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There is a sign of truth already past, for when Apollo did pro∣nounce this doom, I was a king, and did enjoy my Crown, and I must be deposed before restored. But then the man, I there's the doubt of all, for ever since I took this Pilgrims habit, I have wan∣dered up and down to finde this shepherd; wandered indeed, for in the search of him I have lost my self, fiting upon the plain, I saw a face of such surpassing beauty, that Jove and Nature should they both contend, to make a shape of their mixt purity, could not invent a sky-born form so beautiful as she, be she a mor∣tall, and a shepherdess, her beauty may become a Princes Court. Why may not I wedding this shepherds Queen, beget an heir that may restore my Crown? Ile lay my life the Oracle meant so, the stars from earthly humors gain their light, our humors from their lights possess their powers: but now the means for to obtain this prize, Ile send a private messenger to Court, to bid Pallatio with a well Armed-troop, at such a certain hour-to meet me here, and lie in secret ambush 'bout the house.
I will conceal my self, and watch a time, To bear away this Wonder of our Clime.Here's a sight gives a fresh wound unto my love-sick heart, to think a man that was reputed wise, should loose himself in a Dedalion maze, and run mad for a woman, woman that's the cause, it is indeed happy remembrance in searching out his wound, I have cured my self, shall I see my brother wits caught in a purse-net, and run my head into the same noose, then count
me for a Woodcock; no, I am now the man I was, and will stil say,
There is not any wise man, that fancy can a woman, Then never turn your eyes on a thing that is so common; For be they foul or fair, They tempting devils are, since they first fell, They that love do live in Hell, and therefore men beware.What a distraction's this? was ever seen so strange a dotage, not in him alone, but 'tis in general? that did not grief usurp too much upon a heart supprest, 'twere mirth would move to laughter.
This habit is most frequent in this place, Ile wear't for fashion sake, 'tmay be a means to gain a sight of the fair Shep∣herdess, whose beauty fills the Clime with wonderment.
I know not where to lye, and it grows late, I have not since I enter'd on these Plains, seen any creature that has humane sence. A woman first! good luck and be thy will.
No more but this, nay in your ears, lest you mis-construe me.
So close and privately, then I perceive I have been too neglectful, shallow fool! that having had such opportunity, so long continuance, place, and privacy, durst never utter thy af∣fections. When I beheld her first I fancied her, and more because she favored my dead wife, whose memory I still mourn: but since
she's gone, rather then loose regeneration, I could wed with her; she's fair, and may be honest, though the world deem 'em Con∣trarieties: I'm seen, and must go on.
Menalchus! you come as wisht for: here's a stranger, Sir, that wants reposure, will you for my sake allow him enter∣tain; the night draws on, and 'twere unhospitable to deny him, you shall command as great a courtesie.
I doubt it not. To me y' are welcome sir, such homely Cates as a poor Cottage yields, you shall be sure to taste. Shep∣herds in this comes nearest to the Gods; for they allow the smal∣lest hospitality, witness when Bawcis feasted Jupiter:
For that Ile interrupt you, you shall both before you part from hence, taste of our cheer. Whence is that aged man? pray question him, let him not go before he have relief.
Come nearer, father, 'tis a great wonder to see a Pilgrim wander in these parts. What Countrey-man?
A Roman, gentle sir, one that hath vowed in weary pil∣grimage, to spend the poor remainder of his days; to such you know all places are alike.
What should we do at Court? we have a King knows no Religion, heathens, infidels inhabit there; the poor live most secure, for as they know no good, they fear no ill: but we must not decipher. Come sit down.
Good sir sit, this is my place. Menalchus seat you. Fie, fie, complement.
Here's no variety, but such as 'tis, if you can feed, y' are welcome, shepherds fare.
Not sad, but somewhat griev'd to think report should scandalize so sweet a Continent, not onely Foreigners, but Thra∣cians born, hate and abhor the Clime and Government, saying, it is infectious, and your King a mis-believing Tyrant, infamous.
I cannot tell: but trust me sir, 'tis thought it was a cruel deed, not like a King, much less a Father, having but one childe to banish her, and for so small a fault.
A customary thing, I cannot well appropriate a name.
Then Ile speak. It was so hainous, and so vilde a fact, the King could not in justice pardon it, 'twas a disgrace to him, shame to her Sex, dishonor to her self and Progeny. What grea∣ter infamy unto a King, than for to blot his name with bastardy?
You speak well in the defence of Vertue, Sweet; but if such defaults should be so punisht, we should have but few wo∣men in our kingdom: Admit the Princess in her wanton blood committed such an error, do but think what frailty is, the baits, nay more, 'tis thought that they were man and wife; if it were so, he could be little better than a Tyrant.
A Tyrant, nay á villain, murderer. Pray pardon me, I must and will have leave to speak my conscience, should I see the King, I'd tell him to his face he were a Tyrant. Say she did err, he was the cause on't, not suffering her to wed where she did love: What may his Subjects think, he being dead for want of Issue, they shall servile be to Turks and Infidels, if worse than he can any where be found?
Dotard forbear, thou hast already spoke more than thy life can ever satisfie. If that the King had known they had bin married, questionless he would have been more merciful; but that rests in suspicion, his sentence was pronounc'd as they were guilty, not as man and wife, and then what punishment can be too great? his supposed ill was so much lenity, to live had been to die a lingring death, for reputation is the life of honor, and that once lost, the Mother hates the childe, curses the man she did commix withal, and like a shame-fac'd Felon, seeks to shun the face of every one that knows her guilt.
And yet methinks the mothers shame, is not to be com∣pared
unto the injury the child sustains; for she receives her sorrowes by consent, but the poor infant guiltless of the fact, grown to maturity, shall bear the brand of Bastard by his birth, be dispossest of all inheritance due to the Seed that's sowen in holy wedlock; if a curse belong unto the issue of base lusts, 'tis given to the childe for to bestow on those that did beget him, sure I think who e're he was that wronged so fair a Dame, as your Kings Daughter, could be no true Prince, but some base upstart that deluded her, under a fained title.
For my sake,
Now by my holy vow what I prescribe I will approve, I know you love this woman, the revelation of Celestial Orbs, the Aspects and influence of heavenly planets do direct my skill, by Palmestry and Phisiognomy. I have declared to kings accidents past, portents to come, and told to what event present designs should run, what should I make experiments of Art on him that not believes it?
Then reconcile your self unto this man, let him by no means use to visit her, for in the hour of his nativity, some powerful working star was in conjunction with too forward Venus, take him from her, and all th' Auxillary heavenly helps, that may give Physick to a Love-sick heart, Ile invocate to be benevolent, and e're too morrow sun, she shall be yours.
Who not we, why should you think so? look you, we imbrace, shake hands, nay more, we will be bed-fellows, and early in the morn revisit you.
Good rest to both, there is a fire kindled in my breast, I have not felt a flame this twenty years, betwixt these two, I stand in a delemma, not knowing which to fancy or forsake, so equal my heart doth stand affected.
A Glass, a glass, a glass, Ile trust my face no more in the fair water, 'tis not bright enough to show me in my smugness, reach a glass.
So much the better father, 'tis but making water in't, and then you may behold your sweet Phisnomy in the cleer streams of the river Jordan.
If you smell a match, take heed of your nose, for a little thing will set it a fire.
She cannot chuse but love me now, I'm sure old Meno∣phon nere courted in such clothes, were it not best I should leave off some part of this my bravery, lest appearing suddenly in this bright splendor, the wenches overcome, and ravisht with my sight, fall at dissention, and so go bi'th ears about me.
'Twas well remembred, that in any case look you put off some of those glittering Weeds, until you see your Mistriss, all the Maids will be stark mad to see you; do but mark when they behold you, how they'l fight for you, you'l hardly scape their fin∣gers I'm afraid.
See if the Rogue has not sent company to laugh at me: if Titte∣rus should see me in this shape, he would make a Ballad on't. Ile after him, and if I catch the Rascal, Ile say nothing.
Were his hurts made in the body, I have helping herbs and such choice simples, as should cure his wounds; no shepher∣dess knows better than my self how to restore him.
But where that Herb or Science can ye finde, That hath the vertue to restore the minde?Done? 'Sfoot, if I could finde words enough, and bad enough, I'd rail at you all till tomorrow morning.
Let's watch a fitter time, and spie a place of more con∣veniency.
Pray know this man, this is the jovailest shepherd in all Thrace.
By Thrace his King, who Pilgrim-like wrapt in a russet weed, taking advantage when she was alone, has with a private ambush, stole her hence.
To the Court-gates let us pursue the Ravisher, his Court and all the powers that he can raise, shall not protect him. Plague upon his craft: Is this his skill in Physiognomy? Worthy friend, let me but call you so, and let our strife be buried in our loves: The Cause removed, let the effect thus die: and as our hands, so let our hearts unite to take revenge on this injurious king.
If I light on him handsomly, Ile have a bout with him at Quarter-staff.
One thing let me intreat, to draw my frantick brother to the field, inform him 'tis Serena is stoln hence, to prove if either terror of the Wars, his Mistriss loss, or sight of death and blood, can win him to his wits.
Whom shall we make our General, and Leader of this Rabble?
Who but your self shall we impose so great a Charge upon?
This 'tis to keep mad-men company, that has not the wit to know his friends from his foes; but we shall have your brains beat in agen.
Sirrah, take the Moon, and place it me upon the Axle∣tree, Ile mount on horse-back streight.
The Moon's not up yet, sir, some three hours hence you shall be sure to have her.
That's yet unknown, my Lord, unless it be to have their Queen agen.
Belike the Swains that sought to rescue her, heard some one name the King; no other cause could give intelligence, 'twas done so private.
They lye so low intrencht beyond the hill that fronts the Castle-gate, that no Prospect about the house can yield the least survey.
Let's Parley with 'em then, so we may hear what they pretend, and view their Regiment.
Go, bring him in, we'l hear what brave Defiance they have sent.
It seems they are not angry at my words, because they laugh, I fear'd they'd draw their swords.
I thought as much. Go you along with him, and tell their General what you heard us say.
You cannot be so shallow, as to think I took her with a lustful appetite? This honored Badge proclaims that lust is past. Our seizing her was motive to your good, if you conceive it. List, and Ile explain it: Within our Land our foes are resi∣dent, Scicilla's King, under whose Government these many years you have been Servitors. The reason this: When he did first in∣vade, we found our self too weak to make resistance, and under show of satisfaction we did resign to him our Dignity, pretending search of Radagon his son; which he accepted, and did back return to Scicillia, leaving Deputy to Govern here. And though Pallatio bore the name of Rule, it was by his per∣mission. Do but weigh the servile yoke of foreign Govern∣ment, what danger may ensue, what priviledge you loose in Thrace, if we be dispossest, the time of Truce expired, and he's returned to take possession? For without his son, our Crown and Kingdom both are forfeited into his hands; which yet we may prevent, if you'l agree to joyn your Force with ours, and back expulse him. We'l not onely grant your Queen her liberty, but we'l enlarge your former Priviledge; give you choice of State, Honor, and Dignity, make you Lords and Knights, and in remembrance of the Shepherds Wars, adde a new Festival; which at your charge shall yearly be performed. Consider on't.