The Magnificent Lovers | Page 9

of her whom he loves; the two friends comfort him; at
that moment the beloved shepherdess appears, and all three retire to
observe her. After a plaintive love-song, she reclines on the turf, and
gives way to sweet slumber. The lover makes his two friends approach
to contemplate the beauty of his shepherdess, and invokes everything to
contribute to her rest. The shepherdess, on waking up, sees her swain at
her feet, complains of his persecution; but taking his constancy into
consideration, she grants him his wish, and consents to be loved by him,
in the presence of his two friends. The Satyrs arrive, upbraid her with
her change, and, distressed by the disgrace into which they have fallen,
look for comfort in wine._
CLIMENE, PHILINTE.
PHILINTE. There was a time I pleased you well, Content I lived, and
loved the spell; I had not changed for god or throne The sway o'er you I
held alone.
CLIMENE. So, when by gentle passion swayed, You held me dear
above all maid, The regal crown I would have spurned If for me still
your heart had burned.
PHILINTE. Another's faith hath cured the wound I nursed for you
within my breast.
CLIMENE. Another's love for me hath found Revenge I sought, and
kindly rest.
PHILINTE. Chloris the fair true passion sways, For me she pours her

soul in sighs, And I would gladly close my days If so should bid her
beauteous eyes.
CLIMENE. Myrtil, of youthful hearts the flower, He loves me true e'en
more than light; And I, to prove love's mighty power, Content, would
pass to endless night.
PHILINTE. But if our passion's gentle ray A lingering spark would
kindle anew, And from my heart expel to-day Chloris the fair, thy love
to sue?
CLIMENE. Though Myrtil loves me true, Though constant e'er to sigh,
Still, I confess, with you I'd gladly live and die.
BOTH (_together_). 'Midst love then more than ever let us fleet The
lingering hours, and own a bond so sweet.
BALLET, DIVERTISSEMENT, ETC.

ACT III.
ARISTIONE, IPHICRATES, TIMOCLES, ERIPHYLE,
ANAXARCHUS, SOSTRATUS, CLITIDAS.
ARI. We must always repeat the same words. We have always to
exclaim: This is admirable! Wonderful! It is beyond all that has ever
been seen.
TIM. You bestow too much praise on these trifles, Madam.
ARI. Such trifles may agreeably engage the thoughts of the most
serious people. Indeed, my daughter, you have cause to be thankful to
these princes, and you can never repay all the trouble they take for you.
ERI. I am deeply grateful for it, Madam.
ARI. And yet you make them languish a long time for what they expect
from you. I have promised not to constrain you; but their love claims
from you a declaration that you should not put off any longer the
reward of their attentions. I had asked Sostratus to sound your heart,
but I do not know if he has begun to acquit himself of his commission.
ERI. Yes, Madam, he has. But it seems to me that I cannot put off too

long the decision which is asked of me, and that I could not give it
without incurring some blame. I feel equally thankful for the love,
attentions, and homage of these two princes, and I think it a great
injustice to show myself ungrateful either to the one or to the other by
the refusal I must make of one in preference to his rival.
IPH. We should call this, Madam, a very pretty way of refusing us
both.
ARI. This scruple, daughter, should not stop you; and those two princes
have both long since agreed to submit to the preference you show.
ERI. Our inclinations easily deceive us, Madam, and disinterested
hearts are more able to make a right choice.
ARI. You know that I have engaged my word to give no opinion upon
this matter, and you cannot make a bad choice when you have to
choose between these two princes.
ERI. In order not to do violence either to your promise or to my
scruples, Madam, pray agree to what I shall propose.
ARI. And what is that, my daughter?
ERI. I should like Sostratus to decide for me. You chose him to try to
discover the secret of my heart; suffer me to choose him to end the
perplexity I am in.
ARI. I have such a high regard for Sostratus that, whether you mean to
employ him to explain your feelings or to leave him entirely to decide
for you, I consent heartily to this proposition.
IPH. Which means, Madam, that we must pay our court to Sostratus.
SOS. No, my Lord, you will have no court to pay to me; and with all
the respect due to the princesses, I refuse the