other out which may cause us to stay a little for I must confesse that my hopes to see the face of Celadon in Alexis does so much put mee out of my selfe as I feare that if I hâ—ve not a little time to recollect my selfe I shall give too much knowledge of what I desire to conceale especially unto these Strangers Upon this Phillis went unto Daphnide and said unto her Are you not weary Madam with walking up the Hill If it be your pleasure I am sure all the company would be very glad to take a little breath before they goe up into the Hall For my part said Daphnide I like the motion very well but would not propound it least I should displease Hylas who could not indure to be retarded from his contentment in seeing his deare Alexis Madam said he if you were not in very good company I should not offer to leave you but since you are I beseech you take it not ill if I goe before and tell them that you are coming for I had rather take breath with Alexis than here Then not staying for any nor for the answer of Daohnide he went up the staires at the top of which and at the entrance into the Hall he met Adamas Leonide and Alexis and because all three of them did thinke that the love of Hylas would be an excellent umbrage of what they desired to conceale they made him as welcome as they could The Druid himselfe after he had saluted him smilingly said that it was easie to see who of all the Company was most their friend Sir said Hylas if the haste which I have made in coming first move you to thinke so well of me my staying the last will be as good a testimony of my good will and I wish my company were as welcome unto you and your company as it is desired by me No question but it is said Leonide is it not Sister For my part said Alexis I am very much contented in it Hylas then going neerer her Fair Alexis said he in a low voice so my company yeeld you any contentment it is enough Why said Leonide seeming to be angry doe you so little esteeme the rest of the company I assure you proud Shepheard I will be revenged of you and before the day be done you shall repent of your disdaining me thus she uttered these words with an angry looke and did very well feign a discontented person But Hylas who naturally did not care for any woman living unlesse her he loved I shall be very sorry said he when the faire Alexis repents of what she hath said unto me and till then you will but lose your labour if you seek for any revenge upon me And when she doth repent of it you need not seeke for any greater revenge for my sorrowes will be so great that nothing can make them greater Servant answered Alexis as long as you doe love mee you need not feare any revenge for your good will is very deare unto mee He was ready to reply when Adamas interrupted and asked him who were those shepheards and shepheardesses which were coming There is Father said he Astrea Diana Phillis and severall others of that neighbourhood There are also some strangers as Florice Cyrcenea and their Company but that which invited me to 〈◊〉 me before was to tell you that we met by the way with faire Daphnide a Lady of the highest esteem of any in the Roman Province and with the generous Alcidon who disguised in the habit of shepheards are come into this Country to seek for the Fountaine of loves verity Alcidon is the most beloved Cavalier in all the Province especially by the great Eurick And thus you see I am not the onely stranger who disguiseth my self in the habit of a shepherd to live happily in your Country Adamas answered him Is it possible it should be the faire Daphnide with whom the great Euricke King of the Visigots was in love and Hylas answering him that she was the same he continued though I never saw her yet I shall know her for I have a Picture which they assure me does very much resemble her except her habit do cause an alteration yet I will seem to know nothing and will bid all our shepherdesses as welcome as I can Their discourse had continued longer had they not been prevented by the coming of the Company for Astrea although she was the cause of their stay yet she was not able any longer to stay from the sight of that so much loved face therefore she made sign unto Phillis who understanding her meaning addressed her selfe unto Daphnide and Paris and said unto them aloud Now if it please you it is full time to follow Hylas for what will Adamas think when he heares by him that we are here 'T is true said Daphnide and taking Astrea and Diana by each hand they led the way and the staires being very large they went up all three a brest and the rest of the company confusedly followed after Adamas waited for them in the entry of the great Chamber where he received them as kindly as possibly he could and seeming not to know Daphnide nor Alcidon he addressed his speech unto the shepheards of his acquaintance and said unto them with a smiling countenance Faire shepheardesses you give me some cause to think that you are proud because you seem to sleight your Neighbours has my Daughter been thus long here and you not daign one courteous visit Astrea who observed that though he spoke to all in generall yet he addressed his speech particularly unto her she made answer for all Revereâ—d Father said she things that dod epend upon the will of many are oftentimes retarded though every particular desires to make haste This excuse said Adamas will hardly hold for methinkes every one of you in particular does owe me as much friendship as I doe owe you all in generall Then Diana undertook the matter Father said she and smiled many had rather give that which they do not owe then pay their due debts but as we have committed this fault so are we punished for it in depriving our selves so long from that which is so great a happinesse unto us Upon this Daphnide addressed her selfe to salute Leonide and Astrea the like unto the disguised Alexis but oh how she was astonished when she cast her eye upon his face and how amazed was Alexis when she saw Astrea coming to kiss her Oh love into what a condition didst thou put them both when they kissed each other The shepheardesse was as red as if her face were all fire and Alexis trembled as if a great fit of an ague had been upon her Hylas who observed how zealously his Mistresse saluted this shepherdesse he grew so jealous that he could not endure she should hold her any longer in her armes and this jealousie was a cause of their parting so as Diana saluted her the next after her Phillis
your Ambition For all those reasons which you alledged unto me to shift me off from you was only in favour of this cursed ambition And if the love which you say I bore unto Clarinta was so potent in me why did I reject her service as soone as possibly I could Why else should I quit her as soone as ever Euricke was dead Had Clarinta treated me worse than usuall had she made any new choice or had there beene any bad understanding betwixt her and me then there had beene some cause to suspect my returne unto you but since she never gave me the least shadow of any cause what can you thinke could make me leave her but onely the inviolable affection which I still preserved for you But Father perhaps you may aske why the faire Daphnide who had formerly made so much affection unto me appeare both before and during Euricks love even to the hazard of our Fortune and reputation should after the death of this Prince thus change her mind â—nto me and give me no entertainment For it is not likely that a Lady so admirably accomplished every way and so full of judgment should alter her humour without some occasion No Sir but will you see her reason for it out of her owne words T is true that at first she loved that Prince onely out of ambition and as she cals it Reason of State but is it strange a finger should be burned if It be held in the flame nay it were rather a miracle if it should not for that were against Nature The great Eurick was doubtelesse a Prince so fully adorned with all accomplished blandishments that allure Love as the faire one was by degrees caught before she was aware and in lieu of loving him as she said she loved him as he deserved And to make this truth evident doe but observe how sadly she has resented his losse even unto this day who can doubt but that these are effects and certain consequents of a most reall and ardent affection I cannot relate the severall sad resentments she has expressed of his death for they will but open my wounds the wider But I am sure sage Adamas that you would judge them full of extreame affection and the bad entertainment which I have received from her proceeds from no other cause but from her love unto this Prince and as an umbrage of it she would set that fault upon my score which she should doe upon the great Euricks and my misfortunes But fairest Daphnide though you have loved him not as you say in reason of State but in good earnest yet against whom doe you thinke you have offended Not against one who has not love enough to pardon to forget my even to quite erasse the offence but it against Alcidon who you know adores you he is ready to give you his life and his soule and not to upbraid you with the injury Why doe you not put forth your hand unto him and by that action of kindnesse signifie that none but the great Eurick could ever interpose betwixt you and him It is no meane glory unto me that she whom I love should have beene adored by the greatest Prince in the whole Universe nor will it be a little satisfaction unto the Ghost of that great Prince you shorld love Alcidon who indeed did yeild unto him in Fortune but excelled him in love If I say any thing which your owne soule knowes not to be most true tax me with a lie but if you cannot deny this truth why will you toment me any longer and make me doe penance for a fault which you your selfe have committed Upon this Alcidon rising from his seat and falling downe upon his knees before the faire Daphnide and taking her hand I doe vow and sweare said he by this faire hand which is onely able to ravish away my heart that I did never in my life render any homage but unto her that owes it and that it is she alone who has and ever shall have the sole power over me Dispose of me and of my fortune as you please and let Daphnide be as cruell as she can yet still shall Alcidon love her for ever And you reverend Father said he and addressed himselfe to the Druid The great Tautates hath established you a Judge in this Country why doe you not condemne this Faire one to give me that heart which she hath so often given me and taken away againe If she doe accuse me for loving any else is it possible she should know better than I my selfe She affirmes I love Clarinta I sweare and protest the contrary why should she thinke to be beleeved more than I She sees onely my outward actions but I know the intentions of my heart perhaps she will say that I would deceive her and that she would not deceive me but why should I deceive her for if I did not love her I would not care for her affection and if I doe love her can she thinke that he who loves one will deceive her Thus spoke Alcidon adding much other discourse and many arguments which Daphnide could not handsomely answer At last the Druide spoke Methinkes Madam said he that the Oracle is cleared and that now is the time to compose this difference I would to God said she that it could be so composed as that quietnesse of mind might be restored unto Alcidon and me which we have taken from each other Are you pleased Madam said Adamas that I should be your Judge If Alcidon will consent unto it answered she and if he will stand unto what you shall doome I will never be against any thing which you shall deeme fit I doe protest by all that is sacred said Alcidon that there is nothing in the World which can keepe me from loving and adoring you and I sweare that I will so farre stand unto the doome of wise Adamas that if he doe sentence the contrary I will so farre obey it as that you shall never be troubled with me and if I faile in this Oath may all the Elements he my confusion Then Adamas with the gravity of a reverend old Judge began in a Majesticall manner to speak thus Tell me Madam said he did you ever love Alcidon well Above my life answered she and doe you now hate him replyed he I hate his levity and inconstancy said she but not him But say he be not inconstant replyed he nor ever loved any but you would you then love him still and be sorry for charging him wrongfully Doubtlesse I should said she Can you charge him with any other inconstancy continued the Druid but in this businesse of Clarinta Is not that enough answered Daphnide But when he first went about to serve Clarinta said Adamas was it not by your command and did he not undertake it against his will I must needs confesse said she that in this I was unwise and he adissembler But had he made a retreate said
Adamas and Eurick closed with Clarinta againe would you not then have blamed Alcidon for disobeying your Commandement I thinke I should answered she Hear then your dooms oh Daphnide and Alcidon said the Druid The great Tautates who made the whole world by Love and by Love preserves it would not onely have things insensible should be united and linked together by the bonds of Love but things also sensible and rationall From hence it is that he hath given unto the insensible Elements qualities which linke them together by sympathy Unto Animals he hath given love and desire to perpetuate their kind and unto men reason which teacheth them to love God in his Creatures and the Creatures in God Now this Reason tels us that whatsoever is amiable ought to be loved according to the degrees of its goodnesse and so whatsoever is most amiable and has most goodnesse ought to be most loved Yet in as much as we are not obliged unto this love untill this goodnesse be known unto us it followes by consequence that themore any good is known the more it ought to be loved But since God hath made every thing by love and that the end of every thing is alwayes most perfect we may easily judge that since all good things have Love for their end Love is the best of all things Now knowing this goodnesse of love we are obliged by the Lawes of Reason to esteem it above all things and the more it is known the more we ought to esteem it The Oracle which was given you for composing your difference makes good what I say For it is this Upon a day you 'l see A Fountaine in Forrest Called Loves Veritie Will set your hearts at rest That is In Forrest you shall come to know that you doe really love each other and then your hearts will be set at rest for the Great Tautates who gave this Oracle unto you knowing how religiously you payed what was due both unto Him and Reason did also know that as soon as you were assured of each others affection you would presently thinke it most reasonable to love according to your merits And therefore Daphnide since you see that Alcidon does love you for why should he so passionately desire your love if he did not truly love you And you Alcidon since you see the love of Daphnide towards you for why should she be jeâ—lous of you and Clarinta unlesse her love were the Mother of her jealousie I doe Ordaine or rather the Great Tautates commands you that forgetting all past passages and without any stay to see any other Fountaine of Loves Verity you doe presently unite your affections and revive your ancient loves of each other make it appeare that none loves better then you two for none have more cause since heaven hath infused it into both Upon this Adamas took both their hands and joyning them together said May this union be happy and eternall It is a thing impossible to expresse the joyes of Alcidon or the thanks he gave unto the great Druid but especially unto Daphnide Stiliana and Carlis and Hermantes rejoyed for Alcidons sake for where ever he came he had the happinesse to get all mens love Thus was the dispute betwixt Daphnide and Alcidon composed by the prudence of the sage Adamas Although he conceived the meaning of the Oracle to be That their jealousies of each other should vanish by a sight of this Fountaine yet like a person of deep apprehension judging by their discourse that he should doe them a better office and more sutable to their will in reconciling them he thought it fit to expound the Oracle in this manner and also to advise them to stay in this Country a while to the end that if any suspitions yet remained in them and that if it pleased the Heavens to uncharme the Fountaine they might there be perfectly cured of their malady Whilst these things passed thus in the presence of Adamas the shepheards and shepheardesses who were in the Great Chamber with Leonide and Alexis as soone as the Collation was ended did fall into their severall discourses where they left But Alexis and Astrea for feare of being interrupted did take each other by the arm and walked to the other end of the Chamber which made well for Alexis for by moving she might the better hide the alterations in her face and better excuse her disorderd language Astrea who was no lesse transported to see such a lively resemblance of Celadon and not able to hide her contentment was very glad of this convenience to talke with Alexis walking as well because none could heare them as because she might with more freedom expresse the affection which she bore unto her After therefore they had walked two or three turns neither of them knowing well how to begin discourse Astrea broke silence thus I shall as long as I live Madam observe this day as a Holiday in memory of the high favour which I have received on it in making me so happy as to know you and to expresse my most zealous desires of doing you service The sacred Missletoe which it hath pleased the Great Tautates to make grow in our Hamlet this yeare was an Omen of the happinesse which we were to receive by your coming into this place shewing thereby that the liberall hand of the great God where it bestowes one favour does accompany it with many others The happinesse and good fortune of it said Alexis is all on my side in coming hither at such a season when this sacred Missletoe is to be gathered for that is the cause of my happinesse in seeing you it being one of my greatest desires How Madam said Astrea doe you thinke it your happinesse in wronging us all and me in particular by thinking we came hither onely because of this sacred Missletoe I will thinke said Alexis as you please but give me leave to say that it is at this time the cause of my happinesse in seeing you and though I had not been here yet you would have come to invite Adamas unto the sacrifice of Thanks I doe most seriously protest Madam said Astrea that it is your selfe onely which invited me to come hither for I never in my life had a more earnest desire of any thing than of seeing of you beseeching you to believe that it is not my humour to meddle with any publique matters but I leave them unto our wiser Pastors who takes the cure of them according to their custome and according as they thinke most advantagious for this Country I should be very proud of my selfe said Alexis if I could be perswaded of it for it is a thing which I most wish and prise above any happinesse that ever happened unto me But pray tell me fair shepheardesse in what place is this Missletoe found If the Sun would permit you to looke out of the window answered Astrea I should let you see it from hence I believe said
doe you not aske me who this one is because said she it would be indiscretion in me for I am sure that if you had a mind to name her you would and if you desired to conceale her I were very indiscreet if I did importune you She added Paris unto whom I have given my heart may very well know all thâ— secrets of it nor ought I to conceale them Men in giving such gifts answered Diana dâ— often give and take againe If you meane by me replyed Paris pardon me fairest Diana if I tell you that you wrong me since from the first day that I gave my selfe unto you the gift was with so full a consent of my heart as I shall never enjoy any contentment untill you have taken full possession of it and it was of you I spoke when I mention'd one from whom I must receive my full contentment I should be very unworthy answered the shepherdesse and blusht if I did not receive this honour you are pleased to doe unto me with much obligation unto your civility Nay nay said Paris never tell me of any civility or respect but in lieu of those words put in that word of Love That word said she fals not handsomely from the tongue of a woman If it will not come off your tongue replyed he then let it be in your heart That would be too great a crime replyed Diana and would render me unworthy of this honour you are pleased to doe me Silvander and Hylas had now done singing and there was not a word amongst all the company as if they were in hopes of their beginning to sing againe which was a cause that many perceived not onely the affection wherewith Paris spoke unto Diana but also the passion in which Silvander was to see their long discourse which Hylas considering and thinking to get some advantage over him Come come Silvander said he we have sung enough let us now be a little serious and rationall if we can Tell me upon your faith whether you persist still in the same opinion which you were wont to be I am not much addicted unto changing said Silvander but of what opinion doe you meane Are you still in the heart of Diana replyed Hylas and is she still in yours why doe you aske me this question said Silvander Because said Hylas I will at this time make you confesse the contrary Methinkes Hylas answered Silvander you had better have slept on then wake to no purpose Whilst every one laughed at this question and this answer Phillis tooke an occasion to interrupt the discourse of Paris and Diana and to call her companion to heare this fine dispute In the meane time Hylas answered shepherd shepherd I doe not wake to so little purpose as you thinke since to put one out of an errour is a worke never out of season but answer me Are you still in the heart of Diana and is Diana in yours Diana hearing this question Hearken said she unto Paris what Hylas sayes For I am confident it will be some mad piece of discourse or other Then they heard Silvander answer thus Doe you thinke Hylas that because you are continually changing others are the like Diana and I are in the very same places we were wont to be Why then said Hylas she is in your heart and you in hers It is as you say answered Silvander Then prethee good Silvander tell me said Hylas since you are in the heart of Diana whether the discourse which Paris had now with her did please her or no And Diana since you are in Silvanders heart tell us whether Silvander was pleased at the Discourse There was none in all the company except Silvander who did not laugh so loud as they caused Astrea and Alexis to turne about and see what the matter was which Hylas observing he stayed not for Silvanders answer for Astreas long discourse was as vexatious unto him as that of Paris was unto Silvander but ran presently to her Mistresse said he unto Alexis These shepherdesses of Lignon are such bewitching flatterers that unlesse one take very good heed it is almost impossible to resist their charms I beleeve Servant said Alexis that you speake like a very knowing man T is true said he I have not been so long Apprentice but I have learned my Trade For before I loved Phillis I thought Laonice faire and before her Madonthe and before them both Criside Here is three strangers said he pointing at Florice Palanice and Circenea can witnesse I am no Novist when I was Servant unto them and if Carlis who is in the Gallery with Daphnide were here she could tell you how she was the first who taught me my Primer But Servant said Alexis I doe not thinke that Carlis can boast that you hold her for your last Mistresse as you did for your first for I have heard you say that you have loved but as many as you have met Mistresse said he you should have added as many faire ones as I have met for I doe confesse that wheresoever my eye observed beauty I was a lover and servant of it and methinks you should like my humour very well since it hath made me yours and without which ill-favoured Carlis had still possessed me I like your humour extreamly well answered Alexis did I not feare that as it is now the cause of your being mine so it will hereafter make me grieve for the losse of you Oh fairest Mistresse said Hylas I beseech you not to thinke any such thing for besides your offence unto my love it is most impossible any such thing should ever be for I never loved any thing but beauty and out of you it is most impossible to find it I should be very glad answered Alexis to have you continue long in this opinion of me that I may not lose as others have but I had rather that all your perswasions could make me believe all you say of me to be true I need no perswasions answered he where every eye is able to testifie If all did see me with your eyes answered Alexis their testimonies might perhaps be favourable unto me I am certaine replyed Hylas that there is none here will give my eyes the lie Your eyes indeed may see things as they are answered Alexis but your mouth may perhaps be given a little to Hyperbolize and your tongue which is so glib in attributing unto me more then is my due does testifie that you have learned in more Schools then one I doe confesse it replyed Hylas but withall I am able and without vanity to speak it that the Schollar surpassed the Master You never told me said Florice that when you were my Schollar you learned your lesson of Circenea and Palinice also And had we all three united our learning together we might have kept you longer at School How servant replyed Alexis what serve three at one time You may judge by that Mistresse said he the greatnesse of
of their enemies I had rather die said Alexis and smiled then render my selfe unto the mercy of such a conqueror Rather then you should die said Hylas I would render the victory and yeeld my selfe the conquered Truly said Alexis you are very courteous but Hylas I am of so proud a temper and so little desirous to be obliged as I know not whether I should receive your offer Why should you make a question of it said Hylas is it perhaps you scorn it No answered Alexis but rather because I feare lest being victorious in that manner I should be overcome Oh heavens said Hylas and cryed out I ever thought it a dangerous businesse to love a learned woman and one that is brought up amongst the Druids of Carnutes I do vow and sweare by the love I have to you that when I began first to love you I was afraid of nothing more then that you were not simple enough Why good Hylas said Diana who was very glad to mingle discourse purposely to be rid of Paris would you love one that was simple Truly said Hylas I would not have her a fool nor would I have her over-wise so she have as much wit as to believe all I tell her I would not have her able to expound the deep sciences of our learned Druids But if she should have no more wit then to believe you replyed Diana you would be put to a great deale of paine by reason of the cure you would have in the carriage of her selfe You are much deceived shepherdesse said Hylas for what is pleasure to one is never painful Some say so indeed said Diana but I do not think so for I believe the pleasure onely keepes them from thinking of the paine but that they have none is an error since if they be put to any violent exercise they will blow and paint as if they wanted breath See Diana said Hylas you are one of those two whom I would not love you have too much wit and put me to pain in studying how to answer you which is a thing I cannot abide but on the contrary I should be extreamly contented if she admire all I do and all I say from admiration proceeds from a good opinion and from this good opinion will proceed the love that I desire Silvander who was neare and watched for an occasion of seconding Diana in her discourse Admiration said he will work the contrary effect which you desire Why so said Hylas for if she admire me she will believe me full of great and high parts and when I speak I am an Oracle unto her my desires will be Lawes and my will Commands Admiration will produce quite contrary effects replyed Silvander For the learned say that Admiration is the mother of Verity in as much as admiring any thing the minde of man is naturally apt to search for the knowledge of it and this search makes him find out the truth and so Hylas in saying that she will admire you you doe as much as say that she will know you and knowing you she will finde that if shee esteemed any thing in you she is mistaken and then in scorning you she will admire that she should admire you I perceive shepheard answered Hylas that you are one of those wits which were I a woman I should never love But though you can talk well yet talke as long as you will I am still in the same opinion for he who does admire whilst he is in that admiration does he not infinitely esteem the party that causeth it 'T is true said Silvander but then presently after that he will change when he comes to the knowledge of the Truth This replyed Hylas does give me satisfaction for in saying she will change presently let me tell you my good friend Silvander said he and clapt him upon the shoulder she may chance to doe as I may do but let her make as much haste as she can I will pardon her if she change sooner then my selfe and if she do chance to be before me faith I le over take her presently This answer caused every one to laugh and this discourse entertained them till they came into the house where the Table was furnished with many delicacies and every one sat down as the night before All dinner while nothing was almost talked on but the merry humour of Hylas and to put him upon discourse there was alwayes some or other who took his part Amongst the rest Stella who though she did it in shew to please the company yet was it not at all against her humour she having all her life long followed the rules of this Doctrine And Corilas who had heretofore resented the effects of it hearing how she took part with Hylas Shepherd said he unto Silvander I beseech you tell me is it true that love does grow from sympathy All those who ever spoke of it answered Silvander say Yes Then said Corilas am I the onely one that believes the contrary and have had full experience of it For can two humours be more like than those of Hylas and Stella and yet I do not see there is any love betwixt them There was not one at all the Table who did not laugh when they heard this discourse of Corilas And when Silvander would have answered Stella interrupted him in saying I do not blush shepherd at a thing which hath given me all the contentment I enjoy for had I not changed when I loved you I had lost it and you must accuse the reason which Silvander gave for my changing which is that Admiration is the mother of Truth for at the first not knowing you I did admire you and when I did know you scorned you so as you may very well give this Motto Farre off something neer nothing But said she and smiled as you say that I am Inconstant for loving you once and not loving you so you may better say that I am Constant in changing once only and continuing in a resolution of never loving you as long as I live The question which I asked replyed Corilas is not whether you be a wavering Weather-cocke or no But whether Hylas and you being alike and simpathy being a cause of love whether you doe love one another Unto this she presently said I will tell you Corilas that simpathy may worke its effects when there is no greater force to oppose it And that simpathy which may be betwixt Hylas and me might have so much force as to make us love if it were not that knowing thee so little worthy of love thou hast made me have such an ill opinion of all other shepherds as I know not whether ever I shall love any You have taught me a lesson said Corilas For having had so much experience of you I cannot conceive that those who are under the same habit you are doe not hide under those habits the same imperfections Fie fie said all the shepherds this Corilas is
far from the eye never troubles the heart Florices stay out of Town a whole moneth a term long enough to kindle and extinguish a dozen severall loves in me had been enough to quench all my flames to her But her stay being to continue a longer time I resolved with my selfe to take my leave of her for I could never like those loves that can feed themselves with thoughts and fancies and fond imaginations But finding Love to be a fire and my selfe burned with it I thought the best Cure was by sympathy and to cure my selfe by another fire and in order to this I sought out for some new beauty which might cure my old burn and at last heaven which alwayes favours designes that are just sent me such a fire as I stood in need of One evening as I was walking without any other design but taking the air by the River Arar close by a Bridge and looking about I espied three Coaches drawn by six Horses apeece And because that was amongst us an equipage unusual I drew neerer the bridge to see them passe In one of them was four Ladies habited much different from our Mode and very rich and their uncouth habits made me look upon them with more curiosity and eagernesse The first whom fortune fixed my eye upon did keep it upon her as long as I could see She was in the first Coach and seated in the best place her hair was faire something inclinable to Chesnut her Complexion no dye could make a mixture of such perfect vermilion upon snow her eyes black but so quick sweet and piercing as no heart had humour good enough to resist them her lips exact Corrall her Nâ—ck a Column of purest Alablaster and every part proportionable in perfection as for her stature I could not perfectly see it but as near as I could judge it was neither tall nor little as for her Hand which she often shewed in lifting up her haire which lay upon her shoulder in curles it could not be equalled unto any thing so well as to the whitenesse of her neck Judge Madam whether such a beauty could be looked upon and not loved she was the fire by which I cured all my other burnings so as quite forgetting Circinea Palanice Dorinde and Florice I devoted my selfe wholly unto her But perhaps you will thinke it strange that she being in a Coach and onely passant I should observe so many particulars in this beauty but you must consider that I looked upon her with more eyes then my own and had those of love to help me in looking upon this wonder Nor must you believe any such thing which Silvander is often alleadging that Love is blind but on the contrary that those who look with his eyes can look through dresses and see such beauties as are hid from others But it seems that love had a design upon me at this time for he would not let me make use of his eyes and my hands but loadned the Coach heavier then it was before because it carried my heart away with it I see Silvander you laugh and I know you would say that the Coach was not a jot more loadned for having my heart in it but know that my heart as light as it is yet is as heavy as yours I know not that said Silvander but I am sure the Coach which carried your heart had need go very fast or else your heart would quickly be out for it cannot endure to be long in a place This said Hylas was Perianders opinion when he found me looking upon these strangers as they passed This good friend of mine perceiving me halfe out of my selfe did begin to suspect the cause and coming unto me Courage Hylas said he unto me you will recover of this I warrant you as well as you have done of others I answered him with a love sick look I see Periander you mock me but did you know how great my pain was you would pitty me though I must confesse it proceeds from love Ah ah my friend said he and laughed have a good heart this is not the first time you have been sick of the same disease and never dyed 'T is true said I unto him then I did know who was the cause but now I am ignorant of it How friend said Periander and laughed What in love and knows not with whom So it is said I unto him and I cannot help it Love has catcht me That you do love said he I doe believe but that you should love and not know her whom you doe love though I should believe you in any thing else yet in this I am incredulous And if it be true I say it is a thing as easily done as to perswade any to believe it Whether you believe it or no said I and sighed yet I am sure it is so How long said he have you been sick of this fantastical disease A little longer answered I then we have been talking of it Upon this Perâ—ander laughed and laying his hand upon my shoulder said Well friend if you be long sick of this disease I will pay your Doctors then he offered to go away but I laid hold upon his Cloak What said I unto him is this all the helpe and consolation I must expect from your friendship What can I doe for you answered he as long as you doe not know her that is the cause of your malady You may help me replyed I and contrive it how I should come to the knowledge of her whom I adore This is strange folly said he Can I know her better then you doe Why not replyed I Is it not ordinary for people in health to tell sick folks their disease and to give them such remedies as they themselves knew not Ah Periander did you love me as well as you professe you would not deny me that assistance which friendship requires To which he answered In the name of Heaven Hylas what would you have me to say or doe upon my faith I think you are become a fool A fool said I is it folly to love her whom I adore she whom I am ready to die for will not yeeld unto any Goddesse in beauty she has more Graces then all the Graces themselves and if Love were not hood-winckt doubtlesse he would dote upon her but the truth is I know not who she is This is fine folly indeed replyed he where and when did you see her Oh Heavens said I are you blind that you could not see the Sun when it shin'd Did you not see the Coaches which passed by In the first of them was she whom I love and know not Is it so said he unto me then friend know that you are a Prisoner unto a Prisoner Gondebunt our King did take them beyond the Alpes and hath sent them hither as Trophies of his Victory Thus I understood who this faire stranger was and had it not been very late I had endeavoured to have seen
not out of habitude yet at the first he seemed to take no notice but dissembled his passion as discreetly as possibly he could Asphales also whose head was full of that news which was written unto Thomantes concerning the affection between Androgenes and me he also made a fair shew and set himself to be a spy over our actions out of which he drew no consequences to my advantage I know not how it came to pass but I being at that time in Ericanthes chamber where there was a great number of Shepherds and Shepherdesses Androgenes desired to talk with me as it is usual at such assemblies for every one to address themselves unto such as they have familiarity withall rather then unto strangers but because I took notice that Asphales observed us being unwilling to give him any occasion of discontent I turned another way and would not speak unto him and see how one is somtimes deceived in their design this action being observed by Asphales it made him suspect all that he saw not and think that all was true which had been written concerning Androgenes and me and the worst was Androgenes observing how I declined speaking unto him in consideration of Asphales he never sought for any opportunity of speaking unto me during all that Assembly but there being a great Looking-glasse upon the table which was fixed to the wall this discreet Shepherd did cast his eyes into it and as fortune was I looked into it at the same time Androgenes shrugged his shoulders as if he complained of my behaviour to him and I not utterly to disoblige him did wink upon him with one eye which perhaps was some contentment to him but I protest it was only out of desire to hide the odd humour of Asphales but as ill suck would have it he took notice of all these signs and supposing thereby that there was some close correspondency betwixt us he was so netled that he went out of the house and was not seen all night Perhaps you will think it strange discreet Shepherdess that Thomantes and Asphales who at their departures had such small shares in our good will should at their returns pretend so absolutely unto them but you must know that they obtained our affections during their absence more then whilst they were continually with us for when they were amongst us and served us we supposed they did it because they saw no greater beauties then our selves but when we heard that after they had seen the world and in it many beauties superior unto ours and yet kept themselves constant unto us we esteemed their affections at a higher rate so as by our Letters to them they knew that their absence obtained that which their presence had denied them This was the reason that the least favour which we shewed unto others seeming unto them a taking away their dues they could not endure we should so much as look upon any but them If we chanced to cast the least glance of an eye upon any one then these Shepherds or rather these Tyrants were ready to flye in our faces and would oblige us to such a constraint as was intollerable but because Delphire and I did not like to be banished from all the world we continued our conversation not only with Filintes and Androgenes but also with any others that addressed themselves unto us the number of which was not small and behaved our selves towards them as was fitting lest we should give occasion unto any of speaking ill of us which they did take so ill that after they had called a counsel amongst them two as if they were to govern and direct us they resolved to put a face of coldness and afterwards to seem as if they loved some others But not knowing whom to chuse for such a business they would only seem to stand as Neuters and be indifferent and for a conclusion they came at last unto down right incivility for so may their behaviours unto us be termed since they did not only leave off addresses and courting us as they were wont but when they met us at any time in Ericanthes chamber or any where else they would not so much as look upon us If at any time we found them in a place where it was impossible for them to turn away their eyes from us it was with so much scorn and they rendred their salutes in such a disdainful manner as was not civil This strange way of behaviour and proceeding caused every one to take notice of it and almost all that heard of it did tax them with inconstancy and levity but they on the contrary maintained that they were the same they were always wont to be that they had not changed but loved us and honoured us as much as ever they did that it was business which they were constrained to follow concerning the estate which belonged to their family which did divert them and hinder them from imploying all their time in those trivial services which they were wont to render Delphire and I must confess oh sage Diana that after we had several times talked together for our fortunes were the same and required the same remedies we resolved to take all manner of excuses from these two wavering minds by retiring our selves from all those who might give them the least umbrage and to do it the more handsomly we took this occasion Eleaman and Ericanthe took great delight in seeing Comedies acted by those in their own house and Delphire as she that had the best wit had commonly one of the best parts It hapned that Delphire in the play was to tell a Shepherd that he was never to hope for any thing in her affection by chance she spied Filintes very near the Theater harkning and admiring her action and conceiving him to be the greatest cause of jealousie in Thomantes when she was to speak unto the Shepherd in the Comedy she turned her self directly to Filintes and as if he had hore a part in the play and said thus unto him I do swear unto thee Shepherd that I can and will sooner die a hundred deaths then love thee cease all thy hopes trouble me no more with thy love for Shepherd I do hate thee The face of Delphire being turned towards Filintes and her eyes and gestures addressed unto him was a cause that not only the poor Shepherd knew her meaning but also Thomantes and almost all the Spectators which caused all eyes to be cast upon him who durst not before all that company let his anger appear A few dayes after when we were upon the banks of the Christal River of Lignon and as we were passing away the time upon the Sands by the River side Asphales Androgenes and many other Shepherds and Shepherdesses were all about me and I writ upon the Sand I LOVE Androgenes looking over my shoulder and seeing what I had writ upon the Sand is it I said he and smiled for whom you writ that word
I know Hylas and perhaps better then you do who the faire Daphnide is who Alcidon and who is the great and renowned King Eâ—rick perhaps I can give a more particular relation of the City of the Massilians and of Arles then many others and therefore though I am a shepheard doe not think to daunt me with your big words Daphnide then interposed truly said she I doe beleeve this shepheard knowes me and I beleeve what he sayes and also I beleeve he knowes more then you thinke he doth But kind shepheard said she unto Silvander if it will not be too much trouble unto you tell us how you came to know all these things Madam answered Silvander I was along time in the Massilian schools where your Name was so cryed up by the Bardi that every one did hear of it How came you now to be in the habit of a shepheard said she and what cause doth retaine you in it Fortune said he brought me into this Country and Love stayes me in it And said Hylas Love brought me into this Country and Alexis stayes me in it Who is that happy Alexis said she and smiled She is one said Hylas who will make you blush for shame and grow pale with envie she is so faire that she hath no equall Aylas answered she you say so much that I must needs beleeve you in part and too much to be beleeved in all your owne eyes said he will be witnesses presently against your selfe and will enforce you to justifie all my words for I have not spoke one syllable too much in her Commendations Alcidon hearing this thought himselfe concerned Hylas said he I will acknowledge your Mistresse to be faire but that she is fairer then Daphnide if words will not maintaine the contrary my blood and life shall Hylas hearing this assumed a very serious looke as farre as words will goe said he I will maintaine what I say but if you come to matter of blood and life I will not onely quit her unto you but unto any that shall maintaine the contrary for my profession is talking not killing every one began so to laugh at this answer that Alcidon could not reply of a long time after Doubtlesse their discourse had continued longer if they had not been very neer the house of Adamas In the meane time Alexis in contemplation of that contentment which she promised unto her selfe in the sight of Astrea did stand leaning against a window which looked towards the Plaine and talked with Leonide When she perceived the company comming and assured her selfe that Astrea was amongst them she started sometimes she looked upon one and sometimes upon another shepheardesse but when she spyed Astrea oh into what an extasie she was transported she fixed her eye upon her and spoke not a word as if she would take her fill of that pleasing Object At last fetching a deepe sigh she shewed her unto Leonide with her finger see see said she the fairest sight in the whole world being as bad almost in that rapture as Adrastes was Then keeping silence a while she went a pace or two backe from the window and folding her armes upon her brest Oh heavens said she how dare I present my self before her when she hath commanded me the contrary What said Leonide will you relaps into your old errour Were not these considerations sufficiently debated with Adamas before you came hither have you so soone forgotten his prudent reasons Doe not thinke said Alexis that I have forgotten them but I am sure Astrea will see me and I shall see her she will speake unto me and I unto her and is not this disobedience to her Command Goe goe said shee unto me I shall never forget those cruell words goe disloyall man and never come in my sight unlesse I commmand thee The Nymph thinking that if this discourse went on it would much disquiet Alexis she would not answer unto her only thus these thoughts Alexis must not now come into your mind it is already resolved upon the time is now come wherein you must shew your selfe a man Sonne to Alcippes whose courage was so highly esteemed by every one you must I say change your Countenance and Garbe you must receive Astrea without any wonder and at the first accoast of her have so much power over your selfe that none may discover you you know that the first impressions take deepest roote and upon them the most sure judgement is built therefore resolve with your selfe so to disguise the matter that those whom your habit deludes may not be undeceived by your actions Ah Madam said Alexis how easie a matter it is for those that are well to give counsell unto the sicke here is a fault committed already replyed Leonide why doe you call me Madam and not Sister you know Adamas will needs have me call Paris Brother and so he commands me to call you Sister and if you doe not the like you will be suspected you know that your face does extreamly resemble Celadon and therefore you must use abundance of Art to deceive people Sister answered Alexis since you are pleased I should call you so I shall endeavour to carry my selfe as well as I can but I assure you never was any more put to it then your miserable Sister is upon this occasion and unlesâ—e some helpe me out I know not how I shall delude the eyes of Astrea with whom I never used any dissimulation or disguisement Upon such occasions as these said the Nymph we must make our wit and courage appeare and as they say make a vertue of necessity Assure your selfe the Authority of Adamas is so great and every one hath such an opinion of his Wisedome that with a little helpe of your own none will question but that you are his daughter As they were thus talking Adamas being advertised of the coming of Astrea he came to hearten Alexis which was no small Prudence for she was so much out of her selfe that good preparatives were but necessary least she being surprised she might give too much knowledge who she was When they were in the midst of their discourse newes was brought them that all the Company was come in to the first Court of the Castle Alexis blusht and her legs trembled so that she was constrained to fit downe Leonide who perceived it the better to hide all faults told Adamas that it was good to draw the Curtains of the windowes and to let in as little light as might be that the alterations in the face of Alexis might not be discerned and that the pretence for it might be to hinder the Sunne from keeping the roome too hot The Druide liking the Counsell commanded all the Curtaines to be drawne But as they were busie in preparing all things on the one side Astrea was as much perplexed on the other her heart did beat extreamly and coming unto Phillis said to her in her eare Good Sister find some excuse or
love this Cavalier who complaines thus of me I should neither be in these feares wherein I am nor he in the danger wherein he is I answered her If you speak from your heart Madam then cure me of the malady which proceeds from your selfe and never doubt that I can receive any harme as long as I am in the honour of your favour Delia then smiled and said I perceive that when you have been together a little the pain of the one will be changed into contentment and the feares into confidence But lest fortune should hinder your designes speak as low as you can and I will go and sit by the Candle seeming to read that I may put it out if any chance to come or else I will fall in talk with them and tell them how you doe without bidding enter But Cavalier said she and addressed her selfe unto me Remember the promise which you made when I opened the door unto you and admitted you unto this adventure which was to performe the conditions then proposed and if you be worthy of the name of a Cavalier you will keep your word You have kept your promise so well with me answered I that I were a most unworthy recreant if I did not the same with you Then said she unto me you are obliged according to the conditions established not to attempt any thing upon any occasion nor for any respect or reward whatsoever against the honour of the Ladies who are here but on the contrary you ought to be contented with those favours which they confer upon you not seeking or desiring any greater I will sooner sheathe my sword in my heart answered I then entertain a thought against this ordinance Every Cavalier of honour is obliged unto it by his very Name for that respect is due as unto one of the principal statutes of love I ever thought answered Delia of Alcidons discretion and I doe exceedingly rejoyce you doe thus second my thoughts since the law had not been established but for you How said I not established but for me was it made onely to restrain my indiscretion Is it thought that I am more impudent than any of the Knight errantry That is not the reason said she unto me but is it not reason this constraint should be established for you onely in this adventure which you terme the adventure of perfect love since you onely are permitted to attempt it But since before you have done you are to deal with a fiercer Champion then I am I will leave you together with your enemy lest you should complain of disadvantage Upon this not staying for my answer she went away and sat down with a book in her hand and left my fairest mistresse and me together as she said she would At which I being transported with abundance of contentment after I was set down upon the bed by her I tooke her hand and kissing it many times I said unto her Madam I am most sensible of my extreame obligations and my life is too little a price to be paid for such a happinesse Did you knoâ— what paines I have taken said she to give you this testimony of my good will doubtlesse you would set a good value of esteem upon it For though my sister does now shew her selfe so stout in the matter yet believe me Alcidon she is not alwaies so and it was not weak perswasions which could make her consent unto it Oh what artifice and tricks have I used to deceive not onely my brother in law but all his kindred and friends or indeed all the whole Province Consider Alcidon what a strange resolution I had in putting my honour and your life into so great a danger For to permit your coming into this place is no lesse Madam said I and kissed her hand if you consider my extream affection unto you Love and You were unjust if you did not answer it by extraordinary proofes of your good acceptance and I doe confesse that this is above my merit though it doe not equall my affection For it is such that most certaine death cannot make me start from your service Alcidon answered she if your affection be such as you say I wish it may continue as long as I live But I doe much feare the love of a young heart Madam said I unto her doubts use to enter into the soules of those who are not well grounded in their Faith and these in you give me more cause to fear weaknesse of affection on your side for the principal effect of true love is to remove out of the Lover all manner of mistrust of the person loved and it is impossible to love one whom they mistrust By this replyed she you may know the grandure of my affection since having so many occasions to doubt you yet is it still stronger then all those doubtfull occasions and makes me still give you such testimonies of my good will Yet Madam said I unto her give me leave to say in mine owne defence that you doe wrong my love in taxing it with youngnesse for I am twice ten years of age Ah Alcidon said she before any good assurance can be you had need be twice twelve At this I laughed and said that Madam were indeed requisite in those who love common beauties but for you and I time is not so much to be insisted upon for our ties and obligations are as strong now as they will be foure yeares hence She would have replyed when Delia began to cough as an advertisement that she heard some coming presently after her brother in law came to the doore unto whom she made a signe with her finger and went as softly to him as she could as if she were afraid to wake her sister her brother in law asked her how Daphnide did She complained a long while said she unto him and now she is fallen asleep What said he will you not come downe and dance to what end did you else dresse your selfe in that habit I hope brother answered she that my sister will be well after she has slept a while and if she be I will come and finish our designe with the rest but if she continue ill we must deferre it until another time and if you will come up againe about halfe an hour hence I shall tell you more upon this her brother in law went away and she came unto us to tell us what he had said and when I desired her to defer it until to morrow she answered me I perceive Alcidon that you are all for your selfe and care not for the interests of another so you can enjoy your opportunities as long as you stay you care not what becomes of us when you are gone You doe not well said Daphnide to make this construction of what this Cavalier said for I am most confident he has more care of us then so but if he love us as I beleeve he does he will not take it ill if we leave
Oh Heavens what grosse folly it is in any to look for any certainty under the Moon I mean for any thing which is not alterable Whilst thus we continued writing unto each other the King continued his enterprise and I who thought that I had a good occasion to laugh at him did find my selfe in the conclusion the party laughed at Pardon me Fairest Mistress I beseech you if this truth offend you Well well Alcidon said Daphnide and interrupted him I will not now answer you go on with your discourse as you please Upon this Alcidon continued The King having effected his enterprise against his enemies he returned the same way he came purposely to see his new Mistresse and to the end I should know nothing of it he came the night before his Army almost all alone and lodged in her house He had made choice of such to wait upon him as I knew nothing of it a long time after but at last I came to know it by an accident which hereafter I shall tell you In the meanetime the King came to Avignion where he honoured me so far as to enquire of me and because I was extreamly vexed at the pursuit which I saw he made of this faire Lady I could not perfectly shake off my sicknesse but being neither well nor ill I languished away such a melancholly life as I became scarce knowable The King hearing of it sent severall times to visit me and he himselfe condescended to come and see me but spoke not a word of Daphnide nor made any shew of seeing her or had her so much as in memory I for my part kept not such a close Guard upon my lips but told him that it grieved me so much that against his promise he should use me thus as the very sight of him aggravated my griefe and augmented my sicknesse Since the last time that the King was with Daphnide she writ unto me onely as an umbrage for her intentions and to keep me as long as she could from the knowledge of all passages though she knew they would out at last for the Courtship of Great Princes cannot be long concealed As for the Letters which she received from him she sent them not unto me as she was wont to doe unlesse it were some out of which no great matter could be collected and those very rarely Thus did I fret away my time with such heart-breaking thoughts as when I think upon them I cannot chuse but wonder they did not bring me to my Grave Sometimes in the evening when the weather was fair and the Sun in decline of heat I should walke upon the bankes of the River Rosne towards the house of this fair one and there all alone contemplate upon my own thoughts until the Suns light had left our Hemisphere and then I should returne to my own lodging and spend the whole night in the same melancholly imaginations How often have I taken conjectures of my misfortune for certainties and then wished my selfe out of this life as thinking that I lived onely to resent my own sorrowes and her treachery How oft have I with disdaine thought my selfe a fond fool for loving such a weathercock beauty how many times have I resolved to break off all those perfidious bonds that tyed me to her service perfidious may I well call them for all her oathes and promises which together with her beauty tyed me to her service are all vanity and deluders But alas how oft have I also considered that not being my selfe I was not able either to doe or resolve upon any thing but according to her will and by as that drew me unto her Till now sage Adamas my misery was onely dubious and hanged onely upon suspition but now see how the whole truth came to be discovered unto me I was walking as I told you upon the bankes of Rosne not with any intention to divert my selfe but onely to entertaine my mortal thoughts one evening as I was returning to my lodging I saw a young Cavalier who was one of my friends whose Father served the King in his Courtship of this faire one and he rid by me and did not know me not imagining that he whom he saw could be alone so late whom he knew never used to walke so slenderly attended but riding on a little further and knowing and servant that waited upon me at a distance he asked him what he did in that place and my servant answering that he waited there until I had done walking the Cavalier presently alighted from his horse and having saluted me beseeched me to pardon him for passing by and not knowing me After some common discourse which we had together upon that subject I asked him from whence he came and whither he was going He who was altogether ignorant of my love unto this fair one and knew nothing neither of the Kings but by his father he answered me with all freedom and plainnesse I come sir said he from a place where you are had in memory and I have brought you a letter which will testifie as much then putting his hand into his pocket he took it out and withall another the superscription whereof I knew and having a suspition that it was directed unto the King also seeing how free this young Cavalier was in his language as I tooke my owne letter I asked him for whom the other was For whom said he why it is to the King my Father is faln sick and he gave it unto me to carry unto the King He spake thus unto me as thinking that I knew of the Kings love as I did all other the Kings businesse before Though this made a deep impression upon my heart yet I smiled at his simplicity and said unto him I doe believe dear friend that both you and your Father are put to very much trouble in the businesse Oh Sir said he very freely I swear unto you that all the voyages of War which the King has taken has not been so troublesome to us as this cursed love hath been especially since the King in his return went to see that faire Lady and you may imagine this a truth by the sicknesse which my Father hath gotten My dear friend replyed I and embraced him such as great Princes doe imploy upon such occasions are such whom they best love and therefore you are not a little obliged unto that fair Lady who is the cause besides your own merit of the Kings love and favour unto you Sir said he unto me I cannot tell what may happen but I am affraid that this Lady of whom you speake will so bewitch him as none can have any share in the Kings favour and love but herself These words went so to my heart as they constrained me to dismisse him sooner then otherwise I would and having no curiosity to know any more I told him purposely to make him go away that the King impatiently expected his coming and that I
I am obliged I would presently doe it with as good a heart as ever I received any favour from heaven The King uttered these words in such a discomposed manner and with such a countenance as testified that his expressions did not come from his heart And because I saw him stand silent I answered him Sir said I all that is in the world were created to serve your greatnesse especially Alcidon who is ready to sacrifice himselfe upon the Altar of your contentment And the Heavens foreseeing it impossible I should be deprived of Daphnide and live will take away my life lest it should be any obstacle unto you And therefore welcome death since my life cannot conduce to your contentment Upon this I could not restraine my teares and the King being moved at them after a while of silence said unto me You cannot Acidon wish me so ill as the injury I have done you does merit I doe most ingeniously acknowledge it and wish that my blood could remedy it perhaps I shall doe it in time but for the present there is no thought of it And yet for your satisfaction I am resolved upon any thing you would have me onely take heart and recover of your sicknesse and beleeve to your contentment that I will doe all I can to procure it After this the King went out of my Chamber leaving me in such a sad condition as it is incredible any other than my selfe should live under such a load of sorrowes and despaires Alcidon turmoiled with the memory of these painfull passages and the wrong which he received both from his Master and his Mistresse he lost his speech so as after a while of silence when he offered to speake he could not and therefore he was forced for a long time to be silent at last striving with himselfe he broke out with much adoe and said You see Madam how in obedience to your commands I make my old wounds bleed afresh but when I consider all is by your command I doe patiently indure all but if your Rigor be not greater than my Patience I beseech you helpe me to beare the burthen which you have imposed upon me I meane in the continuance of this relation of my misfortunes of which you may speake with more assurance than I can for in all that is hereafter to be told I am only the sufferer of what you were pleased I should endure Methinks my request is not unreasonable that the wise Adamas may understand from your mouth the truth of those things whereof you only are the Author Adamas not staying for the answer of Daphnide turned towards her and said Methinkes Madam the motion of this Cavalier is reasonable and that by your owne ordinance imposed upon him you are obliged unto it Reverend Father answered she the law is not equall betwixt him and me yet since you thinke it fit I shall doe as you please and I must tell you that though Alcidon hath spoken the truth yet as good Orators use he hath inserted some words to the great advantage of his cause Then after she had paused a while she continued the discourse thus The Sequel of the History of Daphnide and Alcidon IT is a Proverbe full of reason that Parties interested or prepossessed with any Passion can never be good judges because their judgements being offended they can never performe their perfect Functions no more than a leg or an arme can which has any great wound Alcidon has made good the Proverb by the consequences which he hath so often drawne to my disadvantage being byassed thereunto more by passion then by reason And because my discourse would be very long if I should answer all his particular rovings into Passion I will omit them and truly relate the remainder of our Fortune and leave you to censure of his passions And to begin where he left I will tell you Reverend Father that having received the Letter which he sent unto me unto which I returntd no answer because the Messenger according to his command went presently away without bidding any adieu I became the most desolate person in the world being taxed with a crime and with some colour of reason which I could not helpe I understood presently after by the Kings Letters all the discourse which they two had together and afterwards by Alvian whom I sent purposely to see how he did though I did not write who told me how ill he was I discoursed long with my selfe what I should doe in the businesse for on the one side his affection to me invited me to goe unto him and tell him how he was mistaken on the other side I durst not doe it for fear of being blamed I was long wavering in the ballance between these two considerations before the Scale would turne to either side but at last the returne of Alvian constrained be to goe unto him for bringing me such very bad newes of his sicknesse I cast off all other considerations and resolved to see him In this determination I sought out for some excuse to colour my Voyage And presently after a very good one presented it selfe For Peace being made my Brother-in-law was constrained to goe to Avignon about getting of a Cozen of his who was a Prisoner in the Towne which was rendred unto the great Eurick and who because he would needs contradict the generall resolution those of the place seized upon him and though Peace was afterwards published yet they would not set him at liberty least if the warre should breake out againe he should interprise something against them And seeing there was some difficulty about his inlargement and that the businesse by consequence would take up a long time he would carry his wife with him and he had a great desire of my Company that I might be seen with him if he was forced to make any addresses unto the King As soone as the husband made the motion unto me I consented with a condition of my Mothers consent The good old woman gave her consent as soone as ever she understood the cause so as within two dayes after we set forward and as fortune was our lodging hapned to be directly over against the lodging of Alcidon His sicknesse was much spoken of and the King went oft to see him for he loved him very well but when he was advertised of my arrivall he shewed himselfe more desirous of his health than before For whereas he was wont to see him but once or twice in a weeke since I came he went to him every day and as he went or came backe he commonly came to my lodging As for me the same day I came I sent to Alcidon and told him by Alvian that if he was pleased I would willingly come and see him and as soone as I received his answer I went thither I found him very ill and his Chamber full of Phisitians and Chyrurgians so as at that time our talke was onely of his malady unto
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
great paines he had taken in his service the hazards he had run and the wounds he had received And Sir said he the ransome of this stranger whom I took prisoner who escaped from me was all the reward I ever hoped for But if this sentence of Death be executed I shall lose all my hopes and all that fortune gave unto me which I believe Sir is not a little for he is one of the chiefe of the Province of the Lâ—bians and his Father who has no Children but he is raised to that credit as that great Souldier Râ—thimer has more apprehension of him then any in all Cisa pine Gaule He had no sooner spoke these words but Bellaris that faithful servant not knowing what his Masters design was running unto this place as almost all the Towne did and hearing what he had done to save Cryseide he was extreamly desirous to free his Master from this danger by the losse of his own life anâ— therefore crouded in and cast himselfe at the feet of Gondebunt in such a resolute manner that he hindred him from giving Bellâ—mart any answer and when he saw the King hearkned towards him he began thus Sir you have this day gotten the title of a promise-keeping Prince and I doe here cast my selfe upon my knees beseeching you to be no lesse an observer of your word towards me then you have been towards this Cavalier called Arimant Stranger said Gondebunt neither thou nor he nor any living shall ever have any cause to upbraid me with breach of word Sir said Bellarâ—s this action speakes you worthy to be the Monarch of the whole world Then rising up he continued thus You have promised oh Great King to bestow a favour upon him who was ayding and actually assisting in the escape of this Lady I have so said the King Then Sir said he I come to inform you of him against whom you have just cause to be angry and severely to punish for indeed he is in all the fault and you cannot in reason accuse this poore Cavalier of any crime though it is true he was a cause of her escape because he did not contribute any thing toward it farther than that he lived and loved her I must confesse that had he not been amongst the living she would not have had any mind to escape But Sir is it a crime to live Did he ever give her any counsell or advise her to it or did he ever take any paines or industry about it No no Sir not at all further then to let her know he was alive But on the other side he whom I shall discover unto you is onely culpable he first gave the counsell he contrived the way it was he who loosed the Chaine of Boatâ— which blocked up the River he helped Cryseide to passe through he found out Horses for her to fly away To be briefe Sir he did all and by consequence deserves all the punishment The King hearing this stranger speak thus Why said he art thou so long before thou namest him unto me that I may severely punish him Sir said the faithful servant I shall quickly name him and more then that I will deliver him into your hands when according to your Royal word you have granted me the favour which I shall ask I doe promise it said the King and confirme my promise by attesting all that is sacred Then Sir said Bellaris the favour which I ask is That this Cavalier may be set at liberty and that all his fetters may be charged upon me for it was I onely that helped Cryseide to escape It was I who brought her newes he was alive It was I that has been with her ever since To be brief Sir It is I onely that deserves all the punishment because I was I only that am the cause of your high displeasure But now since I have made good what I have promised it is your part Oh great King to make good yours and grant the favour which I asked I was from my infancy brought up in the house of this Noble Cavalier I do owe unto him all that I am I have been a witnesse of his affection unto Cryseide from the very first beginning of it and I have seen so much virtue and noblenesse of minde between them that I thinke the end of my dayes most happy if I can be a meanes of their long living together by virtue of the favour which I ask I should think my selfe culpable of ingratitude if being able to save the life and honour of him who gave me life and who by his example has taught me all things vertuous and honourable I did not freely doe it And therefore Great Sir I desire you will absolve Arimant from all kind of punishment and not onely set him at liberty as you have already Cryseide but also that you would be pleased out of your incomparable magnanimity to make them marry each other as they are already by the consent both of themselves and their Parents Let all your anger which you aimed at him be imployed good Sir against me and adde as many torments as you will so they be safe for the very Glory of doing what I ought to doe will make them all so sweet unto me as I shall not resent the sharpnesse of the paine And because Sir I hear that the valiant Bellimart pretends to have some right unto my Master because he was formerly his Prisoner Give me leave to contradict his pretension in the presence of your Majestie First What can he pretend unto my Master but onely this that my Master gave himselfe unto him When you took the Towne of Cartures Oh great King Bellimart knowes very well how much he is beholding unto this valiant Cavalier for his life I will not repeat it lest it should blemish such a generous courage as that of Bellimart But I must needs say and he knowes I say truly that it was not he who took my my Master But my master after he had done Bellimart a very notable piece of service did entreat him to take him as his Prisoner upon condition to use him like a Cavalier and a man of â—â—ality whether this make my Master a Prisoner of War or a Prisoner of Courtesie I refer it unto the judgement of your Majestie But to wave this and admit him his Prisoner what is it he would now have If he was his Prisoner then why did he not keep him Did he let him go upon his Parole No Sir he guarded him as well as he could and he could not keep him Now if a Prisoner doe escape and he who had him do meet him in another Province can he take him again No sir this concerns the grandure of your Majestie I doe not say but that if Bellimart had kept him still his Prisoner within your Dominions he might now have had some Law to demand him But since he did not keep him safe within your own Realme but
of wordly affaires to live in this sweet and harmless tranquillity Infinitely happy you are in all respects happy are you in this Country of Forrests happy in being obeyed and loved as a great Druid but much more happy in being so near a Neighbour unto the pleasant bankes of Lignon which is furnished with more accomplished shepherds and beautifull shepherdesses then ever bore the Name Madam answered Adamas I acknowledge all you say and do profess that I would not change my happinesse with the greatest Monarch upon earth having nothing to pray for from the Great Tautates but onely that it may continue for many yeares As for the commends you are pleased to bestow upon our shepherds and shepherdesses I am assured that they will not receive them without blushes though they will take any thing well which proceeds from you But Madam said he as you have heard the cause of their courtship will it please you to hear their judgement With much contentment said Daphnide Then the Druid turning towards Phillis It was you shepherdess said he who first provoked Silvander unto Combate and therefore it is reason you should also be the first who shall produce your Reasons and Arguments why the victory should be yours The Speech of the shepherdess Phillis I Did not think Mistress that amongst all the shepherds in this Country especially about Lignon any one would have been found so full of vanity as to think himselfe worthy of the esteem and love of a shepherdesse so full of merit as Diana Diana I say the most exactly accomplished and most perfect beauty that ever bore the name of shepherdesse And yet fairest Mistresse you see this man this arrogant man stand before you in a posture of Love and his head crowned with a Chaplet of Flowers as if he had already got the victory which he most unjustly pretends unto But shepherd I pray tell me from whence proceeds this rash presumption and what pretended reasons can you possibly have Thy hopes cannot be grounded upon thy own shallow merits when thou dost but look upon the perfections of Diana for they are such as holding no proportion with thine love cannot be produced by things so farre unequall I am confident thy own impudence cannot be so brazâ—n-fac'd as to deny the truth of this but thy own soul must needs tell thee that there is nothing in thee which can equall her perfections How durst thou be so arrogant and rash as dare to love her But as this is high impudence yet methinks that to pretend unto her love againe is much more extream But Silvander what colour canst thou have for this thy fond pretension what should make thee think of obtaining her love before me Thou canst not deny but every thing is naturally inclined to love its like and I being a woman as our Mistress is certainly she must needs naturally love me more then thee But besides this what will cause love sooner then long acquaintance and continuall converse By it perfections come to be better known and by it merits being better known love must needs take better and deeper root and by it occasions doe present themselves every minute to render reciprocall amity and devoires which are the very Nurses of a true and reall affection Now thou canst not deny but that I have had a longer and more intimate acquaintance with her then thou hast she her selfe knowes it and is able to contradict thee if thou dost deny it But should I wave all these Reasons yet I have one which will put thee to silence at the least unlesse thou bee'st impudence it self You must of necessity acknowledge thatâ— whatsoever is most faire and perfect is also most amiable and to be most esteemed then shepherd your cause is quite ruined for our sex being much more perfect then that of men thou art driven to confesse that I ought to be loved before thee But wave all these considerations again can counterfeiting lying and dissembling ever cause love Do you think that the faire Diana does not know that all thy addresses all thy services and all that affection which thou strainest thy selfe to make appear unto her is onely in respect of that wager which is betwixt us and proceeds only from a desire thou hast to overcome me and not from her beauty or wit Methinks I heare the answer already that it is true and that this reason might not be alleadged against me since the wager is reciprocall and all the demonstrations of affection which I make may have the same fault But shepherd you are mistaken for I loved her long before our contest began and I am sure she loved me which is more then thou canst say since all thou didst was onely to come amongst us and never look upon shepherdesse in way of love nor I believe hadst thou so much confidence as to dare it But speak the truth Silvande and confesse that before this wager thou didst not discern any difference betwixt Diana's face and mine or any other shepherdesse of Lignon And dost thou not thinke that all these extream passions which thou dost counterfeit in thy discourse all these languishings raptures transports and follies does rather invite one to laughter then to love This manâ— Mistress that is all in flame and rapture that does so Idolize your beauty at every word and that is ready to die with superabundant love This is the man that a minute before our wager began did hardly know whether such a one as Diana lived or at most had no deeper knowledge of you then what your name gave him And yet he can at a minutes warning be all in a flame all affection all love all yours will not such folly as this move more laughter then affection But admit that your beauty has kindled some sparkes of love in him Is it not my selfe unto whom all the recompence is due since it was onely I that am the cause of it It is most certaine and Mistresse you know it that if I had not upbraided him the wager had never been made and if it had not he had never been so bold and confident as ever to look upon you so as if he will pretend unto any favour from you for any services which he hath done unto you since that time is he not obliged unto me for it for making him what he is It is I then who in all reason may pretend unto any merits that are in him â—ince all his devices and all his actions which made him amiable in your eye ought to be put upon my account and teckoned unto my advantage Cease then shepherd contending with me for a thing which thou knowest to be my due prevent that judgement which thou canst not avoid consent that the glory shall be given unto me which my Fortune my Quality and my merits have given unto me before thee which if thou dost thou wilt make thy selfe appeare to be a man of wit and of judgement Thy
one Shepherd who is to be blamed for all the miseries that befal all the Shepherds of this Country in this kind Sylvander is he I mean for he having a very subtile wit does insinuate himself so in the good opinion of the Shepherds as by his false and sophistical arguments he perswades them That a Lover is a man lost in point of reputation if when he is ill entertained he change his affection as if a man were a Rock immoveable and able to abide all the angry blâ—sts and storms of a raging Sea so as a Shepherd becomes so much enslaved as in spite of all injuries he cannot discontinue his service and good will but he must presently be branded with inconstancy and thus all become subjects unto the Tyrany of Women whereas if these maximes were not they would not delight so much in seeing their servants to languish but would add every day fresh favours in hopes to keep us from changing Unto all this Calidon answered thus you are much mistaken Hylas if you think Sylvander to be the first Author of these opinions The Shepherds of this Country have for many ages observed the same Laws and though custome did not oblige us unto it yet the beauty of our Shepherdesses would constraine us For is it possible to Love them once and not alwayes I see replied Hylas that now you do Love Astrea and therefore one must not argue the matter with you according to the rules of reason But I hope to see you as far from this affection as you are from that of Celidea Several reasons answered Calidon did divert me from her you last named and many more do oblige me never to cease loving the other unless I cease to live for besides the accident which took away the beauty of Celidea and which was the first cause of my affection I was obliged to restore her unto Thamires in point of honour but setting this and all other considerations aside having submitted my self by oath unto arbitration doubtlesse I should have drawn upon me both the anger of Heaven and hatred of men if I had not been obedient unto it On the other side all things do induce and invite me never to change my affection unto Astrea for in the first place her beauty is such as cannot be equalled She is so much the prouder for that said Hylas No matter answered Calidon a little pride in a Woman makes her the more amiable Yes said Hylas so she be proud unto others and not unto us but is not beauty very subject unto the injury and blasts of time Oh Hylas answered Calidon when age has blasted the beauty of Astrea the same age will make Calidon not much care for beauty moreover Parents who have the government of her and those who have the power over me do allow of this affection The contentment of Parents replied Hylas is often a cause that Women will not Love those who otherwise are not displeasing unto them as well because they cannot abide Parents should be courted more then themselves as because constraint is odious unto them For Love never comes by constraint nor the opinion of others but only by the will of those who love But Astrea is so wise replied Calidon that she will be conformable unto the opinion of her friends May be not replied Hylas Astrea is able to build upon her own resolution I should easily believe it said Calidon did I not see that she is disengaged and free from loving any and as yet I have not done her service sufficient to engage her so as should she be easily won she would not be so estimable Oh Calidon said Hylas Do you think long service will make her love Alas alas poor Shepherd I pity you if you be of that opinion you had need to make provision of Spectacles to see her Beauty withal at that time for when it comes I believe you will not be able to see without them Did you never hear how Celadon loved her Yes replied Calidon but he being dead that makes nothing against me Nothing against you said Hylas Yes yes perhaps more then you imagine For why else according to Sylvanders doctrine should she preserve the memory of him so freshly as Tyrcis does of his dead Cleon But this is not that I would say Do you know how long this Celadon Courted her Some four or five years answered Calidon Well friend answered Hylas Do you not think a pair of Spectacles will do very well at five years end I do not think said Calidon that so long a time is requisite to win her but though it be yet I should not be reduc'd unto any such necessity as you speak of Shepherd shepherd replied Hylas you may flatter your self as long as you please but you may consider that nothing is more certain then experience and what you have formerly seen come to pass Consider if you be wise that it may come to pass again You say she is not engaged in her affection unto any Why this is it Friend which makes me think worse of your business for those women which will love any may be drawn and won to love us but these insensible Creatures are such things as do not so much as know what and whom is to be loved Calidon began to boggle at the reasons which Hylas urged and thought them very strong I assure you Hylas said he I stand in need of all these consolations which you give me I think my self happy in meeting with you If you would have me flatter you said Hylas I could speak in another dialect but if your judgement be sound you will see I speak like a friend If you desire to find comfort in your misery you must use the like remedies which I alwaies did in the like cases which if you do I will warrant you from taking any harm from such a disease as this But let me tell you answered Calidon that if you mean quitting Astrea or loving any other I had rather lose my eyes then look upon any other Beauty then hers and lose this heart which gives me life then ever love any other Shepherdess then Astrea Upon this being a little angry with Hylas he would have gone away from him But Hylas held him and smiling said unto him Nay said he if you be upon that lock and desire so much to see Astrea you may go into the Grove of Hazles For I saw her there alone but would not tell you because I feared you would but lose all your labour For a woman is somtimes like unto death which comes upon us before we be aware and least think upon it Hylas said Calidon It was not friendly done to keep me so long from my happiness in being with her Nay nay said Hylas take heed you come not soon enough to receive a course entertainment Calidon having not so much patience as to stay so long to reply he went as fast as he could to the place which
of when it is too late he went unto him and saluted him and when he saw that he did not answer what Merindor said he and took him by the arm will you not speak unto your friends Merindor hearing this voice and feeling himself held by the arm stopped short and looked upon Euphrosias as if he were newly revived out of an extasie and after he had stood a while mute Good Euphrosias said he pardon this fault which proceeds from a very bad humour which has seised upon me I will answered his friend upon condition you will tell me the cause Though perhaps you would not know it answered Merindor yet I beseech you hear it for I have need of your counsel in a business which concerns me as neer as my life but let us go aside lest any should hear us discourse Upon this making choise of a private place he began to tell him the original of his Love the progress and the present condition wherein he was afterwards he acquainted him with the Love of Bellimartes and Periander but when he came to the discourse he had with me in the Temple and my answers in favour of Periander he entred into such a passion that the Prudent Euphrosias did see that the affection which he had unto me was too great to be diverted either by reasons or entreaties and therefore to avoid the two evils which he foresaw he thought it most necessary to draw him only from the most dangerous which was his hatred unto Periander and as for the cure of his affection there was no way but to refer it unto time therefore in lieu of any sharp reprehensions or any four looks he smiled upon him and answered thus Good Merindor said he tell me upon your faith if this be all the cause of your being thus discomposed How said Merindor is not this enough since my affection is such unto Dorinde that it is a thing most impossible for me to help it And do I not see before my face the man that is the great obstructor of my happiness Is there no way answered his friend to find a remedy None answered Merindor that I know but to take away the life of him that takes away from me that happiness without which I cannot live Oh Merindor cried out Euphrosias you take things at the worst Tell me I beseech you do you think Dorinde Loves Periander Think it said Merindor nay I were the most incredulous fool that lives if I were not certain of it Then replied his Wise friend you must not go the worst way to compasse what you desire for you can never hope to get the good will of Dorinde by murdering that person whom she Loves best your passion does but flatter and deceive you for by that course you will make her hate you even to the very death Certainly said Merindor there is no remedy if this be not good Certainly said Euphrosias this is neither good nor a remedy but I beseech you tell me why you think it so necessary for Periander to die Because said he the Love that Dorinde bears unto him is the cause why she does not Love me If that be it replied Euphrosias make the same reason as well obstruct him as he obstructs you I mean that she shall not Love Periander because she Loves Merindor Yes yes said Merindor you are very kind but here is the difficulty how should I make her love me Do as Periander does answered Euphrosias nay and better why should you think heaven will not be as favourable to you as any other Cavalier of your age But Euphrosias said he she does love Periander So much the better answered Euphrosias it is a signe she is not insensible nor invulnerable by the blows of Love Pray why should you think your services should not work as happy effects as his You see Merindor that you do love Dorinde in such a height that you cannot retire resolve with your self to love her still in such extremity that it shall invite her unto Love again or rather to constrain her unto it Oh my dear friend said Merindor and sighed how difficult is it to bring this enterprize to pass Yet let me tell you notwithstanding all I told you before concerning Periander that I do verily believe she does not love him but all she does is only in obedience unto her Father So much the better still said Euphrosias for if she does not love him you will far sooner win her then if she were engaged unto any Oh but if she do love Periander said Merindor what hopes can I have Why should not you hope as well as another replied Euphrosias Will not most merit soonest obtain Or say that Argument have no validity in it you must know Merindor that the love of women is one of those things that must not be sought after by the Rules of Reason and of whom one must never despair for be most assured that there is a certain hour in the day in the which they can deny nothing And therefore the answer of the Oracle was good when a Lover asked what he should do to overcome the cruelty of his Mistris The Answer was Love be Bold and Continue With such discourse as this Euphrosias diverted his friend from his designe against Periander and filled him so full of new hopes that he began to court Dorinde with such fresh assaults as Periander and Bellimartes could not chuse but be jealous for until then he did not openly declare himself but thought himself out of hopes yet now by reason of the time of my Father's answer unto Periander he was the only mote in his eye and certainly not without reason for I seeing my father very inclinable to give me unto him I thought my self already so certain to be his wife that I devoted my self wholly unto him Whilst these three were thus striving who should win me the term which my Father set for Periander's answer drew on and he who expected with extream impatience the day whereon he should be pronounced happy that very evening he failed not to go unto my Father with three of his neerest kinred As soon as he came into his presence he fell down upon his knees and beseeched him with as much earnestness as if his life was at stake that he would be pleased to give him that answer which he promised But Sir said he if it be not sutable to my desires make but a signe and it shall suffice to be rid of me for I am most perfectly resolved to throw my self and all my desires and designs into the bottom of Arar He accompanied these words with such actions of his hands head and every part of his body that every one believed they came from his heart And my Father as the rest being deceived by this opinion did hold out his hand to take him up from his knees Son said he unto him for so I will hereafter call you rise up and believe that
thing never shook his constancy no nor any monsters of difficulties which he met with nay even impossibilities were not able to stop him in his designed course Oh Gods who does not know that Thomantes hath loved the fair Delphire even in her Cradle at an age when she was not capable if I may say so of knowing either to love or cause love And can it be imagined that Thomantes should now fall off and not love her when her eyes enflames all that they daign to look upon and cast their rayes on Who can have seen this Thomantes overcome all the rigours and scorns of Delphire abide the length of time surmount all difficulties and believe that the same Thomantes should not love her when this fair Monster of Beauty seemed pliable to his will and desires Truly these accusations are as far from any common sence as they are from reason and truth and there is no other answer to be given unto them but this that there is no disputing against those that will deny principles and no more ought I against those persons who make these oppositions who yet do fill Heaven and Earth with their complaints against us and will by force have us confess that we do not love them They will needs take upon them to know what we do better then we our selves Love is an act of the will and is there any so clear sighted as can see my will better then my self But as humane nature is more apt to believe the bad then the good so should we but once tell Delphire and Dorissea that we do not love them oh how presently would they believe us But if we should tell them and tell them again a thousand and a thousand times that we do infinitely love them they would presently say it was not true Why should you not believe us in the one as well as in the other But we and it is no small argument of that love which you deny to be in us if you once tell us that you do love us we presently believe it and never make the least doubt of the truth and from whence proceeds this easie faith and belief Even from love from love I say which makes us believe that truth as well as all other virtues is in the person loved so consequently in you But these fair ones would never confess that we loved them but alwayes denied it and now they tax us with inconstancy This last injury my dear Asphales is an argument for us for from their own opinion must be concluded that we do love them now for they confess that we did not love them heretofore and by saying that we are inconstant they say that we do love now in this sence fair Shepherdesses we should agree with you were it not that Love who forced this truth from your own mouths against your wills will not let us confess that we did not love you before but on the contrary we do say and maintain that we did love you and do love you and ever shall love you and that never was affection more perfect then the affection of Asphales and Thomantes Now the main argument they have against our affection is that our actions have not given sufficient testimonies that we love them Consider oh most just Judge consider I beseech you upon what a sandy foundation this charge is built and how quickly it will fall to the ground when our actions and behaviours to them were all fire and full of impatiencies then they charged us that we did not love them when we saw this way would not prevail nor perswade them to believe the truth of our affections we had recourse unto the contrary we put on a garb of coldness and became all patience but they forgetting the judgment they had before given do now accuse us of want of love more sharply then before What should we do if to our mis-fortune two contraries do work the same effect upon their unjust souls if neither heat nor cold will testifie our Love what can we do Yet these considerations or rather contradictions do put us unto abundance of pains not that they who do see and weigh every thing with a sound judgment can ever enter into any doubt of us but since there are more of those who are inclined to judge ill of others then of those who hold an even scale of judgment it must ensue that the greater part of men will blame us and which is worst of all or which is indeed insupportable these fair ones may nourish a stinister opinion of us in their souls although we never courted any thing with more desires then to perswade them of the contrary and therefore though we know very well that we ought in all other things to yeild unto them yet in this we are constrained to contradict them and bring the matter unto the judgment of another which we would not have to be taken as any defect of love or respect but rather for excess and height of affection which transports us beyond all rules of duty In this excesse we have several times desired that since they do charge us with inconstancy they would first agree that heretofore we did love them and afterwards that they would prescribe unto us those limits in which a Lover ought to keep himself within compass of this constancy to the end one may judge as by a straight rule whether the line be right and come no neerer one side then another and so oh our just Judge it may appear whether we be inconstant or no. The Gods are they who have sent us unto you and the Gods are they will inspire you with a spirit of right judgment But in the mean time we do require and conjure the God of Love to take away all incredulity out of the souls of these fair ones which makes them condemn our actions which truly if they were different from what they were wont to be it was not out of any alteration of will but urgent affairs which was the cause and which hindred us from paying the tribute of those trivial services we were wont to render and in which we could not imploy our time without much prejudice unto our estates Has not all seasons their proper actions does not nature teach us that flowers are proper for the spring and fruits for summer if trees should bloom all the year they would bloom in vain and why should not the same be said of us If we should be alwayes bearing those little flowers which are proper and natural at the beginning of Love we should not produce so much fruit in the summer of Love but should in a manner derogate from the Law of Nature But perhaps that which induceth them to this opinion is the more familiar conversation which we have with others then we were wont to have and that this conversation proceeds from some Love we bear unto those we are familiar with all truly if a Lover ought to be
if there was you would not thus trifle away your time but go presently to the faire Alexis I believe answered Phillis that we shall be there time enough to imploy all your Constancy No no replied Silvander he has all the reason in the world to make haste otherwise there would be some danger lest the end of his love should be before the beginning of our journey Perhaps you think said Hylas that you have given me a notable check in saying that I doe never love any long but I take it as one of the greatest commendations you can give me For good Silvander tell me Is not he that goes as much ground in an hour as another does in a whole day is not he I say the best Footman and a Mason that builds a House in a moneth which another will not undertake under a whole yeare is not he the best Workman If you will make your love a Lackey said Silvander I shall think the faster it goes the better it is But as for your Mason let me tell you Hylas that he who makes most haste is not the best workman but he who does his work the best does best deserve that name for most haste makes worse work and often spoils all Hylas would have replied when all the Company began to set forward towards the Temple of the good Goddesse where Chrysante expected them at Dinner for that venerable Druid understanding their determination and being desirous to visit the faire Alexis she invited them all unto her house that she might make one of their company this request which was honourable unto them was not denyed and therefore Silvander left the inconstant Hylas to wait upon Diana being exceedingly glad of this opportunity of being with her when Paris was not Had the disguised Alexis looked the right way she might easily have seen them come from the field of Mercury for the Grove where she was surveyed the place but her eyes were so fixed upon the place where Astrea dwelt that she stood like a statue expressing no signes that she was alive but onely breathing or rather sighing She had longer stood in this musing posture if Leonide had not diverted her this Nymph not being able to extinguish her flames of affection towards Celadon she was so much delighted in the company of Alexis that she was absent from him as little as possible she could The wise Adamas having the words of Silvia still fresh in his memory though he knew well enough what ardent affection that shepheard had unto the faire Astrea yet did he live in much perplexity knowing very well that his Neece was not so disfurnished of natures gifts but that she might in time worke upon a young heart and make it forget all respects of loyalty and duty This consideration was so strong in him that she would never have permitted this young shepheard to enter his house under the habit name and motion of his Daughter Alexis had not the Oracle made a promise unto him that when Celadon did enjoy his contentment his age should then be happy so as being interested in point of happinesse he chose rather to take so much paines to watch the actions of them both then to lose that happinesse which the Heavens had promised Now because he could not have his eye alwayes upon them in respect his domestique and publique affaires invited him another way he charged Paris to be present with them as much as he could This morning when he heard they were both gone out of the house and that Paris was not with them he went immediately after them and followed his Neece so close as he was in the Grove almost as soone as shee where Alexis had beene along while entertaining her thoughts the noise which the Nimphs made as she came caused Celadon to looke that way and as he turned he spyed the Druide comming unto whom she bore so much respective reverence that though she had rather have beene alone entertaining his thoughts of Astrea yet seeming otherwise she went to meet him and bid him good morrow with a countenance of joy more then accustomed of which Adamas taking notice after his morning salute he told her that her countenance of jollity did presage but a bad conclusion of the day If it please good Father answered Alexis you shall receive contentment by it for as for me I have no hopes but in death and if you did observe me with a merrier countenance then ordinary it is because I thinke my selfe every day neerer the end of that torment which Fortune hath ordained for mee imitating in this those who are in a long and tedious journey who when they come to their Inn at night are pleased to thinke that so much of their paines is lessened the Druide returned this cold answer My dear Child those who do live without hope of comfort in their miseries doe not only offend against the Providence of great Tautates but also against the prudence of them who have the Guardianship of them In this occasion therefore I have a double cause of Complaint against you you have offended both the Gods and Mee as Druide of the Country into whose hands the Oracle hath committed you Father answered Alexis I should be extreamly sorry should I offend either the great Tautates or you and for an explanation of my words give me leave to tell you that my intention was not to doubt either in the Providence of our great Gods or in your Prudence but I doe beleeve it is not the will of the Gods to give me any contentment as long as I live and that my misfortune is so great as it is beyond all humane Prudence to helpe it You must know replyed Adamas that the slighting of a benefit received does often withdraw the hand of the Benefactor and makes it more slacke in conferring then it was before take heed you provoke not the Heavens unto the like for you doe so ill accept of what they have begun to doe for you as you have reason to feare that in lieu of happinesse they will inflict new punishments Doe you not consider that when you had mured up your selfe in a Salvage Rocke the Gods sent Silvander with consolation unto you Then to make their goodnesse more apparent unto you did not he cause Astrea her selfe to come unto you Did you not see her nay almost hear her and the Lamentations she made for you what better beginnings of happinesse could you possibly hope for then these I will not instance the visits of Leonide and my selfe for perhaps they were troublesome unto you but I may well mention the goodnesse of the Gods to you in inspiring mee to bring you unto my house under the notion and habit of my Daughter Alexis for doubtlesse it is her whom Astrea comes to see What more auspitious beginning can you have then this Can you imagine that without the particular aide and assistance of the Gods this habit and disguise
possible Hylas that you should be so near Phillis and take no notice of her Hylas seeming as if he had not seen her turned about as if he looked for her at last looking upon her I assure you my time-past Mistress said he unto her that my heart was so much in another place that my eyes never informed me that you were here and perhaps the same occasion has brought us both together very likely answered Phillis you came with a desire to see the faire Alexis and I came with sorrowes that I have lost you especially at the game of the Fairest as you say it was Faith Phillis answered Hylas the heavens would have it so How Hylas said Thircis doe you thinke that the heavens are the cause of your inconstant humour as well answered Hylas as of those vaine teares which you shed upon the cold ashes of Cleon. Things which doe not depend upon our selves said Tircis and whose causes are unknown unto us we doe ordinarily ascribe unto the puissance and will of the Gods But such things as the causes whereof are known we never use to ascribe them unto the Gods as the Authors especially such things as are ill as inconstancy is for that were flat blasphemy whether inconstancy be good or bad answered Hylas is a question which will admit of dispute but it must needs be confessed that it proceeds from the Gods for is not beauty the work of great Tautates and what makes me change but beauty were not Alexis fairer then Phillis I had never changed Beauty then is the cause and if so why may we not impute it unto the Gods without any blasphemy especially since wee see by the effects that the change is good and reasonable being according to the laws of Nature which obliges every one to look for whaâ— is best That beauty is the worke of great Tautates answered Tircis I doe confesse and more that it is the greatest of all which fall within the compasse of our senses but to affirme that it should be the cause of inconstancy is an errour as if one should accuse Light with the fault of those who goe out of the way because it shewes them severall Pathes And as to your assertion that inconstancy is according to the Laws of nature which commands every one to aime at the best take heed Hylas that it be not of a depraved nature and quite contrary to the Command you mention For how doe you know that your change is for the best for my part I see no advantage you get by it but the losse of that time which you imploy about it you take much unprofitable paines to no end and make every one scorne your friendship as too light to be entertained if you thinke these to be advantages I confesse you have some reason to court them but if you will credit Judgements which are not infected with your owne disease you will find them to be the greatest evils that you can meet withall Diana who observed that Tircis spoke in good earnest and that Hylas perhaps would grow angry she would needs interrupt them so as this discourse might passe no farther which to effect she put Phillis upon it who began thus Heretofore my late Servant said shee unto him you were wont to complaine that of all the company Silvander was your only enemy but now methinkes Tircis hath supplyed his place It is no wonder my late Mistresse answered Hylas for it is very ordinary to see ill opinions take hold upon ignorant persons Tircis would have replyed had he not beene prevented by poore Adrastes who being come into the Wood they saw talking unto Trees and Flowers as if they had beene people of his acquaintance sometimes he fancied that he saw Doris and then kneeling downe upon the ground he adored her and as if he were begging for the favour of a kisse of her hand he made a long speech sometimes againe he fancied that he saw Leonide and then he rayled and wished her all manner of bad Fortune but when he fancied Palemon the expressions of his jealousie was very pleasant for though it was very confused yet it gave good evidence of the grandure of his affection The company passed close by him and though the very sight of him moved every one to pitty yet much more when he spyed Doris because then he stood immoveable like a Pillar his eyes fixed upon her and his armes a crosse his brest without a word as if he were ravished Afterwards pointing at her with his finger when she passed by him he said with a deep sigh see see where she is then fixing his eyes upon her hee never moved them as long as he could see her but when he began to lose the sight of her he began to run untill he was before her then he looked upon none in the Company but her and so silently looking upon her he accompanied her unto the outgoing of the Wood for farther he durst not passe when he lost the sight of her he began to cry out Adieu Palemon make much of Doris and upon this he rushed into the Wood where he almost alwayes was because that was the place where Leonide gave judgement against him Every one pittyed him except Hylas who presently began to laugh and turning towards Silvander This Shepherd said he unto him is an effect of that constancy which you commend so much which of us two doe you thinke is in most danger to resemble him Complexions most perfect answered Silvander are most easily altered but to chuse I had rather be like Adrastes then like Hylas The choice of the one said Hylas is in your power but not of the other How doe you meane it said Silvander The meaning said Hylas is nothing difficult my meaning is that if you will you may become a foole like Adrastes your humour is inclinable to it but you cannot resemble Hylas In this you are most deceived replyed Silvander For things that depend upon the will may be in choice but things that depend upon the will of another are more difficult and therefore every one that will may be either vertuous or vitious but they cannot be well or sicke when they will now the condition wherein poore Adrastes is it is not voluntary but forced as proceeding from a malady the remedies against which is not in his hands but your malady depends wholly upon your will so as it is demonstrative by reason that it is an easier matter to resemble you then that miserable Shepherd Admit it so said Hylas yet is it not better to resemble me since if I will I can deliver my selfe from my malady as you call it then to resemble Adrastes who cannot free himselfe from his T is true answered Silvander but if you doe leave off your inconstancy then you doe not resemble your selfe I did say that I had rather resemble Adrastes then Hylas that is Adrastes the mad than Hylas the inconstant Truly said Phillis and
owne Picture as when she was about the age of eighteen or twenty yeares she kept her eye long upon it and afterwards casting them upon the Portraiture of Euricke she could not chuse but sigh and say Oh great Euricke how fatall was the expedition which ravished thy Scepter from thee and what great cause have I to grieve since it is not permitted me to follow thee Madam replied Alcidon it must needs be confessed that the losse of Euricke was a generall losse but it would have beene much greater if yours had followed and doe you not thinke that the Gods in preserving you had a great care of me Such is their goodnesse Madam that they never reject the prayers of the just I doe wonder at that the more said Daphnide because mine are not received which were made with so much justice and reason For is it not most just and reasonable to accompany in death those whom they loved in life Adamas hearing his discourse was very desirous to heare more so as beseeching Daphnide to submit her will to the great Tautates he desired her to sit downe and to beleeve that all things are so wisely disposed by him that all humane wisdome was constrained to confesse it selfe ignorant and blind in comparison of his omniscient Providence Then Daphnide sitting next unto Adamas and all the rest of the company taking their places she began thus The History of Daphnide Euricke and Alcidon I know very well reverend Father that the great Tautates does all things for the best For loving us as the workmanship of his owne hands it is not likely he will withdraw his love from us But let me tell you that as Phisique though for our good is yet very bitter and loathsome so those afflictions which wee receive from the hands of the Gods though they be very good for us yet are they very heavy upon those that receive them Those who murmur against his will are indeed much too blame but if when they feele the smart they shrinke and bewaile it they doe but pay the Tributeâ— of their weaknesse and humanity I doe confesse that the goods which I have received from his hands are innumerable and his favours are above his punishments but we being all of a nature more sensible of the bad than the good I am forced to say that the afflictions which I have received have almost blotted out the memory of the blessings And being resolved to retire my selfe from the stormes of the World there is nothing which hinders me but the pursuit of this Cavalier whom I call troublesome This being the occasion which brought me into this Country I beseech you Father give me leave to let you understand how the case stands betwixt us that since the Fountaine of loves Verity is shut we may by your wise Counsell and advice finde some ease in our troubles Know therefore that Thierry the great King of the Visigots dying honourably in the battle sought in the Cathalaunique fields he left many children behind him successors not only in his Crowne but also in his courage and valour He who first succeeded him was Thorismond his eldest Sonne he being received King and crowned in Tholouse he made it his principall study not only to enlarge the limits of his Kingdome but also to replenish it with Cavaliers and Ladies Heaven was at that time favourable unto his will for neither Ataulfes nor Vulalia his Predecessors nor the great Thierry his Father had neere so many accomplished Gallants nor so many faire and wise Ladies as this great and generous King had It was my Fortune at that time to be brought unto the Court by my mother when I was about fifteene or sixteen yeares of age I must confesse that I did not yeild unto any of my age in the good opinion which I had of my selfe either by reason of the confidence I had in my own beauty which the flatteries of men infused into me or by reason of that love which every one is apt to have of themselvs which made me thinke all things more perfect in me than in others But so it was that me thought I did attract the hearts as well as the eyes of all in the Court The King himselfe who was one of the most accomplished Princes that ever the Visigots had daâ—gned to cast a favourable eye upon me and to carrasse me but there being a disparity in our ages he did withdraw himselfe conceiving and considering that such a love was more fit for one that was younger than himselfe At the same time Alcidon was with the King and I may without flattery say before his face that then he was the very Sun of the Court the beauty of his face his stature his hansome proportion his garbe his becomingnesse in every thing his sweet disposition his courtesie valour vivacity of spirit and wit his generosity and his other perfections did get him the onely esteeme of the time The King who was infinitely desirous that his Court should flourish in the bravery of Cavaliers above all other Courts of Europe he observing the merit of Alcidon in his youth did take a particular care of him assuring himselfe that if this hopeful Plant wat carefully pruned he would prove the glory of his Court. Never blush Alcidon to heare me speake so advantagiously of you in your presence I would have you know that my just hatred of you shall not hinder me from speaking the truth and because she paused a little as if she expected he should answer I do admire said he that you should see in me such secret qualities which perhaps all that know me would contradict and yet that you should neither see nor beleeve my extreame affection it being so great as all that know me cannot be ignorant of it I have long debated this in my soule and can find no other reason for it unlesse that perhaps you resemble those that make their esteem to appeare highest when they would be shut of the person whom they seem to esteem We shall debate that said he another time then returning to her discourse she thus cotinued Thorismond intending to furnish Alcidon with all possible accomplishments and knowing that the bravest actions and noble designes doe spring from love to sow the seeds in his soule he commanded him to love and court me Alcidon who was not so young though not above eighteen yeares of age but he was apprehensive of the favour which the King did him and knowing also that his advancement depended upon his obedience he undertooke his Commands and applied himselfe unto me as much as any one of hils age possibly could and to traine up his Youth in all compleat exercises the King caused Bals to be kept very often also Riding at the Ring and Tilting It chanced that presently after Alcidon had received this command the Ball was kept in the presence of Thorismond and the Queene it was the custome at those Bals to dresse
nothing but truth it is reason you should know it from her since she accuseth me and would have me punished T is true said Delia it is your part to speake first I shall let you understand it in few words replyed she for our discourse was not long he spake these words unto me How Madam doe you command me to live I answered him I would not have you live as you have done for the time past for if you doe I shall never pardon you after I have given you such testimonies of my good will He answered this is a most strange command and I doe vow that I will never obey it and when I charged him with his disobedience you entred and hindred me from knowing what he would answer Then Delia turning towards me Has Daphnide told the truth said she Yes my Judg answered I and upon these words I require justice as for the injury she offered in calling me perfidious and Traytor I say nothing because you heard them and besides that they are but consequents of the first offence But said Delia which way hath she offended you For Cavaler answer unto these questions doe you not prosesse your selfe a lover of this Lady Yes answered I so that when I cease to love I cease to live Then replyed Delia do you not know that it is one of the principallest laws of Love for a Lover to obey the person loved Yes answered I and so the commands be not contradictory to his affection as if she should command him not to love her she is not to be obeyed T is true replyed Daphnide for every thing doth naturally fly that which would destroy it but how can you excuse your selfe as not offending against this Precept in this occasion where you have not onely thought the command which she made that you should love her to be strange and hard but also has vowed to disobey her My Judge answered I I did protest it and I vow and protest it still and with this resolution that if I could die and die againe aâ— many times as I have lived houres since my first birth I would rather chuse all those deaths then not vow and protest it You hear said Daphnide being extreamly angry how he speaks and judge whether he does not deserve punishment My Judge said I and smiled let my Mistresse command me to fight against a whole Army of men let her appoint me to cast my selfe into the fire nay if she please let her presently put a dagger through my heart I will immediately obey her And to let her see what dominion she has over me let her put me to what test she pleases for I am sure she cannot command me any thing be it never so dangerous or full of difficulty but my love will prompt me immediately to obedience Doe you not remember that when you first admitted me entrance and enjoyned conditions upon me how I promised to performe them all provided they did not contradict my love I doe remember it answered Delia Then my Judge replyed I methinkes you should not take it ill that I should make this vow and protestation of disobedience unto my Mistresse for had I done otherwise I had been perfidious and a Traytor both to her and Love I asked her how it was her pleasure I should live I would not have you live answered she as you have done for the time past Now if I did love her for the time past as much as a heart could love in commanding me not to love her as I did for the time past is not this to command me not to love her and should I not be disloyall and perfidious if I should obey such a command No no Madam I cannot doe it I loved you when I was a Child I have continued it when I was a man and shall love you till death nothing can divert me from this resolution it is so rivitted in my heart that it will never out as long as I live nay it will be found in my heart after my death Delia then began to smile and said I see that Love is a Child and a little thing will set him a crying my sentence is this I doe ordaine first that all differences shall cease then that Alcidon as a punishment for his fault in answering Daphnide so peremptorily that he would disobey her that presently he doe kisse the hand of his Mistresse and that Daphnide as a punishment for commanding him a thing which she would not have done had she rightly understood it that she shall kisse Alcidon as a testimony of her repentance This judgement was executed to my great contentment and we spent all the rest of the night in such pleasant discourse as when I heard a clocke strike me thought that it did not make quarters of hours I should never make an end should I relate all the discourse we had amongst us I will therefore onely tell you that being ready to depart after I had deferred it as long as possibly I could I took the hand of my fairest Mistresse and kneeling downe I said thus unto her I am now Madam upon the last minute of my happinesse for Delia and the time forceth me to depart I perceive that neither of them are sensible of my passion and for ought I perceive you who are the cause of it are as insensible as they Alcidon answered she doe not complaine of me but consider that if I did not love you I should never run the hazard of my honour and your life which is dearer to me then my owne and you thinke that the passion which blinds my eyes unto all these considerations must needs be very great Madam said I unto her this is it which most amazeth me that since you have already done so much for me you should now doe so little Then her Sister being at a little distance doing something in the Chamber Daphnide answered me Remember Cavalier that the conditions betwixt Delia and you at your first entrance into this adventure were that you should not be too importunate in your demands but to be patient and persevere At this word she held her hand unto me which with a sigh I devoutly kissed Then said I unto her all that I have to doe is to pray unto the great God Saturne who is the Governour of time that he will make it passe away quickly so as I may arrive at my happinesse before my death otherwise that if I must never arrive at it then that my life may quickly passe so as I may not live and languish too long in paine Live Cavalieâ—â— said she unto me and live contentedly and consider that I doe love you These were the last words she then spoke unto me for the clocke strucke twelve which was the hour of my departure by appointment And Delia lest he who stayed for me at the doore should be perceived would not let me stay any longer Besides I was so extreamly grieved that the
King took his leave and went on his journey Daphnide seeing me following did beckon unto me as desirous to speak with me whereupon I commanded one of my men to hide my horse to the end I might have some colour to stay behind so as though the King called me twice or thrice yet stay I did seeming to be very angry with my servants for the little care they had of my Horse The King and almost all the Train departed and I going into the house seeming onely because I would not have the Ladies stay so long in the Sun I took Daphnide aside Well Madam said I unto her what doe you thinke of the Great Eurick Nay said she what discourse doe you thinke we had I cannot tell replyed I Then said she I will tell you and you shall judge which of us two loves you best when he took me to the window to the end Della might not hear though at the first he stayed her with me out of civility he said unto me I doe not now wonder that Alcidon should run such hazard to see you for I protest you are the fairest in the world and now I have seen you I cannot think any in the whole Universe worthy of esteem At the first this discourse made me blush especially hearing him mention you and of a businesse which I did not thinke he knew of yet seeming as if I did not understand him I answered thus I know not sir why you should tell me of Alcidon nor what hazards he has run but I am sure that there is nothing in me worthy of your eye nor of the language of so great a King Why fair one said he unto me did you thinke Alcidon could leave our Army without my leave and without telling me whither he went The Law of War is very severe and strickt moreover assure your selfe that he is too young to enjoy so much good fortune I am so little versed in the way of War answered I and the age of Alcidon does so little concerne me as I never learned the one nor cared for the other Why said he doe you thinke I know not how he hath seene you twice the first time at a Cavaliers house who has the charge of my Artilery and the next time at your sisters where you kept him in a Closet No no Fair one he has told me all and so particularly as you your self do not know them better Certainly said I Alcidon has a great confidence in you and in saying so I was constrained to cover my blushes with my hand being ashamed the King should know all these particulars But he smiling This said he is the common vanity of all young people they cannot be silent but must be blabbing of their own happinesse but be not angry I should know this since loving and honouring you so much as I do I shall take no notice of it but if you will follow my advice and preserve your reputation cast off this youth and reject his addresses for you may be certaine that he who would tell me these things will in an humour tell them to any other and perhaps to some that are not so discreet as I am Judge Alcidon said she to me into what a condition you have brought me by acquainting him with these things which above all you should have concealed How can I chuse but be extreamly angry with you when I reflect upon the wrong you have done me Madam said I unto her I must needs confesse my selfe in a great fault but I am confident you will excuse it if you will but please to remember the manner how we lived in the dayes of his Predecessor King Thorismond who being the first cause of our love I thought this King being as gracious unto me as the other would also favour the accomplishment of it but I perceive their designes are farre different for the one aimed at my happinesse in giving me that which he had a mind unto himselfe and the other intends to make me most miserable by ravishing from me her whom he knowes is mine and without whom he knowes I value not my life For I doe foresee by the knowledge which I have of his humour that he will love you his designe I perceive is to put you out of conceit with me so as your mind then not being ingaged he hopes the more easily to win upon you and bring about his own ends But Madam if you doe think him able to compasse his desires and that I shall ever see this change in you I conjure you by the memory of great Thorismond who loved us both so well never to let me see it but to tell me betimes that my death may anticipate such a dire accident Daphnide then smiled and said I am very glad to see you so much perplexed as you are as well to prevent you from relapsing into your crime of being so liberall in your tongue as to know by your fears which you have of the King and of his good will unto me that you doe really love me But Alcidon I love you too well to let you be long in this perplexity Live therefore contentedly and be confident that as long as Alcidon loves me Daphnide will never love any other and that neither the grandure nor authority of a King shall ever be able to alter me in this resolution We had talked longer if the King who had already sent twice for me had not sent the third time fearing as I beleeve lest Daphnide should impart unto me what he had said unto her Therefore after I had kissed the hand of my fairest Mistresse and after she had given me assurance that if the King continued she would impart all unto me I departed and galloped after the King whom I found gone but a little way for he stayed purposely to dispatch away an expresse to colour thereby his staying for me and to the end that if I came not quickly he might send another messenger for me When I was come unto him Alcidon said he I sent for you because there is danger in coming after an army with few men for I have intelligence that the Enemy is not farre off and if they have any designe of doing any thing they will watch such occasions by their spies I gave him most humble thankes for the care he had of me and though I made no shew of it yet I knew very well that when he said the enemy was not farre off he said truly since he himselfe was neer me and no enemy could be more dangerous nor cruell then himselfe Observe wise Adamas the follies of love I resented the injury so deepely that had I not feared to incur the danger of being taxed for a perfidious Cavalier I know not unto what fury my resentments might have prompted me unto against him but upon good consideration of the matter I resolved to smother my wrongs and seeme to take no notice that I knew any thing
great God who punisheth all false Oathes that all the paines you shall imploy in the Courtship of Clarinta shall be put upon my score and account and that it shall be my selfe who will pay you your wages Methinkes that if Alcidon did love me these expressions would content him and yet I perceive this enterprise goes against his heart and he will attempt it onely because he will not disobey me But so it was that in observance of his promise to me he resolved upon it and according to his best discretion he began this addresse in which truly he found more difficulty then we imagined and much more had met with if fortune had not removed some great impediments by an encounter which I shall relate unto you The History of the Artifice of Alcires IT is easie to be imagined that Clarinta being such a captivating beauty and brought up in a Court full of generous young Gallants was not long without many servants Amongst the rest there was two who under an umbrage of Consanguinity had insinuated themselves highly into her favour The one was called Amintor and the other Alcires both of them indeed very valiant and amiable Cavaliers And who if I be not mistaken did imbarque themselves at first into the affection of this beauty under the notion of friendship a subtilty very ordinary and often used by love the better to surprise those who are of harder tempers to give it entertainment Besides the kindred which was between these two Gallants their long education together the conformity of exercises unto which they addicted themselves and their concurrency in age did unite them in a strong league of friendship and adopted them brothers in matter of Armes and to sweare amity and assistance of each other But love which never admits of any companion did make a fraction in this league of friendship as hereafter I shall relate unto you Fire cannot be so hid but some smoak will appeare but I believe it is a matter more hard to cover love long especially from those who have any interest in it And therefore Alcires finding that Amintor did thrive in his addresses better then himselfe and seeing all just wayes would not avail him he resolved to have recourse unto subtilty thinking that so he could overcome all wayes are allowable in Love It is usuall amongst persons of any quality to make choice of one amongst their servants whom they make a confident and trust such a one more then any other Clarinta made choice of one amongst her maids whom she loved very well and trusted with her most intimate secrets Alcires who knew what prevalence such servants use to have with their Mistresses had long before hand courted the good will of this wench and being a brave Gallant and very liberal he got himselfe so farre in her favour as he could mould her into a model so as when Amintor and he met together at the faire Clarinta's he would alwaies yield place unto him and entertaine this wench who stood a distance from them And when he saw Amintor look upon him he would alwaies have some secret to whisper in her eare and smile doing all he could to make Amintor enter into some suspition Amintor observing this as the nature of lovers is he presently suspected that this familiarity betwixt them proceeded from some greater cause then from that wench and perhaps from some design which Alcires had upon the Mistresse Amintor being a man of a free open heart and one that could not long smother his thoughts from a friend one day meeting with a fit opportunity he said thus unto him Good Alcires what businesse of importance could you have with Clarinta's maid which made you so earnest with her as you seemed Alcires seeing his plot began to take did at first answer him onely with a smile and afterwards would you have me tell you said he you doe so wholly take up the Mistresse when you are with her as I being all alone am forced to take up with what you leave me the maid But heretofore said Amintor you were not wont to doe thus and I am no more a taker up of the Mistresse then I was wont to be what new mood has of late possessed you Alcires paused a while before he answered and then looked upon him with a subtile smile at which Amintor was more troubled then before and seeing that he spoke not a word Why said he doe you not give me an answer have I any interest in your familiarity with her if I have I pray let me know it that I may share in your mirth Alcires then setting a more serious face upon the matter Amintor said he unto him Although there was no ligaments of Consanguinitie us yet as I am your friend you may easily believe that I will impart any thing unto you and the very truth is I had long since acquainted you with what you desire to know at this time had I not feared your disgust of it and this consideration will still stop my mouth unlesse you assure me of the contrary I will not give you that assurance said he if you tell it with an intention of displeasing me but if you tell it with an intention that I may prevent any inconveniency I shall think it a very great obligation If you will promise me said Alcires to use it with discretion and to take well the advertisement which I shall give you onely with intention to bring you forth of a great error I am very ready to tell it you as your kinsman and as your friend but otherwise I shall not for unlesse you make good use of it it may doe you much hurt Then Amintor making that promise unto him Alcires went thus on Know Amintor that after a long Courtship of the faire Clarinta I prospered so well that she is intirely mine aad I have enjoyed her Oh Heavens said Amintor doe you know what you say have you enjoyed Clarinta Yes yes said Alcires I have enjoyed her and therefore set your heart at rest for she is so much mine as very few nights passe but I am with her and therefore you see I shun her company as much as I can purposely to deceive inquisitive eyes as she desired me Oh ye Gods said Amintor and lifted up his hands Oh heavens will you not punish her I assure you said Alcires that I had a longing desire to acquaint you because I was extreamly sorry to see you so deceived but as I told you before I much feared that it would vex and displease you Amintor upon this folded his Arms and stood silent a long time at last said thus I should be extreamly angry with you Alcires for ravishing Clarinta from me did I not know that when we both courted Clarinta we had no designe of deceiving one another for as those who run for a prise though many run yet onely one can win it so I have no reason to be angry with you
a long time for every one tooke me for dead Oh happy had I been if it had been to then should I have buried all my sorrows all my contentments would have followed him to his Grave Upon these words such a flood of teares flowed in her eyes as she was not able to speake of a long time which gave a sufficient testimony how deepely she resented her losse but at last the wind of severall sighes drying up the raine of her eyes she assumed her spirit and continued thus Pardon I beseech you Father the weaknesse of a woman for such an occasion might perhaps excuse a spirit of a higher temper than mine did any resent them so neer the heart as I doe But to passe over such sad remembrances which cannot chuse but be tedious unto you and to fall into the discourse where I digressed give me leave to tell you that whilst I was in the midst of laments and could not find any rest or consolation to my sad soule this cruell Alcidon to loaden me with more misery did presently quit Clarinta and comes impudently upon me as if he had never let any other have a share in his affection I must confesse I was much amazed to see him without blush talke to me with as much confidence as formerly but I was more offended at him for coming upon me so impudently and never offering to aske pardon for the injury he had done me and to talke to me of love and affection For nothing under the Sun offends a woman more than after profession of Love to quit her and love another I permitted his discourse a long while and gave no answer I beleeve he attributed my silence unto the resentments of my losse but seeing he continued on my patience could hold out no longer and therefore I was constrained to say thus unto him Alcidon let me intreat you to hold your peace such talke as this is not now seasonable betwixt us though heretofore it was permitted yet now since both you and I are much changed from what we were it is not allowable He would have answered but I gave him the stop and said unto him Yes yes Alcidon both you and I are very much altered I in this because heretofore I thought you had loved only Daphaide and am now assured of the contrary And you in this that heretofore you devoted your selfe wholly unto me and now the faire Clarinta onely possesseth you and may she long and peacably enjoy her Conquest I promise you Alcidon that I am so farre from envying her happinesse as I will pray the Heavens it may many ages continue Alcidon was mightily amazed at this and would gladly have justified himselfe but I was so certaine of the truth as all his talke did rather move anger than love Afterwards for at that time he saw me so angry as he could not put in a word I left him in as angry a mood as I my selfe was But the next morning he surprised me before I was drest and by chance Carlis and Stiliana were then both in my Chamber and they being very familiar with us neither he nor I concealed any thing from them He fell downe upon his knees protested that he would never rise unlesse I would promise him to heare his Justification patiently and then he would let me dispose of his life and happinesse as I pleased I who was sufficiently loaded with misfortunes already had no mind to adde unto them those displeasures which I foresaw but persisted in my resolution not to hear him knowing very well that good wits never want good words to perswade what they will especially Alcidon whose eloquence I was not ignorant of but was affraid he would incline me to imbrace that service which had so basely quitted me for another At last Carlis and Stiliana hearing our contest they told me that such a Judge was unjust as would condemne a Party before he heard him Most true my dear friends said I unto them but did you know as well as I what charmes his words have whom you would have me hear you would advise me to stop my eares rather than lend them unto the inchantments of such a Charmer as Serpents doe But since you will have it so let me oblige you to assist me which both promising they would he rose up and knew so well how to plead his Cause as they were both absolutely for him And because I knew very well that all his eloquence was but oyled words and gilded language to gloze over his excuses without any reality of truth I so farre resisted him as it was resolved upon by both sides to have recourse unto the Oracle which returned us this answer Upon a day you 'l see A Fountaine in Forrest Called Loves Veritie Will set your hearts at rest This Answer so obscure and full of ambiguity none of us knowing the Country nor ever so much as heard of the Fountaine of Loves Verity it did much perplex us And Alcidon to shew what a great desire he had that the truth of his affection might appeare he made such enquiry of this Fountaine as hearing of it he could not rest untill a Voyage unto it was resolved upon I must needs confesse Father his importunity did much move me unto it but one of the cheife reasons which induced me thereunto was my desire of being for a while absent from the place where I had so many sad Memorandums of my losse hoping that being farre off them my sorrowes would by degrees lessen And unto this may be added my curiosity of seeing whether that Country and those who dwelt in it were so happy as reports went for wonders were told me of the places beauty of the sweetnesse of the Aire the abundance of Rivers full of Fish and the pleasantnesse of the Fields But when I heard of the delectable lives of the Shepherds and Shepherdesses of Loire of Furant of Argent of Serane but especially of Lignon I was ravished and wondered that all Europe did not go and inhabit in Forrests To know therefore whether all this fame was true I conseuted unto this journey and because we heard that all those who are there were habited in the garbs of shepherds and shepherdesses also desiring not to be knowne we disguised our selves in this habit as well for the reasons aforesaid as because we needed not any great train of Servants to attend us Thus reverend Father you have heard not onely a relation of our lives past and of our difference but also the cause of our Voyage and of our disguise we want nothing now but your prudent direction how we may see and have addresses unto this Fountain and your sapient Counsell unto such as stand in such need of it as we doe Thus ended the faire Daphnide leaving Adamas in a great opinion of her Prudence and Wit and because he perceived she expected his answer he replyed thus Who is it Madam that hath heard of great Euricke
Love and Ambition he could not see any able to give him a stop for Amasis had not one Cavalier which had not dependence upon him and were under his Authority except Damon who though single made him afraid of his valour And fearing that Amasis being displeased by this last action should keep him in the Country and confer Authority upon him by the sun-shine of her favours he resolved to prevent it For he remembred that heretofore the Father of this Cavalier should once have married Amasis and all the great value and esteem which she now set upon him he did attribute it unto the remembrance she had of that This consideration was a cause why taking aside six of the Souldiers whom Amasis had commanded him to discharge he spoke thus unto them after he had made many a complaint against her Friends said she It is a thing impossible to change the nature of any thing use what art or doe what one can you know with what care and paines I have served Amasis and how I have not spared any thing which depended upon meor my friends which might contribute to her service And this not once but upon all occasions that sel out I must confesse I have not given my best friends all that satisfaction which I owe unto them But it is a thing absoutely impossible take what paines and use what art one can to stay a wavering mind which is naturall unto all of her sex She is now swayed wholly by a young stranger who by killing Arganteus has got a little reputation he who by chance and not by any vertue that is in him killed my Nephew before our faces probably he had used some treachery before we came otherwise it is not likely he should by plaine strength vanquish the valour and skill of Arganteus Your resentments of it at this time has so much obliged me as I shall never forget it as long as I live but will be ready upon all occasions to require you But I am much afraid the meanes of doing it will be taken out of my power ere long unlesse you will arme your selves with stout resolutions and follow my directions Amasis to gratifie this new up-start has commanded me to casheir you out of my List of Souldiers with expresse charge to banish you this Country your own natural soil This blow though it hit you by the by yet it will strike me down and is done purposely to establish this new comer in this Province which she is no way able to doe but by taking from me that Authority which my Services have gotten She conceives that if she should do it all at once and upon a suddain perhaps I might oppose her and therefore she undermines me by degrees thinking that the greater the building is it will the sooner fall by its own weight And to begin her worke she first takes from me my best friends such as you are I know her drift well enough and if all things go well as I hope they will I shall ere long prevent these disorders but as things are at present if the remedy do not proceed from your courage and resolution I am afraid you will be forced from uâ— for a time which would be one of the greatest displeasures that can befall me but if you have still the same courage which I have seen in you I am confident you will send him out of the world who would send you out of your native Country It is a matter of no difficulty for he is a single man he is not able to resist one of you much lesse all six Do but kill his Horse that he cannot run away and the victory is yours As for Amasis she will be highly enraged at the first and would be revenged upon those that tooke from her her vnew Adomis but her anger will be onely a blast of wind and quickly over For he being a stranger none will prosecute in his behalf I mean none will care for his death besides I know your discretion as when you have done the businesse you can be close so as none shall have the least suspition of you Then when all the power is in my own hands be assured that you shall not feare any danger whatsoever become of my self Consider well upon it and be resolute that I may know what to doe both for you and for my selfe in a businesse of this importance These Souldiers were soon perswaded by such an Orator and promised to attempt upon this stranger what he had propounded as for their parts they had no other considerations but to obey him and at the danger of their lives to keep up his grandure and authority This attempt being thus resolved upon the next morning he assembled together all those who were with him that day and who had assaulted Damon and told them that by expresse command from Amasis he commanded them not onely to retire from his service but to depart the Country within six days that he was sorry to treat them so but he must obey that they must not fail upon paine of death and yet not being able to forget those good services which he had received from them he promised to obtaine the favour of Amasis for them as soon as he could and to get them restored into their former service And that they might be better able to subsist in the meane time besides their pay which Amasis allowed for the time past he would out of his own purse give them three moneths pay desiring them not to be angry with him for it but to believe that he did execute this command with much griefe being very sorry to part from those that with so much valour and fidelity had served him and in whom he had great confidence By this smooth language and shew of sorrow to part with them he did not onely get the good will of those who were dismissed but of all the Souldiers besides and on the contrary did steal away their hearts from Amasis which was no small advancement to the design which he had plotted in himselfe for what he took from her redounded unto his advantage Adamas who was extreamly desirous to welcome all the good company in his house and particularly to make good his promise unto those faire shepheardesses in going unto their Town to offer the sacrifice of Thanks as soon as it was day he ordered the Sacrificers to go before with their Cattle and other things necessary and to give notice unto all the neighbouring Towns to be present And whilst he was putting all things in order the fair Daphnide and all the rest of the company did dresse themselves and took the way unto the place where the Sacrifice was to be offered Alexis amongst all the rest was most out of tune for at first going out when she cast her eye upon the River of Lignon and saw the place of her habitation She did imagine that this voyage was not reall but a dream
presently is unjust and your vow invalid since your first which you made at your entrance is contrary to it Why said he unto me You promised answered I and bound it with an Oath that you would move me unto nothing but what I was willing unto and since I am not willing you should make this request you are obliged to press it no further and what vowes soever you have made since which are contrary unto that first is of no force nor cannot bind It is most impossible said he and then rose up to resist either your beauty or your will And I know I should receive but too great a load of happinesse if this were added to the number of the rest Arimant said I then unto him doe but still preserve your affection unto me and I will freely promise that if I can make those who have the disposition of me consent unto it I will marry you and give my self entirely unto you It is impossible I should expresse how this young man was joyed when he heard this and I was as glad as he though he made greater shew by words and all the thanks that could be invented But yet this was the cause of our ruine for calling Clarina to witnesse what I promised and so she coming hastily towards us did draw the Box from the nose of her Mother and so unluckily as it fell off the bed was broke and the liquid ointment ran about the floor It was a thing very strange for almost as soon as ever the Box was from under the nose of my Nurse she awoke but her head so dizzy with the smell that she knew not what she did and was like one that was drunk As soon as Arimant heard the Box fall upon the floor he doubted it and said unto me hastily rise Madam and stand before the old woman whilst I get out at the window for certainly she is awake Upon this I ran to the bed â—he to the window and Clarina to the Ladder and I coming to her I laid me down upon her bed began to embrace her laid my hand upon her breast and seeming as if I thought her to be very fick I bad her take good heart told her she would be well againe presently called for Clarina and sent her for some Vineger or water to throw in her face and make her come to her selfe againe I did so deceive her by my talke and by rubbing one while her Pulse and another her Nose as I gave Arimant time to be gone and Clarina to hide the Ladder Then seeming to be very busie about her we threw water into her face and did so dash her as she had been soundly asleep had she not awaked with it Then in a great astonishment assuming her spirits Oh my God said she where have I been how strangely have I been taken what in the name of God is the cause of it Oh my good Children I thank God and you for bringing me to my self again for but for you I had dyed Oh Mother said Clarina you have been in a swoone above two hours we have held you in our Arms and done all we could to revive you and I believe if you had not vomited you had dyed And good Children said the good old woman what did you doe to waken me Why said Clarina as I was lying by you I heard you keep a great stirring and a rattling in your throat as if you were choaked upon which I called upon you two or three times and seeing you did not answer I leaped out of bed and waked Crysâ—ide then taking the Candle we came both to help you and thanks be to God you came to your selfe againe And did I vomit said the old woman Vomit said Clarina Yes certainly and happy you did for if you had not I believe you had dyed since such black and filthy stuffe did lie upon your stomack Oh God said she and held her Nose doe you not swell it This she said because of the ointment which was spilt upon the floor and smelt very ill Yes yes said my Nurse I doe smell it Good Clarina said she take the besome and make it cleane lest it should doe you hurt Clarina who desired such a command did fetch some water and washed the place as clean as possible and afterwards threw it out of the window But the accident of the next morning may move one to laugh a little for this ointment falling in the street and a Dogge passing by and smelling at the oyle he licked it and there lay as if dead Clarina who saw this out of the window and doubted the cause she threw a little water upon him then the Dog rose up shook his eares and went away The evening after Arimant according to his custome came with Musick under the window and after they had played a while he sung some Verses which intimated that he would most inviolably keep his promise And while we lived in this manner both our affections encreased to such a height as I cannot tell which was the more loved But now fortune begins to mix many bitters amongst our sweets or rather to ravish from us all our sweets and leave us none but bitters Alas alas well may I phrase them Bitters for since this time I cannot say I enjoyed any delight or contentment Rithimer of whom I have already spoke a great Captain and a Favorite of the Emperour Majoranus had obtained not onely to be a Citizen of Rome but also to be a Senator and Governour of Gaul Cisalpine and he attained unto such high esteem as he disposed absolutely of all that was in Gaul This large Authority did not proceed onely from good will and favour of the Emperours but much from the great exploits which he had done against the Vandals for the preservation of Italy This valiant Prince married one that was of kin to my Mother and desiring to see me well matched did cast his eye upon a young man a little of kin unto Rithimer very rich but of a most vicious spirit and the most ugly and deformed body that was in all Gaul Cisalpine My Mother who desired to be rid of me because she thought me to be a rub in her way of marriage she took occasion by the foretop and resolved to carry me unto this Princess hoping at the least to leave me with her as she desired This being resolved upon and unknown to me it was almost as soon executed without my knowledge For beginning to observe how I did much favour the addresse of Arimant she thought to prevent me which doubtlesse she would not have done had his estate been equall to his merit and noblenesse But since it was not she thought that sending me away was the best remedy she could use against it Yet seeing her so bufie in setting her house in order and so carefull that I should dresse my selfe in my finest trim I did imagine that some voyage was intended And because
called upon him and pinched him to make him come to himselfe but seeing all would not doe and fearing he should dye in his arms he presently laid the Hankercher upon the bed tester and ran to call for helpe All the people in the house ran to him and brought such remedies as at last they recovered him the first word he spoke was Alas but presently taking notice that the Chamber was full of people he restrained both his sighes and his teares least he should give knowledge unto any of the cause And because his constraint did almost trouble him as much as his malady he intreated theâ—â— all to leave him unto his rest telling them that he desired to have none with him but that young man They who had not the least suspition of the cause and thought it nothing else but some faintnesse caused by fasting they obeyed him Then seeing the roome cleer What is become said he of the Hankercher Sir said the young man I am unwilling to let you see it again since I know the sight will but greeve you the more No no said he let me have it for in lieu of augmenting my griefe it will be a comfort unto me seeing she had a memory of me unto the lâ—st minute of her life Then giving it unto him Oh most deer Hankercher said he the dire messenger of the greatest dysaster that could befall me what name should I bestow upon thee Then being silent and fixing his eyes upon the blood Well said he she has shewed me the way and I am ready to follow it I grieve at nothing more than that I did not goe before at least keepe her company Then turning himselfe towards the young man but Friend said he unto him you have not yet told me how this accident came to passe Sir said he if you will be pleased to give me a little time and promise me that it shall not afflict you more I will tell you all I know No no replied Arimant presently nothing can either augment or lessen my griefe therefore tell me all I shall then tell you Sir said the young man That I came thither betimes in the morning and according to your instructions I watched when Clarina went to the Temple where I found her and conveyed the Letter so closely into her hand that none perceived me and desiring her to dispatch me with an answer as soone as she could she told me that tomorrow morning I should have it Presently after I went into the house of Rithimer where she lodged and I was no sooner entred but I heard a great bisling on every side and Chryseide Chryseide continually named I went up the stairs and found Clarina all in tears and great disorder who as soon as she saw me It is but a sad answer said she that you must carry your Master at this time alas Chryseide is dead and onely because they would needs force her to marry Clorangus carry him this Hankercher wherein he will find written with the hand and blood of Chryseide cause enough to love her memory After this she cryed and went into another Chamber Oh Heavens cryed out Arimant can I live and heare this But go on I intreat you You may imagine Sir said the messenger that this did much amaze me and to know the more certainty of the matter I stayed a little longer and saw three or foure persons come out of Chryseides Chamber all in tears holding up their hands and saying that truly she dyed very strangely This inspired me with more curiosity and boldnesse to enter into the room seeing all the house did the like There Sir I saw her Oh dismall sight I saw her dead on her bed and it so full of blood that it ran downe upon the ground At this time Rithimer and many women entred and I heard Rithimer cry out and say she had cut her veines I was then afraid least any should know me and because you had expresly forbidden that and thinking I could hear no more I came presently out of the Towne and made all haste that possibly I could because you had so commanded though with much sorrow to be the messenger of such sad Newes Alas alas cryed he I see it is but too true that Chryseide is dead since you have seen her so with your owne eyes could the Gods ever consent unto such a cruelty and can I heare this Newes and still live He would have continued on when his Father hearing of his being ill and who loved him most tenderly being his onely Son came and knocked at the Chamber door The young man knowing his voice he advertised Arimant who setting as good a face upon it as he could bad him open the door The windows were yet shat and the curtaines drawne so as when his father came into the Chamber he could not well see the sadnesse in Arimants face but coming to him and taking his hand he asked him how he did Well Sir answered he but only for a little faintnesse which proceeds from repletion of humours for want of exercise but if you thinke it good I desire to ride abroad and take some journey as well to dissipate those humours as for change of Aire I like it very well said the Father but whither would you goe My greatest fancy answered Arimant is to the Libicens as well because it is the place of my birth and naturall aire as to see my kindred and friends I should like it very well said the Father but that I feare the hatred of Rithimer Sir replied Arimant never fear it I must confesse that for you to goe would be dangerous but not for me for there will not any advantage acrue unto Rithimâ—r by me if I were dead besides being there amongst so many kindred and friends he could not have any intention against me but it would be told me and easily prevented The Father beleeving what he said was easily brought to his opinion which was not a little happinesse unto us all especially unto Arimant For having before resolved to kill himselfe he now deferred the execution of what he intended unto the end of this voyage He accoutred himselfe therefore as well as he could and the next morning set forward taking none with him but this man and another to walte upon him in his Chamber telling his Father it was more safe to goe with a small Traine than if better attended because lesse notice would be taken of him His designe of going to the Libicens was to meet with Clorangus and when he had dispatched him then to go unto the place where I was interred there to sacrifice himselfe unto my ashes And truly it was happy that this revenge was thus intended for it retarded his intention of killing himselfe and the messenger whom I sent had more leasure to carry him our Letters The same day he departed from his Father halfe of it was gone before Arimant thought either upon eating or resting himselfe and
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
Ladies Prisoners but under a more carefull Guard then before although the King did really intend to marry her as well for her beauty as for her affinity to Rithimers wife sister unto the Emperour Anthemius and commanded that she should be waited upon with all service and civility and his joyes that he had met with her were such as he caused Bonfires and great Feasts of rejoycing to be made In the mean time Bellaris having escaped through Rushes and Bogges he came in a pittifull fright to bring this said Newes unto his Master who was so much surprised with wonder and sorrow that he was not able to speak one word but throwing himselfe upon his bed there he lay till night and say what Bellaris could by way of consolation he would not answer him Afterwards he went into bed and would not eat nor sleep all the night In the morning he called for Bellaris bad him go unto Lyons and enquire how Cryseide did and how they used her This faithfull servant though with much danger to himselfe did as he was commanded when he came into the Town he found no great need of any enquiry for Cryseide was the talk all the Town over and the Kings favours were such as it was generally believed he would marry her though she was much against it for some reasons which yet were unknown unto them But seeing so great a difficulty to speak unto her he returned to his Master with a resolution of perswading him to retire into Italy since it was now not likely but she who was courted and honored by so great a King Ambition to be Queen would quench all her love to Arimant Being returned then unto Vienna he related unto him all he heard afterwards did set before his eyes the levity of Women their Ambition the gilded flattery of being Queen and the great probability that she would entertaine the honour which the King did her He would advise him not to busie himselfe any more in the matter but to consider how his Father would grieve for his losse How it might be the cause of his death and the utter ruine of his house That to stay any longer here would not be safe because their Guid might discover him and cause him to be taken And that for these reasons and considerations and many others it was requisite he should with all speed retire to his house Arimant did heare Bellaris all this while though his mind was quite another way But when he had done Bellaris answered he I shall perhaps follow thy counsell after thou hast done one thing yet more for me Go againe presently to Lyons give this little Book unto Cryseide procure me an answer and then thou shalt see what I will doe This servant infinitely loving his Master did assure him he would doe it else lose his life but entreated him that he would not grieve so excessively to remember that his virtue is able to surmount the greatest misfortunes that he ought to hope still and not to sink under his sorrows And Arimant promising he would take his counsell Bellaris departed with his little Book in which was a Letter that contained these words Arimant's Letter unto Cryseide SHall this misfortune have a greater power over you then all others Must Ambition of being Queen make you unfaithful Doe you intend to betray me and make me the most miserable amongst men If so then send me word that my death I may keep you from being perjured Bellaris had no other way to deliver this Book unto Cryseide but as she went to the Temple and therefore he got himselfe as neare the Bason of Holy water as he could and as he had done formerly when she passed by he conveyed the Book so nimbly into her hand as none could perceive it She presently apprehended the businesse and spoke not a word but onely To morrow In the mean time Bellaris went out of the Temple and as he used into the Town where he heard that the King did really intend to marry Cryseideâ— that she did deny him and that for all this he would go through with it assuring himselfe that when he had married her she would then change her mind The next day Cryseide failed not to return the Book again unto Bellaris by the same subtilty saying unto him as she passed by I will die first He understood well enough her meaning and admiring the love and generosity of this woman he returned to his Master and acquainted him with what she said as she gave him the Letter which was so great a consolation unto Arimant that he almost forgot his misery Then taking the Letter he found these words Cryseides Answer unto Arimant I Will die before I change I will make it appeare how farre the resolution of a woman can go who whether alive or dead will never be any but yours be the like to me Well Bellaris said Arimant Canst thou advise me to forsake a woman who has these resolutions towards me I must needs confesse Sir answered he that I doe admire her her virtue is above my opinion of her But good sir what doe you intend and which way can you relieve her The Kings power is too great and his love is too violent to afford any hopes for you And your danger in staying here is so great as I will give you for lost if you stay any longer Never feare it Bellaris answered Arimant I have thought upon a way to escape and doubtlesse it will take effect Then he gave order for his departure and the next morning went unto Lyons where he arrived in the evening when it was dark and took up the most private lodging he could chuse There he heard the continuation of the same reports and more That the next morning the King intended to offer a sacrifice upon the Tombe of the two Lovers in hopes that they would mediate for him unto the Great Tautates to change the heart of Cryseide and move her to consent unto his desires and for the greater solemnity he would have her present with all the rest of the Lady Prisoners Arimant was very glad of this newes and thought it a fit opportunity to effectuate his designe therefore he prepared himselfe against the next morning In the interim the King solicited her with all manner of Courtship and used all his Rhetorick to perswade her unto compliance with him But she stood as constant and firme to her resolution as any Rock against the waves of the Sea which cannot be moved And this was the reason why before he had recourse unto force he would seek the favour of Tharamis and by sacrifices obtaine from him so much grace as to change the heart of this generous Maid When he entreated her to be present she willingly consented For said she to her selfe if the God Tharamis be a just God he will move the minde of this King to desist from any injustice The next morning when it was
being astranger she should so much as know or thinke of it But seeing it so he knew not what to resolve upon To let her go at liberty he would not to violate the priviledges of the Sanctuary he durst not both out of fear of the Gods and tumult of the people At the last after he had considered and debated the matter with himselfe he resolved to pull her from thence without any regard either of the place or the assembly thinking the forces which he had about him would keep the people within compasse and as for any offence to the Gods he hoped to doe well enough with them by Sacrifices and hereafter duties In this resolution he advanced thinking himselfe to go unto her and she seeing him coming had given her selfe the fatall blow if the Priests had not opposed the King telling him That a Prince so just as he and one that feared the Gods ought not to violate and infringe their franchises But his love which had more strength in him then all these considerations had doubtlesse driven him beyond his duty if Arimant who was a spectator and feared lest Cryseide should be driven to the extremity had not pressed through the Guards and stepped between Cryseide and the King and falling down upon his knees said thus unto him Sir I come here intrudively unto your Majesty in full assure of your Promise and Oath that I shall receive the favour which you have promised and proclamed unto him who shall tell you who it was which helped this generous Lady to escape your Guards Stranger said the King I never will break any promise that I made declare therefore the man that I may punish him then ask what favour thou wilt and obtain it Sir said Arimant then and rose up The man is in your presence and you may punish him when you please for it is my selfe This replyed the King is insolence in the height and how durst thou present thy selfe before my face Onely in hopes Sir said he of the favour which I shall aske Never think Sir that it shall be my life or the lessening of any punishment upon my selfe which I shall require but that in observance of your promise unto which you obliged your selfe by the great God whom you adore by the glorious memory of your Father's soul and by the Majestie of your Crown you would grant me another favour which I shall aske The King stood amazed at the resolution of this man and going back a pace or two Stranger said he unto him certainly thou art out of thy wits otherwise thou wouldst never speak thus but how wert thou the cause of Cryseides escape Sir replyed he my name is Arimant and I am the happy Cavalier whom this faire one sayes she loves I was taken Prisoner when she was I was carryed Prisoner to the Town of Gergovia where I found meanes to let her heare from me She who thought me dead as soon as she heard I was alive she resolved to escape and come unto the place where I was and help me out which she did accordingly and was the cause of my liberty You see Sir how I was the cause of her escape and having declared it unto you you are obliged to grant me the favour which you have promised The King who was on the one side astonished at his resolution and on the other side offended with him as thinking himself sleighted by this stranger Yes yes said he it is very true I doe owe thee a favour aske it therefore and prepare thy self to suffer the punishment of my just indignation Sir replyed Arimant I never expected lesse from so great a king as you are and therefore I doe freely put my selfe into your hands not feâ—ring any of your punishments or torments provided that first I doe obtaine the favour which I shall aske Ask it then said the King and by all the oathes which I formerly took I do oblige my selfe to grant it Sir replyed Arimant then I doe aske that Cryseide whom I see at the corner of the Tombe and who is your Prisoner may be set at liberty and sent unto her friends or whither she shall please without any force or compulsion offered unto her Oh Heavens said the King must I my selfe be the instrument of my own misery and having imprudently promised must either be perjured or else be the most miserable Prince that lives Then standing a while silent and being inflamed with anger and ashamed to be accused before all the people of breach of faith and promise he resolved to maintain it but withall to satisfie and vent his anger upon Arimant And therefore with eyes inflamed with fury I do declare said he that Cryseide is at liberty and I do strictly charge upon pain of my great displeasure that none whosoever doe offer her the lest violence or injury vowing by the soul of my Father that he shall never obtain either favour or pardon from me Then turning towards Arimant Well stranger said he art thou contented with me Yes sir answered he the most contented man in the world Then turning towards the Souldiers Take away said he this sturdy contemner of my anger and let him suffer torment till he die that other rash men like him may by his example learne to dread my anger Arimant looked up with a cheerful aspect and observing Cryseide to weep Oh Madam said he unto her I beseech you let not your teares disturbe the tranquillity of my soul Alas my life could never be better imployed then in procuring your liberty Liberty said Cryseide I value not liberty at so dear a rate I had rather suffer perpetual imprisonment then see you so ruined in the flower of your age But go Arimant and if I have my liberty I will not be long after you I will make it appeare that I can die as well to follow you as you can to save my honour Whilst she was talking thus and Arimant conjuring her to live as long as it should please the Gods to prolong her dayes they had finished the tying of his armes with chaines The people were all so moved at the constancy of the Cavalier at the compassion of Cryseide as they sighed and cryed at such a pittifull separation Bellimart who was with the King at this Sacrifice and hearing Arimant speak he knew him to be his Prisoner and so did the Captaine who was come to acquaint him that he was escaped And seeing that if Gondebunt did put him to death he then should lose all his hopes of any ransome he addressed himselfe to the King and said That it was not to thwart the will of his Majestie in any thing because all he had his Majestie might freely dispose of but onely because he was unwilling to lose his right that he beseeched him to wave the execution of Death against this stranger until he had informed him of his reasons and the King permitting it he represented unto him the
to be our judge for we have cause enough to except against your judgement Though I must not be your judge said Silvander yet I may be your Accuser which I cannot be if I am a witnesse And as for the ingratitude of which you speak it will be much greater if you should so extreamly against my will publish that which I desire should be concealed and I should take the very concealment for a sufficient recompence Then the reverend Druid after he had heard the reasons on both sides he gave this sentence Children said he upon serious consideration of your difference I conceive that thâ—se Conditions of your future Amity being for the conservation of that liberty which you pretend to enjoy there is no reason you should take that liberty from another nor by compulsion oblige any against their wills But because you have thought this Article worthy to be added unto the rest I doe ordain that it shall be written down amongst the others in this manner The thirteenth and last Article Added by advice and counsell unto the Conditions upon which Hylas and Stella doe promise to love for the future and which they do swear to observe most religiously That notwithstanding all the aforesaid Articles we Stella and Hylas are so tender of our liberty and so much enemies unto all manner of constraint that it shall be lawful for us whensoever we please not to observe any one of these Conditions here above written and agreed upon Thus was the difference ended by the sage Adamas unto the contentment of all parties Corilas seeing Hylas and Stella was beyond all measure joyfull Now Stella said he thou art fitted in thy humour and Hylas might have searched all the world over before he found one so fit unto his I must needs acknowledge the heavens most just in preserving them for each other and linking them together in a mutual affection Hylas and Stella began to love one another in this manner at the first but a little and after in jeast but at last it grew to be in good earnest For Stella was a very fine and pleasant shepherdesse and one of a quick and sprightly wit Hylas on the other side was as good and jocund company as could be imagined and these conditions so sutable both in Servant and Mistresse that there was nothing dislikeable in each to the other so as living together in great freedom they did by little and little conceive such affection the one to the other as they met not with any that pleased them better But Dinner being ready and the Table spred under a shady Tree as near the Fountain as the conveniency of the place would permit all the company sat down The Vaices Bardes Sarronides Eubages and Druids did sit at a Table by themselves where they did eat what was their due of the sacrifice But Adamas to render the more honour unto Daphnide and Alcidon did dine with them and the best of the shepherdesses and shepherds As long as dinner lasted the discourse was all upon the Rarities of the place and of the sanctity of that sacred Grove But Dinner being done and the sun too hot to stir from under the shade Adamas thought how to passe away the time in the best diversions and remembring the judgement which Diana was to give 'twixt Silvander Phillis he thought both the time and the occasion very fit for that purpose and the rather because Daphnide who stayed in the Country onely to be acquainted with the sweet lives of these shepherdesses and shepherds would be very glad to hear this difference argued and what judgement Diana would give upon it He went unto Astrea and Phillis and having acquainted them with his design he desired them to joyn with him in obtaining Dianas consent unto it Believe it Sir answered Astrea there will not need much solicitation for I know that she has deferred it so long onely because she wanted the presence of the Nymph Leonide who since she was at the beginning of that contest she thought it fit she should be also at the end of it I feare if Silvander know of your intention he will break off company Phillis who thought the Druids Proposition very reasonable and besides was weary in imploying any time but in the entertainment of her dearly beloved Licydas which was something hindred by her Courtship of Diana No no sister said she we must surprise our enemy when he least thinks of us then addressing her selfe unto Diana Mistress said she in a loud voice This company desires you would be pleased to come hither and hearken no longer unto the discourse of him who is talking with you for I assure my selfe he speaks nothing unto my advantage Silvander was he who was talking with her in the absence of Paris when Phillis thus interrupted him at which being very angry Oh Phillis said he you are an evill spirit which continually torments me and at this time interrupts my happinesse Your happinesse replyed Phillis will quickly be at an end and my supream fellcity begin For Mistress said she and addressed her selfe unto Diana you are entreated by all this good company to give judgement upon the merits of Silvanders service and mine Diana was a little surprised at this for though it was her intention to give judgement ere long yet she did foresee that after it she could not allow any longer of Silvanders addresses of love unto her But the surprise of the shepherd was much greater for he saw there was no possibility of delaying it any longer and then the fiction of his wager which was the cloak for his reall affection would be taken from him and he should be no longer permitted to make his amorous addresses unto his adored shepherdesse These considerations made them both silent for a while which Phillis observing Mistresse said she I beseech you answer me I am afraid you are loath to confeâ— that glory upon me by your judgement which you cannot deny unto my services or perhaps you are afraid of losing that shepherd and unwilling to be exempt from his importunities Then Diana left she should let her discontent appear did smile and answer thus I know not what glory you can pretend unto by your services since you doe thus publiquely upbraid me with them nor doe I know why you should phrase the services of Silvander to be importunities more then your own since both do proceed from the same cause Silvander kneeled down and humbly thanked Diana for that favourable answer Afterwards rising up Mistress said he unto her This shepherdesse not knowing how to love and finding that the longer she continues the more defects she should shew in her affection she would not be put to any further Test of it but desires an end of that which she cannot prolong any longer For Phillis said he and turned towards her why else should you speak thus unto our Mistresse Your services wherewith you upbraid her are so small that
Mistress see what a fine peece of sophistry my enemy uses to prove that I doe not love you and to make you despise my affection and judge whether she ever so much as heard of such a thing as love Is she not very subtile in accusing me for never loving any but you and that you were the first that ever fettered me If this be a crime I must confesse I never heard of it before and must needs acknowledge my selfe culpable for Mistress you are not onely the first and onely one that ever I loved but more you must also be the last and onely one that ever I will love And if ever it be otherwise let the Sun cover me with eternal darknesse let the Earth which nourisheth me swallow me alive as not worthy to live in it Let the Air become my poyson and may all the elements become my enemies and wise men are all mistaken in their Tenet that whatsoever has a beginning must have an end For Phillis this affection which you have seene begin shall last to all eternity But Phillis I admire you should say that if my affection deserve any reward it is all due unto you You tell me that you were the cause of it and that all which does proceed from it ought to be attributed unto you as the originall cause But shepherdesse take heed lest this being granted it doe not turn to your disadvantage for those who are the cause of any evil deserve punishment And as you say that my Mistress ought rather to laugh then love me so it must consequently follow that she ought to laugh at you and not at Silvander because you attribute all unto your selfe But Philâ—is let that be the left of your feares I doe not meane to quit my just pretensions upon any such tâ—rmes when any one does any thing for another the intention of the doer is to be considered if the intention was good the evill which insues ought not to be laid unto his charge if he be no other way culpable but if the intention was evill he ought not to have any share in the benefit or glory which shall ensue by it this being granted as needs it must let us consider before we either commend or condemne you what your intention was when you propounded this wager We shall not be put unto much pain Mistress before we discover it for she her selfe has told us The fictions said she and the dissimulations once knowne will procure him hatred But Diana knowes that all my Courtships and amorous addresses unto her doe proceed onely from the wager which you made and if all the consequents of it be fictions and dissimulations then you are the cause of them You may observe Mistresse how she thought that I would use onely fictions and dissimulations in this wager Now since it is the Intention which makes the Action either good or bad have I not just cause to say It was you Oh Phillis who by your dissembling wager gave your selfe unto faire Diana but it was my heart which did really give me unto her by the knowledge which it had of her perfections and so by consequence all the punishment which such dissimulations deserve are due unto you and all the favours which a reall and unfained affection deserves are due unto my heart Wish me no more to quit the pretended victory unto you to shew my wit and my judgement my Wit in so hansomly disguising a false affection under the umbrage of a reall love and my Judgement in acknowledging the advantage which you have over me For on the contrary I should shew my self the veriest fool alive if I did counterfeit a love unto her who deserves to be perfectly loved above all the world And I should shew but little judgement if I did not see the advantage which my true and perfect affection does give me over your faigned follies I would have you shepherdesse recant all your reproaches and be the first who shall say That there is no affection be it never so ill begun either by a wager or pastime but may prove in earnest and become reall as mine for an example But oh my enemy all this discourse is but aire and I believe in vain for we are contending with one another for the victory whilst whosoever conquers perhaps may not be the couquerer I make no question but if either of us doe obtaine the victory which we pretend unto that this Chaplet of Flowers at the feet of the faire Diana will be mine But alas Phillis my great feare is and with abundance of reason that it will prove to be neither yours nor mine for all our arguments which we have alleaged to merit her favour may be valid as against one another but not at all in relation to Diana Diana whose transcendent perfections and merits is above all the power of Nature and therefore will not be subservient unto the lawes of Mortalls And then when we say That love ought to be paid with love and that long and faithfull lovers are worthy of reward and acknowledgement This is right and good reason as to men and does oblige them to follow those precepts but not at all Diana For she is one whom heaven has elevated above the degree of mortals and is equall unto Angels To whom then should I addresse my selfe unto what should I have recourse Shall I address my selfe unto Love and have recourse unto Justice by whom all things are equally ballanced and recompenced But alas Love and Justice has nothing to doe with Diana she is above them all Address then thy selfe Silvander and have recourse unto her selfe and waving all other powers and reasons say thus unto her Then he kneeled down before Diana and holding up his hands continued Oh Diana the onely honour of her Country the glory of Men and the Ornament of the whole world Be pleased to look upon a shepherd here before you who does not onely love you and offer at your feet his service and his life but does even adore you and does sacrifice his heart and his soul unto you in a most zealous and devout manner As Nature cannot make any thing which can equal you so Love cannot kindle so great a flame and perfect affection as can equall your merit It hath pleased the great Tautates to advance you so high above all the rest of his works as no extremity of love no sincerity of devotion can in any reason hope for any grace or favour from you or that you condescend so low as to look at my complaints and grievances I doe humbly acknowledge that all human hearts and all mortall services are most due unto you and cannot be denyed you without a sinne But alas we can merit nothing all we can do is to love serve and adore you and when all is done we cannot claim any reward because all is but a just duty Under these Notions and Qualifications I now present my selfe before you
and he was no sooner out of the Chamber to meet her but he found her at the door where after she had stayed a little she entred into the room where Damon was I think valiant Cavalier said she unto him that I shall never come to see you but shall find you thus unfortunately wounded Madam answered Damon I shall never complain against any of these wounds which I have received For the first gave me the honour of seeing the Nymph Galathea and then you Madam and these last have made me meet with her who only in all the World can make me happy so as in lieu of complaining against this Country I have cause to Love it esteem it and speak well of it Upon this Amasis being informed of the quality of Madonthe she went to embrace her and caress her according to her merits and because she took no notice of Daphnide and Alcidon I perceive Madam said Damon unto her that those two persons are unknown unto you but be pleased to know that they are worth your acquaintance for though you see them thus disguised yet Madam the one is Daphnide and the other is Alcidon the very same Daphnide whose merits so much commanded the affection of the Great Eurick And the very same Alcidon so Feared and Loved for his valour by Thorismond King of the Visigots and all those that succeeded him Amasis upon this gave him thanks for his advice and went to embrace them It had been enough said she if you had only told me their right names for as soon as I had heard them I should presently have known these two to be the Great Favorites of King Eurick But I must needs confess that seeing them thus habited I should not have known them for what they are and therefore I am obliged unto you for telling me The obligation Madam replied Daphnide is on our sides since he has made us known unto the greatest most esteemed and honoured Nymph amongst all the Gaules But Sir said Amasis unto Alcidon how came you to be thus disguised And where met you with this Shepherds habit The Story of it Madam answered Alcidon would be too long but I beseech you who can be in Forrests and not become a Shepherd The Country is so full of accomplished Shepherds and Fair Shepherdesses as I rather wonder that you Madam and all your Nymphs are not in the Habits of Shepherdesses I am very glad answered the Nymph that you have found any thing in this Country which pleaseth you but when we have the happiness to see you in Marselles perhaps you will not think my Nymphs less lovely then the Shepherdesses nor find them in any humour of changing habits with them Madam answered Alcidon I do not doubt of any thing you say but I beseech you give me leave to be silent and to say nothing unto what I do not yet know The Nymph had continued the discourse longer if she had not been very desirous to have some talk with the sage Adamas and having held a long discourse with Galathea and him upon the news which she had received she went at last unto Damon and asked him how he did after his wounds were dressed And understanding that he found himself much better she left him with Madonthe saying she would not hinder them of their contentments in talking privately together Then she commanded Silvia and the rest of the Nymphs to entertain Daphnide and her Company and to shew Alcidon that the Nymphs of Marselles do not yeild unto the Shepherdesses of Lignon Upon this taking Adamas by one hand and Galathea by another she went into the Gallery where the doors being all shut she took a whole turn before she began to speak afterwards assuming another look more serious then before and seeming to be much troubled she turned her self toward Adamas and spoke thus Father said she I have things of great importance to impart unto you and you must give me that Faithful and Prudent Counsel which you were always wont and because I may perhaps forget some material passages I desire that he who brought me the news may make the relation of it unto you if we have but as much time afterwards as to return unto Marselles Madam answered Adamas I pray Heaven you be not mistaken in my Prudence and I dare answer for my fidelity and as for your return unto Marselles I shall hope that unless your haste be very great you will honour me and my house so much as to stay this night in it Father answered Amasis if the urgency of my affairs would permit it I should be very willing but when you shall hear what the Cavalier will say whom Lindamore sent unto me you will not judg it convenient Then causing Galathea to call in the Cavalier whom Lindamore sent and the doors being shut pray Sir said she unto the Cavalier make us a relation of all the message which Lindamore has sent unto me and omit not any particular either concerning our affairs or the affairs of Childerick and Guyemant since they are so linked together that they can hardly be separated Upon this placing the Cavalier between her self and Adamas and holding Galathea in her other hand they all walked together and the Cavalier in obedience to her commands with a deep sigh began thus The History of Childerick Silviana and Adrimartes I Cannot Madam without a World of grief make this relation which you have commanded me And yet I cannot refuse any thing which comes with a command from you if you find any disorder in my Discourse or if perchance I forget any thing I beseech you impute it to my sorrows and let it find a pardon and you shall see by what I shall relate how all those who have dependency upon a Prince are interested in his conduct and how their good and their bad Fortunes have their influences from him The King Merovius who by the grandure of his actions has got the Title of Excellent among the Franks and in their own Language Mervoch signifies Excellent Prince After he had gained many victories as well over the Huns Gepides and Almaines as over the Romans and Burgundians and after he had Reigned twelve years he died full of glory and lamented by the people leaving by his wise Methina the Daughter of Stuffart King of the Huns and Predecessor of Atillas surnamed the Scourge of God only one Son whose name is Childerick The Reputation of the Father and the Love which he had got amongst the people moved all the Franks with a common consent to make choise of Childerick the Son and having set upon his head a double Crown the one to intimate his succession and the other to speak the conquests of his Father they carried him upon their shoulders throughout all the streets of Soissons and proclaimed him King of the Franks before him went the Heralds of Arms carrying in their hands Ensignes won by Merovius from the Huns Gepides Alaines
dayes in rest At his return every one received him with all imaginable honour and caresses Merovius who treated him already as Duke of Gaul Armorique was very glad that one of his own nation and one over whom he had so much influence should command so great a People and become his Neighbour thinking it to be a great security unto his Crown and in this consideration he commanded Childerick to make much of him and to love him not as his Vassal but as his Neighbour and one who might give a great settlement unto his conquests But all these caresses were nothing unto Andrimartes in comparison of that welcom which he received from his dearest Silviana who now took him for her Husband and lived in all honest liberty with him and though she did not conceal any of her actions or thoughts from him yet she would not acquaint him with the discourse of Childerick as well because she knew that all he said was false as because she thought that it would much discontent him But she resolved to retire her self with him as soon as possibly she could into the dominions of Semnon and so avoid that Tiranny and those insolencies which she expected from him when he should be absolute Lord of the Franks There being no stop in the accomplishment of this so much desired marriage Methina by the Kings authority and by consent of Semnon caused the articles of marriage to be drawn and about eight dayes after the ceremonies were accomplished to the contentment of all and with so much joy and satisfaction unto Silviana and Andrimartes that never two Lovers were better contented Childerick only sighed whilst all other rejoyced But as if Heaven stayed only until this marriage was past before all Gaul should become all sorrows within seven or eight dayes after Merovius fell sick and presently after dyed full of glory and honour and infinitely bewailed by the people Childerick was presently set upon the Throne and proclaimed King of the Franks in false hopes that he would be the Imitator of his Fathers virtues Silviana remembring the harsh language which she had received from him advised her dear Husband to get out of the reach of this young King and to retire into Gaul Armorique as well to avoid the malignity of Childerick as to keep his promise with Semnon But Andrimartes who was ignorant of the last language which he had used unto Silviana and who thought himself obliged to stay a while with this new King and see the Crown setled upon his head he would not hearken unto the counsel of Silviana thinking it against his duty to retire before all was setled and so delayed the time under pretence of furnishing himself with all things necessary for their journey in the mean time he was alwayes with the King and so full of affection and care in all his expressions as any other but Childerick would have thought himself obliged But he on the contrary remembring the injuries which he thought he had received deferred the resolution of his soul only till the Ceremonies of his Coronation were past In the mean time news was brought unto the Valiant Andrimartes and Silviana that the good Duke Semnon was dead and that all his subjects earnestly desired them to come into their dominions Silvianas grief was very great and that of Andrimartes was no less for having received so many benefits from that Prince it grieved him extreamly that he should die before he had done him any service But when their first tears were almost dryed up Heaven gave them cause for new ones and more bitter then the first Childerick now thinks all well enough and his Crown fast upon his head and he fell into such a licentious course of life as every one was out of hopes to find his Fathers virtues in him The People complained the Grandees grumbled and his best lovers lamented him After they had a while endured his shameful kind of life and suffered many Pressures and Tyrannies obtruded upon the people the Grandees of the State assembled themselves together at Province and afterwards at Beauvois where after deep debate and serious consideration they resolved to declare him unworthy and incapable of the Crown of Franks and at the same time to make choise of one who though a Roman yet they thought to be a person of great merit and worthy to be their King his name was Gillon who had long since left the Roman Empire and followed Merovius unto whom he had done very great and faithful service and had added unto the State of the Franks the Town of Saissons of which he was the Governor But for my part I believe they made choise of this ambitious man because there was not any Frank that would take the Title and charge upon him and maintain it against their natural and legal King For treason was a most detestable sin amongst them and abhorred by all But you may see Madam how when the great Tautates has a mind to chastise men for their faults he can furnish out unexpected occasions Whilst Giâ—lon was secretly preparing and arming himself and all the Grandees confederating and plotting together Childerick drowned in a dull security was most indiscreetly contriving how he should get Silviana by force from Andrimartes not by any design of marrying her for that he could not do she being married already but to use her at his pleasure as he had done some others since the death of Merovius This young Prince was much induced unto these disorders by the poisonous advise of some base Flatterers about him who cryed up that all things were Lawful unto a King that Kings made Laws for their Subjects not to tye up their own hands and that since the lives of his Vassals were in his power he might do what he would with their estates or any thing of theirs These flattering but false maximes moved him to offer this injury unto Silviana and the Valiant Andrimartes The Queen Methina retired her self to Remois because she would not be any witness unto the dishonourable and debauched actions of Childerick and because she desired to comfort her self after her great loss by the consolations of one Remy a person who shined in all virtue and one who though the God whom he adored was unknown unto the Franks and us yet never any afflicted person parted from him without much comfort Childerick taking the opportunity of his Mothers absence he desired no more but to make Andrimartes leave Silviana by her self in order to which he took him aside and told him that he had matters of very great importance to imploy him in and such as he would not commit unto the fidelity of any one but himself he told him that the business so neerly concerned his Crown and required such extream haste that he hoped he would not deny him but prepare himself for a sudden departure Andrimartes who did not think the Son of Merovius should ever entertain any such
me was as certain as if it had come from the mouth of an Oracle Oh Madam replied Leonide that Druide was a most vile Impostor and had you been pleased to have believed me his villany should never have deceived you Alas answered Galathea I was so deceived by his language as I was extreamly offended with all those that spoke unto me against him But Madam said Leonide do you know the truth now Oh Sweet-heart answered Galathea I have since found him to my cost a very knave I am most heartily glad of it replied the Nymph for then you will find my innocency Speak no more concerning your self replied Galathea for I have quite altered my opinion and believe that if I could have met with an opportunity I should have called you back unto me before now but I would not upon any terms that the cause of our difference should be known yet I protest unto you Leonide I never wished you any ill it is true I was angry with you upon the ground that I have told you but for all that I loved you better then any that are in my service and I think it may be excused for being angry for Leonide confess the truth did not you help Celadon to escape And were not you to blame for opposing my will Confess it freely Leonide for now I care not for him and will pardon you Madam answered Leonide and smiled I see you desire I should confesse a fault which I never committed and since you have no more interest in him I will freely confess and protest that I did nothing but change Celadon into Lucinda and you your self did approve of what I did when I dressed him in the habit of a woman But why should I be so desirous of packing him from you And what interest had I in it If you had no interest replied Galathea why did you so often importune me to let him return unto Astrea Many reasons answered Leonide did induce me thereunto First I was afraid lest that a man should be seen amongst us and what a blemish would it have been to your reputation if it had been known Next the ingratitude and scorn of that Shepherd did extreamly displease me I thought him unworthy of that honour which you did him and which he did so ill acknowledg but my chief reason of all was because I was sure you was deceived and that the treason was invented by Polemas and Climanthes those two unworthy wretches and how came you to know there villany said Galathea Madam said Leonide I told you then but passion kept you from believing me when Celadon was sick you sent me unto Adamas and by fortune coming into an Inn I was lodged in a chamber next unto that where Polemas and Climanthes were all alone and when they least dreamed of it I heard all their villany Ah Leonide replied the Nymph I will remember that you told me as much but time only could teach me how to believe you Amasis my Mother was deceived in him as well as I and would never suffer him to be punished according to his merit but nothing is so close which time does not discover my Mother hath since found out his knavery for all that he said in relation to Clidemant is proved absolutely false so as now she hates him as much as either you or I can I am very glad replied Leonide that the knavery of this wicked man is known and more glad to see you convinced of that error which he infused into you and should be as glad to see him punished for an example and in terror of all such Impostors Never fear it said Galathea for I believe that ere long we shall be sufficiently revenged you must know that he is of late returned again and therefore I much desired your return also How Madam said Leonide is that Impostor returned again It is as I tell you replied Galathea and it is to be believed that he has some grand design in hand for he is the great Counsellor of that Traitor Polemas Oh Heavens Madam said Leonide how infinitely you joy me to hear you speak thus of those two wicked men but if I may be so bold as to ask I beseech you what have they done of late They have done such things answered the Nymph that when you hear them you will admire and abhor them both they are plotting no less then the ruine of us and all the Country I do love you Sweet-heart better then I did before for in your absence I have found your discretion and affection to me I will therefore trust you with a thing that none but Amasis Adamas and my self does know then after a little pause she began thus You know Leonide that when this impudent villain was first at Savignea my Mother as well as we went to know of him the event of that voyage which Clidemant my dear brother was to undertake This Impostor amongst many other things told her that after he had gotten much honour and glory he should return safely and with much contentment unto all But on the contrary we have received news from Lindamore that poor Clidemant is dead and himself so wounded as he is forced to stay with the Queen Methina in the City of Rhemois Oh Heavens Madam cryed our Leonide is Clidemant dead Speak low answered Galathea lest any should hear us for it concerns us to keep it close for a while unless we would fall into the most base Tyranny that is imaginable I beseech you Madam said Leonide what does induce you unto such feares And from whom do you expect such insolence From him answered the Nymph who did before plot how to deceive me I mean Polemas you must know that this arrogant wretch out of an incredible presumption does not only plot how to marry me as you heard from his own mouth and from Climanthes but more he intends to marry me though against my will and in order to that he hath plotted most damnable treason both against me and the State ayming to make himself master of us both at once you heard of his actions against Damon and we do understand what great intelligence he holds with Gondebaut King of the Burgundians without acquainting us certainly his treason had broken out before now were he not in fear of Clidemant nothing else restrains him Amasis hath therefore sent for Lindamore to return with all possible haste and though I assure my self he will not fail yet being so far off we are full of many fears We see how Polemas has all the Souldiers at his devotion and my Mother thinking she had done very well in it has conferred upon him such ample power as he has the means to oblige them all to be at his own beck though against us I assure you Madam said Leonide in a great amazement you have reason to say that these are things of great importance so great as I believe nothing can more neerly concern you Now
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
answered she that there is such a passion which is called by that name and which men are not capable of We will not meddle with that yet said Sylvander but I am contented that you do confess there is such a passion which is called Love Then tel me I beseech you what do you think this Love is It is said she a certain desire to possess that thing which one judges good and beautifull There is not a Druide in all Gaul replied Sylvander who could have given a better answer then this Fair Shepherdess But continued he and turned towards her is there not in the world some Animals that have reason and some that have none I have heard say answered Dorinde that there are such And in which of these two ranks replied Sylvander will you place man You put me to it said she and smiled for I cannot deny but that they are rational in some things and not in others and most commonly without any reason at all Yet is it not true added Sylvander that men do always seek after their delights and contentments Of this answered Dorinde there is no doubt for there is not one of them but will lose the best of their friends rather then the least of their delights I am satisfied replied Sylvander then that you confesse there is a Love that this Love is a desire of that which one thinks good or beautifull and that men are very earnest to accomplish their desires Now it will be an easie matter to prove unto you that men do not only Love but also that they do Love better then women If what I have said answered Dorinde presently will help you to prove what you say I will unsay it again and I had rather be reproached with it then such a false conclusion and consequence should be drawn from any thing which came from me All the company began to laugh at this answer and desired Sylvander to continue on which he did in this manner There needs not many words Fair Shepherdess to decide the business for it must of necessity be concluded that since men have such violent desires of their contentment and the will having nothing but a good for its object or at the least esteemed so it follows by consequence that Love being nothing but a desire as you have confessed he does Love most who has most objects of good before his eyes and the woman being much fairer and fuller of goodness then man who can deny but that a man Loves better then a woman who has not so worthy a subject to imploy her desires upon I do confess all said Dorinde until you come unto the conclusion which you infer you cannot replied Sylvander unless you take away that advantage which women have above men and therefore it is better for you to confess that there is none in all the world that knows how to Love so well as man yet if it happen that any judg the contrary it is not that the truth is so but is like a streight staff which being put into the water will seem crooked and all that we see through a glass seems to be of the same colour that the glass is for the Meduim by which the sight is conveyed does represent it false to the eye Even so it comes to pass that the actions of a Lover are seen and judged otherwise then indeed they are and all by reason of some defect in the Medium through which they are seen But the truth is every man does Love and this assertion is so true as one may boldly say that all those who Love not are not men for there was never any man that did not Love Though Sylvander was in no fit humour for any such discourse yet he could not but smile when Dorinde answered and when he began to offer other more solid reasons he was prevented by the coming of a great company of Shepherds and Shepherdesses who where all returning to their several homes as well to dine as to pass away some hot hours of the day in the cool shade and therefore he desired those Fair Shepherdesses to give him leave to retire himself for that time They who were very desirous to hear him talk and had a desire also to rest themselves especially Dorinde they invited him to their Cabin but he excused himself upon a promise that when they pleased at any other time he would better explain himself upon this subject Upon this leaving them Dorinde after she had considered well of him I must needs confess said she that if all the men of this Country were like unto Sylvander when I speak of my hatred unto all men in general I must except those who live about Lignon In the mean time this great company â—rew neer and these four strangers having no mind to engage with them they retired themselves to their Cabins so likewise Sylvander who desiring to shun all company he was no sooner out of sight but he sate himself down under the first hedg he came to entertained himself with his own new thoughts But his good Genius who had the care of his conduct being not willing he should gangrene his wounds too much by being alone did conduct all this great company which he desired to shun unto the very same place where he was and so opportunely that when he began his complaints he was prevented by their coming and some of them knowing him by sight did stay all the rest to ask him whether he knew where the great Druide was or else where he was that used to judg causes in his absence The great Druide Adamas answered Sylvander is perhaps at his house which is a remote distance from hence on the other side of the River Lignon upon a little hill which you may see on your right hand as you go to the great City of Marselles but the Druide Cloridamantes is not far from hence dwelling at an ancient Pallace which is called Julius after the name of him who conquered Gaul Then all the company entreated him to conduct them thither to the end they might have more speedy justice upon an injury which had been done unto all the Shepherdesses of Lignon and by one whom they had brought along with them Sylvander hearing this and casting his eyes upon the Shepherdess that had been wronged also being much moved as well by her beauty and modesty as by the general offence he thought himself obliged to conduct them although he had a great desire of staying alone to complain against his misery and disaster He quitted therefore his shady bush and went before them to shew the way having an opinion that if he did otherwise the Gods perhaps would punish him for the offence which others had committed since they had directed this company unto him All the way as they went this great company observed a very wary and strict silence which was no small contentment unto Sylvander for by that means he could both
affection towards me so as I hope that when he remembers how he himself has heretofore passed through the same difficulties he will consider mine and as for you Father who shews so much good will in your sapient admonitions I do beseech and conjure you to assist me with all your aide and power Aglantes answered the good old man it is true I love you and knowing how hard a thing it is for a young heart to be rid of that passion which you resent I wish you were free from it that you might avoid those evils which may fall upon you and which I see almost inevitable but since you are resolved hearken unto the counsel that I will give Does she whom you court deserve to be your wife I know your passion will make you tell me wonders of her merit but for this time setting aside all partiality answer me if you can like a judicious man and ingeniously tell me who she is that I may out of my Love to Arion to you and your Family give you such sound counsel as may be good for you Aglantes knowing this old man to be a lover of him and all his Family did name Silvanire The good man hearing her named answered thus I must confess Aglantes that if you have committed a fault in Loving you are to be pardoned and your crime is commendable I would yet farther know whether you ever did let that Fair one know that you Love her I have spent all my time hitherto in serving her answered he and to my misery when she was not in an age to know Love she seemed as if she did know it and Love me but since she came to be of age she seems absolutely insensible Perhaps said the prudent old man she does it to try your constancy Four years answered Aglantes is too long for a tryal Does she not Love some other asked the old man The question may better be asked said Aglantes whether ever she turn her eyes upon her self Did you ever give her any cause asked the Pastor to alter her good will unto you Never that I know of answered Aglantes Then said the old man believe it from me and assure your self that you will not repent it she Loves you and to dissemble it according to the humour of most women lest other should see it she will not make it appear unto you I assure you said Aglantes that I cannot accuse her of dissembling it for she treats all others as she does me and behaves her self towards all alike So much the better answered the old man for were she engaged unto any other you would find much more difficulty in your enterprise but she does dissemble it to make you the more affectionate knowing that things most hardly obtained are most desired Oh Father said Aglantes and interrupted I fear that in this you are mistaken for she cannot wish me more affectionate then she knew I was Then said the old man it is because her Father has commanded her so to do and she being wise and virtuous will not disobey him but be her reason what it will I would advise you to make a shew as if you Loved some other for by that you will know what her design is she is extream crafty if she dissemble it then and to tell you truly women are somtimes tyred with being too much loved as you see there is none but loves light but too much light dazles and we are oft forced to put our hands before our eyes to ease them I do believe said Aglantes that this stratagem might be good in them that can act it but I must confess it is impossible for me to do it I should be ashamed that any should think me of so little judgment or that Silvanire should any way suspect my fidelity Oh young man said the old one and smiled you are a very novice in the mistery of Love the shame or the glory of him that attempts any thing is to effect it or not effect it and if a Lover can make himself loved that is all he desires or aims at For my part said Aglantes my design is to Love her and said the old man interrupting him to be beloved To be beloved replied Aglantes is above all my hopes Then Shepherd said the Pastor if you cannot seem to Love another I would advise you however to let it be reported so for you must know that these young women though they shew the contrary are not always affectionate when they smile upon those that court them but it is more out of vanity that it may be said their beauty has gotten such a number of servants and somtimes out of envie at their companions but be it what it will it is still very good for him that Loves to put them into some doubts and if you be not so hardy as to undertake this enterprise leave the paine of it unto me and I will effect it for you it will be sufficient for your discharge that when it is a fit time to make known your real affection to say that you are not accessary unto the stratagem The wise old man made it presently be rumoured abroad that Aglantes was changed in his affection and every one was apt to believe it because Silvanire was so cold towards Aglantes But though Silina a Fair and Virtuous Shepherdess and Daughter to this old Pastor was reported to be his Mistris and that the marriage was ready to be solemnized yet Silvanire would never believe it 'T is true it did a little trouble her but not so much as to make her alter her behaviour towards Aglantes for Menander her Father had a design to marry her unto Theaner one of the richest Shepherds in all our Village and though she did scarse know him whom they would have her to marry yet was she resolved to follow the will of Menander One day I chanced to surprise her as she was saying aloud unto her self that he could not change though he faigned the contrary Silvanire was a little astonished to see her self surprised as she was saying so but seeming as if what she had said was not any thing that concerned her but only a part of some song which she had heard some other sing she continued talking upon several other subjects but as cunning as she was I suspected that she was troubled at the report of the marriage of Aglantes And by fortune as if that Shepherd came purposely to answer for his own innocency we saw him afar off coming with a sheep before him as soon as Silvanire saw him she knew the Sheep Yonder said she is the man that is to be married who it seems thinks very little upon it for yonder sheep which you see is the same which I lost this morning It will be very hard for him answered I not to have Silvanire alwaies in his memory But continued I what do you conceive of that marriage You must ask him that question
Oh Tirintes Tirintes Canst thou know who did this damned act and live or breath without revenge This Shepherd in this mind went as fast as ever he could to seek Alciron transported with so much fury that had he met him he had never told who hurt him In the mean time Silvanire grew worse and worse and none looked for any thing but death Amongst those that were in the Chamber and who sadly resented this loss was the sad Aglantes whose grief was so great that he swooned almost as soon as she Menander also and Lerice whose hopes and comfort was in this Fair Daughter seeing her in this sad condition they repented that they had lived so long and accused the Gods of cruelty in bestowing so many rare endowments upon Silvanire and depriving them of her so soon all eyes that saw her in this state were turned into tears in such abundance that nothing could be heard but sighs groans and great lamentations At the last she being in extream agony and not looking to live she forced her self to speak thus unto her Father and Mother who stood sighing and sobbing by her bed side Father said she I am afraid lest the Gods should be offended at your excessive sorrow for my death you know better then I call tell you that life is not more natural then death and those who begin to live begin it with a condition to dye why then should you be sorry that I am now ready to pay that debt which all humanes are obliged to pay unto death Perhaps you are sorry the Fatal Sisters have spun the thred of my life no longer and your good nature makes you desire that as you preceded me in life so you might in death But Oh my dear Father consider how good and wise the Gods are who foreseeing the miserable condition of a young woman that is deprived of Father and Mother they would not leave me in this wicked world without a guide if you do but consider this favour which they do me you will acknowledg it to be the greatest they ever gave me But perhaps you will complain that having taken so much care and bestowed so much cost in my education I should now be taken from you when I am best able to render you those services which I ow. I must confess that if any consideration can move me to desire longer life it is this for it is a kind of ingratitude not to desire the payment of that debt which I ow at this word her pain forced her to stop and recover a little strength and she gave leisure unto all that heard her to admire her wisdom and courage thinking her to resemble a Candle which gives greatest light at the last end this consideration forced so many sighs and tears from all that heard and saw her as they were not able to speak so as when she had recollected a little strength she spoke again unto Menander and Lerice in this manner I have many things to say but my end which I perceive approacheth does hinder me only I beseech you both my dear Father and Mother to conform your selves unto the divine will of God and assure your selves that I should depart from hence more contentedly then ever I lived were I but eased of two burthens which extreamly oppress me Menander then forcing himself to speak discharge your heart my dearest child said he unto her and assure your self that as never Father had a better child then I so never child had a Father who loved her more then I do you This permission said Silvanire is the only thing that can make me leave this life with contentment which since you are pleased to allow I shall tell you Father and Mother also that I was extreamly troubled having received so many favours and benefits from your goodness and having been hitherto so unhappy in my return of that service which I ow unto you both as I shall grieve in my very soul if your good natures does not make it appear that you accept my good will and desires in recompence of so many infinite services which I ow. Then Menander kissed her and with flowing eyes said your good desires sweet child are accepted far above the duty or service which you ow great God be praised said she but alas dâ—â—e I discharge my self wholly Indeed best Father and Mother I want courage and must ask a new permission or else I cannot Lerice and Menander also and all that heard her could not forbear their sighs to see her pain and their admiration to hear her speak even when every one judged her to be at the last gasp all that were about the bed pressed Menander to give her a speedy permission which he freely did and then Silvanire fetched a deep sigh and lifting her eyes up to Heaven to shew her extream contentment and forced her self to utter these weak words You have both of you so often taught me that ingratitude is the most detestable vice amongst humanes as I think the Gods would never forgive me if I presented my self before them stained with that horrid sin Therefore I cannot hide the extream contentment which this your permission brings me since by it I may not only wash away the crime but also the thought that I was guilty of it Then taking a little breath and striving against the violence of her disease she continued thus You see said she and pointed at Aglantes that Shepherd who stands at my beds-feet and who seems to resent my sickness so sadly be pleased most dear Father and Mother to know that ever since the infancy of our days he has had so great affection to me that perhaps not any about the River of Lignon can equal him and yet all this while I do protest I never could observe in him the least action or word that could offend the most modest maid upon earth but the great Gods who know my actions my words and my most secret thoughts are my witnesses and judges whether in all this time I ever let this Shepherd know that his amity and affection was pleasing unto me And yet Aglantes do not think that any scorn was the cause of it for I know you deserve better then what you desire but it was only the duty of a maid as I am which constrained me to use you so Upon this word feeling her self extreamly in pain Oh death said she with a deep sigh I beseech thee stay a little longer and give me leisure to end that discourse which I began Then taking a little breath Oh Aglantes said she though I have been brought up in these Woods and amongst wild Rocks yet am I not so insensible as they your Virtue your Love and your Discretion did work that effect in me which you desired but knowing that my Father had a design to 〈◊〉 me otherwise then with you and being resolved never to dis-obey my Parents I resolved also never to let you know that good
understood since was looking for the Tomb of that Shepherdess that he might there end his days When he saw her first he had an opinion that it was some delusion of his Fancy but afterwards knowing him to be Tirintes and hearing her voice he knew that she was alive whom he thought to be dead and fell into such an extream passion that he fell furiously upon Tirintes so doubtless one of them had ended his days for they were both extreamly incensed had not a great number of Shepherds come in and parted them and who seizing upon the miserable Tirintes brought him hither before you oh sage Cloridamantes to be punished according to the quality of his offence But all these that came in the company did not come upon the same cause for the joy and contentment of Menander Lerice and Aglantes was so great that they would willingly have forgotten the injury or at the least would have disdained all revenge But their coming is to have judgement upon another difference which hath hapned since Be pleased to know therefore oh Reverend Father That this great Tumult being appeased and Tirintes in the hands of those who have brought him hither Aglantes full of joy to see the fair Silvanire risen from the dead or to say better born again addressing himself unto Menander and Lerice he besought them both that they would be pleased to consummate his happiness by a conclusion of this so much desired marriage as thinking that the delay of such a happy union could not be profitable unto any Menander at the first stood a while mute seeming as if he heard not but Aglantes seconding his first desire with most earnest supplications he took notice that Menander walking about the room with his hands behind him he muttered so as none could understand him or as if he was deaf on that ear but he went shaking his head as it is usual for one to do that would deny a request This silence and this action did exceedingly surprize Aglantes for he thought his marriage so sure that when he saw the old man make a doubt of it he first grew pale and afterwards was taken with an extream trembling Many of the Shepherds that were in the room wondering at the silence of Menander and his way of proceeding they drew nearer and seeing Aglantes in that condition to wit almost beside himself they feared that if Menander did not keep his word some fatal accident would befal his house therefore gathering about him they beseeched him not to trouble their great joys by such an alteration as appeared to be in him But Menander not so much as giving them a look he walked still on and held his eyes fixed upon the ground Friends said he unto them at last New matters new resolutions How replied Aglantes New matters new resolutions What do you mean by that My menning is replied Menander That when I promised my daughter unto yon I thought her dead and so I am contented she should be yours But now since thanks be to heaven she is alive I mean to dispose of her another way Menander answered Aglantes you have already given your Daughter unto me her Mother consents unto it and Silvanire would have it so I have accordingly taken her I conceive her to be mine and none can take her from me but they must take away my life also Your life replied Menander is nothing unto me but my Daughter is my own and none can take her from me you cannot pretend unto her by vertue of my promise for if promises oblige Theantes may better claim her as his because I made a promise unto him long before any to you Therefore Aglantes if you have a mind to marry you may do well to look for a wise somwhere else Oh ye good Gods cryed out Aglantes stamping his foot against the ground and striking his hands together Oh heavens oh Earth is there any Justice amongst men Is it not beyond the bounds of any patience to endure so great a wrong All the Shepherds who heard them talk thus fearing and with reason some great disaster if this dispute went any further they gathered themselves together and were of opinion that the best course was to present themselves before you and receive such judgement as in your prudence you should think most fit in such a case It was not without much ado that they consented unto it for Menander thought it an undervaluing himself and his daughter and Aglantes could not endure a thing so justly his due should be so much as disputed or put unto the arbitriment of men yet at last by the mediation of friends and kinred they were perswaded to submit unto whatsoever should be ordained by you Fossinde had no sooner ended but Menander transported with rage and not staying till the Druide gave him permission to speak he stood up and in a loud voice began thus I do demand Justice Oh sage Cloridamantes against the insolency of this age which would take away from a Father that power which nature hath given him over his child I do conjure you to maintain that which all Laws ordains all customs observe and all the world approves of I demand no novelties since from the beginning of time Fathers have used to dispose of their own children I require nothing but what is just since nothing is more equitable then for every one to be the Master and Lord of his own workmanship and I require nothing but what is according to natural sence and reason since it is reasonable that those whom a grave experience has preferred above others should be believed and obeyed in what they advise and appoint The whole dispute rests upon this single point whether a Father may not dispose of his child as he will If the negative then I have lost my cause but then I would advise all Fathers never to care for having any children nor to trouble themselves with giving any education unto them since they are not their children but their companions nay their Masters if the Proverb be true which says Have a Companion and have a Master Then will the Father who is Lord Paramont in his little Republique be outed of his Dominion by him whom he bred in his own bosom Oh most depraved age I have seen the time when if a child had in the least circumstance dis-obeyed the command of a Father he had been hissed at in the street and pointed at by every finger but now it is grown wit to domineer it is courage and spirit to slight commands and it is duty in a child to usurp authority from the Father The name of Father sage Cloridamantes does signifie absolute Lord and Soveraign Master of his child This being so I am most confident that you honour the Gods so far as to maintain my Title and Prerogative over this young Daughter which is mine and whom I have brought up with such abundance of care cost and paines For my part I
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
not go with me unto my house He went nearer to her and after he had looked well upon her he answered to my house do you say Adrastes and Doris Yes replied Doris will not Adrastes go with Doris To which he answered not a word but Doris and turning himself about offered to go away Doris then calling him by his name and he turning towards her she offered her hand and said unto him come come Adrastes do not you love Doris He looked seriously upon her and said not a word and it would have pitied any one to see how tears trickled from his eyes though he smiled Doris then made him a second offer of her hand what Adrastes said she do you not know Doris Then he answered Doris yes said she I am Doris who entreats Adrastes to go with her unto Marselles Then going to her and taking her under the arm he said Marselles Doris Adrastes Palemon and never left saying so all the way long but sometimes did weep and sometimes at the very same instant laugh and would never answer unto any question but only the last word of it They had already passed over the River Lignon and left the house of Adamas on the right hand when they began to discover Marselles and because Hylas was very sorry that he could not know the cause of Dorindes coming into Forrests it is a hard case said he that some foolish accident or other does always prevent me in my desires what foolish accident do you complain of said Dorinde which has prevented you in your desires Two things answered Hylas I do complain of and they are very different the one is that Thamires and I have talked so long the other is that Adrastes hath made us lose that time which I desired should be spent in hearing what has hapned unto you since last I saw you If that be al answered Dorinde to content you we shal remedy it when you please these promises are easily made said Hylas but often fail in performance hold me for a person very uncivil said Dorinde if I do not give you satisfaction in a thing which I may with so much ease perform I believe you to be civil enough replied Hylas but I cannot tell whether your leisure and your will can permit it as for matter of will answered Dorinde it shall not stick upon that and as for leisure I believe that at night when we have nothing else to do we may have as good an opportunity as can be desired But pray why have you not as great a desire to know the adventures of Florice of Palinice and Cercinea as well as mine Is it because you already know them There is a hidden mistery in that answered Hylas and the truth is I do not know them but I do very much wonder now I think on it that I should never have that desire then turning towards them but good in the dayes of old Mistrisses tell me why you did not pay that tribute which was due unto my curiosity and desire We do answer said Florice that neither you nor we had any will thereunto but yet there is a reason which is better and which proceeds from a cause more high for Heaven did forbid us How how said Hylas have you such familiar conversation with Heaven I do not wonder now I should so retire my self from you since you are so celestial you must not now be loved but adored as heavenly beauties Hylas said Cercinea you now speak like unto your self who being one of those Gallo-Ligurians which retain nothing of the ancient Gaulish Religion but theâ—â—â—ry name having received the Graecian fables for truths but we who adore nothing but one only Tautates we do not desire to be adored Oh Cercinea said Hylas I perceive your celestial conversation with Heaven and your intimate familiarity with Angels has made you so divine that now there is no coming near you you do not talk now like Cercinea but like a Sarronide an Eubages a Prophetess a celestial Druide God keep me from loving you since you are learned for when I begin to talk unto you of my affection in lieu of answering you will reprove me for not speaking well and God knows how extreamly ashamed should I be to receive correction at this age Then turning towards Florice but pray tell me in good earnest said he how comes it to passe I should never know the cause of your coming into this Country Because answered Florice we would not tell it unto any being so enjoyned by the Oracle which did forbid us to speak of it until a thing come to pass which is not yet hapned Now I do see said Hylas that heaven is better to me then I deserve since I am not afflicted with any desires of a thing that would have been long before the effect would be obtained But said Dorinde why might not I have satisfied this desire for I do know all their adventures almost as well as themselves and heaven has not forbidden me to tell them Were we not so neer the place unto which we go said Lycidas I should humbly entreat that you would be pleased to take so much pains for I believe there is not a stranger upon the Banks of Lignon who hath so long concealed the cause of their journey as these three fair ones have It seems said Hylas that they have extreamly offended the Gods Why said Cercinea Because answered Hylas the greatest punishment that heaven can lay upon a woman is to be silent If it be so answered she heaven has been very favourable to us in giving us occasion to shew our selves more then women Such discourse as this beguiled the length of the way and when they were come to the gates of Marselles Periander Merindor and their companions asked Dorinde if she intended to do her obeysance unto Amasis that same night and where she intended to lodge if she did not To whom Dorinde answered that it was very late and that all the company was too weary to go so high as the Castle which stood upon the top of a steep hill but yet she knew not where to lodge else-where having no acquaintance in the place Lycidas upon this be-thinking himself I beseech you said he give me leave to go before you into the Town and if he whom I hope to find in it be there I am confident your reception will not be bad Dorinde thanked him and sitting down under a shade neer the High-way she told him that she and the company would expect his return in that place Upon this Lycidas with the company of Corilas went into the Town and went as fast as they could unto the house of Clindor the dear friend of Alcippes the father of Celadon and Lycidas This Clindor has still in memory the affection which he bore unto their father and since the death of Alcippes and Celadon all his good will was placed upon Lycidas as all that was left unto him
of his dear friend and therefore as soon as ever he saw him he held out his arms of love to embrace him and shewed as much entire affection as if he had been his own son Father said Lycidas unto him for so he called him if I have been backward in rendring that duty which I owe unto you I beseech you lay the blame upon the rural woods which will hardly permit their inhabitants to frequent great Cities without offence unto the Laws of their solitary lives Son said Clindor I do both excuse and envie you I excuse you because Alcippes did all his life most religiously observe the vow of his ancestors and I do envie the happy lives you lead when I consider the turbulency and inquietude of ours But Son continued he and embraced him you are very heartily welcome and your companion also assuring your self that I cannot receive any greater contentment then to see the son of my dear friend Alcippes well and with me This assurance Sir said Lycidas made me so bold as to offer your house to a great number of my friends who accompanied me hither though I did not know whether it would be thought too great a trouble Son said Clindor with a smiling countenance those who do come unto my house especially under so good a conductor as Lycidas shall have as much power in it as my self the trouble that will be will be only unto them but much honour and contentment unto me and then hearing who those were whom he brought with him I am very sorry said he that I had no sooner notice but since they have surprized me I hope tâ—â—y will excuse the inconveniences of my house and the they are most heartily welcome Then calling for his son Leontidas said he for that was his name go along with your brother offer this house unto those strangers to whom he will conduct you and tell them that if my age would permit me I would have waited upon them my self Thus Lycidas with Leontidas went unto the company which expected him who after many complements of civility Leontidas took Dorinde by one arm and Hylas took her by the other when they came to the gates the guards asked them who they were and from whence they came The three Cavaliers told them their names and satisfied their demands and Leontidas added that they were going to the house of Clindor The guards then cryed them mercy and asked pardon for their strictness because it was but according to their duty and commands received from their superiour Officers Thus they entred and were conducted unto the house of Clindor who received them with so kind a countenance and treated them so nobly as every one admired he should have set his house in such excellent order as they found it In the mean time the sad Sylvander who after he had left Dorinde and her company was retired into the thickest woods where he could least be seen and there past away the rest of the day with his own melancholy and mortal thoughts till at night he came to the place where Diana Alexis Astrea and Phillis found him retired He did so avoid the sight of every one that he knew not what had hapned unto Dorinde for as soon as he saw any he shunned them like a savage person His sad melancholy retained him in this place until it was night but when he saw the canopy of heaven spangled with glistering stars and thought that none was abroad he went out not with any designe of diverting himself but only to resent his sorrows more apprehensively and that his sorrows might the sooner do that which his hand durst not against his life lest heaven should be offended if he gave himself a violent death This thought did insensibly conduct him unto the place where Phillis delivered the cruel message from Diana unto him Oh most fatal place said he and most infamous for the highest piece of injustice that ever was committed upon the Banks of Lignon Oh thou most abominable and and odious piece of ground I do wonder Heaven does not cause the earth to open and swallow thee in her deep Abyss and never suffer thee to be sooting for any innocent Shepherd to tread upon again Then folding his arms one within another he continued But if heaven will needs pursue me with a perpetual hatred as it hath done ever since that cursed day on which I was born why does it not execute and compleat its cruel destinies upon me Should I wish all places where I have resented the unjust malignity of its influence to be Abysses Alas then all places where-ever I did set my foot must be swallowed up into the profundity of the earth Then coming to the place where he fell into a swoon he stopped short and looked long silently upon it at last he began again 'T was here said he where my disasterous cogitations did muster themselves to overwhelm me but how comes it to pass I did endure them and not die And is not heaven ashamed to see it self surmounted by the constancy of a mortal It is not more strange to see how obstinate the Destinies are in rendring me miserable then it is to see the insensibility of my soul in supporting their blows But upon good consideration I needs must say that heaven will either try what power it has in tormenting or what courage I have in suffering But fairest Diana must you needs be the instrument of so many cruelties Can your beauty ever consent unto the ruine of him that adores you What excuse can you alledge for your self You are either the partner in this fault or at least the cause and the original for it is as impossible I should love any but Diana as it is for Diana to live and not be the fairest in the whole world and as long as I live the most loved Shepherdess upon earth But alas alas you look for no excuse where you cannot repent of the fault or to say better where repentance would be a thousand times greater satisfaction then the wrong Then standing a while silent and the moon shining very clear he went looking and staring upon every thing about him like a man that was distracted and hardly knew what it was that he did look upon at last the cruel discourse of Phillis and the opinion which Diana had of his change coming into his mind he could not chuse but cry out Oh God! Oh Heavens Is it possible that the judgment of Diana which is so sound and quick in all other things should to my misery be thus mistaken Can she think Madonthe has any power to divert me from her and her service Could that Wise Prudent and Solid Shepherdess believe that those eyes which have her can look upon any other eyes but hers Have I Oh Fairest Shepherdess by any of my actions given any testimony that I become a Hylas or an Adrastes For before I commit such a sin I must needs be
either one or both and I could not be so inconstant unless I were a fool or a mad man This thought entertained him a long time and would not let him depart from that place he thought to have found that contentment which he had loft but on the contrary he met still with fresh causes of grief for wandering insensibly from one thought to another he began to think upon the sweet beginnings of his affection and with what discretion Diana received the first buds of his love under the notion of a wager with what kindness she suffered that plant to take root and how prudently she saw it grow up to that grandeur which now is arrived at And as concomitants of this thought he set before his eyes the pleasant jars of Phillis the favourable answers of his Shepherdess and briefly all those reasons which he had to hope that his affection would thrive and grow fruitfull Then did he bethink himself of that Bracelet of hair which was intended for Phillis and which he had obtained of Diana as an extraordinary favour He guided his hand to the place where he was wont to wear it thinking to have the contentment of a kiss from it but not finding it he looked upon the other arm but not finding it on either he was surprized with so much grief as not being able to endure the blow of that disaster he fell to the ground and so lay a long time without either motion or speech but at last he revived and concluded that now all hope was gone Sylvander had no sooner ceased his complaints but as he thought he heard some coming towards him and to know who they were and also out of fear to be seen lest by that means he should be interrupted in his solitary thoughts he kept still close and silent then did he plainly hear some coming and talking very loud but not so as he could understand them at that distance yet still keeping silence and they drawing neerer he perceived by the help of the Moon that they were two men talking together and when they were close by the place where Sylvander stood they stopt a little then did he hear one of them begin to sing and the effect of his song was That he had more love then she had cruelty He had no sooner done but the other began and the substance of his song was That he ought to love her for no other end but to love her Ah Brother said the first and interrupted the other you are in the right for whosoever does love for any other end but loving only he does abuse the name of love and most unworthily proâ—ane that pure and Sacred Divinity But give me leave to tell you that in what you alledged before concerning the torments which you and I do suffer you have as little reason as I have much to say that there is no torment in the world that is equal unto mine Brother answered the other with a deep sigh that love which every one doth bear unto himself is the cause of that judgment for when you see me suffer any pain do you not resent it more then any stranger would Doubtless I do answered the first Then Alcander replied the other the same reason which makes you resent my pain more then another does make you resent your own more then mine for as it is natural to love a brother more then a stranger so it is as natural to love ones self more then any else it is love which gives the weight unto all things which fall under opinion I do not know Amilcar said he how you intend this It is true that I am partly in the same belief and partly not I mean that it is love which doth cause resentment of sorrows and joyes and that it is by it and its ell we do measure the greatness or the littleness of all things but that every one does love themselves more then some others Indeed brother I must confess that if this be an effect of nature then nature has failed in me for I do protest and vow that I do love Circinca a thousand times better then I do my self and it is an easie matter to make this evident since I do find in my self towards her all the effects which a most extream love can produce for first I had rather any evil should fall upon my self then the least upon her and I desire her contentment infinitely above my own there is nothing be it never so full of difficulty but I would attempt it if there was any hopes it would conduce thereunto If any thing that pleased me displeased her believe it Amilcar I had rather dye then receive it and if these be not infallible arguments that I do love another better then my self I know not what are Brother replied Amilcar I do resent the very same effects of affection unto Palinice which you do unto Circinea but oh Alcander you are much mistaken if you do conclude thereby that you do love Circinea better then your self or that I do love Palinice more then I do my self For if we will but ingeniously confess it is the love of our selves that makes us love them and as the miser does expose his life for the preservation of that Gold which he loves so do we Sacrifice our selves to the pleasure of those fair ones whom we adore Fie fie Brother replied Alcander will you offer such a wrong unto our loves as to compare them unto a misers love of Gold Assure your self brother said Amilcar soberly there is no difference betwixt them only the love that we do give unto these fair ones is for a thing of greater value and merit and therefore it is more noble and reasonable but the very truth is the original of all loves is self love does not the misers care to preserve his dearly beloved Gold proceed from the love of himself and not his Gold Doubtless it does for what cares the gold into whose hands it fals since wheresoever it is it is still Gold as well as in his hands Then let us apply this reason unto our selves and you will find that it is the love which you hear unto your self which makes you have all those cares of Circinea and all those earnest desires of her contentment would you wish her so much happinesse and endeavour to procure it unto her upon condition she should extreamly love Clorian and devote her self wholly unto him without ever caring for you But did she love Clorian replied Alcander she would not be so happy as you suppose her But suppose she should be as happy said Amiliar would you wish her the enjoyment of all those contentments with Clorian I see you will not answer nor have you any reason but I will answer for you it is most certain that you and I had rather see the grim face of death then to see your Circinea happy with Clorian and I to see my Palinice the happy wife of
provide for me good store of handkerchiefs before hand to dry up the tears which I shall shed Thus these two Shepherdesses discoursed whilst they were dressing themselves and in the mean time Alexis and Astrea were talking somtimes giving assurances of their mutual good will and otherwhiles kissing each other somtimes as women and otherwhiles as lovers and therefore Diana seeing Astrea made no offers of rising out of bed she turned to Phillis and said unto her me thinks Sister that though you have been somthing out of charity with me this morning yet we may go together and look to our flocks and return again before this sluggard rise out of bed Do not think answered Phillis that my anger is so great as to make me fail in that respect and affection which I do ow unto her that was my Mistris and ever shall be so as long as I live And you Sister sluggard said she unto Astrea since we will not command you any things that are either impossible or grievous I pray let us find you in the same place at our return where we leave you at our going away and in the mean time that you may have no excuse for your absence we will take care of your flock so bidding them good morrow they went out of the chamber and went talking upon several subjects and Diana being in a little better opinion of Sylvander then she was she began to be in her good humour again Being then going out of Astreas house Phillis who was silent a while did make a stop upon a sudden and looking upon Diana Sister said she unto her dare I tell you what I am thinking upon Why do you make it a question answered Diana you know our familiarity does not allow us to conceal the least motion of our souls from each other I was thinking said Phillis upon the extream and sudden amity betwixt Astrea and Alexis and what should be the cause of it I have known Astrea long but I never saw her so apt and forward to contract amity upon a push with a stranger and leave her old for new affections and yet she no sooner saw this Druide but she loved her extreamly and in loving her does a little slight the company of Diana and Phillis who were wont to be so dear unto her To which Diana answered I have had the same conceptions Sister said she but then considering that Astrea did extreamly love Celadon and Alexis having so great a resemblance of him she was quickly moved to love her as fancying her to be her dearly beloved Shepherd you know she never loved any but only him as this being her first and only affection it is no wonder she should keep it alive in this woman well said Phillis this reason may pass as relating unto Astrea but what do you alledge as in relation to the Druide who at the very first sight was so wholly devoted unto a Shepherdess that she forgets and forsakes her very Father and kindred to be with this Shepherdess and to wear her clothes and seems as if she had quite forgot both Carnutes and all her companions Unto this said Diana no answer can be made but that as Alexis has the face of Celadon so also she has his heart and for my part I believe she has when I do see her Idolize after the same manner that Shepherds use I assure you answered Phillis you phrase it right in saying that she does Idolize her as if she were a Shepherd have you observed her actions and behaviour when she is with her I assure you Sister that were she trimmed up in mans clothes I would say here is a Shepherd Sister replied Diana you know that Astrea has rare attracts to move love and having an affection unto this woman she renders her all the testimonies of her good will that she can we ought not to think it strange that her natural perfections should become inchantments we have found it our selves by experience and I dare swear that never any loved better then we loved Astrea and I do believe that I cannot love any more then her But said Phillis what shall we say of Adamas and Leonide who have left her here upon so slight a cause and seem as if they had forgotten her When Adamas went answered Diana we know she was not well and when Leonide left her she went away in haste because the Nymph Amasis did send for her so as she had not leisure to conduct her unto the house of Adamas and why said Phillis did she not carry her with her unto Marsellâ—s where her Father was I cannot well answer you unto that point said Diana but I do believe that Adamas would not have her she being a Druide go amongst great companies but desired rather she should passe the time away amongst us and recover of that sicknesse which so long tormented her which was the reason of her coming from Carnutes whither as I hear say she is presently to return Thus Diana answered unto all the objections in the discourse of Phillis as she did in real sincerity think of Alexis and used such good arguments to clear her doubts that she quite removed them Afterwards they walked unto the Wood where they thought to find no Shepherds stirring because it was very early but when they came into a long walk they saw at the other end a Shepherd and a Shepherdesse but they could not know whom they were by reason of the distance of the place and shade of trees These two Shepherdesses desiring no other company but themselves their design was to hide themselves in the Wood until the other couple was walked past them and then to continue on their own intended walk and therefore finding a thick Bush by the walk side they sat themselves down in it with a reserve of silence till they were past and therefore they heard them coming when they were at a good distance off and because they were somthing loud in their discourse they knew by their voices the one of them to be Tiâ—ces and the other Laonice Yonder is said Phillis in a whisper the good friend of Sylvander and rather mine answered Diana for she has acquainted me with that which of all things in the world was most necessary for me to know Well Sister replied Phillis I hope to see the day when you will see your errour and then you will take me under the notion of your good friend Diana durst not answer lest they should be heard because they were very near and as they passed they heard Tircis say I protest Lâ—onice you are the most spiteful woman in the world Phillis and Sylvander are not to be blamed for they were obliged unto all they did and not by their own choice but by the will of the Gods Tirces answered she do you not know that those who have been beaten with a rod and cannot be revenged upon them that beat them yet they receive some contentment in
discreet Shepherdess replied Delphire that we have made you stay so long and we do find our obligations doubled since we have greater hopes that our cause will receive a more equitable judgment by the assistance of your company of which do not doubt for all our rest and tranquility depends upon what you shall please to ordain amongst us But oh just Judge said Thomantes and interrupted what shall be done unto those that are condemned and will not observe the Sentence which you shall doom This question is not moved without reason for I have seen this fair one pointing at Delphire so negligent in the observance of those Laws which all other humans hold inviolable as I have good cause to fear she will not observe what you shall ordain if it be against her mind Oh Thomantes said Delphire this reproach is insupportable and were I not in hopes that ere long our just Judge will revenge all the wrongs which I have received from you I would demand Justice upon this injury in particular You are so accustomed replied Thomantes to complain without a cause as I do not think it strange you should now do the like nor think it a lesse wonder to hear me speak so openly and freely having all my life behaved my self towards you under the Laws of such a grand respect that any complaints were not permitted me in my greatest pain but now we are here before our Judge and it is fit she should know both your cruelties and my torments that she may the better give judgment upon them I will not enter or hold any Discourse with you said Delphire but will only hint unto our Judge to observe from your language that it is the highest injustice to blind Justice Only beseech her not to lose any more time in hearing you but imploy it upon that which she is ordained unto by the Gods Whilst Delphire and Thomantes were talking thus Diana seated her self upon the ground and Alexis Astrea Phillis and the rest of the Shepherdesses seated themselves in such places where they might best hear this difference argued Filintes and Asphales with Sylvander did the same Now said Diana fair Shepherdesse and you courteous Shepherd if you desire any thing from me let me understand your demands and difference and in best order thereunto it is very fit you make choise of one which knows all the passages betwixt you to relate them unto us and afterwards both parties to speak for themselves Fair and Wise Shepherdesse said Asphale then we are four Shepherds and two Shepherdesses that are interested in the judgment which you are to give and therefore if you think it good Androgenes said he and pointed to him or I will relate unto you what concerns Thomantes Filintes and Delphire and afterwards either Filintes or Thomantes will relate the difference of Dorissea Androgenes and my self I conceive answered Diana that for brevities sake it is better that the Shepherdesses make the first relation and not the Shepherds who know too well to answer their reasons and therefore Dorissea I do appoint you unto the office not only to relate what concerns Delphire but also what concerns your self not questioning but so direct a Shepherdesse will give us true information Hereupon Dorissea after a low reverence took her place and after a little time of consideration she began thus The History of DELPHIRE and DORISSEA IF those who have heard tell of jealousie had but the experience of it as we have Oh Wise and Prudent Shepherdess doubtless they would all say that it is a great enemy unto love and as cold is contrary to heat so is it directly contrary to that passion which causeth love for fear iâ— the Mother of it and consequently it must be cold but love is always burning and in a flame Some on the contrary do esteem it to be the daughter of Love and so necessary to its preservation that as the water which the Smith throws upon the fire to make it burn more violent and ardently so likewise jealousie augments and makes the flame of love more violent in the souls of Lovers Had you not commanded me most Wise Shepherdess to relate unto you the differences betwixt Delphire Thomantes Asphales Androgenes and my self I would have instanced some examples to prove what I say but I assure my self that in the Discourse which I shall make unto you there will appear so many proofs of it as will force you to confess with me that if love can hardly be without jealousie jealousie can never be without effacing love Be pleased to know then fair and Wise Shepherdesse that Thomantes being the only son of his Parents was brought up with abundance of tender care by the Wise Shepherdess Ericanthe his Mother and by Eleaman his Father so tender was their care over him that they would never suffer him to be out of their presence as thinking that as soon as they lost the sight of him he was lost for ever And because Eleaman and Ericanthe were the wealthiest in all our Town as well in the great abundance of flocks and pastures as in the great number of Shepherds and Shepherdesses unto whose charge he committed the care of them the young Thomantes was brought up in all the qualities and exercises fit for a Shepherd of his rank in which for his age he did so profit himself that none in all our coasts could equal him Being got out of the hands of his Nurse an ancient and Wise Pastor was set over him as his Governour not that he was thereby excluded from the company of those women who waited upon his Mother for on the contrary he was amongst them till the age of ten or twelve years so beloved and caressed by all as well were they that could love him most for besides his being very amiable and had all the good qualities that one of his age could have he was looked upon as the darling and delight of the Pastor Eleaman and of the sage Ericanthe their Mistris But as it commonly happens at that age rather by instinct then by election to love one above another the young Thomantes no sooner saw ten years of age but he shewed a great inclination to love Delphire who was then brought up with Ericanthe and and not above eight or nine years old at that time Their innocent age and their design without design not being yet instructed in the art of dissimulation every one took notice of the particular affection of Thomantes unto Delphire whereof Ericanthe was very glad as well because that Shepherdesse was indeed very handsom and worthy of love and service as because many do think that there is nothing does more awake and enliven youth nor rouse it up unto noble designs then love doing in this the office of Steel which makes a flint to sparkle that is of it self cold and without light One may easily imagine what kind of infantine affection this was which they bore one
a salvage person and without communication I must confess they have reason but since the name of Lover does not signifie any Wilde Man or Wolf or Tyger or Barbarian we see no reason or ground they have for their opinions All these doubts and all these judgements which they have conceived of our affections must receive a decision from you sage Shepherdess we mean those doubts and judgments which they have in dis-advantage of our affection for of all other things whereof they blame and accuse us as we are Asphales and Thomantes we dare not so much as whisper the least complaint against them but will with all reverence and respect suffer what they please but when they accuse us as we are Lovers then we are forced to open our mouths not to accuse or complain against them but to sigh as those do whom excessive pain torments above their strength otherwise we could say that when they charge us with inconstancy they themselves are the cause of our change and should seek out for some reasons to excuse it and should urge that so many services paid and received did not deserve that Filintes during the absence of Thomantes should be entertained in his place nor Androgenes in the room of Asphales that the favours which both those received during our absence would afford us ample matter and cause to accuse them that the news which was writ unto us from all sides was enough to make us believe it And because they say that a woman neither can nor ought to hinder any from loving them so it be with all requisite discretion respect and honour we ask your judgment oh our most just Judge upon these four questions first whether she who permits many to love and serve her do keep her self within compass of the Laws of Constancy Secondly if this plurality of Lovers be allowed unto women whether may it not be as well allowed unto men Thirdly whether the Laws of Constancy do ordain that a Lover should flye the sight of all other Shepherdesses And lastly what are the terms and limits of this Constancy so much talked of by all and so little known unto any and all this to the end that these fair Shepherdesses may know whether or no we be true and faithful Lovers and not be offended if our affections cannot endure such injuries should be offered unto them In all these things oh most just Judge we desire and expect your judgement Thus ended Thomantes and after he had made an humble reverence Diana appointed Delphire to answer unto what Thomantes had said if she had any exceptions against it then Delphire began thus The answer of Delphire unto Thomantes WE think it not strange fair and discreet Shepherdess to hear such abundance of windy words from the mouth of Thomantes as vvell in his own behalf as in that of Asphales for he that does love truly cannot speak vvhat he resents and it seems by the rule of contraries that he vvho loves but a little will never be weary of talking doe but observe with what a torrent of words he argues not with reasons but with dis-reasons if I may coyn the word And though upon the same consideration I mean because Dorissea and I do not love I could with the same fluency of tongue make a long opposition of their arguments yet I will not as well because that were to abuse the patience of our Judg and all that hear me as because all their arguments are grounded upon such simple foundations and glossed over with such thin covers as the falsity of them are easily seen and truly seen so clearly that I should not think them worth an answer were it not in obedience unto the command of our just Judge To begin then What do you mean Thomantes by all this talk of your affection You who sayes you are accustomed to Love without speaking as we are to speaking without love What do you mean I say since you do confess that if Dorissea and I do but say once that we love you you will believe us for ever Ah Shepherd since we have been so accustomed to speaking what do you complain of Why are you not both satisfied To what purpose did you make addresses to the Oracle and trouble this Assembly with so many words since we have been so accustomed to speaking it But oh just Judge I perceive the strength and subtilty of his argument he dares not directly say that we are accustomed to speaking it but only that we are accustomed as much to say that we love and yet do not love as they are to love and yet not speaking it and because that they have not been accustomed to love it consequently follows that neither have we been accustomed to speaking it and in this sence they are in the right for it is very hard to speak of a thing which they do not know witness all the discourse of Thomantes in which there are not more words then contradictions But to give them some satisfaction let us confesse that they cannot speak well upon this subject because if they loved heretofore as they say they did they loved without speaking it and that now they do not love they are yet constrained to speak well we will allow this and now Thomantes and Asphales are you contented You may be at least since you are allowed what you ask but what 's all this to our difference Nothing at all nor is it any proof that they do love us for it might perhaps be available if men I mean men of their age did guide themselves by reason then one might infer from hence somthing of what they say but for them who do all things at hazard out of humours and nothing according to the right rules of reason what can one infer from hence but that then their humour was such and now is quite different But say they why should they then take so much paines To which we answer who can find the reason of that which has no reason I say it was either out of obstinacy or to deceive or out of ambition of the name of a Lover without any effects or out of some worse or more pernitious designe What reason can be expected from persons that are unreasonable But say they we do know that we do love is there any that knows our own wills and minds better then our selves Oh most just Judge there is no question but others may know them better can any judge aright whose Spirits are prepossessed with passion What likelyhood is there that these Shepherds can give any sound judgement upon a thing that concerns themselves But we who are without passion and are unconcerned in any thing which concerns them we judge soundly As for example cannot those that see Adrastes better judge of his madness then himself And to shew that they 〈◊〉 know what they would have nor what they do do they not wish and unwâ—â—â— the very same things in one minute