A day that darkeneth in mid career,
And on its track close follows gloomy night,
Veiled in shadows born of chilly fear.
LAUSO.
But thou, renownèd shepherd, in a bright
And happy hour didst from this raging sea
Pass to the wondrous regions of delight.
THYRSIS.
After that thou hadst heard and judged the plea
Of the great shepherd of the Spanish plain
In the Venetian[117] sheepfold righteously.
DAMON.
And after thou hadst bravely borne the pain,
E'en the untimely stroke of Fortune fell,
Which made Italia sad, and even Spain.
ELICIO.
After thou hadst withdrawn so long to dwell,
With the nine maidens on Parnassus' crest,
In solitude and calm unspeakable;