Torquato Tasso

Aminta. The famous Pastoral

L’ Aminta

Traducción de L’ Aminta

Tasso, Torquato. <<Aminta: the famous pastoral>> . Translated by John Dancer. London: printed for John Starkey (...), 1660.

Joan Oleza Simó (Investigador principal) John Dancer (Traductor) Soler Sasera, Eva (Editor)

English · Verso · 1819 versos

https://playcode.fly.dev/plays/EMOTHE0058_AmintaTheFamousPastoral

The Epistle Dedicatory.

The Epistle Dedicatory. TO My much Honoured, AND Truly Noble Friend, Mr. R. B. Worthy Sir, Ancient custom, and the genius of the present times admit a dedication of those works which we esteem either profitable or pleasant to those we love or honour, this though it pretend little to profit, and as little to pleasure without your pleasing aspect, yet is intended as a demonstration of that honour and respect I bear your worth: which your favours to me have condignly merited. And to whom indeed should I dedicate both my self and labours? but to you, who have seemed to dedicate your self wholly to my welfare? to whom should I present these effects of my leisure? but to you, by and from whom I received so comfortable an otium? To whom should I address, or whole protection should I crave for this work of mine? but his under whose protection I effected it? Yet pretend I not at all by this the least requital of your unlimited favours, which have encompassed me round like an Ocean, but onely manifest to you, what I am almost confident you already believe; that, were my fortunes answerable to my desires, though your retorted Graces might, and would still keep me out of the haven, yet should I use my utmost strength and endeavours to arrive at the Port of a wish’d for gratitude. In the mean time, please Sir to accept of this poor pledge of my weak, though willing, endeavours; and in thanks for your acceptance, this I really allure you, That though your protection should not render it more acceptable to others, yet will it more and more oblige me, and like a Cypher added to a figure, double, if not treble, the score of your favours. For the work it self, let me make this Apologie, That tou know it to be the first that ever I undertook: so, for those faults which you may very probably find in it, I shal only implore that wonted Candour and Generosity where with you have oft been pleas’d to pass by lesse pardonable errors. I am sorry your Commands conceale your Name, and must needs herein accuse you of some Injustice, both to my selfe and the World; to my selfe, in not giving my Pen the Honour of Proclaime, not only yours, but the Virtues of your Thrice Noble Family; And to the World, in not permitting them to be Honourers and Admirers of so rare a Pattern of Unparallel’d Friendship. To conclude, That the God of Heaven would plentifully poure down the choisest of his blessings upon you and your Worthy Confort, and enable you to the Continuance of your favours towards me; and me to some way to Merit, or meanes to Requite them. Is the earnest Prayer of Your Devoted Servant, John Dancer

To the reader

To The READER: Courteous Reader, I here present to thy view, a Work of that Excellent Italian Poet’s, Torquato Tasso, Whose sweet and Mellifluous straines, made him not only esteem’d the Apollo of his Nation, but thought worthy that Honour by Frreign Wits. This is Aminta; a Piece Valued by themost Refined Judgements above all his other Poems: and so much Valued, That the admired Baptista Guarini confesses himselfe its Imitator, in his Famous, and so much Adored Pastor Fido. If it have suffered by my Translation, I am sorry. I must confesse I envyed, but cannot fancy yo have reach’d the Happinesse of Fanshaw’s Stile. ʼTis the first Work ever I undertook, so, though there may be errors, condemn me not for the first fault, the next may be better; hower accept this, as it is, but Friendly, and I have enough. J. D.

Interlocutors

CUPID in Pastoral Habit

DAPHNE Companion of Silvia

SILVIA Loved of Aminta

AMINTA in love with Silvia

ERGASTO Messenger

THIRSIS Companion of Aminta

SATYRE in love with Silvia

NERINA Messengeresse

ELPINO a Shepherd

Chore of Shepherds

Act I

PROLOGUE

CUPID IN PASTORAL HABIT

How could it enter into mortall breast: 1

That under humane shape, and past’ral vest, 2

Lay hid a god nay more, no god o’th woods, 3

Or one of the inferiour rank of gods, 4

A god Celestial: who doth instly claim, 5

Among the greatest the most powerful name: 6

Who often makes victorious Mars to lay 7

His conquering sword, and bloody spear away. 8

Great Neptune who so fils the world with wonder, 9

Teilds him his trident; Jove himself his thunder. 10

Sure with this aspect, in this habit clad, 11

Venus can ne’re discern her smooth-fac’d lad, 12

Or know him thus transform’d. I’m forc’d to fly, 13

And hide my self from her, because that I 14

Scorn for to be her subject, or my darts 15

Should be her slaves: and only wound those hearts 16

There’re levell’d at by her, and what’s that vain, 17

Ambitious woman dare my shafts refrain? 18

At Kings and Princes Courts she only will 19

That ’mongst great Ladies I employ my skill, 20

And to my lower Ministers conceads 21

To practice theirs amongst the woods and Meads, 22

In runstick breasts. I though you may me deem 23

A boy, am none, and will, as best shall seem 24

To me, dispose my shafts, since mine of old 25

Are both th'omnipotent torch, and bow of gold: 26

Wherefore (to hide my self and to fly from 27

Her force, not, but her prayrs strong when they come 28

From an importunate mother) in these plains, 29

I refuge seek amongst the rurall swains, 30

And my self shelter in these woods, but she 31

Ceases nor day nor night to follow me, 32

Promising those would tell her where I were 33

Or kisses sweet, or what’s than them more dear: 34

As if that she my giving too could bar 35

Of kisses sweet, or what’s more pleasant far, 36

To those that hide me from her, this at least; 37

I know my kisses would be counted best: 38

(If I that love am of love understand) 39

So that sheoft seeks for me vainly, and 40

Looses her pains: Since none so foolish are, 41

As to disclose or tell her where I were. 42

But least by counter-signs she should me know 43

wings, my dart, my quiver, and my bow 44

I have laid by, yet come not I disarm’d, 45

Or weaponlesse, for see how I have charm’d 46

My torch into this rod; which has the same 47

Force it had first, and burns though with a flame 48

Invisible, this likewise is my old 49

Dart that I us’d, which though its head of gold 50

Be chang’d, yet this of divine temper’d steel 51

Who er’e it pierces makes loves flames to feel. 52

This day I’l make the triall; and my dart 53

Shall shew its divine power o’re the heart- 54

Lesse bosome of the cruel’st nymph before 55

This time that ever followed Dians Chore, 56

And chastest Silvia’s plague shall be the same, 57

(For that’s of this hard-hearted Nymph the name,) 58

As that of fam’d Aminta, who did feel 59

Long since, the pow’r of my Divinest steel; 60

When he and she both tender us’d to sport, 61

In the chast pleasures of bright Cynthia’s Court . 62

But canse the wound shall be more inward, I 63

Will stay untill some pitie mollifie 64

That so hard frost which round about her heart 65

Her virgin-pride hath fix’d, then I’l my dart 66

Let fly with it’s full force; and cause I’l please 67

My self in doing it, and do’t with ease, 68

I’l mix my self among the shepheards crev 69

Which passed by just now, who alwaies do 70

On holydayes make sport within this plain, 71

And to be one of them my self I’l fain; 72

Them with the best occasion give the blow, 73

So flyly, as no mortall eye shal’t know. 74

In a strange manner shall these woods, to day, 75

Be heard of love to reason, that it may, 76

Clearly (my sacred Deity is here) 77

(And not my under Ministers) appear. 78

These rustick Silvane brests I will endue 79

With divine sences, teach them how to wooe 80

In lofty language, that it may be known 81

That love where e’re he is, it alwaies one, 82

Whether he pleases for to make his nest 83

Or in a Swains, or in a Hero’s breast. 84

Then if my beauteous mother, who ha’s tride 85

Her utmost art to know where I abide 86

By these feats know not, she’s more blind then I 87

For blind by wrong, men call me Deity. 88

Scen. I.

(Daphne and Silvia)

DAPHNE

Art thou resolv’d then Silvia to consume 89

Thy fairest youth? can’t thy heart find a room 90

For Venus pleasures? wilt not know those joy’s 91

A Mother takes to sport with her sweet boyes? 92

Shall so much beauty be to woods confin’d? 93

Change, fondling that thou art, change, change thy mind. 94

SILVIA

Let others follow loves delights for me, 95

If that in love any delight there be. 96

This life me pleases best; Nor do I know 97

Ought I take pleasure in, but in my bow; 98

This is my chiefest comfort, for to follow 99

The wild beasts in the chase, hear huntsmen hollow: 100

Nor do I fear such sports will wanting be. 101

DAPHNE

More sottish Sports, more sottish life, dost see? 102

This life thee pleases cause thou hast not prov’d 103

As yet another, cause thou hast not lov’d. 104

“So in the infant world, and when as yet, 105

“The simple people knew no better meat, 106

“Acorns and water, were accounted sweet: 107

“But when th’earth did abound with corn and wine, 108

“Acorns and water then were food for swine. 109

So shouldst thou taste but one poor thousand part 110

Of the sweet joys of love, thou’dst say, dear heart, 111

Why didst thou fix my pleasure on such toyes 112

And leave me widow to more reall joyes? 113

Thou’lt sorrowfull repent the lost time past 114

And curse it now for running on so fast. 115

Howmany a widow night, how many a day 116

I’ve ignorantly spent! thou’lt sighing say. 117

Change then, fond fool, change change thy mind I pray, 118

Lest when’ts too late thou do repent in vain. 119

SILVIA

Daphne, when I repent or o’re again 120

Repeat these words of thine, wch thou dost feign 121

Just as thou list, then let the rivers turn 122

Back to their fountains; let the Ocean burn, 123

The wolves fly from the tender lamb, the hares 124

Pursue the greyhounds; then let the fierce bears, 125

Inhabit waters: and let Dolphins range 126

The fields, whenever I my mind do change. 127

DAPHNE

This is meer childishness, Sister, as thou 128

Art, I was once. (Alas!) although that now 129

I’me chang’d by age, even just so neat, so fair 130

My count’nance was, so golden was my hair, 131

Just such a cherry lip, just such a Rose, 132

I did in th’middle of my cheek disclose; 133

‘Twas my delight, then, Silvia, (now I find 134

A foolish one it was) to hunt the Hind, 135

Follow the footsteps of wild beasts, my net 136

Spread to untrap the birds, take care to whet 137

My dart; and if I did but chance to spy 138

Some youthfull Shepheard cast an am’rous eye, 139

I looked down with scorn, and with disdain, 140

Counting what was my grace to be my pain, 141

And nought was more displeasing unto me 142

Then see me pleasing unto others be: 143

But yet at length, time and th’importunate 144

Pray’rs of my faithful lover, did abate 145

That Virgin frost; Sister, I was (and blesse 146

The hour) o’recome at last, I do confesse, 147

And in one night’s black shade I did learn more 148

Then I had done in all my life before. 149

So now I did my former folly know, 150

I quite renounc’d both Cynthia’s life and bow: 151

And so I hope thou wilt too, and at last 152

Aminta’s sighs may melt thy flinty breast. 153

How canst thou choose but love him? canst deny 154

He’s handsom? then pray tell the reason, why? 155

Thinkst thou he loves thee not? or does love any 156

Better than thee, though he be lov’d by many? 157

If so, why do’s he so thy love pursue? 158

Think’st him not enough noble? if thou do 159

Though from his Rivers god the third thou be, 160

Third from great Pan the shepherds god is he. 161

Why then despi’st thou him? thinkst thou the lilies 162

Of the fair cheeks of fairest Amarillis, 163

Are not as beautiful as thine? yet he 164

Thou seest despiseth her, and follows thee; 165

She follows him and seeks his love, and thou, 166

Though he seeks thine, refusest his; pray now 167

Imagine, he, thus croft by thy disdain 168

(God grant th’imagination be but vain) 169

Should leave thee and take her, I fain would know 170

Whether it would not grieve thee or no? 171

’Tis better to accept him then, by half, 172

Then taking her both at thy folly laugh. 173

SILVIA

Let ’minta and his loves disposed be, 174

As best him pleaseth little’t imports me: 175

Nor who, his love has, so I do it misse, 176

Care I, mine he can’t be, since I’me not his: 177

And though he mine were, his I would not be. 178

DAPHNE

From whence proceeds this hatred now from thee? 179

If I were thee I’d strive to love him rather. 180

SILVIA

It’s from his love, 181

DAPHNE

Strange child of such a Father,

When was fierce tyger born of gentle lamb? 182

Or when from Swan’s egge a black crow e’re came? 183

Sister thou cheatest or thy self or me. 184

SILVIA

I hate his love, cause he my honesty: 185

And I should love him while he would not crave 186

Ought else of me but what my self would have, 187

DAPHNE

Thou onely wil’st thy heart, he only would 188

With that to thee which with himself he should: 189

SILVIA

Daphne, or talk of somewhat else, or hold 190

Thy peace I pray. 191

DAPHNE

O gods! do but behold

This perverse wench! but prethee Sister do, 192

But answer this, If that another sue 193

Should for thy love, would’st thus requite his pain? 194

SILVIA

Who would entrap my chastity, the same 195

Requite should find from me, what e’re he be, 196

Whom thou stil’st lover, I am enemy. 197

DAPHNE

The Ram unto the ewe dost thou esteem 198

Or to the tender heifer the bull deem, 199

En’mies to be, or doth the Turtle dove 200

Reject her mate, because he doth her love: 201

Seest thou the fragrant season of the year, 202

How every thing doth sweet and green appear? 203

This pleasant verdure covering o’re the plains, 204

Invites, alas, not only nymphs and Swains, 205

But very beasts to love, and dost not see, 206

How all things in the world inamoured be? 207

See how those two doves whisper, with what willing, 208

And joynt consent as ʼtwere they two are billing! 209

You Nightingale which hops from grove to grove 210

Still as she hops, she sings, I love, I love; 211

The cruell Adder who doth stop his ears, 212

And having stung, will not be charm’e by tears, 213

Or cries, is charm’d by sweetest love: ‘ith woods 214

The tigers love, the fishes in the floods 215

Love too, but thou more cruel then a beast 216

Denyest sweet love an entrance in thy breast; 217

But what talk I of beasts; seest thou each tree 218

In this vast forrest? they inamoured be. 219

Behold with what a sweet embrace the vine 220

Does her dear confort lovingly intwine, 221

The firr doth love the firr, the pine the pine; 222

You stubborn oak, which scarce’the wind can move, 223

Is mov’d by th’power of divinest love, 224

Hadst thou a spir’t of love, or if of stone, 225

Were not thy heart, thou’dst hear it sigh and groan, 226

And utter forth it’s am’rous plaints: yet thou 227

For all this art not mov’d to love, why now 228

Wilt thou than plants or beasts be more unkind? 229

Change, fondling that thou art, change, change thy mind. 230

SILVIA

When I of plants the am’rous sighs shal hear 231

I’l likewise be in love, til then forbear. 232

DAPHNE

Well though thou now laugh at, and dost disdain 233

My faithful counsels; know that to thy pain 234

Thou wilt repent, thou dost not while thou may 235

Them follow; for be sure there comes a day, 236

When what’s to thee a pleasure and delight, 237

Shall be thy greatest grief, thy greatest spight; 238

And as thou now disdainest others, so, 239

Thou’lt then despise thy very self; and know 240

Those so clear springs in which thou oft dost use 241

Thy most resplendent beauty to peruse, 242

Thou’lt leave forsaken and neglected now, 243

Or stand amazed at thy wrinkled brow. 244

But why speak I of this? Since ʼtis a sure 245

And common evil we must all endure. 246

I’ll tell thee more, and mark me what I say, 247

ʼTis what the sage Elpino t’other day 248

Recounted unto Licoris the fair 249

The gentile Licoris: whose beauty rare, 250

Has such pow’r o’re Elpino, as his art 251

In singing ought t’have o’re her pliant heart; 252

If there be any debt in love. He told 253

It before am’rous Thir’s and Battus old, 254

Just at the entrance of Aurora’s cave, 255

Where writ in golden Characters you have; 256

All you that the profane depart from hence, 257

And said that it was told to him long since 258

By the grand Poet, who so high did sing 259

The life of many a Heroe, many a King, 260

Who dying did leave him his pipe, There is 261

Sayes he, at bottom o’th profound abysse, 262

A horrid cave, vomiting smoak with fire, 263

And a most constant stink out of the dire 264

Fornace of Acheronta, where do lie, 265

In torments dark, and that eternally 266

Those women; who perswaded here above, 267

Neither by pray’rs, nor tears, could be to love: 268

And ʼtis a just, and well deserved law, 269

Smoak should force tears, which pity could not draw: 270

Then if thou thusthy cruelty continue, 271

Look to be confort with that curst retinue. 272

SILVIA

But what said Licoris to this, and how 273

Answer’d she him; 274

DAPHNE

Why fee! thou fain wouldst know

Others affairs, but car’st not for thine own: 275

She answered with her eyes. 276

SILVIA

With eys alone

How could she answer him? 277

DAPHNE

Those very ey’s

Were, as ʼtwere, messengers, or rather spies; 278

Which mix’d with pleasant smiles to him made known, 279

Licoris and her heart were now his own: 280

Except he did believe, faith was as rare 281

In them as beauty; she as false as fair. 282

SILVIA

Why should he so believe? 283

DAPHNE

knowst thou what Thir’s,

That famous Master both of Love and Verse, 284

Did write, when burning with the flames of love 285

He wandring through the forrest, did both move 286

The nymphs & swains to laughter? but though he 287

Did things worth laughter, yet his writings be 288

Not to be jeer’d; this in a tree he writ, 289

With th’tree it grew, and there I oft read it: 290

The looking-glasses of false hearts your eyes 291

Are; and in them all deceit hidden lies, 292

But what avails’t since shun them love denies: 293

SILVIA

I here in pratling cast my time away, 294

And had forgot this is th’appointed day, 295

In which we ought to go, as we were wont, 296

In Eliceto for to raise the Hunt. 297

Prethee do thou stay for me while i’th nigh 298

Fountain I cleanse the sweat, and dust which I, 299

Got yesterday by hunting of a Deer, 300

Which at the last I kil’d; 301

DAPHNE

I’l stay thee here

Perhaps I’l bath me too, but first my gate, 302

I’l homewards bend for it’s not yet so late 303

As’t seems, and thou at home for me mayst stay: 304

But in the mean time think of that, I pray, 305

Concerns thee more then hunting, and say I 306

Bid thee take a fools counsel, so god bu’y. 307

Scen. 2.

(Aminta and Thirsis)

AMINTA

I have with my laments, my sighs, my groans 308

To pity moved, both the rocks and stones; 309

But mov’d I have not nor can hope to move 310

Her I adore, to pity or to love: 311

Remorselest Nymph, I know not which I best 312

May stile thee, or a woman; or fierce beast 313

For thou to be a woman dost deny, 314

Since more than best’al is thy cruelty. 315

THIRSIS

The lambs on tender grasse, wolves on lambs feed 316

And both do fatishe their hungry need: 317

But though lovefeed on tears, the more it have 318

Of tears and sighs, it still the more doth crave; 319

AMINTA

Alas! alas! love long since with the food 320

Of my tears satiate is, now for my blood 321

It onely thirst, and therefore to the eyes 322

Of it and that cru’l nymph I’l mak’t a prize: 323

THIRSIS

Why talkst thou thus Aminta? if unkind 324

And cruel she be, thou’lt another find. 325

AMINTA

How can I find another, when that I 326

Can’t find my very self, or pray whereby 327

Can one lost to himself e’re pleasure gain? 328

THIRSIS

Do not despair, at length thou mayst obtain 329

This cruel fair; time teaches men to check, 330

Lions, and bring fierce tygers to their beck: 331

AMINTA

But whilst that I wait out this long delay, 332

I shall with grief be quite consum’d away: 333

THIRSIS

Short the delay will be, for the disdain 334

Of woman’s kindled soon, soon quench’t again: 335

They’re moveable by nature, nor the wind, 336

Can breath more changes then a womans mind: 337

Lighter than feathers, and will readier bow, 338

Then ripened ears before a storm; but thou, 339

Of thy condition farther let me know, 340

And the hard fortune of thy love, for though 341

Thou long since toldst me that thou wast in love, 342

Yet thou hidst from me, who it was could move 343

In thee this am’rous fire, although that faith, 344

And ever constant friendship ‘twixt us hath 345

Oblig’d thee to discover that to me, 346

Which unto others might concealed be. 347

AMINTA

Thirsis, I am content to tell thee what 348

The woods and mountains know, but men know not, 349

And ʼtis but just that I being now so nigh, 350

My death, should leave the reason why I die 351

To some dear friend, who may when I am gone 352

Report it, or may grav’t in tree or stone, 353

Near the place where my bloodlesse corps shall lie, 354

That if that pit’lesse Nymph chance to pass by, 355

She may stamp on’t with her proud foot, and boast, 356

That her dire cruelty my life me cost; 357

And that she may rejoice to see me lie, 358

There as a trophee of her victory. 359

Perhaps at last she may (but things above 360

Desert I hope) both pity then and love 361

Him dead, who living by her hate was slain, 362

And with salt tears may wish me back again; 363

But listen now. 364

THIRSIS

Proceed; I wel thee mind,

And am to help thee at thy need inclin’d. 365

AMINTA

I was as yet a child and scarce could crop 366

Those fruits the willing trees did seem to drop, 367

From their full loaden branches near the earth, 368

When full of jollity and harmless mirth, 369

Not knowing love, or caring it to know, 370

With th’sweetest nymph I did familiar grow, 371

That in the wind e’re spread a golden hair, 372

It was the rich Cidippe’s daughter fair; 373

Grandchild unto the great Montan, whose flocks 374

And mighty heards fill both the woods and rocks, 375

Silvia, the glory of the woods, the fire 376

Of every heart, of all fouls the desire: 377

With her I kept such faithful company, 378

That ʼtwixt two Turtles ne’re the like could be; 379

Nothing to me than Silvia was dearer, 380

Near were our houses, but our hearts were nearer: 381

Her age was equal almost with my own, 382

But ʼtwixt our thoughts, there was no diff’rence known; 383

With her I often us’d to spread the snares, 384

To catch the simple birds, or fearful hares: 385

With her I us’d to force swift Does to flight, 386

Equal the prey was, equal the delight; 387

But whilst we thus made prize of beasts: a prize 388

My self was made to her’ll-conqu’ring eyes; 389

And like a weed which of it self doth grow, 390

So grew there in my bosom, from I know 391

Not yet what root, a strange and unknown fire, 392

Which made me Silvia’s presence more desire: 393

Her eyes were food to me, sweet, but I did leave 394

A bitter; did me of all jokes bereave: 395

And though my sighs, alas, now were not few, 396

Yet of those many sighs no cause I knew. 397

Thus was I, e’re that I could it discover, 398

By her fair ey’s forc’d to become a lover: 399

But how I came to know’t at last, do thou 400

Take notice pray. 401

THIRSIS

Proceed and tell me how.

AMINTA

When Phebus bright his hottest beams displai’d, 402

Silvi’ and Phillis once chanc’t seek a shade 403

Under a spreading beech, when, lo, a Bee 404

Buzzing about Phillis fair cheeks chanc’d see 405

The lovely red she did in them disclose, 406

Did make the Bee mistake them for a Rose, 407

And think to gather honey from that sweet, 408

She lights: but with too harsh salute did greet 409

Those rosean cheeks, and Phillis with the pain, 410

Of the sharp sting most sadly did complain; 411

When my Dear Silvia told her: Phillis pray 412

Lament not thus, I soon will take away 413

Thy pain with an inchantment, which I learn’d 414

Of the sage Aresia, and I earn’d 415

It well, for in requital of it I 416

Gave unto her my horn of Ivory, 417

Which was adorned with gold. Thus having said 418

Her sweeter lips to Phillis cheek she laid: 419

Just where the Bee had stung her, and she there 420

Muttered some words which well I could hear: 421

But O most wonderful! Phillis had ease 422

Immediately, and all her pain did cease. 423

Whether it was her Magick art or no, 424

That so soon wrought the cure I don’t well know, 425

But I believe in her sweet mouth was such 426

Vertue that it did heal all it did touch. 427

I, that before had to restrain’d the fire 428

Of love, that nothing else I did desire, 429

But Silvia’s presence, and a paradice 430

It was to feast my self on her fair ey’s, 431

Or hear the sweet tunes of her warbling voice, 432

More pleasing far to me than was the noise, 433

The little pibbles make in murm’ring floods, 434

Or than the wind when’t signs among the woods 435

Was now by an ambitious spirit inclin’d, 436

To a desire which wish’d my lips were join’d 437

To hers. This amorous desire me taught, 438

A very subtile craft which at length brought 439

Me wish’d successe (do but observe how love 440

Makes mens ingenio’s nimbly for to move) 441

Her wondrous cure on Phillis I did see, 442

The sight of that caught me to feign a Bee 443

Had bit my under lip, and though her pray 444

I durst not for to take my pain away 445

By her inchantment, yet did my lament 446

Expresse as ‘twere to her my hearts intent; 447

She harmlesse soul pittying the grief that I 448

Made shew of, proffered freely to apply 449

Her cure to my feign’d wound, which added fuel, 450

To my hearts wound, and made it far more cruel. 451

Oh Thirsis! never Bee did suck from Rose, 452

Honey so sweet as I did suck from those 453

Sweet cherries of her lips, though every kisse, 454

Me thought did yet want some part of its blisse, 455

For though I had a ful desire, yet I 456

Was or restrain’d by fear, or modesty: 457

But whilst this honey mixt with gall descended 458

Thus to my heart, I sorry so soon ended 459

Should be my blisse, feign’d that her charms did ease 460

Me somewhat, but not quite the pain surcease; 461

Which made her willingly to take the trouble, 462

That to me sweet inchantment to redouble; 463

Thus so increas’d this love within my breast, 464

That at the last’twas forced to leave its nest: 465

Nor would it be kept secret, so one day, 466

When we were set as we were wont to play; 467

Shepherds and Nymphs together on the grasse, 468

Each lad some secrets whispering to his lasse: 469

I Silvia told, Silvia, I burn for thee, 470

And sure shal die unlesse thou helpest me; 471

Strait at my words there in her face arose 472

A blush both shame and anger did disclose: 473

Bow’d to the ground her fair face was, and she 474

With nought but an harsh silence answer’d me, 475

And from me turn’d, nor ever would she deign, 476

Since that to see or hear me speak again, 477

Though ful three years are past and I have tri’d 478

All means I could to get her pacifi’d, 479

Except my deaths; and could but that appease 480

Her anger, I methinks could die with ease, 481

And should account it highly worth my pain, 482

If I by death her pity could obtain, 483

And for my faith would deem it recompence, 484

Should she lament me when I’m gone from hence; 485

But why should I with grief unto that breast, 486

In which I fixed have my joy, my rest? 487

THIRSIS

But is it possible if she should hear 488

Thee say thus much? She longer could forbear, 489

This true love to requite? 490

AMINTA

That know not I,

But when I’d speak she more my words doth fly, 491

Than doth an aspe the charmer. 492

THIRSIS

Trust to me,

Aminta, and I will procure that she 493

Shal hearken to thee. 494

AMINTA

Nothing from her can you,

Thirsis procure, or if procure you do 495

That I speak to her, yet alas in vain 496

Will be my speech, and I shall nothing gain: 497

THIRSIS

Why dost despair so? 498

AMINTA

Just occasion I

Have to despair, nay rather for to die; 499

For the wife Mopsu’s long since did foreshow 500

This my hard fortune, Mopsus, who doth know 501

The vertue of all herbs, and talk of birds. 502

THIRSIS

Which Mopfus speakst thou of? of him whose words 503

Are honi’d, and who has a friendly smile 504

In’s face, but in his heart has nought but guile: 505

Be of good cheer, Aminta, do not fear, 506

Those uncouth prophesies he sels so dear 507

To unadvised persons, I reject 508

As foolish, for they never have effect; 509

This know I by experience, and I, 510

Cause he hath thus foretold, do hope thereby 511

That in thy love all things wil succed wel, 512

AMINTA

If by experience thou canst ought me tell 513

Which comfort may my hope, pray don’t it hide, 514

THIRSIS

When I came hither first for to abide 515

Within these woods, I knew and did esteem, 516

This Mopsus such as thou dost now him deem; 517

I had by chance occasion for to go 518

To the great Citie; which I let him know 519

As hoping his advice, when thus to me 520

He spake, To the great land thou go’st, said he, 521

Where the fly Citizens and those o’th Court 522

Of simple rusticks make a scoffing sport; 523

Therefore be sure this counsel take of mine, 524

Come not near those whom thou shalt see to shine 525

With gold and stones, and other vain devices, 526

But above all (and flight not my advices) 527

Beware, least thou be led by thy ill fate, 528

Or youthful curios’ty to the gate 529

O’th magazine of pratlers. Then strait I 530

Demanded of him, what that place might be? 531

In this place Sorceresses live, said he; 532

Who by inchantments do all things unvail, 533

What to thee seems pure gold, to them is pale 534

And forbid brasse, those arches thou with trasure 535

Deemst fil’d, are dirt and mire out of measure; 536

There are the wals built with great art, and do 537

Speak themselves, and to speakers answer too: 538

Nor do they answer a dumb voice alone, 539

As Eccho here, but in words one by one, 540

Tables and stools and all go tittle tattle, 541

And should a dumb man enter here he’d prattle. 542

But ther’s worse evil yet, here maist thou be 543

Chang’d into water, fier, or a tree, 544

Water of tears, and fire of sighs: content, 545

With this fond foresight I to th’City went, 546

Where guided by blest fate I chanc’d to spy 547

The happy lodge, as I was passing by; 548

With curious eye expecting something worth 549

My sight, I chanc’d to hear at length come forth 550

Out of the gate such pleasant murm’ring noises, 551

Of nymphs and Sirens the harmonious voices, 552

As made me stand astonied with delight, 553

The object pleas’d so both my ears and sight. 554

Just by the [...] guard to things so good, 555

A man of [...] magnan’mous aspect stood; 556

To whom I do not wel know which I were 557

Best give that stile of Duke, or Cavalier, 558

He with benign and grave aspect together, 559

Invited great and smal to come in thither, 560

Nor did he me poor simple foul despise; 561

O gods what did I see there! near mine eyes 562

Enjoy’d such blessed sights, nymphs ful as fair, 563

As heavenly goddesses, or far more rare: 564

Beauties more bright than glittering Phoebus beams, 565

When, at his rise he guild’s the eastern streams; 566

There fate Apollo, and the Muses nine, 567

Shining in all their Graces, so Divine; 568

And, ʼmongst the Muses, sate the sage Elpin. 569

Then was I ravished, with a high desire, 570

Then, first I flam’d with a Poetick fire; 571

I sang the lives of Kings, oth’ancient times, 572

Scorning a mean verse, or pastorall rimes; 573

And, though again I to these woods return’d, 574

By my ill destiny: yet still I burn’d 575

With some part of that fire: yet did abound, 576

My Pipe, still, with a more than rurall sound. 577

But, envious Mopsus, chancing me to spy, 578

One day cast at me a Malignant eye: 579

Whereby, I hoarse became, and then long time 580

I silent was, and sung no more in rime. 581

Seen by the Wolfe, Pastors supposed me, 582

Which caus’d my silence: but that wolfe was he; 583

This I have told thee, that thou maist perceive, 584

How willing is this Mopso to deceive, 585

And void of hope, I’d have thee hope more still. 586

AMINTA

It pleases me extreamly, for to heare 587

What thou hast told, then of my life the care 588

To thee I do commit. 589

THIRSIS

Let me alone,

I care will take of it, as of my own; 590

Ile go see what for thee I can prevaile, 591

Then in an houre to meet me do not faile. 592

CHORUS

Most blessed age of gold! not cause the floods 593

Stream’d down pure snow, white milk: nor cause the woods 594

Distill’d sweet hony, or, the free earth bore 595

Her fruits untouch’t, nor had her bowells tore; 596

As yet by th’ labr’ing ploughman, lambs might erre 597

Through the thick forrests, without noise or fear; 598

Nor yet because no winters clouds begun 599

T’ecclipse that Radiant Splendor of the Sun 600

With which it’s warme and pleasant beames did bring 601

The wish’d-for happ’nesse of a constant spring; 602

Nor wandring pines did yet, with fails unfold, 603

For warr or gain compals the late known world. 604

But, only cause that foolish, and that vain, 605

Idol of errors, and deceit, that name 606

So without substance, which the Vulgar, mad, 607

Did a feerwards call Honour, as yet had 608

No Power to play the Tyrant, or controule 609

The Peace and Freedome of a joviall soule. 610

But nymphs and pastors sweetly liv’d, nor knew 611

Any delight, but what from freedom grew, 612

Not subject, but to law perform’d with ease 613

Which nature writ; Is lawful if it please. 614

No need there was of Cupids torch to move 615

Of shafts to force the Nymphs and Swains to love, 616

Their very sports inflam’d them and their smiles 617

They mix with their sweet words, and then e’re while, 618

Both with their sweeter kisses then the rose, 619

Of her fair cheeks the Virgin did disclose 620

Freely to all; which now alas are blown, 621

To the delight and pleasure but of one; 622

Then often by the waters of a bright 623

Spring, lovers us’d to take their full delight. 624

But thou perversest honour first didst shade 625

This fountain of delight, and thou first made 626

This freedom cease, and thou didst first deny 627

Water to quench his thirst whom love made dry; 628

Thou thaught’st those splendant beauties first to lie, 629

Vail’d and obscur’d from every am’rous eye; 630

Their all gold shining hair thou didst refrain, 631

Into a net, and thou hast put a rein 632

To all sweet dear lascivious acts, and we 633

Think now that theft which us’d loves gift to be, 634

And all these acts of thine turn to our pain: 635

But thou great Jove who with thy power dost reign, 636

O’re love and nature with a word, can’st tame 637

The greatest Monarchs and whose very name 638

Strikes terrour, why alas dost take delight, 639

To disturb us poor miscreants? kings of might 640

And power best fit thy thoughts, disturb their peace, 641

And grant great god that we may live at ease, 642

And by thy divine providence be hurl’d 643

Into the golden – oth’ ancient world. 644

We’l hope, since there’s no joy, when once one dies 645

We’l hope; that as we have seen with our eies 646

The Sun to set, so we may see it rise. 647

Act II

Scen. 1.

(Satyre alone)

SATYRE

Small is the Bee, much smaller is her sting, 648

Yet doth its wound both pain and sorrow bring, 649

But what’s more smal then love? Since it conceals 650

It self within such minute parts, and steals 651

Into the smallest spaces, now it rests 652

Within the valley of two alp-like breasts: 653

Now creeps and hides it self within the fair 654

And curled tresses of a golden hair: 655

Now under twinkling eye-brows, now i’th’ sleek 656

And rosie dimples of a laughing cheek; 657

Yet are it’s wounds, it’s plagues, so sad, so sore, 658

That nought can be imagin’d torment more. 659

Ah me! my very bowels and my heart 660

Boil o’re with blood, and like a cruel dart, 661

So Silvia’s fair ey’s pierce me, I may say 662

Cruel Love; but far more cruel Silvia, 663

That it impos’d thee, woods in their greenbrakes 664

Cru’ler then woods, Oh! how wel doth agree 665

Thy nature with thy name, wel did he see 666

Do hide fierce lions, tigers, wolves and snakes, 667

Thou under covert of thy fairest breast, 668

Hidʼst anger, hatred and disdain, which beasts 669

And worse y much (alas) than those of prey, 670

As lions, tygers, wolves or snakes; for they 671

May be appeased, but ay me! these are 672

Such, as will not be charm’d by gift or pray’r; 673

Thou slights are flowr wch from the fields I chose 674

Because thy cheek flowers much fairer showes. 675

I from the orchards bring thee apples fair, 676

Which thou rejectst disdainful, cause there are 677

In thy fair bosome apples far more rare. 678

I bring thee sweetest honey, even such 679

From hives I stole thou, deignst it not to touch 680

Cause on thy sweet lips sweeter ther’s by much; 681

But if my poverty permits me not 682

To give unto thee any thing but what 683

In thee’s more sweet and fair, my self then take; 684

Unjust, why shouldst thou such a gift forsake? 685

I’m not to be despised, no, for I 686

Saw my self in the sea when it did lie 687

Becalm’d & free from waves, this my fierce, stern 688

And sanguine look, these shoulders large, this arm 689

So strong and nervous, this rough shaggy breast, 690

These big-bon’d thighs of mine, and all my rest 691

So well knit members, are a sign that I 692

Am strong and lusty, it believ’st not, try; 693

What wil’t do with these tender fooles, whose sleek 694

Face, scarce allowes them down upon their cheek? 695

Women, in show, and Workes they be, nor are 696

Skill’d in ought else, but to dispose each haire, 697

In it’s due order; ther’s not one that dare 698

Follow thee through the woods, to hunt the Bear, 699

Or, durst encounter wilde Boares for thy sake. 700

I’me not so ugly, no: nor dost forsake 701

Me, ʼcause I am thus form’d, alas, buy why? 702

Because I’m poor, thou dost thy love deny. 703

Alas, the Villages do follow now 704

The custom of the Mighty Cities: how 705

Well may the golden age this called be, 706

Since gold alone Commands imperiously? 707

O! thou, who first didst teach the way, to sell 708

Divinest love, may torments, worse then hell, 709

Still waite and then upon thee; maist thou dy 710

Unpitied let thy cold ashes ly 711

Unburied; let Nimphs and Shepherds cease 712

Passing to say, Soule, do thou rest in Peace; 713

Let the raine wet thee, move thee may the wind; 714

Let flocks and strangers too, be so unkind, 715

As for to trample on thee, not to be nam’d; 716

Horrid and Monstrous, ʼtis not to be told, 717

How Love is made the Price of abject Gold. 718

But, why in vaine lament I? since I see, 719

Beasts, for their safety, use those Armes, which be, 720

Allotted them by Nature, Tigers paw’s 721

Use for defence, Lions their teeth and claw’s; 722

The Stag does for her safety use to fly, 723

A womans weapon in her Beauty. Why? 724

(Then since all these do use their nat’ral armes 725

To conquer foes, or save themselves from harms) 726

Should not I when that nature ha’s me made 727

Apt for to ravish, make use of the trade? 728

I’l force, I’l ravish what she me denies, 729

Nor will be moved with her pray’rs nor cries. 730

Not long ago I told was by a Swain, 731

That in the fountain lies in yonder plain; 732

She often baths her self, there I intend 733

To hide me in the bushes, to the end 734

That when she comes I may be sure to take 735

Hold on her; what resistance can she make 736

ʼGainst me, poor tender soule? and for her cries, 737

I’l neither them nor of her beauty prize 738

The power. Oh if I can but once entwine, 739

This hand within her locks, why then she’s mine, 740

Nor shal the gods release her, til that I 741

For my revenge my armes in blood do dy. 742

Scen. 2.

(Daphne and Thirsis)

DAPHNE

Thirsis, as I thee told, I long since thought, 743

Amintas did love Silvia, and have sought, 744

God knows, all way’s to further this his love, 745

And shall the more, since thou art pleas’d to move 746

Me in it: but I rather had by far 747

Chuse for to tame a lion, or fierce bear, 748

Then such a simple girle, who does not know 749

How piercing be her beauties armes, and though 750

She others kils, yet is her self stil sound, 751

And wounding others knows, not how to wound. 752

THIRSIS

And where’s that child so simple han’t a mind, 753

As soon as out of swathling bands, to find 754

Arts to seem handsom and to make her please? 755

And how to kil with pleasing? and with ease 756

Can tell what armes they be cause death? nay more, 757

What armes they be which life again restore: 758

DAPHNE

Who mistresse is of so much art? 759

THIRSIS

As though

Thou knewst not Daphne, ‘tis the same doth shew 760

Flight to the winged birds, and doth infuse 761

Swimming to fishes, teaches Buls to use 762

Their hornes, and makes Juno’s proud bird to spread 763

Her Argus-eye-deckt feathers o’re his head: 764

DAPHNE

I’d very fain know how you cal this same 765

Mistress of arts? 766

THIRSIS

Why Daphne is her name.

DAPHNE

Our filthy liar that thou art. 767

THIRSIS

Why

Art thou not able then to keep at school (fool 768

A thousand girls, although no need there is 769

In this same Art of Love of Mistresses, 770

For nature in their mistresse, though, ʼtis true, 771

The mother and the nurse bear a share too. 772

DAPHNE

Come, thou too knavish art, in sum I’l tel 773

Thee that I am not yet resolved well, 774

If Silvia be so simple as the feigns 775

Her self to be; for down in yonder plains 776

Where the clear waters of the silent lake 777

Incircled round a pretty Island make, 778

I t’other day saw Silvia counsel take, 779

How she the golden tresses of her head 780

In pretty curls might o’re her forehead spread, 781

And then how she might fittest o’re them place 782

Her snow-white vail, o’re that with better grace 783

Order some fragrant flowers, with lilies fair 784

Her white neck she’d adorn; and so compare 785

Which was the whitest, now a lovely rose, 786

To her sweet cheeks to see which did disclose 787

The liveliest hue; then with delight would she 788

Smile, as ʼtwere boasting of the victory: 789

Methought she seem’d to say, I onely do 790

For your disgrace base flowers carry you, 791

Not for my ornament, since all may see 792

How much in beauty you must yeild to me; 793

But whilst she flatt’red thus her self, her eye 794

By chance she turn’d, and turning did espie 795

That I sat laughing in th’adjacent bowers, 796

At which she blush’d, and strait let fall her flowers; 797

When laugh the more to see her blush did I, 798

Which her cheeks tinged in a deeper dy; 799

But cause that onely on one side her head 800

Her hair was gathered, on the other spread; 801

She fearful I should see again, poor soule, 802

At ‘twere from the clear fountain counsel stole, 803

And though she were undrest, yet pleas’d was she 804

That, so undrest, she look’d so handsomely: 805

I saw it and was silent. 806

THIRSIS

Thou dost tell

What I before told thee; guest I not well? 807

DAPHNE

Well didst thou guesse, but I have been told how 808

Pastors and nymphs were not so sly as now 809

In former times, nor young was I so bold: 810

The world do’s grow more wicked, as more old. 811

THIRSIS

ʼTis true that then Citizens us’d not so 812

Oft in the Countrey come, nor Rusticks go 813

Unto the City; now their crafty race 814

As well as customes do with us take place; 815

But to our purpose canst not thou procure, 816

That the hard-hearted Silvia may endure 817

To hear Amintas speak alone; or’t least 818

In company with thee, which she’l think best: 819

DAPHNE

I’ll tell thee, Silvia now so coy doth grow 820

That well how to obtain it I don’t know. 821

THIRSIS

Amintas too respectfully is nice. 822

DAPHNE

True sayst thou Thirsis; there can no worse vice 823

In lovers be; he that would learn the art 824

Of divine love must lay respect apart, 825

Must dare demand, solicite, importune; 826

And if by these means he can’t overcome, 827

Must ravish too: Thirsis, thou knowst so well, 828

That I am sure there’s none need thee to tell, 829

The nature of a woman, if she flies 830

ʼTis cause she’d be pursu’d; if she deny’s, 831

Alas ʼtis onely cause that she would have 832

Men to force that which first they did but crave, 833

She fights to be o’recome: laugh not at me 834

That I speak thus in confidence to thee, 835

And that I speak in rimes, but thou knowst, Thirsis, 836

I can for rimes return thee more than verses. 837

THIRSIS

Thou hast no reason to suspect that I 838

Should e’r tell ought against thy modesty. 839

But I conjure thee, Daphne, by the dear 840

Remembrance of thy youth that thou wilt here 841

Lend thy assistance with me for relief 842

Of poor Amintas, who else dies with grief. 843

DAPHNE

How neatly he conjures me, by the joy 844

Of mine that’s past, and by my present’noy? 845

But what wilt have me do? 846

THIRSIS

Judgement and skil

I know thou hast, then onely, that thou will. 847

DAPHNE

In sum I’l tell thee then Silvi’ and I 848

This day at Dians well, which is hard by, 849

Intend to wash, where an inviting shade 850

For nymphs and shepherds by a beech is made; 851

And there she’l naked bath her tender wast. 852

THIRSIS

What then? 853

DAPHNE

What then! if thou hast wit thou maist

Guest at the rest. 854

THIRSIS

I guest, but do not know

Whether he’l have the heart to come or no. 855

DAPHNE

If come he won’t, for ought that I can say, 856

Stay until she looks after him he may. 857

THIRSIS

He so deserves. 858

DAPHNE

But, Thirsis, may not we

(At leisure now) talk somehow too of thee? 859

Why dost not thou a sweet-heart get? Alas 860

Thou’rt yet but young! and scarce dost four years passe 861

Of the fifth lustre (and full well do I 862

Know when these arms have danc’t thee lullaby) 863

Why wilt neglected live, and void of joy? 864

Since without love there’s no delight (my boy) 865

THIRSIS

A man may shun fond love, and yet not fast 866

From Venus pleasures, he the sweet do’s taste 867

Without the bitter. 868

DAPHNE

Most unsavorie ʼtis:

The sweet’s not seasoned with some bitterness 869

Soon satiate. 870

THIRSIS

Better once satisfide:

Then before meat and after to abide 871

Stil hungry. 872

DAPHNE

Thirsis, if the meat you have

doth please; the more you tast, the more you crave 873

THIRSIS

But who can alwaies present have that food 874

Which, though he’s hungry, to his taste is good. 875

DAPHNE

Who seeks no good shal find none 876

THIRSIS

There’s no ease

In seeking that, which found, ʼtis true doth please; 877

But if not found when sought torments us more. 878

Thirsis wil ne’r a lover be, before 879

That cruel love shal leave it’s company 880

Of sighs and tears, enough already I (though 881

Have sigh’d and wept. 882

DAPHNE

Enough enjoyed

Perhaps that hast not. 883

THIRSIS

Nor desire, if so

Dear I must but it. 884

DAPHNE

Well if nothing move

Thee can, at length thou wilt be forc’d to love: 885

THIRSIS

Love cannot force who’s out of his command. 886

DAPHNE

But who is’t can out of loves empire stand? 887

THIRSIS

Who fears his witching charms and flies away. 888

DAPHNE

Where wilt thou fly if love his wings display? 889

THIRSIS

But love when young ha’s his wings short, and so 890

Can’t overtake the man will from him go. (cry, 891

DAPHNE

The birth of love, there’s no man can dis- 892

And when discri’d, his wings grown great, he’l fly. 893

THIRSIS

Some by experience his first birth can tel. 894

DAPHNE

Thirsis, since thou pretendst to know so wel 895

That Art, we’l see if thou canst from him run, 896

This I protest to thee, I’l not be won 897

A hand, a foot, or eye-brow for to move, 898

Either to help or aid thee in thy love. 899

THIRSIS

Fy cruel one then couldst thou dead me see? 900

If thou wilt have me love, why, love thou me. 901

DAPHNE

Why doft thou mock me, Thirsis? perhaps thou 902

Dost not deserve so fine a mistresse; how 903

Many a colour’d and smooth face beguiles. 904

THIRSIS

I do not mock thee; no, but thou mean-whiles 905

With this pretext my love dost not accept; 906

This is the common trick: but if reject 907

My love thou dost, I without love will live. 908

DAPHNE

Thirsis, maist thou contently live and thrive, 909

More then e’re yet thou didst, maist live in ease 910

And leisure, without which love ne’re doth please. 911

THIRSIS

Daphne, this leisure god hath granted me, 912

One who a god may here esteemed be; 913

To whom on verdant plains and cliffy rocks, 914

From see to see we feed our herds and flocks: 915

Thirsis, said he, let others take a care, 916

To chase the wolves, and thieves, let others share 917

Rewards unto the servants; others guard 918

My wal’d in sheep; thou (from these labours bar’d,) 919

Shalt sing: then just it is my pipe should move, 920

Not in fond fancies of a worldly love; 921

But that in higher strains it onely hollow 922

The ancestors of my Jove, or Apollo. 923

(For which of those to call him well, in troth, 924

I know not, since he do’s resemble both) 925

Progenitors of greater worth by far, 926

Then or bright Saturn or the Heavens are; 927

(Low Muse to such a merit,) but yet he, 928

Sing I or clear or hoarse, rejects not me; 929

His praise I dare not chant, nor well can I 930

Worthily honour him, but silently, 931

And with due reverence; but his altars ne’r 932

Without my flowers or sweet perfumes yet were 933

And when I do forget him to adore, 934

Or worship; then let Thirsis be no more: 935

Let Rivers change their beds, the soane advance 936

To wash the Persian banks, the Tigris France. 937

DAPHNE

High ho, thou’rt flown too high, prethee descend 938

Unto our purpose. 939

THIRSIS

Daphne, I intend,

That thou shouldst as thou go’st along the way 940

Endeavour for to soften Silvia; 941

I’l procure that he come, this task of mine 942

I doubt will harder be by far than thine, 943

Then go thy waies: 944

DAPHNE

I do, but I did mean

By this talk part of which thou didst not dream; 945

THIRSIS

If I can wel discern him by the face, 946

Aminta ʼtis appears in yonder place. 947

Scen. 3.

(Aminta Thirsis)

AMINTA

I’ll see what Thirsis may have done for me, 948

In what to do he promis’d; but if he 949

Have nothing done, why then, before that I 950

Will be consum’d to nothing, I will die 951

Before the rigid Silvia; that abate 952

My death, may somewhat of her cruell hate, 953

She (that so pleas’d is with that plague, the Dart 954

Of her fair ey’s ha’s gi’n my love-sick heart) 955

Wil with that wound which my brest shal endure 956

From mine own hands be doubly pleas’d I’m sure. 957

THIRSIS

I new’s of comfort bring thee, and content, 958

Then deare Aminta, cease thus to lament. 959

AMINTA

Why say’st thou Thirsis, must I live or die? 960

THIRSIS

I bring thee life and safety, for if I 961

The other had, I’d not it bring, but need 962

There is of courage, man, and that with speed? 963

AMINTA

What need is there of courage, pray and where 964

Must I employ it? 965

THIRSIS

It thy Silvia were

Within a wood, encompass’d round with rocks, 966

Where lions and fierce Tigers by whole flocks 967

Did range, no way to scape by strength or art, 968

To go to rescue her, would’st have the heart? 969

AMINTA

More joyfull farr then on a holy day, 970

A Countrey wench doth run to dance or play. 971

THIRSIS

If the ʼmongst murd’rers were, I fain would know, 972

Whether thou dar’st into her rescue go. 973

AMINTA

I’d go more readier then the Stag does fly 974

To the long-with’d-for fountain, when he’s dry. 975

THIRSIS

But greater proofes more courage do require. 976

AMINTA

I would for Silvia’s sake passe through the fire, 977

Or through the floods, when down the Mountains throw, 978

With a full torrent, their dissolved snow; 979

I’d go to hell it selfe, if hell could be, 980

Where there is one so fair so good as she; 981

But tell me pray, where is’t? 982

THIRSIS

Hark then.

AMINTA

Go on. 983

THIRSIS

Silvia attends thee naked and alone,

At the same fountain call’d Diana’s well; 984

Dar’st thou to go. 985

AMINTA

Alas! what dost thou tell

Me, Thirsis? naked and alone do’s she 986

Stay for me, sayst thou? 987

THIRSIS

Unless Daphne be

There (who of our side is) alone I say. 988

AMINTA

But naked prethee do’s she for me stay? 989

THIRSIS

I say she there stayes naked for thee, but- 990

AMINTA

But what? thou kilst me it that word thou put. 991

THIRSIS

But I can’t tel if thou hadst best to go. 992

AMINTA

Oh hard conclusion! which all the forego- 993

Ing sweetness doth imbitter: with what art 994

Doth strive to wound my almost bloodlesse heart? 995

Is’t not enough that thus unhappy I 996

Am, but thou wilt increase my misery? 997

THIRSIS

Aminta, if thou wilt my counsel take, 998

Thou mayst be happy: 999

AMINTA

What, for the gods sake,

Dost thou advise me; 1000

THIRSIS

What! That thou be bold,

And on what fortune thee presents lay hold. 1001

AMINTA

The gods I hope will keep me that I may 1002

Ne’re think a thought to displease Silvia: 1003

I ne’re displeas’d her yet, but by my love, 1004

Nor was’t my fault, her beauties power did move 1005

Me to’t: but let me when I cease to strive 1006

Silvia to please, no longer care to live. 1007

THIRSIS

Answer me now, if in thy Pow’r it were 1008

To leave her love, wouldst do’t to pleasure her 1009

AMINTA

Love lets me not say so, may’t does deny 1010

That I should think to leave her love, though I 1011

Could do’t. 1012

THIRSIS

Why then though leave her love thou could’st;

Yet, in despight of her, love her thou would’st. 1013

AMINTA

Not in despight, but yet I’d love her still. 1014

THIRSIS

Why then thou love would’st against her will. 1015

AMINTA

Yes, certainly I should. 1016

THIRSIS

Then dar’st thou not

Against her will (fool as thou art) take what 1017

At first may hard and heavy seem, once past 1018

Sweeter and sweeter growes unto the last. 1019

AMINTA

Thirsis, love for me answers, and my heart 1020

Know’s it’s own means, but cannot then impart, 1021

Thee constant use ha’s skil’d in loves great Art, 1022

But that ha’s bound my tongue which bound my heart. 1023

THIRSIS

Why then we wil not go. 1024

AMINTA

Yes go wil I:

But not where thou dost deem. 1025

THIRSIS

Whither?

AMINTA

To die; 1026

To die alas I’l go, if this be all 1027

The favour thou hast done me. 1028

THIRSIS

Think’st it small?

Think’st Daphne counsel would to go, if find 1029

In part she did not that ʼtwas Silvia’s mind? 1030

And who can tell, it may be Silvia too 1031

Know’s it her selfe, but would not have that you 1032

Should know she knows it; now, if thou dost crave 1033

Her full consent, thou do’st desire to have 1034

What would displease her most, and then (foole) where 1035

Is that desire of thine to pleasure her? 1036

Or if she would that thy injoyment were 1037

Thy theft, and not her gift, what need’st thou care? 1038

AMINTA

But who assures me such is her desire? 1039

THIRSIS

Why see? thou do’st that certainty require, 1040

Which does and ought displease her, and which thou 1041

Ought’st not to seek: but pray imagine now 1042

That such were her desire, and thou not go, 1043

Equal the doubt is, the losse equal; so, 1044

I think it better that couragiusly 1045

Thou like a man, than like a coward, die. 1046

Ar’t silent? thou’rt o’recome, confesse I pray 1047

This love Aminta; it occasion may 1048

Thy greater Vict’ry; let’s go then. 1049

AMINTA

I pray.

THIRSIS

What, stay! seest not how fast the time does run? 1050

AMINTA

Pray let us think first wht is to be done. 1051

THIRSIS

We by the way wil think the rest, but who 1052

Do’s too much think things, seldom wel doth do. 1053

CHORUS

Love, who can teach us thy mysterious art? 1054

Who thy divinest fancies can impart? 1055

Where may we learne them? who can them display? 1056

Since (though the mind them comprehend) away? 1057

Arm’d with thy wing’d prowes, they soare above, 1058

Not learned Athens ere the art of love 1059

Could teach, nor its Liceo could it shew, 1060

Phebus in Helicon thy art ne’r knew; 1061

He could discourse of love, ʼtis true, but so, 1062

As if he did thy art but blindly know, 1063

Or were a learner, cold were his desires, 1064

Nor did his voice burn with celestiall fires, 1065

As fits thy power, nor could his thoughts arise 1066

To comprehend thy sacred mysteries; 1067

Thou only, Love, a worthy master art, 1068

In thy sublime, and more then heav’nly art; 1069

To rustick brests thou mak’st known those Divine 1070

And most Celestiall Characters of thine, 1071

Writ by thine own hand in anothers eye, 1072

Thy faithfull servants tongues thou dost untie: 1073

And mak’st them glide in pure and nobler stream’s, 1074

Then ever issu’d from Poetick veines; 1075

By thee divinest love there’s more exprest 1076

In broken words and speeches, then the best 1077

Of Orators can do, and more doth move 1078

Thy silence, then their Rhetorick, to love: 1079

Heart-conquering, Love to others, leave will I 1080

To learn thy art in blind philosophy, 1081

Or from the learned schooles: I only will 1082

In faire ey’s study this mysterious skill; 1083

And their high stiles and Poetry will lesse, 1084

Then shall my rough or rustick rimes, express: 1085

Act III

Scen. 1.

(Thirsis Chorus of Shepherds)

THIRSIS

O Horrid cruelty! unheard! unseen! 1086

Or ever yet remembered to have been 1087

In humane brest; three hundred times, nay four 1088

Ingratefull sex; thou nymph ingrateful more. 1089

Why didst thou, Nature, show thy utmost art, 1090

Thus in adorning womans outward part? 1091

Why did’st her beaut’ous countenance indue 1092

With such a sun-like soul-bewitching hue? 1093

And didst afford to grace her mind within 1094

Nothing but falsenesse, cruelty and sin. 1095

Negligent Mistresse! But ay me, my dear 1096

Aminta will have slain himself, I fear; 1097

ʼTis full three houres that round about the ground, 1098

Where I him left I sought him, but have found 1099

Nor him, nor yet his footsteps, ’tis too plain 1100

May tell me news of him, friends did you see 1101

I clearly see that he himself hath slain; 1102

Aminta or hear of him? 1103

But stay, perhaps those shepherds yonder be 1104

CHORUS

Thou dost show 1105

So troubled; that the cause we fain would know 1106

Of this thy grief; from whence proceeds this sweat? 1107

This sorrow; tel us if thou think’st it meet. 1108

THIRSIS

I fear Aminta’s ill, did you him see? 1109

CHORUS

No him we have not seen, since that from thee 1110

Long since he parted; but pray tell us plain 1111

What dost thou fear? 1112

THIRSIS

Lest he himself have slain.

CHORUS

That he ha’s slain himself! but what could move 1113

Him such an act to do? 1114

THIRSIS

Hatred and love.

CHORUS

Who two such potent enemies don’t fear? 1115

What can’t they do? but tel us pray more clear. 1116

THIRSIS

His great love of a nymph, and her no smal 1117

Hatred of him. 1118

CHORUS

Nay prethee tell us all;

This is a place of passage, and whilst you 1119

Relate it, news may brought be; perhaps too 1120

Himself may come mean-while. 1121

THIRSIS

I willingly

Recount it wil, that the just infamy 1122

Of such a strange ingratitude may rest 1123

Upon that cruel and remorselest breast; 1124

Aminta told was (I alas was he 1125

That told it him and he was led by me, 1126

Now I repent me) that his Silvia dear 1127

This day with Daphne in a fountain clear 1128

Would bath her naked limbs, he thither went 1129

Not mov’d by his desire, but to content 1130

My importunities: oft back have gone 1131

He would; but that I still did thrust him on; 1132

Now when we come were to the fountain nigh; 1133

We thought we heard a womans woefull cry, 1134

And not far off we Daphne saw, her ey’s 1135

Swollen with tears, when she saw us, her cries 1136

Did pierce the heav’ns, run and make haste, said she, 1137

Silvia is forc’d. Amintas presently, 1138

Not staying to hear more, flew away so 1139

Swift as I never yet saw swifter Do: 1140

I followed him; when, lo, we straightaway see 1141

The beauteous Silvia ti’d unto a tree; 1142

The rope to tie her was her brightest hair, 1143

Which in a thousand knots intangled were 1144

About the plants; that girdle us’d to be 1145

The former warder of her chastitie, 1146

Was us’d now to her rape, and serv’d to bind 1147

Unto the tree her snow-white hands behind. 1148

The very plant it self did condescend 1149

To this foule act, and seem’d as ’twere to lend 1150

It’s ful assistance to the rape; for round 1151

About her legs two pliant twigs were bound; 1152

Just before her a cruel Satyre stood, 1153

With looks denoting villany and blood, 1154

Who finisht had to bind her; she poor heart 1155

Did strive with all her force and all her art, 1156

But what (alas!) could all her force or skil 1157

Prevail ’gainst him who had such strength at will; 1158

Aminta with his sharp wel-brandish’d dart 1159

Aim’d at, but mist, the cursed Satyres heart; 1160

I gather’d up what stones I could, but he 1161

Seeing us two, thought it was best to flee: 1162

We him pursu’d, Aminta as his flight 1163

Gave leave, turn’d back his ey’s to have the sight 1164

Of her fair members, which more soft by far 1165

Seem’d than Swans down, and whiter much than are 1166

The snow-deck’d Alpes, but when we had in vain 1167

Pursu’d the rogue, he turning back again 1168

Accosts her thus, Pardon, O Silvia fair, 1169

These hands of mine, which with such boldness dare 1170

Approach thy members, for they’re forc’d to loose 1171

These knots which ministred to thy abuse; 1172

Then since that fortune has been pleas’d to send 1173

Them such a blisse, let it not thee offend. 1174

CHORUS

Words that would mollifie a heart of stone! 1175

What answer did she gave him them? 1176

THIRSIS

Why none:

But looking down disdainfully, she tride, 1177

All that she could, her fairest breasts to hide; 1178

He from the tree begins her hair to loose; 1179

And thus he seem’d to say, Durst thou abuse 1180

These golden curls, base plant? which do to thee 1181

So great an honour; ah, unworthy be 1182

Thy branches of such knots, what vantage pray 1183

Can we poor Lovers boast of? Since trees may 1184

Enjoy those comforts which we want, entwine 1185

By force those locks which blesse these hands of mine 1186

By their bare touch; this done he from behind 1187

Unties the knot, and does her hands unbind; 1188

In manner so as if he seem’d to fear 1189

Their touch, and yet to touch could not forbear; 1190

Then stoops that he might loose her feet, but she 1191

Finding her hands were now at libertie, 1192

Looks on him scornfully, says touch not, I 1193

Am Dians nymph. I can my feet untie 1194

CHORUS

Can so much pride reign in so fair a heart? 1195

O for so good an act ingrateful part!, 1196

THIRSIS

He did respectfully himself retire 1197

Not looking on her, though he did desire, 1198

Deny’d himself that pleasure, which on trial 1199

He fear’d would give her trouble of denial; 1200

I heard and saw all this, and hid did lie, 1201

And though about to check her cruelty; 1202

Yet I with-held: but heare the most unkind 1203

Part of all yet; she did at length unbind 1204

Her self, scarce loose, nor bidding him adieu, 1205

Faster then fleetest Stag away she flew; 1206

And yet to fear I’m sure she cause had none, 1207

For his respect to her was ful wel known. 1208

CHORUS

Why did she fly then? 1209

THIRSIS

She would of her rape

The rescue attribute to her escape, 1210

Not to his modest love. 1211

CHORUS

Ingrateful too

In this! but what said he? what did he do? 1212

THIRSIS

I know not, I vext at her rigor, ran 1213

To overtake and hold her but in vain; 1214

For soon I lost her track, then turning, where 1215

I left Aminta, could not find him there; 1216

My heart presages ill, for this I’m sure 1217

He’d rather die than this sad chance endure: 1218

CHORUS

The custom ʼtis (we know) of those that are 1219

In love, to threaten death, but very rare 1220

Are those effect it. 1221

THIRSIS

I’l go to the cave

Of sage Elpino, where I sure shal have 1222

News of him if he lives, for that’s his hant; 1223

There on his oaten pipe he us’d to chant 1224

Sweet songs, and there lament him of his love, 1225

And make the very rocks and mountains move; 1226

The Rivers stop their course to hear his layes, 1227

The trees incline, and wild beasts leave their preys. 1228

Scen. 2.

(Aminta Daphne Nerina.)

AMINTA

Pitilesse pity Daphne sure was thine, 1229

When thou with-heldst this hand, this dart of mine; 1230

That so my death being delay’d by fate 1231

Might be more bitter by how much more late; 1232

And why dost trace me thus? or thinkst to force 1233

Hope into me by this thy vain discourse: 1234

What dost thou fear? that I my self should slay, 1235

Thou fear’st my good; then prethee goe away; 1236

DAPHNE

Despair not thus Aminta, for if I 1237

Know Silvia wel, ʼtwas shame that made her fly, 1238

Not cruelty. 1239

AMINTA

Alas! there is for me

No way but to despair, since hope wil be 1240

As’t ha’s been yet my ruine, stil I find 1241

It strives as ʼtwere to blossom in my mind; 1242

And whispers to me live, and can ought be 1243

Worse then a life, to such a wretch as me? 1244

DAPHNE

Live wretch, live stil I say, and let this be 1245

Support unto thee in thy misery; 1246

That if thy hope in life do but maintain thee, 1247

At length thar naked fair one it will gain thee. 1248

AMINTA

Both love and fortune, though that at the brink 1249

Of wrechednesse I was, yet did not think 1250

Me yet forlorn enough, until that I 1251

Had fully seen what fully both denie. 1252

NERINA

Must I then alwaies have the luck to be 1253

The messenger of such sad news? ay me! 1254

Wretched Mantano! what sad heart wil thine 1255

Be when thou com’st to hear this newes of mine? 1256

O sad and des’late father thou, nay rather, 1257

By losse of thy dear Silvia, no more Father! 1258

DAPHNE

I a sad voice to hear. 1259

AMINTA

And I hear sound

The name of Silvia, which my heart do’s wound. 1260

Who is it names her? 1261

DAPHNE

it seemes at first sight

To be Nerina, Cynthia’s cheife delight, 1262

Who ha’s so sweet comportment, so fair face, 1263

Such charming ey’s, such a bewitching Grace. 1264

NERINA

And yet alas, I’m forc’d to let him know 1265

Of this most fatal chance of thine, that so 1266

He may seek those unhappy bones, if no 1267

More rests of thee; oh! my deare Silvia, oh! 1268

AMINTA

Ay me, what say’s she! 1269

NERINA

Daphne,

DAPHNE

what, and why

Do’st to thy self name Silvia, and then cry. 1270

NERINA

Alas! with reason I lament her sad 1271

And cruel fate; 1272

AMINTA

What fate can be so bad

To make thee thus lament? Ay me, I feele 1273

My heart a dying, as though pierc’d with steele, 1274

Is she alive? 1275

DAPHNE

Prethee to us relate

What thus thou mutter’st of her desp’rate fate. 1276

NERINA

Ye Gods! why am I messenger? yet I 1277

Must tel’t: did she, you know the reason why 1278

Come e’n now naked to my Lodg, and there 1279

Re-cloath’d her selfe again; she by her pray’r 1280

Prevail’d with me, that I would with her go 1281

In Eliceto for to hunt a Do. 1282

I pleas’d her, and we went when, neer the ground, 1283

Gather’d together many Nymphs we found; 1284

Scarce had we spoke to them, when lo we see 1285

A mighty wolfe start from behind a tree, 1286

Great out of measure was he, and with blood 1287

His nose was di’d, he fiercely looking stood; 1288

Silvia streight to her bow an arrow fits, 1289

And she nere us’d to misse; so now she hits 1290

Him just upon the head, he fly’s again 1291

Into the wood, she followes him amaine. 1292

AMINTA

O sad beginning, which do’s pierce my heart! 1293

What end wilt have? 1294

NERINA

I with another dart

Follow’d her track, but at great distance, since 1295

She was i’th wood ere I could move me thence, 1296

Yet I her footsteps made a shift to trace, 1297

Until I came to the most desert place 1298

Of all the wood, where, lo, by chance I found 1299

My dearest Silvia’s dart upon the ground, 1300

And not farr off from it I did espy 1301

That snow-white vaile, which I my selfe did ty 1302

Upon her head, which as you see is di’d 1303

With crimson gore, and looking round I spi’d 1304

Seven fierce wolves, which seem’d to lick the blood 1305

Of a nak’d body, about which they stood, 1306

Such was my hap, and so intent they were 1307

Upon their prey, they saw not I was there; 1308

So I return’d, and this is the full tale 1309

I tell of Silvia can, see here the vaile. 1310

AMINTA

Th’ast told too much, this vaile, and this blood be 1311

Sure tokens of her death. 1312

DAPHNE

Ah poore wretch! he

Is dead with greife too. 1313

NERINA

No, he breathes, revives,

ʼTis but a sudden fainting, see he lives. 1314

AMINTA

Greise, why? (alas!) do’st thou torment me so, 1315

And do’st not kill outright? if thou too flow 1316

Beest, or wouldst have my hand the instrument 1317

To do’t, to this I’me very well content; 1318

And it shal execute that death which thou 1319

Refusest, or to do, or know’st not how; 1320

Then since the certainty of this we know, 1321

And nothing wants now to augment my woe; 1322

Why should I longer stay? oh Daphne! why 1323

Did’st not permit me, when I would, to die? 1324

To this sad end reserv’dst thou me? to this! 1325

Sure sweet my death had been, nay more a blisse, 1326

And greatest happinesse, had but that dart, 1327

Which cruel thou withhelden, pier’d my heart. 1328

But heav’ns deni’d it, and did feare least that 1329

I by my sudden death forerun should, what 1330

They had ordain’d me, now my utmost ill 1331

They executed have, permit they will 1332

To make the full summe of their cruelty: 1333

And thou permi too must) that I may dy. 1334

DAPHNE

Restrain this frantick humour of thy youth, 1335

Until we do heare further of the truth. 1336

AMINTA

Why do’st thou strive to keep me off with such 1337

Delay’s? I’ve staid too long, and heard too much. 1338

NERINA

I would I had been dumb. 1339

AMINTA

Nymph, pray bestow

On me that blood-bespotted Vail; that so 1340

Small, but whole relique of my Silvia; 1341

That since no more there rests of her, it may 1342

Witnesse my death, and if there ought can be 1343

To do’t may serve t’augment my misery; 1344

Though, I confest, ʼtis not so small that I 1345

Need to increase it, to perswade me dy. 1346

NERINA

Had I best giv’t him, or deny’t him? I 1347

Think for th’occasion I were best deny. 1348

AMINTA

What cruell one! so small a gift to me, 1349

Who am resolv’d nere to ask more of thee? 1350

In this too wretched fate, I yeeld with you, 1351

Then let the Vaile remain, and so adieu; 1352

I go to turn no more. 1353

DAPHNE

Aminta, stay,

Gods! with what fury do’s he fly away? 1354

NERINA

He flies so fast, that it will be in vaine 1355

To follow him, I down in yonder plaine 1356

Wil seek Montano, but I do not know 1357

If I were best to tell the newes or no. 1358

CHORUS

There is no cause, which death may move 1359

To bind him, ha’s a noble heart; 1360

His faith’s enough first, then his love, 1361

Nor is so hard of love the art. 1362

By him alone that loves wel, love is sought, 1363

And like a Merchandise by love is bought; 1364

And seeking love we often find 1365

A Glory, which we leave behind. 1366

Act IV

Scen. 1.

(Daphne, Silvia and Chore of Shepherds.)

DAPHNE

That wind that brought the sad new’s of thy death, 1367

Brought with it likewise in the selfe same breath 1368

Thy present and thy future ill, and thou 1369

(Thanks be to God) art live and well, when now 1370

I deem’d thee dead; Nerina with such greife 1371

It told: had she been dumb, or others deaf. 1372

SILVIA

The danger sure was great, and she indeed 1373

DAPHNE

A just occasion for to tell it, though, 1374

She had not, but let me thy danger know, 1375

And how thou scap’dst. 1376

SILVIA

I’ll tell thee, I, in chase

Of a fierce wolf, unto the thickest place 1377

Came of the wood, so that I quite the track 1378

Did of his footsteps loose, but turning back 1379

Again, I spi’d him; by my shaft I knew 1380

On a dead carkase they had newly slain; 1381

That ʼtwas the same wolf first before me flew. 1382

He with some others feeding was amain, 1383

Of what I could not well discern, but he 1384

Leaving his prey came running after me. 1385

I stood him; with intent to make him feel, 1386

My dart than arrow was the sharper steel; 1387

And thou knowst well I’m mistresse of the art, 1388

Of brandishing and lacing wel a dart; 1389

I seldom use to misse, and so, when nigh 1390

Enough I thought him, I my dart let fly, 1391

But was it fault of fortune, or of me, 1392

I mist the wolf, and stuck it in a tree: 1393

The Wolf more fiercely at me runs, and I, 1394

Seeing ʼtwas vain to use my bow, did fly: 1395

He follows me, (now hear a chance,) my vail 1396

Hap’d to untie, and with the murm’ring gale 1397

Came through the woods, blew up and down, at last 1398

Abot a bough tangled it self so fast, 1399

That though my force redoubled was, my strength 1400

Could not prevail a rescue, but at length, 1401

Seeing no was to’scape, I thought it best 1402

Quite to untie it, and there let it rest; 1403

Which done, I ran again with all my might, 1404

Feare adding thousand wings unto my flight, 1405

That he nere joyn’d me, and I came out safe 1406

Unto my lodge, where first of all I have 1407

Encountred thee, and wondred much to see 1408

Thee stand amaz’d, and wondring so at me. 1409

DAPHNE

Thou liv’st, alas! but others not. 1410

SILVIA

doth’t greive

Thee Daphne then that I am still alive? 1411

Hat’st thou me so? 1412

DAPHNE

no Silvia, I’m full glad

Thou liv’st, anothers death ʼtis makes me sad. 1413

SILVIA

Whose death? 1414

DAPHNE

Amintaʼs.

SILVIA

Is he dead, and how?

DAPHNE

Well how I cannot tell, nor do I know 1415

If it be certain. 1416

SILVIA

Strange! but canʼt divine

What was the occasion of his death? 1417

DAPHNE

why? thine.

SILVIA

I understand thee not. 1418

DAPHNE

The tidings sad

Brought of thy wretched death, such power had 1419

O’re him, poore soul, and o’re his wearied life, 1420

That I beleive ʼthas brought him cord or knife. 1421

SILVIA

I hope that vaine will this suspect of thine 1422

Be of his death, as vain was that of mine; 1423

For when men come to the effect, they strive 1424

(Let them boast what they wil befare) to live. 1425

DAPHNE

Silvia, thou know’st not what the fire of love 1426

Can in a heart that’s not of marble move, 1427

But thine’s more hard than stone, else thou believe 1428

Would’st him, for whom thou yet seem’st not to grieve; 1429

And would’st have lov’d him who far more did prize 1430

Thy love, than the dear apples of her ey’s. 1431

I wel believ’d him, knew, and saw’t, when he 1432

Having unloos’d thee (Tigresse) from the tree, 1433

An act that would have forc’d thee him to love, 1434

Had’st had a heart; but what is’t thee can move? 1435

I say I saw him there reverse his dart 1436

And with his ful force strive to pierce his heart; 1437

Nor did repent him, though at first he did 1438

It in his crimson gore; but once more tri’d 1439

To make it enter farther, and he sure 1440

Had pierc’d his heart, but I could not endure 1441

To see’t, so staid him; yet believe the rage 1442

Of that small wound did not at all asswage 1443

His desp’rate constancy, but onely made 1444

A freer passage for his thirsty blade. 1445

SILVIA

What dost thou tell? 1446

DAPHNE

I saw him too when he

First understood news of the death of thee 1447

To swound for grief; reviv’d, he fled away 1448

In fury with intent himself to slay: 1449

And he’l have done it surely. 1450

SILVIA

Think’st thou so.

DAPHNE

I cannot doubt it. 1451

SILVIA

Oh my Daphne, oh

Why followedst not to hinder him, with me 1452

Come now and seek to find him; for if he, 1453

Thinking me dead, resolv’d himself to kill, 1454

Sure now I live, remain in life he will. 1455

DAPHNE

I follow’d him, and sought him, but in vain, 1456

For when he once got out of sight, again 1457

I could not find him, nor his footsteps; thou 1458

Then whither, prethee, wilt go seek him now? 1459

SILVIA

Alas let’s go however, for if we 1460

Don’t stay him, he will his own murd’rer be. 1461

DAPHNE

Perhaps it grieves thee then that any one 1462

Should boast of killing him, but thee alone; 1463

Or cruel one dost think it scorn, his heart 1464

Should wounded be by any, but thy dart? 1465

Content thy self, how e’re he dies, yet he 1466

Dies for thy sake, thou wilt his murd’rer be. 1467

SILVIA

Ay melthy comfort’s harsh, but now I find 1468

That grief of heart, which overswayes my mind; 1469

For his sad chance imbittered is the more, 1470

By now much I was rigorous before, 1471

And the remembrance of my cruelty 1472

Torments me now, I call’d it honesty, 1473

And so it was, but too severe by far, 1474

Too cruel since it did all pity bar; 1475

Now I repent me. 1476

DAPHNE

Strange! what do I hear?

Pitiful thou? what can thy flint heart bear 1477

The least impress’on? weep’st thou? what can move 1478

These tears? are they of pity or of love? 1479

SILVIA

They tears of love not, but of pity, are. 1480

DAPHNE

Pity to love is alwaies messenger, 1481

As lightning to the thunder. 1482

CHORUS

Oft when rest

He hidden seeks within a virgins breast, 1483

Who had with too strict honesty before, 1484

Against his fly charms shut and barr’d the door: 1485

He of mild pitie his fond servant takes 1486

The shape and habit, and so entrance makes. 1487

DAPHNE

Silvia, these tears of love be, ʼtis too plain 1488

Art silent? dost thou love? thou lov’st in vain: 1489

O divine force of love! how justly thou 1490

Chastisest those who don’t thy pow’r avow! 1491

Wretched Aminta! like the Bee who leaves 1492

Sorrow to him he stings, but yet bereaves 1493

Himself of life: so now thou victor art, 1494

And dying wounded hast that stony heart 1495

Which living thou ne’r couldst, and if thou be 1496

A wandring spir’t, as I believe, then see 1497

Her tears, and though to thee all joy be past, 1498

Rejoyce that thou hast overcome at last. 1499

Lover in life, belov’d in death; if thy 1500

Fate ʼtwere not to be lov’d til thou didst die, 1501

Or if this cruel one at no lesse price 1502

Would fell her love, then to him for it dies; 1503

See thou hast given her price she sought, 1504

And with thy early death, her love hast bought. 1505

CHORUS

Dear price to him that gave it, but more griev- 1506

Ous far (alas) to her did it receive. 1507

SILVIA

Could I but with my love his life regain, 1508

Or with my life call him from death again! 1509

DAPHNE

Ah pitiful too late! and too late wife, 1510

Pity assists not where fate help denies. 1511

Scen. 2.

(Ergasto Chore of Shepherds Silvia Daphne.)

ERGASTO

So full my breast of pity is, and so 1512

Clogd up with horror, that I do not know 1513

Whither to turn me, nothing comes to fight, 1514

Nothing I hear, which doth not me affright. 1515

CHORUS

What newes brings our Ergasto? sure ʼtis bad, 1516

His countenance and accent both are sad. 1517

ERGASTO

I bring the sad news of Aminta’s death. 1518

SILVIA

Ay me! 1519

ERGASTO

The noblest shepherd that did breath

Within those woods; whose sweet comportments were 1520

Unto the nymphs, and muses both, so dear. 1521

CHORUS

And is he dead? and how? relate that we 1522

May his untimely end lament with thee. 1523

SILVIA

I dare not listen to this sad discourse, 1524

Nor yet go near to hear it, though of force 1525

Hear it I must, wicked relentlesse heart 1526

Of mine, what fear’st thou? go receive that dart 1527

Which he brings in his tongue; that so there-by 1528

May be made known thy heartlesse cruelty. 1529

Shepherd I come a partner here to be 1530

Of thy grief, which thou promist’s others, me 1531

Perhaps it more concerns, and as a due 1532

Debt of my rigor I receiv’t from you. 1533

ERGASTO

Nymph, I believe thee well; for at his death 1534

He with thy name gave up his latest breath. 1535

DAPHNE

Now begin this sad story. 1536

ERGASTO

I surround

The Mount did with some nets, spread on the ground, 1537

When, lo, Amintas passed by, and he 1538

Was too much chang’d from what he us’d to be, 1539

Too troubled, and too sad; I ran and staid 1540

Him, though with much ado; he to me staid: 1541

Ergasto I’d intreat a courtesie 1542

Of thee, ʼtis this, to come along with me, 1543

And be a witnesse of what I shal do, 1544

But this I shal requier first of you, 1545

That by streight oath your firmest faith you bind 1546

Neither to hinder nor oppose my mind; 1547

I (for who could have thought so strange a case, 1548

Or such mad fury?) let his will take place 1549

And did conjure, Pan, Pales, Priapus, 1550

And all those gods are honour’d most by us; 1551

He at my oaths went forward, and me led 1552

There where the cliffy rock hangs o’re it’s head: 1553

Road it was none, for there no path at all, 1554

But from the mount, a precipice doth fall 1555

Into th’adjacent valley; here a stop 1556

We made, when I with looking from the top, 1557

Such was the height, so level to the ground, 1558

That with a giddinesse my head turn’d round; 1559

I started back, he smil’d to see me start, 1560

Which too much did assure my fearlesse heart. 1561

Then to me said, Ergasto, I’d have thee 1562

Recount to Nymphs and Pastors what thou’lt see, 1563

So looking down began — 1564

Had I here ready to my will, 1565

Thee teeth of rav’nous wolves to spill 1566

My blood, I’d onely choose that death, 1567

By which she di’d who was my breath: 1568

They tear this body should of mine, 1569

As they did that fair corps of thine; 1570

But since that heav’n is so unjust 1571

As to deny, (though die I must) 1572

My death desired, nor will send 1573

Fierce beasts to help me to my end; 1574

I’l find a death, though not the due, 1575

Shall end my life as soon as you. 1576

Silvia I come, I come to thee, 1577

Disdain not then my company; 1578

Contentedly I shall endure 1579

The sharpest death, were I but sure 1580

ʼTwould not again begin our strife, 1581

Thy anger ceas’d were with thy life. 1582

Threw himself down; I frozen stood like Ice. 1583

DAPHNE

Wretched Aminta! 1584

SILVIA

Ay poor me!

CHORUS

But why

Some way to hinder him didst thou not try? 1585

Perhaps thy promis’d oath did thee refrain. 1586

ERGASTO

No; for, rejecting oaths in that case vain 1587

When I discern’d his purpose, though too late, 1588

I ran to stay him; such was his hard fate, 1589

But he went with such force it could not bear 1590

His body’s weight, and so it did remain 1591

Thus broken in my hands. 1592

CHORUS

But what became

Of the unhappy corps? 1593

ERGASTO

That know not I,

I had not heart enough to see it lie: 1594

(Pity and horror having fill’d the place) 1595

CHORUS

O strange case!

SILVIA

If this newes kil’s not me, my heart’s of stone, 1596

Or rather I believe that I have none; 1597

Shall the false rumour of my death have such 1598

Power o’re his life, whom I did hate so much? 1599

And shall not his true death, who life did leave 1600

For love of me, me of my life bereave? 1601

It shall: and if that griefe can’t do’t, a knife, 1602

Or else this girdle shall command my life; 1603

This girdle left behind, alone to be 1604

The just revenger of my cruelty; 1605

Unhappy girdle of a Master farr 1606

Unhappier, disdaine not that you are 1607

Lodg’d in this justly to thee hatefull brest, 1608

Since there thou as an instrument do’st rest 1609

Of that revenge, which is in justice due 1610

To your so haplesse Master, and to you; 1611

For since twas by my cruelty deni’d 1612

Aminta should my confort here abide, 1613

ʼTis just I should by work of thine be made 1614

His confort, in the sweet Elizian shade. 1615

CHORUS

Comfort thy selfe poore wretch, thou fault hast none 1616

In this, but fault of fortune ʼtis alone. 1617

SILVIA

Shepherds, weep not for me, your tears you loose, 1618

Those pity don’t deserve, who none did use, 1619

Or if we weep, his losse ye weep in vain, 1620

Since that deserves a far more dolefull streine; 1621

And thou too, Daphne, dry those teares of thine, 1622

If from no other cause they come than mine; 1623

This I’d intreat thee do, not for my sake, 1624

But for his worthy was, the pains to take, 1625

To go with me to see those wretched bones, 1626

I feare me, crush’d among the rocks and stones, 1627

And helpe to bury them, and when that I 1628

Have perform’d this, what should I do but dy? 1629

This office I’l repay him, since no more, 1630

I can, for that great love which he me bore; 1631

And though these hands of mine contaminate 1632

Will this good work: yet since pernicious fate 1633

Permits me only to do this; I know 1634

It will be deare to him, he lov’d me so. 1635

DAPHNE

Who would their help to such a work deny? 1636

But afterwards thou must not think to dy. 1637

SILVIA

Till now I liv’d, have to my selfe alone, 1638

And to my cruelty, what rests, to none 1639

I’l live but to Aminta: and if fade, 1640

My hopes do there, I’l live to his cold shade, 1641

So long I’l live, till in one point can I 1642

Finish his saddest obsequies, and dy; 1643

Shepherd direct me, that I may not faile 1644

To find the way which leads unto the vale; 1645

Where ends the cursed precipice. 1646

ERGASTO

You are

Just in the way, nor it is very far. 1647

DAPHNE

Come, I’l go with thee, thou my foot steps trace, 1648

And I’l thee lead directly to the place. 1649

SILVIA

Then Shepherds, Nimphs, Meadows, and Plaines adieu; 1650

Woods, Rivers, Fountains, all farewell to you. 1651

ERGASTO

Alas! she takes her leave with sighs so sore, 1652

As if she were resolv’d to turn no more. 1653

CHORUS

What death must yeeld, that love retains, 1654

Thou peace’s friend, he wars unkind, 1655

Ever his triumphs, vaunts and reignes; 1656

And whil’st thoudo’st twofair souls bind; 1657

Thou rendr’st earth so like the heavenly sphear, 1658

That thou thy selfe deign’st to inhabit here; 1659

There is no anger there above 1660

And thou hast mortal brest inclin’d 1661

By thy divinest art of love; 1662

To put all hatred out of mind; 1663

And with a pow’r exceeding earthly Kings 1664

Thou here below dost govern mortall things. 1665

Act V

Scen. 1.

(Elpino Chore of Shepherds.)

ELPINO

In truth, the divine law by which love sway’s 1666

His sacred Empire is not hard nor stray’s 1667

In oblique paths, sage providence the guide 1668

Is of his workers, and all his actions glide 1669

In deepest mysteries, see by what art 1670

By what strange uncouth meanes he leads a heart 1671

To happinesse! and when man thinks that he 1672

Is now arriv’d at th’depth of misery 1673

And wretchednesse, why then the winged boy 1674

Transports him to the paradise of joy. 1675

Behold Aminta, by this fall ascends 1676

To his long with’d-for, and desired ends; 1677

Happy Aminta, happy so much more, 1678

By how much more mis’rable thou before; 1679

By thy example why should I despaire, 1680

But rather hope that cruell one, though faire, 1681

My wounded heart, and may true pity have 1682

Who under smiles of pity doth conceale 1683

Her mortall rigor, now at length may heale 1684

To cure that wound, her feigned pity gave. 1685

CHORUS

See how the sage Elpino yonder walkes, 1686

And to himselfe of poor Aminta talkes, 1687

As though he living were; he fortunate 1688

And happy calls him, O the sad estate 1689

Of lovers! in his judgement so misled, 1690

To call those happy, who find pity dead? 1691

Is this the paradise of joy? is this 1692

His wish’d contentment, his desired blisse? 1693

Is this the great reward, the greatest ease 1694

Love gives his servants? can this so much please? 1695

Can this suffice? Elpino, is so bad, 1696

Thy luck, that thou stil’st fortunate the sad 1697

Death of Aminta? such an end do’st crave? 1698

ELPINO

No Shepherds, no; but let your sorrows have 1699

An end; false the report is, he was dead. 1700

CHORUS

O! how much comfort hath this good newʼs bred? 1701

Did he not then himselfe precipitate? 1702

ELPINO

He did, but his more than thrice blessed fate 1703

Under deaths dolefull image did him give 1704

Both life and joy: shepherds, he still doth live, 1705

And lives content; for now his head doth rest 1706

On his deare Nymphs so much desired breast; 1707

She whom before, nor tears, nor sighs could move 1708

To pity him, is now as full of love, 1709

Is now as mercifull; and from his eyʼs 1710

With her own mouth his teares of joy she dryʼs. 1711

I go to seek her father, old Montane, 1712

And to conduct him unto yonder plaine 1713

Where they two be, for nothing to the fill 1714

Of their content there wants, but his good will. 1715

CHORUS

Equal their birth is, equal are their years 1716

Their wills agree, and good Montane, who bears 1717

Defiers to have nephews, and to fence, 1718

His drooping age with such a sweet defence, 1719

Will make his will be theirs; but dear Elpine 1720

Relate to us what fate, what god divine 1721

Could of our poor Aminta such care have 1722

As might in that fame despʼrate fall him save. 1723

ELPINO

I am content to tell it, and no man 1724

I’m sure can tell it better then I can. 1725

Just at the entrance of my cave stood I, 1726

Which you know well at the hils foot doth lie; 1727

I reasoning was of her, who in a net 1728

First Thirsis caught, and after me, and yet 1729

I did my thraldom far prefer above 1730

His life of freedom, or his flight from love, 1731

When a strange voice our ears and ey’s did call 1732

Up to the top, from whence to see one fall, 1733

And see him on a bush of briers light, 1734

Which stood in the mid-way, was all one sight; 1735

Nature had planted on the mountain’s side 1736

A sett of thornes, so thick, that they seem’d ti’d, 1737

Or wove together, here at first he fell, 1738

Which, though ʼtwas like a net, yet could not well 1739

His bodi’s weight susteine, but let him go 1740

Quite through, that at our feet he fell; yet so 1741

Much of the force and shock it took away, 1742

That ʼtwas not mortall, only there he lay 1743

Astonished, and void of sence. Amaz’d 1744

We at the sad chance stood, but when we gaz’d 1745

More neerly on, and knew him, then our trouble, 1746

Our sorrow, and our anguish did redouble; 1747

But to our griefe it was some small reprieve 1748

That he was not quite dead, perhaps might live; 1749

Then Thirsis t’ me the secrets did discover 1750

Of his disconsolate and desp’rate lover 1751

We knowing ʼtwas in vain him to lament 1752

Bethought a remedy; and while we sent 1753

For learned Esculapius, whom Apollo 1754

Taught, Physicks art when he him us’d to follow: 1755

At the same time he did on me bestow 1756

The skil to tune a harp, and bend a bow. 1757

Silvia and Daphne thither seeking came 1758

That body which they did believe was slain; 1759

When Silvia saw Aminta’s cheeks once fair 1760

Now void of life, now grown so pallid were, 1761

So wan that the bleak violet display’s 1762

Not half that palenesse scorch’d by Phebus rayes: 1763

She stupifi’d neer void of sense doth rest 1764

Lamenting, crying, beating her fair breast 1765

She on him falls, to take her latest kisse, 1766

And joyn’d his face to hers, her mouth to his. 1767

CHORUS

Could she that was so coy, now not restrain 1768

Her passion but extend the bounds of shame. 1769

ELPINO

Weak love is held by shame, but love grows bold 1770

As strong, what is it then can it with-hold: 1771

She as though in her ey’s she did contain 1772

Fountains of tears, did with such plenty rain 1773

Them on his cheeks, and they such vertue had, 1774

That it reviv’d again the breathlesse lad; 1775

His ey’s he weakly opens, and he sends 1776

From his afflicted soule a sigh, which ends 1777

In his dear Silvia’s spirit, by her sweet 1778

Mouth it was catch’t and seem’d with it to meet; 1779

Her Echo quite enliv’ned him, but who 1780

Could now declare the joy possest these two; 1781

Aminta thought ʼtwas more then heav’nly charms, 1782

That thus enclasp’d him in his Silvia’s armes; 1783

He that loves servant is, perhaps may guesse 1784

Their blisse; but none there is can it expresse. 1785

CHORUS

And is Aminta fully cur’d canst tell? 1786

No danger of his life? 1787

ELPINE

He’s fully well:

ʼTis true he’s somewhat hat bruis’d, but nothing he 1788

Do’s it account, and nothing it will be; 1789

Thrice happy he who did so fully prove 1790

Love’s worst, and now doth tast the sweets of love; 1791

His sufferings and his torments onely be 1792

Sweet seasoning of his felicitie. 1793

Shepherds farewel. For I must once again 1794

Make haste to find out the good old Montane. 1795

CHORUS

Can that Martyrdom he prov’d, 1796

While he serv’d, and while he lov’d, 1797

While he hop’d, while de dispair’d, 1798

While he sigh’d, and while he car’d, 1799

Ever recompensed be 1800

Though with joy’s eternally? 1801

What if sweet things sweeter more 1802

Are when bitter go before? 1803

What if good things better will 1804

Be, if savour’d with some ill? 1805

Yet Love I pray give me the lesse 1806

Not this greater blessednesse. 1807

If thou wilt, blesse others so, 1808

Who this full blisse crave to know: 1809

But let me my nymph enjoy, 1810

For a word or for a toy, 1811

Without sighs, and without care, 1812

Without tears, without despair. 1813

Let the season’ngs of our love, 1814

Such be as may onely move, 1815

(Not such torments or such pain) 1816

Sweet repulses, sweet disdain; 1817

To which kind kisses may succeed, 1818

To show our hearts are still agreed. 2397