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The Nymphes with no small delight and content, were harkening to the Shep∣herds songs, but the infinite sighes and teares which the noble Shepherde sse pow∣red foorth, did not suffer her to be idle, while the Shepherds were a singing. When they were come to the fountaine, and had done their due reuerence, they spred a faire white cloth vpon the greene grasse, and setting that meate on it, which they had brought with them from the towne, they sat them downe to eate, whom their thoughts (at lest) would giue leaue, and they, (who had not such a priuiledge) impor∣tuned by them, that were most free, must needes do the like. And after they had re∣freshed themselues, Polydora saide thus. The remedie of your paines disdained Shepherds, (if it be lawfull to call you by that name,) which (to your greefe) fortune hath cast vpon you, consisteth in the hands of the graue Lady Felicia, to whom na∣ture hath giuen that diuine knowledge, which she hath denied vs: And therefore since you see, how greatly it importeth you to go visit her, in the name of these two Nymphes (to whom you haue done this day so great seruice) I request you, not to refuse our companie, bicause by no other meanes you may receiue the rewarde of your trauell and paine, the which this woorthie Shepherdesse intends to take, who needes it no lesse then your selues. And thou Syrenus, whom Fortune hath tossed from a happie and ioyfull time, to a life as haplesse and full of sorrowe, despaire not, but cheere vp thy selfe, for if thy Mistresse had the remedie of the miserable life, which she leades with Delius so neere her, as thou of that, which she makes thee suf∣fer, it would be no small lighting to those churlish wordes, and iealous iarres, which I know she passeth euery day with him. There is nothing faire Polydora (saide Syre∣nus) that giues me now any greater discontent, then that Dianahath reuenged her∣selfe on me so much to her owne cost, for louing one, who hath not any thing in him that deserues such loue, and being perforce in his companie, thou seest how much it must greeue her; and as for me, to seeke a remedie for my greefe, I woulde do it, if time and fortune would permit me. But I plainly see, that all the waies of it are stop∣ped vp, and know not whither thy selfe and these faire Nymphes will carrie me to seeke it out. But let it be as it will, I will followe you, as Syluanus (I thinke) and Seluagia will do no lesse, if they be not of so small vnderstanding, that they con∣ceiue not the great fauour, that you do to vs all. And so they two referring them∣selues to that, which Syrenus had answered, and committing their flockes to their friends (which were not feeding farre from that place) while they came backe again, they went altogither, which way the Nymphes did lead them.

The end of the second booke of Diana.

The third Booke of Diana of George
of Montemayor.

WIth great content the faire Nymphes with their companie were going on their way thorow the middes of a thicke wood, and now the sunne being readie to set, they entred into a faire valley, in the mids of which ran a swift brooke, beset on either side with thicke Sallows and Sicamours; amongst the which were many other kindes of lesse trees, which twyning about the greater, and the golden and coloured flowers of the one,