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time? What harneys so impenetrable, and steele so well tempered, that may serue for a defence against the violence of this tyrant, whom so vniustly they call Loue? And what hart (though it be harder then diamond) which an amorous thought can not mollifie and make tender? Certes this beautie, this valour, and this wisedome, deserue not to be forgotten of him, who had but once seene and knowne them: But we liue now in such an age, that the deserts of any thing, are the meanes and occa∣sions of not obtaining it. And cruell loue is of so strange a condition, that he be∣stoweth his contents without any good order and rule, and giueth there greatest fa∣uours, where they are lest esteemed; but the medicine of so many ils, (whereof this tyrant is the cause) is her discretion & courage that suffers them. But whom doth he leaue so free, that these may serue her for a remedie? Or who can command her selfe so much in this passion, that in other womens affaires she is able to giue counsell, how much lesse to take it in her owne. Yet for all this, I beseech thee (faire Ladie) to put before thine eies, and consider what thou art, bicause if women of such high re∣nowne and vertue as thou art, are not able to tolerate his aduerse effects, how can they suffer them, that are not such. And in the behalfe of these Nymphes and mine owne, I request thee, to go with vs to the sage Felicias pallace, which is not farre from this place, for that to morrow about this time we may be well there: where (I am assured) thou shalt finde great remedies for thy greefes, as many others haue done heeretofore, that haue not deserued them as much as thou hast: whose pro∣founde skill and rare experiments (besides many other notable things in her, wherein no man or woman in our times came euer neere her) and her princely bountie doth’make her so famous and renowned, that the greatest kings and estates in the worlde are desirous of her companie. I know not faire Nymphes (said Felismena againe) who is able to applie a remedie to such an ill, but he that first caused it. But neuerthelesse I will fulfill your wils heerein, and since your companie is such an ease and lighting to my paine, it were a fond part to reiect that comfort, whereof at this time I stande in so great neede. I woonder said Cynthia, that Don Fe∣lix (al the while thou didst serue him) did not know thee by thy faire face, thy sweete grace, and looking daily on such faire eies. He did so little remember those beauties, saide Felismena, which he had once scene in me, (his thoughts being so deepely im∣printed on Celias which he daily viewed) that he had no power, nor knowledge left to thinke once of mine. And talking thus togither, they heard the Shepherds sing∣ing, (that in companie of discreet Seluagia were comming down the hill) the oldest songs they knew, or that their seuerall greefes did put into their heads, euerie one taking that, which made most for his purpose. And the first that began to sing, was Syluanus, who did sing this song following.
MY passion (Loue) thou dost disdaine,
But God keepe thee from such a paine.
I am of Loue disdained,
And Fortunes wheele doth broose me,
I care not now to loose me,
And hope not to be gained.
So care to care is chained
By Fortune and by Loue againe:
But God keepe thee from such a paina.
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