This Æglogue is purposely intended to the honour and praise of our most
gracious sovereign, Queen Elizabeth. The speakers hereof be Hobbinol and
Thenot, two shepheards: the which Hobbinol, being beforementioned
greatly to have loved Colin, is here set forth more largely, complaining
him of that boy's great misadventure in love; whereby his mind was
alienated and withdrawn not only from him, who most loved him, but also
from all former delights and studies, as well in pleasant piping, as
cunning rhyming and singing, and other his laudable exercises. Whereby
he taketh occasion, for proof of his more excellency and skill in
poetry, to record a song, which the said Colin sometime made in honour
of her Majesty, whom abruptly he termeth Elisa.