NEere the Antient Cittie of Lyons towards the West , lieth that part of the Country called Forrests , which in it's little circumference comprehends more varities then the rest of France : for being divided into Plaines and Mountaines both of them are so fertile , and seated in such a temperate Aire , that the soile is capable of whatsoever the industrious Husbandman can expect or desire . In the heart of the Country is a most Pleasan , plaine circled about , as with a strong wall , by its Neighbour hills , and watered with the River Loyre ; which from its ( not farre off ) originall , glides gently through the midst of it , without any swelling pride . Many other Rivulets doe in divers places bestow their chrystall streams , the chiefe of which is Lignon , which , though extravagant in its course , as well as delectable in its Scource , runs Meander-like through the plaine , neere unto the losty mountaines of Servieres and Chalmasel , unto Feures , where the Loyre receiving it , and swallowing up its name , carrieth it as tribute unto the Ocean .

Upon the banks of these delighting Rivers , are continually to be seene abundance of shepheards , who though litle beholding to fortune , yet by reason of the aires naturall sweetnesse , and the Soiles fertilitie do live in abundance of contented happinesse .

They would never have envied the golden contentednesse of the first happy age , had Love let them alone to enjoy that felicitie of which the heavens were so prodigall unto them : but slumbering upon the downy beds of ease , they became subject unto Loves flattery , who presently turned his Authoritie into Tyranny . Celadon was one of them who did most feelingly resent it , and who was so captivated with the perfections of Astrea , that the very odium of their Parents could not preserve him from losing himselfe in her . The truth is , that if ever happinesse could be found in the losse of ones selfe , it was by him , in losing himselfe to gaine the favour of the faire Astrea ; who being assured of his affection , did scorne ingratitude , and received him and his services with reciprocall affection : so that if any changing bee seene in either of them afterwards , 't is probable that the heavens did allow it , to shew , that nothing is more constant then inconstancie , which is constant in alteration . For these two having lived together most happily the space of three yeares , even then when they least feared any dysasterous accident , they found themselves betrayed unto the worst of loves misfortunes , by the perfidie of Semyres : so as Celadon to disguise his affection from their Parents , who by reason of an inveterate hatred amongst themselves , did strive to thwart their amorous designes , did seeme as if his addresses to that shepheardesse were rather out of civill course , then any courtship : This umbrage was handsome enough , if Semyres had not made it his stalking horse to betray Astrea , which she since repayed by many a sigh and Teare .

As Fortune was , one day , this amorous shepheard , rising betimes to bid his thoughts good morrow , and leaving his flocke to graze , he went to rest himselfe upon the banks of the River Lignon , there expecting the appearance of his faire shepheardesse , who was not long behind him : for she out of too much fancy , had scarcely closed her eye that night . The Sunne no sooner begun to gild the top of the mountains of I soures and M●rcillies then this shepheard espied a farre off a flock which he presently knew belonged unto Astrea ; for Melampe , a dogge much in favour with his shepheardesse , as soone as ever he saw him , came and fauned upon him : besides , he observed the beloved Sheep of his Mistrisse ; though that morning she did not weare her dresse of various coloured Ribands , which her Mistrisse was wont to decke her head with , in the fashion of a garland : for that shepheardesse being much displeased , she did not give her selfe the leasure of dressing it , as usuall . She followed her flock as if her shooes were Lead ; and , as might be judged by the garbe , so●thing much troubled her mind , so as being neare her shepheard she did not so much as tur●e an eye towards him , but set her selfe downe upon the bankes of the River . Celadon , not taking any notice of this , beleeving she did not see him , but that she went to the place where he was wont to waite for her , did drive his flock towards her : she sat upon the stumpe of an old Tree , with a drooping head , supported by her hand which leaned upon her kne● & she sat in so sad a posture that if Celadon had not beene more then halfe blind , he mightplainely perceive that this sorrow could not proceed from any thing but an opinion of a change in his affection , for no other dysaster had power enough to cause such sad thoughts . But an unexpected misfortune being far more hard to relish then an other , it seemes fate had a minde to surprise him unawares .

Thus being ignorant of his ill hap , after a choice of the fittest place for the grazing of his flock neare his dearest sheepherdess , he went to bid her good morrow , being extreamly joyed to see her : she returned answer with looks and language so cold , as if a chill winter had frozen every syllable . The shepheard , unaccustomed to such a sight , was infinitly astonished ; and though he could not imagine his dysaster so great as afterwards he found it , yet the very thought of offending her he loved , was enough to cost him his life . Had the shepheardess deigned him a look , or had his zealous fancy permitted him to consider what might be the cause of her coldness , certainly his apprehensions had vanished . But Celadon must not be the Phoenix of happiness , as he was of Love ; nor will fortune afford him more favour then other men , in matter of content . After a long and pensive extasie , he rowsed up himselfe , and turning towards his shepheardess , he perceived that she looked upon him , but it was with so sad an aspect , that she struck him soulless . They were both so neer the River , that Celadon might easily reach it with the end of his sheephooke ; and some showers had so swelled the water above its common marke that it disgorged it selfe with a very impetuous streame , into the River Loure . The place where they sat was a hill , a litle raised above the common levell , against which the waves did beat in vaine , the foundation of it being a Rock covered over with some moss . From this place , the shepheard did beat the waves of water with his sheephook , and those waves were not halfe so turbulent as his thoughts ; he summoned up every action of his life , nay not a thought escaped inquisition , and all to find out wherein he had offended : but his innocencie cleering up his conscience , he was enboldned to aske her the reason of her anger . She not observing his actions , or else observing them to his disadvantage , her heart begun to be the more inflamed with choler ; so as when he offered to speake , she would not permit him to expresse himselfe without interruption , saying : Is it not enough & too much ( perfidious and injurious shepheard ) to have deluded her who least deserved it from you ; but you must still persist in your wickednesse ? how dare you be so impudently bold , as to looke her in the face whom you have so grosly offended ? Canst thou without a blush bring that dissembling face into my presence ? does not thy double soule tremble at its own villany , before me ? Go go , and deceive some other ; get thee gone traytor , and imploy thy perfidies in beguiling some that knowes them not ; think not any longer to delude me , who am too too well accquainted with thy falsnesse . At this the poore shepheard fals downe upon his knees ; lookes pale and wanne , as if blasted with a Thunderbolt . Is it your designe onely to try me , faire shepherdesse , ( said he unto her ) or else to kill me with despaire ? Nay , nay , false man , repli'd she ; I need not try thy infidelitie , for I am too well accquainted with it : Oh heavens , said the shepherd . I wish this fatall day had never dawnd : It had beene happy for us both , replied she , if neither of us had ever seen the light , then had thy infidelitie never troubled me . Go , go , perfidious wretch , I charge thee to be gone , and never againe looke me in the face , unlesse I command it . Celadon would have replyed , had not his extafie of love bedeafed him : And as she was going away , he was forced to pull her by the gowne , saying , I do not stay you deare shepherdesse , to begge a Pardon for my unknowne fault ; but only to shew you that this is the last day of his life , whom you seeme so much to abhorre : but she being all in a fury , and not so much as looking upon him did violently break away , and left behind her a Riband , upon which by accident his hand did lie ; and also a Ring , which her Father had given her , was tyed in that Riband . The sad shepheard seeing her depart in such a fury did stand awhile like a stock immovable ; scarce knowing what he had in his hand , though his eye was upon it . At last recollecting himselfe with a deer sigh and taking notice of the Riband Witnesse , deare Riband , said he , that rather then untie the least knot of my affection , I would lose a hundred lives ; when I am dead and my cruell faire one shall happily see thee on my arme , assure her that never any was more faithfull , then I ; nor never any more cruell , then she . Then tying it upon his arme , and kissing the Ring And thou , right emblem of true affection , said he , let me enjoy thee to the last , as a pledge of her promised affection to me . He had no sooner uttered these words , but turning his eyes toward Astrea , he leaped into the River with crossed arms .

Lignon in that place was very deep and violent , & by reason of the Rocke which repulsed the water , there was a kind of whirlpit : so as the shepheard was long before he sunk to the bottom , and longer in comming up to the top againe . And when he did appeare , nothing could be seen , but first a leg , and then an arm : at last being gulfed up by the turning of the waves , he was carried away under the water . Now Astrea runs to the Water side , and seeing him whom she could not chuse but love by her meanes so neer his death ; she was so affrighted , that in lieu of lending any help , she falls into a swound and that so neer the water , that when she returned to her selfe , at the first motion she fell in , and was in so much danger , as all that some shepheards close by could do was litle enough to save her by pulling her out by her garments ; which kept her above the water , and gave them time to draw her unto the side : but life was so farre spent , as she perceived it not . They carried her unto the next shepherds cabbin , whereby accident Phillis was , and where they shifted her cloaths : she all this while was so astonished both at her owne accident and at that of Celadons , that she could not speake . Mean while , Celadon was hurried by the fury of the waves a farre off on the other side of the River , amongst some little trees ; but with very little signe of life .

As soone as Phillis heard of this accident unto Astrea she made all haste possible and had not Lycidas met her , nothing else could have stopped her , yet she told him briefly , the danger in which Astrea was ; not mentioning a word concerning Celadon , for she knew not any thing of his disaster : this Lycidas was Celadons brother , and these two were tyed faster together in amity then consanguinitie : on the other side , Astrea and Phillis , being Cousens , did love each other so well , as they deserved to be compared with the two brothers : As Celadon had a Sympatheticall affection unto Astrea , so Lycidas had as strong an inclination to serve Phillis , as Phillis had to favour Lycidas .

So it chanced , that as they came into the cottage , Astrea opened her eyes , but you may imagine that they had lost much of their wonted lustre , and looked heavy and dull , and their sprightliness drowned in tears yet such tears , as , flowing from an enflamed heart and lovely eyes moved abundance of love and pitty from all her beholders . When she espied her companion Phillis , she was much moved ; but much more when she saw Lycidas and though she was loath to let the people about her know the cause of her disaster ; yet she was forced to say , hat his brother was drowned in helping her . Lycidas was so astonished at the newes , that he ran immediatly to the fatall place with all the rest of the shepheards , leaving Astrea and Phillis alone , who presently after , began to follow them , but so sad a pace , that though they had much to say , yet they could not speake one syllable . Meane time the shepheards came to the River side , and looking on every side they could not finde the least signe of what they sought ; for only those , who went the lowest downe the River , chanced to find his hat , which the waves had cast up upon some willows and reeds which grew by the water side : this was all the newes they could heare : As for Celadon , he was carried by the water much lower and into a place where it was unpossible for them to find him . for as I told you before , the waves had wafted him over to the other side , and he stucke upon a thick rush of trees , where it was very hard to see him .

When he was even betwixt life and death , there came to the place , three fair Nymphs , with disheavelled haire waving and hanging upon their shoulders , under a garland of severall Pearles ; their brests were naked their sleeves turned up to the elbow , and their arms bare , onely covered with purest Lawne to the Wrests , on which they wore rich bracelets of Orientall Pearls : each of them wore a quiver full of arrows , and in their hands they carried bowes of Ivorie : their petticotes were tucked up so high as permitted their golden buskins to be seene , as high as the knee . It seems they came unto that place upon some designe : for ( said one of them ) this is the very place , search well the side of the River ; See , see ! how impetuously it swells it self above its common levell : observ that Tuft of trees , doubtlesse it is the very same which was represented to us in the mirror . 'T is true , ( said the chiefe of them , ) but all the rest is nothing resemblant : but me thinkes I see another odd place , more likely to find that which we looke for : it s very probable ( said the third , who had not yet spoke ) for the place is so exactly described , as I beleeve there is not one tree , but you saw in the mirrour . In such discourse as this , they came so neere the place where Celadon was , that nothing but a few leaves did interpose betweene him and their sight . They having exactly survayed every thing , they concluded it to be the place which was shewed unto them , and therefore resolved to sit downe . The principall of these Nymphs as she was sitting downe , espyed Celadon : and supposing him to be some shepheard asleepe and beckning with one hand unto her companions , she pointed to the place with the other ; and treading very gently for feare of waking him she stepped forward ; but being neerer , she beleeved him to be dead . For his feet did lie in the water , his right arme upon his head , and the left carlesly hanging behind him ; his neck awry as if his head were too heavy ; his mouth halfe open , and almost full of sand ▪ his face pale and dirtie , his eyes almost closed : and his haire which he wore very long , so wet , that the water ran like a stream from it his countenance was the very picture of death ; his backe so bended , that it seemed broke : and that made his belly seeme the more swelled . The Nymphs , seeing him in this deplorable condition , were mooved with much pitty ; and Leonida , as most officious and pittifull , was the first which laid hand upon him to draw him out of the river . The water , which he had swallowed came from him in such abundance , that the Nimph finding some warmth yet in him , did beleeve him to be recoverable . Then Galathia , who was the chiefe of them , turning towards the other Nymph , who looked on but did not help ; Come Sylvia , ( said she unto her ) why are you so idle ? come and help , if not to ease your companions , yet out of pittie to this poore shepheard . I am considering , Madam , ( said she ) that though he be very much changed , yet me thinkes I should know him . Then taking him by the other arme , and looking upon him more precisely , Certainly ( said she ) I am not mistaken : T is he I meane ; and beleeve it , he merits all our helps : for he is not only of the first family in all the country , but his merits are so many , as our best indeavours to save him will be well imployed : All this while , the water came from him in such abundance , that the shepheard being more empty , began to breathe : but did not yet open his eyes nor come unto himself . Galathia having an opinion that he was the man , of whom the Druid had spoken unto her , she her selfe did help her companions : and commanded them to carry him unto her Pallace of Isoures , where he might have the best accommodations of help . And accordingly with much adoe , they carryed him to the place , where the litle Merill wood with their chariot , into which they all did get . Leonida undertooke to be their guide ; and , because they should not be seene by the guards of the Castle , they went in at a backe secret dore . As soone as they were gone , Astrea reviving from her swounding fit , did fall into the water , as I told you before : Lycidas and they who went to search for Celadon , could heare no other tidings of him , then , as formerly I told you : so as Lycidas , being but too well assured of his brothers death , he went to Astrea to condole with her their common disaster . She , sad soul , did nothing else but walk mourning along the River side , untill she was so weary that she was forced to sit downe as full of anger griefe and amazement , as a little before , she was of inconsideration and jealousie . She was sitting a lone by herselfe ; for , Phillis seeing Lycidas returne , went out to heare some newes , as the rest did . This Shepheard when he came , being weary and desirous to know how this misfortune came to passe , he did sit downe by her ; and taking her by the hand began to talke ; Oh heavens , fair shepherdesse , ( said he ) what a fatall mischance is this , which hath happned unto us ; I say , us , for as I have lost a deare brother so you have lost one who was not himselfe without you . Whether Astreas mind was intent upon some other thing , or whether this discourse was displeasant unto her , I know not , but she returned no answer ; At which Lycidas being angry thus said ; Is it possible Astrea , that the losse of this unfortunate Son ( for so Astrea called him ) should so little perplex you , that you cannot afford him one teare ? Had he not loved you ; or had you been ignorant of his affection , then to resent his misfortune so slightly , had been excusable : but since he loved you infinitly above himselfe and that you could not be ignorant of it ; beleeve me , Astrea , it grieves me to see you , as little concerned at it as if he were a meere stranger unto you .

The shepherdess then looked sadly towards him , and after a little pause of consideration , answered . Shephered , I am much grieved at the death of your brother , not in consideration of any affection which he bore unto me , but in respect of his many other excellent qualities , which might well move any to grieve at his misfortune : for , as for the affection which you spoke of , it was so common unto other shepheardesses my companions , as it was their parts to lament him more then mine . Oh most ungratefull shepherdesse , cryed out Lycidas , I shall thinke the gods unjust , if they do not punish you for your injustice : you have small reason to thinke him unconstant , who , for all the anger of his Parents and cruelty of your rigour , would not diminish the least sparke of his affection to you . This is ingratitude in the height , since all his actions and services could not assure you of the thing , which none living ever doubted of , but your selfe : This am I certaine of , that he would sooner have disobeyed the Supreame gods , then the least of your commands . Then did the shepheardesse in an angry manner answer , that this discourse was disadvantagious to his Brother ; for she had sufficient testimonies of his infidelitie . You fill me full of wonder ( replied Lycidas , ) but I beseech you how came you to the knowledge of it ? Shepherd , ( answered Astrea ) the story is too long and lamentable to be told : satisfie your selfe with this that if you do not know it you are the only one that is ignorant of it : for there is not a shepherd about the banks of Lignon which cannot tell you , that Celadon had a hundred Mistrisses . And , to be short , these eares of mine were no longer then yesterday witnesses of the amorous discourse which he held with his Aminthé ( for so he called her ) and I had hearkned longer unto it , had I not beene displeased at his perfidie , or , to tell you truly , had I not other businesse which was more advantagious unto me . Lycidas at this , like a man distracted , cryed out : oh now , I see the cause of my brothers death ; it was your jealousie , Astrea ; your jealousy is the onely cause of this dire disaster . Poore Celadon ! I now remember thy Prophetique words , when thou saidest , thy fain'd affection would cost thee thy life . Then addressing himselfe unto her , Is it possible Astrea ( said he ) that you should forget those commands , which you so often and pressingly , did lay upon him ? five or six times at the least , I can witnesse he was down upon his knees , begging a revocation of them : You may remember when he returned from Italie it was your first injunction to dissemble love unto another , which he intreated you rather to bid him die then do . My deare Astrea said he , ( I shall never forget his words ) though I must & will be perfectly obedient unto all your commands , yet I cannot chuse but throw my selfe at your feet , imploring onely so much favour as to bid me Die , rather then bid me serve any other then Astrea , And you did answer , Nay , Shepheard , far be it from my thoughts to command you to Die ; but it is to try your affection , and principally to blind the eyes and stop the mouths of all inquisitive spies , that I do enjoyn this dissimulation upon you . He , not being able to disobey you in any thing , undertooke the difficulty ; and indeed difficulty I rightly phrase it . For he never went unto the place , where hee was to put his dissimulation into practice , but he first laid himselfe downe upon his bed , as if a trembling fit of a feaver came upon him . Not above two dayes since , I found him engraving upon a tree , these ensuing verses , whose characters , if you have not quite forgotten both him and his services , you will know , if you please to turne your eyes towards yonder tree on the other side of the River , which containes these lines :