_Man_. What subject has he chose? _Serv_. The rape of Proserpine. _Enter GONSALVO_. _Man_. Welcome, welcome, you have been long expected. _Gons_. I staid to see the unlading of some rarities, Which are within-- Madam, your pardon that I was so long absent. _Jul_. You need not ask it for your absence, sir. _Gons_. Still cruel, Julia? _Jul_. The danger's here, and Roderick not here: I am not grieved to die; but I am grieved To think him false. [_Aside_. _Man_. Bid him begin. [_The music plays_. A _Cupid_ descends in swift motion, and speaks these verses. _Cup_. _Thy conquests, Proserpine, have stretched too far; Amidst heavens peace thy beauty makes a war: For when, last night, I to Jove's palace went, (The brightest part of all the firmament) Instead of all those gods, whose thick resort Filled up the presence of the thunderers court; There Jove and Juno all forsaken sate, Pensive, like kings in their declining state: Yet (wanting power) they would preserve the show, By hearing prayers from some few men below: Mortals to Jove may their devotions pay; The gods themselves to Proserpine do pray. To Sicily the rival powers resort; 'Tis Heaven wherever Ceres keeps her court. Phoebus and Mercury are both at strife, The courtliest of our gods who want a wife. But Venus, whate'er kindness she pretends, Yet (like all females envious of their friends), Has, by my aid, contrived a black design, The god of hell should ravish Proserpine: Beauties, beware; Venus will never bear Another Venus shining in her sphere_. After Cupid's speech, Venus and Ceres descend in the slow machines; Ceres drawn by dragons, Venus by swans. After them Phoebus and Mercury descend in swift motion. Then Cupid turns to Julia, and speaks. _Cup_. _The rival deities are come to woo A Proserpine, who must be found below: Would you, fair nymph, become, this happy hour, In name a goddess, as you are in power? Then to this change the king of shades will owe A fairer Proserpine than heaven can show_. [_Julia, first whispered by AMIDEO, goes into the dance, performed by Cupid, Phoebus, Mercury, Ceres, Venus, and JULIA. Towards the end of the dance, RODORICK, in the habit of Pluto, rises from below in a black chariot, all flaming, and drawn by black horses; he ravishes Julia, who personated Proserpine, and as he is carrying her away, his vizard fails off: HIPPOLITO first discovers him_. _Hip_. A rape, a rape! 'tis Roderick, 'tis Roderick! _Rod_. Then I must have recourse to this. [_Draws_. _Jul_. O heavens! [_DON MANUEL and GONSALVO draw, and a Servant; the two that acted Phoebus and Mercury return to assist RODORICK, and are beat back by MANUEL and a Servant, while GONSALVO attacks RODORICK_. _Gons_. Unloose thy hold, foul villain. _Rod_. No, I'll grasp her Even after death. _Jul_. Spare him, or I'll die with him. _Gons_. Must ravishers and villains live, while I In vain implore her mercy? [_Thrusts at him, and hurts JULIA in the arm_. _Jul_. Oh, I am murdered!