Cid. How does this sudden misfortune into which destiny has plunged Psyche affect you, sister?
Agl. But how does it affect you, sister?
Cid. To speak the truth, my heart is not very much grieved at it.
Agl. My heart feels something which very much resembles joy. Let us go; Fate has sent us a calamity which we can consider as a blessing.
FIRST INTERLUDE.
The scenery changes to horrible rocks, and shows a dreadful cavern in the distance. It is in this desert that Psyche, in obedience to the oracle, is to be exposed. A band of afflicted people come to bewail her death. Some give utterance to their pity by touching complaints and mournful lays, while the rest express their grief by a dance full of every mark of the most violent despair.
WAILINGS sung by a woman and two men.
Woman.
Ah! weep with me, ye forests;
Ye mighty rocks of hardest adamant,
Ye Springs, ye beasts,
Lament the fate of one so fair.
1st Man.
Alas! dire grief