6. But if a thought verges Contemplate it, and it withdraws itself, As to its touching a point so high; Joined with confidence, And in it feeds and banquets. It vanishes like a cloud. 7. Then thou who seest so far Into the core of what thou desirest, Scarce had ceased the agreeable song of Elicio, when the voice of Erastro sounded on his right hand side; he, with his flocks of goats, had settled in that place. Erastro was a rustic shepherd, yet did not his rusticity and wild lot so far prevail as to prevent the entrance of love into his hardy breast, there to take up possession; having sought more than his very life the beauteous Galatea, to whom he proffered his court when occasion presented. Though a very rustic, yet was he a true lover, and so discreet in all lovers' ways, that when he discoursed thereon it would seem that Love himself appeared, and through his tongue gave utterance. Nevertheless with all this, for Galatea heard all, stories of diversion abounded. The rivalry of Erastro gave Elicio no pain, for he understood from the wit of Galatea that she aspired to higher things rather than pity and envy towards Erastro. Pity in observing that at last he loved, and that it was not possible to reap the fruit of his wishes. Envy in appearing, perhaps, that he had no such understanding as would give way to a soul which would feel the disdain or favours of Galatea, so that some might terminate, and some drive him frantic. Erastro approached, with his dogs, the faithful guardian of his simple sheep, who, under his protection, were secure from the fleshy teeth of hungry wolves, rejoicing in them, and calling them by their names, giving to each such a title as each merited. One he styled Lion, another Hawk. This was termed the strong, that the spotted, while they, as if endued with reason, by moving their heads on approach, reciprocated the feeling which they had evoked. So came Erastro, and by Elicio agreeably received, was also interrogated if in any other part he had determined to pass the sultry season, as all was ready for him should it not be disagreeable to him to pass it in his company. "With no one could I pass it better than with you, Elicio, were she not as hardened to my requests as is an entire grove of oaks to my complaints (si ya ni fuese con aquella que es-ta tan enrobrescida á mis demandas, quan hecha encina á tus continuos quexidos)." Immediately the two sat them down on the small grass, while their flocks rambled at will, eating the tops of the tender herbs of the grassy plain, with their cud-chewing teeth. And as Erastro, by many recognised signs, knew clearly that Elicio loved Galatea, and that the merit of Elicio was of many more carats in value than his own; in token that he admitted this fact in the midst of his talk, among other reasons he put to him the following remarks— "I know not, gallant and amorous Elicio, if the love I bear to Galatea has been the cause of annoyance to you, and if so, pardon me, for I never intended any harm, nor did I request aught of Galatea but permission to serve her. "A madness and foul disease consumes and affects my wanton kids and my tender lambkins. When they quit the udder of their beloved mothers they find not herbs enough to support them, but bitter tueras and venomous oleanders. "And I have tried a thousand times to blot it from my memory, and oft have been to doctors to seek remedies for my solicitude, and the cause for which I suffer. Some order all sorts of love potions, others commend me to heaven, which cures all disorders, and say that is a madness only. "Suffer me, good Elicio, that I request you, since you are sure that if you, with your skill and extreme grace and intelligence, cannot assuage my ills, much less can I soften them with my simplicity. This licence I beg, and am in debt to your desert, for should you not give it to me, it would be as impossible to cease living as it would be for water not to moisten, or the sun with its well-combed locks not to illuminate us.' I cannot help laughing, Elicio, at the reasons of Erastro, and at the politeness with which he asks to love Galatea― and thus he replied : "It does me no harm, Erastro, that you love Galatea. Your condition afflicts me, for which your reason and unfeigned words can effect nothing. 66 May heaven aid your wishes in proportion as you have sincerity in them, and henceforth you will not find in me any obstacle to your loving Galatea, for I am not in so forlorn a condition but I can find occasion for my purposes. "On the contrary, I request you by what you owe to the goodwill I evince towards you, that you deny me not your conversation and friendship, for as far as I am concerned, you are quite safe. Let our heads and our ideas coalesce. 66 Then, by the sound of my pipe will be announced pleasure or pain, according as the gay or sorrowful countenance of Galatea directs. "I with my rebeck in the soft stilly night or evening during the heat of the siesta in the fresh shade of green trees wherewith our banks are adorned, I will try to remove the heavy charge of your toils, by giving notice to heaven of my own. "And in virtue of my proposition, and my sincere friendship, whilst the shades of these trees become wider, and the sun westward declines, let us unite our instruments, and really begin the exercises which henceforth we must enter tain." Scarce had this proposal been made, than with an indication of extreme content at discovering so much friendship in Elicio, that he brought forth his pipe, and Elicio his rebeck, whilst one responding to the other, they sang as follows: ELICIO. 1. Blandly, sweetly, reposedly, Ungrateful love, that day you subjected me, Of the sun I contemplated, which the sun obscured- Concealed in the ruddy tangles of the thicket, I who came to view the sun in masses, ERASTRO. 2. Astonished I remained, and appalled, As a hard rock, voiceless, Courtesy I beheld her grace, her beauty, With his arrows of gold (oh hard death) ELICIO. 3. By what miracle, Love, openest thou the breast, Of the wretched lover who pursues thee; And the inward wound which thou hast made, An increase of glory thou shewest to him who followsHow is the ill thou makest a provision? How in thy death lives joyous life, How the soul which experiences such results? ERASTRO. 4. One sees not so many countenances displayed In a broken mirror, or framed by art; If we look and see ourselves reflected, We discern a multitude in each and every part. All from one cruel care which will not From my soul-o'ercome by its own rigour, ELICIO. 5. The driven snow and coloured rose, Which e'en the summer destroys not, or the winter, The sun of two morning stars, where reposes And other things to see, tho' blind, Have furnished me with aliment for an invisible fire. ERASTRO. 6. Two beauteous apples, beauteous in colour, Such seem to me two cheeks And the arches of two raised eyebrows. ELICIO. 7. I burn, yet consume I not; I live and die, On one thing only do I hope, and yet despair- I love that I hate-meek and yet fierce. Love engenders paroxysms, And with contrarieties, by degrees ERASTRO. 8. I promised you, Elicio, I would tell you All that in my life is left To Galatea, that she may return to me, My heart and soul, which she has robbed me of. And after the flock, I would join My dog, Hawk, to the spotted one. And as she must be a goddess, The soul will require her above all things. ELICIO. 9. Erastro, the heart which in exaltations, |