Semele

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Semele Libretto

SYSTEMACT ONE

SYSTEMNo. 1 - Overture

SYSTEMSCENE 1

Cadmus, Athamas, Semele, Ino and Chorus of Priests. The scene is the temple of Juno. Near the altar is a golden image of the goddess. The Priests are in their solemnities, as after a sacrifice newly offered: flames arise from the altar and the statue of Juno is seen to bow.

SYSTEMNo. 2 - Accompagnato

PRIESTBehold! Auspicious flashes rise,

PRIESTJuno accepts our sacrifice;

PRIESTThe grateful odour swift ascends,

PRIESTAnd see, the golden image bends!

SYSTEMNo. 3 - Chorus

PRIESTSLucky omens bless our rites,

PRIESTSAnd sure success shall crown your loves;

PRIESTSPeaceful days and fruitful nights

PRIESTSAttend the pair that she approves.

SYSTEMNo. 4 - Recitative, arioso and duet

CADMUSDaughter, obey,

CADMUSHear and obey!

CADMUSWith kind consenting

CADMUSEase a parent's care;

CADMUSInvent no new delay,

CADMUSOn this auspicious day.

ATHAMASOh, hear a faithful lover's prayer!

ATHAMASOn this auspicious day

ATHAMASInvent no new delay.

SYSTEMNo. 5 - Accompagnato

apart

SEMELEAh me!

SEMELEWhat refuge now is left me?

SEMELEHow various, how tormenting

SEMELEAre my miseries!

SEMELEO Jove, assist me!

SEMELECan Semele forego thy love,

SEMELEAnd to a mortal's passion yield?

SEMELEThy vengeance will o'ertake such perfidy.

SEMELEIf I deny, my father's wrath I fear.

SYSTEMNo. 6 - Air

SEMELEO Jove! In pity teach me which to choose,

SEMELEIncline me to comply, or help me to refuse!

SEMELETeach me which to choose,

SEMELEOr help me to refuse!

SYSTEMNo. 7 - Air

SEMELEThe morning lark to mine accords his note,

SEMELEAnd tunes to my distress his warbling throat.

Each setting and each rising sun I mourn,

SEMELEWailing alike his absence and return.

SEMELEThe morning lark …

SYSTEMNo. 8 - Recitative

See, she blushing turns her eyes;

ATHAMASSee, with sighs her bosom panting!

If from love those sighs arise,

ATHAMASNothing to my bliss is wanting.

SYSTEMNo. 9 - Air

ATHAMASHymen, haste, thy torch prepare,

ATHAMASLove already his has lighted!

One soft sigh has cur'd despair,

ATHAMASAnd more than my past pains requited.

ATHAMASHymen, haste …

SYSTEMNo. 10 - Recitative

INOAlas, she yields,

INOAnd has undone me!

I cannot longer hide my passion,

INOIt must have vent,

INOOr inward burning

INOWill consume me.

INOO Athamas,

INOI cannot utter it!

ATHAMASOn me fair Ino calls

ATHAMASWith mournful accent,

ATHAMASHer colour fading,

ATHAMASAnd her eyes o'erflowing!

INOO Semele!

SEMELEOn me she calls,

SEMELEYet seems to shun me!

SEMELEWhat would my sister?

SEMELESpeak!

INOThou hast undone me!

SYSTEMNo. 11 - Quartet

CADMUSWhy dost thou thus untimely grieve,

CADMUSAnd all our solemn rites profane?

CADMUSCan he, or she thy woes relieve,

CADMUSOr I? Of whom dost thou complain?

INOOf all! But all, I fear, in vain.

ATHAMASCan I thy woes relieve?

SEMELECan I assuage thy pain?

ATHAMASOf whom dost thou complain?

INOOf all! but all, I fear, in vain.

Thunder is heard at a distance and the fire is extinguished on the altar.

SYSTEMNo. 12 - Chorus

PRIESTSAvert these omens, all ye pow'rs!

PRIESTSSome god averse our holy rites controls;

PRIESTSO'erwhelm'd with sudden night the day expires,

PRIESTSIll-boding thunder on the right hand rolls,

PRIESTSAnd Jove himself descends in show'rs

PRIESTSTo quench our late propitious fires.

Flames are rekindled on the altar.

SYSTEMNo. 13 - Accompagnato

Again auspicious flashes rise,

CADMUSJuno accepts our sacrifice.

The fire is again extinguished.

CADMUSAgain the sickly flame decaying dies:

CADMUSJuno assents, but angry Jove denies.

SYSTEMNo. 14 - Recitative

ATHAMASThy aid, pronubial Juno, Athamas implores!

apart

SEMELEThee, Jove, and thee alone, thy Semele adores!

A loud clap of thunder; the altar sinks.

SYSTEMNo. 15 - Chorus

PRIESTSCease, cease your vows, 'tis impious to proceed,

PRIESTSBegone, and fly this holy place with speed!

PRIESTSThis dreadful conflict is of dire presage,

PRIESTSBegone, and fly from Jove's impending rage!

Exeunt

SYSTEMSCENE 2

Athamas and Ino

SYSTEMNo. 16 - Recitative

ATHAMASO Athamas, what torture hast thou borne,

ATHAMASAnd oh, what hast thou yet to bear?

ATHAMASFrom love, from hope, from near possession torn,

ATHAMASAnd plung'd at once in deep despair!

SYSTEMNo. 17 - Air

Turn, hopeless lover, turn thy eyes,

INOAnd see a maid bemoan,

In flowing tears and aching sighs,

INOThy woes too like her own.

Turn, hopeless lover …

SYSTEMNo. 18 - Recitative

ATHAMASShe weeps!

ATHAMASThe gentle maid, in tender pity,

ATHAMASWeeps to behold my misery!

ATHAMASSo Semele would melt

ATHAMASTo see another mourn.

SYSTEMNo. 19 - Air

ATHAMASYour tuneful voice my tale would tell,

ATHAMASIn pity of my sad despair;

ATHAMASAnd with sweet melody compel

ATHAMASAttention from the flying fair.

ATHAMASYour tuneful voice …

SYSTEMNo. 20 - Recitative

INOToo well I see,

INOThou wilt not understand me.

INOWhence could proceed such tenderness?

INOWhence such compassion?

INOInsensible, ingrate,

INOAh no, I cannot blame thee!

INOFor by effects, unknown before,

INOWho could the hidden cause explore,

INOOr think that love could act so strange a part,

INOTo plead for pity in a rival's heart?

ATHAMASAh me, what have I heard,

ATHAMASShe does her passion own!

SYSTEMNo. 21 - Duet

INOYou've undone me,

INOLook not on me!

INOGuilt upbraiding,

INOShame invading,

INOYou've undone me,

INOLook not on me!

ATHAMASWith my life I would atone

ATHAMASPains you've borne,

ATHAMASTo me unknown.

ATHAMASCease to shun me.

BOTHLove alone

BOTHHas both undone!

SYSTEMSCENE 3

To them Enter Cadmus, attended.

SYSTEMNo. 22 - Recitative

CADMUSAh, wretched prince, doom'd to disastrous love!

CADMUSAh me, of parents most forlorn!

CADMUSPrepare, O Athamas, to prove

CADMUSThe sharpest pangs that e'er were borne,

CADMUSPrepare with me our common loss to mourn!

ATHAMASCan fate, or Semele, invent

ATHAMASAnother, yet another punishment?

SYSTEMNo. 23 - Accompagnato

CADMUSWing'd with our fears and pious haste,

CADMUSFrom Juno's fane we fled.

CADMUSScarce we the brazen gates had pass'd,

CADMUSWhen Semele around her head

CADMUSWith azure flames was grac'd,

CADMUSWhose lambent glories in her tresses play'd.

CADMUSWhile this we saw with dread surprise,

CADMUSSwifter than lightning downward tending,

CADMUSAn eagle stoop'd, of mighty size,

CADMUSOn purple wings descending,

CADMUSLike gold his beak, like stars shone forth his eyes,

CADMUSHis silver plumy breast with snow contending.

CADMUSSudden he snatch'd the trembling maid,

CADMUSAnd soaring from our sight convey'd,

CADMUSDiffusing ever as he less'ning flew

CADMUSCelestial odour and ambrosial dew.

SYSTEMNo. 24 - Recitative

ATHAMASOh prodigy, to me of dire portent!

INOTo me I hope, of fortunate event!

SYSTEMSCENE 4

Enter to them Chorus of Priests and Augurs.

CADMUSSee, see, Jove's Priests and holy Augurs come,

CADMUSSpeak, speak of Semele, and me declare the doom!

SYSTEMNo. 25 - Chorus

CADMUSPRIESTS and AUGURS

CADMUSHail Cadmus, hail!

CADMUSJove salutes the Theban king!

CADMUSCease your mourning,

CADMUSJoys returning,

CADMUSSongs of mirth and triumph sing!

CADMUSHail Cadmus, hail!

SYSTEMNo. 26 - Air and Chorus

SEMELEEndless pleasure, endless love,

SEMELESemele enjoys above!

SEMELEOn her bosom Jove reclining,

SEMELEUseless now his thunder lies;

SEMELETo her arms his bolts resigning,

SEMELEAnd his lightning to her eyes.

SEMELEPRIESTS and AUGURS

SEMELEEndless pleasure, endless love

SEMELESemele enjoys above!

SYSTEMACT TWO

SYSTEMNo. 27 - Symphony

SYSTEMSCENE 1

A pleasant country, the prospect terminated by a beautiful mountain adorn'd with woods and waterfalls.

Juno and Iris descend in different machines. Juno in a chariot drawn by peacocks; Iris on a rainbow; they alight and meet.

SYSTEMNo. 28 - Recitative

JUNOIris, impatient of thy stay,

JUNOFrom Samos have I wing'd my way

JUNOTo meet thy slow return.

IRISWith all his speed not yet the sun

IRISThrough half his race has run,

IRISSince I, to execute thy dread command,

IRISHave thrice encompass'd sea and land.

JUNOSay, where is Semele's abode?

IRISLook, where Cithaeron proudly stands,

IRISBœotia parting from Cecropian lands.

IRISHigh on the summit of that hill,

IRISBeyond the reach of mortal eyes,

IRISBy Jove's command and Vulcan's skill,

IRISBehold a new-erected palace rise!

SYSTEMNo. 29 - Air

IRISThere, from mortal cares retiring,

She resides in sweet retreat.

IRISOn her pleasure, Jove requiring,

IRISAll the Loves and Graces wait.

IRISThere …

SYSTEMNo. 30 - Recitative

JUNONo more, I'll hear no more!

SYSTEMNo. 31 - Accompagnato

JUNOAwake, Saturnia, from thy lethargy!

JUNOSeize, destroy the cursed Semele!

JUNOScale proud Cithaeron's top,

JUNOSnatch her, tear her in thy fury,

JUNOAnd down to the flood of Acheron

Let her fall, let her fall, fall, fall,

JUNORolling down the depths of night,

JUNONever more to behold the light.

JUNOIf I th'imperial scepter sway, I swear

JUNOBy hell!

Tremble, thou universe, this oath to hear!

JUNONot one of curst Agenor's race to spare.

SYSTEMNo. 32 - Recitative

IRISHear, mighty queen, while I recount

IRISWhat obstacles you must surmount.

SYSTEMNo. 33 - Accompagnato

IRISWith adamant the gates are barr'd,

IRISWhose entrance two fierce dragons guard.

IRISAt each approach they lash their forky stings

IRISAnd clap their brazen wings;

And as their scaly horrors rise,

IRISThey all at once disclose

IRISA thousand fiery eyes

IRISWhich never know repose.

SYSTEMNo. 34 - Air

JUNOHence, Iris, hence away,

JUNOFar from the realms of day!

JUNOO'er Scythian hills to the Maeotian lake

JUNOA speedy flight we'll take!

JUNOThere Somnus I'll compel

His downy bed to leave, and silent cell;

JUNOWith noise and light I will his peace molest,

JUNONor shall he sink again to pleasing rest,

JUNOTill to my vow'd revenge he grants supplies,

JUNOAnd seals with sleep the wakeful dragons' eyes.

JUNOHence …

Exeunt

SYSTEMSCENE 2

An apartment in the palace of Semele.

She is sleeping, Loves and Zephyrs waiting.

probably cut before the first performance

CUPIDCome, Zephyrs, come, while Cupid sings,

CUPIDFan her with your silky wings!

CUPIDNew desire I'll inspire,

CUPIDAnd revive the dying flames.

CUPIDDance around her

CUPIDWhile I wound her,

CUPIDAnd with pleasure

CUPIDFill her dreams.

CUPIDCome, Zephyrs, come …

Semele awakes and rises.

SYSTEMNo. 35 - Air

O sleep, why dost thou leave me,

SEMELEWhy thy visionary joys remove?

SEMELEO sleep, again deceive me,

SEMELETo my arms restore my wand'ring love!

SYSTEMSCENE 3

To them Enter Jupiter.

SYSTEMNo. 36 - Recitative

SEMELELet me not another moment

SEMELEBear the pangs of absence;

SEMELESince you have form'd my soul for loving,

SEMELENo more afflict me

SEMELEWith doubts and fears and cruel jealousy!

SYSTEMNo. 37 - Air

Lay your doubts and fears aside,

JUPITERAnd for joys alone provide.

JUPITERThough this human form I wear,

JUPITERThink not I man's falsehood bear.

JUPITERLay your doubts …

SYSTEMNo. 38 - Recitative

JUPITERYou are mortal and require

JUPITERTime to rest and to repose.

JUPITERI was not absent,

JUPITERWhile Love was with thee

JUPITERI was present:

JUPITERLove and I are one.

SYSTEMNo. 39 - Air

SEMELEWith fond desiring,

SEMELEWith bliss expiring,

SEMELEPanting,

SEMELEFainting,

SEMELEIf this be Love, not you alone,

SEMELEBut Love and I are one.

SEMELECauseless doubting,

SEMELEOr despairing,

SEMELERashly trusting,

SEMELEIdly fearing,

SEMELEIf this be Love, not you alone,

SEMELEBut Love and I are one

SEMELEWith fond …

SYSTEMNo. 40 - Chorus

LOVES AND ZEPHYRSHow engaging, how endearing,

LOVES AND ZEPHYRSIs a lover's pain and care!

LOVES AND ZEPHYRSAnd what joy the nymph's appearing

LOVES AND ZEPHYRSAfter absence or despair!

LOVES AND ZEPHYRSHow engaging …

SYSTEMNo. 41 - Recitative

SEMELEAh me!

JUPITERWhy sighs my Semele?

JUPITERWhat gentle sorrow

JUPITERSwells thy soft bosom?

JUPITERWhy tremble those fair eyes

JUPITERWith interrupted light,

JUPITERWhere hov'ring for a vent,

JUPITERAmidst their humid fires,

JUPITERSome new-form'd wish appears?

JUPITERSpeak, and obtain!

SEMELEAt my own happiness

I sigh and tremble,

SEMELEFor I am mortal,

SEMELEStill a woman;

And ever when you leave me,

SEMELEThough compass'd round with deities

SEMELEOf Loves and Graces,

SEMELEA fear invades me,

SEMELEAnd conscious of a nature

SEMELEFar inferior,

SEMELEI seek for solitude

SEMELEAnd shun society.

apart

JUPITERToo well I read her meaning,

JUPITERBut must not understand her:

JUPITERAiming at immortality

JUPITERWith dangerous ambition.

SYSTEMNo. 42 - Air

JUPITERI must with speed amuse her

JUPITERLest she too much explain.

It gives the lover double pain

JUPITERWho hears his nymph complain,

JUPITERAnd hearing, must refuse her.

JUPITERI must …

SYSTEMNo. 43 - Chorus

LOVES AND ZEPHYRSNow Love that everlasting boy invites

LOVES AND ZEPHYRSTo revel while you may in soft delights.

SYSTEMNo. 44 - Recitative

JUPITERBy my command

JUPITERNow at this instant

JUPITERTwo winged Zephyrs

JUPITERFrom her downy bed

JUPITERThy much lov'd Ino bear,

JUPITERAnd both together

JUPITERWaft her hither,

JUPITERThrough the balmy air.

SEMELEShall I my sister see,

SEMELEThe dear companion

SEMELEOf my tender years?

JUPITERSee, she appears,

JUPITERBut sees not me;

JUPITERFor I am visible

JUPITERAlone to thee.

While I retire, rise and meet her,

JUPITERAnd with welcomes greet her.

Now all this scene shall to Arcadia turn,

JUPITERThe seat of happy nymphs and swains;

JUPITERThere without the rage of jealousy they burn,

JUPITERAnd taste the sweets of love without its pains.

SYSTEMNo. 45 - Air

JUPITERWhere'er you walk, cool gales shall fan the glade;

JUPITERTrees, where you sit, shall crowd into a shade.

Where'er you tread, the blushing flow'rs shall rise,

And all things flourish where'er you turn your eyes.

JUPITERWhere'er …

Exit.

SYSTEMSCENE 4

Semele and Ino meet and embrace. Chorus of Nymphs and Swains.

SYSTEMNo. 46 - Recitative

SEMELEDear sister, how was your passage hither?

INOO'er many states and peopled towns we pass'd,

INOO'er hills and valleys, and o'er deserts waste;

INOO'er barren moors, and o'er unwholesome fens,

INOAnd woods where beasts inhabit dreadful dens.

INOThrough all which pathless way our speed was such,

INOWe stopp'd not once the face of earth to touch.

INOMeantime they told me, while through air we fled,

INOThat Jove did thus ordain.

SYSTEMNo. 47 - Air

But hark, the heav'nly sphere turns round,

INOAnd silence now is drown'd

INOIn ecstasy of sound.

INOHow on a sudden the still air is charm'd

INOAs if all harmony were just alarm'd!

INOAnd ev'ry soul with transport fill'd,

INOAlternately is thaw'd and chill'd.

SYSTEMNo. 48 - Duet

INOSEMELE and INO

INOPrepare then, ye immortal choir,

INOEach sacred minstrel tune his lyre,

INOAnd all in chorus join!

SYSTEMNo. 49 - Chorus

NYMPHS AND SWAINSBless the glad earth with heav'nly lays,

NYMPHS AND SWAINSAnd to that pitch th'eternal accents raise,

NYMPHS AND SWAINSThat all appear divine!

SYSTEMACT THREE

SYSTEMSCENE 1

The Cave of Sleep. The God of Sleep lying on his bed.

Juno and Iris appear.

SYSTEMNo. 50 - Symphony

SYSTEMNo. 51 - Accompagnato

JUNOSomnus, awake,

JUNORaise thy reclining head!

IRISThyself forsake,

IRISAnd lift up thy heavy lids of lead!

SYSTEMNo. 52 - Air

waking

Leave me, loathsome light,

SOMNUSReceive me, silent night!

SOMNUSLethe, why does thy ling'ring current cease?

SOMNUSOh, murmur, murmur me again to peace!

Sleeps again.

SYSTEMNo. 53 - Recitative

Dull God, canst thou attend the water's fall,

IRISAnd not hear Saturnia call?

JUNOPeace, Iris, peace! I know how to charm him:

JUNOPasithea's name alone can warm him.

To Somnus

JUNOSomnus, arise!

JUNODisclose thy tender eyes;

JUNOFor Pasithea's sight

JUNOEndure the light.

JUNOSomnus, arise!

SYSTEMNo. 54 - Air

SOMNUSMore sweet is that name

SOMNUSThan a soft purling stream.

SOMNUSWith pleasure repose I'll forsake,

SOMNUSIf you'll grant me but her to soothe me awake.

SOMNUSMore sweet …

SYSTEMNo. 55 - Recitative

JUNOMy will obey,

JUNOShe shall be thine.

JUNOThou, with thy softer pow'rs,

JUNOFirst Jove shalt captivate.

JUNOTo Morpheus then give order,

JUNOThy various minister,

JUNOThat with a dream in shape of Semele,

JUNOBut far more beautiful

JUNOAnd more alluring,

JUNOHe may invade the sleeping deity;

JUNOAnd more to agitate his kindling fire

JUNOStill let the phantom seem to fly before him,

JUNOThat he may wake impetuous, furious in desire,

JUNOUnable to refuse whatever boon

JUNOHer coyness shall require.

SOMNUSI tremble to comply.

JUNOTo me thy leaden rod resign,

JUNOTo charm the sentinels

JUNOOn mount Cithaeron.

JUNOThen cast a sleep on mortal Ino,

JUNOThat I may seem her form to wear,

JUNOWhen I to Semele appear.

SYSTEMNo. 56 - Duet

JUNOObey my will, thy rod resign,

JUNOAnd Pasithea shall be thine.

SOMNUSAll I must grant, for all is due

SOMNUSTo Pasithea, love and you.

Exeunt

SYSTEMSCENE 2

An Apartment. Semele alone.

SYSTEMNo. 57 - Air

SEMELEMy racking thoughts by no kind slumbers freed,

SEMELEBut painful nights to joyful days succeed.

SYSTEMSCENE 3

To her Enter Juno as Ino, with a mirror in her hand.

SYSTEMNo. 58 - Recitative

apart

JUNOThus shap'd like Ino,

JUNOWith ease I shall deceive her,

JUNOAnd in this mirror she shall see

JUNOHerself as much transform'd as me.

to Semele

JUNODo I some goddess see,

JUNOOr is it Semele!

SEMELEDear sister, speak,

SEMELEWhence this astonishment?

JUNOYour charms improving

JUNOTo divine perfection,

JUNOShow you were late admitted

JUNOAmongst celestial beauties.

JUNOHas Jove consented,

JUNOAnd are you made immortal?

SEMELEAh no! I still am mortal;

SEMELENor am I sensible

SEMELEOf any change or new perfection.

SYSTEMNo. 59 - Air

giving her the glass

JUNOBehold in this mirror

JUNOWhence comes my surprise!

JUNOSuch lustre and terror

JUNOUnite in your eyes,

JUNOThat mine cannot fix on a radiance so bright,

JUNO'Tis unsafe for the sense and too slipp'ry for sight.

SYSTEMNo. 60 - Recitative

SEMELEOh, ecstasy of happiness!

SEMELECelestial graces

SEMELEI discover in each feature!

SYSTEMNo. 61 - Air

SEMELEMyself I shall adore,

SEMELEIf I persist in gazing.

SEMELENo object sure before

SEMELEWas ever half so pleasing.

SEMELEMyself …

SYSTEMNo. 62 - Recitative

JUNOBe wise, as you are beautiful,

JUNONor lose this opportunity.

JUNOWhen Jove appears,

JUNOAll ardent with desire,

JUNORefuse his proffer'd flame

JUNOTill you obtain a boon without a name.

SEMELECan that avail me? But how shall I attain

SEMELETo immortality?

SYSTEMNo. 63 - Accompagnato

JUNOConjure him by his oath

JUNONot to approach your bed

JUNOIn likeness of a mortal,

JUNOBut like himself, the mighty thunderer,

JUNOIn pomp of majesty

JUNOAnd heav'nly attire,

JUNOAs when he proud Saturnia charms,

JUNOAnd with ineffable delights

JUNOFills her encircling arms,

JUNOAnd pays the nuptial rites.

JUNOYou shall partake then of immortality,

And thenceforth leave this mortal state

JUNOTo reign above,

JUNOAdor'd by Jove,

JUNOIn spite of jealous Juno's hate.

SYSTEMNo. 64 - Air

SEMELEThus let my thanks be paid,

Thus let my arms embrace thee,

SEMELEAnd when I'm a goddess made,

SEMELEWith charms like mine I'll grace thee.

SYSTEMNo. 65 - Recitative

JUNORich odours fill the fragrant air,

JUNOAnd Jove's approach declare.

JUNOI must retire.

SEMELEAdieu, your counsel I'll pursue.

apart

JUNOAnd sure destruction will ensue,

JUNOVain wretched fool, adieu!

Exit.

SYSTEMSCENE 4

Jupiter enters, offers to embrace Semele; she looks kindly on him, but retires a little from him.

SYSTEMNo. 66 - Air

JUPITERCome to my arms, my lovely fair,

JUPITERSoothe my uneasy care.

JUPITERIn my dream late I woo'd thee,

JUPITERAnd in vain I pursued thee,

JUPITERFor you fled from my prayer,

JUPITERAnd bid me despair.

JUPITERCome to my arms, my lovely fair.

SYSTEMNo. 67 - Recitative

JUPITERO Semele!

JUPITERWhy art thou thus insensible?

SYSTEMNo. 68 - Air

SEMELEI ever am granting,

SEMELEYou always complain.

SEMELEI always am wanting,

SEMELEYet never obtain.

SEMELEI ever am granting,

SEMELEYou always complain.

SYSTEMNo. 69 - Recitative

JUPITERSpeak, speak your desire,

JUPITERSay what you require,

JUPITERI'll grant it.

SEMELESwear by the Stygian lake!

SYSTEMNo. 70 - Accompagnato

JUPITERBy that tremendous flood, I swear.

JUPITERYe Stygian waters, hear,

JUPITERAnd thou, Olympus, shake,

JUPITERIn witness to the oath I take!

Thunder is heard at a distance and underneath.

SYSTEMNo. 71 - Recitative

SEMELEYou'll grant what I require?

JUPITERI'll grant what you require.

SYSTEMNo. 72 - Accompagnato

SEMELEThen cast off this human shape which you wear,

SEMELEAnd Jove since you are, like Jove too appear!

SYSTEMNo. 73 - Air

JUPITERAh, take heed what you press,

JUPITERFor, beyond all redress,

JUPITERShould I grant your request, I shall harm you.

SYSTEMNo. 74 - Air

SEMELENo, no, I'll take no less,

SEMELEThan all in full excess!

SEMELEYour oath it may alarm you.

SEMELEYet haste and prepare,

SEMELEFor I'll know what you are,

SEMELEWith all your powers arm you.

SEMELENo, no …

Exit.

SYSTEMSCENE 5

SYSTEMNo. 75 - Accompagnato

pensive and dejected

JUPITERAh, whither is she gone! unhappy fair?

JUPITERWhy did she wish, why did I rashly swear?

JUPITER'Tis past, 'tis past recall,

She must a victim fall.

JUPITERAnon when I appear

JUPITERThe mighty thunderer,

JUPITERArm'd with inevitable fire,

JUPITERShe needs must instantly expire.

JUPITER'Tis past, 'tis past recall,

She must a victim fall.

JUPITERMy softest lightning yet I'll try,

JUPITERAnd mildest melting bolt apply;

JUPITERIn vain, for she was fram'd to prove

JUPITERNone but the lambent flames of love.

JUPITER'Tis past, 'tis past recall,

She must a victim fall.

SYSTEMSCENE 6

Juno, alone.

SYSTEMNo. 76 - Air

JUNOAbove measure

JUNOIs the pleasure,

JUNOWhich my revenge supplies.

JUNOLove's a bubble,

JUNOGain'd with trouble,

JUNOAnd in possessing dies.

JUNOWith what joy shall I mount to my heav'n again,

JUNOAt once from my rival and jealousy freed!

JUNOThe sweets of revenge make it worth while to reign,

JUNOAnd heav'n will hereafter be heav'n indeed.

JUNOAbove measure …

SYSTEMSCENE 7

The scene discovers Semele under a canopy, leaning pensively, while a mournful symphony is playing. She looks up and sees Jupiter descending in a cloud; flashes of lightning issue from either side, and thunder is heard grumbling in the air.

SYSTEMNo. 77 - Accompagnato

SEMELEAh me! Too late I now repent

SEMELEMy pride and impious vanity.

SEMELEHe comes! Far off his lightnings scorch me,

SEMELEAh, I feel my life consuming:

SEMELEI burn, I burn, I faint, for pity I implore,

SEMELEOh help, oh help, I can no more!

She dies. The cloud bursts, and Semele with the palace instantly disappears.

SYSTEMSCENE 8

Cadmus, Athamas, Ino and Chorus of Priests.

SYSTEMNo. 78 - Recitative

INOOf my ill-boding dream

INOBehold the dire event!

SYSTEMNo. 79 - Chorus

PRIESTSOh, terror and astonishment!

PRIESTSNature to each allots his proper sphere,

PRIESTSBut that forsaken we like meteors err:

PRIESTSToss'd through the void, by some rude shock we're broke,

PRIESTSAnd all our boasted fire is lost in smoke.

SYSTEMNo. 80 - Recitative

INOHow I was hence remov'd,

INOOr hither how return'd, I know not:

INOSo long a trance withheld me.

INOBut Hermes in a vision told me,

INOAs I have now related,

INOThe fate of Semele;

INOAnd added, as from me he fled,

INOThat Jove ordain'd I Athamas should wed.

CADMUSBe Jove in ev'rything obey'd.

Joins their hands.

ATHAMASUnworthy of your charms myself I yield,

ATHAMASBe Jove's commands and yours fulfill'd.

SYSTEMNo. 81 - Air

ATHAMASDespair no more shall wound me,

ATHAMASSince you so kind do prove.

ATHAMASAll joy and bliss surround me,

ATHAMASMy soul is tun'd to love.

ATHAMASDespair no more …

SYSTEMNo. 82 - Recitative

CADMUSSee from above the bellying clouds descend,

CADMUSAnd big with some new wonder this way tend.

SYSTEMSCENE THE LAST

A bright cloud descends and rests upon Mount Cithaeron,

which, opening, discovers Apollo seated in it as the God of Prophecy.

SYSTEMNo. 83 - Symphony

SYSTEMNo. 84 - Accompagnato

APOLLOApollo comes, to relieve your care,

APOLLOAnd future happiness declare.

From Semele's ashes a phœnix shall rise,

APOLLOThe joy of this earth, and delight of the skies:

APOLLOA God he shall prove

APOLLOMore mighty than Love,

And sighing and sorrow for ever prevent.

SYSTEMNo. 85 - Chorus

PRIESTSHappy, happy shall we be,

PRIESTSFree from care, from sorrow free.

PRIESTSGuiltless pleasures we'll enjoy,

PRIESTSVirtuous love will never cloy;

PRIESTSAll that's good and just we'll prove,

PRIESTSAnd Bacchus crown the joys of love.