 | The Extravagant Sheepherd |  |
Scene VII.
Hyrcan. Lys.Lys.
Great and learned Druyde,
If that divinity, that here presides,
Did ever comfort an unhappy Sheepherd,
Vouchsafe thine aide to offer him my vowes.
Hircan.
This certainly's that Fool with's Pastoral life,
(aside.)
Whose pleasant madnesse is so much discours'd.
May'st thou be so content as thy offerd vowes
Ought to be heard, by those great Gods I serve,
Hæsus and Taramis are to Sheepherds kinde.
Lys.
I'mbrace the happy auspicies to see you,
And for so rich a blessing thanke my fate:
Daigne then to cast your eyes on a poor Lover,
All's possible to you, move but your staffe,
And nature straight is subject to your Lawes.
Hircan.
He takes me for a conjurer. Ile comply
With his mistake—Sheepherd all shall be well;
Thy griefs shall be redrest what ere they be,
(makes a circle with his Cane)
All things give way to this mysterious charm,
Ask, and be sure I can do any thing.
Ly.
No Sheepherd's so unfortunate as I,
By th'fatall sentence of a cruell power,
I'm banisht from the house of Angelica;
So lose Charita, and must never dare
26
Hircan.
And is't this banishment that so afflicts thee?
Ly.
Was ever Lover more severely punisht!
I, in despaire of aid, enter'd these Woods,
Against me to provoke the Beares and Tygers.
But if by Magick skill, you shall vouchsafe
To let me see my Love at Angelica's,
By rendring me invisible or transform'd.—
Hircan.
This is the easiest secret of my Art:
All w'ave to do is to disguise your sex,
To cheat the Nymph, and see your Sheepherdess
Take womans habit, and go thither weeping,
Require them to relieve your great misfortunes,
Fain that the fatall influence of your starres.—
Lys.
This Metamorphosis is very Past'rall:
So once Austræa did embrace Alcais,
Not knowing that 'twas Celadon disguis'd.
But to appeare a Maid indeed, how shall I
Be rid of this excrescence of my beard?
How shall I this correct?
Hircan.
That's a slight Scruple;
Oh—let thy beard alone, feare nothing, I
Can by my Art give thee the countenance
Of a yong Sheepherdesse, extremely faire.
Thy maine so modest, and thy port so taking
Charita scarce can be a minute from thee.
Then judge thy happiness, shee's sure thine own.
Lys.
What priviledge shall I have thus disguis'd?
I am impatient till it be accomplisht.
Hircan.
Let's to my Palace to begin the work.
Ex.
| The Extravagant Sheepherd | |