iest, and to delight vs with it, found that it was in good earnest, and filled vs full of sorrow, and from that hower Parthenius and I liked not so well of Crimine, though we made her not know so much; for she was the meanes whereby we all three met and talked togither. Truth it is that now I haue forsaken the ill will that I did beare her, for diuers and sundry good turnes, which I receiued of her; and seeing what great reason there is to loue them (as euery faire Nymph shoulde likewise doe) for mine own part I giue her leaue & frank consent to loue them as much as she will: as also, bicause I see her not beloued of them, or (at the least) not so much as my selfe, although in very truth (had they as perfect knowledge of her deserts as they might haue) they woulde neuer denie to do it. But leauing this aside, wee passed awaie manie daies there, which lasted vs not so long as wee woulde, for the great content that then wee beganne to take in each others companie, which for mine part, I would not haue chaunged for any other mortall delight, and desire in the whole worlde. In all which time neither Rebecke, nor Bagpipe were heard, vn∣lesse it were when other Nymphes came: for when true louers are alone, singing (I thinke) and musicke pleaseth not their musing minds so much as the mutuall con∣templation and looking of one another; and that talking and amorous conuersation should be more pleasant and sweete to them, then the melodie of sweetest musicke. I cannot tell you by what meanes, but Delicius loue to me came to the knowledge of fierce Gorphorost, which made him beleeue no lesse, but that I must needs loue him againe, since with meeting euerie day, we entertained the time in discourse and pa∣stimes: whereupon being not a little enraged, he purposed, if Delicius desisted not from it, to execute his furie vpon him; which he had done indeed, but that he staied his hands (as he said) bicause he would not giue me any occasion of offence, and was Loth to leese the cōpany of Parthenius, & also bicause indeed he could not know him from his friend Parthenius, least thinking to be reuenged on Delicius, he might hurt his friend Parthenius. Wherefore to cleere himselfe of this doubt, one day as Parthenius, according to his woonted custome, went where he was, he said vnto him. I vnderstand my friend Parthenius, that thy brother Delicius doth loue Stela; which thing, if it be not more bitter to me then the wilde Olife, I leaue thy iudgement, since she is the onely Goddesse, to whom my soule is subiect, and I the onely man that can deserue her. Of one thing thou maiest be assured, that had it not beene for thy sake, I would long since haue made him leaue such follies, or else felt the hard∣nes of my sheep-hooke. He might haue considered, if he had any wit, that he goes about to be a Corriuall with him, who makes no reckoning of the Gods, if there be any at all. Aduise him therefore to leaue that to me which is worthily mine owne; if not, tell him that by my iustice he shall be punished, and not without rea∣son. And bicause it is not my will that the great likenesse which is betwene you, might preiudice or harme thee, take this sheepe-hooke, which for ran∣some of a iollie yoong Shepherde, I had of a faire and gracious Shepher∣desse, the which carrying euer in thy handes, I may knowe thee for Parthe∣nius. If thou dost meane Gorphorost (saide Parthenius) any harme to Delicius my dee∣rest brother, begin first with me, which shall I promise thee least of both greeue me: But bicause thou maiest knowe they haue not tolde thee true, I sweare vnto thee by the Gods, whom I adore, and by her, whom I loue more then mine owne life, that Delicius loues Stela no more then I do. For her I cannot tell thee, if she loue him or not (and he spake in truth in the one and other.) The Sheepehooke thou giuest me, as an impious gift for so vile an effect, I refuse to take, if by taking it, I thought thou
