way, so often troden by Syrenus, comming backe againe to sage Felicias pallace.
Where they were all very glad with the comming of Danteus and Duarda the Portingall Shepherds, who came out of their countrey to do their dutie to Felicia, and to thanke her, that by her fauour and good meanes Duarda had pardoned Dan∣teus for the offence be had committed against her, by seeing him so penitent from his hart; who brought a wandring pilgrim with them, that had bestowed many daies in vaine, in seeking out his Master and Mistres. Whom as Danteus and Duarda had met very much afflicted, after telling them part of his long trauell, they reque∣sted to go with them thither, where if in any place he might hope for remedie and newes, he could not chuse but haue it at her hands, that neuer denied it to anie, that had need thereof. Danteus, Duarda, and the Pilgrime called Placindus, were re∣ceiued by Felicia and the rest with great ioy, making diuers sports, daunces, plaies, and pastimes for their comming. From the which Stela, and Crimine were euer ab∣sent, who could not be merrie for the absence of their beloued Shepherds: Parisiles was seldome or neuer in these sports, for commonly he came not out of the Tem∣ple, where daily he made his sacrifices and orisons. Felicia knowing that the ende of all those lucklesse Shepherds and vnknowne Shepherdesses misfortunes was neere at hand (for Crimine, and Stela returned againe to their pastorall habite, bi∣cause they would not haue Parthenius (if he came) find them in gorgeous and festi∣uall attyre, he being clad in sorrowes and cares) tooke Parisiles, Stela, and Crimine, on a day when dinner was done by the hands, and spake thus vnto them. Now For∣tune beginnes to smile vpon you, Parisiles, and my daughters, and will nowe lift you vp to her triumphant chariot, and desist not to carrie you in it, vntill she hath placed you higher then you may imagine. Happie was the hower wherin you saw the yong Shepherds Parthemus and Delicius, and happy that time, when first they sawe you, for that you by them, and they by you shall on ioy a supreme and ioyfull estate. And bicause you may know who these yoong fortunate Shepherds are, presupposed they are the sonnes of Corineus and Dinia, of whom Partheus began to tell you so many strange things: The right name of this Shepherd, & Shepherdesse is Disteus & Dar∣danea. Who these be, you shal by & by know of this Pilgrim their seruant, who hath sought for them many yeres togither, besides many others that haue made the same iourney; amongst the which, the yong Prince of Aeolia wandreth vp & down seeking out Delicius and Parthenius, for the which no meane ioy shall befall to all: So that whatsoeuer you shall heare of Disteus and Dardanea, you must know that they are these Shepherds, whose counterfeit names are these aforesaid, and parents to Deli∣cius and Parthenius. And I assure you, that if you three thinke that you haue deserued the crowne of vnformnate and haplesse weights, Disteus and Dardanea, & their com∣pany may presume, that the palme of disastrous men should not be denyed them. But bicause you may know who they are, and for what cause wandring from their countrey they passe away their life in so poore an estate, tarie for me heere, and I will bring you one hither, who shall tell you all the whole matter, which I promise you, though it touch you, will not make you a little glad to heare the strange discourse thereof. Parisiles therefore, Stela and Crimine, remayning there all alone (you may now imagine, if desirous to see him, that should tell that, which so faine they would haue knowen especially Stela, and Crimine, that without comparison cared not to know any other matter then this) Felicia sent a Nymph to call Placindus to her, who was now gone to view the sumptuous Palace, who being come before her, she saide thus vnto him. O worthie example of a loyall seruant, doubt not but that thy good
