Argalus and Parthenia· as it hath been acted at the court before their Maiesties: and at the Private-House in Drury-Lane, by their Maiesties Servants. By Hen. Glapthorne.
Glapthorne, Henry., Sidney, Philip, Sir, 1554-1586. Arcadia.
Scena 2.
Clitophon. Strephon.
Strep.
Pish, you'r as fierce an aspen leafe you wag every way.
Clitop.
I'le tell thee honest Strephon, I
No more affect a woman than the Sky
Does Birds that sore in it, they are as vaine
Inconstant as the flying showers of raine
In Aprill Strephon.
Strep.
The more dissembling fellow you: why do you pro∣test to every Wench you see, you are inamor'd on her: why you should see, and seeing ought to imitate your betters, Cli∣tophon, ther's not a Lasse
That trips nimbly ore the Arcadian grasse,
When shee does faire Strephon veiw,
Though I fly, but will pursue,
Throw her eyes out on my shape,
Page 10 Call me Pigsny, pretty Ape;
Some there are that doe suppose
Loves hot fire in my nose:
With which they scorch'd, for pitty cry,
Blow it ou't Strephon, or' we die;
Others say my head's a bell,
My hayre the ropes, that ring the knell,
My tong the clapper which though their deaths it rings,
They sweare no Courefeu halfe so sweetly sings;
The hollow of my eyes, the grave,
Which with their nailes they dig: but have— But who comes here?
Enter Sapho, and Aminta.
Sapho.
Strepho, you'r well-met, good Aminta, see,
Is he not chast, and faire as young Goates be,
His head like to a Cedar over-growes,
His studded cheeks and rich enameld nose.
Strepho.
I would be loath to give my face for the washing
Girle, now Clitophon doe not you not imagine Venus girdle was
My swathband, the maids so doate on my well timber'd limbs.
Here's a leg, Satho, that's as neatly made,
As any that ore Shepherdesse is laid;
A thigh proportionable I tak't,
I know thou longst to feell it nak't,
A taile, some say, does hang therby,
Which none must know but thee and I:
I have a back too, though I say't
That should not, can beare any waight,
Full limbs, with sinews strong and plump,
A lusty chine, and for my rumpe
'Tis so well made, and firmely knit,
The Nymphs are all stark mad for it,
Because they think the rest of my members proportionable.
Clito.
What a quick flame
Page 11 Into my brest from Saphos bright eyes came,
Another from Aminta's; my desire,
Erst cold as Ice, grows active as the fire,
Dearest Aminta, Sapho lend your eare
To my just vowes.
Ami.
Fond Clitophon forbeare
To sweare in earnest, I do know your heart
Was never wounded with the blind Gods dart.
Saph.
See how bright Strephon does intice the ayre,
To play with the sweet belropes of his hayre.
What a soft murmuring the tresses makes,
As did Medusa's locks, or Alectos snakes.
Clito.
Gentlest Virgin, white as infant snow,
Pleasing as Ladon that does cooly flow,
Through our green meadows; trust a loving swaine,
When he protest with truth.
Amin.
There does remaine
Enter Florida.
No such good property 'mongst men on Earth,
Truth is fled to Heaven with Justice.
Florida the newes.
Florid.
The Lord Demagoras this way pursues,
And must have entertainment, 'tis a charge
From our great Lady, that we strait inlarge
Our Pastorall devises.
Sapho.
We have none
On such a sudden, lesse she will have done
Those that were for Argalus welcome meant.
Florid.
Be prest with speed that greeting to present—
Chrisaclea, Parthenia, Demagoras, Philarchus.
Clit.
They are upon us ere we are ready for the action.
Chri.
Florida, are the shepheards here?
Florid.
Madame they are, Castalia only wants.
Chri.
This Musick speaks her intrance.
Enter Castalia.
Page 12 Please your Lordship,
Under this shadie Poplar, sit and see
Our rurall pastimes.
1. Song.
Loves a Childe, and ought to be
Wonne with smiles, his Deity
Is cloth'd in Panthers skinnes, which hide
Those parts which kill, if but espide.
Hates warres, but such as mildly led
By Venus are to pleasures bed,
There does soft imbraces fight,
Kisses combat with delight,
Amorous lookes and sighes discover
What will win a Virgin-Lover.
Demagor.
'Tis too effeminate this; I had rather heare
The cryes of dying men than these nice straines,
Or Souldiers with loud clamours rend the aire
With shouts of victory.
Phi.
Patience my Lord, the Shepherds are proceeding to dance.
1. Dance.
Demag.
I doe not like this Morall, it includes
Something that is distastefull; a mans possest
With eminent frensie that would a minute
View these idle Morris-Dances.
Phi.
That fellow
That woo'd with such obsequiousnesse and wonne
His yeelding Mistresse, sure did represent
Effeminate Argalus. The other, who
With confidence attempting, was repuls'd,
Figur'd my selfe. This same was an abuse,
Such as no hospitality, nor lawes
Of true nobility can suffer. Madam.
Page 13 You have done well and justly. I perceive
You are as various in your giddy faith,
As your coy daughter in her choice; reserve her
For gracious Argalus: but if this scorne
Meet not a sudden and severe revenge,
May all my former glories be obscur'd;
Though to performe it I should scale the Starres,
And snatch them like quick wilde-fire from their Spheares,
Then dart them on the earth: catch the dull clouds
And squeese them into a deluge, and aspire
To startle Iove with terrour of my ire.
Exit. Demag.
Chri.
This is the suddenest passion I have seene,
Whence had it its originall? My Lord,
Let's follow and perswade him.
Exeunt.
The end of the first Act.
