Part 17 (1/2)

_Enter_ Stremon, _like_ Orpheus.

There must be love, there is love: what art thou?

SONG.

Stre. _Orpheus I am, come from the deeps below,_ _To thee fond man the plagues of love to show:_ _To the fair fields where loves eternal dwell_ _There's none that come, but first they pa.s.s through h.e.l.l:_ _Hark and beware unless thou hast lov'd ever,_ _Belov'd again, thou shalt see those joyes never._

_Hark how they groan that dy'd despairing,_ _O take heed then:_ _Hark how they howl for over-daring,_ _All these were men._

_They that be fools, and dye for fame_ _They lose their name;_ _And they that bleed_ _Hark how they speed._

_Now in cold frosts, now scorching fires_ _They sit, and curse their lost desires:_ _Nor shall these souls be free from pains and fears,_ _Till Women waft them over in their tears._

_Mem._ How should I know my pa.s.sage is deni'd me?

Or which of all the Devils dare?

_Eumen._ This Song Was rarely form'd to fit him.

SONG.

Orph. _Charon O Charon,_ _Thou wafter of the souls to bliss or bane._

Cha. _Who calls the Ferry-man of h.e.l.l?_

Orph. _Come near,_ _And say who lives in joy, and who in fear._

Cha. _Those that dye well, Eternal joy shall follow;_ _Those that dye ill, their own foul fate shall swallow._

Orph. _Shall thy black Bark those guilty spirits stow_ _That kill themselves for love?_

Cha. _O no, no,_ _My cordage cracks when such great sins are near,_ _No wind blows fair, nor I myself can stear._

Orph. _What lovers pa.s.s and in Elyzium raign?_

Cha. _Those Gentle loves that are belov'd again._

Orph. _This Souldier loves, and fain wou'd dye to win,_ _Shall he goe on?_

Cha. _No 'tis too foul a sin._ _He must not come aboard: I dare not row,_ _Storms of despair, and guilty blood will blow._

Orph. _Shall time release him, say?_

Cha. _No, no, no, no._ _Nor time nor death can alter us, nor prayer;_ _My boat is destinie, and who then dare_ _But those appointed come aboard? Live still,_ _And love by reason, Mortal, not by will._

Orph. _And when thy Mistris shall close up thine eyes,_

Cha. _Then come aboard and pa.s.s,_

Orph. _Till when be wise._

Cha. _Till when be wise._