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
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
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
her Guilt but would not wound her fame Close then in branches on the Rocks left side Within the mouth o th' Cave my self I 'le hide And when I see her impious Minion come I 'le giâ—…e th' Adulterer and her shame one Tomb. Enter Sylvano And your dear foot-steps which I long have trac'd In vain un-erring path lead me at last To where my Love is hid To You I bow Your Print I follow Oh Corisca now I do believe thee Now thou hast told me true Goes into the Cave Sylv. Does he believe Corisca and pursue Her steps to Erycâ—…nas Cave A Beast Has Wit enough to apprehend the rest Is there a Devil like a Woman damnd In Lust Not Hell is half so much inflam'd Her guilt and shame is but too plain This Strumpet to this Swain her self has sold Bewitching Lust but more bewitching Gold And here by the false Light now of this Vault Delivers the bad ware which he has bought Or rather 't is Heav'ns Justice that has sent Her hither to receive her punishment From my Revenging hands The words he said Seem'd to imply some promise she had made Which he believed and by his spying here Her print that she 's within the Cave 't is cleer Do wisely then and stop the mouth o th' Cave With that great hanging stone that they may have No means of scaping to the Priest then go And bring by the back way which few men know His Ministers to take her in the fact And by her death my dearest Vengeance act Justice Revenge Heav'n and my injur'd Love Joyn all your pow'rs with mine this Rock to move Shuts the Cave with a piece of the Rock So now the Fox is trapt and finely shut Where she had Earth'd her self I'lâ—… straight go put Fire to the hole where I could wish to find The rest of Women to destroy the kind Exit The End of the Third Act. ACT the fourth Scene the first Enter Corisca. Corisc. THis day has Heav'n and Earth Nature Art Fortune and Fate Friend and Foe ta'ne my part How much more happily to make her sin Look more like Truth Fate brought Mirtillo in Then I contriv'd to have brought Coridon And how as luckily was that great stone Roul'd by Sylvano o're the mouth o' th' Cave Who cou'd expect such Service from that Slave Enter Sylvano Sylv. Corisca here thou damn'd perfidious Cheat I thought by this I had cur'd your amorous heat How comes it Devil that I find thee here Corisc. To find me here where lyes the wonder where Did you expect me Sylv. To have found thee Fool'd Snar'd and betray'd thy wanton courage cool'd Led to a Temple there t' have undergone That punishment my Vengeance had pull'd down And thy loud Crimes deserv'd I thought I shou'd Have seen Shame written in thy Fore-head and thy Blood Corisc. Audacious Slave Sylv. Was not that Stone enough To hold ye are not Rocks and Marble proof Against the Assaults of Lust How got ye off Speak Sorceress Corisc. What does the Traytor mean Sylv. How got you out o' th' Cave that dear dark Scene Of Villany t' escape the Minister Of Justice which I sent to seize you there Have you broke Prisons or subverted Laws Or baffled Justice made your impious cause Like those fair looks which your false colours paint Acted a Devil and appeaâ—…'d a Saint Which of 'em was 't or was it all say how All this betwitching Womans power can do Corisc. I scorn thy Imputations savage Slave 'T was Amaryllis that was found i'th'Cave And with Mirtillo caught th'Adultress dyes Can thy black soul with all its Treacheries Father on guiltless me thy barb'rous Lyes Sylv. Did he not name your Name in entring in And say you had told him true Oh I begin To find the Cheat some trick to take her head Nothing that's truth can from thy tongue proceed I 'le to the Priest and clear her of the guilt No blood but thine shall by my rage be spilt I 'le swear thy Treasons and her death prevent And false or true I 'le prove her Innocent offers to go Corisc. Sylvano stay and hear me e're you go God's for a little of the Woman now This Villain if his flight I do not stay aside Will ruine all my Love and all my Plots betray You 've often said you Lov'd Corisca. Sylv. True Corisc. And she has often said that she lov'd you Sylv. And I Fool as I was believ'd you too Corisc. Why was that Faith a Crime how can you still See by false lights and read my thoughts so ill How oft my seeming falsehood you 've pursu'd Even to my death and sought my guiltless blood Nay when your Jealousie so high could swell And your blind fears you thought discern'd so well You see kind Heav'n your Errour does prevent And cruel Man you find me Innocent Sylv. Because I once have had a false distrust Therefore my Jealousie must ne're be just Corisc. Well if I am still that Monster you suppose However sure some signe of Love it shews When I can â—…amely hear you treat me thus And yet forgive a style so infamous Sylv. Oh Syren canst thou Love how many Rogues And Villains odious Slaves and hated Dogs Have I been calâ—…'d and treated like 'em too Do call this Love yes perjuâ—…'d Woman do Corisc. To those harsh words I was by passion dâ—…iven Things done in storms should be in calmes forgiven Besides I have been treated too as ill And yet through all your Rage you Lov'd me still Sylv. And you deserv'd it you caâ—…'t less than prove A Miracle of Faith of Truth and Love You 've such a wondrous stock aâ—…k Corydon Philander Strephon Niso Clitophon Philisides Geron Thyrsis Doreo By all those Legions of your Loves you 're true Corisc. How can your fears such wild Châ—…maera's frame Can you my harmless Conversation blame Sylv. How harmlesly you â—…heir kind Visits paid Witness the Assignations you have made The Presents you â—…eceiv'd the cursed Gold For which your Vows were broke and Honour sold. Corisc. Can you object the Gifts and Treats they madeâ—… And think those Tributes were with Love repaid Our Companies requite the Treats we take And our Acceptancâ—… pays the Gifts they make â—… kept 'em Company was it ill done To hear all Loves wâ—…en I receiv'd but one Sylv. Oh Cunning Corisc. She bestows a worthless heart Whose seeble Eyes had never but one Dart. 'T is a dull prize that 's never sought but once But thus their weak pretences I râ—…nounce I 'm all Sylvano's sacred and entire Sylv. Magick and Witchcraft I shall take new fire Corisc. Alas I made you Jealous on design T' assure your Love before I made you mine Since Marriage is a Bond that tyes till death Could I have too much tryal of your Faith Sylv. Death and the Devil I am snar'd agen Tâ—…e â—…ame and silly loving Fool 's got in Corisc. Men best express how Treasures they esteem
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
Cave's her Plot and laid Only to have her Rivals Life betray'd And yet by all the Oaths Art could design Or faithless Woman ever break she 's mine And mine by all her Conjurations nay To morrow was to be our Wedding day And all was but a trick to take me hence Least I should stay to prove her Innocence Never did such a monstrous spurious Race Of Nature Heav'n and Natures works disgrace Mont. Is all this Truth Sylvan Too true Mont. Just Heav'n forbid False Nymph did You Corisc. I know not what I did I Cheated Him wrong'd Him design'd Her Fall I have my Pardon and I Own it all Mont. Had ever blood been so unjustly spilt But though I have forgiven your savage guilt I can't permit your breach of Faith I must Not only pardon you but make you just Cor. I am all horrour Mirt. If this false-Fair ones Crimes you can forgive And take an humble penitent Fugitive She 's yours Corisc. Death and Confusion Mont. 'T was breach of Faith was the provoking guilt In all the sufferings Arcadia felt But it shall end Sylv. You could not please me more This Nymph is all the Blessings I implore I hate her worse Then Hell and of all other hopes bereft aside Marriage is all the dear Revenge that 's left Corisc. Is this your promis'd mercy Let me meet Wracks Death any thing but him Mont. Is this your Penitence for your pardon'd Crime Corisc. To Marry him is all the plagues of Hell Adders and Scorâ—…ions Sylvan No 't is wondrous well I shall Convert thee pretty Infidel Corisc. Have you no mercy left no pitty Sir Sylvan Have you no Justice leâ—…t Give me but her Corisc. Of all the Savages the World can find Let me but shun that Monster of the kind Sylv. Of all the happiness of humane Life I only beg that Jewel for a Wife Cor. Oh Sir you Stab me Kill me Mont. When you Swore You 'd Marry him were Oaths esteem'd no more Forsaken Piety where art thou fled Be just as you wou'd save your forfeit Head Corisc. I loath thy very sight Sylv. And I love thee my pretty Innocence As much as thy Hot blood loves Impotence Cor. Why then Inhumane will you Marry me Sylvan To torture every Vein of thy false heart Make thy checkt pride at my dear Vengeance start Thy torments will a secret Joy afford I was thy Slave and now shall be thy Lord. Nor hope I 'le shun thy hated Bed in spight I 'le Tyrannize all day and sport all night My Head I 'le on thy perjur'd Bosom lay Ransack thy spoyles and chace thy sleeps away Enter Sylvio and Dorinda who kneel to Montano Corisc. Yes Villain do and my Revenge shall be I will be kind to all thy Sex but thee I 'le make you a worse Monster than you are Oh I am Mad Sylvan A very hopefull pair Corisc. I 'le meet thy loath'd embrace in such a frightful shape That evâ—…ry Kiss you force shall be a Rape To Mirt. As I am doubly punisht for my Crime At once in losing you and meeting him In pitty to the Ruins which you make Those few stol'n minutes from her Arms you take Bestow on me You 'l find me strangely good I 'le banish all the Feavour from my blood And love you with desires so pure so chast Sylvna Stand off the Witchcrafts of those Eyes are past Dear Mine I 'le lay thy wandring Devils fast Corisc. You shall be welcome to my Soul my Arms. But iâ—… the force of her more pow'rful Charms Hold you too sure to make him Jealous be So kind as but to feign and flatter me Ayd the Revenge of an unhappy Wife And make him lead a wretched Husbands Life Sylvan Let him come near thee Syren if he can Thy Slavery shall have so short a chain I 'le keep my aking Fore-head from that pain Corisc. In all the Cheats I used the tricks I plaid And all the Credulous Fools I have betray'd Free from all hainous Crimes I safely slept My Virgin Chastity entire I kept Did I preserve my Innocence for this A Maid dull Slave I am too good for thee A Curse upon my Idle Honesty Sylvan Can she be honest then at last If this Be true ye Gods I ask no greater Bliss Sylvio Your Confirmation of our Loves has given Me all the joys I wish on this side Heav'n Dorind But Sylvio see you Love me as you shou'd And slight me not for want of Heav'nly blood But Sir if Love to Gods Allied can be I am as near of Kin to Heav'n as she Enter Titiro Tit. Welcome to Life and to thy Fathers Arms I am all joy My Youth ne're felt such Charms Here take her Sir and may you happy live to Mirt. This day has all the longest Life could give Dorin Gerana Ger. My dear Joy Dorind The happy Dart That Sylvio shot brought me my Sylvio's heart Through the dear Wound his Soul came fluttering in He 'l Love and Love and never Hate agen But you have been unkâ—…nd Ger. I Dor. Yes you said I should not think of Love Heav'n knows how long Till seaven years hence But you were in the wrong My Sylvio finds no fault that I 'm too Young Mont. Now my dear Children share your Fâ—…thers heart Love has this day play'd its Triumphant part But Cynthia all these Blessings spring from Thee Faith Innocence Truth Justice Constancy And every Grace that humane Breast inspires Is but a spark of the Celestial fires Mirt. All other Vertues may be taught a hove But ye great Gods look down and learn to Love Exeunt Omnes FINIS EPILOGUE VVHo would not Damn a silly Rhiming Fop When there is scarce a Fore man of a Shop With sense of Animal and face of Stoick But Courts poor Tawdry Sempstress in Heroick Will make ye Rhimes on Cakes and Ale Reherse A Holy days Treat at Islington in Verse Rhiming which once had got so much your passion When it became the Lumber of the Nation Like Vests your seaven years Love grew out of fashion Great Subjects and Grave Poets please no more Their high strains now to humble Farce must lower So strutting Gallant in his burly Vest And in his loose full-bodyed Tunick drest All on a sudden to Thin gutted Paunch A slim French Jerkin Breeches close to Haunch Was grown so changed you 'd swear the slender Imp Was dwindled from a Lobster to a Shrimp Aâ—…d as with Habits so 't is with the Stage Fashion is all the Beauty of the Age. Anâ—… yet though thanks be to our happy Stars We'vâ—… Fools enough good Comedies are scarce And Faith 't is very strange Fops being so plenty There 's not one hits your Pictures right in twenty And gad the Reason I have thought upon To that Pariety of Fop you run Your Features change e're half your Picture 's done Be but more Constant Fool but on one way And sit but â—…ut the finishing a Play 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 my honest word I 'le pawn You may be better pâ—…as'd and better drawn