THE FAITHFVLL Shepheardesse.

By IOHN FLETCHER.

Printed at London for R. Bonian and H. Walley, and are to be sold at the spred Eagle ouer against the great North dore of S. Paules.

To t [...]at noble and true louer of earning, Sir VVALTER ASTON knight of the Bath.
SIr I must aske your patience, and be trew.
This play was neuer liked, vnlesse by few
That brought their iudgements with vm, for of late
First the infection, then the common prate
Of common people, haue such customes got
Either to silence plaies, or like them not.
Vnder the last of which this interlude,
Had falne for euer prest downe by the rude
That like a torrent which the moist south feedes,
Drowne's both before him the ripe corne and weedes:
Had not the sauing sence of better men
Redeem'd it from corruption: (deere Sir then)
Among the better soules, be you the best
In whome, as in a Center I take rest,
And propper being: from whose equall eye
And iudgement, nothing growes but puritie:
(Nor do I flatter) for by all those dead,
Great in the muses, by Apolloes head,
He that ads any thing to you; tis done
Like his that lights a candle to the sunne:
Then be as you were euer, your selfe still
Moued by your iudgement, not by loue, or will
And when I sing againe as who can tell
My next deuotion to that holy well,
Your goodnesse to the muses shall be all,
Able to make a worke Heroyicall.
Giuen to your seruice IOHN FLETCHER.
To the inheritour of all worthines, Sir William Scipwith. Ode.
If from seruile hope or loue,
I may proue
But so happy to be thought for
Such a one whose greatest ease
Is to please
(Worthy sir) I haue all I sought for,
For no ich of greater name,
which some clame
By their verses do I show it
To the world; nor to protest
Tis the best
These are leane faults, in a poet
Nor to make it serue to feed
at my neede
Nor to gaine acquaintance by it
Nor to rauish kinde Atturnies,
in their iournies.
Nor to read it after diet
Fare from me are all these Ames
Fittest frames
To build weakenesse on and pitty
Onely to your selfe, and such
whose true touch
Makes all good; let me seeme witty.
The Admirer of your vertues, IOHN FLETCHER.
To the per [...]ect gentleman Sir Robert Townesend.
IF the greatest faults may craue
Pardon where contrition is
(Noble Sir) I needes must have
A long one; for a long amisse
If you aske me (how is this)
Vpon my faith Ile tell you frankely,
You loue aboue my meanes to thanke yee.
Yet according to my Talent
As sowre fortune loues to vse me
A poore Shepheard I haue sent,
In home-spun gray for to excuse me.
And may all my hopes refuse me:
But when better comes ashore,
You shall haue better, newer, more.
Til when, like our desperate debters,
Or our three pild sweete protesters
I must please you in bare letters
And so pay my debts; like iesters,
Yet I oft haue seene good feasters,
Onely for to please the pallet,
Leaue great meat and chuse a fallet.
All yours Iohn Fletcher:

To The Reader.

IF you be not reasonably assurde of your knowledge in this kinde of Poeme, lay downe the booke or read this, which I would wish had bene the prologue. It is a pastorall Tragic-co­me die, which the people seeing when it was plaid, hauing euer had a singuler guif [...] in defining, conclud [...]d to be a play of coū ­try hired Shepheards, in gray cloakes, with curtaild dogs in strings, sometimes laughing together, and sometimes killing one another: And missing whitsun ales, creame, wa [...] & mor­ris-dances, began to be angry. In their error I would not haue you fall, least you incurre their censur [...]. Vnderstand therefore a pastorall to be a representation of shepheards and shepheard desses, with their actions and passions, which must be such as may agree with their natures a [...] least not exceeding [...]ormer fic­tions, & v [...]g [...]r traditions: they are not to be adorn'd with any art, but such improper ones as n [...]ture is s [...]id to bestow, as sing­ing and Poetry, or such as experience may teach them, as the vertues of hearts, & fountaine the ordinary course of the Sun, moone, and starres, and such l [...]ke. But you are euer to remem­ber S [...]phe [...]ds to be such, a [...] all the ancient Poets and m [...]d [...]rne of vndersta [...]ding haue r [...]eaued them: tha [...] is, the owners of flockes and not hyerlings A tragic-comedie is not so called in respect [...] mirth and killing [...] but in respect it wants deat [...]s, which is inough to make it no tragedie, yet brings some neere it, which is inough to make it no comedie: which must be a re­presentation of familiar people, with such kinde of trouble as no life be questiond, so that a God is as lawfull in this as in a trage­die, and meane people as in a comedie. Thus much I hope will serue to iustifie my Poem [...], and make you v [...]derstand it, to teach you more for nothing, I do not know that I am in conscience bound.

Iohn Fletcher.
To my lou'd friend M. Iohn Fletcher, on his Pastorall [...]
CAn my approouement (Sir) be worth your thankes?
Whose vnknwne name and mnse (in swathing clowtes)
Is not yet growne to strength, among these rankes
To haue a roome and beare off the sharpe flowtes
Of this our pregnant age, that does despise
All innocent verse, that lets alone her vice.
But I must iustifie what priuately,
I censurd to you: my ambition is
(Euen by my hopes and loue to Poesie)
To liue to perfect such a worke, as this,
Clad in such elegant proprietie
Of words, including a mortallitie.
So sweete and profitable, though each man that heares,
(And learning has enough to clap and hisse)
Ariues not too't, so misty it appeares;
And to their filmed reasons, so amisse:
But let Art looke in truth, she like a mirror,
Reflects her comfort, ignorances terror
Sits in her owne brow, being made afraid,
Of her vnnatural complexion,
As ougly women (when they are araid
By glasses) loath their true reflection,
Then how can such opinions iniure thee,
That tremble, at their owne deformitie?
Opinion, that great foole, makes fooles of all,
And (once) I feard her till I met a minde
Whose graue instructions philosophicall,
Toss'd it like dust vpon a march strong winde,
He shall for euer my example be,
And his embraced doctrine grow in me.
His soule (& such commend this) that commaund
Such art, it should me better satisfie,
Then if the monster clapt his thousand hands,
And drownd the sceane with his confused cry;
And if doubts rise, loe their owne names to cleare'em
Whilst I am happy but to stand so neere'em.
N. F.
To my friend Maister Iohn Fletceher, vpon his faithfull Shepheardesse.
I Know too well that no more then the man
That trauels through the burning desarts, can
When he is beaten with the raging sunne,
Halfe smotherd with the dust, haue power to runne
From a coole riuer, which himselfe doth finde,
Ere [...]e be slak'd: no more can he whose minde
Ioies in the muses, hold from that delight,
When nature, and his full thoughts b [...]d him write,
Yet wish I those whome I for friends haue knowne,
To sing their thoughts to no eares but their owne:
Why should the man, whose wit nere had a staine,
Vpon the publike stage present his vaine,
And make a thousand men in iudgement sit,
To call in question his vndoubted wit,
Scarce two o [...] which can vnderstand the lawes
Which they should iudge by, nor the parties cause,
Among the rout there is not one that hath
In his owne censure an explicite faith.
One company kowing they iudgement lacke,
Ground their beliefe on the next man in blacke:
Others, on him that makes signes, and is mute,
Some like as he does in the fairest sute,
He as his mistres doth, and she boy chance,
Nor wants there those, who as the body doth dance
Betweene the actes, will censure the whole play:
Some like if the wax lights be new that day:
But multitudes there are whose iudgements goes
Headlong according to the actors clothes.
For this, these publicke things and I, agree
So ill, that but to do aright to thee,
I had not bene perswaded to haue hurld
These few, ill spoken lines, into the world,
Both to be read, and censurd of, by those,
Whose very reading makes verse senceles prose,
Such as must spend aboue an houre, to spell
A challenge on a post, to know it well,
But since it was thy happe to throw away,
Much vvit, for which the people did not pay,
Because they saw it not, I not dislike
This second publication, which may strike
Their consciences, to see the thing they scornd,
To be with so much will and art adornd.
Bisides one vantage more in this I see,
Your censurers must haue the quallitie
Of reading, which I am affraid is more
Then halfe your shreudest iudges had before.
Fr. Beaumont.

The faithfull Shepheardesse.

Actus primi, Scena prima.

Enter Cl [...]rin a Shepheardesse hauing buried her loue in an Arbour.
HAile holy earth, whose colde armes do embrace
The truest man that euer fed his flockes:
By the fat plaines of fruitfull Thessaly,
Thus I salute thy graue, thus do I pay
My early vowes and tribtute of mine eies,
To thy still loued ashes: thus I free
My selfe from all ensuing heates and fires
Of loue, all sports, delights and games,
That Shepheards hold full deares thus put I off.
Now no more shall these smooth browes be gi [...]t,
With youthfull coronals, and lead the dance,
No more the company of fresh faire Maids
And wanton shepheards be to me delightfull.
Nor the shrill pleasing sound of merry pipes,
Vnder some shady dell [...] when the coole winde
Plaies on the leaues, all be farre away:
Since thou art farre away: by whose deare side,
How often haue I sat crownd with fresh flowers
For Summers queene, whilst euery Shepheards boy [...]
Puts on his lustly greene with gaudy hooke,
And hanging scrippe o [...] finest cordeuan:
But thou art gone, and these are gone with thee,
And all are dead but thy deare memorie:
That shall outliue thee, and shall euer spring,
Whilst there are pipes, or Iolly shepheards sing.
[Page]And heere will I, in honor of thy loue,
Dwell by thy graue, forgetting all those ioyes,
That former times made precious to mine eies:
Onely remembring what my youth did gaine,
In the darke hidden vertuous vse of hearbs:
That I will I practise, and as freely giue
All my endeauours, as I gaind them free.
Of all greene wounds I know the remedies,
In men or cattell, be they stung with snakes,
Or charmd with powerfull words of wicked art,
Or be they loue-sicke, or through too much heat
Growne wilde or lunaticke, their eies or eares
Thickned with misty filme of dulling rume,
These I can cure, such secret vertue lies
In hearbs applyed by a virgins hand:
My meat shall be what these wilde woods affoord,
Berries, and Chesnuts, Plantains, on whose cheeks
The Sun sits smiling, and the lofty fruit
P [...]ld from the faire head of the straite grown pine:
On these Ile feede with free content and rest,
When night shal blinde the world, by thy side blest.
Enter a Satyre.
Sat.
Through yon same bending plaine,
That flings his armes downe to the maine,
And through these thicke woods haue I runne,
whose bot [...]ome neue [...] kist the Sunne
Since the lusty spring began,
All to please my M [...]ister Pan,
Haue I trotted without rest
To get him fruit, for at a feast,
He entertaines this comming night,
His Paramoure the Syrinx bright:
But behold a fairer sight [...]
He stands amazed.
By that heauenly forme of thine,
Brightest faire thou art deuine:
Sp [...]ong from great immortall race
Of the G [...]ds: for in thy face,
Shines more awfull maiesty,
[Page]Then dull weake mortalitie
Dare with misty eies behould
And liue, therefore on this mould,
Lowly do I bend my knee,
In worship of thy dietie,
Deigne it Goddesse from my hand,
To receiue what ere this land,
From her firtile wombe doth send
Of her choise fruites: and but lend,
Beliefe to that the Satyre tels,
Fairer by the famous wells,
To this present day nere grewe,
Neuer better nor more true,
Heere be grapes whose lusty blood,
Is the learned Poets good,
Sweeter yet did neuer crowne,
The head of Bacchus, nuts more browne
Then the squirrels teeth that cracke them,
Deigne ô fairest faire to take them,
For these black ey'd Driope,
Hath often times commaunded me,
With my clasped knee to clime,
See how well the lusty time,
Hath deckt their rising cheekes in red,
Such as on your lips is spred,
Heere be berries for a Queene,
Some be red, some be greene:
These are of that lussious meat,
The great God Pan, himselfe doth eate:
All these, and what the woods can yeeld,
The hanging mountaine or the field,
I freely offer, and ere long,
Will bring you more, more sweet and strong.
Till when humbly leaue I take,
Least the great Pan do awake:
That sleeping lies in a deepe glade,
Vnde a broad beeches shade:
I must goe, I must runne,
Swifter then the fiery Sunne.
Exit.
Clorin.
[Page]
And all my feares goe with thee.
What greatnesse or what priuate hidden power,
Is there in me to draw submission,
From this rude man, and beast? sure I am mortall,
The daughter of a Shepheard, he was mortall:
And she that bore me mortall: pricke my hand
And it will bleed: a feauer shakes me,
And the selfsame winde that makes the yoūg lambs shrinke,
Makes me a cold, my feare saies I am mortall:
Yet I haue heard (my mother told it me)
And now I doe belieue it, if I keepe
My virgin flower vncropt, pure, chaste, & faire,
No Goblin, wood-god, Faiery, Elfe, or Fiend,
Satyr or other power that haunts these groaues,
Shall hurt my body, or by vaine illusion,
Draw me to wander after idle [...]iers.
Or voices calling me in dead of night,
To make me followe, and so tole me on,
Through mires and standing pooles:
Else why should this rough thing, who neuer knew
Manners, nor smooth humanitie, whose heates
Are rougher then himselfe, and more mishapen,
Thus mildely kneele to me? sure there is a power
In that great name of virgin; that bindes fast
All rude vnciuill bloods, all appetites
That breake their confines: then strong chastity,
Be thou my strongest guarde, for heere Il'e dwell
In opposition against Fate and Hell.
Enter an olde shepheard, with foure couple of Shep­heards and Shepheardess [...]s.
Old Shep.
Now we haue done this holy festiuall,
In honour of our great God, and his rights
Perform'd, prepare your selues for chast
And vncorrupted fires: that as the priest,
With powerful hand shall sprinkle on your browes
His pure and holy water, ye may be
From all hot flames of lust, and loose thoughts free,
Kneele shepheards kneele, heere comes the Priest of Pan.
Enter Priest.
Priest.
Shepheards thus I purge away,
[Page]Whatsoeuer this great day,
Or the past houres gaue not good,
To corrupt your maiden blood:
From the high rebellious heat,
Of the grapes and strength of meat.
From the wanton quicke desires,
They do kindle by their fires.
I do wash you with this water,
Be you pure and faire heereafter.
From your liuers and your vaines,
Thus I take away the staines.
All your thoughts be smooth and faire,
Be ye fresh and free as ayre.
Neuer more let lustfull heat,
Through your purged conduits beate,
Or a plighted troth be broken,
Or a wanton verse be spoken:
In a Shepheardesses eare,
Go your waies y'are all cleare.
They rise and sing in praise of Pan.
The Song.
Sing his praises that doth keepe,
our Flockes from harme,
Pan the Father of our sheepe,
And arme in arme
Tread we softly in a round,
Whilst the hollow neighbouring ground,
Fills the musicke with her sound,
Pan, o great God, Pan to thee
Thus do we sing:
Thou that keepest vs chaste and free,
As the young spring,
Euer be thy honour spoke,
From that place the morne is broke,
To that place Day doth vnyoke.
Exeunt omnes but Perigot and Amoret.
Peri.
Stay gentle Amoret thou faire browd maide,
Thy Shepheard praies theee stay, that holds thee de ere.
[Page]Equall with his soules good:
Amo.
Speake, I giue
Thee freedome Shepheard, & thy tongue be still
The same it euer was: as free from ill
As he whose conuersation neuer knew
The court or cittie: be thou euer true.
Peri.
When I fall off from my affection,
Or mingle my cleane thoughts with foule desires,
First let our great God cease to keepe my flockes,
That being left alone without a guard,
The woolfe, or winters rage, sommers great heat,
And want of water, ro [...]s: or what to vs
Of ill is yet vnknowne, fall speedily,
And in their generall ruine let me goe.
Amo.
I pray thee gentle Shepheard wish not soe,
I do belieue thee: tis as hard for me
To thinke thee false, and harder then for thee
To holde me foule.
Peri.
ô you are fairer farre,
Then the chaste blushing morne, or that faire starre,
That guides the wandring seaman through the deepe [...]
Straighter then the straightest pine vpon the steepe
Head of an aged mountaine, and more white,
Then the new milke we strip before day light
From the full fraighted bag [...] of our faire flockes:
Your haire more beautious then those hanging lockes
Of young Apollo.
Amo.
Shepheard be not lost,
Ye are saild too farre alreadie from the coast
Of our discourse.
Peri.
Did you not tell me once
I should not loue alone, I should not loose
Those many passions, vowes [...] and holy oathes,
I haue sent to heauen: did you not giue your hand,
Euen that faire hand in hostage? do not then
Giue backe againe those sweetes to other men.
You your selfe vowd were mine,
Amo.
Shepheard so farre as maidens modesty
May giue assurance, I am once more thine,
Once more I giue my hand, be euer free
From that great foe to faith, foule iealosie.
Peri.
[Page]
I take it as my best good, and desire
For stronger confirmation of our loue,
To meete this happy night in that faire groue,
Where all true shepheards haue rewarded bene
For their long seruice: say sweet shall it hould?
Amo.
Deere friend you must not blame me if I make
A doubt of what the silent night may doe,
Coupled with this dayes heat to mooue your blood:
Maids must be fearefull, sure you haue not bene
Washd white enough, for yet I see a staine
Sticke in your liuer, goe and purge againe.
Peri.
O do not wrong my honest simple truth,
My selfe and my affections are as pure,
As those chaste flames that burne before the shrin [...],
Of the great Dian: onely my intent
To draw you thither, was to plight our trothes,
With interchange of mutuall chaste imbraces,
And ceremonious tying of our soules:
For to that holy wood is consecrate,
A vertuous Well, about whose flowery bancks,
The nimble footed Faieries daunce their rounds,
B [...] the pale mooneshine, dipping often times
Th [...]ir st [...]len children, so to make them free
From dying flesh, and dull mortalitie:
By this faire Fount hath many a Shepheard sworne,
And giuen away his freedome, many a troth
Beene plight, which neither enuy nor ould time
Could euer breake, with many a chaste kisse giuen,
In hope of comming happinesse: by this
Fresh Foun [...]aine many a blushing maide
Hath crownd the head of her long loued shepheard,
With gaudy flowers, whilst he happy sung,
Laies of his loue and deare captiuitie,
There growes all h [...]arbs fit to coole looser flames,
Our sensuall parts pro [...]oke chiding our bloodes,
And quenching by thei [...] power those hidden sparks,
Th [...]t else would breake out, and prouoke our sence,
To open fires, so vertuous is that place:
Then gentle Shepheardesse belieue and grant,
In troth it [...] not with that face to scant.
[Page]Your faithfull Shepheard of those chaste desi [...]es,
He euer aimd at, and—
Amo.
Thou hast preuaild, farwell, this comming night,
Shal crowne thy chaste hopes with long wishd delight.
Peri.
Our great God Pan reward thee for that good,
Thou hast giuen thy poore shepheard fairest bud
Of maiden vertues: when I leaue to be
The true admirer of thy chastitie,
Let me des [...]rue the hot polluted name,
Of a wilde woodman, or affect some dame
Whose often prostitution hath begot,
More foule diseases, then euer yet the hot
Sun bred through his burnings, whilst the dog
Pursues the raging Lyon, throwing fog
And deadly vapor from his angry breath.
Filling the lower world with plague and death.
exit Am [...]
Enter an other Shepheardesse that is in loue wi [...]h Perigot.
Amaril.
Shepheard may I desire to be belieued,
What I shall blushing tell?
Peri.
Faire maide you may.
Amaril.
Then softly thus, I loue thee Perigot,
And would be gladder to be leu'd againe,
Then the colde earth is in his frozen armes
To [...]l [...]p the wanton spring: nay do not start,
Nor wonder that I woe thee! thou that art
The prime of our young groomes, euen the top
Of all our lusty Shepheards: what dull eie
That n [...]uer was acquainted with desire,
Hath s [...]ene thee wrastle, run, or cast the stone,
Wi [...]h nimble strength and faire deliuery,
And hath not sparckled fire, and speedily
Sent secret heat to all the neighbouring vaines?
Who euer heard thee sing, that brought againe,
That freedome backe was lent vnto thy voice?
Then do not blame me (shepheard) if I be
One to be numbred in this company,
Since none that euer saw thee yet, were free.
Peri.
Faire Shepheardesse much pittie I can lend,
[Page]To your complaints: but sure I shal not loue:
All that is mine, my selfe and my best hopes,
Are giuen already: do not loue him then
That cannot loue againe: on other men
Bestowe those heates more free, that may returne
You fire for fire, and in one flame equall burne.
Amaril.
Shall I rewarded be so slenderly
For my affection, most vnkinde of men?
If I were old, or had agreed with Art,
To giue another nature to my cheekes,
Or were I common mistris to the loue
Of euery swaine, or could I with such ease
Call backe my loue, as many a wanton doth,
Thou mightst refuse me Shepheard, but to thee
I am onely fixt and set, let it not be
A sport, thou gentle Shepheard, to abuse
The loue of silly maide.
Peri.
Faire soule, ye vse
These words to little end: for knowe, I may
Better call backe, that time was yesterday,
Or stay the comming night, then bring my loue
Home to my selfe againe, or recreant proue.
I will no longer hold you with delaies,
This present night I haue appointed bene,
To meet that chaste faire (that enioyes my soule)
In yonder groue, there to make vp our loues.
Be not deceau'd no longer, choose againe,
These neighbouring plaines haue many a comely swaine,
Fresher and freeer farre then I ere was,
Bestowe that loue on them and let me passe,
Farwell, be happy in a better choise.
exit
Amar.
Cruell, thou hast strucke me deader with thy voice
Then if the angry heauens with their quicke flames,
Had shot me through: I must not leaue to loue,
I cannot, no I must enioy thee boy,
Though the great dangers twixt my hopes and that
Be infinite: there is a Shepheard dwels
Downe by the More, whose life hath euer showne
More fullen discontent then Saturnes browe,
When he sits frowning on the birthes of men:
[Page]One that doth weare himselfe away in lonenesse,
And neuer ioyes vnlesse it be in breaking
The holy pl [...]ghted troths of mutuall soules:
One that lusts after euery seuerall beauty,
But neuer yet was knowne to loue or like,
Were the face fairer or more full of truth,
Then Phoebe in her fulnesse, or the youth
Of smooth Lyeus, whose nye starued flockes
Are alwaies scabby, and infect all sheepe
They feede withall, whose lambes are euer last,
And dye before their weaning, and whose dog,
Lookes like his Maister, leane, and full of scurffe,
Not caring for the pipe or whistle: this man may
(If he be wel wrought) do a deede of wonder,
Forcing me passage to my long desires:
And heere he comes, as fitly to my purpose
As my quicke thoughts could wish for.
Enter Sullen.
Sul.
Fresh beautie, let me not be thought vnciuill,
Thus to be partner of your lonenesse: t'was
My loue (that euer working passion) drew
Me to this place to seeke some remedie
For my sicke soule: be not vnkinde and faire,
For such, the mightie Cupid in his dombe
Hath sworne to be aueng'd on, then giue roome
To my consuming fires, that so I may
Inioy my long desires, and so allay
Those flames, that else would burne my life away.
Amar.
Shepheard, were I but sure thy heart were sound
As thy words seeme to be, meanes might be found
To cure thee of thy long paines: for to me
That heauy youth consuming miserie,
The loue sicke soule endures, neuer was pleasing,
I could be well content with the quicke easing
Of thee & thy hot fires, might it procure
Thy faith, and farther seruice to be sure.
Name but that great worke, danger, or what can
Be compast by the wit or art of man,
And if I faile in my performance, may
I neuer more kneele to the rysing day,
Amar.
Then thus I try thee shepheard, this same night,
[Page]That now comes stealing on, a gentle paire
Haue promis'd equall loue, and do appoint
To make yon wood the place, where hands and hearts
Are to be tied for euer: breake their meeting
And their strong faith, and I am euer thine.
Sul.
Tell me their names, and if I doe not moue
( [...]y my great power) the center of their loue
From his sixt being, let me neuer more,
Warme me, by those faire eies I thus adore.
Amar.
Come, as we goe Ile tell thee what they are,
And giue thee fit directions for thy worke.
exeunt.
Enter Cloe.
How haue I wrongd the times, or men, that thus,
After this holy feast I passe vnknowne,
And vnsaluted? t'was not wont to be
Thus frozen with the younger company
Of iolly shepheards: t'was not then held good,
For lusty groomes to mixe their quicker blood
With that dull humor: most vnfit to be
The friend of man, cold and dull chastitie:
Sure I am held not faire, or am too ould,
Or else not free enough, or from my fould
Driue not a flocke sufficient great, to gaine
The greedy eies of wealth alluring swaine.
Yet if I may belieue what others say,
My face has foile enough, nor can they lay
Iustly too strict a coynesse to my charge.
My flockes are many, and the downes as large
They feed vppon: then let it euer be
Their coldnesse, not my virgin modesty
Makes me complaine.
Enter Thenot.
The.
Was euer man but I,
Thus truely taken with vncertaintie?
Where shall that man be found that loues a minde
Made vp in constancy, and dares not finde
his loue rewarded? heere, let all men knowe,
A wretch that liues to loue his mistres so.
Cloe,
Shepheard I pray thee stay, where haste thou bene,
Or whether goest thou? heere be woods as greene
[Page]As any, ayre as fresh and sweet,
As where smooth Zephirus plaies on the fleet
Face of the curled streames: with flowers as many
As the young spring giues, and as choise as any:
Heere be all new delights, coole streames and wels,
Arbors are growne with wood bines, Caues, and dels,
Chuse where thou wilt, whilst I sit by and sing,
Or gather rushes, to make many a ring
For thy long fingers, tell thee tales of loue,
How the pale Phoebe hunting in a groue,
First saw the boy Endimion, from whose eyes,
She tooke eternall fire, that neuer dies,
How she conuaid him softly in a sleepe,
His temples bound with poppy to the steep
Head of old Latmus, where she stoopes each night,
Gilding the mountaine with her brothers light
To kisse her sweetest.
Thenot.
Farre from me are these
Hot flashes bred from wanton heat and ease,
I haue forgot what loue and louing meant,
Rimes, Songs, and merry rounds, that oft are sent
To the soft eare of Maid, are strange to me:
Onely I liue t'admire a chastity,
That neither pleasing age, smooth tongue, or gold,
Could euer breake vpon, so sure the molde
Is, that her minde was cast in: tis to her
I onely am reserued, she is my forme, I stirre
By, breath, and mooue: tis she and only she
Can make me happy or giue misery.
Cloe.
Good Shepheard, may a stranger craue to know,
To whome this deare obseruance you do owe?
Thenot
Ye may, and by her vertue learne to square
And leuell out your life: for to be faire
And nothing vertuous, onely fits the eye
Of gaudy youth, and swelling vanitie.
Then knowe, shee's cald the virgin of the groue,
She that hath long since buried her chaste loue,
And now liues by his graue, for whose deare soule
She hath vowd her selfe into the holy role
Of strickt virginitie, tis her I so admire,
[Page]Not any looser blood or new de [...]ire.
Cloe.
Farewell poore swaine, thou art not for my bend,
I must haue quicker soules, whose words may tend,
To some free action: giue me him dare loue
At first encounter, and as soone dare prooue.
The Song.
Come Shepheards come,
Come away without delay,
Whilste the gentle time doth stay,
Greene woods are dumme,
And will neuer tell to any,
Those deere kisses, and those many
Sweete imbraces that are giuen,
Dainty pleasures that would euen
Raise in coldest age a fire,
And giue virgin blood desire.
Then if euer,
Now or neuer,
Come and haue it,
Thinke not I,
Dare deny,
If you craue it.
Enter Daphnis.
Heere comes another: better be my speede,
Thou God of blood, but certaine if I reade
Not false, this is that modest shepheard, he
That onely dare salute, but nere could be
Brought to kisse any, holde discourse, or sing,
Whisper, or boldly aske that wished thing
We all are borne for: one that makes louing faces,
And could be well content to couet graces,
Were they not got by boldnesse: in this thing
My hopes are frozen, and but fate doth bring
Him heather, I would sooner choose
A man made out of snowe, and frecer vse
An Euuenke to my endes: but since hee is heere,
Thus I attempt him: Thou of men most deare,
Welcome to her, that onely for thy sake,
Hath bene content to liue: here boldly take
My hand in pledge, this hand, that neuer yet
Was giuen away to any: and but [...]it
[Page]Downe on this rushy bancke, whilst I go pull
Fresh blossomes from [...]he bowes, or quickly cull
The choisest delicates from yonder meade,
To make thee chaines or chaplets, or to spreade
Vnder our fainting bodies, when delight
Shall locke vp all our sences [...] how the sight
Of those smooth rising cheekes renue the story
Of young Adonis, when in pride and glory
He lay infolded twixt the beating armes
Of willing Venus: me thinkes stronger charmes,
Dwell in those speaking eyes: and on that brow
More sweetnesse then the painters can allow,
To their best peeces: not Narcissus he:
That wept himselfe away in memorie
Of his owne beautie, nor Siluanus boy,
Nor the twice rauisht maide, for whome old Troy,
Fell by the hand of Pirrhus, may to thee,
Be otherwise compared then some dead tree
To a young fruitfull Oliue:
Daph.
I can loue, but I am loth to say so, least I proue
Too soone vnhappy.
Cloe.
Happy thou wouldst say,
My dearest Daphnis, blush not if the day
To thee and thy soft heates be enemie,
Then take the comming night, faire youth tis fre [...]
To all the world, shepheard Ile meet thee then
W [...]en darkenes hath shut vp the eies of men,
In yonder gro [...]e: speake shall ou [...] meeting hold?
Indeed ye are too bashful, be more bold,
And tell me I.
Daph.
I am content to say so,
And would be glad to meet, might I but pray so
Much from your fairenes, that you would be true.
Cloe
Shepheard thou hast thy wishe,
D [...]ph [...]
Fresh maide aduie,
Yet one word more, since you haue drawne me on
To come this night, feare not to meete alone,
That man that will not offer to be ill,
Though your bright selfe would aske it [...] for his fill
Of this worlds goodnesse: do not feare him then,
[Page]But keepe your pointed time, let other men
Set vp their bloods to saile, mine shall be euer,
Faire as the soule it carries, and vnchast neuer.
exit.
Cloe.
Yet am I poorer then I was before.
Is it not strange, among so many ascore
Of lusty bloods, I should picke out these thinges
whose vaines like a dull riuer farre from springs,
Is still the same, slowe, heauy, and vnfit
For streame or motion, though the strong windes hit
With their continuall power vpon his sides?
O happy be your names that haue bene brides:
And tasted those rare sweetes, for which I pine,
And farre more heauy be thy griefe and tine.
Thou lazy swaine that maist relieue my needes,
Then his vppon whose liuer alwaies feedes
A hungry vulture.
Enter Alexis.
Alex.
Can such beautie be
Safe in his owne guard, and not draw the eye
Of him that passeth on to greedy gaze,
Or couetous desire, whilst in a maze
The better part contemplates, giuing raine
And wished freedome to the labouring vaine?
Fairest and whitest, may I craue to knowe,
The cause of your retirement, why ye goe
Thus all alone? me thinkes the downes are sweeter
And the young company of swaines more meeter,
Then these forsaken and vntroden places.
Giue not your selfe to lonenesse, and those graces
Hide from the eies of men, that were intended
To liue amongst vs swaines.
Cloe.
Thou art befriended,
Shepheard in all my life, I haue not seene,
A man in whome greater contents hath beene,
Then thou thy selfe art: I could tell thee more,
Were there but any hope left to restore
My freedome lost: ô lend me all thy red,
Thou shamefast morning, when from Tithons bed
Thou risest euer maiden.
Alex.
If for me,
Thou sweetest of all sweets, these flashes be,
[Page]Speake and be satisfied, ô guide her tongue,
My better angell, force my name among
Hir modest thoughts, that the first word may be,
Cloe.
Alexis when the sunne shall kisse the sea,
Taking his [...]est by the white Thetis side,
Meet in the holy wood, where Ile abide
Thy comming Shepheard.
Alex.
If I stay behinde,
An euerlasting dulnesse and the winde,
That as he passeth by shuts vp the streame,
Of Reine or volga whilst the sunnes hot beame,
Beats backe againe, ceaze me, and let me turne
To coldenesse more then yce: oh how I burne
And rise in youth and fier! I dare not stay.
exit.
Cloe.
My name shall be your word.
Alex.
Fly fly thou day,
Cloe.
My griefe is great if both these boyes should faile,
He that will vse all windes must shift his saile.
Exit.

Actus secundus Scena prima.

Enter an olde shepheard with a bell ringing, and the Priest of Pan following.
Priest.
Shepheards all, and maidens faire,
Fold your flockes vp, for the Aire
Ginns to thicken, and the Sunne
Already his great course hath runne,
See the dew drops how they kisse
Euery little flower that is:
Hanging on their veluet heads,
Like a rope of christal beades.
See the heauy cloudes lowde falling
And bright Hesperus downe calling,
The dead night from vnder ground,
At whose rysing mistes vnsound,
damps, and vapours fly apace,
Houering ore the wanton face,
[Page]Of these pastures, where they come,
Striking dead both budd and bloome,
Therefore from such danger locke
Euery one his loued flocke,
And let your dogs lye loose without,
Least the Woolfe come as a scout
From the mountaine, and ere day
Beare a Lambe or Kid away:
Or the crafty theeuish Foxe,
Breake vpon your simple flockes,
To secure your selues from these,
Be not too secure in ease,
Let one eie his watches keepe,
Whilst the tother eie doth sleepe.
So you shall good Shepheards proue,
And for euer hold the loue
Of our great God: sweeeest slumbers
And soft silence fall in numbers
On your eye-lids: so farewell,
Thus I end my euenings knell.
exeunt.
Enter Clorin the Shepheardesse sorting of hearbs, and telling the natures of them.
Now let me know what my best Art hath done,
Helpt by the great power of the vertuous moone,
In her full light, ô you sonnes of earth,
You onely brood, vnto whose happy birth
Virtue was giuen, holding more of nature
Then man her first borne & most perfect creature.
Let me adore you, you that onely can,
Helpe or kill nature, drawing out that span
Of life and breath, euen to the end of time,
You that these hands did crop, long before prime
Of day, giue me your names, and next your hidden power.
This is the Clo [...] bearing a yellowe flowre:
And this blacke Horehound, both are very good,
For sheepe or shepheard, bitten by a wood
Dogs venomd tooth, these Ramuns branches are,
Which stucke in entries, or about the barre
That holds the dore fast, kill all the inchantments, charmes,
Were they Medea [...] verses that do harmes
[Page]To men or cattel: these for frenzy be
A [...]peedy and a soueraigne remedie.
The bitter Wormewood, Sage, and Marigold,
Such simpathy with mans good they do hold:
This Tormen [...]l whose vertue is to part
All deadly killing poison from the heart,
And heere Narcissus roote, for swellings best:
Yellow L [...]cimacus, to giue sweete rest
To the faint Shepheard, killing where it comes,
All busie gnats, and euery fly that hummes,
For leprosie, Darnell, and Sellondine,
With Calamint, whose ve [...]tues do resine
The blood of Man, making it free and faire,
As the first houre it breath'd, or the best aire.
Heere other to, but your rebellious vse,
Is not f [...]rme, whose goodnes is abuse,
Therefore foule standergrasse, from me and mine
I banish thee, with lustfull Turpentine,
You that intice the vaines, and stirre the heat
To ciuill muteny, scaling the seate
Our reason moues in, and deluding it
With dreames and wanton fancies, till the fit
Of burning lust be quencht by appetite,
Robbing the soule of blessednes and light:
And thou light Var [...]in to, thou must goe after
Prouoking easie soules to mirth and laughter,
No more shall I dip thee in water now,
And sprinckle euery post, and euery bow
With thy well pleasing iuice, to make the gromes,
Swell with high mirth as with ioy all the romes.
Enter Thenot.
The.
This is the Cabin where the best of all
Her sex, that euer breathd, or euer shall
Giue heat or happinesse to the Shepheards side,
Doth onely to her worthy selfe abide.
Thou blessed starre, I thank thee for thy light,
Thou by whose power the darkenesse of sad night
Is banisht from the earth, in whose dull place
[Page]Thy chaster beames play on the heauy face
Of all the world: making the blew sea smile,
To see how cunningly thou dost beguile
Thy brother of his brightnesse, giuing day
Againe from Chaos [...] whiter then that way
That leades to Ioues hye Court, and chaster farre
Then chastity it selfe: yo [...] blessed starre
That nightly shines, thou all the constancy
That in all women was, or ere shalbe:
From whose faire eye-balles flies that holyfire,
That ports stile the mother of desire,
Infusing into euery gentle breast,
A soule of greater price, and farre more blest
Then that quicke power which giues a difference
Twixt man and creatures of a lower sence.
Clor.
Shepheard how camst thou hether to this place?
No way is troden, all the verdent grasse
The spring shot vp stands yet vnbrused heere
Of any foote, onely the dappld deere:
Farre from the feared sound of crooked horne
Dwels in this fastnesse.
Then.
Chaster then the morne,
I haue not wandred, or by strong illusion
Into this vertuous place haue made intrusion,
But hether am I come (belieue me faire)
To seeke you out, of whose great good the Aire
Is full, and strongly labors, whilst the sound,
Breakes against heauen, and driues into a stround
The amazed Shepheard, that such vertue can
Be resident in lesser then a man.
Clor.
If any art I haue, or hidden skill,
May cure thee of disease or festred ill,
Whose griefe or greenenesse to anothers eie,
May seeme vnpossible of remedie,
I dare yet vndertake it.
Shep.
Tis no paine
I suffer through disease, no beating vaine
Conuaies infection dangerous to the heart,
No part impostumde to be curde by Art:
This bodie holdes, and yet a feller griefe
Then euer skilfull hand did giue reliefe
[Page]Dwels on my soule, and may be heald by you,
Faire beauteous virgin:
Clor.
Then shepheard let me sue
To knowe thy griefe that man yet neuer knew
The way to health, that durst not shew his sore.
Shep.
Then fairest know I loue you,
Clor.
Swaine no more.
Thou hast abus'd the strictnes of this place,
And offred Sacriligeous foule disgrace
To the sweet rest of these interred bones,
For feare of whose ascending fly at once,
Thou and thy idle passions, that the sight
Of death and speedy vengeance may not fright.
Thy very soule with horror.
Shep.
Let me not
Thou all perfection merrit such a blot,
For my true zealous faith.
Clor.
Darest thou abide
To see this holy earth at once deuide
And giue her bodie vp, for sure it will,
If thou pursuest with wanton flames to fill
This hallowed place: therefore repent and goe,
Whilst I with praies appease his Ghost belowe,
That else would tell thee what it were to be,
A riuall in that vertuous loue, that he
Imbraces yet.
Shep.
Tis not the white or red
Inhabits in your cheeke, that thus [...]an wed
My minde to adoration: nor your eye,
Though it be full and faire, your forehead hye,
And smooth as Pelops shoulder: not the smile
Lies watching in those dimples, to beguile
The easie soule, your hands and fingers long,
With vaines inameld richly, nor your tongue,
Though it spoke sweeter then Arions Harpe,
Your haire wouen into many a curious warpe,
Able in endles errour to vnfould
The wandring soule, not the true perfect mould,
Of all your bodie, which as pure doth showe,
In Maiden whitenes as the Alpsien snowe,
All these, were but your constancy away,
Would please me lesse then a blacke stormy day
[Page]The wretched Seaman toyling through the deep.
But whilst this honourd strictnes you dare keepe,
Though all the plagues that ere begotten were,
In the great wombe of aire were setled here
In opposition, I would like the tree,
Shake off those drops of weakenes, and be free
Euen in the arme of danger.
Clor.
Wouldst thou haue
Me raise againe fond man, from silent graue,
Those sparckes that long agoe were buried here,
With my dead friends cold ashes?
Shep.
Deerest deare,
I dare not aske it, nor you must not graunt,
Stand strongly to your vow, and do not faint:
Remember how he lou'd ye, and be still,
The same opinion speakes ye, let not will,
And that great god of wowen Appetite,
Set vp your blood againe, do not inuite
Desire, and fancy for their long exile,
To seat them once more in a pleasing smile:
Be like a Rocke made firmely vp gainst all
The power of angry heauen, or the strong fall
Of Neptunes battery, if ye yeild I die
To all affection: tis that loialtie
Ye tie vnto this graue I so admire,
And yet theres something else I would desire,
If you would heare me, but withall deny,
O Pan, what an vncertaine desteny
Hanges ouer all my hopes! I will retire,
For if I longer stay, this double fier,
Will licke my life vp.
Clor.
Do, and let time weare out,
What Art and Nature cannot bring about.
Shep.
Farewell thou soule of virtue, and be blest
For euer, whilst I wretched rest
Thus to my selfe, yet graunt me leaue to dwell
In kenning of this Arbor, yon [...]ame dell
Ore topt with mourning Cipresse and sad Ewe,
Shall be my Cabin, where I'le earely r [...]w,
Before the Sunne hath kist this dewe away,
[Page]The hard vncertaine chance which Fate doth lay
Vpon this head.
Clor.
The Gods giue quicke release
And happy cure vnto thy hard disease.
Exeunt.
Enter Sullen Shepheard.
Sullen.
I do not loue this wench that I should meet,
For neuer did my vnconstant eie yet greet
That beautie, were it sweeter or more faire,
Then the new blossomes, when the morning aire
Blowes gently on them, or the breaking light,
When many maiden blushes to our sight
Shootes from his early face: were all these set
In some neat forme before me, twould not get
The least loue from me: some desire it might,
Or present burning: all to me in sight
Are equall, be they faire, or blacke, or browne,
Virgin, or carelesse wanton, I can crowne
My appetite with any: sweate as oft,
And weepe as any, melt my words as soft
Into a maidens eares, and tell how long
My heart has bene her seruant, and how strong
My passions are: call her vnkinde and cruell,
Offer her all I haue to gaine the iewell
Maidens so highly praise: then loath and fly,
This do I hold a blessed desteny.
Enter Amarillis.
Amar.
Haile Shepheard Pan blesse both thy flocke & thee,
For being mindefull of thy word to me.
Sul.
VVelcome faire Shepheardesse, thy louing swaine
Giues thee the selfe same wishes backe againe:
Who till this present houre nere knew that eie,
Could make me crosse mine armes or daily dye
With fresh consumings: boldly tel me then,
How shall we part their faithfull loues, and when [...]
Shall I bely him to her, shall I sweare
His faith is false, and he loues euery where?
Ile say he mockt her the other day to you,
Which will by your confirming shew as true,
For he is of so pure an honesty,
To thinke (because he will not none will lye.
[Page]Or else to him Ile slaunder Amoret,
And say, she but seemes chaste, Ile sweare she [...]e [...]
Me mongst the shadie sycamoures last night,
And loosely offerd vp her flame and spright,
Into my bosome: made a wanton bed
Of leaues and many flowers, where she spred
Her willing bodie to be prest by me,
There haue I caru'd her name on many a tree,
Together with mine owne, to make this show
Morefull of seeming: Hobinal you know,
Sonne to the aged Shepheard of the Glen
Him I haue sorted out of many men,
To say he found vs at our priuate sport,
And rouz'd vs fore our time by his resorts
This to confirme, I haue promis'd to the boy
Many a pretty knack, and many a toy,
As grinnes to catch him birds with bowe, and bolt,
To shoote at nimble squirrels in the holt:
A paire of painted buskins and a lambe,
Soft as his owne lockes, or the downe of Swan,
This I haue done to winne ye, which doth giue
Me double pleasure, discord makes me liue.
Amar.
Loued swaine I thanke ye, these trickes might pre­uaile
With other rus [...]icke shepheards, but will faile
Euen once to stirre, much more to ouerthrow,
His fixed loue from iudgement, who doth know,
Your nature, my end, and his chosens merrit,
Therefore some stronger way must force his spirit
Which I haue found: giue second, and my loue
Is euerlasting thine.
Sul.
Try me and proue.
Amar.
These happy paire of louers meet straight way,
Soone as they fould their flockes vp with the day
In the thicke groue bordering vpon yon hill,
In whose hard side Nature hath caru'd a well:
And but that matchlesse spring which Poets know,
Was nere the like to this: by it doth growe
About the sides, all hearbs which witches vse,
All simples good for medicine or abuse,
All sweetes that crowne the happy nuptiall day.
[Page]With all their colours, there the month of May
Is euer dwelling, all is young and greene,
There's not a grasse on which was euer seene,
The falling Autume or cold winters hand
So full of heate and virtue is the land:
About this fountaine: which doth slowly breake
Below yon Mountaines foote, into a creeke
That waters all the valley, giuing fish
Of many sorts, to fill the shepheards dish.
This holy well, my Grandame that is dead,
Right wise in charmes, hath often to me sed,
Hath power to change the forme of any creature,
Being thrice dipt ouer the head, into what feature,
Or shape t'would please the letter downe to craue,
Who must pronounce this charme to, which she gaue
Me on her death bed, told me what and how
I should apply vnto the patients brow,
That would be chang'd, casting them thrice a sleepe
Before I trusted them into this deepe.
All this she shew'd me, and did charge me proue,
This secret of her Art, if crost in loue,
I'le this attempt, now Shepheard I haue here
All her prescriptions [...] and I wi [...]l not feare
To be my selfe dipt: come, my temples binde
With these sad hearbs, and when I sleepe you finde
As you do speake your charme, thrice downe me let,
And bid the water raise me Amoret,
Which being done, leaue me to my affaire,
And ere the day shall quite it selfe out weare,
I will returne vnto my Shepheards arme,
Dip me againe, and then repeat this charme,
And plucke me vp my selfe, whome freely take,
And the hotst fire of thine affection slake.
Sul.
And if I fit thee not, then fit not me,
I long the truth of this wels power to see.
Exeunt,

Actus secundus Scena quarta.

Enter Daphnis
Heere will I stay, for this the couert is
Where I appointed Cloe, do not misse:
[Page]Thou bright ey'd virgin, come, ô come my faire,
Be not abus'd with feare, nor let cold care
Of honor slay thee from thy Shepheards arme,
Who would as hard be wonne to offer harme
To thy chaste thoughts, as whitenesse from the day,
Or yon great round to moue another way.
My language shall be honest, full of truth,
My flame as smooth and spotlesse as my youth:
I will not entertaine that wandring thought,
Whose easie currant may at length be brought
To a loose vastenes.
Alexis within.
Cloe!
Daph.
Tis her voice
And I must answere, Cloe! ô the choise
Of deare imbraces, chaste and holy straines
Our hands shall giue! I charge you all my vaines
Through which the blood and spirit take their way,
Lo [...]ke vp your disobedient heats, and stay
Those mutinous desires, that else would growe
To strong rebellion: do not wilder showe
Then blushing modestie may entertaine.
Alexis within.
Cloe!
Daph.
There sounds that blessed name againe,
And I will meete it: let me not mistake,
Enter Alexis.
This is some Shepheard, sure I am awake,
What may this riddle meane? I will retire,
To giue my selfe more knowledge
Alex.
Oh my fier,
How thou consum'st me? Cloe answere me,
Alexis, strong Alexis, high, and free,
Cals vpon Cloe: see mine armes are full
Of intertainement, ready for to pull
That golden fruit which too too long hath hung,
T [...]mpting the greedy eye: thou stayest too long,
I am impatient of these mad delaies,
I must not leaue vnsought those many waies
That lead into this center, till I finde
Quench for my burning lust, I come vnkinde.
Exit Alexis.
Daph.
Can my imagination worke me so much ill,
That I may credit this for truth, and still
[Page]Belieue mine eies, or shall I firmely hold her
Her yet vntainted, and these sights but bold
Illusion? sure such fancies oft haue bene
Sent to abuse true loue, and yet are seene,
Daring to blinde the vertuous though with error,
But be they farre from me with their fond terror:
I am resolud my Cloe yet is true.
Cloe within.
Cloe harke Cloe sure this voice is new,
Whose shrilnes like the sounding of a bell,
Tels me it is a woman: Cloe, tell
Thy blessed name againe
Cloe within. Heere.
Oh what a greefe is this to be so neere
And not incounter?
Enter Cloe.
Shepheard we are met,
Draw close into the co [...]ert, least the wet
which falles like lazy mistes vppon the ground,
Soake through yous startvps.
Daph.
Fairest, are you found
How haue we wandred that the better part
Of this good night is perisht? oh my heart!
How haue I longd to meet ye? how to kisse
Those lilly hands? how to receiue the blisse
That charming tongue giues to the happy eare
Of him that drinkes your language? but I feare
I am too much vnmannerd, farre to rude,
And almost growne lasciuous to intrude
These hot behauiours, where regard of fame,
Honor, and modesty, a vertuous name,
And such discourse, as one faire sister may
Without offence vnto the brother say,
Should rather haue bene tenderd, but belieue
Heere dwels a better temper, do not grieue,
Then euer kindest that my first salute,
Seasons so much of fancy, I am mute
Hence [...]orth to all discourses, but shall be
Suting to your sweet thoughts and modestie:
Indeede I will not aske a kisse of you,
No not to wring your fingers, nor to sue
To those blest paire of fixed starres for smiles,
All a young louers cunning, all his wiles:
[Page]And pretty wanton dyings shall to m [...]
Be strangers, onely to your Chastity
I am deuoted euer.
Cloe,
Honest swaine,
First let me thanke you, then returne againe
As much of my loue: no thou art too cold
Vnhappy boy, not temperd to my mold,
Thy blood fals heauy downeward, tis not feare
To offend in boldnesse wins, they neuer weare
deserued fauours that deny to take
When they are offred freely: do I wake
To see a man of his youth, yeares and feature,
And such a one as we call goodly creature,
Thus backeward? what a world of precious Art,
Were meerely lost, to make him do his part?
But I will shake him off, that dares not hold,
Let men that hope to be beloud be bold,
Daphnis I do desire since we are met
So happily, our liues and fortunes set,
Vppon one stake to giue assurance now,
By interchange of hands and holy vow,
Neuer to breake againe: walke you that way,
Whilst I in zealous meditation [...]tray
A little this way when wee both haue ended
These rights and dueties by the woods befriended,
And secresie of night, retire and finde
An aged oake whose hollownes may binde
Vs both within his bodie, thither goe:
It stands within yon bottom [...]
Daph.
Be it so
Ex [...]it Daphnis.
Cloe.
And I will meete there neuer more with thee,
Thou idle shamefastnesse,
Alexis within,
Cloe!
Cloe
Tis hee.
That dare I hope be bolder.
Alex.
Cloe.
Cloe.
now
Great Pan for Sirinx sake bid speed our plow.
Exit Cloe.

Actus tertius Scena prima.

Enter the Sullen Shepheard with Amarillis in a sleepe
Sull.
From thy forehead thus I take
These hearbs, and charge thee not awake,
[Page]Till in yonder holy well,
Thrice with powerfull magicke spell,
Fild with many a balefull word,
Thou hast bene dipt, thus with my cord
Of blasted hempe, by moone-light twinde,
I do thy sleepy body binde,
I turne thy head into the East,
And thy feete into the West,
Thy left arme to the South put forth,
And thy right vnto the North:
I take thy body from the ground,
In this deepe and deadly sound:
And into this holy spring,
I let thee slide downe by my string:
Take this maide thou holy pit
To thy bottom, neerer yet,
In thy water pure and sweete,
By thy leaue I dip her feete:
Thus I let her lower yet,
That her anckles may be wet:
Yet downe lower, let her knee
In thy waters washed bee,
There stop: Fly away Euery thing that loues the day,
Truth that hath but one face,
Thus I charme thee from this place.
Snakes that cast your coates for new,
Camelions, that alter hue,
Hares that yearely sexes change,
Proteus altring oft and strange,
Haecatae with shapes three,
Let this maiden changed be,
With this holy water wet, To the shape of Amoret:
Cinthia worke thou with my charme,
Thus I draw thee free from harme,
Vp out of this blessed lake,
Rise both like her and awake.
She awakeh
Amo.
Speake shepheard, am I Amoret to sight?
Or hast thou mist in any magicke right?
For want of which any defect in me,
[Page]May make our practises discouered be?
Sull.
By yonder moone, but that I heere do stand,
Whose breath hath thus reformd thee, and whose hand,
Let thee downe dry, and pluckt thee vp thus wet,
I should my selfe take thee for Amoret,
Thou art in clothes, in feature, voice and hew
So like, that sence can not distinguish you.
Amore.
Then this deceit which cannot crossed be,
At once shall loose her him, and gaine thee me.
Hether she needes must come, by promise made,
And sure his nature neuer was so bad,
To bid a virgin meete him in the wood,
When night and feare are vp, but vnderstood,
T'was his part to come first: being come, Ile say
My constant loue made me come first and stay,
Then will I leade him further to the groue,
But stay you here, and if his owne true loue
shall seeke him heere, set her in some wrong path,
Which say her louer lately troden hath:
Ile not be farre from hence, if neede there bee
Heere is another charme, whose power will free
The dazeled sence read by the moone beames cleare,
And in my one true shape make me appeare.
Enter Perigot
Sul.
Stand close, heeee's Perigot, whose constant heart,
Longs to behold her, in whose shape thou art.
Peri.
This is the place (faire Amoret) the houre
Is yet scarce come, heere euery siluane power
Delights to be, about yo [...] sacred well,
Which they haue blest with many a powerfull spell,
For neuer trauailer in dead of night,
Nor straied beasts haue falne in, but when [...]ight,
Hath faild them, then their right way they haue found,
By helpe of them, so holy is the ground,
But I will farther seeke, least Amoret
Should be first come and so stray long vnmet.
My Amoret, Amoret!
Exit. Amaril.
Perigot!
Per My loue! A [...]arill. I come my loue.
exit.
Sul.
Now she hath got
Her owne desires, and I shall gainer be
Of my long lookt for hopes aswel as she;
How bright the moone shines heere, as if she stroue
[Page]To show her glory in this little groue
Enter Amoret.
To some new loued Shepheard: yonder is
Another Amoret: where differs this
From that, but that she Perigot hath met,
I should haue tane this for the counterfeit:
Hearbs, woods, and springs, the power that in you lies,
If mortall men could know your properties.
Amo.
Me thinkes it is not night, I haue no feare,
Walking this wood of Lyon, or of Beare,
Whose names at other times, haue made me quake,
When any shepheardesse in her tale spake,
Of some of them, that vnderneath a wood
Haue torne true louers that together stood.
Me thinkes there are no goblins, and mens talke,
That in these woods the nimble Faieries walke,
Are fables, such a strong hart I haue got,
Because I come to meete with Perigot,
My Perigot, whose that my Perigot?
Sul.
Faire Maid.
Amo.
Ay me thou art not Perigot.
Sul.
But I can tell ye newes of Perigot,
An houre together vnder yonder tree,
He sat with wreathed armes and cald on thee,
And said, why Amoret staiest thou so long:
Then starting vp downe yonder path he flung,
Least thou hadst mist thy way: were it day light
He could not yet haue borne him out of sight.
Amo.
Thankes gentle Shepheard and beshrew my stay,
That made me fearefull I had lost my way:
As fast as my weakelegs, (that cannot be
Weary with seeking him) will carry me,
Ile followe, and for this thy care of me,
Pray Pan thy loue may euer follow thee.
Exit.
Sul.
How bright she was? how louely did she show?
Was it not pittie to deceiue her so?
She pluckt her garments vp and tript away,
And with a virgin innocence did pray
For me, that periurd her: whilst she was heere,
Me thought the beames of light that did appeare,
Were shot from her: me thought the moone gaue none,
[Page]But what it had from her: she was alone
With me, if then her presence did so moue,
Why did not I assay to win her loue?
She would not sure haue yeilded vnto me,
Woemen loue onely oportunitie
And not the man, or if she had denied
Alone, I might haue forcd her to haue tried
Who had bene stronger: ô vaine foole, to let
Such blest occasion passe, Ile follow yet,
My blood is vp, I cannot now forbeare.
Enter Alexis and Cloe.
I come sweete Amoret, soft who is heere?
A paire of louers, he shall yeild her me,
Now lust is vp, alike all women be.
Alex.
Where shall we rest, but for the loue of me,
Cloe I know ere this would weary be.
Cloe.
Alexis let vs rest heere, if the place
Be priuate, and out o [...] the common trace
Of euery shepheard: for I vnderstood,
This night a number are about the wood,
Then let vs choose some place where out of sight,
We freely may inioy our stolne delight,
Alex.
Then boldly heere, where we shall nere be found,
No shepheards way lies heere, tis hallowed ground,
No maide seekes heere her straied Cow, or Sheepe,
Faieries and Fawnes, and Satires do it keepe,
Then carelessely rest heere, and clip and kisse,
And let no feare make vs our pleasures misse.
Cloe.
Then lye by me, the sooner we begin,
The longer ere day descry our sin.
Sul.
Forbeare to touch my loue, or by yon flame
The greatest power that Shepheards dare to name,
Heere where thou first vnder this holy tree,
Her to dishoner thou shalt buried be.
Alex
If Pan himselfe should come out of the lawnes,
With al his troopes of Satyres and of Faunes,
And bid me leaue I sweare by her two eies,
A greater oath then thine, I would not rise.
Sul.
Then from the cold earth neuer thou shalt moue,
But loose at one stroke both thy life and loue.
Cloe.
Hold gentle Shepheard.
Sul.
[Page]
Fairest Shepheardesse,
Come you with me, I do not loue ye lesse
Then that fond man that would haue kept you there
From me of more desert.
Alex.
O yet forbeare
To take her from me, giue me leaue to die
By her.
The Satyre enters, he runs one way and she another.
Saty.
Now whilst theme one doth rule the sky,
And the starres, whose feeble light
Giue a pale shadow to the night,
Are vp, great Pan commaunded me
To walke this groue about, whilst he
In a corner of the wood,
Where neuer mortall foote hath stood,
Keepes dancing, musicke and a feast,
To intertaine a louely guest:
Where he giues her many a rose
Sweeter then the breath that blowes
The leaues: grapes, beries of the best,
I neuer saw so great a feast.
But to my charge: heere must I stay,
To see what mortalls loose their way,
And by a false fire seeming bright,
Traine them in and leaue them right:
Then must I watch if any be
Forcing of a chastity,
If I finde it, then in haste,
Giue my wreathed horne a blast,
And the faieries all will run,
Wildely dauncing by the moone,
And will pinch him to the bone,
Till his lustfull thoughts be gone.
Alex.

O death [...]

Sat.
Backe againe about this ground
Sure I heare a mortall sound,
I binde thee by this powerfull spell,
By the waters of this well:
By the glimmering moone beames bright,
Speake againe thou mortall wight.
Alex.
[Page]
Oh
Sat.
Speake againe thou mortall wight,
Heere the foolish mortall lies,
Sleeping on the ground, arise,
The poore wight is almost dead,
On the Ground his woundes haue bled,
And his Clothes fould with his bloud,
To my Goddesse in the wood,
Will I lead him, whose hands pure,
Will helpe this mortall wight to cure,
Enter Cloe againe.
Cloe.
Since I beheld, you shaggy Man, my brest,
Doth pant, each bush me thinks should hide a Beast,
Yet my desire, keepes still aboue my feare,
I would faine meete some Sheapheard knew I where,
For from one cause of feare, I am most free,
It is Impossible to Rauish mee,
I am soe willing, here vpon this ground,
I left my loue all Bloody wi [...]h his wound,
Yet till that fearefull shape made me be gone,
Though he were hurt, I furnisht was of one,
But now both lost [...] Alexis speake or moue,
If thou hast any life thou art yet my loue,
Hee's dead, or else is with his little might,
Crept from the Bancke for feare of that ill spright,
Then where art thou that struck'st my loue [...] o stray,
Bring mee thy selfe in Change, and then Ile say,
Thou hast some Iustice, I will make thee trim,
With Flowers, and Garlands, that were ment for him,
Ile Clip thee round, with both mine armes as fast,
As I did meane, he should haue bin imbraced.
But thou art fled what hope is left for mee?
Ile run to Daphnis in the hollow tree.
Who I did meane to mocke, though hope be small,
To make him bolde, rather then none at all,
Ile try him, his heart, and my behauiour to
Perhapes may teach him, what he ought to doe.
Exit,
Enter the sullen Sheappeard.
[Page]This was the place, twas but my feeble sight,
Mixt with the horror of my deed, an night,
That shapt theise feares [...] and made me run away,
And loose my Beautious hardly gotten Pray,
Speake Gentle Sheappardess I am alone,
And tender loue, for loue, but shee is gone,
From me, that hauing struke her louer dead:
For filly feare left her a lone and fled:
And see the wounded Body is Remoued.
By her of whome it was so well beloued.
Enter perigot & Amarillis. in the shape of a Amor [...].
But all theise fancies must be quite for go [...]t,
I must lye close heere comes younge Perigott,
with subtill Amarillis in the shape,
Of Amoret pray loue hee may not scape.
Amo.
Beloued Perigot, show mee some place,
Where I may rest my Li [...]bes, weake with the Chace [...]
Of thee [...] an hower before thou cam'st at least
per.
Beshrewe my Tardy stepps, here shalt thou rest
Vppon this holy bancke no deadly snake,
Vppon this Turffe her selfe in foulds doth make,
Here is no poyson, for the Toad [...] to feed.
H [...]re [...]oldly spread thy handes, no venomd weed,
Dares blister them, No sly my snaile dare creepe,
Ouer thy face when thou art fast a sleepe,
Here neuer durst the bablinge Cuckoe spitt.
No slough off [...]ing Starr did euer hitt.
Vppon this Bancke [...] let this thy Cabin bee.
This other set with violets for mee.
Amo.
Thou dost not lone mee Perigot?
Per.
Faire mayde
You onely l [...]ue to heare it often sayd;
You do n [...]t [...]oubt,
Amo.
Beleeue mee, but I doe.
Per.
What shall wee now begin againe to woe,
Tis the best way to make your louer last,
To play with him, when you haue caught him fast,
Amo.
By I an I sweare, beloued Perigot,
[Page]And by you Moone, I thincke thou louest me not.
Per:
By Pan I sweare and if I falcely sweare:
Let him not guard my flockes, let Foxes teare,
My Earelyest lambes, and wolues whilst I doe steepe
Fall one the rest a Rott amonge my sheepe,
I loue the better, then the carefull Ewe,
The new yeand lambe that is of her owne hew,
I dote vppon thee more t [...]en that young l [...]mbe.
Doth on the Bagg, that feedes him from his dam.
W [...]re there a sort of wolues go [...]t in my fould,
And one Rann after thee both young and ould,
Should be deuour'd, and it should bee my strife,
To saue thee, whom I loue aboue, my life,
Amo:
Howe should I trust thee when I see thee chuse
Another bedd, and dost my side refuse,
Per:
Twas only that the chast thoughts, might bee showen,
Tw [...]xt thee and mee, although we were alone,
Ama:
Come Perigot will show his power that hee
Can make his Amoret, though she weary bee,
Rise nimbly from her Couch and come to his.
Here take thy Amoret imbrace, and Kisse:
Per.
What meane [...] my loue;
Amo:
To do as louers shud.
That are to bee inioyed not to bee woed.
Ther's [...]ere a Sheapard esse in all the playne,
Can kisse thee with more Art, ther's none can faine.
More wanton trickes,
Per:
Forbeare deare soule to t [...]ye,
Whether my hart be pure, Ile rather dye,
Then nourish one thought to dishonor thee,
Amo:
Still thinkst thou such a thinge as Chastitie,
Is amongst woemen. Perigot thers none,
That with her loue is in a wood alone,
And wood come home a Mayde be not abusd,
With thy [...]ond first beleife, let time be vsd,
Why dost thou rise,
Perigot:
My true heart, thon hast slaine,
Amo.
Fayth Perigot, Ile plucke thee downe againe,
Per.
Let goe thou Serpent that into my brest,
Hast with thy Cunning diu'd art, art not iniest;
Amo:
[Page]
Sweete loue lye downe,
Per:
Since this I liue to see,
Some bitter North wind blast my flocks and mee
Amo.
You swore you lou'd yet will not doe my will,
Per:
O be as thou wert, once, Ile loue thee still,
Amo:
I am, as still I was and all my kind,
Though other showes wee haue poore men to blynd,
Per:
Then here I end all loue, and lest my vaine,
Beleei [...]e should euer draw me in againe,
Before thy face that hast my youth mislead,
I end my life my blood be on thy head,
Amo:
O hold thy hands thy Amoret doth cry,
Per:
Thou c [...]unsayl'st well, first Amoret shall dye,
That is the cause of my Eternall smart,
Auso:
O hold.
Per:
This steele shall peirse thy lustfull hart,
He [...]uns after he [...]
The Sullen Sheapheard stepes out and vncharmes her [...]
Sullen.
vp and downe euery where,
I strewe the hearbs to purge the Ayer [...]
Let your Odor driue hence,
All mistes that dazell sence,
Herbes and springs whose hydden migh [...]
Alters shapes, and mocks the sight.
Thus I charge ye to vndo;
All before I brought yee to [...]
Let her flye let her scape,
Giue againe her owne shape:
Enter Amarillis.
For beare thou gentle swayne thou dost mistake;
Shee whom thou followedst fled into the brake [...]
And as I crost thy way I mett thy wrath;
The only feare of which neere slayne me hath,
Per:
Pardon fayre Sheapardes [...]e my rage and night,
Were both vppon me and beguild my sight;
But farr be it from mee to spill the blood.
Of harmelesse maydes that wander in the wood,
Exit
[Page] Enter Amoret.
Many a weary stepp in yonder path
Amoret.
Poore hoplesse Amoret twice troden hath,
To seeke her Perigot, yet cannot heare,
His voyce, my [...]erigot, shee loues thee deare:
That calles.
Per:
See yonder where shee is how faire.
Shee showes, and yet her breath infects the Ayer.
Amo.
My Perigot:
Per:
Here.
Amo:
Happye.
Per:
Haplesse first:
It lights, on thee, the next blowe is the worst,
Amo:
Stay Perigot, my loue, tho [...] art vniust:
Per.
Death is the best reward, thats due to lust;
Exit Per:
Sullen.
Now shall their loue be crost, for being strucke;
Ile throwe her in the Fount least being tooke:
By some Night Trauayler, whose honest care,
May help to cure her, Sherpardesse prepare,
Your selfe to dye,
Amo:
No mercy I doe craue [...]
Thou canst not giue a worsse blowe then I haue;
Tell him that gaue mee this, who lou'd him to [...]
He strucke my soule and not my bodye through:
Tell him when I am dead my soule shall bee.
At peace if hee but thincke hee iniurd mee [...]
He flin [...]es her into y e well
Sullen.
In this Fount bee thy Graue, thou wert not ment,
Sure for a woman, thou art so Innocent [...]
Shee cannot scape for vnderneath the ground,
In a longe h [...]llowe the cleere spring is bound,
Till on you syde where the Morns sunn doth looke [...]
The strugling water breakes out in a brooke,
Exit.
The God of the Riuer Riseth with Amoret, in his armes
God
what powerfull Charmes my streames doe bring
Backe againe vnto their spring?
With such force that I their god,
[Page]Three times stricking with my rod,
Could not keepe them in their Rancks
My fishes shute into the bankes.
Ther's not one, that stayes and feeds,
All haue hidd th [...]m in the weedes
Heres a Mortall almost dead,
Falne into my Riuer head,
Hollowed so with many a spell,
That till now none euer fell,
Ti [...] a Feamale young and cleare,
Cast in by some Rauisher,
See vppon her brest a wound,
On which there is no playster bound,
Yet shee's wa [...]me, her pulses beat,
Tis a signe of life and heate,
If thou bee'st a virgin pure,
I can giue a present cure,
Take a droope into thy wound
From my watry locke more round,
Then Orient Pearle, and farr more pure,
Then vnchast fl [...]sh may endure,
See shee pants and [...]rom her flesh,
The warme blood gusheth out a fresh,
She is an vnpoluted mayde:
I must haue this bleeding stayde,
From my banckes, I plucke this flower.
With holy hand whose vertuous power,
Is at once to heale and draw [...]
The blood Returnes [...] I neuer saw,
A [...]ayrer Mortall, now doth breake,
Her deadly slumber, virgin, speake,
Amo:
Who hath restor'd my sence, giuen mee new breath,
And brought mee backe out of the Armes o [...] death,
God.
I haue heald thy wounds:
Amo:
Aye mee,
God.
Feare not him that succord thee:
I am this Fountayne [...] God belowe,
My waters to a Riuer growe,
And twixt two banckes with Osiers sett,
That only p [...]o [...]per in the wet,
Through the Meddowes do they glide,
[Page]Wheeling still [...]n euery syde,
Sometimes winding round about.
To [...]ind the Euenest channell o [...]t,
And if thou wilt go with mee,
Leauing Mortall company.
In the Coole streames [...]hall thou lye:
Free from harme as well as I,
I will giue thee for thy food,
No fish that vse [...]h in the mudd,
But Trout and Pike that loue to swim,
Where the Grauell from the bri [...],
Though the pure streames may beseene,
Orient Pearle fit for a Queene,
Will I giue thy loue to winn [...]
And a shell to keepe them in,
Not a fish in all my brooke,
That shall disobeye thy l [...]oke,
But when thou wilt come slyding bye,
And from thy white h [...]nd take a [...]lye,
And to make thee vnderstand:
How I can my waues commaund,
They shall Bubble whilst I sing,
Sweeter then the siluer string.
The Song.
Doe not feare to put thy feete,
Naked in the Riuer sweete,
Thinke not leach, or Neu [...]e, or Toad,
Will byte thy foote, when tho [...] hast trod,
Not [...]et the water rising hye [...]
As thou wadest in make thee cry:
And sobb, but euer li [...]e with mee.
And not a waue shall trouble thee.
Amo:
Immortall power, ther rul' [...]t this holy [...]lud,
I know my selfe, vnworthy to be woed,
By the a God, for ere this, but [...]or thee:
I should haue showne my weake Mortallitie,
Besides by holy Oath betwixt vs twaine,
[...] [Page] [Page]
[Page]I am be throthd vnto a Sheaphard Swaine,
Whose comely face; I know the Gods aboue:
May make mee leaue to see; but not to loue,
God:
Maye hee proue to thee as [...]rewe:
Fayrest virgin now adue,
I must make my waters flye,
Least they leaue ther Channells dry.
And beasts, that come vnto the spring
Misse ther mornings watringe.
Which I would not, for of late.
All the Neighbour people sate.
One my banckes and from the fold,
Tow white Lambs of three weeks Old,
Offered to my Dietie,
For which this yeare they shall bee free
From raging floods that as they passe,
Leaue their grauell in the grasse,
Nor shall their Meades be ouer flowne,
When their grasse is newly moane,
Amo:
For thy kindnesse to me showne,
Neuer from thy bancks be blowne,
Any Tree; with windy force.
Crosse thy streames to stopp thy Course,
May no Beast that comes to drincke
With his Hornes cast downe thy brincke
May non that for thy fishe doe looke,
Cutt thy banckes to damme thy Brooke:
Bare-foote may no Neighbour wade:
In thy coole streames? wife nor mayde,
When the spawn [...]s one stones do lye,
To wash ther Hempe and spoyle the frye.
God.
Thankes Virgin, I must downe againe.
Thy wound will put thee to noe paine.
Wonder not, so soone tis gone;
A holy hand was layd vppon.
Exit.
Amo:
And I vnhappye borne to bee.
Must follow him, that flyes from mee,
Finis Actus Tertis
[Page] Enter Perigot.
P [...]r
Shee is vntrue vnconstant, and vnkinde,
Shee's gone [...] shee's gone, blow hygh thou North west winde,
And rayse the Sea to Mountaynes: let the Trees,
That dare oppose thy Raging fury leese
Their firme foundation: Creepe into the ea [...]th,
And shake the world as at the monstrus b [...]rth,
Of some new Prodegey, whilst I constant stand,
Holdinge this trusty Bore-Speare in my hand,
And falling thus vppon it.
Pe [...]igot to Enter, Ama ri [...]lis [...]nu [...]ng
Stay [...]hy dead doing hand thou art to hott,
Against thy selfe belieue me comely Swaine,
If that thou dyest, not all the showers of Rayne.
The heauy Clowdes send downe can wash away:
The [...]oule vnmanly guilt, the world will lay,
Vppon thee, yet thy loue vntainted stands:
Belieue mee shee is constant, not the sands,
Can bee so hardly numbred as shee wunn:
I do not triffle, Sheapard, by thee Moone,
And all those lesser lights our eyes doe vewe
All that I could thee Perigot is true,
Then bee a freeman, put away dispayre,
And will to dye, smooth gently vp that fayre,
Deiected forehead: be as when those eyes,
Tooke the first heat,
Per:
Allas hee doeble dyes,
That would beleiue, but cannot, [...]is not well,
Ye keepe mee thus from dying here to dwell,
With many worse companions: but oh death,
I am not yet inamourd of his breath,
So much, but I dare leaue it, tis not payne,
In forcing of a wound: nor after gayne,
Of many dayes, can hold mee from my will,
Tis not my selfe, but Amoret. byds kille [...]
Am [...]:
Stay, but a little [...] little but on hower,
[Page]And if I do not showe thee through the power?
Of hearbes and words I haue, as darke as Night?
My selfe, turn'd to thy Amoret, in sight?
Her very figure, and the Robe shee weares;
With tawny Buskins, and thee hooke she beares
Of thyne owne Caruing, where your names are set,
Wrought vnderneath with many a Curious frett
The prim-Rose Chaplet? taudry-lace and Ring,
Thou gauest her for her singing with each thing,
Else that shee weares about her lett mee feele;
The first tell stroke of that Reuenging steele?
Per.
I am contented if ther bee a hope;
To giue it Entertaynement for the scope;
Of one poore hower; goe you shall find me next?
Vnder you shady Beech? euen thus perplext;
And thus beleiuing.
Amaril.
Bynde before I goe;
Thy soule by Pan vnto mee, not to doe,
Harme or outragious wrong vppon thy life,
Till my Returne.
Per.
By Pan and by the strife;
Hee had with Phoebus for the Masterye,
When Goulden Mydas, iudg'd their Minstralcye;
I will not.
Exeunt;
Enter Satyre with Alezis hurt.
Satyre:
Softly glyding as I goe;
With this Burden full of woe;
Through still silence of the night?
Guided by the glooe-wormes light.
Hether am I come at last;
Many a Thicket hane I past;
Not at twigg that durst deny mee;
Nor a bush t [...]at durst descry mee.
To the little Bird that sleepes:
On the tender spray nor creeps,
That hardly worme with poynted Tayle;
But if I bee vnder sayle;
Flying faster then the wind;
[Page]Leauinge all the Clowdes behind,
But doth hide her tender head,
In some hollow Tree o [...] bedd;
Of [...]eeded Nettells not a Hare
Can be started from his fare;
By my footing nor a wish;
Is more sudden, nor a fish?
Can bee found; with greater ease,
Cut the vast vnbounded seaes;
Leauing neither print nor [...]ound.
Then I when nimbly on the ground,
I measure many a leage an howre;
But behold the happy bower,
That must ease me of my charge,
And by holy hand enlardge;
The [...]oule of this sadd man that yet,
Lyes fast bound in dead lysi [...]t,
Heauen and great Pan, sucker it,
Hay [...]e thou beauty of the Bower,
Whither then the Paramore:
Of my Maister; let me craue,
Thy virteous helpe to keepe from Graue,
This poore Mortall that here lyes,
Wayting when thee destinyes.
Will vndo his thread of life,
Veiwe the wound by cruell knife,
Trencht into him [...]
Cl [...]r:
What art thou? call'st mee from my holy Rightes
And with the feared name of death a frightes
My tender Eares, speake me thy name and will,
Satyre
I am the Statyre that did fill,
Your lapp with early fruite and will,
When I happ to gather more,
Bring yee better, and more store:
Yet I come not empty now,
See a blossome from the bowe,
But be shrewe his hart that pulld it,
And his perfect Sight that Culld it,
From the other springinge bloomes
For a sweeter youth the Gwomes
[Page]Cannot show mee nor the downes:
Nor the many neighbouring Townes,
Low in yonder glade I found him,
Softly in mine Armes I bound him,
Hether haue I brought him sleeping,
In a Trance, his wounds fresh weepinge,
In remembrance such youth may
Spring and perish in a Day.
Clor:
Satyre: they wrong thee, that doe tearme thee rude
Though thou beest outward rough and tawny hued:
Thy manners are as gentle and as fayre,
As his who bragges himselfe, borne only heyre,
To all Humanity: let mee see thie wound:
This Hearb will stay the Currant being bound,
Fast to the Or [...]physe, and this restrayne,
Vicers, and Swellinges, and such inward payne,
As the cold Ayre hath forc'd into the sore,
This to, drawe out such Putrifiing gore,
As inward falls.
Satrye:
Heauen grant it may doe good,
Clor:
Fayrely wipe away the blood,
Hold him gently till I fling,
Water of a vertuous spring:
On his Temples tu [...]ne him twice:
To the Moone beames pinch him thrice:
That the labouring soule may drawe.
From his great ecclip [...]e.
Satry:
I sawe.
His Eye-lids moouing.
Clor:
Giue him breath,
All the danger of cold death:
Now is vanisht, with this playster:
And this vnction doe I maister:
All the festred ill that maye:
Giue him greife another day.
Satyr:
See hee gathers vp his spright
And begins to hunt for light,
Now a gapes and breathes agayne:
How the bloud runns to the vayne:
[Page]That east was emply.
Alexis.
Oh my hart,
My dearest, dearest Cloe O the smart,
Runnes, through my side: I feele some poynted thing,
Passe through my Bowels, sharper then the stinge,
Of Scorpion.
Pan, preserue mee, what are you,
Doe not hurt mee. I am true,
To my Cloe though shee fly
And leaue mee to this Destiny,
There shee stands, and will not lend,
Her smooth white hand to helpe her freind,
But I am much mistaken, for that face,
Beares more Austeritye and modest grace,
More reprouing and more awe.
Then theise Eyes yet euer sawe,
In my Cloe, oh my payne:
Eagerly Renewes againe:
Giue mee your helpe for his sake you loue best:
Clor:
Sheapheard thou Canst not possible take rest.
Till thou hast layed a syde all heates, desiers,
Prouoking thoughts, that stirr vpp lusty fiers.
Commerse with wanton Eyes: strong bloud and will,
To execute theise must bee purg'd vntill,
The vayne growe Whiter then Repent and pray:
Great Pan, to keepe you from the like decaye,
And I shall vndertake your cure with ease.
Till when this verteous Playsters will displease,
Your tender sides. giue mee your hand and rise.
helpe him a little Satyre. for his Thyghes.
Yet are feeble.
Alexis.
Sure I haue lost much blood.
Satyre.
Tis no matter, twas not good,
Mortall you must leaue your woing,
Though ther be aloye in doing,
[Page]Yet it brings much griefe, behynd it,
They best [...]eele it, that doe find it,
Clor:
Come bringe him in, I will attend his sore,
When you are well, take heed you lust no mo [...]e,
Satyr:
Sheapeard see what comes of kissinge
By my head twere better missing,
Bryghtest if ther, bee ramayning,
Any seruice, without fayninge,
I will do it, were I sett,
To catch the nimble wind or gett,
Shaddowes glydinge on the greene,
Or to steale from the great Queene,
Of Fayryes, all her Beautye,
I would do it so much dutye,
Doe I owe those pretious Eyes,
Clor:
I thancke the honest Satyre, if the Cryes,
Of any other that be hurt, or ill,
Draw thee vnto th [...]m, prithee do thy will?
To bring them hether,
Satyre:
I will and when the weathe [...]:
Se [...]ues to Angle in the brooke,
I will bring a siluer hooke,
With a lyne of finest silke,
And a rodd [...] as white as mi [...]ke,
To deserue the little fishe,
Soe I take my leaue and wish,
On this bowre may euer dwell,
Springe, and sommer.
Clor:
Friend farewell.
Exit.
Enter Amoret, seeking her loue
Amo:
This place is Ominous sor here I lost,
My loue and almost life, and since haue crost,
All theise woodes ouer, neuer a Nooke or dell,
Where any li [...]tle Byrd, or beast doth dwell,
[Page]But I haue sought it [...] neuer a bending browe,
Of any hill or Glade, the wind sings through,
Nor a greene bancke or shade whe [...]e Sheapeards vse,
To si [...]t and Riddle sweetely pipe or chuse,
Their valentynes [...] but I haue mist to find.
My loue in, Perigot, Oh to vnkind.
Why hast thou fled mee? whether art thou gone,
Howe haue I wrong'd thee? was my loue alone,
To thee, worthy this scorned Recompence? tis well,
I am content to fee [...] eit; but I tell
Thee Sheapeard: and theise lusty woods shall heare.
Forsaken Aomret [...] is yet as cleare,
Of any stranger fier, as Heauen is.
From foule Corruption, or the deepe: Abisse,
From light, and happynesse, and thou mayst knowe,
All this for truth and how that fatall blowe,
Thou gauest mee, neuer from desert of myne,
Fell on my life, but from suspect of thyne,
Or fury more then Madnes therefore, here.
Since I haue lost my life, my loue, my dea [...]e,
Vpon this cursed place, and on this greene,
That first devorced vs, shortly shall bee seene,
A sight of so great pitty that each eye,
Shall dayly spen [...] his spring in memorye.
Enter Amarillsi.
Of my vntymely fall.
Amaril:
I am not blynd,
Nor is it through the working of my Mynd.
That this showes Amoret, for sake me all,
That dwell vppon the soule, but what men call
Wonder, or more then wonder Miracle,
For sure so strange as this the Oracle,
Neuer gaue answere of, It passeth dreames,
Or maddmens fancye when the many streames,
Of newe Imagination rise and fall:
Tis but an howre since theise Eares heard her call,
For pitty to young Perigot? whils [...]hee,
Directed by his fury Bloodelye,
[Page]Lanch't vp [...] her brest, which bloudlesse fell and cold,
And if beleife may Credit what was told,
After all this the Mellancholly Swayne,
Tooke her into his Armes being almost slayne.
And to the bottom of the holy well,
slung her for euer with the waues to dwell,
Tis shee, the very same, tis Amoret.
And liuing yet, the great powers will not let,
Their verteous loue be Crost, mayde wipe away,
Those heauy dropps of sorrow, and allay,
The storme that yet goes high, which not deprest,
Breakes, hart, and life, and all before it rest:
Thy Perigot:
Amo:
where: which is Perigot.
Amaril
Sits there below lamenting much God wott:
Thee, and thy fortune, goe and comfort him,
And thou shalt finde him vnder neath a brim,
Of sayling Pynes that edge yon Mountaiue in,
Amo:
I goe, I run Heauen graunt mee. I maye winn:
His soule agayne.
Enter Sullen:
Stay Amarillis stay,
Ye are to fleete, tis two howers yet to days
I haue perform'd my promise le [...]t vs sitt;
And warme our bloodes together till the sitt;
Come liuely on vs;
Amaril:
Freind you are to keene;
The Morning, Riseth, and wee shall be seene,
For beare a little;
Sullen:
I can staye no longer;
Amaril:
Hold Sheapeard hold, learne not to bee a wronger;
Of your word, was not your promise layed,
To break their loues first:
Sullen:
I haue done it Mayd?
Amaril:
No they are yet vnbroken, met againe,
And are as hard to part yet as the stayne?
Is from the finest lawne,
Sullen.
I say they are.
[Page]now at this present parted, and so farr,
That they shall neuer meete,
Amaril
Swayne tis not so,
For do but to yon hanging Mountayne goe,
And ther beleiue your eyes,
Sullen:
you doe but hold:
Of with delayes: and trifles, fare wel cold,
And frozen bash [...]ullnes, vnfit for men,
Thus I sallute thee virgin,
Amaril:
And thus then,
I bid you followe, Catch mee if ye can,
Exit.
Sullen.:
And If I stay behind I am no Man.
Exit running after her
Enter Perigot.
Night do not steale away: I woe thee yet?
To hold a hard hand ore the Rusty bytt,
Tha [...] Gydes thy Lazy teame [...] goe backe againe,
Bootes thou that driu'st thy frozen wane,
Round as a Ringe and bring a second Night,
To hyde my sorowes from the comming light,
Let not the Eyes of men stare on my face,
And read my falling [...] giue mee some blacke place,
Where neuer sunn beame, shot his wholsome light,
That I may sitt, and powre out my sadd spright,
Like running water neuer to be knowne:
After the forced fall and [...]ound is gone,
Enter Amoret looking of Perigot
This is the bottome: speake if thou be here,
My Perigot, thy Amoret, thy deare,
Calles on thy loued Name,
Per:
What thou dare,
Tread theise forbydden pathes, where death and care,
Dwell on the face of darcknes,
Amo:
Tis thy friend,
Thy Amoret come hether to giue end,
To theise consuminges looke vpp gentle Boye,
I haue forgot those paynes, and deare annoy,
I sufferd for thy sake, and am content,
[Page]To bee thy loue againe why hast thou rent,
Those curled lockes, wher I haue often hunge,
Ribandes and damaske Roses, and haue flunge,
Waters distilld to make thee fresh and gaye,
Sweeter then Nose-gayes on a Bridall daye,
Why dost thou crosse thyne Armes, and hang thy face,
Downe to thy Boosome, letting fall apace,
From those too little Heauens vppon the ground
Showres of more price, more Orient, & more round
Then those that hange vppon the moones pale browe
Cease theise complainings Sheapheard I am nowe,
The same, I euer was, as kinde and free,
And can forgiue before you aske of mee,
Indeed I can, and will.
Per:
Soe spoke my fayre,
O you great working powers of Earth, and Ayre,
Water, and forming fier, why haue you lent,
Your hydden vertues of so ill intent,
Euen such aface, so fayre so bright of hewe,
Had Amoret, such, words [...]soe smooth and newe,
Came flowing from her tongue, such was her eye,
And such the poynted sparckle that did flye [...]
Forth like a bleeding shaft, all is the same,
The Robe, and Buskins, painted, hooke, and frame,
Of all her Body O mee Amoret,
Amo:
Sheapeard what meanes this Riddle who hath sett,
So strange a difference, twixt my selfe and mee,
That I am growne annother, looke and see.
The Ring thou gauest mee, and about my wrest.
That Curious Braeslet thou thy selfe didst twist.
From those fayre Tresses, knowest thou Amoret.
Hath not some newer loue forced thee forget,
Thy Auncient fayth,
Per:
Still nearer to my loue;
Theise be the very words shee oft did proue,
Vppon my temper, so shee still wod take,
wonder into her face, and silent make,
Singes whith her head and hand as who wod saye
Sheapeard remember this annother daye:
Amo:
Am I not Amoret. where was I lost,
[Page]Can there be Heauen, and time, and men [...] most
Of theise vnconstant? fayth where art thou fled?
Are all the vowes and protestations dead:
The hands held vpp? the wishes and the hart?
Is ther not one remayningne not apart,
Of all theise to bee found why then I see:
Men neuer knewe that vertue constancye
Per
Men euer were most blessed, till Crosse fate,
Brought loue, and woemen forth vnfortunate,
To all that euer tasted of their smiles,
Whose Actions are all double, full of wiles,
Like to the subtill Hare, that fore the Houndes,
Makes many turnings leapes and many roundes,
This waye aud that waye, to deceaue the sent,
Of her p [...]rsuers:
Amo:
Tis but to preuent,
Ther speedy comminge, on that seeke her fall,
The hands of Cruell men [...] more Bestiall,
And of a nature more refusing good,
Then beastes themselues, or fishes of the flood,
Thou art all theise, and more then nature ment,
When shee created all, frownes, ioyes, content:
Extreame fier for an hower, and presentlye:
Colder then sleepy poyson: or the sea,
Vppon whose face sitts a continuall frost
Your Actions euer driuen to the most,
Then downe agayne as lowe that none can find,
The rise or falling of a woemans minde,
Amo:
Can ther bee any Age, or dayes, or time,
Or tongues: of Men, guilty so great a crime:
As wronging simple Mayde, O Perigot:
Tho [...] that wast yesterday without a blott,
Thou that wast euery good [...] and euery thinge,
That men call blessed: thou that wast the spring.
From whence our looser groomes drewall their best:
Thou that wast alwaies Iust, and alwaies blest,
In fayth and promise, thou that hadst the name,
Of vertuous giuen thee, and made good the same:
Euen from thy Cradle: thou that wast that all,
That men delighted in, Oh what a fall,
[Page]Is this to haue bene soe, and now to bee,
The onlye best in wrong, and infamye,
And I to liue to know this, and by mee.
That lou'd thee dearer then, myne Eyes or that,
Which wee esteeme our honour virgin state,
Dearer then swallowes loue the early morne,
Or doggs of Chace the souud of merry Horne,
Dearer then thou canst loue thy newe loue, if thou hast [...]
Another and farr dearer then the last,
Dea [...]er then thou can'st loue thy selfe, though all,
The selfe loue were wîthin thee, that did fall.
with that coye swayne: hat now is made a flower
For whose deare sake, Eccho weepes many a showre
And am I thus rewarded for my flame,
Lou'd worthely to gett a wantons name,
Come thou forsaken willowe winde my head,
And noyse it to the world, my loue is dead:
I am forsaken I am Cast awaye,
And left for euery lazy Grome to saye,
I was vnconstant light, and sooner lost,
Then the quicke Clowds wee see or the Chill [...]rost,
When the hott sun beates on it tell mee yet,
Canst thou not lone againe thy Amorett?
Per.
Thon art not worthy of that blessed name,
I must not knowe thee, flynge thy wanton flame,
vppon some lighter blood: that may be hott,
With words and fayned passi [...]ns, Perigot,
Was euer yet vnstaynd, and shall not nowe.
Stoope to the meltings of a borrowed browe:
Amo:
Then heare mee heauen: to whome I call for right.
And you sayre twinckling starres that crowne the night,
And heare mee woods and and silence of this place,
And ye sad howers, that mooue a sullen pace,
Heare mee ye shadowes, that delight to dwell,
In horred darknesse, and ye powers of Hell,
Whilst I breath out my last, I am that mayde,
That yet vntaynted Amoret tha [...] played:
The carelesse Prodigall: and gaue awaye:
My soule to this younge man that now dares say:
I am a stranger, not the same, more wild,
[Page]And thus with much beleife, I was be guild,
I am that Mayde, that haue delayd denye,
Aud almost scornd the loues of all that tryded,
To win me but this swayne, and yet confesse,
I haue bene woed by many with no lesse.
Soule of affection and haue often had:
Ringes Rellts and Cracknels. sent me from the lad.
That [...]eeds his flockes downe westward, Lambes and Doues
By young Alexis, Daphnis sent me gloues,
All which I gaue to thee not theise nor they
That sent them, did I smyle one, or ere lay.
vpp to my af [...]er memo [...]ye but why,
Do I resolue to grieue and not to dye
Happy had bene the stroake thou gauest if home,
By this tyme had I found a quiet roome.
Where euery slaue is free, and euery brest,
That liuing bread, new care, now lyes at rest,
And thether will poore Amoret,
Ver.
Thou must,
Was euer any man, soe loath to trust,
His Eyes as I, or was ther euer yet,
Any so like, as this to Amoret,
For whose deare [...]ake, I promise if ther bee
A liuing soule within thee thus to [...]ree,
Thy Body from it,
He hur [...]s her agayne.
Amo:
So this worke hath end.
Farewell and liue be constant to thy friend,
That loues thee next,
Enter Satrye: Perigot runus of.
Satyre.
See the day begins to breake,
And the light shutts like a streake,
Of subtill fier the wind blowes cold,
Whilst the morning doth vnfold,
Nowe the Byrds begin to rouse,
And the Squyrrill from the boughes,
Leps to gett him Nutts and fruite,
The early Larke earst was mute,
Carr [...]lls to the Risinge daye,
[Page]Many a Note, and manye laye,
Therfore here I end my watch,
Least the wandering Swayne should catch,
Harme or loose him self [...] Amo: ah mee.
Satyre:
speake agayne what ere thou bee,
I am ready speake I say,
By the dawning of the day,
By the power of Night and Pan;
I inforce thee speake againe,
Amo:
O I am most vnhappie.
Satyre.
Yet more blood,
Sure these wanton Swaynes are wood,
Can there be a hand, or hart,
Dare commit so vild a part,
As this Murder, by the Moone,
That hydd her selfe when this was done,
Neuer was a sweeter face,
I will beare her to the place,
Where my Goddess keepes and craue,
Her to giue her life, or graue,
exeunt,
Enter Clorin,
Clorin,
Here whilst one patient takes his rest secure
I steale a broad to doe annother Cure,
Pardon thou buryed body of my loue,
That from thy side I dare so soone remooue,
I will not proue vnconstant nor will leaue,
Thee for an hower alone, when I deceaue,
My first made vowe, the wildest of the wood,
Teare me, and ore thy Graue lett out my blood,
I goe by witt to Cure a louers payne,
Which no hearb can, being done, Ile come againe,
Exit,
Enter Thenot
Poore Sheapeard in this shade for euer lye,
And seeing thy fayre Clorins, Cabin dye,
O happlesse loue which being answered ends,
And as a little Infant cryes and bendes,
[Page]Hist tender Browes, when rowling of his eye,
He hath espyed some thing that glisters nye.
Which he would haue, yet giue it him, away,
He throwes it straight, and cryes a fresh to playe
With some thing else such my affection sett,
On that which I should loath if I could geett
Enter Clorin.
See where hee lies did euer man but hee,
Loue any woeman for her Constancy,
To her dead louer which she needs must end,
Before she can alowe him, for her freind,
And he himselfe, must needes the cause destroye,
For which he loues, before he can inioye,
Poore Sheapeard, Heauen grant I at once may free,
Thee from thy payne, and keepe my loyalty,
Sheapheard looke vpp,
Thenot
Thy brightnesse doth amaze,
Soe Phoebus may at Noone byd mortalls gaze,
Thy glorious constancy appeares so bright,
I dare not meete the Beames with my weakesight
Clorin.
Why dost thou pyne away thy selfe for mee
Thenot
Why dost thou keepe such spottlesse constancy?
Clorin.
Thou holy Sheapheard see what for thy sake,
Clorin, thy Clorin, now dare vndertake, he starts vp
Thenot.
Stay ther, thou constant Clorin if ther bee,
Yet any part of woeman left in thee,
To make thee light thincke yet before thou speake,
Clorin.
See what a holy vowe, for thee I breake,
I that already haue my fame [...]arr spread,
For beeing constant to my louer dead
Thenot.
thincke yet deare Clorin of your loue, how trewe,
If you had dyed, he would haue bene to you
Clorin
Yet all Ile loose for thee.
Thenot.
Thincke but how blest,
A constant woeman is aboue the rest,
Clorin.
And offer vpp my selfe, here on this [...]round,
To be disposd by thee,
Thenes
why dost thou wound,
[Page]His hart with Mallice, against woemen more.
That hated all the Sex, but thee before,
How much more pleasant had it bene to mee,
To dye then behold this change in thee,
Yet, ye [...] returne: let not the woeman swaye,
Clorin:
In sult not on her now, nor vse delaye
Who for thy sake hath venturd all her fame,
Thenot:
Thou hast not venturd but bought Certaine shame,
Your Sexes Curse, foule falshood, must and shall,
I see once in your liues light on you all;
I hate thee now: yet turne
Clorin,
Be iust to mee:
Shall I at once [...] loose both my fame and thee,
Thenot.
Thon hadst no fame, that which thou didst like good
Was but thy Appetite that swayed thy bloud,
For tha [...] time to the best, for as a blast,
That through a nouse comes, vsually doth cast,
Things out of order: yet by chaunce may come,
And blowe some one thinge to his proper rome,
Soe did thy Appetite, and not thy zeale.
Swaye the by chaunce to do some one thing well.
Yet turne.
Clorin:
Thou dost but trye me if I would.
Forsake thy deere imbraces for my ould
Loues though he were aliue, but doe not feare [...]
Thenot
I doe contemne thee nowe: and dare come neare.
And gayse vppon thee, for me thinkes that grace:
Austeritye, which satt vppon that [...]ace,
Is gone, and thou like others false mayde see,
This is the gaine of foule Inconstance,
Exit.
Clorin:
Tis done great: Pan, I giue thee thankes for it,
What Art could not haue heald, is curd by witt,
Enter: Thenot agayne:
Will ye be constant yet, will ye remooue,
Into the Cabin to your buryed loue,
Clorin:
Noe lett me dye, but by thy side remayne,
Thenot.
Ther's none shall knowe that thou didst euer stayne,
Thy worthy stricknes, but shalt honnerd bee
[Page]And I will lye againe vnder this tree,
And pine and dye for thee with more delight,
Then I haue sorrow now to know thee light,
Clorin.
Let mee haue thee, and Ile be where thou wilt.
Theonot.
Thou art of womens race and full of guilt,
Farewell all hope of that sex, whilst I thought,
There was one good, I feared to find one nought
But since there minds I all alike espie
Hence foorth Ile chuse as thers, by mine eye,
Clorin.
Blest be yee powers that gaue such quicke redresse,
And for my labours sent so good successe,
I rather chuse though I a woman bee,
He should speake ill of all,
then dye for me.
Finis Actus quartus.

Actus Quintus. Scena. 1.

Enter Priest, and old Shepheard.
Priest.
Shepheards, rise and shake of sleepe.
See the blushing Morne doth peepe,
Through the windowes, whilst the Su [...]e
To the Mountayne topps is runne,
Gilding all the vales below,
With his rising flames which grow,
Greater by his climing still.
Vp ye [...] lazy groomes and fill,
Bagg and Bottle for the fielde,
Claspe your cloakes fast lest they yeeld,
To the bitter Northeast wind,
Call the Maydens vp and find.
Who laye longest, that she may,
Go without a friend all daye.
Then reward yonr dogs and praye,
[Page] Pan to keepe you from decay,
So vnfold, and then away
What not a Shepheard stirring sure the groomes,
Haue found their bed [...] to easie, or the Roomes.
Fillde with such new delight, and heat that they,
Haue both forgot their hungry sheepe, and day,
Knock that they may remember what a shame,
Sloath and neclect, layes on a Shepheards name.
Old.
It is to little purpose, not a swayne,
This night hath knowne his lodging, heere; or layne,
Within these cotes: the woods or some neere towne,
that is a neighbour to the bordering downe:
Hath drawne them thether, bout some lusty sport;
Or spiced wassal Boule, to which resort.
All the young men and maydes of many a coate,
Whilst the Trim, Minstrell strikes his merry note.
Priest.
God pardon sinne, showe me the way that leades,
To any of their haunts.
Old.
This to the Meades.
And that downe to the woods,
Priest.
Then this for me,
Come Shepheard let me craue your company.
exeunt.
Enter Clorin in her Cabin, Allexis with her [...] and Amorillis
Clorin.
Now your thoughts are almost pure:
And your wound beginns to cure.
Striue to bannish all thats vaine,
Lest it should breake out againe.
Allexis.
Eternall thanks to thee, thou holy mayde:
I find my former wandring thoughts, well stayd,
Through thy [...]ise precepts, and my outward payne,
By thy choyce hearbs is almost gone againe.
Thy sexes vice and vertue are reueald,
At once, for what one hurt another heald.
Clorin.
May thy griefe more apease,
Relapses, are the worst disease:
Take heede how you in thought offend,
So mind and body both will mend.
[Page] Enter Satyre with Amoret.
Amo.
Beest thou the wildest creature of the Wood,
That bearst me thus a way drownd in my blood.
And dying, know I cannot iniurd be
I am a mayde, let that name fight for me:
Satire.
Fayrest Virgine do not feare,
Me that doth thy body beare,
Not to hurt, but held to be,
Men are ruder farre then we.
See fayre Goddesse in the wood,
They haue let out yet more blood:
Some sauadge man hath strucke her brest
So soft and white, that no wild beast,
Durst a toucht asleepe or wake,
So sweete that Adder, Neut, or Snake.
Would haue layn [...] from arme to arme,
On her Bossome to be warme,
All a night and being hot,
Gone away and stung her not.
Quickly clap hearbs to her brest,
A man sure is a kind of Beast,
Clorin.
With spottlesse hand, on spotlesse Brest,
I put these hearbs to giue thee rest.
Which till it heale the there wil bide
If both be pure, if no [...] of slide.
See it falls of from the wound,
Sepheardesse thou art not sound,
Fall of lust.
Satyre.
Who would haue thought it,
So fayre a face:
Clorin.
Why that hath brought it.
Amo.
For ought I know or thinke, these words my last:
Yet Pan, so helpe me as my thoughts are chast.
Clorin.
And so may Pan blesse this my cure,
As all my thoughts are iust and pure,
Some vncleanesse nye doth lurke,
That will not let my medcines worke.
Satyre search if thou canst find it,
Satyre.
Here away me thinks I wind it.
Stronger yet, Oh here they be,
[Page]Heere heere in a hollow tree.
Two fond mortalls haue I found,
Clorin.
Bring them out they are vnsound.
Enter Cloe, and Daphinis.
Satyre.
By the fingers thus I wring yee,
To my Goddesse thus I bring yee.
Strife is vayne come gently in,
I sented them, they are full of sinne,
Clorin.
Hold Satyre, take this Glasse,
Sprinkle ouer all the place,
Purge the Ayre from lustfull breath,
To saue this Shepheardesse frō death.
And stand you still, whilst I do dresse
Her wound for feare the payne increase,
Satyre.
From this glasse I throw a dropp,
Of Christall water on the topp.
Of euery grasse on flowers a payre:
Send a fume and keepe the Ayre,
Pure and wholesome, sweete & blest,
Till this virgins wound be drest,
Clorin.
Satyre help to bring her in,
Satyre.
By Pan, I thinke shee hath no sinne.
She is so light, lye on these leaues,
Sleepe that mortall sence deceaues.
Crowne thine eyes, and ease thy paine,
Mayst thou sone be well againe,
Clorin.
Satyre bring the Sheph [...]ard nere,
Trye him if his mind be cleere,
Satyre.
Shepheard come,
Daphinis.
My thoughts are pure,
The better tryall to endure.
Satyre.
In this flame his figer thrust,
Clorin.
Which will burne him if he lust.
But if not away will turne,
As loath vnspotted flesh to burne:
See it giues backe let him go.
Farewell Mortall keepe thee so.
Satyre.
Stay fayre Nymph, flye not so fast,
[Page]Wee must trye if yon be chaste:
Heres a hand that quaks for feare,
Sure she will not proue so cleare:
Clorin.
Hold her finger to the flame:
That will yeeld her praise or shame.
Satire.
To her doome shee dares not stand,
But pluckes away her tender hand:
And the Taper darting sends,
His hot beames at her fingers ends.
O thou art foule within, and hast;
A mind if nothing else vnchast.
Alexis.
Is not that Cloe? tis my loue; tis shee:
Cloe, faire Cloe.
Cloe.
My Alexis. Alexis: He.
Cloe.
Let me imbrace thee.
Clorin.
Take her hence, Least her sight disturbe his sence.
Alexis.
Take not her: take my life first.
Clorin.
See his wound againe is burst,
Keepe her neere heere in the wood.
Til I haue stopt these streames of bloud.
Soone againe he ease shall find,
If I can but still his minde:
This curtaine thus I do display,
To keepe the pierceing Ayre away.
Enter old sheepheard, and Priest.
Priest.
Sure they are lost for euer, tis in vaine,
To finde them out, with trouble and much paine:
That haue a Ripe desire, and forward will,
To flye the company of all, but ill:
What shall be counsaild: Now shall we retire?
Or constant follow still, that first desire,
We had to finde them?
Olde.
Stay a little while:
For if the mornings mist do not beguile,
My sight with shaddowes: sure I see a swaine
One of this iolly troopes come backe againe.
Enter Thenot.
Priest.
[Page]
Doest thou not blush young sheepheard to be knowne,
Thus without care, leauing thy flocks alone:
And followinge what desire and present bloud,
Shapes out before thy burning sence, for good,
Hauinge forgot what tongue hereafter may
Tell to the world thy faleing off, and say
Thou art regardlesse both of good and shame,
Spurning at vertue, and a verteous name:
And like a glorious desperat man, that buies,
A poison of much price, by which he dyes
Doest thou lay out for lust, whose only gaine,
Is foule disease, with present age and paine:
And then a Graue: these be the frutes that growe,
In such hot vaines that only beat to know,
Where they may take most ease & growe ambtious,
Through their owne wanton fire, and pride de [...]itious.
Thenot.
Right holy Sir I haue not knowen this night,
What the smooth face of Mirth was: or the sight,
Of any loosenesse, musicke, ioy and ease,
Haue bene to me, as bitter drugges to please
A Stomake lost with weakenesse, not a game
That I am skild at throghly, nor a dame,
Went her tongue smoother then the feete of Time,
Her beauy euer liuing like the Rime,
Our blessed Tyterus did singe of yore,
No, were shee more entising then the store
Of fruitfull Summr, when the loaden tree,
Bids the faint Traueller be bolde and free
Twere but to me like Thunder gainst the bay,
Whose lightning may inclose, but neuer stay
Vpon his charmed branches, such am I,
Against the catchiug flames of womans eye.
Priest.
Then wherefore hast thou wandred.
Thenot.
Twas a vowe,
that drew me out last night, which I haue nowe,
Strictly perform'd, and homewards go to giue
fresh pasture to my sheepe, that they may liue.
Priest.
Tis good to heare ye Sheeph ard if the heart,
In this well sounding Musick beare his part;
Where haue you left the rest,
[Page]I haue not seene,
Since yesternight, we met vpon this greene,
To fould our flocks vp, any of that trayne
Yet haue I walkt these woods round and hauelaine
All this long night vnder an aged tree [...]
Yet neyther wandring Shepheard did I see,
Or Shepheardesse, or drew into myne eare,
The sound of liuing thing vnlesse it were,
The Nightingale, among the thicke leaued spring
That fits alone, in sorrow and doth sing:
Whole nights away in mourning, or the Owle,
Or our great Enemye that still doth howle.
Against the Moones cold beames.
Priest.
Go and beware,
Of after falling.
Thenot.
Father tis my care.
Exit Theon [...]t.
Enter Da [...]hnis.
Old.
Here comes another straggler, sure I see,
A shame in this young Shepheard Daphinis,
Daphnis.
Hee,
Preest.
Where hast left the rest, that should haue bene
Long before this, grazing vpon the greene:
Their yet imprisond flocks,
Daph.
Thou holy man.
Giue me a litle breathing till I can,
Be able to vnfold what I haue seene,
Such horror that the like hath neuer bene,
Knowne to the eare of Shepheard: oh my heart,
L [...]bours a double motion to impart,
So heauy tydings you all know the Bower,
Where the chast Clorin, liues by whose great power,
Sicke men and cattell hane bene often cur'd,
There louely Amoret, that was assur'd,
To lusty Perrigot: bleedes out her life:
Forced by some iron hand and fatall knife,
And by her young Allex [...]s.
Enter Amarillis running from her s [...]llen sheepeheard.
If there be
[Page]Euer a Neighbour-brooke or hollow tree,
Receiue my body, close me vp from lust,
That follows at my heeles, be euer iust,
Thou God of sheepheards: Pan for her deare sake,
That loues the Riuers brinks, and still doeth shake,
In colde remenbrance of thy quick pursute:
Let me be made a reede, and euer mute,
Nod to the waters fall, whilest euery blast,
Singes through my slender leaues that I was chaste:
Priest.
This is a night of wonder, Amarill,
Be Comforted, the holy gods are still,
Reuengers of these wrongs.
Amar.
Thou blessed man,
Honourd vpon these plaines aud lou'd of Pan:
Heare me, and saue from endles infamy,
My yet vnblasted flower Virginitie
By all the Garlands that haue croun'd that head,
By thy chast office, and the mariage bed,
That still is blest by thee: by all the rights
Due to our God: and by those virgin lights,
That burne before his Altar: let me not,
Fall from my former state to gaine the blot
That neuer shall be purged.
I am not now,
That wanton Amarillis: heere I vowe,
To Heauen, and thee graue father, if I may,
Scape this vnhappy Night, to knowe the day,
A virgin, neuer after to endure
The tongues, or company of men vnpure.
I heare him, come, saue me.
Priest
Retire a while,
Behinde this bushk, till wee haue knowen that vile
Aboser of young maydens.
Enter Sullen.
Stay thy pace,
Most loued Amarillis: let the chase,
growe calme and milder, flye me not so fast,
I feare the pointed Brambles haue vnlac't
[Page]Thy golden Buskins, turne againe and see:
Thy Shepheard follow, that is strong and free,
Able to giue thee all cont [...]nt and case,
I am not bashfull virgin, I can please:
At first encounter hugg thee in mine arme,
And giue thee many kisses, soft and warme,
As those the Sunne prints on thy smiling cheeke,
Of Plummes or mellow peaches I am sleeke,
And smooth as Neptune when stearne Eolus,
Lo [...]ks vp his surley winds and nimbly thus,
Can shew my Actiue youth why doost thou flye.
Remmber Amarillis it was I,
That kild Alexis for thy sake, and set,
An euerlasting hate twixt Amoret,
And her beloued Perigot twas I,
That drownd her in the well, where she must lye,
Till time shall leaue to be, then turne againe:
Tur [...]e with thy open armes and clipp the swayne
That hath performd all this, turne turne I saye:
I must not be deluded,
Priest.
Monster stay,
Thou that art like a canker to the state,
Thou liuest and brethest in, eating with debate,
Through euery honest bosome, forcing still,
The vaynes of any men, may serue thy will.
Thou that hast offered with a sinfull hand,
To seaze vpon this virgin that doth stand,
yet trembling here.
Sullen.
Good holynesse declare,
What had the danger bene if being bare,
I had imbracd her, tell me by your Art:
What comming wonders wood that fight impart.
Priest.
Lust, and branded soule,
Sullen.
Yet tell me more,
Hath not our Mother Nature for her store,
And great increase, sayd it is good and iust,
And willd that euery liuing creature must,
Beget his like.
Priest.
Yee are better read then I,
I must confesse in Blood and Letchery:
[Page]Now to the Bowre and bring this beast along,
Where he may suffer Pennance for his wrong,
Enter Perigot with his hand bloody,
Per.
Here will I wash it in the mornings dewe,
Which she on euery litle grasse doth strewe,
In siluer dropps agai [...]st the Sunnes appeare:
Tis holy water and will make me cleere.
My hand will not be cleansed, my wronged loue,
If thy chast spirit in the Ayre yet moue,
Looke mildly downe on him that yet doth stand,
All [...]ull of guilt thy blood vpon his hand,
And though I strucke thee vndeseruedly,
Let my reuenge on her that Iniurd thee.
Make lesse a fault which I intended not,
And let these dew dropps wash away my spot,
It will not cle [...]nse, O to what sacred [...]lood,
Shall I resort to wash away this blood:
Amidst these Trees the holy Clorin. dwells,
In a low Cabin, of cut boughs and heales,
All wounds, to her I will my selfe a dresse,
And my rash [...]faultes repentantly confesse:
Perhaps sheele find a meanes by Arte or prayer,
To make my hand with chast blood stayned, fayre
That done not farre hence vnderneath some tree,
Ile ha [...]e a little Cabin built since shee,
Whom I adorde is dead, there will I giue,
My selfe to stricknesse and like Clorin liue.
exit.
The Curtayne is drawne, Clorin appeares sitting in the Cabin, Amoret sitting on the on side of her, Allexis and Cloe on the other, the Satyre standing by.
Glorin.
Shepheard once more your bloold is stayed,
Take example by this mayd,
Who is healde e [...]e you be pure,
so hard it is lewd lust to cure,
Take heede then how you turne your eye [...]
[Page]On these other lust fully,
And sheephear [...]esse take [...]eedleast you,
Moue his willing eye thereto,
Let no wring, nor pinch, nor smile
Of yours, his weaker sence beguyle,
Is your loue yet true and chast,
And for euer so to last.
Alexis.
I haue forgot all vaine desires,
All looser thoughts, ill temp [...]ed fires,
True loue I find a pleasant [...]ume,
Whose moderat heat can nere consume.
Cloe.
And I a newe fire feele in mee,
Whose base end is not quencht to be.
Clorin.
Ioyne your hands with modest touch,
And for euer keepe you such.
Enter Perigot.
Perigot.
Yon is her cabin, thus far off ile stand,
And call her foorth, for my vnhallowed hand,
I dare not bring so neere yo [...] sacerd place,
Clorin come foorth and do a timely grace,
To a poore swaine,
Clorin
What art thou that doest call?
Clorin is ready to do good to all.
Come neere.
Per [...]
I dare not. Clorin. Satyre, see
Who it is that calls on mee.
Satyre
Thers a hand some swaine doth stand,
Stretching out a bloudy hand.
Per.
Come Clorin bring thy holy waters clear,
To wash my hand.
Clorin.
What w [...]nders haue beene here
To night stretch [...]oorth thy hand young swaine,
Wash and [...]ubbe it whylst I raine
Holy water.
Per
Still you power,
But my hand will neuer scoure.
Clorin
Satire [...] bring him to the bowre
Wee will try the soueragne power
Of other waters.
Satire
Mo [...]tall su [...]e,
[Page]Tis the bloud of mayden pure
That staines hee soe.
The Satire leadeth him to the Bower, where he spieth Amoret & kneeleth downe: shee knoweth him,
Perigot
What e're thou be.
Beest thou her spright, or some diuinitie,
That in her shape thinks good to walke this groue,
Pardon poore Per [...]got
Amor.
I am thy loue.
Thy Amoret. for euermore thy loue:
Sticke once more on my naked brest, Ile prooue
As constant still, O canst thou loue me yet,
How soone could I my former griefes forget.
Perig.
So ouer great with ioy, that you liue nowe
I am, that no desire of knowing how
doeth seaze me; hast thou still power to forgiue,
Amor.
Whil'st thou hast power to loue, or I to liue,
More welcome now then hadst thou neuer gone
A stray from me.
Per.
And when thou lou'st alone
And not [...], death or some lingring pain [...]
That's worse, light on me.
Clorin.
Now your staine
Perhaps will cleanse, thee once againe
See the bloud that erst did stay,
With the water drops away:
All the powers againe are pleas'd,
And with this newe knot are appeasd:
Ioyne your hands, and rise together,
Pan be blest that brought you hether.
Enter Priest & olde Sheepheard.
Clorin.
Goe backe againe what ere thou art: vnlesse
Smooth maiden thoughts possesse thee, doe not presse
This hallowed ground, goe Satire take his hand,
And giue him present triall.
Satire
Mortall stand.
[Page]Till by fire, I haue made knowne
Whether thou be such a one,
That mayst freely tread this place,
Holde thy hand vp, neuer was,
More vntainted flesh then this,
Fairest he is fall of blisse.
Clorin.
Then boldely speake why doest thou seeke this place,
Priest.
First honourd virgin to behold thy face,
Where all good dwells, that is, next for to try
The trueth of late report, was giuen to mee:
Those sheepheards that haue met with [...]oule mischance,
Through much neglect, and more ill gouernance,
Whether the wounds they haue may yet endure
The open ayre, or stay a longer cure,
And lastly what the doome may be, shall light
Vpon those guilty wretches, through whose spight
All this confusion full. For to this place,
Thou holy mayden haue I brought the race,
Of these offenders, who haue freely tolde,
Both why, and by what meanes, they gaue this bold
Attempt vpon their liue.
Clorin.
Fume all the ground,
And sprinckle holy water, for vnsound
And foule Infection ginnes to fill the Ayre
It gathers yet more strongly,
Of Censors fild with Franckensence and Mirr.
Together with cold Camphire, quickly stirr.
The gentle Satire, for the place beginns
To sweat and labour, with the abhorred sinnes
Of those offendors, let them not come nye,
For full of itching flame and leprosie,
Their very soules are, that the ground goes backe,
And shrinks to feele the [...]ullen waight of black
And so vnheard of vennome, hye thee fast,
Thou holy man, and bannish from the chast,
These manlike monsters, let them neuer more
Be knowen vpon thes dounes, but longe before,
The next sunnes rising, put them from the sight,
And memory of euery honest wight.
[Page]Be quicke in expedition, lest the sores
Of these weake patients, breake into newe gores
Exi [...] Priest.
Per.
My deare deare Amoret, how happy are,
Those blessed paires, in whom a little l [...]rr
Hath bred an euerlasting loue, to strong
For time or steele, or enuy to do wrong,
How do you feele your hurts, a lasse poore heart
How much I was abusd, giue me the smart
For it is iustly mine.
Amo.
I doe beleeue.
It is enough deare friend, leaue off to grieue,
And let vs once more in despight of ill,
Giue hands, and hearts againe
Per.
with better will,
Th [...]n ere I went to finde, in hottest day
Coole Christ all of the fountaine, to allay
My eager thirst, may this band neuer breake,
Heare vs o heauen.
Amo.
Be constant.
Per.
Else Pan wreake
With double vengeance, my disloyalty.
Let me not dare to knowe the company
Of men, or any more behold those eyes.
Amo.
Thus shheepheare with a kisse all enuy dies.
Enter Priest.
Priest
Bright Maid, I haue perform'd your will, the swaine
In whom such heate, and blacke rebellions raigne
Hath vndergone your sentence:
Only the maide I haue reseru'd, whose face
shewes much amendment, many a teare doth fall
In sorrow of her fault, great faire recall
Your heauie doome, in hope of better dayes
Which I dare promise: once again, vpraise
her heauy Spirit, that neere drowned lies
In selfe cons [...]ming care that neuer dies.
Clorin.
I am content to pardon: call her in,
The ayre growes coole againe, and doth beginn
[Page]To purge it selfe, how bright the day doth showe
After this stormy cloud, goe Satire goe,
And with this taper boldly try her hand.
If she be pure and good, and firmely stand
to be so still: we haue perfoormd a woorke
worthy the gods them-selues
Satire brings Amarillis in.
Satire
Come forward Maiden, do not lurke
Nor hide your face with griefe & shame,
Now or neuer get a name,
That may raise thee, and recure,
All thy li [...]e that was impure,
Holde your hand vnto the flame,
If thou beest a perfect dame:
Or hast truely vowd to mend,
This pale fire will be thy friend.
See the Taper hurts her not,
Goe thy waies let neuer spot,
Hencefoorth ceaze vpon thy bloode.
Thanke the Gods and still be good.
Cl [...]rin.
Yonge sheepheardesse now, ye are brought againe
To virgin state, be so, and so remaine
To thy last day, vnlesse the faithfull loue
Of some good sheepeheard force thee to remoue,
Then labour to be true to him, and liue
As such a one, that euer striues to giue
A blessed memory to after Time:
Be famous for your good, not for your crime.
Now holy man, I offer vp againe
These patients full of health, and free from paine
Keepe them, from after ills, be euer neere
Vnto their actions: teach them how to cleare,
The tedeous way they passe though, from suspect
Keepe them from wrong in others, or neglect
Of duety in them selues, correct the bloud,
With thrifty bitts and laboure, let the flood,
Or the next neghbouring spring giue remedy
To greedy thirst, and trauaile, not the tree
That hanges with wanton clusters, let not wine
[Page] [...]nlesse in sacrifice or rights deuine,
Be euer knowen of shepheards, haue a care,
Thou man of holy life, Now do not spare,
Their faults through much remissnes, not forget,
To cherish him, whose many paynes and sweat,
Hath giuen increase, and added to the downes.
Sort all your Shepheards from the lazie clownes:
That feede their heafers in the budded Broomes,
Teach the young maydens tricknes that y e grooms
May euer feare to tempt their blowing youth,
Banish all complement but single truth.
From euery tongue, and euery Shepheards heart,
Let them vse perswading, but no Art:
Thus holy Priest, I wish to thee and these,
All the best goods and comforts that may please,
All.
And all those blessings Heauen did euer giue,
Wee praye vpon this Bower may euer liue.
Priest.
Kneele euery Shepheard, whilst with powerful hand,
I blesse you after labours, and the Land.
You feede your flocks vpon Great Pan defend you.
From misfortune and amend you,
Keepe you from those dangers still,
That are followed by your will:
Giue yee meanes to know at lenght,
All your Ritches all your strenght.
Cannot keepe your foot from falling,
To lewd lust, that still is calling,
At your cottage, till his power,
Bring againe that golden howre:
Of peace and rest, to euery soule.
May his care of you controle,
All diseases, sores or payne,
That in after time may raigne,
Eyther in your flocks or you,
Giue yee all affections new.
New desires and tempers new,
That yee may be euer true.
Now rise and go, and as ye passe away,
Sing to the God of sheepe, that happy laye:
That honest D [...]rus taught yee, Dorus hee,
[Page]That was the soule and God of melody.
Song.
the all sing.
All yee Woodes, and Trees, and Bowers,
All ye vertues, and yee powers:
That inhabit in the lakes,
In the pleasant springs or brakes.
Moue your feete,
to our sound:
Whilst wee greete,
all this ground.
With his honour and his name.
That defendes our flockes from blame.
Hee is great, and he is iust,
Hee is euer good and must:
Thus be honnerd, Daffadillyes,
Roses, Pinckes, and loued Lillyes.
Let vs fling,
Whilst wee sing,
Euer holy,
Euer holy.
Euer honerd, euer young,
Thus great Pan is euer sung.
Exeunt.
Satyre.
Thou deuinest, fayrest, brightest,
Thou most powerfull mayd, and whitest.
Thou most vertuous, and most blessed,
Eyes of Starrs and Golden Tressed,
Like Apollo, tell me sweetest,
What new seruice now is meetest.
For thee Satyre shall I stray,
In the middle Ayre and staye,
Thy Sayling Racke or nimbly take,
Hold by the Moone, and gently make.
[Page]Suite to the pale Queene of the night,
For a Beame to giue thee light,
Shall I diue into the Sea,
And bring the corrall making way,
Through the rising waues that fall,
In snowy fleeces, deerest shall,
I catch the wanton fawnes, or flyes,
Whose wouen wings the Summer dyes,
For many coulours get thee fruit,
Or steale from Heauen old Orpheus Lute
All these I venter for and more,
To do her seruice, all these Woods adore
Clorin.
No other Seruice Satyre but thy watch,
About these Thicks least harmlesse people catch,
Mischiefe or sad mischance.
Satyre.
Holy virgin, I will daunce,
Round about these woods as quick,
As the breaking light, and pricke,
Downe the lawnes, and downe the vales,
Faster then the Windmill sayles.
So I take my leaue and praye,
All the comforts of the day:
Such as Phaebus heate doth send,
On the Earth may still be friend,
Thee and this Arbor.
Clorin.
And to thee,
All thy masters loue be free.
exeunt.

The Pastorall of the faithfull Shepheardesse.

FINIS.

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