Sweet Ino, well I know the love you bear My dearest Mother prompts your partial voice, And that love makes you doubly dear to me. But you are idling,—look (,) my lap is full Of sweetest flowers;—haste to gather more, That before sunset we may make our crown. Last night as we strayed through that glade, methought The wind that swept my cheek bore on its wings The scent of fragrant violets, hid Beneath the straggling underwood; Haste, sweet, To gather them; fear not—I will not stray. (INO: Nor fear that I shall loiter in my task..) (sings as she gathers her flowers.) Sacred Goddess, Mother Earth, Thou from whose immortal bosom Gods, and men, and beasts have birth, Leaf, and blade, and bud, and blossom, Breathe thine influence most divine On thine own child Proserpine. If with mists of evening dew Thou dost nourish these young flowers Till they grow in scent and hue Fairest children of the hours (,) Breathe thine influence most divine On thine own child Proserpine. (she looks around.) My nymphs have left me, neglecting the commands Of my dear Mother. Where can they have strayed? Her caution makes me fear to be alone;— I’ll pass that yawning cave and seek the spring Of Arethuse, where water-lilies bloom Perhaps the nymph now wakes tending her waves, She loves me well and oft desires my stay,— The lilies shall adorn my mother’s crown. ((Exit.).) (After a pause enter Eunoe.)

Proserpina Monologue from Proserpine and Midas

Rehearse Proserpina's monologue