other should be separated but though I have command to sever you yet I will not this night yet do not think it is because of this ring which you have given me but because I know by your faces that you are not guilty of this crime whereof you are accused for we can tell at the very first fight who are criminal and can read their faults in their very eyes After this he went away and presently sent us a good Feather-bed and good Bed-clothes with so many kind expressions as we could not chuse but admire that a heart which was as hard as any stone should be softned so suddenly by gifts After the door was shut and I think a hundred locks upon it Amerina after a deep sigh Friend said she unto me for I lay upon a Matteras a little dis tant from her are you yet asleep No answered I will you command me any service The service I would command said he is that to morrow you petend to go and solicite for my enlargement and when you are out then to make an escape and tell me the place where I shall find you But replyed I would you have me leave you alone in this condition Friend said she the condition wherein I am would be pleasing unto me were it not for my fears of you and these chains and fetters since for your sake would be more sweet and welcome to me were I certain of your safety in lieu of hating them I would kiss them a thousand them since by them I can testifie the extream affection which I bear unto you But tell me dear friend when you are gone from hence will you ever think upon Amerina Will it not come into your thoughts that Silvia cannot love you so well as I Oh how great would be my felicity if it should But Friend I will not oblige you unto so much only promise me that in the midst of all your contentments you will give me leave to love you and that you will not call my affection troublesome nor be weary of it Upon this condition go and enjoy the felicities of that happy Silvia and tell her amidst all the kind embraces which you receive from her that it was poor Amerina which preserved Lidias for her She would have talked more if tears and sighs would have suffered her which moved me to so much compassion that to comfort her I went nearer unto her as well to oblige her by it as to avoid being heard by any having heard that somtimes walls have ears First I fell upon my knees by her Bed-side and taking her hand which I found fettered I offered to kiss it but she pulling it back caused me to sit down by her and then I said unto her These testimonies of that affection which you have unto Lidias and for whose sake I receive so many favours do oblige me so far fair Amerina that I will swear I shall never enjoy any perfect contentment until I see you undeceived and convinced of that errour wherein you are Oh most cruel man said she yet harping upon that false string which jars so extreamly in my ears I most then at one blow cut off all your impertinent excuses Upon this raising up her self in her Bed I conjure you said she in the name of truth to tell me who was it that rescued you out of the claws of Lyons Who sav'd your life upon condition of Marriage To whom did I give my person and all my estate For whom have I left all my kindred and friends Tell me who it is I have followed through all these strange Countreys not valuing my reputation nor any thing else Tell me I say for whom do you think I suffer these Irons upon my hands and feet and am ready to endure all the torments that mortals can devise I must needs confess said I unto her that it is I who am obliged unto you for all these Then replied she presently if it be you who is obliged unto me for your life and all these testimonies of my affection whoever you are you are the most ungrateful man that ever breathed if you do not render me amity for amity and love for love I do not exact this from you as Lidias nor bid Lidias love Amerina But I say friend whomsoever you are love her who loves you and her to whom you are more obliged then ever any man was unto any woman These words did a little surprize me and was the cause why I paused a while without returning any answer and gave her occasion to continue on O most ungrateful heart said she O the most insensible soul that ever was what canst thou do more to make me die why dost thou not open my brest and pull out that heart which loves thee too well perhaps you think it has not suffered enough yet for the fault which it hath committed I beleive she had not so soon ceased her reproaches though sighs and tears made her cut her words in the midst if I had not beseeched her to hear me and give a little truce to her passion What canst thou say unto me insensible man replied she dost think I know not what answers thou wilt make Amerina wilt thou say were I not already Silvias and given my self and my faith unto her I should endeavour to satisfie all my obligations unto you but I am already tied up by the Laws of fidelity and I were a most unworthy man if I should offer to break them This is the answer I expect from you but O thou unthankful person dost think to pay thy debts thuâ— Canst thou believe such coyn as this will content Amerina No no ungrateful wretch I summon thee before the throne of Justice and ask whether such obligations as these ought to be cancelled upon such shallow and unreasonable pretences For pray thee tell me has this Silvia whom thou thus preferrest before me obliged thee with stronger chains then I have Did she ever save thy life has she wholly given her self unto thee Did she ever follow thee through strange Countreys Was she ever in prison for thy sake Did she ever setter her hands and feet with Irons to set thee at liberty if ever she shewed such testimonies of her affection then I am silent and must only complain against my ill Fortune which would not let me be the first of thy obligers but if she never did then I must say and say again with abundance of reason and truth that thou art the most ungrateful most unjust and most insensible person that ever lived At last I interrupted her in this manner It is most true fair Amerina that I could alledge all those arguments you have instanced and were we before any uninterested impartial Judge perhaps those reasons would not be contemptible But now I will not urge it so far knowing as well as you can tell me that never any was more obliged then I unto you This I only must say that
Ligdamon at that time did testifie that the man escaped and though they saw him when he went away yet they had so many other prisoners in their hands that they could not follow him O most omnipotent Tautates cried out the stranger lifting up his eyes to heaven and would have done so his hands had they not been tyed is it possible I should be so happy and that my despair should help that person to escape Certainly said all the company we saw him out of the ditch I am very glad on 't said Ligdamon But to see the strange effects of inward joy one might perceive the eyes and the countenance of this man so to change that he seemed not the same he was a minute before and addressing his speech unto Ligdamon Cavalier said he unto him with a mild and temperate voice in giving life unto one you have given it unto two for if she of whom I complained had died nothing could have kept me alive I say she for you must know that though you saw her in the habit of a man yet she is the most generous and brave woman that ever was upon the earth and that you may see what cause I had to love and admire her give me leave to relate the history of all my troubles Ligdamon who saw him much changed and his speech more moderate and discreet he had an opinion that this news had settled his mind and pittying to hear him talk so tyed Stranger said he unto him I should be very glad to hear you but am sorry to see you in that condition and yet I dare not suffer you to be untyed lest you should do some act of inhumanity against your self No no Sir answered he your courtesie has more obliged me then so and the assurance of so many persons that she is alive whom I so much lamented does command me to live that I may serve both you and her Upon this assurance said Ligdamon I will command you shall be untyed you shall go with me to my lodging where you shall find better accomodation then in this place This unask'd for favour said the stranger obliges me to pass my word never to forsake you until you dismiss me and to tell you that being neither any Officer nor Souldier unto your enemies nor having passed any promise to serve them I would never whilst I live bear arms against you nor ever go into your enemies army but with a sword in my hand to fight your quarrel were it not that she for whose sake I am your prisoner is in their Camp and I cannot dispose of my self until I have found her Upon this the corporal untyed him and he went with Ligdamon unto his lodging where he was put into good clothes for his own were plundered from him by those who took him and those which remained upon him he had torn to pieces in his rage afterwards Ligdamon causing him to sit down and they two being alone in the chamber he began thus The sequel of the History of LIPANDAS THose who never knew the Grandure and Puissance of that god which is called Love ought to learn by my example how to honour and reverence him unless they will incur the same punishments which I have for abusing those who did adore him and for not doing so great reverence unto that great Deity as is due for know Sir that as soon as I left my Nurse I began so much to despise love and all that followed him that to tell me one was a lover was enough to make me scorn him when at any time I chanced to hear of any extraordinary effect of that passion I used by way of mockery to say that they changed the name of things and that this which they called love was indeed madness and so ought to be called When I was at any meetings where I saw many idolizing a fair face and were so tyed by the eyes that they could not move out of the presence of those fair ones I was wont to say that the men did but mock the women and the women the men when some would needs prove that he was forced to a beauty and that her charms were inevitable I presently concluded him to be only a Sophister that to shew his wit would argue for or against any argument that was propounded Nay more then al this from my very infancy to the Autumn of my age I could never find in any of those who were cryed up for such high beauties any thing more amiable then in other women So as I may say that as there are some who are born blind others deaf others without a taste or at least a taste different from others so was I born without any sentiment of love or beauty and all my delectation at that time was in hunting or in wars which I followed wheresoever I could see the seat was Now Sir I lived in this contempt of love and beauty until of very late when that God who would not suffer any mortal to trample his honour and his laws so under foot did make me know his power by a way as extraordinary as my crime Those who knew me called me by the name of Lipandas born in a city of the Neustrians called Rothomagues and of Parents who there held the prime rank And whereas my countrey maintained great wars against the Romans and they against the Franks I had occasions enough of shewing my valour without stirring out of the Neustrian limits or at least out of our Army and therefore a place of great concernment being in the power of our Lords which was called Callice the government of it was committed unto me and I kept it several years About a month since one whose name was Lidias coming from great Brittain unto which he was fled for Sanctuary landed in this place Ligdamon upon this laying his hand upon the strangers stay a while Cavalier I beseech you said he unto him are you the same Lipandas who being Governour of Calais did imprison Lidias for the death of Arontes I am the very same answered he but what knowledge could you have of me in a place so distant from the Neustrians Content your self replyed Ligdamon that I know what you tell me and more that a young woman of great Britain called Melander armed like a Cavalier did fight with you about the liberty of that Lidias afterwards to deliver him did put her self into prison and when the Franks surprized Calais was delivered out of your hands I perceive replyed the stranger that you do know almost all I have to tell you and therefore my discourse will be shorter then I intended Then looking upon him a little better Oh heavens cryed he out why do I make any relations of it unto you for if I be not much mistaken it is Lidias unto whom I speak To Lidias answered Ligdamon No but to one that has paid very dear for his resemblance unto that Lidias as you shall understand
when you have done your discourse The credit which I give to your words replyed the stranger makes me give my eyes the lye for I durst have sworn you had been Lidias but since you do deny it I will return from whence I digressed and then he replyed thus Oh Sir since you are acquainted with these accidents perhaps you know also that this Melander was no sooner out of my prison but she went after that ungrateful Lidias who having forgotten all those extraordinary favours which he had received from that generous woman went unto Rothomagues to marry Amerina her for whom he had killed Arontes my neer Kinsman As for me I remained a Prisoner in the hands of one Lindamore a Cavalier of Gaul the most accomplished that ever came into Neustria and the cause of it as afterwards I understood was this fair Melander whom I retained Prisoner for Lindamore hearing I know not how what testimonies of generosity and affection this woman had expressed unto Lidias and being informed that she was a prisoner in the Castle as soon as the Castle was taken he ran to deliver her But not finding her for the doors were set open and she with many others escaped I think there was not any corner or hole which he did not seek continually asking me where she was I who could not tell him nor knew Melander but under the notion of the sad Cavalier I knew not what to answer him At last making me understand that he sought for a woman in the habit of a Cavalier who fought with me for Lidias and was afterwards imprisoned As for the sad Cavalier answered I he indeed was my prisoner but as for any woman there was none in my hands Well replyed Lindamore that sad Cavalier is the woman I mean How replyed I the sad Cavalier a woman Why said Lindamore was she so long in your hands and you not know it Why it was she who loved Lidias and in defence of him armed her self and vanquished you and afterwards with a most heroique courage bought the liberty of Lidias by the loss of her own Now Sir you shall hear how that puissant God of Love was revenged upon me I who always mocked at his power and despised his Laws no sooner heard that this sad Cavalier was a woman but I fell into most extream admiration this admiration bringing into my memory the generosity of that woman I began to esteem her and at last contemplating upon the sweetness of her face and aspect her modest behaviour her admirable patience and her unparallell'd affection I fell from esteem to love her a thing which I ever thought impossible But learn O all ye mortals to reverence the supreme Deities for I not resting in an ordinary affection Love had stuck his arrows so deep in my heart that I became all passionate flame so as I may serve for an example unto all such Atheists as do not acknowled the puissance of this great God who above all the rest ought to be called Hesus that is strong and puissant In the mean time Lindamore understood that Melander was no sooner at liberty but she hasted after Lidias who was gone to Rothomagues and the very truth is had I been free as Melander went after Lidias I had gone after Melander but having passed my word unto that Cavalier not to stir out of his house I was able to do nothing but languish and think my self worthy of that punishment which I endured for having so fair and so sweet a woman so long in my hands and never knowing it I found then that this passion made me have a different opinion of things and was forced to say that none was able to resist the god of Love I that was wont to laugh at those that begged any trivial favour from her they loved could now be contented to kiss and adore the very chains which touched the fair hand of my Saint Melander And therefore I desired one of Lindamors men to go with me into the prison where she was wont to be The man like the master being all Courtesie went with me and not being well able to discern which chains had fettered her I desired him to put them all upon me as soon as I had them upon me O chains said I which once fettered the hands of her who now has fettered my heart yet less cruel then I since you were broken to let her go at liberty whom I so unworthily kept in my prison you may with abundance of reason upbraid me with the crime which I have committed for I was the cause and the Authour but you more insensible then I was had some pity upon her and knew that she to whom the liberty of all hearts is due did not deserve to be so imprisoned O you most happy bonds said I and kissed them happy in the touch of her fair hands shew me in what place you received that honour that by kissiing it I may express the devotion which I bear unto them upon this I kissed them again and beseeched those that were about me to fetter my arms and my hands with all the shakkles in the prison and because out of pity they refused to do me that office O good gods cryed I out is it possible that he who had no compassion upon the fairest and most generous woman upon earth should find any so compassionate unto me Upon this their denial I spoke and did many things that were ridiculous some could not chuse but laugh and others seeing a man so lost in love did resent my condition All these passages were reported unto Lindamor and Lindamor related them unto Clidemant and both out of curiosity would needs come and see me The condition wherein they found me was such that any that saw me would say I was out of my wits I had fettered both my feet with as many chains as covered them and one hand was tying the other as well as it could as many chains were about my neck as could hang and thus hardly able to stir I kissed those that my mouth could reach reverencing the rest because they had touched that fair one Although I saw them enter yet I continued my devotion of kisses as if I saw them not which held them a while admiration at last Clidemant came nearer unto me Cavalier said he what are you doing with all these chains and why are you thus fettered with them Sir answered I I do not only desire them to be continually upon me but I wish I could hang them about my heart About your heart said Clidemant you know that then they would kill you for any thing that touches the heart is mortal O Sir replied he that rule is false For Melander doth not only touch my heart but has pierced it with a hundred arrows yes has pull'd it out of my brest and yet I do hot die That touch of your heart replied Clidemant is only in imagination but if these chains should touch
say thus The Law of death is so common unto all men as you ought not to think it strange I should pay that debt which I ow unto Nature Did not Kings use to die as well as other men you had some reason to wonder I should be excluded from that priviledge and that my Scepter and my Crown should not defend me against the blows of death but a Monarch has no more right to live then the poorest Shepherd we do dayly see their ashes and their Monuments as this methinks should be a great consolation unto you all to know that I die because the gods will have it so and that they never made any man who was not subject unto death therefore my dearest Argira if you have any consideration of my rest and have any desire to please me I beseech you stop the current of your tears which do but grieve me I do not require any greater testimonies of your love then those you have already given me and wish for no more but leave to die Policander uttered these words with such a dying voice as if his soul had gone out of his mouth at the last word the Queen was deeply overwhelmed in sorrows as Rosilion whose groans did testifie the sadness of his soul The wrong Celidontes unto whom Policander had already given the Crown of the Ambarres of the Boyers and of the Lemovices upon condition he would marry Cephise was so extreamly afflicted that he could not rejoyce at the return of Argira nor resent that contentment which at another time the recovery would have been unto him At last the King perceiving himself every minute to grow weaker and weaker and finding himself not able to hold out any longer he began to strive with himself Argira said he with a deep sigh I conjure you by that which you love best and I think that is my memory to have a care of those whom I leave under your tuition Make them by your example of virtue to abhor vice and considering that riches are as fading as our selves remember that all the good or bad which we are to have in the other world depends only upon the merit of our actions in this life And you Rosilion said he holding out his feeble hand or rather the true Celiodantes forgive that crime which in my ignorance I committed against you Do not accuse me of ingratitude and may Rosanira whom I give unto you long enjoy those Grandeurs wherein you shall share as King of the Santons and Picts Love him for my sake who hath so long usurped your name In saying so he turned towards the wrong Celiodantes and you my son said he unto him pay back with interest the good will he shall bear unto you Love Peace Never take up Arms but in a just cause Have God still on your side and above all carry your self well towards Argira This is all I desire from you Farewel my Sons farewel dear Argira farewel Ro At this word he expired and his eye remaining still fixed upon Rosilion they knew his intention was to have named him but could not pronounce the last part of his name which the Queen perceiving and finding Policander to be as cold as marble it was an hundred to one but she had followed him that very hour All former considerations of her voyage which should have been consolations unto her were quite forgotten and not one thought could keep her from a present despair one would have thought that she had drowned her reason in her tears and that she had sought for the soul of Policander in the roots of that hair which she pulled from her head The wrong Celiodantes was almost out of himself and though the death of the King did leave him an Empire yet he testified that he thought the loss of his person made him no gainer Cephise and Rosilion were no less afflicted and all the Cavaliers present expressed abundance of grief for the loss of their Prince They came all unto the Queen and swore fidelity unto her and Celiodantes but she was not in a condition to hear what they said unto her and if the Ladies had not got her into bed perhaps she had died Thus they all retired almost as sad for the sickness of the Queen as for the loss of the King But as in the vicissitude of things nothing is durable so the sorrows of Argira of Celiodantes and of Rosilion at the last lessened and their reason having escaped the shipwrack of the first resentment the Queen began to remember that aid which she had promised unto the Nymph and she thought upon nothing more then her preservation At the end of a few days the people over whom Policander reigned did put the Scepter and Crown upon the head of Celiodantes with the same ceremonies as they were accustomed to crown their Kings and Rosilion making all haste to the Picts did levie by the Queens permission twelve thousand men and afterwards taking leave of Celiodantes his brother did take the field with his Arâ—â— being resolved to relieve Rosanira and oppose all violence that should be offered unto Amasis The Sequel of the History of LIPANDAS AMERINA MELANDRE and LIDIAS DUring this while Lipandas recovered of his wounds but not of his passion and though this Cavalier had not much acquaintance with Melandre yet did he know her spirit and that she was the most generous woman in the world This was a cause that as soon as the Truce was concluded and Polemas raised the siege he was grieved to the very soul He was not sorry that Amasis had great hopes in that relief which was promised unto her but when he considered that this took from him the means of shewing his courage and of overcoming the soul of Melandre by those testimonies of his valour which he intended he grew almost desperate yet knowing no remedy he resolved to wait with all possible patience until the end of this cessation of Arms and afterwards to perform such glorious exploits as she should in some sort of think it an honour to be served by a Cavalier so full of courage and affection In the mean time it was permitted him to see her and because in this liberty he lost not a minute of time which afforded him the opportunity of entertaining her he endeavoured a thousand times to make her sensible of his passion But she would never be moved unto any further then pity for she appeared always so prepossessed with the thought of Lidias as he could hardly ever hope for any alteration in her inclination As oft as he considered by how many Laws he was obliged rather to die then leave loving her he was confounded â—he mentioned the combate wherein he was overcome when she exposed her self unto the fury of his Arms for the liberty of Lidias and telling her it was a kind of miracle she should go off the field with that advantage which she had he endeavoured to perswade her that it was
own motion quit the interest which they have in this affection Therefore since the Gods have inspired me with the desire of it and have now given me the courage I do intend never to give Lidias any cause to hate me but will for ever love him only in the degree of a Brother I beseech you therefore Madam to let them enjoy that contentments which fortune hath many years denied them and which now I do most earnestly wish unto them Thrice happy shall I think my self in contributing any thing to their contentment Upon this Melandre was silent and made an humble reverence unto the Nymph All the company admired to hear this language proceed from her but above all Lidias and Amerina who seeing themselves at a higher pitch of felicity then ere they expected made an humble reverence unto Amasis and after they had asked leave to thank Melandre they expressed themselves unto her with all testimonies of acknowledgement and affection This being done Amasis offered to rise but was hindred by Ligdamon who holding Lipandas by the hand and presenting him unto the Nymph beseeched her to determine somthing for the satisfaction of that Cavalier Lipandas cast himself down upon his knees and after a relation of his love and adventures beseeched her to dispose the will of Melandre to receive him into the room of Lidias Amasis found so much Justice in the desire that she made the proposition unto Melandre who after some modest refusal remembring what he had done for her upon several occasions especially when to relieve Lidias he leaped down the walls of Marcelles she obeyed the commands of the Nymph and granted the desires of Ligdamon Thus these four Lovers did in one hour reap the fruit of all the pains which Love and Fortune had made them endure These two marriages were consummated before the Truce was ended and in the mean time Lindamore lost no opportunities of advancing his Troops and having met with Philâ—nder who acquainted him with the affairs of Amasis and the intentions of Gondebaut against her he determined not to go into Lions but to cross over the Rhosue about half a league from them and the next morning to go unto Vienna On the other side Gondebaut who thirsted to be revenged upon Amasis for the affronts which he had as he conceived received from her and being pressed by Ligonias who every minute presented unto him the inconveâ—iences which would happen in case Polemas was not relieved according to promise he issued out his Commissions and raised thirty and two thousand men which he committed unto the conduct of Ligonias with command unto all the Officers to obey Polemas unto whom he writ this Letter GONDEBAUTS Letter unto POLEMAS I Have sent thirty and two thousand men unto Polemas not out of any ambition to enlarge the limits of my Empire but only out of a desire to raise his glory unto the highest pitch of glory that he can wish I have made choice of such Souldiers for him as best know how to obey from whom I do expect even wonders to be done being under the conduct of a man who knows most perfectly how to command them But how great so ever the victories be which they shall get they are still less then the hopes I have in your courage the Grandeur whereof may assure any one of the conquest of the world if he will be pleased to employ it Fight therefore presently brave Polemas or rather vanquish presently for I know that with you to fight and to overcome is one and the same thing Whilst affairs went thus Sigismond had but a very dull time of it Gondebaut had locked him up in a strong Tower the better to secure his person it being doubted that if he were at liberty he would not have suffered any designs to be against Amasis Godomar or Dorinde without opposing it with all his Interest Thus this Prince thought his detention insupportable for hearing of this Armies departure he was sensible of the danger wherein his Brother was he was so extreamly displeased that he was not able to help himself that all those who saw him might read in his countenance the marks of a most violent sorrow At last heaven who reserved him for a more glorious end then to languish in prison did permit him to make an escape in this manner Amongst those whom Gondebaut had set over him to prevent his escape there was two kinsmen of Ardilan who also carried the same name the one of which finding more favour with the King then the oâ—her he had obtained the sole donation of his deceased Cofin which the other extreamly stomaking yet not daring to murmure at the injustice which was done him he resolved to be revenged by favouring Sigismond and freeing him from the Tyrannie of his father He made the overture of it unto him the same morning that the Army was drawn into the field and Sigismond being confident of his fidelity since said he unto him you do offer me your assistance and your own good will hath prevented my requests I do swear by all that 's sacred that if you do help me to escape to raise thy fortune above any Subject in all the Kingdome but be sure you fail me not for if thou dost deceive me I will most infallibly be thy utter ruine Upon this the Prince began to walk up and down the chamber and the young Ardilan fearing lest some should hearken at the door he came nearer and said unto him in a low voice You never need Sir to doubt either of my affection or my fidelity and I will contrive the matter with so much prudence as if it shall not miscarry As soon as he had said so the hour which Ardilan was to stay with him was expired and he quitted his place unto another who came for the same purpose he was no sooner gone but to lose no time he provided one of those small boats which they used upon the River Arar and also providing two Fishermens habits some nets and a rope long enough to reach from the Tower where Sigismond was detained and at the entrance of the night he carried them himself unto the Princes chamber where he was to watch that night with one of his Comrades Sigismond was no sooner in bed but he seemed as if he were asleep and Ardilan who also brought a great bottle of wine with him did so entertain his companion that he was constrained to trust the keeping of the Prince unto him so soon as Ardilan perceived his Comrade to be so fast asleep that he could not be awaked he pulled the Fishers habits out of a sack and putting one of them on beseeched the Prince to put on the other then fastning the rope to the window they both wenâ— down by the rope without any noise As soon as they were down Ardilan carried him to the boat and throwing their nets into the water with more fear of being taken then desire to
Shepherdesses began to look earnestly upon her and upon one another At last remembring that Palemon and Halladine were gone about her cure and calling to mind the features of her face before she spoiled it they knew her and rejoyced with her for the recovery of her former beauty It was long before they did any thing else but embrace each other whilst Adamas made an exact relation unto Belinde of the last accident which befel this fair Shepherdesse and at last going to her fair Celidea said he unto her shall we not know in what manner you have been cured for the remedy had such a sudden operation as I cannot chuse but wonder at it especially when I consider that though you were yesterday as much disfigured as ever yet this day you are as fair and handsome as ever you were before Father answered the Shepherdesse with a countenance that spoke her contentment I cannot possibly tell you how it was done for truly I my self do not know further then this that this morning after Thamires was gone out of the chamber to walk with Silvander and the rest of the Shepherds I arose out of my bed and sitting before my glasse dressing my self I observed within a quarter of an hour that I did not look so ugly as ordinarily I did and seeing that every minute my complexion came more and more into my cheeks and that my scratches healed very fast I did imagine that this might happily be an effect of those good hopes which Damon made me conceive I sate thus the space of an hour and every time I cast my eye upon my glasse I found some change in my self In fine seeing my self in a better condition then ever I was before and thinking it a most arrogant presumption if I should expect to be better since I had already obtained more then ever I hoped for I finished the dressing of my self and going down the stairs I no sooner heard that Adrastes was returned but being even ravished with joy to see my self so handsome I could not chuse but come and Carresse him by way of gratitude for the benefit which I had received whereof he was partly the cause Thus Celidea related all that she knew concerning her cure whilst Adrastes was talking with Doris Dearest sister said he unto her you need not now enquire any further concerning Palemons journey the face of Celidea tells you that hitherto it hath been prosperous and that all we have to do is to wish him a safe return Truly said she there is a great probability in what you say yet for all that I cannot chuse but be full of faint fears because he is to return by sea which as they say is a most cruel and mercilesse element Doubtlesse replied Adrastes Fortune will look upon with a smiling eye and will never suffer him to feel the effects of her inconstancy the glory that he has to enjoy you is a most evident argument of it In saying so he sighed very loud which Doris observing and doubting that his sighs were sparks of the fire which he entertained in his soul she was in some sort moved not unto love but pity Wondering therefore to see his passion should survive his hopes she was once in a mind to advise him to place his affection upon some from whom he might expect more recompence but conceiving that this perhaps might more open his wound and fester it she chose rather not to mention it but leave it unto the disposition of time which often proves the best remedy against such diseases so she left off that discourse and making a sign unto the Shepherd that she desired to hear what Adamas said concerning Celidea he leaned his eare that way and heard the Druide speak in this manner It is to be thought that Thamires will not be a little joyed to see you in this condition since he was such a passionate desirer of it I believe Father anwered Celidea that his joy will not be a little at it but I believe also that it will not last long since that which is the cause of it is but a glance a flash called beauty and cannot continue in me long because it is a tribute which we do ow and must pay unto a few years which will be sure to imprint wrinkles upon the fairest cheek However it be replied Adamas I shall ere long see him enjoy that contentment and since he knows nothing yet of your cure I would advise to deceive him a little Thâ—s was no sooner consented unto but Thamires entred with Alcander Sileines Lucindor Calidon Licidas Thomantes Hylas and some others As soon as they came into the room they saluted Belinde but Adamas took Thamires by the hand carried him to Celidea and made him believe that it was her sister whom Belinde brought with her Thamires was the more apt to believe it because indeed Celidea had a sister and because he found in her face the very same features which formerly he adored in his Mistresse He went therefore unto her and after a hundred thousand welcomes he asked her whether she had yet seen Celidea This fair Shepherdesse could not chuse but smile at this and was upon the point to speak but the Druide fearing left he should know her voice he interposed and told him that truly she had seen her but stayed not long with her because she was not well and therefore left her to her rest This did much trouble Thamires in so much as leaving the company he went into the chamber where he thought Celidea was The first thing he did when he came at the door was to hearken whether he could hear her complain but hearing nothing he went to the bed whose curtains were all close and hardly daring to breath lest he should make too much noise he endeavoured to make it little lighter that he might see her face Adamas in the mean time who followed him held Celidea by the hand and seeing Thamires so busie he could not chuse but laugh which the Shepherd perceiving you laugh perhaps said he to see me look for Celidea whom you have hid in some other place Hide her said the Druide no I do bring her unto you in a better condition then ever she was Thamires was amazed at this and could not understand his meaning but Celidea taking him about the neck and kissing him what Thamires said she unto him do you make so little accompt of the present that is brought you that you will not so much as thank the bringer To what purpose were you so careful to see me in my first beauty since now it is is brought unto you you will not so much as know it This voice did perfectly undeceive Thamires and taking her in his arms O Damon said he how infinitly am I obliged unto thee for this favour In saying so he began a new to kisse her sometime her mouth sometimes her cheeks and sometimes her eyes and probably he had longer
fortune offers you some hopes of contentment But whether I do marry Celadon or never see his face again yet still I must bear all the faults that every evel spirit can charge me withall But said she and sighed I am resolved ere long to find out the remedy which dispair uses to teach such souls as cannot bear them Upon this she was silent and Diana began Companion said she unto her you do find your misery to be greater then mine because you think it so But I do find mine to be greater then yours because I know them to be more stinging assure your self the causes which make any calamity intolerable are more easily to be found in my affliction then in yours For as the state stands with me I have the same displeasure which you have which is not to enjoy the person whom I love yet I have one which you know not which is that I am constrained to submit my self unto the tyranny of her who can dispose of me yet sister I am resolved as well as you to have recourse unto that common remedy which cannot be denied unto any and I will sooner die then pronounce that fatal word Yes which will be the first munite of my misery With such discourse as this these fair ones came so nere the Druides house that they perceived Lycidas coming out with Phillis and seemed by his countenance to have some very earnest business in hand Astrea desired Diana to step a little aside and avoide the meeting them which Diana easily consented unto and they went into a by walk on the side of that where they were to pass and hiding themselves behind a bush It was not long before they heard Lycidas walk a great pace and say but Phillis do you not know from that cruel woman in what place this tragedy is to be I protest answered she it is the only thing I have forgot But look well about you perhaps we shall meet Leonide and she can tell us all Oh heavens replied Lycidas and hasted away if Astrea would she might spare me all this pains But I think she was born to be the ruine of our house This was the last word they could hear and when they thought them out of sight they came out again And were no sooner entred into the great walk but they saw Phillis returning alone They therefore stayed for her and as soon as the was come unto them Well Phillis said Astrea unto her I beleive Lycidas is very angry with me has he not good reason answered Phillis do you think he has so little interest in Celadon as not to hate all those that are the cause of his ruine Alas sister replied Astrea I must confess that I was the cause of his first being lost and that I was to blame in condemning him so lightly But now he may blame himself for his misfortune unto whom can be impute any fault but unto his own scurvy humour which moved him so indiscreetly to obtain a thousand favours from my innocency under a false disguisement Indeed Phillis the preservation of this shepherd ought to be very dear unto me But my honour ought to be no less considered you have seen how oft he has imbraced and kissed me insolently abusing the liberty which I gave him under the notion of Alexis and whereof I might have been blamed had it been from the person of Celadon Not but that I beleive I should in a little time have pardoned the offence But when I call to memory the Image of things past I am so transported as I could ordain him a worse punishment then I have if I could think upon it sister said Phillis is this your repentance for distroying Celadon before Come come Astrea you had better abate something of your rigour then be put to the pains you were before Sister replied Astrea those that can temper their passions and motions are more then Men we are all too weak to have that dominion over our selves we must whether we will or no observe such lawes as our passions will impose upon us we cannot upon a sudden foresee such accidents as may happen Do you think if at that instant honour had told me Celadon was unworthy to live can you think I say that I should repent bidding him die No no beleive me but on the contrary I should have thought that I owed such a revenge unto my reputation and should have been glad to have preserved it at the rate of that very shepherds life But on the other side said Phillis perhaps you would not have been angry with him but have received him with Joy a little before Leonide presented him unto you I wish answered Astrea that he had never undertaken to delude and deceive me that I might without any harm unto my self have paid what I owed unto that affection which he bore me but since that misfortune is hapned I must confess that what regret soever I resent I cannot condemn my self for whaâ— I have done In saying so Astrea went forward as being desirous to retire into the house because it began to grow late But Diana who observed it and who had no less horror to that place then to a dark Dangron having no mind to go into it till the obscurity of night did force it Companion said she unto her me thinks we have yet time and light enough to go as far as the labyrinth I beseech you let us go and walk so far as it I will go answered Astrea whither you please Then they turned a little upon the left hand and being entred into the walk which led that way presently they spied Leonide coming a great pace and having the countenance and garb of one that had some great cause of sorrow This wrought a strange effect upon the soul of Astrea for she being in some hope that Leonide would hinder Celadon from attempting any harm unto himself as soon as the saw her return alone she was even ready to fall down for greif First her greif appeared in her face and afterwards beginning to sigh Oh my Companions said she yonder is Leonide coming to tell of Celadons death That answered Phillis does not much trouble you because you desired it and did absolutly command him to die In saying so the Nimph came so neare unto them that they could easily perceive the trouble wherein her mind was And because Leonide was a little angry with Astrea for treating Celadon so ill as soon as she perceived her she offered to turn into another walk to avoid meeting with her But Phillis ran after her and entreated her to stay which she condescending unto as soon as she came into the presence of Astrea You have reason sage Nimph said the shepherdess unto her to shun the Company of a miserable woman who yet has more cause to complain against you then you have to hate her You have reason to complain against me said Leonide a little faintly as against one who
sent forth a thousand sighes of love whatsoever you make conjecture I am fully perswaded but she has done some violence to keep her self from falling into the power of Paris and the condition wherin now she is me thinks is a strong argument that the marriage is not consummated For why should she come with Astrea unto a place so little frequented since the inchantment of the fountain but only to conceall her self from Bellinde for some dayes and to give her time of consideration how little inclination her Daughter has unto that alliance alas said Silvander and interrupted her this small absenting her self and this self are arguments more strong to confirm me in a beleif that my dispair is just and that her infidelity is true For may I not well think that this ungratefull woman did absent her self to kindle the flames of Paris the more and that this sleep is part of that rest which my rivall would have stoln from her the first night by his carresses oh what dismal causes of jealousy do I find and how this passion transports me into fury Can you think it just Celadon that I should live to be a witness of all those kisses which this husband will gather from those lippes which have pronounced the sentence of my death and his happines Do you not think that those favours which this fickle one publiquely conferres upon him as innocent as they are yet do not appear unto me most horrid crimes alas you do not love aright if you think they are not enough to kill me assure your self every look she casts upon him is a dagger to my heart No no shepherd I had better let them alone to enjoy their delights freely my presence will but disturbe them every thing does invite me unto this design more then you who has no legall warrant to authorise the resolution which you have taken but only the bare passionate humour of Astrea which perhaps has made her weep a thousand times since and repent she ere concealed from you the good though secret acceptance she had of all your services Therefore dear Celadon if my prayers have any prevalence with you I beseech you let me only run this adventure it is a faithfull lover who ought to die do not dispute the matter any longer with me And pardon me if I say out of the knowledge I have of my love and humour that it is most impossible to find one man in the whole world who can excell me In saying so he embraced Celadon and conjured him again to let him obtain this favour which he required but Celadon seeming ill satisfied with his request truly Silvander answered he you do resemble him who received as a sharer only in a treasure yet will needs become the sole master of it and drive out him who first admitted him only at a sharing Companion in his fortune It was I who first designed this disenchantment by giving my life and now I have communicated my design unto you it is you that would hinder me from the execution of it and would your self take all that glory which the gods reserved only for me Dear Celadon said Silvander and interrupted him do not blame me for desiring to take that advantage from you which will procure you a far greater I mean the enjoyment of Astrea I dare swear that fair shepherdesse would think your presence at this hower her greatest happiness Take my advice Celadon present your self before her once more if she do not forbid you to die I will confess my self injurious in advising you to live Nay answered Alexis that cruell one shall never have the pleasure of condemning me the second time I know what obedience I owe unto all her commands and will not put her to so much pains as to pronounce them often But as for you Silvander live and live for Diana since you know she desires it and did never command the contrary all the arguments perswasions and reasons that you can possibly devise can never alter me from that resolution which I am fixed upon to die by the mortal claws of these furious Lions which cannot be so cruel but will leave me so much time as they are tearing me in pieces as to remember that Astrea is more pittiless These last words stole some tears from the eyes of Alexis who seeing how contrary her end was unto those sweet hopes which she had conceived in the beginning of her affection her heart could not chuse but melt at the memory of those kind promises which Astrea once made unto her and Silvander who also had the same considerations he began to embrace Alexis and saw those tears which dropped from her eyes they embraced each other a long while and perhaps had done longer if Alexis who alwayes looked towards Astrea had not espied a great company coming towards them he presently advertised Silvander of it and both looking earnestly at them it was not long before they saw it was Adamas Belinde and Phillis but Silvander knew not Galathea Rosanira nor the rest of the Nymphs because of the change in their habits Fearing then that if the Druide saw them he would hinder them in their designe Come come dear Silvander said Alexis and rose up hastily let us not dispute any longer upon this point let us go and see to which of us the gods will judge the price of fidelity and since they only can decide our difference it is folly to consult upon it any longer here Upon this she went towards the Fountain and Silvander following her if it happen said he that we both die we shall have this advantage at the least to shut up in one Tombe two friends who have almost the very same Fates in their loves would suffer the same deaths In saying so they were come so near the Lions that those fierce Animals heard them and looked upon them with most affrighting looks but the Shepherds were so far from any signes of fear that there was a fresh vermilion in their cheeks and as if an horrid object were an object of joy and felicity they began to smile and to shew that their courages were not lesse then the Ferocity of those mercilesse Guardians Alexis who came thither only to die and not to fight did at the first prepare her self to receive their cruelty whilst the Lions at the sight of this new prey did beat their sides and the ground with their tails and were rowsing up anger enough to devour these Lovers she kneeled down upon the ground and looking up to heaven O ye merciful gods said she who have inspired me with this remedy to keep my miseries from being infinite as is your power accept I beseech you of this sacrifice which I offer unto you of my body and I would say of my soul also did you not know that it is still a captive in the charms of the fairest but most ungrateful Shepherdess that ever was even for pities sake O most
a little in her bed she crossed her arms and had such evident signs of transport in her face that Silvander after he had a little considered them began to feel all his courage and his strength to fail That great resolved soul which he had shewed till now was vanisht and he was not able to resist those sorrows which the presence of Diana caused Thus this poor shepherd was no sooner gotten into the midst of the Chamber but his legges failed him upon which falling and finding himself to swound he fell upon his side some two paces from the bed of his Mistresse Diana in the mean while seeing him lie as if he were dead was grieved to the soul that she could not help him yet thinking it no time to stand upon nicities she rose out of bed in her smock and would have helped him to rise but finding no motion in him she was ready to tender up her soul her dispair was then at the last point and doubtless if grief could have killed her she had dyed but being still reserved for more miseryes this accident did not deprive her of speech for after she had laid her mouth close to the face of Silvander Poor shepherd said she aloud am not I a most miserable woman in being the cause of all thy misfortunes Without me the destinies had spared thy life and if my interest had not been enterwoven with thine they would never have made thee miserable Upon this she was silent and love succeeding pity after she had looked about her and saw none to observe her actions she kissed him as if she would inspire new life into his lippes or as if she would waken him with the water of her tears but which soever it was the shepherd opened his eyes as a sign he was not dead And though Diana had not taken all that paines but only to revive him yet was she surprised because of the condition wherein she was that she rose up in all hast and went into bed but never minding what she did she made more hast then good speed and knocked her head so hard against one of the bed posts as she fell a cross over the body of Silvander Her crye and the noise she made brought Astrea and Phillis into the room and seeing such a pityfull spectacle they made no question but they were both dead for the love of each other yet comming nearer they saw Silvander move his arm as if he endeavoured to get it from under the body of Diana and therefore they took up their Companion and put her into bed as they were lifting her up she returned out of her swound but because she lay her hand upon her forhead where she felt pain they took a handkercher and pressed it so hard to the place where she began to swell as little or no mark appeared afterwards Silvander also returned perfectly to himself and comming near Dianas bed as soon as Astrea and Phillis were gone to the window I thought fairest Diana said he unto her I should have been so happy as to die in your presence But I see the doom of heaven is irrevokable and I must die by the hand of Adamas This last action which seems to oppose my felicity would not much trouble me did I not see a trouble unto you But dearest Mistresse of my soul do not let it trouble you at all that I am to be sacrificed the gods would have some part of me as well as you and as I have already sacrificed my soul unto you so they would have me this day sacrifice my body unto them In this division the best part is yours for you having my heart my will my soul and all its faculties they have nothing but a bare carcasse which is meat for worms or crows Oh dear answered Diana with a deep sigh yet in this they take part of my happinesse from me for when you did sacrifice your soul unto me it did not imply any such condition that I should not pretend unto your body you did give it unto me without any manner of reservation and gave me full power to do what I would with it and though I have no power to make you live yet they do most tirannically usurp it from me but Silvander since they are sole Arbitrators of our lives I will yeild this right unto them and will not grieve for your death if you will but grant me one consolation the hope of which is all the happiness I have The shepherd who desired nothing but to please her did promise to deny her nothing Then said Diana I would have you let me die as soon as ever I hear that you are out of the world Diana uttered these words with great resolution and Silvander was so charmed with this last testimony of her love that for a while he was not able to open his lips At last taking her hand and kissing it Ah my fairest would you sign your affection and my misfortune with your blood have you so much courage as to follow me in this fatal passage and does it not grieve you to leave Paris and your life Cruel Silvander replied Diana and interrupted canst thou doubt but that my passion dare attempt any thing In saying so she seemed to be a little troubled and the shepherd knowing that she had reason to be angry with him Dear Diana replied he pardon my love if any sparks of jealousie seemed to appear in it It is the will of the Gods that you should be the wife of Paris and if I do fear it has not my fears a very lawful ground I know reylied Diana that they have so ordained it But in this matter I swear that I will be my own destinies You know Silvander that I can be no bodies but yours and you shall never go into the Elizian fields without me I will go then said Silvander and die with content in hopes that our absence will not be long I will go my fairest Diana and offer unto the God of Love that which belongs unto you happy shall I be in ending my days if by my example you be not afraid to follow me Adieu my fairest Diana for pities sake spend these last munites in remembrance of my services and confess that Heaven is too barbarous in consenting to our separation Then Silvander embraced Diana ond that Shepherdess was so moved with these last words that hardly being able to speak Adieu said she and broke out into tears Adieu dear Silvander be constant unto thy Diana and leâ— her see thy love can last longer then life Upon this her voice failing she offered to embrace him but had not strength to lift up her Arm Silvander in the mean time got up and seeing Astrea and Phillis near Oh dear companions of my fairest Mistress said he unto them I leave you possessors of all that happiness which the presence of Diana afforded me And as you have been the only Confidents of her secrets and