University of Virginia Library

SCENE V.

Enter Pluto, attended by Infernals.
Plu.
My Soul's on fire—Flames, hot as those
Which scorch the Dæmons in my Realms below,
Burn up my Breast, and rob me of Repose.
O Proserpine! I bend beneath thy Power;
Oft to these Vales the Charmer steals,
And, pleas'd to weave the Chaplet for her Brow,
With rosy Fingers plucks the breathing Flowers,
Less fragrant than her self.
[A Dance of Dæmons.
But, see, she comes.
Instant be gone;—I'll too retire;
[Exeunt Infernals.
And watch a Moment may assist my Joy.
[Pluto shades himself behind a Tree.

Enter Proserpine and Nymphs.
Pros.
Content and Bliss serene dwell here,
Safe from the Pains the Wretches feel,
Who pine with Love's fantastick Chains.
Haste, see the Flowers luxuriant rise;
And court your Hands to crop their swelling Odours.
[All Nymphs but Cyana disperse themselves.
[Pluto advancing, seizes Proserpine.
Protect, me Heaven!

Plu.
You pray in vain.
The Heavens consenting doom you mine.

Pros.
Is there no Aid?—

Plu.
None.

Pros.
O! my Fears!

Plu.
Be gone, bold Nymph; if you give Breath
To what you here behold,
Eternal Dumbness is your Curse.

Pros.
I'm lost; protect me, Heaven!

[The Earth opens, and Pluto's Chariot rises; he forces Proserpine into it: All but Cyana sink.
Ceres descends in her Chariot.
Cer.
The Phrygian Soil, as Jove enjoin'd,
Reaps the full Blessings of my Power,
And Plenty-giving Hand. Each Altar smokes
To Ceres' Name, and gladden'd Crowds
Send up their Vows to Jove and Me,
In grateful Sacrifice of Praise.
For this my Bosom glows with Joy,
But more for my Return to Thee,
O much-lov'd Proserpine!—My Nymphs,—
[Cyana and Nymphs enter.
Ha! wherefore shun you thus my Eyes?
Where is my Proserpine? In Tears!
O my foreboding Heart!—Cyana, quick,
Resolve my doubting Soul.

Cya.
O Ceres,—

[Offering to speak, is turn'd into a Brook.
Cer.
Ha! surprizing Change!
What mean the envious Gods?
Must I my darling Offspring lose,
Yet be deny'd to know what Fate
Has robb'd me of so dear a Prize?
Have I for this Reward, O Jove,
Enrich'd the lean and barren Earth,
And with my Harvests bought thee Praise?
But I'll resume the Gifts conferr'd;
Rage on the Wings of Fire shall ride,
And flaming Ruin cover every Plain.

[The Gods of the Woods enter and take the Part of Ceres, and break the Trees; the People of Sicily enter and oppose 'em.
Sic.
O, sacred Ceres, spare the Land,
Nor thy own Gifts in Rage destroy.

Cer.
Pity, nor Remorse shall wound me,
Vengeance now is all my Joy.
Pity nor, &c.

[Ceres here snatches flaming Branches from her Train, and sets the Corn, &c. on fire.
SCENE, The Side of a Wood. The Actions of Harlequin continued.