thou canst not see that which cannot with reason be imagined ; for it the diuine vertues of Loue , had disperst themselues through the powers of the world , so forcibly as to make them take by his influence , the formes and qualities imprest within them , no doubt they could not chuse , but fauour more of his Diuinitie .

I doe not thinke Loue hath any sparke of Diuinitie in him ; since the end or his being is earthly . In the bloud is he begot by the fraile fires of the eye , & quenche by the frayler shadowes of thought . What reason haue we then to soothe his humor with such zeale , and folow his fading delights with such passion .

We haue bodies , Siluestris , and humane bodies ; which in their owne natures being much more wretched then beastes , and much more miserably then beasts pursue their owne ruines : And since it will aske longer labour and studie to subdue the powers of our bloud , to the rule of the soule , then to satisfie them with the fruition of our loues , let vs bee constant in the worlds errours , and seeke our owne torments .

As good yeeld indeed submissiuely , and satisfie part of our affections ; as bee stubburne without abilitie to resist , and enioy none of them : I am in worst plight , since I loue a Nymph that mockes loue .

And I one that hates loue .

I , one that thinkes her selfe aboue loue .

Let vs not dispute whose mistris is most bad , since they be all cruell ; nor which of our fortunes be most froward , since they bee all desperate . I will hang my Skutchin on this tree in honour of Ceres , and write this verse on the tree in hope of my successe , Penelopen ipsam perstes , mode tempore vinces . Penelope will yeeld at last : continue and conquer .

I this : Fructus abest facies cum bona teste caret . Faire faces lose their fauours , if they admit no louers .

But why studiest thou ? What wilt thou write for thy Lady to read ?

That which necessitie maketh me to indure , loue reuerence , wisdome wonder at . Riualem patienter habe .

Come , let vs euerie one to our walkes , it may be we shall meete them walking . Exeunt .

It is time to hang vp our Garlands , this is our haruest holyday , wee must both sing and daunce in the honour of Ceres : of what colours or flowers is thine made of , Niobe ?

Or Salamints , which in the morning are white , red at noone , and in the Euening purple , for in my affections shall there be no staiednesse but in unstaiednes : but what is yours of , Nisa ?

Of Hollie , because it is most holy , which louely greene neither the Sunnes beames , nor the winds blasts can alter or diminish . But Celia , what Garland haue you ?

Mine all of Cypres leaues , which are broadest and beautifullest , yet beareth the least fruit ; for beautie maketh the brightest shew , being the slightest substance ; and I am content to wither before I bee worne , and depriue my selfe of that which so many desire .

Come , let vs make an end , lest Ceres come and find vs slacke in performing that which wee owe : But soft , some haue beene here this Morning before vs .

The amorous Foresters , or none , for in the woods they haue eaten so much wake-Robin , that they cannot sleepe for loue .

Alas poore soules , how ill loue sounds in their lips , who telling a long tale of hunting , thinke they haue bewray'd a sad passion of loue !

Giue them leaue to loue , since we haue libertie to chuse , for as great sport doe I take in coursing their tame hearts , as they doe paines in hunting their wilde Harts .

Niobe , your affection is but pinned to your tongue , which when you lift you can vnloose . But let vs read what they haue written : Penelopen ipsam perstes mode tempore vinces . That is for you Nisa , whome nothing will mooue , yet hope makes him houer .

A fond Hobbie to houer ouer an Eagle .

But Forresters thinke all Birds to be Buntings . What 's the nexte Fructus abest facies cum bona teste caret , Celia , the Forrester giues you good counsel , take your penniworth whiles the market serues .

I hope it will be market day till my deathes day .

Let me read to Riualem patienter habe , Hee toucheth you , Niobe , on the quicke , yet you see how patient he is in your constancie .

Inconstancie is a vice , which I will not swap for all the vertues ; though I throwe one off with my whole hand , I can pull him againe with my little finger ; let vs encourage them and write something ; if they censure in fauourably , we know them fooles ; if angerly , we wil say they are froward .

I will begin . Cedit amor rebus , res age , tutus eris .

Indeed better to tell stars then be idle , yet better idle then ill employed ; Mine this , Sat mihi sifacies , sit bene nota mihi .

You care for nothing but a Glasse , that is a flatterer .

Then all men are Glasses .

Some Glasses are true .

No men are ; but this is mine : Victoriatecum stabit .

Thou giuest hope .

He is worthy of , that is patient .

Let vs sing , and so attend on Ceres ; for this day , although into her heart neuer entred any motion of loue , yet vsually to the Temple of Cupid , hee offereth two white Doues , as entreating his fauour , and one Eagle , as commanding his power . Praecibusque minaes regaliter addet .

What noyse is this , what assembly , what Idolatrie Is the modestie of virgins turnd to wantonnesse ? The honour of Ceres accompted immortal ? And Erisicthon ruler of this Forrest , esteemed of no force ? Impudent giglots , that you are , to disturbe my game , or dare doe honour to any but Erisicthon . It is not your faire faces as smooth as lea●e , nor your entysing eyes , though they drew yron like Adamaints , nor your filed speeches , were they as forcible , as Thessalides , that shall make me any way flexible .

Erisicthon , thy sterne lookes ioynd with thy stout speeches ; thy words as vnkembd as thy lockes , were able to affright men of bold courage , and to make vs silly girles franticke , that are full of feare ; but knowe thou , Erisicthon , that were thy hands so vnstated as thy tongue , and th' one as ready to execute mischiefe , as the other to threaten it ; it should neither moue our hearts to aske pittie , or remooue our bodies from this place ; wee are the hand-maides of diuine Ceres , to faire Ceres is this holy tree dedicated , to Ceres , by whose fauour thy selfe liuest , that are worthy to perish .

Are you addicted to Ceres , that in spight of Erisicthon you wil vse these sacrifices ? No , immodest girles , you shall see that I haue neither regard of your sexe which men should tender , nor of your beautie which foolish loue would dote on , nor of your goddesse , which none but pieuish girles reuerence : I will destroy this tree in despite of all , and that you may see my hand execute , what my heart intendeth ; and that no meane may appease my malice , my last word shall bee the beginning of the first blowe .

Our alas , what hath he done ?

Our selues , I feare , must also minister matter to his furie .

Let him alone : but see , the tree powreth our bloud , and I heare a voice .

What voice ? If in the tree there be any bodie , speake quickly , left the next blow hit the tale out of thy mouth .

Monster of men , hate of the heauens , and to the earth a burthen , what hath chast Fidelia committed ? It is thy spite , Cupid , that hauing no power to wound my vnsported mind , procurest meanes to mangle my tender body , and by violence to gash those sides , that enclose a heart dedicate to vertue : or is it that sauage satire , that feeding his sensuall appetite vpon lust , seeketh now to quench it with bloud , that being without hope to attaine my loue , hee may with cruelty end my life ? Or doth Ceres , whose nymph I haue beene many yeares , in recompence of my inuiolable faith , reward me with vnspeakable torments ? Diuine Phoebus that pursued Daphne till shee was turned to a Bay tree , ceased then to trouble her . I , the gods are pittifull ; and Cineras , that with furie followed his daughter Miretia , till shee was chaunged to a Mirretree , left then to prosecute her ; yea parents are naturall : Phoebus lamented the losse of his friend , Cineras of his child : but both gods , and men either forget or neglect the chaunge of Fidelia ; nay follow her after her chaunge , to make her more miserable : so that there is nothing more hatefull then to be chast , whole bodies are followed in the world with lust , and prosecuted in the graues with tyrannie . Whose minds the freer they are from vice , their bodies are in the more daunger of mischiefe ; so that they are not safe when they liue , because of mens loue ; nor being chaunged , because of their hates ; nor being dead , because of their defaming . What is that chastitie which so few women study to keep , and both gods and men seeke to violate ? If onely a naked name , why are we so supersticious of a hollow found ? If a rare vertue , why are men so carelesse of such an exceeding rarenesse : Goe , Ladies , tell Ceres I am that Fidelia , that so long knit Garlands in her honour , and chased with a Satyre , by praier to the gods became turned to a tree , whose body now is growne ouer with rough barke , and whose golden lockes are couered with greene leaues ; yet where mind nothing can alter , neither the feare of death , nor the torments . If Ceres seeke no reuenge , then let virginitie be not only the scorne of Sauage people , but the spoyle . But alas , I feele my last bloud to come , & therfore must end my last breath . Farewel Ladies , whose liues are subiect to many mischieues ; for if you be faire , it is hard to be chast ; if chast , impossible to be safe ; if you be young , you will quickly bend ; if bend , you are suddenly broken . If you be soule , you shall seldome be flattered : if you be not flattered , you will euer bee sorrowfull . Beautie is a firme ficklenes , youth a feeble staiednesse , deformitie a continuall sadnesse .

Thou monster , canst thou heare this without griefe ?

Yea , and double your griefes with my blowes .

Ah poore Fidelia , the expresse patterne of chastitie , and example of misfortune .

Ah cruel Erisicthon , that not onely defacest these holy trees , but murtherest also this chast nimph .

Nimph or goddesse it skilleth not , for there is none that Erisicthon careth for , but Erisicthon : let Ceres the Lady of your haruest reuenge when shee will , nay when shee dares , and tell her this , that I am Erisicthon .

Thou art none of the gods .

No , a contemner of the gods .

And hopest thou to escape reuenge being but a man ?

Yea , I care not for reuenge beeing a man and Erisicthon .

Come , let vs to Ceres and complaine of this vnacquainted and incredible villaine ; if there bee power in her deitie , in her mind pittie , or vertue in virginitie , this monster cannot escape . Exeunt .

Doth Erisicthon offer force to my Nymphs , and to my deitie disgrace ? Haue I stuffed his barnes with fruitfull graine , and doth hee stretch his hand against me with intolerable pride ? So it is , Ceres , thine eyes may witnesse what thy Nymphes haue told , heere lyeth the tree hackt in peeces , and the bloud scarce cold of the fairest virgine . If this bee thy crueltie , Cupid , I will no more hallow thy temple with sacred vowes : if thy cankred nature , Erisicthon , thou shalt find as great miserie , as thou shewest malice : I am resolued of thy punishment , and as speedie shall bee my reuenge , as thy rigour barbarous . Tirtenae , on yonder lull where neuer grew graine nor lease , where nothing is but barrenesse and coldnesse , feare and palenesse , lyeth famine , goe to her , and say that Ceres commaundeth her to gnaw on the bowels of Erisicthon , that his hunger may bee as vnquenchable as his furie .

I obey , but how should I know her from others ?

Thou canst not misse of her , if thou remember but her name ; and that canst thou not forget , for that comming neere to the place , thou shalt find gnawing in thy stomacke . Shee lyeth gaping , and swalloweth noughe but ayre ; her face pale and so leane , that as easily thou maiest , through the verie skinne behold the bone , as in a glasse thy shadow ; her haire long , blacke and shaggie ; her eyes sunke so farre into her head , that shee looketh out of the nape of her necke ; her lips white and rough ; her teeth hollow and red with rustinesse ; her skin so thin , that thou maiest as liuely make an Anatomie of her body , as shee were cut vp with Chirurgions ; her maw like a drie bladder , her heart swolne bigge with wind , and all her bowels like snakes working in her body . This monster when thou shalt behold , tell her my mind , and returne with speed .

I goe , fearing more the sight of famine , then the force .

Take thou these few cares of corne , but let not famine so much as smell to them ; and let her goe aloose from thee : Now shall Erisicthon see that Ceres is a great goddesse , as full of power as himselfe of pride ; and as pittilesse , as he presumptuous ; how thinke you Ladies , is not this reuenge apt for so great iniurie ?

Yes Madam : To let men see , they that contend with the gods , doe but confound themselues .

But let vs to the Temple of Cupid , and offer sacrifice ; they that thinke it straunge for chastitie to humble it selfe to Cupid , knowe neither the power of loue , nor the nature of virginitie : th' one hauing absolute authoritie to commaund , the other difficultie to resist : and where such continuall warre is betweene loue and vertue , there must bee some parties , and continuall perils : Cupid was neuer conquered , and therefore must bee flattered ; Virginitie hath , and therefore must be humble .

Into my heart , Madam , there did neuer enter any motion of loue .

Those that often say , they cannot loue , or will not loue , certainely they loue . Didst thou neuer see Cupid ?

No , but I haue heard him described at the full , and as I imagined , foolishly . First that he should bee a god blind and naked , with wings , with bowe , with arrowes , with free-brands ; swimming sometimes in the Sea , & playing sometimes on the shore ; with many other deuices , which the Painters being the Poets Apes , haue taken as great paines to shaddow , as they to lie . Can I thinke that gods that commaund all things , would goe naked ? What should he doe with wings that knowes not where to slice ? Or what with arrowes , that sees not howe to ayme ? The heart is a narrow marks go hit , and rather requireth Argus eyes to take leuel , ther a blind boy to shoote at randome : If he were fire , the Sea would quench those coles , or the flame turne him into cinders .

Well Nisa , thou shalt see him .

I feare Niobe hath felt him .

Not I , Madam , yet must I confesse , that oftentimes I haue had sweete thoughts , sometimes hard conceites , betwixt both a kind of yeelding ; I know not what . But certainely I thinke it is not loue : sigh I can , and find ease in melancholly : smile I doe and take pleasure in imagination , I feele in my selfe a pleasing paine , a chill heate , a delicate bitternesse , how to terme it I know not ; without doubt it may be loue , sure I am it is not hate .

Niobe is tender hearted , whose thoughts are like water , yeelding to euerie thing , and nothing to bee seene .

Well , let vs to Cupid , and take heede that in your stubbornesse yo 'l offend him not , whome by entreaties you ought to follow Dianas Nymphes were as chast as Ceres virgines , as faire , as wife : how Cupid tormented them , I had rather you should heare then feele , but this is truth , they all yeelded to loue : looke not scornefully , my Nymphes , I say they are yeelded to loue . This is the temple , thou great god Cupid , whome the gods regard and men reuerence , let it bee lawfull for Ceres to offer her sacrifice .

Diuine Ceres , Cupid accepteth any thing , that commeth from Ceres , which feedeth my Sparrowes with ripe corne , my Pigeons with wholsome seedes ; and honourest my Temple with chast virgines .

Then Loue , to thee I bring these white and spotlesse Doues , in token that my heart is as free from any thought of loue , as these from any blemish , and as cleare in virginitie , as these perfect in whitenesse . But that my Nymphes may know both thy power and thy lawes , and neither erre in ignorance nor pride ; let me aske some questions to instruct them that they offend not those , whome resist they cannot . In virgines what dost thou chiefest desire ?

In those that are not in loue , reuerent thoughts of loue , in those that be , faithfull vowes .

What doest thou most hate in virgines ?

Pride in the beautifull , bitter taunts in the wittie , incredulitie in all .

Stay , cruell Nisa , thou knowest not from whome thou fliest , and therefore fliest ; I come not to offer violence , but that which is inuiolable , my thoughts are as holy as thy vowes , and I as constant in loue as thou in crueltie : lust followeth not my loue as shadowes doe bodies , but truth is wouen into my loue , as veines into bodies ; let me touch this tender arme , and say my loue is endlesse .

And to no end .

It is without spot .

And shall be without hope .

Dost thou disdaine Loue and his lawes ?

I doe not disdaine that which I thinke is not , yet laugh at those that honour it if it be .

Time shall bring to passe , that Nisa shall confesse there is loue .

Then also will loue make me confesse , that Nisa is a foole .

Come , Protea , deare daughter , that name must thou buy too deare , necessitie causeth thee to be sold , nature must frame thee to be contented . Thou seest in how short a space I haue turned all my goods into my guts , where I feele a continuall fire , which nothing can quench , my famine increaseth by eating , resembling the Sea which receiueth all things , and cannot bee filled : life is sweete , hunger sharpe , betweene them the contention must bee short , vnlesse thou , Protea , prolong it . I haue acknowledged my offence against Ceres , make amends , I cannot , for the gods holding the ballance in their hands , what recompence can equally weigh with their punishments ? Or what is hee that hauing but one ill thought of Ceres , that can race it with a thousand dutifull actions ? such is the difference , that none can find defence : this is the ods , we miserable , and men , they immortall , and gods .

Deare father , I will obey both to sale and slaughter , accompting it the onely happinesse of my life , should I liue an hundred yeares , to prolong yours but one mynute : I yeeld father , chop and chaunge me , I am readie , but first let mee make my prayers to Neptune , and withdraw your selfe till I haue done , long it shall not bee , now it must be .

Stay , sweete Protea , and that great god heare thy prayer , though Ceres stop her eares to mine .

Sacred Neptune , whose godhead conquered my maiden-head , bee as ready to heare my passions , as I was to beleeue thine , and performe that now I intreate , which thou didst promise when thy selfe didst loue . Let not me bee a pray to this Marchaunt , who knowes no other god then Gold , vnlesse it bee falsely swearing by a god to get gold ; let me , as often as I be bought for money , or pawnd for meate , be turned into a Bird , Hare , or Lambe , or any shape , wherin I may be safe , so shall I preserue mine owne honour , my fathers life , and neuer repent me of thy loue , and now bestirre thee , for of all men , I hate that Marchant , who , if he find my beautie worth one pennie , will put it to vse to gaine ten , hauing no Religion in his mind , nor word in his mouth but money . Neptune , heare now or neuer . Father , I haue done .

In good time , Protea , thou hast done , for loe , the Marchant keepeth not onely day , but hower .

If I had not beene here , had I beene forfeited ?

No ; Protea , but thy father famished . Here , Gentleman , I am ready with my daughter .

Gentleman ?

Yea , Gentleman , faire maide , my conditions make me no lesse .

Your conditions in deed brought in your obligations , your obligations , your Vsurie , your Vsurie , your Gentrie .

Why , doe you iudge no Marchants Gentlemen ?

Yes , many , and some no men .

You shall be well intreated at my hands .

It may . Commmaunded I will not be .

If you be mine by bargaine , you shall .