him. And thus somewhat comforting my fearefull minde,
and yet restrained with shamefastnesse, knowing that I was vnwoorthily
come into this shadowie place, and solicious company of deuine and
delicate nimphes, my guiltie and troubled minde, telling mee that it was
rashly and ouer-bouldly doone, and that they were it might be,
prohibited places, and a forbidden countrie for a straining to frequent.
And thinking thus and thus with my selfe: one amongst the rest of a more
boulde and audatious spirite, very hardly spake vnto me, saying. Ho who
art thou? at hir speeche I was halfe afraide, and of my selfe ashamed,
both ignorant what to say, or howe to aunswer: my voyce and spirit being
interdicted, I stoode stone still like a dead image. But the fayre
Damsels and beautifull Nimphes well aduised, that in me was a reall and
humaine personage and shape, but distempered and afrayde, they drew all
of them more neerer vnto me, saying.

Thou young man, whatsoeuer thou art, and from whencesoeuer thou art
come: Let not our present aspects any whit dismay thee, or occasion thy
discouragement nor be no whit afrayde, for here thou shalt not finde any
cruell customes, or cause of discontent, but free from displeasures, and
therefore be not afrayde to discouer thy selfe, and tell vs what thou
art.

By this motion hauing called backe againe my forgotten and lost sences,
comforted with their faire, pleasant, and fauourable aspects, and
recouering my selfe with their sweet speeches, with a very good will I
made this aunswer vnto them.

I am the most disgraced and vnhappiest louer that the whole world can
aforde. I loue, and she whom so greatly I esteeme, and so earnestly I
desire, I neyther know where eyther she or my selfe is.

And by the greatest and most daungerous hap that can be imagined I am
come hither. And now with prouoked teares downe falling from my waterie
eyes along my pale cheekes, and bowed downe to the earth prostrating my
selfe to your virginall feete I humblie craue and sue for your
fauourable graces: whereat theyr soft and tender heartes mooued with
pittie towardes mee, and halfe weeping with mee for companie, and as it
were dutifullye striuing with theyr armes to lift mee vp from the
grounde, with sweete and comfortable speeches, they courteouslye spake
vnto me.

Wee are certainly perswaded and know full well (poore wretch) that few
or none can escape by that way which thou art come, and therefore bee
not vnthankfu