SCENE V.--ERIPHYLE, SOSTRATUS, CHOROEBUS.
CHO. Madam, the princess is coming to fetch you to go to the wood of Diana.
SOS. (_aside_). Alas! how seasonably you came in.
SCENE VI.--ARISTIONE, ERIPHYLE, IPHICRATES, TIMOCLES, SOSTRATUS, ANAXARCHUS, c.l.i.tIDAS.
ARI. You are asked for, my daughter, and there are some who are much pained by your absence.
ERI. I should think, Madam, that they only asked after me out of compliment, and that no one is as pained as you say.
ARI. There are so many entertainments made for your sake that all our time is taken up, and we have not a moment to lose if we wish to see them all. Let us enter the wood at once, and see what awaits us there.
This is the most beautiful place in the world. Let us take our seats quickly.
THIRD INTERLUDE.
_The stage represents a forest where the_ PRINCESS _has been invited to go. A Nymph does the honours, singing; and to amuse the_ PRINCESS, _a small musical comedy is played, the subject of which is as follows:--A shepherd complains to two other shepherds, his friends, of the coldness of her whom he loves; the two friends comfort him; at that moment the beloved shepherdess appears, and all three retire to observe her. After a plaintive love-song, she reclines on the turf, and gives way to sweet slumber. The lover makes his two friends approach to contemplate the beauty of his shepherdess, and invokes everything to contribute to her rest. The shepherdess, on waking up, sees her swain at her feet, complains of his persecution; but taking his constancy into consideration, she grants him his wish, and consents to be loved by him, in the presence of his two friends. The Satyrs arrive, upbraid her with her change, and, distressed by the disgrace into which they have fallen, look for comfort in wine._
CLIMENE, PHILINTE.
PHILINTE.
There was a time I pleased you well, Content I lived, and loved the spell; I had not changed for G.o.d or throne The sway o"er you I held alone.
CLIMENE.
So, when by gentle pa.s.sion swayed, You held me dear above all maid, The regal crown I would have spurned If for me still your heart had burned.
PHILINTE.
Another"s faith hath cured the wound I nursed for you within my breast.
CLIMENE.
Another"s love for me hath found Revenge I sought, and kindly rest.
PHILINTE.
Chloris the fair true pa.s.sion sways, For me she pours her soul in sighs, And I would gladly close my days If so should bid her beauteous eyes.
CLIMENE.
Myrtil, of youthful hearts the flower, He loves me true e"en more than light; And I, to prove love"s mighty power, Content, would pa.s.s to endless night.
PHILINTE.
But if our pa.s.sion"s gentle ray A lingering spark would kindle anew, And from my heart expel to-day Chloris the fair, thy love to sue?
CLIMENE.
Though Myrtil loves me true, Though constant e"er to sigh, Still, I confess, with you I"d gladly live and die.
BOTH (_together_).
"Midst love then more than ever let us fleet The lingering hours, and own a bond so sweet.
BALLET, DIVERTISs.e.m.e.nT, ETC.
ACT III.
ARISTIONE, IPHICRATES, TIMOCLES, ERIPHYLE, ANAXARCHUS, SOSTRATUS, c.l.i.tIDAS.
ARI. We must always repeat the same words. We have always to exclaim: This is admirable! Wonderful! It is beyond all that has ever been seen.
TIM. You bestow too much praise on these trifles, Madam.
ARI. Such trifles may agreeably engage the thoughts of the most serious people. Indeed, my daughter, you have cause to be thankful to these princes, and you can never repay all the trouble they take for you.
ERI. I am deeply grateful for it, Madam.
ARI. And yet you make them languish a long time for what they expect from you. I have promised not to constrain you; but their love claims from you a declaration that you should not put off any longer the reward of their attentions. I had asked Sostratus to sound your heart, but I do not know if he has begun to acquit himself of his commission.
ERI. Yes, Madam, he has. But it seems to me that I cannot put off too long the decision which is asked of me, and that I could not give it without incurring some blame. I feel equally thankful for the love, attentions, and homage of these two princes, and I think it a great injustice to show myself ungrateful either to the one or to the other by the refusal I must make of one in preference to his rival.
IPH. We should call this, Madam, a very pretty way of refusing us both.
ARI. This scruple, daughter, should not stop you; and those two princes have both long since agreed to submit to the preference you show.
ERI. Our inclinations easily deceive us, Madam, and disinterested hearts are more able to make a right choice.
ARI. You know that I have engaged my word to give no opinion upon this matter, and you cannot make a bad choice when you have to choose between these two princes.
ERI. In order not to do violence either to your promise or to my scruples, Madam, pray agree to what I shall propose.
ARI. And what is that, my daughter?
ERI. I should like Sostratus to decide for me. You chose him to try to discover the secret of my heart; suffer me to choose him to end the perplexity I am in.
ARI. I have such a high regard for Sostratus that, whether you mean to employ him to explain your feelings or to leave him entirely to decide for you, I consent heartily to this proposition.
IPH. Which means, Madam, that we must pay our court to Sostratus.
SOS. No, my Lord, you will have no court to pay to me; and with all the respect due to the princesses, I refuse the glory to which they would raise me.
ARI. How is that, Sostratus?
SOS. I have reasons, Madam, which do not allow me to accept the honour you would do me.