Chapter 8
CID. How does this sudden misfortune into which destiny has plunged Psyche affect you, sister?
AGL. But how does it affect you, sister?
CID. To speak the truth, my heart is not very much grieved at it.
AGL. My heart feels something which very much resembles joy. Let us go; Fate has sent us a calamity which we can consider as a blessing.
FIRST INTERLUDE.
_The scenery changes to horrible rocks, and shows a dreadful cavern in the distance. It is in this desert that_ PSYCHE, _in obedience to the oracle, is to be exposed. A band of afflicted people come to bewail her death. Some give utterance to their pity by touching complaints and mournful lays, while the rest express their grief by a dance full of every mark of the most violent despair_.
WAILINGS _sung by a woman and two men_.
WOMAN. Ah! weep with me, ye forests; Ye mighty rocks of hardest adamant, Ye Springs, ye beasts, Lament the fate of one so fair.
1ST MAN. Alas! dire grief
2ND MAN. Without relief!
1ST MAN. Cruel death!
2ND MAN. Fell decree
ALL THREE (_together_). Of sternest fate that dooms to die Such beauty rare! Oh! heavens high! And stars! behold! and sigh!
WOMAN. My sad, sad lay repeat, Ye caverns deep; With notes of sorrow greet Her death, ye mountains steep; Re-echo, woods, and silent hills, My grief; and ye, soft rippling rills!
1ST MAN. Alas! dire grief
2ND MAN. Without relief!
1ST MAN. Cruel death!
2ND MAN. Fell decree
ALL THREE (_together_). Of sternest fate that dooms to die Such beauty rare! Oh! heavens high! And stars! behold! and sigh!
2ND MAN. Who then, eternal gods, will doom A guiltless maid to lasting gloom? Oh! this thy rigour, heaven, shames Hell's unrelenting flames!
1ST MAN. Cruel will
2ND MAN. Of gods severe!
THE TWO MEN. Say why this hard decree, To crush a heart so free From guilt or stain? Oh! fell edict unheard ere this! Thou doomest a maid who showers bliss Upon the mortal race. She the sad earth would grace, And would give life for pain!
WOMAN. All tears are idle, all sighs. Heaven wills it so--she dies! Whene'er the gods their powers wield, All man can do--is but to yield.
1ST MAN. Alas! dire grief
2ND MAN. Without relief!
1ST MAN. Cruel death!
2ND MAN. Fell decree!