Act 2 — Scene IV.[3458]

Daph. Here will I stay, for this the covert is Where I appointed Cloe. Do not miss, Thou bright-ey’d virgin; come, oh come, my fair! Be not abus’d with fear, nor let cold care Of honour stay thee from thy shepherd’s arm,5 Who would as hard be won to offer harm To thy chaste thoughts, as whiteness from the day, Or yon great round to move another way. My language shall be honest, full of truth, My flame as smooth and spotless as my youth;10 I will not entertain that wand’ring thought, Whose easy current may at length be brought To a loose vastness. Alexis. (within.) Cloe! Daph. ’T is her voice, And I must answer.—Cloe!—Oh, the choice Of dear embraces, chaste and holy strains15 Our hands shall give! I charge you, all my veins, Through which the blood and spirit take their way, Lock up your disobedient heats, and stay Those mutinous desires that else would grow To strong rebellion; do not wilder show20 Than blushing modesty may entertain. Alexis. (within.) Cloe! Daph. There sounds that blessed name again, And I will meet it. Let me not mistake; Enter Alexis. This is some shepherd. Sure, I am awake: What may this riddle mean? I will retire,25 To give myself more knowledge. [Retires.] Alexis. Oh, my fire, How thou consum’st me!—Cloe, answer me! Alexis, strong Alexis, high and free, Calls upon Cloe. See, mine arms are full Of entertainment, ready for to pull30 That golden fruit which too, too long hath hung Tempting the greedy eye. Thou stay’st too long; I am impatient of those mad delays: I must not leave unsought those many ways That lead into this centre, till I find35 Quench for my burning lust. I come, unkind! Exit. Daph. [coming forward.] Can my imagination work me so much ill, That I may credit this for truth, and still Believe mine eyes? Or shall I firmly hold Her yet untainted, and these sights but bold40 Illusion? Sure, such fancies oft have been Sent to abuse true love, and yet are seen Daring to blind the virtuous thought with error; But be they far from me with their fond terror! I am resolv’d my Cloe yet is true.45 (Cloe within.) Cloe! Hark! Cloe! Sure, this voice is new, Whose shrillness, like the sounding of a bell, Tells me it is a woman.—Cloe, tell Thy blessed name again. Cloe. (within.) Here! Daph. Oh, what a grief is this, to be so near,50 And not encounter!

Cloe. Shepherd, we are met: Draw close into the covert, lest the wet, Which falls like lazy mist upon the ground, Soak through your startups.[3459] Daph. Fairest, are you found? How have we wand’red, that the better part Of this good night is perisht? Oh, my heart! How have I long’d to meet you, how to kiss57 Those lily hands, how to receive the bliss That charming tongue gives to the happy ear Of him that drinks your language! But I fear I am too much unmanner’d, far too rude,61 And almost grown lascivious, to intrude These hot behaviours; where regard of fame, Honour and modesty, a virtuous name, And such discourse as one fair sister may65 Without offence unto the brother say, Should rather have been tend’red. But, believe, Here dwells a better temper: do not grieve, Then, ever-kindest, that my first salute Seasons so much of fancy; I am mute70 Henceforth to all discourses but shall be Suiting to your sweet thoughts and modesty. Indeed, I will not ask a kiss of you, No, not to wring your fingers, nor to sue To those blest pair of fixed stars for smiles;75 All a young lover’s cunning, all his wiles, And pretty wanton dyings shall to me Be strangers; only to your chastity I am devoted ever. Cloe. Honest swain, First let me thank you, then return again80 As much of my love.—[Aside.] No, thou art too cold, Unhappy boy, not temp’red to my mould; Thy blood falls heavy downward. ’T is not fear To offend in boldness wins; they never wear Deserved favours that deny to take85 When they are offered freely. Do I wake, To see a man of his youth, years, and feature, And such a one as we call goodly creature, Thus backward? What a world of precious art Were merely lost, to make him do his part!90 But I will shake him off, that dares not hold: Let men that hope to be belov’d be bold. Daphnis, I do desire, since we are met So happily, our lives and fortunes set Upon one stake, to give assurance now,95 By interchange of hands and holy vow, Never to break again. Walk you that way, Whilst I in zealous meditation stray A little this way. When we both have ended These rites and duties, by the woods befriended100 And secrecy of night, retire and find An aged oak, whose hollowness may bind Us both within his body; thither go; It stands within yon bottom. Daph. Be it so. Exit. Cloe. And I will meet there never more with thee,105 Thou idle shamefastness! Alexis. (within.) Cloe! Cloe. ’T is he That dare, I hope, be bolder. Alexis. (within.) Cloe! Cloe. Now, Great Pan, for Syrinx’ sake, bid speed our plough! Exit.