Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/44

But within ſome dayes after, the marriage betweene Argalus and the faire Parthenia being to be celebrated Diaphantus and Paladius ſelling ſome of their Iewels, furniſhed themſelues of very faire apparell, meaning to do honour to their louing hoſt; who as much for their ſakes, as for the marriage, ſet foorth each thing in moſt gorgeous manner. But all the coſt beſtowed did not ſo much enrich, nor all the fine deckings ſo much beautifie, nor all the daintie deuiſes ſo much delight, as the faireneſſe of Parthenia, the pearle of all the maides of Mantinea: who as ſhe went to the Temple to be maried, her eyes themſelues ſeemed a temple, wherein loue and beautie were married: her lips though they were kept cloſe with modeſt ſilence, yet with a prety kind of naturall ſwelling, they ſeemed to inuite the gueſts that lookt on them, her cheekes bluſhing, and withall when ſhe was ſpoken vnto, a little ſmiling, were like roſes, when their leaues are with a little breath ſtirred: her haire being laied at the full length downe her backe, bare ſhew as if the voward fayled, yet that would conquer. Daiphantus marking her, ô Iupiter (ſaid he ſpeaking to Palladius) how happens it, that beautie is onely confined to Arcadia? But Palladius not greatly attending his ſpeech, ſome daies were continued in the ſolemnizing the marriage, with all conceipts that might deliuer delight to mens fancies.

But ſuch a chaunge was growne in Daiphantus, that (as if cheerefulneſſe had bene tediouſneſſe, & good entertainement were turnd to diſcourteſie) he would euer get himſelfe alone, though almoſt when he was in company, he was alone, ſo little attention he gaue to any that ſpake vnto him: euen the colour and figure of his face began to receiue ſome alteration; which he ſhewed little to heede: but euery morning earely going abroad, either to the garden, or to ſome woods towards the deſert, it ſeemed his onely comfort was to be without a comforter. But long it could not be hid from Palladius, whom true loue made ready to marke, and long knowledge able to marke; and therefore being now growne weary of his abode in Arcadia, hauing informed himſelfe fully of the ſtrength and riches of the country, of the nature of the people, and maner of their lawes: and ſeeing the court could not be viſited, prohibited to all men, but to certaine ſhepheardiſh people, he greatly deſired a ſpeedie returne to his owne countrie, after the many mazes of fortune he had troden. But perceiuing this great alteration in his friend, he thought firſt to breake with him thereof; and then to haſten his returne; whereto he found him but ſmally enclined: whereupon one day taking him alone with certaine graces and countenances, as if he were diſputing with the trees, began in this manner to ſay vnto him.

A mind well trained and long exerciſed in vertue (my ſweete and worthie coſin) doth not eaſily chaunge any courſe it once vndertakes, but vpon well grounded and well waied cauſes. For being witneſſe to it ſelfe of his owne inward good, it findes nothing without it of ſo high a price, for which it ſhould be altered. Euen the very countenance and behauiour of ſuch a man doth ſhew forth Images of the ſame conſtancy, by maintaining a right harmonie betwixt it and the inward good, in yeelding itſelfe ſutable to the vertuous reſolution of the mind. This ſpeech I direct to you (noble friend Pyrocles) the excellencie of whoſe mind and well choſen courſe in vertue, if I do not ſufficiently know, hauing ſeene ſuch rare demonſtrations of it, it is my weakeneſſe, and not your vnworthineſſe, but as in deede I know it, and knowing it moſt dearely loue both it, and him that hath it; ſo muſt I needes ſay, that ſince our late comming into this countrie, I haue marked in you, I will not ſay an alteration, but a relenting truly, and a ſlacking of the maine career, you had ſo notably begun & almoſt performed; and that in ſuch ſort, as I cannot find ſufficient reaſon in my greatloue