The idylliums of Theocritus with Rapin's discourse of pastorals / done into English.

Idyllium II. Or the Inchantment.

Samoetha being forsaken by Delphis resolves to try the force of Charms to recover his affection; applyes her∣self to the Moon as a powerful Goddess in both those matters, and after she hath sent away her maid, tells the story of her misfortune.

To GEORGE PITT Jun. Esquire.

MAid, where's my Lawrel? Oh my rageing Soul! Maid, where's the Potion? fill the Bason full, And crown the narrow brim with Purple wool: That I might charm my false, my perjur'd Swain, And force him back into my arms again: For Cruel he these Twelve long days hath fled, And knows not whether I'me alive or dead: He hath not broke my Doors these Twelve long days, Ah me! perhaps his varying Love decays, Or else he dotes upon another face. I'le run to morrow to the Fencing house, And ask him what he means to use me thus: But now I'le charm him, Moon, shine brignt and clear, To thee I will direct my secret prayer;

To Thee, and Hecate, whom Dogs do dread When stain'd with gore, she stalks amidst the dead: Hail frightful Hecate, assist me still Make mine as great as fam'd Medea's skill:

Jynx restore my false, my perjur'd Swain And force him back into my Arms again.

First burn the Flowr, then strew the other on, Strew it. How? where's your sense and duty gone? Base Thestylis! and am I so forlorn, And grown so low that I'me become your scorn! But strew the Salt, and say in angry tones I scatter Delphids, perjur'd Delphids bones.

Jynx restore my false, my perjur'd Swain And force him back into my Arms again.

First Delphid injur'd me, he rais'd my flame, And now I burn this Bough in Delphids name: As this doth blaze, and break away in fume, How soon it takes! let Delphids Flesh consume.

Jynx restore my false, my perjur'd Swain, And force him back into my Arms again.

As this devoted Wax melts ore the Fire Let Mindian Delphy melt in warm desire, And, Venus, as I whirl this brazen bowl, Before my doors let perjur'd Delphid rowl:

Jynx restore my false, my perjur'd Swain, And force him back into my Arms again.

Now now I strow the Flowr, Moon you can bow E'en Rhadamanth, and all that's fierce below, Hark Thestilis our Dogs begin to howl, The Goddess comes, go beat the brazen bowl.

Jynx restore my false, m•• perjur'd Swain, And force him back into my Arms again.

The Sea grows smooth, and ease becalms my Wind, But griefs still rage, and toss my troubled mind: I burn for Him, for Him whose Arts betraid And wrought my shame, for I'me no more a maid.

Jynx restore my false, my perjur'd Swain, And force him back into my arms again.

Thrice, thrice I pour, and thrice repeat my charms,

What ever Boy or Maid now fills his arms, Let dark oblivion spread o're Delphids mind, As dark as that, that once did Theseus blind When he at Naxos left his Love behind. Hippomanes a Plant Arcadia bears, This makes Steeds mad, and this excites the Mares, And Oh that I could see my Delphid come From th' Oyly Feneing House so raveing home.

Jynx restore my false, my perjur'd Swain, And force him back into my Arms again.

This piece from dear false Delphids garment torn I tear again, and am resolv'd to burn, Ah cruel Love! ah most relentless God, Why like a Leech still eager on his food, Dost wound my heart, and suck out all my blood?

Jynx restore my false, my perjur'd Swain, And force him back into my A••ms again.

A Lizzard squeez'd shall make a powerful bowl To morrow, strong to tame his stubborn Soul: Now take these Poysons, I'le procure thee more, And strew them at the Threshold of his door,

That door where violent Love hath fixt my mind, Tho he regards not; Cruel and Ʋnkind! Strew them, and spitting say in angry tones, I scatter Delphids, perjur'd Delphids bones.

Jynx restore my false, my perjur'd Swain, And force him back into my arms again.

Now I'me alone shall I lament my state? But where shall I begin? what wrought my Fate? Anaxo Eubul's daughter neatly drest Begd me to go and see Diana's feast, For fame had to••d, Wild beasts must there be shown In solem pomp, a Lioness was one.

Tell sacred Moon what first did raise thy flame, And whence my Pain, and whence my Passion came.

With Hers my Nurse, did all her vows unite, And bad me go, for 'twould be worth my ••ight, So forc't, and finely drest, in Pomp and State I went, attended by an evil Fate.

Tell Sacred Moon what first did raise my flame And whence my Pain, and whence my Passion came.

Near Lyco's House break thro the yielding throng, I saw my Delphis, vigorous, stout, and young,

A Golden Down spread o re his youthful Chin, His breast, bright Moon, was brighter far than thine: For spread with glorious Oyl he lately came From noble Fenceing, and from winning Fame:

Tell sacred Moon what first did raise my flame And whence my Pain, and whence my Passion came.

Oh when I saw, how did the sight surprize! My Soul took Fire, and sparkeld thro my eyes, My Color chang'd, regardless of the show I hasted home, but came I know not how; A burning feavour seiz'd my thoughtful head, And Twelve long days and nights I kept my bed,

Tell sacred Moon what first did raise my flame, And whence my Pain, and whenc•• my Passion came

My Rosy Color d'yd into a Pale, My Eyes grew dim, my hair began to fall, Meer Skin and Bones, I liv'd, I breath'd and prayd, And sought to every Cunning man for aid: All charms were try'd, and various Figures cast, But ah no help, and time did swiftly wast:

Tell sacred Moon what first did raise my flame, And whence my Pain, and whence my passion came.

At last I told my Maid the naked truth, Go Thestilis, have pitty on my youth; Go find some cure to ease my rageing smart; Young Delphid is the Tyrant of my Heart: Go to the Fenceing House, ther's his delight, For there he walks, and there he loves to sit.

Tell sacred Moon what first did raise my flame, And whence my Pain, and whence my Passion came.

And if alone, give him a gentle Nod, And softly tell him that Samaetha wou'd (Speak, speak, tho modest fear doth strike thee dumb) Enjoy him here, and beg him he would come. She went, she found, and told him what I said, He Gladly heard, and eagerly obey'd. But when he came, how great was the surprize Chills shook my Soul, and I grew cold as Ice:

Tell sacred Moon what first did raise my flame, And whence my Pain, and whence my Passion came.

Cold sweat slow'd down my Cheeks like driving rain, And when I strove to speak, I strove in vain; No noise would come, not such as lull••d in rest Young Infants murmur o're their mothers breast: No sign of Life did thro my Limbs appear,

But I grew stiff, stiff as this Gold I wear:

Tell sacred Moon what first did raise my flame, And whence my Pain, and whence my Passion came.

Then cruel he sate down, he prest my bed, His eyes were fixt, and as he sate he said, Samoetha you do me as far surpass, As I Philistus when we ran the race; Too quick for me in this your kind intent, You did my hast, tho not my wish prevent.

Tell sacred Moon what first did raise my flame, And whence my Pain, and whence my Passion came.

For I had come at night, by Love tis true, Unsent for I had come to wait on you: With Apples in my Lap, with Poplar crown'd With Ivy twin'd, and Ribbonds neatly bound:

Tell sacred Moon what first did raise my flame, And whence my Pain, and whence my Passion came.

Where if admitted t' had been kindly done For I am thought the beauty of the Town;

And tho perhaps I wisht for greater bliss I would have been contented with a kiss; But if deny'd, or flam'd with dull delay Streight fire and force had come, and broke a way:

Tell sacred Moon what first did raise my flame, And whence my Pain, and whence my Passion came.

But now to Venus my first thanks are due, The next Samoetha must be paid to you, To you Samoetha, you, whose gentle hand From raging fires secur'd the flaming brand, And saved poor half-burnt Me, for Love doth raise Fires fierce as those that in hot Aetna blaze;

Tell sacred Moon what first did raise my flame, And whence my Pain, and whence my Passion came.

Young tender Maids to unknown Madness drives, And from warm Husbands Arms it forces Wives: Thus He, and heedless I believ'd too soon, He prest My hand in His, and laid me down On the soft bed, when streight lock't Arm in Arm In strickt embraces both grew gently warm; Our breath was hot and short, we panting lay, We look't, we murmur'd, and we dy'd away: Our Cheeks did glow, and fainting vertue strove,

At last it yielded to the force of Love: But what need all this talk? bright sacred Moon, Both were well pleas'd, and some strange thing was done: And ever since we lov'd, and liv'd at ease, No sullen Minutes broke our Happiness; Till ••oon this morning e're the Sun could rise, And drive his Charriot thro the yielding Skies To fetch the Rosy Morn from waves below, I heard the fatal news, and knew my woe: My Maids own Mother, she that lives hard by An Honest Woman, and she scorns to ly; She came and askt me, is your Delphid kind? And have you firm posession of his Mind? For I am sure, but whether Maid or Boy I cannot tell, he courts another joy: For he drinks Healths, and when those Healths are past, He must be gone, and goes away in hast: Besides with Garlands all his Rooms are drest, And he prepares, as for a Marriage Feast; This as as she walkt last night she chanc't to view, And told it me, and oh, I fear 'tis true! For He was wont to come twice, thrice a day, He saw me still as he return'd from play; But now since he was here twelve nights are past, Am I forgotten? am I left at last?

Whilst perjur'd he for other Beauty burns, My Love I'me sure deserv'd more kind returns, But now I'le Charm, but if he scorns me still I'le force him down to Hell, by Fate, I will: Such powerful drugs a Witch did once impart She taught me such strange Charms, such force of Art: But now farewel bright Moon, turn lovely Moon To Waves below, and drive thy Charriot down, Go lovely Moon, and wake the sleepy Morn: I'le bear my trouble still, as I have born; Farewel, and you attending Stars that wheel Round Nights black Axle-tree, bright Stars, farewel.

Notes

• A Bird sacred to Venus much used in Love Charms
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 not 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• The story ••f Theseus and Ariadne is known.
• This was the Custom to wait on their beloved with these Love Toys, as Apples, and Garlands to perform their Cere∣mony called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, His was to be of Poplar as befiting •• Wrestler, being a Tree sacred to Hercules.