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So of this hope, that flatters me, I finde,
And doe confesse, that with the same I liue,
But still in feare, and therefore I would giue
It for despaire, to ease my doubtfull minde:
I wish not this false hope, my iotes that scanteth,
But euermore despaire, that greefe recanteth.
If any whit of goodnes euer came
By vile despaire, it comes to me in prime:
And it could neuer come in better time,
Then to be hoping still to haue the same:
The wisest and most prudent man at last,
Wanting the good, that long he doth attend,
(Which, nourished by hope, he did suspend)
Seeing the time, that fed his hope, is past,
And all his ioy, by hope that is decaying,
From former course of minde doth cause estraying.
The Shepherds importuned Diana to proceed in her song, or else, if it pleased her, to take some new matter, for it was to be thought, that Dianas song pleased them wel: but they could not obtaine it at her hands, for she rather requested them to sing something whilest they were going towardes their flockes. Firmius then re∣membring that which a little before she had told him, that he loued her not so much as he might, began thus to tune his voice.
Faire Shepherdesse, Iean no more,
But faine I would
Loue thee more, if that I could.
As this made also for Faustus purpose for the same cause, he likewise sung to the same effect. And so Firmius and Faustus sung by turnes, and answered one ano∣ther, as followeth.
Firmius.
OF mine owne selfe I doe complaine,
And not for louing thee so much,
But that indeede my power is such,
That my true loue it doth restraine,
And onely this doth giue me paine:
For faine I would
Loue her more, if that I could.
Faustus.
Thou dost deserue, who doth not see
To be belou’d a great deale more:
But yet thou shalt not finde such store
Of loue in others as in mee:
For all I haue I giue to thee.
Yet faine I would
Loue thee more, if that I could.
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