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had feasted and sported her guests that day sufficiently, made a signe by her counte∣nance, that she would say something; whereupon they left of their mirth and talke for a while, and with attentiue mindes harkened vnto her: and silence being kept, with her accustomed grauitie, she thus began to speake.
I am vndoubtedly perswaded (noble Lordes and Ladies, and you worthy Shep∣herds) that, since the time that you came to my house, you haue no cause to com∣plaine of my fauours bestowed on you, nor of the diligence and seruice of my Nymphes employed for your sakes. For the desire which I had to please you all, was so great, and the delight which I take to helpe distressed men to their contentment, so proper to my nature, that (me thinks) if I had done a great deale more for you, it had bin but little in respect of that which your virtues deserue. Onely Narcisus with the crueltie of Melisea, and Turianus with the disdaine of Eluinia, remaine discontent amongst you all. Whom it shall now satisfie to comfort themselues with hope of their future felicities, since that my word (which was neuer stained with deceit and lye) hath assuredly promised them a speedie and full contentment by those meanes which shall be most expedient for them. I see old Engerius glad with his sonne, his daughters, and his sonne in law, and not without cause, since for loue of them he hath passed so many dangers, and suffered such extreme paine, sorrow, and anguish of minde. Felicia hauing ended her speech, Eugerius wondered greatly at her wise∣dome, and the rest were satisfied and well content with so gentle and courteous in∣structions, wherby they gathered out of them profitable lessons to lead from thence forth a virtuous and happie life. And so all of them rising from their places about the fountaine, and following the sage Ladie, went out of the garden into the Palace, euerie one to their seuerall lodgings, accommodating their mindes to the ioyfull feasts & princely sports of the next day following: The which, and that which hap∣pened to Narcisus, Turianus, Taurisus, and Berardus, with the delectable historie
of Danteus, and Duarda the Portugale Shepherds (which for certaine
respects is omitted heere) and many other things of
great delight, pleasure, and profit, are
handled in the second Part
of this Booke.