Part 41 (2/2)

MOPSUS.

Hold, Aristaeus, lest for her or thee Thy boldness be the cause of mischief fell!

ARISTAEUS.

Nay, death this day must be my destiny, Unless I try my fate and break the spell.

Stay therefore, Mopsus, by the fountain stay!

I'll follow her, meanwhile, yon mountain way.

[_Exit_ ARISTAEUS.

MOPSUS.

Thyrsis, what thinkest thou of thy loved lord?

See'st thou that all his senses are distraught?

Couldst thou not speak some seasonable word, Tell him what shame this idle love hath wrought?

THYRSIS.

Free speech and servitude but ill accord, Friend Mopsus, and the hind is folly-fraught Who rates his lord! He's wiser far than I.

To tend these kine is all my mastery.

SCENE II

ARISTAEUS, _in pursuit of_ EURYDICE.

Flee not from me, maiden!

Lo, I am thy friend!

Dearer far than life I hold thee.

List, thou beauty-laden, To these prayers attend: Flee not, let my arms enfold thee!

Neither wolf nor bear will grasp thee: That I am thy friend I've told thee: Stay thy course then; let me clasp thee!-- Since thou'rt deaf and wilt not heed me, Since thou'rt still before me flying, While I follow panting, dying, Lend me wings, Love, wings to speed me!

[_Exit_ ARISTAEUS, _pursuing_ EURYDICE.

SCENE III

A DRYAD.

Sad news of lamentation and of pain, Dear sisters, hath my voice to bear to you: I scarcely dare to raise the dolorous strain.

Eurydice by yonder stream lies low; The flowers are fading round her stricken head, And the complaining waters weep their woe.

The stranger soul from that fair house hath fled; And she, like privet pale, or white May-bloom Untimely plucked, lies on the meadow, dead.

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