University of Virginia Library

ACT the Third.

Enter Amaryllis with a Train of Shepherdess, who enter Singing.
Song.
Amar, Chorus

Chor.
'Tis Shame and the Night Loves folly does cover,
And only the Bat and Schreich-Owl that hover
About the dark Windows of a drowzy dull Lover.

The Song ended, they Dance, which done, they go off singing, and Corisca enters and stays Amaryllis.
[Manent only Corisc. and Amar.
Cor.
“I Must go speak to him, or he'l not stir.
“To her faint-hearted Swain; what do you fear?

Calling to Mirtillo.
Enter Mirtillo.
Mirt.
I would approach her, but dare move no nigher:
“How near to Impotence is strong desire?

Corisc.
Make hast, or she is lost.

Amar.
“What do I view!

Mirt.
“Stay; If this action to thy scorn be due,
“Behold the Weapon, and the Breast.

[holding his Dagger to his Breast.
Amar.
Thou hast
Deserved that Sentence thy rash tongue has past.
What cause, bold man, could thy presumption move
To interrupt my soft Retirements?

Mirt.
Love.

Amar.
“Love is not rude.

Mirt.
Can it be rudeness when I kneel before
That dear Celestial Creature I adore.
Is it a Crime t'approach what we admire.
Do but observe, fair Nymph, how the wing'd Quire,
Each wandring Bird flyes over Woods and Groves,
To mix its Ayres with the dear Mate it loves.
And what their Loves and weaker sense has done,
Should dastard Man, the Lord of Reason shun?

Amar.
And is this Love? Did Love your foot-steps steer,
Prayers, not surprizes would have brought you here.

Mirt.
“As a wilde Beast, enraged with want of Food,
“Rushes on Travellers from out the Wood.
“So I, that only live on thy fair Eyes,
“Since that lov'd Food thy Cruelty denys,
“On my fair Prey, a Ravenous Lover seize,
To my long famisht Love, the only ease.
My Passion, and my Fears were long at strife,
And 'twas a stratagem to save a Life.

Amar.
“Alas, you persecute me, but in vain.
What is it you can ask, or hope t'obtain?

Mirt.
“Once ere I dye, to hear me.

Amar.
“Well Sir, that Boon I grant. But this before,
“Say little, quickly part, and come no more.

Mirt.
“Then that I love thee more than I do love
“My Life; if thou doubt'st, Cruel, ask this Grove,
“Each stupid Rock, each Mountain, which so oft,
“I by the voyce of my Complaints, made soft.
“Behold these Flowers that make the Earth so proud,
“Those Stars which naile the Firmament. The crowd
Of Nights, bright Gems attest my high desires;
They've all been witness of my restless fires.
To the adored bright Beautys of those Eyes,
My soul with all her wing'd affections flyes.
“But since you bid me say but little, I
“Shall say but little, saying that I dye;
“And shall do less in dying, since I see
“How much my death is coveted by Thee.
Yet when I'm Dead,
You'l pitty what to Live you can't permit;
“Must those bright Stars which my Loves Torches lit,
“Light too my Funeral Tapers, and fore run
“As once my rising, now my setting Sun?

Amar.
What shall I say? I cannot speak.

[aside.
Mirt.
Fair Saint,
Have you no sense of my too just Complaint?
Have you no Pitty? speak!—what have I done,
This Fate to merit?—Must I talk alone—
Say something Cruel Nymph,—

Amar.
What should I say?
You know I must not answer you your way.

Mirt.
“Say, dye, at least, if nothing else you'l say.

Amar.
“That honest pitty I may grant; you have.
“Other it is in vain to hope or crave.
“For amorous pitty you must ne're implore
“From her, who has given away all that before.
“But if you love me, and have told me true;
“Love my good Name, my Life and Honour too.
“You seek Impossibles: I am a Ward
“To Heav'n; Earth watches me, and my reward,
“If I transgress, is Death. But most of all
“Virtue defends me. Sir, your heart recall:
On barren Rocks, none but th'unhappy fall.
“And 'tis the part of Virtue to abstain
“From what we love, if it will prove our bane.

Mirt.
“He that no longer can resist, must yield.

Amar.
“Where Virtue reigns, all passions quit the field.

Mirt.
“Love tryumphs over Virtue.

Amar.
“Let that man
“That cannot what he will, will what he can.

Mirt.
“Necessity of Loving, has no Law.

Amar.
But effects cease when Causes do with-draw.
I'le see you then no more.

Mirt.
Oh stay; your form's fixt here;
“In vain we flye what we about us bear.
“There is no Cure but that which Death affords.

Amar.
“Death! Let me speak then, and be sure these words
“Be as a Charm to you. Although I know,
“When Lovers talk of dying, it does show
“Rather an amorous custom of the tongue,
“Then a resolve of mind, continuing long.
“Yet if in earnest you should ever take
“So strange a frenzy; know that when you make
“Your self away, you murder my Fame too.
“Live then if you do love me, and adieu.

Mirt.
And must I live for ever in despair;
Doom'd to a Life that is not worth my care?

Amar.
Mirtillo, 'tis high time you went away,
“You have already made too long a stay:
Be gon, and let your griefs not grow too strong,
“Of hopeless Lovers, there's a numerous throng.
“There is no wound, but carryes with it pain;
“And there are others, who of Love complain.

Mirt.
How can I leave you?

Amar.
Why, Sir, should you stay?
You know my heart's already given away.
You know I'm to be Marryed Sir,—yet still—
Oh Heav'ns! I'de like t'have said against my will.
[aside.
Be gone, be gone—
For should he longer stay
I shall the weakness of my soul betray.
aside.

Mirt.
Why must I flye so fast from all that's dear?

Amar.
Should but the Nymphs return, and find you here,
This place they hold so sacred, that they'd tear
You Limb from Limb: “The Thracian Nymphs ne're tore,
“And Murder'd Orpheus so on Hebrus shore.

Mirt.
Is that a fear should drive Mirtillo hence?
What if the place be sacred; the offence
Proceeds from Love, and Love is sacred too;
They could not hurt the Slave that dyes for you.

Amar.
He has staid too long; his presence has such pow'r—
aside.
My Father I expect this very hour:
And if he find you here, I shall pull down
A Nations anger and a Fathers frown.
Sir, for my safety go.

Mirt.
That word alone could force
Me hence; “but can I suffer this Divorce,
“And yet not dye; the pangs of death I'm sure
“I feel, and all that parting souls endure.

[Exit.
Amar.
“Mirtillo, oh Mirtillo, couldst thou see
“That heart which thou condemn'st of cruelty,
“Soul of my soul, thoud'st find it so much thine,
Thoud'st give me pitty, and not ask me mine.
“Oh why, if Love be such a natural
“And pow'rful passion, is it Capital?
“Law too severe that Nature doest offend,
“Nature too frail that dost with Law contend.
Why must our bleeding hearts with sorrow break,
Whilst modesty forbids our Sex to speak?
“Oh dear Mirtillo, pardon thy fierce Foe,
“In words and looks, but in her heart not so.
“But if addicted to Revenge thou be?
“What greater Vengeance canst thou take on me,
“Then thy own grief? For, if thou beest my heart,
“As in despite of Heav'n and Earth thou art;
“Thy sighs my Vital spirits are; the flood
“Of tears which follows, is my vital blood.
“And all these pangs, and all these groans of thine,
“Are not thy pangs, are not thy groans, but mine.

Enter Corisca and Celia.
Corisc.
Why pangs and groans? what should your peace destroy?
What hinders your desires, or bars your Joy?
Come, you must love Mirtillo: Why so coy?

Amar.
What do you mean? You know our breach of Faith
Is punisht by th'Arcadian Laws with death?

Corisc.
And is it that dull Nymph keeps you in awe?
“Which is more ancient, tell me, Love or Law?
Love's a Majestick pow'r;
Came in with Nature, and grew up with Man,
And with the world its Soveraignty began.
Laws were but Innovations crept in since,
Which envying Loves Imperial Excellence,
Like Rebels Circumscribed an Absolute Prince.

Amar.
Oh Heavens! I scarce dare guess at what you mean:
But could I thy wild Counsels entertain,
“And for th'offence, the Law my Life should take;
“Can Love of Life a Restitution make?

Corisc.
“Thou art too nice: If Women all were such,
“And on thy scruples should insist too much:
“Good days adieu.
“Laws are not for the Wise. If to be kind
“Should merit death, Jove help the cruel mind.
“But if Fools fall into those Snares, 'tis fit
“They be forbid to steal, that have not wit
“To hide their Theft.

Amar.
Hold: this wild subject change.
You startle me to hear you talk so strange.

Corisc.
Why strange!
One minute of our Life's not in our pow'rs,
And who but Fools would lose whole days or hours?
Celia, convert her with that Song I taught you.

Celia
Sings.
“Let us use time whilst we may;
“Snatch those joys that hast away,
“Earth her Winter-Coat may cast,
“And renew her Beauties past;
“But our Winter come, in vain
“We solicite Spring again.
“And when our Furrows Snow shall cover;
“Love may return, but never Lover.

Amar.
“Thou say'st all this only to try me sure:
“Not that thy thoughts are such; but rest secure,
Unless the way to break this Contract be
A plain safe way; from guilt and scandal free:
Your useless Councels you propose in vain;
“I'de dye a thousand Deaths e're I'de my Honour stain.

Corisc.
“But Amaryllis, dost thou seriously
“Believe thy Sylvio rates his Faith as high,
“As thou dost thine?

Amar.
Alas, how should I know?
“What's Faith to him, who is to Love a Foe?

Corisc.
“Loves Foe! There's thy mistake: Oh these coy souls.
“Believe 'em not. The deep stream silent rowls.
“No Theft in Love so subtle and secure,
“As to hide sin by seeming to be pure.
“In short, thy Sylvio Loves, but 'tis not thee.
“He Loves else-where.

Amar.
“What Goddess must she be.
“For certainly she's not of mortal frame
“That could the heart of Sylvio inflame.
Where are her Altars, what's this Goddess Name?

Corisc.
“No Goddess, nor yet Nymph.

Amar.
“What was't you said?

Corisc.
“Do you know my Lisetta?

Amar.
“Who, the Maid
“That tends thy Flocks?

Corisc.
“The same: She's all his joy.

Amar.
“A proper choyce for one that was so coy.

Corisc.
But will you know what Magick's in her Arms,
And what great pains he takes to meet her Charms.
“He feigns to go a Hunting. But i'th' heat
“Of all the sport, he does by stealth retreat
“From his Companions, and comes all alone
“Into my Garden, by a way unknown.
“Where underneath a Haw-thorne-hedges shade,
“The Gardens fence, the poor expecting Maid
“Hears his hot sighs and amorous pray'rs; which she
“Comes Laughing afterwards, and tells to me.

Amar.
'Tis well.

Corisc.
Now hear my plot, and let my Friendship prove
My industrious Zeal to Crown your Sacred Love.
“I think you know, that the same Law which does
“Enjoyn the Woman to observe her Vows
“To her Contracted, likewise does Enact,
“That if the Woman catch him in the fact
“Of falsehood, all her tyes and contracts cease,
And she'has free pow'r to Marry where she please.

Amar.
“I know Examples. Egle having found
“Lycotas false, remaind her self unbound.

Corisc.
“Now hear me out: My Maid by me set on,
“Has bid her Credulous Lover meet anon
“In yonder Cave with her, whence he remains
“The most contented of all living Swains.
“And waits but th'hour. You shall surprize him there:
“And I too as your Witness, will be near.

Amar.
Already I've a prospect of my Bliss.
“I like it rarely, but the way—

Corisc.
“'Tis this.
“In th'middle of the Cave, oth' right hand, lyes
“Another lesser Grot. There thou shalt hide
“Thy self; and hidden in that place abide
“Till the two Lovers come: I mean to send
“Lisetta first, and after her, her Friend;
“Following aloofe my self; and when I have
“Perceiv'd him safely Lodg'd within the Cave,
I will rush after him, and at my cryes
You shall come in, and the false Swain surprize:
“That done, shall take the penalty oth'Law:
“I, and Lisetta then will straight with-draw,
“And to the Priest; and then thou shalt untye
“This Fatal Knot.

Amar.
“Before his Father?

Corisc.
Why?
“What matters that? Think'st thou Montanoes blood
“Will stand in Ballance with his Countrys good.

Amar.
“Go on then; setting all disputes aside,
“I wink, and follow thee my faithful Guide.

Corisc.
“Then linger not, dear Nymph, but enter in.

Amar.
Before this mighty enterprize begin,
I'le to the Temple, and the Gods adore:
And by my Prayers from Heav'n, success implore.

Exit.
Corisc.
“Go, and return then quickly. How I'm pleas'd!
Of half my Troubles I'm already eas'd.
“But to go on, there's something must be done
“T'abuse my honest Lover Coridon:
“I'le say I'le meet him in the Cave, and so
“Will make him after Amaryllis go.
“That done, by a back-way I'le thither send
“The Priest of Cynthia, her to Apprehend;
“Guilty she will be found, and by our Laws she dyes,
The cause of all Mirtilloes Crueltyes.
Enter Mirtillo.
“He's here—I'le sound him till she comes: Now rise,
“Rise all my Love into my Tongue, and Eyes.

Mirt.
“Hear ye damnd Spirits that in Hell lament,
“Hear a new sort of pain and punishment:
“See in a Turtles look a Tygers mind;
“She crueller than death, 'cause she did find
“One death could not suffice her bloody will;
“And that to live was to be dying still,
“Enjoyns me not to make my self away,
“That I may dye a thousand times a day.

Corisc.
How fares your Love, Mirtillo, since you came
From your dear charming Nymph—
aside.
Curse on the Name

aside.
Mirt.
“As one who in a violent Feaver cast,
“And is forbidden Liquor, longs to tast.
“Which got, he greedily sets to his mouth,
“And thus he quenches Life, but cannot Drouth.

Corisc.
“Love over us, no pow'r can e're receive
“But what our slavish selves, Mirtillo, give
“When by his fond desires mans soul is brought
“So poorly to be fetter'd to one thought;
“Love quickly Tyrannizes in his Breast,
“And straight grows up a Master from a Guest.

Mirt.
Should not one Thought fill up Mirtilloes heart:
Is hers a Beauty to deserve but part?

Corisc.
“How weak, how ill a bargain foolish Swain,
“You make, to exchange kindness for disdain?

Mirt.
“The Cruelty of Beauty does refine
“A Lovers Faith, as fire the golden Mine.
“Where were the Sacred Loyalty of Love,
“If charming Women did not Tyrants prove.

Corisc.
“Oh wretched and unhappy those, in whom
“That foolish Idol, Constancy finds room.
“Come rouze, Mirtillo, know your nobler parts.
“Look out, you cannot want a thousand hearts.

Mirt.
Though scorn'd and hated, I had rather fall
Her dying Victim, than command 'em all.

Corisc.
Oh horrour! how he tortures me.
[aside.
No doubt
You are possest with some kind flattering thought,
That though an outward Scorn she's pleas'd to show,
Like burning Mountains cover'd o're with Snow,
There's heat within. Enchanted Dreamer, no.

Mirt.
“These are but Trophies of my constant Love,
“By which I'le Tryumph o're the Gods above;
“O're Men below, my Torments and her Hate;
“O're Fortune and the World, o're Death and Fate.

Corisc.
(aside...)
“Wonder of Constancy! If this Man knew
“How much he's loved by her, what would he do. (...aside.)

Mirtillo, were you e're in Love before.

Mirt.
Her, and her only can my soul adore.

Corisc.
Then it should seem your Heart was never laid,
But at the Feet of some disdainful Maid.
“Oh that 't had been thy chance but once to be
“In Love with one that's gentle, curteous, free.
“Try that a little, try it, and thou'lt find
“How sweet it is to meet with one that's kind.
“How pleasant 'tis to have thy Mrs. twine
“About thy Neck, and her sighs eccho thine.
“And after say, my Joy, All that I have,
“All that I am, and thy desires can crave,
“At thy Devotion is. If I am fair;
“For thee I'm fair; for thee I deck this hair.
“This Face, this Bosom, from this Breast of mine,
“I turn'd out my own heart to harbour thine.

Mirt.
Happy's the man that's born under a Star
So fortunate!

Corisc.
“Dull Swain; a Nymph as fair
“As the proud'st she that curles and spreads to th'Ayr
“Her Beauteous Tresses, worthy of thy Love,
“As thou of hers: The Honour of this Grove,
“Love of all hearts, by every worthier Swain,
“In vain solicited, adored in vain,
“Does Love thee only, and thee only prize
“More than her Life, and for that Love she dyes.

Mirt.
If such a Nymph there be, conceal her Name;
To all my other Tortures add not shame.
Let me not know she suffers for my sake,
And blush to think I no return can make.

Corisc.
“How-ever try what kindness is, tast both.

Mirt.
“Distemper'd Pallats all sweet things do loath.

Corisc.
“Uncharitable Youth, art not thou poor,
“And cant'st thou beat a Beggar from thy door?

Mirt.
“What Alms can Beggars give? Alas, I've Sworn
Allegiance, and a Traytor cannot turn.

Corisc.
“Blind Youth, who is it thou art constant to?
“I am unwilling to add Woe to Woe.
But can I see thee Cheated and Betray'd;
Her Honour sold, thy Sighs her pass-time made,
And yet not speak? “No doubt but you suppose,
“This Cruelty from her strict Vertue grows:
Thou art abused; that tiresome Vanity,
Call'd Innocence, she has long since laid by.

Mirt.
And can your profanation swell so high?

Corisc.
You'l not believe!

Mirt.
Believe thee.

Corisc.
Then go on
In wilfull Ignorance, and be undone.

Mirt.
“Oh Torture! I must dye if this be true.

Corisc.
“No, live dull Man, and thy Revenge pursue.
And though I know it will your heart-strings tear,
Her falsehood I must speak, and you must hear.
“Then to convince you, see you yonder Cave;
“That is your Mrs. Faith and Honours Grave.
“In short, there oft a base-born Shepheard warms
“Thy Virtuous Amaryllis in his Arms.
There she her Bliss, her Life, her Heav'n does find:
The Ivy to the Oak's not half so kind.
“Now go and sigh, and whine, and constant prove
“To that kind Nymph that thus rewards thy Love.

Mirt.
“Ah me Corisca, dost thou tell me true?
“And is it fit I should believe thee too?

Corisc.
“Truth is, I did not see it, but thou may'st,
“And presently, for she her word has past
“To meet him there this very hour. But hide
“Thy self beneath this shady Hedges side,
“And thou shalt see her enter into th'Cave,
And after her, her happy amorous Slave.

Mirt.
“So quickly must I dye?

Corisc.
“See, I have spyed
“Her coming down, already by the side
“O'th'Temple. Mark how guiltily she moves;
“Her stealing pace betraying their stolne Loves.
“To mark the sequel, do you here remain,
“And afterwards we two will meet again.

Exit.
Mirt.
“Since the discovery of the Truth's so near,
“With my Belief I will my Death defer.

Enter Amaryllis.
Amar.
“I from the Temple come as light as Ayre:
How much Heav'n listens to a Virgins prayer?
“I kneel'd and pray'd, and strait I felt, me-thought,
“Another soul into my body shot.
“Which whisper'd, fear not, Amaryllis, go
“Securely on. Yes, and I will do so,
“Heav'n guiding me. Fair Queen of Love, befriend
“Her, who on thee for succour does depend:
“Thou that as Queen in the third Orb doest shine,
“If e're thou felt'st thy Sons flames, pitty mine.
An humbler Votaress ne're kneelt before thy Shrine.
“Securely Enter; oh Mirtillo, oh
Goes into the Cave.
“Mirtillo, could'st thou dream for what I go.

Mirt.
“I wake and see what I could wish t'have been
“Born without Eyes, that I might not have seen.
“Or rather not to have been born; curst Fate,
“Why hast thou thus prolong'd my Lifes sad Date?
“To bring me to this killing Spectacle!
“Mirtillo more tormented than in Hell.
Dye then, Mirtillo dye—How dye, and give
The Traytor leave my Ruine to out-live.
“You that enjoy my spoyls, who e're you are,
“Since I must fall, shall my Destruction share.
Back to my Covert then I will repair,
And when the Villain shall approach, he dyes.
“But is't not base to kill him by surprize?
“What if her Wrongs I openly should right?
“That would proclaim the cause for which we fight.
“Dye basely then thou base Adulterer,
“That hast slain me, and hast dishonour'd her.
“I, but the blood may, if I kill him here,
“The Murder show, and that the Murderer.
“What need I care? Yes, but the Murther known,
“Betrays the cause, for which the Murder's done.
But her staind blood, has not so quencht my flame;
I'de kill her Guilt, but would not wound her fame.
“Close then in branches on the Rocks left side,
“Within the mouth oth' Cave, my self I'le hide:
And when I see her impious Minion come,
I'le give th'Adulterer and her shame one Tomb.
Enter Sylvano.
“And your dear foot-steps which I long have trac'd
“In vain, un-erring path lead me at last
“To where my Love is hid. To You I bow,
“Your Print I follow. Oh Corisca, now
“I do believe thee. Now thou hast told me true.

[Goes into the Cave.
Sylv.
“Does he believe Corisca, and pursue
“Her steps to Erycinas Cave? A Beast
“Has Wit enough to apprehend the rest.
Is there a Devil like a Woman damnd
In Lust? Not Hell is half so much inflam'd?
Her guilt and shame is but too plain,
“This Strumpet to this Swain her self has sold
Bewitching Lust, but more bewitching Gold.
“And here by the false Light now of this Vault,
“Delivers the bad ware which he has bought;
“Or rather 'tis Heav'ns Justice that has sent
“Her hither, to receive her punishment
“From my Revenging hands. The words he said,
“Seem'd to imply some promise she had made,
“Which he believed: and by his spying here
“Her print, that she's within the Cave, 'tis cleer.
“Do wisely then, and stop the mouth oth' Cave
“With that great hanging stone, that they may have
“No means of scaping; to the Priest then go,
“And bring by the back way, which few men know,
“His Ministers to take her in the fact;
And by her death, my dearest Vengeance act.
Justice Revenge, Heav'n and my injur'd Love,
Joyn all your pow'rs with mine, this Rock to move.
[Shuts the Cave with a piece of the Rock.
“So now the Fox is trapt, and finely shut
“Where she had Earth'd her self. I'le straight go put
“Fire to the hole; where I could wish to find
“The rest of Women to destroy the kind.

Exit.