'Twere madness 'gainst his darts
To seek to shield your hearts.
Whate'er the bond
Of lover fond,
'Tis sweeter chain
Than freedom's gain.

VENUS _descends from heaven, attended by_ CUPID, _her son, and
two Graces, called_ AEGIALE _and_ PHAENE; _and the divinities
of the earth and the streams once more unite their songs, and continue
by their dances to show their joy at her approach_.

CHORUS _of all the Divinities of the earth and the streams._

A peace profound we now enjoy,
And games and bliss without alloy;
Earth's mightiest king has giv'n us rest;
To him be praise and thanks addrest.
Descend thou, lovely Venus,
And happy hours grant us.

VEN. (_in her chariot_). Cease, cease, all your songs of joy.
Such rare honours do not belong to me, and the homage which in your
consideration you now pay me ought to be reserved for lovelier charms.
To pay your court to me is a custom indeed too old; everything has its
turn, and Venus is no longer the fashion. There are rising charms to
which now all carry their incense. Psyche, the beauteous Psyche, to-day
has taken my place. Already now the whole world hastens to worship
her, and it is too great a boon that, in the midst of my disgrace, I