Bia. Why, Phania! Such a shower,
My kitkin!
Pha. Stesilaus sh-shook me so!
Called me a sque-e-aking pewit!
Bia. Ha! He did?
Well, listen to me, Phania. Come, look up.
[Lifts her chin]
A maid with little eyes should never weep.
Leave that to Juno orbs. They swim in sorrow
Like full moons in a lake, but beads like yours
Are only bright when dry. Shun grief as you
Shun mud. [Exit, middle left]
Pha. [Gasping] Why—Biades—he's gone!
He said——
Oh, oh! If I could die——
[Sobs with abandon. Enter Alcanor, upper left. He pauses before her. She looks up bewildered]
Alc. Ah, gentle star,
What shrouds thee in this rain? Yet thou'rt not hid.
Thy beauty shining on these clouds of pearl
Makes every drop that dies reflecting thee
A little, falling sun.
Pha. Oh, Biades said——
He said—he said——
Alc. If what he said so troubles,
Let me unsay it with a kiss that makes
Trouble forgot and dumb. [Kisses her]
Pha. [On his bosom] I'm not—I'm not—
Not ugly, sir?
Alc. O, dove of Aphrodite!
Earth stores her beauty in this single face,
That she may show one jewel to the skies
When gods boast they have all!