AEOLUS. Ye winds that cloud the fairest skies, Retire within your darkest caves, And leave the realm of waves To Zephyr, Love, and sighs. A TRITON. What lovely eyes these moist abodes have pierced? Ye mighty Tritons, come; ye Nereids, hide. ALL THE TRITONS. Then rise we all these deities fair to meet; With softest strains and homage let us greet Their beauty rare. A CUPID. How dazzling are these ladies' charms! ANOTHER CUPID. What heart but seeing them must yield? ANOTHER CUPID. The fairest of th' Immortals--arms So keen hath none to wield. CHORUS. Then rise we all these deities fair to meet; With softest strains and homage let us greet Their beauty rare. A TRITON. What would this noble train that meets our view? 'Tis Neptune! He and all his mighty crew! He comes to honour, with his presence fair, These lovely scenes, and charm the silent air. CHORUS. Then strike again, And raise your strain, And let your homes around With joyous songs resound! NEPTUNE. I rank among the gods of greatest might; 'Tis Jove himself hath placed me on this height! Alone, as king, I sway the azure wave; In all this world there's none my power to brave. There are no lands on earth my might that know But trembling dread that o'er their meads I flow; No states, o'er which the boisterous waves I tread In one short moment's space I cannot spread. There's nought the raging billows' force can stay, No triple dike, but e'en it easily My waves can crush, When rolls along their mass with wildest rush. And yet these billows fierce I force to yield, Beneath the wisdom of the power I wield; And everywhere I let the sailors bold Where'er they list their trading courses hold. Yet rocks sometimes are found within my states, Where ships do perish, so doomed by fates; Yet 'gainst my power none murmurs aye, For Virtue knows no wreck where'er I sway. A SEA GOD. Within this realm are many treasures bright; All mortals crowd its pleasant shores to view. And would you climb of fame the dazzling height, Then seek nought else, but Neptune's countenance sue. SECOND SEA GOD. Then trust the god of this vast billowy realm, And shielded from all storms, you'll guide the helm; The waves would fain inconstant often be, But ever constant Neptune you will see. THIRD SEA GOD. Launch then with dauntless zeal, and plough the deep; Thus shall you Neptune's kindly favour reap. ACT I. SCENE I.--SOSTRATUS, CLITIDAS. CLI. (_aside_). He is buried in thought. SOS. (_believing himself alone_). No, Sostratus, I do not see where you can look for help, and your troubles are of a kind to leave you no hope. CLI. (_aside_). He is talking to himself. SOS. (_believing himself alone_). Alas! CLI. These sighs must mean something, and my surmise will prove correct. SOS. (_believing himself alone_). Upon what fancies can you build any hope? And what else can you expect but the protracted length of a miserable existence, and sorrow to end only with life itself.