To him I cry for help.And now in the region wherein our first mother pastured, by recounting the story of her distress of long ago, I shall now set forth reliable proofs to the inhabitants of the land;and other evidence, though unexpected, will yet appear. Men will come to know the truth as my tale proceeds.

Chorus Now if by chance there be some neighbor in the land who knows the song of birds,when our complaint greets his ear, he will fancy that he hears the voice of Metis, Tereus’ piteous wife, the hawk-chased nightingale.