all alone and comfortlesse: I know well that in seeking out Alcida is no small ease to his carefull thoughts; but bicause Fortune hath not these manie daies giuen vs any newes of her, we shall take the better course to returne backe againe, then to suffer our old Father to be depriued so long of our companie. After Polydorus had made an end of his discourse, euery one was astonished to heare such strange acci∣dents; and after Marcelius had wept for Alcida, he made a breefe relation to Poly∣dorus, and Clenarda of that which had hapned to him since he sawe them last. When Diana and Ismenia heard Polydorus make an end of that sorrowfull historie, they de∣sired to go the sooner to Felicias court, the one bicause she knew assuredly that Sy∣renus was there; the other, bicause she conceiued a certaine hope (hearing of the woonderfull wisedome of Felicia) to haue also some redresse for her greefes. Being therefore possessed with this desire, Diana (although she was minded to recreate herselfe certaine howers in that pleasant place) altered her determination, estee∣ming more of Syrenus sight, then of the greene hew of that goodly and fine wood. Whereupon rising vp, she said to Taurisus and Berardus. Sit yee (merrie Shepherds) still, and enioy the delight and sweetenes of this pleasant place, for the desire that I haue to go to Dianas temple, will not let me stay any longer here. We are right sorie to forsake so delightfull a shade & so good cōpany, but we are forced to follow our Fortune in this behalf. Wilt thou be so discurteous (faire Shepherdesse) (said Tauri∣sus) to depart so soone from our dolefull eies, and to let vs so small a while enioy thy sweet sight & speeches? These Shepherds haue great reason (said Marcelius to Dia∣na) to demād such a gentle request, & it is therfore as great again that their demand be not denied them in reward of their constant faith & true loue, which deserues to enioy thy companie a little while in this pleasant place, especially when thou hast time enough to be at Dianas temple before the Sunne wil hide his light. All of them were of his opinion, and therefore Diana woulde not seeme discourteous to anie of them, but sitting down again in her place, she would not rather please herselfe, then displease so braue a companie as that was. Now then louing Shepherds (said Isme∣nia to Berardus and Taurisus) since faire Diana doth not denie vs her presence, it is not reason that you denie her your songs. Sing iolly Shepherds, that in your songs & roundelaies shewe so great cunning, and so perfect loue, being for the one com∣mended in al the townes and countries heereabout, and moouing the hardest harts with the other to loue and pitie. True (saide Berardus) all harts, sauing Dianas, and began to weepe, and Diana to smile. Which when the Shepherd sawe, to the sweete sound of his pipe with the swelled teares standing in his eies, he sung a glosse vpon this Dittie.
MY greeuous sighes and sorrowfull teares
In stones doe make their liuely print,
But not in thee harder then any flint.
The glosse.
Let not thy Graces rare,
Be with my seruice any whit offended,
Since that my greeuous fare,
And torments past, to thy deuotions tended,
Where neuer yet with greefe of thee lamented,
Nor with my sighes thy crueltie relented.
