contriued the matter to saue his credit: And with great reason (saide Lord Felix) though all was done (in my opinion) by Calastas counsell, albeit I cannot also other∣wise thinke, but that Carpostus was very wise by knowing how to gouerne himselfe so well against the whole towne. When he had saide thus, Delicius proceeded in his discourse saying. They put on our garments againe, and to giue either their owne, was no lesse variance, and as great difficultie as before; for if we of our selues had not made our selues knowne to our nurses (either of vs going to his owne) we might haue both gone naked home againe. But from that time we entred both into such a mutuall league of amitie, that by no meanes they coulde part vs asunder: for much force had one God (I knowe not) that reigned in vs, ouer each others soule, diuining the great and inuiolable friendship that should be betweene him and me. I feare me (noble Sir, and the rest) that you would a good while since haue asked me what was become of my deere brother Parthenius (for so we euer called one ano∣ther) and other questions that you haue left of, not to interrupt mee in my tale. Delicius would haue passed on farther but his falling teares would not permit him. Wherefore Cynthia came to him, saying. Drie vp thy teares (Shepherd) and tell on thy tale, for by doing this, thou shewest the small confidence and hope thou hast in my Lady Felicias helpe, whereas I my selfe haue also diuers times tolde thee before that thy sorrowes shall be remedied. Delicius then wiping his eies, saide. Thou tel∣lest me (O Nymph) by that which I shew, the small trust I haue in Felicia; but I tell thee, that by thy speech, thou dost manifest how little thou art acquainted with my greefe, and how lesse thou knowest of like passions, to which knowledge I wish thou maiest neuer attaine, since ignorance in such matters is much more expedient. I could tell thee much about these effects, if I thought not to offende this woorthie companie: but onely one word I will tell thee. That hope doth not pardon the punish∣ment, although it doth lighten it a little. But thou seemest Shepherde (saide Polydora) to know the very secrets of our harts, bicause (as thou hast tolde true touching the desire we had to know what was become of thy deere brother) thou didst chaunce to say, that we would not giue thee leaue for answers and replies: wherefore dissem∣bling thy greefe for a while, tell out the rest as thou hast begun. With a good will, saide Delicius. But let it not greeue you (woorthie personages) if you heare not now of my beloued brother, considering, that the great greefe which I suffer for him, must nowe suffice, and that the processe of my historie shall in conuenient place declare it amplie vnto you; and if not so, at some other time you shall know it, when you shall see what great reason I haue to solemnize such a memory with these and many more teares. The fame of this strange accident (I told you of) and of our great likenes within a fewe daies after came to the eares of old Synistius, gouernour of the kingdome where we were borne, who was placed there by Rotindus king of Eolia, for the which cause Synistius commanding, that wee should be brought vnto him (as well for our great likenes, as for the great beautie which we were reported to haue when we were children) tooke vs from our fathers, and not long after sent vs to Rotindus, who also hearing that rare report, which fame had blowen abroad of vs, sent for vs to keepe Agenestor his nephew companie, to whom he was Grandfa∣ther by the mothers side, being then but one yeere yoonger then vs both. As it was strange to see what intensiue loue euery one did beare vs, so were the vnspeakable fauours and affection, which the yoong prince Agenestor shewed vs, so great, that needes we must (to content him) lie altogither in one chamber; for whose sake, like
