yet on the sudden so vnaduisedly he entertained him not, without first taking his word and faith of a Gentleman, not to go from him againe, vpon no wrong, nor in∣iurie offered him. The which thing Disteus thought good not to forget, bicause he might not (after he was placed with him) once offer to forsake him, thinking the disgrace that resulted to him by such a departure would be greater, then the honour that he got by receiuing him. All this and more with solemne oath did Anfilardus auow; of whose word, as also of himselfe (bicause he knew him well) Disteus made no small reckoning. The which to accomplish, Anfilardus neuer failed, though he had beene often molested to the contrarie. But before he came to dwell with Disteus, he forgot not to aske Dardanea leaue, bicause he would not giue her any occasion of discontent, if perhaps (by meanes thereof) she felt any at all. But she consented the more willingly thereunto, when she vnderstood, that he was to be entertayned by Disteus: For as her brother could not choose but be offended thereat, so she there∣fore hoped, that he would worke the meanes to place him with her againe; But Anfi∣lardus told her not of the faith and promise that he had giuen Disteus for his aboade and true seruice, which if she had vnderstood, she would not (doubtlesse) haue giuen him any such leaue, knowing that Anfilardus would not do any thing repugnant to his word and promise. It greeued not Sagastes a little to heare what the steward had done, knowing, that only he himself deserued blame for it; but more, when he percei∣ued that neither faire entreaties, nor fierce threats could reclaime him to Dardaneas seruice. Who therefore perceiuing the remedie thereof impossible, bethought him∣selfe of one more preiudiciall to him then any other, which was by giftes, and faire promises (or for that which afterwards fell out) to entice from Disteus, the woman whom he most tenderly loued, a nurse of his (for from the teate she had nursed him and brought him vp) and an Aunte of mine called Palna, to bestowe her on Dardanea in lieu and recompence of her late departed stewarde: of which reuenge hee was so proud in minde (for hee had soone brought it to passe) that he thought he had done Disteus the greatest iniurie he coulde, by bereauing him of his nurse, and besides wounded his minde with greater greefe, then the ioy that he conceiued at Anfilardus comming, whose fact made none to maruell much, kno∣wing well what great occasion he had to doe it. But mine Auntes departure filled euery one full of woonder, thinking that she had no iust cause to make her blame∣lesse, but that she was a woman, bicause Disteus (as they all knew) rewarded euerie one so well, that there was not the meanest in his house, whom he iniuried, and gra∣tified not, especially Palna, whom he loued aboue al the rest, and honored as his mo∣ther, neuer knowing her by any other name. Which thing greeued him so much, that it made him almost besides his wits: for first he would haue thought, that al the world woulde haue left him, before mine Aunt woulde haue forsaken him. Disteus therefore being very sadde and pensiue, and sometimes complayning of his Aunt, Anfilardus came vnto him and began thus to say. If my person had not beene ex∣changed (my good Lord and Master) for so deere a price, I had then great reason to be glad and vaunt, that I am the seruant to so woorthie a gentleman: but conside∣ring that in the cause of my gladnes the effect of your sadnes doth consist, let my ioy be drowned with your discontent, and euer remaine so colde, that it may seeme rather dead, then liue without the sight of your wished good. I woulde it had plea∣sed the immortall Gods, that I had neuer enioyed the perfect knowledge of your goodnes, bicause you might not then haue tried the vnkindnes of ingratefull Palna. I was maruelling at vnstable fortune, that so on a sudden deined to giue me
