DRAMATIC POEMS.
PELEUS AND THETIS.
A MASK. SET TO MUSIC.
The Argument.
Peleus, in love with Thetis, by the aſſiſtance of Proteus obtains her favour; but Jupiter interpoſing, Peleus, in deſpair, conſults Prometheus, famous for his ſkill in aſtrology, upon whose propheſy, that the ſon born of Thetis ſhould prove greater than his father, Jupiter deſiſts. The propheſy was afterwards verified in the birth of Achilles, the ſon of Peleus.
Perſons in the Mask.
| JUPITER. | PROMETHEUS. | |
| PELEUS. | THETIS. |
The SCENE repreſents Mount Caucaſus. Prometheus appears chained to a rock, a vulture gnawing his breaſt.
PELEUS enters, addreſſing himſelf to PROMETHEUS.
PELEUS.
Condemn’d on Caucaſus to lie,
Still to be dying, not to die,
With certain pain, uncertain of relief,
True emblem of a wretched lover’s grief!
To whoſe inſpecting eye ’t is given5
To view the planetary way,
To penetrate eternal day,
And to revolve the ſtarry heav’n:
To thee, Prometheus! I complain,
And bring a heart as full of pain.10
