The Elysian fields--I exclaimed with a quick scream--shall I then see? I gasped & could not ask that which I longed to know--the friendly spirit replied more gravely--I have told you that you will not see those whom you mourn--But I must away--follow me or I must leave you weeping deserted by the spirit that now checks your tears-- Go--I replied I cannot follow--I can only sit here & grieve--& long to see those who are gone for ever for to nought but what has relation to them can I listen-- The spirit left me to groan & weep to wish the sun quenched in eternal darkness--to accuse the air the waters all--all the universe of my utter & irremediable misery--Fantasia came again and ever when she came tempted me to follow her but as to follow her was to leave for a while the thought of those loved ones whose memories were my all although they were my torment I dared not go--Stay with me I cried & help me to clothe my bitter thoughts in lovelier colours give me hope although fallacious & images of what has been although it never will be again--diversion I cannot take cruel fairy do you leave me alas all my joy fades at thy departure but I may not follow thee-- One day after one of these combats when the spirit had left me I wandered on along the banks of the river to try to disperse the excessive misery that I felt untill overcome by fatigue--my eyes weighed down by tears--I lay down under the shade of trees & fell asleep--I slept long and when I awoke I knew not where I was--I did not see the river or the distant city--but I lay beside a lovely fountain shadowed over by willows & surrounded by blooming myrtles--at a short distance the air seemed pierced by the spiry pines & cypresses and the ground was covered by short moss & sweet smelling heath--the sky was blue but not dazzling like that of Rome and on every side I saw long allies--clusters of trees with intervening lawns & gently stealing rivers--Where am I? [I] exclaimed--& looking around me I beheld Fantasia--She smiled & as she smiled all the enchanting scene appeared lovelier--rainbows played in the fountain & the heath flowers at our feet appeared as if just refreshed by dew--I have seized you, said she--as you slept and will for some little time retain you as my prisoner--I will introduce you to some of the inhabitants of these peaceful Gardens--It shall not be to any whose exuberant happiness will form an u[n]pleasing contrast with your heavy grief but it shall be to those whose chief care here is to acquired knowledged [_sic_] & virtue--or to those who having just escaped from care & pain have not yet recovered full sense of enjoyment--This part of these Elysian Gardens is devoted to those who as before in your world wished to become wise & virtuous by study & action here endeavour after the same ends by contemplation--They are still unknowing of their final destination but they have a clear knowledge of what on earth is only