Note 45 — BOOK I
Reading edition
Cydippe was a beautiful virgin of the island of Delos. She was celebrating the Rites of Diana when she was seen by Acontius, who falling in love with her, and not daring openly to declare his Passion, contrived to drop an Apple at her Feet, in which were inclosed these two Lines:
I swear to you by the mystical Rites of Diana, That I will attend you as a Companion, and become your Bride.
Cydippe took up the Apple and read the Lines; by repeating which words they became her own; and she was ignorantly betrothed to her Lover: For it was a Law, that whatever any persons said in Diana's Temple, they were obliged to perform.