| OCR Text |
Show PROGRAMMES OF BALLETS. 479 power clings to him, and essays to force him to his doom; he strives to disengage himself, turning his head away from her importunities. She tells him not to confide in Phronime, who, jealous of her acknowledged power, would persuade him from her side, and expose him to danger which he vainly tries to conceal. She only seeks to lead him back to those bowers where true happiness resides ; but he still refuses to follow. She then upbraids him with the folly of disdaining the delights she offers, to pursue a fatal road. Alcides, knowing the dreadful consequences of such pleasures, informs her that he seeks for honour alone, by which he is inspired. The power repeats her flattering promises, and tries again to allure him to her bright abode ; but he again resists, resuming his own fortitude and recalling the good counsel of Phronime to oppose the charms of Edonide, whose power over his soul is not yet entirely overcome; and notwithstanding her tender remonstrances, he breaks from her. Warlike music is suddenly heard, as if proceeding from the dwelling of Virtue ; Alcides listens in astonishment, and feels himself animated by the sound. Edonide recognizes the approach of her enemy, Aretis. She prepares to retire, and endeavours to draw the hero with her, but he bids her stay, declaring himself her protector. S C E N E IV.-Aretis appears ; Alcides is struck with the majesty of her movement and the grandeur of her deportment; the power of Virtue addressing herself to him exposes the deceitfulness of the chimera he is about to follow, and the offences he has already committed against herself. She explains the perfidious illusions of her rival, whose offered kindness is unworthy of his notice, and describes the certain destruction to which she would draw him, upon receding from the way of virtue and honour. |
