
A lone shepherdess stands beside the grave of her beloved, her voice a solemn hymn to the earth that now cradles the man she loved. She renounces the carefree games of the meadow, choosing instead a life of quiet devotion among the herbs and wild fruits that grow where his memory lingers. Her words reveal a fierce determination to protect her purity, trusting that a virgin’s vow can shield her from the unseen forces that roam the woods.
Soon a mischievous satyr bursts onto the scene, bearing gifts of grapes, berries and pine‑sweet bounty, pleading for the shepherdess’s favor. He speaks of Pan’s feasts and the enchantments of the forest, while she wrestles with the allure of the supernatural and the steadfast resolve of her mortal heart. Their encounter sets the stage for a clash of earthly grief and otherworldly temptation, promising a tale where love, loyalty, and the wild spirit of the countryside intertwine.
Full title
The Faithful Shepherdess The Works of Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher (Volume 2 of 10).
Language
en
Duration
~2 hours (133K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2004-04-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1584–1616
Best known for his lively partnership with John Fletcher, this Jacobean dramatist helped shape the English stage with plays that blend wit, romance, and sudden turns of feeling. His work includes "The Knight of the Burning Pestle," still admired for its playful, surprising take on theater itself.
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1579–1625
A leading dramatist of the Jacobean stage, he helped shape English theater after Shakespeare and is still best known for his lively collaborations with Francis Beaumont. His plays mix romance, wit, and sudden turns of feeling in a way that kept audiences coming back.
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