and which said thus WHen Paris is the Prime of Gaul A Gaulish stranger govern shall Now Merovius and the Franks thought that their Ancestors being Gaules this Oracle was spoken of them and I assure my self that Madam you know how this delectable River of Seine runs round about that City And when the Queen went to walk upon the banks of it all the Ladies and Cavaliers waited upon her and walked also two and two where and how they pleased One evening therefore after supper Methina went to take the Air and Andrimartes taking Silviana under her arm he entertained her as he was wont with his young affections unto which she answered in as innocent Language as infancy it self could imagine As they were wandering amongst the thick of the wood they sate down at the first under an old Willow which grew by the River side but the young Lady not liking to stay too long in a place and being weary with sitting she rose up and went unto a little tree of Osiers and making choise of one whose bark was smooth and tender she had a mind to engrave her name upon it so as taking a Gold Bodkin which she wore in her hair she engraved the Letters of Silviana Andrimartes seeing what she began to do he went upon the other side of the tree and write upon the same stalk as if it were in the very same line these words I Love so as what he writ meeting with what Silviana had written both together made I Love Silviana but she going on his side she could see only what he had written how Andrimartes said she do you Love I beseech you who You may see Madam said he unto her if you will please to read on the Line For my part said she I see nothing but what you have written look a little better Madam said he and you may find that which is engraved upon my heart as well as upon that bark where is the name said she that you speak of Look well said Andrimartes and you will find it not far off I do not understand you answered she for I see nothing but that which you writ what then is this answered Andrimartes and pointed unto what she had engraved That is Silviana answered she Then said Andrimartes joyn what I writ and what you writ together I see replied she that by joyning them together there is I Love Silviana but it was my self that wrote it Most true answered Andrimartes and it is you who has engraven it in my heart Your heart replied she and wondred how could I do that for I never saw your heart I know not Madam how you did it answered he but I am sure that with you Fair Eyes you have done it Fie fie cryed she out I cannot believe it for my eyes cannot engrave or if they could I should surely have seen when they did it had they that quality I should not have used my Bodkin to engrave upon this bark This childish answer did plainly shew Andrimartes how ignorant she was in matters of Love yet for all that he continued on It is no wonder Madam said he that your Fair Eyes cannot engrave your Name upon a bark because it is a thing insensible but said she I have often looked upon the Queens little dogs which she loves so well and can you find one letter of my Name upon them No no replied he they are animals without reason it is only upon the hearts of men and men who are most worthy of that character How said Silviana can I do it and not perceive it I beseech you Madam said Andrimartes do you perceive your self to grow Alas said she I do that naturally and you do naturally replied Andrimartes make wounds in hearts Oh my good God replied she I have heard say that all wounds upon the heart are mortal and if my eyes have wounded yours I shall be the cause of your death and you will have all the reason in the world to hate me T is most certain replied he that all wounds upon the heart are mortal and those which you have given me will cause my death unless you give me a remedy but however I cannot hate you since on the contrary I think that I cannot love you so much as I desire and as you deserve I conceive the best way will be answered the young Silviana that since my eyes do hurt you so much to hide them from you for the future By no means Madam I beseech you answered he unless you would have me die as soon as you begin that mortal remedy for you must know that if any thing under Heaven can save my life it must be by giving me new wounds This remedy said the young Silviana is very strange and least you should dye I will not only do as you say but desire all my companions to do the same in hopes that the multitude of wounds which their eyes do make may ease you in those you receive from me The eyes of your companions answered he can neither hurt nor heal me what difference said she do you find betwixt my eyes and theirs For my part I know not any There is so much replied Andrimartes That I had rather be dead then want the least wound which I have from you and I would accord theirs as much as I can I do not understand said she why you should think so for wounds are wounds from whomsoever they be received There are replied Andrimartes wounds that are honourable and pleasing and others that are ignominious and painful those which I receive from you are of the first sort and those which your companions can give are of the other I cannot imagine answered the young Silviana what the difference should be If there were other Silvianas said Andrimartes as Fair and full of Excellencies as you are and as able by their beauty to make such welcom wounds I should then agree with you that they would be all desirable alike but since that cannot be assure your self Madam I shall think nothing to be a favour or a remedy which comes not from your Fairest self Silviana was very young and yet not so young but hearing Andrimartes speak thus she understood his good will unto her for self love is so natural unto us that nothing does oblige more at what age soever then a good esteem which is held of us and that made him to return this answer the good opinion which you have of me moves you unto this language but believe it Andrimartes you are as much obliged unto it by the good opinion which I have of you Perhaps their discourse had gone farther but for the coming of Childerick who with a great number of young boyes came running and leaping through those woods and parted them for this young Prince carried away Andrimartes almost by force to leap and exercise with his companions as he who excelled them all in agility and nimbleness He left the Fair Silviana
I am obliged I would presently doe it with as good a heart as ever I received any favour from heaven The King uttered these words in such a discomposed manner and with such a countenance as testified that his expressions did not come from his heart And because I saw him stand silent I answered him Sir said I all that is in the world were created to serve your greatnesse especially Alcidon who is ready to sacrifice himselfe upon the Altar of your contentment And the Heavens foreseeing it impossible I should be deprived of Daphnide and live will take away my life lest it should be any obstacle unto you And therefore welcome death since my life cannot conduce to your contentment Upon this I could not restraine my teares and the King being moved at them after a while of silence said unto me You cannot Acidon wish me so ill as the injury I have done you does merit I doe most ingeniously acknowledge it and wish that my blood could remedy it perhaps I shall doe it in time but for the present there is no thought of it And yet for your satisfaction I am resolved upon any thing you would have me onely take heart and recover of your sicknesse and beleeve to your contentment that I will doe all I can to procure it After this the King went out of my Chamber leaving me in such a sad condition as it is incredible any other than my selfe should live under such a load of sorrowes and despaires Alcidon turmoiled with the memory of these painfull passages and the wrong which he received both from his Master and his Mistresse he lost his speech so as after a while of silence when he offered to speake he could not and therefore he was forced for a long time to be silent at last striving with himselfe he broke out with much adoe and said You see Madam how in obedience to your commands I make my old wounds bleed afresh but when I consider all is by your command I doe patiently indure all but if your Rigor be not greater than my Patience I beseech you helpe me to beare the burthen which you have imposed upon me I meane in the continuance of this relation of my misfortunes of which you may speake with more assurance than I can for in all that is hereafter to be told I am only the sufferer of what you were pleased I should endure Methinks my request is not unreasonable that the wise Adamas may understand from your mouth the truth of those things whereof you only are the Author Adamas not staying for the answer of Daphnide turned towards her and said Methinkes Madam the motion of this Cavalier is reasonable and that by your owne ordinance imposed upon him you are obliged unto it Reverend Father answered she the law is not equall betwixt him and me yet since you thinke it fit I shall doe as you please and I must tell you that though Alcidon hath spoken the truth yet as good Orators use he hath inserted some words to the great advantage of his cause Then after she had paused a while she continued the discourse thus The Sequel of the History of Daphnide and Alcidon IT is a Proverbe full of reason that Parties interested or prepossessed with any Passion can never be good judges because their judgements being offended they can never performe their perfect Functions no more than a leg or an arme can which has any great wound Alcidon has made good the Proverb by the consequences which he hath so often drawne to my disadvantage being byassed thereunto more by passion then by reason And because my discourse would be very long if I should answer all his particular rovings into Passion I will omit them and truly relate the remainder of our Fortune and leave you to censure of his passions And to begin where he left I will tell you Reverend Father that having received the Letter which he sent unto me unto which I returntd no answer because the Messenger according to his command went presently away without bidding any adieu I became the most desolate person in the world being taxed with a crime and with some colour of reason which I could not helpe I understood presently after by the Kings Letters all the discourse which they two had together and afterwards by Alvian whom I sent purposely to see how he did though I did not write who told me how ill he was I discoursed long with my selfe what I should doe in the businesse for on the one side his affection to me invited me to goe unto him and tell him how he was mistaken on the other side I durst not doe it for fear of being blamed I was long wavering in the ballance between these two considerations before the Scale would turne to either side but at last the returne of Alvian constrained be to goe unto him for bringing me such very bad newes of his sicknesse I cast off all other considerations and resolved to see him In this determination I sought out for some excuse to colour my Voyage And presently after a very good one presented it selfe For Peace being made my Brother-in-law was constrained to goe to Avignon about getting of a Cozen of his who was a Prisoner in the Towne which was rendred unto the great Eurick and who because he would needs contradict the generall resolution those of the place seized upon him and though Peace was afterwards published yet they would not set him at liberty least if the warre should breake out againe he should interprise something against them And seeing there was some difficulty about his inlargement and that the businesse by consequence would take up a long time he would carry his wife with him and he had a great desire of my Company that I might be seen with him if he was forced to make any addresses unto the King As soone as the husband made the motion unto me I consented with a condition of my Mothers consent The good old woman gave her consent as soone as ever she understood the cause so as within two dayes after we set forward and as fortune was our lodging hapned to be directly over against the lodging of Alcidon His sicknesse was much spoken of and the King went oft to see him for he loved him very well but when he was advertised of my arrivall he shewed himselfe more desirous of his health than before For whereas he was wont to see him but once or twice in a weeke since I came he went to him every day and as he went or came backe he commonly came to my lodging As for me the same day I came I sent to Alcidon and told him by Alvian that if he was pleased I would willingly come and see him and as soone as I received his answer I went thither I found him very ill and his Chamber full of Phisitians and Chyrurgians so as at that time our talke was onely of his malady unto
Alexis I cannot tell how he does but as for Alexis let me protest unto you she sayes that she never in her life had more contentment since she was your Daughter I am glad onâ— sayes Adamas so it continue But tell me truly Celadon Doe you now repent of your believing me It is a thing impossible answered the shepheard that any should repent following your counsell For all you give is good But let me tell you Father that this which I have received from you upon this occasion is full of danger unto me for if Astrea should come to know me I protest there is nothing under the Sun could keep me alive for besides the just occasion which I should give her to blame me for disobeying her command I should grieve so excessively for failing in my duty as it would suffice to take away my life or if it did not I would court all inventions in the world to give me a suddaine and cruell death Well well said Adamas I perceive your condition is not yet in a fit temper to take those remedies which I would give you we must stay till time has a little more prepared your constitution in the mean time be sure you put on a strong resolution not to disobey any thing I shall command for otherwise you will give me occasion to tax you with ingratitude Father said Celadon I will never faile in my obedience to you provided your commands do not contradict those which I have already received which is most impossible I should not observe I will never advise you said the Druid against what you say But let me tell you that the patient must not think he knows what Physick is better against his disease then the Physitian doth To morrow I will go in the company of these shepheards and shepheardesses to offer the sacrifice of thankes for the salubrious Missletoe which is found in their Hamlet and as it fortunes under the very same Oak where you made the Temple of Astrea which let me tell you is an Onch of very good fortune to you And because I must according to custome carry Paris and Leonide with me it is requisite I should carry you also Oh Father said Alcidon what do you mean into how much danger would you bring both me and your selfe also Since it hath pleased good Tharamis to give me the contentment of seeing this shepheardesse of talking with her and yet not to be known by any in the company doe not put me and yourselfe unto any further hazard what a wound would it be unto your unstained reputation if it should come to be discovered and to me it would be most certaine death Let us thank the God for the favour he hath done us and let me rather retire into some desart where I may end my miserable dayes I see replyed Adamas that you are to begin again your first lesson That God whom you name hath commanded me to have a particular care of you and I must be obedient For Child you must know that he never commands any thing but what is just and laudable and though humane ignorance does sometimes thinke the contrary yet in the end we see that he who keeps close unto his Ordinances does surmount all difficulties and clear all those triviall doubts which may obscure the glory of his actions Therefore never trouble your selfe with any thing that relates unto me no nor what returnes unto your selfe for Thamires never undertakes a thing which he does not bring unto a perfect end It is he who by me does that which you see me doe for your good having commanded me by his Oracle Doubt not therefore but that both You and I shall receive contentment Celadon would have replyed bnt Leonide interrupted him saying You may see shepheard that oftentimes one will do those things for another which he would not doe for himselfe If Adamas should leave you at home and carry with him Paris and me what would be thought of you what strange opinions would there be if you who goes under the notion of Druid should not come unto a sacrifice of such solemnitie since you have gone so far you must go farther and since Tautates hath committed you unto the tuitiod of Adamas and you your selfe confented to it you cannot make a retreat without offence both against that God and Adamas also You must shut your eyes against all considerations whatsoever and submit your selfe wholly unto his prudence and conduct Celadon shaked his head at this Father said he since the Gods have commanded it and since you are pleased to take it upon you I refer my selfe my life and all my contentments unto you Upon this the Druid embraced him and taking Leonide by the hand left him to his rest But his thoughts would not permit him to take any for all the night long his minde ran upon the sweet discourse which Astrea and he had and upon every circumstance not forgetting a syllable or the least action which gave him any testimony that still she loved the memory of Celadou And when he had long entertained these thoughts he would gladly have driven them out of his mind as thinking them contrary to his present condition Fie fie miserable shepheard said he why dost thou suffer thy selfe to be flattered up with the smiles of fortune hast thou not often found that she never Carasses but with a designe of deceiving nor raiseth thee up but that thy fall may be the greater Consider to what a height of happinesse thou wert once elevated remember that never any shepheard could call himselfe so blessed as thy selfe Then turne but thine eye upon the present condition and tell me if it was possible to fall from a steeper Precipice And now at this time when under a shadow thou art taken for another and under a borrowed Name much off Canst thou take these favours as thine owne thou dost not consider that thou stealest them under the umbrage of anothers Name and that they would be denyed unto thine This consideration did make all his first thoughts so bitter unto him as he was almost ready to fall into the same despaire as when he lived in his Cave and he wanted but a little of resolving to returne into his first design of separating himselfe from the World since he saw no hopes of any cure for his miseries And probably this resolution had prompted him to put his designe in execution had not some good Angell brought into his memory the sapient advice of sage Adamas apprehending that if God had not designed him some solace in his misery he would never have put him into the hands of such a reverend Person who was esteemed highly good and wise amongst all that knew him After he had tossed away most of the night in these turbulent thoughts this comfortable consideration laid him asleepe and it being breake of day before he began it was long before he awaked Astrea Diana and Phillis did not
having yet Celadon so fresh in her memory yet Calidon still hopes and keepes as close to her as possibly he can As for Thamires he lives the most happily and best contented of any man in the world and sayes that the scars of Celideas face being testimonies of her vertue doe make her so faire and amiable as he cannot desire her otherwise and in this contentment he is so well satisfied as he cannot be an inch from her I am very sorry she is not here that she might have the honour of kissing your hand as much disfigured and ill favoured as she is But Astrea Diana Phillis and other shepherdesses of the neighbouring Towns are the causes of her missing this honour having yesterday invited her to visit the Daughter of Adamas who is returned from the virgin Druids of Carnutes and reputed one of the fairest Ladies and the most discreet in all the Country Perhaps said Galathea Celidea will return at night then we may see her I wish it Madam answered Cleontine but I am afraid that Thamires who accompanies her is the cause of her stay for it being late he will not let her travell because he is extreamly careful of her health besides I know the venerable Chrisante will not let her part from Bonlieu Thus Galathea without seeming to take any great notice of things gleaned from the discourse of Cleontine all the state of Celadon and of his love yet much wondring that none should know what was become of him Then considering with her selfe that this shepherd not being in this Country she was to blame in accusing Leonide she intended to call her unto her again and in order thereunto resolved to passe by the house of Adamas as well to bring her away with her as in hopes to meet Astrea there of whom she had heard so much to the end she might judge whether her beauty was such as might invite Celadon so much to slight hers In these thoughts she could not refraine from sighing very loud which Cleontine observing Oh Madam said she why do you sigh Is there any thing which troubles you Galathea having no mind she should be the secretary of her thoughts answered her I sigh Mother to think of Clidemant you know where he is and there are many occasions of danger to cause feare of his being well It is many dayes since either Amasis or I heard from him and of late the Vaci tell us that when they look into the intrals of the Victims they find the most noble parts defective Moreover I have had some very horrid Dreams and believe it these things much trouble me My Mother also who is fuller of apprehensions then I am hath thought it fit we should offer some sacrifices and that I should come to consult with this Oracle whether I intend to come at my return from Bon-lieu where I am going to offer some sacrifices unto the Gods in lieu of her who this morning designed it her selfe but being prevented by some intervenient and important businesse she commanded me to go in her room Madam answered the sage Cleontine our Great â—autates is so transcendently good that when our sins doe call for chastisements he gives us advertisement of it to the end that the feare of future evill may make us turn to him and that with sacrifices supplications and amendment we do appease his anger and divert the punishments from us And therefore Madam these advertisements are not to be despised for if they should it would make his hand more havy upon us for having so little care of his advice Let Amasis and you lay these things to your hearts since it is to be believed they are not without great reason Examine well all your actions and if upon a strict survey you finde any that is not good reprove them your selves and not tarry till Tautates make you more sensible of them Afterwards make a strict inquisition what is done in your house and if you find any offences in it reform them so as they may be no more committed Then let your eye be over all the Country and diligently inform your selves what abuses are predominant and used there chastife those that are the Authors of them for that state where vice goes unpunished and vertue unrewarded is very near desolation Know Madam that the Prince and the State are but one body whereof the Prince is the head And as all the paine which the body resents does come from the head so all the paine which the head endures does proceed from the body My meaning is that as Tautates does chastise the people for the fault which the Prince commits so he does punish the Prince for those which the people commit This Madam is the counsell which I give unto you and which my profession would not suffer me to be silent in Galathea thanked the sage Cleontine for her prudent and religious admonitions promising her not onely to observe them her selfe but to acquaint Amasis with them that she also might follow them Afterwards she related unto her the accident which had hapned and how much it troubled her for besides the death of Argenteus the insolency of Polemas in her presence was very distasteful to her so as it wounded her to the very soul Madam answered Cleontine suddain passions are often to be excused because they are often not in our own power and if we do not bear with one another in the infirmities of our humanity how should we thinke Tautates will bear with us But said Galathea for Polemas to doe thus unto a stranger one that had right on his sight and in my presence let me tell you Mother that it is a boldnesse which proceeds from something else then courage and induceth me to thinke that he who dares do these things does think he may do something which is worse Indeed said Cleontine when a subject does faile in that respect which he owes unto his soveraigne he does it either out of defect in his judgement or else because he thinkes himselfe so powerfull that he feares not not any displeasure and therefore it concerns him to take good heed With such discourse as this they came to the house of the sage Cleontine into which Galathea entred as well to rest selfe as to get the strangers wounds dressed unto whom all the Nymphs could not do too much honour nor shew too much demonstration of good will especially Silere who when the time was would have been sorry for his victory before Arganteus transgressed the limits of his discretion but since his love was turned into disdaine she fell into so great a hatred of him as she had courage to look on him when he was dead without bestowing upon him one single tear so much did the present injury deface the memory of all his past services The Cavalier was presently disarmed and searched by the Chyrurgions who found onely one wound in his shoulder which was so slight that they made no
her I said I would upon condition it might be presently And because at the same time a throng of Ladies came to congratulate her delivery and also because I feared the King would cause me to declare my selfe also because I had some wounds which required dressing I went into the croud and so stole away so as every one being diverted another way none took any notice which way I went And so I came to the place where I left my servant where binding up my wounds as well as I could and letting my Horse graze a little I got up againe and went to my good old Druid I forgot to tell you Madam That meeting a man going to the Town I entreated him to make my excuse unto Madonthe and lest she should think me uncivil I feigned to be engaged another way by promise but if she had any further service to imploy me in she might hear of me towards Mount d'Or and that I would still weare my ensigne of a Tiger My designe was to make her believe I was gone that way though I did not intend it least the Kings curiosity should be such as to find out who I was I cannot Madam expresse unto you with what joy the good Druid received me nor his thankes when he knew the cause of my voyage and the successe and service I had done Madonthe in her great necessity For he told me that her Father brought him up and that in this action I had over paid him for all the paines and care he had taken about me And because he saw my arms bloody he took them off and looked about every part of me then finding some wounds he was so careful of me and took such courses as I was well again in a little time But since the best Physick and no other could cure me but to hear more of Madonthe I intreated the good old Druid to send one of the Fishers unto the place where Thorismond was to inquire what newes The good man did as I desired and the Fisher inquired so well as at his return he brought me but too much newes for my contentment That Madonthe was gone to her house and carried Thersander with her wounded as he was for it was he who before I came was in Combate with Leotaris and his Brother I understood farther that a little after the departure of Madonthe how King Thorismond was killed by his Chyrurgion who in letting him blood had cut the vein and that his brother Eurick succeeded him I cannot expresse Madam how near these two accidents went unto my heart onely thus far I never think upon them but the memory is so sad as I conclude no rest belongs unto me but in my Grave Thus every thing from whence I expected comfort augments my misery all my hopes are now quite blasted solitary places displeased because there I thought upon nothing but the Towne of Tectosages and my thoughts grated upon my very soul when they represented unto me the ingratitude of this woman To be brief I was angry with my selfe because I loved her against reason and could not chuse but love her My condition grew worse then ever my wounds indeed being but small did heal in a few days but I became so pale as if I were dead and this palenesse presently after turned into such a yellownesse as if I had rubbed my selfe with Saffron Halladine who had heard somthing of Madonthes actions did suspect what the cause was of my being thus disordered and watched for an opportunity of speaking unto me But the good old man not knowing what to thinke he advised me to change aire hoping that exercise and diversion might recover my health and I according to the advice of this good man resolved to see the world and wander from place to place and rest no where till death arrested me After then I had given most hearty thankes unto this good man I departed without any other designe in my voyage than continuall wandring yet as fortune was our way did lie towards Madonthes house where we heard such newes as did more and more aggravate my misery For we heard that this ill advised woman as Halladine calls her was gone or rather stolne away without any in her company but her Nuâ—se and Thersander Imagine what operation this report had upon me my Servant would have perswaded me that she did me no wrong in it but onely herselfe for she believing me to be dead as all Aquitane did I had no reason to blame her But however my displeasure was so great as not being able to endure the sight of such places where formerly I found such delight and now displeasure I resolved to leave Europe and never to leave wandring till I met with something that would shorten my sad life So I passed into Africa there I saw King Genserick and Honorius his Son and found every where that Love works the same effects that it did in me I meane that it augments and diminisheth changes and rechanges delights and displeasures in all those that are subjects unto it according to its own pleasure without any reason For being amongst these Vandals I heard of the fortunes of Ursases and Olimbres and of young Placidia and her Mother Eudoxe wife unto Valentinian all whom by their examples could not divert me from still loving but I learned rather this lesson That whosoever will love must prepare themselves for good and bad and receive them both with the same visage And considering the various changes in the fortune of Eudoxe the long perservance of Ursases his love the prudent behaviour of young Olimbres and the happy conclusion of their loves I resolved not to afflict my selfe so much at the crosses which I had in my affection but thence forward to endure them with more patience And because Halladine who was tired out with my long and tedious travels did advise me not to love her any longer who did not think me so much as in the world thinking that if he could bring me to this consideration I should easily be perswaded to return into Aquitane I told him to put him out of all hope that I would love her still In conclusion finding no rest any where nor satisfaction in any diversion I saw that all humane prudence was to no purpose and therefore I would have recourse unto divine Counsells so as hearing that at the further end of the Pirenian hills towards the Sea there was an Oracle which was called the Temple of Venus I returned into Europe and enquired of the Oracle of which I asked nine dayes together what it was which would either put to an end or else cure my 〈◊〉 The Oracle answered Forrests The next morning I asked where Forrests was it answered againe Forrests and notwithstanding my importunity the Oracle was mute and would give no other answer but Forrests so as I resolved to look for Forrests all Europe over I will not tell you Madam how many severall
will which I wished unto you and from hence proceeds all those incivilities and discourtesies which you have erceived from me But now since the Gods who are all goodness and wisdom have by my death untied those knots which tyed my tongue as since those who have the power over me do give me leave Know friend that never was any greater affection conceived in the heart of any human then the affection which Silvanire does bear unto you And that I may be cleerly purged from that ingratitude wherewith I might be charged give me a little farther leave Oh my most dear Parents which they permitting and she thanking them she hasted to utter these words Alas said she I can do no more Then holding out her hand unto the Shepherd she said unto him here Aglantes â—ake my hand and my heart in assurance that though I cannot live the Wife of Aglantes yet I will die the Wife of Aglantes and as the last favour I shall ever ask or you give O most honoured Parents I beseech you consent unto it The Father who had another design would not have been so forward if he had thought she would have lived but thinking her even dead he thought it good to let her die contentedly and indeed he had no sooner consented but she turning her head gently towards her Shepherd Oh Gods said she I die but Aglantes I die thine Upon this word she grew speechless and lay as dead in the arms of Menander and Lerice To relate here all the lamentations and cryes of the Father and Mother and principally of Aglantes I conceive it not pertinent for it will easily be imagined they were extream but so it was that they were forced to take them oft her even by plain force and carry them away for grief did enrage Aglantes to remove the occasion of so much sorrow they intended to bury her out of hand without any Pomp or Solemnity and had according to the custom embalmed her had not Alciron prevented them who told them that it was not humane to bury people especially of her quality before they were quite dead at the least quite cold so as upon this they left her without pulling off her clothes in this sad condition Tirintes on the other side he was in raging quest of Alciron that he might open his brest and pull out his heart and so â—e revenged for the wrong he had done him and afterwards with the same sword sacrifice himself upon the Tomb of this Fair One. And doubtless if he had met him he had done so though he was the greatest friend he had but the Prudent Alciron he went to him in bed because he feared the anger which Tirintes might conceive against him At the first when Tirintes saw him enter he roused out of bed to run upon him but Alciron holding the door half open half shut Tirintes said he unto him can you possibly imagine that he who loves you the best of all the world should ever deprive you of that which you hold most dear And yet cruel Tyger said Tirintes and interrupted him the Fair Silvanire is dead Silvanire replied Alciron is alive and I will die the most cruel death your rage can invent if I do not put her into your hands alive and well within this hour if you will let me go where she is Tirintes all amazed at this is not Silvanire dead said he and did not you cause her to be let in the room by her self It is true answered Alciron and smiled but she is left there for you Oh good Gods Alciron said Tirintes Silvanire to be dead and to be for me are two things that cannot hold together I confess replied Alciron that they cannot but to be alive and be yours may Surely said Tirintes you do deceive me why should I deceive you said Alciron or indeed how can I when I offer if you will go with me to put her into your hands alive and well the same hour And if it were otherwise why should I come unto you You see I do not shun you nor fear meeting with you Come come set your mind at rest dress your self and come with me and you shall presently see what I say punctually performed But prethee tell me said Tirintes and shrugged his shoulders can you fetch souls back after they be once wasted over the Stigian Lake Will Charon suffer that No no I cannot answered Alciron but Tirintes know most assuredly that Silvanire is not dead but by a secret virtue of nature which is in that glass which you had of me she is so stupified that every one thinks her so Oh Heavens cryed out Tirintes what wonders do you tell me I tell you nothing but truth replied Alciron and to satisfie your wonder and perplexity know Tirintes that the glass is made of a Stone called the Memphitique Stone which has a virtue to stupifie the senses so extreamly that as soon as it is touched by the eye it presently takes away the understanding And unto this Stone is added some of the bones of a Fish which is called the Torpedo extracted by such art and concocted together that as the Torpedo benums the arm of the Fisher when it touches the hook that is fastned to the line so also as soon as the eyes are touched by this glass they receive a poyson so subtile that first seising upon the brain it dilates a general stupifaction all over the body as every one would think it dead Now Tirintes judge whether I have not reason to complain against you who ever found my extream affection flowing towards you and yet can think I would offer such a mortal displeasure what advantage could you imagine I could draw from the death of this woman If it be so said Tirintes and went neerer him you were to blame Shepherd in that you did not acquaint me with it By that replied Alciron you may better know that I do love you for did I not know Shepherd that thou neither wouldest nor couldest live after thou wert deprived of Silvanire and couldest thou hope ever that thy services or thy merits could gain her I know that having but that only remedy thou wouldst never have used it if I had acquainted thee with all the effects of it consider seriously with your self and answer me should I have told you that as soon as ever Silvanire did look in the glass she would fall into such extremity of pain as she would fall down like dead and being so judged by all that see her they will embowel her and put her into her grave answer me I say Tirintes durst you have executed such an enterprise upon her No no I know what power a person that loves hath to make any such attempts upon the party Loved Tirintes hearing this and knowing that Silvanire was not dead he held out his arms and went to embrace Alciron with such abundance of contentment that he was almost speechless but recovering himself
man resist this violence The Captain and the Souldiers would quickly have dispatched him had they believed him to be a man but thinking him to be a woman Druide their respect unto that sex and the reverence they bore unto her habit made them take it into their consideration All the rest of the women seeing this attempt of the Druide after her example did their endeavours to save Dorinde and perhaps this feeble defence had held them long in play had not the Captain being grown into choller made a sign unto the Souldiers that without any consideration of these women they should use force and carry her away As Celadon was holding the arms of this man so as he could not stir Astrea and Diana were on both sides of Dorinde and held her by the arms but the Souldiers who had received the sign from their Commander pushing them both very roughly away they constrained these Shepherdesses to let their hold go and with such violence that Astrea fell to the ground Who crying out and the Druide turning about her head seeing her so unworthily used she grew as furious as any raging Lyon and letting him go whom she held and ran upon him who did the affront with such violence and gave him such a blow upon the face as she constrained him to let Dorinde go who was already pulled out of the door and after he had reeled two or three paces he fell amongst the horses feet which trampled him so as he was not able to do more harm unto this fair company the Captain in the mean time being out of the Druids hands and seeing they had carried Dorinde out of the place he went out also to see her carried away according to his design but when he was out he saw his companions on foot and running after her in the fields for fear made her so swift as she seemed to have wings at her heels At the first he laughed for he confidently believed she would be taken again But whilst he was looking and laughing at this chase for so may the flight of Dorinde be termed they saw appear six Cavaliers who being very well mounted and armed came riding the same way At the first they rid in file as Travellers use in a Journey but when they saw so many men running after one woman they drew up together and galloped to oppose the violence which they thought would be done unto her Yet they could not come in so soon but Dorinde was first taken and because she had no other defence they saw her fall down upon her knees hold up her hands and make lamentable prayers and supplications to them The Souldiers on the other side without any compassion took her and would have carried her away when these Cavaliers came up unto them they out of pity though they knew not Dorinde opposed this violence but one of them upon a sudden casting his eye upon her did know her Oh ye crew of villains said he unto the Souldiers and unworthy to bear arms since you imploy them so ill cease wronging her whom ye all ought to honour and serve or else by Heaven said he and drew his sword I will chastise you according to your merits Sir answered one of them King Gondebaut commanded us to do what we have done and none ought or can oppose his will Upon this not caring for the menace of the Cavalier and seeing him so slenderly accompanied also his Captain and company coming to his relief he continued on his way at which the Cavalier was so incensed that he gave him such a blow upon the shoulder that for all his Coat of Male it gave him a deep wound and being a little distant from Dorinde he rid upon him with his horse and trod him to the ground In the mean time the rest of the Cavaliers advanced against the Captain and his Souldiers who without any expostulations did assault them very furiously The Cavaliers being better armed and better mounted and having more courage though they were interior in number yet gave them such a hot salute that the combat did not last above a quarter of an hour for the Captain being killed the rest were quickly routed and fled some one way and some another as fast as ever their horses could carry them This victory was the sooner gotten by reason that most of one party was on foot and were running after their horses which were broken loose in the fields But of these six Cavaliers two of them were killed and one so wounded that he could hardly sit his horse Dorinde seeing this unlook'd for relief although she thought she knew the voice of him who spoke yet not being sure because his head-piece covered his face she retired as fast as she could in a trembling and panting pace unto her companions though not so much affrighted as when she was first seized upon But when she was told of the end of the combate for she was gotten into the cabbin and that one of the Cavaliers who defended her was much wounded she went out of the cabin with watry eyes and cheeks to receive him and help him all that possibly she could And because his three companions took off his helmet to give him Ayr as soon as she cast her eye upon him she knew him to be Bellimartes at which she was so surprized that she knew not whether she dream'd or waked But whilst the three Cavaliers were laying him upon the Bed and one of them stayed with him the other two pulled off their helmets and kneeled down before her shewing all signs of humble obedience she all the while was so surprized at the sight of them that she could not utter a word for the one was Merindor and the other Periander Oh heavens cryed she out at the last when she could speak Oh heavens Is it possible I should be thus much obliged unto three men who have made me hate all men living for their sakes Merindor then began first to speak Oh Dorinde said he unto her do not by your disfavours lessen that contentment which heaven has given us in rendring you a testimony that we do love you more then you would be loved by us After this Periander continued Heaven fair Dorinde has made choice of us to render you this little service and believe that the choice could not be made of any others who have vowed so much affection as we Receive we most humbly beseech you the willingness we have to expose our lives in repulsing that violence which was offered unto you I do protest said Bellimartes and turned his head towards her I shall leave this world the most contented man that is in it since I have lost my life in your service and if you will have me think my death more welcome then ever was my life fair Dorinde Do but only say Go in peace Bellimartes Dorinde turning her eyes upon Bellimartes and seeing a mortal paleness in his face she only embraced