Hypolympia; Or, The Gods in the Island, an Ironic Fantasy. Gosse Edmund
but thou gazest not. Look up, look at me!
Selene.
But on thy sacred eyeballs fume turns fire.
Phœbus.
Nay, then, turn once and see thy very moon.
Selene [turning round].
Ah! wonder! the volcanic glare is gone.
Phœbus.
The wizard bird has sung the fumes away.
Selene.
Empty it seems, and vain; but foul no more.
Phœbus [approaching her, and in a confidential tone].
I will not disguise from you, Selene, my apprehension that the hideous colour may return. Your moon is divorced from yourself, and can but be desecrated and forlorn. But at least it should be a matter of interest to you – yes, even of gratification, my sister – that this little bird, if it be a bird, has an enchanting power of temporarily relieving it and raising it.
[Selene, manifestly more cheerful, ascends to the wood on the left. Phœbus, turning again to the moon,]
I have observed that this species of mysterious agency has a very salutary effect upon the more melancholy of our female divinities. They are satisfied if they have the felicity of waiting for something which they cannot be certain of realising, and which they attribute to a cause impossible to investigate. [To Selene, raising his voice.] Whither do you go, my sister?
Selene.
I am searching for this little bird. I propose to discuss with it the nature of its extraordinary, and I am ready to admit its gratifying, control over the moon. I think it possible that I may concoct with it some scheme for our return. You shall, in that case, Phœbus, be no longer excluded from my domain.
Phœbus.
Let me urge you to do no such thing. The action of this little bird upon your unfortunate luminary is sympathetic, but surely very obscure. It would be a pity to inquire into it so closely as to comprehend it.
[Selene, without listening to him, passes up into the woods, and exit.]
Phœbus [alone].
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