AMARILLIS TO TITYRUS.
CEase Illustrious Shepherd, cease to regret the magnificence of
Rome; do not disturbe the tranquility of our woods by unjust and inutile complaints; and be perswaded, that whether for the pleasingnesse of persons, for the purity of manners, for the innocency of pleasures, for the felicity of life, or for true vertue; our villages ought to be preferred before the pompe of the fairest Cities; and the simplicity of our Cottages, to the seats of the proudest Palaces. I acknowledge that the picture, which you have made me of that proud one, which dares vaunt to subject all the earth, is very different from that which I designe to shew you this day. In the one we see naught but Scepters and Crownes, and in the other
[Page 50]only Garlands of flowers and Sheephooks. In the first we see every where glistering the gold, pearls, and diamonds; and in this I am going to shew, you shall behold no other gold, than that of the beams of the Sun; no other pearls, than those the dew drops on the ennamel of our meads; nor other diamonds, than the liquid christal of our fountains. But (ô
Tityrus) how pure is that gold! how gratefull a luster those pearls do cast! and how delicious is that morning christal to those, who do not let themselves be deceived by deluding appearances; who can discerne as they ought, the beauties of art and nature; and preferre with judgment a lasting felicity before a fading one! You will tell me (perhaps) that hearing me speake in this manner, it would seeme that I have but little considered that magnificent daughter, which you have shewed me, of
Augustus Court; because I do not condiscend to agree, that you have cause to complaine for being absent from it. It is true notwithstanding, that I have taken notice of every stroake; and I confesse also, that at the instant those great buildings of Marble, of Jasper, and of Porphiry brought me in doubt whether I should not
[Page 51]preferre them before our Grotts. But I was not long in that errour; and although without doubt the portrait is a little flattered, that hath not hindred me from finding that you are in the wrong to speake of
Rome, as of a place to which nothing is wanting that may render an honest man happy; and of our forrests, as of a dwelling where one can find nothing which might reasonably satisfy a man of spirit. Let us examine all these things in order, I conjure you: and to oblige you to hear mee more attentively, and to perswade you with greater power, I shall let you see that
Rome is in my Imagination, such as you have described it to me: that so by the opposition of the life at Court, and the Country life, I may by making you see the advantages and defects, draw you with the more facility to my judgment. You have told me (unlesse I am deceived) that the beauty of the places we inhabit, does serve very much to render men happy; that brave objects does elevate the spirits; and that this being so (as I confesse it)
Rome is the most charming abode upon earth, since 'tis there that the greatest riches are found. You have (I say) assured me, that all the Temples are filled with the workmanship of
[Page 52]the best Masters of antiquity; that all the houses are placed; that all the furniture is stately; that all the publick places are adorned, either with brasse statua's, or triumphant arches; and that in fine, she incloses within her walls, all that art can produce as marvellous, and all that is most rare in the universe. Lets see after this, unjust Shepherd, if in our solitude I can find ought wherewith to make you forget those gallant things; and wherewith to make you confesse that the Country life is to be preferred before that in Cities. I perceive that you find my designe too bold, and that you are troubled to comprehend, (you I say, who are out of love with the place where you were borne, and who have forgotten them) that out of
Rome one can behold any thing that is wonderfull. Neverthelesse it is certain, that there is a notable difference betwixt all those ornaments which imbellish that, and these of the places we inhabit. But is all that makes them brave, contrary to us, who enjoy all the beauties of nature. In fine that is but the works of men, and our abode is the master peece of the Gods. It is true, we have no Palaces, but if our Cottages be less magnificent, they are by
[Page 53]their low roofs, the more distant from thunders, and stormes. And then to say the truth, whoever shall stand to consider the marvellous structure of that rich Canopy which covers our heads, will not regret the proudest seelings which are at
Rome. But (you will tell me) it seems by your speech, that the starres, and the sun do not shine on the Capitol each in their turns; and that
Rome, is onely a place of obscurity, and darknesse; I acknowledge it shepherd, I acknowledge it, and to make you acknowledg it your selfe, suffer me to shew you that, which without doubt you do not now remember to have ever seen; I mean therising and setting of the Sun in our plains, either when we are in our woods, or that we walk along the margent of some of our rivers. Ha shepherd, if it be true, that brave objects raise the Spirits, and that the marble, the jasper, the porphiry, pearls, diamonds, and gold, raise pleasing thoughts, what should not the arrival of that faire planet do, when he appears in the horizon, he which hath communicated to all those things, the little beauty they have? In effect, is there any thing more lovely in the whole Universe, than the magnificent entrance hee
[Page 54]makes each morning towards us? At
Rome he is hardly ever seen without clouds: the foggs and the smoake vaile a part of his beams: one would say he were angry, to be imployed in that place, only to give light to cheats, flatterers, and to voluntary slaves. One would think (I say) that he hides a part of his light, because his heat serves but to dry the myre in the streets; whereas with us, when he begins to appear, he hath nothing to doe, but to dissipate the innocent vapours which arise from the earth; and to dry up the pearls of dew, which moisten our fields; to make our Roses to blow, to give a fresh enamel to all our flowers; to paint the wings of our butterflies; and to receive the wishes of all the Shepherds of our Village. And indeed it appears to us every day, with so much magnificence, that nothing can equall his triumph: no sooner do the first of his beams begin to shed the purple, the gold, and azure in some places of the skie, but all nature seemes to rejoyce. The obscurity of the night does dissipate; the stars with respect disappaer; the birds awake singing; our flocks are willing to go forth to the folds, & all our Shepherds and Shepherdesses, who are never wearied
[Page 55]to behold the same thing, when it is handsome, alwayes admire more and more, that wonderfull treasure of rich and lively colours, which overspreads the clouds at his arrival. They admire (I say) those faire impressions of light, which he communicates to all the objects which are capable to receive them: he guilds the crowns of our luminous beams, he pierces the thicknesse of our forrests, only to make them more pleasant, and not to take away their freshnesse, or to dissipate our shade. In the morning he permits us to look on him; at noone he suffers our woods to defend us from his scorching; and in the evening he shews us his Image in the rivers, and in our fountains, but so sparkling, and so wonderfull, that all the diamonds in the world cannot equal the beauty of the least of his beams. When he renewes the day, he puts us in hope we shall quickly behold him by the proud preparation which fore-runs him: and when he robs it from us, he seems to assure us by the abundance of his riches, which he imployes to paint the heavens with Roseat, shaddowed gold, and with all the colours the most lively, and others most shady, that his absence shall not bee
[Page 56]long; and that in few houres we shall behold him again as bright as ever. Acknowledge now shepherd by this weake draught I have traced, that there is nothing in
Rome which is so handsome as this which I have represented to you. Yet this is not the onely thing that renders our habitations pleasing; there are places into which the sun never comes, and yet they give delight; we have Grotts sunke so deep into the concavity of works, that the day hardly arrives there, and the night, who mingles her sable complexion with his luster, is never quite banished thence. They are onely tapistred with mosse, and yet the silence and coolnesse which one meets, creates a pleasure. There are muses with tranquility and with sweetnesse: and if one were alone in Nature, may peaceably enjoy all the charms of solitude. At the going forth from thence, you shall alwayes find a fountain, whose water is so pure, it permits through its streams to behold the diversity of pebles, which are in the bottome of its bed. It makes but a weake murmur, fitter to rock asleep with voluptuousnesse, than to keep awake with anger. The waters which flow thence from a rivulet, which serpentinely creeps
[Page 57]with a soft tread amongst the pebles, reeds, and flowers, till it steals into a mead, where confounding it selfe amongst others, which likewise moisten it, they unite, and with their mingled waters, make a great and large river, whose stream and brink, cause a new divertisement: and whose purity without doubt ought to be more gratefull to the sight, than the muddy waters of
Tyber. Now if from these peaceable beauties you will passe to those whose charmes are mingled with I know not what that's terrible, and which strikes a horrour in their divertisements; we have fearfull precipices; we have rocks, whose heads do reach the heavens; and from whence such furious torrents descend, that their fall makes as great a noise as the thunder, or the Sea. One would say that they are mountaines of snow precipitating themselves upon one another, so much those waters foame, and to see them rowle, and bound with such abundance and impetuosity would make one beleeve they would overflow the whole earth. Neverthelesse, they are no sooner disgorg'd into a gulfe which is at the foot of that rock whence they Issue, but they hide themselves in the cavernes, to go and render their tribute
[Page 58]without doubt to those, from whence they proceed. Going from thence, shepherd, shall I conduct you into one of those medowes, where we find a large tapistry of different flowers that overspreads it; where you may see a hundred cristal springs; where on the one side is seen a delightfull river; and on the other many willowes, Alders, and Lote trees, which by their shadow make their sweet abode pleasing, though the sun scorch all besides, and invites the shepherds to sleep securely? But perhaps you will not stay so long, lets go then (shepherd) lets go into one of those forests, whose obscurity, silence, and antiquity seems to imprint respect in all those which walk there. If that shady forrest were at the gates of
Rome, it would be filled only with theeves, or fugitive criminalls: whereas here we shall find none but staggs, hinds, roe-bucks, and deers, you may guesse also by their numbers, that we do not often make toiles to catch them, and you shall see by the small care they take to hide themselves, that that place is a sanctuary for them. All those great spaces, whose deep shade is such, that in the day you can hardly distinguish colours, and where one may almost doubt whether the foliage
[Page 59]be not black rather than greene; are not yet destitute of somwhat wherewith to divert the mind, and sight of a melancholy shepherd; and when by some windowes where the trees are less thick, the rayes of the sun appears and dissipates a part of that pleasing night; there was never any thing so lovely as those long twists of silver beams, which seeme as if they would force the obscurity to yeild place to light. One would say by the agitation of the leaves, that they presse together, to hinder its entrance; but the more the wind makes them tremble, the more easie passage do they give to those enemies of darknesse. Going from this Forrest, will you let me guide you to the brink of a great pond, whose tranquility seldome failes to give rest to those minds which do but stop to admire its beauty?
Zephirus only curles its billowes; and he stirs them so softly, that one may with ease behold all the fishes which are at the bottome of those waters, as clear as they are smooth. Some of them swimming with precipitation to seek their food; the others bound, and raise themselves above the water: and others more timorous, runne to hide themselves at the least noise they hear. If from
[Page 60]the bottome of this cristal, you ascend to consider its surface, you shall behold it all cover'd with swans: admire (Shepherd) the whiteness of their plumage; the gravity they keepe in swimming; and the noble pride which still appears in their looks: would one not say, they despise all they look on? and would not one Imagine also, that at some times they have a designe to please; when they make sails of their wings only to delight; and swim about only to be admired? Ha, Shepherd, how farre are the inhabitants of
Rome from these innocent pleasures, and what delights does their troublesome life rob them of! Neverthelesse I am not yet at the end of the description of the places we inhabite; I must needs lead you up one of those great mountains, from whence at once we discover the Rivers, Forrests, Plains, and Pastures; where the sight is so unlimited, that the objects may seeme to steale from our view by their great distance, and the skie to kisse the furthermost parts we behold. But perhaps you do not love an object of such a vast extent: let me then shew you the way on our banks, and in our valleys, that so I may make you acknowledge
[Page 61]that their fruitfulnesse should be preferred before the sterility of
Romes seven hills. Those little corners of earth are so much favoured by heaven, that they seeme to be ever sheltered from all the injuries of the ayre: the wind does hardly breath there; the hayle does not destroy the vines: the greene is eternal: and I truly believe, that if one should not manure them, the Sun alone would produce and ripen, all what ever Agriculture brings forth elsewhere; not without much trouble and care. Now that we may not yet forget that which makes the liberality of our Shepherds; and that which is the innocent love of our shepherdesses: can you compare the Perfumes of
Rome with the sweeet odour of our Violets, of our Roses, and our Gilliflowers? At least there is this difference, that the one does but satisfie the smell; and that the other, besides its gratefull perfume, pleases the eye infinitely. In effect, was ever any thing more faire to behold than this prodigious quantity of flowers, which fills our Gardens; either for their forme, for the briske and lively
[Page 62]colours, or the variety there is amongst them? Believe me (shepherd) the magnificent Tapestry which is at
Rome does not shew any thing that is so wonderfull. The purple is not so faire, as the Incarnat of our Roses: the Pearls of our Crowns Imperial, are more worth than Orient pearls: and the least of our flowers deserves more admiration than all that human art can invent. Now after I have made you behold that which I call the suns master-piece follow me into this neighbour grove; 'tis there that you shall find that which is not to be found at
Rome; 'tis there that you shall hear, that which is not heard in any City; and 'tis there you will be forced to confesse, that you must be insensible of pleasures, if you preferre not the Country life before that of the Court. Behold then (I conjure you) that great number of shepherds, and shepherdesses, who daring the heat of the day, have led their flocks into the shade under the closeness of this grove: and without admiring the handsomenesse of some, or the beauty of others; since 'tis not in this place that I intend to speak of that, hearken onely to what they listen too; I mean that great quantity of
[Page 63]birds, who by their different tones, make so pleasant a consort. Hearing them sing so early, one would say they did strive together who should obtain reward of the victory. But amongst others admire that learned master of musick, who surpasses them all by the least of his notes. And indeed they are all ashamed of their unskilfulnesse; they leave off through impuissance and respect; and only the Nightingales his fellowes try with equal armes to vanquish him, & to overcome each the other. Hearken how admirably this does pass his cadences; how he lets fall his voice; how he maintains it, how he renews it, and with what regularity he animates his song. That other which answers him, hath a particular charme, he is more languishing and more amorous; but as he is more feeble, so I believe he will be vanquished. Listen how they redouble their strengths; and you may even discerne a kind of joy, in him that finds he hath the advantage, and sorrow, and anger in that which finds his strength diminisheth. Look ye (shepherd) he can sing no more; his strains are not so equal, though they be more frequent, the sweetnesse of his voice
[Page 64]does change; he sings now onely out of despaire; I can discover through those leaves, that he staggers, his clawes can no longer graspe the branch, which upholds him; I see him tumble with vexation, and he in falling murmers yet some languishing notes, and does almost loose his life before his voice. Those (Shepherd) are the onely ambitious ones of our Country: compare those with them of
Rome (I conjure you) and although the destiny of this poore Bird bee worthy of pity; acknowledge that 'tis better ambition cause only the death of Nightingales, than that it should ranverse Thrones and Empires. Yet more (Shepherd) 'tis not in the spring time onely, in summer, and in autumne, that we have the advantage above Cities, winter it selfe, how fearfull and sharp soever 'tis discribed, hath somewhat amidst its rigour which is fine, and magnificent in our fields. The snow, which in the Cities, looses all its whitenesse, as soone as ere 'tis fallen, ot at least conserves its purity only on the house tops; does here make rich and curious plumes of the branches of our Cypresse, Cedars, and Firres. Those trees (I say) whose leaves do not shed, mingling their verdure with its whitenesse, makes
[Page 65]without doubt as pleasing an object, as the summer can bestow: and then, when th
[...] frost, and sharpenesse of the cold hath converted all our rivulets into Cristal, we behold likewise all our trees laden with diamonds. You will tell me, (it may be) that those diamonds do not make us the richer: and that the Sun deprives us of what the cold bestows. But (shepherd) if those diamonds do not enrich us, however they doe not make us become guilty: We cannot corrupt the fidelity of any one with them: nor imploy them in so many unlawfull uses as you know they do at
Rome. There is one thing more yet in the Cities, which seems to me not to be indured: which is, that one would say there is but one kind of season all the year long, to those that inhabit them. They alwayes behold the same things; they have the same imployments; their houses are alwayes alike; their pleasures do not vary: and except only that they have cold and heat, according to the divers temperatures of the ayre, there happens no change in their life: contrary to us, to whom nature every year renues four times, all the beauties of our dwellings. Each season gives us a different occupation:
[Page 66]The spring with its flowry chaplet calls us to take care of our medowes and flocks. The summer with its Coronet of wheatears, obliges us to the reaping of our harvest: Autume with its garland of vine, invites us not to leave our grapes any longer exposed to the pillage of passengers: and the winter all covered with ice, will have us neverthelesse, render to the earth the tribute which each one owes it: that so another time she may returne with interest those graines, which we have sowed in her bosome. O Shepherd, how innocent is this usury; and how little it resembles that which they practise in Cities, this beggars no body, by thus enriching ones selfe in this manner; one cannot either envie you for it, nor reproach you, nor accuse you of any crime: but farre otherwise, the more you are carefull, the more you are praised: whereas the others care is alwayes blame-worthy, if they are not alwayes blamed. They have more paine and lesse pleasure; that which is acquired by unjust ways cannot be without doubt, possessed without disquiet. They fear their enviers, their enemies, and theeves; but for us we have neither enviers, nor enemies; Nor do we
[Page 67]fear any other robbers of our riches, than the birds, which steale some of our fruits: and which for all this, we would not banish from our Campaniaes, so much those innocent criminalls, do give us delight in other reencounters. But to let you see, that for all your magnificent structures of your Temples and your Palaces; for all your Marble, Jasper, and Porphirie, which adornes them; and for all your aqueducts your Statuas, and your Triumphant arches we are however the true possessors of the bravest things of Nature. You need but consider, that
Rome beautifies it selfe but with that which the earth locks in her bowells, and which she conceals from the eyes of men: whereas we enjoy all that wherewith she dresses her selfe, and with all that she sets forth to the view of the whole World. No Shepherd, they are not her treasures, those metals which are now a-dayes the Tyrants of the minds, and the corrupters of the most wise: If that were so, we should behold trees laden with gold, with pearls, and jewels; she would dresse her selfe with her fairest ornaments; and would not leave imperfect, that which you call her chief works. The gold should not
[Page 68]need to be refined; we should need no lapidaries to cut the diamonds; nor no people which knew how to polish the pearls. All those things would be in sight, and would be as well finished, in the instant they were produced, as are our flowers, our woods and our fountaines: Cease then (shepherd) cease to maintaine that the abode at
Rome, is pleasanter than that in our Country: and prepare your selfe in the remainder, to see the magnificence of your divertisements, yeeld to the simplicity of ours. Of all the publick festivalls with which you have entertained me, those of the triumphs, and the combats of the Gladiators, are the most celebrous: But (ô
Tityrus) those feasts, and playes, have somewhat that is tyrannical and wofull! and how hard it is to reasonable people to rejoyce, in seing so many unhapy! that which is called delight, ought not to be mingled with bitternesse. Smiles and tears should not be seen together: and blood spill'd in a battle it selfe, should not delight how much lesse then in pastimes. Neverthelesse the most pleasing which they have at
Rome, is to see Kings in chains; and four thousand gladiators cut one anothers throats for the pleasure of Roman people.
[Page 69]O Shepherd, what must those people be, who delight to see rivers of blood & mountains of carcasses! for our parts, we who afflict our selves, when any of our lambs are sick, we should be far from rejoycing to behold those miserable ones dye so cruelly: or be satisfied to see Princes, and Princesses laden with fetters. For my part (Shepherd) should I see such a spectacle, I should have more compassion for the vanquished, than esteeme for the vanquishers: In fine, to tell you the things as I believe them, I can see no innocent pleasures in
Rome; they insulte over the unhappy, and they cause the unfortunate slaves to perish: they lead Kings captives, after they have usurped their Kingdomes: and they heare, and they look on, not only without horrour, but with satisfaction, the last complaints and actions of dying men.
Cesar (as they say) wept after the Pharsalian Battel, over those great numbers of bodies, which he beheld without life, and motion; but in
Rome they laugh at that which made him weepe; and they call it a feast of rejoycing, which rather should be named a publick mourning. See Shepherd, I intreat you, whether we are cruell or innocent in our pastimes; and
[Page 70]whether in reminding you of them, you will not acknowledge that if there be lesse pompe, there is more wit, more skill, more equity, and also more pleasure. Repasse then in your imagination, one of those general holidayes of all our hamlets, or one of those sacrifices, after the reaping of our harvest: did you ever see any thing more pleasing, than to see, not Kings manacled in fetters; not Gladiators all covered with blood and wounds; but an innumerable number of Shepherds and Shepherdesses, with coronets and garlands of flowers; with such a joy in their countenance, as is communicated to all that behold them? some have their bag-pipes, others their flutes; some of them lead the victimes, the others carry the consecrated vessels; the one raises an altar of turfs, the other puts the fire which enkindles it; and almost every one hath sheephooks imbellished with mottoes, figures, and ribons. The neatness of their cloaths, serves also to make them the more amiable; 'tis not proud indeed, but it is gallant. The purple and the jewels do not shine there; but their pure whiteness, & those fading jewels, which the spring, the summer, & autume, bestowes each year upon us, does
[Page 71]make amends enough for that want, and for the rest, the beauty of my companions (if I am not deceived) ought not to yeild to that of the Roman Ladies: you will tell me (perhaps) that though it were true, that the features of their faces were as sweet, and their countenāces as pleasing; at least I should not deny, that the tan of the fields spoyles their skins, and destroys its fresh colour. But besides that the thick umbrage of our forrest, defends them from that enemy; I must also tell you, that the tan is more becoming, and supportable, than painting, and that nature is more charming than artifice. For our parts, Shepherd, we appear such as we are: we have no other looking lasses than our fountains, no other Fucus than the dew; and yet there are maids amongst our woods, whose complexion is so wonderfull, that it out-vies, and sullies the whitenesses of the lilies, and the incarnate of the fairest roses. The modesty of their actions; the sincerity of their discourse; & the serenity which appears in their looks, are such things as are only foūd in our filds, Every where else there is nothing but dissimulation & art; they see to be seen; they make no conquest without designe; that which appears faire, is not so; and one is sometimes as much deceived in the person as the mind.
But let's return, Shepherd, let's return to that faire assembly, where our sage Pastors, who are the witnesses and judges of our sports, do already prepare the rewards for those which shall overcome in this holyday. You shall know by the simplicity of their worth, that it is not through a desire of coveteousnesses, that they desire to win: since those prizes, which are ordained for the Shepherds (as you know better than my selfe) are only baskets, and sheephooks, and pipes, and bag-pipes, and darts: and for the Shepherdesses, crowns of flowers, cages of reeds, nosegeys, and ribons, and yet we take as much care to winne, as if it were to conquer the whole world. But Shepherd, we need no weapons to obtain this victory; we need not spill blood to defeat these enemies: we do not lead those in triumph, over whom we have had the advantage; on the contrary, we embrace them, instead of enchaining them; we tell them they are the sillfullest, though they were not the happiest; and in fine, we strive to comfort them of this small disgrace. Running, wrastling, dancing, poetry, and musick (if I be not deceived give more divertisment, than all the combats of Gladiators. He
[Page 73]whose course is nimble; he that wrastles with the greatest sleight; he who dances with the best grace; he who makes the bravest verses; and he who sings the truest, gives without dispute more satisfaction, than those combates of Tigers, and Panthers, of which you make so much. Think Shepherd, think seriously, whether you should not love rather to see the Shepherdesse
Galathea dance, or to hear the fair
Lycoris sing, than to behold a lyon tear out the throat of a Tiger, or an Elephant overthrow a Rhinoceros? Yes Shepherd, you would love it better, I read it plain enough in your face, that you will agree to what I say; and I think likewise, that you had rather see those two handsome maidens (although they otherwhile captivated you, than to be spectator of the most magnificent Triumph that ever
Rome did show, though
Augustus selfe were Conquerour. Do not blush Shepherd, for that little reproach I make you; do not repent you of all the brave verses, which you have composed for their glory; and be not ashamed that you have so often carried away the prizes of our exercises against the cunning
Melibeus, the active
Coridon, against the daring
Menalcus,
[Page 74]and against the ingenious
Mopsus, in the sight of our sagest shepherds; and if from the publick holy-dayes, you will pass to those innocent warres, which makes one of our greatest pleasures; I mean our hunting, and fishing: you will again bee forced to acknowledge, that
Rome is not acquainted with all that is capable to please; since she cannot give these gratefull occupations, to those which inhabit there. And yet 'tis certaine, that one can hardly find any thing fitter to delight, than to behold many Shepherdesses with angles in their hands, and all keeping a profound silence, for fear least the noyse they should make should fright away the fishes they would catch, and make them shunthe shore. The one makes ready her bait on the brink; the other casts her line into the river, and appears almost her own statua, so attentive she is to what she is about. This by an action as quick as it is pleasant, lifts up her arme, drawes the line, and rejoyced at her prey, casts a fish upon the shore, which bowes it selfe, stretches, turns, winds, and beats, makes divers leaps and bounds upon the grasse, and makes its rich silver scales to glister, amongst the emeralds of the field. The other hoping for the
[Page 75]same successe of her fellow, drawes hers without drawing any thing; at which the rest laugh or are comforted, for having a like fortune. But that which is the most delightfull, is to see our Shepherds laden with nets, to draw some fish-pond; there 'tis that when they are happy, you shall behold when they draw their nets a living wave which spreads upon the brink, by the multitude, and the diversity of the fishes they take; some of them skip up above the net; others break it; some bound upon the greene; others more happy save themselves; others again entangle themselves the more by striving to disengage themselves; and altogether do their utmost to save their lives, and to escape from that which does detaine them. But 'tis in vain they beat; as soone as they have changed their element, they must dye, the freshnesse of the grasse is not to them, such as is the freshnesse of the water. This pastime how simple soever it is, is not yet so poor, but that queens as well as shepherds have imployed themselves with it;
Cleopatra, who had had the glory to catch the hearts of
Cesar, and
Mark Antony in her nets, did not scorne to fish,
[Page 76]to cast the line, and made it one of her most ordinary gallantries. But Shepherd, if there be any pleasure in deceiving the innocent fish, there is no lesse, in deceiving the birds; sometimes in hiding from them that which should take them, under the heap of grain which is throwne to them, that so in coming to seeke wherewith to live, they find their death; sometimes in shooting them with bolts; and sometimes in surprizing them on the trees, by lyming the branches, which hold them by the wings, the more they flutter and strive to flie, the more they are entangled amongst those dangerous twiggs. After these harmelesse exercises either of fishing, or bird-catching, you shall see the one and the other return with their prey; the Shepherds returns with great osier baskets filled with fish; the Shepherdesses carry cages of reeds, where they have kept alive some birds which have pleased them; and altogether not forgetting the care of their sheep, return to their cottages. Those which have beene successfull, though laden with their spoile, do not omit to sing some Eclogue, or play on their pipes; the flocks follow their masters, or their mistresses; the doggs by their fidelity, take care
[Page 77]that no sheepe straggle; and the sheep and oxen, by their loud clamours, advertising those that are in their cabins, that the fishing, or chase is ended; they all come with much haste and joy to know the successe. But 'tis too much, Shepherd, 'tis too much spoken of our innocent warre, which (if I do not deceive my self) ought to be preferred to those which have caused the proudest Trophies to be raised, and whose Conquerours have obtained the most magnificent Triumphs: Let's come then (if you please) to somewhat that is more solid; and let's compare the vices of
Rome, to the vertues which are seene amongst us. First,
Rome is filled with adulators, and we know hardly what adulation is: at
Rome, falshood, and medisance reigns; and in our woods the truth appearing alwaies, we never faile to praise that which is praise-worthy: at
Rome all men are slaves, either to their ambition, or avarice; and in our campaniaes, we possesse more goods, than we desire to have; nor are we covetous, but only of time, which we would alwayes well imploy at
Rome, there are those people which make their treasures of the greatest poisons which are in nature, either to make away their enemies,
[Page 78]or to make away themselves, if it happens that they are to be punished for their crimes; and amongst us, we make our dearest treasures, of salutary herbs, which can heale the bitings of serpents, or any other venemous beast. At
Rome, all the world thinks only upon their owne interest; here, they only thinke on their own pleasures, provided it be harmelesse. At
Rome all those which inhabit it seeke to aproach near the Prince: in our woods we only seek our equalls. At
Rome, they will have no Masters, and yet deny not to kisse the hand that inchains them; and in our hamlets, we obey our ancient Shepherds, with as much affection as freedome. At
Rome those which make the Lawes scoffe at them, and do not observe them; and in our forrests, the sagest Pastors instruct by their examples, rather than by their words. Yes we doe what they doe, sooner than what they tell us: nor doe we know amongst us, any infringers of our lawes, or our customes. At
Rome the riches alone, makes the difference twixt men: and in our Groves, vetue and merit only makes the price and the distinction. In fine Shepherd, at
Rome, all the world is
[Page 79]busied to deceive others; or at least to hinder that they bee not themselves cozened; whereas we are only carefull to seeke the occasions to serve our selves. If any of our Sheperdesses have sometimes stragled that sheepe from her flock which she loves best; you shal see all our Shepherds with care, and earnestness seek to recover again, that which she lost. They enquire with diligence; they tell to those whom they meet, all the beauties of that prety creature, that thereby they may know if they have not seen it. They describe its whiteness, its marks, the flowers & the ribons which are tyed to its hornes, and forget nothing which may serve to their designe, and if it happens that they find it, they return with as much joy, as your Consuls, when they have gained a battel; so true it is, that we ardently love to serve, not onely our friends, but all those that have need of it. As for
Rome, without doubt it is not so there; all the world rejoyces at anothers misfortune: those whom the Prince does not behold with a pleased eye, are forsaken by those whom they have most obliged, what vertue soever they have: & those on the contrary whom he favours, should they be the most vitious, and imperfect of men, shall not want however,
[Page 80]not onely to have friends, but adorers and slaves. It does not go in this strain in our Campaniaes; we see nothing above us but the heavens; we have neither Princes, nor favorites to fear, or follow; we live with equality; we love those that love us, and hate none. For the rest, I had alwaies heard say, that the Shepherds were the Images of Soveraigns; that they ought to governe the people as we govern our flocks; and that the Scepter and the Crooke, ought to have much resemblance. Neverthelesse after the manner that things are reported to us, there is a notable difference betwixt them; or to say better, there is nothing at all alike. We love our flocks with tendernesse; we have no other care than to make them happy; we chuse them the sweetest pasture, the clearest waters; we give them a couragious and faithfull keeper, which is our dog; and we defend them our selves with the hazard of our lives, when the wolves do assault them; we take care not only to nourish and keep them, but to hinder them likwise, both from the extream cold and the extream heat: in winter we leave them sometimes in the folds, when the frost hath glazed all the pasture: and in summer
[Page 81]when the ardour of the sun scorches them, we seek such shades as may defend them from all inconveniences. When they are sick, we get such remedies as are proper for their maladies: and when they are healthfull, we adorn them with ribons and flowers. It is not thus with many Princes, who ought to be Pastors: they will not love their flocks, nor care to be beloved by them, provided they be feared; they make use of the sheephoke rather to affright than to assemble, or defend them; in lieu of chusing the pasture, and waters for them, they make their flocks seve their needs, and their magnificence: instead of keeping them as we do, reversing the order and rule; 'tis the flocks that must keep the Sheperds; whereas (I say) it should be their parts to preserve them from all harmes; 'tis they who on the contrary are the cause of all evils every day unto them, when they are sick, they are so far from seeking remedies for them, that they augment their trouble by their tyrannies: and when they are sound, they do not use to adorne them, but rather strip them even of their natural ornaments. We indeavour our flocks should be fat, & they will have theirs lean & feeble; in fine, Shepherds, not content
[Page 82]to take off their fleeces, wherewith they after make their richest robes, they tear them from their bodies with so much violence, that one may say, the purple which adornes them borrowes its colour from the blood of their flocks, rather than the industry of those excellent artisans, of whom they make so much esteem at
Rome. Ha, Shepherd! If we had such Pastors amongst us, we would banish them from our meadows; we should esteeme them worse than the wolves, which are the declared enemies of our sheep; and we would degrade them from that honourable employment, by taking away their sheephook, their scrip, flute, bag-pipe, and all the glorious marks of our innocent profession. Ha,
Tityrus (yet once more) what a dangerous thing 'tis for one to be a Soveraign, that is not a good Pastor! and how much better it were to take a simple shepherd to be King, than to have a King that could not be a Shepherd! I know you will tell me, that we have now gotten a Prince, whose sweetness, clemency, and goodness, deserve that we should give him the name of Pastor, rather than Tyrant: and that
Augustus, since he hath gathered his flock, is one of the best Shepherds that ever bare
[Page 83]a Sheephook. But tell me a little, how many flocks has he desolated, to make this one? How much blood hath he spilt, how many Pastors hath he throatled? how many Wolves, Panthers, and Tigers have bin imploy'd to make deserts of the fairest meadows of this Empire? & how many innocent lambs have felt his fury, before they tasted his clemency? Speak Shepherd, I conjure you, and answer me punctually. No, no, I perceive by your silence, that you cannot contradict me; and that you are constrained to acknowledge, that there might be found more Pastors which would be good Princes, than Princes capable to be good Pastors. In effect, the felicity of the country life, hath not been so much unknown in
Rome it selfe, but that those whom she files in the ranks of her most Illustrious Hero's have imbraced it, with ardour. Yes, those who after they had gained battels (as you know better than my selfe) have manured the ground with their own hands, and have also in the pressing affaires of the Republick, been recalled from thence to rule the reyns of the Empire; and from the plough to the head of an army; and from their solitude, to the Court. And yet, those people, what ever
[Page 84]they have done, that's great, or good, have never been praised more, than when they had governed the publick, taken Cities by force; lessened the bounds of the Roman puissance; gained Battels; and merited the honours of triumph, they have been seen to refuse those honours, return from the government to their sheepcoat; from the head of an army to the plough; and from the Court to their solitude again. After this Shepherd, complain no more of your destiny: and be not so unjust as not to think any thing so pleasing as the magnificence of of
Rome: since our simplicity, is as much worth as their artifice. And if from their manners in general we passe to the passions in particular; you shall find, that of all those that use to cause the grandest disorders, we know but one onely, and which produces none but gratefull effects amongst us. First, ambition does not torment us; we are Shepherds Children, we will be only that, and can be no more. Our desire having no object, we wish for nothing, we live without disquietnesse as without pride; and seeing nothing beneath us, nor nothing above our heads but the Heavens; we are free from anger as frō insolence; nor would we exchange
[Page 85]our sheephooks, for all the Scepters in the world. It is easie for you to judg that not being ambitious we know not either, avarice, nor envy, since these are two passions, which are almost inseparable from the other. Choler is but little more acquainted with us: nor does hatred finde any entrance in a Country where all deserves to be loved. But (you will aske me) what is then that passion, which useth to produce such strange disorders in the Cities, and makes known no other than pleasing effects in your Campaniaes? For as for me, 'tis so long that I have not lived there, that I have lost the remembrance? It is
Tityrus the most powerfull, and noblest of all: 'tis that which made
Hercules spin; which fired
Troy; which hath r'enversed so many Empires; which hath caused so many ruins in all the corners of the world; which hath made so many warres; which gave
Antony to
Cleopatra; Augustus to
Livia; and 'tis in fine, that passion, which is borne amidst delights flowers, woods, brooks, meads, Shepherds, and Shepherdesses, with more innocency, and lesse bitternesse, than on the Throne, and in the Palaces of great Kings. 'Tis in those elevated places, that this passion
[Page 86]which they call love, is almost always dangerous: a lover that gives law to all the world is not very fit to receive it from a mistress. He will have the things which he desires, more magistically than others: and when he encounters any obstacle in his designe, that crowned slave that is not accustomed to obey; and is wont to be obeyed of all that approach him; that slave (I say) quits his chains, revolts, remounts the throne, and becoming a Tyrant to her, whose captive he was, he oftentimes makes her suffer sad and funest adventures. But amongst us on the contrary, that little god, whose puissance hath no limits, never appears in our woods, but with the society of his Mothers graces: he inspires none but reasonable desires in the hearts of our Shepherds; we see them kisse their chains, even when the rigour of their mistresses makes them seeme most heavy to them; they receive their favours with ravishment; and when they are ill entertained, their discretion and patience, does oblige them to undergoe that misfortune, with respect and submission. They are alwayes our slaves, and by consequence they never are our Tyrants. We have Shepherdesses which are rigorous,
[Page 87]but we have no Shepherds which are indiscreet; they dare hardly proclaime their complaints, with their bagpipes and on their reeds; their verses, their songs, and their entertainments, are filled onely with our praises; all our trees are engraved with their inscriptions, and ours mixed together: and all their speeches, gives us every day new marks, either of their esteeme, or of their affection. Constancy (that vertue which so few practice in the Cities) is most commonly found amongst us; the equality of our conditions, and of our riches, makes that the weakest do remain constant; there is neither scepter, nor gold, nor diamonds, which can dazle, or bribe them; the wise amongst us despise them, and the rest do not know what they are: We doe not see a husband here repudiate many wines as at
Rome, the lovers do not cease to be such even after marriage: they will not obtain us to slight us afterwards; they take a care of the conquest they have made, and think themselves glorious to wear but one chaine in all their lives. Nor are our Shepherdesses likewise more unfaithfull: their simplicity, and their freenesse is the cause they do not disguise their thoughts. They are
[Page 88]modest and sincere; and if a little jealousie (in spight of so many vertues which should hinder it from springing) did not disturb the tranquility of our meadowes; all our Roses would be without prickles, & al our pleasures would be without mixture, and without bitternesse. This passion neverthelesse does not act here, as at
Rome; in that place, they have recourse to violence. The poysons, and ponyards are put in use; and sometimes serve equally against the Rivall, and against the Mistress also. But here, the greatest hurt which happens to us, is that we perceive the complexion of the fairest maids to become pale; and the flocks of our carefullest Shepherds, to feele the trouble of their Master; who passing away their sorrow in the darkest forests, abandon them to the care of their friends. Yet how-ever this retreat does not make us see many mournfull events; and for the most part, some complaint, some song, and fome few Poems, is all the revenge, and the reconcilement of the most jealous. If it be the Shepherdesse that's displeased, her lover is again brought to her feet, sad and changed as he is, She hears him, receives his justification, if he be innocent, and pardons him if
[Page 89]he be guilty, if so be, he repents, and implores his pardon hadsomely, and with a good grace. And if on the contrary she be in the wrong; we condemne her to make with her own hands a garland of flowers for him; and sometimes also we consent, that he should robb her of a bracelet of her hair, after that, their felicity is founded more solidly then before; and the innocency of their life, justifying all their pleasures, they remain the happiest in the world. The Shepherd takes care of his Mistresses flock they go almost still together on the same pastures; they seeke out the same shades; and the same fountaines; their sheephooks have the same devices painted; their baskets tyed with the same ribons; their sheep adorned with the same colours, and their very doggs seeme to have contracted together a particular amity. This happy state considered, as it should be, is it not true shepherd, that the love of
Rome, ought to be portray'd otherwise than ours; it should be represented like a fury; he should have more than one bow, and more than one torch given him, seing the disorders he causes: he ought to beare a Scythe, as well as Saturne, and death, since he destroyes all
[Page 90]that time and death destroy. He orethrowes all as well as they; he never inspires the desires of love in a heart; but that hatred, jealousie, and anger, steps in presently after. But for that love which inhabits our woods, he never must be represented but upon flowers; his wings must be enamel'd with the same colours of the Rainbow, and his eyes should be hoodwinkt with a very thin vail, his shafts and quiver adorned with roses and pesseminds, his skin must be white and incarnadine, the pleasures and graces must not abandon him, his innocency must appear in all his actions, and his torch seem to be in his hands, rather to lighten than to annoy us. Judge, Shepherd, after all this which I have said now to you, whether
Rome ought to be preferred to the Countrey life? we inhabit natures fairest seats, we possess all the true riches, we enjoy the fruition of all innocent pleasures, we are not too distant from the most solid vertue, our customes are not unjust, we are free from ambition, and behold nothing above us; what can we wish for more, or what more can you desire? yield then, Shepherd, yield to reason, to my prayers, to my perswasion, and to your own knowledge, who without
[Page 91]doubt would not indure, that I should give you the quality of Shepherd, if you did not esteem it glorious. So many Verses and Eclogues which you have made do justifie better than I can, the advantages of the Countrey life; it will suffice, to remember one day, that
Tityrus, after he hath sung the great acts of
Aeneis, (as he hath designed) hath not disdained to accord his Reeds and Bag-pipe with our skilfullest Shepherds: do not then remember any more to be perswaded of what I desire you, neither the Sun which I have described so luminous, nor our Rivers whose waves are all silvered, nor our Fountains of Crystal, nor the Emeralds of our fields; nor those lofty Mountains, whose prospect is so pleasing; nor those Torrents, whose falls, although they seem fearful, do yet afford divertisement: do not so much as think any more, I say, of our gloomy Forests, nor of those ponds cover'd with Swans, nor of our Hillocks, nor of our Valleys, nor of the lovely diversity of our Flowers, nor our Woods, or the Musick of our Nightingales, nor of the advantage we have above the Cities in all the Seasons of the Year. Forget, I say, if you can, the beauty
[Page 92]of our Shepherdesses; cancel the memory of our holydayes, of our sacrifices, of our Chaces, of our Fishing, of the innocency of our Manners, and of
Amaryllis her self. But remember at least, that you may never speak any thing against the Countrey life; that at your departure from
Rome you become a Shepherd as you were before. That you have born the Scrip, and Sheep-hook; and that with the same hand with which you are going to write
Dido's complaints, and the
Trojan Princes praises, you have written
Tityrus his moans to the Shepherdesse
Galatea, and the praises of the Countrey life.