 | Astraea, or, True Love's Myrrour |  |
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Act. 4.
Scene 1.
Leonice.I too long do neglect my Love, I find,
So sweet is Revenge to an injur'd Mind.
A new Occasion I have found this day,
VVhich for the Execut'ion shall make way;
I wait fit time, Then Tyrsis to thee flie,
In solitude to gain thy love or die.
Fortune my Hope doth still anticipate;
Here is the ground where I must sow Debate.
They appear.
Phillis, Hylas, Diana.
Phllis.
And what will Stella say that you her leave?
Hylas leads Diana by the hand.
Hylas.
My late Mistris, you do your self deceive;
I do but give her Company; and will
VVhat is contained in our Laws fulfill.
Phillis.
But what Sylvander, when he this shall see,
VVho is your Rival and your Enemy?
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'Twil make my fading Love more fresh, more keen.
Diana.
Where should he be, so long we have not seen?
Leonice.
Sylvander is't you seek?
Phillis.
Him we would find.
Leonice.
I saw him late with so perplext a Mind
Take leave of his Madontha, who this day,
Alone accompany'd her on her way:
Her Denyals, nor Modesty avail'd:
Against them both his Love and Tears prevaild.
Phillis.
Sure you mistake; Sylvander Love doth flie.
Hylas.
Of all Attaints but fair Diana's eye.
Phillis.
Which but for wager is.
Leonice.
So, oft he vow'd
Unto Madontha, when she 't disallow'd.
I would, said he (then Tears gusht out amain)
You in her place, she in yours might remain;
Then should you see how each Day should invite
To feast our Fancies with a new Delight.
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In whom Fate grants a mean Resemblancy;
Which with persev'ring Faint I will imbrace,
As the imperfect Figure of thy Face.
While what's to you indiff'rent I make known,
I forget what's important of mine own.
Know ye not, gentle Swains, where Tyrsis is?
Hylas.
M'ancient Mistris, Ile show you for a kiss.
Leonice.
You may oblige me.
Hylas.
Mistris, with your leave,
But to restore what Hatred would bereave.
Leonice.
Fair companions, good day.
To Dienr-
Phillis.
To you the same.
Diana.
Oh mans Ingratitude! my only Shame!
Was it for this I suffer'd thee to cover
All thy proceedings, as a feigned Lover,
With greater Liberty me to entertain
Of (thought) true Love; true Love thou didst but feine.
Was this so oft prais'd Beautie no more priz'd,
Then for Madontha's thou should'st it despise?
Or has't Inconstancy so long assail'd
In Others, It against thee hath prevail'd?
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I have no Faith in this.
Diana.
Faith did foretell
No less at first, he counterfeits so well.
Phillis.
I see no ground for this Report.
Diana.
VVhat Ground
Canst thou demand where Levity is found?
Let not th'Incredulity him excuse;
Unless thou would'st Diana twice abuse;
But force from him the Bracelet which he wears,
On that possess'ion depend all my fears,
Least he should triumph in his Victory
Rais'd on my VVeakness and his Treachery.
Phillis.
But will you him condemn before you hear?
Diana.
As thou me lov'st, me to disswade forbear.
Phillis.
It is a Charm, but see unhappy Fate
Affords no time your Ire to mitigate.
Sylvander.
Sylvander appears. Diana hides herself.
Fair Enemy, retain you still that Name?
Or since our Quarrel's ended, ends the same?
VVhy so alone, and with dejected Eye?
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Poor Shepherd, it foretels thy Destiny,
That Bracelet which you wear, you must restore
Unto my hand, whose Right it was before.
Sylvander.
Our Contenti'ons must then have no respite,
Since ev'n your Sorrows thus in them delight:
By whose Authority?
Phillis.
Hers you it gave.
Sylvander.
My Mistrisses!
With astonishment.
Phillis.
I know none such you have;
The Term's expir'd, and both you must resign.
Sylvander.
Oh wherein is't? of Love you Pow'rs divine,
I have transgrest.
Phillis.
In vain you do him prove,
Who still neglecteth all Deceits in Love.
Sylvander.
Why, doth she think me false?
Phillis.
Else all not true.
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She taking off the bracelet, he fals in a swonn.
Then to my dying Soul, such, Gods, be you.
Phillis.
He faints! Sylvander! oh, Sylvander! hear,
And let thy setting Soul once more appear.
Leave not the world unto eternal Night
Diana appears.
Of Love and Vertue; you only it inlight.
Alas Diana! we have Sylvander slain.
Diana.
She kneels by him.
'Twere double Guilt these chast Tears to refrain.
Phillis.
Now you'l believe, unless, as of us sed,
You think he still dissembles being dead.
Diana.
My self, then thee, I far more wounded have;
Thy dying proves to me a living grave.
Which to adorn, I will imbalm thy Herse
With these warm Tears, whil'st I thy Love reherse.
Phillis.
Diana retire. He begins to come to himself.
I feel him breath; you with your Grief retire;
Concealed still should be a Virgin Fire.
Sylvander.
Where, or from whence, I know not: but still why
Thus disturbed, I have fresh Memory;
Why took ye not this Function of my Soul,
Which serveth but my Mis'ries to enrole?
If I the common Instrument have left,
Why not of what subsists by it bereft?
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But to a second Death my self to give.
Phillis.
His wild Aspect denotes distracted Sense,
As on Himself he would act Violence.
To herself.
Sylvander.
What bright shadow art thou?
Phillis.
He doth me take
For his good Angel; such my self Ile make,
To herself.
To remove his Despaire:—your better Guide,
To him.
Who cometh for your Safety to provide;
Ere three days, if you frustrate not the same,
Your Mistris Favor shall return again.
Exit.
Sylvander.
I thank thy Charity; Hope me quickned hath;
He rises.
Heav'n leads me now in a directer Path.
Exit.
Scene 2.
Alexis.Why sad? thou grasp'st a full Felicity
In her Favors, in her Society:
Full Liberty thou hast on her to gaze,
And lose thy Senses in a lovers Maze;
Beginning where ending; ending where begun,
So long, till like a Statue I become;
While she with blushing Smile awakes delight,
And lest o're suddenness should it affright,
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Her am'rous Accents 'twixt my lips doth shroud,
VVith so long fixt self-ravishing Desire,
As that great Workman did his work inspire;
VVhilst I new Being take, my self again
To lose my self cannot my self refraine.
Such heav'nly Raptures onely are exprest
VVhen Immortality doth the Soul invest,
VVhich to make perfect, she oft playes my part,
Exchanging Beings by our am'rous Art:
No place is left for Wish, Hope is but vain,
Yet all is fruitless wanting Celadons name.
'Twixt my divided self there is Debate;
Celadon envieth Alexis State;
Alexis fearth His; Nor can have bliss
In any place where Celadon absent is.
Desirable is the state of Celadon,
But redoubtable if to her made known.
Desire must cease where nought it higher rears,
And where so wretched is no place for Fears:
Yet still fresh Torments of them Both me press,
The One would regain what he did possess;
The Other strugleth what he hath to hold,
And still denies the Other to unfold.
But while my self thus doth my self revise,
He laies himself to sleep.
Nature's soft Slumbers would us reconcile.
Astræa.
I am become a Truant in my Love,
So long dull Sleep the Object doth remove.
'Tis full an hour since Days alarum rung
Her lofty Notes to greet th'approaching Sun.
Yet why by them do I account my Time?
It must be late, my Star hath left her Clime:
But see, her watchful Thoughts are forc'd repay
VVhat they took from the Night unto the Day.
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T'exact these thy untimely Tributes cease;
VVhisper unto her while she it enlight,
The world is cover'd in a mourning Night;
Yet least thou should'st astonish her with Fear,
See that in my shape thou to her appear.
VVhile I stoln Tributes of my Love exact,
Kisses her.
And yet but satisfie half the Contract;
Since thou from me withhold'st the better Share,
These little more then dreaming Shadows are:
How my Tongue unawares leads me to truth!
This, though awake, is but th'object of Ruth;
VVhich rather then my Senses should delight,
It should with Horror of my Guilt affright:
Yet since to cherish Celadon Death denys,
Ile worship here his sweet resembling Eyes.
Why, oh why! doth now churlish Fate refuse
Him thou present'st the Figure thus to use;
Kisses her.
These Kisses would not be less innocent,
If on more Heat and Moisture they were spent;
My better Self, my Pardon, I have broke
She awake
Those balmy Slumbers, Love did it provoke.
Alexis.
Dear Astræa! how long here thus alone?
Astræa.
No longer then two Kisses I have stoln.
Alexis.
Love was consenting, who these Pleasures knew,
Kisses her.
But dreaming false, awaking to be true:
Yet why so early?
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My unquiet Heart
Admits no Truce foreseeing your depart
To your devout Society, unless
With you I may enjoy like Happiness,
To which lend me your Aid.
Alexis.
For my Aid sue!
Alas! 'tis that I must attend from you.
Astræa.
To you wherein can I be Profitable?
Alexis.
That we for ever be Inseparable.
Astræa.
'Tis mine own Wish, which but on you depends.
Alexis.
In our Agreements both must have their Ends.
Astræa.
To mine ye holy Pow'rs Witnesses be,
Which broke, punish with just Severity.
Alexis.
It is enough, yet one thing more remains.
Astræa.
Hasten it quickly, then our Souls enchains;
Nothing if not impossible it be,
Can hinder this our sweet Felicity.
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Then command me; but—
She abruptly stops, and seems to faint: Is supported by Astræa.
Astræa.
Your grief to asswage.
Do you want nothing?
Alexis.
Nothing but Courage.
Phillis, Lycidas, Diana.
Phillis.
'Twas just; the Author of your Jealousie
Hath from her own mouth giv'n the Remedie.
Lycidas.
Which gives a new Displeasure; my Remorse,
Gives him her hand to kiss.
That durst attempt our Loves so to divorce:
Phillis.
Which thus I cancel.
Lycidas.
With a firmer Tie,
To Diana.
To bind our Loves unto Eternity.
Phillis.
Next is your part.
Diana.
Which I shall expiate
At first Encounter.
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Pray heav'n not too late.
Astræa.
From whence, my dear Compan'ions, pleas'd so well?
Phillis.
From discov'ring Treason by Miracle,
As we to shun the rigour of Days pride
Did us a well united shade provide;
VVe heard to Tyrsis Leonice recite
The foul Effects of her incensed Spite
'Gainst me, and Sylvander; VVho (as you know)
Did by his Judgement her Love overthrow.
Astræa.
Diana was there.
Phillis.
Or else still (I fear)
VVould last her Jealousie.
Diana.
VVhich now is clear.
Alexis.
Sylvander must have Right.
Diana.
I not deny,
Preserving still a Virgins Modesty.
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Appears in a discontented posture.
Phillis.
Sylvander, the Triumph at length is mine,
And you your usurp'd Trophies must resign;
VVhether by Force or by Subtility,
Matters not which; glorious stil's Victory.
Do you remember by fein'd Love to me
You strove t'increase Licidas Jealousie.
I now am quit, that Message which I brought
VVas but the Stratagem wherewith I fought.
Sylvander.
What do you mean?
Phillis.
Those VVords I said to you,
VVere things invented Diana ne're knew.
Sylvander.
No more my Foe, and justifie but this,
VVho by you is subdued, crowned is.
Phillis.
For better proof, first I surrend my Theft,
Flings him the bracelet.
Those Tears content me which it hath bereft.
Sylvander.
To heav'n, to you, and to Diana give
My humble thanks, I by your Favours live.
Kneels, kisses the bracelet, and puts it on his arm. Who was at distance before approaches.
Diana.
VVhat part have I in your Discourse? I hear
You named me.
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Not now such are, but were;
As pleased me to represent you still,
In Words or Actions both fram'd by my Will.
Diana.
I thank you, but I hope you have well chose,
Since you so freely of them both dispose.
Diana.
As for mine own Advantage best might prove.
Phillis.
I thank you dear Companion for your Love.
Sylvander.
The Satisfaction's greater which I have,
To Phillis.
Then the Displeasure which before you gave;
But know, th'unhappy Effects of this Strife
Can never cease but with m' unhappy Life.
Phillis.
My Veng'ance never did so far pretend.
Lycidas.
Those Ils are great which cease but with our End.
Diana.
'Tis just, me thinks, that Phillis bear her share,
Since she the Author was of his Dispaire.
Lycidas.
Unto the Cure at least.
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Provided still,
That you t'effect the same will grant your Will.
To Diana.
Diana.
Your Skill on others Help you do repose.
Alexis.
You can't deny what Char'ity doth propose.
Diana.
I must submit.
Phillis.
The Cure Ile undertake,
If he have courage his Ils known to make,
Sylvander.
Know then, by this your Wyle, o're charg'd with Grief,
I to th'Oracle flew for my Relief,
But in the Answer more cause of It found,
With this irr'evocable Edict be'ing bound.
Oracle.
He take a little billet and reads.
Thy present Ils e're long shall end;
But Her thou would'st, Paris shall wed.
To thy Desires do not pretend,
Untill such time Sylvander's dead.
Thou fair Disposer of my Soul, though Fate
Kneels to Diana.
On this poor trunk seems thus to vent his Hate.
Lest I you Others see, suffer me die,
Then suffer still of Death's varietie:
'Tis but the hast'ning of mine own Desire,
Which is accomplish'd when I do expire.
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Phillis having paws'd awhile.
No, no, this Oracle no such Sense bears,
Each Oracle mysterious Senses wears;
Diana, you'l not from your Promise flie?
Astræa.
VVe all become therein her Suerty.
Phillis.
First, that your present Ils e're long should end;
On what is now past plainly did depend:
Next is, but whom thou would'st, Paris shall wed:
VVed is oft in a double sense used,
The Priests office herein it doth include:
Paris, whom you would, wed's to you as Druy'd.
Sylvander.
But where (your Desire's not pretend) 'tis sed,
VVhat Remedy until Sylvander's dead.
Phillis.
O thou Ignorant in Love's Mysteries,
VVho loves an Other, to Himself he dies.
'Tis your own Doctrine.
Lycidas.
Nothing is more clear.
Alexis.
As she with Heav'n Intelligencer were.
Phillis.
Diana's promise must the Rest fulfill.
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Wherein? I see no need thereof.
Phillis.
Your will:
Without you aid him this cannot be true,
That he should dye in Him, and live in You;
Such Myst'ry in Love, as yet, was ne're known,
This could in any wise subsist by One.
Alexis.
We are ingag'd.
Astræa.
And must not see you fail.
Diana.
What is requir'd of Both must needs prevail.
Phillis.
Since he unto Himself must cease to live,
You must likewise your Self unto him give.
Diana.
It is too much.
Sylvander.
For my Worth.
Phillis.
But no less,
From her own Self exacteth her Promess;
Phillis takes Diana by the hand, and gives it Sylvander to kiss.
Here, take her Hand, and thereon seal your Vows.
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Thus guarded, Heav'n in vain you bend your brows.
Scene 3.
Leonida, and Paris encounter.Paris in Shepheards apparrel.
Leonida.
What M'etamorphis's this? Paris a Druy'd
Become a Shepherd?
Paris.
Even such, well view'd,
All pow'rful Love transform'd all pow'rful Jove,
No wonder Mortals such Effects do prove:
But could you view my Inside, you should see,
Paris within yet far more chang'd to be.
My thoughts do feel an universal Spring,
And charm themselves with Harmony they sing:
Each Fancy doth beget a various Flow'r,
(As doth, in April, a distilling Show'r)
T'enamel richly our Hymenal Wreath,
Which shall with every wanton Zephire breath
More fragrant odors, then th'Arabian hils,
When each perfumed Leaf with hony fils
The no more busie Bee, who thus o'reflown
With plenty of delight, becomes a Drone;
While we there with be'ing crown'd by Virgin hands,
Unite our Souls in everlasting Bands.
Leonida.
Oh excellent! But whence all this? or why?
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To welcome my fulfraught Felicity;
Thou know'st my Love to Diana, and how
My Father gladly did the same allow;
My wingie Passions, greedy of their Prey,
Have got the Mothers Will; Children obey:
So said she, when my Love I did disclose;
She had no Pow'r, Bellinda must dispose.
Our Parents are agreed, the Contract's don,
And nothing wanting but to morrows Sun.
Who shall with such a Rev'rence be beheld,
As other Lights, Himself he had excel'd.
Leonida.
Inure your Pass'ions to a milder Strain,
You are not sure Diana's Will to gain.
Paris.
She is the Image of true Piety;
Her Obedience to doubt were Her'esie:
But here in vain my howers I do waste,
To find her out I will renew my haste.
My stay here was my Happ'iness to make known,
Which was imperfect till to others shown.
Exit.
Leonida.
'Tis very suddain, this Report be'ing true,
To Sylvander, pray Heav'n, no Ill ensue.
Alexis appears.
Now fair disguised Druy'd, what monstrous Race
Must we expect of this Cloud you imbrace?
Thrice hath the Moon fil'd full her horned Crest:
And thrice again her Orb she hath deprest,
Since you this Habit took, and yet I see
Of this our Purpose no Fertility,
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(As did the Gods their Host, they did convict)
Plac'd in happiness to the very Lip,
Yet not suffer your thirsty Soul to sip.
Alexis.
Here cause is of your Pitty.
Leonida.
Or my Blame,
That you so often have abus'd the same;
Frustrating It with your own self-Neglect.
Alexis.
Blame rather my Love's too severe Respect.
Leonida.
Respect, to what?
Alexis.
To what I do obey.
Leonida.
Which her Repentance cancels ev'ry day;
Those Tributes of her Love she pays to thee,
Are Sacrifices to thy Memory,
Unto her dead; not by hers, but thy Guilt
Art thou become so, since so it thou wilt:
Nor do I think she would thee e're forgive,
Knew she thou from her hold'st whom thou could'st give:
How oft thee in her am'rous Arms inchain'd,
Hath she thee in her stifled Sighings nam'd.
Wishing thee Such, yet jealous of each Ear,
Scatter'd the Motions of her modest Fear
Into her Cheeks, which there such Thoughts betray'd,
As such, she would thou wert, she were afraid.
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This be'ing granted, why doth she not revoke
Her own Sentence, and ease me of my Yoke?
Leonida.
She knows not that you are, or if she did,
Not knowing where you are, why it forbid?
Advise betimes, you long not conceal'd can,
A womans Habit long not hides a Man:
Besides, if such discov'ry you befal,
To Adamas 'twill be Reproach, to All.
Alexis.
Alas! I often it attempted have,
But want of Courage oft Repulses gave.
Leonida.
See, see, is this an Object to affright?
Astrea appears.
It rather is an Object to invite;
Still so intentive on your am'rous Chase,
Astrea aboards Alexis and kisses her.
I know you Celadon rather had imbrace
Then this fair Druy'd; Nay, let not his fair Name
Dye those fair Roses in a deeper Stain,
Unless it be it silently t'avow,
That is no Crime to which the Gods do bow.
Astræa.
Fair Nymph, I know not why I should aver
Before Alexis Love I His prefer.
Leonida.
In vain you do from me your Passions hide,
I have to trace them a more subtile Guide
Then you yet know of, who hath to me shown
Each passage of your Loves to your selves known:
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Was not, as you report; your Aid, but Breath.
Astræa.
I am amaz'd with wonder; but whereby
Comes this to your Knowledge?
Leonida.
Ile satisfie
Your Thoughts in that, provided you conceal,
As religi'ous Secrets, what I reveal.
Astræa.
I shall.
Leonida.
My Uncle hath a secret Art,
Which he to me not long since did impart;
By which, of what is, was, or yet shall be.
We have true Knowledge: this said Mysterie
Inlightned me in what I you disclos'd,
And more had said, had you it not oppos'd.
Astræa.
It were a second Inj'ury to his Love,
Should I deny that I such Passion prove;
Nor shall ought I can hear of him offend,
Unless it be the Subject of his End.
Leonida.
If you him love, you would him wish to see.
Astræa.
Beyond imaginary Felicity.
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Then know, the Power of my Art Ile try,
Provided you your Succor not deny.
Astræa.
I am afraid we shall disturb the Peace
Of his eternal Rest.
Leonida.
Those your Fears cease.
Astræa.
Nor shall I Courage have to see the Ayre
With horror maskt, while you your Charms prepare.
Leonida.
Nothing less, th'Ayre shall be more calm, more bright,
And smile on each thing with more fresh delight.
Each Tree, and Flower, reassume their Spring,
Each aery Chorister more cleerly sing.
Astræa.
I do assent.
Leonida.
Then you must first untie
What your Command impos'd; That to your eye
He may appear.
Astræa.
If my Love still have force
To reunite, as it had to divorce;
Celadon, I command thee to appear,
And leave those Bonds of thy respectful Fear.
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Leonida with a book of Characters in one hand, and a bough in the other, after many turnings, kneels and invokes.
Enough. You happy Spirits, who still prove
The everflourishing delights of Love;
Afford us One from your Society,
We will rear Altars to your Diety.
There he is, do you not him see?
Astræa.
Not I.
Leonida.
Your Intents wanting to his Liberty,
Although your Words seem essent'al to be.
Astræa.
They both are truly present.
Alexis.
So is he;
Alexis fals on his knee and imbraces Astrea's.
Recieve thy Cel'adon, whom the milder Wave,
Least it should quench his Flame, deny'd a Grave.
Astræa.
Why do you mock me? sweet Alexis rise.
Alexis.
Alexis I am not, but in Disguise;
See here the spoiles unwittingly I forc'd
She shews her from her breast first a ribbon, then a picture,
From thy fair self, when from't I was divorc'd;
Or if thy Celadon thou knowest not,
See if thine own Face thou hast not forgot.
Astræa.
Ah cruel wretch! thy Impr'dence hath betray'd,
With thy false Charms, the Modesty of a Maid:
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How dar'st thou to thy Treach'eries seal thy Name?
Or before me thy self thus represent,
Whose knowledge all my life I must repent:
Disl'yal Deceiver! haste thee from mine Eye
Unto thy Ruine, hence, away and dye;
Since thou had'st Courage to incur my Hate,
Take it again the Same to expiate.
Alexis.
Still honour'd Mistris, I ne're did attend,
He holds her, who struggles to be gone.
To what you me reproach, a fairer End;
Yet since you do Deaths Sentence me pronounce,
Tell me what kind of Death you do denounce.
She flings from him, whom Leonida runs after.
Astræa.
Such as thou wilt, so thou maist cease to be.
But seeing Celadon flie another way, she pursues him with distraction.
Leonida.
Astræa, Celadon, why thus disagree.
Scene 4.
Lycidas, Phillis, Diana.Phillis encounters them in hast.
Lycidas.
See whom we seek?
Phillis.
Lycidas, my hasty fear
Must fill with Wonder thy astonish't Ear,
And yours Diana; Celadon yet lives,
But whom Heav'n did, Astræa not forgives;
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Both him present, and withhold from our eyes.
VVhich known t'Astræa, her offended Shame,
That she too lavishly had fed her flame
On this false Object, who from her again
As lavishly had still r'exact the same:
Hath rashly him pronounc'd a second Doom,
Thus of our Joys, Grief must possess the room.
But he by none to be resisted, fled
Into the Woods: And as soon lives, is dead,
Unless your hasty search do him prevent,
But my Relation pretious Time hath spent.
Lycidas.
So strange Amazement hath my sense bereav'd,
That I can scarce believe I'm not deceiv'd.
Diana.
Nor I.
Lycidas.
Sure Nature did herself bely,
To such Beauty gave no Humanity.
Diana.
'Tis very strange.
Lycidas.
Prodigious Amity
That works th'Effects of stern Hostility.
Phillis.
Her now collected Sense the same repents,
And what she did desire, done, she laments,
Stay not, in her reviles, your search.
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Exit.
I flie.
Phillis.
VVith your leave, her to comfort.
To Diana. Exit.
Diana.
I to die.
Fond Astræa! thus to build thy Mishap
On Bounties Fortune showred in thy lap,
Thou art thy self unto thy self ill Fate,
Too hasty Ils thus to anticipate;
And why thus doth thy Happiness distaste?
Because, before thou would'st, thou happy wast.
Alas! had Fate to me been half so kind,
I had not, sure, as thou, been half so blind:
VVhat lessens thine, me double Grief doth frame,
In that the author I must never blame.
My Mother 'tis; my Mother who me bred,
By whom I am to Execution led:
VVhose former Pie'ty nothing doth avail,
If on pretended piety sh' assail
My ruin; must from my Obedience rise,
To fill, and justifie her Sacrifice;
But she, alas, claims Natures laws her due,
As if 'gainst her Laws, what she fram'd destrue,
'Tis none of hers; abandon'd hers we have,
Who sweetens Evils, even those she gave
VVere but to salve those that our selves we give,
VVhil'st we more careless of our selves here live.
Blind Customes (from blind opinion sprung)
They are, observed because once begun.
What more unjust 'gainst Nature or all Right,
Thus wilfully t'extinguish eithers Light,
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Another thinks offends his Deity;
If our mild mother-Nature's laws they were,
All would agree in what they were to bear.
The gentle Dove elects her loved Mate,
Without Controul, or Envy, or Debate:
Which from a secret Sympathy doth spring,
At whose approach Love Harmony doth sing,
Without Discourse, Direction or their Will;
B'instinctive Motives, they their Loves fulfill:
Happy Couples, thus joyn'd, happy forlorn,
Who may alone each others Losses mourn!
Sylvander appears in a discontented posture. He not seeming to look up, she goes to him and joggs him.
But while in Plaints Grief would it self subdue,
The Object, see, doth it again renew.
Sylvander, Sylvander, must Diana be
Thy oft Invoker, yet thou her not see?
Sylvander.
He starts as amazed.
Ha! who call'd? I heard Diana nam'd,
It is her self, and by her self am blam'd.
Pardon thou sweet Attracter of my Soul,
Kneels and rises.
My too wild Thoughts labor'd but to inroul
My own Losses, with such intentive Care;
Unhappy Stewards, as thy Treasures were.
But thou in this fair Volume hast laid ope
Briefer Accompts of my dispensed Hope:
Diana is Anothers, the whole Sum
Not able to discharge, I'm quite undone.
Diana.
I am thy equal Partner; one poor Bark
Bore both our Fortunes fired by one Spark.
Sylvander.
Alas, it was with such Abundance fraught,
I still misdoubted it would ne're be brought
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Should It forget, thus did our Loves prevent;
Nor was it just that Diana should be
Link'd to a Vagabond in her Amity.
Go give to Paris happier Birth, and Wealth,
What would have been to me but counted Stealth.
Diana.
Why wrongs Sylvander his Diana's Choice,
Staining thy self with thy distempered Voice?
Though thou a Stranger be, poor and unknown,
Yet by thy richer Virtue 'tis well shown,
Thy Stock could not be mean; Nor in my Eyes,
Can any Riches equal thy Loves prise?
Sylvander.
Be merciful, and cherish not my Flame,
It thus to fan, thou do'st t'inflame the same;
Tell me thou do'st me hate, invent some Spite,
With less Displeasure I may leave the Light.
Diana.
And leave me charg'd, with a distastful Crime
Would never be wip'd out with any Time;
Nor must you reassume the right you gave
To your disposure; which I only have;
By force whereof, I charge you not exact
Of your own self any unlawful Act
Against thy self; Do'st thou believe my Love
Is yet so faint, it gladly would not prove,
Ev'n what thou now against thy self dost threat,
I would it often on my self repeat,
Until this Trunk, Sacrifices became
Num'rously infinite, as our fair Loves flame,
But that those Pow'rs divine who have us plac't
In these fair Holds, forbid to have them rac'd
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Which Office we, till cal'd, must not remit.
Sylvander.
Such are their Summons, th'Oracles Decree,
VVhich must by Mortal not rejected be.
Sylvander, his desires must not pretend
Until the same Sylvander have an End:
VVhy should we struggle with their immov'd Will.
To them be pious, grant I may it fulfil;
Else kind to me, withhold not my Desire,
Accomplish it; but bid me to expire.
Diana.
No more with these Fears my frail thoughts distract,
Till I am Others, see thou it protract;
Mean while, take this assurance which I give,
Then not as thine, rather I had not live:
She gives him her hand to kiss.
Farewel, I fear my Mothers sad Surprise.
Sylvander.
Nought fear I worse, then parting from those Eyes.
| Astraea, or, True Love's Myrrour | |