1st Dryad: But, mistress, see the sleeper here.
Ceres: A fair excuse, I own, the sight!
Theseus deserted her last night.
2d Dryad: How knew you that, my lady dear?
Ceres: Well sought—for I was far from here:
Whiles o'er the crisp Ionian main
I shook the winnowed dragon rein—
3d Dryad: Invented error! Sister! fie!
Our Queen has trapped you in a lie.
2d Dryad: A lie!
Ceres A lie?
3d Dryad: Deceit forgets
How Truth is always trailing nets.
While you, sweet Empress, berry crowned,
Were on the Ionian westward bound,
Our sister puffed you towards the east,
With words about a wedding feast.
Ceres How thin a bubble blame may be!
I sought for doves in Italy;
But orient was my main intent,
And on an Indian nuptial bent.
2d Dryad: Now honey-lips, the lie is where?