_Zopyr. (aside)_ Sure he will wish his asses' ears in Styx.
_Midas._ What[!] may I choose from out the deep, rich mine
Of human fancy, & the wildest thoughts
That passed till now unheeded through my brain,
A wish, a hope, to be fulfilled by you?
Nature shall bend her laws at my command,
And I possess as my reward one thing
That I have longed for with unceasing care.
_Bac._ Pause, noble king, ere you express this wish[.]
Let not an error or rash folly spoil
My benefaction; pause and then declare,
For what you ask shall be, as I have sworn.
_Mid._ Let all I touch be gold, most glorious gold!
Let me be rich! and where I stretch my hands, [51]
(That like Orion I could touch the stars!)
Be radiant gold! God Bacchus, you have sworn,
I claim your word,--my ears are quite forgot!
_The Reeds._ Midas, the king, has the ears of an ass.
_Mid._ You lie, & yet I care not--
_Zopyr._ (_aside to Midas_) Yet might I
But have advised your Majesty, I would
Have made one God undo the other's work--
_Midas._ (_aside to Zopyr_).
Advise yourself, my friend, or you may grow
Shorter by a head ere night.--I am blessed,
Happier than ever earthly man could boast.
Do you fulfil your words?
_Bac._ Yes, thoughtless man!
And much I fear if you have not the ears
You have the judgement of an ass.
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