University of Virginia Library

Scena tertia.

Chorus of Shepherds, Chorus of Priests, Montano, Mirtillo.
Cho. Sh.
Sol's sister, Daughter of great Jupiter,
That shin'st a second Sun in the first Sphere
To the blind world!

Ch. Pr.
Thou whose life-giving, and more temp'rate Ray
Thy Brother's burning fury doth allay;
Whence bounteous Nature here produces after
All her blest off-springs, and Air, Earth, and Water
Enriches and augments with Vegetals,
With Creatures sensitive, with Rationals.
Ah, pity thy Arcadia, and that rage
Thou dost in others, in thy self asswage!

Ch.Sh.
Sol's Sister, Daughter of great Jupiter,
That shin'st a second Sun in the first Sphere
To the blind world!

Mont.
Now sacred Ministers the Altars dresse:
You likewise Swains, that shew your selves no lesse
Devout then they, your voyces all unite,
And once again invoke the Queen of Night.

Ch.Sh.
Sol's Sister, Daughter of great Jupiter,
That shin'st a second Sun in the first Sphere
To the blind world!

Mont.
Now shepherds and my servants all,
Withdraw your selves, and come not till I call.
Valiant young man (who to bestow upon
Another, life, abandonest thine owne)
Die with this comfort: For a puffe of breath
(Which by the abject spirit is call'd death)
Thou buy'st Eternity: and when the tooth
Of envious Time (consuming the world's youth)
Millions of lesser names devoured hath,
Then thou shalt live the pattern of true faith.
But for the Law commands that thou shouldst die
A silent Sacrifice, before thou ply
Thy knee to earth, if thou wouldst ought deliver,
Speak; and hereafter hold thy peace for ever.

Mir.
Father, (for though thou kill me, yet I must
Give thee that name) My body to the dust,
Whereof 'twas made and kneaded up, I give;
My Soule to her in whom alone I live.
But if she die, (as she hath vow'd) of me
What part (alas!) will then surviving be?
How sweet will death be unto me, if I
In mine owne person, not in hers, may die!
And if he merit pity at his death
Who for meer pity now resignes his breath,
Take care (deer Father) of her life, that I
Wing'd with that hope, t'a better life may fly.
Let my Fate rest at my destruction,
Stop at my ruine; but when I am gone,
Let my divorced soul in her survive,
Although from her I was divorc'd alive.

Mont.
(Scarcely can I refrain from weeping now:
O our mortality how frail art thou!)
Son be of comfort, for I promise thee
I will perform all thou desir'st of me:
Here's my hand on't, and solemnly I swear,
Ev'n by this Miter'd head.

Mir.
Then vanish fear.
And now for the most faithfull soul make room,
For (Amarillis) unto thee I come.
With the sweet name of Amarillis I
Close up my mouth, and silent kneel to die.

Mont.
Now sacred Ministers, the Rites begin;
With liquid odoriferous Gumms keep in
The flame, and strowing frankincense and mirrhe,
Whole clouds of perfume to the Gods preferre.

Cho.Sh.
Sol's Sister, Daughter of great Jupiter,
That shin'st a second Sun in the first Sphere
To the blind world!