his) for if they had held out longer, she could not haue made an end of them, but ha∣uing read them, she said. Woe is me, how different are they in mind that are so like in face (for now you know how Crimine died for the loue of Parthenius, and how she had told me it) Delicius burnes in loue, and Parthenius is cold in the same. Me thinks it were good, that both of them should loue like faithfull companions, or that Stela and I like good friends should hate. O Stela thou mightest well agree with Parthe∣nius, who in condition of cruelty is so like vnto thee, and shouldest forsake Delicius, so like to me. I assure you Gentlemen, that the pitifull verses that Delicius wrote in the tree, penetrated deepely into my soule, but the words that were fixed in Cri∣mines; sorrowful breast, mooued me without comparison to more ruth. The perswa∣sions that Crimine oftentimes vsed to me, to induce me to loue Delicius were of great force, but this last was so strong, that it wrought more effectually with me then al the rest. Delicius his singular parts, and the rare deserts of Parthenius were of great worth with me, by noting how worthie they were to be beloued; but the iealousie I had of Crimine, perceiuing how glad she was to be beloued of either of them was more for∣cible in my minde. O loue, loue, how iustly do they paint thee like a blind boy, thy conditions being no other! For a boy with a broken pate, that will not suffer his head to be bound vp in a clout, but seeing the same tyed to another boies head, cries out for it: So was it with me and Crimine. I reiected the loue of the Shepherds, but knowing that Crimine loued them, I died for their loue, and wept in my inwarde soule that Crimine was so much deuoted to them. But marke my dissimulation, for to that, which shee saide I aunswered thus. To this last (my sweete friende) which thou hast alleaged (for as much as toucheth mee) thou maiest well agree, not onely with Delicius, but with his friend, if thou wilt. This is not well (saide Crimine) that thou hast yet so much libertie to graunt me such leaue, but in the end, I am well content to take it: for I loue not Delicius so little, that I would do him such iniury, neither do I see him so enclined to yeeld to my loue again. And I see no reason (said I) why I should not giue thee leaue or any body else in this respect: let vs leaue this (said she) & go if thou thinkest good whither we were deter∣mined. Come on (said I) let vs go whither we must, not whither we should, for the sooner we go, the sooner we shal come back again. Being therfore come to our won∣ted place, we found the Shepherds merrie for the hope they had to see me, wherein I deceiued not my selfe, for if it was not so, I am then sure I was well deceiued, though somwhat sorrowful also for my long staying. We therefore comming before the faire Shepherds, a certaine feare possessed both their bodies, no otherwise then if some fearefull and ghastly thing had suddenly appeered before their sight, so that it caused a notable trembling in euery part of them. Crimine went on sixe steps be∣fore (it might be to bid Delicius take courage and a good hart) and afterwards spake out aloud to them saying. By force (my friends) I bring this my companion hither to establish a louing peace betweene you and her. Delicius would haue answered, but Crimine fearing least his loue woulde haue made a fault in something, cut him off, following her speech thus. For confirmation whereof, there is nothing more requisite, but that without remembrance of that which is past, we returne againe to our former pastimes. Truth it is, that I will not disswade Delicius from asking her pardon, whom he hath mooued to anger, and her I beseech by the faith of our friendship not to denie the same. Then saide Delicius by and by, his eies full of teares, and his knees on the ground, not onely for the offence committed, but if in any thing I shall heereafter offend her, with all humilitie I aske her forgiuenes. If so
