knowing it. But it fell not out so to Diana, who vnderstood well by his last verse, that all the rest were onely ment of her, for it answered to the latter end of her speech, when they both talked so secretly togither. And so she made great account of Fir∣mius for his wittie and short answer. Euery one commended his singing, and Diana, as well for this, and for that which he sung on the Baggepipe, as also for that which he had spoken to Syrenus, was somewhat enclined to like him, thinking verie well of that, which he had sung and spoken. Considering besides, that the trouble, which the Shepherd felt, (being in her presence) was no small cooling carde, and a sharpe bridle to his toong. For this feare, which Diana cleerely perceiued was for her sake, she soone tooke away, bicause Firmius might be more accepted of her, if there were (at the lest) any thing acceptable or pleasant to one, that found her-selfe in so mise∣rable an estate, as she was. But when the song was ended, Diana said she would de∣part, bicause she had staied there a great while, and would go seeke out her husband Delius, who would not willingly haue beene one moment out of her sight and com∣panie. Being determined therefore to depart, Syrenus entreated her to take her Baggepipe againe with her, if so it pleased her, bicause none other should vnwoor∣thely enioy such a sweete Trophee as Firmius had made of it. She tooke it, bicause she thought thereby to shewe some especiall fauour to Firmius. And taking it from the tree, she said vnto it. God knowes, I do not carrie thee as a meane to ease or mittigate my passion and sorrow (my intent being cleane contrarie) for though I might seeke some fauour and helpe to sustaine them (being so many as they are) yet will I not aduantage me with any such remedy, but I do take thee with me, bicause those Shepherds might not haue an occasiō to blame me for discurtesie. When she had spoken this, she turned to them, and asked them when they would depart: who told her in the morning, for now they had set all things in good order, and durst not stay any longer, bicause Felicia about that time would looke for their comming, whom they had promised to returne assoone as they had set their flockes in good order, and in the custodie of some faithfull Shepherdes. Their departure greeued Diana not a little, though she woulde not manifest so much, but saide. Since it is then so, the Gods be fauourable vnto you, and be your guides. They thanked her againe, and praied her not to sorget to looke to their affaires, as they would be care∣full for hers, and charged her besides, to thinke vpon Firmius and his busines, and to supply his wants, if in their absence, he stoode in need of any thing: And that, the pleasures and fauours that she did him, they would esteeme as much, as if she had bestowed them on themselues, since hee remained there to keepe and tende their flockes. Some other thing (saide Diana) you might haue demanded at my hands, wherein my good will shoulde not be wanting to my power, for this which you request, considering his great deserts, is no lesse then due to him. Truth it is (said Firmius) that of a small desert it hath resulted to bee great, not of my part, which coulde not giue so great a leape, but of my thought, which hath beene sufficient enough to make it most capable of the great glorie it feeles. And yet for all this thou hast obliged me to much, for which I will not giue thee those thankes, that are due to such an offer, because thou maiest not haue occasion to remaine con∣tented onely with wordes. I vnderstande thee not (saide Diana) and though I did, yet will I thinke, that I doe not. But knowe Shepherd, that I will doe what I haue saide, if I bee well; if not, it may be then an easie thing for mee to change my opinion, whereat thou must not maruell that I (being the onely disciple of mutable fortune) doe knowe so much what belongs to channge. Firmius was so
