giue mee more knowledge than these words too well deliuered to proceed from affection For I haue heard say affection cannot be without passion and passion wil not suffer the spirit to haue so free a discourse But when the time shall haue told me as much as you you are to beleeue that I am not of stone nor so voyd of vnderstanding but your merits are knovvne to me and your loue may moue me Till then hope not of me no more than of the rest of my company in generall The Knight would haue kissed her hand for this assurance but because Galathee looked on Knight said she be discreete euery one hath eye on vs if you do thus you vndoe me And at this word she rose and came among vs that were gathering of flowres Behold the first discouery that they had of their good wils which gaue Galathee occasion to meddle in it For perceiuing what had passed in the Garden and hauing of long time a purpose to winne Polemas she would know that night what was done betweene Leonide and him and because she alvvaies made her selfe very familiar with you Neece and had acquainted her with the particulars of her secrets the Nymph durst not altogether deny the truth of this loue-suite It is true that she concealed what concerned her ovvne will and vpon this discourse Galathee would knovv the very words that they had vsed wherein your Neece satisfied her in part and in part dissembled So it was that she said enough to encrease the purpose of Galathee so that from that day she resolued to be beloued of him and vndertooke this worke with that cunning that it was impossible it should fall out othervvise At that meeting shee forbade Leonide to go on in that affection and after told her that she should cut off all the rootes because she knevv well that Polemas had another dessigne and that this would serue but to delude her Besides that if Amasis came to knovvledge of it she would be offended Leonide who at that time had no more malice than a childe tooke the words of the Nymph as from her Mistrisse without searching into the cause which made her say so and so remained some dayes estranged from Polemas who knevv not from whence it might grovve At the first this made him more earnest in his suite For it is the ordinary custome of yong spirits to desire with more eagernesse that which is hard to come by and indeed he went on in that sort that Leonide had much enough to doe to dissemble the good will she bore him and at last knew so little how to doe it that Polemas perceiued he was beloued But see what Loue had appointed This young louer after he had three or foure moneths continued this suite with the more violence as he had the lesse assurance of the good will he desired as soone almost as hee was certaine lost his violence by little and little loued so coldly that as Fortune and Loue when they beginne to decline fall at once the Nymph perceiued not that shee alone went on in this affection It is true that Galathee who came on was in part the cause For hauing a dessigne on Polemas she vsed such craft and sped so well what by her authority and what with time that one might say shee robbed her insensibly for that when Leonide handled him roughly Galathee fauoured him and when the other fled from his company she drew him to hers And this continued so long and so openly that Polemas beganne to turne his eyes towards Galathee and shortly after the heart followed For seeing himselfe fauoured by a greater than her that neglected him hee blamed himselfe for suffering it without sence and minded to embrace the fortune which came smiling on him But O wise Adamas you may see what a gracious encounter this was and how it pleased Loue to play with their hearts It is some while since by the ordinance of Clidaman Agis was allotted seruant vnto your Neece and as you know by the election of Fortune Now though this young Knight was not giuen to Leonide out of his owne choyce yet he agreed to the gift and approoued it by the seruices which he afterward did performe and that she misliked not was shewed by her actions But when Polemas beganne to serue her Agis as a couetous man that hath his eyes alwayes on his treasure tooke notice of the growing loue of this new Louer and sometimes complayned to her of it but the coldnesse of her answers instead of extinguishing his iealousies onely by little and little deaded his loue for considering what small assurance he had in his soule he laboured to get a better resolution then formerly he had had and so that he might not see another triumph ouer him he chose rather to withdraw farre off A receit that I haue heard say is the best that a soule infected with this euill can haue to free it selfe for as loue at the beginning is brought forth by the eyes so it seemeth that the contrary should be for want of sight which can be in nothing more then absence where the forgetfull couered as with ashes the ouer-liuely representations of the thing beloued And indeed Agis happily attained his purpose for he was hardly gone but loue likewise parted from his soule lodging in the place of it the neglect of this flitter So that Leonide purposing by this new plot to winne Polemas lost him that already was intirely hers But the confusions of Loue ended not heere for he would that Polemas likewise for his part should haue sence of that which hee made the Nymph to feele Almost about the same time the affection of Lindamor tooke birth and it fell out that as Leonide had disdained Agis for Polemas and Polemas Leonide for Galathee so Galathee disdained Polemas for Lindamor To tell the follies of them all would be an hard piece of worke So it was that Polemas seeing himselfe payed in the same money in which hee payd your Neece yet could not lose not hope nor loue but contrariwise searched al sorts of plotting to enter again into her fauor but all in vaine It is true that as he could get nothing more to his owne benefit yet hee hath so wrought that he who was the cause of his euill is not come to bee possessor of his good for whether it were by his cunning practices or by the will of the gods that a certaine deuout Druyde hath imparted to him since that time Lindamor is no more beloued and it seemeth Loue hath a purpose not to suffer the heart of Galathee to be at rest the memorie of the one being no sooner defaced in her soule but another takes place And now behold vs at this houre reduced to the loue of a shepherd who for a shepheard in his quality may deserue well but not to be the seruant of Galathee and yet is she so passionate that if her euill hold on I
helped him besides that hauing knowledge of herbes and of the nature of beasts the beasts profited so well vnder his hands that there is none that desires not to put them to him whereof hee makes so good an account that besides the profit that he makes thereof there are few that gratifie him not with something so that at this houre he is in good case and may call himselfe rich for O faire Nymph we want not much to make vs so for that nature being contented with a few things we seeke after nothing but to liue according to it we are as soone rich as content and our contentment being easily compassed our riches are quickly gotten You are sayd Siluie more happy then we But you told me of Diane I know her not but by sight tell me I pray you who was her mother That is Bellinde answered he wife of the wise Celion who dyed young And Diane sayd Siluie what is shee and what is her humour She is said Celadon one of the fairest shepheardesses of Lignon and if I were not partiall for Astrea I would say shee were the fairest for in truth besides that shee is to the eye shee hath so many beauties in her spirit that there is nothing superfluous nor defectiue Many times three or foure of vs shepheards haue beene together to consider of her not knowing what perfection might be wished for that she had not for though she loue nothing of loue yet loues shee all vertue with so sincere a will that she binds more to her by that sort then others most violent affections And how said Silâ—ie is she not serued of many The deceit answered Celadon which the father of Filidas did her is the hinderance that there are none now and indeede it was one of the most not able that euer I heard of If it were not painefull to you added Siluie I would bee glad to learne it of you and also to know who this Celion was and who this Bellinde I feare answered the shepheard the discourse will be so long that it will trouble you On the contrary said the Nymph We know not better how to imploy the time while Galathee reades the letters that she went to receiue Then to satisfie your commandement answered he I will doe it as briefly as I can and then hee held on in this sort The History of Celion and Bellinde IT is true faire Nymph that vertue spoyled of all other ornament ceases not to be of it selfe louely hauing so many allurements with which as soone as the soule is touched it must bee beloued and followed but when this vertue meetes with a body that is faire it is not onely pleasing but admirable for that the eyes and spirit are rauished in the contemplation and vision of this beauty which shall bee manifested by the discourâ—â— which I meane to make you of 〈◊〉 Know then that neere the riuer of Lignon there was a very honest shepheard named Philemon who after hee had beene long married had a daughter whom he called Bellinde who comming to growth made as great a shew of beauty in her spirit as might be seene in her body Hard by her house lodged another shepheard called Leon with whom neighbourhood had tyed a strong bond of amity and fortune vnwilling to doe more for the one then for the other gaue him likewise at the same time a daughter whose youth gaue great promise of â—â—ture beauty she was called Amaranthe The friendship of the fathers caused that of the daughters to encrease by frequenting together for they were bred vp together from the cradle and when their age permitted them they led their stlocks alike at night brought them in companies to their lodgings But because as they grew in body their beauty likewise encreased to the view of the eye there were many shepheards that sought their loue whose feruices and affections could not obtaine more of them then that they were receiued with courtesie It fell out that Celion a young shepheard of those quarters hauing lost a sheep came to seek it among Bellindes flock whither it was strayed She restor it with such courtesie that the recouery of his sheep was the beginning of the losse of himselfe and froÌ„ that time he began to feele with what force two faire eies were able to offend for before he was so ignoraÌ„t that the very thoght of it neuer came into his soule But what ignoraÌ„ce soeuer was in him it brought him to that passe that it made him by his wooing know what his disease was and the onely Physician from whom hee was to haue his health So that Bellinde by his actioÌ„s perceiued it almost as soon as himselfe for at the first he knew not what to say his designe was but his affect on growing with his age came to that greatnesse that hee found the discommodity in good earnest and then acknowledged it being constrained to change the pastimes of his youth into a very curious pursuite And Bellinde on the other side though she were serued of many receiued his affection aboue any other yet no otherwise then if he had bene her brother which she made appeare one day when he thought to haue found the coÌ„modity to declare his good will She kept her flocke along the riuer of Lignon and beheld her beauty in the water Whereupon the shepheard taking occasion sayd to her holding after an amorous fashion his hand before his eyes Take heede faire shepheardesse withdraw your eyes from this water feare you not the dangers that others haue runne into by such actions Why say you so answered Bellinde that as yet vnderstood him not Ah then said the shepheard faire and dissembling shepheardesse you represent within this happy riuer more beauty then Narcissus in the fountaine At these words Bellinde blushed and that encreased her beauty the more yet shee answered Since whence Celion haue you wished mee so well without doubt it is well done of you To wish you well said the shepheard it is long time since I did it and you are to beleeue that this will shall be limited by no other termes then that of my life Then the shepheardesse casting down her head on this side said I make no doubt of your amity receiuing it with the same good will that I offer you mine Where to Celion presently answered Let me kisse that faire hand by way of thankes for so great a good and for an earnest of the faithfull seruice which Celion is to render you the rest of his life Bellinde knew as well by the feruour wherewith he vttered these words as by the kisses which he imprinted on her hand that he figured to himselfe his amity of another quality then she meant and because shee would not haue him liue in this error Celion sayd she you are far from that you thinke you cannot sooner banish me from your company then by this meanes if you desire that I should continue the amity I haue
Galathee made choice of And therefore it is that being Lady of all those Countries and hauing yet a sonne called Clidaman she brings vp wiâ—h vs a number of maydens and daughters of the Druides and knights who beeing in so good a schoole learne all the vertues which their age will permit The maides go attyred as you see vs which is a kind of habite that Diana or Galathee vsed to weare and which wee haue alwayes maintained in memory of her See Celadon that which you desire to know of our estate and I make account before you goe away for I would you will see vs all together that you might say that our company giueth place to none other neyther in vertue nor yet in beautie Now Celadon knowing who these faire Nymphes were knew also what respect he was to shew them and though he had not beene accustomed to be among others then Shepheards his like yet such was the good breeding that he had that it taught him well enough what was due to such personages Then after he had done them the honour which he thought he was bound to But sayd he holding on I can not but be astonished to be among so many great Nymphes I that am but a simple shepheard and to receiue so many fauours of them Celadon answered Galathee in what place soeuer Vertue is it deserues to be loued and honoured as well vnder the habite of shepheards as vnder the glorious purple of kings and for your particular you are with vs of no lesse account then the greatest of the Druides or knights in our Court for you are not to giue place to them in fauour sith you doe not in merit And for your being among vs know you that it is not without a great mysterie from our gods which haue appoynted it as you may know at leisure whether it be that they will no longer that so many vertues remayne among the Sauages in the forrest and countrey townes or whether it be that they will worke a dessigne in you aduauncing you greater then you are to make most happy by you the person that loueth you Liue onely in rest and looke to your health For there is nothing you should more desire in the state wherein you are then health Madam answered the shepheard who vnderstood not the words well If I be to desire health the chiefe cause is that I may be able to doe you some seruice in exchange of so many fauours which it hath pleased you to doe me It is true that I neede not tell you that I came from the wood or pastures otherwise the solemne vow which our fathers haue made vnto the gods will accuse vs to them as vnworthy children of such fathers And what oath is it answered the Nymph The history replyed Celadon would be too long if I should tell you the cause that my father Alcippe had to hold it So it is that many yeeres since of a generall accord all those that kept along the riuers of Loyre of Lignon of Furan of Argent and of all other riuers after he had well vnderstood the discommoditie which the ambition of a people called Romanes made their neighbours feele out of desire of dominion assembled together in a great Plaine which is neere the mount Verdun and there by a mutuall agreement sware all to flie for euer from all sort of ambition for that it alone was cause of so much paynes and to liue they and theirs vnder the peaceable habite of shepheards and since that it hath beene obserued the gods so well liked this vow that none of them that made it nor their successors but he had trauell and paynes incredible if he obserued it not and among all my father is an example most remarkeable and most new So that hauing knowne that the will of heauen is that we should keepe in rest that which we haue to liue on we haue of late renewed this vow with so many oaths that he that breakes it shall become most detestable Truely sayd the Nymph I am well pleased to heare that you tell me for it is long since I heard them talke of it and I could neuer yet know why so many good and ancient Families as I he are there are among you imploy themselues out of the townes to spend their age in the woods and places most solitary But Celadon if the case wherein you are will suffer tell me I pray you what hath beene the fortune of your father Alcippe to make him take againe that kinde of life which he had so long time left for I assure my selfe the discourse is worthy to bee knowne Then though he felt himselfe yet euill of the water which he had swallowed yet he constrained himselfe to obey her and beganne in this sort The History of Alcippe YOu command me Madame to tell you the fortune most crosse and diuerse of any man in the world and in which one may learne that he that will worke trouble to another prepares a great part to himselfe But since you will haue it so and that I may not disobey you I will tell you briefly that which I haue learned by ordinary discourse from himselfe to whom al these things haue befalne For that we might vnderstand how happy we were to liue in quietnesse of spirit my father hath often recounted vnto vs his strange fortunes Know then Madame that Alcippe hauing beene bred by his father in the simplicitie of a shepheard had a spirit so differing from his education that euery thing pleased him better then that that sauoured of the village So that this young Infant for a presage of what he would come to and to which when he was in yeeres he addicted himselfe had no greater delight then to make assemblies of other children like himselfe whom he tooke vpon to set in order and to arme some with staues some with bowes and arrows whom he taught to draw right the menaces of the olde and wise shepheards not being able to diuert him The ancients of our Hamlets seeing his actions fore-told of great troubles in these countries and aboue all that Alcippe would be of a turbulent spirit that would neuer rest with in the limits of a shepherd When he came to the balfe part of his age by chance he fel amorous of the shepherdesse Amarillis who at that time was secretly wooed of another shepheard his neighbour called Alce And because Alcippe had so good an opinion of himselfe that he thought that there was not any shepheardesse who would not as freely entertaine his affection as he offered it he resolued to vse no great Art to tell her it so that meeting her at the sacrifice of Pan as she returned home he said vnto her I neuer thought I was of so small force that I could not resist the blowes of an enemy that wounds me vnawares She answered He that wounds by mistaking should not be called an enemy No answered he which rest not on deedes
she said twice or thrice Alcippe Alcippe not looking on him He hearing himselfe named was about to aske her what she would with him but seeing her eyes turned another way he thought she spake to some other She that perceiued he harkned went on Alcippe it is to you I speake though I looke not vpon you if you desire to haue the best fortune that euer knight had in this Court be betweene day and night at the great crosse way which leads to the place of the Palace and there you shall know the rest of me Alcippe seeing her speake in this manner without looking on her likewise sayd he would be there wherein he failed not for the euening approching he went to the place assigned where he staied not long but the aged woman came to him almost hidden vnder a Tastata that she had on her head and drawing him aside said to him Young man thou art the most happy that liues being beloued of the most faire and most louely Lady in this Court and with whom if thou wilt promise that that I shal demand of thee at this houre I binde my selfe to make thee inioy all contentment The young Alcippe hearing this proposition asked who the Lady was See said shee the first thing that I would haue you promise me is not to inquire after her name and to keepe this fortune secret the other that you suffer me to couer your eyes when I bring you where she is Alcippe sayd to her Not to enquire after her name and to keepe this affaire secret I will willingly performe but to blindfold mine eyes I will neuer suffer And what is it you feare said she I feare nothing answered Alcippe but I will haue mine eyes at liberty O young man said the old woman that art yet to learne why wilt thou procure the displeasure of a person that so loues thee and will not this displease her to desire to know more of her then she would haue thee Beleeue me make no difficulty doubt nothing what danger can it be to thee Where is that courage that thy presence promiseth at the first sight Is it possible that a perill imagined can make thee forsake an assured good And seeing that he moued not Cursed be the mother said she that made thee so faire so little hardy without doubt both thy visage and thy courage are more of the woman then of that thou art The young Alcippe could not heare without laughing these words of the old woman vttered in such choler In the end after he had sometime thought in himselfe what an enemy he might haue finding that he now had none he resolued to go prouided she would suffer him to carry his sword and so let her blind his eyes and taking her by her garment followed her whither she would lead him I should be too long Madam if I should tell you all the particularities of this night So it was that after many turnings and hauing it may be many times passed one way he found himselfe in a chamber where his eyes yet bound hee was vncloathed by the same woman and laid in bed awhile after came the Lady that had sent for him comming neere him vncased his eyes because there was no light in the chamber But for all that he could do he was not able to get one word from her So that he rose from her in the morning without knowing who she was onely he iudged her faire and yong and an houre before day she that brought him came to carry him backe and lead him with the same ceremonies From that day they resolued betweene them that whensoeuer hee was to returne he should finde a stone at a certaine crosse-way before day While these things thus passed the father of Alcippe dies so that he is now more Master of himselfe then he was wont to be had not the commandement of Amarillis bene and his priuate intent which he held the loue which he bare to his shepheardesse might haply haue called him backe into the woods for the fauours of this vnknowne Lady could not put her out of his remembrance that if the great gifts which he had ordinarily of her had not retained him in this practice after the two or three first voyages he had retired though it seemed since that time he was come into the fauour of Pimander and Amasis But for that a young heart can hardly keepe any thing hidden long it fell out that Clindor his deare friend seeing him spend more then of custome demanded of him how he came by his meanes Whereto at the first answering diuersly in the end he discouered all his fortune and after told him that for all the Art he could vse he could neuer know who she was Clindor being very curious counselled him to cut out some halfe a foot of the frindge of the bed and in the day he should resort to the greatest houses which he might best suspect and there hee might know her eyther by the colour or by the piece This he did and by this craft my father had knowledge of her that thus fauoured him Yet he hath closely concealed her name that neyther Clindor nor any of his children could euer know it But the first time that he went thither after that when he was about to rise in the morning he coniured her that she would no longer hide her selfe from him that it was labour lost for he knew assuredly that she was such an one She hearing her selfe named was about to speake yet held her peace and stayed till the olde woman came to whom when Alcippe was risen from the bed she vsed such threatnings thinking it was she that discouered it that this poore woman came trembling to my father and sware he deceiued himselfe He then laughing told the craft he had vsed and that it was the inuention of Clindor She well eased with that which he had discouered after a thousand oaths to the contrary returned to tell this to the Lady who was risen of her selfe to heare their discourse and when she knew that Clindor was the inuenter she turned all her choller against him easily pardoning Alcippe whom she could not hate notwithstanding after that day she neuer sent more for him And because a spirit offended hath nothing so sweete as reuenge this woman turned so of euery side that she wrought a quarrell against Clindor for which he was enforced to combate with a cousin of Pimander whom he slew and though he were pursued yet he saued himselfe in Auverne by the helpe of Alcippe But Amasis so wrought that Alaricke King of the Visigots being then at Tholouse sent him prisoner to Vsson with commandement to his Officers to deliuer him ouer into the hands of Pimander who looked for nothing more then to finde commodity to send for him that he might put him to death Alcippe left nothing vnattempted to procure his pardon but all was in vaine for he had too strong
couer his ingratitude He entertaines me cunningly Though not in loue in souldiery And at the end of these verses he addeth these words ONe may auerre faire Leonide that Siluie doth like the Sunne that casteth his beames as well on the most vile things as on the more noble Himselfe brought me this paper I could not with all my study vnderstand nor draw other thing from him but that Siluie had giuen him a blow with a Sword and leauing me he went away the most lost man on the earth See how artificiall a sencer is Loue that with so small weapons can make so great gashes It grieued me to see him in this case And to know if any new accidēt had befallen him I went to Siluie but she swore she knew not what it might be In the end hauing stayed some time to reade the verses on a suddaine she lifted vp her hand to her haire and not finding her bodkin she began to laugh and sayd That her bodkin had beene lost and some body had found it and without doubt it◠might be Ligdamon knew it She had scarcely sayd this when Clidaman came into the roome with this murdering sword in his hand I desired her to let him keepe it no longer I see sayd she his discretion hereafter I will vse the power I haue ouer him She fayled not of her purpose for being neere him she sayd See a Sword that is mine He answered So is he that beares it I would haue it sayd she I would answered he you would all of me that is yours Will you not giue it me said the Nymph How replyed he can I will any thing since I haue no will at all And sayd she what haue you done with that which you had You haue snatched it from me sayd he and now it is changed into yours Since then continued she that your will is but mine giue me that bodkin because my will is so Since sayd he that I will that thing that you would and that you will haue this bodkin it must of necessity be that I will haue it also Siluie smiled a little but in the end she sayd I will that you giue it me And I also said he will that you giue it me Then the Nymph thrust forth her hand and took it I wil neuer refuse it sayd he though you will take it from me and it were this heart for once Siluie had her Sword and I writ this scroule to Ligdamon THe good which without knowledge hath beene done to your Riuall with his knowledge is taken from him iudge in what termes his affayres are since the fauours he hath proceeded of ignorance but the disfauours of deliberation So Ligdamon was healed not by the same hand but by the same weapon that hurt him In the meane time the affection of Guymantes came to such an extremity that it may be it came nothing short of that of Aristander on the other side Clidaman vnder the cloke of courtesie had let grow in his soule a most ardent and true loue After they had many times assayed out of enuy who should be the most welcome to Siluie and knew that she fauoured and dis-fauoured them both alike they resolued one day because that otherwise there was mutuall loue betweene them to know which of the two was most beloued and came for that cause to Siluie from whom they had such ' cold answers that they could not assoile the iudgement Then by the counsell of a Druyde who it may be was displeased to see two such persons lose their time so vnprofitably which they might much better employ for the defence of the Gaules whom so many Barbarians attempted to ouer-run they came to the fountaine of the verity of Loue. You know what the property of this water is and how it declareth against their will the most secret thoughts of Louers for he that lookes in it sees his Mistris and if he be loued he sees himselfe hard by and if she loue any other that is his figure that hee sees Now Clidaman was the first that presented himselfe he layd his knee to the ground kissed the side of the fountaine And hauing besought the Demon of that place to be more fauourable to him then to Damon he bent himselfe somewhat into it Presently Siluie presented her selfe so faire and admirable that the louer transported stooped to kisse her hand bat this contentment was well changed when he sawe no body neere her He wichdrew himselfe much troubled after he had stayed some while And vnwilling to speake any thing he made signe to Guymantes that he should prooue his fortune He with all the ceremonies requisite hauing made his request cast his eye on the fountayne but was serued like Clidaman because that Siluie alone presented her selfe burning almost with her fayre eyes the water which seemed to play about her They were both astonished at this accident and demaunded the cause of this Druyde which was a great Magician He answered that it was for that Siluie as yet loued no person as being not capable to be burnt but onely to burne They that thought they could not be so much neglected hauing gone before seuerally now returned both together and sodainely both the one and the other shifted on diuers sides yet the Nymph appeared alone The Druyde smiling came to withdraw them from thence and tolde them that they should beleeue they were not beloued at all and that the shifting from side to side could not represent their figure in the water For you must know sayd he that as other waters represent the bodies which are before them this represents the spirits Now the spirit which is but the will the memory and the iudgement when it is beloued transformeth it selfe into the thing beloued and therefore it is that when you presented your selues heere it receiued the figure of your spirits and not of your body and your spirit being changed into Siluie it represented Siluie and not you Whereas if Siluie had loued you she should as well haue beene changed into you as you into her and so representing your spirit you sawe Siluie and seeing Siluie changed as I told you by this loue you should haue seene your selues also Clidaman stood very attentiue to this discourse and considering the conclusion was an assurance of that he feared being full of choller drawing out his Sword he strucke two or three blowes with all his might on the marble of the fountaine but his Sword being at the first resisted in the end it brake in the middle not leauing any marke of his blowes imitating heerein the angry dogge that biteth the stone one flings at him The Druyde gaue him to vnderstand that he trauailed in vaine because that his enchantment could not be ended by force but by extremity of loue yet if he listed to make it vnprofitable he knew the meane Clidaman nourished for rarity within great Cages of yron two Lions and two Vnicornes which he oftentimes
intelligences with our soule to suffer it so freely to come neere his powers without suspition of treason The shepheard soone perceiued it but the affection which hee bare to Astrea which yet exceedingly raged would not suffer him to indure this growing loue with patience That was the cause that hee resolued to take his leaue of Galathee when he began to find himselfe somewhat better But as soone as hee opened his mouth about it How is it said shee Celadon are you hardly vsed by me that you will be gone before you be throughly recouerd And when he answerd it was for feare of troubling her and for some busines he was constrained to returne to his Hamlet to assure his parents his friends of his health she interrupted him saying No Celadon doubt not my trouble so I see you want nothing and as for your affaires and friends without me whose company it seems mislikes you much you shall not be in this paine since you will no longer And me thinks the greatest businesse that you haue to do is to satisfie the obligation which you haue to me that your ingratitude should not be smal if you grudge mee some moments of your life which you hold all of mee Henceforth you must not fet your eies on things so base as your life passed but you are to leaue your hamlets and your flocks to them that haue not the merits that you haue and for the time to come you must place your eyes on me that can and will do for you if your actions alter not my minde Though the shepheard seemed not to vnderstand this discourse yet hee conceiued it easily enough and from that time auoided what hee could possibly to talke with her in priuate But the displeasure which this life brought him was such that almost losing all patience one day Leonide hearing him sigh demanded the cause seeing hee was in place where they desired nothing more then his contentment He answerd her faire Nymph among all miserable men I may hold my selfe to bee the most extremely handled by fortune for commonly they that be in griefe haue permission to complaine and haue the comfort to be moned but I dare not for that my misfortune comes couered with the most of the contrary and therefore in stead of being bemoned I am rather blamed as a man of small iudgement that if you and Galathee knew how bitter the wormewood is wherewith I am fed in this place happy indeed to any other but me I assure my selfe you would take pitty of my life And what want you said she to comfort you At this time sayd he I only want leaue to be gon Would you replied the Nymph I should speake of it to Galathee I beseech you sayd he by whatsoeuer you hold dearest Then it must be as by your selfe sayd the Nymph blushing and not turning her head toward him she went out of the chamber to seeke where Galathee was whom she found alone in the garden and who now began to suspect there was loue on Leonide's part fearing shee nothing forwarded the charge she had giuen her though she remained since all the day from him for that knowing how sharpe the weapons of the beauty of the shepherd were she thought it might as well part two as one yet being constrained to passe thorow her hands she went about to deceiue her selfe as well as was possible and so set on the same countenance toward the Nymph as she had accustomed and when she saw her comming toward her shee raised her selfe to aske how the shepheard did and hauing knowne hee was in the same state she left him she held on her walke and hauing gon some paces without speaking shee turned to the Nymph and sayd But tell me Leonide was there euer man so insensible as Celadon since neither my actions nor your perswasions can giue him any feeling of that hee ought to render me For my part answered Leonide I had rather accuse him of want of spirit and courage then of vnderstanding for I thinke either he hath not the iudgement to know whereto my actions tend or if he know my words he hath not the courage to attempt so high and so how much the loue of your perfections and fauours may raise him to you so much the weight of his owne small merit and condition may abase him But you must not thinke this strange since the Appletree beareth Apples and the Oake Acornes for euery thing brings foorth according to his nature So what can you hope the courage of a villaine can produce but the designes of a weake and base soule I thinke well answered Galathee the great difference of our conditions do worke in him a great respect but I shall neuer imagine if he knew the difference but he hath spirit enough to iudge to what end I vse him with this sweetenesse except it be that hee be so farre engaged to Astrea that he cannot goe backe Assure you Madame replied Leonide it is not respect but sottishnesse which makes him so misprising For I may auerre as you say that it is true he loues Astrea but if he had iudgement would he not contemne her for you who deserue so farre beyond comparison Yet is he so ill aduised that at euery turne when I speake to him of you hee answers me but with griefe for being so farre remoued from his Astrea with such displeasure that one may thinke that his stay here is infinitely troublesome to him And this morning hearing him sigh I asked him the cause He made me answer which would moue the stones to pitty and in the end the conclusion was that I should desire you he might be gone Yes replyed Galathee red with choler no longer able to dissemble her iealousie Confesse the truth Leonide he hath mooued you It is true Madam he hath moued me to pitty and me thinkes since he hath such a desire to be gone you ought not to hold him by force For Loue neuer enters into the heart for the blowes of a whip I thinke not replyed Galathee but he had moued you to pitty but speake no more of it it may be when he is recouerd he shall sooner find the effects of despight which he hath caused to be bred in me then those of loue which he hath wrought in you In the meane time to speake freely let him resolue not to go hence at his owne pleasure but at mine Leonide would haue answered but the Nymph interrupted her No more Leonide sayd shee it is enough content your selfe that I say no more but that this is my resolution So Leonide was forced to hold her peace and to bē gone taking this iniurie so to heart that she resolued to goe to Adamas her vnkle and to take no more care of Galathees secrets who at that time called Siluie that was walking in another alley alone to whom against her former purpose she could not hold in complayning of Leonide from making her
to witnesse cannot with-hold you from making a new election before my face At the same time Licidas taking the fayre hand of Phillis after a great sigh hee sayd Faire hand wherein I had entirely placed my will can I liue and know that thou delightest to be borne to another heart then mine then mine I say that haue merited so much of fortune if a man may be worthy by the most great most sincere and by the most faithfull loue that euer was I could not heare the other words that Licidas went on with for I was constrained to answer Celadon Shepheard shepheard said I all these words of faithfulnesse and of amity are more in your mouth then in your heart and I haue more cause to complaine of you then to heare you But because I make no more reckning of any thing that comes from you I will not vouchsafe to complaine so should you doe if your dissimulations would suffer you But since our affayres be at these tearmes go on Celadon loue Phillis well serue her well her vertues deserue it and if in speaking vnto you I blush it is for spite that I haue loued that which was so vnworthy and hath so grossely deceiued me The astonishment of Celadon was so great hearing the reproches I vsed to him that he stayed a long time not able to speake a word which gaue me opportunity to heare what Phillis answered Licidas Licidas Licidas let him that ownes me demaund me You call me fleeting and you know well that that terme agrees best with your actions But thinke you in complaining first you can purge the wrong you doe me I falter not but your selfe for it is more shame to you to change then it is losse to me in your change But that which offends me is that you will accuse me for your owne fault and faine a good reason of your owne vnfaithfulnesse Yet it is true that he that deceiueth a brother may fayle her that is not so neere him And then turning her selfe to mee she sayd And you Astrea thinke that the gayne you haue made by diuerting him from my amitie can no longer last then vntill some other obiect present it selfe though I know well your perfections haue that power that if it be not an heart all of feathers they are able to slay it Phillis replyed I the proofe shall witnesse that you are a flatterer when you speake so of the perfections which are in me since hauing depriued me of Celadon they must needes be feeble not being able to hold him after they had gotten him Celadon falling on his knee before me It is not said he that I misprize the merits of Phillis but I protest before all the gods that she hath not kindled the least sparke of loue in my soule and that I beare with lesse griefe the offence you doe me in changing then that you commit against my affection in blaming it of inconstancy It is to no purpose wise Diane to particularize all our discourse for they would be too long and might offend you so that before we parted we were so well reduced to our good sences that I must tell you we acknowledged the small reason we had to suspect one another And we haue good cause to thanke heauen that we made this declaration all foure together for I thinke otherwise it had beene impossible to roote out this errour from our soule and for my owne part I assure you that nothing could haue made mee vnderstand reason if Celadon had not spoken after this manner before Phillis Now since that time we went with lesse heede then we were wont But to leaue this trauaile I enter into another no lesse troublesome for we could not so well dissemble but Alcippe that lay in watch knew that his sonnes affection to mee was not altogether extinct and for his more assurance hee looked so heedfully to his actions that noting with what curiosity he went alwaies to the old Willow where we layd our letters one morning he came first and after he had long sought noting the path which wee had made on the grasse by often going hee tooke it for his guide and the tract brought him right to the foote of the tree where he found a letter which I had layd there ouer-night It was thus The letter of Astrea to Celadon YEsterday we went out of the temple where we were assembled to bee present at the houres which they did to Pan and Siringue celebrating their day I should haue sayd feasting if you had beene there but the loue I bare you is such that not the diuine things if it may be lawfull for me to say so without you can please mee I finde my selfe so vnfit for our common businesse that but for the promise which I made to write daily to you I know not if this day you should haue heard any newes from me Receiue them then at this time for my promise set When Alcippe had read this letter he layd it in the same place againe and hiding himselfe to see the answer his sonne was not slacke in comming and not finding any paper he writ on the backe of my Letter and hath told me since it was thus The Letter of Celadon to the Shepheardesse Astrea YOu binde me and vnbinde me at one time pardon me if this word offend you when you tell me you loue me can I haue any greater obligations to all the gods But the offence is not small that you had not written at this time but for that you promised me For I am indebted to your promise and not to your loue Remember I beseech you that I am not yours because I haue promised you but because I am truly yours and that in like sort I desire not Letters for the conditions that are betweene vs but for the sole witnesse of your goodwill not welcomming them as merchandises but as being sent me from an entire good will Alcippe knew not who the shepheardesse might be to whom this letter was directed for there was no name to it but see how it came from a spirit that would be crosse he thought not much of his paine to stay in that place aboue 5. or 6 houres to see who she should be that would come to seeke it assuring himselfe the day would not be fully past but some one would come fetch it It was late before I went but presently when he sawe me for feare lest I should take him he turned himselfe and made shew as if he were asleepe And I that I might giue no cause of suspition turning my pace fayned to take another way He contrarily well satisfied for his payne as soone as I was gone tooke the Letter and carried it with him Whereupon incontinently hee made his dessigne to send away his sonne for that he would not in any case there should be alliance betweene vs for the extreme hatred betweene Aloe and him but rather to the contrary hee had a purpose to
knowledge you would come to heare her one night I promised her very freely and told her it should be shortly for Filidas told me the night before she would goe see Gerestan and fall in league with him Some dayes after Filidas according to his purpose carrying Amidor with him departed to see Gerestan resoluing not to returne of seuen or eight dayes that he might giue greater token of his loue and this remoue fell out fitly for vs for if he had beene at home hardly should we haue concealed the trouble wherein we were Now the day of his departing Filander following his custome fayled not to go downe into the garden halfe vndrest when he thought euery body asleepe On the contrary Daphnis that went first to bed as soone as shee sawe her goe out made haste to tell me and hastily casting a cloake about me I followed her speedily enough vntill we were in the garden But when she perceiued where he was she made signe to me to come softly after And when wee were come neere so that wee might heare we sate downe vpon the ground and presently after I heard him say But wherefore is all this patience to what end are all these delayes Must thou not die without succour or where mayst thou lay thy wound open to the Surgeon that can heale it And then resting a little while hee beganne agayne with a great sigh Say not thou O troublesome feare that she will banish vs from her presence and that shee will ordayne vs to a desperate death Well if we die shall it not be a great solace to vs to abridge so miserable a life as ours is and by death satisfie the offence we haue done And as for banishment if it come not from her how may we auoyde it by Gerestan whose impaciencie will not suffer vs to stay longer heere If yet we obtayne a longer stay of this importunate man and that death do not befall vs from the anger of the fayre Diane alas can we auoyd the violence of our affections What must I then doe that I tell her of it Ah! I shall offend her for euer if it were possible for me Shall I conceale it and why conceale it when my death shall giue her a speedy knowledge Why should I then offend her Ah! Wrong and Loue will neuer go together Let vs rather die But if I consent to my death doe I not make â—er lose the most faithfull seruant that euer she had I will tell it her then and at that time I will open my bosome that the yron may more easily punish my errour if she will Behold will I say where the heart of the vnfortunate Filander is who vnder the habit of Callire in stead of gayning your fauour hath met with your displeasure reuenge your selfe and punish it and be assured that if the reuenge satisfie you the punishment shall be welcome to him Faire shepheardesses when I heard Filander speake in this sort I knew not what became of mee I was taken with such an astonishment I know wel I would haue gone away that I might see no more of this deceit so full of despight that I trembled agayne But Daphnis for the full accomplishment of her treason held me by force and because as I told you we were very neere the shepheard at the first noyse wee made hee turned his head and thinking it was but Daphnis he came to her but when hee perceiued mee and that he thought I had heard him O God said he what punishment shall wipe out my fault Ah Daphnis I neuer looked for this treason from you And at this word hee ranne vp and downe the garden like a madde man although shee called him twice or thrice by the name of Callyre but fearing to be heard of others and the rather that despayre might not make Filander doe some euill to his owne person she left me alone and ranne to follow him saying to mee in choler at her going You shall see Diane that if you deale hardly with Filander it may be you will ruine your selfe so that you may feele the greatest displeasure If I were amazed at this accident fayre shepheardesses you may well iudge when I knew not which way to returne At last after I had some deale recouered my spirits I searched so on euerie side that I got into my chamber where hauing layd mee in my bed all trembling I could not close mine eyes all that night As for Daphnis shee made such search for Filander that at last sheeÌ„ found him rather dead then aliue and after she had chidden him for not knowing how to make vse of so fauourable an occasion and yet assured him that I was not so amazed at this accident as he shee brought him a little to himselfe and in some sort assured him but not so that the next morning he had the boldnesse to goe out of his chamber I on the other side infinitely offended with them both was constrayned to keepe my bed that I might not giue notice of my displeasure to them that were about vs and particularly to the neece of Gerestan but by good fortune she was not more spritefull then reason would so that we easily hid from her this euill carriage which was almost impossible for vs especially for Filander about whom she ordinarily kept Daphnis found her selfe not a little impeached by this occasion for at the first I could not receiue her excuses At last she so turned me on all sides and knew so well to disguise this affection that I promised her to forget the displeasure which she had done me swearing notwithstanding as for Filander that I would neuer see him more And I beleeue he had gone away without seeing me as not able to endure my anger had it not beene for the danger whereinto he feared Callyre might fall for she had to doe with an husband that was froward enough This was the consideration that held him backe but not rising from his bed fayning to be sicke fiue or sixe dayes passed before I would see him what reason soeuer Daphnis could alledge in his behalfe and had it not beene that I was aduertised that Filidas would returne and Callire also I had not seene him of a long time But the feare I had Filidas might not marke it and that which was so secret might not beÌ„ published thorowout the countrey made me to resolue to see him on condition that he should make no shew of that which was passed hauing not sufficient power ouer my selfe to stay me from giuing some knowledge of my displeasure He promised it and performed it for hee durst hardly turne his eyes towards me and when hee did it was a certayne submission which gaue me no small assurance of his extreme loue And by fortune presently after I was entred Filidas Amidor and the dissembled Filander came into the chamber the windowes whereof being shut gaue vs good commodity to hide our faces Filander aduertised
answered Siluander the lesser yeelds alwaies to the greater part where you are these shepheardesses must doe as you doe And why added Diane disdainefull shepheard esteeme you so slenderly of vs You should rather thinke answered Sluander that it is for the good opinion I haue of you that I thus speake for if I thought hardly of you I would not say that you were a part of this great Nymph since that thereby I make you no whit her inferiour but that she deserues to be beloued and respected for her beauty for her merits and for her condition and you for your beauties and merits You mock your selfe Siluander answered Diane I would haue you thinke that I haue sufficient to winne the affection of an honest shepheard She spake thus for that hee was so farre from all Loue that among them hee was alwaies called the vnsensible and she delighted to make him talke Whereto he answered Your conceit may be as pleaseth you yet I must tell you that for effecting this you want one of the principall parts And what is that said Diane The will replyed he for your will is so contrary to this effect that said Phillis interrupting him Siluander would neuer loue more The shepheard hearing her speake drew aside to Astrea saying that they ouer-charged him and that hee was wronged when so many set against him The wrong said Diane is turned onely to me for this shepheardesse seeing me in the hands of so strong an enemy and conceauing a sinister iudgement of my courage and force would haue helped me It is not in this said he faire shepheardesse that she hath offended you for she had had small iudgement if she thought not your victory certaine but it was for that seeing me already vanquished she would robbe you of the honor in attempting to giue me a blow at the end of the combate but I know not what her meaning was for if you meddle no further I assure you she shall not so easily get this glory as she thinkes Phillis who of her nature was pleasant and who on this day resolued to passe away the time for Leonide answered him with a certaine lifting vp of her head It is good Siluander that you haue an opinion that to vanquish you is a thing to be desired and honourable for me I say for mee who will place this victory among the least that euer I wanne You should not so much vnder-valew it said the shepheard since this serues not but to be the first that hath conquered me As much replyed Phillis as there is honour to bee the first in that which is of worth so much shamefull is it in the contrary Ah shepheardesse interrupted Diane speake not so of Siluander for if all the shepheards which are lesse then he should bee vnder-valewed I know not him that we are to esteeme See Diane answered Phillis the first blowes by which you come ouer him without doubt he is yours It is the custome of these haggard wilde spirits to suffer themselues to be taken at the first attracts and for that they haue not beene acquainted with such fauours they receiue them with such a taste that they haue not power to resist them Phillis spake these words to mock him yet it fell out that the gracious defence of Diane made the shepheard thinke that he was bound to serue her by the lawes of courtesie And after that that opinion and the perfections of Diane had that power ouer him that hee conceaued this bud of Loue that time and conuersation might encrease as we will tell you afterwards This disputation held some while among the shepheardesses to the good contentment of Leonide who wondred at their gentle spirit Phillis at last turning her selfe to the shepheard said But whereto serue so many wordes If it bee true that you are such let vs come to the proofe of it and shew me what shepheardesse makes any speciall account of you She answered the shepheard whom you see me make especiall account of You meane added Phillis that you seeke not after any but that proceeds from want of courage Much rather replyed Siluander from want of will And then going onward And you which vnder-valew me so much tell vs what shepheard it is whom you loue so especially All them who haue spirit and courage answered Phillis For whosoeuer sees that which is louely without louing it wanteth spirit or courage That reason sayd Siluander bindes you then to loue me or accuse your selfe of great want But let vs not speake so generally name one in particular whom you loue Then Phillis with a countenance graue and seuere I would with a good will there were boldnes enough to vndertake it That is then added Siluander for want of courage Rather said Phillis want of will Wherefore then cryed out Siluander would you it should be thought more out of want of will in you than in me Would it be well sayd the shepheardesse that the actions which do besit you should be permitted me Would you thinke well of it if I should runne play on the Lute or leape as you do But our disputation is too long about so bad a subiect let Diane set downe the conclusion and see if I be not confident in the iustnesse of my cause since I take a partiall iudge I shall be alwayes answered Diane according to the reason of my knowledge Well sayd Phillis when words cannot make good that which they would vphold is he not bound to come to his proofes Yes without doubt answered Diane Condemne then this shepheard sayd Phillis to giue proofe of the merit which hee sayes is in him and that on this occasion to vndertake to serue and loue a shepheardesse of that sort that he will enforce her to confesse that hee deserues to be beloued that if he cannot that hee freely acknowledge his little valour Leonide and the shepheardesses found this proposition so reasonable that by a common voyce it was enacted Not sayd Diane smiling that he be constrayned to loue her For in Loue Constraint can do nothing and his birth must grow from a free will But I ordayne that hee serue and honour her as you say My Iudge answered Siluander though you haue condemned mee without hearing me yet will I not appeale from your sentence but onely I require that she whom I must serue may merit and know how to acknowledge my seruice Siluander Siluander sayd Phillis because your cunning fayles you seeke out starting-holes But I will put you besides all these meanes by her whom I will name for it is Diane in whom there is wanting neyther spirit to know your merit nor desert to giue you will to serue her For my part answered Siluander I acknowledge more then you can speake prouided that it be no profaning of her beauties to serue them for wages Diane would haue spoken and excused her selfe of this charge but at the request of Leonide and Astrea she consented yet with this
Mistris replyed Phillis should handle me as you doe I do not know if I should loue her I know then assuredly replied the shepheard that if I were in your Mistrisses place I could not loue you How now sayd he haue you the hardinesse to threaten her thus Ah Phillis one of the principall lawes of Loue is that that party which can imagine that he may at some times not loue is no more a louer Mistris I demaund iustice of you and beseech you in the behalfe of Loue that you would punish this offence of treason and that thrusting her out of the place too honorable for her that loues not you would set me in it me that would not liue but to loue you Mistris interrupted Phillis I see well that this enuious person of my good will not let me be quiet vnlesse I quit him this place and I feare with his language hee will compell you to giue consent therefore it is that I desire to preuent him if you thinke good and to leaue it him on this condition that he declare one thing to you that I shall propound Siluander then without staying for Diane's answer said to Phillis Only go out you shepheardesse of your owne accord for I will neuer refuse this condition since without this adoe I will neuer conceale any thing from her that she desires to know of me At this word hee set himselfe in her place and then Phillis sayd to him Enuious shepheard though the place where you are may not be bought yet haue you promised more then you are aware of For you are bound to tell vs what you are and what occasion hath brought you into this Country since you haue beene heere so long and we could neuer yet know but little of it Leonide that was of the same minde taking hold of the words Questionlesse sayd she Phillis you haue not hitherto shewed more wisedome than in this proposition For at one instant you haue freed Diane and me out of some paine Diane for the discommodity you did her in hindering Siluander from supporting her as she went and me for the desire I had to know him more particularly I wish earnestly answered the shepheard fetching a sigh I were able to satisfie you in this curiosity but my fortune denies me it in such manner that I may truly say I am both more desirous and almost as ignorant as you For it pleased her to cause me to be borne and to make me know that I liue hiding from me all other knowledge of my selfe And that you may not thinke but that I will performe my promise Isware vnto you by Theutates and by the beauties of Diane sayd hee turning to Phillis I will tell you truly all that I know The History of Siluander VVHen Aetius was made Lieutenant geneÌ„rall in Gaule by the Emperour Valentinian he found it very dangerous for the Romanes that Gondioch the first king of the Burgonians should possesse the greatest part and resolued to chase him out and to send him backe ouer the Rheyne from whence he was lately come when Stilico for the good seruice which he had done to the Romanes gaue him the ancient prouinces of the Authunes of the Sequans and Allobroges whom from that time they called Burgonians from their name and without the commaundement of Valentinian it is easie to beleeue what hee would haue done to get all the forces of the Empire into his hands but the Emperour seeing a great number of enemies at his elbow as Gothes Hunnes Vandals and Frankes which were all busie in diuers places commaunded Aetiâ—â— to leaue them in peace Which was not so soone but that the Burgonians were gathered together into routes and that so that their Prouinces and those that neighboured them felt the smart of it the enemies making waste with so greÌ„at cruelty that whatsoeuer they found they carried away Now I at that time being about fiue or sixe yeeres olde was with many others brought by the Burgonians into the vttermost towne of the Allobroges who to reuenge themselues being entred into the Countrey confederate with their enemies committed the same disorders they had receiued To tell you what was the meaning of them that tooke mee I know not vnlesse it were to haue some summe of money So it was that Fortune was so good to me after she had beene my secret enemy that I fel into the hands of an Heluetian who had a father that was an old man and a right honest who conceiuing some good opinion of me as well for my countenance as for some pleasant answeres which in that age I had giuen him tooke me to himselfe with a purpose to make me a student and indeede though his sonne contraried him what he could possibly yet for bare he not from following his former dessigne and so spared no cost to cause me to be instructed in all kinde of learning sending mee to the Vniuersity of Marseilles in the prouince of the Romanes So that I may say with good reason that I had beene lost if I had not beene lost And though according to my Genius there was nothing more pleasant to me than letters yet was it a continuall punishment to mee to thinke that I knew not from whence nor who I was imagining that this misfortune neuer befell any other And being in this care one of my friends aduised me to enquire of some Oracle to know the trueth For for my part I was so young that I had no more remembrance than I haue now either of the place whence I was taken or where I was borne and hee that gaue me this counsell sayd that there was no likelihoode but that the heauens hauing had such a care of mee as I haue found since I was lost they would yet shew mee more fauour This friend knew so well how to perswade me that wee went both together and the answer we had was this Thou wert borne in the Land where was Neptune From whom thou draw'st discent thou shalt not know Vntill Siluander die to such fortune Thou wert from cradle mark'd Fate will 's it so Iudge faire Diane what satisfaction we had in this answer for my part without longer stay I resolued neuer to enquire furder since it was impossible I should know it without dying and to liuâ—â—fterward with much quiet of spirit referring my selfe to the guiding of heauen and employing my selfe onely to my studies wherein I made so good progresse that the old Abariel for that was the name of him who brought me vp had a minde to see me before he dyed presaging his end almost at hand Being then come to him and hauing receiued the most sweet vsage that I could desire one day when I was alone with him in his chamber he spake to me in this sort My sonne for as such I haue alwayes loued you since the rigour of warre cast you into my hands I doe not thinke you so mis-vnderstanding what I haue done for you
was quickly knowne of Leonide for it was Paris the sonne of the great Druide Adamas who being returned from Feurs and hauing knowne that his Niece was come to seeke him and secing she came not back he sent his sonne to let her know he was returned and to vnderstand what occasion had brought her so alone for that it was not the custome to goe without company As soone as the Nymph spyed him a farre off she told his name to the faire shepheardâ—sses and they that they might not be wanting in their ciuility wheÌ„ he came neere them saluted him with so great courtesie that the beauty and pleasing fashion of Diane gaue him that delight that he stood as almost rauished and had it not bin that the welcomming of Leonide diuerted him a little the could hardly haue hidden this surprize yet after the first salutation and that he had told her what brought him to her But sister said he for Adamas would haue them call brother and sister where found you this faire company Brother said she we haue beene together two dayes and yet I assure you we are not weary This here shewing him Astrea is the fayre shepheardesse whom you haue so often heard speech of for it is Astrea and that there is Diane the daughter of Belinde and Celeon and the other is Phillis and that shepheard is the vnknowne Siluander whose vertue is so well knowne heere that there is none in this Court but loues him Vndoubtedly sayd Paris my father did not well to feare you were ill accompanyed and if hee had knowne that you had beene so well hee would not haue beene so disquieted Gentle Paris said Slunder a person that hath so much of vertue as this Nymph can neuer be ill accompanyed And yet much lesse answered he when she is among so wise and faire shepheardesses And as he spake this word he turned him to Diane who perceiuing her selfe to be summoned answered It is impossible courteous Paris that one can adde to a thing that is accomplished Yet so it is replyed he that in my iudgement I loue better to be with her when you are neere than when she shall be alone This is your courtesie answered shee that you vse these termes in the behalfe of strangers You cannot answered Paris call your selues strangers to me but withall you must terme me a stranger to you which is a reproch to me whereof I am much ashamed because I cannot be freed from blame to be neighbor to such beauties and so great merits and yet be almost vnknowne to them but to amend this error I resolue to do better for the time to come to conuerse with you as much as without reason I haue beene remoued from you heereâ—ofore and in speaking these last words hee turned towards the Nymph And you sister though I be come to seeke you said he yet shall you go alone since it is not farre from hence to the house of Adamas For for my part I will tarry till night with this good company I would I might do so too said she but for this time I am constrayned to make an end of my iuorney Yet am I purposed so to order my affayres that I may liue as well with them as you for I doe not thinke there is a more happy life than theirs With such other like discourse she took her leaue of the faire shepheardesses and after straite embracements promised to come againe to them very soone and so parted much contented and satisfied with them so that shee resolued to change the vanities of the Court to the simplicity of that life but that which moued her most was that she had a desire to free Celadon out of the hands of Galathee and thought that he would presently returne into the Hamlet where she determined to conuerse vnder the shaddow of these shepheardesses Thus you see what was the voyage of Leonide who sawe the birth of two great loues that of Siluander vnder a fayned wager as wee haue sayd and that of Paris as wee will speake of to Diane For since that day he grew so amorous that to be more familiar with them he forsooke the life he vsed and attired himselfe as a shepheard and would so be called among them that so hee might make himselfe more pleasing to his Mistris who for her part honoured him according to his merit and as his good will obliged her But for that in the course of our discourse wee are to speake after of it we will say no more at this time Then returning to their Hamlets as they drew neere the great meddow where the most part of the flockes fed ordinarily they might see come from farre Tircis Hylas and Licidas whereof the two first seemed to disport in good earnest for the gesture of his armes and the rest of the bodie of Hylas shewed as much as for Licidas he was by himselfe his hat pull'd downe and his hands behind him he went looking on his feet shewing well hee had something in his soule that much troubled him and when they were so neere that they might know them and that Hylas perceiued Phillis among the shepheardesses and for that since the former day hee beganne to loue her leauing Tircis he came to her and without saluting the rest of the company tooke her vnder the arme and in his accustomed humor without other shew of words told her the desire hee had to serue her Phillis who beganne to know him and was contented to passe the time said I know not Hylas whence this wil springs for there is nothing in me that may moue it If you thinke that you say sayd he you owe mee the greater obligation and if you doe not thinke it you may iudge me a man of spirit that can know what is worthy to be serued and so you may esteeme of me the better Doubt not sayd she howsoeuert it be that I esteeme you and that I receiue your loue as it merits and were it not for any other consideration yet at least for that you are the first that loued me By fortune while they were talking Licidas comes in whose iealousie was so high growne that it ouer-topped his affection and for his greater hurt he came in euill time so that he might heare the answer that Hylas made to Phillis which was thus I know not faire shepheardesse if you will continue as you beginne with me but if you doe you shall be the truer for I know well that Siluander at least will help to giue you the lie and if hee will not doe it for feare of displeasing you I assure my selfe that all that were here yesterday wil witnesse Siluander was your seruant I know not whether he hath left his loue vnder his pillow Siluander that thought not of the loue of Licidas thinking it would be a shame for him to disprooue Hylas and besides that that hee should offend Phillis to say otherwise before her answered Shepheard
must doe in loue as in other things the mediocrity is onely commendable so that you loue after an indifferent fashion to auoyde all those troublesome importunities neither yet is this sufficient for to please her it is not enough not to displease but you must haue some allurements which may be louely and that is to be pleasant cheerefull to be alwaies ready to tell a merry tale and aboue all to be neuer silent before her Thus Siluander must be binde a shepheardesse to loue vs and so gaine her good Graces Now see mistrisse if I may not go for a master and what reckoning you are to make of my affection She would haue answered but Siluander interrupted her beseeching her to suffer him to speake And then he questioned Hylas in this sort What is it shepheard that you most desire when you loue To be beloued answered Hylas But replyed Siluander when you are beloued what do you wish for most in this loue That the person whom I loue said Hylas make more of me then of any other that she trust me and endeuor to please me Is it possible then inferrs Siluander that to preserue life you take poyson how will you haue her trust you when you will not be faithfull But said the shepheard shee shall not know that And see you not answered Siluander that you will do that with treason which you should doe with sincerity If she know not that you loue another she will thinke you faithfull and so this dissembling may profit you but iudge if dissembling may doe you as much good as truth You talke of contempt and despite and there is nothing that soonēr brings them both in a generous spirit than to think that he whom now I see before mee on his knees is weary with doing so before a score that may not compare with me that mouth with which he kisses my hand is dried vp with the kisses it giues to the first hand it meets and those eyes with which he seemes to commit idolatry to my face are yet sparkling with the loue of all those that haue the name of woman and what haue I to doe with a thing so common And why should I make much of him when he will doe nothing more for mee then for the first that vouchsafes to looke on him When he talkes to me he thinks it is to such or such an one and the words that he vses hee learned at the schoole of such an one or he comes to studie heere that he may goe vtter it there God knows how soone contempt and despite may make her conceiue this thought and so for the second poynt that to make himselfe beloued hee must loue but a little he must be merry and pleasant For to be iocund and alwayes laughing is fit for a Iester and one of such a mould But for a louer that is for another our selfe O Hylas hee must haue other conditions You say that in all things mediocrity onely is good That is it shepheard that hath no part of the extreme of the meane or defect as faythfulnesse For he that is but a little faithfull is not faithfull at all and he that is is in the extreme that is to say there can be none greater than other in faythfulnesse so it is of valiancy and so it is of loue for hee that can measure it or that can imagine any other greater than his owne loues not So you see Hylas that when you commaund to loue in a meane you set downe a thing impossible and when you doe so you doe like vnto the melancholique fooles that thinke they know all Sciences and yet know nothing when you haue an opinion you loue but indeed you loue not But be it so that one may loue a little and know you not that Loue hath no other haruest but loue and all that it soweth is but only to reape that fruit And how would you haue her whom you loue but a little loue you a great deale since it must fall out that what shee gayneth she shall lose a part of that which shee soweth in so ingratefull ground Shee shall neuer know sayes Hylas that I loue so See sayd Siluander the same treason which I reproached you with before And imagine you whereas you say the effects of an extreme loue are the importunities which you haue reckoned that if you render them not shee will not easily coniecture the feeblenesse of your loue O Hylas how little you know in loue These effects which the extremity of Loue brings forth and which you call importunities are such it may be to those that like you know not to loue and neuer approached neere vnto that god Who hath lost his sight but they that are thorowly touched they which do loue in earnest and know what are the dueties and what the sacrifices which they offer at the Altars of Loue So farre are they from giuing to such effects the name of importunities that they call them felicities and perfect contentments Know you well that to loue is to die in himselfe to reuiue in another that it is not to loue himselfe but so much as he is pleasing to the beloued and shortly it is to transforme himselfe entirely if it may be into her And can you imagine that one that loues in this sort can be combred with the presence of him whom she loues and that the knowledge which she hath to be truely loued is not a thing so delightfull that all others in respect of it cannot so much as be tasted And if you had at any time prooued that it is thus to loue as I say you would neuer thinke that hee which thus loues could do nothing but displease when that should not be but onely for this that whatsoeuer is marked with this character of Loue cannot be displeasing and your selfe will confesse that it is so desirous to please that if it commit a fault euen that error pleases seeing with what intent it is done whereas the desire to be pleasing giues such force to a true loue that though he render himselfe not so to all the world yet is he neuer fayling to her whom hee loueth Thence it comes that many which are not iudged in generall more louely then others yet are beloued and esteemed by some one Now you see Hylas if you be not very ignorant that till now you beleeued you loued and yet you did but abuse the name of Loue abuse them whom you thought you loued How said Hylas did I neuer yet loue What haue I then done with Carlis Amarauthe Laonice and so many others Know you not said Silander that in all sorts of Artes there bee some that doe right and others wrong Loue is of that kinde for one may loue rightly as my selfe and wrongfully as you and so one may call me a master and you a marrer of Loue. At these last words there were none could hold from laughter but Licidas who hearing this discourse
could not but more strengthen himselfe thereby in his iealousie which Phillis greatly regarded not thinking she had giuen proofs great enough of her loue so that in reason he was not to doubt it but ignorance knowes not that iealousie in Loue is Iuie that drawes to it selfe the nourishment which should goe to the good branches and good fruit and the greater it is the more it shewes the fertility of the place and the strength of the plant Paris that admired the great spirit of Siluander knew not what to iudge of him and thought that if he had beene bred among ciuill folke he had beene without paralell since liuing among shepheards hee was such that he knew none more gentle That was the cause that he resolued to make friendship with him more freely to enioy his company And to procure theÌ„ to hold on their disputation he turned to Hylas said that he must confesse he had taken the worse part since he stood so long mute He neede not be astonied for that said Diane since there is not so violent a iudge as the conscience Hylas knowes well hee argues against the truth and it is onely to flatter his fault And though Diane held on this discourse some while yet Hylas answered not a word being busie in beholding Phillis who when she was neere Licidas entertained him coursely enough and because Astrea would not haue him ouer-heare what she said to him she diuers times interrupted him vntil at last she constrained him to say If Phillis be so importuned I will not loue at all Truely shepheard said she expressely to hinder him from harkening if you bee as vngracious to her as vnciuill to vs shee will make no great account of you And for that Phillis without taking heede to this dispute held on her discourse Diane said to her What Phillis doe you thus shew the duty you owe me Will you leaue mee then to entertaine a shepheard Whereat Phillis surprized answered I would not mistrisse this errour should displease you for I was of opinion that this goodly discourse of gentle Hylas would haue kept you from heeding mee who in the meane time was giuing order to an affaire that this shepheard spoke of to mee and indeede she lyed not for she was much busied for the coldnesse shee â—ound in him It were good then Phillis said Diane with the words of a true mistrisse you thinke to pay all your faults with excuses but remember that all these defects are but small proofes of your little loue and that in time and place I shall remember in what fashion you serue me Hylas had taken Phillis by the waste and not knowing the wager of Siluander and her was amazed to heare Diane speake so therefore seeing her ready to beginne her excuse he preuented her saying Who would say faire mistrisse that this glorious shepheardesse would handle you thus coursely will you yeeld to her in any thing Commit not this fault I beseech you for though she be faire yet haue you beauty enough to make you a part and which it may be giues no place to hers Ah! Hylas said Phillis if you knew against whom you speake you would rather choose to be mute the rest of your life then to be prouided of a word that might displease this faire shepheardesse who in the twinkling of an eye may if you loue make you the most vnhappy mâ—n that euer loued On me said the shepheard she may rayse or cast downe open or shut her eyes but my misfortune no more then my happinesse shall neuer dependâ— neither of her eyes nor of her whole face and yet I loue you and will loue you If you loue mee added Phillis and I haue any power ouer you shee hath much more for I may be moued either by your loue or by your seruices not to vse you hardly but this shepheardesse being neither loued nor serued of you will neuer haue pitty And what neede haue I sayd Hilas of her pitty Yes certainely replyed Phillis you want her mercy for I will nothing but what she wills and can do nothing but what shee commands for behold the Mistris I loue whom I serue and whom I adore so that she is all my loue all my seruice and all my deuotion Now fee Hylas whom you haue offended and what pardon you are to sue for Then the shepheard casting himselfe at the feete of Diane all astonied after he had a little be held her sayd Mine owne faire Mistris if he that loues may behold any other thing then the subiect beloued I might well haue seene in some sort that euery one was to honor and do reuerence to your merit but since I haue mine eyes closed against al other things but my Phillis you shuld shew too great cruelry if you pardoÌ„ not the fault which I confesse for which â—â—ry you mercy Phillis that was sorry to be thus pâ—stred with this man that she might talke with Lieidas as he had desired made haste to answer him before Diane and to tell him that Diane would not pardon him but with condition that he should tell them the suites and aduentures which hee had had since hee beganne to loue for it was impossible but the discourse would be very pleasing since he had serued in so many sorts the accidents must needes be accordingly Truely Phillis sayd Diane you are a great diuiner for I had a purpose neuer to pardon him but with that condition and therefore Hylas resolue to do it How sayd the shepheard will you constraine me to tell my life before my Mistris and what opinion will shee haue of me when shee shall heare say that I haue loued aboue an hundred that to some I haue bid farewell before I left them and left others before I sayd any thing to them when shee shall know that at one and the same time I was diuided among many what will she thinke of me Nothing worse then shee now thinkes sayd Siluander for she will then but iudge you inconstant as she doth already It is true sayd Phillis but that you may not enter into this doubt I haue businesse elsewhere whither Astrea shall go with me if she please and in the meane time you shall obey Diane's commandement At this word she tooke Astrea by the arme and with-drew to the side of the wood where Licidas was euen now gone and because Siluander had ouerheard her answere to Licidas he followed afarre off to see what his meaning was whereto the euening somewhat serued his turne that he might not be seene for it waxed late besides that he went behind the bushes hiding himselfe so that hee followed them at pleasure vnseene and came so fitly that he heard what Astrea sayd to her what humor is this of Licidas to desire to speake with you at this howre and in this place hauing so many other commodities that I know not what he meanes to choose out so vnfit a time I know not
I know not what may fall out her eaâ—ter and I referre my selfe to that that shall bee but for that which is yet there is no likelihood Now Polemas seeing that I heard what he would say and that I harkened to it with patience being there by made the more hardy not marking that I liued with others in the same sort is gone so far that he knows not what he does he is so much beside himselfe And indeede this night he daunced with me some while at the first so chiding that I was constrained without thinking of it to aske him what the matter was Shall it not displease you said he if I discouer it No answered I for I neuer aske for the thing I would not know Vpon this assurance he went forward I must tell you Madame that it is not in my power not to be offended at the actions which I see ordinarily before mine eyes and which touch me so to the quicke that if I had as great assurance as I haue suspition I know not if there were any thing able to keep me aliue In sadnes I was yet so simple that I knew not what he would say yet thinking his loue had tied mee to some sort of curiosity I asked what actions those were that touched him so to the quicke Then pawsing a little and looking stedfastly on me he sayd Is it possible Madame that without fiction you aske me this And why answered I would you not haue me do so Because added he it is you whom all these things concerne and it is from you that they proceed and then seeing that I spake not a word for I knew not what he would say he beganne togoe on and told mee I would not haue you dissemble in this businesse without blushing For resolutely I will enforce my selfe to tell you though the discourse cost me my life You know Madame with what affection since the heauens made me yours I haue indeuoured to giue proofe that I was truely the seruant of the faire Galathee you can tell if euen vntill-now you haue knowne any action of mine tended to other end than your seruice If all my dessignes haue not taken that poynt for their marke and if all my desires arising from thence haue not shevved themselues satisfied and contented I assure my selfe that if my fortune deny me to deserue any thing more in seruing you yet at the least she will not refuse me this satisfaction from you that you will confesse that truly I am yours and no others but yours Now if this be so iudge what griefe I ought to haue after so much time spent not to say lost when if there be any reason in Loue I ought with greater reason to haue expected some reward of my affection I see another fauoured in my place and an inheritour as I may say of my goods before my death Excuse mee for speaking in this manner the extreme passion drawes these iust complaints out of my soule which though it would yet can it not longer be silent seeing he that triumphs ouer me hath got the victory rather by destiny than merit It is Lindamor of whom I speake Lindamor whose seruice is the more happily receiued of you by that that he is to giue me place both in affection and faithfulnesse My griefe is not to see him more happy than he durst wish for but indeed to see him so at my cost Excuse me Madame I beseech you or rather accuse the greatnesse of my affection if I complayne since it is but a more manifest proofe of the power which you haue ouer your most humble seruant And that which makes me speake so is that I note you vse towards him the same words and the same fashion of treaty that you did towards me at the first breeding of your goodwill and when you permitted me to speake to you and that I might say to my selfe you knew mine affection This putteth mee so farre besides my selfe with such violence that hardly can I commaund ouer these furious extremities which you put me to and which the offence bringeth to my soule and can produce no effects of discretion He would haue sayd more but the passion wherein he was so suddenly tooke from him his voyce that it was impossible for him to hold on longer If I were offended at his words you may iudge for they were both rash and full of vanity and not to be borne with yet that I might not giue knowledge of this brabble to them that haue eyes but to spie the actions of others I was compelled to make him an answer a little lesse eager than I had done had I beene else-where and I sayd Polemas that which I am and that which you are will not suffer me to doubt that you are my seruant so long as you stay in the house of my mother and performe the seruice of my brother but I cannot wonder enough at the follies which you mixe in your discourse in talking of heritage and of your goods In that which is from my loue I know not by what right you pretend yours My intention Polemas hath bene to loue you and esteeme you as your vertue deserues and you are not to imagine beyond that And for that you talke of Lindamor get out of that error for if I vse him as I haue done you you are to thinke I will doe so to all those that heereafter shall merit it without other designe greater then to loue and esteeme him that deserues it in what subiect soeuer it be found And how madame said I then interrupting her thinke you this a gentle answer I know not how you could haue honestly sayd more for indeed it must be confessed hee is arrogant but yet it may not be denied but this arrogancy is bred in him vpon some shew of reason Of reason answered the Nymph prese ntly What reason can he alledge Many Madame replied I but to conceale them all but one I may say to you that truely you haue allowed him to serue in a more peculiar manner then any other That is said Galathee for that he pleased me more then the rest of my brothers seruants I confesse it madame said I and seeing himselfe so farre in your good graces how could he hope for lesse then to bee beloued of you Hee had heard talke of so many examples of loue betweene vnequall persons that hee could not flatter himselfe lesse then to hope the same for himselfe which he heard spoke of others I remember that vpon that subiect he made verses which he sung before you it is some while since you commanded him to conceale his affection they were these A SONNET VVHerefore if you loue me Feare you the world should know Then honest Amity What can make fairer shew The spirits vertuons It each to other ties And far from humane hearts Expelleth vanities But if your choice be such That you displeased are And that you thinke me vile Vnworthy such
a share Disdainefull beauty that Liest hid from all mens eyes And neuer mad'st appeare That 〈◊〉 thee pitty lies Yet Dido did not scorne A wanderer by sea Paris a shepheard yong Wonne loue from Oenone Diane found some griefe For her Endimion Loue not regards the state Or pompe of any one The sheepehooke with the mace Of Kings he equall makes And in the purest Loue All his contentment takes Then Adamas asked her And how Leonide it seemes by the words of Galathee that she despised Polemas and by these verses there is no man but will iudge she loued him and that only he could not brooke with patience that she should dissemble Father replied Leonide it is true that she loued him and she had giuen him that proof that if he gaue credit to it hee was not so arrogant but that one might very well haue thought him to be of small vnderstanding if he did not beleeue it and though she would dissemble with me yet I know she had drawne him by shewes and hopes of good will whereof the earnest was not so small as the first but that many others haue bene deceiued and I know not considering what assurances were giuen that any would thinke shee would lose them and gainesay her going forward but he deserued this chastisement for his vnfaithfulnes which he vsed to a Nymph whose deceiued affectiō cryes vengeance so that loue at last gaue an care for without faining he is the most deceitfull the most vnthankfull and most vnworthy to be beloued for this misprifall of any vnder heauen and deserues not to be pittied if hee now feele the griefe which other haue suffered for him Adamas seeing her so much moued against Polemas demaunded who the Nymph was that hee deceiued and said that shee was some of her friends since she tooke the offence so to the quicke Then shee perceiued that she had yeelded too much to her passion and that vnawares shee had made knowne that which shee had kept so long secret yet as shee had a quicke spirit and that would not lie long in her fault she couered by her dissimulation this errour so well that Adamas then tooke no great heed to it And how my daughter sayd Adamas know you not that men liue with a purpose to ouercome and finish all that they vndertake and that the loue which they make shew of to other women is but to make the way easie You may see Leonide that all loue is for the desire of the thing that is wanting and the desire being satisfied there is no more desire if there be no more desire there is no more loue therefore you may behold that they which will be long loued are they that giue least satisfaction to the desires of their louers But added Leonide she whereof I spake is one of my particular friends and I know she neuer treated with Polemas but with as great coldnesse as she could That likewise replyed Adamas makes the desire to be lost for desire is nourished with hope and fauours Now look how the match of the Lampe goes out when the oyle failes so desire dies when the nourishment of it is put out therefore it is that we see so many loues are changed some for too many othersome for too few fauours But let vs returne to that you sayd to Galathee what was that that she answered If Polemas answered Leonide had had said she to me as much iudgement to measure himselfe as he had rashnesse to dare to loue me he would haue taken these fauours as from my courtesie and not from my loue But continued Galathee this is nothing to the worth of the accident which befell at that time for I had scarcely answered Polemas what you haue heard but Lindamor following the course of the daunce was come to snatch or robbe and vvith that dexterity that Polemas cou'd not auoyd it and by that meanes not answer me but with his eyes but certainly with a looke so frowning that I know not how I held from laughter As for Lindamor whether he took heed to it or perceiuing it would not let it appeare so it was that presently after he spake to me in that sort it had beene enough to haue made the poore Polemas madde if he had heard it Madame sayd he to me is it possible that all things should goe so quite contrary and that iesting should turne to so true earnest and the presages likewise which your eyes speake of to me when I behold them Lindamor said I to him so you may be punished as you deserued if iesting you meet with earnest This punishment answered he is so welcome to me that I should beshrew my selfe if I did not loue and cherish it as the greatest happinesse that might befall mee What meane you by that sayd I for it may bee wee speake of diuers things I meane sayd hee that in this course of the dance I haue stolne away you and in the truth of loue you haue stolne from mee both soule and heart Then blushing a little I answered him in choler How now Lindamor what discourse is this remember you what I am and what you are I do so Madam sayd he and that is it that makes me speake so vnto you for are you not my Lady and am not I your seruant Yes answered I but not as you take it for you ought to serue mee with respect and not with loue or if there be any affection it should grow out of your duty He presently replied Madam if I serue you not with respect neuer was diuinity honored by a mortall man but whether this respect bee the father or childe of my affection it concernes you but little for I am resolued whatsoeuer you are to mee to serue you to loue you and to adore you and thinke not herein that the duty whereto Clidaman by the law of the game hath subiected vs is the cause well it may be the couerture but to conclude your merits your perfections or to say true my destiny giues me to you and thereto I assent for I must acknowledge that what man soeuer sees you and loues you not deserues not the name of a man These words were deliuered with such a vehemency that he made it appeare to me that he truly told me what was in his soule behold I pray you this pleasant encounter I neuer heeded this affection thinking that al he did was in sport should haue neuer perceiued it but for the ielousie of Polemas but since I haue alwayes had an eye to Lindamor and I should not lie I haue found him as well capable of loue as ielousie so that it seames that the other hath whetted the knife wherewith hee would cut the threed of the small loue I beare him for I know not how Polemas hath euer since so displeased mee in all his actions that I could hardly endure him to bee neere me the rest of that night On the contrary all
letter of Lindamor to Galathee IT is not to complaine of my Lady that I dare take vp my penne but onely to deplore the misfortune which make me so coâ—â—â—mâ—ed of her that at other times was not wont to vse mee in this sort I am the same man that haue serue you with all sort of respect and submission and you are the same Lady that first was mine siâ—ce you receiued me for yours I am become no lesse nor you greater if it be thus why doe you not iudge mâ— worthy of the same entertainement I haue called my soule to account for her actions since it pleaseth you I will display them all before your eyes for my part I cannot accuse any one of them if you shall iudge otherwise when you haue heard them it shall be no small consolation to the poore condemned to know at least the cause of his punishment This letter was brought her as of custome by Fleurial and so fitly that though she would yet durst shee not refuse it and without lying it was impossible that any other could haue playd this part better then he for his request was so suited with words of pitty and reuerence so well sorting to that which hee seemed to demand that there was 〈◊〉 but might haue bene deceiued and for my part if Galathee had not told me I should neuer haue regarded it but for that it was hard or rather impossible but the tender heart of the Nymph must discharge her selâ—â— of it to some trusty person to whom she might freely impart that which pressed her so sore among the rest she chose out me as the most assured as she thought and most affectionate Now suddenly as shee had receiued this paper faining to haue forgot something in her cabinet she called me and told the other Nymphs that shee would come backe presently and that they should attend her there Shee went vp into her chamber and then into her cabinet without saying any thing to mee I iudged shee had somewhat that troubled her but I durst not aske her for feare of troubling her she sate downe and casting the request of Fleurial on the table shee sayd This beast Fleurial alwayes comes to mollest me with the letters of Lindamor I pray thee Leonide bid him bring me no more I was somewhat astonied at this change yet I knew well that loue could not long last without brawles and that these disputes are as bellowes that do more kindle the coles yet I forbare not to say to her Since when Madam hath he done thus Some good while sayd she and know you nothing of it No truely Madam sayd I. Then she with a little frowning brow It is true sayd she that heretofore I haue liked it but now hee hath abused my fauoues offended me by his rashnes And what is this fault replyed I The fault added she is not great yet it displeaseth mee more then if it were of importance Thinke you what his vanity is to make it knowne that he loues me and that he hath told me so O Madam sayd I this cannot be true his enemies haue inuented it to vndo him both with you with Amasis It is wel replied she but in the meane time Polemas talkes of it euery where and is it possible any should know it and that he only should be deafe at this bruite or if he heare it should not remedy it And what remedy answered I would you hee should haue What sayd the Nymph sword and blood It may bee sayd I â—e doth it with great reason for I remember I haue heard it said that that which touches vs in loue is so subiect to slander that the lesse light is giuen it the better it is See sayd she these good excuses at least he should haue demanded of me what my will was hee should do herein he had done as he ought and I should haue beene satisfied Haue you seene the letter answered I which he wrote you No said shee and I will tell you more I will neuer see them more if it be possible and will auoyde as much as I can to speake to him Then tooke I the paper that Fleurial brought and opening the letter I read aloud that which I tolde you euen now and added at last Well Madame ought not you to loue the thing is wholly yours and not to bee so soone offended with him that hath not committed any fault Then it is well said she Is there any likelihood that he alone should not heare these bruits But dissemble he as long as he will at least I wil coÌ„fort my selfe that if he loue me he shall truely pay the interest of the pleasure which he hath had in vanting of our loue and if he loue me not let him assure himselfe that if I haue giuen him any subiect for the time passed to conceiÌ„ue such an opinion I wil put him out of it hereafter and giue him occasion to smother it how great soeuer it hath beene And to beginne I pray you command Fleurial that he be not so hardy to bring any thing from this arrogant Madame said I I will doe what pleases you to command me yet it shall be very necessary to consider ripely of this affaire for you may doe your selfe much hurt thinking to offend another You know well what manner of man Fleurial is he hath no more spirit then will serue to keepe his garden if you let him know this euill carriage betweene Lindamor and you I am afraid that out of pure feare he will discouer it to Amasis or else runne away that which shall make him discouer it shal be to excuse himselfe of mischiefe For Gods sake Madame consider what displeasure this will bring wil it not be better without breaking forth to deuise some meanes to complaine to Lindamor And if you will not doe it I will and I assure my selfe he will satisfie you or if he doe not then shall you haue occasion to breake off all loue with him telling him so much your selfe without giuing Fleurial knowledge of it How to speake to him I know not said shee and to heare him speake my courage will not snffer mee for I wish him much euill Seeing her to haue a heart so swolne with this offence At the last said I you must write to him Talke no more of that said she hee is too proud he hath too many of my letters already At the last not being able to get other thing at her hands shee suffered mee to fold vp a piece of paper in fashion of a letter and to put it in to the request of Fleurial and to carry it to him And this that he might not perceiue this dissention What the astonishment was of poore Lindamor when he receiued this paper it is hard to say to one that neuer prooued it And that which afflicted him more was that hee must of necessity depart the next morning to goe his voyage where the affaires of
the workemanship The entry was very high and spatious On the two sides in stead of pillars were two Termes which on their heads sustained the boughts of the vault of the portall The one figured Pan the other Syrinx which were very curiously adorned with stones of diuerse colours the haire the eye-browes the mouthchatos the beard and the two hornes of Pan were of Cockles from the sea and so workemanly set in that the ciment appeared not Syrinx that was on the other side had her haire of Roses and somewhat vnder the nauill one might see them swell by little and little the tower of the gate on the outside was of rusticke fashion and ropes of coquils fastened in foure corners hung downe finished neere the heads of the Termes Within the Vault there was a rocke which seemed in many places to drop with Salt peter and ouer the midst it opened with an ouall forme through which the light came in This place both without and within was enriched with a great number of Statues which falling into their cesternes made diuerse fountaines and all represented some effect of the power of loue In the middle of the caue one might see the tombe raysed the height of ten or twelue foote which at the top ended like a crowne and all about garnished with tables whereof the painting was so well done that the sight deceiued the iudgement the distance of euery table was filled by halfe pillars of blacke wrought marble the coynes of the tombe the bases and the capitall of halfe colours and the cornishes which round about in fashion of a girdle held vp the tables and though of diuerse peeces yet made but one well composed frame which was of the same marble The curiositie of Celadon was great after he had considered altogether to desire to know the particularities and that he might giue the Nymph occasion to tell him something hee commended the inuention and cunning of the workman These are said the Nymph the Spirits of Mandrake which after some time haue beene left here for witnesse that Loue will no more pardon the gray head then the yellow haire and alwayes to relate to them that come hither the vnfortunate and faithfull loues of Damon of her selfe and of the shepheardesse Fortune And how replyed Celadon is this the fountaine of the truth of Loue No answered the Nymph but that is not farre hence and I would I had spirit ynough to make you vnderstand these Tables for the History is worthy to be knowne As shee drew neere to expound them to him she saw Adamas enter in who being returned and not finding the Nymphs at their Lodgings iudged they were gone forth to walke where after he had â—id the Habits which he brought he came to seeke them so fitly that it seemed Fortune conducted him thither to make him handle the loues of this Fortune Galathee no sooner spyed him but she cryed out O my Father you come in good time to free me from the paine wherein I am and then turning to Celadon See him shepheard that will satisfie the desire which you haue to know this History And after hee had asked him how hee did and that the salutations were made on both sides Adamas to obey the Nymphs commandement and to content the curiositie of the shepheard going with them to the Tombe began in this fort The History of Damon and Fortune As the Workeman playes with his worke and doth as pleases him so the great Gods by whose hand we were formed take pleasure to make vs play vpon the Theater of the World the part that they haue chosen for vs. But among all there is none that hath imaginations so various as Loue for he makes the old young and the young old in as short a time as the light lasts of a good eye And this History which is truer then I would it were will giue proofe that hardly it can be withstood as by the processe of my discourse you will confesse The first Table SEe you in the first place this Shepheard set on the ground his backe leaning to an Oake his legge acrosse that playes on his pipe This is the faire shepheard Damon who hath name of faire for the perfection of his face This yong shepheard fed his sheepe along your sweete Lignon being borne of one of the best families of mount Verdun and no farre remoued kinsman of the old Cleontine and of Leonides mother and by consequent in some sort my kinsman Marke how this visage besides that it is faire represents very liuely a person that had no care but of his owne contentment for you may see I know not what open and cleere countenance without trouble or cloude of busie imaginations And on the contrary turne your eyes vpon the shepheardesses which are about him you may iudge by the fashion of their visages that they are not without paine for as Damon had a free spirit and restfull so had the shepheardesses their hearts passionated for him Yet as you see he vouchsafeth not to looke towards them and therefore it is that they haue painted on the right side in the ayre that little naked childe with his bow and torch in his hand his eyes b'inded his backe winged his shoulders charged with a quiuer that threatens him on the other hand This is Loue who begin offended at the contempt which this shepheard shewed towards these shepheardesses swore that he would be reuenged on him But for the better setting forth of the Table note how well the Art of the painting is obserued You may see me thinks the arme of the shepheard sinking a little vnder the swelling of the instrument and how the cane where he blowes hath lost his colour that is because his moyst mouth had put it out Marke on the left hand how the sheepe feede see some of them lying in the shade some licking their feet others that astonied looke on the two Rammes that run to push at one another with all their might Obserue the turning that this makes of his necke for he hoâ—deth downe his head so that the other encounters only his hornes But the winding of the other backe is also very artificiall for nature that teacheth him that vertue vnited is more strong makes him so locke himselfe in an heape that he seemes almost round The dutie euen of the dogs is not forgotten which to oppose against the courses of the Wolfe comes vnder the wings of the wood side And it seemeth they are set â—ike three 〈◊〉 on the higher places to the end they may see the farther off or as I thinke that they might see one another and succour them in their necessitie But consider the carefull industry of the Painter whereas dogges that sleepe without care vse to put themselues into a round and oftentimes hide their head vnder their pawes to keepe from them the light these that their are painted here are lying in another fort to shew that they sleepe not but
these words Ah Damon how lying is this Spring to our vndoing since it made mee see Melide neare vnto you whom I now see die for so dearely louing me So these faithfull louers knew well the falsehood of this Fountaine and more assured then euer of their affection they dyed embracing Damon of the wound and shee for griefe of his death Behold the shepheardesse set against the rock couered with mosse and see Damon leaning his head in her lappe and who to giue her the last farewell reached foorth his arme and necke to her seeming to straine and raise himselfe a little to kisse her in the meane time shee all couered with blood held his head and bowing her selfe to come neare his face layd her hand vnder him for to heaue him vp a little This olde gray headed which is by them is Mandrake the magitian who finding them dead curses her Art detesteth her diuels teares her hayre and batters her brest with blowes The gestures of lifting her hands aboue her head holding her hands ioyned and contrarily casting downe her head almost hiding her chinne in her bosome folding and tossing the body in her lappe are signes of her violent displeasure and of the sorrow which she had for the losse of two so faithfull and peâ—â—â—â—t louers besides the losse of all her contentment The face of this olde woman is hidden but consider the maner of her hayre how it hangs downe low and to the nape of the necke and those that are more short seeme to sticke vp Behold a little farther off Cupid weeping see his bowe and arrowes broken his torch put out and his scarffe all wet with teares for the lesse of two so faithfull louers Celadon was all the while very attentiue to the discourse of the wise Adamas and often repented himselfe for his want of courage that could not finde a like remedy to that of Damon and because the consideration of this held him some while mute Galathee as shee went out of the caue and taking Celadon by the hand what thinke you sayd shee of these loues and of these effects That these are answered the shepheard the effects of imprudence and not of loue and it is a popular errour to couer our owne ignorance or to excuse our faults to attribute alwayes to some diuinitie the effects whereof the causes are hidden from vs. And how sayd she thinke you there is no loue If there be sayd the shepheard it should bee nothing but sweetnesse But howsoeuer it bee you speake Madame to one so ignorant as any that liues for besides that my condition will not permit â—mee to know much my grosser spirit hath made me much more incapable Then the sad Siluy replyed It is some while since I saw you in a place where one might hardly beleeue this of you for there were so many beauties for you to take and you are too honest a man to suffer your selfe to be taken Faire Nymph answered the shepheard in what place soeuer this was since you were there it is without question there was much beautie there but as too much fier burns rather then warmes so your beauties are too great for our rusticke hearts and make themselues rather admired then beloued and rather adored then serued With such talke this faire company went to their lodging whither the houre of repast called them The end of the eleuenth booke THE TVVELFTH BOOKE OF ASTREA AND CELADON BY that time the day began to appeare Leoâ—ide following the resolution which in the euening Adamas her companion and Celadon had taken together came into the shepheards chamber to put on him the habite which her vncle had brought But the little Merill that by the commandement of Galathee ordinarily tarried with Celadon to spy Leoâ—ides actions as well as to waite on the shepheard hindred them long time from doing it At last some noyse they made in the court caused Merill to go foorth that hee might bring them some newes Then presently Celadon rose and the Nymph behold to what Loue abases her helped him to cloath himselfe for he could not do it without her Within a while after see the little Merill that came running backe so fast that he must needs take them in the manner but Celadon that had an eye to him got into a wardrobe expecting when he should returne He was no sooner entred but hee asked where Celadon was He is within the wardrobe sayd the Nymph he will come presently but what would you with him I would tel him answered the boy that Amasis is comming hither Leonide was a little surprised fearing shee should not be able to finish what she had begun yet to take some counsell with Celadon she sayd to Merill little Merill I pray thee runne to informe my Lady of it for it may be she will be ouertaken The child ran out and Celadon comes laughing forth at these newes And why sayd the Nymph do you laugh Celadon at her comming you may wel be taken No such thing sayd he onely hold you on in dressing mee for I may easily steale away in the confusion of so many Nymphes But while they wereabout their businesse see Galathee commeth in so suddenly that Celadon could not get into the Cabinet you may well iudge that the Nymph and Celadon were surprised but the subtilty of Leonide was greater and quicker then it was credible for seeing Galathee enter she tooke hold on Celadon who would haue run to hide himselfe and turning toward the Nymph did what she could to stay him Madame sayd she if it please you not to do somewhat that my Lady your mother come not hither we are all vndone for my part I haue done what I could to disguise Celadon but I feare I cannot bring it about Galathee who at the first knew not what to iudge of this Metamorphosis commended the spirit of Leonide for inuenting this shift and comming neerer to consider Celadon so well disguised vnder this habit that she could not hold from laughter answered the Nymph Friend we had bin vndone but for you for there was no meane to hide the shepheard from so many persons as come with Amasis where being clad in this habit we are not onely more assured but withall I would haue you let your other companions see her that they may take her for a maide And then she went on the other side and was rauished in beholding him for his beauty by these ornaments made the greater show In the meane time Leonide the better to play her part told her that she might be gone for feare lest Amasis came suddenly on her So the Nymph after she had resolued that Celadon should call himselfe the kinswoman of Adamas named Lucinde went out to entertaine her mother after she had commanded Leonide to bring her where they were as soone as she could be drest I must confesse the truth sayd Celadon after she was gone in my life was I neuer more astonished then at