University of Virginia Library

THE THIRD ACT.

Enter King and Pyrrhus.
King.
Good morrow, my Lord.

Pyrr.
A good day to your Majesty.
A day as pleasant as your night has been.

King.
Ah Pyrrhus! I wish it indeed.

Pyrr.
I hope your Majesty has been well enough diverted
This night.—

King.
Yes, my Lord, tho' not as you suppose,
I've been diverted from those wild desires
That made me first injure my self, and then
Unlord my Confident, but I have ask'd pardon
Of Heaven, and my own Majesty, and now
I beg it too from you, my Loyal Pyrrhus;
Forgive me that I have profan'd thy faith,
By such Commands, that thou art bound to ask
Blest Heav'n forgiveness for thy Loyalty.

Pyrr.
Your Majesty I hope will give me leave
To wonder at this Change, and understand it,
When you shall please to think me fit for't.

King.
I'le tell thee all—when now the Night
Grew blak enough to hide a sculking action,
I softly stole
To yonder Grotto, through the upper Walks,
And there found my Urania; but I found her,
I found her Pyrrhus, not a Mistress, but
A Goddess rather, which made me to be,
No more her Lover, but her Worshipper:
She onely whisper'd to me as she promis'd,
Yet never heard I any voice so loud,
And tho' her Words were gentler far than those!
That holy Priests do speak to dying Saints;
Yet never Thunder signify'd so much.

Pyrr.
'Plague of her whispering, if this Change be true,
I am in a sweet Condition.—

Aside.
King.
And what did make still more impression on me,
Methought her whispers were my injur'd Queens,
Her manner just like hers, and when she urg'd
(Among a thousand things) the injury
I did the faithfull'st Princess in the World,
Who now suppos'd me sick, and was perchance
Upon her Knees off'ring up holy Vows
For him who mock'd both Heav'n, and her.

Pyrr.
This is very fine I'faith!

King.
When shee urg'd this, and wept, and spake so like
My poor deluded Queen, Pyrrhus, I trembled,
And my hot raging blood straight turn'd to Ice,
I being perswaded that it was her Angel
Spoke through Urania's Lips, who for her sake
Took Care of me as something she much Lov'd.

Pyrr.
aside.
These are unhapyy qualmes for me, I have
No way to keep his favour now, for I am sure
I am good for nothing Else, but what he last
Employ'd me in; but how did you leave her Sir?

King.
Urania still is Chaste, but how do'st think
I shall reward her for this vertuous Action?

Pyrr.
A Curse on her—
Aside.
There are ten thousand wayes Sir.

King.
No, no, for this I must undo her now.

Pyrr.
You make me wonder Sir.

King.
You know she told me,
Endymion was her Servant (a rare man)
That can love Vertue where he sees her poor;
And I shall be constrain'd to banish him
To some remoter Island, unless he'll be
(Which I much doubt) content to marry her.
Within few dayes.

Pyrr.
This is all news.

King.
It is:
But Pyrrhus, thou art worthy of my secrets,
And therefore know, I've lately learnt Cleantha
Loves nothing but Endymion: tho' she has
(Thou knowst) a Prince that Courts her high in birth,
And Fortune too: One worthy of our alliance,
The Prince of Macedon, who by his Father was
Engag'd to marry the King of Thraces eldest Daughter:
But that was hindred by the late rebellion
Where the pious King of Thrace by his inhumane
Subjects was basely murder'd, and his Queen and two
Daughters forc'd to fly for their safety, and never
Since were heard of.

Pyrr.
The great Cleopatra, with her Eldest, who was grown
A Woman, and another who was a little Child.

King.
The same: But since the loss of all these Princesses,
The Prince's affections have engag'd him here;
That was his Fathers Choice, but this his own;
Yet she slights all his Addresses, and last night
I was inform'd 'twas onely for the sake
Of this Endymion, the Certainty
I hope to know from our good Priest, whom I
Employ'd to sound her resolutions,
Whence I shall soon discern Endymions Fate.

Pyrr.
But does Endymion know Cleantha loves him?

King.
I am told he does not: all that can be gather'd
Is but from some few words, she was by chance
O'reheard to say unto her self, too big
For her own breasts Confinement, and too secret
It seems for any others Ear.
But heark! what's yonder?

(Trumpet within.
Pyrr.
I believe Endymion is return'd.

King.
Go and enquire the News of him; I must to'th'
Queen, the Shepherds are to Entertain me here in this
Adjoyning Grove with some of our Arcadian sports,
As they do once a Month: but here's my Niece.
Niece! A good morning to you.—
Enter Cleantha.
What makes you abroad so early?

Clean.
To take the pleasant ayre of this Garden.

King.
Much good may it do you: I'le leave you to your thoughts.

Clean.
Heaven bless you—
Ex King.
—when Ev'ry thing is green
Must poor Cleantha onely wither, and never
Know a Spring? Was I made onely high
Like Rhodope, and Hæmus, or the Alps,
To dwell with everlasting Winter? to wear Snow,
When every Valley is adorn'd with Roses?
Well I must die, then I may also be
Happy as other Folks; the Grave looks Wistly,
Like my Fortune, there I shall not see
Poor Villagers more blest in Love then I,
And there I shall be able to make appear
Cleantha and Endymion Equall are;
Then possibly some of Cleantha's Earth
May prove a little Flower, and look fresher
Then when it was a part of a great Princess.

Enter Urania.
Uran.
Madam! the Queen expects your Highness.

Clean.
I'le wait on her.—
Ex. Cleantha.

Uran.
Endymion is return'd! what shall I do?
To be at once both Just and Civil too.
If I could satisfie Endymion's Love,
I shou'd unjust to great Theander prove;
That Prince who to so mean a thing as I,
(Bred in a little Cottage) did bestow
His Noble Heart, which is a Present fit
For any Princess fruitful Greece can boast of:
From whom if I could give my Love, I would not.
Why did I give my Promise then last night?
And yet the Generous Endymion
Will sure forgive me when he knows the Cause:
He's here; Heaven forgive me, what I'm forc'd to.

Enter Endymion.
Endy.
Madam! I come upon my Knees to beg your pardon.

Uran.
My Lord, it is not well to mock me further,
You have deluded me enough already:
Thus we that are so easie to bestow
Our Love, the greatest Treasure we possess,
Are still neglected by ungrateful men;
But I had thought to have found more truth in you.

Endym.
Madam! 'twas my allegiance forc'd me from you.

Uran.
Those men, who dare offer such injuries,
Never want bolduess to excuse their Crimes.

Endym.
Had I refus'd t'obey my Kings Command,
You could not think me Worthy of your Love.

Uran.
aside)
He speaks a Truth, I ought, but dare not own,
What a fond Fool was I to be so forward
In trusting a Court Lord, to believe
You e're would marry one of my mean Fortune.

Endym.
Dear Urania, I appeal to'th' Gods
Who are honour'd when they'r witnesses to truth.

Uran.
Make no more Vows, I am not to be deceiv'd agen,
I was too foolish to believe your last: Farewell, my Lord.
Aside.]
The Powers above forgive me.—
Ex. Uran.

Endym.
How much unlike Urania is this Passion?
Who us'd to be all Calm, and gentle still:
And sure would be so, did not my unlucky
Stars, that never meant me good, incline
Her to this Anger.—

Ex. Neander.
Nean.
Your servant, my Lord!

Endym.
'Curse on this vain Fop.—
Ex. Endym.

Nean.

Are you so stout; Farewell,—Well! I wonder whom
the Devil intends I shall marry with? I have been a servant, as they
call't; that is, I have Ly'd, and Sworn, and spent Money upon
every Lady about the Court, and still am as far from having one of
them as the very'st Evnuch is; nay more, for they say Evnuchs
have a Trick now a-dayes to please the Ladies Exceedingly:—
I was in most hopes of Evadne, and love her best: but the old Priest
forbids her to see me, or speak with me; Here
she comes!—I will force her to hear me—

Enter Evadne in haste.

Dear Apple of my Eye! why this haste? thou
hast wounded me, and then thou fly'st me.

Evad.

There is a sufficient reason for't.

Nean.

Must then Neander die?

Evad.

My reason is obedience.

Nean.

Obedience to a Priest! we have liv'd to a fine age to be
govern'd by that Tribe i'faith.

Evad.

That Priest is my Father.

Nean.

Ay, and an incomparable father too! that will Chuse
no Husband for you but a heavy headed Fool, that is afraid to
swear, thinks most old Women Witches, and believes that dead
folks walk.

Evad.

Let me go! why do I talk with this vain piece of Frippery.

Nean.

Well, I perceive you will hear no more of your servant.—

Ex. Evadne.

What Sot in all Arcadia, but this old ball'd Hackney Priest, would
not marry his Daughter to my Estate, tho' I were the arrantest
Coxcomb in Greece? So he might have said his Daughter my Lady
such a one, and talk of her Gentlemen Ushers, her Pages, and
her Women, who would Care whether her Husband were a Philosopher
or no? Poor Evadne, thy Mother dy'd too soon for thee;
she, good Woman, would have made a hard shift to have sate at
the uper end of my Lord Neanders Table, to have had occasion to
have made up a fine Mouth, and have said to Evadne, Daughter,
you don't help my Lord, &c. well! I'le be aveng'd on some body
for this.

Enter Geron.
Ger.

For my Wife, I have secur'd her under two double Locks
and Keys; the Devil's in't if she breaks Prison now: I'le keep her
from these publick Meetings: She, like a Strumpet, was mad to
be at this Entertainment of the Shepherds.

Nean.

Here's a fellow in a worse condition with a Wife, then I am
for want of one.

Ger.

Hell take this Lord! must I still see him where e're I go—
My Lord, your most obedient servant.

Nean.

Geron! how is it?

Ger.

How is what? but let it be how it will I care not.

Nean.

How does your Wife?

Ger.

Furies seize this damn'd Lord!—

Aside.

My honour'd Lord! my Wife is at your Lordships service. 'Plague

on him, he has made, I believe, too bold with her already.—Is she
here—I shall be undone, Cuckolded, abus'd; what will become
of me? I am sure I lock't her fast.

Enter King, Queen, Clean. Uran. Evad. Phro. Endym. Priest, (and all the Court.)
Qu.

Geron! let me once more hear of this ill usage of your Wife,
and I'le banish you the Court.

Ger.

A Curse on her, must she appeal to the Queen too.

King.

Have you spoke with the Princess.

Priest.

I have Sir, and when I prest her to it, she confest to me
she lov'd Endymion, though at first she was unwilling to own it.

King.

What a Misfortune is this to me: some speedy Care must
be taken.—But come let us take our places, and hear what these
Shepherds will afford us.

Qu.
I am infinitely pleas'd with 'em, they are
The happy'st Innocent'st people in the World.

Scene draws, and Shepherds and Shepherdesses are discovered lying under the Shades of Trees, at the appearance of the King and Court; one arises and sings as follows In Stilo recitativo.
Here the Shepherds and Shepherdesses take hands round, and Dance, as they sing the following Song, and at the end of the Song they fall into the Figure they must dance in.
Enter a Messenger.
King.
What means this Messenger?

Mess.
Great Sir, Theander now has gain'd in Thessaly
A perfect Conquest over all our Enemies,
Having ore-thrown them in one fatal Battel,
He has reduc'd them to obedience.

King.
The Powers above be prais'd:
Let me know the Particulars.

Uran
to her self.]
How am I transported with this happy news?
My heart is yet too narrow for my joy:
My Prayers were heard, the brave Theander's safe,
And comes in Triumph too.

Mess.
He bid me say,
He will be here too morrow e're night, and then he'l
Give your Majesty a full account of all the War.

Uran.
to her self.]
And shall I see the God-like man to morrow?
Let me contain my self a little.

Endym.
Madam! are you resolv'd still to persist in Cruelty?

Uran.
Endymion forgive me.—
Aside.
Sir, I acquainted you with my resolutions.

King.
This Evening we will Celebrate the Victory,
And give the Gods our Thanks and Praises for't.

Exeunt all but Urania and Cleantha.
Uran.
I am privately told by Evadne, that her Father
Has discover'd your Highness's Love to the King,
And that the King has secretly resolv'd to banish
Endymion.

Clean.
O Gods! banish Endymion: desire Evadne to come
To me.

Uran.
I will—
Ex. Urania.

Clean.
Wretched Cleantha! is thy Love a Crime,
A Crime to him thou lov'st? must it be ruine
To a person, if thou but affect'st him?
Have I some Plague that I must thus destroy,
Whom I embrace? or is my Destiny
Grown Paradoxical, and proves my Love
To be true Hatred?—
O Death! thou art not half so Cruel yet,
In thy destructions of the Prosp'rous,
As in not killing Wretches that would die.

Enter Endymion.
Endym.
Urania does not well to treat me thus:
I took no leave of her, but I have told her
The reasons why my Love forbad it me,
Yet she persists in Cruelty.

Clean.
He's here—
His Count'nance betokens grief.

Endym.
To be thus angry and accuse me of
Slighting a poor deluded Maid
In spight of all my Vows of Love to her—
The Princess still is Gracious to me:
I had best intreat her to perswade my now
Provok'd Urania—She's here;
But she's alone, I dare not interrupt her Thoughts.

Clean.
Good morrow, my Lord.

Endym.
Your pardon, Madam, if unthought of, I
Have rush'd on your Retirement.

Clean.
Your Presence will better it.
Pray what News from Argos?

Endym.
Madam, the Report was brought last night to Cortu
Had nothing in't of Truth: I found all quiet,
But onely for the disturbance which we made
Our selves by our Arrival in the Night.

Clean.
I am glad my Lord your danger was no more.

Endym.
You oblige me Madam to undergo
Much greater danger for your Highness then
This could have prov'd.

Clean.
My Lord! you have already
Serv'd me beyond what I can recompence.

Endym.
Madam! t'has been your Highness's pleasure still
To honour with two great respects the little
Merits of your mean Servant, who's advanc'd
When numbred in the lowest rank of those
That have been Fortunate to do you service.

Clean.
You add still to my debts, my Lord, yet are
No way injurious, since you make me rich
In having such a Noble Creditor:
But pray, my Lord, tell me, (as one concern'd
Much in your Fortunes) what's the Cause
Your Lordship has not worn of late that rest
Upon your looks which heretofore appear'd.

Endym.
Madam, it is for you to wear that rest who are
Plac'd in that upper Region where there is
No Wind, but a little Bark, i'th midst
Of a great Sea, subject to every Wave,
And every gust of Wind, can ne're pretend
To this blest 'State.

Clean.
My Lord; you have som griefs that are particular.

Endym.
For my troubles, Madam,
Alas; their objects would appear so small
To your great Eye, you'd think I did affront you
Shou'd I dare say them to you. Could the Lyon
In his Midnight-walks hear some poor Worms
Complain for want of little drops of dew,
What pity could that noble Creature have,
Who never wanted small things, for those poor
Ambitions? yet these are their concernments,
And but for want of these they pine and die.

Clean.
I hope my Lord what is your Trouble may
Not be augmented by my knowing it,
Else I shall never think ought small that can
So much affect you, nor beneath my Cure
To seek to remedy what gives you pain.

Endym.
Great Princess! you undo me with your Honours:
My blood turns all to blushes Madam;
I must obey your Highnesse's Commands,
And thank you for 'em too since in your knowledge
Of what afflicts me is my Remedy.

Clean.
What will he tell me, Heav'n, he knows I love him.

(Aside.
Endym.
Madam, I long have lov'd.—

Clean.
Lov'd whom?

Endym.
The fair Urania who attends your Highness.

Clean.
aside.)
Forgive me poor Endymion when I say
What I of all the World ought least to say:
Indeed, my Lord, I never could have guess'd—
To him.
Your Melancholly had so mean a Cause:
I could not think you would so far dishonour
Your Family and Name to love
So low a person.

Endym.
Madam! I well know
Grania was a Shepherdess, and born
In a low Cottage, 'mongst those little people
Whom honour seldom visits, but yet she,
Like to a Star mistaken of its Sphear,
Grew so conspicuous 'mongst those dimmer Lights,
That brave Theander had no sooner spy'd her,
But he became all Wonder, and thought her a fit
Present for your Highness, an Advancement
Few Families can boast of.

Clean.
But her Birth is mean.

Endym.
You cast your Eyes upon her from the height
Of birth, and Fortune too, and see her low:
Whilst that some other Princess born as high
But not under so happy Stars, may think
Her birth more Noble, 'cause more free, and less
Subject to Fate.

Clean.
Wretched Cleantha! now Endymion sayes
Thou art unhappy—But
My Passion is now authoris'd, and I
Must speak: tell me, my Lord, and truly too,
Should I make it my Care to Chuse you a Mistress
Fair as Urania, and as vertuous too,
Extracted from a Family would give
Lustre to yours, although it were as mean
As hers you court now: Say, would you not leave
Urania who does seem to slight
All your Respects for her.

Endym.
Should your Highness condescend to chuse
A Torment for me, it were Impudence
In me to chuse ought else: but that's all blest
Which is so like Urania.

Clean.
So like to her?
Her Birth is very low; perhaps her Mind
As low as that.

Endym.
Madam! Urania may
Find thousands of more Merit than
The poor Endymion, who durst never measure
Himself but by the Passion he had for her.

Clean.
Sure 'twas his Modesty, he might have thriven
Much better, possibly, had his Ambition
Been greater much—they oftimes take more pains
Who look for Pins, than those who look for starrs.

Endym.
Those who look for Stars, must be provided
With Arts and Glasses, and such costly things
As humble men must be content to want.

Clean.
For Stars of greatest Magnitude you need
Onely to fix your Eyes, and they'l appear
By their own light, and all you have to do
Is to receive those beams they cast upon you.

Endym.
aside.
What can this mean?—But, Madam, 'tis hard,
To fix our Eyes aright upon that part
Of Heaven where those Stars inhabit, if
We have not some directions first.

Clean.
Indeed, those, who look downwards, ought to be directed
To look above them, to the highest Sphear;
(For there they are) then I am apt to think
Their task would not prove hard—my Lord, I blush
Thus to instruct you in Astronomy.

Endym.
I am lost in wonder:—
Aside.
Madam, 'tis not strange,
If I'm proud of what you blush at, but
I am sure your unbounded wit to morrow
Will with much greater reason quite deny it.

Clean.
My Lord, you think no woman can be constant
To what she sayes a day, but your Urania:
But till you have try'd, pray have more Charity,
You'l after have more Faith: my Lord Farewell:
The Gods forgive my breach of Modesty—

Aside.
Endym.
What have I heard!
Was't not enough to lose my dear Urania,
Unless I also did adore the hand
That snatch'd her from me, Cleantha Loves Endymion
But Fool it cannot be; ne're may I know
Her Noble breast harbour a thought so low.—

Exeunt.