Shepherdess \Shep"herd*ess\, n. A woman who tends sheep; hence, a rural lass.
She put herself into the garb of a shepherdess. --Sir P. Sidney.
He is not allowed to speak them as if they are at the heart of the play or as if anyone might wish to take him seriously. The minor part of Phebe, the shepherdess, comes out as one of the most striking characters.