WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.560 --> 00:00:06.080 Act One of Psyche by Moliere, translated by Charles Heron Wall. 2 00:00:07.000 --> 00:00:11.160 This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in 3 00:00:11.199 --> 00:00:15.800 the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please 4 00:00:15.919 --> 00:00:17.760 visit LibriVox dot org. 5 00:00:19.519 --> 00:00:26.039 Persons Represented Jupiter read by Allam Mapstone. 6 00:00:25.920 --> 00:00:31.839 Venus read by Eva Davis, Cupid and Love read by 7 00:00:31.879 --> 00:00:32.799 Thomas Peter. 8 00:00:33.759 --> 00:00:37.600 Zephyr read by Allam Mapstone. 9 00:00:37.640 --> 00:00:41.159 Eggial A Grace writ by Caroline. 10 00:00:41.880 --> 00:00:45.280 Faini A Grace read by Sandra Schmidt. 11 00:00:45.840 --> 00:00:50.039 The King read by Allam Mapstone. 12 00:00:50.359 --> 00:00:53.320 Psyche read by Leanya. 13 00:00:54.280 --> 00:00:58.039 Eglora read by t. J. Burns. 14 00:00:58.960 --> 00:01:00.799 Ciddyp read by. 15 00:01:00.679 --> 00:01:07.840 Sonia Cleomenes, A Prince Psyche's Lover read by Major toast. 16 00:01:08.640 --> 00:01:16.280 Arganau A Prince Psyche's Lover read by Rob Marlandcus. 17 00:01:15.439 --> 00:01:19.319 Captain of the Guards read by James Current. 18 00:01:20.120 --> 00:01:24.239 River Gold read by Allan Mapstone. 19 00:01:24.599 --> 00:01:29.719 Cupid read by Eva Davis, Flora read by Phone. 20 00:01:30.400 --> 00:01:34.879 Vertumnus, God of Trees and Fruit red by. 21 00:01:34.840 --> 00:01:42.159 Nima Palemon, God of Streams read by Alan Mapstone. 22 00:01:42.280 --> 00:01:47.760 Nymph, Chorus of Divinities read by Abbaye. 23 00:01:48.719 --> 00:01:52.599 Woman read by April six zero nine zero. 24 00:01:53.239 --> 00:01:55.200 First Man read by. 25 00:01:55.079 --> 00:02:00.680 Nima Second Man read by step the. 26 00:02:00.719 --> 00:02:03.840 King read by Allam Mapstone. 27 00:02:04.640 --> 00:02:10.360 Stage directions read by Tod Prolog. The front of the 28 00:02:10.400 --> 00:02:13.800 stage represents a rustic spot, while at the back the 29 00:02:13.879 --> 00:02:18.879 sea can be seen in the distance. Scene one Flora 30 00:02:18.960 --> 00:02:22.120 appears in the center of the stage, attended by Vitunus, 31 00:02:22.199 --> 00:02:25.360 God of trees and fruit, and by Palamon, God of 32 00:02:25.400 --> 00:02:29.639 the streams. Each of these gods conducts a troop of divinities. 33 00:02:30.199 --> 00:02:33.599 One leads in his train Dryads and Sylvans, and the 34 00:02:33.680 --> 00:02:38.599 other river gods and Naiads. Flora sings the following lines 35 00:02:38.719 --> 00:02:40.919 to invite Venus to descend upon Earth. 36 00:02:41.639 --> 00:02:45.400 The din of battle is stayed. The mightiest King of Earth, 37 00:02:45.680 --> 00:02:49.520 his arms sight has laid of peace is now to birth, 38 00:02:50.360 --> 00:02:53.560 descentau lovely Venus and blissful hours. 39 00:02:53.639 --> 00:02:58.360 Grantus, Vertumnus and Palamon, and the divinities who attend them 40 00:02:58.759 --> 00:03:01.240 join their voices to that of Flora and sing the 41 00:03:01.280 --> 00:03:05.599 following words chorus of Divinities of the Earth and Streams, 42 00:03:05.680 --> 00:03:11.800 composed of Flora, Nymphs, Palamon, Vertumnus, Sylvans, Fawns, Dryads and Naiads. 43 00:03:12.840 --> 00:03:24.240 A peace profounding has given us rest breast. 44 00:03:30.840 --> 00:03:33.680 Then has formed an entry of the ballet composed of 45 00:03:33.719 --> 00:03:37.719 two dryads, four Sylvans, two river gods, and two naiads, 46 00:03:38.199 --> 00:03:42.439 after which for Tumnus and Palamon sing the following dialogue. 47 00:03:42.599 --> 00:03:47.280 You yield, keep beauty stern to sigh tis now your turn. 48 00:03:48.280 --> 00:03:53.840 She you, the queen above, She comes to breathe soft love. 49 00:03:54.599 --> 00:04:00.319 A fair one stern frye ne'er winds, a faithful sigh to. 50 00:04:00.400 --> 00:04:07.280 Wu has beauty arms, but gentleness hath greater charms. To 51 00:04:07.479 --> 00:04:13.199 Wu has beauty arms, but gentleness has greater charms. 52 00:04:13.240 --> 00:04:17.000 Seek not your hearts to shield to pine his law, 53 00:04:17.519 --> 00:04:19.240 and ye must yield. 54 00:04:19.560 --> 00:04:25.120 Is ought more worthless born than hearts. That love will scorn. 55 00:04:25.519 --> 00:04:31.399 A fair one stern for eye ne'er winds, a faithful sigh. 56 00:04:31.079 --> 00:04:37.360 To Wu has beauty arms, but gentleness hath greater charms. 57 00:04:38.079 --> 00:04:43.480 To wuss arms, but gentleness has greater charms. 58 00:04:44.519 --> 00:04:47.639 Flora answers the dialogue of her Tumnus and Palamon by 59 00:04:47.680 --> 00:04:51.199 the following minuet, and the other divinities join their dances 60 00:04:51.199 --> 00:04:51.759 to the song. 61 00:04:52.759 --> 00:04:56.639 Does wisdom say in youth's heyday, sweet love, for go 62 00:04:57.720 --> 00:05:01.519 be yup in haste these pleasures taste of earth below. 63 00:05:03.319 --> 00:05:06.959 Youth's wisdom too is love to woo and love to know. 64 00:05:07.800 --> 00:05:11.360 If love disarms, it is by charms. So yield your 65 00:05:11.480 --> 00:05:16.759 arms for madness against his starts, to seek to shield 66 00:05:16.800 --> 00:05:20.959 your hearts. What air the bond of lover fond to 67 00:05:21.120 --> 00:05:23.240 sweeter chain than freedom's gain. 68 00:05:24.439 --> 00:05:28.240 Venus descends from Heaven, attended by Cupid, her son, and 69 00:05:28.319 --> 00:05:33.000 two graces called and Finney, and the divinities of the 70 00:05:33.000 --> 00:05:36.199 earth and the streams once more unite their songs and 71 00:05:36.279 --> 00:05:39.439 continue by their dances to show their joy at her approach. 72 00:05:40.399 --> 00:05:46.279 Chorus of all the divinities of the earth and the streams. 73 00:05:45.560 --> 00:05:56.839 Joy and givest. 74 00:05:54.199 --> 00:06:01.680 Stressed, descend thenus in her chariot. 75 00:06:02.079 --> 00:06:06.399 Sea, Cease all your songs of joy. Such rare honors 76 00:06:06.439 --> 00:06:09.560 do not belong to me. And the homage which in 77 00:06:09.600 --> 00:06:12.399 your consideration you now pay me, ought to be reserved 78 00:06:12.399 --> 00:06:15.720 for lovelier terms. To pay your court to me is 79 00:06:15.759 --> 00:06:19.240 a custom indeed too old. Everything has its turn, and 80 00:06:19.439 --> 00:06:23.560 Venus is no longer the fasten. There are rising charms 81 00:06:23.600 --> 00:06:27.959 to which they all carry their incense. Psyche, the beaute 82 00:06:28.279 --> 00:06:32.199 Psyche today has taken my place. Already Now the whole 83 00:06:32.240 --> 00:06:35.360 world hastens to worship her, And it is too great 84 00:06:35.399 --> 00:06:38.120 a boon that in the midst of my disgrace, I 85 00:06:38.160 --> 00:06:41.639 still find someone who stoops to honor me. Our desserts 86 00:06:41.639 --> 00:06:44.519 are not even fairly weighed together, but all are ready 87 00:06:44.560 --> 00:06:48.360 to abandon me. While of the numerous train of privileged 88 00:06:48.439 --> 00:06:52.560 graces whose care and friendship followed me everywhere, I have 89 00:06:52.639 --> 00:06:55.160 now only two of the smaller ones who cling to 90 00:06:55.199 --> 00:06:57.839 me out of mere pity. I pray you let these 91 00:06:57.959 --> 00:07:01.000 dark abodes lend their solitude to the anguish of my 92 00:07:01.199 --> 00:07:04.360 heart and suffer me behind my fame and grief. In 93 00:07:04.399 --> 00:07:05.279 the midst of their. 94 00:07:05.120 --> 00:07:09.680 Gloom, Flora and the other deities withdraw, and Venus with 95 00:07:09.720 --> 00:07:15.439 her retinue, descends from her chariot Scene two Venus Cupid, 96 00:07:15.959 --> 00:07:18.000 Ajulae Faine Cupid. 97 00:07:18.800 --> 00:07:21.920 We know not what to do, Goddess, while we see 98 00:07:21.959 --> 00:07:26.560 you overwhelmed by this grief. Our respect bids us be silent. 99 00:07:27.120 --> 00:07:29.480 Our zeal would have us speak. 100 00:07:29.920 --> 00:07:33.360 Speak, But if your cares would please me, leave all 101 00:07:33.399 --> 00:07:36.920 your advice for a fitter time and speak of my wrath. 102 00:07:36.959 --> 00:07:40.160 But to own me right. That was the keenest insul 103 00:07:40.279 --> 00:07:43.959 my divinity could ever receive. But revenge I shall have. 104 00:07:44.040 --> 00:07:45.720 If gods have any power. 105 00:07:46.199 --> 00:07:51.040 You, wisdom, you discernment, are greater than ours in deciding 106 00:07:51.279 --> 00:07:55.279 what may be worthy of you. Yet methinks a mighty 107 00:07:55.319 --> 00:07:58.160 goddess should not dusk give way to wrath. 108 00:07:58.879 --> 00:08:01.720 That is the very reason of my extreme anger. The 109 00:08:01.759 --> 00:08:05.199 greater the brilliancy of my rank, the deeper the insult. 110 00:08:05.680 --> 00:08:08.360 If I did not stand on so lofty a height, 111 00:08:08.759 --> 00:08:11.639 the indignation of my heart will not be so violent. 112 00:08:12.319 --> 00:08:16.160 I the daughter of the thunderer, mother of the love 113 00:08:16.240 --> 00:08:20.519 inspiring God, I the sweetest yearning of heaven and Earth, 114 00:08:20.800 --> 00:08:24.480 who received birth only to charm. I who have seen 115 00:08:24.560 --> 00:08:28.519 everything that hath breath utter so many vows at my shrines, 116 00:08:29.000 --> 00:08:31.879 and by immortal rights, have held the sovereign sway of 117 00:08:31.920 --> 00:08:36.200 beauty in all ages. I whose eyes have forced two 118 00:08:36.559 --> 00:08:40.120 mighty gods to yield me the prize of beauty. I 119 00:08:40.159 --> 00:08:44.679 see my rights and my victory disputed by wretch and mortal. 120 00:08:45.320 --> 00:08:49.720 Shall the ridiculous excess, a foolish obstinacy, go so far 121 00:08:49.799 --> 00:08:52.919 as to oppose to me a little girl? Shall I 122 00:08:52.960 --> 00:08:55.759 constantly hear a rash verdict on the beauty of her 123 00:08:55.840 --> 00:08:59.720 features and of mine? And from the loftiest heaven, where 124 00:08:59.759 --> 00:09:02.600 I shall I hear it said to the prejudiced world, 125 00:09:03.080 --> 00:09:05.200 see is fairer than Venus. 126 00:09:06.080 --> 00:09:09.679 This is the way with mortals, This is the style 127 00:09:09.720 --> 00:09:14.200 of mankind. They are impertinent in their comparisons in. 128 00:09:14.240 --> 00:09:17.720 The century in which we live. They cannot praise without 129 00:09:17.759 --> 00:09:19.200 insulting great names. 130 00:09:19.919 --> 00:09:23.879 Ah, how well does the insolent rigor of these words? 131 00:09:24.039 --> 00:09:27.360 Then Juno and Pallace and come for their hearts, for 132 00:09:27.519 --> 00:09:30.960 the dazzling glory which the famous apple has won me. 133 00:09:31.879 --> 00:09:35.360 I see them rejoicing at my sorrow, assuming every moment 134 00:09:35.440 --> 00:09:39.320 a cruel smile, and with fixed gaze, carefully seeking the 135 00:09:39.360 --> 00:09:43.440 confusion that lurks in my eyes. Their triumphant joy, when 136 00:09:43.480 --> 00:09:47.639 this affront is keenest felt, seems to tell me boast Venus, 137 00:09:47.799 --> 00:09:51.320 Boast the charms of thy features. By the verdict of 138 00:09:51.399 --> 00:09:54.360 one man was the victory made over us. But by 139 00:09:54.480 --> 00:09:59.240 the judgment of all, a mere mortal snatches it from you. Ah, 140 00:09:59.360 --> 00:10:03.360 that blow, the direst it pierces my heart. I cannot 141 00:10:03.360 --> 00:10:07.279 bear its unequaled severity. The pleasure of my rivals is 142 00:10:07.320 --> 00:10:10.840 too great an addition to my poignant grief. My son, 143 00:10:11.320 --> 00:10:14.320 if ever my feelings had any weight with you, if 144 00:10:14.360 --> 00:10:17.120 ever I have been dear to you. If you bear 145 00:10:17.200 --> 00:10:19.720 a heart that can share the resentment of a mother 146 00:10:19.799 --> 00:10:24.480 who loves you so tenderly, use here your utmost power 147 00:10:24.600 --> 00:10:28.919 to support my interests and cause Psyche to feel the 148 00:10:28.960 --> 00:10:32.840 shafts of my revenge through your own darts, to render 149 00:10:32.879 --> 00:10:36.440 her miserable. Here's the dart that will please me most, 150 00:10:36.919 --> 00:10:40.000 one of those in which lurks the keenest venom, and 151 00:10:40.000 --> 00:10:43.159 which you hurl in your wrath. See that he loves 152 00:10:43.279 --> 00:10:47.679 even to madness, the basest and lowest of mortals, And 153 00:10:47.799 --> 00:10:50.879 let her hear the cruel torture of love unreturned. 154 00:10:52.120 --> 00:10:56.679 And the world nothing is heard but complaints of cupid. Everywhere, 155 00:10:56.720 --> 00:10:59.679 a thousand freaks are laid to my charge, And you 156 00:10:59.720 --> 00:11:02.399 cannot believe the evil and the foolish things which are 157 00:11:02.480 --> 00:11:06.039 daily said of me. If to assist your wrath. 158 00:11:06.240 --> 00:11:11.360 Becan no longer resist your mother's wishes, use reasoning only 159 00:11:11.519 --> 00:11:14.679 to find the shortest method of offering a sacrifice to 160 00:11:14.720 --> 00:11:16.120 my outraged glory. 161 00:11:16.759 --> 00:11:18.000 Let your departure be your. 162 00:11:17.919 --> 00:11:21.000 Only answer to my entreaties, And do not see my 163 00:11:21.120 --> 00:11:23.240 face again until you have avenged me. 164 00:11:24.279 --> 00:11:27.559 Cubid flies off, and venus withdraws with the two graces. 165 00:11:28.399 --> 00:11:31.639 The scenery changes to a large town with palaces and 166 00:11:31.720 --> 00:11:35.120 houses of different architecture on both sides of the stage. 167 00:11:36.159 --> 00:11:41.120 Act one, Scene one Aglora SIDEPPI, My. 168 00:11:41.600 --> 00:11:46.240 Sister, there are sorrows which are rendered creator by keeping 169 00:11:46.279 --> 00:11:51.000 them to ourselves. Let us speak freely of our joint distress, 170 00:11:51.240 --> 00:11:55.879 and give vent in our conversations to the poignant grief 171 00:11:56.039 --> 00:12:02.879 which fills our hearts. We our sisters in misfortune, and 172 00:12:03.000 --> 00:12:07.440 your heart and mine have so much in common that 173 00:12:07.480 --> 00:12:12.360 we can unite them, and in our just complaints, murmur 174 00:12:12.600 --> 00:12:19.720 with common lament against the cruelty of our fate, My sister, 175 00:12:20.559 --> 00:12:26.159 what secret fatality makes the whole world bow before our 176 00:12:26.279 --> 00:12:31.559 younger sisters charms? And how is it that amongst so 177 00:12:31.919 --> 00:12:35.960 many different princes who are brought by fortune to this place, 178 00:12:36.559 --> 00:12:42.279 not one has any love for us? What must we 179 00:12:42.399 --> 00:12:45.840 see them on all sides, pressing forward to lay their 180 00:12:45.919 --> 00:12:51.679 hearts at her feet, whilst they pass our charms slightingly? 181 00:12:51.879 --> 00:12:57.879 By What spell has Heaven cast over our eyes? What 182 00:12:58.000 --> 00:13:01.240 have they done to the gods that they are thus 183 00:13:01.440 --> 00:13:05.679 left without homage amidst all the glorious tribute of which 184 00:13:05.720 --> 00:13:11.360 others proudly boast. Can there be for us, my sister, 185 00:13:12.080 --> 00:13:16.720 any greater trial than to see how all harts distain 186 00:13:17.279 --> 00:13:23.679 our beauty? And how the fortunate Psyche insolently reigns with 187 00:13:23.840 --> 00:13:27.840 full sway over the crowd of lovers who ever attend her. 188 00:13:28.919 --> 00:13:33.399 How, my sister, our fate is enough to be brief 189 00:13:33.519 --> 00:13:37.240 one of reason, and all the ills of nature are 190 00:13:37.360 --> 00:13:39.000 nothing in comparison. 191 00:13:40.120 --> 00:13:46.399 Ah At times I can almost shed tears over it. 192 00:13:46.399 --> 00:13:51.799 It takes away my happiness and my rest. My constancy 193 00:13:51.879 --> 00:13:56.919 finds itself powerless against such a misfortune. My mind is 194 00:13:57.000 --> 00:14:01.320 forever dwelling over it, and the ill success of our 195 00:14:01.639 --> 00:14:06.960 charms and the triumph of Psyche are ever before my eyes. 196 00:14:08.759 --> 00:14:14.679 At night unceasingly comes to me the remembrance of it, 197 00:14:15.360 --> 00:14:19.960 and nothing can banish the cruel picture. As soon as 198 00:14:20.159 --> 00:14:23.919 sweet slumber comes to deliver me from it, it is 199 00:14:24.000 --> 00:14:28.840 immediately recalled to my memory by some dream which startles 200 00:14:28.879 --> 00:14:30.600 me from my sleep. 201 00:14:31.360 --> 00:14:35.600 That is just what I suffer from, my sister. All 202 00:14:35.759 --> 00:14:40.360 that you say, I see myself, and you depict everything 203 00:14:40.480 --> 00:14:42.039 that I experience. 204 00:14:43.440 --> 00:14:49.600 Well, let us discuss the matter. What all powerful charms 205 00:14:49.679 --> 00:14:53.919 have been bestowed upon her. Tell me how by the 206 00:14:54.039 --> 00:14:57.120 least of her looks she has acquired honor in the 207 00:14:57.200 --> 00:15:00.799 great art of pleasing? What you is there in her 208 00:15:00.879 --> 00:15:05.080 person that can inspire such passion? What right of sway 209 00:15:05.240 --> 00:15:09.320 over all hearts? Has her beauty given her? She has 210 00:15:09.679 --> 00:15:14.840 some comeliness, some of the brilliancy of youth. We are 211 00:15:14.919 --> 00:15:18.879 all agreed upon that, and I do not gainsay it. 212 00:15:19.840 --> 00:15:23.399 But must we yield to her because we are her 213 00:15:23.559 --> 00:15:29.240 seniors by a few years? Must we therefore consider ourselves 214 00:15:29.360 --> 00:15:34.759 quite commonplace? Are we made so as to excite derision? 215 00:15:35.639 --> 00:15:40.320 Have we no charms, no power of pleasing, no complexion, 216 00:15:40.600 --> 00:15:44.120 no good eyes, no dignity and bearing by which we 217 00:15:44.399 --> 00:15:49.120 may win arts? Do me the favorite sister to speak 218 00:15:49.159 --> 00:15:55.120 to me? Frankly? Am I, in your opinion, so fashioned 219 00:15:55.240 --> 00:15:59.840 that my merit is below hers? And do you think 220 00:15:59.879 --> 00:16:03.200 that that she surpasses me in her attire? 221 00:16:04.600 --> 00:16:10.480 You, my sister, by no means. Yesterday at the hunt 222 00:16:10.799 --> 00:16:14.600 I compared you and her for a long time, and 223 00:16:15.120 --> 00:16:19.679 without flattery, you appeared to me the more beautiful. But 224 00:16:20.480 --> 00:16:26.279 tell me, truly, sister, without blandishment, Am I deceiving myself 225 00:16:26.519 --> 00:16:29.720 when I think that I am so framed as to 226 00:16:29.799 --> 00:16:32.919 deserve the glory of a conquest. 227 00:16:33.600 --> 00:16:39.919 You, my sister, you possess without disguise, everything that can 228 00:16:39.960 --> 00:16:44.799 excite a loving passion. Your least actions are full of 229 00:16:44.879 --> 00:16:50.399 a charm which moves my soul, and I would be 230 00:16:50.519 --> 00:16:52.960 your lover if I were not a woman. 231 00:16:54.200 --> 00:16:58.240 Whence comes it then, that she bears off the palm 232 00:16:58.279 --> 00:17:02.720 from us, that at the first glance all hearts give 233 00:17:02.840 --> 00:17:06.319 up the struggle, and that no tribute of size and 234 00:17:06.559 --> 00:17:09.440 vowses pay to our loveliness. 235 00:17:10.440 --> 00:17:14.519 All the women with one voice find her attractions but 236 00:17:14.759 --> 00:17:20.119 small and sister, I have discovered the cause of the 237 00:17:20.279 --> 00:17:22.839 number of lovers she holds in thrall. 238 00:17:23.880 --> 00:17:28.559 I guess it. We may presume that some mystery is 239 00:17:28.640 --> 00:17:34.240 hidden under it. This secret of captivating everybody is not 240 00:17:34.319 --> 00:17:39.359 an ordinary effect of nature. That Hessalian art must be 241 00:17:39.559 --> 00:17:44.119 mixed up in it. And doubtless someone has given to 242 00:17:44.200 --> 00:17:48.480 her a charm by which she makes herself beloved. 243 00:17:49.920 --> 00:17:54.000 My opinion is founded on a more solid basis, And 244 00:17:54.079 --> 00:17:57.680 the charms by which she draws all hearts to herself 245 00:17:57.920 --> 00:18:04.759 are a demeanor at all times, free of reserve, caressing words, 246 00:18:04.799 --> 00:18:11.599 and looks a smile full of sweetness, which invites everyone 247 00:18:12.440 --> 00:18:19.440 and promises them nothing but favors. Our glory is departed, 248 00:18:20.200 --> 00:18:25.000 and that lofty pride, which, by a full observance of 249 00:18:25.079 --> 00:18:29.640 noble trials exacted a proof of the constancy of our lovers, 250 00:18:30.519 --> 00:18:38.200 exists no longer. We have degenerated and are now reduced 251 00:18:38.480 --> 00:18:42.279 to hope for nothing unless we throw ourselves into the 252 00:18:42.440 --> 00:18:43.440 arms of the men. 253 00:18:44.880 --> 00:18:49.000 Yes, that is the secret, and I see that you 254 00:18:49.160 --> 00:18:53.960 understand it better than I. It is because weakling too 255 00:18:54.119 --> 00:18:58.640 much to Modesty's sister, that no lovers come to us. 256 00:18:59.000 --> 00:19:02.559 It is because we try to sustain too strictly the 257 00:19:02.720 --> 00:19:07.119 honor of our sex and of our birth men. Nowadays, 258 00:19:07.559 --> 00:19:11.960 like what comes easily to them, hope attracts them more 259 00:19:12.039 --> 00:19:16.160 than love. And that is how Psyche deprives us of 260 00:19:16.359 --> 00:19:20.359 all the lovers we see under her sway. Let us 261 00:19:20.480 --> 00:19:25.359 follow her example and suit ourselves to the times. Let 262 00:19:25.440 --> 00:19:30.200 us stoop, sister, to make advances, and let us no 263 00:19:30.279 --> 00:19:34.200 longer keep to those dull morals which rob us of 264 00:19:34.319 --> 00:19:36.720 the fruits of our best years. 265 00:19:37.319 --> 00:19:41.000 I approve of this idea, and we have an opportunity 266 00:19:41.039 --> 00:19:43.759 of making a first trial of it upon the two 267 00:19:43.799 --> 00:19:50.079 princes who have last arrived their charming sister, and to 268 00:19:50.240 --> 00:19:54.880 me their whole person. Have you noticed them? 269 00:19:56.000 --> 00:20:03.160 Ah, both are formed in such a mold, my soul. 270 00:20:03.519 --> 00:20:05.680 They are perfect, my sister. 271 00:20:07.000 --> 00:20:12.279 I think we might seek their affections without dishonor to ourselves. 272 00:20:13.079 --> 00:20:18.359 I think that without shame, a beautiful princess might bestow 273 00:20:18.440 --> 00:20:19.920 her heart upon them. 274 00:20:20.759 --> 00:20:26.920 Here they both are. I admire their manners and attire. 275 00:20:28.240 --> 00:20:31.480 They in no way fall as short of all that 276 00:20:31.640 --> 00:20:33.200 we have said of them. 277 00:20:34.880 --> 00:20:39.599 Scene two cleomenes agenor Aglora said Eppy. 278 00:20:40.519 --> 00:20:46.799 Wherefore, princes, wherefore do you thus hasten away? Does our 279 00:20:46.839 --> 00:20:49.000 appearance fill you with fear? 280 00:20:50.240 --> 00:20:53.839 We were led to believe, Madam, that the Princess Psyche 281 00:20:53.920 --> 00:20:54.480 might be here? 282 00:20:55.119 --> 00:20:57.640 Has this place no longer any charm for you? If 283 00:20:57.640 --> 00:21:01.240 it is not adorned by her presence? 284 00:21:02.000 --> 00:21:05.920 This place may be pleasant enough, But in our impatience 285 00:21:06.000 --> 00:21:09.680 we would find the Princess Psyche. 286 00:21:08.559 --> 00:21:13.200 Something very important, must doubtless be urging you both to 287 00:21:13.359 --> 00:21:13.880 seek her. 288 00:21:14.599 --> 00:21:18.920 The motive is powerful enough, since our happiness depends entirely 289 00:21:19.279 --> 00:21:19.880 upon her. 290 00:21:20.839 --> 00:21:25.039 Might we be allowed to inquire into the secret implied 291 00:21:25.319 --> 00:21:26.400 by these words? 292 00:21:27.319 --> 00:21:30.920 We do not pretend to make a mystery of it. Indeed, 293 00:21:31.599 --> 00:21:35.480 it would show itself in spite of us, And the secret, Madam, 294 00:21:36.079 --> 00:21:38.160 does not last long when it is love. 295 00:21:40.440 --> 00:21:44.720 Without further words, Princess, it means that you are both 296 00:21:44.880 --> 00:21:46.319 in love with Psyche. 297 00:21:47.240 --> 00:21:50.359 We are both under her sway, and we go with 298 00:21:50.599 --> 00:21:53.279 one accord to declare our passion to her. 299 00:21:53.960 --> 00:21:59.240 It is certainly something quite new and rather odd to 300 00:21:59.319 --> 00:22:02.400 see too, who rivals so well? Agreed? 301 00:22:03.240 --> 00:22:06.119 It is true that the thing is rare, but it 302 00:22:06.200 --> 00:22:09.440 is not impossible for two perfect friends. 303 00:22:09.640 --> 00:22:13.759 In this spot? Is she the only fair one? And 304 00:22:13.880 --> 00:22:18.640 can you find none other with whom to divide your admiration. 305 00:22:18.960 --> 00:22:23.599 Amongst all the nobly born? Is she the only one 306 00:22:23.599 --> 00:22:26.759 whom your eyes deem worthy of your tenderness? 307 00:22:27.440 --> 00:22:30.759 Do we reason? When we fall in love? Do we 308 00:22:30.839 --> 00:22:35.039 choose the object of our attachment? And when we bestow 309 00:22:35.119 --> 00:22:38.279 our hearts? Do we weigh the right of the fair 310 00:22:38.359 --> 00:22:39.799 one to fascinate us? 311 00:22:40.559 --> 00:22:44.400 Without having the power of choosing? We follow in such 312 00:22:44.440 --> 00:22:49.160 a passion something which delights us. And when love touches 313 00:22:49.240 --> 00:22:52.079 a heart, we have no reasons to give. 314 00:22:53.039 --> 00:22:57.480 Indeed, I pity the painful troubles to which I see 315 00:22:57.519 --> 00:23:03.400 your hearts expose themselves. You love one whose bright charms 316 00:23:03.440 --> 00:23:07.599 will mingle grief with the hopes they hold out to you, 317 00:23:08.240 --> 00:23:13.279 and whose heart will not fulfill all that her eyes promise. 318 00:23:14.480 --> 00:23:18.240 The hope which calls you into the rank of her lovers, 319 00:23:18.680 --> 00:23:23.839 will experience many disappointments in the favors she bestows, and 320 00:23:23.880 --> 00:23:28.240 the fitful changes of her inconstant heart will cause you 321 00:23:28.519 --> 00:23:30.440 many painful hours. 322 00:23:31.079 --> 00:23:35.359 A clear discernment of your worth makes us pity the 323 00:23:35.400 --> 00:23:39.799 fate into which this passion will lead you. And if 324 00:23:39.839 --> 00:23:43.960 you wished, you could both find a more constant heart 325 00:23:44.599 --> 00:23:47.400 and charms as great a. 326 00:23:47.640 --> 00:23:53.240 Choice sweeter by half can rescue your mutual friendship from love. 327 00:23:53.799 --> 00:23:57.000 And there is such a rare merrit apparent in you 328 00:23:57.200 --> 00:24:02.480 both that a gentle counsel good out of pity save 329 00:24:02.680 --> 00:24:06.799 your hearts from what they are preparing for themselves. 330 00:24:07.640 --> 00:24:14.119 This generous advice shows us a kindness which touches our hearts, 331 00:24:14.960 --> 00:24:19.200 But Heaven, Madam reduces us to the misfortune of not 332 00:24:19.319 --> 00:24:20.759 being able to profit by it. 333 00:24:21.799 --> 00:24:25.640 Your illustrious pity would in vain dissuade us from a 334 00:24:25.680 --> 00:24:27.599 love of which we both dread. 335 00:24:27.680 --> 00:24:28.519 The result. 336 00:24:29.160 --> 00:24:33.480 What our friendship, Madam has not done, cannot be affected 337 00:24:33.519 --> 00:24:35.559 by any other means. 338 00:24:36.839 --> 00:24:39.119 The power of Psyche must have. 339 00:24:40.720 --> 00:24:41.440 Here. She is. 340 00:24:43.039 --> 00:24:49.440 Scene three Psyche sideppi oglora, cleomenes argenore. 341 00:24:50.319 --> 00:24:54.480 Come sister, and enjoy what is offered to you. 342 00:24:55.240 --> 00:24:59.319 Prepare your charms to receive here a new triumph. 343 00:25:00.000 --> 00:25:04.200 Those two princes have both so well felt the power 344 00:25:04.240 --> 00:25:08.960 of her beauty that their lips are eager to declare it. 345 00:25:10.200 --> 00:25:13.200 I little thought myself to be the cause of their pensiveness, 346 00:25:14.000 --> 00:25:16.200 and I should have expected it to be quite otherwise 347 00:25:16.279 --> 00:25:17.519 when I found them talking to you. 348 00:25:18.519 --> 00:25:22.799 We have neither sufficient rank nor beauty to make us 349 00:25:22.839 --> 00:25:26.920 deserving of their love and solicitude. But they favor us 350 00:25:26.960 --> 00:25:28.880 with the honor of their confidence. 351 00:25:29.759 --> 00:25:31.000 Clomeny to Psyche. 352 00:25:31.640 --> 00:25:36.039 The avowal which we would make to your divine charms, Madam, 353 00:25:36.400 --> 00:25:39.920 is no doubt a rash one. But so many hearts 354 00:25:40.000 --> 00:25:42.799 on the point of expiring, are by such a vows 355 00:25:42.839 --> 00:25:46.799 obliged to displease you, that you have ceased to punish 356 00:25:46.839 --> 00:25:50.400 them by the terrors of your wrath. You see in 357 00:25:50.519 --> 00:25:54.160 us two friends who were joined in childhood by a 358 00:25:54.200 --> 00:25:58.240 happy similarity of feeling, and this tender union has been 359 00:25:58.319 --> 00:26:03.839 strengthened by a hundred contests of esteem and gratitude. The 360 00:26:03.920 --> 00:26:07.160 attachment of our friendship has been proved in the severe 361 00:26:07.160 --> 00:26:12.799 assaults of unfavorable fortune, the contempt of death, the sight 362 00:26:12.920 --> 00:26:17.920 of torture, and the glorious splendor of mutual good offices. 363 00:26:19.000 --> 00:26:23.359 But whatever trials it may have endured, to day witnesses 364 00:26:23.440 --> 00:26:28.119 its greatest triumph. And nothing proves so much its tried 365 00:26:28.240 --> 00:26:33.519 fidelity as its duration through the rivalry of love. Yes, 366 00:26:34.119 --> 00:26:38.559 in spite of so many charms, its constancy subjects our 367 00:26:38.720 --> 00:26:42.720 vows to the laws it gives us. It comes with 368 00:26:42.880 --> 00:26:46.559 sweet and entire deference to submit the success of our 369 00:26:46.599 --> 00:26:49.960 passion to your choice, and to give a weight to 370 00:26:50.079 --> 00:26:53.839 our competition, which may bring the balance of state reasons 371 00:26:53.839 --> 00:26:57.599 to favor the choice of one of us. This friendship 372 00:26:57.680 --> 00:27:02.079 intends of free will to unite our two estates to 373 00:27:02.200 --> 00:27:04.200 the fortune of the happy one. 374 00:27:05.000 --> 00:27:08.480 Yes, Madam, we wish to make of these two estates, 375 00:27:08.880 --> 00:27:12.559 which we propose to unite under your happy choice, a 376 00:27:12.680 --> 00:27:16.960 help towards obtaining you The sacrifice which we make to 377 00:27:17.000 --> 00:27:20.920 the King, your father, in order to ensure this happiness 378 00:27:21.240 --> 00:27:25.000 has nothing difficult in it to our loving hearts, and 379 00:27:25.079 --> 00:27:28.759 it will be a necessary gift that the rejected unfortunate 380 00:27:28.839 --> 00:27:31.720 should make over to the one who is fortunate, a 381 00:27:31.759 --> 00:27:35.039 power which you will no longer know how to enjoy. 382 00:27:35.960 --> 00:27:39.680 Princes, you both displayed to my eyes a choice so 383 00:27:39.759 --> 00:27:43.400 precious and dazzling that it would satisfy the proudest heart. 384 00:27:44.359 --> 00:27:49.079 But your passion, your friendship, your supreme virtue, all increase 385 00:27:49.160 --> 00:27:52.400 the value of your vows of fidelity, and make it 386 00:27:52.440 --> 00:27:54.759 a merit that I should oppose myself to what you 387 00:27:54.799 --> 00:27:58.119 ask of me. I must not listen to my heart 388 00:27:58.160 --> 00:28:01.519 only before engaging in such a unionion, But my hand 389 00:28:01.559 --> 00:28:04.960 must await my father's decision before it can dispose of itself. 390 00:28:05.480 --> 00:28:09.200 And my sisters have rights superior to mine. But if 391 00:28:09.240 --> 00:28:12.720 I were referred absolutely to my own wishes, you might 392 00:28:12.759 --> 00:28:15.519 both have too great a share in them, and my 393 00:28:15.759 --> 00:28:19.279 entire esteem be so evenly balanced between you that I 394 00:28:19.319 --> 00:28:21.759 should not be able to decide in favor of either. 395 00:28:22.960 --> 00:28:25.799 I would indeed respond with most affectionate interest to the 396 00:28:25.920 --> 00:28:29.359 ardor of your suit. But amid so much merit, two 397 00:28:29.519 --> 00:28:32.319 hearts are too much for me, one heart too little 398 00:28:32.359 --> 00:28:36.119 for you. The accomplishments of my dearest wishes would be 399 00:28:36.240 --> 00:28:38.880 to me a burden, were it granted to me by 400 00:28:38.880 --> 00:28:43.720 your love. Yes, Princes, I should greatly prefer you to 401 00:28:43.920 --> 00:28:47.079