Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/23

which contained a comely old man, with a Ladie of middle age, but of excellēt beautie, and more excellent would haue bene deemed, but that there ſtood between them a young maide, whoſe wonderfulneſſe tooke away all beautie frō her, but that which it might ſeeme ſhe gaue her backe againe by her verie ſhadow. And ſuch difference (being knowne that it did indeed counterfeit a perſon liuing) was there betweene her and all the other, though Goddeſſes, that it ſeemed the skill of the Painter beſtowed on the other new beautie, but that the beauty of her beſtowed new skill of the Painter. Though he thought inquiſitiueneſſe an vncomely gueſt, he could not chooſe but aske who ſhe was, that bearing ſhew of one being in deed, could with naturall gifts go beyond the reach of inuention. Kalander anſwered, that it was made by Philoclea, the younger daughter of his Prince, who alſo with his wife were contained in that Table: the Painter meaning to repreſent the preſent condition of the young Ladie, who ſtood watched by an ouer-curious eye of her parents; and that he would alſo haue drawne her eldeſt ſiſter, eſteemed her match for beautie, in her ſhepheardiſh attire, but that the rude clowne her gardian would not ſuffer it; neither durſt he aske leaue of the Prince for feare of ſuſpition. Palladius perceiued that the matter was wrapt vp in ſome ſecrecie, and therefore would for modeſtie demaund no further: but yet his countenance could not but with dumbe eloquence deſire it: Which Kalander perceiuing, well, ſayd he, my deare gueſt, I know your mind, and I will ſatisfie the queſtion, but I will diſcouer vnto you, aſwell that wherein my knowledge is common with others, as that which by extraordinarie means is deliuered vnto me: knowing ſo much in you (though not long acquainted) that I ſhall find your eares faithfull treaſurers. So then ſitting downe in two chaires, and ſometimes caſting his eye to the picture, he thus ſpake.

This countrie Arcadia among all the prouinces of Greece, hath euer bene had in ſingular reputation: partly for the ſweetneſſe of the aire, and other naturall benefits, but principally for the well tempered mindes of the pople, who (finding that the ſhining title of glorie, ſo much affected by other nations, doth indeed help litle to the happineſſe of life) are the only people, which as by their iuſtice and prouidence giue neither cauſe nor hope to their neighbours to annoy them, ſo are they not ſtirred with falſe praiſe to trouble others quiet, thinking it a ſmall reward for the waſting of their owne liues in rauening, that their poſteritie ſhold long after ſay, they had done ſo. Euen the Muſes ſeeme to approue their good determination, by chooſing this countrie for their chiefe repairing place, and by beſtowing their perfections ſo largely here, that the very ſhepheards haue their fancies lifted to ſo high conceits, as the learned of other nations are content both to borrow their names, and imitate their cunning.

Here dwelleth and raigneth this Prince (whoſe picture you ſee) by name Baſilius, a Prince of ſufficient skill to gouerne ſo quiet a countrie, where the good minds of the former Princes had ſet downe good lawes, & the well bringing vp of the people doth ſerue as a moſt ſure bond to hold thē. But to be plaine with you, he excels in nothing ſo much, as in the zealous loue of his people, wherein he doth not onely paſſe all his owne fore-goers, but as I think all the Princes liuing. Whereof the cauſe is, that though he exceed not in the vertues which get admiration; as depth of wiſedome, height of courage and largeneſſe of magnificence, yet is he notable in thoſe which ſtirre affection, as truth of word, meekneſſe, curteſie, mercifulneſſe, and liberality.

He being already well ſtriken in yeares, maried a young Princeſſe named Gynecis,