Ceres monologue (Act 2) — Proserpine and Midas

Oh, fairest child! sweet summer visitor! Thy looks cheer me, so shall they cheer this land Which I will fly, thou gone. Nor seed of grass, Or corn shall grow, thou absent from the earth; But all shall lie beneath in hateful night Until at thy return, the fresh green springs, The fields are covered o’er with summer plants. And when thou goest the heavy grain will droop And die under my frown, scattering the seeds, That will not reappear till your return. Farewel, sweet child, Queen of the nether world, There shine as chaste Diana’s silver car Islanded in the deep circumfluous night. Giver of fruits! for such thou shalt be styled, Sweet Prophetess of Summer, coming forth From the slant shadow of the wintry earth, In thy car drawn by snowy-breasted swallows! Another kiss, & then again farewel! Winter in losing thee has lost its all, And will be doubly bare, & hoar, & drear, Its bleak winds whistling o’er the cold pinched ground Which neither flower or grass will decorate. And as my tears fall first, so shall the trees Shed their changed leaves upon your six months tomb: The clouded air will hide from Phœbus’ eye The dreadful change your absence operates. Thus has black Pluto changed the reign of Jove, He seizes half the Earth when he takes thee.