MIRTILLO

Ah that thy news Ergasto may deserve This haste. But bringest thou life or death? What is her name? Oh happy Mirtillo if this same prove true: But said she nothing of the means whereby? So will I do, but yet Ergasto know This memory (a bitter hopeless thing) Is Like a firebrand tossed in the wind, By which how much the fire increases still, So much the brand with blazing flame consumes Oh piercing shaft made by some power divine! The which the more we seek to draw it out, The faster hold it takes, the deeper root. Well can I tell you, that these Lovers Hope's Are full of vanities and falsehoods still, Loves fruit is bitter, though the root be sweet. In that sweet time when days advantage get Above the nights, then when the year begins: This dainty pilgrim, beauty's bright new sun, Came with her countenance Like another spring, T'illumin to my then thrice happy soil Of Pisa, and Eglidis fair. Brought by her mother To see the sacrifices and the sports That celebrated in those solemn days Were unto love. Where while she meant to make Her eyesight blessed with that same spectacle, She blessed the spectacle with her fair eyes, Being loves greatest miracle beneath the skies. No sooner had I scene that face, but straight I burned, defending not the foremost look, Which though mine eyes into my breast directed Such and imperious beauty, as me thought did say, Mirtillo yield thy heart for it is mine. See how industrious love can work even in The simplest breasts. A sister which I had I made acquainted with my thoughts, who was By chance companion to my cruel Nymph. The time she stayed in Pisa and Elide, She faithful counsel, and good aid me gave, She dressed me finely in one of her gowns, Circling my temples with a periwig, Which gracefully she trimmed up with flowers. A quiver and a bow hung at my side, She taught me furthermore to feign my voice And looks, for in my face as then there grew no hair. This done, she me conducted where the Nymph Was wont to sport her self, and where we found A noble troop of maidens of Megara, By blood or love allied to my goddess. Amongst them she stood Like to a princely Rose, Among a heap of humble Violets. We had not long be there before uprose One of the maidens of Megara, and thus bespoke. Why stand we idly still in such a time, When plames and famous trophies are so rise? Have not we arms counterfeit fights to make As well as men? Sisters be ruled by me: Let's prove among our selves our arms in jest, That when we come to earnest them with men, We may them better use. Let's kiss, and strive Who can kiss sweetliest among our selves: And let this garland be the victor's gain. All at the proposition laughed: and all Unto it strait agreed. Straightway began A fight confused, no signal we attended. Which by her seen that first ordained the sport, She says again. Let's make her worthy judge That hath the fairest mouth. All soon agreed, And Amarillis chosen. Who sweetly bowing down, Her beauteous eyes in modest blushing stand, Did show they were as fair within as were without. Or that her face her, rich-clad mouth envied, And would be clothed in pompous purple too, As who should say, I am as fair as it. Now did the beauteous judge fit in her plate, According as the Megarence prescribed. Each went by lot to make endue proof of her Rare mouth, that heavenly paragon of sweetness. That blessed mouth that may be likened to A perfumed Indian shell of oriental pearl, Opening the dainty treasure, mixed with honey sweet And purple blush. I cannot (my Ergasto ) tell Inexplicable sweetness which I felt Out of that kiss. But look what Cypress caves Or hives of Hybla have, are nothing all Compared with that which then I tasted there. Yea sweet, But yet not gracious, for it wanted still The better partly: love gave it, but love not Returned it back. Unto those lips My soul did wholly fly, and all my life So shut therein, as in a little space It waxed nothing but a kiss. And all My other limbs stood strenghlesse trembling still, When I approached to her lightning looks, Knowing my deed was theft and deceit, I feared the majesty of her fair face, But she assures me with a pleasing smile: And puts me forward more, love sitting Like A Be upon two fresh and dainty Roses close. Kissing, I tasted there the honey sweet, But having kissed, I felt the lovely Be Strike through my heart with his sharp piercing sting. And being wounded thus, half desperate, I thought to-have bitten those manslaught'ring lips, But that her odoriferous breath Like air divine, Wakened my modesty and still my rage. Now were the lots fulfilled, and every one With heedful minds the sentence did attend: When Amarillis judging mine the best, With her own hands she crowns my tresses, with The gentle garland kept for victory. But never was shadeless meadow drier parched, Under the baleful fury of the heavenly dog, Then was my heart in sunshine of that sweet, Never so vanquished as in victory. Yet had I power to take the garland off, And reach it her, saying to you belongs Alone the same. T'is endue to you, that made Mine good, by virtue of your mouth. She gently took't and crowned her self therewith. And with and other that she beware crowned mine. T's this I wear thus dried as you see, It will I carry to my graven with me. In deer remembrance of that happy day. But more for sign of my dead Hope's decay. That know I not ( Ergasto ) yet thus much I know, That in the time she made Elidis blessed With her sweet countenance, she liberal was Of pleasing looks to me. But thereof did My cruel fates rob me so suddenly, That I perceived it not till they were gone. When ̄ I drawn by the power of her beauteous look Leaving my home came hither, where thou knowest My father had this poor habitacle. But now the day that with so fair a spring began, Come to his western bound, thunders & Light ̄ S out, Ah then I saw these were true signs of death. Now had (alas) my tender father felt, My not-foreseene departure, and overcome With grief, fell sick nigh hand to death, Whereby I was constrained to return. Ah that return proved the father's health, But deadly sickness to the son: for in short time I languished and pined quite away. Which held me from the time the sun had left The bull, until his entry into Capricorn. And so had still, had not my piteous father sought For counsel to the Oracle, which said, Only Arcadia could restore my health. So I returned to see her that can heal My bodies grief (Oh Oracles false lie) But makes my soul sick everlastingly. Go happily, The heavens ( Ergasto ) quith thy courtesy. Oh Fortunate delight, and care of my Fair spiteful Silvio. Ah that I were As deer unto thy cruel master as thou art. (Happy Metampo ) he with that white hand, That nips my heart, thee softly stroking feeds. With thee all day and all the night he is, While I that love him so, sighs still in vain. And that which grieves me worst, he gives thee still Kisses so sweet, that had I one of them, I should go blessed away, I cannot choose But kiss Melampo. Now if th'appie stars Of love, sent thee to me because thou shouldst Find out his steps. Go'w whither me great love. Thee nature teaches. But I hear a horn Found in these woods. Ah voice that hast at once Both wounded me and healed me again? Now may't be truly said that love is blind, And hath a scarce that binds up his eyes. What shall I do? I see not how this sport Can do me good, not I Corisca see that is The loadstar of my Hope's. Heavens aid me. Oh mighty Gods! what do I see? am I In heaven or earth? y'haue no such h rmonie. O would I were that tree. Me thinks I see Corisca Hidden in yonder shrubs, she nods to me, 'Tis even she, she beckons still to me. Yet does Corisca point, She threatens me, sh'would have me put my self Among these Nymph's. How ill agree my heart with my desire? Th'one dares so little, th'other seeks so much. Stand still my soul. Behold I let you go. Why fly you hence (Cruel) behold my death, behold this dart Shall pierce my woeful breast. That which perhaps grieves you (most cruel Nymph. That any else beside your self should do. But if this work belong alone to you, Behold my breast, here take this fatal dart. My much more love makes me more blind then you. Assauadge beast With hunger hunted, from the woods breaks forth And does assail the stranger on his way, So I that only by your beauteous eyes Do live: since that sweet food me have forbade, Either your cruelty or else my fate A starved Lover issuing from those woods Where I have suffered long and wretched fast, Have for my health assayed this stratage me Which loves necessity upon me thrust. Now blame not me (Nymph cruel) blame your self, For prayers and conceits true loves discretion As you them call, you not attend from me, You have bereaved with shunning me the means To love discreetly. Only one time Dame but to hear me, ere I wretched die. Ah Nymph that which I have already said, Is but a drop of that huge ample sea Of my complaints, if not for pity sake, Yet for your pleasure now hear (cruel) but The latest accents of a dying voice. In too too small a bundle (cruel Nymph) You do ccommaund me bind my huge desires, Which measure, but by thought nought could con taine: That I you love, and love more then life, If you deny to know, ask but these woods And they will tell, and tell you with them will Their beasts, their trees & stones of these great rocks Which I so oft have tender made to melt At found of my complaints. But what make I Such proof of love where such rare beauty is? See but how many beauteous things the skies contain, How many dress the earth in brave attire: Thence shall you see the force of my desire. For as the waters fallen, the fire does rise, The air does fl e, the earth lies firmly still, And all these same the skies do compass round. Even so to you as to their chiefest good, My soul does fly, and my poor thoughts do run With all affection to your lovely beauty's: He that from their deer object would them turn, Might fast turn from their viuall course the sky, The earth, the air, the water, and the fire. And quite remove the earth from oft his seat. But why command you me to speak but small? Small shall I tell, it I but tell you shall That I must die, and less shall dying do, If I but see what is my turn too. Ay me, what shall I do? which may outlast My miserable love? When I am dead, Yet cruel soul have pity on my pains. Ah fair! ah deer I sometime so sweet a cause Why I did live while my good fates were pleased. Turn hitherward those starry lights of love, Let me them see once meek and full of pity Before I die. So may my death be sweet. As they have be good guide, unto my life, So let them be unto my death, and that Sweet lo ke which first begat my love, beget My death my loves Hesperus become The star e of my decaying day. But you obdurate, never , Whil I more humble you more haughty are. And can you hear me and not speak a word? Whom do I speak too wretch a marble stone? If you will say nought else, yet bid me die, And you shall see what force your words will have. Ah wicked love, this is a misery extreme, A Nymph so cruel so desirous of my death, Because I ask it as a favour, scorns to give it, Arming her cruel voice in silence so, Least it might favour mine exceeding woe. To save ones life is not within his power, That hath his soul forsaken and given over. Virtue small conquest gets where love triumphs. O loves necessity no laws endures. In vain one flies from that his heart does harbour. Had I another heart, another soul. I after love hath quite consumed my life. Never till death. Oh cruel sentence! can I without life Live think you then? Or can I without death Find end unto my torment and my grief? Among these wretches I am not alone: but yet A miserable spectacle am only I, Of dead and living, nor can live nor die. Ah sad departure, End of my life, go I from you, and do not die? And yet I feel the very pangs of death, That do give life unto mine exttasie, To make my heart immortally to die. O Mirtillo! o my dearest soul Couldst thou but see into her heart whom thou Callest cruel Amarillis, then wouldst thou say Thou hadst that pity which thy heart desires. O minds too much infortunate in love! What boots it thee my heart to be beloved? What boots it me to have so deer a Love? Why should the cruel sates so disunite Who ̄ love conjoins? and why should traitorous love Conjoin them whom the destinies do partly? O happy savage beasts whom nature gives No laws in love, save very love it self. Inhumane humane law, that punishest This love with death, if't be so sweet to sin, And not to sin so necessary be, Imperfect nature that repugneth law, Or law too hard that nature does offend. But rush, she loves too little that fears death, Would gods death were the worst that's endue to sin. Dear chastity, th'inviolable pour Of souls wellborn that hast my amorous will Retained in chains of holy rigour still: To thee I consecrate my harmless sacrifice. And thou my soul ( Mirtillo ) pardon me, That cruel where I should piteous be. Pardon her that in looks and only words Does seem thy foe, but in my heart thy friend. If thou wouldst be revenged, what greater pain Wouldst thou , thou this my cruel grief? Thou art my heart, and sha to be spite of heaven And earth, when thou dost plain & sighs, and weep, Thy tears become my blood, thy sighs my breath: And all thy pains they are not only thine, For I them feel, and they are turned mine. HIde you no more my Amarillis now. So would I were a naked shade or dust. Like a weak sick man that hath long desired Forbidden drink, at last gets it unto his mouth And drinks his death, ending at once both life & thirst. So I long sick, burnt and consumed in This amorous drought, from ̄ two fair fountains that Ice do distil from out a rocky brain Of and indurate heart, Have drunk the poison that my life will kill, Sooner then half of my desire fulfil. Ere I change will or thought, changed must my life Be into death, for though the beauteous Amarillis Be most cruel, yet is she all my life: Nor can this bodies bulk at once contain More then one heart, more then one soul retain. As gold in fire, so says in grief's refined, Nor can ( Corisca ) am rous constancy Show his great power, but through cruelty. This only rests amongst my many griefs. My sole content does my heart burn or die, Or languish never so much, light are the pains, Plaints, torments, sighs, exile, and death it self, For such a cause, for such a sweet respect. That life before my faith shall broken be, So worse then death I hold inconstancy. More deer to me is pain for Amarillis Then any joy a thousand else can give: If me my fates forbid her to enjoy, For me then die all other kinds of joy. I fortunate in any other kind of love? No though I would I could not: Nor though I could I would not. And if I thought in any time henceforth My will would wish or power obtain the same, I would desire of heaven and love at once Both will and power might quite be taken away. Who pity not expects does fear no pains. All these are trophies of my truest faith, With which I will triumph over her cruel will, Over my pains, and my distressed chance, Over world's fortune, and over death it self. She was my first, and she my last shall be. Thousand times blessed that under such a star is born. My hart's no subject for these loves delights. A taste corrupted, pleasant things abhors. What pity can he give that none can get? In sum I am resolved while here I live, To keep my faith to her how ere she prove, Cruel or pitiful, or how she will. Now stands my life in amid betwixt life and death, While I in doubt do stand, if to believe, Or not believe, this makes me so amazed. O if I do, Straight shall you see my miserable end. O no it is not true, it cannot be. Dost thou tell true Corisca? may I believe thee? But hast thou seen this thing Corisca? Then comes my death. Since I am here, the truth I now will see, Till then, my life and death suspended be. LEt never mortal enterprise be taken in hand Without this heavenly counsel, half confused And doubtful was my heart when I went hence Unto the Temple, whence thanks be to heaven, I do well comforted, and well disposed return. Me thought to my pure prayers and devout, I felt a spright celestial move within me Heartening my thoughts, that as it were did say, What fearest thou Amarillis? be assured. So will I go assured, heavens be my guide, Favour fair Mother of love her pure designs, That on thy succour only does depend. Queen of the triple sky if ever thou prou'dst Thy suns hot fire, take pity then of mine. Guide hither courteous goddess that same swain With swift and subtle feet that hath my faith. And thou deer Cave into thy bosom take Me, loves handmaid, and give me leave there to Accomplish my desires. Why do I stay? Here's none does see or hear. Enter secure. O Mirtillo, couldst thou but dream to find me here. WHat am I blind, or do I too much see? Ah had I but be born without these eyes, Or rather not at all had I be born. Did spiteful fates reserve me thus alive To let me see so bade, so sad a sighed? Mirtill thy torments pass the pains of hell. No: doubt no more: suspend not thy belief, Thine eyes, thine ears, have seen, have herd it true. Thy love and other owns not by the law Of earth, that binds her unto any one, But by loves law that ties her sole to thee. Oh cruel Amarillis, wast not enough To kill me wretch, but thou must scorn me too? That faithless mouth that sometime gram it my joys, Did vomit out my hateful name, because She would not have it in her heart to be A poor partaker of her pleasures sweet. Why stayest thou now? she that did give me life Hath ta'n't away, and giu'n't and other man: Yet wretch thou livest, thou dost not die. Oh die Mirtillo, die to thy tormenting grief, As to thy joy thou art already dead. Die dead Mirtillo, finished is thy life. Finish thy torment too: fleet wretched soul Through this four constrained and wayward death: 'Tis for thy greater ill that thus thou liust. But what? And must I die without revenge? First will I make him die that gives me death: Desire to live so long I will retain Till justly I have that Usurper slain. Yield Grief unto Revenge: Pity to Rag , Death unto life, till with my life I have Revenged the death, another guiltless gave. This Steel shall not drink mine unvenged blood, My hand shall rage ere it shall piteous be. What ere thou art that joist my comforts all, I'll make thee feel thy ruin in my fallen. I'll place me here even in this very Grove, And as I see him but approach the Cave, This Dart shall sudden wound him in his side. It shall be cowardlike to strike him thus, I'll challenge him to single combat, I: Not so; for to this place so known and used, Shepherds may come to hinder us, and worse: May search the cause that moved me to this fight, Which to deny were wickedness to feign, Will make me faithless held: and to discover, Will blot her name with endless infamiet In whom albeit I Like not what I see, Yet what I loved I do, and ever shall. But what hope I to see, th'adult'rer die That robbed her of her honour, me my life? But if I kill him, shall not then his blood Be to the world a token of this deed? Why fear I death? since I desire to die. But then this murder once made plain, makes plain The cause whereby she shall incur that infamy: I'll enter then this Cave, and so assail him, I so, that pleases me: I'll steal in softly, So that she shall not hear me. I believe That in the secretest and the closest partly I gather by her words I shall her find, Therefore I will not enter in too far. A hollow hold there is made in a Rock, The left side covered all with Y j leaves: Beneath th'other assent there will I stand, And tune attend t'effect what I desire: I'll bear my dead foe to my living foe; Thus of them both I shall be well revenged: Then with this self same Dart I'll pierce this breast, So shall there be three pier'st without relief, First two with Steel, the third with deadly grief, (Fierce) she shall see the miserable end Of her beloved, and her betrayed friend, This Cave that should be harbour of her joys, Of both her loves, and that which more I crave, Of her great shame, may prove the happy graven. And you the steps that I in vain have followed, Could you me speed of such a faithful way? Could you direct me to so deer a Bower? Behold I follow you. Oh Corisea, Corisea, Now hast thou told too true, now I believe thee. Does this man then believe Corisea, following her steps Into the Cave of Eri a . Well, he's mad, He knows her not; believe me he had needs Have better hold of her engaged faith, Then I had of her hear: But knots more stranged, Then gaudy gifts on her he cannot tie. This damned Whore hath sold her self to him, And here shee'le pay the shameful markets price. She is within, her steps bewray the same, This falls out for her punishment, and thy revenge: With this great ouerstu ding stone close thou the Cave, Go then about, and fetch the Priest with thee: By the hill way which few or none do know, Let her be executed as the law commands, For breach of marriage troth, which she to Coridon Hath plighted, though she ever it concealed For fear of me, so shall I be revenged Of both at once, I'll lose no farther time: From off this Elm I'll cut a bough, with which I may more speedily remove this stone! O how great it is! How fast it sticks. I'll dig it round about. This is a work in deed: Where are my wonted forces: O perverse Stars! in spite of you I'll moou't. O Pan Licciu, help me now, thou Wertenberg a lover once, Revenge thy love disdained, upon Corisea. So, in the name of thy great power it moves. So, in the Power of thy great name it falls. Now is the wicked Fox taken in the trap. O that all wicked Women were with thee within, That with one fire they might be all destroyed. Father, let it be lawful that I call thee so, For though thou gavest not, yet thou takest my life: My body to the ground I do bequeathe, my soul To her that is my life: But if she die, As she hath threatened to do; aye me, What partly of me shall then remain alive, O death were sweet, if but my mortal parts Might die, and that my soul did not desire the same: But if his pity ought deserves that die, For sovereign pity then courteous father, Provide she do not die; and with that hope More comforted, I'll pay my destinies, Though with my death you me from her disjoin, Yet make her live, that she may me retain. Then comforted, I die all comforted: To thee my Amarillis do I come, Soul of the faithful Shepherd, as thine own Do thou receive, for in thy loved name My words and life I will determine straight: So now to death I kneel, and hold my peace. Good father hold your peace. The life you gave, I cannot better give, Then for her sake, who sole deserves to live. Wretch with error have I done the law of silence, quite I had forgotten. How can I speak, I scarce know if I breathe, Nor what I see, I scarce believe I see: Let Amarillis you that pleasure give, In her alone my souls affections live. And I ( Corisca ) pardon all thy harms, Save this delaying of my sweet content. Oh my sweet treasure I am not secure, Yet do I quake for fear of le sing thee. This seems a dream, and still I am afraid My sleep should break, and thou my soul shouldst fly away. In better proof my senses would I sleep, That this sweet sighed is not a dreaming sleep. I am so tied to pain, that in the amid Of all my joys I needs must languish still. Is't not enough this ceremonious pomp Does hold us thus, but that Corisca must Come in to hinder us? I know her well, And heretofore have spoke with her. My self I harmed her not to offend (Courteous Ergasto ) and should yet be dumb, But strict necessity hath made me bold. I hear a voice which through my scared ears Wounds alas my wretched heart with noise Of Amarillis nighing nuptial feast, Who speaks ought else to me he holds his peace. Nor dare I further search, as well for fear To give suspicion of my love, as for to find That which I would not. Well! I know ( Ergasto ) It fits not with my poor and base estate To hope at all a Nymph so rarely qualifide, Of blood and spright truly celestial, Should prove my wife. Oh no, I know too well, The lowliness of my poor humble star, My destiny's to burn! not to delight Was I brought forth, but since my cruel fates Have made me love my death more then my life, I am content to die, so that my death Might please her that's the cause thereof; And that she would but grace my latest gasp With her fair eyes, and once before she made Another by her marriage fortunate, She would but hear me speak. Courteous Ergasto, If thou lovest me, help me with this favour, Aid me herein, if thou takest pity of my case. O were this true, could I but this believe, Thrice happy pain. Thrice fortunate distress. But tell me sweet Ergusto, tell me true, Which is the shepherd whom the stars so friend? Most happy youth, that hast in tender years Found fate so ripe. I do not envy thee, But plain my self. Pity! and why? And lives he? hath a heart? and is not blind? Or hath she on my wretched heart spent all her flames? And her fair eyes blown all their loves on me? Why should they give a lemme so precious To one that neither knows it, nor regards it? T'is news to me, that am a new inhabitant, As't pleases love and my poor destiny: That did before inhabit savage woods, But what I pray you was that grievous fault That kindled rage in a celestial breast? Aye me, this grief all other griefs exceeds. Oh wretched Shepherd, and yet fortunate, That hadst so large and famous scope, to show Thy troth, and waken lively pity of thy death Within another's breast. But what did follow? Was Cinthia pleased, found they a remedy? Oh poor Mirtillo! wretched man! So many cruel enemies? such wars? To work my death cannot great Love suffice? But that the Fates, their arms will exercise. My love Love trust me was in me. I made me respec tiue: And since you first laid hold on me less cause You have to call my Actium villainy. Yea even when I by so commodious means Might be made bold to use the laws of love, Yet did I quake a Lover to be found.