University of Virginia Library

Act 2.

Scene 1.

Phillis, Diana, Astræa.
Phillis.
Our discontinu'd Sports we must repaire,
Lest yielding Sorrows should our thoughts insnare.

Diana.
I saw some Company in yonder Plain;
Let's bend our Courses them to entertain.

Leonida.
Leonida appears: With a little stop, strook with a kind of wonder. To her self.
My uncles absence gives me leave awhile,
In rural Sports my Passion to beguile;
As if a second Emulation drove
T' a new Trial each goddess from above!
Nature is but a Niggard in our Courts,
Prodigal here, beyond weak Fames reports;
To them.
Your flourishing Graces have made me poor,
In my weak wishes to salute your store.

Phillis.
Fair Nymph, if any such in us you see,
'Tis from your Presence they imparted be.

Leonida.
Nay, fair One, to vie ('tis not my Pretence)
With such false Coyn, might cost your Innocence.
Leave that unto the self-deceiving Court,
I come to partake of your Love and Sport.

Diana.
Your honour'd Presence will their VVorths exter.
If your high rais'd Thoughts can so low descend.

Leonida.
Rather such humble Calmness will inure
Sylvander appears on the Scene, walking as not heeding them.
To greater Thoughts, true Greatness to ensure.
VVhat Shepherd's that?

Diana.
'Tis One in whom appears
Nothing that's rustick, but the Coat he wears,
Yet so insensible (I mean to Love)
That any's Conquest he disdains to prove.

Leonida.
Of whence?

Phillis.
That were impossible to show,
Since he himself the same ne're yet could know:
His Extraction he thinks hath been from hence,
Which makes him here to place his Residence.

Diana.
He sees us not; else his civil Aboard
Would of himself more knowledge you afford.

Phillis.
Fair Nymph, wilt please you him to entertain?

Leonida.
Your Character's too fair that to refrain.

Phillis.
He salutes them, but passeth by; she speaking to him turns back.
Is this the fashion of those greater Towns
Where you were bred, who us intitle Clowns,
Our Entertainments thus to interrupt,
And second it with a Depart abrupt?

Sylvander.
Since 'twas m'ill hap, such Error to commit,
The fault is less, not to continue it.

Diana.
'Twas rather that no Object here you saw,
You from your self thought worthy to withdraw;
Yet if on this fair Nymph your eyes you turn,
Y'are too insensible if you not burn.

Sylvander.
Fair Shepherdess, Loves sole attractive Ties
Are onely bred by equal Sympathies:
The Disproportion 'twixt her worth and mine,
May easily discharge me of that Crime.

Leonida.
VVhere's the Diff'rence? in Body or in Mind?
Y'ave equal Properties of both I find.

Sylvander.
Fair Nymph, of ev'ry thing the reall Prize,
Not from th'Appearance, but the use doth rise;
Else many Beasts 'fore Man we might commend,
In many Properties they him transcend.
Yet since They for Mans Use, Man for the Gods
Was made, in Dignity this gives Man th'odds.
The Gods which thus distinguish't have each thing,
Imparting worth as they design their Being,
Were taxable, if equal Worth th'ordain
In you for Nymph, in me but for a Swain.

Leonida.
But why, these fair Ones then since as you say
Of like Condition, could not they you stay?

Sylvander.
The Lesser still gives place unto the Great.

Diana.
Disdainful Swain, so lightly us to treat.

Sylvander.
That is not such, which of her is a Part.

Diana.
VVe have enough to force a milder Heart.

Sylvander.
The principal you want that to fulfil.

Diana.
And what may that be?

Sylvander.
Fair One 'tis your will.

Phillis.
Which is so contrary to that Effect,
To Sylvander.
As ev'n Sylvander's is i'th' same respect.

Sylvander.
Fair Astræa! be you my Sanctuary,
He seems to fly behind Astrea.
To shield me from invading Treachery.

Diana.
Mine's the Outrage; whilst me thus to protect,
She renders both my Cause and Force suspect.

Sylvander.
Rather by th'last Stroke, seeing me o'rethrown,
Shee'd steal that Glory you had made your Own.

Phillis.
As though your VVorth were so consid'rable,
To vanquish you were somewhat hon'rable:
But leaving Words, it by th'Effects let's prove,
What Shepherdess hath it engag'd to love?

Sylvander.
All those to which it hath apply'd my Thought.

Phillis.
As you would say, you yet ne're any sought,
Which shews your want of Courage or of Wit,
Seeing what's lovely, and not loving it.

Sylvander.
Or want of Will the same to undertake.

Phillis.
Such is the proud Pretence you seem to make.
To this Troop I appeal; what words can't clear,
Let Demonstration make it to appear.

Leonida.
That is but just.

Diana.
To that we all agree.

Phillis.
Then fair Diana you the Judge shall be;
Injoyn him strait some Shepherdess to serve,
On whose forc't Love he prove he doth deserve.

Diana.
Love violence to suffer doth disdain,
But what his Object sweetly doth constrain;
Yet thus much I ordain, on One he trie,
With due Respect to gain an Amity.

Sylvander.
Though you pass Judgement e're you hear me speak,
I do assent; Nor this decree will break,
Provided such she be, you me design,
Have Worth and Knowledge to distinguish mine.

Phillis.
You seek Evasion you in vain to free;
For ev'n Diana's self the same shall be;
Diana seems averse to that motion.
She wanteth neither; none can it gain-say,
She hath Worth worth to judge, Worth worth to pay.

Leonida.
Nay fair One y'are ingag'd too far to flie.

Astræa.
'Tis the Nymphs request, you must not deny.

Diana.
So that three Moons decreas'd he not presume
(My judgement past) such liberty t'assume.

Sylvander.
To which he vows, with Purity no less
He kneels and kisses her hand.
Then sacred Vestals, when they do profess.
To you, fair Mistris, one Plaint I prefer
For wrongs I suffer.

Diana.
Say what you'd infer.

Sylvander.
If 'cause my Worth 'gainst one did it despise,
I vainly held, to Proof condemn'd arise;
Why ought not she, who, then I, vainer far,
Suffer the like, being Author of this war?

Astræa.
So just a Sutor cannot be deny'de.

Leonida.
It pretty Musick is, thus to divide.

Diana.
Say then what is't?

Sylvander.
That she research in Love
Some Swain, th'advantage of her Worth to prove.

Diana.
'Twere unreasonable; Reason doth not tie
To make good ought with breach of Decency:
On some Shepherdess she shall try the same.

Phillis.
Let it Astræa be.

Astræa.
That were your shame,
That you suspect your Merit 'twill be thought,
To choose VVork to your hand already wrought.

Leonida.
This difference by one Judge should be decreed.

Astræa.
Diana, 'tis your second Charge.

Phillis.
She kisses Diana.
Agreed.

Tyrsis, Leonice, Hylas.
A SONG.
They appear at far end of the Scene.
By Tyrsis.

Leonida.
What Shepherd's that which Sings?

Sylvander.
'Tis one bewails
His Mistris Death, whom Love again assails
By th'Importunities of a new Desire,
Inviting him to quench his former Fire.

Leonida.
That Shepherdess you mean.

Sylvander.
Fair Nymph, the same;
You more shall know, when we them entertain.

A SONG.
By Hylas.

Leonida.
This last it seems is of another Mind.

Sylvander.
Fair Nymph, the pleasant'st that you e're shall find.
To all Objects he doth his Heart enure,
That who gives him the wound, may give the Cure.

Leonida.
He's no Deceiver that declares the same.

Sylvander.
He makes hi Glory what we think his Shame.

Hylas.
I'th' intrim they come up to the face of the Scene.
Should I, as you, each Mistris Loss lament,
Eternity not bound could griefs extent.

Tyrsis.
Were you as I, you need lament but One.

Hylas.
Were you as I, you would lament for None.
Heartless Mistris, will you not Courage take,
This Shepherds scornful usage to forsake?

Leonice.
I grieve that thus my want of Pow'r is shown,
Not for your Consid'ration, but my Own.

Hylas.
Well, since you are of the same Humor still,
Though you command not yours, I do my VVill,
I take my Leave, or else will give it you,
Holds out his hand.
My love grows Stale, I must exchange a New.

Sylvander.
To Tyrsis.
Gentle Shepherd, the cause of your sad Fate,
Our Countries custome wils you to relate.

Tyrsis.
Kneels.
First unto Heav'n my thanks, and then to you;
What you desire to hear, we both must sue:
By you it is th'Oracle doth intend
To give our Diff'rence and our Sorrows end.

Sylvander.
How hap's e're now so much you me ne're told!
Y'ave seen me often.

Tyrsis.
He takes a little billes out of his Scrip and reads the Oracle.
Oracle.

Sylvander.
You must make vow t'observe what I decree.

Tyrsis.
As to the Gods.

Leonice.
We both to It agree.

Sylvander.
To Diana, and takes her by the hand.
Fair mistris, are you not dispos'd to sit?

Phillis.
Your honor to the Nymph you do forget.

Sylvander.
It should be so indeed in civil Tyes;
They sit all but Leonice, and Tyrsis.
But Loves rights are prefer'd 'fore Ceremonies.

Leonice.
Addressing her self, to Sylvander, who is more eminently seated then the rest.
Most worthy judge, I hope you'l condiscend
To mee, as Plaintiffe, first your ear to bend.

Sylvander.
It is your right:

Leonice.
Be pleased then to know,
Unto what Country we our Beeings owe.
Nigh that great City, which, as saies old Fame,
From the Goddesses Judge first took the Name,
Of one Cottage we are, and equal State;
Nature seem'd each for Other to create,
Till like a harsh Stepdame she did produce
She seems to weep.
A third, whose memory these Floods unsluce:
Whether with greater Endowments or less,
I do not know; yet Greater you may guess,
Since he thought so, whose thoughts alone give prise
To all Beauty, at leastwise in my Eyes:
He, as I him, pursues with eager Flames
My happier Rival; me and my Love disdaines.
She yeild's at length? for who could him resist
In Love? I'me sure my bonds I often kist
Neglected; here his cruelty not staid,
But with new slights he me the author made
Of my ruine; to cover, or provoke
Their exchang'd Fires; he stoopes to fained Yoke,
Makes me the Object, yet with her advise,
So cunningly; that, thriving his disguise,
As they intend, the worlds eye to divert,
He then on me the same craft would revert,
Though for unequal Purposes; for now,
Holding my facile Faith, with displeas'd brow,
He dislikes what he sought; The world, he saies,
Doth over clearly on our Freedomes gaze;
Which to prevent, though true, he seems to faign
Love unto Clëon, Clëon was her name:
And this his Craft yet better to disguise,
He me intreates her him to love advise;
But Juster heav'n, whilst me he thus deceaves,
By Clëons Death; Clëons Love him bereaves.
Yet, as to wrong my Love, he did delight,
Fantastique Love he cherisheth with spight.
Justice, just Judge, for this Abuse, I crave;
She making reverence, retires.
Yet but his Love I seek, or else my Grave.

Sylvander.
Gentle Shepherd, y'ave Liberty to speak.

Tyrsis.
More Gentle Judge, more words we need not break,
With obeisance.
The Truth is said; The Truth we must avow;
Yet this Request vouchsafe us to allow;
That each, by lot an Advocate may have,
So he appointed who th'Oracle gave.

Sylvander.
Giving each a glove, they draw Lots.
Ti's granted you; who takes his Own must plead.

Hylas.
Hylas for 'th living;

Phillis.
Phillis for the dead.

Hylas.
Nature her self, whose true Rules cannot err,
Hylas standeth forth and makes his obeysance.
Two invincible Arguments doth inferr
In this Different; and by a double Tye,
This our Cause grants, the others doth deny,
In this Shepherdess, both Beauty and Love:
The 'ffect of One the Gods themselves do prove,
Pigmalyon-like from the work of their hand:
The other is wise Natures firmest band,
VVherewith Sh'unites the world; whose purest Fire
(No other Incense) do the Gods require;
And shall weak Man then dare thus to reject,
VVhat Gods and Nature hallow with Respect?
Th'other Objection, that doth him deny
VVhat he affects, Is Contrariety,
Love's only Opposite his Enemie;
Can there twixt Life and Death be amitie?
Besides, Mans Piety should even dread
Thus to disturb the quiet of the Dead.
Just Judge, to you thus I my Reasons show,
He maketh obeysance, and retires.
My charge to clear; not, that you them not know.

Phillis.
That self Nature, whose spotless Decree
Phillis with obeysance on the Judge stands forth.
You would wrest to your Purpose; she, ev'n she,
By equal pow'r of Beauty, and of Love,
Reignes in this shepherds heart; though yet above
Your Apprehension; or your Loves Pretence,
To Hylas.
VVhich makes Love only th'Object of the Sense.
But thou would'st have him them again to trie,
As though in Natures Laws were a diversity.
No, Shepherd, no; Disorder would orethrow
VVhat Nature Linkes, if she proceeded so.
True Love, of two souls is the unity,
VVhich may without the Bodies Union be.
If this you grant (as who can truth deny?)
His Loves Object still lives; Souls cannot dye:
But thou think'st, th'are disjoyn'd by heav'ns distance,
Know'st not her peircing nature, whose swift glance
Can pass each Sphear in twinckling of an eye,
Nor can hers less, puts on Divinity;
Besides, Love is an Act so freely born,
Ev'n our own VVills subjection it doth scorn.
How then can loath'd Importunity gain,
VVhat our conspiring Selves cannot constrain.
Just judge, they do themselves themselves deny,
That ask of us Impossibility.

Sylvander.
The chiefest point wherein ye agitate,
With obeysance she retires. Stands up.
Is, if Loves Essence subject be to Fate,
Perishable or not; Love hath two objects,
The Body and the Soul; since both Effects
This Shepherd feeles; The Gods in me pronounce
The Body perishable, such Love he renounce;
But since Souls Love, as herself, cannot dye,
He that continue to Eternity;
And that this Shepherdess her Pretences cease,
Your vowes observe, and sanctifie your Peace.

Tyrsis.
As heav'ns Edict!

Leonice.
VVhile my unruly Fire
Threatning Revenge exchangeth into Ire.

Scene. 2.

Paris, Adamas: encounter:
Paris.
In your absence, Leonida hath been here,
With reverence.
VVith such a haste as might beget a feare.

Adamas.
Pray heav'n the Nymph be well; where is she gone?

Paris.
To yonder Plain she bent her course, alone,
As I suppose her self to recreate
In rural Pastimes innocent Debate,
Till your return;

Adamas.
Haste, it to let her know.
And in thy search, Paris, be not too slow;—
Exit Paris.
I am in pain, till I the Subject hear
Leonida appears: He embraces her:
Of her arrive; and scarce delay can bear;
So unexpected! how Fares the Nymph?

Leonida.
Lost
If by your happier hand that Fate's not crost.

Adamas.
Be brief;

Leonida.
Oh sir! I've scarcely had the time
To know my self, since I disclos'd a Crime
Scarce hatch'd, from the Authors own glorying tongue.
From which, perhaps, our Ruines might gave sprung.
As in my way, daies heat did me invade,
I sought the shelter of a milder shade;
Where being no sooner laid, a voice I heard,
VVhich I well knew, though nought of him appear'd.
It was Polemas, Lyndamors Rival,
Their Love to Galatea's known to all.
Polemas guilty of his own Desert,
His slighted Courtship did at length convert
To Stratagem; such, suspected of none,
Till now to me, unseen, It was made known.
While Clemanthe, (his Instrument) declares
Him the procession of their false affaires.
I blush to speak it; It was in this wise;
In Hermits habit, he did him disguise;
Nigh us, betakes him to a lonely Cell;
'Twere too tedious, each circumstance to tell;
How (when the Nymph did thither oft repair,
As she intends, to sanctifie her praier.)
This Impostor did strangely us beguile;
In sum, as he could wish, so throve his wyle;
The Nymph with Faith he did possess, that she
Should see that man, which should her husband be,
If she would happyness enjoy; if not,
Foretells, sh' incurres a miserable Lot.
The Place he did discover in a glass:
Appoin'ts the Time, and Person, Polemas,
Who should have us incounter'd there; But he
Failing his Time; our well-led Charity
Succurred an half drown'd Shepherd, in whom,
Galatea, prepossess'd, beleeves her Doom;
But the inamor'd Shepherd doth reject
Her Flames, seeming some other to respect:
Yet she 'gainst Honor, Reason, or his Hate,
Vowes to inthrone him in her Bed, and State.
Yet my commission bids not this declare;
Sir, he's fal'n sick; which threats a new despair;
In whose Succor I'me sent t'implore your aid;
Which cannot, but by miracle, be allaid;
Save him; or save him not; such is her Doom;
Her Honor, or her Self you must intombe.

Adamas.
Do not despair, these clowds I'le quickly clear.

Leonida.
To herself.


Alas? my own love painteth thus my Fear!

Scene 3.

Sylvander.
Victorious Archer, whose self-pleasing Spoiles
Filleth my Bosome with these homebred broiles!
Accept thy Conquest: I do not resist;
But 'gainst a yeilding Heart no more insist:
Why represent'st thou still her glorious trayn
Of charming Graces to reinforce my Pain?
I 'fore thy shrine, like innocent victime stand;
To sacrifice my self with mine own hand.
Thus sporting in thy Flame, like silly flie,
I singe my wings, and for that Folly die.
If this the sacred Storehouse of thine Arms
I have by stealth attempted, Mine own harms
Punish that Crime; while rashly I aspire,
Prometheus Pain must follow my Desire.
If for some Gods Abode this Structure's rais'd,
M' Impiety's punish't o're curiously t'ave gaz'd,
While this Diana's presence I invade;
Unto my rav'nos thoughts I am betraid;
Is, as her worth, thou seek'st t'inlarge Despaire,
I will, with thee, against my self prepare
This second Fuel: Her too much worth implies,
That I must prove her double Sacrifice.
Yet, Love, thou art too covetous b' unjust force
He seemes to lye him down to sleep.
All Duties to thy self thus to ingross:
Forget not Natures rights, lest hers orethrown,
Thou do'st thy self deprive thee of thine Own.

Leonida, Celadon.
Leonida.
Leonida and Celadon appear upon the Scene with a womans garment loosly cast about him.
By this Disguise from those Bonds I thee free,
Which all, (neglecting all) court, Sov'raignty:
Nor wonder I, that thou do'st it despise,
Thou more Subject'st with those commanding Eyes;
Yet foolish I, thus to obey thy will,
Steal thee from other; but my self do kill:

Celadon.
Fair Nymph, do not that Beauty so debase,
To sue, who should be sought to; nor deface
The image of that Love, I did discover;
I know you'd not accept a faithless Lover.

Leonida.
Well; since to other destin'd is that heart,
Gentle Swayn, vouchsafe me this to impart,
That in your mem'ry friendly place I have.

Celadon.
Worth'est of Friends, ev'n such unto my grave,
Else may Heav'ns heav'est Veng'ance me persue.
A thousand Thankes.

They imbrace. Exit Leonida.
Leonida,
A thousand times adue.

Celadon.
Alas! my flight my Prison but extend's,
Since with my life my Bondage only end's.
Can the World's vastest limits other be,
Forbad b' Astræa Astræa not to see.
Thus being depriv'd my Sun, Dayes clearest light
Shall be to me but as the blackest Night.
I'le in this Desert seek some hollow Cave
Shall be to me a Mansion, and a Grave.
Asleep! if Griefe these lights have not ore'thrown,
He spies Sylvander asleep.
Surely, me thinks this Shepherd I have known.
It is Sylvander, whose yet closed Lids,
His Sorrows swelling Ruptures not forbid's:
Alas, poor Friend! I have heard of the change
Thou hast made of thy Peace; nor think it strange,
Thy Heart hath still harbor'd noblest Desires:
And such Love thinketh fittest for his fires:
Yet may'st thou happier therein be then I,
VVhose only Love prove's only Misery.
Th'occasions fair; I will it not debate,
I feel the hasty Summons of my Fate,
Though Celadon b' exil'd Astræas sight,
He puts his hand in his scrip, takes out pen and paper, and writes, and folds it up.
Yet sure t'Astræa Celadon may write.
More happy paper! haste unto her hand,
Not to recall her over-harsh Command,
But to assure her, since such is her VVill,
Approaching Death her Sentence shall fulfill:
While, unrepining, Hers I do depart,
Though ruder Fate hath rob'd me of her Heart.
If but one tear her cheek thou chance to lave,
I wish no other Monument to my Grave;
To thee, Sylvander, this office I commend,
Puts it in his hand and goes out. Wakens and rising discovers the letter: He reads it.
Ev'n as the last any shall me befrend.

Sylvander.
Ha! a letter! am I asleep, or wake?
If I still dream not, how came I this to take:

To the most lov'd and most fair Shepherdess of
the universe, The most unfortunate, and
most faithful of her Servants, wisheth that
weale, which Fortune him denies.

My extream Affection shall neuer consent to give
the name of Pain or Punishment to what by your Command
I suffer: Nor shall ever permit Complaint to
come from that mouth was only destin'd for your Praise:
But It may permit me to say, that the State wherein I
am (which an Other would perhaps, think insupportable)
contenteth me; in so much as I know, you will, and ordain
It such. Be not scrupulous to extend yet farther (if
possible) your commands; I shall still continue my Obedience,
to the end that if my Life hath not been capable
to assure my fidelity, my Death may.

'Tis doubtless I; the Demon guardes my Soul,
Reading my passion, doth it here inroule.
To the most fair; Diana must be she:
Looks upon the letter.
And most belov'd; that, sure is meant of me.
Then she, n' other object such love can give:
Then I, n' other subject such love receive.
Thanks my good Geni'us; better skilld then I,
With their own figure dost my thoughts supply.

Scene. 4.

Leonice, Lycidas: encounter:
Leonice.
Propitious Fate; as I could wish! 'tis he;
To herself.
Now thrive my Vengeance by my subtlety.
Gentle Shepherd! saw you not pass this way
To him.
A lonely Swain, seems from himself to stray?

Lycidas.
Fair Shepherdess, how should I know the same?

Leonice.
Tis One, doth his dead Mistris Loss complain;
I heard he in the Company should be
Of Phillis, and her Servant:

Lycydas.
who is he?

Leonice.
He's sensible I see;—Tis one they call
Silander or Sylvander, slender, and tall;

To her self.
Lycidas.
By what judge you him her Servant to be?

Leonice.
By some seene freedomes of their Amity;
Which to my own Practice therein applyd,
That they are Lovers should not be deny'd,

Lycidas.
She speakes my feares; yet she a stranger is
To himself.
To them, or me, which confirmes true it is.

Leonice.
You saw none such?

Lycidas.
Not any, pass this way.

Leonice.
Good morrow Swaine.

Lycidas.
To you a better day.
Exit Leonice.
What Perfection can Man in VVoman find,
That may arrest the Levity of her Mind?

Phillis. Diana, Astræa,
She aboards Lycidas who Walks in a discontented posture. She takes him by the arme. He flings from her, goes out and she follows him.
Phillis.
VVhy walkes my Shepheard with so sad a cheare?

Lycidas.
As thou wer't innocent!—away, forbear.

Diana.
VVhat suddain change is this?

Astræa.
His hate to me,
Since his brothers death.

Diana.
Or his Jealousie.
Our purer Fire bent to each others sex,
This churlish Inmate us can never vex.

She kisses her.
Astræa.
I must not so conclude; for even now
I feel those Flames, that you so disavow,

Diana.
As how?

Astræa.
I fear by that intended Tress,
Diana having a bracelet of hair in her hand.
Others then I more favour should possess.

Diana.
Smiling, Imbraces her. They sit down seeming to finish it.
'Tis but for Wager; I am wholly Thine;
Come, thou shalt help the Residue to twine.

Astræa.
You blame th'Effects, yet still the Means supply
To administer to that Jealousie.
If Sylvander see this his Rival wear,
Impossible 'twere this Passion to forbear.

Diana.
I think she sought it with the same Intent.

Astræa.
And as unjustly you her it assent.

Diana.
As how?

Astræa.
In this to make his Enemy
Sylvander stealingly approacheth.
Triumph before determin'd Victory;
You are their Judge, and should with equal Eye,
As doth the Sun, reflect your Clemency.

Diana.
And surpriseth them.
She for this Favour made to me her suit.

Astræa.
And you, like Fortune, must reject the mute.

Sylvander.
Kneels to Diana.
If nothing else remain, on bended knee
I shall for It devoutest Suppli'ant be.

Astræa.
How, Sylvander! are you become so bold
T'intrude your Mistris privacies, t'unfold
Her secrets?

Sylvander.
Fair Shepherdess, th'are mine Own,
Which not of her learnt, are to my Self unknown.
But my rude Fate leads now but me to show
In m'Enemies Glory mine own overthrow.
Fair Mistris, if but your self to free
Fro'th' violence of Importunity,
You granted this: to greater Flames designe
Your equal Bounties; hers cannot equal mine.

Astræa.
Why so? one Object doth you both inflame;
Why follows not, th'Effects should be the same?

Sylvander.
Diff'rence is not from th'Agents Quality,
But from the Pati'ent's Incapacity;
So doth the equal Sun on either shine,
Corrupt the Dunghil, but enrich the Myne.

Astræa.
Then must her Love of yours th'Advantage gain,
Since hers produceth what yours can't obtain.

Sylvander.
Not by defect of Love, but unjust Fate,
Which 'gainst the worthi'st still doth bend his hate.

Astræa.
You have a double Conquest still in me;
Your En'my will your Intercessor be.
Shall Phillis Int'rest 'gainst us both prevail?
To Diana.
My Share's but light if't cannot turn the Scale.

Diana.
To Astrea.
You wrong my Love Competitor to take;
The expir'd terme must restitution make.

She flings Sylvander the bracelet.
Sylvander.
To Phillis returning somewhat disturbed, he shews the bracelet.
As for my Beeing such Gratitude I owe,
I pay it you, since you it better so.
Where's now your boasting Ensignes of Desert?

Phillis.
The want thereof that doth on thee revert.

Sylvander.
How mean you that?

Phillis.
To th'Ballance light in weight
Must still be added a superflu'ous Freight.

Sylvander.
So doth the Envi'ous miserable blame
What his own fruitless Travel can't obtain.

Phillis.
To Diana and Astræa.
It is to you my just Ire should extend,
Who violate the rights of Judge and Friend.

Sylvander.
Fair Mistris, prudent Love that reads our hearts,
Hath justly thus rewarded our Deserts;
For now you see her Jealousie doth prove,
That she incapable is of true Love.

Phillis.
How so?

Sylvander.
Love still is an active desire,
Kindled by vertue of a secret Fire;
But Jealousie (you know) a passive Fear,
Which always barren coldness Ensigns bear;
In one at once Contraries cannot be,
Nor Phillis feel both Love and Jealousie.

Phillis.
The coldest Flint oft Fire doth unfold.

Sylvander.
But yet the fire ne're produceth cold.

Phillis.
Ashes, which are, it doth.

Sylvander.
So't may be sed,
Jealousie is sign of Love, but Love that's dead.

Diana.
As ancient Ruines signs of Buildings are;
Not that still Such they be, but such they were.

Phillis.
My Judge m'Adversary? my cause must fail,
Sylvander lets fall a Letter.
When they should It protect, do it assail.

Astræa.
No more of this Subject; for as I fear,
Phillis in this Case hath a Cause more near.

Phillis takes it up.
Phillis.
'Tis Celadons; how comes it to his hand?

Astræa.
His Mistris that of him may best command.

Diana.
Servant: whose Letters this? to whom addrest?

Sylvander.
With a little astonishment, misses the Letter.
That on my Heart your Beauties have exprest,
Confer'd with th'Inscription, 'To you which are
Of all the most Beloved and most Fair;
From your faithful, unhappy servant, me.

Diana.
If so, this would your own hand-writing be.

Sylvander.
Finding a better Secretar'e then I,
With his Expressions I mine own supply;
Which must proceed from some Agent divine,
Since it to your Hand comes, as't came to mine.

Diana.
What riddle's this?

Sylvander.
Last night o're charg'd with thought,
In yonder Grove my Sense asleep was brought;
Waking, with wonder I was seis'd to find
So lively Characters of my dying Mind,
Which I intended to your Self; but see
My better Genius hath prevented me.

Diana.
Could you not, think you, guide us to that place?

Sylvander.
Takes her by the hand and leads her out. They follow
My best Endeavours shall that Hope imbrace.