she intend to do asked Alexis The good opinion which she justly has of her own merits answered Astrea will not permit her to allow of Sylvander's Courtship but makes her resolve to have recourse unto those extream remedies of forbidding him which women use unto such whose Courtship is displeasing unto them I do not like her way said Alexis and if she follow it she will repent it For Sylvander loving her as he does he will not be diverted by it and then as you say the business will become the talk of the Country But she had better take one of these two ways either to let him continue his addresses under the vail of a Fiction for which excuses enough are to be found or else permit him secretly to make his addresses For I must confess Fair Shepherdess that the Vertues of Diana and the Merits of Sylvander makes me desire they may live contentedly though it be to the disadvantage of Paris my Brother who I know does love her but it is better he should miss of his desires then by-obtaining them to make two of so much merit miserable all the rest of their days Besides Diana loving my Brother only by reasons of Estate Doubtless the loss of one so dear unto her as Sylvander is would make her so full of sorrow and so much change her that my Brother could not take any great delight in her And though this do at the first displease Paris yet he will better pass it over then Sylvander can having not so violent an affection unto Diana as that Shepherd hath Moreover we shall more easily divert him from it by propounding some other marriage unto him more sutable unto his quality In such discourse as this they came unto the Town of Phocion who received them very kindly and treated them with so neat a supper that Alcidon and Daphnide confessed he shamed the great Cities But Astrea was not so well contented as she desired For Phocion had young Calidon there and set him at the Table just opposite unto her This young Shepherd was so passionately in Love that his eyes were never off her which troubled Astrea extreamly for she could never look up but still met with his eye upon her Alexis who was of Calidons mind did the very same though with much more satisfaction unto Astrea who also could not satisfie her eyes with looking upon Celadon under the umbrage of a woman But Alexis had the advantage of Calidon for having Astrea on her side they could talk together and not be heard which they did almost all supper while And because Alexis observed the eyes of Calidon she said unto Astrea Fair Shepherdesse do you not think that you sit in a very ill place I shall never think so answered Astrea as long as I am so neer you which is the greatest contentment I can have but I wish that some troublesome eyes which are continually on my face were turned some other way or else that the owner of them were further off The trouble which you endure said Alexis is a consequent of your beauty and you must not think it strange that Shepherds should Love you since I who am a woman and one who never saw you before this three or four dayes am so extreamly taken with you that I think my self in Love with you As Alexis spoke these words she changed countenance The Zeal of her expression or her fear of speaking too plainly was the cause of it Astrea answered her with a smiling eye I wish with all my heart Madam that there were any thing in me which might do you any real service and ingratiate me into your favour For I am so perfectly yours that nothing but death can sever me from you and I think the happiness of it so great that I would not change contentment with all the Kings Emperors and Monarchs upon earth Alexis fearing that if these expressions continued hearers would think they talked too passionately for women she took her hand and wispered unto her I will sooner refuse life then this assurance you give me but for some reasons which afterwards I will tell you let us break off this discourse and talk of it at night when we are alone or to morrow when we walk in the woods After supper ended and tables removed many Neighboring young Shepherds came to dance and sing and rejoyce for finding the Missletoe of the New-year for so they called it And because Daphnide and Alcidon were desirous to be spectators of their harmlesse sports they desired Adamas he would be pleased they might waâ—â— out and see the Shepherds and Fair Shepherdesses dance Adamas who was willing to give them all possible satisfaction he took Daphnide by the hand and led her forth leaving Leonide to conduct Alcidon and all the rest of the Company who followed them into a great room where such publique rejoycings were wont to be kept and where they found abundance of Shepherds and Shepherdesses dancing and singing The Sun had been long set and no day appeared but the Moon shined so cleer as if she had borrowed more light then usual purposely for that night Daphnide was much taken with the pleasantness of the place and coolness of the air And all sitting down some on one side some on another they began to dance and sing and performed their parts so handsomly that Daphnide and Alcidon could not chuse but admire the Shepherds and Shepherdesses of Lignon After they had danced half an hour there came from the neighboring Towns a company of Shepherds disguised in the habit of Egyptians who danced after the manner of that people And as they had been formerly taught by Alcippe the father of Celadon upon his return from his long travels they danced unto songs and sang as they danced And when they had done they went unto all the company and offered to tell the Fortunes of all such who would shew them their hands This pastime having lasted long and it being almost midnight Adamas thought it time to retire So as they all parted and went unto their Towns Phocion carried unto his house Adamas Paris Alexis and Leonide being very sorry that his house was not of capacity to lodge Daphnide and Alcidon with their company also But Adamas thinking before hand that he could not do it with any conveniency he appointed Lycidas to lodg them in the house of Celadon where Diamis his uncle expected them but by reason of his old age left the management of all things unto Lycidas which that Shepherd did perform very exactly though he was extreamly perplexed that he could not have the company of his dear Phillis in his house For she told him that if he would bid those strangers welcome she would go with Astrea and lye with her Thus every one retired to their lodgings Astrea Diana and Phillis being attended by Sylvander they carryed Adamas unto Astreas house where Phocion stayed to bid them welcome as well as he could
considering that when the desires of people are thwarted they are most violent and when the desires of persons in power are once knowne they are prompted to use violence But the great constraint in which I lived did so perplex me that I fell sicke By this reverend Father you may judge how great my affection was since it had power to bring me into such a condition The King did not thinke my sicknesse so great as it was but it increasing every day and his affaires constraining him not to abide long in one place he left me in the City of Avignion upon the report of the Physitians who told him how great my disease was Thus I tarried in this Towne so ill that but for the contentment which I received from some Letters which Daphnide sent me by Alvian I know not what would have become of me However it was more then eight dayes that I kept my bed before I heard any newes from Daphnide because she not knowing of my sicknesse but supposing me to be in the Army she sent Alvian thither In the meane time I who thought that she knew of my sicknesse I pined away with sorrow and griefe having an opinion that her silence proceeded from a defect in her affection and then I blamed the inconstancy and ambition of women supposing that the Kings affection to her was certainly the cause of it At last my impatiency not being able to indure this incertainty I sent unto her my Servant who carried my Letters the first time unto her and in the extremity of my sicknesse I writ these few words unto her Alcidons Letter unto Daphnide I Have all the reason in the world at this time to complaine against my Fortune being at once left both by my Master and my Mistresse I know not Madam whether it be permitted me to phrase you so But in this I must needs commend her who seeing the injuries which both of them doe me she would not let me live any longer least I should any longer indure this unjust punishment See sage Adamas how Love will sometimes both wound and cure his Subjects almost at the very same time Alvian who was sent to seeke me in the Army and hearing that I lay sicke in Avignion he returned in all haste to his Mistresse who presently dispatched him unto me and by fortune the same day that her Letter came to me mine came to her The Letter which Alvian brought imported these words Daphnides Letter unto Alcidon THe Bearer hereof hath been a great distance off to seeke you and to my great griefe will find you neerer If my Health be any thing deer unto you let me heare of yours When I received this message and understood by word of mouth the reason why she writ so short was because she thought me so sicke as I was not able to read more Oh sage Adamas I cannot expresse my joyes I was indeed very sicke and the Physitians who applyed onely corporall remedies were farre besides the marke since my malady was only of the mind The truth is that from the first houre of Alvians arrival I recovered strength and not to disobey the command which I received from Daphnide I sent him back the next morning with this answer Alcidons Answer unto Daphnide Madam IT is from Daphnide you must inquire of Alcidons health since it wholly depends upon her If you continue upon him the honour of your favours he is well otherwise he is not onely dead but sorry that ever he lived On the other side Daphnide seeing my thoughts or rather my jealousie she was very desirous that Alvian might remove it from me for she knew very well that I had a great confidence in him And further to make her good will appeare she sent my Servant backe with so many good words and assurance she would never alter as I was constrained to beleeve it Her answer was this Daphnides Answer unto Alcidon IF it be so that one may judge of another by themselves I have great reason to doubt of that fidelity which you have promised me for you have done so of mine If you were in my roome should ambition transport you above love Oh no I will not harbour such an opinion of you For I must confesse Alcidon if I did I would not love you so well as I doe wrong me therefore no more in this kind unlesse you would have me beleeve that you would have that affection diminish which you have sworne unto me Thus we continued many dayes writing unto one another with so much contentment unto me that my disease was forced to leave me and when I had got so much strength as I hoped every day to ride abroad Alvian came to bring me two Letters which the King had writ unto her from the Army And in testimony of her free way she lived with me she sent them yet sealed as when she first received them Daphnides Letter unto Alcidon NOw the Wars are begun I have sent you two Prisoners none yet ever spoke with them treat them as you please I freely give them unto you as I will doe all the rest that fall into my hands In this I received at once a great pleasure and a great displeasure I cannot expresse my contentment to see that Daphnide did so well performe her promise to me but it wounded me to the very soule to see that the King should attempt that which he had sworn unto me the contrary To withdraw my selfe from Daphnide I thought a thing impossible and I knew that if the minde of this faire one proved strong enough to resist him he would in a transport of passion banish me the Court Also if she yielded or was overcome then there was no hopes of any life for me I remained long in this doubtfull incertainty at last love having the predominancy in my heart I resolved to advise her not to receive any such messages from him if it were possible yet my curiosity prompted me to see what the King had writ having an opinion that though I did not yet she would read them and I should never know so I returned her this Answer Alcidons Answer unto Daphnide THese two Prisoners Madam are not of that quality to be kept long in my prison I have therefore sent them both back But take heed lest in hearkning unto any more the Fort which Parleyes doe render it selfe I should be too tedious should I relate all the Letters which we writ unto each other at that time for since it was not above six or seven leagues betwixt us we sent unto each other almost every day But so it was that the King being resolved to be as victorious in Love as in War he persisted so close in the Courtship of this faire one as what excuse soever she can find she must confesse that if it was not Love yet it was Ambition at the least which invited her to hearken unto him and to entertaine his Courtship
I am obliged I would presently doe it with as good a heart as ever I received any favour from heaven The King uttered these words in such a discomposed manner and with such a countenance as testified that his expressions did not come from his heart And because I saw him stand silent I answered him Sir said I all that is in the world were created to serve your greatnesse especially Alcidon who is ready to sacrifice himselfe upon the Altar of your contentment And the Heavens foreseeing it impossible I should be deprived of Daphnide and live will take away my life lest it should be any obstacle unto you And therefore welcome death since my life cannot conduce to your contentment Upon this I could not restraine my teares and the King being moved at them after a while of silence said unto me You cannot Acidon wish me so ill as the injury I have done you does merit I doe most ingeniously acknowledge it and wish that my blood could remedy it perhaps I shall doe it in time but for the present there is no thought of it And yet for your satisfaction I am resolved upon any thing you would have me onely take heart and recover of your sicknesse and beleeve to your contentment that I will doe all I can to procure it After this the King went out of my Chamber leaving me in such a sad condition as it is incredible any other than my selfe should live under such a load of sorrowes and despaires Alcidon turmoiled with the memory of these painfull passages and the wrong which he received both from his Master and his Mistresse he lost his speech so as after a while of silence when he offered to speake he could not and therefore he was forced for a long time to be silent at last striving with himselfe he broke out with much adoe and said You see Madam how in obedience to your commands I make my old wounds bleed afresh but when I consider all is by your command I doe patiently indure all but if your Rigor be not greater than my Patience I beseech you helpe me to beare the burthen which you have imposed upon me I meane in the continuance of this relation of my misfortunes of which you may speake with more assurance than I can for in all that is hereafter to be told I am only the sufferer of what you were pleased I should endure Methinks my request is not unreasonable that the wise Adamas may understand from your mouth the truth of those things whereof you only are the Author Adamas not staying for the answer of Daphnide turned towards her and said Methinkes Madam the motion of this Cavalier is reasonable and that by your owne ordinance imposed upon him you are obliged unto it Reverend Father answered she the law is not equall betwixt him and me yet since you thinke it fit I shall doe as you please and I must tell you that though Alcidon hath spoken the truth yet as good Orators use he hath inserted some words to the great advantage of his cause Then after she had paused a while she continued the discourse thus The Sequel of the History of Daphnide and Alcidon IT is a Proverbe full of reason that Parties interested or prepossessed with any Passion can never be good judges because their judgements being offended they can never performe their perfect Functions no more than a leg or an arme can which has any great wound Alcidon has made good the Proverb by the consequences which he hath so often drawne to my disadvantage being byassed thereunto more by passion then by reason And because my discourse would be very long if I should answer all his particular rovings into Passion I will omit them and truly relate the remainder of our Fortune and leave you to censure of his passions And to begin where he left I will tell you Reverend Father that having received the Letter which he sent unto me unto which I returntd no answer because the Messenger according to his command went presently away without bidding any adieu I became the most desolate person in the world being taxed with a crime and with some colour of reason which I could not helpe I understood presently after by the Kings Letters all the discourse which they two had together and afterwards by Alvian whom I sent purposely to see how he did though I did not write who told me how ill he was I discoursed long with my selfe what I should doe in the businesse for on the one side his affection to me invited me to goe unto him and tell him how he was mistaken on the other side I durst not doe it for fear of being blamed I was long wavering in the ballance between these two considerations before the Scale would turne to either side but at last the returne of Alvian constrained be to goe unto him for bringing me such very bad newes of his sicknesse I cast off all other considerations and resolved to see him In this determination I sought out for some excuse to colour my Voyage And presently after a very good one presented it selfe For Peace being made my Brother-in-law was constrained to goe to Avignon about getting of a Cozen of his who was a Prisoner in the Towne which was rendred unto the great Eurick and who because he would needs contradict the generall resolution those of the place seized upon him and though Peace was afterwards published yet they would not set him at liberty least if the warre should breake out againe he should interprise something against them And seeing there was some difficulty about his inlargement and that the businesse by consequence would take up a long time he would carry his wife with him and he had a great desire of my Company that I might be seen with him if he was forced to make any addresses unto the King As soone as the husband made the motion unto me I consented with a condition of my Mothers consent The good old woman gave her consent as soone as ever she understood the cause so as within two dayes after we set forward and as fortune was our lodging hapned to be directly over against the lodging of Alcidon His sicknesse was much spoken of and the King went oft to see him for he loved him very well but when he was advertised of my arrivall he shewed himselfe more desirous of his health than before For whereas he was wont to see him but once or twice in a weeke since I came he went to him every day and as he went or came backe he commonly came to my lodging As for me the same day I came I sent to Alcidon and told him by Alvian that if he was pleased I would willingly come and see him and as soone as I received his answer I went thither I found him very ill and his Chamber full of Phisitians and Chyrurgians so as at that time our talke was onely of his malady unto
upon him that he began to recover and rise out of his bed so as before I went from Avignion he was perfectly well and so contented that I should smile upon the King that he himselfe would often come with him when he came to visit me The truth is I was put to use all my art in carrying my selfe so swimingly as to perswade the King that I was quite off the hinges with Alcidon and Alcidon had much a doe to perswade him that he had no designe upon me for the King knowing what good will had been betwixt us he could not believe that he could out of respect unto him extinguish his flames unto me Also considering that Alcidon was young and hansome and at a right age for love he thought him so fit a subject for my love as he could not thinke I could quit Alcidon for him Thus did he live long in jealous suspition but the discreet carriage of Alcidon and my coldnesse towards him did make him lose that opinion and therefore thinking himself sole possessor of my affection he openly shewed his love unto me so as after my brother in law by my mediation had obtained his desires he sent for my Father and Mother to come unto him purposely as an excuse for his desires of having me near him Although they were both very old yet ambition which alwaies takes more root in the soules of old people then in young did in obedience to his commands move them to leave their homes in hopes of preferment unto greater favours Now are both become Courtiers and the King did not deceive their hopes for he loaded them with wealth and honours which yet they did not long enjoy for whether it was that their age was arrived at that term beyond which none can passe or whether it was that the Turmoiles and noise of the Court did abridge their lives yet so it was that they both dyed presently after as if they came to the Court onely to leave me in possession of it for otherwise I durst not have come but being there I stayed there under excuse of taking order about some domestique businesse which was left upon me and afterwards when the Kings affection to me was published in hopes to be his wife as he himself divulged During all this time few dayes passed without giving Alcidon an opportunity of seeing me in private and in which I did not spend two hours at the least with him which alwaies seemed short unto me when we parted He knowes very well that all this is true and that many times in testimony of my good affection to him I have put both him and my selfe in very great danger of life and honour The truth is I must needs commend both him and his discretion in this that what opportunities soever I gave him and what favours soever I shewed unto him he never offered to go beyond the limits of honesty and though I believe he thought that I would not suffer him yet I am much obliged unto him in that he never gave me any cause to repent of my kindness to him Living thus in the flow of contentment though I was in continuall feare lest the King should come to know of this good will and lest that should give him occasion to change as he had already done to the disadvantage of others I observed that there was many great Ladies who to enjoy the favour and possession of this Prince whether it was out of a desire of the Glory to command him whom so many millions obeyed or out of a spiring hopes to obtain a Crown I cannot tell but they were very assiduous in sprucing themselves up in hopes to be pleasing in the Kings eye Amongst the rest I observed two the one was called Clarinta and the other Adelonda As for Clarinta I must needs confesse I never saw a fairer nor more meritorious of love having all the amiable qualities that are desirable In the first place Envy it selfe could not find the least tittle of a defect in her face she had a hand no eye ere saw a fairer nor better proportioned her stature was tall straight and slender and the Majesty of her mind was such as if she were borne purposely to weare a Crowne as many of her Ancestors formerly had done And to make her Charmes the more inevitable the Universe had not a finer wit the rayes of which shined in all her actions but especially her speech was so infinitely charming that not to be taken with her there was no other remedy but not to see and heare her To be briefe I must confesse that were I a man I had devoted my selfe her adorer what treatment soever had I found and woman as I was I was never satisfied but when I saw her and was with her although so many perfections and merits gave me sufficient cause to hate her because of the designe which I had and the pretension which I know she had As for Adelonda truth is she was faire but not comparable to Clarinta neither in beauty nor merit and moreover being married she could not have the aspiring pretensions of the other so as though I was not troubled much to see Eurick carrasse her yet the other gave great gusts of suspition and therefore I resolved to divert the mind of the King first from her and afterwards at more leisure from Adelonda especially when I saw that he went sometimes unto her And though at the first he feigned that he did visit her not out of love but only honour yet afterwards his visits were ofter than usuall and he hid them from me as much as he could I quickly observed this my selfe besides those spies which I had continually about the Prince did presently advertise me of it After I had well consulted with my selfe upon the best remedy against this storm at last I bethought me of Alcidon thinking that if he would second me in it my designe might happily prosper And because the matter required present expedition the first time I had an opportunity of talking with him alone I used this language Alcidon I am unresolved whether or no I should impart a businesse unto you which troubles me more than I am able to expresse fearing least the affection which you beare unto me should make you take my words otherwise then I desire and yet if you doe but consider how I have lived with you for the time past and what evident testimonies I have given you of my good will I am confident you will thinke that it is onely the necessity of our affaires which constraines me to desire a thing of you which I have hitherto delayed You know how as my fortune is all that looke upon me are enviers of my happines so as I must stand upon my guard against all persons who would if they could step into my roome The affection which you have promised unto me and that which I bear unto you does strongly invite you to have
small advantage marke well Silvander what I say to know the fortunes and humours of those whose favour we desire I was the more urgent with her For I should be thereby the better instructed what will please and what will displease her Hylas said she doe you not know that I am a Prisoner unto King Gondebunt and how much my Companions and I am obliged unto him And I answering that I knew it onely by vulgar report Then answered she I shall acquaint you with those particulars which you desire and you shall heare the most lamentable Adventure that ever befell a poore woman onely I beseech you to be very silent in it and impart it unto none The History of Cryseide and Arimant FOrtune is pleased to trouble not onely Monarchies and great States but also to shew her power upon private persons to let us know that all things under heaven are under her lash the miseries I have indured and the lamentable life I have hitherto led does but too well manifest this truth as you may judg For I being but a poor silly woman yet his study is to crosse me and not to let me injoy a minute of quietnesse never since I had the judgement to disceme betwixt good and evill I am of a Country whose people are called Salasses a place confined by the golden Baltea and the Libices on the East by the Po on the South the Taurinois Centurons and Caturâ—es on the West and the Alpes on the North. This Country is very well known unto the Romans by reason of the many Gold Mines which are in it and for which the Inhabitants of the place have beene forced to revolt so often I have made this description of my Country unto you that you may the better understand what was foretold my Father when I was borne by a female Druide who came out of Gaw into this Country by the command as she said of a great God whose name was unknown unto us and I think it was by him whom you did swear Is it Tautates said I unto her The same answered she whom this woman said was a great God and all others depended upon him Now this female Fortune teller came to my Fathers house at the same time when my Mother was delivered of me And my Father seeing her look very earnestly upon me he asked her what my fortune would be It will be answered she like unto the Country where she is borne This answer was very darke But some yeares after she chanced to come againe unto the same place and my Mother being very inquisitive did presse her to explaine her former prediction To whom she answered that this woman shall have the same fortune which the Country wherein she was borne hath the Romans by reason of the Gold found there have so harrassed the people by wars as it is almost depopulated so as her abundance is the cause of her poverty even so shall this your daughter be very much troubled by reason of her beauty and merit And certainely this Druid was very knowing for I have found ever since that never was woman more crossed by fortune than my selfe as you may judge by the ensuing discourse I was born as I told you amongst the Sallases in a Town called Eporides seated between two great Hils where the golden Baltea runs my Father was called Leander and my mother Luira and though my owne praises be not hansome out of my owne mouth yet that you may the better understand the sequell of this discourse you must know that there was none in all the Country who did not yeild unto my Father in grandure in antiquity of Family in offices which he possessed or in authority which he had gotten as well by his owne merit as by the favour of Honorius and since of Vaelentinian and all those who since him ruled over Italy who advanced him unto that height that if his death had not prevented it when the Empire was in decline doubtlesse he had not only made himselfe Soveraigne Lord over the Sallases but also of the Libices of the Centrons and of the Veragrois This his death was the first blow which I received from Fortune did not resent it for want of capacity For being but nine yeares of age I knew not what it was to lose a Father and to be at the disposition of a mother who was more carefull of her selfe than her Children yet I lived very contentedly till I came to be fourteen of fifteen years old for till then Fortune did not thinke me able to feele the weight of her blows and see how subtilly she undermined me for she gilded over her bitter pils of poyson with a glosse of good knowing very well cruell one as she is that any misery that comes under the shrowd of a happinesse makes it selfe much more sensibly resented In the same Towne where I was did dwell very many Cavaliers for that Gaul which is called Cisaâ—pine is not as it is here for I have heard that here Cavaliers and men of quality doe live in the Country Amongst the rest there was one young Libicinian Gallant who certainly was as much favoured by Nature in all the graces she could bestow as was possible nor did he want any noblenesse of Ancestors nor alliance to the best Families nor any other good quality that could possibly be desired but only Riches and in that he was little beholding to his Father who was all his life more thirsty after the acquisition of Honour than Wealth little considering that the one without the other is like a bird that has good wings yet has such a clog at her foot that she cannot fly This young man did dwell in Eporides by reason of the hatred which Rhithimer bore unto his Father I suppose Hylas you have heard how this Rhithimer though a Goth by Nation yet through his valour and good conduct was made a Citizen of Rome afterward Patrician and lastly Governour of Gaul Cisalpine or indeed rather the Lord of it for his Commission was so large and his authority so absolute that he might be called Lord as well as Governour The Father of Arimant for so was the young man called had most just occasion to feare his Enemy For though otherwayes he was very well accomplished yet he had ever in him the Nature of a Goth And this was the reason why he came into this Towne that he might so much the sooner goe out of Italy in case he was forced to it either by the Centrons by the Veragrois or by the Helvetians This young Cavalier of whom I speake did accidentally see me at a marriage which was kept in the house of one of my Cozens The custom of the Country is that upon such occasion entrance is permitted unto all as freely as into Churches I say that as ill lucke was he saw me there For there he fell in love with me and this love was the scource both of
she intended to follow and because she was afraid lest the Shepherd should know her in Astreas clothes she would stay no longer upon these considerations they made a signe unto Phillis to stay with him a while lest he should follow them At parting she said unto him Remember Shepherd you follow the good advice your good Genius hath given you and take heed you do not make your self incapable of that help and assistance which he hath promised Then not staying for his answer she went away towards Astrea whom she quickly overtook And it seems that Heaven would have Astrea render the same Office unto Sylvander which formerly Celadon had done upon the like occasion unto Vrcases When Phillis was alone with Sylvander she was much moved to think what harm she had done him which indeed was much more then ever she intended Shepherd said she unto him since heaven has taken care of your conduct I hope you will find more contentment then ever yet you did but I beseech you tell me and tell me ingeniously and freely and with an assurance that you tell it unto one of your best friends and one that can keep a secret and will if it concern your good Is it true or no that you love Madonthe It is not a crime unpardonable to love a fair woman as she is There is none but does know that it was the wager which was betwixt us did give beginning unto the Love which you bore unto Diana a thing which cannot oblige you any longer then the time of the wager and the cause which gave it a being Whilst Phillis was speaking to this purpose unto Sylvander Diana though she went away before the Shepherd revived yet she saw him rise up for she was continually turning and looking back to see what would become of him And when she saw he was not dead as she once thought that he was for all her anger she could not chuse but be extreamly glad and resented as much joy as her apprehensions of his death caused sorrow Her jealousie and anger had so much power as to make her sensible of the offence which she thought was given her but not to extinguish the affection which really she had unto that Shepherd and upon this occasion she gave an apparent proof of it since seeing Astrea go away and presently after Alexis follow she was swelled with an extraordinary curiosity to hear what they two Phillis and Sylvander said and be unseen assuring her self that their discourse would be relating unto her And in order to this designe she crept behind a Bush and came time enough to hear the question which Phillis asked and the answer which the Shepherd gave which was this Phillis said he if ever the Gods did punish perjury I beseech them to punish me with the rigour of their fury if I do not give a true answer unto your question may the Druides excommunicate me from their sacrifices may they all deny me justice when I ask it may men banish me from their Society may fire and water and all the rest of the Elements be my enemies may I never thrive in any of my hopes or desires may all these curses fall upon me at once if ever I Loved any but Diana I know that this word Love is too rash and does not become me I know this declaration is too bold considering the merits of that Shepherdess and my own unworthiness but discreet Phillis seeing your compassion upon me and my misery and knowing your good will unto Diana I should think it a crime never to be forgiven if I should dissemble the truth assuring my self that I shall find you as discreet in this as I have known you upon all other occasions Shepherd answered Phillis you have reason to trust me especially in any thing that relaâ—es unto that Fair and Wise Shepherdess since the affection which I bear unto her is not equalled by any but your own and knowing her merits and your judgement I will believe all you tell me concerning your affection unto her But Shepherd you must first clear your self unto me and give me your reasons why yon were so officious and indulgent towards Madonthe You know Sylvander that Love is like a little child is offended at a small thing soon angry as soon jealous do you think those extraordinary indulgencies which you manifested unto Madonthe the tears you shed at her departure the earnest supplications you made to wait upon her into Aquitain nay to go with her almost whether she would or no do you think I say that all these circumstances coming to the knowledg of Diana are not sufficient enough to make her offended at you Ought you not to have considered that as Madonthe would not suffer you to follow her any further lest she should offend Thersander whom she loved so you ought not to have made the motion for fear of making Diana jealous whom you loved Could you hope for any better looks from her at your return then now you have For my part I think she has obliged you in treating you thus and no otherwise for if she had you might have thought her to be in a state of a cold indifferency towards you which is a most certain sign of small good will Whilst Phillis talked thus Diana who lost not a sillable of what she said did so approve of it that if any had seen her they might easily have known her disease For when Phillis talked upon those points which touched her most she made such actions with her head her hands and every part of her body as plainly shewed what she so much desired to conceal but when Sylvander began to speak she was immoveable her eyes fixed upon him and her mouth half open and ready to convince him of a lye upon the first excuse he should make Being then thus prepared she heard him say thus Discreet and Wise Shepherdess I beseech Heaven to furnish me with a good occasion and opportunity to requite this compassion which you shew upon a poor afflicted and innocent Shepherd as innocent and as much afflicted as any that lives upon the face of the whole universe you accuse me Shepherdess of a crime unto which I am so far from being accessary much less guilty as I am constrained most earnestly to beseech you that you would be pleased to tell me more cleerly and plainly the sault wherewith you charge me that I may answer unto it which such candid ingenuity and truth as becomes me Diana who heard him see the crafty man said she to her self he knows not what to answer and he would have her make a repetition that he may invent an excuse in the mean time and then she heard Phillis reply unto him thus Confess freely your fault Sylvander here is none to hear or observe your actions or if they do none that will tell Diana I do believe also that she who acquainted her with these things did not think
guide them and entertain his own sad thoughts When they were come to the house and Cloridamantes understood that they were persons who demanded reparation of some injury which had been done he came into the great Hall where he was wont to do Justice unto such as demanded it and there entred not only all those whom Sylvander brought but also many others who followed them only out of curiosity Cloridamantes was no sooner entred into the Hall and seated upon his Tribunal but an old Pastor holding his wife almost of the same age by the hand began to speak thus unto him Most Reverend and most Just Father you see here before your Tribunal a Father and a Mother extreamly grieved and offended by a new way of Proceeding and by injuries committed against them and their only Daughter all who come to demand Justice of you we have brought before you the offences the offenders and the witnesses that when the matter is heard equity and right may be done according to your custom and wicked offenders punished according to their merits The Druide then with such a gravity as became a Judge assured them that the Scale of Justice should be held even betwixt both parties offences should be punished and right should be done unto them all and to the end continued he a more sound and just judgment may be given make choice of one amongst you who is not interested in the business who may let us understand your difference and afterwards let each party alledg what they can for themselves Then the old Pastor turning himself towards those who came with him to see who amongst them was without interest and knew all the particulars of the difference all the company cast their eyes upon a Shepherdess who came with them and because doubt was made whether being a woman the Druide would admit of her yes yes said Cloridamantes truth is as good from the mouth of that woman as from any other provided the parties interested do acknowledg what she says and therefore if you think her able to inform us of the whole matter we will admit of her for the innocency of her age and sex will be a strong argument and testimony of the truth By the command therefore of the Druide and by the election of all parties this woman began thus The History of Silvanire SInce it hath pleased you most Reverend Father that I should relate unto you the cause of our coming before you I shall do it with as much truth as possibly I can or you can desire and since you think a Person un-interested is required to be the Relator I cannot altogether say that I am such a one for I am a friend unto the parties who are most offended and besides I am concerned in the general injury that is done unto all the Shepherdesses of this Country but withall I must tell you that what interest soever I have my humour is not to lie especially in this occasion wherein is concerned the life and honour of those whereof I am to speak and since there is not a Shepherd nor a Shepherdess in all the company but can relate all the particulars better then my self I shall faithfully relate all I know for from my infancy I have been brought up with the young and Fair Silvanire said she and pointed to a young Shepherdess which stood between an old Pastor and a Shepherdess of the same age and therefore I have been a witness to all the passages of that Love from the beginning until now which is the cause of our now coming before you so that if you would know every circumstance which relates unto that business none can give you so exact account as my self After therefore a most solemn-protestation to speak the truth I shall tell you Reverend Father that neer this place on the other side of the River of Lignon at the foot of that high and great Mountain which is called Mount Luna is seated that Village where we inhabit and amongst us is a very venerable Pastor whose name is Menander said she and pointed to him one that is held of the best rank and reputation both for his estate and for his wisdom This sage Pastor being joyned in marriage many years with Lerice that wise and discreet Shepherdess whom you see next unto him they never had any testimony of their mutual affection but only that Fair and young Shepherdess whom I named before and who stands now betwixt them As soon as it pleased Heaven to bestow her upon them all their care was to see her educated in all those virtues which beget esteem and nature whilst her Parents were careful in the cultivating of her mind did imbellish her body with as many graces and beauties as she was able to bestow were she not in presence I should praise her more but so it is that in the spring of her age she grew unto that height of perfections that she attracted all eyes upon her and swelled them with admiration at her beauty One of Menanders next neighbours and perhaps also one of his best friends was that Reverend old man whom you see upon the other side of him whose name is Arion a Pastor without reproach and whose Ancestors have long with great integrity governed the small business of our Village But I must tell you and I hope he will not be angry with me for saying it that his Father was studious to leave him more honour then estate so that though he was well to live yet perhaps not so rich as some of his neighbours Some two or three years before Silvanire was born Arion had that young Shepherd to his Son who stands next him and whose name is Aglantes whom he educated in all commendable qualities The friendship and good correspondency of the Fathers the neerness of their dwelling the beauty of Silvanire and the inclination or rather the destiny of Aglantes made it a thing impossible for this young Shepherd to see her and not devote himself wholly unto her and he courted her with a design so innocent and harmless that none could but think very well of it Silvanire on the other side seeing her self served with so much submission not knowing yet what Love was did entertain this Shepherd with such a childish sincerity and good will that neither her Father nor Mother seemed to dis-approve of it when Aglantes attained to the age of twelve or thirteen years and Silvanire unto nine or ten they always played in the fields together and seldom were they seen asunder and when they returned home Menander and Lerice did make so much of the little Aglantes that he was more at their house then at his Fathers All those that observed their actions and behaviour did admire them the extraordinary indulgence and continual care of this young Shepherd in courting this Shepherdess and her sweet modesty in intertaining him was very strange If the Sheep of this young Shepherdess did at any time