my determination vnto you, I will first haue you see what a faire gift Gorphorost hath giuen me, though his intent was far different from mine: But bicause with the rest, you shal also heare this, looke vpon it wel, & tel me your opinions, & then I will tell you more. Then we three comming neere togither, bicause he had viewed it well before, looked vpon it verie earnestly, euerie one of vs casting our eies vpon that which pleased vs most. We would not haue left looking once and twise againe vp∣on the curious sheepe-hooke, although we turned it not a few times about, if we had not a greater desire to heare what Parthenius had promised to tell vs. Who, when he saw vs expecting what he would say, began thus to speake vnto vs. Since the pitifull banishment of vs from our deere and natiue countrey is sufficiently manifest vnto you (most soueraigne Nymphes) and likewise the cause of our amorous staying in these parts, it would seeme but time ill spent and tedious to make repetition of the same againe. I will not say that my tarrying here to this present time hath beene onely commaunded by the request of my deere Delicius, for that your sweete com∣pany and sight was sufficient to haue forcibly detained here a worthier person then my selfe. But that which I minde to tell you is, that as to this hower my being here hath beene perhaps conuenient; so from this day forward my departure is needfull, and in such sort that (all affection laid aside) you would iudge there is no other pos∣sible thing for our auayle. Whereof bicause you may not be in suspence, and of my late determination, if with attention you will giue eare vnto me, the inexcusable ne∣cessitie of my intended departure shal be cleerly known vnto you. You are not igno∣raunt of the odde and inconuenient loue of fierce Gorphorost with thee faire Stela, nor of the euen and proportionable loue, or of the sound (to say better) and perfect affection of Delicius with thee againe faire Stela. But loue that discouers all things, hath suggested into the fierce Shepherds eares (as by his song you might well per∣ceiue) that he hath for riuall (if it may be so saide) my deere brother. If he grieued thereat, your selues haue heard him sing it on the top of yonder rocke: and being in his company that same morning before, I heard it from his owne mouth, where he said vnto me, that he purposed to be reuenged on him, and onely for the great loue and friendship he bare me, protested that he deferred the same. But now not able to suffer it any longer, and not knowing by what meanes to be auenged of his aduer∣sarie, without executing the punishment on me, for the great likenes betweene vs, and for auoiding the harme that might come thereof, he gaue me this sheep-hooke, bicause by carrying it, he might know me from him, the which for that it was offe∣red me for a cruell act, I then refused: but afterwards seeing his great rage, by stu∣dying out a good meanes for both our auailes, I tooke it. And this was my deuise, I told him that Delicius by my counsell and perswasion would go his waies; so that he might giue me the sheep-hooke, whereby he might know that I remained still in this countrey. For which departure I craued eight daies respit, which he willingly graunted me. Now therefore it behooues me to go seeke out my Father, with whom or without him, within a certaine time I will returne hither againe, where Delicius in the meane time may stay in my place, and visite Gorphorost in my name to dis∣semble the better with him; whom before I will aduise, and acquainte with all that I haue passed with him, because hee may thinke it is I. This did Par∣thenius saie with ill vttered wordes, for the greefe of taking his leaue of Deli∣cius and mee, whome hee loued so much, woulde not let him frame them any better. None of vs three had then the courage, to answere any thing to Par∣thenius wounding wordes, for the great greefe that wee conceiued of his sud∣den
