THE ENCHANTED LOVERS: A PASTORAL By Sr. WILLIAM LOWER Knight.  Amico Rosa, Inimco Spina. 
HAGE: Printed by ADRIAN VLACK, 1658.   

ACTORS.  

Thersander. A Cavalier disguised in the habit of a Shepherd in love with Diana.  
Thimantes. Disguised also in the habit of a Shepherd in love with Ismenia.  
Clidamant. Disguised also in the habit of a Shepherd in love with Parthenia.  
Melnitus. A Shepherd of the Island in love with Diana.  
Mercator.— A Merchant of Sevil.  
Diana. A young Lady disguised in the habit of a Shepherdess  
Parthenia. Niece to the Princess, in love with Clidamant.  
Ismenia. A young Lady disguised in the habit of a Shepherdess.  
Molissa. The Princess of the Island, and Inchantress, in love with Thersander.   
The Goddess Diana.  
The Scene is in the Island of Erithrea in Portugal.   

THE ENCHANTED LOVERS. A PASTORAL.  

ACTUS I.  

SCENE I. MERCATOR, MELINTUS.  MERCATOR. 
IF you have any service to command me  
At Sevil, honour me with your Commission,  
To morrow I embark, and leave the I'll,  
Until you Mart returns, and games renew.  MELINTUS. 
But first you'll kiss the fair hands of the Nymph,  
And take her passport with you?  MERCATOR. 
That's a duty  
I dare not fail in, though my interest  
Were not concerned in't. I intent this day  
To carry her my casket of my richest  
And choicest merchandise; when she hath bought  
What best pleaseth her fancy, I shall be  
Dismissed, having no more commodities  
To sell unto the Shepherds of her Court.  MELINTUS. 
Have you sold well?  MERCATOR. 
To what end should I feign?  
The trade goes well enough, I complain not:  
Rich Rubies, Pearls of price, bright Diamonds,  
Store of fair Coral, costly Ambergris,  
Portraits, and other such dainty devises,  
Have passed through my fingers at good rates:  
Diana's festival is still kept solemn;  
And as the games which fail not every year  
To be renewed, invite unto those woods  
The neighbouring Shepherds, to dispute the prizes  
Proposed on those days, I saw among them  
Some noble strangers clad in pastoral weeds  
That for the honour of this Island chose it  
Their sanctuary and repose.  MELINTUS. 
You need not  
Wonder at this, the place which they have chosen  
Denotes their judgements; here ambition  
Hath no employment; if at any time  
We sigh here, 'tis for love, no other passion  
Is seen among us; though this Island be  
A part of Portugal, we have our laws,  
And Empire to ourselves; she that rules here  
Hath not the name of Queen, we subjects are  
Our Sovereign's companions, and her virtue  
Makes us to taste so much repose, that she  
Hath put the Sheephook into the hands of  
A hundred Hero's, who wearied with Laurels,  
And the noise of the war, are here retired  
From the four corners of the World: She rules  
So sweetly, that crime only feels her anger.  
And as she is descended from the blood  
Of Zoroastres, she knows well the virtue  
Of Herbs, and th' influence of every star;  
She understands the secret mysteries  
Of Magic, and sometimes makes use of it  
To serve her interests; there is no Prince  
Nor Monarch that stands not in fear of her.  
And suffereth her not to reign in peace  
For his own safety.  MERCATOR. 
I know this Asyle,  
And charming residence looks not with envy  
Upon the Court o' th' King of Portugal;  
Besides I am not ignorant that the fair  
Ismenia, drawn here, by the sweet report,  
Of these enchanting pleasures, to enjoy them  
In quiet, left the favour of her Queen;  
And that this beauty by a sudden change,  
Adds no small lustre to this Paradise.  MELINTUS. 
See where she comes, Diana too with her,  
I must in private speak unto this fair one;  
An interest of love obligeth me  
Continually to make her my devotions.  MERCATOR. 
Go Sir, and prosper, may your Saint prove sweet  
And gentle as those South-gales I expect  
In my embarkment.— Exit Mercator.   

SCENA II. DIANA, MELINTUS, IS MENIA. DIANA not seeing MELINTUS.  DIANA. 
TRue, I hate that horrid noise;  
Now my free thought released from such a trouble,  
Enjoys itself.  MELINTUS to DIANA. 
So soon to quit the sports,  
What was your fancy?  DIANA. 
To avoid discourse  
That troubled me, and here I meet with new.  MELINTUS. 
Can such a subject as brings homage to you,  
Produce th' effect you speak?  DIANA. 
What doth not please me,  
Both troubles and offends me.  MELINTUS. 
You will one day  
Quit those disdainful rigours?  DIANA. 
Yes, when you  
Have neither hope, nor love.  MELINTUS. 
D'ye entertain  
Every one thus that loves you?  DIANA. 
If he be such  
As you, I use him just in the same manner.  MELINTUS. 
Surely the Shepherd Clidamant speeds better.  DIANA. 
'Tis then assuredly because he doth not  
Resemble you.  MELINTUS. 
He entertained discourse.  
With you in gentle whispers at the Sports.  DIANA. 
I do confess it,  
We talked of you, and of your little skill.  MELINTUS. 
Your subject was more serious, without doubt.  DIANA. 
What e'er it was. yours, I am sure, offends me.  
Remove this hated object from mine eyes;  
Your presence will at last provoke my anger.  MELINTUS. 
Can one displease you, speaking of your Loves?  
Thou Husband'st for him that so sweet discourse.  ISMENIA. 
Every one knows that who but speaks Melintus,  
Speaks jealous.  MELINTUS. 
It is no secret what men think of thee;  
Every one knows, that who speaks but Ismenia,  
Speaks cocket.  ISMENIA. 
Really thou hast much reason  
To be afflicted at that late discourse,  
Clidamant merits much, and I'll oblige him.  DIANA. 
Leave us.  MELINTUS. 
He doth expect you, and I trouble you;  
But we'll find out a way to cross his fortune.  DIANA to ISMENIA 
He thinks that Clidamant enjoys my love.  ISMENIA. 
Thou hast no reason, Shepherdess, to draw him  
Out of his error: in the mean time wilt thou  
Not yield thee to the faithful services,  
The prayers and tears of the devout Thersander?  
Wilt thou not love him yet? he that encouraged  
By thy fair presence, only to please thee,  
Hath gained so many prizes, who to give  
Thy anger no pretence, thought he loves much,  
Can more be silent, since the ardent flame  
Where with he burns for thee, is only known,  
To me, unto Thimantes, and thyself.  DIANA. 
Ne'er speak unto me of it.  ISMENIA. 
What! still cruel?  
But harken, I will give thee an advice  
Shall touch thee; whilst we may, we should lay hold of  
The flying time; he only maketh beauties,  
And he destroys them; in the lovely season  
That thine lasts, use the gifts which nature gives thee;  
Thou wilt one day lose this fair lustre which  
So charmeth hearts, and be an object of  
Comtempt, as now thou art of adoration.  DIANA. 
Rather that love, whose Orator thou art,  
Yet knowst his use so little, doth times office;  
IT is he that withereth a face; the cares,  
The troubles and the griefs, which by his means  
Possess a heart, deface the lovely features,  
And mow the flowers▪ he is like time the Tyrant  
Of all things; he in a few days dries up  
Our Roses, and our Lilies.  ISMENIA. 
Shepherdess,  
Such fear hath small foundation, quit this thought  
For thy own interest; when love is once  
Lodged in the heart, the eye hath then more light  
The face receiveth thence its full perfection;  
Then we esteem us, than we please ourselves,  
And know out utmost value, we correct  
By art even to the least defect, we call  
Our Glass to counsel in the ordering  
Our gate, our carriage, and our countenance;  
There our eye cheers with smiles, or kills with frowns,  
Or faintly darts its glances, or with strength,  
Either to wound near hand, or further of;  
Therefore once more for thy own interest,  
I say unto thee, love, at least a little,  
Thersander that adores thee.  DIANA. 
Really,  
Thou dost surprise me, to speak thus unto me,  
Thou that hast never yet had love, nor thought  
Tending to that sick passion, thou that makest  
So many Lovers only for thy glory,  
Without remembering one of them, thou that  
Pleasest thyself by turns in their discourse,  
Thou that wilt gain all, & conserve thee nothing.  
Thou sufferest Thimantes to adore thee  
To day; but tell me wilt thou entertain  
His love to morrow?  ISMENIA. 
I love, but I have always had my method  
In love, the Lover that is troublesome  
Unto me, is my Lover for a day;  
I burn not yet for love, not do I sigh for't:  
I make a sport on't still, but ne'er a torment;  
In thrusting no one of, I'm every day  
Attended by a multitude of servants  
That present courtship to me, and all strive  
Who shall be foremost, on whom I command  
And reign as Princess; they suppose they please me  
In putting up my praises; when I go  
Unto the Temple, they fail not to follow,  
And carefully to tread in all my steps.  
I am not pleased to see in such brave Shepherds  
A troop of slaves attending on my train;  
I please them all in flattering their desires:  
I'm much delighted, when I make them jealous,  
Provided that their jealousy extend not  
So far as, to betake themselves to arms  
For th' honour of my beautyl; this high point  
Of evidences might, perhaps, enrage  
Even all my other lovers.  DIANA. 
Ha! how ill  
Thou knowst love, and his maxims, I behold  
Thy changes as so many crimes; for my part,  
If my heart were ta'en with an object once,  
I could not pass from love unto contempt;  
I should be fixed unto my first Idea,  
And that God wholly should possess my thoughts.  ISMENIA. 
Well then, Diana, love, if thou thinkest fit,  
Beyond the grave, and make so fait a fire  
Arise beneath thy ashes.  DIANA. 
Oh, alas!  ISMENIA. 
What signify those sighs?  DIANA. 
They signify  
The sorrow of the heart.  ISMENIA. 
But whence proceeds  
That sorrow? is it from thy brother's death,  
Or from some lovers? come, deal plainly with me,  
Dost thou not love Thersander yet at last?  DIANA. 
No, I assure thee.  ISMENIA. 
Speak, I'm very secret.  DIANA. 
I'll tell thee then, in Sevil I received  
Both life and love, Cleagenor, Ismenia,  
Is the name of the Conqueror, whose image  
Is graven in my heart.  ISMENIA. 
O Gods! how this discourse  
Hath cozened my thought, I was about  
To give instructions;— but pursue.  DIANA. 
Our parents  
Approved our love, and the day for our marriage  
Already was appointed, when Nearchus,  
Provoked by an infamous desire,  
Came to solicit me unlawfully  
In favour of his flame; this favourite  
Unto the King after a passion painted,  
And coloured with sighs, called his presents  
To the assistance of his faith; but this  
Proving effectless, he resolved my ruin;  
He came with open force to satisfy  
His beastly and unruly appetite;  
And to that end would carry me away.  
My Mother having notice at that instant  
Of his design, made me to take a drink,  
To frustrate it, and then, her subt'le policy  
Spread through the Town the rumour of my death:  
Indeed the virtue of this drink procured me  
So long a sleep, that it appeared to be  
The sleep of death; Nearchus terrified  
With this sad news, came to behold it painted  
Upon my face; remorse of conscience  
Within his heart then, quarrelled with his love:  
His sad despair armed him to kill himself:  
But whilst his soul was troubled herewith,  
I was conveyed secretly into  
A Bark; scarce had I yet finished my sleep,  
But at my first waking I saw myself  
Upon the Sea. My Mother then related  
The whole adventure to me, and the secret  
Imposture of my feigned death, when suddenly  
A storm broke the discourse, horror and death  
Marched on the floods: alas, what shall I say?  
Our vessel being carried by the fury  
O'th' winds and waves, was split upon a rock,  
The several pieces floated on the waters;  
I know not which o'th' God's took care of me  
In putting one under my trembling hand,  
Which making me pass on those moving graves  
Through the disturbed empire of the winds,  
Carried me to the shore in all appearance  
Devoid of life; here in this quiet Island  
Of Erithrea where Melissa reigns  
My body found a receptacle; she  
Returning at that instant from the chase,  
Perceived it lying, which th'enraged Sea  
Yet threatened on its banks, and that same God.  
Which would complete his miracle, inclined  
Her heart to pity at this spectacle:  
She caused me to be carried to her Court:  
It is unto her succour that I own  
The remnant of my days: here I first changed  
My name, the better to assure my flight,  
And so to disappoint Nearchus' pursuit.  ISMENIA. 
How Shepherdess, is not thy Name Diana?  DIANNA. 
No, Celia was my true and only name;  
But for my safety I made to Metissa  
A feigned relation of the miseries  
Of my sad life; since she received me  
Into her palace, where I live with her,  
And am now of her Court. Seven times the Sun  
Hath finished his Carrier, since I have seen,  
Or heard news of my mother.  ISMENIA. 
Was Cleagenor  
Informed of all this?  DIANA. 
Oh, alas! this is  
One of the point that causeth my affliction:  
Cleagener surprised by the same  
Imposture, came to see me in my bed,  
As in my grave: I wonder that the noise  
Of his redoubled cries broke not my sleep:  
The heat to revenge me dried all his tears:  
He found his rival, and assaulted him;  
They fought on equal terms; Nearchus fell  
Under his arms for dead; Cleagenor  
was forced to fly t'avoid the fury of  
Th'offended King: his sudden flight gave not  
My Mother opportunity t' inform him  
(As she intended) with the fiction  
Of my pretended death: since his departure  
'Tis now seven years complete, in all which time  
I've heard no news of him; so that I know not  
Whether I mourn the living, or the dead;  
In the mean time to weep my fate more freely,  
And to conceal my miserable fortune,  
I feigned a Brother's death.  ISMENIA. 
I'm sensible  
Of thy misfortune, and will bear a part  
In thy sad grief, if that will make it less;  
I no more now condemn thy sighs, nor tears;  
But yet at last preserve thy beauty from  
Those murdering sorrows; in this doubtful case  
Fix thy fair thoughts upon some other object;  
If death hath seized thy Servant, sure thou losest  
Too many tears and sighs; or grant he live,  
Is't probable that he will keep his constancy  
For thee whom he thinks dead? but here's my Lover.   

SCENA III. THIMANTES, DIANA, ISMENIA.  ISMENIA to THIMANTES. 
WHat business brings thee hither?  THIMANTES. 
Here I come  
A little to divert my thought.  DIANA. 
What thought?  THIMANTES. 
'Tis a disease which doth assault my sense.  ISMENIA. 
What is't, without more circumstance?  THIMANTES. 
My plaint  
Without words would express it; at the sports  
Too many Shepherds had unto my grief  
Too long thy free ear, and perhaps, thy heart;  
A World of people pressed round about thee:  
The Shepherd Dorilas, me thought, discoursed  
Too long with thee, I saw so many others  
Prostrated at thy foot—  ISMENIA. 
Without more words  
Thimantes is become a jealous fool.  
Since thou wilt love me, learn to know me well:  
Thimantes I am free, and will no Master;  
I'll ne'er depend on any but myself.  
Tell me, I pray thee, did I ever promise  
To speak to none but thee? dost thou imagine  
So vainly, that thou art the only Lover  
That serves me? have not I yet some which ought  
To be conserved? and amongst all the Shepherds,  
Whose faith I have received, if I should open  
My mouth and eyes on none of them but thee,  
And that one of those days thy mind should change;  
And mine change too, (as all this well may happen)  
Would all the others, jealous of this kindness  
Expressed to thee thus in particular,  
Be still my Lovers, though I had lost thee?  
And if my liberty were not exposed  
For all, which of them would commiserate  
My fortune in thy loss; I think upon  
Th'event of things, which thou canst not assure:  
At least if one quits me, another takes me:  
Consider if this humour pleaseth thee,  
If thou canst serve me all thy life time thus,  
And not be jealous; if thou canst, hope one day  
Both mouth and hand, and happily the heart  
May flatter thy affection.  THIMANTES. 
This way  
Seems very strange unto me, but almost  
Every fair evening some appointed place  
Of meeting seems t'assure me of thy love  
Sufficiently, and not to flatter me  
With frivolous hope.  ISMENIA. 
Yet hitherto it is  
But airy words.  THIMANTES. 
I hope all things from time  
In waiting for that day, our names engraven  
In every place, will speak my love, Ismenia,  
I promise—  ISMENIA. 
But no more, here comes Thersander;  
That Shepherd, whose inflamed heart thine eyes  
Hath rendered as hes—  DIANA. 
Well Ismenia,  
I leave you.  ISMENIA. 
This is too much rigour, trust me,  
At least afford the face, if thou deniest  
The heart.   

SCENA iv THERSANDER, DIANA, THIMANTES, ISMENIA.  THERSANDER to DIANA. 
OH stay, dear object stay, thou that art cause  
Of all my torments, I have but one word  
To say before I die, the Nymph hath crowned  
My valour with these prizes, here I come  
To lay them at thy feet, with them my heart:  
If thou wilt triumph on this festival day.  
Suffer at least thy conquest in thy sight,  
That's all th' ambition of this captive heart.  DIANA. 
Captive to me? if so, make it change Master,  
I freely do release it; break its chain  
Thyself, if thy design be not to have me  
Free it with my own hand.  THERSANDER. 
Alas! it is not  
Its liberty that I desire.  DIANA. 
Then let it  
Live still a slave, and sigh.  THERSANDER. 
How, Shepherdess!  
Refuse a heart, this precious present which  
Is always worth a Temple, and the Gods!  
Think well upon it, it becomes thy justice  
Not to despise this noble sacrifice,  
Since I give but the same victim and incense  
Unto the powers above; in my opinion  
Our Goddess in the Temple is less fair,  
And thou dost bear the bright name of Diana,  
As well as she.  DIANA. 
Since this rich present is  
Of such high value, as 'tis worthy of  
A Temple and the Gods, I believe, Shepherd,  
That it becomes my justice not t'accept  
This noble sarifice, and I should wrong  
Our puissant Gods in daring to partake  
Their glory, and to share their incense with them,  
My name's Diana, to thy eyes I'm fair;  
But I am not a Goddess like to her.  THERSANDER. 
Although thou hast no Temple, nor no Altars,  
Thou makest thyself adored; 'tis to day  
Thy festival which I have celebrated:  
I have no other worship, nor no other  
Diana, the fire of my love is not  
A profane fire, and if some spark thereof  
Warm not thy breast a little, I must suffer  
The violent heat on't  DIANA. 
Rather I advise thee,  
Quench it with my contempts, this remedy  
Will cure thee, that thou shalt complain no more.  THERSANDER. 
Good Gods! what remedy is this which thou  
Offerest me here? I must die, shepherdess,  
If thou cur'st so; flatter at least, I pray thee,  
With on sole word the love which thou hast raised;  
If I'm, not happy, make me think I am so.  
Alas! I cannot hear a single syllable  
To secure me; if thus thou curest, Shepherdess.  
I must die, there is no prevention for't  ISMENIA. 
Why carriest thou a heart still so rebellious  
To love?  THIMANTES, 
Why dost thou persecute with scorn  
This faithful Shepherd?  DIANA. 
It is best be gone.  THERSANDER. 
Yet thrust of thy disdain, if thou wilt spare  
My hand, my death, finish the forming of  
The sword that kills me, one word more of hate,  
And I die presently before thine eyes;  
Speak, answer me.  ISMENIA. 
No more, here comes the Nymph.  DIANA. 
Happy arrival, which hath freed me from  
So great at touble!  THERSANDER. 
Well for my part then,  
I'll try the temper of the marble rocks:  
My plaints may pierce them, though they could not move  
A Virgin's heart to pity, much less love.   

SCENA V MELISSA, PARTHENIA, DIANA, ISMENIA, THIMANTES, CLIDAMANT, MELINTUS.  MELISSA. 
SInce a full year and more that I have governed  
This happy Island in the right and lawful  
Line and succession of my Ancestors  
By the death of my Sister, and since first  
Diana's feasts were celebrated here,  
Never so many Laurels crowned your heads,  
Nor ever any day ordained for pastime  
Hath entertained mine eyes with such delight.  
Every one striving to bear hence the prize  
Proposed to his contention, showed his skill,  
Both at the Course and Lute; how hand somly  
Thersander did behave him at these exercises!  
With what a grace he acted every thing!  
How charming was his port! and if I may  
Say what I think of him, he must be sprung  
Either from Kings or Gods; how happy is  
Thimantes in his friendship!  THIMANTES. 
This happiness which I enjoys not new,  
It hath a longer date then from to day:  
His name is precious to me; it was my fortune  
To have the benefit of his acquaintance  
At my last voyage, I saw his arrival  
Form his own native country at the Court  
O'th' King of Portugal; the sympathy  
Of humours which one man hath with another  
Tied us together in so firm a friendship  
That having met him sad and full of thought,  
I prevailed with him as to bring him here,  
In hope that in this quiet region where  
Melissa reigns, he should lose all his grief.  MELISSA. 
Indeed although that prosperous Shepherd hath  
Received all the prizes from my hand  
Wherewith he's crowned, I find him notwithstanding  
Still melancholy may not this be in him  
Some sad effect of love, blessed Shepherdess,  
Who e'er thou art! thrice happy is thy fortune,  
In which this noble stranger bound his choice!  
He is so far above the common merit,  
That a Nymph should not much abase herself  
In loving him.  CLIDAMANT. 
Indeed he merits much,  
And we esteem him all, we love his virtues,  
Without being jealous of them.  PARTHENIA. 
Clidamant  
Comes nothing short of him in my opinion.  ISMENIA. 
Thimantes too will go as far as he.  DIANA. 
Another time, Melintus without doubt  
Will perform better.  MELINTUS. 
Yes, when you shall turn  
Your eyes on that side.  MELISSA. 
Shepherds, once again  
Prepare, I pray you, for the Nuptials  
Of Thirsis with Parthenia; Niece, that Shepherd  
Is worthy of you, and you are not ignorant  
That I intent, as soon as he returns,  
To make him (as I hope) your happy husband.  PARTHENIA. aside 
Yes, if my heart can suffer violence.  MELISSA. 
In the mean time, let's go unto the Temple.  
Our thanks and our devotions to pay  
Unto the Gods on this so glorious day.  
The end of the first Act.    

ACTUS II.  

SCENA I. ISMENIA, THERSANDER, THIMANTES.  ISMENIA. 
'TIs true, Thersander, I have done for thee  
as much as possibly I could, I made  
Thy sighs, thy constancy, thy faith appear  
For to persuade her, but I lost my labour,  
Diana is insensible, her heart,  
Which loves sweet applications cannot touch,  
Among so many rocks, is become rock.  THERSANDER. 
What shall I do, Thimantes? what a rude  
And rigorous fortune steers my destiny?  THIMANTES. 
Quit that ingrateful, and come forth of slavery  THERSANDER. 
How shall I come forth? I'm born miserable  
Under the frowning, and the fatal aspect  
Of an ungentle Star, Which in despite  
Of all my studies to defend me from it;  
Pursues Cleagenor under the name  
Of poor Thersander.  ISMENIA. Softly. 
What is that I hear!  
Good Gods!  THIMANTES. 
Thersander, what haft thou discovered?  
Hath thy own mouth betrayed thus thy secret?  
See into what great danger thy imprudence  
Puts thee at present; fearest thou no more,  
Nearchus, and his power?  THERSANDER. 
No, I fear nothing  
After this sentence, but seek death, for since  
It is resolved by fate that I must die,  
What matter is it, by what arm it be,  
Whether Nearchus, or Diana kill me.  ISMENIA. 
Oh Gods! how happy is he?— softly.  
Hath not she  
For whom thou diest had some intelligence  
That thy heart loves elsewhere? if it be so,  
And that thy inconstancy procures thy torment,  
Thou wrongfully accusest her of cruelty.  THERSANDER. 
Quite contrary, this love therewith thou seest  
My heart disturbed, is a sure testimony  
Of my fidelity: 'tis true, alas!  
I sometime loved an object of such beauty,  
That the Gods never framed so fair a piece:  
The Roses and the Lilies formed the colour  
Which died her cheeks, and in hersparkling eyes  
The Sun was painted; to express unto thee  
Yet better her divine perfections.  
Diana is her Portrait to the life  
Celia is seen in her; she like Diana  
Had a Magestick carriage, she had  
A mouth, and eyes like her, she had an air,  
Fierce too like hers, but amiable; lastly  
In every thing she seemed Diana's self:  
My heart is constant therefore as before,  
Since still I love her in her living Portrait.  
I thought at first then, that her death was false,  
And that Diana was that lovely object;  
But when I few Diana entertain  
With such contempt the fervent love wherewith  
My heart was taken, when I saw her rigours,  
And infinite hatred, I perceived my error,  
And said this is not Celia; so that  
I saw well by her cruelties indeed  
That I pursued her picture, and had passion  
But for a Portrait.  ISMENIA. 
What! is Celia dead then?  THERSANDER. 
Alas! that's my affliction, I saw her  
Stretched out upon her deathbed dead, Ismenia;  
And more dead yet then she, I saw those places  
Shine with a certain rest of brightness which  
Her eyes had darted; presently on this  
I had a Combat with Nearchus for  
This charming Beauty; that proud favourite  
Unto the King by infamous desires,  
Formed him an object to his filthy pleasures,  
This outrage was intended to her sweetness:  
We fought on this occasion, it was  
My fortune to disarm him; but the death  
Of Celia, and the anger of the King,  
(To save me from the rigour of the Law)  
Enforced me to a flight, and made me wander  
Seven year from Province unto Province: lastly  
Wearied to see the Court of every Prince,  
I thought to free me of all dangers here  
Under the feigned name of Thersander, and  
The habit of a Shepherd: to disguise me  
Yet better, the afflictions of my heart  
Have changed my Visage.  ISMENIA. 
Hast thou nothing with thee  
That formerly was Celia's?  THERSANDER. 
Yes, one day  
I received from her hand this precious pledge  
Of her unfeigned love, behold this Portrait,  
And judge, I pray thee, if I love Diana,  
Or Celia.  ISMENIA. 
Let me have this Portrait; with it  
I'll cure thy evil, Diana seeing it  
Will become gentle, I'll go show it her.  THERSANDER. 
What wilt thou do, Ismenia? but I see  
Diana: O Gods! end my misery.   

SCENA II. DIANA, THERSANDER, ISMENIA, THIMANTES.  DIANA. 
I Sought thee every where.— to Ismenia.  THERSANDER. 
You will oblige me,— to Ismenia.  
Ismenia, to restore my Portrait to me.  ISMENIA 
Troublesome Shepherd!  
I have much to say— to Diana  
To thee in private, therefore let us enter  
Into this Wood— Exit Ismenia and Diana.  THERSANDER 
Show her that Portrait! oh my martyrdom!  
Traitorous Ismenia, is this that faith  
For which Thimantes always answered  
To me for thee? yes it is by thy counsels,  
Thimantes, only that my seduced soul  
Left her the conduct of my faithful love;  
Nothing from thee or me can work upon her,  
She jeers at all; but let us find her out.  Exit Thersander and Thimantes. Ismenia returns with Diana. ISMENIA. 
I see weare private here, we may speak freely.  
A Mistress yet at last sighs for Thersander,  
And one too in this Island far less cruel  
Than thee; accept his service, and embrace  
His faith: this portrait which thou seest here,  
He received from her as a faithful witness  
Of their reciprocal and mutual fires.  DIANA. 
What do I see?  ISMENIA. 
That portrait (as I take it)  
Whereof Thersander is so proud.  DIANA. 
I gave  
Such a one to Cleagenor; Ismenia,  
Who gave it thee?  ISMENIA. 
Cleagenor himself.  DIANA. 
O Gods! what sayest thou to me? thou art in  
An extreme error.  ISMINIA. 
I tell thee again  
Cleagenor himself gave it to me  DIANA. 
This discourse holds no credit.  ISMENIA. 
Every day  
Almost I see him, and thou seest him also  
As well as I.  DIANA. 
I comprehend not these obscurities.  ISMENIA. 
He loves thee, and thou fliest him.  DIANA. 
I fly  
None but Thersander.  ISMENIA. 
Well, henceforth accuse  
None but thyself of these disasters, 'tis  
The same Cleagenor that loveth thee,  
And whom thou fli'st.  DIANA. 
Cleagenor! Ismenia;  
That cannot be, is't possible that I  
Should have been two months without knowing him,  
For so long 'tis since he arrived among us.  ISMENIA. 
Thy grief hoodwinked thine eyes, thou couldst not see him.  
Thinkest thou that since those seven years thou hast lived  
Upon those fair banks, time that changeth all things,  
Hath not yet changed a face? there comes Thersander;  
Take a full survey of him, whilst I hold him  
In some discourse; make show as if thou'd stenter  
Into that Wood, and have a care thou do not  
Discover thee till I have ordered  
Thy meeting with him.  DIANA. 
Happy pledge of love!  Entering into the Wood  

SCENA III. THERSANDER, THIMANTES, ISMENIA, DIANA.  THERSANDER to THIMANTES. 
THou seest what she hath done; unto Diana  
She ' as given the Portrait.  THIMANTES. 
See she enters there  
Into that Wood  ISMENIA. 
A word with thee Thersander,  THERSANDER. 
Perfidious, finish here thy crime, and be  
My murderer; strike, strike this heart, I pray thee,  
That hopes no more; but by what interest  
Hast thou betrayed me?  ISMENIA. 
Why complainest thou?  THERSANDER. 
O gross dissimulation! darest thou yet  
To ask what is my plaint?  DIANA. 
He hath his gate.  Softly, looking on him, where she was hidden. ISMENIA. 
Thy heat hears nothing, give me leave to speak.  THERSANDER. 
Yes, to feign more, and to lie at thy pleasure,  
Am I obliged still to thee for my life?  ISMENIA. 
How soon love doth degenerate into folly?  THIMANTES. 
Thersander, hear her.  THERSANDER. 
What is't she can say?  ISMENIA. 
Since th'u'rt so obstinate, let thy love go  
Which way it will, I'll have no more to do in't.  THERSANDER. 
Speak then, what wilt thou?  ISMENIA. 
I have nought to say now.  THIMANTES. 
Thou wouldst speak to him.  ISMENIA. 
'Twas to laugh a little.  THIMANTES. 
I pray thee, speak unto him.  THERSANDER. 
I conjure thee,  
Ismenia, in the name of all the Gods,  
Jeer not my Passion.  ISMENIA. 
It is now my turn  
To be perverse.  THERSANDER. 
I hear thee, speak, what sayst thou?  ISMENIA. 
Since thou wilt have it, know then that a Rival  
Hath caused thy grief and torments.  THERSANDER. 
How, a Rival!  
At that Word I'm all fire, a Rival!  ISMENIA. 
Yes,  
A Rival, good Thersander, but a loved one.  THERSANDER. 
What! loved of Diana?  ISMENIA. 
Yes of her,  
And more too, of thyself.  THERSANDER. 
That's very strange;  
How should I choose but bear a mortal hatred  
To him my Mistress loves; who e'er he be,  
I must revenged die.  DIANA Softly. 
If this should be  
Cleagenor, O Gods! how is he changed?  THERSANDER. 
Where is that Rival?  ISMENIA. 
With thee, Thersander;  
Thou wouldst defend him, if occasion were,  
At the expense of all thy blood; believe me,  
Thou never leavest him.  THERSANDER. 
Without dissembling,— to Thimantes  
Tell me Thimantes, art not thou that Rival,  
She means? I think thou art my friend, deal plainly  
And freely with me, art not thou that cruel,  
That false and traitorous Rival?  THIMANTES. 
Answer him,  
Ismenia.  THERSANDER. 
Well, what wilt thou say at last?  ISMENIA. 
Thersander hath for Rival in his love.—  THERSANDER. 
Speak, whom?  ISMENIA. 
Cleagenor,  THERSANDER. 
Cleagenor!  
Ismenia, ha'! my joy, sure, is extreme;  
True, I confess, I love this Rival equal  
Unto myself, and if he may be loved  
Of th' object whom I serve, I will adore  
My chains Without condemning her of rigour.  ISMENIA. 
Thou hast lost nothing by this bout, thy fortune  
May create envy, fair Diana hath  
Yielded to Celia's portrait.  DIANA. Softly, 
Who, to see  
Those decayed features, could have known that face?  
But my love hath at last drawn them afresh  
Within my memory; I must draw near him,  
And yield to my impatience.  THERSANDER, to ISMENIA. 
Pardon me,  
I can't believe thee; but here comes Diana;  
See if her eyes ha' ned the same cruelty,  
Always the same pride, and the same disdain.  DIANA. 
Ismenia, I am come to tell thee something.  ISMENIA. 
Me Celia?  THERSANDER. 
How, Celia?  ISMENIA. 
Yes, Celia.  THERSANDER. 
Alas! I'm in an error; 'tis her eyes.  
Her gate, her countenance, but not her heart.  ISMENIA. 
'Tis she, Thersander, whom thou dost behold,  
It is very self.  THERSANDER. 
How! is't a custom  
To call forth from the bosom of the Grave  
Departed souls? and by what privilege  
Hath that God, who at the eternal sleep  
Presides, ordained her waking?  DIANA, to THERSANDER. 
Though thy faith  
Finds this point strange, is not love strong enough  
To make thee to believe a Miracle?  
Cleagenor sees me, and knows me not:  
How comes it, is my Portrait false? have I  
No more artractions? see if't be thy Celia,  
At least if't be not she; it is no more  
That beauty which was late so cruel to thee;  
Cleagenor!  THERSANDER. 
My Celia!  DIANA. 
Is it possible,  
O Gods! that I should see again what I  
Best love i' th' World?  THERSANDER. 
Is it you that I see?  ISMENIA. 
Take heed, be moderate, one may die with joy.  THIMANTES. 
Ismenia, follow this example here;  
Grant only at this instant but a kiss  
To my impatience, see at last Diana  
Ceaseth to be unkind.  ISMENIA. 
What! doth the object rouse thee, and th' example  
Provoke thy spirits? thou wilt have but one kiss?  THIMANTES. 
I will be satisfied.  ISMENIA. 
Give me then  
Some verses, or at least a nose gay of  
The choicest flowers.  THIMANTES. 
Ismenia, I'll not fail  
To bring them thee.  ISMENIA. 
Then trouble not thyself,  
The kiss is thine.  THIMANTES. 
Wilt thou with hold from me  
So long what is my due?  ISMENIA. 
It will be better  
When it is much expected, and longed for.  THERSANDER. 
Behold my whole adventure in few words.  DIANA. 
I've made thee too a full description  
Of my misfortunes thou seest how I feigned  
(To give my grief full vent) a Brother's death  
In weeping of my lovers.  THERSANDER. 
What felicity  
Do I enjoy now?  THIMANTES. 
Use your utmost skill  
To make it lasting to you, and beware of  
The fickleness of fortune, and her wrongs.  THERSANDER. 
What! have we yet any thing more to fear?  
Is not that blind inconstant Goddess weary  
Of persecuting us?  THIMANTES. 
Love is a child,  
He must be governed well, Diana's beauty  
Hath gained her lovers, they may hurt, Thersander;  
Melintus hath a subtle wit, and we  
Both know he loves Daina, and besides  
Is jealous of her; fear some foul play from him,  
If thou appear his Rival; he disposeth  
The spirit of Melissa at his pleasure;  
When he shall see you serve as obstacle  
Unto his love, he will take speedy order  
For your removal.  THERSANDER. 
But to hinder him  
To hurt me, I conceive Diana hath  
No less power on the spirit of the Nymph.  THIMANTES. 
But if the Nymph loves thee, as I observed  
Her heart expressed some such matter lately,  
When at her last return home from the Games,  
Her free confession to us all, declared  
How much she did esteem thee, but at last  
With such an esteem that love followed  
Close at the heels in plain terms, and indeed  
Spoken by her of purpose, if she loves thee,  
I say (as I'm confirmed in that thought)  
How wilt thou steer thy course?  ISMENIA. 
'Tis very true,  
Her discourse comes into my memory.  THERSANDER. 
O Gods! what's this you utter?  DIANA. 
For my part  
I begin to believe it, and remember  
The passage too, I fear all things from thence;  
This is the only mischief we should shun.  ISMENIA. 
What can she not do 'gainst your interests,  
When your refuse shall come to arm her anger  
Against you? Know that with a single word,  
I'th' twinkling of an eye too, she can calm  
The floods and make a mutiny amongst them,  
Call froth corrupted bodies from their graves,  
Make their cold ashes speak, and their pale ghosts  
To walk; these were the secrets, Zoroastres  
Taught, whilst he reigned, to his posterity;  
She is descended from him; and to give  
Herself content, will make use of her art  
To serve her passion.  THERSANDER. 
I know that her skill  
Extends to Magic. Yes I fear her love  
With so much power, and yield unto thy counsel  
Advise us what to do.  THIMANTE'S. 
Disugise yourselves  
Under the names of Brother, and of Sister,  
In the mean time we'll spread abroad the rumour  
Of this event that every one shall hear it  
Within the Island.  THEERSANDER. 
I approve this project.  DIANA. 
My life lies on it.  ISMENIA. 
I go to begin  
To lie unto Parthenia.   

SCENA iv PARTHENIA, ISMENIA, DIANA, THERSANDER, THIMANTES.  PARTHENIA. 
JSmenia,  
I would speak one word with thee but a moment.  ISMENIA. 
Immediately when you have born a part  
In the contentment of this pair; Diana  
Hath for the future no more cause to weep  
Heaven hath been pleased that she hath found her brother.  
It is this happy Shepherd, they acknowledge  
Each other.  PARTHENIA. 
This event, I must confess  
Confounds my spirit; Thersander found her brother?  DIANA. 
Yes Nymph, it is the same,  
For whom my grief was hither to extreme.  
The Gods at length have heard my prayers and sighs.  THERSANDER. 
Yes, Madam they have granted our desires.  PARTHENIA. 
J'm very glad on't, and my soul is ravished  
With this good fortune of our friends, which makes  
Our lives content, Diana will obilge me  
If she please at her leisure to inform me  
with the discovery; but acquaint the Nymph  
Therewith, and to that purpose go to see her.  THERSANDER. 
We owe that duty to our Sovereign.  Exeunt Thers and Diana. PARTHENIA. 
In the mean time Ismenia and myself  
May entertain each other in discourse,  
Thimantes, I believe, will not be jealous.  THIMANTES 
Let not a third come, Madam and I fear  
Nothing from you.— Exit Thimantes.  PARTHENIA. 
Ismenia, I know not,  
If I may safely tell a secret to thee,  
Alas!  ISMENIA. 
I know it well, since the heart sighs;  
When one would say I love, and dares not speak is,  
The heart at the named point gives an Alas.  
Have not I well divined?  PARTHENIA. 
Ismenia.  
I do confess it, see too, if thou canst  
Divine the object that procures my grief  
Let me not speak him, spare my cheeks those  
blushes.  ISMENIA. 
I cannot, a sigh carries not so far;  
You love; but what more, is beyond my skill  
To understand, unless your self unfold  
That sigh unto me by its cause.  PARTHENIA. 
'Tis true  
I love.  ISMENIA. 
But whom?  PARTHENIA. 
'Tis—  ISMENIA. 
Outwithed.  PARTHENIA. 
Clidamant.  ISMENIA, 
Behold a handsome way to name a Lover;  
Ha! how you fear your lips should touch upon it!  
One must draw it word by word out of your mouth;  
You have then but one lover; really  
'Tis well as't happens; had you lists of them  
As I have, which I name, and reckon over  
Every hour of the day, your bashfulness  
Would well become you; love is a fair fruit,  
But than it must be gathered, modesty  
Leaves it to fall and whither, but I pray you  
What will Melissa say to't, who intends  
To match her Niece to Thirsis?  PARTHENIA. 
Oh! I hate  
That Thirsis, and shall be even in despair,  
If the Nymph force me to observe my duty  
In that particular; yet I would keep it  
Without disturbance, if the love I bear  
To Clidamant should not return me his;  
For to speak truly I am violent  
Where honour doth engage me, therefore would I  
Have his heart to be sounded, and as I  
Find it disposed, I should pursue my love,  
Or quench my flame.  ISMENIA. 
Speak unto him yourself,  
Nothing's more easy.  PARTHENIA. 
But, Ismenia.  
Thou hast a wit would help me; if I should  
Speak to him, he hath little understanding  
If he should not know that I first was taken  
And I should sin against the rule of maids  
To make such a confession.  ISMENIA. 
You may write then,  PARTHENIA. 
That is all one, still the same point of honour  
Forbids it me; my Letter would discover  
My love, and make him boast thereof, perhaps,  
To my dishonour, if he might have once  
That mark on't in his hand.  ISMENIA. 
Let him then  
Divine it, if he be ginger.  PARTHENIA. 
Treat not my passion thus with raillery.  ISMENIA. 
I must then serve you in it, I perceive;  
Well I'll about it with my best invention;  
I'll write a Letter to him, and invite him  
By a feigned love, as soon as it is night,  
To meet me at the Echo of the Garden,  
To entertain us there.  PARTHENIA. 
So in my absence.  
Thou shalt discern his thought.  ISMENIA. 
This business  
Concerns you, Madam, and requires your presence.  
You shall speak softly to him, and in those  
Sweet moments, you shall understand much better  
What his thoughts are, and thus you may yourself,  
To find out if he loves, speak of yourself.  PARTHENIA. 
Thou wilt be present too?  ISMENIA. 
Yes, J'l so well  
Contrive it, that he shall believe undoubtedly  
That it is I that speak.  PARTHENIA. 
But how can we  
Speak to the Echo, for thou knowst the Nymph,  
As soon as it is night, retires herself,  
And then we cannot come there, what devise now  
Hast thou that we may speak to him?  ISMENIA. 
Cannot we  
Speak to him from the terrace which joins close  
Unto the Garden; you know that you can  
Conveniently come there at any hour  
From your apartment; 'tis upon this ground,  
And these conjunctures, that I've ta'en the plot  
For my invention.  PARTHENIA. 
I admire thy wit,  
'tis wonderful industrious and ready.  ISMENIA. 
I'll write the Letter here before your eyes,  
Behold the paper for it.  PARTHENIA. 
How, these are  
Thy writing Tables!  ISMENIA. 
They can speak of Passions  
Discreet and secret; J'l about my business,  
And use my smoothest stile.  PARTHENIA, 
Especially  
Appoint him well the hour and place of meeting:  
How redevable am I to thy wit  
For this great favour? what do I not owe thee  
For this good office, thou giv'st me again.  
Life, and repose.  ISMENIA. 
See what I writ unto him  
In two words for you, they are very pressing,  
And will engage him to betake himself  
Unto the place appointed to know more.  PARTHENIA. 
'Tis very well; it rests now how to giv ' it him.  ISMENIA. 
Leave me the care of that; but here he comes.   

SCENA V MELINTUS, CLIDAMANT, PARTHENIA, ISMENIA.  MELINTUS, to CLIDAMANT. 
YES, I have heard Diana is his sister.  CLIDAMANT, to PARTHENIA. 
Madam, Melintus and myself are going  
To seek Thersander, to congratulare  
With him his happy meeting with his sister.  ISMENIA, to CLIDAMANT. seftly 
Thersander's happy, and thou art no less,  
Since thy good fortune offereth itself  
Unto thy hand, from whence thou may'st expect  
All that thou canst desire without that jealous.  PARTHENIA, to ISMENIA. 
Come, let us go, the Nymph expecteth us.  ISMENIA, softly to CLIDAMANT. 
Having no opportunity at present  
To speak unto thee, read, I think it will please thee.  CLIDAMANT. 
Read it, I think it will please thee, what i'th' name  
Of wonder doth she mean?  MELINTUS. 
Take but the pain  
To open, and to read it thou shalt find.  CLIDAMANT. 
I think, I may make thine eyes withnesses  
Of what it doth contain, there's nothing in it  
Secret of serious, Ismenia loves  
To jest, and to be talked of; and this is  
Some new piece of her wont merry wit.  MELINTUS. 
I am impatient, prithee open it.  CLIDAMANT. 
Let me see what divertisement is here,  
Which she expounds good fortune, what is this?  He reads. 
List of my Lovers by an exact order  
Of Alphabet.  
'Tis very well put of;  
But so far forth as I can see yet, neither  
Obsetve I here Melintus or myself.  MELINTUS. 
For my part, I renounce there; turn the leaf,  
Go on.  CLIDAMANT, reads. 
Stanza's of Dorilas upon inconstancy.  

'Tis true, Ismenia thou are fair,  
But more inconstant than the air;  
And every Lover is a Mark  
Exposed to thy humourous dart;  
As soon as he meets thy disdain,  
He flies to death to cure his pain,  
And makes but one large step in all  
From his bright glory to his fall.   

With these defects yet thou canst charm;  
But I'll not love, for fear of harm;  
Yet I approve all things in thee,  
Yea even to thy inconstancy;  
And will not, to incur thy hate,  
Jealous Melintus imitate,  
Whose humour every thing offends,  
And nothing pleaseth but its ends.   CLIDAMANT. 
Melintus, what sayst thou unto them?  MELINTUS. 
I see for what design she put those Tables  
Into thy hand, I called her cocket lately,  
And that, it seems, provoked her to return me  
The injury with one of the same nature.  CLIDAMANT, continues to read. 
Sonnet of Silvio, my most faithful Lover.  
A Madrigal of Thirsis,— what's this follows,  
Unto the Shepherd Clidamant.  CLIDAMANT. 
Melintus,  
Am I not purblind, see if this name doth Strike thine eyes thus like mine!  Melintus looking into the writing Tables. MELINTUS. 
Nothing 's more certain,  
It is addressed to thee; thou art more happy  
Than thou imagin'st  CLIDAMANT, reads. 
As soon as the dark shadows of the night  
Hang o'er the light,  
At th' Echo of the Garden let us meet;  
But be discreet;  
'Tis love invites thee; more anon,  
When w' be alone.  
Ismenia.  Melintus would take the writing Tables. MELINTUS. 
Prithee let me see them,  
Grant me this favour— not, than I, believe  
Thou dost disguise the truth, and readest Ismenia,  
When 'tis subscribed Diana.  CLIDAMANT. 
Oh fond jealous!  
How long wilt thou thus be thy own tormenter?  MELINTUS. 
Yet show them me.  CLIDAMANT. 
To cure thy troubled spirit,  
I ' l first o'er come thy curiosity;  
And since the discreet Lover, what vain heat  
So ever presseth thee, never shows thus  
His Mistress name—  MELINTUS. 
But—  CLIDAMANT. 
Quit those blind suspicions; as soon  
As it is night I'll go unto the Echo  
Alone, and with our noise; IceIce all a fire  
To know what she will tell me, in the mean time  
Let's go unto the Nymph to seek Thersander.  MELINTUS, softly 
To be more sure, and to inform myself  
Yet fuller of thy faith in this my doubt,  
I'll to the Echo too, and sinned it out.  
The end of the second Act.    

ACTUS III.  

SCENA I. MELISSA, DIANA.  MELISSA. 
I Say to thee again that I receive  
Much pleasute at this news, that thou, Diana,  
Art sister to the generous Thersander;  
He hath informed me with the strange misfortune  
Which separated on the churlish Sea  
The Brother from the Sister, in what place  
Upon a plank, escaped from the wrack,  
The storm removed him from the anger of  
Th' enraged Sea, what countries he hath seen,  
What pains and troubles he hath undergone;  
Lastly he named the happy fortune which  
Conducted him to us here; I thank Heaven,  
That made thee know him, I'm as sensible  
Of this content as thou canst be thyself;  
He is so highly qualified, that he's worthy  
The name of King, ye both shall find with me  
A Sanctuary, and what ever fortune  
Ye have, I will partake it good or bad;  
My fortunes, ye shall bare too, so that all things  
Between us shall be common: I believe  
Diana towards me will be so well  
Disposed of her part, and that whatsoever  
Concerns me, will touch her.  DIANA. 
Madam, I should  
Be barbarously ingrateful otherwise;  
I still remember that being on the Shore,  
Cast as a wretched wrack there by the floods,  
Expecting every minute deaths approach,  
I met with you my port and sanctuary:  
Oh that I have not power for all this goodness  
T'express how much acknowledgement I have!  MELISSA. 
Thou hast.  DIANA. 
How Madam?  MELISSA. 
In expecting nothing  
But death as I do now, thou canst be to me  
At thy turn both my port and sancturary;  
Thou canst subdue the enemy that braves me,  
That of a Sovereign will make a slave;  
He's in thy power, thou canst abate his courage.  DIANA. 
What is that enemy which troubles you?  MELISSA. 
He's one whose Magic can enchant the arms  
Of the most Valiant; he can draw tears from  
The most Heroic; nothing is so strong,  
Which he can't compass; and without respect  
To any place or person whatsoever,  
He equally distributeth his flames.  DIANA. 
I know him not yet by this Character.  MELISSA. 
How knowst thou not that tyrant of great Monarchs'?  
That famons Conqueror of conquerors,  
Who notwithstanding is but a blind child?  DIANA. 
If I durst to express me, I believe,  
I know him.  MELISSA. 
Speak it freely.  DIANA. 
I'm mistaken,  
Or I have seen love painted in such colours,  
Blind and a child, yet a great Conqueror.  MELISSA. 
'Tis the same love whereof I speak unto thee  DIANA. 
Who is the happy Lover that procures  
Your martyrdom?  MELISSA. 
Alas! couldst thou not spare me  
The shame to speak him? cover, gentle night,  
Immediately those places and my brow  
With the same colour, so to please my heat;  
I love; but let us finish since I've said  
I love, Thersander is my object.  DIANA. 
What,  
My Brother?  MELISSA. 
Herald If his heart be a prize  
Not easy to be gained, there's nothing which  
I would spare for him, I would arm to have him;  
Nought should oppose me, every obstacle  
I would overcome; already by some words  
Which he observed not, spoken by the buy,  
My love was half expressed.  DIANA. 
As he should not  
Dare to pretend unto so great an honour,  
He would be criminal, if he believed  
To understand you.  MELISSA. 
Well then, be thou here  
The mouth and true interpreter of my heart,  
Express the kind heat of my timorous soul;  
Tell him that I'm a subject to his Laws,  
That he may boldly fix his thoughts upon  
The person of Melissa, and not fear  
To be condemned, that his ambition  
May soar so high a pitch, and not be checked,  
That he may sigh the same sighs with a King;  
Husband that heart for me, to which mine aims;  
But let him not think that it comes from me;  
My honour would receive a prejudice  
By such a thought, thou only shalt acquaint him  
With this, as from thyself.  DIANA. 
I understand you,  
He must needs yield to this; I'll do your will.  MELISSA. 
As soon as he appears, I will retire me,  
And from one of these places I shall hear  
Every word that you speak one to another  
In reference to my flame.  DIANA. 
I should methinks  
Act with more freeness, if I were to treat  
With him alone.  MELISSA. 
No, I will hear myself  
What he thinks of me, I can best of all  
Trust mine own ears and eyes in this affair.  DIANA. 
But, Madam, after all—  MELISSA. 
Shepherdess,  
The thing's resolved, thou needest not say no more.  
Until he come, I pray thee, entertain  
These woods here with some air, and let us see  
If the Echo will answer to thy discourse;  DIANA. 
Your prayer is a command; some plaints of love  
Shall make the subject of it.  MELISSA. 
What thou wilt.  

DIANA'S Song.  

Ye Trees, ye Rocks, perfumed Valleys, sweet  
And charming Zephirs, murmuring fountains keep  
My griefs close in your bosom, you alone  
Are witnesses unto my fires and moan,  
Tell me if my sad heart, not daring to  
Declare it itself, at least may sigh its woe?  
May sigh its woe— Echo.   

Well then my sighs, make no noise as poe pass  
The airy Regions only breath alas  
Unto the heart that sent you forth; since I  
Can't speak to thee, dear object of my cry,  
Let th' Echo, that's attentive, say for me  
That if I love (as sure I do) 'tis thee.  
'tis thee— Eccho     

SCENA II. THERSANDER, MELISSA, DIANA.  THERSANDER. 
DIana's here about, her voice assures me.  MELISSA to DIANA. softly 
Thy Brother comes here, take this opportunity.  
Be sure thou speak unto him loud enough;  
Thou art my only hope; I go from hence  
To hear, and to observe thee.  DIANA. softly. 
We are undone,  
Thersander will discover all in speaking.  THERSANDER. 
'Tis now no longer time to utter sighs,  
Let us resume our joy, and dry our tears,  
Crown our sad spirits with flowers, and think no more of  
Our passed misfortunes, let's form our discourse  
Of the most pleasant thoughts, and let us chat  
Of love.  DIANA. 
Let me alone, I'll entertain thee  
Upon that subject.  THEERSANDER. 
It belongs to me  
To speak of that, and when I do consider  
With what darts in my heart—  DIANA. 
I know it well  
'Tis of a longer date then from to day,  
That I have read thy heart; and I believe  
That never any one hath seen a Brother  
To love his sister so.  THERSANDER. 
The love wherewith  
I am assaulted, and would make thee see,  
Exceeds that of a brother, it begets,  
Complaints and Sighs, it driveth to despair,  
And kills; the love we bear unto a Sister,  
Makes not so many sufferings; but I love—  DIANA. 
I divine whom, thou burnest with desire  
To speak unto me here of Celiaes' love.  THERSANDER. 
Thou dost divine right, I take a great pleasure  
To speak of it with thee; methinks I see her  
Still when I look on thee; how sit I find thee  
To be the faithful guardian of my love,  
Assured of thy fidelity, and that  
Thy heart is always mine.  DIANA. 
Thou needest not doubt it.  THERSANDER. 
O my dear!  DIANA. 
Brother I'm not ignorant  
How dear I am unto thee.  THIMANTES. 
Thy fair eyes—  DIANA. 
How! flatter and court thy sister  
By thy discourse?  THERSANDER. 
I cannot speak, unto thee  
Thou interruptest me still.  DIANA. 
Th' advice is worth it, and I'll give thee notice  
That from esteem they pass to love for thee,  
That scarce arrivedst thou unto this place  
But thy good fortune without any trouble  
Gained thee the conquest of a heart, for which  
Great Kings will envy thee, it is Melissa's.  THERSANDER. 
O Gods! what dost thou say?  DIANA. 
What doth astonish thee,  
I see how thou art troubled to believe it.  
This great heart finds no place yet in thy faith:  
To make thee happy in't, I must embrace thee.  She speaks softly to him, in embracing him. The Nymph hears our discourse, 'tis fit thou feign. She speaks loud again. 
Wilt thou not yield to this excess of honour?  
Think that thy Celia in this conjuncture,  
Hath no resentment in her heart against thee,  
Nor murmurs at it.  THERSANDER. 
In this ecstasy  
Wherein I am through this excess of honour,  
I'm seeking of myself, but cannot find me.  
How! dare to love the Nymph? t'aspire to her?  
No my ambition's not so criminal.  DIANA. 
Under those high respects, I see thy love.  THERSANDER. 
How can I otherwise express it, Sister?  
It the Nymph tempts me, and will make a crime on't,  
It shall then have the name but of a lawful  
Respect; and if I see occasion  
T'express me further on this point, this lawful  
Respect shall bear the bolder name of love.  DIANA. 
Brotherm, it hath that name, and I am ready  
To boast unto her, her illustrious conquest:  
But the Sun, I perceive, plungeth himself  
I' th' waters, and the shadows seize the tops  
O' th' Mountains, it is time now to betake me  
Unto Melissa; but behold, she comes.  Melissa comes forth from the place where she was hidden. MELISSA. 
What serious discourse have you together?  DIANA. 
Our subject is of Love, of Mistresses,  
Of Servants, and of Sighs.  MELISSA. 
What! hath Thersander  
Already gotten him a Mistress?  THERSANDER. 
Madam,  
I have too little merit and address:  
Besides to serve, to honour and obey you,  
I have no other thought; our discourse was,  
Your goodness for us, which my heart shall ever  
Record as in a Register of Brass,  
Where my acknowledgements shall never pass.   

SCENA III. MELINTUS, MELISSA, DIANA, THERSANDER.  MELINTUS. calling. 
HO, Clidamant!  MELISSA. 
It is enough, let's go,  
I hear some noise, and would not be seen here  
I' rh ' night.—  Exeunt Melissa, Diana, Thersander. MELINTUS, continuing to call. 
Ismenia, Clidamant! they hear,  
But fly me, and the night robs my sight of them;  
But this is not Ismenia, and I am  
Deceived much, if I saw not the gate,  
The stature, and the gesture of Diana;  
Yes, Clidamant abused me with a lie,  
Diana builds his fortune at my cost,  
And that note which he would conceal from me  
Without doubt was subscribed with her fair hand;  
Yes, 'twas Diana's, though he read Ismenia,  
To spare my grief a little, and my trouble.  
How simple was I that I followed  
Not close upon his steps: but soft, methinks,  
I hear a noise, perhaps it may be he.   

SCENA iv CLIDAMANT, MELINTUS.  CLIDAMANT. 
O Night, lend me thy silence, make these woods  
To hold their peace in th' absence of the day,  
And let no sound be heard here but my love:  
At last I'm happily delivered from  
A troublesome companion, that would  
Obstruct my fortune, that same jealous Shepherd  
Without respect and faith.  MELINTUS. 
I'm much obliged  
Unto thee for this noble character  
Thou giv'st me; in despite of all my care  
And cunning thou art come without my company  
To see thy lovely Mistress.  CLIDAMANT. 
I came here  
To meet another person: for my Mistress,  
I have already spoken with her fully.  MELINTUS. 
Yes, if mine eyes deceived me not, thou talkd'st  
Unto Diana, and seeing me follow,  
Ye both fled at one time, these Woods concealed you.  CLIDAMANT. 
Good Gods! what sayest thou to me?  MELINTUS. 
But I'll be  
More wise another time, and heed you better.  CLIDAMANT. 
I understand not what this language means,  
But this distrust doth me an injury:  
Why covetest thou t' accompany me thus,  
Since th' object that expecteth me, forbids it;  
Desirest thou to publish secret passions?  
Ismenia in thy sight gave me those Tables;  
'Tis she that doth expect me at the place  
Appointed; for Diana, she knows nothing  
Of this invention: if thou canst, enjoy  
That lovely Shepherdess and think not me  
Guilty of any treason, I seek only  
Ismenia, and shun society:  
In this affair, Shepherd retire thyself  
And leave my love in peace, why wouldst thou do me  
So ill an office?  MELINTUS. 
This appointed meeting  
Denotes some artifice; I observed lately  
At our last Games the amorous commerce  
That passed between Diana and thyself,  
So many kind respects, such gentle glances,  
And private whilspering forming the suspicion  
That still awakes me.  CLIDAMANT. 
Cease to trouble me,  
And thyself too unnecessarily;  
Our discourse only was an effect of  
Civility; I say again, I leave  
Diana to thee; oh how perfectly  
I hate those vain suspicions and condemn them!  MELINTUS. 
Ismenia's very free she would have had  
Boldness enough to express her love by day,  
Why should she make choice of the night to speak it?  
Why dared she not to utter it in words,  
But writ it to thee?  CLIDAMANT. 
In vain jealous Shepherd,  
Thou askest me that question, all that I  
Can say unto thee, is that I am sent for;  
I cannot tell thee more if the occasion  
Be good or bad; if I could satisfy thee  
Upon that point, believe't thou shouldst excuse me.  MELINTUS. 
I'll follow thee where ere thou goest.  CLIDAMANT. 
Oh Gods!  
What a Tormentor have I?  MELINTUS. 
I attend thee,  CLIDAMANT. 
Then stay thou here, I'll leave the place unto thee.  
I seign to withdraw, to withdraw him also. softly. Exit.  MELINTUS. 
What! leav'st thou me alone? and cunningly  
Hidest me those secrets, which yet I must know:  
Feign as much as thou wilt, in spite of thee  
I will sinned out to which of those two objects  
Thou giv'st thy faith, and dost direct they vows,  
I'll be a witness of thy secret love;  
Another shall inform me on't, Thimantes  
Will tell me all the Plot; to him I'll go,  
And give him notice of the assignation;  
He'll come to let me know sure, if Diana  
Appeareth there; or if it be Ismenia,  
I shall do him a mischief; when Thimantes  
Shall see his Mistress appoint secret meetings  
To others than himself at such an hour,  
He hath a poor spirit if he loves her still:  
So shall I have pleasure in my resentment  
In weakening the sierceness of Ismenia,  
And of her servant, I'll to him immediately.   

SCENA V PARTHENIA, ISMENIA.  PARTHENIA, upon the terrace. 
I Hear a noise, Ismenia, is't not Clidamant?  ISMENIA. 
Fear not, we shall hear of him presently.  PARTHENIA. 
I hear no more noise, all is hushed and still;  
Only the night, and silence reigneth here.  ISMENIA. 
Hark, I hear something, let us handsomely  
Dissemble now.  PARTHENIA. 
Oh how I feel my soul  
Seized with love and fear!   

SCENA VI CLIDAMANT, ISMENIA, PARTHENIA.  CLIDAMANT. 
NO person follows me,  
I am at liberty; jealous Melintus  
Haunteth my steps no more.  ISMENIA. 
Madam, 'tis he.  CLIDAMANT, 
Well I'll go on to instruct me what Ismenia  
Hath to impart unto me in these Gardens;  
Ismenia!  ISMENIA. 
Clidamant.  CLIDAMANT. 
Is it thee, Ismenia?  ISMENIA. 
Yes, I expect thee.  CLIDAMANT. 
Thou may'st have pretence  
T'accuse my tardy coming, but a jealous—  ISMENIA. 
It is enough, thou art beloved, assure thee;  
Draw near; but let us speak soft, I'm afraid  
We should be heard.—  Put yourself in my place and take this opportunity. softly.  

SCENA VII. THIMANTES, CLIDAMANT, PARTHENIA, ISMENIA.  THIMANTES. Speaking to Melintus behind the Stage. 
I Am obliged to thee for this advertisement;  
If I find at the Echo either of them,  
Diana or Ismenia, believe me,  
I'll faithfully report it, to remove  
Thy trouble, if I can: Ismenia  
Appoints me very often here to meet her,  
Where, notwithstanding her inconstancy,  
Her mouth in secret giveth me the hope  
Of a most constant love, and for a pledge  
Of her faith, never any but myself  
At those hours entertains discourse with her:  
I'll to her now, and charge her with this crime  
Of coming here without acquainting me.  
I'll approach softly without making noise  
Lest it might raise a scandal in the night;  
Ismenia,  CLIDAMANT. quitting Parth. 
Some noise hath struck mine car,  
I'll return to you— Exit.  PARTHENIA. 
O what feat is comparable  
To mine! Ismenia, come to me presently.  CLIDAMANT, speaking to Thimantes, whom he takes for Melintus. 
Melintus, really I can no longer  
Suffer your importunity? why should you  
Imagine that I am the Author of  
Your trouble? I speak to no person here  
But to the Shepherdess Ismenia;  
I tell thee once again, she sent for me,  
And I am certain that the note is written  
And signed with her hand; 'tis true, this fair one  
Sighs only for the love of me, her mouth  
Hath told it me already, and I answer  
Unto her fires with a mutual heat;  
Assure yourself, and settle upon this  
My faithful protestation, that Diana  
Ne'er made me sigh.  THIMANTES. softly. 
O most perfidious!  CLIDAMANT. 
See what an injury you do me now,  
To satisfy you yet more fully hold,  
There are the writing Tables, see her name.  
Examined well, and take repose at last  
Without disturbing mine. D'ye place your glory  
In persecuting me?  THIMANTES. softly. 
Shame of my love,  
Depart my memory, I have wherewith  
Both to reproach, and to convict thy falsehood;  
And when I've done it, treacherous spirit, I'll quit thee,  
And then I shall be satisfied.  CLIDAMANT. 
Melintus,  
What is't thou murmurest yet? I must break with thee,  
If this strange humour lasts, in acting thus,  
You will lose all your friends, your jealous head,  
And strange fantastic humours, but he's gone;  
I will return unto the object which  
Both charms and loves me.  PARTHENIA, to ISMENIA. 
There's our discourse,  
Make an end on't thyself.  CLIDAMANT. 
I'm rid at last  
Of my impertinent; jealous Melintus  
Hath left me now.  ISMENIA. 
Adieu, let us retire.  
I'm certainly informed that thy ambition  
Aspireth to Parthenia, in vain than  
Thou holdest me discourse.  CLIDAMANT. 
In two words I will tell thee, that I have  
Too full a knowledge of the eminence  
Of her condition, as to dare to lift  
My hope so high: Oh if I durst to love her;  
But being less ambitious, I obey  
My duty, and I better know myself.  
Adieu until to morrow.  PARTHENIA, to ISMENIA. 
Oh Ismenia!  
What content have I? and how skilful art thou  
In this affair of love? I do admire  
Thy wit, and thy invention; the thing  
Answered my wish.  ISMENIA. 
By this discourse of his  
You may perceive love under that respect,  
Like fire under its ashes; 'tis not lately,  
Your charms have taken him.  PARTHENIA. 
In the mean time—  ISMENIA. 
In the mean time, live all fair wits, say I;  
Without me, you had been reduced unto  
A sad condition, to die with grief,  
And love, without expressing it.  PARTHENIA. 
'Tis late;  
Come, in the absence of the day let's prove,  
If sleep will follow on the steps of love.  
The end of the Third Act.    

ACTUS iv  

SCENA I. THIMANTES, ISMENIA.  THIMANTES. 
HOw! in the night, perfidious, to exasperate  
My anger, darest thou to grant private meetings  
To any but myself? yea in the night  
Without light and attendance in the Garden,  
Thou entertain'dst the Shepherd Clidamant.  ISMENIA. 
How's this! Thimantes in a rage, O Gods!  
Who would have thought it?  THIMANTES. 
Wilt thou say that I  
Complain now without reason, that I have  
A cracked brain, and bleared eyes? it is too long,  
Inconstant, to arrest thy spirits, behold  
This witness, it hath told me every thing;  
Yet I should not believe that thou wert guilty,  
If such an evidence accused thee not,  
But since I disengage my faith to thee,  
This very instant, I restore thy papers  
And will have nothing more to do with thee.  ISMENIA. 
Well, let it be so then, I doubt it not,  
But I shall be provided in good time;  
When one forsakes me, presently another  
Offers his service, otherwise I should,  
In this unlucky moment of thy change,  
Be destitute of an officious Lover;  
But thanks unto the Gods, more than one calls me  
His Mistress, and I shall have no less courtship  
And press for thy departure, these notes here  
Express the names of those that I've subjected,  
I'll blot thee presently out of my Table-book.  THIMANTES. 
Light Shepherdess!  ISMENIA. 
For all this I am troubled  
For thy disquiet, without further jesting,  
Know that this trouble which possesseth thee  
Proceeds but from a fiction, speedily  
I'll clear it to thee, only have but patience  
To stay here till the Shepherd Clidamant  
Arrives, before whom I have order to  
Discover the deceit; and then I know  
Thou wilt excuse me for it.— here he comes.   

SCENA II. CLIDAMANT, ISMENIA, THIMANTES.  CLIDAMANT. 
HAve I not stayed too long? suspect me not,  
Thimantes, I was sent for: well what is  
Your pleasure?  ISMENIA. 
Thy misfortune is extreme  
Thimantes cannot suffer that another  
Should love me, and one that account intends  
To measure with thee sword and arm to day.  CLIDAMANT. 
He is my friend, and therefore I am loath  
To have a quarrel with him; to accord it,  
Choose of us two him whom thou thinkest most faithful.  
I am content to stand unto my fortune,  ISMENIA. 
Thimantes, what say you?  THIMANTES. 
I agree to it.  ISMENIA, to CLIDAMANT. 
Then thus; for him, I do confess I love him  
A little, but for thee,— nothing at all.  
My mouth interprets truly what my heart thinks  CLIDAMANT, 
O the most fickle and most want on issue  
Of the inconstant sex! thou lov'st a momen,  
I love a moment also.  ISMENIA. 
Notwithstanding  
I have a secret to impart unto thee.  CLIDAMANT. 
A Secret in thy heart loseth its name  
In less time than a minute, without doubt:  ISMENIA. 
Thou thought'st last night, that I discoursed with thee  
At th' Echo of the Garden?  CLIDAMANT. 
Yes,  ISMENIA. 
But what  
If thou wert then deceived, and that another  
In my place counterfeited there my voice?  CLIDAMANT. 
What hast thou told me?  ISMENIA. 
That which may be true.  CLIDAMANT. 
I cannot comprehend it, nor find thee;  
Thou dost do nothing but deceive at all times,  
And in all places; thou canst turn thy heart  
And eyes into all senses; how! another  
Possess my place?  ISMENIA. 
What if by this advice  
I gained thee the heart of a fair Mistress,  
One that 's illustrious, and of noble blood,  
And who after the Nymph hath the chief rank!  CLIDAMANT. 
Well feign thy fill, thou may'st speak what thou list;  
I'm henceforth in no humour but to laugh.  ISMENIA. 
If by the greatest oaths wherein my honour  
Can be engaged, thou wilt believe the truth  
Of what I told thee, that another person  
Beside myself received thy vows last night  
I hope thou wilt find out some fit Epithies  
Then false and wavering for me.  CLIDAMANT. 
After such  
An obligation, my charity  
Would sway me much.  ISMENIA. 
Then solemnly I swear,  
It was Parthenia in my place, to whom  
Thou didst express thy love; she borrowed  
My name and shape, and thine eyes suffered  
This sweet imposture.  CLIDAMANT. 
Still thou dost abuse me,  
I knew thee by thy voice.  ISMENIA. 
When we spoke loud,  
IT was I that spoke; then presently Parthenia  
Advancing in my place discovered softly  
Her soul and thought unto thee: after this,  
judge, if I have deserved from thee, or no.  CLIDAMANT. 
How! is it possible that she, to whose  
High rank, I should not dare t' aspire unto  
So much as in a thought, that she to whom  
I durst not speak a word in way of plaint,  
That she, to whom my high respect concealed  
My amity, should yet feel pity for me?  
Alas! this cannot be, 'tis sin to think it.  ISMENIA. 
Thou shalt see if I lie, and how she esteems thee;  
I wait her here.  CLIDAMANT. 
Therein I should obtain  
The height of my ambition; for this favour,  
Oh let me kiss thy hands and die with pleasure.   

SCENA III. PARTHENIA, ISMENIA, CLIDAMANTES, THIMANTES.  PARTHENIA. 
WHat spectacle is this? I see Ismenia  
Sports with my fortune, if I trouble you,  
I will retire, continue that rare favour;  
Who freely gives the hands, may give the heart.  ISMENIA. 
Ha! Madam, really you are a novice  
In love; I gave him intimation of  
The arri fice we used, and he at first  
Received my discourse with so much joy,  
That he craved from me that civility.  
Unto what jealous strange suspicions  
Are you drawn by this object! he but aimed  
To kiss my hand, and you are like to die for't?  
Trouble you self no more thus to no purpose.  PARTHEIA. 
Ismenia thou restor'st me life, and rest,  
I love thee, Clidamant; this jealous fit,  
Methinks, might well have spared me the shame  
Of telling it.  CLIDAMANT. 
Fair Nymph, believe—  PARTHENIA. 
But let us  
Enter into this Wood  CLIDAMANT. 
I wish the Echo,  
Sometimes a friend to Lovers, would redouble  
My voice in saying to you that I love,  
And make you to repeat my words, I love.  PARTHENIA. 
Ismenia, be a faithful witness of  
Our chaste amours, and come along with us  
To hear what we discourse, Thimantes be  
Discreet and secret.  THIMANTES. 
Madam, I'm all silence.  
See, what a strange unnecessary evil  
Is that a jealous person doth sustain;  
Foolish Melintus how thou art deceived  
In thinking that Diana is the object  
Gf Clidamant's affection— here she comes  
Discoursing with her brother, I will leave them.   

SCENA iv DIANA, THERSANDER.  DIANA. 
LEt us consider what we are to do,  
She loves thee infinitely, and I have  
Command from her to speak to thee again,  
In her behalf.  THERSANDER. 
Advise me what to do.  DIANA. 
Since the Nymph loves thee with such passion,  
As I perceive she doth, 'tis ft thou flatter  
Her grief a little, otherwise I fear  
That I shall lose thee after having found thee.  
What mischief can she not do, when provoked?  THERSANDER. 
Since there needs but to feign all will succeed.  DIANA. 
In the mean time, Ismenia will be careful  
To inquire for us, when the Merchant-ship  
That's bound for Sevill will be fully ready  
To set sail from the harbour; we shall hire him  
To land us where we will; till when, our care  
Must be not to offend the Nymph, for fear  
She ruin us; she'll presently be here.  
She's come already; act the Lover well,  
Dissemble handsomely, therein consists  
All that we can expect.   

SCENA V MELISSA, DIANA, THERSANDER.  MELISSA. 
A Word, Diana.  
Hast thou removed that fatal obstacle,  
Which came to intetrupt the pleasant course  
Of my affections? hast thou settled  
My life's content, and razed Celia  
Out of thy Brother's spirit?  DIANA. 
His heart follows  
Where my voice and his glory calleth him,  
And cheerfully yieldeth obedience  
To such sweet Laws.  MELISSA. 
Blessed Interpreter  
Of a most ardent love! hast thou advised him  
To keep it secret?  DIANA. 
Only that point, Madam,  
I have forgotten, but I will redeem it;  
And tell him on't before you; if you please  
That I go for him.  MELISSA. 
Go, and bring him hither.  DIANA. softly. 
Feign handsomely unto her  THERSANDER. softly to Diana. 
Fear it not.  
I'll speak before her but of you, and to you,  
And yet not make her jealous.  Then he saith to Melissa, by whose side is Diana, whom he looks upon. THERSANDER. aloud. 
Can you doubt  
My heart should be so stupid, and insensible  
Of my felicity how happy is  
My fortune, and how gentle was the storm  
That gave me this blessed port, whereof great Kings  
Are jealous? What proud Conqueror would not  
Submit and lay his arms down with himself  
At the fair feet of such a charming object?  
A rude obdurate rock, would be consumed,  
The coldest Marble would be kindled by it:  
Yes, Madam, a fair eye but openeth  
Its lid here, & 'tis day; the night's black shadows  
Fly only from the Sun of those bright eyes,  
Her fires too at the sight of them grow pale.  
I must confess then, Madam, that I love them,  
And that I live more in this beauteous object  
Then in myself: my spirit is charmed with  
A happiness unparallelled, when I  
Think that I love them, and am loved again.  MELISSA. 
Come, thou but feignest love? do not abuse me.  THERSANDER. 
O Gods! what do you say? Madam, I love  
Or rather I adore.  MELISSA. 
How hast thou then  
Disposed of Celia that reigned o'er thy heart?  THERSANDER. 
That affair's ordered well, I've put her interests  
Into my Sister's hands; she 'ath promised me  
To make all fair of that side, and will answer  
To me for her.  MELISSA. 
Hast thou not boasted to me  
That her eyes were the object of thy love?  
That for thy sake she cherished the light  
Of the alternate day, and that they would  
Cover themselves with an eternal night,  
If thou shouldst cease to live or to be faithful:  
Think well of thy part what thoust promised;  
Be firm, be constant, fail not in that point,  
Consider not at all this supreme greatness;  
Stick to thine object, love it for itself,  
And have no interest for thy ambition,  
Flatter thee with the honour to possess her,  
Look only if she loves thee, not if she  
Enricheth thee; the beauty whom thou servest,  
Should be thy crown, all greatness whatsoever  
Should be esteemed in thy account beneath it.  THERSANDER. 
Ne'er doubt it, Madam, I shall have those thoughts;  
Greatness shall never blind me so far forth  
As to oblige me to forget my love;  
Which always shall pure as the day star burn  
Base interest shall never sully me.  DIANA. 
I'll tell my Brother now, what I forgot  To THERSANDER. 
If thou knowst well to love, know thou as well  
To hold thy peace, love like the other Gods,  
Is not without his secrets, he is served  
Sometimes by hearts that can't express themselves:  
Take heed how thou provoke his jealous power,  
Adore his Altars, but adore in silence;  
For silence is a part of his Religion;  
And oftentimes this fierce God is offended  
At his own name; if any thing hereof  
Should be known in the Isle, thou art undone:  
Love, without speaking of it, that's the law,  
Which is imposed on thee; she for her part  
Will love thee likewise, use the secret well,  
Melissa otherwise would die with grief;  
I know th' excess of love wherewith thy soul  
Is filled; but for thy own interest,  
Put a seal on thy mouth.  MELISSA. 
Yes, have a care  
That none suspect our love, I'll take my time  
To publish it, in the mean time I'll study  
Thy setrlement and they repose which makes  
That of my life; this free confession now,  
Would call up envy from her Cell, and make  
Our greatest Hero's, to dispute with thee  
What I have promised thee, thine enemies.  
Judge then how precious thy obedience is;  
Since all thy good and happiness depends  
Upon thy silence.  THERSANDER. 
Sure, I should be strucken  
With a strange blindness, if I observed not  
This your command; I will obey so well,  
That, Madam, even you yourself shall doubt  
Whether I love, or whether you I love.  MELISSA. 
In the mean time thy sister shall assist me,  
And have the ordering of our Amours;  
Believe what she shall say, since I will make her  
My only bosom friend, unto whose trust,  
I will commit the secrets of my heart.  THERSANDER. 
I will make use of her in the same manner.  Enter Melintus, he speaks to Melissa MELINTUS. 
Madam, a Jeweller, that useth still.  
To come unto the Games, desires access  
Unto your presence.  MELISSA. 
Cause him to come in:  
This Sevil Merchant cometh every year  
To sell and traffic in the Island with us.   

SCENA VI MELISSA, MERCATOR, THERSANDER, DIANA, MELINTUS.  MELISSA. 
SHall you remain sometime yet on our shore?  MERCATOR. 
I stay but for your Passport to departed.  
Every year, Madam, by your Highness' bounty  
My trassick thrives so well, that whatsoever  
Commodities I bring unto you Isle,  
I carry nothing back, you empty still  
My casket: now I'll show you, if you please,  
such rarities, as can be had no where  
But in my hands.  MELISSA. 
Let's see them.  MERCATOR. 
Here's a Diamond  
Darts flame of all sides.  MELISSA. 
'Tis a sparkling stone  
I like his lustre.  MERCATOR. 
Will you have it, Madam?  MELISSA. 
I'll tell you presently, show all at once,  
Then I shall soon choose: let me see that Coral.  MERCATOR. 
The piece is very fair; till now your Isle  
Hath never seen the like.  MELISSA. 
And what's that other?  MERCATOR. 
A piece of Ambergris; Madam, 'tis rare  
And of great price; I have passed divers Seas  
To purchase it; alone 'tis worth as much  
As all my casket.  DIANA. 
For my part, I cannot  
See any thing that's new here.  MERCATOR. 
Shepherdess,  
This rope of Pearl is very rich and new,  
IT would make you look more fair, more gay, more sparkling.  MELISSA. 
Without those Ornaments of Art, she is  
Charming enough, she needs no strange additions.  
She maketh all our Shepherds die for love:  
But for all this, though you are fair without them  
I will bestow them on you, if you like them.  
What says Diana.  DIANA. 
Madam, your great bounties—  MELISSA. 
Lay them aside.  MERCATOR. 
But, Madam, look upon  
This Masterpiece of Art, it is the Portrait  
In little of the King of Andalousia.  MELISSA. 
He's one of the best made that I have seen.  
And who is this?  MERCATOR. 
It is his favourite  
Nearchus sometime Prince of Pichery,  
Who by a beauty fatal through her charms,  
Gave up his arms, and life unto his Rival,  
A gallant Gentleman, his name Cleagenor,  THERSANDER, the first line softly. 
May I believe! good Gods! how he observes me?  
But are you certain of Nearchus' death?  MERCATOR. 
He returned sorely wounded from the fight,  
And died four days after, as all know.  MELISSA. 
His valour seems yet painted in his face.  MERCATOR. 
But he that conquered him had more by much.  
Behold his Portrait.  THERSANDER. softly 
Oh! what showeth he?  MELISSA. 
Is this that valiiant Cleagenor?  MERCATOR. 
Yes, 'tis his picture.  THERSANDER. softly, 
O unlucky accident!  MERCATOR. 
Of all those that I had, this only 's left me:  
Th' offended King commanded me to carry them  
Unto all places where I went, and trafficked,  
That so he might be known, and then arrested;  
For after this great Combat, to secure  
His head from pursuit, he took flight immediately.  MELISSA. 
Thersander, in my judgement, nothing can  
Better resemble you, I think your sister  
Will say as much.  THERSANDER. 
Madam, we see that Nature  
Sports sometimes in her works, and makes some feitures  
In faces to resemble somewhat nearly.  MELISSA. 
This Merchant,, I believe, 's of my opinion.  MERCATOR. 
Madam, without doubt, 'tis Cleagenor,  THERSANDER. 
The thing is little certain on the faith  
And bare ground of a Portrait.  MERCATOR. 
Sir, you are  
The very same, I am confirmed now  
In my first thoughts, all that which hitherto  
Hindered me to judge so, was the name of  
Thersander, and the habit of a Shepherd.  THERSANDER. 
Who! I, Cleagenor?  MERCATOR. 
Yes, Sir, I saw you  
The last year in the fortunate Islands, and  
Not above four months since in Portugal;  
Sevll's your native Country; since you meet here  
Your safety, to what purpose should you cover  
Those things with silence?  MELISSA. 
Sure, you need not blush,  
Thersander, at this fair acknowledgement.  THERSANDER. 
I confess, Madam, that I blush a little,  
Not that mine arm hath not done all that which  
It ought to do in the death of my Rival,  
Nearchus was too rash, and insolent;  
From the fair and unspotted object which  
Made my most chaste desires, he in his thoughts  
Form the object of his filthy pleasures;  
But he hath paid for't, and his death is just  
Only the thing that troubles and afflicts me,  
And for which I am sorry at my heart,  
Is that I told you nothing of my secret.  MELISSA. 
I guess the cause of it, and know your thought.  
And what fear troubled it, and that you chose  
Another name only to free you from  
The penalty o'th' Law; but fear not any thing;  
I'll oppose power to power for your defence;  
Your interests are mine, J'l make your peace;  
The King of Andalousia shall be weary  
Of persecuting you; if he persift  
To trouble your repose, J'l invade his:  
If he refuse to grant what we demand,  
From our request we will proceed to arms.  THERSANDER. 
What obligation have you upon me  
For all your goodness?  MELISSA. 
But let's make an end  
Of seeing all the rarities.  MERCATOR. 
Behold  
With admiration, Madam, this rare piece,  
It is Diana's Picture.  MELISSA. 
How Diana's?  DIANA. softly. 
O sad misfotrune!  MERCATOK. 
It is the Divinity,  
Whose Temple's here, the Goddess of this place.  DIANA. softly 
I cease to tremble, all is well again.  MELISSA. 
What Portrait's this?  MERCATOR. 
It is a Beauties, Madam,  
Whose heavenly graces made two desperate Lovers,  
That sight for her, arm for the field, and fight;  
It is that fair ones whom I told you of  
For Whom Cleagenor and Nearchus burned,  
And who pursued hotly by two Rivals,  
Coft the one flight, and life unto the other.  
After Nearchus' death, I bought his Portraits:  
This that he had without doubts to the life.  
But who can better then Cleagenor  
Instruct you in this point?  MELISSA, to THERSANDER. 
D' ye know this piece?  THERSANDER. 
I know not what to say on't.  MELISSA. 
I observe  
Much of thy sister's air in't.  DIANA. 
O ye Gods!  
Turn aside this misfortune.  MELISSA. 
Really  
The glass, Diana, which receives thy image,  
Represents less thy shape and countenance;  
And any other but the Painter would  
Believe indeed that the finished this Portrait  
Upon thy presence.  MERCATOR 
There's no doubt of it.  
One may admire in this adventure how  
Art imitateth nature: it is she  
For whom Nearchus sighed.  THERSANDER. softly. 
O Gods! where are we?  
Our fortunes now are desperate.  DIANA. 
knowst thou me?  MERCATOR. 
I am of the same Town, and therefore know you;  
Your mother is Melora, and she dwells  
At Sevil; I shall make her a glad woman  
At my return, to tell her that her Celia  
Lives yet, and is in health here in this Island.  MELISSA. 
How! Celia?  MERCATOR. 
Yes, Madam, that is her name,  DIANA. 
What could of error blindeth thy soul thus?  
That Celia whom thou meanest, and dost discourse of,  
Died before Nearchus.  MERCATORS. 
It was believed so  
At first; but since, all Sevil knows the contrary,  
And that false death is now no more a mystery  
Unto me; I know where the mourning went,  
And how a Coffin only was interred  
Instead of you, that this apparent sign  
Of your death only could secure you from  
Nearchus' ill designs; I know besides  
That you betook yourself unto the Sea,  
Where you sight not, but for Cleagenor;  
The Sea proved false to you, and to your mother,  
And separated you one from another  
By the assistance of a hideous storm:  
She having saved herself upon a plank  
Sought you from one end of the World to th'other;  
But hearing no news of you, she believed  
At her return to Sevil that the Sea  
Had swallowed you, and death had made her search  
Unprofitable.  DIANA. 
Thou knowest secrets which  
To me are Riddles.  MERCATOR. 
Wherefore should you, Lady,  
Dissemble thus your knowledge of a thing  
Which is no more concealed; one of your people  
A complice of the Plot, divulged it lately;  
Melora too since her return revealed  
The whole Imposture, all impediment  
Being removed after Nearchus' death:  
This that I know, I understood from her.  THERSANDER. 
All this thou sayest, is strange news unto us.  MERCATOR. 
You have the art, I see, well to dissemble;  
But by your favour might it not be you  
That did employ a friend unto me lately  
To pray me to receive into my bark  
Two Shepherds, natives of the Town of Sevil?  THERSANDER. 
Madam, this Merchant doth compose Romants.  
And tells you all these strange adventures only,  
To show his wit, and faculty that way.  MELISSA. 
Yet his discourse in not without some ground,  
I find good reason so to judge of it;  
If I remember well, you willingly  
Did put the interest of Celia  
Into your sister's hands, she promised  
To make all fair of that side, and to answer  
To you for her: Merchant, another time  
See us again. How both of you abuse me  
With an Imposture formed under false name's  
To carry on your love in a disguise!  
What in my Palace, in my Court, my presence,  
Sport with my person thus in a contempt!  
Insolent wretches, you shall feel what force  
My anger hath when thus provoked, I'll make you—  THERSANDER. 
Oh, Madam!  MELISSA. 
Go, Impostor, thou shalt answer  
For all the troubles of my heart; none ever  
Affro ntd me yet without punishment:  
I'll sacrifice you both to my disgrace,  
In such a manner, that ye shall repent  
Eternally that e'er ye made me blush:  
Depart my sight.  THERSANDER. 
O what misfortune's this!  MELISSA, to MELINTUS. 
See that you separate them one from another  
In several apartment, that they may  
Hold no discourse together. O misfortune  
Not to be paralleled! What shall I do?  
Of whom should I take counsel in this case?  
Shall I hear yet my love that murmureth?  
Ought I to suffer, or repel the injury?  
It is resolved in my offended heart  
That those black Passions shall succeed my love,  
By which the soul when in disorder, breaks  
The chain wherewith she's tied, break forth my fury,  
And ruin these ingrateful they shall know  
My power, as they have seen my goodness to the:  
They shall not mock at my simplicity,  
Nor reproach me for my credulity:  
How! treacherous Thersander; oh! that name  
Thersander combats yet within my heart,  
In its defence, my spirits at this name  
Are wavering, and my anger's weak, my hate  
Is in suspense; I am not pleased with that  
Which I demand; I fear what I would most.  
Ha' traitor, must I to torment myself  
Suspend my judgement upon thy destruction?  
Must I dispute the case within myself  
As doubtful to determine, no pass sentence  
Against him for this barbarous affront:  
Arm my despair, and inspire thou my rage:  
And let me see how faithfully my Art  
Will serve my vengeance in the punishment  
Of these ingrateful Lovers, I intent not  
To give a sudden death to either of them,  
But they shall suffer that which shall be worse:  
By the effect, and strange force of my charms,  
They shall have, without dying, every day  
A thousand deaths; I will continually  
By turns afflict the sad eyes of the Lover,  
And of his Mistress: both of them shall see,  
That they may suffer equally, each other  
To die and to revive, this punishment  
Is strange and cruel; but 'tis that I use  
In my revenges; come, why loiter we  
In our design? my heart like flint shall be  
Insensible of their calamity.  
The end of the Fourth Act.    

ACTUS V  

SCENA I. CLIDAMANT, PARTHENIA.  CLIDAMANT. 
MIne eyes and ears ne'er saw, nor heard the like  
The miserable cries of those poor Lovers  
Fill all these places with astonishment.  
Thersander and Diana are so changed,  
I could scarce know them, as I now came from them:  
Pale death by turns skipping from face to face,  
Can't make them yet to die unto their love:  
But, Madam, is it true what's published here  
Among the people, that those strange enchantments  
Come from Melissa?  PARTHENIA. 
Yes, they are the works  
Of her Art, without doubt, she could do more yet  
Nothing's too hard for her, the destiny  
Of mortals seems to be held in her hands,  
And as she pleaseth, she disposeth it.  
What can she not do, when she is in choler?  
The miserable Thirsis feels th'effect,  
And rigour of her power by sad experience.  
Hath not same yet informed you with his sufferings?  CLIDAMANT. 
Yes, Madam, I have heard them fully spoken.  PARTHENIA. 
You know then that he loved Roselia,  
And so deceived the expectation,  
And desire of the Nymph who hitherto  
Designed him for my husband, and knows not  
That I have love for you; to her commands  
This Shepherd was Rebellious: what did she?  
Roselia was fair, she became sick;  
She wept, she pined, she complained; the brightness  
Of her fair eyes, extinguished in a moment:  
The whiteness of her Lilies as soon faded;  
And of so many beauties there remained  
Only the place, where sometime their seat was,  
Her Lover that perceived her taken from him,  
Seeks her in every place, but cannot find her:  
That was a Masterpiece of her Apprenticeship;  
But this without doubt is another work  
Of higher knowledge; if in her resentment  
But for my interest she made poor Thirsis  
A miserable Lover, judge how far  
She may be carried, moved at her offence,  
In her revenge for her own interest.  CLIDAMANT. 
If the Nymph knew the love I have for you,  
I could expect no other usage from her;  
She would without doubt cause me to be carried  
unto some fearful Island where I should  
Be rendered miserable all my days:  
But let her art do what it can against me  
Employed by her hate, it shall work nothing  
Upon my faith, to do it prejudice:  
Oh! could I flatter me with the same hope,  
That you would have like constancy for me!  PARTHENIA. 
You need not doubt of it, IceIce wholly yours,  
My love is strong, and little fears her anger;  
I'll keep it still sincere and firm unto you:  
And you shall find me constant unto death:  
Should she destroy me with her power, & kill me  
I'll rather die myself, than my affection.  
My life can't pay the debt I own unto you.   

SCENA II. ISMENIA, THIMANTES, PARTHENIA, CLIDAMANT.  ISNENIA. 
WHat strange news do we hear? is it true, Madam,  
That by th'effects of fortune and enchantment,  
Thesander and Diana die by turns,  
And live again to wail their miseries?  PARTHENIA. 
Ismenia, 'tis too true, they are enchanted.  THIMANTES. 
If I durst speak my thoughts, & what I've heard,  
They impute this injuftice to the Nymph.  PARTHENIA. 
It is not to be doubted but she is  
The Author of it, and this cruel punishment  
Denoteth that she studies high revenge,  
When she's offended.  CLIDAMANT. 
whatsoever her power be  
Which causeth fear, let us go presently  
With our complaint unto her: in my judgement,  
This is no way to make herself obeyed:  
Fear is the parent not of love, but hate.  
And that same fatal art which her revenge  
Calls to her aid, establisheth her crime,  
And not her power. But here I see she comes.   

SCENA III. MELISSA, MELINTUS, CLIDAMAT, PARTHENIA, THIMANTES, ISMENIA.  MELISSA to MELINTUS. 
WHat doth this stroke surprise thee?  MELINTUS. 
Truly, Madam,  
Their punishments too great, and all the Jsfland  
Murmureth at it.  MELISSA. 
Shepherds, what say you?  
Can I revenge me of an injury?  CLIDAMANT. 
Ye, Madam, and th'estate wherein  put them  
Hath made all those their friends that envied them.  
Hear our petitions for them, and be pleased  
To do them justice: what have they committed  
Worthy of such a punishment? for having  
Hid their love from you, lived in your Court  
Under the name of brother, and of sister,  
Deceived the hope and envy of their Rivals,  
Conserved their honour, and, perhaps, their life,  
●s this so great a crime, as should be punished  
By charms which have no end? must they be made  
To die, and to revive continually  
By turns, and by a strange unworthy fate  
The living be enforced successively  
Still to lament the dead? their piteous cries,  
And hideous clamours give both souls & mouths  
Unto those rocks to join in plaints with me:  
The whole Isle's moved with them, and disturbed  PARTHENIA. 
Madam, I join in this petition,  
Vouchsafe to hear me: O forbear to dart  
Thunder and wrath upon this happy place,  
Where the Gods liberally pour upon mortals  
So many and so great felicities:  
Begin not to disturb the sweet repose  
Of an abode that's favoured by Heaven,  
To please those Shepherds, whose devotions  
May fix upon some other Sanctuary  
More safe, and other Sovereigns more sweet.  THIMANTES. 
Yes, Madam, stop the mouth of this sad murmur,  
Let it be smothered, this enchantment hath  
Continued too long, break, break the charm,  
And pacify our spirits immediately,  
Which are astonished at this proceeding.  ISMENIA. 
If in the freedom which I use too frequently,  
My mouth might date to speak, and not diplease you,  
I should then tell you that this rigid course  
You take, would leave you here ne'er Shepherdesses  
Nor Shepherds; they would seek this place no more  
For their retreat and sanctuary, but eat it  
Like a destroying rock; and this fair Island  
The glory of the world, would be a wilderness:  
To enjoy subjects, rule your passions better,  
●●d be more sovereign over yourself.  MELISSA. 
Shepherds, and Shepherdesses, your discourses  
Astonish and surprise me, know, my Art,  
Is a sufficient warrant for my actions;  
I could do greater yet, and stranger too:  
Though this which you have seen seemeth unjust  
Unto you, have you any right, or privilege  
To complain to me, and to murmur thus?  
Much less to reprehend, and censure me?  
How! should the bold Shepherd Thersander dare  
To injure me, and to deride my power?  
Should he presume to lay aside his duty  
And respect for me, and I wink at it,  
That so can punish such an insolence?  
Presume it not, the blood of Zoroastres  
Is not yet born under so ill a star,  
I know its influence better, and can use it  
To the destruction of those that wrong me:  
Yes, Shepherds, I am skilful in the qualities  
Of herbs and roots, and as I have occasion  
I choose them, some for poison, some for medicine:  
When I will, I prescribed some to confound  
The memory, and to distract the spirit;  
But those obnoxious weeds I never use  
But for their punishment that do offend me;  
Have I not reason to maintain my rank  
In dignity and honour? those that dare  
To brave me, without doubt, hazard themselves:  
My sceptre's guarded with enwreathed serpents,  
Whose fearful aspects bid all keep aloof,  
And threaten death to those that dare to touch it:  
Thirsis hath felt their stings: what reason had he  
To be an enemy to his own fortune  
And interest, in foolishly refusing  
The honour of the name to be my Nephew:  
I will advance him, and expect that he  
Shall yet accept this honourable title  
Of Husband to my Niece; Parthenia,  
Your colour changes, but in vain you hid  
Your thoughts from me, I can discover them,  
I know that you love Clidamant, and more  
What you design, and what you do discourse;  
But understand both one and tother of you,  
That I must be obeyed in what I will;  
My power can force it; take heed ye provoke not  
My anger; if I may not be beloved,  
I will be feared.  PARTHENIA. 
Madam—  MELISSA. 
It is enough,  
You know my prohibition.  CLIDAMANT, 
I hope  
To bend her, but at present let's say nothing.  THIMANTES. 
We all know your high rank and quality  
With reverence and respect, so in that notion  
We employ but our prayers to persuade you;  
They are our only arms, be touched with them,  
And dissipate these charms: Thersander, now  
Gins t'awake out of his fatal fit;  
You'll hear his plaints and clamours presently,  
His cries and his despair for his dear Mistress  
This is the hour, wherein he is tormented:  
This object without doubt before your eyes  
Will raise up pity, Madam, in your heart:  
His sighs will quench your anger, and prevail  
Much more than we; see he gins to move:  
Madam, you will be touched, to hear him speak.   

SCENA iv THERSANDER, DIANA, MELISSA, ISMENIA, PARTHENIA, CLIDAMANT, THIMANTES.  THERSANDER by DIANA'S body. 
O Lamentable object! why mine eyes  
Were ye not covered with eternal darkness,  
That I might not have seen this fatal spectacle?  
Oh! what cause have I to complain of fortune,  
That my sleep is not the last sleep of death?  
In the night of the Grave I should take rest,  
And not be tied to die thus all my life,  
I should be there but dust, and this sad sight  
Should not have martyred my heart and eyes.  
Yes, my dear Mistress, sometime my delight,  
Thy sight is now my greatest punishment,  
And in this sad estate wherein I see thee,  
Thou which wert once my joy, art now my grief;  
Thy body's but a trunk that gives me horror,  
Thy head all over's smoking with thy blood,  
The graces lodge no more there, I see death  
In every place, where I saw love before:  
How! dost thou live no more than have I lost thee  
As soon as found thee hopes born and destroyed  
With an immortal love, fantosine of fortune  
Which lasts good but a day, wealth too soon lost,  
Brightness too soon put out, excessive joy,  
To which so many plaints so soon succeed,  
Why in that splendour where with all you slattered,  
My name, did you promice so much unto me,  
And give so little. Fair eyes, sometimes conquerous,  
Whose lightsafe shut up in eternal night  
In spite of all my prayers, call me not  
From death unto the light; is't possible  
That I can see here what Diana sees not  
No, no, I live no more since she is dead;  
Yet my heart moves; but this last struggling is  
But a small spark that's left behind, and shines  
A little after death; 'tis but a vapour,  
An exaltation, a wind, a smoke,  
Last dying and last kindled; I am coming  
To join with thee, object of my desire,  
To give thee soul for soul, and sigh for sigh;  
Death is my aid, my hope is but in her;  
I will express that I am faithful to thee  
In that, not able to survive thy fate,  
I put myself into the arms of death.  CLIDAMANT. 
Madam, you see how great his torment is,  
And whereunto your hatred hath reduced him;  
You see besides how far without proportion  
Of the crime to the punishment, the power  
Of your enchantment goes; these woods weep at it;  
And these rocks which before heard no complaints,  
Are pierced now with his cries, and become soft,  
And sensible, the Echo likewise mourns,  
And should you only, Madam, be without  
Compassion for him.  MELISSA. 
Yes, without compassion;  
Since he took pleasure always to displease me,  
I'll please myself by a most just return  
In my revenge, and never cease t'afflict him:  
No, think not that I will incline to pity.  
I'm too much injured to be pacified  
His sorrow makes my joy, and I am glad  
To see that by this famous punishment  
I shall establish my authority.  THIMANTES. 
Diana's turn is now; see he revives  
To weep her lover, and immediately  
To follow him by the force of your Art:  
Sad spectacle? hearken unto her grief,  
And open your eyes, and heart to her complaints,  Diana upon Thersanders' body. DIANA. 
What, my dear Lover, art thou then but dust!  
Alas! thy mouth wants speech, and thine eyes light.  
But inspite of the plot which makes me sigh,  
I have the happiness yet to lament thee:  
Flow, flow, my tears, and pour upon this object  
Torrents of flame, not water, there is nothing  
So cold in the dark bosom of the Grave,  
Which the fire of these Rivers cannot warm:  
Yes, by my tears at last, my cries, my plaints,  
Dear ashes, I will kindle you again,  
Though cold now and extinguished like the Phoenix  
I'll raise you up again by force of sights,  
Which you shall Echo to me.  THIMANTES. 
Madam can you  
Behold this sight, and not be moved at it!  DIANA. 
Love, canst thou not answer to my desires!  
Thou art a miracle thyself, and therefore,  
Methinks, shouldst do one: art thou in the world  
No more a source of life? oh canst thou not  
Restore my lover to me, from whose arms  
They have ravished him; which of the Gods can call him  
Back from the gates of death, if thou canst not?  
My dear Cleagenor, I pray thee, answer me  
By these my tender sighs, by Celia's name;  
How's this! I can pronounce thy name, and mine  
And yet, O Gods! thou answerest me nothing;  
I see, alas! thy mouth and eyes still shut:  
He's dead, and these names cannot touch him now.  
Love, since thou hast no power to secure me  
In that point as to make him live, at least  
Make me to die: I come, my faithful lover,  
It is impossible I should survive thee;  
I feel that my despair t'enjoy thee here  
Gives me to death; my heart hath lost the spirits  
Which made it move, I scarce can utter more:  
Happy thy Celia, if her death could give  
Thee life again, if thy sleep might have end  
By mine, and if I could with all my blood  
Redeem thine; I have done, any love is coming  
To meet thy flame, and I espire upon thee  
The rest of my sad soul.  CLIDAMANT. 
What! is your heart  
Not touched yet with this object? are you still  
Jnsensible of so much grief as she  
Suffers by your means? oh! let pity yet  
Disarm your anger, the Enchanted Lovers  
Have suffered enough Nymph, break the charm.  MELISSA. 
Yes, I am touched at last, I must confess,  
And really am sorry for the evil  
Which they have drawn through their temerity  
Upon themselves; but though their grief appeaseth  
My anger now, the charm which I have made  
I can't undo; to tell you truly, Shepherds,  
It is so strong that only a Divinity  
Can break the chance on't; 'tis decreed by fate  
That it shall last yet longer, and I cannot  
Prevent it, though it be my proper work.  THIMANTES. 
How! cannot you prevent it? heavenly Gods,  
What say this? no, no, you have not left  
Your anger, but retain it still; and willing  
To punish them, and to revenge your wrong,  
Will make of them a lasting spectacle  
Unto the eyes of all; and to excuse  
Yourself the better of this cruelty,  
Would put it off to some Divinity;  
But the Gods by our prayers and tears appeased,  
Jnspight of your attempts, will stop your charms:  
Yes, Madam, the great Gods condemn your plots,  
They are the Sovereigns, and absolute Masters  
Of destiny, we hope all things from them,  
And that they'll suffer crime no longer here  
To reign and tyrannise. Thou Goddess, which  
Art in this place adored which holdest fate,  
And fortune in thy hands, which hatest crime,  
and whose cares keep the Shepherds that serve thee  
In this delightful Island, look upon  
The sad estate whereto love hat reduced  
Two miserable Lovers, whom the Nymph  
Pursues with horrid cruelty to death  
By fatal charms, destroy the power of them,  
And render to this government again  
The liberty to lover, and to declare it.  Thunder and lightning. PARTHENIA. 
Ha! what a sudden flash of lightning's this,  
That strikes mine eyes, and what a clap of thunder  
Shakes all this place?  ISMENIA. 
With what a thick black cloud  
The Sky is covered?  MELISSA. 
I believe Heaven trembles,  
And its Arch openeth; behold the Goddess  
Descends, and maketh sign, as if she'd speak:  
We must give audience.   

SCENA Ultima. The Goddess DIANA.  DIANA. 
YOur prayers are heard, let nothing trouble you,  
Fair Celia and her Lover both shall live  
And love for ever, their afflictions  
Are ended, and I have dissolved the charm,  
No accident shall henceforth trouble them.  
They stirred up pity in you, now they may  
Make you to envy them; search all Records,  
You'll find no subject equal to their love.  THERSANDER, to DIANA. 
By what enchantment is thy life restored?  DIANA, to THERSANDER. 
By what enchantment do'ft thou live again?  The Goddess continues. 
I'll recompense their inexemplar virtues,  
And pay the price of their affection;  
To consummate their happy Nuptials,  
I'll open my Temple, and assure you all  
Of my protection. 'Tis my pleasure also  
That the love of the Shepherd Clidamant  
Be at the same time crowned with Hymen's honours,  
And that he end his days with sweet Parthenia,  
That henceforth he command in the Isle with her;  
My justice hath made choice of them to reign.  
The Nymph I do degrade, she is too criminal,  
And dispense you of your obedience to her;  
I'll make the power of her Art unuseful;  
And free this Island from all future fear,  
And danger; but to save her from the Thunder  
Of the offended Gods, I will receive her  
Into my Temple, which shall be her Sanctuary.  
Her Sex hath long enough ruled the Province,  
I'll change the order of its Government,  
And henceforth it shall be under the power,  
And wise administration of a Prince,  
Which shall be of the blood of Clidamant  
From father unto son.  Melissa seeing the Goddess to ascend. MELISSA. 
I confess Goddess,  
You do me justice in approving crime  
One makes himself a complice: without you,  
The Gods, high Sovereigns, Masters, and disposers  
Of destiny, would, sure, have punished me  
With death; I go into your temple now  
To employ other charms, to wash away  
My criminal defilements with my tears  
To pray unto the immortal powers, whilst I  
Have breath, and so disarm them at your Altars:  
But to the end her law may be fulfilled  
In every point, Cleagener, fail not  
To love your Celia.  THERSANDER. 
O how redevable  
Am I to your rare goodness?  MELISSA. 
Clidamant,  
Enjoy what you deserve, accept Parthenia,  
With her, the crown, and succeed happily  
The rank which I freely resign unto you.  CLIDAMANT. 
You command still, and keep your Sovereign rank,  
When the reign is conferred upon your blood;  
And by all my respects, I shall express  
That 'tis but in your name that I'll be Master.  PARTHENIA. 
Though Heaven's kind hand chooseth a husband for me,  
Since you allow him, I'll hold him of you,  
And will possess no honour here, nor power,  
But to express the more my service to you,  
And my acknowledgements.  THIMANTES. 
Ismenia,  
Must we not couple too?  ISMENIA. 
Yes, if the Goddess  
Had said it; we'll defer our marriage,  
Till she descends again.  CLIDAMANT. 
Ismenia,  
I command in this place now, and I will it.  ISMENIA. 
Since you will have it, I accept his vows  
Offaithfull service. If Melintus too  
Hath shaken of his jealousy, I must  
Be reconciled with him.  MELINTUS. 
Well, I agree to it.  
Let us remain friends.  CLIDAMANT. 
Heaven hath promised us.  
That we shall all be happy, let us go  
Forthwith unto the Temple to conclude  
This triple marriage, and henceforth we shall  
Honour this day as a great Festival.  
FINIS.