 | Semele |  |
SCENE III.
Enter JUNO as INO, with a Mirrour in her Hand.JUNO
[apart.]
Thus shaped like Ino,
With Ease I shall deceive her,
And in this Mirrour she shall see
Her self as much transform'd as me.
Do I some Goddess see!
[To her.
Or is it Semele?
SEMELE.
Dear Sister speak,
Whence this Astonishment?
JUNO.
Your Charms improving
To Divine Perfection,
Shew you were late admitted
Amongst Celestial Beauties.
Has Jove consented?
And are you made Immortal?
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Ah no, I still am Mortal,
Nor am I sensible
Of any Change or new Perfection.
JUNO.
[Giving her the Glass.
Behold in this Mirrour
Whence comes my Surprize;
Such Lustre and Terror
Unite in your Eyes,
That mine cannot fix on a Radiance so bright;
'Tis unsafe for the Sense, and too slipp'ry for Sight.
SEMELE.
[Looking in the Glass.
O Ecstacy of Happiness!
Celestial Graces
I discover in each Feature!
Celestial Graces
I discover in each Feature!
My self I shall adore,
If I persist in gazing;
No Object sure before
Was ever half so pleasing.
If I persist in gazing;
No Object sure before
Was ever half so pleasing.
How did that Glance become me!
But take this flatt'ring Mirrour from me.
But take this flatt'ring Mirrour from me.
Yet once again let me view me.
Ah charming all o'er!
[Offering the Glass, withdraws her Hand again.
Ah charming all o'er!
Here—hold, I'll have one Look more,
Tho' that Look I were sure would undo me.
Tho' that Look I were sure would undo me.
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[Taking the Glass from her.
Be wise as you are beautiful,
Nor lose this Opportunity.
When Jove appears,
All ardent with Desire,
Refuse his proffer'd Flame
'Till you obtain a Boon without a Name.
SEMELE.
Can that avail me?
JUNO.
Unknowing your Intent,
And eager for possessing,
He unawares will grant
The nameless Blessing.
But bind him by the Stygian Lake,
Lest Lover-like his Word he break.
SEMELE.
But how shall I attain
To Immortality?
JUNO.
Conjure him by his Oath
Not to approach your Bed
In Likeness of a Mortal,
But like himself, the mighty Thunderer,
In Pomp of Majesty,
And heav'nly Attire;
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And with ineffable Delights
Fills her encircling Arms,
And pays the Nuptial Rites.
By this Conjunction
With entire Divinity
You shall partake of heav'nly Essence,
And thenceforth leave this Mortal State
To reign above,
Ador'd by Jove,
In spite of jealous Juno's Hate.
SEMELE.
Thus let my Thanks be paid,
Thus let my Arms embrace thee;
And when I'm Goddess made,
With Charms like mine I'll grace thee.
JUNO.
Rich Odours fill the fragrant Air,
And Jove's Approach declare.
I must retire—
SEMELE.
Adieu—Your Counsel I'll pursue.
JUNO.
[apart.]
And sure Destruction will ensue.
Vain wretched Fool— [To her.]
Adieu.
[Exit.
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