Page:Dorastus and Fawnia, or, The life and adventures of a German princess.pdf/16

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THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES

one of her companions to go along with her to see if her flocks were folded up. It was upon this day that the prince Dorastus, in his return home, encountered these two shepherdesses, upon which he made a sudden stop, for he could not imagine that Fawnia could be any other than the goddess Diana, as he thus sat gazing on her, he became a victim of love, and he knew not what to make of it, but thought it was best to avoid the Syren that enchanted him, and so setting spurs to his horse bid the fair shepherdesses adieu, but for all the haste he made, he left his heart behind him; for her beauty so affected him, that he had neither eyes to see, nor ears to hear, nor heart to love ought but Fawnia.

Nor did Fawnia enjoy her freedom since she had seen Dorastus, as she did before, for the idea of his princely mein, and his well-featured face were still before her: she took leave of her companion, and went home, feigned herself not well, and so got straight to bed, where she dreamed of prince Dorastus, and in such restless slumbers passed away the night. Next morning, getting very early up, she went to keep her sheep, hoping that business would put off from her thought, a passion which she durst not call love, considering her low condition.

But prince Dorastus was far more impatient in his passion of love, for, neither company nor music could allay it: and this was affliction to him, that she, who was the object of his love, was now so despicable in respect of him, that he could crave no council in it, least it should be made known unto his father. But after he had been a while irresolute, he secretly withdrew himself from court, and resolved to see if he could find out Fawnia. When he had tried a great while in vain, his wandering eyes discovered Fawnia sitting alone on the de-