THE ARRAIGNMENT
OF PARIS

By George Peele

Performed c. 1581

First Published 1584

The Araygnement of Paris

A PASTORALL.

Presented before the Queenes Maiestie,

by the Children of her Chappell.

Imprinted at London by Henrie Marsh.

Anno. 1584.

DRAMATIS PERSONAE.

The Olympian Gods and Goddesses:

Jupiter, king of all the gods.

Juno, queen of the gods.

Apollo, god of music, medicine and the sun.

Bacchus, god of wine and revelry.

Diana, goddess of hunting and chastity.

Mars, god of war.

Mercury, Jupiter's messenger.

Neptune, ruler of the seas.

Pallas, goddess of war and wisdom.

Pluto, ruler of the underworld.

Venus, goddess of beauty.

Vulcan, the blacksmith.

Minor Gods and Goddesses:

Pan, god of flocks and herdsman.

Faunus, god of fields.

Silvanus, god of forests.

Saturn, god of agriculture.

Pomona, goddess of orchards and gardens.

Flora, goddess of flowers and gardens.

Ate, goddess of discord.

Clotho, one of the Fates.

Lachesis, one of the Fates.

Atropos, one of the Fates.

The Muses, protectors of the arts.

A Nymph of Diana.

Rhanis, a nymph.

Mortals:

Paris, a shepherd, son of King Priam of Troy.

Colin, a shepherd.

Hobbinol, a shepherd.

Diggon, a shepherd.

Thenot, a shepherd.

Oenone.

Helen.

Thestylis.

Cupids, Cyclops, Shepherds, Knights, &c.

Settings, Scene Breaks and Stage Directions.

     The entire play takes place in the valleys and woods of Mt. Ida, near Troy, in Asia Minor.
     The original quarto of The Arraignment of Paris was divided into five Acts and multiple scenes, which organization we follow.
     Finally, as is our normal practice, some stage directions have been added, and some modified, for purposes of clarity. Most of these minor changes are adopted from Dyce.

PROLOGUS.

Enter Até.

1

Condemnèd soul, Até, from lowest hell,

2

And deadly rivers of th' infernal Jove,

Where bloodless ghosts in pains of endless date

4

Fill ruthless ears with never-ceasing cries,

Behold, I come in place, and bring beside

6

The bane of Troy! behold, the fatal fruit,

Raught from the golden tree of Proserpine!

8

Proud Troy must fall, so bid the gods above,

And stately Ilium's lofty towers be racet

10

By conquering hands of the victorious foe;

King Priam's palace waste with flaming fire,

12

Whose thick and foggy smoke, piercing the sky,

Must serve for messenger of sacrifice,

14

T' appease the anger of the angry heavens;

And Priam's younger son, the shepherd swain,

16

Paris, th' unhappy organ of the Greeks. 

So, loth and weary of her heavy load,

18

The Earth complains unto the hellish prince,

Surcharged with the burden that she nill sustain.

20

Th' unpartial daughters of Necessity

Bin aidès in her suit: and so the twine

22

That holds old Priam's house, the thread of Troy,

Dame Atropos with knife in sunder cuts.

24

Done be the pleasure of the powers above,

Whose hests men must obey: and I my part

26

Perform in Ida vales. Lordings, adieu;

Imposing silence for your task, I end,

28

Till just assembly of the goddesses

Make me begin the tragedy of Troy.

30

[Exit Até cum aureo pomo.]

ACT I.

SCENE I.

Pan, Faunus, and Silvanus, with their Attendants,

enter to give welcome to the goddesses:

Pan's Shepherd has a lamb, Faunus' Hunter has a

fawn, and Silvanus' Woodman with an oaken-bough

laden with acorns.

1

Pan.  Silvanus, either Flora doth us wrong,

2

Or Faunus made us tarry all too long,

For by this morning mirth it should appear,

4

The Muses or the goddesses be near.

6

Faun.  My fawn was nimble, Pan, and whipt apace, −

'Twas happy that we caught him up at last, −

8

The fattest, fairest fawn in all the chace;

I wonder how the knave could skip so fast.

10

Pan.  And I have brought a twagger for the nones,

12

A bunting lamb; nay, pray you, feel no bones:

Believe me now my cunning much I miss,

14

If ever Pan felt fatter lamb than this.

16

Silv.  Sirs, you may boast your flocks and herds that
     bin both fresh and fair,

Yet hath Silvanus walks, i-wis, that stand in
     wholesome air;

18

And, lo, the honour of the woods, the gallant oaken-
     bough,

Do I bestow, laden with acorns and with mast enow!

20

Pan.  Peace, man, for shame! shalt have both lambs
     and dames and flocks and herds and all,

22

And all my pipes to make the glee; we meet not
     now to brawl.

24

Faun. There's no such matter. Pan; we are all friends
     assembled hether.

To bid Queen Juno and her feres most humbly
     welcome hether:

26

Diana, mistress of our woods, her presence will not
     want;

Her courtesy to all her friends, we wot, is nothing scant.

ACT I, SCENE II.

Enter Pomona with her fruit.

1

Pom.  Yea, Pan, no farther yet, and had the start of me?

2

Why, then, Pomona with her fruit comes time enough,
     I see.

Come on a while; with country store, like friends, we
     venture forth:

4

Think'st, Faunus, that these goddesses will take our
     gifts in worth?

6

Faun.  Yea, doubtless, for shall tell thee, dame, 'twere
     better give a thing,

A sign of love, unto a mighty person or a king,

8

Than to a rude and barbarous swain, but bad and
     basely born,

For gently takes the gentleman that oft the clown will
     scorn.

10

Pan.  Say'st truly, Faunus; I myself have given good
     tidy lambs

12

To Mercury, may say to thee, to Phoebus, and to Jove;

When to a country mops, forsooth, chave offered all
     their dams,

14

And piped and prayed for little worth, and ranged about
     the grove.

16

Pom.  God Pan, that makes your flock so thin, and
     makes you look so lean,

To kiss in corners.

18

Pan.        Well said, wench! some other thing you mean.

20

Pom.  Yea, jest it out till it go alone: but marvel
     where we miss

22

Fair Flora all this merry morn.

24

Faun.                             Some news; see where she is.

ACT I, SCENE III.

Enter Flora to the country gods.

1

Pan.  Flora, well met, and for thy taken pain,

2

Poor country gods, thy debtors we remain.

4

Flora.  Believe me, Pan, not all thy lambs and yoes,

Nor, Faunus, all thy lusty bucks and does,

6

(But that I am instructed well to know

What service to the hills and dales I owe,)

8

Could have enforced me to so strange a toil,

Thus to enrich this gaudy, gallant soil.

10

Faun.  But tell me, wench, hast done't so trick indeed,

12

That heaven itself may wonder at the deed?

14

Flora.  Not Iris, in her pride and bravery,

Adorns her arch with such variety;

16

Nor doth the milk-white way, in frosty night,

Appear so fair and beautiful in sight,

18

As done these fields, and groves, and sweetest bowers,

Bestrewed and decked with parti-coloured flowers,

20

Along the bubbling brooks and silver glide,

That at the bottom doth in silence slide;

22

The watery-flowers and lilies on the banks,

Like blazing comets, burgen all in ranks;

24

Under the hawthorn and the poplar-tree,

Where sacred Phoebe may delight to be,

26

The primrose, and the purple hyacinth,

The dainty violet, and the wholesome minth,

28

The double daisy, and the cowslip, queen

Of summer flowers, do overpeer the green;

30

And round about the valley as ye pass,

Ye may ne see for peeping flowers the grass:

32

That well the mighty Juno, and the rest,

May boldly think to be a welcome guest

34

On Ida hills, when to approve the thing,

The Queen of Flowers prepares a second spring.

36

Silv.  Thou gentle nymph, what thanks shall we repay

38

To thee that mak'st our fields and woods so gay?

40

Flora.  Silvanus, when it is thy hap to see

My workmanship in portraying all the three,

42

First stately Juno with her port and grace,

Her robes, her lawns, her crownet, and her mace,

44

Would make thee muse this picture to behold,

Of yellow oxlips bright as burnished gold.

46

Pom.  A rare device; and Flora well, perdy,

48

Did paint her yellow for her jealousy.

50

Flora.  Pallas in flowers of hue and colours red;

Her plumes, her helm, her lance, her Gorgon's head,

52

Her trailing tresses that hang flaring round,

Of July-flowers so graffèd in the ground,

54

That, trust me, sirs, who did the cunning see,

Would at a blush suppose it to be she.

56

Pan.  Good Flora, by my flock, 'twere very good

58

To dight her all in red resembling blood.

60

Flora.  Fair Venus of sweet violets in blue,

With other flowers infixed for change of hue;

62

Her plumes, her pendants, bracelets, and her rings.

Her dainty fan, and twenty other things,

64

Her lusty mantle waving in the wind,

And every part in colour and in kind;

66

And for her wreath of roses, she nill dare

With Flora's cunning counterfeit compare.

68

So that what living wight shall chance to see

These goddesses, each placed in her degree,

70

Portrayed by Flora's workmanship alone,

Must say that art and nature met in one. 

72

Sil.  A dainty draught to lay her down in blue,

74

The colour commonly betokening true.

76

Flora.  This piece of work, compact with many a
     flower,

And well laid in at entrance of the bower,

78

Where Phoebe means to make this meeting royal,

Have I prepared to welcome them withal.

80

Pom.  And are they yet dismounted, Flora, say.

82

That we may wend to meet them on the way?

84

Flora.  That shall not need: they are at hand by this,

And the conductor of the train hight Rhanis.

86

Juno hath left her chariot long ago,

And hath returned her peacocks by her rainbow;

88

And bravely, as becomes the wife of Jove,

Doth honour by her presence to our grove.

90

Fair Venus she hath let her sparrows fly,

To tend on her and make her melody;

92

Her turtles and her swans unyokèd be.

And flicker near her side for company.

94

Pallas hath set her tigers loose to feed,

Commanding them to wait when she hath need.

96

And hitherward with proud and stately pace,

To do us honour in the sylvan chace,

98

They march, like to the pomp of heaven above,

Juno the wife and sister of King Jove,

100

The warlike Pallas, and the Queen of Love.

102

Pan.  Pipe, Pan, for joy, and let thy shepherds sing;

Shall never age forget this memorable thing.

104

Flora.  Clio, the sagest of the Sisters Nine,

106

To do observance to this dame divine,

Lady of learning and of chivalry,

108

Is here arrived in fair assembly,

And wandering up and down th’ unbeaten ways,

110

Ring through the wood sweet songs of Pallas’ praise.

112

Pom.  Hark, Flora, Faunus! here is melody,

A charm of birds, and more than ordinary.

114

[An artificial charm of birds being heard within.]

116

Pan.  The silly birds make mirth; then should we do
     them wrong,

118

Pomona, if we nill bestow an echo to their song.

120

THE SONG.

122

[A quire within and without.]

124

Gods.  O Ida, O Ida, O Ida, happy hill!

This honour done to Ida may it continue still!

126

Muses.  [Within] Ye country gods that in this Ida won,

128

Bring down your gifts of welcome,

     For honour done to Ida.

130

Gods.  Behold, in sign of joy we sing.

132

And signs of joyful welcome bring.

     For honour done to Ida.

134

Muses.  [Within]

136

The Muses give you melody to gratulate this chance,

And Phoebe, chief of sylvan chace, commands you
     all to dance.

138

Gods.  Then round in a circle our sportance must be,

140

Hold hands in a hornpipe, all gallant in glee.

142

[Dance.]

144

Muses.  [Within]

Reverence, reverence, most humble reverence!

146

Gods.  Most humble reverence!

ACT I, SCENE IV.

Juno, Pallas and Venus enter, Rhanis leading

the way. Pan alone sings.

1

THE SONG.

2

The God of Shepherds, and his mates,

4

With country cheer salutes your states,

Fair, wise, and worthy as you be.

6

And thank the gracious ladies three

     For honour done to Ida.

8

[The birds sing.]

10

The song being done, Juno speaks.

12

Juno.  Venus, what shall I say? for, though I be a
     dame divine,

14

This welcome and this melody exceed these wits of
     mine.

16

Venus.  Believe me, Juno, as I hight the Sovereign
     of Love,

These rare delights in pleasures pass the banquets of
     King Jove.

18

Pall.  Then, Venus, I conclude, it easily may be seen,

20

That in her chaste and pleasant walks fair Phoebe is a
     queen.

22

Rhan.  Divine Pallas, and you sacred dames,

Juno and Venus, honoured by your names,

24

Juno, the wife and sister of King Jove,

Fair Venus, lady-president of love,

26

If any entertainment in this place,

That can afford but homely, rude, and base,

28

It please your godheads to accept in gree,

That gracious thought our happiness shall be.

30

My mistress Dian, this right well I know,

For love that to this presence she doth owe,

32

Accounts more honour done to her this day,

Than ever whilom in these woods of Ida;

34

And for our country gods, I dare be bold,

They make such cheer, your presence to behold,

36

Such jouisance, such mirth, and merriment,

As nothing else their mind might more content:

38

And that you do believe it to be so,

Fair goddesses, your lovely looks do show.

40

It rests in fine, for to confirm my talk,

Ye deign to pass along to Dian's walk;

42

Where she among her troop of maids attends

The fair arrival of her welcome friends.

44

Flora.  And we will wait with all observance due,

46

And do just honour to this heavenly crew.

48

Pan.  The God of Shepherds, Juno, ere thou go,

Intends a lamb on thee for to bestow.

50

Faun.  Faunus, high ranger in Diana's chace.

52

Presents a fawn to Lady Venus' grace.

54

Sil.  Silvanus gives to Pallas' deity

This gallant bough raught from the oaken-tree.

56

Pom.  To them that do this honour to our fields,

58

Her mellow apples poor Pomona yields.

60

Juno.  And, gentle gods, these signs of your goodwill

We take in worth, and shall accept them still.

62

Venus.  And, Flora, this to thee among the rest, −

64

Thy workmanship comparing with the best,

Let it suffice thy cunning to have [power]

66

To call King Jove from forth his heavenly bower.

Hadst thou a lover, Flora, credit me,

68

I think thou wouldst bedeck him gallantly.

But wend we on; and, Rhanis, lead the way,

70

That kens the painted paths of pleasant Ida.

72

[Exeunt.]

ACT I, SCENE V.

Enter Paris and Oenone.

1

Paris.  Oenone, while we bin disposed to walk.

2

Tell me what shall be subject of our talk?

Thou hast a sort of pretty tales in store,

4

Dare say no nymph in Ida woods hath more:

Again, beside thy sweet alluring face,

6

In telling them thou hast a special grace.

Then, prithee, sweet, afford some pretty thing,

8

Some toy that from thy pleasant wit doth spring.

10

Oen.  Paris, my heart's contentment and my choice,

Use thou thy pipe, and I will use my voice;

12

So shall thy just request not be denied,

And time well spent, and both be satisfied.

14

Paris.  Well, gentle nymph, although thou do me wrong,

16

That can ne tune my pipe unto a song,

Me list this once, Oenone, for thy sake.

18

This idle task on me to undertake.

20

They sit under a tree together.

22

Oen.  And whereon, then, shall be my roundelay?

For thou hast heard my store long since, dare say;

24

How Saturn did divide his kingdom tho

To Jove, to Neptune, and to Dis below;

26

How mighty men made foul successless war

Against the gods and state of Jupiter;

28

How Phorcys' imp, that was so trick and fair,

That tangled Neptune in her golden hair,

30

Became a Gorgon for her lewd misdeed, −

A pretty fable, Paris, for to read,

32

A piece of cunning, trust me, for the nones,

That wealth and beauty alter men to stones;

34

How Salmacis, resembling idleness,

Turns men to women all through wantonness;

36

How Pluto caught Queen Ceres' daughter thence,

And what did follow of that love-offence;

38

Of Daphne turned into the laurel-tree,

That shows a mirror of virginity;

40

How fair Narcissus tooting on his shade,

Reproves disdain, and tells how form doth vade;

42

How cunning Philomela's needle tells

What force in love, what wit in sorrow dwells;

44

What pains unhappy souls abide in hell,

They say because on earth they lived not well, −

46

Ixion's wheel, proud Tantal's pining woe,

Prometheus' torment, and a many mo.

48

How Danaus' daughters ply their endless task,

What toil the toil of Sisyphus doth ask:

50

All these are old and known I know, yet, if thou wilt
     have any,

Choose some of these, for, trust me, else Oenone hath
     not many.

52

Paris.  Nay, what thou wilt: but sith my cunning not
     compares with thine,

54

Begin some toy that I can play upon this pipe of mine.

56

Oen.  There is a pretty sonnet, then, we call it Cupid’s
     Curse
,

"They that do change old love for new, pray gods they
     change for worse!"

58

The note is fine and quick withal, the ditty will agree,

Paris, with that same vow of thine upon our poplar-tree.

60

Paris.  No better thing; begin it, then: Oenone, thou
     shalt see

62

Our music figure of the love that grows 'twixt thee
     and me.

64

They sing;

and while Oenone sings, he pipes.

66

Oen.  Fair and fair, and twice so fair,

68

     As fair as any may be;

The fairest shepherd on our green,

70

     A love for any lady.

72

Paris.  Fair and fair, and twice so fair,

     As fair as any may be;

74

Thy love is fair for thee alone,

     And for no other lady.

76

Oen.  My love is fair, my love is gay,

78

     As fresh as bin the flowers in May,

And of my love my roundelay,

80

     My merry merry merry roundelay,

     Concludes with Cupid's curse, −

82

They that do change old love for new.

     Pray gods they change for worse!

84

Ambo. Simul.  They that do change, &c.

86

 

Oen.  Fair and fair, &c.

88

Paris.  Fair and fair, &c.

90

     Thy love is fair, &c

92

Oen.  My love can pipe, my love can sing.

My love can many a pretty thing,

94

And of his lovely praises ring

My merry merry roundelays,

96

     Amen to Cupid's curse, −

They that do change, &c.

98

Paris.  They that do change, &c.

100

Both.  Fair and fair, &c.

102

[The song being ended, they rise.]

104

Oen.  Sweet shepherd, for Oenone's sake be cunning
     in this song,

106

And keep thy love, and love thy choice, or else thou
    dost her wrong.

108

Paris.  My vow is made and witnessèd, the poplar will
     not start,

Nor shall the nymph Oenone's love from forth my
     breathing heart.

110

I will go bring thee on thy way, my flock are here
     behind,

And I will have a lover's fee; they say, unkissed unkind.

112

[Exeunt.]

ACT II.

SCENE I.

Enter Juno, Pallas and Venus.

1

Venus  [ex abrupto]

2

But pray you, tell me, Juno, was it so,

As Pallas told me here the tale of Echo?

4

Juno.  She was a nymph indeed, as Pallas tells,

6

A walker, such as in these thickets dwells;

And as she told what subtle juggling pranks

8

She played with Juno, so she told her thanks:

A tattling trull to come at every call,

10

And now, forsooth, nor tongue nor life at all.

And though perhaps she was a help to Jove,

12

And held me chat while he might court his love,

Believe me, dames, I am of this opinion,

14

He took but little pleasure in the minion;

And whatsoe'er his scapes have been beside,

16

Dare say for him, 'a never strayed so wide:

A lovely nut-brown lass or lusty trull

18

Have power perhaps to make a god a bull.

20

Venus.  Gramercy, gentle Juno, for that jest;

I' faith, that item was worth all the rest.

22

Pall.  No matter, Venus, howsoe'er you scorn,

24

My father Jove at that time ware the horn.

26

Juno.  Had every wanton god above, Venus, not
     better luck,

Then heaven would be a pleasant park, and Mars a
     lusty buck.

28

Venus.  Tut, Mars hath horns to butt withal, although
     no bull 'a shows,

30

'A never needs to mask in nets, 'a fears no jealous
     froes.

32

Juno.  Forsooth, the better is his turn, for, if  'a speak
     too loud,

Must find some shift to shadow him, a net or else a
     cloud.

34

Pall.  No more of this, fair goddesses; unrip not so
     your shames,

36

To stand all naked to the world, that bene such
     heavenly dames.

38

Juno.  Nay, Pallas, that's a common trick with Venus
     well we know,

And all the gods in heaven have seen her naked long
     ago.

40

Venus.  And then she was so fair and bright, and lovely
     and so trim,

42

As Mars is but for Venus' tooth, and she will sport
     with him:

And, but me list not here to make comparison with
     Jove, 

44

Mars is no ranger, Juno, he, in every open grove.

46

Pall.  Too much of this: we wander far, the skies begin
     to scowl;

Retire we to Diana's bower, the weather will be foul.

48

A storm of thunder and lightning passes.

50

 Até trundles the ball into place,

crying "Fatum Trojae," Juno takes it up.

52

Juno.  Pallas, the storm is past and gone, and Phoebus
     clears the skies,

54

And, lo, behold a ball of gold, a fair and worthy prize!

56

[Venus examines the ball closely.]

58

Venus.  This posy wills the apple to the fairest given be;

Then is it mine, for Venus hight the fairest of the three.

60

Pall.  The fairest here, as fair is meant, am I, ye do me
     wrong;

62

And if the fairest have it must, to me it doth belong.

64

Juno.  Then Juno may it not enjoy, so every one says
     no,

But I will prove myself the fairest, ere I lose it so.

66

[They read the posy.]

68

The brief is this, “Detur pulcherrimae,

70

Let this unto the fairest given be,

The fairest of the three,” − and I am she.

72

Pall.  Detur pulcherrimoe,

74

Let this unto the fairest given be.

The fairest of the three,” − and I am she.

76

Venus.  Detur pulcherrimoe,

78

Let this unto the fairest given be,

The fairest of the three,” − and I am she.

80

Juno.  My face is fair; but yet the majesty,

82

That all the gods in heaven have seen in me,

Have made them choose me, of the planets seven.

84

To be the wife of Jove and queen of heaven.

If, then, this prize be but bequeathed to beauty,

86

The only she that wins this prize am I.

88

Venus.  That Venus is the fairest, this doth prove,

That Venus is the lovely Queen of Love:

90

The name of Venus is indeed but beauty,

And men me fairest call per excellency.

92

If, then, this prize be but bequeathed to beauty,

The only she that wins this prize am I.

94

Pall.  To stand on terms of beauty as you take it,

96

Believe me, ladies, is but to mistake it.

The beauty that this subtle prize must win,

98

No outward beauty hight, but dwells within;

And sift it as you please, and you shall find,

100

This beauty is the beauty of the mind:

This fairness, virtue hight in general,

102

That many branches hath in speciäl;

This beauty wisdom hight, whereof am I,

104

By heaven appointed, goddess worthily.

And look how much the mind, the better part,

106

Doth overpass the body in desert,

So much the mistress of those gifts divine

108

Excels thy beauty, and that state of thine.

Then, if this prize be thus bequeathed to beauty,

110

The only she that wins this prize am I.

112

Venus.  Nay, Pallas, by your leave you wander clean:

We must not conster hereof as you mean,

114

But take the sense as it is plainly meant;

And let the fairest ha't, I am content.

116

Pall.  Our reasons will be infinite, I trow,

118

Unless unto some other point we grow:

But first here's none, methinks, disposed to yield,

120

And none but will with words maintain the field.

122

Juno.  Then, if you will, t' avoid a tedious grudge,

Refer it to the sentence of a judge;

124

Whoe'er he be that cometh next in place,

Let him bestow the ball and end the case.

126

Venus.  So can it not go wrong with me at all.

128

Pall.  I am agreed, however it befall:

130

And yet by common doom, so may it be,

I may be said the fairest of the three.

132

Juno.  Then yonder, lo, that shepherd swain is he,

134

That must be umpire in this controversy!

ACT II, SCENE II.

Enter Paris.

1

Venus.  Juno, in happy time, I do accept the man;

2

It seemeth by his looks some skill of love he can.

4

Paris.  [Aside] The nymph is gone, and I, all solitary,

Must wend to tend my charge, oppressed with
     melancholy.

6

This day (or else me fails my shepherd's skill)

Will tide me passing good or passing ill.

8

Juno.  Shepherd, abash not, though at sudden thus

10

Thou be arrived by ignorance among us,

Not earthly but divine, and goddesses all three;

12

Juno, Pallas, Venus, these our titles be.

Nor fear to speak for reverence of the place,

14

Chosen to end a hard and doubtful case.

This apple, lo (nor ask thou whence it came),

16

Is to be given unto the fairest dame!

And fairest is, nor she, nor she, but she

18

Whom, shepherd, thou shalt fairest name to be.

This is thy charge; fulfil without offence,

20

And she that wins shall give thee recompense.

22

Pall.  Dread not to speak, for we have chosen thee,

Sith in this case we can no judges be.

24

Venus.  And, shepherd, say that I the fairest am,

26

And thou shalt win good guerdon for the same.

28

Juno.  Nay, shepherd, look upon my stately grace,

Because the pomp that ‘longs to Juno's mace

30

Thou mayst not see; and think Queen Juno's name,

To whom old shepherds title works of fame,

32

Is mighty, and may easily suffice,

At Phoebus hand, to gain a golden prize.

34

And for thy meed, sith I am queen of riches,

Shepherd, I will reward thee with great monarchies,

36

Empires, and kingdoms, heaps of massy gold,

Sceptres and diadems curious to behold,

38

Rich robes, of sumptuous workmanship and cost,

And thousand things whereof I make no boast:

40

The mould whereon thou tread'st shall be of
     Tagus’ sands,

And Xanthus shall run liquid gold for thee to wash
     thy hands;

42

And if thou like to tend thy flock, and not from them
     to fly,

Their fleeces shall be curlèd gold to please their
     master's eye;

44

And last, to set thy heart on fire, give this one fruit to
     me,

And, shepherd, lo, this tree of gold will I bestow on
     thee!

46

JUNO’S SHOW.

48

[A tree of gold rises, laden with diadems and

50

crowns of gold.]

52

The ground whereon it grows, the grass, the root of
     gold,

The body and the bark of gold, all glistering to behold,

54

The leaves of burnished gold, the fruits that thereon
     grow

Are diadems set with pearl in gold, in gorgeous
     glistering show;

56

And if this tree of gold in lieu may not suffice,

Require a grove of golden trees, so Juno bear the prize.

58

[The tree sinks.]

60

Pall.  Me list not tempt thee with decaying wealth,

62

Which is embased by want of lusty health;

But if thou have a mind to fly above,

64

Y-crowned with fame, near to the seat of Jove,

If thou aspire to wisdom's worthiness,

66

Whereof thou mayst not see the brightness,

If thou desire honour of chivalry,

68

To be renowned for happy victory,

To fight it out, and in the champaign field

70

To shroud thee under Pallas' warlike shield,

To prance on barbèd steeds, this honour, lo,

72

Myself for guerdon shall on thee bestow!

And for encouragement, that thou mayst see

74

What famous knights Dame Pallas' warriors be,

Behold in Pallas' honour here they come,

76

Marching along with sound of thundering drum.

78

PALLAS’ SHOW.

80

[Enter Nine Knights in armour,

treading a warlike almain, by drum and fife;

82

 and then they having marched forth again,

Venus speaks.]

84

Venus.  Come, shepherd, come, sweet shepherd, look
     on me.

86

These bene too hoat alarums these for thee:

But if thou wilt give me the golden ball,

88

Cupid my boy shall ha't to play withal,

That, whensoe'er this apple he shall see,

90

The God of Love himself shall think on thee.

And bid thee look and choose, and he will wound

92

Whereso thy fancy's object shall be found;

And lightly when he shoots, he doth not miss:

94

And I will give thee many a lovely kiss.

And come and play with thee on Ida here;

96

And if thou wilt a face that hath no peer,

A gallant girl, a lusty minion trull,

98

That can give sport to thee thy bellyfull,

To ravish all thy beating veins with joy,

100

Here is a lass of Venus’ court, my boy,

Here, gentle shepherd, here's for thee a piece,

102

The fairest face, the flower of gallant Greece.

104

VENUS' SHOW.

106

Enter Helen in her bravery,

with four Cupids attending on her,

108

each having his fan in his hand

to fan fresh air in her face:

110

she sings as follows:

 

112

Se Diana nel cielo è una stella

Chiara e lucente, piena di splendore,

114

Che porge luc’ all’ affanato cuore;

116

Se Diana nel ferno è una dea

Che da conforto all’ anime dannate,

118

Che per amor son morte desperate;

120

Se Dian, ch’ in terra è delle ninfe

Reina imperativa di dolei fiori,

122

Tra bosch’ e selve da morte a pastori;

124

Io son un Diana dolce e rara,

Che con li guardi io posso far guerra

126

A Dian’ infern’ in cielo, e in terra.

128

[Helen exits.]

130

Paris.  Most heavenly dames, was never man as I,

Poor shepherd swain, so happy and unhappy;

132

The least of these delights that you devise,

Able to wrape and dazzle human eyes.

134

But since my silence may not pardoned be,

And I appoint which is the fairest she,

136

Pardon, most sacred dames, sith one, not all,

By Paris' doom must have this golden ball.

138

Thy beauty, stately Juno dame divine,

That like to Phoebus' golden beams doth shine,

140

Approves itself to be most excellent;

But that fair face that doth me most content,

142

Sith fair, fair dames, is neither she nor she,

But she whom I shall fairest deem to be,

144

That face is hers that hight the Queen of Love,

Whose sweetness doth both gods and creatures move;

146

And if the fairest face deserve the ball,

Fair Venus, ladies, bears it from ye all.

148

[Gives the golden ball to Venus.]

150

Venus.  And in this ball doth Venus more delight

152

Than in her lovely boy fair Cupid's sight.

Come, shepherd, come; sweet Venus is thy friend;

154

No matter how thou other gods offend.

156

[Venus takes Paris away with her. Exeunt.]

158

Juno.  But he shall rue and ban the dismal day

Wherein his Venus bare the ball away;

160

And heaven and earth just witnesses shall be,

I will revenge it on his progeny.

162

Pall.  Well, Juno, whether we be lief or loth,

164

Venus hath got the apple from us both.

166

[Exeunt.]

ACT III.

SCENE I.

Enter Colin, the enamoured shephered,

who sings his passion of love.

1

O gentle Love, ungentle for thy deed,

2

          Thou mak'st my heart

          A bloody mark

4

     With piercing shot to bleed!

Shoot soft, sweet Love, for fear thou shoot amiss,

6

          For fear too keen

          Thy arrows been,

8

And hit the heart where my belovèd is.

Too fair that fortune were, nor never I

10

          Shall be so blest,

          Among the rest,

12

That Love shall seize on her by sympathy.

Then since with Love my prayers bear no boot,

14

          This doth remain

          To cease my pain,

16

I take the wound, and die at Venus' foot.

18

[Exit Colin.]

ACT III, SCENE II.

Enter Hobbinol, Diggon, and Thenot.

1

Hobb.  Poor Colin, woeful man, thy life forspoke by
     love,

2

What uncouth fit, what malady, is this that thou dost
     prove?

4

Digg.  Or Love is void of physic clean, or Love's our
     common wrack,

That gives us bane to bring us low, and let us medicine
     lack.

6

Hobb.  That ever Love had reverence 'mong silly
     shepherd swains!

8

Belike that humour hurts them most that most might
     be their pains.

10

Then.  Hobbin, it is some other god that cherisheth
     her sheep,

For sure this Love doth nothing else but make our
     herdmen weep.

12

Digg.  And what a hap is this, I pray, when all our
     woods rejoice,

14

For Colin thus to be denied his young and lovely
     choice?

16

Then.  She hight indeed so fresh and fair that well it is
     for thee,

Colin and kind hath been thy friend, that Cupid could
     not see.

18

Hobb.  And whither wends yon thriveless swain? like
     to the stricken deer,

20

Seeks he dictam[n]um for his wound within our forest
     here?

22

Digg.  He wends to greet the Queen of Love, that in
     these woods doth won,

With mirthless lays to make complaint to Venus of her
     son.

24

Then.  Ah, Colin, thou art all deceived! she dallies
     with the boy,

26

And winks at all his wanton pranks, and thinks thy
     love a toy.

28

Hobb.  Then leave him to his luckless love, let him
     abide his fate;

The sore is rankled all too far, our comfort comes too
     late.

30

Digg.  Though Thestylis the scorpion be that breaks
     his sweet assault,

32

Yet will Rhamnusia vengeance take on her disdainful
     fault.

34

Then.  Lo, yonder comes the lovely nymph, that in
     these Ida vales

Plays with Amyntas' lusty boy, and coys him in the
     dales!

36

Hobb.  Thenot, methinks her cheer is changed, her
     mirthful looks are laid,

38

She frolics not; pray god, the lad have not beguiled the
     maid!

ACT III, SCENE III.

Enter Oenone with a wreath of poplar on her head.

1

Oen.  [Aside]

2

Beguiled, disdained, and out of love! Live long, thou
     poplar-tree,

And let thy letters grow in length, to witness this with
     me.

4

Ah, Venus, but for reverence unto thy sacred name,

To steal a silly maiden's love, I might account it blame!

6

And if the tales be true I hear, and blush for to recite,

Thou dost me wrong to leave the plains and dally out
     of sight.

8

False Paris, this was not thy vow, when thou and I
     were one,

To range and change old love for new; but now those
     days be gone.

10

But I will find the goddess out, that she thy vow may
     read,

And fill these woods with my laments for thy unhappy
     deed.

12

Hobb.  So fair a face, so foul a thought to harbour in
     his breast!

14

Thy hope consumed, poor nymph, thy hap is worse than
     all the rest.

16

Oen.  Ah, shepherds, you bin full of wiles, and whet
     your wits on books,

And wrape poor maids with pipes and songs, and sweet
     alluring looks!

18

Digg.  Mis-speak not all for his amiss; there bin that
     keepen flocks,

20

That never chose but once, nor yet beguilèd love with
     mocks.

22

Oen.  False Paris, he is none of those; his trothless
     double deed

Will hurt a many shepherds else that might go nigh to
     speed.

24

Then.  Poor Colin, that is ill for thee, that art as true
     in trust

26

To thy sweet smert as to his nymph Paris hath bin
     unjust.

28

Oen.  Ah, well is she hath Colin won, that nill no other
     love!

And woe is me, my luck is loss, my pains no pity move!

30

Hobb.  Farewell, fair nymph, sith he must heal alone
     that gave the wound;

32

There grows no herb of such effect upon Dame Nature's
     ground.

34

 [Exeunt Hobbinol, Diggon, and Thenot.]

ACT III, SCENE IV.

Enter Mercury with Vulcan's Cyclops.

1

Merc.  Here is a nymph that sadly sits, and she belike

2

Can tell some news, Pyracmon, of the jolly swain we
     seek:

Dare wage my wings, the lass doth love, she looks so
     bleak and thin;

4

And 'tis for anger or for grief: but I will talk begin. 

6

Oen.  [Aside]

Break out, poor heart, and make complaint, the
     mountain flocks to move,

8

What proud repulse and thankless scorn thou hast
     received of love.

10

Merc.  She singeth; sirs, be hushed a while.

12

Oenone sings as she sits.

14

OENONE'S COMPLAINT.

16

Melpomene, the Muse of tragic songs,

With mournful tunes, in stole of dismal hue,

18

Assist a silly nymph to wail her woe,

And leave thy lusty company behind.

20

Thou luckless wreath! becomes not me to wear

22

The poplar-tree for triumph of my love:

Then, as my joy, my pride of love, is left,

24

Be thou unclothèd of thy lovely green;

26

And in thy leaves my fortune written be,

And them some gentle wind let blow abroad,

28

That all the world may see how false of love

False Paris hath to his Oenone been.

30

The song ended, Oenone sitting still, Mercury speaks.

32

Merc.  Good day, fair maid; weary belike with
     following of your game,

34

I wish thee cunning at thy will, to spare or strike the
     same.

36

Oen.  I thank you, sir; my game is quick, and rids a
     length of ground,

And yet I am deceived, or else 'a had a deadly wound.

38

Merc.  Your hand perhaps did swerve awry.

40

Oen.                                        Or else it was my heart.

42

Merc.  Then sure 'a plied his footmanship.

44

Oen.                                     'A played a ranging part.

46

Merc.  You should have given a deeper wound.

48

Oen.                                        I could not that for pity.

50

Merc.  You should have eyed him better, then.

52

Oen.                                   Blind love was not so witty.

54

Merc.  Why, tell me, sweet, are you in love?

56

Oen.                                       Or would I were not so.

58

Merc.  Ye mean because 'a does ye wrong.

60

Oen.                                      Perdy, the more my woe.

62

Merc.  Why, mean ye Love, or him ye loved?

64

Oen.                                 Well may I mean them both.

66

Merc.  Is love to blame?

68

Oen.  The Queen of Love hath made him false his troth.

70

Merc.  Mean ye, indeed, the Queen of Love?

72

Oen.                                   Even wanton Cupid's dame.

74

Merc.  Why, was thy love so lovely, than?

76

Oen.                                   His beauty hight his shame;

78

The fairest shepherd on our green.

80

Merc.                                        Is he a shepherd, than?

82

Oen.  And sometime kept a bleating flock.

84

Merc.                                       Enough, this is the man.

Where wons he, then?

86

Oen.        About these woods, far from the poplar-tree.

88

Merc.  What poplar mean ye?

90

Oen.               Witness of the vows betwixt him and me,

92

And come and wend a little way, and you shall see his
     skill.

94

Merc.  Sirs, tarry you.

96

Oen.                           Nay, let them go.

98

Merc.                                     Nay, not unless you will.

Stay, nymph, and hark[en] what I say of him thou
     blamest so.

100

And, credit me, I have a sad discourse to tell thee ere
     I go.

Know then, my pretty mops, that I hight Mercury,

102

The messenger of heaven, and hither fly

To seize upon the man whom thou dost love,

104

To summon him before my father Jove,

To answer matter of great consequence:

106

And Jove himself will not be long from hence.

108

Oen.  Sweet Mercury, and have poor Oenone's cries

For Paris' fault y-pierced th' unpartial skies?

110

Merc.  The same is he, that jolly shepherd's swain.

112

Oen.  His flock do graze upon Aurora's plain,

114

The colour of his coat is lusty green;

That would these eyes of mine had never seen

116

His 'ticing curlèd hair, his front of ivory,

Then had not I, poor I, bin unhappy.

118

Merc.  No marvel, wench, although we cannot find him,

120

When all too late the Queen of Heaven doth mind him.

But if thou wilt have physic for thy sore,

122

Mind him who list, remember thou him no more,

And find some other game, and get thee gone;

124

For here will lusty suitors come anon,

Too hot and lusty for thy dying vein,

126

Such as ne'er wont to make their suits in vain.

128

[Exit Mercury with Cyclops.]

130

Oen.  I will go sit and pine under the poplar-tree,

And write my answer to his vow, that every eye may
     see.

132

[Exit.]

ACT III, SCENE V.

Enter Venus, Paris, and a company of Shepherds.

1

Venus.  Shepherds, I am content, for this sweet
     shepherd's sake,

2

A strange revenge upon the maid and her disdain to
     take.

Let Colin's corpse be brought in place, and buried in
     the plain.

4

And let this be the verse, The love whom Thestylis hath
     slain
.

And, trust me, I will chide my son for partiality,

6

That gave the swain so deep a wound, and let her scape
     him by.

8

1st Shep.  Alas that ever Love was blind, to shoot so
     far amiss!

10

Venus.  Cupid my son was more to blame, the fault
     not mine, but his.

12

[Exeunt Shepherds.]

14

Paris.  O madam, if yourself would deign the handling
     of the bow,

Albeit it be a task, yourself more skill, more justice
     know.

16

Venus.  Sweet shepherd, didst thou ever love?

18

Paris.                                               Lady, a little once.

20

Venus.  And art thou changed?

22

Paris.      Fair Queen of Love, I loved not all attonce.

24

Venus.  Well, wanton, wert thou wounded so deep as
     some have been,

26

It were a cunning cure to heal, and rueful to be seen.

28

Paris.  But tell me, gracious goddess, for a start and
     false offence,

Hath Venus or her son the power at pleasure to
     dispense?

30

Venus.  My boy, I will instruct thee in a piece of poetry,

32

That haply erst thou hast not heard: in hell there is a
     tree,

Where once a-day do sleep the souls of false forsworen
     lovers,

34

With open hearts; and there about in swarms the number
     hovers

Of poor forsaken ghosts, whose wings from off this tree
     do beat

36

Round drops of fiery Phlegethon to scorch false hearts
     with heat.

This pain did Venus and her son entreat the prince of
     hell

38

T’ impose to such as faithless were to such as loved
     them well:

And, therefore, this, my lovely boy, fair Venus doth
     advise thee,

40

Be true and steadfast in thy love, beware thou do
     disguise thee;

For he that makes but love a jest, when pleaseth him to
     start,

42

Shall feel those fiery water-drops consume his faithless
     heart.

44

Paris.  Is Venus and her son so full of justice and
     severity?

46

Venus.  Pity it were that love should not be linkèd
     with indifferency.

However lovers can exclaim for hard success in love,

48

Trust me, some more than common cause that painful
     hap doth move:

And Cupid's bow is not alone his triumph, but his rod;

50

Nor is he only but a boy, he hight a mighty god;

And they that do him reverence have reason for the
     same,

52

His shafts keep heaven and earth in awe, and shape
     rewards for shame.

54

Paris.  And hath he reason to maintain why Colin died
     for love?

56

Venus.  Yea, reason good, I warrant thee, in right it
     might behove.

58

Paris.  Then be the name of Love adored; his bow is
     full of might,

His wounds are all but for desert, his laws are all but
     right.

60

Venus.  Well, for this once me list apply my speeches
     to thy sense,

62

And Thestylis shall feel the pain for Love's supposed
     offence.

64

[The Shepherds bring in Colin’s hearse, singing.]

66

Shepherds.

Welladay, welladay, poor Colin, thou art going to
     the ground,

68

The love whom Thestylis hath slain,

Hard heart, fair face, fraught with disdain,

70

Disdain in love a deadly wound.

Wound her, sweet Love, so deep again,

72

That she may feel the dying pain

Of this unhappy shepherd's swain.

74

And die for love as Colin died, as Colin died.

76

Venus.  Shepherds, abide; let Colin's corpse be witness
     of the pain

That Thestylis endures in love, a plague for her disdain.

78

Behold the organ of our wrath, this rusty churl is he;

She dotes on his ill-favoured face, so much accursed
     is she.

80

[A foul crooked Churl enters, with Thestylis, a fair

82

Lass, who woos him, and sings an old song called 

“The Wooing of Colman”: he crabbedly refuses her,

84

and goes out of place: she tarries behind.]

86

Paris.  Ah, poor unhappy Thestylis, unpitied is thy pain!

88

Venus.  Her fortune not unlike to hers whom cruël
     thou hast slain.

90

[Thestylis sings and the Shepherds reply.]

92

THE SONG.

94

Thest.  The strange effects of my tormented heart,

Whom cruël love hath woeful prisoner caught,

96

Whom cruël hate hath into bondage brought,

Whom wit no way of safe escape hath taught,

98

Enforce me say, in witness of my smart,

There is no pain to foul disdain in hardy suits of
     love
.

100

Sheps.  There is no pain, &c.

102

Thest.  Cruël, farewell.

104

Sheps.  Cruël, farewell.

106

Thest.  Most cruël thou, of all that nature framed.

108

Shepherds.  Most cruël, &c.

110

Thest.  To kill thy love with thy disdain.

112

Shepherds.  To kill thy love with thy disdain.

114

Thest.  Cruël, Disdain, so live thou named.

116

Shepherds.  Cruël, Disdain, &c.

118

Thest.  And let me die of Iphis' pain.

120

Shepherds.  A life too good for thy disdain.

122

Thest.  Sith this my stars to me allot,

124

And thou thy love hast all forgot.

126

Shepherds.  And thou, &c.

128

[Exit Thestylis.]

130

[The grace of this song is in the Shepherds' echo

to her verse.]

132

Venus.  Now, shepherds, bury Colin's corpse, perfume
     his hearse with flowers,

134

And write what justice Venus did amid these woods of
     yours.

136

[The Shepherds carry out Colin's hearse.]

138

How now, how cheers my lovely boy, after this dump
     of love?

140

Paris.  Such dumps, sweet lady, as these, are deadly
     dumps to prove.

142

Venus.  Cease, shepherd, there are other news, after
     this melancholy:

My mind presumes some tempest toward upon the
     speech of Mercury.

ACT III, SCENE VI.

Mercury with Vulcan's Cyclops enter.

1

Merc.  Fair Lady Venus, let me pardoned be,

2

That have of long bin well-beloved of thee,

If, as my office bids, myself first brings

4

To my sweet madam these unwelcome tidings.

6

Venus.  What news, what tidings, gentle Mercury,

In midst of my delights, to trouble me?

8

Merc.  At Juno's suit, Pallas assisting her,

10

Sith both did join in suit to Jupiter,

Action is entered in the court of heaven;

12

And me, the swiftest of the planets seven,

With warrant they have thence despatched away,

14

To apprehend and find the man, they say,

That gave from them that self-same ball of gold,

16

Which, I presume, I do in place behold;

Which man, unless my marks be taken wide,

18

Is he that sits so near thy gracious side.

This being so, it rests he go from hence,

20

Before the gods to answer his offence.

22

Venus.  What tale is this? doth Juno and her mate

Pursue this shepherd with such deadly hate,

24

As what was then our general agreement,

To stand unto they nill be now content?

26

Let Juno jet, and Pallas play her part,

What here I have, I won it by desert;

28

And heaven and earth shall both confounded be,

Ere wrong in this be done to him or me.

30

Merc.  This little fruit, if Mercury can spell,

32

Will send, I fear, a world of souls to hell.

34

Venus.  What mean these Cyclops, Mercury? is Vulcan
     waxed so fine,

To send his chimney-sweepers forth to fetter any friend
     of mine? −

36

Abash not, shepherd, at the thing; myself thy bail will
     be. −

He shall be present at the court of Jove, I warrant thee.

38

Merc.  Venus, give me your pledge.

40

Venus.                          My ceston, or my fan, or both?

42

Merc.  [Taking her fan]

44

Nay, this shall serve, your word to me as sure as is your
     oath,

At Diana's bower; and, lady, if my wit or policy

46

May profit him, for Venus' sake let him make bold
     with Mercury.

48

[Exit with the Cyclops.]

50

Venus.  Sweet Paris, whereon dost thou muse?

52

Paris.  The angry heavens, for this fatal jar,

Name me the instrument of dire and deadly war.

54

[Exeunt.]

ACT IV.

SCENE I.

Enter one of Diana’s Nymphs followed by Vulcan.

1

Vulc.  Why, nymph, what need ye run so fast? what
     though but black I be?

2

I have more pretty knacks to please than every eye doth
     see;

And though I go not so upright, and though I am a
     smith,

4

To make me gracious you may have some other thing
     therewith.

ACT IV, SCENE II.

Enter Bacchus.

1

Bacc.  Yee Vulcan, will ye so indeed? − Nay, turn, and
     tell him, trull,

2

He hath a mistress of his own to take his bellyfull.

4

Vulc.  Why, sir, if Phoebe's dainty nymphs please lusty
     Vulcan's tooth,

Why may not Vulcan tread awry as well as Venus doth?

6

Nymph.  Ye shall not taint your troth for me: you wot
     it very well,

8

All that be Dian's maids are vowed to halter apes in hell.

10

Bacc.  I' faith, I’ faith, my gentle mops, but I do know
     a cast,

Lead apes who list, that we would help t' unhalter them
     as fast.

12

Nymph.  Fie, fie, your skill is wondrous great! had
     thought the God of Wine

14

Had tended but his tubs and grapes, and not ben half
     so fine.

16

Vulc.  Gramercy for that quirk, my girl

18

Bacc.                               That's one of dainty's frumps.

20

Nymph.  I pray, sir, take't with all amiss; our cunning
     comes by lumps.

22

Vulc.  Sh'ath capped his answer in the Q.

24

Nymph.                                How says 'a, has she so?

As well as she that capped your head to keep you
     warm below.

26

Vulc.  Yea, then you will be curst I see.

28

Bacc.                                      Best let her even alone.

30

Nymph.  Yea, gentle gods, and find some other string
     to harp upon.

32

Bacc.  Some other string! agreed, i'faith, some other
     pretty thing;

34

'Twere shame fair maids should idle be: how say you,
     will ye sing?

36

Nymph.  Some rounds or merry roundelays, we sing no
     other songs;

Your melancholic notes not to our country mirth
     belongs.

38

Vulc.  Here comes a crew will help us trim.

ACT IV, SCENE III.

Enter Mercury with the Cyclops.

1

Merc.                                   Yea, now our task is done.

2

Bacc.  Then, merry Mercury; more than time this round
     were well begun.

4

They sing "Hey down, down, down," &c.

6

The song done, the Nymph winds a horn

8

in Vulcan's ear, and runs out.

10

Vulc.  A harlotry, I warrant her.

12

Bacc.                                        A peevish elvish shroe.

14

Merc.  Have seen as far to come as near, for all her
     ranging so.

But, Bacchus, time well-spent I wot, our sacred father
     Jove,

16

With Phoebus and the God of War are met in Dian's
     grove.

18

Vulc.  Then we are here before them yet: but stay, the
     earth doth swell;

God Neptune, too, (this hap is good,) doth meet the
     Prince of Hell.

20

Pluto ascends from below in his chair;

22

Neptune enters at another way.

24

Pluto.  What jars are these, that call the gods of heaven
     and hell below?

26

Nept.  It is a work of wit and toil to rule a lusty shroe.

ACT IV, SCENE IV.

Enter Jupiter, Saturn, Apollo, Mars,

Juno, Pallas, and Diana.

1

Jup.  Bring forth the man of Troy, that he may hear

2

Whereof he is to be arraignèd here.

4

Nept.  Lo, where 'a comes, prepared to plead his case,

Under condúct of lovely Venus grace!

6

Enter Venus with Paris.

8

Merc.  I have not seen a more alluring boy.

10

Apol.  So beauty hight the wreck of Priam's Troy. 

12

[The gods being set in Diana's bower;

14

 Juno, Pallas, Venus, and Paris stand on sides

before them.]

16

Venus.  Lo, sacred Jove, at Juno's proud complaint,

18

As erst I gave my pledge to Mercury,

I bring the man whom he did late attaint,

20

To answer his indictment orderly;

And crave this grace of this immortal senate,

22

That ye allow the man his advocate.

24

Pall.  That may not be; the laws of heaven deny

A man to plead or answer by attorney.

26

Venus.  Pallas, thy doom is all too péremptory.

28

Apol.  Venus, that favour is denied him flatly:

30

He is a man, and therefore by our laws,

Himself, without his aid, must plead his cause.

32

Venus.  Then 'bash not, shepherd, in so good a case;

34

And friends thou hast, as well as foes, in place.

36

Juno.  Why, Mercury, why do ye not indict him?

38

Venus.  Soft, gentle Juno, I pray you, do not bite him.

40

Juno.  Nay, gods, I trow, you are like to have great
     silence,

Unless this parrot be commanded hence.

42

Jup.  Venus, forbear, be still. − Speak, Mercury.

44

Venus.  If Juno jangle, Venus will reply.

46

Merc.  Paris, king Priam's son, thou art arraigned of
     partiality.

48

Of sentence partial and unjust; for that without
     indifferency,

Beyond desert or merit far, as thine accusers say,

50

From them, to Lady Venus here, thou gavest the prize
     away:

What is thine answer?

52

Paris' oration to the Council of the Gods.

54

Paris.  Sacred and just, thou great and dreadful Jove,

56

And you thrice-reverend powers, whom love nor hate

May wrest awry; if this, to me a man,

58

This fortune fatal be, that I must plead

For safe excusal of my guiltless thought,

60

The honour more makes my mishap the less.

That I a man must plead before the gods,

62

Gracious forbearers of the world's amiss,

For her, whose beauty how it hath enticed,

64

This heavenly senate may with me aver.

But sith nor that nor this may do me boot,

66

And for myself myself must speaker be,

A mortal man amidst this heavenly presence;

68

Let me not shape a long defence to them

That ben beholders of my guiltless thoughts.

70

Then for the deed, that I may not deny,

Wherein consists the full of mine offence,

72

I did upon command; if then I erred,

I did no more than to a man belonged.

74

And if, in verdit of their forms divine,

My dazzled eye did swarve or surfeit more

76

On Venus' face than any face of theirs,

It was no partial fault, but fault of his,

78

Belike, whose eyesight not so perfect was

As might discern the brightness of the rest.

80

And if it were permitted unto men,

Ye gods, to parlè with your secret thoughts,

82

There ben that sit upon that sacred seat,

That would with Paris err in Venus' praise.

84

But let me cease to speak of error here;