so sweete a potion: but bicause she woulde not haue me fall from the common opi∣nion that I euer had of her, she by and by distempered it with a bitter taste. Onely one thing comforts me, and ioyes my thoughts, that you (my Lord) shal know what difference there is betweene a man and woman, though I wish you had not tried it by this example. And though in truth you haue reason to bee sorrie for Palnas change, yet you haue no cause to maruell at it, in that she is a woman, which name the ancient writers, Philosophers, Poets, and Painters did not vainely impose to Fortune. Pardon me (good sir) if I am so bold with one, whom you loue so well, since I haue iust occasion to do it, by reason of the great and greeuous charge that she hath left me. For if I was then bound of mine owne selfe to obey you to my power, now by her occasion I am constrained to serue you more then my forces can well attaine to. And if I being placed in your seruice, shee had remained still, the little that I could do, might (perhaps) haue seemed something; but she going awaie for my cause (but not thorow my fault) for all that euer I can do, I shall be yet ob∣liged to more, being exchanged for her, whom you so greatly loued. And the worst of all is, that if any thing (which not by my will, but by some negligence I may com∣mit) shall be open to the popular eie, it will be a common by-worde in all the citie, That it was a good exchange of Palna for Anfilardus. Wherefore I beseech you my good Lord, that omitting this, you woulde accept of my good will, which is suffici∣ent enough, if in my deedes there shall be any defect, and that my fault, which must needes proceed from my small abilitie or ignorance, be not attributed but to the one or other. To this did Disteus answer thus. As I neither can nor will denie (Anfilar∣dus) that I haue not greatly felt the ingratitude of my mother (Palna my nurse I meane) by not thinking of that mutabilitie, which (thou saiest) is naturally incident to women, by reason of the loue that I did alwaies beare her, and doe yet (to speake the truth) which is not so little, that in so short a time I may so easily forget the great iniurie, which I haue receiued at her vnkinde hands: So must I needs confesse, that it is a great lightening to my hart, that it was done for thy sake, of whom I hope it shall be well considered, since the greater part thereof is alreadie requited with the good will, which at this present thou hast discouered, though thy workes also haue seemed of no lesse effect: both which (when opportunitie shall serue) I will not here∣after forget to reward. The beginning whereof shall be this, That I promise thee (bicause I perceiue how heauily thou takest the great greefe which I haue felt for her absence) and sweare neuer to shew my selfe agreeued for it in thy presence, al∣though (perhaps) I be in minde, nor in thy absence to impart it to any but to my selfe. They being in these speeches, I came to Disteus house, and speaking with one of his men, willed him to tell his Master, how I was come with a letter from mine Aunt vnto him. The page did my errant, and as Disteus was in suspence whether he might receiue it or no, Anfilardus saide vnto him: Sir, send for the messenger in, for by this you shall the more signifie your goodnes, hearing with one countenance the iust and culpable person, and not do Palna so much glorie as to make her know, that her absence hath greeued you very much. Disteus liked his counsell well, and there∣upon commanded me to come in. With thy good leaue (Lady Felicia) and of all the rest, said Parisiles, I would aske how being without, you might heare these spee∣ches betweene them within. From hencefoorth answered Placindus, you must vn∣derstand, that we tolde one another all the matters that passed, and with this aduer∣tisement I will proceed. In the end I came in, where Disteus and Anfilardus were, and doing my dutie, began thus to speake. Your nurse Palna with her remembred
