 | The rape of Proserpine |  |
SCENE II.
Mercury flies down to Ceres.Cer.
Hermes! What unexpected Charge
Can to these humble Mansions bring
The Messenger of Jove?
Mer.
Bright Ceres, from th'eternal Throne
In Embassy I come:
He, who assembled Gods commands,
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Cer.
What Grace can I confer to please
Him, whom Earth fears, and Heavens obey?
Mer.
While his all-seeing Eye with Joy
Beholds these Plains inrich'd by thee;
He mourns the barren Phrygia's Fate,
Whose Soil no golden Harvests crown.
To their Distress his Mercy yields;
The God implores, that Ceres too
Instant will pity, and assist their Toil.
Cer.
When I reflect how once he lov'd,
Tho' all his Vows are now forgot,
Yet for my Proserpine,
The dear-lov'd Offspring of our Joys,
Jove cannot ask in vain.
No,—say to your eternal King,
Ceres obeys, and Phrygia's blest.
Mer.
I fly the pleasing Sounds to bear,
Which, well I know, will sooth his Soul,
And kindle up returning Love.
Again the God shall wooe thee,
And languish in thy Arms;
And languish in thy Arms;
Who gazes must pursue thee:
So pointed are thy Charms.
So pointed are thy Charms.
Again the God, &c.
| The rape of Proserpine | |