he with gigantic pace approached their peaceful seat.

The happy Fidus was at that time busy in entertaining his loved Amata
with a song which he had that very morning composed in praise of
constancy; and the giant was now within one stride of them, when Amata,
perceiving him, cried out in a trembling voice, 'Fly, Fidus, fly, or
we are lost for ever; we are pursued by the hateful Barbarico!' She had
scarce uttered these words, when the savage tyrant seized them by the
waist in either hand, and holding up to his nearer view, thus said:
'Speak, miscreants; and, if you would avoid immediate death, tell me
who you are, and whence arises that tranquility of mind, which even at a
distance was visible in your behaviour.'

Poor Fidus, with looks that would have melted the hardest heart,
innocently replied, that they were wandering that way without designing
offence to any creature on earth. That they were faithful lovers; and,
with the consent of all their friends and relations, were soon to be
married; therefore he entreated him not to part them.

The giant now no sooner perceived, from the last words of the affrighted
youth, what was most likely to give them the greatest torment, than with
a spiteful grin which made his horrible face yet more horrible, and in
a hollow voice, as loud as thunder, he tauntingly cried out, 'Ho-hoh!
You'd not be parted, would you? For once I'll gratify thy will, and thou
shalt follow this thy whimpering fondling down my capatious maw.' So
saying, he turned his ghastly visage on the trembling Amata who, being
now no longer able to support herself under his cruel threats, fainted
away, and remained in his hand but as a lifeless corpse. When lifting
up his eyes towards the hill on the opposite side, he beheld Benefico
coming hastily towards him. This good giant having been that morning
informed that Barbarico was roaming in the mountains after prey,
left his peaceful castle, in hopes of giving protection to whatever
unfortunate creature should fall into the clutches of this so cruel a
monster.

Barbarico, at the sight of the friendly Benefico, started with fear; for
although in bulk and stature he was, as we have said, the superior: yet
that cowardice, which ever accompanies wickedness, now wrought in him in
such a manner that he could not bear to confront him, well knowing the
courage and fortitude that always attend the good and virtuous; and
therefore instantly putting Fidus into the wallet tha