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The rape of Proserpine

(1688-1744)
  
THE RAPE OF PROSERPINE:
  
[epigraph]
  
[dedication]
  
Vocal Characters.

 1. 
SCENE I.
 2. 
SCENE II.
 3. 
SCENE III.
 4. 
SCENE IV.
 5. 
SCENE V.
 6. 
SCENE VI.
  
[scene]

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12

SCENE VI.

The Elysian Fields.
Enter Proserpine and several Shades, who range themselves on each Side the Stage.
Pros.
O anxious State,
Restore me, Fate,
To Ceres' Arms, and Enna's Plains.
O Liberty,
I sigh for thee;
Empire compell'd is worse than Chains.
O anxious, &c.

But, see, the Tyrant that usurps my Love.
Enter Pluto.
Plu.
Let Torture cease, and Plaints of Woe,
Suspended be Despair.
Why still this Gloom?

Pros.
It suits my Fate.
Joy dwells not in these Realms.

13

Plu.
So sullen Grief perswades; but know,
We have our Triumphs here.
Come, banish Care; let Beauty smile,
Hell shall be gay to greet its Queen.

[Takes her by the Hand, stamps, Scene opens.
Pluto enters Hell with Proserpine. The Shades retire.
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