AT length our lover to a wood retired; To live concealed was what the youth desired; Lorn silence reigned, except from birds that sang, And dells that oft with sweetest echo rang. There HAPPINESS and frightful MIS'RY lay, Quite undistinguished: classed with beasts of prey; That growling prowled in search of food around: There Atis consolation never found. LOVE thither followed, and, however viewed, 'Twas vain to hope his passion to elude; Retirement fed the tender, ardent flame, And irksome ev'ry minute soon became. Let us return, cried he, since such our fate: 'Tis better, Atis, bear her frowns and hate, Than of her beauteous features lose the view; Ye nightingales and streams, ye woods adieu! When far from her I neither see nor hear: 'Tis she alone my senses still revere; A slave I am, who fled her dire disdain; Yet seek once more to wear the cruel chain. AS near some noble walls our knight arrived, Which fairy-hands to raise had once contrived, His eyes beheld, at peep of early morn, When bright Aurora's beams the earth adorn, A beauteous nymph in royal robes attired, Of noble mien, and formed to be admired, Who t'ward him drew, with pleasing, gracious air, While he was wrapped in thought, a prey to care. SAID she, I'd have you, Atis, happy be; 'Tis in my pow'r, and this I hope to see; A fairy greet me, Manto is my name:-- Your friend, and one you've served unknown:--the same My fame you've heard, no doubt; from me proceeds The Mantuan town, renowned for ancient deeds; In days of yore I these foundations laid, Which in duration, equal I have made, To those of Memphis, where the Nile's proud course Majestically flows from hidden source. The cruel Parcae are to us unknown; We wond'rous magick pow'rs have often shown; But wretched, spite of this, appears our lot Death never comes, though various ills we've got, For we to human maladies are prone, And suffer greatly oft, I freely own.