Page:Dorastus and Fawnia, or, The life and adventures of a German princess.pdf/23

, immediately released and embraced very , but, for all the love he bore to Fawnia, now resolved that she should die. And, therefore, caused Capino, Fawnia, and Porrus to be before him. He upbraided Fawnia with and disdain, in refusing his love, and told, now he would be revenged on her. Who answered, That since Dorastus was restored  his liberty, and father’s favour, death would be very easy to her. And then casting a glance upon Dorastus, who was ready to die with grief, she down her head. Capino, being told, that he would have his eyes put out, and grind in a mill as long as he lived, seemed much dejected. But, Porrus being told that he must die, for presuming marry his daughter to the son of a King, made this reply.

Seeing, O King, and ye noble ambassadors of Sicily, I am condemned to die without a cause, give me leave to disburden my conscience before my death, I will tell you as much as I know, and speak no more than is true; though I am accused of Fawnia’s pride, and she disdained as a beggar, I now tell you, I am none of her father, neither is she a beggar-child. I being a poor Shepherd, going to look after a strayed sheep, by the sea-side, saw a little boat driven upon the shore, in which I found an infant of about a week old, wrapped in a mantle of crimson velvet, having a chain of pearls and jewels about her neck: This infant I took pity upon, and bred up as my own daughter, and I named her Fawnia; what her parentage is I know not, but here are the things I found with her. Let me see them, let me see them, cried Pandosta, hastily; which he had no sooner shewn, but Pandosta, knowing the neck-lace, rose up immediately, ran to Fawnia, and embracing her in his arms, cried out,