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Show 478 THE CODE OF TERPSICHORE. ACT II. SCENE I.- The stage represents the first scene of tlie first act. PHRONIME enters from the path of pleasure, conducting Alcides, w h o m he reproaches for having allowed himself to be enticed into so much danger, and expresses his concern at seeing his advice so soon forgotten. Alcides attempts to describe those delights which he found himself incapable of avoiding; but Phronime, seeing that he is disposed to give himself up to pleasure, and to suffer his fortitude to languish, will not listen to his discourse ; the young man conjures him not to suppose that he is entirely lost to a sense of his duty, but to believe that, overpowered by his feelings, he had strayed from the right path. H e professes his love and esteem for his prudent guide, whose counsel would conduct him to glory, and inquires what he shall do. Phronime replies, he must strive against his inclinations, curb his passions, and so become master of himself; that he must shun the dangerous path that leads to unlawful pleasures, and render himself immortal by a noble course of labours. Phronime now makes a sign to him to enter the way that conducts to Virtue, and, representing the danger of hesitation and delay, retires. S C E N E II.-Alcides blushes at the rebuke of Phronime, rouses himself from the state of weakness into which he had fallen, regains his courage, and determines to enter the way of Virtue. At this moment Edonide enters with her train, and arrests his progress. S C E N E III.-Alcides repulses and avoids her, but the |
