| | Scene 1 | The Scene is the Temple of Juno, near the Altar is a Golden Image of the Goddess. Priests are in their Solemnities, as after a Sacrifice newly offer'd: Flames arise from the Altar, and the Statue of Juno is seen to bow.
Cadmus, Athamas, Semele, and Ino. | |
| 1st Priest
Behold! auspicious Flashes rise;
Juno accepts our Sacrifice;
The grateful Odour swift ascends,
And see, the Golden Image bends.
1st and 2d Priest
Lucky Omens bless our Rites,
And sure success shall crown your Loves;
Peaceful Days and fruitfull Nights
Attend the Pair that she approves.
Cadmus
Daughter, obey,
Hear, and obey.
With kind Consenting
Ease a Parent's Care;
Invent no new Delay.
Athamas
O hear a faithful Lover's pray'r;
On this auspicious Day
Invent no new Delay.
Cadmus and Athamas
Hear, and obey;
Invent no new Delay
On this auspicious Day.
Semele apart
Ah me!
What Refuge now is left me?
How various, how tormenting,
Are my Miseries!
O Jove assist me,
Can Semele forgo thy Love,
And to a Mortal's Passion yield?
Thy Vengeance will o'ertake
Such Perfidy.
If I deny, my Father's Wrath I fear.
O Jove, in Pity teach me which to chuse,
Incline me to comply, or help me to refuse.
Athamas
See, she blushing turns her Eyes:
See, with Sighs her Bosom panting:
If from Love those Sighs arise,
Nothing to my Bliss is wanting.
Hymen haste, thy Torch prepare,
Love already his has lighted,
One soft Sigh has cur'd Despair,
And more than my past Pains requited.
Ino
Alas! she yields,
And has undone me:
I can no longer hide my Passion;
It must have Vent—
Or inward burning
ill consume me.
O Athamas—
I cannot utter it—
Athamas
On me fair Ino calls
With mournful Accent,
Her Colour fading,
And her Eyes o'erflowing!
Ino
O Semele!
Semele
On me she calls,
Yet seems to shun me!
What would my Sister?
Speak—
Ino
Thou hast undone me.
Cadmus
Why dost thou thus untimely grieve,
And all our solemn Rites prophane?
Can he, or she, thy Woes relieve?
Or I? Of whom dost thou complain?
Ino
Of all; but all, I fear, in vain.
Athamas
Can I thy woes relieve?
Semele
Can I asswage thy Pain?
Cadmus, Athamas and Semele
Of whom dost thou complain?
Ino
Of all; but all, I fear, in vain.
It lightens, and Thunder is heard at a distance; then, a Noise of Rain; the Fire is suddenly extigush'd on the Altar: the Chief-Priest comes forward.
1st Priest
Avert these Omens, all ye pow'rs!
Some God averse our holy Rites controlls,
O'erwhelming with sudden Night, the Day expires!
Ill-boding Thunder on the Right Hand rolls,
And Jove himself descends in Show'rs,
To quench our late propitious Fires.
Chorus of Priests
Avert these omens, all ye pow'rs!
2d Priest
Again auspicious Flashes rise,
Juno accepts our Sacrifice.
Flames are again kindled on the Altar, and the Statue nods.
3d Priest
Again the sickly Flame decaying dies:
Juno assents, but angry Jove denies.
The Fire is again extinguish'd.
Athamas apart
Thy aid, Pronubial Juno, Athamas implores.
Semele apart
Thee Jove, and thee alone, Semele adores.
A loud Clap of Thunder; the Altar sinks.
1st Priest
Cease, cease your vows, 'tis impious to proceed;
Be gone, and fly this holy Place with Speed:
This dreadful Conflict is of dire Presage;
Be gone, and fly from Jove's impending Rage.
All but the Priests come forward. The Scene closes on the Priests, and shews to View the Front and Outside of the Temple. Cadmus leads off Semele, Attendants follow. Athamas and Ino remain. | Opperpriester
Kijk! Voorspoedige vlammen laaien op!
Jupiter aanvaardt ons offer:
De behaaglijke geur verspreidt zich
En zie, het goddelijke beeld buigt voorover!
Koor van priesters
Gunstige voortekens zegenen onze riten,
Uw liefde wordt stellig een succes;
Vreedzame dagen en vruchtbare nachten
Wachten het paar dat haar zegen krijgt.
Cadmus
Dochter, gehoorzaam,
Luister en gehoorzaam.
Stem gewillig in
Neem een pak af van je vaders hart;
Stel niet langer uit.
Athamas
O aanhoor het gebed van een trouwe minnaar
Op deze voorspoedige dag
Stel niet langer uit.
Cadmus en Athamas
Luister en gehoorzaam.
Stel niet langer uit
Op deze voorspoedige dag.
Semele terzijde
Wee mij!
Welke toevlucht rest mij nog?
Hoe veelvuldig, hoe verscheurend
Is mijn ellende!
O Jupiter sta mij bij!
Kan Semele afstand doen van je liefde,
En toegeven aan de hartstocht van een sterveling?
Dergelijk perfide gedrag
is schreeuwen om jou wraak.
Weiger ik, dan wek ik mijn vaders gal.
O Jupiter, heb medelij en help me bij m'n keus.
Toegeven? Zeg het mij. Of weigeren, wat moet ik doen?
| Scene 2 | | | |
| Athamas
O Athamas, what Torture hast thou born!
And O, what hast thou yet to bear!
From Love, from Hope, from near Possession torn,
And plung'd at once in deep Despair.
Ino
Turn, hopeless Lover, turn thy eyes,
And see a Maid bemoan,
In flowing Tears and aking Sighs,
Thy Woes, too like her own.
Athamas
She weeps!
The gentle Maid, in tender pity,
Weeps to behold my Misery!
So Semele wou'd melt
To see another mourn.
Such unavailing Mercy is in Beauty found,
Each Nymph bemoans the Smart
Of every bleeding Heart,
But where she herself inflicts the Wound.
Ino
Ah me, too much afflicted!
Athamas
Can pity for another's Pain
Cause such Anxiety!
Ino
Cou'dst thou but guess
What I endure!
Or cou'd I tell thee—
Thou, Athamas,
Wou'dst for a while
Thy Sorrows cease, a little cease,
And listen for a while
To my Lamenting.
Athamas
Of Grief too sensible
I know your tender Nature.
Well I remember,
When I oft haue su'd
To cold, disdainful Semele;
When I with Scorn have been rejected;
Your tuneful Voice my Tale would tell,
In Pity of my sad Despair;
And, with sweet Melody, compel
Attention from the flying Fair.
Ino
Too well I see
Thou wilt not understand me.
Whence cou'd proceed such Tenderness?
Whence such compassion?
Insensible! Ingrate!
Ah no, I cannot blame thee:
For by effects unknown before
Who cou'd the hidden cause explore?
Or think that Love cou'd act so strange a Part,
To plead for Pity in a Rival's Heart.
Athamas
Ah me, what have I heard!
She does her Passion own.
Ino
What, had I not despair'd,
You never shou'd have known.
You've undone me;
Look not on me;
Guilt upbraiding,
Shame invading;
Look not on me;
You've undone me.
Athamas
With my Life I wou'd attone
Pains you've born, to me unknown.
Cease, cease to shun me.
Ino
Look not on me;
You've undone me.
Athamas
Cease, cease to shun me:
Love, love alone
Has both undone.
Ino, Athamas
Love, love alone
Has both undone.
| | Scene 3 | | [To them] Enter Cadmus attended. | |
| Cadmus
Ah, wretched Prince, doom'd to disastrous Love!
Ah me, of Parents most forlorn!
Prepare, O Athamas, to prove
The sharpest Pangs that e'er were born:
Prepare with me our common Loss to mourn.
Athamas
Can fate, or Semele invent
Another, yet another Punishment?
Cadmus
Wing'd with our Fears, and pious Haste,
From Juno's fane we fled;
Scarce we the brazen Gates had pass'd,
When Semele around her Head
With azure Flames was grac'd,
Whose Lambent Glories in her Tresses play'd.
While this we saw with dread Surprize,
Swifter than Lightning downwards tending
An Eagle stoopt, of mighty Size,
On Purple Wings descending;
Like Gold his Beak, like Stars shone forth his Eyes,
His Silver plumy Breast with snow contending:
Sudden he snatch'd the trembling Maid,
And soaring from our Sight convey'd;
Diffusing ever as he lessening flew
Celestiall Odour, and Ambrosial Dew.
Athamas
O Prodigy, to me of dire Portent!
Ino
To me, I hope, of fortunate Event.
| | Scene 4 | | Enter to them the Chief-Priest, with Augurs and other Priests. | |
| Cadmus
See, see Jove's Priests and holy Augurs come:
Speak, Speak, of Semele and me declare the Doom.
1st Aug
Hail Cadmus, hail! Jove salutes the Theban King.
Cease your Mourning,
Joys returning,
Songs of Mirth and Triumph sing.
2nd Aug
Endless Pleasure, endless Love
Semele enjoys above;
On her Bosom Jove reclining,
Useless now his Thunder lies,
To her Arms his Bolts resigning,
And his Lightning to her eyes.
Endless Pleasure, endless Love
Semele enjoys above.
1st Priest
Haste, haste, haste, to Sacrifice prepare,
Once to the Thunderer, once to the Fair:
Jove and Semele implore:
Jove and Semele like Honours share;
Whom Gods admire, let Men adore.
Haste, haste, haste, to Sacrifice prepare.
Chorus of Priests and Augurs
Hail, Cadmus, hail! Jove salutes the Theban King.
Cease your Mourning,
Joys returning,
Songs of Mirth and Triumph sing.
Exeunt Omnes | | | | Scene 1 | | The Scene is a pleasant Country, the Prospect is terminated by a Beautiful Mountain adorn'd with Woods and Water-falls. Juno and Iris descend in different Machines. Juno in a chariot drawn by Peacocks; Iris on a Rainbow; they alight and meet. | |
| Juno
IRIS, impatient of thy Stay,
From Samos have I wing'd my Way,
To meet thy slow Return;
Thou know'st what Cares infest
My anxious Breast,
And how with Rage and Jealousie I burn:
Then why this long Delay?
Iris
With all his Speed not yet the Sun
Thro' half his Race has run,
Since I to execute thy dread Command
Have thrice encompass'd Seas and Land.
Juno
Say, where is Semele's Abode?
'Till that I know,
Tho' thou hadst on Lightning rode,
Still thou tedious art and slow.
Iris
Look where Citheron proudly stands,
Bœotia parting from Cecropian lands.
High on the Summit of that Hill,
Beyond the Reach of Mortal Eyes,
By Jove's Command, and Vulcan's Skill,
Behold a new-erected Palace rise.
There from mortal Cares retiring,
She resides in sweet Retreat;
On her Pleasure, Jove requiring,
All the Loves and Graces wait.
Thither Flora the Fair
With her Train must repair,
Her amorous Zephyr attending,
All her sweets she must bring
To continue the Spring,
Which never must there know and Ending.
Bright Aurora, 'tis said,
From her old Lover's bed
No more the grey Orient adorning,
For the future must rise
From the fair Semele's eyes,
And wait 'till she wakes for the Morning.
Juno
No more—I'll hear no more.
How long must I endure?—
How long with Indignations burning,
From impious Mortals
Bear this insolence!
Awake Saturnia from thy Lethargy;
Seize, destroy the curst Adulteress.
Scale proud Citheron's Top:
Snatch her, tear her in thy Fury,
And down, down to the Flood of Acheron
Let her fall, let her fall, fall, fall:
Rolling down to the Depths of Night,
Never more to behold the Light.
If I am own'd above,
Sister and Wife of Jove;
(Sister at least I sure may claim,
Tho' Wife be a neglected name.)
If I th'Imperial Scepter sway—I sware
By Hell—
Tremble thou Universe this Oath to hear,
Not one of curst Agenor's Race to spare.
Iris
Hear, mighty Queen, while I recount
What Obstacles you must surmount;
With Adamant the Gates are barr'd,
Whose Entrance tow fierce Dragons guard:
At each approach they lash their forky Stings,
And clap their brazen Wings:
And as their scaly Horrours rise,
They all at once disclose
A thousand fiery Eyes,
Which never know Repose.
Juno
Hence Iris, hence away,
Far from the realms of Day;
O'er Scythian Hills to the Meotian Lake
A speedy Flight we'll take:
There Somnus I'll compell
His downy bed to leave and silent Cell:
With Noise and Light I willhis Peace molest,
Nor shall he sink again to pleasing Rest,
'Till to my vow'd Revenge he grants Supplies,
And seals with Sleep the wakeful Dragon's Eyes.
They ascend | | Scene 2 | | The Scene chages to an Apartment in the Palace of Semele; she is sleeping; Loves and Zephyrs waiting. | |
| Cupid
See, after the Toils of an amorous fight
Where weary and pleas'd, still panting she lies;
While yet in her Mind she repeats the Delight,
How sweet is the Slumber that steals on her eyes!
Come Zephyrs, come, while Cupid sings,
Fan her with your silky wings;
New Desire
I'll inspire
And revive the dying Flames;
Dance around her,
While I wound her,
And with Pleasure fill her Dreams.
A dance of Zephyrs, after which Semele awakes, and rises.
Semele
O Sleep, why dost thou leave me?
Why they visionary Joys remove?
O Sleep again deceive me,
To my Arms restore my wand'ring Love.
| | Scene 3 | | Two Loves lead in Jupiter. While he meets and embraces
Semele, Cupid sings. | |
| Cupid
Sleep forsaking,
Seize him waking;
Love has sought him,
Back has brought him;
Mighty Jove tho' he be,
And tho' Love cannot see,
Yet by feeling about
He has found him out,
And has caught him.
Semele
Let me not another Moment
Bear the Pangs of Absence.
Since you have form'd my Soul for Loving,
No more afflict me
With Doubts and Fears, and cruel Jealousie.
Jupiter
Lay your Doubts and Fears aside,
And for Joys alone provide;
Tho' this Human Form I wear,
Think not I Man's falshood bear.
You are Mortal, and require
Time to rest and to respire.
Nor was I absent,
Tho' a while withdrawn,
To take Petitions
From the needy World.
While Love was with thee I was present;
Love and I are one.
Semele
If chearful Hopes
And chilling Fears,
Alternate Smiles,
Alternate Tears,
Eager Panting,
Fond Desiring,
With Grief now fainting,
Now with Bliss expiring;
If this be Love, not you alone,
But Love and I are one.
Both. If this be Love, not you alone,
But Love and I are one.
Semele
Ah me!
Jupiter
Why Sighs my Semele?
What gentle Sorrow
Swells thy soft Bosom?
Why tremble those fair Eyes
With interrupted Light?
Where hov'ring for a Vent,
Amidst their humid Fires,
Some new-form'd Wish appears.
Speak, and obtain.
Semele
At my own Happiness
I sigh and tremble;
Mortals whom Gods affect
Have narrow Limits set to Life,
And cannot long be bless'd.
Or if they could—
A God may prove inconstant.
Jupiter
Beware of Jealousie:
Had Juno not been jealous,
I ne'er had left Olympus,
Nor wander'd in my Love.
Semele
With my Frailty don't upbraid me,
I am Woman as you made me,
Causeless doubting or despairing,
Rashly trusting, idly fearing.
If obtaining
Still complaining;
If consenting
Still repenting;
Most complying
When denying.
And to be follow'd, only flying.
With my Frailty don't upbraid me,
I am Woman as you made me.
Jupiter
Thy Sex of Jove's the Master-piece,
Thou, of thy Sex, art most excelling.
Frailty in thee is ornament,
In thee Perfection.
Giv'n to agitate the Mind,
And keep awake Mens Passions;
To banish Indolence,
And dull Repose,
The Foes of Transport
And of Pleasure.
Semele
Still I am mortal,
Still a Woman;
And ever when you leave me,
Tho' compass'd round with Deities
Of Loves and Graces,
A Fear invades me,
And conscious of a Nature
Far inferior,
I seek for Solitude,
And shun Society.
Jupiter
apart
Too well I read her Meaning,
But must not understand her.
Aiming at Immortality
With dangerous Ambition,
She wou'd dethrone Saturnia;
And reigning in my Heart
Would reign in Heav'n.
Lest she too much explain,
I must with Speed amuse her:
It gives the Lover double pain,
Who hears his Nymph complain,
And hearing must refuse her.
Semele
Why do you cease to gaze upon me?
Why musing turn away?
Some other Object
Seems more pleasing.
Jupiter
Thy needless Fears remove.
My fairest, latest, only Love.
By my command,
Now at this instant,
Two winged Zephyrs
From her downy Bed
Thy much-lov'd Ino bear;
And both together
Waft her hither
Thro' the balmy Air.
Semele
Shall I my Sister see!
The dear Companion
Of my tender Years.
Jupiter
See, she appears,
But sees not me;
For I am visible
Alone to thee.
While I retire, rise and meet her,
And with Welcomes greet her.
Now all this Scene shall to Arcadia turn,
The Seat of happy Nymphs and Swains;
There without the Rage of Jealousie they burn,
And taste the Sweets of Love without its Pains. | | Scene 4 | | Jupiter retires. Semele and Ino meet and embrace. The Scene is totally changed, and shews an open Country. Several Shepherds and Shepherdesses enter. Semele and Ino having entertain'd each other in dumb Shew, sit and observe the Rural Sports, which end the second Act. | |
| | Jupiter retires. Semele and Ino meet and embrace. The Scene is totally changed, and shews an open Country. Several Shepherds and Shepherdesses enter. Semele and Ino having entertain'd each other in dumb Shew, sit and observe the Rural Sports, which end the second Act. | | | | Scene 1 | | The Scene is the Cave of Sleep. The God of Sleep lying on his Bed. A soft Symphony is heard. Then the Music changes to a diiferent Movement. | |
| Juno
SOMNUS, awake,
Raise thy reclining Head;
Iris
Thyself forsake,
And lift up thy heavy Lids of Lead.
Somnus
waking
Leave me, loathsome Light;
Receive me, silent Night.
Lethe, why does thy lingering Current cease?
O murmur, murmur me again to Peace.
sinks down again.
Iris
Dull God, can'st 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 forsake,
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
First Jove shalt captivate,
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.
Somnus
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.
Exit Juno and Iris
Somnus retires within his Cave, the Scene changes to Semele's Apartment.
| | Scene 2 | | Semele alone. | |
| Semele
I love and am lov'd, yet more I desire;
Ah, how foolish a Thing is Fruition!
As one Passion cools. some other takes Fire,
And I'm still in a longing Condition.
Whate'er I possess
Soon seems an Excess.
For something untry'd I petition;
Tho' daily I prove
The Pleasures of love,
I die for the Joys of Ambition.
| | Scene 3 | | 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
Herself as much transform'd as me.
Do I some Goddess see!
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?
Semele
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!
Myself I shall adore,
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 Mirror from me.
Yet once again let me view me.
Ah charming all o'er!
Offering the Glass, withdraws her hand again.
Here—hold, I'll have one Look more.
Tho' that Look I were sure would undo me.
Juno
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;
As when he proud Saturnia charms,
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 a 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.
| | Scene 4 | | Jupiter enters, offers to embrace Semele; she looks kindly on him, but retires a little from him. | |
| Jupiter
Come to my Arms, my lovely fair,
Soothe my uneasie Care:
In my Dream late I woo'd thee,
And in vain I pursu'd thee,
For you fled from my Pray'r,
And bid me despair.
Come to my Arms, my lovely Fair.
Semele
Tho' 'tis easie to please ye,
And hard to deny;
Tho' Possessing's a Blessing
For which I could die,
I dare not, I cannot comply.
Jupiter
When I languish with Anguish,
And tenderly sigh,
Can you leave me, deceive me,
And scornfully fly?
Ah fear not, you must not deny.
Semele and Jupiter
I dare not, I must not comply.
Ah fear not; you must not deny.
Jupiter
O Semele,
Why art thou thus insensible?
Were I a Mortal,
Thy barbarous disdaining
Would surely end me,
And Death at my Complaining
In Pity would befriend me.
Semele
I ever am granting,
You always complain;
I always am wanting,
Yet never obtain.
Jupiter
Speak, speak, your Desire,
I'm all over Fire.
Say what you require,
I'll grant it—now let us retire.
Semele
Swear by the Stygian Lake.
Jupiter
By that tremendous Flood I swear,
Ye Stygian waters hear,
And thou Olympus shake,
In witness to the oath I take.
Thunder at a distance, and underneath,
Semele
You'll grant what I require?
Jupiter
I'll grant what you require.
Semele
Then cast off this human Shape which you wear,
And Jove since you are, like Jove too appear;
When next you desire I should charm ye.
As when Juno you bless,
So you me must caress,
And with all your Omnipotence arm ye.
Jupiter
Ah! take heed what you press,
For beyond all Redress,
Should I grant what you wish, I shall harm ye.
Semele
I'll be pleas'd with no less,
Than my Wish in excess:
Let the Oath you have taken alarm ye:
Haste, haste, and prepare,
For I'll know what you are;
So with all your Omnipotence arm ye. | | Scene 5 | | She withdraws, Jupiter remains pensive and dejected. | |
| Jupiter
Ah! whither is she gone! unhappy Fair!
Why did she wish?—Why did I rashly swear?
'Tis past, 'tis past Recall.
She must a Victim fall.
Anon, when I appear
The mighty Thunderer,
Arm'd with inevitable Fire,
She must needs instantly expire.
'Tis past, 'tis past Recall.
She must a Victim fall.
My softest Lightning yet I'll try,
And mildest melting Bolt apply:
In vain—for she was fram'd to prove
None but the lambent Flames of Love.
'Tis past, 'tis past Recall.
She must a Victim fall.
| | Scene 6 | | Juno appears in her Chariot ascending. | |
| Juno
Above measure
Is the Pleasure
Which my Revenge supplies.
Love's a Bubble
Gain'd with Trouble:
And in possessing dies.
With what joy shall I mount to my Heav'n again,
At once from my Rival and Jealousie freed!
The Sweets of Revenge make it worth while to reign,
And Heav'n will hereafter be Heav'n indeed.
She ascends. | | Scene 7 | | The Scene opening discovers Semele lying under a Canopy, leaning pensively. While a mournful Symphony is playing she looks up and sees Jupiter descending in a black Cloud; the motion of the Cloud is slow. Flashes of lightning issue from either side, and thunder is heard grumbling in the air. | |
| Semele
Ah me! too late I now repent
My Pride and impious Vanity.
He comes! far off his Lightnings scorch me.
—I feel my Life consuming:
I burn, I burn—I faint—for Pity I implore—
O help, O help—I can no more.
Dies.
As the Cloud which contains Jupiter is arrived just over the Canopy of Semele, a sudden and great Flash of Lightning breaks forth, and a Clap of loud Thunder is heard; when at one instant Semele with the Palace and the whole present Scene disappear, and Jupiter re-ascends swiftly. The Scene totally changed represents a pleasant Country, Mount Citheron closing the Prospect. | | Scene 8 | | Enter Cadmus, Athamas and Ino. | |
| Ino
Of my ill boding Dream
Behold the dire Event.
Cadmus, Athamas
O Terror and Astonishment!
Ino
How I was hence remov'd,
Or hither how return'd, I know not:
So long a Trance whith-held me.
But Hermes in a vision told me
(As I have now related)
The Fate of Semele;
And added, as from me he fled,
That Jove ordain'd I Athamas should wed.
Cadmus
Be Jove in every thing obey'd.
Athamas
Unworthy of your Charms, myself I yield;
Be Jove's Commands and yours fulfill'd.
Cadmus
See from above the bellying Clouds descend,
And big with some new Wonder this way tend.
Ah me! Too late I now repent
My Pride and impious Vanity.
He comes! Far off his Lightnings scorch me.
—I feel my Life consuming:
I burn, I burn—I faint—for Pity I implore—
O help, O help—I can no more.
Dies.
As the Cloud which contains Jupiter is arrived just over the Canopy of Semele, a sudden and great Flash of Lightning breaks forth, and a Clap of loud Thunder is heard; when at one instant Semele with the Palace and the whole present Scene disappear, and Jupiter re-ascends swiftly. The Scene totally changed represents a pleasant Country, Mount Citheron closing the Prospect. | | Scene 9 | | A bright Cloud descends and rests on Mount Citheron, which opening, discovers
Apollo seated in it as the God of Prophecy. | |
| Apollo
Apollo comes to relieve your Care,
And future Happiness declare.
From Tyrannous Love all your Sorrows proceed,
From Tyrannous Love you shall quickly be freed.
From Semele's Ashes a Phænix shall rise,
The Joy of this earth, and Delight of the skies:
A God he shall prove
More mighty than Love,
And a Sovereign Juice shall invent,
Which Antidote pure
The sick Lover shall cure,
And Sighing and Sorrow for ever prevent.
Then Mortals be merry, and scorn the Blind Boy;
Your Hearts from his Arrows strong Wine shall defend:
Each Day and each Night you shall revel in Joy,
For when Bacchus is born, Love's Reign's at an end.
Chorus
Then Mortals be merry, etc.
Dance of Satyrs
exeunt omnes. | |
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