Elicio could not refrain from laughing at Erastro's discourse, and at the courtesy with which he begged of him permission to love Galatea; and thus he replied to him: 'It does not pain me indeed, Erastro, that you love Galatea; it pains me much to know from her disposition, that your truthful discourses and sincere words will be of little avail with her. May God give you as fair success in your desires as the sincerity of your thoughts deserve! and henceforward cease not on my account to love Galatea; for I am not of so mean a disposition that, if fortune fail me, I rejoice that others should not attain her. But I pray you, by what you owe to the good-will I show you, that you should not deny me your converse and friendship, since of mine you can be as sure as I have declared to you. Let our herds go united, since our thoughts go in unison. You to the sound of your pipe will declare the pleasure or the pain which Galatea's joyous or sorrowful countenance shall cause you, I to the sound of my rebeck, in the silence of the stilly night, or in the heat of the glowing noon-tide, in the cool shade of the green trees by which this bank of ours is made so fair, will help you to carry the heavy load of your trouble, proclaiming mine to Heaven. And in token of our good intent and true friendship, while the shadows of these trees grow longer, and the sun is declining towards the west, let us tune our instruments and make a beginning of the practice which henceforth we are to follow.' Erastro did not need asking, but with signs of supreme content at seeing himself in such friendship with Elicio, drew forth his pipe, and Elicio his rebeck: and, one beginning, and the other replying, they sang what follows: ELICIO. Ungrateful Love, thy servant thou didst place In sweet, caressing, peaceful bonds the day When first I saw the golden hair and face Of that fair sun that dimmed the sun's own ray. Straightway I came to drink with eager gaze Love's cruel bliss, which, like a serpent, lay Within the ruddy tresses; for 'twas there I saw the sun, amid the clustered hair. ERASTRO. I stood amazed, and filled with rapturous flame, Voiceless was I like to a flinty rock, When Galatea's grace and beauty came, In all their loveliness my sight to mock. On my left side stood Love (ah bitter shame!), My love-lorn breast sustained his arrow's shock, A gate was opened in me by his dart Whereby the maid might come and steal my heart.