haue any harme at my hands. Parthentus hereupon made him a signe to come ouer, which he did out of hand, and there they gaue to each other a particular account of their liues, Parthenius hauing euer a speciall care to conceale that, which by reuea∣ling it, might be hurtfull vnto him. They passed away the time there a good while, when at the last Parthenius played and sung such things, as pleased Gorphorosts vain, wherewith the fierce Shepherd was not onely most highly content, but no lesse glad, that he had got a companion and friend, to whom he might impart his vneuen loues with Stela. In this sort therefore they spent that day, and tooke their leaue of one another, Gorphorost requesting him not to forget that place of meeting. While Parthenius was a gaining Gorphorosts good will, (wherein he had so much profited himselfe by his passing wit and discretion, that in his armes to the other side of the riuer he oftentimes transported him, to shew him all his riches and habitation) I la∣boured to pacifie angrie Stela, wherein I tooke such paines, and was so forward, that I had put her (as it were) in Cupids bosome, to make her know his sorce and signory; and in such sort, that though she had no force to resist loue, yet she encouraged her selfe to passe away her paine without discouering it once vnto me, being her chiefest secretarie, and deerest friend: Neuerthelesse I studied by all meanes possible (by pro∣curing Delicius pardon) to make her returne to her former companie and conuersa∣tion; whereupon, when most of our Nymphes were on a time in seuerall com∣panies agreed to passe awaie the heate of the daie, I saide vnto her. I cannot but greeue (beloued Stela) that for so light an occasion wee shoulde leese so many pleasant howers as wee were wont to haue. Truth it is Crimine (saide Stela) that I would faine enioy them, if they were entertained with such puritie and hone∣stie as at the first we found them: And I know not why thou shouldst terme it light, when to thy selfe (as at the least to me it seemed) it should be no lesse heauie to indure. What harme didst thou get by it (said I) or how couldest thou be agree∣ued, that so iollie a yoong Shepherd, so wise, and discreet should loue thee (I know) with such apparant tokens of true and sincere affection; whom neither Apollo, when he fedde Admetus heards, nor any other did euer excell in any thing. And how more auaileable (if not for their deserts) were it for vs to haue their companie, to no other end, but to passe away the heate of these daies, which well thou migh∣test dissemble, since in the end thy will remaines so free to do whatsoeuer shall like thee best. Should I consent (said Stela) to haue one loue me beyond the limits of cha∣stitie? Why this (said I) is not in thy power, bicause thou canst not let it: for com∣mand Gorphorost to leaue of to loue thee, and thou shalt see how much thy desire or command preuailes. I know it well (said Stela) but then must I suffer him to manifest so dishonest a motion to me? Thou art in the fault (said I) by prouoking him first vnto it, as if (it seemed) thou hadst no other desire. By meanes whereof the carelesse and simple louer, thinking there was no such hidden deceit in thee (as with thy faire words to draw that out of his brest, which with fast and secret bonds he had enclo∣sed there) and thinking to take opportunitie by the forehead, plainly laied open vn∣to thee his vnfayned and feruent affection; wherein thou wert much beholding vn∣to him, since otherwise (perhaps) he would neuer haue manifested it (by passing ra∣ther in the meane time great paines for feare of offending thee) vntill thou didst first command him. Since it is then so (saide Stela) that thou wilt lay this fault vpon me, I will take the blame and punishment vpon my selfe, which shal be heereafter not to see nor speake with him, nor to haue any thing to do with him, bicause I will not fall with him into more errours: And as for him let him taste the fruite of his owne
