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She counts the throbbing of the spheres,
The fount of fire that springs and sinks
From worlds aflamenot usshe heeds.
Ah! seek no longer with Fate to war!
Lay passion by, since strife is vain;
Who dares his destiny to brave
Has such reward for all his pain
As his, who slings against a star,
Or aims an arrow to wound the wave.
(Isias passes up the Temple steps as Narcissus and Melissa come down them.)
Narcissus:
Melissa, rightly are you honey-named
For honey-coloured is your amber hair
And heather-honey-hued your eyes of brown,
And white as garden honeycomb your arms
And honey-breathing bosom.
