it was no time. And being there in their sweete and gracious company, my compa∣nion said. I am euer, when I am with you my friendly Shepherds, not a little troubled in minde. They asked why so. Bicause to know you distinctly saide she, some out∣ward token and signe must be apparant, whereby I may know how to make a diffe∣rence betweene you: whereas otherwise, I am as much deceiued, and know as little as they that haue frequented your companie lesse then I; for if I turne but my head, I returne to the selfe same doubt, if (happily) in the meane time you haue chaunged places. For the cleering whereof, and for the friendship that is betweene vs, I pray thee, Stela, giue one of them a token, whereby we may know how to be assured of either of them, and not need to be troubled any more with this doubt. If thou hast then so great a desire (said I) what needest thou require this at my hands, but that thou maist do it as well as I. Thou knowest now said Crimine, that it was first deman∣ded of thee, and if it had not beene, it might suffice, that I request it againe of thee. I deny not this said I, but assure thee that of this great likenes and deceit, which troubles thy minde so much, I take great pleasure. And it was so indeed: for as I lo∣ued them in equall sort; so my desire was to haue them, not onely like in their exte∣riour shewes, but all one in their interiour soules. I say as touching my selfe (so that I knew it) bicause I was then far from knowing the loue that Parthenius did secretly beare me, and not onely desired (as I said) to haue them still like to one another, but that in truth they had beene both one. It must not euer be to thy liking (said Crimine) for it must sometimes please mine a little. Let it be as thou wilt, saide I; and choose since it makes so much for thee. Good Lord (saide Crimine) how frowarde art thou Stela? Heereaster I will not request thee to doe any thing, I will be gone, and tarie thou heere if thou wilt; if not, doe what thou wilt, for I knowe not nowe to what ende it will come. Staie, staie, saide I: Goe not away, and bee not so angrie, for all shall bee done to thine owne desire. In faith if it were not for these yoong Shepherdes sakes (saide Crimine) I thinke thou shouldest see me no more heere. If then the matter be so, said I, harke but one worde that I shall say vnto thee, and taking her aside I saide vnto her. I would not by any meanes in the world giue more fauour to one then to the other, by giuing one a signe and the other none, lest his wings (to whom I giue it) growe bigger then the others. Thou must therefore either giue me some time to thinke of it, or else counsell me how I must doe it. The wings to serue thee (she answered) are now growen in Delicius, so that to him onely thou maiest giue thy fauour; for as Parthenius will not care for it so much at thy handes, so it likes me best that thou giuest him none at all. Crimine thought not by speaking these wordes, that she did cut me to the very hart, but God knowes how much I felt them, yet dissembling the matter the best I could, I answered. Though it likes thee not, yet will I giue to Parthenius his difference, as well as thy selfe, and I was not then in iest. But when dost thou meane, saide she, to make this difference betweene them? To morrow I answered. Shepherdes, saide Crimine alowde, turning to them, The difference that Stela will giue you with her owne hands, and the meanes how we should know you, is deferred no further then to morrow. When it shall please her, said they, for no other thing durst they speake. Being come thither the next day, I said vnto them. My friends Shepherdes (for this name I cannot denie you, as long as your desires reach not beyonde that, which is lawfull) although I haue beene vrged by my welbeloued friend to giue you some to∣ken of difference with mine owne hands, wherby we may come to the better know∣ledge of you both; yet of mine owne free will, by leauing her request aside, I meane
