Third Act

 

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

 
Act Tune.
 

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.

 
Venus leans against the side of the stage and weeps. Adonis is led in wounded.

<- Adonis

 

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.

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!

ADONIS

Oh, I could well endure the pointed dart,

did it not make the best of lovers part.

VENUS

Ye cruel gods, why should not I

have the great privilege to die?

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.

VENUS

No, the grim monster gains the day;

with thy warm blood life steals away.

ADONIS

I see fate calls; let me on your soft bosom lie.

There I did wish to live, and there I beg to die.

 
(Adonis dies.)
 

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.

S

 

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.

S

Sfondo schermo () ()

 

The end (Third Act)

The Prologue First Act Second Act Third Act
Venus, Cupid
 

(A mourning Cupid goes across the stage and shakes an arrow at her.)

Adonis, uncall'd-for sighs

Venus, Cupid
<- Adonis

(Adonis dies)

Ah, Adonis my love, ah, Adonis...

 
Single scene
The Prologue First Act Second Act

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