"And the Papal Government, too--a government pretendedly based on the direct ordination of Him who went about doing good--what has it done for them? Nothing but debauch their minds with idle ceremonies and unscriptural dogmas,--legends, priests, monks and beggary! The whole land is a land of beggars, made so by inculcated notions of a spurious charity. Every countrywoman, many men, and every child, boy or girl, are literally beggars--beggars importunate, unappeasable, irrepressible! What a condition of mind for a naturally noble and capable people to be reduced to by--a religion!" The phœnix, who was wiser than Formosanta, because he was divested of passion, consoled her upon the road. He gently insinuated to her that it was shocking to punish one's self for the faults of another; that Amazan had given her proofs sufficiently striking and numerous of his fidelity, so that she should forgive him for having forgotten himself for one moment in social company; that this was the only time in which he had been wanting of the grace of Oromasdes; that it would render him only the more constant in love and virtue for the future; that the desire of expiating his fault would raise him beyond himself; that it would be the means of increasing her happiness; that many great princesses before her had forgiven such slips, and had had no reason to be sorry afterward; and he was so thoroughly possessed of the art of persuasion, that Formosanta's mind grew more calm and peaceable. She was now sorry she had set out so soon. She thought her unicorns went too fast, but she did not dare return. Great was the conflict between her desire of forgiving and that of showing her rage--between her love and vanity. However, her unicorns pursued their pace; and she traversed the world, according to the prediction of her father's oracle. When Amazan awoke, he was informed of the arrival and departure of Formosanta and the phœnix. He was also told of the rage and distraction of the princess, and that she had sworn never to forgive him. "Then," said he, "there is nothing left for me to do, but follow her, and kill myself at her feet."