The extravagant shepherd, the anti-romance, or, The history of the shepherd Lysis translated out of French.

The Eleventh BOOK.

MY Author had incurr'd the displeasure of some Ladies, for (as they thought it) his indiscretion in advancing the story of Geneura, which you have in the second Book; and 'tis thought they would have been re∣venged on him, had he not here brought on the stage a Man as extravagant and vain in his sex, and that is Alican. But who hath seen France, will acknowledge he hath left a many Apes behind him, and these will leave others: I wish their foole∣ries came not to effeminate us here.

Carmelin's relation of his and his Masters adventures at Amaryllis's, is (consider∣ing his person) very good, and that he is not always of the same opinion as his Master. But where it's said, that, In the mean time Lysis, to whom it is now time to return, rise with much disquiet; 'tis a manner of speaking very frequent in our Ro∣mances, where you find, We leave him where he is; and, See what such a one does. Lysander's History in every page hath it: Let's now return to Calista; We have left Ambrisa at Paris; We have left Lysander in Holland. There's no artifice in this, and 'tis to suppose the Reader of a very weak memory, and betrays the Au∣thors weakness that cannot fasten things more handsomly together.

That Triumph wherein Carmelin represents Bacchus, is like that which the Poets celebrate him for, who say he was the first conquered the Indies: but his greatest glory was, that all his voyage he scorn'd to drink water. But that which Lysis quar∣rels at in this Ceremony, is, that the old customs are not punctually observ'd; which he would not have violated, not only in this, but also in all other things, as his Triumph, &c.

But I cannot but hug that design of his of sending for the Muses. For their num∣ber, you must note there were at first but three, but how they came to be nine I'll tell you. The people of Sicyon desirous to have their Statues to place in Apollo's Temple, employed about it three Statuaries, thinking to choose the three best done: but it happened they were so well, that they knew not whhich to refuse, and so they were all nine consecrated in the Temple of the God of Poetry; and to make the people believe there were really nine, Hesiod and a sort of Poets found them all names. For their chastity, it cannot be much, since they have inspired all the lasc∣vious Poets that ever have been. But that Fable of their Fountain made by a horses hoof, 'tis such an impertinence, as I cannot tell how it hath hitherto been swallow'd; for what vertue can there be in a Beast to make men Poets? It had been more pro∣per to say, that those who drank of that fountain became horses, or rather asses.

As for Lysis's carrying away of his Mistress, 'tis an ordinary Romantick humour. Young Wenches run away and wander forrests and desarts with their Lovers, as if they were brothers and sisters, yet must be thought honest, nay though they fall into the hands of robbers and pyrats. But Lysis would not have Lovers live like Jupiter and Juno. Natalis Comes tels us how Jupiter came to lie with this sister of his the first time: He chang'd himself into a Cuckow, and it being a great showre

of rain, fled into Juno's lap; but she hiding him under her coats, he in the mean time got her with childe, and could not but for shame marry her. 'Tis true, Jupiter might very well be a Cuckow, for he was always in some other birds nest.

But Lysis discovers a most ridiculous humor of the Romances, where you have a silly young girl, that haply was never out of her mothers sight, upon the first of a Lover, become so bold, that she will travel all over the world with him; and in all these travels, there must be those that will infallibly entertain them, as if they had planted their stages beforehand; and if they build Sconces any where, they are excus'd as Princes in distress, who will reward their Benefactors, when they come to their own. Why may they not meet with as good entertainment as Water-Poets?

As for that Aristocle•• which Lysis saies was torn in pieces by her Lovers: This Lass had two Suitors, Straton and Calisthenes; she having chosen Calisthenes, the other seem'd to comply so far, that he was invited to the Wedding: But as Aristi∣clea was sacrificing, he brought a sort of Ruffians to carry her away; at which Calisthenes being alarm'd, laid hold on her. Which Straton seeing, put in too, and between them they so drew, that each of them had both too much and too little of her.

Lysis is somewhat troubled that Hircan and Anselme marry before the end of the Book, and that they are not all married on a day. That marrying all of a day Clarimond needed not so much to have laugh'd at: for your Romantick Shepherds being all Beggars, such a thing might happen, if they came to some good house, where after good drink and victuals, 'twas easie to bring them into the humour, as being such as of whom it might be said, when they caper'd in a dance, that all their worldly wealth was in the Ayr. But for Lysander's History, that treats of persons of Quality, to have all match'd of a day, and that in the Chappel of Bourbon, was a little extravagant. But Romances can do more; they can raise Armies, and conquer Kingdoms in as little time: yet a man may fain a thing so, as not to be openly tax'd for a Lyar.

As for what is done by Lysis at Hiccans Marriage, if any see not the wit of it, 'tis because they are not acquainted with Antiquity, as he was.

As for Adrian's loosing of his hearing at Hircans, 'tis not so strange. I can tell you of one that was perswaded out of his fight. Three Italians were at Cards at an Ordinary at Venice: One having lost all his money, went to bed, with his mouth full of curses and blasphemies, leaving the other two at play: These two having given over play, would needs make some sport with the third, who not∣withstanding the loss of his money was fast asleep. They put out fire and candle, and began to quarrel about the game; one swore 'twas so, the other, 'twas not, making such a noise that the other awoke, and looking up and seeing no candle, thought they had spoke in their sleep, and so laid him down again. But they quar∣relling, and making greater noise then before, he looks up again, and being bet∣ter awake, What, says he, do you play in the dark? In the dark! say one; what are you blinde? do you not see we have two candles? With that, rubbing his eyes, I can see neither you nor the candles, says he. Sure he hath lost his sight, says one; and withal going to the bed side, made as if he were amaz'd. Bring the candle hither, saies he, look, his eyes seem as if there were some film over them: But it may be he does but counterfeit, or imagine himself blinde. With that he swore he saw nothing; and withal calling to minde his cursing and blasphemies over night, he was perswaded God had so punish'd him for it, whereupon he be∣gan to weep. They advis'd him to vow a Pilgrimage to Loretto, which he kneel∣ing on his bed, did, promising her Ladiship two silver eyes, if he recovered his. This done, one of his Companions brought a Candle lighted out of another room, whereupon they laugh at him. He was so astonish'd at it, that he could not so much as speak; nevertheless, his Companions told him, he must accomplish his vows, since he had obtained his desire. Now if a Gamester, one whose wit is

more refin'd then other ordinary men, and an Italian, could be thus perswaded, why not such an Animal as Adrian, whose understanding was of no greater lati∣tude then his profession; for as for what miracles are told him of Hircan and Lysis, his judgement is so strong, that he knows not whether be ought to believe them or not.