during the day to the sad condition of a hind, compels me to do as hinds do—I run, I skip, and I eat grass like them. At such times a room would be insupportable to me." She had been so harassed by the chase, that she required something to eat immediately; she then closed her two beautiful eyes till the dawn of day. As soon as she perceived it, the usual transformation took place, and she returned to the forest.
The Prince, on his part, had returned in the evening, and rejoined his favourite. "I have spent my time," said he, "in running after the most lovely hind I ever saw; she eluded me a hundred times with wonderful dexterity; I took so true an aim at her, that I cannot understand how she could escape untouched. As soon as it is daylight, I shall look for her again, and I will not miss her the next time." In short, the young Prince, who wished to drive from his heart the idea of a being he believed to be imaginary, was not sorry that his love for hunting amused him, and returned betimes to the spot where he had found the Hind; but she took good care not to go there again, fearing a similar accident to the one she had met with. He looked all around him, and walked about for some time, and, being very much heated, he was delighted to find some apples, the colour of which pleased him; he gathered some, and ate them, and almost immediately he fell into a sound sleep, stretched on the cool grass under some trees, which thousands of birds seemed to have fixed on for their assignations.
While he was sleeping, our timid Hind, eager to find a sequestered spot, came to the one in which he was reposing. Had she perceived him sooner, she would have fled: but she found herself so close to him, that she could not help looking at him; and his heavy sleep so emboldened her, that she stood and contemplated his features at her leisure. Oh, ye gods! what became of her when she recognised him! her mind had been too deeply impressed by his charming form for her to have forgotten it in so short a time. Love, Love, what wouldest thou, then? Must the Hind run the risk of being slain by the hand of her lover? Yes, she exposes herself to that peril; she no longer thinks of her safety. She couched down a little distance from him, with her eyes fixed upon him, not turning them away for an instant. She sighed, she
