The Queen's Arcadia

THE QVEENES ARCADIA .

Actus primi .

Scena . I. Ergastus . Melibaeus . Erg. HOw is it Melibaeus that we finde Our Countrey , faire , Arcadia , so much changd From what it was , that was thou knowst of late , The gentle region of plaine honestie , The modest seat , of vndisguised trueth , Inhabited with simple innocence : And now , I know not how , as if it were , Vnhallowed , and diuested of that grace , Hath put off that faire nature which it had , And growes like ruder countries , or more bad . Mal. Indeed Ergastus I haue neuer knowne , So vniuersall a distemperature , In all parts of the body of our state , As now there is ; nor euer haue we heard So much complaining of disloyaltie , Amongst our younger Nimphes , nor euer found Our heardsmen so deluded in their loues , As if there were no faith on either side . We neuer had in any age before So many spotlesse Nimphes , so much distaind With black report , and wrongfull infamie , That few escape the tongue of malice free . Erg. And me thinkes too , our very ayre is changd , Our holesome climate growne more maladiue , The fogges , and the Syrene offends vs more ( Or we made thinke so ) then they did before , The windes of Autumne , now are said to bring More noysomnesse , then those do of the Spring : And all of vs feele new in infirmities , New Feuers , new Catarres , oppresse our powers , The milke wherewith we cur'd all maladies , Hath either lost the nature , or we ours . Mel. And we that neuer were accustomed To quarrell for our bounds , how do we see Montanus and Acrysius inter-striue How farre their seuerall Sheep-walkes should extend , And cannot be agreed do what we can : As if some vnderworking hand strake fire , To th' apt inkindling tinder of debate , And fostred their contention and their hate . Erg. And me thinkes too , the beautie of our Nimphes Is not the same , as it was wont to be . That Rosie hew , the glory of the Cheeke , Is either stolne , or else they haue forgot , To blush with shame , or to be pale with feare : Or else their shame doth make them alwayes blush For alwayes doth their beauties beare one hew , And either Nature 's false , or that vntrue . Mel. Besides their various habits grow so strange , As that although their faces certaine are , Their bodies are vncertaine euery day , And alwayes diffring from themselues so far , As if they scorn'd to be the same they are . And all of vs are so transformd , that we Discerne not an Arcadian by th' attyre , Our ancient Pastorall habits are dispisd , And all is strange , hearts , clothes , and all disguisd . Erg. Indeed vnto our griefe we may perceiue , The whole complection of Arcadia chang'd , Yet cannot finde th' occasion of this change : But let vs with more wary eye obserue Whence the contagion of these customes rise , That haue infected thus our honest plaines , With cunning discorde , idle vanitie , Deceiptfull wrong , and causelesse infamie . That by th' assistance of our grauer Swaines , We now at first , may labour to preuent The further course of mischiefes , and restore Our late cleane woods , to what they were before . Mel. Content Ergastus , and euen here will be A place conuenient for so fit a worke : For here our Nimphes , and heardsmen on this Greene , Do vsually resort , and in this Groue We may obserue them best , and be vnseene .

Actus . 1. Scen. 2. Colax . Techne . Col. Come my deare Techne , thou and I must plotte More cunning proiects yet , more strange designes Amongst these simple grosse Arcadians here , That know no other world , but their owne plaines , Nor yet can apprehend the subtile traines We lay , to mock their rurall ignorance . But see , here comes two of their amorous Swaines In hote contention , let vs close conuay Our selues , here vnderneath this couerture , And ouer-heare their passionate discourse . Tec. Colax , this place well such a purpose fits , Let vs sit close , and faith , it shall goe hard , Vnlesse we make some profit by their wits . Carinus . Amyntas . Ca. Now fond Amyntas , how cam'st thou possest With such a vaine presumption , as thou art , To thinke that Cloris should affect thee best , When all Arcadia knowes I haue her heart ? Am. And how Carinus canst thou be so mad , T' imagine Cloris , can , or doth loue thee , When by so many signes , as I haue had , I finde her whole affection bent to me ? Ca. What are those signes by which you come to cast , And calculate the fortune of your hopes ? Am. More certaine signes , then thou canst euer shew . Car. But they are more then signes , that I can shew . Am. Why let each then produce the best he can , To proue which may be thought the likeliest man . Car. Content Amintas , and do thou begin . Am. And I am well contented to begin . First if by chance , whilst she at Barely-breake With other Nimphes , do but perceiue me come , Streight lookes her cheeke with such a Rosie red , As giues the setting Sunne vnto the West When morrow tempests are prefigured . Car. Euen so that hew prognosticates her wrath , Which brings to thee , the stormie winds of sighes . Am. And if I finde her , with her fellow Nimphes Gathering of flowers by some sweete Riuers side , At my approach she straight way stands vpright , Forgets her worke , and downe let s slide her lap , And out fall all her flowers , vpon the ground . Car. So doth the sillie sheepe forget to feed , When it perceiues the greedy Wolfe at hand . Am. And if she meete but with my dog , she takes And strokes him on the head playes with his eares , Spits in his mouth , and claps him on the back , And sayes , come , come Melampus go with me . Car. She may loue what is thine , but yet hate thee . Am. Whilst at a Chrystall spring the other day , Shee washt her louely face , and seeing me come , She takes vp water with her daintie hand , And with a downe cast looke besprinckles me . Car. That shews that she would gladly quench in thee The fire of loue , or else like loue doth beare , As did the Delian Goddesse , when she cast Disdainefull water on Actaeons face . Am. As Siluia , one day , sate with her alone , Binding of certaine choice selected hearbes To her leaft arme , against bewitching spels ; ( And I at th' instant comming ) she perceiu'd Her pulse with farre more violence to beat ( As sh' after told me ) then it did before . Car. The like is felt when natures enemy , The hatefull feauer , doth surprise our powers . Am. And euen but yester night , she going before With other maides , and seeing me following her , Lets fall this daintie Nosegay , hauing first Bestowd a kisse thereon , to th' end I might Receiue it so , and with it do the like . Car. Poore withred fauours , they might teach thee know , That she esteemes thee , and thy loue as light As those dead flowers , she wore but for a show , The day before , and cast a way at night . Am. Now friend Carinus , thou that mutterest so At these plaine speaking figures of her loue , Tell by what signes thou doest her fauours proue ? Car. Now silly man , doest thou imagine me So fond to blab the fauours of my loue ? Am. Was 't not a pact agreed twixt thee and me ? Car. A pact to make thee tell thy secrecie . Am. And hast thou then betrayd my easie trust , And dallyed with my open simplenesse ? Car. And fitly art thou seru'd , that so wilt vaunt The imagin'd fauours , of a gentle Nimphe ; And this is that which makes vs feele that dearth Of grace , t' haue kindnesse at so hie a rate . This makes them wary how they do bestow The least regarde of common courtesie , When such as you poore , credulous , deuout , And humble soules , make all things miracles Your faith conceiues , and vainely do conuert All shadowes to the figure of your hopes . Am. Carinus now thou doest me double wrong , First to deride my easie confidence , And then t' obrayd my trust , as if my tongue Had here prophan'd faire Cloris excellence , In telling of her mercies , or had sin'd In vttring th' honour of a modest grace Bestowing comfort , in so iust a case . Car. Why man , thou hast no way deseru'd her loue . Am. Desert I cannot vrge , but faith I can , If that may haue reward , then happy man . Car. But you know how I sau'd her from the hands Of that rude Satyre , who had else vndone Her honour vtterly ; and therefore ought My loue of due raigne Soueraigne in her thought . Am. But how that free and vnsubdued heart , Infranchisd by the Charter of her eyes , Will beare the imposition of a due I do not see , since loue knew neuer Lord That could command the region of our will . And therefore vrge thy due , I for my part , Must plead compassion , and a faithfull heart . Car. Plead thou thy faith , whilst I will get thy loue , For you kinde soules do seldome gracefull proue . Am. The more vnkinde they , who should better way Our honest vowes , and loue , for loue repay , But oft they beare the penance of their will , And for the wrong they do , they speed as ill .

Scen. 3. Colax . Techne . Col. Alas poore fooles , how hotely they contend Who shall possesse a prey that 's yet vngot . But Techne , I must by thy help forestall The mart of both their hopes , and whilst they shall Pursue the Aire , I must surprise their gaine . And fitly now , thou maist occasion take By these aduantages discouered here , T' impresse in Cloris tender heart that touch Of deepe dislike of both their vanteries , As may conuert her wholy vnto me . Tec. Why will you then Dorindas loue forsake , For whom you trauayld so , and made me take Such labour to intice her to your loue ? Col. Tush Techne we desire not what we haue , But what we would , our longings neuer stay With our attainings , but they goe beyond . Tec. And why ? Dorinda is as fayre as shee . Col. That I confesse , but yet that payes not mee , For Cloris is another and t is that , And onely that , which Techne I desire . Some thing there is peculiar , and alone To euery beawtie that doth giue an edge To our desires , and more we still conceiue In that we haue not , then in that we haue . And I haue heard , abrode where best experience , And witt is learnd , that all the fairest choyce Of women in the world , serue but to make One perfect beautie , whereof each bringes part . One hath a pleasing smile , and nothing els : Another but some sillie Mole to grace Th' area of a disproportion'd face ; Another pleases not but when shee speakes , And some in silence onely graceful are : Some till they laugh , we see , seeme to be fayre , Some haue their bodies good , their gestures ill , Some please in Motion , some in sitting still , Some are thought louely , that haue nothing faire , Some againe fayre that nothing louely are . So that we see how beauty doth consist Of diuers peeces , and yet all attract And therefore vnto al my loue aspires , As beauty varies , so doth my desires . Tec. Ah but yet Colax doe not so much wrong Vnto a Nimph , now when thou hast subdude And wonne her heart , & knowst she holds thee deare . Col. Tush wrong is as men thinke it , and I see It keepes the world the best in exercise That els would languish , and haue nought to do . Discord in parts , makes harmon ' in the whole : And some must laugh , whilst othersome condole . And so it be not of the side we are , Let others beare it , what need we to care . And now Dorinda somthing hath to doe , Now she may sit , and thinke , and vexe , and plott , For ease , and ioying of her full delight Would but haue dulld her spirits and marrd her quite . Tec. Alas yet I must pittie her poore soule In this distresse , I being one my selfe Of that frayle corporation , and do know That she will take it verie greuously . And yet in troth sh 'is serud but well inow , That would neglect Mirtillus honest loue , And trust strange protestations , and new othes , Be wonne with garded words , and gawdie clothes . Col. Well , well , Dorinda shall not waile alone , She shal haue others to consort her mone : For since my late returne from Telos Court I haue made twenty of their coyest Nimphes Turne louers , with a few protesting words And some choyce complementall periuries ; I made Palaemon , to suspect the faith Of his chast Siluia , and chast Siluia his , In hope thereby to worke her loue to me . I wrought coy Daphne to infringe her vow Made to Menalcas , and I told her how Those fetters which so heauily were layde Vpon our free affections , onely were But customary bandes , not naturall . And I thinke Techne thou hast done thy parte , Here , in this gentle region of kind heartes , Since thou cam'st hither , for I see thou thriu'st . Tec. In deede whilst I in Corinth did remaine , I hardly could procure the meanes to liue , There were so many of my trade , that sold Complexions , dressings , tiffanies and tyres , Devisors of new fashions and strange wiers Bedbrokers , night wormes , and Compositors That though I knew these arts as well as they yet being so many we could get smale pay . Here , who but Techne now is all in all ? Techne is sent for , Techne onely shewes New strange deuises to the choycest Nimphes : And I thinke Techne teaches them those trickes . As they wil not forget againe in haste . I haue so opened their vnapt conceipts Vnto that vnderstanding of themselues , As they will shew in time they were wel taught , If they obserue my rules , and hide a fault . Col. Ah well done Techne . Thus must thou and I Trade for our profit with their ignorance , And take our time , and they must haue their chaunce . But pray thee Techne , do not thou forget To lay a traine for Cloris . So adieu . Tec. Colax I will not , and the rather too , For that I beare a little leaning loue To Sweete Amintas , for mee thinkes he seemes The loueliest Shepheard all Arcadia yeeldes And I would gladly intercept his loue ,

Scena . 4. Melibaeus . Ergastus . Meli. So this is well . Here 's one discouery made ; Here are the heads of that distemperature , From whence these strange deban'shmēts of our nimphs And vile deluding of our Shepheards Springs : Here is a monster , that hath made his lustes As wide as is his will , and leaft his will Without all bounds , and cares not whom he wrongs , So that he may his owne desires fulfill , And being all foule himselfe , would make all ill . This is that Colax that from forraine lands , Hath brought home that infection which vndoes His countrie goodnesse , and impoysons all . His being abroad would marre vs quite , at home . T is strange to see , that by his going out , He hath out-gone that natiue honestie , Which here the breeding of his countrey gaue . For here I do remember him a childe , The sonne of Nicoginus of the Hill , A man though low in fortune , yet in minde High set , a man still practising T' aduance his forward sonne beyond the traine Of our , Arcadian breed , and still me thought I saw a disposition in the youth , Bent to a selfe conceipted surlinesse , With an insinuating impudence . Erg. A man the fitter made for Courts abroade , Where I would God he had remained still , With those loose-liuing wanton Sybarites , Where luxurie , hath made her outmost proofe . From whence Pheare he comes , and hither brings Their shames , to brand vs with the like reproach . And for this other viper , which you saw , I do remember how she came of late For succour to these parts , and sought to teach Our younger maides to dresse , and trie out Flaxe , And vse the Distaffe , and to make a hem , And such like skill , being skill inough for them , But since I see she hath presum'd to deale In points of other science , different farre From that plaine Arte of honest huswiferie , And as it seemes hath often made repaire Vnto the neighbour Citties round about , From whom she hath these strange disguises got T' abuse our Nimphes , and as it seemes desires , To sute their mindes , as light as their attires , But we shall soone preuent this growing plague , Of pride , and folly , now that she discry The true symptoma of this maladie , And by this ouerture thus made , we trust We shortly shall discouer all the rest .

Actus 2.

Scen. 1. Siluia . Cloris . Sil. O Cloris , here haue thou and I full oft Sate and bene mery , in this shadie Groue . Here haue we sung full many a Rundelay , Told Riddles , and made Nosegayes , laught at loue , And others passions , whilst my selfe was free , From that Intollerable miserie , Whereto affection now inuassells me . Now Cloris I shall neuer more take ioy To see , or to be seene , with mortall eye , Now sorrow must be all my companie . Clo. Why Siluia , whence , should all this griefe arise ? Sil. I am vndone Cloris , let that suffice . Clo. Tell me , sweete Siluia , how comes that to passe ? Sil. O Cloris if thou be , as once , I was Free , from that miserable plague of loue , Keepe thee so still , let my affliction warne Thy youth , that neuer man haue power , to moue Thy heart to liking , for beleeue me this , They are the most vnfaithfull impious race Of creatures on the earth ; neuer beleeue Their protestations , nor their vowes , nor teares , All is deceipt , none meanes the thing he sweares . Trust a mans faith ? nay rather will I goe And giue my selfe a prey to Sauage beasts , For all they seeke , and all they labour for , Is but t' vndoe vs , and when that is done , They goe and triumph on the spoile the' haue wonne . Trust men , or take compassion when they grieue , O Cloris t is to chearish and relieue The frozen Snake , which with our heat once warmd , Will sting vs to the heart in recompence , And ô no maruaile tho the Satyre shund , To liue with man , when he perceiu'd he could , With one and the same breath blow heat and cold . Who would haue euer thought Palaemons othes Would haue prou'd false ? who would haue iudgd the face That promisd so much faith , and honestie , Had bene the visor but of treacherie ? Clo. Is 't possible Palemon should b' vntrue ? Sil. 'T is possible , Palaemon is vntrue . Clo. If it be so , deare Siluia , I thinke then That thou saist truth , there is no trust in men , For I protest I neuer saw a face That promisd better of a heart then his , And if he faile , whose faith then constant is ? Sil. O Cloris if thou didst but know how long , And with what earnest suite , he sought my loue , What vows he vsd , what othes , what teares among What shewes he made , his constancie to prooue , You would admire : and then againe to see How I although I lou'd him with my heart Stood out , and would by no meanes vrged be , To shew the least affection of my part . For I had heard that , which ( ô now too well ) I finde , that men were cunning , and would not Regard the thing that easily was got . Clo. Siluia , indeed and I haue heard so too . Sil. And therefore I would trie him , and not seeme His vowes , nor protestations to esteeme , At length one day , here in this selfe-same place , ( Which I shall euer , and good cause I haue To thinke on whilst I liue ) walking with me , After he had vrgd me most earnestly : O Siluia , said he , since nor othe , nor vow , Nor teares , nor prayers , haue the power to moue , Nor all that I can doe , can make thee know How true a heart , I offer to thy loue ; I must trie some way else to shew the same , And make thy vndiscerning wilfull youth Know , though too late , ( perhaps vnto thy shame ) Thy wayward error , and my constant truth : When thou maist sigh , and say in griefe of minde , Palaemon lou'd , and Siluia was vnkinde . With that wringing my hand , he turnes away , And though his teares would hardly let him looke , Yet such a looke , did through his teares make way , As shew'd how sad a farewell there he tooke . And vp towards yonder craggie Rock he goes , His armes incross'd , his head downe on one side , With such a mournfull pace , as shewd his woes Way'd heauier then his passions could abide : Faine would I haue recald him back , but shame , And modestie could not bring forth his name : And faine would I haue followed , yet me thought It did not fit the honour of a maide To follow one , yet still I sent from me , T' attend his going , feare , and a carefull eye . At length when he was gotten to the top , I might perceiue how with vnfolded armes , And lookes bent vp to heauen , he stands , and turnes His wofull face vnto the other side , Whereas that hidious fearefull downfall is : And seem'd as if he would haue throwne him off : And as I thought , was now vpon the point : When my affrighted powers could hold no more , But pittie breaking all those bands of shame , That held me back ; I shrikd , and ran , God knowes , With all the speed my feeble feete could make , And clammering vp at length ( with much adoo ) Breathlesse I got , and tooke him by the hand , And glad I had his hand , and was not come Too late to haue it , and I puld him back : But could not speake one word , no more did he , Sense seem'd to faile in him , and breath in me . And on before I went , and lead him on , And downe conducted him into this plaine . And yonder loe , vnder that fatall tree , Looke Cloris there , euen in that very place , We sate vs downe , my arme about his neck , Which Ioue thou know'st held neuer man before : There onely did my teares conferre with his , Words we had none , it was inough to thinke , For passion was too busie now within , And had no time to come abroad in speach . And though I would haue spoken , yet me thought I should not , but my silence told him this , That tolde too much , that all I was was his . Clo. Well Siluia , I haue heard so sad a tale , As that I grieue to be a woman borne , And that by nature we must be exposd Vnto the mercie of vnconstant men . But what saide then Palaemon in the ende ? Sil. Oh what he said , and what deepe vowes he made , When ioy and griefe , had let his senses loose . Witnes ô gentle tree vnder whose shade , We sate the while ; witnes if euer mayde Had more assurances by othes of man . And well may you beare witnes of this deede , For in a thousand of your barkes he hath Incaru'd my name , and vnderwrote his vowes , Which will remaine so long as you beare bowes . But , Cloris , learne this lesson now of mee ; Take head of pittie , pittie was the cause Of my confusion , pittie hâth vndone Thousands of gentle natures , in our sexe , For pittie is sworne seruant vnto loue , And this be sure , where euer it begin To make the way , it lets your maister in . Clo. But what assurance haue you of his fraud : It may be you suspect him without cause ? Sil. Ah Cloris , Cloris , would I had no cause , He who beheld him wrong mee in these woods , And heard him courting Nisa , and protest As deepe to her , as he had done to me , Told me of all his wicked treachery . Clo. Pray who was that ? tell mee good Siluia , tell . Sil. Why it was Colax , one I know full well would not report vntruthes to gaine the world , A man of vertue , and of worthy partes , He told me all and more then I will shew , I would I knew not halfe of that I know Ah had he none but Nisa that base trull , The scorne and iest of all Arcadia now To serue his lusts , and falsifie his vow ? Ah had it yet bene any els , the touch Of my disgrace , had neuer bin so much But to be leaft for such a one as she , The stale of all , what will folke thinke of me ? Cloris in troth , it makes me so much loath My selfe , loath these woods , and euen hate the day , As I must hide my griefes out of the way I will be gone , Cloris , I leaue thee here , I cannot stay , and prethee , Cloris , yet Pitty thy poore companion Siluias care , And let her fortune make thee to beware . Clo. Siluia adieu , the Gods relieue thy woes , Since men thus faile , and loue no pittie showes ,

Scen. 2. Cloris . Techne . Clo. Loue ? nay , I 'me taught for louing whilst I liue , Siluia , thy councell hath lockt vp my heart So fast from loue , as let them sigh , and grieue , And pine , and waile who will , I for my part Will pittie none of all this race of men . I see what showes so euer they pretend , Their loue is neuer deadly , none of these That languish thus , haue dide of this disease That euer I could heare , I see all do Recouer soone , that happen thereinto . And if they did not , there were no great hurt , They may indure , they are of stronger powers , Better their hearts should ake , then they breake ours . Well had I not bene thus forewarnd to day , Out of all question , I had shortly falne , Into the melting humour of compassion too ; That tender pittie that betrayes vs thus . For something I began to feele , me thought , To mooue within me , when as I beheld Amyntas walke so sadly , and so pale , And euer where I went , still in my way , His lookes bent all to me , his care of mee , Which well I saw , but would not seeme to see . But now he hath his arrent , let him go , Pittie shall neuer cure that heart of his T' vndoo mine owne , the griefe is best where t is . Tec. What Cloris al alone , now fie for shame , How ill doth this become so faire a face , And that fresh youth to be without your loue ? Clo. Loue Techne ? I haue here as many loues As I intende to haue , whilst I haue breath . Tec. Nay that you haue not , neuer hault with mee , For I know two at least possessors be Of your kind fauors , as themselues doe boste . Clo. Boste of my fauors , no man rightly can . And otherwise , let them say what they can . Tec. No Cloris did not you the other night A gallant nosegay to Amintas giue ? Clo. I neuer gaue him nosegay in my life . Tec, Then trust me Cloris he doth wrong you much : For he produc'd it there in open sight , And vaunted to Carinus , that you first , Did kisse the same , then gaue it vnto him : And tolde too , how farre gone you were in loue , What passion you would vse , when he was by , How you would iest with him , and wantonly Cast water in his face ; cal his dogge yours , And shew him your affections by your eye . And then Carinus on the other side He vaunts , that since he had redeemed you Out of the satyres handes , he could commaund Your loue and all , that you were onely his . This and much more , I heard them I protest Giue out of you , how truly you know best . Clo. Techne , their idle talke , shal not vexe me , I know the ground I stand on , and how free My heart , and I inioye our liberty , And it Amyntas , hath interpreated My looke , according to his owne conceipt , He hath mistooke the text , and he shall finde Great difference , twixt his comment , and my minde And for his Nosegay it shall make me take More care hereafter how I scatter flowers : Let him preserue it well , and let him make Much of his gaines , he gets no more of ours . But thus had I bene seru'd , had I reueald The least regarde of common courtesie To such as these : but I doe thanke the Gods I haue reseru'd me , from that vanitie : For euer I suspected this to be The vaine of men , and this now settles me . And for Carinus , let him vaunt what good He did for me , he can but haue againe My hearty thankes , the paiment for his paine , And that he shall : and ought in woman-hood . And as for loue , let him go looke on her That sits , and grieues , and languishes for him , Poore Amarillis , who affects him deare , And sought his loue with many an wofull teare . And well deserues a better man then be , Though he be rich Lupinus sonne , and stands Much on his wealth , and his abilitie , She 'is wittie , faire and full of modestie . And were she of my minde , she rather would Pull out her eyes , then that she would be seene , To offer vp so deare a sacrifice To his wilde youth , that scornes her in that wise . Tec. Cloris in troth , I like thy iudgement well , In not affecting of those home-bred Swaines , That know not how to manage true delight , Can neither hide their loue , nor shew it right . Who would be troubled with grosse ignorance , That vnderstands not truely how to loue ? No Cloris , if thou didst but know , how well Thou art esteemd , of one that knowes indeed How to obserue thy worth , and his owne wayes , How to giue true delight , how to proceed With secrecie , and witte , in all assayes , Perhaps you might thinke one day of the man . Clo. What is this creature then you praise a man ? Tec. A man ? yes Cloris , what should he be else ? Clo. Nought else , it is enough he be a man . Tec. Yea and so rare a man as euer yet Arcadia bred , that may be proud she bred A person of so admirable parts , A man that knowes the world , hath seene abrod , Brings those perfections that do truly moue , A gallant spirit , an vnderstanding loue . O if you did but know how sweete it were , To come vnto the bed of worthinesse , Of knowledge , of conceipt , where strange delights With strange discourses still shall intertaine Your pleased thoughts , with fresh variety , Ah you would loath to haue your youth confin'de , For euer more , betweene th' vnskilfull armes Of one of these rude vnconceiuing Swaines , Who would but seeme a trunke without a minde ; As one that neuer saw but these poore plaines , Knowes but to keepe his sheepe , and set his folde . Pipe on an Oaten Reede , some Rundelayes , And daunce a Morrice on the holydayes . And so should you be alwayes sweetly sped With ignorance , and two fooles in a bed . But with this other gallant spirit you should Be sure to ouerpasse that tediousnesse , And that saciety which cloyes this life , With such a variable cheerefulnesse , As you will blesse the time t' haue bene his wife . Clo. What hath this man you thus commend fa name ? Tec. A name ? why yes , no man but hath a name . His name is Colax , and is one I sweare Doth honour euen the ground whereon you tread , And oft , and many many times , God knowes , Hath he with tender passion , talkt of you : And said ; Well , there is one within these woods ( Meaning by you ) that yet of all the Nimphes Mine eyes haue euer seene vpon the earth , In all perfections doth exceed them all . For all the beauties in that glorious Court Of Telos , where I liu'd , nor all the Starres Of Grece beside , could sparkle in my heart , The fire of any heat but onely she . Then would he stay , and sigh ; and then againe Ah what great pittie such a creature should Be tide vnto a clogge of ignorance , Whose body doth deserue to be imbrac'd , By the most mighty Monarch vpon earth . Ah that she knew her worth , and how vnfit That priuate woods should hide , that face , that wit . Thus hath he often said , and this I say , Obserue him when you will , you shall not see From his hye forehead , to his slender foote , A man in all parts , better made then he . Clo. Techne , me thinkes , the praises that you giue Shewes your owne loue , and if he be that man You say , 't were good you kept him for your selfe . Tec. I must not loue impossibilities , Cloris , he were a most fit man for you . Clo. For me ? alas Techne you moue too late . Tec. Why haue you past your promise t' any yet ? Clo. Yes sure , my promise is already past . Tec. And if it be , I trust you are so wise T' vnpasse the same againe for your owne good . Clo. No that I may not when it is once past . Tec. No Cloris , I presume that wit of yours . That is so piersiue , can conceiue how that Our promise must not preiudice our good : And that it is no reason that the tongue , Tye the whole body to eternall wrong . Clo. The tongue is but the Agent of the heart . And onely as commissioner allowd By reason , and the will , for the whole state , Which warrants all it shall negotiate . Tec. But prethee tell me to what rustick Swaine You pass'd your word to cast away your selfe ? Clo. No I haue past my word to saue my selfe From the deceiptfull , impious periuries Of treacherous men , and vowd vnto my heart , Vntill I see more faith then yet I see , None of them all shall triumph ouer me . Tec. Nay then , and be no otherwise t is well , We shall haue other time to talke of this . But Cloris I haue fitted you in faith , I haue here brought , the most conceipted tyre , The rarest dressing euer Nimph put on . Worth ten of that you weare , that now me thinkes Doth not become you , and besides t is stale . Clo. Stale why ? I haue not worne it scarce a moneth . Tec. A moneth ? why you must change them twise a day . Hold hither Cloris , this was not well laid , Here is a fault , you haue not mixt it well To make it take , or els it is your haste To come abroad so soone into the Ayre . But I must teach you to amend these faults , And ere I shall haue done with you , I thinke , I shall make some of these inamored youthes To hang themselues , or else runne madde for loue . But goe let 's trie this dressing I haue brought .

Scen. 3. Palaemon . Mirtillus . Pal. Mirtillus did Dorinda euer vow , Or make thee any promise to be thine ? Mir. Palaemon no , she neuer made me vow , But I did euer hope she would be mine . For that I had deliuered vp my youth , My heart , my all , a tribute to her eyes , And had secur'd her of my constant truth , Vnder so many faithfull specialties , As that although she did not graunt againe , With any shew the acquittance of my loue Yet did she euer seeme to intertaine My affections , and my seruices t' approoue . Till now of late I know not by what meane , ( Ill fare that meane ) she grew to that dispight , As she not onely clowds her fauours cleane , But also scorn'd to haue me in her sight . That now I am not for her loue thus , mou'd But onely that she will not be belou'd . Pal. If this be all th' occasion of thy griefe , Mirtillus , thou arte then in better case Then I suppos'd , and therefore cheere thy heart , And good cause too , being in the state thou art . For if thou didst but heare the historie Of my distresse , and what part I haue shar'd Of sad affliction , thou wilt then soone see There is no miserie vnlesse compar'd . For all Arcadia , all these hills , and plaines , These holts and woods and euery Christall spring . Can testifie my teares , and tell my flames , And with how cleene a heart , how cleere a faith Palaemon loued Siluia , and how long . And when consum'd with griefe , and dri'd with care . Euen at the poynt to sacrifice my life Vnto her cruelty , then lo she yeelds , And was content for euer to be mine : And gaue m' assurance vnderneath her hand , Sign'd with a faithfull vow , as I conceiu'd , And witnessed with many a louely kisse , That I thought sure I had attaine'd my blisse . And yet ( aye me ) I gote not what I got , Siluia I haue , and yet I haue her not . Mir. How may that be , Palaemon pray thee tell ? Pal. O know Mirtillus that I rather could Runne to some hollow caue , and burst and die In darknes , and in horrour , then vnfold Her shamefull staine , and mine owne infamie . But yet it will abrode , her impudence will be the trumpet of her owne disgrace , And fill the wide , and open mouth of fame So full , as all the world shall know the same . Mir. Why what is Siluia false , or is she gone ? Pal. Siluia is false and I am quite vndone . Mil. Ah out alasse who euer would haue thought , That modest looke , so innocent a face , So chast a blush , that shamefast countenance , Could euer haue told how to wantonise ? Ah what shal we poore louers hope for now Who must to win , consume , and hauing wonne With hard and much adoe , must be vndone ? Pal. Ah but Mirtillus if thou didst know who Is now the man , her choyse hath lighted on , How wouldst thou wonder ? for that passes all , That I abhorre to tell : yet tell I shall ; For all that would will shortly know 't too well : It is base Thyrsis that wild hare-braine youth Whom euery milkmaid in Arcadia skornes : Thyrsis is now the man with whom she walkes Alone , in thickets , and in groues remote . Thyrsis is all in all , and none but he , With him she dallie , vnder euery tree . Trust women ? ah Mirtillus , rather trust The Summer windes , th' Oceans constancie , For all their substance is but leuitie : Light are their wauing vailes , light their attires , Light are their heads , and lighter their desires : Let them lay on what couerture they will Vpon themselues , of modestie and shame , They cannot hide the woman with the same . Trust women ? ah Mirtillus rather trust The false deuouring Crocodiles of Nile , For all they worke is but deceipt and guile : What haue they but is faind ? their haire is faind , Their beauty fain'd , their stature fain'd , then pace , Their iesture , motion , and their grace is fain'd And if that all be fain'd without , what then Shall we suppose can be sincere within ? For if they do but weepe , or sing , or smile , Smiles , teares , and tunes , are ingins to beguile . And all they are , and all they haue of grace , Consists but in the out-side of a face . O loue and beautie , how are you ordaind Like vnto fire , whose flames farre of delight , But if you be imbrac'd consume vs quight ? Why cannot we make at a lower rate A purchase of you , but that we must giue The treasure of our hearts , and yet not haue What we haue bought so dearely for all that ? O Siluia if thou needs wouldst haue bene gone , Thou shouldst haue taken all away of thee ; And nothing leaft to haue remain'd with me . Thou shouldst haue carryed hence the portraiture Which thou hast left behinde within my heart , Set in the table-frame of memory , That puts me still in minde of what thou wert , Whilst thou wert honest , and thy thoughts were pure , So that I might not thus in euery place , Where I shall set my carefull foote , conferre With it of thee , and euermore be told , That here sate Siluia vnderneath this tree , And here she walkt , and len't vpon mine arme , There gathred flowers , and brought them vnto me . Here by the murmour of this rusling spring , She sweetly lay , and in my bosome slept : Here first she shew'd me comforts when I pin'de : As if in euery place her foote had stept , It had least Siluia in a print behind . But yet , ô these were Siluias images , Then whilst her heart held faire , and she was chaste , Now is her face all sullied with her fact , And why are not those former prints defac'd ? Why should she hold , still in the forme she was , Being now deform'd , and not the same she was ? O that I could Mirtillus lock her out Of my remembrance , that I might no more Haue Siluia here , when she will not be here . Mir. But good Palaemon , tell what proofes hast thou Of her disloyalty , that makes thee show These heauie passions , and to grieue so much ? Pal. Mirtillus , proofes , that are alas too plaine ; For Colax one thou know'st can well obserue And iudge of loue , a man both staid , and wise , A gentle heardsman , out of loue , and care He had of me , came and reported all : And how he saw them diuers times alone , Imbracing each the other in the woods , Besides she hath of late with sullaine lookes , That shew'd disliking , shund my company , Kept her aloofe , and now I thinke to day , Is gone to hide her quite our of the way . But Siluia though thou goo and hide thy face , Thou canst not hide thy shame , and thy disgrace , No secret thicket , groue , nor yet close grott , Can couer shame , and that immodest blot . Ah didst thou lend thy hand in kinde remorse , To saue me from one death , to giue m' a worse ? Had it not yet bene better I had dy'de , By thy vnspotted honest cruelty , Then now by thy disgraced infamie ? That so I might haue carried to my graue , The image of chaste Siluia in my heart , And not haue had these notions , to ingraue A stained Siluia there , as now thou art ? Ah yes , it had bene better farre , I proue , T' haue perisht for thy loue , then with thy loue . Mir. Ah good Palaemon cease these sad complaints , And moderate thy passions , thou shalt see She may returne , and these reports be found But idle fictions , on vncertaine ground . Pal. Mirtillus I perceiue my tedious tale , Begins to be distastefull to thine eare , And therefore will I to some desart vale , To some close Groue to waile , where none shall heare But beasts , and trees , whose sense I shall not tyre , With length of mone , for length is my desire . And therefore , gentle Shepheard , now adieu , And trust not women , for they are vntrue . Mir. Adue Palaemon , and thy sad distresse , Shall make me wey Dorindas losse the lesse : For if I should be hers , and she proue so , Better to be mine owne , and let her go .

Scena . 4. Ergastus . Melibaeus . Erg. Now Melibaeus ; who would haue supposd , That had not seene these impious passages , That euer monstrous wretch could haue exposd , Two honest hearts to these extremities , T' attaine his wicked ends ? by hauing wrought First in , vnto their easie confidence Away , by an opinion to be thought , Honest , discreet , of great experience . Whereby we see open-fac't villany Without a maske , no mischiefe could haue done , It was the couerture of honestie , That laid the snare , whereby they were vndone . And that 's the ingine that confounds vs all , That makes the breach whereby the world is sackt , And made a prey to cunning , when we fall Into the hands of wise dishonestie : When as our weake credulitie is rackt By that opinion of sufficiencie , To all the inconueniences that guile , And impious craft can practise to beguile . And note but how these cankers alwayes seaze The choysest fruites with their infections , How they are still ordained to disease , The natures of the best complections . Mel. T is true . And what an instrument hath he there got , To be the Agent of his villany ? How truely she negotiats , and doth plot , To vndermine fraile imbecillitie . How strong , these spirits , combine them in a knot , To circumuent plaine open honesty ? And what a creature there is to conuerse With feeble maides , whose weaknesse soone is led With toyes , and new disguises , to reuerse The course wherein by custome they were bred ? And then what fitnesse too , her trade affordes , To trafficke with the secrets of their heart , And cheapen their affections with faire words . Which women straight to women will impart ? And then to see how soone example will Disperse it selfe , being met with our desire : How soone , it will inkindle others ill , Like Naptha , that takes fire by sight of fire ? So that vnlesse we runne with all the speed We can , to quench this new arising flame . Of vanitie , and lust , it will proceed T' vndoe vs , ere we shall perceiue the same : How farre already is the mischiefe runne , Before we scarse perceiu'd it was begun ?

Actus 3.

Scen. 1. Alcon . Lincus . Al. What my friend Lincus ? now in troth well met . Lin. Well met good Alcon , this falles happilie , That we two thus incounter all alone , Who had not any conference scarse this moneth . Al. In troth I longd to heare how you proceed , In your new practise , here among , these swaines , For you and I must grace each others Arte ; Though you knew me , when I in Patras dwelt , And waited on a poore Phisitions man , And I knew you a Pronotories boy , That wrote Indentures at the Towne house dore . Yet are you here , now a great man of law , And I a graue Phisition full of skill , And here we two are held the onely men . But how thriue you in your new practise now ? Lin. Alcon in troth not any thing to speake , For these poore people of Arcadia here , Are so contented each man with his owne , As they desire no more , nor will be drawne , To any contestation , nor indeed Is there yet any frame composd , whereby Contention may proceede in practicke forme ? For If they had this forme once to contend , Then would they brawle and wrangle without end . For then might they be taught , and concell'd how To litigate perpetually you know ; And so might I be sure to doo some good : But hauing here no matter where vpon To furnish reall actions , as els where , No tenures , but a coustumarie hold Of what they haue from their progenitors Common , without indiuiduitie ; No purchasings , no contracts , no comerse , No politicque commands , no seruices , No generall Assemblies but to feast And to delight themselues with fresh pastimes ; How can I hope that euer I shall thriue ? Alc. I st possible that a societie Can with so little noyse , and sweat subsist ? Lin. It seemes it may , before men haue transform'd Their state of nature in so many shapes Of their owne managements , and are cast out Into confusion by their knowledges . And either I must packe me hence , or els Must labour wholy to dissolue the frame , And composition , of their strange built state . Which now I seeke to doe , by drawing them To appr'hend of these proprieties Of mine and thine and teach them to incroch And get them states apart , & priuate shares . And this I haue already set a worke If it will take , for I haue met with two The aptest spirits the country yelds , I know , Montanus , and Acrisius , who are both Old , and both choloricke , and both peruerse , And both inclinable to Auarice And if there quarrell hold , as t is begun I do not doubt , but all the rest will on . And if the worst should fall , if I could gaine The reputation but to arbitrate , And sway their strifes , I would get well by that . Al. T is maruayle , that there long and easie peace That fosters plentie , and giues nought to doe , Should not with them beget contention too , As well as other where we see it doth . Lin. This peace of theirs , is not like others peace Where craft layes trapps t' inrich it selfe with wiles , And men make prey of men , and rise by spoyles . This rather seemes a quiet then a peace . For this poore corner of Arcadia here , This little angle of the world you see , Which hath shut out of doore , all th' earth beside And are barrd vp with mountaines , and with rocks ; Hath had no intertrading with the reste Of men , nor yet will haue , but here alone , Quite out of fortunes way , and vnderneath Ambition , or desire , that waies them not They liue as if still in the golden age , When as the world was in his pupillage . But for myne owne parte , Alcon I protest I enuie them that they thus make themselues , An euerlasting holyday of rest , Whilst others worke , and I doe thinke it fit Being in the world , they should be of the world , And If that other states should doe this too As God forbid , what should we Lawyers doe ? But I hope shortly yet , we shall haue here As many of vs as are other where : And we shall sweate , and chafe , and talke as loud , Brawle our selues hoarse , as well as they shall doe At Patras , Sparta , Corinth or at Thebes , And be as arrogant and euen as proud And then 't will be a world , and not before . But how dost thou with thy profession frame ? Alc. No man can wish a better place then this To practise in my arte , for here they will Be sicke for companie , they are so kinde . I haue now twenty patients at this time , That know not what they aile , no more doe I , And they haue phisicke all accordingly . First Phillis got running at Barly-breake A little cold , which I with certaine druggs I ministred , was thought to remedie , Doris saw that , how Phillis phisicke wrought ( For Phillis had told her , she neuer tooke So delicate a thing in all her life That more reuiu'd her heart , and clear'd her bloud , ) Doris would needes be sicke too , and take some . Melina seeing that , she would the like , And so she had the very same receipt , For to say troth I haue no more but that , And one poore pill I vse for greater cures . But this is onely sweet and delicate , Fit for young women , and is like th' hearb Iohn , Doth neither good nor hurte , but that 's all one , For if they but conceiue it doth , it doth , And it is that Phisitions hold the chiefe In all their cures , conceipt , and strong beleefe : Besids I am a straunger come from far Which doth adde much vnto opinion too . For who now but th' Arabian or the Iewe In forraine lands , are held the onely men , Although their knowledge be no more then mine . Lin, T' is true friend Alcon , he that hath once gote Th' Elixir of opinion hath got all , And h 'is th' man that turnes his brasse to gold . Then can I talke of Gallen , Aucrois , Hippocrates , Rasis , and Auicen And bookes I neuer read , and vse strange speach Of Symptoms , Crisis , and the Critique dayes , Of Trochiscs , Opiats , Apophilegmatismes , Eclegmats , Embrochs , Lixiues , Cataplasmes , With all the hideous termes , Arte can deuise , T' amuse weake , and admiring ignorance Lin. And that is right my trick , I ouer-whelme My practise too , with darknesse , and strange words , With Paragraphs , Condictions , Codicilles , Acceptilations , Actions rescissorie , Noxall , and Hypothecall , and inuolue Domestick matter in a forraine phrase . Alc. Then am I as abstruse and mysticall In Caracter , and giuing my receipt Obseruing still th' odd number in my pills , And certaine houres to gather and compound My simples , and make all t' attend the Moone . Then do I shew what rare ingredients I vse for some great cures , when need requires , The liuer of a Wolfe , the Lions gall , The leaft side of a Mole , the Foxes heart , The right foote of a Tortuse , Dragons bloud , And such strange sauage stuffe , as euen the names Are phisick of them selues , to moue a man . And all the drugs I vse , must come from farre , Beyond the Ocean , and the Sunne at least , Or else it hath no vertue Phisicall , These home-bred simples do no good at all . Lin. No , no , it must be forraine stuffe , God wot , Or something else , that is not to be got . Al. But now in faith I haue found out a trick , That will perpetually so feed their rheumes , And intertaine their idle weaknesses , As nothing in the world could do the like , For lately being at Corinth , 't was my chance T' incounter with a Sea-man , new ariu'd Of Alexandria , who from India came , And brought a certaine hearbe wrapt vp in rowles , From th' Island of Nicosia , where it growes : Infus'd I thinke in some pestiferous iuyce , ( Produc'd in that contagious burning clime , Contrarious to our nature , and our spirits ) Or else sleep'd in the fuming sap , it selfe Doth yeeld , t' inforce th' infecting power thereof , And this in powder made , and fir'd , he suckes Out of a little hollow instrument Of calcinated clay , the smoake thereof : Which either he conuayes out of his nose , Or downe into his stomack with a whiffe . And this he said a wondrous vertue had , To purge the head , and cure the great Catarre , And to drie vp all other meaner rheumes , Which when I saw , I streight way thought how well This new fantasticall deuise would please The foolish people here growne humerous . And vp I tooke all this commoditie , And here haue taught them how to vse the same . Lin. And it is easie to bring in the vse Of any thing , though neuer so absurd , When nations are prepar'd to all abuse , And th' humour of corruption once is stird . Alc. T is true , and now to see with what a strange And gluttenous desire , th' exhaust the same How infinite , and how insatiably , They doe deuoure th' intoxicating fume , You would admire , as if their spirits thereby Were taken , and inchanted , or transformd , By some infused philter in the drug . For whereas heretofore they wonted were At all their meetings , and their feastiualls , To passe the time in telling wittie tales , In questions , riddles , and in purposes , Now do they nothing else , but sit and suck , And spit and slauer , all the time they sit . That I go by , and laugh vnto my selfe , And thinke that this will one day make some worke For me or others , but I feare it will B' another age will finde the hurt of this . But sure the time 's to come , when they looke back On this , will wonder with themselues to thinke That men of sense could euer be so mad , To suck so grosse a vapour , that consumes Their spirits , spends nature , dries vp memorie , Corrupts the bloud , and in a vanitie . Lin. But Alcon peace , here comes a patient , peace . Al. Lintus there doth indeed , therefore away . Leaue me alone , for I must now resume My surly , graue , and Doctorall aspect . This wench I know , t is Daphne who hath wrongd Her loue Menalcas , and plaid fast and loose With Colax , who reueald the whole to me .

Scena . 2. Daphne . Alcon . Daph. Good Doctor Alcon , I am come to craue Your counsaile , to aduise me for my health , For I suppose , in troth , I am not well , Me thinkes I should be sick , yet cannot tell : Some thing there is amisse that troubles me , For which I would take Phisicke willingly . Alc. Welcome , faire nimph , come let me try your pulse . I cannot blame you , t' hold your selfe not well . Some thing amisse quoth you , here 's all amisse , Th' whole Fabrick of your selfe distempred is , The Systole , and Dyastole of your pulse , Do shew your passions most hystoricall , It seemes you haue not very carefull bene , T' obserue the prophilactick regiment Of your owne body , so that we must now Descend vnto the Theraphenticall ; That so we may preuent the syndrome Of Symtomes , and may afterwards apply Some analepticall Elexipharmacum , That may be proper for your maladie : It seemes faire Nimph you dreame much in the night . Da. Doctor , I do indeed . Al. I know you doe , Y' are troubled much with thought . Dap. I am indeed . Alc. I know you are . You haue great heauinesse about your heart . Dap. Now truly so I haue . Alc. I know you haue . You wake oft in the night . Dap. In troth I do . Alc. All this I know you doe . And this vnlesse by phisicke you preuent , Thinke whereto it may bring you in the end . And therefore you must first euacuate All those Colaxicall hote humour which Disturbe your heart , and then refrigerate Your bloud by some Menalchian Cordials , Which you must take , and you shall streight finde ease , And in the morning I will visit you . Dap. I pray Sir , let me take of that you gaue , To Phillis th' other day , for that she said , Did comfort wondrously , and cheere her heart . Al. Faire Nimph , you must , if you will vse my arte , Let me alone , to giue what I thinke good , I knew what fitted Phillis maladie , And so , I thinke , I know what will serue you . Exit . Daphne sola . O what a wondrous skilfull man is this ? Why he knowes all ? O God , who euer thought Any man liuing , could haue told so right A womans griefe in all points as he hath ? Why this is strange that by thy very pulse , He should know all I ayle , as well as I . Beside I feare he sees too much in me , More then I would that any man should see . Me thought ( although I could not well conceiue His words , he spake so learned and so strang ) He said I had misruld my bodie much , As if he meant that in some wanton sorte , I had abus'd my bodie with some man . O how should he know that what is my pulse Become th' intelligencer of my shame ? Or are my lookes the index of my heart ? Sure so he said , and me thought too , he nam'd Menalcas , or else some thing very like , And likewise nam'd that cunning treacherous wretch That hath vndone me , Colax , that vile deuill , Who is indeed the cause of all my griefe , For which I now seeke phisicke , but ô what Can phisicke doe , to cure that hideous wound My lusts haue giuen my Conscience ? which I see Is that which onely is deseas'd with in And not my body now , that 's it doth so Disquiet all the lodging of my spirits , As keeps me waking , that is , it presents , Those ougly formes of terror that affright My broken sleepes , that layes vpon my heart This heauy loade that weighes it downe with griefe ; And no disease beside , for which there is No cure I see at all , nor no redresse . Didst thou alledge vile man to my weake youth , How that those vowes I made vnto my loue Were bands of custome , and could not lay on Those manacles on nature , which should keepe Her freedome prisoner by our dome of breath ? O impious wretch now nature giues the lie To thy foule heart , and telles my grieued soule , I haue done wrong , to falsifie that vow I first to my deare loue Menalcas made . And sayes th' assurance and the faith is giuen By band on earth , the same is seald in heauen . And therefore how Menalcas can these eyes That now abhorre to looke vpon my selfe , Dare euer view that wronged face of thine , Who hast relide on this false heart of mine ?

Scen. 3. Colax . Techne . Col. I st possible sweet Techne , what you say , That Cloris is so wittie , and so coy ? Tec. 'T is as I tell you , Colax , sh is as coy And hath as shrewd a spirit , as quick conceipt As euer wench I brok'd in all my life . Col. Then there 's some glory in attaining her ; Here now I shall be sure t' haue something yet Besides dull beautie I shall lie with wit . For these faire creatures , haue such feeble spirits , And are so languishing , as giues no edge To appetite , and loue , but stuffes delight . Tec. Well if you 〈◊〉 her , then you shall be sure To haue your wish ; and yet perhaps that store , You finde in her , may check your longing more Then all their wants whom you haue tride before . Col. How ? if I get her ? what do you suppose , I shall not get her , that were very strange . Tec. Yes sir , she may be got , but yet I know Sh 'will put you to the tryall of your wit . Col. Let me alone , could I finde season fit To talke with her in priuate , she were mine . Tec. That season may you now haue very well . For Colax , she hath promised faith fully This euening late to meete me at the caue Of Erycina vnderneath the hill , Where I must fit her with a new attyre . Where with sh' is far in loue , and th' other day Thinking to try it at her fathers house , ( Whether I went with her to deale for you ) The old Acrisius was himselfe at home , Which did in force vs to deferre our worke Vntil this euening , that we might alone There out of sight , more closely do the same : Where while she stayes ( for I will make her stay For me a while ) you at your pleasure may Haue th' opportunitie which you desire , Col. O Techne thou hast blest me , if I now On this aduantage conquere not her minde , Let me be loathed , of all womenkind . And presently will I goe sute my selfe As brauely as I can , go set my lookes Arme my discourse , frame speaches passionate And action both , fit for so great a worke . Techne a thousand thankes and so adieu . Ex. Tec. Well Colax , she may yet deceiue thy hopes , And I perswade my selfe she is as like , As any subtile wench was euer borne , To giue as wise a man as you the skorne : But see where one whose faith hath better right Vnto her loue then you , comes here forlorne Like fortunes out-cast , full of heauines . Ah poore Amintas , would thou knewst how much Thou art esteemd , although not where thou wouldst , Yet where thou shouldst haue loue in that degree , As neuer liuing man had like to thee . Ah see how I , who setts for others loue , Am tooke my selfe , and intricated here With one , that hath his heart another where ? But I will labour to diuert the streame Of his affections , and to turne his thoughts From that coye Cloris , to the libertie Of his owne heart , with hope to make him mine .

Scen. 4. Techne . Amyntas . Tech. Now fie Amyntas , why should you thus grieue For a most foolish way ward girle , that scornes Your honest loue , and laughes at all you doe ; For shame Amyntas let her goe as sh ' is You see her vaine , and how peruersly set , 'T is fond so follow what we cannot get . Am. O Techne , Techne , though I neuer get , Yet will I euer follow whilst I breath , And if I perish by the way , yet shall My death be pleasing that for her I die . And one day she may hap to come that way , ( And be it , ô her way ) where I shall lye , And with her proud disdainefull foote she may Tread on my tombe , and say , loe where he lyes , The triumph , and the conquest of mine eyes . And though I loose my selfe , and loose my teares , It shall be glory yet that I was hers . What haue I done of late , should make her thus My presence with that strange disdaine to flie , As if she did abhorre my company ? Cloris God knowes , thou hast no cause therefore , Vnlesse it be for louing more , and more . Why thou wert wont to lend me yet an eare , And though thou wouldst not helpe , yet wouldst thou heare . Tec. Perhaps she thinkes thy heat wil be allayd , The fire being gone , and therefore doth she well Not to be seene there where she will not aide . Am. Alas she knowes no hand but hers can quench That heat in mee , and therefore doth she wrong To fyre my heart , and then to runne away . And if she would not ayde , yet might she ease My carefull soule , if she would but stand by And onely looke vpon me while I die . Tec, Well well Amintas , little dost thou know With whom that cunning wanton sortes her selfe , Whilst thus thou mourn'st , and with what secret wiles She workes , to meete her louer in the woodes , With whom in groues , and caues she dallying sitts , And mocks thy passions , and thy dolefull fitts . Am. No Techne , no , I know that cannot be , And therefore doe not wrong her modestie , For Cloris loues no man , and that 's some case Vnto my griefe , and giues a hope that yet If euer soft affection touch her heart , She will looke back , and thinke on my desert . Tec. If that be all , that hope is at an end , For if thou wilt this euening but attend And walke downe vnder Ericinas groue , And place thy selfe in some close secret bush , Right opposite vnto the hollow caue That looks into the vallye , thou shalt see That honestie , and that great modestie . Am. If I see Cloris there , I know I shall , See nothing els with her , but modestie . Tec. Yes something els wil grieue your heart to see : But you must be content , and thinke your selfe Are not the first , that thus haue bene deceiud , With fayre appearing out-sides , and mistooke A wanton heart by a chaste steming looke . But I coniure you by the loue you beare Vnto those eyes , which make you ( as you are Th' example of compassion to the world ) Sit close and be not seene in any case . Am. Well Techne , if I shall see Cloris there It is enough , then thither will I goe , Who will go any where to looke on her . And Cloris know , I do not goe to see , Any thing else of thee , but onely thee . Tec. Well goe and thinke yet of her honest care , Who giues thee note of such a shamefull dead , And iudge Amyntas when thou shalt be free , Who more deserues thy loue , or I or she .

Scen. 5. Melibaeus . Ergastus . Me. Now what infernall proiects are here laid , T' afflict an honest heart , t' expose a maide , Vnto the danger of alone assault , To make her to offend without her fault . Er. And see what other new appearing spirits Would raise the tempests of disturbances , Vpon our rest , and labour to bring in All the whole Ocean of vnquietnesse , To ouerwhelme the poore peace we liue in ? How one would faine instruct , and teach vs how To cut our throates with forme , and to contend With artificiall knowledge , to vndoo Each other , and to brabble without end . As if that nature had not tooke more care For vs , then we for our owne selues can take , And makes vs better lawes then those we make . And as if all that science ought could giue Vnto our blisse , but onely shewes vs how The better to contend , but not to liue . And euermore we see , how vice doth grow With knowledge , and brings forth a more increase , When skilfull men begin , how good men cease . And therefore how much better doe we liue , With quiet ignorance then we should doe With turbulent and euer-working skill , Which makes vs not to liue but labour still . Mel. And see that other vaine fantastick spirit , Who would corrupt out bodies too likewise , As this our mindes , and make our health to be As troublesome as sicknesse , to deuise , That no part of vs euer should be free ; Both forraging on our credulitie , Take still th' aduantage of our weakenesses ; Both cloath their friuolous vncertainties In strange attyres , to make it seene the lesse .

Actus 4 ,

Scen. 1. Techne , Amyntas . Tec. Amyntas must come back I know this way , And here it will be best for me to stay , And here , indeed he comes , poore man I site All quite dismaide and now i le worke on him . Come , who tels troth Amynta , who deceiues Your expectation now , Cloris , or I ? Am. Peace Techne peace , and doe not interrupt The griefe that hath no leasure to attend Ought but itselfe , and hath shut vp with it All other sense in priuate close within , From doing any thing , but onely thinke . Te. Thinke ? wheron should you think ? y' haue thought ynow And too too much , on such a one as shee . Whom now you see y' haue tride her honestie : And let her goe proud girle accordingly , There 's none of these young wanton things that know How t' vse a man , or how to make their choyse . Or answere mens affections as they ought , And if y' will thinke , thinke sh' is not worth a thought . Good Techne , leaue mee for thy speach and sight Beare both that disproportion to my griefe , As that they trouble , trouble and confound Confusion in my sorrowes , which doth loath That sound of wordes , that answeres not the tone Of my dispayres in accents of like mone , And now hath sorrow no worse plague I see , Then free and vnpartaking companie . Who are not in the fashion of our woes , And whose affection do not looke likwise Of that complection as our miseries ? And therefore pray thee leaue me or else leaue To speake , or if thou speake let it not be To me , or else let me , not answere thee . Tec. Wel I say nothing you know what y' haue seene . Am. T is true I doe confesse that I haue seene The worst the world can shew me , and the worst That can be euer seene with mortall eye . I haue beheld the whole , of all where in My heart had any interest in this life ; To be disrent and torne from of my hopes , That nothing now is leaft , why I should liue : That ostage I had giuen the world , which was The hope of her that held me to hold truce With it , and with this life is gone , and now Well may I breake with them , and breake I will And rend that pact of nature , and dissolue That league of bloud that ties me to my selfe . For Cloris now hath thy immodestie Infranchizd me , and made me free to die : Which otherwise I could not least it might Haue bene ( some staine and some disgrace to thee . Ah was it not ynow for this poore heart T' indure the burthen of her proud disdayne ? That weigh'd it to the earth but that it must Be crusht thus with th' oppression of her stayne ? The first wound yet though it were huge and wide , Yet was it cleanely made , it festred not , But this now giuen , comes by a poysned shott , Against all lawes of honors that are pure , And rankles deadly is without all cure . Ah how she blusht when as she issued forth With her inamor'd mate out of the caue ? And well then might she blush at such a deed , And with how wild a looke shee casts about Her fearefull eyes ? as if her loathsome sinne Now comming thus into the open sight , With terror did her guiltines affright ; And vp she treades the hill with such a pace , As if shee gladly would haue out gone shame , Which yet for all her hasting after came . And at their comming forth , me thought I heard The villayne vse my name , and she returne The same againe in very earnest sorte , Which could be for no good I know to mee , But onely that perhaps it pleas'd her then To cast me vp by this way of her mouth From of her heart , least it might stuffe the same . But Cloris know thou shalt not need to feare , I neuer more shall interrupt thy ioyes With my complayntes , nor more obserue thy waies ; And ô I would thy heart could be as free From sinne and shame , as thou shalt be from mee . I could ( and I haue reason so to do ) Reuenge my wrong vpon that wicked wretch , Who hath surpris'd my loue , and robb'd thy shame , And make his bloud th' oblation of my wrath Euen at thy feete , that thou mightst see th' fane To expiate , for this iniustice donne , But that the fact examind would display Thy infamie abroad vnto the world , Which I had rather die then once bewray . And Techne pray-thee , tell her thus from me , But yet , ah tell it softly in her eare , And be thou sure no liuing creature heare , That her immodestie hath lost this day , Two the most honest guardians of her good She had in life , her honour , and my bloud . Tec. Now I may speake I trust you speake to me . Am. No not yet Techne , pray-thee stay a while , And tell her too , though she spares not her shame , My death shall shew , that I respect her fame . Tec. Then now I may . Am. O Techne no not yet . And bid her not forget Amyntas faith , Though she despised him , and one day yet She may be toucht with griefe , and that ere long , To thinke on her dishonour , and his wrong . Now Techne I haue done , and so farewell . Tec. But stay Amyntas , now must I begin . Am. I cannot stay Techne , let go your hold , It is in vaine I say , I must be gone . Tec. Now deare Amyntas , heare me but one word . Ah he is gone , and in that furie gone , As sure he will in this extremitie Of his dispaire , do violence to himselfe : And therefore now what helpe shall I deuise To stay his ruine ? sure there is no meanes But to call Cloris , and perswade with her To follow him , and to preuent his death ; For though this practise was for mine owne good , Yet my deceipts vse not to stretch to bloud . But now I know not where I should find out That cruell maide , but I must cast about .

Scen. 2. Amarillis . Dorinda . Ama. Dorinda , you are yet in happie case , You are belou'd , you need not to complaine ; 'T is I haue reason onely to bewaile My fortunes , who am cast vpon disdaine , And on his rockie heart that wrackes my youth With stormes of sorowes , and contemnes my truth ; 'T is I that am shut out from all delight This world can yeeld a maide , that am remou'd From th' onely ioy on earth , to be belou'd : Cruell Carinus scornes this faith of mine , And let s poore Amarillis grieue and pine . Do. T is true indeed you say , I am belou'd , Sweete Amarillis , and perhaps much more Then I would be : plentie doth make me poore . For now my heart , as if deuided stands Betwixt two passions loue , and pitty both , That draw it either way with that maine force , As that I know not which to yeeld vnto : And then feare in the midst , holds m in suspence , Least I loath both by mine improuidence . Ama. How may that be Dorinda ? you know this , You can enioy but one , and one there is Ought to possesse your heart , and loue alone , Who hunts two Hares at one time , catches none . Do. I must tell you deare friend the whole discourse From whom I cannot any thing conceale , Arcadia knowes , and euery Shepheard knowes How much Mirtillus hath deseru'd of me , And how long time his wofull sute hath laine , Depending on the mercie of mine eyes , For whom I doe confesse , pittie hath bene Th' Atturnie euermore that stands and pleades Before my heart , the iustice of his cause , And sayes he ought haue loue , by loues owne lawes . But now the maister sou'raigne Lord of hearts . That great commander , and that tyrant loue , Who must haue all according to his will , Whom pittie onely Vshers goes before , As lightning doth the thunder , he sayes no , And will that Colax onely haue my heart , That gallant heardsman full of skill and arte : And all experience of loues mysteries : To whom I must confesse me to haue giuen The earnest of my loue ; but since that time I neuer saw the man , which makes me much To wonder that his dealings should be such : For either loue , hath in respect that I Despised haue the true and honest faith , Of one that lou'd me with sinceritie , Made me the spoile of falshood and contempt , Or else perhaps the same is done to trie , My resolution , and my constancie ? But yet I feare the worst , and feare I may , Least he now hauing got the victorie , Cares for no more ; and seeing he knowes my loue Turnes towards him , he turnes his back to me , So that I know not what were best resolue , Either to stand vnto the doubtfull faith Of one that bath so dangerously begun , Or else returne t' accept Mirtillus loue , Who will perhaps when mine begins haue done So that inwrapt in this distracted toyle I vexe , and know not what to doe the while . And therefore Amarillis I thinke sure , ( Se'ing now how others loue in me hath prou'd ) You are most happy not to be belou'd .

Seen. 3. Cloris , Amarillis . Dorinda . Clo. Now here between you two , kinde louing soules , I know there can be no talke but of loue , Loue must be all the scope of your discourse , Alas poore hearts , I wonder how you can In this deceiptfull world thinke of a man . For they doe nothing but make fooles of you , And laugh when they haue done , and prooue vntrue . Am. Well Cloris well , reioyce that you are free , You may be toucht one day as well as we . Clo. Indeed and I had like so this last night , Had I not lookt with such an angry eye , And frownd so sowre that I made loue afeard , There was a fellow needs forsooth , would haue My heart from me whether I would or not , And had as great aduantage one could haue , I tell you that he had me in a Caue . Do. What in a Caue ? Cloris , how came you there ? Clo. Truly Dorinda I will tell you how . By no arte magique , but a plaine deuise Of Techne , who would trie her wit on me , For she had promisd me , to meete me there At such an houre , and thither bring with her A new strange dressing she had made for me , Which there close out of sight , I should trie on : Thither went I poore foole , at th' houre decreed , And there expecting Technes company , In rushes steering Colax after me . Whom sure she sent of purpose to the place , And there with his affected apish grace And strained speach , offring to seaze on me , Out rusht I from him , as indeed , amazd At his so sodaine and vnexpected sight . And after followes hee , vowes , sweares , protests By all the gods , he neuer lou'd before Any one liuing in the world but me , And for me onely , would he spend his life . Do. Alas and what am I forgotten then ? Why these were euen the wordes he spake to mee . Clo. And then inueighes against Amintas loue , Vants his owne partes , and his great knowledges , And all so idle , as , in troth me thought I neuer heard a man more vainely talke , For so much as I heard , for vp the hill I went with such a pace and neuer staide To giue regard to any thing he said : As at the last I scarse had leaft him breath Sufficient to forsweare himselfe with all . Do. Ah what hath then my silly ignorance done To be deceiud , and mockt by such a one ? Clo. And when I had recouerd vp the hill , I fayrely ran away and leaft my man In middst of his coniuring periuries ; All emptie to returne with mightie losse Of breath and labour , hauing cast away Much foolish paines in tricking vp him selfe For this exployte , and goes without his game , Which he in hope deuourd before he came . And I too , mist my dressing by this meanes . But I admire how any Woman can ? Be so vnwise to like of such a man , For I protest I see nought else but froth , And shallow impudence , affected grace , And some few idle practisd complement : And all the thing he is , he is without , For affection striues but to appeare , And neuer is of substance , nor Sincere . And yet this dare of falshood hath beguild A thousand foolish wenches in his dayes . Do. The more wretch he , & more hard hap was theirs . Clo. Why doe you sigh Dorinda are you toucht With any of these passages of mine ? Do. Noe truly not of yours , but I haue cause In my particular that makes me sigh . Clo. Well well come on to put vs from this talke , Let vs deuise some sporte to passe the time . Am. Faith I haue no great list to any sporte . Do. Nor I in troth 't is farthest from my minde . Clo. Then let vs tell old tales , repeat our dreames , Or any thing rather then thinke of loue . Am. And now you speake of dreames , in troth last night I was much troubled with a feareful dreame . Do. And truly Amarillis so was I . Clo. And now I doe remember too , I , had A foolish idle dreame , and this it was : Me thought the fayrest of Montanus lambs , And one he lou'd the best of all his flock , Was singled out , and chac'd b' a cruell curre , And in his hote pursuit makes towards me , ( Me thought ) for succour , and about mee ran , As if it begd my ayde to saue his life , Which I long time deferrd , and still lookt on , And would not rescue it , vntill at lenght I saw it euen quite wourried out of breath , And panting at my feete and could no more : And then me thought , I tooke it vp from death , And cherisht it with mee , and brought it back . Home to Montanus , who was glad to see The poore recouerd creature thus restor'd ; And I my selfe was greatly pleasd , me thought , That by my hand so good a deede Was wrought , And Amarillis now tell vs your dreame ? Am. Me thought as I in Eremanthus walkt A fearful woolfe rusht forth from out a brake , And towards me makes with open hideous jawes From whom I ranne with all the speed I could , T' escape my danger , and t' ouertake One whom I saw before , that might lend ayde To me distrest , but he , me thought did runne As fast from me , as I did from the beast . I cride to him , ( but all in vaine ) to stay ; The more I cride , the more he ranne away ; And after I , and after me the Wolfe , So long , as I began to faint in minde , Seeing my despaire before , my death behinde : Yet ranne I still , and loe , me thought , at length A little he began to slack his pace , Which I perceiuing , put to all my strength And ranne , as if desire had wingd my heeles , And in the end me thought recou'red him . But neuer woman felt more ioy it seem'd To ouertake a man , then I did him , By whom I scapte the danger I was in , That when I wak'd , as presently I wak'd , Toucht with that sodaine ioy , which my poore heart God knowes , had not bene vsd vnto of late : I found my selfe all in a moist faint sweate , Which that affrighting horrour did beget , And though I were deliu'red of my feare , And felt this ioy , yet did the trembling last Vpon my heart , when now the feare was past . Clo. This Amarillis may your good portend , That yet you may haue comfort in the end . Am. God grant I may , it is the thing I want . Clo. And now Dorinda tell vs what you dreamt . Do. I dreamt , that hauing gone to gather flowers , And weary of my worke , reposing me Vpon a banke neere to a Riuers side , A subtle Serpent lurking in the grasse . Came secretly , and seizd on my left breast , Which though I saw , I had no power to stirre , But lay me still , till he had eate a way Into my bosome , whence he tooke my heart , And in his mouth carrying the same away , Returnes , me thought againe from whence he came , Which I perceiuing presently arose , And after it most wofully I went , To see if I could finde my heart againe , And vp and downe , I sought but all in vaine . Clo. In troth 't is no good luck to dreame of Snakes , One shall be sure t' heare anger after it . Do. And so it may be I haue done to day . Clo. Indeed and I haue heard it neuer failes .

Scen. 4. Techne . Cloris . Amarillis . Dorinda . Tec. Come you are talking here in iollitie , Whilst I haue sought you Cloris all about : Come , come , good Cloris quickly come away . Cl. What is the newes ? what haue we now to doo , Haue you another Caue to send me too ? Tec. Ah talke no more of that but come away , As euer you will saue the wofull life Of a distressed man that dyes for you . Clo. Why what doth Colax whom you sent to me Into the Caue , faint now with his repulse ? Tec. I sent him not , you would so wisely goe , In open sight , as men might see you goe , And trace you thither all the way you went . But come , ah 't is not he , it is the man You ought to saue ; Amyntas is the man Your cruelty , and rigour hath vndone : O quickly come , or it will be too late ; For 't was his chance , and most vnluckely , To see both you and Colax , as you came Out of the Caue , and he thinkes verily You are possest by him ; which so confounds His spirits , and sinckes his heart , that sure h 'is runne T' vndoe himselfe , and ô I feare 't is done . Clo. If it be done , my helpe will come too late , And I may stay , and saue that labour here . Am. Ah Cloris haste away , if this be so , And doe not , if thou hast a heart of flesh , And of a woman , stay and trifle time , Goe runne , and saue thine owne , for if he die , 'T is thine that dyes , his bloud is shed for thee , And what a horrour this will euer be Hereafter to thy guiltie conscience , when Yeares shall haue taught thee wit , and thou shalt finde This deed instampt in bloudy Characters , Within the black recordes of thine owne thoughts , Which neuer will be raz'd whilst thou hast breath , Nor yet will be forgotten by thy death . Besides wide Fame , will Trumpet forth thy wrong , And thou shalt be with all posteritie , Amongst th' examples held of crueltie , And haue this sauage deed of thine be made A sullein subiect for a Tragedie , Intitled Cloris , that thereby thy name May serue to be an euerlasting shame ; And therefore goe preuent so foule a staine . Do. Ah goe , goe Cloris , haste away with speed . Clo. Why whether should I goe ? I know not where To finde him now , and if he doe this deed , It is his error , and no fault of mine . Yet pray thee Techne , which way went the man ? Tec. Come Cloris , I will shew which way he went , In most strange furie , and most desperate speed , Still crying , Cloris , hast thou done this deed ? Clo. Why had not you staid ? and perswaded him ? Tec. I could not stay him by no meanes I vsd . Though all the meanes I could deuise I vsd . Clo. Well I will goe , poore man , to seeke him out , Though I can do him else , no other good . I know indeed he hath deseru'd my loue , And if I would like any , should be him , So that I thought he would be true to me . But thus my dreame may now chance come to passe , And I may happen to bring home indeed Montanus sonne , Amyntas that deere Lambe He loues so well , and by my gracious deed , He may escape the danger he was in . Which if I doe , and thereby doe inthrall My selfe , to free anothers misery , Then will I sit and sigh , and talke of loue As well as you , and haue your company . For something I doe feele begin to moue , And yet I hope 't is nothing else but feare ; Yet what know I ? that feare may hap be loue . Well Techne come , I would not haue him yet To perish , poore Amyntas in this fit . Exeunt . Ama. Well Cloris yet he may , for ought I see Before you come , vnlesse you make more haste . Ah cruell maide , she little knowes the griefe Of such a heart that 's desperate of reliefe , Nor vnderstands she her owne happinesse , To haue so true a louer as he is . And yet I see sh 'is toucht , if not too late , For I perceiu'd her coulour come and goe , And though in pride she would haue hid her woe , Yet I saw sorrow looke out at her eyes . And poore Amyntas if thou now be gone , Thou hast ( like to the Bee that stinging dyes , And in anothers wound leaft his owne life ) Transpierced by thy death , that marble heart , Which liuing thou , couldst touch by no desert . And if thou shalt escape , thou hast suruiu'd Her crueltie , which now repents her wrong , And thou shalt by her fauours be reuiu'd , After the affliction thou hast suffred long . Which makes me thinke , that time , and patience may Intenerat at length the hardest heart , And that I may yet after all my woe , Liue t' ouertake Carinus mercie too . Do. And here this sad distresse of such a true , And constant louer , ouercome with griefe , Presents vnto my guilty memorie The wrongs , Mirtillus hath indur'd of me . And ô I would I knew now how he doth , I feare he is not well , I saw him not Scarse these three dayes , I meruaile where he is , And yet what need I meruaile , who haue thus Chac'd him from me with frownes , and vsage vile , And fondly leaft the substance of his faith , To catch the shadow of deceipt and guile ? Was Colax he I thought the onely man , And is he now prou'd to be such a one ? O that I euer lent an easie eare , Vnto so false a wretches flatteries , Whose very name I now abhorre to heare , And loath my selfe , for being so vnwise . What shall I doe sweete Amarillis now , Which way shall I betake me to recouer The losse of shame , and losse of such a louer ? Ama. Indeed Dorinda you haue done him wrong , But your repentance , and compassion now May make amends , and you must learne to do As I long time haue done , indure and hope , And on that turne of Fortunes Scene depend , When all extremities must mend , or end .

Scen. 5. Melibaeus . Ergastus . Mel. Well , come Ergastus , we haue seene ynow , And it is more then time , that we prepare Against this Hydra of confusion now , Which still presents new hideous heads of feare : And euery houre we see begets new broiles , And intricates our youth in desperate toyles . And therefore let th' aduantage of this day , Which is the great , and generall hunting day In Eremanthus , serue for this good deed : And when we meete ( as all of vs shall meete Here in this place anone , as is decreed ) We will aduise our Shepheards to intermit That worke , and fall to this imports vs more , To chase out these wild mischiefes that doe lurke , And worse infest , then th' Eremanthian Boare , Or all Beasts else , which onely spoile our fields , Whilst these which are of more prodigious kindes , Bend all their forces to destroy our mindes . Erg. And this occasion will be very fit Now to be tooke , for one day lost may lose More by example , then we shall reget In thousands , for when men shall once disclose The way of ill that lay vnknowne before , Scarce all our paines will euer stop it more . Man is a creature of a wilfull head , And hardly'i 's driuen , but easily is lead .

Actus . 5.

Scen. 1. Amarillis . Carinus . Ama. Ah gentle Lelaps , prety louing dogge , Where hast thou leaft thy maister , where is hee , That great commander ouer thee and mee ? Thou wert not wont be far off from his feete , And ô no more would I , were he so pleasd ; But would as well as thou go follow him , Through brakes , and thickets , ouer cliffes and rockes So long as I had life to follow him , Would he but looke vpon me with that eye Of fauour , as h 'is vs'd to looke on thee . Thou canst be clapt , and strookt with that faire hande That thrustes away my heart , and beates it back From following him , which yet it euer will And though he fly mee I must after still . But here he comes , me thought he was not farre . Car. What meane you Amarillis in this sorte By taking vp my dogge to marre my sporte ? Am. My deare Carinus thou dost much mistake I doe not marre thy sporte , t is thou marrst mine , And killst my ioyes with that hard heart of thine . Thy dooge perhaps by some instinct doth know How that I am his maisters creature too , And kindely comes himselfe , and fawnes on me To shew what you in nature ought to doe ? Car. Fie Amarillis , you that know my minde Should not me thinkes this euer trouble me . Am. What is it troublesome to be belou'd ? How is it then Carinus to be loath'd ? If I had donne like Cloris , skornd your sute , And spourn'd your passions , in disdainefull sorte , I had bene woo'd , and sought , and highly prizd , But hauing n'other arte to win thy loue , Saue by discouering mine , I am despisd . As if you would not haue the thing you sought , Vnles you knew , it were not to be gote . And now because I lie here at thy feete , The humble booty of thy conquering eies , And lay my heart all open in thy sight , And tell thee I am thine , and tell thee right . And doe not sure my lookes , nor cloth my words In other coulours , then my thoughts do weare , But doe thee right in all , thou skornest me As if thou didst not loue sinceritie Neuer did Crystall more apparantly Present the coulour it contayn'd with in Then haue these eyes , these teares , this tongue of mine , Bewreyd my heart , and told how much I 'am thine . Ca. T is true I know you haue too much bewrayd And more then fitts the honour of a mayde . Am. O if that nature hath not arm'd my breast With that strong temper of resisting proofe , But that by treason of my weake complection , I Am made thus easy to the violent shott Of passion , and th' affection I should not . Me thinks yet you out of your strength and power , Should not disdayne that weakenes , but should thinke It rather is your vertue , as indeed It is , that makes me thus against my kinde , T' vnlock my thoughs , and to let out my minde , When I should rather die and burst with loue Then once to let my tongue to say , I loue . And if your worthy partes be of that power To vanquish nature , and I must be wonne Do not disdayne the worke when you haue don , For in contemming me you do dispise That power of yours which makes me to be thus . Ca. Now what adoe is here with idle talke ? And to no purpose , for you know I haue Ingagd long since my heart , my loue and all To Cloris , who must haue the same and shall . Am. Why there is no such odds twixt her and me , I am a Nimph , t is knowne as well as shee . There is no other difference betwixt vs twaine But that I loue , and she doth thee disdaine . No other reason can induce thy minde , But onely that which should diuert thy minde . I will attend thy flockes better then she , And dresse thy Bower more sweete , more daintily , And cheerish thee with Salets , and with Fruites , And all fresh dainties as the season sutes ; I haue more skill in heat bes , then she , by farre , I know which nourish , which restoring are : And I will finde Dictamnus for thy Goates , And seeke out Clauer for thy little Lambes , And Tetrifoll to cheerish vp their Dammes . And this I know , I haue a better voyce Then she , though she perhaps may haue more arte , But which is best ; I haue the faithfulst heart . Besides Amyntas hath her loue , I know , And she begins to manifest it now . Car. Amyntas haue her loue ? that were most strange . When he hath gotten that , you shall haue mine . Am. O deere Carinus , let me rest vpon That blessed word of thine , and I haue done .

Scen. 2. Mirtillus . Carinus . Amarillis . Mir. Well met Carinus , I can tell you newes , Your riuall , poore Amyntas , hath vndone And spoild himselfe , and lyes in that weake case , As we thinke neuer more to see his face . Car. Mirtillus , I am sory t' heare so much : Although Amyntas be competitor In th' Empire of her heart , wherein my life Hath chiefest claime , I doe not wish his death : But by what chance , Mirtillus pray thee tell ? Mil. I will Carinus , though I grieue to tell . As Titerus , Menaleus , and my selfe Were placing of our toyles ( against anon That we shall hunt ) below within the straight , Twixt Eremanthus , and Lycaeus mount , We might perceiue vnder a ragged cliffe , In that most vncouth desart , all alone , Distrest Amyntas lying on the ground , With his sad face , turnd close vnto the rock , As if he loathd to see more of the world , Then that poore space , which was twixt him and it : His right hand stretcht , along vpon his side , His leaft , he makes the pillor to support His carefull head , his Pipe he had hung vp Vpon a Beach tree by , where he likewise Had plac'd his Sheephooke , and his Knife , wherewith He had incaru'd an wofull Elegie , To shew th' occasion of his miserie . His dogge Molampus sitting by his side , As if he were partaker of his woe : By which we knew 't was he , and to him went , And after we had call'd , and shooke him vp , And found him not to answere , nor to stirre And yet his eyes abroad , his body warme ; We tooke him vp , and held him from the ground , But could not make him stand by any meanes ; And sincking downe againe , we searcht to see If he had any wound , or blow , or wrinch , But none could finde : at last by chance we spide A little horne which he had slung aside , Whereby we gest he had some poyson tooke . And therevpon we sent out presently To fetch Vrania , whose great skill in hearbes Is such , as if there any meanes will be , As I feare none will be , her onely arte Must serue to bring him to himselfe againe . Car. Indeed Vrania hath bene knowne t' haue done Most desperate cures , and peraduenture may Restore him yet , & I doe wish she may . Mir. But hauing there vs'd all the helpe we could , And all in vaine , and standing by with griefe , ( As we might well , to see so sad a sight ) ( And such an worthy Shepheard in that plight ) We might perceiue come running downe the hill , Cloris , and Techne , with what speed they could , But Cloris had got ground , and was before , And made more haste , as it concernd her more . And neerer as she came , she faster went , As if she did desire to haue bene there Before her feete , too flow for her swift feare . And comming to the place , she sodainely Stopt , startes , and shrikt , and hauing made such haste T' haue something done , now could she nothing doe . Perhaps our presence might perplexe her too , As being asham'd that any eye should see The new appearing of her naked heart , That neuer yet before was seene till now . Car. And 't is ill hap for me it was seene now . Mir. For we perceiu'd how Loue and Modestie With seu'rall Ensignes , stroue within her cheekes Which should be Lord that day , and charged hard Vpon each other , with their fresh supplies Of different coulours , that still came , and went , And much disturb'd her but at length dissolu'd Into affection , downe she casts her selfe Vpon his senselesse body , where she saw The mercie she had brought was come too late : And to him calles ; ô deare Amyntas speake , Looke on me , sweete Amyntas , it is I That calles thee , sit is , that holds thee here , Within those armes thou haste esteem'd so deare . And though that loue were yet so young in her As that it knew not how to speake , or what , And that she neuer had that passion prou'd , Being first a louer ere she knew she lou'd , Yet what she could not vtter , she supplide , With her poore busie hands that rubb'd his face , Chafd his pale temples , wrung his fingers ends , Held vp his head , and puld him by the hands , And neuer leaft her worke , nor euer ceast . Ama. Alas the least of this regarde before , Might haue holpe all , then when 't was in her power , T' haue sau'd his heart , and to reuiue his minde , Now for all this , her mercie is vnkinde ; The good that 's out of season , is not good . There is no difference now twixt cruelty , And the compassion that s not vnderstood . Mir. But yet at length , as if those daintie hands , Had had a power to haue awakened death , We might perceiue him moue his heauie eyes , Which had stood fixt all the whole time before , And fastens them directly vpon her . Which when she saw , it strooke her with that force , As that it pierc'd through all the spirits she had , Made all the powers and parts of her shrinke vp , With that conuulsion of remorse and griefe , As out she shrik'd , ô deere , ô my deere heart , Then shrinkes againe , and then againe cryes out . For now that looke of his did shake her more , Then death or any thing had done before , That looke did read t' her new conceiuing heart , All the whole tragicke Lecture of his loue , All his sad suffrings , all his griefes , and feare , And now in th' end what he had done for her . And with that powerfull force of mouing too , As all a world of words could neuer doe . Ah what a silly messenger is Speach , To be imploi'd in that great Embassie Of our affections , in respect of th' eye ? Ah 't is the silent rhetorick of a looke , That worker the league betwixt the states of hearts , Not words I see , nor knowledge of the booke , Nor incantations made by hidden artes , For now this looke so melts her into teares , As that she powr'd them downe like thunder droppes , Or else did Nature taking pittie now Of her distresse , imploy them in that store , To serue as vailes , and to be interposde Betwixt her griefe and her , t' impeach her sight , From that full view of sorrow thus disclosde . And now with this came in Vrania there , With other women , to imploy their best To saue his life , if b' any meanes they can . And so we came our way , being sent for now About some conference for our hunting sportes , And with vs Techne comes , who is supposde , T' haue bene a speciall cause of much of this . Car. Alas this sad reporte doth grieue me much , And I did neuer thinke , that Cloris had So deerely lou'd him as I finde she doth , For by this act of hers I plainely see , There will be neuer any hope for me . Ama. There may for me , if now Carinus thou Wilt stand but to thy word , as thou hast said . Mir. Ah would to God Dorinda had bene there , T' haue seene but Cloris acte this wofull part ; It may be , it might haue deterr'd her heart From cruelty , so long as she had liu'd . Am. And I am glad Carinus hath but heard So much this day , for he may hap thereby To haue some feeling of my miserie , But for Dorinda neuer doubt at all , She is more yours Mirtillus then you thinke . Mir. Ah Amarillis . ! I would that were true . But loe where come our chiefest heardsmen now , Of all Arcadia , we shall know more newes .

Scen. 3. Melibaeus , Ergastus , Montanus , Acrisius , with other Arcadians , bringing with them Alcon , Lincus , Colax , Techne , Pistophoenax . Meli. You gentle Shepheards and inhabitors Of these remote , and solitarie parts Of Montaynous Arcadiae , shut vp here Within these Rockes , those vnfrequented Clifts , The walles and Bulwarkes of our libertie , From out the noise of tumult , and the throng Of sweating toyle , ratling concurrencie , And haue continued still the same and one In all successions from antiquitie , Whilst all the states on earth besides haue made A thousand reuolutions , and haue rowld From change to change , and neuer yet found rest , Nor euer bettered their estates by change . You , I inuoke this day in generall , To doe a worke that now concernes vs all : Least that we leaue not to posteritie , Th' Arcadia that we found continued thus By our forefathers care who leaft it vs . For none of you I know , whose iudgment 's graue Can ought discerne , but sees how much we are Transformd of late , and changd from what we were ; And what distempers dayly doe arise Amongst our people , neuer felt before , At which I know you meruaile , as indeed You well may meruaile , whence they should proceed : And so did good Ergastus here , and I , Vntill we set our selues more warily To search it out , which by good hap we haue , And found the Authors of this wickednesse . Which Diuels attyr'd here in the shape of men , We haue produc'd before you , to the end You may take speedy order to suppresse Our growing follies , and their impiousnesse . Erg. Indeed these odious wretches which you see , Are they who haue brought in vpon our rest , These new and vnknowne mischiefes of debate , Of wanton pride , of scandalous reportes , Of vile deluding chaste and honest loues , Of vndeseru'd suspitious desperate griefes , And all the sadnesse we haue seene of late . And first this man , this Lincus here you see , Montanus you , and you Acrysius know , With what deceipt , and with what cunning arte , He intertaind your strifes , abusd you both , By first perswading you that you had right In your demandes , and then the right was yours , And would haue made as many rightes , as men Had meanes , or power , or will to purchase them ; Could he haue once attain'd to his desires . Mon. We doe confesse our errour , that we were Too easily perswaded by his craft , To wrangle for imagin'd titles , which We here renounce , and quit for euermore , Acry. And we desire the memory thereof May dye with vs , that it be neuer knowne Our feeble age hath such example showne . Erg. And now this other strange impostour here , This Alcon , who like Lincus hath put on , The habite too of emptie grauitie , To catch opinion , and conceipt withall , Comes here to set vs all at variance too , With nature , as this other with our selues , And would confound her , working with his arte , And labours how to make our minds first sick , Before our bodies , and perswade our health It is not well , that he may haue thereby Both it and sicknesse euer vnder cure . And forraine druggs bringes to distemper's here And make vs like the wanton world abroad . Mel. But there are two the most pernicious spirit ; The world I thinke did euer yet produce . Colax and Techne , two such instruments Of Wantonnesse , of Lust and treacherie , As are of power t' intice and to debaush The vniuersall state of honestie . Erg. But Techne who is that standes their by you , What is your companie increast of late ? Te. Truely it is a very honest man A friend of mine that comes to see me here . Erg. He cannot then but be an honest man , If he be one of your acquintance sure . Mel. This man I found with them now since you went Mayntayning hote dispute with Titerus About the rites , and misteries of Pan . Erg. H 'is like to be of their associats then . Er. Techne , what is this secret friend of yours ? Tec. For-sooth he is a very holy man . Erg. A very holy man ? what is his name ? Tec. Truely his name Sir is Pistophoenax . Erg. What is he maskt , or is that face his owne ? Tec. He is not maskt , t is his complection sure . Erg. Techne we cannot credite thy report . Let one try whether it be so or not , O see a most deformed ougly face , Wherewith if openly he should appeare , He would deterre all men from comming nere . And therefore hath that cunning wretch put on This pleasing visor of apparencie , T' intice and to delude the world withal ; So that you see with what strange inginiers , The proiect of our ruine is forecast . How they implanted haue their battery here , Against all the maine pillors of our state , Our Rites ; our Customes , Nature , Honestie . T' mbroyle , and to confound vs vtterly , Reckning vs barbarous , but if thus their skill Doth ciuilize let vs be barbarous still . Mel. But now to shew the horrible effects Of Colax , and of Technes practises , ( Besides this last exploit they wrought vpon , Amyntas ( who , poore youth , lies , now full weake : Vnder Vranias cure , whose skill we heare Hath yet recall'd him to himselfe againe ) We haue sent out abrode into the woods , For Siluia and Palamon two chast soules Whom they haue torturd so with iealosie , Of each the other , as they made them run A part , to languish seuerally alone ; And we haue sent for diuers others too , Whose heartes haue felt what impious craft can do . And here they come , and now you shall know all .

Scen. 4. Palaemon . Mirtillus , Carinus . Siluia . Dorinda . Amarillis , Daphne . Cloris . Amyntas . Erg. Come good Palaemon , and good Siluia come , You haue indurd too much , and too too long . Sil. Ah why Ergastus doo you set our names So nere together , when our hearts so far , Are distant from each other as they are ? Indeed whilst we were one as once we were , And as we ought to be , were faith obserud , Palaemon should not haue bene nam'd without : A Siluia , nor yet Siluia without him . But now we may Ergastus , we are two . Pal. Siluia , there in the greater wrong you doe . Sil. Palaemon , nay the greater wrong you doe . Erg. Alas we know well where the wrong doth lie . Sil. I know you doe , and all the world may know . Pal. Siluia , you see your fault cannot be hid . Sil. It is no fault of mine Palaemon , that Your shame doth come to be reuealed here ; I neuer told it you your selfe haue not Conceald your worke so closely as you should . Pal. But there stands one can tel what you haue bene . Sil. Nay there he standes can tel what you haue bene . And sure is now in publicke here producd To testifie your shame , but not set on But me I doe protest , who rather would Haue dide alone in secret with my griefe Then had your infamie discouerd here . wherein my shame , must haue so great a share . Pal. I haue not sought to manifest your shame Which Siluia , rather then haue done I would Haue bene content t' indure the worst of deathes , I hauing such an intrest in the same . Col, No Siluia , no Palaemon , I stand here Not to accuse you but t' accuse my selfe Of wrong , you both God knowes are cleare I haue abusd your apt credulitie , With false reportes of things that neuer were And therefore here craue pardon for the same . Pal. why Colax , did not Siluia intertaine The loue of Thyrsis then as you told me ? Col. Palaemon no , she neuer intertaind His loue , nor wrongd you as I euer knew . Sil. But Colax you saw how Palaemon did With Nisa falsifie his vow to me . Col. Siluia , by heauen and earth I sweare not I , But onely faind it out of subtiltie ; For some vngodly ends I had decreed . Pal. O let not this be made some cunning baite To take my griefes with false beleefe , for I Had rather liue with sorrow then deceipt , And still b' vndone , then to haue such reliefe . Sil. Ah let not this deuise be wrought to guild My bitternesse , to make me swallow ' it now , That I might be another time beguilde With confidence , and not trust what I know . Pal. Ah Siluia now , how were I cleer'd of griefe , Had I the power to vnbeleeue beliefe . But ah my heart hath dwelt so long in house With that first tale , at this which is come new , Cannot be put in trust with my desire So soone , besides 't is too good to be true . Sil. Could I Palaemon but vnthinke the thought Of th' ill first heard , and that it were not so , How blest were I ? but loe I see how doubt Comes in farre easier then it can get out . And in these miseries of iealousie , Our eare hath greater credit then our eye . Mel. Stand not confusd deare louers any more , For this is now the certaine truth you heare , And this vile wretch hath done you both this wrong . Pa. I st possible , and is this true you say , And doe I liue , and doe I see the day ? Ah then come Siluia , for I finde this wound That pierc'd into the center of my heart , Hath let in loue farre deeper then it was . Sil. If this be so , why then Palaemon know , I likewise feele the loue that was before Most in my heart , is now become farre more : And now ô pardon me you worthy race Of men , it I in passion vttred ought In preiudice of your most noble sexe ; And thinke it was m' agrieued errour spake It knew not what , transported so , not I : Pal. And pardon me you glorious company You starres of women , if m' inraged heat Haue ought profan'de your reuerent dignitie , And thou bright Pallas sou'raigne of at Nimphes , The royall Mistresse of our Pastorall Muse And thou Diana honour of the woodes To whome I vow my songes , and vow my selfe , Forgiue me mine offence and be you pleasd T' accept of my repentance now therefore , And grace me still , and I desire no more . Sil. And now I would that Cloris knew this much That so she might be vndeceiued too , Whom I haue made beleeue so ill of men . But lo see where she comes , and as it seemes Brings her beliefe already in her hand Preuents my act , and is confirmd before . Looke Cloris looke , my feares haue idle bene , Palaemon Loues me there is trust in men . Col. And Siluia I must now beleeue so too Or else god help I know not what to doe . Pal. Looke here Mirtillus looke what I told you Is now prou'd false , and women they are true , Mi. So I perceiue Palaemon , and it seemes But vaine conceipt that other wise esteemes . Mo. Alas here comes my deare restored sonne My louely child Amyntas here is come . Acry. And here is Cloris my deare daughter come And lookes as if she were affrighted still , Poore soule , with feare , and with her sodaine griefe . Col. Lo here Montanus I haue brought you home Although with much adoe , your sonne againe And sorry am with all my heart that I , Haue bene the cause he hath indur'd so much . Mon. And I restore him back againe to you Deare Cloris and doe wish you to forget Your sorowes past , and pray the Gods you may From henceforth lead your life with happie ioy . Acr. Do Cloris take him , and I wish as much . Erg. Well then to make our ioyfull festiuals The more complet , Dorinda , we intreat You also to accept Mirtillus loue , Who we are sure hath well deserued yours . Do. Although this be vppon short warning , yet For that I haue bene sommoned before By mine owne heart , and his deserts to me To yeeld to such a motion , I am now Content t' accept his loue , and wil be his , Mir. Dorinda then I likewise haue my blisse And reckon all the sufferings I haue past Worthy of thee to haue this ioy at last . Mel. And you Carinus looke on that good Nimph Whose eye is still on you , as if she thought Her suffrings too , deserud some time of ioy And now expects her turne , hath brought her lap For comfort too whilst fortune deales good hap . And therefore let her haue it now poore soule For she is worthy to possesse your loue . Car. I know she is , and she shall haue my loue , Though Colax had perswaded me before Neuer t' accept or to beleeue the loue Of any Nimph , and oft to me hath sworne How he had tryde them all , and that none were As men , beguild by shewes , supposd they were : But now I doe perceiue his treachery , And that they haue both loue and constancie . Ama. O deare Carinus blest be this good howre , That I haue liu'd to ouertake at last That heart of thine which fled from me so fast . Erg. And Daphne , too me thinks your heauy lookes Shew how that something is amisse with you . Dap. Nothing amisse with me , but that of late I tooke a fall , which some what grieues me yet . Erg. That must aduise you Daphne from henceforth To looke more warily vnto your feete , Which if you doe , no doubt but all will be well , Mel. Then thus we see the sadnesse of this day Is ended with the euening of our ioy : And now you impious spirits , who thus haue raisd The hideous tempests of these miseries , And thus abusd our simple innocence , We charge you all here presently t' auoyd , From out our confines , vnder paine to be Cast downe , and dasht in peeces from these rockes , And t' haue your odious carkases deuour'd By beasts , being worse your selues then beasts to men . Col. Well then come Techne , for I see we two Must euen be forst to make a marriage too . And goe to Corinth , or some Cittie neere , And by our practise get our liuing there . Which both together ioynd , perhaps we may : And this is now the worst of miseries Could come vnto me , and yet worthily , For hauing thus abusd so many Nimphes , And wrong'd the honour most vnreuerently Of women , in that sort as I haue done , That now I 'am forst to vndergoe therefore , The worst of Plagues : To marry with a W. Alc. But Lincus , let not this discourage vs , That this poore people iealous of their rest , Exile vs thus , for we no doubt shall finde Nations enough , that will most ready be To entertaine our skill , and cherish vs . And worthier people too , of subtler spirits , Then these vnfashion'd , and vncomb'd rude swaine . Lin. Yea and those Nations are farre sooner drawne T' all friuolous distractions then are these . For oft we see , the grosse doe manage things , Farre better then the subtle , cunning brings Confusion sooner then doth ignorance . Al. Yea and I doubt not whilst there shal be found Fantasticke puling wenches in the world , But I shall florish , and liue iollily , For such as I by women must begin To gaine a name , and reputation winne . Which when we haue attaind to , you know then How easily the women draw on men . Lin. Nor do I doubt but I shall likewise liue ; And thriue , where euer I shall plant my selfe ; For I haue all those helps my skill requires , A wrangling nature , a contesting grace , A Clamorous voyce , and an audacious face . And I can cite the law t' oppugne the law , And make the glosse to ouerthrow the text I can alledge , and vouch authoritie , T' imbroyle th' intent , and sense of equitie : Besides by hauing bene a Notarie , And vs'd to frame litigious instruments And leaue aduantages for subtilty , And strife to worke on , I can so deuise That there shal be no writing made so sure But it shall yeeld occasion to contest At any time when men shall thinke it best , Nor be thou checkt with this Pistophoenax , That at thy first appearing thou art thus Discou'red here , thou shall along with vs , And take thy fortune too , as well as we . Pis. Tush Limus this can not discourage me , For we that trafficke with credulitie , And with opinion , still shall cherisht bee . But here your errour was to enter first And be before me , for you should haue let Me made the way , that I might haue dislinkt That chayne of Zeale that holds in amitie , And calld vp doubt in their establisht rites , Which would haue made you such an easy way , As that you might haue brought in what you would , Vpon their shaken and discattered mindes , For our profession any thing refutes , And all 's vnsetled whereas faith disputes . Mel. Now what a muttring keepe you there , away Be gone I say , and best too , whilst you may . And since we haue redeem'd our selues so well Out of the hands of mischiefe , let vs all Exile with them their ill example too , Which neuer more remaynes , as it begun , But is a wicked sire t' a far worse sonne , And stayes not till it makes vs slaues vnto ( That vniuersall Tyran of the earth Custome ) who takes from vs our priuiledge To be our selues , reades that great charter too Of nature , and would likewise cancell man : And so inchaynes our iudgments , and discourse Vnto the present vsances ; that we Must all our senses there vnto refer , Be as we finde our selues , not as we are , As if we had no other touch of truth And reason then the nations of the times And place wherein we liue , and being our selues Corrupted , and abastardized thus Thinke all lookes ill , that doth not looke like vs . And therefore let vs recollect our selues Dispersd into these strange confused ill , And be againe Arcadians as we were In manners and in habit as we were . And so solempnize this our happie day , Of restauration , with other feasts of ioy . FINIS .