What exclaiming praises Basilius gave to this Eclogue any man may guess that knows love is better than a pair of spectacles to make everything seem greater which is seen through it: and then is never tongue-tied where fit commendation, whereof womankind is so liquorish, is offered unto it. But before any other came in to supply the place, Zelmane having heard some of the shepherds by chance name Strephon and Claius, supposing thereby they had been present, was desirous both to hear them for the fame of their friendly love, and to know them for their kindness towards her best loved friend. Much grieved was Basilius, that any desire of his mistress should be unsatisfied, and therefore to represent them unto her, as well as in their absence it might be, he commanded one Lamon, who had at large set down their country pastimes and first love to Urania, to sing the whole discourse which he did in this manner. {109} A shepherd’s tale no height of style desires, To raise in words what in effect is low: A plaining song plain singing voice requires, For warbling notes from cheering spirit flow. I then whose burd’ned breast but thus aspires Of shepherds two the silly cause to show. Need not the stately Muse’s help invoke, For creeping rhymes, which often sighings choke. But you, O you, that think not tears too dear, To spend for harms, although they touch you not: And deign to deem your neighbours’ mischief near, Although they be of meaner parents got: You I invite with easy ear’s to hear The poor-clad truth of love’s wrong-order’d lot. Who may be glad, be glad you be not such: Who share in woe, weigh others have as much. There was (O seldom blessed word of was!) A pair of friends, or rather one call’d two, Train’d in the life which no short-bitten grass In shine or storm must set the clouted shoe: He, that the other in some years did pass, And in those gifts that years distribute do, Was Claius call’d (ah Claius, woeful weight!) The latter born, yet too soon Strephon height. Epirus high was honest Claius’s nest, To Strephon Aeoles’s land first breathing lent: But east and west were join’d by friendship’s hest. As Strephon’s ear and heart to Claius bent, So Claius’s soul did in his Strephon rest. Still both their flocks flocking together went, As if they would of owners’ humour be, As eke their pipes did well, as friends agree. Claius for skill of herbs and shepherd’s art, Among the wisest was accounted wise, Yet not so wise, as of unstained heart: Strephon was young, yet marked with humble eyes How elder rul’d their flocks and cur’d their smart, So that the grave did not his words despise. Both free of mind, both did clear dealing love, And both had skill in verse their voice to move. Their cheerful minds, ’till poison’d was their cheer, The honest sports of earthly lodging prove; Now for a clod-like hare in form they peer, Now bolt and cudgel squirrels’ leap do move: