some ill design as of late she began to think he was apt to do Galathea was no sooner come to the house of Adamas but the Messenger from Polemas came also and delivered the message of his Master very bluntly unto her but she not being able to hide the displeasure which she had conceived against him answered him very sharply Go and tell your Master said she that I am very much displeased with those that belong unto him and if he do not take some better order I shall be very angry with him In the mean time Damon was got into bed and when the Chyrurgions searched his wounds they found them to be more painful then dangerous For though he was run through the Thigh in two or three several places yet as happy luck was no Nerve nor Vein was hurt which joyed Madonthe beyond all expressions The Chyrurgions knowing that the contentment of the mind was highly conducible to the cure of the body they intreated Madonthe not to stir from him and because she was desirous he should know all her adventures since she came out of Aquitane she did not only answer unto all his questions but related all the plots and subtilties of Leriana which she had contrived to the advantage of Thersander But when she came to rehearse the grief which she conceived at his death when Halladine brought the Handkerchief full of blood unto Leriana and Thersanders Ring unto her she was not able to refrain from tears then she related the horrours of that ignominious death which she was to dye and the unlookt for relief which she received from the Knight of the Tiger And his departing unknown continued she was the cause of my resolution to seek him out But cruel Damon said she for I must give you that Title how could you find a heart to go away and never tell me who you were Why should you after you had given life to my body ravish away the life of my soul Why would you not let me know you were alive Oh Damon how many sad sighes sorrows and tears had you spared me if you had Afterward she related unto him her resolution of seeking out this unknown Knight whom she was in quest of though she knew no reason why she should be so earnest after him But the all-wise providence of Heaven would have it so that I might find Damon under the name of another The truth is continued she I had a far fetched conceipt that I should find him thus or else I should never find him and you see how happily God brings all things about Thersander was the first cause of our separation and Thersander is the last cause of our conjunction how faithfully has he waited upon me and kept himself within the limits of a respectful distance maugre all the falacies and false hopes that Leriana had insused into him by which the best advised man might well have been deluded Upon this she acquainted him how her Nurse dyed at Mount Dor how she met with Laonice Hylas and Tirsis and how the Oracle caused her to come into this Country where she had spent her time in the Company of Astrea Diana Phillis and other Shepherdesses of Lignon from whom she departed that morning with a design of returning into Aquitane and there spend the rest of her days amongst the Vestals and Druides Daughters To be brief she omitted nothing but made a most faithful relation of every passage unto Damon who hearkned unto it with so much joy and contentment as he knew not which way to be thankful enough unto his good Fortune for this favour and after a while of ravishment in this contemplation he said unto her I shall Madam another time give you an exact relation of my life since I had the happiness of seeing you last but at this time the Chyrurgions forbid me speaking and therefore I will not use any long discourse only let me tell you that I hope our future Fortunes will be better then they have been For the Oracle which I consulted with at Mount Verdun assured me that I should be restored from death to life by that man whom I most hated and contemned And see how this poor Cavalier brought you hither where I find you For the Truth is I might most rightly be said to be dead when I was deprived of you and alive again in the happiness of being with you when I do consider the passage I cannot chuse but admire at the wise providence of the Great Gods who has ordered Thersander to give me a double life the life of my body by that relief which he brought me and the life of my soul in conducting you Madam unto the place where I was There is only one doubt in the Oracle which I do scruple at The Oracle AND thou O perfect Lover when Thou hear'st a Diamond speak Oh! then From Death to Life thou shalt return By help of him whom thou didst scorn I see said he that all is most perfectly accomplished except this hearing a Diamond speak unless the Oracle will have me to take you Madam for a Diamond in constancy and excellency of amity Adamas hearkned unto this Discourse very attentively Sir said he and smiled if I had been known unto you the obscurity of this Oracle would vanish for my name is Adamas which singifies in the Roman Language a Diamond so as this Oracle let you know that as soon as you hear me this accident shall befall you and so indeed it did For at the very same time that Alcidon Daphnide and I came unto the place where you were you met with Madonthe I must confess said Damon the Oracle is fully cleered and I am most humbly thankful unto that Deity which ordained me this happiness when I least expected it But Reverend Father continued he and looked about the Chamber I heard you name two persons whom I infinitely esteem and should think my self very happy to see in this place Then Alcidon stepped to him and imbracing him said yes Damon Daphnide and Alcidon are here and are conducted unto this Country of wonders by the same Love which brought you into it At the same time Daphnide came unto him and saluting him said yes yes Damon Madonthe can tell you that Daphnide is also here and presents her self unto you under the notion of one of your best Friends Damon being surprised to see this Cavalier and this Lady thus clad in the habit of Shepherds he knew not at first whether he was asleep or awake but afterwards touching them and hearing them speak he embraced them and cryed out O Alcidon I must needs confess with you that this Country is a Country of Wonders but they are wonders full of joy and happiness greater then ever I could hope to see Whilst Daphnide and Alcidon were saluting Madonthe and they were all rejoycing together at their happy meeting news was brought unto Adamas that the Nymph Amasis was entred into the Court
matter of it onely advlsed him to keep his bed that day by reason of the losse of blood Galathea desiring to offer the sacrifice which she resolved upon before she went from the place she sent to provide bulls and other things necessary against the next morning Also she resolved to enquire of the Oracle and the Cavalier beseeched her that he might consult with the Oracle also and joyn their sacrifices together She was pleased to gratifie him so far as to permit him although it was not altogether the custome In the mean time they sent out every way to enquire of their Coaches and the servant of the unknowne Cavalier After they had dined and every one expected to heare some newes of those that were thus scattered Galathea sitting on the Cavaliers bed-side and seeing all silent in the Chamber she said unto him Although sir we are much obliged to you for the Combate you undertook against the insolent Arganteus yet you are in one thing obliged unto us for when we entreated you to pull up your Helmet and tell us your Name and what fortune brought you into this Country you were pleased to satisfie us in letting us see your face but the coming of the sage Cleontine hindred you from answering the other part of our desires but since we have seen your face it does the more inflame our desires of knowing unto whom we are so much obliged and what was the cause of your coming hither And all this that we may the better serve you in any way we are able Now is the time convenient there is no feare of any prejudice to your wound and therefore we hope that you will satisfie our desires Madam answered the Cavalier and smiled Does the demanding of a thing make it a debt Sir replyed the Nymph It is the peculiar priviledge of Ladies in this Country and you know that every one is obliged to the observation of the Lawes belonging unto that Country wherein he is 'T is true Madam said he but my greatest difficulty is not without reason That I cannot imagine you should take any delight in hearing the disasterous fortune of the most miserable Cavalier that lives if it be living to consume his life amongst all the misfortunes and miseries that a man can possibly meet wiâ—hal Let not this be any difficulty said Galathea to him since in acquainting us with your misfortunes we are desirous to serve you and may help you Madam said he If my misfortunes be contageous we had abundance of reason to fear them No no Sir replyed she let every one beare their owne burthen and I am sure there is none in all the company but thinkes their own the greatest open therefore your wound unto us sometimes one may meet with another who is able to give unexpected remedy It is not the hopes of any Remedy replyed he which will move me to shew mine for I know there is none but death But it is onely Madam to obey you and satisfie the curiosity of these Ladies Then raising himself up a a little in his bed he began thus The Sequell of the History of Damon and Madonthe I Should thinke that I had great reason to complain against my sad fate which hath so incessantly pursued me ever since I was bome at least ever lince I knew my selfe if I did not consider that those who complaine and murmur are sinners against the great Tautates as if we were not all his and would not suffer him to have the free disposition of his owne and all that is in the Universe This consideration has often tyed my tongue when extremity of sorrowes would have moved me to murmuâ— against my Fortune yet if in the violence of my paine it be permitted to let go some sad sighes wonder not Madam I beseech you if in the sequell of this discourse you observe me sending forth some sad sighes at the memory of so many misfortunes And beleeve that if it were not your expresse command I should not relate my miserable life the memory whereof cannot chuse but make my wounds bleed afresh Be pleased to know then Madam that my Country is Aquitane I was educated by King Thorismond one of the greatest Princes that ever reigned over the Visigots A Prince so good and just that he got the peoples love as much as if they were Visigots This King raised his Court unto a higher pitch of glory than any other neighbouring Kings both by his arms and the civility of those that were about his Person We were a jolly company of young boyes brought up under him with as much care and indulgency as if we had beene his owne Of this Volley was Alcidon Cleomer Celâ—das and many others who all became very brave and gallant Cavaliers it was my fate to be brought up amongst them and I may say that this education was the onely peece of good fortune that ever I had My Father whose name was Beliantes and who by his vertue was raised unto great Authority about Thierry he left me an Orphan in my cradle there begining the fortune which ever since hath pursued me For not being willing I should ever arrive unto that credit which my Father had gotten she deprived me of it when I was sucking my Mothers brest and presently after tooke away my mother also and made me mourn in my cradle At my coming out of my infancy I cast my eyes upon a faire Lady whose name I desire to conceale as well as my owne because I would not discover all my misery Nay nay said Galathea we must needs know both her name and yours also for there is nothing you can tell us which we more desire Then said he my name is Damon and hers Madonthe How replyed the Nymph presently Damon who served Madonthe Daughter unto the great Captaine of Aquitane whose name was Amorant and killed in the Battle of Attila upon the body of the valiant King Thyerry and whom Leontidas would have married to his Nephew Are you that Damon who out of jealousie fought with Thersander a little before the death of Thorismond I am the very same Damon of whom you speake replyed he that is the most unfortunate Cavalier that lives or ever did live You doe infinitely astonish me said she for every one beleeves you to be long since dead and that you sent your servant with a Hankercher full of your blood unto your Mistresse or rather unto the wicked Leriana as a testimony of your death T is true replyed the Cavalier with a deep sigh but fortune intending to persecute me more yet would not let me go so good a way Truly said the Nymph many are deceived for the opinion of your death is spread all the Country over and nothing is thought more certaine I do remember that when the newes of your death came hither and relation was made of your Love of your Jealousie and of your death many did pitty you not only because you were
by my beds side and looking a while upon me he began thus to speak My Son since the great God hath made his love unto you evidently appeare by sending you such unexpected Assistance you are the more obliged unto thâ—nkes for so great a mercy and favour and to be obedient unto whatsoever he commandâ— For as the acknowledgement of favours received from him does invite his hand unto more liberality so ingratitude provokes him to slack his mercies and in lieu thereof to chastise Take good heed of this my Son and let us see how you will expresse your thankes by your words and with what demonstrations you will acknowledge the particular Cure which hath been over you upon this he was silent to see what I would answer This good old man had a very venerable and grave aspect a pleasing look a sweet Physiognomy and so mild a voyce as it seemed as if some God had spoken by his mouth But yet my amazement was so great as it was long before I returned him an answer He fearing that it was my weaknesse or the pain of my wounds which hindred me Son said he if your paine and weaknesse will not permit you to answer yet make a sign in testimony of your desire and God will so well accept it as he will give you further strength Then recollecting my spirits I forced my selfe to answer him with a feeble voyce in these words Father it is not the wounds of my body hath brought me into this condition wherein you see me but it is the wounds of my soul which expecting no other cure or remedies but such as death useth to give unto those that are miserable made me look for an end of my life from a River which it seems is so pittilesse as she will not not afford me that help which she never denyes unto others These things are still in my memory but I cannot tell how I came out of that River wherein I threw my selfe nor how I came into this place and in your presence Son replyed the Druid I perceive your crime and the favour of Tautates are greater then I did imagine them For I had an opinion that some of your enemies had thus used you and that the great God had saved and delivered you out of their hands but for ought I see you would have procured your own death a sin so great execrable both unto God man as his mercy is infinitely abundant in not chastising you in his anger Fratricide Patricide are â—innes of a very high strain because they are neere unto us How monstrous then is the murther of our selves since none can be so neer us as our selves are Madam should I relate all his instructions I should be too long and he would have continued longer if he had not been prevented by the Fishermen who came into the Chamber and brought with them a man tyed with cords so as at the first I did not know him as well because my mind was distracted another way as because he looked with a strange affrighted looke and his habit had so disguised him as he was much changed As soone as ever he saw me he would have falne upon his knees but he could not because he was bound At last looking more earnestly upon him and hearing him say Aâ— my Master my Master I knew him to be Halladine my Servant You may imagine Madam whether I was amazed to see him in that condition for I could remember how I pulled him into the water and thought he had been drowned but I was much more amazed when I heard one of the Fishermen addresse unto the Druid assure him that this was the man who had brought me into the condition I was and that he was not content with what he had done but he was looking about for the corps that he might hide it and his wicked act together The good old man would have spoke when I interrupted and told him No no my friends you are mistaken he is innocent he is my Servant and the most faithfull Servant I ever had set him at liberty I intreat you and let me imbrace him once more The poore men wondered to see me hug him so affectionately and he falling downe upon his knees at my bed side with eyes showring tears he was so transported with joy that he could not speake But when he was unbound I embraced him as tenderly as if he had been my borther I was extreamly desirous to know whether he had delivered my message as I commanded him and how he came to be brought thus unto me but I durst not aske him least I should discover what I desired to keepe secret The Druid who was discreet and wise did perceive as much For presently upon it seeming as if he would go and enquire the manner of their meeting with this Servant he went out of the Cell and carryed with him all but us two My curiosity would not suffer me to be any longer without asking him whether he had seene Madonthe what she and Lerianâ— had said and done and how he fell into the hands of these men He answered me a farre off that he had accomplished my commands and failed in nothing that all those who heard of my death did extreamly lament me that had he thought to have found me alive he would have brought me an answer unto my letter but being desirous to doe me the last service he could he came to looke for my corps along the River side that he might give it buriall intending afterwards to retire himselfe from that Country and all habitable places And this morning going along the River side he met these Fishermen of whom he enquired for what he sought And they after they had looked upon him and whispered a while together they fell upon him and bound him as I saw he was thinking it was he who had treated me in that manner that doe all they could he would not tell my name nor give them any light by which they might know whom I was But Sir said he I beseech you by what good fortune came you hither and what good God was it that restored you unto life againe Then joyning his hands together and lifted up his teare swelled eyes to Heaven for ever happy may he be said he that did this good worke Halladine my Friend said I unto him I thanke thee heartily for thy good will and I am very glad thou hast not revealed my name for I would not have any know me to be alive And as to thy question how I came hither you must enquire of some body else than me for I am as ignorant as thou art And yet let me tell thee that though Heaven has preserved my life against my will I cannot chuse but thank it since I can by thee heare of Madonthe Madonthe whom I beseech the Heavens to preserve and unto whom I wish all happinesse and contentment Oh Heavens said Halladine
I could not depart without advertising Arimant I commanded Clarina to let him know it and give unto him the Book which was accustomed to passe betwixt us and in it was this Letter Cryseide's Letter unto Arimant THey are hurrying me away from hence I should have said from you had you not been alwaies in my heart and had not my affection been such as it is impossible I should live and not be near you However change places we must though I know not into what part of the world but let it be the best in the world it will be but a place of torment to me if I doe not see you in it When I know where it is I shall advertise you to the end that if it be possible you may be there in person where you shall be alwayes in my thoughts Arimant read this Letter with abundance of dissatisfaction my going away vexed him to the very soule and much more when he heard from one that was my mothers kinsman how I was to go unto the wife of Rithimer because then he thought that his Father would not suffer him to go thither by reason of the enmity betwixt Rithimer and him But he writ this Letter presently back and gave the Book unto Clarina Arimants Letter unto Cryseide IF this be not the most hard piece of fortune that ever could befall I know not what can deserve the name I understand you are to go unto Rithimer the only place in the world which is forbidden me But however since it is your command I will ere long be there and make it appeare unto you that my affection is greater then all impediment that can oppose it I received this Letter as we were taking Coach to begin our journey so as I could not read it because I had not time to look it out it being mingled amongst many others in the Book which was no small displeasure unto me Arimant on the other side knowing I was to depart that day met us upon the way as if accidentally with two Cavaliers his friends whom he had not acquainted with his affection unto me and who yet were not altogether ignorant of it and who upon this occasion being very familiar with my Mother as soon as they met the Coach they saluted us and enquired of her voyage She who now did not care who knew it did freely tell them and began to talk of Rithimers Grandure of the power her Cousen had with him and of the hopes she had of doing great matters for me In the meane time Arimant had got himselfe on my side but in such a sad and afflicted posture as he moved me to pitty him and was so transported out of himselfe as he began to rove and talke very idlely and yet to augment our misery for feare of making known the good correspondency betwixt us he durst not addresse his speech unto me though his eyes were never off me those who heard him and did not know the cause which thus distracted his mind they began to laugh at his ridiculous language I who confidered that sometimes to be over subtle spoiles all I thought it expedient to speake unto him as a person indifferent and therefore I asked him from whence this great sorrow proceeded which caused every one to take notice of it I doe assure you said he and sighed it proceeds from nothing but envy I did not thinke answered I that a person of your merit could envy any one but of whom and why are you envious I envy your Coach said he unto me that is going towards the Iâ—bices and because I may not go with you although it be my Country Why replyed I are you such a lover of your Country as you should envy things that are insensible What should I doe said he since such insensibles are more happy than I am Heaven I hope said I is better unto you than so This is the consolation answered he which is given unto those who are miserable yet I assure you any better shall never be desired by me but rather the contrary Those who are sicke said I doe the like they thinke all medicines bitter and such Physicke is commonly given unto them as is contrary to their desires though conducing to their health Great is the difference said he betwixt the diseases of the body and diseases of the mind For those of the body are cured by contraries but those of the mind by the possession of that thing which causes the disease If ambition wound us is there any better cure than to arrive at the thing aspired unto If beauty offend us will any thing so quickly ture as the injoyment of that beauty And therefore they say that desires satisfied doe coole at the very first afterwards are quite glutted so as to the maladies of the mind must be applyed such remedies as have the qualitie of the Scorpion which can cure the wound it makes It is long since you were in your owne Country said Clarina and what makes you thinke upon it so freshly now Your journey said he and sighed brings it fresh into my memory Those who heard our discourse did not understand it though if my Mother had not been diverted by the questions of those two Cavaliers doubtlesse she would have smelt out something but she seeing us thus talking she would not suffer them to goe any farther with us although they told her their way did lye that way but she was so urgent with them that they were constrained to leave us Now did I find that to part from a person loved might well be called a death both by my owne resentments and by Arimants for he looked as pale as death it selfe and was so out of himselfe that he could not bid adieu unto me or any in the company which my Mother interpreted to be incivility and perhaps on purpose though she beleeved the contrary as for me I knew the cause finding in my selfe the sorrowes of this cruel separation I cannot at this time tell you Hylas how sadly both Arimant and I resented it onely this that both fell sicke and Arimant much worse than I for mine was only a certaine languishment and drooping of spirits which many feared would in a little time bring me into a Consumption But his disease was so violent as none looked for any life every one came to see him dye he himselfe was of the same beliefe but having a desire to take his leave before he left his life he forced himselfe to write these linâ—t unto me Arimants Letter unto Chryseide FOrtune seemes to be weary of tormenting and will put an end unto my paines out of which I beseech you Madam give me leave to go I beg thus with that affection which brings me to my grave and which shall never Iessen whatsoever becomes of my ashes This Letter so short and so ill written together with the common report of his sicke estate was a very death unto me And
will which I wished unto you and from hence proceeds all those incivilities and discourtesies which you have erceived from me But now since the Gods who are all goodness and wisdom have by my death untied those knots which tyed my tongue as since those who have the power over me do give me leave Know friend that never was any greater affection conceived in the heart of any human then the affection which Silvanire does bear unto you And that I may be cleerly purged from that ingratitude wherewith I might be charged give me a little farther leave Oh my most dear Parents which they permitting and she thanking them she hasted to utter these words Alas said she I can do no more Then holding out her hand unto the Shepherd she said unto him here Aglantes â—ake my hand and my heart in assurance that though I cannot live the Wife of Aglantes yet I will die the Wife of Aglantes and as the last favour I shall ever ask or you give O most honoured Parents I beseech you consent unto it The Father who had another design would not have been so forward if he had thought she would have lived but thinking her even dead he thought it good to let her die contentedly and indeed he had no sooner consented but she turning her head gently towards her Shepherd Oh Gods said she I die but Aglantes I die thine Upon this word she grew speechless and lay as dead in the arms of Menander and Lerice To relate here all the lamentations and cryes of the Father and Mother and principally of Aglantes I conceive it not pertinent for it will easily be imagined they were extream but so it was that they were forced to take them oft her even by plain force and carry them away for grief did enrage Aglantes to remove the occasion of so much sorrow they intended to bury her out of hand without any Pomp or Solemnity and had according to the custom embalmed her had not Alciron prevented them who told them that it was not humane to bury people especially of her quality before they were quite dead at the least quite cold so as upon this they left her without pulling off her clothes in this sad condition Tirintes on the other side he was in raging quest of Alciron that he might open his brest and pull out his heart and so â—e revenged for the wrong he had done him and afterwards with the same sword sacrifice himself upon the Tomb of this Fair One. And doubtless if he had met him he had done so though he was the greatest friend he had but the Prudent Alciron he went to him in bed because he feared the anger which Tirintes might conceive against him At the first when Tirintes saw him enter he roused out of bed to run upon him but Alciron holding the door half open half shut Tirintes said he unto him can you possibly imagine that he who loves you the best of all the world should ever deprive you of that which you hold most dear And yet cruel Tyger said Tirintes and interrupted him the Fair Silvanire is dead Silvanire replied Alciron is alive and I will die the most cruel death your rage can invent if I do not put her into your hands alive and well within this hour if you will let me go where she is Tirintes all amazed at this is not Silvanire dead said he and did not you cause her to be let in the room by her self It is true answered Alciron and smiled but she is left there for you Oh good Gods Alciron said Tirintes Silvanire to be dead and to be for me are two things that cannot hold together I confess replied Alciron that they cannot but to be alive and be yours may Surely said Tirintes you do deceive me why should I deceive you said Alciron or indeed how can I when I offer if you will go with me to put her into your hands alive and well the same hour And if it were otherwise why should I come unto you You see I do not shun you nor fear meeting with you Come come set your mind at rest dress your self and come with me and you shall presently see what I say punctually performed But prethee tell me said Tirintes and shrugged his shoulders can you fetch souls back after they be once wasted over the Stigian Lake Will Charon suffer that No no I cannot answered Alciron but Tirintes know most assuredly that Silvanire is not dead but by a secret virtue of nature which is in that glass which you had of me she is so stupified that every one thinks her so Oh Heavens cryed out Tirintes what wonders do you tell me I tell you nothing but truth replied Alciron and to satisfie your wonder and perplexity know Tirintes that the glass is made of a Stone called the Memphitique Stone which has a virtue to stupifie the senses so extreamly that as soon as it is touched by the eye it presently takes away the understanding And unto this Stone is added some of the bones of a Fish which is called the Torpedo extracted by such art and concocted together that as the Torpedo benums the arm of the Fisher when it touches the hook that is fastned to the line so also as soon as the eyes are touched by this glass they receive a poyson so subtile that first seising upon the brain it dilates a general stupifaction all over the body as every one would think it dead Now Tirintes judge whether I have not reason to complain against you who ever found my extream affection flowing towards you and yet can think I would offer such a mortal displeasure what advantage could you imagine I could draw from the death of this woman If it be so said Tirintes and went neerer him you were to blame Shepherd in that you did not acquaint me with it By that replied Alciron you may better know that I do love you for did I not know Shepherd that thou neither wouldest nor couldest live after thou wert deprived of Silvanire and couldest thou hope ever that thy services or thy merits could gain her I know that having but that only remedy thou wouldst never have used it if I had acquainted thee with all the effects of it consider seriously with your self and answer me should I have told you that as soon as ever Silvanire did look in the glass she would fall into such extremity of pain as she would fall down like dead and being so judged by all that see her they will embowel her and put her into her grave answer me I say Tirintes durst you have executed such an enterprise upon her No no I know what power a person that loves hath to make any such attempts upon the party Loved Tirintes hearing this and knowing that Silvanire was not dead he held out his arms and went to embrace Alciron with such abundance of contentment that he was almost speechless but recovering himself
still love me said Alexis since my body would be still my body and my mind and soul still the same Alas Mistris answered the Shepherdess what would you have me say This is all I am able to say that it shall never be said Astrea did love two Shepherds I beseech you dear Mistris no more of this discourse for though I know that such a change cannot be yet the very imagination of such a thing does freeze my blood to Ice and indeed she did begin to look very pale in the face Which Alexis seeing and thinking it not good to drive the nail to the head she said thus unto her Well servant said she I will not talk any longer upon this subject upon condition you will tell me what you dreamed this morning when you waked with all my heart answered Astrea if I can but remember it but Mistris continued she why do you desire it Because answered the Druide as you were betwixt sleep and waking I heard you say as you turned towards me in a pitifully complaining voice ah Celadon Mistris said Astrea by that word you put me in memory of part of my dream which otherwise I should have forgotten I dream't that I was in a grove so thick with trees bryers and rushes that I tore all my clothes and the obscurity of the place did hinder me from seeing which way I should passe at last after much strugling and long labour in vain to get out of this place me thought I saw one whom I did not know by reason of the darkness coming towards me and said holding her hand before her face that if I would follow her she would help me out of that thorny Labyrinth wherein I was After I was helped out me thought I thanked her for her assistance and went following her and followed her until both of us were so wildered that neither of us could get out of the Wood At last me-thought that some one coming betwixt my guide and me to part us she grasped my hand so close and I clung so close unto her that the other was forced to use all the strength he had to part us and at last he pulled off the hand of her that guided me At the same time me-thought I saw a little light and therefore desiring to look upon the hand which remained in mine I found it to be a heart which panted until he who had severed me from my guide returned with a great knife in his hand and do what I could did give the heart such a blow that it made me all bloody The horrour of this did make me throw it away upon the ground which I had no sooner done but I saw that the heart was turned into Celadon which put me into such a fright that it caused me to cry out as you heard me and then I waked This dream replied Alexis does certainly signifie somthing for though most of them be false and only impressions of things precedent which we have either seen or heard and somtimes are only vapours arising from a surcharged stomack or else from the complexion and according to the good or bad constitution of the Body yet this has none of those qualities which dreams use to have for they are full of non-sense and have neither head nor feet but this is a composed story and holds a correspondency in all parts also it was in the morning when vapours from the stomack could work no effects so as if you please I can give you the interpretation of it I should think my self much obliged said Astrea if you would be pleased to take the pains This Wood so full of thorns and obscurity said Alexis wherein you were and out of which you were so out of all hopes to get out is the troubles and perplexities wherein you are she who appeared and offered her self as a guide through this labyrinth represents my self He which would sever us is that I shall be constrained to return unto Carnutes by Adamas we must both resist as much as we can at the last they will part us but I shall leave my heart with you which you shall take in lieu of Celadons and in the knowledge of this you shall live more contentedly then ever you did Ah Mistris said Astrea I like well the interpretation of my dream but for that sad separation and that indeed I cannot suffer nor me thinks should you Does it not grieve you to part from such a servant as loves you with so much passionate affection as she thinks the time of parting to be the time of her death As she uttered these words tears trickled down her fair checks and because Alexis looked upon her and spake not she continued Ah Mistris Mistris will you not afford me one word of comfort Is it possible you should ever consent unto any separation Judge you replied Alexis whether I consent unto it or no since your dream tells me that I am to leave my heart with you and do you think I would not be where it is Oh Mistris replied the Shepherdess this is not enough to give me satisfaction but swear unto me you will not by that thing which will most inviolably oblige you unto it Then it shall be replied Alexis by the affection which I do bear unto the fair Astrea Be it by what it will said Astrea so it be by an oath inviolable Swear unto me dearest Mistris that you will never forsake me and in retaliation I will swear unto you by the soul of that person whom I loved most and by my affection unto you and also by all that is sacred that neither any opposition of parents consideration of estate or any other respect whatsoever that can be imagined shall ever be able to separate me from my dearest Mistris whom I do embrace said she and took her in her arms and will never let her go out of my arms until she has made this oath Alexis then embracing her also Servant said she I do swear unto you by the affection which I bear unto you which is all I have I swear unto you by Ifesas Bellinus Tharamis the great Tautates and I swear by your self Astrea without whom I pray heaven I may never be happy That neither the authority of a Father nor the obedience I owe unto my Superiours nor any thing under the cope of heaven shall ever separate me from fair Astrea Upon this kissing each other to the extream contentment of Alexis and incredible satisfaction of Astrea they parted nor till they heard one open the door of the chamber and then lest they should be seen Alexis sate down in her seat and Astrea continued in bed Then Diana and Phillis entred and Phillis in a joyful manner cryed victory victory we have got the victory here is this incensed woman pointing at Diana here she is that confesseth all she said and all she did was wrong Sister said Diana soft and fair you go a little too fast