Montemayor's Diana

Page 405

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Taurisus . Why dost thou thus torment my minde,
And to what and thy beautie keepe?
Diana . Bicause thou call’st me still vnkinde,
And pitilesse when thou dost weepe.
Taurisus . It is bicause thy crueltie
In killing me doth neuer end:
Diana . Nay for bicause I meane thereby
My hart from sorrowes to defend.
Taurisus . Be bold so foule I am no way
As thou dost thinke, faire Shepherdesse:
Diana . With this content thee, that I say,
That I beleeue the same no lesse.
Taurisus . What after giuing me such store
Of passions, dost thou mocke me too?
Diana . If answers thou wilt any more
Goe seeke them without more adoo.

It greatly contented Taurisus that Diana sung with him, whereby though hee heard the rigorous answers of his Shepherdesse, yet he was so glad in his minde, that she deigned to answer him, that it made him forget the greefe, which by the crueltie of her wordes he might haue otherwise conceiued. But nowe timorous Berardus forcing his heauie hart, and casting a pittifull eie on Diana (not vnlike the sorrowfull Swanne, that a little before her death singes sweetely in the cleere and christall brookes) lifted vp his faint and fearefull voice, which came foorth with great paine out of his panting brest, and to the sound of his Baggepipe sung these verses follo∣wing.

ENd now my life, with daily paines affrighted,
Since that for all that I haue wept and greeued,
My teares are not requited,
And trustie faith not any whit beleeued.
I am in such a haplesse state of sorrowe,
That I would be content (and so releeue me)
Vniust rewardes and scornes of her to borrow,
Onely that she would credit and beleeue me.
But though my life is thus with woes despited,
And though to be most constant, neuer greeued,
My paines are not requited,
And trustie faith not any whit beleeued.

After that Berardus had ended his song, both the Shepherds cast their eies vpon Marcelius, and bicause he was vnknowne to them, they durst not entreat him to sing. But in the end bold Taurisus praied him to tell them his name, (and if it pleased him) to sing them a song, wherein they would thinke themselues beholding to him for ei∣ther curtesie. At which words Marcelius looking vpon Diana, and making her a signe to touch her instrument, without giuing them any other answere, with one song pleased them both, and satisfied their desire. Whereupon fetching out a great sigh, he began thus.

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