THE
Royal Shepherdess.
Before the Christian religion had blessed the European world, in the well known kingdom of Bohemia, now subject to the German emperor, there reigned a King whose name was Pandosta, fortunate in war, and bountiful to his subjects in peace, which made him feared abroad, and beloved at home. He had a Princess, whose name was Bellaria, great by her birth, but greater by her virtue, living with the King her husband, in that love and amity, that made them both happy in each other; and fortune, as a pledge on both their mutual loves, sent them a son who was the darling of his parents, and the joy of their subjects; who, to testify their inward joy, made public rejoicings and triumphs throughout the kingdom.
Scarce were the public triumphs for the birth of the Prince made an end of, but a fresh occasion of joy offered itself, for Egistus, the Sicilian king, who had been brought up with Pandosta in his youth, that he might renew their former friendship, came with a splendid retinue, befitting the dignity of his person, to give him a royal visit, and was entertained by Pandosta suitably to the honour he did him thereby. And acquainting Bellaria, his queen, with the great love he had for Egistus, and of the honour that he did him by his visit; he desired her also to shew him all the respect and kindness that was due to so great a kingand
