ZOPYRION. I, say that Midas has got asses’ ears? May great Apollo strike me with his shaft If to a single soul I ever told So false, so foul a calumny! BACCHUS. Midas! THE REEDS. Midas, the king, has the ears of an ass. BACCHUS. Silence! or by my Godhead I strike dead Who shall again insult the noble king. Midas, you are my friend, for you have saved And hospitably welcomed my old faun; Choose your reward, for here I swear your wish, Whatever it may be, shall be fulfilled. ZOPYRION. (_aside_) Sure he will wish his asses’ ears in Styx. MIDAS. What[!] may I choose from out the deep, rich mine Of human fancy, & the wildest thoughts That passed till now unheeded through my brain, A wish, a hope, to be fulfilled by you? Nature shall bend her laws at my command, And I possess as my reward one thing That I have longed for with unceasing care. BACCHUS. Pause, noble king, ere you express this wish[.] Let not an error or rash folly spoil My benefaction; pause and then declare, For what you ask shall be, as I have sworn. MIDAS. Let all I touch be gold, most glorious gold! Let me be rich! and where I stretch my hands, (That like Orion I could touch the stars!) Be radiant gold! God Bacchus, you have sworn, I claim your word,—my ears are quite forgot! THE REEDS. Midas, the king, has the ears of an ass. MIDAS. You lie, & yet I care not— ZOPYRION. (_aside to Midas_) Yet might I But have advised your Majesty, I would Have made one God undo the other’s work— MIDAS. (_aside to Zopyr_). Advise yourself, my friend, or you may grow Shorter by a head ere night.—I am blessed, Happier than ever earthly man could boast. Do you fulfil your words? BACCHUS. Yes, thoughtless man! And much I fear if you have not the ears You have the judgement of an ass. Farewel! I found you rich & happy; & I leave you, Though you know it not, miserably poor. Your boon is granted,—touch! make gold! Some here Help carry old Silenus off, who sleeps The divine sleep of heavy wine. Farewel! MIDAS. Bacchus, divine, how shall I pay my thanks[?] (_Exeunt_.) END OF FIRST ACT. Footnotes [1] A syllable here, a whole foot in the previous line, appear to be missing. [2] Another halting line. Cf. again, p. [47], 1. 3; p. [55], 1. 11; p. [59], 1.1; p. [61], 1. 1; p. [64], 1. 14.] ACT II Scene; a splendid apartment in the Palace of Midas. Enter Midas (with a golden rose in his hand).