So prosper may thy fieldes in euery season
In corne, and fruit, which thou maist taste at pleasure:
Thy peares, and plums, and apricocks so geason
By handfuls maist thou pull in plentious measure:
That thou wouldst looke vpon thy swaine so sorie:
For of thy sight depends his cheefest glorie.
About this time the yoong Gentleman, and Gentlewoman that were harkening to the Shepherds songs, did cut them off, and gaue them many thankes for the de∣light and recreation, which with so sweete musicke they had giuen them. And after this the Gentleman turning to the Gentlewoman said. Didst thou euer (sister) in the magnificent and stately Cities heare musicke that pleased the eare, and deligh∣ted the minde like this? Truely (saide she againe) these pastorall and country songs, being full of simplicitie and plainnes, please me more, then the delicate voices set togither with curious skill, and full of newe inuentions and conceits in the braue pallaces of Kings and Princes. And when I thinke this melodie to be better then that, you must the rather beleeue it, bicause I haue been present at the best musicke that in any Citie of the world or Kings Court, was euer heard. For in that happie time, when Marcelius was a sutor to our sister Alcida, he did some nights sing to the tune of his Lute so sweetely, that if Orpheus made so solemne musicke, I did not maruell then if the Birdes, and Beastes did follow him, and that he brought backe his deere wife Euridice from darke hell. Ah Marcelius, where art thou nowe? Ah where art thou Alcida? Ah most haplesse woman that I am, how often doth For∣tune surcharge my memorie with obiects of greefe, when she sees me enioy the least content and pleasure in the worlde? Marcelius heard the talke of the Gentle∣man and the Damosell, which were with the Shepherds behinde the shrubs and bushes, and when he perceiued that they named him and Alcida, he began to bee somewhat altered. He scarcely beleeued his owne eares, and was doubting with himselfe whether it was another Marcelius and Alcida whom they named. He rose vp by and by out of his place, and to cleere himselfe of all doubt, comming neerer, he knewe that they were Polydorus and Clenarda, brother and sister to Alcida: Wher∣upon he ran suddenly to them, and with open armes, and abundance of teares, som∣times embracing Polydorus, sometimes Clenarda, he stoode a great while before hee could speake for inward greefe. Polydorus and Clenarda wondring at this noueltie, could not coniecture what accident it was, bicause Marcelius going in a Shep∣herds habite, was vnknowne vnto them, vntill his sobs and teares giuing him leaue, he saide. O deere brother and sister, care not nowe for my ill fortune paste, and to come, since I am the happiest man in the world in seeing you. Ah, why is not Alci∣da in your companie? Is she perhaps hidden in any part of this thicke woode! O let me know some newes of her, if you can tell me any, to ease my cruell greefe, and to satisfie my desire! In speaking these wordes, they knewe Marcelius and embracing him very affectionately, and weeping for pleasure and greefe, they saide vnto him. O happie day! O vnexpected ioy! O deere brother of our soules, what cruell For∣tune hath bin the cause, that thou dost not enioy the company of Alcida, nor we her sight? Why dost thou dissemble thy selfe with this new habite? O cruell fortune, in the end there is not full content of any good. Diana and Ismenia on the other side, seeing that Marcelius had so on the sudden gone to the place where the Shepherds did sing, went after him, and founde him talking with Polydorus and Clenarda, as you
