THESTYLIS

If Laurinda, My too abrupt intrusion come so rudely As to disturb your private Meditations, I beg your pardon! No Laurinda; But if there be a charm called Rhetoric; And art, that woods and forests cannot skill; That with persuasive magic could command A pity in your soul, I would my tongue Had learned that powerful art! Farewell Laurinda! Thus poor oole I toil for others; Like the painful Be From every flower cull honey drops of love To bring to others hives: Cupid does this Cause I am Claius sister. Other Nymphs Have their variety of loves, for every gown, Nay every petticoat; I have only one, The poor fool Mopsus! yet no matter wench, Fools never were in more request then now. I'll make much of him, for that woman lies In weary sheets, whose Husband is too wise. Amyntas. Amyntas, when shall we requite this kindness? Sir, why weep you? You cannot now, because to night she lodged With one Laurinda. If it were, Laurinda, The tears of her, whose orator I come Have power to soften it. Beauteous Amaryllis, She that in this unfortunate age of love, This hapless time of Cupid's tyranny Placed her affection on a skornfull Shepherd, One that disdains her love. Thus she desires you, As you desire to thrive in him you love; As you do love him whom you most desire, Not to love Damon! Damon alas repaies Her love with scorn! 'Tis a request she says She knows you cannot grant, but if you do not She will not live to ask again. Very ill Since you were absent, Mopsus! where have you Been all this livelong hour? Why, can birds speak? But what languages Do they speak, servant? And Fooleation. What success Does your Art promise? What Birds Met you then first? Well met. And what might this portend? What the Cock? But now the Goose? Good gander! What are you studying of Iocastus, would? A Masque? what i'st? 'Tis true He tells you Mopsus, leave your Augury, Follow his counsel, and be wise. Then you mean I see, T'expound the Oracle. Then no doubt But you will have the honour. Never fear it Mopsus. Fie upon't, It'll spoil our kissing! and beside I tell you Garlic's a dangerous dish, eating of garlic May breed the sickness, for as I remember 'Tis the Philosophers diet. How sad a life live I, Betwixt their folly and Amyntas madness! For Mopsus I'll prescribe you such a diet As shall secure you. First my Mopsus, Take heed of fasting, for your hungry meals Nurse wisdom. Beside, take special care You wear not threadbare clothes: it'll breed at least Suspicion you are wise. And walk not much alone; or if you walk With company, be sure you walk with fools, None of the wise. By all means Take heed of Travel, your beyond-sea wit Is to be feared. Thither he may. But above all things we are no beards, long beards Are signs the brains are full, because the excrements Come out so plentifully. But Dorylas, there's a mighty quarrel here, And you are chosen umpire. The exposition of the Oracle: Which of these two you think the verier fool. Wee'll in the while to comfort sad Amyntas. How fares my Amaryllis? What a strange thing is Love! Be quiet good Amyntas. What happiness portends it, Sweet Mopsus? Most excellent. Why suppose I can sir, what of that? But what estate shall he assure upon me? Nay then lets in To seal the writings. Would to Ceres She would be pleased at length to end her anger, And pity poor Amyntas! Thus I spend my life Laughing amid my tears. Little thinks the wretched Claius now How sad a life his poor Amyntas lives! Sylvan why gaze you on us? would you frolic With poor Amynta's madness; 'twould ill beseem you To make our grief your pastime. Thy looks are fierce, thy words bespeak thee Gentle. I did not mark him. There was a time (alas that ere it was.) When my poor Shepherd fell in love. The star of beauty, Pilumnu's much admired Urania. She sweet Nymph inlodged The casket of his love in her own bosom, But Ceres set a Dowry Out alas! Would she had asked our flocks, our kids, our groves! Would she had bid us quench the flames of Aetna In Arethusa's streams, it had been easy. We fight with words and cannot conquer them; This her Imperious Ompha asked, and Thundered That which thou hast not, mayest not, canst not have Amyntas, is the Dowry that I crave. To find out her commands, he lost himself. We have but homely hospitality. Doubt not sir, I will. Or send my servant Mycon by the Vale. Do what? Out with't man. Amaryllis. —'Tis my sweetheart Mopsus, And his wise brother: Oh the twins of folly! These do I entertain only to season The poor Amyntas madness. Oh be patient gentle Mopsus. Nay good sweet heart Be not so angry. But Mopsus, you may now securely visit Me and my house: Amyntas, heaven be praised, Is now recovered of his wits again. Ceres be praised as ever. What mean you Mopsus? Infected? Why have the birds (my Mopsus ) counceled so? How know I that? I understand them not. Mopsus, I am content, So you will stand unto it as well as I. And am I caught? 'Tis no great matter though; For this time Mopsus I will marry thee; The next I wed, by Pan, shall wiser be! For fooling Mopsus, now it's time give over. Mad after marriage as a fool before. For he's a fool that weds, all wives being bade; And she's a fool makes not her husband mad. I humbly thank your Grace. What would your Grace command your maid of honour? Partly give I. I must go call Urania that she may Come vow Virginity. Sir, Urania's here.