lou'd on western plaine Whose heauy fate all others doth surpasse That ere you heard Dym Say Heardsman what it was Dory I must and will though Dymnus I confesse I 'm very loth my folly to expresse Whose madding passion though it merit blame I will display't Tech. To 't then away with shame Dory I lou'd a bonny Lasse as ere lou'd man For she a middle had that you might span A mouing eye a nimble mincing foot And mannerly she was for she could lout And her I lou'd and me she held as deare Corid But Dorycles where liu'd she Dory Very neare Knowst thou not Polychrestus Corid Who the Swaine That with his sheepe doth couer all our Plaine Dory It seemes thou knowst him Coridon Corid I doe And seuen yeeres since I knew his Daughter too Dory Who faire Bellina Corid Yes the very same Dory And her I lou'd nor need I thinke 't a shame For what might moue affection or imply Content of loue to any Shepheards eye Which she enioy'd not For if choyce discourse As what more mouing than the tongue had force To infuse loue there was no Heardsman neare her Who was not rauish'd if he chanc'd to heare her And for a beauty mix'd with white and red Corid I know 't was rare good Dorycles proceed Dory When I was young as yet I am not old I doted more than now a hundred fold For there was not a May-game that could show it All here about but I repaird vnto it Yet knew not what loue meant but was content To spend the time in harmlesse merriment But at the last I plaid so long with fire I cing'd my wings with heat of loues desire And to display my folly how it was Without digression thus it came to passe Downe by you Vale a Myrtle groue there is Oh that I nere had seene it I may wish Where Pan the Shepheards God to whom we pray Solemniz'd had his wonted holiday Whereto resorted many noble Swaines Who flourish yet vpon our neighbour Plaines Mongst which Bellina with a youthfull sort Of amorous Nimphs came to surney our sport Which I obseruing see the fault of youth Transported with vain-glory thought in truth Shee came a purpose for a sight of me Which I with smiles requited louingly But howsoere I know Bellina ey'de My person more than all the Swaines beside When night was come vnwelcome vnto some And each was now to hasten towards home I'mongst the rest of Laddes did homeward passe And all this time I knew not what Loue was To supper went I and fell to my fare As if of loue I had but little care And after supper went to fire to chat Of sundry old-wiues tales as this and that Yet all this while loue had no power of me Nor no command that euer I could see Hauing thus spent in tales an houre or two Each to his rest as he thought best did goe But now when I should take me to my rest That troubled me which I did thinke of least Tech. Trouble thee Swaine Dory Yes Technis and the more Because I neuer felt such pangs before This way and that way did I tosse and turne And freeze and frie and shake for cold and burne So as I wisht a hundred times that day Would now approach my passion to allay Yet still so weake was my distemper'd braine I thought Bellina put me to that paine Yet knew no cause why shee should vse me so Yet thought to aske her if 't were shee or no So as next day I purpos'd to repaire To see if shee could yeeld a cure to care But she poore wench was split on fancies shelfe All full of care yet could not cure her selfe So as in briefe we either did impart The secret passions of a wounded heart Shot by loues shaft for so 't appear'd to be Which found we vow'd a present remedie Yet to our friends both shee and I did feane As if we neuer had acquainted beene Dym A prety sleight Dory Though many times and oft Plaid we at Barlybreake in Clytus croft And thus our loues continued one halfe yeere Without suspition till one neighboring neere An equall friend vnto vs both did make A motion of our Mariage Tech. Did it take Dory Yes Technis yes so as first day I went My friends to shew that they were well content Wish'd that all good successe might vsher mee Lin. One should haue throwne an old shoo after thee Dory Nay Linus that was done and now to hie Vnto my Tale on went my dogge and I Poore loaue-eard Curre Sapp Why Dorycles hadst none To second thee Dory Too many Swaine by one For trowst thou Lad when I my suit should make Vnto her friends my dogge he let a scape Sapp Ill nurtur'd stitchell Dory Now yee may suppose Bellina tooke the Pepper in the nose That to her friends when I should breake my minde The carrian Cur should at that time breake winde So as for halfe an houre I there did show Like to a senslesse Picture made of dough Nor was my dogge lesse ' sham'd but runs away With taile betwixt his legs with speed he may At last my spirits I did call together Showing her friends the cause why I came thither Who did accept my motion for that day I was esteem'd a proper Swaine I say And one well left Cor. We know it Dorycles Both for thy wealth and person thou mightst please Lin. For good mug-sheepe and cattell I le be sworne None could come neare thee both for haire and horne Dory Yee ouer-value me but sure I am I had sufficient for an honest man Hauing thus free accesse to her I lou'd Who my affection long before had prou'd Though she seemd nice as women often vse When what they loue they seemingly refuse Not to insist ought longer on the matter They deemd me worthy if they did not flatter Of her I su'd So as without more stay Appointed was this solemne Nuptiall day Sapp Happy appointment Dory Sapphus say not so It rather was the subiect of my woe For hauing heard reported for a truth She formerly had lou'd a dapper youth With whom she purpos'd euen in friends despight To make a priuate scape one winter night I for a while thought to surcease my suit Till I heard further of this iealous bruit Tech. Why didst thou so Bellina had consented To loue that youth before you were acquainted Dory Technis 't is true But seme there were auer'd Though I 'm resolu'd they in opinion err'd That these two were affide one to the other Sapp What hindred then the match Dory Bellinas mother Who tender of th' aduancement of her childe And well perceiuing Crispus to be wilde For so the youth was named did withdraw Bellina from him by imperious awe Which done and he preuented of her daughter His Countrey left he neuer sought her after Tech. I knew that Crispus Dory Then you knew a Lad Of seeming presence but he little had And
THE SHEPHEARDS TALES Too true poore shepheards do this Prouerbe find No sooner out of sight then out of mind LONDON Printed for Richard Whitaker 1621. TO MY WORTHIE AND AFFECTIONATE KINSMAN RICHARD HVTTON Esquire Sonne and Heire to the much honoured and sincere dispenser of judgement Sir RICHARD HVTTON Sergeant at Law and one of the Iudges of the Common Pleas The fruition of his selectedst wishes TO sit secure and in a safe repose To view the crosse occurrences of those Who are on Sea or in a silent shade To eye the state of such as are decay'd Or neere some siluer Rill or Beechy Groue To reade how Starre-crost louers lost their loue Is best of humane blessings and this best Is in your worthy selfe Deere Cuz exprest Who by your fathers vertues and your owne Are truly lou'd whereseuer you are knowne In State secure rich in a faithfull make And rich in all that may secure your State Now in these dayes of yours these Halcion daies Where you enioy all ioy peruse these layes That you who liu'd to loue liue where you loue May reade what you nere felt nor ere did proue Poore Swainlins crost where they affected most And crost in that which made them euer crost Receiue this Poem Sir for as I liue Had I ought better I would better giue RICH BRAYHVVAIT THE SHEPHEARDS TALES THE FIRST PART The Argument TEchnis complaines And labours to display Th'uniust distaste Of Amarillida The second Argument HEre relates this forlorne Swaine How he woo'd but woo'd in vaine Her whose beautie did surpasse Shape of any Country Lasse Made more to delight the bed Than to see her Lambkins fed Yet poore Shepheard see his fate Loue shee vow'd is chang'd to hate For being iealous of his loue Shee her fancie doth remoue Planting it vpon a Groome Who by Cupids blindest doome Is preferd vnto those ioyes Which were nere ordain'd for Boyes On whose face nere yet appear'd Downie shew of manly beard Hauing thus drunke sorrows cup First he shewes his bringing vp What those Arts were he profest Which in homely style exprest He descends vnto the Swaine Whom he sought by loue to gaine But preuented of his ayme Her he showes but hides her shame THE SHEPHEARDS TALES The shepheards Technis Dymnus Dorycles Corydon Sapphus Linus THE FIRST EGLOGVE Technis tale WHy now I see these Plaines some good afford When Shpherds will be masters of their word Dory Yes Technis yes we see it now then That they 'le keep touch as wel as greater men Who can protest and take a solemn vow To doe farre more then they intend to doe Dym Stay Dorycles me thinkes thou goest too farre Le ts talke of Shepheards as we Shepheards are For why should we these Great mens errors note But learne vnto our Cloth to cut our coat Sapp Dymnus 't is true we came not to display Great mens abuses but to passe away The time in Tales wherein we may relate By one and one our blest or wretched state Cor. Indeed friend Dymnus therfore came we hither To shew our Fortune and distresse together Lin. Proceede then Technis you 'r the eldest Swaine That now feeds Flocks vpon this fruitfull Plaine So as your age whatseuer we alledge Doth well deserue that proper priuiledge Tech. As to begin Lin. So Technis doe I meane Tech. Thanks Shepherds heartily that you will daine A haplesse Swaine such grace which to requite I le mix my dolefull Storie with delight That while yee weepe for griefe I may allay Your discontent and wipe your teares away Dory On Technis on and wee le attention lend And wish thy loue may haue a happie end Dym Which showne each shall reply and make exprest When all is done whose fate 's the heauiest Tech. Attend then Shepheards now I doe begin Shewing you first where I had nurturing Which to vnfold the better I will chuse No other words then home-spun Heardsmen vse First then because some Shepheards may suppose By meere conjecture I am one of those Who had my breeding on this flowrie Plaine I must confesse that they are much mista'ne For if I would I could strange stories tell Of Platoes and of Aristotles Well From whence I drain'd such drops of diuine wit As all our Swaines could hardly diue to it Dor. Indeed I 'ue heard much of thee in thy youth Tech. Yes Dorycles I say no more than truth A Prentiship did I in Athens liue Not without hope but I might after giue Content and comfort where I should remaine And little thought I then to be a Swaine For I may say to you I then did seeme One of no small or popular esteeme But of consort with such whose height of place Aduanced me because I had their grace Though now since I my Lambkins gan to feede Clad in my russet coat and countrey weede Those broad-spred Cedars scarce afford a nest Vpon their shadie Boughes where I may rest Sapp It seemes they 're great men Technis Tech. So they are And for inferiour groundlins little care But may they flourish thus much I am sure Though Shrubs be not so high they 're more secure Lin. High states indeed are subiect to decline Tech. Yes Linus yes in this corrupted time We may obserue by due experience That where a Person has preeminence He so transported growes as he will checke Ioue in his Throne till Pride has broke his necke Whereas so vertuous were precedent times As they were free not only from the crimes To which this age's exposed but did liue As men which scorn'd Ambition Dymn Now I diue Into thy meaning Technis thou do'st grieue That those who once endeer'd thee now should leave Thy fellowship Tech. Nay Dymnus I protest I neuer credited what they profest For should I grieue to see a surly Lout Who for obseruance casts his eye about In nothing meriting saue only He Is rich in acres to disvalue me Dory No Technis no th' art of a higher spirit Than these inferiour Gnats whose only merit Consists in what they haue not what they are Tech. No Dorycles for these I little care Nor euer did though some there be that feede On such mens breath Dymn Good Technis now proceed Tech. Hauing thus long continued as I said And by my long continuance Graduate made I tooke more true delight in being there Than euer since in Court or Country ayre Sapph Indeed minds freedome best contenteth men Tech. And such a freedome I enjoyed then As in those Beechie shades of Hesperie I planted then my sole felicitie So as howsere some of our rurall Swaines Prerogatiue aboue all others claimes That they haue nought want nought nor care for ought Because their minde vnfurnisht is of nought That may accomplish man I could averre Howsere I doubt these in opinion erre That in my breast was treasured more blesse Then euer sensuall man could yet possesse For my delights were princely and not vaine Where height of
with Art of Poesie Others to reason of Astrologie Swaines of this time might think 't a very shame To be so bold as to retaine the name Of iolly Heardsmen when they want the worth Of those braue Swaines which former times brought forth Corid Why what could they Tech. Endorse their Names in trees And write such amorous Poems as might please Their deerest loues Dym Why Technis what was this Can we not please our loues more with a kisse Dory Yes Dymnus thou know'st that Dym Perchance I doe For Dymnus knowes no other way to wooe But pray thee Technis let vs say no more But hie thee now to where thou left before Tech. I 'me easily entreated draw then neere And as I lend a tongue lend you an eare Hauing long liued in Minerua's Groue My life became an Embleme of pure loue Dym Of Loue my Technis pray thee say to whom Tech. As thou mean'st Dymnus I did fancie none No my affection soared higher farre Than on such toyes as now affected are I deated not on Beautie nor did take My aime at faire but did obseruance make How humane things be shar'd by diuine power Where fickle faith scarce constant rests one houre How highest states were subiect'st to decline How nought on Earth but subiect vnto Time How vice though clad in purple was but vice How vertue clad in rags was still in price How Common-weales in peace should make for warre How Honour crownes such as deseruing are Dory And yet we see such as deserued most What ere the cause be are the oftest crost Tech. I le not denie it Swaine and yet attend For all their crosse occurrents but their end And thou shalt see the fawning Sycophant Die indisgrace and leaue his Heire in want While th' honest and deseruing Statesman giues Life to his Name and in his dying liues This I obseru'd and many things beside Whilst I in famous Athens did abide But ' lasse whilst I secure from thought of care With choisest consorts did delight me there Free from the tongue of rumor or of strife I was to take me to another life Lin. To what good Technis Tech. To haue Harpies clawes To take my fee and then neglect the cause Sapp A Lawier Technis Tech. So my father said Who as he had commanded I obey'd But iudge now Shepheards could I chuse to grieue When I must leaue what I was forc'd to leaue Those sweet delightfull Arts with which my youth Was first inform'd and now attain'd such growth As I did reape more happy comfort thence In one short houre than many Twelue-months since Corid This was a hard command Tech. Yet was it fit I should respect his loue imposed it For ne're had Father showne vnto his sonne More tender loue than he to me had done So as his will was still to me a law Which I obserued more for loue than awe For in that childe few seeds of grace appeare Whom loue doth lesse induce than thought of feare Hauing now tane my leaue of all the Muses I made me fit as other Students vses To waine my minde and to withdraw my sight From all such studies gaue me once delight And to inure me better to discerne Such rudiments as I desir'd to learne I went to Iohn a Styles and Iohn an Okes And many other Law-baptized folkes Whereby I set the practise of the Law At as light count as turning of a straw For straight I found how Iohn a Styles did state it But I was ouer Style ere I came at it For hauing thought so easie was the way That one might be a Lawyer the first day I after found the further that I went The further was I from my Element Yet forasmuch as I esteem'd it vaine To purchase law still from anothers braine I stroue to get some law at any rate At least so much as might concerne my state Lin. I am more sorie for it Tech. Linus why Lin. Because I feare me thou wilt haue an eye More to thy priuate profit than deuise How to attone such quarrels as arise Dym Technis is none of those Tech. No credit me Though I 'me resolued many such there be Who can dispence with fees on either part Which I haue euer scorned with my heart For this shall be my practice to assay Without a fee to doe you th' good I may Corid Technis enough Tech. Hauing thus long applide The streame of Law my aged father dide Whose vertues to relate I shall not neede For you all knew him Doric So we did indeed A Patron of all Iustice doe him right Sap. Nor was there Art wherein he had no fight Dym Yet was he humble Lin. And in that more blest Corid He liues though seeming dead Tech. So let him rest Hauing lost him whose life supported me You may imagine Shepheards what might be My hard succeeding fate downe must I goe To know if this report were true or no. Which I did finde too true for he was dead And had enioyn'd me Guardians in his stead To sway my vntraind youth Dym And what were they Tech. Such men as I had reason to obey For their aduice was euer for my good If my greene yeeres so much had vnderstood But I puft vp with thought of my demaines Gaue way to Folly and did slacke my raines Of long restraint Dory 'Las Technis then I see What in the end was like to fall on thee Tech. O Dorycles if thou hadst knowne my state Thou wouldst haue pitied it Corid Nay rather hate Thy youthfull riot Tech. Thou speakes well vnto 't For the Blacke Oxe had nere trod on my foot I had my former studies in despight And in the vainest consorts tooke delight Which much incens'd such as affection bare To my esteeme but little did I care For the instruction of my graue Protectors Who neuer left me but like wise directors Consulted how to rectifie my state And some aduised this and others that For neuer any could more faithfull be In sincere trust than they were vnto me At last one to compose and end the strife Thought it the fitt'st that I should take a wife Corid Yea now it workes Lin. Stay till he come vnto 't Sap. And then I know he will goe roundly to 't Tech. Nay iest not on me but awhile forbeare And you the issue of my loue shall heare Hauing at last concluded as I said With ioynt consent I should be married One 'mongst the rest did freely vndertake This priuaete motion to my selfe to make Which I gaue eare to wishing too that he Would me informe where this my Wife should be Dym As it was fit Cor. Who was it thou shouldst ha Tech. He tell thee Boy 't was Amarillida Cor. Lycas faire daughter Tech. Yes the very same Dory She was a wench indeed of worthie fame Tech. As ere fed Lambkins on this flowrie Downe Whom many sought and sude to make their owne But she affected so a virgin life As
she did scorne to be Amyntas wife Dym Is 't possible Tech. Yes Dymnus I doe know Some tokens of affection twixt them two Which if thou heard right soone wouldst thou confesse More vnfaind loue no Heardsman could expresse But to omit the rest I meane to show The time and tide when I began to woo Vpon that * 〈◊〉 Valenâ— day 〈◊〉 which 〈◊〉 are 〈◊〉 to â—â—fe their â—tes with â—om â—y reâ—e and 〈◊〉 take in â—tuall â—es Day sad day and heauy fate When euery Bird is said to chuse her mate Did I repaire vnto that fairest faire That euer lou'd or liu'd or breath'd on aire And her I woo'd but she was so demure So modest bashfull and so maiden pure As at the first nor at the second time She would no eare to sound of loue incline Cor. But this I 'm sure would be no meanes to draw Thy loues assault from Amarillida Tech. No Coridon for then I should not seeme Worthy so rare a Nymph as she had beene But I did finde that female foes would yeeld Though their relentlesse breasts at first were steeld Continuall drops will pierce the hardest stone Sap. Did Technis finde her such a stony one Tech. Sappho I did yet though she oft had vowd A vestall life and had my suit withstood I found her of a better minde next day For she had throwne her vestall weed away Lin. Thrice happy Shepheard Tech. Linus say not so If it be happinesse to end in woe Thou mightst enstyle me happy Dory Was not she Fully resolued now to marry thee Tech. Yes Dorycles but when she had consented Heare by what strange mischance I was preuented Vpon a time a Summering there was Where euery liuely Lad tooke in his Lasse To dance his Measure and amongst the rest I tooke me one as frolike as the best Dym What was she man Tech. A Matron full of zeale But pardon me I must her name conceale Lin. It was Alburna I durst pawne my life Tech. I must confesse it was the Parsons wife A lusty Trolops I may say to you And one could foot it giue the wench her due Lin. Yea marry Sir there was a Lasse indeed Knew how she should about a Maypole tread Tech. And I may say if Linus had beene there He would haue said we euenly matched were For I may say at that day there was none At any actiue game could put me downe And for a dance Sap. As light as any fether For thou didst winne the Legge three yeeres together Tech. And many said that it great pittie was That such a Parson had not such a Lasse So as indeed all did conclude and say That we deseru'd the Pricke and prize that day But hauing now our May-games wholly plaid Danc'd till we wearie were and Piper paid Each tooke his wench he danc'd with on the Downe Meaning to giue her curt'sie of the Towne Sim. What curt'sie Technis Tech. As our Shepheards vse Which they in modestie cannot refuse And this we did and thus we parted then Men from their women women from their men Dory But didst nere afterwith Alburna meet Tech. Yes on a time I met her in the street Who after kinde salutes inuited me Vnto her house which in ciuilitie I could not well deny Dym True Technis true Tech. And she receiu'd me giue the wench her due With such a free and gracefull entertaine As did exceed th' expectance of a Swaine Dory She had some reason for 't Tech. None I may sweare Saue that she ioyed much to see me there Dory Yet did Tech. Did eat did drinke and merry make For no delight saue these did Technis take For I may say to you if so I had My lucke to Horse-flesh had not beene so bad As by some yeeres experience I haue found So as of your suspicion there 's no ground But if I had no fate could be more hard Than that which I sustained afterward Corid Relate it Technis Tech. To my griefe I will Hauing done this without least thought of ill This as report doth new additions draw Came to the eare of Amarillida Who iealous of my loue as women are Thought that Alburna had no little share In my affection which I may protest Was nere as much as meant much lesse exprest Sap. Alas good Shepheard Tech. So as from that day I found her fancy falling still away For to what place soeuer I did come She fain'd excuse to leaue me and the roome Lin. Yet she nere fix'd her loue on any one Tech. Yes Linus else what cause had I to mone Some few moneths after did she take a Mate I must confesse of infinite estate Yet in my minde nor doe I speake 't in spight He 's one can giue a woman small delight For he 's a very Erwig Lin. What is he Tech. Petreius sonne Lin. The map of miserie Tech. Yet thou wouldst wonder how this dunghil worne When he encounters me redarts a scorne On my contemned loue Dym All this doth show That he resolues to triumph in thy woe But how stands shee affected Tech. 'Las for griefe Shee is so farre from yeelding me reliefe As shee in publique meetings ha's assaid To glory in the trickes which shee hath plaid Dory O matchlesse insolence Tech. Yet shall my blasse In wanting her be charactred in this Hauing lost all that ere thy labour gain'd Be sure to keepe thy precious name vnstain'd Corid A good resolue Tech. Yet must I neuer leaue While I doe liue but I must liue to grieue For I perswade me there was neuer Swaine Was recompenc'd with more vniust disdaine Dym Indeed thou well mightst grieue Dory Yet shall 't appeare I haue more cause if you my Tale will heare For nere was story mixed with more ruth Or gronnded on more Arguments of truth Corid Let 's haue it Dorycles Dory With all my heart And plainly too griefe hates all words of 〈◊〉 The Argument DOrycles loues Bellina Who esteemes As well of him But proues not same she seemes The second Argument DOrycles a youthfull Swaine Seekes Bellina's loue to gaine Who so euen doth fancy strike Tenders Dorycles the like Yet obserue how women be Subiect to inconstancie Shee in absence of her loue Her affection doth remoue Planting it vpon a Swad That no wit nor breeding had Whom she honours but in time Dorycles seemes to diuine Since her lone is stain'd with sin She 'le ere long dishonour him For who once hath broke her vow Will infringe't to others too In the end he doth expresse His disdainfull Shepherdesse Who when she had iniured Him and his and cancelled That same sacred secret oath Firmely tendred by them both She a Willow-garland sends For to make her Swaine amends Which he weares and vowes till death He will weare that forlorne wreath With protests of lesse delight In her Loue than in her Spight THE SECOND EGLOGVE Dorycles tale COme Shepherds come and heare the wofulst Swaine That euer liu'd or
our endanger'd state Dym But pray thee tell Whose hand exprest most art Dor. Graue Astrophel Whose knowne experiments of Art haue showne More noble oures of late on this our Downe Than all our Mountebankes could euer doe For all these precious drugs they value so Sap. Indeed I know He has much honour won For his admired Cures good Shepheard on Dor. Hauing long languish'd betwixt life and death Remou'd from thought of loue for want of breath As men we liu'd expos ' to dangers Sconce Lin. Would not Bellina see thee Dor. Nere but once For hauing heard there was no way but one And that in all mens iudgements I was gone Shee straight resolues to finde a cure for care That if I liu'd she might haue one to spare Tech. Why made shee choice of any but thy selfe Dor. Yes Technis yes and of a dwarfish else Whom she preferr'd though he could little please Before her first loue haplesse Doricles Tech. Inconstant Swainlin Dor. Hauing heard of this You may conceaue how griefe augmented is I straight depriu'd of hope began to raue And would not take what my Physician gaue But scorning all preseriptions valued death Aboue alanguishing distastfull breath Till by perswasion and recourse of time Those braine-sicke passions and effects of mine Depressed were so as vpon a day The burden of my sorrowes to allay And to expresse the nature of my wrong I set my hand to pen and made a Song Dym Good Dorycles let 's heare what it may be It cannot but be good if 't come from thee Dor. Shepheards you shall and if you thinke it fit I lou'd her once shall be the Tune of it Tech. No Tune more proper to it louely Swaine Dor. Attend then Shepherds to my dolefull straine THe fairest faire that euer breath'd ayre Feeding her Lambkins on this Plaine To whom though many did repaire I was esteem'd her dearest Swaine To me she vow'd which vow she broke That she would fancie me or none But since she has her Swaine forsooke I 'le take me to a truer one Had she beene firme as she was faire Or but perform'd what she had vow'd I might haue sung a fig for care And safely swum in fancies flood But ô the staine of womanhood Who breakes with one keepes touch with none Wherefore in hate to such a brood I 'le take me to a truer one Was 't not enough to breake her vow And quit my loue with such disdaine But scornfully deride me too With scoffes to gratifie my paine But since my labours are in vaine I le spend no more my time in mone But will my former loue disclaime And take me to a truer one Who euer liu'd and shew'd more loue Or lesse exprest what she did show Who seeming firme so false could proue Or vow so much and slight her vow But since I doe her nature know I am right glad that she is gone For if I shoot in Cupids bow I 'le take me to a truer one More faith lesse faire nere spoke with tongue Or could protest lesse what she thought Nere Shepheard suffer'd greater wrong Or for lesse profit euer wrought But since my hopes are turn'd to nought May neuer Heardsman make his mone To one whose mold's in weaknesse wrought But take him to a truer one Cor. May all poore Swaines be henceforth warn'd by thee But didst thou neuer since Bellina see Dor. Yes and her louely spouse Archetus too Who seeing me quoth he There doth he goe Who on a time as I enformed am Would lose his Lasse before he lost his Ram Which I retorted saying I thought best My butting Ram should be his worships crest Whose broad-spread front lets did presage what fate Would in short time attend his forked pate Sap. Thou hit him home my Dorycles but say What said she to thee Dor. Bit lip and away Though the next morne my sorrow to renew Shee sent a Willow wreath fast bound with Rew Which I accepted but that I might show I neuerrue her breach of promise now The Rew that tyde my Wreath I threw aside And with Hearts ease my Willow garland tyde Lin. A good exchange Dor. Now Shepheards you haeue heard My faithfull loue and her vniust reward Did euer Swaine enioy the light of Sunne That bare such iniuries as I haue done Tech. Indeed thy wounds were great Dym Yet mine as wide Dor. I mist my Loue and lost my bloud beside Dym Suspend thy iudgement and thine eare incline Vnto my Tale and thou wilt yeeld to mine Coryd Let 's haue it Dymnus Dym Heardsman so thou shalt Yet if I weepe impute it to the fault Of my surcharged heart which still appeares The best at case when eyes are full'st of 〈◊〉 The Argument DYmnus Palmira Woes to be his Wife But she had vow'd To liue a single life The second Argument DYmnus with long looking dim Loues the wench that lotheth him Price nor praier may not perswade To infringe the vow she made Hauing meant to liue and die Vesta's virgin votarie Yet at last she seemes to yeeld To her loue-sick Swaine the field So that he will vndertake Three yeares silence for her sake Which hard Pennance he receaues And performes the taske she craues But while he restraines his tongue Shee pretends the time 's too long Wherefore she doth entertaine In her breast another Swaine Dymnus hauing heard of this Hâ—es to th' place where th' marriage is Purposing to make a breach By dumbe signes though want of speech But alas they all command him Silence cause none vnderstand him Thus he suffers double wrong Losse of wench and losse of tongue For till three yâ—â—res were expir'd He nere spoke what he desir'd All which time consum'd in dolour He 〈◊〉 layes her in her colour And concluding wisheth no man Lose his tongue to game a woman And to cheere his pensiue heart With a Song they end this part THE THIRD EGLOGVE Dymnus tale VPon a time while I did liuâ— on Teâ—se I made loue to a wench my friends to please But as my fate was still it would not be For wooe I knew not how no more than she Yet I can well remember this she said For ought she knew she meant to die a Maid A Vestall Virgin or a Votaresse A cloyster'd Nun or holy Prioresse To which I answer'd if 't were her desire To be a Nun I meant to turne a Frier So might it chance that we againe should meet Where th' Nun and Frier might play at Barly-breake Cor. Where liu'd thâ— Loue Dym Neere th' bottome of the hill Betweene Pancarpus temple and the mill There liu'd my fâ—â—re Palmira who I say 'Mongst all our wenches bore the Palme away Aâ—d her I lou'd and lik'd and su'd and sought But all my loue and labour turn'd to nought For she haa vow'd which vow should nere be broke Shee 'd die a Maid but meant not as she spoke Dor. No Dymnus no the nicest sure I am Would liue a
Maid if 't were not for a man Bâ—â— there is none of them can brooke so well To be a Beareward and leade Apes in Hell Dym True Dorycles for in processe of time I found her maiden humour to decline For she did grant the boone which I did aske Vpon condition of a greater taske Lin. What heauie censure might this taske afford Dym That for three yeeres I should not speake a word Cor. Alas poere Swaine this taske which she prepar'd In all my time the like was neuer heard Dor. But this same silent taske had harder bin If she had prou'd what she enioyned him For none can doe a woman greater wrong Than barre her from a priuiledge of tongâ—e Sap. A womans tongue 's a clapper in the winde Which once a foot can neuer be confinde But to thy taske good Dymnus Dym To proceed What she enioyn'd I did performe indeed For I appear'd as one depriu'd of speech Yet nere my friends vnto my aimes could reach But much lamented that a Swaine so young And promising should lose his Vse of tongue Tech. I wonder how thou could expresse thy minde Dym Onely by dumbe signes so as I did finde Within short time a great facilitie In that hard taske which she imposed me Lin. Hardest aduentures oft the easiest seeme Only for loue of such inioined them Dym And such were mine when others talk'd with ease Of this and that I euer held my peace Others sung Carols of their fairest faire But I in silent measures had a share Others discours'd of pleasures of the time And I approu'd them with a secret signe Others could court as Shepheards vse to doe Which I could doe as well but durst not sâ—ow For all my aymes and purposes did tend To gaine my Loue and for no other end Cor. Did not performance of this taske obtaine That prize of loue which thou desir'd to gaine Dym No Corydon for though I did obey Shee thought three yeares too long a time to stay So as her dumbe knight she did straight disclaime And tooke her selfe vnto another Swaine Sap. Disloyall wench Dym Yet 'las what remedie A mariage is intended solemnlie Which that it might more priuatly be caried In a retyred Cell they must be maried Tech Vâ—happy Swaine Dym So did I thâ—â— appeare For when the mariage came vnto my eare I straight repair'd to th' Cell right speedily Where these sadrites solemniz'd were to be Straite was the Gate kept by a Porter grim Who guards the doore that none should enter in But I as time requir'd resolu'd to venter Did boldly knock and knocking freely enter Where entring in each casts his eye about Some full of feare as others were of doubt What my approach should meane but to be briefe Short tales seeme long that doe renue our griefe The Priest pronouncing iustly as I came Who giues her to be maried to this man I rush'd into the croud their hands to breake And gladly would haue spoke but durst not speake At which attempt some strange constructions had And verily imagin'd I was mad Others suspecting what I did intend Thought that ray aymes were to no other end Than to preuent the Mariage for that time And afterwards perswade her to be mine Nor were their iudgements erring for I thought By my deuice to haue this Proiect wrought Only by dumbe signes sometimes would I show With eyes heau'd vp to Heauen her breach of vow Sometimes in violent manner would I seeme As if through loue I had distracted beene Pulling my deare Palmira from his hand Who to receiue her for his Spouse did stand Sometimes as Men in sorrowes plunged deepe And could not vtter them I' gan to weepe And wash the Temple with a brinie flood Yet â—ll this while I was not vnderstood For in despite of all that I could doe I was restrain'd and she was married too Cor. What discontent might equall this of thine Dym Yet though I bore it sharply for the time I afterwards and haue done euer since Borne this disgrace with greater patience Lin. Yet Dymnus thou wast dumbe till three yeeres end Dym Yes Linus and as truly did intend What she enioyned me as I desir'd To marrie her when those three yeeres expir'd Which come and past I then exprest my griefe Finding apt words to tender me reliefe For woes doe labour of too great a birth That want the helpe of words to set them forth Tech. But didst thou nere display her hatefull shame Dym In generall I did but not by name Nor euer will my purpose is to liue And laugh at loue and no occasion giue Of iust offence to her or any one Or silently consume my time in mone Frequenting shadie Lawnes in discontent Or to the Ayre my fruitlesse clamors vent Though I resolue if ere I make my choice In better sort and measure to rejoyce Than I haue done Dor. Or else I 'me sure thy share Though it decrease in ioy will grow in care Dym I know it will Now as my wrong was great And greater farre than I could well repeat This shall be my Conclusion There is no Man Wise that will lose his tongue for any Woman For sure I am that they will be more prone Such is their guize to triumph ouer one When they haue drawne him headlong to their traine Than such as on more firmer grounds remaine Fly Women they will follow still say I But if ye follow women they will fly Tech. Rightly opinion'd Dymnus but t' allay Thy grounded griefe and to conclude the day Let 's haue a Song Dor. Technis with all my heart Dym Though I 'ue smal mind to sing I 'le beare a part Cor. And you too Sapphus Sap. Yes and Linus too Lin. Yes I my Art amongst the rest will show Dor. To it then freely safely sing may we Who haue beene slaues to Loue but now are free Tech. TEll me Loue what thou canst doe Dor. Triumph ore a simple Swaine Dym Binding him to such a vow Cor. As to make his griefe thy gaine Sap. Doe thy worst thou canst doe now Lin. Thou hast shot at vs in vaine All. For we are free though we did once complain Dor. Free we are as is the ayre Tech. Or the siluer-murm'ring spring Dym Free from thought or reach of care Cor. Which doe haplesse Louers wring Sap. Now we may with ioy repaire Lin. To our gladsome Plaines and sing All. And laugh at Loue and call 't an idle thing Dym Sport we may and feede our Sheepe Dor. And our Lamkins on this Downe Tech. Eat and drinke and soundly sleepe Cor. Since these stormes are ouer blowne Sap. Whilst afflicted wretches weepe Lin. That by loue are ouerthrowne All. For now welaugh at follies we haue knowne Cor. Here we rest vpon these rocks Dym Round with shadie Iuy wreath'd Dor. Ioying in our woolly flocks Tech. On these Mountaines freely breath'd Sap. Where though clad in russet frocks Lin. Here we sport where we are heath'd All. Oâ—r only care to see our Pastures freath'd Sap. Thus we may retire in peace Cor. And though low yet more secure Dym Then those Men which higher prease Dor. Shrubs than Cedars are more sure Tech. And they liue at farre more ease Lin. Finding for each care a cure All. Their loue as deare and liker to endure Lin. For wherein consists earths blisse Sap. But in hauing what is fit Cor. Which though greater men doe misse Dym Homely Swaines oft light of it Dor. For who 's he that liuing is Tech. That in higher place doth sit All. Whose sly Ambition would not higher git Tech. Let vs then contented be Dor. In the portion we enioy Cor. And while we doe others see Sap. Toss'd with gusts of all annoy Dym Let vs say this feele not we Lin. Be our wenches kinde or coy All. We count their frownes and fauours but a toy Dor. Let 's now retire it drawes to Euening time Next Tale my Corydon it must be thine Tech. Which may be done next day we hither come Meane time let 's fold our flocks and hyevs home A Pastorall Palinod THese Swains like dying Swans haue sung their last And ioy in thinking of those woes are past For woes once past like pleasing pastimes seeme And ioy vs more than if they had not beene Such Layes become these Launes such Plaints these Plaines Great men may higher haue no heuier straines For Swains theiâ— Swainlins loue and wooe them too And doe as much as brauer outsides doe But Heardsmen are retired from their shade Of Myrtle sprayes and sprigs of Osyer made With purpose to reuisit you to morrow Where other three shall giue new life to sorrow Meane time repose lest when the Swaine â—ppeares You fall asleepe when you should flow with teares FINIS