University of Virginia Library

Search this document 
Pan and Syrinx

An Opera of One Act
(1688-1744)
  
PAN AND SYRINX:
  
[epigraph]
  
[castlist]
  
[section]

 1. 
[scene]
 2. 
SCENE II.
 3. 
SCENE III.
 4. 
SCENE IV.
 5. 
SCENE V.
 6. 
SCENE VI.
 7. 
SCENE VII.
 8. 
SCENE VIII.
 9. 
SCENE IX.
 10. 
SCENE X.

collapse section Collapse All | Expand All expand section
previous section Pan and Syrinx
next section
6

SCENE IV.

Enter Nymphs dancing on one Side; enter Sylvans on the other, who mix and dance: Chorus of Nymphs and Sylvans. After the Dance, a Nymph and Sylvan come forward.
Sylv.
Fairest, if thou can'st be kind,—Ah!
Thou'rt the Damsel to my Mind;—Ah!
If in me thou can'st discover
Ought to please thee as a Lover,
Be it in thy Smiles confest,
Thou'lt consent, and I am blest.
Fairest, if thou can'st be kind,—Ah!
Thou'rt the Damsel to my Mind.—Ah!

Nymph.
Think'st Thou, that awkard Mien has Charms
To tempt a Virgin to thy Arms?

Sylv.
If my awkard Mien affright thee,
Let this ruddy Cheek delight thee:
7

See, with what bewitching Grace
This manly Beard o'ershades my Face!

Nymph.
The Charms you boast, perhaps, may please
Wild Fauns, and clumsie Savages;
But a more engaging Form
Must my Breast with Passion warm.

Sylv.
The Goddess' self, fantastick Fair,
Might look, and be enamour'd here.

Nymph.
Foolish Sylvan! What Conceit
Makes thee think thy Charms so great?

[Nymph.]
Let Nature hence-forward neglect
Too much Beauty on Men to bestow;
Since Opinion can help the Defect,
And for Charms that are wanting allow.

Sylv.
Tho' Nature should ever neglect
Any Beauty on Nymphs to bestow,
Their Opinion will help the Defect,
And for Charms that are wanting allow.

8

Nymph and Sylvan both.
Let Nature henceforward neglect / Tho' Nature should ever neglect
Too much Beauty on Men to bestow; / Any Beauty on Nymphs to bestow;
Since Opinion can help the Defect, / Their Opinion will help the Defect,
And for Charms that are wanting allow.

previous section Pan and Syrinx
next section