relentlesse heart Of mine what fear'st thou go receive that dart Which he brings in his tongue that so thereby May be made known thy heartlesse cruelty Shepherd I come a partner here to be Of that grief which thou promist's others me Perhaps it more concerns and as a due Debt of my rigor I receiv't from you Erg. Nymph I believe thee well for at his death He with thy name gave up his latest breath Daph. Now begin this sad story Erg. I surround The Mount did with some nets spread on the ground When lo Amintas passed by and he Was too much chang'd from what he us'd to be Too troubled and too sad I ran and staid Him though with much ado he to me said Ergasto I 'd intreat a courtesie Of thee 't is this to come along with me And be a witnesse of what I shal do But this I shal requier first of you That by streight oath your firmest faith you bind Neither to hinder nor oppose my mind I for who could have thought so strange a case Or such mad fury let his will take place And did conjure Pan Pales Priapus And all those gods are honour'd most by us He at my oaths went forward and me led There where the cliffy rock hangs o're it's head Road it was none for there no path at all But from the mount a precipice doth fall Into th' adjacent valley here a stop We made when I with looking from the top Such was the height so level to the ground That with a giddinesse my head turn'd round I started back he smil'd to see me start Which too much did assure my fearlesse heart Then to me said Ergasto I 'd have thee Recount to Nymphs and Pastors what thou'lt see So looking down began Had I here ready to my will The teeth of rav'nous wolves to spill My blood I 'd onely choose that death By which she di'd who was my breath They tear this body should of mine As they did that fair corps of thine But since that heav'n is so unjust As to deny though die I must My death desired nor will send Fierce beasts to help me to my end I 'l find a death though not the due Shall end my life as soon as you Silvia I come I come to thee Disdain not then my company Contentedly I shall endure The sharpest death were I but sure 'T would not again begin our strife Thy anger ceas'd were with thy life Silvia I come this said he in a trice Threw himself down I frozen stood like Ice Daph. Wretched Aminta Sil. Ay poor me Chor. But why Some way to hinder him didst thou not try Perhaps thy promis'd oath did thee restrain Erg. No for rejecting oaths in that case vain When I discern'd his purpose though too late I ran to stay him such was his hard fate I onely caught this silken girdle here But he went with such force it could not bear His body's weight and so it did remain Thus broken in my hands Chor. But what became Of the unhappy corps Erg. That know not I I had not heart enough to see it lie Pity and horror having fill'd the place So shattred into peeces Chor. O strange case Sil. If this newes kil 's not me my heart 's of stone Or rather I believe that I have none Shall the false rumour of my death have such Power o're his life whom I did hate so much And shall not his true death who life did leave For love of me me of my life bereave It shall and if that griefe can't do 't a knife Or else this girdle shall command my life This girdle left behind alone to be The just revenger of my cruelty Unhappy girdle of a Master farr Unhappier disdaine not that you are Lodg'd in this justly to thee hatefull brest Since there thou as an instrument do'st rest Of that revenge which is in justice due To your so haplesse Master and to you For since t was by my cruelty deni'd Aminta should my consort here abide 'T is just I should by work of thine be made His consort in the sweet Elizian shade Chor. Comfort thy selfe poore wretch thou fault hast none In this but fault of fortune 't is alone Sil. Shepherds weep not for me your tears you loose Those pity don't deserve who none did use Or if ye weep his losse ye weep in vain Since that deserves a far more dolefull streine And thou too Daphne dry those teares of thine If from no other cause they come than mine This s'd intreat thee do not for my sake But for his worthy was the pains to take To go with me to see those wretched bones I feare me crush'd among the rocks and stones And helpe to bury them and when that I Have perform'd this what should I do but dy This office I 'l repay him since no more I can for that great love which he me bore And though these hands of mine contaminate Will this good work yet since pernicious fate Permits me only to do this I know It will be deare to him he lov'd me so Daph. Who would their help to such a work deny But afterwards thou must not think to dy Sil. Till now I liv'd have to my selfe alone And to my cruelty what rests to none I 'l live but to Aminta and if fade My hopes do there I 'l live to his cold shade So long I 'l live till in one point can I Finish his saddest obsequies and dy Shepherd direct me that I may not faile To find the way which leads unto the vale Where ends that cursed precipice Erg. You are Just in the way nor is it very far Daph. Come I 'l go with thee thou my foot-steps trace And I 'l thee lead directly to the place Sil. Then Shepherds Nimphs Meadows and Plaines adieu Woods Rivers Fountains all farewell to you Erg. Alas she takes her leave with sighs so sore As if she were resolv'd to turn no more CHORUS WHat death must yeeld that love retains Thou peace's friend he wars unkind Ever his triumphs vaunts and reignes And whil'st thoudo'st twofair souls bind Thou rendr'st earth so like the heavenly sphear That thou thy selfe deign'st to inhabit here There is no anger there above And thou hast mortal brests inclin'd By thy divinest art of love To put all hatred out of mind And with a pow'r exceeding earthly Kings Thou here below dost govern mortall things Act. 5. Scen. 1. Elpine Chorus of Shepherds Elp. IN truth the divine law by which love sway 's His sacred Empire is not hard nor stray's In oblique paths sage providence the guide Is of his workes and all his actions glide In deepest mysteries see by what art By what strange uncouth meanes he leads a heart To happinesse and when man thinks that he Is now arriv'd at th' depth of misery And wretchednesse why then the winged boy Transports him to the paradise of joy Behold Aminta by his fall
Alas there is for me No way but to despair since hope wil be As 't ha's been yet my ruine stil I find It strives as 't were to blossom in my mind And whispers to me live and can ought be Worse then a life to such a wretch as me Daph. Live wretch live stil I say and let this be Support unto thee in thy misery That if thy hope in life do but maintain thee At length thar naked fair one it will gain thee Amin. Both love and fortune though that at the brink Of wretchednesse I was yet did not think Me yet forlorn enough until that I Had fully seen what fully both denie Ner. Must I then alwaies have the luck to be The messenger of such sad news ay me Wretched Mantano what sad heart wil thine Be when thou com'st to hear this newes of mine O sad and des'late father thou nay rather By losse of thy dear Silvia no more Father Daph. I a sad voice do hear Amin. And I hear sound The name of Silvia which my heart do's wound Who is it names her Daph. it seemes at first sight To be Nerina Cynthia's cheife delight Who ha's so sweet comportment so fair face Such charming ey 's such a bewitching Grace Ner. And yet alas I 'm forc'd to let him know Of this most fatal chance of thine that so He may seek those unhappy bones if no More rests of thee oh my deare Silvia oh Amin. Ay me what say's she Ner. Daphne Daph. what and why Do'st to thy self name Silvia and then cry Ner. Alas with reason I lament her sad And cruel fate Amin. What fate can be so bad To make thee thus lament Ay me I feele My heart a dying as though pierc'd with steele Is she alive Daph. Prethee to us relate What thus thou mutter'st of her desp'rate fate Ner. Ye Gods why am I messenger yet I Must tel 't did she you know the reason why Come e'n now naked to my Lodg and there Re-cloath'd her selfe again she by her pray'r Prevail'd with me that I would with her go In Eliceto for to hunt a Do. I pleas'd her and we went when neer the ground Gather'd together many Nymphs we found Scarce had we spoke to them when lo we see A mighty wolfe start from behind a tree Great out of measure was he and with blood His nose was di'd he fiercely looking stood Silvia streight to her bow an arrow fits And she nere us'd to misse so now she hits Him just upon the head he fly's again Into the wood she followes him amaine Amin. O sad beginning which do's pierce my heart What end wilt have Ner. I with another dart Follow'd her track but at great distance since She was i' th wood ere I could move me thence Yet I her footsteps made a shift to trace Until I came to the most desert place Of all the wood where lo by chance I found My dearest Silvia's dart upon the ground And not farr off from it I did espy That snow-white vaile which I my selfe did ty Upon her head which as you see is di'd With crimson gore and looking round I spi'd Seven fierce wolves which seem'd to lick the blood Of a nak'd body about which they stood Such was my hap and so intent they were Upon their prey they saw not I was there So I return'd and this is the full tale I tell of Silvia can see here the vaile Amin. Th' ast told too much this vaile and this blood be Sure tokens of her death Daf. Ah poore wretch he Is dead with greife too Ner. No he breathes revives 'T is but a sudden fainting see he lives Amin. Greife why alas do'st thou torment me so And do'st not kill outright if thou too slow Beest or wouldst have my hand the instrument To do 't to this I 'me very well content And it shal execute that death which thou Refusest or to do or know'st not how Then since the certainty of this we know And nothing wants now to augment my woe Why should I longer stay oh Daphne why Did'st not permit me when I would to die To this sad end reserv'dst thou me to this Sure sweet my death had been nay more a blisse And greatest happinesse had but that dart Which cruel thou withheldest pierc'd my heart But heav'ns deni'd it and did feare least that I by my sudden death forerun should what They had ordain'd me now my utmost ill They executed have permit they will To make the full summe of their cruelty And thou permi too must that I may dy Daph. Restrain this frantick humour of thy youth Until we do heare further of the truth Amin. Why do'st thou strive to keep me off with such Delay 's I 've staid too long and heard too much Ner. I would I had been dumb Amin. Nymph pray bestow On me that blood-bespotted Vail that so Small but whole relique of my Silvia That since no more there rests of her it may Witnesse my death and if there ought can be To do 't may serve t' augment my misery Though I confess 't is not so small that I Need to increase it to perswade me dy Ner. Had I best giv 't him or deny 't him I Think for th' occasion I were best deny Amin. What cruell one so small a gift to me Who am resolv'd nere to ask more of thee In this too wretched fate I yeeld with you Then let the Vaile remain and so adieu I go to turn no more Daph. Aminta stay Gods with what fury do's he fly away Ner. He flies so fast that it will be in vaine To follow him I down in yonder plaine Wil seek Montano but I do not know If I were best to tell the newes or no. CHORUS THere is no cause which death may move To bind him ha's a noble heart His faith 's enough first then his love Nor is so hard of love the art By him alone that loves wel love is sought And like a Merchandise by love is bought And seeking love we often find A Glory which we leave behind Act. 4. Scen 1. Daphne Silvia and Chore of Shepherds Daph. THat wind that brought the sad new's of thy death Brought with it likewise in the selfe same breath Thy present and thy future ill but thou Thanks be to God art live and well when now I deem'd thee dead Nerina with such greife It told had she been dumb or others deaf Sil. The danger sure was great and she indeed Had just occasion to suspect me dead Daph. A just occasion for to tell it though She had not but let me thy danger know And how thou scap'dst Sil. I 'l tell thee I in chase Of a fierce wolf unto the thickest place Came of the wood so that I quite the track Did of his footsteps loose but turning back Again I spi'd him by my shaft I knew That 't was the same wolf first before me flew He with some others feeding was
amain On a dead carkase they had newly slain Of what I could not well discern but he Leaving his prey came running after me I stood him with intent to make him feel My dart than arrow was the sharper steel And thou knowst well I 'm mistresse of the art Of brandishing and lancing wel a dart I seldom use to misse and so when nigh Enough I thought him I my dart let fly But was it fault of fortune or of me I mist the wolf and stuck it in a tree The Wolf more fiercely at me runs and I Seeing 't was vain to use my bow did fly He follows me now hear a chance my vail Hap'd to untie and with the murm'ring gale Came through the woods blew up and down at last A bot a bough tangled it self so fast That though my force redoubled was my strength Could not prevail a rescue but at length Seeing no way t o'scape I thought it best Quite to untie it and there â—et it rest Which done I ran again with all my might Feare adding thousand wings unto my flight That he nere joyn'd me and I came out safe Unto my lodge where first of all I have Encountred thee and wondred much to see Thee stand amaz'd and wondring so at me Daph. Thou liv'st alas but others not Sil. doth't greive Thee Daphne then that I am still alive Hat'st thou me so Daph. no Silvia I 'm full glad Thou liv'st anothers death 't is makes me sad Sil. Whose death Daph. Aminta's Sil. Is he dead and how Daph. Well how I cannot tell nor do I know If it be certain Sil. Strange but can'st divine What was the occasion of his death Daph. why thine Sil. I understand thee not Daph. The tidings sad Brought of thy wretched death such power had O're him poore foul and o're his wearied life That I beleive 'thas brought him cord or knife Sil. I hope that vaine will this suspect of thine Be of his death as vain was that of mine For when men come to the effect they strive Let them boast what they wil before to live Daph. Silvia thou know'st not what the fire of love Can in a heart that 's not of marble move But thine 's more hard than stone else thou believe Would'st him for whom thou yet seem'st not to grieve And would'st have lov'd him who far more did prize Thy love than the dear apples of her ey 's I wel believ'd him knew and saw 't when he Having unloos'd the Tigresse from the tree An act that would have forc'd thee him to love Had'st had a heart but what is' t thee can move I say I saw him there reverse his dart And with his ful force strive to pierce his heart Nor did repent him though at first he di'd It in his crimson gore but once more tri'd To make it enter farther and he sure Had pierc'd his heart but I could not endure To see 't so staid him yet believe the rage Of that smal wound did not at all asswage His desp'rate constancy but onely made A freer passage for his thirsty blade Sil. What dost thou tell Daph. I saw him too when he First understood news of the death of thee To swound for grief reviv'd he fled away In fury with intent himself to slay And he 'l have done it surely Sil. Think'st thou so Daph. I cannot doubt it Sil. Oh my Daphne oh Why followedst not to hinder him with me Come now and seek to find him for if he Thinking me dead resolv'd himself to kill Sure now I live remain in life he will Daph. I follow'd him and sought him but in vain For when he once got out of sight again I could not find him nor his footsteps thou Then whither prethee wilt go seek him now Sil. Alas let 's go however for if we Don't stay him he will his own murd'rer be Daph. Perhaps it grieves thee then that any one Should boast of killing him but thee alone Or cruel one dost think it scorn his heart Should wounded be by any but thy dart Content thy self how e're he dies yet he Dies for thy sake thou wilt his murd'rer be Sil. Ay me thy comfort 's harsh but now I find That grief of heart which overswayes my mind For his sad chance imbittered is the more By how much I was rigorous before And the remembrance of my cruelty Torments me now I call'd it honesty And so it was but too severe by far Too cruel since it did all pity bar Now I repent me Daph. Strange what do I hear Pitiful thou what can thy flint heart bear The least impress'on weep'st thou what can move These tears are they of pity or of love Sil. They tears of love not but of pity are Daph. Pity to love is alwaies messenger As lightning to the thunder Chor. Oft when rest He hidden seeks within a virgins breast Who had with too strict honesty before Against his sly charms shut and barr'd the door He of mild pitie his fond servant takes The shape and habit and so entrance makes Daph. Silvia these tears of love be 't is too plain Art silent dost thou love thou lov'st in vain O divine force of love how justly thou Chastisest those who don 't thy pow'r avow Wretched Aminta like the Bee who leaves Sorrow to him he stings but yet bereaves Himself of life so now thou victor art And dying wounded hast that stony heart Which living thou ne'r couldst and if thou be A wandring spir't as I believe then see Her tears and though to thee all joy be past Rejoyce that thou hast overcome at last Lover in life belov'd in death if thy Eate 't were not to be lov'd til thou didst die Or if this cruel one at no lesse price Would sell her love then to him for it dies See thou hast given her the price she sought And with thy early death her love hast bought Chor. Dear price to him that gave it but more griev Ous far alas to her did it receive Sil. Could I but with my love his life regain Or with my life call him from death again Daph. Ah pitiful too late and too late wise Pity assists not where fate help denies Act. 4. Scen. 2. Ergasto Chore of Shepherds Silvia Daphne Erg. SO full my breast of pity is and so Clogd up with horror that I do not know Whither to turn me nothing comes to sight Nothing I hear which doth not me affright Chor. What newes brings our Ergasto sure 't is bad His countenance and accent both are sad Erg. I bring the sad news of Aminta's death Sil. Ay me Erg. The noblest shepherd that did breath Within these woods whose sweet comportments were Unto the nymphs and muses both so dear Chor. And is he dead and how relate that we May his untimely end lament with thee Sil. I dare not listen to this sad discourse Nor yet go near to hear it though of force Hear it I must wicked
more cruel then a beast Denyest sweet love an entrance in thy breast But what talk I of beasts seest thou each tree In this vast forrest they inamoured be Behold with what a sweet embrace the vine Does her dear consort lovingly intwine The firr doth love the firr the pine the pine You stubborn oak which scarce the wind can move Is mov'd by th'power of divinest love Hadst thou a spir't of love or if of stone Were not thy heart thou 'dst hear it sigh and groan And utter forth it 's am'rous plaints yet thou For all this art not mov'd to love why now Wilt thou than plants or beasts be more unkind Change fondling that thou art change change thy mind Sil. When I of plants the am'rous sighs shal hear I 'l likewise be in love til then forbear Daph. Well though thou now laugh at and dost disdain My faithful counsels know that to thy pain Thou wilt repent thou dost not while thou may Them follow for be sure there comes a day When what 's to thee a pleasure and delight Shall be thy greatest grief thy greatest spight And as thou now disdainest others so Thou 'lt then despise thy very self and know Those so clear springs in which thou oft dost use Thy most resplendent beauty to peruse Thou 'lt leave forsaken and neglected now Or stand amazed at thy wrinkled brow But why speak I of this since 't is a sure And common evil we must all endure I 'l tell thee more and mark me what I say 'T is what the sage Elpino t'other day Recounted unto Licoris the fair The gentile Licoris whose beauty rare Has such pow'r o're Elpino as his art In singing ought t' have o're her pliant heart If there be any debt in love He told It before am'rous Thir's and Battus old Just at the entrance of Aurora's cave Where writ in golden Characters you have All you that are profane depart from hence And said that it was told to him long since By the grand Poet who so high did sing The life of many a Heroe many a King Who dying did leave him his pipe There is Sayes he at bottom o' th profound abysse A horrid cave vomiting smoak with fire And a most constant stink out of the dire Fornace of Acheronta where do lie In torments dark and that eternally Those women who perswaded here above Neither by pray'rs nor tears could be to love And 't is a just and well deserved law Smoak should force tears which pity could not draw Then if thou thus thy cruelty continue Look to be consort with that curst retinue Sil. But what said Licoris to this and how Answer'd she him Daph. Why see thou fain wouldst know Others affairs but car'st not for thine own She answered with her eyes Sil. With eys alone How could she answer him Dap. Those very ey 's Were as 't were messengers or rather spies Which mix'd with pleasant smiles to him made known Licoris and her heart were now his own Except he did believe faith was as rare In them as beauty she as false as fair Sil. Why should he so believe Daph. knowst thou what Thir's That famous Master both of Love and Verse Did write when burning with the flames of love He wandring through the forrest did both move The nimphs swains to laughter but though he Did things worth laughter yet his writings be Not to be jeer'd this in a tree he writ With th'tree it grew and there I oft read it The looking-glasses of false hearts your eyes Are and in them all deceit hidden lies But what avails't since shun them love denies Sil. I here in pratling cast my time away And had forgot this is th' appointed day In which we ought to go as we were wont In Eliceto for to raise the Hunt Prethee do thou stay for me while i' th nigh Fountain I cleanse the sweat and dust which I Got yesterday by hunting of a Deer Which at the last I kil'd Daph. I 'l stay thee here Perhaps I 'l bath me too but first my gate I 'l homewards bend for it 's not yet so late As 't seems and thou at home for me mayst stay But in the mean time think of that I pray Concerns thee more then hunting and say I Bid thee take a fools counsel so god bu'y Act. 1. Scen. 2. Aminta and Thirsis A. I have with my laments my sighs my groans To pity moved both the rocks and stones But mov'd I have not nor can hope to move Her I adore to pity or to love Remorseless Nymph I know not which I best May stile thee or a woman or fierce beast For thou to be a woman dost deny Since more than best'al is thy cruelty Thir. The lambs on tender grasse wolves on lambs feed And both do satisfie their hungry need But though love feed on tears the more it have Of tears and sighs it still the more doth crave Amin. Alas alas love long since with the food Of my tears satiate is now for my blood It onely thirsts and therefore to the eyes Of it and that cru'l nymph I 'l mak 't a prize Thir. Why talkst thou thus Aminta if unkind And cruel she be thou'lt another find Amin. How can I find another when that I Can't find my very self or pray whereby Can one lost to himself e're pleasure gain Thir. Do not despair at length thou mayst obtain This cruel fair time teaches men to check Lions and bring fierce tygers to their beck Amin. But whilst that I wait out this long delay I shall with grief be quite consum'd away Thir. Short the delay will be for the disdain Of woman's kindled soon soon quench't again They 're moveable by nature nor the wind Can breath more changes then a womans mind Lighter than feathers and will readier bow Then ripened ears before a storm but thou Of thy condition farther let me know And the hard fortune of thy love for though Thou long since toldst me that thou wast in love Yet thou hidst from me who it was could move In thee this am'rous fire although that faith And ever constant friendship 'twixt us hath Oblig'd thee to discover that to me Which unto others might concealed be Amin. Thirsis I am content to tell thee what The woods and mountains know but men know not And 't is but just that I being now so nigh My death should leave the reason why I die To some dear friend who may when I am gone Report it or may grav't in tree or stone Near the place where my bloodlesse corps shall lie That if that pit'lesse Nymph chance to pass by She may stamp on 't with her proud foot and boast That her dire cruelty my life me cost And that she may rejoyce to see me lie There as a trophee of her victory Perhaps at last she may but things above Desert I hope both pity then and love Him dead who living by her hate
be imagin'd torment more Ah me my very bowels and my heart Boil o're with blood and like a cruel dart So Silvia's fair ey 's pierce me I may say Cruel Love but far more cruel Silvia Cru'ler then woods Oh! how wel doth agree Thy nature with thy name wel did he see That it impos'd thee woods in their green brakes Do hide fierce lions tigers wolves and snakes Thou under covert of thy sairest breast Hid'st anger hatred and disdain which beasts Are worse by much alas than those of prey As lions tygers wolves or snakes for they May be appeased but ay me these are Such as will not be charm'd by gift or pray'r Thou slights the flowr which from the fields I chose Because thy cheek flowers much fairer showes I from the orchards bring thee apples fair Which thou rejectst disdainful cause there are In thy fair bosome apples far more rare I bring thee sweetest honey even such From hives I stole thou deignst it not to touch Cause on thy sweet lips sweeter ther 's by much But if my poverty permits me not To give unto thee any thing but what In thee 's more sweet and fair my self then take Unjust why shouldst thou such a gift forsake I 'm not to be despised no for I Saw my self in the sea when it did lie Becalm'd free from waves this my fierce stern And sanguine look these shoulders large this arm So strong and nervous this rough shaggy breast These big-bon'd thighs of mine and all my rest So well knit members are a sign that I Am strong and lusty if believ'st not try What wil't do with these tender fooles whose sleek Face scarce allowes them down upon their cheek Women in show and Workes they be nor are Skill'd in ought else but to dispose each haire In it's due order ther 's not one that dare Follow thee through the woods to hunt the Bear Or durst encounter wilde Boares for thy sake I 'me not so ugly no nor dost forsake Me ' cause I am thus form'd alas but why Because I 'm poor thou dost thy love deny Alas the Villages do follow now The custom of the Mighty Cities how Well may the golden age this called be Since gold alone Commands imperiously O! thou who first didst teach the way to sell Divinest love may torments worse then hell Still waite and tend upon thee maist thou dy Unpitied let thy cold ashes ly Unburied let Nimphs and Shepherds cease Passing to say Soule do thou rest in Peace Let the raine wet thee move thee may the wind Let flocks and strangers too be so unkind As for to trample on thee thou first sham'd The Nobility of love not to be nam'd Horrid and Monstrous 't is not to be told How Love is made the Price of abject Gold But why in vaine lament I since I see Beasts for their safety use those Armes which be Allotted them by Nature Tigers paw's Use for defence Lions their teeth and claw's The Stag does for her safety use to fly A womans weapon is her Beauty Why Then since all these do use their nat'ral armes To conquer foes or save themselves from harms Should not I when that nature ha's me made Apt for to ravish make use of the trade I 'l force I 'l ravish what she me denies Nor will be moved with her pray'rs nor cries Not long ago I told was by a Swain That in the fountain lies in yonder plain She often baths her self there I intend To hide me in the bushes to the end That when she comes I may be sure to take Hold on her what resistance can she make ' Gainst me poor tender soule and for her cries I 'l neither them nor of her beauty prize The power Oh if I can but once entwine This hand within her locks why then she 's mine Nor shal the gods release her til that I For my revenge my armes in blood do dy Act. 2. Scen. 2. Daphne and Thirsis Daph. THirsis as I thee told I long since thought Amintas did love Silvia and have sought God knows all way 's to further this his love And shall the more since thou art pleas'd to move Me in it but I rather had by far Chuse for to tame a lion or fierce bear Then such a simple girle who does not know How piercing be her beauties armes and though She others kils yet is her self stil sound And wounding others knows not how to wound Thir. And where 's that child so simple han't a mind As soon as out of swathling bands to find Arts to seem handsom and to make her please And how to kil with pleasing and with ease Can tell what armes they be cause death nay more What armes they be which life again restore Daph. Who mistresse is of so much art Thir. As though Thou knewst not Daphne 't is the same doth shew Flight to the winged birds and doth infuse Swimming to fishes teaches Buls to use Their hornes and makes Juno's proud bird to spread Her Argus-eye-deckt feathers o're his head Daph. I 'd very fain know how you cal this same Mistress of arts Thir. Why Daphne is her name Daph. Out filthy liar that thou art Thir. why fool Art thou not able then to keep at school A thousand girls although no need there is In this same Art of Love of Mistresses For nature is their mistresse though 't is true The mother and the nurse bear a share too Daph. Come thou too knavish art in sum I 'l tel Thee that I am not yet resolved well If Silvia be so simple as she feigns Her self to be for down in yonder plains Where the clear waters of the silent lake Incircled round a pretty Island make I t'other day saw Silvia counsel take How she the golden tresses of her head In pretty curls might o're her forehead spread And then how she might fittest o're them place Her snow-white vail o're that with better grace Order some fragrant flowers with lilies fair Her white neck she 'd adorn and so compare Which was the whitest now a lovely rose To her sweet cheeks to see which did disclose The liveliest hue then with delight would she Smile as 't were boasting of the victory Methought she seem'd to say I onely do For your disgrace base flowers carry you Not for my ornament since all may see How much in beauty you must yeild to me But whilst she flatt'red thus her self her eye By chance she turn'd and turning did espie That I sat laughing in th' adjacent bowers At which she blush'd and strait let fall her flowers When laugh the more to see her blush did I Which her cheeks tinged in a deeper dy But cause that onely on one side her head Her hair was gathered on the other spread She fearful I should see again poor soule As 't were from the clear fountain counsel stole And though she were undrest yet pleas'd was she That so undrest she look'd so
sun-like soul-bewitching hue And didst afford to grace her mind within Nothing but falsenesse cruelty and sin Negligent Mistresse But ay me my dear Aminta will have slain himself I fear 'T is full three houres that round about the ground Where I him left I sought him but have found Nor him nor yet his footsteps 't is too plain I clearly see that he himself hath slain But stay perhaps those shepherds yonder be May tell me news of him friends did you see Aminta or hear of him Chor. Thou dost show So troubled that the cause we fain would know Of this thy grief from whence proceeds this sweat This sorrow tel us if thou think'st it meet Thir. I fear Aminta's ill did you him see Chor. No him we have not seen since that from thee Long since he parted but pray tell us plain What dost thou fear Thir. Lest he himself have slain Chor. That he ha's slain himself but what could move Him such an act to do Thir. Hatred and love Chor. Who two such potent enemies don't fear What can't they do but tel us pray more clear Thir. His great love of a nymph and her no smal Hatred of him Chor. Nay prethee tell us all This is a place of passage and whilst you Relate it news may brought be perhaps too Himself may come mean-while Thir. I willingly Recount it wil that the just infamy Of such a strange ingratitude may rest Upon that cruel and remorseless breast Aminta told was I alas was he That told it him and he was led by me Now I repent me that his Silvia dear This day with Daphne in a fountain clear Would bath her naked limbs he thither went Not mov'd by his desire but to content My importunities oft back have gone He would but that I still did thrust him on Now when we come were to the fountain nigh We thought we heard a womans woefull cry And not far off we Daphne saw her ey 's Swollen with tears when she saw us her cries Did pierce the heav'ns run and make haste said she Silvia is forc'd Amintas presently Not staying to hear more flew away so Swift as I never yet saw swifter Do I followed him when lo we straightway see The beauteous Silvia ti'd unto a tree The rope to tie her was her brightest hair Which in a thousand knots intangled were About the plant that girdle us'd to be The former warder of her chastitie Was us'd now to her rape and serv'd to bind Unto the tree her snow-white hands behind The very plant it self did condescend To this foule act and seem'd as 't were to lend It 's ful assistance to the rape for round About her legs two pliant twigs were bound Just before her a cruel Satyre stood With looks denoting villany and blood Who finisht had to bind her she poor heart Did strive with all her force and all her art But what alas could all her force or skil Prevail ' gainst him who had such strength at will Aminta with his sharp wel-brandish'd dart Aim'd at but mist the cursed Satyres heart I gather'd up what stones I could but he Seeing us two thought it was best to flee We him pursu'd Aminta as his flight Gave leave turn'd back his ey 's to have the sight Of her fair members which more soft by far Seem'd than Swans down and whiter much than are The snow-deck'd Alpes but when we had in vain Pursu'd the rogue he turning back again Accosts her thus Pardon O Silvia fair These hands of mine which with such boldness dare Approach thy members for they 're forc'd to loose These knots which ministred to thy abuse Then since that fortune has been pleas'd to send Them such a blisse let it not thee offend Chor. Words that would mollifie a heart of stone What answer did she give him then Thir. Why none But looking down disdainfully she tride All that she could her fairest breasts to hide He from the tree begins her hair to loose And thus he seem'd to say Durst thou abuse These golden curls base plant which do to thee So great an honour ah unworthy be Thy branches of such knots what vantage pray Can we poor Lovers boast of Since trees may Enjoy those comforts which we want entwine By force those locks which blesse these hands of mine By their bare touch this done he from behind Unties the knot and does her hands unbind In manner so as if he seem'd to fear Their touch and yet to touch could not forbear Then stoops that he might loose her feet but she Finding her hands were now at libertie Looks on him scornfully says touch not I Am Dians nymph I can my feet untie Chor. Can so much pride reign in so fair a heart O for so good an act ingrateful part Thir. He did respectfully himself retire Not looking on her though he did desire Deny'd himself that pleasure which on trial He fear'd would give her trouble of denial I heard and saw all this and hid did lie And though about to check her cruelty Yet I with-held but heare the most unkind Part of all yet she did at length unbind Her self scarce loose nor bidding him adieu Faster then fleetest Stag away she flew And yet to fear I 'm sure she cause had none For his respect to her was ful wel known Chor. Why did she fly then Thir. She would of her rape The rescue attribute to her escape Not to his modest love Chor. Ingrateful too In this but what said he what did he do Thir. I know not I vext at her rigor ran To overtake and hold her but in vain For soon I lost her track then turning where I left Aminta could not find him there My heart presages ill for this I 'm sure He 'd rather die than this sad chance endure Cho. The custom 't is we know of those that are In love to threaten death but very rare Are those effect it Thir. But pray god that he One of those rare ones be not Cho. He won't be So foolish fear not Thir. I 'l go to the cave Of sage Elpino where I sure shal have News of him if he lives for that 's his hant There on his oaten pipe he us'd to chant Sweet songs and there lament him of his love And make the very rocks and mountains move The Rivers stop their course to hear his layes The trees incline and wild beasts leave their preys Act. 3. Scen. 2. Amintas Daphne Nerina Amin. PItilesse pity Daphne sure was thine When thou with-heldst this hand this dart of mine That so my death being delay'd by fate Might be more bitter by how much more late And why dost trace me thus or thinkst to force Hope into me by this thy vain discourse What dost thou fear that I my self should slay Thou fear'st my good then prethee goe away Daph. Despair not thus Aminta for if I Know Silvia wel 't was shame that made her fly Not cruelty Amin.
souls and make them void of fear Why should we tremble at the Consuls sword Or be obedient to the Senates word Since we maintain that they no Senate be But meer usurpers of our liberty Why should the mighty Rome fear Cato why Should it to Piso Crassus subject lie W' are Romans too and from the self same race The footsteps of the fam'd Aeneas trace They' are not alone Quirinus off-spring nor Are they alone sprung from the god of war We from the same stock do descend and claim Right in the glories of our grandsires name Why should they ful with gold their treasures make Why we opprest with poverty they rake And squeeze the people to increase their gains Our riches are the fruits due to our pains They with their prouder faces do command And boast dominion o'r both sea and land Are we by birth or courage lesse then they Or have we no soul left but to obey Why should not they to us obedience shew Or why should they despise me thus why you Are we thy laughing-stock proud Rome must we Be thus neglected and contemn'd by thee Whilst some with an insulting state do go Bearing the mace before um others flow With heapt-upriches these usurp the Laws And at their pleasure deal in every cause Such is their pride the Consul seems to be Subject unto the Tribunes tyranny When we like Cyphers stand and void of state Neglected lie like minds degenerate These live in stately marble structures we Must with poor cottages contented be These strive their Empire stil to magnifie And stretch their vast dominions to the sky We wanting all things miserably poor Are forc'd both cold and hungry to endure For this did nature us produce or thus To live is this the fate assigned us Must we thus suffer No it shal not be Our swords from what the gods themselves decree Shal free us he who bears a noble soul May destiny and fate it self controul Fortune assists the bold let 's not incite It's frowns nor our own slavery invite By coward-minds nor loose by our vain sloth The gaining Rome or liberty or both The hopes of gold imbolden some mens breasts Which an insatiate cov'tousuesse infests But let your courage spring from thoughts more high It is your own your country's liberty You crave and fight for here you nobly gain Honour which truly do's requite your pain I 'l be both Souldier and your General Nor me Commander but Companion call To Roman tyrants I 'l their pride make known And wil revenge hers your wrongs and my own This hand devoted to my Countries health Shal fight for you this shal restore your wealth Revenge the altars of the gods through death And slaughters give Rome new freeborn breath Go then and with couragious minds assaile The Consuls tents and doubt not to prevail Hope in the Victor-gods now only force Convenes sloth hurts nor must ye have remorse Or being Romans Romans fear to kil Pity 's good after fight before 't is ill Unbridled fury now of all helps best And fear to kil denotes too base a breast But whosoe'r he be that fears to die Half dead already is to death more nigh There is no hope in flight a double host With all their pow'r on each side doth accost Our tents the Alpes encompasse us half round The Consul is possess'd of yonder ground That side presents Metellus to our sight There is no way of safety but by fight Go on then bravely let your sharp swords find A passage through them he that ha's a mind To fight may scape at least he 'l nobly die Not like a carcase unrevenged lie Then let not fear surprise your hearts be bold The Roman people shal as wel behold The slaughter of their own as ours and he That drinks this blood with his 't shal mixed be And though they Victors are they shal not boast But rather weep the bloody conquests cost Mutius Scaevola to Porsenna when killing his Secretary instead of him be was taken BEhold grim Tyrant here before thee stands A man had been thy death had not these hands Prov'd Traitors to my mind had made that grave Been thine which now 's prepared for thy slave If Scaevola must undergo deaths doom There 's none but will write guiltlesse on his tomb I set upon with fearlesse courage those Who were our Capitols our Countries foes Why are the heav'ns then thus against me bent And not propit'ous to my brave intent What! are the gods asham'd to lend their aid Or are they of this Tyrants pow'r afraid Or have the fates reserved him that he In future triumphs might a trophie be What e'r 't was made them thus ' gainst me conspire It grieves my soul it had not it's desire Etruria see what souls the Romans bear Admire the noble acts the Latians dare Long after me that wil this fact yet do There comes another and another too There want not those who hope to say they wore A lawrel died in thy crimson gore What though thy Camp lies free from our alarms And spoils our fields with unrevenged harms We scorn with baser blood to stain a dart O King that 's onely level'd at thy heart Our nobler swords wil drink the blood of none But thy heart blood Porsenna thine alone Those who their hands wil strait in it imbrue Walk intermixed with thy armed crew Methinks I see at present one thee note Who strait wil hide his weapon in thy throat Hence therfore think each hower of thy breath To be the assured hower of thy death Thou dost with warlike troups our wals surround Hoping to lay them level with the ground And think'st to famish us whilst o'r thy head Hangs a revengeful arm wilstrike thee dead That glorious Diadem which now I see Circles thy brow was hop'd a spoil by me That purple robe invests thy loins shal lie Thy blood be tinged in a deeper dy That very scepter which thy hand sustains Shal turn'd a club dash out thy cursed brains Now Rule now Lord and King it with this fate Expecting still the period of thy date Methinks I see how on thy curled brow Self-rendring vengeance sits inthron'd and how Thy thoughts already tear me yet I feel No horror nor my frighted body reel No trembling in my joynts know King I can Both do and suffer 'bove the reach of man In freeborn souls pale terror never stood In competition with thier Countries good Those souls in whom aspiring fame her sphear Hath plac't neglect the precipice of fear This sacred Altar these pure fires shal be Witnesse of our undaunted constancy This hand to Roman freedom so unjust Shal for it's pennance be consum'd to dust Nor is it cruel but most right it 's doom Since liberty it could not yeild to Rome On a Lady sick of the smal pox LEt those whose tow'ring thoughts can from the spring Of Helicon their high-flown fancies bring Invoke their muse and in