_Eu_. To shew how I arrived in this ground Were but renewing of an auncient wound,-- Another time that office Ile fulfill; Let it suffice, I came against my will, And wand'ring here, about this forrest side, It was my chaunce of Phoebus to be spide; Whose love, because I chastly did withstand, He thought to offer me a violent hand; But for a present shift, to shun his rape, I wisht myself transformde into this shape, Which he perform'd (God knowes) against his will: And I since then have wayld my fortune still, Not for misliking ought I finde in mee, But for thy sake whose wife I meant to bee. _Asca_. Thus have you heard our woful destenie, Which I in heart lament and so doth shee. _Ara_. The fittest remedie that I can finde Is this, to ease the torment of your minde: Perswade yourselves the great _Apollo_ can As easily make a woman of a man As contrariwise he made a man of her. _Asca_. I think no lesse. _Ara_. Then humble suite preferre To him; perhaps our prayers may attaine To have her turn'd into her forme againe. _Eu_. But _Phoebus_ such disdain to me doth beare As hardly we shal win his graunt I feare. _Ara_. Then in these verdant fields, al richly dide With natures gifts and _Floras_ painted pride, There is a goodly spring whose crystall streames, Beset with myrtles, keepe backe _Phoebus_ beames: There in rich seates all wrought of Ivory The Graces sit, listening the melodye, The warbling Birds doo from their prettie billes Vnite in concord as the brooke distilles,[126] Whose gentle murmure with his buzzing noates Is as a base unto their hollow throates: Garlands beside they weare upon their browes, Made of all sorts of flowers earth allowes, From whence such fragrant sweet perfumes arise As you would sweare that place is Paradise. To them let us repaire with humble hart, And meekly show the manner of your smart: So gratious are they in _Apollos_ eies As their intreatie quickly may suffice In your behalfe. Ile tell them of your states And crave their aides to stand your advocates. _Asca_. For ever you shall bind us to you than. _Ara_. Come, go with me; Ile doo the best I can. _Io_. Is not this hard luck, to wander so long And in the end to finde his wife markt wrong! _Enter Phylander_. _Phy_. A proper iest as ever I heard tell! In sooth me thinkes the breech becomes her well; And might it not make their husbands feare them[127] Wold all the wives in our town might weare them. Tell me, youth, art a straunger here or no? _Io_. Is your commission, sir, to examine me so? _Phy_. What, is it thou? now, by my troth, wel met. _Io_. By your leave it's well overtaken yet. _Phy_. I litle thought I should a found thee here. _Io_. Perhaps so, sir. _Phy_. I prethee speake: what cheere? _Io_. What cheere can here be hopte for in these woods, Except trees, stones, bryars, bushes or buddes? _Phy_. My meaning is, I fane would heare thee say How thou doest, man: why, thou tak'st this another way.