ydney, in addition to her other defects, found out that she had too
much stomach and too little back.

"Say of her as you please," returned Faustus--"one she is, however, who
led the Master of the World in her chains. But, madam," added he,
turning to the Queen, "as these far-famed foreign beauties are not to
your taste, why go beyond your own kingdom? England, which has always
produced the models of female perfection--as we may even at this moment
perceive--will furnish an object perhaps worthy of your attention in the
Fair Rosamond." Now Faustus had heard that the Queen fancied herself to
resemble the Fair Rosamond; and no sooner was the name mentioned, than
she was all impatience to see her.

"There is a secret instinct in this impatience," observed the Doctor,
craftily; "for, according to tradition, the Fair Rosamond had much
resemblance to your Majesty, though, of course, in an inferior style."

"Let us judge--let us judge," replied the Queen, hastily; "but from the
moment she appears, Sir Sydney, I request of you to observe her
minutely, that we may have her description, if she is worth it." This
order being given, and some little conjuration made, as Rosamond was
only a short distance from London, she made her appearance in a second.
Even at the door, her beauty charmed every one, but as she advanced she
enchanted them; and when she stopped to be gazed at, the admiration of
the company, with difficulty restrained to signs and looks, exhibited
their high approbation of the taste of Henry II. Nothing could exceed
the simplicity of her dress--and yet in that simplicity she effaced the
splendours of day--at least to the spectators. She waited before them a
long time--much longer than the others had done; and as if aware of the
command the Queen had given, she turned especially towards Sydney,
looking at him with an expressive smile. But she must go at last; and
when she was gone,--"My lord," said the Queen, "what a pretty creature!
I never saw anything so charming in my life. What a figure! what dignity
without affectation! what brilliancy without artifice!--and it is said
that I resemble her. My lord of Essex, what think you?" My lord thought,
would to Heaven you did; I would give the best steed in my stable that
you had even an ugly likeness to her. But he said, "Your majesty has
but to make the tour of the gallery in her green robe and primrose
petticoat, and if our magician himself would not mistake you for her,