the Fountain I return'd In hopes to find Amintas there I found him not and fear he 's gone To end his troubles with his Life Chorus Tho Lovers often talk of death Few of them practice what they talk Thyr. I wish he may be one of those Chorus He will you may be sure he will Thyr. I 'll go to Sage Elpinus Bow'r There if he lives perhaps he 's gone Elpinus Pipe has often sooth'd his griefs Compos'd his thoughts and gave him rest Rocks listen to the Shepherds heavenly Songs Ev'n Mountains by his Musick charm'd Have danc'd and Rivers flow'd with Milk Honey from Briars have distill'd And dying Lovers been with pleasure fill'd ACT III. SCENE II. Amintas Daphne Nerina Amin. OH Pityless pity cruel friend To snatch away my Dart with which I might have ended all my woes The longer I retard my death 'T will be the sharper when it comes Ah! Daphne why wouldst thou perswade A wretch to live in misery But all thy reasons are too weak The hopes that thou wouldst give me vain Why wouldst thou flatter me from death Since 't is my interest to dye Daph. Despair no more for if I know Sylvia's mind 't was more her shame Than fear or scorn that made her fly Amin. There 's safety in despair but hope Would quickly ruin me I fee You only would be specious hopes Prevent my death a while for what Ah! can there be a torment worse Than Life to such a wretch as me Daph. Live wretched as thou thinkst thy self And under all thy pains support Thy heart that after so much woe Thou mayst tho late o'recome 'em and be blest Let this encourage thee to hope Think on the Beauties thou hast seen And as thou justly mayst expect That all those treasures will be thine Amin. Fortune and Love did only shew Those Beauties to me that my Eyes Might see the riches I 'm deny'd Ner. Why like the Raven must I be The omen of bad news Ah poor Montano how wilt thou survive Thy Daughters loss thy Sylvia's death The death of one thou lov'dst so well No more a Father now at least Without a Child Daph. I hear the voice Of one that talks of death Amin. I hear My Sylvia nam'd it strikes my heart Who calls on Sylvia Daph. Ha Nerina ' So dear to Cynthia so fair ' Her face so white her hands ' Her mien so soft so full of grace ' That she 's the glory of our Woods Nerina 'T is necessary thou shouldst know thy loss Montano that thou mayst procure The miserable relicts of thy Child Oh Sylvia oh unhappy Maid Amint. Ha! what of Sylvia speak Nerina Oh Daphne Daph. What wouldst thou have of Daphne say Why dost thou mourn and call on Sylvia Nerina I 've cause to mourn the fatal things Which have been to day will make You him and every body mourn Amin. What things Ah tell me all my heart Chills at thy words Speak does she live Daph. Tell us what fatal things are done Nerina Why have I liv'd oh Heaven to be The messenger of these sad tydings Sylvia came naked to our house You know perhaps the fatal cause Where being cloath'd she fain would go And forc'd me with he to the Chace We went and in the Forest found The Nymphs who by appointment met Were ready to begin the sport When from the Thicket I perceiv'd A Wolf of monstrous size rush forth Licking his bloody Lips whose foam Reeking and Crimson made us shake with fear But Sylvia from her Quiver took An Arrow put it to the Bow I gave her which she nimbly bent And taking at the Beast just aim She shot him near the Head the Wolf enrag'd Fled to the Thicket Sylvia drew And brandishing her Dart pursu'd Him in the Woods Amint. Oh doleful story Of which if 't is so sad to hear So much what must it be to know The rest Nerina I with another Dart Follow'd 'em by the blood the Wolf had spilt But could not reach 'em they were gone too far I lost her her in the Woods yet still Kept on alone and wander'd thro The frightful Thicket till I came To its most unfrequented tracts Where Sylvia's Dart lay on the ground And at a little distance thence Her veil and while I gaz'd on these I spy'd seven Wolves around a Corps Who tore it with their bloody Teeth So eager on their Prey I saw they woful sight unseen by them With fear and pity mov'd I turn'd My steps and got in safety home This this is all that I can tell Shews the Veil This all of Sylvia which remains Amin. Ah! thou hast told too much Oh! Dear Remains Oh! precious Blood Oh Sylvia now alas no more Daph. Ah! What Nerina hast thou said It strikes his Soul he swoons he dyes Nerina Perhaps 't is but a Lovers fit He breathes still see he comes to life Amint. Ah! Grief too mighty to be born And yet too weak to be my death This office for my hand 's reserv'd And by my hand shall be perform'd If my misfortunes are so sure If Sylvia's dead oh Daphne why Why didst thou renew my pain By bringing me to life again How good how pleasant had it been If â—n an extasie of woe Thou hadst permitted me to dye The Gods who knew I should by this Prevent the torments they 've prepar'd For me to feel inspir'd your hearts With pity that being forc'd to live I might endure 'em all and all I have endur'd for Sylvia's dead Nor is it possible for me To be more wretched than I am And now methinks 't is just that Heav'n and you And all should suffer me to dye Daph. At least defer it till you know the truth Amin. I know the truth I know too much And have deferr'd my death too long Nerina Oh heaven I wish I had been mute When I began the story Amin. Lend me Nerina lend the Veil All that is left me of my love That on it I may feast my Eyes The little way I have to go The little time I have to live That looking on her Blood I may Go boldly to my doom But oh What need such little helps To lead me to my end Nerina No Swain You must not have the Veil if this Is your design I 'll not promote Your death Amint. Ah! canst thou Nymph deny So small a favour to a man Who ne're will ask another The fates still persecute me still declare Against me and in little things Shew what I must expect in great Keep keep the Veil and live in peace Let misery with me forsake these Woods I go to other Shades and never shall return Daph. Stay stay Amintas oh I fear His fury Nerina But we can't prevent What he intends he flies Too fast for us we should in vain Pursue him and in vain attempt To stop him in his course In silence I 'll their fortune mourn Let others tell Montano if they please Few people
beautiful and young her form Of such a mould so soft so sweet That 't were impossible to think It lodg'd a Soul averse to Love If to my cost I had not found That things inanimate are less Insensible of pity than her heart Thyrsis Lambs feed on Grass and Wolves on Lambs They 're fatisfy'd in time but Love Who feeds on Tears is never satisfy'd Amin. If Tears cou'd glut his appetite He had been surfeited e're this Or if the Virgin cou'd be mov'd With Seas of Tears I had been blest No they both hunger after Blood And I resolve to give 'em mine ' Thyr. ' Ah! why Amintas will you talk ' Of Blood If she is so severe ' Are there not other Maids as young ' As fair as she Look out and try ' Another Beauty may be kind ' Amint. Where shall I look or how expect to find 'A Maid to please me when I 've lost my self Thyr. Don't flatter your despair but hope This cruel fair may yield at last Lyons and Tygers may be tam'd And she you Love with Love be overcome Amin. But who so wretched who so near To death as I am can be pleas'd With Life or bear the torment long Thyr. The torment will not be so long As you suspect for Womens minds Are movable like Aspin leaves And what they may this minute hate They 'll love the next But say my friend Where lives and who 's this haughty Maid That treats Amintas with such scorn You 've told me often that you love But never told me whom be free And open all your heart without reserve Amin. Well you shall hear what every Wood What all our Hills and Streams have heard But no Man ever knew before 'T is fit now I 'm so near the Grave Some friend should know the fatal cause And write my sorrows on the Tomb Where my pale body shall be laid That every passenger may read My fate and she for whom I dye Be pleas'd to triumph o're my dust It may be when she sees how far Despair has carry'd me the thought And yet I fear I hope too much Will fetch a sigh or force a tear And make her pity me and wish That poor Amintas were alive Hear then Thyr. I hearken and perhaps For better ends than you suppose Amin. While I was yet a little Boy Scarce tall enough to reach a Bough Or pluck an Apple from a Tree I felt my heart engag'd to love The fairest Creature ever liv'd Sylvia the glory of the Woods Montano's and Cydippe's Daughter Sylvia whose beauty mien and youth Charm every heart as well as mine Our Houses joyn'd but were not half So close united as our Hearts Two Friends ne're lov'd as we did then Two Turtles ne're so fondly sought Each others company as we did Our pleasures with our years agreed The same diversions suited both We sometimes Hunted sometimes Fish'd Sometimes we laid our Nets for Birds And always shar'd the Game we caught But while we pleasantly pursu'd Our mutual sports alas I felt Strange wishes growing in my heart Like Flow'rs that on a sudden spring From beds where they were never set Whene're we parted now I wept For grief and when we met for joy I suckt in poison from her eyes Which seem'd delicious to the taste But left a bitter smart behind I saw her now with new delight I found new Graces in her face I often sigh'd but knew not why I lov'd but did not know 't was love Till chance discover'd it Thyr. Pray how Amin. Sylvia Phillis and my self Sitting underneath a Shade Saw a Bee fly round the bank Gathering Honey from the Flow'rs Which adorn'd our happy seat Weary'd there he fled to us Pitcht on Phillis who has Cheeks Fairer sweeter than the Rose Fancying every Grace a Flow'r There he hung a while and suckt Sweets much richer than his own Phillis wept to feel the smart Sylvia bid her weep no more I she crys can say a Charm That will quickly give you ease 'T is a Secret which I learnt Of wise Aricia to whom For her Art I gave my Horn Tipt with Ivory and Gold Then she put her fragrant Lips To the Cheek the Bee had stung Said some Verses o're the Wound And as soon as Sylvia spoke Phillis felt the pain no more See the wonderful effects See the force of Magic words Or what I would rather think See what Sylvia's Lips can do Every thing they touch they heal Thyr. How Amintas could you find Love had wounded you by this Amin. I till this desir'd no more Than to see her radiant Eyes Or to listen to her Voice Soft as Rivulets that glide Murmuring thro our smiling Vales Soft as Zephr's evening breath Playing with the Leaves of Trees But as soon as I observ'd What her Lips had lately done Then I wish'd 'em close to mine And I know not how contriv'd Ways to taste of what I wish'd Thyr. None want artifice to gain What they covet to possess All are cunning when in love Amin. I to touch her rosy mouth Feign'd a Bee had stung me too And complain'd with such an air That it seem'd to beg the Cure Which my tongue cou'd ne'r have askt Sylvia kindly did to me What she had to Phillis done And her Lips thus fix'd to mine Cur'd the counterfeited smart But encreast my real pain Bees sure never from their Flow'rs Drew such Honey as I suckt From my Sylvia's humid kisses Sure no Roses but what grow On her Lips can yield such sweets Tho my pleasure was disturb'd By my shame and guilty fears Yet I counterfeited still And by this deceit prevail'd O're her to repeat the Charm Something sweet from ev'ry kiss Mixt with poyson struck my heart Which at last grew so inflam'd That when once we met to play With some other Nymphs and Swains I just dying with my fears Softly whisper'd her I Love Thyr. How did Sylvia take the news That you seem so much concern'd Amin. Soon her fiery blushes shew'd Both her anger and her shame She stood silent but I read By her silence what she meant That she never wou'd forgive me Now she flies me and will since Not so much as hear me speak Thrice our Golden Fields have bent Under their rich loads and thrice Winter has with nipping frosts Made our Groves and Forests bare Since I 've try'd a thousand ways To appease her but I find Death can only calm her rage Death shall calm her then my blood Shall appease her for my fault I cou'd dye methinks with joy Were I sure my Death would make her Either sorrowful or glad and I know not which to wish Yes her Pity would reward All my sufferings and shew What my Constancy deserv'd Yet ah why should I desire That her beauteous Eyes should weep Or her Rest be lost for me Thyr. Oh! could she hear such killing words Such just complaints 't would melt her heart And make her pity ye Amin. I
me then and I am thine ' Daph. You mock me Youth but you may know ' I 'm too young to be despis'd ' Thyr. You 're so fair you may be sure ' All was real that I said ' But as Women use to do ' You refuse me I must bear it ' And will strive to be content ' Daph. Be content and live in peace ' Live in Idleness and Rest ' Rest and Idleness beget ' Tender Wishes Wishes Love Thyr While in this calm repose we live ' And fear for nothing but our Lambs ' The fields abroad are spread with Tents ' The Swains there change their Crooks for Spears ' Their harmless Virgins are expos'd 'To all the insolence of Lust ' While we enjoy celestial ease ' And dread no Enemies but Wolves ' Shall I in Loves soft bosom sleep ' No Daphne I 'll extend my voice ' And sing the wonders of the Man ' The Godlike Man who drove the foe ' Far from these Woods and gave us rest ' But lest my rustick Muse should wrong ' His fame by her inferiour praise ' Like some whom Phoebus ne're inspir'd ' Who with vile Songs his name abus'd ' When they 'd have rais'd it to the Skies ' With awful silence let me wait 'Till Heaven the Hero shall restore ' Triumphant to us from the War ' Then with fresh Roses strew his way ' And lay new Garlands at his feet ' Daph. You soar aloft pray if you please ' Descend and think of our affairs ' Thyr. You say you have agreed to meet ' Sylvia at the Fountain where ' You intend to do your best ' For our miserable friend ' I 'll go seek Amintas out ' Send him to you but I fear ' He will be as loth to come ' As she would be to have him ' Dap. I 'll go before and should you follow ' Make as if you came by chance ' Thyr. I will see Yon Amintas comes ACT II. SCENE II. Amintas Thyrsis Amin. I Fain methinks before I dye Would know how Thyrsis has succeeded If he can do more than I Have done and Sylvia will not hear With patience any one that speaks for me Here on this spot of Earth I 'll end my pains And in her presence finish with my breath The tortures of my Soul The wounds which in my breast my hands shall make Will certainly transport her since With so much pleasure she beholds The wounds which in my heart her eyes have made Thyr. Courage Amintas I have news To tell thee that will bring thee hope Amin. Ah Thyrsis is it Life or Death Thyr. 'T is Life and Joy if thou art bold enough To meet 'em where they 're to be sound But then Amintas 't is requir'd That thou shouldst shew thy self a Man A Man that dares do any thing for Love Amin. What must I dare and whom encounter Thyr. Suppose your Mistress in a Wood Encompast with high Rocks where Wolves Where Lyons Bears and Tygers lurk Would you to get her venture there Amin. I 'd run as joyfully as e're I went To Dance and Revel at our rural Feasts Thyr. Suppose her in the hands of Thieves Amidst arm'd Robbers would you venture there Amin. Swift as parcht Stags to cooling Waters run Thyr. Something more daring something yet more bold Than this is to be done to make thee blest Amin. I 'd leap into the Ocean when the Waves By ruffling Winds are mingled with the Clouds I 'd walk thro Fire or else as I 've been told Orpheus once did descend to Hell To find my Sylv'a our but sure 'T would not be Hell if she were there Tell me then where I am to go And what I am to do Thyr Sylvia naked and alone Attends thee at Diana's Brook Amintas durst thou venture there Amin. What dost thou tell me Sylvia wait Naked and alone for me Thyr. Alone if Daphne is not there And if she is you 're safe in her Amin. Wait for me and naked Thyr. Naked But Amin. But what Speak out thy silence kills me Thyr But 't is not certain that she waits for thee Amin This ruins what you said before Ah! if you were not sure of that Why Thyrsis did you say so much Why did you shew me joy so near And fling me from my hopes so soon Sure 't is not friendly to insult O're one in misery like me Did you believe my griefs too light That you encrease their weight Thyr. Be rul'd By me you shall be happy still Amin. What would ye have me do Thyr. Go seize The Maid while Fortune is your Friend Anin Ah! Heaven forbid that I should think Of any thing that would displease her Whom I will ne're offend but by my Love And if my Love offends her 'T is her Beauty's fault not mine In all my actions I resolve More to consult her pleasure than my own Thyr. If not to Love her were in your powr Would you cease loving her to please her Amin. Love will not suffer me to think Of loving her no more But if 'T were in my pow'r 't would ne're be in my will Thyr. If you could cease your Love you 'd still Continue it in spite Amin. No not in spite Yet I would Love her still Thyr. Tho it were against her will Amin. Rather than not Love at all Thyr. Why won't you then against her will Go take the blessing me denies Because she knows not yet how good 'T would be to grant the favour you desire If she at first may be a little vext She 'll soon be well contented with the fault Amin. Love answers thus to what you say You have by long experience learnt To reason of those things with art But tho your argument's too strong For mine yet I 'm convinc'd that 't is not right Love with my tongue confines my wishes And will not suffer 'em to stray Where Sylvia would not let 'em rove Thyr. Then you resolve you will not go Amin. Yes I will go but not where you Advise Thyr. Where then Amin. To Death if you Can tell me of no other way To life if this is all the good That you can do me by your help Thyr. Is this so little then And canst Thou fancy foolish as thou art That Daphne would have bid us come If she who knows what Sylvia thinks Believ'd 't would give her such offence She thought perhaps that 't was not fit For you and me to know as much As she of Sylvia's Soul Besides Enquiring farther in so nice a case Instead of pleasing will displease You often wisht that you knew how To please her you may do it now No matter if you take by theft The joys you covet or by gift When once they 're tasted she 'll forget The Crime the sin will be so sweet Amin. But how can I be sure that I may go Thyr. You can't be surer than you are She would as decency requires Be angry if you sought to
thank us for such tales as these CHORUS Ye Nymphs no more take pains to hide Your Love but own your passion For Virtue if too nice is pride And Coyness Affectation Cupid make our Virgins tender Maké 'em easie to be won Let 'em presently surrender When the Treaty's once begun Such as like a tedious wooing Let 'em cruel Damsels find But for such as would be doing Prithee Cupid make 'em kind By a Shepherdess The fair in the City Don't understand pity Yet vainly pretend they are wiser than we are But the Nymph of the plain Should make much of her Swain And think that the wiser Maids are they 're the freer B◠a Shepherd When we go to our Lasses To ask their good graces They ought to receive us and each take her man And when we meet first Since both know the worst Let 's agree to be happy as fast as we can ACT IV. SCENE I. Daphne Sylvia Chorus Daph. THanks to the Gods that all our tears Were needless all our plaints and fears In vain since she for whom we mourn'd Is living and in health return'd Long mayst thou live and Heaven protect The Life which you too much neglect Nerina in confusion said Such things as made us think you dead I wish t o've sav'd us so much grief She had been dumb or others deaf Sylvia The risque was great and had you seen The mighty danger I was in You would your self have said so too Daph. Not if I had n't known it true Tell me the risque you ran and how You scap't the danger Sylvia You shall know Too day I at the Chase pursu'd A Wolf so far into the Wood I lost my Game I lost the track And turn'd on purpose to come back When with seven other Wolves I found The Beast and knew him by his wound Round some dead Animal they stood And tore its flesh and lickt its blood The Wolf I shot soon spy'd me out And left his prey to meet his foe I with my Dart oppos'd his way Tho mistress of my art you know I very seldom miss my blow Yet by bad luck I mist it now And my Dart rested in a Bough The Wolf at this more furious grew And got so near me that I knew My Bow would stand in little stead So to preserve my self I fled And as I fled I was me thought By something which oppos'd me caught The Veil I wore hitcht in a Tree And with my hair entangled me I pull'd my Veil I tore my hair And yet was forc'd to leave it there Wing'd by my fright away I flew Like air and so got safe to you Why Daphne are you now so sad What can't my safety make you glad Dap. You live I 'm glad to find it true And wish another was as safe as you Sylv. Perhaps you hate me you appear No more concern'd to see me here Daph. I hate you not I joy in your return But for anothers death must mourn Sylv. Whose Daph. Poor Amintas Sylvia Tell me how He dy'd Daph. Ah! that I want to know We are not certain yet he 's dead But we believe 't Sylvia What hast thou said Ah Daphne say to what alas Do people attribute the cause Daph. Thy death Sylvia Explain your self Daph. The news He heard will certainly produce Some dreadful deed Despair will lend Him arms to help him to his end Sylvia It may be your suspicions are in vain And he as well as I may rise again From Death besides 't is very rare For men to let their troubles go so far Daph. Sylvia little dost thou know What some men in Love will do Thou dost little think how much Every accident will touch Hearts of Flesh and not of Stone Not so cruel as thy own Hadst thou known the man that dyes Lov'd thee better than his Eyes Thou wouldst have been lest severe And prevented his despair Had you seen him but to day After you were ran away Sylvia you 'd with reason fear Your disdain has gone too far Such ingratitude you show'd To the man to whom you ow'd Life and Honour all that 's dear I can tell for I was there I can witness what was done Saw him save you and you run VVhen sure after that had past He deferv'd to be embrac'd Then I saw him rake his Dart Turn the point against his heart Strike his breast and from the wound Saw the blood flow on the ground I came in and much ado Hinder'd him a second blow Sylvia thus you see how far Some are hurry'd by despair So much may by this be guest We have cause to dread the rest Sylvia What have I heard Daph. Things indeed Enough alas to make thee dread What thou art yet to hear Thence as we were coming back We met the Nymph who by mistake Inform'd us you were slain the youth Without examining the truth Believ'd despair'd and in the heat Of grief fell breathless at our seet We took him up he breath'd again We strove to comfort him in vain For all the reasons we could give Could not prevail on him to live But rushing forth away he fled To death and I believe is dead Syl. D' ye really believe it Daph. Yes Syl. Ah! why Did you not follow him and fly Fast as his fury to prevent The consequence of his intent Ah let us seek him out and strive To make him yet consent to live Since he that for my Death would dye Should for my Life revive Daph. We follow'd but he flew like wind He left us panting far behind And long e're this has done what he design'd Whither then Sylvia would you run And who shall tell us where the wretch is gone Syl. Ah let us go where grief and pity lead Haste Daphne haste or he 'll be dead By himself murder'd Daph. You would save The unhappy Lover from the Grave To murder him your self To you You think the Glory 's only due But you 've no reason to repine For let the blow be his or thine T will be his death and thou mayst see With comfort that he dy'd for thee Syl. Daph. It torments my mind When I consider how unkind How cruel I have been Pride I call'd Honour once perhaps 'T was Honour but 't was too severe And such as will if he is dead Sharpen my grief my cruelty reprove And force me to repent I wrong'd his Love Daph. Oh Heaven She 's pitiful repents Her heart grows tender she relents She weeps Is thy pride humbled then O strange Whence Sylvia comes this mighty change Whence all these tears from Pity or from Love Syl. Pity not Love attracts my tears Daph. Pity 's Love 's Messenger and shews As Lightning before Thunder goes Love is not far Chorus When he 'd surprize a Maid Who of his Empire is afraid Who by false honour would defend her heart And be secure against his Dart He takes his Servant Pity 's shape And in that figure few escape
His snares he slily wins on every heart And beaten off by force prevails by art Daph. Love at first in storms appears Waited on by sighs and tears Love has touch'd thee tho too late Into fondness turn'd thy hate Ah Amintas Sylvia's chang'd Weeps for Love and thou' rt reveng'd Now thou mayst the Conquest boast Which if living thou hadst lost Thou hast Dying left behind Such a sting in Sylvia's mind As will work more mischief there Than thou ever feltst for her Bees thus can 't their Stings outlive But perish with the wounds they give If thou' rt as I believe a Spirit fled From the bright mansions of the dead From heavenly Groves and sacred streams To play unseen about her Limbs See Sylvia weeps behold how much she 's mov'd You lov'd alive and are when dead belov'd ' If Destiny had so decreed ' That thou shouldst for thy Mistress bleed ' If in her thoughts she had resolv'd that this ' Whene're she sold her Love should be the price ' 'T is thine now thou hast done thy part ' And with thy Life hast bought her heart Chor. Too vainly sold and bought too dear ' For him too hard too infamous for her Syl. Oh that my Love could fetch again his breath Or my heart purchase him of Death Oh that my Life could be the Price I 'd gladly part with it for his Daph Too late you 're pitiful and wise Your tears are useless and in vain your sighs ACT IV. SCENE II. Ergastus Chorus Sylvia Daphne Ergastus PIty and horror have so far Possest my Soul I know not what I hear or see but every thing I meet amazes and afflicts me Chor. What tydings hast thou brought which make Thy looks thus troubled and thy words Confus'd Ergast I bring the bitter news Of poor Amintas death Syl. What is' t he says Ergast The noblest Shepherd of these Woods The kind the gay the gentle Swain Our Virgins and the Muses darling Young as he was is dead but how Oh! who can tell or hear it told Chor. Tell all that we may mourn with thee His sad misfortunes and our own Syl. Oh! how can I stay to hear This most horrid story out Where is all my fierceness now Oh! my heart so haughty once Shew thy Pride and if thou canst Stay and hear it all unmov'd Speak then what thou hast to say Shepherd let me know the worst Tell it me I 'm most concern'd Speak I 'm ready for thy news Ergast Nymph I know thou art concern'd Dying the Despairing wretch Call'd on thee and with thy name Finish'd his unhappy Life Daph. Prithee begin the dismal tale Ergest Sitting on yonder Hill where I Had laid some Nets I saw but now Amintas run that way his looks Distracted and his carriage wild His eyes his mein so chang'd I thought That something strange might happen since I lest the Vale he spy'd and shunn'd me Fearing the worst I then pursu'd O'retook and stopp'd him he grew calm Begg'd me to go and see him do A thing which he pretended then He was oblig'd to do but first Forc'd me to swear I would not stir Beyond the bounds he set nor lift My hands to hinder him I swore By Pan by Pallas by Pomona And all our Sylvan Deities Alas not thinking what he meant I would not stir nor lift my hands Unless he gave me leave This done He led me to a Precipice Where from the margent of the H Directly down the pathless dale Between high Blocks appears my head Grew giddy I stepp'd back afraid To view the depth Amintas smil'd And look'd serenely which deceiv'd My fears and made me more assur'd Thus then he said Ergastus tell The Nymphs and Swains what thou shalt see Since since he cry'd and then look'd down The Gods will not permit my end To be the same with Sylvia's since My Limbs must not be torn like hers And I 'm deny'd the Paws and Teeth Of Wolves to use as they serv'd Her lovely Body I must take Whatever death they please to send These Rocks direct the way I wish I had deserv'd the same with hers But this is sure and short Oh see I follow thee my Sylvia don't Disdain my Company in death I 'd dye contented were I sure ' I would not displease thee I should then Oh Sylvia follow thee with joy I come I follow thee I come And saying this He threw him headlong down While my heart chill'd to see him fall Daph. Oh miserable youth Sylv. Oh Heavens Chorus But why Ergastus did you not prevent him Was it your Oath that ty'd your hands And kept you back Ergast No I despise Such Oaths and look on them as vain When I perceiv'd his folly went So far and his deliberate despair Ready to fling him from the Precipice I ran to save him and as fate Would have it came in time enough To catch him by the Girdle which The burthen of the Body broke And left it rent thus in my hands Cho. Where went the miserable Body then Ergast I know not what became of that Horror and Pity struck my soul So deeply I had not the heart To see it dash in pieces Cho. Oh strange Oh woful accident Sylv. Sure my heart is made of stone Or it must have bled to death E're the dismal tale was done Oh! if he could dye for me One who hated him so much When he falsely thought me dead What shall I do now I know He is certainly no more I must dye and dye 1 will Swords and Rocks are left for me This precious Girdle is preserv'd To revenge its gentle Lord. Unhappy Girdle Dear Remains Of thy more unhappy Lord Be not angry that thou' rt kept From thy Master 't is to be The Instrument of Vengeance On the Maid for whom he dy'd I should I own I should have been Amintas kind Companion here But since I can't be so I will By thy assistance quickly follow him And bear him company in Death Chor. Comfort thy sell poor Virgin 't is The hand of Fate and not thy fault Sylv. Why weepst thou Swain if 't is for me Weep not for I deserve no tears No pity I who never knew What pity was If 't is for him For poor Amintas thou mayst weep A Sea of Tears and yet want more Daphne if thou dost mourn for me For Heavens sake prithee mourn no more I beg not out of pity to my self But out of pity to the man Who merited thy Love that thou Wouldst help me gather up his Bones And lay 'em in a Grave 't is this Which only shall prolong my Life This friendly office all that I Can pay him for his heart shall be my care The Piety of such a deed By my vile bands will be denfil'd Yet I believe whate're these hands Shall do for him will please his Ghost Since spite of all his wrongs I 'm sure He lov'd me to the last Daph. I 'll go And help
you but you must not think Of dying after we 've perform'd Our duty to our friend Sylv. Hitherto l 've only liv'd For my self the little time That 's now left me I 'll devote To Amintas if I can't Live for him I 'll live at least For his pale unhappy Body I must put off death a while Till I 've seen it and then end With his Funeral my Life Shepherd lead us to the Vale To the fatal Precipice Ergast Keep this path you cannot miss the way Daph. Come I 'll conduct ye follow me I know the place 't is not far off Sylv. Farewel Shepherds farewel Plains Woods and Streams and all farewel Ergast She heartily repents her scorn And talks as if she never would return CHORUS Death in vain opposes Love Who conquers every Foe To his Empire all above Submit and all below What Love unites Death seldom parts And what he parts Love often joyns Triumphs o're Death resists his Darts And will himself alone command our minds ' Maids comply with Love in time ' E're your Error grows a Crime ' E're he makes you yield by force ' Ah consider 't will be worse 'To rebel and be subdu'd ' Than obey him as you shou'd ' When he summons you at first ' Tield or else expect the worst ' Late Repentance will be too ' Vseless to your Friend and you Death in vain c. ACT V. SCENE I. Elpinus Chorus Elpin OH Love how rigid are thy Laws How much must all that once subject Themselves to thee endure before They taste the promis'd joy Who who would not have curst thy power Rebell'd against thy sway and sought Some other way to bliss if poor Amintas had not scap'd the deaths Thy usage tempted him to seek Ev'n we who have ador'd thee long With much fidelity and zeal We who have rais'd thy name above All other Gods to whom we make Our own Apollo yield should then Have taught our Children to forget Thy worship and forsake thy Temples But now that our Amintas lives We 'll if 't is possible forget Thy Cruelty to bless thy Care Chorus The Sage Elpinus comes and talks As if Amintas were alive Ah Shepherd didst thou know the things Which we have heard to day the ills That Love has brought on all thou wouldst Have little reason to forget His Cruelty or bless his Care Elpin Rejoyce my friends rejoice the news You heard is false Amintas lives Chor. Ah! what Eipinus dost thou say How dost thou comfort us Is' t false Did he not fling himself but now From yonder Hill among the Rocks Ah! tell us how he was preserv'd what pow'r What God was by to save him at his fall Elpin Hear then what I shall say no more Than I have with these eyes beheld I 've in the Desart Vale a Cave Where Thyrsis came to mc to day Where while we talkt of that proud Nymph Whose Fetters formerly he wore And I at present wear we heard A voice and lookt up tow'rds the hill Whence down the Precipice we saw A Body tumble on a Bush Just by my Cave and near the Mount A few tall Bushes rise from Box And other Trees which all unite In one on these we saw him fall But carry'd by the Body's weight He rowl'd off thence and at our feet Fell next the Bushes sav'd the blow So much we took him up alive He was yet speechless and 't was long E're we had any other signs Of Life besides his sighs and groans which shew'd Us that he breath'd But oh When we perceiv'd who 't was what tongue Can tell the fright which we were in Pity and wonder struck us dumb Yet thinking by his breath he might Still live we were a little calm'd Chor. Oh wonderful Escape Oh thou Hadst cause Elpinus to applaud The Care and Providence of Love Elp. Thyrsis then told me what had past The secret of his Love and how Despair had hurry'd him to this We fetch'd the Remedies we had At hand and for Alfibeus sent Who by Apollo has been taught The Art of Physick when he came He told us quickly there were hopes And as we wept to see him still Lye speechless in his arms he said We should not be surpriz'd at that For having searcht him well he found No wounds nor any thing which might With reason make us fear 'T is true He said he might be some time in a Trance But after would recover soon And having then perform'd his Art He order'd men to bear him home Who at a little distance hence Are coming with our Friend Chorus What Fools are men in Love how apt To be deceiv'd how ready oft To joyn with those they love to cheat themselves What mischiefs have their false despairs And groundless hopes begot How near Was poor Amintas rash mistake Depriving us of what we all Expected in our time to see The grace and pleasure of these woods Elp. Alfibeus with his charge appears And in his Looks we may discern How much Amintas safely glads His soul as well as ours ACT V. SCENE II. Elpinus Chorus Thyrsis Alfibeus and Amintas born on a Couch Alfib. OH Swains Oh Nymphs Oh all that ever lov'd This youth and who of ye that heard Him sing Or saw him at our sports But heard and saw him with delight To Phaebus and to Love address Your vows that once more you may hope To hear and look on him with pleasure ACT V. SCENE III. Elpinus Thyrsis Alfibeus Chorus Daphne Sylvia Amimtas lying on a Couch Daphne AH Shepherds join your pray'rs with mine Use all the Arguments which Grief And Pity can inspire to save This Maid from ruine Stay Sylvia stay till you 've perform'd What you resolv'd and what you owe Amintas Spirit till the hands Which you your self confess'd would please His Ghost to see 'em gather up His bones have laid 'em in a Grave Sylv. Some God alas has done what I Resolv'd to do and to revenge Amintas wrongs deny'd my hands The glory of so just a deed Tell me ye Powers ah tell me where You have convey'd my Love and laid His mangled Limbs Direct me where That I may see 'em e're I dye That I may feast my cruel eyes With objects equally severe And if I can instruct my heart To be more barbarous to my self Than e're it was to him Daph. Cease prithee Sylvia cease your tears And don 't torment thy self too much For ills thy sorrows can't retrieve Sylv. See Daphne how these Shepherds smile At my Despair how unconcern'd They hearken to my griefs ev'n I As savage as I was scarce saw Amintas mourn with so much ease Daph. Hence Shepherds hence and don 't disturb The wretched with untimely joy Sylv. Not that I court your pity or Expect compassion but methinks Amintas death should touch your hearts And you should still consider me As one Amintas lov'd But oh You look on me as one that hated him You see his murderer in
fear it But were she sensible of pity She flies and will not hear me speak What hopes then that my just complaints Will melt her heart that must not reach her ear Thyr. Cease cease your grief I 'll plead your Cause Perhaps my Reasons may succeed And something promises they will If you would not despair ' Amin. I 've reason to despair for ever ' Sage Mopsus has foretold my fate ' Mopsus who understands so well ' The virtues of all Herbs and Drugs ' Who by long study has acquir'd 'To know things past and things to come ' Mopsus has said I must despair ' Thyr. Which Mopsus He who speaks so fair ' And with grave smiles declares events ' Dark and treacherous to deceive ' Such as suppose his Oracles divine ' He tells them with a solemn look ' Things that will never come to pass ' His Prophecies prove always lies ' Believe me for I know him false ' Be chearful you have cause enough 'To hope your fortune will be good ' Since Mopsus has pronounc'd it ill ' Amin. Tell me if you 'd revive my hopes ' What makes you Thyrsis think him false ' Thyr. When I first settled in these Plains I lov'd ' Like you to hear him talk and thought his words ' As wise as they were grave but quickly found ' Mopsus a Cheat and what he talks of Lyes ' For once when I resolv'd to go and see ' The famous City which adorns the banks ' Of our great River and by that 's adorn'd ' I told him my intentions as a fiend ' And thus the envious Hypocrite reply'd ' You know not Thyrsis what you have resolv'd ' Nor the vast danger you 're about to run ' For Treason reigns within her Marble walls ' Where nothing kind or honest's to be found ' And ev'n the name of friendship is unknown ' Her Citizens grow wealthy by deceit ' By treachery her Courties grow renown'd ' On Downy Beds and under Gilded Roofs ' Both seem to sleep yet both are kept awake ' By plotting death and ruin for the weak 'A thousand horrid Fields in various shapes ' Stalk thro her streets all ready to destroy ' Such innocent and easie fools as you ' There you will hear 'em laugh at your rude mien ' Despise a Shepherds life and mock our Songs ' But above all her shining Palace fly ' Let nothing tempt you to approach her Gates ' Amin. And what could he suggest to have you shun ' So rich a sight which I should long to see ' Thyr. He told me all things were Enchanted there ' That the pretended Diamonds were but Glass ' And all their Golden Vessels real Brass ' That empty bags her massy Coffers fill'd ' And her high Walls were rais'd up with such art ' That they can hear and answer what is said ' As Eccho answers in these Woods to us ' This difference only that they sometimes speak ' What they ne'r heard which Eccho never does ' That every thing you meet there has a Tongue ' Thus prepossest by him I went to Court ' But soon was undeceiv'd by Glorious Quires ' Of Heavenly Virgins who like Syrens sung ' Their voices sweeter but not half so false ' Charm'd with their notes a while I stood amaz'd 'Till a great Prince magnificently drest ' His air majestick and his mien sublime 'A Prince Amintas destin'd by the Gods 'To vanquish Tyrants and secure us Peace ' Invited me as rude as I appear'd 'To see the Glories which adorn'd his Court. ' I enter'd then but never can relare ' The Miracles I saw a thousand Suns ' Shot forth bright Rays and lookt as they were warm ' I saw young Goddesses in all her Rooms ' But met with one so eminently fair ' Her mien so graceful and her looks so sweet ' That 't is not strange if I could be deceiv'd ' And fancy'd that she was the Queen of Heaven ' I saw the Muses painted with their God 'Our Sage Elpinus sitting pensive by ' And from that minute felt a noble fire ' Rage in my breast and I resolv'd to sing ' Of War and scorn the dying notes of Love ' Tho since to please another I 'm oblig'd 'To quit the City and return to you ' Yet my Pipe still preserves her Courtly note ' Like the loud Trumpet in our Forests sounds ' Mopsus has listen'd and admires with shame 'To hear such Musick eccho from our Woods ' Asham'd to find that I have prov'd him false ' And seem so much and learnt to sing so well ' Will ye believe still ' Amin. I 'm glad to hear ' We have such reason to mistrust his words ' On your success my happiness depends ' Thyr. Depend on my success and have a care ' The nearest way to ruin 's to despair CHORUS AH the Golden Age is past Which our happy Fathers blest When whate're they long'd to taste They but wish for and possest The Meads were painted still with Flow'rs The Birds ne'r ceas'd to sing And then without the help of show'rs They saw eternal Spring Rivers then with Milk were fill'd Honey from their Woods distill'd None attempted then the Main Nor expos'd their Lives for gain Free from danger want or care Free from tumult noise and war They a thousand Joys possest Peace and Plenty were the least Ah! the Golden c. ' Honour whose Laws are so severe ' So hard to be obey'd ' Who reigns with so much rigor here ' Ne're o're their pleasures sway'd ' They only maxim which they knew ' They were by Nature taught ' That what they had a mind to do ' They might without a fauâ—t ' The Virgin never blush'd to shew ' By day her naked Charms ' And when she lov'd a Swain would go ' With freedom to his arms ' By Woods on Greens they danc'd and play'd ' In Fountains kist and toy'd ' The youth then boldly took his Maid ' And what he lik'd enjoy'd ' But now when men the blessing want ' They long must court the fair in vain ' For Honor will not let 'em grant ' The pleasure they deny with pain 'T was honour that first swell'd their hearts ' That taught 'em shame and to be coy 'To frown and use those little arts ' Which only cheat 'em of their joy ' Hence thou Idol Honour hence ' Leave us to our humble sports ' Reign in Cities and in courts ' Honor is the child of Pride ' Here let Nature be our Guide ' Hence thou Idol Honour hence ACT II. SCENE I. Daphne Thyrsis Daph. I Knew long since Amintas lov'd The haughty Sylvia and Heaven knows Have oft endeavour'd to dispose Her heart to be as much concern'd As he deserves and I could wish But all that I can say's in vain For Bears and Tygers may be tam'd Sooner than such a simple Maid As proud and silly as she 's fair Who ignorant of what she does Or that her Eyes