 | Semele |  |
SCENE I.
The SCENE is the Cave of Sleep. The God of Sleep lying on his Bed. A soft Symphony is heard. Then the Musick changes to a different Movement.JUNO and IRIS.
JUNO.
Somnus , awake,
Raise thy reclining Head;
IRIS.
Thy self forsake,
And lift up thy heavy Lids of Lead.
SOMNUS
[waking.]
Leave me, loathsome Light;
Receive me, silent Night.
Lethe, why does thy lingring Current cease?
O murmur, murmur me again to Peace.
[Sinks down again.
818
Dull God, canst thou attend the Waters fall,
And not hear Saturnia call!
JUNO.
Peace Iris, Peace, I know how to charm him,
Pasithea's Name alone can warm him.
JUNO, IRIS.
Only Love on Sleep has Pow'r;
O'er Gods and Men
Tho' Somnus reign,
Love alternate has his Hour.
JUNO.
Somnus arise,
Disclose thy tender Eyes;
For Pasithea's Sight
Endure the Light:
Somnus arise.
SOMNUS
[rising.]
More sweet is that Name
Than a soft purling Stream;
With Pleasure Repose I'll for sake,
If you'll grant me but her to sooth me awake.
JUNO.
My Will obey,
She shall be thine.
Thou with thy softer Pow'rs
819
To Morpheus then give Order,
Thy various Minister,
That with a Dream in Shape of Semele,
But far more beautiful,
And more alluring,
He may invade the sleeping Deity;
And more to agitate
His kindling Fire,
Still let the Phantom seem
To fly before him,
That he may wake impetuous,
Furious in Desire;
Unable to refuse whatever Boon
Her Coyness shall require.
SOMNUS.
I tremble to comply.
JUNO.
To me thy leaden Rod resign,
To charm the Centinels
On Mount Citheron;
Then cast a Sleep on mortal Ino:
That I may seem her Form to wear,
When I to Semele appear.
Obey my Will, thy Rod resign,
And Pasithea shall be thine.
820
All I must grant, for all is due
To Pasithea, Love and you.
JUNO.
Away let us haste,
Let neither have rest,
'Till the sweetest of Pleasures we prove;
'Till of Vengeance possess'd
I doubly am bless'd,
And thou art made happy in Love.
[Ex Juno and Iris.
[Somnus retires within his Cave, the Scene changes to Semele's Apartment.
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