ende of the yeare, in the xv. daie of the vij. moneth, which before that time was the first.
But our Author reſpecting neither the ſubtilty of the one part nor the antiquity of the other, thinketh it fitteſt according to the ſimplicity of cōmon vnderſtanding, to begin with Ianuary, wening it perhaps no decorū that Shepheards ſhould be ſeen in matter of ſo deepe inſight, or canuaſe a cafe of ſo doubtfull iudgement. So therefore beginneth he, and ſo continueth hee throughout.
Ianuarie.
Aegloga Prima.
ARGVMENT.
IN this firſt Aeglogue Colin Cloute a ſhepheardes boie complaineth himſelfe of his vnfortunate loue, beeing but newlie (as ſeemeth) enamoured of a Countrie laſſe called Roſalinde: with which ſtrong affection being verie ſore trauailed, hee compareth his carefull caſe to the ſadde ſeaſon of the yeare, to the froſtie ground, to the froſen trees, and to his owne winter beaten flocke. And laſtly, finding hymſelſe robbed of all former pleaſaunce and delight, he breaketh his Pipe in peeces, and caſteth himſelfe to the ground.
Colin Cloute.
Shepheardes boye (no better doe him call)
when Winters waſtful ſpight was almoſt ſpēt,
All in a ſunneſhine day, as did befall,
Led forth his flock, that had bene long ypent.
So faint they wore, and feeble in the folde,
That now vnnethes their feete could them uphold.
