Daphnis and Chloe excellently describing the vveight of affection, the simplicitie of loue, the purport of honest meaning, the resolution of men, and disposition of fate, finished in a pastorall, and interlaced with the praises of a most peerlesse preincesse, wonderfull in maiestie, and rare in perfection, celebrated within the same pastorall, and therefore termed by the name of the shepheards holidaie. by Angell Daye. Altior fortuna virtus.

The fourth booke of the loues pasto∣rall of Daphnis and Chloe.

THis statelie festiuall and holie daie of the shepheards being thus solemnelie ended, Daphnis with great longing continued the winter season, and often tooke occasion to watch the birdes & his Chloe togethers, vntill at the last the paine of this vntamed sharpnes vanished, and the fresh couloured spring had new mantled againe the withered plantes in her sommer•…•… liuerie. The delight whereof, none other∣wise then is accustomed to the residue of Natures derlings, reioy∣ced the hartes of these two louers, aswell for that the occasiō ther∣of became a medicine to their wanted disseueranc•…•…, as that also the iolitie of the prime then being in her excellencie, reuiued the dul conceits of euery one, and confounded the winters melancho∣lie before passed, with a new maner tender of her surpassing sweet nes & brauerie. Their heards vnpatient of their long penning in, now driuē to their accustomed pastures, tooke pleasure to climbe the •…•…arkes, and to lifte vp their hornes ouer the fresh springing hedge rowes. Uniuersall reioycing was in euerie thing▪ and now seemed it a kinde of louelie satisfaction, to call in question their frequented places of conference, of delight, of disturbance, and of sorowe that had hapned vnto them.

And as the spring passed in this kinde of pleasure, so like∣wise was not the sommer voyde of the pastime▪ the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 belon∣ging. In which occurred vnto them sondrie actions, as well to the in•…•…endement of their present loue, •…•…s in other occasions right pleasing. It happened at one time amongest the rest; during this season that diuers fishermē being in y^• se as▪ & the weather caling, the sound of their songs and voice redoubled so much, vppon the rockes▪ as thereon gaue a most shrill •…•… not able Ecch•…•… the wōder

hereof seemed vnto Chloe very great as she that seldome had bin vsed to the difference of the same, by reason of which, supposing that on the other side of them, there also had bin an other sea, and other fishermen, she began to loke about hir, demanding of Daph∣nis, by what reason they should in their song so well in that maner agree togither. Daphnis smiling at her simplicitie, the better to satisfie hir demaund, and to informe hir at large of the plesures of the ••••••ld, discoursed vnto hir the certaintie, by reuealing vn∣to hir the tale of the Eccho.

There were (said he) in antient time (as yet there be) Nymphs of diuers sorts, some of the groues, some of the woods, some of the riuers, and others of the springs, and fountaines. Of one of these sorts was sometimes a gallant girle, who was called Eccho, she was norished by the Nymphs, and instructed and brought vp with the Muses, the charie account of whome, gaue hir (besides fa∣uor) a most excellent knowledge and cunning in all kinde of songs and instruments, insomuch, as beeing come vnto the very floure and full prime of hir age, shee was for hir vnmatchable skill deemed fit to be intertained with their praises, with their companies, and with their pleasures, and being conuersant with them wholy in sort aforesaid, listed not to recke of at all the com∣pany of men, nor of God, but being a virgin by disposition, sought fully and wholy how to preserue the same.

Pan (my deere as thou knowest) being a god altogither, amo∣rous▪ and solacing himselfe as his nature is in the woods and pa∣stures, h•…•… hearing once of this Nymph, and beganne therevp∣on to woonder at hir dainty and melodious sounds, indeuoring (if possibly he could) to woe hir to his fauor, but when in no sort hee could compas it, he waxed angrie at the Nymph, and she being a∣lone in the fields without any company, he wrought so woonder∣fully by his power, as that for mee•…•…e dispite of hir fauor, hee in∣raged against her all the heat 〈◊〉〈◊〉 men and shepeheards of the coun∣try where she was, that like woolues and mad dogges they •…•…are •…•…he poore Nymph peece-meale in their •…•…urie, and throwing the 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉 here and there, as she was yet singing hir songs, the ve∣ry earth •…•…t selfe fauored hir musike▪ and here acted immediatly 〈◊〉〈◊〉 soundes, in •…•…orte as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 agreeing to this day with the

Muses in accorde, the same tune that is plaied she recordeth, the same song that by any voice is deliuered, she repeateth.

The earth thus retaining the former condicion of the Nymph while she liued, when either gods, or men, or instruments of mu∣sike, or beasts, or Pan himselfe soundeth his sweet Syrinx ouer the hollow rockes, it counterfeiteth euermore the same notes, which the directer of shepheards often-times perceiuing, some∣times runneth skipping and leaping after the sound, not for desire or hope he hath to inioy his faire Eccho, but only to find by what instinct the manner of his ditties are so disguised withall, with∣out knowledge, how, or whence it commeth.

The recitall hereof grew of such admiration vnto Chloe, as that to make present triall thereof, hirselfe recorded diuers tunes vpon hir flute, wherevnto the Eccho, as it were in confirmation of that which Daphnis had said, immediatly answered, not with∣out the great pleasure of the shepeheardesse, who had felicitie of∣ten-times to sport hirselfe with those redoubled sounds. But this daliance of theirs, and sweete societie euermore thus continued, could not yet assure their minds with such safety, as that the same should alwayes haue dured. for that Chloe becomming both tall in stature, and ripe in yeares for a husband, the sons of diuers the wealthiest sheepheards frequented earnestly the house of Dryas, to wooe hir. And praising in their mindes all the complements of hir fauor and wonderfull perfections: some gaue in hand both to Dryas and Nape many fruitful presents, others promised vnto them a great deale more, so that Nape hir selfe being nowe also stoong with the couetous gaine thereof, counselled hir husband Dryas in any wise to marry hir.

And to the intent to moue him the rather thereunto, shee for∣gat not to laie before him hir ripenes, and howe aduenterous it was to keepe in their house a maide of such beawtie and stature to continue vnmaried▪ putting him also in minde how that accep∣ting the present offers, he might now marie her to his profit and hir owne aduauncement, but if shee fortuned once in keeping of sheepe to lose her maidenhead, they might marie her afterwarde for roses and nuttes to whom soeuer would be contented to take her Dryas, as willing as her selfe to finger the coine, and lothe to

lose the oportunitie in hand, would not yet ouerhastelie conclude any matth, for that him seemed still to haue a mind to harken af∣ter hir parents, and for this cause found he diuers meanes and doubts, whereby to delay the matter from one time to an other, whereby the subtill gnoffe, being of a great many required, ob∣tained also at their hāds great plenty of gifts, the fertility wher∣of he wished by all pollicie so long as he might to drawe on vnto him.

Chloe was not all this while ignorant of these deuises, as shee that was a principall partie therein to be acquainted, but sorrowing in hir minde of long time in feare of the disseuerance to be made of hir and Daphnis, shee at the last, after much sigh∣ing and lamentation reuealed it vnto him. The yoong youth a∣stonied at the first, beganne to be thinke himselfe immediatly of the mishap intended, and his owne irrecuperable griefe, if the same should proceed to be effected, but recomforting for the pre∣sent her sweete imaginations, and ouer tender spirites, hee de∣clared vnto hir, that he had good suppose, that if hee demaunded hir himselfe of hir father, he would not greatly say him nay, for that he thought he was not so much backeward, but that he ease∣ly might surmo•…•… in any thing, but in wealth, the greatest of all the other shepeheards. Onely this somewhat quailed his as∣surance in that his foster father Lamon was not rich, but rather a very poore man, and such as no way could deuise to satisfie the courto•…•…snesse of▪ Dryas. Notwithstanding which, hee yet re∣solued, whatsoeuer came thereof, to putte the request in aduen∣ture, and this to accomplishe, Chloe hir-selfe didde also aduise him.

Not for all this durst the bashfull youth, at the first time to reueale it to Lamon, but rather chose, as with whome hee might be most boldest, to make knowen his loue before hand to Myr∣tale. Myrtale, she held •…•…o secret of it▪ but the same night also tolde it to Lamon. The blunt fellow, quite contrary to expecta∣tion, accepted the motion but very badly, calling his wife, beast, dol•…•… and sottish asse, that so rashly without consideration at all, would become a meane to bes•…•…w their 〈◊〉〈◊〉 (whom of what parentage he was descended they litle knew) vpon a simple 〈◊〉〈◊〉

heardesse, the testimonies of whose reputation, being found with him, did promise vnto them a farre better fortune, and whose pa∣rents, if happily by his being in their custodie might be found, it might not onely perchance be a meane to infranchize them from that their yoke of seruitude, but happily also enrich them with possessions of greater value than those that then they liued vp∣on.

Myrtale hearing her husbands coniecture, would not for this discourage the youth in his fancie, for feare least quenched of all hope therof (being so sharpe in loue as he was) some worse mat∣ter might betide him than they expected: wherefore laying ther∣vppon some other deuises, shee proposed vnto him their pouertie, and the riches of those that were tendred vnto Chloe, likewise their seruage, by reason of which nothing was their owne that could be imployed to his preferment. But (said she) be ruled by me, the girle I knowe doth loue thee, and in respect thereof desi∣reth to enioy thee aboue any other. Doe this therefore, that shoe acquaint hir father with the purpose, and happily being her own sute, he will the sooner assent vnto thee, and require my husband Lamon for thee. By this excuse Myrtale supposed with herselfe honestly to haue shifted off Daphnis: for well stoode she assured, that Dryas for his parte woulde neuer consent vnto it: but the simple gote-heard neuertheles tooke the deferment in good part, and knowing with him selfe, that there was no supposition of treasure to be had to set forward his demaunde, he did as many other poore louers, intend to proceede by intreatie.

For the furtherance hereof, it fortuned, that the Nymphs euer∣more gracious vnto their ioint affections (Daphnis sleeping at night) appeared vnto him, to whome, being in shape accustomed, the eldest declared, that the patronage of his loue▪ rested in the perfection of a greater deitie than themselues, but to giue hym meane to accomplish it, by mollifieng the flintie conceited dispo∣sition of Dryas, that could they do: And it to bring to passe▪ re∣turne thee to marrow next said she to the place where the last yere the bote of the Methimnians by vnloosing the ozia•…•… twig wherewith it was tied, was lost and driuen to the Sea, there

by tempest of the weather shalt thou finde in the banke vnder a bush hard by the same oziar, a bagge of three hundred crownes, which in ouerturning of the same boat, the waues did there driue on lande, and for that it hath hetherto lien couered with sande and mosse throwne out of the sea, no man hath yet euer found it, take that purse, and giue the money to Dryas, that shalbe sufficient for the present to shew thou art not vtterly deuoide of riches.

Daphnis awakened out of the dreame, longed earnestly for the morning, and the day appearing, ran in all haste to the sea coast, where serching in the place apointed, he found the purse and gold therein. Nowe thinking him selfe to bee the welthiest man of all the shepheardes, he hied him first to the fieldes with his flocke, & after debateth the matter to Chloe, and without farther staie (re∣quiring her to haue care of their beastes) he hastneth as fast as he could to Dryas. Being thither come, he saluteth the man, and af∣terward setteth forth vnto him his occasion of comming. I am said he, Dryas as thou knowest thy neighbour, well know I what belongeth in euerie thing to the countrie, the ordering of Uines, Oliues, and husbandrie, is not to me unknowen. How able I am and with what good successe and skill I haue garded my heard, Chloe her selfe can witnesse, and the profe it selfe will discouer. Thy daughter is woed of a great manie, none of which as I, can or may so wel deserue her, they profer the for thy good will, goats, sheepe, oxen & corne, as much as will bring the vp three or fowre chickens. But Dryas, though both for neighbour-hood and these causes before alleaged, I might seeme in this action to be prefer∣red, yet for that thou shalt know that as well as in other qualities I will not bee behind them in giftes, geue me my Chloe in mar∣riage, and take here three hundred crownes for thy labour, which vnto Nape heere, and thee, I frankly and freelie doe render: but with this cōdition that you both promise me neuer to be aknowne of the present, no not to Lamon himselfe, for whatsoeuer hereaf∣ter that herein may be supposed.

Dryas & Nape seeing so grosse a sum, the like quantitie wher∣of they had neuer seene before, beeing ouertaken with the coue∣tousnes of the same, gaue their immediate consents without anie further deniall, and both tooke vpon them thereunto to drawe the

good liking of Lamon. All busines therefore nowe laide aside, and the purse first locked vp with the gold, Dryas goes forward to seeke out Lamon and Myrtale, and to them breaketh foorth the purpose intended. The seelie man with his wife was winowing of corne, and at the first sight began to complaine of their harde peniworths, and the had yeelding thereof, all which (after the maner) Dryas in his blunt & groslike condicion recomforted, and proceeding from out thereof began to demaund of them Daphnis for his daughter in mariage, & added further that albeit of others, he had bene therefore fairely offered, yet of them hee demaunded nothing, but rather was willing to contribute of his own to haue their consentes, his reason for that they had bin norished, brought vp, liued, and kept beasts togither, and that he stood most assured of, they loued and intirelie fauored and desired ech other. Lamon who could not for the obiections aforesaid excuse himselfe by po∣uertie, by want of age of the youth, by difference of education, nor otherwise, and fearing to disclose the thing it selfe, which in veri∣tie did withdraw him, which was the doubt and expectation of his parentage, thanked Dryas hartilie of his good suppose, com∣mended the maiden, and praised his courtesie verie highlie, but yet answered there withall, that he was a seruant to another man, and that liuing in seruitude as he did, he was not by reason of his bondage to dispose of anie part of his owne, without his lords con∣sent. And forsomuch as to the agreement of this match, it seemed a thing meet and pertinent to his dutie, to haue him therevnto required, he persuaded him they might continue freends, and let the conclusion of the marriage suspend till the time of the next vintages, which not being long, his L. he had vnderstanding would then be there in person to suruiew the state of his house and maner of the countrie, & then with the good liking on ech part they might be the better solemnized. But heerewithall Drias (said he) I will of one thing aduertise thee, that thou shalt not in matching with him marrie thy daughter to one of base birth, or place of meane calling, but better a great deale descended than either of vs both be, and so giuing drinke ech to other, they vpon this resolution for the present departed.

Drias who had not put these last speeches of Lamon into a

deafe eare, as his waie laie homewards, reuolued in his mind the state of his Chloe with that of Daphnis, which by the few spee∣ches that by Lamon had beene opposed, he found to be by likeli∣hood of good place, which made him not a little inwardlie to re∣ioice that therein was some hope that she should not be much dis∣paraged: in the consideration wherof, he began to bethinke him∣selfe whether Lamon finding him as he did, had therewithall re∣ceiued anie such like ornaments to shew his birth as himselfe had doone with Chloe, and tickled with the conceipt heereof, with twentie praiers made to Pan and the Nimphs that it might be so, he came in these muses to the place at last where rested yoong Daphnis, togither with his beloued Chloe, to whom hauing recounted the storie heereof, a world of ioies befell immediatlie vnto the youth, considering that Autume was now at home, and the marriage should no longer be deferred, and thanking his sup∣posed father in lawe Dryas a thousand times the olde man de∣parted.

Now after these shepheards had both dispatched their busi∣nesse, and the sunne readie to go downe, they passed homewards, gathering in the waies diuerse sorts of apples, the yeere was plentie, and frutes were now in their ripenesse, among the num∣ber whereof, they chanced to come by one tree, the frute whereof was all gathered, and the tree thereby of the leaues left almost naked, onelie one apple excepted, the bewtie of which was as the colour of the shining gold mixed with an orient red of the freshest and brauest hew that might be, this apple stood on the ve∣rie top of the highest branch of all the tree, and for the hight ther∣of seemed to be left vngathered: the louelie lad, casting eies therevpon, thought that it was a present fit to be giuen for a loue token, and suddenlie getting vp to the tree, climed so nim∣blie that he brought it downe in his hand from the top where it grew.

Chloe became greatlie miscontented at his rashnesse, and fearing to see him fall, and wound hir selfe from the place a∣mong the thickest of hir flocks, but Daphnis pursuing the gen∣tle Nymph, my sweet said he, the faire and beautifull season hath brought foorth this frute, a statelie tree hath nourished it, the

radiant and most comfortable sunne beames haue ripened it, and onelie good fortune as a thing most choice and perfect, hath hi∣therto reserued it, the woorthinesse onelie apperteining to you as to a creature most excellent. Ill had I beene disposed to suffer so faire a frute by falling on the hard ground to haue beene bru∣sed, foiled, or otherwise trode vnder feet, or perished. The ap∣ple of gold was erst on Venus bestowed for the prise of hir beau∣tie, and that by a shepheard, and I likewise garding my beasts, haue found this apple, comparable to that in shew, wherewith to present my Chloe, who ma•…•…chest hir in fauor, In this case am I Paris and thou the selfe Venus.

The lasse appaised with these delightsome speeches, assen∣ted quickelie with hir Daphnis to be at attonement, and he throwing the apple into hir lap, she onelie gaue him a louers kisse, wherewith the well pleased goteheard held himselfe con∣tented.

In these continued pastances, the often wished and longed for Autume did now draw on apace, and a messenger from the maister of Lamon was alreadie approched, to informe them shortlie of their lords comming, the bruite of spoile doone by the Methimnians on the grounds thereabouts was cause thereof, and to that end was deliuered their maister intended to suruiew the harme by them committed. It was now no need to appoint the olde Lamon to his businesse, who carefull of himselfe to see all things well, indeuored so to prouide that no one iote might in the least respect be amisse: Daphnis likewise tooke in charge neatlie to picke and crimme his heards, and orderlie ech daie to see them fed on the best and most frutefull pastures, to the in∣tent the heard being mightie and fat, they might haue the more thankes for their trauell, and be the better reputed of at their maisters comming. It was vnto him a matter of great nouell, to thinke what maner of man should be his maister, so much as the name of whome till that time hee neuer before had heard.

Lamon for his part began to passe throughout all the hearbers, the vines, the fruites, and the berries, those boughes hee tricked,

those knobs he pared, those branches he slipped, and them in ano∣ther place cut downe and cropped. The shew of this place was a thing of most excellent pleasure, as well of the scituation, pro∣spec•…•…s, plentie and varietie of deuises, as also for diuersitie of trees, and all kinds of fruits. To this had Lamon of all others a most speciall regard, wherein his carefull in-sight and continual trauaile had wrought so great perfection, as seemed to bee helde a thing rare and wonderfull. The trees hung yet laden with all kinde of fruites, plums, apples, peares, mirtes, granades, oringes, limons, figs, oliues, and twentie other pleasing conceits. Besides the number whereof, the order yet curiositie and braue disposition of euerie thing was such, as a man would haue thought it a para∣dise, ānd deeplie haue sorrowed to forethinke that the least spoile in the world should haue happened vnto it.

The messenger hauing seene all thinges in a readinesse prepa∣red, returned to the Citie againe to aduertise his Lord of the e∣state of the same, who not being vnrewarded of the poore Lamon and Mirtale, they onely desired his good word in setting forth the manner of that he sawe, to their greater commendation, the mes∣senger omitted nothing to him in charge giuen, but hauing as∣serteined what he came for, waited onlie the time of his maisters readinesse.

In this meane while of the returne made of the seruant to his maister, after all this •…•…ost bestowed and trauaile taken of poore Lamon, happened a foule and cruell mischaunce, the euent of which made all the house sorrowfull, and them now onelie to feare the comming of him thether, whome before they earnestlie looked and most instantly desired, the case standing as it did, vp∣pon a dreadfull hazard of their vtter vndooing, the occasion of all which insued in forme following. There was neere thereabouts dwelling to them a cow-heard, a stubborne and a knurleheaded knaue, whose name was Lap•…•…s, who being of Chloe to-fore time exceedinglie enamoured, and seeing that by a conuention be∣tweene Dryas and Lamon, hee was preuented of his purpose, and hope to obtainé hir in marriage, grew thereby into so cruel and presumptuous a conceit of doing vnto him some one or other notable mischiefe, as that hee endeuored nothing so much as to

seeke occasion, how, and by what mea•…•…es to be re•…•…enged.

He was well warie that the dependancie of this marriage consisted solie on the fauour and good opinion to be by them recei∣ued from their maister, whereinto if it were possible, that hee could deuise by the committing of some o•…•…e or other notable vil∣lany, to worke a breach, twenty to one hee thought, that ill must needes betide them, and the marriage in haud shoulde ne∣uer be brought in question. This vilde and mischeuous imagi∣nation in some sorte to effect, the villaine aduised him selfe of this beautifull plotte, the trimming and decking whereof had now of long time being attended, brought the same to a most ex∣ceeding perfection, besides the deuises thereof being euerie wai•…•… (as they were) most excellent, had made the maister of Lamon to be of all thinges about his house the most in loue with it. Hereuppon as the thing that on all sides might turne them to most displeasure the cruell and wretched Lapes desired to bee most reuenged. Wherefore spyeng a time conuenient, one night when all about the house were vniuersally at rest: this false and villanous churle, woond himselfe secretly into the gar∣den, and there moiled and spoiled, with hookes, with hatchets, and other cutting instruments, the most part of the hedgerows, vines, fruites, and trees of all the hearberie and garden ▪ which being doone he returned himselfe secretly againe, without being perceiued of any man.

Lamon, the next morning early, entring into his gardeine with intent to surue we and tricke what he might in the least iott see thereabout amisse, perceiued the spoyle and notable misu∣sance euery where doone vnto it, and not knowing from whence it came, but moued exceedingly with the dispight & villanie ther∣of, as the onely thing of all others that his maister loued, looked for no other reliefe at all, but to be beaten to death or hanged. Wherefore ouercome as he was with great griefe, hee tare his garment from his shoulders, and therevpon skritched and cried most lamentably.

Myrtale hearing the clamor, left what was in hir hand, and ranne in all haste vnto him. Daph•…•…is also which euen then had but led his beasts to the field, moued with great lamentation,

returned backe againe vnto them. And seeing this great dis∣grace most vile and detestable hauocke and wracke doone and committed on all partes of the hearberie, it could not but great∣lie become vnto them a matter most sorrowefull, for to saye the truth, were a manne there-vnto but a meere straunger, hee coulde not but haue deepelie greeued to see the malicious and caussesse spoile of so faire and pleasaunt a dwelling, the partes yet vntouched whereof, for all the disorder therein committed, carried notwithstanding some maner demonstration of the beau∣tie of the other. The greuousnes of the sight made them al to shed teares abundant, for their vndoing stoode vppon it, Lamon one while for hym-selfe, and an other while for Daphnis exceeding∣lie weeped. During the continuaunce of which discomforte, Eudrome the page and messenger, that before had beene with them, from their Maister was returned againe, declaring, that after three dayes passed, their olde Maister intended to bee there present, but their yoong Maister his sonne woulde come thither the morrowe.

Preparation heere-vppon ensued on all sides, and nowe the monstrousnesse of the euill doone didde trouble them more and more. But Eudrome beeyng of his owne disposition, a youth of verye good nature, they deuised amongest them-selues for to call hym also to councell about this enterprise. The case beeing made knowen vnto him, Eudrome seeing their excessiue sorrowe and mone made, recomforted them, and aduised as most meete, that the matter were first made knowne vnto their yong Maister, whome hee assured vnto them to be of louing and most kinde condition, and that vppon their submission made, hee woulde not sticke so farre foorth to pittie them, as that by his good and fauorable conceit, some one thing or other for redresse might there be the better prouided.

Lamon not withstanding was not yet idle, but slipped and cropped the hanging boughes and twigges rounde about the garden, hee didde what hee coulde by all the arte and cunning hee had, to make the hauocke seeme lesse, insomuch as by hys diligent looking too, and attendaunce, hee hadde reasonablie a∣mended the matter in diuers places. Their yo•…•…ng Maister ac∣cording

vnto appointment came the next day, whose name was Astile, and wyth him brought to accompany him for his disporte, a parasiticall gester, whose name was Gnatho. The gentle∣man was yet verye yoong, vpon whose chinne the tender downe hadde scarcelie crept, and therewithal of most gentle and friend∣lie condicion: bee was no sooner entred the grounds, but Lamon & Myrtale his wife togither with yoong Daphnis fell prostrat at his feete, desiring his fauour and forgiuenesse, and that beeing campassionate vppon the olde yeares of his bondman, hee woulde indeuour so farre as he might, to withdraw his fathers rage and displeasure from them.

Astile rewed the miserable complaint, and the better to re∣lieue them, out of their woonted distresses and sorrowes, hee promised, that at his fathers comming, hee woulde endeuour to make some prea•…•…ye excuse of the matter, and for to take the cauie and choice occasion thereof wholly vppon him-selfe. They thankefully heere-vppon tooke his agreement, and endeuou∣ring by all the meanes possible to cont•…•…nt him, both Lamon and Daphnis, with diuerse notable presents did afterwardes enter∣taine him, they praied God also in respecte of their disabilitie, that it would please him of his goodnesse to requi•…•…e him.

Nowe Gnatho this parasite being a right belli-god, a vil∣laine by nature, and one that loued none, but where hee might be fedde, nor cared for any, but onelye for his profite, seeing the sweete and naturall fauour of this yoong Daphnis, beganne as an vnnaturall beast, so against nature become wanton ouer him. The paunch-filled rascall, seeing that Astile was a braue yong gentleman, tooke pleasure in hunting, and to haunt the fields abroad with his hawks and spaniels, deuised from time to time sundry shifts, whereby to ridde himselfe of his company. And in these spaces would he haunt the heards of yong Daphnis, & one while hearing him sound his flute, and another while sing, thoght there was no felicitie in the world so great, as to be accompanied with his pleasure. The wretch mouing to the goat-heard manie questions, & perceiuing his simplicity and vnacquainted disposi∣tion to villanous purposes, one time by watching his goings and cōmings wold haue found means in forcible maner to abuse him.

But the in•…•…inuat condition by nature and his former birth, plan∣ted in the imbold•…•…ed spirits of the yoong youth, with a maner of sweltring kind of disdaine▪ shooke the raskall off, and that so tude∣lie, as his pampered drunken carcas squatted against the ground with the pezant and vnweldie burden thereof.

The parasiticall tricker perceiuing the vnmollified spirit of the braue goatheard, and weieng there withall the maner of his vnexpected colour and courage, such as seldome falleth in those that by nature are borne to be slaues, thought that in his natiui∣tie the stars and planets were vnto him too sinister, in that vnto a mind & fauor so correspondent, they yeelded an estate & condition so mightilie different. Neuerthelesse though in so forcible maner he dared no more to affaie the youth, yet for all that withdrew he not frō him his sensuall & beastlie disposition, but considering that the lad was but the sonne of Lamon reputed, & therefore thought as a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to belong vnto his lord, he deemed with himselfe to practise another deuise more colourable, whereby when time should serue, he might the easter attain•…•… to that his wretched and most abhominable desi•…•…e.

This could he not immediatlie bring to passe, for that the old man with his wife, children and familie were now all arriued at this his countrie dwelling. In the first two daies after whose arriuall, there was nothing but feasting and banketting, Diony∣sophanes was the old mans name, and Clearista his wife. After then that he had rep•…•…sed himselfe by the space of two daies, he then began to visit his herberies, his gardens, walks, and other 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and pleasant deuises, in all which he found no fault at all, saue onelie the spoile which before you heard of, which yoong Asti∣le had ere this to him execused and taken the matter vpon him∣selfe, where with Dionysophanes held himselfe contented. Then walked he forwards to see the heards and flocks, at the sight of which companie of so manie strangers, Chloe •…•…ashfull on a sud∣den, and being in the fields, as she that had neuer bin accustomed to their view, stole awaie secretlie, and hid hir selfe in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, but Daphnis stood still awaiting their comming. Lamon then pointing out vnto his maister his goats and sheepe that so dainti∣lie had beene fe•…•… and increased, added further vnto him, that the

youth standing by was his goate-heard, who by his dilligent care and attendaunce had thither to conducted them.

Dionysophanes and Clearista beholding the excellent fauor and sweete gestures of the youth, who furnished in euery con∣dicion as a heardseman, and hauyng a faire large skinne of a hee goate, smoothelie dressed with the haire fastened vnto his necke, and hanging ouer his shoulders, thought that there appeared in him a kinde of beautie, more commendable farre, than custo∣mably was to bee seene in euery other sheepeheard. Daphnis beganne to make vnto them musike vppon his flute, and with diuers and excellent layes and ditties of the sheepeards •…•…o enter∣taine them, all which of the company Generallye, but Clearista especiallie, was in him both rewarded, liked, and highly com∣mended, besides commaunded shee him, and likewise Diony∣sophanes his Maister expres•…•…y enioyne•…•… him, not to bee absent from the house during their abode and continuaunce in the coun∣try, but alwayes there to attend them.

All this vnto the vile and beastly conceipt of Gnatho, di•…•…de but adde fire vnto the flame, who beeing wholie dedicated vnto luxurie and his bellie, was not able to containe himselfe within l•…•…mits, but taketh Astile on a time a tone side, and thus c•…•…ute∣lously, the better to accomplishe his purpose deliuereth vnto him. I haue (Sir) heere-tofore neuer in my life yeelded ap∣petite or liking to any thing so much, as to quaffing companye, and aboundaunce of feeding, but nowe is my minde chaunged there-fro, and since I sawe this freshe yoong goate-heard play∣ing on his pipe so melodiously as hee dooth, me thinkes than the sole and sweet pleasure thereof, there is no delight in the worlde. Nowe Sir, albeit he bee the sonne of your fathers villaine, yet surely respecting the seemely fauours he beareth: for estraunged in shewe from so simple a proportion, mee thinkes you might doo very well to craue him of your father, and to take him from these heards to dwell with you at home in the citie. Astile har∣kened heere-vnto, and thought it not amisse, and onely atten∣ded, but time conuenient to mooue his father thereof. This speach by Eudrome the page, being ouer-heard, who knewe the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 delights of this parasite ges•…•…er, and marked since

their comming thither this continuall fawning and pursuite of the gentle Daphnis, and howe many exercises there withall he tendered, that hee woulde procure hys freedome, thought this faire weather was not all for naught, and therefore speeding him-selfe to Lamon and Myrtale (as one compassionate of the youths misfortune, if the way in question shoulde be taken) hee reuealed vnto them both the practise, and also what of the e∣uent thereof, not without good cause he had coniectured.

The poore olde man surcharged nowe, with farre greater griefes than euer before hee was pestred, for that the losse of his life coulde not haue beene more miserable vnto him than the sor∣rowe of this mischiefe, sawe that the disguise of this youth in sending his sonne, should•…•… nowe without speedie preuention, be∣come mea•…•…e to make him the beastly pray and spoile (vnder pre∣text of bringing him to the seruice of Astile) to a base, vile, ser∣•…•…ile, and gorbellied drunkard. This thought the poore man, rather to die than to suffer: wherefore resoluing him-selfe to re∣ueale (if neede compelled) what he was, that the woorthinesse of his birth might the sooner free him from such intollerable ser∣uage, hee onelye 〈◊〉〈◊〉 but for the oportunitie when Astile shoulde begge him of his father, which beeing by the continuall suggestion of Gna•…•…o the •…•…ext day put in practise. The simple bondman standing foorth, fell prostrate immediatly at his lordes feete, and embracing straightly his knees besought him to haue compassion of his humble sute and petition then to be made vnto him. Dionysophanes willed him to speake▪ and then taking Daphnis by the hand. Clearista present, and the most part else of the familie, Lamon therevpon said: I am not (sir) discontented, that it is your good pleasure, and my yoong L. Astile heere, to take from me this yoong youth out of these countrie laboures, to attend, and there to remaine with him in the citie, for so might it thereby happen, that a woorthie and noble Maister, might also enioy of him by this meanes, a free and noble seruaunt, but that by pretext thereof, and vnder colour to drawe him hence to an other place, whereby in most vile and insufferable manner to abuse the woorthinesse of his shape against nature, onely by no∣tice, that he is the sonne of a bondslaue, and bred of my loines,

and that namely also to bec•…•…me a vessell to hi•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉, eue•…•… the grosse villanie of this parasiticall gester: this Gnatho heere present, who vpon a beastlie and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 conceipt to accomplish the same, hath onelie suggested this motion, that can I neuer suffer. Wherefore (Sir) that the better it may appe•…•…re vnto your knowledge, howe vnfit it is, that so great and not co•…•…∣monlye accustomed feature and comelinesse, shoulde in so vile and bad manner be misprized: vnderstande I beseeche you, that this yoong and braue youth heere present is not my sonne (as it hath beene supposed) nor is the basenesse of our condicion able to produce so excellent a creature: but beeing now•…•… eighteene yeares since I found him laide foorth in pastures •…•…enderly 〈◊〉〈◊〉 within a small thicket, where-vnto o•…•…e of my 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉, to my great astonishement ordinarily resorted to su•…•…ke it, n•…•…ither am I able to say howe, or by whose handes it came there▪ but this knowe I, that the descent thereof can not bee meane, re∣sp•…•…cting the costly attire, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, •…•…nd 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 which I found about it, all which I haue hithe•…•… to whol•…•… and e•…•…tirely preserued, by the co•…•…iecture whereof you may the better d•…•…eme of his parentage, and howe 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it is, that so gentle 〈◊〉〈◊〉 na∣ture shoulde become the subiect and spoile of so base and serui•…•…e 〈◊〉〈◊〉 condition.

Lamon had 〈◊〉〈◊〉 scarce shut his lippes vppo•…•… these speeches, but that Gnatho enraged at these his sharpe peercing •…•…auntes •…•…nd inforcements vsed against him, closed straight wayes wyth his wordes, and threatened, that ere long hee woulde for this be throughly reuenged on him. Dionysophanes for his pa•…•…te was amazed at the accident, and charging his bondman, in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vehement and hard speeches thereof to deliue•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 truth. L•…•…∣mon▪ further added, and swore by the immortall gods, by Pan, and the Nymphs, that heerein hee had •…•…ot lied one word, and to the ende to make cleere the matter, caused his wife Myrtale to bring foorth the attire, the mantle, and iewelles, and there she∣wed them in his presence.

Dionysophanes hauing heard these last speeches of Lamon to∣gither with his attentiue countenance & •…•…arnest protestation, loo∣ked vppon G•…•…atho with an aspect austere and grimme, as one

loue with thy brother indifferentlie. And in the parting of my possessions betweene you, I will that this house, these lands, the moouables heere in my heards, flocks, seruants, and all things else therevnto belonging, doo remaine and continue vnto thee. Daphnis at the repetition of these last words, not suffering his father to speake foorth the rest, start vp quicklie on a sudden, and there with O Nymphs, said he, my heards haue not all this while beene watered, and I stand heere stil a doing nothing. The com∣panie heereat fell a laughing, to see that the remembrance of that wherein so long he had beene trained, could not yet make him for∣get what he had to doo when he was woont to be a seruant. But they aduertised vnto him that the care of his gotes belonged now vnto another, and that he needed not to troble his thonghts ther∣with any longer. Chloe all this while being filled with the▪ brute of Daphnis and his new acknowledgement of his parents, did nothing else but greeue and lament to see the bad successe (as she deemed) of their loues, for thinking that Daphnis being now ad∣uanced to rich parentage, would not anie more regard or account of hir, he could but sigh and waile, accusing hir selfe to haue giuen more confidence to his othsworne by his gotes than to that he had made before to the Nymphs. Lapes therefore, who for dispite and wreak of the loue of Daphnis then made to hir, had spoiled in the night time, and marred the workmanship of Lamon as you heard before, perceiuing now that the state of Daphnis might tend to o∣ther effect, began to deuise to steale the shepheardesse by force, and for that purpose accompanied with a number of r•…•…de rakell fel∣lowes, encountered with hir one morning as she was drining hir •…•…ocks, and offering violence vnto hir shee skritched alowd▪ the sound of hir voice came first to Nape, and after to Drias and from him to Daphnis: but the yoonge goteheard conferring n•…•…we the state and reputation of his freends, durst not be acknowne pub∣likelie of the action, but called foorth some of the house, to whom he gaue speciall direction to aid and assist Dryas.

Gnatho, who had euer since his villenie discouered, hid him∣selfe from all companie, hauing notice of the direction, thought with himselfe that now was the time wherein occasion was of∣fered him to be reconciled to Daphnis, and putting himselfe forth

in the prease, as he that intended to be a guide vnto them in that action, they encountered Lapes by their hast, and the residue of his clownes that now were euen readie to haue conueied awaie the Nimph, and buckling heerevpon togithers, with hard strokes on either sides, Dryas and his companie in the end had the best, and rescuing Chloe againe lambs kind the rude lobkins welfauo∣redlie.

Gnatho supposing that he had behaued himselfe reasonable manlie in this enterprise, chalenged the honor of the conquest in∣to his hands, wherof he now thought to make a gratefull present vnto his yoong maister Dryas, was not therewith miscontented, but accompanied them both to Daphnis, where being come, Gnatho made offer of the braue Nymph into his hands, humblie submitting himselfe therewithall at his feet, and praied him of pardon for his misd•…•…meanors passed, and that he might againe be restored by his meanes to the former enterteinment that in his fathers house he woontedlie receiued.

Daphnis gladded inwardlie at the sight of his Chloe, accep∣ted his seruice, and imbracing hir manie times, he was in mind to haue committed hir againe to Dryas, with great desire that their loues might be kept secret. But Dryas vtterlie denied that, but rather deliberating to make the matter plaine, seeing the o∣ther was alreadie by fortune made knowne to his parents, tooke Chloe againe for that instant, and the next morning leading hir with him to the house of Dionysophanes, & desiring at the hands of him and his wife a little attentiue hearing, he made knowne vnto them the finding of Chloe, hir education, hir putting to the charge of keeping of flocks in the pastures, the vision to him and Lamon appearing touching the disposition of their fosterlings, Daphnis putting also to the feeld, the mutuall societie of him and Chloe there begun, continued and concluded vpon after in mari∣age, and therewithall praied that the Nymph by change and alte∣ration of the state of Daphnis might not now be despised: and to the intent that they might the beeter stand assured of hir paren∣tage, he shewed also the call, mantle, slippers and other attire and iewels that he found with hir: and those with hir, recommended e•…•…tsoones to their patronage, loue, care, and common defense.

Dionysophanes and Clearista beholding the beautifull and seemelie parts of the shepheardesse, and weieng also, that by like ensignes and badges as theirs, she had beene laid foorth, conclu∣ded the likelihood thereof with their owne intendments, and the rather in respect of those testimonies which shewed in some sort, the reckoning of hir parents, and as king also of Daphnis his wil∣lingnesse therein, they accepted hir immediatlie as their daugh∣ter in law, and confirmed the liking, wherewith before he had re∣ceiued hir as his wife.

Time wearing out the period of euerie determinat purpose and resolution, made Dionysophanes & his wife to thinke them∣selues sufficientlie by this time recreated with the pleasure of the count•…•…ie: wherefore apparelling Chsoe after the maner of the ci∣tie, and as beseemed their daughter, they iointlie with all their whole houshold remooued, and came backe againe to Meteline, but first in recompence of the painefull trauell of both these aged heardsmen, Dionysophanes rewarded Lamon with his free∣dome, and besides gane him afterwards wherwith to liue richlie: to Dryas also of his bountie he gaue three hundred crownes more than those he had before, and a gowne furred, and other apparrell both for winter and summer. To Nape, and e•…•…peciallie to Myr∣tale Clearista was not vnthankefull, both she and Lamon, besides greatlie reioicing in their olde age to haue obteined their f•…•…ee∣dome.

Now grew there to be a woonder at their arriuall in Mete∣lene vpon this strange kind of accident, by meanes of which, di∣uerse of the woorthiest of the citie and their wiues visited Dio∣nysophanes to know the maner and truth of the same: among all the rest that were there to participat this nouell, one Mega∣cles a wealthie noble citizen, hearing the recount of the •…•…ding and knowledge of Daphnis made by Dionysophan•…•…▪ sighing deeplie in his mind, began at a sudden to weepe verie tenderlie, and being earnestlie of the assistants demanded the occasion ther∣of, he said: It is now about sixteene yeeres since, that by reason of my great charge bestowed in trauell, and sundrie losses hapned vnto me by seas, I had then a daughter borne vnto me by my wife Rhode, and forsomuch as my estate was at that instaut so

weake, as made me in great hazard how I might recouer my los∣ses and fortune againe, and yeelded me also some dispaire how, or by what meanes I might afterwards liue hauing so manie chil∣dren: in great agonie of minde I tooke the infant and gaue it in like manner as thou Dionysophanes to one of my seruants, with apparell, iewelles, and other things about it, and willed him, in some conuenient place to bestowe the same, recommending it thereby to the protection and guidance of some better hap. My children then had, are since all of them dead, my wealth neuer∣thelesse not any wayes diminished, but rather increased, but ah my greatest vnkindnesse to that infant, hath nowe bereft mee of any childe at all, and there is none to inherit the possessions and goodes I leaue behinde me. The recordation heereof (Diony∣sophanes) reported by a newe relation and deliuerie of thy good hap in recouering thy sonne, togither with the manner of thy de∣parting from him so iustly agreeing in euery thing with mine, maketh me onely in this to accuse my ill hap, that can not also in the selfe occasion attaine the euent and fortune of other men, and lamenting the vntimely miscarryeng of hir (whome then I deemed some one or other beeing without childe might happilie finde, and take to their guidance, but nowe do expect vtterlie to be destroied) do wish to continue for hir sake the residue of my life in perpetuall sorrow and heauines.

This pitifull discourse of the olde Megacles, bredde in the minde of all the companie an extreame sadnesse, wherefore, as well on a sudden to alter the dombe conceit therof, as otherwise to manifest vnto them all, a double occasion of his gladnesse: this aged Dionysophanes first brought foorth to Megacles the orna∣ments found with Chloe (hir-selfe hitherto remaining vnspoken of, and vnseene, but altogether in secret) and thereof demaun∣ded of Megacles if he had any knowledge, affirming, that in the recouerie of his sonne, such manner of thinges also came to his handes. But Megacles well knowing and remembring the to∣kens of the same, fell heereby into a greater extremitie than be∣fore, thinking, that hee by this might well be assured, that his daughter could not nowe otherwise choose but be dead, and that some heardsman of the field had by chance taken vp these things,

and brought them also to Dionysophanes togither with Daph∣nis. Dionysophanes seeing heereby, that it was not requisit vnto the intendment of a ioifull mee•…•…ing long time in this sort to dally, began then with sweete words to comfort this Megacles, and assured him, that his daughter was liuing, and therewith presenting vnto the viewe of all the company, the meere diuine and exquisite proportion indeede of very Beautie it selfe, harbo∣red in the amiable lookes of this faire and excellent Chloe, hee made known also to their hearing the whole maner of hir conti∣nuance euen to hir present finding.

Megacles not sufficiently able vppon a sudden to digest his ioyes, straightly embraced the Nymph, and being also informed of the marriage intended to the celebrated betweene hir and Daphnis, desired no better aliance. And in signe how well and worthily he deemed of the match, he freely there gaue and besto∣wed vpon hir, to hir present aduancement, the inheritaunce of al his lands, wealth, and possessions whatsoeuer, onely reserued vn∣to those that so charily had vnto that estate conducted hir, suche liberall rewards and presents, as to the reputation of his person, and the benefit at that instant receiued, might seeme most agree∣ing and correspondent.

The citizens all thereabouts, commending highly the rare and woonderfull accomplishments of these two noble creatures, extolled the indifferencie of the match, and praied Himenaeus to giue vnto them, a happie, fruitfull, and gladsome continu∣ance: whereby were finished in most honourable, and sumptuous maner, to the reioycing of al the beholders, the finall determi∣nation of all these pasto∣rall amours.