University of Virginia Library

Scene VII.

Enter to them Angel. Clarim. Lucid. Ansel. Charit.
Angel.
'Tis time now to appeare, let us advance.

Syn.
Gods! I perceive some Mortals coming hither.

Ly.
Ile to my Trunk again, and do you vanish.

(to Syn.)
Syn.
And why?

Ly.
But what see I?

(amazed to see Anselm rising out of his Trunk.)
Ansel.
A Rurall Demi-god!
My incredulity the Gods have punisht,
And I no more doubt thy Divinity,
I am a Tree like thee.

Ly.
A tree dear Brother?
But 'twas not needfull thou shouldst have my Trunk:
Be a Tree if thou wilt, not at my cost.

Char.
That's he, that was my Sheepherd once, I know him.

Angel.
Ye mighty Deities, excuse our boldnesse,
(to Syn. and the Demi-gods.)
We come to trouble you unhandsomely,
But 'tis to pay our duty to a Sheepherd,
Whom Heaven of late has rank't among the Gods:
They tell us hee's a Tree.

Ly.
Yes—but my Barke
Another.—

Ansel.
I obey the fates that forc'd Me.

Angel.
what Polidore? is he a Demi-god?

Ly.
No, he is no such thing, for if he be,
He's but a Bastard-Demi-god: for Trees
Of honour, and of good Original,
Will ne're take root within anothers Trunk.

Syn.
If Heaven have so decreed—

Char.
We may not doubt it.

Ly.
Give me my Trunk againe:

(to Ansel.)
Char.
Will you resist him?
For love-sake cross him not, but be again
A Sheepherd, and love me thy Sheepherdesse.

Ly.
No, I ought be a Tree and must, yet trust Me,
Tree as I am I keep my faith to Thee.

Char.
If so, for my sake then renounce that stock.

Ly.
Alas, they rob me, and that's it afflicts me:
But you, Tree-ravisher, restore—

Ansel.
I cannot,
Heaven it forbids.

Ly.
Unhappy that I am!

Syn.
What aile you?

Ly.
Ah—Sisters looke to my affaires.
If I'me displanted, I can live no longer.

Clo.
No, no, feare not; since hee's so obstinate
To rob you of a Trunk ordain'd for you,
Let him live there, hated by our companions,
More than the meanest shrub in all this country.

Ly.
But what shall I doe then?

Syn.
Why are there not
More pleasant places, and far better trees?
We there will plant our selves.

Ly.
May that be done?

Sy.
Our power's great, what say you Father? Is't
Not your opinion, that his place be chang'd?

(Mon. grunts.)
Ly.
This Div'lish Hog, me think's is a strange God,

Clo.
Hee'd have you plant in Angelica's garden.

Ly.
'Tis well, the place is not at all unpleasant:
But sure when we live so farre from our Trunks,
The vegetative soule need's nutriment—
If I must planted be, my amorous Nymphs,
Engraffe me on some Tree as farre as you;
O sweet Apricocks!

Syn.
Yee shall be satisfied

Ly.
You'le make me truly then a fruit-Tree?

Syn.
Truly,
Come;

Ly.
Sheepherdesse farewell.

Char.
Let me be present
At th'secret mystery that there transplants you,
I'me sure that very night our Troup will dance,
About the sacred Trunk that shall enclose you.

Syn.
Then follow at a distance.

Ly.
Oh what comfits
At the Sun-rising will spring from my branches!

Clo.
Yes doubt it not.

Ly.
And thou! thou cur'st theif-Tree,
Know to beare fruit, thy wood's nor faire, nor good,
And th'ever dance, at distance, round about thee,
Thou't serve for nothing, but to make a gallowes.

Exit. with the Demi-gods.
Angel.
By this device they lead him to the Castle,

Ansel.
Then thus I my new destiny renounce,
(coming out of the tree.)
And have too little share in that old stock,
T'expose my selfe to what he did prognostique,
Only great Nymph you knowing to oblige Me.

Angel.
Come no more Nymph, and Sheepherd let's returne
Home to the Castle, and let Crooks alone,
Lysis untreed, our Comedy is done.

Exit.