Enter FORTUNATUS.
FORTUNATUS.
With weary steps I trace these desert groves,
And search to find out Sophos' secret walks,
My truest vowed friend and Lelia's dearest love.
SOPHOS.
What voice is this sounds Lelia's sacred name? [He riseth.
Is it some satyr that hath view'd her late,
And's grown enamour'd of her gorgeous hue?
FORTUNATUS.
No satyr, Sophos; but thy ancient friend,
Whose dearest blood doth rest at thy command:
Hath sorrow lately blear'd thy wat'ry eyes,
That thou forgett'st the lasting league of love,
Long since was vowed betwixt thyself and me?
Look on me, man; I am thy friend.
SOPHOS.
O, now I know thee, now thou nam'st my friend;
I have no friend, to whom I dare
Unload the burden of my grief,
But only Fortunatus, he's my second self:
Mi Fortunate, ter fortunaté venis.[151]
FORTUNATUS.
How fares my friend? methinks you look not well;
Your eyes are sunk, your cheeks look pale and wan:
What means this alteration?
SOPHOS.
My mind, sweet friend, is like a mastless ship,
That's hurl'd and toss'd upon the surging seas
By Boreas' bitter blast and Ae'lus' whistling winds,
On rocks and sands far from the wished port,
Whereon my silly ship desires to land:
Fair Lelia's love, that is the wished haven,
Wherein my wand'ring mind would take repose;
For want of which my restless thoughts are toss'd,
For want of which all Sophos' joys are lost.
FORTUNATUS.
Doth Sophos love my sister Lelia?
SOPHOS.
She, she it is, whose love I wish to gain,
Nor need I wish, nor do I love in vain:
My love she doth repay with equal meed—
'Tis strange, you'll say, that Sophos should not speed.
FORTUNATUS.
Your love repaid with equal meed,
And yet you languish still in love? 'tis strange.
From whence proceeds your grief,
Unfold unto your friend: a friend may yield relief.