Celos aun del air matan

Day One

Scene One: A garden in the temple of Diana

Aura, who has sworn a vow of chastity in service to Diana, has been found in the arms of the shepherd Erostratus. Her best friend, Pocris, has brought her before Diana to be punished for this crime (‘Esta, hermosa Diana’). Diana is furious as Aura’s betrayal has given Venus, the goddess of love and Diana’s sworn enemy, more power. As punishment, Diana ties her to a tree trunk so that her lover might try and rescue her, and they will both die together.

Aura curses Pocris for this betrayal, and her curses are heard by Céfalo and Clarín, who were travelling nearby in the mountains. As a nobleman, Céfalo wants to go and help the woman he hears in trouble, but his servant, Clarín, tells him to stay away from any problems (‘Gemido es de mujer’).

On entering the temple, Céfalo immediately asks for an explanation as to why this woman is tied to a tree. Diana warns Céfalo that he is in danger since the moment he stepped on the path, and if