wherewith such sweete and pleasant thoughts are ingendred and preserued, to thinke vpon those flockes that feede vpon the vnsauorie grasse. And you may also beleeue, that if my fewe and silly sheepe, nay if the whole worlde should perish, and be lost, and that if it lay in my hands to helpe them both, in respect of employing my high and happy thoughts (the least time that might be) on my faire and vertu∣ous Shepherdesse, my sheepe should remaine without helpe, and the world without succour. Seluagia that was not vnskilfull in paying such debts with like coine again, an swered him thus. As it lieth not in me, (my deere friend) so will I not find fault with any thing thou dost: which I speake to this end, bicause thou shouldest not vse (as I told thee before) any more words so apparantly manifesting that loue, whereof I doubt not: Although there is nothing (if I must tell the truth, after the glorie that I haue conceiued in my ioyfull thoughts by being thine) that can please and content me more then to see, how farre by wordes and effect thy true loue extendeth. For though some say, That where deedes be, wordes are in vaine, yet I take great plea∣sure in hearing them, when they are by all probabilitie correspondent vnto deedes, and especially in matters of loue, whereof we now talke. For since the interiour part is a hidden and secret thing, and which is soonest discouered by wordes, wee must therefore not meanely account of them, that pretend to make the interiour knowne by th’exteriour. True it is that such words and outward actes must be mea∣sured by the effects of him that pronounceth them. For oftentimes we see that ma∣ny things are vttred by a false and deceitfull toong, which were neuer ment in the hart. Which I speake not in preiddice of thy loue (my deere Shepherd) or to 〈◊〉 thee of disloyaltie, assuring that I am glad to heare thy words, whereby (be∣sides the certaintie that I haue of thy truest loue) thou makest me the most conten∣ted woman in the world. And in this I take no small glory, and that thy loue (not able to containe it selfe within the soule) flowes out by the mouth, like the little pot which filled with water is hardly set on the fire without running ouer. And bicause thou maist not thinke to ouercome me in affection, I would wish that as loue hath giuen me deedes, it had also lent me some wordes, to make a full satisfaction of those true signes of thy vnfained good will, which hath brought me so much in thy debt. But since they are so strange vnto mee, I must, with onely offring that which I am able to giue, endeuour to discharge my selfe thereof. They all tooke great delight to heare what amorous wordes passed betweene the Shepherdes, which had not ended so soone, if Felicia had not cut them off, saying: That since the one was satisfied and content with the others answere, their comple∣ments should now cease, and turning to Syrenus, she said. And thinke not (free Shepherd) that I haue forgotten thee, for thou shalt hereafter see woonders at my hands. I know not any thing good Ladie (said Syrenus) wherein I may truely say you haue forgotten me, since you haue made me so much remember my selfe, that with cleere eies I may easily discerne, not only my follies past; but also those which these Gentlemen and shepherds are so fondly fallen into. Euerie one laughed at Syrenus words, to whom Felicia said. In sooth Syrenus, all are of thy opinion, if not, aske thy corriuall Syluanus, and his beloued Seluagia. The blind man (answered Syrenus) can∣not iudge of colours. Whom wilt thou haue then for iudge (said Felicia?) Him (said Syrenus) that hath the eies of reason. And who is he, said Felicia? If there be no other (said Syrenus) my selfe. So wouldest thou giue sentence (said Felicia) in thine owne fauour; but knowest thou not, that the iudge is not admitted, when he is not free from passion? But I am (said Syrenus.) Otherwise (said Felicia) thy iudgement would not
