What charter can protect, what monarch's grace Against the cruel face, More beauteous than the sun, Of her who hath my happiness undone? Ah face, that dost reveal On earth the bliss that Heaven doth conceal! How comes it then that nature could unite Such rigour and despite With so much loveliness, Such worth and yet a mood so pitiless? Such opposites to join My happiness consents--the hurt is mine. Easy it is that my brief lot should see Sweet life in unity With bitter death, and find Its evil nestling where its good reclined. Amidst these different ways I see that hope, but not desire decays. The loving shepherd sang no more, nor did Thyrsis and Damon wish to stay longer, but showing themselves unexpectedly and with spirit, came to where Elicio was. When he saw them he recognised his friend Damon, and going forward with incredible joy to welcome him, said to him: 'What fortune, discreet Damon, has ordained that by your presence you should bestow so fair a fortune on these banks which have long wished for you?' 'It cannot be but fair,' answered Damon, 'since it has brought me to see you, oh Elicio, a thing on which I set a value as great as is the desire I had for it, and as long absence and the friendship I cherish for you forced me to do. But if you can for any reason say what you have said, it is because you have before you the famous Thyrsis, glory and honour of the Castilian soil.' When Elicio heard him say that this was Thyrsis, to him only known by fame, he welcomed him with great courtesy, and said to him: 'Your pleasing countenance, renowned Thyrsis, agrees well with what loud fame in lands near and far proclaims of your worth and discretion: and so, seeing that your writings have filled me with wonder and led me to desire to know you and serve you, you can henceforward count and treat me as a true friend.' 'What I gain thereby,' replied Thyrsis, 'is so well known that in vain would fame proclaim what the affection you bear me makes you say that it proclaims of me, if I did not recognise the favour you do me in seeking to place me in the number of your friends; and since between those who are friends words of compliment must be superfluous, let ours cease at this point, and let deeds give witness of our good-will.' 'Mine will ever be to serve you,' replied Elicio, 'as you will see, oh Thyrsis, if time or fortune place me in a position in any way suitable for it; for that I now occupy, though I would not change it for another offering greater advantages, is such that it scarcely leaves me free to proffer what I desire.'