fire-burning loue and boyling in feruencie of desire with such conceites as his newe thoughtes presented vnto him continually meditating with him selfe how to compasse the summe of his desire which was wholly to bestow his time in the seruice of this Semi-goddesse to obtaine the which by reason of the enmitie betweene the King his Father and Deuasco seemed vnto him a labour so endlesse as with Dedalus to search out the bottome of the Laberinth or to rowle the stone with Sisiphus wherefore he was so quatted in his former determination that Venus had lost one champion had not the fierie God so boyled his sences in the furnace of fancie that hee was perforce constrained to yeelde vnto affection And breathing thus hee fedde him selfe with hope that opprtunitie woulde be a good plea in this suite soothing his owne vaine and foolishe humour with such friuolous circumstances and fonde deuices of his newe troubled braine that hee weighed the daunger though neuer so desperate but small and the enterprise though neuer so great but meane to haue once a sight of this rare Saint counting it a life to dye in the demaunde of such a Iewell and an honour to bestowe the flowre of his youth in the seruice of such a peerelesse Parragon Wherefore resting vpon this conclusiue Periode first he breathed foorth manie sealding sighes for sacrifice vnto Venus and manie bitter teares for offeringes vnto Cupid to bee Mediatours to further his newe entertained fancies and therewithall taking his leaue of all the boun companions and gentle swaynes leauing them to their pastimes hee bequeathed him selfe to his passions for in his returne from the plaines to his Fathers Pallace making no great haste to come where he might be knowen before it should be late in the euening least he should be descried in those homelie attires he beganne to tosse in his braine manie odde shiftes to effect his purpose the feâ—uencie of his affection ministring vnto him a thousand deuises to put this matter in practise no one thought which fancie presented seemied hard vnto him though all in a manner vnpossible In the end after that he had long deliberated vpon this matter he purposed in disguised manner to giue his attendance vpon the Duke her Father and so by that meanes to espie opportunitie to reueale his minde vnto her which verie shortly he brought to passe by the helpe of a Florentine a verie neere kinsman to Perduratus who willing to pleasure his young Lord and Master requesting his furtherance and opening him selfe vnto him as assured of secrecie at his handes whose faith had affoorded him a thousand pledges of faithfull and true dealing did write his letters with Priscus to his cousin Perduratus desiring him to place that noble Gentleman in the Dukes seruice to whome and his friendes he in curtesie helde him selfe much bound Byndon for so the Florentine was called hauing finished his letters deliuered them to his young Master and wished him bone fortune in his affayres Whereupon Priscus faining some other occasion of absence to the King his father departed him selfe with one alone Page cowardes Albigena for there the Court of Deuasco Prince of Liguria was to put his purpose in practise thinking euery minute a Moneth and euery howre a yeere till he came to his iourneyes end verifying this onely Adage Cupienti caeleritas mora est In this sort his thoughtes building Castels in the ayre at last he arriued at Albigena where deliuering his letters of commendations to the Prince his high Steward he had verie good entertainment of him made him the best welcome his late reuiued Fortune could affoord And verie shortly placed him in the Dukes seruice for Priscus was such a one whose owne person might warrant him so much fauour being a man as rare in his qualities as excellent in his personage whose countenance was adorned with the beautie of youth and his behauiour furnished with the grauitie of age so that verie thankefull was this proffer to the Duke who alwayes had in estimation and regarde all such toward youthes This being finished Perduratus minding to shewe him selfe euery way bountifull to young Priscus to remunerate some part of his kinsman his receiued good turnes called vnto him his sonne Moderatus who was in good credite in the Court and generally welbeloued for his affabilitie and gentlenesse commaunding him to be acquainted with Priscus and withall not to omit any occasion that might procure his good declaring the kindnes he had shewed vnto his Unckle Byndon to induce him faithfully to doe the same Moderatus of duetie obedient to his Fathers commaund and of Nature passing gentle Nurture hauing also instructed him to be Patron vnto Strangers especially to such as had in the highest degree merited the same endeuoured not onely to entertaine Priscus with common curteste but also to vnite him selfe in friendship with him if the sequell of his life prooued so vertuous as it seemed in outward apparance and great reason he had so to do for that they were both Straungers much of the same age the constitution of their bodies were alike and the disposition of their mindes without difference So as nothing is to be respected in amitie and friendship more then equalitie euen so could none more fitly be ioyned in amitie and friendshippe by reason of the sympathie of their natures then this couple who so much resembled each other in proportion and condition that scant could the one be knowen from the other Thus both these faire buddes flourishing in the beautifull prime of their yeeres hauing in some reasonable quantitie of time sufficiently experienced each others vertuous disposition grew so familiar in speech and conuersation that the consent of the one was a constraint to the other if Priscus smiled Moderatus reioyced if Moderatus lowred Priscus laughed not in so much that they were neuer found different in opinion or action for one chamber was common vnto them both one bed serued them both they both euer vsed one boord they had but one purse indifferent betweene them and last of all their seuerall and distinct bodyes had but one minde either of them with their affable and curteous demeanour endeuouring to gaine the good will of the people and both of them in a verie short space did in the highest degree of good liking obtaine the same Priscus all this while applying him selfe very diligently in the seruice of his mistresse no where seeming pleasant but in her presence her lookes hauing fettered him in the prison oâ— fancie fortune brought him to such a Laberinth that his thoughts were like Ianus pictures that presented both peace and warre his minde not vnlike to Venus Anuill whereon is forged both feare and hope the sight of his beloued something easing the intollerable wearinesse of his minde who with her rowling lookes sometimes lending him an amorous glance more of an vse which she had taken then of any fauour vnto him brought the poore Gentleman to such a fooles
consider with him selfe that he would be a verie fitte messenger for that purpose and therefore he tooke him the letter closely sealed and wished him with conuenient speede to deliuer the same vnto his sister Verosa wishing her in his name to deliuer it ouer to Florida according to the direction thereof Further desiring the page not to make it knowen to any that he had seene him and the rather to haue him to accomplish his request he clapt him in the fist with a brace of angels and tolde him that he was to goe vpon some serious businesse which he would not haue any to vnderstand thereof And thus hauing schooled the Page what he had to doe he bade him heartily farewell and returned to his owne chamber againe where hee found Baleto readie with all thinges that he lacked for his iourney wherewith he presently furnished himselfe and hauing left order with him to excuse his absence to his Parents and for the doing of his businesse which he left vnperfect he rewarded him well for his labour and so departed with Auroraes first blush that he might not be descryed of any passing through gardens and vineyardes a way verie secret till he came to the forrest where we will leaue him as yet not fully determined which way from thence to bende the course of his trauell And nowe returne to Priscus who all the night before had taken very little rest for that no disquietnesse may be compared to the griefe of minde wherewith he was continually vexed and nowe much more then euer before supposing that Floridas sudden departure was a Kalender of his ensuing calamities for hauing his barge tossed amids the weltring waues of Fortunes euer-changing surges Floridas lookes onely guided the sterne so that for euery wrinckle in her browe and frowne in her face he was in daunger of present shipwracke The absence of his friend Moderatus also greatly troubled him both for that he longed to vnderstand his successe with Florida and also much maruelled why he came not to bed vnto him the night before as his manner was and as thus he studyed vpon these and such other contingents his Page came in whereupon he addressed him selfe to be stirring and the Page busie helping to make ready his Master the letter sent by him to be deliuered to Florida fel from his bosome the which Priscus presently espying demaunded what it was the Page lothe by reason of the charge giuen him by Moderatus to confesse the trueth fayned some excuse what vpon a sudden came to his head but neuerthelesse Priscus by the indorsement thereof perceiued it to be his friend Moderatus hand-writing and that the direction was to Florida which sight made him very blancke but better remembring him selfe he straightly examined his Page howe he came by the same letter and what he had in charge to doe therewith who seeing his Master in some choller thought it nowe no time to dallie with him and thereupon presently confessed the trueth Priscus nowe maruelling what was become of his friend being great with childe till he might viewe the contentes of his letter in the ende after long studie he bethought him of the print of Moderatus signet which he had in yuorie and therefore might well open the same without knowledge whereupon presently vnripping the seale he perused his friendes lines to Florida wherein perceiuing the fidelitie of Moderatus and the great crueltie of Florida he grew very melancholy and passionate for his friend in so much that he beganne to quake like the Aspine leafe falling therewith vpon a sudden to a very daungerous feuer which forced him not onely to keepe his chamber but also to embrace his pillowe but neuerthelesse sealed the letter a-new and commaunded his Page to doe therewith as his friend Moderatus had giuen him in charge which the Page accordingly perfourmed but the letter being come to Floridas hand and vnderstanding the same to come from Moderatus she was the gladdest woman in the worlde thinking it had bene a recâ—ntation of his former follie and therefore presently opened the same and read ouer his lynes viewing and reuiewing euery worde in particular the agonie of this sudden sight tormenting her so much that she was skant able to keep her countenance whylest shee fayned some businesse to send away Verosa which deliuered the same letter vnto her who being gone she secretly conueyed her selfe to her closet and began thus to meditate vpon the matter Ah Florida what meaneth this alteration and whereof proceedeth these vnwonted passions hast thou bene courted of so many braue and gallant Gentlemen sued vnto and sought by so manie worthie Personages and seruice offered vnto thee by so many noble Lordes all which thou heldest in disdaine skorning Cupides Alarums and condemning for superstition Aphrodites Orisons and nowe like the Beetle hauing nesteled in the Sunne all day is contented with a Cowsharde for shelter at night art not onely forced to be the formost souldiour to march when Cupid soundeth his trumpet and both to decke Venus shrine at Paphos with flowers and to offer incense at her Altar for sacrifice but also ouercome with base and seruile thoughtes art contrarie to the qualitie of thy sexe driuen to offer the fauour of thy affection to thy vassall yea an vpstart not knowen whence he came onely by thy Fathers bountie preserued from famishing and from a beggar aduaunced to dignitie and he thus vnkindely to rewarde thy curtesie with so slender a regard of thy friendly offers O vniust Fortune that workest these strange stratagemes and procurest thus my preiudice but trueth it is thou hast as many frownes as smiles who fawning like the Tigre when hee meaneth most harme and shewing foorth a sowre and frowning countenance doeth prognosticate fayre weather at hande for after a great storme followeth a pleasant caulme But what Florida is it possible that Moderatus is gone or writeth thus vnto thee to trye thy patience no Moderatus is too wise to iest in these matters gone hee is too sure O vnkinde churle that thus repayest my loue with hate and requitest my ardent desire with peremptorie and colde disdaine resembling the Cedar which is most fayre in sight but yet bringeth no fruite or the Nightingale that hath a most sweete voyce but ranke flesh so thou seeming as simple as a Doue in outwarde semblance yet in minde as cruell as a furie or a rauening lyon What nowe Florida wade not too farre in these inuectiues before thou considerest the cause aright for a rash iudgement doeth but seldome sauour of Iustice Moderatus sued vnto thee for his friend and thou wouldest haue him conuert the same for him selfe glad hee woulde haue bene so to doe but that his amitie with Priscus did forbid him to falsifie his faith vnto his friend so that hee had rather though to his great griefe refuse thy offer and forsake his most louing and carefull Parents and all his deere friendes then he would be founde disloyall
mortall enemie he brought him from a Prince of Aemulia to be a vassall and seruitour in her Fathers Court whereby to obtaine the sight of her whome he loued more deere then hee did his owne life The young Gentleman who had neuer bene a long wayter in Lady Venus Court measuring the affection of Florida after his owne feruent fancie thought euery smyle a fauour and euery looke the Kalender of true loue much like the Swallowes that thinke euery Sunne-shine to be a fayre Summers day such is the desired contrarietie of this blinde god that he maketh the beloued little to esteeme the faithfull and vnfayned zeale of the passionate and tormenting louer that daily offered his humble seruice for the pleasing of his Ladie which taketh no effect but rather breedeth contempt and disdayne in her skornefull and proude minde a too too vnkinde rewarde to so louing a friend In like manner this Cyprian boy delighting in nothing but extremities contrariwise so inflamed the minde of the young Ladie with the loue of Moderatus that not onely her affection to him was match-able to Priscus fancie towards her but also did exceede her patient in loue towardes him who being not yet mooued with the violent passions of seruent desire did little regarde the same though contrarie to Decorum in feminine sexe she by her owne mouth had giuen him to vnderstand thereof So much he delighteth in chaungeable nouelâ—yes that he holdeth not that plea for currant in his Court which is not like Proteus that receiueth euery shape or to the Polip that is apt for euery impression or to the Cameleon that turneth it selfe into the likenesse of euery obiect howe dangerous is it then to warme at his fire the heate whereof not onely wythereth the bodie but also wearyeth the minde which like the vemme of a Tarantula deuoureth a man laughing a pleasing euill which vnawares bringeth vs to confusion Well had Priscus but remembred that a womans eye draweth like the Adamant and preuâ—deth like the Basiliske bee woulde not haue come so farre to seeke his owne bane but trueth it is Loue is sencelesse and lawlesse and therefore he that is subiect thereto obeyeth no reason for needes must hee trotte whome the Deuill driueth as the olde Addage is otherwise Priscus had neuer so blynded him selfe with selfe-will who nowe hath full experience hauing with repentance bought the same in the miserable life of vnfortunate Louers whose onely staye is but a rotten staffe for nowe feeling the bitter panges of his tormenting passions to surcharge him with sorrowe and griefe hee trembled to thinke of the answere hee should receiue of his assured friend Moderatus and therefore as one in despayre of his owne lyfe he fayned an excuse of some vrgent and waighty businesse to bee done with all expedition which called him as he sayde verie much against his will to the dispatch thereof The rest of the company hauing concluded to suppe together whereby with a cuppe of pure wine to driue downe all their pastimes and sportes seeing as he fayned such necessarie businesse and affayres drewe him from their companie they woulde stay his friend Moderatus as a pledge of his returne in hope afore the feast were ended hee woulde repayre to raunsome him Whereupon Priscus departed and they all together seeing the companie bare without Florida determined first to visite her and then if her distemperature were not ouer-much they would intreate her to be their guest and beare them companie that night which accordingly they perfourmed and came all together to her chamber where she being very melancholy and hauing a flea in her eare had cast her selfe vpon her bed and by this had breathed foorth not onely a number of grieuous grones and scalding sighes but also many hard and sharpe inuectiues against Moderatus that so discourteously has refused her gentle offer and therefore her former choller something quallified Florida at their comming to the chamber awaked out of her dumpes being verie high minded and therefore would not be perceiued to mourne for any thing stept vp vpon a sudden and saidâ— vnto them now gentle friendes you haue played the good woodesmen that hauing wounded the Deare you followed his tracke so wel that you came to his denne where he was ready to breath his lastâ— for surely in good earnest be it spoken I was so wearyed with this dayes exercise that my pillowe was my best Phisitian and therewithall spying Moderatus present and Priscus away she thought al was well and that Moderatus had recanted in his errour Priscus become non-sute in his action And therefore vpon their entreatie to haue her companie to suppe she willingly assented to goe with them and being all come to the place appointed supper was readie and they fell roundly to their vittails for their exercise that day had brought them to good appetites And repast being done after a little prattle being all desirous of rest they took leaue each of other so departed Moderatus great sorow that his faithfull endeuor could not take place with FLORIDA for the preferment of his friend His determination to leaue DEVASCOS Court and his letter to FLORIDA to signifie the same Chap. 6. MOderatus who all this while was very sore disquieted in minde his thoughtes wandering at it were betweeen Scilla and Charibdis could by no meanes deuise how to rid him selfe out of the intricate Laberinth he was in first the loyall league of friendship betweene him and Priscus moouing him to great pitie in that his faithfull endeuour could not take effect to satisfie the desire of his dearest friend and again being very pensiue for that reason and honestie commaunded him to refuse the curteous and gentle offer of the faire Florida but to be briefe loue and vertue being at great warres in his minde Loue hammering in his head a thousand reasons to mooue him to fancie Florida and assuring him of a sufficient meane to retaine his friendship still with Priscus Uertue on the other side forbidding him to violate his faith vnto his friend least in so doing he should become hatefull vnto the worlde and his name growe odious amongst men in the end vertue hauing gotten the superioritie for by nature he was much inclined thereto he bethought with him selfe howe he might best further his friend in his Amours knowing very well that to disswade him from his purpose was with the Assirian wolues to barke against the starres and when he had tossed diuers and sundrie deuises in his head concerning the same none seeming currant but all impossible if he remained where Florida might haue knowledge of him for nowe he iudged that his presence was the greatest let to hinder Priscus determinate purpose and therefore he determined to remooue that blocke and so resolued vnawares to any presently to auoyd the Dukes Court thinking that when Florida missed him she would be glad to entertaine Priscus for that women hauing once feathered their thoughtes with fancie would doe
no lesse then still ayme at affection and he knew very wel there was no fayrer marke for her in all her fathers Court then Priscus and thus he concluded with him selfe the next morning to depart from Albigena On this determination he went home to his fathers lodging thinking it not the wisest course to goe to his friend Priscus chamber in the Court least if he were prest to reueale vnto him the veritie of the matter it might breed in him such a despaire that his pretended pollicie would serue for small purpose who being come to his fathers gate it was so farre past of the night that al were in bed neuerthelesse he repayred to the chamber window of a seruant of his Fathers whome he loued verie faithfully and called him to open the gate for him who incontinently so did and shewed him a chamber to take his rest whereupon he spake to Baleto for so his Fathers man was called being assured of his fidelitie which very often had yeelded vnto him many sure pledges of trueth howe that he was to depart from the Dukes Court vpon some serious businesse which required a present dispatch to the executing whereof he must be furnished with a pilgrimes weede therefore gaue him in charge by morning to prouide such furniture as belonged thereunto and therewithall deliuered him Crownes sufficient to buy the same promising also to reward him well for his labour and so Baleto hyed him about his businesse and Moderatus betooke him to his ease who all this night tooke but small rest beating his braines sometimes about the course of his trauell other-whiles calling to memorie howe grieuously his parents would take his absence with diuers other occurrents which happened to come to his minde and lastly resolued vpon this point that if he truely discharged the part of a friend he did not care how his trauell prospered howe his parents should be grieued nor howe he should be thought of by his friend And so peremptorily determining to depart suddenly he tooke pen ynke and paper and deuised these ensuing lines to be sent to Florida TO FAIRE FLORIDA PERFECT health and prosperous happinesse THat which verie often I haue read in antiquities I finde nowe plainely verified in you which is that Loue swimmeth in a womans eye but neuer diueth into her heart fancie is the load-starre that ruleth her affection and desart is either neuer respected or slenderly considered it is presently in obliuion Well nowe I perceiue that the finest veluet hath his bracke the fayrest Rose his prickle and the rarest beauty a disdainfull and coye resolution which doeth more blemish an honourable minde then the most excellent hew of beauty doeth garnish and adorne the body for as it is sayd If thou be fayre thou oughtest diligently to endeuour thy selfe that thy vertuous lyfe bee aequiualent to those good partes which thy Creatour bestowed vpon thee but if fowle thou oughtest so much the more to endeuour thy selfe to excell in vertue as thou art others inferiour in beautie Wherefore Madame vnnaturall were it for you beyng furnished with such heauenly and diuine beauty to haue your heart to hardened in the forge of crueltie as not to releeue the ceaselesse torments of your faythfull Louer and my distressed friend who counting all daunger a ioye all griefe a grace all payne a pastyme and wayghing all torments as a treasure so the same were sustayned in your seruice or vndertaken at your commaundement and to be briefe had you any way regarded a loyall and louing heart founded vpon an vnfayned and vertuous resolution so long coulde you not haue with-helde your eye of pitty from him that so often yea euen within your viewe languished with such pure tormenting payne and griefe that his onely hope of release was to haue his dismall dayes ended by the pearcing and deadly darte of death Happily you will say that I pronounce a sharpe sentence against mine owne selfe and iudge me as arrogant in denying your most curteous offer as you were vnkynd in not graunting my request True it is if eyther the force of lawlesse loue or the ouer-liberal curtesie farre aboue my desart of a royall and beautifull Lady had bene of a vertuous and honest mynde more to be respected and regarded then the sacred league and inuiolable bond of true and faythfull friendshippe which vnited Priscus minde and mine together much more had I ouer-shot my selfe to deny your request and to refuse the thing I most of all desired but seeing the Imperiall lawes of sacred societie did will and commaund the contrary I thinke therein that I haue done but my duety wherefore knowe fayre Florida that sith your doome was so dyre as absolutely to forbid me your presence without I vndertooke so much for my selfe as I did then prosecute for my friend rather then I would falsifie my fayth I meane though to my no small griefe to fulfill the tenor of your sentence by absenting my selfe not only from your presence but also from your fathers Court faithfully bequeath my selfe to a pilgrimes life to assay if by my penance I may release my friend from his martyrdom Wherfore receiue this my last adewe and credite me the refusing of your gentle offer proceeded of a firme zeale towards my friend not of a coy disdaine towardes you assuring you but to preiudice Priscus I am euery way at your commaund so intending not to returne againe till either Florida hateth Moderatus or loueth priscus I beseech you if euer you affected me you attribute the same vnto him as his due who as Cicero said est quasi alter idem and therfore may iustly challenge all that were due vnto me I am so quaint in my pilgrims habite that I forget the reuerence due to so royal a lady Wherfore I pray for pardon wish you if the prayer of a pilgrime may take effect to commend me to Priscus And thus with tears in mine eyes grief in my heart I cōmend you to your pleasure and bequeath my selfe to my trauell Yours euery way but to preiudice Priscus DON MODERATVS Moderatus departure from Albigena Priscus intercepting of MODERATVS letters to FLORIDA perusal of the same His griefe for the losse of his friend which driue him to a dangerous feuer MODERATVS letter sealed againe and deliuered to FLORIDA Her meditation vpon the same the altering of her resolucion and affecting of PRISCVS The Ladies and Gentlemens visiting of PRISCVS being sicke CORNELIVS censure vpon Beautie and Bountie Chap. 7. MOderatus hauing finished this letter repaired to the chamber of Baleto to see howe things were in a readinesse thinking it long till he were departed from Albigena and to deale with him for the conueying of the letter to Florida where by chaunce he found Priscus page who had bene foorth so late the night before that for feare to disquiet his Master he had taken vp his lodging there as often he vsed to doe whereupon Moderatus did
the only surgeon that could cure his maladie reason being so blinded with fancie that he had wholly forgotten that his affection to Florida had procured the lâ—sse of his friend and finding her looks as attractiue as Iet he perceiued him selfe too weake to withstand the force thereof so that yeelding to the necessitie of his passion he continued certaine dayes not thoroughly recouered though wel amended in which time the Gentlewomen and the Lords of great account came daily to comfort him which was a good meane to weare away that wearisome disease which in the end being cleane shakt away fortune offered him very conuenient opportunitie to appoint a meeting to haue secret conference with Florida which was appointed to be the next morning in that artificiall paradice I meane that Priuie garden wherein first he had discouered his affection vnto her and Priscus hauing obtained a graunt of that which was his chiefest desire tooke small rest this night meditating vpon the successe of his fortunes the next day and by that Phoebus appeared in the East he quickely hyed him to the place of meeting and there missing of Florida because it was so timely he sate downe in a fine harbour where with the musicall harmonie of the birdes the pleasant murmure of a Christalline spring that there was together with the wearinesse of his bodie being so long exempt from any rest lulled him a-sleepe in which time Florida mindfull of her promes repayred thither also who sitting by that sweete Helicon to driue away thoughtes melodiously warbled out this insuing Dittie THe vaine delightes that please the curious eye By proofe I finde to turne vnto their paine Such obiectes rare do darke the sence for why The beames thereof reflecting pierce againe With double force the faithfull Louers brest Vntill by stealth it robbes his quiet rest The pinching paine that doeth torment the minde Is more increas'd by glauncing of the eye Which can no where a quiet habour finde But in the heart such is his vrgent might The vertue then of a light rowling looke Vnder a baite doeth hide a hydeous hooke Like Iett attractiue and like pearcing steele The heauiest things vnto it selfe it drawes Nothing so hard but yeeldes wherefore I feele My heart is drawen vnto his proscript Lawes And pearced eke by force of subtill sight Wherefore I yeeld vnto his lawlesse might His might hath captiue tane my pensiue heart His might hath made my hauty brest to bend His might hath turned my iesting vnto smart His might enforst me scalding sighes to send From skorched brest where carefull thoughtes enioy Hope of nought els but liuing in annoy When brutish beastes doe chew their cuddes in shade Nought doe they care for barren winters foode Who knew but shallow foords feares not to wade Euen so each louer in his merrie moode When fortune smiles and holdes him in her lappe Thinkes not this calme doeth breede an after-clappe FLorida hauing thus finished her Dittie Priscus awaked with the sound thereof would do no lesse then pay her her debt in the same coyne whereupon he descanted this ensuing fancie IF wearie sleepelesse rest In nightes doe argue care And dayes with dole opprest To them that louers are Then watchfull cares that with my colour grew To heate extreme shall prooue me louer true Mee louer true then trueth Deserueth trust I trow Which motiue is too ruthe In such as grace doeth grow No pittie then without desert I craue For what I bought I merited to haue To haue what faith may reape And loyall loue obtaine I ought to haue like cheape As I doe sell againe With loyaltie I purchase all my loue God graunt againe that others faithfull prooue If faithfull others prooue I prize my paine for nought If tryed trueth may mooue I haue the thing I sought If neither may take place I pine with woe Dye had I leuer then liue and liuing so PRiiscus with this note finished his song and presently hyed him to the place where Florida was where saluting her after the best manner he could shee gaue him very friendly entertainment Priscus of a long time could not frame him selfe to speake to Florida till she did as it were glaciem secare taking occasion first to shewe him his friend Moderatus letter vnto her the which albeit he had seene it before yet perusing the contents he tooke very heauily the losse of so deare a friend which Florida perceiuing began to shake him out of his dumpe thus Why how now Priscus what meaneth these sighing sobbes which may rather breede your harme then any hope of reliefe take heede least in complaining before you haue cause fortune offended with your vniust accusation a iust occasion of repentance may follow And if these straying passions proceed of my gentlenesse vnto you I am sorie to haue bene so ouer-liberall of mine honour in entertaining you with such kindnesse if your griefe be for your friend then reason doubtlesse may well satisfie a reasonable man to be reformed in such an error for ought you more to regard a little trauell which your friend endureth in forren and strange countryes where he gayneth more honour by the title and name of a traueller besides knowledge and experience which be two so rare and speciall iewels then would many thousand times counteruaile the labour or daunger of his pilgrimage then the loue of Florida which once you seemed to prize of greater value then your owne life Sure I must thinke if you doe so that either you did then counterfet or nowe dissemble either of which are two too base qualities for an honourable minde And Moderatus no doubt will returne hither againe when he may vnderstand that all goeth well with you which daily he may heare wheresoeuer he is commorant being inquisitiue as you may assure your selfe he is of the state of my fathers Court and then your ioy will be double his wished presence repaying with vsurie your late penance for his absence With these comfortable speaches Priscus was very much eased and hauing well considered the whole circumstance of Floridaâ— speach which to his iudgement proceeded of a hearty zeale from the melodious harmonie of her sugred voyce the influence whereof had so rauished his minde that for a long space he could not vtter one word till in the end being halfe awaked out of his newe traunce he embraced Florida so louingly as though he had bene readie to depart out of this worlde and efâ—soones watered his cheekes with a new tyde of flowing teares proceeding from the vnspeakable ioy of his ouer-ardent desire hauing now obtained a graunt to satisfie his expectation and also yeelded vnto her aboundance of thankes for this her kind compassion in relieuing his infortunate and miserable estate wherefore he vowed euer to remaine her true seruant at all times ready to recompence the same with this and such like amorous prattle they protracted the time till dinner about what time for feare to be discouered