PELE US AND TH E T I S. A MASQU E. SET ΤΟ MUSIC. THE ARGUMENT. Peleus, in love with Thetis, by the affiftance of Proteus obtains her favour; but Jupiter interpofing, Peleus in despair confults Prometheus, famous for his skill in aftrology; apon whofe prophecy, that the fon born of Thetis fhould prove greater than his father, Jupiter defifts. The prophecy was afterwards verified in the birth of Achilles the fon of Peleus. PERSONS IN THE MAS QUE. The SCENE reprefents Mount Caucafus; Prometheus appears chained to a rock, a vulture gnawing his breaft. Peleus enters, addressing himself to Prometheus THETIS to JUPITER. Thy love ftill arm'd with fate, As fatal as to loft confuming Semele! PROMETHEUS to JUPITER, Son of Saturn, take advice From one whom thy fevere decree Has furnish'd leisure to grow wife: Thou rul'ft the Gods, but Fate rules thee. [THE PROPHECY.] Whoe'er th' immortal maid compreffing, The moft illuftrious of his race, JUPITER [Apart.] Shall then the fon of Saturn be undone, Of fuch another fon : Conscious of ills that I have done, My fears to prudence fhall advise; And guilt that made me great, shall make me wife. Jove confenting fhe is thine; The fatal bleffing I refign. PELEVS. [Giving her to Peleus. [Joins their hands, Heav'n had been loft, had I been Jove. There is no heav'n, there is no heav'n but love, PELEUS and THETIS, together, There is no heav'n but love, No, no, no, There is no heav'n but love. JUPITER to PROMETHEUS. Who giv'ft me liberty: [The Vulture drops dead at the feet of [Peleus and Thetis run into each others arms, PELEVS. |