University of Virginia Library

ACT. III.

Juno.
JUNO.
Down from the Heavenly Rooms, and Airy Throne.
Where I have long been left alone:
As fast as Jealousie my steps could bear,
I come to seek my wandring Jupiter:
I am assur'd, he does not wait
On any politick Affairs of State:
He stays not to employ his publick mind,
And fix the general Business of Mankind.
No, I have too much cause to fear;
Affairs less good and vertuous keep him here.
My Blood grows hot!—and must I then be us'd
For ever thus?—for ever thus abus'd?
Must every trifling Nymph, that looks but fair,
Entice from my Embrace my Jupiter?
Must all my Charms be every Strumpets scorn,
Only because they by a Wife are born?
Oh! Servile State of Conjugal Embrace!
Where seeming Honour covers true disgrace.
We with reproaches Mistresses defame;
But we poor Wives endure the greatest shame.
We to their Slaves are humble Slaves, whilst they
Command our Lords, and rule what we obey.
Their Loves each day new kindnesses uphold,
We get but little, and that little cold!
That a poor Wife is with her state reproached,
And to be Married is to be debauched.
Now some new rival must my Soul perplex;
I'le find her out, or I'le destroy the Sex:
And I will Jove too in his thefts detect,
Or I'le each Bird and Beast I meet dissect.

Exit.
Enter Psecas.
Pse.
Where is this Love of mine a wandring now?
When I would scarce a look to him allow:
The restless Slave would follow me all day,
I could not frown or chide him then away:
And now that I would kind to him appear,
The handsom Fool is gone I know not where.
If any of the winged Train of Love
Now hover in this Grove,
Go fetch the moaning Boy to me with hast,
Tell him the happy Minute's come at last:
For by Loves Bow I swear,
I with my Goddess open War declare,
And for the Battle all my Charms prepare.
Ha! what fair Vision's this assaults my sight,
My Beauties Love I swear arrayed in light:
Enter Mer.
Sparkling in Glory brighter than the day;
His splendid Train sweeps all the shades away.

Mer.
My Nymph!

Pse.
My Love appear to me again,
Wellcom as sudden ease to one in pain:
Where hast thou hid thy lovely self to day?
A whole long Morn together from me stay?
I have been seeking thee in every Grove,
To give some ease to thy despairing Love:
But I'm afraid my trouble I may spare;
The Cure's already wrought by one more fair:
Some of the Charming Goddesses above,
From me have Spirited away my Love.
Venus has chose thee for her Page, and she
Has drest thee in this shining Livery.

Mer.
Oh! what amazing Change is this!
I am a dreaming now in Paradise;
Or this is some kind Image of my Fair,
My Charming Nymph that pities my despair;
Act on this sweet delusion, pretty shade,
What pleasure does my Heart invade.
My panting Heart is on the sudden eas'd;
I, since I was a God, was ne'r so pleas'd.

Pse.
If in my Love be any Bliss,
Thou shalt have more delight than this.
A kindness equal to my former hate,
Thou shalt not wish thy self a happy Fate.

Mer.
Can Psecas then do any thing but kill?
Psecas be kind, and yet be Psecas still?

Pse.
The very Psecas who did hate thee once;
But now does all her cruelty renounce:
And with it both my Goddess and her Train,
Whom now I shun, I hate, disdain,
Throw off the Yoak of her unnatural Law,
And all my Beauties from her Camp withdraw;
And now in Loves and Natures Cause will fight,
And do my Sex, and injur'd Beauty Right?

Mer.
Oh! with what Noble Courage art thou fir'd;
What Courteous God these Thoughts in thee inspir'd?
Lead on, we will begin the War to day;
I'le fight the Cause, and thou shalt be my Pay.
These pois'nous Fumes wee'l from the Earth remove,
And cleanse the Air with the hot Fire of Love.
All Beings are concern'd in our just Cause,
To kill these Rebels against Natures Laws;
Who if they be not to Confusion hurl'd,
Will begger Nature, and lay wast the World.
And to encourage us my Love the more,
Great Jove himself in person now adore,
Does Execution for her proud disdain,
Upon the fairest Criminal of the Train:
On her who only sways your Goddess Breast,
And thou, my Nymph, hat'st more than all the rest.
Look in that Vale, and thy revenge delight.

Pse.
Oh! how I am transported with the sight!
Oh! that some God now my revenge to please,
Would summon hither all the Deities;
All Beings Mortal and Immortal too,
And shew her shame to universal view.

Mer.
My Nymph, not yet her Empire understands;
See here a God attending her Commands.

Pse.
Ha! what great brightness does around thee shine;
Something beams through thee like a Pow'r Divine.

Mer,
Such Glorious Vassals are your Beauties due,
And less than Gods should not pretend to you.

Pse.
This is a Fate more great than I would crave;
Have I a God then for my Beauties Slave?

Mer.
One of highest Rank, and next the Throne.

Pse.
This is a Love I may with Honour own:
For petty Gods, like Mortals I despise;
But yet I understand not Deities.
I fear your passion, I must disapprove;
Gods always make dishonourable Love.

Mer.
By Love, by Styx, I true to thee will be;
And lose my Godhead, e're be false to thee.

Pse.
Suppose you constant to your Love remain,
I know not how a God to entertain;
Or if I did, perhaps Divine delight
May not agree with Humane appetite.

Mer.
The Joys of Gods exceed the Thoughts of Men.

Pse.
Oh Gods! and shall I be a Goddess then?

Mer.
As great as Juno, more belov'd and prais'd,
And have more Altars to thy Beauty rais'd.

Pse.
What? and have power to Torture all I hate,
That will not dye with envy at my state.

Mer.
All! All!

Pse.
Oh! then the Nymphs I will torment!
But for Calisto I will plagues invent.
By my Great self, this does so pleasing prove,
Aside.
My ravish'd Heart begins almost to Love.
Come to my Coronation streight proceed,
Call all the Gods and Goddesses with speed:
Let the whole Air with the bright Throng abound,
To shame Calisto, and to see me Crown'd.

Mer.
I fly my Queen, and will your Will obey;
But oh! some present Kindness you must give,
To bear my Charges in this way
To Heaven, and back again, in this one kiss I'le give.

Enter Nyphe.
Ny.
I heard a dolefull Cry, not far from hence,
Of one who in some great distress must be;
The Voice seem'd like Calisto's to my Sence:
Oh! all the Gods forbid it should be she.
Ha! Psecas here a Lover entertain:
Oh! the vile Nymph, she will disgrace our Train.

Pse.
Oh! now I long till I my Reign begin,
To plague the Nymphs I hate, and act the Queen.
And see!
Already here a Subject for my power,
Thrown in my way by Fortune, to devour.
What brings you here my secrets to discover?

Ny.
Not your design to entertain a Lover.

Pse.
How dare you so presumptious be, to spy
My Royal, nay, my Divine privacy.

Ny.
Royal Divine, and how dare I presume?
Good Heavens! what mighty thing are you become?

Pse.
A thing too Sacred for your Tongue to Name,
The mighty Glories of my swelling Fame;
You shall not once into your Mouth receive,
Nor dare to look on me without my leave,

Ny.
Since when were you so great, so Sacred grown,
Surely if any Honour must be shewn
The Right is mine, who am a Princess born.

Pse.
That's Natures Gift, whose Charity I scorn.
On my own Treasure of desert I live,
And all my Glory from my self receive.

Ny.
No, from your Lover you some Glory gain!
I'le do you Right, and spread it through the Train.

Pse.
How? do you threaten me? stop, stop her flight;
Although my Fame is spotless as the Light,
My Goddess from dishonour less secure,
I'le not th' affront of a dispute endure.

Ny.
Oh! Blasphemy! Oh! Prodigy of Pride!
Crimes black like these do you once hope to hide?

Pse.
Continue still in a Contempt so great!
Confine her, till my pardon she intreat,
For daring thus my anger to despise,
And 'gainst my Honour to believe her Eyes.

Ny.
Thy pardon?

Mer.
Will you all you saw deny?

Ny.
I'le tell it all, though I that moment dye

Pse.
Then kill her!

Ny.
Do! thy Infamy and shame,
My walking Ghost shall to the World proclaim.

Pse.
To what a height will this young Courage grow?
The shame to me design'd, on thee I'le throw.
From hence I charge you let her not remove:
I'le call the Nymph, and swear you are her Love.
The Lye is Sacred, and prevents a Crime
Her boyling blood will sure commit in time.
I'le quench the Love is springing in the Bloud,
And blast her vitious Nature in her Bud.

Exit.
Mer.

Run, run, with speed! I'le Charm her in this Grove,
shew her with me Calisto there with Jove.

Ny.
Oh! Traytress!

Mer.
Go, obey my Charming Rod,
Know 'tis but vain contending with a God!
Ny. Exit.
Whilst in this Grove, this Nymph with Charms I tye,
Streight on my Loves Commands to Heaven I'le flye,
To call my Queen! But oh! what do I see,
Juno already here! Oh Jealousie!
This Jealousie's the Ghost of murdered Love,
Which turn'd all Spirit does outragious prove:
Groans o're its Grave the poor, despairing Breast;
But never lets the Murderer have Rest.
Juno I fear will all our Plots prevent;
But I will stand behind, and see th' Event.

Jupiter, Juno, Calisto.
Jup.
What Sawcy watchful Spies
Does Juno place on me where e're I go;
I think the Trees of every Grove have Eyes,
And Winds breath Stories as they blow.

Jun.
Is this your Business mighty Jove below?
Are these the Secrets none must dare to know?
For this does Jove in Clouds his Glory hide?
Is thus his great Omnipotence employ'd?
How will th' Arcadian Nymphs his Praises sing?
And Crown with Garlands the Almighty King?
But what need Shapes conceal the wandring Jove;
He is transform'd too much with shameful Love?

Jup.
The Love I to this Royal Virgin own,
I take a greater pride in, than my Throne;
And all my shapes do but adorn me more;
As shining Armour does a Warriour,
To fight this Field under the Power of Love,
Is greater Glory than to Reign above.

Jun.
Oh! Blasphemy above an Atheists Tongue!
Should Men in Thought your Glory so much wrong;
The Impious Slaves you quickly would destroy,
Your Thunder now against your self employ:
Or rather there against those Traitrous Eyes,
That have depos'd the King of Deities.

Jup.
She has Exalted me above my Throne;
In the short time I have her Vertues known:
The Joy I felt in loving her, was more
Than endless Eyes blest me with before.

Jun.
Then all my Beauties are forgot it seems,
And Jove for her his Goddess disesteems.
A long Fruition has a Loathing bred,
Of me for Ages you have surfeited.

Jup.
I own I have of your impetious mind,
Which to your so much boasted Charms, (I find)
No small indifference in my Breast Creates.

Jun.
My haughty mind not half so much abates;
The passion in you for my Beauty's due,
As your low mind does my esteem for you.
I scorn my Beauties should descend to please
One, who degrades himself to such as these:
With whom if strife were for my Grandeur meet,
I now would trample her beneath my Feet;
But that resentment I disdain to shew,
And think the Nymph for my Contempt too low.

Cal.
Great Queen! all Honour to your Rank is due:
But please to know, I am a Princess too,
And do in that respect your Image wear;
Nor does that State from me dishonour bear:
You scorn not more your Monarch should forsake
Your Bed for me, than I his Love to take;
And if for Love the high Contention be,
You scorn strife less, than I the Victory:
Not that my hate on Jove alone does fall;
But I disdain, and hate to Love at all.

Jun.
When first begun in you this hate to Love,
This mighty Pride, in the Embrace of Jove?

Cal.
That raise my Pride! True Honour you Blaspheme?
An Insect, or a Plant, in my Esteem
Are Nobler Beings, and of higher Price,
Than Nymph or Goddess that descends to Vice.

Jun.
Oh! how in favour boldly you presume!
When had it then beginning?

Cal.
From the Womb.
Rather from Fate, which did my choice foresee,
And durst not other Natures frame for me,
For fear I should 'twixt Horrour and disdain,
Have started to my nothing back again.

Jun.
Was ere such Insolence by Mortal shewn?
What then (it may be) you disdain my Crown?

Cal.
I do; nor by your Glory would be bought,
To sin against my Honour, but in Thought.
All kinds of Love to me are so impure,
I hate the Marriage Bed, which you endure;
Nor would exchange my Vertue for my Power;
A Virgin is a Queens Superiour.

Jun.
Amazing haughtiness! This sawcy scorn,
If thou wert vertuous, were not to be born.

Jup.
As Queen she is! more Vertues in her shine,
Than you, and all the Female Powers Divine.

Jun.
What Vertues yielding easier to your Will,
And pleasing you perhaps with greater skill.

Jup.
She gives me greater pleasure in her pride,
Than ever Juno did in being enjoy'd.

Jun.
Oh! how he Tortures me! what secret pain
I feel, to counterfeit a brave disdain?
Your pleasure with the artful Nymph pursue;
If Pride so pleas'd, what did Fruition do?

Jup.
Her Vertue's more untainted than your own;
And less of yours advanc'd me to my Throne.

Jun.
What stay'd you then together in the Grove?
Vertue is but of little use to Jove.

Jup.
Rapt with her Beauties, but her Vertues more!
I tarry here her Vertues to adore.
They us'd that force upon my vanquish'd mind,
Which once on her bright Beauties I design'd.
The fire these kindled th' other did put out.

Jun.
To Vertue you are seldom so devout,
And scarce for such insipid Joys would stay.

Jup.
Cease your contention without more delay;
Lest you provoke me in this Nymphs defence,
To prove too fatally her Innocence.

Jun.
Give her my Crown, the trifle I despise;
By being depos'd from thee, I higher rise.
To thee no more I will my self debase,
But here condemn thee to this Nymphs Embrace.

Jup.
Do, we shall both be gainers by the strife;
You get more Glory, I a fairer Wife.

Jun.
A fairer Wife! though I with scorn look down
On thy lost Heart, and on my falling Crown,
Above thy Throne, my Beauty I surprise;
I will revenge on thee these Blasphemies.
I will ascend, and leave thy hated Bed;
But mounting thus, I'le on thy Goddess tread.

Jup.
Hold, lest indeed I raise her to my Throne,
And to thy Rival make thee Vassalage own.

Jun.
Thy Throne and Heart on whom thou wilt bestow;
Without revenge from hence I will not go.
Revenge to my enraged Soul shall be,
My Throne, my Jove, my Heavenly Dignity.

Jup.
Nay then I'le govern your Imperious hate.
You Airy Spirits that on Tempests wait:
That all the Forces of the Air command;
Rain, Thunder, Lightning, Muster or Disband,
Employ 'em when, and against whom I please,
Vice-roys of all the spreading Provinces.
'Twixt Earth and Moon, quick with your Guards appear,
And take the loudest of all Tempests here:
Your Queen from hence,—and keep her close confin'd,
In the cold Rooms, where Hail and Snow you grind,
Where with more fit Companions she may be,
With Storms that can reply as loud as she;
Enter Airy Spirits.
Where she her fill of noise may take,
Rail as she will, and no disturbance make:
And do not dare to let her scape from thence,
Till of her duty she has learnt a sence.

Spirits seize Juno.
Jun.
So then, thy Queen must be confin'd above,
That thou below may'st Revel with thy Love:
Loose me you Slaves, I will not bear this wrong,
I will not stir till I have him along.

Jup.
Oh! the Eternal Plague! my will obey!
This Tempest from my Ears with speed convey.

Jun.
I will not go, you Rebel Slaves forbear;
Jove, to confinement send me, if you dare.
All the Cœlestial Powers shall quickly know,
On what Affairs you are employ'd below:
I'le make 'em chuse another in thy Throne,
To save both Heav'n and Earth from be'ng undone.

Jup.
Guard, wait awhile.—

Jun.
Nay, now I will not stay.

Jup.
Will you your Queens, or my Commands obey?
Once more I do instate you in my Throne;
Once more this Royal Virgins Vertues own.
Though had she lov'd, it is sufficient plea.
For Innocence, that she's belov'd by me;
For I will be controul'd in no amour;
My Love is arbitrary as my power:
I bound all Minds and Beings, but my own,
Am place to all things, but my self have none.
On you my largest share of Love shall fall;
But no one Heart has room enough for all.
I like my Sun, my Beams will not confine,
Nor starve all Beings by my self to shine.
And like him too, where e're I shed my light;
I Nature do not alter, but excite.
When on a loose and wanton Nymph I smile,
Her Blood breeds Monsters like the Mud of Nile:
But when to Flowers and Gardens I repair,
With fragrant Odours I perfume the Air.
Such were the Sweets I from her Vertues drew,
And you shall own it, yes and thank her too:
Do it I say, and her deserts proclaim;
She of a Goddess only wants the Name.

Jun.
I will embrace her, since I must obey;
But she by Heaven shall dearly for it pay.

[Aside.
Jup.
Farewell Fair Nymph!
[To Cal. Jup. Juno Guards Ex.
To that I call my Heav'n I now must go;
But leaving you, I leave true Heav'n below.

Cal.
From what a horrid Dream do I awake?
I am afraid my Sense does yet mistake.
From these Cœlestial Tyrants I am freed;
But still the Thought does horrour in me breed.
I cannot yet compose my restless Soul,
The Storm is ended, but the Billows rowl.
But oh! which tears my Soul, a shame remains;
My rising Blood does almost break my Veins:
A fiery blushing flame's around my Face;
I'm all on fire with rage at my disgrace:
For I'm enough dishonour'd, and asham'd
To breath, but in the Air, where Love is nam'd.
But be disgrac'd with an attempt so foul,
I hate this place, the World, the Gods, my Soul.

Enter Mercury.
Mer.
The Tempest ended? and no mischief done?
Calisto's Innocence unshaken stand?
This horrid Storm must be again begun.
I'le fly to Heaven, as Psecas gave command:
And to my Queen with Lyes my self address,
And bring again that raging Lioness.
Mean while I'le charm the Nymphs within this Grove:
Around, around here let 'm rove:
And Visions guard the Sacred ground,
To fright 'em still within their bound.

Exit.
Enter Nyphe.
Ny.
How am I kept a Prisoner, in the Power
Of this base God? Oh! that revenge to have
I were some mighty Goddess for an Hour:
Oh! how I would torment the Heavenly Slave?
But see! my Sister here? and oh! my Fears
Her lovely Face all delug'd o're with Tears.
Ah! what means this?

Cal.
My Sister here? be gone,
Leave me to my disorder'd self alone;
And fly these Groves, they are the curst abodes
Of Satyrs, Fiends, on worse, of Impious Gods.

Ny.
Oh! how you fright me? I grow pale with fear;
What fatal accident has happ'ned here?

Cal.
I'm too disorder'd now Replies to make!

Ny.
No matter, I will no denial take.
What has befallen you since I parted hence?

Cal.
What you to hear have too much Innocence.

Ny.
Not let me know it? this unkind appears;
I will both hear it, and have all the Tears.
To yonder mournful Shades let us repair,
Which to our sorrows some resemblance bear:
And there to tell your Griefs your Task shall be,
And I will sit and weep for you, and me.

Enter Daphne and Sylvia.
Sylv.
Corydon is a Noble Swain,
And too long has felt disdain:
But since scorn I once did show,
My Love I'm too proud to let him know.

Daph.
Ah Sylvia! Sylvia! my Heart (like yours)
Pain from foolish Pride endures.
I angry with Strephon to day did appear,
And now long to reconcile;
Yet in pride for a time will seem severe,
Though it breaks my Heart the while.

Enter Strephon, Corydon, Chorus of Shepheards.
Daphne and Sylvia offer to go as they Enter.
Stre.
Oh whither does my lovely Daphne fly?

Cory.
How long will Sylvia Corydon deny.

Daph.
It is my Will my kindness to remove.

Sylv.
And I shall never, never Love.

Daphne and Sylvia Exeunt.
Stre.
Oh! what has chang'd my Daphne's mind?

Cho.
Oh false, and cruel Woman-kind!

1 Shep.
Come Shepheards do not complain.
See, see yonder a merry Train,
Of Gypsies dancing over the Plain.
Call 'em straight, Call 'em straight to comfort these poor Swains.
An Entry of Gypsies.
No longer complain,
If your Loves shew disdain,
Be proud and disdain 'em again.
The Fools you will find
Will be glad to be kind,
When they once are despised by the Men.

Gipsies go off.
1. Shep.
Hark, Hark! in yonder Woods the Satyrs Play,
The Ecchoes bring their Laughs this way.
They with some pleasant sport are pleas'd.
The wanton Demy-Beasts some Nymphs have seiz'd.
Enter Two Shepheards.
Laugh Shepheards, Laugh and Sing;
Joyful Tydings now we bring.
The Fair Calisto is disgrac'd;
Gods and Mortals hate the Chast.

An Entry of Satyrs
Stre.
All this to me but little ease does give.

Coryd.
All Joys are dead to me, why do I live?

Stre.
In death alone we ease shall find.

Coryd.
In death alone we we ease shall find.

Chor. of all.
Oh false and cruel Woman-kind!

Exeunt omnes.