Page:Dorastus and Fawnia, or, The life and adventures of a German princess.pdf/18

 and beauty, for she was a match for the greatest prince that swayed a sceptre. But longing to hear more of her discourse, he thus replies to what she had said.

Dorastus. I see fair maid, you are pleased with rural labours, because you are ignorant of courtly pleasures.

Fawnia. Sure, Sir, such ignorance becomes us best, for courtly pleasures suit not our condition; mean though our pleasures are, yet they are innocent, and such become a shepherd's calling best.

Dorastus. I do believe, fair shepherdess, your aims are no higher than a country life, because you are in love with some kind shepherd.

Fawnia. No, Sir, Shepherd's cannot love, they are so simple, neither can maids, because they are too younng.

Dorastus. Nay, Fawnia, thou art old enough to love: and what if should love thee? thou knowest I can command, nay more, constrain thee too.

Fawnia. You may constrain me indeed, but not to love, for love constrained is force; I know the meanness of my birth to well, that even a farmer's son is too high for me; and yet I have that regard to sacred virtue, that I'll die, before I'll yield to a king that shall attempt to violate my honour.

Dorstus. Then, shepherdess, you cannot love Dorastus!

Fawnia. Yes, when Dorastus can become a shepherd.

Just at that word the prince's men came thither, who, finding that he had gone out alone, came to wait on him, who, tho' he thanked them not for their unwelcome diligence, yet he went back with them, and left Fawnia and his heart behind him.

Dorastus, who could think of nothing but Fawnnia, could not forget her last words, 'That she