How sweet is the nectar of the tears shed by love, when that nectar is relished amidst the raptures of mutual ardour! I have often tasted them--those delicious tears, and I can say knowingly that the ancient physicians were right, and that the modern are wrong.
In a moment of calm, seeing the disorder in which we both were, I told her that we might be surprised.
"Do not fear, my best beloved," she said, "we are under the guardianship of our good angels." We were resting and reviving our strength by gazing into one another's eyes, when suddenly Lucrezia, casting a glance to the right, exclaimed, "Look there! idol of my heart, have I not told you so?
Yes, the angels are watching over us! Ah! how he stares at us! He seems to try to give us confidence.

Look at that little demon; admire him! He must certainly be your guardian spirit or mine." I thought she was delirious.
"What are you saying, dearest?
I do not understand you.

What am I to admire ?" "Do you not see that beautiful serpent with the blazing skin, which lifts its head and seems to worship us ?" I looked in the direction she indicated, and saw a serpent with changeable colours about three feet in length, which did seem to be looking at us.

I was not particularly pleased at the sight, but I could not show myself less courageous than she was.
"What!" said I, "are you not afraid ?" "I tell you, again, that the sight is delightful to me, and I feel certain that it is a spirit with nothing but the shape, or rather the appearance, of a serpent." "And if the spirit came gliding along the grass and hissed at you ?" "I would hold you tighter against my bosom, and set him at defiance.

In your arms Lucrezia is safe.