press Phoebe's love towards me, she shall like
of none but of Montanus."

"To that," quoth Phoebe, "I stand; for my love is so far beyond
reason, as will admit no persuasion of reason."

"For justice," quoth he, "I appeal to Gerismond."

"And to his censure will I stand," quoth Phoebe.

"And in your victory," quoth Montanus, "stands the hazard of my
fortunes; for if Ganymede go away with conquest, Montanus is in
conceit love's monarch; if Phoebe win, then am I in effect most
miserable."

"We will see this controversy," quoth Gerismond, "and then we will to
church. Therefore, Ganymede, let us hear your argument."

"Nay, pardon my absence a while," quoth she, "and you shall see one in
store."

In went Ganymede and dressed herself in woman's attire, having on a
gown of green, with kirtle of rich sendal,[1] so quaint, that she
seemed Diana triumphing in the forest; upon her head she wore a
chaplet of roses, which gave her such a grace that she looked like
Flora perked in the pride of all her flowers. Thus attired came
Rosalynde in, and presented herself at her father's feet, with her
eyes full of tears, craving his blessing, and discoursing unto him all
her fortunes, how she was banished by Torismond, and how ever since
she lived in that country disguised.

[Footnote 1: a thin silk.]

Gerismond, seeing his daughter, rose from his seat and fell upon her
neck, uttering the passions of his joy in watery plaints, driven into
such an ecstasy of content, that he could not utter one word. At this
sight, if Rosader was both amazed and joyful, I refer myself to the
judgment of such as have experience in love, seeing his Rosalynde
before his face whom so long and deeply he had affected. At last
Gerismond recovered his spirits, and in most fatherly terms
entertained his daughter Rosalynde, after many questions demanding of
her what had passed between her and Rosader?

"So much, sir," quoth she, "as there wants nothing but your grace to
make up the marriage."

"Why, then," quoth Gerismond, "Rosader take her: she is thine, and let
this day solemnize both thy brother's and thy nuptials." Rosader
beyond measure content, humbly thanked the king, and embraced his
Rosalynde, who turning to Phoebe, demanded if she had shown sufficient
reason to suppress the force of her loves.

"Yea," quoth Phoebe, "and so great a persuasive, that if it please
you, madame, and Aliena to give us leave, Montanus and I will make
this day the thi