University of Virginia Library

SCENE V.

PHOEBUS,
LEUCOTHOE.
So in some ev'ning fair the feather'd male,
Expects his tuneful consort in the vale;
At sight of her, his heart exulting springs,
He rears his plume, and beats his little wings:
They meet, they nestle to each other's breast,
And side by side pursue their way to rest.

Leucothöe.
My lord! my life!

Phoebus.
[Embracing, and gazing on her tenderly.

Leucothöe.
Oh! welcome to my soul, as after show'rs
Your own enliv'ning beams to fruits and flow'rs,
Welcome as cooling wind to lab'ring swains,
Or freedom to the wretch that groans in chains.
Might this for ever, ever be my place,
To live and die in thy ador'd embrace.

Phoebus.
Oh thrilling joy! oh more than charming she!
Was ever deity caress'd like me?

Leucothöe.
Oh height of bliss! oh greater than divine!
Was ever mortal happiness like mine?

Phoebus.
How shall I speak the dictates of my heart!
No language can express, no actions prove
My meeting joys.

Leucothöe.
My sorrows when we part!

Phoebus.
How tenderly I doat!

Leucothöe.

Phoebus.
Be hush'd, ye winds, and you, ye pow'rs, accord,
Who own the force of my superior word.
Hear, and obey! ye deities that reign
O'er the green woods, or haunt the dusky plain;
Hear, and obey! ye softer forms, that lave
In the cool font, or stem the lucid wave;
And ye that roll the rapid orbs on high.

[Soft music.
Leucothöe.
What sounds are these of melting melody,
Which steal so soft and sweet upon my ears?

Phoebus.
Hark! 'tis the music of the moving spheres;
Obedient to thy beauties, they advance
Th'harmonious measures of their tuneful dance.
Nature exults, affected by my joy;
And, see! the sisters, from their sacred height,
In concert mingling, all their art employ,
Proud to administer to your delight.

The music coming forward in a full symphony; the clouds, which obscured the head of the mountains, suddenly disperse, shewing Parnassus, the Muses with their proper symbols, &c.
An entertainment is performed by them on their several instruments, consisting of three parts; the first very sonorous; the second a slow movement, to which a pastoral nymph dances; the third sprightly; when the lowest of the mountains opens, discovering Vulcan's cave. The Cyclops come out, and dance with a number of Dryads, who enter from the woods, then range themselves on each side of the stage. Phœbus and Leucothöe advance.
Leucothöe.
Methinks these scenes, such wonder they inspire,
I still could gaze upon, and still admire;
Yet for the present, prithee, let them cease,
Our revels may offend the neighb'ring peace:
And should they to my father's ears be brought—
My blood runs cold, and curdles at the thought!

Phoebus.
Causeless the thought, and premature the fear!
What can your father do when I am here?
He, and th'extensive empire which he sways,
Struck by my word, shall vanish like a blaze.
Come thou, poor trembling turtle, seek thy mate,
And, safe beneath his pinion, laugh at fate.

Phoebus and Leucothöe.
Hark! Love summons us away;
Let's obey,
Come away;
Hark! Love summons us away:
Just expiring,
With desiring,
Take, oh! take me while you may,
Else I shall dissolve away.
Stay my fleeting soul with kisses,
Till we feed on fiercer blisses,
Blisses Gods alone should share.
Oh! my life, my joy, my treasure,
Oh! the extasy, the pleasure;
'Tis too much, too much to bear.