the ayre To play with the sweet belropes of his hayre What a soft murmuring the tresses makes As did Medusa's locks or Alectos snakes Clito. Gentlest Virgin white as infant snow Pleasing as Ladon that does cooly flow Through our green meadows trust a loving swaine When he protest with truth Amin. There does remaine Enter Florida No such good property 'mongst men on Earth Truth is fled to Heaven with Justice Florida the newes Florid. The Lord Demagoras this way pursues And must have entertainment 't is a charge From our great Lady that we strait inlarge Our Pastorall devises Sapho We have none On such a sudden lesse she will have done Those that were for Argalus welcome meant Florid. Be prest with speed that greeting to present Chrisaclea Parthenia Demagoras Philarchus Clit. They are upon us ere we are ready for the action Chri. Florida are the shepheards here Florid. Madame they are Castalia only wants Chri. This Musick speaks her intrance Enter Castalia Please your Lordship Under this shadie Poplar sit and see Our rurall pastimes 1. Song Love 's a Childe and ought to be Wonne with smiles his Deity Is cloth'd in Panthers skinnes which hide Those parts which kill if but espide Hates warres but such as mildly led By Venus are to pleasures bed There does soft imbraces fight Kisses combat with delight Amorous lookes and sighes discover What will win a Virgin-Lover Demagor. 'T is too effeminate this I had rather heare The cryes of dying men than these nice straines Or Souldiers with loud clamours rend the aire With shouts of victory Phi. Patience my Lord the Shepherds are proceeding to dance 1. Dance Demag. I doe not like this Morall it includes Something that is distastefull a mans possest With eminent frensie that would a minute View these idle Morris-Dances Phi. That fellow That woo'd with such obsequiousnesse and wonne His yeelding Mistresse sure did represent Effeminate Argalus The other who With confidence attempting was repuls'd Figur'd my selfe This same was an abuse Such as no hospitality nor lawes Of true nobility can suffer Madam You have done well and justly I perceive You are as various in your giddy faith As your coy daughter in her choice reserve her For gracious Argalus but if this scorne Meet not a sudden and severe revenge May all my former glories be obscur'd Though to performe it I should scale the Starres And snatch them like quick wilde-fire from their Spheares Then dart them on the earth catch the dull clouds And squeese them into a deluge and aspire To startle Iove with terrour of my ire Exit Demag Chri. This is the suddenest passion I have seene Whence had it its originall My Lord Let 's follow and perswade him Exeunt The end of the first Act Actus 2. Scena 1. Argalus Kalander Philarchus YOu are too strangely timorous your full worth Speakes in as loud an accent of Desert As the most meriting Arcadian Lord Who boasts his Ancestry Arga. My Lord The faire Parthenia instructs all hearts Nobility with Musick of her voyce Miriads of joyes are in her looks her eyes Are Natures richest Diamonds set in foyles Of polish'd Ebony her breath expires Odours more sweet than issu'd from the trees Of Balme in Paradise Philar. Demagoras Drunk with opinion of himselfe declines As much her glorious merit as your just Expressions honors it Arga. 'T were sacriledge Not to confesse so manifest a truth 'T was shee when first I did salute the War With my unable person who inspir'd My soule with courage active as the wind Gave me a manly being and infus'd By the divine reflection of her love Thoughts fiery as that passion I do live Only her creature Borrow my poore heat From the extended vertue of her flame Kalan. You are too modest T' ascribe a greater glory to my niece Then the whole stock of women ever boasted You 'l make her proud my Lord 't is an excesse Of naturall sweetnesse in you you must temper With a more moderate confidence Arga. Alas my Lord Of more sincere devotion every thought My fancy offers is a sacrifice To the bright deity of Parthenia Whose noble freenesse though it may afford Me entertainment more repleat with grace Than she bestowes on every Suitor yet My timorous hopes dare not assume that life As to beleeve she loves me pray my Lord You are familiar with Parthenias thoughts Resolve your friends this questionable doubt Whom her affection at purity has chosen Her loves blest favorite Phi. My Lord you know him He 's your most intimat friend Arga. My friend Were he my utmost enemy and belov'd Of faire Parthenia that should be a tie Of adoration to me pray declare The man must be made fortunate with the title Of Lord of such perfection Phil. He is A noble generous and well manur'd youth Beares beauties ensignes in his gracious looks Has that supreme Divinity in his eyes As sparkles flames able to fire all hearts And the superlative vertue of his Mind Transcends his outward figure he is wise As most mature age Valiant in resolve As fames belov'd Child reputation Conjoine the masculine graces of his soule With lovely carriage and discret discourse Has not your knowledge reach'd him yet Arga. This character So far excelling me undoes my hopes Phi. My Lord were not to Secure your peace I 'de not disclose this secret 't is your selfe 'T is Argalus Parthenia has receiv'd A welcome guest into her open heart Amase not your quick senses 't is a truth Kalan. Your mutuall modesties Defer your just desires I must become The moderator 'twixt your bashfull hopes You do affect as timorously as Swans Cold as the brook they swim in who do bill With tardy modesty and chirring plead Their constant resolutions Enter Chrisaclea Chris. Noble Argalus My honor'd brother pray heaven our entertainment Be worthy your acceptance you must not expect That happy welcome here your house affords To such deserving guests My Lord Philarchus Saw you the Lord Demagoras lately Phi. Madam Not since he flung last night hence in a rage From the presentment by the Shepherds Kal. Demagoras Is of so haughty a disposition Though noble otherwise that I can wish No alliance with him sister I doe feare You are too zealous to advance the match him and your Parthenia her 's a Lord As great by birth and greater by the favour Done him by th' King but greatest by his owne Superlative goodnesse does affect her with So true a fancie that you much would wrong Humanity to dispose her to another Where such a meriting Suiter does pretend A holy interest in her Chri. Good brother doe not Question my honour so much I am loath To give the least occasion of distaste To my Lord Demagoras and since my daughter Cannot affect him I conceive he will Cease his unnecessary suit and leave her To her owne disposure Kala. I wish it My Lords and sister honour me to transferre Your companies to my Castle
yet divulg'd by fame whose valour Will be imploy'd i' th combat Phi. His knowledge Has not yet attain'd the notice of 't My Lord He does present his best respects to you Deplores your sorrows with a brothers griefe intreats you Have so much mercy on your glorious youth As not to spend its blooming pride in sighes Arg. My Lord I thank him and rejoyce his Fate Has sorted him so honourable a triall Of his undoubted valour for my griefes They doe increase on me like a disease Spreading through all my faculties which shakes My soule into an agony of death And will I hope ere long dissolve this flesh Into forgetfulnesse Kalan. Nay good my Lord Renounce this passionate temper wee 'l depart Hence to my Castle expell our cares with feasts Hunt the wild bore that will with masculine rage Resist the hunters till he foame to death View swift hounds running hotly in pursuit Of the chac'd game and from the neighb'ring hills Force Ecchoes to their shrilnesse Arg. Alas my Lord The sole conceit of faire Parthenia's losse Would from a heart of marble force salt teares Cold as the dew the stone distills invite An unremorsefull Crocodile to shed Drops as sincere as does the timorous Hart When he o'reheares the feath'red arrow sing His funerall Dirge Kala. See Alexis accompanied with a stranger Lady Enter Alexis and Parthenia Alex. Sir this Lady newly arriv'd from Corinth has Some businesse she will disclose to none but you Exit Parth. My vow 's absolv'd Arga. Angels or if there be a power has charge Of humane frailty shrowd me with their wings The sight of this divinity will strike More than my Eyes my Reason and inforce me Here to die gazing Phi. Blesse me 't is sure Parthenia Kala. My vertuous Neece recover'd Arg. 'T is her face I have examin'd with industrious eyes Each line each lovely circle that adornes This best perfect piece of nature and all speakes Parthenia's figure Parth. My honour'd Lords Arg. 'T is her voyce The same well-sounding musick did inchant With its melodious harmony my heart Let me adore the miracle Parth. My Lords Doe not distract with a deceiving joy Your noble soules I will not seeke to fold Your thoughts in doubtfull errour you mistake I 'm not Parthenia Arg. What delusion playes with our faculties Parth. My Lord afford me patient hearing my discourse Containes much consequence you never lov'd Parthenia dearlier than my selfe we wore The very figure of each others mind As well as body and I should transgresse Th' integrity of our inviolate truths Not to fullfill each scruple of her will With ceremonious duty she being dead Arga. Oh my just feares Phi. Deare Lady is she dead Par. Dead cold in her dark urne As was her Icy chastity she did arrive Some few dayes since at Corinth where resolv'd T' obscure her self to all but mee kind heaven Pitying her sad disaster by mild death Translated her to the immortall blisse Prepar'd for innocent lovers Arga. Sure I am insensible of misery or my brest Would burst with fulnesse of my griefes deare Lady Informe me where Parthenia is intomb'd That like some humble pilgrime I may visit The holy place with a religious zeale and bathe Her virgin ashes in my teares Weepe o're her grave till from my drops arise Parthenias monument Some crystall pyramid to tell the world Par. You interrupt what my sad heart as an unwelcome load Desires to be disburdend of before Her dying breath she did injoyne me by All our friendships rites when I had laid Her corps in earth straict to repaire with notice Of her expiring hither Phi. Deere my Lord be not so much distemper'd Parth. Tell quoth she my noble mother that I dy in peace Even with Demagoras commend me to my love My dearest Argalus informe him that His very name flies with my soule to heaven There to remaine for ever and ingage him T' accept of you as my last guift you are So like Parthenia that hee 'll love you for My memory So with a constant truth To my dead friend I 'm come my Lord to offer What she bequeath'd her legacy of my love To your acceptance Arga. Madam I must rest For your kind wish your servant but in me Parthenia only must have room to live While I have vitall motion Had she impos'd What charge but this soever I 'de endevour It's strict performance but I am resolv'd As she enjoy'd my first my latest love Shall on her memory waite till we do meet I' th happy shades together Part. Sure my Lord This is contempt of my desert I must not Be thus repuls'd to satisfie your feares I am your true Parthenia Argalus Parthenia Part. Yes and by the Queen of Corinth cur'd whose skill and care clens'd my fowle leprosie Arga. Parthenia 't was well your wisdom by degrees Diffus'd this comfort had you showr'd it all at once T' would like a torrent have o'reborne the banks Of my amaz'd mortality Kal. Come discourse Your story at your leisure Argalus Take your Parthenia treachery nor hate Cannot undo the firme decree of Fate Exeunt Sapho Aminta Strephon. Clitophon Strep. I le try your impudence have you the face To deny your libell Clitophon Clit. Good Strephon urge me not I shall not want Audacity to expresse them to recant My just opinion were injust and fit To staine my resolution and my wit Amin. Clitophon how dare You arm'd with boldnesse greater than dispaire Venture abuse to woman or defile That name with scandall to whose meanest smile You have done worship Sapho Prais'd looks with flat'tring art Each look each lineament as the best part Of Natur 's choysest workmanship but men Are more inconstant than light whirlewinds trust The sea with feathers or March winds with dust Rather and let their words oaths teares vowes passe As words in water writ or slipery glasse Clit. This is more jugling O! with these h 'as found A passage through my Eyes to give a wound To my poore Heart it is their looks beget This soddaine alteration which as yet Does but with infant feathers strive to fly To heaven tels Justice of the injury I have done sacred womanhood thence Thou scrowle detracting spotlesse innocence Aminta deare forgive me Sapho see How my teares distill Stre. If they were every one as big as a Turnip it should not serve to feed my anger well wenches if you doe pardon him may your maidenheads be a burden to you till you bee forescore at least then may you turne Witches and some Goblin get them or else perish in your Virginity and leade Apes in Hell for 't Nay if you do forgive him I will have you arraing'd of treason against Venus and Cupid shall be your blind Judge and condemne you for the fact to loose your heads your maidenheads I meane and have a man of fourescore and ten for your Executioner Sapho Deare Strephon do not frown it does disgrace The sallow color of
That decks the plaines will smile when we do fit On its greene tapistry and aptly fit Our wilde affections Shepherdesses let Our woolly charge within our folds be set Lest the hoarse Wolfe to sate his ravenous thirst With blood of Lambes doe through our weak flocks burst After let 's meet upon the neighbouring plaine And there determine of our loves I 'le straine A little on your patience to rehearse On the late Nuptials this ensuing verse Amint. Doe my deare Sapho Flor. Shepherds attend her Layes Amint. They get us credit and our Sapho Bayes Sapho The holy Priest had joy'd their hands and now Night grew propitious to their Bridall vow Majestick Iuno and young Hymen flies To light their Pines at faire Parthenia's eyes The little Graces amourously did skip With the small Cupids from each lip to lip Venus her selfe was present and untide Her virgine Love when loe on either side Stood as her handmaids Chastity and Truth With that immaculate guider of her youth Rose-colour'd Modesty These did undresse The beauteous maid who now in readinesse The Nuptiall tapers waving 'bout her head Made poore her garments and enrich'd her bed While the fresh Bridegroome like the lusty Spring Did to the holy bride-bed with him bring Attending masculine vertues down he lay'd His snowy limbs by a far whiter mayd Their kisses linke their minds as they embrace A quire of Angels flew about the place Singing all blisse unto this paire for ever May they in love and union still persever Amin. 'T is almost sung for the nuptialls Why was 't not sung with musick Saph Castalia's voyce would have been tir'd with it Come let 's depart Love though obscur'd still flames about the heart Exeunt Enter Amphialus Argalus Philarchus Amph. I could have wish'd the King Had destin'd any to this fatall task But noble Argalus in him there rests Such a commanding fulnesse of true worth That as 't will be a glory to o'recome 'T will be a griefe equall to think 'gainst whom The present fury of my arme must be Unwillingly directed Arg. Famous Amphialus 'T is so much honour to be held your friend 'T were indiscretion in me to admit A thought of being your enemy we two Should meet my Lord to revell not to fight But since th' injustice of our Fates does force This sad contention deare Amphialus Think that two brothers may with hot resolve Strive to atchieve one crowne yet still be friends The lawrell destin'd for my head will wither If it be snatch'd from thine Amph. More famous Argalus Under whose hand the great Demais fell These attributes of curtesie doe speake Your noble natures freenesse you and I Should rather exercise our able armes In one anothers quarrell than imploy them Upon our selves Deare Argalus our fates Are too in just t' ingage our swords against Our bodies for in harming thee I offer Wounds to my selfe we two retaine so much Affinity by friendship we must needs be One individuall substance Phi. Good my Lords Since there 's that sympathie of love and nature 'Twixt your two soules dissolve it not the blow That shall divide your hearts will be more impious In sep'rating that union than in cutting Your twists of life asunder Arga. Philarchus you are so noble Our wills desir'd you an indifferent Judge In our unwilling difference since you are An equall friend to both Amph. Philarchus We two are fortunes scorne that we should be Such friends in soule yet by our deeds be thought Severest enemies Deare Argalus Let not thy lenity regard my life Which is so worth lesse 't is a weight I wish Rather to lose than keepe but guard thy owne Preserve that precious bloud which I shall grieve To see diffus'd on earth nay rather weepe Than shed a drop of it Arg. How much my Lord you vanquish him with curtesie Whom your arme means to conquer But Amphialus Since we are mutuall friends and yet must seeme Mutually enemies to testifie 'T is by our fate not malice we are foes I 'le make thee my full Executour bestow A gift upon thee of that pricelesse worth Posterity shall never boast its parallell When I am ashes if there be a wretch For some there are that dare blaspheme the Gods Does injure my Parthenia prithee friend Let be thy Care to punish that contempt 'Gainst vertuous purity and as the last And most supreme inducement of my love If by thy hand I perish let my heart Be sent to my Parthenia Amph. The same justice I beg of thee my Argalus to have mine Convay'd to my Philoclea and if fame As it may chance traduce me after death Noblest Argalus justifie thy friend Thy poore Amphialus and defend the deare Authour of my misfortune sweet Philoclea otherwise Posterity inform'd by bad report May black her precious memory and say A worthlesse man fell by thy sword Let us embrace my Argalus and take A true though sad farewell and once Let us employ our hands against our hearts Arg. Kill our selves mutually for who first does fall Leads but the way toth ' others funerall Fight Enter Parthenia Parth. Eternall darknesse seaze me O my Lord You are reported to be thrall to love for her sake you affect most doe not make A breach in ebbing nature More This bloud Clothing the grasse in purple does convert My heart to Alablaster O Argalus Arg. O Parthenia Never till now unwelcome have I liv'd To such an abject lownesse that my life Must like a malefactors be by prayers Redeem'd from death Let us renew the fight Ha Me thinks I tread on slippery glasse my unsupporting feet Dance measures on light waves and I am sinking Into the watery bosomes there to rest for all eternity Amph. I have seene So dying tapers as it were to light Their owne sad funerall expiring dart Being but stirr'd their most illustrious beames And so extinguish Parth. Angels if ye have charity afford Some Surgery from heaven Now I see the cause Why my sad heart fill'd with propheticke feare Sought to have stopt your journey and why I Compell'd by power of overruling Fate Follow'd you hither Oh Argalus Arga. Parthenia I doe feele A marble sweat about my heart which does Congeale the remnant of my bloud to Ice My Lord I doe forgive you friend farewell Parthenia showre on my pale lips a kisse 'T will waft my soule to its eternall blisse Parthenia O Parthenia Dies Phi. So cracks the cordage of his heart as Cables That guide the heavie Anchors cut by blasts Of some big tempest My Lord your wounds are many And dangerous 't is fit you doe withdraw And have 'm cur'd Amph. I am carelesse growne my life Is now more odious to me than the light Of day to Furies Madam I am past The thought of griefe for this sad fact and am Griefes individuall substance pray forgive me Heaven knowes it was not malice that betray'd Your Lords lov'd life but a necessitous force To save my owne Joy comfort
ARGALUS AND PARTHENIA As it hath been Acted at the Court before their MAIESTIES AND At the Private-House in DRURY-LANE By their MAIESTIES Servants By HEN. GLAPTHORNE LONDON Printed by R. BISHOP for DANIEL PAKEMAN at the Raine-bow neere the Inner Temple Gate 1639 The Persons Argalus beloved of Parthenia Demagoras a Suiter to Parthenia Kalander her uncle Amphialus a Noble Lord Philarchus an Arcadian Lord Chrysaclea Mother to Parthenia Parthenia Clitophon an inconstant Shepherd Strephon a foolish swaine Alexis another swaine A servant to Demagoras Sapho a Poeticall Shepherdesse Nymphes Aminta Florida Castalia ARGALUS AND PARTHENIA Actus I. Scena I. DEMAGORAS PHILARCHUS Vrge this no more 't is troublesome Philar. My Lord though I affect you Almost with that Religion I do our Gods yet The constant motion of my will does fixe On noble Argalus and I confesse His gracious merit challenges a wife Faire as Parthenia did she staine the East When the bright morne hangs day upon her cheeks In chaines of liquid pearle Demagoras I must confesse I have not studied the nice rules of love Nor can with flattering eloquence adore A Ladies ayery shadow court her smiles With adoration or with supple knees Cringe like an humorous dancer when the ayre Play 's with her hayre or fret to see the Sun Be over sawcy with her cheeks or lips I speake this to my glory the big War Has been my mistris where intented fields When I have seen a moving grove of Pikes Advanc'd as if the splendor of their heads Meant to obscure the Sun beame gore the clouds Till they wept aloud and heard the fiery horse Neighing destruction to an host of men From their hot nostrils there I did command With ample Fortune and to be repuls'd In an effeminate Skirmish wounds my soule Worse than a quiver of sharp Parthian shafts Could prejudice my body Philar. I could wish Both for your present peace and to secure Your future quiet you had still confin'd Your disposition to that warfare this Is far more dangerous He that means to win Loves bloodlesse battails must be strong in teares Marshall his Army in a Field of Sighes Have for his Ensigne beauty in his looks Under which colours ought to march kind smiles As ablest Souldiers in the van Smooth vowes And amorous oathes will batter Ladies hearts Sooner than slings or iron rams demolish Resisting Citadels Demag. Canst thou conceit That I Demagoras to whose very name Laconian Matrons have with early haste Payd tributary vowes her choysest mayds Have left Pans Orgies to present soft Hymns To th' honour of my merit can decline So much my great soule as with forc'd intreats To beg Parthenias mercy let tame fooles Such as have hearts scarce fit to furnish Doves Or spleen lesse lambs with courage intercede For female favours by submissive prayers My resolution grounded on the worth Of my desert shall with her mothers power Inforce Partheniae were she cold as ayre In its most subtle motion to become In her affection fervent as the day That she was borne in was to gawdy light Or ruine her best comforts Enter Chrisaclea Chrisa. I am faine to be Your most industrious advocate my Daughter Thinks she offends in each familiar looke Bestowd on manhood but I hope that Time And Counsell may convert her to become Loves proselyte Demag. Shee 's that already Madam Or Argalus durst not without consent And patronage from her rivall my love But if the boy oppose me in a thought Borrow a smile or pay an amorous glance As tribute to her eyes were he defenc'd With some light bogge that dances to the winds Loud whistling Musick I would dart a frowne Should ravish his mortality into Ayre For the presumption Chrisa. 'T is my Lord This rough demeanor though it speake you man Declares a spirit full of fire which does fright Parthenia's softnesse Virgins loves are wone Like Heavens compassion by submissive prayers 'T is not the brave relation of a fight Can move the milde brest of a tender mayd To ought but terrour she will start at sight Of scars though bought with honor bleed in teares When wounds are mention'd for Lord Argalus His affable and courtly carriage cals Respective blushes into the bashfull cheeks Of every Virgin that my daughters bound By a due Justice to esteeme his worth With more than common curtesie yet my will Seconded by a Mothers kind intreats Shall work upon her duty to accept You 'l as her servant Demag, Servant Lady What mortall foole ambitious to out-vie The Gods in honour dare presume to hope That glorious title from me have I stood When armies timorous of a generall death Quaking with Panick horror have invok'd Divine assistance fearlesse and not deem'd Heavens power deserving a religious prayer After so many Trophees as may clayme Each its particular star to be esteem'd A servant to a woman Philar. Nay my good Lord Demag. Persuade the girle T' attire like Iuno in a dresse of clouds Her beauteous head put off her human Earth For Immortality and atchieve a seat Due to the Queen of Heaven that with regard The humble Senate of the petty Gods And Goddesses may tremblingly adore The sparkling Majesty yet were my will Not satisfied by voluntary gift Of her affection my great soule would scorne it Worse than the proffered service of a Slave Enter Parthenia Chry. See my Daughter My Lord loose not this opportunity You shall have place and leasure for my presence Shall be no detriment to your purpose Exit Demag. Now Lady Are you in haste or do you slight a presence May challenge your observance I am come Confident of my merit to informe you You ought to yeeld me the most strict regard Your love can offer Parth. Sir I am not Though I affect not selfe conceited boast So ignorant of my worth but I deserve From him who will enjoy me a respect More faire and Courtlike Demag. The blunt phrase of war Is my accustom'd language yet I can Tell you yo' ar hansome and direct your looks With a becomming posture I must speake In the Heroick Dialect as I use To court Bellona when my high desires Ayme at a glorious victory Phi. You 'l scarce Conquer a Lady with this sterne discourse Mars did not wooe the Queen of Love in Armes But wrapt his batter'd limbs in Persian silks Or costly Tyrian Purples speak in smiles To win her tempting beauty Demag. I 'le bring on Well-manag'd troops of Souldiers to the fight Draw big battaliaes like a moving field Of standing Corne blown one way by the wind Against the frighted enemy the Van Shall save the Rere a labour and by me Marshald shall fold bright conquest in the curles Of their conducting Ensignes while grim Death Shall on the feather'd arrows with more haste Then on his own shafts fly upon the foe While the shrill Trumpet and each piercing Fife Shall sing their Dirges and the hoarse mouth'd Drums Wars fatall bels with surly noyse
proclayme Their soddaine funerall This brave resolve Vanquish'd my steele wing'd Goddesse and ingag'd Peneian Daphne who did fly the Sun Give up to willing ravishment her boughes T' invest my awfull front and this shall prostrat Spight of all opposition your nice soule To my commanding merit Par. These high tearms were apt to fright an enemy or beget Terror in flinty bosoms Can you think A timorous Virgin can affect her feare Yeld the security of her peace and life To the protection of her horror You must not perswade my thoughts that you who vary so the Scene of love can act it perfectly Demag. Slighted in this 't is a contempt inhumane and deserves my utmost scorne Enter Chrisaclea Chri. Nay may most honor'd Lord be not transported with a needlesse rage 't is but her childish folly Parthenia You have done ill to entertaine a man Of such an absolute worth with such a meane Exeunt Dema and Philar Regardlesse value you must alter this Neglectfull temper or my anger will Surpasse my naturall love and I shall chide Your too affected nicenesse Parth. Gracious Madam The zealous duty which religious laws Teaches me owe my parents would inflict A heavy curse for disobedient guilt Upon my Innocence should I transgresse Th' intention of your honourable will In what I can obey it Chri. Then in this You are resolv'd t' usurp the priviledge Of your discretion and not fulfill My will in the disposall of your love Parth. Yes with that freedome that I would to Heaven Tender my best obedience but since love Is by example and discourse allow'd Reasons superior it must be esteem'd Above all duty Chri. Yet there ought to be Consent attayn'd from those whose power sh'ud guide Their childrens youth and actions Parth. 'T is confest But not except it justly sympathise With their affection you would have suffred A conflict in your peace had you been forc'd When your free will had yeelded up your heart My fathers choyse t o've had it ravish'd back And in despight of your resolve confer'd Upon another Chri. I was not so childish To contradict my parents but subscrib'd To their discretions as I would advise You would obey mine and yeeld consent To wed Demagoras Parth. What can your Wisdome Behold in him if with impartiall Eyes You would survay his quality that should ingage Your inclination to inforce my love Besides the native fiercenesse of his looks Apter to fright a Lady than beget Fancy his courtships cloth'd in angry threats As if that Love were turn'd a Souldier And had unyok'd her teeme of spleenlesse Doves To have her Chariot drawn by ravenous Wolves Tygres or trecherous Leopards had put off Her wreath of harm esse Mirtle to invest Her brow with Yew or Cipresse Chri. This excuse Proceeds not from his merit but your love To Argalus a stranger only known For his brisque Courtship the Queen supports His wavering Fortune he depends on her And should she faile by death his utmost hopes Embrac'd a soddaine ruine Parth. Argalus Were he more abject in his fate than your Imagination could conceit deserv'd My Equalst fancy in his youthfull looks Sits a divinity able to inchant Queenes to admire nay to adore his worth Continued smiles make Summer on his cheeks At his bright Eyes does Cupid warme his wings When he intends to fly at Womens hearts Musick and rich perfumes are in his breath Aptly resembling aromatique winds That sing the Phenix Exequies Chris. Can my daughter So much decline the greatnesse of her spirit Hereditary to her bloud To affect a person meerly for his smiles Effeminate carriage without any proofe Of manly valour in him Parth. You mistake His character though he can tread in peace An ayery measure to the warbling Lute Demeane his actions with that sweet deceit Can cosen Ladies of their soules yet when The glorious war does summon him to th' field He does excell in feats of active armes The ablest youth of Arcady instructs Old Souldiers Martiall discipline that those Who had beheld his sweetnesse in the Court Pusled in Faith believed that conquering Mars Had cloth'd his fiercenesse in a Cupids shape To vanquish some more beautious prize than was The blind Gods mother Chri. 'T is offensive I 'le heare no more of this Parth. Thus I 'me inforc'd to prove Dead to obedience if I live to love Chri. Your nicenesse Must not excuse the due respects we beare The Lord Demagoras if the shepherds be prepar'd They shall present their mirth to expell his melancholy Exeunt Chris Parth. Scena 2. Clitophon Strephon. Strep. Pish you 'r as fierce an aspen leafe you wag every way Clitop. I 'le tell thee honest Strephon I No more affect a woman than the Sky Does Birds that sore in it they are as vaine Inconstant as the flying showers of raine In Aprill Strephon Strep. The more dissembling fellow you why do you protest to every Wench you see you are inamor'd on her why you should see and seeing ought to imitate your betters Clitophon ther 's not a Lasse That trips nimbly ore the Arcadian grasse When shee does faire Strephon veiw Though I fly but will pursue Throw her eyes out on my shape Call me Pigsny pretty Ape Some there are that doe suppose Loves hot fire in my nose With which they scorch'd for pitty cry Blow it ou't Strephon or we die Others say my head 's a bell My hayre the ropes that ring the knell My tong the clapper which though their deaths it rings They sweare no Courefeu halfe so sweetly sings The hollow of my eyes the grave Which with their nailes they dig but have But who comes here Enter Sapho and Aminta Sapho Strepho you 'r well-met good Aminta see Is he not chast and faire as young Goates be His head like to a Cedar over-growes His studded cheeks and rich enameld nose Strepho. I would be loath to give my face for the washing Girle now Clitophon doe not you not imagine Venus girdle was My swathband the maids so doate on my well timber'd limbs Here 's a leg Sapho that 's as neatly made As any that ore Shepherdesse is laid A thigh proportionable I tak 't I know thou longst to feell it nak't A taile some say does hang therby Which none must know but thee and I I have a back too though I say 't That should not can beare any waight Full limbs with sinews strong and plump A lusty chine and for my rumpe 'T is so well made and firmely knit The Nymphs are all stark mad for it Because they think the rest of my members proportionable Clito. What a quick flame Into my brest from Saphos bright eyes came Another from Aminta's my desire Erst cold as Ice grows active as the fire Dearest Aminta Sapho lend your eare To my just vowes Ami. Fond Clitophon forbeare To sweare in earnest I do know your heart Was never wounded with the blind Gods dart Saph. See how bright Strephon does intice
it doth stand Oppress'd with solitude and mournes the lacke Of noble hospitality like a widow Depriv'd of a lov'd husband I doe long To see Dame Ceres crown'd with wreathes of wheat Kisse plumpe cheek'd Bacchus there in daily feasts To view my table furnish'd with such guests As would esteem 't no trouble to adorne it A yeare or two together and there finde No entertainment like a bounteous minde Exeunt Scena secunda Enter Parthenia with a Lute Exit Enter Demagoras This way she went I followed her thorow the grove of Cypresse to this Bower she cannot be farre off Exit Song Parthenia within Parth. O Argalus Enter Demagoras It was her voyce Parthenia's voyce she nam'd Her minion Argalus that sound though cloth'd In the inchanting accents of her breath Was harsh as Screech-owles or the Whislers notes And shall be fatall to her as the straines The Syrens dancing on the peacefull Seas Bestow on wretched Mariners Come forth Drags out Parth. Imploy your airie numbers on your owne Proud beauties Epitaph Parth. What meanes my Lord This rude intrusion on my retir'd thoughts How dare you hand me thus Uncivill man Forbeare this boldnesse Demag. Perswade me to 't When you can sing the world into a sleepe Or tame wilde lightning with a teare you 'd best Try if the passing sweetnesse of your tunes Can like the voyce of Magick charme my rage To pity or bring Argalus to your rescue Would he were here and arm'd with sulphurous clouds Like Iove imbracing Semele in fire This hand should snatch thee from his circular flames To my revenge inforce him to behold Helplesse the present ruines of thy beauty Parthe. Your threats cannot affright me I defenc'd With mine owne innocence feare not your malice Should it invade my life your foule intent Will like an arrow shot upright descend On your owne head But pray declare my Lord Why you thus riot on my guiltlesse selfe If 'cause I cannot love you I will die That causes Martyr Demag. Die your Fates reserve you Not to so brave a period as death From my great hand I 'le stick on thee a shame Worse than the poore deprivall of thy life Such as will kill thee daily with conceit Of thy unequall'd misery Parth. Perhaps He does intend my ravishment My Lord Mischiefe I see in your distracted looks Pretended to my purity Oh doe not Murder mine honour I 'le resigne my breath With freedome to your fury Surely Sirs A virgins gore sooner than blood of kids Will mollifie your heart of Adamant To a soft fleshie substance Demag. Doe not prate Nor with loud clamours fill the wood nor question What my intent is Though you had not lov'd me You need not in contempt have throwne your heart On that effeminate Argalus that wrong Fills my vast soule with horrour and invites My active thoughts to a severe revenge Since he whom I can name but in contempt Usurps my lawfull priviledge otherwise The injury with patience had been borne Revenges cause is an immediate scorne Exeunt Enter Strephon Clitophon Sapho Aminta Clito. Gentle Aminta heare me Amint. Have you done Winding Meander first shall straitly runne Roses in winter flourish and our flocks Weare golden fleeces in stead of woolly locks Ere Clitophon's false heart doe serious prove And entertaine the perfectnesse of love Streph. 'T is her love to me makes her slight Clitophon thus This 't is to be a handsome man I shall doat shortly seeing my lovely Physnomie in some cleare spring the Shepherds looking-glasse on my owne shadow and like Narcissus leap into the waves to embrace it Which is she among the Swains On whom the gentle Strephon dains To cast a sheeps-eye nod or wink But does her selfe immortall think Who indeed has such a face So full of a bewitching grace My head loves pillow where he does rest As safe as Magpie in her nest My forehead sweetly is bespred With Violets and Tulips blew and red The amber Couslip and the corall Rose Pretious complexion of my sweeter nose My eyes are elements from which fall showers That make my cheeks a spring of severall flowers So is my head a nose-gay growing on one stalke My body is the garden though it walk And ther 's no woman but may well To th' worst part about it smell My armes are Dragons that defend all these Now view in me living Hesperides Sapho Who looks on Strephon that will not suppose The blushing Piony growing in his nose The yellow Primrose that in woods had wont To flourish springs up in his amber front Streph. I had a face of brasse indeed should I deny this for truth shee 'l praise me shortly into the starres and then I shall for a new Planet be set i' th the Shepherds Kalender What a gull 's this Clitophon how long might he live ere he be in such favour with the Shepherdesses Why when on him they will not gaze On me they stare with much amaze And when on him as on a Clowne With lowring lookes they scowle and frowne Let gentle Strephon but vouchsafe To let them looke on him they laugh Clitoph. Oh you are pleasant Strephon Sapho say Are you as cruell as Aminta Day Loves not the Sunne-shine dearlier than my flame Is equally devoted to your name To yours Aminta joyntly Oh you two Are clearer sweeter than the morning dew Falling in May on Lillies fairer farre Than Venus Swannes or spotlesse Ermins are Which first vouchsafes me answer There does flie Immediate comfort from Aminta's eye Sapho speakes joy in smiles but Virgins here Comes beauties abstract who has no peere Enter Florida Grace me deare Florida with one blest looke Florid. Away dissembler Fishes scorne the hooke They see laid bare before them but prepare The other Shepherds hither comming are Attending on my Lady and her guests This musicke does invite us to Pans feast Enter Kalander Argalus Philarchus Castalia singing Great Pan to thee we doe confine This fleece of Wooll This bowle of Wine To father Bacchus Ceres deare This garland of the wheaten Accept Silvanus we present These fruits to thee thy bounty sent And you maids from whose each eye Winged shafts of love doe flie Doe not shame to let your feet In a countrey measure meet With these youths whose active parts Will play the theeves and steale your hearts Dance Kaland. Shepherds we owe our gratitude to your thankes Sapho Lords and Ladies thankes to all That grac'd our harmlesse festivall Exeunt Shepherds Kalan. I doe admire we wanted my faire Neece At these solemnities me thought the sports Shew'd dull without her noble Argalus My best wishes wait upon you Exit Kaland Arga. Your honours Creature I much wonder where Parthenia has bestow'd herselfe Enter Parthenia Phi. Shee cannot Be absent long see here she comes Madam you were expected here the Shepherds Did in their Pastorall presentments move Dully without your presence Why thus vail'd Extend your glorious beauty and ecclipse The emulous day