Page:Stories from Old English Poetry-1899.djvu/248

224 Rh had sent in token of a slight wound the lioness had given him, which would prevent his keeping tryst that day, he gave it to Ganymede. To his wonder, the seeming boy fainted like a weak girl at sight of it; but recovering soon, and being assured Orlando was safe, she begged Oliver tell him how well she had feigned to be the real Rosalind.

Now, events began so to entangle themselves, that Rosalind was fain to disclose her sex. Beside her love for Orlando, which made her wish to be known, and her affection for her father, which made her desire his approval, a scornful young shepherdess, named Pheebe, had fallen in love with her, in her disguise of Ganymede. Now this same handsome Phbe was sought after by a love-lorn swain, Silvius, whom she scorned with as much ardor as she professed to love Ganymede. Most strange of all, the sombre Oliver had fallen captive to the dark eyes of Celia, and wished to marry her. So that Rosalind began to think it time to clear up all mysteries, and have the happy wedding-days fixed.

Thus the whole party met before the Duke, who had heard of the strange pranks Cupid was playing in his dominions. From most of them Ganymede exacted a promise. From the Duke, if that his daughter should appear, he would