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who appeared the master of the others, in all the agonies of despair. His followers all repeated his complaints, and rendered the scene still more affecting.
I made myself known, and, addressing the charming youth, demanded the cause of such extraordinary grief. I am, said he, the prince Zimis, and have from my infancy loved the princess Eliana; our parents had agreed to our union, when the cruel genius Phormidas, unhappily for me, saw and became enamoured of my love. Eliana treated him with so much rigour, that he appeared to have lost all hope. I took advantage of this momentary repose, and, accompanied by the train you see, was conducting my princess into my own kingdom, to celebrate our nuptials.
As we were passing through a gloomy forest, we were suddenly surprised by the appearance of Phormidas, who assaulted us, and, in spite of my courage and resistance, tore my dear Eliana from my arms. Vainly have I endeavoured, for three days, to follow the traces of the ravisher: fatigue, at last, has stopped us
