Page:Dorastus and Fawnia, or, The life and adventures of a German princess.pdf/17

 of an adjoining hill, making a garland of such homely flowers as the Sicilian fields afforded her; and seeing her, unseen came nearer to her, to take a strict survey of her perfections, which he found such as, in her country garb, stained all the beauties of his father's court. Whilst thus he gazed on her peerless beauty, fair Fawnia chanced to cast her eye aside, and so espied Dorastus which gave her cheeks such a vermilion dye, that made her seem more beautiful; and rising up immediately she made such a model courtesy to the prince, as made him wonder how a country maid could learn that courtesy and genteel behaviour, and giving her a princely bow, he, with a smiling countenance, drew nearer, and bespoke her thus, 'Fair shepherdess, a shepherd's life, must sure be very sweet, that such a one as you delights in it; then tell me fair one, what is it that is in a shepherd's life, that can yield you so much pleasure?'

To this fair Fawnia, with a blushing face, returned this answer: 'A shepherd's calling, Sir, is truly innocent, and the results of that is sweet content: here no ambition creeps into our breasts, nor no dishonest thoughts into our hearts; we reckon our clothes fine enough, if warm, and food sufficient, that suffices nature: our only care is to keep our flocks from wolves, and pass away our hours with country songs; we take as much delight to talk of Pan and rural pranks, as lovers do, to speak of Venus and her wanton joys; our only toil is the shifting of our folds, and looking to our flocks the greatest pleasures; our greatest wealth is not to covet any, and our chief honour is to follow virtue.'

Dorastus was so taken with Fawnia's ingenious answer, that he was more confirmed in his affection, wishing her birth were answerable to her parts