ERGASTUS

News of Amyntas death. Phil. This deaths-news brings me to death's door. Most noble Pastor, that these woods lately frequented, Gentle, loved of all, to the Nymphs deer, deer to the Muses, And but a stripling died, and what death? Phillis, I surely believe, that I herd this wretched Amyntas With thy name his life and lamentation ending. Late as I mended nets on a hill, foretroubled Amyntas, Horribly vexed and chafed, in face and Actium altered, Passed by my side in a rage: but I stepped and hastened after, And overtook him; for I mused what might be the matter. Good Friend Ergastus, quoth he then, now do me a pleasure, Come with Amyntas now, and mark what he do's as a witness, Stand as a witness by; but first swear, so to be standing, And my deeds so marckt, in no respect to be hindering. Here I alas poor fool (for who would ever imagine Such a detestable act, as he purposed then to be working?) Rapt out horrible oaths straight way, and sware by the mighty Nightwandring Hecate, Pallas, Pomona, Priapus, And Pan Pastor's God, that I would perform what he wild me. Then did he lead me along to a steep and horrible hill top, All abrupt and rough, and made so fearful a downfall, That my lyms all quaked, when I looked from the hill to the valley. Here did he pause for a while, and somewhat seemed to be smiling, Which rather made me no mischief for to be deeming. Then, quoth he, what thou seest, that tell to the Nymphs, to the Pastor's, And at last, these words with a down cast look he resounded, If that I could aswell command those greedy devouring Throats and teeth of Wolves, as I can soon leap from a hilltopp; As my life did die, o then so would I be dying; Then should these my lyms and cursed corpse be divided, As those tender joints, o grief, were all to be mangled. But since frowning skies wiled beasts now will not afford me, (Which yet I know in time will come this flesh to be tearing) This must serve, short death, though sharper death I deserved. Phillis, I come straight way, I'll come to thy company, Phillis, If thou dost not yet disdain my company, Phillis. If that I were but sure, that death brought end to thy anger, And that my coming would give no cause to molest thee, Then should life with joy leave well contented Amyntas; Phillis, I come, scorn not, scorn not my company, Phillis. Thus said, lightly he leapt, and headlong fell to the valley; My soul quaked for fear. Daph. Oh grief. Phil. Oh woeful Amyntas. Oh no, for when I saw his mind thus bent to that outrage, Oaths (in such case vain) I began to be lightly regarding, And catch hold (nought hold) catch hold by a paltry girdle; Paltry girdle brake by the swing, and weight of Amyntas: Partly with Amyntas went, and th'other partly I reteigned. God knows; for by the fallen my senseless soul was amazed, Neither durst I behold his corpse unluckily quashed.