Unimpressed with the Baron’s effete Pastoral letter, and picking up a book of poems by Pope” Belinda says the baron should learn of real love from the tragic tale of Eloisa and Abelard. She sings “Eloisa,” a tragic aria excerpted from Pope’s poem on the famous 12th Century lovers. 

Prologue

In Hampton's shady paths?  I think not!  

“Eloisa to Abelard”  ...    

From ancient lovers, learn true tenderness

From struggling Grace and Nature, learn of Bliss

Let me so love, or never love at all!

Aria

In these deep solitudes and awful cells,                  

Where heav'nly-pensive Contemplation dwells,

And ever-musing Melancholy reigns,  

What means this tumult in a vestal's veins?

Why feels my heart its long-forgotten heat?

Yet, yet I love! - From Abelard it came,.

And Eloisa yet must kiss the name.

Dear fatal name!   rest ever unreveal'd,

Nor pass these lips, in holy silence seal'd.

O write it not, my  hand- the name appears.

- wash it out, my tears!

Soon as thy  letters trembling I unclose,

That well-known name awakens all my woes.

I tremble, too, where’ere my own I find,

Some dire misfortune follows close behind.

 

Assist me, Heav'n!  but whence arose that prayer?

Sprung it from piety or from despair?

In seas of flame my plunging soul is drown'd,

While altars blaze, and angels tremble round. 

Come, if thou dar'st, all charming as thou art!

oppose thyself to Heav'n;  dispute my heart; 

Snatch me, just mounting, from the blest abode:

Assist the fiends, and tear me from my God!