Peri. ’Twas only that the chaste thoughts might be shown
’Twixt thee and me, although we were alone.
Amar. Come, Perigot will show his power, that he
Can make his Amoret, though she weary be,
Rise nimbly
from her couch, and come to his.
Here, take thy Amoret; embrace and kiss.
[Lies down beside him.
Peri. What means my love?
Amar. To do as lovers should,
That are to be enjoyed, not to be wooed.
There’s ne’er a shepherdess in
all the plain
Can kiss thee with more art; there’s none can feign
More wanton tricks.
Peri. Forbear, dear soul, to try
Whether my heart be pure; I’ll rather die
Than nourish one thought to dishonour
thee.
Amar. Still think’st thou such a thing as chastity
Is amongst women? Perigot, there’s none
That with her
love is in a wood alone,
And would come home a maid: be not abused
With thy fond first belief; let time be
used.
[Perigot rises.
Peri. My true heart thou hast slain!
Amar. Faith, Perigot, I’ll pluck thee down again.
Peri. Let go, thou serpent, that into my breast
Hast with thy cunning dived!—Art not in jest?
Amar. Sweet love, lie down.
Peri. Since this I live to see,
Some bitter north wind blast my flocks and me!
Amar. You swore you loved, yet will not do my will.
Peri. Oh, be as thou wert once, I’ll love thee still!
Amar. I am as still I was, and all my kind;
Though other shows we have, poor men to blind.
Peri. Then, here I end all love; and, lest my vain
Belief should ever draw me in again,
Before thy face, that
hast my youth misled,
I end my life! my blood be on thy head!
[Offers to kill himself with his spear.
Amar. [Rising.] Oh, hold thy hands, thy Amoret doth cry!
Peri. Thou counsel’st well; first, Amoret shall die,
That is the cause of my eternal smart! Amar. Oh,
hold!
[Exit.
Peri. This steel shall pierce thy lustful heart!
[Exit, running after her.
Sull. Shep. [Coming forward.] Up and down, every where,
I strew the herbs, to purge the air:
Let your
odour drive hence
All mists that dazzle sense.
Herbs and springs, whose hidden might
Alters shapes, and