Perceiving however that he had little to hope from the
most skilful detail of the pleas of passion, he turned the attention of
the shepherdess to a different topic. "Behold Imogen," cried he, "the
richness of the landscape on our right hand! The spot in my eye is
farthest from the castle, and divided from the rest of the prospect with
a tall hedge of poplars and alders. It is full of the finest grass, and
its soil is rich and luxuriant. It is scattered with fleckered cows and
dappled fawns. In the hither part of it is a field of the choicest
wheat, whose stalks are so rank and pregnant, that the timid hare and
the untamed fox can scarcely force themselves a path among them. Beside
it is an inclosure of barley with strong and pointed spikes; and another
of oats, whose grain, uneared, spreads broader to the eye. How beautiful
the scene! I will not ask you, fairest of your sex, to give your
confidence to unauthorised words. I will afford the most unquestionable
demonstration of the veracity of my declarations. All these, lovely
Imogen, shall be yours: yours exclusively, to be disposed of at your
pleasure, without the interference or control of any. All my other
possessions shall not belong to myself more than to you. You shall be
the mistress of my heart, and the associate of my counsels.
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