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Single scene |
The curtain opens and discovers Venus standing in a melancholy posture. A mourning Cupid goes across the stage and shakes an arrow at her. |
Venus, Cupid
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| Act Tune. | |
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VENUS |
Adonis, uncall'd-for sighs
from my sad bosom rise,
and grief has the dominion of my eyes.
A mourning love passed by me now that sung
of tombs and urns and ev'ry mournful thing:
return, Adonis, 'tis for thee I grieve.
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| Venus leans against the side of the stage and weeps. Adonis is led in wounded. | <- Adonis
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ADONIS |
I come, as fast as death will give me leave.
Behold the wound made by th' Aedalian boar;
faithful Adonis now must be no more.
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VENUS |
Ah, blood and warm life his rosy cheeks forsake.
Alas, death's sleep thou art too young to take.
My groans shall reach the heav'ns; oh, pow'rs above
take pity on the wretched queen of love!
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ADONIS |
Oh, I could well endure the pointed dart,
did it not make the best of lovers part.
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VENUS |
Ye cruel gods, why should not I
have the great privilege to die?
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ADONIS |
Love, mighty love, does my kind bosom fire;
shall I for want of vital heat expire?
No, no, warm life returns, and death's afraid
this heart (love's faithful kingdom) to invade.
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VENUS |
No, the grim monster gains the day;
with thy warm blood life steals away.
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ADONIS |
I see fate calls; let me on your soft bosom lie.
There I did wish to live, and there I beg to die.
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| (Adonis dies.) | |
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VENUS |
Ah, Adonis my love, ah, Adonis...
With solemn pomp let mourning Cupids bear
my soft Adonis through the yielding air...
He shall adorn the heav'ns, here I will weep
till I am fall'n into as cold a sleep.
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OMNES
Mourn for thy servant, mighty god of love,
weep for your huntsman, oh forsaken grove.
Mourn, Echo, mourn, thou shalt no more repeat
his tender sighs and vows when he did meet
with the wretched queen of love
in this forsaken grove.
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 (♦)
(♦)
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