13.

Entifed on with hope of future gaine,
I fuffred long what did my foule displease ;
But when my youth was spent, my hope was vaine,
I felt my native strength at laft decrease ;
I gan my loffe of luftie yeeres complaine,
And wifht I had enjoy'd the countries peace;
I bod the court farewell, and with content
My later age here have I quiet fpent.

14.

While thus he spake, Erminia husht and still
His wife difcourfes heard, with great attention,
His speeches graue those idle fancies kill,

Which in her troubled foule bred fuch diffention;
After much thought reformed was her will,
Within those woods to dwell was her intention,
Till fortune fhould occafion new afford,

To turne her home to her defired Lord.

15.

She faid therefore, O fhepherd fortunate!
That troubles fome didft whilom feele and
Yet liueft now in this contented state,
Let my mishap thy thoughts to pitie moue,
To entertaine me as a willing mate

proue,

In fhepherds life, which I admire and loue; Within these pleasant groues perchance my hart, Of her difcomforts, may vnload fome part.

16.

If gold or wealth of moft efteemed deare,
If iewels rich, thou diddeft hold in prise,
Such ftore thereof, fuch plentie haue I seen,
As to a greedie minde might well fuffice:
With that downe trickled many a filuer teare,
Two chriftall ftreames fell from her watrie eies;
Part of her fad misfortunes than fhe told,
And wept, and with her wept that shepherd old.

17.

With speeches kinde, he gan the virgin deare
Towards his cottage gently home to guide;
His aged wife there made her homely cheare,
Yet welcomde her, and plast her by her fide.
The Princeffe dond a poore paftoraes geare,
A kerchiefe course vpon her head she tide ;
But yet her geftures and her lookes (I geffe)
Were fuch, as ill befeem'd a fhepherdeffe.

18.

Not those rude garments could obscure, and hide,
The heau'nly beautie of her angels face,
Nor was her princely ofspring damnifide,
Or ought difparag'de, by thofe labours bace;
Her little flocks to pafture would the guide,
And milke her goates, and in their folds them
place,

Both cheese and butter could she make, and frame
Her feife to please the shepherd and his dame.

4

POM

POMFRET.