Rosalynde.  
Euphues golden Legacy, found after his death in his Cellat Silexedra.  
BEQVEATHED TO PHYLAUTUS Sons, nursed up with their Father in England.  
Fetched from the Canaries by T. L. Gent.  
LONDON, Printed by Abelleffes for T.G. and john Bushie. 1592.   

To the right Honourable and his most esteened Lord the Lord of Hun●don, Lord Chamberlain cher majesties household, and Governor of her Town of Berwick: T. L. G. wisheth increase of all honourable virtues.  
Such Romans (right honourable) as delighted in Martial exploits, attempted their actions in the honour of Augustus, because he was a patron of soldiers: and Virgil dignified him with his poems, as a Moecenae of scholars; both jointly advancing his royalty, as a Prince warlike and learned. Such as sacrifice to Pallas, present her with bays as she is wise, and with armour as she is valiant: observing herein that excellent 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, which dedicateth honours according to the perfection of the person. When I entered (right honourable) with a deep insight into the consideration of these premises seeing your L. to be a Patron of all martial men, and a Moecenae of such as apply themselves to study: wearing with Pallas both the lance and the bay, and aiming with Augustus at the favour of all, by the honourable virtues of your mind: being myself first a Student, and afterwards falling from books to arms, even vowed in all my thoughts dutifully to affect your Lordship. Having with Captain Clarke made a voyage to the islands of Terceras and the Canaries, to beguile the time with labour, I writ this book: rough, as hatched in the storms of the Ocean, and feathered in the surges of ma●y perilous seas. But as it is the work of a Soldier and a Scholar, I presumed to shroud it under your honours patronage, as one that is the fault or and favourer of all virtuous actions: and whose honourable loves grown from the general applause of the whole commonwealth for your higher deserts, may keep it from the malice of every bitter tongue. Other reasons more particular (right Honourable) challenge in me a special affection to your Lordship, as being a Scholar with your two noble sons, Master Edmund Carew, and M. Robert Carew, (two scions worthy of so honourable a tree, and a tree glorious in such honourable fruit) as also being scholar in the University under that learned and virtuous Knight Sir Edward Hobby, when he was Bachelor in Arts, a man as well lettered as well borne and after the Etymology of his name soaring as high as the wings of knowledge can mount him, happy every way, and the more fortunate, as blessed in the honour of so virtuous a Lady. Thus (right Honourable) tie duty that I own to the sons, chargeth me that all my affection be placed on the father: for where the branches are so precious, the tre● of force must be most excellent. Commanded and emboldened thus with the consideration of these forepast reasons, to present my Book ●o your Lordship: I humbly entreat, your Honour will vouch of my labours, and favour a soldiers and a scholars pen with your gracious acceptance, who answers in affection what he wants in eloquence: sodevoted to your honour, as his only desire is, to end his life under ●he favour osso martial and learned a Patorn. Resting thus in hope of your Lordship's courtesy, in deigning the Patronage of my work, I cease: wishing you as many honourable fortunes as your L. can desire or I imagine  Yours honours soldier most humbly affectionate: Thomas Lodge.  

To the Gentlemen Readers.  
GEntlemen, look not here to find any sprigs of Pallas bay tree, nor to hear the humour of any amorous Laureate, nor the pleasing vain of any eloquent Orator: Nolo altum sapere, they be matters above my capacity: the cobblers check shall never light on my head, Ne suitor ultra crepidam, I vil go no further than the latchet, and then all is well. Hear you may perhaps find some leaves of Venus' myrtle, but heaven down by a soldier with his curtlaxe, not bought with the allurement of a filled tongue. To be brief Gentlemen, room for a soldier and a sailor, that gives you the fruits of his labours that he wrote in the Ocean, when every line was wet with a surge, & every humorous passion counterchecked with a storm. If you like it, so: and yet I will be yours in duty, if you be mine in favour. But if Momus or any squinteied ass, that hath mighty ears to conceive with Midis, and yet little reason to judge: if he come aboard our Bark to find fault with the tackling, when he knows not the shrouds, I'll down into the hold, and fetch out a rusty pole-axe, that saw no sun this seven year, and either well bebast him, or heave the coxcomb over board to feed cod. But courteous Gentlemen that favour most, backbite 〈◊〉, and pardon what is overslipped, let such come and welcome, I'll into the Steward's room, and fetch them a kanne of our best beuradge. Well Gentlemen, you have Euphues Legacy. I fetched it as far as the islands of Terceras, & therefore read it, censure with favour, and farewell.  Yours T. L.  

The Schedule annexed to Euphues Testament, the tenor of his Legacy, the tok● of his love.  
THe vehemency of my sickness (Phylautus) hath made me doubtful of life yet must I die in counseling thee like Socates, because I love thee. Thou hast so●s by Camilla, as I hear, who being young in years have green thoughts: & nobly bo●n, have great minds: bend then in their youth like the willow, lest thou bewail them in their age f●r their wilfulness. I have bequeathed them a Golden legacy, because I greatly love thee. Let them read it as Archelaus did ●assender, to profit by it: and in reading let them meditate for I have approved it the best method. They shall find Love anatomised by Euphues, with as lively colours as in A●pelles table: roses to whip him when he wantō, reasons to withstand him when he is wily. Here may they read that virtue is the King of labours, opinion the Mistress of fools: that unity is the pride of Nature, & contention the overthrow of Families: here is Elleborus bitter in taste, but beneficial in trial. I have nothing to send thee and Camilla but this counsel, that in stead of worldly goods, you leave your son's virtue and glory: for better were they to be partakers of your honours then lords of your manors. I feel death that summoneth me to my grave, and my Soul desirous of his God. Farewell Phylautus, and let the tenor of my counsel be applied to thy children's comfort.  Euphues dying to live. 
If any man find this scroll, send it to Phylautus in England.   

Rosalynde.  
THere dwelled adjoining to the City of Bourdeaux a Knight of most honourable parentage, whom Fortune had graced with many favours, and Nature honoured with sundry exquisite qualities, so beautified with the excellence of both, as it was a question whether Fortune or Nature were more prodigal in deciphering the riches of their bounties. Wise he was, as holding in his head a supreme conceit of policy, reaching with Nestor into the depth of all civil government: and to make his wisdom more gracious, he had that salemingenii and pleasant eloquence that was so highly commended in Ulysses: his valour was no less than his wit, nor the ●roke of his lance no less forcible, than the sweetness of his tongue was persuasive: for he was for his courage chosen the principal of all the Knights of Malta. This hardy Knight thus enrich● with virtue and honour, surnamed Sir john of Bordeaux, having passed the prime of his youth in sundry battles against the Tirkes, at last (as the date of time hath his course) grew aged: his hairs were silver hued, & the map of his age was figured on his forehead: Honour sat in the furrows of his face and many years were portrayed in his wrinkled lineaments, that all men might perceive his glass was run, and that Nature of necessity challenged her due. Sir john (that with the Phoenix knew the term of his life was now expired, and could with the Swan discover his end by her songs) having three sons by his wife Lynida, the very pride of all his forepast years, thought now (seeing death by constraint would compel him to leave them) to bestow upon them such a Legacy as might bewray his love, and increase their ensuing amity. Calling therefore these young Gentlemen before him in the presence of all his fellow Knights of Malta, he resolved to leave them a memorial of all his fatherly care, ●nse●ting down a method of their brotherly duties. Having therefore death in his loo●es to move them to pity, and tears in his eyes to paint out the depth of his passions, taking his elder son by the hand, he began thus.  

Sir john of Bordeaux Legacy he gave to ●is Sons.  
OH my Sons, you see that Fate hath set a period of my years, and Destinies have determined the final end of my days: the Palm tree waxeth away ward, for he stoopeth in ●is height, and my plumes are full of sick feathers touched with age, I mus● to my grave that dischargeth all cares, and leave you to the world that increaseth many sorrows: my silver hairs conteneth great experience, and in the number of my years are pend loon the subtleties of Fortune. Therefore as I leave you soon fading● pelf to countercheck poverty, so I will bequeath yond ●nfallible precepts that shall lead you unto virtue. First therefore into thee Saladyne the eldest, and therefore the chiefest pillar of m● house, wherein should be engraved as well the excellency of thyfathers qualities, as the essential form of his proportion, to the● I give fourteen ploughlands, with all my Manor houses and richest place. Next unto Fernandine I bequeath twelve ploughlands. But unto Rosader the youngest I give my Horse, my Armour, and my Lance with sixteen ploughlands: for if the inward thoughts be discovered by outward shadow●● Rosader will exceed you all in bounty and honour. Thus (my Sons) have Iparred in your portions the substance of my wealth, where in if you be as prodigal to spend, as I have been careful to get, your friends will green to see you more wasteful than I was bountiful, & your foes smile that my fall did begin in your excess. Let mine honour be the glass of your actions, & the fame of my virtues the Lodestar to direct the course of your pilgrimage. Aim your deeds by my honourable endeavours, and show yourselves fiens worthy of so flourishing a tree: lest as the birds Halcyones which exceed in whiteness, I hatch young ones that exceed in blackness. Climb not my sons, aspiring pride is a vapour that ascendeth high, but soon turneth to a smoke: they which stare at the stars, stumble upon the ●●ies; and such as gaze at the Sun (unless they be Eagle eyed all blind. Soar not with the Hobby, lest you fall with the ●a●e: nor attempt not with Phaeton, lest you drown with l●●r●s● Fortune when she wills you to fly, tempers your plume● wit●waxe, and therefore either sit still and make no wing, or else bewa●e the Sun, and hold Dedalus axiom authentical (Medium tunere tutissimum.) Low shrubs have deep roots, and poor Cottages great patience. Fortune looks ever upward, and envy asireth to nestle with dignity. Take heed my sons, the mean i sweetest melody, where strings high stretch, either soon crack, or quickly grow out of time. Let your countries care be yo● hearts content, and think that you are not borne for your selue, but to level your thoughts to beloyal to your prince, careful fothe commonweal, and faithful to your friends, so shall France say, these men are as excellent in virtues, as they be exquise, in features. Oh my sons, a friend is a precious jewel, within hose bosom you may unload your sorrows, and unfold yoviecrets, and he either will relieve with counsel, or persuade whreason: but take heed in the choice, the outward them makes it the inward man, nor are the dimples in the face the Calend●s of truth. When the liquorice leaf looketh most dry, than it ●most wet: when the shores of Lepanthus are most quiet, themey forepoint a storm. The Baaran leaf the more fair it look●, the more infectious it is, and in the sweetest words is oft hid●ost treachery. Therefore my sons, choose a friend as the Hiperorei do the metals, sever them from the ore with fire, & let the● not bide the stamp before they be currant: so try & then trust, ●●time be the touchstone of friendship, & then friends faithworthy them up for jewels. Be valiant my sons, for cowardice is the enemy to honour: but not too rash, for that is extreme. Fortitude is the mean, and that is limited within bonds, and prescribed with circumstance. But above all, & with that he fetched a deep sigh, beware of Love, for it is far more perilous than pleasant, and yet I tell you it allureth as ill as the Sirens. Oh my sons, fancy is a fickle thing, and beauties paintings are tricked up with times colours, which being set to dry in the Sun●e, perish with the same. Venus is a wanton, and though her la●es pretend liberty, yet there is nothing but loss and glistering misery. Cupid's wings are plumed with the feathers of vanity and his arrows where they pierce, enforce nothing but deadly desires: a woman's eye as it is precious to behold, so is it prejudicial to gaze upon: for as it affordeth delight, so it snareth vnt●●eath. Trust not their fawning favours, for their loves are like t●e breath of a man upon steel, which no sooner lighteth on but sleepeth off, and their passions are as momentary as the colour of a Polipe, which changeth at the sight of every object. My breathe waxeth short, and mine eyes waxeth dim, the hour is co●●, & I must away: therefore let this suffice, women are wantoness, ●nd yet men cannot want one: and therefore if you love, choose ●r that hath eyes of Adamant, that will turn only to one point: ●r heart of a Diamond, that will receive but one form: her tongue of a Sethinleafe, that never wags but with a Southeast ●●nde: and yet my sons, if she have all these qualities, to be chal● obedient, and silent: yet for that she is a woman, shalt thou find ●● her sufficient vanities to countervail her virtues. Oh now ●● sons, even now take these my last words as my latest Legae, for my thread is spun, and my foot is in the grave: keep my recepts as memorials of your father's counsels, and let them be lodged in the secret of your hearts: for wisdom is better thawealth, and a golden sentence worth a world of treasure. In m●a● see & mark my sons the folly of man, that being dust climbth with Biares to reach at the Heavens, and ready every minu to die, yet hopeth for an age of pleasures. Oh man's life is like lihtning that is but a flash, and the longest date of his years, butts a ●auens blaze, Seeing then man is so mortal, be careful that ●hy life be virtuous, that thy death may be full of admirable honours: so shalt thou challenge fame to be thy fautor, and put oblivion to exile with thine honourable actions. But my Sons, lest you should forget your Father's axioms, take this scroll, wherein read what your father dying, wills you to execute living. At this he shrunk down in his bed, and gave up the ghost.  
john of Bourdeaux being thus dead, was grealy lamented of his sons, and bewailed of his friends, especially of his fellow Knights of Malta, who attended on his funerals, which were performed with great solemnity. His obsequies done, Saladyne caused next his Epitaph the contents of the scroll to be portrayed out, which were to this effect.   

The contents of the Schedule which Sir john of Bourdeaux gave to his Sons.  

MY Sons, behold what portion I do give,  
I leave you goods, but they are quickly lost:  
I leave advise, to school you how to live:  
I leave you wit, but won with little cost:  
But keep it well for counsel still is one,  
When Father, friends, and worldly goods are gone.   

In choice of thrift let honour be your gain,  
Win it by virtue and by manly might;  
In doing good esteem thy toil no pain,  
Protect the fatherless and widows right:  
Fight for thy faith, thy Country, and thy King,  
For why? this thrift will prove a blessed thing.   

In choice of wife, prefer the modest chaste,  
Lilies are fair in show, but foul in smell:  
The sweetest looks by age are soon defaced:  
Then choose thy wife by wit and living well.  
Who brings thee wealth and many faults withal,  
Presents the honey mixed with bitter gall.   

In choice of friends, beware of light belief,  
A painted tongue may shroud a subtle heart:  
The Sirens tears do threaten much grief,  
Foresee my sons, for fear of sudden smart:  
Choose in your wants, and he that friends you then,  
When richer grown, befriend you him again.   

Learn with the Ant in summer to provide,  
Drive with the be the Drone from out the hive:  
build like the Swallow in the summer tide.  
Spare not too much (my sons) but sparing thrive:  
Be poor in folly, rich in all but sin,  
So by your death your glory shall begin.   
Saladyne having thus set up the Schedule, and hanged about his Father's hearse many passionate Poems, that France might suppose him to be passing sorrowful, he clad himself and his brothers all in black, and in such sable suits discoursed his grief: but as the Hyena when she mourns is then most guileful, so Saladine under this show of grief, shadowed a heart full of contented thoughts. The Tiger though he hide his claws, will at last discover his rapine: the Lion's looks are not the maps of his meaning, nor a man's phisnomy is not the display of his secrets. Fire cannot be hid in the straw, nor the nature of man so concealed, but at last it will have his course: nurture & art may do much, but that Natura natu●ans which by propagation is engrafted in the heart, will be at last perforce predominant according to the old verse.  
Naturam expellas furca licet, tamen usque recurret.  
So fares it with Saladine, for after a month's mourning was past, he fell to consideration of his Father's testament, how he had bequeathed more to his younger brothers than himself, that Rosader was his Father's darling, but now under his tuition, that as yet they were not come to years, & he being their guard, might (if not defraud them of their due) yet make such havoc of their legacies & lauds, as they should be a great deal the lighter: whereupon he began thus to meditate with himself.   

Saladynes meditation with himself.  
SAladyne, how art thou disquieted in thy thoughts, & perplexed with a world of restless passions, having thy mind troubled with the tenor of thy Father's testament, & thy heart fired with the hope of present preferment? By the one thou art counselled to content thee with thy fortunes: by the other, persuaded to aspire to higher wealth. Riches (Saladyne) is a great royalty, and there is no sweeter physic than store. Avicen like a fool forgot in his Aphorisms to say, that gold was the most precious restorative, and that treasure was the most excellent medicine of the mind. Oh Saladyne, what were thy Father's precepts breathed into the wind? hast thou so soon forgotten his principles? did he not warn thee from coveting without honour, and climbing without virtue? did he not forbid thee to aim at any action that should not be honourable? and what will be more prejudicial to thy credit, than the careless ruin of thy brother's prosperity; and wilt thou become the subversion of their fortunes? is there any sweeter thing than concord, or a more precious jewel than amity? are you not sons of one father, scions of one tree, birds of one nest? and wilt thou become so unnatural as to rob them, whom thou shouldest relieve? No Salydine, entreat them with favours, and entertain them with love, so shalt thou have thy conscience clear and thy renown excellent. Tush, what words are these base fool, far unfit (if thou be wise) for thy humour. What though thy father at his death talked of many frivolous matters, as one that doted for age, & raved in his sickness, shall his words be axioms, and his talk be so authentical, that thou wilt (to observe them) preindice thyself? No no Saladyne, sick men's wills that are parole, and have neither hand nor seal, are like the laws of a City written in dust, which are broken with the blast of every wind. What man thy father is dead, and he can neither help thy fortunes, nor measure thy actions: therefore bury his words with his carcase, and be wise for thyself. What, 'tis not so old as true: Non sapit, qui sibi non sapit.  
Thy brother is young, keep him now in awe, make him not check mate with thyself: for Nimia familiaritas contemptum parit.?  
Let him know little, so shall he not be able to execute much, suppress his wits with a base estate, and though he be a Gentleman by nature yet form him a new, and make him a peasant by nurture: so shalt thou keep him as a slave, and reign thyself sole Lord over all thy father's possessions. As for Fernandyne thy middle brother he is a scholar, and hath no mind but on Aristotle, let him read on Galen while thou r●flest with go●de, and poor on his book till thou doeft purchase lands: wit is great wealth, if he have learning it is enough, and so let all rest.  
In this humour was Saladyne making his brother Rosader his foot boy, for the space of two or three years, keeping him in such servile subjection, as if he had been the son of any country vassal. The young Gentleman bore all with patience, till on a day walking in the Garden by himself, he began to consider how he was the son of john of Bourdeaux, a knight renowned for many victories, & a gentleman famozed for his virtues, how contrary to the testament of his father, he was not only kept from his land, and entreated as a servant, but smothered in such secret slavery, as he might not attain to any honourable actions. As quoth he to himself (nature working these effectual passions) why should I that am a Gentleman borne, pass my time in such unnatural drudgery? were it not better either in Paris to become a scholar, or in the court a courtier, or in the field a soldier, then to live a foot boy to my own brother: nature hath lent me wit to conceive, but my brother denied me art to contemplate: I have strength to perform any honourable exploit, but no liberty to accomplish my virtuous endeavours: those good parts that God hath bestowed upon me, the envy of my brother doth smother in obscurity: the harder is my fortune, & the more his frowardness. With that casting up his hand he felt hair on his face, and perceiving his beard to bud, for choler he began to blush, and swore to himself he would be no more subject to such slavery. As thus he was ruminating of his melancholy passions, in came Saladyne with his men, and seeing his brother in a brown study, and to forget his wont reverence, thought to shake him out of his dumps thus. Sirrah (quoth he) what is your heart on your halfpenny, or are you saying a Dirge for your father's soul? what is my dinner ready? At this question Rosader turning his head ascance, and bending his brows as if anger there had ploughed the furrows of her wrath, with his eyes full of fire, he made this reply. Dost thou ask me (Saladyne) for thy Cates? ask some of thy Churls who are fit for such an office: I am thine equal by nature, though not by birth, and though thou hast more Cards in the bunch. I have as many trumps in my hands as thyself. Let me question with thee, why thou hast few my woods, spoiled my Manner houses, and made havoc of such utensalles as my father bequeathed unto me? I tell thee Saladyne, either answer me as a brother, or I will trouble thee as an enemy.  
At this reply of Rosaders, Saladyne smiled as laughing at his presumption, and frowned as checking his folly: he therefore took him up thus shortly. What sirrah, well I see early pricks the tree that will prove a thorn: hath my familiar conversing with you made you coy, or my good looks drawn you to be thus contemptuous? I can quickly remedy such a fault, and I will bend the tree while it is a wand: In faith (sir boy) I have a snaffle for such a headstrong colt. You sirs lay hold on him and bind him, and then I will give him a cooling card for his choler. This made Rosader half mad, that stepping to a great rake that stood in the Garden, he laid such load upon his brother's men that he hurt some of them, and made the rest of them run away. Saladyne seeing Rosader so resolute, and with his resolution so valiant, thought his heels his best safety, & took him to a loaft adjoining to the Garden, whether Rosader pursued him hotly. Saladyne afraid of his brother's fury, cried out to him thus. Rosader be not so rash, I am thy brother & thine elder, and if I have done thee wrong i'll make thee amends: revenge not anger in blood, for so shalt thou stain the virtue of old sir john of Bourdeauz: say wherein thou art discontent and thou shalt be satisfied. Brother's frowns ought not to be periods of wrath: what man look not so sourly, I know we shallbe friends, and better friends than we have been. For, Amantium ira amoris redintegratio est.  
These words appeased the choler of Rosader, (for he was of a mild and courteous nature) so that he laid down his weapons, and upon the faith of a Gentleman, assured his brother he would offer him no prejudice: whereupon Saladyne came down, and after a little pa●ley, they embraced each other and became friends, & Saladyne promising Rosader the restitution of all his lands, and what favour else (quoth he) any ways my ability or the nature of a brother may perform. Upon these sugared reconcillations they went into the house arm in arm together, to the great content of all the old servants of sir john of Bourdeaux. Thus continued the pad hidden in the straw, till it chanced that Torismond King of France had appointed for his pleasure a day of Wrestling and of Tournament to busy his Commons heads, least being idle, their thoughts should run upon more serious matters, & call to remembrance their old banished King, a Champion there was to stand against all comers a Norman, a man of tall stature and of great strength: so valiant, that in many such conflicts he always bare away the victory, not only overthrowing them which he encountered, but often with the weight of his body killing them outright. Saladyne hearing of this, thinking now not to let the ball fall to the ground, but to take opportunity by the forehead: first by secret means convented with the Norman, and procured him with rich rewards to swear, that if Rosader came within his claws he should never more return to quarrel with Saladyne for his possessions. The Norman desirous of pelf, as (Quis nisi mentis inops oblatum respuit aurum.) taking great gifts for little Gods, took the crowns of Saladyne to perform the Stratagem. Having thus the Champion tied to his villainous determination by oath, he prosecuted the intent of his purpose thus. He went to young Rosader, (who in all his thoughts reached at honour, and gazed no lower than virtue commanded him) and began to tell him of this Tournament & Wrestling, how the King should be there, and all the chief Peers of France, with all the beautiful damosels of the Countrey● now brother (quoth he) for the honour of sir john of Bourdeaux our renowned father, to famous that house that never hath him found without men approved in Chivalry, show thy resolution to be peremptory. For myself thou knowest though I am eldest by birth, yet never having attempted any deeds of Arms, I am youngest to perform any Martial exploits, knowing better how to survey my lands, then to charge my Lance: my brother Fernandyne he is at Paris poring on a few papers, having more insight into Sophistry and principles of Philosophy, than any warlike endeavours: but thou Rosader the youngest in years, but the eldest in valour, art a man of strength and darest do what honour allows thee: take thou my father's Lance, his Sword, and his Horse, and high thee to the Tournament, and either there valiantly crack a spear, or try with the Norman for the palm of activity. The words of Saladyne were but spurs to a free horse, for he had scarce uttered them, ere Rosader took him in his arms, taking his proffer so kindly, that he promised in what he might to requite his courtesy. The next morrow was the day of the Tournament, and Rosader was so desirous to show his heroical thoughts, that he passed the night with little sleep: but assoon as Phoebus had veiled the Curtain of the night, & made Aurora blush with giving her the bezoles labres in her silver Couch, he got him up, and taking his leave of his brother, mounted himself towards the place appointed, thinking every mile ten leagues till he came there. But leaving him so desirous of the journey: to Torismond the King of France, who having by force banished Gerismond their lawful King that lived as an outlaw in the Forest of Arden, sought now by all means to keep the French busied with all sports that might breed their content. Amongst the rest he had appointed this solemn Tournament, whereunto he in most solemn manner resorted, accompanied with the twelve peers of France, who rather for fearthen love graced him with the show of their dutiful favours: to feed their eyes, and to make the beholders pleased with the sight of most rare and glistering objects, he had appointed his own daughter Alinda to be there, and the fair Rosalynd daughter unto Gerismond, with all the the beautiful Dammoselles that were famous for their features in all France.  
Thus in that place did love and war triumph in a sympathy: for such as were martial, might use their Lance to be renowned for the excellency of their Chivalry, and such as were amorous, might glut themselves with gazing on the beauties of most heavenly creatures. As every man's eye had his several survey, and fancy was partial in their looks, yet all in general applauded the admirable riches that Nature bestowed on the face of Rosalynde: for upon her cheeks there seemed a battle between the Graces, who should bestow most favours to make her excellent. The blush that gloried Luna when she kissed the Shepherd or the hills of Latmos, was not tainted with such a pleasant dye, as the vermilion flourish on the silver hue of Rosalyndes countenance: her eyes were like those Lamps that make the wealthy covert of the Heavens more gorgeous, sparkling favour and disdain: courteous and yet toy, as if in them Venus had placed all her amorits, and Diana all her chastity. The tramelles of her hair, folded in a call of Gold, so far surpassed the burnish glister of the metal, as the Sun doth the meanest Star in brightness: the tresses that folds in the brows of Apollo were not half so rich to the sight, for in her hairs it seemed love had laid herself in ambush, to entrap the proudest eye that durst gaze upon their excellence: what should I need to decipher her particular beauties, when by the censure of all, she was the Paragon of all earthly perfection. This Rosalynd sat I say with Alinda as a beholder of these sports, and made the Cavaliers crack their Lances with more courage: many deeds of Knighthood that day were performed, and many prizes were given according to their several deserts: at last when the Tournament ceased, the wrestling began, and the Norman presented himself as a challenger against all comers, but he looked like Hercules when he advanced himself against Achelo●s, so that the fury of his countenance amazed all that durst attempt to encounter with him in any deed of activity: till at last a lusty Franklin of the Country came with two tall men that were his sons of good lineaments and comely parsonage: the eldest of these doing his obeisance to the King entered the List, and presented himself to the Norman, who strait coped with him, and as a man that would triumph in the glory of his strength, roused himself with such fury, that not only he gave him the fall, but killed him with the weight of of his corpulent parsonage: which the younger brother seeing, leapt presently into the place, and thirsty after the revenge, assailed the Norman with such valour, that at the first encounter he brought him to his knees: which repulsed so the Norman, that recovering himself, fear of disgrace doubling his strength, he stepped so stearnely to the young Franklin, that taking him up in his arms he threw him against the ground so violently, that he broke his neck, and so ended his days with his brother. At this unlooked for massacre, the people murmured, and were all in a deep passion of pity, but the Franklin, father unto these, never changed his countenance, but as a man of a courageous resolution, took up the bodies of his sons without show of outward discontent.  
All this while stood Rosader and saw this Tragedy: who noting the undoubted virtue of the Franklin's mind, alighted of from his Horse, and presently sat down on the grass, and commanded his boy to pull off his boots, making him ready to try the strength of this Champion, being furnished as he would, he clapped the Franklin on the shoulder and said thus. Bold yeoman whose sons have ended the term of their years with honour, for that I see thou scornest fortune with patience, and twhar test the injury of fate with content, in brooking the death of thy sonnes● stand a while and either see me make a third in their Tragedy, or else revenge their fall with an honourable triumph, the Franklin seeing so goodly a gentleman to give him such courteous comfort, gave him hearty thanks, with promise to pray for his happy success. With that Rosader veiled bonnet to the King, and lightly leapt within the lists, where noting more the company than the combatant, he cast his eye upon the troop of Ladies that glisteren there like the stars of heaven, but at last Love willing to make him as amorous as he was valiant, presented him with the sight of Rosalynd, whose admirable beauty so inueagled the eye of Rosader, that forgetting himself, he stood and fed his looks on the favour of Rosalyndes face, which she perceiving, blushy: which was such a doubling of her beauteous excellence, that the bashful red of Aurora, at the sight of unacquainted Phaeton, was not half so glorious:  
The Normane seeing this young Gentleman fettered in the looks of the Ladies, drove him out of his memento with a shake by the shoulder: Rosader looking back with an angry frown, as if he had been wakened from some pleasant dream, discovered to all by the fury of his countenance that he was a man of some high thoughts: but when they all noted his youth, and the sweetness of his visage, with a general applause of favours, they grieved that so goodly a young man should venture in so base an action: but seeing it were to his dishonour to hinder him from his enterprise, they wished him to be graced with the palm of victory. After Rosader was thus called out of his memento by the Norman, he roughly clapped to him with so fierce an encounter, that they both fell to the ground, and with the violence of the fall were forced to breath: in which space the Norman called to mind by all tokens, that this was he whom Saladyne had appointed him to kill: which conjecture made him stretch every limb, and try every sinew, that working his death he might recover the gold, which so bountifuly was promised him. On the contrary part, Rosader while he breathed was not idle, but still cast his eye upon Rosalynde, who to encourage him with a favour, lent him such an amorous look, as might have made the most coward desperate: which glance of Rosalynd so fired the passionate desires of Rosader, that turning to the Norman he ran upon him and braved him with a strong encounter: the Norman received him as valiantly, that there was a sore combat, hard to judge on whose side fortune would be prodigal. At last Rosader calling to mind the beauty of his new Mistress, the fame of his father's honours, and the disgrace that should fall to his house by his misfortune, roused himself & threw the Norman against the ground, falling upon his chest with so willing a weight, that the Norman yielded nature her due, and Rosader the victory. The death of this Champion, as it highly contented the Franklin, as a man satisfied with revenge, so it drew the King and all the Peers into a great admiration, that so young years and so beautiful a parsonage, should cont●in such martial excellence: but when they knew him to be the youngest son of sir john of Bourdeaux, the King rose from his seat and embraced him, and the Peers entreated him with all favourable courtesy, commending both his valour and his virtues, wishing him to go forward in such haughty deeds, that he might attain to the glory of his father's honourable fortunes.  
As the King and Lords graced him with embracing, so the Ladies favoured him with their looks, especially Rosalynd, whom the beauty and valour of Rosader had already touched: but she accounted love a toy, and fancy a momentary passion, that as it was taken in with a gaze, might be shaken off with a wink: and therefore feared not to daily in the flame, and to make Rosader know she affected him: took from her neck a jewel, and sent it by a Page to the young gentleman. The Prize that Venus gave to Paris, was not half so pleasing to the Trojan, as this gem was to Rosader: for if fortune had sworn to make himself sole Monarch of the world, he would rather have refused such dignity, than have lost the jewel sent him by Rosalynd. To return her with the like he was unfurnished, & yet that he might more than in his looks discover his affection, he slept into a tent, and taking pen and paper writ this fancy.  

Two Suns at once from one fair heaven there shined,  
Ten branches from two boughs tipped all with roses,  
Pure locks more golden than is gold refined,  
Two pearled rows that Nature's pride encloses.   

Two mounts fair marble white, down-soft and dainty,  
A snow died orb: where love increased by pleasure  
Full woeful makes my heart● and body fainty:  
Her fair (my woe) exceeds all thought and measure.   

In lines confused by luckless harm appeareth,  
Whom sorrow clouds, whom pleasant smiling cleareth.   
This sonnet he sent to Rosalynd, which when she read, she blushed, but with a sweet content in that she perceived love had allotted her so amorous a servant. Leaving her to her new entertained fancies, again to Rosader, who triumphing in the glory of this conquest, accompanied with a troop of young gentlemen, that were desirous to be his familiars, went home to his brother Saladynes, who was walking before the gates, to hear what success his brother Rosader should have, assuring himself of his death, and devising how with dissimuled sorrow, to celebrate his funerals: as he was in his thought, he cast up his eye, and saw where Rosader returned with the garland on his head, as having won the prize, accompanied with a crew of boon companions: grieved at this, he stepped in and shut the gate. Rosader seeing this, and not looking for such unkind entertainment, blushed at the disgrace, and yet smothering his grief with a smile, he turned to the Gentlemen, and desired them to hold his brother excused, for he did not this upon any militious intent or niggardize, but being brought up in the country, he absented himself, as not finding his nature fit for such youthful company. Thus he sought to shadow abuses proffered him by his brother, but in vain, for he could by no means be suffered to enter: whereupon he ran his foot against the door, and broke it open: drawing his sword, and entering boldly into the Hall, where he found none (for all were fled) but one Adam Spencer an English man, who had been an old and trusty servant to Sir john of Bourdeaux: he for the love he bore to his deceased Master, favoured the part of Rosader, & gave him & his such entertainment as he could, Rosader gave him thanks, and looking about, seeing the Hall empty, said: Gentlemen, you are welcome, frolic and be merry, you shall be sure to have wine enough, whatsoever your fare be, I tell you Cavaliers, my Brother hath in his house five tun of wine, and as long as that lasteth, I beshrew him that spares his liquor. With that he burst open the buttery door, and with the help of Adam Spencer covered the Tables, and set down whatsoever he could find in the house, but what they wanted in meat, was supplied with drink, yet had they royal cheer, and withal such hearty welcome, as would have made the coarsest meats, seem delicates. After they had feasted and frolicktit twice or thrice with an upsey freeze, they all took their leave of Rosader and departed. Assoon as they were gone, Rosader growing impatient of the abuse, drew his sword, and swore to be revenged on the discourteous Saladyne: yet by the means of Adam Spencer, who sought to continue friendship and amity betwixt the brethren, and through the flattering submission of Saladyne, they were once again reconciled, and put up all forepast injuries with a peaceable agreement, living together for a good space in such brotherly love, as did not only rejoice the servants, but made all the Gentlemen & bordering neighbours glad of such friendly concord. Saladine hiding fire in the straw, and concealing a poisoned hate in a peaceable countenance, yet deferring the intent of his wrath till fit opportunity he showed himself a great favourer of his brothers virtuous endeavours: where leaving them in this happy league, let us return to Rosalynd.  
Rosalynd returning home from the triumph, after she waxed solitary, Love presented her with the Idea of Rosaders perfection, and taking her at discovert, struck her so deep, as she felt herself grow passing passionate: she began to call to mind the comeliness of his person, the honour of his parents, and the virtues that excelling both, made him so gracious in the eyes of every one. Sucking in thus the honey of love, by imprinting in her thoughts his rare qualities, she began to surfeit with the contemplation of his virtuous conditions, but when she called to remembrance her present estate, and the hardness of her fortunes, desire began to shrink, & fancy to vale bonnet, that between a Chaos of confused thoughts, she began to debate with herself in this manner.   

Rosalynds passion.  
INfortunate Rosalind, whose misfortunes are more than thy years, and whose passions are greater than thy patience. The blossoms of thy youth are mixed which the frosts of envy, & the hope of thy ensuing fruits perish in the bud. Thy father is by Torismond banished from the crown, & thou the unhappy daughter of a King detained captive, living as disquieted in thy thoughts, as thy father discontented in his exile. Ah Rosalynd, what cares wait upon a crown? what griefs are incident to dignity? what sorrows haunt royal palaces? The greatest seas have the sorest storms, the highest birth subject to the most bale, & of all trees the Cedars soon shake with the wind: small Currents are ever calm, low valleys not scorched in any lightnings, nor base men tied to any baleful prejudice. Fortune flies, & if she touch poverty, it is with her heel, rather disdaining their want with a frown, then envying their wealth with disparagement. Oh Rosalynd, hadst thou been born low, thou hadst not fallen so high, & yet being great of blood, thine honour is more, if thou brookest misfortune with patience. Suppose I contrary fortune with content, yet Fates unwilling to have me any ways happy, have forced love to set my thoughts on fire with fancy. love Rosalynd? becometh it women in distress to think on love? Tush, desire hath no respect of persons, Cupid is blind and shooteth at random, assoon hitting a rag, as a rob, and piercing assoon the bosom of a Captive, as the breast of a Libertine. Thou speakest it poor Rosalynd by experience, for being every way distressed, surcharged with cares, and over grown with sorrows, yet amidst the heap of all these mishaps, Love hath lodged in thy heart the perfection of young Rosader, a man every way absolute as well for his inward life, as for his out ward lineaments, able to content the eye with beauty, & the ear with the report of his virtue. But consider Rosalynde his fortunes, and thy present estate, thou art poor and without patrimony, and yet the daughter of a Prince, he a younger brother, and void of such possessions as either might maintain thy dignities or revenge thy father's injuries. And hast thou not learned this of other Ladies, that lovers cannot live by looks: that women's ears are sooner content with a pound of give me, than a dram of hear me: that gold is sweeter than eloquence: that love is a fire, and wealth is the fuel: that Venus coffers should be ever full. Then Rosalynd, seeing Rosader is poor, think him less beautiful, because he is in want, and account his virtues but qualities of course, for that he is not endued with wealth. Doth not Horace tell thee what method is to be used in love: Querenda pecunia primum, post nummos virtus.  
Tush Rosalynd, be not over rash: leap not before thou look: either love such a one as may with his lands purchase thy liberty, or else love not all. Choose not a fair face with an empty purse, but say as most women use to say, Si nihil attuleris, ibis Homere foras.  
Why Rosalynd, can such base thoughts harbour in such high beauties? Can the degree of a princess, the daughter of Gerismond harbour such servile conceits, as to prise gold more than honour, or to measure a Gentleman by his wealth, not by his virtues. No Rosalynd, blush at thy base resolution, and say if thou lovest, either Rosader or none: and why? because Rosader is both beautiful and virtuous. Smiling to herself to think of her new entertained passions, taking up her Lute that lay by her, she warbled out this ditty.   

Rosalynds Madrigal.  

Love in my bosom like a Bee  
doth suck his sweet:  
Now with his wings the plays with me,  
now with his feet.  
Within mine eyes he makes his nest,  
His bed amidst my tender breast,  
My kisses are his daily feast,  
And yet he robs me of my rest.  
Ah wanton, will ye?   

And if I sleep, then percheth he  
with pretty flight,  
And makes his pillow of my knee  
the livelong night.  
Strike I my lute, he tunes the string,  
He music plays if so I sing,  
He lends me every lovely thing:  
Yet cruel he my heart doth sting:  
Whist wanton stillye?   

Else I withroses every day  
will whip you hence:  
And bind you when you long to play,  
for your offence.  
I'll shut mine eyes to keep you in,  
I'll make you fast it for your sin,  
I'll count your power not worth a pin,  
Alas what hereby shall I win,  
If he gainsay me?   

What if I beat the wanton boy  
with many a rod?  
He will rapay me with annoy,  
because a God.  
Then sit thou safely on my knee,  
And let thy bower my bosom be;  
Lurk in mine eyes I like of thee:  
O Cupid so thou pity me,  
Spare not but play thee.   
Scarce had Rosalynd ended her Madrigale, before Torismond came in with his daughter Alinda, & many of the Peers of France, who were enamoured of her beauty: which Torismond perceiving, fearing lest her perfection might be the beginning of his Prejudice, and the hope of his fruit end in the beginning of her blossoms, he thought to banish her from the court: for quoth he to himself, her face is so full of favour, that it pleads pity in the eye of every man: her beauty is so heavenly and divine, that she will prove to me as Helen did to Priam: some one of the Peers will aim at her love, end the marriage, and then in his wives right attempt the kingdom. To prevent therefore had I witted in all these actions, she tarries not about the Court, but shall (as an exile) either wander to her father, or else seek other fortunes. In this humour, with a stern countenance full of wrath, he breathed out this censure unto her before the Peers, that charged her that that night she were not seen about the Court: for (quoth he) I have heard of thy aspiring speeches, and intended treasons. This doom was strange unto Rosalynd, and presently covered with the shield of her innocence, she boldly broke out in reverent terms to have cleared herself: but Torismond would admit of no reason, nor durst his Lords plead for Rosalynde, although her beauty had made some of them passionate, seeing the figure of wrath portrayed in his brow. Standing thus all mute, and Rosalynde amazed, Alinda who loved her more than herself, with grief in her heart, and tears in her eyes, falling down on her knees began to entreat her father thus.   

Alinda's oration to her father in defence of Rosalynde.  
IF (mighty Torismond) I offend in pleading for my friend, let the law of amity crave pardon for my boldness: for where there is depth of affection, there friendship alloweth a privilege. Rosalynd and I have been fostered up from our infancies, and nursed under the harbour of our conversing together with such private familiarities, that custom had wrought an union of our nature, & the sympathy of our affections such a a secret love, that we have two bodies, and one soul. Then marvel not (great Torismond) if seeing my friend distressed, I find myself perplexed with a thousand sorrows: for her virtuous and honourable thoughts (which are the glories that maketh women excellent) they he such, as may challenge love, and race out suspicion; her obedience to your Majesty, I refer to the censure of your own eye, that since her father's exile hath smothered all griefs with patience, and in the absence of nature, hath honoured you with all duty, as her own father by nurture, not in word uttering any discontent, nor in thought (as far as conjecture may reach) hammering on revenge: only in all her actions seeking to please you, & to win my favour. Her wisdom, silence, chastity, and other such rich qualities, I need not decipher: only it rests for me to conclude in one word, that she is innocent. If then, Fortune who triumphs in variety of miseries, hath presented some envious person (as minister of her intended stratagem) to taint Rosalynde with any surmise of treason, let him be brought to her face, & confirm his accusation by witnesses: which proved, let her die, and Alinda will execute the massacre. If none can avouch any confirmed relation of her intent, use justice my Lord, it is the glory of a King, and let her live in your wont favour: for if you banish her, myself as copartner of her hard fortunes, will participate in exile some part of her extremities.  
Torismond (at this speech of Alinda) covered his face with such a frown, as tyranny seemed to sit triumphant in his forehead, and checked her up with such taunts, as made the Lords (that only were hearers) to tremble. Proud girl (quoth he) hath my looks made thee so light of tongue, or my favours encouraged thee to be so forward, that thou darest presume to preach after thy Father: Hath not my years more experience than thy youth, & the winter of mine age deeper insight into civil policy, than the prime of thy flourishing days? The old Lion avoids the toils, where the young one leaps into the net: the care of age is provident and foresees much: suspicion is a virtue, where a man holds his enemy in his bosom. Thou fond girl, measurest all by present affection, and as thy heart loves, thy thoughts censure: but if thou knowest that in liking Rosalynd thou hat chest up a bird to peck out thine own eyes, thou wouldst entreat as much for her absence as now thou delightest in her presence. But why do I allege policy to thee? sit you down housewife and fall to your needle: if idleness make you so wanton, or liberty so malapert, I can quickly tie you to a sharper task: and you (maid) this night be packing, either into Arden to your father, or whither best it shall content your humour, but in the Court you shall not abide. This rigorous reply of Torismond nothing amazed Alinda, for still she prosecuted her plea in the defence of Rosalynd, wishing her Father (if his censure might not be reversed) that he would appoint her partner of her exile: which if he refused, either she would by some secret means steal out and follow her, or else end her days with some desperate kind of death. When Torismond heard his daughter so resolute, his heart was so hardened against her, that he set down a definitive and peremptory sentence, that they should both be banished: which presently was done. The Tyrant rather choosing to hazard the loss of his only child, than any ways to put in question the state of his kingdom: so suspicious and fearful is the conscience of an usurper. Well although his Lords persuaded him to retain his own Daughter, yet his resolution might not be reversed, but both of them must away from the Court without either more company or delay. In he went with great melancholy, and left these two Ladies alone. Rosalynd waxed very sad, and sat down and wept. Alinda she smiled, and sitting by her friend began thus to comfort her.   

Alinda's comfort to perplexed Rosalynd.  
WHy how now Rosalynd, dismayed with a frown of contrary fortune? Have I not oft heard thee say, that high minds were discovered in fortune's contempt, and heroical seen in the depth of extremities? Thou wert wont to tell others that complained of distress, that the sweetest salve for misery was patience, and the only medicine for want, that precious implaister of content: being such a good Physician to others, wilt thou not minister receipts to thyself? But perchance thou wilt say: Consulenti nunquam caput doluit.  
Why then, if the Patients that are sick of this disease ran find in themselves neither reason to persuade, nor art to cure, yet (Rosalynd) admit of the counsel of a friend, and apply the salves that may appease thy passions. If thou grievest that being the daughter of a prince, and envy thwarteth thee with such hard exigents, think that royalty is a fair mark, that Crowns have crosses when mirth is in Cottages: that the fairer the Rose is, the sooner it is bitteh with Caterpillars: the more orient the Pearl is, the more apt to take a blemish: and the greatest birth, as it hath most honour, so it hath much envy. If then fortune aimeth at the fairest, be patiented Rosalynd, for first by thine exile thou goest to thy father, nature is higher prized than wealth, and the love of ones parents ought to be more precious than all dignities: why then doth my Rosalynd grieve at the frown of Torismond, who by offering her a prejudice, proffers her a greater pleasure? and more (mad lass) to be melancholy, when thou hast with thee Alinda a friend, who will be a fathful copartner of all thy misfortunes, who hath left her father to follow thee, and chooseth rather to brook all extremities then to forsake thy presence. What Rosalynd: Solamen miseris socios habuisse doloris.  
Cheerly woman, as we have been bed fellows in royalty, we will be fellow mates in poverty: I will ever be thy Alinda, and thou shalt ever rest to me Rosalynd: so shall the world canonize our friendship, and speak of Rosalynd and Alinda, as they did of Pylades and Orestes. And if ever fortune smile and we return to our former honour, then ●olding ourselves in the sweet of our friendship, we shall merrily say (calling to mind our forepast miseries): Olim haec meminisse iwabit.  
At this Rosalynd began to comfort her, and after she had wept a few kind tears in the bosom of her Alinda, she gave her hearty thanks, and then they sat them down to consult how they should travel. Alinda grieved at nothing but that they might have no man in their company: saying, it would be their greatest prejudice in that two women went wandering without either guide or attendant. Tush (quoth Rosalynd) art thou a woman, and has● not a sudden shift to prevent a misfortune? I (thou seest) am of a tall stature, and would very well become the person and apparel of a Page, thou shalt be my mistress, and I will play the man so properly, that (trust me) in what company so ever I come I will not be discovered: I will buy me a suit, and have my Rapier very handsomely at my side, & if any knave offer wrong, your Page will show him the point of his weapon. At this Alinda smiled, and upon this they agreed, and presently gathered up all their jewels, which they trussed up in a Casket, and Rosalynd in all hast provided her of robes, and Alinda being called Aliena, and Rosalynd Ganymede: they travailed along the vineyards, and by many by-ways: at last got to the Forest side, where they travailed by the space of two or three days without seeing any creature, being often in danger of wild beasts, and pained with many passionate sorrows. Now the black Ox began to tread on their feet, and Alinda thought of her wont royalty: but when she cast her eyes on her Rosalynd, she thought every danger a step to honour. Passing thus on along, about midday they came to a Fountain, compassed with a grove of Cypress trees, so cunningly and curiously planted, as if some Goddess had entreated Nature in that place to make her an Arbour. By this Fountain sat Aliena and her Ganymede, and forth they pulled such victuals as they had, and fed as merely as if they had been in Paris with all the King's delicates: Aliena only grieving that they could not so much as meet with a shepherd to discourse them the way to some place where they might make their abode. At last Ganymede casting up his eye espied where on a tree was engraven certain verses: which assoon as he espied, he cried out, be of good cheer Mistress, I spy the figures of men: for here in these trees be engraven certain verses of shepherds, or some other swains that inhabit here about. With that Aliena start up joyful to hear these news, and looked, where they found carved in the bark of a Pine tree this passion.   

Montanus' passion.  

HAdst thou been borne whereas perpetual cold  
Makes Tanais hard, and mountains silver old:  
Had I complained unto a marble stone,  
Or to the floods bewrayed my bitter moan,  
I then could bear the burden of my grief:  
But even the pride of Countries at thy birth,  
Whilst heavens did smile did new array the earth with flowers chief.  
Yet thou the flower of beauty blessed borne,  
Hast pretty looks, but all attired in scorn.   

Had I the power to weep sweet Myrrha's tears,  
Or by my plaints to pierce repining ears:  
Hadst thou the heart to smile at my complaint,  
To scorn the woes that doth my heart attaint,  
I then could bear the burden of my grief:  
But not my tears, but truth with thee prevails,  
And seeming sour my sorrows thee assails: yet small relief.  
For if thou wilt thou art of marble hard:  
And if thou please my suit shall soon be heard.   
No doubt (quoth Aliena) this poesy is the passion of some perplexed shepherd, that being enamoured of some fair and beautiful Shepherdess, suffered some sharp repulse, and therefore complained of the cruelty of his Mistress. You may see (quoth Ginimede) what mad cattle you women be, whose hearts sometimes are made of Adamant that will touch with no impression, and sometime of wax that is fit for every form: they delight to be courted, and then they glory to seem coy, and when they are most desired than they freeze with disdain: and this fault is so common to the sex, that you see it painted out in the shepherds passions, who found his Mistress as froward as he was enamoured. And I pray you (quoth Aliena) if your robes were off, what metal are you made of that you are so satirical against women? Is it not a foul bird defiles the own nest? Beware (Ganymede) that Rosader hear you not, if he do, perchance you will make him leap so far from love, that he will anger every vain in your heart. Thus (quoth Ganymede) I keep decorum, I speak now as I am Alienas Page, not as I am Gerismonds' daughter: for put me but into a petticoat, and I will stand in defiance to the uttermost, that women are courteous, constant, virtuous, and what not. Stay there (quoth Aliena) and no more words, for yonder be Characters graven upon the bark of the tall Beech tree: let us see (quoth Ganymede): and with that they read a fancy written to this effect.  

First shall the heavens want starry light,  
The seas be rob of their waves:  
The day want sun, and sun want bright,  
The night want shade, the dead men's graves.  
The April, flowers and leaf and tree,  
Before I false my faith to thee.   

First shall the tops of highest hills  
By humble plains be overpride:  
And Poets scorn the Muse's quills,  
And fish forsake the water glide.  
And Iris lose her coloured weed,  
Before I fail thee at thy need.   

First direful hate shall turn to peace,  
And love relent in deep disdain:  
And Poets scorn the Muse's quills,  
And fish forsakes the water glide.  
And Iris lose her coloured weed,  
Before I fail thee at thy need.   

First direful hate shall turn to peace,  
And love relent in deep disdain:  
And death his fatal stroke shall cease,  
And envy pity every pain.  
And pleasure mourn, and sorrow smile,  
Before I talk of any guile.   

First time shall stay his stayless race,  
And winter bless his brows with corn:  
And snow bemoysten July's face,  
And winter spring, and summer mourn,  
Before my pen by help of fame,  
Cease to recite thy sacred name.  
Montanus.   
No doubt (quoth Ganymede) this protestation grew from one full of passions. I am of that mind too (quoth Aliena) but see I pray, when poor women seek to keep themselves chaste, how men woe them with many feigned promises, alluring with sweet words as the Sirens, and after proving as trothless as Acneas. Thus promised Demophoon to his Phillis, but who at last grew more false? The reason was (quoth Ganymede) that they were women's sons, and took that fault of their mother, for if man had grown from man, as Adam did from the earth, men had never been troubled with inconstancy. Leave off (quoth Aliena) to taunt thus bitterly, or else i'll pull off your page's apparel and whip you (as Venus doth her wantoness) with nettles. So you will (quoth Ganymede) persuade me to flattery, and that needs not: but come (seeing we have found here by his Fount the tract of shepherds by their Madrigals and Roundelays) let us forward: for either we shall find some folds, sheepcoates, or else some cottages wherein for a day or two to rest. Content (quoth Aliena) and with that they rose up, and marched forward till towards the even: and then coming into a fair valley (compassed with mountains, whereon grew many pleasant shrubs) they might descry where two flocks of sheep did feed. Then looking about, they might perceive where an old shepherd sat (and with him a young swain) under a covert most pleasantly situated. The ground where they sat was diapered with Flora's riches, as if she meant to wrap Tellus in the glory of her vestments: round about in the form of an amphitheatre were most curiously planted Pine trees, interseamed with Lemons and Citrons, which with the thickness of their boughs so shadowed the place, that Phoebus could not pry into the secret of that Arbour, so united were the tops with so thick a closure, that Venus might there in her jollity have dallied unseen with her dearest paramour. Fast by (to make the place more gorgeous) was there a Fount so Crystalline & clear, that it seemed Diana with her Dryads & Hemadriades had that spring, as the secret of all their bathe. In this glorious Arbour sat these two shepherds (seeing their sheep feed) playing on their Pipes many pleasant tunes, and from music and melody falling into much amorous chat: drawing more nigh we might descry the countenance of the one to be full of sorrow, his face to be the very portraiture of discontent, and his eyes full of woes, that living he seemed to die: we (to hear what these were) stole privily behind the thick, where we overheard this discourse.   

A pleasant eclogue between Montanus and Coridon.  Coridon. 

SAy shepherds boy, what makes thee greet so sore?  
Why leaves thy pipe his pleasure and delight?  
Young are thy years, thy cheeks with Roses dight:  
Then sing for joy (sweet swain) and sigh no more.   

This milk-white Poppy and this climbing Pine  
Both promise shade, then sit thee down and sing.  
And make these woods with pleasant notes to ring,  
Till Phoebus deign all Westward to decline.   Montanus. 

Ah (Coridon) unmeet is melody  
To him whom proud contempt hath overborne,  
Slain are my joys by Phoebus' bitter scorn,  
Far hence my weal and near my jeopardy.   

loves burning brand is couched in my breast.  
Making a Phoenix of my faintful heart:  
And though his fury do enforce my smart,  
Ay blithe am I to honour his behest.   

Prepared to woes since so my Phoebe wills,  
My looks dismayed since Phoebe will disdain,  
I banish bliss and welcome home my pain,  
So stream my tears as showers from Alpine hills   

In errors mask I blindfold judgements eye,  
I fetter reason in the snares of lust,  
I seem secure, yet know not how to trust,  
I live by that, which makes me living die.   

Devoid of rest, companion of distress,  
Plague of myself, consumed by my thought,  
How may my voice or pipe in tune be brought?  
Since I am reft of solace and delight.   Coridon. 

Ah Lorrell lad, what makes thee Herry love?  
A sugared harm, a poisonful of pleasure,  
A painted shrine fulfilled with rotten treasure,  
A heaven is show, a hell to them that prove.   

Again, in seeming shadowed still with want,  
A broken staff which folly doth uphold,  
A flower that fades with every frosty cold,  
An orient Rose sprung from a withered plant.   

A minute's joy to gain a world of grief,  
A subtle net to snare the idle mind,  
A seeing Scorpion, yet in seeming blind,  
A poor rejoice, a plague without relief.   

For thy Montanus follow mine arreede,  
(Whom age hath taught the trains that fancy useth)  
Leave foolish love, for beauty wit abuseth,  
And drowns (by folly) virtues springing seed.   Montanus. 

So blames the child the flame, because it burns,  
And bird the snare, because it doth entrap,  
And fools true love, because of sorry hap,  
And sailors curse the ship that overturns.   

But would the child forbear to play with flame,  
And birds beware to trust the flowlers' gin,  
And fools foresee before they fall and sin,  
And masters guide their ships in better frame.   

The child would praise the fire, because it warms,  
And birds rejoice, to see the fouler fail,  
And fools prevent, before their plagues prevail,  
And sailors bless the bark that saves from harms.   

Ah Coridon, though many be thy years,  
And crooked eld hath some experience left,  
Yet is thy mind of judgement quite bereft,  
In view of love, whose power in me appears.   

The ploughman little wots to turn the pen,  
Or bookeman skills to guide the ploughman's cart,  
Nor can the cobbler count the terms of Art,  
Nor base men judge the thoughts of mighty men.   

Nor withered age (unmeet for beauties guide,  
Uncapable of loves impressien)  
Discourse of that, whose choice possession  
May never to so base a man be tied.   

But I (whom nature makes of tender mould,  
And youth most pliant yields to fancy's fire)  
Do build my haven and heaven on sweet desire,  
On sweet desire more dear to me than gold.   

Think I of love, O how my lines aspire?  
How hast the Muses to embrace my brows,  
And hem my temples in with laurel bows,  
And fill my brains with chaste and holy fire?   

Then leave my lines their homely equipage,  
Mounted beyond the circle of the Sun:  
Amazed I read the style when I have done,  
And Herry Love that sent that heavenly rage.   

Of Phoebe then, of Phoebe than I sing,  
Drawing the purity of all the spheres,  
The pride of earth, or what in heaven appears,  
Her honoured face and fame to light to bring.   

Influent numbers and in pleasant veins,  
I rob both sea and each of all their state,  
To praise her parts: I charm both time and fate,  
To bless the Nymph that yields me love sick pains.   

My sheep are turned to thoughts, whom froward will  
Guides in the restless Labyrinth of Love,  
Fear lends them pasture where so ere they move,  
And by their death their life reneweth still.   

My sheephook is my pen, mine oaten reed,  
My paper, where my many woes are written:  
Thus silly swain (with love and fancy bitten)  
I trace the plains of pain in woeful weed.   

Yet are my cares, my broken sleeps, my tears,  
My dreams, my doubts, for Phoebe sweet to me:  
Who waiteth heaven in sorrows vale must be,  
And glory shines where danger most appears.   

Then Coridon although I blithe me not,  
Blame me not man since sorrow is my sweet:  
So willeth Love, and Phoebe thinks it meet,  
And kind Montanus liketh well his lot.   Coridon. 

Oh stayless youth, by error so misguided,  
Where will prescribeth laws to perfect wits,  
Where reason mourns, and blame in triumph sits,  
And folly poisoneth all that time provided.   

With wilful blindness bleared, prepared to shame,  
Prone to neglect Occasion when she smiles:  
Alas that Love by fond and froward guiles,  
Should make thee tract the path to endless blame.   

Ah (my Montanus) cursed is the charm,  
That hath bewitched so thy youthful eyes:  
Leave off in time to like these vanities,  
Be forward to thy good, and fly thy harm.   

As many bees as Hibla daily shields,  
As many fry as fleet on Ocean's face,  
As many herds as on the earth do trace,  
As many flowers as deck the fragrant fields.   

As many stars as glorious heaven contains,  
As many storms as wayward winter weeps,  
As many plagues as hell enclosed keeps:  
So many griefs in love, so many pains.   

Suspicions, thoughts, desires, opinions, prayers;  
Mislikes, misdeeds, fondioies, and feigned peace,  
Illusions, dreams great pains, and small increase,  
Vows, hope, acceptance, scorns, and deep despairs.   

Truce, war, and woe do wait at beauty's gate:  
Time lost, laments, reports, and privy grudge,  
And last, fierce Love is but a partial judge,  
Who yields for service shame, for friendship hate.   Montanus. 

All adderlike I stop mine ears (fond swain)  
So charm no more, for I will never change.  
Call home thy flocks betime that straggling range:  
For lo, the Sun declineth hence amain.   Terentius. 
In amore haec insunt vitia: induciae, inimicitiae, bellum, pax rursum: incerta haec situpostules, ratione certa fieri nihilo plus agas, quam sides operam, ut cum ratione insanias.  
The shepherds having thus ended their Eglogue, Aliena slept with Ganymede from behind the thicket: at whose sudden sight the shepherds arose, and Aliena saluted them thus: Shepherds all hail (for such we deem you by your flocks) and Lovers good luck, (for such you seem by your passions) our eyes being witness of the one, and our ears of the other. Although not by Love, yet by Fortune, I am a distressed Gentlewoman, as sorrowful as you are passionate, and as full of woes as you of perplexed thoughts: wandering this way in a forest unknown, only I & my Page, wearied with travel would feign have some place of rest. May you appoint us any place of quiet harbour (be it never so mean) I shall be thankful to you, contented in myself, and grateful to whosoever shall be mine Host. Coridon hearing the Gentlewoman speak so courteously returned her mildly and reverently this answer.  
Fair Mistress, we return you as hearty a welcome as you gave us a courteous salute. A shepherd I am, and this a lover, as watchful to please his wench, as to feed his sheep: full of fancies, and therefore say I, full of follies. Exhort him I may, but persuade him I cannot: for Love admits neither of counsel, nor reason. But leaving him to his passions, if you be distressed, I am sorrowful such a fair creature is crossed with calamity: pray for you I may, but relieve you I cannot: marry if you want lodging if you vouch to shroud yourselves in a shepherds cottage, my house for this night shall be your harbour, Alinea thanked Coridon greatly, and presently sat her down and Ganymede by her. Coridon looking earnestly upon her, and with a curious survey viewing all her perfectious, applauded (in his thought) her excellence, and pitying her distress, was desirous to hear the cause of her misfortunes, began to question with her thus.  
If I should not (fair damosel) occasionate offence, or renew your griefs by rubbing the scar, I would feign crave so much favour, as to know the cause of your misfortunes: and why, and whither you wander with your page in so dangerous forest. Aliena (that was as courteous as she was fair) made this reply: Shepherd, a friendly demand ought never to be offensive, and question of courtesy carry privileged pardons in their foreheads. Know therefore, to discover my fortunes were to renew my sorrows, and I should by discoursing my mishaps, but rake fire out of the cinders. Therefore let this suffice gentle shepherd, my distress is as great as my travail is dangerous, and I wander in this forest to light on some cottage where I and my page may dwell: for I mean to buy some Farm, and a flock of sheep, & so become a shepherdess, meaning to live low, and content me with a country life: for I have heard the swains say, that they drunk without suspicion, and slept without care. Marry mistress quoth Coridon, if you mean so you came in good time, for my Landflord intends to sell both the Farm I till, and the flock I keep, and cheap you may have them for ready money: and for a shepherds life (oh Mistress) did you but live a while in their content, you would say the Court were rather a place of sorrow then of solace. Here mistress shall not fortune thwart you, but in mean misfortunes, as the loss of a few sheep, which, as it breeds no beggary, so it can be no extreme prejudice: the next year may mend all with a fresh increase. Envy stirs not us, we cavet not to climb, our desires mount not above our degrees, nor our thoughts above our fortunes. Care cannot harbour in our cottages, nor do our homely couches know broken slumbers: as we exceed not ill diet, so we have enough to satisfy: and Mistress, I have so much Latin, Satis est quod sufficit.  
By my truth shepherd (quoth Aliena) thou makest me in love with your country life, and therefore send for thy Landslord, and I will buy thy Farm and thy slocks, and thou shalt still under me be overseer of them both: only for pleasure sake, I and my Page will serve you, lead the flocks to the field, & fold them: Thus will I live quiet, unknown, & contented. This news so gladded the heart of Coridon, that he should not be put out of his farm that putting off his shepherds bonnet, he did her all the reverence that he might. But all this while sat Montanus in a muse thinking of the cruelty of his Phoebe, whom he wooed long, but was in no hope to win. Ganymede who still had the remembrance of Rosader in his thoughts, tonke delight to see the poor shepherd passionate, laughing at love, that in all his actions was so imperious. At last when she had noted his tears that stole down his cheeks, and his sighs that broke from the centre of his heart, pitying his lament, she demanded of Coridon why the young shepherd looked so sorrowful? Oh sir (quoth he) the boy is in love. Why (quoth Ganymede) can shepherds love? I (quoth Montanus) & overlove, else shouldst not show see me so pensive. Love I tell thee, is as precious in a shepherds eye, as in the looks of a King, & we country swains entertain fancy with as great delight as the proudest Courtier doth affection. Opportunity (that is the sweetest friend to Venus) harboureth in our cottages, and loyalty (the chiefest fealty that Cupid requireth) is found more among shepherds than higher degrees. Then ask not if such silly swains can love? what is the cause then, quoth Ganymede, that Love being so sweet to thee, thou lookest so sorrowful? Because quoth Montanus, the party beloved is froward: and having courtesy in her looks, holdeth disdain in her tongues end? What hath she then, quoth Aliena, in heart? Desire (I hope Madam) quoth he: or else my hope lost, despair in Love were death. As thus they chatted, the Sun being ready to set, and they not having folded their sheep, Coridon requested she would sit there with her Page, till Montanus and he lodged their sheep for that night. You shall go quoth Aliena, but first I will entreat Montanus to sing some amorous Sonnet that he made when he hath been deeply passionate. That I will quoth Montanus, and with that he began thus.   

Montanus' Sonnet.  

Phoebe sat,  
Sweet she sat,  
Sweet sat Phoebe when I saw her,  
White her brow,  
Coy her eye;  
Brow end eye how much you please me?  
Words I spent,  
Sighs I sen●  
Sight and words could never draw her.  
Oh my love,  
Thou art lost.  
Since no sight could ever ease thee.   

Phoebe sat  
By a fount,  
Sitting by a fount I spied her:  
Sweet her touch,  
Rare her voice:  
Touch & voice what may distain you?  
As she sung,  
I did sigh,  
And by sighs whilst that I tried her,  
Oh mine eyes  
You did lose  
Her first sight whose want did pain you.   

Phoebe's flocks,  
White as wool,  
Yet were Phoebe's locks more whiter.  
Phoebe's eyes.  
Dovelike mild,  
Dovelike eyes, both mild and cruel:  
Montan swears,  
In your lamps  
He will die for to delight her.  
Phoebe yield,  
Or I die:  
Shall true hearts be fancies fuel?   
Montanus had no sooner ended his sonnet, but Coridon with allow courtesy rose up, & went with his fellow, and shut their sheep in the folds: and after returning to Aliena & Ganymede, conducted them home weary to his poor cottage. By the way there was much good chat with Montanus about his loves: he resolving Aliena that Phoebe was the fairest Shepherdice in all France, & that in his eye her beauty was equal with the Nymphs. But quoth he, as of all stones the Diamond is most clearest, & yet most hard for the Lapidorie to cut, as of all flowers, the Rose is the fairest, and yet guarded with the sharpest prickles: so of all our country lasses Phoebe is the brightest, but the most coy of all to stoop unto desire. But let her take heed quoth he, I have heard of Narcissus, who for his high disdain against Love, perished in the folly of his own love. With this they were at Coridon's Cottage, where Montanus parted from them, and they went in to rest. Alinda and Ganymede glad of so contented a shelter, made merry with the poor swain: and though they had but country far and course lo●ging, yet their welcome was so great, and their cares so little, that they counted their diet delicate, and slept as sound as if they had been in the court of Torismond. The next morn they lay long in bed, as wearied with the toil of unaccustomed travail; but assoon as they got up, Aliena resolved there to set up her rest, and by the help of Coridon swapped a bargain with his Landslord, and so became mistress of the farm and the flock: herself putting on the attire of the shepherdess, and Ganimide of a young swain: every day leading forth her flocks, with such delight, that she held her exile happy, & thought no content to the bliss of a Country cottage. Leaving her thus famous amongst the shepherds of Arden, again to Saladyne.  
When Saladyne had a long while concealed a secret resolution of revenge, & could no longer hide fire in the flax, nor oil in the flame: (for envy is like lightning, that will appear in the darkest fog.) It chanced on a morning very early he called up certain of his servants, and went with them to the chamber of Rosader, which being open, he entered with his crew, and surprised his brother when he was a sleep, and bound him in fetters, & in the midst of his hall chained him to a post. Rosader amazed at this strange chance, began to reason with his brother about the cause of this sudden extremity, wherein he had wronged, and what fault he had committed worthy so sharp a penance. Saladyne answered him only with a look of disdain, and went his way, leaving poor Rosader in a deep perplexity. Who thus abused, fell into sundry passions, but no means of relief could be had: whereupon for anger he grew into a discontented melancholy. In which humour he continued two or three days without meat: insomuch, that seeing his brother would give him no food, he fell into despair of his life. Which Adam Spencer the old servant of sir john of Bourdeaux seeing, touched with the duty & love he ought to his old master, felt a remorse in his conscience of his sons mishap: and therefore, although Saladine had given a general charge to his servants, that none of them upon pain of death should give either meat or drink to Rosader, yet Adam Spencer in the night rose secretly, & brought him such victuals as he could provide, and unlocked him, and set him at liberty. After Rosader had well feasted himself, and felt he was lose, strait his thoughts aimed at revenge, and now (all being a sleep) he would have quit Saladyne with the method of his own mischief. But Adam Spencer did persuade him to the contrary with these reasons: Sir quoth he, he content, for this night go again into your old fetters, so shall you try the faith of friends, and save the life of an old servant. tomorrow hath your brother invited all your kindred & allies to a solemn break fast, only to see you, telling them all that you are mad, & feign to be tied to a post. Assoon as they come, complain to them of the abuse proffered you by Saladyne. If they redress you, why so: but if they pass over your plaints, sicco pede, and h●ld with the violence of your brother before your innocence, than thus: I will leave you unlock that you may break out at your pleasure, and at the end of the hall shall you see stand a couple of good poleaxes, one for you, and another for me. When I give you a wink, shake off your chains, and let us play the men, and make havoc amongst them, drive them out of the house and maintain possession by force of arms, till the King hath made a redress of your abuses. These words of Adam Spencer so persuaded Rosader, that he went to the place of his punishment, and stood there while the next morning. About the time appointed, came all the guests bidden by Saladyne, whom he entreated with courteous and curious entertainment, as they all perceived their welcome to be great. The tables in the hall where Rosader was tied, were covered, and Saladyne bringing in his guests together, showed them where his brother was bound, and was enchained as a man lunatic. Rosader made reply, and with some invectives made complaints of the wrongs proffered him by Saladyne, desiring they would in pity seek some means for his relief. But in vain, they had stopped their ears with Ulysses, that were his words never so forcible, he breathed only his passions into the wind. They careless, sat down with Saladyne to dinner, being very frolic and pleasant, washing their heads well with wine. At last, when the fume of the grape had entered peal meal into their brains, they began in satirical speeches to rail against Rosader: which Adam Spencer no longer brooking, gave the sign, and Rosader shaking off his chains got a pole-axe in his hand, and flew amongst them with such violence and fury, that he hurt many, slew, some, and drove his brother and all the rest quite out of the house. Seeing the coast clear, he shut the doors, and being sore an hungered, and seeing such good victuals, he sat him down with Adam Spencer, and such good fellows as he knew were honest men, and there feasted themselves with such provision as Saladyne had prepared for his friends. After they had taken their repast, Rosader rampired up the house, least upon a sudden his brother should raise some crew of his tenants, and surprise them unawares. But Saladyne took a contrary course, and went to the Sheriff of the shire & made complaint of Rosader, who giving credit to Saladyne, in a determined resolution to revenge the Gentleman's wrongs, took with him five and twenty tall men, and made a vow, either to break into the house and take Rosader, or else to coop him in till he made him yield by famine. In this determination, gathering a crew together, he went forward to set Saladyne in his former estate. News of this was brought unto Rosader, who smiling at the cowardice of his brother, brooked all the injuries of fortune with patience, expecting the coming of the Sheriff. As he walk upon the battlements of the house, he descried where Saladyne and he drew near, with a troop of lusty gallants. At this he smiled, and called up Adam Spencer, and showed him the envious treachery of his brother, and the folly of the Sheriff to be so credulous: now Adam, quoth he, what shall I do? It resls for me, either to yield up the house to my brother and seek a reconcilement, or else issue out, and break through the company with courage, for cooped in like a coward I will not be. If I submit (ah Adam) I dishonour myself, and that is worse than death, for by such open disgraces, the fame of men grows odious: if I issue out amongst them, fortune may favour me, and I may escape with life, but suppose the worst: if I be slain, than my death shall be honourable to me, & so inequal a revenge in famous to Saladyne. Why then Master forward and sear not, out amongst them, they be but faint hearted lozel's, and for Adam Spencer, if he die not at your foot, say he is a dastard. These words cheered up so the heart of young Rosader, that he thought himself sufficient for them all, and therefore prepared weapons for him and Adam Spencer, and were ready to entertain the Sheriff: for no sooner came Saladyne and he to the gates, but Rosader unloookt for leapt out and assailed them, wounded many of them, and caused the rest to give back, so that Adam and he broke through the press in despite of them all, and took their way towards the forest of Arden. This repulse so set the Sheriff's heart on fire to revenge, that he strait raised all the country, and made Hue and Cry after them. But Rosader and Adam knowing full well the secret ways that led through the vineyards, stole away priorily through the province of Bourdeaux, and escaped safe to the forest of Arden. Being come thither, they were glad they had so good a harbour: but fortune (who is like the Chameleon) variable with every object, and constant in nothing but inconstancy, thought to make them mirrors of her mutability, and therefore still croft them thus contrarily. Thinking still to pass on by the by-ways to get to Lions, they chanced on a path that led into the thick of the forest, where they wandered five or six days without meat, that they were almost famished, finding neither shepherd nor cottage to relieve them: and hunger growing on so extreme, Adam Spencer (being old) began to faint, and sitting him down on a hill, and looking about him, espied where Rosader lay as feeble and as ill perplexed: which sight made him shed tears, and to fall into these bitter terms.   

Adam Spencer's speech.  
OH how the life of man may well be compared to the state of the Ocean seas, that for every calm hath a thousand storms, resembling the Rose tree, that for a few flowers, hath a multitude of sharp prickles: all our pleasures end in pain, and our highest delights, are crossed with deepest discontents. The joys of man, as they are few, so are they momentary, scarce ripe before they are rotten: and withering in the blossom, either parched with the heat of envy, or fortune. Fortune, oh inconstant friend, that in all thy deeds art froward and sickle, delightis g in the poverty of the lowest, and the over throw of the highest, to decipher thy inconstancy. Thou standest upon a globe, & thy wings are plumed with times feathers, that thou mayst ever be restless; thou art double faced like janus, carrying frowns in the one to threaten, and smiles in the other to betray; thou profferest an Eel, & performest a Scorpion, & where thy greatest favours be, there is the fear of the extremest misfortunes, so variable are all thy actions. But why Adam dost thou exclaim against Fortune? she laughs at the plaints of the distressed: and there is nothing more pleasing unto her, then to hear fools boast in her fading allurements, or sorrowful men to discover the sour of their passions Elut her not Adam then with content, but thwart her with brooking all mishaps with patience. For there is no greater check to the pride of fortune, then with a resolute courage to pass over her crosses without care. Thou art old Adam, & thy hairs wax white, the Palm tree is already full of blooms, and in the furrows of thy face appears the Calendars of death? Wert thou blessed by fortune thy years could not be many, nor the date of thy life long: then sith Nature must have her due, what is it for thee to resign her debt a little before the day. Ah, it is not this which grieveth me, nor do I care what mishaps fortune can wage against me: but the sight of Rosader, that galleth unto the quick. When I remember the worships of his house, the honour of his fathers, and the virtues of himself: then do I say, that fortune and the fates are most injurious, to censure so hard extremes, against a youth of so great hope. Oh Rosader, thou art in the flower of thine age, and in the pride of thy years, buxom and full of May. Nature hath prodigally enriched thee with her favours, and virtue made thee the mirror of her excellence: and now through the decree of the unjust stars, to have all these good parts nipped in the blade, and blemished by the inconstancy of fortune. Ah Rosader, could I help thee, my grief were the less, and happy should my death be, if it might be the beginning of thy relief: but seeing we perish both in one extreme, it is a double sorrow. What shall I do? prevent the sight of his further misfortune, with a present dispatch of mine own life. Ah, despair is a merciless sin.  
As he was ready to go forward in his passion, he looked earnestly on Rosader, and seeing him change colour, he rose up and went to him, and holding his temples, said, What cheer master? though all fail, let not the heart faint: the courage of a man is showed in the resolution of his death. At these words Rosader jifted up his eye, and looking on Adam Spencer began to weep. Ah Adam quoth he, I sorrow not to die, but I grieve at the manner of my death. Might I with my Lance encounter the enemy, and so die in the field, it were honour, and content: might I (Adam) combat with some wild beast, and perish as his pray, I were satisfied: but to die with hunger, O Adam, it is the extremest of all extremes. Master (quoth he) you see me are both in one predicament, and long I cannot live without meat, seeing therefore we can find no food, let the death of the one, preserve the life of the other. I am old, and overworn with age, you are young, and are the hope of many honours: let me then die, I will presently cut my veins, and master with the warm blood relieve your fainting spirits: suck on that till I end, and you be comforted. With that Adam Spencer was ready to pull out his knife, when Rosader full of courage (though very faint) rose up, and wished A. Spencer to sit there till his return: for my mind gives me quoth he, I shall bring thee meat. With that, like a mad man he rose up, and ranged up and down the woods, seeking to encounter some wild beast with his Rapier, that either he might carry his friend Adam food, or else pledge his life in pawn of his loyalty. It chanced that day, that Gerismond the lawful King of France, banished by Torismond, who with a lusty crew of Outlaws lived in that Forest, that day in honour of his birth made a feast to all his bold yeomen, and frolic it with store of wine and venison, sitting all at a long table under the shadow of Lemon trees. To that place by chance Fortune conducted Rosader, who seeing such a crew of brave men having store of that, for want of which he and Adam perished, he stepped boldly to the boards end, and saluted the company thus.  
Whatsoever thou be that art master of these lusty squires, I salute thee as graciously, as a man in extreme distress may: know that I and a fellow friend of mine, are here famished in the Forest for want of food: perish we must unless relieved by thy favours. Therefore if thou be a Gentleman, give meat to men, and to such as are every way worthy of life: let the proudest squire that sits at thy table, rise and encounter with me in any honourable point of activity whatsoever, and if he and thou prove me not a man, send me away comfortless. If thou refuse this, as a niggard of thy cates, I will have amongst you with my sword: for rather will I die valiantly, then perish with so cowardly an extreme. Gerismond looking him earnestly in the face, and seeing so proper a Gentleman in so bitter a passion, was moved with so great pity, that rising from the table, he took him by the hand and bad him welcome, willing him to sit dowae in his place, and in his room not only to eat his fill, but the Lord of the feast. Gramerry sir (quoth Rosader) but I have a feeble friend that lies hereby famished almost for food, aged and therefore less able to abide the extremity of hunger than myself, and dishonour it were for me to taste one crumb, before I made him partner of my fortunes: therefore I will run and fetch him, and then I will gratefully accept of your proffer. Away hies Rosader to Adam Spencer, and tells him the news, who was glad of so happy fortune, but so feeble he was that he could not go: whereupon Rosader got him up on his back, & brought him to the place. Which when Gerismond & his men saw, they greatly applauded their league of friendship: and Rosader having Gerismonds' place assigned him, would not sit there himself, but set down Adam Spencer. Well to be short, those hungry squires fell to their victuals, and feasted themselves with good delicates, & great store of wine. Assoon as they had taken their repast, Gerismond (desirous to hear what hard fortune drove them into those bitter extremes) requested Rosader to discourse, (as it were not any way prejudicial unto him) the cause of his travel. Rosader (vesirous any way to satisfy the courtesy of his favourable host, (first beginning his exordium with a volley of sighs, and a few lukewarm tears) prosecuted his discourse, & told him from point to point all his fortunes, how he was the youngest son of sir john of Bourdeaux, his name Rosader, how his brother sundry times had wronged him, and lastly, how for beating the Sheriff, and hurting his men, he fled: and this old man (quoth he) whom I so much love and honour, is surnamed Adam Spencer, an old servant of my fathers, and one (that for his love) never failed me in all my misfortunes. When Gerismond heard this, he fell on the neck of Rosader, and next discoursing unto him, how he was Gerismond their lawful King exiled by Torismond, what familiarity had ever been betwixt his father sir john of Bourdeaux and him, how faithful a subject he lived, and how honourably he died: promising (for his sake) to give both him & his friend such courteous entertainment, as his present estate, could minister: and upon this made him one of his foresters. Rosadar seeing it was the King, craved pardon for his boldness, in that he did not do him due reverence, and humbly gave him thanks for his favourable courtesy. Gerismond not satisfied yet with news, began to inquire if he had been lately in the Court of Torismond, and whether he had seen his daughter Rosalynd, or no? At this, Rosader fetched a deep sigh, and shedding many tears, could not answer: yet at last, gathering his spirits together, he revealed unto the King, how Rosalynde was banished, and how there was such a sympathy of affections betwixt Alinda and her, that she chose rather to be partaker of her exile, then to part fellowship: whereupon the unnatural King banished them both: and now they are wandered none knows whither, neither could any learn since their departure, the place of their abode. This news drive the king into a great melancholy, that presently he arose from all the company, and went into his privy chamber, so secret as the harbour of the woods would allow him. The company was all dashed at these tidings, and Rosader and Adam Spencer having such opportunity, went to take their rest. Where we leave them, and return again to Torismond.  
The fight of Rosader came to the ears of Torismond, who hearing that Saladyne was sole heir of the lands of sir john of Bourdeaux, desirous to possess such fair revenues, found just occasion to quarrel with Saladyne, about the wrongs he proffered to his brother: and therefore dispatching a Herehault, he sent for Saladyne in all post haste. Who marveling what the matter should be, began to examine his own conscience, wherein he had offended his highness: but emboldened with his innocence, he boldly went with the Herehault unto the Court. Where assoon as he came, he was not admitted into the presence of the king, but presently sent to prison. This greatly amazed Saladine, chief in that the jailer had a strait charge over him, to see that he should be close prisoner. Many passionate thoughts came in his head, till at last he began to fall into consideration of his former follies, and to medicate with himself. Leaning his head on his hand, and his elbow on his knee, full of sorrow, grief and disquieted passions, he resolved into these terms.   

Saladynes complaint.  
Unhappy Saladyne, whame folly hath led to these misfortunes, and wanton desires wrapped within the labyrinth of these calamities. Are not the heavens doomers of men's deeds? And heldes not God a balance in his fist, to reward with favour, and revenge with justice? Oh Saladyne, the faults of thy youth, as they were fond, so were they foul: and not only discovering little nurture, but blemishing the excellence of nature. Whelps of one litter are ever most loving, and brothers that are sons of one father, should live in friendship without jar. Oh Saladyne, so it should be: but thou hast with the dear fed against the wind, with the crab strove against the stream, and sought to pervert nature by unkindness. rosader's wrongs, the wrongs of Rosader (Saladyne) cries for revenge, his youth pleads to God to inflict some penance upon thee, his virtues are pleas that enforce writs of displeasure to cross thee: thou hast highly abused thy kind and natural brother, and the heavens cannot spare to quite thee with punishment. There is no sting to the worm of conscience, no hell to a mind couched with guilt. Every wrong I offered him (called now to remembrance) wringeth a drop of blood from my heart, every bad look, every frown pincheth me at the quick, and says Saladyne thou hast sinned against Rosader. Be penitent, and assign thyself some penance to discover thy sorrow, and pacify his wrath.  
In the depth of his passion, he was sent for to the King: who with a look that threatened death entertained him, and demanded of him where his brother was? Saladyne made answer, that upon some riot made against the Sheriff of the shire, he was fled from Bourdeaux, but he knew not whither. Nay villain (quoth he) I have heard of the wrongs thou hast proffered thy brother since the death of thy father, and by thy means have I lost a most brave and resolute Chevalier. Therefore, in justice to punish thee, I spare thy life for thy father's sake, but banish thee for ever from the court and country of France, and see thy departure be within ten days, else trust me thou shalt lose thy head, & with that the King flew away in a rage, & left poor Saladyne greatly perplexed. Who grieving at his exile, yet determined to beer it with patience, and in penance of his former follies to travail abroad in every Coast, till he had found out his brother Rosader. With whom now I beginnne.  
Rosader being thus preferred to the place of a Forester by Gerismond, rooted out the remembrance of his brother's unkindness by continual exercise, traversing the groves and wild Forests: partly to hear the melody of the sweet birds which recorded, and partly to show his diligent endeavour in his master's behalf. Yet whatsoever he did, or howsoever he walked, the lively image of Rosalind remained in memory: on her sweet perfections he fed his thoughts, proving himself like the eagle a true borne bird, since that the one is known by beholding the Sun so was he by regarding excellent beauty. One day among the rest finding a fit opportunity and place convenient, desirous to discover his woes to the woods, he engraved with his knife on the bark of a Mir tree, this pretty estimate of his Mistress perfection,   

Sonnetto.  

Of all chaste birds the Phoenix doth excel,  
Of all strong beasts the Lion bears the bell,  
Of all sweet flowers the Rose doth sweetest smell  
Of all fair maids my Rosalynd is fairest.   

Of all pure metals gold is only purest,  
Of all high trees the Pine hath highest crest,  
Of all soft sweets, I like my mistress breast,  
Of all chaste thoughts my mistress thoughts are rarest.   

Of all proud birds the Eagle pleaseth jove,  
Of pretty fowls kind Venus likes the Dove,  
Of trees Minerva doth the Olive love,  
Of all sweet Nymphs I honour Rosalynd.   

Of all her gifts her wisdom pleaseth most,  
Of all her grace's virtue she doth boast:  
For all these gifts my life and joy is lost,  
If Rosalind prove cruel and unkind.   
In these and such like passions Rosader did every day eterni● the name of his Rosalynd: and this day especially when Aliena and Ganymede (enforced by the heat of the Sun to seek for shelter) by good fortune arrived in that place, where this amorous forester registered his melancholy passions: they saw the sodai● change of his looks, his folded arms, his passionate sighs, they heard him often abruptly call on Rosalynd: who (poor soul) was as hotly burned as himself, but that she shrouded her pains i● the cinders of honourable modesty. Whereupon guessing him to b● in love, and according to the nature of their sex, being pitiful in that behalf) they suddenly broke off his melancholy by their approach, and Ganymede shook him out of his dumps thus.  
What news Forrester? hast thou wounded some Deer, an● lost him in the fall? Care not man for so small a loss, thy fe● was but the skin, the shoulder, and the horns: 'tis hunter's luck to aim fair and miss: and a woodman's fortune to strike an● yet go without the game.  
Thou art beyond the mark Ganymede (quoth Aliena) his passions are greater, & his sighs discovers more loss: perhaps i● traversing these thickets, he hath seen some beautiful Nimph● and is grown amorous. It may be so (quoth Ganymede) for be●● he hath newly engraven some sonnet: come and see the discourse of the foresters poems. Reading the sonnet over, & hearing ●●● name Rosalynde, Aliena looked on Ganymede and laughed, an● Ganymede looking back on the Forester, and seeing it wa● Rosader, blushed: yet thinking to shroud all under her page's apparel, she boldly returned to Rosader, and began thus.  
I pray thee thee tell me Forester, what is this Rosalynd fo● whom thou pinest away in such passions: Is she some Nymph that waits upon Diana's train, whose chastity thou hast deci● phred in such Epithets? Or is she some shepherdess that haunts these plains, whose beauty hath so bewitched thy fancy, whos● name thou shaddowest in covert under the figure of Rosalynd a● Ovid did julia under the name of Corinna? Or say me for sooth, is it that Rosalynde, of whom we shepherds have heard talk, she Forester, that is the daughter of Gerismond, that once was King, and now an Outlaw in this Forest of Arden. At this Rosader fetched a deep sigh, and said, It is the O gentle Swain, it is she, that Saint it is whom I serve, that Goddess at whose shrine I do bend all my devotions: the most fairest of all fairs, the Phoenix of all that sex, and the purity of all earthly perfection And why (gentle Forester) if she be so beautiful, and thou so amorous, is there such a disagreement in thy thoughts? Happily she resembleth the Rose, that is sweet, but full of prickles? or the Serpent Regius that hath scales as gloous as the Sun, and a breath as infectious as the Aconitum is deadly? So thy Rosalynd may be most amiable, and yet unkind: full of favour and yet froward: coy without wit, and disdainful without reason.  
O shepherd (quoth Rosader) knewest thou her parsonage graced with the excellence of all perfection, being a harbour wherein the Graces shroud their virtues: thou wouldst not breathe out such blasphemy against the beauteous Rosalind. She is a Diamond, bright, but not hard, yet of most chaste operation: a pearl so orient, that it can be stained with no blemish: a Rose without prickles, and a Princess absolute, as well in beauty as in virtue, But I, unhappy I, have let mine eye soar with the Eagle against so bright a Sun, that I am quite blind: I have with Apollo enamoured myself of a Daphne, not (as she) disdainful, but far more chaste than Daphne: I have with Ixion laid my love on juno, and shall (I fear) embrace nought but a cloud. Ah shepherd, I have reached at a star, my desires have mounted above my degree, and my thoughts above my fortunes. I being a peasant, have ventured to gaze on a Princess, whose honours are too high to vouchsafe such base loves.  
Why Forester, quoth Ganymede, comfort thyself: be blithe and frolic man. Love sowseth as low as she soareth high: Cupid shoots at a rag assoon as at a robe, and Venus' eye that was so curious, sparkled favour on pole-footed Vulcan. Fear not man, women's looks are not tied to dignities feathers, nor make they curious esteem, where the stone is sound, but what is the virtue. Fear not Forester, faint heart never won fair Lady. But where lives Rosalynde now, at the Court?  
Oh no quoth Rosader, she lives I know not where, and tha● is my sorrow, banished by Toresmond, and that is my hell: fo● might I but find her sacred parsonage, and plead before the ba● of her pity, the plaint of my passions, hope tells me she woul● grace me with some favour: & that would suffice as a recompense of all my former miseries. Much have I heard of thy mistress excellence, and I know Forrester thou canst describe her at the full as one that hast surveyed all her parts with a curious eye: then d●● that favour, to tell me what her perfections be. That I will quot● Rosader, for I glory to make all ears wonder at my Mistress excellence. And with that he pulled a paper forth his bosom, wherein he read this.   

Rosalyndes description.  

Like to the clear in highest sphere,  
Where all imperial glory shines,  
Of self same colour is her hair  
Whether unfolded or in twines:  
Heigh ho fair Rosalind.  
Her eyes are sapphires set in snow,  
Refining heaven by every wink:  
The gods do fear when as they glow,  
And I do tremble when I think.  
Heigh ho, would she were mine.   

Her cheeks are like the blushing cloud  
That bewtifies Aurora's face,  
Or like the silver Crimson shroud.  
That Phoebus smiling looks doth grace:  
Heigh ho, fair Rosalynd.  
Her lips are like tow budded roses,  
Whom ranks of lilies neighbour nigh,  
Within which bounds she balm encloses,  
Apt jointice a Deity:  
Heigh ho, would she were mine.   

Her neck like to a stately tower,  
Where Love himself imprisoned lies,  
To watch for glances every hour,  
From her divine and sacred eyes,  
Heigh ho, fair Rosalynd.  
Her paps are centres of delight,  
Her paps are orbs of heavenly frame,  
Where Nature moulds the dew of light,  
To feed perfection with the same:  
Heigh ho, would she were mine.   

With Orient pearl, with Ruby red.  
With Marble white, with sapphire blue,  
Her body every way is fed,  
Yet soft in touch; and sweet in view:  
Heigh ho, fair Rosalind.  
Nature herself her shape admires,  
The Gods are wounded in her sight,  
And Love forsakes his heavenly fires,  
And at her eyes his brand doth light:  
Heigh ho, would she ware mine.   

Then muse not Nymphs thouh I bemoan  
The absence of fair Rosalynde,  
Since for her fair there is fairer none,  
Nor for her virtues so divine.  
Heigh ho, fair Rosalind.  
Heigh ho my heart, would God that she were mine.  
Periit, quia deperibat.   
Believe me (quoth Ganymede) either the Forester is an exquisite Painter, or Rosalynde far above wonder: so it makes me blush, to hear how women should be so excellent, and pages so unperfect.  
Rosader beholding her earnestly, answered thus. Truly gentle page, thou hast cause to complain thee, wert thou the substance: but resembling the shadow, content thyself: for it is excellence enough to be like the excellence of nature. He hath answered you Ganymede, quoth Aliena, it is enough for pages to wait on beautiful Ladies, and not to be beautiful themselves. Oh Mistress quoth Ganymede, hold you your peace, for you are partial: Who knows not, but that all women have desire to tie sovereignty to their petticoats, and ascribe beauty to themselves, where if boys might put on their garments, perhaps they would prove as comely, if not as comely, as courteous. But tell me forester, (and with that she turned to Rosader) under whom maintainest thou thy walk? Gentle swain, under the King of Outlaws, said he, the unfortunate Gerismond, who having lost his kingdom, crowneth his thoughts with content, accounting it better to govern among poor men in peace, than great men in danger. But hast thou not said she, (having so melancholy opportunities as this Forest affordeth thee) written more Sonnets in commendations of thy Mistress? I have gentle swain quoth he, but they be not about me: to morrow by dawn of day, if your flocks feed in these pastures, I will bring them you: wherein you shall read my passions, whiles I feel them, judge my patience when you read it: till when I bid farewell. So giving both Ganymede and Aliena a gentle good night, he resorted to his lodge, leaving them to their prittle prattle. So Ganymede (said Aliena, the forester being gone) you are mightily beloved, men make ditties in your praise, spend sighs for your sake, make an idol of your beauty: believe me it grieves me not a little to see the poor man so pensive, and you so pitiless.  
Ah Aliena (quoth she) be not peremptory in your judgements, I hear Rosalind praised as I am Ganymede, but were I Rosalynde, I could answer the Forester: if he mourn for love, there are medicines for love: Rosalind cannot be fair and unkind. And so Madam you see it is time to fold our flocks, or else Coridon will frown, and say you will never prove good housewife. With that they put their sheep into the coats, and went home to her friend Coridon's Cottage, Aliena as merry as might be, that she was thus in the company of her Rosalynde: but she poor soul, that had Love her lodestar, and her thoughts set on fire with the flame of fancy, could take no rest, but being alone began to consider what passionate penance poor Rosader was enjoined to by Love and Fortune: that at last she fell into this humour with herself.   

Rosalynde passionate alone.  
AH Rosalynd, how the Fates have set down in their Sindde to make thee unhappy: for when Fortune hath done her worst, than Love comes in to begin a new tragedy: she seeks to lodge her son in thine eyes, and to kindle her fires in thy bosom. Beware fond girl, he is an unruly guest to harbour: for entering in by entreats, he will not be thrust out by force, and her fires are fed with such fuel, as no water is able to quench. Seest thou not how Venus seeks to wrap thee in her Lahorynth, wherein is pleasure at the entrance, but within, sorrows, cares, and discontent: she is a Siren, stop thine ears at her melody: she is a a Basiliscke, shut thine eyes, and gaze not at her lest thou perish. Thou art now placed in the Country content, where are heavenly thoughts, and mean desires: in those Lawns where thy flocks feed Diana haunts: be as her Nymphs chaste, and enemy to Love, for there is no greater honour to a maid, than to account of fancy, as a mortal foe to their sex. Daphne that bonny wench, was not turned into a bay tree, as the Poets fain, but for her chastity her fame was immortal, resembling the Laurel that is ever green. Fellow thou her steps Rosalinde, and the rather, for that thou art an exile, and banished from the court: whose distress, as it is appeased with patience, so it would be renewed with amorous passions. Have mind on thy forepast fortunes, fear the worst, and entangle not thyself with present fancies, least loving in haste, thou repent thee at leisure. Ah but yet Rosalynd, it is Rosader that courts thee: one, who as he is beautiful, so he is virtuous, and harboureth in his mind as many good qualities, as his face is shadowed with gracious favours: and therefore Rosalynde stoop to Love, least being either too coy, or too cruel, Venus wax wroth, and plague thee with the reward of disdain.  
Rosalynde thus passionate, was wakened from her dumps by Aliena, who said it was time to go to bed. Coridon swore that was true, for Charles Wain was risen in the North. whereupon each taking leave of other, went to their rest, all but the poor Rosalynde: who was so full of passions, that she could not possess any content. Well, leaving her to her broken slumbers, expect what was performed by them the next morning.  
The Sun was no sooner stepped from the bed of Aurora, but Aliena was wakened by Ganymede: who restless all night had tossed in her passions: saying it was then time to go to the field to unfold their sheep. Aliena (that spied where the hare was by the hounds, and could see day at a little hole) thought to be pleasant with her Ganymede, & therefore replied thus: What wanton? the Sun is but new up, & as yet Iris riches lies folded in the bosom of Flora, Phoebus hath not dried up the pearled dew, and so long Coridon hath taught me it is not fit to lead the sheep abroad: lest the dew being unwholesome, they get the rot: but now see I the old proverb true, he is in haste whom the devil drives, and where love pricks forward, there is no worse death than delay, Ah my good page, is there fancy in thine eye, and passions in thy heart? What, hast thou wrapped love in thy looks? and set all thy thoughts on fire by affection? I tell thee, it is a flame as hard to be quenched as that of Aetna. But nature must have her course, women's eyes have faculty attractive like the feat, & retentive like the diamond: they dally in the delight of fair objects, till gazing on the Panther's beautiful skin, repenting experience tell them he hath a devouring paunch. Come on (q. Ganymede) this sermon of yours is but a subtlety to lie still a bed, because either you think the morning cold, or else I being gone, you would steal a nap: this shift carries no palm, and therefore up and away. And for Love, let me alone, i'll whip him away with nettles, & set disdain as a charm to withstand his forces: and therefore loake you to yourself, be not too bold, for Venus can make you bend: nor to coy, for Cupid hath a piercing dare, that will make you cry Peccavi, And that is it (quoth Aliena) that hath raised you so early this morning. And with that she slipped on her petticoat, and start up: and assoon as she had made her ready, and taken her breakfast, away go these two with their bag and bottles to the field, in more pleasant content of mind, than ever they were in the Court of Torismond. They came no sooner nigh the folds, but they might see where their disconted Forester was walking in his melancholy. Assoon as Aliena saw him, she smiled, and said to Ganymede, wipe your eyes sweeting: for yonder is your sweet heart this morning in deep prayers no doubt to Venus, that she may make you as pitiful as he is passionate. Come on Ganymede, I pray thee let's have a little sport with him. Content (quoth Ganymede) and with that to waken him out of his deep memento, he began thus.  
Forester, good fortune to thy thoughts, and ease to thy passions, what makes you so early abroad this morn, in contemplation, no doubt of your Rosalynd. Take heed Forrester, step not too far, the Ford may be deep, and you slip over the shoes: I tell thee, flies have their spleen, the ants choster, the least hairs shadows, and the smallest loves great desires. 'tis good (Forester) to love, but not to over love: lest in loving her that likes not thee, thou fold thyself in an endless Labyrinth. Rosader seeing the fair shepherdess and her pretty Swain, in whose company he felt the greatest ease of his care, he returned them a salute on this manner.  
Gentle shepherds, all hail, and as healthful be your flocks, as you happy in content. Love is restless, and my bed is but the cell of my bane, in that there I find busy thoughts and broken slumbers: here (although every where passionate) yet I brook love with more patience, in that every object feeds mine eye with variety of fancies: when I look on Flora's beauteous tapestry, chequered with the pride of all her treasure, I call to mind the fair face of Rosalynd, whose heavenly hue exceeds the Rose and the Lily in their highest excellence: the brightness of Phoebus' shine, puts me in mind to think of the sparkling flames that flew from her eyes, and set my heart first on fire, the sweet harmony of the birds, puts me in remembrance of the rare melody of her voice, which like the Siren enchaunteth the ears of the hearer. Thus in contemplation I salve my sorrows, with applying the perfection of every object to the excellency of her qualities.  
She is much beholding unto you (quoth Aliena) and so much, that I have oft wished with myself, that if I should ever prove as amorous as Oenone, I might find as faithful a Paris as yourself.  
How say you by this Item Forrester, (quoth Ganymede) the fair shepherdess favours you, who is mistress of so manies flocks. Leave of man the supposition of Rosalynds love, when as watching at her, you rove beyond the Moon, and cast your looks upon my mistress, who no doubt is as fair though not so royal, one bird in the hand is worth two in the wood: better possess the love of Aliena, then catch frinously at the shadow of Rosalynd.  
Ale tell thee boy (quoth Ganymede) so is my fancy fixed on my Rosalynde, that were thy mistress as fair as Leda or Danae, whom jove courted in transformed shapes, mine eyes would not vouch to entertain their beauties: and so hath Love locked me in her perfections, that I had rather only contemplate in her beauties, then absolutely possess the excellence of any other. Venus is too blame (Forester) if having so true a servant of you, she reward you not with Rosalynd, if Rosalynd were more fairer than herself.  
But leaving this prattle, now i'll put you in mind of your promise, about those Sonnets which you said were at home in your lodge. I have them about me (quoth Rosader) let us sit down, and then you shall hear what a Poetical fury Love will in fuse into a man: with that they sat down upon a green bank, shadowed with sigge trees, and Rosader, fetching a deep sigh, read them this Sonnet.   

rosader's Sonnet.  

In sorrows cell I laid me down to sleep,  
But waking woes were jealous of mine eyes,  
They made them watch, and bend themselves to weep,  
But weeping tears their want could not suffice:  
Yet since for her they wept who guides my heart,  
They weeping smile, and triumph in their smart.   

Of these my tears a fountain fiercely springs,  
Where Venus baynes herself incensed with love,  
Where Cupid bow seth his fair feathered wings:  
But I behold what pains I must approve.  
Cure drinks it dry: but when on her I think,  
Love makes me weep it full unto the brink.   

Mean while my sighs yield truce unto my tears,  
By them the winds increased and fiercely blow:  
Yet when I sigh the flame more plain appears,  
And by their force with greater power doth glow:  
Amids these pains, all Phoenix like I thrive,  
Since Love that yields me death, may life revive.    

Rosader en esperance.  
Now surely Forester (quoth Aliena) when thou madest this Sonnet, thou wert in some amorous quandary, neither too fearful, as despairing of thy mistress favours: nor too gleesome, as hoping in thy fortunes. I can smile (quoth ganymed) at the Sonettoes, Canzones, Madrigales, rounds and roundelays, that these pensive patient's power out, when their eyes are more full of wantonness, than their hearts of passions. Then, as the fishers put the sweetest bait to the fairest fish: so these Ouidians (holding Amorett in their tongues, when their thoughts come at hap hazard) writ that they be wrapped in an endless labyrinth of sorrow, when walking in the large leas of liberty, they only have their humours in their inckpot. It they find women so fond, that they will with such painted lures come to their lust, than they triumph till they be full gorged with pleasures: and then fly they away (like ramage kites) to their own content, leaving the tame fool their Mistress full of fancy, yet without ever a feather. If they miss (as dealing with some wary wanton, that wants not such a one as themselves, but spies their subtlety) they end their amours with a few feigned sighs: and so their excuse is, their mistress is cruel, and they smother passions with patience. Such gentle Forester we may deem you to be, that rather pass awa● the time here in these woods with writing amorits, then to be● deeply enamoured (as you say) of your Rosalynde. If you be● such a one, than I pray God, when you think your fortunes ●● the highest, and your desires to be most excellent, than that yo● may with Ixion embrace juno in a cloud, and have nothing b●● a marble mistress to release your martyrdom: but if you be tru● and trusty, eye-paynd and heart sick, then accursed be Rosalynde if she prove cruel: for Forester (I flatter not) thou art worthy of as fair as she. Aliena spying the storm by the wind, smile to see how Ganymede flew to the fist without any call: but Rosader who took him flat for a shepherds Swain, made him this answer.  
Trust me Swain (quoth Rosader) but my Canzon wa● written in no such humour: for mine eye & my heart are relatives, the one drawing fancy by sight, the other entertaining her by sor●row. If thou sawest my Rosalynd, with what beauties Nature hath favoured her, with what perfection the heavens hath graced her, with what qualities the Gods have endued her; then woul● thou say, there is none so fickle that could be fleeting unto her. I● she had been Aeneas Dido, had Venus and juno both scolde● him from Carthage, yet her excellence despite of them, woul● have detained him at tire. If Phillis had been as beauteous or Ariadne as virtuous, or both as honourable and excellent a● she; neither had the Philbert tree sorrowed in the death of dispai●ring Phillis, nor the stars have been graced with Ariadne but Demophoon and Theseus had been trusty to their Paragons, I will tell thee Swain, if with a deep insight thou couldst pierce into the secret at my loves, and see what deep impression● of her Idea affection hath made in my heart: then wouldst tho● confess I were passing passionate, and no less endued with admi●rable patience. Why (quoth Aliena) needs there patience in love Or else in nothing (quoth Rosader) for it is a restless sore, tha● hath no ease, a canker that still frees, a disease that taketh awa● all hope of sleep. If then so many sorrows, sudden joys, mo●mentary pleasures, continual fears, daily griefs, and night● woes be found in love, then is not he to be accounted patien● that smothers all these passions with silence●: Thou speakest by experience (quoth Ganymede) and therefore we hold all thy words for Axioms: but is Love such a lingering malady? It is (quoth he) either extreme or mean, according to the mind of the party that entertains it: for as the weeds grow longer untouched than the pretty flowers, and the flint lies safe in the quarry, when the Emerald is suffering the Lapidaries tool: so mean men are freed from Venus' injuries, when kings are environed with a labyrinth of her cares. The whiter the Lawn is, the deeper is the mole, the more purer the Chrysolite the sooner stained: and such as have their hearts full of honour, have their loves full of the greatest sorrows. But in whomsoever (quoth Rosader) he fixeth his dart, he never leaveth to assault him, till either he hath won him to folly or fancy: for as the Moon never goes without the star Lunisequa, so a Lover never goeth without the unrest of his thoughts. For proof you shall hear another fancy of my making. Now do gentle Forester (quoth Ganymede) and with that he read over this Sonetto.   

Rosaders second Sonetto.  

Turn I my looks unto the Skies,  
Love with his arrows wounds mine eyes,  
If so I gaze upon the ground,  
Love then every flower is found.  
Search I the shade to fly my pain,  
He meets me in the shade again:  
Wend I to walk in secret grove,  
Even there I meet with sacred love.  
If so I bayne me in the spring,  
Even on the brink I hear him sing:  
If so I meditate alone,  
He will be partner of my moan.  
If so I mourn, he weeps with me,  
And where I am, there will he be.  
When as I talk of Rosalynd,  
The God from coyness waxeth kind,  
And seems in self same flames to fry,  
Because he loves as well as I.  
Sweet Rosalynd for ptity rue,  
For why, then Love I am more true:  
He if he speed will quickly fly,  
But in thy love I live and die.   
How like you this Sonnet, quoth Rosader? Marry quoth Ganymede, for the pen well, for the passionill: for as I praise the one, I pity the other, in that thou shouldest hunt after a cloud, and love either without reward or regard. 'tis neither frowardness, quoth Rosader, but my hard fortunes, whose destinies have crossed me with her absence: for did she feel my loves, she would not let me linger in these sorrows. Women, as they are fair, so they respect faith, and estimate more (if they be honourable) the wit than the wealth, having loyalty the object whereat they aim their fancies. But leaving off these interparleyes, you shall hear my last Sonnetto, and then you have heard all my Poetry: and with that he sight out this.   

rosader's third Sonnet.  

Of virtuous Love myself may boast alone,  
Since no suspect my service may attaint:  
For perfect fair she is the only one,  
Whom I esteem for my beloved Saint.  
Thus for my faith I only bear the bell,  
And for her fair she only doth excel.   

Then let fond Petrarch shroud his lawra's praise,  
And Tasso cease to publish his affect,  
Since mine the faith confirmed at all assays,  
And hers the fair, which all men do respect.  
My lines her fair, her fair my faith assures,  
Thus I by Love, and Love by me endures.   
Thus quoth Rosader, here is an end of my Poems, but for all this no release of my passions: so that I resemble him, that in the depth of his distress hath none but the Echo to answer him. Ganymede pitttying her Rosader, thinking to drive him out of his amorous melancholy, said, that now the Sun was in his Meridional heat, and that it was high noon, therefore we shepherds say, 'tis time to go to dinner: for the Sun and our stomachs, are shepherds dials. Therefore Forester, if thou wilt take such far as comes out of our homely scrips, welcome shall answer whatsoever thou want'st in delicates. Aliena took the entertainment by the end, and told Rosader he should be her guest. He thanked them hearty, and sat with them down to dinner: where they had such cates as Country state did allow them, sawst with such content, and such sweet prattle, as it seemed far more sweet, than all their Courtly iunckets.  
Assoon as they had taken their repast, Rosader giving them thanks for his good cheer, would have been gone: but Ganymede, that was loath to let him pass out of her presence, began thus: Nay Forester quoth he, if thy business be not the greater, seeing thou saift thou art so deeply in love, let me see how thou canst woo: I will represent Rosalynde, and thou shalt be as thou art Rosader, see in some amorous Eglogue, how if Rosalynd were present, how thou couldst court her: and while we sing of Love, Aliena shall tune her pipe, and play us melody. Content, quoth Rosader. And Aliena, she to show her willingness, drew forth a recorder, and began to wind it. Then the loving Forester began thus.   

The wooing Eglogue betwixt Rosalynde and Rosader.  Rosader. 

I pray thee Nymph by all the working words,  
By all the tears and sighs that Lovers know,  
Or what our thoughts or faltering tongue affords,  
I crave for mine in ripping up my woe.  
Sweet Rosalynd my love (would God my love)  
My life (would God my life) aye pity me:  
Thy lips are kind, and humble like the dove,  
And but with beauty pity will not be.  
Looks on mine eyes made red with rueful tears,  
From whence the rain of true remorse descendeth,  
All pal● in looks, and I though young in years,  
And nought but love or death my days befriendeth.  
Oh let no stormy rigour knit thy brows,  
Which Love appointed for his mercy seat:  
The tallest tree by Boreas' breath it bows,  
The iron yeels with hammer, and to keat.  
Oh Rosalynd than be thou pitiful,  
For Rosalynd is only beautiful.   Rosalind. 

loves want on's arm their traitorous suits with tears,  
With vows, with oaths, with looks, with showers of gold:  
But when the fruit of their affects appears,  
The simple heart by subtle sleights is sold.  
Thus sucks the yielding ear the poisoned bait,  
Thus feeds the heart upon his endless harms,  
Thus glut the thoughts themselves on self deceit,  
Thus blind the eyes their sight by subtle charms.  
The lovely looks, the sighs that storm so sore,  
The dew of deep dissembled doubleness:  
These may attempt, but are of power no more,  
Where beauty leans to wit and soothfastness.  
Oh Rosader then be thou wittifull,  
For Rosalynd scorns foolish pitiful.   Rosader. 

I pray thee Rosalynd by those sweet eyes  
That slain the Sun in shine, the morn in clear,  
By those sweet cheeks where Love encamped lies  
To kiss the Roses of the springing year.  
I tempt thee Rosalynd by ruthful plaints,  
Not seasoned with deceit or fraudful guile,  
But firm inpayn, far more than tongue depaints,  
Sweet Nymph be kind, and grace me with a smile.  
So may the heavens preserve from hurtful food  
Thy harmless flocks, so may the Summer yield  
The pride of all her riches and her good,  
To fat thy sheep (the Citizens of field,)  
Oh leave to arm thy lovely brows with scorn:  
The birds their beak, the Lion hath his tail,  
And Lovers nought but sighs and bitter mourn,  
The spotless fort of fancy to assail.  
Oh Rosalynde then be thou pitiful:  
For Rosalynde is only beautiful.   Rosalind. 
The hardened steel by fire is brought in frame:  Rosader. 

And Rosalynde my love that any wool more softer:  
And shall not sighs her tender heart inflame?   Rosalind. 
Were Lovers true, maids would believe them ofter.  Rosader. 
Truth and regard, and honour guide my love.  Rosalind. 
Pain would I trust, but yet I dare not try,  Rosader. 
Oh pity me sweet Nymph, and do but prove.  Rosalind. 
I would resist, but yet I know not why.  Rosader. 

Oh Rosalind be kind, for times will change,  
Thy looks aye nill be fair as now they be,  
Thine age from beauty may thy looks estrange:  
Ah yield in time sweet Nymph and pity me.   Rosalind. 

Oh Rosalynde thou must be pitiful:  
For Rosader is young and beautiful.   Rosader, 
Oh gain more great than kingdoms or a crown.  Rosalind. 
Oh trust betrayed if Rosader abuse me.  Rosader. 

First let the heavens conspire to pull me down,  
And heaven and earth as abject quite refuse me:  
Let sorrows stream about my hateful bower,  
And reckless horror hatch within my breast,  
Let beauty's eye afflict me with a lower,  
Let deep despair pursue me without rest:  
Ere Rosalynde my loyalty disprove,  
Ere Rosalynde accuse me for unkind.   Rosalind. 

Then Rosalind will grace thee with her love,  
Then Rosalynde will have thee still in mind.   Rosader. 

Then let me triumph more than Tithon's dear,  
Since Rosalynde will Rosader respect:  
Then let my face exile his sorry cheer,  
And frolic in the comfort of affect:  
And say that Rosalynde is only pitiful,  
Since Rosalind is only beautiful.   
When thus they had finished their courting Eglogue in such a familiar clause, Ganymede as Augur of some good fortunes to light upon their affections, began to be thus pleasant: How now Forester, have I not fitted your turn? have I not played the woman handsomely, and showed myself as coy in grants, as courteous in desires, and been as full of suspicion, as men of flattery? And yet to salve all, jump I not all up with the sweet union of love? Did not Rosalinde content her Rosader? The Forester at this smiling, shook his head, and folding his arms made this merry reply.  
Truth gentle Swain, Rosader hath his Rosalynde, but as Ixion had juno, who thinking to possess a goddess, only embraced a cloud: in these imaginary fruitions of fancy, I resemble the birds that fed themselves with Zeuxis painted grapes: but they grew so lean with pecking at shadows, that they were glad with Aesop's Cock to scrape for a barley cornel: so fareth it with me, who to feed myself with the hope of my Mistress favours, sooth myself in thy suits, and only in conceit reap a wished for content: but if my food be no better than such amorous dreams, Venus at the years end, shall find me but a lean lover. Yet do I take these follies for high fortunes, and hope these feigned affections do divine some unfeigned end of ensuing fancies. And thereupon (quoth Aliena) I'll play the priest, from this day forth Ganymede shall call thee husband, and thou shalt call Ganymede wife, and so we'll have a marriage. Content quoth Rosader, and laughed. Content quoth Ganymede, and changed as red as a rose: and so with a smile and a blush, they made up this jesting match, that after proved to a marriage in earnest; Rosader full little thinking he had wooed and won his Rosalynde.  
But all was well, hope is a sweet string to harp on, & therefore let the Forester a while shape himself to his shadow, and tarry fortunes leisure, till she may make a Metamorphosis fit for his purpose. I digress, and therefore to Aliena: who said, the wedding was not worth a pin, unless there were some cheer, nor that bargain well made that was not stricken up with a cup of wine: and therefore she wild Ganymede to set out such cates as they had, and to draw out her bottle, charging the Forester as he had imagined his loves, so to conceit these cates to be a most sumptuous banquet, and to take a Mazer of wine, and to drink to his Rosalynde, which Rosader did, and so they passed away the day in many pleasant devices. Till at last Aliena perceived time would tarry no man, and that the Sun waxed very low, ready to set: which made her shorten their amorous prattle, and end the banquet with a fresh Carouse: which done, they all three arose, and Aliena broke off thus.  
Now Forester, Phoebus that all this while hath been partaker of our sports, seeing every woodman more fortunate in his loves, than he in his fancies: seeing thou hast won Rosalynde, when he could not woe Daphne, hides his head for shame, & bids us adieu in a cloud, our sheep they poor wantoness wander towards their folds, as caught by Nature their due times of rest, which tells us forester, we must departed. Marry though there were a marriage, yet I must carry this night the bride with me, and tomorrow morning if you meet us here, I'll promise to deliver you her as good a maid as I find her. Content quoth Rosader, 'tis enough for me in the night to dream on love, that in the day am so fond to dote an love: and so till to morrow you to your Folds, and I will to my Lodge: and thus the Forester and they parted. He was no sooner gone, but Aliena & Ganymede went and folded their flocks, and taking up their hooks, their bags, & their bottles, hied homeward. By the way (Aliena to make the time seem short) began to prattle with Ganymede thus: I have heard them say, that what the Fates forepoint, that Fortune pricketh down with a Period, that the Stars are sticklers in Venus' Court, and Desire hangs at the heel of Destiny: if it be so, then by all probable coniecures, this match will be a marriage: for if Augurism be authentical, or the Divines dooms principles, it cannot be but such a shadow portends the issue of a substance, for to that end did the God's force the conceit of this Eglogue, that they might discover the ensuing consent of your affections: so that ere it be long, I hope (in earnest) to dance at your wedding.  
Tush (quoth Ganymede) all is not malt that is cast on the kill, there goes more words to a bargain than one, love feels no footing in the air, and fancy holds it slippery harbour to nestle in the tongue: the match is not yet so surely made, but he may miss of his market: but if fortune be his friend, I will not be his foe: and so I pray you (gentle Mistress Aliena) take it. I take all things well (quoth she) that is your content, and am glad Rosader is yours: for now I hope your thoughts will be at quiet: your eye that ever looked at Love, will now lend a glance on your Lambs, and then they will prove more buxom, and you more blithe, for the eyes of the Master feeds the Cattle. As thus they were in chat, they spied old Coridon where he came plodding to meet them: who told them supper was ready, which news made them speed them home. Where we will leave them to the next morrow, and return to Saladyne.  
All this while did poor Saladyne (banished from Bourdeux and the Court of France by Torismond) wander up and down in the Forest of Arden, thinking to get to Lions, and so travail through Germany into Italy: but the Forest being full of by paths, and he unskilful of the country coast, slipped out of the way, and chanced up into the Desert, not far from the place where Gerismond was, & his brother Rosader. Saladyne weary with wandering up and down, and hungry with long fasting, finding a little cave by the side of a thicker, eating such fruit as the Forest did afford, and contenting himself with such drink as Nature had provided, and thirst made delicate, after his repast he fell in a dead sleep. As thus he lay, a hungry Lion came hunting down the edge of the grove for pray, and espying Saladyne began to cease upon him: but seeing he lay still without any motion, he left to touch him, for that lions hate to pray on dead carcases: and yet desirous to have some food, the Lion lay down and watched to see if he would stir. While thus Saladyne slept secure, fortune that was careful of her champion, began to smile, and brought it so to pass, that Rosader (having stricken a Deer that but lightly hurt fled through the thicket) came pacing down by the grove with a Boar spear in his hand in great haste, he spied where a man lay a sleep, and a Lion fast by him: amazed at this sight, as he stood gazing, his nose on the sudden bled, which made him conjecture it was some friend of his. Whereupon drawing more nigh, he might easily discern his visage, and perceived by his phisnomy that it was his brother Saladyne: which drove Rosader into a deep passion, as a man perplexed at the sight of so unexpected a chance, marveling what should drive his Brother to traverse those secret Deserts without any company in such distress and forlorn sort. But the present time craved no such doubting ambages: for he must either resolve to hazard his life for his relief, or else steal away, and leave him to the cruelty of the Lyon. In which doubt he thus briefly debated with himself.   

rosader's meditation.  
NOw Rosader, Fortune that long hath whipped thee with nettles, means to salve thee with roses, and having crossed thee with many frowns, now she presents thee with the brightness of her favours. Thou that didst count thyself the most distressed of all men, mayest account thyself the most fortunate amongst men: if fortune can make men happy, or sweet revenge be wrapped in a pleasing content. Thou seest Saladyne thine enemy, the worker of thy misfortunes, and the efficient cause of thine exile, subject to the cruelty of a merciless Lion: brought into this misery by the Gods, that they might seem just in revenging his rigour, and thy injuries. Seest thou not how the Stars are in a favourable aspect, the planets in some pleasing conjunction, the fates agreeable to thy thoughts, and the destinies performers of thy desires, in that Saladyne shall die, and thou be free of his blood: he receive meed for his amiss, and thou erect his Tomb with innocent hands. Now Rosader shalt thou return unto Bourdeaux, and enjoy thy possessions by birth, and his revenues by inheritance: now mayest thou triumph in Love, and hang fortunes Altars with garlands. For when Rosalynde hears of thy wealth, it will make her love thee the more willingly: for women's eyes are made of Chrisecoll, that is ever unperfect unless tempered with gold: and jupiter soonest enjoyed Danae, because he came to her in so rich a shower. Thus shall this Lion (Rosader) end the life of a miserable man, and from distress raise thee to be most fortunate. And with that casting his Boar spear on his neck away he began to trudge. But he had not stepped back two or three paces, but a new motion struck him to the very heart, that resting his Boar spear against his breast, he fell into this passionate humour.  
Ah Rosader, wert thou the son of Sir john of Bourdeux, whose virtues exceeded his valour, and the most hardiest Knight in all Europe? Should the honour of the Father shine in the actions of the Son? and wilt thou dishonour thy parentage, in forgetting the nature of a Gentleman? Did not thy father at his last gasp breath out this golden principle: Brothers amity is like the drops of Balsamum, that salueth the most dangerous sores? Did he make a large exhort unto concord, and wilt thou show thyself careless? Oh Rosader, what though Saladyne hath wronged thee, and made the live an exile in the Forest? shall thy Nature be so cruel, or thy Nurture so crooked, or thy thoughts so savage, as to suffer so dismal a revenge? what, to let him be devoured by wild beasts? Non sapit, qui non sibi sapit is fond spoken in such bitter extremes. Lose not his life Rosader, to win a world of treasure: for in having him thou hast a broth●r, and by hazarding for his life, thou gettest a friend, and reconcilest an enemy: and more honour shalt thou purchase by pleasuring a foe, than revenging a thousand injuries.  
With that his Brother began to stir, and the Lion to rouse himself: whereupon Rosader suddenly charged him with the Boar spear, and wounded the Lion very sore at the first stroke. The beast feeling himself to have a mortal hurt, leapt at Rosader, and with his paws gave him a sore piuch on the breast, that he had almost fallen: yet as a man most valiant, in whom the sparks of Sir john of Bordeaux remained, he recovered himself, and in short combat slew the Lion: who at his death roared so loud, that Saladyne awaked, and starting up was amazed at the sudden sight of so monstrous a beast lying slain by him, and so sweet a Gentleman wounded. He presently (as he was of a ripe conceit) began to conjecture, that the Gentleman had slain him in his defence. Whereupon (as a man in a trance) he stood staring on them both a good while, not knowing his Brother being in that disguise: at last he burst into these terms.  
Sir, whatsoever thou be (as full of honour thou must needs be, by the view of thy present valour) I perceive thou hast redressed my fortunes by thy courage, and saved my life with thine own loss: which ties me to be thine in all humble service. Thanks thou shalt have as thy due, and more thou canst not have: for my ability denies me to perform a deeper debt. But if any ways it please thee to command me, use me as far as the power of a poor Gentleman may stretch.  
Rosader seeing he was unknown to his Brother, wondered to hear such courteous words come from his crabbed nature, but glad of such reformed nurture, he made this answer. I am sir (whatsoever thou art) a Forester and Ranger of these walks: who following my Deer to the fall, was conducted hither by some assenting Fate, the I might save thee, and disparaged myself. For coming into this place, I saw thee a sleep, and the Lion watching thy awake, that at thy rising he might pray upon thy carcase. At the first sight I conjectured thee a Gentleman (for all men's thoughts ought to be fovorable in imagination) and I counted it the part of a resolute man to purchase a stranger's relief, though with the loss of his own blood: which I have performed (thou seest) to mine own prejudice. If therefore thou be a man of such worth as I value thee by thy exterior lineaments, make discourse unto me what is the cause of thy present misfortunes. For by the furrows in thy face thou seemest to be crossed with her frowns: but whatsoever or howsoever, let me crave that favour, to hear the tragic cause of thy estate. Saladyne sitting down, and fetching a deep sigh, began thus.   

Saladynes discourse to Rosader unknown.  
ALthough the discourse of my fortunes, be the renewing of my sorrows, and the rubbing of the scar, will open a fresh wound: yet that I may not prove ingrateful to so courteous a Gentleman, I will rather sit down and sigh out my estate, then give any offence by smothering my grief with silence. Know therefore (sir) that I am of Bourdeaux, and the son and heir of Sir john of Bourdeaux, a man for his virtues and valour so famous, that I cannot think, but the fame of his honours hath reached further than the knowledge of his parsonage. The infortunate son of so fortunate a Knight am I, my name Saladine: who succeeding my Father in possessions, but not in qualities, having two Brethren committed by my Father at his death to my charge, with such golden principles of brotherly concord, as might have pierced like the Sirens melody into any human ear. But I (with Ulysses became deaf against his Philosophical harmony, and made more value of profit than of virtue, esteeming gold sufficient honour, and wealth the fittest title for a gentleman's dignity: I set my middle brother to the University to be a Scholar, counting it enough if he might poor on a book while I fed on his revenues: and for the youngest (which was my Father's joy) young Rosader. And with that, naming of Rosader, Saladyne sat him down and wept,  
Nay forward man (quoth the Forester) tears are the unfittest salve that any man can apply for to cure sorrows, and therefore cease from such feminine follies, as should drop out of a woman's eye to deceive, not out of a Gentleman's look to discover his thoughts, and forward with thy discourse.  
Oh sir (quoth Saladyne) this Rosader that wrings tears from my eyes, and blood from my heart, was like my father in exterior parsonage & in inward qualities: for in the prime of his years he aimed all his acts at honour, and covered rather to die, than to brook any injury unworthy a Gentleman's credit. I, whom envy had made blind, and covetousness masked with the veil of self-love, seeing the Palm three grow strait, thought to suppress it being a twig: but Nature will have her course, the Cedar will be tall, the Diamond bright, the Carbuncle glistering, and virtue will shine though it be never so much obscured. For I kept Rosader as a slave, and used him as one of my servile hinds, until age grew on, and a secret insight of my abuse entered into his mind: insomuch, that he could not brook it, but coveted to have what his father left him, and to live of himself. To be short sir, I repined at his fortunes, and he counterchecked me not with ability but valour, until at last by my friends and aid of such as followed gold more than right or virtue, I banished him from Bourdeaux, and he poor Gentleman lives no man knows where in some distressed discontent. The Gods not able to suffer such impiety unrevenged, so wrought, that the King picked a causeless quarrel against me, in hope to have my lands, & so hath exiled me out of France for ever. Thus, thus sir, am I the most miserable of almen, as having a blemish in my thoughts for the wrongs I proffered Rosader, and a touch in my estate to be thrown from my proper possessions by injustice. passionate thus with many griefs, in penance of my former follies, I go thus pilgrim like to seek out my brother, that I may reconcile myself to him in all submission, and afterward wend to the holy Land, to end my years in as many virtues, as I have spent my youth in wicked vanities.  
Rosader hearing the resolution of his brother Saladyne, began to compassionate his sorrows, and not able to smother the sparks of Nature with feigned secretie, he burst into these loving speeches. Then know Saladyne (quoth he) that thou hast met with Rosader, who grieves as much to see thy distress, as thyself to feel the burden of thy misery. Saladyne casting up his eye, and noting well the phisnomy of the Forester, knew that it was his brother Rosader: which made him so bash and blush at the first meeting, that Rosader was feign to recomfort him. Which he did in such sort, that he showed how highly he held revenge in scorn. Much a do there was between these two brethren. Saladyne in craving pardon, and Rosader in forgiving and forgetting all former injuries: the one submiss, the other courteous; Saladyne penitent and passionate, Rosader kind and loving; that at length Nature working an union of their thoughts, they earnestly embraced, and fell from matters of unkindness, to talk of the Country life, which Rosader so highly commended, that his brother began to have a desire to taste of that homely content. In this humour Rosader conducted him to Gerismonds' Lodge, and presented his brother to the King, discoursing the whole matter how all had happened betwixt them. The King looking upon Saladyne, found him a man of a most beautiful parsonage, and saw in his face sufficient sparks of ensuing honours, gave him great entertainment, and glad of their friendly reconcilement, promised such favour as the povertic of his estate might afford: which Saladyne gratefully accepted. And so Gerismond fell to question Torismonds' life? Saladyne briefly discoursed unto him his injustice & tyrannies: with such modesty (although he had wronged him) that Gerismond greatly praised the sparing speech of the young Gentleman.  
Many questions past, but at last Gerismond began with a deep sigh, to inquire if there were any news of the welfare of Alinda or his daughter Rosalynd? None sir quoth Saladyne, for since their departure they were never heard of. Injurious Fortune (quoth the King) that to double the father's misery, wrong'st the daughter with misfortunes. And with that (surcharged with sorrows) he went into his Cell, and left Saladyne and Rosader, whom Rosader strait conducted to the sight of Adam Spencer. Who seeing Saladyne in that estate, was in a brown study: but when he heard the whole matter, although he grieved for the exile of his master, yet be joyed that banishment had so reform him, that from a lascivious youth he was proved a virtuous Gentleman. Looking a longer while, and seeing what familiarity passed between them, and what favours were interchanged with brotherly affection, he said thus: I marry, thus it should be, this was the concord that old sir john of Bourdeaux wished betwixt you. Now fulfil you those precepts he breathed out at his death, and in observing them, look to live fortunate, and die honourable. Well said Adam Spencer quoth Rosader, but hast any victuals in store for us? A piece of a red Deer (quoth he) and a bottle of wine. 'tis foresters fare brother, quoth Rosader: and so they sat down & sell to their cates. Assoon as they had taken their repast, and had well dined, Rosader took his brother Saladyne by the hand, and showed him the pleasures of the Forest, and what content they enjoyed in that mean estate. Thus for two or three days he walked up and down with his brother, to show him all the commodities that belonged to his walk. In which time he was missed of his Ganymede, who mused greatly (with Aliena) what should become of their forester. Somewhile they thought he had taken some word unkindly, and had taken the pet: then they imagined some new Love had withdrawn his fancy, or happily that he was sick, or detained by some great business of Gerismonds', or that he had made a reconcilement with his brother, and so returned to Bourdeaux.  
These conjectures did they cast in their heads, but specially Ganymede: who having Love in heart proved restless, and half without patience, that Rosader wronged her with so long absence: for Love measures every minute, and thinks hours to be days, and days to be months, till they feed their eyes with the sight of their desired object. Thus perplexed lived poor Ganymede: while on a day sitting with Aliena in a great dump, she cast up her eye, and saw where Rosader came pacing towards them with his Forest bill on his neck. At that sight her colour changed, and she said to Aliena, See Mistress where our jolly Forester comes. And you are not a little glad thereof (quoth Aliena) your nose bewrays what porridge you love, the wind cannot be tied within his quarter, the Sun shadowed with a veil, Oil hidden in water, nor Love kept out of of a woman's looks: but no more of that, Lupus est in fabula. Assoon as Rosader was come within the reach of her tongues end, Aliena began thus: Why how now gentle Forester, what wind hath kept you from hence? that being so newly married, you have no more care of your Rosalynd, but to absent yourself so many days? Are these the passions you painted out so in your Sonnets and roundelays? I see well hot love is soon cold, and that the fancy of men, is like to a lose feather that wandereth in the air with the blast of every wind. You are deceived Mistress quoth Rosader, 'twas a copy of unkindness that kept me hence, in that I being married, you carried away the Bride: but if I have given any occasion of offence by absenting myself these three days, I humbly sue for pardon: which you must grant of course, in that the fault is so friendly confessed with penance. But to tell you the truth (fair Mistress, and my good Rosalynd) my eldest brother by the injury of Torismond is banished from Bourdeaux, and by chance he and I met in the Forest. And here Rosader discoursed unto them what had happened betwixt them: which reconcilement made them glad, especially Ganymede. But Aliena hearing of the tyranny of her father, grieved inwardly, and yet smothered all things with such secrecy, that the concealing was more sorrow than the conceit: yet that her estate might be hid still, she made fair weather of it, and so let all pass.  
Fortune, that saw how these parties valued not her Deity, but held her power in scorn, thought to have about with them, and brought the matter to pass thus. Certain Rascals that lived by prowling in the Forest, who for fear of the Provost Martial had Caves in the groaves and thickets, to shroud themselves from his trains: hearing of the beauty of this fair shepherdess Aliena, thought to steal her away, and to give her to the King for a present, hoping, because the King was a great lecher, by such a gift to purchase all their pardons: and therefore came to take her and her Page away. Thus resolved, while Aliena and Ganymede were in sad talk, they came rushing in, and laid violent hands upon Aliena and her Page, which made them cry out to Rosader: who having the valour of his father stamped in his heart, thought rather to die in defence of his friends, than any way be touched with the least blemish of dishonour: and therefore dealt such blows amongst them with his weapon, as he did witness well upon their carcases, that he was no coward. But as Ne Hercules quidem contra duos, so Rosader could not resist a multitude, having none to back him: so that he was not only rebatted, but sore wounded, and Aliena and Ganymede had been quite carried away by these Rascals, had not Fortune (that meant to turn her frown into a favour) brought Saladyne that way by chance, who wandering to find out his brother's walk, encountered this crew: and seeing not only a shepherdess and her boy forced, but his brother wounded, he heaved up a Forest bill be had on his neck, and the first he struck had never after more need of the Physician: redoubling his blows with such courage, that the slaves were amazed at his valour.  
Rosader espying his brother so fortunately arrived, and seeing how valiantly he behaved himself, though sore wounded, rushed amongst them, and laid on such load, that some of the crew were slain, and the rest fled, leaving Aliena and Ganymede in the possession of Rosader and Saladyne.  
Aliena after she had breathed a while and was come to herself from this fear, looked about her, and saw where Ganymede was busy dressing up the wounds of the forester: but she cast her eye upon this courteous Champion that had made so hot a rescue, and that with such affection, that she began to measure every part of him with favour, and in herself to commend his parsonage and his virtue, holding him for a resolute man, that durst assail such a troop of unbridled villains. At last gathering her spirits together, she returned him these thanks.  
Gentle sir, whatsoever you be that have adventured your flesh to relieve our fortunes, & to have as many hidden virtues, as you have manifest resolutions. We poor Shepherds have no wealth but our flocks, and therefore can we not make requital with any great treasures: but our recompense is thanks, and our rewards to our friends without feigning. For rannsome therefore of this our rescue, you must content yourself to take such a kind gramercy, as a poor shepherdess and her Page may give: with promise (in what we may) never to prove ingrateful. For this Gentleman that is hurt, young Rosader, he is our good neighbour and familiar acquaintance, we'll pay him with smiles, and feed him with love-lookes: and though he be never the fatter at the years end, yet we'll so hamper him that he shall hold himself satisfied.  
Saladyne hearing this shepherdess speak so wisely, began more narrowly to pry into her perfection, and to survey all her lineaments with a curious insight: so long dallying in the flame of her beauty, that to his cost he found her to be most excellent: for Love that lucked in all these broils to have a blow or two, seeing the parties at the gaze, encountered them both with such a veny, that the stroke pierced to the heart so deep, as it could never after be razed out. At last after he had looked so long, till Aliena waxed red, he returned her this answer.  
Fair Shepherdess, if Fortune graced me with such good hap, as to do you any favour, I hold myself as contented, as if I had gotten a great conquest: for the relief of distressed women is the special point, that Gentleman are tied unto by honour: seeing then my hazard to rescue your harms, was rather duty than courtesy, thanks is more than belongs to the requital of such a favour. But lest I might seem either too coy or too careless of a Gentlewoman's proffer, I will take your kind gramercy for a recompense. All this while that he spoke, Ganymede looked earnestly upon him, and said, Truly Rosader, this Gentleman favours you much in the feature of your face. No marvel (quoth he, gentle Swain) for 'tis my eldest brother Saladyne. Your brother quoth Aliena? (and with that she blushed) he is the more welcome, and I hold myself the more his debtor: and for that he hath in my behalf done such a piece of service, if it please him to do me that honour, I will call him servant, and he shall call me mistress. Content sweet mistress quoth Saladyne, and when I forget to call you so, I will be unmindful of mine own self. Away with these quirks and quiddities of love quoth Rosader, and give me some drink, for I am passing thirsty, and then will I home for my wounds bleed sore, and I will have them dressed. Ganymede had tears in her eyes, and passions in her heart to see her Rosader so pained, and therefore stepped hastily to the bottle, and filling out some wine in a Mazer, she spiced it with such comfortable drugs as she had about her, and gave it him, which did comfort Rosader: that rising (with the help of his brother) he took his leave of them, and went to his Lodge. Ganymede assoon as they were out of sight, led his flocks down to a vale, and there under the shadow of a Beech tree sat down, and began to mourn the misfortunes of her sweet heart.  
And Aliena (as a woman passing discontent) severing herself from her Ganymede, sitting under a Lemon tree, began to to sigh out the passions of her new Love, and to meditate with herself on this manner.   

aliena's meditation.  
Ay me, now I see, and sorrowing sigh to see that Diana's Laurels are harbours for Venus' Doves, that there trace as well through the Lawns, wantoness as chaste ones, that Calisto be she never so chary, will cast one amorous eye at courting jove: that Diana herself will change her shape, but she will honour Love in a shadow: that maidens eyes be they as hard as Diamonds, yet Cupid hath drugs to make them more pliable than wax. See Alinda, how Fortune and Love have interleagued themselves to be thy foes: and to make thee their subject or else an abject, have inveigled thy sight with a most beautiful object. O'late thou didst hold Venus for a giglot, not a goddess, and now thou shalt be forced to sue suppliant to her Deity. Cupid was a boy and blind, but alas his eye had aim enough to pierce thee to the heart. While I lived in the Court, I held Love in contempt, and in high seats I had small desires. I knew not affection while I lived in dignity, nor could Venus countercheck me, as long as my fortune was majesty, and my thoughts honour: and shall I now be high in desires, when I am made low by Destiny?  
I have heard them say, that Love looks not at low cottages, that Venus' jets in Robes not in rags, that Cupid flies so high, that he scorns to touch poverty with his heel. Tush Alinda, these are but old wives tales, and neither authentical precepts, nor infallible principles: for experience tells thee, that Peasauntes have their passions, as well as Princes, that Swains as they have their labours, so they have their amoures, and Love lurks assoon about a Sheepcoate, as a Palace.  
Ah Alinda, this day in avoiding a prejudice thou art fallen into a deeper mischief, being rescued from the robbers, thou art become captive to Saladyne: and what then? Women must love, or they must cease to live: and therefore did Nature frame them fair, that they might be subject to fancy. But perhaps saladine's eye is levelde upon a more seemlier Saint. If it be so, bear thy passions with patience, say Love hath wronged thee, that hath not wrong him, and if he be proud in contempt, be thou rich in content, and rather die than discover any desire: for there is nothing more precious in a woman, than to conceal Love, and to die modest. He is the son and heir of sir john of Bourdeaux, a youth comely enough: oh Alinda, too comely, else hadst not thou been thus discontent: valiant, and that fettered thine eye: wise, else hadst thou not been now won: but for all these virtues, banished by thy father, and therefore if he know thy parentage, he will hate the fruit for the tree, and condemn the young sien for the old stock. Well, howsoever, I must love: and whomsoever, I will: and whatsoever betid, Aliena will think well of Saladyne: suppose he of me as he please. And with that fetching a deep sigh, she rise up, and went to Ganymede: who all this while sat in a great dump, fearing the imminent danger of her friend Rosader, but now Aliena began to comfort her, herself being over grown with sorrows, and to recall her from her melancholy with many pleasant persuasions. Ganymede took all in the best part, and so they went home together after they had folded their flocks, supping with old Coridon, who had provided there cates. He after supper, to pass away the night while bed time, began a long discourse, how Montanus the young shepherd that was in love with Phoebe, could by no means obtain any favour at her hands: but still pained in restless passions, remained a hopeless and perplexed Lover. I would I might (quoth Aliena) once see that Phoebe, is she so fair, that she thinks no shepherd worthy of her beauty? or so froward, that no love nor loyalty will content her, or so coy, that she requires a long time to he wooed, or so foolish that she forgets, that like a fop she must have a large harvest for a little corn?  
I cannot distinguish (quoth Coridon) of these nice qualities: but one of these days I'll bring Montanus and her down, that you may both see their persons, and note their passions: & then where the blame is, there let it rest. But this I am sure quoth Coridon, if all maidens were of her mind, the world would grow to a mad pass: for there would be great store of wooing and little wedding, many words and little worship, much folly and no faith. At this sad sentence of Coridon so solemnly brought forth, Aliena smiled: and because it waxed late, she and her page went to bed, both of them having fleas in their ears to keep them awake, Ganymede for the hurt of her Rosader, and Aliena for the affection she bore to Saladyne. In this discontented humour they passed away the time, till falling on sleep, their senses at rest, love left them to their quiet slumbers: which were not long. For as soon as Phoebus rose from his Aurora, and began to mount him in the Sky, summoning Plough-swains to their handy labour, Aliena arose, and going to the couch where Ganymede lay, awakened her page, and said the morning was far spent, the dew small, and time called them away to their folds. Ah, ah quoth Ganymede, is the wind in that door? then in faith I perreive that there is no Diamond so hard but will yield to the file, no Cedar so strong but the wind will shake, nor any mind so chaste but Love will change. Well Aliena, must Saladyne be the man, and will it be a match? Trust me he is fair and valiant, the son of a worthy Knight, whom if he imitate in perfection, as he represents him in proportion, he is worthy of no less than Aliena. But he is an exile, what then? I hope my Mistress respects the virtues not the wealth, and measures the qualities not the substance. Those Dames that are like Danae, that like jove in no shape but in a shower of gold: I wish them husbands with much wealth and little wit, that the want of the one may blemish the abundance of the other. It should (my Aliena) slain the honour of a shepherds life to set the end of passions upon pelf. loves eyes looks not so low as gold, there is no fees to be paid in Cupid's Courts: and in elder time (as Coridon hath told me) the shepherds Love-gifts were apples and chestnuts, & then their desires were loyal, and their thoughts constant. But now Quaerenda pecunia primum, post nummos virtus.  
And the time is grown to that which Horace in his satires wrote on: 
omnis enim res  
Virtus famae decus divina humanaque pulchris  
Divitiis parent: quas qui constrinxerint ille  
Clarus erit, fortis, justus, sapiens, etiam & rex  
Et quicquid volet-   
But Aliena let it not be so with thee in thy fancies, but respect his faith, and there an end. Aliena hearing Ganymede thus forward to further Saladyne in his affections, thought she kissed the child for the nurse's sake, and wooed for him that she might please Rosader, made this reply. Why Ganymede, whereof grows this persuasion? Hast thou seen Love in my looks? or are mine eyes grown so amorous, that they discover some new entertained fancies: If thou measurest my thoughts by my countenance, thou mayest prove as ill a physiognomer as the Lapidary, that aims at the secret virtues of the Topare, by the exterior shadow of the stone. The operation of the Agate is not known by the streaks, not the Diamond prized by his brightness, but by his hardness. The Carbuncle that shineth most, is not ever the most precious: and the Apothecaries choose not flowers for their colours, but for their virtues. women's faces are not always Calendars of fancy, nor do their thought and their looks ever agree: for when their eyes are fullest of favours, then are they oft most empty of desire: and when they seem to frown at disdain, then are they most forward to affection. If I be melancholy, than Ganymede, 'tis not a consequence that I am entangled with the perfection of Saladyne. But seeing fire cannot be hid in the straw, nor Love kept so covert but it will be spied, what should friends conceal fancies? Know my Ganymede, the beauty and valour, the wit and prowess of Saladyne hath fettered Aliena so far, as there is no object pleasing to her eyes, but the sight of Saladine: and if Love have done me justice, to wrap his thoughts in the folds of my face, and that he be as deeply enamoured as I am passionate: I tell thee Ganymede, there shall not be much wooing, for she is already won, and what needs a longer battery. I am glad quoth Ganymede, that it shall be thus proportioned, you to match with Saladyne, and I with Rosader: thus have the Destinies favoured us with some pleasing aspect, that have made us as private in our loves, as familiar in our fortunes.  
With this Ganymede start up, made her ready, and went into the fields with Aliena: where unfolding their flocks, they sat them down under an Olive tree, both of them amorous, & yet diversly affected: Aliena joying in the excellence of Saladyne, and Ganymede sorrowing for the wounds of her Rosader, not quiet in thought till she might hear of his health. As thus both of them sat in their dumps, they might espy where Coridon came running towards them (almost out of breath with his haste) ● What news with you (quoth Aliena) that you come in such post? Oh Mistress (quoth Coridon) you have a long time desired to see Phoebe the fair shepherdess whom Montanus loves: so now if it please you and Ganymede to walk with me to yonder thicket, there shall you see Montanus and her sitting by a Fountain, he courting her with his Country ditties, and she as coy as if she held love in disdain.  
The news were so welcome to the two Lovers, that up they rose, and went with Coridon. Assoon as they drew nigh the thicket, they might espy where Phoebe sat, (the fairest shepherdess in all Arden, and he the frolickst swain in the whole forest) she in a petticoat of scarlet, covered with a green mantle, & to shroud her from the Sun, a chaplet of roses: from under which appeared a face full of Nature's excellence, and two such eyes as might have amated a greater man than Montanus. At gaze upon this gorgeous Nymph sat the Shepherd, feeding his eyes with her favours, wooing with such piteous looks, & courting with such deep strained sighs, as would have made Diana herself to have been compassionate, at last fixing his looks on the riches of her face, his head on his hand, and his elbow on his knee, he sung this mournful Ditttie.   

Montanus' Sonnet.  

ATurtle sat upon a leavelesse tree,  
Mourning her absent fere,  
With sad and sorry cheer:  
About her wondering stood  
The Citizens of Wood,  
And whilst her plumes she rends,  
And for her love laments,  
The stately trees complain them,  
The birds with sorrow pain them:  
Each one that doth her view,  
Her pain and sorrows rue,  
But were the sorrows known,  
That me hath overthrown,  
Oh how would Phoebe sigh, if she did look on me?   

The love sick Polypheme that could not see,  
Who on the barren shore,  
His fortunes doth deplore,  
And melteth all in moan,  
For Galatea gone:  
And with his piteous cries,  
Afflicts both earth and skies:  
And to his woe betook,  
Doth break both pipe and book:  
For whom complains the Morn,  
For whom the Sea Nymphs mourn,  
Alas his pain is nought:  
For were my woe but thought,  
Oh how would Phoebe sigh, if she did look on me?   

Beyond compare my pain  
yet glad am I,  
If gentle Phoebe deign  
to see her Montan die.   
After this Montanus felt his passions so extreme, that he fell into this exclamation against the injustice of love.  

Helas' Tyrant plain de rigueur,  
Modere un peu ta violence:  
Que te sert si grand dispense?  
C'est trop de flames pour un cueur.  
Esparguez en une estincelle,  
Puis fay ton effort d'esmoûoir,  
La fiere qui ne veut point voir,  
En quel fu je brousle pour elle.  
Execute Amour ce dessein,  
Et rabaisse un peu son audace,  
Son cuer ne doit estre de glace.  
Bien que elle ait de Niege le sein.   
Montanus ended his Sonnet with such a volley of sighs, and such a stream of tears, as might have moved any but Phoebe to have granted him favour. But she measuring all his passions with a coy disdain, and triumphing in the poor shepherds pathetical humours, smiling at his martyrdom, as though love had been no malady, scornfully warbled out this Sonnet.   

Phoebe's Sonnet, a reply to Montanus passion.  

Down a down,  
Thus Phyllis sung  
by fancy once distressed:  
Who so by foolish love are stung,  
are worthily oppressed.  
And so sing I. With a down, down, etc.   

When Love was first begot,  
And by the movers will  
Did fall to human lot  
His solace to fulfil.  
Devoid of all deceit,  
A chaste and holy fire  
Did quicken man's conceit,  
And women's breast inspire,  
The Gods that saw the good  
That mortals did approve,  
With kind and holy mood,  
Began to talk of love.  
Down a down,  
Thus Phyllis sung  
by fancy once distressed, etc.   

But during this accord,  
A wonder strange to hear:  
Whilst Love in deed and word  
Most faithful did appear.  
False semblance came in place,  
By jealousy attended,  
And with a double face  
Both love and fancy blended.  
Which make the Gods for sake,  
And men from fancy fly,  
And maidens scorn a make,  
For sooth and so will I.  
Down a down.  
Thas Phyllis sung  
by fancy once distressed:  
Who so by foolish love are stung  
are worthily oppressed.  
And so sing I, with down, a down, a down a.   
Montanus hearing the cruel resolution of Phoebe, was so evergrowne with passions, that from amorous Ditties he fell flat into these terms: Ah Phoebe quoth he, whereof art thou made, that thou regardest not thy malady? Am I so hateful an object, that thine eyes condemn me for an object? or so base, that thy desires cannot stoop so low as to lend me a gracious look? My passions are many, my loves more, my thoughts loyalty, and my fancy faith: all devoted in humble devoir to the service of Phoebe: and shall I reap no reward for such fealties. The Swains daily labours is quit with the evenings hire, the Ploughman's toil is eased with the hope of corn, what the Ox sweats out at the plough, he farneth at the crib: but infortunate Montanus, hath no salve for his sorrows, nor any hope of recompense for the hazard of his perplexed passions. If Phoebe, time may plead the proof of my truth, twice seven winters have I loved fair Phoebe: if constancy be a cause to further my suit, Montanus thoughts have been sealed in the sweet of Phoebe's excellence, as far from change as she from love: if outward passions may discover inward affections, the furrows in my face may discover the sorrows of my heart, and the map of my looks the griefs of my mind. Thou seest (Phoebe) the tears of despair have made my cheeks full of wrinkles, and my scalding sighs have made the air Ecchoher pity conceived in my plaints: Philomele hearing my passions, hath left her mournful tunes to listen to the discourse of my miseries. I have portrayed in every tree the beauty of my Mistress, & the despair of my loves. What is it in the woods cannot witness my woes? and who is it would not pity my plaints? Only Phoebe. And why? Because I am Montanus, & she Phoebe: I a worthless Swain, and she the most excellent of all fairs. Beautiful Phoebe, oh might I say pitiful, then happy were I though I tasted but one minute of that good hap. Measure Montanus, not by his fortunes, but by his loves, and balance not his wealth, but his desires, & lend but one gracious look to cure a heap of disquieted cares: if not, ah if Phoebe cannot love, let a storm of frowns end the discontent of my thoughts, and so let me perish in my desires, because they are above my deserts: only at my death this favour cannot be denied me, that all shall say Montanus died for love of hard hearted Phoebe. At these words she filled her face full of frowns, and made him this short and sharp reply.  
Importunate shepherd, whose loves are lawless, because restless: are thy passions so extreme, that thou canst not conceal them with patience? Or art thou so folly-sicke, that thou must needs be fancie-sicke, & in thy affection tied to such an exigent, as none serves but Phoebe? Well sir, if your market can be made no where else, home again, for your Mart is at the fairest, Phoebe is no lettuce for your lips, and her grapes hangs so high, that gaze at them you may, but touch them you cannot. Yet Montanus I speak not this in pride, but in disdain: not that I scorn thee, but that I hate love: for I count it as great honour to triumph over fancy, as over fortune. Rest thee content therefore Montanus, cease from thy loves, and bridle thy looks, quench the sparkles before they grow to a further flame: for in loving me thou shalt but live by loss, & what thou utterest in words are all written in the wind. Wert thou (Montanus) as fair as Paris, as hardy as Hector, as constant as Troilus, as loving as Leander, Phoebe could not love, because she cannot love at all: & therefore if thou pursue me with Phoebus, I must fly with Daphne.  
Ganymede overhearing all these passions of Montanus, could not brook the cruelty of Phoebe, but starting from behind the bush said: And if Damsel you fled from me, I would transform you as Daphne to a bay, and then in contempt trample your branches under my feet. Phoebe at this sudden reply was amazed, especially when she saw so fair a Swain as Ganymede, blushing therefore she would have been gone: but that he held her by the hand, & prosecuted his reply thus. What shepherdess, so fair, and so cruel? Disdain beseems not cottages, nor coyness maids: for either they be condemned to be too proud, or too froward. Take heed fair Nymph, that in despising love, you be not overreached with love, and in shaking off all, shape yourself to your own shadow, & so with Narcissus prove passionate and yet unpitied. Oft have I heard, and sometime have I seen, high disdain turned to hot desires. Because thou art beautiful, be not so coy: as there is nothing more fair, so there is nothing more fading: as momentary as the shadows which grows from a cloudy Sun. Such (my fair Shepherdess) as disdain in youth desire in age, and then are they hated in the winter, that might have been loved in the prime. A wringled maid is like to a parched Rose, that is cast up in Coffers to please the smell, not worn in the hand to content the eye. There is no folly in Love to had I witted: and therefore be ruled by me, Love while thou art young, lest thou be disdained when thou art old. Beauty nor time cannot be recalde, and if thou love, like of Montanus for● as his desires are many, so his deserts are great.  
Phoebe all this while gazed on the perfection of Ganymede, as deeply enamoured on his perfection, as Montanus inveigled with hers: for her eye made survey of his excellent feature, which she found so rare, that she thought the ghost of Adonis had been leapt from Elysium in the shape of a Swain. When she blushed at her own folly to look so long on a stranger, she mildly made answer to Ganymede thus I cannot deny sir but I have heard of Love, though I never felt Love: and have read of such a goddess as Venus, though I never saw any but her picture: and perhaps, and with that she waxedred and bashful, and with all silent: which Ganymede perceiving, commended in herself the bashfulness of the maid, and desired her to go forward. And perhaps sir (quoth she) mine eye hath been more prodigal to day than ever before: and with that she stayed again, as one greatly passionate and perplexed. Aliena seeing the hare through the maze, had her forward with her prattle: but in vain, for at this abrupt period she broke off, and with her eyes full of tears, and her face covered with a vermilion die, she sat down and sighed. Whereupon, Aliena and Ganymede seeing the Shepherdess in such a strange plight, left Phoebe with her Montanus, wishing her friendly that she would be more pliant to Love, least in penance Venus joined her to some sharp repentance. Phoebe made no reply, but fetched such a sigh, that Echo made relation of her plaint: giving Ganymede such an adieu with a piercing glance, that the amorous Girle-boy perceived Phoebe was pinched by the heel.  
But leavig Phoebe to the follies of her new fancy, and Montanus to attend upon her: to Saladyne, who all this last night could not rest for the remembrance of Aliena: insomuch that he framed a sweet conceited Sonnet to content his humour, which he put in his bosom: being requested by his brother Rosader to go to Aliena and ganymed, to signify unto them that his wounds were not dangerous. A more happy message could not happen to Saladyne, that taking his Forest bill on his neck, he trudgeth in all haste towards the plains, where aliena's flocks did feed: coming just to the place when they returned from Montanus and Phoebe. Fortune so conducted this jolly Forester, that he encountered them and Coridon, whom he presently saluted in this manner.  
Fair Shepherdess, and too fair, unless your beauty be tempered with courtesy, and the lineaments of the face graced with the lowliness of mind: as many good fortunes to you and your Page, as yourselves can desire, or imagine. My brother Rosader (in the grief of his green wounds) still mindful of his friends, hath sent me to you with a kind salute, to show that he brooks his pains with the more patience, in that he holds the parties precious in whose defence he received the prejudice. The report of your welfare, will be a great comfort to his distempered body and distressed thoughts, and therefore he sent me with a strict charge to visit you. And you (quoth Aliena) are the more welcome in that you are messenger from so kind a Gentleman, whose pains we compassionate with as great sorrow, as he brooks them with grief: and his wounds breeds in us as many passions, as in him extremities: so that what disquiet he feels in body, we partake in heart. Wishing (if we might) that your mishap might salve his malady. But seeing our wills yields him little ease, our orisons are never idle to the Gods for his recovery. I pray youth (quoth Ganymede with tears in his eyes) when the Surgeon searched him, held he his wounds dangerous? Dangerous (quoth Saladyne) but not mortal: and the sooner to be cured, in that his patient is not impatient of any pains: whereupon my brother hopes within these ten days to walk abroad and visit you himself. In the mean time (quoth Ganymede) say his Rosalynde commends her to him, and bids him be of good cheer. I know not (quoth Saladyne) who that Rosalynde is, but whatsoever she is, her name is never out of his mouth: but amidst the deepest of his passions he useth Rosalynde as a charm to appease all sorrows with patience. Insomuth that I conjecture my brother is in love, and she some Paragon that holds his heart perplexed: whose name he oft records with sighs, sometimes with tears, strait with joy, then with smiles: as if in one person Love had lodged a Chaos of confused passions. Wherein I have noted the variable disposition of fancy, that like the Polype in colours, so it changeth into sundry humours, being as it should seem, a combat mix with disquiet, and a bitter pleasure wrapped in a sweet prejudice, like to the Sinople tree, whose blossoms delight the smell, and whose fruit infects the taste. By my faith (quoth Aliena) sir, you are deep read in love, or grows your insight into affection by experience? Howsoever, you are a great Philosopher in Venus' principles, else could you not discour our secret aphorisms. But sir our Country amours are not like your Courtly fancies, nor is our wooing like your suing: for poor shepherds never plain them till love pain them, where the Courtiers eyes is full of passions, when his heart is most free from affection: they court to discover their eloquence, we woo to ease our sorrows, every fair face with them must have a new fancy sealed with afore finger kiss, and a far fetched sigh: we here love one, and live to that one, so long as life can maintain love, using few ceremonies because we know few subtleties, and little eloquence for that we lightly account of flattery: only faith and troth that's shepherds wooing, and sir how like you of this? So (quoth Saladyne) as I could tie myself to such love, What, and look so low as a Shepherdess, being the son of sir john of Bourdeaux: such desires were a disgrace to your honours. And with that surveying exquisitely every part of him, as uttering all these words in a deep passion, she espied the paper in his bosom: whereupon growing jealous that it was some amorous Sonnet, she suddenly snatched it out of his bosom, and asked if it were any secret? She was bashful, and Saladyne blushed: which she perceiving said: Nay then sir, if you wax red, my life for yours 'tis some Love matter: I will see your Mistress name, her praises, and your passions. And which that she looked on it: which was written to this effect.   

Saladynes Sonnet.  

If it be true that heavens eternal course  
With restless sway and ceaseless turning glides,  
If air inconstant be, and swelling source  
Turn and returns with many fluent tides,  
If earth in winter summer's pride estrange,  
And Nature seemeth only fair in change.   

If it be true that our immortal sprite  
Derived from heavenly pure, in wandering still  
In novelty and strangeness doth delight,  
And by discoverent power discerneth ill,  
And if the body for to work his best  
Doth with the seasons change his place of rest.   

Whence comes it that (enforced by furious Skies)  
I change both place and soil, but not my heart?  
Yet salve not in this change my maladies?  
Whence grows it that each object works my smart?  
Alas I see my faith procures my miss,  
And change in love against my nature is.  
Et florida pungunt.   
Aliena having read over his Sonnet, began thus pleasantly to descant upon it. I see Saladyne (quoth she) that as the Su● is no Sun without his brightness, nor the Diamond accounted for precious unless it be hard: so men are not men unless they be in love: and their honours are measured by their amours not their labours, counting it more commendable for a Gentleman to be full of fancy, than full of virtue. I had thought 
Otiasi tollus periere Cupidinis arcus,  
Contemptaeque jacent, & sine luce faces:   
But I see Ovid's axiom is not authentical, for even labour hath her loves, and extremity is no Pumice stone to race out fancy. Yourself exiled from your wealth, friends and country by Torismond, (sorrows enough to suppress affections) yet amidst the depth of these extremities. Love will be Lord, and sh●w his power to be more predominant than Fortune. But I pray you sir (if without offence I may crave it) are they some new thoughts, or some old desires? Saladyne (that now saw opportunity pleasant) thought to strike while the iron was hot, and therefore taking Aliena by the hand sat down by her: and Ganymede to give them leave to their Loves, found herself busy about the folds, whilst Saladyne fell into this prattle with Aliena.  
Fair Mistress, if I be blunt in discovering my affections, and use little eloquence in leveling out my loves: I appeal for pardon to your own principles, that say, shepherds use few ceremonies, for that they acquaint themselves with few subtleties: to frame myself therefore to your country fashion with much faith and little flattery, know beautiful Shepherdess, that whilst I lived in the Court I knew not Loves cumber, but I held affection as a toy, not as a malady: using fancy as the Hiperborei do their flowers, which they wear in their bosom all day, and cast them in the fire for fuel at night. I liked all because I loved none, and who was most fair, on her I fed mine eye: but as charily as the Bee, that assoon as she hath sucked honey from the Rose, Flies strait to the next Marigold. Living thus at mine own list, I wondered at such as were in love, and when I read their passions, I took them only for poems that flowed from the quickness of the wit, not the sorrows of the heart. But now (fair Nymph) since I became a Forester, Love hath taught me such a lesson that I must confess his deity and dignity, and say as there is nothing so precious as beauty, so there is nothing more piercing than fancy. For since first I arrived in this place, and mine eye took a curious survey of your excellence, I have been so fettered with your beauty and virtue, as sweet (Aliena) Saladyne without further circumstance loves Aliena I could paint out my desires with long ambages, but seeing in many words lies mistrust, & that truth is ever naked: let this suffice for a country wooing, Saladyne loves Aliena, and none but Aliena.  
Although these words were most heavenly harmony in the ears of the Shepherdess: yet to seem coy at the first courting, and to disdain Love howsoever she desired Love, she made this reply.  
Ah Saladyne, though I seem simple, yet I am more subtle than to swallow the hook because it hath a painted bait: as men are wily so women are wary, especially if they have that wit by others harms to beware. Do we not know Saladyne, that men's tongues are like Mercury's pipe, that can enchant Argus with an hundredth eyes: and their words are prejudicial as the charms of Circe's, that transform men into monsters. If such Sirens sing, we poor women had need stop our ears, lest in hearing we prove so foolish hardy as to believe them, and so perish in crusting much, and suspecting little. Saladine, Piscator ictus sapit, he that hath been once poisoned, and afterwards fears not to bows of every potion, is worthy to suffer double penance. Eive me leave then to mistrust, though I do not condemn. Saladyne is now in love with Aliena, he a Gentleman of great parentage, she a Shepherdess of mean parents: he honourable, and she poor? Can Love consist of contrarieties? Will the Falcon perch with the Kistresse, the Lion harbour with the Wolf? Will Venus join robes and rags together? Or can there be a sympathy between a King and a beggar. Then Saladyne how can I believe thee that love should unite our thoughts, when Fortune hath set such a difference between our degrees? But suppose thou likest of aliena's beauty, men in their fancy resemble the wasp, which scorns that flower from which she hath fetched her wax: playing like the inhabitants of the Island Tenerifa, who when they have gathered the sweet spices, use the trees for fuel: so men when they have glutted themselves with the fair of women faces, hold them for necessary evils: and wearied with that which they seemed so much to love, cast away fancy as children do their Rattles: and loathing that which so deeply before they liked, especially such as take love in a minute, and have their eyes attractive like ieate, ape to entertain any object, are as ready to let it slip again. Saladyne hearing how Aliena harped still upon on● string, which was the doubt of men's constancy, he broke off her sharp invective thus.  
I grant Aliena (quoth he) many men have done amiss, in proving soon ripe and soon rotten, but particular instances infer no general conclusions: and therefore I hope what others have faulted in, shall not prejudice my favours. I will not use sophistry to confirm my love, for that is subtlety: nor long discourses, lest my words might be thought more than my faith: but if this will suffice, that by the honour of a Gentleman I love Aliena, and woo Aliena, not to crop the blossoms and reject the tree, but to consummate my faithful desires, in the honourable end of marriage.  
At this word marriage: Aliena stood in a maze what to answer: fearing that if she were too coy to drive him away with her disdain, and if she were too courteous to discover the heat of her desires. In a dilemma thus what to do, at last this she said. Saladyne ever since I saw thee, I favoured thee I cannot dissemble my desires, because I see thou dost faithfully manifest thy thoughts, and in liking thee I love thee so far as mine honour holds fancy still in suspense: but if I knew thee as virtuous as thy father, or as well qualified as thy brother Rosader, the doubt should be quickly decided: but for this time to give thee an answer, assure thyself this, I will either marry with Saladyne, or still live a virgin: and with this they strained one another's hand. Which Ganymede espying, thinking he had had his Mistress long enough at shrift, said: what, a match or no? A match (quoth Aliena) or else it were an ill market. I am glad (quoth Ganymede) I would Rosader were well here to make up a mess. Well remembered (quoth Saladyne) I forgot I left my brother Rosader alone: and therefore least being solitary he should increase his sorrows, I will hast me to him. May it please you then to command me any service to him, I am ready to be a dutiful messenger. Only at this time commend me to him (quoth Aliena) and tell him, though we cannot pleasure him we pray for him. And forget not (quoth Ganymede) my commendations: but say to him that Rosalynd sheds as many tears from her heart as he drops of blood from his wounds, for the sorrow of his misfortunes, feathering all her thoughts with disquiet, till his welfare procure her content: say thus (good Saladyne) and so farewell. He having his message, gave a courteous adieu to them both, especially to Aliena: and so playing loath to departed, went to his brother. But Aliena, she perplexed and yet joyful, past away the day pleasantly still praising the perfection of Saladyne, not ceasing to chat of her new Love, till evening drew on, and then they folding their sheep, went home to bed. Where we leave them and return to Phoebe.  
Phoebe fired with the uncouth flame of love, returned to her father's house, so gauled with restless passions, as now she began to acknowledge, that as there was no flower so fresh but might be parched with the Sun, no tree so strong but might be shaken with a storm, so there was no thought to chaste, but Time armed with Love could make amorous: for she that held Diana for the Goddess of her devotion, was now fain to fly to the Altar of Venus, as suppliant now with prayers, as she was froward afore with disdain. As she lay in her bed, she called to mind the several beauties of young Ganymede, first his locks, which being amber hued, passeth the wreath that Phoebus puts on to make his front glorious: his brow of ivory, was like the seat where Love and Majesty sits enthroned to enchain Fancy: his eyes as bright as the burnishing of the heaven, darting forth frowns with disdain, and smiles with favour, lightning such looks as would inflame desire, were she wrapped in the Circle of the frozen Zone: in his cheeks the vernullion teinture of the Rose flourished upon natural Alabaster, the blush of the Morn and Luna's silver show were so lively portrayed, that the Trojan that fills out wine to jupiter was not half so beautiful: his face was full of pleasance, and all the rest of his lineaments proportioned with such excellence, as Phoebe was fertred in the sweetness of his feature. The Idea of these perfections tumbling in her mind, made the poor Shepherdess so perplexed, as feeling a pleasure tempered with intolerable pains, and yet a disquiet mixed with a content, she rather wished to die, than to live in this amorous anguish. But wishing is little worth in such extremes, & therefore was she forced to pine in her malady, without any salve for her sorrows. Reveal it she durst not, as daring in such matters to make none her secretary, and to conceal it, why it doubled her grief: for as fire suppressed grows to the greater flame, and the Curreut stopped to the more violent stream: so Love smothered, wrings the hare with the deeper passions.  
Perplexed thus with sundry agonies, her food began to fail, and the disquiet of her mind began to work a distemperature of her body, that to be short Phoebe fell extreme sick, and so sick as there was almost left no recovery of health. Her father seeing his fair Phoebe thus distressed, sent for his friends, who sought by medicine to cure, and by counsel to pacify, but all in vain: for although her body was feeble through long fasting, yet did she magis aegrotare animo quàm corpore. Which her friends perceived and sorrowed at, but salve it they could not.  
The news of her sickness was bruited abroad through all the Forest: which no sooner came to Montanus ear, but he like a mad man came to visit Phoebe. Where sitting by her bed side, he began his Exordium with so many tears and sighs, that she perceiving the extremity of his sorrows, began now as a Lover to pity them, although Ganymede held her from redressing them. Montanus craved to know the cause of her sickness, tempered with secret plaints: but she answered him (as the rest) with silence, having still the form of Ganymede in her mind, and conjecturing how she might reveal her loves. To utter it in words she found herself too bashful, to discourse by any friend she would not trust any in her amours, to remain thus perplexed still and conceal all, it was a double death. Whereupon for her last refuge she resolved to write unto Ganymede: and therefore desired Montanus to absent himself a while, but not to departed: for she would see if she could steal a nap. He was no sooner gone out of the chamber, but reaching to her standish, she took pen and paper, and wrote a letter to this effect.  
Phoebe to Ganymede wisheth what she wants herself.  
Fair Shepherd (and therefore is Phoebe infortunate, because thou art so fair) although hitherto mine eyes were adamants to resist Love, yet I no sooner saw thy face, but they became amorous to entertain Love: more devoted to fancy, than before they were repugnant to affection, addicted to the one by nature, and drawn to the other by beauty: which being rare, and made the more excellent by many virtues, hath so snared the freedom of Phoebe, as she rests at thy mercy, either to be made the most fortunate of all maidens, or the most miserable of all women. Measure not Ganymede my loves by my wealth, nor my desires by my degrees: but think my thoughts as full of faith, as thy face of amiable favours. Then as thou know'st thyself most beautiful, suppose me most constant. If thou deemest me hard hearted because I hated Montanus, think I was forced to it by fate: if thou sayst I am kind hearted, because so lightly I loved thee at the first look, think I was driven to it by destiny, whose influence as it is mighty, so is it not to be resisted. If my fortunes were any thing but infortunate love, I would strive with fortune: but he that wrists against the will of Venus, seeks to quench fire with oil, & to thrust out one thorn by putting in another. If then Ganymede, love enters at the eye, harbours in the heart, and will neither be driven out with physic nor reason: pity me, as one whose malady hath no salve but from thy sweet self, whose grief hath no ease but through thy grant, and think I am a Virgin, who is deeply wronged, when I am forced to woe, and coviecture love to be strong, that is more forcible than nature.  
Thus distressed unless by thee eased, I expect either to live fortunate by thy favour, or die miserable by thy denial. Living in hope. Farewell.  
She that must be thine, or not be at all Phoebe.  
To this letter she annexed this Sonnet.   

Sonnetto.  

My boat dothpasse the straits  
of seas incensed with fire,  
Filled with forgetfulness:  
amidst the winter's night,  
A blind and careless boy  
(brought up by fond desire)  
Doth guide me in the sea  
of sorrow and despite.   

For every oar, he sets  
a rank of foolish thoughts,  
And cuts (instead of wave)  
a hope without distress:  
The winds of my deep sighs  
(that thunder still for noughts)  
Have split my sails with fear,  
with care and heaviness.   

A mighty storm of tears,  
A black and hideous cloud,  
A thousand fierce disdains  
do slack the haleyards oft:  
Till ignorance do pull,  
and error hale the shrouds,  
No star for safety shines,  
no Phoebe from aloft.  
Time hath subdued art, and joy is slave to woe:  
Alas (loves guide) be kind, what shall I perish so?   
This Letter and the Sonnet being ended, she could find no fit messenger to send it by, and therefore she called in Montanus, & entreated him to carry it to Ganymede. Although poor Montanus saw day at a little hole, and did perceive what passion pinched her: yet (that he might seem dutiful to his Mistress in all service) he dissembled the matter, and became a willing Messenger of his own Martyrdom. And so (taking the Letter) went the next morn very early to the plains where Aliena fed her flocks, and there he found Ganymede sitting under a Pomegranade tree sorrowing for the hard fortunes of her Rosader. Montanus saluted him, and according to his charge delivered Ganymede the letters, which (he said) came from Phoebe. At this the wanton blushed, as being abash to think what news should come from an unknown Shepherdess, but taking the letters, unripped the seals, and read over the discourse of Phoebe's fancies. When she had read and overread them, Ganymede began to smile, and looking on Montanus, fell into a great laughter: and with that called Aliena, to whom she showed the writings. Who having perused them, conceited them very pleasantly, and smiled to see how Love had yoked her, who before would not stoop to the lure, Aliena whispering Ganymede in the ear, and saying: Knew Phoebe what want there were in thee to perform her will, and how unfit thy kind is to be kind to her, she would be more wise, and less enamoured: But leaving that, I pray thee let us sport with this Swain. At that word Ganymede turning to Montanus, began to glance at him thus.  
I pray thee tell me Shepherd, by those sweet thoughts and pleasing sighs that grow from my Mistress favours, art thou in love with Phoebe? Oh my youth, quoth Montanus, were Phoebe so far in love with me, my flocks would be more fat and their Master more quiet: for through the sorrows of my discontent grows the leanness of my sheep. Alas poor Swain quoth Ganymede, are thy passions so extreme, or thy fancy so resolute, that no reason will blemish the pride of thy affection, and race out that which thou strivest for without hope? Nothing can make me forget Phoebe, while Montanus forget himself: for those characters which true love hath stamped, neither the envy of time nor fortune can wipe away. Why but Montanus quoth Ganymede, enter with a deep insight into the despair of thy fancies, and thou shalt see the depth of thine own follies: for (poor man) thy progress in love is a regress to loss, swimming again the stream with the Crab, and flying with Apis Indica against wind and weather. Thou seekest with Phoebus to win Daphne, and she flies faster than thou canst follow: thy desires soar with the Hobby, but her disdain reacheth higher than thou canst make wing. I tell thee Montanus, in courting Phoebe, thou barkest with the Wolves of Syria against the Moon, and roavest at such a mark with thy thoughts, as is beyond the pitch of thy bow, praying to love, when love is pitiless, and thy malady remediless. For proof Montanus, read these letters, wherein thou shalt see thy great follies and little hope.  
With that Montanus took them and perused them, but with such sorrow in his looks, as they bewrayed a source of confused passions in his heart, at every line his colour changed, and every sentence was ended with a period of sighs.  
At last noting Phoebe's extreme desire toward Ganymede, and her disdain towards him, giving Ganymede the letter, the Shepherd stood as though he had neither won nor lost. Which Ganymede perceiving, wakened him out of his dream thus: Now Montanus, dost thou see thou vowest great service, and obtainest but little reward: but in am of thy loyalty, she maketh thee as Bellephoron carry thine own bane. Then drink not willingly of that potion wherein thou knowest is poison, creep not to her that cares not for thee. What Montanus, there are many as fair as Phoebe, but most of all more courteous than Phoebe. I tell thee Shepherd, favour is loves fuel: then since thou canst not get that, let the flame vanish into smoke, and rather sorrow for a while, then repent thee for ever.  
I tell thee Ganymede (quoth Montanus) as they which are stung with the Scorpion, cannot be recovered but by the Scorpion, nor he that was wounded with Achilles' lance be cured but with the same truncheon: so Apollo was feign to cry out, that love was only eased with love, & fancy healed by no medicine but favour. Phoebus' had herbs to heal all hurts but this passion, Circe's had charms for all chances but for affection, & Mercury subtle reasons to refel all griefs but love. Persuasions are bootless, reason lends no remedy, counsel no comfort, to such whom fancy hath made resolute: & therefore though Phoebe loves Ganymede, yet Montanus must honour none but Phoebe.  
Then quoth Ganymede, may I rightly term thee a despairing lover, that livest without joy, and lovest without hope: but what shall I do Montanus to pleasure thee? shall I despise Phoebe as she disdains thee? Oh (quoth Montanus) that were to renew my griefs, and double my sorrows: for the sight of her discontent were the censure of my death. Alas Ganymede, though I perish in my thoughts, let not her die in her desires. Of all passions, love is most impatient: then let not so fair a creature as Phoebe sink under the burden of so deep distress. Being love sick, she is proved heart sick, & all for the beauty of Ganymede. Thy proportion hath entangled her affections, and she is snared in the beauty of thy excellence. Then sith she loves thee so dear, mislike not her deadly. Be thou paramour to such a paragon: she hath beauty to please thine eye, and flocks to enrich thy store. Thou canst not wish for more than thou shalt win by her: for she is beautiful, virtuous and wealthy, three deep persuasions to make love frolic. A liena seeing Montanus cut it against the hair, and plead that Ganymede ought to love Phoebe, when his only life was the love of Phoebe, answered him thus. Why Montanus dost thou further this motion? seeing if Ganymede marry Phoebe thy market is clean marred. Ah Mistress (q. he) so hath love taught me to honour Phoebe, that I would prejudice my life to pleasure her, and die in despair rather than she should perish for want. It shall suffice me to see her contented, and to feed mine eye on her favour. If she marry though it be my martyrdom: yet if she be pleased I will brook it with patience, & triumph in mine own stars to see her desires satisfied. Therefore if Ganymede be as courteous as he is beautiful, let him show his virtues in redressing Phoebe's miseries. And this Montanus pronounced with such an assured countenance, that it amazed both Aliena and Ganymede to see the resolution of his loves: so that they pitied his passions, & commended his patience, devising how they might by any subtlety get Montanus the favour of Phoebe. Strait (as women's heads are full of wiles) Ganymede had a fetch to force Phoebe to fancy the shepherd, malgrado the resolution of her mind he prosecuted his policy thus. Montanus quoth he, seeing Phoebe is so forlorn, lest I might be counted unkind in not salving so fair a creature, I will go with thee to Phoebe, and there hear herself in word utter that which she hath discoursed with her pen, and then as Love wills me. I will set down my censure. I will home by our house, and send Coridon to accompany Aliena. Montanus seemed glad of his determination, and away they go towards the house of Phoebe. When they drew nigh to the cottage, Montanus ran afore, and went in and told Phoebe, that Ganymede was at the door. This word Ganymede sounding in the ears of Phoebe, drove her into such an ecstasy for joy, that rising up in her bed, she was half revine, & her wan colour began to wax red: and with that came Ganymede in, who saluted Phoebe with such a courteous look, that it was half a salve to her sorrows: sitting him down by her bed side, he questioned about her disease, and where the pain chief held hit? Phoebe looking as lovely as Venus in her night gear, tainting her face with as ruddy a blush, as Clitia did when she bewrayed her loves to Phoebus: taking Ganymede by the hand began thus. Fair shepherd, if love were not more strong than nature, or fancy the sharpest extreme, my immodesty were the more, & my virtues the les: for nature hath framed women's eyes bashful, their hearts full of fear, & their tongues full of silence: But love, that imperious love, where his power is predominant, than he perverts all, & wrists the wealth of nature to his own will: an instance in myself fair Ganymede, for such a fire hath he kindled in my thoughts, that to find ease for the flame, I was forced to pass the bounds of modesty, & seek a salve at thy hands for my harms: blame me not if I be over beld for it is thy beauty, & if I be too forward it is fancy, & the deep insight into thy virtues that makes me thus fond. For let me say in a word what may be contained in a volume, Phoebe love Ganymede: at this she held down her head and wept, and Ganymede rose as one that would suffer no fish to hang on his fingers, made this reply. Water not thy plants Phoebe, for I dopity thy plaints, nor seek not to discover thy loves in tears: for I conjecture thy truth by thy passions: sorrow is no salve for loves, nor sighs no remedy for affection. Therefore frolic Phoebe, for if Ganymede can cure thee, doubt not of recovery. Yet this let me say without offence, that it grieves me to thwart Montanus in his fancies, seeing his desires have been so resolute, & his thoughts so loyal: but thou allegest that thou art forced from him by fate: so I tell thee Phoebe, either some star, or else some destiny, fits my mind rather with Adonis to die in chase, than be counted a wanton in Venus' knee. Although I pity thy martyrdom, yet I can grant no marriage; for though I held thee fair, yet mine eye is not fettered, love grows not like the herb Spattanna to his perfection in one night but creeps with the snail, & yet at last attains to the top Festina Lenter especially in love: for momentary fancies are often times the fruits of follies: If Phoebe I should like thee as the Hiperborei do their dates, which banquet with them in the morning, & throw them away at night, my folly should be great, & thy repentance more. Therefore I will have time to turn my thoughts, and my Loves shall grow up as the water Cresses, slowly, but with a deep root. Thus Phoebe thou mayst see I disdain not though I desire not, remaining indifferent till time & love makes me resolute. Therefore Phoebe seek not to suppress affection, and with the love of Montanus quench the remembrance of Ganymede, strive thou to hate me as I seek to like of thee, and ever have the duties of Montanus in thy mind, for I promise thee thou mayest have one more wealthy, but not more loyal. These words were corrosives to the perplexed Phoebe, that sobbing out sighs, and straining out tears, she blubbered out these words.  
And shall I then have no salve of Ganymede but suspense, no hope but a doubtful hazard, no comfort, but be posted off to the will of time: justly have the Gods balanced my fortunes, who being cruel to Montanus, found Ganymede as unkind to myself: so in forcing him perish for love, I shall die myself with overmuch love. I am glad quoth Ganymede, you look into your own faults, and see where your shoe wrings you, measuring now the pains of Montanus by your own passions. Truth q. Phoebe, and so deeply I repent me of my frowardness towards the shepherd, that could I cease to love Ganymede, I would resolve to like Montanus. What if I can with reason persuade Phoebe to mislike of Ganymede, will she then favour Montanus? When reason (quoth she) doth quench that love that I own to thee, then will I fancy him: conditionally, that if my love can be suppressed with no reason, as being without reason, Ganymede will only wed himself to Phoebe. I grant it fair Shepherdess quoth he: and to feed thee with the sweetness of hope, this resolve on: I will never marry myself to woman but unto thyself: & with that Ganymede gave Phoebe a fruitless kiss, and such words of comfort, that before Ganymede departed she arose out of her bed, & made him and Montanus such cheer, as could be found in such a country cottage. Ganymede in the midst of their banquet rehearsing the promises of either in Montanus favour, which highly pleased the Shepherd. Thus all three content, and soothed up in hope, Ganymede took his leave of Phoebe & departed, leaving her a contented woman, & Montanus highly pleased. But poor Ganymede, who had her thoughts on her Rosader, when she called to remembrance his wounds, filled her eyes full of tears, and her heart full of sorrows, plodded to find Aliena at the Folds, thinking with her presence to drive away her passions. As she came on the plains, she might espy where Rosader and Saladyne sat with Aliena under the shade: which sight was a salve to her grief, and such a cordial unto her heart, that she tripped alongst the Lawns full of joy.  
At last Coridon who was with them spied Ganymede, and with that the Clown rose, & running to meet him cried, Oh sirrah, a match, a match, our Mistress shallbe married on sunday. Thus the poor peasant frolic it before Ganymede, who coming to the crew saluted them all, and especially Rosader, saying that he was glad to see him so well recovered of his wounds. I had not gone abroad so soon quoth Rosader, but that I am bidden to a marriage, which on Sunday next must be solemnized between my brother and Aliena. I see well where Love leads delay is loathsome, and that small wooing serves, where both the parties are willing. Truth quoth Ganymede: but a happy day should it be, if Rosader that day might be married to Rosalynd. Ah good Ganymede (quoth he) by naming Rosalynd renew not my sorrows: for the thought of her perfections, is the thrall of my miseries. Tush, be of good cheer man quoth Ganymede, I have a friend that is deeply experienced in Negromancy and Magic, what art can do shall be acted for thine advantage: I will cause him to bring in Rosalynde, if either France or any bordering Nation harbour her: and upon that take the faith of a young shepherd. Aliena smiled to see how Rosader frowned, thinking that Ganymede had jested with him. But breaking off from those matters, the Page (somewhat pleasant) began to discourse unto them what had passed between him and Phoebe: which as they laughed, so they wondered at, all confessing, that there is none so chaste but Love will change. Thus they passed away the day in chat, and when the Sun began to set, they took their leaves and departed: Aliena providing for their marriage day such solemn cheer and handsome robes as fitted their country estate, & yet somewhat the better, in that Rosader had promised to bring Gerismond thither as a guest. Ganymede (who then meant to discover herself before her father, had made her a gown of green, and a kirtle of the finest sendal, in such sort that she seemed some heavenly Nymph harboured in Country attire.  
Saladine was not behind in care to set out the nuptials, nor Rosader unmindful to bid guests, who invited Gerismond and all his followers to the feast: who willingly granted, so that there was nothing but the day wanting to his marriage. In the mean while, Phoebe being a bidden guest, made herself as gorgeous as might be to please the eye of Ganymede: and Montanus suited himself with the cost of many of his flocks to be gallant against that day: for than was Ganymede to give Phoebe an answer of her loves, and Montanus either to hear the doom of his misery, or the censure of his happiness. But while this gear was a brewing. Phoebe passed not one day without visiting her Ganymede, so far was she wrapped in the beauties of this lovely swain. Much prattle they had, and the discourse of many passions, Phoebe wishing for the day (as she thought) of her welfare, & Ganymede smiling to think what unexpected events would fall out at the wedding. In these humours the week went away, that at last sunday came.  
No sooner did Phoebus' Henchman appear in the sky, to give warning that his masters horses should be crapt in his glorious couch, but Coridon in his holiday suit marvelous seemly, in a russet iatket welted with the same, & faced with red worsted, having a pair of blue chamblet sleeves, bound at the wrists with four yellow laces, closed afore very richly with a dozen of pewter buttons: his hose was of grey kerchief, with a large slop bard overthwart the pocket holes with three fair guards, stitched of either side with red thread, his stock was of the own sewed close to his breech, and for to beautify his hose, he had trust himself round with a dozen of new threaden points of medley colour: his bonnet was green whereon stood a copper brooch with the picture of Saint Denis: and to want nothing that might make him amorous in his old days, he had a fair shirt band of fine lockeram, whipped over with Coventry blew of no small cost. Thus attired, Coridon bestirred himself as chief stickler in these actions, and had strewed all the house with flowers, that it seemed rather some of Flora's choice hours, than any country cottage.  
Thither repaired Phoebe with all the maids of the Forest, to set out the bride in the most seemliest sort that might be: but howsoever she helped to prank out Aliena, yet her eye was still on Ganymede, who was so neat in a suit of grey, that he seemed Endymion when he won Luna with his looks, or Paris when he played the swain to get the beauty of the Nymph Oenone. Ganymede like a pretty Page waited on his mistress Aliena, and overlooked that all was in a readiness against the bridegroom should come. Who attired in a foresters suit came accompanied with Gerismond & his brother Rosader early in the morning, where arrived, they were solemnly entertained by Aliena & the rest of the country swains, Gerismond very highly commending the fortunate choice of Saladyne, in that he had chosen a shepherdess, whose virtues appeared in her outward beauties, being no less fair than seeming modest. Ganymede coming in and seeing her father began to blush. Nature working affects by her sacred effects: fierce could she abstain from tears to see her father in so low fortunes: he that was wont to sit in his royal Palace: attended on by twelve noble Peers, now to be contented with a simple Cottage, and a troop of reveling woodmen for his train. The consideration of his fall, made Ganymede full of sorrows: yet that she might triumph over Fortune with patience, and not any way dash that merry day with her dumps, she smothered her melancholy with a shadow of mirth: and very reverently welcomed the king, not according to his former degree, but to his present estate, with such diligence, as Gerismond began to commend the page for his exquisite person, and excellent qualities.  
As thus the King with his Foresters frolicked it among the shepherds, Coridon came in with a fair mazer full of Sidar, and presented it to Gerismond with such a clownish salute, that he began to smile, & took it of the old shepherd very kindly, drinking to Aliena and the rest of her fair maids, amongst whom Phoebe was the foremost. Aliena pledged the King, & drunk to Rosader: so the carouse went round from him to Phoebe, etc. As they were thus drinking and ready to go to Church, came in Montanus appareled all in tawny, to signify that he was forsaken: on his head he wore a garland of willow, his bottle hanged by his side whereon was painted despair, and on his sheephook hung two Sonnets as labels of his loves and fortunes.  
Thus attired came Montanus in, with his face as full of grief, as his heart was of sorrows, showing in his countenance the map of extremities. Assoon as the Shepherds saw him, they did him all the honour they could, as being the flower of all the swains in Arden: for a bonnier boy was there not seen since the wanton wag of Troy that kept sheep in Ida. He seeing the King, & guessing it to be Gerismond, did him all the reverence his country courtesy could afford. Insomuch that the king wondering at his attire, began to question what he was. Montanus overhearing him made this reply. I am sir quoth he loves swain, as full of inward discontents as I seem fraught with outward follies. Mine eyes like bees delight in sweet flowers, but sucking their fill on the fair of beauty, they carry home to the Hive of my heart far more gall than honey, and for one drop of pure dew, at tun full of deadly Aconiton, I hunt with the Fly to pursue the Eagle, that flying too nigh the Sun, I perish with the Sun: my thoughts are above my reach, and my desires more than my fortunes: yet neither greater than my loves. But daring with Phaeton, I fall with Irarus, and seeking to pass the mean, I die for being so mean, my night fleeps are waking slumbers, as full of sorrows as they be far from rest, & my days labours are fruitless amours, staring at a star & stumbling at a straw, leaving reason to follow after repentance: yet every passion is a pleasure though it pinch, because love hides his wormseed in figs, his poisons in sweet potions, & shadows preiudize with the mask of pleasure. The wisest counsellors are my deep discontents, and I hate that which should salve my harm, like the patiented which stung with the Tarantula loathes music, and yet the disease incurable but by melody. Thus (Sir) restless I hold myself remediless, as loving without either reward or regard, and yet loving, because there is none worthy to be loved, but the mistress of my thoughts. And that I am as full of passions as I have discoursed in my plaints, Sir if you please see my Sonnets, and by them censure of my sorrows.  
These words of Montanus brought the king into a great wonder, amazed as much at his wit was as his attire: insomuch that he took the papers off his hook, and read them to this effect.   

Montanus' first Sonnet.  

Alas how wander I amidst these woods,  
Whereas no day bright shine doth find access:  
But where the melancholy fleeting floods  
(Dark as the night) my night of woes express,  
Disarmde of reason, spoiled of nature's goods,  
Without redress to salve my heaviness  
I walk, whilst thought (too cruel to my harms)  
With endless grief my heedless judgement charms.   

My silent tongue assailed by secret fear,  
My traitorous eyes imprisoned their joy,  
My fatal peace devoured in feigned cheer,  
My heart enforced to harbour in annoy,  
My reason robbed of power by yielding ear,  
My fond opinions slave to every toy.  
Oh Love thou guide in my uncertain way,  
Woe to thy bow, thy fire, the cause of my decay.  
Et florida pungunt.   
When the King had read this Sonnet, he highly commended the device of the shepherd, that could so wittily wrap his passions in a shadow, and so covertly conceal that which bred his chiefest discontent: affirming, that as the least shrubs have their tops, the smallest hairs their shadows: so the meanest swains had their fancies, and in their kind were as chary of Love as a King. Whelted on with this device, he took the second and read it: the effects were these.   

Montanus' second Sonnet.  
When the Dog  
Full of rage,  
With his ireful eyes  
Frowns amidst the skies  
The Shepherd to assuage  
The fury of the heat,  
Himself doth safely seat  
By a fount  
Full of fair,  
Where a gentle breath  
(Mounting from beneath)  
Tempreth the air.  
There his flocks  
Drink their fill,  
And with ease repose  
Whilst sweet sleep doth close  
Eyes from toilsome ill.  
But I burn  
Without rest,  
No defensive power  
Shields from Phoebe's lower:  
Sorrow is my best.  
Gentle Love  
Lower no more,  
If thou wilt invade,  
In the secret shade,  
Labour not so sore.  
I myself  
And my flock●  
They their love to please,  
I myself to ease,  
Both leave the shady oaks:  
Content to burn in fire  
Saith Love doth so desire.  
Et florida pungunt.  
Gerismond seeing the pithy vain of those Sonnets, began to make further inquiry what he was? Whereupon Rosader discoursed unto him the love of Montanus to Phoebe, his great loialite & her deep cruelty: and how in revenge the Gods had made the curious Nymph amorous of young Ganymede. Upon this discourse, the king was desirous to see Phoebe: who being brought before Gerismond by Rosador, shadowed the beauty of her face with such a vermilion teinture, that the King's eyes began to dazzle at the purity of her excellence. After Gerismond had fed his looks a while upon her fair, he questioned with her, why she rewarded Montanus love with so little regard, seeing his deserts were many, and his passions extreme. Phoebe to make reply to the King's demand, answered thus: Love (sir) is charity in his laws, and whatsoever he sets down for iustire (be it never so unjust) the sentence cannot be reversed: women's fancies lend favours not ever by desert, but as they are enforced by their desirest for fancy is tied to the wings of Fate, & what the stars decree, stands for an infallible doom. I know Montanus is wise, & women's ears are greatly delighted with wit, as hardly escaping the charm of a pleasant tongue, as Ulysses the melody of the Sirens. Montanus is beautiful, and women's eyes are snared in the excellence of objects, as desirous to feed their looks with a fair face, as the Bee to suck on a sweet flower. Montanus is wealthy, & an ounce of give me persuades a woman more than a pound of hear me. Danae was won with a goldon shower, when she could not be gotten with all the entreaties of jupiter: I tell you sir, the string of a woman's heart reacheth to the pulse of her hand, and let a man rub that with gold, & 'tis hard but she will prove his heart's gold. Montanus is young, a great clause in fancies court: Montanus is virtuous, the richest argument that Love yields: & yet knowing all these perfections I praise them, and wonder at them, loving the qualities, but not affecting the person, because the Destinies have set down a contrary censure. Yet Venus to add revenge, hath given me wine of the same grape, a sip of the same sauce, & string me with the like passion, hath crossed me with as ill a penance: for I am in love with a shepherds swain, as coy to me as I am cruel to Montanus, as peremptory in disdain as I was perverse in desire, & that is (quoth she) aliena's page, young Ganymede.  
Gerismond desirous to prosecute the end of these passions, called in Ganymede: who knowing the case, came in graced with such a blush, as beautified the Crystal of his face with a ruddy brightness. The King noting well the phisnomy of Ganymede, began by his favours to call to mind the face of his Rosalynd, and with that fetched a deep sigh. Rosader that was passing familiar with Gerismond, demanded to him why he sighed so sore? Because Rosader (quoth he) the favour of Ganymede puts me in mind of Rosalynde. At this word, Rosader sight so deeply as though his heart would have burst. And what's the matter (quoth Gerismond) that you quite me with such a sigh? Pardon me sir (quoth Rosader) because I love none but Rosalynd. And upon that condition (quoth Gerismond) that Rosalynd were here, I would this day make up a marriage betwixt her and thee. At this Aliena turned her head and smiled upon Ganymede, and she could scarce keep countenance. Yet she salved all with secrecy, an Gerismond to drive away such dumps, questioned with Ganymede, what the reason was he regarded not Phoebe's love, seeing she was as fair as the wanton that brought Troy to ruin. Ganymede mildly answered, If I should affect the fair Phoebe, I should offer poor Montanus great wrong to win that from him in a moment, that he hath laboured for so many months. Yet have I promised to the beautiful shepherdess, to wed myself never to woman except unto her: but with this promise, that if I can by reason suppress Phoebe's love towards me, she shall like of none but of Montanus. To the q. Phoebe I stand, for my love is so far beyond reason, as it will admit no persuasion of reason. For justice q. he, I appeal to Gerismond: and to his censure will I stand q. Phoebe. And in your victory q. Montanus stands the hazard of my fortunes: for if Ganymede go away with conquest, Montanus is in conceit loves Monarch, if Phoebe win, then am I in effect most miserable. We will see this controversy q. Gerismond, & then we will to church: therefore Ganymede let us hear your argument. Nay, pardon my absence a while (quoth she) and you shall see one in store. In went Ganymede and dressed herself in woman's attire, having on a gown of green, with kirtle of rich sandal, so acquaint, that she seemed Diana triumphing in the Forest: upon her head she wore a chaplet of Roses, which gave her such a grace, that she looked like Flora pearkt in the pride of all her flowers. Thus attired came Rosalind in, & presented herself at her father's feet, with her eyes full of tears, craving his blessing, & discoursing unto him all her fortunes, how she was banished by Trismond, and how ever since she lived in that country disguised.  
Gerismond seeing his daughter, rose from his seat & sell upon her neck, uttering the passions of his joy in marry plaints driven into such an ecstasy of content, that he could not utter one word. At this sight, if Rosader was both amazed & joyful, I refer myself to the judgement of such as have experience in love, seeing his Rosalynd before his face whom so long and deeply he had affected. At last Gerismond recovered high spirits, and in most fatherly terms entertained his daughter Rosalynd, after many questions demanding of her what had passed between her and Rosader. So much sir (quoth she) as there wants nothing but your Grace to make up the marriage. Why then (quoth Gerismond) Rosader take her, she is thine, and let this day solemnize both thy brothers and thy nuptials, Rosader beyond measure cotent, humbly thauked the king, & embraced his Rosalynde, who turning to Phoebe, demanded if she had shown sufficient reason to suppress the force of her loves. Yea quoth Phoebe; & so 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a persuasive, that if it please you Madam, and Aliena to give us leave, Montanus and I will make this day the third couple in marriage. She had no sooner spoke this word, but Montanus threw away his garland of willow, his bottle, where was painted despair, & cast his sonnets in the fire, showing himself as frolic as Paris when he hanseled his love with Helena. At this Gerismond and the rest smiled, and concluded that Montanus and Phoebe should keep their wedding with the two brethren. Aliena seeing Saladyne stand in a dump, to wake him from his dream began thus. Why how now my Saladyne, all a mort, what melancholy man at the day of marriage? perchance thou art sorrowful to think on thy brother's high fortunes, and thine own base desires to choose so mean a shepheardize. Cheer up thy hartman, for this day thou shalt be married to the daughter of a King: for know Saladyne, I am not Aliena, but Alinda the daughter of thy mortal enemy Torismond. At this all the company was amazed, especially Gerismond, who rising up, took Alinda in his arms, and said to Rosalynd: is this that fair Alinda famous for so many virtues, that forsook her father's court to live with thee exiled in the country? The same q. Rosalind. Then quoth Gerismond, turning to Saladine, jolly Forester be frolic, for thy fortunes are great, & thy desires excellent, thou hast got a princess as famous for her perfection, as exceeding in proportion. And she hath with her beauty won (quoth Saladyne) an humble servant, as full of faith, as she of amiable favour. While every one was amazed with these Comical events, Coridon came skipping in, & told them that the Priest was at Church and tarried for their coming. With that Gerismond led the way, & the rest followed, where to the admiration of all the country swains in Arden, their marriages were solemnly solemnized. As soon as the Priest had finished, home they went with Alinda, where Coridon had made all things in readiness. Dinner was provided, & the tables being spread, and the Brides set down by Gerismond, Rosader, Saladyne, & Montanus that day were servitors: homely cheer they had, such as their country could afford: but to mend their fare they had much good chat, and many discourses of their loves and fortunes. About mid dinner, to make them merry Coridon came in with an old crowd, and played them a fit of mirth, to which he sung this pleasant song.   

Coridon's Song.  

A blithe and bonny country Lass,  
heigh ho the bonny Lass:  
Sat sighing an the tender grass,  
and weeping said, will none come woe me?  
A smicker boy, a lither Swain,  
heigh ho a smicker Swain:  
That in his Love was want on feign,  
with smiling looks strait came unto her.   

When as the wanton wench espied,  
heigh ho when she espied  
The means to make herself a bride,  
she simpred smooth like bonny bell:  
The Swain that saw her squint eyed kind  
heigh ho squint eyed kind,  
His arms about her body twinned,  
and fair Lass, how far ye, well?   

The country kit said well sorsooth,  
heigh ho well forsooth,  
But that I have alonging tooth,  
a longing tooth that makes me cry:  
Alas said he what garres thy grief?  
heigh ho what garres thy grief?  
A wound quoth she without relief,  
I fear a maid that I shall die.   

If that be all the shepherd said,  
heigh ho the shepherd said,  
He make thee wine it gentle maid,  
and so recure thy malady.  
Hereon they kissed with many a oath,  
heigh ho with many a oath,  
And fore God Pan did plight their troth,  
and to the Church they hied them fast.  
And God send every pretty peat,  
heigh ho the pretty peat:  
That fears to die of this conceit,  
so kind a friend to help at last.   
Coridon having thus made them merry, as they were in the midst of their jollity, word was brought in to Saladyne & Rosader that a brother of theirs, one Fernandine was arrived, and desired to speak with them. Gerismond overhearing this news, demanded who it was? It is sir (q. Rosader) our middle brother, that lives a scholar in Paris: but what fortune hath driven him to seek us out I know not. With that Saladine went and met his brother, whom he welcomed with all courtesy, & Rosader gave him no less friendly entertainment: brought he was by his two brothers into the parlour where they all sat at dinner. Fernandine as one that knew as many manners, as he could points of sophistry, & was aswell brought up as well lettered, saluted them all. But when he espied Gerismond, kneeling on his knee, he did him what reverence belonged to his estate: and with that burst forth into these speeches. Although (right mighty Prince) this day of my brother's marriage be a day of mirth, yet time craves another course: and therefore from dainty cates rise to sharp weapons. And you the sons of Sir john of Bourdeux, leave off your amours, & fall to arms, change your loves into lances, and now this day show yourselves valiant, as hitherto you have been passionate. For know Gerismond, that hard by at the edge of this forest the twelve peers of France are up in arms to recover thy right: and Torismond trouped with a crew of desperate runagates is ready to bid them battle. The armies are ready to join: therefore show thyself in the field to encourage thy subjects: & you Saladine and Rosader mount you, and show yourselves as hardy soldiers as you have been hearty lovers: so shall you for the benefit of your Country, discover the Idea of your Father's virtues to be stamped in your thoughts, and prove children worthy of so honourable a parent. At this alarm given him by Fernandine Gerismond leapt from the board, & Saladyne and Rosader betook themselves to their weapons. Nay (q. Gerismond) go with me, I have horse and armour for us all, & then being well mounted let us show that we carry revenge & honour at our fanchons points. Thus they leave the Bride's full of sorrow, especially Alinda, who desired Gerismond to be good to her Father: he not returning a word because his haste was great hied him home to his lodge, where he delivered Saladyne & Rosador horse and armour, and himself armed royally led the ●●y: not having ridden two leagues before they discovered 〈◊〉 a valley both the battles were joined Gerismond seeing the wing wherein the Peers fought, thrust in there, and cried S. Denis, laying on such load upon his enemies, that he showed how highly he did estimate of a crown. When the Pe●rs perceived that their lawful king was there, they grew more eager: and Saladine & Rosader so behaved themselves, that none durst stand in their way nor abide the fury of their weapons. To be short, the Peers were conquerors, Torismonds' army put to flight and himself slain in battle. The Peers then gathered themselves together, and saluted their king, conducted him royally into Paris, where he has received with great joy of all the citizens. Assoon as all was quiet & he had received again the crown, he sent for Alinda & Rosalynd to the court, Alinda being very passionate for the death of her father: yet brooking it with the more patience, in that she was contented with the welfare of her Saladyne. Well, assoon as they were come to Paris, Gerismond made a royal feast for the Peers and Lords of his Land, which continued thirty days, in which time summoning a parliament, by the consent of his nobles, he created Rosader heir apparent to the kingdom, he restored Saladyne to all his father's Land, and gave him the Dukedom of Namours, he made Fernandine principal secretary to himself: and that Fortune might every way seem frolic, he made Montanus Lord over all the Forest of Arden, Adam Spencer Captain of the King's Guard, and Coridon, Master of Alinda's flocks. Here Gentlemen may you see in Euphues golden Legacy, that such as neglect their father's precepts, incur much prejudice, that division in nature as it is a blemish in nurture, so 'tis a breach of good fortunes, that virtue is not measured by birth but by action, that younger brethren though inferior in years, yet may be superior to honours: that concord is the sweetest conclusion, and amity betwixt brothers more forcible than fortune. If you gather any fruits by this Legacy speak well of Euphues for writing it, and me for fetching it. If you grace me with that favour you encourage me to be more froward & as soon as I have overlooked my labours, expect the sailors Calendar.   
FINIS.