University of Virginia Library

Scene V.

Enter to them Anselm.
Ansel.
In that I'm honour'd, and if I dispense—
But O ye Gods!

Angel.
What Sheepherd, y'are surpris'd?
What is't that troubles you so suddenly?

Ansel.
A sudden brightnesse having struck my sight,
My senses all are charm'd, my soul disturb'd!
What Sheepherdess is that?

Mon.
Do ye not know
The late felicities prepar'd for us?
And that fair Amaryllis hath made choice
Of these our coasts, t'embrace the care of flocks?

Ans.
Most glorious coasts! oh spend here all your daies;
(to Ly.)
The Spring to please you here shall ever reigne,
Many new Flowers in the plaines shall rise.

Ly.
Excuse me, for I talk to my Companion;
Having heard nothing, I shall answer nothing.

Ang.
In fine, pray let's know wherefore we lost you,
(to Ans.)
What business made you dis-appear so long?

Ansel.
I was extreamly troubled for poore Lysis,
Lest after your Decree fatall despaire
Might make his Rival happy in his death;
So to prevent his violence on himself,
I ran thorough all the Woods with extream care,
But can learn nothing of him, and I feare
The streams of Marne have finished his fate.

Char.
So after lesse injustice Celadon
Sought in the flouds of Lignon a Precipice;
Doubtlesse hee's dead—oh this guilty beauty!

Angel.
But y'are too quick thus to conclude him dead.

Char.
A secret horrour which doth seize my minde
Of this sad accident's a sure presage
To me, that he is drown'd—oh envious fates!

Angel.
The goodnesse of the Gods could not permit it.

Ly.
He'l be their care, believe it Sheepherdesse;
He hath found necessary aid, Ile warrant,
Some Nymph or other will restore him to you.

Char.
Alas, my dear Companion, I've lost all,
He doubtlesse did deserve a better end,
For of all Sheepherds he was the most faithfull.

Lys.
His name was brought even to our Villages,
Where all extoll'd him for's fidelity.

Char.
Deare Amaryllis, had you knowne him, he
Was the most perfect Sheepherd Heav'n ere saw,
His extream mildness, grace, and his demeanour,
Would have constrain'd you to have wish'd him well,
He gain'd all hearts!

Clar.
For Love sake be contented.
You lose a Lover, and I fill his place,
The homage which I pay to your divine.—

Char.
Away vile Sheepherd speak no more to me;
Thy journy from Arcadia caus'd my grief,
Destroy'd my quiet and my Sheepherds life,
Into these flouds that drown my happiness:
Thou, and thy love did me precipitate.

(weeps.)
Clar.
Mod'rate thy passion.

Char.
Dost thou desire it? Then
Remove thy presence from my just displeasure.

Clar.
Ever so full of rigour?

Char.
'Tis resolved.

Clar.
Thus to endure unjust disdaines too much.
Ingratefull Sheepherdesse, respect till now,
Made me suppresse my flame, now't must break forth,
And I affirm, to brave your fury, that
My heart and eyes are sensible as yours.
(turns to Lysis.)
Faire Amaryllis, the mildnesse of your charmes,
Force me with pleasure thus to yeild my self,
I break your former chaines t'obey your lawes:
What, you look down? Give me at least an answer;
Allow some hope unto my am'rous soule.

Ly.
Maids are asham'd to hear discourse of love,
Approve my silence, or else change your Theme.

Clar.
Oh wonder! Beauty fatal to my rest,
How from those Rosie lips one kiss obtain'd,
Would ease the Wounds which that faire eye hath given me!

Ly.
Keep your designes in bounds of honesty:
You injure much my modesty, I ought
To keep my self as chast as is Diana.

Clar.
One kisse is lawful; What power interdicts it?

Ly.
I and Charita mutually may kiss,
Without the censure of incontinence,
This sign of love to us is lawful, but
To kiss a Sheepherd who doth authorize it?

Ly.
Yet having none but chast designs for you,
(offering to kiss his hand.)
I sure may swear it upon these fair hands.

Ly.
Away Prophane, thy fault's without compare,
You may as well a Vestal touch as me.

Angel.
You lose respect Sir.—

(to Clarimond.)
Clar.
I confesse I do.
But who knows what he does, that dies for love?

Angel.
You ought—but Gods! how is my soul confounded?
Mine eyes deluded, or I see a Satyr.