Page:The Garden of Romance - 1897.djvu/45

Rh the young damsel, who was named Iphigenia, awaked before any of the others with her, and lifting up her head with her eyes wide open, she saw Cymon standing before her leaning still on his staff. Whereat marvelling not a little she said unto him, "Cymon, whither wanderest thou, or what dost thou seek for in this wood?" Cymon, who not only by his countenance but likewise by his folly, nobility of birth, and wealthy possessions of his father, was generally known throughout the country, made no answer at all to the demand of Iphigenia; but so soon as he beheld her eyes open he began to observe them with a constant regard, and was persuaded in his soul that from them flowed such an unutterable singularity as he had never felt till then. Which the young gentlewoman well noting, she began to wax fearful lest these steadfast looks of his should incite his rusticity to some attempt which might redound to her dishonour; wherefore awaking her women and servants, and they all being risen, she said, "Farewell, Cymon, I leave thee to thine own good fortune;" whereto he presently replied, saying, "I will go with you." Now although the gentlewoman refused his company as dreading some act of incivility from him, yet could she not devise any way to be rid of him till he had brought her to her own dwelling, where taking leave mannerly of her, he went directly home to his father's house, saying nothing should compel him to live any longer in the muddy country. And albeit his father was much offended hereat, and all the rest of his kindred and friends, yet not knowing how to help it, they suffered him to continue there still, waiting to know the cause of this his so sudden alteration from the course of life which contented him so highly before.