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Longus
Daphnis and Chloe by François Gérard
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Longus
Greek writer
flourished 2nd/3rd century ad
Greek writer, author of Daphnis and Chloe, the first pastoral prose
romance (see pastoral literature) and one of the most popular of the
Greek erotic romances in Western culture after the Renaissance.
The story concerns Daphnis and Chloe, two foundlings brought up by
shepherds in Lesbos, who gradually fall in love and finally marry. The
author is less concerned with the complications of plot, however, than
with describing the way that love developed between his hero and
heroine, from their first naïve and confused feelings of childhood to
full sexual maturity. Longus’ penetrating psychological analysis
contrasts strongly with the inept characterization of other Greek
romances. His stylized descriptions of gardens and landscapes and the
alternating of the seasons show a notable feeling for nature. The
general tone of his romance is dictated by the quality prescribed by
ancient critics for the bucolic genre—glykytēs, a “sweetening” of the
pastoral life.
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Daphnis takes the cricket out of Chloe's bosom
(Longus, Daphnis and Chloe). P. P. Prudhon, engraved by B. Roger, 1802.
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DAPHNIS AND CHLOE
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Type of work: Tale
Author: Attributed to Longus (third century)
Type of plot: Pastoral romance
Time of plot: Indefinite
Locale: Island of Lesbos
First transcribed: Third century manuscript
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A Greek pastoral poem generally ascribed to the third, fourth, or
fifth century A.D. sophist Longus, Daphnis and Chloe is a product of
decadent Greek literature and one of the most popular of the early
predecessors of the modern novel. As such it is highly romantic in both
characterization and incident, alive with extravagant improbabilities,
and laced with humor. The story centers on the innocent though
passionate love of two children of nature, unspoiled by contact with
city manners, amid idyllic scenes of natural beauty.
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Daphnis and Chloe
by Raphael Collin, 1890
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Principal Characters
Daphnis (daf'nts), found as a baby by Lamo and reared by him. Though he
loves Chloe, Daphnis is unable to ask for her in marriage until he finds
a purse of silver. He is discovered to be Philopoemen, lost son of
Dionysophanes.
Chloe (klo'e), found as an infant girl by Dryas in the Cave of the
Nymphs, on Lesbos. She is discovered to be Agele, the daughter of
Megacles.
Lamo (la'mo), a goatherd of Lesbos and the foster father of Daphnis.
Myrtale (mlr'ts-le'), his wife, who hides the purple cloak and ivory
dagger found with Daphnis.
Dryas (drl'as), a shepherd and the foster father of Chloe.
Nape (na'pe), his wife, who brings up Chloe.
Dorco (dor'ko), a fisherman who wants to marry Chloe and tries to kidnap
her. He later saves Daphnis after he has been captured by pirates.
Lampis (lam'pis), another suitor of Chloe, who steals her.
Gnatho (na'tho), Astylus' parasite, who rescues Chloe.
The Methymneans (ma-thim'nrans), who carry off Chloe but, frightened by
Pan, return her.
Lycaenium (lT-se'ni-эт), who teaches love to Daphnis.
Megacles (me'ggk-lez), of Mitylene, the father of Chloe.
Dionysophanes (dl'o-m-sd'fg-nez), owner of Lamo and the father of
Daphnis.
Astylus (as-tlbs), the son of Dionysophanes and the young master of Lamo.
Eudromus (u-dro'mss), Astylus' page.
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Daphnis and Chloe by Victor Borisov-Musatov
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The Story
On the Greek island of Lesbos, a goatherd named Lamo one day found a
richly dressed infant boy being suckled by one of his goats. Lamo and
his wife, Myrtale, hid the purple cloak and ivory dagger the boy had
worn and pretended he was their own son. They named him Daphnis. Two
years later, a shepherd named Dryas discovered an infant girl being
nursed by one of his sheep in a cave of the Nymphs. This child also was
richly dressed. Dryas and his wife Nape kept the girl as their own,
giving her the name Chloe.
When the two children were fifteen and thirteen years old respectively,
they were given flocks to tend. Daphnis and Chloe played happily
together, amusing themselves in many ways. One day, while chasing a
goat, Daphnis fell into a wolf pit, from which he was rescued unharmed
by Chloe and a herdsman she had summoned to help her. Daphnis began to
experience delightful but disturbing feelings about Chloe. Dorco, a
herdsman, asked permission to marry Chloe but was refused by Dryas.
Disguising himself in a wolf skin, Dorco shortly afterward attempted to
seize Chloe. Attacked by the flock dogs, he was rescued by Daphnis and
Chloe, who innocently thought he had merely been playing a prank. Love,
little understood by either, grew between Daphnis and Chloe.
In the autumn some Tyrian pirates wounded Dorco, stole some of his oxen
and cows, and took Daphnis away with them. Chloe, who heard Daphnis
calling to her from the pirate ship, ran to aid the mortally wounded
Dorco. Dorco gave her his herdsman's pipe, telling her to blow upon it.
When she blew, the cattle jumped into the sea and overturned the ship.
The pirates drowned, but Daphnis, grasping the horns of two swimming
cows, came safely to shore.
After the celebration of the autumn vintage, Daphnis and Chloe returned
to their flocks. They attempted in their innocence to practice the art
of love, but they were not successful. Some young men of Methymne came
to the fields of Mitylene to hunt. When a withe used as a cable to hold
their small ship was gnawed in two by a goat, the Methymneans blamed
Daphnis and set upon him. In a trial over the affair, Daphnis was judged
innocent. The angry Methymneans later carried away Chloe. The god Pan
warned the Methymnean captain in a dream that he should bring back
Chloe, and she was returned. Daphnis and Chloe joyfully celebrated
holidays in honor of Pan.
The two lovers were sad at being parted by winter weather, which kept
the flocks in their folds. In the spring the lovers happily drove their
flocks again to the fields. When a woman named Lycaenium became enamored
of the boy, Daphnis finally learned how to ease the pains he had felt
for Chloe; but Lycaenium warned him that Chloe would be hurt the first
time she experienced the ecstasy of love. Fearing that he might harm his
sweetheart, the tender Daphnis would not deflower Chloe. Meanwhile many
suitors, Lampis among them, asked for the hand of Chloe, and Dryas
almost consented. Daphnis brooded about his inability to compete
successfully with the suitors because of his poverty. With the aid of
the Nymphs, he then found a purse of silver, which he gave Dryas in
order to become contracted to Chloe. In return, Dryas asked Lamo to
consent to the marriage of his son, but Lamo answered that first he must
consult his master, Dionysophanes.
Lamo, Daphnis, and Chloe prepared to entertain Dionysophanes; but Lampis
ravaged the garden they had prepared because he had been denied Chloe's
hand. Fearing the wrath of his master, Lamo lamented his ill fortune.
Eudromus, a page, helped to explain the trouble to Lamo's young master
Astylus, who promised to intercede with his father and blame the wanton
destruction on some horses in the neighborhood. Astylus' parasite.
Gnatho. fell in love with Daphnis but was repulsed. Finally, the
depraved Gnatho received Astylus' permission to take Daphnis with him to
the city. Just in time. Lamo revealed the story of the finding of
Daphnis, who was discovered to be Dionysophanes' son. Meanwhile. Lampis
stole Chloe, who was later rescued by Gnatho. After Dryas told how Chloe
had been found as a child, it was learned that she was the daughter of
Megacles of Mitylene. Thus the supposed son and daughter of Lamo and
Dryas were revealed as the children of wealthy parents who were happy to
consent to their marriage. The wedding was celebrated amid the rural
scenes dear to both bride and groom. Daphnis became Philopoemen. and
Chloe was named Agele. On her wedding night. Chloe at last learned from
Daphnis how the delights of love might be obtained.
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Daphnis and Chloe by
Camille Felix Bellanger
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Critical Evaluation
The romance is the least "classical" of ancient literary genres. The
name itself derives many centuries later, since the ancients apparently
did not know what to call this prose that was not history, this
adventure that was not epic, this love story that was neither tragedy
nor comedy, this pastoral that was not bound by the verse forms of
Theocritus and Vergil. Romance finds its origins perhaps in late
Hellenistic times, having developed from erotic and exotic approaches to
literature in Euripides. Menander, and Apollonius Rhodius, but it did
not reach full bloom until the age of the Second Sophistic in the second
century A.D.. when rhetoricians encouraged their students to create
improbable human situations rife with problems on which they might
conduct debate.
Daphnis and Chloe is such an improbable theme, but the resolution of its
incredible complications amid such faraway non-Roman places casts a
unique charm deepened by the idealized devotion of the young lovers. The
story provides an escape to a primeval state for a reader jaded by the
violence and sophistication of the Roman Empire. Daphnis and Chloe
personify innocent, ignorant love. They are taught by hard experience
and the cruel selfishness of the real, urbane world, but they manage to
survive and return to their idyllic, simple remove.
An intelligible structure is canonical in classical composition, and
appropriately this work is divided into four "books" which define
movements from spring to autumn. to winter and a second spring and
summer, and finally to a second autumn. The blooming love of Daphnis and
Chloe must be tested by the seasons, both of nature and of human life,
before the matured lovers can reap the harvest. Longus uses the imagery
of Philetas' and Lamon's gardens to convey the natural morality of the
children's love, shaped and cultivated by experience. So. too. he
entrusts them to the care of Pan and Dionysus, gods of natural
sexuality, and to Eros, god of irresistible love. This is further
enforced by the motif of milk and wine. symbolizing innocence and
passion.
Longus' Daphnis and Chloe is an interesting example of an unusual genre,
Greek romance. This is an identifiable, if evolving, genre that
manifests certain structural elements. First of all, it is a prose
narrative, and the subject is fictional rather than mythical; the pair
of lovers fall into love at first sight, but their union is frustrated
by internal and external obstacles; the gods are the agency of the final
union of the lovers and the subsequent happy ending. Daphnis and Chloe
contains all these elements, although some, such as the obstacles to the
lovers' union and the intervention of the gods, are given more
prominence. It is also a work that stresses parallels in its structure.
From the mysterious birth of the heroes in nature to the recognition of
their beauty to the threats to each to the final recognition of their
true nature, one element is being set against another. This parallel
structure is mirrored by the style, with its long strings of clauses and
comparisons and juxtapositions.
The plot structure is clearly connected to Greek romance, but the world
in which the book exists is a pastoral one and uses many of the elements
from that literary tradition, especially those from the Greek poet who
invented the pastoral, Theocritus. Daphnis and Chloe are both born in a
rural setting; their lives are sustained by the care and nurturing of a
goat and a sheep. Both of the main characters work, but their work,
tending their flocks, seems less important than their piping and singing
and their worship of the nature gods that surround them. Furthermore,
nature is beneficent; the animals respond to the piping of their
masters, and descriptions of flowers and gardens abound. It is important
that Daphnis and Chloe return to the pastoral world after their true
social position is recognized; they may be too noble for their foster
parents, but they are not and cannot be too noble for the benign world
of nature the pastoral portrays.
Another important element of the pastoral in Daphnis and Chloe is the
seasons. They are rendered in great detail, and they mirror the waxing
and waning of the love between Daphnis and Chloe. Winter obstructs their
love, while spring is the time when Daphnis begins to perceive the
possibilities of erotic love. Summer is a time when the new knowledge
must be controlled; their anticipated union takes place in autumn, amid
harvest festivals and the appearance of their lord. The natural rhythms
mirror the development and attitude of the main characters.
The parents of Daphnis and Chloe and their neighbors are firmly located
in the bucolic—or more realistic— aspects of the pastoral. Their work,
rather than their singing or feelings, is stressed, and their origin is
clearly human and simple, not noble. They worry about crops, survival,
and the proper mates for their children. They do not have leisure for or
interest in the worship of nature, although some minor characters, such
as Philetas, who has seen and worships the god Eros, are taken directly
from earlier pastorals.
Daphnis and Chloe are innocent, and that innocence is preserved in the
pastoral world they inhabit. They often teaches Chloe how to play the
pipe, as he later teaches her how to love. Their innocence extends to
their sexuality; they do not know the ways of love, and when the first
knowledge of this world comes to Daphnis and then Chloe it is disturbing
and confusing.
The contrast between the world outside and the pastoral one within is
very strong throughout Daphnis and Chloe. Pirates and raiders invade the
green world and attempt to carry off first Daphnis and then Chloe. The
suitors for the hand of Chloe are also seen as impeding the natural
union of the lovers. They have wealth and property to offer—elements
that have no place in the pastoral world. A prime example of the way
such characters soil the pastoral world is the court parasite Gna-thon,
who has a homosexual longing for Daphnis and plots to take him to the
city and away from Chloe.
The presence of the gods is a very important element of Daphnis and
Chloe. They can be found in the Cave of the Nymphs and in Pan, who is
worshipped by the people, especially the parents of Daphnis and Chloe.
Pan also rescues Chloe at the urging of the Nymphs when she is taken as
a slave. The god Dionysus is also an important figure in the book, since
he is worshipped as the bringer of fertility to the land. The final
recognition by a lord called Dionysophanes of the noble origins of
Daphnis and Chloe is only a final manifestation of the gods' presence.
The most important theme in the book is love. Love moves from the
brother-sister affection of the pair through early stirrings of
affection and admiration to an erotic union; that union is natural and
predestined, but it must be developed and tested. Eros, a god who is
described as older than time, has, in fact, planned their union and
guides and protects them from the assaults of others and their own
premature sexual feelings. The act of love is described by Lycaenion as
"bloody" and frightful to Chloe, and Daphnis' delicacy in resisting the
urge to see sexuality as a merely natural element is crucial to his
development. Their union can come only when they are recognized for what
they truly are: nobles.
Daphnis and Chloe is a hybrid work; it is part Greek romance, part
pastoral, and even part New Comedy. It blends these various genres to
produce a work that portrays the movement from innocence to experience;
this movement is seen as a natural and gratifying process rather than a
threatening one. The tale also elevates and redeems nature. Its rural
world is enhanced by the presence of characters from another realm who
find a home there. It gives us a vision of a desirable world of nature,
fertility, and nobility to which we can aspire if never reach.
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Daphnis and
Chloe by
Gleyre Charles Marc Gabriel
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Daphnis and Chloe
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Translated out of the Greek by George Thornley, Anno. 1657
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THE FIRST BOOK
WHEN I was hunting in Lesbos, I saw in the Grove of the Nymphs,
a
Spectacle, the most beauteous, and pleasing of any, that ever
yet I
cast my eyes upon. It was an Icon, or varied picture, reporting
a
History of Love. The Grove indeed was very pleasant, thick set
with
trees, and starr'd with flowers every where; and water'd all
from one
Fountain, with divers Mæanders and Rills. But that picture, as
having
in it, not onely an excellent, and wonderfull piece of Fortune,
but also the Art of Ancient Love, was far more amiable. And
therefore
many foreigners enchanted by the fame of it, came as much to see
that, as in devotion to the Nymphs. There were figured in it,
young
women in the posture of teeming their babes: there were others
swaddling children that were exposed, children which by the
destiny
of the draught, did then tend their flocks of Sheep and Goats;
there
were many Shepherds slain; young men banded together; Incursions
of
Theeves; Impressions of Enemies; Inroads of armed men. When I
had
seen with admiration these, and many other Things, but all
belonging
to the sweet, or to the dangerous affairs of Love; I had a
mighty
Instigation to write something, as to answer that Picture. And
therefore, when I had carefully sought, and found an Interpreter
of
the Image, I drew up these four Books; A Perpetuall Oblation to
Love;
an everlasting Anathema, Sacred to Pan and the Nymphs; and a
Delightful Possession, even for all men. For this will cure him
that
is sick; and rouze him that is in dumps; one that has loved, it
will
remember of it; one that has not, it will instruct. For there
was
never any yet that wholly could escape Love, and never shall
there be
any: never, so long as beauty shall be; never, so long as eyes
can
see. -- But help me God to write with wisdom and proportion, the
Passions, and wonderfull fortunes of others; and while I write
of
their Loves, keep me in my own right Wits.
Mitylene is a City in Lesbos, and by
ancient Titles of honour, it is
the Great, and Fair Mitylene. For it is distinguisht, and
divided
(the Sea flowing in) by a various Euripus, and is adorn'd with
many
Bridges built of white and polisht Marble. You would not think
you
saw a City, but an Iland in an Iland. From this Mitylene some
twenty
furlongs, there lay a Mannor of a certain rich Lord, the most
sweet
and pleasant prospect under all the Eyes of Heaven. There were
Mountains, stored with wild Beasts for Game; there were Hills,
and
Banks that were spread with Vines; the Fields abounded with all
sorts
of Corn; the Valleys with Orchards, and Gardens, and purles from
the
Hills; The Pastures with Sheep, and Goats, and Kine; the Sea
billows
dashed to the shore as it lay extended along in an open horizon,
with
a soft and glittering sand. In this sweet Countrey, the field
and
farm of Mitylene a Goat-herd dwelling, by name Lamo, found an
Infant-
boy exposed; by such a chance (it seems) as this. There was a
Laun,
and in it a place of thick Groves, and many brakes, all lined
with
wand'ring Ivie, the inner ground furred over with a finer sort
of
grasse, and on that the Infant lay. A Goat coming often hither,
neglecting still her own Kid, to attend the wretched child. Lamo
observes her frequent outs and Discursations, and pittying that
the
Kid should be so forsaken, follows her even at high-noon; and
anon he
sees the Goat walking carefully about the child, holding up, and
setting down her feet softly, lest she should chance to tread
upon
it, or to hurt it with her hooves; and the Infant drawing milk
as
from the breast of a kind mother. And wondering at it, (as well
he
might) he comes nearer, and finds it a manchild, a lusty boy,
and
beautifull; with pretious accoutrements about him, the monuments
and
admonitions of a secret noble Stem. His mantle, or little Cloak
was
purple, fastened with a Golden button; and by his side, a little
dagger, the handle polisht Ivory. He thought at first to take
away
the fine Things, and take no thought about the child. But
afterwards
conceiving shame within himself if he should not imitate the
kindnesse and philanthropy that he had seen in that Goat,
waiting
till the night came on, he brings all to Myrtale his Wife, the
boy,
his pretious Trinkets, and the Goats. But Myrtale all amazed at
This,
What (quoth she) do Goats cast boyes? Then he fell to tell her
all;
namely, how he had found him Exposed; how suckled, how overcome
by
meer shame he could not leave the sweet child to dye in that
forsaken
thicket. And therefore when he discerned Myrtale was of his
mind, the
things exposed together with him, are laid up carefully and hid;
they
say the boy's their own child, and put him to the Goat to nurse.
And
that his name might be indeed a Shepherds name, they agreed to
call
him Daphnis. And now when two years time was past, a shepherd of
the
neighbouring fields, had the luck to see such sights and find
such
rarities as Lamo did. There was a Nymphæum, a solitary, sacred
Cave
of the Nymphs, a huge rock, hollow and vaulted within, but round
without. The Statues, or Images of the Nymphs were cut out most
curiously in stone, barefooted, and bare-legg'd; their arms
naked up
to the shoulders; all their hair loose and playing carelessly,
their
eyes and lips smiting the Mœdiama, the proper sweetnesse of the
Nymphs; their vests, and lawnie-petticoats tied, and tuckt up at
the
waste. The whole presence made a figure as of a divine ammusing
Dance, or Masque. The mouth, and sieling of the Cave reacht the
midst
of that great rock. And from below out of the Chasme, gusht a
strong
Chrystal Fountain into a fair current or brook, and made before
the
holy Cave, a fresh green, and flowery Mead. There were hanged
up, and
consecrated there, the milking-pailes of fair Maids;
Shepherds-pipes,
ho-boyes, whistles, and reeds, the Gifts and Anathema's of the
ancient Shepherds. To this Cave the often gadding of an Ewe,
made the
Shepherd often think, that she undoubtedly was lost. Desiring
therefore to correct the straggler, and reduce her to her rule;
of a
green With, he made a snare, and lookt to catch her in the Cave.
But
when he came there, he saw things he never dreamed of. For he
saw her
giving suck from her duggs in a very humane manner; and an
Infant,
without crying, greedily to lay, first to one dugge, then the
t'other, a most neat and fair mouth: for when the Child had
suckt
enough, the careful Nurse lickt it still, and trimmed it up.
That
Infant was a Girle, and in such manner as before, was trickt and
harnessed out with fine and rich advertisements of her origin
and
Extraction: on her head she wore a Mitre embroider'd with Gold;
her
shoes were Gilded; her blankets and Mantle cloth of Gold.
Wherefore
Dryas thinking with himself that this could not come about
without
the providence of the Gods, and learning mercy from the Sheep,
takes
her up into his arms, puts her Monuments into his Scrip, and
prayes
to the Nymphs he may happily preserve, and bring up, their
Suppliant,
and Votary. Now therefore when it was time to drive home his
flocks,
he comes to his Cottage, and tells all, that he had seen, to his
Wife; shews her what he had found; bids her think she is her
daughter; and however, nurse her up, though uncertain, though
unknown. Nape, that was her name, began presently to be a
Mother, and
with a kind of Jealousie would appear to love the Child, lest
that
Ewe should get more praise; and all in haste gives her the
pastoral
Name of Chloe, to assure us, it's their own. These Infants, grew
up
apace, and still their beauty appeared too excellent to suit
with
rusticks, or derive at all from Clowns. And Daphnis now is
fifteen,
and Chloe younger two years. Upon a night Lamo and Dryas had
their
visions in their sleep. They thought they saw those Nymphs, the
Goddesses of the Cave, out of which the Fountain gusht out into
a
stream; and where Dryas found Chloe; That they delivered Daphnis
and
Chloe to a certain young boy, very disdainfull, very fair; one
that
had wings at his shoulders, wore a bowe, and little darts; and
that
this boy did touch them both with the very self-same dart; and
commanded it from thenceforth, one should feed his flock of
Goats;
the other keep her flock of sheep. This dream being dreamed by
both,
they could not but conceive grief, to think that Daphnis and
Chloe
should be nothing but Goat-herds like themselves, when they had
read
them better fortune from their Infant Swaddling cloaths; and for
that
cause, had both allowed them bolted bread, with a finer sort of
meat,
and bin at charge to teach them to read a ballad in the Lesbian
Tongue; and whatsoever things were passing brave, among the
rurall
Swains and Girls. Yet neverthelesse it seemed fit, that the
Mandats
of the Gods concerning them, who by their providence were saved,
should be attended, and obeyed. And having told their dreams to
one
another, and sacrificed in the cave of the Nymphs to that winged
boy
(for his name they knew not yet:) They set them out Shepherds
with
their flocks; and to every thing instructed: how to feed before
high-
noon, and when the scorching Glare declined; when to drive their
flocks to water; when to bring them to the folds; what cattell
was
disciplin'd with the Crook; what commanded by the Voice. And now
this
pretty pair of young Shepherds, are as jocund in themselves as
if
they had got some great Empire, while they sit looking over
their
goodly flocks; and with more than usual kindnesse, treated both
the
Sheep and Goats. For Chloe thankfully referred her preservation
to a
Sheep: and Daphnis had not forgot to acknowledge his to a Goat.
It was the beginning of Spring, and
all the flowers of the Launs,
Meadowes, Valleyes, and Hills, were now blowing; all was fresh,
and
green, and odorous. The Bee's humming from the flowers, the
Bird's
warbling from the groves, the Lamb's skipping on the hills, were
pleasant to the ear, and eye. And now when such a fragrancy had
filled those blest and happy fields, both the old men and the
young,
would imitate the pleasant things they heard, and saw; and
hearing
how the birds did chant it, they began to carroll too; and
seeing how
the Lambs skipt, tript their light and nimble measures; then to
emulate the Bees, they fall to cull the fairest flowers. Some of
which in toysome sport they cast in one anothers bosoms, and of
some
plaited Garlands for the Nymphs. And always keeping near
together,
had, and did all things in common: for Daphnis often gathered in
the
straggling sheep; and Chloe often drove the bolder ventrous
Goats
from the crags, and precipices; and sometimes to one of them,
the
care of both the flocks was left, while the other did intend
some
pretty knack, or Toysome play. For all their sport, were sports
of
children, and of Shepherds. Chloe scudding up and down, and here
and
there picking up the windlestrawes; would make in plats, a Trap
to
catch a Grasshopper; and be so wholly bent on that, that she was
carelesse of her flocks. Daphnis on the other side, having cut
the
slender reeds, and bored the quils, or intervals between the
joynts,
and with his soft wax joyned and fitted one to another; took no
care
but to practise, or devise some tune, even from morning, to the
twilight. Their wine, and their milk, and whatever was brought
from
home to the fields, they had still in common. And a man might
sooner
see all the Cattel separate from one another, then he should
Chloe
and Daphnis, asunder. But while they are thus playing away their
time, to sweeten pleasure, afterwards Love procures them these
Cares:
A Wolf that had a kennel of whelps, came often ravenous upon the
fields, and bore away many cattel, because she needed much prey,
to
keep her self and those cubs. The Villagers therefore meet
together,
and in the night they dig a ditch of a propor-tinall Length, and
Depth, and Breadth; the earth flung up they scatter all abroad
at a
good distance, by handfulls; and laying over-crosse the Chasm,
long,
dry, and rotten sticks, they strow them over with that earth
which
did remain: that if a Hare did but offer to run there, she could
not
choose but break those rods, that were as brittle as the
stubble; and
then would easily make it known, that that indeed was not true,
but
only Counterfeited Soil. Many such Trap-ditches were digg'd in
the
Mountains, and the fields; yet they could not take this Wolf,
(for
she could perceive the Sophi-stick, and commentitious ground:)
but
many of the Sheep and Goats were there destroyed; and there
wanted
but a little, that Daphnis too was not slain; and it was on this
chance: Two he-goats were exasperated to fight, and the shock
was
furious. One of them, by the violence of the very first Butt,
had one
of his horns broke; upon the pain and grief of that, all in a
fret
and mighty chase, he betakes himself to flight: but the victor
pursuing him close, would not let him take breath. Daphnis was
vext
to see the horn broke, and that kind of malepertnesse of the
Goat; up
he catches his club and pursues the pursuer. But, as it
frequently
happens when one hastes away as fast as possibly he can, and the
other with ardency pursues; there was no certain prospect of the
things before them, but into the Trapditch both fall, first the
Goat,
then Daphnis. And indeed it was only this that served to save
poor
Daphnis, that he flunder'd down to the bottome of the ditch a
cock-
horse on the rough Goat. There in a lamentable case he lay,
waiting,
if perchance it might be some body to draw him out. Chloe seeing
the
accident, away she flyes to weep over Daphnis his grave, and
found he
was alive, though buried there, and calls for help to a herdsman
of
the adjoyning fields. When he was come, he bustled about for a
long
Cord: but finding none, Chloe in a tearing haste, pulls off her
hair-
lace and her fillet, gives him them to let down; and standing on
the
pit brim, both began to draw and hale; and Daphnis holding fast
by
it, nimbly followed Chloe's line, and so ascended to the Top.
They
drew up too the wretched Goat, which now had both his horns
broke (so
fiercely did the revenge of the victor pursue him,) and they
gave him
to the herdsman as a reward of the rescue, and redemption of
their
lives. And if any body mist him at home, they would say it was
the
Invasion of the Wolf: and so returned to their Sheep and Goats.
And
when they had found that all were feeding orderly, according to
the
precepts of Lamo and Dryas; sitting down upon the Trunk of an
Oak,
they began curiously to search, whether he had hurt any limb in
that
terrible fall; but nothing was hurt, nothing bloodied; onely his
head, his bosome, and some other parts, were durtied by the soil
which covered over, and hid the Trap. And therefore they thought
it
best before the accident was made known to Lamo and Myrtale,
that he
should wash himself in the Cave of the Nymphs. And coming three
together with Chloe, he gives her his Scrip, his Jacket, and his
Shirt to hold while he washt. But it happened that in an Agonie
that
one kisse had cast him into, he fell to mutter with himself,
such
fancies as these. Whither, in the name of the Nymphs, will that
kisse
of Chloe drive me? Her lips are softer than Roses, and sweeter
than
the honeycombs of the Launs, and Meadowes; but her kisse stings
like
a Bee. I have often kist the young kids; I have kist a pretty
whippet, the whelp of Melampo; and that Calf which Dorco gave
me; but
this kisse is a new thing. My heart leaps up to my lips; my
spirit
sparckles, and my soul melts; and yet I am mad to kisse her
again. Oh
what a mischievous Victory is this! Oh what a disease, whose
name I
know not! Did Chloe take poyson before she kist me? How then is
she
not dead? How sweetly sing the Nightingales, while my pipe hangs
on
yonder pine? How wantonly the Kids skip, and I lie still upon
the
ground? How sweetly do the flowers grow, and I neglect to make
garlands? So it is, the Violet, Hyacinth, and the Cowslips
flourish;
but alas, Daphnis, Daphnis withers! And will it come at length
to
this, that Dorco shall appear hereafter handsomer then I to
Chloe?
These Passions and Complaints the good Daphnis felt, and
murmured to
himself, as now first beginning to taste of the works and
language of
Love. But Dorco the Herdsman observing when Dryas planted his
Scyons
near the palmits or spreading branches of the Vines, came to him
with
certain cheeses, and his wooing and wedding Pipes about him: the
Cheeses he presented him withall, as one who had long been his
acquaintance and friend, when he himself tended Cattel. And
taking
his rise from thence, he cast in words about the marrying of
Chloe,
and if he might have her to his Wife, promised many and great
Gifts,
according to the Estate of Herdsmen; a yoake of Oxen for the
plough,
four hives of Bees; fifty choyse young Appletrees; a good
Bull-Hide
to make Shooes; every year a weaned Calf: so that it wanted but
a
little, that, allured by these Gifts, Dryas did not promise
Chloe.
But when he had recollected himself, and found the Maid deserved
a
better husband; and likewise, that he had reason to fear, lest
at any
time being deprehended to have taken away the exposed Child, he
should fall into a mischief, from which he could no way then
escape;
he desires to be excused, denyes the Marriage, rejects the
Gifts. But
Dorco falling from his hope, and losing his Cheeses, resolves
with
himself to lay his clutches upon Chloe, if ever he could catch
her
alone. And having observed, that every day, sometimes Daphnis,
sometimes the Girle, drove the flocks to watering; he practised
a
Trick not unbecoming one that tended a herd of Cattel. He took
the
skin of a huge Wolf, which formerly the Bull, fighting for the
herd,
had killed with his horns, and flung it o're his back, and it
dangled
down to his feet; so that the fore-feet were drawn on his hands,
the
hinder, over his thighs to his heels; and the Gaping of the
mouth
covered his head, like the helmet of an armed man. When he was
got
into this Lycanthropy, as well as possibly he could; he makes to
the
Fountain where the flocks, after their feeding, used to drink.
But
that Fountain lay in a Bottom, and about it all the place, was
rough
with bushes, thorns, brakes, thistles, and the brush Juniper; so
that
indeed, a true Wolf might very well lye lurking there. Therefore
when
he had hid himself, he waited the time when the Cattel were
driven
thither to drink, and conceived no small hope, that in the habit
of a
Wolf (a beast that scares our voice away;) he should snap the
poor
Chloe. After a while she left Daphnis shaking down green leaves
for
the Goats, and drove her flocks down to the Fountain. But the
flock-
dogs following Chloe, and barking at Dorco, who had moved
himself and
rusled in the brakes, because he perceived they were hot on the
Sent;
fell on him furiously as on a Wolf; and before he could wholly
rise
from the lurk, because of the suddain consternation,
all-to-towsed
the Wolf-Dorco, and gave him many a sharp nip. However, fearing
lest
he should be manifestly discovered, blamed, and shamed, guarding
himself as he could, with the skin, he lay close and still in
the
thicket. But when Chloe was feared at the first sight of she
knew not
what, and cryed out to Daphnis for help; the doggs soon tore his
vizard off, tattered the skin, and bit him soundly. Then he
roared
and cried out amain, and begged for help of Daphnis and Chloe.
They
rated off the doggs with their usual known recalls; and lead
Dorco,
who was torn in the shoulder and the Thigh to the Fountain, &c.,
where they found the doggs had left the print of their teeth.
There
sweet Chloe gently washt, and chewing in her mouth, the green
ryne of
the Elme, applyed it softly to his wounds. Now, because of their
unskilfulnesse in amorous adventures, they thought Dorco's
disguising, and hiding of himself, was nothing else but a
Pastoral
pranck, and were not at all moved at it; but endeavouring first,
to
cheer and erect him with the gentle language of pitty, and
leading
him by the hand some part of his way, they bid him farewell, and
dismist him.
But Daphnis and Chloe had much ado
to get together, before it was
late in the evening, their scattered, straggling Sheep and
Goats. For
they were terrified with the wolfs-skin, and the fierce barking,
and
baying of the dogs; and some ran up the steeps craggs; some ran
on
rucks, and hurried down to the Sea-shore: although they were
taught,
not only to obey the voice, and be quieted by the pipe, but to
be
driven up together, even by the clapping of the hands. But fear
had
cast in an oblivion of all: so that at length with much stirre,
following their steps, like Hares by the foot; they drave them
home
to their own folds. That night alone Daphnis and Chloe slept
soundly,
and found, that weariness was some kind of remedy for the
passion of
Love. But as soon as the day appeared, they fell again to these
fits.
When they saw one another, they were passing joyful; and sad, if
it
chanced, that they were parted; in their grief they were
voluntiers,
and yet they knew not what they would have. Only this one thing
they
knew, that kissing had destroyed Daphnis, and bathing had undone
Chloe. Now besides this, the season of the year inflamed and
burnt
them. For now the cooler spring was ended, and the Summer was
ended,
and the Autumn was come on, and all things were got to their
highest
flourishing akme and, vigour; the tree with their fruits, the
fields
with standing Corn. Sweet then, was the singing of the
Grasshoppers;
sweet was the odour of the fruits; and not unpleasant, the very
bleating of the sheep. A man would have thought that the very
rivers
by their gentle gliding away, did sing; and that the softer
gales of
wind, did play, and whistle on the pines; that the Cattel, as
languishing with love, lay down and slumbered on the ground; and
that
the Sun, as a lover of beauty, unvailed, did strive to undresse,
and
turn the ruralls all naked. By all these was Daphnis inflamed;
and
therefore often he goes to the Rivers and Brooks, there to bathe
and
cool himself, and often he drinks of the clear purls, as
thinking by
that, to quench his inward Caum, and scorching. When Chloe had
spent
much time, because the flyes were importune, and vexatious, to
milk
the Sheep, and the Goats, and to curdle, and presse it into
smaller
Cheeses; she washt her self, and crowned her head with
pineboughes;
and when she had girt her Kidskin about her, she took a piggin,
and
with wine and milk, she made a Sillibub for her dear Daphnis and
herself. When it grew towards noon, they fell to their
fascination,
or catching of one another, by their eyes. For Chloe seeing
Daphnis
naked, thought she had fallen on the most sweet and florid
beauty,
and therefore could not choose but melt, as being not able to
find in
him the least moment to dislike or blame. Daphnis again if he
saw
Chloe in her Kidskin, and her Pine coronet, give him the
Sillibub to
drink, thought he saw one of the Nymphs, the fairest of the holy
Cave. Therefore taking off her pine, he would put it on his own
head;
and when he had kist it o're and o're, set it upon hers again.
And
Chloe, when he was naked and bathing, would take up his vest,
and
when she kist it, put it on upon her self. Sometimes they flung
apples at one another, sometimes they drest, and distinguisht
one
anothers hair, into curious trammels, and locks. And Chloe
likened
Daphnis his hair, to the Myrtle, because it was black: Daphnis
again,
because her face was white and ruddy, compared it to the fairest
Apple. He taught her too, to play on the pipe, and always when
she
began to blow, would catch the pipe away from her lips, and run
it
presently o're with his: he seemed to teach her when she was
out, but
with that specious pretext, by the pipe, he kist Chloe. But it
happened, when he played on his pipe at noon, and the Cattel
took
shade, that Chloe fell unawares asleep. Daphnis observed it, and
laid
down his Pipe; and without any shame or fear, was bold to view
her
all over, and every limb, insatiably; and withall, spoke softly
thus:
What sweet Eyes are those that
sleep? How sweetly breathes that rosie
mouth? The Apples smell not like to it, nor the flowery launes,
and
thickets. But I am afraid to kisse her. For her Kisse stings to
my
heart, and makes me mad, like new honey. Besides, I fear, lest a
Kisse should chance to wake her. O ye prating Grasshoppers, ye
make a
noyse to break her sleep! And the Goats beside are fighting, and
they
clatter with their hornes. Yee Wolves, worse dastards then the
Foxes,
come and ravish them away. While he was muttering this passion,
a
Grasshopper that fled from a Swallow, took Sanctuary in Chloe's
bosome, and the pursuer could not take her; but her wing, by
reason
of her close pursuit, flapt the girle upon the cheek; but she
not
knowing what was done, cryed out, and started from her sleep.
But
when she saw the Swallow flying near by, and Daphnis laughing at
her
fear, she began to give it over, and rub her eyes that yet were
sleeping. The Grasshopper sang out of her bosome, as if her
suppliant
were now giving thanks for the protection. Therefore Chloe again
squeakt out; but Daphnis could not hold laughing, nor passe the
opportunity, to put his hand into her bosome, and draw forth the
Grasshopper, which still did sing even in his hand. When Chloe
saw
it, she was pleased, and put it in her bosome again, and it
prattled
all the way. But besides these, the Stock-dove did delight them
too;
and sang from the Woods, her bucolic's. But Chloe desiring to
know,
askt Daphnis what that complaint of the Stock-dove meant; and he
told
her the tradition of the ancient Shepherds. The Stock-dove (
Chloe)
was once a very fair Maid, as thou thy self now art; and in the
flower of her age, kept her herds, as thou dost thine. She was
skilfull in Musick, and her herds were so taken with her voice
and
pipe, that they needed not the discipline of the staffe, or
goad: but
sitting under a pine, and wearing, a coronet of the same, she
would
sing of Pan and Pitys, and her cowes, would never wander out of
her
voyce. There was a Youth that kept his herd not far off; and he
was
fair, and Musical, and not inferiour to the maid: but, as he
tryed
with all his skill, to emulate her notes and tones; he played a
higher strain, as a male, and yet sweet, as being a boy; and so
allured, from the maids Herd, eight of her best Cowes, to his
own.
She took it ill that her herd was so diminisht, and in very deep
disdain, that she was his inferiour at the art; and presently
prayed
to the gods, that she might be transformed to a Bird, before she
did
return home. The gods consent, and turn her into a
mountain-bird,
because the Maid did haunt there; and Musicall, as she had been:
And
singing still, to this day, she publishes her heavy chance, and
demands her Cowes again. Such delights and pleasures as these,
the
Summer time entertained them withall. But when Autumme was come
in,
and the grapes were ripe, the Tyrian Pyrats, in a Carian Vessel,
lest
perchance they should seem to be Barbarrians, sailed up to the
fields; and coming ashore, armed with swords, and half-corslets,
fell
to rifle, plunder, and carry away the best of all that came to
hand;
the fragrant wines, great store of grain, the most pretious of
the
honey-combs. Some oxen too they drove away from Dorco's herd,
and
took Daphnis as he wandered near the Sea. For Chloe, as a Maid,
was
fearfull of the fierce and surly Shepherds; and therefore, till
it
was somewhat later, drove not out the flocks of Dryas. And when
they
saw the young man was proper and handsome, and of a higher price
than
any of their other prey, they thought it not worth their staying
longer about the Goats, or other fields, and hall'd him aboard,
lamenting, and not knowing what to do, and calling loud and
often, on
the name of Chloe. But they, when they had loosed from the
shore, and
cast in their Oars, when Chloe had brought out her sheep, and
with
her, a new pipe, that was sent to Daphnis, made in haste away to
Sea.
When Chloe saw the Goats in a hurry, and heard Daphnis louder
and
louder call Chloe, she presently casts off all care of her
flocks,
flings the pipe on the ground, and runs amain for help to Dorco
But
he being cruelly wounded by the theeves, and breathing yet a
little,
his blood gushing out, was laid along upon the ground. Yet
seeing
Chloe, and a little spark of his former love being awakened in
him;
Chloe, (said he) I shall now presently dye: for, alas, those
cursed
Theeves, as I fought for my Herd, have kill'd me, like an Oxe.
But do
thou preserve our Daphnis, and in their sudden destruction, take
vengeance for me, on the Rogues. I have accustomed my Herd to
follow
the sound of this Pipe, and to obey the charm of it, although
they
feed a good way off me. Come hither then, and take the pipe, and
blow
that tune, which I heretofore taught Daphnis, and Daphnis thee,
and
call'd it Dorco. Leave the care of what shall follow, to the
pipe,
and Cowes alone. And to thee, Chloe, I give this Pipe; this
Pipe, by
which I have often conquered many Herdsmen, many Goatherds. But,
for
this, come, and kisse me, (sweet Chloe) while I am yet awhile
alive;
and when I am dead, weep a tear or two o're me: and if thou
seest
some other tending my Herd, upon these Hills, I pray thee, then
remember Dorco.
Thus spake Dorco, and received his
last Kisse; and together with the
Kisse, and his voyce, breathed out his Soul. But Chloe taking
the
pipe, and putting it to her lips, began to play and whistle, as
loud
as possibly she could: The Cowes aboard the Pyrats presently
hear,
and acknowledge the Musick; and with one bounce, and a huge
bellowing, shoot themselves impetuously into the Sea. By that
violent
bounding on one of her sides, the Pinnace toppled, and the Sea
gaping
from the bottom, by the fall of the Cowes in, the Surges on a
suddain
return, and sink her down, and all that were in her, but with
unequal
hope of escape. For the Theeves. had their Swords on, with their
sealed, and nailed Corslets, and were booted up to the middle of
their thighs. But Daphnis was barefoot, as he was wont to go in
the
fields, it being yet the heat of Summer. Wherefore they when
they had
swom a little while, were carried by their arms to the bottom.
Daphnis on the other side, easily got off his clothes; and yet
was
much puzzled to swim, because he had been used before onely to
the
brooks and Rivers. But at length, being taught by Necessity what
was
best for him to do, he rushes into the midst of the Cowes, and
on his
right, and left, laid hold on two of their horns; and so without
trouble or pain, was carried between them to the Land, as if he
had
driven a falcked Chariot. And thus poor Daphnis was preserved,
escaping beyond hope, two dangers at once, ship-wrack, and
latrociny.
When he was out, he found Chloe laughing, and crying; and,
casting
himself into her arms, askt her what she meant, when she piped
and
whistled so loud. Then she told him all that had happened; how
she
scutled up to Dorco; how the Cowes, had been accustomed; how she
was
bidden to play on the pipe; and that their friend Dorco was
dead;
onely for shame she told him not of that Kisse. They thought
then
that it was their duty to honour their great benefactor, who so
highly had obliged them; and there-fore they lamented, and
buried the
unfortunate Dorco, with all the Rites and Ceremonies of the
ancient
Shepherds. By the name Dorco, thrice they call'd upon his Ghost;
then
laid good store of Earth upon the Coarse. On his Grave they set
abundance of the most fragrant, lasting, sative plants, and
flowers;
and vowed an Anniversary suspension to him of some of the first
fruits of the year. Besides, they poured on the ground a
libation of
milk, and pressed with their hands the fairest bunches of the
grapes,
and then with eyes cast on the ground, broke many shepherds
pipes
o're him. There were heard miserable groans, and bellowings of
the
Cowes, and Oxen; and together with them, certain incomposed
cursations, and freques, were seen. The Cattel of the Herd
amongst
themselves, as well as the Goatherds, and the Shepherds, had a
kind
of lamentation, for the death, and losse of their keeper. When
the
Funeral of Dorco was done, Chloe brought Daphnis to the Cave of
the
Nymphs, and washed him stark naked with her own hands; and she
her
self, Daphnis then first of all, looking and gazing on her,
washed
her naked limbs before him; her limbs, which for their perfect
and
most excellent beauty, needed neither wash nor dresse: and when
they
had done, they gathered flowers, to crown the Statues of the
Nymphs,
and hang'd up Dorco's charming pipe, for an Anathema in the
phane.
Then coming away, they looked what became of their Sheep and
Goats;
and found, that they neither fed, nor blated, but were all laid
upon
the ground, as wanting Daphnis and Chloe, that had been so long
out
of their sight. When they saw this, and had call'd, and
whistled, as
they were wont; they rose up presently, and fell to feed; and
the
mantling Goats skipt and leapt, as rejoycing at the safety of
their
familiar Goat-herd. But Daphnis for his life could not be merry,
because he had seen Chloe naked, and that Venus of her beauty,
which
before was not unvailed. His heart was gnawed, as with a secret
poyson; and had deep sentiments of grief and anguish: insomuch,
that
sometimes he puffed and blowed thick and short, as if some body
had
been in a close pursuit of him: sometimes again, he breathed so
faintly, as if he had been quite spent in running. That washing
seemed to him more dangerous and formidable, then the Sea: And
he
thought his life was still in the hands, and at the dispose of
the
Tyrian Pyrats, as being but a young Rustick, and yet unskill'd
in the
Assassinations and Robberies of Love.
Pierre Auguste Cot
THE SECOND BOOK
THIS Autumn now being grown to its height, and the Vintage at
hand;
every rurale began to stirre and be busie in the fields; some to
repair the Winepresses; some to scour the tuns, and hogs-heads;
others were making baskets, skeps, and panniers; and others
providing
little hooks to catch and cut the bunches of the grapes. Here
one was
looking busily about to find a stone that would serve him to
bruise
the stones of grapes: there another furnishing himself with a
stang,
of very dry and smooth wood, to carry away the must in the
night,
with light before him. Wherefore Daphnis and Chloe for this time
laid
aside the care of the flocks, and put their helping hands to the
work. Daphnis in his basket carried grapes, cast them into the
presse, and trod them there; and then anon, out of the Lake,
tunn'd
the Wine into the Butts. Chloe drest meat for the Vintagers, and
served them with drink, the old wine dasht with Fountain-water;
and
when she had done, gathered grapes of the lower vines. For all
the
vines about Lesbos incline themselves, and portend their palmits
towards the ground, and creep like the Ivie; so that indeed a
very
Infant, if that his hands be loose from his Swathes, may easily
reach
and pull a bunch. Now, as they were wont in the Feast of
Bacchus, and
the solemnization of the Genethliacs of wine; the women that
came
from the neighbouring fields to help, cast their eyes all upon
Daphnis, gave him prick and praise for beauty, and said, he was
like
to Bacchus himself. And now and then, one of the bolder
strapping
girls would catch him in her arms, and kisse him. Those wanton
praises and expressions, did animate the modest Youth, and more
and
more inflame him still, but vext and grieved the poor Chloe. But
those that were treading in the Presse, cast out various voyces,
words and verdicts upon Chloe, and sang the praise of the young
Baccha, like to so many Satyrs drunk with love and wine; and
wisht
that they themselves were sheep, that such a Shepherdesse might
tend
them. And thus the Girle was pleased too, and Daphnis stung with
jealousie. But they wisht the Vintage were done, that they might
return to their haunts in the fields; that, instead of that
wild,
untuned noyse of the clowns, they might hear again the sweet
Pipe, or
the bleating of the Cattel. And, because after a few dayes, the
grapes were gather'd, and the Wines tunn'd into the vessels, and
there needed not many hands to help; they drove again their
flocks to
the fields, and with great joy and exultation worshipt and
adored the
Nymphs, offering to them the first fruits, clusters hanging on
their
branches. Nor did they in former time, with negligence ever
passe by
the Nymphs; but alwaies when they came forth to feed, would sit
down
by them reverentially in the Cave; and when they went home,
would
first adore, and beg their Grace; and brought to them alwayes
something, either a flower, or an apple, or an apronfull of
green
leaves, or a sacrifice of milk. And for this great piety and
devotion, they afterwards received no small rewards and favours
from
the Goddesses. And now being got at liberty, they skip, and
dance,
and sing, and pipe to their flocks. While they thus delight
themselves, there comes up to them an old man, clad in his rugg,
and
mantle of skins, his carbatins, or clouted shooes; his scrip
hanging
at his back, and that indeed a very old one: when he was sate
down by
them, thus he spoke, and told his story.
I ( Daphnis and Chloe) am that old
Philetas, who have often sung to
these Nymphs; and often pip't to yonder Pan; and have led many
great
herds, by the art of Musick alone; and I come to shew you what I
have
seen, and to tell you what I have heard. I have a Garden which
my own
hands and labour planted; and ever since by my old age I gave
over
fields and herds, to dresse and trim it, has been my care and
entertainment; what flowers, or fruits the season of the year
teems,
there they are at every season. In the spring there are Roses,
and
Lillies, the Hyacinths, and both the forms of Violets. In the
Summer
Poppies, Pears, and all sorts of Apples. And now in the Autumne
Vines, and Figtrees, Pomegranats, Oranges, Limons, and the green
myrtles. Into this Garden, flocks of birds come every morning;
some
to feed, some to sing. For it is thick, opacous, and shady; and
watered all by three fountains; and if you took the Wall away,
you
would think you saw a Wood. As I went in there yesterday about
noon,
a boy appear'd in the Pomgranate and Myrtle grove, with Myrtles
and
Pomgranats in his hand; white as milk, and shining with the
glance of
fire; clean and bright, as if he had newly wash't himself in all
the
three transparent Fountains. Naked he was, alone he was; he
play'd
and wanton'd it about, and cull'd and pull'd, as if it had been
his
own Garden. Therefore I ran at him as fast as I could, thinking
to
get him in my clutches. For indeed, I was afraid, lest, by that
wanton, untoward, malapert ramping, and hoytie-toitie which he
kept
in the grove; he would at length break my Pomgranats, and my
Myrtles.
But he, with a soft and easie sleight, as he listed, gave me the
slip, sometimes running under the Roses, sometimes hiding
himself in
the Poppies, like a cunning, hudling chick of a Partridge. I
have
often had enough to do, to run after the sucking kids; and tyred
my
self off my leggs, to catch a giddy young Calf. But this was a
certain various businesse, and a thing that could not be catcht.
Being then wearied, as an old man, and leaning upon my staff,
and
withall looking to him, lest he should escape away, I askt what
neighbours Child he was; and what he meant to rob anothers mans
Orchard so. But he answer'd me not a word; but coming nearer,
laught
most sweetly, and flung the Myrtle berries at me, and pleas'd me
so,
I know not how, that all my anger vanisht quite. I askt him
therefore, that he would give himself without fear, into my
hands,
and swore to him by the myrtles, that I would not onely send him
away
with Apples and Pomegranats, but give him leave, whensoever he
pleas'd, to pull the finest fruits and flowers, if he would but
give
me one kisse. With that, setting up a loud laughter, he sent
forth a
voice, such as neither the Swan, the Swallow, or the Nightingale
has,
and turn'd himself into Old Man like to me. Philetas (said he)
it
would be no trouble at all to me, to give thee a kisse, for it
is
more pleasure for me to kisse, then for thee to be young again:
but
consider with thy self, whether such a gift as that be of use to
thy
age. For thy old age cannot help thee that thou shalt not follow
me,
after a kiss that I have fired. But I cannot be taken, though a
Hawk,
or an Eagle, or any other swifter bird, were flown at me. I am
not a
boy, though I seem to be so, but am older than Saturn, and the
whole
time of this Universe. I knew thee, when thou wast yet a boy,
and
kept a great herd in yonder Marsh, and was present to thee, when
under those Beeches, thou didst sing, and play on the Pipe for
the
dear love of Amaryllis. But thou didset not see me, although I
stood
close by the Maid. It was I that gave her thee in marriage, and
thou
hast had Sons by her, jolly herdsmen, and Colones. And now I
take
care of Daphnis and Chloe; and when I have brought them together
in
the morning, I come hither to thy Garden, and take my pleasure
among
these groves and flowers of thine; and wash my self in these
Fountains. And this is the cause, why thy Roses, Violets,
Lillies,
Hyacinths, and Poppies; all thy flowers, and thy Plants, are
still so
fair and beautifull, because they are water'd with my wash. Cast
thy
eyes round about, and look whether there be any one stem of a
flower,
any twig of a Tree broken; whether any of thy fruits be pull'd,
or
any flower trodden down; whether any fountain be troubled, and
mudded; and thou (Philetas) of all mortals, rejoyce alone in thy
old
age. This said, the sweet boy sprung into the myrtle grove, and
like
a Nightingale, from bough to bough, under the green leaves,
skipt to
the top, and highest story of the Myrtles. Then I saw his wings
hanging at his shoulders; and at his back, between his wings, a
little bow with two Darts; and since that moment, never saw him
any
more. If therefore I wear not now these gray hairs of mine in
vain,
and by my age, have not got a trivial mind; you two, (O Daphnis
and
Chloe) are destin'd to Love; and Love himself takes care of you.
With
this they were both hugely delighted, and thought they heard a
Lesbian tale, not a true discourse, or story, and therefore they
would ask him questions:
And, what is Love (quoth Chloe
then)? Is he a boy, or is he a bird?
And, what can he do, I pray you, Gaffer?
Therefore again -- thus Philetas:
Love (sweet Chloe) is a god, a
young Youth, and very fair, and wing'd to flye. And therefore he
delights in youth, follows beauty, and gives our phantasie her
wings.
His power's so vaste, that that of Jove is not so great. He
governs
in the Elements, rules in the Stars, and domineers even o're the
gods, that are his Peers. Nor have you only dominion o're your
Sheep
and Goats, for Love has there his range too. All flowers are the
works of Love. Those Plants are his creations, and Poems. By him
it
is that the rivers flow, and by him the winds blow. I have known
a
Bull that has been in Love, and run bellowing through the
Meadows, as
if he had been prickt with a Goad; a he-goat too so in Love with
a
Virgin-she, that he has followed her up and down, through the
woods,
through the Launs. And I myself, when I was young, was in love
with
Amaryllis, and forgot to eat my meat, and drink my drink; and
for
many tedious nights, never could compose to sleep: my panting
heart
was very sad and anxious, and my body shook with cold: I cryed
out
oft, as if I had bin thwackt and basted back and sides: and then
again, was still and mute, as if I had layen among the dead: I
caft
my self into the Rivers, as if I had been all on a fire: I
call'd on
Pan, that he would help me, as having sometimes bin himself
catcht
with the Love of peevish Pitys: I praised the Echo, that with
kindnesse it restored, and trebbled to me, the dear name of
Amaryllis: I broke my Pipes, because they could delight, and
lead the
sturdy herds which way I would, and could not draw the froward
girle.
For there is no med'cine for Love, neither meat, nor drink, nor
any
Charm, but only Kissing, and Embracing, and lying naked
together.
Philetas when he had thus instructed the unskilful Lovers, and
was
presented with certain Cheeses, and a young Goat of the first
horns;
blest their love, and went his way. But when they were alone,
and had
then first heard of the name of love, their minds were struck
with a
kind of Woodnesse; and they began to compare those things which
they
had suffer'd in themselves, with the doctrine of Philetas
concerning
Lovers and Love. The Lover has his Grief and Sadnesse, and we
have
had our share of that. They are languishing and carelesse to
other
things: just so are wee. They cannot sleep, and we still watch
for
the early day. They think they are burnt; and so do we, even in
the
Fountains and the Brooks. They desire nothing more, then to see,
to
be near one another: And for that Cause, we call, and rouze the
heavy
day. This undoubtedly is Love, and we are in Love, and do not
know
it. Philetas did not lye a little. That Boy in the Garden was
seen
too, by our Fathers, Lamo, and Dryas; and 'twas he that
commanded us
to the field. How is it possible for one to catch him? he's
small and
slim, and so will slip and steal away. And how should one
escape, and
get away from him by flight? he has wings to overtake us. Shall
we
flye to the Nymphs, our Patronesses? But Pan, alas, did not help
his
servant Philetas, when he was mad on Amaryllis. Therefore those
remedies, which he taught us, are before all things, to be
tryed;
Kissing, Embracing, and Lying naked on the ground. It's cold
indeed;
but after Philetas wee'l endure it. This, to them, was a kind of
nocturnal play, and entertainment. When it was day, and their
flocks
were driven to the field, they ran to kisse, and embrace one
another
with a bold, impatient fury, which before they never did. Yet of
that
third remedy, which the old Philetas taught, they durst not make
experiment: for that was not onely an enterprise too bold for
Maids,
but too high for young Goatherds. Therefore ill, as before they
spent
their nights without sleep, and with remembrance of what was
done,
and with complaint, of what was not. We have kist one another,
and
are never the better; we have clipt and embrac't, and that's as
good
as nothing too. Therefore to lye together naked, is the onely
remaining remedy of Love. That must be tryed by all means;
ther's
something in it without doubt, more efficacious then in a kisse.
While they indulg'd these kind of thoughts, they had, as it was
like,
their sweet, erotic, amorous dreams; and what they did not in
the
day, that they acted in the night, and lay together stark naked,
kissing, clipping, twining limbs. But the next day, as if they
had
bin inspired with some stronger Numen, they rose up, and drive
their
flocks with a kind of violence to the fields, hasting to their
kisses
again; and when they saw one another, smiling sweetly ran
together.
Kisses past, Embraces past, but that third Remedy was wanting;
for
Daphnis durst not mention it, and Chloe too would not begin;
till at
length, even by chance, they made this essay of it: They sate
both
close together upon the trunck of an old Oak, and having tasted
the
sweetnesse of kisses, they were ingulf'd insatiably in pleasure,
and
there arose a mutual contention, and striving with their
clasping
arms, which made a close compression of their lips; and when
Daphnis
hugg'd her to him with a more violent desire, it came about that
Chloe inclin'd a little on her side, and Daphnis following his
kisse,
fell o' the top of her. And remembering that they had an image
of
this in their dreams the night before, they lay a long while
clinging
together. But being ignorant what after that was to be done, and
thinking that this was the end of amorous fruition, most part of
the
day spent in vain, they parted, and drove their flocks home from
the
fields, with a kind of hate to the oppression of the night. And
perchance something that was right and true had then bin done,
but
that this tumult and noyse fill'd all that rurall tract. The
young
gallants of Methymne thinking to keep the Vintage holy-dayes,
and
choosing to take the pleasure abroad, drew a small Vessell into
the
water, and putting in their own domestick Servants to rowe,
sail'd
about those pleasant Farms of Mytelene. For the maritim Coast
has
many Havens, many good and safe Harbours, and all along is
adorn'd
with many stately buildings, and stairs. There are besides, many
Baths, Gardens and Groves: these by Art, those by Nature; all
brave
for habitation.
The Ship therefore being arrived and
brought into the Bay, they did
no harm or injury to any, but recreated themselves with divers
pleasures: sometimes with Angles, taking fish from this or the
t'other prominent rock: sometimes with dogs or toyles hunting
the
Hares that fled from the noise of the Vineyards: then anon, they
would go a fowling, and take the Wildgoose, Duck, and Mallard,
and
the flower birds of the Marsh; and so by their pleasure furnisht
themselves with a plenteous table. If they needed anything else,
they
paid the Villagers above the price. But there was nothing else
wanting, but onely bread, and wine, and house-room. For they
thought
it unsafe, the Autumn now in its declination, to quit the Land,
and
lye all night aboard at Sea. And therefore drew the Vessel
ashore for
fear of a tempestuous night. Now it hapned, that a
Country-fellow
wanting a rope, his own being broke, to haul up the stone
wherewith
he was grinding grapestones for his use in the Winter, sneakt
down to
the Sea, and finding the Ship with no body in her, loos'd the
cable
that held her, and brought it away to serve his businesse. In
the
morning the young men of Methymne began to enquire after the
rope,
and no body owning the theevery; when they had a little blam'd
the
unkindnesse and injury of their hosts, they loos'd from thence,
and
sailing on some leagues, arrived at the fields of Daphnis and
Chloe,
those fields seeming the likeliest for hunting the Hare.
Therefore
being destitute of a rope to use for their Cable, they made a
Withe
of green and long Sallow twiggs, and with that tyed her by her
stern
to the shore. Then slipping their doggs to hunt those grounds
that
seem'd fittest for game, they cast their toils. The deepmouth'd
dogs
open'd loud, and running about, with much barking, scar'd the
Goats,
that all hurried down from the Mountains towards the Sea; and
finding
nothing there to eat, some of the bolder mischievous Goats
gnaw'd the
green Sallow With in pieces. At the same moment there began to
be a
bluster at Sea, the wind blowing from the Mountains. On a sudden
therefore the reciprocation of the waves set the loose Pinnace
afloat, and carried her off to the main. As soon as the
Methymnæans
heard the news, some of them posted to the Sea. Some stayed to
take
up the doggs, all made a hubbub through the fields, and brought
the
neighbouring rurals in. But all was to no purpose; all was lost,
all
was gone. For the ship with an irrevocable pernicity and
swiftnesse
was carried away. Therefore the Myethymnæns having a great losse
by
this, lookt for the Goat-herd; and, lighting on Daphnis, fell to
cuffe him, tore off his cloathes, and offer'd to bind his hands
behind him with a dog-slip. But Daphnis, when he was miserably
beaten, implor'd the help of the Countrey Lads, and chiefly of
all,
cryed out for rescue to Lamo and Dryas. They presently came in
and
opposed themselves brawny old fellowes, and such as by their
Countrey
labour had hands of steel; and requir'd of the furious Youths
concerning those things that had hapned, a fair legal debate and
decision. And others desiring the same thing, they made Philetas
the
herdsman Judge. For he was older of all those that were present,
and
famous for Justice among the Villagers. The Methymnæans
therefore
began first, and laid their accusation against Daphnis, in very
short
and perspicuous words, as before a herdsman-Judge.
We came into these fields to hunt,
wherefore, with a green Sallow
with, we left our Ship tyed to the shore. While our dogs were
hunting
the grounds, his Goats strayed from the Mountains down to the
Sea,
gnaw'd the green Cable in pieces, set her at liberty, and let
her
flye. You see her tossing in the Sea; but with what choice, and
rich
goods laden? all are lost before your face. What rare harnesses,
and
ornaments for dogs are there? what a treasury of precious
silver? he
that had all, might easily purchase these fields. For this
dammage,
we think it but right and reason to carry him away captive, him
that
is such a mischievous Goat-herd to feed his Goats upon the Sea,
as if
he were some Marriner. This was the Accusation of the
Methymnæans.
Daphnis on the other side, although
his bones were sore with basting,
yet seeing his dear Chloe there, set it at naught; and spoke in
his
own defence.
I, in keeping my Goats, have done my
office well. For never so much
as one of all the neighbours of the Vale, has blamed me yet,
that any
Kid, or Goat of Mine has broke into, and eaten up his Garden, or
browsed a young, or sprouting Vine. But those are wicked, cursed
hunters, and have dogs that have no manners, such as with their
furious coursing, and most vehement barking, have like Wolves
scared
my Goats, and tossed them down from the Mountains through the
Valleys, to the Sea. But they have eaten a Green With. For they
could
find nothing else upon the Sand, neither arbute, wilding, shrub,
nor
Thyme. But the Ship's lost by wind and wave. That's not my
Goat's but
the fault of Seas, and Tempefts. But there were rich Clothes,
Collars, Dogslips, and Silver aboard her. And who that has any
wit
can believe, that a Ship that is so richly laden, should have
nothing
for her Cable but a With?
With that Daphnis began to weep, and
made the Rusticks commiserate
him, and his Cause: so that Philetas the Judge started up,
calling
Pan and the Nymphs to witnesse, That neither Daphnis, nor his
Goats,
had done any wrong; but that it was the wind, and Sea, and that
of
those there were other Judges. Yet by this Sentence Philetas
could
not persuade and bind the Methymnæans, but again in a fury, they
fell
to towse Daphnis, and offered to bind him. With which the
Villagers
being moved, fell upon them like flocks of Starlings, or
Jackdawes;
and carried him away as he was busling amongst them, never
ceasing
till with their Clubs they had driven them the Ground, and
beaten
them from the hills into the other fields. While thus they
pursued
the Methymnæans, Chloe had time without disturbance to bring
Daphnis
to the Fountain of the Nymphs, and there to wash his bloody
face, and
entertain him after he had scaped the danger, with bread and
cheese
out of her own Scrip; kissing him then far more sweetly then
before;
for it wanted but a little that then her dear Daphnis had bin
slain.
But these Commotions could not thus be laid, and at an end; for
those
Gallants of Methymne having bin softly and delicately bred, and
every
man his wounds about him, travelling now by Land, with miserable
labour and pain, got into their own Country, and procuring a
Council
to be called, humbly petition'd that their Cause might be
revenged,
without reporting a word of those things which indeed had
happened,
lest perchance they should be laughed at for what they had
suffered
by the Clowns: but accused the Mitylenæans as if they had taken
their
Ship and Goods in a hostile and warlike manner. The Cityzens
easily
believed their story, because they saw they were all wounded;
and
knowing them to be of the best of their Families, thought it
just to
revenge the injury. And therefore without denouncing a War by
any
Herald, they commanded Bryaxes their General with ten Sail to
infect
the Maritim Coast of Mitylene. For, the Winter now approaching,
they
thought it dangerous to trust a greater Squadron at Sea. On a
suddain
the next day the General sets sail; and putting to the main,
comes up
to the maritims of Mitylene, and hostilely invades them,
plundering,
and raping away, their Flocks, their Corn, their Wine, (the
Vintage
now but lately over) with many of those that were employed in
such
businesse. They sail'd up too to the fields of Daphnis and
Chloe, and
coming suddenly down upon them, preyed upon all that they could
light
on. It happened, that Daphnis was not then with his Goats, but
was
gone to the Wood, and there was binding up green leaves to give
them
for fodder in the winter. Therefore, this incursation being seen
from
the higher ground, he hid himself in an old hollow tree. But his
Chloe was with her flocks, and the enemies invading her and
them, she
fled away to the Cave of the Nymphs, and begged of the enemies,
that
they would spare her, and her flocks, for those holy Goddesses
sakes.
But that did not help her at all. For the Methymnæans did not
onely
mock at, and rail upon the Statues of the Nymphs, but drove away
her
flocks and her before them, thumping her along with their
Battons as
if she had bin a she-goat. But now their ships being laden with
all
manner of prey, they thought it not convenient to sail any
further:
but rather to make home, for fear of the winter, no lesse then
of
their enemies. Therefore they sail'd back again, and were hard
put to
it to row, because there wanted wind to drive them. These
Tumults and
Hubbubs ceasing, Daphnis came out of the Wood, into the field
they
used to feed in; and when he could find neither the Goats, the
Sheep,
nor Chloe, but onely a deep silence and Solitude, and the Pipe
flung
away wherewith she entertain'd her self; setting up a piteous
Cry,
and lamenting miserably, sometimes he ran to the Beech where
Chloe
sate, sometimes to the Sea, to try if there he could set his
eyes on
her: then to the Nymphs, whither she fled when she was taken;
and
there flinging himself upon the ground, began to accuse even the
Nymphs as her betrayers: It was from your Statues that Chloe was
drawn and ravisht away! and how could you endure to see it? she
that
made the Garlands for you; she that every morning poured out
before
you and sacrificed her first milk; and she whose pipe hangs up
there
a sweet Anathema and Donarie. The Wolf indeed has taken from me
never
a Goat, but the enemy has my whole flock, together with my sweet
Companion of the field; and they are busie killing and flaying
the
Sheep and Goats, and Chloe now must live in the City. With what
face
can I now come into the sight of my Father and my Mother, who
have
lost my Goats, have lost Chloe, and am quite broke, and must now
give
over my trade. For now I have nothing left to feed, and Daphnis
is no
more a Goat-herd. Here I'le fling myself on the ground, and here
I'le
lye expecting my death, or else a second war to help me. And
dost
thou (sweet Chloe) suffer now in thy self such heavy things as
these?
Dost thou remember, and think of this field, thy own Beech, the
Nymphs, and me? Takest thou any pleasure from thy sheep, and
those
Goats of mine, which are carried away with thee into Captivity.
While
he was thus lamenting his condition, by his weeping so much, and
the
heavinesse of his grief, he fell into a deep sleep, and those
three
Nymphs appeared to him, Ladies of a tall stature, very fair,
half
naked, and barefooted; their hair dishevel'd, and in all things
like
their Statues. At first they appeared very much to pity his
Cause;
and then the eldest, to erect him, spoke thus:
Blame not us at all ( Daphnis) we
have greater care of Chloe then
thou thy self her Lover hast. We took pity on her, when she was
yet
but an Infant: and when she lay in this Cave, took her our
selves,
and saw her nurst. She does not at all belong to the fields, nor
to
Lamo, nor his flocks. And even now we have provided, as to her,
that
she shall not be carried a slave to Methymna, nor be any part of
the
enemies prey. We have begged of Pan, Pan that stands under
yonder
Pine, whom you have not honour'd so much as with flowers, that
he
would bring back thy Chloe, and our Votary. For Pan is
accustomed to
Camps, and leaving the Plains, has made of late many Wars, and
the
Methymnæans shall find him an infecting Enemy. Trouble not thy
self
any longer; but get thee up and shew thy self to Myrtle and
Lamo, who
now themselves lye cast on the ground, thinking thee too, to be
part
of the rapin. For Chloe shall certainly come to thee to-morrow,
accompanied with the Sheep and the Goats; you shall feed
together as
before, and play together on the Pipe. For other things
concerning
you, Love himself will take the Care. Now when Daphnis had seen
and
heard these things, he started up out of his sleep, and full of
pleasure, full of grief, with tears in his eyes, adored the
Statues
of the Nymphs, and vowed to sacrifice to them, the best of all
his
she-goats, if Chloe should return safe. And running to the Pine
where
the Statue of Pan was placed, the legs a Goat's, the head
horned, one
hand holding a Pipe, the other a Goat dancing to it; that he
adored,
and made a vow for the safety of Chloe, and promised Pan a
he-goat.
Scare now with the setting of the Sun, he made a pause of his
weeping, his wailing, and his prayers; and taking up the boughs
he
had cut in the Wood, return'd to the Cottage, comforted the
heavy
Lamo, and made him merry, refresht himself with meat and wine,
and
fell into a deep sleep, yet not that without tears, praying to
see
the Nymphs again, and calling for an early day, the day that
they had
promised Chloe. That night seem'd to him the longest of Nights;
but
in it, these wonders were done. The General of the Methymnæans
when
he had born off to Sea about ten Stadium's, would refresh, after
the
Incursion and Plunder, his wearied and Sea-sick Souldiers.
Coming up
therefore to a Promontore which ran into the Sea, winding it
self
into a half Moon, within which the Sea made a calmer station
then in
a Port; in this place when he had cast anchor lest the Rusticks
should mischieve him from the Land, he permitted them securely
to
rant and be joviall as in peace. The Methymnæans, because by
this
direption, they abounded with all things, carows'd, feasted, and
danc'd, and celebrated victorials. But the day being now spent,
and
their mirth protracted to the night; on a suddain all the Land
seem'd
to be on a light fire; then anon their ears were struck with an
impetuous clattering of the Oars, as if a great Navy were a
coming:
some cryed out, The General must arm; others call'd to have it
done;
here, some thought they were wounded; there, others saw the
shapes of
bleeding, falling, dying men. A man would have thought he had
seen a
kind of nocturnall battel, when yet there was no enemy there.
The
night thus past in these Spectres, the day arose far more
terrible
than the night. For on the horns of all Daphnis his Goats, there
grew
up on a suddain the berried Ivie; and, Chloe's sheep were heard
to
howl like Wolves in the Woods. Chloe herself in the midst of her
flocks, appear'd Crowned with a most fresh and shady Pine. In
the Sea
itself too, there happened many Wonders, Paradoxes and
Prodigies. For
when they labour'd to weigh their Anchors, and begone, their
Anchors
stuck as fast as the Earth; and when they cast out their Oars to
rowe, they snapt and broke; the leaping Dolphins with the
thumping of
their tails, loosened the planks, and broke the ribs of the
Barges.
From that high Crag which lifted up it self under the
promontory, was
heard a strange sound of a pipe; for it was not pleasing as a
Pipe,
but like a Trumpet, or a terrible Cornet, which made them run to
their Arms, and call those Enemies whom they saw not at all;
insomuch, that they wisht it night again, if as they should have
a
truce by that. Yet those things which then happen'd might very
well
be understood by such as were wise; namely, that those Spectres,
phantasms and Sounds, proceeded from Pan, shewing himself angry
at
the Voyagers: yet the Cause they could not conjecture (for no
Chappel
of Pan's was robbed) untill, about high noon, their Grand
Captain,
not without the impulse of some Deity, fallen into a sleep, Pan
himself appeared to him, and rated him thus:
O ye most unholy and wickedest of
Mortals! what made you so bold as
madly to attempt and do such outrages as these? You have not
only
fill'd with war these fields that are so dear to me; but also
you
have driven away herds of Cattel, flocks of Sheep and Goats that
were
my care. Besides, you have taken sacrilegiously from the Altars
of
the Nymphs, a Maid of whom Love himself will write a Story. Nor
did
you at all revere the Nymphs that look't upon you when you did
it,
nor yet me, whom very well you knew to be Pan. Therefore you
shall
never see Methymna, sailing away with these spoils, nor shall
you
escape that terrible Pipe from the Promontore, but it shall
drown you
every man: unlesse Thou speedily restore, as well Chloe to the
Nymphs, as the herds and flocks to Chloe. Rise therefore, and
send
the Maid ashore; send her with all that I command thee, and I
shall
be as well to thee a Convey in thy Voyage home, as to her a
Conduct
on her way to the fields.
Bryaxis being astonisht at this,
started up, and calling together the
Captains of the Ships, commanded that Chloe should be sought for
among the Captives. They found her presently, and brought her
before
him; for she sate crown'd with a Pine. The Generall remembering
that
the pine was the mark and signal distinction which he had in his
dream, carried the Maid ashore in the Admiral, with no small
observance, and ceremonious fear. Now as soon as Chloe was set
on
shore, the sound of the Pipe from the Promontore, began to be
heard
again; not martial and terrible, as before, but perfectly
pastorall,
such as was used to lead the Cattel to feed in the fields; the
sheep
ran down the scale of the ship, and not so much as one of them
slipt
because they were hooved; The Goats more boldly, for they were
used
to climb the Crags and steeps of the hills. The whole flock
encircled
Chloe moving as in a dance about her, and with their skipping,
and
their blaring, shewed a kind of joyfulnesse and exultation. But
the
Goats of the other Goat-herds, as also the sheep and the herds,
stirr'd not a foot, but remain'd still in the ship, as if the
Musick
of that Pipe did not at all call for them. When therefore they
were
all struck with admiration at these things, and celebrated the
praises of Pan; there were yet seen in both the Elements, things
more
wonderfull than those before. For the ships of the Methymnæans
before
they had weighed their Anchors, ran amain; and a huge Dolphin
bouncing still out of the Sea, went before and lead their
Admiral: On
the Land, that most sweet, melodious Pipe, led the flocks of the
sacred Shepherdesse, and yet nobody saw the Piper, no body knew
from
whence the Charm. It was now the time of the second pasturing,
and
Daphnis having spied from a high stand, Chloe coming with the
flocks;
crying out mainly, O ye Nymphs, O blessed Pan! made down to the
Plains, and rushing into the Embraces of Chloe, in a swoon fell
to
the ground. With much ado, when he was come to himself with
Chloe's
kissings, and embraces in her close and warm arms, he got to the
Beech where they were wont, and when he was sate down on the
trunck,
he askt her how she had escap't such a dangerous Captivity as
that?
Then she told him every thing one after another, how the fresh
and
berried Ivie appeared on the horns of all the Goats; how her
sheep
howl'd like Wolves, how a pine sprung up upon her head; how all
the
Land seem'd on a fire; what horrible fragons and clashings were
heard
from the Sea, with the two tones of that pipe from the Crag of
the
Promontore, the one to War, the other to Peace; the terrible
Spectres
of the night how she was ravisht away; and how she not knowing
her
way, had for her Companion and Guide, the sweet musick of that
strange invisible Pipe.
Daphnis then acknowledged the vision
of the Nymphs, and the works of
Pan, and storied to her what he himself had seen, and what he
had
heard; and how, when he was ready to die for grief, his life was
saved by the providence, and kindnesse of the holy Nymphs. And
then
presently he sent her away to bring Dryas and Lamo to the
Sacrifice,
and all things necessary for such a devotion to Pan and to the
Nymphs. In the meantime, he catcht the fairest of all his
She-goats,
and when he had crown'd it with Ivie in that manner as the whole
flock had appear'd to the Enemy, and had poured milk on the
horns; in
the name of the Nymphs, he struck and kill'd it, and sacrificed
it to
them; he hanged it up, took off the skin, consecrated that, and
made
it an Anathema. When Chloe with her Company was come, he made a
fire,
and some of the flesh being boiled, and some roasted, he offer'd
the
Aparchœ, the First, and chiefest parts of both to the Nymphs,
and
filling a Crater with new wine, made a libation; then having
made
several beds of green leaves, gave himself wholly to eating,
drinking, and playing, onely he lookt out now and then, lest the
irruption of a Wolf upon him should chance to do something like
the
enemy. They sung two certain songs in the praise of the Nymphs,
the
solemn Carmen of the ancient Shepherds. All that night they lay
in
the fields, and the next day they were not unmindfull of the
wonderworking Pan; but took the hee-goat that was Captain and
leader
of the flock; and when they had crowned him with pine-garlands,
they
brought him to the Pine; and pouring wine upon his head, with
benedictions and thankful praise, they sacrificed him to Pan the
preserver, then, the flesh, part roasted, part boiled, they set
upon
banks of green leaves hard by, in the Meadow: the skin with the
horns
themselves, they pegged to the Pine close to the Statue, to a
Pastoral god, a pastoral Anathema. They offered too, the
Primitiæ, or
the first carvings of the flesh; Chloe sang, and Daphnis played
upon
the pipe. These Rites performed, they sate down, and fell to
feast.
And it happened, that Philetas the Herdsman came up to them,
bringing
with him certain Garlands to honour Pan, together with grapes
hanging
still upon the branches. His youngest son. Tityrus came along
with
him, a ruddy Lad, and grayeyed, stout and fierce, and of a
nimble,
bounding pace like a Kid. When they saw what the intention of
the
good old Philetas was, they started up, and all together crowned
the
Statue of Pan with garlands, and hang'd the palmits with their
grapes
upon the leaves of the Pine; and then they made Philetas and
Tityrus
sit down to the Feast, and be their guests, to eat and drink,
and
celebrate. Then, as old men use to do, when they are a little
whittled with wine, they had various discourses and chats among
them;
how bravely in their youth they had administered the pasturing
of
their flocks and herds; how in their time they had escaped many
invasions, and inroads of Pyrats and Theeves; here one bragged,
that
he had killed the hugest Wolf that ever came upon the fields;
there
another, that he had bin second to Pan alone in the skill and
art of
piping. And this was the crack of Philetas. And therefore
Daphnis and
Chloe used all manner of supplications to him, that he would
communicate with them that Art of piping, and play upon the pipe
at
the feast of that god, whom he knew to delight so much in the
Pipe.
Philetas promised to do it, although he excused himself by the
short
breath of his old age, and so took Daphnis his Pipe. But that
being
too little for so great an Art, as being made to be inspired by
the
mouth of a boy, he sent his Son Tityrus for his own, the Cottage
lying distant from thence but ten furlongs. Tityrus flinging off
his
jacket ran naked, swift as a Hind. But Lamo had promised to tell
them
that Tale of the Pipe, which a Sicilian hired by him for a Goat
and a
Pipe, had sung to him. This Pipe, That Organ which you see, was
heretofore no Organ, but a very fair Maid, who had a sweet and
musical voice. She fed Goats, played together with the Nymphs,
and
sang as now. Pan, while she in this manner was tending her
Goats,
playing and singing; came to her, and endeavoured to persuade
her to
what he desired, and promised her that he would make all her
Goats
bring forth twins every year. But she disdained and derided his
Love,
and denyed to take him to be her Sweet-heart, who was neither
perfect
man, nor perfect Goat. Pan follows her with violence, and thinks
to
force her; Syrinx fled Pan, and his force. Being now a weary
with her
flight, she shot herself into a Grove of reeds, sunk in the Fen,
and
disappeared. Pan for anger cut up the reeds; and finding not the
Maid
there, and then reflecting upon what had happened, invented this
Organ, and joyned together imparil, or unequal quils, because
their
Love was so imparil. So she who then was a fair Maid, is now
become a
Musical Pipe.
Lamo had now done his Tale, and
Philetas praised him for it, as one
that had told them a Story far sweeter then any Song: when
Tityrus
came in, and brought his Father's Pipe, a large Organ, and made
up of
great quils; and where it was joyned together with wax, there
too it
was set, and varied with brasse. Insomuch, that one would have
thought, that this had bin that very Pipe which Pan the inventor
made
first. When therefore Philetas was got up, and had set himself
upright on a bench, first he tryed the quills whether they
sounded
clear and sweet; then finding never a Cane was stopt, he played
a
loud and lusty tune. One would not have thought that he had
heard but
one Pipe, the Sound was so high, the consort so full. But by
little
and little remitting that vehemence, he changed it to a softer
and
sweeter tone; and playing with all the dexterousnesse of the art
of
Musick, he shewed upon the Pipe, what Notes were fit for the
herds of
Cowes and Oxen, what agreed with the flocks of Goats, what were
pleasing to the sheep. The tones for the sheep were soft and
sweet,
those of the herds were vehement; and for the Goats, were sharp
and
shrill. In summe, that single Pipe of his exprest even all the
Shepherds pipes. Therefore the rest in deep silence sate still,
delighted and charmed with that Musick. But Dryas rising and
bidding
him strike up a Dionysiac, or Bacchus, fell to dance before them
the
Epilemion, the dance of the Wine-presse. And now he acted to the
Life
the cutting and gathering of the grapes; now the carrying of the
baskets; then the treading of the grapes in the Presse; then
presently the tunning of the Wine into the Butts; and then
again,
their joyful and hearty carousing the Must. All these things he
represented so aptly and clearly in his dancing, that they all
thought, they verily was before their face, the Vines, the
Grapes,
the Must, the Butts, and that Dryas did drink indeed. This third
old
man when he had pleased them so well with his dance, embraced
and
kist Daphnis and Chloe. Therefore they two rising quickly, fell
to
dancing Lamo's Tale. Daphnis played Pan; and Chloe, Syrinx. He
wooes,
and prayes, to persuade, and win her; she shews her disdain,
laughs
at his love, and flies him. Daphnis followes as to force her,
and
running on his tip-toes, imitates the hooves of Pan. Chloe on
the
other side, acts Syrinx wearied with her flight, and throwes her
self
into the Wood, as she had done into the Fenne. But Daphnis
catching
up that great Pipe of Philetas, playes at first something that
was
dolefull, and bewailing a Lover; then something that made Love,
and
was persuasive to relenting; then an anacletic, or recall from
the
Wood, as from one that dearly sought her; insomuch that Philetas,
struck with admiration and joy, could not hold from capering:
then
kissing Daphnis, he gave him that Pipe of his, and commanded him
to
leave it to a Successour like himself. Daphnis hanged up his own
small one to Pan, and when he had kist his Chloe, as returning
from a
true unfeigned flight, he drove home his Flocks, piping all the
way.
Chloe too, by the same Musick gathered together her Flocks, the
Goats
stritting along with the Sheep, because Daphnis walked close by
Chloe. Thus till it was night they entertained one another with
pleasure, and agreed to drive out their flocks sooner the next
morning. And so they did. For as soon as it was day they went
out to
pasture; and when they had first saluted the Nymphs, and then
Pan,
afterwards sitting down under an Oak, they had the musick of
Philetas
his Pipe, in that stillnesse and solitude of the early morning.
After
that, they kist, embrac'd and hugg'd one another, and lay down
both
together on the ground, and doing nothing more than so, rose up
again. Nor were they incurious of their meat; and for their
drink,
they drank wine mingled with milk. With all which Incentives
being
more heated, and made more lively and forward, they practised
between
them an Erotic Contention, or an amorous Controversie about
their
Love to one another, and thereupon proceeded to bind themselves
by
the faith of Oaths. For Daphnis coming up to Pine, swore by Pan,
that
he would not live alone in this world without Chloe, so much as
the
space of one day: And Chloe swore in the Cave of the Nymphs,
that she
would have the same death, and life with Daphnis. Yet such was
the
Simplicity of Chloe, as being but a Girle, that when she was out
of
the Cave, she demanded another Oath of Daphnis. Daphnis (quoth
she)
Pan is a wanton, faithlesse god; for he loved Pitys, he loved
Syrinx
too. Besides, he never ceases to trouble and vex the Dryads, and
to
sollicite the Nymphs under the Appletrees. Therefore he, if by
thy
faithlessnesse thou shouldst neglect him, would not take care to
punish thee, although thou shouldst go to more Maids, then there
are
quills in that Pipe. But do thou swear to me by this flock of
Goats,
and by that Goat which was thy Nurse, That thou wilt never
forsake
Chloe, so long as she is faithful to thee; and when she is false
and
injurious to thee and the Nymphs, they flie her, then take her,
and
kill her like a Wolf. Daphnis was pleased with this pretty
Jealousie,
and standing in the midst of his flocks, with one hand laying
hold on
a she-goat, and the other on a he, swore that he would love
Chloe
that loved him, and that if she preferred any other to Daphnis,
that
then in her stead, he would slay that hee-goat. Of this Chloe
was
glad, and believed him as a poor and harmlesse maid, one that
was
bred a Shepherdesse, and thought flocks of Sheep and Goats, were
proper Numens of the Shepherds.
E B Leighton
THE THIRD BOOK
BUT the Mitylenæans when they heard of the arrivall of those ten
Ships; and some of the Countrey-men, coming up from the Farms,
had
told them what a plundering and rapin there had bin, thought it
too
disgracefull to be born, and therefore decreed, to raise Arms
against
Methymna. And having chosen out three thousand Targettiers, and
five
hundred Horse, they sent away their General Hippasus by Land,
not
daring to trust the Sea in Winter. He did not as he marcht
depopulate
the Villages of Methymna; nor did he rob the Farms of the
Husbandmen,
or the Pastures of the Shepherds, counting such astions as those
to
suit better with a Latron, then the grand Captain of an Army:
but
hasted up to the Town it self to surprize it. But while he was
yet an
hundred Stadiums off from the Town, an Herald met him with
Articles.
For after that the Methymnæans were informed by the Captives,
that
the Mitylenæans knew nothing of those things that had happened;
and
that the Ploughmen and Shepherds provoking the young Gentlemen,
were
they that were the Causes of all; it repented them of that
expedition
of Bryaxis again a Neighbour-City, as of an Action more
precipitant,
then moderate and wise. And these were the Articles of
Agreement: To
return all the Prey and Spoil that was taken and carried away;
To
have commerce, and trade securely with one another, by Land, and
by
Sea. Therefore Hippasus dispatches away that Herauld to Mitylene,
although he had bin created the General of the War, and so had
power
to sign as he listed. But pitching his Camp about ten Stadiums
from
Methymna, there he attended Mandates from the City. Two days
after,
the Messenger returned, and brought a command, that they should
receive the plunder'd Goods, and all the Captives, and march
home
without doing the least harm. Because Methymna, when War, or
Peace
were offered to be chosen, found peace to be more profitable.
And
this quarrel betwixt Methymna and Mitylene, which was of an
unexpected beginning and end, was thus taken up and composed.
And now
Winter was come on, a winter more bitter then war, to Daphnis
and
Chloe. For on a suddain there fell a great Snow which blinded
all the
paths, stopt up all wayes, and shut up all the Shepherds and
Colones.
The very Torrents were frozen and glazed with Chrystal. The
hedges
and trees lookt as if they had bin clipt and cropt; and there
was
nothing to be seen but stumps. All the ground was hoodwinkt up,
but
that which lay upon the fountains and the rills. And therefore
no man
drove out his flocks to pasture, or did so much as come to the
door,
but about the Cock's crowing made their fires nosehigh; and some
spun
flax, some Tarpaulin for the Sea; others, with all their
Sophistry,
made gins, and nets, and traps for birds. At that time their
care was
employed about the Oxen and Cows that were fodder'd with chaffe
in
the stalls; about the Goats, and about the Sheep, and those
which fed
on green leaves in the sheepcoots and the folds; or else about
fatting their hogs in the styes with Acorns and other mast. When
all
was thus taken up with their domestick affairs, the other
Colones and
Shepherds were very jovial and merry, as being for a while
discharged
of their labours, and used to have their breakfast betime in the
morning, when they had slept long winter nights: so that the
winter
was to them more pleasant then the Summer, the Autumne, or the
very
Spring. But Chloe and Daphnis, when they remembered what a sweet
Conversation they had held before; how they had kist, how they
had
embraced and hugg'd one another, how they had lived at a common
Scrip, all which were now pleasures lost; now they had long and
sleeplesse nights, now they were alwaies sad and pensive, and
desired
nothing so much as a quick retrive of the Spring, to become
their
regeneration and return from death. Besides this, it was their
grief
and complaint, if but a Scrip came to their hands out of which
they
had eaten before in the fields; or a Sillibub-piggin, out of
which
they had used to drink: or if they chanced to see a Pipe laid
aside
and neglected, such as had bin not long before, the Gift of a
dear
friend, or a Lover. And therefore they prayed to Pan, and the
Nymphs,
that they would deliver them from these evils and miseries, and
shew
to them and their flocks the Sun again. Both praying the same
thing,
they labour'd too, and cast about to find a way, by which they
might
come to see one another. Poor Chloe was void of all counsell,
and had
no device nor plot. For the old woman, her reputed mother, was
by her
continually, and taught her to card the fine wooll, and twirle
the
Spindle, or else was still a clocking for her, and ever and anon
casting in words, and twatling to her about her marriage. But
Daphnis, who was now at leisure enough, and was of a more
projecting
wit than she, devised this Sophism to see her. Before Dryas his
Cottage, and indeed under the very Cottage itself, there grew
two
tall myrtles and an Ivie-bush. The Myrtles stood not far from
one
another, and between them the Ivie ran, and so, that it made a
kind
of arbour by clasping the arms about them both, and by the
order, the
thicknesse and interweaving of its branches and leaves; many and
great clusters of berries, hanging like those of the Vines upon
the
palmits. And therefore it was, that great aore of winter birds
haunted the bush, for want (it seems) of food abroad; many
blackbirds, many Thrushes, Stockdoves and Starlings, with other
birds
that feed on berries. Under pretext of birding there, Daphnis
came
out, his Scrip furnished with Country dainties, bringing with
him to
persuade and affirm his meaning, snares and lime-twigs for the
purpose. The place lay off about ten furlongs; and yet the Snow
that
lay unmelted, found him somewhat to do to passe through it. But
all
things are pervious to Love, even Fire, Water, and Scythian
Snowes.
Therefore, plodding through, he came up to the Cottage, and when
he
had shook the Snow from his thighs, he set his snares, and
prickt his
lime-twiggs. Then he sate down, and thought of nothing
carefully, but
of Chloe and the birds. Their flew to the bushes many birds, and
a
sufficient number was taken to busie Daphnis a thousand ways, in
running up and down, in gathering, killing, and depluming his
game.
But no body stirred out of the Cottage; not a man or woman to be
seen, not so much as a henne at the door; but all were shut up
in the
warm house: so that now poor Daphnis knew not what in the world
to
do, but was at a stand, as if he had come unluckily a fowling.
And
assuredly he would have ventured to intrude himself, if he could
but
have found out some specious cause, and plausible enough; and so
deliberated with himself, what was the likeliest to be said. I
came
to fetch fire, and was there none within ten furlongs nearer to
Lamo's? I came to borrow bread, but thy Scrip is stufft with
Cakes. I
wanted Wine; thy Vintage was but t'other day. A Wolf pursued me;
where are the tracings of a Wolf? I came hither to catch Birds;
And
when thou hast catcht them, why gettest thou not thy self home?
I
have a mind to see Chloe; but how can any body confesse such a
thing
as that to the Father and Mother of a Maid? Besides, the
Servants are
at a deep silence, and all at home. But there is not one of all
these
things that carries not Suspition with it. Therefore it's better
to
be silent. But I shall see Chloe at the first peeping of the
Spring,
since (as it seems) the Fates prohibit it in Winter.
These thoughts cast up and down in
his anxious mind, and his prey
taken up, he thinks to be gone, and makes away. But then, as if
Love
himself had pitied his cause, it happened thus: Dryas and his
Family
had a Feast, the meat was taken up, and divided to Messes, the
boord
was covered, the Crater set and trimm'd. But one of the
flock-dogs
took his time while they were busie, and ran out adoors with a
shoulder of mutton. Dryas was vext, for that belonged to his
Messe,
and snatching up a club, followed at his heels as if it had bin
another dog. This pursuit brought him up to the Ivie, where he
espyed
the young Daphnis packing away with his birds on his back. With
that,
forgetting the dog, and the flesh, he cries out amain: Hail boy,
hail
boy; and fell on his neck to kisse him, and catching him by the
hand,
led him along into the house. And then it wanted but a little
that
Daphnis and Chloe fell not both to the ground, when at first
they saw
one another: yet while they setrove with themselves to strand
upright, there past salutations and kisses between them, and
those to
them were as pillars and sustentations to hold them from
toppling
into swoones. Daphnis having now got, beyond all hope, not onely
a
kisse, but Chloe her self too, sate down by the fire, and laid
upon
the table his blackbirds, Stock-doves, and Thrushes; and fell to
tell
them, how tedious the businesse of the house, and keeping within
had
bin to him, and that therefore he was come out to recreate
himself,
and, as they saw, to catch birds; how he had taken some with
lime-
twigs, some with snares as they were feeding greedily upon the
Ivie
and the myrtle-berries. They on the other side fell to commend
and
praise Daphnis, as if Apollo himself had bin their stranger; and
commanded Chloe to wait on them, and fill their wine. She with a
merry countenance filled to the rest; and after them somewhat
frowningly to Daphnis: For she feigned a pretty anger, because
that
when he was there, he would offer to go away in such a manner,
and
not see her. Yet before she gave it to him, she kist the Cup,
and
sipt a little, and so gave it. Daphnis, although he was almost
choakt
for want of drink, drank slowly, tickling himself by that delay,
with
longer pleasure. Dinner was done, and the Table voided; and
every
body began to ask, how Lamo and Myratle had gone a great while,
and
so went on to pronounce them happy folks, who had got such a
stay,
and cherisher of their old age. And it was no small pleasure to
Daphnis to be praised so in the hearing of Chloe. And when
besides
they said, That he must and should tarry with them the next day,
because it was their Sacrifice to Bacchus, it wanted but a
little
that for very pleasure the ravisht Lover had worshipped them,
instead
of Bacchus himself; and therefore presently he drew out of his
Scrip
good store of sweet-cakes, and his birds were order'd to be made
ready for Supper. A fresh Crater of wine was set, a new fire was
kindled up; and when it was night, their second Table brought
in:
when Supper was done, and part of their time was spent in
telling of
old Tales, part in singing some of the ditties of the fields,
they
went to bed; Chloe with her Mother, Daphnis with Dryas. But then
nothing was sweet and pleasant to poor Chloe, but that the next
morning she should see her Daphnis again. And Daphnis
entertained the
night himself with a fantastick, empty pleasure; for it was
sweet to
his imagination, to lye but with the Father of Chloe, and he
dreamed
to himself that even there he embraced and kist her. In the
morning
it was a sharp frost, and the North wind was very nipping, when
they
all rose and prepared to celebrate. With solemn invocations to
Bacchus, Dryas sacrificed a ramme, and a huge fire was built up
to
rost the meat. While Nape was making the holy bread, and Dryas
rosting the Ramme, Daphnis and Chloe had time to go forth as far
as
the Ivie-bush; and when he had set his snares again, they had a
sweet
Collation of Kisses without intermission, and then a dear
Conversation in the Language of Love. Chloe, I came for thy
sake. I
know it, Daphnis. 'Tis long of thee that I destroy the poor
birds.
And am I no-body in thy account? Remember me. I remember thee by
the
Nymphs, by whom heretofore I have sworn in yonder Cave, whither
we
will go as soon as ever the Snow melts. But it lies very deep,
Chloe,
and I fear I shall melt first. Courage man, the Sun burns hot. I
would it burnt like that fire which now burns my very heart. You
do
but gibe and cousen me! I do not, by the Goats, by which thou
didst
once bid me to swear to thee. While Chloe was holding on her
Antiphona to Daphnis, Nape call'd, and in they ran, with more
birds
then had been taken the day before. Now when they had made a
libation
of the first of the Crater to Dionysius, they fell to their
meat,
with Ivie Crownes upon their heads: and when it was time, having
cryed the Jacchus and Euous, they sent away Daphnis his Scrip
first
cramm'd with flesh and bread. They gave him too, the Stock-doves
and
Thrushes to carry to Lamo and Myrtale, as being like to catch
themselves more while the frost and Ivie lasted. And so Daphnis
went
his way when he had kist the rest first, and then Chloe, that he
might carry along with him, her Kisse untoucht and intire: and
by
other devices he came often thither, that the Winter might not
escape
away wholly, without some fruition of the sweets of Love.
It was now the beginning of the
Spring, the Snow was gone, the Earth
uncovered, and all was green, when the other Shepherds drove out
their flocks to pasture, and Chloe and Daphnis before the rest,
as
being Servants to greater Shepherds. And forthwith they took
their
course up to the Nymphs, and that Cave, thence to Pan and his
pipe;
afterwards to their own Oak, where they sate down to look to
their
flocks, and kisse, and clip insatiably. They sought about for
flowers
too to crown the Statues of the Nymphs. The soft breath of
Zephyrus
and the warm Sun, had brought some forth; and there were then to
be
found the Violet, the Daffodil, the Primrose, with the other
primes,
and dawnings of the Spring. And when they had crown'd the
Statues of
the gods with them, they made a Libation with new milk from the
Sheep, and from the Goats. They began too to play on the Pipe,
and to
provoke and challenge the Nightingale with their Musick, and
Song.
The Nightingales answer'd softly from the Groves and resuming
their
long intermitted Song, began to jug and warble their Tereus and
Ity's
again. Here and there, not without pleasure, the blating of the
flocks was heard, and the Lambs came skipping and inclined
themselves
obliquely under the damms to riggle and nussle at their dugs.
But
those which had not yet teemed, the Rams pursued; and when with
some
pains they had made them stand, one rid another. There were seen
too
the Chases of the he-goats, and their lascivious ardent leaps.
Sometimes they had battels for the she's, and every one had his
own
wives, and kept them sollicitously, that no skulking adulterer
should
set upon them.
The old men seeing such incendiary
fights as these, were prickt to
Venus: but the Young, and such as of themselves did itch, and
for
some time had longed for the pleasure of Love, were wholly
inflamed
with what they heard, and melted away with what they saw, and
lookt
for something far more excelent then kisses and embraces were:
and
amongst them was Daphnis chief. Therefore he, as being now grown
up
and lusty by keeping at home, and following easie businesse all
the
Winter, was carried furiously to kissing, and stung with the
desire
to embrace, and close; and, in what he did, was now more
curious, and
more rampant then ever before. And therefore he began to ask of
Chloe
that she would give him free leave to do with her what he
listed, and
that she would lye naked with him naked, and longer too then
they
were wont: For there was nothing but that remaining of the
Institutes
of old Philetas, and that he would try, as the onely Canon, the
onely
med'cine to ease the pain of Love.
But Chloe asking him, whether
anything remain'd more than kissing,
embracing, and lying together upon the ground; or what he could
do by
lying naked upon a naked Girle? That (quoth he) which the Rams
use to
do with the Ewes, and the he-Goats with the She's. Do you not
see,
how after that work, neither these run away, nor those weary
themselves in pursuit of them; but afterwards how enjoying a
common
pleasure, they feed together quietly. That . . . as it seems is
a
sweet practice, and such as can master the bitternesse of Love.
How Daphnis? And dost thou not see
the she-Goats and the Ewes, the he-
Goats and the Rams, how these do their work standing, and those
suffer standing too; these leaping and those admitting them upon
their backs? And yet thou askest me to lye down, and that naked.
But
how much rougher are they then I, although I have all my Clothes
on?
Daphnis is persuaded, and laying her
down, lay down with her, and lay
long; but knowing how to do nothing of that he was mad to do,
lifted
her up, and endeavour'd to imitate the Goats. But at the first
finding a mere frustration there, he sate up, and lamented to
himself, that he was more unskilfull than a very Tup in the
practice
of the mystery and the Art of Love. But there was a certain
neighbour
of his, a landed man, Chromis his name, and was now by his age
somewhat declining. He married out of the City a young, fair,
and
buxome girle, one that was too fine and delicate for the
Country, and
a Clown: Her name was Lycænium; and she observing Daphnis as
every
day early in the morning he drove out his Goats to the fields,
and
home again at the first twilight, had a great mind to purchase
the
youth by gifts to become her sweetheart. And therefore once when
she
had sculkt for her opportunity, and catcht him alone, she gave
him a
curious fine pipe, some pretious honey-combs, and a new Scrip of
Stag-
skin: but durst not break her mind to him, because she could
easily
conjecture at that dear love he bore to Chloe. For she saw him
wholly
addicted to the girle: which indeed she might well perceive
before,
by the winking, nodding, laughing and tittering that was between
them: but one morning she made Chromis believe that she was to
go to
a womans labour, and followed softly behind them two at some
distance, and then slipt away into a thicket and hid herself,
and so
could hear all that they said, and see too all that they did;
and the
lamenting untaught Daphnis was perfectly within her reach.
Wherefore
she began to condole the condition of the wretched Lovers, and
finding that she had light upon a double opportunity; this, to
the
preservation of' them; that, to satisfie her own wanton desire,
she
projected to accomplish both by this device. The next day making
as
if she were to go a Gossipping again, she came up openly to the
Oak
where Daphnis and Chloe were sitting together; and when she had
skilfully counterfeited that she was feared, Help ( Daphnis)
help me,
(quoth she), An Eagle has carried away from me the goodliest
Goose of
twenty in a flock, which yet, by reason of the great weight, she
was
not able to carry to the top of that her wonted high crag, but
is
fallen down with her into yonder Cops. For the Nymph's sake, and
this
Pan's, do thou Daphnis go in to the Wood, and rescue my Goose.
For I
dare not go in my self alone. Let me not thus lose the Tale of
my
Geese. And it may be thou mayest kill the Eagle too, and then
she
will scarce come hither any more to prey upon the Kids and
Lambs.
Chloe for so long will look to the flock; the Goats know her as
thy
perpetuall Companion in the fields. Now Daphnis suspecting
nothing of
that that was intended, gets up quickly, and taking his aaff
followed
Lycænium, who lead him a great way off from Chloe. But when they
were
come to the thickest part of the wood, and she had bid him sit
down
by a Fountain: Daphnis (quoth she) Thou dost love Chloe, and
that I
learned last night of the Nymphs. Those tears which yesterday
thou
didst pour down, were shewn to me in a dream by them, and they
commanded me, that I should save thee, and teach thee the secret
practices of Love. But those are not Kisses, nor embracing, nor
yet
such things as thou seest the Rams, and the he-goats do. There
are
other leaps, there are other friskins than those, and far
sweeter
than them. For unto these there appertains a much longer
duration of
pleasure. If then thou wouldst be rid of thy misery, and make an
Experiment of that pleasure, and sweetnesse which you have
sought,
and mist so long, come on, deliver thy self to me a sweet
Schollar,
and I, to gratifie the Nymphs, will be thy Mistris. At this
Daphnis
as being a rustick Goat-herd, a Sanguin Youth, and burning in
desire,
could not contain himself for meer pleasure, and that Lubency
that he
had to be taught; but throwes himself at the foot of Lycænium,
and
begs of her, That she would teach him quickly that Art, by which
he
should be able, as he would, to do Chloe; and he should not only
accept it as a rare and brave thing sent from the gods, but for
her
kindnesse he would give her too a young Kid, some of the finest
new-
milk Cheeses; nay, besides, he promised her the dam her self.
Wherefor Lycænium now she had found the Goat-herd so willing and
forward beyond her expectation, began to instruct the Lad thus
-- She
bid him sit down as near to her as possibly he could, and that
he
should kisse her as close and as often as he used to kisse
Chloe; and
while he kist her to clip her in his arms and hugg her to him,
and
lye down with her upon the ground. As now he was sitting, and
kissing, and lay down with her; She, when she saw him itching to
be
at her, lifted him up from the reclination on his side, and
slipping
under, not without art, directed him to her Fancie, the place so
long
desired and sought. Of that which happened after this, there was
nothing done that was strange, nothing that was insolent: the
Lady
Nature and Lycenium shewed him how to do the rest. This wanton
Information being over, Daphnis, who had ftill a Childish
Pastorall
mind, would presently be gone, and run up to Chloe, to have an
experiment with her, how much he had profited by that magistery,
as
if indeed he had bin afraid lest staying but a little longer, he
could forget to do his trick. But: Lycenium intercepted him
thus:
Thou art yet Daphnis, to learn this besides: I who am a woman,
have
suffered nothing in this close with thee, but what I am well
acquainted withall. For heretofore another Youth taught me to
play at
this sport, and for his pains, he had my maidenhead. But if thou
strive with Chloe in this list, she will squeak, and cry out,
and
bleed as if she were stickt. But be not thou afraid of her
bleeding;
but when thou hast persuaded her to thy pleasure, bring her
hither
into this place, that although she should cry and roar, no body
can
hear; and if she bleed, here's a clear Fountain, she may wash;
and do
thou, Daphnis, never forget it, that I before Chloe made thee a
man.
These advertisements given, Lycenium kist him, and went away
through
another glade of the Wood, as if still she would look for her
Goose.
But Daphnis considering with himself what had been said,
remitted
much of that impetuous heat he had to Chloe. For he durst not
venture
to presse her beyond his former kissing and embracing: because
he
could not endure that she should make an outcry, as against an
Enemy,
or shed tears for any grief or anguish from him, and much lesse
that
she should bleed, as if she had bin slain by Daphnis. For he
himself
not long before had had some experience of that when he was
beaten by
the Methymnæans; and therefore he abhorred blood, and thought
verily
that no blood could follow but onely from a wound. His
resolution
therefore was, to do with her as he had done before, and imagine
pleasure on this side the traverse; and so he comes out of the
Wood
up to the place where Chloe sate platting a Garland of Violets,
and
tells her he had rescued the Goose and kill'd the Eagle; then
flinging his arms about her, and clasping her to him, kist her
as he
did Lycenium in that sweet sport that he was lately at: For that
he
might do, because that seemed to have no danger in it. But Chloe
fits
the chaplet to his head, and then kisses his locks as fairer and
sweeter then the Violets, and out of her Scrip she gave him of
her
Cakes and Simnels to eat, and snatcht it by stealth from his
mouth
again as he was eating, and fed like a wanton, harmlesse bird.
While
thus they eat and take more kisses than bits, they saw a
Fisher-mans
boat come by. The wind was down, the Sea was smooth, and there
was a
great Calm. Wherefore when they saw there was need of rowing,
they
fell to ply the Oars stoutly. For they made haste to bring in a
delicate sort of fish newly-salted, to fit the palates of the
richer
Citizens of Mitylene. That therefore which other Marriners use
to do
to elude the tediousnesse of labour, these began, and held on,
as
they rowed along. There was one amongst them, that was the
Celeustes,
or the hortator to ply, and he had certain nautic-odes, or
Sea-songs:
the rest like a Chorus all together strained their throats to a
loud
hollà, and catcht his voice at certain intervals. While they did
thus
in the open Sea, the clamor vanisht, as being diffused in the
vast
ayr. But when they came under any Promontore, or into a
flexuous,
horned, hollow bay, there as the voice was heard stronger, so
the
Songs of the Celeusmata, or hortaments to the answering
Marriners,
fell clearer to the Land. The hollow valley below received into
it
self, that shrill sound as into an Organ, and by an imitating
voice
rendered from it self all that was said, all that was done, and
everything distinctly by it self; by it self the clattering of
the
Oars: by it self the whooping of the Sea-men: and certainly it
was a
most pleasant hearing. The Sound coming first from the Sea, the
Sound
from the Land ended so much the later, by how much it was slower
to
begin. Daphnis therefore taking special notice of the Musick
attended
wholly to the Sea, and was sweetly affected, endeavouring while
the
Pinnace glided by like a bird in the ayr, to preserve to himself
some
of those tones to play afterwards upon his Pipe. But Chloe
having
then had her firstt experience of that which is called Echo, now
cast
her eyes towards the Sea, minding the loud Celeusmata of the
Marriners; now to the Woods, seeking for those who answer'd from
thence with such a clamor, and when, because the Pinnace was
past
away, there was a deep silence in the valley, she askt of
Daphnis,
Whether there was another Sea beyond the Promontore, and another
Ship
did passe by there? And whether there were other Mariners that
sung
the same Songs, and all were whisht and kept silence together?
Daphnis laught sweetly at this, and giving her a sweeter kisse,
put
the violet chaplet upon her head, and began to tell her the Tale
of
Echo, requiring first, that when he had taught her that, he
should
have of her for his wages, ten kisses more: There are of the
Nymphs,
(my dear Girle) more kinds than one. There are the Melicœ, there
are
the Dryades, there are the Eliœ; all are beautiful, all are
musical.
To one of these Echo was daughter; and she mortal, because she
came
of a mortall Father; but a rare beauty, deriving from a
beauteous
mother. She was educated by the Nymphs, and taught by the Muses
to
sing, to play on the Pipe, to strike the Lyre, to touch the
Lute; and
in summe, all musick. And therefore when she was grown up, and
in the
flower of her Virgin beauty, she danc'd together with the
Nymphs, and
sung in consort with the Muses; but fled from all males whether
Men
or gods; because she loved Virginity. Pan sees that, and takes
occasion to be angry at the maid, and to envy her musick,
because he
could not come at her beauty. Therefore he sends a madnesse
amongst
the Shepherds and Goatherds; and they in a desperate fury like
so
many Doggs and Wolves, tore her all to pieces, and flung about
them
all over the Earth, her yet Singing Limbs. The Earth in
observance of
the Nymphs, buried them all, preserving to them still their
musick-
property: and they by an everlasting Sentence and decree of the
Muses
breathe out a voice, and they imitate all things now, as she did
then
before a Maid, the gods, Men, Organs, Beasts: Pan himself she
imitates too, when he plays on the Pipe, which when he hears, he
bounces out, and begins to follow her over the Mountains, not so
much
to catch her, and hold her, as to know what clandestin Schollar
that
is that he has got. When Daphnis thus had told his Tale, Chloe
gave
him not onely ten, but innumerable kisses. For Echo said almost
the
same, and bore him witnesse that he did not lie. But now when
the Sun
was grown more burning, the Spring going out, and Summer coming
in,
they were invited to new, and Summer pleasure. Daphnis, he swome
in
the Rivers; Chloe, she bathed in the Springs: he with his Pipe
contended with the Pines; she with her voice strove with the
Nightingales. Sometimes they hunted the pratling Locusts;
sometimes
they catcht the chirping Grasshoppers, they gather'd flowers,
they
shak't the Trees for mellow Fruits -- And now and then they lay
together naked on a Goat-skin, That still they took along with
them.
And Chloe undoubtedly had lost her maidenhead, but that Daphnis
was
terrified with the thought of blood. And therefore, fearing lest
one
time or another his Reason should be master'd by his Love, he
seldom
bid Chloe turn herself naked to dally with him; which Chloe
wondered
at; but her bashfulnesse would not let her ask him the reason of
it.
That Summer Chloe had many Suitors, and many came from many
places to
Dryas to get his good will to have her. Some brought their gifts
along with them; others promised great matters. Nape was tempted
by
her hope, and began to perswade that the Girle should be
bestowed,
and to urge that a maid of her age, should not longer be kept at
home; for who knows whether one time or other, she may not lose
her
maidenhead for an apple, or a rose as she keeps the field, and
make
some unworthy Shepherd a man, and her husband; and therefore it
was
better she should now be made the Dame of the house, and when
they
had got sufficiently by her, it should be laid up for their Son;
for
of late they had born a jolly boy. But Dryas was variously
affected
with what was said; sometimes he was pleas'd: for greater gifts
were
named to him by every one, then suited a rural Girle, a
Shepherdesse:
Sometimes again, he thought the Maid deserved better, then to be
married to a Clown, and that, if ever she should find her true
Parents, she might make him and his Family happy: then he defers
his
answer to the Wooers, and puts them on from day to day, and in
the
interim has many Presents. When Chloe came to the knowledge of
this,
she was very sad, and yet she hid it long from Daphnis, because
she
would not give him a cause of grief. But when he was
importunate, and
urged her to tell him what the matter was, and seemed to be more
troubled when he knew it not, than he should be when he knew it:
then, poor Girle, she told him all the words, by which Nape
incited
Dryas to marry her speedily; and how Dryas had not denyed it,
but
onely had put it off to the Vintage. Daphnis with this is at his
wits
end, and sitting down he wept bitterly, and said, that, if Chloe
were
taken from him, he would die and not onely he, but all the
flocks
that lost so sweet a Shepherdesse. After this passion Daphnis
came to
himself again, and took courage, thinking he should perswade
Dryas in
his own behalf, and resolved to put himself among the Wooers,
with
hope that his desert would say for him, Room for your Betters.
There
was one thing troubled him worst of all; and that was, his
Father
Lamo was not rich; that disheartened him, that allayed his hope
much.
Neverthelesse, it seem'd best that he should come in for a
Suitor,
and that Chloe's sentence too. To Lamo he durst not venture to
speak,
but put on a good face, and spoke to Myrtale, and did not onely
shew
her his Love, but talk't to her of marrying the Girle and in the
night, when they were in bed, she acquainted Lamo with it. But
Lamo
entertaining what she said in that case very harshly, and
chiding her
that she should offer to make a match between a Shepherds
daughter,
and such a Youth as he, whose monuments did declare him a great
Fortune, and of high extraction; and one, that if his true
Parents
were found, would not only make them free, but possessors of
larger
Lands: Myrtale considering the power of Love, and therefore
fearing,
if he should altogether despair the marriage, lest he should
attempt
something upon his life' return'd him other causes then Lamo
had' to
contradict it: My Son, we are but poor' and have more need to
take a
Bride that does bring us something, then one that will have much
from
us. They on the other side are rich; and such as look for rich
husbands. Go thou and perswade Chloe, and let her perswade her
Father, that he shall ask no great matter, and give you his
consent
to marry; for on my life she loves thee dearly, and had rather a
thousand times lye with a poor and handsome man, then a rich
Monkey.
And now Myrtale, who never hoped that Dryas would consent to
these
things, because there were so many rich Wooers, thought she had
finely excused to him, their refusing of the marriage. Daphnis
knew
not what to say against this, and so finding himself far enough
off
from what he desired; that which is usual with Lovers who are
beggars, that he did. With tears he lamented his condition, and
again
implored the help of the Nymphs. They appeared to him in the
night in
his sleep, in the same form and habit as before; and she that
was
eldest spoke again: Some other of the gods takes the care about
the
marrying of Chloe: but we shall furnish thee with gifts, which
will
easily make her Father Dryas. That Ship of the Methymnæans, when
thy
Goats had eaten her cable, that very day was carried off by the
winds
far from the shore. That night there rose a tempestuous Sea --
wind
that blew to the Land, and dasht her against the rocks; there
she
perisht with all that was in her. But the waves cast up a purse,
in
which there are three thousand Drachma's, and that thou shalt
find
cover'd with Ouse hard by a dead Dolphin, near which no
passenger
comes, but turns another way as fast as he can, detesting the
stench
of the rotting fish. But do thou make haste thither, take it,
and
give it to Dryas. And let it suffice that now thou art not poor,
and
hereafter in time thou shalt be rich. This spoken, they past
away
together for the night. It was now day, and Daphnis leapt out of
bed
as full of joy as his heart could hold, and hurried his Goats
before
him to the field; and after he had kist Chloe, and adored the
Nymphs,
to the Sea he goes, making as if that morning he had a mind to
bedew
himself with Sea-water. And walking there upon the gravell near
the
line of the excursion and breaking of the waves, he lookt for
his
three thousand Drachma's. But soon he found he should not be put
to
much labour. For the stench of the Dolphin had reacht him, as he
lay
cast up, and was rotting upon the flabby sand. When he had got
that
sent for his guide, he came up presently to the place, and
removing
the ouse, found the purse full of silver. He took it up, and put
it
into his Scrip, yet went not away till with joyfull devotion he
had
blest the Nymphs and the Sea. For though he was a keeper of
Goats,
yet he was now obliged to the Sea: and had a sweeter sense of
that,
then the Land, because it had promoted him to marry Chloe. Thus
having got his three thousand Drachma's, he made no longer stay;
but,
as if now, he were not onely richer than any of the Colones that
dwelt there, but then any man that trod on the ground, he
hastens to
Chloe, tells her his dream, shews her the purse, and bids her
look to
his flocks till he comes again. Then stretching and stritting
along,
he bustles in like a Lord upon Dryas, whom he then found with
Nape at
the threshing-floor, and on a suddain talkt very boldly about
the
marrying of Chloe: Give me Chloe to my wife. For I can play
finely on
the Pipe, I can cut the Vines, and I can plant them. Nor am I
ignorant how and when the ground is to be ploughed, or how the
corn
is to be winnowed and fanned by the wind. But how I keep and
govern
flocks, Chloe can tell. Fifty She-goats I had of my Father Lamo;
I
have made them as many more, and doubled the number. Besides, I
have
brought up goodly, proper, He-goats; whereas before we went for
leaps
to other men's. Moreover, I am a young man, your neighbour too,
and
one that you cannot twit in the teeth with anything. And
further, I
had a Goat to my Nurse, as your Chloe had a Sheep. Since in
these I
have got the start, and outgone others, neither in gifts shall I
be
anny whit behind them. They may give you the scrag-end of a
small
flock of Sheep and Goats, a rascal pair of Oxen, and so much.
Corn as
scant will serve to keep the Hens But from me, look you here,
three
Thousand Drachma's. Onely let no body know of this, no not so
much as
my Father Lamo. With that he gave it into his hand, embraced
Dryas,
and kist him. They when they saw such an unexpected lump of
money,
without delay, promised him Chloe, and to procure Lamo's
consent.
Nape therefore stayed there. with Daphnis, and drove her Oxen
about
the floor, to break the ears very small, and flip out the grain,
with
her hurdle set with sharp stones. But Dryas having carefully
laid up
his purse of Silver in that place where the monuments of Chloe
were
kept, makes away. presently to Lamo and Myrtale, to wooe them
for the
new Bridegroom. Them he found a measuring barley newly fanned,
and
much dejected, because that year the ground had scarcely
restored
them their feed. Dryas put in to comfort them concerning that,
affirming it was a Common Cause, and that every where he met the
same
cry; and then asks their good will that Daphnis by all means
should
marry Chloe, and told them withall, that although others did
offer
him great matters, yet of them he would take nothing; nay,
rather he
would give them somewhat for him. For they had bin bred up
together,
and by keeping their flocks together in the fields, were grown
to so
dear a Love, as was not easie to be dissolved: and now, they
were of
such an age, as sayes they may go to bed together. Thus said
Dryas,
and much more, because for the fee of his oratory to the
marriage, he
had at home three Thousand Drachma's. And now Lamo could no
longer
obtend poverty: for they did not disdain his lownesse, nor yet
Daphnis his age; for he was come to his flowery youth. That
indeed
which troubled him, and yet he would not say so, was this,
namely,
that Daphnis was of higher merit then such a match could suit
withall. But after a short silence, he return'd him this answer:
You
do well to prefer your neighbours to strangers, and not to
esteem
riches better than honesty and poverty. Pan, and the Nymphs be
good
to you for this. And I for my part do not at all hinder the
marriage.
It were madnesse in me, who am now ancient, and want many hands
to my
daily work, if I should not joyn to me the friendship and
alliance of
your family. Oh how great and desirable a Good is that! Besides,
Chloe is sought after by very many, a fair Maid, and altogether
of
honest manners and behaviour. But because I am onely a Servant,
and
not the Lord of anything I have: it is necessary my Lord and
Master
should be acquainted with this, that he may give his consent to
it.
Go to then, let us agree, to put off the Wedding till the next
Autumne. Those that use to Come from the City to us, tell us
that he
will then be here. Then they shall be man and Wife, and in the
mean
time let them love like Sister and Brother. Yet know this Dryas:
The
young man thou art in such haste and earnest about, is far
better
than us. And Lamo having thus spoke, embraced Dryas, and kist
him,
and made him sit and drink with him, when now it was hot at high
noon, and going along with him part of his way, treated him
altogether kindly. But Dryas had not heard the last words of
Lamo
only as chat, and therefore as he walkt along, he anxiously
enquired
of himself who Daphnis could be. He was suckled indeed and nurst
up
by a Goat, as if the providence of the gods had appointed it so.
But
he's of a sweet, and beautiful aspect, and no whit like either
that
flat-nosed old fellow, or the musty old woman. He had besides
three
thousand drachma's, and one would scarcely believe that a
Goat-herd
should have so many Pears in his possession. And has somebody
exposed
him too, as well as Chloe? And was it Lamo's fortune to find
him, as
it was mine to find her? And was he trimm'd up with such like
monuments, as were found by me? If this be so, O mighty Pan, O
ye
beloved Nymphs; it may be that he having found his own parents,
may
find out something of Chloe's too, who are so utterly unknown!
These
moping thoughts he had in his mind, and was in a dream up to the
floar. When he came there, he found Daphnis expecting, and
pricking
up his ears for Lamo's answer; Hail Son (quoth he) be Chloe's
husband: and promised him they should be married in the Autumne;
then
giving him his right hand, assured him on his faith, That Chloe
should be Wife to no body but Daphnis. Therefore without eating
or
drinking, swifter then thought he flyes to Chloe, and full of
joy
brings her the annunciation of the Marriage, and presently began
to
kisse her, not as before by stealth in a corner of the twilight,
but
as his Wife, and took upon him part of her labour. He kept her
about
the milking-paile; he put her Cheeses into the presse; suckled
the
Lamkbins, and the Kids. And when all was done, they washt
themselves,
eat and drank, and went to look for mellow fruits. And at that
time
there was huge plenty, because it was the season for almost all.
There were abundance of Pears, abundance of Apples. Some were
now
fallen to the ground, some were hanging on the Trees. Those on
the
ground had a sweeter sent; those on the boughs a sweeeter blush.
Those had the fragrancy of wine; these had the flagrancy of
Gold.
There stood one Apple-tree that had all its apples pull'd, all
the
boughes were now bare, and they had neither fruit, nor leaves,
but
onely there was one Apple that hang'd as if it were poised upon
the
very top of the Spire of the Tree; a great one it was, and very
beautifull, and such as by its rare, and rich Smell, would alone
out-
do many together. It should seem, that he that gather'd the rest
was
afraid to climb so high, and therefore left it. And peradventure
that
excellent apple was reserved for a Shepherd that was in Love.
When
Daphnis saw it, he mantled to be at it, and was even wild to
climb
the tree; nor would he hear Chloe forbidding him: but she
perceiving
her interdictions neglected, scutled away towards the flocks.
Daphnis
got up into the tree, and coming to the place, pulled it in
Chloe's
name, for Chloe; to whom, as she shewed her anger againft that
adventure, he thus spoke: Sweet Maid, The fair Houres planted
this
Apple, and a Goodly tree brought it up; it was ripened by the
beams
of the Sun, and preserved by the care and kindnesse of Fortune.
Nor
might I let it alone, so long as I had these eyes, lest if it
should
fall to the ground, some of the Cattell as they feed, should
tread
upon it, or some poisonous Serpent should touch it, or time
should
spoil it as it lay, when I had seen it, ripe and fair! Venus for
the
Victory of her beauty, carried away no other prize; I give Thee
This
the palmary of Thyne. For thou hast a well as she, such
witnesses to
thy beauty. Paris was but a Shepherd upon Ida; and I am a
Goat-herd
in the happy fields of Mitylene. With that, he put it into her
bosome, and Chloe pulling him to her, kist him. And so Daphnis
repented him not of that boldnesse to climb so high a tree. For
he
received a Kisse from her more precious than a Golden Apple.
Daphnis and Chloe, by Pierre Prud'hon Paris, 1802
THE FOURTH BOOK
AND now one of Lamo's fellow-servants brought word from Mitylene,
that their Lord would come towards the Vintage, to see whether
that
irruption of the Methymnæans had made any waste in those fields.
When
therefore the Summer was now parting away, and the Autumne
approaching, Lamo bestirred himself to fit a mansion for his
Lord,
that should present him with pleasure every where. He scoured
the
Fountains, that the water might be clear and transparent. He
muckt
the Cottage, lest the dung should offend him with the smell. The
Garden he trimmed with great care and diligence, that all might
be
pleasant, fresh, and fair. And that Garden indeed was a most
beautifull and goodly thing, and such as might become even a
Royal
Family; for it lay extended in length a whole Stadium. It was
situate
on a high ground, and had to its breadth, four Acres. To a
spacious
field one would easily have likened it. Trees it had of all
kinds the
Apple, the Pear, the Myrtle, the Orange, the Pomgranate, the
Figg,
and the Olive: and to these, on the other side, there grew a
rare,
and taller sort of Vines, that bended over, and reclin'd their
bunches of grapes among the Apples, and Pomgranats, as if they
would
vie and contend for beauty and worth of fruits with them. So
many
kinds there were of Satives; or of such as are planted, grafted,
or
set. To these were not wanting the Cypresse, the Laurel, the
Platan,
and the Pine. And towards them, instead of the Vine, the Ivie
lean'd;
and with the Errantry of her boughes, and her scatter'd black
berries, did imitate the Vines, and, shadowed beauty of the
ripened
grapes. Within, as in a Garrison, Trees of lower growth bore
fruit;
thickets of various shrubs, with their delicate and fragrant
berries,
were kept. Without, stood the barren Trees, enfolding all, much
like
a Fort, or some strong Vall, that had bin built by the hand of
Art.
And these were encompassed with a spruce, thin hedge. By alleyes,
and
glades, there was every where a just determination of things
from
things, an orderly discretion of Tree from Tree. But on the Tops
the
boughes met, to interweave their limbs and leaves with one
anothers.
And a man would have thought, that all this had not bin, as
indeed it
was, the wild of Nature, but rather the work of curious Art. Nor
were
there wanting to these borders and banks of various flowers;
some the
Earth's own Voluntiers; some the structure of the Artist's hand.
The
Roses, Hyacinths, and Lillies, were set, and planted by the
hand: The
Violet, the Daffodill, and Anagall the Earth gave up of her own
good
will. In the Summer there was shade; in the Spring, the beauty
and
fragrancy of flowers; in the Autumne, the pleasantnesse of the
grapes; and every season had its fruits. Besides from the high
ground
there was a fair and pleasing prospect to the fields, the
Herdsmen,
the Shepherds, and the Cattell feeding; the same too lookt to
the
Sea, and saw all the Boats and Pinnaces a sailing by: insomuch,
that
that was no small addition to the pleasure of this most sweet
and
florid place. In the midst of this Paradise to the positure of
the
length and breadth of the ground, stood a Phane and an Altar
sacred
to Bacchus, the Lord and Genius of the place. About the Bomos,
of
Altar, grew the wandring, encircling, clinging Ivie; about the
Phane,
the palmits of the Vines did spread themselves. And in the more
inward part of the Phane, were certain pictures that told the
story
of Bacchus, and his miracles: Semele bringing forth her babe:
The
fair Ariadne laid fast asleep: Lycuraus bound in chains:
wretched
Pentheus torn limb from limb: The Indians conquer'd: The
Tyrrhenian
Marriners, transform'd: Satyrs, and dancing Bacchæ, all about.
Nor
was Pan neglected in this place of pleasure, for he was set up
upon
the top of a crag playing upon his pipes, and striking up a
common
Jig, to those that trod the grapes in the presse, and the women
that
danc't about it. Therefore in such a Garden as this that all
might be
fine, Lamo was now very busie, cutting and pruning what was
wither'd,
and dry, and propping up the Palmits with his forks. Bacchus he
had
crown'd with flowery chaplets; and then brought down, with
curious
art, rills of water from the Fountains, amongst the borders and
the
knots. There was a spring, one that Daphnis first discovered,
and
that served rarely to this purpose of watering the flowers, and
in
favour to him, it was alwayes called Daphnis his Fountain. But
Lamo
besides commanded Daphnis to use his best skill to have his
Goats as
fat as might be; for their Lord would be sure to see them too,
who
now would come into the Countrey after he had bin so long away.
And
Daphnis had a good mind to it, because he thought he should be
lookt
upon, and praised for them. For he had doubled the number he had
received of Lamo, nor had the Wolf raven'd away so much as one,
and
they were all more twadding fat then the very sheep. And because
he
would win upon the Lord to be more forward to approve and
confirm the
match, he did his businesse with great diligence, and great
alacrity;
he drove out his Goats betimes in the mornings; and late in the
evening brought them home; twice a day he water'd them, and
culled
out for them the best pacture ground; he took care too to have
the
dairy-vessels new, good store of milking pales and piggins, and
fairer Crates, or presses for the Cheese. He was so far from
being
negligent in any thing, that he tryed to make their horns to
shine
with vernich, and comb'd their very shag to make them sleek.
Insomuch, as, if you had seen this, you had said it was Pan's
own
sacred flock. Chloe her self too would take her share in this
labour
for the Goats; and Daphnis thought 'twas Chloe's hand, and
Chloe's
eyes that made his flock appear so fair. While both of them are
thus
busied, there came another Messenger from the City, and brought
a
command, that the grapes should be gather'd with all speed: and
told
them withall, he was to tarry with them there till the Must was
made,
and then return to the Town to wait upon his Lord thither, the
Vintage of that Autumne now done. This Eudromus (for that was
his
name, because he was a Foot-Page) they all received and
entertain'd
with great kindness, and presently began the vintage; the grapes
were
gathered, cast into the presse; the Must made, and tunned into
the
Vessels, some of the fairest bunches of the grapes, together
with
their branches were cut, that to those who came from the City, a
shew
of the vintage and the pleasure of it, might still remain. And
now
Eudromus made haste to begone, and return to the Town, and
Daphnis
gave him great variety of pretty gifts, but specially what ever
could
be had from his flock of Goats: Cheeses that were close prest: a
kid
of the late fall, with a Goat-skin white, and thick shagg'd to
fling
about him when he ran in the winter. With this, Eudromus was
very
pleasantly affected, and kist Daphnis, and told him that he
would
speak a good word for him to his Master; and so went away with a
benevolent mind to them. But Daphnis then soon after was full of
anxious thoughts, and Chloe too not free from fear: namely, that
a
Lad that had bin used to see nothing but Goats, Mountains,
Ploughmen,
and Chloe, should then first be brought into the presence of his
Lord, of whom before he had heard nothing but onely his name.
For
Daphnis therefore she was very sollicitous, how he would come
before
his Master, how he would behave himself, how the bashfull Youth
would
salute him. About the marriage too she was much troubled,
fearing
lest they might but only dream of a meer chance, or nothing at
all.
Therefore kisses past between them without number, and such
embracings of one another, as if both of them were grown into
one
piece: but those kisses were full of fear; those embraces very
pensive, as of them that fear'd their Lord as then there, or
kist,
and clipt, in hugger-mugger to him. Moreover, then there arose
to
them such a distraction as this: There was one Lampis, an
untoward,
blustering, fierce Herdsman. And he amongst the rest had wooed
Dryas
for Chloe, and given him many gifts too to bring on and dispatch
the
marriage. But perceiving, that if their Lord did not dislike it,
Daphnis was to have the Girle; he sets himself to find, and
practise
a cunning trick, to enrage and alienate their Lord. And knowing
that
he was wonderfully pleas'd and delighted with that Garden, he
thought
it best to spoyl that as much as he could, and devest it of all
its
beauty. To cut the Trees he durst not attempt, left so he should
be
taken by the noyse. Wherefore he thinks to ruine the flowers;
and
when 'twas night, gets over the hedge, and some he pull'd up by
the
roots, of some he grasp't and tore the stems, the rest he trod
down
like a Boare, and so escap't unheard, unseen. Lamo the next
morning
went into the Garden to water the flowers. But when he saw what
the
mischievous rogue his enemy had done, and all the place now made
a
waste, he rent his clothes, and call'd so loud upon the gods,
that
Myrtale left all, and ran up thither; and Daphnis too, who now
had
driven out his Goats, ran back again. When they saw it, they
cryed
out, lamented, and wept. To grieve for the flowers it was in
vain;
but alas, their Lord they fear'd. And indeed, a meer stranger
had he
come there, might very well have wept with them. For all the
Venus of
the place was gone, and nothing remain'd but a lutulent soil: If
any
flower had escap't, it had yet, as it was then, a half-hid
floridnesse, and its glance; and still was fair, although it was
laid. And still the Bees sate thick upon them, and all along in
a
mourning murmur, sang the Funerall of the flowers. But Lamo out
of
his great consternation broke forth into these words: Alas,
alas, the
Rosaries, how are they broken down and torn! Woe is me, the
Violaries, how are they spurned and trodden down! Ah me, the
Hyacinths and Daffodills, which Some Villain has pulled up, the
wickedest of all mortals! The Spring will come, but these will
not
grow green again: it will be Summer, and these will not blow:
the
Autumne will come, but these will give no Chaplets for our
heads. And
didst not thou Bacchus, Lord of the Garden, pity the suffering
of
these flowers, among which thou dwellest, upon which thou
lookest,
and with which I have crown'd thee so often. How shall I now
shew
this Garden to my Lord? What a Look will he give it? how will he
take
it? He will hang me up for an old Rogue, like Marsyas upon a
Pine!
And perchance, poor Daphnis too, thinking his Goats has done the
deed. With these there fell more scalding tears, for now they
wept,
not for the flowers, but Themselves. And Chloe bewail'd poor
Daphnis
his case, and wisht their Lord might never come, spending her
dayes
in misery, as if even then she lookt upon her sweet Daphnis
under the
whip. But towards night, Eudromus came and brought them word,
that
their Lord would come within three dayes, and that their young
Master
would be there to-morrow. Therefore about what had befallen
them,
they fell to deliberate, and took in good Eudromus into their
Council. This Eudromus was altogether Daphnis his friend, and he
advised, they should first open the chance to their young Lord,
and
promised himself an Assistant too, as one of some accompt with
him;
for Astylus was nurst with his milk, and he lookt upon as a
foster-
brother; and so they did, the next day. Astylus came on
horseback,
his Parasite with him, and he on horseback too. Astylus was now
of
the first doune, but his Gnatho, that was his name, had
sometimes
tryed the Barbers tooles. But Lamo taking Myrtale and Daphnis
with
him, and flinging himself at the feet of Astylus, humbly
beseecht him
to have mercy on an unfortunate old man, and save him from his
fathers anger, one that was not in the fault, one that had done
nothing amisse: and then told him what had befallen them.
Aftylus had
pity on the wretched suppliant, and went with him to the Garden,
and
having seen the destruction of it as to the flowers, he promised
to
procure them his Fathers pardon, and lay the fault on the fiery
horses that were tyed thereabouts, boggled at something, and
broke
their bridles; and so it happened, that almost all the flowers
every
where were trodden down, broken, and torn, and flunder'd up.
Lamo
return'd him the benedictions of wretched men relieved, and
Myrtale
prayed the gods would prosper him in every thing. Soon after
young
Daphnis presented him with things made ready to that purpose,
young
Kids, Cream-Cheeses, a numerous brood of Henand-Chickens,
bunches of
Grapes hanging still upon their palmits, and apples on the
boughes.
And amongst them, a Crater of the Lesbian wine, fragrant wine,
and
the most excellent of drinks. Astylus commended their oblation,
and
entertainment, and went a hunting, for he was rich, and given to
pleasure, and therefore came to take it abroad in those fields.
But
Gnatho, a man that had learnt onely to guttle, and drink till he
was
drunk, and minded nothing but his belly, and his lasciviousnesse
under that, he had taken a more curious view of Daphnis then
others
had, when he presented the gifts. And because from the beginning
he
was struck with PœderaSTic (the Love of boys) by the
Terreftriall
gods, observing him to be such a beauty as all Mitylene could
not
shew, he resolved to tempt Daphnis to the purpose, and thought
he had
not much to do, because the Lad was but a Goat-herd. When he had
now
thus deliberated with himself, he went not with Astylus a
hunting:
but going down into the field where Daphnis kept, he said he
came to
see the Goats, but came indeed Spectator of the Youth. He began
to
palpe him with soft words, praised his Goats, call'd fondly on
him
for a Pastoral Tune, and said withall he would speedily
impetrate his
Liberty for him, as being able to do what he would with his
Lord. And
when he had found the harmlesse boy observant to him, when it
was now
grown somewhat dark, and Daphnis was to drive home, he watcht
his
time, and anon he ran at him, and lolled upon him; and when he
had
kist him o're and o're, he shuffled himself odlybehind him, as
if he
meant to attempt something like the he-goats with the she's. But
Daphnis at length perceiving it, and saying: That the he-goats
rid
the shees, That was very right indeed: but that a he-goat rid a
he,
that was never yet seen; nor the Rams, instead of the Ewes, to
rid
Rams; nor Cocks tread Cocks instead of Hens: Gnatho then laid
hands
on him, and offer'd to force him. But Daphnis flung off this
drunken
Sott, who scarce could stand upon his legs, and laid him on the
ground, then whipt away, and left him to some sturdy Porter, as
fitter to lead, or carry him, then a boy. Nor would Daphnis
endure it
he should near him ever after, and therefore still removed his
flocks, avoiding him, and keeping Chloe carefully. And indeed
Gnatho
did not proceed to trouble him further, for he had found him
already,
not onely a fair, but a stout boy. But he waited an occasion to
speak
concerning him to Astylus, hoping to beg him of the Gallant, as
one
that would bestow upon him many, and better gifts then that. But
it
was not a time to talk of it now. For Dionysophanes was come
with his
Wife Clearista, and all about was a busie noise, tumultuous
pudder of
carriages, and a long retinue of menservants and Maids. After
that he
thought with himself to make a Speech concerning Daphnis,
sufficient
for Love, sufficient for Length. -- Dionysophanes was now half
gray,
but very tall and well limb'd, and able at any Exercise to
grapple in
the younger list; for his Riches few came near him; for honest
Life,
Justice, and excellent manners, scant such another to be found.
He
when he was come, offer'd the first day to the president gods of
rurall businesse, to Ceres, Bacchus, Pan, and the Nymphs, and
set up
a common Crater for all that were present. The other dayes he
walkt
abroad to take a view of Lamo's Works, and seeing how the ground
was
ploughed, how swell'd with palmits, and how trim the Vineyard
was,
how fair and flourishing the Viridarie, (for as for the flowers,
Astylus had taken the fault upon himself) he was wonderfully
pleased
and delighted with all, and when he had praised Lamo much, he
promised besides to make him free. Afterwards he went into the
other
fields to see the Goats, and him that kept them. But Chloe fled
into
the Wood, for she could not bear so strong a presence, and was
afraid
of so great a company. But Daphnis stood girt with a Zone from a
thick shagg'd Goat, a new Scrip about his shoulders, in one hand
holding green Cheeses, with the other leading sucking Kids. If
ever
Apollo would be hired to serve Laomedon, and tend on herds, just
so
he lookt, as Daphnis then. He spoke not a word, but all on a
blush,
casting his eyes upon the ground, presented the rural gifts to
his
Lord. -- But Lamo spoke -- Sir (quoth he) This is the keeper of
those
Goats. To me you committed fifty shee's and two hee's; of them
he has
made you an hundred now, and ten he-goats. Do you see how plump
and
fat they are, how shaggy and rough their hair is, how intire and
unshatter'd their horns? Besides, he has made them musicall. For
if
they do but hear his Pipe, they are ready to do whatsoever he
will.
Clearista heard him what he said, and being struck with a
longing to
have it presently tryed whether it were so indeed or not, she
bids
Daphnis to play to his Goats as he wonted to do, promising to
give
him for his piping a Coat, a Mantle, and new shooes.
Daphnis when all the Company was
sate as a Theater, went to his
Beech, and standing under it, drew his Pipe out of his Scrip.
And
first he blowed something that was lowe, and smart: and
presently the
Goats rose up, and held their heads bolt upright. Then he play'd
the
Nomion, the Pastorall, or the grazing Tune: and the Goats cast
their
heads downwards to graze. Then again he breathed a note that was
soft
and sweet: and all lay down together to rest. Anon he struck up
a
sharp, violent, tumultuous Sound, (the warning of the Wolf) and
they
all rusht into the wood, as if the Wolf had come upon them.
After a
while he pip't aloud the Anacletic, or Recall: and they wheel'd
out
of the Wood again, and came up to his very feet: never was there
any
Master of a house that had his servants more obsequious to his
Commands. -All the Spectators admired his Art, but especially
Clearista, insomuch that she could not but swear she would give
him
the things she promised, who was so fair a Goat-herd, and
skill'd in
Musick, even to wonder. From this pleasure they returned to the
Village to dine, and sent Daphnis some of their choiser fare to
the
fields; where he feasted himself with Chloe, and was sweetly
affested
with those delicates and confections from the City, and hoped he
had
pleased his Lord and Lady so, that now he should not misse the
Maid.
But Gnatho now was more inflam'd with those things about the
Goat,
and counting his life no life at all, unlesse he had Daphnis at
his
will, he catcht Astylus walking in the Garden, and leading him
with
him into Bacchus his Phane, he fell to kisse his hands and his
feet.
But he enquiring why he did so; and bidding him tell what was
the
matter with him; and swearing withall, to hear and help him in
anything: Master, thy Gnatho is undone (quoth he:) for I who
heretofore was in Love with nothing but a plenteous Table; and
swore
nothing was more desireable, nothing of a more pretious Tang
then
good old wine; I that have often affirmed, That thy Confections
and
Cooks, were sweeter then the boyes of Mitylene; I shall now
hereafter
for ever think, that nothing is fair and sweet but Daphnis; and
giving over to feed high, as thou art furnisht every day with
flesh,
with fish, with banquetting; nothing could be more pleasant to
me,
then to be turned into a Goat, to eat grasse, and green leaves,
hear
Daphnis his pipe, and be fed at his hand. But do thou preserve
thy
Gnatho, and be to him the victor of victorious Love. Unlesse it
be
done, I swear to thee by my god, that when I have fill'd my
paunch
with meat, I'le take this dagger, and kill myself at Daphnis his
door. And then you may go look for your pretty little Gnatho, as
thou
usest daily to call me. Astylus a generous Youth, and one that
was
not to learn that Love was a tormentous fire, could not endure
to see
him weep in such a manner, and kisse his feet again and again;
but
promised to beg Daphnis of his Father, to wait upon him at
Mitylene,
and so to become Gnatho's Pathic-boy. But to please himself, and
hearten up Gnatho, he smiled upon him, and askt him, Whether he
were
not asham'd to be in love with Lamo's Son, nay, to be made to
lye
with a boy that kept Goats? Besides, he thought the strong
perfume of
Goats was somewhat abominable. Gnatho on the other side, like
one
that had learnt the wanton discourse among good fellowes in the
drinking Schooles, was ready to answer him better then ex
tempore,
concerning himself and Daphnis -- thus: We Lovers (Sir) are
never
curious about such things as those, but wheresoever we meet with
beauty, there undoubtedly we are catcht, and fall upon it. And
hence
it is that some have fallen in Love with a Tree, some with a
River,
some with a Beast. And who would not pity that miserable Lover,
whom
we know fatally bound, to live in fear of that that's loved? But
I,
as I love the body of a servant, so in that, the beauty of the
most
Ingenuous. Do you not see his locks are like the Hyacinths! and
his
eyes under the browes, like Diamonds burning, in their golden
Sockets! How sweetly ruddy are his cheeks, his lips rosie, and
his
mouth rowed with Elephant-pearl! And what Lover would not be
fond to
take from thence, the sweetest red and white kisses? But if I
love a
keeper of flocks, in that I imitate the gods! Auchises was a
Herdsman, and Venus had him. Branchius was a Goat-herd, and
Apollo
loved him. Ganymedes was but a Shepherd; and yet he was
Jupiter's
rape. We ought not then to contemn the youth because he is a
keeper
of Goats, to whom, we see even the Goats, for very love of one
so
fair, every way obedient; nay rather, that They let such a
beauty as
that, continue here upon the Earth, we owe our thanks to
Jupiter's
Eagles. At that word Astylus had a sweet laugh, and saying, Oh
what
mighty Sophisters this Love can make, began to cast about for a
fit
time to speak to his Father about Daphnis. Eudromus hearken'd
what
was said, and catcht the Secret; and detesting in himself that
such a
flower of beauty should be put into the hands of a filthy
fellow, he
told both Daphnis and Lamo all that happen'd. Daphnis was struck
to
the heart with this, and soon resolv'd either to run away, and
Chloe
with him, or else to die, and take her with him to the Elysian
fields. -- But Lamo getting Myrtale out of doores, What shall we
do,
(quoth he) we are all undone? Now or never is our time to open
all
that hitherto has bin concealed; namely, the lone, forsaken
place;
the Goat, and all the other Things. For, by Pan, and all the
Nymphs,
though I should be left alone to my self, like an Ox forgotten
in a
stall, I will not longer hide his story; but declare I found him
an
Exposed Child, make it known how he was nurst, and shew the
Significations found exposed together with him. And let that
rotten
rascal Gnatho know himself, and what it is he dares to love.
Only
make ready the monuments for me! This agreed, they went again
into
the house. But Astylus, his father being at leisure, went to
him, and
askt his leave to take Daphnis from the Countrey to serve him at
Mitylene; for he was a fine boy, far above the clownish Life,
and one
that Gnatho soon could teach the City-garbe. His Father grants
it
willingly, and presently sending for Lamo and Myrtale, lets them
know
that Daphnis should hereafter wait upon Astylus in the City, and
leave his keeping Goats. But then instead of him, he promised to
give
them two Goat-herds. And now when Lamo saw the Servants running
together, and hugge one another for joy they were to have so
sweet a
fellow-servant in the house, he askt leave to speak to his Lord
and
thus began:
Hear me, Sir, a true story, that an
old man is about to tell you. And
I swear by Pan and the Nymphs that I will not lie a jott. I am
not
the Father of Daphnis, nor was Myrtale so happy as to be the
Mother
of so sweet a Youth. Other Parents exposed that Child, having
(perchance) enow before. But I found him where he was laid, and
suckled by a Goat of mine; which Goat when she died, I buried in
yonder skirt of the Garden, to use her kindly, because she had
plaid
the part of a Mother. Together with him I found habiliments
exposed,
and signs (methought) of what he was. I confesse them to you
(Sir)
and have kept them to this day. For they make him of higher
fortune,
than ours has any Symbol to: Wherefore I think not much he
should
become the Servant of the noble Astylus, a good Servant of a
good and
honest Lord. But I cannot endure to have him now exposed to be
injuriously and basely used by the drunken Glutton, Gnatho; and,
as
it were, be made a slave to such a drivell. Who now would have
him to
Mitylene, there to make a Wench of him. Lamo when he had thus
said,
held his peace, and wept amain. But Gnatho being enraged by
this, and
threatening to cudgell Lamo, Dionysophanes was wholly amazed at
what
was said, and commanded him silence, bending his browes, and
looking
stern and grim upon him; then again question'd Lamo, charging
him to
speak the Truth, and tell him no such Tales as those, to keep
his Son
at home by him. But when he stood to what he said, and swore to
it by
all the gods, and would submit to any Torture, if he did lie but
in
the least; he examin'd every passage over again, Clearista
sitting
apart. What cause is there that Lamo should lie, when for One,
he is
to have two Goat-herds? And how should a simple Countrey-fellow
feign
and forge such things as these? No sure; besides it is
incredible
that of such an old Churle, and such an Urchin as his Wife,
there
should come a child so fair! And now it seem best to insist no
longer
upon conjectures, but to view the monumentals, and try if they
reported any thing of a more noble splendid fortune.
Myrtale therefore went and brought
them all to him, laid up safe in
an old Scrip. Dionysophanes lookt first, and seeing there the
Purple
Mantle, the Gold-button, the Dagger with the Ivory heft, he
cryed out
loud, Great Jupiter the Governour! and call'd his Wife that she
might
see. She too, when she saw them, cryed out amain, O dear, dear
Fates!
Are not these those very Things we exposed with our Son? Did we
not
send Sophrosyne to lay him here in these fields? They are no
other,
but the very same, my dear! This is our Child without doubt.
Daphnis
is thy Son, and he has kept his Fathers Goats. While Clearista
was
yet speaking, and Dionysophanes was kissing those sweet
revelations
of his Child, and weeping over them for joy, Astylus hearing it
was
his Brother, flings off his Cloak, and o're the Green away he
flies,
in an earnest desire to be the first to entertain him with a
kisse.
Daphnis seeing him make towards him so fast with such a Company,
and
hearing his own name in the noise, thinking they came to
apprehend
him, flung away his Scrip and his Pipe, and in the scare set a
running towards the Sea to cast himself from a high Crag. And
peradventure the new-found Daphnis had then bin lost, but that
Astylus perceiving it, cryed out to him more clearly: Stay
Daphnis;
Be not afraid, I am thy Brother, and They thy Parents, that were
hitherto thy Lords. Now Lamo has told us all concerning the
Goat, and
shewed the monuments thou hadst about thee. Turn thee, and see
with
what a rejoycing, cheerful face they come along. But do thou
kisse me
first of all. By the Nymphs I do not lie. After that Oath he
ventured
to stand, and staid till Astylus came at him, and then offer'd
him a
kisse. While they were kissing and embracing, the rest of the
company
came in, the Men-servants, the Maids, the Father, and after him,
the
Mother. Every one kist him and hugg'd him in their arms,
rejoycing,
and weeping. But Daphnis embraced his Father and his Mother the
most
familiarly of all the rest, and cling'd to them as if he had
known
them long before, and would not part out of their arms. So
quickly
comes belief to joyn with nature. An oblivion of Chloe had now
begun
by little and little to steal upon him. And when they got back
to the
Village, they turned him out of his old clothes, and put him in
a
gallant habit, and placing him near his own Father, they heard
him
speak to this purpose:
I married a Wife (my dear Sons) when
I was yet very young, and after
a while, as I conjectured I should, it was my happiness to be a
Father. For first I had a Son born, the second a daughter, and
then
Astylus the third. I thought there was enow of the breed, and
therefore I exposed this boy, who was born after the rest, and
set
him out with those Toyes, not for the monuments of his Stock,
but for
Sepulchral ornaments. But fortune had other thoughts and
Counsels
about him. For so it was, that my eldest son, and my daughter
dyed on
the same disease upon one and the same day. But Thou by the
providence of the gods art kept alive and saved for Us, in
design to
make us happy by more helps and manudostors to our Age. Yet do
not
thou, when it comes to thy mind that thou wast Expos'd, take it
unkindly, or think evill of me; for it was not with a willing
mind.
Neither do Thou good Astylus, take it ill, that now thou art to
have
but a part for the whole Inheritance. For to any man that's
wise,
there is no possession more pretious then a brother is.
Therefore
esteem and love one another, and for your riches, compare and
vie
yourselves with Kings. For I shall leave you large Lands,
Servants,
Industrious and True, Gold and Silver, all that the fortunate
possesse. Onely in Special I give to Daphnis this Mannour, with
Lamo,
and Myrtale, and the Goats that he has kept. While he was still
going
on in his Speech, Daphnis starting, 'Tis well remembered, Father
(quoth he) 'Tis time to go and lead my Goats to watering; They
are
now dry, and now expecting my Pipe; and I am loytering and
lolling
here. They all laught sweetly at this, to see him that was now a
Lord
turning into a Goat-herd again; and so another was sent away to
rid
his mind of that care. And now when they had sacrificed to
Jupiter
Soter, the saviour of the re-posed Child, they had a jovial
rejoycing
Feast, and only Gnatho was not there; for he was in a mighty
feare,
and took sanctuarie in Bacchus his Phane, and there he was a
sneaking
suppliant night and day: But the fame flying abroad that
Dionysophanes had found a Son, and that Daphnis the Goat-herd
proved
the Lord of those fields: the ruralls came in with the early
day,
some from one place, some another, there to congratulate the
Youth,
and bring their presents to his Father. And amongst these, Dryas
was
first; Dryas, to whom Chloe was nursling. And Dionysophanes
accepting
their expressions of Joy and exultation, made them stay to
celebrate
the great feast of the Invention of Daphnis. Therefore great
store of
Wine, and the finest Bread, was furnisht out; water-fowl of all
sorts; sucking pigs; various curiosities of sweet cakes, Wafers,
Simnels, and Pies. And many victims that day were slain and
offer'd
to the Gods of Lesbos. Daphnis then, having got all his
pastorall
furniture about him, cast it into severall Anathema's, his
thankfull
Donaries to the Gods. To Bacchus, he dedicates his Scrip, and
Mantle;
to Pan, his Whistle and his oblique Pipe: his Goat-hook to the
holy
Nymphs; and Milking-pailes, that he had made. But so it is, that
those things we have long been acquainted withall, and used
ourselves
to, are more acceptable and pleasing to us, then a new and
insolent
felicity; and therefore teares fell from his eyes at every
valediction to this and that; nor did he offer the pailes to the
Nymphs, till he had milkt into them first; nor his Mantle till
he had
lapt himself in it, nor his Pipe till he had pip't a tune or
two. But
he look't wistly upon all the things, and would not let them goe
without a Kisse. Then he spoke to the She-goats, and call'd the
He-
goats by their names. Out of the Fountain too he needs must
drink
before he goes, because he had drank there many a time, and with
his
sweetest, dearest Chloe. But as yet he did not openly professe
his
Love; because he waited a season to it. And therefore in the
meane
time, while he was keeping holy-day, it was thus with poore
Chloe. By
her flocks she sate, and wept; and complained to her self, and
them
(as it was like) in this manner: Daphnis has forgot me. Now he
thinks
of a Great fortune. To what purpose is it now, that after we had
sworn by the Nymphs, I would make him sweare to me by the
Goates? He
has forsaken them and me! And when the other day, he sacrificed
to
Pan, and the Nymphs he would not so much as see Chloe. Perchance
he
has found a prettyer Wench then I amongst his Mothers Maids.
Fare him
well! But I must die; and will not live. While thus she was
maundering and afflicting her self, Lampis the Herdsman coming
upon
her with a band of rusticks, ravisht her away, presuming Daphnis
had
cast off all thoughts of Chloe, and Dryas too to gape on
Daphnis. And
so she was carried away, crying out most piteously. But one that
saw
it told it Nape, she Dryas, and Dryas Daphnis.
This put Daphnis almost quite out of
his witts; and to his Father he
durst not speak, nor was he able to endure in that condition,
and
therefore slinking away into the circuit walkes of the Garden,
broke
forth into lamentations. Oh the bitter Invention of Daphnis! How
much
better was it for me to keep a flock? And how much happyer was I
when
I was a Servant? Then I fed my eyes with Chloe. But now she is
the
rape of Lampis, and with him she lyes to night. And I stay here,
and
melt my selfe away in wine and soft delights, and so in vain
have
sworn to her by the Nymphs, by Pan, and by the Goats. These
heavy
complaints of Daphnis, it was Gnathos fortune to heare as he was
sculking in the Garden; and presently apprehending the happie
houre
to appease Daphnis, and make him propitious; he takes some of
Astylus
his Servants, makes after Dryas; bids him shew him to Lampis his
Cottage, and plucks up his heeles to get thither. And lighting
on him
in the nick as he was halling Chloe in, he took her from him,
and
bang'd his band of Clowns. And Lampis himself he endeavour'd to
take,
and bring him bound, as a captive from some Warre, but he
prevented
that by flight. This undertaking happily perform'd, he return'd
with
the night; and found Dionysophanes at his rest; but Daphnis
watching,
weeping, and waiting in the Walks. There he presents his Chloe
to
him, gives her into his hands, and tells them the story of the
action; then beseeches him to think no more of that injurious
attempt
upon him, but take him as a Servant not altogether unusefull,
and not
interdict him the Table, to make him die for want. Daphnis
seeing
Chloe, and having her now in his own hands, was reconciled by
that
service, and received him into favour; then excused himself to
Chloe,
for his seeming to neglect her. And now advising together about
their
intended wedding, it was, they thought, the best way, still to
conceale it, and to hide Chloe in some hole or other, then to
acquaint his Mother only with their Love. But Dryas was not of
that
opinion. He would have the Father know the whole businesse as it
was,
and undertakes to bring him on. In the Morning betimes, with
Chloe's
monuments in his Scrip, he goes to Dionysophanes and Clearista,
who
were sitting in the Garden. And Astylus was there present, and
Daphnis himself. And, silence made, the old Goatherd thus began.
Such a necessity as Lamo had,
compells me now to speak those things
that hitherto have bin concealed. This Chloe I neither begot,
nor had
anything to do in her nursing up. But some others were her
Parents,
and a Sheep gave her suck in the Nymphæum where she lay. I my
self
saw it done, and wonder'd at it; wond'ring at it, took her home,
and
brought her up. And the excessive Sweetnesse of her face, bears
me
witnesse to what I say. For she is nothing like to Us. The fine
accoutrements she had about her make it more apparent too. For
they
are richer then becomes a Shepherds Coate. Here they are, view
them
well, seek out her kin, and so trie whether at length she may
not be
found, not unworthy to marrie Daphnis.
These words as they were not
unadvisedly cast in by Dryas, so neither
were they heard by Dionysophanes without regard. But casting his
eyes
upon Daphnis, and seeing him look pale upon it, and his teares
stealing down his face, presently deprehended it was Love. Then
as
one that was bound to be more sollicitous about his own, then
another
man's Child, he falls with all accuratenesse to reprehend what
Dryas
had said. But when he saw the monitorie Ornaments; her mitre;
and her
mantle wrought with Gold; her curious blankets, and her gilded
shoos,
he cal'd her to him, bid her be of good chear as one that had
now a
husband, and erelong should find her Father and her Mother.
Clearista took her to her care, and
from that time trickt her up and
made her fine, as even then her Son's Wife. But Dionyso-phanes
taking
Daphnis aside, askt him, if Chloe were a Maid; And he swearing,
that
nothing had past betwixt them, but only kissing, embracing, and
oathes; his Father was much delighted to heare of that prettie
Conjuration by which they had bound themselves to one another,
and
made them sit down together to a banquet brought in. And then
one
might presently see what beautie was, when it had got its proper
dresse. For Chloe being so clothed, drest in her hair, and washt
in
Clearista's wash; did so outshine even all beautie, that her own
Daphnis now could scarce know her. And any man, without the
faith of
monuments might now have sworne, that Dryas was not the Father
of so
fair a maid. But he was there, and Nape, and Lamo, and Myrtale,
feasting at a private Table. And again, upon this invention of
Chloe,
were immolations to the Gods, and Chloe consecrated her
Trinkets;
that skin she used to weare; her Scrip; her Pipe; her
Milking-pailes.
She mingled Wine too with that Fountain in the Cave, because
close by
it she was nurst; and had often washt in it. The Grave of her
Nurse
shown to her by Dryas, she adorned with many Garlands; and to
her
flock, plaid a little on her Pipe. Then she prayes to the
Goddesses
that she might find them that exposed her to be such, as would
not
mis-become her marriage with Daphnis. And now they had enough of
feasting and holy-dayes, in the fields; and would returne to
Mitylene; look out Chloe's parents there, and speedily have a
wedding
on't. In the morning betime when they were readie to goe, to
Dryas
they gave the other three thousand drachma's: To Lamo halfe of
that
Land, to sow, and moe, and find him Wine, and Goats, together
with
the Goatherd; four paire of Oxen for the Plough; Winter Clothes;
and
made his Wife free. Then anon with a great Pompe and a brave
show of
Horses and Waggons, on they moved towards Mitylene. And because
it
was night before they could come in, they escaped the Citizens
gapeing upon them then; but the next day; there was a throng of
men
and Women at the door. These to give joyes, and rejoyce with
Dionysophanes who had found a Son; and their joy was much
augmented
when they saw the excessive sweetnesse of the Youth. Those to
exult
with Clearista, who had brought home not only a Son, but a Bride
too.
For Chloe's beautie had struck the eyes of them, a beautie for
its
lustre beyond estimation, beyond excesse by any other. In fine,
the
whole Cittie was moved about the young man and the maide, and
now
with loud ingeminations, cryed, A happie marriage, a blessed
Marriage. They prayed too the maid might find her birth as
Great, as
she was Faire; and many of the richer Ladyes prayed the Gods,
they
might be taken for Mothers of so sweet a Girl. But Dionysophanes
after many sollicitous thoughts, fell into a deep sleep, and in
that,
had this Vision. He thought he saw the Nymphs petition Cupid, to
grant them at length a licence for the wedding. Then, that Love
himself, his bow unbent, and by his quiver laid; commanded him
to
invite the whole nobility of Mitylene to a feast, and when he
had
sett the last crater, there to show the Monuments to every one;
and
from that point, commence and sing the Hymenæus. When he had
seen,
and heard This, up he getts as sone as day, and gave order that
a
splendid supper should be provided of all varietyes from the
land,
from the Sea, from the Marshes, from the rivers; and at night
had to
his guests all the best of the Mitylenæans. And when the last
Crater
was filled, and out of it a Libation poured to Mercury the god
of
sleep; one of the servants came in with Chloe's Trinkets upon a
Silver plate; and carrying them about in his right hand,
presented
them to every eye. Of others there was none that knew them.
Onely one
Megacles, who for his age sate uppermost, when he saw them,
knowing
presently what they were, cryed out amain with a youthful,
strong
voyce: Blesse me! What is it that I see? What is become of thee,
my
little daughter? Art Thou yet indeed alive? or has some Shepherd
brought these hither, lighting on them by meer chance? Tell me,
for
gods sake, Dionysophanes, How came you by the dresse of my
Child?
Envy not me the finding something after Daphnis. But
Dionysophanes
bidding him first relate the Exposing of the Child; he remitted
nothing of his former tone, but thus went on:
Some yeares ago I had but a scanty
livelyhood. For I spent what I
had, on Playes, and Shews, and the public Galleys. In this
condition
I had a daughter born. And despairing because of my want of an
honourable education for her, I exposed her with These
monumentall
Toyes, knowing that even by that way, many are glad to be made
fathers. In the Nymphæum she was laid, and left to the trust of
the
Resident Goddesses. After that I began to be rich, and grow
richer
every day, yet had no heir; nor was I afterwards so fortunate,
as to
be Father but to a daughter. But the gods, as if they mockt me
for
what I had done, sent me a dream, which signified, That a Sheep
should make me a Father. Dionysophanes upon that burst out
louder
than Megacles; and sprung away into a near with-drawing room,
and
brought in Chloe finely drest as curiosity could do it. And in
haste
to Megacles, This (quoth he) is that same daughter of Thine that
thou
didst expose: This Girle, a Sheep, by the providence of the
gods, did
nurse for thee, as a Goat did my Daphnis. Take her monuments,
Take
thy daughter; then by all meanes give her Daphnis for a Bride.
We
exposed both of them, and have now found them both: Pan, the
Nymphs,
and Love himself took care of both. Megacles highly approved the
motion, and commanded his Wife Rhode should be sent for thither,
first to see her sweet Girle, then to have her sleep that night
in
her lap. For Daphnis had sworne by all the Gods, he would not
trust
her with any body else, no not with his own Father. When it was
day,
into the fields they turned again. For Daphnis and Chloe had
impetrated that, by reason of the strangenesse and insolence of
Cittie conversation to them. Besides, for them it was thought
the
best to make it a kind of Pastorall Wedding. Therefore coming to
Lamo's house to Megacles was Dryas joyn'd assistant, Nape to
Rhode.
And by them all things were finely disposed and furnisht to the
rurall celebration.
Then before the statues of the
Nymphs her Father gave Chloe to
Daphnis, and with other more pretious things, suspended her
Monuments
for Anathemas in the Cave. Then in recognition of Dryas his
care,
they made up his number ten-thousand dracma's. But Dionysophanes
(for
his share) the day being serene, open, and fair, commanded there
should be Arbors of green boughes set up under the very Cave,
and
there disposed the Villagers to their high feasting jollitie.
Lamo
was there, and Myrtale, Dryas and Nape, Dorco's kindred and
friends,
Philetas and his Lads, Chromis and his Lycenium. Nor was even
Lampis
absent; for he was pardon'd by that Beautie that he had loved.
Therefore then, as usually when rurall revellers are met
together at
a Feast: nothing but Georgics, nothing but what was rustical was
there. Here one sang like the Reapers, There another prattled
it, and
flung about the Epilenion flirts and scoffs, as in the Autumne
from
the presse. Philetas played upon his Pipes, Lampis upon the
Hoboy.
Dryas and Lamo danced to them. Daphnis and Chloe clipt and kist.
The
Goats too were feeding by, as part of that celebritie.
And this manner of entertainment of
those from the Cittie, was
pleasing to them beyond measure. Daphnis now calls up some of
the
Goats by their names, and from the Arbors gives them boughs to
browze
upon from his hand, and catching them fast by the hornes, took
kisses
thence. And thus they did not only then for that day; but for
the
most part of their time, held on still the Pastoral mode;
serving the
Gods, the Nymphs, Cupid, and Pan; and nothing for food more
pleasant
to them then Apples, and Milk. But now for the ceremonyes of
giving
them their new names, it was appointed, Daphnis should lie down
under
a Coat, and take the dugge; Chloe then, under a sheep: him they
called Philopœmen, her they named, the fair Agéle.
And so with them those names grew
old. The Cave they adorn'd with
curious work, set up Statues, built an Altar of Cupid the
Shepherd,
and to Pan, a phane to dwell in stead of a pine, and called him,
Pan
Stratiotes, Pan the Lovers Souldier.
But this adorning of the Cave,
building an Altar, and a Phane, and
giving them their names, was afterwards at their opportunity.
Then
when it was night, and Venus rising up the horizon, they all
lead the
Bride and Bridegroom to their Chamber, some playing upon
Whistles and
Hoboyes, some upon the oblique Pipes, some holding great
Torches.
And when they came near to the door,
they chang'd their tone, and
gave a grating harsh sound, nothing like the Hymenæus, but as if
the
Virgin Earth had bin torn with many Tridents.
But Daphnis and Chloe lying naked
together, began to clip, and kisse,
and twine, and strive with one another, sleeping no more then
birds
of the night; and Daphnis now did the Trick that his Mistris
Lycænium
had taught him in the thicket. And Chloe then first knew, that
those
things that were done in the Wood, were only the sweetest Sports
of
Shepherds.
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