Montemayor's Diana

Page 059

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(I thinke) could not affoord sweeter musick to the eare, nor delight to any minde, not subiect to the panges of such predominant greefe and sorrow as mine was. But then fower voice passing well tuned and set togither, began to sing this song fol∣lowing.

A Song.

THat sweetest harme I doe not blame,
First caused by thy fairest eies,
But greeue, bicause too late I came,
To know my fault, and to be wise.

I neuer knew a worser kinde of life,
To liue in feare, from boldnesse still to cease:
Nor woorse then this, to liue in such a strife,
Whether of both, to speake, or holde my peace?

And so the harme I doe not blame,
Caused by thee, or thy faire eies:
But that to see how late I came,
To knowe my fault, and to be wise.

I euer more did feare, that I should knowe
Some secret things, and doubtfull in their kinde,
Bicause the surest things doe euer goe
Most contrarie vnto my wish and minde.

And yet by knowing of the same,
There is no hurt, But it denies
My remedie, Since late I came,
To knowe my fault, and to be wise.

When this song was ended, they began to sound diuers sorts of instruments, and voices most excellently agreeing togither, and with such sweetnes, that they could not chuse but delight any very much, who were not so farre from it as I. About dawning of the day the musicke ended, and I did, what I could to espie out my Don Felix, but the darknes of the night was mine enimie therein. And seeing now that they were gone, I went to bed againe, where I bewailed my great mishap, knowing that he, whom most of al I loued, had so vnwoorthily forgotten me, whereof his mu∣sicke was too manifest a witnes. And when it was time, I arose, & without any other consideration went straight to the Princesse her pallace, where (I thought) I might see that, which I so greatly desired, determining to call my selfe Valerius, if any (per∣haps) did aske my name. Comming therefore to a faire broad court before the pal∣lace gate, I viewed the windowes and galleries, where I sawe such store of blazing beauties, and gallant Ladies, that I am not able now to recount, nor then to do any more, but woonder at their graces, their gorgeous attyre, their iewels, their braue fashions of apparell, and ornaments, wherewith they were so richly set out. Vp and downe this place before the windowes roade many lords, and braue gentlemen in rich and sumptuous habits, and mounted vpon proud Iennets, euery one casting his

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