which I had of Amerina so as addressing themselves unto her they asked her what occasion she had given me to hate her so extreamly And told her that our Qualities were equal that she had given me my life and that formerly I loved her so very passionately as they could not imagine that this alteration in me proceeded from some fault which I had discovered in her and that it could be no less then the loss of her honour if it were so and that if they came to know of it let her expect no less then severe punishment for being a stain unto a Family so noble They added many other menaces unto which Amerina answered rather with tears then words yet excused her self from all those imputations as well as she could and assured her self that her innocence would defend her against all calumny so as the next morning she came unto me and acquainted me with all these reproaches of her kinred By fortune my thoughts were at that time upon Silvia and grieving at her absense I spoke so loud that when she came to the door she heard me complain of my absense from her and name Silvia several times Amerina had so much patience as to hearken and durst hardly breath for fear of being perceived so desirous was she to know the cause of that alteration which she thought to be in me And when she heard me lament the absense of a Lady and name Silvia she presently conceived that some new affection had blasted mine unto her and being more offended at this then at all the reproaches of her kinred she violently pushed open the door and entred into the chamber so troubled that she could hardly bid me good morrow and yet civility rather then any good will invited her unto it and to reply thus never staying for the return of her salute Why said she should I salute a person who is the cause of so much sadness to my soul Cruel Lidias if there be any spark of that name remaining in me as when thou didst once love me Is it possible thy inconstant humour should thus separate thee from me as to deprive thee both of judgement and reason Hast thou thus forgot all thy oaths and vows of fidelity Dost thou not consider how thou art obliged unto me for thy life Can thy new taken-up affection unto Silvia thus blind thy eyes But tell me most insensible mad man for that 's the name best suits with thy nature why shouldst thou not marry me since thou canst not live without me Must I refer thee again to the claws of Lyons from whence I have once rescued thee Dost think thy valour can keep thee always alive Oh Lidias didst thou know how many there are and how fierce and cruel the very thought would make thee tremble they will pull thee in a thousand pieces thy heart and thy intrals will be viewed by all the spectators oh Lidias What a most horrid and gastly sight will this be and how impossible is it to avoid it Canst thou think fortune will alwaies fight for thee Oh Lidias Do not deceive thy self Consider that she is a woman and that thou wert always wont to say that inconstancy is a quality inseparably incident unto our sex and though she be a goddess yet is she subject unto that imperfection Alas Lidias dost thou not know that as a goddess she is just and since so she will most infallibly punish thy injustice O heaven defend my dearest Lidias from such misfortunes at least to favour me so far as to take me first out of the world that I may never see it upon these words she broke into a flood of tears and with much ado uttered these words However cruel man though thou wilt not take me to be thy wife yet seem as if thou didst to save thy life afterwards do with me what thou wilt have some pity upon thy own self and assure thy self thy approaching torment does more trouble me then does thy scorn and I shall endure that better then thy death She uttered these words with so many sighs and tears that I understood her better by her meaning then by them At last when she was silent I answered her Fair and mistaken Amerina said I all those horrid torments of which you have spoken can never make me break that faith which I have promised I will not now mention that gross errour wherein you are for I see it is to no purpose I have said so much
I could I could not for my heart get you out of it Stella who expected to hear somthing that would offend her now hearing that he complained only against her Image and that he accused her of a thing unto which her very thought was not so much as accessory she broke out into such a fit of laughter as made all the rest laugh for company at which the Shepherd being netled well well said he laugh on Stella as this first harm you have done me but I swear by my self for that is now the only person whom I love that I will never give you any cause to laugh at any harm you shall ever do to me again Hylas spoke this in a very serious manner and Stella still laughed more and more testifying by her actions that she repented of nothing of what she had either said or done I promise you Shepherd said she that I shall neither laugh nor cry at either your good or bad fortune and it shall be the least of my cares whether you be dead or alive Hylas did not hear these last words because he was walked to the other end of the room in a melancholy study and sitting down near the bed of Alexis he heard Alexis say unto him Hylas what do you think upon I am thinking answered he upon whom I should bestow that heart which I have taken from Stella and that which most troubles me is that truly I do not know a woman that better deserves it then she Then said Celidea You cannot do better then to bestow it upon her again and I assure my self she is not of such a marble composition but she will melt and receive it Your advice replyed the Shepherd is good and the better because it suits with my inclination as soon as he had said so he went and cast himself at the feet of Stella and taking her hand by force he kissed it and said If our Laws and conditions fair Shepherdess were tyrannical it were injustice to observe them and I believe I should sin against you the first minute I began to put them into use but since they aim at nothing but liberty and since they are of your own establishment I hope I shall not be condemned if I put them into practise Now Mistris the same Law that allows me to take away my heart when I will does allow you to receive it again when you please I do now present it unto you again and swear by the Moon by the winds and by all the waves of the Sea that I will never again revoke it Upon this Hylas kissed her hand again and Stella after a seeming denial was at last constrained to remit him into grace being condemned unto it by all the company All this while Celadon durst not speak left if should be inconvenient unto him but he took much delight in this passage between Hylas and Stella Diana only and Sylvander seemed sad and indeed both their souls were so full that they had much ado to hide it It was happy for them that all the windows of Celadons chamber were shut so as it being very dark and being near each other Silvander not to let such an opportunity of discourse with his Mistris to slip he began thus How does the fairest Diana You look me-thinks as if your mind were afflicted with some new sorrows My sorrows answered she are not more grievous then ordinary nor worth the talking of but I shall be glad to know from whence proceeds those sorrows which I see in your countenance more then were accustomed My countenance then replyed Sylvander is more eloquent then I am since it can better speak my sorrows then my self and since you command me tell you the cause he pleased Mistresse to know that my sorrows are the legitimate children of your discontentments I shall much complain against the badness of my humour said the Shepherdess since it is the cause of yours and I said the Shepherd shall much commend my humour for being conformable unto yours And from hence fairest Mistress you may draw an argument which testifies my affection and the power which you have upon me since it is impossible I should be any otherwise then as you would have me Did your Fortune depend upon me said Diana and were I the disposer of Scepters and Crowns I do esteem your merit at that night that I would make you the Monarch of all the world The glory of being your Slave answered Silvander is deares unto me then an Empire but my dearest Shepherdess shall I not know the cause of your sorrows You will know it but too soon answered she both for your contentment and my own Let not the harm which can happen unto me said Silvander hinder you from telling me what it is for considering my condition I am to fear the worst an unknown vagabond without support of Parents or any hopes to accomplish my desires unlessâ— in death which is the end of all things I am a man the least of all men in Fortunes favour and I can justly say that the gods can take nothing from me but the favour of Diana Though they do not take my favour from you replied the Shepherdesse yet they will rob you of all hopes in receiving any fruits of that favour for at which word she stope and fetched a deep sigh at which Silvander was much troubled I Mistresse said he I beseech you go on the end of your discourse cannot be more sad unto me then the beginning which of it self is enough to make me die For Paris replied she will no sooner be returned but he must marry Diana in saying so she took a handkerchief out of her pocket and turning aside left the Shepherd should see her she began to drive up those tears which she could not restrain Silvander who had no less cause for tears then she yet he constrained himself for seeing such a fit opportunity of talk he thought the time better imployed that way then in tears he told then that the misfortune which the Oracle did threaten unto him was not absolutely without a remedy if love or the consideration of his services did oblige her to have pity upon him Diana then speaking lower lest they should be heard Shepherd said she unto him I must needs confesse that I ow all manner of affection unto that good will which you have expressed unto me and let me tell you freely that my affection unto you shall go as far as ever honour will permit me but consider how far that is and you will find that if my mother be resolved to give me unto Paris it is impossible for me to disobey her Certainly said Silvander she will never force you unto it the virtue of Belinde is repugnant unto such Tyranny But said Diana if she do express her desires only of having it so is not her will a perfect command unto me What desires soever she expresseth replied the Shepherd your consent is
having told him in what manner Leonide made him known unto his Shepherdesse Now said he this cruel and ungratfull woman in lieu of ever considering the testimonies which she had received of my love and obedience she commanded me to die and that so peremptorily as it is impossible but I must needs obey her Now that which I desire from you sage Silvander is that you would be pleased to take so much paines as to go tell Lycidas from me that I desire him as he loves me not to trouble himself at my death nor to take any revenge upon Astrea for the crimes which her rigour hath committed against him and against me In the mean time I will go and content that in humain woman and expose my self unto the rage of those Lyons and unicornes which guard the enchanted fountain that I may in some sort oblige posteritie and give Silvander himself the delight of knowing how truely and sincerly he is beloved by his Shepherdesse Diana Upon this Alexis was silent and Silvander who during her discourse had time to recollect his spirits and to confirm himself in a beleif that it was really Celadon who spoke unto him he took him about the neck and embracing him Oh heavens Celadon said he is it possible I should before I die be so happy as to see you again In saying so teares dropped from his eyes and afterwards continuing no no Celadon said he it is by no meanes just that the anger or rather the ill humour of Astrea should cause the ruine of the most amiable Shepherd in all Forrests Live live Celadon live for Astrea and let me alone to accomplish the design which you intended Let me die for my fidelity is pure enough and the same advantage which you willed me by your death you may receive from mine Nay nay Silvander replied Alexis live you for Astrea Alas alas replied the Shepherd why should I do so since Diana lives only unto Paris Unto Paris said Alexis in a great amazement yes unto Paris said Silvander and that is the cause of my transport let me therefore dear Celadon go and mingle my blood with the water of this Fountain that is now the only object of all my desires and so great is my impatiency of it that it alone is able to be my death Sage Silvander replied Alexis faintly had this design been just in you doubtless the gods would have inspired you with the thoughts of it as they did me and therefore I conceive you have no right to contend with me about it nor dispute it any longer since no other but my self can doubtlesse obtain it However said Silvander I beseech you let me joyn my Fortune unto yours and let us both find the same Fate Alexis would have disswaded him but Silvander beseeched her with so many forcible and importunate arguments that at the last she consented and received him as a companion in this enterprize Astrea had no sooner heard Licidus say that the Grotto wherein they were was the very same which formerly harboured Celadon but she was all amazement and from that time thought that very rock it self did tell her of that Shepherds love all the objects which presented themselves unto her senses did treat her in the same manner for when she heard the hollow murmure of the river Lignon or the noise which Zepherus made at the entrance of her Cavern she still thought them composed of nothing but those amorous sighs wherewith Celadon accompanied the rigour of his voluntary banishment Diana did very well observe this astonishment but not being able to imagine that it did proceed from any other cause then her fears that Phillis would surprize her she did not speak unto her but only waited with a little impatience to see what would become of the design which Phillis had to look into the Grotto But when that Shepherdesse was gone our and found the place more full of horrour then likely to keep alive the flames of a Lover and when she had bid adieu unto Licidas and went in quest of those whom she left behind her Diana seeing her companion continue still in the same assright she was she could nor chuse but ask the cause To whom Astrea answered Did not you hear Sister how Licidas said that this Grotto wherein we are is the very same place where Celadon lived and complained against my inconstancy when his Father by a subtil insinuation did make him believe that Corebes was to marry me I heard him say so replied Diana but I did not think that was able to trouble you so much as I see you are Truly said Astrea it does not much trouble me but I must confesse when I think upon the accidents which befel me at that time and comparing the present condition of my life with that I then lived I cannot chuse but grieve to see how fare will never cease tormenting me but is still putting obstacles unto such felicities as I promised unto my self There are very few answered Diana who have not the same accusation against Fortune you complain I complain and I think so does all the world for it is a most impossible thing to receive any joy which is not mixed with a thousand subjects of sorrow I do believe it answered Astrea but still I dare affirm that of all those who ever had any cause of complaint none ever had so much as I. For if I do but look back upon the successes of my life I cannot find one which was not accompanied with some sad event or other Sister replied Diana we had never lesse reason to complain then now now I say when our miseries are so near their remedy and when we are upon the very point of easing our selves from all those displeasures which we have endured Love has been the cause almost of all and it must be love which must deliver us to the end the same hand which gave the wound may also give the plaister Indeed Sister said Astrea we are arrived at the Eve of our tranquility but yet as near as that moment is which will end all our miseries the memory of those miseries does torment my mind In saying so she looked a little more seriously then before upon every thing that was in the Grotto and finding something upon her right hand which was engraved upon the rock she went nearer unto it and found her own name which Celadon had engraved almost all over the Cavern and on one side she saw written these ensuing lines Judge fair Astrea unto what point my Destinies have brought me I know very well that death is a remedy against all miseries and yet I will not have recourse unto it not that I find it hard to die but out of fear that being dead I shall not love you any longer These words made her apprehend that he had at that time a mind to make away himself but that some good genius had diverted him by putting this consideration