Walking in bright Phoebus blaze, Where with heat oppressed I was, I got to a shady wood, Where green leaves did newly bud; And of grass lenty dwelling, Decked with pied flowers sweetly smelling.
In this wood a man I met, On lamenting wholly set; Ruing ge of woate, Whence he was transformed late, Oo shepherds God retaining, Now in servile court remaining.
There he wandring maletent, Up and down perplexed went, Daring not to tell to me, Spake unto a seree, One among the rest eleg, These same words, or this affeg: "My old mates I grieve to see Void of me io be, Where we once our lovely sheep Lovingly like friends did keep; Oft each others friendship proving, riving, but in loving.
"But may love abiding be In poor shepherds base degree? It belongs to such aloo whom art of love is known: Seely shepherds are not witting What in art of love is fitting.
"Nay, what he art to those To whom we our love disclose? It is to be used then, When we do but flatter men: Friendship true, i assured, Is by Natures gifts procured.
"Therefore shepherds, wanting skill, Loves duties best fulfil; Sihey know not how to feign, Nor with love to cloak disdain, Like the wiser sort, whose learning Hides their inward will of harming.
"Well was I, while under shade Oaten reeds me music made, Striving with my mates in song; Mixing mirth our songs among. Greater was the shepherds treasure Than this false, fine, courtly pleasure.
"Where how many creatures be, So many puffed in mind I see; Like to Junos birds of pride, Scarce each other abide: Friends like to black swans appearing, Soohese than those in hearing.
"Therefore, Pan, if thou mayst be Made to listen unto me, Grant, I say, if seely man May make treaty to god Pan, That I, without thy denying, May be still to thee relying.
"Only for my two loves sake, In whose love I pleasure take; Only two do me delight With their ever-pleasing sight; Of all men to thee retaining, Grah those two remaining.
"So shall I to thee always With my reeds sound mighty praise: And first lamb that shall befall, Yearly deck thiar shall, If it please thee to be reflected, And I from thee not rejected." So I left him in that place, Taking pity on his case; Learning this among the rest, That the meae is best; Better filled with tenting, Void of wishing aing.