shades, for I have lived enough! In godlike splendor Kronos' mighty son Comes down to her,—to her, who on this breast Once suckled—yes! to her—     SEMELE. Oh, Beroe! In youthful form he came, in lovelier guise Than they who from Aurora's lap arise; Fairer than Hesper, breathing incense dim,—    In floods of ether steeped appeared each limb; He moved with graceful and majestic motion, Like silvery billows heaving o'er the ocean, Or as Hyperion, whose bright shoulders ever His bow and arrow bear, and clanging quiver; His robe of light behind him gracefully Danced in the breeze, his voice breathed melody, Like crystal streams with silvery murmur falling, More ravishing than Orpheus' strains enthralling. JUNO. My daughter! Inspiration spurs thee on, Raising thy heart to flights of Helicon! If thus in strains of Delphic ecstasy Ascends the short-lived blissful memory Of his bright charms,—Oh, how divine must be His own sweet voice,—his look how heavenly! But why of that great attribute Kronion joys in most, be mute,—    The majesty that hurls the thunder, And tears the fleeting clouds asunder? Wilt thou say naught of that alone? Prometheus and Deucalion May lend the fairest charms of love, But none can wield the bolt save Jove! The thunderbolt it is alone Which he before thy feet laid down That proves thy right to beauty's crown. SEMELE. What sayest thou? What are thunder-bolts to me? JUNO. (Smiling.)    Ah, Semele! A jest becomes thee well! SEMELE. Deucalion has no offspring so divine As is my Zeus—of thunder naught I know. JUNO. Mere envy! Fie! SEMELE. No, Beroe! By Zeus! JUNO. Thou swearest? SEMELE. By Zeus! by mine own Zeus! JUNO. (Shrieking.)             Thou swearest? Unhappy one! SEMELE. (In alarm.) What meanest thou, Beroe? JUNO. Repeat the word that dooms thee to become the wretchedest of all on earth's wide face!—    Alas, lost creature! 'Twas not Zeus! SEMELE. Not Zeus? Oh, fearful thought! JUNO. A cunning traitor 'twas From Attica, who 'neath a godlike form, Robbed thee of honor, shame, and innocence!—            [SEMELE sinks to the ground. Well mayest thou fall! Ne'er mayest thou rise again! May endless night enshroud thine eyes in darkness, May endless silence round thine ears encamp! Remain forever here a lifeless mass! Oh, infamy! Enough to hurl chaste day Back into Hecate's gloomy arms once more! Ye gods! And is it thus that Beroe Finds Cadmus' daughter, after sixteen years Of bitter separation! Full of joy I came from Epidaurus; but with shame To Epidaurus must retrace my steps.—    Despair 

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