"I will be your guide!" exclaimed Love, descending from the summit of Olympus; "so fond a design deserves my protection." "And mine also," said the Sovereign Fairy, appearing suddenly; "I came to seek you in order to anticipate by some few moments the pleasure of beholding you."
The Pigeon and the Dove were as much delighted as surprised by this new event. "We place ourselves under your guidance," said Constancia to the Fairy. "Do not abandon us," said Constancio to Cupid. "Come, then," said the latter, "to Paphos; my mother is still honoured there—and they continue to love the birds that were consecrated to her." "No," said the Princess, "we desire not the society of mankind; happy are those who can renounce it! We ask but for a beautiful solitude."
The Fairy immediately struck the ground with her wand, and Love touched it with a golden arrow. At the same moment they beheld the most exquisite wilderness in Nature, richly adorned with groves, flowers, meadows, and fountains. "Live here millions of years," cried Love. "Swear to each other eternal fidelity in presence of this great Fairy." "I swear it to my Dove," said the Pigeon; "I swear it to my Pigeon," said the Dove. "Your marriage," said the Fairy, "could not be blest by a divinity more competent to render you happy. In addition, I promise, that if you should grow weary of this metamorphosis, I will not forsake you; but restore you to your original forms." The Pigeon and the Dove both thanked the Fairy; but assured her they should not invoke her with that object; that they had known too much sorrow as human beings; they only requested her to send to them Ruson, if he were still alive. "He has changed his condition," said Love; "it was I who had condemned him to take the form of a ram; I have had compassion on him, and replaced him on the throne I tore him from." Constancia no longer wondered that she had seen Ruson display so much grace and intelligence. She entreated Love to relate to her the adventures of an animal that had been so dear to her. "I will tell you some day," said Cupid, kindly; "but at this moment I am wanted and wished for in so many places, that I hardly know where to fly first. Farewell!" he continued, "fond and happy pair; you may boast of being the wisest couple in my empire."
