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362 his courage to such a degree, that he thought not of his own life, provided that he could save that of his shepherdess. At last he killed the bear close to her feet, but he felt himself half dead with the wounds which he had received. Ah, what was her misery when she saw his clothes stained with his flowing blood! She could not speak; the tears gushed from her eyes; she placed his head upon her knees, then with a sudden effort, "Shepherd," said she to him, "if you die, I shall die with you. In vain have I concealed from you the secrets of my heart; know them now, and be assured that my life is devoted to you." "What can I wish for more, lovely shepherdess?" said he; "whatever may now befal me, my fate must still be a happy one."

The shepherdesses who had fled now returned with several shepherds, to whom they had related what they had just seen. They hastened to assist the Prince and Princess; for she needed assistance nearly as much as he did. Whilst they were cutting the branches of trees to make a kind of litter, the Fairy Amazon appeared in the midst of them. "Do not be uneasy, said she to them; "let me touch the young shepherd.'" She took him by the hand, and placing her gold helmet on his head, "I forbid thee to be ill, dear shepherd," said she to him. He arose instantly; and the vizor of the helmet being open, displayed to them his fine features full of heroic expression, and his keen and brilliant eyes confirming the hopes the Fairy had inspired them with. He was astonished at the manner in which she had just cured him, and at her majestic appearance. Transported with admiration, with joy, and with gratitude, he threw himself at her feet. "Great Queen," said he to her, "I was dangerously wounded: a look from you, a word from your mouth, has cured me: but, alas! I have a wound in my heart of which I would not be cured: deign but to assuage its pain, and improve my fortune, that I may be able to share it with this lovely shepherdess." The Princess blushed at hearing him speak thus; for she was aware the Fairy Amazon knew her, and she was afraid she should be blamed by her, for holding out hopes to a lover so much beneath herself: she dared not look at her. The sighs that escaped her moved the Fairy's compassion. "Carpillon," said she, "this shepherd is not unworthy of your esteem; and you, shepherd, so desirous to change your state, rest assured