Love’s Victory / Mary Wroth: Ceresano, S. P.; Wynne-Davies, Marion (ed.): digital adaptation for EMOTHE

Source text for this digital edition:
Wroth, Mary. ”Love’s Victory”. In: Ceresano, S. P.; Wynne-Davies, Marion (ed.). Renaissance Drama by Women: Texts and Documents. London and New York: Routledge, 1997. pp. 91-126

Digital text encoding for EMOTHE:

Tronch Pérez, Jesús
Zafra Alarcón, Sonia

Note on this digital edition

The EMOTHE Digital Library is grateful to the editors S. P. Ceresano, S. P. and Marion Wynne-Davies for their kind permission to reproduce their text of Love’s Victory.
© 1996 S. P. Ceresano, S. P. and Marion Wynne-Davies

List of Characters

SHEPHERDS

Philisses, in love with Musella, and beloved by her

Lissius, in love with Simeana, and beloved by her

Forester, in love with Silvesta

Lacon, in love with Musella

Rustic, in love with Musella, but marries Dalina

Arcas, a villain

SHEPHERDESSES

Musella, in love with Philisses

Simeana, in love with Lissius

Silvesta, has vowed chastity

Climeana, in love with Lissius

Dalina, a fickle lady

Phillis, loves Philisses

Mother to Musella

Temple of Love

Venus

Cupid

Priests

Act I

Scene i

[Enter] VENUS, and CUPID with her, in her temple, her PRIESTS attending her.

VENUS

Cupid, methinks we have too long been still,

And that these people grow to scorn our will.

Mercy to those ungrateful breeds neglect;

Then let us grow our greatness to respect,

Make them acknowledge that our heavenly power

Cannot their strength, but even themselves, devour;

Let them not smile and laugh because thine eyes

Are covered, as if blind, or love despise.

No, thou that scarce shalt from thine eyes take off,

Which gave them cause on thee to make this scoff.

Thou shalt discern their hearts, and make them know

That humble homage unto thee they owe;

Take thou the shaft which headed is with steel

And make them bow whose thoughts did lately reel;

Make them thine own, thou who didst me once harm,

Cannot forget the fury of that charm;

Wound them, but kill them not, so may they live

To honour thee, and thankfulness to give;

Shun no great cross which may their crosses breed,

But yet, let blessed enjoying them succeed.

Grief is sufficient to declare thy might,

And in thy mercy glory will shine bright.

VENUS

Mother, I will no cross, no harm, forbear,

Of jealousy for loss, of grief or fear,

Which may my honour touched again repair;

But with their sorrows will my glory rear.

Friends shall mistrust their friends, lovers mistake,

And all shall for their folly woes partake;

Some shall love much, yet shall no love enjoy,

Others obtain, when lost is all their joy.

This will I do, your will and mind to serve,

And to your triumph will these rites preserve.

VENUS

Then shall we have again our ancient glory;

And let this called be 'Love's Victory'.

Triumphs upon their travels shall ascend,

And yet most happy ere they come to end.

VENUS

Joy and enjoying on some shall be set,

Sorrow on others caught by Cupid's net.

[Exeunt.]

Scene ii

[Enter PHILISSES.]

PHILISSES

You pleasant flowery mead

Which I did once well love,

Your paths no more I'll tread,

Your pleasures no more prove,

Your beauty more admire,

Your colours more adore,

Nor grass with daintiest store

Of sweets to breed desire.

Walks, once so sought for, now

I shun you for the dark;

Birds, to whose song did bow

Mine ears, your notes ne'er mark;

Brook, which so pleasing was,

Upon whose banks I lay,

And on my pipe did play,

Now unregarded pass.

Meadows, paths, grass, flowers,

Walks, birds, brook: truly find

All prove but as vain showers,

Wished welcome, else unkind.

You once I loved best,

But love makes me you leave;

By love I love deceive;

Joys lost for life's unrest.

Joys lost for life's unrest; indeed, I see.

Alas, poor shepherd, miserable me.

Yet, fair Musella, love and worthy be;

I blame thee not, but mine own misery.

Live you still happy and enjoy your love,

And let love's pain in me distressed move;

For since it is my friend thou dost affect,

Then wrong him once, myself I will neglect;

And thus in secret will my passion hide,

Till time or fortune doth my fear decide,

Making my love appear as the bright morn,

Without or mist, or cloud, but truly born.

[Enter LISSIUS.]

LISSIUS

Joyful pleasant spring,

Which comforts to us bring,

Flourish in your pride.

Never let decay

Your delights allay,

Since joy is to you tied.

PHILISSES

[Aside.]

No, joy is tied to you. You 'tis do prove

The pleasure of your friend's unhappy love.

'Tis you enjoy the comfort of my pain,

'Tis I that love, and you that love obtain.

LISSIUS

Let no frost nor wind

Your dainty colours blind,

But rather cherish.

Your most pleasant sight,

Let never winter bite

Nor season perish.

PHILISSES

[Aside]

I cannot perish more than now I do,

Unless my death my miseries undo.

Lissius is happy, but Philisses cursed,

Love seeks to him, on me he doth his worst.

And do thy worst on me still froward boy,

More ill thou canst not, but poor life destroy,

Which do, and glory in thy conquest got;

All men must die, and Love drew my ill lot.

LISSIUS

[He sees PHILISSES.]

My dear Philisses. What, alone and sad?

PHILISSES

Neither, but musing why the best is bad.

But you were merry, I'll not mar your song,

My thoughts are tedious, and for you too long.

Exit.

LISSIUS

Alas, what means this? Surely it is love

That doth in him this alteration move;

This is the humour makes our shepherds rave.

I'll none of this, I'll sooner seek my grave!

Love, by your favour, I will none of you,

I rather you should miss, than I should sue.

Yet Cupid, poor Philisses back restore

To his first wits, and I'll affect thee more.

[LISSIUS retires backstage. Enter SILVESTA.]

SILVESTA

Fair shining day, and thou, Apollo bright,

Which to these pleasant valleys gives thy light,

And with sweet showers mixed with golden beams

Enrich these meadows and these gliding streams,

Wherein thou seest thy face like mirror fair,

Dressing in them thy curling, shining hair;

This place with sweetest flowers still doth deck,

Whose colours show their pride, free from the check

Of Fortune's frown, so long as Spring doth last;

But then, feel change, whereof all others taste.

As I, for one, who thus my habits change:

Once shepherdess, but now in woods must range

And after the chaste Goddess bear her bow;

Though service once to Venus I did owe,

Whose servant then I was and of her band.

But farewell folly, I with Dian stand,

Against Love's changing and blind foolery,

To hold with happy and blessed chastity.

For love is idle, happiness there's none

When freedom's lost and chastity is gone;

And where on earth most blessedness there is;

Love's fond desires never fail to miss.

And this, believe me, you will truly find,

Let not repentance therefore change your mind;

But change before your glory will be most,

When as the waggish boy can least him boast.

For he doth seek to kindle flames of fire,

100

But never thinks to quench a chaste desire;

101

He calls his foe, he hates none more than those

102

Who strive his law to shun, and this life chose.

103

All virtue hates his kingdom's wantonness:

104

His crown, desires; his sceptre, idleness;

105

His wounds, hot fires are; his help's like frost

106

Glad to hurt but never heals; thinks time lost

107

If any gain their long-sought joy with bliss;

108

And this the government of folly is.

109

But here Philisses comes, poor shepherd lad,

110

With Love's hot fires, and his own, made mad.

111

I must away, my vow allows no sight

112

Of men, yet must I pity him, poor wight,

113

Though he, rejecting me, this change hath wrought,

114

He shall be no less worthy in my thought.

115

Yet, wish I do he were as free as I,

116

Then were he happy, now feels misery.

117

For thanks to heaven and to the gods above,

118

I have won Chastity in place of Love.

119

Now Love's as far from me as never known;

120

Then basely tied, now freely am mine own;

121

Slavery and bondage with mourning care

122

Were then my living, sighs and tears my fare;

123

But all these gone now live I joyfully,

124

Free, and untouched of thought but Chastity.

[Exit.]

[Enter PHILISSES.]

PHILISSES

125

Love being missed in heav'n at last was found

126

Lodg'd in Musella's fair, though cruel, breast;

127

Cruel, alas, yet whereon I must ground

128

All hopes of joy, though tired with unrest.

129

O hearest dear, let plaints which true felt are

130

Gain pity once, do not delight to prove

131

So merciless, still killing with despair;

132

Nor pleasure take so much to try my love;

133

Yet, if your trial will you milder make,

134

Try, but not long, lest pity come too late.

135

But O, she may not, cannot, will not, take

136

Pity on me, she loves, and lends me hate.

LISSIUS

137

Fie, my Philisses, will you ever fly

138

My sight that loves you, and your good desires?

PHILISSES

139

Fly you, dear Lissius? No. But still a cry

140

I hear that says I burn in scorner's fires.

141

Farewell, good Lissius, I will soon return,

142

But not to you a rival, like to burn.

[Exit.]

LISSIUS

143

Ah, poor Philisses, would I knew thy pain,

144

That as I now lament, might help obtain;

145

But yet in love they say none should be used

146

But self-deserts, lest trust might be abused.

[Enter] FORESTER.

FORESTER

147

[To himself]

Did ever cruelty itself thus show?

148

Did ever heaven our mildness thus far move?

149

All sweetness and all beauty to o'erthrow,

150

All joy deface and crop in spring-time love?

151

Could any mortal breast invent such harm?

152

Could living creature think on such a loss?

153

No, no, alas, it was the Furies' charm

154

Who sought by this our best delights to cross,

155

And now in triumph glory in their gain.

156

Where was true beauty found, if not in thee,

157

O dear Silvesta? But accursed swain

158

That caused this change. O, miserable me,

159

Who live to see this day, and day's bright light

160

To shine when pleasure's turned into despite.

LISSIUS

161

Another of Love's band! O mighty Love

162

That can thy folly make in most to move.

FORESTER

163

Accursed shepherd, why wert thou e'er born,

164

Unless it were to be true virtue's scorn?

165

Cursed be thy days, unlucky ever be,

166

Nor ever live, lest happiness to see;

167

But where thou lov'st, let her as cruel prove

168

As thou wert to Silvesta, and my love.

LISSIUS

169

If one may ask, what is th'offence is done?

FORESTER

170

That cursed Philisses hath me quite undone.

LISSIUS

171

Undone, as how?

FORESTER

Sit down, and you shall know,

172

For glad I am that I my grief may tell,

173

Since 'tis some ease my sorrows cause to show,

174

Disburdning my poor heart which grief doth swell.

175

Then know I loved, alas, and ever must,

176

Silvesta fair, sole mistress of my joy,

177

Who dear affections were in surest trust

178

Laid up in flames, my hopes clean to destroy.

179

For as I truly loved and only she,

180

She for Philisses sighed, who did reject

181

Her love and pains, nor would, she cruel, see

182

My plaints, nor tears, but followed his neglect

183

With greater passion. I her followed still.

184

I after both did hie, though for my ill,

185

Who thus do live all wretchedness to taste.

186

Long time this lasted, still she constant loved,

187

And more she loved, more cruel still he grew;

188

Till at the length thus tyrant-like he proved,

189

Forcing that change which makes my poor heart rue.

190

For she, perceiving hate so far to guide

191

His settled heart to nothing but disdain,

192

Having all manners and all fashions tried

193

That might give comfort to her endless pain,

194

But seeing nothing would his favour turn

195

From fondly flying of her truest love,

196

Led by those passions which did firmly burn

197

So hot as nothing could those flames remove

198

But still increase, she, for the last resolved

199

To kill this heat, this hopeless course to take:

200

Making a vow which cannot be dissolved,

201

As not obtaining love, will love forsake.

202

For she hath vowed unto Diana's life

203

Her pure virginity; as she who could

204

No more than once love, nor another's wife

205

Consent to be, nor his now, if he would.

206

This hath he done by his ungratefulness;

207

Would it might tum to his own wretchedness!

LISSIUS

208

O, curse him not, alas, it is his ill

209

To feel so much as doth his senses kill;

210

And yet, indeed, this cruelty and course

211

Is somewhat strange for shepherds here to use.

212

Yet, see I not how this can prove the worse

213

For you whose love she ever did refuse;

214

But much the better, since your suffered pain

215

Can be no glory to another's gain.

FORESTER

216

Would it could be to any's gain the most

217

Of glory, honour, fortune, and what more

218

Can added be, though I had ever lost

219

And he obtained the chief of Beauty's store.

220

For then I might have her sometimes beheld,

221

But now am barred; for my love placed was

222

In truest kind, wherein I all excelled;

223

Not seeking gain, but losing, did surpass

224

Those that obtain; for my thoughts did ascend

225

No higher than to look. That was my end.

LISSIUS

226

What strange effects doth fancy 'mong us prove,

227

Who still brings forth new images of love?

228

But this of all is strangest: to affect

229

Only the sight and not the joys respect,

230

Nor ends of whining love, since sight we gain

231

With small ado, the other with much pain;

232

Doubling the pleasure, having left despair

233

And favour won, which kills all former care;

234

And sure, if ever I should chance to Jove,

235

The fruitful ends of love I first would move.

FORESTER

236

I wish you may obtain your heart's desire,

237

And I but sight, who waste in chastest fire.

Exit.

LISSIUS

238

These two to meet in one I ne'er did find,

239

Love and Chastity linked in one man's mind.

240

But now I see Love hath as many ways

241

To win as to destroy when he delays.

[Exit.]

Scene iii

[Enter] PHILISSES, DALINA, RUSTIC, LACON, LISSIUS [and CLIMEANA].

DALINA

The sun grows hot, 'twere best we did retire.

LISSIUS

There's a good shade.

PHILISSES

[Aside]

But here's a burning fire.

LACON

Never did I see man so changed as he.

DALINA

Truly nor I, what can the reason be?

PHILISSES

Love, love it is, which you in time may know;

But happy they can keep their love from show.

[Enter MUSELLA.]

DALINA

Musella welcome to our meeting is,

Of all our fellows you did only miss.

MUSELLA

Small miss of me. For, oft'nest when I'm here,

I am as if I were another where.

But where is Phillis? Seldom do I find

Her or Simeana missing; yet, the blind

God Cupid late hath struck her yielding breast,

And makes her lonely walk to seek for rest.

PHILISSES

Yet when the pain is greatest, 'tis some ease

To let a friend partake his friend's disease.

MUSELLA

That were no friendly part, in this you miss;

Impart unto your friend no harm, but bliss.

PHILISSES

Some friend will ready be to ease one's smart.

MUSELLA

So to befriend yourself they should bear part.

DALINA

Now we are met, what sport shall we invent

While the sun's fury somewhat more be spent?

LACON

Let each one here their fortunes past relate,

Their loves, their froward chance or their good fate.

MUSELLA

And so discourse the secrets of the mind!

I like not this; thus sport may crosses find.

PHILISSES

Let one begin a tale.

DALINA

Nor that I like.

LACON

What then will please? We see what doth dislike.

PHILISSES

Dislike is quickly known, pleasure is scant.

MUSELLA

And where joys seem to flow, alas, there's want.

CLIMEANA

[Sings.]

O mine eyes, why do you lead

My poor heart thus forth to range

From the wonted course, to strange

Unknown ways and paths to tread?

Let it home return again,

Free, untouched of gadding thought,

And your forces back be brought

To the ridding of my pain.

But mine eyes, if you deny

This small favour to my heart

And will force my thoughts to fly,

Know yet you govern but your part.

LISSIUS

Climeana hath begun a pretty sport;

Let each one sing, and so the game is short.

RUSTIC

Indeed, well said, and I will first begin.

DALINA

And whosoever's out, you'll not be in!

PHILISSES

Sing they who have glad hearts or voice to sing,

I can but patience to this pleasure bring.

MUSELLA

Then you and I will sit, and judges be.

PHILISSES

Would fair Musella first would judge of me.

MUSELLA

Will you then sing?

PHILISSES

No, I would only say [... ]

MUSELLA

Choose some time else. Who will begin this play?

RUSTIC

Why, that will I, and I will sing of thee.

MUSELLA

Sorry I am I should be your subject be.

RUSTIC

[Sings.]

When I do see

Thee, whitest thee,

Yea, whiter than lamb's wool;

How do I joy

That thee enjoy

I shall with my heart full.

Thy eyes do play

Like goats with hay,

And skip like kids flying

From the sly fox,

So eyelid's box

Shuts up thy sights prying.

Thy cheeks are red

Like ochre spread

On a fatted sheep's back;

Thy paps are found

Like apples round,

No praises shall lack.

MUSELLA

Well you have praises given enough; now let

Another come some other to commend.

RUSTIC

I had much more to say, but thus I'm met

And stayed; now will I harken and attend.

LACON

[Sings.]

By a pleasant river's side,

Heart and hopes on pleasure's tide,

Might I see within a bower

Proudly dressed with every flower

Which the spring doth to us lend,

Venus and her loving friend.

I upon her beauty gazed,

They, me seeing, were amazed;

Till at last upstepped a child,

In his face not actions mild.

'Fly away,' said he, 'for sight

Shall both breed and kill delight.

Fly away and follow me,

And I will let thee beauties see.'

I obeyed him, then he stayed

Hard beside a heavenly maid;

When he threw a flaming dart,

And unkindly struck my heart.

MUSELLA

But what became then of the cruel boy?

LACON

When he had done his worst he fled away.

MUSELLA

And so let us. 'Tis time we do return

To tend our flocks who all this while do burn.

PHILISSES

100

[Aside]

Burn, and must burn, this suddenly is said;

101

But heat not quenched, alas, but hopes decayed.

DALINA

102

What have you done, and must I lose my song?

MUSELLA

103

Not lose it, though awhile we it prolong.

DALINA

104

I am content, and now let's all retire.

PHILISSES

105

[Aside]

And soon return sent by Love's quickest fire.

[Exeunt.]

Scene iv

[Enter] VENUS and CUPID, appearing in the clouds.

VENUS

Fie, this is nothing! What? Is this your care?

That among ten the half of them you spare!

I would have all to wail and all to weep;

Will you at such a time as this go sleep?

Awake your forces and make Lissius find

Cupid can cruel be as well as kind.

Shall he go scorning thee and all thy train,

And pleasure take he can thy force disdain?

Strike him, and tell him thou his lord wilt prove,

And he a vassal unto mighty Love;

And all the rest, that scorners be of thee,

Make with their grief, of thy might feelers be.

VENUS

'Tis true that Lissius, and some others yet,

Are free and lively; but they shall be met

With care sufficient, for 'tis not their time

As yet into my pleasing pain to climb.

Let them alone, and let themselves beguile,

They shall have torment when they think to smile.

They are not yet in pride of all their scorn,

But ere they have their pleasures half-way worn,

They shall both cry, and sigh, and wail, and weep,

And for our mercy shall most humbly creep.

Love hath most glory when as greatest sprites

He downward throws unto his own delights.

Then take no care, Love's Victory shall shine,

Whenas your honour shall be raised by mine.

VENUS

Thanks, Cupid, if thou do perform thine oath,

As needs you must, for gods must want no troth.

Let mortals never think it odd or vain

To hear that Love can in all spirits reign.

Princes are not exempted from our mights,

Much less should shepherds scorn us and our rights;

Though they as well can love and like affect,

They must not therefore our commands neglect.

CUPID

Nor shall. And mark but what my vengeance is.

I'll miss my force, or they shall want their bliss;

And arrows here I have of purpose framed

Which as their qualities so are they named:

Love, jealousy, malice, fear, and mistrust,

Yet all these shall at last encounter just;

Harm shall be none, yet all shall harm endure

For some small season, then of joy be sure.

Like you this, Mother?

VENUS

Son, I like this well,

And fail not now in least part of thy spell.

[Exeunt.]

Act II

Scene i

[Enter] MUSELLA, DALINA, SIMEANA, PHILISSES, LISSIUS [and] LACON.

DALINA

Methinks we now too silent are. Let's play

At something while we yet have pleasing day.

[Enter SILVESTA and FORESTER; they do not see the others.]

LISSIUS

Here's sport enough; view but her new attire,

And see her slave who burns in chaste desire.

DALINA

Mark but their meeting.

LISSIUS

She, I'm sure, will fly,

And he poor fool will follow still, and cry.

MUSELLA

What pleasure you do take to mock at love;

Are you sure you cannot his power prove?

But look, he kneels, and weeps.

LISSIUS

And cries, 'Ah me!'

Sweet Nymph have pity, or he dies for thee.

FORESTER

[To SILVESTA]

Alas, dear Nymph, why fly you still my sight?

Can my true love and firm affection

So little gain me, as your fairest light

Must darkened be for my affliction?

O look on me and see if in my face

True grief and sorrow show not my disgrace;

If that despair do not by sighs appear;

If felt disdain do not with tears make show

My ever-wailing, ever-saddest cheer,

And mourning, which no breath can overblow?

Pity me not, else judge with your fair eyes

My loving soul which to you captive lies.

SILVESTA

Alas, fond Forester, urge me no more

To that which now lies not within my might;

Nor can I grant, or you to joy restore

By any means to yield you least delight

For I have vowed, which vows I will obey,

Unto Diana. What more can I say?

FORESTER

O, this I know. Yet give me but this leave

To do as birds, and trees, and beasts may do;

Do not, O, do not me of sight bereave,

For without you I see not. Ah, undo

Not what is yours, o'erthrow not what's your own,

Let me, though conquered, not be quite o'erthrown.

I know you vowed have, and vows must stand;

Yet, though you chaste must be, I may desire

To have your sight, and this the strictest band

Cannot refuse, and but this I require.

Then grant it me, which I on knees do seek,

Be not to nature, and yourself, unleek.

SILVESTA

No, no, I ne'er believe your fond-made oath.

I chastity have sworn, then no more move.

I know what 'tis to swear, and break it, both; What to desire, and what it is to love.

Protest you may that there shall nothing be

By you imagined 'gainst my chastity,

But this I doubt; your love will make you curse,

If you so much do love, that cursed day

When I this vowed; attempt it may be worse.

Then follow not thus hopeless your decay,

But leave off loving; or some other choose

Whose state or fortune need not you refuse.

FORESTER

Indeed, sweet Nymph, 'tis true that chastity

To one that loves may justly raging move.

Yet, loving you, those thoughts shall banished be;

Since 'tis in you, I chastity will love;

And now depart, since such is your pleasure.

Depart, o me, from joy, from life, from ease,

Go I must, and leave behind that treasure

Which all contentment gives. Now, to displease

Myself with liberty I may free go,

And with most liberty, most grief, most woe.

Exit.

MUSELLA

Lissius, I hope this sight doth something move

In you to pity so much constant love.

LISSIUS

Yes. Thus it moves: that man should be so fond

As to be tied t'a woman's faithless bond!

For we should women love but as our sheep,

Who being kind and gentle give us ease,

But cross, or straying, stubborn, or unmeek,

Shunned as the wolf, which most our flocks disease.

MUSELLA

We little are beholding unto you,

In kindness, less. Yet, you these words may rue;

I hope to live to see you wail and weep,

And deem your grief far sweeter than your sleep.

Then, but remember this, and think on me;

Who truly told, you could not still live free.

LISSIUS

I do not know, it may be very well,

But I believe I shall uncharm Love's spell.

And Cupid, if I needs must love,

Take your aim and shoot your worst.

Once more you rob your mother's dove,

All your last shafts sure were burst,

Those you stole, and those you gave,

Shoot not me till new you have.

PHILISSES

Rustic, faith, tell me, hast thou ever loved?

RUSTIC

What call you love? I've been to trouble moved,

As when my best cloak hath by chance been torn,

I have lived wishing till it mended were,

And but so lovers do; nor could forbear

To cry if I my bag or bottle lost,

As lovers do who by their loves are crossed,

And grieve as much for these, as they for scorn.

PHILISSES

Call you this love? Why, love is no such thing!

Love is a pain which yet doth pleasure bring,

A passion which alone in hearts do move,

And they that feel not this they cannot love.

'Twill make one joyful, merry, pleasant, sad,

Cry, weep, sigh, fast, mourn, nay sometimes stark mad;

If they perceive scorn, hate, or else disdain

To wrap their woes in store, for others' gain,

100

For that, but jealousy, is sure the worst,

101

And then be jealous. Better be accursed!

102

But o, some are, and would it not disclose;

103

They silent love, and loving, fear. Ah, those

104

Deserve most pity, favour and regard;

105

Yet, are they answered but with scorn's reward,

106

This their misfortune. And the like may fall

107

To you, or me, who wait misfortune's call.

108

But if it do, take heed, be ruled by me:

109

Though you mistrust, mistrust not that she see.

110

For then she'll smiling say, 'Alas, poor fool,

111

This man hath learned all parts of Folly's school.'

112

Be wise, make love, and love though not obtain,

113

For to love truly is sufficient gain.

RUSTIC

114

Sure you do love, you can so well declare

115

The joys and pleasures, hope and his despair.

PHILISSES

116

I love indeed.

RUSTIC

But who is she you love?

PHILISSES

117

She who best thoughts must to affection move;

118

If any love, none need ask who it is.

119

Within these plains, none loves that loves not this

120

Delight of shepherd's pride, of this fair place;

121

No beauty is that shines not in her face,

122

Whose whiteness whitest lilies doth excel,

123

Matched with a rosy morning to compel

124

All hearts to serve her. Yet, doth she affect

125

But only virtue, nor will quite neglect

126

Those who doth serve her in an honest fashion,

127

Which, sure, doth more increase, than decrease, passion.

[Enter ARCAS.]

ARCAS

128

Here are they met, where Beauty only reigns,

129

Whose presence gives the excellentest light

130

And brightest, dimming Phoebus, who but feigns

131

To outshine these, it is not in his might.

132

Fair troop, here is a sport will well befit

133

This time and place, if you will license it.

PHILISSES

134

What is't, good Arcas?

ARCAS

Why stay, and you shall see.

135

Here is a book wherein each one shall draw

136

A fortune, and, thereby, their luck shall be

137

Conjectured. Like you this? You ne'er it saw.

RUSTIC

138

It is no matter, 'tis a pretty one.

139

Musella, you shall draw.

MUSELLA

Though choose alone.

PHILISSES

140

I never saw it, but I like it well.

LISSIUS

141

Then he, 'chieves best of all, must bear the bell.

RUSTIC

142

Pray thee, good Arcas, let me hold the book.

ARCAS

143

With all my heart. Yet, you'll not some lots brook.

RUSTIC

144

[Takes the book and reads.]

Fairest, sweetest, bonny lass,

145

You that love in mirth to pass,

146

Time delightful come to me

147

And you shall your fortune see.

MUSELLA

148

You tell by book, then sure you cannot miss,

149

But shall I know what shall be, or what is?

RUSTIC

150

What shall be you need not fear,

151

Rustic doth thy fortune bear.

152

Draw, and when you chosen have,

153

Praise me who such fortune gave.

MUSELLA

154

And so I will, if good; or if untrue,

155

I'll blame min 'own ill-choice, and not blame you.

[She draws.]

PHILISSES

156

Pray, may I see the fortune you do choose.

MUSELLA

157

Yes, and if right, I will it not refuse.

PHILISSES

158

None can be cross to you, except you will.

MUSELLA

159

Read it.

PHILISSES

I will, although it were my ill.

[Reads.]

160

Fortune cannot cross your will,

161

Though your patience much must be.

162

Fear not that your luck is ill,

163

You shall your best wishes see.

164

Refuse, believe me, no, you have no cause;

165

Thus hope brings longing, patience, passion draws.

DALINA

166

I'll try what mine shall be, good Rustic, hold.

ARCAS

167

A man must follow.

DALINA

I'm still too bold.

PHILISSES

168

Then I will try, though sure of cruelty.

[He draws.]

169

And yet, this lot doth promise good at last;

170

That, though I now feel greatest misery,

171

My blessed days to come are not all past.

DALINA

172

Come, this fond lover knows not yet the play,

173

He studies while our fortunes run away!

174

What have you got? Let's see, do you this love?

PHILISSES

175

Read it, but heaven grant me the end to prove.

DALINA

176

[Reads.]

You do live to be much crossed,

177

Yet esteem no labour lost,

178

Since you shall with bliss obtain

179

Pleasure for your suffered pain.

180

Truly, I cannot blame you. Like you this?

181

So I at last might gain, I well could miss.

MUSELLA

182

After a rain the sweetest flowers do grow,

183

So shall your hap be, as this book doth show.

DALINA

184

Now must I draw. Sweet Fortune be my guide.

MUSELLA

185

She cannot see. Yet, must your chance abide.

DALINA

186

Blind or no, I care not, this I take, and

187

If good, my luck, if not, a luckless hand.

[She draws.]

PHILISSES

188

If Fortune guide, she will direct to Love,

189

They cannot parted be. How now dost move?

DALINA

190

Move? Did you ever see the like?

PHILISSES

Not I!

DALINA

191

Nay, read it out, it shows my constancy.

PHILISSES

192

[Reads.]

They that cannot steady be

193

To themselves, the like must see.

194

Fickle people, fickly choose,

195

Slightly like, and so refuse.

196

This your fortune, who can say,

197

Herein justice bears not sway!

198

In troth, Dalina, Fortune is proud-cursed

199

To you without desert.

DALINA

This is the worst

200

That she can do. 'Tis true I have fickle been,

201

And so is she; 'tis then the lesser sin.

202

Let her prove constant, I will her observe,

203

And then, as she doth mend, I'll good deserve.

ARCAS

204

Who chooseth next?

LISSIUS

Not I, lest such I prove:

SILVESTA

205

Nor I, it is sufficient I could love.

ARCAS

206

I'll wish for one, but Fortune shall not try

207

On me her tricks, whose favours are so dry.

DALINA

208

None can wish, if they their wishes love not,

209

Nor can they love, if that wishings move not.

PHILISSES

210

You fain would solve this business.

DALINA

Who? Would I?

211

Nay, my care's past. I, Love and his, deny.

PHILISSES

212

Love and Reason once at war,

213

Jove came down to end the jar.

214

'Cupid,' said Love, 'must have place';

215

Reason, that it was his grace.

216

Jove then brought it to this end:

217

Reason should on Love attend;

218

Love takes Reason for his guide,

219

Reason cannot from Love slide.

220

This agreed, they pleased did part,

221

Reason ruling Cupid's dart.

222

So as sure Love cannot miss,

223

Since that Reason ruler is.

LISSIUS

224

It seems he missed before he had this guide!

PHILISSES

225

I'm sure not me, I ne'er my heart could hide

226

But he it found; so, as I well may say,

227

Had he been blind I might have stolen away!

228

But so he saw, and ruled with Reason's might,

229

As he hath killed in me all my delight;

230

He wounded me, alas, with double harm,

231

And none but he can my distress uncharm;

232

Another wound must cure me, or I die.

233

But stay, this is enough, I hence will fly

234

And seek the boy that struck me. Fare you well,

235

Yet, make not still your pleasures prove my hell.

[Exit.]

LISSIUS

236

Philisses now hath left us, let's go back

237

And tend our flocks, who now our care do lack.

238

[Aside]

Yet would he had more pleasant parted hence,

239

Or that I could but judge the cause from whence

240

These passions grew; it would give me much ease

241

Since I perceive my sight doth him displease.

242

I'll seek him yet, and of him truly know

243

What in him hath bred this unusual woe.

244

If he deny me, then I'll swear he hates

245

Me, or affects that humour which debates

246

In his kind thought, which should the master be;

247

But, who the friend is, I will quickly see.

Exit.

MUSELLA

248

Well let's away.

[Aside]

– And hither soon return

249

That sun to me, whose absence make me burn.

Exeunt.

Scene ii

[Enter] PHILISSES [and] LISSIUS.

LISSIUS

O, plainly deal with me! My love hath been

Still firm to you; then, let us not begin

To seem as strangers. If I have wronged you, speak,

And I'll forgiveness ask; else, do not break

That band of friendship of our long-held love,

Which did these plains to admiration move.

PHILISSES

I cannot change, but love thee ever will,

For no cross shall my first affection kill.

But give me leave that sight, once loved, to shun

Since by the sight, I see myself undone.

LISSIUS

When this opinion first possessed thy heart

Would Death had struck me with his cruel dart.

Live I to be mistrusted by my friend?

'Tis time for me my wretched days to end.

But what began this change in thee?

PHILISSES

Mistrust.

LISSIUS

Mistrust of me?

PHILISSES

I am not so unjust.

LISSIUS

What then? Pray tell, my heart doth long to know.

PHILISSES

Why then, the change and cause of all my woe

Proceeds from this: I fear Musella's love

Is placed in you, this doth my torments move.

Since if she do, my friendship bound to you

Must make me leave for love or joy to sue,

For though I love her more than mine own heart,

If you affect her, I will ne'er impart

My love to her; so, constant friendship binds

My love where truth such faithful biding finds.

Then truly speak, good Lissius, plainly say,

Nor shall a love make me your trust betray.

LISSIUS

my Philisses! What? Was this the cause?

Alas, see how misfortune on me draws.

I love; but vow 'tis not Musella's face

Could from my heart my freer thoughts displace.

Although, I must confess, she worthy is,

But she, alas, can bring to me no bliss.

It is your sister who must end my care

Now do you see you need no more despair.

PHILISSES

Yet, she may love you, can you that deny?

LISSIUS

And swear I never yet, lest thou could spy:

But well assured I am that she doth love,

And you, I venture, dare doth her heart move.

'Tis true she speaks to me, but for your sake,

Else for good looks from her I might leave take.

Her eyes cannot dissemble, though her tongue

To speak it hazards not a greater wrong;

Her cheeks cannot command the blood, but still

It must appear, although against her will.

Thus have I answered, and advice do give:

Tell her your love, if you will happy live;

She cannot, neither will she, you deny.

And do as much for me, or else I die.

PHILISSES

What may I do that you shall not command?

Then here I 'gage my word and give my hand;

If with my sister I but power have,

She shall requite you, and your sorrow save

With gift of her love. But, once more say this:

From fair Musella hope you for no bliss?

LISSIUS

None but her friendship, which I will require

From both, as equal to my best desire.

PHILISSES

Then, thus assured, that friendship shall remain,

Or let my soul endure eternal pain.

Exeunt.

Scene iii

[Enter] VENUS' PRIESTS TO LOVE, or his praise, [and] the GODDESS and her SON, appearing in glory.

[PRIESTS]

Cupid, blessed be thy might,

Let thy triumph see no night;

Be thou justly God of Love,

Who thus can thy glory move.

Hearts, obey to Cupid's sway,

Princes, none of you say nay;

Eyes, let him direct your way,

For without him you may stray.

He your secret thoughts can spy,

Being hid else from each eye.

Let your songs be still of love;

Write no satires which may prove,

Lest offensive to his name.

If you do, you will but frame

Words against yourselves, and lines

Where his good, and your ill, shines.

Like him who doth set a snare

For a poor betrayed hare,

And that thing he best doth love

Lucklessly the snare doth prove.

Love, the king is of the mind,

Please him, and he will be kind;

Cross him, you see what doth come,

Harms which make your pleasure's tomb.

Then, take heed, and make your bliss

In his favour, and so miss

No content, nor joy, nor peace,

But in happiness, increase.

Love command your hearts and eyes,

And enjoy what pleasure tries;

Cupid govern, and his care,

Guide your hearts from all despair.

[Exeunt.]

Act III

Scene i

[Enter SILVESTA and MUSELLA.]

SILVESTA

Silent woods with desert's shade,

Giving peace.

Where all pleasures first are made

To increase.

Give your favour to my moan

Now my loving time is gone.

Chastity my pleasure is,

Folly fled.

From hence, now I seek my bliss,

Cross love dead.

In your shadows I repose,

You, than Love, I now have chose.

MUSELLA

Choice ill-made were better left,

Being cross.

Of such choice to be bereft,

Were no loss.

Chastity, you thus commend,

Doth proceed but from Love's end.

And if Love the fountain was

Of your fire,

Love must Chastity surpass

In desire.

Love lost, bred your chastest thought,

Chastity by Love is wrought.

SILVESTA

O, poor Musella, now I pity thee;

I see thou'rt bound, who most have made unfree.

'Tis true, disdain of my love made me turn,

And happily I think. But you to burn

In love's false fires yourself, poor soul, take heed,

Be sure before you too much pine, to speed.

You know I loved have, but behold my gain;

This, you dislike, I purchased with love's pain

And true-felt sorrow. Yet, my answer was

From my, then dear, Philisses: 'You must pass

Unloved by me, and for your own good leave

To urge that which, most urged, can but deceive

Your hopes. For know, Musella is my love.'

As then of duty I should no more move;

And this his will he got, but not his mind,

For yet it seems you are no less unkind.

MUSELLA

Wrong me not, chaste Silvesta, 'tis my grief

That from poor me he will not take relief.

SILVESTA

What, will he lose what he did most desire?

MUSELLA

So is he led away with jealous fire.

And this, Silvesta, but to you I speak,

For sooner should my heart with silence break

Than any else should hear me thus much say

But you, who I know will not me betray.

SILVESTA

Betray Musella? Sooner will I die.

No, I do love you, nor will help deny

That lies in me to bring your care to end,

Or service which to your content may tend.

For when I loved Philisses as my life,

Perceiving he loved you, I killed the strife

Which in me was. Yet, do I wish his good,

And for his sake, love you. Though I withstood

Good fortunes, this chaste life well pleaseth me,

And would joy more if you two happy be.

Few would say this, but fewer would it do,

But th'one I loved, and love the other too.

MUSELLA

I know you loved him, nor could I the less

At that time love you. So did he possess

My heart, as my thought all hearts sure must yield

To love him most and best; who in this field

Doth live and hath not had some kind of touch

To like him? But o, you and I too much.

SILVESTA

Mine is now passed. Tell me now what yours is,

And I'll wish but the means to work your bliss.

MUSELLA

Then know, Silvesta, I Philisses love.

But he, although, or that because, he loves,

Doth me mistrust. Ah, can such mischief move

As to mistrust her who such passion proves?

But so he doth, and thinks I have Lissius made

Master of my affections, which hath stayed

Him ever yet from letting me it know

By words, although he hides it not from show.

Sometimes I fain would speak, then straight forbear,

Knowing it most unfit; thus woe I bear.

SILVESTA

Indeed a woman to make love is ill.

But hear, and you may all these sorrows kill;

He, poor distressed shepherd, every morn

Before the sun to our eyes new is born,

Walks in this place, and here alone doth cry

Against his life and your great cruelty.

Now, since you love so much, come here and find

Him in these woes, and show yourself but kind.

You soon shall see a heart so truly won

As you would not it miss to be undone.

MUSELLA

Silvesta, for this love I can but say,

That piece of heart which is not given away

Shall be your own, the rest will you observe

As saver of two hearts, which, too, will serve

You ever with so true and constant love

Your chastity itself shall it approve.

SILVESTA

I do believe it, for in so much worth

As lives in you, virtue must needs spring forth.

And for Philisses, I love him and will

In chastest service hinder still his ill.

Then keep your time, alas, let him not die

100

For whom so many suffered misery.

MUSELLA

101

Let me no joy receive if I neglect

102

This kind advice, or him I so respect.

SILVESTA

103

Farewell, Musella, love, and happy be.

Exeunt.

Scene ii

[Enter PHILISSES.]

PHILISSES

O wretched man! And thou, all-conquering Love,

Which show'st thy power still on hapless me,

Yet give me leave in these sweet shades to move;

Rest but to s ow my killing misery;

And be once pleased to know thy wretched fate,

And something pity my ill and my state.

Could ever Nature of the heavens e'er frame

So rare a part so like themselves divine?

And yet that work be blotted with the blame

Of cruelty; and dark be, who should shine

To be the brightest star of dearest prize;

And yet to murder hearts which to her cries,

Cry; and even at the point of death for care,

Yet have I nothing left me but despair.

Despair! O, but despair! Alas, hath hope

No better portion? Nor a greater scope?

Well then, despair with my life coupled be,

And for my sudden end do soon agree.

Ah me, unfortunate; would I could die.

But so soon as this company I fly.

Exit.

[Enter] DALINA, CLIMEANA, SIMEANA [and] PHILLIS.

DALINA

Now we're alone let everyone confess

Truly to other what our lucks have been,

How often liked and loved, and so express

Our passions past; shall we this sport begin?

None can accuse us, none can us betray,

Unless ourselves, our own selves will bewray.

PHILLIS

I like this, but will each one truly tell?

CLIMEANA

Trust me, I will, who doth not, doth not well.

SIMEANA

I'll plainly speak, but who shall be the first?

DALINA

I can say least of all, yet I will speak.

A shepherd once there was, and not the worst

Of those were most esteemed, whose sleep did break

With love, forsooth, of me. I, found it thought

I might have him at leisure, liked him not.

Then was there to our house a farmer brought,

Rich and lively, but those bought not his lot

For love. Two jolly youths at last there came,

Which both, methought, I very well could love.

When one was absent, t'other had the name;

In my stayed heart he present did most move,

Both at one time in sight, I scarce could say

Which of the two I then would wish away.

But they found how to choose, and as I was,

Like changing, like uncertain, let me pass.

SIMEANA

I would not this believe if other tongue

Should this report, but think it had been wrong;

But since you speak this, could not you agree

To choose someone, but thus unchosen be?

DALINA

Truly not I. I plainly tell the truth,

Yet do confess 'twas folly in my youth,

Which now I'll mend; the next that comes I'll have,

I will no more be foolish, nor delay,

Since I do see the lads will labour save.

One answer rids them, I'll no more say 'Nay'.

But if he say, 'Dalina, will you love?'

And, 'Thank you', I will say, 'If you will prove'.

The next go on, and tell what you have done.

SIMEANA

I am the next, and have but losses won.

Yet, still I constant was, though still rejected;

Loved and not loved I was, liked and neglected;

Yet, now some hope revives, when love thought dead

Proves like the Spring's young bud when leaves are fled.

PHILLIS

Your hap's the better, would mine were as good,

Though I as long as you despised stood.

For I have loved, and loved but only one;

Yet I, disdained, could but receive that moan

Which others do for thousands; so unjust

Is Love to those who in him most do trust.

Nor did I ever let my thoughts be shown

But to Musella, who all else hath known,

Which was, long time, I had Philisses loved,

And ever would though he did me despise;

For then, though he had ever cruel proved,

From him, not me, the fault must needs arise.

And if, Simeana, thus your brother dear

Should be unkind, my love shall still be clear.

SIMEANA

'Tis well resolved; but how liked she your choice?

Did she, or blame, or else, your mind commend?

PHILLIS

Neither she seemed to dislike or rejoice,

Nor did commend I did this love intend;

But smiling, said, 'twere best to be advised:

Comfort it were to win, but death despised.

SIMEANA

I do believe her. But Climeana yet

Hath nothing said, we must not her forget.

CLIMEANA

Why, you have said enough for you and me!

Yet for your sakes, I will the order keep,

Who though a stranger here by birth I be

And in Arcadia ever kept my sheep.

Yet, here it is my fortune with the rest

Of you to like, and loving be oppressed,

For since I came, I did a lover turn;

And turn I did indeed when I loved here,

Since for another I in love did burn,

To whom I thought I had been held as dear;

But was deceived. When I for him had left

My friends and country, was of him bereft,

And all, but that you kindly did embrace

And welcome me into this happy place.

Where, for your sakes, I meant to keep some sheep,

100

Not doubting ever to be more deceived;

101

But now, alas, I am anew bereaved

102

Of heart, now time it is myself to keep

103

And let flocks go, unless Simeana please

104

To give consent, and so give me some ease.

SIMEANA

105

Why, what have I to do with whom you love?

CLIMEANA

106

Because 'tis he who doth your passion move.

SIMEANA

107

The lesser need I fear the winning of his love,

108

Since all my faith could never so much move.

109

Yet, can he not so cruel ever be

110

But he may live my misery to see.

CLIMEANA

111

And when his eyes to love shall open be,

112

I trust he will turn pity unto me,

113

And let me have reward, which is my due.

SIMEANA

114

Which is your due? What pity's due to you?

115

Dream you of hope? O, you too high aspire!

116

Think you to gain by kindling an old fire?

CLIMEANA

117

My love will be the surer, when I know

118

Not love alone, but how love to bestow.

SIMEANA

119

You make him, yet for all this, but to be

120

The second in your choice. So was not he

121

In mine, but first, and last, of all the chief

122

That can to me bring sorrow or relief.

CLIMEANA

123

This will not win him. You may talk and hope,

124

But in Love's passages there is large scope.

SIMEANA

125

'Tis true, and you have scope to change and choose,

126

To take, and dislike, like, and soon refuse.

CLIMEANA

127

My love as firm is to him as is thine.

SIMEANA

128

Yet mine did ever rise, never decline;

129

No other moved in me the flames of love,

130

Yet you dare hope as much as I to move.

131

Folly, indeed, is proud, and only vain,

132

And you his servant feeds with hope of gain.

CLIMEANA

133

I love him most.

SIMEANA

I love him best. Can you

134

Challenge reward, and cannot say you're true?

CLIMEANA

135

In this you wrong me! False I have not been,

136

But changed on cause.

SIMEANA

Well, now you hope to win

137

This second! Yet I, like those, lose no time;

138

But can you think that you can this way climb

139

To your desires? This shows you love have tried,

140

And that you can both choose, and choice divide.

141

But take your course, and win him if you can,

142

And I'll proceed in truth as I began.

DALINA

143

Fie, what a life is here about fond love,

144

Never could it in my heart thus much move!

145

This is the reason men are grown so coy,

146

When they perceive we make their smiles our joy;

147

Let them alone, and they will seek and sue,

148

But yield to them and they'll with scorn pursue.

149

Hold awhile off, they'll kneel, nay, follow you,

150

And vow and swear. Yet, all their oaths untrue;

151

Let them once see you coming, then they fly,

152

But strangely look, and they'll for pity cry;

153

And let them cry, there is no evil done,

154

They gain but that which you might else have won.

SIMEANA

155

Is this your counsel? Why, but now you said

156

Your folly had your loves and good betrayed,

157

And that hereafter you would wiser be

158

Than to disdain such as have left you free.

DALINA

159

'Tis true, that was the course I meant to take,

160

But this must you do, your own ends to make;

161

I have my fortunes lost, yours do begin,

162

And to cross those could be no greater sin.

163

I know the world, and hear me, this I advise:

164

Rather than too soon won, be too precise;

165

Nothing is lost by being careful still,

166

Nor nothing so soon won as lover's ill.

167

Here Lissius comes. Alas, he is love-struck,

168

He's even now learning love without the book.

[Enter LISSIUS.]

LISSIUS

169

[To himself]

Love, pardon me, I know I did amiss

170

When I thee scorned, or thought thy blame my bliss.

171

O, pity me. Alas, I pity crave!

172

Do not set trophies on my luckless grave,

173

Though I, poor slave and ignorant, did scorn

174

Thy blessed name; let not my heart be torn

175

With thus much torture. O, but look on me,

176

Take me a faithful servant unto thee!

CLIMEANA

177

Dear Lissius, my dear Lissius, fly me not;

178

Let not both scorn and absence be my lot.

LISSIUS

179

Pray let me go, you know I cannot love;

180

Do not thus far my patience strive to move.

CLIMEANA

181

Why, cruel Lissius, wilt thou never mend,

182

But still increase thy frowns for my sad end?

LISSIUS

183

Climeana, 'tis enough that I have said,

184

Be gone and leave me. Is this for a maid

185

To follow and to haunt me thus? You blame

186

Me for disdain, but see not your own shame!

187

Fie, I do blush for you! A woman woo?

188

The most unfittest, shameful'st thing to do!

CLIMEANA

189

Unfit and shameful I? Indeed, 'tis true,

190

Since suit is made too hard; relentless you.

191

Well, I will leave you and restore the wrong

192

I suffer for my loving you too long.

193

No more shall my words trouble you, nor I

194

Ere follow more, if not to see me die.

Exit.

LISSIUS

195

Farewell, you now do right; this is the way

196

To win my wish. For when I all neglect

197

That seek me, she must needs something respect

198

My love the more; and what though she should say

199

I once denied her, yet my true-felt pain

200

Must needs from her soft breast some favour gain.

DALINA

201

Lisius is taken, well said! Cupid, now

202

You partly have performed your taken vow;

203

Of all our shepherds, I ne'er thought that he

204

Would of thy foolish troop a follower be!

205

But this it is a Goddess to despise

206

And thwart a wayward boy who wants his eyes.

207

Come, let's not trouble him, he is distressed

208

Enough, he need not be with us oppressed.

SIMEANA

209

I'll stay, and ask him who 'tis he doth love.

DALINA

210

Do not a pensive heart to passion move.

SIMEANA

211

To passion? Would I could his passion find,

212

To answer my distressed and grieved mind.

DALINA

213

Stay then and try him, and your fortune try;

214

It may be he loves you. Come let's go by.

Exeunt [DALINA and PHILLIS.]

LISSIUS

215

O, sweet Simeana, look but on my pain!

216

I grieve and curse myself for my disdain;

217

Now, but have pity, Love doth make me serve,

218

And for your wrong, and you, I will reserve

219

My life to pay, your love but to deserve,

220

And for your sake I do myself preserve.

SIMEANA

221

Preserve it not for me, I seek not now!

222

Nor can I credit this nor any vow

223

Which you shall make; I was too long despised

224

To be deceived. No, I will be advised

225

By my own reason; my love shall no more blind

226

Me, nor make me believe more than I find.

LISSIUS

227

Believe but that, and I shall have the end

228

Of all my pain, and wishes. I pretend

229

A virtuous love; then grant me my desire,

230

Who now do waste in true and faithful fire.

SIMEANA

231

How can I this believe?

LISSIUS

My faith shall tell

232

That in true love I will all else excel;

233

But then, will you love me, as I do you?

SIMEANA

234

I promise may, for you cannot be true!

LISSIUS

235

Then, you will promise break.

SIMEANA

Not if I find

236

That as your words are, so you'll make your mind.

LISSIUS

237

Let me, nor speech, nor mind have, when that I

238

In this, or any else, do falsify

239

My faith and love to you.

SIMEANA

Then, be at rest;

240

And of my true affection be possessed.

LISSIUS

241

So, dear Simeana, be of me and mine.

242

Now do my hopes and joys together shine.

SIMEANA

243

Nor let the least cloud rise to dim this light,

244

Which Love makes to appear with true delight.

[Exeunt.]

Scene iii

[Enter] VENUS and CUPID.

CUPID

Is not this pretty? Who doth free remain

Of all this flock, that waits not in our train?

Will you have yet more sorrow? Yet more woe?

Shall I another bitter arrow throw?

Speak, if you will, my hand now knows the way

To make all hearts your sacred power obey.

VENUS

'Tis pretty, but 'tis not enough. Some are

Too slightly wounded, they had greater share

In scorning us. Lissius too soon is blessed,

And with too little pain hath got his rest;

Scarce had he learned to sigh before he gained,

Nor shed a tear ere he his hopes obtained.

This easy winning breeds us more neglect,

Without much pain, few do Love's joys respect;

Then are the sweetest purchased with felt grief,

To floods of woe sweet looks give full relief;

A world of sorrow is eased with one smile,

And heart-wounds cured when kind words rule, the while.

That foregone wailings, in forgotten thought

Shall wasted lie disdained, once dearly bought;

One gentle speech more heals a bleeding wound

Than bawlings of pleasure, if from other ground.

Strike then to favour him, and let him gain

His love and bliss by Love's sweet pleasing pain.

CUPID

That shall be done. Nor had he this delight

Bestowed, but for his greater harm and spite;

You shall, before this act be ended, see

He doth sufficiently taste misery.

'Tis far more grief from joy to be down thrown,

Than joy to be advanced to Pleasure's throne.

VENUS

Let me see that, and I contented am;

Such gracious favour would but get thy shame.

CUPID

He and others yet shall taste

Such distress as shall lay waste

All their hopes, their joys, and lives;

By such loss our glory thrives;

Fear not, then all hearts must yield

When our forces come to field.

[Exeunt.]

Act IV

Scene i

[Enter MUSELLA.]

MUSELLA

This is the place Silvesta 'pointed me

To meet my joy, my sole felicity;

And here Philisses is. Ah me, this shows

The wounds by Love given are no childish blows.

[Enter PHILISSES; MUSELLA hides.]

PHILISSES

You blessed woods into whose secret guard

I venture dare my inward wounding smart,

And to you dare impart the crosses hard

Which harbour in my love-destroyed heart.

To you, and but to you, I durst disclose

These flames, these pains, these griefs, which I do find;

For your true hearts so constant are to those

Who trust in you, as you' not change your mind.

No echo shrill shall your dear secrets utter,

Or wrong your silence with a blabbing tongue;

Nor will your springs against your private mutter,

Or think that counsel keeping is a wrong;

Then, since woods, springs, echoes, and all are true,

My long-hid love, I'll tell, show, write in you.

Alas, Musella, cruel shepherdess,

Who takes no pity on me in distress.

For all my passions, plaints, and all my woes,

I am so far from gain as outward shows;

I never had could feed least hope to spring,'

Or any while least comfort to me bring.

Yet pardon me, dear mistress of my soul,

I do recall my words, my tongue control,

For wronging thee; accuse my poor starved heart,

Which withered is with Love's all-killing smart.

Since, truly, I must say I cannot blame

Thee, nor accuse thee with a scorner's name.

No, no, alas, my pains thou dost not know,

Nor dare I, wretch, my torments to thee show.

Why did I wrong thee then, who all must serve,

And happy he, by thee, thought to deserve?

Who heaven hath framed to make us here below

Deserve, they strive all worth in thee to show,

And doth these valleys and these meads disgrace

When thou art present with excelling grace,

As now, who at this time doth show more bright

Than fair Aurora, when she lends best light.

O, that I might but now have heart to speak

And say I love, though after, heart did break.

MUSELLA

[Aside]

I fain would comfort him, and yet I know

Not if from me 'twill comfort be or no,

Since causeless jealousy hath so possessed

His heart, as no belief of me can rest.

But why stay I? I came to give relief.

Should I then doubt? No, I may ease his grief,

And help will seek. None should one's good neglect,

Much more his bliss, who for me joys reject.

[She comes forward.]

How now, Philisses, why do you thus grieve?

Speak, is there none that can your pains relieve?

PHILISSES

Yes, fair Musella, but such is my state,

Relief must come from her who can but hate.

What hope may I, wretch, have least good to move

Where scorn doth grow for me, for others, love?

MUSELLA

But are you sure she doth your love disdain?

It may be for your love she feels like pain.

PHILISSES

Like pain for me! I would not crave so much.

I wish no more but that love might her touch,

And that she might discern by love to know

That kind respect is fit for her to show.

MUSELLA

Sure this she knows.

PHILISSES

Prove it, and I may live.

MUSELLA

Tell me who 'tis you love, and I will give

My word I'll win her if she may be won.

PHILISSES

Ah me, that doubt in me made me first run

Into this labyrinth of woe and care,

Which makes me thus to wed mine own despair.

MUSELLA

But have you made it known to her you love,

That for her scorn you do these torments prove?

PHILISSES

Yes, now I have; and yet to ease some pain

I'll plainlier speak, though my own end I gain;

And so to end, it were to me a bliss.

Then know, for your dear sake my sorrow is.

It may be you will hate me, yet I have

By this some ease, though with it come my grave.

Yet, dear Musella, since for you I pine

And suffer welcome death, let favour shine

Thus far, that though my love you do neglect,

Yet sorry be I died. With this respect

I shall be satisfied, and so content

As I shall deem my life so lost well spent.

MUSELLA

Sorry? Alas, Philisses, can it be

But I should grieve and mourn, nay, die for thee?

Yet, tell me why did you thus hide your love

And suffer wrong conceits thus much to move?

Now 'tis almost too late your wish to gain;

Yet you shall pity for your love obtain.

PHILISSES

Pity when helpless, 'tis endless given;

Am I to this unhappy bondage driven?

Yet truly pity, and 'twill be some ease

Unto my grief, though all things else displease;

But, do not yet, unless you can affect,

For forced pity's worse than is neglect;

And to be pitied but for pity's sake,

And not for love, do never pity take.

MUSELLA

Well then, I love you, and so ever must,

Though time and fortune should be still unjust;

For we may love, and both may constant prove,

100

But not enjoy unless ordained above.

PHILISSES

101

Dost thou love me? O, dear Musella, say,

102

And say it still, to kill my late dismay.

MUSELLA

103

More than myself, or Jove myself for thee

104

The better much. But wilt thou love like me?

PHILISSES

105

My only life, here do I vow to die

106

When I prove false or show unconstancy.

MUSELLA

107

All true content may this to both procure.

PHILISSES

108

And when I break, may I all shame endure.

MUSELLA

109

Nor doubt you me, nor my true heart mistrust,

110

For die I will before I prove unjust.

111

But here comes Rustic, whose encumbered brain

112

With love and jealousy must our loss gain,

113

For since he hopes, nay, says that I am his,

114

I cannot absent be but he'll me miss;

115

But when that is, let day no longer shine,

116

Or I have life if live not truly thine.

117

But now, lest that our love should be found out,

118

Let's seek all means to keep him from this doubt,

119

And let none know it but your sister dear,

120

Whose company I keep. So hold all clear,

121

Then let him watch and keep what he can get,

122

His plots must want their force our joys to let.

123

I'll step aside awhile, till you do meet

124

This welcome man, whose absence were more sweet;

125

For though that he, poor thing, can little find,

126

Yet I shall blush with knowing my own mind.

127

Fear and desire, still to keep it hid,

128

Will blushing show it when 'tis most forbid.

PHILISSES

129

None can have power against a powerful love;

130

Nor keep the blood, but in the cheeks 'twill move,

131

But not for fear or care it there doth show,

132

But kind desire makes you blushing know

133

That joy takes place, and in your face doth climb

134

With leaping heart like lambkins in the prime.

135

But, sweet Musella, since you will away,

136

Take now my heart and let yours in me stay.

Exit MUSELLA.

137

Could I express the joy I now conceive,

138

I were unworthy such bliss to receive;

139

But so much am I thine, as life and joy

140

Are in thy hands to nurse, or to destroy.

[Enter RUSTIC.]

141

How now Rustic? Whither away so fast?

RUSTIC

142

To seek Musella.

PHILISSES

Now that labour's past;

143

See where she comes.

MUSELLA

[Returning]

Rustic where were you?

144

I sought, but could not find you.

RUSTIC

Is that true?

145

Faith I was but, the truth to you to tell,

146

Marking some cattle and asleep I fell.

MUSELLA

147

And I was seeking of a long-lost lamb,

148

Which now I found, ev'n as along you came.

RUSTIC

149

I'm glad you found it.

MUSELLA

Truly, so am I.

RUSTIC

150

Now let us go to find our company.

PHILISSES

151

See where some be.

MUSELLA

It seems too soon, alas,

152

That love despised should come to such a pass.

[Enter LISSIUS and SIMEANA.]

LISSIUS [and] SIMEANA

153

[singing]

Love's beginning like the Spring,

154

Gives delight, in sweetness flowing;

155

Ever pleasant, flourishing,

156

Pride in her brave colours showing.

157

But Love ending is at last,

158

Like the storms of Winter's blast.

MUSELLA

159

Lissius, methinks you are grown sad of late,

160

And privately with your own thoughts debate.

161

I hope you are not fallen in love; that boy

162

Cannot, I trust, your settled heart enjoy!

LISSIUS

163

'Tis well, you may be merry at my fall!

164

Rejoice! Nay do, for I can lose but all.

SIMEANA

165

And so too much!

Exit.

MUSELLA

Sure, some strange error is.

PHILISSES

166

Learn you it out.

RUSTIC

We'll leave you.

[Exeunt PHILLISES and RUSTIC.]

MUSELLA

I'll know this.

167

Come Lissius, tell me, whence proceeds this grief?

168

Discover it and you may find relief.

LISSIUS

169

No, I'll go seek Philisses; he, I'm sure

170

Will comfort me, who doth the like endure.

171

Yet, fair Musella, do thus much for me:

172

Tell fierce Simeana she hath murdered me,

173

And gain but this, that she my end will bless

174

With some, though smallest grief, for my distress;

175

And that she will but grace my hapless tomb,

176

As to behold me dead by her hard doom.

177

This is a small request, and 'tis my last,

178

Whom to obey to my sad end will hast.

MUSELLA

179

Nay Lissius, hear me. Tell me ere you go

180

What sudden matter moves in you this woe.

LISSIUS

181

Alas! 'Tis love of one I did disdain,

182

And now I seek the like neglect I gain;

183

Yet at the first she answered me with love,

184

Which made my passions more increase and move.

185

But now she scorns me, and tells me I give

186

My love in equal sort to all; and drive

187

My sighs and plaints but from an outward part

188

Of feigned love, and never from my heart;

189

And when on knees I do her favour crave,

190

She bids me seek Climeana, where I gave

191

As many vows as then to her I did;

192

And thereupon her sight did me forbid,

193

Vowing that if I did more move or speak

194

Of love, she would not only speeches break,

195

But ever more her sight, and would be blind

196

Rather than in my sight herself to find.

197

This is the cause, and this must be my end,

198

Which my sad days to saddest night must lend.

MUSELLA

199

When grew this change?

LISSIUS

Alas too late, today,

200

And yet too early for my joy's decay.

MUSELLA

201

Have no ill tongues reported false of you?

LISSIUS

202

I know not. But my heart was ever true

203

Since first I vowed, and that my death shall tell,

204

Which is my last hope that will please her well.

MUSELLA

205

Soft, I will speak with her, and know her mind,

206

And why on such a sudden she's unkind;

207

Then truly bring you answer what she says.

208

Till then be quiet, for it can no praise

209

Bring to your death, when you shall wailing die,

210

Without so just a cause as to know why.

LISSIUS

211

But will Musella do thus much for me?

212

Shall I not of all friends forsaken be?

MUSELLA

213

Never of me; and here awhile but stay,

214

And I shall comfort bring your care t'allay.

Exit.

LISSIUS

215

O no, I know she will not pity me,

216

Unfortunate and hapless must I be.

217

And now, thou powerful, conquering God of Love,

218

I do but thus much crave: thy forces prove

219

And cast all storms of thy just-caused rage

220

Upon me, vassal; and no heat assuage

221

Of greatest fury, since I do deserve

222

No favour or least grace, but here to starve.

223

Fed with sharp tortures; let me live to see

224

My former sin for so much slighting thee;

225

Death yet more welcome, were it not so meet

226

I oft should die, who knew not sour from sweet.

227

Simeana comes! Ah, most ungrateful maid,

228

Who answers love as one would welcome death:

229

The nearer that it comes, the more flies, stayed

230

Ne'er but by limbs that tire wanting breath.

231

So hastes she still from me whose love is fixed

232

In purest flames without all baseness mixed.

[LISSIUS prostrates himself, grief-stricken.]

[Enter SIMEANA with MUSELLA.]

MUSELLA

233

Simeana, this can be no ground to take

234

So great dislike, upon one man's report

235

And what may well prove false, as thus to make

236

An honest loving heart die in this sort.

237

Say that he useth others well and smiles

238

On them, who't may be love of him beguiles;

239

Or that he used Climeana well, what then?

240

'Tis all poor soul she gets, who did contemn

241

And rail at her.

SIMEANA

'Tis true, before my face

242

He did revile her with words of disgrace.

243

My back but turned, she was his only joy,

244

His best, his dearest life, and soon destroy

245

Himself he would if she not loved him still;

246

And just what he had vowed his heart did kill,

247

For my disdain, he shameless did protest

248

Within one hour to her caused his unrest!

249

Can I bear this? Who lived so long disdained,

250

Now to be mocked? I thought I love had gained

251

And not more scorn; but since thus much I find,

252

I'm glad joy sank no deeper in my mind!

MUSELLA

253

Fie, fie, Simeana, leave these doubts, too far

254

Already grown to breed so great a jar.

255

'Twas but his duty kindly once to speak

256

To her, who for him would her poor heart break.

257

Would you not think it sin quite to undo

258

A silly maid with scorn! But let these go.

259

Think you if I did love, and that I saw

260

He used more well, would I my love withdraw

261

From him for that? O, no great cause may be

262

To move good looks; mistrust not, but be free

263

From this vile humour of base jealousy,

264

Which breedeth nothing but self-misery

265

For this believe, while you yourself are just,

266

You cannot any way your love mistrust.

267

Let him discourse and smile, and what of this?

268

Is he the likelier in his faith to miss?

269

No, never fear him for his outward smiles,

270

'Tis private friendship that our trust beguiles.

271

And therefore let not Arcas' flattering skill

272

Have power in your breast his deserts to spill;

273

Lissius is worthy, and a worthy love

274

He bears to you, then, these conceits remove.

SIMEANA

275

Arcas did see them sit too privately,

276

And kiss, and then embrace!

MUSELLA

Well, if he did?

SIMEANA

277

And in her ear discourse familiarly,

278

When they did think it should from me be hid.

MUSELLA

279

Lord, how one may conjecture if one fear;

280

All things they doubt to be the same they fear.

281

Though private, must it follow he's untrue,

282

Or that they whispered must be kept from you?

283

Fie, leave these follies, and begin to think

284

You have your love brought to Death's river brink.

285

Repent, you have him wronged; and now cherish

286

The dying lad, who else soon will perish.

287

Go, ask him pardon.

SIMEANA

Pardon, why? That he

288

The more may brag! He twice hath cozened me!

MUSELLA

289

Nay, he is past all bragging. Mend your fault

290

And sorry be you have his torment wrought.

291

See where he lies, the truest sign of woe;

292

Go, haste and save him; Love's wings are not slow.

SIMEANA

293

[She approaches LISSIUS.]

O, dearest Lissius, look but up and speak

294

To me, most wretched, whose heart now must break

295

With self-accusing of a cursed wrong,

296

Which rashly bred, did win belief too strong.

297

Ah, cast but up thine eyes, see my true tears,

298

And view but her who now all torment bears.

299

Do but look up, and thou shalt see me die

300

For having wronged thee with my jealousy.

LISSIUS

301

To see thee die? Alas, I die for thee!

302

What pleasure can thy death then bring to me?

303

Yet if I, love, make you say this, then poor I

304

Shall much more happy and more blessed die.

SIMEANA

305

Nay, let me end before thy end I see!

306

Alas, I love you, and 'twas love in me

307

Bred this great ill, which jealousy confused;

308

I brought your harm, and my best love abused.

LISSIUS

309

O joy, which now doth swell as much as grief,

310

And pleasing yet doth make me seek relief.

311

Am I myself? No, I am only joy,

312

Not Lissius, grief did lately him destroy;

313

I am Simeana's love, her slave revived,

314

Late hopeless dead, now have despair survived.

MUSELLA

315

All care now past, let joy in triumph sit;

316

This for such lovers ever is most fit;

317

This doth become that happy loving pair,

318

Who seek to nurse the joys that kill all care;

319

Let those fall out, mistrust, wrangle and jar,

320

Who love for fashion not for love; but war

321

Not you, the couple Cupid best doth love,

322

Whose troubled hearts his godhead's self did move.

LISSIUS

323

Musella, you have turned this cloudy day

324

To sweet and pleasant light; nor can I say

325

So much as in my heart this kindness breeds,

326

For now delight all form and speech exceeds.

327

But let us happy now, unhappy be

328

When in us least unthankfulness you see.

SIMEANA

329

Let me myself, nay, my dear Lissius leave,

330

When I in service or in faith deceive

331

Musella, sole restorer of this joy;

332

And jealousy anew strive to destroy

333

Our loves and hopes, if I forgetful be

334

Of this increase of lost felicity.

335

But now, my Lissius, have you me forgiven

336

My last offence, by love and fearing driven?

LISSIUS

337

Thou lov'st me, 'tis enough, and now enjoy

338

All rest, nor bring new doubts to cross our joy;

339

I all forget, and only hold thee dear,

340

And from thee all faults past my love doth clear.

SIMEANA

341

So, let us ever doubtless live and love,

342

And no mistrust in least sort our hearts move.

LISSIUS

343

No doubt of thee shall ever stir in mine.

SIMEANA

344

Nor breed in me so wholly I am thine.

MUSELLA

345

Happy this time, and blessed be your loves,

346

And most accursed they that other moves.

347

Live both contented and live still as one,

348

Never divided till your lives be done.

[Enter] PHILLIS, DALINA, PHILISSES, ARCAS, CLIMEANA [and] RUSTIC.

MUSELLA

349

Here comes the flock.

RUSTIC

We're all here now.

MUSELLA

'Tis true,

350

We are all here, and one too much by you.

DALINA

351

Here be our fellows, now let us begin

352

Some pretty pastime, pleasure's sport to win.

353

Sweetest Musella, what think you is best?

MUSELLA

354

That whereunto your fancy is addressed.

DALINA

355

Mine is to riddling.

SIMEANA

And, indeed that's good.

CLIMEANA

356

But, methinks, not lest they be understood.

SIMEANA

357

Understood? Why so shall all be that I make.

CLIMEANA

358

Tush, you'll say one thing, and another take.

SIMEANA

359

You'll still be wrangling.

DALINA

Aye, and for a man!

360

Would I might live till quarrel I began

361

On such a cause. But pray, now quiet be,

362

And, fair Musella, first begin with me.

PHILLIS

363

But must the riddles be expounded?

DALINA

No.

MUSELLA

364

Then I'll begin, though scarce the play I know:

365

That I wish, which with most pain

366

I must gain;

367

That I shun, which with such ease

368

Cannot please;

369

That most easy still I fly,

370

Barred, I fainest would come nigh.

DALINA

371

I am the next, mark then what I will say;

372

Best is, my lovers cannot me betray!

373

What I seek can never be Found in me,

374

Fain I would that try and find,

375

Which my mind,

376

Ever yet from my heart kept,

377

Till away my luck was stepped.

PHILISSES

378

Let them alone, the women still will speak;

379

Rustic, come you and I this course will break.

380

Late I saw a star to shine

381

Whose light methought was only mine,

382

Till a cloud came and did hide

383

That light from me, where light did bide.

384

Yet, tell me how can these agree:

385

That light though dimmed, that light I see.

386

Now Rustic, Fortune's falling on your head,

387

Bring forth your riddle. Fie, in love, and dead

388

To such a sport! Think not upon the day,

389

There is no danger in it, I dare well say.

RUSTIC

390

Truly, I cannot riddle, I was not taught

391

These tricks of wit; my thoughts ne'er higher wrought

392

Than how to mark a beast, or drive a cow

393

To feed, or else with art to hold a plough,

394

Which if I knew, you surely soon would find

395

A matter more of worth than these odd things,

396

Which never profit, but some laughter brings;

397

These others be of body and of mind.

PHILISSES

398

Spoke like a husband, though you yet are none!

399

But come, what, is this sport already done?

RUSTIC

400

I cannot riddle.

DALINA

Whistle, 'tis as good,

401

For you sufficiently are understood!

RUSTIC

402

What mean you?

DALINA

Naught, but that you are

403

An honest man, and thrifty, full of care.

RUSTIC

404

I thought you have meant worse.

DALINA

Meant worse, what I?

405

Fie, this doth show your doubt and jealousy;

406

Why should you take my meaning worse than 'tis?

RUSTIC

407

Nay, I but smile to see how all you miss,

408

But some shall find when I do seem to smile

409

And show best pleased, I oft'nest do beguile.

DALINA

410

Yourself you mean; for few else do respect

411

Your smiles or frowns; therefore, do not neglect

412

Your pleasant youth, ill will is too soon got,

413

And once that rooted, not so soon forgot.

PHILISSES

414

You grow too wise. Dispute no more. Here be

415

Others who will let us their hearers be,

416

And give this sport some life again, which you

417

Almost made dead.

DALINA

I have done, let joy ensue.

LISSIUS

418

Guess you all what this can be:

419

A snake to suffer fire I see;

420

A fog and yet a dear bright day;

421

A light which better were away;

422

Two suns at once, both shining clear,

423

And without envy hold each dear.

PHILLIS

424

A Spring I hoped for, but it died,

425

Then on the next my hopes relied;

426

But Summer past, the latter Spring,

427

Could me but former losses bring;

428

I died with them, yet still I live,

429

While Autumn can no comfort give.

MUSELLA

430

Unmannerly, I must your presence leave,

431

Sent for in haste unto my mother. But

432

I hope in this sweet place soon to receive

433

Your most loved companies. And so to put

434

Good Rustic into better humours; say,

435

Will you be merry?

Exit.

RUSTIC

I'll not after stay.

Exit.

PHILISSES

436

[Aside]

No, follow. Shadows never absent be

437

When sun shines; in which blessing you may see

438

Your shadowed self, who nothing in truth are

439

But the reflection of her too great care.

[To the others]

440

What will you further do?

DALINA

Let us depart.

ARCAS

441

Aye, let's away.

[Aside]

– But some ere long will smart.

PHILISSES

442

When shall we meet again?

DALINA

When day appears.

LISSIUS

443

No, not till sun, who all foul mists still clears.

PHILISSES

444

Why, then at sun, and who shall then miss here

445

A punishment by us ordained shall bear.

DALINA

446

Let it be so.

PHILLIS

I'm very well agreed.

LISSIUS

447

So are we all, and sun appear with speed.

[Exeunt]

Scene ii

[Enter] VENUS and CUPID.

VENUS

Now have thy torments long enough endured,

And of thy force they are enough assured.

O, hold thy hand. Alas, I pity now

Those whose great pride did lately scorn to bow.

Thou hast performed thy promise, and thy state

Now is confessed. O, slacken then thy hate;

They humble do their hearts and thoughts to thee;

Behold them, and accept them, and mild be.

Thy conquest is sufficient, save the spoils

And let them only taken be in toils.

But set at liberty again, to tell

Thy might and clemency, which doth excel.

CUPID

I mean to save them; but some yet must try

More pain, ere they their blessings may come nigh;

But in the end most shall be well again,

And sweetest is that love obtained with pain.

[Enter] PRIESTS [to music, singing].

PRIESTS

Love, thy pow'rful hand withdraw;

And do yield unto thy law,

Rebels, now thy subjects be,

Bound they are who late were free.

Most confess thy power and might,

All hearts yield unto thy right.

Thoughts directed are by thee,

Souls do strive thy joys to see.

Pity then, and mercy, give

To those hearts where you do live;

They your images do prove,

In them may you see great Love;

They your mirrors, you their eyes,

By which they true Love do spy.

Ease awhile their cruel smarts

And behold their humble hearts;

Greater glory 'tis to save,

When that you the conquest have,

Than with tyranny to press,

Which still makes the honour less.

Gods do princes' hearts direct,

Then, to these, have some respect.

[Exeunt.]

Act V

Scene i

[Enter] MUSELLA and SIMEANA.

MUSELLA

O eyes, that day can see and cannot mend

What my joys poison, must my wretched end

Proceed' from love? And yet my true love crossed,

Neglected for base gain, and all worth lost

For riches? Then 'tis time for good to die,

When wealth must wed us to all misery.

SIMEANA

If you will but stoutly tell your mother

You hate him and will match with any other,

She cannot, nor will, go about to cross

Your liking, so to bring your endless loss.

MUSELLA

Alas, I've urged her, till that she with tears

Did vow and grieve she could not mend my state

Agreed on by my father's will, which bears

Sway in her breast and duty in me. Fate

Must have her courses, while that wretched I

Wish but -so good a fate as now to die.

SIMEANA

Wish not such ill, which all we suffer must,

But take some hope the gods are not unjust;

My mind doth give me yet, you shall be blessed,

And seldom do I miss; then quiet rest.

MUSELLA

Rest quiet! O heavens! Have you ever known

The pains of Love and been by him o'erthrown

To give this counsel and advise your friend

T'impossibilities? Why to what end

Speak you thus madly? Can it ere be thought

That quiet, or least rest, can now be brought

To me, while dear Philisses thus is crossed,

Whom missing all my happiness is lost?

SIMEANA

You have not missed, nor lost him yet.

MUSELLA

I must,

And that's enough. Did I my blessings trust

In your kind breasts, you fatal sisters? Now

By your decree to be bestowed, and bow

To base unworthy riches? O, my heart

That breaks not, but can suffer all this smart!

SIMEANA

Have patience.

MUSELLA

I cannot, nor I will not

Patient be! Ah me, and bear this ill lot?

No! I will grieve in spite of grief, and mourn

To make those mad who now to pleasure turn.

[Enter PHILISSES.]

PHILISSES

My dear Musella, what is it doth grieve

Your heart thus much? Tell me, and still believe

While you complain, I must tormented be;

Your sighs and tears, alas, do bleed in me.

MUSELLA

I know it, 'tis your loss I thus lament.

I must be married. Would my days were spent!

PHILISSES

Married!

MUSELLA

To Rustic. My mother so commands,

Who I must yield to, being in her hands.

PHILISSES

But will you marry? Or show love to me?

Or her obey, and make me wretched be?

MUSELLA

Alas Philisses, will you this doubt make?

I would my life, to pleasure you, forsake;

Hath not my firmness hitherto made known

My faith and love? Which yet should more be shown

If I might govern but my mother's will.

Yet this last question even my heart doth kill.

PHILISSES

Grieve not my dearest, I speak but for love,

Then let not love your trouble so far move.

You weep not that it wounds not hapless me,

Nor sigh but in me all those sorrows be;

You never cry, but groans most truly show

From deepest of my heart I feel your woe.

Then heap not now more sorrows on my heart,

By these dear tears which taste of endless smart;

No grief can be, which I have not sustained,

And must, for now despair hath conquest gained.

Yet, let your love in me still steady rest

And in that I sufficiently am blessed.

But must you marry? O, those words deny,

Or here behold your poor Philisses die!

MUSELLA

I would I could deny the words I spake,

When I did Rustic's marriage offer take;

Hopeless of you, I gave my ill consent,

And we contracted were, which I repent.

The time now curse, my tongue wish out, which gave

Me to that clown with whom I wed my grave.

PHILISSES

I hear and see my end. O, Love unjust

And careless of my heart put in your trust,

Ungrateful and forgetful of the good

From me received, by whom thy fame hath stood,

Thy honour been maintained, thy name adored,

Which by all others with disgrace was stored.

Is this the great reward I shall receive

For all my service? Will you thus deceive

My hopes and joys?

MUSELLA

Yet, let me one thing crave.

PHILISSES

Ask my poor life, all else long since I gave.

MUSELLA

That will I ask, and yours requite with mine,

For mine cannot be, if not joined to thine.

Go with me to the temple and there we

Will bind our lives, or else our lives make free.

PHILISSES

To die for thee a new life I should gain,

But to die with thee were eternal pain;

So, you will promise me that you will live,

I willingly will go, and my life give.

You may be happy.

MUSELLA

Happy, without thee?

O, let me rather wretched, and thine, be!

Without thee no life can be, nor least joy,

Nor thought but how a sad end to enjoy.

But promise me, yourself you will not harm,

As you love me.

PHILISSES

Let me impose that charm

Likewise on you.

MUSELLA

Content, I am agreed.

PHILISSES

100

Let's go alone, no company we need.

MUSELLA

101

Simeana, she shall go, and so may tell

102

The good or heavy chance that us befell.

PHILISSES

103

I am content. Your will shall be obeyed

104

Till this life change and I in earth am laid.

SIMEANA

105

I fear the worst; but what will you two do?

106

Both die, and me, poor maiden, quite undo?

PHILISSES

107

Die No, we go for evermore to live,

108

And to our loves a sacrifice to give.

MUSELLA

109

Our tears and sorrows we will offer there,

110

And of our offerings you shall witness bear;

111

The truest and most constant love there shall

112

In your sight end, and yet shall never fall.

PHILISSES

113

Such faith we'll sacrifice as none can touch,

114

Which once reporting there could be too much.

SIMEANA

115

I know not what you mean, but I'll along.

PHILISSES

116

Let's haste, for here come some may do us wrong.

Exeunt.

Scene ii

[Enter] LISSIUS, DALINA [and] ARCAS.

LISSIUS

Arcas, is't possible it is today?

ARCAS

It is. Musella now can bear no sway;

Rustic shall have her, he's the blessed man,

Yet cannot get her love, do what he can.

DALINA

I'm sorry for Philisses.

LISSIUS

Truly, so am I.

What than a lost love is more misery?

[Enter RUSTIC.]

RUSTIC

Lissius, Dalina, Arcas, well met today!

I must be married; pray be not away,

But see us joined and after dine with us.

Where is Philisses? I hope he'll not miss.

This is a jolly day. This my day is!

LISSIUS

I will not fail. Must we not fetch the bride?

RUSTIC

Yes, marry, from her mother's where w'abide.

Exit.

DALINA

How well this business doth become this man!

How well he speaks word 'marriage', and began

In as good form his neighbours to invite,

As if he studied manners; yet, at night,

I'll undertake, much mirth will not appear

In fair Musella; she'll show heavy cheer!

ARCAS

This 'tis to look so high and to despise

All loves that rose not pleasing in her eyes;

Now she that soared aloft all day, at night

Must roost in a poor bush with small delight.

LISSIUS

I never knew this in her. But 'tis true

She liked not of the love proffered by you;

And for refusing that she could not like,

No man ought to blame her or her mind dislike.

But you have other qualities to move

A just dislike; you love cross-baits in love.

I was beholding to you when time was;

But I enjoy her now.

DALINA

Come, let that pass.

Arcas is known, and I dare lay my life

You have been meddling and have caused some strife

Lately about Musella. But take heed,

If it prove so, perchance you'll want your meed!

LISSIUS

If it be found, thou shalt no longer live,

Than while thou dost her satisfaction give!

ARCAS

Be not so choleric till you know the truth;

I have left that foul error in my youth.

DALINA

Hardly, I doubt, for I saw you last day

Sneaking and prying all along this way;

'Twas for no goodness that I'm very sure,

For from a child you could not that endure!

Exeunt.

Scene iii

[Enter] CLIMEANA, LACON [and] SILVESTA.

CLIMEANA

Lacon, how fare you now? Musella must

This day be married. Is not Love unjust

To suffer this distasteful match to be

Against her choice, and most against poor thee?

LACON

Not against me. I never hoped, then how

Doth Cupid wrong me, though she marry now?

Yet, thus is Love unjust to let her wed

One who she never sees, but wisheth dead!

So I, although for her I oft have died,

Grieve for her loss, not that I was denied;

I was unworthy of her, and she far

Too worthy for this clown. O, she, the star

Of light and beauty, must she, lovely she,

Be matched to Rustic base, unworthy he?

[Enter SILVESTA.]

SILVESTA

[Aside]

Musella to be forced and made to try

Her faith to one she hates and still did fly?

It should not be, nor shall be. No, no!

I Will rescue her, or for her sake will die!

[To CLIMEANA and LACON]

Have you yet seen Musella here today?

CLIMEANA

No, but I hear she passed by this way

With fair Simeana, both by break of morn,

With humble minds far from their wonted scorn,

To offer their last rites of maiden thought

To your chaste Mistress. Venus now hath bought

Their future time. How think you of this change?

'Tis better sure than still alone to range!

SILVESTA

It's well you think so, yet methinks you can

Make a clean shift to live without a man!

Exeunt.

Scene iv

[Enter] PHILISSES [and] MUSELLA offering in the Temple of Love.

[PHILISSES AND MUSELLA]

Venus and great Cupid, hear,

Take our sacrifices clear!

Where not rites we only give,

But our hearts wherein you live;

Those true relics of firm love

On your altar still to move;

Where none such, none so sincere,

To your triumph light did bear;

Yours they lived while joy had life,

Dying, here will end all strife.

Truer love, or truer hearts,

Never perished by your darts.

PHILISSES

Venus, only Queen of love,

Take these passions which I prove,

Take these tears, this vow take,

Which my death shall perfect make.

But Musella my heart loved,

Her loss hath my joy removed;

Hers I lived, hers now I die,

Crowned with fame's eternity.

Thus your force shall glory have

By Philisses' loving grave.

MUSELLA

Cupid, Lord of love and hearts,

King of thoughts and loving smarts,

Take these offerings which I give,

And my life, which new shall live.

Earth too mean for such a truth,

Shall in death have lasting youth;

No decay, no strife, no fate,

Shall disturb that 'during state.

Life I offer to true love;

Then accept this end, I prove

Time none such did know, nor shall,

See so willingly to fall:

In Philisses I did live,

He departing, life I give.

PHILISSES AND MUSELLA

Fame hereafter swell with pride,

Never love thus lived, thus died.

PHILISSES

Now my Musella, and in death but mine,

Take this last farewell in which glories shine:

Love, but to you, could never be so true,

And death, than life, I choose since 'tis for you;

My life in you I had, my joy, my bliss,

And now for you and by you, my end is.

Yet, keep your promise, ever happy be,

You may be fortunate and outlive me.

MUSELLA

That I believe, when I do thee outlive,

Shame shall, instead of Fame, my triumph give.

I loved as firmly as thou could'st me love,

And can as willingly a death's wound prove.

But you forget the promise you did make,

And since condition made, yourself first break,

I am released; your word forgot and broke,

My hand shall first conclude that blessed stroke

Unto thy love and mine. Since it is thus,

Farewell, poor world, life's living bides in us!

[She raises a dagger.]

[Enter SILVESTA.]

SILVESTA

O, hold your hands! I knew your minds and have

Brought fitter means to wed you to your grave.

Let not those hands be spotted with your blood,

But since your destiny is not withstood,

Drink this sweet potion, then take leave and die,

Embracing thus you dead shall buried lie.

PHILISSES

Friendship, what greater blessing, than thou art,

Can once descend into a mortal heart.

Silvesta, friend and priest doth now appear,

And as our loves, let this, thy deed, shine clear.

MUSELLA

Never more fit did friendship meet with need;

Blessed be thy days, most blessed be this deed.

[They drink the potion and fall.]

SIMEANA

What, have you killed them? For this you must die!

SILVESTA

And dying for them, I die happily.

Who would outlive them? Who would dying fly,

That here beheld love and love's tragedy?

But first, upon Love's altar let's them lay,

There to abide till their new marriage day;

Then, lead me to those who my life must take,

But ere I die, some joyful heart shall ache.

Exeunt.

Scene v

[Enter] RUSTIC with SHEPHERDS and SHEPHERDESSES, ready to fetch the bride.

RUSTIC

Now is the time approached. What think you now,

Is't not a trim day? What cloud shows a brow?

All at my fortune cheer, all smile with joy,

Sheep, goats and cattle, glad that I enjoy.

DALINA

I never loved him; now I hate him! Fie,

To think Musella by this beast must lie!

RUSTIC

Come, let's along, and quickly fetch the bride,

Methinks I long to have her by my side.

[They see MUSELLA and PHILISSES.]

How now? What, stumble, 'tis not fatal, is't?

LISSIUS

Good luck that you, to him, the ground have missed.

DALINA

A far worse sign than this it doth foretell.

RUSTIC

How, is she married, and thus cozened me?

And dead, and buried? How can all this be?

SILVESTA

Fetch forth her mother, and you then shall know

The cause and actor of this cruel blow.

LISSIUS

O heaven, was she too rare a prize for earth,

Or were we only happy in her birth?

DALINA

Only made rich enjoying of her sight;

She gone, expect we nothing but sad night.

PHILLIS

What glory day did give us was to show

The virtue in her beauty seemed to grow.

CLIMEANA

Sweet love and friendship in her shined bright,

Now dimmed are both, since darkened is her light.

LACON

No worth did live, which in her had not spring,

And she thus gone, to her grave worth doth bring.

RUSTIC

I liked her well, but she ne'er cared for me,

Yet am I sorry we thus parted be.

[Enter MUSELLA'S MOTHER.]

SIMEANA

Now hear of me the mournful'st end of love,

That heart for heart could find, and heartless prove.

Philisses and Musella had loved long,

And long unknown, which bred their only wrong.

At last discovered to their greatest joy,

This match came cross their dear hopes to destroy.

But, yet have courage, all things may prove well.

RUSTIC

Nay, pray resolve me, I begin to fear.

LISSIUS

To fear? Fie, man, can trips make hope forbear?

On, on, have mettle, will you now wax faint,

You, who to us a happy life must paint?

RUSTIC

This is not all. This morn a cow did low,

And that ill-luck foretells, I truly know.

DALINA

Had she not lost her calf?

RUSTIC

Her calf? Fie, no,

She had a dainty one, as I will show

At my return, and they together came,

And while she lowed the youngling sucked her dam.

LISSIUS

And so might hurt her, whereat she did cry,

And for your help did low so bitterly.

RUSTIC

Well, come what will, we now may not go back.

DALINA

Yes, very well, for her consent you lack.

RUSTIC

Come then, away, the precious time doth waste.

SIMEANA

Hear first my news, for it may stay your haste;

Your bride, a bridegroom new, with joy hath gained,

And both for wedding-bed a tomb obtained.

Here is the priest that married them to death,

And I the witness of their passing breath.

For she, alas, despairing of her bliss,

Agreed to marry Rustic and to miss

No cross, nor froward hap, which sure with him

She must encounter if in this stream swim.

When this was done they knew each other's heart,

And by it knew the thread which led to smart.

They yet awhile rejoiced in their love,

But too, too soon, there followed this remove.

Her mother hasty to conclude her will,

Appointed this sad day, should that fulfil

Which bath indeed fulfilled a greater harm

Than Spite itself could purchase with her charm.

Musella, finding that her given consent

Proved thus her hell, her soul did then lament.

Yet could not gain release, but that she must

Look as her mother liked. O force unjust!

Yet, so it was, and this procured her end;

Her mother grown her foe, and death her friend;

Her friend she chose. Philisses, who did love

As much as she, and she as much did prove

Of love and pain, as he who felt all smart,

Vowed since they might not join but rather part,

They yet as most unfeigned lovers would

Lovingly die; and so firm lovers should.

Unto the Temple then they took their way,

Together wept, together did they pray,

Together offered. Now Silvesta, you

Must tell the hapless end which did ensue.

SILVESTA

And so I will. Their loves they gave and lives,

Which should have finished been by too-sharp knives,

Provided closely those two to have killed,

Who have the world with love and wonder filled.

But I came in and hindered that sharp blow,

Though not their wills, more honour I did owe

To that in love alone, unhappy pair,

And brought their ends more quiet and more fair.

A drink I gave them made their souls to meet,

Which in their clayey cages could not. Sweet

Was their farewell, while sorrow then used art

To flatter joy, till they no more should part.

Their bodies, likewise joined by us, are placed

Upon Love's altar, nor from thence displaced

By vow must be, till all you lovers lay

This love-killed couple in their biding clay.

This I have done, and here am I to die,

100

If so you please, and take it willingly.

RUSTIC

101

Nay, if she loved another, farewell, she!

102

I'm glad she by her death hath made me free.

LISSIUS

103

Is this your care? O clownish part, can you,

RUSTIC

104

I'm free, I care not.

SILVESTA

The like is she then now.

RUSTIC

105

She is for me, and here I disavow

106

All promises which have between us passed,

107

Or have been made by her, at first, or last,

108

To me, and thus I do release her. Now,

109

May I seek one and please myself in love;

110

I'll none but such whose heart my love shall move.

Exit.

SILVESTA

111

She's happy, yet in death, that she is free

112

From such a worthless creature. Can this be?

113

Such virtue should in her fair breast abound,

114

Yet to be tied where no worth could be found?

LISSIUS

115

[To MUSELLA'S MOTHER]

Thus have your years your happiness outworn

116

And brought untimely death to your first-born;

117

Can you endure this change, and hear us say

118

Your forced marriage brought her funeral day?

MOTHER

119

If the true grief I feel could be expressed

120

By words, or sighs, I should myself detest;

121

Sorrow in heart and soul doth only bide,

122

And in them shall my woe be justly tried.

123

Yet, justice do I crave of this vile pair,

124

Which were the founders of my endless care.

125

Arcas first plotted it with skilful art,

126

To ruin me and, living, eat my heart;

127

He told me that Musella wantonly

128

Did seek Philisses' love. Alas, only

129

The speech of that did inly wound me so,

130

As stay I could not, nor the time let go.

131

But sent for her and forced her to consent

132

To finish that which makes us all lament,

133

And me to die, o me, with grief and shame,

134

That thus deservedly I bear this blame.

135

Silvesta, who their lives brought to an end,

136

Must also suffer. Death alone, my friend,

137

Shall me release, these things I hope you'll do,

138

Which done with age and grief, I'll suffer too.

LISSIUS

139

These must and shall be done, and rites

140

Performed to their dear bodies and their sprites.

141

Now to the temple and their bodies view,

142

Then give these judgement. Biding joy adieu!

Exeunt.

Scene vi

[Enter FORESTER.]

FORESTER

Under a hedge all dead to rest I laid

My body, by despair wholly decayed;

When sleep no sooner did my eyelids close

But half distracted with a dream, I rose.

Methought I saw Silvesta's fair hands tied

Fast to a stake, where fire burned in all pride,

To kiss with heat those most unmatched limbs,

Where Virtue with her shape like habits trims

Herself with her. While she, alas, fair she,

Should to those flames a sacred offering be.

This dream persuaded me to seek her out

And save her, or to free me from the doubt.

And there I see her to the temple go;

I'll after, and my life at her feet throw.

[Exit.]

Scene vii

The temple, the dead bodies on the altar.

Enter the SHEPHERDS and SHEPHERDESSES, casting flowers on them; VENUS, [who] appears in glory, [CUPID and the PRIESTS].

SHEPHERDS AND SHEPHERDESSES

[singing]

Sorrow, now conclude thy hate,

More cannot be done by Fate.

Grief, abandon thy cursed skill,

Love hath now found means to kill.

Lovers here example take:

Faith in Love should never shake;

Only Death hath force to part

Lovers' bodies by his dart;

But their spirits higher fly,

Death can never make them die;

But their souls with pure love's fire

Will to heavenly bliss aspire.

PRIESTS

Now must we judge the offenders for this deed

And each one punish; thus it is decreed.

Silvesta, greatest in the fault, must bend

Her spirit first unto her own sought end;

With flames of fire, as she with flames of zeal

Did act this, she must now her last day seal.

Death she procured, and for death, life shall give.

SILVESTA

'Tis justice. Thus, by death a-new I live!

My name by this will win eternity,

For no true heart will let my merit die.

[Enter FORESTER.]

FORESTER

I must enjoy my death ere this be done!

Bright Venus, I beseech thee and thy son,

To look on me, your true, though luckless, slave,

And view the heart my faith to firm love gave.

Save sweet Silvesta, whose youth framed this deed,

Let not her virtue as offences speed.

Or though by law she have deserved this doom,

Let me for her obtain her 'pointed tomb;

I am more fit to die and suffer far,

Life with my sorrows are at endless war;

Besides, the law allows if one will die

For other's fault, his death may their life buy;

Let me first beg it, pay it then with life,

Death for her sake shall please, and end the strife.

VENUS

Poor Forester, thy love deserveth more,

For in thy heart true firmness lived in store.

But since you will her life with your life buy,

You must enjoy death; we can none deny

That this do claim it; she's by you made free;

And you for her must now my offering be.

FORESTER

Goddess of hearts, you thus have done me right;

Now shall my faith, to honour you, shine bright.

SILVESTA

Thanks is your due for saving me from death,

Did I not rather hate, than love, this breath.

Yet, shall this bounty gain in my chaste heart

To your deserts a kind and thankful part.

FORESTER

Death, happy death, since she for whom I die

Doth pity me and weighs my constancy;

Could I live ages, 'twould not be so good,

As now to die with thanks given for my blood.

Then, farewell, world. Death, welcome as new life.

Silvesta thanks me, and gives me this wife.

MOTHER

You sacred priests, perform the latest due

To their dead bodies; and my joys adieu.

PRIESTS

Rustic, before us here disclaim the right

In life was tied to you, now to her sprite.

RUSTIC

I love no sprites, nor those affect not me!

She loved Philisses; therefore she is free.

Were she alive, she were her own to choose,

Thus, here, to her all claim I do refuse.

PRIESTS

Philisses, of us take Musella fair,

We join your hands, rise and abandon care.

Venus hath caused this wonder for her glory,

And the triumph of Love's Victory.

[PHILISSES and MUSELLA arise from the altar.]

VENUS

Lovers be not amazed! This is my deed,

Who could not suffer your dear hearts to bleed.

Come forth and joy, your faith bath been thus tried,

Who truly would for true love's sake have died.

Silvesta was my instrument ordained

To kill, and save her friends, by which sh'hath gained

Immortal fame, and bands of firmest love

In their kind breasts where true affections move.

Then, all rejoice, and with a loving song

Conclude the joy hath been kept down too long.

MOTHER

Joy, now as great as was my former woe,

Shuts up my speech from speaking what I owe

To all but mine, for mine I joy you are,

And love, and bliss, maintain you from all care.

Pardon my fault, enjoy and blessed be,

And children and their children's children see.

MUSELLA

Pardon me first, who have your sorrow wrought,

Then take our thanks whose good your care hath brought.

Silvesta, next, to you our lives are bound,

For in you only was true friendship found.

PHILISSES

Mother, for so your gift makes me you call,

Receive my humble thanks which ever shall

With faithful love and duty you attend,

Till death our lives bring to a final end.

And chaste Silvesta, take my life when I

Ungrateful prove to your worth-binding tie.

SILVESTA

Venus the praise must have, whose love to you

Made her descend on earth, and your cares view;

She sent the drink hath wedded you to joy,

And in joy live, and happiness enjoy.

Chaste love relieved you, in chaste love still live,

And each to other, true affections give.

For you, kind Forester, my chaste love take,

100

And know I grieve now only for your sake.

Exit.

FORESTER

101

My joys increase, she grieves now for my pain,

102

Ah, happy proffered life, which this can gain.

103

Now shall I go contented to my grave,

104

Though no more happiness I ever have.

LISSIUS

105

Now let me ask my joy, which you must give,

106

Philisses, you may make me die or live.

107

Your sister for my wife I seek, alone

108

I crave but her, and love makes her mine own;

109

Two bodies we are, yet have but one heart,

110

Then rather join than let such dear love part.

PHILISSES

111

Myself from bliss I sooner will divide

112

Than cross your loves. Then, henceforth, thus abide

113

Joined in firm love, and happiness attend

114

Your days on earth until your lives do end.

DALINA

115

Rustic, what think you; is this called fair play?

RUSTIC

116

When Venus wills, men cannot but obey.

117

Yet this I'll swear, I'm plainly cozened here!

118

But 'tis all one, the bargain may prove dear.

DALINA

119

Yet you have not lost all: this wreath you see

120

Is proved your garland, this fair willow tree,

121

You now must reverence and bravely wear.

RUSTIC

122

I'll sooner die than such disgrace to bear!

123

Nay, sooner marry, and that now I deem

124

Far worse than death, though slighter in esteem.

DALINA

125

I would I might but name the happy maid

126

Should be your wife.

RUSTIC

Yourself name, and all's said.

DALINA

127

Will you have me then?

RUSTIC

Rather than my life!

DALINA

128

In troth, agreed! I'll prove a loving wife.

RUSTIC

129

'Tis all I seek. Now, God give you all joy,

130

And blessed am I who this sweet lass enjoy.

MUSELLA

131

A good exchange, and everyone agreed.

PHILISSES

132

And as we love and like, so let us speed.

VENUS

133

Now, sing a song, both Priests and all, for joy;

134

And cursed be, they your blessed states annoy.

CUPID

135

[Sings.]

Now my wars in love hath end,

136

Each one here enjoys their friend;

137

And so all shall henceforth say

138

Who my laws will still obey.

139

Mother, now judge Arcas' fault,

140

All things else your will hath wrought.

VENUS

141

Arcas, think not your villainy's forgot!

142

But since each now enjoys, the better lot

143

Doth fall to you: you here must still abide

144

In these fair plains, where you shall never hide

145

The shame of falsehood printed in your face;

146

Nor hence remove, but in the self-same place

147

You did commit that error foul and ill,

148

There your days left, with grief and shame shall fill

149

Your gnawing conscience. This shall be your doom.

ARCAS

150

O sacred Goddess, let my heart's-suit come

151

Before your eyes. Rather, o, let me die,

152

Than here remain with shame and infamy.

153

This dying life, alas, than death is worse,

154

Nor can you lay on me a greater curse.

VENUS

155

Your doom is given, it may not be recalled,

156

But with your treachery you must be thralled.

157

And now all duties are performed to Love;

158

Look that no more our powers by scorn you move,

159

But be the treasures of Love's lasting glory,

160

And I, your princess, crowned with victory.

ARCAS

161

Thus still is sin rewarded with all shame,

162

And so let all be that deserve like blame.

163

I have offended in the basest kind,

164

And more ill do deserve than ill can find.

165

I traitor was to Love, and to my love,

166

Those who shall thus offend, like me, shame prove.

Exeunt.

FINIS