Part 8 (1/2)

_Asph._ There is no woman here.

_Bac._ Calm yourself, Midas; none believe the tale, Some impious man or gamesome faun dares feign In vile contempt of your most royal ears.

Off with your crown, & shew the world the lie!

_Mid._ (_holding his crown tight_) Never! What[!] shall a vile calumnious slave Dictate the actions of a crowned king?

Zopyrion, this lie springs from you--you peris.h.!.+

_Zopy._ I, say that Midas has got a.s.ses' ears?

May great Apollo strike me with his shaft If to a single soul I ever told So false, so foul a calumny!

_Bac._ Midas! [50]

_The Reeds._ Midas, the king, has the ears of an a.s.s.

_Bac._ Silence! or by my G.o.dhead I strike dead Who shall again insult the n.o.ble king.

Midas, you are my friend, for you have saved And hospitably welcomed my old faun; Choose your reward, for here I swear your wish, Whatever it may be, shall be fulfilled.

_Zopyr. (aside)_ Sure he will wish his a.s.ses' ears in Styx.

_Midas._ What[!] may I choose from out the deep, rich mine Of human fancy, & the wildest thoughts That pa.s.sed till now unheeded through my brain, A wish, a hope, to be fulfilled by you?

Nature shall bend her laws at my command, And I possess as my reward one thing That I have longed for with unceasing care.

_Bac._ Pause, n.o.ble king, ere you express this wish[.]

Let not an error or rash folly spoil My benefaction; pause and then declare, For what you ask shall be, as I have sworn.

_Mid._ Let all I touch be gold, most glorious gold!

Let me be rich! and where I stretch my hands, [51]

(That like Orion I could touch the stars!) Be radiant gold! G.o.d Bacchus, you have sworn, I claim your word,--my ears are quite forgot!

_The Reeds._ Midas, the king, has the ears of an a.s.s.

_Mid._ You lie, & yet I care not--

_Zopyr._ (_aside to Midas_) Yet might I But have advised your Majesty, I would Have made one G.o.d undo the other's work--

_Midas._ (_aside to Zopyr_).

Advise yourself, my friend, or you may grow Shorter by a head ere night.--I am blessed, Happier than ever earthly man could boast.

Do you fulfil your words?

_Bac._ Yes, thoughtless man!

And much I fear if you have not the ears You have the judgement of an a.s.s. Farewel!

I found you rich & happy; & I leave you, Though you know it not, miserably poor.

Your boon is granted,--touch! make gold! Some here Help carry old Silenus off, who sleeps The divine sleep of heavy wine. Farewel!

_Mid._ Bacchus, divine, how shall I pay my thanks[?]

(_Exeunt._)

END OF FIRST ACT.

ACT II.

_Scene; a splendid apartment in the Palace of Midas._