2_38	SIR PHILIP SIDNEY
While thus he fear'd the silly innocent,
Who yet was good because she knew none ill,
Unto his house a jolly shepherd went,
To whom our prince did bear a great good will,
Because in wrestling and in pastoral
He far did pass the rest of shepherds all.
And therefore he a courtier was benamed,
And as a courtier was with cheer received;
For they have tongues to make a poor man blamed,
If he to them his duty misconceived:
And for this courtier should well like his table,
The good man bade his wife be serviceable.
And so she was, and all with good intent;
But few days past, while she good manner used,
But that her husband thought her service bent
To such an end as he might be abused:
Yet, like a coward, fearing stranger's pride,
He made the simple wench his wrath abide.
With chumpish looks, hard words, and secret nips,
Grumbling at her when she his kindness sought,
Asking her how she tasted courtier's lips,
He forced her think that which she never thought.
In fine, he made her guess there was some sweet
In that which he so fear'd that she should meet.
When once this entered was in woman's heart,
And that it had inflam'd a new desire,
There rested then to play a woman's part,
Fuel to seek, and not to quench the fire:
But for his jealous eye she well did find,
She studied cunning how the same to blind.
And thus she did: one day to him she came,
And, though against his will, on him she lean'd,
And out gan cry: *Ah, well-away for shame,
If you help not, our wedlock will be stain'd I*
The goodman, starting, askt what her did move.
She sigh'd and said: The bad guest sought her love.
He, little looking that she should complain
Of that whereto he fear'd she was inclined,
Bussing her oft, and in his heart full fain,
He did demand what remedy to find;
How they might get that guest from them to wend,
And yet the prince, that loved him, not offend.