Note 1. From The Arraignment of Paris, 1584, act i. sc. 2. I think the context in which this ditty is set so full of beauty, I quote it:
Paris. Nay, what thou wilt: but sith my cunning wit compares with thine.
Begin some toy that I can play upon this pipe of mine.
Œnone. 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.”
The note is fine and quick withal, the ditty will agree,
Paris, with that same vow of thine upon our poplar-tree.
Par. No better thing; begin it then: Œnone, thou shalt see
Our music figure of the love that grows ’twixt thee and me.
They sing; and while Œnone singeth, he pipeth.—Fair and fair, etc.
This old and passionate ditty—the very flower of an old forgotten pastoral—which, had it been in all parts equal, the Faithful Shepherdess of Fletcher had been but a second name, in this sort of writing.—(Charles Lamb.) [back]
