ERISICHTHON

What noise is this, what assembly, what Ido latrie Is the modesty of virgins turned to wantonness? The honour of Ceres accounted immortal? And Erisicthon ruler of this Forest, esteemed of no force? Impudent giglots, that you are, to disturb my game, or dare do honour to any but Erisicthon. It is not your fair faces as smooth as lea e, nor your enticing eyes, though they drew vron Like Adamai ts, nor your filed speeches, were they as for cible, as Thessalides, that shall make me any way flexible. Are you addicted to Ceres, that in spite of Erisicthon you will use these sacrifices? No, immodest girls, you shall see that I have neither regard of your sex which men should tender, nor of your beauty which foolish love would dote on, nor of your goddess, which none but peevish girls reverence: I will destroy this tree in spite of all, and that you may see my hand execute, my heart intends; and that no mean may appea e my malice, my last word shall be the beginning of the first blow. What voice? If in the tree there be any body, speak quickly, left the next blow hit the tale out of thy mouth. Yea, and double your griefs with my blows. Nymph or goddess it skilleth not, for there is none that Erisicthon careth for, but Erisicthon : let Ceres the Lady of your harvest revenge when she will, nay when she dares, and tell her this, that I am Erisicthon. No, a contemner of the gods. Yea, I care not for revenge being a man and Erisicthon. Come, Protea, deer daughter, that name must thou buy too deer, necessity causeth thee to be sold, nam ture must frame thee to be contented. Thou seest in how short a space I have turned all my goods into my guts, where I feel a continual fire, which nothing can quench, my famine increases by eating, resembling the Sea which receiveth all things, and cannot be filled: life is sweet, hunger sharp, between them the contention must be short, unless thou, Protea, prolong it. I have ac knowledged my offence against Ceres, make amends, I cannot, for the gods holding the balance in their hands, what recompense can equally weigh with their punish ments? Or what is he that having but one ill thought of Ceres, that can raze it with a thousand dutiful actions? such is the difference, that none can find defence: this is the ods, we miserable, and men, they immortal, and gods. Stay, sweet Protea, and that great God hear thy prayer, though Ceres stop her ears to mine. In good time, Protea, thou hast done, for lo, the Merchant keepeth not only day, but hour. No; Protea, but thy father famished. Here, Gen tleman, I am ready with my daughter. He cannot buy that, which cannot be sold. Here the maid: farewell, my sweet daughter, I commit thee to the gods, and this men courtesy, who I hope will deal no worse with thee, then he would have the gods with him, I must be gone, left I do starve as I stand. Come, Protea, tell me, how didst thou escape from the Merchant? Thou art happy, Protea, though thy Father be mi erable: and Neptune gracious, though Ceres cruel thy escape from the Merchant, breeds in me life, joy, and fullness. Seek m, deer Protea ; find and enjoy him; and live ever hereafter to that ne own comforts, that hast there oh been the preserver of mine. I will hallow thy woods with solemn feasts, and honour all thy Nymphs with endue regard. Honoured be mighty Cupid, that makes me live. Im the honour of Cupid, and Ceres, will solemn nize this feast within my house, and learn, if it be not too late, again to love. But you Foresters were unkind, that in all my maladies would not visit me. Well, I will not take it unkindly, since all ends in kindness.