Are handsome pictures. One so young, and goodly, So sweet in his own nature, any story Hath seldom mention'd. Men. Why should such as I am Groan under the light burthens of small sorrows, In several shapes; as miseries do grow, They alter as men's forms; but how none know. Men. Than any I have observed abroad! all countries else Amet. Jewel, Menaphon? Men. A jewel, my Amethus, a fair youth; A youth, whom, if I were but superstitious, I should repute an excellence more high, Than mere creations are: to add delight, I'll tell you how I found him. Amet. Prithee do. Men. Passing from Italy to Greece, the tales Desire of visiting that paradise. To Thessaly I came; and living private, Without acquaintance of more sweet companions 1 Vide (Ford says) Fami. Stradam, lib. ii. Prolus. 6, Acad. 2, Imitat. Claudian. This story, as Mr. Lambe observes, has been para Amet. I cannot yet conceive what you infer By art and nature. Men. I shall soon resolve you. A sound of music touch'd mine ears, or rather, This youth, this fair-faced youth, upon his lute, Men. A nightingale, Nature's best skill'd musician, undertakes own; He could not run division with more art Men. You term them rightly; For they were rivals, and their mistress, harmony.Some time thus spent, the young man grew at last Into a pretty anger, that a bird Whom art had never taught cliffs, moods, or notes, Should vie with him for mastery, whose study Had busied many hours to perfect practice: To end the controversy, in a rapture Upon his instrument he plays so swiftly, So many voluntaries and so quick, That there was curiosity and cunning, phrased by Crashaw, Ambrose Philips, and others: none of those vergions, however, can at all compare for harmony and grace with this before us.-GIFFORD, Concord in discord, lines of differing method Meeting in one full centre of delight. Amet. Now for the bird. Men. The bird, ordain'd to be Music's first martyr, strove to imitate These several sounds: which, when her warbling throat Fail'd in, for grief, down dropp'd she on his lute, ness, To see the conqueror upon her hearse To weep a funeral elegy of tears; That, trust me, my Amethus, I could chide Amet. I believe thee. Men. He look'd upon the trophies of his art, Then sigh'd, then wiped his eyes, then sigh'd and cried, "Alas, poor creature! I will soon revenge Henceforth this lute, guilty of innocent blood, Amet. Thou hast discours'd A truth of mirth and pity.2 Men. I repriev'd The intended execution with entreaties, Did overmatch birds, when his voice and beauty, Thou hast discours'd A truth of mirth and pity.] This is evidently corrupt; but I can suggest no remedy. Pathetic, indeed, this most beautiful tale is, but it certainly contains nothing of merriment.-GIFFORD. Endued with reason, ravish admiration: Amet. But is this miracle Not to be seen? Men. I won him by degrees To choose me his companion. Whence he is, So gently he would woo not to make known; He told me, that some remnant of his life The fame of our young melancholy prince, Your matchless friendship, and my desperate love Amet. Now thou art doubly welcome: I will not lose the sight of such a rarity For one part of my hopes. When do you intend Men. May I Without offence? Amet. Without offence !-Parthenophill Shall find a worthy entertainment too. Thou art not still a coward? Men. She's too excellent, And I too low in merit. Amet. I'll prepare A noble welcome; and, friend, ere we part, [Exeunt. SCENE II. Another Room in the Palace. Enter RHETIAS, carelessly attired. Rhe. I will not court the madness of the times; Not fawn upon the riots that embalm Our wanton gentry, to preserve the dust Of memorable shame. When commonwealths And ancient virtue which renowns the great, rooms Grow up, and make new laws to license folly; Affliction in ourselves. This rule is certain; Enter PELIAS. Here comes intelligence; a buzz o' the court. 1 Why should not I, a May-game, &c.] i. e. an unconsidered trifle, a jest, a piece of mirth.-GI FORD. 2 Snarl at the vices.] Snarl (as well as girl) is commonly made a dissyllable by our poet.-GIFFORD. 3 i. e. boldly, desperately, without care of consequences. |