58 THE HISTORIE OF
Fawnia with blushing face made him this ready aunswere. Sir, what richer state then content, or what sweeter life then quiet ? we shepheards are not borne to honor, nor beholding unto beautie, the less care we have to feare fame or fortune : we count our attire brave inough if warme inough, and our foode dainty, if to suffice nature : our greatest enemie is the wolfe ; our onely care in safe keeping our flock : in stead of courtlie ditties we spend the daies with cuntry songs : our amorous conceites are homely thoughtes; delighting as much to talke of Pan and his cuntrey prankes, as Ladies to tell of Venus and her wanton toyes. Our toyle is in shifting the fouldes, and looking to the Lambes, easie labours : oft singing and telling tales, homely pleasures; our greatest welth not to covet, our honor not to climbe, our quiet not to care. Envie looketh not so lowe as shepheards : Shepheards gaze not so high as ambition: we are rich in that we are poore with content,1 and proud onely in this, that we have no cause to be proud.
This wittie aunswer of Fawniaso inflamed Dorastus fancy, as he commended him selfe for making so good a choyce, thinking, if her birth were aunswerable to her wit and beauty, that she were a fitte mate for the most famous Prince in the worlde. He therefore beganne to sifte her more narrowely on this manner.
Fawnia, I see thou art content with Country labours, because thou knowest not Courtly pleasures : I commend thy wit, and pitty thy want: but wilt thou leave thy Fathers Cottage and'serve a Courtlie Mistresse?
Sir (quoth she) beggers ought not to strive against fortune, nor to gaze after honour, least either their fall be greater, or they become blinde. I am borne to toiie for the Court, not in the Court, my nature unfit
1 "Poor and content is rich, and rich enough."
—" Othello," iii. 3.