AURELIO. Who is he, that mighty one, That from East to farthest West Winneth fame and high renown? Sometimes strong and self-possessed, Sometimes weak with courage gone; Health he gives and takes away, Strength on many every day He bestows or doth withhold, Stronger he when he is old Than when youth is bright and gay. Changing where he changeth not By a strange preëminence, Strong men tremble, by him caught, He hath rarest eloquence Unto sullen dumbness brought; He his being and his name Measureth in different ways, From a thousand lands of praise He is wont to take his fame. He unarmed hath conquerèd Armèd men, as needs he must, Who hath dealt with him is sped, Who would bring him to the dust, To the dust is brought instead; 'Tis a thing that doth astound That a champion should be found, In the field and in the town, 'Gainst a chief of such renown, Though he soon shall bite the ground. The answering of this question fell to the old shepherd Arsindo, who was beside Aurelio; and having for a little while considered what it could denote, at last he said to him: 'It seems to me, Aurelio, that our age compels us to be more enamoured of that which your question denotes than of the most graceful shepherdess that might present herself to us, for, if I am not mistaken, the mighty and renowned one you mention is wine, and all the attributes you have given him tally with it.' 'You speak truth, Arsindo,' replied Aurelio, 'and I am inclined to say that I am sorry to have propounded a question which has been solved with much ease; but do you tell yours, for at your side you have one who will be able to unravel it for you, however knotty it may be.' 'I agree,' said Arsindo; and straightway he propounded the following: ARSINDO. Who is he that loseth hue Where he most is wont to thrive, In a moment doth revive And his colour takes anew? In the birth hour he is grey, Afterwards black as a crow, Last, so ruddy is his glow That it maketh all men gay. Laws nor charters doth he keep, To the flames a faithful friend, Oftentimes he doth attend E'en where lords and princes sleep; Dead he manhood doth assume, Living takes a woman's name, He at heart is lurid flame But in semblance deepest gloom. It was Damon who was at Arsindo's side, and scarcely had the latter finished his question, when he said to him: