LOVE. I am jealous, my Psyche, jealous of all nature. The sun's rays
kiss you too often; your tresses are too sensible to the wooing of the
breeze; no sooner does it caress them than I murmur. The very air
which you breathe passes with too much pleasure between your lips;
your robes cling too closely to your form. I know not what bewilders
me, and I dread amidst your sighs some stray one.
But you would see your sisters. Be gone, Zephyr; Psyche commands, I
cannot forbid.
SCENE IV.--LOVE, PSYCHE.
LOVE. When you shall show them this blissful seat, make them a
thousand gifts from these treasures; lavish on them endearments,
caresses; and, if possible, exhaust the tendernesses that blood
demands, so that you may yield yourself entirely to love. I shall not
importune you with my presence, but let not your meeting be too long,
remembering that you rob _me_ of whatever attention you pay _them_.
PSY. Your love grants me a favour, which 'twere not possible for me to
abuse.
LOVE. Still, let us visit these gardens, this palace, where you will
meet naught but what will pale before your dazzling charms. And you,
little Cupids, you, young Zephyrs, whose souls are but soft sighs, vie
with each other in showing what joy you feel at the appearance of my
princess.
THIRD INTERLUDE.
_Entry of ballet, composed of four_ CUPIDS _and four_ ZEPHYRS, _twice
interrupted by a dialogue sung by a_ CUPID _and a_ ZEPHYR.
LOVE, PSYCHE.
PART I.
A ZEPHYR.
Ye gentle youth, follow
Love's sweet and tender glow;
In happy days and fair,
From passion's joys do not forbear.--
'Tis to deceive they tell you, aye,
You should avoid the wooing sigh,
And fear the pressing suit.--
'Tis now the time to learn
What fires within you burn!
_They sing together._
All gentle hearts in turn
With love must glow;
And greater charms that burn
A greater debt will owe.
A ZEPHYR (_alone_).
A youthful heart and tender
At last must yield surrender.
BOTH (_together_).
All gentle hearts in turn
With love must glow;
And greater charms that burn
A greater debt will owe.
A CUPID (_alone_).
What boots to play the truant's part,
And shield yourselves against the dart?
The sunny day is flown and gone,
The hour lost may ne'er be won.
BOTH (_together_).
All gentle hearts in turn
With love must glow;
And greater charms that burn
A greater debt will owe.
PART II.
A ZEPHYR.
Great Love hath potent charms;
To him we yield our arms;
His cares and sorrows sweet
Have, too, their joy--though fleet!
To follow him, all hearts
Would court a thousand darts.
If we would taste his deep delight,
Ah! we must pine till fades the light
Before our eyes.
A worthless life it is--when love
Fills not the heart it fain would move!
_They sing together._
In love if we must grieve and sigh,
A moment's bliss still well repays
The ills and woes of many days.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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