 | Gripus and Hegio, or The Passionate Lovers |  |
34
Actus 2.
Scena 1.
Hegio.Grypus.
Now we are both in the same predicament
Of Passion, we both blest objects love.
But through their nicitie, and coy disdaine,
We're like Loves cursed abjects both to prove.
Now, now we Symbolize in egritude,
And Simpathize in Cupids malady.
My drooping head, my deepe contracted brow,
My bloudlesse cheeks, dead eyes, pale lips, faint tongue,
Shall strive in each point thine to equalize.
My heart even now resolv'd my hasty feet
Should measure out the over tedious way
To Daris (whose faire face a garden is,
In which fresh beautie plants her choysest flowres
But frozen Winter keeps his risidence.
Ith Domicil of'r Adamantine heart.)
I thought each wearie step to be a mile,
I thought each pace to be a measur'd league,
Untill I heard her tender nibling Lambes
Imploring with their bleating oratory,
Some aliment of their indulgent dames.
At length I spi'd upon a happy mount.
My Daris, whom the Sunne did gently kisse,
(Being then mounted in his mid-day heat.)
Daris both singing sat, and knitting too.
As if her nimble fingers sought to keep,
True tune with her tongues Musicke.—
Thus shee sung.Of Passion, we both blest objects love.
But through their nicitie, and coy disdaine,
We're like Loves cursed abjects both to prove.
Now, now we Symbolize in egritude,
And Simpathize in Cupids malady.
My drooping head, my deepe contracted brow,
My bloudlesse cheeks, dead eyes, pale lips, faint tongue,
Shall strive in each point thine to equalize.
My heart even now resolv'd my hasty feet
Should measure out the over tedious way
To Daris (whose faire face a garden is,
In which fresh beautie plants her choysest flowres
But frozen Winter keeps his risidence.
Ith Domicil of'r Adamantine heart.)
I thought each wearie step to be a mile,
I thought each pace to be a measur'd league,
Untill I heard her tender nibling Lambes
Imploring with their bleating oratory,
Some aliment of their indulgent dames.
At length I spi'd upon a happy mount.
My Daris, whom the Sunne did gently kisse,
(Being then mounted in his mid-day heat.)
Daris both singing sat, and knitting too.
As if her nimble fingers sought to keep,
True tune with her tongues Musicke.—
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[1.]
I haue a Sunne-burnt Pilgrim seenThat dry hath been,
Hasting unto the Christall Springs,
Where downe he flings
His prostrate body, then he'le be
With bended knee
A Votary
Vnto the flowing Dietie.
2.
But when his sweating face is drenchtAnd thirst be quencht
In her coole waves, then this his sweet
With saucy feet
He kicks, and from the slighted place
Soone moves his pace,
And court no more
The silver Nymph so lov'd before.
3.
So Io was with foule scorne wasted,When once tasted
By the injurious ravisher
Great Jupiter,
Who first with prayers did invade
The credulous Maid;
After the rape
He plagu'd her with a brutish shape.
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4.
Kind Mayden Goddesse by thy skillProtect, and still
Let netts of passions finest thread
Never thee spread,
Nor snaring Poems proffer'd be
T'intangle me.
For they indure
For their reward a Calenture.
5.
That fondly prove too kinde to cureLoves disease.—I'de rather sure
That my fond Lover still should pine
Then that his wanne cheek should assigne,
A sempiternall blush to mine.
Still chast Dian let me be thine.
Ile vow allegiance at thy shrine,
No Nuptiall bands shall me combine.
Whilst thus she sung, the winds grew whist, the wild
Incensed Beares, and Panthers proved mild,
Amazed I a fixed tree did prove,
But wonder blasted trees did dance, and move,
Each bends his palsie tops to worship her,
And turne obsequious Idolater,
Her Lyrick ayres intic't the ravish't quire
Of birds to come, which (being come) admire.
The scaly fish to heare her voice did lay
Upon the waters top, and frisk, and play.
Ere while I fondly thought love could convay
(Although he's deified) no other way,
But through the gazing eyes, into the heart
His love-infected, keene and fatall dart,
But whilst I heard this smooth-tongu'd Syren sing
On the harmonious aier-deviding wing
Of her sweet voice, it plainely did appeare,
That subtile love could enter at the eare.
Long time I stood amaz'd, at length vow'd I
To live by her propitious smiles, or dye
By rigorous frownes shot from her awfull eye.
I sad for nuptiall love, she strait deny'd,
I plead affection, by she reply'd
(Disdainfully) denialls, and left me
An abject unto love and miserie.
Incensed Beares, and Panthers proved mild,
Amazed I a fixed tree did prove,
But wonder blasted trees did dance, and move,
Each bends his palsie tops to worship her,
And turne obsequious Idolater,
Her Lyrick ayres intic't the ravish't quire
Of birds to come, which (being come) admire.
The scaly fish to heare her voice did lay
Upon the waters top, and frisk, and play.
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(Although he's deified) no other way,
But through the gazing eyes, into the heart
His love-infected, keene and fatall dart,
But whilst I heard this smooth-tongu'd Syren sing
On the harmonious aier-deviding wing
Of her sweet voice, it plainely did appeare,
That subtile love could enter at the eare.
Long time I stood amaz'd, at length vow'd I
To live by her propitious smiles, or dye
By rigorous frownes shot from her awfull eye.
I sad for nuptiall love, she strait deny'd,
I plead affection, by she reply'd
(Disdainfully) denialls, and left me
An abject unto love and miserie.
Gripus.
Even now anatomiz'd by groanes and sighs,
Almost interr'd and buried in woe,
To Mira's pastures I resolv'd to goe,
The sheep and lamkins with rich fleeces loaden,
Became my spokes-men, and with bleating noise
Pleaded at Mira's barr for my admission.
She mounted sate upon a happy hillock.
Clad in the verdent plush of Madam Nature,
In twisted braids of silver Lillies knitting,
The loose traine of her amber dropping haire.
Phœbus my rivall prov'd, and wo'd my faire,
He graz'd upon her corall lips, and bath'd
Himselfe in balmy juice of fervent kisses.
He seiz'd the rose-buds in the spicy beds
Of her delicious cheekes, whilst thus shee sung.
Almost interr'd and buried in woe,
To Mira's pastures I resolv'd to goe,
The sheep and lamkins with rich fleeces loaden,
Became my spokes-men, and with bleating noise
Pleaded at Mira's barr for my admission.
She mounted sate upon a happy hillock.
Clad in the verdent plush of Madam Nature,
In twisted braids of silver Lillies knitting,
The loose traine of her amber dropping haire.
Phœbus my rivall prov'd, and wo'd my faire,
He graz'd upon her corall lips, and bath'd
Himselfe in balmy juice of fervent kisses.
He seiz'd the rose-buds in the spicy beds
Of her delicious cheekes, whilst thus shee sung.
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[1.]
Mens loves like tinder set on fireFlame, and expire.
Fond love doth faile
With brittle beauty. Beautie's fraile
Like Junes raine, or Decembers Sunne
'Tis quickly dene.
Or like to the Solsticiall flowre,
It buds and withers in an houre.
2.
Cælia's locks so aptly twin'd,Each haire would bind
Olympick Jove,
In a strong twisted net of love,
If to descend downe he assumes
His Eagles plumes,
These baires will change their hue, and grow
Hoary and cold, as melting snow.
3.
Like to a comely field of SnowNow shewes her brow,
Rutts shall betray
Ere long, and wrinkles deep display,
Times plough have furrowed her brow.
An Ice shall flow
Through ev'ry veine, she shall discry
Pale Death displaid in her dimme eye.
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4.
Each beame shot from her eye so grayCreates the day,
That eye oft made
By winkes, the noone-day Sunne a shade,
Now it is youthfull Cupids nest,
'Tis at the best.
For it will prove his grave, and be
Ecclipsed in obscurity.
5.
Of flowres both the King and QueenIn'r cheeks are seen
By graces led
Thither, and laid in nuptiall bed
On whom sips like Nymphs doe wait
In regall state.
They blush and redder grow, by this
That they themselves, themselves still kisse.
6.
No Lilly shall be found, or RoseIn cheeke, chin, nose,
When age growes on
And beauties Summer time be done,
As Swallowes seeke when Summers gone
Some warmer Sunne.
So will disloyall Lovers all
Which now fond Celia servants call.
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7.
Then shall I love a man that mayLove for a day.
But when I'me pin'd,
And yellow spred, where red once shin'd,
Leave me an abject for to be
To misery.
No, No, the worst of Stigian paines,
Is itch of love, in age dry'd veines.
This musick stupifi'd my ravisht eares,
And wrought an emulation in the Spheares.
The Eccho listned to her warbled tones,
And told their Joyes for every word aloud.
Whilst she did subtly charme my listning eare,
Love emptied his quiver on my heart.
Musick so thaw'd my Adamantine mind,
That not an arrow did resistance find.
Thus did my Tyrant celebrate the prize,
Act, and present, the triumph of her eyes,
So Nero once with harp in hand survai'd
His burning Rome, and as it flam'd, he plaid
And wrought an emulation in the Spheares.
The Eccho listned to her warbled tones,
And told their Joyes for every word aloud.
Whilst she did subtly charme my listning eare,
Love emptied his quiver on my heart.
Musick so thaw'd my Adamantine mind,
That not an arrow did resistance find.
Thus did my Tyrant celebrate the prize,
Act, and present, the triumph of her eyes,
So Nero once with harp in hand survai'd
His burning Rome, and as it flam'd, he plaid
But to proceed, I begg'd great Iuno's blessing,
T'attend my hopefull suite in the suppressing
Loves common foes, disdaine, and nicetie.
I made assault but never yet could board,
Or scale the Adamantine heart of hers,
I fly like a struck Hart before the hounds,
With th' winged wantons Javelin in my wounds.
T'attend my hopefull suite in the suppressing
Loves common foes, disdaine, and nicetie.
I made assault but never yet could board,
Or scale the Adamantine heart of hers,
I fly like a struck Hart before the hounds,
With th' winged wantons Javelin in my wounds.
Exit.
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As when my over daring eye behold
The suns bright beames, I twinckle with my lids:
Even so the rayes, the day creating rayes,
The radient rayes, which Daris doe dart forth
From th' Ebon arches of her heavenly browes
(Whose winkes convert the highest mounted sun,
The noon-day sun, unto a gloomy shade)
Have blasted my weake eyes, and lately led
Unto her royall person me a slave.
My eyes are swollen up, as loath to see
The glaring sun, so injurious to me,
That bright coale which cleares all the world beside
Hang like a fatall commet ore my head,
Ere since he's so unkind in holding forth
Enough of light to see this shining lasse
Whose eyes will prove my parching burning glasse.
Exit.
Scena 2.
Mira. Daris. Tyndarus. Mycon. Dipsas. Thestila.Mira.
Haile Daris, may I joy you?
Daris.
Me, for what?
Mira.
For what? each busie Shepherdesse have fill'd
Her lap with flowers, for to compose, and knit
A nuptiall chaplet for your Bridall browes.
Daris.
The Bridegromes wanting still,
Mira.
No, tis Hegio,
Daris.
Psh, if your love sick Gripus speed no better
In's earnest suite, then Hegio's like to doe
Hel'e never breake with you a Bridall cake;
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Each Shepherd now is tuning of his pipe
To warble your Epithalamians.
Mira.
Then let them turne them into Elegies
And Epicediums for Gripus death.
Daris.
And let the Shepherdesses weaue a wreath
Of Willowes to encircle Hegio's browes.
Here comes our Parents.
Tyndarus.
These faire maides, I hope.
Are counselling each other to prove kinde,
And pitty their distressed lovers.
Daris.
Lovers,
Sir, what have we to doe with lovers, wee
Have sworne alleageiance at Diana's shrine;
If we should love, we breake the faith we owe
To Virgin purenesse, and our vestall vow.
My.
Such are like plum-trees that doe crooked grow
Ore standing pooles, they laden are, and rich
With pleasant fruits; but nought but chattering Pyes,
And Crowes, and Catterpillars feed upon them.
Tyndarus.
O fie upon this single life, forgoe it,
We read how Daphne for her peevish flight,
Became a fruitlesse Bay-tree, Sirinx turn'd
To a pale empty Reed, Anaxarite
Was frozen into Marble, whereas those,
Which married, or prov'd kind unto their friends,
Were by a gracious influence transform'd
Into the Olive, Pomegranet, Mulberie,
Became Flowers, precious Stones, or eminent Starres.
Dip.
Imprudent girles, why should we women prove
Sore tortures, and disturbances to men,
If we be foule we're odious and loath'd.
Thest.
And such unkinde girles as these are, if faire,
Are like rich vessels full of poysonous drugges,
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Mira:
Cease to perswade, for Gripus name and death
Have both one sound in my esteeme, that tongue
Which warble forth the one, doe chant the other.
Daris.
That direfull sound, that most disasterous knell
Attendeth Hegio's name, and ever will.
Tynd.
Rare grace, and comely feature both are joynd
In you, as if they both cospir'd to make
Two parragons, which should excell each other.
Shall common beauties then, and meaner faces
Enjoy these joyes, which your selves deny
Unto your selves, no let your gentle hearts
Imbrace the sweets due to so faire deserts,
Your lovely features were bestow'd on you
By liberall nature for to be injoy'd;
And 'twere a sinne where she have beene so free
Of her best graces, to be nigardly.
Micon.
Wound not your selves through your poore lovers sides,
Starve not your selves to make them pine away,
Be kind unto your selves, if not to them.
Dipsas.
Vse time, the squabling Snake with age oreworne
Casts off her hide, and re-assumes a new.
The towring Eagle change her aged plumes,
The fading Rose (the glory of the Spring)
Receive an annuall birth from the sharp briar,
Be wise, and crop in time your beauties flowers,
They ne're spring more, being faded once, like ours.
Thest.
Vse time, no lovers will croud to impart
Their thriving sutes to your age deafned eares,
Chuse constant lovers then whilst that you may,
Such as love for a like-long-age, not dayes,
Your beautie's fraile, and soone will bud, and wither,
Mir.
With beauty love will bloome, & blow together.
Daris.
Beauty and love are like the coupled twins
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Received birth, and nutriment, and death.
Mira.
He ne're shall crop my youthfull beauties slower
That i'le cease to love, when beauty 'gins to lower.
Exeunt.
Scen. 3.
Gripus. HegioGripus.
Of late I did (not brooking a deniall)
Renew my suite, attempt a further triall,
Intreat, conjure, I left no way untri'd
I must not, no I would not be deni'd.
This was my resolution, but she
The obdurate portall of whose Marble heart
Was lockt, and barr'd against the powerfull art
Of oft repeated teares, or far fetcht sighs,
Or deep, and heart-bred groanes, stood deaf, and dumbe
She must not, no she would not be o're come.
Hegio.
I never move her, but my hopelesse triall
Alwayes reade Hieroglypicks of deniall.
Gripus.
Still lets proceede, who knowes we may prevaile,
Let not our best advis'd indeavours faile,
To be employd, lets make a further triall,
And fairly speed or find a foule deniall.
Exeunt.
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Scena. 4.
Chorus of FairesSome love, and have their loves rewarded
Some love, and are no whit regarded,
Some woe and speed, some woe and be
Rejected for their loyaltie,
This tyrant love compar'd may be
To th' Macedonian dietie
Whose lookes seem'd sometimes to disdaine
This Champion, or that again,
It would cast amorous glances forth
Applauding to his mighty worth.
No torture, no affliction
Like to true loves passion,
This made Sophocles wish his foe
Might onely be tormented so.
Exeunt.
Finis Act. 2
| Gripus and Hegio, or The Passionate Lovers | |