erevpon I at that present thought my selfe most happie, onely in the
behoulding of such delights, because I was not able to resist the
burning flames which did set vpon mee in the fornace of my heart. And
therefore sometime for a refuge and succour I durst not looke so
narrowly vppon theyr inticing beauties, heaped vp in their heauenly
bodyes. And they perceiuing the same did smile at my bashful behauiour,
making great sport at me: And thereat I was glad, and contented that I
might any way occasion their pastime. But I was greatly ashamed, in that
I was an vnfit companion for such a company, but that they intreated mee
to enter in with them where I stood like a Crowe among white Doues,
which made me partly ashamed to behould, and ouerlooke such choyse
obiects.

Then _Offressia_ a very pleasant disposed piece, said vnto mee. Tel me
young man what is your name? And I reuerently aunswered them,
_Poliphilus_: it will please me well saith she, if the effect of your
conditions be aunswerable to your name. And without deceit, said the
rest. And how is your dearest loue called? Whereat I making some pause,
aunswered, _Polia_: then she replyed. A ha I thought that your name
should signifie that you were a great louer, but now I perceiue that you
are a louer of _Polia_: and presently shee added more, saying: if shee
were heere present, what would you doo? I aunswered. That which were
agreeable with hir honour, and fit for your companies. Tel me
_Poliphilus_ doest thou loue hir wel indeed? Then I setting a deepe
sigh, aunswered: beyond all the delights and cheefest substance of the
greatest and most pretious treasure in the whole world, and this opinion
hath made an euerlasting impression in my still tormented heart. And
she: where haue you lost or abandoned so loued a iewel? I know not,
neyther where I am my selfe I know. Then she smyling aunswered. If any
should finde hir out for you, what rewarde would you giue. But content
thy selfe, be of good comfort, and frame thy selfe to delights, for thou
shalt finde thy _Polia_ againe. And with these and such like pleasaunt
and gratious questions, these fayre young Virgins, sporting and solacing
themselues, we washt and bathed together.

At the opposite interstice of the beautifull fountaine without, of the
faire sleeping Nymph before mentioned, within the Bathe there was
another of statues of fine mettal, and of a curious workemanship,
glistering of a golden colour, that one might see