Psyche | Page 4

of reserve; caressing words and looks; a smile full of sweetness, which invites everyone, and promises them nothing but favours. Our glory is departed; and that lofty pride which, by a full observance of noble trials, exacted a proof of the constancy of our lovers, exists no longer. We have degenerated, and are now reduced to hope for nothing unless we throw ourselves into the arms of the men.
CID. Yes, that is the secret; and I see that you understand it better than I. It is because we cling too much to modesty, sister, that no lovers come to us; it is because we try to sustain too strictly the honour of our sex and of our birth. Men, nowadays, like what comes easily to them; hope attracts them more than love; and that is how Psyche deprives us of all the lovers we see under her sway. Let us follow her example, and suit ourselves to the times; let us stoop, sister, to make advances, and let us no longer keep to those dull morals which rob us of the fruits of our best years.
AGL. I approve of this idea; and we have an opportunity of making a first trial of it upon the two princes who have last arrived. They are charming, sister, and to me their whole person.... Have you noticed them?
CID. Ah! Both are formed in such a mould that my soul.... They are perfect, my sister.
AGL. I think we might seek their affections without dishonour to ourselves.
CID. I think that, without shame, a beautiful princess might bestow her heart upon them.
AGL. Here they both are. I admire their manners and attire.
CID. They in no way fall short of all that we have said of them.

SCENE II.--CLEOMENES, AGENOR, AGLAURA, CIDIPPE.
AGL. Wherefore, princes, wherefore do you thus hasten away? Does our appearance fill you with fear?
CLE. We were led to believe, Madam, that the Princess Psyche might be here.
AGL. Has this place no longer any charm for you if it is not adorned by her presence?
AGE. This place may be pleasant enough, but in our impatience we would find the Princess Psyche.
CID. Something very important must doubtless be urging you both to seek her.
CLE. The motive is powerful enough, since our happiness depends entirely upon her.
AGL. Might we be allowed to inquire into the secret implied by these words?
CLE. We do not pretend to make a mystery of it. Indeed, it would show itself in spite of us; and the secret, Madam, does not last long when it is love.
CID. Without further words, Princes, it means that you are both in love with Psyche.
AGE. We are both under her sway, and we go with one accord to declare our passion to her.
AGL. It is certainly something quite new, and rather odd, to see two rivals so well agreed.
CLE. It is true that the thing is rare; but it is not impossible for two perfect friends.
CID. In this spot, is she the only fair one, and can you find none other with whom to divide your admiration?
AGL. Amongst all the nobly born, is she the only one whom your eyes deem worthy of your tenderness?
CLE. Do we reason when we fall in love? Do we choose the object of our attachment? And when we bestow our hearts, do we weigh the right of the fair one to fascinate us?
AGE. Without having the power of choosing, we follow in such a passion something which delights us; and when love touches a heart, we have no reasons to give.
AGL. Indeed, I pity the painful troubles to which I see your hearts expose themselves. You love one whose bright charms will mingle grief with the hopes they hold out to you, and whose heart will not fulfil all that her eyes promise.
CID. The hope which calls you into the rank of her lovers will experience many disappointments in the favours she bestows; and the fitful changes of her inconstant heart will cause you many painful hours.
AGL. A clear discernment of your worth makes us pity the fate into which this passion will lead you; and if you wished, you could both find a more constant heart and charms as great.
CID. A choice sweeter by half can rescue your mutual friendship from love; and there is such a rare merit apparent in you both that a gentle counsel would, out of pity, save your hearts from what they are preparing for themselves.
CLE. This generous advice shows us a kindness which touches our hearts; but heaven, madam, reduces us to the misfortune of not being able to profit by it.
AGE. Your illustrious pity would in vain dissuade us from a love of which we both dread the result. What our friendship, Madam, has not done cannot be effected by any other means.
CID. The