Blow, John
Venus and Adonis
Full Libretto
Source
OVERTURE (Maestoso, Allegro, Tempo Primo)
THE PROLOGUE
Theðə
curtainkˈɜːtən
isˈɪz
drawndɹˈɔːn
wherewˈeə
isˈɪz
discovereddɪskˈʌvəd
Cupidkjˈuːpɪd
withwˈɪð
a
bowbəʊ
inˈɪn
onewˈɒn
handhˈænd
andˈænd
anˈɐn
arrowˈæɹəʊ
inˈɪn
theðə
otherˈʌðɐ
andˈænd
arrowsˈæɹəʊz
bybˈaɪ
hishˈɪz
sidesˈaɪd
andˈænd
aroundɐɹˈaʊnd
himhˈɪm
Shepherdsʃˈɛpədz
andˈænd
Shepherdessesʃˈɛpədˌɛsɪz
.
CUPID'S
ENTRYˈɛntɹi
.
(
Vivacevˈɪveɪs
)
[Cupid bows and sings:]
THE PROLOGUE
Beholdbɪhˈəʊld
mymˈaɪ
arrowsˈæɹəʊz
andˈænd
mymˈaɪ
bowbəʊ
Andˈænd
I
desiredɪzˈaɪə
mymˈaɪ
artˈɑːt
totˈuː
showʃˈəʊ
:
Nonəʊ
onewˈɒn
bosombˈʊsəm
shallʃˈæl
bebˈiː
foundfˈaʊnd
Ereˈeə
I
havehəv
donedˈʌn
,
withoutwɪðˈaʊt
a
woundwuːnd
,
Butbˈʌt
itˈɪt
wouldwˈʊd
bebˈiː
theðə
greatestɡɹˈeɪtəst
artˈɑːt
Totˈuː
shootʃˈuːt
myselfmaɪsˈɛlf
intoˈɪntʊ
yourjˈɔː
hearthˈɑːt
;
Thitherðˈɪðɐ
withwˈɪð
bothbˈəʊθ
mymˈaɪ
wingswˈɪŋz
I
movemˈuːv
,
Praypɹˈeɪ
entertainˌɛntətˈeɪn
theðə
Godɡˈɒd
ofˈɒv
Lovelˈʌv
.
SHEPHERDESS
Comekˈʌm
,
Shepherdsʃˈɛpədz
allˈɔːl
,
let's
singsˈɪŋ
andˈænd
playplˈeɪ
,
Bebˈiː
willingwˈɪlɪŋ
,
lovesomeˈlʌvsəm
,
fondfˈɒnd
andˈænd
gayɡˈeɪ
.
SHEPHERD
Sheʃˈiː
whohˈuː
thoseðˈəʊz
softsˈɒft
hoursˈaʊəz
misusesmɪsˈjuːs
Andˈænd
a
beggingbˈɛɡɪŋ
Swainswˈeɪn
refusesɹɪfjˈuːzɪz
Whenwˈɛn
sheʃˈiː
wouldwˈʊd
theðə
timetˈaɪm
recoverɹɪˈkʌvə
Maymˈeɪ
sheʃˈiː
havehəv
a
feeblefˈiːbəl
loverlˈʌvɐ
.
SHEPHERDESS
Theðə
bestbˈɛst
ofˈɒv
theðə
Celestialsəlˈɛstjəl
Pow'rs
Isˈɪz
comekˈʌm
totˈuː
giveɡˈɪv
usˈʌs
happyhˈæpi
hoursˈaʊəz
.
2ndˈsɛkənd
SHEPHERDʃˈɛpəd
Ohˈəʊ
,
letlˈɛt
himhˈɪm
notnˈɒt
fromfɹˈɒm
hencehˈɛns
removeɹɪmˈuːv
Tilltˈɪl
ev'ry
bosom's
fullfˈʊl
ofˈɒv
lovelˈʌv
.
CUPID
Courtierskˈɔːtiəz
,
thereðˈeə
isˈɪz
nonəʊ
faithfˈeɪθ
inˈɪn
youjˈuː
,
Youjˈuː
changetʃˈeɪndʒ
asəz
oftenˈɒfən
asəz
youjˈuː
cankˈæn
:
Yourjˈɔː
womenwˈɪmɪn
theyðˈeɪ
continuekəntˈɪnjuː
truetɹˈuː
Butbˈʌt
tilltˈɪl
theyðˈeɪ
seesˈiː
anotherɐnˈʌðɐ
manmˈæn
.
SHEPHERD
Cupidkjˈuːpɪd
hasthˈeɪst
thouðaʊ
manymˈɛni
foundfˈaʊnd
Longlˈɒŋ
inˈɪn
theðə
samesˈeɪm
fettersfˈɛtəz
boundbˈaʊnd
?
CUPID
Atˈæt
courtkˈɔːt
I
findfˈaɪnd
constantkˈɒnstənt
andˈænd
truetɹˈuː
Onlyˈəʊnli
anˈɐn
agedˈeɪ.dʒɪd
lordlˈɔːd
orˈɔː
twotˈuː
SHEPHERD
Whohˈuː
dodə
theirðˈeə
Empireˈɛmpaɪə
longestlˈɒŋɡəst
holdhˈəʊld
CUPID
Theðə
foolishfˈuːlɪʃ
uglyˈʌɡli
andˈænd
theðə
oldˈəʊld
...
Inˈɪn
theseðˈiːz
sweetswˈiːt
grovesɡɹˈəʊvz
lovelˈʌv
isˈɪz
notnˈɒt
taughttˈɔːt
Beautybjˈuːti
andˈænd
pleasureplˈɛʒɐ
isˈɪz
notnˈɒt
boughtbˈɔːt
;
Totˈuː
warmwˈɔːm
desiresdɪzˈaɪəz
theðə
womenwˈɪmɪn
naturenˈeɪtʃɐ
movesmˈuːvz
Andˈænd
ev'ry
youthfuljˈuːθfəl
swainswˈeɪn
bybˈaɪ
naturenˈeɪtʃɐ
loveslˈʌvz
...
CHORUS
Inˈɪn
theseðˈiːz
sweetswˈiːt
grovesɡɹˈəʊvz
[
etcˌɛt ˈsɛt(ə)ɹə
.]
[
Whilewˈaɪl
thisðˈɪs
Choruskˈɔːɹəs
isˈɪz
singingsˈɪŋɪŋ
a
Shepherdʃˈɛpəd
andˈænd
Shepherdessʃˈɛpədˌɛs
dancedˈɑːns
totˈuː
itˈɪt
.]
CUPID
Loverslˈʌvəz
totˈuː
theðə
closekləʊz
shadesʃˈeɪdz
retireɹɪtˈaɪə
,
Dodə
whatwˈɒt
yourjˈɔː
kindestkˈaɪndəst
thoughtsθˈɔːts
inspireɪnspˈaɪə
.
[Exeunt omnes. The Curtain closes.]
FIRST ACT
CUPID
THEðə
ACTˈækt
TUNEtjˈuːn
.
(
Lentolˈɛntəʊ
)
Theðə
Curtainkˈɜːtən
opensˈəʊpənz
andˈænd
discoversdɪskˈʌvəz
Venusˈviːnəs
andˈænd
Adonisædˈəʊniz
sittingsˈɪtɪŋ
together upon a Couch, embracing one another.
ADONIS
Venusˈviːnəs
!
VENUS
Adonisædˈəʊniz
!
ADONIS
Venusˈviːnəs
,
whenwˈɛn
shallʃˈæl
I
tastetˈeɪst
softsˈɒft
delightsdɪlˈaɪts
Andˈænd
onˈɒn
thyðˈaɪ
bosombˈʊsəm
lielˈaɪ
?
Let's
seeksˈiːk
theðə
shadiestʃˈeɪdɪəst
covertkəʊvˈɜːt
ofˈɒv
thisðˈɪs
groveɡɹˈəʊv
Andˈænd
nevernˈɛvɐ
,
nevernˈɛvɐ
disappointdˌɪsɐpˈɔɪnt
expectingɛkspˈɛktɪŋ
lovelˈʌv
.
VENUS
Adonisædˈəʊniz
,
thyðˈaɪ
delightfuldɪlˈaɪtfəl
youthjˈuːθ
Isˈɪz
fullfˈʊl
ofˈɒv
beautybjˈuːti
andˈænd
ofˈɒv
truthtɹˈuːθ
.
Withwˈɪð
theeðˈiː
theðə
Queenkwˈiːn
ofˈɒv
Lovelˈʌv
employsɛmplˈɔɪz
Theðə
hoursˈaʊəz
design'd
forfˈɔː
softersˈɒftɐ
joysdʒˈɔɪz
.
ADONIS
Mymˈaɪ
Venusˈviːnəs
stillstˈɪl
hashˈæz
somethingsˈʌmθɪŋ
newnjˈuː
Whichwˈɪtʃ
forcesfˈɔːsɪz
loverslˈʌvəz
totˈuː
bebˈiː
truetɹˈuː
.
VENUS
Memˈiː
mymˈaɪ
lovelylˈʌvli
youthjˈuːθ
shallʃˈæl
findfˈaɪnd
Alwaysˈɔːlweɪz
tendertˈɛndɐ
,
everˈɛvɐ
kindkˈaɪnd
.
[They rise from the Couch when they hear the Music.]
VENUS
Harkhˈɑːk
,
harkhˈɑːk
,
theðə
ruralɹˈɔːɹəl
musicmjˈuːzɪk
soundssˈaʊndz
,
Harkhˈɑːk
,
harkhˈɑːk
theðə
huntershˈʌntəz
,
harkhˈɑːk
,
harkhˈɑːk
theðə
houndshˈaʊndz
!
Theyðˈeɪ
summonsˈʌmən
totˈuː
theðə
chasetʃˈeɪs
,
hastehˈeɪst
hastehˈeɪst
awayɐwˈeɪ
.
ADONIS
Adonisædˈəʊniz
willwˈɪl
notnˈɒt
hunthˈʌnt
todaytədˈeɪ
.
I
havehəv
alreadyɔːlɹˈɛdi
caughtkˈɔːt
theðə
noblestnˈəʊbləst
preypɹˈeɪ
.
VENUS
Nonəʊ
,
mymˈaɪ
shepherdʃˈɛpəd
,
hastehˈeɪst
awayɐwˈeɪ
,
Absenceˈæbsəns
kindleskˈɪndəlz
newnjˈuː
desiredɪzˈaɪə
,
I
wouldwˈʊd
notnˈɒt
havehəv
mymˈaɪ
loverlˈʌvɐ
tiretˈaɪə
...
Mymˈaɪ
shepherdʃˈɛpəd
,
willwˈɪl
youjˈuː
knownˈəʊ
theðə
artˈɑːt
Bybˈaɪ
whichwˈɪtʃ
I
keepkˈiːp
a
conquer'd
hearthˈɑːt
?
I
seldomsˈɛldəm
vexvˈɛks
a
lover's
earsˈiəz
Withwˈɪð
businessbˈɪznəs
orˈɔː
withwˈɪð
jealousdʒˈɛləs
fearsfˈiəz
.
I give him freely all delights
VENUS
Withwˈɪð
pleasantplˈɛzənt
daysdˈeɪz
andˈænd
easyˈiːzi
nightsnˈaɪts
.
Yet there is a sort of men
ADONIS
Whohˈuː
delightdɪlˈaɪt
inˈɪn
heavyhˈɛvi
chainstʃˈeɪnz
Uponəpˈɒn
whomhˈuːm
ill-usage
gainsɡˈeɪnz
Andˈænd
theyðˈeɪ
nevernˈɛvɐ
lovelˈʌv
tilltˈɪl
thenðˈɛn
.
VENUS
Thoseðˈəʊz
areə(ɹ)
foolsfˈuːlz
ofˈɒv
mightymˈaɪti
leisurelˈɛʒɐ
Wisewˈaɪz
menmˈɛn
lovelˈʌv
theðə
easiestˈiːzɪəst
pleasureplˈɛʒɐ
.
I
giveɡˈɪv
youjˈuː
freelyfɹˈiːli
allˈɔːl
delightsdɪlˈaɪts
Withwˈɪð
pleasantplˈɛzənt
daysdˈeɪz
andˈænd
easyˈiːzi
nightsnˈaɪts
.
ADONIS
Adonisædˈəʊniz
willwˈɪl
notnˈɒt
hunthˈʌnt
todaytədˈeɪ
.
VENUS
Nonəʊ
,
mymˈaɪ
shepherdʃˈɛpəd
,
hastehˈeɪst
awayɐwˈeɪ
.
Enterˈɛntɐ
Huntsmenhˈʌntsmɛn
totˈuː
Adonisædˈəʊniz
,
andˈænd
singsˈɪŋ
thisðˈɪs
Choruskˈɔːɹəs
.
HUNTSMEN
Comekˈʌm
followfˈɒləʊ
,
followfˈɒləʊ
,
followfˈɒləʊ
,
Comekˈʌm
followfˈɒləʊ
totˈuː
theðə
noblestnˈəʊbləst
gameɡˈeɪm
.
Herehˈiə
theðə
spritelyˈspɹaɪtli
youthjˈuːθ
maymˈeɪ
purchasepˈɜːtʃɪs
famefˈeɪm
.
HUNTSMAN
A
mightymˈaɪti
boarbˈɔː
ourˈaʊə
spearspˈiə
andˈænd
dartsdˈɑːts
defiesdɪfˈaɪz
,
Heˈhiː
foamsfˈəʊmz
andˈænd
ragesɹˈeɪdʒɪz
,
seesˈiː
,
seesˈiː
,
heˈhiː
woundswˈuːndz
Theðə
stouteststˈaʊtəst
ofˈɒv
ourˈaʊə
Cretanˈkɹiːtən
houndshˈaʊndz
,
Heˈhiː
roarsɹˈɔːz
likelˈaɪk
thunderθˈʌndɐ
andˈænd
heˈhiː
lightenslˈaɪtənz
fromfɹˈɒm
hishˈɪz
eyesˈaɪz
.
ADONIS
Youjˈuː
whohˈuː
theðə
slothfulslˈɒθfəl
joysdʒˈɔɪz
ofˈɒv
citysˈɪti
hatehˈeɪt
Andˈænd
,
earlyˈɜːli
upˈʌp
,
forfˈɔː
rougherɹˈʌfɐ
pleasuresplˈɛʒəz
waitwˈeɪt
,
Nextnˈɛkst
theðə
delightdɪlˈaɪt
whichwˈɪtʃ
heav'nly
beautybjˈuːti
yieldsjˈiːldz
Nothingnˈʌθɪŋ
,
ohˈəʊ
nothingnˈʌθɪŋ
isˈɪz
sosˈəʊ
sweetswˈiːt
Asəz
forfˈɔː
ourˈaʊə
huntsmenhˈʌntsmɛn
,
thatðˈæt
dodə
meetmˈiːt
Withwˈɪð
ableˈeɪbəl
courserskˈɔːsəz
andˈænd
goodɡˈʊd
houndshˈaʊndz
totˈuː
rangeɹˈeɪndʒ
theðə
fieldsfˈiːldz
.
HUNTSMEN
Lachne
hashˈæz
fastenedfˈɑːsənd
firstfˈɜːst
butbˈʌt
sheʃˈiː
isˈɪz
oldˈəʊld
;
Bringbɹˈɪŋ
hitherhˈɪðɐ
Ladon
,
heˈhiː
isˈɪz
strongstɹˈɒŋ
andˈænd
boldbˈəʊld
,
Heighheɪ
Lachne
,
heighheɪ
Melampus
;
ohˈəʊ
,
theyðˈeɪ
bleedblˈiːd
,
Yourjˈɔː
spearsspˈiəz
,
yourjˈɔː
spearsspˈiəz
,
Adonisædˈəʊniz
thouðaʊ
shaltʃˈælt
leadlɛd
.
[Exeunt singing. Entry: A dance by a Huntsman. The Curtain
HUNTSMEN
closesˈkloʊzɪz
.]
SECOND ACT
HUNTSMEN
THEðə
ACTˈækt
TUNEtjˈuːn
.
(
Allegretto
)
Theðə
Curtainkˈɜːtən
opensˈəʊpənz
andˈænd
Venusˈviːnəs
andˈænd
Cupidkjˈuːpɪd
areə(ɹ)
seensˈiːn
standingstˈændɪŋ
withwˈɪð
Littlelˈɪtəl
Cupidskjˈuːpɪdz
roundɹˈaʊnd
aboutɐbˈaʊt
themðˈɛm
.
CUPID
Youjˈuː
placeplˈeɪs
withwˈɪð
suchsˈʌtʃ
delightfuldɪlˈaɪtfəl
carekˈeə
Theðə
fettersfˈɛtəz
whichwˈɪtʃ
yourjˈɔː
loverslˈʌvəz
wearwɛə
;
Nonenʌn
cankˈæn
bebˈiː
wearywˈiəɹi
totˈuː
obeyəʊbˈeɪ
Whenwˈɛn
youjˈuː
theirðˈeə
eagerˈiːɡɐ
wisheswˈɪʃɪz
blessblˈɛs
,
[Cupid points to the little Cupids]
CUPID
Theðə
crowdingkɹˈaʊdɪŋ
Joysdʒˈɔɪz
eachˈiːtʃ
otherˈʌðɐ
presspɹˈɛs
Andˈænd
roundɹˈaʊnd
youjˈuː
smilingsmˈaɪlɪŋ
Cupidskjˈuːpɪdz
playplˈeɪ
.
VENUS
Flatteringflˈætəɹɪŋ
boybˈɔɪ
,
hasthˈeɪst
thouðaʊ
beenbˈiːn
readingˈɹiːdɪŋ
Thyðˈaɪ
lessonslˈɛsənz
andˈænd
refinedɹɪfˈaɪnd
artsˈɑːts
Bybˈaɪ
whichwˈɪtʃ
thouðaʊ
may'st
setsˈɛt
ableeding
A-thousand
,
thousandθˈaʊzənd
tendertˈɛndɐ
heartshˈɑːts
?
CUPID
Yesjˈɛs
,
butbˈʌt
motherˈmʌðə
,
teachtˈiːtʃ
memˈiː
totˈuː
destroydɪstɹˈɔɪ
Allˈɔːl
suchsˈʌtʃ
asəz
scornskˈɔːn
yourjˈɔː
wantonwˈɒntən
boybˈɔɪ
.
VENUS
Fitfˈɪt
wellwˈɛl
yourjˈɔː
arrowsˈæɹəʊz
whenwˈɛn
youjˈuː
strikestɹˈaɪk
Andˈænd
choosetʃˈuːz
forfˈɔː
allˈɔːl
whatwˈɒt
eachˈiːtʃ
maymˈeɪ
likelˈaɪk
.
Butbˈʌt
makemˈeɪk
somesˈʌm
lovelˈʌv
,
theyðˈeɪ
knownˈəʊ
notnˈɒt
whywˈaɪ
,
Andˈænd
forfˈɔː
theðə
uglyˈʌɡli
andˈænd
ill-humour'd
diedˈaɪ
;
Suchsˈʌtʃ
asəz
scornskˈɔːn
Love's
firefˈaɪə
,
Forcefˈɔːs
themðˈɛm
totˈuː
admireɐdmˈaɪə
.
[The little Cupids repeat their lesson after Cupid.]
CUPID
Theðə
insolentˈɪnsələnt
,
theðə
arrogantˈæɹəɡənt
,
Theðə
M-E-R-
:
Merˈmɛə
;
C-E
:
Cesiː
;
N-A
:
Nanɑː
;
R-Y
:
Ry
;
Theðə
mercenarymˈɜːsənəɹi
,
theðə
vainvˈeɪn
andˈænd
sillysˈɪli
.
Theðə
jealousdʒˈɛləs
andˈænd
uneasyʌnˈiːzi
,
allˈɔːl
suchsˈʌtʃ
asəz
teasetˈiːz
yejiː
...
Choosetʃˈuːz
forfˈɔː
theðə
formalfˈɔːməl
foolfˈuːl
Whohˈuː
scornsskˈɔːnz
Love's
mightymˈaɪti
schoolskˈuːl
,
Onewˈɒn
thatðˈæt
delightsdɪlˈaɪts
inˈɪn
secretˈsiː.kɹɪt
glancesɡlˈɑːnsɪz
Andˈænd
a
greatɡɹˈeɪt
readerɹˈiːdɐ
ofˈɒv
romancesɹəʊmˈænsɪz
.
Forfˈɔː
himhˈɪm
that's
faithlessfˈeɪθləs
,
wildwˈaɪld
andˈænd
gayɡˈeɪ
,
Whohˈuː
withwˈɪð
Love's
painpˈeɪn
doesdəz
onlyˈəʊnli
playplˈeɪ
,
Taketˈeɪk
somesˈʌm
affectedɐfˈɛktɪd
,
wantonwˈɒntən
sheʃˈiː
,
Asəz
faithlessfˈeɪθləs
andˈænd
asəz
wildwˈaɪld
asəz
heˈhiː
.
VENUS
Butbˈʌt
,
Cupidkjˈuːpɪd
,
howhˈaʊ
shallʃˈæl
I
makemˈeɪk
Adonisædˈəʊniz
constantkˈɒnstənt
stillstˈɪl
?
CUPID
Usejuːs
himhˈɪm
veryvˈɛɹi
illˈɪl
...
[Venus laughs]
CUPID
Totˈuː
playplˈeɪ
,
mymˈaɪ
Loveslˈʌvz
,
totˈuː
playplˈeɪ
;
Venusˈviːnəs
makesmˈeɪks
itˈɪt
holidayhˈɒlɪdˌeɪ
.
A
DANCEdˈɑːns
OFˈɒv
CUPIDSkjˈuːpɪdz
.
(
Allegroɐlˈɛɡɹəʊ
Leggiero
)
After the dance the little Cupids piay together at hide and
CUPID
seeksˈiːk
andˈænd
hothˈɒt
cockleskˈɒkəlz
tilltˈɪl
Cupidkjˈuːpɪd
frightensfɹˈaɪtənz
themðˈɛm
offˈɒf
theðə
stagestˈeɪdʒ
withwˈɪð
a
Vizardˈvɪzəd
Maskmˈɑːsk
,
andˈænd
thenðˈɛn
theyðˈeɪ
comekˈʌm
onˈɒn
againɐɡˈɛn
,
peepingpˈiːpɪŋ
,
whenwˈɛn
Cupidkjˈuːpɪd
callskˈɔːlz
theðə
Gracesɡɹˈeɪsɪz
.
VENUS
Callkˈɔːl
,
callkˈɔːl
theðə
Gracesɡɹˈeɪsɪz
.
CUPID
Comekˈʌm
,
allˈɔːl
yejiː
Gracesɡɹˈeɪsɪz
!
'Tis
yourjˈɔː
dutydjˈuːti
Totˈuː
keepkˈiːp
theðə
Magazinemˌæɡɐzˈiːn
ofˈɒv
Beautybjˈuːti
.
[Enter the Graces]
GRACES
Mortalsmˈɔːtəlz
belowbɪlˈəʊ
,
Cupidskjˈuːpɪdz
aboveəbˈʌv
,
Singsˈɪŋ
theðə
praisespɹˈeɪzɪz
ofˈɒv
theðə
Queenkwˈiːn
ofˈɒv
Lovelˈʌv
.
Theðə
worldwˈɜːld
forfˈɔː
thatðˈæt
brightbɹˈaɪt
Beautybjˈuːti
diesdˈaɪz
;
Singsˈɪŋ
theðə
triumphstɹˈaɪʌmfz
ofˈɒv
herhˈɜː
conqu'ring
eyesˈaɪz
.
Hark, ev'n Nature sighs. This joyful night
GRACES
Sheʃˈiː
willwˈɪl
begetbɪɡˈɛt
desiredɪzˈaɪə
andˈænd
yieldjˈiːld
delightdɪlˈaɪt
.
THEðə
GRACES'
DANCEdˈɑːns
.
(
L'istesso
tempotˈɛmpəʊ
)
GAVATT
.
(
Allegroɐlˈɛɡɹəʊ
)
SARABRAND
FORfˈɔː
THEðə
GRACESɡɹˈeɪsɪz
.
(
Lentolˈɛntəʊ
)
A
GROUNDɡɹˈaʊnd
.
(
Maestosomaɪstˈəʊsəʊ
)
Whilewˈaɪl
theðə
Gracesɡɹˈeɪsɪz
dancedˈɑːns
,
theðə
Cupidskjˈuːpɪdz
dressdɹˈɛs
Venusˈviːnəs
,
onewˈɒn
combingkˈəʊmɪŋ
herhˈɜː
headhˈɛd
,
anotherɐnˈʌðɐ
tiestˈaɪz
a
braceletbɹˈeɪslət
ofˈɒv
pearlspˈɜːlz
roundɹˈaʊnd
herhˈɜː
waistwˈeɪst
etcˌɛt ˈsɛt(ə)ɹə
.
Afterˈɑːftɐ
theðə
dancesdˈɑːnsɪz
theðə
Curtainkˈɜːtən
closesˈkloʊzɪz
uponəpˈɒn
themðˈɛm
.
THIRD ACT
GRACES
THEðə
ACTˈækt
TUNEtjˈuːn
.
(
Sostenuto
)
Theðə
Curtainkˈɜːtən
opensˈəʊpənz
andˈænd
discoversdɪskˈʌvəz
Venusˈviːnəs
standingstˈændɪŋ
inˈɪn
a
melancholymˈɛlənkˌɒli
posturepˈɒstʃɐ
.
A
mourningmˈɔːnɪŋ
Cupidkjˈuːpɪd
goesɡˈəʊz
acrossəkɹˈɒs
theðə
stagestˈeɪdʒ
andˈænd
shakesʃˈeɪks
anˈɐn
arrowˈæɹəʊ
atˈæt
herhˈɜː
.
Adonis, uncall'd-for sighs
From my sad bosom rise,
VENUS
Andˈænd
griefɡɹˈiːf
hashˈæz
theðə
dominiondəmˈɪniən
ofˈɒv
mymˈaɪ
eyesˈaɪz
.
A
mourningmˈɔːnɪŋ
Lovelˈʌv
passedpˈɑːst
bybˈaɪ
memˈiː
nownˈaʊ
thatðˈæt
sungsˈʌŋ
Ofˈɒv
tombstˈuːmz
andˈænd
urnsˈɜːnz
andˈænd
ev'ry
mournfulmˈɔːnfəl
thingθˈɪŋ
:
Returnɹɪˈtɜːn
,
Adonisædˈəʊniz
,
'tis
forfˈɔː
theeðˈiː
I
grieveɡɹˈiːv
.
[Venus leans against the side of the stage and weeps.
VENUS
Adonisædˈəʊniz
isˈɪz
ledlˈɛd
inˈɪn
woundedwˈuːndɪd
.]
I come, as fast as Death will give me leave.
ADONIS
Beholdbɪhˈəʊld
theðə
woundwuːnd
mademˈeɪd
bybˈaɪ
th'
Aedalian
boarbˈɔː
;
Faithfulfˈeɪθfəl
Adonisædˈəʊniz
nownˈaʊ
mustmˈʌst
bebˈiː
nonəʊ
moremˈɔː
.
VENUS
Ahˈɑː
,
bloodblˈʌd
andˈænd
warmwˈɔːm
lifelˈaɪf
hishˈɪz
rosyɹˈəʊzi
cheekstʃˈiːks
forsakefɔːsˈeɪk
.
Alasɐlˈæs
,
Death's
sleepslˈiːp
thouðaʊ
artˈɑːt
tootˈuː
youngjˈʌŋ
totˈuː
taketˈeɪk
.
Mymˈaɪ
groansɡɹˈəʊnz
shallʃˈæl
reachɹˈiːtʃ
theðə
heav'ns
;
ohˈəʊ
,
pow'rs
aboveəbˈʌv
Taketˈeɪk
pitypˈɪti
onˈɒn
theðə
wretchedɹˈɛtʃɪd
Queenkwˈiːn
ofˈɒv
Lovelˈʌv
!
ADONIS
Ohˈəʊ
,
I
couldkˈʊd
wellwˈɛl
endureɛndjˈɔː
theðə
pointedpˈɔɪntɪd
dartdˈɑːt
,
Diddˈɪd
itˈɪt
notnˈɒt
makemˈeɪk
theðə
bestbˈɛst
ofˈɒv
loverslˈʌvəz
partpˈɑːt
.
VENUS
Yejiː
cruelkɹˈuːəl
godsɡˈɒdz
,
whywˈaɪ
shouldʃˈʊd
notnˈɒt
I
Havehəv
theðə
greatɡɹˈeɪt
privilegepɹˈɪvɪlɪdʒ
totˈuː
diedˈaɪ
?
ADONIS
Lovelˈʌv
,
mightymˈaɪti
Lovelˈʌv
,
doesdəz
mymˈaɪ
kindkˈaɪnd
bosombˈʊsəm
firefˈaɪə
;
Shallʃˈæl
I
forfˈɔː
wantwˈɒnt
ofˈɒv
vitalvˈaɪtəl
heathˈiːt
expireɛkspˈaɪə
?
Nonəʊ
,
nonəʊ
,
warmwˈɔːm
lifelˈaɪf
returnsɹɪtˈɜːnz
,
andˈænd
Death's
afraidɐfɹˈeɪd
Thisðˈɪs
hearthˈɑːt
(
Love's
faithfulfˈeɪθfəl
kingdomkˈɪŋdəm
)
totˈuː
invadeɪnvˈeɪd
.
VENUS
Nonəʊ
,
theðə
grimɡɹˈɪm
Monstermˈɒnstɐ
gainsɡˈeɪnz
theðə
daydˈeɪ
;
Withwˈɪð
thyðˈaɪ
warmwˈɔːm
bloodblˈʌd
lifelˈaɪf
stealsstˈiːlz
awayɐwˈeɪ
.
ADONIS
I
seesˈiː
fatefˈeɪt
callskˈɔːlz
;
letlˈɛt
memˈiː
onˈɒn
yourjˈɔː
softsˈɒft
bosombˈʊsəm
lielˈaɪ
.
Thereðˈeə
I
diddˈɪd
wishwˈɪʃ
totˈuː
livelɪv
,
andˈænd
thereðˈeə
I
begbˈɛɡ
totˈuː
diedˈaɪ
.
[Adonis dies.]
VENUS
Ahˈɑː
,
Adonisædˈəʊniz
mymˈaɪ
lovelˈʌv
,
ahˈɑː
,
Adonisædˈəʊniz
...
Withwˈɪð
solemnsˈɒləm
pomppˈɒmp
letlˈɛt
mourningmˈɔːnɪŋ
Cupidskjˈuːpɪdz
bearbˈeə
Mymˈaɪ
softsˈɒft
Adonisædˈəʊniz
throughθɹˈuː
theðə
yieldingjˈiːldɪŋ
airˈeə
...
He shall adorn the heav'ns, here I will weep
Till I am fall'n into as cold a sleep.
OMNES
Mournmˈɔːn
forfˈɔː
thyðˈaɪ
servantsˈɜːvənt
,
mightymˈaɪti
Godɡˈɒd
ofˈɒv
Lovelˈʌv
,
Weep for your huntsman, oh forsaken grove.
OMNES
Mournmˈɔːn
,
Echoˈɛkəʊ
,
mournmˈɔːn
,
thouðaʊ
shaltʃˈælt
nonəʊ
moremˈɔː
repeatɹɪpˈiːt
His tender sighs and vows when he did meet
OMNES
Withwˈɪð
theðə
wretchedɹˈɛtʃɪd
Queenkwˈiːn
ofˈɒv
Lovelˈʌv
Inˈɪn
thisðˈɪs
forsakenfɔːsˈeɪkən
groveɡɹˈəʊv
.