'You may well believe him, friend Damon,' said Elicio, 'since Galatea's worth gives no opportunity for aught else to be desired or hoped of her, and even this is so difficult to obtain that at times in Erastro hope is chilled, and in me grows cold, so that he counts as certain, and I as sure, that sooner must death come than hope's fulfilment. But as it is not right to welcome such honoured guests with the bitter tales of our miseries, let them now cease, and let us betake ourselves to the village, where you may rest from the heavy toil of the road, and may with greater ease, if so you wish, learn our uneasiness.'
All were pleased to fall in with Elicio's wish, and he and Erastro, collecting their flocks once more, though it was some hours before the wonted time, in company with the two shepherds, speaking on different matters, though all concerned with love, journeyed towards the village. But, as all Erastro's pastime was in playing and singing, so for this reason, as also from the desire he had to learn if the two new shepherds were as skilful as was said of them, in order to induce them and invite them to do the same, he asked Elicio to play his rebeck, to the sound of which he began to sing as follows:
ERASTRO.
Before the light of yonder peaceful eyes,
Whereby the sun is lit the earth to light,
My soul is so inflamed, that, in despite,
I fear that death will soon secure the prize.
Yon clustered rays descending from the skies,
Sent by the Lord of Delos, are thus bright:
Such are the tresses of my heart's delight,