_Phæd._ Nay, I promise nothing--unless you begin to promise first. [_Curtsying._
_Phæd._ Well; I'll try to bring her to the window; you shall have a fair shot at her; if you can bring her down, you are a good marksman.
_Jup._ That's all I ask; And I will so reward thee, gentle Phædra--
_Phæd._ What, with catsguts and rosin! This _Solla_ is but a lamentable empty sound.
_Jup._ Then, there's a sound will please thee better.
_Phæd._ Ay, there's something of melody in this sound. I could dance all day to the music of _Chink, Chink_.
_Jup._ Go, Sosia, round our Thebes, To Polidas, to Tranio, and to Gripus, Companions of our war; invite them all To join their prayers to smooth Alcmena's brow, And, with a solemn feast, to crown the day.
_Sos._ [_Taking_ JUPITER _about the knees_.] Let me embrace you, sir. [JUPITER _pushes him away_.] Nay, you must give me leave to express my gratitude; I have not eaten, to say eating, nor drunk, to say drinking, never since our villainous encamping so near the enemy. It is true, I escaped the bloody-flux, because I had so little in my bowels to come out; and I durst let nothing go, in conscience, because I had nothing to swallow in the room on't.
_Jup._ You, Bromia, see that all things be prepared, With that magnificence, as if some god Were guest or master here.
_Sos._ Or rather, as much as if twenty gods were to be guests or masters here.
_Brom._ That you may eat for to-day and to-morrow.
_Sos._ Or, rather again, for to-day and yesterday, and as many months backward, as I am indebted to my own belly.
_Jup._ Away, both of you.--[_Exeunt_ SOSIA _and_ BROMIA _severally_. Now I have packed him hence, thou other Sosia, (Who, though thou art not present, hear'st my voice) Be ready to attend me at my call, And to supply his place.
_Enter_ MERCURY _to_ JUPITER; ALCMENA _and_ PHÆDRA _appear above_.
See, she appears: [_Seeing_ ALCMENA. This is my bribe to Phædra; when I made This gold, I made a greater God than Jove, And gave my own omnipotence away.
JUPITER _signs to the Musicians. Song and Dance: After which_, ALCMENA _withdraws, frowning_.
_Celia, that I once was blest Is now the torment of my breast; Since, to curse me, you bereave me Of the pleasures I possest: Cruel creature, to deceive me! First to love, and then to leave me!_