I had not reuiued them; yet thinking that either of them would be glad to liue, not for himselfe, but bicause the other might liue: for both of them knew well that one of their liues could last no longer then the other enioyed his, so that denying to go see Delicius, thou leauest Parthenius in great danger. Thou wilt (perhaps) aske me, what I haue to do with the good or ill fare of this vnhappie Shepherd, by seeling it so much as I do: faine would I haue another tell thee this, but in the end setting all virgin modestie aside with thee, since it lies in my power to do no lesse, Thou must know, that since these Shepherds came hither for their ill (I will not say for mine, for though their sight cost me tenne thousand liues, I cannot yet denie but that I haue beene happie) I am not able to tell thee how I yeelded to loues commaund, being forced to loue Delicius no lesse then Parthenius; for I neuer found any thing, wherein I liked the one more then the other: with which doubt, not knowing to what side to adhere, I was certaine daies in suspence; but afterwards knowing that Delicius was in loue with thee, and Parthenius free, I thought it best not to make my selfe subiect to him who was alreadie a captiue, but to the other, whose loue hath made so forcible an impression in my vnarmed hart, that without him my life is hate∣full to me. Thou seest therefore by this, faire Stela, how for that which concernes me so much, I wish some content to Delicius. It can cost thee but a little (deere friend) to pardon him for the good that I shall gaine, when also no harme can redound to thee thereby, & the rather since he craues pardon of thee with protestation neuer after to offend thee. Thou demandest a hard matter at my hand (saide Stela) but bicause I see thy teares, which I cānot suffer to issue out in such abundance, wherby thou dost ma∣nifest the greefe which thou feelest, and bicause thou maiest not haue any occasion to complaine of my friendship, I will do that which I thought not to do; but on such a condition, that thou shalt neuer complaine on me againe, if by committing anie other such fault, I denie Delicius my sight for euer: whom I would also knowe, that neither he, nor any desert of his part could obtaine pardon for so great a fault, if he had not procured so good a mediatour: for it is not my will, that for his sake thou shouldst thanke me for it. Embracing her then for this curtesie and gentle offer, that she made me, I thanked her for it, and with her good leaue went my waies (imagine how glad) to seeke out my Shepherds, and found Delicius all alone, for Parthenius was with Gorphorost. Needlesse it is to tell you if Delicius was glad to see me come to him with another kinde of countenance, then I was woont some daies before, for as I promised him, so I performed, to go and see him: who perceiuing now my signes of gladnes, said vnto me. The only hope of my health, & comfort in my cares, dost thou bring thy noble hart so ioyful, as thy gracious countenance so full of content? Tel me quickly, without more circūstances, for thou knowest that A good deed quickly done, is twise done, although it be but one: by which words knowing him to be Delicius, I said. To morrow thou shalt see Stela. What do I liue (saide Delicius?) If between this and then thou dost not die, saide I. In her good grace, said he? If thou wilt said I. O good words, said he. But thou must do better deedes, said I. Doubt not of that, said he, but that I do, and will make it the highest and best deed in the worlde to loue Stela my truest soule. O Delicius (saide I) how do I conceiue, that thy great loue, or the small dissembling thereof (I will not say small knowledge) will be heere-after hurtfull to thee. Let come what will (saide Delicius) for I will rather ioy to suf∣fer for louing too much (if there be any excesse in loue) then to bee harmed for lo∣uing too little. I will not counsell thee (said I) not to loue, for it would auaile mee nothing at all: But I must tell thee, that it is expedient for thee not a little to dis∣semble
