ARGUMENT. NEPTUNE is sitting at the entrance of his palace -The Nereids enter in confusion, alarmed at an unusual noise, by which they represent themselves to have been disturbed in their cell, where one of them was relating to the rest the story of the Creation-Neptune says he has already sent a Triton to inquire into the cause of the tumult, and encourages them to resume the song.-The Nereids sing the Division of the world between Jupiter, Neptune, and Pluto, enlarging upon the praises of Neptune's share, the Ocean.-The Triton then enters, with intelligence that the sounds they had heard, had been occasioned by a sea-fight between the English and a fleet bearing an unknown flag; that the engagement, though favourable to the English, had not been decisive, and that he left both parties preparing to renew the contest.-Neptune blames the folly of Man in perverting navigation into the means of annoying his own species; and the Chorus expose the injustice of his complaints, in respect to the short ness of human life, which has been abridged in its general duration by his own intemperance, and is frequently (as in the present instance) abruptly terminated by his violence. The reflections of the Chorus are interrupted by the noise of the second engagement; the Vengeur is seen to sink at a distance, and the Chorus express their indignation at the pollution offered to the sea.The Chorus now see Mercury descending through the waters; on being sent to by Neptune he enters and relates that the fleet, engaged with the English, is from Gaul.-A long conversation ensues between Neptune and Mercury, upon the overthrow of the ancient monarchy of France, and the nature and tendency of the principles, which have given rise to the new state of things in that country, and to the present war.-After informing Neptune that the victory was still undecided, when he left the air, Mercury departs to execute the office, on which he came down, viz. to collect the shadows of the slain, and conduct them to the realms below; and the Chorus sing the difference between Philosophy, (the Daughter of Momus and a Mortal.) ever prompting to new experiments, and Wisdom the Offspring of Jove.-Iris next enters with a message from Jupiter, desiring Neptune to rise in his car, and assist the English fleet; Neptune at first refuses, expressing a determination not to interfere in a contest between mortals; being, however, informed, that his assistance is not required against the Gauls, who are already defeated, but to repress the violence of Æolus, who has let loose his storms, and is opposing the return of the conquerors to their native land, he consents to lend his aid, and accounts for the hatred borne to the English by Æolus, as proceeding from his old enmity against Æneas, from whom they are descended.-The Chorus describe the preparations for the ascent, declare their intention of hastening the progress of the victorious fleet homeward, and conclude with the mention of the joy with which it will be received on its arrival in England. |