University of Virginia Library

A Palmer.
Look not with wand'ring eyes to find
Such pleasures here, as spot the mind,
Nor in the shining dish to see
A costly surfeit's cookery.
No! Harmless shepherds do not ken
The dark-born vice of other men.
Here friendly Bilkin shows the way,
As maps do veinèd lands portray.
Sweet innocence unsoil'd by strife,
He pencils in the shepherd's life.
But lest this swain disturbèd be,
I'll make a curtain of this tree.

[Palmer withdraws behind a tree.
Bilkin
enters, and takes a seat under the side of the grove called Lovers' Maze. Birds singing.
This is the seat of sweet repose for swains,
Back'd with a grove, and faced with smoothèd plains.
This boscarie of souls, the Lovers' Maze,
With music gives new birth to dawning days.
Hark! every spray tunes forth a various note;
While all concording seem one warbling throat.
Thus as they all together sing and vie,
Each wins, each loses, the supremacy.
So azure heaven, with thin clouds chamleted,
Which borrow scarlet from Sol's rising head,
Who gilds Aurora's blushes that do play
And dance upon her cheeks, to sport the day.
Rest on this green silk shag of camomil;
Now thou'rt an emperor upon this hill.
Thy crown excelleth that of beaten gold:
Sweet-briar's rose, flower'd eglantine, behold,
Which, twining o'er thy head, show forth their gems:
Their fragrant lustre outshines diadems.
Rest here thy undisturbèd limbs. Here rest
In contemplation of a life most blest.
Happy, thrice happy shepherds, that do dwell
Clothèd with russet in a lowly cell.
Our frequent vigils 'mint us hours to pray;
Accosting heaven, when we salute the day,
When freely we unfold our spreading sheep,
Observing stepping time, and them to keep.
Our loneliness is clept philosophy,
By which we read th'Almighty's power on high:
Sun, moon and stars, placed in the lofty sphere,
Are the bright almanacs for day and year;
Those flaming torches we y-clepe by names—
Custom han made us kin unto their flames.
Is't not a wise man's part to guard the flocks
From rage of cruel wolf or wily fox?
The lambs do skip, while pipes their dams allure;
More than physicians, shepherds safely cure.
Our chaste-hatch'd love is warm'd by pure desire,
Our shame-fac't embers kindle modest fire,
Which mind-enchanting songs do quickly turn
To rising flames, that constancy makes burn.
Our friendship kens ne fraud ne subtile saw;
Our blameless life is to itself a law.
We seldom spend, for well we know to spare:
Our sleep is sound, 'tis back to back to care.
Our beds are softer than those nests of down,
Content's best riches: a good name, renown.
A peaceful conscience sings within the breast,
Which gain'd, no labour but enjoyeth rest.
Ne list we what is envy's venom'd dart,
Ne con we pride, that fills with barm the heart.
Our seldomness of feasts does whet our joy,
And easy dainties do no health destroy.
Our comely sports, shown unto freedom's eye,
Do lovely innocence to sweetness tie.
But wethers' bells do ring. Time wings each hour
To Dalon's feast: flocks drive to th'shepherds' bower:
Dalon and Beta, of the lovely lay,
Your marriage makes our feast, this holiday.
The world to this our unknown bliss is but a gay:—
I mon away.

[Exit.
The Palmer appears again.
O giddy, stormy course of times,
That muffle truths of shepherds' rhymes!
O the unsteady state of things!
The world has talons, as 't has wings.
As Bilkin lined your ears with lays
That made all night but shepherds' days,
Now Dalon kind, sweet Beta, see
A Duo here is harmony.
Their love those parts does make but one,
Which so becomes an unison.
Old Custom's in their garments drest,
Who married last must heyne the feast.
Mark you the rest.

[He withdraws again upon the other side of the stage.
Dalon. Beta.
Dalon.
The glorious day puts on his golden dress,

Beta.
The more to show the world our happiness.

Dalon.
My lovely Beta, thou like it dost shine;

Beta.
I have no splendour, but what first was thine.

Dalon.
Nor have I mind to darken thy fair story;

Beta.
Nor can my heart diminish ought thy glory.

Dalon.
Then since w'are both in one, one love we live.

Beta.
Then since w'are one in both, love life we give—

Dalon.
Till fate shall both divide, so knit in one;

Beta.
Till unkind destiny leaves either none.

Dalon.
But may not Fortune's frown the knot untie?

Beta.
Death sure must cut the thread that both live by.

Dalon.
Is love and life, then, twisted in one thread?

Beta.
The riddle's known: its sense is ever hid.

Dalon.
Then all our love is a still-slowing bliss.

Beta.
Then all our life a new enjoyment is.

Dalon.
Blest bodies, Beta, that do thus inarm!

Beta.
Blest minds, dear Dalon, that have such a charm!

Dalon.
Thou know'st, my love, the custom of the day.

Beta.
Our guests will come, and we must haste away.

Dalon.
Others have busier parts to sing and play.

Beta.
The question and the disputants, I pray?

Dalon.
My love,
Th'ast heard, and partly know'st, that on these plains
Old customs live as well as youthful swains.
Customs are rules that lines of life do draw,
Which 'mongst us shepherds stand instead of law
The Feast of Rites upon this Ide of May
Our living books ordain a holiday,
Wherein the couple, youngest and last wed,
At Shepherd's Bower the garnish'd cloth shall spread,
And on the turfy table with the best
Of lambs in all their flock shall heyne the feast,
Which neighb'ring swains and lasses of next place
Shall, present, with due ceremonies grace;
'Mongst which, two youths, two maids, of equal years
To th'bride and bridegroom, chosen by their peers,
Shall 'bout a question by their songs contend,
Two moderators are the cause to end.
Of each sex one: one youth, one maid maintain,
While their two like do cross the same again.
Each virgin brings a garland of device,
Which near the bower on poplar riband ties:
To highest worth, as moderators see,
Are given these garland-signs of victory.
But if their equal merits so divide
That neither moderator can decide,
Then in procession to the holy grove
At Pega's fount they seek for what they strove:
Where, rites perform'd, the nymph invoked does show
Who best deserves, as they desire to know.
Vota, nice Vota is the challenger,
And jolting Jachin's second unto her;
While bright Lipsona sings the counterpart,
Tomkin keeps time with his true-beating heart;
Vida discreet, the widow like a maid,
And Bilkin, are the moderators said.
But for the question, that suits not my tongue,
Nor is it fit you know, except you long.

Beta.
My busy thoughts caused me too much enquire.

Dalon.
Come, Beta, thou shalt soon have thy desire.

[Exeunt.
The Palmer appears again.
No knot so fast as that which ties
Lovers by hearts and not by eyes;
Nor is there such a constant fire
As kindled by a pure desire.
Blest they whose sense such warmth does know,
As from a flame of burning snow!
In furnace so the crystal shows
Transparent clearness as it glows:
Such love grows ever, never dies
This phœnix does from ashes rise.
'Tis spicy incense, that by turns
The fuel is and flame that burns.
So sweet a hand has virtue's power,
As turns the glass from hour to hour,
That when the sand of one has done,
It makes the other freshly run.
Blest peers, that thus given moments pass,
Till Time from's hand lets fall the glass.
Lipsona, Vota, Vida, see,
Coming for flowers. I'll to my tree.

[He withdraws again.
Vida, Lipsona, Vota.
Vida.
At last our nimble-moving feet do gain
This grove, whose height does seem to top the plain.

Vota.
How properly the swains of former days
Have called this musing place the Lovers' Maze!

Lipsona.
This is the place that lovers so much fame,
Whose changeable delights do suit its name.

Vida.
This way, Lipsona!

[Vida turns off Lipsona from Vota.
Vota.
Guard me, pure thoughts! what sudden turning's here?
Lipsona!

Echo.
O nay!

[Vota.]
Vida!

Echo.
Heyda!

[Vota.]
Are no spirits near?

Echo.
Here.

Lipsona
(aloud).
If chanting birds affright you, there they play.

Echo.
Play.

Vida
(aloud).
'Tis fit and pleasant now to lose your way.

Echo.
Your way.

Vota.
What mock-soul art thou, that dost haunt this place?
Art thou an evil genius, or some Grace?

Echo.
Some Grace.

Vota.
Some Grace?
Then guide my hand to crop each choicest flower,
The fancy shall be mine, the favour your.

Echo.
Or your.
Be primrose peerless garland's border then.
Why look'st so pale? Dost fear the sight of men?

Vota.
My ground be blushes of sweet-briar's rose,
While letters for my word I thus dispose:

VIRGINITIE

Purple-blue virgin's bower compose a
Gemmed with sweet violets of purple hue.
Blue-flower'd iacinths neigh'bring these work
'Gainst falling sickness does your virtue lie.
Ros solis, sun-dew, youth-wort, all one
These in my circle be another star.
Golden-flower-gentles, now enweave a
Resisting belly-worms, you physic be.
Scarlet-Ione-silverpin in next place
Do in its comely rank in doubles tie
Incarnate Lady's-navel form an
Seldom in woods, on walls most found by men.
Of yellow jasmine, of the white an
For rheums and swellings artists these apply.
White Traveller's Joy may now be flowered
Who have their plumes to prank their climbing tree.
Imperial lilies' steepled bells next
Your yellowish-purple-streakèd beauties tie.
White eyebright's yellow-purple specks an
Which sight preserve, and make the dim to see.
Thus my device in garland gay made good,
I'll seek my company within the wood.

[Vota wanders.
Lipsona.
See, Vida, the variety of flowers
In ranks do light us unto several bowers.
Each seems in love with other, and does cast
An amorous glance upon its fair next plac't.
So all together, dazzling pleasure's eye,
Do look like glistering stars in a green sky.

Vida.
The place has robbed thy memory of time,
While I by song delight thee with my rhyme,
Select thou gather'd flowers, thy garland make;
So thou my fancy shalt, I thine, partake.

Lipsona.
Thanks, woo thy song to wed to my desire.

Vida.
Tire you your fingers, I thine ear will tire.
Vida's song.

Lipsona.
With golden fringe of marigolds I make
My garland's hem: then flowers for letters take;
And on the ground of pinks, which blush forth grace,
Each proper flower I to its letter place.

MARRIAGE

Mother-of-Time's sweet flowers be a fair
Much-good's and Money-wort's gilt mixed with them.
White-spotted purple hoods of All-heal
Mixed with white and great angelica.
Greenish rose-willow's flowers, that cooling
Refreshing sick folks with their doubled star.
Then blushing roses good for all things
To loose, bind, sleep, they medicines prepare.
The various iris makes a rainbow
These cramps help, joints and sinews fortify.
White asphodels compose another
Inflam'd breasts curing, side's pain drive away.
White little flowers dress Gold-of-pleasures
Gardener's-delight with these entwinèd be.
Sweet eglantine befriend me for an
Now, Vida, my trimmed garland finished see.

Vida.
I do by this as in a picture find
Thine arguments portrayèd in thy mind.

Lipsona.
And by thy song thy thoughts I well may guess,
What was delight is not now happiness.

Vida.
Then try thy pleasant breast: sing thou a lay,
We'll then seek Vota, and make haste away.

Lipsona's
song.

Vida.
Ha, ha, ha! This was a merry note.

Vota.
At last you're found by fortune and your song.

Vida.
Her heart is light, and dwells upon her tongue.

Lipsona.
You raise my blushes for a harmless air.

Vida.
Let's home. Such blushes make you look more fair.

Vota.
Unto the Shepherds' Bower let's then repair.

[Exeunt.
The Palmer.
The various sorts of humours be
As several fruits upon one tree.
And passions in their diverse kind
Do chequer fancies in the mind.
So poets [are] said to represent
Things as if done, though only meant.
But if Brains should questions move
About our flowers, about our grove,
They needs must know that every place
Bears not such plants as Lovers' Maze.
Where winding paths and twinèd bowers,
Sweet singing birds and springing flowers,
Are the describers of such passion,
As lovers most account in fashion.
Which further still shall be descried
In those come now. Wink you. I hide.

[Exit.
The scene alters, shewing Jaclin laid asleep under willows by a brook, the waters making a noise within.
Tomkin comes thither, finds him, and lies down not far from him.
Tomkin.
This was the place, where late my two blest eyes
Lipsona saw—Lipsona, beauty's prize.
Her folded garments here, the ground did kiss,
Entranc't with the joy'd sense of present bliss.
See! where she sat, the grass more livelier shews,
And, as it were enriched, it thicker grows.
So rarely sang she to the gliding stream,
That the scarce-moving waters seem'd to dream;
Which, as they in their shallow bottoms crept,
Made noise as if they talked, the while they slept.
Ah, woful willows! you do shew to me,
As if her absence gave your livery.
How pleasantly her flock did round her feed,
Now cropping grass, and then to her gave heed!
Conceiving sure their nourishment did lie,
Not in the fresh green grass, but in her eye.
How prettily the lambs did sport and play!
Before their saint they must keep holiday.
Profane not then this, by her hallowed, ground!
Some less regarded place is better found,
Which neighbours this, so little way from hence
That, lying down, I may pay reverence.

[He lies down and museth. Jaclin awakes.
Jaclin
[aside].
'Tis Tomkin, with his noddle full of love,
Has waked me; but I will not seem to move.
So shall I hear the gambols of his mind,
The strange expressions of one overkind.
Methought I heard him in his former fits.
See! Now cross-armed, as if transformed, he sits.
Heaven guard his wits!

Tomkin.
She answered sweetly though. How's that? her tongue
Was above speech. 'Twas harmony; she sung
Honour is virtue's meed. E'en all must give
Obedience to true love's prerogative.
If so, thy constant faith, when well surveyed,
Will claim from her reward, which must be paid.

Jaclin.
What wand'ring fancies do this wild man feed?
Sure he no other company does need.

[Aside.
Tomkin.
But, O, my struggling heart in stifling breast!
Where, Tomkin, is the pillow of thy rest?
Is it Lipsona? Then, why dost complain?
She quits not service with unjust disdain.
I feel yet something in me burns like fire;
It can't be jealousy; 'tmust be desire.
Sometimes I'm anguish all with shudd'ring fear
Of something that I cannot make appear.

Jaclin.
Alack-a-day! What pity 'tis to see
Reason o'erweighed by so much foolery!

[Aside.
Tomkin.
And now my rising hope does fear destroy;
My cap'ring heart does seem to leap for joy.
Poor Jaclin there?—

Jaclin.
I'm near.

Tomkin.
Thou ligst in senseless sleep,
And in love's music ken'st no time to keep.
Thy drowsiness has all benumb'd thy head,
And turn'd thy life into a lump of lead.
Thou canst not taste the sweets of lover's bliss:
'Twere somewhat, if thou knew'st but what it is;
Which, if th'ast any life, my pipe and tongue
Shall let thee know. I'll try thee with my song.
Tomkin's song.

Jaclin seems to awake.
Jaclin.
Heigho! Riddle me, riddle me, what's this?
Why, Tomkin! Here's a wild-goose chase, I wis.

Tomkin.
Dull Jaclin! Could thy thoughts in love's world land,
Thou then its unknown wealth might understand.
If that be true, that I've heard seamen say,
Who sails too far may soon be cast away.

Jaclin.
But, Tomkin, where didst meet such skill?

Tomkin.
The eyes
Of shepherds plain may see such mysteries;
This doctrine Cupid brought upon his wings,
And scatterèd as news of heavenly things.

Jaclin.
Cupid? What's that, which so has wings, you say?
Is it an owl by night, or kite by day?

Tomkin.
Thy talk, vain Jaclin, 's like thy too weak skill:
Such things as these no empty brains do fill.

Jaclin.
Full oft th'unkenning swain words misapplies,
And call those mysteries for mists-arise.

Tomkin.
Such quibblings, witness-like, do plainly prove
Thy scorn proceeds from ignorance of love.

Jaclin.
For your sake, friend, methinks I love advance,
For now I fall in love with ignorance.
But see! Sol's lofty coursers climb mid-day:
We shall come late to th'Shepherds' Bower. Away!

[Exeunt.
The Palmer.
Such change have minds, as oft you see
In spring-born April-days to be
Now is one gilded all with rays,
Till a thick cloud its black displays;
Then what did shine so bright before,
Is bye-and-bye dark-mantled o'er.
The winds rise, [and] the cloud does strain
Vapour-filled sponges into rain.
Or as the lover's faining dreams
Conceive, cold mouldeth pearly gems.
When reason does dispose the air,
Then looks the mind most clear, most fair.
But when the passions get above,
There riseth then that storm of love
Which, as their heat or cold prevail,
Revel[s] in showers or pour[s] down hail.
O aguish wildness of desire,
Sometimes as ice, and sometimes fire!
Fear-shudd'ring chill and lifeless fit
Has burning hope succeeding it.
But when a temper comes between,
In the even mean is virtue seen.
Now th'undrawn [curtain] does disclose
What has lain hid in former shows.
The flock, that far off did appear
All day, at even to th'fold draws near.
So travellers their pace do mend,
When they come towards their journey's end.

[Exit.

Enter Dalon and Beta with chaplets of Myrtle set with Roses upon their heads, handing a basket of provisions and bottles.

Then Tomkin follows Jaclin with a Horn-pipe in his hand, and with him Vota with her Garland on her arm, seeming merrily discoursing.

Then Tomkin with a Recorder in his hand, as courting Lipsona with a Garland in her hand.

Then Bilkin, as soberly discoursing with Vida.

While Music plays, they change the Scene thrice. The basket is left within at the first round.

Dalon and Beta take their seats upon the grassy bank

before the Bower, while the Shepherdesses, Vida in the midst, cast themselves into a rank.

Jaclin on the right hand a little advanced, and Tomkin on the left, facing the Bower.

Bilkin standing before them.
Bilkin.
Most lovely pair, to whom so friendly fate
Has full contentment given in married state,
May it grow ever fresh, never be out of date!

Jaclin.
May all your minutes smile forth merriment,
And may you ne'er, as oft betides, repent.

Tomkin.
May you ne'er wish for more than you possess,
In your embrace enclasping happiness.
This is the glorious and the solemn day,
In which this tribute to your rites we pay.

Vota.
This is the custom of the Shepherds' Bower,
To frolic in the sunshine you call your.

Lipsona.
This is our joy (O best of joys!), to sing
Unto your May notes suiting such a spring.

Dalon.
Welcome, kind swains and shepherdesses fair,
May you like bliss enjoy! may your joys pair.

Beta.
And in due thankfulness for these your pains.
May all your hopeful labours turn to gains.

Dalon.
Rest now your courteous limbs on proper place,
And try whose song shall bear away the grace;
Friend Bilkin and Vida wise,
It 'longs to you to moderate the case.

Bilkin and Vida place themselves on either side of Dalon and Beta.

Vida on the right.

Upon the right side of the stage on a Flower-strewed Hurdle sits Vota, upon Jaclin's right hand.

Bilkin on the left.

Upon the left side of the stage sits Lipsona, as the other, upon Tomkin's right hand.

Two Nymphs arise on either side of the Stage, behind the Hurdles; one with a Lute behind Vota, the other with a Theorbo behind Lipsona.

1 Nymph.
Thus hither come, we from our springs do rise,
Being sent for news to these solemnities.

2 Nymph.
Pega, bright lady of the holy grove,
Commands us grace this feast of shepherds' love;
And her musicians under ground must play,
The more to honour this their holiday.

Vota's
song for Virginity.

Lipsona's
song for Marriage.

Tomkin's
reply for Marriage.

Jaclin's
reply for Virginity.

[Nymphs descend.
Dalon.
The pleased powers have deign'd to grace our joys:
Now, moderators, we attend your judgment's voice.

Bilkin.
Ye smooth contenders 'bout a weighty cause!
A cause so weighty as the ground of laws:
A cause so high that in this friendly strife
Consists the happiness of human life.
Virginity and marriage are in scale,
Which both sides have maintained with fairest tale.
So sweetly Vota tunes her pleasing song,
And has of such clear instances a throng,
That 'tis not easy to withstand her tongue.
So fully in rare strains Lipsona's note
Does charm, as with her reason makes sense dote,
And as on streams, on arguments does float.
Tomkin refutes what Vota does maintain;
Raising his wit, he shows his strength of brain,
And so leads captive every list'ning swain.
Jaclin with all his force does make reply,
Rasing out marriage with virginity:
Then of his mind seem all the sitters by.
What maze is this? Tell, whither shall I turn?
[Bilkin speaks to Vota.
Partake your snow?
[Then to Lipsona.
Or take your fire to burn?
See, how both ways unkindly rhet'ric draws,
That 'fore decision you have split a cause.
Your argument to contraries so tends,
It seems 'bove human art to make you friends,
Which, which way shall I take? This, or that side?
[He turns to either side.
Marriage by th'hand, or virgin-life for guide?
Lend me for candour your pure whitening snow;
[To Vota.
For clearness, pray lend me your crystal too.
[To Lipsona.
Lend modest blushes of the morning's light,
[To Vota.
Nor keep back your sun's rays to gild the right.
[To Lipsona.
Lend me your rosy buds to tip my tongue,
[To Vota.
And let them blow, when I discourse your song.
[To Lipsona.
Virginity pure innocence does love,
[To Vota.
The like (says Marriage) builds with the chaste dove.
[To Tomkin.
You free a body would have, like a mind:
[To Vota.
(Says he), that body she shall wedded find.
[To Tomkin.
You speak of single business, void of care:
[To Vota.
He that love's the chief business of a pair.
[To Tomkin.
You freedom do commend in a right line,
[To Vota.
He to the circling yoke does freedom join.
[To Tomkin.
You love command, call 't servile to obey,
[To Vota.
And he does place in fellowship the sway.
[To Tomkin.
You hint a flame more worthy than a brand;
[To Vota.
He them transposes with his art's command.
[To Tomkin.
You praise the fresh green grass, not changed hay;
[To Vota.
Flowers gather'd keep, unpluck'd they die, you say.
[To Tomkin.
Your high esteem holds better stand than fall:
[To Vota.
The better he to sit than stand doth call.
[To Tomkin.
Would you, Lipsona, know [how] th'world began;
[To Lipsona.
All's product, Jaclin says, was but one man.
[To Jaclin.
And if you urge that nature made a law
[To Lipsona.
Of adamantine love, forced hearts to draw,
Nature's corruption Jaclin that does prove:
[To Jaclin.
If virtue were not, 'twere more lust than love.
Think you, that if but sexes two there be,
[To Lipsona.
They will together for society?
No third sex needs, says Jaclin, if a vow
[To Jaclin.
For mate bliss contemplation doth allow.
You nature give as lost, if married none;
[To Lipsona.
He grants them marriage, that can't live alone.
[To Jaclin.
If all must marry, then you stand upon
[To Lipsona.
That to that rule there's no exception.
He thinks them dead to all, if matched to one.
[To Jaclin.
Each for their cause so subtly do defend,
And to their art such strength, such forces, bend,
I find this only: ravelled reason has no end.

Vida.
Ye comely swains and lovely lasses, sent
As from some schools to bandy argument,
So excellently wit has wrestling tried,
That victory inclines to either side.
So have I seen an unresolvèd brook
First to that mead run, then to this to look,
As if each several beauty so o'erpowers
By the temptation of their various flowers;
And in his turning bouts thus oft did stray,
Unable to decide, then slipt away.
So fares my judgment in this argued case;
First reason takes, till t'other gains the place;
That my experience and best judging wit
Do find aim's spoil'd, when I the mark would hit.
Wherefore since favouring custom now doth move,
'Tis best to bend our steps to th'holy grove,
Invoking Pega from her truth-like spring
To clear the point that you so well did sing.
For sure those nymphs, her messengers, did come
To give her hints so to prepare her doom.

Dalon.
In order, then, first let each welcome guest
Partake the freedom of the present feast;
And after such refreshing we'll all go
With rev'rent steps to Pega's fount to know.

The Scene opens, and discovers a Round Table with Provisions within the Shepherds' Bower, where they take their seats.
Enter Palmer.
Thus like a palmer being drest
I do accost the shepherds' feast.
Though in this strange uncouth disguise
I seem to cozen others' eyes,
This habit sometimes do I own
To keep myself from being known.
So I observe each form, each face,
Each pranking humour of the place.
I Genius am unto these plains,
Where sometimes sport I with these swains.
Then Dactylon, a shepherd, am,
That live with Geron, old and lame.
His flock with care and keep I tend,
Am voiced his heir, though for my friend,
His nephew hight, now in disgrace
And wander'd hence, I take his place:
Famed Areton, beloved of all,
Of lovely mind and stature tall.
But sprightly youth and age, I see,
Are seld' so fortunate t'agree.
Then thus, my case, I cast thee by;
[He puts off Palmer's Gown.
And take my crook, that here doth lie.
[Takes his Crook.
Thus in fit time I seem new drest.
All happiness betide your feast!

Dalon.
What! Dactylon! Where hast thou wand'ring been?
That th'hast the pleasure of this day not seen?

Dactylon.
You ken, sire Geron being all cramped and cold,
'Tis I mon care for him, his flock and fold.

Dalon.
Then happy now, partake our feast, our fare;

Beta.
And in our mirth take you your welcome share.

Dactylon.
Thanks, gracious Beta.
As I passed woods, I heard some sylvans say
To your famed feast they would some music pay;
And lo! they're here.

Enter six Sylvans as in Masquerade thus:

Three on the one side of the Stage, three on the other side of the Stage.

All facing inward as their leading man.

One of either three standing somewhat forward.

The two of either side place themselves some reasonable distance behind their leading man.

The Festival Song.
1 Sylvan.
Tune your desires unto the charming spring!

2 Sylvan.
Let hearts keep time, while Love doth sing.

3 Sylvan.
Let fancy nimbly dance!

4 Sylvan.
Come choristers, away!

5 Sylvan.
While each sense pleasure does entrance;

6 Sylvan.
And all the nymphs on silver strings now play.

Chorus.
Fair virgins, bring flowers,
And strew your made bowers:
This is the shepherds' holiday,
This is the shepherds' holiday.

2 Sylvan.
Whistle, boxen-bill'd blackbird, on the top

1 Sylvan.
Of the tree;

4 Sylvan.
Jenny wren, at the foot

3 Sylvan.
Of the melancholy root;

6 Sylvan.
Let it hop,

5 Sylvan.
And sing forth its glee.

3 Sylvan.
Let the warbling thrush

2 Sylvan.
On the quavering rush,

1 Sylvan.
And the lark on the spray;

Chorus.
While virgins bring flowers,
And strew their made bowers:
This is the shepherds' holiday,
This is the shepherds' holiday.

3 Sylvan.
Sweet robin redbreast, with changeable note,

1 Sylvan.
And linnet so shrill,

4 Sylvan.
Rare Philomel, come, with thy ravishing throat,

2 Sylvan.
Songs melting distil.

5 Sylvan.
Be not forlorn,

6 Sylvan.
Nor fear threat'ning thorn.

1 Sylvan.
With chirping finches sing all, it is May.

Chorus.
While virgins bring flowers,
And strew their made bowers:
This is the shepherds' holiday,
This is the shepherds' holiday.

They dance.
[Exeunt.
Dalon.
Take now your garlands from th'appointed place:
With order'd steps to th'holy grove let's pace,
While the declining sun makes haste to end his race.

[Exeunt omnes, manente Dactylon.
Dactylon.
Geron, I come. Mishap may chance by stay;
For time and fate admit of no delay.

[Exit.
Geron
with a Stilt under one arm.

[Exit.
Tomkin. Jaclin. Bilkin.
Handing the Garlands.
Vida. Vota. Lipsona. Dalon. Beta.
The Scene opens and shows a Fountain, &c.
They pace round the place before the Fountain.
Bilkin
singing.
Thrice does our comely order pace
The flowery carpet of this place;
The swains and lasses, as in rank,
Do tread a circle on this bank.

Chorus.

Chorus.
Thrice we invoke our nymph to rise,
Clepe, Pega! Pega! Pega! thrice.
Pega appears.
Upon thy golden shore we lay
[They lay down the garlands before her.
Th'enamell'd question of the day.
Questions are fast-run knots of sense:
Solve ours by thine intelligence:
And, as the crystal does appear,
So let thy judgment be as clear.

Pega
speaks.
Kind lads, fair lasses, that are come
(I know your custom) for your doom,
Th'occasion that you hither draws,
Your witty arguments and cause.
Know therefore, I, whom you attend,
Am unto either equal friend.
I virgin am and married both,
Am free, and yet have plighted troth.
For in my cloisters, all of stone,
I seem to lead a life alone;
And yet a Triton nightly warms
My pure embraces in his arms:
Cumathalas my dear he hight,
That is to Ops a favourite;
And in solemnities does sport
At revels in high Neptune's court;
And in the light a maid I play
On pavèd paths and golden way.
Wherefore 'tis I can best relate
The best condition of each state:
Or single or the married life:
Which seemeth best, the maid or wife.
Reason, queen-regent of the mind,
Gives praise to both, to both is kind,
But in the highest way of sense
Hands marriage to pre-eminence.
For how should virgins ever be?
Expect you fruit without a tree,
Whose blossoms sweetly seem to show,
But give to fruit the place they owe?
Love-pair'd defendants, unto you
The glory of the day is due:
She puts the Marriage Garland upon Tomkin's and Lipsona's arms.
Whom with this garland I encharm,
As with my streams each circled arm,
And in this flowery compass bind
Knit arms to an united mind,
And that thy virtue, Vota, may
Not lose reward, thy flowers so gay
I'll plant upon my verdant banks,
And water oft their growing ranks.
So shall thy memory appear
In their renewing every year.
Virginity my nosegay be:
Marriage decks you with chastity!
But hear you not Nereides?
I must haste down, descend to seas.

She descends.
Lipsona.
And we, obeying thy behest,
Shall be th'occasion of next feast.

Home. Fold. And rest.
[Exeunt.