AGL. Wherefore, princes, wherefore do you thus hasten away? Does our
appearance fill you with fear?
CLE. We were led to believe, Madam, that the Princess Psyche might be
here.
AGL. Has this place no longer any charm for you if it is not adorned
by her presence?
AGE. This place may be pleasant enough, but in our impatience we would
find the Princess Psyche.
CID. Something very important must doubtless be urging you both to
seek her.
CLE. The motive is powerful enough, since our happiness depends
entirely upon her.
AGL. Might we be allowed to inquire into the secret implied by these
words?
CLE. We do not pretend to make a mystery of it. Indeed, it would show
itself in spite of us; and the secret, Madam, does not last long when
it is love.
CID. Without further words, Princes, it means that you are both in
love with Psyche.
AGE. We are both under her sway, and we go with one accord to declare
our passion to her.
AGL. It is certainly something quite new, and rather odd, to see two
rivals so well agreed.
CLE. It is true that the thing is rare; but it is not impossible for
two perfect friends.
CID. In this spot, is she the only fair one, and can you find none
other with whom to divide your admiration?
AGL. Amongst all the nobly born, is she the only one whom your eyes
deem worthy of your tenderness?
CLE. Do we reason when we fall in love? Do we choose the object of our
attachment? And when we bestow our hearts, do we weigh the right of
the fair one to fascinate us?
AGE. Without having the power of choosing, we follow in such a passion
something which delights us; and when love touches a heart, we have no
reasons to give.
AGL. Indeed, I pity the painful troubles to which I see your hearts
expose themselves. You love one whose bright charms will mingle grief
with the hopes they hold out to you, and whose heart will not fulfil
all that her eyes promise.
CID. The hope which calls you into the rank of her lovers will
experience many disappointments in the favours she bestows; and the
fitful changes of her inconstant heart will cause you many painful
hours.
AGL. A clear discernment of your worth makes us pity the fate into
which this passion will lead you; and if you wished, you could both
find a more constant heart and charms as great.
CID. A choice sweeter by half can rescue your mutual friendship from
love; and there is such a rare merit apparent in you both that a
gentle counsel would, out of pity, save your hearts from what they are
preparing for themselves.
CLE. This generous advice shows us a kindness which touches our
hearts; but heaven, madam, reduces us to the misfortune of not being
able to profit by it.
AGE. Your illustrious pity would in vain dissuade us from a love of
which we both dread the result. What our friendship, Madam, has not
done cannot be effected by any other means.
CID. The power of Psyche must have.... Here she is.