 | Calisto : or, The Chaste Nimph |  |
Scene II.
Diana, Calisto, Nyphe, Psecas, Attendants.DIANA.
Come! Come away my Nymphs, too long we have repos'd,
The Morning has her Golden Doors enclos'd,
And there stands blushing on us!—Come away,
Let us not loose the gentlest part of day;
Princess Calisto, most admir'd belov'd,
The Fairest, Chastest, most approv'd
Of all that ever grac'd my Virgin Throng,
You, who of great and Royal Race are sprung,
Born under Golden Roofs, and bred to ease,
To every kind of soft delight,
To Glory, Power, and all that might
A Royal Virgin please.
7
And how can you this hard and toilsom life endure?
Cal.
Divinest power! Can any pleasures be
Compar'd to Innocence and Chastity?
From Toyls of greatness I discharge my mind,
And only in these Shades true ease I find.
Pse.
Oh! with what pride! and feign'd neglect of Art
[Aside.
This Royal Favourite storms our Goddess Heart,
Conquers it too, and rules her Power Divine,
Whilst all our Merits unregarded shine.
Dia.
I never such a Victim had before,
Crown Beauty, Youth what all the World Adore,
You bring at once in Sacrifice to me,
The Offering exceeds the Deity.
Pse.
Our poor deluded Goddess is undone;
[Aside.
This Favourite has her Heart and Empire won.
Ny.
How am I pleas'd my Sisters praise to hear,
Though like a little Star I near appear,
[Aside.
Nature and Friendship do enough prefer
My Name to Honour, whilst I shine in her.
Cal.
The Crown and Glory at your feet I throw,
Are for your favour offering too low;
And giving only what I scorn and hate,
I gain your Service at too cheap a rate.
Pse.
Oh! how for praise she spreads a spatious Net?
Not one regard to us can passage get:
[Aside.
Our Vertues will not go for Vertues long;
I neither will, nor ought to bear this wrong.
Dia.
You Princess! do adorn, enrich my Shade,
Ne're was so great, so early Triumphs made
At once o're Beauty, Glory, Youth and Ease
All of 'em fair delightful Provinces.
None e're so young such Courage did express;
The Macedonian Victories were less.
And better to Adorn and Guard my Groves,
This fair young Warriour, 'gainst Ease and Loves,
8
I see already vanquish'd Cupids flie,
With Wounds a bleeding, and with broken Bows,
A fair Comparison in Arms you chose.
Ny.
She to much Honour me, in this prefers;
And though my Courage cannot equal hers,
None to your Service shall more zealous be,
Nor still to love a greater Enemy.
Pse.
Hark how they bandy Praise, and Flattery round!
[Aside.
Each takes her turn to catch it at rebound;
Whilst we desertless Fools must patience feign,
And Praise our selves, if any praise wee'l gain.
Our Youth I find we wisely wast,
and are to mighty purpose chast;
Since these our kind rewards must prove,
I will in pure Revenge go love.
A God-like Youth, and Vassal to my Eyes,
Has long with patience born my Tyranies.
The Humble Slave each Moment I torment,
And Rage which others slight, on him I vent:
But now his Sufferings I'le requite,
I'le go and Love him out of spight.
Dia.
Now Nymphs before the Rosy Morning fades,
And the dayes Fury chase us to the Shades:
Let's Hunt the nimble Dear without delay,
We have decreed the Martyrs of the day,
And what you all shall kill together bring,
And meet when Sun declines at yonder Spring.
Ex. Di. Ma. Pse.
Pse.
—No, I'le about another care,
I'le seek my Love, discover me who dare;
On the whole Train the shame shall fall;
I'le swear we are Dissemblers all.
From Men we only seem to fly,
To meet 'em with more privacy:
That I sincerity approve,
And boldly own to all the World I Love.
Exit.
| Calisto : or, The Chaste Nimph | |