BOTH (_together_). To woo has beauty arms, But gentleness has greater charms. FLORA _answers the dialogue of_ VERTUMNUS _and_ PALEMON _by the following minuet, and the other divinities join their dances to the song._ Does wisdom say, In youth's heyday, Sweet love forego? Be up, in haste These pleasures taste Of earth below. Youth's wisdom too Is love to woo, And love to know. If love disarms, It is by charms; So yield your arms. 'Twere madness 'gainst his darts To seek to shield your hearts. Whate'er the bond Of lover fond, 'Tis sweeter chain Than freedom's gain. VENUS _descends from heaven, attended by_ CUPID, _her son, and two Graces, called_ AEGIALE _and_ PHAËNE; _and the divinities of the earth and the streams once more unite their songs, and continue by their dances to show their joy at her approach._ CHORUS _of all the Divinities of the earth and the streams._ A peace profound we now enjoy, And games and bliss without alloy; Earth's mightiest king has giv'n us rest; To him be praise and thanks addrest. Descend thou, lovely Venus, And happy hours grant us. VEN. (_in her chariot_). Cease, cease, all your songs of joy. Such rare honours do not belong to me, and the homage which in your consideration you now pay me ought to be reserved for lovelier charms. To pay your court to me is a custom indeed too old; everything has its turn, and Venus is no longer the fashion. There are rising charms to which now all carry their incense. Psyche, the beauteous Psyche, to-day has taken my place. Already now the whole world hastens to worship her, and it is too great a boon that, in the midst of my disgrace, I still find some one who stoops to honour me. Our deserts are not even fairly weighed together, but all are ready to abandon me; while of the numerous train of privileged graces, whose care and friendship followed me everywhere, I have now only two of the smaller ones who cling to me out of mere pity. I pray you, let these dark abodes lend their solitude to the anguish of my heart, and suffer me to hide my shame and grief in the midst of their gloom. FLORA _and the other deities withdraw; and_ VENUS _with her retinue descends from her chariot._ SCENE II.--VENUS, CUPID, AEGIALE, PHAËNE, CUPID AEGI. We know not what to do, goddess; while we see you overwhelmed by this grief, our respect bids us be silent, our zeal would have us speak. VEN. Speak; but if your cares would please me, leave all your advice for a fitter time; and speak of my wrath but to own me right; that was the keenest insult my divinity could ever receive; but revenge I shall have if gods have any power. PHA. Your wisdom, your discernment, are greater than ours in deciding what may be worthy of you; yet, methinks, a mighty goddess should not thus give way to wrath.