University of Virginia Library

Scene V.

Enter to them Lysis, Synope, Clorise, drest like Nymphs of the Woods, with branches of trees in their hands, at the ends whereof were fastned drie Comfits.
Ly.
At length dear Sisters (for I am perswaded
I ow that title to all Hamadryades)
Behold that famous Trunk, which in that place,
By Fate's decree enclos'd a Demi-god.

Syn.
Scarce had the Sun given place unto the Moon,
When we had tydings of your happy fortune;
Neither had we this night our barques forsaken,
But to perform our homage, and to see you.

Ly.
As I'm a jucie-tree, I am o'rejoy'd,
To have so fair, and so good company:
I'm sure my leaves to morrow will assume
A far more fertile, and more lively green.
But you fair Nymphs, ever by me ador'd,
Where are those pleasant places you are planted?

Clor.
We dwell by day in a Wood far remote.

Syn.
That we may there behold our fruits in safety;
They are not common, and 't had been injurious,
If Heaven had left us to be pillag'd by
Passengers.

Ly.
You are Fruit-trees I perceive.

Syn.
Fruit-trees, most excellent, as you shall finde.

Ly.
I shall be ravished to hear your story.

Syn.
Know then, when mortall, we were Comfit-makers,
And gave them such an high exalted taste,
That ev'n Diana could not but commend 'em,
At her return from chase she oft would eat 'em,
But when we foolishly divulg'd this favour,
She was so angry, that, with sudden rage,
She chang'd us both to trees, as you are now.

Ly.
What trees?

Syn.
My Sister is a Cherry-tree,
And Destiny made me bear Apricocks.

(pointing to the fruits.)
Ly.
But, tell me Nymphs, are these the fruits ye bare?

Clor.
Yes, that's a favour granted to our Deities,
They all grow Comfits.

Ly.
They taste ne're the worse.

Syn.
You cannot say so, if you do not try 'em:
Gather 'em.

Ly.
I gather 'em?

Syn.
They are very pleasant,
Th'are serv'd in at the table of the Gods,
And you may eat 'em.

Ly.
Think't not strange that I
Excuse my selfe—a tree nor eats, nor drinks.

Syn.
Who is so foolish, but must know your tree
Can neither eat nor drink? But you, that are
As 'twere, the soule unto its feeble nature,
Are not exempt to take your nourishment,
Thus to subsist, Trees that are Demi-gods,
Come almost every night to pull our fruits,
Their sap without it would be very barren.

Ly.
'Tis true, my trunk I finde is somewhat weak,
And by these instances I do conclude,
That Tree cannot live long that does not eat.

Clor.
Then follow our example, eat apace.

(eating Comfits.)
Ly.
What you devour your own substance—ha!

Clor.
That's to invite you to be led by us.

Ly.
Sweeter than is thy Nectar Ganimede!
(eating.)
How happy are wee Trees!

Syn.
Well our dear Brother.—

Ly.
Troth Sister Apricock, your frutis are rare,
Such Saturn in the golden age did eat.
But is our Sister Myrrha still alive?—
Her Trunk is very old.

Syn.
I never saw her:
Is she of your acquaintance Sister? Speak.

Clor.
Myrrha was never seen in these our parts.

Ly.
Her Tree lives onely in Arabia,
And to say truth, that Country's far from yours:
But do ye never visite one another?

Syn.
We very seldome leave our native Soil.

Ly.
Hark Nymphs, I hear a very melodious sound.

Clo.
'Tis a young Cypress—see there, where he comes.

Ly.
And that grave Beard?

Syn.
Oh speak with reverence,
He is a River-God of the best rank,
We here must pay the duties that we ow him—
He will receive you kindly when he knowes you.