.
Scene II
Part 2
.
ASTYAGIA: Do not let our jests weigh so heavily on you, sister.
.
HYPSEUS:
(singing)
It would seem my daughter's heart troubled?
.
Music resumes.
.
CYRENE:
(singing)
But is not yours?
For I fit the mold of sons more than daughters
I have not the leanings of a lady proper
Not for the eyes of great kings
With whom we trade from our herds
.
HYPSEUS:
(singing)
Were I a lesser man it could be so
But of neither thieves nor peers
Have I any fear
For the Immortal Huntress has blessed this daughter
As fawn by the doe
You shall have a fine destiny,
Your mother, fair water sprite, told me so.
.
CYRENE:
(singing)
I am grateful, father.
For I think my spirit indeed would fade
Like the summer blooms
When they meet the winter shade
Should I be bid to sit idle by the loom
and bind myself to hearth beneath the roof
For some city prince
Who sees in me no better use
.
Music pauses.
.
HYPSEUS: Not at all my daughter, it is my duty to the goddess who keeps our forests, and to her brother Apollo guardian of the grazing fields.
.
CYRENE:
(singing)
But do you fear I will not marry?
.
HYPSEUS:
The maiden goddess takes no spouse, nor need you. Unless, in truth you desire it after all?
.
ALCAEA: Perhaps she is more like we homebound ladies prim and proper than we thought!
.
CYRENE:
No indeed! One fear only I have,
(singing)
and that is the captivity into which marriage would bind me.
.
Astyagia laughs.
.
ASTYAGIA:
Only a wild man of the woods would hope to win such a suit for our sister Cyrene!
.
The king waves her off.
.
HYPSEUS:
Well, for myself, I will accept no son of lesser worth than one who would not grant every wish to this princess, who goes like the goddess herself in mortal form.
.
CYRENE:
(singing)
My king is a gracious lord indeed
.
HYPSEUS:
(singing)
Thanks to Artemis
Who grace good blessing
To this realm of horse and herd
And its princess
In deed and word
Who I dare not dismiss
And curse our fortunes
With any decrees oppressing
You shall go forth tomorrow as you desire
And for certain you will fetch
the fiercest stag
who roams my lands!
.
Light goes dark