University of Virginia Library

ACT the Second.

[SCENE the First.]

Enter Montano and Titiro.
Titiro.
How is it possible my Daughter shou'd
“By Heav'ns be destined for the general good?
“For when I mark the words o'th'Oracle,
“Me-thinks with those the Signes agree not well.
“If Love must joyn 'em, and the one does flye,
“How can that be? How can the strings which tye
“The True-Loves-Knot be hatred and disdain?
Did Heav'n intend this Marriage, 'twould ordain,
Beauty, not Hounds o're Sylvios heart should reign.

Mont.
“He's young; and has time yet to feel Loves Dart.

Tit.
He Love! The Woods have took up all his heart.

Mont.
Not so, but Love may still new pleasures bring.

Tit.
“But Love's a Blossom that adorns our Spring.
Since want of Love is that this age his Crime,
I have but little hope t'expect from Time.

Mont.
“What if this Marriage be not writ in Heav'n,
“'Tis made on Earth, their mutual Vows they've given.
“To violate which, were rashly to profane
“The God-head of great Cynthia, in whose Fane
“The Solemne Oath was taken. Now how prone
“Our Goddess is to anger, and how soon
“By us to be incenst, thou'rt not to learn;
But I declare as far as I discern:
“And a Priests mind rapt up above the sky,
“Can into the eternal Counsels pry:
“This Knot is tyed by the hand of Destiny.
“Besides, I in a Dream have something viewd,
“Which my old hopes has more than e're renew'd.

Titr.
Dreams, what are they? Your hope's too strongly bent;
But say, what did the Airy form present?

Mont.
“When swelling Ladon weary of his Yoke,
“The Banks with his Rebellious waters broke:
“So that where Birds but lately built their Nests,
“Usurping Fishes swam; and Men and Beasts
“With Flocks and Woods promiscuously ta'n,
“Th'Impartial Deluge swept into the Main.
“That very night, that very night undone,
“I lost a Child, and then my only Son:
Whilst in his Cradle the poor Infant lay,
“The cruel Torrent ravisht him away:
I owe my Death to that unhappy day.

Tit.
“And I may say of thy two Sons; the Floods
“Have ravisht one, the other's lost i'th' Woods.

Mont.
Perhaps kind Heav'n in the surviving Brother,
“Will by the one make me amends for t'other.
“'Tis always good to hope; now hear me out:
“'Twas at the dawning of the Morn, about
“That Mungrel hour, which gotten betwixt Night
“And day, is half an Æthiop, and half White:
When kind Heav'n to my waking fancy brought
These lively Images of Fate, me-thought
“On famed Alpheos-banks I Angling sate
“under a shady Beech; there came up straight
“A grave old Man, down to the middle bare;
“His Chin all dropping, and his grizled hair,
And said, Loe, here's thy Son, and take good heed
Thou kill him not, then dived into the Reed:
Startled, I cry'd, Propitious Heav'n defend:
No sooner did the Reverend shape descend,
“But strait black Clouds obscured the Heav'n around,
“And threatning me with a dire Tempest fround;
“I to my bosom clapt the Babe for fear,
“And cryed, shall then one hour both give and bear
“Away my hopes: Streight all the ayr was turn'd
“Serene, and Thunder-bolts to ashes burn'd,
“Fell hissing in the water; with Bows broken,
“And Shafts by thousands; Signs which did betoken
“Extinguisht Vengeance; then a shrill Voice broke
“From the riv'd Beech, which in its tongue thus spoke;
“Believe Montano, and thy hopes still nourish,
“Thy fair Arcadia once agen shall flourish.

Titi.
Can your fond hope from such weak fancies rise?
“Alas, Montano Dreams are Histories
“Of what is past, rather than Prophecies
“Of what's to come; mere fragments of the sight,
“Or thoughts of the past day reviv'd at night.
Man's Doom, and the great Oracles of Heav'n
Are never by such feeble voyces given.
“In short, how Heav'n has destined to dispose
“Of our two Children, neither of us knows.
“But this is clear to both of us; thine flyes,
“And against Natures Laws does Love despise.

Mont.
“Take courage Titiro, do not debase
“Your thoughts with mortal fears, but nobly place
“Your hopes above: Heav'n favours a strong Faith,
“And a faint Prayer ne're climbs that Arduous Path.
“Our Childrens Pedegree you know's Divine,
“And Heav'n that smiles on all, will surely shine
“On its own Progeny. Come Titiro,
“Together to the Temple let us go.
And humbly bow to the Eternal Throne,
Victims and Prayers have pow'r, if Dreams have none.
“And thou high mover of the Orbs, that ridest
“The Starry Region, with thy Wisdom guidest
“Their Course, look down upon our tottering state,
“And reconcile Disdain and Love with Fate?

(Exeunt.

SCENE the Second.

Enter Amaryllis.
Amar.
“Riches, what are they, but our freedoms snares.
“What boots it in the Spring-time of ones years,
“To have the Attributes of fair and good,
“In mortall Veins to lock Celestial blood?
“If with all these our hearts Contentment lose,
And what we most desire, want pow'r to choose?
“Happy that Shepherdess, whom some course stuff
“Obscurely Cloaths, yet clean and just enough.
“Rich only in her self, and in the best
“And noblest Ornaments of Nature drest.
Whose narrow state no forreign Cares distress:
Her Bosom, and her little World at peace.
“Who in sweet Poverty no want does know,
“Nor the Distractions, which from Riches grow.
“Yet whatsoever may suffice the mind,
“In that Estate abundantly does find.
“One Fountain is her Looking-glass, her Drink,
“And Bath; and if she's pleas'd, what others think,
“It matters not. She heeds not blazing Stars
“That threaten mighty Ones; Wars or no Wars,
“It is all one to her: Her Battlement
“And Shield is that she's Poor, Poor; but content.

Enter Corisca.
Cor.
Beyond my wish I'm favour'd by my Fate.
Heav'ns, must I be Mirtillos Advocate.
Oh kind Ergasto, a more pleasing task
Thou could'st not grant, nor could Corisca ask.
Under the Name of Amaryllis Friend,
I have fit means, and safe, to work my end.

aside.
Amar.
Corisca!

Coris.
My dear Amaryllis here?

Amaryll.
Yes kind Corisca, all that's left of her.
I'm to be Married; all that once was mine,
My freedom, and my heart, all that was thine;
My friendship and my smiles, are ours no more;
They are all seiz'd by a commanding Pow'r.

Corisc.
Do not with needless fears disturb your peace:
Why must your freedom and our friendship cease?
There's no such Fetters, no such dangers wait
Upon the sweet and happy Marryed state.

Amar.
Happy and Sweet—Alass—

Corisc.
“Why do you fetch
“That sigh? Leave sighing to that Wretch.

Amar.
“What Wretch?

Corisc.
Mirtillo.

Amar.
What of him—Oh that blest Name.

[aside.
Corisc.
Only I have saved his Life.

Amar.
His Life! How came
His Life in danger?

Cor.
By his dispair for you.
That hour he first your fatal Contract knew,
The killing sound no doubt had mortal prov'd,
Had not my kindness half his pain remov'd;
“By promising to break this Match, which though
“I only said to comfort him, I know
The way if need were—

Amar.
Dear Corisca, speak;
Can thy kind help this cruel Gordian break?

Corisc.
Yes, easily.

Amar.
My better Angel, how?

Cor.
By Heav'n she loves him, and my fears are true.
Aside.
To break this Marriage off, if you would please
T'assist me, is a thing I'de do with ease.

Amar.
Unkind Corisca, had you in your pow'r
This blessing, and conceal'd it till this hour?
Well, though you hide your secrets, yet take mine:
Know when I think I must my heart resign,
“And all my Life, be subject to a Boy,
That hates me, and does place his only joy
In Woods, in Beasts, in Dogs, and Hunts-mens crys;
That thought to my wrack'd soul all Peace denys.
Why was I born of Heav'nly race for this?
“Happy that poor and humble Shepherdess,
“Who has not half my weighty Cares to keep
“Her heart awake; who feeds her Master's Sheep
“With the pearld grass, and with her lovely eyes,
“Some honest Swain, that for her Beauty dyes.
“Not such as Men or Gods choose to her hand,
“But such as Love did to her choyce commend.
“And in some favour'd shady mirtle Grove,
“Desires, and is desired, and lives all Love.
“This only is true Bliss, which till the breath
“Deserts the body, knows not what is Death.
“Would Heav'n had made me such a one.

Coris.
Why that
I'le wish; to save you 'tis not yet too late.

Amar.
“Not late! My Faith I have already given
“Both to my Father, and what's worse, to Heav'n:
“And break with them I neither will, nor may.
“But if your Industry can find a way
“T'unty this Knot, so that my Honesty,
“My Faith, my Fame, and my Religion be
“Preserved, how blest, how proud—

Cor.
Leave it to me.
Coriscas Glory, and her pow'r, this day,
In all their colours shall their Pride display.
“But when from an ill Husband thou art freed,
“May not an honest Lovers hopes succeed?
Mirtillo you must Love, you shall—nay more,
Must give him leave to see you, and adore.

Amar.
“'Twere better he'd in peace and silence rest,
“And root so vain a love out of his Breast.

Coris.
“Some comfort you shall give him e're he dye.

Am.
Half favours do but heighten misery.

Coris.
“If they do so, the seeking is his own.

Amar.
“And what must I expect, should it be known?

Coris.
“How Cowardly thou art.

Amar.
“And may I still
“Be Cowardly in any thing that's ill.

Coris.
“And can you fail me in this small request.
“Farewell; so may I fail thee in the rest.

Amar.
“Oh stay Corisca.

Coris.
“If you'l promise me
“To hear Mirtillo.

Amar.
Well, I'le promise thee
To hear him; but provided it may be
But once.

Coris.
But once.

Amaryl.
“And that he may not know
“We meet with my consent or knowledg.

Coris.
No:
You cannot think I'le be so indiscreet.
I'le make him think 'tis by my plot you meet.
Trust to my care; your safety in my hand,
Your faithful Creatures pow'r and Life command.

Amar.
Farewell kind Maid.

[Exit.
Coris.
Believing Fool, farewell;
Yes, trust me, I will serve thee; but as Hell
Serves Sinners; I will lead her fairly on
Till past Redemption lost, she is undone.
She Loves Mirtillo:
And Rivalship enflames me to that height,
That now I love him at that senseless rate,
That for his sake I'de startle at no crime.
Nay, I could e'ne turn Fool, and Marry him.
Enter Sylvano, rushing from behind the Seene, and catches her.
“Oh Amaryllis I am caught, I am caught;
Stay and assist me.

Sylv.
No, she hears thee not.
“Thou Mrs. in the art of making Lyes,
“That sell'st false looks, false hopes at such a price,
“With honesty stampt on thy haughty brow,
None of thy falsehoods shall deceive me now.

Coris.
To me this barbrous Language?

Sylv.
Yes to thee.
Now I'le reward thee for thy Treachery,
Thou Cheat, Dissembler, Witch, and Sorceress;
Perjur'd Corisca.

Corisc.
“Yes, I do confess
“I am Corisca; not that happy she,
“Who once was Courted and beloved by thee,
My gentle dear Sylvano.

Sylv.
Gentle, dear!
What sweetning words, what a new stile is here?
Oh the Conversions that are wrought by fear.
Was this the language, this the humble look,
When Me for the young Thyrsis you forsook?
And from that heart, just sealed to me before,
All your repeated Oaths to Niso swore.

Coris.
Who, I forsake thee? take back the lest part
From thee of that intire devoted heart,
Which is thy sacred right.

Sylvan.
Oh wondrous strange!
No, no; Your constancy can never change!
Since of your Crimes you can forgetful be,
My Vengeance shall refresh your memory.

Coris.
Vengeance! Oh Heavens, on whom?

Sylv.
On thee Enchantress, thee fair Infidel;
Thou hast not playd the Traytors part so well,
As I will do the Lovers. Thanks kind pow'rs,
After so many sighs and tedious hours,
My Life and Fortune's spent to buy your smiles,
Kind Fate at last rewards my weary toyls,
And my false fair one, now I'le tryumph in the spoyls.
Since so much Hell within your Bosom reigns,
I'le Conjure all the Devils in your Veins.

Corisc.
Oh Horrour! My soft Peace, how can you fright?
Can you hurt her whom once you call'd your dear delight?
What Faith in Men can Wretched Virgins find,
If my Sylvano ceases to be kind.

Sylvan.
Cease to be kind to thee. By Heav'n not I,
I'le be so kind—

Coris.
Oh my hard destiny!

Sylv.
—That not thy Father, when in all his heat,
And Youth, he did thy wanton Mother treat,
To raise this Cursed race to damne Man-kind,
Was ever half so hot, or half so kind.
He, lazy Nuptial Fool did only move
In the dull humane Path of making Love;
But I'le turn Ravisher, and sport like Jove.

Coris.
“Behold me at thy feet. Oh pardon me,
“If ever I by chance offended thee,
“My Idol; by those God-like looks, these more
“Than humane Knees, which clasping, I adore.
“By thy dear self Sylvano; thy more dear
“Affection which thou once to me didst swear:
“By the sweet influence of those Eyes, which thou
“Wert wont to call two Stars, two Fountains now.

Sylv.
T'extract these Tears, what wonders have I done?
Such soft Dew falls not after every Sun.

Corisc.
Dear Sylvan, pitty me, and let me go.

Sylv.
“Thinkst thou still Syren to deceive me? No.

Corisc.
Oh let me go, try me but once, and see
How just, how faithful, and how kind I'le be.

Sylv.
No, I am grown too wise to credit thee;
“And he that takes thy word, himself ensnares,
“Beneath this humble shew, beneath these Prayers.
“Is hid Corisca. I too long delay.
My Pleasure and Revenge calls me away.
Come my fair Martyr.

Corisc.
Oh Inhumane stay,
Hear me but one word more.

Sylv.
You beg in vain.

Corisc.
Have you no pitty left? shall I obtain
No Mercy?

Sylv.
None, I'le drag you to my Cave,
And no more treat you as my Saint, but Slave.
There, Oh my Vengeance! Oh my pleasure!

Corisc.
Hold.
Are you resolv'd?

Sylv.
As firm as Fate, and less to be controul'd.
Have you done whining?

Corisc.
“Oh thou base, and not
“To be exampled Slave, half Man, half Goat,
“And all a Beast;—thou Natures Out-cast, born
For her Disgrace, and for Corisca's Scorn.
“Corisca Loves thee not! thou think'st the truth;
“What should she see in such a Charming Youth?

Sylv.
Now your true self appears; but do not think
Curses or Prayers shall make Sylvano shrink.

Corisc.
Infernal Beast, let go your hold, be gone:
Think not the impious deed's so easily done.
That minute thy Impiety shall dare
But touch me, with my shrieks I'le fill the Ayre;
And call down all Heav'ns Thunder on thy head:
Nay, I'le turn Basilisk, and look thee dead.

Sylv.
Call Thunder down! as if the Gods would hear
Thy out cryes Devil. I so little fear
Heav'ns Anger for so just, so brave an act,
That in the very height of all the Fact,
I'le with such pride the glorious deed commit,
That I'le my self call Heav'n to witness it.

Corisc.
Hell and Damnation thy black soul confound,
And everlasting Horrour shade me round.

Sylv.
But I'm
Too gentle: In this posture I appear
More like a Courtier than a Ravisher.
Fury's the garb my Inj'ries should wear:
Beast as thou art, I'le drag thee by the hair.
[Lets go her Arms, and twists his hands in her Hair.
My Rage cannot commit an act too foul:
Fright me away? I'm not that easie Fool—
As he drags her away, her Hair comes off; and Sylvano falls; at which time she runs off.
Perdition seize her. Oh she's gone; was e're
Such an Escape, such a defeat as here!
“Was ever man so Fooled! Thou all made up of Wiles,
“Was't not enough thy words, thy looks, thy smiles
Were all deceit; false, treacherously fair,
“But you must likewise falsifie your hair.
“The glowing Amber, and the flowing Gold
“Which you, mad Poets, so extol, behold!
“Blush, blush now at your errour, and recant
“Your thread-bare Theam; instead whereof, go paint
“The arts of a deform'd and impious Witch;
“Breaking up Sepulchres by Night; from which
“She steals the hair, which upon Deaths-head grows,
“To Imp her own; which she so neatly does,
“That she has made you praise, what you shou'd more
“Then dire Megæras Snaky locks abhor.

[Exit.

SCENE the Third.

Enter Gerana and Dorinda.
Dor.
To follow Sylvio, is that a Crime?
I'de wander o're the World to follow him.
Not Savage Desarts with their Beasts of prey,
And all their frightful Rocks should stop my way.

Ger.
Come dear Dorinda, do not sigh in vain;
Come Love no more, but shake off all this pain.
Should Maids, in wild Young Men, place their delight;
Alas, they're Creatures not to please, but fright.

Dor.
You were young once, and if you told me true,
You said You Lov'd, And did they frighten you?

Ger.
But when I Loved, 'twas at a Womans Age.
I stood upon my Guard against their rage.
I was more able too the storm to bear:
But they are Creatures which You ought to fear.
Ravenous as Lyons, and more fierce than they:
Whilst Slavish Women must their Wills obey,
And to their furious Appetites give way:
They have desires, to which You cannot bow.

Dor.
But you have tryed, and you shall tell me how.

Ger.
Poor Innocence, you know not what you say:
There's Debt, in Love, you are too young to pay.
Alas, thou'rt Ignorant—

Dor.
Why then I'de learn.

Ger.
Alas, your own desires you can't discern.

Dor.
To please my Love, What is it that I want?
Can he ask any thing I cannot grant?
No, I have so much Love, that I believe,
I've rather more than I know how to give.
Instruct me, for I'de please him if I cou'd.
What are those Debts?—I know they must be good.
Love is a God, I've heard our Shepherds say:
And all that Gods command, we should obey.
If I've more hearts than yet I understand,
Tell me, they shall be all at his command.

Ger.
Inquire no farther—pretty Innocence,
But think of Loving Sylvio seaven years hence.

Dor.
And must I stay so long, so long a time?

Ger.
Your Beauty then will be in all its prime.

Dor.
Have I not all my Beauty yet? is it
For that my Sylvio cannot Love me yet?
My wants in Beauty are this way supply'd,
I've Love enough, what e're I want beside.

Ger.
Do but observe the Beauties of the May:
Yours will be once as ripe, and bright as they.
Stay till your worth is better understood.
All these gay flowers were once but in the Bud.

Dor.
Must Virgins then grow up as Roses do?
Pray, how is that?

Ger.
To Age their Sweets they owe.
Whilst by th'warm Sun, and the kind Spring, they blow.

Dor.
If then my want of growth be all my fau't,
Me-thinks I need not stay seav'n years for that.
Let but my Sylvio Love me: He has such charms,
Me-thinks I could shoot up in Sylvios Arms.
His charming looks would make me any thing.
So kind a Sun would soon bring on the Spring.

Enter Sylvio and Hunts-men crossing the Stage: Sylvio seeing Dorinda, offers to go.
Dor.
Stay Sylvio, do not flye me.

Ger.
Cruel, stay.
Cannot such suppliant Beauty stop your way?

Sylv.
My Torment here.
[aside.
To stay, I want the pow'r.
I've no time now to fool away an hour.

Ger.
Inhumane; is this treat a recompence
For all the groans of dying Innocence?
Thou man, more barbarous than the Scythian Race,
And Savager than the wild Beasts you chace.

Dor.
Dearer than Life, and sweeter than the Spring.
My Joy, my Love, my Heart, my every thing.
Oh unkind Nymph, can you so Cruel prove,
To talk so harshly to the Man I Love?
Dear Sylvio—What have I said—
Me-thinks I blush, yet why, I do not know.
Something I've said or done, I should not do.
To say I Love him, there's no sin in that:
To tell the truth, sure cannot be a Fau't.
And yet me-think—
A secret shame into my face does flye,
And says 'tis men should Court, and Maids deny.

Sylv.
What is the cause fair Nymph—

Dor.
Fair Nymph! Ah no:
You call me fair, but do not think me so.

Sylv.
What idle frenzy can so pow'rful be,
To make you take such pains to follow me?

Dor.
Why do you ask? As if you did not know.
I would be near you whereso're you go:
Do, let me follow you, let me be near.
“I'le hold your Arrows, and your Quiver bear:
And if your precious Life should e're,
By the wilde Bore you chace, in danger be,
I'le step between, and he shall first Kill me.
In Sylvio's presence is my sole delight:
On you I think all Day, and dream all Night.
And in the Morning, when by restless Cares
I early wake, and go to say my Pray'rs,
All on a sudden, when I kneeling bow,
And think I speak to Heav'n, I Pray to You.
Yet unkind Sylvio from Dorinda flyes.
Takes all my Heart, yet gives me none of His.

Sylv.
Why do you throw away a heart so ill?
I never yet knew Love, nor ever will.
Or if I did, 'tis in the Chace, the Groves
And Woods: My Hawks and Hounds have all my Loves.

Dor.
In Love with Hawks and Hounds! Those Creatures, Sir, have got
Their Loves already. They're by Nature taught
To Love amongst themselves. Those humble Creatures too,
Are not deserving to be Loved by You.

Sylv.
Well Nymph, I see I wrong you by my stay;
I'le take the Cause then of your Griefs away.
Adieu.

Dor.
Stay but one minute; must we part
So soon? I see the cause of all my smart:
'Tis Amaryllis takes up all your heart.

Sylv.
Before I go,
That little satisfaction you shall have,
I gave my hand; my heart I never gave.

Dor.
Do you not Love her then?

Sylv.
By Heav'ns, not I.

Dor.
Does she want Charms?

Sylv.
Their Influence I defie.

Dor.
But are you sure you do not Love her?

Sylv.
Why?

Dor.
Do you not think, and wish you know not how,
And Dream of her a Nights, as I of You?

Sylv.
I think not of her waking, nor asleep,
My heart does no such worthless Triffles keep.

Dor.
You've eas'd me of I know not how much pain:
I'm Charm'd to hear you talk with such disdain.
Malice or Love, or both, what e're it be,
I'm pleas'd he Loves not her, though he hates me.

[The Hunts-men hollow from within.
Sylv.
Hark, I am call'd, my pleasure I delay.
Farewell.

Dor.
You shall not go.

Sylv.
I must not stay.

Dor.
Have you no Love, nor pitty, cruel Man?

Sylv.
I pitty you as much as e're I can.

Dor.
Well Sylvio,
If by your Hate I'm Doom'd to be undone;
I'm the first slighted Maid that dyed so soon.

Sylv.
Well pow'rful Nymph,
For the unrest, the sighs, and pains, so long
You've borne, in Charity t'a thing so young,
For once I will be kind.

Dor.
Will you be kind?
Kind to Dorinda! Oh my lightned mind?—
And will you Love me?—I ne're lived till now.—
Shall I be yours?—My Joys too mighty grow.
If the unrest I've borne your kindness win,
To keep you kind, I'le never sleep agen.
And if you've Charity, because I'm young,
Be sure I'le ne're grow old—but why so long
A silence? why this distance? Did you say
You would be kind, and do not know the way.
Swains, when they're kind, their dearest Nymphs approach,
With all their greedy joys their hands they touch,
And kiss 'em o're and o're.
Then round their Necks their twining Arms they throw:
Were I a Swain in Love, I should do so.

Sylv.
Hold gentle Nymph, and give me leave to speak.
Do not my promis'd Charity mistake,
Your softness has my stubborn spirit bow'd
So much, that I would Love you if I could.
And this Effeminate Confession, none
Of your whole Sex could win, but you alone.

Dor.
And is it thus, you're kind?

Sylv.
Love I ne're can.
Within my Breast that Feaver never ran.
You have my Pitty; all I can I'le grant.
Nor will I say I Love you, when I cant.

Dor.
You cannot Love?

Sylv.
My kindness is so great,
I will not pay your Love with Counterfeit.
Nay, in compassion to your sighs and tears,
Each rising Sun shall hear my Zealous Prayers:
I'le beg kind Heav'n that you may Love no more,
And your Conversion on my knees implore.
Once more fare-well.

Dor.
Why all this hasty flight?
Stay, and be cruel still, and kill me quite.

Exit. Sylv.
Gerr.
E'ne let him go, and to requite this scorn,
May he by Heaven's pursuing Vengeance, torne
By some wild Monster in a Desart dye,
And injur'd Virgins curse his memory.
The noyse comes near; flye hence, no longer stay;
What if the Savage Beast should come this way,
And Chafed with Hunting, spill your precious blood?

Dor.
Alas, I would forgive him, if he shou'd.
Since unkind Sylvio from my Love does flye,
Young though I am, I'm Old enough to dye.

Exeunt.