Aristaeus, after the manner of shepherds, has seen a nymph, and has become desperately enamored.

Mopsus shakes his head and bids the young man beware.

Aristaeus says that his nymph loves melody.

He urges Mopsus: "Forth from thy wallet take thy pipe and we Will sing awhile beneath the leafy trees; For well my nymph is pleased with melody." Now follows a number which the author calls a "canzona"-- song.

The first stanza of the Italian text will serve to show the form.
"Udite, selve, mie dolce parole, Poi che la ninfa mia udir non vole.
La bella ninfa e sorda al mio lamento E'l suon di nostra fistula non cura: Di cio si lagna il mio cornuto armento, Ne vuol bagnare il grifo in acqua pura Ne vuol toccar la tenera verdura; Tanto del suo pastor gl'incresce e dole." The two introductory lines preface each stanza.