em, as he hoped, to bewail each other's sad condition. But the
unhappy Fidus, bereft of his Amata, was not to be appalled by any of the
most horrid threats; for now his only comfort was the hopes of a speedy
end to his miserable life, and to find a refuge from his misfortunes
in the peaceful grave. With this reflection the faithful Fidus was
endeavouring to calm the inward troubles of his mind, when the little
page, with looks of the most tender compassion, and in gentle words,
bid him be comforted, and with patience endure his present affliction;
adding that he himself had long suffered the most rigorous fate, yet
despaired not but that one day would give them an opportunity to free
themselves from the wicked wretch, whose sole delight was in others'
torments. 'As to his inhuman commands,' continued he, 'I will sooner
die than obey them; and in a mutual friendship perhaps we may find some
consolation, even in this dismal cave.'

This little page the cruel Barbarico had stolen from his parents at five
years old; ever since which time he had tortured and abused him, till he
had now attained the age of one-and-twenty. His mother had given him
the name of Mignon; by which name the monster always called him, as it
gratified his insolence to make use of that fond appellation whilst he
was abusing him, only when he said Mignon he would in derision add the
word Dwarf; for, to say the truth, Mignon was one of the least men that
was ever seen, though at the same time one of the prettiest: his limbs,
though small, were exactly proportioned; his countenance was at once
sprightly and soft; and whatever his head thought, or his heart felt,
his eyes by their looks expressed; and his temper was as sweet as his
person was amiable. Such was the gentle creature Barbarico chose to
torment. For wicked giants, no less than wicked men and women, are
constantly tormented at the appearance of those perfections in another,
to which they themselves have no pretensions.

The friendship and affection of Fidus and Mignon now every day
increased; and the longer they were acquainted, the mere delight
they took in each other's company. The faithful Fidus related to
his companion the story of his loved Amata, whilst the tender Mignon
consoled his friend's inward sorrows, and supplied him with necessaries,
notwithstanding the venture he run of the cruel tyrant's heavy
displeasure. The giant ceased not every day to view the hapless Fidus,
to see if the