asures; but our
recompense is thanks, and our rewards to her friends without feigning.
For ransom, therefore, of this our rescue, you must content yourself
to take such a kind gramercy as a poor shepherdess and her page may
give, with promise, in what we may, never to prove ingrateful. For
this gentleman that is hurt, young Rosader, he is our good neighbor
and familiar acquaintance; we'll pay him with smiles, and feed him
with love-looks, and though he be never the fatter at the year's end,
yet we'll so hamper him that he shall hold himself satisfied."

Saladyne, hearing this shepherdess speak so wisely, began more
narrowly to pry into her perfection, and to survey all her lineaments
with a curious insight; so long dallying in the flame of her beauty,
that to his cost he found her to be most excellent: for love that
lurked in all these broils to have a blow or two, seeing the parties
at the gaze, encountered them both with such a veny,[1] that the
stroke pierced to the heart so deep as it could never after be rased
out. At last, after he had looked so long, till Aliena waxed red, he
returned her this answer:

[Footnote 1: assault.]

"Fair shepherdess, if Fortune graced me with such good hap as to do
you any favor, I hold myself as contented as if I had gotten a great
conquest; for the relief of distressed women is the special point
that gentlemen are tied unto by honor: seeing then my hazard to rescue
your harms was rather duty than courtesy, thanks is more than belongs
to the requital of such a favor. But lest I might seem either too coy
or too careless of a gentlewoman's proffer, I will take your kind
gramercy for a recompense."

All this while that he spake, Ganymede looked earnestly upon him, and
said:

"Truly, Rosader, this gentleman favors you much in the feature of your
face."

"No marvel," quoth he, "gentle swain, for 'tis my eldest brother
Saladyne."

"Your brother?" quoth Aliena, and with that she blushed, "he is the
more welcome, and I hold myself the more his debtor; and for that he
hath in my behalf done such a piece of service, if it please him to do
me that honor, I will call him servant, and he shall call me
mistress."

"Content, sweet mistress," quoth Saladyne, "and when I forget to call
you so, I will be unmindful of mine own self."

"Away with these quirks and quiddities of love," quoth Rosader, "and
give me some drink, for I am passing thirsty, and then will I home,
for my wounds bleed