tempered himselfe with Firmius his moderate and mild answers, which made him hold his peace, which otherwise he would not haue done: wherefore Syrenus said. No more gentle Shepherds, as you loue your selues. Then Seluagia acknow∣ledging her fault, and the modestie of the Shepherd, she looked on him with a milde and sober countenance, saying. Pardon me good Shepherd, for the force of my great loue vrged me to say thus much. But I (said Firmius) must rather craue par∣don, for if there be any offence, it is of my side. I am glad (saide Syrenus) that you are friendes againe, and that you will not fall out for so small a matter. I knewe thee Syrenus, (saide Syluanus) when once thou wouldest not iudge it so light a thing as now thou dost. But of friendship Shepherd, (looking vpon Firmius) he saide, tell vs (since thou hast shewed thy selfe so wise in euery thing) how that may be, which thou didst say: That loue doth make his operations as perfect in a short time, as in a longer: for (me thinkes) it should be cleane contrarie to reason and experience, I meane, if it be not by some extraordinarie and secret science, as Felicia doth, a Ladie not meanely experimented in those operations. On the otherside, I woulde faine know the cause thereof, if at least there be any; for to make a change in our selues, (which is but an easie matter in comparison) we must haue the helpe of some time, how much more then is it requisite for so great a worke as that, which Cupid makes. In base and simple Cottages in my natiue fieldes (replied Firmius) I woulde haue thee also aske this question, where so wise and learned a Shepherd abides, who is able, not onely to satisfie thy doubts heerein, but what else thou wouldst desire to knowe. But as concerning this matter, I remember I heard him say: That as the Sunne, when it appeeres, doth in the very point and instant powre downe all his brightnes without wasting any time, & perfectly giues vs his light: So Cupid (whom he called the God of loue) when he takes possession of the louers hart, doth in an instant with his full and absolute force command and raigne there. This compari∣son (said Syluanus) doth not like me so well. Why so, said Firmius? for according to the same (saide Syluanus) we should all loue in equall proportion and degree, if loue with all his force in such sorte wounded euerie one, which I will not confesse. Shep∣herd (said Firmius) thou hast so well touched the matter to the quicke, that I must needs yeeld my selfe ouercommed, and yet without shame, since the meaning ther∣of exceedes my pastorall condition and conceit. But giue me leaue a little, and I will bethinke me (if I can remember) how he resolued the like obiection. But this (I thinke) and the rest is slid out of my memorie, and yet (me thinkes) I should remem∣ber it, and haue it at my toongs end. And now I call it to minde, though I know not whether so well as he spake it. But howsoeuer it is, you must accept it in such rude sort, as I shall tell it you. He said, if Cupid wrought more in one hart then in another, that this proceeded not of Cupids part, who assailes all equallie, but of the better dis∣position of the hart, where he makes his impression; and for this he brought a pretty comparison. For with examples he made vs Countrey-fellowes vnderstand this and manie other things, bicause by them we might remember the better what hee told vs. But the example was this. That as the Sunne or fire doth sooner heat a piece of wood, then a stone (giuing as much heate to the one as to the other) bicause the wood is apter and better disposed to receiue the heate, then the stone: so loue maketh a greater impression in one hart then in another, by reason of the better dis∣position of one, then of another. He added moreouer, that as the stone resisteth heate better then the wood; and after it is once hot, more hardly leeseth that heat, then the wood, which more easily receiued it: so he, that most resisteth loue, and be∣ing
