bind your Faith to me with a strict Oath that you will keep at a distance and not stretch your Hand to hinder me in that which I am about to do I for who would have thought of so strange an Accident and so desperate a Madness as he desired me made horrible Protestations invoking Pan and Pales Priapus Pomona and nightly Hecate Then he went on and conducted me not by any Path for there was no Path there but through the wild Rocky Passages of the craggy Mountain where a Precipice falls into a Valley There we stood I looking down found my self struck with Horror and soon shrunk back and he seem'd to smile a little and look serenely which Action made me less mistrust him and spoke to me thus See that you tell the Nymphs and Shepherds what you shall behold then looking down he said could I have here as ready to my Will the Throats and Teeths of greedy Wolves as I have these Precipices I would not die of any other Death than she did who was my Life I would that these my miserable Limbs should be torn â—…as as her delicate Ones were Since I can't have this and Heaven denies to my Wishes those voracious Animals who would come very opportunely now I am content to Die some other Way I'll choose that Way which though it ben't the proper one yet however is the shortest Sylvia I follow you I come to bear you Company if you don't disdain me and I should die content were I but sure that my following you would not disquiet you and that your Hate was ended with your Life Sylvia I follow you I come This said he threw himself Headlong from the Precipice and I turn'd all to Ice at the Sight Daph. Unhappy Aminta Sylv. Ah me Chor. Why didn't you prevent him perhaps the Oath you had made hindered you from detaining him Mess My Oath no for not regarding Oaths which perhaps are invalid in such a Case when I perceiv'd his desperate and cruel Design I ran thither with my Hand and as his hard Fate would have it seiz'd him by that Girdle of Taffety which was round him which being too weak to sustain the Force and the Weight of his Body which rested all upon it remain torn in my Hand Cho. And what became of the unhappy Corpse Mess I know not for I was so full of Horror and Pity that my Heart would not suffer me to look again to behold him dasht to Pieces Chor. O strange Accident Sylv. Alas sure I am made of Stones because this News does not dispatch me Ah! if the false reported Death of one who hated him so much has taken away his Life good Reason were it that the real Death of him who lov'd me so much should take away my Life And I am resolv'd it shall do so and if it can't with Grief yet it shall by the Sword or with this Girdle which not without Reason did not follow the Ruins of its sweet Master but remains only to revenge on me my cruel Rigour and his bitter End O Girdle unhappy Girdle of a more unhappy Master don't disdain to remain in so odious a Place since you remain only to be an Instrument of Revenge and of Punishment I ought certainly I ought to have been in this World the Companion of unhappy Aminta But since I would not be so I will be by thy Assistance his Companion in the World below Chor. Be comforted unhappy Maid for 'tis Fortune's Fault not Yours Sylv. Shepherds wherefore do you Weep if you are sorry at my Grief I don't deserve Compassion who knew not how to use it myself if you lament the Death of the miserable Innocent this is too small an Expression of Grief for so great an Occasion And you Daphne for Heaven's sake dry up your Tears if I am the Cause of them but I must request you not out of Compassion to me but to him who was worthy of your Compassion to assist me in seeking and burying the unhappy Body 'Tis that alone which keeps me from killing myself this very Moment I will do this last Office for him since there remains no other for me to do in Recompence of the Love which he bore me and though this Cruel Hand might blemish the Piety of the Deed yet I know that what ever is done by this Hand will be grateful to him for I know certainly he loves me still as he has shewn by Dying for me Daph. I am content to assist you in this Office but think no more of Dying after you have done it Sylv. Till now I have liv'd only to myself and my own Cruelty for what Time I have left I'll live to Aminta and if I can't to him I'll live to his cold unhappy Body So long and no longer will I stay in the World and then end at the same Time his Obsequies and my Life Shepherd what way leads to that Valley that lies at the Foot of the Precipice Mess That Way leads thither and 'tis not very far from hence Daph. Let us go I'll go with you and shew you the Way for I well remember the Place Sylv. Adieu Shepherds Mountains adieu adieu ye Woods and Rivers adieu Mess She speaks in such Manner as shews that she is dispos'd to take her last Farewel CHORO CIò che morte rallenta Amor restringi Amico tu di pace ella di guerra E del suo trionfar trionfi e regni E mentre due bell'alme annodi e cingi Così rendi sembiante al ciel la terra Che d'habitarla tu non fuggi ò sdegni Non son ire là sù gli humani ingegni Tu placidi ne rendi e l' odio interno Sgombri Signor da mansueti cori Sgombri mille furori E quasi fai col tuo valor superno De le cose mortali un giro eterno CHORUS LOVE you rejoin what Death unbinds you Friend of Peace and She of War you triumph and reign over her Conquest and by binding and uniting gentle Minds you so render Earth like to Heaven that you don't disdain to dwell therein Hatred is banish'd Hence you smooth the rugged Hearts of Men and drive from gentle Breasts all inward Rancour and a thousand Furies and by your Power supreme you cause an eternal Vicissitude in the Affairs of Mortals ATTO QUINTO SCENA PRIMA Elpino Choro VEramente la legge con che Amore Il suo imperio governa eternamente Non è dura nè obliqua e l'opre sue Piene di povidenza e di mistero Altri à torto condanna O con quant arte E per che ignote strade egli conduce L' huomo ad esser beato e fra le gioie Del suo omoroso Paradiso il pone Quand ei più crede al fondo esser de' mali Ecco precipitando Aminta ascende Al colmo al sommo d' ogni contentezza O fortunato Aminta ò te felice Tanto più quanto misero tu fosti Hor
speme non tacerla Tir. Dirollo volontieri Allhor che prima Mia sorte mi condussè in queste selve Costui conobbi è lo stimava io tale Qual tu lo stimi in tanto un dì mi venne E bisogno e talento d'irne dove Siede la grand Cittade in ripa al Fiume Et â costui ne feci motto egli Così mi disse andrai ne la gran Terra Ove gli astuti e scaltri Cittadini E i Cortigian malvagi molte volte Prendenci à gabbo e fanno brutti scherni Di noi Rustici incauti però Figlio Và su l'auviso non tappressar troppo Ove sian drappi-colorati e d'oro E pennachi e divise e foggie nove Mà sopra tutto guarda che mal Fato O giovenil vaghezza non ti meni Al magazino de le ciancie ah fuggi Fuggi quell incantato allogiamento Che luogo è questo io chiesi ei soggiunse Quivi habitan le Maghe che incantando Fan traveder e traudir ciascuno Ciò che diamante sembra oro fino E vetro e rame e quelle arche d'argento Che stimeresti piene di thesoro Sporte son piene di vesciche bugge Quivi le mura son fatte con arte Che parlano e rispondono à i parlanti Ne già rispondon la parola mozza Com' Echo suole ne le nostre selve Mà la replican tutta intiera intiera Con giunta anco di quel ch' altri non disse I trespidi le tavole le panche Le scranne le letiere le cortine E gli arnesi di camera e di sala Han tutti lingua e voce e gridan sempre Quivi le ciancie in forma di Bambine Vanno trescando e se un muto v'entrasse Un muto ciancerebbe à suo dispetto Mà questo è'l minor mal che ti potesse Incontrar tu potresti indi restarne Converso in salce in acqua ò in foco Acqua di pianto e foco di sospiri Così diss egli io n'andai con questo Fallace antiveder ne la Cittade Et come volse il Ciel benigno à caso Passai per la dov e'l felice Albergo Quindi uscian fuor voci canore e dolci E di Cigni e di Ninfe e di Sirene Di Sirene celesti e n'uscian suoni Soavi e chiari e tanto altro diletto Ch'attonito godendo ammirando Mi fermai buona pezza Era sù l'uscio Quasi per guardia de le cose belle Huom d'aspetto magnanimo e robusto Di cui per quanto intesi in dubbio stassi S'egli sia miglior Duce ò Cavaliero Che con fronte benigna insieme grave Con regal cortesia invitò dentro Ei grande e'n pregio me negletto e basso O che sentii che vidi allhora I vidi Celesti Dee Ninfe leggiadre e belle Novi lumi Orfei altre ancora Senza vel senza nube e quale e quanta A gl' Immortali appar vergine Aurora Sparger d'argento e d'or rugiade e raggi E fecondando illuminar d' intorno Vidi Febo e le Muse e frà le Muse Elpin seder accolto in quel punto Sentii me far di me stesso maggiore Pien di nova vertù pieno di nova Deitade e cantaì Guerre Heroi Sdegnando pastoral ruvido carme E se ben poi come altrui piacque feci Ritorno à queste selve io pur ritenni Parte di quello spirto nì già suona La mia Sampogna humil come soleva Mà di voce più altera e più sonora Emula de le Trombe empie le selve Udimmi Mopso poscia e con maligno Guardo mirando affascinommi ond ìo Roco divenni poi gran tempo tacqui Quando i Pastor credean ch' io fossi stato Visto dal Lupo e'l Lupo era costui Questo t'hò detto acciò che sappi quanto Il parlar di costui di fede è degno E dei bene sperar sol perche ei vuole Che nulla speri Am. Piacemi d'udire Quanto mi narri à te dunque rimetto La cura di mia vita Tir. Io n'havrò cura Tu frà mez'hora qui trovar ti lassa SCENE the SECOND Aminta Thyrsis AMINTA I have seen the Rocks and Waters compassionately reply to my Complaints I have seen the Woods accompany my Complaints with sighs but I have never seen nor hope to see Compassion in the cruel Fair whom I know not whether to call Woman or Brute but she denies herself to be a Woman because she denies Compassion where inanimate things have not denied it Thyr. The Lamb feeds on the Grass the Wolf on the Lambs but cruel Love feeds on Tears and never shews himself satisfied Am. Alas Love is long since satisfied with my Tears and now only thirsts after my Blood and soon I am resolv'd that he and that cruel Creature shall drink my Blood with their Eyes Thyr. Ah Aminta Aminta what are you talking or why do you rave thus comfort your self now for you will find another if this cruel one disdains you Am. Alas how can I find another if I cannot find my self if I have lost my self what Acquisition shall I ever make that can please me Thyr. Poor Man never despair of gaining her Length of Time has taught Men to Rein the Lions and the Tygers of Arcania Am. But an unhappy Wretch can't a long Time sustain the Delay of his Death Thyr. The Delay will be short Woman is soon angry and soon appeas'd a Creature moveable by Nature more than the slender Twig or the pliant Ear of Corn before the Wind but prithee let me know something farther of thy hard Condition and thy Love For though you have often confest to me that you were in Love yet you never told me where you plac'd your Love and our faithful Friendship and our common study of the Muses deserves that what is conceal'd from others should be discover'd to me Am. I am content Thyrsis to tell you that which the Woods the Mountains and the Rivers know though 'tis unknown to Men for I am now so near my Death that there is good Reason that I shou'd leave one behind who may relate the Cause of my Death and engrave it on the Bark of a Beech-tree near the place where my dead Body shall be buried that the cruel Maid when she passes by may take delight to trample my unhappy Bones with her proud Foot and say within herself Here lies my Triumph and may rejoice to see that her Victory is known to all our country Shepherds and the Strangers whom chance directs this way and perhaps alas my Hopes are too high a Day may come when she being mov'd with too late a pity may lament him dead whom living she kill'd and say oh were he here and were he mine Attend now Thyr. Go on then for I am attentive and perhaps to better purpose than you imagine
tacendo E riverendo mà non fian giamai Gli altari suoi senza à miei fiori e senza Soave fumo d'odorati incensi Et allhor questa semplice e devota Roligion mi si torr à dal core Che d'aria pasoer ansi in aria i Cervi E che mutando i fiumi e letto e corso Il Perso boa la Sona il Gallo il Tigre Daf. O tu vai alto hor sù discendi un poco Al proposito nostro Tir. Il punto è questo Che tu in andando al Fontè con colei Cherchi d'intenerirla io frà tanto Procurerò ch' Aminta là ne venga Nè la mia forse men difficil cura Sara di'questa tua hor vanne Daf. Io vado Mà il proposito nostro altro intendeva Se ben rauviso di lontan la faccia Aminta è quell che di là spunta è desso SCENE the SECOND Daphne Thyrsis Daphne THYRSIS as I have told you before I have discover'd that Aminta loves Sylvia and Heaven knows how many good Offices I have done for him and will still continue so to do so much the more willingly since You join in your Intreaties But I would sooner undertake to tame a Bull a Bear or a Tyger than to tame a simple Girl a Girl as silly as she is fair who is not yet sensible how burning and how sharp are the Arms of her Beauty but kills whether she smiles or weeps and kills without knowing that she has wounded Thyr. But where is there e'er so simple a Girl who being out of her swadling Cloaths understands not the Art to appear handsome and to please To kill by pleasing and to know what Arms wound and give Death and what cure and restore to Life Daph. Who is the Master of this Mighty Art Thyr. You dissemble only to try me The same that teaches Birds their Songs and Flight that teaches Fishes to Swim and Rams to Butt the Bull to use his Horns and the Peacock to spread abroad the Pomp of his many-Eyed Plumes Daph. What is the Name of that great Master Thyr. His name is Daphne Daph. trifling Pratler Thyr. And why are not you fit to keep a Thousand Girls at School tho' to say the Truth they have no Need of a Master Nature is their Teacher tho' the Mother and Nurse have a Part in it Daph. Truly I think you are Merry in the midst of your Sadness Now to tell you the Truth I am not certain that Sylvia is that simple Girl that she appears to be by her Words and her Actions Yesterday I saw an Instance which put me in doubt of it I found her near the Town in those large Meadows where amidst the standing Waters lies a little Island upon which there is a calm and clear Lake hanging over in such a Posture that she seem'd to admire herself and at the same Time to advise with the Water in what Manner she ought to dispose her Hair upon her Fore-Head and over her Hair her Veil and over her Veil the Flowers which she held in her Lap and often she took now a Blossom then a Rose applied them to her beautiful white Neck and Vermilion Cheeks and made Comparison of their Colours and then as if rejoycing at the Victory she burst out into a Laughter as if she seem'd to say I surpass you neither do I wear you for my Ornament but I wear you only for your own Shame since it appears how much you yield to me But while she was adorning and admiring herself by chance she turn'd her Eyes and perceiv'd that she was perceiv'd by me she soon blush'd for Shame and drop'd her Flowers the more I laugh'd at her Blushes the more she blush'd at my Laughing but because one Part of her Hair was bound up and the other hanging loose she once or twice turn'd her Eyes to consult the Fountain and gaz'd as it were by stealth fearing lest I should look on her whilst she look'd on herself she saw herself in her undress and was pleas'd because she saw herself handsome e'en in her Undress I perceiv'd it and held my Tongue Thyr. You tell me exactly what I thought now did not I guess right Daph. You guess'd right but I dare say that Shepherdesses and Nymphs were not so cunning heretofore neither was I such in my Youth the World grows old and as it grows old it grows worse Thyr. Perhaps then the Citizens did not so much frequent the Woods and Fields nor so often were our Country People accustom'd to go to the City Now our Families and our Customs are mingled But let us leave these Discourses Could not you bring it about that one Day Sylvia should permit Aminta to speak to her either alone or at least in your Presence Daph. I can't tell Sylvia is Coy out of Measure Thyr. And he out of Measure respectful Daph. A respectful Lover is undone since he is such advise him to some other Employment Whoe'er would learn to Love let him unlearn Respect let him Dare Demand Sollicite Importune in short let him Steal and if that is not sufficient let him Ravish Do not you know what is the Nature of a Woman She flies and flying wishes to be overtaken she denies and wishes that what she denies may be snatch'd from her she fights and fighting wishes to be conquer'd Thyrsis I speak this to you in Confidence don't tell again what I have told you But above all don't put it in Rhime you know that I can recompence you for your Verse with something else beside Verse Thyr. You have no Reason to suspect me of ever saying any Thing contrary to your Pleasure But I conjure you dear Daphne by the sweet Memory of your blooming Youth that you would assist me in helping Aminta Poor Wretch that is a dying Daph. Ah! what a gallant way of conjuring has the Fool devised in reminding me of my Youth my past Happiness and my present Trouble But what would you have me do Thyr. You want neither Parts nor Contrivance 'tis sufficient if you are but disposed to be willing Daph. Well then I'll tell you Sylvia and I shall shortly go to the Fountain of Diana where the pleasant Waters are overshaded by that Plane-Tree which invites the Nymphs return'd from Hunting to its sweet Retreat there I know certainly she will bath her naked lovely Limbs Thyr. But what of that Daph. What of that Senseless dull Fellow if thou hast any Wit that's enough Thyr. I understand you but I can't tell if he will be so bold Daph. If he will not let him stay and wait till she comes to court him Thyr. E'en that is no more than what he deserves Daph. Mayn't we now discourse a little concerning your self What Thyrsis will you never become a Lover You are yet young and have not yet past your Nine and Twentieth Year if I remember well your Infancy will you thus continue to live in
colpa Non sarà dunque ver ch' in quanto in posso Non cerchi compiacerla Tir. Hormai rispondi Se fosse in tuo poter di non amarla Lasciaresti d'amarla per piacerle Am. Nè questo mi consente Amor ch' io dica Nè ch' imagini pur d'haver gia mai A lasciar il suo amor bench io potessi Tir. Dunque tu l'ameresti al suo dispetto Quando potessi far di non amarla Am. Al suo dispetto nò ma l'amerei Tir. Dunque fuor di sua voglia Am. Sì per certo Tir. Perche dunque non osi oltra sua voglia Prenderne quel che se ben grava in prima Al fin al fin le sara caro e dolce Che l'habbi preso Am. Ahi Tirsi Amor risponda Per me che quanto à mez il cor mi parla Non sò ridir tu troppo scaltro sei Già per lungo uso à ragionar d'amore A me lega la lingua Quel che mi lega il core Tir. Dunque andar non vogliamo Am. Andare io voglio Mà non dove tu stimi Tir. E dove Am. A morte S'altro in mio prò non hai fatto che quanto Hora mi narri Tir. E poco parti questo Credi tu dunque sciocco che mai Dafue Consigliosse l'andar se non vedesse In parte il cor di Silvia e forse ch'ella Il sà nè però vuol ch' altri risappia Ch' ella ciò sappia hor se'l consenso espresso Cerchi di lei non vedi che tu cerchi Quel che più le dispiace hor dove è dunque Questo tuo disiderio di piacerle E s'ella vuol che'l tuo diletto sia Tuo furto ò tua rapina e non suo done Nè sua mercede à te folle che importa Più l'un modo che l'altro Am. E chi m'accerta Che il suo desir sia tale Tir. O' mentecatto Ecco tu chiedi pur quella certezza Ch' a lei dispiace e dispiacer le deve Dirittamente e tu cercar non dei Mà chi t'accerta ancor che non sia tale Hor s'ella fosse tale e non v'andassi Eguale è il dubbio e'l rischio ahi pur è meglio Come ardito morir che come vile Tu taci tu sei vinto hora confessa Questa perdita tua che fia eagione Di vittoria maggiore andianne Am. Aspeita Tir. Che aspetta non sai ben che l'tempofugge Am. Deh pensiam pria se ciò dee farsi e come Tir. Per strada penserem ciò che vi resta Mà nulla fa chi troppe cose pensa SCENE the THIRD Aminta Thyrsis Am. NOW I shall see what Thyrsis has done for me and if he has done nothing before I pine away into nothing I'll kill myself before the Eyes of the Cruel Maid She who is so well pleas'd at the Wound of my Heart struck by her beautiful Eyes will certainly be pleas'd no less at the Wound of my Breast struck by my own Hand Th. Aminta I bring you News of Comfort cease henceforth your heavy Complaints Am. Ah! what do you say do you bring me Life or Death Thyr. I bring you Health and Life if you dare meet them But you must be a Man Aminta a Man of Courage Am. What Courage have I need of and whom must I encounter Thyr. Suppose your Mistress was in the midst of a Wood which begirt around with lofty Rocks was the Receptacle of Tygers and Lions would you go thither Am. I would go more secure and cheerful than a Country Lass to a Dancing on a Holy-day Thyr. Were she among a Troop of arm'd Thieves would you go thither Am. I would go more willing and ready than the thirsty Stag to the Fountain Thyr. A harder Task requires a greater Courage Am. I would go through the Midst of rapid Torrents when the Snow dissolves and sends them swelling to the Sea I would go through the Midst of Fire and into Hell itself were she but there if that can be an Hell which contains so beautiful a Creature But prithee tell me all Thyr. Hear then Am. Tell me quickly Thyr. Sylvia waits your coming at a Fountain naked and alone dare you go thither Am. Ah! what do you tell me Sylvia waits for me naked and alone Thyr. Yes alone only perhaps Daphne is with her who is in our Interest Am. She waits for me naked Thyr. Naked But Am. Alas but what you kill me with your silence Thyr. But she does not know that you are to come There Am. Ah bitter Conclusion which poisons all the sweets that went before With how much Art do you torment me cruel Man is it not enough for you that I am unhappy that you come thus to increase my Misery Thyr. If you will be ruled by me you shall be happy Am. What do you advise me Thyr. To embrace the Opportunity which kind Fortune presents Am. Heaven forbid that ever I should do any thing to displease her I have never done any thing yet to displease her besides loving her and that was not my Fault but was forc'd from me by her Beauty it shall never be said but that I seek to please her to the utmost of my Power Thyr. Answer me now if it were in your Power not to love her would you cease to love her in order to please her Am. My Love will never allow me to say or ever Imagine that I should cease to love her though it were in my Power Thyr. You then would love her in spight of her when it was in your Power to help loving her Am. In spight of her no but I would love her Thyr. Whether she would or no Am. Yes certainly Thyr. Why then dare you not take against her Will that which though it grieves her at first will delight and please her in the End because 'twas taken Am. Alas Thyrsis let Love answer for me for I cannot repeat what he speaks in my Breast you are too subtle for me by your long Use in reasoning of Love he who bound my Heart also ties my Tongue Thyr. Must not we go then Am. I'll go but not where you think Thyr. Where then Am. To Death if you have done no more for me than what you tell me now Thyr. Do you reckon this so little then do you imagine you Simpleton that Daphne would ever have advis'd you to go if she had not partly discover'd Sylvia's Heart and perhaps she knows of your coming and yet is unwilling that any one else should know that she knows it now if you desire an express Consent from her don't you perceive that you desire a Thing that would displease her most What then is become of your Endeavour to please her and if she has a mind that your Delight should be your own Theft or Robbery and not her Gift or Reward what signifies it to you Fool more one way
sad News of your Death which he credited brought him to the Noose the Sword or something else which has prov'd his Death Sylv. Your Suspicion of his Death will be as vain as that of mine for every one to the utmost of his Power endeavours to save his Life Da. O Sylvia Sylvia you neither can conceive nor believe how much the Fire of Love can do within a Breast a Breast of Flesh and not of Stone as thine is for if you had believ'd it you would have lov'd him who lov'd you more than the Apples of his Eyes or the Breath of his Life for my Part I believe it nay I have seen it and know it I saw him when you ran away O more Savage than the cruel Tyger and at that time when you ought rather to have embrac'd him I saw him point a Dart towards himself and press it to his Breast despairing and unrepenting of the Action through his Garments and his Skin it pass'd and was dy'd in his Blood and the Steel would have enter'd within and pierc'd that Heart which you had pierc'd more cruelly had not I held his Arm and hinder'd it from going farther Alas that slight Wound was perhaps only a Proof of his Fury and his desparing Constancy and shew'd the Way to the Daring Steel which afterward it was to follow more freely Sylv. Alas What do you tell me Daph. I saw him afterwards when he heard the most bitter News of your Death faint away with Grief and then furiously depart in hast to kill himself and he has kill'd himself most certainly Sylv. And do you really believe it Daph. I don't at all doubt it Sylv. Alas Why did you not follow him and prevent him Ah! let us go and seek him for since he dies because of my Death because I am alive he ought to Live Daph. I follow'd him but he ran so swiftly that soon he got out of sight and in vain afterwards I sought his Steps Now where will you seek him out without any Track to follow him Sylv. Alas he'll Die if we don't find him out and will be his own Destroyer Daph. Cruel perhaps you grieve that he should take from you the Honour of that Action would you then have been his Murtheress and think you that his Cruel Death ought not to be the Work of any other Hand but your own Comfort yourself for in what Manner soever he dies he dies for you and you are the Person that kills him Syl. Ah! how you afflict me and that Grief which I feel for his Misfortune is embitter'd by the Memory of my Cruelty which I call'd Honour and so indeed it was but it was too severe and rigorous Now I perceive it and repent Daph. What do I hear Are you Compassionate and do you feel within your Heart any Breath of Pity Oh! What do I see Do you Weep proud Maid Oh! Wonder What Tears are these Tears of Love Sylv. Not Tears of Love but of Pity Daph. Pity is the Forerunner of Love as Lightning is of Thunder Chor. Nay oftentimes when Love has a Mind to steal into a Virgin's Breast whence he was before excluded by severe Honour he takes the Habit and the Shape of his Servant and Messenger Pity and with such disguise deceiving the Simple he gets Possession within their Breast Daph. These are the Tears of Love they flow so fast What! Are you silent Do you love Sylvia You love but in vain Oh! the Power of Love which inflicts on her a just Chastisement Unhappy Aminta you like a Bee which Dies as he strikes and leaves his Life in another's Wound have at length pierc'd that hard Heart which you never could do when you was alive Now if thou wandring Spirit free'd from thy Body wanderest here-about as I believe look on her Tears and rejoice Loving in Life belov'd in Death and if it was thy Destiny to be belov'd in Death and if this Cruel Maid was resolv'd to sell thee her Love at so dear a Price thou hast given that Price which she requir'd and thou hast bought her Love with thy Death Chor. A dear Price to him that pays it but to the Receiver useless and infamous Sylv. Oh! Could I with my Love purchase his Life nay with my own Life purchase his if he is Dead Daph. O! Wise and Compassionate too late when nothing will avail SCENA SECONDA Nunzio Choro Silvia Dafne IO hò sì pieno il petto di pietate E sì pieno d' horror che non rimiro Ne odo alcuna cosa onde mi volga La qual non mi spaventi e non m' affanni Cho. Hor ch' apporta costui Ch' è sè turbato in vista in favella Nun. Porto l' aspra novella De la morte d' Aminta Sil. Ohimè che dice Nun. Il più nobil Pastor di queste selve Che fù così gentil così leggiadro Così caro à le Ninfe à le Muse Et è morto fanciullo ahi di che morte Cho. Contane prego il tutto acciò che teco Pianger possiam la sua sciagura e nostra Sil. Ohimè ch' io non ardisco Appressarmi ad udire Quel ch' è pur forza udire empio mio core Mio duro alpestre core Di che di che paventi Vattena incontra pure A quei coltei pungenti Che costui porta ne la lingua e quivi Mostra la tua fierezza Pastore io vengo à parte Di quel dolor che tú prometti altrui Che à me ben si conviene Piú che forse non penfi io l ricevo Come dovuta cosa hor tu di lui Non mi sii dunque scarso Nun. Ninfa io ti credo bene Ch'io sentii quel meschino in sù la morte Finir la vita sua Co'l chiamar il tuo nome Daf. Hora comincia homai Questa dolente historia Nun. Io era à mezzo l colle ove havea teso Certe mie reti quando assai vicino Vidi passar Aminta in volto e in atti Troppo mutato da quel ch' ei soleva Troppo turbato e scuro Io corsi e corsi Tanto che l giunsi e lo fermai egli Mi disse Ergasto io vo che tu mi faccia Un gran piacer quest è che tu ne venga Meco per testimonio d' un mio fatto Ma pria voglio da te che tu mi leghi Di stretto giuramento la tua fede Di startene in disparte e non por mano Per impedirmi in quel che son per fare Io chi pensato havria caso sì strano Nè sì pazzo furor come egli volse Feci scongiuri horribili chiamando E Pane e Palla e Priapo e Pomona Et Hecate notturna indi si mosse E mi condusse ov è scosceso il colle E giù per balze e per dirupi incolti Strada non già che non v è
if he was Alive calling him Happy and Fortunate O hard Condition of Lovers Perhaps he thinks him a fortunate Lover who Dies and at length finds Pity in the Heart of his Nymph after he is dead and this he calls the Paradise of Love and hopes the same to himself With what slender Reward does the Winged-God content his Servants Are you then Elpin in such miserable State your self as to call the unhappy Death of wretched Aminta fortunate Would you be content with the same Fate Elp. Cheer up my Friends the Report which came to you of his Death is false Chor. How comfortable to us is that News which you relate is it not true then that he leapt from the Precipice Elp. That's very true indeed but the Precipice was Propitious to him and under the sad Image of Death reach'd out to him Life and Joy He is at this Time lying close on the Bosom of his beloved Nymph who is by so much the more Compassionate now as she was Cruel before and she's wiping the Tears off his Eyes with her Mouth and I am going to find out Montanus her Father to conduct him where they are for 'tis only his Consent which is wanting and which prolongs the Accomplishment of their mutual Wishes Chor. Their Age their Birth and their Desire agree and good Montanus is desirous of having Posterity and arming his old Age with so sweet a Guard so that he'll make their Consent his own But pray tell us Elpin what God what Fortune preserv'd Aminta in his dangerous Fall from the Precipice Elp. I am content hear me hear what I saw with my own Eyes I stood before my Cave which lies near the Valley and at the Foot of the Hill where the lowest Declivity makes a shelving Lap. There I was discoursing with Thyrsis about her who in the same Snare first took and Captivated him and afterwards me and preferring my sweet Servitude to his Escape and State of Freedom when a Shreek drew our Eyes upwards and all in an instant we saw a Man fall from the Summit and light upon a Thicket There grows on the side of the Hill a little above us a large Tuft of Plants and Thorns and other Boughs closely Join'd together and Interwoven with each other thereon he fell before he struck on any other Place and though he made Way through them with his Weight and fell down to the Ground before our Feet yet that Stop so abated the Force of the Fall that it prov'd not Mortal however it was so dangerous that he lay an Hour or more quite Stunn'd and out of his Senses We knowing him were struck Dumb with Pity at the unexpected sight but perceiving that he was not Dead and perhaps not like to Die we moderated our Grief Then Thyrsis gave me a full Account of his Secret and Tormenting Love But while we endeavour'd to revive him by different Means having at the same Time sent for Alfesibeus whom Phoebus taught the Art of Physick when he gave me the Lute and the Lyre Daphne and Sylvia came up together to us who as I heard since were coming to search for the Body which they suppos'd Dead But when Sylvia knew and saw the beautiful tender Cheeks of Aminta discolour'd like the Violet which looks so sweetly Pale and saw him languishing in such a Manner that his Soul seem'd to be breathing out in his last Sighs She like a Bacchanal crying and beating her Breast let herself fall upon his Body and Join'd Face to Face and Mouth to Mouth Chor. Did not Modesty then retain her who is so Severe and Coy Elp. Modesty may restrain a feeble Passion but 'tis too weak a Curb for Powerful Love She as if she had a Fountain in her Eyes began to bath his cold Face with her Tears and that Water was of so great Vertue that he reviv'd and opening his Eyes sigh'd forth a dolorous Alas from the Bottom of his Breast But that Alas which parted bitter from the Heart met the Breath of his Dear Sylvia and being caught by her sweet Mouth was all of sudden Sweeten'd there Who can express the Condition of both the Lovers at that Time When one was assur'd of the others Life and Aminta assur'd of the Love of his Nymph and found himself close within her Arms. He that is a Servant of Love may from himself imagin it but none else can conceive it much less express it Chor. Is Aminta so well then that he is in no Danger of his Life Elp. Aminta is safe and sound he has only Scratch'd his Face a little and somewhat Bruis'd himself but it will be nothing and he does not value it Happy is he who has given so great Proof of his Love and now tastes its Sweets to which extreme Grief and Danger give a sweet and delightful Relish But Adieu I'll go on my way to find out Montanus CHORO NOn sô se il molto amaro Che provato ha costui servendo amando Piangendo e disperando Raddolcito puot esser pienamente D' alcun dolce presente Ma se più caro viene E piu sigusta dopo'l male il bene Io non ti chieggio Amore Questa beatitudine maggiore Bea pur gli altri in tal guisa Me la mia Ninfa accoglia Dopo brevi preghiere e servir breve E siano i condimenti De le nostre dolcezze Non sì gravi tormenti Ma soavi disdegni E soavi ripulse Risse e guerre à cui segua Reintegrando i cori ò pace ò tregua IL FINE CHORUS I Know not whether all the Bitter this Lover has tasted in Service Courtship Mourning and Despair can be sufficiently sweeten'd by any present Sweets If Pleasure comes more grateful and relishes better after Pain Love I don't crave this eminent Happiness bless others in that Manner as for me let my Nymph receive me after short Entreaties and short Service and may the Seasoning of our Enjoyments be not such grievous Torments but sweet Disdaining sweet Repulses Quarrels and Wars to which may soon succeed either Peace or a Truce which may reunite our Hearts FINIS To the Translator of Tasso's Aminta WE British Lovers aukwardly complain Of Female Pride and undeserv'd Disdain So faint our Language tho' our Hearts sincere Our cold Address acquits the gen'rous Fair. Their conscious Beauty claims a decent Pride And where it yields wou'd fain be justified A Virgin Breast no Rigour entertains Proof to the Charms of Tasso's melting Strains Cou'd every Lover like Aminta plead The Fate of Female Pride were soon decreed Venus to fix her Empire o'er Mankind Her Cestus to the Tuscan Muse resign'd And Love now Meditates a surer Blow From Tasso's Lyre than his own golden Bow I hear the Whispers of the conscious Grove The Fountains Trees and Rocks all tun'd to Love But hark what Voice so softly sweet complains Of Nymphs obdurate and of dying Swains Too well I feel the Magick of that Tongue And Sympathy's the Eccho to his Song Blest Italy thy Genius now upbraids The Savage Fame of rugged Roman Shades Thy Sons far nobler Wars and Conquests boast The World for Musick and for Love well-lost You gallant Frenchman whom the Fates design The rough-hewn British Vertue to refine In pity to our cold unactive Clay Celestial Beams of Tasso's Fire convey May ev'ry God the bold Attempt approve But if they punish be the Vulture Love Fond as Narcissus of reflected Charms The Mirrour of thy Page e'en Tasso warms That Love prov'd mortal to the destin'd Boy The Poets Fates their kinder Powers employ And Tasso gazes with immortal Joy