Daphnis and Chloe (Thornley translation)/Book 3

by Longus

A Summary of the Third Book

THE Mitylenæans upon that Incursion, send Hippasus their Generall with Land-forces against Methymna. But the quarrel is taken up. Daphnis and Chloe take it heavily that they are parted by the Winter. Daphnis to see her, goes a fowling before Dryas his Cottage, and looks as if he minded not her. Dryas brings him to the Feast of Dionysius. The Spring returning, they return to their Pastoralls. Daphnis complains of his ignorance in the practise of Love. Lycænium cousens him, and Cuccolds Chromis. Daphnis, as the Marriners sail by, tells Chloe the Tale of the Echo. Many and rich Suitors are now about Chloe, and Dryas almost gives his consent. Daphnis is sad as being poor: But by direction of the Nymphs he finds a purse full of silver. He gives it Dryas, and Chloe is contracted to him; onely Lamo, because he was Servant to Dionysophanes, sayes his Lord is to be expected that he may ratifie the businesse. Daphnis gives Chloe a rare Apple.

The Third Book

BUT the Mitylenæans when they heard of the arrivall of those ten Ships; and some of the Countrey-men, coming up from the Farms, had told them what a plundering and rapin there had bin, thought it too disgracefull to be born, and therefore decreed, to raise Arms against Methymna. And having chosen out three thousand Targettiers, and five hundred Horse, they sent away their General Hippasus by Land, not daring to trust the Sea in Winter. He did not as he marcht depopulate the Villages of Methymna; nor did he rob the Farms of the Husbandmen, or the Pastures of the Shepherds, counting such astions as those to suit better with a Latron, then the grand Captain of an Army: but hasted up to the Town it self to surprize it. But while he was yet an hundred Stadiums off from the Town, an Herald met him with Articles. For after that the Methymnæans were informed by the Captives, that the Mitylenæans knew nothing of those things that had happened; and that the Ploughmen and Shepherds provoking the young Gentlemen, were they that were the Causes of all; it repented them of that expedition of Bryaxis again a Neighbour-City, as of an Action more precipitant, then moderate and wise. And these were the Articles of Agreement: To return all the Prey and Spoil that was taken and carried away; To have commerce, and trade securely with one another, by Land, and by Sea. Therefore Hippasus dispatches away that Herauld to Mitylene, although he had bin created the General of the War, and so had power to sign as he listed. But pitching his Camp about ten Stadiums from Methymna, there he attended Mandates from the City. Two days after, the Messenger returned, and brought a command, that they should receive the plunder'd Goods, and all the Captives, and march home without doing the least harm. Because Methymna, when War, or Peace were offered to be chosen, found peace to be more profitable. And this quarrel betwixt Methymna and Mitylene, which was of an unexpected beginning and end, was thus taken up and composed. And now Winter was come on, a winter more bitter then war, to Daphnis and Chloe. For on a suddain there fell a great Snow which blinded all the paths, stopt up all wayes, and shut up all the Shepherds and Colones. The very Torrents were frozen and glazed with Chrystal. The hedges and trees lookt as if they had bin clipt and cropt; and there was nothing to be seen but stumps. All the ground was hoodwinkt up, but that which lay upon the fountains and the rills. And therefore no man drove out his flocks to pasture, or did so much as come to the door, but about the Cock's crowing made their fires nosehigh; and some spun flax, some Tarpaulin for the Sea; others, with all their Sophistry, made gins, and nets, and traps for birds. At that time their care was employed about the Oxen and Cows that were fodder'd with chaffe in the stalls; about the Goats, and about the Sheep, and those which fed on green leaves in the sheepcoots and the folds; or else about fatting their hogs in the styes with Acorns and other mast. When all was thus taken up with their domestick affairs, the other Colones and Shepherds were very jovial and merry, as being for a while discharged of their labours, and used to have their breakfast betime in the morning, when they had slept long winter nights: so that the winter was to them more pleasant then the Summer, the Autumne, or the very Spring. But Chloe and Daphnis, when they remembered what a sweet Conversation they had held before; how they had kist, how they had embraced and hugg'd one another, how they had lived at a common Scrip, all which were now pleasures lost; now they had long and sleeplesse nights, now they were alwaies sad and pensive, and desired nothing so much as a quick retrive of the Spring, to become their regeneration and return from death. Besides this, it was their grief and complaint, if but a Scrip came to their hands out of which they had eaten before in the fields; or a Sillibub-piggin, out of which they had used to drink: or if they chanced to see a Pipe laid aside and neglected, such as had bin not long before, the Gift of a dear friend, or a Lover. And therefore they prayed to Pan, and the Nymphs, that they would deliver them from these evils and miseries, and shew to them and their flocks the Sun again. Both praying the same thing, they labour'd too, and cast about to find a way, by which they might come to see one another. Poor Chloe was void of all counsell, and had no device nor plot. For the old woman, her reputed mother, was by her continually, and taught her to card the fine wooll, and twirle the Spindle, or else was still a clocking for her, and ever and anon casting in words, and twatling to her about her marriage. But Daphnis, who was now at leisure enough, and was of a more projecting wit than she, devised this Sophism to see her. Before Dryas his Cottage, and indeed under the very Cottage itself, there grew two tall myrtles and an Ivie-bush. The Myrtles stood not far from one another, and between them the Ivie ran, and so, that it made a kind of arbour by clasping the arms about them both, and by the order, the thicknesse and interweaving of its branches and leaves; many and great clusters of berries, hanging like those of the Vines upon the palmits. And therefore it was, that great aore of winter birds haunted the bush, for want (it seems) of food abroad; many blackbirds, many Thrushes, Stockdoves and Starlings, with other birds that feed on berries. Under pretext of birding there, Daphnis came out, his Scrip furnished with Country dainties, bringing with him to persuade and affirm his meaning, snares and lime-twigs for the purpose. The place lay off about ten furlongs; and yet the Snow that lay unmelted, found him somewhat to do to passe through it. But all things are pervious to Love, even Fire, Water, and Scythian Snowes. Therefore, plodding through, he came up to the Cottage, and when he had shook the Snow from his thighs, he set his snares, and prickt his lime-twiggs. Then he sate down, and thought of nothing carefully, but of Chloe and the birds. Their flew to the bushes many birds, and a sufficient number was taken to busie Daphnis a thousand ways, in running up and down, in gathering, killing, and depluming his game. But no body stirred out of the Cottage; not a man or woman to be seen, not so much as a henne at the door; but all were shut up in the warm house: so that now poor Daphnis knew not what in the world to do, but was at a stand, as if he had come unluckily a fowling. And assuredly he would have ventured to intrude himself, if he could but have found out some specious cause, and plausible enough; and so deliberated with himself, what was the likeliest to be said. I came to fetch fire, and was there none within ten furlongs nearer to Lamo's? I came to borrow bread, but thy Scrip is stufft with Cakes. I wanted Wine; thy Vintage was but t'other day. A Wolf pursued me; where are the tracings of a Wolf? I came hither to catch Birds; And when thou hast catcht them, why gettest thou not thy self home? I have a mind to see Chloe; but how can any body confesse such a thing as that to the Father and Mother of a Maid? Besides, the Servants are at a deep silence, and all at home. But there is not one of all these things that carries not Suspition with it. Therefore it's better to be silent. But I shall see Chloe at the first peeping of the Spring, since (as it seems) the Fates prohibit it in Winter.

These thoughts cast up and down in his anxious mind, and his prey taken up, he thinks to be gone, and makes away. But then, as if Love himself had pitied his cause, it happened thus: Dryas and his Family had a Feast, the meat was taken up, and divided to Messes, the boord was covered, the Crater set and trimm'd. But one of the flock-dogs took his time while they were busie, and ran out adoors with a shoulder of mutton. Dryas was vext, for that belonged to his Messe, and snatching up a club, followed at his heels as if it had bin another dog. This pursuit brought him up to the Ivie, where he espyed the young Daphnis packing away with his birds on his back. With that, forgetting the dog, and the flesh, he cries out amain: Hail boy, hail boy; and fell on his neck to kisse him, and catching him by the hand, led him along into the house. And then it wanted but a little that Daphnis and Chloe fell not both to the ground, when at first they saw one another: yet while they setrove with themselves to strand upright, there past salutations and kisses between them, and those to them were as pillars and sustentations to hold them from toppling into swoones. Daphnis having now got, beyond all hope, not onely a kisse, but Chloe her self too, sate down by the fire, and laid upon the table his blackbirds, Stock-doves, and Thrushes; and fell to tell them, how tedious the businesse of the house, and keeping within had bin to him, and that therefore he was come out to recreate himself, and, as they saw, to catch birds; how he had taken some with lime- twigs, some with snares as they were feeding greedily upon the Ivie and the myrtle-berries. They on the other side fell to commend and praise Daphnis, as if Apollo himself had bin their stranger; and commanded Chloe to wait on them, and fill their wine. She with a merry countenance filled to the rest; and after them somewhat frowningly to Daphnis: For she feigned a pretty anger, because that when he was there, he would offer to go away in such a manner, and not see her. Yet before she gave it to him, she kist the Cup, and sipt a little, and so gave it. Daphnis, although he was almost choakt for want of drink, drank slowly, tickling himself by that delay, with longer pleasure. Dinner was done, and the Table voided; and every body began to ask, how Lamo and Myratle had gone a great while, and so went on to pronounce them happy folks, who had got such a stay, and cherisher of their old age. And it was no small pleasure to Daphnis to be praised so in the hearing of Chloe. And when besides they said, That he must and should tarry with them the next day, because it was their Sacrifice to Bacchus, it wanted but a little that for very pleasure the ravisht Lover had worshipped them, instead of Bacchus himself; and therefore presently he drew out of his Scrip good store of sweet-cakes, and his birds were order'd to be made ready for Supper. A fresh Crater of wine was set, a new fire was kindled up; and when it was night, their second Table brought in: when Supper was done, and part of their time was spent in telling of old Tales, part in singing some of the ditties of the fields, they went to bed; Chloe with her Mother, Daphnis with Dryas. But then nothing was sweet and pleasant to poor Chloe, but that the next morning she should see her Daphnis again. And Daphnis entertained the night himself with a fantastick, empty pleasure; for it was sweet to his imagination, to lye but with the Father of Chloe, and he dreamed to himself that even there he embraced and kist her. In the morning it was a sharp frost, and the North wind was very nipping, when they all rose and prepared to celebrate. With solemn invocations to Bacchus, Dryas sacrificed a ramme, and a huge fire was built up to rost the meat. While Nape was making the holy bread, and Dryas rosting the Ramme, Daphnis and Chloe had time to go forth as far as the Ivie-bush; and when he had set his snares again, they had a sweet Collation of Kisses without intermission, and then a dear Conversation in the Language of Love. Chloe, I came for thy sake. I know it, Daphnis. 'Tis long of thee that I destroy the poor birds. And am I no-body in thy account? Remember me. I remember thee by the Nymphs, by whom heretofore I have sworn in yonder Cave, whither we will go as soon as ever the Snow melts. But it lies very deep, Chloe, and I fear I shall melt first. Courage man, the Sun burns hot. I would it burnt like that fire which now burns my very heart. You do but gibe and cousen me! I do not, by the Goats, by which thou didst once bid me to swear to thee. While Chloe was holding on her Antiphona to Daphnis, Nape call'd, and in they ran, with more birds then had been taken the day before. Now when they had made a libation of the first of the Crater to Dionysius, they fell to their meat, with Ivie Crownes upon their heads: and when it was time, having cryed the Jacchus and Euous, they sent away Daphnis his Scrip first cramm'd with flesh and bread. They gave him too, the Stock-doves and Thrushes to carry to Lamo and Myrtale, as being like to catch themselves more while the frost and Ivie lasted. And so Daphnis went his way when he had kist the rest first, and then Chloe, that he might carry along with him, her Kisse untoucht and intire: and by other devices he came often thither, that the Winter might not escape away wholly, without some fruition of the sweets of Love.

It was now the beginning of the Spring, the Snow was gone, the Earth uncovered, and all was green, when the other Shepherds drove out their flocks to pasture, and Chloe and Daphnis before the rest, as being Servants to greater Shepherds. And forthwith they took their course up to the Nymphs, and that Cave, thence to Pan and his pipe; afterwards to their own Oak, where they sate down to look to their flocks, and kisse, and clip insatiably. They sought about for flowers too to crown the Statues of the Nymphs. The soft breath of Zephyrus and the warm Sun, had brought some forth; and there were then to be found the Violet, the Daffodil, the Primrose, with the other primes, and dawnings of the Spring. And when they had crown'd the Statues of the gods with them, they made a Libation with new milk from the Sheep, and from the Goats. They began too to play on the Pipe, and to provoke and challenge the Nightingale with their Musick, and Song. The Nightingales answer'd softly from the Groves and resuming their long intermitted Song, began to jug and warble their Tereus and Ity's again. Here and there, not without pleasure, the blating of the flocks was heard, and the Lambs came skipping and inclined themselves obliquely under the damms to riggle and nussle at their dugs. But those which had not yet teemed, the Rams pursued; and when with some pains they had made them stand, one rid another. There were seen too the Chases of the he-goats, and their lascivious ardent leaps. Sometimes they had battels for the she's, and every one had his own wives, and kept them sollicitously, that no skulking adulterer should set upon them.

The old men seeing such incendiary fights as these, were prickt to Venus: but the Young, and such as of themselves did itch, and for some time had longed for the pleasure of Love, were wholly inflamed with what they heard, and melted away with what they saw, and lookt for something far more excelent then kisses and embraces were: and amongst them was Daphnis chief. Therefore he, as being now grown up and lusty by keeping at home, and following easie businesse all the Winter, was carried furiously to kissing, and stung with the desire to embrace, and close; and, in what he did, was now more curious, and more rampant then ever before. And therefore he began to ask of Chloe that she would give him free leave to do with her what he listed, and that she would lye naked with him naked, and longer too then they were wont: For there was nothing but that remaining of the Institutes of old Philetas, and that he would try, as the onely Canon, the onely med'cine to ease the pain of Love.

But Chloe asking him, whether anything remain'd more than kissing, embracing, and lying together upon the ground; or what he could do by lying naked upon a naked Girle? That (quoth he) which the Rams use to do with the Ewes, and the he-Goats with the She's. Do you not see, how after that work, neither these run away, nor those weary themselves in pursuit of them; but afterwards how enjoying a common pleasure, they feed together quietly. That . . . as it seems is a sweet practice, and such as can master the bitternesse of Love.

How Daphnis? And dost thou not see the she-Goats and the Ewes, the he- Goats and the Rams, how these do their work standing, and those suffer standing too; these leaping and those admitting them upon their backs? And yet thou askest me to lye down, and that naked. But how much rougher are they then I, although I have all my Clothes on?

Daphnis is persuaded, and laying her down, lay down with her, and lay long; but knowing how to do nothing of that he was mad to do, lifted her up, and endeavour'd to imitate the Goats. But at the first finding a mere frustration there, he sate up, and lamented to himself, that he was more unskilfull than a very Tup in the practice of the mystery and the Art of Love. But there was a certain neighbour of his, a landed man, Chromis his name, and was now by his age somewhat declining. He married out of the City a young, fair, and buxome girle, one that was too fine and delicate for the Country, and a Clown: Her name was Lycænium; and she observing Daphnis as every day early in the morning he drove out his Goats to the fields, and home again at the first twilight, had a great mind to purchase the youth by gifts to become her sweetheart. And therefore once when she had sculkt for her opportunity, and catcht him alone, she gave him a curious fine pipe, some pretious honey-combs, and a new Scrip of Stag- skin: but durst not break her mind to him, because she could easily conjecture at that dear love he bore to Chloe. For she saw him wholly addicted to the girle: which indeed she might well perceive before, by the winking, nodding, laughing and tittering that was between them: but one morning she made Chromis believe that she was to go to a womans labour, and followed softly behind them two at some distance, and then slipt away into a thicket and hid herself, and so could hear all that they said, and see too all that they did; and the lamenting untaught Daphnis was perfectly within her reach. Wherefore she began to condole the condition of the wretched Lovers, and finding that she had light upon a double opportunity; this, to the preservation of' them; that, to satisfie her own wanton desire, she projected to accomplish both by this device. The next day making as if she were to go a Gossipping again, she came up openly to the Oak where Daphnis and Chloe were sitting together; and when she had skilfully counterfeited that she was feared, Help ( Daphnis) help me, (quoth she), An Eagle has carried away from me the goodliest Goose of twenty in a flock, which yet, by reason of the great weight, she was not able to carry to the top of that her wonted high crag, but is fallen down with her into yonder Cops. For the Nymph's sake, and this Pan's, do thou Daphnis go in to the Wood, and rescue my Goose. For I dare not go in my self alone. Let me not thus lose the Tale of my Geese. And it may be thou mayest kill the Eagle too, and then she will scarce come hither any more to prey upon the Kids and Lambs. Chloe for so long will look to the flock; the Goats know her as thy perpetuall Companion in the fields. Now Daphnis suspecting nothing of that that was intended, gets up quickly, and taking his aaff followed Lycænium, who lead him a great way off from Chloe. But when they were come to the thickest part of the wood, and she had bid him sit down by a Fountain: Daphnis (quoth she) Thou dost love Chloe, and that I learned last night of the Nymphs. Those tears which yesterday thou didst pour down, were shewn to me in a dream by them, and they commanded me, that I should save thee, and teach thee the secret practices of Love. But those are not Kisses, nor embracing, nor yet such things as thou seest the Rams, and the he-goats do. There are other leaps, there are other friskins than those, and far sweeter than them. For unto these there appertains a much longer duration of pleasure. If then thou wouldst be rid of thy misery, and make an Experiment of that pleasure, and sweetnesse which you have sought, and mist so long, come on, deliver thy self to me a sweet Schollar, and I, to gratifie the Nymphs, will be thy Mistris. At this Daphnis as being a rustick Goat-herd, a Sanguin Youth, and burning in desire, could not contain himself for meer pleasure, and that Lubency that he had to be taught; but throwes himself at the foot of Lycænium, and begs of her, That she would teach him quickly that Art, by which he should be able, as he would, to do Chloe; and he should not only accept it as a rare and brave thing sent from the gods, but for her kindnesse he would give her too a young Kid, some of the finest new- milk Cheeses; nay, besides, he promised her the dam her self. Wherefor Lycænium now she had found the Goat-herd so willing and forward beyond her expectation, began to instruct the Lad thus -- She bid him sit down as near to her as possibly he could, and that he should kisse her as close and as often as he used to kisse Chloe; and while he kist her to clip her in his arms and hugg her to him, and lye down with her upon the ground. As now he was sitting, and kissing, and lay down with her; She, when she saw him itching to be at her, lifted him up from the reclination on his side, and slipping under, not without art, directed him to her Fancie, the place so long desired and sought. Of that which happened after this, there was nothing done that was strange, nothing that was insolent: the Lady Nature and Lycenium shewed him how to do the rest. This wanton Information being over, Daphnis, who had ftill a Childish Pastorall mind, would presently be gone, and run up to Chloe, to have an experiment with her, how much he had profited by that magistery, as if indeed he had bin afraid lest staying but a little longer, he could forget to do his trick. But: Lycenium intercepted him thus: Thou art yet Daphnis, to learn this besides: I who am a woman, have suffered nothing in this close with thee, but what I am well acquainted withall. For heretofore another Youth taught me to play at this sport, and for his pains, he had my maidenhead. But if thou strive with Chloe in this list, she will squeak, and cry out, and bleed as if she were stickt. But be not thou afraid of her bleeding; but when thou hast persuaded her to thy pleasure, bring her hither into this place, that although she should cry and roar, no body can hear; and if she bleed, here's a clear Fountain, she may wash; and do thou, Daphnis, never forget it, that I before Chloe made thee a man. These advertisements given, Lycenium kist him, and went away through another glade of the Wood, as if still she would look for her Goose. But Daphnis considering with himself what had been said, remitted much of that impetuous heat he had to Chloe. For he durst not venture to presse her beyond his former kissing and embracing: because he could not endure that she should make an outcry, as against an Enemy, or shed tears for any grief or anguish from him, and much lesse that she should bleed, as if she had bin slain by Daphnis. For he himself not long before had had some experience of that when he was beaten by the Methymnæans; and therefore he abhorred blood, and thought verily that no blood could follow but onely from a wound. His resolution therefore was, to do with her as he had done before, and imagine pleasure on this side the traverse; and so he comes out of the Wood up to the place where Chloe sate platting a Garland of Violets, and tells her he had rescued the Goose and kill'd the Eagle; then flinging his arms about her, and clasping her to him, kist her as he did Lycenium in that sweet sport that he was lately at: For that he might do, because that seemed to have no danger in it. But Chloe fits the chaplet to his head, and then kisses his locks as fairer and sweeter then the Violets, and out of her Scrip she gave him of her Cakes and Simnels to eat, and snatcht it by stealth from his mouth again as he was eating, and fed like a wanton, harmlesse bird. While thus they eat and take more kisses than bits, they saw a Fisher-mans boat come by. The wind was down, the Sea was smooth, and there was a great Calm. Wherefore when they saw there was need of rowing, they fell to ply the Oars stoutly. For they made haste to bring in a delicate sort of fish newly-salted, to fit the palates of the richer Citizens of Mitylene. That therefore which other Marriners use to do to elude the tediousnesse of labour, these began, and held on, as they rowed along. There was one amongst them, that was the Celeustes, or the hortator to ply, and he had certain nautic-odes, or Sea-songs: the rest like a Chorus all together strained their throats to a loud hollà, and catcht his voice at certain intervals. While they did thus in the open Sea, the clamor vanisht, as being diffused in the vast ayr. But when they came under any Promontore, or into a flexuous, horned, hollow bay, there as the voice was heard stronger, so the Songs of the Celeusmata, or hortaments to the answering Marriners, fell clearer to the Land. The hollow valley below received into it self, that shrill sound as into an Organ, and by an imitating voice rendered from it self all that was said, all that was done, and everything distinctly by it self; by it self the clattering of the Oars: by it self the whooping of the Sea-men: and certainly it was a most pleasant hearing. The Sound coming first from the Sea, the Sound from the Land ended so much the later, by how much it was slower to begin. Daphnis therefore taking special notice of the Musick attended wholly to the Sea, and was sweetly affected, endeavouring while the Pinnace glided by like a bird in the ayr, to preserve to himself some of those tones to play afterwards upon his Pipe. But Chloe having then had her firstt experience of that which is called Echo, now cast her eyes towards the Sea, minding the loud Celeusmata of the Marriners; now to the Woods, seeking for those who answer'd from thence with such a clamor, and when, because the Pinnace was past away, there was a deep silence in the valley, she askt of Daphnis, Whether there was another Sea beyond the Promontore, and another Ship did passe by there? And whether there were other Mariners that sung the same Songs, and all were whisht and kept silence together? Daphnis laught sweetly at this, and giving her a sweeter kisse, put the violet chaplet upon her head, and began to tell her the Tale of Echo, requiring first, that when he had taught her that, he should have of her for his wages, ten kisses more: There are of the Nymphs, (my dear Girle) more kinds than one. There are the Melicœ, there are the Dryades, there are the Eliœ; all are beautiful, all are musical. To one of these Echo was daughter; and she mortal, because she came of a mortall Father; but a rare beauty, deriving from a beauteous mother. She was educated by the Nymphs, and taught by the Muses to sing, to play on the Pipe, to strike the Lyre, to touch the Lute; and in summe, all musick. And therefore when she was grown up, and in the flower of her Virgin beauty, she danc'd together with the Nymphs, and sung in consort with the Muses; but fled from all males whether Men or gods; because she loved Virginity. Pan sees that, and takes occasion to be angry at the maid, and to envy her musick, because he could not come at her beauty. Therefore he sends a madnesse amongst the Shepherds and Goatherds; and they in a desperate fury like so many Doggs and Wolves, tore her all to pieces, and flung about them all over the Earth, her yet Singing Limbs. The Earth in observance of the Nymphs, buried them all, preserving to them still their musick- property: and they by an everlasting Sentence and decree of the Muses breathe out a voice, and they imitate all things now, as she did then before a Maid, the gods, Men, Organs, Beasts: Pan himself she imitates too, when he plays on the Pipe, which when he hears, he bounces out, and begins to follow her over the Mountains, not so much to catch her, and hold her, as to know what clandestin Schollar that is that he has got. When Daphnis thus had told his Tale, Chloe gave him not onely ten, but innumerable kisses. For Echo said almost the same, and bore him witnesse that he did not lie. But now when the Sun was grown more burning, the Spring going out, and Summer coming in, they were invited to new, and Summer pleasure. Daphnis, he swome in the Rivers; Chloe, she bathed in the Springs: he with his Pipe contended with the Pines; she with her voice strove with the Nightingales. Sometimes they hunted the pratling Locusts; sometimes they catcht the chirping Grasshoppers, they gather'd flowers, they shak't the Trees for mellow Fruits -- And now and then they lay together naked on a Goat-skin, That still they took along with them. And Chloe undoubtedly had lost her maidenhead, but that Daphnis was terrified with the thought of blood. And therefore, fearing lest one time or another his Reason should be master'd by his Love, he seldom bid Chloe turn herself naked to dally with him; which Chloe wondered at; but her bashfulnesse would not let her ask him the reason of it. That Summer Chloe had many Suitors, and many came from many places to Dryas to get his good will to have her. Some brought their gifts along with them; others promised great matters. Nape was tempted by her hope, and began to perswade that the Girle should be bestowed, and to urge that a maid of her age, should not longer be kept at home; for who knows whether one time or other, she may not lose her maidenhead for an apple, or a rose as she keeps the field, and make some unworthy Shepherd a man, and her husband; and therefore it was better she should now be made the Dame of the house, and when they had got sufficiently by her, it should be laid up for their Son; for of late they had born a jolly boy. But Dryas was variously affected with what was said; sometimes he was pleas'd: for greater gifts were named to him by every one, then suited a rural Girle, a Shepherdesse: Sometimes again, he thought the Maid deserved better, then to be married to a Clown, and that, if ever she should find her true Parents, she might make him and his Family happy: then he defers his answer to the Wooers, and puts them on from day to day, and in the interim has many Presents. When Chloe came to the knowledge of this, she was very sad, and yet she hid it long from Daphnis, because she would not give him a cause of grief. But when he was importunate, and urged her to tell him what the matter was, and seemed to be more troubled when he knew it not, than he should be when he knew it: then, poor Girle, she told him all the words, by which Nape incited Dryas to marry her speedily; and how Dryas had not denyed it, but onely had put it off to the Vintage. Daphnis with this is at his wits end, and sitting down he wept bitterly, and said, that, if Chloe were taken from him, he would die and not onely he, but all the flocks that lost so sweet a Shepherdesse. After this passion Daphnis came to himself again, and took courage, thinking he should perswade Dryas in his own behalf, and resolved to put himself among the Wooers, with hope that his desert would say for him, Room for your Betters. There was one thing troubled him worst of all; and that was, his Father Lamo was not rich; that disheartened him, that allayed his hope much. Neverthelesse, it seem'd best that he should come in for a Suitor, and that Chloe's sentence too. To Lamo he durst not venture to speak, but put on a good face, and spoke to Myrtale, and did not onely shew her his Love, but talk't to her of marrying the Girle and in the night, when they were in bed, she acquainted Lamo with it. But Lamo entertaining what she said in that case very harshly, and chiding her that she should offer to make a match between a Shepherds daughter, and such a Youth as he, whose monuments did declare him a great Fortune, and of high extraction; and one, that if his true Parents were found, would not only make them free, but possessors of larger Lands: Myrtale considering the power of Love, and therefore fearing, if he should altogether despair the marriage, lest he should attempt something upon his life' return'd him other causes then Lamo had' to contradict it: My Son, we are but poor' and have more need to take a Bride that does bring us something, then one that will have much from us. They on the other side are rich; and such as look for rich husbands. Go thou and perswade Chloe, and let her perswade her Father, that he shall ask no great matter, and give you his consent to marry; for on my life she loves thee dearly, and had rather a thousand times lye with a poor and handsome man, then a rich Monkey. And now Myrtale, who never hoped that Dryas would consent to these things, because there were so many rich Wooers, thought she had finely excused to him, their refusing of the marriage. Daphnis knew not what to say against this, and so finding himself far enough off from what he desired; that which is usual with Lovers who are beggars, that he did. With tears he lamented his condition, and again implored the help of the Nymphs. They appeared to him in the night in his sleep, in the same form and habit as before; and she that was eldest spoke again: Some other of the gods takes the care about the marrying of Chloe: but we shall furnish thee with gifts, which will easily make her Father Dryas. That Ship of the Methymnæans, when thy Goats had eaten her cable, that very day was carried off by the winds far from the shore. That night there rose a tempestuous Sea -- wind that blew to the Land, and dasht her against the rocks; there she perisht with all that was in her. But the waves cast up a purse, in which there are three thousand Drachma's, and that thou shalt find cover'd with Ouse hard by a dead Dolphin, near which no passenger comes, but turns another way as fast as he can, detesting the stench of the rotting fish. But do thou make haste thither, take it, and give it to Dryas. And let it suffice that now thou art not poor, and hereafter in time thou shalt be rich. This spoken, they past away together for the night. It was now day, and Daphnis leapt out of bed as full of joy as his heart could hold, and hurried his Goats before him to the field; and after he had kist Chloe, and adored the Nymphs, to the Sea he goes, making as if that morning he had a mind to bedew himself with Sea-water. And walking there upon the gravell near the line of the excursion and breaking of the waves, he lookt for his three thousand Drachma's. But soon he found he should not be put to much labour. For the stench of the Dolphin had reacht him, as he lay cast up, and was rotting upon the flabby sand. When he had got that sent for his guide, he came up presently to the place, and removing the ouse, found the purse full of silver. He took it up, and put it into his Scrip, yet went not away till with joyfull devotion he had blest the Nymphs and the Sea. For though he was a keeper of Goats, yet he was now obliged to the Sea: and had a sweeter sense of that, then the Land, because it had promoted him to marry Chloe. Thus having got his three thousand Drachma's, he made no longer stay; but, as if now, he were not onely richer than any of the Colones that dwelt there, but then any man that trod on the ground, he hastens to Chloe, tells her his dream, shews her the purse, and bids her look to his flocks till he comes again. Then stretching and stritting along, he bustles in like a Lord upon Dryas, whom he then found with Nape at the threshing-floor, and on a suddain talkt very boldly about the marrying of Chloe: Give me Chloe to my wife. For I can play finely on the Pipe, I can cut the Vines, and I can plant them. Nor am I ignorant how and when the ground is to be ploughed, or how the corn is to be winnowed and fanned by the wind. But how I keep and govern flocks, Chloe can tell. Fifty She-goats I had of my Father Lamo; I have made them as many more, and doubled the number. Besides, I have brought up goodly, proper, He-goats; whereas before we went for leaps to other men's. Moreover, I am a young man, your neighbour too, and one that you cannot twit in the teeth with anything. And further, I had a Goat to my Nurse, as your Chloe had a Sheep. Since in these I have got the start, and outgone others, neither in gifts shall I be anny whit behind them. They may give you the scrag-end of a small flock of Sheep and Goats, a rascal pair of Oxen, and so much. Corn as scant will serve to keep the Hens But from me, look you here, three Thousand Drachma's. Onely let no body know of this, no not so much as my Father Lamo. With that he gave it into his hand, embraced Dryas, and kist him. They when they saw such an unexpected lump of money, without delay, promised him Chloe, and to procure Lamo's consent. Nape therefore stayed there. with Daphnis, and drove her Oxen about the floor, to break the ears very small, and flip out the grain, with her hurdle set with sharp stones. But Dryas having carefully laid up his purse of Silver in that place where the monuments of Chloe were kept, makes away. presently to Lamo and Myrtale, to wooe them for the new Bridegroom. Them he found a measuring barley newly fanned, and much dejected, because that year the ground had scarcely restored them their feed. Dryas put in to comfort them concerning that, affirming it was a Common Cause, and that every where he met the same cry; and then asks their good will that Daphnis by all means should marry Chloe, and told them withall, that although others did offer him great matters, yet of them he would take nothing; nay, rather he would give them somewhat for him. For they had bin bred up together, and by keeping their flocks together in the fields, were grown to so dear a Love, as was not easie to be dissolved: and now, they were of such an age, as sayes they may go to bed together. Thus said Dryas, and much more, because for the fee of his oratory to the marriage, he had at home three Thousand Drachma's. And now Lamo could no longer obtend poverty: for they did not disdain his lownesse, nor yet Daphnis his age; for he was come to his flowery youth. That indeed which troubled him, and yet he would not say so, was this, namely, that Daphnis was of higher merit then such a match could suit withall. But after a short silence, he return'd him this answer: You do well to prefer your neighbours to strangers, and not to esteem riches better than honesty and poverty. Pan, and the Nymphs be good to you for this. And I for my part do not at all hinder the marriage. It were madnesse in me, who am now ancient, and want many hands to my daily work, if I should not joyn to me the friendship and alliance of your family. Oh how great and desirable a Good is that! Besides, Chloe is sought after by very many, a fair Maid, and altogether of honest manners and behaviour. But because I am onely a Servant, and not the Lord of anything I have: it is necessary my Lord and Master should be acquainted with this, that he may give his consent to it. Go to then, let us agree, to put off the Wedding till the next Autumne. Those that use to Come from the City to us, tell us that he will then be here. Then they shall be man and Wife, and in the mean time let them love like Sister and Brother. Yet know this Dryas: The young man thou art in such haste and earnest about, is far better than us. And Lamo having thus spoke, embraced Dryas, and kist him, and made him sit and drink with him, when now it was hot at high noon, and going along with him part of his way, treated him altogether kindly. But Dryas had not heard the last words of Lamo only as chat, and therefore as he walkt along, he anxiously enquired of himself who Daphnis could be. He was suckled indeed and nurst up by a Goat, as if the providence of the gods had appointed it so. But he's of a sweet, and beautiful aspect, and no whit like either that flat-nosed old fellow, or the musty old woman. He had besides three thousand drachma's, and one would scarcely believe that a Goat-herd should have so many Pears in his possession. And has somebody exposed him too, as well as Chloe? And was it Lamo's fortune to find him, as it was mine to find her? And was he trimm'd up with such like monuments, as were found by me? If this be so, O mighty Pan, O ye beloved Nymphs; it may be that he having found his own parents, may find out something of Chloe's too, who are so utterly unknown! These moping thoughts he had in his mind, and was in a dream up to the floar. When he came there, he found Daphnis expecting, and pricking up his ears for Lamo's answer; Hail Son (quoth he) be Chloe's husband: and promised him they should be married in the Autumne; then giving him his right hand, assured him on his faith, That Chloe should be Wife to no body but Daphnis. Therefore without eating or drinking, swifter then thought he flyes to Chloe, and full of joy brings her the annunciation of the Marriage, and presently began to kisse her, not as before by stealth in a corner of the twilight, but as his Wife, and took upon him part of her labour. He kept her about the milking-paile; he put her Cheeses into the presse; suckled the Lamkbins, and the Kids. And when all was done, they washt themselves, eat and drank, and went to look for mellow fruits. And at that time there was huge plenty, because it was the season for almost all. There were abundance of Pears, abundance of Apples. Some were now fallen to the ground, some were hanging on the Trees. Those on the ground had a sweeter sent; those on the boughs a sweeeter blush. Those had the fragrancy of wine; these had the flagrancy of Gold. There stood one Apple-tree that had all its apples pull'd, all the boughes were now bare, and they had neither fruit, nor leaves, but onely there was one Apple that hang'd as if it were poised upon the very top of the Spire of the Tree; a great one it was, and very beautifull, and such as by its rare, and rich Smell, would alone out- do many together. It should seem, that he that gather'd the rest was afraid to climb so high, and therefore left it. And peradventure that excellent apple was reserved for a Shepherd that was in Love. When Daphnis saw it, he mantled to be at it, and was even wild to climb the tree; nor would he hear Chloe forbidding him: but she perceiving her interdictions neglected, scutled away towards the flocks. Daphnis got up into the tree, and coming to the place, pulled it in Chloe's name, for Chloe; to whom, as she shewed her anger againft that adventure, he thus spoke: Sweet Maid, The fair Houres planted this Apple, and a Goodly tree brought it up; it was ripened by the beams of the Sun, and preserved by the care and kindnesse of Fortune. Nor might I let it alone, so long as I had these eyes, lest if it should fall to the ground, some of the Cattell as they feed, should tread upon it, or some poisonous Serpent should touch it, or time should spoil it as it lay, when I had seen it, ripe and fair! Venus for the Victory of her beauty, carried away no other prize; I give Thee This the palmary of Thyne. For thou hast a well as she, such witnesses to thy beauty. Paris was but a Shepherd upon Ida; and I am a Goat-herd in the happy fields of Mitylene. With that, he put it into her bosome, and Chloe pulling him to her, kist him. And so Daphnis repented him not of that boldnesse to climb so high a tree. For he received a Kisse from her more precious than a Golden Apple.

The end of the Third Book