shades of diuers trees, and safegard of their fierce masties. Their welcome of the Shepherdes, and their thankes to them againe being past, they went all to take their rest, taking Firmius with them, who maruelled greatly at the earnest loue and affec∣tion that all the Shepherdes and Shepherdesses shewed at Syrenus comming, of whose absence (which till then he knew not of) he woulde haue talked something with him, but deferred it, vntill he had fitter time and opportunitie. But it was told him before he asked it, and the whole successe of his loues from the beginning to his present estate of life. O how many bitter draughts of iealousie did he swallowe downe in the meane time (thinke you) that they were telling of the fauours, that Di∣ana had in times past bestowed on Syrenus. Then would he haue beene glad, that they had neuer begun to tell that wounding discourse, and if at that time they had not made an ende of their talke, they had put him in great perill of his welfare. Syre∣nus, Syluanus, and Seluagia perceiued very well his secret greefe of minde, by so ma∣nie changes of his colour, that went and came in his face, that they were apparant signes of the present greefe he felt. But when they came to the drinke that Felicia gaue him, they restored him to life againe, who tooke besides no small ioy and com∣fort in seeing how far Syrenus was from Dianas fauours, and how freely, and with∣out alteration of countenance, he talked himselfe, and heard them tell the thinges that were past and gone, whereupon he neuer made an ende in thanking and bles∣sing the sage Lady Felicia in his minde, thinking that she had done that especiall fa∣uour for him, by giuing Syrenus the cup of forgetfulnes to drink on, since by meanes thereof, she tooke so great a blocke out of his way, not bicause he thought Syrenus knew not how to serue and please her, better then he, nor that he had lesse good parts in him then Syrenus, to obtaine any fauour of her; but bicause he being vn∣knowne, and Syrenus hauing made loue so long before him, he thought it a harde matter to bring him out of fauour with Diana, and as difficult a thing to throwe him downe from so high an estate, as he had attained vnto. But he reuolued in his me∣morie, and considered of Dianas inconstancie towards Syrenus, though he laide the fault more on Syrenus for absenting himselfe at such a time, thinking, if he had come then in the nicke, when Syrenus did, that he had knowne better how to haue helpt himselfe by such an occasion. His head was so occupied in these and other con∣siderations, that the Shepherdes perceiuing in what passions he was, left him all alone, bicause they were glad to pleasure him in any thing they could, who then be∣gan to talke of their own affaires, & to giue good order for conuenient prouision, & keeping of their flockes. After they had agreed vpon these matters, they determi∣ned to know of Firmius if he woulde remaine in those parts any long time, and if it were his will to take vpon him the charge and keeping of their flockes till their re∣turne: wherupon they went to him, and asked him his name, and knowing it, would haue knowne from whence he came, and what he was. But perceiuing these de∣mands did not like him very wel, they would not vrge him farther then his own will & pleasure: but they told him what they had agreed vpon, if he thought good to do it. He gaue them many thankes for the good opinion and confidence they had in him, not knowing what he was, saying, he was very glad to do it. For though he was minded not to stay in that countrey, yet to do them any seruice (he could) he woulde at such time make his abode there, during the time they went about their other bu∣sines. In the end after they had agreed with him, they deliuered him their flockes, which he kept so well and charily all the time that they were yet at home, that they were very glad they had founde out so good a keeper, but hee was more, that his
