By the concern they shew in losing ' em Your â—…age and storms to think me perjur'd prove The violence and ardence of your Love And to requiâ—…e the tedious pains you 've bornâ—… Accept in blushes this last just return Gives him her hand To morrow at the Altar seal my heart Sylv. Thou wilt be true thou must by Heav'ns thou art Kisses her hand Corisc. In all my Charms there my Dear Love I 'le meet And lay my soul at kind Sylvano's feet But one thing I forget Do not defend that naughty Womans cause Let the lewd shameful Wretch suffer the Laws They have met there before a hundred times But let her dye vile Creature â—…or her Crimes I hate that odious sin so much may all That practice it as much unpittyed fall Sylv. Forgive me if I take my self away To morrows Bliss permits me not to stay I must prepare for our dear Nuptial day And the bright Sun when he salutes the skie No Persian shall adore so much as I But see I find you true Corisc. Can you suspect me now By my Religion and my Lise I 'm true Sylv. Pray Heaven this pious resolution last For to your Sex that Grace comes not in hast Corisc. Why this mistrust Sylv. You know you never told me truth before Corisc. Now you 're unkind Sylv. Well I 'le suspect no more I will believe you just and live in hope Falsehood in Woman is a stream may stop Grant ye great Gods that one kind 〈◊〉 do Once in a lâ—…fe a Woman may speak true Exit Corisc. Poor credulous Fool What dangers did I shun Had I not us'd this Cheat I had been undone Had the bold Slave appear'd in her defence He had crusht my Plots and prov'd her Innocence But now thanks to my Wit His preparations for his faithful Bride No doubt has found him work enough beside Proud Rival nothing now thy Fate shall stay The gaudy Sacrifice must bleed to day Exit SCENE the Second Enter Montano Amaryllis bound with Attendants Mont. Base present Age which dost with thy impure Delights the beauty of the soul obscure Teaching to Nurse a Dropsie in the Veins Bridling the look but givest desire the Reins Thus like a Net that spread and cover'd lyes With leaves and tempting Flowers thou dost disguise With coy and holy Guiles a Womans heart Mak'st Life a Play and Vertue but a Part. They think it not a fault Loves Sweets to steal So from the World they can the Theft conceal Amar. Had I been guilty then it wou'd have been Less grievous to me to have Death pay sin But now to dye thus Innocent in all My pride of Youth and Forâ—…une thus to fall Is a sad case Mont. A sad one 't is indeed When at one stroke th' Arcadian hopes must bleed Thou born of Heavenly Race born to asswage A Nation 's griefs t' appease a Goddess Rage One that for Heavenly Beauty merited Temples and sacred Victims to be led Thy self to th' Altar as a Sacrifice Who could behold it without melting Eyes Oh wretched faâ—…l Amar. For all this have not I Transgrest the Law but Innocently dye Must I then dye Montano must I dye None left to hear none to defend me left Of all abandon'd of all hope bereft Only of such a mocking pitty made The wretched object as affords no aid Mont. Be patient Nymph and give me cause to tell Though thou didst ill yet that thou suffer'st well Look up to Heaven that gave thee Birth and be Content with what is writ above for thee Amar. Oh 't is a cruel Sentence whether given By Men or Gods or writ in Earth or Heaven But writ in Heaven I am sure it cannot be For that does my unsullied Bosom see And there my injur'd Innocence is known Stands fair and shines before th' Eternal Throne But what does that avail if I my Life must pay Mirt. Who fears to dye dyes every hour i'th'day Why hang'st thou back and draw'st a painful breath Death has no ill in 't but the fear of Death And they that dye when they have heard their Doom Flye from their Death Amar. Perhaps some help may come Mont. Good Nymph no more our duty calls us hence I with your stay no longer can dispence Amar. Dear Woods adieu then my dear Woods adieâ—… Receive these sighs my last ones into you Till my cold shade forc'd from her seat by dire And unjust Seel to your lov'd shades retire For sink to Hell it can't being Innocent Nor soar to Heaven laden with discontent Mirtillo dear Mirtillo most accurst The day I saw the day I pleas'd thee first Without thy Love death would less frightful be My greatest pain in death is losing thee Enter Corisca. Is this the Nymph accuses me dear Friend Thy goodness cannot to such crimes descend Rescue my Honour and my Life defend Corisc. Dear Amaryllis your own actions blame You lâ—…st my Friendâ—…hip when you lost your Fame Amâ—…r Nay then my ruine does too plain appear I little thought such Treason harbour'd here Corisc. Treason Heaven knows my heaâ—…t Treason in me No I 'de not wrong my mortal Enemy Because I 've spoyld her amorous design She would repair her Fame by wounding mine But Sir I am a Witnâ—…ss of her sin I saw this Wanton Nymph steal softly in A glowing colour all her Face o'respread It maâ—…e me blush to see her look so red At her approach behind a Bush I stept And unperceiv'd my watching station kept The eager Youth came after her in hast His looks less fearful and his steps more fast And blustring rusht into the Cave whilst I Oh the strange Charms of Curiosity Amar. Oh my tir'd patience Oh thou barbarous In humane Nymph t' abuse my Virtue thus What Treacheries did ever I design Against thy blood that thou should'st thirst for mine Corisc. Abuse thy Virtue thou hast none to wrong But not to make th'unpleasing tale too long Close to the Rock my list'ning Ear I lâ—…id And th'hollow Cave this gentle sound convey'd On the cold ground as the Nyâ—… panting lay In a faint dying Voyce I heard her say What shift does poor Love make to which the Swain With a brisk joy thus Answer'd her again No shining Monarchs in their Beds of Gold And their prâ—…ud Arms do so much Treasure hold Not half my Bâ—…ss nor half thy sweetness tast Amar. Oh torture me no more dear Sir make hast Send me to Execution let me dye T is worse than death to hear this Blasphemy Ex guarded Corisc. See with what hast she takes her self away Her guilt 's so terrible she dares not stay Yet there 's such winning Beauty in her Face That I protest were I to judge her case My tender-hearted Nature is so good I should forgive her sin I Vow I shou'd Exit Mont. Fair Golden Age when Milk was th' only Food The Cradle of the Infant World the Wood Rockt by the Winds when th' untoucht Flook
did beaâ—… Their dear Young for themselves None then did feaâ—… The Sword or Poyson no black thoughts begun T' Eclipse the light of the Eternal Sun Nor wandring pines unto a forreign shore Or War or Riches a worse mischief bore That Idol Honour which th' Ambitious blinds Was not till now the Tyrant of our minds No Lawless wishes then no Perjuries Corrupted Love then the blind God had Eyes Husband and Lover signifi'd one thing True Love and the delights true Love does bring Was Honour to those sober minds that knew No Happiness but what from Virtue grew Dear Heaven that state of Innocence renew Exit Enter Mirtillo Mirt. Wretched Mirtillâ—… to the Temple flye And there behold thy Amaryllis dye A Martyr to thy groundless Jealousie Oh damn'd Corisca thou Infernal Hag Do boaâ—… thy Treasons and thy Trophies brag And as the greatest Curse that I can give May'st thou but dye with half the pains I live SCENE the Third Enter Dorinda disguis'd in a Coat of Furs Dorind Sylvio when I appear in my own shape Takes all the care my presence to escape And when my sighs I utter then he speaks With so much sâ—…n that my poor heart he breaks But thus disguis'd I may his foot-steps trace Securely gaze upon his lovely Face Live in the Sun-shine his fair Eyes do cast Follow my Love and near my Heaven be plac'd But what if he should see through my Disguise Tho Love they say is blind yet Hate has Eyes Wretched Dorinda every way thour' t lost Was ever poor unhappy Maid so crost Well from my Love you too unkindly flye The Nymphs will chide you Sylvio when I dye I 'm the last Conquest too you e're will make For none of 'em will Love you for my sake Wearied and tir'd I grow so faint I 'le try If I can sleep in yonder brake I 'le lye If they can fleep that Love so much as I. Exit Enter Sylvio with Linco and other Shepherds a Bores Head being carry'd before him in Tryumph the Shepherds Sing Oh glorious Youth true Child of Hercules That kilst with ease such Monstrous Beasts as these Lynco Oh glorious Conquerour by whom lyes slain The terrour of th' Arcadian plain This is the famous Trophy Noble Toyle Of him whom we our Demi-god must stile Extol his great Name Shepherds and this day Keep ever Solemn ever Holy-day The Shepherds Sing Oh glorious Youth true Child of Hercules That Kilst with ease such Monstrous Beasts as these Lynco Oh glorious Youth who didst despise thy own For others safeties Sylv. All that I have done Was but my duty Vertue climbs her Throne By these steep Staiâ—…s and the high Gods have set Danger and Toyle before her Pallace Gate The Shepherds Song Thanks Conquerour to thee nâ—… more shall the Clown Be scar'd from the Plough and the Tillage lay down He shall Sow the plump Seed from Earths pregnant Womb Expect the wisht fruit when the Season is come No more shall the Shepherds be frightned away The Nymphs and their Loves in the Forrests shall play Chor. No more shall the Shepherds c. Lync Such peradventure was the famous Bore Alcides slew yet so thy glory 's more 'T is thy first labour but his third But with wild Beasts thy Infant Valour playes To kill worse Monsters in thy riper dayes Sylv. But stay I see unless my eyes mistake A greyish thing at Couch in yonder brake Sure some wilde Beast most certainly 't is one More Tryumphs still my Victories to Crown Direct this Arrow by thy power Divine And Cynthia the devoted head is thine Sylvio draws an Arrow and shoots at which Lynco and some of the other Shepherds go out Sylv. What have I done what have my Eyes beheld In a Beasts skin I have a Shepherd kill'd Sylvio an end to all thy Tryumphs give Throw down thy Weapons and inglorious live Enter Lynco and the former Shepherds leading in Dorinda bleeding as wounded with an Arrow Lync Lean gently on my Arm. Dorin May I not know Sylv. Dâ—…rinda Dorin To what hand my death I owe Lynco To Sylvio's Dorin Must I Sylvio's Martyr prove Sylv. How ill poor Nymph have I repaid thy Love Dor. Kill'd by so dear a hand Sylv. How can I gaze On so much ruine dare I see that Face And live No flye thy guilt flye thy disgrace Yet something holds me and would make me run To her whom I of all the world did shun Dorin Why do you look so wildly do not start At what you 've done if you have struck my heart It was your own and that can be no â—…ault Those hands to wound me your fair Eyes have taught Sylv. Run Lincâ—… flye and bring some quick relief Bring all your help Friends Arts to save her Life Fly as you value my Eternal Bliss Exit Linco Dorin This Care is wondrous kind indeed it is But now I fear it comes too late Sylv. Too late Divert ye Gods this bloody Scene of Fate And save her Life or I must ever howle Horrors and Hell will haunt my tortur'd soul Dorin Wipe your dear Eyes this grief I cannot see You are too good to be disturb'd for me But if you think my death a fault has been Let me enjoyn the pennance for your sin When I am dead dear Sylvio do but come Once in a day and visit my cold Tomb. And when you see the pretty Garlands hung About my Grave to shew I dy'd so young And think how the bewailing Nymphs all meâ—… With trembling hands the Cypress branches set And mixt the flowers their tender Eyes all wet When you shall read upon the little Stone Here lyes Dorinda by her Love undâ—…ne And o're my dust the weeping Marble see Then with a sigh you will remember me Sylv. Remember thee is this weak Tribute all That I must pay for thy unhappy â—…all Doâ—…in And is not this enough Will you do more Then sigh for my poor sake nay then you shall weep too And mouâ—…n for me as I have done for you Say will you not Sylv. Is that all I can pay A Pious Mourner at your Grave I 'le stay And on your Marble weep my Life away Why could our meeting Souls no sooner joyne Now dear Dorinda I am intirely â—…hine Dorind Then I 'le dye pleas'd if Death hath made you mine Sylv. Must so much goodness dye when thou aâ—…t dead And all that 's dear on Earth's for ever fled Thus o're thy Dust I 'le hang my drooping Head Dorin But will you wish I were alive agen Sylv. More then for Heaven Dorind But would you love me then Sylv. More than the Saints love Bliss I 'de be all thine No Constancy no Faith no Love like mine Dorind With Joy before I could my Life resign But Death will now but little welcome find Now I 'de fain live to hear you speak thus kind Enter Lynco and Dameta Sylv. Oh save her Life with hers redeem my Fate to Da. Restore
her Heaven but if I pray too late If Faith on Earth the Gods above regard With Constellations and with Crowns reward No common Coronet's reserv'd for thee In Heav'n in Hell no common pains for me Exeunt The End of the Fourth Act. ACT the fifth SCENE the Temple of Diana Amaryllis appears bound with Guards of Shepherds attending with a Heads-man and an Axe Enter to her Mirtillo who kneels to her Amar. MIrtillâ—… rise this posture does not fit My dying state And though our Sex admit Such humble Tribute in their Pomp and Pride Now I must lay that Vanity aside Mirt. If so much Innocence must bleed and all sh' unaiding Gods can see such Virtue fall Where all my Vows and all my Prayers are due Be not offended if thus low I bow You are a part of Heav'n and 't is my Duty now Amar. Mirtillo do not chide me when I own I grieve in death we two must part so soon Mirt. Oh my charm'd Ears dear Excellence go on Amar. Had Life been mine I hâ—…d kept this secret hid But Modestys strict Laws sure can't â—…orbid To own my kindness now Yet if it be A fault my dear Mirtillo to impart The tender secrets of a dying heart I shall be quickly punisht for my sin That Tongue that utters it ne're speaks agin And you 'l soon see in Scarlet currents flow That blood that blushes when I tell you so Mirt. What divine Raptures from this sweetness flow But after all these blessings must you dye Never was happiness wound up so high To break so soon Amar. Since I have gone thus far I can't but let you all my weakness hear By a feign'd Plot the false Corisca laid Into that fatal Cave I was betray'd To have found Sylvâ—…o false and enter'd in By the just forfeit of his Faithless sin To break the Fetters I was doom'd to wear And so recall my Vows to pay 'em here Mirt. Now t' all this dazeling kindness hear From me the barbarous return I made I too was to that fatal Cave betray'd I saw you enter in and my blind Jealousie By false Corisâ—…as Arts was rais'd so high That my Accurst misguided soul had fram'd Those black and hideous thoughts for which 't is daâ—…'d I went to find a Base-born Shepherd there Divinely good and excellently fair Now judge if in the race of man there be A Devil such as I or Saint like thee Amar. Mirtillo 't was unkind 't was much unkind Mirt. Is that the harshest name that you can find Why was I made the Monster of Man-kind Suspect such Innocence such goodness doubt No Infidel but I durst harbour such a thought Just Heav'n by your wing'd Lightning let me burn And fall a Funeral Taper at her Urn. Amar. Hold unkind Sir Mirt. Let me go on What Curse too great can be For that Infernal Slave that Murders thee Amar. As I â—…orgive you Sir and may Heav'n too No sarther this unpleasing style purâ—…ue Mirt. Must I be silent then Amar. Yes Sir you shall To our unhappy Stars impute my fall Mirt. Oh Miracle of Goodness Amar. And if e're You truely Loved let your calm looks appear This as I 'm dying sure you can't deny 'T is worse to bear your horrours than to dye Mirt. Divinest of thy Sex thou art obey'd I 'le summon all my Courage to my aid Enter Corisca. Corisca here Corisc. The Priest within and the chief Ministers Are feasting Heav'n with Sacrifice and Pray'rs The place is saâ—…e and I may speak Her Guards Keep distance and I shall not be o're-heard Mirt. Dares thy Accursed Face Corisc. What dismal Prologue 's there aside No Sir it is my kindness brings me here I come to save her Life Mirt. Wilt thou protect her Life and clear her Fame Cor. I will Mirt. Then I 'le raise Altars to thy Name Corisc. When I betray'd you Mirt. I forgive the sin Name it no more thou art all white agen Save but her Life and in immortal Charms I 'le Live for ever Corisc. Hold. Not in her Arms. Mirt. What do I hear Corisc. Unseal your blinded Eyes I am that Nymph who for Mirtillo dyes And once my Rivals Murder had design'd But thanks to Heav'n I 've chang'd that bloody mind The Guilt 's all gone but yet the Love remains Mirtillo if in pitty to my pains You can be moved by a sad Virgins Prayer To save my Life by killing my Despair Your hand to me before this Altar give And Amaryllis for that Grace shall live Amar. Oh horrour what a killing sound is here Corisc. Nor for her safety think you pay so dear I rob you Sir of nothing She can ne're Be Yours the Bars that Destiny has thrown Betwixt your Loves have your vain hopes undone Amar. By her false Accusations let me dye If nothing but your Love my Life can buy That mighty sum do not too Prodigally pay That hour that takes Mirtilloes heart away My Death begins Then let it gently come Let me not sink in Tortures to my Tomb. Corisc. Oh my wrack'd heart Mirt. Oh my transported soul Was ever Love so true Corisc. Was ever Fool So Idle Yes embrace thy amorous Prize Fill thy fond Arms and glut thy greedy Eyes But know in one half hour thy darling dyes Mirt. Infernal Fiend Forgive me Angel was the word I meant Kneels to Corisca. Save but her Life and be my Tutelar Saint Enter Montano Ergasto Linco and several Shepherds and Priests in Procession singing SONG Sols Sister Daughter of great Jupiter That shin'st a second Sun in the first Sphear To the blind World Thou whose Life-giving and more temp'rate ray Thy Brothers burning fury does allay Ah pitty thy Arcadia and that rage Thou dost in others in thy self asswage Mirt. Once more your sacred Voyces all Unite And once agen invoke the Queen of Night Second SONG Where 's artless Innocence and guiltless Loves If they are Banisht the Arcadian Groves Fair Cynthia though late Pitty the Ruins of a World Create In us true Honour Virtue 's all the State Great souls should keep To these poor Cells return Which were thy Courts but now thy absence mourn From their dead sleeps awake All those Lethargick Infidels Who following their corrupted Wills Thee and the glory of the ancient World forsake Mirt. To what dire Prodigies does sin give Birth The Goddess sweats cold drops of blood the Earth Is Palsie shook the sacred Cavern houls With such unwonted sounds as tortur'd souls Send out of Graves Our blasted Victims show Our Ills too plain and our Revenge too slow Mirt. These Prodigies by angry Heav'n are sent To prove this perjur'd Beauty Innocent Mistake not Holy Sir When Justice strikes and suffering Criminals dye The Gods look smiling and serene their Sky These horrors all from Innocent blood arise Heaven's only Clouded when the guiltless dyes Corisc. How guiltless would she were Then these chast Groves Had never been profaned with impious Loves Her Insamy had
then not been so loud Nor had this Funeral pomp drawn all this mourning crowd Mirt. Exquisite Fiend Oh Sir believe her not This Injur'd Virgins Honour has no spot A purer Saint the undeserving World ne're graced A brighter Star in Heav'n was never placed The Goddess you adore is not more Chast. Mont. Forbear this Blasphemy Corisc. No let him Rave 'T is all the pleasure that poor Losers have No kindness yet aside to Mirt. Mirt. Oh my distracted Soul Corisc. Yet yield and she shall live to Mirt. Mirt. No Traytress Corisc. Constant Fool Mont. Now Nymph before the Fatal stroke is given If thou would'st reconcile thy self to Heaven Make thy last Prayer Amar. Kneeling Since then my Stars my Martyrdom decree My injur'd Fame dear Heav'n I leave to Thee Clear but my sullyed Name when I am dead And willingly to th'Axe I 'le bow my Head My Body to its Native dust I give My Soul to Him in whom alone I live Mirt. If she must dye Here my last Vows I 'le seal Kneels kisses her hand Mont. Rude Swain forbear Such profanation is not suffer'd here Mirt. You may more easily Seas from Seas divide Our Souls are joyn'd and make one mixing Tide Mont. Force 'em asunder The Attendants force 'em apart 'T is no wonder Heav'n Has such dread signs of its displeasure given When their own Rites they thus polluted see And from such stains not their own Altars free Mirt. Is there such Treason in a parting kiss For ever torn from all my dearest bliss Amar. Mirtillo this is an unkind Divorce But let their cruel Rites have their free course Love at this distance no strict Laws deny Thus I 'le look blessings on You and then dye Enter Carino and Dameta Car. Hold hold your Fatal Doom Mirt. My Father here Carin Yes and thy Father is thy Murderer Thou art Montanoes Son and if he give Her Death in whom thy Life does only live 'T is his own blood he spills Mont. Take heed bold Man Car. Sir I speak truth and fright me if you can The Son you lost i'th'deluge is this Youth I found him lodged near our Alpheos mouth Undround His Cradle like a little boat Into the Woods had carryed him afloat Such care had Heav'n Mont. Where is Dameta Dam. Here. Mont. When you came back 't is since some 20. year From seeking of my Child which the swoln brook By'ts rapid Inundations from me took Did you not say that you had sought with pain All that Alpheo Baths and all in vain How comes it then Dam. Your pardon Royal Sir I went to seek him and I found him there But this good Man had kept him as his Son And Fear made me conceal what he had done Because the Oracle fore-told me there That if the Child then found should e're Return he should be like to dye By his mis-guided Fathers Cruelty Mont. Ah me it is too clear This act of mine My Dream and th' Oracle did well Divine Why did the Gods protect my drowning Child Preserve my blood to have it thus defil'd Mirt. Great Sir from whom my Royal Birth I draw I claim the favour of th' Arcadian Law When Criminals are doom'd to bleed Equals in blood in their Exchange may dye And now that Equal to her blood am I. How can you see such Fetters on those hands Make hast unty unty those impious Bands And in her place by the kind Gods decree Your Cynthias juster Victim offer me Corisc. Now all my hopes are ruin'd Foolish Swain aside By my curst Arts my dear Mirtillo slain Amar. Why generous Youth do you pursue this claim You 'l save me from the Axe to dye with shame Mirt. What glory to my Royal Birth I owe When to redeem thy Life my blood may flow Corisc. I cannot see him dye aside Enter Sylvano If you have pitty for a Virgins Prayer kneels For your own blood this dear Youths blooming years And your Arcadias hope Sylvan What do I see By all the Devils in her Soul 't is she Corisc. Alas I 've been unkind Mont. What does she say Corisc. To Death with him take the fond Fool away Pray for his Life my dull mistake forgive A Slave so senseless don't deserve to live Sylvan By all that 's good she Loves the smooth-fac'd Youth Sir I Conjure you by your Love to Truth By all your piety the Gods you fear Believe her not that Monster do not hear On her own head let your kind Justice fall She has Cheated You Her Him Betray'd you all Treason 's her business Poyson 's in her Tears Perdition in her soul she never Swears But she is Perjur'd if she speaks she Lyes And all the Prayers she makes are Blasphemies Carin Thou art the happiest Father and most dear To the immortal Deities see here The long-kept secret of our Fate made clear Tears of delight in such abundance flow From out my heart I scarce can speak Our Woe Our Woe shall end when two of race Divine Love shall combine And for a Faithless Nymphs Apostate state A faithful Shepherd Supererrogate Of Heav'nly race is not this Youth when thine And Amaryllis is of race Divine And what great Sir but Love has them combin'd Sylvio by Parents and by Force was joyn'd To Amaryllis and is yet as far From Loving her as Love and Hatred are Mont. In what a mist of Errors how profound A night of Ignorance have I been drownd By every Câ—…cumstance 't is evident The fatal Voyce none but Mirtillo meant For who indeed since slain Amintas Death Exprest such Love as he such constant Faith Who but Mirtillo for his Mrs. wou'd Since true Amintas spend his dearest blood This is that work of Supererrogation This is that faithful Shepherds expiation For the Apostate Lucrin's fact Now Son Compleat a Nations joys and Crown thy own Gives him Amaryllis Mirt. Then the Immortal Treasure let me seize And thus kind Sir embrace your sacred knees Amar. Our Loves thus Crown'd Ergasto flye and save My wretched mourning Father from a Grave Tell him I live and all his fears remove Mirt. Thy Piety's as Charming as thy Love Corisc. Break break my heart Mont. But as the Gods ordein'd T'unite your hearts your hearts must be unstain'd Heav'n that preserved thy Childhood from the Flood By Miracle restored thee to my Blood And to oblige Man-kind decreed this tye Could do no less than guard her Chastity As you dread Tortures Death and angry Heav'n to Cor. Confess her Injuries and be forgiven Repent and say she 's Innocent Corisc. I do I wrong'd you Sir but yet I loved you too to Mir. Sylvan Yes she has loved him and all Man-kind beside The Sex is not enough to please her Pride Corisc. Oh how I hate that Face Sylvan I know you do Corisc. Dear World farewell and all delights adieu Silvan Sir as you ever Faith and Justice prize Hear from my tongue that Witches Sorceries Their Entrance to the
they a Jem so precious throw To one that knows it not and scorns it so Erg. Because from Silvios Marriage Heav'n of old T' Arcadia has deliverance fore-told You though a Stranger here have understood That of an offer'd Virgins guiltless blood A Tribute by Dianas dire command Is yearly paid by this unhappy Land Mirt. But what strange Crime deserved so sharp a Doom How could such monstrous cruelty find room In a Celestial mind Erg. The cause of all This storm was one of Cynthias Favourites fall Her best-lov'd Priest a Youth of Noble blood By an inconstant Nymphs fair Eyes subdu'd And by her Vows and broken Oaths betray'd In desperation sor this Perjur'd Maid Himself before her Feet a bloody Victim laid Whose Death Diana did so much incense That by a long and violent Pestilence A suffering Nation in her fall was crusht In Purple dye her killing fury blusht Nor could the dying Criminals blood alone Wash off her stain and for her sins atone Mirt. But how did you at last the Goddess rage appease Erg. Our Cure's almost as ill as our Disease For going to consult Heav'ns Will we from The Oracle received this fatal Doom That yearly we to Nights offended Queen A Maid or Wife should offer past fiâ—…teen And under twenty by which means the rage That â—…wallow'd thousands one death should asswage Mirt. And was this Barbrous Tribute by her will Doom'd to be paid for ever Erg. The Oracle Being askt agen what end our Woe should have To our demand this punctual answer gave Your Woe shall end when two of Race Divine Love shall Combine And for a faithless Nymphs Apostate State A faithful Shepherd supererrogate Now there is left in all Arcadia Of Heav'nly stock no other branch but they Young Silvio and fair Amarillis She From Pan descended from Alcides He And to our grief till now there never yet Of Heav'nly Race a Male and Female met On this a Nations hope depends the rest Is still reserv'd in Fates own secret breast And with this Marriage one day will ensue Mirt. And all this poor Mirtillo to undo What a long reach is here what Armys Band Against one heart half murder'd to their hand Is 't not enough that cruel Love 's my Foe Unless Fate too contrives my over-throw Erg. Alas Mirtillo grieving does no good Tears quench not Love but are its Milk and Food T shall scape me hard but e're the Sun descend This Cruel One shall hear thee Courage Friend Mirt. That word has shot life through me do but this And to repay you for so vast a Bliss When I am Dead and her fair Hand has given The killing-wound I 'le send you thanks from Heav'n Exeunt SCENE the Third Enter Corisca and Celia Corisca. Yonder he goes oh that bewitching Face When I behold Mirtilloes every grace His unaffected Carriage all his Charms What pleasing heat my panting Bosom warms But when I think anothers Chains he wears And will be deaf to all my Sighs and Pray'rs That dismal thought my bleeding heart-strings tears Shall I the flame of thousand hearts the wrack Of thousand Souls languish and burn and lack That pitty I denyed to others I Who kill by Cruelty by fondness dye Celia Talk not of dying Death 's an end of pain To those that Love but once and never Love again But thanks to Heav'n you 've no such danger nigh You have that pleasing Charm Variety Let those that starve in Love complain they dye Corisc. Yes Girl had I no other Love but this In Love there would be very little Bliss How extream poor must that ill House-VVise prove Who in all the World keeps but one only Love What 's Faith What 's Constancy Tales which the Jealous feign To awe fond Girls 〈◊〉 as absurd as vain Faith in a Woman if at least there be Faith in a Woman unreveal'd to me Is not a Virtue nor a Heav'nly Grace But the sad Penance of a ruind Face That 's pleas'd with one 'cause it can please no more A thousand fetter'd Slaves should all besore A Beauteous Face fall prostrate and adore What 's Beauty tell me If not pursued where Lovers numerous are It is a sign the peâ—…son Lov'd is rare A Creaâ—…ure Charming excellently fair Celia You Beauties then like Majesty in State Keep a large Train One Officer to wait Another to pâ—…esent a third to pâ—…ate A fourth for somewhat else Corisc. Well Celia when thy opening Beauty blows Grown up to Love take my advice and use Thy Lovers like thy Garments put on one Have many often shift and wear out none For daily Conversation breeds distast Distast Contempt and Loathing at the last Then get the start let not the Servant say He has turn'd his Mrs but she him away These are the rules I take I 've choyce and strive To please 'em all to this my hand I give And wink on him the handsom'st I admit Into my Bosom but not one shall get Into my Heart and yet I know not how Ay me Mirtillo's crept too near it now Celia For shame leave sighing Sister have more Pride You that have got so many Loves beside Cure this fond Thirst by some more pleasing tast In half your plenty none but Fools would fast Corisc. I never sigh'd but to deceive before Such pains as these till now I never bore What shall I do Leave him I cant Court him I must not Yes Love forbids that and Honour hinders this First then I 'le try Allurements and discover The Love to him but will conceal the Lover If after this he does my flame despise Nought but Revenge shall my hot Rage suffice And my Proud Rival Amaryllis Dyes My Persecuâ—…or here Spying Sylvano Enter she runs away Enter Sylvano and Dorco Sylva Corisca stay Confusion seize her how she hasts away Why by Heav'ns Curse and Malice was I Born To be a Vassal to such Pride and Scorn As Frosts to Plants to ripend Ears a Storm To Flowers the Mid-day-Sun to Seed the Worm To Stags the Toyles to Birds the Lime-twiggs so Is Love to man an everlasting Foe And he that call'd it fire pierced well into Its Treacherous Nature for if fire you view How bright and beautiful it is Approacht How warm and comfortable but when toucht Oh how it burns the Monster-bearing Earth Did never Teem such a Prodigious Birth Where e're Love fixes its Imperial Seat Cottage and Pallace to its Rage submit So absolute is its too large Command Nothing can its Tyrannick pow'r withstand So Love if you behold it in a pair Of Starry-eyes in a bright tress of hair How temptingly it looks what kindly flames It breaths what Peace what Pardons it proclaims But if thou dost it in thy bosom keep So that it gather strength and can but creep No Tygress in Hircanian Mountains Nurst No Lybian-Lyoness is half so curst Nor â—…rozen Snake â—…osterd with humane breath His Flames are hot as Hell Bonds strong as Death
mere sragments of the sight Or thoughts of the past day reviv'd at night Man's Doom and the great Oracles of Heav'n Are never by such feeble voyces given In short how Heav'n has destined to dispose Of our two Children neither of us knows But this is clear to both of us thine flyes And against Natures Laws does Love despise Mont. Take courage Titiro do not debase Your thoughts with mortal fears but nobly place Your hopes above Heav'n favours a strong Faith And a faint Prayer ne're climbs that Arduous Path. Our Childrens Pedegree you know's Divine And Heav'n that smiles on all will surely shâ—…ne On its own Progeny Come Titiro Together to the Temple let us go And humbly bow to the Eternal Throne Victims and Prayers have pow'r if Dreams have none And thou high mover of the Oâ—…bs that ridest The Starry Region with thy Wisdom guidest Their Course look down upon our tottering state And reconcile Disdain and Love with Fate Exeunt SCENE the Second Enter Amaâ—…yllis Amar. Riches what are they but our freedoms snares What boots it in the Spring-time of ones years To have the Attributes of fair and good In mortall Veins to lock Celestial blood If with all these our hearts Contâ—…ment lose And what we most desire want pow'r to choose Happy that Shepherdess whom â—…ome course stuff Obscurely Cloaths yet clean and just enough Rich only in her self and in the best And noblest Ornaments of Nature drest Whose narrow state no forreign Cares distress Her Bosom and her little World at peace Who in sweet Poverty no want does know Nor the Distractions which from Riches grow Yet whatsoever may suffice the mind In that Estate abundantly does-find One Fountain is her Looking-glass her Drink And Bath and if she 's pleas'd what others think It matters not She heeds not blazing Stars That threaten mighty Ones Wars or no Wars It is all one to her Her Battlement And Shield is that she 's Poor Poor but content Enter Corisca. Cor. Beyond my wish I'm favourd by my Fate Heav'ns must I be Mirtillos Advocate Oh kind Ergasto a more pleasing task Thou could'st not grant nor could Corisca ask aside Under the Name of Amaryllis Friend I have fit means and safe to work my end Amar. Corisca Coris My dear Amaryllis here Amaryll Yes kind Corisca all that 's left of her I 'm to be Married all that once was mine My freedom and my heart all that was thine My friendship and my smiles are ours no more They are all seiz'd by a commanding Pow'r Corisc. Do not with needless fears disturb your peace Why must your freedom and our friendship cease There 's no such Fetters no such dangers wait Upon the sweet and happy Marryed state Amar. Happy and Sweet Alass Corisc. Why do you fetch That â—…igh Leave sighing to that Wretch Amar. What Wretch Corisc. Mirtillo Amar. What of him Oh that blest Name aside Corisc. Only I have saved his Life Amar. His Life How came His Life in danger Cor. By his dispair for you That hour he first your fatal Contract knew The kâ—…lling sound no doubt had mortal prov'd Had not my kindness half his pain remov'd By promising to break this Match which though I only said to comfort him I know The way if need were Amar. Dear Corisca speak Can thy kind help this cruel Gordian break Corisc. Yes easily Amar. My better Angel how Cor. By Heav'n she loves him and my fears are true Aside To break this Marriage off if you would please T' assist me is a thing I 'de do with ease Amar. Unkind Corisca had you in your pow'r This blessing and conceal'd it till this hour Well though you hide your secrets yet take mine Know when I think I must my heart resign And all my Life be subject to a Boy That hates me and does place his only joy In Woods in Beasts in Dogs and Hunts-mens crys That thought to my wrack'd soul all Peace denys Why was I born of Heav'nly race for this Happy that poor and humble Shepherdess Who has not half my weighty Cares to keep Her heart awake who feeds her Master's Sheep With the pearld grass and with her lovely eyes Some honest Swain that for her Beauty dyes Not such as Men or Gods choose to her hand But such as Love did to her choyce commend And in some favour'd shady mirtle Grove Desires and is desired and lives all Love This only is true Bliss which till the breath Deserts the body knows not what is Death Would Heav'n had made me such a one Coris Why that I 'le wish to save you 't is not yet too late Amar. Not late My Faith I have already given Both to my Father and what 's worse to Heav'n And break with them I neither will nor may But if your Industry can find a way T' unty this Knot so that my Honesty My Faith my Fame and my Religion be Preserved how blest how proud Cor. Leave it to me Coriscas Glory and her pow'r this day In all their colours shall their Pride display But when from an ill Husband thou art freed May not an honest Lovers hopes succeed Mirtillo you must Love you shall nay moâ—…e Must give him leave to see you and adore Amar. ' swere better he 'd in peace and silence rest And root so vain a love out of his Breast Coris Some comfort you shall give him e're he dye Am. Half favours do but heighten misery Coris If they do so the seeking is his own Amar. And what must I expect should it be known Coris How Cowardly thou art Amar. And may I still Be Cowardly in any thing that 's ill Coris And can you fail me in this small request Farewell so may I fail thee in the rest Amar. Oh stay Corisca. Coris If you 'l promise me To hear Mirtillo Amar. Well I 'le promise thee To hear him but provided it may be But once Coris But once Amaryl And that he may not know We meet with my consent or knowledg Coris No You cannot think I 'le be so indiscrâ—…et I 'le make him think 't is by my plot you meet Trust to my care your safety in my hand Your faithful Creatures pow'r and Life command Amar. Farewell kind Maid Exit Coris Believing Fool farewell Yes trust me I will serve thee but as Hell Serves Sinners I will lead her fairly on Till past Redemption lost she is undone She Loves Mirtillo And Rivalship enflames me to that height That now I love him at that senseless rate That for his sake I 'de startle at no crime Nay I could e'ne turn Fool and Marry him Enter Sylvano rushing from behind the Seene and catches her Oh Amaryllis I am caught I am caught Stay and assist me Sylv. No she hears thee not Thou Mrs. in the art of making Lyes That sell'st false looks false hopes at such a price With honesty stampt on thy haughty brow None of thy falsehoods shall deceive
Hunting spill your precious blood Dor. Alas I would forgive him if he â—…nou'd Since unkind Sylvio from my Love does flye Young though I am I 'm Old enough to dye Exeunâ—… The End of the Second Act. ACT the Third Enter Amaryllis with a Train of Shepherdess who enter Singing Song WHy does the foolish World mistake And Loves dull praises sing so loud What idle Subjects must they make Who choose a blind and Childish Boy their God What dearer Joys our Freedom brings Whilst the wing'd Quire on every bough Charm'd with our Bliss in Consort sings And Night and Day our harmless pleasures view Chor. 'T is Shame and the Night Loves folly does cover And only the Bat and Schreich-Owl that hover About the dark Windows of a drowzy dull Lover The Song ended they Dance which done they go off singing and Corisca enters and stays Amaryllis Manent only Corisc. and Amar. Cor. I Must go speak to him or he 'l not stir To her faint-hearted Swain what do you fear Calling to Mirtillo Enter Mirtillo Mirt. I would approach her but dare move no nigher How near to Impotence is strong desire Corisc. Make hast or she is lost Amar. What do I view Mirt. Stay If this action to thy scorn be due Behold the Weapon and the Breast holding his Dagger to his Breast Amar. Thou hast Deserved that Sentence thy rash tongue has past What cause bold man could thy presumption move To interrupt my sost Retirements Mirt. Love Amar. Love is not rude Mirt. Can it be rudeness when I kneel before That dear Celestial Creature I adore Is it a Crime t' approach what we admire Do but observe fair Nymph how the wing'd Quire Each wandring Bird flyes over Woods and Groves To mix its Ayrâ—…s with the dear Mate it loves And what their Loves and weaker sense has done Should dastard Man the Lord of Reason shun Amar. And is this Love Did Love your soot-steps steer Prayers not surprizes would have brought you here Mirt. As a wilde Beast enraged with want of Food Rushes on Travellers from out the Wood. So I that only live on thy fair Eyes Since that lov'd Food thy Cruelty denys On my fair Prey a Ravenous Lover seize To my long famisht Love the only ease My Passion and my Fears were loâ—…g at strife And 't was a stratagem to save a Life Amar. Alas you persecute me but in vain What is it you can ask or hope t' obtain Mirt. Once ere I dye to hear me Amar. Well Sir that Boon I grant But this before Say little quickly part and come no more Mirt. Then that I love thee more than I do love My Life if thou doubt'st Cruel ask this Grove Each stâ—…pid Rock each Mountain which so ofâ—… I by the voyce of my Complaints made sofâ—… Behold these Flowers that make the Earth so proud Those Stars which naile the Firmament The crowd Of Nights bright Gems attest my high desires They 've all been witness of my restless fires To the adored bright Beautys of those Eyes My soul with all her wing'd affections flyes But since you bid me say but little I Shall say but little saying that I dye And shall do less in dying since I see How muâ—…h my death is coveâ—…ed by Thee Yet when I 'm Dead You 'l pitty what to Live you can't permit Must those bright Stars which my Loves Torches lit Light too my Funeral Tapers and fore run As once my rising now my setting Sun Amar. What shall I say I cannot speak aside Mirt. Fair Saint Have you no sense of my too just Complaint Have you no Pitty speak what have I done This Fate to merit Must I talk alonâ—… Say something Cruel Nymph Amar. What should I say You know I must not answer you your way Mirt. Say dye at least if nothing else you 'l say Amar. That honest pitty I may graâ—…t you have Other it is in vain to hope or crave For amorous pitty you must ne're implore From her who has given away all that before But if you love me and have told me true Love my good Name my Life and Honour too You seek Impossibles I am a Ward To Heav'n Earth watches me and my reward If I transgress is Death But most of all Virtue defends me Sir your heaâ—…t recall On barren Rocks none but th' unhappy fall And 't is the part of Viâ—…tue to abstain From what we love if it will prove our bane Mirt. He that no longer can resist must yield Amar. Where Virtue reigns all passioâ—…s quit the field Mirt. Love tryumphs over Virtue Amar. Let that man That cannot what he will will what he can Mirt. Necessity of Loving has no Law Amar. But effects cease when Causes do with draw I 'le see you then no more Mirt. Oh stay your form 's fixt here In vain we flye what we about us bear There is no Cure but that which Death affords Amar. Death Let me speak then and be sure these words Be as a Charm to you Although I know When Lovers talk of dying it does show Rather an amorous custom of the tongue Then a râ—…solve of mind continuing long Yet if in earnest you should ever take So strange a frenzy know that when you make Your self away you murder my Fame too Live then is you do love me and adieu Mirt. And must I live for ever in despair Doom'd to a Life that is not worth my care Amar. Mirtillo 't is high time you went away You have already made too long a stay Be gon and let your griefs not grow too strong Of hopeless Lovers there 's a numerous throng There is no wound but carryes with it pain And there are others who of Love complain Mirt. How can I leave you Amar. Why Sir should you stay You know my heart 's already given away You know I 'm to be Marryed Sir yet still Oh Heav'ns I 'de like t' have said against my will aside Be gone be gone For should he longer stay aside I shall the weakness of my soul betray Mirt. Why must I flye so sast from all that 's dear Amar. Should but the Nymphs return aâ—…d find you here This place they hold so sacred that they 'd tear You Limb from Limb The Thracian Nymphs ne're tore And Murder'd Orpheus so on Hebrus shore Mirt. Is that a fear should drive Mirtillo hence What if the place be sacred the offence Proceeds from Love and Love is sacred too They could not hurt the Slave that dyes for you Amar. He has staid too long his presence has such pow'r aside My Father I expect this very hour And if he find you here I shall pull down A Nations anger and a Fathers frown Sir for my safety go Mirt. That word alone could force Me hence but can I suffer this Divorce And yet not dye the pangs of death I 'm sure I feel and all that parting souls endure Exit Amar. Mirtillo oh Mirtillâ—… couldst thou
see That heart which thou condemn'st of cruelty Soul of my soul thou d'st find it so much thine thou d'st give me pitty and not ask me mine Oh why if Love be such a natural And pow'rful passion is it Capital Law too severe that Nature doest offend Nature too frail that dost with Law contend Why must our bleeding hearts with sorrow break Whilst modesty forbids our Sex to speak Oh dear Mirtillo pardon thy fierce Foe In words and looks but in her heart not so But if addicted to Revenge thou be What greater Vengeance canst thou take on me Then thy own grief For if thou beest my heart As in despite of Heav'n and Earth thou art Thy sighs my Vital spirits are the flood Of tears which follows is my vital blood And all these pangs and all these groans of thine Are not thy pangs are not thy groans but mine Enter Corisca and Celia Corisc. Why pangs and groâ—…ns what should your peace destroy What hinders your desires or bars your Joy Come you must love Mirtillo Why so coy Amar. What do you mean You know our breach of Faith Is punisht by th' Arcadian Laws with death Corisc. And is it that dull Nymph keeps you in awe Whâ—…ch is more ancient tell me Love or Law Love 's a Majestick pow'r Came in with Nature and grew up with Man And with the world its Soveraignty began Laws were but Innovations crept in since Which envying Loves Imperial Excellence Like Rebels Circumscribed an Absolute Prince Amar. Oh Heavens I scarce dare guess at what you mean But could I thy wild Counsels entertain And for th' offence the Law my Life should take Can Love of Life a Restitution make Corisc. Thou art too nice If Women all were such And on thy scruples should insist too much Good days adieu Laws are not for the Wise. If to be kind Should merit death â—…ove help the cruel mind But if Fools fall into those Snares 't is fit They be forbid to steal that have not wit To hide their Theft Amar. Hold this wild subject change You starrle me to hear you talk so strange Corisc. Why strange One minute of our Life 's not in our pow'rs And who but Fools would lose whole days or hours Celia convert her with that Song I taught you â—…elia Sings Let us use time whilst we may Snatch those joys that hast away Earth her Winter Coat may cast And renew her Beaâ—…ties past But our Winter come in vain We solicite Spring again And when our Furrows Snow shall cover Love may return but never Lover Amar. Thou say'st all this only to try me sure Not that thy thoughts are such but rest secure Unless the way to break this Contract be A plain safe way from guilt and scandal free Your useless Councels you propose in vain I 'de dye a thousand Deaths e're I 'de my Honour stain Corisc. But Amaryllis dost thou seriously Believe thy Sylvio rates his Faith as high As thou dost thine Amar. Alas how should I know What 's Faith to him who is to Love a Foe Corisc. Loves Foe There 's thy mistake Oh these coy souls Believe 'em not The deep stream silent rowls No Theft in Love so subtle and secure As to hide sin by seeming to be pure In short thy Sylvio Loves but 't is not thee He Loves else-where Amar. What Goddess must she be For certainly she 's not of mortal frame That could the heart of Sylviâ—… inflame Where are her Altars what 's this Goddess Name Corisc. No Goddess nor yet Nymph Amar. What was 't you said Corisc. Do you know my Lisetta Amar. Who the Maid That tends thy Flocks Corisc. The same She 's all his joy Amar. A proper choyce for one that was so coy Corisc. But will you know what Magick 's in her Arms And what great pains he takes to meet her Charms He feigns to go a Hunting But i' ch' heat Of all the sport he does by stealth retreat From his Companions and comes all alone Into my Garden by a way unknown Where underneath a Haw-thorne-hedges shade The Gardens sence the poor expecting Maid Hears his hot sighs and amorous pray'rs which she Comes Laughing afterwards and tells to me Amar. 'T is well Corisc. Now hear my plot and let my Friendship prove My ' industrious Zeal to Crown your Sacred Love I think you know that the same Law which does Enjoyn the Woman to observe her Vows To her Contracted likewise does Enact That if the Woman catch him in the fact Of falsehood all her tyes and contracts cease And she' has free pow'r to Marry where she please Amar. I know Examples Egle having found Lycotas false remaind her self unbound Corisc. Now hear me out My Maid by me set on Has bid her Credulous Lover meet anon In yonder Cave with her whence he remains The most contented of all living Swains And waits but th' hour You shall surprize him there And I too as your Witness will be near Amar. Already I 've a prospect of my Bliss I like it rarely but the way Corisc. 'T is this In th'middle of the Cave o th' right hand lyes Another lesser Grot. There thou shalt hide Thy self and hidden in that place abide Till the two Lovers come I mean to send Lisetta first and after her her Friend Following aloofe my self and when I have Perceiv'd him safely Lodg'd within the Cave I will rush after him and at my cryes You shall come in and the false Swain surprize That done shall take the penalty oth'Law I and Lisetta then will straight with-draw And to the Priest and then thou shalt untye This Fatal Knot Amar. Before his Father Corisc. Why What matter 's that Think'st thou Montanoes blood Will stand in Ballance with his Countrys good Amar. Go on then setting all disputes aside I wink and follow thee my faithful Guide Corisc. Then linger not dear Nymph but enter in Amar. Before this mighty enterprize begin I 'le to the Temple and the Gods adore And by my Prayers from Heav'n success implore Exit Corisc. Go and return then quickly How I 'm pleas'd Of half my Troubles I 'm already eas'd But to go on there 's something must be done T' abuse my honest Lover Coridon I 'le say I 'le meet him in the Cave and so Will make him after Amaryllis go That done by a back-way I 'le thither send The Priest of Cynthia her to Apprehend Guilty she will be found and by our Laws she dyes The cause of all Mirtilloes Crueltyes Enter Mirtillo He 's here I 'le sound him till she comes Now rise Rise all my Love into my Tongue and Eyes Mirt. Hear ye damnd Spirits that in Hell lament Hear a new sort of pain and punishment See in a Turtles look a Tygers mind She crueller than death 'cause she did find One death could not suffice her bloody will And that to live was to be dying still Enjoyns me not to make my self away
That I may dye a thousand times a day Corisc. How fares your Love Mirtillo since you came From your dear charming Ny mph Curse on the Name asidâ—… Mirt. As one who in a violent Feaver cast And is forbidden Liquor longs to tast Which got he greedily sets to his mouth And thâ—…s he quenches Life but cannot Drouth Corisc. Love over us no pow'r can e're receivâ—… But what our slavish selves Mirtillo give When by his fond desires mans soul is brought So poorly to be fetter'd to one thought Love quickly Tyrannizes in his Breast And straight grows up a Master from a Guest Mirt. Should not one Thought fill up Mirtilloes heart Is herâ—… a Beauty to deserve but part Corisc. How weak how ill a bargain foolish Swain You make to exchange kindness for disdain Mirt. The Cruelty of Beauty does refine A Lovers Faith as fire the golden Mine Where were the Sacred Loyalty of Love If charming Women did not Tyrants prove Corisc. Oh wretched and unhappy those in whom That foolish Idol Constancy finds room Come rouze Mirtillo know your nobler parts Look out you cannot want a thousand hearts Mirt. Though scorn'd and hated I had rather fall Her dying Victim than command 'em all Corisc. Oh horrour how he tortures me aside No doubt You are possest with some kind fâ—…attering thought That though an outward Scorn she 's pleas'd to show Like burning Mountains cover'd o're with Snow There 's heat within Enchanted Dreamer no. Mirt. These are but Trophies of my constant Love By which I 'le Tryumph o're the Gods above O're Men below my Torments and her Hate O're Fortune and the World o're Death and Fate Corisc. Wonder of Constancy If this Man knew How much he 's loved by her what would he do aside Mirtillo were you e're in Love before Mirt. Her and her only can my soul adore Corisc. Then it should seem your Heart was never laid But at the Feet of some disdainful Maid Oh that 't had been thy chance but once to be In Love with one that 's gentle curteous free Try that a little try it and thou 'lt find How sweet it is to meet with one that 's kind How pleasant 't is to have thy Mrs. twine About thy Neck and her sighs eccho thine And after say my Joy All that I have All that I am and thy desires can crave At thy Devotion is If I am fair For thee I 'm fair for thee I deck this hair This Face this Bosom from this Breast of mine I turn'd out my own heart to harbour thine Mirt. Happy 's the man that 's born under a Star So fortunate Corisc. Dull Swain a Nymph as fair As the proud'st she that curles and spreads to th'Ayr Her Beauteous Tresses worthy of thy Love As thou of hers The Honour of this Grove Love of all hearts by every worthier Swain In vain solicited adored in vain Does Love thee only and thee only prize More than her Life and for that Love she dyes Mirt. If such a Nymph there be conceal her Name To all my other Tortures add not shame Let me not know she suffers for my sake And blush to think I no return can make Corisc. How ever try what kindness is tast both Mirt. Distemper'd Pallats all sweet things do loath Corisc. Uncharitable Youth art not thou poor And cant'st thou beat a Beggar from thy door Mirt. What Alms can Beggars give Alas I 've Sworn Allegiance and a Traytor cannot turn Corisc. Blind Youth who is it thou art constant to I am unwilling to add Woe to Woe But can I see thee Cheated and Betray'd Her Honour sold thy Sighs her pass-time made And yet not speak No doubt but you suppose This Cruelty from her strict Vertue grows Thou art abused that tiresome Vanity Call'd Innocence she has long since laid by Mirt. And can your profanation swell so high Corisc. You 'l not believe Mirt. Believe thee Corisc. Then go on In wilfull Ignorance and be undone Mirt. Oh Torture I must dye if this be true Corisc. No live dull Man and thy Revenge pursue And though I know it will your heart-strings tear Her falsehood I must speak and you must hear Then to convince you see you yonder Cave That is your Mrs. Faith and Honours Grave In short there oft a base-born Shepheard warms Thy Virtuous Amaryllis in his Arms. There she her Bliss her Life her Heav'n does find The Ivy to the Oak's not half so kind Now go and sigh and whine and constant prove To that kind Nymph that thus rewards thy Love Mirt. Ah me Corisca dost thou tell me true And is it fit I should believe thee too Corisc. Truth is I did not see it but thou may'st And 〈◊〉 for she her word has past To 〈◊〉 there this very hour But hide Thy self beneath this shady Hedges side And thou shalt see her enter into th'Cave And after her her happy amorous Slave Mirt. So quickly must I dye Corisc. See I have spyed Her coming down already by the side O' th' Temple Mark how guiltily she moves Her stealing pace betraying their stolne Loves To mark the sequel do you here remain And afterwards we two will meet again Exit Mirt. Since the discovery of the Truth 's so near With my Belief I will my Death defer Enter Amaryllis Amar. I from the Temple come as light as Ayre How much Heav'n listens to a Virgins prayer I kneel'd and pray'd and strait I felt me-thought Another soul into my body shoâ—… Which whisper'd fear not Amaryllis go Securely on Yes and I will do so Heav'n guiding me Fair Queen of Love befriend Her who on thee for succour does depend Thou that as Queen in the third Orb doest shine If e're thou selt'st thy Sons flames pitty mine An humbler Votaress ne're kneelt before thy Shrine Securely Enter oh Mirtillo oh Goes into the Cave Mirtillo could'st thou dream for what I go Mirt. I wake and see what I could wish t' have been Born without Eyes that I might not have seen Or rather not to have been born curst Fate Why hast thou thus prolong'd my Lifes sad Date To bring me to this killing Spectacle Mirtillo more tormented than in Hell Dye then Mirtillo dye How dye and give The Traytor leave my Ruine to out-live You that enjoy my spoyls who e're you are Since I must fall shall my Destruction share Back to my Covert then I will repair And when the Villain shall approach he dyes But is 't not base to kill him by surprize What if her Wrongs I openly should right That would proclaim the cause for which we fight Dye basely then thou base Adulterer That hast slain me and hast dishonour'd her I but the blood may if I kill him here The Murder show and that the Murderer What need I care Yes but the Murther knowâ—… Betrays the cause for which the Murder 's done But her staind blood has not so quencht my flame I 'de kill