FLORISA.
FLORISA.
With increase may my tender lambs be crownedAmidst the grassy mead or forest's fold:Throughout the summer's heat or winter's coldMay herbage green and cooling streams abound.May I through all my days and nights be foundWrapt but in dreamings of a shepherd's life;In no wise yielding to Love's petty strife,Nor may his childish acts have power to wound.Here one Love's countless blessings doth proclaim,Love's fruitless cares another maketh known.I cannot say if both be brought to shame,Nor yet to whom to give the victor's crown.This much I know: that many Love by nameMay call, yet few are chosen for his own.
With increase may my tender lambs be crownedAmidst the grassy mead or forest's fold:Throughout the summer's heat or winter's coldMay herbage green and cooling streams abound.May I through all my days and nights be foundWrapt but in dreamings of a shepherd's life;In no wise yielding to Love's petty strife,Nor may his childish acts have power to wound.Here one Love's countless blessings doth proclaim,Love's fruitless cares another maketh known.I cannot say if both be brought to shame,Nor yet to whom to give the victor's crown.This much I know: that many Love by nameMay call, yet few are chosen for his own.
With increase may my tender lambs be crownedAmidst the grassy mead or forest's fold:Throughout the summer's heat or winter's coldMay herbage green and cooling streams abound.May I through all my days and nights be foundWrapt but in dreamings of a shepherd's life;In no wise yielding to Love's petty strife,Nor may his childish acts have power to wound.
With increase may my tender lambs be crowned
Amidst the grassy mead or forest's fold:
Throughout the summer's heat or winter's cold
May herbage green and cooling streams abound.
May I through all my days and nights be found
Wrapt but in dreamings of a shepherd's life;
In no wise yielding to Love's petty strife,
Nor may his childish acts have power to wound.
Here one Love's countless blessings doth proclaim,Love's fruitless cares another maketh known.I cannot say if both be brought to shame,Nor yet to whom to give the victor's crown.This much I know: that many Love by nameMay call, yet few are chosen for his own.
Here one Love's countless blessings doth proclaim,
Love's fruitless cares another maketh known.
I cannot say if both be brought to shame,
Nor yet to whom to give the victor's crown.
This much I know: that many Love by name
May call, yet few are chosen for his own.
Short indeed was the road to the shepherds, beguiled and entertained by the charming voice of Florisa, who ceased not her song till they were quite near the village and the huts of Elicio and Erastro, who stopped there with Lisandro, first taking leave of the venerable Aurelio, Galatea, and Florisa, who went with Teolinda to the village, the remaining shepherds going each to where he had his hut. That same night the hapless Lisandro asked leave of Elicio to return to his country or to where he might, in harmony with his desire, finish the little of life that, as he thought, remained to him. Elicio with all the arguments he could urge on him, and with the endless offers of true friendship he made him, could by no means prevail on him to remain in his company even for a few days; and so the luckless shepherd, embracing Elicio with many tears and sighs, took leave of him, promising to inform him of his condition wherever he might be. Elicio, having accompanied him half a league from his hut, again embraced him closely; and making again fresh offers, they parted, Elicio being in great grief for what Lisandro suffered. And so he returned to his hut to spend the greater part of the night in amorous fancies and to await the coming day that he might enjoy the happiness the sight of Galatea caused him. And she, when she reached her village, desiring to learn the issue of Teolinda's love, arranged so that Florisa, Teolinda and she might be alone that night; and finding the opportunity she desired, the love-sick shepherdess continued her story as will be seen in the second book.