Part 9 (1/2)
SEMELE.
The frightful ox-eyed one! How often he Complains, in the blest moments of our love, Of her tormenting him with her black gall--
JUNO. (Aside, furiously, but with embarra.s.sment.) Ha! creature! Thou shalt die for this contempt!
SEMELE.
My Beroe! What art thou murmuring there?
JUNO. (In confusion.) Nothing, my Semele! Black gall torments Me also--Yes! a sharp, reproachful look With lovers often pa.s.ses as black gall-- Yet ox-eyes, after all, are not so ugly.
SEMELE.
Oh, Beroe, for shame! they're quite the worst That any head can possibly contain!
And then her cheeks of green and yellow hues, The obvious penalty of poisonous envy-- Zeus oft complains to me that that same shrew Each night torments him with her nauseous love, And with her jealous whims,--enough, I'm sure, Into Ixion's wheel to turn all heaven.
JUNO. (Raving up and down in extreme confusion.) No more of this!
SEMELE. What, Beroe! So angry?
Have I said more than what is true? Said more Than what is wise?
JUNO. Thou hast said more, young woman, Than what is true--said more than what is wise!
Deem thyself truly blest, if thy blue eyes Smile thee not into Charon's bark too soon!
Saturnia has her altars and her temples, And wanders amongst mortals--that great G.o.ddess Avenges naught so bitterly as scorn
SEMELE.
Here let her wander, and give birth to scorn!
What is't to me?--My Jupiter protects My every hair,--what harm can Juno do?
But now, enough of this, my Beroe!
Zeus must appear to-day in all his glory; And if Saturnia should on that account Find out the path to Orcus--
JUNO. (Aside.) That same path Another probably will find before her, If but Kronion's lightning hits the mark!-- (To Semele.) Yes, Semele, she well may burst with envy When Cadmus' daughter, in the sight of Greece, Ascends in triumph to Olympus' heights!--
SEMELE. (Smiling gently.) Thinkest thou they'll hear in Greece of Cadmus' daughter?
JUNO. From Sidon to Athens the trumpet of fame Shall ring with no other but Semele's name!
The G.o.ds from the heavens shall even descend, And before thee their knees in deep homage shall bend, While mortals in silent submission abide The will of the giant-destroyer's loved bride; And when distant years shall see Thy last hour--
SEMELE. (Springing up, and falling on her neck.) Oh, Beroe!
JUNO. Then a tablet white shall bear This inscription graven there: Here is wors.h.i.+pped Semele!
Who on earth so fair as she?
She who from Olympus' throne Lured the thunder-hurler down!
She who, with her kisses sweet, Laid him prostrate at her feet!
And when fame on her thousand wings bears it around, The echo from valley and hill shall resound.
SEMELE. (Beside herself.) Pythia! Apollo! Hear!
When, oh when will he appear?
JUNO. And on smoking altars they Rites divine to thee shall pay--
SEMELE. (Inspired.) I will harken to their prayer, And will drive away their care,-- Quench with my tears the lightning of great Jove, His breast to pity with entreaty move!
JUNO. (Aside.) Poor thing! that wilt thou ne'er have power to do. (Meditating.) Ere long will melt . . . yet--yet--she called me ugly!-- No pity only when in Tartarus!
(To Semele.) Fly now, my love! Make haste to leave this spot, That Zeus may not observe thee--Let him wait Long for thy coming, that he with more fire May languish for thee--