_Enter_ MERCURY _to_ JUPITER; ALCMENA _and_ PHÆDRA _appear above_. See, she appears: [_Seeing_ ALCMENA. This is my bribe to Phædra; when I made This gold, I made a greater God than Jove, And gave my own omnipotence away. JUPITER _signs to the Musicians. Song and Dance: After which_, ALCMENA _withdraws, frowning_. SONG. I. _Celia, that I once was blest Is now the torment of my breast; Since, to curse me, you bereave me Of the pleasures I possest: Cruel creature, to deceive me! First to love, and then to leave me!_ II. _Had you the bliss refused to grant, Then I had never known the want: But possessing once the blessing, Is the cause of my complaint; Once possessing is but tasting; 'Tis no bliss that is not lasting._ III. _Celia now is mine no more; But I am her's, and must adore, Nor to leave her will endeavour; Charms, that captived me before, No unkindness can dissever; Love, that's true, is love for ever._ _Jup._ O stay. _Merc._ She's gone; and seemed to frown at parting. _Jup._ Follow, and thou shalt see her soon appeased; For I, who made her, know her inward state; No woman, once well-pleased, can throughly hate. I gave them beauty to subdue the strong,-- A mighty empire, but it lasts not long. I gave them pride, to make mankind their slave; But, in exchange, to men I flattery gave. The offending lover, when he lowest lies, Submits, to conquer; and but kneels, to rise. ACT IV.--SCENE I. _Jupiter_ _following_ ALCMENA; MERCURY _and_ PHÆDRA. _Jup._ O stay, my dear Alcmena; hear me speak! _Alcm._ No, I would fly thee to the ridge of earth, And leap the precipice, to 'scape thy sight. _Jup._ For pity---- _Alcm._ Leave me, thou ungrateful man. _Jup._ I cannot leave you; no, but like a ghost, Whom your unkindness murdered, will I haunt you. _Alcm._ Once more, be gone; I'm odious to myself, For having loved thee once. _Jup._ Hate not, the best and fairest of your kind! Nor can you hate your lover, though you would: Your tears, that fall so gently, are but grief: There may be anger; but there must be love. The dove, that murmurs at her mate's neglect, But counterfeits a coyness, to be courted. _Alcm._ Courtship from thee, and after such affronts! _Jup._ Is this that everlasting love you vowed Last night, when I was circled in your arms? Remember what you swore. _Alcm._ Think what thou wert, and who could swear too much? Think what thou art, and that unswears it all. _Jup._ Can you forsake me, for so small a fault? 'Twas but a jest, perhaps too far pursued; 'Twas but, at most, a trial of your faith, How you could bear unkindness; 'Twas but to get a reconciling kiss, A wanton stratagem of love.