the conditions stipulated for your marriage. He has
bent Nimrod's bow; he has conquered the lion; he
has a good share of sense, having written for you
extempore a very pretty madrigal. After having
presented you with forty large diamonds, you cannot
deny that he is the most generous of men. In his
bird he possessed the most curious thing upon earth.
His virtue cannot be equalled, since he departed without hesitation as soon as he learned his father was
ill, though he might have remained and enjoyed the
pleasure of your society. The oracle is fulfilled in
every particular, except that wherein he is to overcome his rivals. But he has done more; he has saved
the life of the only competitor he had to fear; and
when the object is to surpass the other two, I believe
you cannot doubt that he will easily succeed."
"All that you say is very true," replied Formosanta, "but is it possible that the greatest of men, and perhaps the most amiable too, should be the son of a shepherd?"
The lady of honor, joining in the conversation, said that the title of shepherd was frequently given to kings; that they were called shepherds because they attended very closely to their flocks; that this was doubtless a piece of ill-timed pleasantry in his valet; that this young hero had not come so badly equipped, but to show how much his personal merit alone was above the fastidious parade of kings. The princess made no answer, but in giving her bird a thousand tender kisses.
