that which way so euer I turned, I
could not forbeare, and they as they sung laughed the more, knowing what
had happened vnto mee. And it did so increase in mee more and more, that
I knew not wherewithal I might bridle and restraine my selfe from
catching of one of them, like an eager and hotte Falcon comming downe
out of the ayre, vpon a couie of Partriges. I was with such a violent
desire prickt forwarde, which I felt more and more to increase in a
sault burning. And the more I was to that venerious desire by the
violent offers of so oportune and sweete obiects. A foode for suche a
pernitious plague, and vnexperienced burning.

Then one of these flamigerous Nymphes named _Aphea_, said vnto mee, How
is it _Poliphilus_? Euen now I did see you verye merry, what hath
altered your disposition? I answered. Pardon mee that I binde and vexe
my selfe more then a willow Garland. Giue mee leaue to destroy my selfe
in a lasciuious fire. And thereat they burst out all in a laughter and
said, Ah ha, and if your desired _Polia_, if shee were here, what would
you do, how? Alas my desire, euen by the deitie which you serue, I
beseech you put not Flaxe and Rosin to the fire, whiche burneth mee out
of all measure. Put no Pitch to the fire in my heart, make me not to
forget my selfe I beseech you.

At this my lamentable and sorrowing answere, they were prouoked to such
a loude laughter, wherin they did exceed so much, that neither they nor
my selfe with the wearines thereof could goe any further, but were
constrained to rest our selues for want of breath, vpon the odoriferous
floures & coole grasse, by meanes whereof, I became somewhat oportunely
to bee eased, my heate aswaging and relenting by little and little.

And as they thus contentedly rested themselues a while, vnder the coole
vmbrage of the leafie Trees, I beganne to bee bolde with them saying.
O you women, that are burners and destroyers, doo you vse mee thus? See
what an offered occasion I haue, which wil holde mee excused, to breake
foorth and doo violence vnto you. And thereupon somewhat boldly moouing
my selfe and fayning as if I would haue done that which by no meanes I
durst, but then with a newe pastyme and laughter they called one for an
others helpe, leauing heere and there their golden Pantoffles and
Vailes, to bee carried about with the winde, and their vesselles
neclected in the grasse, they ranne all awaye, and I after them, that I
might well perceiue that they h