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;
	Sith what my hand, the organ of my heart,
86	Did give with good agreement of mine eye,
	My tongue is vowed with process to maintain.
88
	Pluto. A jolly shepherd, wise and eloquent.
90
	Paris. First, then, arraigned of partiality,
92	Paris replies, "Unguilty of the fact”;
	His reason is, because he knew no more
94	Fair Venus' ceston than Dame Juno's mace,
	Nor never saw wise Pallas' crystal shield.
96	Then as I looked, I loved and liked attonce,
	And as it was referred from them to me,
98	To give the prize to her whose beauty best
	My fancy did commend, so did I praise
100	And judge as might my dazzled eye discern.
102	Nept. A piece of art, that cunningly, pardie,
	Refers the blame to weakness of his eye.
104
	Paris. Now, for I must add reason for my deed,
106	Why Venus rather pleased me of the three;
	First, in the intrails of my mortal ears,
108	The question standing upon beauty’s blaze,
	The name of her that hight the Queen of Love,
110	Methought, in beauty should not be excelled.
	Had it been destinèd to majesty
112	(Yet will I not rob Venus of her grace),
	Then stately Juno might have borne the ball.
114	Had it to wisdom been intitulèd,
	My human wit had given it Pallas then.
116	But sith unto the fairest of the three
	That power, that threw it for my farther ill,
118	Did dedicate this ball; and safest durst
	My shepherd's skill adventure, as I thought,
120	To judge of form and beauty rather than
	Of Juno's state or Pallas' worthiness,
122	That learned to ken the fairest of the flock,
	And praisèd beauty but by nature's aim;
124	Behold, to Venus Paris gave this fruit,
	A daysman chosen there by full consent,
126	And heavenly powers should not repent their deeds.
	Where it is said, beyond desert of hers
128	I honoured Venus with this golden prize,
	Ye gods, alas, what can a mortal man
130	Discern betwixt the sacred gifts of heaven?
	Or, if I may with reverence reason thus;
132	Suppose I gave, and judged corruptly then,
	For hope of that that best did please my thought,
134	This apple not for beauty's praise alone;
	I might offend, sith I was pardonèd,
136	And tempted more than ever creature was
	With wealth, with beauty, and with chivalry,
138	And so preferred beauty before them all,
	The thing that hath enchanted heaven itself.
140	And for the one, contentment is my wealth;
	A shell of salt will serve a shepherd swain,
142	A slender banquet in a homely scrip,
	And water running from the silver spring.
144	For arms, they dread no foes that sit so low;
	A thorn can keep the wind from off my back,
146	A sheep-cote thatched a shepherd's palace hight.
	Of tragic Muses shepherds con no skill;
148	Enough is them, if Cupid ben displeased,
	To sing his praise on slender oaten pipe.
150	And thus, thrice-reverend, have I told my tale,
	And crave the torment of my guiltless soul
152	To be measúrèd by my faultless thought.
	If warlike Pallas or the Queen of Heaven
154	Sue to reverse my sentence by appeal,
	Be it as please your majesties divine;
156	The wrong, the hurt, not mine, if any be,
	But hers whose beauty claimed the prize of me.
158
	Paris having ended, Jupiter speaks.
160
	Jup. Venus, withdraw your shepherd for a space.
162	Till he again be called for into place.
164	[Exeunt Venus and Paris.]
166	Juno, what will ye after this reply,
	But doom with sentence of indifferency?
168	And if you will but justice in the cause.
	The man must quited be by heaven's laws.
170
	Juno. Yea, gentle Jove, when Juno's suits are moved,
172	Then heaven may see how well she is beloved.
174	Apol. But, madam, fits it majesty divine
	In any sort from justice to decline?
176
	Pall. Whether the man be guilty, yea or no,
178	That doth not hinder our appeal, I trow.
180	Juno. Phoebus, I wot, amid this heavenly crew,
	There be that have to say as well as you.
182
	Apol. And, Juno, I with them, and they with me,
184	In law and right must needfully agree.
186	Pall. I grant ye may agree, but be content
	To doubt upon regard of your agreement.
188
	Pluto. And if ye marked, the man in his defence
190	Said thereof as 'a might with reverence.
192	Vulc. And did ye very well, I promise ye.
194	Juno. No doubt, sir, you could note it cunningly.
196	Sat. Well, Juno, if ye will appeal, ye may.
	But first despatch the shepherd hence away.
198
	Mars. Then Vulcan's dame is like to have the wrong.
200
	Juno. And that in passion doth to Mars belong.
202
	Jup. Call Venus and the shepherd in again.
204
	[Exit Mercury.]
206
	Bacc. And rid the man that he may know his pain.
208
	Apol. His pain, his pain, his never-dying pain,
210	A cause to make a many more complain.
212	Mercury brings in Venus and Paris.
214	Jup. Shepherd, thou hast ben heard with equity and law,
	And for thy stars do thee to other calling draw,
216	We here dismiss thee hence, by order of our senate:
	Go take thy way to Troy, and there abide thy fate.
218
	Venus. Sweet shepherd, with such luck in love, while thou dost live,
220	As may the Queen of Love to any lover give.
222	Paris. My luck is loss, howe'er my love do speed:
	I fear me Paris shall but rue his deed.
224
	[Exit Paris.]
226
	Apol. From Ida woods now wends the shepherd's boy,
228	That in his bosom carries fire to Troy.
230	Jup. Venus, these ladies do appeal, you see.
	And that they may appeal the gods agree:
232	It resteth, then, that you be well content
	To stand in this unto our final judgment;
234	And if King Priam's son did well in this,
	The law of heaven will not lead amiss.
236
	Venus. But, sacred Jupiter, might thy daughter choose,
238	She might with reason this appeal refuse:
	Yet, if they be unmovèd in their shames,
240	Be it a stain and blemish to their names;
	A deed, too, far unworthy of the place,
242	Unworthy Pallas' lance or Juno's mace;
	And if to beauty it bequeathèd be,
244	I doubt not but it will return to me.
246	She lays down the ball.
248	Pall. Venus, there is no more ado than so,
	It resteth where the gods do it bestow.
250
	Nept. But, ladies, under favour of your rage,
252	Howe'er it be, you play upon the vantage.
254	Jup. Then, dames, that we more freely may debate,
	And hear th' indifferent sentence of this senate,
256	Withdraw you from this presence for a space,
	Till we have throughly questioned of the case:
258	Dian shall be your guide; nor shall you need
	Yourselves t' inquire how things do here succeed;
260	We will, as we resolve, give you to know,
	By general doom how everything doth go.
262
	Diana. Thy will, my wish. − Fair ladies, will ye wend?
264
	Juno. Beshrew her whom this sentence doth offend.
266
	Venus. Now, Jove, be just; and, gods, you that be Venus' friends,
268	If you have ever done her wrong, then may you make amends.
270	[Exeunt Diana, Juno, Pallas, and Venus.]
272	Jup. Venus is fair, Pallas and Juno too.
274	Vulc. But tell me now without some more ado,
	Who is the fairest she, and do not flatter.
276
	Pluto. Vulcan, upon comparison hangs all the matter:
278	That done, the quarrel and the strife were ended.
280	Mars. Because 'tis known, the quarrel is pretended.
282	Vulc. Mars, you have reason for your speech, perdy;
	My dame, I trow, is fairest in your eye.
284
	Mars. Or, Vulcan, I should do her double wrong.
286
	Sat. About a toy we tarry here so long.
288	Give it by voices, voices give the odds;
	A trifle so to trouble all the gods!
290
	Nept. Believe me, Saturn, be it so for me.
292
	Bacc. For me.
294
	Pluto. For me.
296
	Mars. For me, if Jove agree.
298
	Merc. And, gentle gods, I am indifferent;
300	But then I know who's likely to be shent.
302	Apol. Thrice-reverend gods, and thou, immortal Jove,
	If Phoebus may, as him doth much behove.
304	Be licensèd, according to our laws.
	To speak uprightly in this doubted cause,
306	(Sith women's wits work men's unceasing woes),
	To make them friends, that now bin friendless foes,
308	And peace to keep with them, with us, and all,
	That make their title to this golden ball;
310	(Nor think, ye gods, my speech doth derogate
	From sacred power of this immortal senate;)
312	Refer this sentence where it doth belong:
	In this, say I, fair Phoebe hath the wrong;
314	Not that I mean her beauty bears the prize
	But that the holy law of heaven denies
316	One god to meddle in another's power;
	And this befell so near Diana's bower,
318	As for th' appeasing this unpleasant grudge,
	In my conceit, she hight the fittest judge.
320	If Jove comptrol not Pluto's hell with charms,
	If Mars have sovereign power to manage arms,
322	If Bacchus bear no rule in Neptune sea,
	Nor Vulcan's fire doth Saturn's scythe obey,
324	Suppress not, then, 'gainst law and equity,
	Diana's power in her own territory,
326	Whose regiment, amid her sacred bowers,
	As proper hight as any rule of yours.
328	Well may we so wipe all the speech away,
	That Pallas, Juno, Venus, hath to say,
330	And answer that, by justice of our laws
	We were not suffered to conclude the cause.
332	And this to me most egal doom appears,
	A woman to be judge among her feres.
334
	Merc. Apollo hath found out the only mean
336	To rid the blame from us and trouble clean.
338	Vulc. We are beholding to his sacred wit.
340	Jup. I can commend and well allow of it;
	And so derive the matter from us all,
342	That Dian have the giving of the ball.
344	Vulc. So Jove may clearly excuse him in the case,
	Where Juno else would chide and brawl apace.
346
	[They all rise.]
348
	Merc. And now it were some cunning to divine
350	To whom Diana will this prize resign.
352	Vulc. Sufficeth me, it shall be none of mine.
354	Bacc. Vulcan, though thou be black, thou’rt nothing fine.
356	Vulc. Go bathe thee, Bacchus, in a tub of wine;
	The ball’s as likely to be mine as thine.
358
	[Exeunt.]
	ACT V.
	SCENE I.
	Enter Diana, Juno, Pallas, Venus.
1	Diana. Lo, ladies, far beyond my hope and will, you see,
2	This thankless office is imposed to me;
	Wherein if you will rest as well content,
4	As Dian will be judge indifferent,
	My egal doom shall none of you offend,
6	And of this quarrel make a final end:
	And therefore, whether you be lief or loath,
8	Confirm your promise with some sacred oath.
10	Pall. Phoebe, chief mistress of this sylvan chace,
	Whom gods have chosen to conclude the case,
12	That yet in balance undecided lies,
	Touching bestowing of this golden prize,
14	I give my promise and mine oath withal,
	By Styx, by heaven's power imperial,
16	By all that 'longs to Pallas' deity,
	Her shield, her lance, ensigns of chivalry,
18	Her sacred wreath of olive and of bay,
	Her crested helm, and else what Pallas may,
20	That wheresoe'er this ball of purest gold,
	That chaste Diana here in hand doth hold,
22	Unpartially her wisdom shall bestow,
	Without mislike or quarrel any mo,
24	Pallas shall rest content and satisfied,
	And say the best desert doth there abide.
26
	Juno. And here I promise and protest withal,
28	By Styx, by heaven's power imperial,
	By all that 'longs to Juno's deity,
30	Her crown, her mace, ensigns of majesty,
	Her spotless marriage-rites, her league divine,
32	And by that holy name of Proserpine,
	That wheresoe'er this ball of purest gold,
34	That chaste Diana here in hand doth hold,
	Unpartially her wisdom shall bestow.
36	Without mislike or quarrel any mo,
	Juno shall rest content and satisfied,
38	And say the best desert doth there abide.
40	Venus. And, lovely Phoebe, for I know thy doom
	Will be no other than shall thee become,
42	Behold, I take thy dainty hand to kiss,
	And with my solemn oath confirm my promise,
44	By Styx, by Jove's immortal empery,
	By Cupid's bow, by Venus' myrtle-tree,
46	By Vulcan's gift, my ceston and my fan.
	By this red rose, whose colour first began
48	When erst my wanton boy (the more his blame)
	Did draw his bow awry and hurt his dame,
50	By all the honour and the sacrifice
	That from Cithaeron and from Paphos rise,
52	That wheresoe'er this ball of purest gold,
	That chaste Diana here in hand doth hold,
54	Unpartially her wisdom shall bestow,
	Without mislike or quarrel any mo,
56	Venus shall rest content and satisfied,
	And say the best desert doth there abide.
58
	[Diana describes the Nymph Eliza,
60	a figure of the Queen.]
62	Diana. It is enough, and, goddesses, attend.
	There wons within these pleasant shady woods,
64	Where neither storm nor sun's distemperature
	Have power to hurt by cruël heat or cold,
66	Under the climate of the mild heaven;
	Where seldom lights Jove's angry thunderbolt,
68	For favour of that sovereign earthly peer;
	Where whistling winds make music 'mong the trees, −
70	Far from disturbance of our country gods,
	Amids the cypress-springs, a gracious nymph,
72	That honour Dian for her chastity,
	And likes the labours well of Phoebe's groves;
74	The place Elyzium hight, and of the place
	Her name that governs there Eliza is;
76	A kingdom that may well compare with mine,
	An ancient seat of kings, a second Troy,
78	Y-compassed round with a commodious sea:
	Her people are y-clepèed Angeli,
80	Or, if I miss, a letter is the most:
	She giveth laws of justice and of peace;
82	And on her head, as fits her fortune best,
	She wears a wreath of laurel, gold, and palm;
84	Her robes of purple and of scarlet dye;
	Her veil of white, as best befits a maid:
86	Her ancestors live in the House of Fame:
	She giveth arms of happy victory,
88	And flowers to deck her lions crowned with gold.
	This peerless nymph, whom heaven and earth belove,
90	This paragon this only, this is she,
	In whom do meet so many gifts in one,
92	On whom our country gods so often gaze,
	In honour of whose name the Muses sing;
94	In state Queen Juno's peer, for power in arms
	And virtues of the mind Minerva's mate,
96	As fair and lovely as the Queen of Love,
	As chaste as Dian in her chaste desires:
98	The same is she, if Phoebe do no wrong,
	To whom this ball in merit doth belong.
100
	Pall. If this be she whom some Zabeta call,
102	To whom thy wisdom well bequeaths the ball,
	I can remember, at her day of birth,
104	How Flora with her flowers strewed the earth,
	How every power with heavenly majesty
106	In person honoured that solemnity.
108	Juno. The lovely Graces were not far away,
	They threw their balm for triumph of the day.
110
	Venus. The Fates against their kind began a cheerful song,
112	And vowed her life with favour to prolong.
	Then first gan Cupid's eyesight wexen dim;
114	Belike Eliza's beauty blinded him.
	To this fair nymph, not earthly, but divine,
116	Contents it me my honour to resign.
118	Pall. To this fair queen, so beautiful and wise,
	Pallas bequeaths her title in the prize.
120
	Juno. To her whom Juno's looks so well become.
122	The Queen of Heaven yields at Phoebe's doom;
	And glad I am Diana found the art,
124	Without offence so well to please desert.
126	Diana. Then mark my tale. The usual time is nigh,
	When wont the Dames of Life and Destiny,
128	In robes of cheerful colours, to repair
	To this renownèd queen so wise and fair,
130	With pleasaunt songs this peerless nymph to greet;
	Clotho lays down her distaff at her feet,
132	And Lachesis doth pull the thread at length,
	The third with favour gives it stuff and strength,
134	And for contráry kind affords her leave,
	As her best likes, her web of life to weave.
136	This time we will attend, and in the mean while
	With some sweet song the tediousness beguile.
138
	The Music sounds, and the Nymphs within sing or
140	solfa with voices and instruments awhile.
142	Then enter Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos,
	singing as follows: the state being in place.
144
	THE SONG.
146
	Cloth. Humanae vitae filum sic volvere Parcae.
148
	Loch. Humanae vitae filum sic tendere Parcae.
150
	Atro. Humanae vitae filum sic scindere Parcae.
152
	Cloth. Clotho colum bajulat.
154
	Loch. Lachesis trahit.
156
	Atro. Atropos occat.
158
	Tres simul. Vive diu foelix votis hominúmque deúmque,
160	Corpore, mente, libro, doctissima, candida, casta.
162	[They lay down their properties at the Queen's feet.]
164	Cloth. Clotho colum pedibus.
166	Lach. Lachesis tibi pendula fila.
168	Atro. Et fatale tuis manibus ferrum Atropos offert.
170	Tres simul. Vive diu felix, &c.
172	[The song being ended, Clotho speaks to the Queen.]
174	Cloth. Gracious and wise, fair Queen of rare renown,
	Whom heaven and earth belove, amid thy train,
176	Noble and lovely peers, to honour thee,
	And do thee favour more than may belong
178	By nature's law to any earthly wight,
	Behold continuance of our yearly due;
180	Th' unpartial Dames of Destiny we meet,
	As have the gods and we agreed in one,
182	In reverence of Eliza's noble name;
	And humbly, lo, her distaff Clotho yields!
184
	Loch. Her spindle Lachesis, and her fatal reel,
186	Lays down in reverence at Eliza's feet
	Te tamen in terris unam tria numina Divam
188	Invita statuunt natura lege sorores,
	Et tibi non aliis didicerunt parcere Parcoe.
190
	Atro. Dame Atropos, according as her feres,
192	To thee, fair Queen, resigns her fatal knife:
	Live long the noble phoenix of our age,
194	Our fair Eliza, our Zabeta fair!
196	Diana. And, lo, beside this rare solemnity,
	And sacrifice these dames are wont to do,
198	A favour, far indeed contráry kind,
	Bequeathèd is unto thy worthiness
200	This prize from heaven and heavenly goddesses!
202	[She delivers the ball of gold to the Queen's own hands.]
204	Accept it, then, thy due by Dian's doom.
	Praise of the wisdom, beauty, and the state,
206	That best becomes thy peerless excellency.
208	Venus. So, fair Eliza, Venus doth resign
	The honour of this honour to be thine.
210
	Juno. So is the Queen of Heaven content likewise
212	To yield to thee her title in the prize.
214	Paris. So Pallas yields the praise hereof to thee.
	For wisdom, princely state, and peerless beauty.
	EPILOGUS.
1	Omnes simul. Vive diu felix votis hominumque deumque,
2	Corpore, mente, libro, doctissima, candida, casta,
4	[Exeunt omnes.]
	FINIS.