Worthy thy works;

Then you celestial souls

Regard the good I covet,

And to so good desire enlarge the wings.

Thus ceased the voice, but not the sighs, of the unfortunate man who had just sung, and both were stimulants to extend the wish to ascertain who he was.

So, bursting through the spiny brambles, to ascertain the exact spot whence the sound issued, he abutted on a little meadow like a theatre, surrounded by thick and intricate shrubs, wherein he espied a shepherd, who, in a state of excitement, stood with his foot advanced, and the left hand behind, and the right raised as if to make a cast. This was truly so, for the noise Elicio had made in struggling through the bushes, thinking it to be some wild animal, from which shepherds must defend themselves, he adjusted himself to throw a heavy stone, which he held in his hand. Elicio, perceiving his object from his position, before he effected it, said:" Assuage your breast, wretched herdsman, for he who comes brings his provision to do what you require, and the desire of learning your misfortune has moved him to tears, though it may destroy the ease, which, being alone, it may secure to you." With these mild and polite words, Elicio calmed the hind, who, with no less blandness, replied, saying, "I accept your kind offer, whomsoever thou art, gentle shepherd; but if, by chance, you would know what ĺ have never revealed, you may remain unsatisfied."

"You

speak truth," answered Elicio, "but for the words and complaints which this night I have heard you indicate clearly that you are not deeply afflicted; still, you shall not the less satisfy my wishes by telling me your hardships, and declare to me your contentment also, and thus I give you up to fortune, and trust you will not deny me what I solicit, unless your not knowing me restrains; although, to assure you, and to move you, I vow I have not a soul so content as

not to feel the misery you should recount to me. This I say because I know there is nothing more excusable and yet baneful than for the wretch to recapitulate his woes to one who overflows with placid content.'

"Your excellent reasons oblige me," rejoined the hind, "that I should satisfy you; yet do not imagine that these complaints arise from a pusillanimous soul (which you have just heard), though I may be reluctant to divulge them."

At this Elicio rejoiced, and after some reciprocal politeness, Elicio giving tokens of his being a real friend of the shepherd, and he recognising a friendly intent, was induced to acquiesce in what Elicio had asked.

Hence both sat on the soil, Diana reflecting on them the rays which rivalled those of her brother; then the hind, with evidence of deep emotion, thus began his narrative-

"On the banks of the Betis, mighty river, which enriches the vast Vandalia, was born Lisandro (for that is my unfortunate name), and of noble parentage, as it pleased heaven, though I might have been the offspring of a humbler stock. Oft nobleness of lineage supplies wings and power to the soul to elevate her eyes beyond where humble lot has cast it, and of such boldness succeed similar calamities with what you shall hear, if with attention you listen. In the same hamlet was also born a shepherdess, by name Leonida, the paragon of beauty, and sucq as the world rarely produces, and of a birth correspondent in nobility with her beauty and virtue. It came to pass that both parents, being the principals of the locality in whom resided the government that envy, the mortal enemy of tranquillity, on some differences came to a quarrel, and even a mortal strife, so that the inhabitants were divided into two sects, one following mine, the other her parents, and with such rooted rancour and bad spirit, that no human interposition sufficed to allay its venom. Fate decreed, as if to throw off all prospect of restoration to amity, that I should fall violently in love with the handsome Leonida, daughter of Parmindro, head of the opposite faction. Such was my love, though I adopted all means to detach it from me, that I fell prostrate before it. A mountain of difficulties uprose, which prevented the execution of my desires, such as the opposition of Leonida, the inveterate hatred of our parents, the few

opportunities, or rather the absence of them; and withal, when I added the eyes of imagination to the rare beauty of Leonida, some difficulty was eased off, so that I thought I might pare away the sharp corners of the diamond, facets as it were, to touch my amorous and honest thoughts. Having combated with myself some days to see if I could divert my mind from the attempt, and seeing it to be hopeless, I gathered up all my industry, to find means of conveying to her the secret of my breast-but as all beginnings are difficult, those of love exceed in that, until it, when it desires to prove favourable, opens a remedy where all access seems intercepted; thus did it appear in my case. Still guided by my own cogitations, I concluded that no better medium did contribute to my hope than that of establishing an acquaintance with the parents of Silvia, a shepherdess and firm friend of Leonida, who unitedly visited the village cottages.

Now Silvia had a relative styled Carino, a close companion of Crisalvo, brother to the dear Leonida, whose whimsical manner and asperity had earned for him the reputation of cruel, and so was he accounted by all who knew him, and not the less so by Carino, Silvia's relative, a companion of Crisalvo, who, from being a sort of compound, and very acute, she gave the sobriquet of sharp, with whom, and with Silvia (as it served my purpose), by means of little gifts and dainties, I founded a friendship in appearance at least, so on Silvia's side it became deeper than I desired, for the presents she had received from me my ill-fortune converted to my present wretchedness.

Now this maiden was of rare beauty, and with such gracefulness, that even the savage heart of Crisalvo was melted to love, and this I found to my discomfort, for in some days after, and relying on Silvia's freedom, an opportunity arising in my tenderest accents, I disclosed the nature of my wounds, adding that being both profound and dangerous, I trusted to find in her some solace for them, averring how honourable were my professions, my purpose being marriage with the lovely Leonida-hence I inferred that she would deign to take my case into her keeping.

In fine, to avoid prolixity, love suggested such terms that being convinced thereby, and more by the sufferings I underwent than evidence in my face, she courteously took

charge of my love affairs and offered to communicate my feelings, promising to superadd all she could realise as to my wishes, despite the difficulty arising from the hostility of our parents, which, however, might be extinguished by this union.

Moved by this good feeling, and softened by the tears I shed, as heretofore related, she ventured to be my advocate, and inquiring what method she would adopt with Leonida, she ordered me to write a note which she would present at the earliest opportunity.

This seemed very acceptable, and that same day I sent one, which being the result of my agreeable interview with her, I committed to memory, though I cannot revert to it now in the hour of my grief. Silvia got the note, and I waited a moment to deliver it to Leonida. "No," said Elicio, stopping the reasons of Lisandro; "it is not right that you let me omit mention of the note you sent to Leonida as being the first, and finding you so smitten at that time, it should have been discreet and since you admit to me that you have it in remembrance, and the joy you have experienced, you will not refuse to declare it to me." You say well, my friend, that I was then as deep in love as I am now in discontent and despair, so that I seemed not to desire to say aught, though Leonida assured he gave credence to all which the note contained. If you are studious to know its contents, this is a version of it:

LISANDRO TO LEONIDA.-"Whilst I was capable (though with extreme sorrow) of resisting, with my own faculties, the amorous flame which I entertained for thee, O lovely Leonida, it consumed me. I have never been bold enough, respecting the exalted courage which I recognise in you, to reveal to you the love I bear you. Not the less is that virtue consumed which till now has made me bold, and I have been constrained to discover my wound, and to try writing as the first and last remedy. What may be the first you know, and the second dwells in your hand, whence I hope to realise what your compassion promises and my honest desires merit. What they are, and the end they aim at, you will learn by Silvia, who will deliver this to you-and as she has undertaken to do so, know they are just in proportion to your deservings."

This epistolary effusion of Lisandro did not appear illtimed to Elicio, who prosecuting the narrative of his loves, said "A few days only and that identical note reached the lily-white hands of Leonida by the compassionate agency of Silvia my constant friend, who, in her commission, introduced things which in a great measure tempered the anger and change which the letter had produced in Leonida, suggesting as a consequence of marriage that the family feud might end, and that the object should be not to reject the suit the more so as one could not compassionate her beauty, or die without respect to one who loved her as I did, adding other reasons with which Leonida was acquainted."

But not to let it be thought she surrendered at the first assault and that all was finished at the first advance, she gave not so agreeable a response to Silvia as she desired. However by the intercession of Silvia to which she forced her, she did reply as follows:

LEONIDA TO LISANDRO- "Should I understand, Lisandro, that your temerity arose from a defect of propriety in myself, would I execute the punishment I deserve, so to be assured of this from what I know of myself, I think your boldness proceeds more from ill-balanced thoughts than love and though they be as you allege, do not think your advances to me can alleviate them, as Silvia would insinuate, for I complain of being induced to reply to you, as well as of your assurance in writing to me; silence had been the fittest reply. If you withdraw from what you have commenced you will act discreetly, for I would have you to know that I count more on my own honour than on your vanities."

This was the reply of Leonida, which, united to the hopes which Silvia imparted, though somewhat indefinite, made me conclude myself amongst the most fortunate of my sex.

Pending these transactions, Crisalvo was not deficient in soliciting Silvia by various messages, presents, and services, but his bearing was rough and untutored that he could extort not the smallest favour, from which circumstance he lost all patience, and resembled a bull vanquished and fretted with cruel darts (agarrochado)-on account of his loves he had established a friendship with the cunning