University of Virginia Library

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?

Hylas.
'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.
But I must cherish now thy Memory,
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?

Phillis.
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?

Phillis.
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.

Sylvander.
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?
This is an Argument I still do live,
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.