Page 262

instant I cast my selfe vpon Parthenius (for when Stela was risen vp to be gone, I also rose vp from my place) & ioyning his pale face to mine, kissed him softly; he (poore Parthenius) hanging downe his head in my lappe. At the voice that I gaue, Delicius (awaked as it were out of a deepe sleepe) sighed; and seeing Parthenius in like case, fell againe into another swoune, and remained in such sort as my Parthenius did. I was a good while embracing my Parthenius (for loue and pitie ouercame my due regarde of modestie) and held him in such sort as you haue heard, not taking away my face from his, but at the end crauing helpe of Delictus, I perceiued he stood in no lesse neede of the same. Beleeue me (Gentlemen) if my paine might haue beene aug∣mented, I must needs haue felt it by this second sight of Delictus: But my griefe be∣ing extreme, and nothing able to adde more torments to my tortured soule, I felt them not, vnlesse it were to see my selfe all alone in such a case. But animared by the desire I had to helpe them, I tooke a fine ashen dish out of one of their scrips, and ranne to the riuer for some water, and hauing brought it, besprinkled both their faces with it: who being therewith, and with shaking them, a little awaked, with a merier countenance then courage, I said vnto them. What faintnes of hart is this yoong Shepherds? Yee are but yoong Apprentises (it seemes) in Cupids seruice, since you will giue him ouer at the first encounter by leauing your liues in his hands. But faine would I know Parthenius (for then I imagined nothing of his secret loue) what made thee so much besides thy selfe (for the cause of Delicius his griefe, and of his sudden traunce I know well enough.) What, did Stelas sharpe answere touch thee so neere? No, answered Parthenius. What was it then, said I againe? Parthe∣nius, who would not for all the world haue manifested the loue he bare to Stela, an∣swered: bicause I saw my deere Delicius in some danger, whose chiefest desires and their full accomplishment I rather wish with greater content, and in higher degree then mine owne. It greeued me not (Gentlemen) to heare him speake this, for now had the impatient worme of iealousie begun to gnaw my throbbing hart. I beleeue thee said Felismena, but knowest thou what I thinke of all these matters, and con∣tentions that thou hast tolde, That thou wert the onely gayner, since thou enioyedst so pleasant (though so small a time) being in such sort as thou wert with Parthenius. By our virgin rights I sweare to thee (saide Crimine) that I would rather haue beene depriued of that delightfull being with my Parthenius, so that I had beene excused of the great greefe I had to see him in so pitifull a case. For if thou hast not tried faire Ladie, yet happily thou maist haue heard say, That a pleasure or delight is but halfe tasted which is distempered by one bitter greefe or sorrow. But leauing this aside, will you knowe (said Felismena) whereupon I haue thought? Whereon said Crimine? On this (said Felismena) musing with my selfe, how thou couldest call the Shepherdes by their owne names, whereas thou saiedst, they could not be knowen one from another for their great likenes, which caused thee to request some priuie tokens to discerne them, which hitherto yet thou hast not told vs. So that I conceiue not how without knowing them distinctly (as if the difference were now made) thou shouldst name them so right, giuing to each his proper name. Thou saiest well faire Lady (said Crimine.) But that which is already told, may satisfie thy demaund. For Delicius alone was the man (I said) that loued (at the lest openly) without telling whom, vntill this last accident befell, which we by his speeches, and so soone as he had but opened his mouth easily gathered, so that although we knew not them, when we came to them, yet by the manner of their talke we were afterwardes cleered of that doubt. It is well (said Doria) And as thou