Tir'de as a iade in ouerloden carte Yet thoughts do flie though I can scarcely creep All visions seeme at euery bush I start Drowsy am I and yet can rarely slepe Sure I bewitched am it is euen that Late neere a crosse I met an ougly Cat. For but by charms how fall these things on me That from those eies where heau'nly apples bene Those eies which nothing like themselues can see Of faire Vrania fairer then a greene Proudly bedeckt in Aprills liuory A shot vnheard gaue me a wound vnseene He was inuisible that hurt me so And none vnuisible but Spirites can goe When I see her my sinewes shake for feare And yet deare soule I know she hurteth none Amid my flock with woe my voice I teare And but bewitch'd who to his flock would mone Her chery lipps milke hands and golden haire I still do see though I be still alone Now make me thinke that there is not a fende Who hid in Angels shape my lîfe would ende The sportes wherin I wonted to do well Come she and sweet the aire with open brest Then so I faile when most I would do well That at me so amaz'd my fellowes iest Sometimes to her newes of my selfe to tell I go about but then is all my best Wry words and stam'ring or els doltish dombe Say then can this but of enchantment come Nay each thing is bewitcht to know my case The Nightingales for woe their songs refraine In riuer as I look'd my pining face As pin'd a face as mine I saw againe The courteous mountaines grieu'd at my disgrace Their snowy haire teare of in melting paine And now the dropping trees do wepe for me And now faire euenings blush my shame to see But you my pipe whilome my chief delight Till straunge delight delight to nothing ware And you my flock care of my carefull sight While I was I so had cause to care And thou my dogg whose truth valiant might Made wolues not inward wolues my ewes to spare Go you not from your master in his woe Let it suffise that he himselfe forgoe For though like waxe this magique makes me waste Or like a lambe whose dam away is fet Stolne from her yoong by theeues vnchoosing hast He treble beas for helpe but none can get Though thus and worse though now I am at last Of all the games that here ere now I met Do you remember still you once were mine Till my eies had their curse from blessed â—ine Be you with me while I vnheard do cry While I do score my losses on the winde While I in heart my will write ere I die In which by will my will and wits I binde Still to be hers about her aye to flie As this same sprite about my fancies blinde Doth daily haâ—nt but so that mine become As much more louing as lesse combersome Alas a cloud hath ouercast mine eies And yet I see her shine amid the cloud Alas of ghostes I heare the gastly cries Yet there me seemes I heare her singing loud This song she singes in most commaunding wise Come shepheards boy let now thy heart be bowd To make it selfe to my least looke a slaue Leaue sheepe leaue all I will no piecing haue I will I will alas alas I will Wilt thou haue more more haue if more I be Away ragg'd rams care I what murraine kill Out shreaking pipe made of â—ome witched tree Go bawling curre thy hungry maw go fill On yond foule flocke belonging not to me With that his dogge he henst his flocke he curst With that yet kissed first his pipe he burst This said this done he rase euen tir'd with rest With heart as carefull as with carelesse grace With shrinking legges but with a swelling brest With eyes which threatned they would drowne his face Fearing the worst not knowing what were best And giuing to his sight a wandring race He saw behind a bush where Klaius sate His well know'ne friend but yet his vnknowne mate Klaius the wretch who lately yelden was To beare the bondes which Time nor wit could breake With blushing soule at sight of iudgements glasse While guilty thoughts accus'd his Reason weake This morne alone to lonely walke did passe With in himselfe of hir deare selfâ— to speake Till Strephons planing voice him nearer drew Where by his words his self-like cause he knew For hearing him so oft with wordes of woe Vrania name whose force he knew so well He quickly knew what witchcraft gaue the blow Which made his Strephon think himselfe in hell Which when he did in perfect image show To his owne witt thought vpon thought did swell Breeding huge stormes with in his inward parte Which thus breath'd out with earthquake of his hart As Lamon would haue proceded Basilius knowing by the wasting of the torches that the night also was farre wasted and withall remembring Zelmanes hurt asked hir whither she thought it not better to reserue the complaint of Klaius till an other day Which she perceiuing the song had alreadie worne out much time and not knowing when Lamon would ende being euen now stepping ouer to a new matter though much deligâ—ted with what was spoken willingly agreed vnto And so of all sides they went to recommend themselues to the elder brother of death The end of the first Booke THE SECOND BOOKE OF THE COVNTESSE OF PEMBROKES ARCADIA IN these pastorall pastimes a great number of daies were sent to follow their flying predecessours while the cup of poison which was deepely tasted of this noble companie had left no sinewe of theirs without mortally searching into it yet neuer manifesting his venomous work til once that the night parting away angry that she could distill no more sleepe into the eies of louers had no sooner giuen place to the breaking out of the morning light and the Sunne bestowed his beames vpon the tops of the mountaines but that the woefull Gynecia to whom rest was no ease had left her loathed lodging and gotten her selfe into the solitary places those deserts were full of going vp and downe with such vnquiet motions as a grieued and hopeles minde is wont to bring forth There appeered vnto the eies of her iudgement the euils she was like to run into with ougly infamie waiting vpon them shee felt the terrors of her owne conscience shee was guilty of a long exercised vertue which made this vice the fuller of deformitie The vttermost of the good she could aspire vnto was a mortal wouÌ„d to her vexed spirits and lastly no small part of her euils was that she was wise to see her euils In so much that hauing a great while throwne her countenaunce ghastly about her as if shee had called all the powers of the world to be witnesse of her wretched estate at length casting vp her watrie eyes to heaueÌ„ O Sunne said she whose vnspotted light directs the steps of mortall mankind art thou not ashamed to impart the clearnesse of
THE COVNTESSE OF PEMBROKES ARCADIA WRITTEN BY SIR Philip Sidney Knight NOW SINCE THE FIRST EDItion augmented and ended LONDON Printed for William Ponsonbie Anno Domini 1593. TO MY DEARE LADY AND SISTER THE COVNTESSE OF PEMBROKE HEre now haue you most deare and most worthye to bee most deare Lady this idle worke of mine which I feare like the Spiders webbe will be thought fitter to be swept away then worne to any other purpose For my part in very trueth as the cruell fathers among the Greekes were woont to doe to the babes they would not foster I could well finde in my heart to cast out in some desert of forgetfulnesse this childe which I am loath to father But you desired me to doe it and your desire to my heart is an absolute commaundement Now it is done onely for you only to you if you keepe it to your selfe or to such friends who will weigh errors in the ballance of good will I hope for the fathers sake it will be pardoned perchaunce made much of though in it selfe it haue deformities For indeed for seuerer eies it is not being but a trifle and that triflingly handled Your deare selfe can best witnes the manner being done in loose sheetes of paper most of it in your presence the rest by sheetes sent vnto you as fast as they were done In summe a young head not so wel staied as I would it were and shall be when God will hauing many many fancies begotten in it if it had not beene in some way deliuered woulde haue growen a monster and more sorie might I be that they came in then that they gat out But his chiefe safety shall bee the not walking abroade and his chiefe protection the bearing the liuery of your name which if much much good will doe not deceiue me is worthie to be a sanctuarie for a greater offender This say I because I know the vertue so and this say I because it may be euer so or to say better because it will be euer so Reade it then at your idle times and the follies your good iudgement will finde in it blame not but laugh at And so looking for no better stuffe then as in a Haberdashers shoppe glasses or feathers you will continue to loue the writer who doth exceedingly loue you and moste moste heartilie praies you may long liue to be a principall ornament to the family of the Sidneis Your louing brother Philip Sidney To the Reader THE disfigured face gentle Reader wherewith this worke not long since appeared to the common view moued that noble Lady to whose Honour consecrated to whose protection it was committed to take in hand the wiping away those spottes wherewith the beauties therof were vnworthely blemished But as often in repairing a ruinous house the mending of some olde part occasioneth the making of some new so here her honourable labour begonne in correcting the faults ended in supplying the defectes by the view of what was ill done guided to the consideration of what was not done Which part with what aduise entred into with what successe it hath beene passed through most by her doing all by her directing if they may be entreated not to define which are vnfurnisht of meanes to discerne the rest it is hoped will fauourably censure But this they shall for theyr better satisfaction vnderstand that though they finde not here what might be expected they may finde neuerthelesse as much as was intended the conclusion not the perfection of Arcadia and that no further then the Authours own writings or knowen determinations could direct Whereof who sees not the reason must consider there may be reason which hee sees not Albeit I dare affirme hee either sees or from wiser iudgements then his owne may heare that Sir Philip Sidneies writings can no more be perfected without Sir Philip Sidney then Apelles pictures without Apelles There are that thinke the contrary and no wonder Neuer was Arcadia free from the comber of such Cattell To vs say they the pastures are not pleasaunt and as for the flowers such as we light on we take no delight in but the greater part growe not within our reach Poore soules what talke they of flowers They are Roses not flowers must doe them good which if they finde not here they shall doe well to go feed elswhere Any place will better like them For without Arcadia nothing growes in more plenty then Lettuce sutable to their Lippes If it be true that likenes is a great cause of liking and that contraries inferre contrary consequences then is it true that the wortheles Reader can neuer worthely esteeme of so worthye a writing and as true that the noble the wise the vertuous the curteous as many as haue had any acquaintaunce with true learning and knowledge will with all loue and dearenesse entertaine it as well for affinity with themselues as being child to such a father Whom albeit it do not exactly and in euery lineament represent yet considering the fathers vntimely death preuented the timely birth of the childe it may happily seeme a thanke-woorthy labour that the defects being so few so small and in no principall part yet the greatest vnlikenes is rather in defect then in deformity But howsoeuer it is it is now by more then one interest The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia done as it was for her as it is by her Neither shall these pains be the last if no vnexpected accident cut off her determination which the euerlasting loue of her excellent brother will make her consecrate to his memory H. S. THE COVNTESSE OF PEMBROKES ARCADIA VVRITTEN BY SIR PHILIP SIDNEI THE FIRST BOOKE IT was in the time that the earth begins to put on her new aparrel against the approch of her louer and that the Sun running a most euen course becums an indifferent arbiter betweene the night and the day when the hopelesse shepheard Strephon was come to the sandes which lie against the Island of Cithera where viewing the place with a heauy kinde of delight and sometimes casting his eyes to the Ileward he called his friendly riuall the pastor Claius vnto him setting first down in his darkened countenance a dolefull copie of what he would speake O my Claius saide hee hether we are now come to pay the rent for which we are so called vnto by ouer-busie Remembrance Remembrance restlesse Remembrance which claymes not only this dutie of vs but for it will haue vs forget our selues I pray you when we were amid our flocke and that of other shepheardes some were running after their sheep strayed beyond their boundes some delighting their eyes with seeing them nibble vpon the short and sweete grasse some medicining their sicke ewes some setting a bell for an ensigne of a sheepish squadron some with more leasure inuenting new games of exercising their bodies and sporting their wits did Remembrance graunt vs any holiday eyther for pastime or deuotion nay either for necessary foode or
of Arcadia and if it were possible to be one of them that were allowed the Princes presence Because if the woorst should fall that I were discouered yet hauing gotten the acquaintance of the Prince it might happen to moue his hart to protect me Menalcas being of an honest disposition pittied my case which my face through my inward torment made credible and so I giuing him largely for it let me haue this rayment instructing me in all the particularities touching himselfe or my selfe which I desired to know yet not trusting so much to his constancie as that I would lay my life and life of my life vpon it I hired him to goe into Thessalia to a friend of mine and to deliuer him a letter from me coniuring him to bring me as speedy an answere as he could because it imported me greatly to know whether certaine of my friends did yet possesse any fauour whose intercessions I might vse for my restitution He willingly tooke my letter which being well sealed indeed conteyned other matter For I wrote to my trustie seruant Calodoulus whome you know that assoone as he had deliuered the letter he should keepe him prisoner in his house not suffering him to haue conference with any body till he knew my further pleasure in all other respects that he should vse him as my brother And thus is Menalcas gone and I here a poore shepheard more proud of this estate then of any kingdome so manifest it is that the highest point outward things can bring one vnto is the contentment of the mind with which no estate without which all estates be miserable Now haue I chosen this day because as Menalcas told me the other shepheards are called to make their sports and hope that you will with your credite finde meanes to get me allowed among them You need not doubt answered Zelmane but that I will be your good mistresse marrie the best way of dealing must be by Dametas who since his blunt braine hath perceiued some fauour the Prince dooth beare vnto me as without doubt the most seruile flatterie is lodged most easilie in the grossest capacitie for their ordinarie conceite draweth a yeelding to their greaters and then haue they not wit to discerne the right degrees of duetie is much more seruiceable vnto me then I can finde any cause to wish him And therefore dispaire not to winne him for euery present occasion will catch his senses and his senses are masters of his sillie mind onely reuerence him and reward him and with that bridle and saddle you shall well ride him O heauen and â—arth said Musidorus to what a passe are our mindes brought that from the right line of vertue are wryed to these crooked shifts But ô Loue it is thou that doost it thou changest name vpon name thou disguisest our bodies and disfigurest our mindes But in deed thou hast reason for though the wayes be foule the iourneys end is most faire and honourable No more sweete Musidorus said Zelmane of these philosophies for here comes the very person of Dametas And so he did in deed with a sword by his side a forrest-bill on his neck and a chopping-knife vnder his girdle in which well prouided sort he had euer gone since the feare Zelmane had put him in But he no sooner sawe her but with head and armes he laid his reuerence afore her inough to haue made any man forsweare all courtesie And then in Basilius name he did inuite her to walke downe to the place where that day they were to haue the Pastoralles But when he spied Musidorus to be none of the shepheards allowed in that place he would faine haue perswaded himselfe to vtter some anger but that he durst not yet muttering and champing as though his cudde troubled him he gaue occasion to Musidorus to come neare him and feine this tale of his owne life That he was a younger brother of the shepheard Menalcas by name Dorus sent by his father in his tender age to Athens there to learne some cunning more then ordinarie that he might be the better liked of the Prince and that after his fathers death his brother Mâ—nalcas latelie gone thether to fetch him home was also deceased where vpon his death he had charged him to seeke the seruice of Dametas and to be wholy and euer guyded by him as one in whose iudgement and integritie the Prince had singular confidence For token whereof he gaue to Dametas a good summe of golde in redy coine which Menalcas had bequeathed vnto him vpon condition he should receiue this poore Dorus into his seruice that his mind and manners might grow the better by his dayly example Dametas that of all manners of stile could best conceiue of golden eloquence being withall tickled by Musidorus prayses had his brayne so turned that he became flaue to that which he that sued to be his seruant offered to giue him yet for countenance sake he seemed very squeimish in respect of the charge he had of the Princesse Pamela But such was the secrete operation of the golde helped with the perswasion of the Amazon Zelmane who sayde it was pittie so handsome a young man should be any where els then with so good a master that in the ende he agreed if that day he behaued himselfe so to the lyking of Basilius as he might be contented that then he would receiue him into his seruice And thus went they to the Lodge where they found Gynecia and her daughters ready to go to the field to delight themselues there a while vntill the shepheards comming whether also taking Zelmane with them as they went Dametas told them of Dorus and desired he might be accepted there that day in steed of his brother Menalcas As for Basilius he staied behind to bring the shepherds with whome he meant to confer to breed the better Zelmanes liking which he onely regarded while the other beautifull band came to the faire field appointed for the shepherdish pastimes It was indeed a place of delight for thorow the middest of it there ran a sweete brooke which did both hold the eye open with her azure streames and yet feeke to close the eie with the purling noise it made vpon the pibble stones it ran ouer the field it selfe being set in â—ome places with roses and in all the rest constantly preseruing a florishing greene the Roses added such a ruddy shew vnto it as though the field were bashfull at his owne beautie about it as if it had bene to inclose a Theater grew such sort of trees as eyther excellency of fruit statelines of grouth continuall greennes or poeticall fancies haue made at any time famous In most part of which there had bene framed by art such pleasant arbors that one answering another they became a gallery aloft from tree to tree almost round about which below gaue a perfect shadow a pleasant refuge then from the cholericke looke of Phoebus In this place while Gynecia
With hear-say pictures or a window looke With one good dawnce or letter finely pend That were in Court a well proportion'd hooke Where piercing witts do quickly apprehend Their sences rude plaine obiects only moue And so must see great cause before they loue Therfore Loue arm'd in hir now takes the fielde Making hir beames his brauery might Hir hands which pierc'd the soules seau'n-double shield Were now his darts leauing his wonted fight Braue crest to him hir scorn-gold haire did yeeld His compleat harneis was hir purest white But fearing lest all white might seeme too good In cheeks lipps the Tyran threatens bloud Besides this force within hir eies he kept A fire to burne the prisoners he gaines Whose boiling heat encreased as she wept For eu'n in forge colde water fire maintaines Thus proud fierce vnto the hearts he stept Of them poore soules cutting Reasons raines Made them his owne before they had it wist But if they had could shephookes this resist Klaius streight felt groned at the blowe And cal'd now wounded purpose to his aide Strephon fond boy delighted did not knowe That it was Loue that shin'de in shining maid But lickrous Poison'd faine to her would goe If him new-learned manners had not stai'd For then Vrania homeward did arise Leauing in paine their wel-fed hungry eies She went they staid or rightly for to say She staid in them they went in thought with hyr Klaius in deede would faine haue puld a way This mote from out his eye this inward burre And now proud Rebell gan for to gainsay The lesson which but late he learn'd too furre Meaning with absence to refresh the thought To which hir presence such a feauer brought Strephon did leape with ioy iolitie Thinking it iust more therein to delight Then in good Dog faire field or shading tree So haue I sene trim bookes in veluet dight With golden leaues painted babery Of seely boies please vnacquainted sight But when the rod began to play his part Faine would but could not fly from golden smart He quickly learn'd Vrania was her name And streight for failing grau'd it in his heart He knew hir haunt haunted in the same And taught his shepe hir shepe in food to thwart Which soone as it did batefull question frame He might on knees confesse his faulty part And yeeld himselfe vnto hir punishment While nought but game the selfe-hurt wanton ment Nay eu'n vnto hir home he oft would go Where bold and hurtles many play he tries Her parents liking well it should be so For simple goodnes shined in his eyes There did he make hir laugh in spite of woe So as good thoughts of him in all arise While into none doubt of his loue did sinke For not himselfe to be in loue did thinke But glad Desire his late embosom'd guest Yet but a babe with milke of Sight he nurst Desire the more he suckt more sought the brest Like dropsy folke still drinke to be a thyrst Till one faire eau'n an howr ere Sun did rest Who then in Lions caue did enter fyrst By neighbors prai'd she went abroad therby At Barly brake hir swete swift foot to trie Neuer the earth on his round shoulders bare A maid train'd vp from high or low degree That in her doings better could compare Mirth with respect few words with curtesy A careles comelines with comely care Self-gard with mildnes Sport with Maiesty Which made hir yeeld to deck this shepheards band And still beleue me Strephon was at hand A field they goe where many lookers be And thou seke-sorow Klaius them among In dede thou said'st it was thy frend to see Strephon whose absence seem'd vnto thee long While most with hir he lesse did kepe with thee No no it was in spite of wisdomes song Which absence wisht loue plai'd a victors part The heau'n-loue lodestone drew thy iron hart Then couples three be streight allotted there They of both ends the middle two doe flie The two that in mid place Hell called were Must striue with waiting foot and watching eye To catch of them and them to hell to beare That they aswell as they Hell may supplie Like some which seeke to salue their blotted name With others blott till all do tast of shame There may you see soone as the middle two Do coupled towards either couple make They false and fearfull do their hands vndoe Brother his brother frend doth frend forsake Heeding himselfe cares not how fellow doe But of a straunger mutuall help doth take As periur'd cowards in aduersity With sight of feare from frends to fremb'd do flie These sports shepheards deuiz'd such faults to show Geron though olde yet gamesome kept one ende With Cosma for whose loue Pas past in woe Faire Nous with Pas the lott to hell did sende Pas thought it hell while he was Cosma fro At other end Vran did Strephon lend Her happy-making hand of whome one looke From Nous and Cosma all their beauty tooke The play began Pas durst not Cosma chace But did entend next bout with her to meete So he with Nous to Geron turn'd their race With whome to ioyne fast ran Vrania sweet But light-legd Pas had gott the middle space Geron straue hard but aged were his feet And therfore finding force now faint to be He thought gray haires afforded subtletie And so when Pas hand-reached him to take The fox on knees and elbowes tombled downe Pas could not stay but ouer him did rake And crown'd the earth with his first touching crowne His heels grow'n proud did seme at heau'n to shake But Nous that slipt from Pas did catch the clowne So laughing all yet Pas to ease some dell Geron with Vran were condemn'd to hell Cosma this while to Strephon safely came And all to second barly-brake are bent The two in hell did toward Cosma frame Who should to Pas but they would her preuent Pas mad with fall and madder with the shame Most mad with beames which he thought Cosma sent With such mad haste he did to Cosma goe That to hir breast he gaue a noysome blowe She quick and proud and who did Pas despise Vp with hir fist and tooke him on the face Another time quoth she become more wise Thus Pas did kisse hir hand with little grace And each way luckles yet in humble guise Did hold hir fast for feare of more disgrace While Strephon might with preatie Nous haue met But all this while another course he fet For as Vrania after Cosma ran He rauished with sight how gracefully She mou'd hir lims and drew the aged man Left Nous to coast the loued beauty ny Nous cri'de and chaf'd but he no other can Till Vran seing Pas to Cosma fly And Strephon single turned after him Strephon so chas'd did seme in milke to swimme He ran but ran with eye ore shoulder cast More marking hir then how himselfe did goe Like Numid Lions by
possesseth thee But if thou wilt do it canst thou do it canst thou force thy hart Thinke with thy selfe if this man haue thee thou shalt neuer haue more part of Antiphilus then if he were dead But thus much more that the affection shal be still gnawing and the remorse still present Death perhaps will coole the rage of thy affection where thus thou shalt euer loue and euer lacke Thinke this beside if thou marrie Tiridates Antiphilus is so excellent a man that long he cannot be from being in some high place maried canst thou suffer that too If an other kill him he doth him the wrong if thou abuse thy body thou doost him the wrong His death is a worke of nature and either now or at another time he shal die But it shal be thy worke thy shamefull worke which is in thy power to shun to make him liue to see thy faith falsified and his bed defiled But when Loue had well kindled that partie of her thoughts then went he to the other side What said he O Erona and is thy Loue of Antiphilus come to that point as thou doost now make it a question whether he shall die or no O excellent affection which for too much loue will see his head off Marke well the reasons of the other side and thou shalt see it is but loue of thy selfe which so disputeth Thou canst not abide Tiridates this is but loue of thy selfe thou shalt be ashamed to looke vpon him afterward this is but feare of shame and loue of thy selfe thou shalt want him as much then this is but loue of thy selfe he shal be married if he be well why should that grieue thee but for loue of thy selfe No no pronounce these words if thou canst let Antiphilus die Then the images of each side stood before her vnderstanding one time she thought she saw Antiphilus dying an other time she thought Antiphilus sawe her by Tiridates enioyed twenty times calling for a seruaunt to carry message of yeelding but before he came the minde was altered She blusht when she considered the effect of granting she was pale when she remembred the fruits of denying For weeping sighing wringing her hands and tearing her haire were indifferent of both sides Easily she would haue agreed to haue broken all disputations with her owne death but that the feare of Antiphilus furder torments staied her At length euen the euening before the day apointed of his death the determination of yeelding preuailed especially growing vpon a message of Antiphilus who with all the coniuring termes he could deuise besought her to saue his life vpon any conditions But she had no sooner sent her messenger to Tiridates but her mind changed and she went to the two yong Princes Pyrocles and Musidorus falling downe at their feet desired them to try some way for her deliuerance shewing her selfe resolued not to ouer-liue Antiphilus nor yet to yeeld to Tiridates They that knew not what she had done in priuate prepared that night accordingly as sometimes it fals out that what is inconstancy seemes cunning so did this change indeed stand in as good steed as a witty dissimulation For it made the King as reckles as them diligent so that in the dead time of the night the Princes issued out of the towne with whom she would needs go either to die her selfe or reskew Antiphilus hauing no armour nor weapon but affection And I cannot tell you how by what deuise though Plangus at large described it the conclusion was the wonderfull valour of the two Princes so preuailed that Antiphilus was succoured and the King slaine Plangus was then the chiefe man left in the campe and therefore seeing no other remedie conueied in safety into her country Artaxia now Queene of Armenia who with true lamentations made known to the world that her new greatnes did no way comfort her in respect of her brothers losse whom she studied all meanes possible to reuenge vpon euery one of the occasioners hauing as she thought ouerthrowne her brother by a most abhominable treason In somuch that being at home she proclaimed great rewards to any priuate man and her selfe in mariage to any Prince that would destroy Pyrocles and Musidorus But thus was Antiphilus redeemed and though against the consent of all her nobility married to Erona in which case the two Greeke Princes being called away by an other aduenture left them But now me thinkes as I haue read some Poets who when they intend to tell some horrible matter they bid men shun the hearing of it so if I do not desire you to stop your eares from me yet may I wel desire a breathing time before I am to tell the execrable treason of Antiphilus that brought her to this misery and withall wish you all that from all mankind indeed you stop your eares O most happy were we if we did set our loues one vpon another And as she spake that word her cheekes in red letters writ more then her tongue did speake And therefore since I haue named Plangus I pray you sister said she helpe me with the rest for I haue held the stage long inough and if it please you to make his fortune knowne as I haue done Eronas I will after take hart againe to go on with his falshood and so betweene vs both my Ladie Zelmane shall vnderstand both the cause and parties of this Lamentation Nay I beshrow me then said Miso I will none of that I promise you as long as I haue the gouernmēt I wil first haue my tale then my Lady Pamela my Lady Zelmane my daughter Mopsa for Mopsa was then returned from Amphialus may draw cuts the shortest cut speake first For I tell you and this may be suffred when you are married you will haue first and last word of your husbands The Ladies laughed to see with what an eger earnestnesse she looked hauing threatning not onely in her Ferret eies but while she spake her nose seeming to threaten her chin her shaking lims one to threaten another But there was no remedy they must obey and Miso sitting on the ground with her knees vp and her hands vpon her knees tuning her voice with many a quauering cough thus discoursed vnto them I tell you true said she whatsoeuer you thinke of me you will one day be as I am I simple though I sit here thought once my pennie as good siluer as some of you do and if my father had not plaid the hasty foole it is no lie I tell you I might haue had an other-gaines husband then Dametas But let that passe God amend him and yet I speake it not without good cause You are full in your tittle tattlings of Cupid here is Cupid there is Cupid I will tell you now what a good old womā told me what an old wise man told her what a great learned clerke told him and gaue it him in writing and here I
Giants that would haue plucked Iupiter out of heauen how long shall this rage continue why do you not all throw downe your weapons and submit your selues to our good Prince our good Basilius the Pelops of wisdom and Minos of all good gouernment when will you begin to beleue me and other honest and faithfull subiects that haue done all we could to stop your furie The farmer that loued Zelmane could abide him no longer For as at the first he was willing to speake of conditions hoping to haue gotten great souerainties and among the rest Zelmane so now perceiuing that the people once anything downe the hill from their furie would neuer stay till they came to the bottom of absolute yeelding and so that he should be nearer feares of punishment then hopes of such aduancement he was one of them that stood most against the agreement and to begin withal disdaining this fellow should play the preacher who had bin one of the chiefest make-bates strake him a great wound vpon the face with his sword The cowardly wretch fell downe crying for succour and scrambling through the legs of them that were about him gat to the throne where Zelmane tooke him and comforted him bleeding for that was past and quaking for feare of more But as soone as that blow was giuen as if AEolus had broke open the doore to let all his winds out no hand was idle ech one killing him that was next for feare he should do as much to him For being diuided in minds and not diuided in companies they that would yeeld to Basilius were intermingled with them that would not yeeld These men thinking their ruine stood vpon it those men to get fauour of their Prince conuerted their vngracious motion into their owne bowels and by a true iudgement grew their owne punishers None was sooner killed then those that had bene leaders in the disobedience who by being so had taught them that they did leade disobedieÌ„ce to the same leaders And many times it fell out that they killed them that were of their owne faction anger whetting and doubt hastening their fingers But then came downe Zelmane and Basilius with Dorus issued and somtimes seeking to draw together those of their party somtimes laying indiffereÌ„tly among them made such hauocke among the rest Zelmane striking the farmer to the hart with her sword as before she had done with her eyes that in a while all they of the contrary side were put to flight and fled to certaine woods vpon the frontiers where feeding wildly and drinking onely water they were disciplined for their dronken riots many of them being slaine in the chase about a score onely escaping But when these late rebels now souldiers were returned from the chase Basilius calling them togither partly for policy sake but principally because Zelmane before had spoken it which was to him more then a diuine ordinance he pronounced their generall pardon willing them to returne to their houses and thereafter be more circumspect in their proceedings which they did most of them with sharp marks of their folly But imagining Clinias to be one of the chiefe that had bred this good alteration he gaue him particular thanks and withall willed him to make him know how this frenzie had entred into the people Clinias purposing indeede to tell him the trueth of all sauing what did touch himselfe or Cecropia first dipping his hand in the blood of his wound Now by this blood said he which is more deare to me then al the rest that is in my body since it is spent for your safety this tong perchance vnfortunate but neuer false shall not now begin to lie vnto my Prince of me most beloued Then stretching out his haÌ„d and making vehement countenances the vshers to his speches in such maner of tearms recounted this accident Yesterday said he being your birth-day in the goodly greene two mile hence before the city of Enispus to do honour to the day were a four or fiue thousand people of all conditioÌ„s as I think gathered together spending al the day in dancings other exercises and wheÌ„ night came vnder tents and bowes making great cheare and meaning to obserue a wassaling watch all that night for your sake Bacchus the learned say was begot with thunder I thinke that made him euer since so full of stur debate Bacchus indeed it was which sounded the first truÌ„pet to this rude AlaruÌ„ For that barbarous opinioÌ„ being generally amoÌ„g theÌ„ to think with vice to do honor with actiuitie in beastlines to shew abundaÌ„ce of loue made most of them seeke to shew the depth of their affection in the depth of their draught But being once wel chafed with wine hauing spent al the night and some peece of the morning in such reuelling imboldned by your absented maner of liuing there was no matter their eares had euer heard of that grâ—w not to be a subiect of their winie conference I speake it by proofe for I take witnes of the Gods who neuer leaue periuries vnpunished that I often cried out against their impudency and when that would not serue stopt mine eaâ—es because I woulde not be partaker of their blasphemies till with buffets they forced me to haue mine eares and eies defiled Publike affairs were mingled with priuate grudges neither was any man thought of wit that did not pretende some cause of mislike Rayling was counted the fruite of freedome and saying nothing had his vttermoste prayse in ignoraunce At the length your sacred person alas why did I liue to hâ—are it alas howe do I breath to vtter it But your commandement doth not onely enioine obedience but giue me force your sacred person I say fell to be their table-talke a proud word swelling in their stomacks disdainful reproches against so great a greatnes hauing put on the shew of greatnes in their little mindes till at length the very vnbrideled vse of wordes hauing increased fire in their mindes which God wott thought their knowledge notable because they had at all no knowledge to condemne their owne want of knowledge they descended O neuer to be forgotten presumption to a direct mislike of your liuing from among them Whereupon it were tedious to remember their far-fetched constructions But the summe was you disdained them and what were the pompes of your estate if their armes mainteyned you not Who woulde call you a Prince if you had not a people When certaine of theÌ„ of wretched estates worse minds whose fortunes change could not impaire began to say that your gouernment was to be looked into how the great treasures you had leuied among them had beene spent why none but great men and gentlemen could be admitted into counsel that the coÌ„mons forsooth were too plain headed to say their opinnions but yet their blood and sweat must maintaine all Who could tell whether you were not betraied in this place where you liued nay whether you did liue or
valure and fore-preparation put all his companie to the sword but such as could flie away As for Antiphilus she caused him and Erona both to be put in irons hasting backe toward her brothers tombe vpon which she ment to sacrifice them making the loue of her brother stand betwene her and all other motions of grace from which by nature she was alienated But great diuersitie in them two quickly discouered it selfe for the bearing of that affliction For Antiphilus that had no greatnesse but outward that taken away was readie to fall faster then calamitie could thrust him with fruitlesse begging of life where reason might well assure him his death was resolued and weake bemoning his fortune to giue his enemies a most pleasing musique with manie promises and protestations to as little purpose as from a little minde But Erona sad indeede yet like one rather vsed then new fallen to sadnesse as who had the ioyes of her hart alreadie broken seemed rather to welcome then to shun that ende of miserie speaking little but what she spake was for Antiphilus remembring his guiltlesnesse being at that time prisoner to Tiridates when the valiant princes slue him to the disgrace of men shewing that there are women both more wise to iudge what is to be expected and more constant to beare it when it is happened But her wit endeared by her youth her affliction by her birth and her sadnesse by her beautie made this noble prince Plangus who neuer almost from his cousin Artaxia was now present at Eronaes taking to perceyue the shape of louelinesse more perfectly in wo then in ioyfulnesse as in a picture which receiues greater life by the darkenesse of shadowes then by more glittering colours and seeing to like and liking to loue and louing straight to feele the most incident effects of loue to serue and preserue So borne by the hastie tide of short leysure he did hastily deliuer together his affection and affectionate care But she as if he had spoken of a small matter when he mencioned her life to which she had not leisure to attend desired him if he loued her to shew it in finding some way to saue Antiphilus For her she found the world but a wearisome stage vnto her where she played a part against her will and therefore besought him not to cast his loue in so vnfruitfull a place as could not loue it selfe but for a testimonie of constancie and a sutablenes to his word to do so much comfort to her minde as that for her sake Antiphilus were saued He tolde me how much he argued against her tendeâ—ing him who had so vngratefully betraied her and foolishly cast away himselfe But perceiuing she did not only bend her very good wits to speake for him against herselfe but when such a cause could be allied to no reason yet loue would needes make it-selfe a cause and barre her rather from hearing then yeeld that she should yeeld to such arguments he likewise in whom the power of Loue as they say of spirits was subiect to the loue in her with griefe consented though backwardly was diligent to labor the help of Antiphilus a man whom he not only hated as a traitour to Erona but enuied as a possessor of Erona Yet Loue sware his hart in spite of his hart should make him become a seruant to his riuall And so did he seeking all the meanes of perswading Artaxia which the authority of so neere and so vertuous a kinsman could giue vnto him But she to whom the eloqueÌ„ce of hatred had giuen reuenge the face of delight reiected all such motions but rather the more closely imprisoning them in her chiefe citie where she kept them with intention at the birth-day of Tiridates which was very nere to execute Antiphilus and at the day of his death which was about halfe a yeere after to vse the same rigor towards Erona Plangus much grieued because much louing attempted the humors of the Lycians to see whether they would come in with forces to succor their Princesse But there the next inheritor to the crowne with the true play that is vsed in the game of kingdoÌ„s had no sooner his mistres in captiuity but he had vsurped her place and making her odious to her people because of the vnfit electioÌ„ she had made had so left no hope there but which is worse had sent to Artaxia perswading the iusticing her because that vniustice might giue his title the name of iustice WaÌ„ting that way Plangus practised with some deere friends of his to saue Antiphilus out of prison whose day because it was much neerer then Eronaes and that he well found she had twisted her life vpoÌ„ the same threed with his he determined first to get him out of prison and to that end hauing prepared all matters as well as in such case he could where Artaxia had set many of Tiridates old seruants to haue well-marking eyes he coÌ„ferred with Antiphilus as by the aucthoritie he had he found meanes to do and agreed with him of the time maner how he should by the death of some of his iaylors escape But all being well ordered and Plangus willinglie putting himselfe into the greatest danger Antiphilus who like a bladder sweld redie to breake while it was full of the winde of prosperitie that being out was so abiected as apt to be trode on by euery bodie wheÌ„ it came to the point that with some hazard he might be in apparant likelihood to auoid the vttermost harme his hart fainted and weake foole neither hoping nor fearing as he should gat a conceit that with bewraying this practise he might obtaine pardon and therefore euen a little before Plangus should haue come vnto him opened the whole practise to him that had the charge with vnpittyed teares idly protesting he had rather die by Artaxias commaundement then against her will escape yet begging life vpon any the hardest and wretchedest conditions that she would lay vpon him His keeper prouided accordingly so that when Plangus came he was like himselfe to haue bene entrapped but that finding with a luckie in-sight that it was discouered he retired and calling his friendes about him stood vpon his guard as he had good cause For Artaxia accounting him most vngratefull considering that her brother and she had not only preserued him against the malice of his father but euer vsed him much liker his birth then his fortune sent forces to apprehend him But he among the martiall men had gotten so great loue that he could not onely keep himselfe from her malice but worke in their mindes a compassion of Eronas aduersitie But for the succour of Antiphilus he could get no bodie to ioyne with him the contempt of him hauing not bene able to qualifie the hatred so that Artaxia might easilie vpon him perfourme her will which was at the humble suite of all the women of that citie to deliuer him to their censure who mortally hating him for
made what he heard of another the ballance of his owne fortune that they stood a long while striken in a sad and silent consideration of them Which the olde Geron no more marking then condemning in them desirous to set foorth what counsailes the wisedome of age had layde vp in store against such fancies as he thought follies of youth yet so as it might not apeare that his wordes respected them bending himselfe to a young shepheard named Philisides who neither had daunced nor song with them and had all this time layne vpon the ground at the foote of a Cypresse tree leaning vpon his elbowe with so deepe a melancoly that his sences caried to his minde no delight from any of their obiects he strake him vpon the shoulder with a right old mans grace that will seeme liuelier then his age will afford him And thus began vnto him his Ecloge Geron. Philisides Geron. VP vp Philisides let sorrowes goe Who yelds to woe doth but encrease his smart Do not thy hart to plaintfull custome bring But let vs sing sweet tunes do passions ease An olde man heare who would thy fancies raise Philisides Who minds to please the minde drownd in annoyes With outward ioyes which inly cannot sincke As well may thincke with oyle to coole the fire Or with desire to make such foe a frend Who doth his soule to endlesse malice bend Geron. Yet sure an end to each thing time doth giue Though woes now liue at length thy woes must dye Then vertue try if she can worke in thee That which we see in many time hath wrought And weakest harts to constant temper brought Philisides Who euer taught a skillesse man to teach Or stop a breach that neuer Cannon sawe Sweet vertues lawe barres not a causefull mone Time shall in one my life and sorrowes end And me perchaunce your constant temper lend Geron. What can amend where physick is refusde The witts abusde with will no counsayle take Yet for my sake discouer vs thy griefe Oft comes reliefe when most we seeme in trappe The starres thy state fortune may change thy happe Philisides If fortunes lappe became my dwelling place And all the starres conspired to my good Still were I one this still should be my case Ruines relique cares web and sorrowes foode Since she faire fierce to such a state me calls Whose wit the starres whose fortune fortune thralls Geron. Alas what falls are falne vnto thy minde That there where thou confest thy mischiefe lyes Thy wit dost vse still still more harmes to finde Whome wit makes vaine or blinded with his eyes What counsell can preuaile or light giue light Since all his force against himselfe he tries Then each conceit that enters in his sight Is made forsooth a Iurate of his woes Earth sea ayre fire heau'n hell and gastly sprite Then cries to sencelesse things which neither knowes What ayleth thee and if they knew thy minde Would scorne in man their king such feeble show's Rebell Rebell in golden fetters binde This tyran Loue or rather do suppresse Those rebell thoughts which are thy slaues by kinde Let not a glittring name thy fancie dresse In painted clothes because they call it loue There is no hate that can thee more oppresse Begin and halfe the worke is done to proue By rising vp vpon thy selfe to stand And thinck she is a she that doth thee moue He water plowes and soweth in the sand And hopes the flickring winde with net to holde Who hath his hopes laid vp in womans hand What man is he that hath his freedome solde Is he a manlike man that doth not know man Hath power that Sex with bridle to withhold A fickle Sex and trew in trust to no man A seruant Sex soone prowde if they be coi'de And to conclude thy mistresse is a woman Philisides O gods how long this old soole hath annoi'd My wearied eares O gods yet graunt me this That soone the world of his false tong be void O noble age who place their only blisse In being heard vntill the hearer dye Vttring a serpents minde with serpents hisse Then who will heare a well autoris'd lye And pacience hath let him goe learne of him What swarmes of vertues did in his youth flye Such hartes of brasse wise heads and garments trim Were in his dayes which heard one nothing heares If from his words the falshood he do skim And herein most their folly vaine appeares That since they still alledge When they were yong It shews they fetch their wit from youthfull yeares Like beast for sacrifice where saue the tong And belly nought is left such sure is he This life-deadman in this old dungeon flong Olde houses are throwne downe for new we see The oldest Rammes are culled from the flocke No man doth wish his horse should aged bee The ancient oke well makes a fired blocke Old men themselues doe loue young wiues to choose Only fond youth admires a rotten stocke Who once a white long beard well handle does As his beard him not he his beard did beare Though cradle witted must not honnor loose Oh when will men leaue off to iudge by haire And thinke them olde that haue the oldest minde With vertue fraught and full of holy feare Geron. If that thy face were hid or I were blinde I yet should know a young man speaketh now Such wandring reason in thy speech I finde He is a beast that beastes vse will allowe For proofe of man who sprong of heau'nly fire Hath strongest soule when most his raynes do boweâ— But fondlings fonde know not your owne desire Loth to dye young and then you must be olde Fondly blame that to which your selues aspire But this light choller that doth make you bolde Rather to wrong then vnto iust defence Is past with me my bloud is waxen colde Thy words though full of malapert offence I way them not but still will thee aduize How thou from foolish loue maist purge thy sense First thinke they erre that thinke them gayly wise Who well can set a passion out to show Such sight haue they that see with goggling eyes Passion beares high when puffing wit doth blowe But is indeed a toy if not a toy True cause of euils and cause of causelesse woe If once thou maist that fancie glosse destroy Within thy selfe thou soone wilt be ashamed To be a player of thine owne annoy Then let thy minde with better bookes be tamed Seeke to espie her faultes as well as praise And let thine eyes to other sports be framed In hunting fearefull beastes do spend some dayes Or catch the birds with pitfalls or with lyme Or trayne the fox that traines so crafty laies Ly but to sleepe and in the earely prime Seeke skill of hearbes in hills haunt brookes neere night And try with bayt how fish will bite sometime Goe graft againe and seeke to graft them right Those pleasant plants those sweete and frutefull trees Which both the pallate
away as well as while you are here take not away your force which bars not the one and bridels the other For as for their shewes and words they are but feare-babes not worthy once to moue a worthy mans conceit which must still consider what in reason they are like to do Their despaire I grant you shall do well to preuent which as it is the last of all resolutions so no man fals into it while so good a way as you may offer is open vnto them In sum you are a Prince and a father of a people who ought with the eye of wisdome the hand of fortitude and the hart of iustice to set downe all priuate conceits in comparison of what for the publike is profitable He would haue proceeded on when Gynecia came running in amazed for her daughter Pamela but mad for Zelmane and falling at Basilius feet besought him to make no delay vsing such gestures of compassion in steed of stopped words that Basilius otherwise enough tender minded easily granted to raise the siege which he saw dangerous to his daughters but indeed more carefull for Zelmane by whose besieged person the poore old man was streightly besieged so as to rid him of the famine of his mind he went in speed away discharging his souldiors only leauing the authority as before in Philanaxis hands he himselfe went with Gynecia to a strong Castle of his where he tooke counsell how first to deliuer Zelmane whom he called the poore stranger as though onely Law of hospitalitie moued him and for that purpose sent diuers messengers to trafficke with Cecropia But she by this meanes rid of the present daunger of the siege desiring Zoilus and Lycurgus to take the care till their brother recouered of reuictualling and furnishing the Citie both with men and what els wanted against any new occasion should vrge them she her selfe disdaining to harken to Basilius without he would grant his daughter in mariage to her son which by no means he would be brought vnto bent all the sharpenesse of her malicious wit how to bring a comfortable graunt to her sonne whereupon she well found no lesse then his life depended Therfore for a while she attēpted all meanes of eloquent praying flattering perswasion mingling sometimes gifts somtimes threatnings as she had cause to hope that either open force or vndermining would best win the castle of their Resolution And euer as much as she did to Philoclea so much did she to Pamela though in manner sometimes differing as she found fit to leuell at the ones noble height and the others sweet lowlinesse For though she knew her sonnes harte had wholly giuen it selfe to Philoclea yet seeing the equall gifts in Pamela she hoped a faire grant would recouer the sorrow of a faire refusall cruelly entending the present impoysoning the one as soone as the others affection were purchased But in vaine was all her vaine oratory employed Pamelaes determination was built vpon so braue a Rock that no shot of hers could reach vnto it and Philoclea though humbly seated was so inuironed with sweete riuers of cleere vertue as could neither be battred nor vndermined her witty perswasiōs had wise answers her eloquence recompenced with sweetnes her threatnings repelled with disdaine in the one and patience in the other her gifts either not accepted or accepted to obey but not to binde So as Cecropia in nature violent cruell because ambitious hatefull for old rooted grudge to their mother and now spitefull because she could not preuaile with girles as she counted them lastly drawne on by her loue to her son and held vp by a tyrannicall authoritie forthwith followed the byas of her own crooked disposition and doubling and redoubling her threatnings fell to confirme some of her threatned effects first withdrawing all comfort both of seruants seruice from them But that those excellent Ladies had bene vsed vnto euen at home and then found in themselues how much good the hardnes of education doth to the resistance of misery Then dishonorably vsing them both in dyet and lodging by a contempt to pull downe their thoughts to yeelding But as before the consideration of a prison had disgraced all ornaments so now the same consideration made them attend al diseasefulnes Then stil as she found those not preuaile would she go forward with giuing them terrors sometimes with noices of horror sometimes with suddaine frightings in the night when the solitary darkenesse thereof might easier astonish the disarmed senses But to all Vertue and Loue resisted strengthned one by the other when each found itselfe ouer-vehemently assaulted Cecropia still sweetning her fiercenesses with faire promises if they would promise faire that feeling euill and seeing a way far better their mindes might the sooner be mollified But they that could not taste her behauiour when it was pleasing indeed could worse now when they had lost all taste by her iniuries She resoluing all extremities rather then faile of conquest pursued on her rugged way letting no day passe without new and new perplexing the poore Ladies minds and troubling their bodies and still swelling the more she was stopped and growing hot with her owne doings at length abhominable rage carried her to absolute tyrannies so that taking with her certaine olde women of wicked dispositions and apt for enuie-sake to be cruell to youth and beautie with a countenance impoisoned with malice flew to the sweet Philoclea as if so many Kites should come about a white Doue and matching violēt gestures with mischieuous threatnings she hauing a rod in her hand like a fury that should carry wood to the burning of Dianas temple fell to scourge that most beautifull body Loue in vaine holding the shield of Beautie against her blind cruelty The Son drew clouds vp to hide his face frō so pitifull a sight and the very stone walls did yeeld drops of sweate for agonie of such a mischiefe each senselesse thing had sense of pittie onely they that had sense were senseles Vertue rarely found her worldly weakenes more then by the oppression of that day and weeping Cupid told his weeping mother that he was sorie he was not deafe as well as blind that he might neuer know so lamentable a worke Philoclea with tearefull eyes and sobbing breast as soone as her wearines rather then compassion gaue her respite kneeled down to Cecropia making pittie in her face honourable and torment delightfull besought her since she hated her for what cause she tooke God to witnesse she knew not that she would at once take away her life and not please her selfe with the tormenting of a poore Gentlewoman If said she the common course of humanitie cannot moue you nor the hauing me in your owne walles cannot claime pittie nor womanlie mercie nor neere alliance nor remembrance how miserable so euer now that I am a Princes daughter yet let the loue you haue often tolde me your sonne beares me so much procure that for his