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 THE UNIVERSITY OF 
 
 NORTH CAROLINA 
 
 LIBRARY 
 
 PRESENTED BY THE 
 
 WILLIAM A. WHITAKER 
 
 FOUNDATION 
 
 H13£o 
 v.l 
 MUSIC LIB. 
 
 *^*°!^ 
 
 
 A 
 

 *> n 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 in 2013 
 
 http://archive.org/details/sacredoratoriosaOOhand 
 
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 €m%mm 
 
 ?i&. 
 
 London: Published March ^ijgg.ly TMeptuKtall 2V? '^o^HoBom. 
 
THE 
 
 SACRED ORATORIOS 
 
 AS SET TO MUSIC, 
 BY 
 
 GEO. F. HANDEL. 
 
 PART I. 
 
 CONTAINING, 
 
 MESSIAH, 
 
 ATI! ALIA, 
 
 BELSHAZZAR, 
 
 DEBORAH, 
 
 ESTHER, 
 
 JEPHTHA, 
 
 JOSEPH, 
 
 ISRAEL IN EGYPT, 
 
 JOSHUA, 
 
 OCCASIONAL ORATORIO, 
 
 SAMSON, 
 
 SAUL, 
 
 SOLOMON, 
 
 JUDAS MACCABEUS, 
 
 AND 
 SUSANNAH. 
 
 LONDON: 
 PRINTED FOR T. HEPTINSTALL, No. 304, HOLBORN; 
 
 AND SOLD BY J. HOOKHAM, NO. IOO, NEW BOND-STREET; 
 B. LEPARD, JAMES-STREET, CO VENT-G A RDEN ; H. D, 
 SYMONDS, PATERNOSTER-ROW ; A. AND J. BLACK, NO. 
 150, LEADENHALL-STREET; AND AT THE DIFFERENT 
 MUSIC SHOPS. 
 
 J 799. 
 
DEDICATION. 
 
 TO 
 
 THE ROYAL PATRONS, 
 NOBLE PRESIDENTS, VICE-PRESIDENTS, 
 
 AND 
 
 THE THREE MUSICAL FUNDS, 
 
 THE 
 
 FOLLOWING COLLECTION 
 
 OF THE WORDS OF 
 
 HANDED s SACRED ORATORIOS, 
 
 IS 
 
 MOST RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED, 
 BY 
 THEIR DEVOTED AND OBEDIENT SERVANT, 
 
 t 
 
 n 
 
 T. HEPTINSTALL. 
 
 V H- / 
 
 OS 
 
TO 
 
 THE PUBLIC, 
 
 JL HIS Edition of the Words of Handel's 
 Sacred Oratorios, being selected from the 
 excellent and superb Edition of his Works, 
 published by Dr. Arnold, includes the latest 
 Alterations, and present them to the Public 
 as they are now performed. The interesting 
 nature of the various subjects will make them 
 at the same time a pleasing Volume to the 
 Reader, and a convenient Pocket Companion 
 to the Amateurs of HandeL 
 
THE 
 
 MESSIAH: 
 
 A SACRED ORATORIO. 
 
 PART THE FIRST. 
 
 RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED. 
 
 COMFORT ye, comfort ye my people, saith your 
 God ; speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and 
 cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that 
 her iniquity is pardoned. 
 
 The voice of him that cryeth in the wilderness : 
 Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in 
 the desert a highway for our God. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Ev'ry valley shall be exalted, and ev'ry moun- 
 tain and hill made low ; the crooked straight, and 
 the rough places plain. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and 
 all flesh shall see it together ; for the mouth of the 
 Lord hath spoken it. 
 
 RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED. 
 
 Thus saith the Lord of Hosts : Yet once a little 
 while, and I will shake the heavens and the earth, 
 the sea and the dry land, and I will shake all nations ; 
 
 B 
 
^ THE MESSIAH. 
 
 and the desire of all nations shall come ; the Lord 
 whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, 
 even the messenger of the covenant whom ye delight 
 In, behold he shall come, saith the Lord of Hosts. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 But who may abide the day of his coming, and 
 who shall stand when he appeareth ? For he is like 
 a refiner's fire. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 And he shall purify the sons of Levi, that they 
 may offer unto the Lord an offering in righ- 
 teousness. 
 
 RECITATIVE. 
 
 Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, 
 and shall call his name Immanuel ; God with us. 
 
 AIR AND CHORUS. 
 
 O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion, get thee 
 up into the high mountains ! O thou that tellest 
 good tidings to Jerusalem, lift Up thy voice with 
 strength ! lift it up, be not afraid ! Say unto the cities 
 of Judah, Behold your God! Arise, shine, for thy 
 light is come; and the glory of the Lord is risen 
 upon thee. 
 
 RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED. 
 
 For behold darkness shall cover the earthy and 
 gross darkness the people 5 but the Lord shall arise 
 upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee ; 
 and the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings 
 to the brightness of thy rising. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 The people that walked in darkness have seen a 
 
THE MESSIAH. S 
 
 great light, and they that dwell in the land of the 
 shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, 
 and the government shall be upon his shoulders ; 
 and his name shall be called Wonderful ! Counsellor ! 
 the Mighty God ! the Everlasting Father ! the Prince 
 of Peace! 
 
 RECITATIVE. 
 
 There were shepherds abiding in the field, keep*- 
 ing watch over their flocks by night : 
 
 AIR. 
 
 And, lo ! the angel of the Lord came upon them, 
 and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, 
 and they were sore afraid : 
 
 RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED. 
 
 And the angel said unto them, Fear not, for behold, 
 I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall 
 be to all people ; for unto you is born this day in 
 the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the 
 Lord. 
 
 RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED. 
 
 And suddenly there was with the angel a mul- 
 titude of the heavenly host, praising God, and 
 saying, 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth, 
 good will towards, men. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion ! Shout, O 
 daughter of Jerusalem ! Behold thy king cometh 
 
 b 2 
 
<k THE MESSIAH. 
 
 unto thee. He is the righteous Saviour, and he 
 shall speak peace unto the heathen. 
 
 RECITATIVE. 
 
 Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened, and 
 the ears of the deaf unstopped -, then shall the lame 
 man leap as a hart, and the tongue of the dumb 
 shall sing. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd, and he 
 shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them 
 in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with 
 young. Come unto him, all ye that labour and 
 are heavy laden, and he will give you rest. Take 
 his yoke upon you, and learn of him, for he is 
 meek and lowly of heart, and ye shall find rest unto 
 your souls. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 His yoke is easy, and his burden is light 
 
THE MESSIAH. o 
 
 PART THE SECOND. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 BEHOLD the Lamb of God, that taketh away 
 the sins of the world. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 He was despised and rejected of men, a man of 
 sorrows, and acquainted with grief. He gave his back 
 to the smiters, and his cheeks to them that plucked 
 off the hair j he hid not his face from shame and 
 spitting. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our 
 sorrows ; he was wounded for our transgressions ; 
 he was bruised for our iniquities ; the chastisement 
 of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we 
 are healed. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 All we like sheep have gone astray, we have 
 turned ev'ry one to his own way, and the Lord hath 
 laid on him the iniquity of us all. 
 
 RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED. 
 
 All they that see him laugh him to scorn ; they 
 shoot out their lips, and shake their heads, saying, 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 He trusted in God that he would deliver him ; 
 let him deliver him if he delight in him. 
 
 RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED. 
 
 Thy rebuke hath broken his heart ; he is full of 
 heaviness ; he looked for some to have pity on him, 
 
t> THE MESSIAH. 
 
 but there was no man ; neither found he any to com- 
 fort him. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Behold and see, if there be any sorrow like unto 
 his sorrow. 
 
 RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED. 
 
 He was cut off out of the land of the living ; for 
 the transgressions of thy people was he stricken. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 But thou didst not leave his soul in hell, nor didst 
 thou suffer thy Holy One to see corruption. 
 
 SEMI-CHORUS. 
 
 Lift up your heads, O ye gates ! and be ye lift up, 
 ye everlasting doors, and the King of Glory shall 
 come in. Who is the King of Glory? The Lord 
 strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle, the 
 Lord of Hosts ; he is the King of Glory. 
 
 RECITATIVE. 
 
 Unto which of the angels said he at any time, 
 Thou art my son, this day have I begotten thee ? 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Let all the angels of God worship him, 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Thou art gone up on high, thou hast led captivity 
 captive, and received gifts for men, yea, even for 
 thine enemies, that the Lord God might dwell among 
 them. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 The Lord gave the word ; great was the com- 
 pany of the preachers. 
 
THE MESSIAH. 7 
 
 AIR. 
 
 How beautiful are the feet of them that preach 
 the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good 
 things ! 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Their sound is gone out into all lands, and their 
 words unto the ends of the world. 
 
 DUET. 
 
 How beautiful are the feet of him that bringeth 
 glad tidings of salvation, that saith unto Sion, Thy 
 God reigneth. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Break forth into joy, glad tidings thy God reign- 
 eth. How beautiful are the feet of him that bring- 
 eth good tidings of salvation, that saith unto Sion ? 
 Thy God reigneth ! 
 
 AIR. 
 
 How beautiful are the feet of them that preach 
 the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good 
 things. 
 
 AIR AND CHORUS. 
 
 Their sound is gone out unto all lands, and their 
 words unto the ends of the world, 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Why do the nations so furiously rage together, and 
 why do the people imagine a vain thing ? The kings 
 of the earth rise up, and the rulers take counsel to- 
 gether, against the Lord and against his Anointed. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Let us break their bonds asunder, and cast away 
 their yokes from us. 
 
5' THE MESSIAH. 
 
 RECITATIVE. 
 
 He that dwelleth in Heaven shall laugh them to 
 scorn ; the Lord shall have them in derision. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron ; thou 
 shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Hallelujah ! for the Lord God Omnipotent reign- 
 eth. The kingdom of this world is become the 
 kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ ; and he shall 
 reign for ever and ever, King of Kings, and Lord 
 of Lords. Hallelujah ! 
 
 PART THE THIRD. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 T KNOW that my Redeemer liveth, and that he 
 -*• shall stand at the latter day upon the earth; and 
 though worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall 
 I see God. For now is Christ risen from the dead, 
 the first fruits of them that sleep. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Since by man came death, 
 
 By man came also the resurrection of the dead ; 
 
 For as in Adam all die, 
 
 Even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 
 
 RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED. 
 
 Behold, I tell you a mystery : We shall not all 
 
THE MESSIAH. 9 
 
 sleep, but we shall all be changed in a moment, in 
 the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 The trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be 
 rais'cl incorruptible, and we shall be changed; for 
 this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this 
 mortal must put on immortality. 
 
 RECITATIVE. 
 
 Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is 
 written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 
 
 DUET AND CHORUS. 
 
 O death, where is thy sting ! 
 
 O grave, where is thy victory ! 
 The sting of death is sin, 
 
 And the strength of sin is the law. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 But thanks be to God who giveth us the victory, 
 through our Lord Jesus Christ. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 If God be for us, who can be against us ? Who shall 
 lay any thing to the charge of God's elect ? It is 
 God that justifieth, who is he that condemneth ? It 
 is Christ that died, yea, rather that is risen again ; 
 who is at the right hand of God, who maketh inter- 
 cession for us. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Worthy is the lamb that was slain, and hath re- 
 deemed us to God by his blood, to receive power, 
 and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, 
 and glory, and blessing. Blessing and honour, glory 
 and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, 
 and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever. Amen. 
 
JUDAS MACCABMUS 
 
 A SACRED ORATORIO. 
 
 PART THE FIRST. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 MOURN, ye afflicted children, the remains 
 Of captive Judah, mourn in solemn strains; 
 Your sanguine hopes of liberty give o'er, 
 Your father, friend, and hero is no more. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — ISRAELITISH MAN. 
 
 Well, brethren, may your sorrows flow, 
 In all th' expressive signs of woe ; 
 
 Your softer garments tear, 
 
 And squalid sackcloth wear ; 
 Your drooping heads with ashes strew, 
 And with the flowing tear your cheeks bedew. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — ISRAELITISH WOMAN. 
 
 Daughters, let your distressful cries, 
 And loud lament, ascend the skies ; 
 Your tender bosoms beat, and tear 
 
 With hands remorseless your dishevelPd hair. 
 
 For pale and breathless Mattathias lies; 
 
 Sad emblem of his country's miseries ! 
 
JUDAS MACCABJEUS. 11 
 
 DUET. 
 
 From this dread scene, these adverse pow'rs, 
 
 Ah ! whither shall we fly ? 
 O Solyma, in smoky ruins lie, 
 
 Thy boasted tow'rs, 
 
 Ah ! whither shall we fly ? 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 For Sion lamentation make, 
 
 With words that weep, and tears that speak, 
 
 RECITATIVE. — SIMON, 
 
 Not vain is all this storm of grief, 
 To vent our sorrows gives relief. 
 Wretched indeed ! But let not Judah's race, 
 Their ruin with desponding arms embrace. 
 Distractful doubt and desperation, 
 111 become the chosen nation, 
 Chosen by the great I AM, 
 The Lord of Hosts, who, still the same, 
 We trust, will give attentive ear 
 To the sincerity of pray'r. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Pious orgies, pious airs, 
 
 Decent sorrow, decent pray'rs, 
 Will to the Lord ascend, and move 
 His pity, and regain his love. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 O Father, whose almighty pow'r 
 
 The heavens, and earth, and seas adore I 
 
 The hearts of Judah, thy delight, 
 
 In one defensive band unite. 
 
 Grant us a leader bold and brave, 
 
 If not to conquer, born to save. 
 
12 JUDAS MACCABEUS. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — SIMON. 
 
 I feel, I feel the Deity within, 
 Who, the bright cherubim between, 
 His radiant glory erst display'd, 
 To Israel's distressful prayer, 
 He hath vouchsafe! a gracious ear, 
 And points out Maccabaeus to their aid. 
 Judas shall set the captive free, 
 And lead us on to victory. 
 
 air. — SIMON. 
 Arm, arm, ye brave ; a noble cause, 
 The cause of Heaven, your zeal demands, 
 In defence of your nation, religion, and laws, 
 The Almighty Jehovah will strengthen your hands, 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 We come, we come, in bright array, 
 Judah, thy sceptre to obey. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — JUDAS MACCABEUS. 
 
 ? Tis well, my friends ; with transport I behold 
 The spirit of our fathers, fam'd of old 
 For their exploits in war. — Oh may their fire, 
 With active courage you- their sons inspire : 
 As when the mighty Joshua fought, 
 And those amazing wonders wrought ; 
 Stood still, obedient to his voice, the sun, 
 Till kings he had destroy'd, and kingdoms won. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Call forth thy pow'rs, my soul, and dare 
 
 The conflict of unequal war ; 
 Great is the glory of the conquering sword, 
 That triumphs in sweet liberty restor'd. 
 
JUDAS MACCABJEUS. 13 
 
 RECITATIVE. — ISRAELITISH WOMAN. 
 
 To Heaven's Almighty King we kneel, 
 For blessings on this exemplary zeal. 
 Bless him, Jehovah, bless him, and once more 
 To thine own Israel liberty restore. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 O liberty ! thou choicest treasure, 
 Seat of virtue, source of pleasure ; 
 Life without thee knows no blessing, 
 . No endearments worth caressing. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Come, ever smiling Liberty, 
 
 And with thee bring thy jocund train ; 
 
 For thee we pant, and sigh for thee, 
 With whom eternal pleasures reign. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — ISRAELITISH MAN. 
 
 O Judas, may these noble views inspire 
 All Israel with thy true heroic fire. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Tis Liberty, dear Liberty alone, 
 That gives fresh beauty to the sun, 
 That bids all nature look more gay 
 
 And lovely life with pleasure steal away. 
 
 DUET. 
 
 Come, ever smiling Liberty, 
 
 And with thee bring thy jocund train ; 
 For thee we pant, and sigh for thee, 
 
 With whom eternal pleasures reign. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Lead on, lead on, Judah disdains 
 The galling load of hostile chains. 
 
14 JUDAS MACCABEUS. 
 
 RECITATIVE.— JUDAS MACCABEUS, 
 
 So will'd my father, now at rest, 
 In the eternal mansions of the blest ; 
 " Can ye behold," said he, " the miseries 
 " In which the long insulted Judah lies ? 
 " Can ye behold their dire distress, 
 " And not, at least, attempt redress ?"•— 
 Then faintly, with expiring breath — 
 " Resolve, my sons, on liberty, or death !" 
 
 RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED. 
 
 We come ; O see, thy sons prepare 
 
 The rough habiliments of war 5 
 With hearts intrepid, and revengeful hands, 
 To execute, O sire, thy dread commands. 
 
 TRIO. 
 
 Disdainful of danger, we rush on the foe, 
 
 That thy power, O Jehovah ! all nations may know. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — JUDAS MACCABEUS, 
 
 Ambition ! if e'er honour was thine aim, 
 
 Challenge it here : — 
 
 The glorious cause gives sanction to thy claim. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 No unhallow'd desire 
 
 Our breasts shall inspire ; 
 No lust of unbounded pow'r* 
 . But peace to obtain, 
 
 Free peace let us gain, 
 And conquest shall ask no more. 
 
 RECITATIVE. 
 
 Haste we, my brethren, haste we to the field ; 
 Dependant on the Lord, our strength and shield. 
 
JUDAS MACCAB/EUS. 15 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Hear us, O Lord, on thee thy servants call, 
 Resolv'd on conquest, or a glorious fall. 
 
 PART THE SECOND. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 FALL'N is the foe, so fall thy foes, O Lord, 
 Where warlike Judas wields his righteous sword 
 
 RECITATIVE. — ISRAELITISH MAN. 
 
 Victorious hero ! Fame shall tell, 
 With her last breath, how Apollonius fell, 
 And all Samaria fled ; by thee pursued, 
 Through hills of carnage, and a sea of blood. 
 While thy resistless prowess dealt around, 
 With their own leader's sword, the deathful wound. 
 Thus too the haughty Seron, Syria's boast, 
 Before thee fell, with his unnumber'd host. 
 
 AIR. — -ISRAELITISH MAN. 
 
 So rapid thy course is, 
 
 Not numberless forces 
 Withstand thy all-conquering sword ; 
 
 Tho' nations surround thee, 
 
 No power shall confound thee, 
 Till freedom again be restor'd. 
 
 RECITATIVE. 
 
 Well may we hope our freedom to receive, 
 Such sweet transporting joys thy actions give. 
 
16 JUDAS MACGABJEUS* 
 
 DUET AND CHORUS. 
 
 Sion now her head shall raise ; 
 Tune your harps to songs of praise. 
 
 RECITATIVE.— ISRAELITISH WOMAN, 
 
 O let eternal honours crown his name ; 
 Judas ! first worthy in the rolls of fame. 
 Say, " He put on the breast-plate as a giant, 
 " And girt his warlike harness about him. 
 " In his acts he was like a lion, 
 " And like a lion's whelp roaring for his prey.' ? 
 
 AIR. 
 
 From mighty kings he took the spoil, 
 And with his acts made Judah smile ; 
 Jtidah rejoiceth in his name, 
 And triumphs in her hero's fame. 
 
 DUET AND CHORUS. 
 
 Hail, Judea ! happy land, 
 Salvation prospers in his hand. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — JUDAS MACCABEUS. 
 
 Thanks to my brethren. — But look up to heaven; 
 To heaven let glory and all praise be given ; 
 To heaven give your applause, 
 Nor add the second cause, 
 As once your fathers did in Midian, 
 Saying, the sword of God and Gideon. 
 It is the Lord that for his Israel fought, 
 And this our wonderful salvation wrought. 
 
 AIR. — JUDAS MACCABiEUS. 
 
 How vain is man,, who boasts in fight 
 The valour of gigantic might ; 
 And dreams not that a hand unseen, 
 Directs and guides this weak machine ! 
 
JUDAS MACCABEUS. 17 
 
 RECITATIVE. — ISRAELITISH MESSENGER. 
 
 O Judas, O my brethren ! 
 New scenes of bloody war, 
 In all their horrors rise. 
 . Prepare, prepare, 
 Or soon we fall a sacrifice 
 To great Antiochus; from the Egyptian coast 
 (Where Ptolomy hath Memphis and Pelusium lost) 
 He sends the valiant Gorgias, and commands 
 
 His proud victorious bands 
 To root out Israel's strength, and to erase 
 Ev'ry memorial of the sacred place. 
 
 AIR AND CHORUS. 
 
 Ah ! wretched, wretched Israel ! fall'n how low., 
 From joyous transport to desponding woe. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — SIMON. 
 
 Be comforted — Nor think these plagues are sent 
 For your destruction, but for chastisement 
 Heav*n oft in mercy punisheth, that sin 
 May feel its own demerits from within, 
 And urge not utter ruin. — Turn to God s 
 And draw a blessing from his iron rod. 
 
 AIR. — SIMON. 
 
 The Lord worketh wonders 
 
 His glory to raise, 
 And still as he thunders 
 
 Is fearful in praise. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — JUDAS MACCABiEUS. 
 
 My arms!— Against this Gorgias will I go— 
 The Idumean governor shall know 
 
 c 
 
18 JUDAS MACCABJBUS. 
 
 How vain, how ineffective his design, 
 While Rage his leader, and Jehovah mine. 
 
 AIR AND CHORUS. 
 
 Sound an alarm.-— Your silver trumpets sound, 
 And call the brave, and only brave, around.— 
 Who listeth follow ;— To the field again. — ■ 
 Justice with courage is a thousand men. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 We hear, we hear the pleasing dreadful call : ) 
 And follow thee to conquest ; — -If, to fall ; — ^ 
 For laws, religion, liberty, we fall. } 
 
 RECITATIVE. — SIMON. 
 
 Enough. — To heav'n we leave the rest. — 
 Such gen'rous ardour firing ev'ry breast, 
 We may divide our cares.— The field be thine-, 
 O Judas, and the sanctuary mine. 
 Lo, Sion, holy Sion, seat of God, 
 In ruinous heaps is by the heathen trod ; 
 Such profanation calls for swift redress, 
 If e'er in battle Israel hopes success. 
 air. — SIMON. 
 With pious hearts, and brave as pious, 
 
 O Sion, we thy call attend : 
 Nor dread the nations that defy us, 
 God our defender, God our friend, 
 
 RECITATIVE.— ISRAELITISH MAN. 
 
 Ye worshippers of God ! 
 Down, down with the polluted altars, down 5 ') 
 Hurl Jupiter Olympius from his throne, 
 Nor rev'rence Bacchus with his ivy crown, S 
 
 And ivy-wreathed rod. 
 
JUDAS MACCABJEUS. 19 
 
 Our fathers never knew 
 Him, or his beastly crew, 
 Or knowing, scorn'd such idol vanities. 
 
 ISRAELITISH WOMAN. 
 
 No more in Sion let the virgin throng, 
 Wild with delusion pay their nightly song 
 To Ashtoreth, yclipt the Queen of Heav'n : 
 Hence, to Phoenicia, be the goddess driv'n; 
 Or be she, with her priests and pageants, hurl'd 
 To the remotest corner of the world ; 
 Ne'er to delude us more with pious lies. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Wise men flatt'ring may deceive you, 
 
 With their vain mysterious art; 
 Magic charms can ne'er relieve you, 
 
 Nor can heal the wounded heart 
 But true wisdom can relieve you, 
 
 Godlike wisdom from above ; 
 This alone can ne'er deceive you, 
 
 This alone all pains remove. 
 
 DUET. 
 
 Oh never, never bow we down, 
 To the rude stock or sculptur'd stone: 
 But ever worship Israel's God, 
 Ever obedient to his awful nod. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 We never, never will bow down 
 
 To the rude stock or sculptur'd stone — ■ 
 
 We worship God, and God alone. 
 
 c 9 
 
20 JUDAS MACCABJEUS. 
 
 PART THE THIRD. 
 
 AIR.— ISRAEL1TISH PRIEST. 
 
 T^ATHER of heav*n, from thy eternal throne, 
 **- Look with an eye of blessing down ; 
 
 While we prepare with holy rites. 
 To solemnize the feast of lights. 
 And thus our grateful hearts employ ; 
 And in thy praise, 
 This altar raise, 
 With carols of triumphant joy. 
 
 REGIT. ACCOMPANIED. — ISRAELITISH MAN 
 
 See, see, yon flames that from the altar broke, 
 In spiry streams pursue the trailing smoke ; 
 The fragrant incense mounts the yielding air ; 
 Sure presage, that the Lord hath heard our pray'r. 
 
 RECITATIVE.— ISRAELITISH WOMAN. 
 
 O grant it, heav'n, that our long woes may cease, 
 And Judah's daughters taste the calm of peace; 
 Sons, brothers, husbands to bewail no more, 
 Tortur'd at home, or havock'd in the war. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 So shall the lute and harp awake, 
 And sprightly voice sweet descant run, 
 
 Seraphic melody to make, 
 
 In the pure strains of Jesse's son. 
 
 RECITATIVE.— ISRAELITISH MESSENGER, 
 
 From Capharselama, on eagle's wings I fly, 
 With tidings of impetuous joy — 
 Came Lysias, With his host, array'd 
 In coat of mail; their mass*, shields 
 
JUDAS MACCABEUS. * 21 
 
 Of gold and brass, flash'd lightning o'er the fields. 
 While the huge tow'r-back'd elephants display'd 
 A horrid front; but Judas, undismay'd, 
 Met, fought, and vanquished all the rageful train. 
 
 Nor could the bold Arabians save^ 
 Their chief, Timotheus, from a coward's grave. 
 Yet more; Nicanor lies with thousands slain; 
 The blasphemous Nicanor, who defied 
 The living God, and in his wanton pride 
 
 A public monument ordain'd 
 
 Of victories yet ungain'd. 
 But lo ! the conqueror comes, and on his spear, 
 
 To dissipate all fear, 
 He bears the vaunter's head and hand, 
 That threaten'd desolation to the land. 
 
 CHORUS OF YOUTHS. 
 
 See the conquering hero comes, 
 Sound the trumpets, beat the drums; 
 Sports prepare, the laurel bring, 
 Soxigs of triumph to him sing. 
 
 CHORUS OF VIRGINS. 
 
 See the god-like youth advance, 
 Breathe the flutes, and lead the dance, 
 Myrtle wreaths and roses twine, 
 To deck the hero's brow divine. 
 
 FULL CHORUS. 
 
 See the conquering hero comes, 
 Sound the trumpets, beat the drums ; 
 Sports prepare, the laurel bring, 
 Songs of triumph to him sing. 
 
22 JUDAS MACCABJEUS. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Sing unto God, and high affections raise, 
 
 To crown this conquest with unmeasur'd praise, 
 
 RECITATIVE. — JUDAS M ACC ABiEUS. 
 
 Sweet flow the strains that strike my feasted ear. 
 Angels might stoop from heav'n, to hear 
 The comely songs ye sing, 
 To Israel's Lord and King. 
 But pause awhile. — Due obsequies prepare, 
 To those who bravely fell in war. 
 To Eleazar special tribute pay : 
 Through slaughter'd troops he cut his way 
 To the distinguished elephant, and, whelm' d beneath 
 The deep-stabb'd monster, triumph'd in a glorious 
 death. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 With honour let desert be crown'd ; 
 
 The trumpet ne'er in vain shall sound ; 
 
 But all attentive to alarms, 
 
 The willing nations fly to arms : 
 And conquering, or conquer'd, claim the prize, 
 Of happy earth, or far more happy skies. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — EUPOLEMUS. 
 
 Peace to my countrymen ; — Peace, and Liberty. 
 From the great senate of imperial Rome, 
 With a firm league of amity, I come. 
 Rome, whate'er nation dare insult us more, 
 Will rouse, in our defence, her veteran pow'r ; 
 And stretch her vengeful arm by land, or sea, 
 " To curb the proud, and set the injur'd free." 
 
JUDAS MACCABiEUS. 23 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 To our great Gocl, be all the honour giv'n, 
 
 That grateful hearts can send from earth to heav'm 
 
 RECITATIVE. — ISRAELITISH WOMAN. 
 
 Again to earth let Gratitude descend.— 
 Praise- worthy is our hero and our friend.-— 
 Come, my fair daughters, choicest art bestow, 
 To weave a chaplet for the victor's brow ; 
 And in your songs for ever be confess'd, 
 " The valour that preserv'd, the pow'r that bless'd, 
 " Bless'd you with hours, that scatter as they fly, 
 1 Soft Quiet, gentle Love, and boundless Joy." 
 
 AIR AND DUET. 
 
 O lovely Peace, with Plenty crown'd, 
 Come, spread thy blessings all around; 
 Let fleecy flocks the hills adorn, 
 And vallies smile with wavy corn : 
 Let the shrill trumpet cease, nor other sound, 
 But Nature's songsters, wake the cheerful morn. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Rejoice, O Judah, and in songs divine, 
 
 With Cherubim and Seraphim harmonious join. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Hallelujah, Amen. 
 O Judah, rejoice in songs divine, 
 With Cherubim and Seraphim harmonious join. 
 
 Hallelujah, Amee. 
 
BELSHAZZAR: 
 
 A SACRED ORATORIO. 
 PART THE FIRST. 
 
 RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED.—NITOCRIS. 
 
 VAIN fluctuating state of human empire ! 
 First small and weak it scarcely rears its head^ 
 Scarce stretching out its helpless infant arms, 
 Implores protection of its neighbour states, 
 Who nurse it to their hurt. Anon it strives 
 For pow'r and wealth, and spurns at Opposition. 
 Arrived to full maturity, it grasps 
 At all within its reach, o'erleaps all bounds, 
 Robs, ravages, and wastes the frighted world. 
 At length grown old, and swell'd to bulk enormous, 
 The monster in its proper bowels feeds 
 Pride, Luxury, Corruption, Perfidy, 
 Contention, fell diseases of a state, 
 That prey upon her vitals. Of her weakness 
 Some other rising power advantage takes, 
 (Unequal match!) plies with repeated strokes 
 Her infirm aged trunk : She nods — she totters— 
 She falls— alas ! never to rise again. 
 
BELSHAZZAR. 25 
 
 The victor state upon her ruins rais'd, 
 
 Runs the same shadowy round of fancy'd greatness, 
 
 Meets the same certain end. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Thou, God most high, and Thou alone, 
 
 Unchang'd for ever dost remain: 
 Through boundless space extends thy throne, 
 Through all Eternity thy reign. 
 
 As nothing in thy sight 
 
 The reptile man appears, 
 
 Howe'er imagin'd great: 
 
 Who can impair thy might ? 
 
 In heav'n or earth who dares 
 Dispute thy pow'r ? — Thy will is fate. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Behold by Persia's hero made 
 
 In ample form the strong blockade ! 
 
 How broad the ditch ! — How deep it falls ! 
 
 What lofty tow'rs o'erlook the walls ! 
 
 Hark, Cyrus — Twenty times the Sun 
 
 Round the great year his course shall run, 
 
 If there so long thy army stay, 
 
 Nor yet to dogs and birds a prey; 
 
 No succour from without arrive, 
 
 Within remain no means to live, 
 
 We then may think it time to treat, 
 
 And Babylon capitulate. 
 
 A tedious time !— to make it short, 
 
 Thy wise attempt will find us sport ! 
 
 RECITATIVE. — GOBRYAS. 
 
 Yes ; well may they laugh, from meagre Famine safe 
 In plenteous stores for more than twenty years; 
 
26 BELSHAZZAR. 
 
 From all assault secure in gates of brass, 
 And walls stupendous; in Euphrates' depth 
 Yet more secure. 
 
 Cyrus. 'Tis that security 
 Shall aid me to their ruin. I tell thee, Gobryas. 
 I will revenge thy wrongs upon the head 
 Of this inhuman king. 
 
 RECITATIVE ACCOMFANIED. — GOBRYAS. 
 
 O Memory, 
 Still bitter to my soul !— methinks I see 
 My son, the best, the loveliest of mankind, 
 Whose filial love and duty above all sons 
 Made me above all other father's happy ; 
 I see him breathless at the tyrant's feet, 
 The victim of his envy f 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Opprest with never-ceasing grief, 
 I drag a painful weary life, 
 Of all that made life sweet bereft ; 
 No hope but in revenge is left. 
 
 AIR.— CYRUS. 
 
 Dry those unavailing tears; 
 
 Haste your just revenge to speed ; 
 I'll disperse your gloomy fears, 
 
 Dawning Hope shall soon succeed. 
 
 RECITATIVE. 
 
 Be comforted : Safe tho' the tyrant seem 
 Within those walls, I have a stratagem 
 Inspir'd by heav'n, (dreams oft descend from heav'n) 
 Shall baffle all his strength ; so strong my mind 
 The impression bears, I cannot think it less. 
 
BELSHA2ZAR. 27 
 
 RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED. 
 
 Methought, as on the bank of deep Euphrates 
 I stood, revolving in my anxious mind 
 Our arduous enterprize, a voice divine, 
 In thunder utter'd, to the bottom seem'd 
 To pierce the river's depth : the lofty tow'rs 
 Of yon proud city trembling bow'd their heads, 
 As they would kiss the ground. " Thou deep," it said, 
 " Be dry." No more, but instant at the word, 
 The stream forsook his banks, and in a moment 
 Left bare his oozy bed. Amaz'd 1 stood : 
 Horror, till then unknown, uprais'd my hair, 
 And froze my falt'ring tongue. The voice renewed : 
 " Cyrus, go on and conquer: 'Tis I that rais'd thee, 
 " I will direct thy way. Build thou my city, 
 " And without ransom set my captives free." 
 
 RECITATIVE. — CYRUS. 
 
 Now tell me, Gobryas, does not this Euphrates 
 Flow through the midst of Babylon ? 
 
 Gobr. It does. 
 
 Cyr. And I have heard you say, that on the west 
 A monstrous lake on ev'ry side extended 
 Four hundred furlongs, while the banks were made, 
 Receiv'd the exhausted river. 
 
 Go br. 'Tis most true. 
 
 Cyr. Might not we then 
 By the same means now drain Euphrates dry, 
 And through its channel march into the city ? 
 
 Gobr. Suppose this done: yet still the brazen gates 
 Which from the city to the river lead, 
 
28 BELSHAZZAR. 
 
 Will bar our passage, always shut by night, 
 When we must make the attempt. Could we suppose 
 Those gates unshut, we might indeed ascend 
 With ease into the city. 
 
 Cyr. Said you not, 
 This is the feast to Sesach consecrate ? 
 And that the Babylonians spend the night 
 In drunken revels, and in loose disorder ? 
 
 Go br. They do; and 'tis religion to be drunk 
 On this occasion. • 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Behold the monstrous human beast 
 
 Wallowing in excessive feast ! 
 
 No more his Maker's image found : 
 
 But self-degraded to a swine, 
 He fixes grov'ling on the ground 
 
 His portion of the breath divine. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — CYRUS. 
 
 Can you then think it strange, if drown'd in wine, 
 And from above infatuate, they neglect 
 The means of their own safety ? 
 My friends, be confident, and boldly enter 
 Upon this high exploit. No little cause 
 We have to hope success; since not unjustly 
 We have attack'd, but being first attack'd, 
 We have pursu'd the Aggressor. Add to this, 
 That I proceed in nothing with neglect 
 Of pow'r divine : Whate'er I undertake, 
 I still begin with God, and gain his favour 
 By sacrifice and prayer. 
 
BELSHAZ2AK. * $9 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 All empires upon God depend; 
 Begun by his command, at his command they end, 
 Look up to him in all your ways : 
 Begin with pray'r, and end with praise. 
 
 AIR. — DANIEL. 
 
 O sacred oracles of truth ! 
 
 O living spring of purest joy ! 
 - By day be ever in my mouth, 
 
 And all my nightly thoughts employ. 
 Whoe'er withhold attention due, 
 Neglect themselves, despising you. 
 
 RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED. 
 
 Rejoice, my countrymen: The time draws near, 
 The long expected time herein foretold. 
 Seek now the Lord your God with all your heart, 
 And you shall surely find him. He shall turn 
 Your long captivity: he shall gather you 
 From all the nations whither you are driven, 
 And to your native land in peace restore you. 
 For long ago, 
 
 Whole ages ere this Cyrus yet was born, 
 Or thought of, great Jehovah, by his prophet, 
 In words of comfort to his captive people 
 Foretold, and calFd by name the wond'rous man. 
 
 RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED. 
 
 " Thus saith the Lord to Cyrus his anointed, 
 u Whose right hand I have holden, to subdue 
 " Nations before him: I will go before thee, 
 " To loose the strong-knit loins of mighty kings, 
 " Make straight the crooked places, break in pieces^ 
 " The gates of solid brass, and cut in sunder 
 
30 ■ BELSHAZZAR. 
 
 " The bars of iron. For my servant's sake, 
 
 " Isr'el my chosen, though thou hast not known me, 
 
 " I have surnam'd thee : I have girded thee : 
 
 " That from the rising to the setting sun 
 
 " The nations may confess, I am the Lord ; 
 
 " There is none else, there is no God besides me. 
 
 ",Thou shalt perform my pleasure, to Jerusalem 
 
 wi Saying, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, 
 
 " Thy raz'd foundation shall again be laid." 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Sing, O ye heavens, for the Lord hath done it : 
 
 Earth, from thy centre shout : 
 Break forth, ye mountains, into songs ofjjoy, 
 
 O Forest, and each tree therein : 
 
 For the Lord hath done it, 
 
 Jehovah hath redeem'd Jacob, 
 
 And glorify'd himself in Israel. 
 
 Hallelujah, Amen. 
 
 AIR. — BELSHAZZAR. 
 
 Let festal Joy triumphant reign, 
 Glad ev'ry heart, in ev'ry face appear : 
 
 Free flow the wine, nor flow in vain ; 
 Far fly corroding Care. 
 
 Each hand the chime melodious raise, 
 
 Each voice exult in Sesach's praise. 
 Let Order vanish : Liberty alone, 
 Unbounded Liberty, the night shall crown ^ 
 
 RECITATIVE. 
 
 For you, my friends, the nobles of my court, 
 I have prepar'd a feast magnificent, 
 Worthy of you and me. Let all my wives, 
 And Concubines attend. Our Royal Mother — 
 
BELSHAZZAR. 31 
 
 INitocris. 1 must prevent th«e, son. Who can 
 endure 
 l'h' imbridl'd licence of this festival, 
 MiscalFd by the licentious, liberty ! 
 When nought prevails but riotous excess, 
 The noisy idiot laugh, the jest obscene, 
 The scurril taunt, and drunken midnight brawl. 
 My soul starts back at such brutality, 
 Asserting reason's empire. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 The leafy honours of the field, 
 Before the boist'rous driving wind, 
 
 In giddy dissipation fly, 
 To noise and folly forc'd to yield, 
 The fair ideas quit the mind, 
 
 And lost in wild confusion lie. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — BELSHAZZAR. 
 
 It is the custom ; I may say, the law, 
 "By long prescription fix'd — These captive Jews I 
 What do they here ? — they low'r upon our joys, 
 And envy liberty they cannot taste. 
 Yet something your perverse and wayward nation 
 Shall to our mirth contribute. Bring those vessels- 
 Those costly vessels my victorious grandsire 
 Took from the temple of Jerusalem, 
 And in the temple of great Bel laid up, 
 But us'd them not: 'tis lit they should be us'd : 
 And let their god, w T hose pow'r was found too weak 
 To save his people, serve the conquerors 
 Of him and them. We'll revel in his cups : 
 Their rich' materials and choice workmanship 
 
•>2 belshazzar. 
 
 Shall well augment the splendor of our feast 
 And, as we drink, we'll praise our country gods. 
 To whom we owe the prize. 
 
 Nit. O sacrilege ! 
 Unheard of profanation ! 
 
 CHORUS OF JEWS. 
 
 Recall, O king, thy rash command. 
 
 Nor prostitute with impious hand 
 
 To uses vile the holy things 
 
 Of great Jehovah, king of kings. 
 
 Thy grandsire trembled at his name, 
 
 And doom'd to death who durst blaspheme ; 
 
 For he, like us, his pow'r had try'd ; 
 
 Confess'd him just in all his ways, 
 
 Confessed him able to abase 
 The sons of men that walk in pride. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — NITOCRAS. 
 
 They tell you true , nor can you be to learn 
 (Tho' ease and pleasure have ingross'd you all,) 
 Things done in public view. I'll not repeat 
 The sev'nfold heated furnace, by that God 
 Whom you defy, made to his faithful servants 
 A walk of recreation ; nor the king, 
 In height of all his pride, drove from his throne, 
 And from the first of men, in thought a God, 
 Keduc'd to brutal rank : All this, and more, 
 Thou knowst as well as I, and shouldst consider. 
 
 Belsh. Away !— Is then my mother convert grown 
 To Jewish superstition ''—Apostate queen ! 
 These idle tales nnght well become the dotage 
 Of palsv'd Eld, but not a queen like you. 
 
BELSHAZZAR. oo 
 
 In prime of life, for wisdom far renown'cL 
 On to the feast : I waste the time too long 
 In frivolous dispute ; time, due of right 
 To pleasure and the gods. 
 
 DUET. — NIT OCR IS. 
 
 dearer than my life, forbear ; 
 Profane not, O my son, 
 
 With«impious rites Jehovah's name : 
 
 Remember what his arm has done : 
 The earth contains not half his fame : 
 Remember, and his vengeance fear. 
 Belsh. O queen, this hateful theme forbear : 
 Join not against your son 
 With captive slaves, your country's foes : 
 
 Remember what our gods have done 
 To those who durst their pow'r oppose : 
 Remember, and their vengeance fear. 
 Nit. Alas ! then must I see my son 
 Headlong to sure destruction run. 
 Belsh. Not to destruction but delight 
 
 1 fly, and all once more invite 
 
 To reign with me this happy night. 
 
 CHORUS OF JEWS. 
 
 By slow degrees the wrath of God to its meridian 
 height ascends ; 
 There mercy long the dreadful bolt suspends, 
 Ere it offending man ^nnoy ; 
 Long patient for repentance waits, reluctant to de- 
 stroy. 
 
 D 
 
34 BELSHAZZAR. 
 
 At length the wretch, obdurate growth 
 Infatuated makes 
 The ruin all his own ;. 
 
 And every step he takes 
 On his devoted head 
 Precipitates the thunder down. 
 
 PART THE SECOND. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 SEE, from his post Euphrates flies ! 
 The stream withdraws his guardian wave? 
 Fenceless the queen of cities lies! 
 
 SEMI-CHORUS. 
 
 Why, faithless river, dost thou leave 
 Thy charge to hostile arms a prey, 
 
 Expose the lives thou ought'st to save. 
 Prepare the fierce invader's way, 
 
 And, like false man, thy trust betray ? 
 
 SEMI-CHORUS. 
 
 Euphrates hath his task fulfill' d, 
 But to divine decree must yield. 
 While Babel queen of cities reigned, 
 The flood her guardian was ordain' d ; 
 Now to superior pow'r gives way, 
 And but the doom of heav'n obey. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Of things on earth, proud man must own, 
 Falshood is found in man alone. 
 
BELSHAZZAR. 35 
 
 RECITATIVE. — CYRUS. 
 
 You see, my friends, a path into the city 
 Lies open : fearless let us enter, knowing 
 That those we are to cope with are the same 
 We have already conquer'd, strengthened then 
 With aid of great and numerous allies, 
 Wakeful and sober, rank'd in just array ; 
 Now all asleep or drunk, at best disorder'd : 
 A helpless state ! still worse, when they shall hear 
 We are within their walls. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Amaz'd to find the foe so near, 
 
 When sleep and wine their senses drown, 
 
 All hearts shall faint, and melt with fear, 
 All hands unnerv'd fall feebly down. 
 
 Useless the hero's valour lies, 
 
 Useless the counsel of the wise. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 To arms, to arms ; no more delay, 
 God and Cyrus lead the way. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Ye tutelar gods of our empire, look down, 
 
 And see what rich trophies your victory crown. 
 
 Let your own bounteous gifts, which our gratitude 
 raise, 
 
 Gold, wine, merry notes pay our tribute of praise. 
 Sesach, this night is chiefly thine, 
 Kind donor of the sparkling wine. 
 
 AIR. — BELSHAZZAR. 
 
 Let the deep bowl thy praise confess, 
 Thy gifts the gracious giver bless. 
 
 D 2 
 
3$ BELSHAZZAR. 
 
 Thy gifts of all the gods bestow, 
 Improve by use, and sweeter grow. 
 Another bowl !— -His gen'rous wine 
 Exalts the human to divine. 
 
 RECITATIVE. 
 
 Where is the God of Judah's boasted pow'r ? 
 Let him reclaim his lost magnificence, 
 Assert his rights, prov'd ours by long possession. 
 And vindicate his injur'd honour. — Ah !— - 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Help, help. the King : he faints I he dies ! 
 What envious daemon blasts our joys, 
 
 And into sorrow turns ! 
 Look up, O king — speak— cheer thy friends : 
 Say, why our mirth thus sudden ends, 
 
 And the gay circle mourns ! 
 
 Belsh. Behold !— See there !— 
 
 O dire, portentous sight !— but see, 'tis gone, 
 And leaves behind it types unknown : 
 Perhaps some stern decree of fate, 
 Big with the ruin of our state ! 
 What God, or godlike man, can tell 
 The sense of this mysterious spell ? 
 
 RECITATIVE. — BELSHAZZAR. 
 
 Call all our wisemen, sorcerers, chaldeans, 
 Astrologers, magicians, soothsayers, 
 They can perhaps unfold the mystic words, 
 Dispel our doubts, and ease us of our fears. 
 V Enter Wisemen of Babylon."] 
 
 Belsh. Ye sages, welcome always to your king, 
 
.BELSHAZZAR. 37 
 
 Most welcome now, since needed most : O minister 
 To my sick mind the med'cine of your art. 
 Whoe'er shall read this writing and interpret, 
 A splendid purple robe behind him flows, 
 A chain of gold his honour'd neck shall grace, 
 And in the kingdom he shall rule the third. 
 
 Wisem. Alas ! too hard a task the king imposes, 
 To read the characters we never learn' d ! 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 O misery ! — O terror ! — hopeless grief! 
 Nor God nor man afford relief! 
 Who can this mystery unveil, 
 When all our wise diviners fail ! 
 
 RECITATIVE.— NIT OCRIS. 
 
 O king, live for ever ! 
 Let not thy heart its w T onted courage lose, 
 Nor let thy countenance be chang'd with fear, 
 Tho' all thy wisemen fail thee. In thy kingdom 
 There is a man, among the Jewish captives, 
 In whom the holy spirit of God resides ; 
 And in thy grandsire Nebuchadnezzar's days, 
 Wisdom, like that of God, was found in him, 
 By which he could interpret mystic dreams, 
 Explain hard sentences, dissolve all doubts : 
 Daniel his native name, but by the king 
 Nam'd Belteshazzar. Let him now be call'd : 
 He'll read the writing, and intrepret it. 
 [Enter Daniel.] 
 
 Belsh. Art thou that Daniel of the Jewish cap- 
 tives ? 
 I have heard of thee, 
 
o8 BELSHAZZAR. 
 
 That thou canst find interpretations deep, 
 And dissolve knotty doubts. If thou canst read 
 This writing, and explain, a purple robe 
 Adorns thy body, a gold chain thy neck, 
 And in the kingdom thou shalt rule the third. 
 
 AIR.— -DANIEL. 
 
 No : to thyself thy trifles be, 
 Or take thy rich rewards who will : 
 Such glitt'ring trash affects not me, 
 Intent on greater matters still. 
 
 RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED. 
 
 Yet to obey his dread command, 
 Who vindicates his honour now, 
 I'll read this oracle, and thou, 
 But to thy cost, shalt understand. 
 
 RECITATIVE,, 
 
 Thou, O king, 
 Hast lifted up thyself against the Lord 
 Of heav'n, whose vessels they have brought before 
 
 thee, 
 And thou, thy lords, thy wives and concubines, 
 Have drunk wine in them : Thou hast prais'd the gods 
 Of gold and silver, brass, iron, wood and stone, 
 Which neither see, nor hear, nor ought perceive : 
 But him, the God whose hand upholds thy life, 
 And in whose high dispose are all thy ways, 
 Thou hast not glorify'd, but hast blasphem'd. 
 From him the hand was sent, by his appointment 
 These words were written : 
 
 MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. 
 Mene. The God, whom thou Jiast thus dishonoured, 
 
BELSHAZZAR. 39 
 
 The days hath number' d of thy reign, , 
 
 And flnish'd it. 
 Tekel. Thou in the balances art weigh' d, 
 
 And art found wanting. 
 Uphaksin. This kingdom is divided, 
 
 And to the Medes and Persians giv'n. 
 Nit. O sentence too severe ! and yet too sure ! 
 Unless repentance may reverse the doom. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Regard, O son, my flowing tears, 
 
 Proofs of maternal love : 
 Eegard thyself: to cure thy fears, 
 
 Regard the God above. 
 Repentance sure will mercy find, 
 But wrath pursues th' obdurate mind. 
 
 AIR.— CYRUS. 
 
 O God of truth ! O faithful guide ? 
 
 Well hast thou kept thy word ! 
 Deep waves at my approach subside \ 
 The brazen portals open wide, 
 
 Glad to receive their Lord. 
 The hostile nations scatter'd fly, 
 
 Nor dare my presence stay : 
 Where'er I go, sure victory 
 Attends ; for God is always nigh, 
 
 And he prepares my way. 
 
 RECITATIVE. 
 
 You, Gobryas, lead directly to the palace; 
 For you best know the way. This revelling herd 
 Cannot oppose our passage ; those who would. 
 Fall easy victims : For the rest, they fly, 
 
40 BELSHAZZAR. 
 
 Or take us for their friends, and reeling shout 
 
 For joy : We'll be their friends, and join the shout. 
 
 I seek no enemy except the tyrant ; 
 
 When he is slain our task is at an end. 
 
 My worthy friends, let us not stain our swords 
 
 With needless slaughter: I begin already 
 
 To count this people mine, myself their shepherd, 
 
 Whose office is to feed and to protect them, 
 
 Not to destroy. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 O glorious prince ! thrice happy they, 
 Born to enjoy thy future sway ! 
 
 PART THE THIRD, 
 
 AIR.— NITOCRIS. 
 
 ALTERNATE hopes and fears distract my 
 mind : 
 
 My weary soul no rest can find. 
 
 My busy fancy now presents 
 A gracious scene ; my son repents, 
 
 And God recalls his doom : 
 Now to false shame he quits his fears, 
 False courage takes, and madly dares 
 
 His impious feast resume : 
 Then arms and dying groans resound, 
 And streams of blood gush out around. 
 
 RECITATIVE. 
 
 Fain would I hope — Is there not room for hope ~ 
 
BELSHAZZAR. 4i 
 
 AIR. — DANIEL. 
 
 Can the black JEthiop change his skin ? 
 His native spots the leopard lose ? 
 Then may the heart obdur'd in sin, 
 Grow soft, repent, and virtue choose ? 
 Threats or advice but move disdain, 
 And signs and wonders glare in vain. 
 Nit. My hopes revive, here Arioch comes: By 
 this 
 f Tis plain the revels are broke up. Say, Arioch, 
 Where is the king ? 
 
 Arioch. When you had left the room, 
 Awhile deep silence reign'd : The king sat pensive, 
 As doubting whether to break up the banquet, 
 Or to continue. At length some parasites, 
 Those insects vile that still infest a court, 
 Began to minister false comfort to him. 
 With this, again 
 
 They sat them down to drink : The bowl went round : 
 The king forgot his fears, the wine inspir'd him, 
 And he blasphem'd again. Not long we sat, 
 When from without the gates a noise tumultuous 
 Was heard, loud shouts and cries, and clashing arms, 
 The king deputed some to learn the cause. 
 I gladly seiz'd the opportunity, 
 And fled a place to swift destruction doom'd. 
 
 A MESSENGER. 
 
 All's lost ! — The fate of Babylon is come ! 
 Cyrus is here — even within the palace ' 
 Nit. Cyrus .'—Impossible ! 
 Mess. It is too true. 
 
42 BELSHAZZAR. 
 
 A tumult heard without, the gates unbarr'd 
 
 Disclosed a dreadful scene : The guards o'erpower'd 
 
 By numbers far superior, fell before them 
 
 With faint resistance. The victorious foe 
 
 No sooner saw the gates set open wide, 
 
 But rush'd at once, and easy entrance gained, 
 
 CHORUS OF JEWS. 
 
 Bel boweth down ! Nebo stoopeth ! 
 How is Sesach taken ! 
 And how is the praise of the whole earth surpriz'd ! 
 Thy counsel stands, O Lord, 
 And thou dost all thy pleasure. 
 
 AIR.— BELSHAZZAR. 
 
 I thank thee, Sesach, thy sweet pow'r 
 
 Does to myself myself restore. 
 Thy plenteous heart-inspiring juice 
 All my courage lost renews. 
 I blush to think I shadows fear'd— 
 Cyrus, come on : I'm now prepared. 
 
 AIR.— GOBRYAS. 
 
 To pow'r immortal my first thanks are due .* 
 My next, great Cyrus, let me pay to you ; 
 
 Whose arm this impious king laid low, 
 
 The bitter source of all my woe. 
 
 Tears, sure, will all my life employ ! 
 
 £v*n now I weep— but weep for joy. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — CYRUS. 
 
 Be it thy care, good Gobryas, to find out 
 The queen, and that great Jew, of whom thou told'st 
 
 me; 
 Guard them in safety hither; if harm befall them* 
 I shall repent and curse my victory. 
 
BELSHAZZAR. 43 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Destructive war thy limits know : 
 Here, tyrant death, thy terrors end. 
 
 To tyrants only I'm a foe, 
 
 To virtue, and her friends, a friend. 
 
 DUET. — NITOCRIS. 
 
 Great victor, at your feet I bow, 
 No more a queen, — your vassal now ! 
 My people spare : — Forgive my fears ! 
 I mourn a son ! — Indulge my tears ; 
 
 Resistless nature bids them flow. 
 C yr. Rise, virtuous queen, compose your mind. 
 Give fear and sorrow to the wind 5 
 Safe are your people, if they will : 
 Be still a queen, a mother still : 
 
 A son in Cyrus you shall find. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — CYRUS TO DANIEL. 
 
 Say, venerable prophet, is there ought 
 In Cyrus' pow'r, by which he can oblige 
 Thee, or thy people ? 
 
 Dan. O victorious prince ! 
 The God of Israel, Lord of heav'n and earth, 
 Long ere thy birth foretold thee by thy name, 
 And shew'd thy conquest ! ? Tis to him thou ow'st, 
 To him thou must ascribe them. Read those lines, 
 The great prediction which thou hast already 
 In part accomplish 'd, and (we trust) will soon 
 Fulfil the rest. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Tell it out among the heathen, that the Lord is king. 
 
44 BELSHAZZAR. 
 
 RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED. — CYRUS, 
 
 Yes, I will build thy city, God of Israel, 
 I will release thy captives. 
 Hear, holy people \ hear, elect of God. 
 The god of Israel — (he alone is God) 
 Hath charg'd me to rebuild his house and city, 
 And let his exil'd captive people go. 
 With transport I obey. Be free, ye captives, 
 And to your native land in peace return. 
 Thou, O Jerusalem, shalt be rebuilt ; 
 O temple, thy foundation shall be laid. 
 No thanks to me ! — To God return your thanks, 
 As I do mine : We all are to his goodness 
 Indebted deep : to him be all the praise. 
 
 ANTHEM. 
 
 I will magnify thee, O God my king, 
 
 And I will praise thy name for ever and ever; 
 
 My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord, 
 
 And let all flesh give thanks 
 
 Unto his holy name, for ever and ever. Amen, 
 
ATM ALIA: 
 
 AN ORATORIO, OR SACRED DRAMA* 
 
 Josabeth, Priests, and Chorus of young Virgins 
 and Israelites. 
 
 AIR. — JOSABETH. 
 
 BLOOMING virgins, spotless train, 
 Great Jehovah claims your lays ; 
 Hail, the wonders of his reign, 
 Wake the day-spring with his praise. 
 
 CHORUS OF YOUNG VIRGINS. 
 
 The rising world Jehovah crown'd 
 
 With bright magnificence; around 
 
 He hung the radiant orbs on high, 
 
 And pour'd the sun-beams through the sky ; 
 
 He lent the flow'rs their lovely glow, 
 
 And breath'd the fragranee they bestow; 
 
 The plains with verdant charms array'd, 
 
 And beautify'd with green the glade. 
 
 O mortals, if around us here, 
 
 So wond'rous all his works appear, 
 
 Ah ! think with awe, ye sons of men, 
 
 How wond'rous is the -Author then ! 
 
46 ATHALIA. 
 
 AIR AND CHORUS, 
 
 Tyrants would in impious throngs 
 Silence his adorers songs ; 
 But shall Salem's lyre and lute 
 At their proud command be mute ? 
 Tyrants, ye in vain conspire, 
 Wake the lute, and strike the lyre. 
 
 RECITATIVE.— ISRAELITE. 
 
 When he is in his wrath reveal' d, 
 Where will the haughty lie conceal'd ? 
 
 AIR. — ABNER. 
 
 When storms the proud to terrors doom'd. 
 He forms the dark majestic scene, 
 
 He rolls the thunder thro' the gloom, 
 And on the whirlwind rides serene. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 O Judah, boast his matchless law, 
 Pronounc'd with such tremendous awe, 
 When tempests his approach proclaim'd. 
 And Sinah's trembling mountain flam'd -> 
 All Judah then his terrors saw. 
 
 SCENE 11.— Enter Joad. 
 
 RECITATIVE. 
 
 Your sacred songs awhile forbear, 
 Our festival demands your care ; 
 And now no longer let your stay 
 The due solemnities delay. 
 
 RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED. 
 
 O Judah, Judah chosen seed, 
 
 To what sad woes art thou decreed f 
 
ATHALIA. 47 
 
 How are thy sacred priests profan'd ! 
 Thy rites with vile pollution stain'd ? 
 Proud Athalia's impious hand 
 Sheds desolation thro' the land ; 
 Bids strange unhallow'd altars flame, 
 And proudly braves Jehovah's name. 
 
 AIR AND CHORUS. — JOAD* 
 
 O Lord, whom we adore, 
 Shall Judah rise no more ? 
 
 Can this be thy decree ? 
 Hear from thy mercy seat 
 The groans thy tribes repeat, 
 
 The sighs they breathe to thee ! 
 
 4 
 
 SCENE III. 
 
 Athalia, Chorus of Attend ants j to them 
 Abner ^Mathan, 
 
 Athalia starting out of slumber* 
 
 RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED. 
 
 What scenes of horror round me rise ! 
 I shake, I faint, with dire surprise ; 
 Is sleep (that frees the wretch from woe) 
 To majesty alone a foe ? 
 
 Enter Abner and Mathan. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — ATHALIA. 
 
 O Mathan, help me to controul 
 The wild confusion of my soul. 
 
 Mathan. Why shrinks that mighty soul wkh 
 fear, 
 What cares, what dangers can be near > 
 
48 ATHALIA, 
 
 Athalia. Ev'n now, as I was sunk in deep 
 repose, 
 My mother's awful form before me rose ; 
 But, ah ! she chill'd my soul with fear, 
 For thus she thunder'd in my ear: 
 
 RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED. — ATHALIA. 
 
 O Athalia, tremble at thy fate, 
 For Judah's God pursues thee with his hate ; 
 And will, with unrelenting wrath, this day 
 Set all his terrors round thee in array. 
 
 CHORUS OF ATTENDANTS AND SIDONIAN 
 PRIESTS. 
 
 The Gods, who chosen blessings shed 
 On Majesty's anointed head ; 
 For thee their care will still employ, 
 And brighten all thy fears to joy. 
 
 RECITATIVE.— ATHALIA. 
 
 Her form at this began to fade, 
 And seem'd dissolving into shade ; 
 In waking starts I vainly press'd 
 To clasp her to my panting breast ; 
 She, pale from my embrace, withdrew, 
 And bleeding limbs lay mangled in my view ; 
 The horrid carnage dogs contending tore, 
 And drank, with dreadful thirst, the^floating gore. 
 
 CHORUS OF ATTENDANTS AND SIDONIAN 
 PRIESTS. 
 
 Cheer her, O Baal ! with a soft serene. 
 And in thy votary protect the queen. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — ATHALIA. 
 
 Amidst these horrors that my soul dismay YL 
 A youth I saw in shining robes array'd, 
 
ATHALIA. 49 
 
 Such as the priests of Judah wear 
 
 When they for solemn pomp prepare ; 
 
 His lovely form and winning smile 
 
 Suspended all my fears awhile ; 
 But as the young barbarian I caress'd, 
 He plung'd a dagger deep within my breast; 
 
 No efforts could the blow repel, 
 
 I shriek'd, I fainted, and I fell. 
 Mat. Great Queen, be calm, these fears I 
 deem 
 
 The birth of a delusive dream ; 
 
 Let Harmony breathe soft around, 
 
 For Sadness ceases at the sound. 
 
 AIR. — MATHAN. 
 
 Gentle airs, melodious strains, 
 
 Call for raptures out of woe; 
 Lull the regal mourner's pains, 
 
 Sweetly soothe her as you flow. 
 
 AIR. — ATHALIA. 
 
 Softest sounds no more can ease me, 
 Heav'n a weight of woe decrees me, 
 
 Horrors all my hopes destroy ; 
 Whilst such rising torments grieve me, 
 Tuneful strains can ne'er relieve me, 
 
 Vain is all the voice of joy. 
 
 RECITATIVE.- — MATHAN. 
 
 Swift to the temple let us fly, to know 
 What mansion hides this youthful foe. 
 
 Abner. I'll haste the pontiff to prepare. 
 For this black storm of wild despair, 
 
 E 
 
50 ATHALIA. 
 
 CHORUS OF ATTENDANTS. 
 
 The traitor, if you there descry, 
 O let him by the altar die. 
 
 SCENE IV. 
 Joad, Josabeth, Chorus, and to them A#ner. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — JOAD. 
 
 My Josabeth, the grateful time appears, 
 To bid dejected Judah end her fears. 
 
 Josabeth. O tell the people, as I oft have crav'd. 
 That I from death the royal infant sav'd. 
 
 Enter Abner. 
 Priest of the living God, with anxious heart, 
 Proud Athalia's purpose I impart : 
 
 With vengeful haste she marches here, 
 To brave the God whom we revere; 
 She says, this pile conceals a youthful foe, 
 Whose fall, she means, shall end her jealous woe. 
 
 Jos. O, killing shock of unexpected pain ! 
 O, innocence ! my tender care is vain : 
 Must I, at last, my cherish'd joys forego, 
 And drink, alas ! this bitter cup of woe P 
 
 AIR. — JOSABETH. 
 
 Faithful cares, in vain extended ; 
 Lovely hopes for ever ended ; 
 
 Beamy dawn of joy farewell ; 
 Gentle death at last relieve me, 
 From the cruel woes that grieve me, 
 Thou alone can'st now repel. 
 
ATHA.LIA. , 51 
 
 RECITATIVE. — ABNER. 
 
 cease, fair princess, to indulge your woe, 
 No mortal to your son can prove a foe ; 
 This grief, O Josabeth, degrades your soul, 
 Can God no longer Judah's foe controul? 
 
 1 trust he will his gracious care employ, 
 To make us close this festival with joy. 
 
 air. — JOAD. 
 Gloomy tyrants, we disdain 
 
 All the terrors you intend ; 
 All your fury will be vain, 
 
 And in low confusion end. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Hallelujah. 
 
 PART THE SECOND. 
 
 SCENE I. 
 
 Joash, Joad, Josabeth, Zacharias, Priests, 
 Levites, and Chorus, 
 
 chorus. 
 
 THE mighty pow'r in whom we trust 
 Is ever to his promise just; 
 He makes this sacred day appear 
 The pledge of a propitious year : 
 He bids the circling season shine, 
 Hecals the olive and the vine, 
 With blooming plenty loads the plain, 
 And crowns the fields with golden grain ; 
 e 2 
 
52 ATHALIA. 
 
 Give glory to his awful name, 
 Let ev'ry voice his praise proclaim, 
 
 AIR. — JOS A BETH. 
 
 Thro' the land so lovely blooming, 
 Nature all her charms assuming, 
 
 Wakes the soul to cheerful praise : 
 Verdant scenes around us rising, 
 Each delighted scene surprising, 
 
 Softly crown the circling days. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — ABNER. 
 
 Ah! were this land from proud Oppression freed. 
 Judah would be blest indeed. 
 Jo ad. O, Abner ! wert thou certain that the sword 
 Had not destroy'd the race by thee deplor'd : 
 Did one dear branch of that great stem remain, 
 VVouldst thou, O Abner, then this cause maintain ? 
 
 AIR. — ABNER. 
 
 Ah! canst thou but prove me, 
 
 To vengeance I spring, 
 No terrors shall move me, 
 
 I'll fall for my king : 
 But, whilst you relieve me 
 
 Awhile from my pain, 
 1 fear you deceive me 
 
 With joys that are vain. 
 
 RECITATIVE.' — JO AD. 
 
 Thou dost the ardour that I wish display, 
 Revisit me before the close of day ; 
 
 See the proud imperious queen 
 
 Approaches with a glaring mien. 
 
ATH ALIA. ^ 
 
 SCENE II.— Enter Athalia. 
 
 RECITATIVE. 
 
 Confusion to my thoughts ! my eyes have view'd 
 My dreadful vision in this place renew'd. 
 Thro' all my veins the chilling horrors run ; 
 (To Jos.) Say, Josabeth, is this fair youth thy son? 
 
 Jos. Tho' much he merits my fond love, yet he 
 Is not indebted for his birth to me. 
 
 Ath. Who is thy father ? Let his name be known. 
 Jos. He has no father, but kind heav'n alone; 
 Ath. (To Jos.) Why so officious does thy zeal 
 appear ? 
 I mean the answer from his lips to hear. 
 (To Joash) How art thou call'd? 
 Joash. Eliakim. 
 Ath. Unfold thy father's name ? 
 Joash. In me, alas ! behold an orphan, 
 Cast by Providence, and ne'er 
 As yet acquainted who his parents were. 
 
 Ath. Give me to understand whose tender cares, 
 Sustain'd and rear'd thee in thy infant years? 
 air. — joash. 
 Will God, whose mercies ever flow, 
 Expose his children's youth to woe ? 
 The little birds his bounty taste, 
 All nature with his gifts are grac'd ; 
 Each day that I his care implore, 
 He feeds me from his altar's store. 
 
54 ATHALIA. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — ATHALIA. 
 
 'Tis my intention, lovely youth, that you 
 A scene more suited to your worth shall view; 
 You to the palace shall this day repair, 
 And live consign'd to Athalia's care. 
 Joash. Shall I behold the God by whom I'm 
 
 bless'd, 
 Prophan'd by you with rites that I detest. 
 Ath. (To Jos.) Princess, in discipline you much 
 
 excel, 
 Whate'er you dictate he remembers well ; 
 But be assured that one revolving hour, 
 Shall snatch your learned pupil from your pow'r. 
 
 AIR. — ATHALIA. 
 
 My vengeance awakes me, 
 
 Compassion forsakes me, 
 All softness and mercy away ; 
 
 My foes, with confusion, 
 
 Shall find their illusion, 
 And tremble before me to day. 
 
 DUET. — JOSABETH AND JOASH. 
 
 My spirits fail, I faint, I die, 
 
 The grave shall hide my head; 
 My grief's too great to bear. Ah ! why 
 
 Is Hope for ever fled? 
 
 For thee sorrows rend me, 
 
 Kind heav'n will befriend me ; 
 
 Thy ardours aifect me ; 
 
 He sure will protect me ; 
 
 My grief's too great to bear. 
 
ATHALIA. 55 
 
 Whate'er this tyrant may decree, 
 O God, I place my trust in thee. 
 
 SCENE III. 
 
 Re- enter to them Joad, Chorus of Young Vir- 
 gins, and Chorus of Priests <2«^Levites, 
 
 RECITATIVE.— JOAD. 
 
 Dear Josabeth, I trembled whilst thy woe 
 Did in its first emotions widely flow, 
 But when at last thou didst the pang controul, 
 My fading joy re-kindled in my soul. 
 duet. — JOAD. 
 Cease thy anguish, smile once more, 
 
 Let thy tears no longer flow; 
 Judah's God, whom w r e adore, 
 Soon to joy will change thy w T oe. 
 Jos. All his mercies I review, 
 Gladly with a grateful heart; 
 And, I trust, he will renew 
 Blessings he did once impart. 
 Whate'er this tyrant may decree, 
 Returning joys w T e soon shall see. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — ABNER. 
 
 Joad, e'er day has ended half his race, 
 Again expect me in this secret place. 
 
 CHORUS OF VIRGINS. 
 
 The clouded scene begins to clear, 
 And joys in gentle trains appear. 
 
 CHORUS OF PRIESTS AND LEVITES. 
 
 When crimes aloud for vengeance call, 
 The guilty will be doom'd to fall. 
 
06 ATHALIA. 
 
 Rejoice, Judah, in thy God, 
 The proud alone shall feel his rod, 
 Whilst blessings with a mild decree, 
 His mercy now prepares for thee. 
 
 PART THE THIRD. 
 
 SCENE I.— Joad, Josabeth, Priests, Lrvites, 
 WChorus o/Young Virgins. 
 
 recitative accompanied. — JOAD. 
 
 WHAT sacred horrors shake my breast ? 
 Ah ! His the pow'r divine confest. 
 Who can his energy controul ? 
 He comes, he comes, and fires my soul ! 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Unfold, great seer, what heav'n imparts, 
 And speak glad tidings to our hearts. 
 
 RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED. — JOAD. 
 
 Let harmony breathe soft around, 
 And aid my raptures with the sound. 
 
 AIR AND CHORUS. 
 
 Jerusalem, thou shalt no more 
 
 A tyrant's guilty reign deplore; 
 
 No longer with dejected brow, 
 
 Shall solitary sit as now ; 
 Her fury soon shall cease to grieve thee, 
 
 Destin'd vengeance swiftly flies ; 
 Heaven itself will now relieve me, 
 See she falls, she bleeds, she dies ! 
 
ATHALIA. 57 
 
 O shining mercy, gracious pow'r, 
 That aids us in the needful hour. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — JOAD TO JOASH. 
 
 Eliakim ! x 
 
 To ash. My father! 
 
 Jo ad. Let me know, 
 
 Should heav'n on thee a diadem bestow, 
 What reign of Judah's kings wouldst thou that day, 
 Choose for the model of thy future sway ? 
 
 Jo ash. Should God such glory for my lot ordain^ 
 Like righteous David I would wish to reign. 
 
 Jo ad. O Joash ! O my king, thus low to thee 
 I pay the homage of my bended knee. 
 
 Joash. Is this reality or kind deceit! 
 Ah I can I see my father at my feet ? 
 
 Jos. Ye sacred bands who serve the God of truths 
 Revere your sov'reign in that royal youth. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 With firm united hearts, we all 
 Will conquer in his cause or fall. 
 
 SCENE II.— Enter Mathan. 
 
 RECITATIVE. 
 
 O Princess, I approach thee to declare 
 How much thy welfare is my care. 
 
 Josa. What means, proud Mathan, thy intrusion 
 here ? 
 Has heav'n no vengeance for thy crimes to fear ? 
 
 Mat. Fair Josabeth, tho' you insult me so, 
 Trust me, in Mathan you behold no foe. 
 
58 ATHALIA, 
 
 AIR. — JOSABETH. 
 
 Soothing tyrant falsely smiling, 
 
 Virtue's foes I ne'er shall fear; 
 Flatt'ring sounds and looks beguiling. 
 
 Lose their artful meaning here. 
 
 Go, thou vain deceiver, go, 
 
 Alike to me a friend or foe. 
 
 SCENE III.— Re-enter Joad. 
 
 RECITATIVE. 
 
 Apostate priest ! how canst thou dare, 
 
 To violate this house of pray'r ? 
 Mat. Joad, I scorn thy proud insulting mien ; 
 Prepare to answer thy offended queen. 
 
 SCENE IV. — Enter Athalia, Abner, and 
 
 Chorus of Sidonian Priests. 
 Atha. O, bold seducer, art thou there ? 
 
 Where is the youth, inform me where ? 
 Joad. Ye priests, the youth before her bring. 
 
 Proud woman ! there behold our king. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Around let acclamations ring; 
 
 Hail, royal youth, long live the king ! 
 
 SOLO. — JOAD AND CHORUS. 
 
 Reviving Judah shall no more 
 
 Detested images adore ; 
 
 We'll purge, with a reforming hand, 
 
 Idolatry from out the land 5 
 
 May God, from whom all mercies spring, 
 
 Bless the true church and save the king. 
 
ATHALIA. 59 
 
 RECITATIVE. — ATHALIA. 
 
 O treason, treason, impious scene ! 
 Abner, avenge thy injur'd queen. 
 Jo ad. Great chief, behold the royal Joash there, 
 Preserv'd by Josabeth's successful care, 
 Thy dauntless loyalty of soul I know, 
 Thou can'st not be to David's race a foe. 
 
 Abner. Does heav'nthis blessing then at last ac* 
 cord ? 
 O royal Joash, O my honour'd lord ! 
 
 AIR. — ABNER. 
 
 Oppression no longer I dread thee, 
 Thy terrors, proud queen, I despise ; 
 
 Thy crimes to confusion have led thee, 
 And Judah triumphant shall rise. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — ATHALIA. 
 
 Where am I ? furies ! wild despair ! 
 Where are my guards, my vassals where t 
 Mathan, invoke thy God to shed 
 His vengeance on each rebel's head. 
 Mat. He hears no more, our hopes are past, 
 The Hebrew's God prevails at last; 
 Alas ! alas ! my broken vow; 
 His dreadful hand is on me now. 
 
 AIR. — MATHAN. 
 
 Hark ! hark ! his thunders round me roll. 
 
 His angry awful frowns I see ; 
 His arrows wound my trembling soul, 
 
 Is no more mercy left for me ? 
 Ah I no, he now denies to save, 
 Open, O earth ! and be my grave. 
 
60 ATHALIA. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — JO AD. 
 
 Yes, proud apostate ! thou shalt fall, 
 
 Thy crimes aloud for vengeance call. 
 Ath. I see all hopes, all succours fail, 
 
 And Judah's God will now prevail. 
 
 I see my death this day decreed ; 
 
 But, traitors, I can dare to bleed ; 
 Let Jezabel's great soul my bosom fill, 
 And ev'n in death, proud priest! I'll triumph still. 
 
 AIR.— ATHALIA. 
 
 To darkness eternal. 
 
 And horrors infernal, 
 Undaunted I'll hasten away ; 
 
 O tyrants, your treason 
 
 Shall, in the due season, 
 Weep blood for this barbarous day. 
 
 SCENE V.— JOASH, JOAD, JOSABETH, ABNER, 
 
 ^Chorus. 
 recitative.— jo ad. 
 Now, Josabeth, thy fears are o'er ; 
 Bless'd be his name whom we adore. 
 
 DUET. 
 
 Joys in gentle trains appearing, 
 
 Heav'n does to my fair impart ; 
 And to make them more endearing, 
 
 I shall share them with thy heart. 
 Jos. Softest joys would but deceive me, 
 
 Hadst thou not thy happy part ; 
 O my dearest Lord believe me, 
 
 Thou shalt share them with my heart. 
 
ATHALIA. 61 
 
 Jo ad. I shall share them with thy heart 
 Jos. Thou shalt share them with my heart. 
 Joad. And to make them more endearing, 
 I shall share them with thy heart. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — ABNER. 
 
 Rejoice, O Judah ! this triumphant day 
 Let all the goodness of our God display ; 
 Who's mercies to the wond'ring world declare, 
 His chosen people are his chosen care. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Give glory to his awful name, 
 
 Let ev'ry voice his praise proclaim. 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 O 
 
 AIR AND CHORUS. — JOAD. 
 
 LOED whom we adore, 
 Shall Judah rise no more ? 
 Can this be thy decree ? 
 Hear from thy mercy-seat, 
 The groans thy tribes repeat, 
 The sighs they breathe to thee. 
 
 AIR.— JOSABETH. 
 
 Through the land so lovely blooming, 
 Nature all her charms assuming, 
 
 Wakes the soul to cheerful praise j 
 Verdant scenes around us rising, 
 Each delightful sense surprising, 
 
 Softly crown the circling days. 
 
I 
 
 DEBORAH: 
 
 A SACRED ORATORIO. 
 PART THE FIRST. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 MMORTAL Lord of- earth and skies, 
 Whose wonders all around us rise ; 
 Whose anger, when it awful glows, 
 To swift perdition dooms thy foes ; 
 O grant a leader to our host, 
 Whose name with honour we may boast j 
 Whose conduct may our cause maintain, 
 And break our proud oppressor's chain. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — DEBORAH. 
 
 O Barak, favour'd of the skies, 
 
 O son of Abinoam, rise ; 
 
 Heaven by thy arm his people saves, 
 
 And dooms our tyrants for our slaves. 
 Barak. O Deborah, with wise prediction blest, 
 To whom futurity stands forth confest ; 
 Will heaven on me a gift so great bestow, 
 And grace the meanest of his servants so ? 
 
DEBORAH. S3 
 
 DUET. 
 
 Where do thy ardours raise me, 
 
 How shall I soar to fame ? 
 Shall then my conduct praise me, 
 
 And thus adorn my name ? 
 Deb. Trust in the God that fires thee 
 
 To vindicate his laws ; 
 Act now as he inspires thee, 
 
 Thou shalt revive our cause. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Forbear thy doubts, to arms away, 
 Thy God commands, do thou obey. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — BARAK. 
 
 Since heaven has thus his will express'd y 
 Submission now becomes me best ; 
 
 But ere we stand in arms array'd, 
 
 O prophetess, implore his aid, 
 
 And let uniting Judah join, 
 
 To supplicate the power divine. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 For ever to the voice of prayer, 
 Jehovah lends a gracious ear. 
 
 RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED. — DEBORAH. 
 
 By that adorable decree, 
 
 That chaos cloth' d with symmetry ; 
 
 By that resistless power that made 
 
 Refulgent brightness start from shade ; 
 
 That still'd contending atoms strife, 
 
 And spake creation into life ; 
 
 O thou supreme trail seen dant Lord, 
 
 Thy succours to our cries afford. 
 
64 DEBORAH. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 O hear thy lowly servants' prayer, 
 And grant them thy propitious care, 
 
 RECITATIVE. — DEBORAH. 
 
 Ye sons of Israel, cease your tears, 
 Jehovah your petition hears ; 
 The impious chief of Canaan's host, 
 That made our fall his darling boast, 
 Shall perish on the crimson sand, 
 Ignobly by a woman's hand. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 O blast with thy tremendous brow, 
 The tyrants that insult us now. 
 
 RECITATIVE.— -BARAK. 
 
 To whomsoe'er his fate the tyrant owes, 
 My trust no pangs of pining envy knows ; 
 Thy lovely sex, O Deborah, may claim 
 Equal prerogative with man in fame ; 
 And none but savage breasts alone, 
 Their charming merit can disown. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 How lovely is the blooming fair, 
 Whose beauty virtue's laws refine ; 
 
 She well may claim our softest care, 
 For sure she almost seems divine. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — JAEL. 
 
 O Deborah ! where'er I turn my eyes, 
 Grim scenes of war in all their horrors rise, 
 O grant me in my green retreat, 
 Where solitude has fix'd her seat ; 
 
DEBORAH. 65 
 
 To live in peace, sequester'd far 
 From dire alarms and sanguine war. 
 Deb. Hear me then Jael, let no fear } 
 
 Of proud hostility thy peace impair, > 
 
 For heav'n has made thee its peculiar care. J 
 Thy virtue, ere the close of day, 
 Shall shine with such a bright display, 
 That thou shalt be by all confest, 
 Thy sexes pride divinely blest. 
 
 AIR.— DEBORAH. 
 
 Choirs of angels all around thee, 
 Lest oppression should confound thee, 
 
 Watchful wail in radiant throngs ; 
 Judah's God, array'd in splendour, 
 Deigns to be thy great defender, 
 
 From all meditated wrongs. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — JAEL. 
 
 My transports are too great to tell, 
 On the dear theme I could for ever dwell : 
 1 God does not only condescend, 
 My life from danger to defend ; 
 But keeps for me such joys in store, 
 Ambition could not ask for more. 
 
 AIR, 
 
 To joy he brightens my despair, 
 No rising pangs my peace controul 5 
 
 He guards me with a father's care, 
 And pours his mercy on my soul. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — ABINOAM. 
 
 Barak, my son, the joyful sound 
 Of acclamations all around, 
 
 F 
 
66 DEBORAH. 
 
 Give me to know the glorious weight of cares* 
 
 God for thy fortitude prepares 5 
 Swift may thy virtues Judah's hope out-run, 
 And make thy father boast of such a son, 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Awake the ardour of thy breast, 
 
 For victory, or death, prepare ; 
 Let all thy virtue shine confest, 
 
 And leave the rest to heaven's care. 
 Should conquest crown thee in the field. 
 
 Be humble, or if death's the doom, 
 Thy life with resignation yield, 
 
 And crowds will envy thee thy tomb. 
 
 RECITATIVE.— BARAK. 
 
 I go where heav'n and duty calls, 
 
 Prepar'cl to conquer or to fall : 
 All danger disdaining for battle I glow, 
 Thy glory maintaining Til rush on the foe ; 
 Tho' death all around me stalks dreadfully pale, 
 No fear shall confound me, my cause shall prevail 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Let thy deeds be glorious, 
 And thy right hand victorious. 
 
 RECITATIVE.— HERALD. 
 
 My charge is to declare, 
 From Sisera, a name renown' d in war, 
 
 That he with indignation knows, 
 
 How you presume to be his foes ; 
 Yet such compassion in his bosom reigns. 
 That ere he galls you with redoubled ehains> 
 
DEBORAH. 67 
 
 He condescends to offer, these your chiefs, 
 An interview, that he may learn your griefs ; 
 And the sad waste of human blood to save, 
 Will grant you all that slaves may dare to crave. 
 
 Bar. Proud infidel ! go 5 let the boaster hear 
 He breathes no wrath we condescend to fear ; 
 Tell him besides, that Judah now prepares 
 For interview or battle, as he dares. 
 
 Deb. Let him approach, pacific or in rage, 
 We in the cause of liberty engage. 
 
 Bar. Whilst that bright motive in our bosom 
 glows, 
 We dread no menace, and we shun no foes. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Despair all around them 
 Shall swiftly confound them ; 
 While transports of joy 
 Our praise shall employ* 
 
 Hallelujah ! 
 
 F 2 
 
68 DEBORAH. 
 
 PART THE SECOND. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 QEE the proud chief advances now, 
 ^ With sullen march and gloomy brow 
 Jacob, arise, assert thy God, 
 And scorn oppression's iron rod. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — 5ISERA. 
 
 That here rebellious arms I see, 
 Proud Deborah, proceeds from thee; 
 But wouldst thou yet thy vain ambition cease, 
 Whilst our affronted mercy offers peace, 
 Bow down submissive, ere the impending blow 
 Lays thee and all thy lost associates low* 
 
 AIR. 
 
 At my feet extended low, 
 
 Favour by thy tears engage, 
 Or thou soon shalt trembling know, 
 
 Slighted mercy turns to rage. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — DEBORAH. 
 
 Go forth, barbarian, where thou art fear'd^ 
 None but our God is here rever'd y 
 Our breasts his inspiration warms, 
 To vindicate his cause by arms ; 
 And to thy ruin thou shalt know, 
 What 'tis to find that God thy foe. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 In Jehovah's awful sight, 
 
 Haughty tyrants are but dust ; 
 
 Those who glory in their might, 
 Place in vanity their trust. 
 
DEBORAH, 69, 
 
 RECITATIVE. — SISERA. 
 
 Yes, how your God in wonders can excel, 
 Your low captivity demonstrates well. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Whilst you boast the wond'rous story, 
 Of your God's transcendant glory, 
 
 Has he freed you from our chain ? 
 Think, O think, to your confusion, 
 All you trust in is illusion, 
 
 All your flatt'ring hopes are vain. 
 
 AIR. — BARAK. 
 
 Impious mortal, cease to brave us, 
 Great Jehovah soon will save us, 
 And his time we wail with pleasure ; 
 
 All his people he'll defend, 
 
 And on their oppressors send 
 Plagues and vengeance without measure. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — CHIEF PRIESTS OF BAAL. 
 
 Behold the nations all around, 
 What god, like Baal, is renown'd ; 
 To him your stubborn tribes would bow, 
 Did but the slaves their duty know. 
 
 CHOR.US. 
 
 O Baal ! monarch of the skies, 
 To whom unnumber'd temples rise; 
 From thee the sun immensely bright, 
 Received his radiant robes of light ; 
 By thee with stars the heavens glow, 
 The ocean swells, and rivers flow ; 
 The vales with verdure are array'd, 
 The flowers perfume the thicket's shade; 
 
70 DEBORAH. 
 
 And 'tis by the event confess'd, 
 Thy votaries alone are blest. 
 
 RECIT. — CHIEF PRIESTS OF THE ISRAELITES. 
 
 No more, ye infidels ! no more, 
 
 False is the god whom ye adore, 
 A dull brute idol, whose detested shrine, 
 None but such wretches can believe divine. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Lord of eternity, who hast in store 
 
 Plagues for the proud and mercy for the poor ; 
 
 Look down from thy celestial throne, 
 
 And let the terrors of thy wrath be known. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Plead thy just cause, thy awful pow'r disclose, 
 Avenge thy servants and confound their foes. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — DEBORAH. 
 
 By his great name, and his alone, 
 Whose deity you dare disown ; 
 Whose kindled wrath ye soon shall know, 
 Will prove him a tremendous foe ; 
 Fly, I conjure ye, from this place, 
 Too sacred for a throng so base. 
 Sis. We go, but ye shall quickly mourn, 
 In tears of blood, our dire return. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Deb. All your boast will end in woe, 
 Sis. Farewell, despicable foe ! 
 Bar. Baal has no power to save, 
 Baal Pr. Mighty Baal's aid we crave. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Poor deluded mortals go, 
 Baal's pow'r ye soon shall know. 
 
DEBORAH. 71 
 
 RECITATIVE. — BARAK. 
 
 Great prophetess, my soul's on fire, 
 To execute the ardour you aspire : 
 O that the fight were now begun, 
 My father should not blush to call me son. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 In the battle fame pursuing, 
 
 We'el with slaughter float the plains; 
 
 And our tyrants, low in ruins, 
 
 Soon shall wear their captives' chains. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — ABINOAM. 
 
 Thy ardours warm the winter of my age, 
 Its weakness strengthens and its pains assuage ; 
 And well dost thou our impious foes deride, 
 Justice is thine, and God is on thy side. 
 
 AIR, 
 
 Swift inundation of desolation. 
 
 Pour on the nation of Judah's foes ; 
 
 Can fame delight thee, can heav'n incite thee, 
 They now invite thee to end our woes. 
 
 RECITATIVE.— ISRAELITISH WOMAN. 
 
 O Judah, with what joy I see 
 
 The blessings heav'n preserves for thee. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 No more disconsolate I'll mourn, 
 
 No more sad sackcloth wear ; 
 From chains to freedom we return, 
 
 To transport from despair. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — DEBORAH* 
 
 Now, Jael, to thy tent retire, 
 Our bosoms for the battle fire ; 
 
1% DEBORAH. 
 
 But know thy solitude will thee supply. 
 With glory that shall never die. 
 
 AIR.— JAEL. 
 
 O the pleasure my soul is possessing, 
 At the prospect of mercies so dear, 
 
 May my bosom be ever expressing, 
 With what raptures my God I revere. 
 
 RECITATIVE.— DEBORAH. 
 
 Barak, we now to battle go, 
 And rush with ruin on the foe. 
 
 DUET. 
 
 Smiling freedom, lovely guest, 
 
 Balmy source of softest joy, 
 Mortals by thy aid are blest, 
 
 With such charms that never cloy. 
 Bar. Thy dear presence to obtain, 
 
 Sweetly smoothing ev'ry care, 
 Who would dread the hostile plain, 
 
 Who each danger would not dare ? 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 The great King of kings will aid us to-day, 
 His praises let all with transport display. 
 
DEBORAH. 73 
 
 PART THE THIRD. 
 
 N 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 OW the proud insulting foe, 
 Prostrate in the dust lies low; 
 Broken chariots, hills of slain, 
 Load the wide-extended plain. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — ISRAELITISH WOMAN. 
 
 The haughty foe, whose pride to heav'n did soar, 
 Is fall'n, is fall'n, and Canaan is no more. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Now sweetly smiling peace descends, 
 
 And waves her downy wings ; 
 Each blessing in her train attends, 
 
 Each joy around her springs. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — ABINOAM. 
 
 My prayers are heard; the blessings of this day 
 All my past cares, and anguish, well repay; 
 
 The soldiers to each other tell, 
 My Barak has performed his duty well. 
 Barak. My honour'd father ! 
 
 Abinoam. O, my son, my son, 
 Well has thy youth the race of honour won. 
 
 AIR.; — ABINOAM. 
 
 Tears, such as tender fathers shed, 
 Warm from my aged eyes descend ; 
 
 For joy to think, when I am dead, 
 My son* shall have mankind his friend. 
 
74 DEBORAH. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — JAEL. 
 
 O, Deborah ! my fears are o'er, 
 Proud Sisera is now no more. 
 
 CHORUS OF BAAL'S PRIESTS. 
 
 Doleful tidings, how ye wound, 
 Despair and Death are in that sound. 
 
 AIR.— ISRAELITISH WOMAN. 
 
 Our fears are now for ever tied, 
 
 Our eyes no more shall flow ; 
 Swift vengeance has laid low the head 
 
 Of our imperious foe. 
 
 RECITATIVE.— BARAK. 
 
 I saw the tyrant breathless in her tent, 
 Her arm, his soul to endless darkness sent ; 
 But see the glad assembly wait to know 
 How thou did'st rid them of so fierce a foe ; 
 Already thou hast told it me, 
 But the relation will please more from thee. 
 Jael. When from the battle that proud captain 
 fled, 
 Vengeance divine to my pavillion led 
 The trembling fugitive, who pale with care 
 Besought me, panting to conceal him there ; 
 With flaming thirst, and anguish in his look, 
 He ask'd for water from the limpid brook, 
 But milk I gave him, in a copious bowl, 
 With ecstasy he quaff'd, and cool'd his soul; 
 And then with his laborious flight opprest, 
 In some few moments he sunk down to rest ; 
 Then was I conscious, heav'n that happy hour 
 Had placed the foe of Judah in my pow'r, 
 
DEBORAH. 75 
 
 The workman's hammer and a nail I seiz'd, 
 And whilst his limbs in deep repose he eas'd, 
 I through his bursting temples forc'd the wound, 
 And rivetted the tyrant to the ground. 
 air. — JAEL. 
 Tyrant, now no more we dread thee, 
 
 All thy insolence is o'er; 
 Justice to thy ruin led thee, 
 Thou art fall' n to rise no more. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — DEBORAH. 
 
 If Jael, I aright divine, 
 When men hereafter would proclaim, 
 All that is noble by one name, 
 
 O Jael, they will mention thinej 
 
 AIR. 
 
 The glorious sun shall cease to shed 
 His beamy treasure from the skies; 
 
 And merit shall be virtue's dread, 
 Whene'er thy blest memorial dies. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — BARAK. 
 
 May heav'n, with kind profusion, shed 
 Its chosen joys on Jael's head. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Low at her feet he bow'd, he fell, 
 And laid in dust his haughty head ; 
 
 And late posterity shall tell 
 That where he bow'd, he fell down dead. 
 
 RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED.— DEBORAH. 
 
 O, great Jehovah ! may thy foes 
 Thus perish, who thy laws oppose ; 
 
76 DEBORAH. 
 
 But, oh! let all who love thy praise. 
 And dedicate to thee their days, 
 Shine, like the sun, divinely bright, 
 When forth he marches in his might, 
 To run his radiant race of light. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Let our glad songs to heav'n ascend, 
 For Judah's God is Judah's friend. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 O celebrate his sacred name, 
 With gratitude his praise proclaim. 
 
 Hallelujah 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 CEASE, O Judah, cease thy mourning. 
 See the days of bliss returning, 
 Yield your hearts to cheerful praise ; 
 Tell in songs your joyful story, 
 Give to God alone the glory, 
 
 Whence you boast your happy days. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 "To joy he brightens my despair, 
 
 No rising pangs my peace controul ; 
 
 He guards me with a father's care, 
 And pours his mercy on my soul. 
 
DEBORAH. 77 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Hateful man, thy raptur'd mind 
 Vainly swells with proud disdain; 
 
 Know, that soon thy land shall find, 
 Vain her trust, her triumphs vain. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — DEBORAH. 
 
 Let him approach pacific, or in rage, 
 We in the cause of liberty engage. 
 
 Bar. Whilst that bright motive in our bosom glows? 
 We dread no menace, and we shun no foes. 
 
ESTHER: 
 
 A SACRED ORATORIO, 
 PART THE FIRST. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — HABDONAH. 
 
 X IS greater far to spare than to destroy* 
 Ham an. I'll hear no more ; 'tis decreed, 
 All the Jewish race shall bleed. 
 Hear and obey what Hainan's voice commands 
 Hath not the Lord of all the East 
 Giv'n all his pow'r into my hands ? 
 Hear, all ye nations, far and wide, 
 Which own our monarch's sway, 
 Hear and obey. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Pluck root and branch from out the land : 
 Shall I the God of Israel fear? 
 
 Let Jewish blood dye ev'ry hand, 
 Nor age, nor sex I spare. 
 
 Raze, raze, their temples to the ground, 
 
 And let their place no more be found. 
 
ESTHER. 19 
 
 Officer. Our souls with ardour glow, 
 To execute the blow. 
 
 RECITATIVE. 
 
 Jerusalem no more shall mourn 
 
 In sad captivity forlorn : 
 
 The righteous God, in whom we trust, 
 
 Will be propitious to the just. 
 
 To rapture, then, your voices raise, 
 
 And change your sighs to songs of praise* 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Shall we the God of Israel fear ? 
 
 Nor age, nor sex we'll spare : 
 Pluck root and branch from out the land, 
 
 RECITATIVE. — FIRST ISRAELITE. 
 
 Now Persecution shall lay by her iron rod, 
 Esther is queen, and Esther serves the living GocL 
 
 AIR. — FIRST ISRAELITE. 
 
 Tune your harps to cheerful strains, 
 
 Moulder idols into dust ; 
 Great Jehovah lives and reigns, 
 
 We in great Jehovah trust. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Shall we of servitude complain, 
 The heavy yoke and galling chain ! 
 
 AIR. — FIRST ISRAELITE. 
 
 Praise the Lord with cheerful noise, 
 Wake my glory, wake my lyre ; 
 
 Praise the Lord each mortal voice, 
 Praise the Lord, ye heavenly choir. 
 
 Zion now her head shall raise, 
 
 Tune your harps to songs of praise. 
 
80 ESTHER. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — SECOND ISRAELITE. 
 
 God, who from the suckling's mouth 
 
 Ordainest early praise ; 
 
 Of such as worship thee in truth, 
 
 Accept the humble lays. 
 
 AIR. ISRAELITE. 
 
 Sing songs of praise, bow down the knee. 
 
 Our chains we slight, 
 
 Our yoke is light, 
 The worship of our God is free ; 
 Sion again her head shall raise, 
 Time all your harps to songs of praise. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Breathe soft ye gales, ye rills in silence roll. 
 And heavenly peace reside in Esther's soul. 
 
 RECITATIVE. 
 
 How have our sins provok'd the Lord ! 
 Wild Persecution has unsheath'd the sword. 
 Haman hath sent forth his decree : 
 
 The sons of Israel, all, 
 
 Shall in one ruin fall. 
 
 RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED. 
 
 Methinks I hear the mother's groans, 
 While babes are dash'd against the stones 
 
 1 hear the infant's shriller screams, 
 
 Stabb'd at the mother's breast ; 
 Blood stains the murd'rer's vest, 
 And through the city flows in streams 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Ye sons of Israel mourn, 
 Ye never to your country shall return, 
 
o 
 
 ESTHER 81 
 
 PART THE SECOND. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 JORDAN, Jordan, sacred tide ! 
 Shall we no more behold thee glide 
 The fertile vales along, 
 As in our great forefathers days ? 
 Shall not thy hills resound with praise, 
 And learn our holy song ? 
 
 RECITATIVE. — ESTHER. 
 
 Why sits that sorrow on thy brow? 
 Why is thy rev'rend head 
 W T ith mournful ashes spread ? 
 Why is that humble sackcloth worn ? 
 Speak, Mordecai, my kinsman, friend ? 
 Speak, and let Esther know 
 Why all this solemn woe ? 
 Mordecai. One fate involves us all? 
 Haman's decree, 
 To strike at me, 
 Hath said that ev'ry Jew shall fall. 
 Go, stand before the king with weeping eye* 
 Esth. Who goes, unsummon'd, by the laws shall 
 die. 
 
 air.— mordecai. 
 Dread not, righteous Queen, the danger; 
 Love will pacify his anger : 
 Fear is due to God alone. 
 Follow great Jehovah's calling, 
 For thy kindred's safety falling, 
 Death is better than a throne, 
 
S2 ESTHER. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — ESTHER. 
 
 I go before the king to stand, 
 
 Stretch forth, O king, thy scepter'd hand, 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Tears assist me, Pity moving, 
 Justice, cruel Fraud reproving : 
 
 Hear, O God ! thy servant's pray'r. 
 Is it blood that must atone ? 
 Take, O take my life alone, 
 
 And thy chosen people spare. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Save us, O Lord ! 
 And blunt the wrathful sword ! 
 
 RECITATIVE. — AHASUERUS. 
 
 Who dares intrude into our presence without our 
 leave ! 
 
 It is decreed, 
 He dies for this audacious deed. 
 Ha! Esther there! 
 The law condemns, but love will spare. 
 Esth. My spirits sink, alas! I faint. 
 Ahasuerus. Ye powers ! what paleness spread 
 her beauteous face ! 
 Esther, awake, thou fairest of thy race; 
 Esther, awake and live, 'tis my command. 
 Behold the golden sceptre in my hand ! 
 Sure sign of grace ; 
 The bloody stern decree 
 Was never meant, my Queen, to strike at thee. 
 
 DUET. 
 
 Esth. Who calls my parting soul from death; 
 Ah as. Awake, my soul, my life, mv breath 
 
ESTHER. 83 
 
 Esth. Hear my suit, or else I die. 
 A has. Ask my Queen, can I deny? 
 
 AIR. — AHASUERUS. 
 
 My beauteous Queen, unclose those eyes, 
 
 My fairest shall not bleed, 
 Hear Love's soft voice that bids thee rise, 
 
 And bids thy suit succeed. 
 Ask, and 'tis granted ; from this hour 
 Who shares our heart, shall share our pow'r. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — ESTHER. 
 
 If I find favour in thy sight, 
 
 May the great monarch of the East 
 
 Honour my feast, 
 And deign to be his servant's guest. 
 The King, and Haman, I invite. 
 
 AIR. — AHASUERUS. 
 
 How can I stay when Love invites r 
 I come, my Queen, to chaste delights* 
 With joy, with pleasure I obey; 
 Unto thee I give the day. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — FIRST ISRAELITE. 
 
 With inward joy his visage glows, 
 He to the Queen's apartment goes : 
 
 SECOND ISRAELITE. 
 
 Beauty has his fury charm'd, 
 And all his wrath disarm'd* 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Watchful angels, let her share 
 Your indulgent, daily care. 
 
 Hallelujah i 
 o2 
 
84 ESTHER* 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Virtue, Truth, and Innocence, 
 Shall ever be her sure defence ; 
 She is heav'n's peculiar care, 
 Propitious heav'n will hear her pray'r- 
 
 PART THE THIRD. 
 
 AIR.— MORDECAI. 
 
 JEHOVAH, crown' d with glory bright? 
 Surrounded with eternal light; 
 Whose ministers are flames of fire. 
 Arise, and execute thine ire. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 He comes ! he comes to end our woes. 
 And pour his vengeance on our foes ! 
 Earth trembles, lofty mountains nod, 
 Jacob, arise, and meet thy God. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — AHASUERUS. 
 
 Now, O Queen, thy suit declare , 
 Ask half my empire, and 'tis thine. 
 Esth. O gracious king, my people spare. 
 For in their lives you strike at mine. 
 Reverse the dire decree ; 
 The blow is aim'd at Mordecai and me. 
 And is the fate of Mordecai decreed, 
 
 Who, when the ruffian's sword 
 Sought to destroy my royal lord, 
 Brought forth to light the desp'rate deed ! 
 A has. Yes, yes, I own, 
 To him alone 
 F owe my life and throne. 
 
ESTHER. 85 
 
 Say, then, my Queen, who dares pursue 
 The life to which reward is due ? 
 Esth. Tis Haman's hate 
 That sign'd his fate. 
 Ah as. I swear by yon bright globe of light. 
 That rules the day, 
 That Hainan's sight 
 Shall never more behold that golden ray! 
 
 AIR. — HAMAN. 
 
 Turn not, O Queen, thy face away, 
 Behold me prostrate on the ground ! 
 
 O speak, his glowing fury stay, 
 Let Mercy in thy sight be found. 
 
 AIR. — ESTHER. 
 
 Flatt'ring tongue, no more I hear thee ? 
 
 Vain are all thy cruel wiles; 
 Bloody wretch, no more I fear thee, 
 
 Vain thy frowns, and vain thy smiles. 
 Tyrant, when of power possess'd, 
 Now thou tremblest, when distress'd. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — AHASUERUS, 
 
 Guards, seize the traitor, bear him hence, 
 Death shall reward the dire offence. 
 To Mordecai be honour paid; 
 The royal garment bring : 
 My diadem shall grace his head ; 
 Let him in triumph thro' the streets be led, 
 Who sav'd the king. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Thro' the nation he shall be 
 Next in dignity to me ; 
 
86 ESTHER. 
 
 All my people shall revere 
 Merit to their prince so dear. 
 Daily to his honour'd name 
 Incense shall on altars flame ; 
 Whilst applauding crowds, around, 
 Shall his deathless fame resound. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 All applauding crowds, around, 
 Shall his deathless fame resound. 
 
 AIR. — HAMAN. 
 
 How art thou fallen from thy height ! 
 Tremble Ambition at the sight, 
 
 In pow'r let Mercy sway, 
 When adverse Fortune is thy lot, 
 Lest thou by Mercy be forgot, 
 
 And perish in that day. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 So much beauty sweetly blooming, 
 Shall thy consort's soul enslave ; 
 
 In thy lovely pow'r pursuing, 
 Ask him all thy heart can crave. 
 
 AIR AND DUET. — ESTHER. 
 
 I'll proclaim the wond'rous story 
 
 Of the mercies I receive, 
 From the day-spring's dawning glory, 
 Till the fading beam of eve. 
 Israelite Woman. All the blessings heaven is 
 lending, 
 Well demand our grateful lays, 
 To his radiant throne ascending, 
 Wafted on the wings of praise. 
 
ESTHER. 37 
 
 In exalted raptures joining, 
 
 We'll employ our happy clays, 
 All our grateful pow'rs combining 
 
 To declare his endless praise. 
 Ah as. Endless fame thy days adorning. 
 Glory, brighter than the morning, 
 
 Shall reward thy faithful care ; 
 Titles all their lustre lending, 
 To thy latest race descending, 
 
 Shall thy prince's love declare. 
 
 DUET. — ISRAELITE WOMAN, AND MORDECAIo 
 
 Blessings descend on downy wings, 
 Angels conduct her on the way : 
 
 New life our royal Esther brings, 
 Since our cause she pleads to day* 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 The Lord our enemy has slain, 
 Ye sons of Jacob sing a cheerful strain, 
 
 Sing songs of praise, bow down the knee, 
 The worship of our God is free; 
 For ever blessed be thy holy name, 
 Let heav'n and earth his praise proclaim. 
 
 SOLO. 
 
 Let Israel songs of joy repeat, 
 Sound all ye tongues, Jehovah^ praise; 
 
 He plucks the mighty from his seat, 
 And cuts off half his days* 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 For ever blessed be thy holy name, 
 
 Let heav'n and earth his praise proclaim. 
 
88 ESTHER, 
 
 SOLO. 
 
 Mount Lebanon his firs resigns ; 
 Descend, ye cedars, haste ye pines, 
 To build the temple of the Lord, 
 For God his people has restored. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 For ever blessed be thy holy name, 
 
 Let heav'n and earth his praise proclaim, 
 
JEPHTHA : 
 
 A SACRED ORATORIO. 
 PART THE FIRST. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — ZEBUL. 
 
 IT must be so ; or these vile Ammonites, 
 Our lordly tyrants now these eighteen years, 
 Will crush the race of Israel.— 
 Since heav'n vouchsafes not, with immediate choice, 
 To point us out a leader, as before, 
 Ourselves must choose. — And who so fit a man 
 As Gilead's son, our brother, valiant Jephtha ?— 
 True, we have slighted, scorn'd, expeli'd him hence, 
 As of a stranger born ; but well I know him ; 
 His generous soul disdains a mean revenge, 
 When his distressful country calls his aid. — 
 And, perhaps, heav'n may favour our request. 
 If with repentant hearts we sue for mercy, 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Pour forth no more unheeded pray'rs 
 
 To idols deaf and vain : 
 No more with vile unhallow'd airs, 
 
 The sacred rites profane. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 No more to Amnion's god and king, 
 Fierce Moloch, shall our cymbals ring, 
 
90 JEPHTHA. 
 
 In dismal dance about the furnace blue. 
 
 Chemosh no more 
 
 Will we adore, 
 With timbreird anthems, to Jehovah due. 
 
 RECITATIVE.— ZEBUL. 
 
 But Jephtha conies. — Kind heav'n assist our plea* 
 O Jephtha, with an eye of pity look 
 On thy repentant brethren in distress. 
 Forgetful of thy wrongs, redress thy sire, 
 Thy friends, thy country, in extreme despair. 
 
 Jephtha. I will :— so please it heav'n ; and these 
 the terms : 
 If I command in war, the like command, 
 Should heav'n vouchsafe us a victorious peace. 
 Shall still be mine.— 
 
 Zeb. Agreed. — Be witness, heaven. 
 
 AIR.— JEPHTHA. 
 
 Virtue my soul shall still embrace ; 
 
 Goodness shall make me great. 
 Who builds upon this steady base. 
 
 Dreads no event of fate. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — STORGE. 
 
 5 Twill be a painful separation, Jephtha, 
 To see thee harness'd for the bloody field. 
 But ah ! how trivial are a wife's concerns, 
 When a whole nation bleeds, and grovelling lie>, 
 Panting for liberty and life. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 In gentle murmurs will I mourn, 
 As mourns the mate-forsaken dove 
 
 And sighing wish thy dear return 
 To liberty and lasting love, 
 
jEPHTHA. 91 
 
 RECITATIVE. — HAMOR. 
 
 Happy this embassy, my charming Iphis, 
 Which once more gives thee to my longing eyes. 
 As Cynthia breaking from th' involving clouds 
 On the benighted traveller ; the sight 
 Of thee, my love, drives darkness and despair. 
 Again I live ; in thy sweet smiles I live; 
 As in thy father's ever-watchful care 
 Our wretched nation feels new life, new joy* 
 O haste ; and make my happiness complete. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Dull delay, in piercing anguish, 
 Bids thy faithful lover languish ; 
 
 While he pants for bliss in vain. 
 Oh ! with gentle smiles relieve me; 
 Let no more false hope deceive me $ 
 
 Nor vain fears inflict a pain. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — IPHIS. 
 
 Ill suits the voice of love when glory calls, 
 And bids thee follow Jephtha to the field. 
 Act there the hero, and let rival deeds 
 Proclaim thee worthy to be calFd his son : 
 And Hamor shall not want his due reward. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Take the heart you fondly gave ; 
 
 Lodg'd in your breast with mine ; 
 Thus with double ardour brave ; 
 
 Sure conquest shall be thine. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — HAMOR. 
 
 I go ; — My soul inspir'd by thy command, 
 Thirsts for the battle — I'm already crown'd 
 
9S JEPHTHA. 
 
 With the victorious wreath ; and thou, fair prize, 
 More worth than fame or conquest, thou art mine. 
 
 DUET. 
 
 These labours past, how happy we ! 
 
 How glorious will they prove ! 
 When gathering fruit from conquest's tree 
 
 We deck the feast of love ! 
 
 RECITATIVE. — JEPHTHA. 
 
 What mean these doubtful fancies of the brain ? 
 Visions of joy rise in my raptur'd soul, 
 There play awhile, and set in darksome night. 
 Strange ardour fires my breast ; my arms seem strung 
 With tenfold vigour, and my crested helm 
 To reach the skies. — Be humble still, my souk- 
 It is the spirit of God ; in whose great name 
 I offer up my vow.— 
 
 RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED. 
 
 If, Lord, sustain'd by thy almighty pow'r, 
 Amnion I drive, and his insulting bands, 
 From these our long-uncultivated lands, 
 And safe return a glorious conqueror ;— 
 What, or whoe'er shall first salute mine eyes, 
 Shall be for ever thine, or fall a sacrifice. 
 
 RECITATIVE. 
 
 'Tis said. [Enter Israelites, &rY.] 
 
 Attend, ye chiefs, and with one voice, 
 Invoke the holy name of Israel's God. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 O God, behold our sore distress ; 
 Omnipotence, to plague, or bless ! 
 But turn thy wrath, and bless once more 
 Thy servants, who thy name adore. 
 
JEPHTHA. 93 
 
 RECITATIVE. — STORGE. 
 
 Some dire event hangs o'er our heads, 
 Some woeful song we have to sing 
 In misery extreme. — O, never, never 
 Was my foreboding mind distress'd before 
 With such incessant pangs. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Scenes of horror, scenes of woe, 
 Rising from the shades below, 
 
 Add new terror to the night. 
 While in the never-ceasing pain, 
 That attends the servile chain, 
 
 Joyless flows the hours of light. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — I PHIS. 
 
 Say, my dear mother, whence these piercing cries, 
 That force me, like a frighted bird, to fly 
 My place of rest ? 
 
 Sto. For thee I fear, my child ; 
 
 Such ghastly dreams last night surpris'd my soul. 
 
 Iph. Heed not these black illusions of the night, 
 The mocking of unquiet slumbers, heed them not. 
 My father, touch'd with a diviner fire, 
 Already seems to triumph in success, 
 Nor doubt I but Jehovah hears our pray'rs, 
 
 AIR. 
 
 The smiling dawn of happy days 
 
 Presents a prospect clear ; 
 And pleasing hope's all-bright'ning rays 
 
 Dispel each gloomy fear ; 
 While ev'ry charm that peace displays, 
 
 Makes spring-time all the year. 
 
94 JEPHTHA. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — ZEBUL. 
 
 Such, Jephtha, was the haughty king's reply :~ 
 No terms— but ruin, slavery, and death. 
 
 Jep. Sound then the last alarm ; — and to the field. 
 Ye sons of Israel with intrepid hearts; 
 Dependent on the might of Israel's God. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 When his loud voice in thunder spoke 5 
 
 With conscious fear the billows broke, 
 Observant of his dread command. 
 
 In vain they roll their foaming tide ; 
 Confin'd by the almighty pow'r, 
 That gave them strength to roar, 
 
 They now contract their boistrous pride. 
 And lash with idle rage the laughing strand, 
 
 PART THE SECOND. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — HAM OR. 
 
 GLAD tidings of great joy to thee, dear Iphi?. 
 And to the house of Israel I bring. 
 Thus then in brief:— Both armies in array 
 Of battle rang'd, our general stept forth 
 And offer'd haughty Amnion terms of peace, 
 Most just and righteous; these with scorn refus'd 
 He bade the trumpet sound : but scarce a sword 
 Was ting'd in hostile blood, ere all around 
 The thund'ring heavens open'd, and pourd forth 
 
JEPHTHA. 95 
 
 Thousands of armed cherubim : When straight 
 Our general cry'd : " This is thy signal, Lord, 
 4 ' I follow thee, and thy bright heavenly host." 
 Then rushing on proud Ammon, all aghast, 
 He made a bloody slaughter, and pursued 
 The flying foe, till night bade sheath the sword,. 
 And taste the joys of victory and peace. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Cherubim and Seraphim, unbodied forms, 
 The messengers of fate, 
 God's dread command await ; 
 Of swifter flight, and subtler frame, 
 Than lightning's winged flame, 
 
 They ride on whirlwinds, and direct the storms. 
 
 AIR. — HAMOR TO IPHIS. 
 
 Up the dreadful steep ascending, 
 "While, for love and fame contending, 
 
 Sought I thee my glorious prize. 
 And now happy in the blessing, 
 Thee, my sweetest joy, possessing, 
 
 Other honours I despise. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — IPHIS. 
 
 Tis well. 
 
 Haste, haste, ye maidens, and in richest robes, 
 Adorn me, like a stately bride, to meet 
 My father in triumphant pomp.-— 
 And while around the dancing banners play, 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Tune the soft melodious lute, 
 Pleasant harp, and warbling flute. 
 
96 JEPHTHA. 
 
 To sounds of rapt'rous joy, 
 Such as on our solemn days, 
 Singing great Jehovah's praise, 
 
 The holy choir employ. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — ZEBUL. 
 
 Again heav'n smiles on his repentant people ; 
 And victory spreads wide her silver wings, 
 To soothe our sorrows with a peaceful calm. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Freedom now once more possessing, 
 Peace shall spread with ev'ry blessing 
 
 Triumphant joy around; 
 Sion now no more complaining, 
 Shall in blissful plenty reigning, 
 
 Thy glorious praise resound. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — JEPHTHA. 
 
 Zebul, thy deeds were valiant, nor less thine, 
 My Hamor ; but the glory is the Lord's. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 His mighty arm, with sudden blow, 
 Dispers'd and quell'd the haughty foe ; 
 They fell before him, as when through the sky 
 He bids the sweeping winds in vengeance fly. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 In glory high, in might serene, 
 He sees, moves all, unmov'd, unseen. 
 His mighty arm, with sudden blow, 
 Dispers'd and quell'd the haughty foe. 
 
 RECITATIVE. 
 
 Hailj glorious conqueror ! rnuch-lov'd father, hail I 
 
JEPHTHA. 91 
 
 Behold thy daughter, and her virgin train, 
 Come to salute thee with all duteous love. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Welcome as the cheerful light, 
 Driving darkest shades of night : 
 Welcome as the spring, that rains 
 Sweets and plenty o'er the plains ! 
 
 Not cheerful day, 
 
 JNor spring so gay, 
 Such mighty blessings brings, 
 As peace on her triumphant wings. 
 
 SEMI-CHORUS OF VIRGINS. 
 
 Welcome thou whose deeds conspire 
 To provoke the warbling lyre. 
 Welcome thou, whom God ordain'd 
 Guardian angel of our land ! 
 Thou wert born, his glorious name 
 And great wonders to proclaim. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — JEPHTHA. 
 
 Horror ! confusion ! harsh this music grates 
 Upon my tasteless ears — Be gone, my child, 
 Thou hast undone thy father. — Fly, be gone, 
 And leave me to the rack of wild despair ! 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Open thy marble jaws, O tomb ! 
 
 And hide me, earth, in thy dark womb : 
 
 Ere I the name of father stain, 
 
 And deepest woe from conquest gain. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — ZEBUL. 
 
 Why is my brother thus afflicted ? say, 
 
 H 
 
9$ JEPHTHA. 
 
 Why didst thou spurn thy daughter's gratulations, 
 And fling her from thee with unkind disdain ? 
 
 Jep. O Zebul, Hamor, and my dearest wife, 
 Behold a wretched man ; — 
 Thrown from the summit of presumptuous joy, 
 Down to the lowest depth of misery. — 
 Know, then, — I vow'd the first I saw shou'd fall 
 A victim to the living God. — My daughter — 
 Alas ! it was my daughter ! and she dies. 
 
 RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED.— STORGE. 
 
 First perish thou ; and perish all the world ! 
 Hath heav'n then bless'd us with this only pledge 
 Of all our love, this one dear child, for thee 
 To be her murderer ?— No, cruel man 5 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Let other creatures die j 
 Or heav'n, earth, seas, and sky 
 In one confusion lie, 
 Ere in a daughter's blood 
 So fair, so chaste, so good, 
 A father's hand's embrued. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — HAMOR. 
 
 If such thy cruel purpose ; lo ! your friend 
 Offers himself a willing sacrifice, 
 To save the innocent and beauteous maid. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 On me let blind mistaken zeal 
 
 Her utmost rage employ ; 
 'Twill be a mercy there to kill, 
 
 Where life can taste no joy. 
 
JEPHTHA. 99 
 
 QUARTETTO. 
 
 Zeb. O spare thy daughter. 
 
 Sto. Spare my child, 
 
 Ham. my love. 
 
 Jep. Recorded stands my vow in heav'n above. 
 
 Sto. Recal the impious vow, ere 'tis too late; 
 
 Ham. "1 And think not God delights 
 
 Zeb. J In Moloch's horrid rites. 
 
 Jep. I'll hear no more ; her doom is hVd as fate. 
 recitative. — I PHIS. 
 
 Swift flies such news; I've heard the mournful 
 cause 
 Of all your sorrows. — Of my father's vow 
 Heav'n spoke its approbation by success : 
 Gilead hath triumph'd. — Israel is free ! 
 
 RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED. 
 
 For joys so vast, too little is the price 
 Of one poor life — but oh ! accept it, heav'n, 
 A grateful victim, and thy blessings still 
 Pour on my country, friends, and dearest father ! 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Happy they : this vital breath 
 
 With content I shall resign ; 
 
 And not murmur, or repine, 
 Sinking in the arms of death. 
 
 RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED. — JEPHTHA, 
 
 Deeper and deeper still, thy goodness, child, 
 Pierceth a father's bleeding heart, and checks 
 The cruel sentence on my falt'ring tongue. 
 Oh ! let me whisper it to the raging winds, 
 Or howling deserts ; for the ears of men 
 
 H 2 
 
100 JEPHTHA. 
 
 it is too shocking. — Yet — have I not vow'd ? 
 
 And can I think the great Jehovah sleeps, 
 
 Like Chemosh, and such fabled deities ? 
 
 No ; ah ! heav'n heard my thoughts, and wrote them 
 
 down. — 
 It must be so — 'Tis this that racks mv brain, 
 And pours into my breast a thousand pangs, 
 That lash me into madness. — Horrid thought ! — - 
 My only daughter!— and so dear a child, 
 Doom'd by a father !— Yes — the vow is past, 
 And Gilead hath triumph'd o'er his foes.— 
 Therefore, to-morrow's dawn — I can no more. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 How dark, O Lord, are thy decrees ! 
 
 All hid from mortal sight ! 
 All our joys to sorrow turning, 
 And our triumphs into mourning, 
 As the night succeeds the day. 
 No certain bliss, 
 No solid peace, 
 We mortals know, 
 On earth below; 
 Yet on this maxim still obey ; 
 Whatever is, is right. 
 
JEPHTHA. 101 
 
 PART THE THIRD. 
 
 RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED. — JEPHTHA. 
 
 HIDE thou thy hated beams, O sun, in clouds 
 And darkness, deep as is a father's woe : 
 
 RECITATIVE. 
 
 A father, offering up his only child 
 In vow'd return for victory and peace. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Waft her, angels, through the skies, 
 
 Far above yon azure plain ; 
 Glorious there, like you, to rise, 
 
 There, like you, for ever reign. 
 
 RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED. — IPHIS. 
 
 Ye sacred priests, whose hands ne'er yet were 
 stain'd 
 With human blood, why are ye thus afraid 
 To execute my father's will ? — The call v 
 
 Of heav'n with humble resignation I obey. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Farewell, ye limpid springs and floods, 
 Ye flow'ry meads and mazy woods ; 
 Farewell, thou busy world, where reign 
 Short hours of joy, and years of pain. 
 Brighter scenes I seek above, 
 In the realms of peace and love. 
 
102 JEPHTHA. 
 
 CHORUS OF PRIESTS. 
 
 Doubtful fear, and reverent awe, 
 Strike us, Lord, while here we bow : 
 
 Check'd by thy all-sacred law, 
 Yet commanded by the vow. 
 
 In this distress, Lord, hear our pray'r, 
 
 And thy determined will declare. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — ANGEL. 
 
 Rise, Jephtha, — and, ye reverend priests, withhold 
 The slaughtrous hand. — No vow can disannul 
 The law of God. — Nor such was its intent 
 When rightly scann'd; — and yet shall be fulfill'd. — 
 Thy daughter, Jephtha, thou must dedicate 
 To God, in pure and virgin-state for ever, 
 As not an object meet for sacrifice, 
 Else had she fall'n an holocaust to God. 
 The holy spirit, that dictated thy vow, 
 Bade thus explain it, and approves your faith. 
 
 AIR. — ANGEL. 
 
 Happy, Iphis, shalt thou live -, 
 While to thee the virgin choir 
 Tune their harps of golden wire, 
 
 And their yearly tribute give. 
 
 Happy, Iphis, all thy days, 
 (Pure, angelic, virgin-state,) 
 Shalt thou live ; and ages late 
 
 Crown thee with immortal praise. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — JEPHTHA. 
 
 For ever blessed be thy holy name, 
 Lord God of Israel ! — 
 
JEPHTHA. 103 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Theme sublime of endless praise, 
 Just and righteous are thy ways ; 
 And thy mercies still endure, 
 Ever faithful, ever sure. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — ZEBUL. 
 
 Let me congratulate this happy turn, 
 My honour'd brother, judge of Israel ; 
 Thy faith, thy courage, constancy and truth, 
 Nations shall sing ; and in their just applause, 
 All join to celebrate thy daughter's name. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Laud her, all ye virgin train, 
 In glad songs of choicest strain : 
 Ye blest angels all around, 
 Laud her in melodious sound : 
 Virtues, that to you belong, 
 Love and truth demand the song. 
 
 RECITATIVE.- — STORGE TO IPHIS. 
 
 O let me fold thee in a mother's arms, 
 And with submissive joy, my child, receive 
 Thy designation to the life of heav'n. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Sweet as sight to the blind, 
 
 Or freedom to the slave, 
 Such joy in thee I find, 
 
 Safe from the grave. 
 Still I'm of thee possess'd, 
 
 Such is kind heav'n's decree, 
 That hath thy parents bless'd 
 
 In blessing thee. 
 
104 JEPHTHA. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — HAMOR. 
 
 With transport, Iphis, I behold thy safety, 
 But must for ever mourn so dear a loss : 
 Dear, tho' great Jephtha were to honour me 
 Still with the name of son. — 
 
 AIR. 
 
 'Tis heav'n's all-ruling pow'r 
 That checks the rising sigh ; 
 
 Yet let me still adore, 
 And think an angel by : 
 
 While thus each charm and beauteous line 
 
 With more than human lustre shine. 
 
 RECITATIVE.— IPHIS. 
 
 My faithful Hamor, may that Providence 
 Which gently claims, or forces our submission, 
 Direct thee to some happier choice.— 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Freely I to heav'n resign 
 All that is in Hamor mine. 
 Joys triumphant crown thy days, 
 And thy name eternal praise. 
 Great the bliss assign'd to me, 
 Greater still attend on thee. 
 
 ADDITIONAL QUINTETTO* 
 
 Iph. All that is in Hamor mine, 
 
 Freely I to heav'n resign. 
 Ham. All that is in Iphis mine, 
 
 Freely I to heav'n resign. 
 Iph. Duteous to the will supreme, 
 
 Still my Hamor I'll esteem. 
 Ham. Duteous to almighty pow'r, 
 
 Still my Iphis I'll adore. 
 
JEPHTHA. 105 
 
 Sro. Jep. Zeb. Joys triumphant crown thy days. 
 And thy name eternal praise. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Ye house of Gilead, with one voice, 
 In blessings manifold rejoice : 
 
 Freed from war's destructive sword, 
 Peace her plenty 'round shall spread, 
 While in virtue's path ye tread. 
 
 So blest are they who fear the Lord. 
 
 Hallelujah, Amen* 
 
B 
 
 JOSEPH: 
 
 A SACRED ORATORIO. 
 
 ■a— ■ ■ hi ii 
 
 PART THE FIRST. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 E firm, my soul, nor faint beneath 
 Affliction's galling chains, 
 When crown'd with conscious virtue's wreath, 
 The shackled captive reigns. 
 
 RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED. — JOSEPH. 
 
 But wherefore thus ? whence, heaven, these bitter 
 bonds ? 
 Are these the just rewards of stubborn virtue ? 
 Is this contagious cell the due abode 
 Of too much innocence ? Down, down, proud heart, 
 Nor blindly question the behest of heav'n ? 
 These chastisements are just; for some wise end 
 Are all the partial ills allotted man. 
 
 RECITATIVE. 
 
 Be firm, 
 Joseph, thy fame has reach'd great Pharaoh's ears, 
 Who late in dreams disturb'd, and taught by me 
 The wond'rous pow'r of thy experienced art, 
 
JOSEPH. 107 
 
 Demands thy instant presence, to unfold 
 Their mystic purport. 
 
 Joseph. Blest vicissitude ! 
 
 Jehovah, whom I trust, bears witness to me; 
 And from the horrors of the pit, once more 
 Will deign deliverance to his servant's soul. 
 
 AIR — JOSEPH. 
 
 Come, divine inspirer, come, 
 Make my humble breast thy home; 
 Draw the curtain from mine eye, 
 And present place futurity. 
 Thus whilst I o'er Pharaoh's dream 
 Bright interpretation beam, 
 Pharaoh's self shall temples raise, 
 And Egypt incense to thy praise. 
 
 RECITATIVE. PHANOR. 
 
 Pardon, that I so long forgot thee, Joseph; 
 My heart upbraids me with ingratitude. 
 
 Jos. Pardon thyself. Ingratitude's a vice 
 That bears its scorpions with it; the dire mildew 
 Which makes a^desert of the human mind, 
 And merits more of pity than resentment. 
 But instant I'll with duteous step attend 
 My Lord the King, and bow myself before him. 
 
 Ph anor. Fell monster, base ingratitude, avaunt ! 
 No longer in this breast I'll give thee harbour. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Ingratitude's the queen of crimes, 
 
 For all the rest are of her train, 
 Her sure attendance at all times, 
 
 The great supporters of her reign ; 
 
108 JOSEPH. 
 
 If one you then ungrateful call, 
 You crown him monarch of them all. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — PHARAOH. 
 
 Thus, stranger, I have laid my troubled thought. 
 The midnight visions of my bed, before thee; 
 Which all the skill of Egypt can't unfold. 
 Come then, interpret to the king his dreams. 
 
 Jos. Almighty Pharaoh, it is not in me; 
 Interpretation does belong to heav'n; 
 And may the Lord Jehovah give the king 
 A gracious answer. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 O, God of Joseph, gracious shed 
 Thy spirit on thy servant's head ; 
 That to the king he may reveal, 
 The truths his mystic dreams conceal. 
 
 RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED. — JOSEPH. 
 
 Pharaoh, thy dreams are one: the Lord Jehovah 
 In vision shews what he's about to do. 
 The seven fat cattle, and full ears of corn, 
 Denote seven years of plenty ; the like seven 
 Of meagre kine and unreplenish'd grain, 
 Mark the same years of famine to succeed. 
 Embrace this warning, and with studious search 
 Look out a man, of providence and wisdom, 
 To gather up, in the redundant years, 
 A store for comfort in the days of dearth. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — PHARAOH. 
 
 Divine interpreter ! What oracle 
 Could thus have solv'd my doubts ? Where can we find 
 A man like thee in whom God's spirit dwells? 
 Be this day ruler o'er my house and people, 
 
JOSEPH. 10$ 
 
 And by thy word let all the land be governed; 
 But only in the throne will I be greater. 
 
 Jos. These are thy workings, infinite Jehovah ! 
 
 AIR.— ASENATH. 
 
 O lovely youth, with wisdom crown'd, 
 Where ev'ry charm has place; 
 
 What breast so firm was ever found, 
 As could resist such grace ? 
 
 Since thou hast stol'n my virgin heart. 
 
 To me in charge thy own impart. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — PHARAOH. 
 
 Wear, worthy man, this royal signet wear, 
 Pledge of thy boundless dignity and power; 
 Whilst in our second chariot thou shalt ride, 
 And heralds cry before thee, " bow the knee!" 
 Then, henceforth, as the father of the country. 
 Let Zaphnath Paaneah be thy name* 
 chorus. 
 Joyful sounds, melodious strains, 
 Health to Egypt is the theme ; 
 Zaphnath rules, and Pharaoh reigns. 
 Happy nation, bliss supreme. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — ASENATH. 
 
 Whence this unwonted ardour in my breast ? 
 These new-born sighs ? 'Tis true that he is wise. 
 Majestic, graceful. Ah ! I fear this stranger 
 Has trespass'd on my unsuspecting bosom. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 I feel a spreading flame within my veins, 
 Which all my arts will not avail to quench ; 
 
 With fruitless toil from place to place I range, 
 No toil, no place, gives respite to my pains. 
 
110 JOSEPH. 
 
 RECITATIVE.— -JOSEPH. 
 
 Fair Asenath ! 
 
 I've ask'd thee of thy father, and the king, 
 To help allay the anxious toils of grandeur, 
 And smooth the rugged brow of public care. 
 Yet authoris'd by both, I dread my fate 
 Till thy own voice has fix'd my destiny. 
 
 Pharaoh. Zaphnath, I grant thy suit, behold 
 thy bride : 
 Approach, my Asenath, behold thy husband ! 
 Jos. O canst thou, fair Perfection ! say, 
 
 O canst thou bless me with thy love ? 
 Asenath. My father's will I must obey, 
 My monarch's pleasure must approve. 
 
 DUET. — ASENATH AND JOSEPH. 
 
 Jos. Celestial virgin, charming maid, 
 
 Renown'd for innocence and truth; 
 
 Propitious heav'n has thus in thee 
 
 Completed my felicity. 
 Ase. Godlike youth — 
 
 Renown'd for innocence and truth; 
 
 Propitious heav'n has thus in thee 
 
 Completed my felicity. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — PHARAOH. 
 
 Now, Potiphera, instant to the tern^e, 
 In joyous pomp, and whilst the rite's perform'd. 
 Let our loud clarions tell it to the skies. 
 
 RECITATIVE.— HIGH PRIEST. 
 
 'Tis done, the sacred knot is tied, 
 Which death alone can e'er divide. 
 

 JOSEPH. Ill 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Immortal pleasures crown this pair, 
 Who thus by heaven high favour'd are, 
 
 Joys ever round them wait ; 
 May these below, like those above, 
 Contend who most and longest love, 
 
 And be as bless'd as great. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — PHARAOH. 
 
 Glorious and happy is thy lot, O Zaphnath, 
 Join'd to such sweetness, dignity, and virtue. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Since the race of time begun, 
 Since the birth-day of the sun ; 
 Ne'er was so much wisdom found, 
 With such matchless beauty crown'd* 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Swift our numbers, swiftly roll, 
 Waft the news from pole to pole, 
 Asenath with Zaphnath's join'd, 
 Joy and peace to all mankind. 
 
112 JOSEPH. 
 
 H 
 
 PART THE SECOND. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 AIL, thou youth, by heav'n belov'd, 
 Now thy wond'rous wisdom's prov'd 5 
 Zaphnath, Egypt's fate foresaw, 
 And snatch'd her from the famine's jaw. 
 
 RECITATIVE.— -PH A NOR. 
 
 How vast a theme has Egypt for applause, 
 O, Asenath ! behold thy mighty lord, 
 High on his gilded car triumphant ride ; 
 Whilst prostrate multitudes, that do him honours, 
 Obstruct his passage through the streets of Memphis $ 
 The raptur'd virgins hail him in their lays, 
 And gazing matrons lift their grateful hands, 
 Whilst hoary sages rise, and bow the head, 
 And infants half articulate his name. 
 
 Asen. These honours flow not from the flatt'rer's 
 lips, 
 Like those that lavish stream in fortune's lap, 
 But from sincere benevolence and love, 
 And bosoms glowing with a grateful transport, 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Our fruits, whilst yet in blossom die, 
 
 Our harvests in the new-sown seed * 
 Barren the mournful ridges lie, 
 
 Undeck'd the once enameU'd mead ; 
 But Zaphnath's providential care 
 
 Retaliates for the niggard soil, 
 Through him, in dearth, we plenty share,. 
 
 Nor heed th' inexorable Nile. 
 
JOSEPH. 113 
 
 RECITATIVE. — PHANOR. 
 
 He's Egypt's common parent, gives her bread; 
 He's Egypt's common safety, only hope, 
 Whilst Egypt's welfare is his only care. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Blest be the man by pow'r unstain'd, 
 
 Virtue there itself rewarding; 
 Blest be the man by wealth unchain'd, 
 
 Treasure for the public hoarding. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — ASENATH. 
 
 iPhauor, we mention not his highest glory ; 
 Mark, 'midst his grandeur what humility ! 
 The gift of that great God whom he adores; 
 Yet something seems of late to bear upon him, 
 And blend his wonted shine ; not all his splendour. 
 The applause of millions, or my studious love, 
 Can yield him comfort or assuage his grief. 
 
 Phan. Perchance he wants to view his native land , 
 Whose God and laws are the reverse of Egypt's. 
 
 As en. Phanor, 'tis true, he calls it oft to mind,. 
 And oft in silence sighs and mourns his absence; 
 Nor finds he peace, save when his smiling infants^ 
 The pledges of our love, are in his arms. 
 Then will he grasp them there with ardent look, 
 He eyes them, whilst 'midst his struggling sighs, 
 Words burst like these : 
 
 AIR. — ASENATH. 
 
 Together lovely innocents grow up, 
 
 Link'd in eternal chains of brother love; 
 
 For you, mayn't Envy bear her pois'nous cup* 
 Nor Hate her unrelenting armour prove - 
 
 i 
 
114 JOSEPH. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — ASENATH. 
 
 He then is silent, then again exclaims— 
 Inhuman brethren ! O, unhappy father ! 
 What anguish too much love for me has cost thee ? 
 Such are his cares, nor have I yet discover'd 
 The fatal cause, but once more I'll attempt it. 
 
 RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED. — SIMEON. 
 
 Where are these brethren ? why this base delay ? 
 To let me languish a whole year in dungeons; 
 But are not brethren base ? O Joseph ! 
 That thought is hell ! Remembrance scorches with it ! 
 But was it I alone ! O, no ! then heav'n 
 Has been at 'compt perchance with my confederates ; 
 Whilst the wild beast, false tax'd with Joseph's death, 
 Has met them on the way and ta'en his vengeance- 
 
 AIR. — SIMEON. 
 
 Remorse, Confusion, Horror, Fear! 
 
 Ye vultures of the guilty breast; 
 Now, furies, now she feels you here, 
 
 Who gnaw her most when most distress'd. 
 
 RECITATIVE. 
 
 Phan. This Hebrew prisoner. 
 
 Jos. ~ Hither bring him, Phanor, 
 
 The wide circumference of Egypt's regions, 
 The vast extent betwixt the Nile and Ocean, 
 Given me to rule, is slavery, not an honour; 
 Not rest but travel. 
 
 RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED. — JOSEPH. 
 
 — Ye departed hours ! 
 
 What happier have I seen ? O Hebron, 
 
 What peace enjoy'd amidst thy smiling valleys! 
 
JOSEPH. 1 F5 
 
 Might I review thee ! might I careless tend 
 Thy fleecy herd : might I once more embrace 
 My good old sire ; list to his sacred lessons 
 Of God's creation, of man's fatal fall, 
 Of the deep waters cov'ring all the earth, 
 The race-preserving ark, the heav'n-hung bow, 
 Jehovah's divine promise to our fathers, 
 The glorious hope of Abraham and his seed; 
 It cannot be. Tyrant-enslaving greatness ! 
 Who'd languish in thy gilded chains an hour, 
 That in the court of quietude could dwell ? 
 
 AIR. — JOSEPH. 
 
 The peasants taste the sweets of life, 
 
 Unwounded by its cares; 
 No courtly craft, no public strife, 
 
 His humble soul ensnares ; 
 But Grandeur's bulky, noisy joys, 
 
 No true Contentment give, 
 Whilst Fancy craves, Possession cloys, 
 
 We die thus whilst we live. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — JOSEPH. 
 
 But Simeon comes; treacherous, blood-thirsty 
 brother, 
 Fain wouldst thou had my life. Cruel, but hold— 
 I fear, O, heav'n ! that some disastrous death 
 Has snatch'd the others from me; and, perhaps, 
 Simeon's the only brother left me now; 
 I'll touch thee not, the image of our father 
 Sits on thy brow, nor shall thy perfidy 
 Dissolve the sacred ties of love and nature, 
 But I will speak such daggers to thy soul. 
 
 i 9. 
 
116 JOSEPH. 
 
 Simeon. I tremble at his presence f 
 
 Jos. Thou imposter, 
 
 Com/st thou before me but to dare my fury ? 
 Where are thy brethren, brother-traitors? 
 Ah, did not I say it, did not I foresee it > 
 Ye serpent-spies, under pretext of famine, 
 Ye came to see the nakedness of Egypt. 
 One year has run its course, nor yet return'd : 
 Where is their faith, impostor ? Thou shalt pay 
 The forfeit of their guilt. 
 
 Sim. My gracious Lord ! 
 
 Our testimony's true, by Famine driv'n 
 We hither fled for succour : we are twelve 
 Brethren, sons of one father in the land of Canaan. 
 Ten thou hast seen, and one is not; the youngest 
 Was to the care of his old father left. 
 
 Jos. The sight of him might dissipate my doubts : 
 But where's your promise ? Why is he not come ? 
 
 Sim. Paternal love, my lord, alone retains him. 
 What anguish must it give the good old sire, 
 To have this only hope torn from his bosom, 
 The prop and comfort of his falling years ? 
 How would it shake his poor old tott'ring frame, 
 How wring his bleeding heart ? 
 
 Jos. (Aside.) Peace, nature, peace! 
 
 Sim. Grief for the loss of his beloved Joseph, 
 Already reigns too cruel in his heart. 
 No sun or sets or rises on the earth, 
 That doth not find, and leave him too, in tears. 
 
 Jos. Great God sustain my fortitude. This Joseph, 
 Flow died he ? 
 
JOSEPH. 117 
 
 Sim. A wild beast, my Lord, devour'd him. 
 
 Jos. Devour'd by a wild beast? Have a care: 
 didst thou then see 
 
 His bleeding arteries, his mangled limbs ? 
 
 Now, by the life of Pharaoh, I spy some treachery. 
 
 There are men on earth, more cruel, Simeon, 
 
 Than the fiercest beast. 
 
 Sim. (Aside.) Dreadful discourse ! 
 Jos. He trembles ' 
 
 Sim. Thy suspicion — 
 
 Jos. Is just. Know you not yet that I can divine, 
 
 And view the dark recesses of the soul. 
 
 In vain from me you'd hide the truth, impostor! 
 
 AIR. — SIMEON. 
 
 Ah ! my foul oifence, 
 Wrote in my face, 
 O dire disgrace, 
 Admits of no defence; 
 Though treach'rous hearts from mortal sight, 
 May veil awhile 
 Their impious guile, 
 Heav'n sees, and brings dark deeds to light. 
 
 RECITATIVE.— JOSEPH. 
 
 Whence, Asenath, this grief that hangs upon thee, 
 And like a morning mist, which hovers o'er 
 The violet's bed, bedews thy lovely cheeks. 
 
 Asen. Life of my life, and source of all my bliss, 
 It is but to resemble thee the more ; 
 When Zaphnath sighs, can Asenath be gay ? 
 Can Asenath enjoy when Zaphnath suffers ? 
 
118 JOSEPH. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 The silver stream, that all its way 
 Transparent to the Ocean flows, 
 Mixt with the turbid surges, grows 
 
 As ruffled and impure as they : 
 Thus glided I through life serene ; 
 
 But now dire griefs thy breast inflame, 
 
 My mingling bosom shares the same, 
 And I like thee am wretched seen. 
 
 RECIT ATIVE.— AS EN ATH. 
 
 Tell me, O tell me thy heart's malady, 
 That I may steal it from thee if I can. 
 
 Jos. A slight disorder, public cares — 
 
 Phan. My Lord, 
 
 The long-expected strangers are arrived, 
 And with them comes a youth of matchless beauty. 
 
 Jos. (Aside.) My Benjamin! thank heav'n I 
 Straight make them enter. 
 My love, retire awhile, soon thou shalt know 
 The business of my heart; permit me only some few 
 moments more. 
 
 Asen. Your will, my Lord, is mine. 
 
 Phan. Fear not. 
 
 Peace be unto you ! 'Twas your God that gave 
 You treasure in your sacks; for me, I had 
 Your money, and declare you guiltless. 
 Think not that Zaphnath bears so base a soul, 
 As to condemn you wrongfully, nor one 
 So cruel to refuse you farther succour. 
 
 Judah. Thy gracious words revive my drooping 
 spirits, 
 
JOSEPH. 1 19 
 
 And flattering hope of being guiltless; that thought 
 Glows in my breast, and kindles life anew. 
 air. — JUDAH. 
 To keep, afar from all offence, 
 And conscious of its innocence, 
 Is not enough for the defence 
 
 Of an unblemish'd heart; 
 A slight suspicion oftentimes, 
 Of uncommitted, unthought crimes, 
 Its purity with slander times, 
 
 And gives it the delinquent's part. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Thus one with ev'ry virtue crown'd, 
 For ev'ry vice may be renown'd. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — REUBEN. 
 
 Once more, O pious Zaphnath, at thy feet 
 We pay due homage and implore thy succour. 
 
 RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED. 
 
 Our reverend sire, intreats thee to accept 
 
 An humble off 'ring of our country's fruits, 
 
 Not such as with thy grandeur suits, 
 
 But what our present wretched land has left, 
 
 O Zaphnath, our fields lie desolate, and cover'd o'er 
 
 With naught but horror, barrenness, and mire, 
 
 Menacing the distress'd inhabitant 
 
 With death irreparable, which already 
 
 Sits on their pining cheeks. O pity, pity! 
 
 Our good old father sues to thee for pity ; 
 
 For pity we conjure thee ; and for pity 
 
 Our youngest brother lowly bows to kiss 
 
 Thv bounteous hand. 
 
120 JOSEPH. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — BENJAMIN. 
 
 This kiss, my gracious Lord, comes wash'd with 
 tears ; 
 O save my country — save my dear father, 
 And may Abraham's God for ever save my lord. 
 
 Jos. (Aside.) How his discourse melts down my 
 
 (To Benj.) Rise ! Is your father well? [soul! 
 
 (Aside.) I had almost said mine. 
 
 (To the Brethren.) The good old man of whom 
 ye spake — say, 
 Is he living still ? 
 
 Jud. My Lord, thy servant lives, 
 
 And lives in health. 
 
 Jos. And this his youngest son ? 
 
 Benj. It is, my Lord ; my name is Benjamin. 
 
 Jos. Let me embrace thee, and may, my son, 
 that God 
 Whom you invoke, watch o'er and ever shed 
 His blessings on thee. 
 
 AIR. — BENJAMIN. 
 
 Thou deign 'st to call thy servant son, 
 
 And, O, methinks, my Lord, I see 
 With an amazing semblance shewn, 
 
 My father's image stamp'd on thee; 
 Thee, therefore, I would father call ; 
 
 But the similitude of face 
 Is not enough, the soul is all, 
 
 O may his soul thy bosom grace. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — JOSEPH. 
 
 (Sweet innocence ! divine simplicity ! 
 
JOSEPH. 121 
 
 Tears, by your leave) Attend, prepare our table 
 Instant, these men shall eat with me to-day. 
 
 Ben j. Let not thy mercy linger: Grief and Fa- 
 mine 
 Oppress our aged father ; aught delay 
 May fatal prove; we left him desolate. 
 
 Jos. I can refrain no longer; Joy and Anguish. 
 Jointly demand my tears. 
 
 Rei/b. Didst thou observe him, Judah? Mark 
 his looks. 
 
 Jud. I did: canst thou interpret them? 
 
 Reub. I cannot, 
 
 Profound and inaccessible, O Judah ! 
 Are all the inward movements of the great, 
 And never by the countenance are known. 
 
 Jud. May great Jehovah turn his heart to pity. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 O God, who in thy heavenly hand 
 
 Dost hold the hearts of mighty kings, 
 O take thy Israel, and his land, 
 
 Beneath the shadow of thy wings : 
 Thou know'st our wants before our pray'r, 
 
 O let us not confounded be ; 
 Thy tender mercies let us share; 
 
 O Lord, we trust alone in thee. 
 
122 JOSEPH, 
 
 PART THE THIRD. 
 
 RECITATIVE.— JOSEPH. 
 
 WHAT say'st thou, Phanor ? prove these stran- 
 gers then 
 Such base ingrates ? Bore off the silver cup 
 That's sacred to my Lord's peculiar use ? 
 They have, but shall not long enjoy their rapine, 
 
 AIR.— PHANOR. 
 
 Tho' on rapid whirlwind's wing, 
 This vile band of robbers flies; 
 Yet the rapid whirlwind's wing 
 Shall not waft them thro' the skies ; 
 Where secure 
 From our pow'r 
 They may triumph in the prize. 
 
 RECITATIVE. 
 
 Already they're retaken ; and in bonds 
 Await their doom. 
 Asen. Ungrateful, impious men ! 
 
 AIR.— PHANOR. 
 
 The wanton favours of the great, 
 
 Are like the scatter' d seed when sown, 
 Grateful harvest they create, 
 
 Whene'er on generous acres thrown ; 
 But if (as O ! too oft) they fall 
 
 Where weeds and briers the soil prophane, 
 Or lost, they bare no fruit at all, 
 
 Or bearing yield a worthless grain. 
 
JOSEPH. 123 
 
 RECITATIVE. — ASENATH. 
 
 Whence so disturbed, my Lord, let not the crime 
 Of others be inflicted on thyself. 
 
 Jos My sorrows have a deeper deadlier root. 
 
 Asen. Why dost thou hide them then from me, 
 O Zaphnath ? 
 This diffidence does wrong to faithful love. 
 - Wherefore that look, those sighs ? Much, much I fear, 
 That Asenath's the source of this disquiet; 
 Why from her else conceal'd ? Dire jealousy, 
 That baneful viper, rancles in thy breast. 
 
 AIR. — ASENATH. 
 
 Ah, Jealousy! thou pelican, 
 That prey'st upon thy parent's bleeding heart; 
 Tho' born of love, love's greatest bane, 
 Still cruel wounding her with her own dart. 
 
 RECITATIVE. JOSEPH. 
 
 O wrong me not ; thy Zaphnath never 
 Harbour'd a thought that way. O Asenath ! 
 My dear old father lives, still lives, 
 But disconsolate and wretched. 
 
 Asen. Whence springs his misery? 
 
 Jos, From this cruel famine, 
 
 No succour left; whilst for his dire affliction, 
 I only shed unprofitable tears. 
 
 Asen. But why, my lord, hast thou not Egypt's 
 store, 
 The wealth of nations ? 
 
 Jos. Pharaoh made me not 
 
 Dispenser, only keeper of his treasure ; 
 Nor should corruption cleave unto these hands, 
 
124 JOSEPH. 
 
 Or would I touch what's sacred to the public, 
 To save myself and race from instant ruin. 
 
 Asen. Then call them into Egypt. Whence, my 
 Lord, 
 This criminal delay ? 
 
 Jos. I fear the king, 
 
 Fear Egypt too. 
 
 Asen. Such fears are but ungen'rous; 
 
 You've all the hearts of Pharaoh and his people. 
 
 AIR.—- JOSEPH. 
 
 The people's favour and the smiles of pow'r, 
 Are no more than the sunshine of an hour ; 
 There Envy with her snakes assails, 
 Here cank'ring Slander still prevails, 
 
 Till Love begins to wain ; 
 Oblivion then envelopes all 
 Our merit past, and straight our fall 
 Is stiled the public gain. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — ASENATH. 
 
 Art thou not Zaphnath ? Is not Egypt sav'd ? 
 All thy own work, and won't her sons with trans- 
 port 
 Give a new life to him who gave thee life. 
 I'll to the king, and supplicate, with laud 
 For bounties past, this farther boon. 
 
 AIR. — ASENATH. 
 
 Prophetic raptures swell my breast, 
 And whisper we shall still be blest ; 
 That this black gloom shall break away, 
 And leave more heav'nly-bright the clay. 
 
JOSEPH. 125 
 
 RECITATIVE. — JOSEPH. 
 
 They come, and indignation in their looks; 
 My bosom beats with an unusual pulse. 
 
 Sim. Whence this vile treatment, these injurious 
 chains ? 
 For what transgression are we shackled thus, 
 Like thieves and traitors ? 
 
 Phan. That's like what you are, 
 
 You've stolen the sacred cup, that's set apart 
 For my Lord's use. Why have ye thus rewarded 
 111 for good ? 
 
 Sim. Imposture! fury! if the sacred vessel 
 
 Be found with us, rain vengeance on our heads. 
 
 Jos. Straight we shall see, and then let the delin- 
 quent 
 Alone receive the wages of his guilt. 
 
 Phan. At length the cup is found. 
 
 Jos. Where? 
 
 Phan. Hid, my Lord, amidst thy gen'rous pre- 
 sents. 
 Benjamin had it. 
 
 Jos. Benjamin ? 
 
 Ben j. I had it? 
 
 Phan. Behold his sack, and in it view the theft. 
 
 Benj. Am I a robber ? shield me righteous heav'n I 
 
 Jos. Seize him. 
 
 Ben. O heav'n thou know'st my innocence. 
 
 Jos. No more, 
 
 Leave him alone to suffer; as for you, 
 Go get you up in peace unto your father. 
 
 recitative accompanied. — benjamin. 
 
 What, without me ' Ah ! how return in peace ? 
 
126 JOSEPH. 
 
 What can you say ? what comfort can you yield 
 To the distracted parent ? O unhappy 
 Benjamin, thou at thy birth gav'st death 
 Unto thy mother; and now dying, 
 Thou likewise tak'st thy tender father's life. 
 
 DUET.—BENJAMIN. 
 
 O pity ! Not to myself — my sinking father, 
 
 pity him ; remember at the first embrace- 
 Jos. (Aside.) Ah, I must not hear, 
 
 Be blind my eyes, 
 Trait'rous tear, 
 Be still ye sighs. 
 Ben. You call'd me son. O view this face, 
 I still as much deserve the name, 
 Thy heart alone is not the same. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — JOSEPH. 
 
 To prison with him. 
 
 Sim. O illustrious Zaphnath, give room to pity, 
 Thou who rulest kingdoms, rule to thy great glory 
 Thy own spirit, or to his father render back 
 This youth, or death to us. 
 
 Jos. On whom the cup was found, him I retain. 
 
 Sim. What, gone ! not hear us ! 
 
 Reu. Yet methought 
 
 1 saw some marks of pity on his face. 
 Sim What pity? 
 
 RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED. — SIMEON. 
 
 The man who flies the wretched, nor will hear 
 them, 
 For fear of yielding to their piercing cries, 
 Has only pity for himself. 
 
JOSEPH. 127 
 
 Reu. Peace, Simeon ! 
 
 Remember Dothan's fields, the horrid pit, and Jo- 
 seph's cries ! 
 
 Were not we deaf to them ? then we'd not hear, and 
 now 
 
 We are not heard. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — REUBEN. 
 
 What counsel can we take ? 
 If we return, our father dies with grief; 
 If here we stay, with famine. Death is 
 Either way his lot! and black despair is ours. 
 
 RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED. — SIMEON. 
 
 O gracious God ! we merit well this scourge; 
 But thou art he whose property is ever 
 To have mercy. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Eternal monarch of the sky, 
 
 Our cruel crime thou didst descry, 
 
 O with the same all-piercing eye, 
 
 Our melting penitence observe. 
 
 Thou the beginning and the end, 
 
 Creator } Father ! Guardian ! Friend r 
 
 Returning prodigals attend, 
 
 And grant us aid we don't deserve. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — SIMEON. 
 
 But, peace ! Zaphnath returns. 
 
 Jos. How, not departed ? Ye insolent, away ! 
 What foolish hope? 
 
 Jud. Though fear, my Lord, and anguish 
 
 Have nigh lock'd up our lips, yet would I crave 
 To oifer one word more : and, O my Lord ! 
 Let not thine anger burn against thy servant : 
 
128 JOSEPH. 
 
 When drove by dire necessity to wrest 
 From the reluctant bosom of our father, 
 Ah ! with what force ! but such was thy command, 
 His youngest, dearest son, his heart's first joy ; 
 He weeping thus bespake us : — Well you know 
 This child's the prop and succour of my age; 
 The only relict of my Rachel's bed : 
 Joseph, alas ! my much -lamented Joseph, 
 In a sad hour went out, and fell a prey, 
 (As oft you told me) to the tyger's rage ; 
 If then you tear this also from my arms, 
 And mischief shall befall him, my grey hairs 
 Ye will bring down with sorrow to the grave, 
 Jos. My soul itself now weeps! 
 
 AIR.-^-SIMEON. 
 
 Thou hadst, my Lord, 
 A father once ; perhaps hast now ; O feel, 
 Feel then for us, as thou did'st love thy own, 
 O pity ours ; feel then our anguish, feel ! 
 
 RECITATIVE.— SIMEON. 
 
 Give, give him up the lad in whom his life is 
 bound, 
 O let me suffer whatever punishment 
 Is doom'd for him ; he is too young for slavery, 
 Or stripes: labour and years have render'd me 
 More hardy ; lay all on me, imprisonment, 
 Chains, scourges, all, all I can endure -, 
 But to my father, to be the messenger 
 Of death, I cannot. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — JOSEPH aside to PHANOK. 
 
 I can no longer, Phanor, bring the youth. 
 Tar oljj ye guards and servants, from my presence. 
 
JOSEPH. 129 
 
 Let ev'ry one go forth— Know, I am Joseph — 
 Doth my dear father live ? — I am your brother, 
 Your long-lost brother — I am Joseph ! 
 
 RECIT. — BENJAMIN, SIMEON, JUDAH, REUBEN, 
 
 Joseph ! heaven ! Joseph ! wretched we ! 
 
 Jos. Arise, and banish fear. My Benjamin, 
 Come hither, and let me press thee to my yearning 
 
 bosom. 
 Brethren, receive, and give a kind embrace. 
 Forgive (To Benj.) this harmless stratagem ; and ye 
 Pardon my groundless jealousy, I fear'd 
 You now to Benjamin might be perfidious, 
 As erst to me ; but I have proved your faith. 
 
 Sim. O Joseph ! Just, yet mysterious, are the ways 
 of heav'n. 
 
 RECITATIVE.-— ASENATH. 
 
 Whilst the Nile and Memphis, to him and his are 
 destin'd 
 For a country, (thus Phanor has ordain'd,) 
 Now, my dear Lord, cast sorrow from thy breast. 
 
 Jos. And thou, my fair, disclaim thy doubts, 
 And no more breathe suspicion. 
 
 Ase. Trust me, O Zaphnath, 'twas the breath of 
 
 love. 
 Jos. Mine too, O Asenath, was still the same. 
 
 AIR AND DUET. — ASENATH. 
 
 What's sweeter than the new-blown rose, 
 Or breezes from the new-mown close ; 
 What's sweeter than an April morn, 
 Or May-day's silver fragrant thorn ; 
 
 K 
 
130 JOSEPH. 
 
 What, than Arabia's spicy grove ; 
 O sweeter far the breath of love. 
 Jos. Hence, gen'rous lovers scorn alarm. 
 Away suspicion cast ; 
 Beauty and wit, begin the charm, 
 But kindness makes it last. 
 Jos. With songs of ardent gratitude and praise, 
 Let us approach the high Eternal's throne, 
 The fountain of all joy, all peace, all honour. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Hallelujah ! We will rejoice in thy salvation, and 
 triumph in the name of the Lord our God. 
 
 Hallelujah J 
 
ISRAEL IN EGYPT: 
 
 A SACRED ORATORIO. 
 
 PART THE FIRST. 
 
 RECITATIVE. 
 
 NOW there arose a new king over Egypt, which 
 knew not Joseph : And he set over Israel 
 task-masters to afflict them with burdens ; and they 
 made them serve with rigour. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 And the children of Israel sigh'd by the reason 
 of the bondage, and their cry came up unto God. 
 
 They oppressed them with burdens, and made 
 them serve with rigour. 
 
 RECITATIVE. 
 
 Then sent he Moses his servant, and Aaron, whom 
 he had chosen. 
 
 These shewed his signs among them, and wonder? 
 in the land of Ham. 
 
 He turned their waters into blood. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 They loathed to drink of the river. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Their land brought forth frogs, yea even in their 
 king's chambers. 
 
 K2 
 
132 ISRAEL IN EGYPT. 
 
 He gave their cattle over to the pestilence, 
 botches and blains broke forth on man and beast. 
 chorus. 
 
 He spake the word, and there came all manner of 
 flies, and lice, in all their quarters. 
 
 He spake, and the locusts came without number, 
 and devour'd the fruit of their ground. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 He gave them hail-stones for rain ; fire, mingled 
 with hail, ran along upon the ground. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 He sent a thick darkness over all the land, even 
 darkness which might be felt, 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 He smote all the first-born of Egypt, the chief of 
 all their strength. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 But as for his people, he led them forth like 
 sheep. He brought them out with silver and gold, 
 there was not one feeble person among their tribes. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Egypt was glad when they departed, for the fear 
 of them fell upon them. 
 
 ! CHORUS. 
 
 He rebuked the Red Sea, and it was dried up. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 He led them through the deep as through a wil- 
 derness. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 But the waters overwhelmed their enemies, there 
 was not one of them left. 
 
ISRAEL IN EGYPT. 133 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 And Israel saw that great work, that the Lord did 
 upon the Egyptians, and the people feared the 
 Lord. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 And believed the Lord and his servant Moses. 
 
 PART THE SECOND. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 MOSES and the children of Israel sang this song 
 unto the Lord, and spake saying ; 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 I will sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed 
 gloriously ; the horse and his rider hath he thrown 
 into the sea. 
 
 DUETTO. 
 
 The Lord is my strength and my song, he is be- 
 come my salvation. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 He is my God, and I will prepare him an habita- 
 tion, my father's God. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 And I will exalt him. 
 
 DUETTO. 
 
 The Lord is a man of war, Lord is his name, Pha- 
 raoh's chariots and his host hath he cast into the 
 
134 ISRAEL IN EGYPT. 
 
 sea 5 his chosen captains also are drowned in the 
 Red Sea. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 The depths have cover'd them, they sank into the 
 bottom as a stone. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Thy right hand, O Lord, is become glorious in 
 power 5 thy right hand, O Lord, hath dashed in pieces 
 the enemy. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 And in the greatness of thine excellency, thou 
 hast overthrown them that rose up against thee. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed 
 them as stubble. » 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 And with the blast of thy nostrils, the waters were 
 gathered together, the floods stood upright as an 
 heap ; the depths were congealed in the heart of 
 the sea. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I 
 will divide the spoil, my lust shall be satisfied upon 
 them, I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy 
 them. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Thou didst blow with the wind ; the sea covered 
 them, they sank as lead in the mighty waters. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Who is like unto thee, O Lord, amongst the Gods ; 
 who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in 
 
ISRAEL IN EGYPT, 135 
 
 praises, doing wonders, then stretchest out thy right 
 hand. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 The earth swallow'd them. 
 
 DUETTO. 
 
 Thou in thy mercy hast led forth thy people which 
 thou hast redeemed. Thou hast guided them in thy 
 strength unto thy holy habitation. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 The people shall hear, and be afraid, sorrow shall 
 take hold on them, all the inhabitants of Canaan 
 shall melt away ; by the greatness of thy arm, they 
 shall be as still as a stone, till thy people pass over, 
 O Lord, which thou hast purchased. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Thou shait bring them in, and plant them in the 
 mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O Lord, 
 which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the 
 sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have estab- 
 lished. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 The Lord shall reign for ever and ever. 
 
 RECITATIVE. 
 
 For the host of Pharaoh went in with his chariots, 
 and with his horsemen into the sea, and the Lord 
 brought again the waters of the sea upon them ; but 
 the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst 
 of the sea. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 The' Lord shall reign for ever and ever. 
 
136 ISRAEL IN EGYPT. 
 
 RECITATIVE. 
 
 And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, 
 took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women went 
 out after her with timbrels and with dances, and 
 Miriam answered them. 
 
 AIR AND CHORUS. 
 
 Sing ye to the Lord, for he hath triumphed glo- 
 riously. 
 
 The Lord shall reign for ever and ever. 
 
 The horse and his rider has he thrown into the sea. 
 
JOSHUA : 
 
 A SACRED ORATORIO. 
 
 PART THE FIRST. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 YE sons of Israel, ev'ry tribe attend, 
 Let grateful songs and hymns to heav'n ascend: 
 In Gilgal, and on Jordan's banks proclaim 
 One first, one great, one Lord Jehovah's name. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — JOSHUA. 
 
 Behold, my friends, what vast rewards are giv'n 
 To all the just, who place their faith in heav'n ! 
 Oh ! had your sires obey'd divine command, 
 They too, like you, had reach'd the promis'd land ; 
 But rebels to the laws th' almighty gave, 
 They, in the desert, met an early grave. 
 
 Caleb. O Joshua, both to rule, and bless ordain'd; 
 When Moses the eternal mansions gain'd, 
 What boundless gratitude to heav'n we owe, 
 Who did, in thee, a chief so wise bestow ? 
 Courage, and conduct shine in thee complete, 
 Justice and mercy fill thy judgment-seat. 
 
13S JOSHUA. 
 
 AIR. — CALEB. 
 
 O first in wisdom, first in pow'r, 
 Jehovah ev'ry blessing show'r 
 
 Around thy sacred head ! 
 The neighboring realms with envy see 
 The happiness and liberty, 
 
 O'er all thy people spread. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — A CHS AH. 
 
 Matrons, and virgins, with unweary'd pray'r, 
 Solicit heav'n for thee, their fav'rite care. 
 The first lawgiver broke th' Egyptian chain ; 
 And, by thy hallow'd aid, we Canaan gain. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Oh ! who can tell, Oh ! who can hear 
 Of Egypt, and not shed a tear ? 
 Or, who will not on Jordan smile, 
 lleleas'd from bondage on the Nile ? 
 
 RECITATIVE. — JOSHUA. 
 
 Caleb, attend to all I now prescribe ; 
 One righteous man select from ev'ry tribe, 
 To bear twelve stones from the divided flood, 
 Where the priests feet, and holy cov'nant stood ; 
 In Gilgal place them : hence twelve more provide, 
 And fix them in the bosom of the tide : 
 These when our sons shall view with curious eye, 
 Thus the historic columns shall reply : 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 To long posterity we here record 
 The wond'rous passage, and the land restor'd : 
 In wat'ry heaps affrighted Jordan stood, 
 And backward to the fountain roll'd his flood. 
 
JOSHUA. !Sy 
 
 RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED. 
 
 So long the memory shall last, 
 Of all thy tender mercies past. 
 
 AIR. — JOSHUA. 
 
 While Kedron's brook to Jordan's stream 
 
 Its silver tribute pays ; 
 Or while the glorious sun shall beam 
 
 On Canaan's golden rays ; 
 vSo long the memory shall last 
 Of all thy tender mercies past. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — OTHNIEL. 
 
 But, who is he t — Tremendous to behold ! 
 A form divine in panoply of gold ! 
 With dignity of mien, and stately grace, 
 He moves in solemn, slow, majestic pace y 
 His auburn locks his comely shoulders spread, 
 A sword his hand, a helmet fits his head ; 
 His warlike visage, and his sparkling eye 
 Bespeak a hero, or an angel nigh. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Awful, pleasing being, say, 
 
 If from heav'n thou wing'st thy way ? 
 
 Deign to let thy servant know, 
 
 If a friend, or pow'rful foe ? 
 
 RECITATIVE.— ANGEL. 
 
 Joshua, I come commission'd from on high, 
 The captain of the host of God am I ; 
 Loose from thy feet thy shoes, for all around, 
 The place, whereon thou stand'st, is holy ground. 
 
 Jos. Low on the earth, Oh ! prostrate let me bend, 
 And thv behests with reverence attend, 
 
HO JOSHUA. 
 
 RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED. — ANGEL. 
 
 Leader of Israel, 'tis the Lord's decree, 
 That Jericho must fall, and fall by thee ; 
 The tyrant king, and all his heathen train, 
 At their own idol-altars shall be slain ; 
 Th' embattl'd walls, and tow'rs, that reach the sky, 
 Shall perish, and in dusty ruin lie ; 
 Scatter'd in air, their ashes shall be tost, 
 The place, the name, and all remembrance lost. 
 
 RECITATIVE.— JOSHUA. 
 
 To give command, prerogative is thine ; 
 And humbly to obey, the duty's mine. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Haste, Israel, haste, your glitt'ring arms prepare, 
 With valour abounding, 
 The city surrounding, 
 Deal death, and dreadful war. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 The Lord commands, and Joshua leads, 
 Jericho falls, the tyrant bleeds. 
 
 RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED. — OTHNIEL. 
 
 In these blest scenes, where constant pleasure reigns, 
 And herds, and bleating flocks, adorn the plains: 
 Where the soft season all its blessings sheds, 
 Refreshing rivers, and enamell'd meads ; 
 Here, in the covert of some friendly shade, 
 Direct me, love, to Achsah, blooming maid. 
 
 Achs. O Othniel, Othniel ! 
 
 Othn. 'Tis my name I hear! 
 
 Othniel, in melting accents strikes my ear. 
 
JOSHUA. 141 
 
 AIR.— ACHSAH. 
 
 Othniel, Othniel ! valiant youth, 
 May heav'n reward thy love and truth ' 
 
 RECITATIVE.-— OTHNIEL. 
 
 Tis Achsah's voice; who, but that heav'nly fair, 
 Could breathe so tender, and so sweet a pray'r? 
 
 Achs. But, see? he comes — lie heard, and knows 
 his pow'r. 
 
 Othn. Hail ! lovely virgin of this blissful bow'r ; 
 How sweet the music of thy tuneful tongue ! 
 
 Achs These praises to the feather'd choir belong. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Hark ! 'tis the linnet, and the thrush; 
 
 In dulcet notes 
 
 They pour their throats, 
 And wake the morn on ev'ry bush : 
 From morn to eve they chaunt their love, 
 And fill with melody the grove. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — OTHNIEL. 
 
 O Achsah, form'd for ev'ry chaste delight, 
 
 T* inspire the virtuous thought, and charm the sight ; 
 
 Thy presence gilds this variegated scene, 
 
 To the green olive adds a brighter green ; 
 
 White to the lily, blushes to the rose, 
 
 With deeper red the rich pomegranate glows; 
 
 The fruits their flavour, flow'rs their odours prove, 
 
 And here we taste true liberty and love. 
 
 DUET. 
 
 Our limpid streams with freedom flow, 
 
 . And feel no icy chains; 
 No moulded hail, no fleecy snow, 
 
 . Pollute our fruitful plains ; 
 
342 JOSHUA. 
 
 The years one vernal circle move, 
 
 _ " . f like OthniePs love. 
 
 And still the same ^ Achgah , s love . 
 
 RECITATIVE. — OTHNIEL. 
 
 The trumpet calls ; now Jericho shall know 
 What 'tis to have a lover for her foe. 
 The city conquer'd, I shall hope to find 
 Thy father Caleb, like his Achsah, kind. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 May all the host of heav'n attend him round, 
 And angels waft him back with conquest crown'd ! 
 
 PART THE SECOND. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — JOSHUA. 
 
 5 r I MS well ; six times the Lord hath been obey'd ^ 
 -*- Low in the dust the town shall soon be laid. 
 Now the seventh sun the gilded domes adorns, 
 Sound the shrill trumpets, shout, and blow the horns. 
 
 CHORUS.— JOSHUA. 
 
 Glory to God ! the strong-cemented walls, 
 The tott'ring tow'rs, the pond'rous ruin falls : 
 The nations tremble at the dreadful sound, 
 Heav'n thunders, tempests roar, and groans the 
 ground. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — CALEB. 
 
 The walls are levell'd, pour the chosen bands, 
 With hostile gore imbrue your thirsty hands: 
 Set palaces and temples in a blaze, 
 Sap the foundations, and the bulwark's raze: 
 
JOSHUA. . 143 
 
 But, oh ! remember, in the bloody strife, 
 To spare the hospitable Rahab's life. 
 
 AIR. — CALEB. 
 
 See, the raging flames arise ! 
 Hear, the dismal groans, and cries ! 
 The fatal day of wrath is come, 
 Proud Jericho hath met her doom. 
 
 AIR. — ACHSAH. 
 
 To Vanity, and earthly Pride, 
 
 How short a date is giv'n ! 
 The firmest rock, that shall abide, 
 Is confidence in heav'n. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — JOSHUA. 
 
 Let all the seed of Abrah'm now prepare 
 
 To celebrate this feast, with pious care. 
 
 Ages unborn, by this example led, 
 
 Shall bleed the lamb, and bake unleaven'd bread. 
 
 CHORUS. — JOSHUA. 
 
 Almighty Ruler of the skies, 
 
 Accept our vows, and sacrifice ; 
 
 Thy mercy did with Israel dwell, 
 
 When the first-born of Egypt fell. 
 
 But, oh ! what wonders did the Lord 
 
 At the Red Sea to us afford! 
 
 He made our passage on dry ground, 
 
 While Pharaoh and his host were drown'd. 
 
 He thro' the dreary desert led, 
 
 He slak'd our thirst, with manna fed: 
 
 His glory did on Sinai shine, 
 
 When we receiv'd the law divine. 
 
144 JOSHUA. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — CALEB. 
 
 Joshua, the men dispatch'd by thee to learn 
 The strength of Ai, and country to discern; 
 Elate with pride, deluded by success, 
 Despis'd their pow'r, and made the people less; 
 Easy of faith, we trust what they relate, 
 And now the hasty error find too late ; 
 Our troops with shame repuls'd ! — Oh, fatal day ? 
 Hark ! Israel mourns ; triumphs the King of Ai. 
 
 CHORUS OF THE DEFEATED ISRAELITES. 
 
 How soon our tow'ring hopes are crossed! 
 The foe prevails, our glory's lost! 
 Again shall Israel bondage know, 
 Oh ! sheath the sword, unbend the bow. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — JOSHUA. - % 
 
 Whence this dejection ? Rouse your coward hearts ; 
 Let courage edge your swords, and point your 
 
 darts. 
 Remember Jericho ! and sure success 
 Shall crown your arms ; the Lord our cause will bless. 
 
 AIR. — JOSHUA. 
 
 With redoubled rage return, 
 Ev'ry breast with fury burn ; 
 And the heathen soon shall feel 
 The force of your avenging steel. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 We with redoubled rage return y 
 All our breasts with fury burn: 
 The heathen nations soon shall feel 
 The force of our avenging steel. 
 
JOSHUA. .145 
 
 RECITATIVE. — OTHNIEL. 
 
 Now give the army breath; let war, awhile, 
 Smooth his rough front, and wear a cheerful smile : 
 The interval, if Achsah but approve, 
 I'll consecrate to virtue and to love. 
 
 AIR. — OTHNIEL. 
 
 Heroes, when with glory burning, 
 All their toil with pleasure bear; 
 
 And believe, to love returning, 
 Laurel wreaths beneath their care : 
 
 War to hardy deeds invites, 
 
 Love the danger well requites. 
 
 RECITATIVE.-— ACHSAH. 
 
 Indulgent heav'n hath heard my virgin pray'r. 
 And made my Othniel its peculiar care : 
 When he is absent, sighs my hours employ, 
 When he returns, transporting is the joy. 
 
 AIR. — ACHSAH. 
 
 As cheers the sun the tender flow'r, 
 That sinks beneath a falling show'r, 
 
 And rears its drooping head; 
 Thy presence doth my pow'rs controul, 
 Darts Joy, like lightning, through my soul, 
 
 And all my cares are fled. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — CALEB. 
 
 Sure I'm deceiv'd! — with sorrow I behold— 
 
 Let not this folly in the camp be told ; 
 
 Now all the youth of Israel are in arms, 
 
 That Othniel, lost in dalliance, shuns th' alarms. » 
 
 Oth. Oh ! why will Caleb my iix'd passion blame ? 
 This spotless object justifies my flame. 
 
HG' JOSHUA* 
 
 RECITATIVE. — CALEB. 
 
 No more, it wounds thy fame — Daughter, re^ 
 
 tire— 
 Oh ! let thy bosom glow with warlike fire. 
 Thou know'st what craft the men of Gibeon us'd 
 T' obtain their league, which else had been refus'd: 
 Soon did that treaty thro* the heathen ring; 
 Adoni-zedeck of Jerus'lem king, 
 With the confederate pow'rs of most renown, 
 Have sworn to ruin the revolted town. 
 Firm to our faith, it never shall be said, 
 That our allies, in vain, implor'd our aid. . 
 
 Othn. Perish the thought! while honour hath a 
 
 name, 
 Israel's, or Gibeon's cause is still the same. 
 
 AIR.— OTHNIEL. 
 
 Nations, who, in future story, 
 Wou'd recorded be with glory; 
 Let them thro' the world proclaim, 
 Friendship is the road to fame. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — JOSHUA. 
 
 Brethren, and friends, what joy this day imparts., 
 To meet such brave, such firm united hearts? 
 What tho' the tyrants, an unnumber'd host, 
 Their strength in horse, and iron chariots boast ? 
 Now shines the sun, that fixeth Canaan's doom ; 
 Trust in the Lord, and you shall overcome. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — CALEB. 
 
 Thus far our cause is favour'd by the Lord, 
 Advance, pursue ; Jehovah is the word ! 
 
JOSHUA. 147 
 
 RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED. — JOSHUA. 
 
 Oh ! thou bright orb, great ruler of the day ! 
 Stop thy swift course, and over Gibeou stay. 
 And, oh ! thou milder lamp of light, the moon, 
 Stand still, prolong thy beams in Ajalon. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Behold ! the list' ning sun the voice obeys, 
 And in mid heav'n his rapid motion stays. 
 Before our arms the scatter' d nations fly, 
 Breathless they pant, they yield, they fall, they die. 
 
 H 
 
 PART THE THIRD. 
 
 . CHORUS. 
 
 AIL! mighty Joshua, hail! thy name 
 Shall rise into immortal fame. 
 Our children's children shall rehearse 
 Thy deeds in never-dying verse ; 
 And grateful marbles raise to thee. 
 Great guardian of pur liberty ! 
 
 AIR. — ACHSAH. 
 
 Happy, Oh, thrice happy we, 
 Who enjoy sweet liberty ! 
 To your sons this gem secure, 
 As bright, as ample, and as pure. 
 
 RECITATIVE.— JOSHUA. 
 
 Caleb, for holy Eleazer send, 
 And bid the chiefs of Israel all attend, ; „ 
 
 L2 
 
148 JOSHUA. 
 
 To execute th' Almighty's great command, 
 And lot among the tribes the conquer'd land. 
 
 Cal, With thee, great leader, when Jephunneh's 
 son 
 Was sent to view the nations thou hast won ; 
 Hebron obtained, we all its produce sought, 
 Thick-cluster'd grapes, iigs, and pomegranates 
 
 brought ; 
 The men, their prowess carefully survey'd, 
 And deem'd the conquest easy to be made. 
 Here wou'd I stop — but, oh ! unhappy fate ! 
 The tim'rous spies a diff'rent tale relate, 
 Increas'd the danger, multiply'd the foe, 
 And fiird some dastard souls' with panic woe. 
 
 Josh. Firm as a rock, when billows lash its side, 
 Thou didst persist, and all their threats defy'd. 
 The men appeas'd; said Moses, man of God, 
 Caleb, the land whereon thy feet have trod, 
 Mark what I say ! for 'tis the will of heav'n, 
 Shall be to thee, and to thy children giv'n. 
 Behold ! the promise of the man divine 
 I ratify, and Hebron now is thine. 
 
 Cal. My cup is full ; how blest in this decree ! 
 How can my thanks suffice the Lord, and thee ! 
 
 AIR. — CALEB. 
 
 Shall I in Mamre's fertile plain, 
 The remnant of my days remain ? 
 And is it giv'n to me, to have 
 A place with Abrah'm in the grave ? 
 For all these mercies I will sing 
 Eternal. praise to heav'n's high king. 
 
JOSHUA. 14? 
 
 CHORUS OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH. 
 
 For all these mercies we will sing 
 Eternal praise to heav'n's high king. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — OTHNIEL. 
 
 O Caleb, fear'd by foes, by friends ador'd, 
 Well have we paid this tribute to thy sword; 
 But still, to make thine heritage complete, 
 Debir remains, Debir the giant's seat. 
 
 Cal. Worn out in war, I find my strength decline. 
 Counsel alone, the gift of age, is mine. 
 Is there a warrior willing to pursue 
 The conquest, and that stubborn town subdue ? 
 For him, for his, I amply will provide, 
 And to crown all, Achsah shall be his bride. 
 
 Othn. Glorious reward ! the task be mine alone ; 
 Transporting thought ! Caleb, the town's thy own. ' 
 
 AIR. — OTHNIEL. 
 
 Place danger around me, 
 
 The storm I'll despise ; 
 What arm shall confound me, 
 
 When Achsah's the prize ? 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Father of Mercy, hear the pray'r we make, 
 And save the hero for his country's sake ! 
 
 RECITATIVE.— JOSHUA. 
 
 In bloom of youth, this stripling hath atchiev'd 
 What scarce, in future times, shall be believ'd. 
 Mankind no sooner did pronounce his name, 
 But he stood foremost in the rolls of fame : 
 Tyrants he humbled, with the world's applause, 
 And sav'd his country's liberty, and laws. 
 
150 JOSHUA. 
 
 CHORUS OF YOUTHS. 
 
 See, the conquering hero comes 1 
 Sound the trumpets, beat the drums. 
 Sports prepare, the laurel bring, 
 Songs of triumph to him sing. 
 
 CHORUS OF VIRGINS. 
 
 See the godlike youth advance ! 
 Breathe the flutes, and lead the dance : 
 Myrtle wreaths, and roses twine, 
 To deck the hero's brow divine. 
 
 FULL CHORUS. 
 
 See the conqu'ring, &c. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — CALEB. 
 
 Welcome ! my son, my Othniel, good, and great ! 
 The ornament and champion of the state. 
 Take thy reward, the noblest heav'n can raise, 
 And lasting love adorn your happy days ! 
 
 Othn. What tongue can utter, or what heart 
 
 conceive 
 The joy with which this blessing I receive ? 
 
 Achs. Blest be the pow'r, that kept thee safe 
 
 from harms ! 
 Blest be the pow'r, that gave thee to my arms. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Oh ! had I Jubal's sacred lyre, 
 
 Or Miriam's tuneful voice ! 
 To sounds like his I wou'd aspire, 
 
 In songs like her's rejoice : 
 My humble strains but faintly show, 
 How much to heav'n and thee I owe. 
 
JOSHUA. 151 
 
 RECITATIVE. — OTHNIEL. 
 
 While life shall last, each moment we'll improve 
 In equal gratitude, and mutual love. 
 
 DUET. 
 
 Othn. O peerless maid, with beauty blest, 
 Of ev'ry pleasing charm possest; 
 As first in virtue thou art deem'd, 
 For truth thou art no less esteem'd. 
 
 Achs. O gen'rous youth, whom virtue fires, 
 And love of liberty inspires ; 
 As first in valour thou art deem'd, 
 For truth thou art no less esteem'd. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — CALEB. 
 
 While lawless tyrants, with ambition blind, 
 Mock solemn faith, waste worlds, and thin mankind ; 
 Israel can boast a leader, just, and brave, 
 A friend to freedom, and ordain'd to save. 
 Thus bless'd, to heav'n your voices raise 
 In songs of thanks, and hymns of praise. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 The great Jehovah is our awful theme, 
 Sublime in Majesty, in pow'r supreme. 
 
 Hallelujah. 
 
OCCASIONAL ORATORIO 
 
 PART THE FIRST. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 WHY do the gentiles tumult, and the nations 
 muse a vain thing ; the kings of the earth 
 upstand with power, the princes in their congrega- 
 tions lay deep their plots throughout each land, 
 against the Lord and his anointed ? 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Let us break off, by strength of hand, 
 And cast from us no more to wear, 
 
 The twisted cord and iron band; 
 Him or his god we scorn to fear. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 O Lord, how many are my foes ? 
 
 How many that in arms against me rise, 
 That of my life distrustfully thus says, 
 
 No help for him in God there lies ? 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Him or his God we scorn to fear, 
 
 Let us break off th' iron band, 
 And cast from us, no more to wear, 
 
 The twisted cord and iron band. 
 
OCCASIONAL ORATORIO. 153 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Jehovah, to my words give ear, 
 
 My meditations weigh ; 
 The voice of my complaining hear, 
 
 To thee alone my God and king I pray. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Him or his God we -scorn to fear, 
 
 Let us break offth' iron band, 
 And cast from us, no more to wear, 
 
 The twisted cord and iron band. 
 
 RECITATIVE. 
 
 The highest who in heav'n doth dwell, shall laugh 
 them to scorn, the Lord shall speak to them in his 
 wrath, and in his fell and fierce ire trouble them, for 
 I, saith he, have anointed him my king, tho T ye 
 rebel on Sion's holy hill. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 O who shall pour into my swollen eyes, 
 A sea of tears that never may be dried ; 
 
 A brazen voice that may with shrilling cries, 
 Pierce the dull heav'ns, and fill the air so wide ; 
 
 An iron frame, that sighing may endure, 
 
 To wail the misery of the world impure ? 
 
 RECITATIVE. 
 
 The Lord shall speak to them in his wrath, and 
 in his fell and fierce ire trouble them, for I, saith he, 
 have anointed him my king, my chosen king, on 
 Sion's holy hill. 
 
154 OCCASIONAL ORATORIO. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Fly, from the threat'ning vengeance My, 
 
 E'er 'tis too late, 
 
 Avoid your fate, 
 The bolt once launch'd ye surely die. 
 
 Put not your trust, 
 
 In the unjust, 
 Who lift their hands so high. 
 
 RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED. 
 
 Humbled with fear, and awful reverence, 
 Before the foot-stool of his majesty 
 Throw thyself down with trembling innocence; 
 Nor dare to cast thy weak, thy dazzled eye, 
 On the dread face of that great Deity ; 
 For fear, lest if he chance to look on thee, 
 Thou turn to nought, and quite confounded be. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 His sceptre is the rod of righteousness, 
 
 With which he bruiseth all his foes to dust; 
 
 And the great dragon strongly doth repress, 
 Under the rigor of his judgment just, 
 His seat is truth, to which the faithful trust ; 
 
 From whence proceed her beams so pure and bright; 
 
 That all about him sheddeth glorious light. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Be wise, be wise, at length ye kings averse, 
 Be taught, ye judges of the earth, 
 With fear Jehovah serve. 
 
OCCASIONAL ORATORIO. 155 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Be wise, be wise, at length ye kings averse, 
 
 Be taught, ye judges of the earth, 
 
 With fear Jehovah serve. 
 
 Or brought full low with iron sceptre, 
 
 Bruis'd and then dispers'd, scatter'd like sheep* 
 
 Ye perish in your way. 
 
 RECITATIVE. 
 
 Of many millions, the populous rout 
 I fear not, tho' incamping round about, 
 They pitch their tents against me j my God 
 Will rise, my help is in the Lord. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Jehovah is my shield, my glory, 
 
 Him thro' my story 
 Th' exalter of my head I count ; 
 
 Aloud I cry'd, 
 
 He soon reply'd, 
 And heard me from his holy mount % 
 I lay and slept, and wakM again, 
 The Lord himself did me sustain. 
 
 RECITATIVE. 
 
 Fools or madmen stand not within thy sight, all 
 workers of iniquity thou hat'st, and them unblest 
 thou wilt destroy, the bloody and guileful man thou 
 dost detest. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 God found them guilty, let them fall, 
 
 By their own counsels quelPd ; 
 Push'd them in their rebellions all, 
 
 For against him they had rebell'd. 
 
156 OCCASIONAL ORATORIO. 
 
 PART THE SECOND. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 O LIBERTY, thou choicest treasure, 
 Seat of virtue, source of pleasure ; 
 Life without thee knows no blessing, 
 No endearment worth caressing. 
 
 RECITATIVE. 
 
 Who trusts in God should ne'er despair, 
 The just are still the care of heav'n; 
 Rejoice, my soul, Jehovah hears. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Prophetic visions strike my eye, 
 In vain our foes for help shall cry : 
 War shall cease, 
 Welcome peace, 
 And triumphs after victory ; 
 The hostile band, 
 By his right hand, 
 Discomfited forsakes the land. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 May God from whom all mercies spring, 
 Bless the true church, and save the king ; 
 With firm united hearts, we all 
 Will conquer in his cause or fall. 
 
 RECITATIVE. 
 
 The Lord hath heard my pray'r, 
 Mine enemies shall all be black, and dash'd 
 With much confusion, then grown red with shame. 
 They shall return in haste the way they came, 
 And in a moment shall be quite abash' d. 
 
OCCASIONAL ORATORIO. 157 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Then will I Jehovah's praise, 
 According to his justice raise, 
 And sing the name and deity 
 Of Jehovah, the most high; 
 Ever let my thanks endure, 
 Ever faithful ever sure. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 All his mercies shall endure, 
 Ever faithful, ever sure. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 How great and many perils do enfold 
 . The righteous man, to make him daily fall ; 
 Were not that heav'nly grace doth him uphold, 
 And stedfast truth acquit him out of all. 
 
 DUET. 
 
 After long storms and tempest over-blown, 
 The sun at length his joyful face doth clear; 
 
 Thus after fortune's rage is shewn, 
 
 A blissful hour at last is known, 
 
 Else would afflicted man despair. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 To God our strength sing loud and clear* 
 To Jacob's God, that all may hear 
 
 Loud acclamations ring; 
 Prepare the hymn, prepare the song. 
 
 The timbrel hither bring, 
 The cheerful psaltry bring along, 
 
 And harp with pleasant string. 
 
15$ OCCASIONAL ORATORIO. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 The timbrel hither bring, 
 Prepare the hymn, prepare the song, 
 The cheerful psaltry bring along, 
 
 And harp with pleasant string. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 lie has his mansion fix'd on high, 
 
 Above the reach of mortal eye ; 
 
 Who by his wisdom did create 
 
 The painted skies so full of state ; 
 
 And did the solid earth ordain, 
 
 To rise above the wat'ry plain ; 
 
 Who by his all-commanding might, 
 
 Did fill the new-made world with light; 
 
 Then cause the golden tressed sun, 
 
 And the horn'd moon their course to run. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Hallelujah ! Your voices raise, 
 Jehovah, Lord of Hosts, to praise. 
 
OCCASIONAL ORATORIO. 159 
 
 PART THE THIRD. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 I WILL sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphal 
 gloriously; 
 The horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the 
 mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O Lord, 
 which thou hast made for thee to dwell in ; in the 
 sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods ; 
 who is like thee glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, 
 doing wonders ? Thou stretchiest out thy right hand. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 He gave them hailstones for rain; fire, mingled; 
 with the hail, ran along upon the ground. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 When warlike ensigns wave on high, 
 And trumpets pierce the vaulted sky ; 
 The frighted peasant sees his field 
 For corn an iron harvest yield; 
 No pasture now the plain affords, 
 And scythes are straighten'd into swords; 
 Be calm, and heav'n will soon dispose, 
 To future good our present woes. 
 
 RECITATIVE. 
 
 The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I 
 will divide the spoil ; my lust shall be satisfied upon 
 them; I will draw my sword, mv hand shall destrov 
 them. 
 
160 OCCASIONAL ORATORIO. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I 
 will divide the spoil ; my lust shall be satisfied upon 
 them ; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy 
 them. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 The sword that's drawn in virtue's cause, 
 To guard our country and its laws, 
 
 Friend, parent, children, dear, 
 To guide its edge we heav'n invoke, 
 Rebellion falls beneath the stroke, 
 
 And joy succeeds the fear. 
 Millions unborn shall bless the hand, 
 That gave deiiv'rance to the land. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Millions unborn shall bless the hand, 
 That gave deiiv'rance to the land. 
 
 RECITATIVE. 
 
 When Israel, like the bounteous Nile, 
 For Egypt's lords enrich'd the soil ; 
 The tears our gushing eyes supply'd, 
 Increas'd the river's swelling tide. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 When Israel, like the bounteous Nile, 
 For Egypt's lords enrich'd the soil; 
 The tears our gushing eyes supply'd, 
 Increas'd the river's swelling tide. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Tyrants w 7 hom no cov'nants bind, 
 
 Nor solemn oaths can awe; 
 Strove t' enslave the free born-mind, 
 
 Religion, liberty, and law. 
 
OCCASIONAL ORATORIO. 161 
 
 Its own vicegerant heav'n ordains, 
 To free the world, and break th' oppressor's chains. 
 May balmy peace, and wreath'd renown, 
 The virtuous hero ever crown; 
 May bliss eternal be his share, 
 Whose God and people are his care. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 May balmy peace, and wreath'd renown, 
 The virtuous hero ever crown; 
 May bliss eternal be his share, 
 Whose God and people are his care. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 God save the king, long live the king, may the, 
 king li ve for ever. Amen. 
 
 Hallelujah* Amen. 
 
 M 
 
SAMSON: 
 
 A SACKED ORATORIO. 
 
 PART THE FIRST. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — SAMSON. 
 
 THIS day, a solemn feast to Dagon held, 
 Relieves me from my task of servile toil ; 
 Unwillingly their superstition yields 
 This rest J to breathe heav'n's air, fresh blowing 
 pure and sweet. 
 
 CHORUS OF THE PRIESTS OF DAGON. 
 
 Awake the trumpet's lofty sound ; 
 The joyful sacred festival comes round, 
 When Dagon, king of all the earth, is crown'd. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Ye men of Gaza, hither bring 
 The merry pipe and pleasing string, 
 The solemn hymn and cheerful song; 
 Be Dagon prais'd by every tongue. 
 
 [CHORUS REPEATED.] 
 AIR. 
 
 Loud as the thunder's awful voice, 
 In notes of triumph, notes of praise, 
 So high great Dagon's name we'll raise, 
 That heav'n and earth may hear how we rejoice. 
 
SAMSON. 163 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Then free from sorrow, free from thrall, 
 All blythe and gay, 
 With sports and play 
 We'll celebrate his festival. 
 
 RECITATIVE.- — SAMSON. 
 
 Why by an angel was my birth foretold, 
 If I must die betray'd, and captiv'd thus, 
 The scorn and gaze of foes ! O cruel thought, 
 My griefs find no redress ; they inward prey, 
 Like gangreen'd wounds immedicable grown. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Torments, alas ! are not confin'd 
 
 To heart, or head, or breast - 
 But will a secret passage find 
 Into the very inmost mind, 
 
 With pains intense oppressed, 
 
 That rob the soul itself of rest. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — MIC AH. 
 
 O change beyond report, thought, or belief! 
 See how he lies with languish'd head, unpropp'd- 
 Abandon'd ! past all hope ! Can this be he ? 
 Heroic Samson ? whom no strength of man, 
 No fury of the fierceft beast could quell ? 
 Who tore the lion, as the lion tears the kid ; 
 Ran weaponless on armies clad in iron, 
 Useless the tempered steel, or coat of mail, 
 
 AIR- — MIC AH. 
 
 O mirror of our fickle state I 
 In birth, in strength, in deeds how great! 
 M 2 
 
-IM SAMSON. 
 
 iFrom highest glory falPn so low, 
 Sunk in the deep abyss of woe. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — SAMSON. 
 
 Whom have I to complain of but myself, 
 Who heav'n's great trust cou'd not in silence 
 
 keep, 
 But weakly to a woman must reveal it ? 
 
 Mic. Matchless in might ! once Isr'eP-s glory, 
 now her grief; 
 We come, thy friends well known, to visit thee. 
 Sam. Welcome my friends.- 
 Mic. Which shall we first bewail, thy bondage, 
 
 or lost sight ? 
 Sam. O loss of sight! of thee I most complain f 
 O worse than beggary, old age, or chains! 
 My very soul in real darkness dwells .! 
 air. — SAMSON. 
 Total eclipse! no sun, no moon! 
 All dark amidst the blaze of noon I 
 O glorious light! no cheering ray 
 To glad my eyes with welcome day: 
 Why thus deprived thy prime decree, 
 Sun, moon, and stars are dark to me. 
 
 RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED. 
 
 Since light so necessary is to life, 
 That in the soul 'tis almost life itself, 
 Why to the tender eye is sight confin'd so obvious. 
 And so easy to be quench' d ? 
 Why not as feeling, through all parts cliffus'd, 
 That we might look at will thro' ev'ry pore? 
 
SAMSON. 165 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 O first created beam ! and thou great word I 
 Let there be light ! and light was over all, 
 One heav'nly blaze shone round this earthly ball; 
 To thy dark servant life by light afford. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — SAMSON. 
 
 You see, my friends, how woes inclose me round $.. 
 But, had I sight, how cou'd I heave my head 
 For shame ? thus for a word, or tear, divulge 
 To a false woman God's most secret gift, 
 And then be sung, or proverb' d for a fool. 
 
 Mic. Here comes thy reverend sire, old Manoahj, 
 With careful steps, and locks as white as down. 
 
 Sam. Alas ! another grief that name awakes. 
 
 Manoah. Brethren, and men of Dan, say,where's 
 my son, 
 Samson, fond Isr'el's boast ? inform my age* 
 
 Mic. As signal now in low dejected state, 
 As in the height of pow'r : see where he lies ! 
 
 RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED. — MANOAH. 
 
 O miserable change ! is this the man 
 Xtenow'd afar, the dread of Isr'el's foes? 
 Who with an angel's strength their armies quell'd, 
 Himself an army ; now unequal match 
 To guard his breast against the coward's spear. 
 
 air. . 
 God of our fathers, what is man? 
 
 So proud, so vain, so great in story. 
 His fame a blast, his life a span, 
 
 A bubble at the height of glory, 
 Oft he that is exalted high, 
 Unseemly falls in human eye. 
 
166 SAMSON. 
 
 RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED. — MANOAH, 
 
 The good we wish for often proves our bane, 
 I pray'd for children, and I gain'd a son, 
 And such a son, as all men hail'd me happy ; 
 But who'd be now a father in my stead ? 
 The blessing drew a scorpion's tail behind ; 
 This plant (select and sacred, for awhile the 
 Miracle of all) was in one hour enamour'd, 
 Assaulted, overcome, led bound, his foes' derision^ 
 Captive, poor, and blind. 
 
 AIR. — MANOAH. 
 
 Thy glorious deeds inspir'd my tongue, 
 Whilst airs of joy from thence did flow, 
 
 To sorrows now I tune my song, 
 And set my harp to notes of woe. 
 
 RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED.— SAMSON, 
 
 Justly these evils have befall'n thy son ; 
 Sole author I, sole cause. My griefs for this 
 Forbid mine eye to close, or thoughts to rest : 
 But now the strife shall end ; me overthrown, 
 Dagon presumes to enter lists with God; 
 Who, thus provok'd, will not connive, but rouze 
 His fury soon, and his great name assert. 
 Dagon shall stoop, ere long be quite despoil'd 
 Of all those boasted trophies won on me. 
 
 AIR.— SAMSON. 
 
 Why does the God of Isr'el sleep ? 
 Arise with dreadful sound, 
 And clouds encompass' d round, 
 
 Then shall the heathen hear thy thunder deep. 
 
SAMSON. 167 
 
 The tempest of thy wrath now raise, 
 In whirlwind them pursue, 
 Full fraught with vengeance due, 
 
 Till shame and trouble all thy foes shall seize. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — MIC AH. 
 
 There lies our hope ; true prophet may'stthoube, 
 That God may vindicate his glorious name ; 
 Nor let us doubt whether God is Lord, or Dagon. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Then shall they know, that he whose name 
 Jehovah is alone, 
 O'er all the earth but one, 
 
 Was ever the most high, and still the same. 
 
 RECITATIVE.— MANO AH. 
 
 For thee, my dearest son, must thou mean while 
 Lie thus neglected in this loathsome plight ? 
 Sam. It shou'd be so. Why should I live ? 
 
 RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED. — SAMSON. 
 
 Soon shall these orbs to double darkness yield, 
 My genial spirits droop, my hopes are fled, 
 Nature in me seems weary of herself; 
 My race of glory run, and race of shame, 
 Death invocated oft shall end my pains, 
 And lay me gently down with them that rest. 
 
 AIR. — MICAH. 
 
 Then long eternity shall greet your bliss ; 
 No more of earthly joys, so false and vain ! 
 
 AIR. — MICAH. 
 
 Joys that are pure, sincerely good, 
 Shall then o'ertake you as a flood: 
 Where truth and peace do ever shine, 
 With love that's perfectly divine. 
 
3€S SAMSON, 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Then round about the starry throne 
 Of him who ever rules alone, 
 Your heav'nly-guided soul shall climb $ 
 Of all this earthy grossness quit, 
 With glory crown'd, for ever sit, 
 And triumph over death, and thee, O time I 
 
 PART THE SECOND. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — MAN O AH. 
 
 PVESPAIR not thus, you once were God's delight,. 
 -*- J f His destined from the womb ; by him led on 
 To deeds above the nerve of mortal arm ; 
 Under his eye abstemious you grew up, 
 Nor did the dancing ruby, sparkling out-pour d, 
 Allure you from the cool chrystalline stream. 
 
 Sam. Where'er the liquid brook, or fountain 
 flow'd 
 I drank, nor envy'd man the pleasing grape ; 
 But what avail'd this temperance, not complete, 
 Against another object more enticing ! 
 I laid my strength in lust's lascivious lap. 
 
 Man. Trust yet in God ; the Father's timely care 
 Shall prosecute the means to free thee hence ; 
 Meantime, all healing words from these thy friends 
 admit. 
 
SAMSON. 16ft 
 
 RECITATIVE. — SAMSON. 
 
 My evils hopeless are ; one pray'r remains, 
 A speedy death to close my miseries. 
 
 RECITATIVE' — MIC AH. 
 
 Relieve thy champion, image of thy strength ^ 
 And turn his labours to a peaceful end. 
 air. — MICAH. 
 Return, O God of Hosts! behold 
 Thy servant in distress, 
 His mighty griefs redress* 
 Nor by the heathen be they told. 
 
 chorus. 
 To dust his glory they would tread, 
 And number him amongst the dead. 
 
 RECITATIVE.— MICAH. 
 
 But who is this,, that so bedeck'd and gay, 
 Comes this way sailing like a stately ship ? 
 7 Tis Dalila, thy wife. 
 
 Sam. My wife! my trait'ress ! let her not come 
 near me. 
 
 Mic. She stands, and eyes thee hx'd, with head 
 declined, 
 (Like a fair flow'r surcharg'd with dew) she weeps; 
 Her words addressed to thee seem tears dissolv'd, 
 Wetting the borders of her silken veil. 
 
 Dalila. With doubtful feet, and wav'ring reso- 
 lution, 
 I come, O Samson ! dreading thy displeasure 5 
 But conjugal affection led me on, 
 Prevailing over fear and tirn'rous doub^ 
 
170 SAMSON. 
 
 Sam. Out, thou hyaena! 'twas malice brought 
 thee here ; 
 These are the arts of women false, like thee, 
 To break all vows, repent, deceive, submit; 
 Then, with instructed skill, again transgress. 
 
 Dal. I would not lessen my offence, yet beg 
 To weigh it by itself; 
 A mutual weakness mutual pardon claims. 
 
 Sam. How cunningly the sorceress displays 
 Her own transgressions to upbraid me mine ? 
 I to myself was false, ere thou to me ; 
 Bitter reproach ! but true. The pardon then 
 I to my folly give, take thou to thine. 
 
 air. 
 With plaintive notes and am'rous moan 
 Thus coos the turtle left alone ; 
 Like me, averse to each delight, 
 She wears the tedious widow'd night: 
 But when her absent mate returns, 
 With double raptures then she burns. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — SAMSON. 
 
 Did love constrain thee ? no, 'twas raging lust. 
 Love seeks for love, thy treason sought my hate. 
 In vain you strive to cover shame with shame : 
 Once join'd to me, tho' judg'd your country's foe, 
 Parents, and all, were in the husband lost. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Yqur charms to ruin led the way, 
 
 My sense deprav'd, 
 
 My strength enslav'd, 
 As I did love you did betray. 
 
SAMSON. 171 
 
 How great the curse ! how hard my fate ! 
 To pass life's sea with such a mate ! 
 
 RECITATIVE. — DALILA. 
 
 Forgive what's done, nor thinkof what'spast cure; 
 From forth this prison-house come home to me, 
 Where with redoubled love, and nursing care, 
 (To me glad office !) my virgins and myself 
 Shall tend about thee to extremest age. 
 
 AIR AND DUET. — DALILA. 
 
 My faith and truth, O Samson, prove; 
 But hear me, hear the voice of love; 
 With love no mortal can be cloy'd, 
 All happiness is love enjoy'd. 
 
 CHORUS OF VIRGINS. 
 
 Her faith and truth, O Samson, prove ; 
 But hear her, hear the voice of love. 
 
 AIR. — DALILA. 
 
 To fleeting pleasures make your court, 
 No moment lose, for life is short; 
 The present now's our only time, 
 The missing that our only crime. 
 How charming is domestic ease ! 
 A thousand ways I'll strive to please : 
 Life is not lost, tho' lost your sight, 
 Let other senses taste delight. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — SAMSON. 
 
 Ne'er think of that; I know thy warbling charms, 
 Thy trains, thy wiles, and fair enchanted cup ; 
 Their force is nulPd ; where once I have been caught, 
 I shun the snare ; these chains, this prisori-house, 
 1 count the house of liberty to thine. 
 
172 SAMSON 
 
 Dal. Let me approach at least, and touch thy 
 
 hand. 
 Sam. Not for thy life, lest fierce rememb'rance 
 wake 
 My sudden rage to tear thee limb from limb : 
 At distance I forgive; depart with that : 
 Now triumph in thy falshood ;,.. so farewel. 
 
 Dal. Thou art more deaf to pray'rs than winds 
 or seas. 
 Thy anger rages an eternal tempest ; 
 Why should I humbly sue for peace, thus scorn'd, 
 With infamy upon my name denounc'd ? 
 
 DUETTO. 
 
 Dal. Traitor to love, I'll sue no more 
 
 For pardon scorn'd, your threats give o'er. 
 
 Sam. Traitress to love, I'll hear no more 
 
 The charmer's voice, your arts give o'er. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — MIC AH. 
 
 She's gone, a serpent manifest, her sting 
 Discover'd in the end. 
 
 Sam. So let her go ^ 
 God sent her here to aggravate my folly. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 It is not virtue, valour, wit, 
 
 Or comeliness of grace, 
 That woman's love can truly hit, 
 
 Or in her heart claim place ? 
 Still wav'ring where their choice to nx 5 
 
 Too oft they choose the wrong ; 
 So much self-love does rule the sex, 
 
 They nothing else love long. 
 
SAMSON. 173 
 
 RECITATIVE. — SAMSON. 
 
 Favour'd of heav'n is he who finds one true ; 
 How rarely found ! — his way to peace is smooth, 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 To man God's universal law 
 Gave pow'r to keep the wife in awe; 
 Thus shall his life be ne'er dismay'd, 
 By female usurpation sway'd. 
 
 RECITATIVE.-— MIC AH. 
 
 No words of peace, no voice-enchanting fear, 
 A rougher tongue expect. — Here's Harapha, 
 I know him by his stride, and haughty look. 
 
 Harapha. I come not, Samson, to condole thy 
 chance; 
 I am of Gath, men call me Harapha; 
 Thou know'st me now ; of thy prodigious might 
 Much have I heard, incredible to me ! 
 Nor less displeas'd, that never in the field 
 We met, to try each other's deeds of strength: 
 I'd see if thy appearance answers loud report. 
 
 Sam. The way to know, were not to see, but taste* 
 
 Har. Ha * dost thou then already single me ? 
 I thought that labour, and thy chains, had tam'd thee. 
 Had fortune brought me to that field of death, 
 Where thou wrought'st wonders with an ass's jaw, 
 I'd left thy carcase where the ass lay dead. 
 
 Sam. Boast not of what thou would'st have done, 
 but do. 
 
 Har. The honour certain to have won from thee 
 I lose, prevented by thy eyes put out ; 
 To combat with a blind man, I disdain. 
 
1 74 SAMSON". 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Honour and arms scorn such a foe. 
 Tho' I cou'd end thee at a blow ; 
 
 Poor victory, 
 
 To conquer thee, 
 Or glory in thy overthrow : 
 Vanquish a slave that is half flain ! 
 So mean a triumph I disdain. 
 
 RECITATIVE.— SAMSON. 
 
 " Put on your arms, 
 " Then take for spear your w r eighty weaver's beam;* 
 " And come within my reach.' ' 
 
 AIR. — SAMSON. 
 
 My strength is from the living God, 
 By heav'n free-gifted at my birth, 
 To quell the mighty of the earth, 
 And prove the brutal tyrant's rod : 
 But to the righteous peace and rest, 
 With liberty to all opprest. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — SAMSON. 
 
 Cam'st thou for this, vain boaster ? yet take heed - 7 
 My heels are fetter'd, but my hands are freed. 
 Thou bulk, of spirit void, 1 once again, 
 Blind, and in chains, provoke thee to the fight. 
 
 Har. O Dagon ! can I hear this insolence, 
 To me unus'd, not rend'ring instant death. 
 
 DUET. 
 
 Sam. Go, baffled coward, go, 
 
 Lest vengeance lay thee low ; 
 In safety rly my wrath with speed. 
 
•SAMSON. 17:> 
 
 Har. Presume not on thy God, 
 Who under foot has trod 
 Thy strength and thee, at greatest need. 
 Both. Go, baffled coward, go, &c. 
 Presume not on thy God, &c. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — MIC AH. 
 
 Here lie the proof: — If Dagon be thy God, 
 With high devotion invocate his aid, 
 His glory is concern'd. Let him dissolve 
 Those magic spells that gave our hero strength, 
 Then know whose God is God ; Dagon, of mortal 
 
 make, 
 Or that Great One whom Abra'm's sons adore. 
 
 CHORUS OF ISRAELITES. 
 
 Hear, Jacob's God! Jehovah, hear! 
 
 O save us, prostrate at thy throne, 
 
 Isr'el depends on thee alone j 
 Save us, and shew that thou art near. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — HARAPHA. 
 
 Dagon, arise ! attend thy sacred feast ; 
 Thy honour calls, this day admits no rest. 
 
 CHORUS OF THE PRIESTS OF DAGON. 
 
 To song and dance we give the day, 
 Which shews thy universal sway. 
 Protect us by thy mighty hand, 
 And sweep the race from out the land. 
 
 CHORUS OF BOTH. 
 
 Fix'd in his everlasting seat. 
 
 CHORUS OF THE ISRAELITES. 
 
 Jehovah rules the world in state. 
 
176 SAMSON'. 
 
 CHORUS. PRIESTS OF DAGON, 
 
 Great Dagon rules the world in state. 
 
 BOTH. 
 
 His thunder roars, heav'n shakes, and earth's aghast 
 The stars with deep amaze, 
 Remain in stedfast gaze. 
 
 CHORUS OF ISRAELITES. 
 
 Jehovah is of gods the first and last. 
 
 CHORUS. — PRIESTS OF DAGOtf. 
 
 Great Dagon is of gods the first and last. 
 
 PART THE THIRD. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — MIC AH. 
 
 MORE trouble is behind, for Harapha 
 Comes on amain, speed in his steps and look* 
 Sam. I fear him not, nor all his giant brood. 
 Har. Samson, to thee our Lords thus bid me say : 
 This day to Dagon we do sacrifice 
 With triumph, pomp, and games; we know thy 
 
 strength 
 Surpasses human race; come then, and shew 
 Some public proof to grace this solemn feast. 
 
 Sam. I am an Hebrew, and our law forbids 
 My presence at their vain religious rites. 
 Har. This answer will offend; regard thyself. 
 Sam. Myself! my conscience and internal peace,! 
 Am I so broke with servitude, to yield 
 
SAMSON. 177 
 
 To such absurd commands ? To be their fool, 
 And play before their god ? — I will not come. 
 Har. My message, giv'n with speed, brooks no 
 delay. 
 
 AIR.— HARAPHA. 
 
 Presuming slave ! to move their wrath ; 
 For mercy sue, 
 Or vengeance due 
 Dooms in one fatal word thy death : 
 Consider, ere it be too late, 
 To ward th' unerring shaft of fate. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — MIC AH. 
 
 Reflect then, Samson, matters now are strain'd 
 Up to the height, whether to hold or break, 
 lie's gone, whose malice may inflame the lords. 
 
 Sam. Shall I abuse this consecrated gift 
 Of strength, again returning with my hair, 
 By vaunting it in honour to their god, 
 And prostituting holy things to idols ? 
 
 Mic. How thou wilt here come off surmounts my 
 reach ; 
 'Tis heav'n alone can save both us and thee. 
 
 CHORUS OF ISRAELITES. 
 
 With thunder arm'd, great God arise; 
 Help, Lord, or Isr'el's champion dies : 
 To thy protection this thy servant take, 
 And save, O save us, for thy servant's sake. 
 Sam. Be of good courage. I begin to feel 
 A secret impulse, which doth bid me go* 
 
 Mic. In time thou hast resolv'd, again he comes. 
 Har. Samson, this second summons send our lords: 
 
 N 
 
178 SAMSON. 
 
 Haste thee at once, or we shall engines iind 
 To move thee, tho' thou wert a solid rock. 
 
 Sam. Vain were their art, if try'd ; I yield to go, 
 Not thro* your streets be like a wild beast trail'd. 
 
 Har. You thus may win the lords to set you free* 
 
 Sam, In nothing I'll comply that's scandalous, 
 Or sinful by our law.— Brethren, farewel : 
 Your kind attendance now, I pray, forbear. 
 
 Mic. So may'st thou act as serves his glory best. 
 
 Sam. Let but that spirit (which first rush'd on me 
 In the camp of Dan) inspire me at my need, 
 Then shall I make Jehovah's glory known, 
 Their idol gods shall from his presence fly, 
 Scatter'd like sheep before the God of hosts. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Thus when the sun from's wat'ry bed, 
 
 All curtain 'd with a cloudy red, 
 Pillows his chin upon an orient wave ; 
 
 The wandering shadows ghastly pale, 
 
 All troop to their infernal jail, 
 Each fetter'd ghost slips to his sev'ral grave. 
 
 RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED. — MICAH* 
 
 With might endu'd above the sons of men, 
 Swift as the lightning's glance his errand execute, 
 And spread his name amongst the heathen round. 
 
 AIR.— MICAH. 
 
 The Holy One of Isr'el be thy guide, 
 The angel of thy birth stand by thy side : 
 To Fame immortal go, 
 Heav'n bids thee strike the blow : 
 The Holy One of Isr'el is thy guide. 
 
SAMSON. lTy 
 
 CHORUS OF ISRAELITES, 
 
 To Fame immortal go, 
 Heav'n bids thee strike the blow: 
 The Holy One of Isr'el is thy guide. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — MIC AH. 
 
 Old Manoah, with youthful steps, makes haste 
 To find his son, or bring us some glad news/ 
 
 Man. I come, my brethren, not to seek my son. 
 Who at the feast does play before the lords; 
 But give you part with me, what hopes I have 
 To work his liberty. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Great Dagon has subdu'd our foe, 
 And brought their boasted hero low : 
 Sound out his pow'r in notes divine, 
 Praise him with mirth, high cheer, and wine. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — MANOAH. 
 
 What joy of noise was that ? It tore the sky. 
 
 Mic. They shout and sing to see their dreaded fo^ 
 Now captive, blind, delighting with his strength. 
 
 Man. Cou'd my inheritance but ransom htm, 
 Without my patrimony, having him 
 The richest of my tribe. 
 
 Mic. Sons care to nurse 
 Their parents in old age; but you, your son- 
 
 AIR.— MANOAH. 
 
 How willing my paternal love 
 
 The weight to share 
 
 Of filial care, 
 And part of Sorrow's burden prove/ 
 
 N 2 
 
ISO SAMSON. 
 
 Tho* wancTritig in the shades of night, 
 Whilst I have eyes he wants no light. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — -MIC AH. 
 
 Your hopes of his delivery seem not vain, 
 In which all Isr'el's friends participate. 
 Man. I know your friendly minds, and— 
 [A symphony here of horror and confusion.} 
 
 RECITATIVE. 
 
 Heav'n! what noise? 
 Horribly loud, unlike the former shout. 
 
 CHORUS OF PHILISTINES AT A DISTANCE. 
 
 Hear us, our God ! O hear our cry ' 
 Death ! Ruin ! fall'n ! no help is nigh : 
 O Mercy, heav *n ! we sink ! we die I 
 
 RECITATIVE. — MIC AH. 
 
 Noise, call you this? An universal groan, 
 As if the world's inhabitation perish'd ! 
 Blood, death, and ruin at their utmost point ! 
 
 Man. Ruin indeed ! Oh ! they have slain my son I 
 
 Mic. Thy son is rather slaying them; that cry 
 From slaughter of one foe cou'd not ascend. 
 But see, my friends, 
 One hither speeds, an Hebrew of our tribe. 
 
 Messenger. Where shall I run, or which way 
 fly the thoughts 
 Of this most horrid sight ? O Countrymen ! 
 You're in this sad event too much concern'd. 
 
 Mic. The accident was loud, we long to know 
 from whence. 
 
 Mess. Let me recover breath; it will burst forth. 
 
SAMSON. 181 
 
 Man. Tell us the sum, the circumstance defer. 
 
 Mess. Gaza yet stands, but all her sons are fall'n. 
 
 Man. Sad ! not to us : but now relate by whom. 
 
 Mess. By Samson done. 
 
 Man. The sorrow lessens still, 
 
 And nigh converts to joy. 
 
 Mess. Oh, Manoah! 
 
 In vain I would refrain ; — the evil tale 
 Too soon will rudely pierce thy aged ear. 
 
 M a n. Suspense in news is torture ; speak them out 
 
 Mess. Then take the worst in brief. — Samson is 
 dead. 
 
 Man. The worst indeed ! My hopes to free him 
 hence 
 Are blasted all; but Death, who sets all free, 
 Hath paid his ransom now. 
 
 Mic. Yet, ere we give the reins to grief, say first 
 How dy'd he ? Death to life is crown or shame* 
 
 Mess. Unwounded of his enemies he fell, 
 At once he did destroy, and was destroy VJ 8 
 The edifice, where all were met to see, 
 Upon their heads, and on his own, he pull'd. 
 
 Man. O lastly over-strong against thyself! 
 A dreadful way thou took'st to thy revenge : 
 Glorious, yet dearly bought! 
 
 AIR. — MICAH. 
 
 Ye sons of Isr'el now lament, 
 
 Your spear is broke, your bow's unbent 
 
 Your glory's fled, 
 
 Amongst th** dead 
 
i$2 SAM SON. 
 
 Great Samson lies, 
 For ever, ever, clos'd his eyes. 
 
 CHORUS OF ISRAELITES, 
 
 Weep, Isr'el, weep a louder strain, 
 Samson, your strength, your hero's slain, 
 
 RECITATIVE.— MIC AH. 
 
 The body comes ; we'll meet it on the way 
 With laurels ever green, and branching palm ; 
 Then lay it in his monument, hung round 
 With all his trophies, and great acts enroll' d 
 In verse heroic, or sweet lyric song, 
 
 Man. There shall all Isr'el's valiant youth re^ 
 sort, 
 And from his memory inflame their breasts 
 To matchless valour, whilst they sing his praise. 
 
 AIR AND CHORUS. 
 
 Glorious hero, may thy grave 
 Peace and Honour ever have ; 
 After all thy pains and woes, 
 Rest eternal, sweet repose. 
 Israelite Woman. The virgins too shall on 
 their feastful days 
 Visit his tomb with flow'rs, and there bewail 
 His loss unfortunate in nuptial choice. 
 
 CHORUS OF VIRGINS. 
 
 Bring the laurels, bring the bays, 
 Strew his hearse, and strew the way*, 
 
 air. 
 May ev'ry hero fall like thee, 
 Thro 1 sorrow to felicity. 
 
SAMSON. 183 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Bring the laurels, bring the bays, 
 Strew his hearse, and strew the ways. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — MANOAH. 
 
 Come, come ; no time for lamentation now ; 
 No cause for grief; Samson like Samson fell ; 
 Both life and death heroic. To his foes 
 Ruin is left; to him eternal fame. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Let the bright seraphims in burning row, 
 Their loud, up-lifted angel-trumpets blow: 
 Let the cherubic host, in tuneful choirs, 
 Touch their immortal harps with golden wires- 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Let their celestial concerts all unite, 
 
 Ever to sound his praise in endless blaze of light 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 PART THE FIRST, 
 
 AIR. 
 
 JUST are the ways of God to man, 
 Let none his secret actions scan ; 
 For all is best, tho' oft we doubt 
 Of what his wisdom brings about ; 
 Stiil his unsearchable dispose 
 Bless the righteous in the close, 
 
I6i SAMSON. 
 
 JILCITATIVE. — SAMSON. 
 
 Why by au angel was my birth foretold. 
 As in a fiery column ascending 
 From off the altar in my parent's sight ? 
 Why was my nurture order' d and prescribed % 
 As of a person separate to God, 
 If I must die betray'd and captiv'd thus, 
 The scorn and gaze of foes ! O cruel thought ! 
 My griefs find no redress; they inward prey 
 Like gangrecn'd wounds, immedicable grown, 
 
 RECITATIVE.— SAMSON. 
 
 Whom have I to complain of but myself, 
 Who heav'n's great trust could not in silence keep,, 
 But weakly to a woman must reveal it. 
 O glorious strength ! O impotence of mind ! 
 But without wisdom what does strength avail ? 
 Proudly secure, yet liable to fall. 
 God when he gave it, hung it in my hair, 
 To shew how slight the gift— but, peace my soul I 
 Strength was my bane, the source of all my woes, 
 Each told apart would ask a life to wail. 
 
 Mic. Matchless in might ! once Israel's glory, now 
 her grief, 
 We come, thy friends well known, to visit thee. 
 If words have charms to assuage thy troubled mind, 
 We'el pour their balm into its fester'd wounds. 
 
 Sam. Welcome, my friends ! experience teaches 
 now 
 How counterfeit the coin of friendship is. 
 That's only in the superscription shown. 
 In the wann sunshine of our prosperous day-, 
 
SAMSON. 185 
 
 Friends swarm ! but in the winter of adversity, 
 Draw in their heads, tho' sought not to be found. 
 
 Mic. Which shall we first bewail, thy bondage 
 or lost sight? 
 
 Sam. O loss of sight ! of thee I most complain ; 
 O worse than beggary, old age, or chains ( 
 My very soul in real darkness dwells ! 
 
 RECITATIVE. — SAMSON. 
 
 Ye see, my friends, how woes enclose me round, 
 But had I sight, how could I heave my head, 
 For shame thus for a word or tear, divulge 
 To a false woman God's most secret gift, 
 And then be sung or proverb'd for a fool. 
 
 Mic. The wisest men have err'd, and been deceiv'd 
 By female arts ; deject not then thyself, 
 Who hast of griefs a load. Yet men will ask, 
 Why did not Samson rather wed at home ? 
 In his own tribe are fairer, or as fair. 
 
 Sam. O that I had ; alas ! fond wish too lato. 
 That specious monster, Dalila 1 my snare ! 
 Myself the cause, w r ho, vanquished by her tears, 
 Gave up my fort of silence to a woman. 
 
 Mic. Here comes thy reverend sire, old Manoah, 
 With careful steps, and locks as white as down. 
 
 Sam. Alas! another grief that name awakes. 
 
 Man. Brethren, and men of Dan, say, where is 
 my son, 
 Samson, fond Israel's boast ? Inform my age. 
 
 Mic. As signal now in low dejected state, 
 As in the height of power, see where he lies. 
 
186 SAMSON. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — ISRAELITISH MAN. 
 
 O ever-failing trust in mortal strength, 
 And O what not deceivable in man. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — SAMSON. 
 
 Justly these evils have befall* n thy son, 
 Sole author I, sole cause, who have profan'd. 
 The mysteries of God, by me betray 'd 
 To faithless parlies, feminine assaults; 
 To the false fair I yielded all my heart. 
 So far effeminacy held me yok'd 
 Her slave ! O foul indignity ! O blot 
 To honour and to arms ! 
 
 Man. Worse yet remains, 
 This day they celebrate with pomps and sports, 
 And sacrifice to Dagon, idol god, 
 Who gave thee bound, and blind, into their hands. 
 Thus is he magnified, the living God 
 Blasphem'd and scorn'd, by that idolatrous rout. 
 
 Sam. This have I done, 
 This pomp, this honour, brought to idol Dagon ; 
 But to Israel shame, and our true God disgrace. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — MANOAH. 
 
 For thee, my dearest son, must thou meanwhile 
 Lie thus neglected in this loathsome plight ? 
 
 Sam. It should be so, to expiate my crime, 
 If possible. For shameful gratuity 
 Had I reveal'd the secret of a friend, 
 Most heinous that, but impiously to blast 
 God's counsel, is a sin without a name. 
 
 Man. Be for thy fate contrite •, but, O my son, 
 
SAMSON. 
 
 To high disposal leave the forfeit due. 
 
 God may relent and quit thee all his debt; 
 
 Reject not then the offer'd means oflife. 
 
 Already have I treated with some lords 
 
 To ransom thee. Revenge is sacred now, 
 
 To see thee thus, who cannot harm them more. 
 
 Sam. Why should I live ? 
 Soon shall these orbs to double darkness yield. 
 
 PART THE SECOND. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — MIC AH. 
 
 But who is this, that so bedeck'd and gay, 
 Comes this way sailing like a stately ship, 
 With all her streamers waving in the wind? 
 An odorous perfume her harbinger,' 
 And damsel train behind? 'Tis Dalila, thy wife. 
 
 Sam. My wife ! my traitress ! let her not come 
 near me. 
 
 Mic. She stands, and eyes thee hVd, with head 
 declin'd, 
 (Like a fair flower surcharged with dew) she w r eeps; 
 Her words address'd to thee seem tears dissolv'd, 
 Wetting the borders of her silken veil. 
 
 Dal. With doubtful (e^t, and w T av'ringresolution> 
 I come, O Samson ! dreading thy displeasure; 
 But conjugal affection led me on, 
 Prevailing over fear and tim'rous doubt, 
 
188 SAMSON. 
 
 Glad if in ought my help or love could serve 
 To expiate my rash imthought misdeed. 
 
 Sam. Out, thou hysena ! 'twas malice brought 
 thee here ! 
 These are the arts of women, false like thee, 
 To break all vows, repent, deceive, submit ; 
 Then, with instructed skill, again transgress, 
 The wisest men have met such bosom snakes, 
 Beguil'd like me ; to ages an example. 
 
 Dal. I would not lessen my offence, yet beg 
 To w r eigh it by itself; what is it, then 5 
 But curiosity ? a small female fault, 
 Greedy of secrets but to publish them— 
 Why would you trust a woman's frailty then ? 
 And to her importunity your strength ?■ 
 A mutual weakness, mutual pardon claims. 
 
 Sam. How cunningly the sorceress displays 
 Her own transgressions to upbraid me mine ! 
 I to myself was false, ere thou to me ; 
 Bitter reproach ! but true. 
 The pardon then I to my folly give, 
 Take thou to thine. 
 
 RECITATIVE.— DA LIL A. 
 
 Alas ! th' event was worse than I foresaw; 
 Fearless at home of partners in my love, 
 'Twas jealousy did prompt to keep you there, 
 Both day and night, love's prisoner, wholly mine. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — SAMSON. 
 
 Did love constrain thee ? No, "twas raging lust* 
 Love seeks for love ; thy treason sought my hate. 
 
SAMSON. 189 
 
 In vain you strive to cover shame with shame ; 
 Once join'd to me, tho' judg'd your country's foe* 
 Parents, and all, were in the husband lost. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Her faith and truth, O Samson, prove, 
 But hear her, hear the voice of love. 
 
 AIR. — DALILA. 
 
 How charming is domestic ease, 
 A thousand ways I'll strive to please ; 
 Life is not lost, tho' lost your sight, 
 Let other senses taste delight. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — SAMSON. 
 
 Ne'er think of that; I know thy warbling charms^ 
 Thy trains, thy wiles, and fair enchanted cup -, 
 Their force is null'd ; where once I have been caught, 
 I shun the snare ; these chains, this prison house, 
 I count the house of liberty to thine. 
 
 Dal. Let me approach, at least, and touch thy hand. 
 
 Sam. Not for thy life, lest fierce remembrance 
 w ake 
 My sudden rage to tear thee limb from limb : 
 At distance I forgive ; depart with that : 
 Now triumph in thy falsehood, so farewell. 
 
 Dal. Thou art more deaf to pray'rs than winds 
 or seas, 
 Thy anger rages an eternal tempest ; 
 Why should I humbly sue for peace, tiius scorn' d ? 
 With infamy upon my name denounc'd, 
 When in this land I ever shall be held 
 The first of woman-kind, living or dea/1 5 
 
190 SAMSON* 
 
 My praises shall be sung at solemn feasts, 
 Who sav'd my country from a fierce destroyed 
 
 RECITATIVE. — HARAPHA. 
 
 With thee, a man condemned, a slave, enroll'd, 
 No worthy match to stain the warrior's sword. 
 
 Sam. Cam'st thou for this, vain boaster ! yet take 
 heed, 
 My heels are fetter'd, but my hands are freed, 
 Thou bulk, of spirit void, I once again, 
 Blind and in chains, provoke thee to the fight 
 
 Har. O Dagon ! can I hear this insolence, 
 To me unus'd, not rend'ring instant death ? 
 
 PART THE THIRD, 
 
 RECITATIVE.— SAMSON. 
 
 Be of good courage, I begin to feel 
 Some inward motions which do bid me go. 
 
 Mic. In time thou hast resolv'd, again he comes* 
 
 Har. Samson, this second summons send our lords? 
 Art thou our captive, slave, and public drudge, 
 Yet dispute thy coming when we send ? 
 Haste thee at once, or we shall engines find 
 To move thee, tho' thou wert a solid rock. 
 
 Sam. Vain were their art if try'd ; I yield to go, 
 Not thro' your streets be like a wild beast trail'd. 
 
 Har. You thus may win the lords to set you free. 
 
SAMSON. 191 
 
 Sam. In nothing I'll comply that's scandalous* 
 Or sinful by our laws ! Brethren, farewell. 
 Your kind attendance now I pray forbear, 
 Lest it offend to see me girt with friends. 
 Expect of me you'll nothing here impute 
 Unworthy God, my nation, or myself. 
 
 Mic. So may'st thou act as serves his glory best. 
 Let but that spirit which first rush'd on thee 
 In the camp of Dan, inspire thee at thy need. 
 Then shall I make — 
 
 Man. O lastly over-strong against thyself, 
 A dreadful way thou took'st to thy revenge ; 
 Glorious, yet dearly bought. 
 
 Mic. In life and death thou hast fulfilFd thy work 
 For which foretold. 
 
 And now thou liest victorious, tho' self-kill'd, 
 Triumphant o'er a heap of slaughter'd foes, 
 More than thy life had slain. Let Israel now 
 The voice of lamentation raise, and sing 
 A parting requiem to thy honour'd soul. 
 recitative. — manoah. 
 
 Proceed we hence to hnd his body, soak'd 
 In vile Philistine blood; with the pure stream, 
 And cleansing herbs, wash off the clodded gore; 
 Then solemnly attend him to my tomb, 
 With silent obsequies and funeral train. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — MANOAH. 
 
 Come, come ; no time for lamentation now, 
 No cause for grief, Samson like Samson felkf 
 Both life and death heroic, to his foes 
 Ruin is left, to him eternal fame. 
 

 .192 SAMSON. 
 
 Mic* Why should we weep or wail, dispraise, or 
 blame, 
 Where all is well, and fair to quiet us. 
 Praise we Jehovah then, who to the end, 
 Not parted from him, but assisted still, 
 'Till desolation fill'd Philistia's land, 
 Honour and freedom giv'ix to Jacob's seed; 
 
 
SAUL: 
 
 A SACRED ORATORIO, 
 
 PART THE FIRST 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 HOW excellent thy name, O Lord, 
 In all the world is known ! 
 Above all heav'ns, O King adorn'd, 
 How hast thou set thy glorious throne ! 
 
 AIR. 
 
 An infant, rais'd by thy command 
 
 To quell thy rebel foes, 
 Could fierce Goliah's dreadful hand 
 
 Superior in the fight oppose. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Along the monster atheist strode 
 With more than human pride, 
 
 And armies of the living God 
 Exulting in his strength defy'd a 
 o 
 
)D4 SAUL. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 The youth inspir'd by thee, O Lord, 
 
 With ease the boaster slew, 
 Our fainting courage soon restored, 
 
 And headlong drove that impious crew* 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 How excellent thy name, O Lord, 
 
 In all the world is known ! 
 Above all heav'ns, O King, ador'd, 
 
 How hast thou set thy glorious throne ! 
 
 Hallelujah. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — MICHAL. 
 
 He comes?" 
 
 AIR. 
 
 O god -like youth ! by all confessed 
 
 Of human race the pride ! 
 O virgin among women blest, 
 Whom heav'n ordains thy bride 1 
 But ah ! how strong a bar I see 
 Betwixt my happiness and me ! 
 
 RECITATIVE. -ABNER. 
 
 Behold, O King, the brave, victorious youth> 
 And in his hand the haughty giant's head. 
 
 Saul. Young man, whose son art thou? 
 
 David. The son of Jesse, 
 Thy faithful servant, and a Bethlemite. 
 
 Sa. Return no more to Jesse : stay with me. 
 And as an earnest of my future favour, 
 Thou shalt espouse my daughter : small reward 
 Of such desert ! since to thy arm alone 
 We owe our safety, peace, and liberty. 
 
SAUL. 195 
 
 AIR. — DAVTD. 
 
 O King, your favour with delight 
 I take, but must refuse you praise : 
 
 For ev'ry pious Israelite 
 
 To God alone his tribute pays. 
 
 Through him we put to flight our foes, 
 And in his name 
 
 We trod them under that against us rose. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — JONATHAN. 
 
 O early piety ! O modest merit ! 
 In this embrace my heart bestows itself. 
 Henceforth, thou noble youth, accept my friendship, 
 And Jonathan and David are but one. 
 
 AIR. — ME RAH. 
 
 What abject thoughts a prince can have. 
 In rank a prince ! in mind a slave ! 
 
 RECITATIVE. 
 
 Yet think on whom this honour you bestow ; 
 How poor in fortune, and in birth how low ! 
 
 AIR. — JONATHAN. 
 
 Birth and fortune I despise ! 
 From virtue let my friendship rise. 
 No titles proud thy stem adorn, 
 Yet born of God is nobly born: 
 And of his gifts so rich thy store, 
 That Ophir to thy wealth is poor. 
 
 RECITATIVE. HIGH PRIEST. 
 
 Go on, illustrious pair ! your great example 
 Shall teach our youth to scorn the sordid world, 
 And set their hearts on things of real worth. 
 
 o2 
 
106 SAUL* 
 
 AIR. 
 
 While yet thy tide of blood runs high, 
 
 To God thy future life devote: 
 Thy early vigour all apply 
 
 His glorious service to promote. 
 So shall thy great Creator bless 
 
 And bid thy days serenely flow ; 
 So shall thy youthful happiness 
 
 In age no diminution know. 
 With sweet reflection thou shalt taste, 
 
 Declining gently to thy tomb, 
 The pleasure of good actions past, 
 
 And hope with rapture joys to come. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — SAUL. 
 
 Thou, Merab, first in birth, be first in honour ; 
 Thine be the valiant youth, whose arm has sav'd 
 Thy country from her foes, 
 Mer. O mean alliance ! 
 
 AIR. 
 
 My soul rejects the thought with scorn, 
 That such a boy, till now unknown, 
 Of poor plebeian parents born, 
 Should mix with royal blood his own ! 
 Tho' Saul's commands I can't decline, 
 I must prevent his low design, 
 And save the honour of his line.. 
 
 AIR.— MICHAL. 
 
 See with what scornful air 
 She the precious gift receives ! 
 
 Tho* e'er so noble, or so fair, 
 She cannot merit what he gives. 
 
SAUL. 197 
 
 Ah ! lovely youth ! wast thou design'd 
 With that proud beauty to be join'd ? 
 
 RECITATIVE. — MICHAL. 
 
 Already see the daughters of the land, 
 In joyful dance, with instruments of mufic 
 Come to congratulate your victory* 
 
 SEMI-CHORUS. 
 
 Welcome, welcome, mighty king ' 
 Welcome all who conquest bring '- 
 Welcome, David, warlike boy, 
 Author of our present joy ! 
 Saul, who hast thy thousands slain 9 
 Welcome to thy friends again ! 
 David his ten thousands slew ; 
 Ten thousand praises are his due ! 
 
 RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED. — SAUL* 
 
 What do I hear ? am I then sunk so low, 
 To have this upstart boy preferred before me ? 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 David his ten thousand slew, 
 Ten thousand praises are his due. 
 
 RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED.- — SAUL. 
 
 To him ten thousands ! and to me but thousands ■* 
 What can they give him more, except the kingdom? 
 
 AIR. 
 
 With rage I shall burst his praises to hear ! } 
 Oh i how I both hate the stripling, and fear ! V 
 What mortal a rival in Glory can bear > y 
 
 RECITATIVE.-— JONATHAN. 
 
 Imprudent woman ! your ill-tim'd comparisons, 
 I fear, have injur'd him you mean to honour, 
 
J98 SAUL. 
 
 Saul's furious look, as he departed hence. 
 Too plainly shew'd the tempest of his soul. 
 Mich. 'Tis but his old disease, which thou can'st 
 cure. 
 O take thy harp, and as thou oft hast done, 
 From the king's breast dispel the raging fiend, 
 And soothe his tortur'd soul with sounds divine. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Fell rage and black despair possest 
 With horrid sway the monarch's breast ; 
 When David with celestial fire 
 Struck with sweet persuasive lyre-: 
 Soft gliding down his ravish'd ears, 
 The healing sounds dispel his cares; 
 Despair and rage at once are gone, 
 And peace and hope resume the throne. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — -ARNER. 
 
 Rack'd with infernal pains ev'n now the king 
 Comes forth, and mutters horrid words, which hell? 
 No human tongue, has taught him. 
 
 AIR.— DAVID. 
 
 O Lord, whose mercies numberless 
 
 O'er all thy works prevail, 
 Tho' daily man thy law transgress. 
 
 Thy patience cannot fail : 
 If yet his sin be not too great, 
 
 The busy fiend controul, 
 Yet longer for repentance wait s 
 
 And heal his wounded soul. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — JONATHAN. 
 
 *Tis all in vain, his fury still continues $ 
 
SAUL. 199 
 
 With wild distraction on my friend he stares, 
 Stamps on the ground, and seems intent on mischief. 
 air. — SAUL. 
 A serpent in my bosom warm'd 
 Would sting me to the heart -, 
 But of his venom soon disarm'd, 
 
 Himself shall feel the smart. 
 Ambitious boy 1 now learn what danger 
 It is to rouze a monarch's anger. 
 
 RECITATIVE. 
 
 Has he escap'd my rage ? 
 I charge you, Jonathan, upon thy duty, 
 And all, on your allegiance, to destroy 
 This bold aspiring youth ; for while he lives 
 I am not safe. Reply not, but obey. 
 
 AIR.— MERAB. 
 
 Capricious man, in humour lost, 
 By ev'ry wind of passion tost, 
 Now sets his vassal on the throne, 
 Then low as earth he casts him down : 
 His temper knows no middle state, 
 Extreme alike in love or hate. 
 
 RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED.- — JONATHAN, 
 
 O filial piety ! O sacred friendship ! 
 How shall I reconcile you ?— Cruel father! 
 Your just commands I always have obey'd : 
 But to destroy my friend f the brave, the virtuous, 
 The God-like David ! Israel's defender, 
 
 And terror of his foes ! To disobey you— 
 
 What shall I call it ? 'Tis an a6t of duty 
 
 To God to David nay, indeed to you. 
 
fO0 SAUL, 
 
 AIR. 
 
 No, cruel father, no % 
 
 Your hard commands I can't obey. 
 Shall I with sacrilegious blow 
 Take pious David's life away ! 
 No ; with my life I must defend 
 Against the world my best, my dearest friend 
 
 AIR.— HIGH PRIEST* 
 
 O Lord, whose providence 
 Ever wakes for their defence, 
 
 Who the ways of virtue choose, 
 Let not thy faithful servant fall 
 A victim to the rage of Saul, 
 
 Who hates without a cause, 
 And in defiance of thy laws ? 
 
 His precious life pursues. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Preserve him for the glory of thy name, 
 Thy people's safety-* and the heathen's shame* 
 
SAUL.' 201 
 
 PART THE SECOND. 
 
 E 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 NVY! eldest-born of hell ! 
 Cease in human breasts to dwell : 
 Ever at all good repining, 
 Still the happy undermining? 
 God and man by thee infested, 
 Thou by God and man detested ! 
 Most thyself thou dost torment, 
 At once the crime and punishment : 
 Hide thee in the blackest night ; 
 Virtue sickens at thy sight ! 
 Hence, thou eldest-born of hell ! 
 Cease in human breasts to dwell. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — JONATHAN. 
 
 Ah ! dearest friend, undone by too much virtue ! 
 Think you an evil spirit was .the cause 
 Of all my father's rage ? It was indeed 
 A spirit of envy, and of mortal hate. 
 He has resolv'd your death; and sternly charg'd 
 His whole retinue, me especially, 
 To execute his vengeance. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 But sooner Jordan's stream, I swear* 
 Back to his spring shall swiftly roll, 
 
 Than I consent to hurt a hair 
 Of thee, thou darling of my soul. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — DAVID. 
 
 O strange vicissitude ! But yesterday 
 
202 SAUL. 
 
 He thought me worthy of his daughter's love* 
 To-day he seeks my life. 
 
 Jon. My sister Merab, by his own gift thy right. 
 He has bestow'd on Adriel. 
 
 Dav. O, my prince, would that were all, 
 It would not grieve me much. The scornful maid 
 (Didst thou observe ?) With such disdainful pride 
 Heceiv'd the king's command '— but lovely Michal, 
 As mild as she is fair, outstrips all praise. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Such haughty beauties rather move 
 Aversion, than engage our love. 
 They only can our cares beguile 
 Who gently speak, and sweetly smile 
 If virtue in that dress appear, 
 Who, that sees, can love forbear ? 
 
 RECITATIVE. — JONATHAN. 
 
 My father comes. Retire, my friend, while 1 
 With peaceful accents try to calm his rage. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — SAUL. 
 
 Hast thou obey'd my orders, and destroy' d 
 My mortal enemy, the son of Jesse ? 
 
 J on. Alas, my father ! He your enemy ! 
 Say, rather, lie has done important service 
 To you, and to the nation; hazarded 
 -His life for both, and slain our giant foe, 
 -Whose presence made the boldest of us tremblr, 
 
 AIR. — JONATHAN. 
 
 Sin not, O king, against the youth 
 
 Who ne'er offended you : 
 Think, to his loyalty and truth 
 
 What great rewards are due f 
 
SAUL. 203 
 
 Think with what joy that god-like man 
 
 You saw, that glorious day ! 
 Think, and with ruin, if you can, 
 
 Such services repay. 
 From cities storm'd, and battles won, 
 
 What glory can accrue ? 
 By this the hero best is known ; 
 
 He can himself subdue. 
 
 AIR. — SAUL. 
 
 As great Jehovah lives, I swear, 
 
 The youth shall not be slain. 
 Bid him return, and void of fear* 
 
 Adorn our court again. 
 
 AIR. — JONATHAN". 
 
 Wisest and greatest of his kind, 
 Who can in Reason's fetters bind 
 The madness of his angry mind ! 
 
 RECITATIVE. 
 
 Appear, my friend. 
 
 Saul. No more imagine danger i 
 
 Be first in our esteem; with w T onted valour 
 Repel the insults of the Philistines: 
 And, as a proof of my sincerity, 
 (O hardness to dissemble !) instantly 
 Espouse my daughter Michal. 
 
 AIR.— DAVID. 
 
 Your words, O king, my loyal heart 
 
 With double ardour fire : 
 If God his usual aid impart, 
 
 Your foes shall feel what you inspire 
 In all the dangers of the field, 
 The Great Jehovah is my shield. 
 
$04 SAUL. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — SAUL. 
 
 Yes, he shall wed my daughter !— but how long 
 Shall he enjoy her?— He shall lead my armies! 
 But have the Philistines no darts— no swords, 
 To pierce the heart of David ? — Yes, this once 
 To them I leave him ; they shall do me right ! 
 
 RECITATIVE. — MIC HAL. 
 
 A father's will has authoriz'd my love : 
 No longer, Michal, then attempt to hide 
 The secret of thy soul. I love thee, David, 
 And long have lov'd. Thy virtue was the cause ; 
 And that be my defence. 
 
 DUET. 
 
 Mich. O fairest often thousand fair, 
 Yet for thy virtue more admir'd I 
 Thy words and actions all declare 
 The wisdom by thy God inspir'd, 
 Da v. O lovely maid ! thy form beheld, 
 Above all beauty charms our eyes : 
 Yet still within that form conceal'd 
 Thy mind, a greater beauty, lies. 
 Both. How well in thee does heav'n at last 
 Compensate all my sorrows past. 
 
 chorus. 
 Is there a man who all his ways 
 Directs,. his God alone to please? 
 
 In vain his foes against him move : 
 Superior povv'r their hate disarms j 
 He makes them yield to virtue's charms^ 
 And melts their fury down to love. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — DAVID. 
 
 Thy father is as cruel, and as false, 
 
SAUL. 2U5 
 
 As thou art kind and true. When I approach'd 
 
 him, 
 New from the slaughter of his enemies, 
 His eyes with fury flam'd ; his arm he rais'd, 
 With rage grown stronger; by my guiltless head 
 The javelin whizzing flew, and in the wall 
 Mock'd once again his impotence of malice. 
 
 DUET. 
 
 At persecution I can laugh ; 
 No fear my soul can move, 
 
 In God's protection safe, 
 And blest in Michal's love. 
 Mich. Ah ! dearest youth ! for thee I fear; 
 
 Fly ! — begone ! — for death is near ! 
 Dav. Fear not, lovely fair, for me : 
 
 Death, where thou art, cannot be. 
 
 Smile, and danger is no more. 
 Mich. Fly — for death is at the door! 
 
 See, the murd'rous band comes on ! 
 
 Stay no longer ! Fly ! — begone ! 
 
 RECITATIVE. — MICHAL. 
 
 Whom dost thou seek? And who has sent thee 
 hither ? 
 
 Messenger. I seek for David ; and am sent by 
 Saul. 
 
 Mich. Thy errand? 
 
 Mess. 'Tis a summons to the court. 
 
 Mich. Say he is sick. 
 
 Mess. In sickness or in health, 
 
 Alive, or dead, he must be brought to Saul. 
 Shew me his chamber. Do you mock the king 3 
 
206 SAUL. 
 
 This disappointment will enrage him morer 
 Then tremble for the event. 
 
 AIR. — MICHAL. 
 
 No; let the guilty tremble 
 
 At ev'ry thought of danger near, 
 Tho' numbers arm'd with death assemble,.. 
 
 My innocence disdains to fear. 
 Tho' great their power as their spite, 
 
 Undaunted still remains my soul. 
 For greater is Jehovah's might, 
 
 And will their lawless force controul. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — MERAB. 
 
 Mean as he was, he is my brother now, 
 My sister's husband; and, to speak the truth, 
 Has qualities which justice bids me love, 
 And pity his distress. My father's cruelty 
 Strikes me with horror ! At th' approaching feast 
 I fear some^dire event, unless my brother, 
 His friend, the faithful Jonathan, avert 
 The impending ruin. I know he'll do his best. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Author of peace, who canst controul 
 
 Every passion of the soul ; 
 
 To whose good spirit alone we owe 
 
 Words that sweet as honey flow : 
 With thy dear influence may his tongue be fill'd, 
 And cruel wrath to soft persuasion yield. 
 
 RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED. — SAUL. 
 
 The time at length is come, when I shall take 
 My full revenge on Jesse's son. 
 No longer shall the stripling make 
 His sovereign totter on the throne. 
 
SAUL* 207 
 
 He dies — this blaster of my fame, 
 Bane of my peace, and author of my shame. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — SAUL. 
 
 Where is the son of Jesse ? 
 Comes he not to grace our feast ? 
 
 Jon. He earnestly ask'd leave 
 To go to Bethlehem, where his father's -house 
 At solemn rites of annual sacrifice 
 Requir'd his presence. 
 
 Saul. O perverse ! rebellious! 
 Think'st thou I do not know that thou hast chose 
 The son of Jesse to thy own confusion ? 
 The world will say thou art no son of mine, 
 Who canst thus love the man I hate; the man 
 Who, if he lives, will rob thee of thy crown. 
 Send, fetch him hither; for the wretch must die. 
 
 Jon. What has he done? x\nd wherefore must 
 he die ? 
 
 Saul. Dar'st thou oppose my will? Die theis 
 thyself. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 O fatal consequence 
 
 Of rage, by reason uncontroU'd ! 
 With ev'ry law he can dispense; 
 No ties the furious monster hold : 
 From crime to crime he blindly goes, 
 Nor end, but with his own destruction, knows*. 
 
205 SAUL. 
 
 PART THE THIRD. 
 
 RECITATIVE.— SAUL. 
 
 WRETCH that I am ! of my own ruin author ! 
 Where are my old supports? The valiant 
 youth, 
 Whose very name was terror to my foes, 
 My rage has drove away. Of God forsaken, 
 In vain I ask his counsel ! he vouchsafes 
 No answer to the sons of disobedience \ 
 Ev'n my own courage fails me !— Can it be ? 
 Is Saul become a coward ? — -I'll not believe it! 
 If heav'n denies thee aid, seek it from hell ! 
 
 RECITATIVE. 
 
 ? Tis said here lives a woman, close familiar 
 With the enemy of mankind: her I'll consult, 
 And know the worst. Her art is death by law ; 
 And while I minded law, sure death attended 
 Such horrid practices : Yet, O hard fate ! 
 Myself am now reduc'd to ask the counsel 
 Of those I once abhorr'd! 
 
 RECITATIVE. — WITCH. 
 
 With me what would' st thou ? 
 
 Saul. I wou'd, that by thy art thou bring me up 
 The man whom I shall name. 
 
 Witch. Alas! thou know'st 
 
 How 7 Saul has cut off those who use this art. 
 Would'st thou ensnare me ? 
 
 Saul. As Jehovah lives, 
 
 On this account no mischief shall befal thee. 
 
SAUL. 209 
 
 Witch. Whom shall I bring up to thee t 
 Saul. Bring up Samuel. 
 
 air. — WITCH. 
 Infernal spirits, by whose pow'r 
 
 Departed Ghosts in living forms appear* 
 Add horror to the midnight hour, 
 
 And chill the boldest hearts with fear: 
 To this stranger's wond ring eyes 
 Let the prophet Samuel rise. 
 
 RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED.— SAMUEL. 
 
 Why hast thou forc'd me from the realms of peace 
 Back to this world of woe ? 
 
 Saul. O holy prophet! 
 
 Refuse me not thy aid in this distress. 
 The num'rous foe stands ready for the battle : 
 God has forsaken me: No more he answers 
 By prophets or by dreams: No hope remains^ 
 Unless I learn of thee what course to take. 
 
 Sam. Hath God forsaken thee ? And dost thou ask 
 My counsel ? Did I not foretel thy fate, 
 When, madly disobedient, thou didst spare 
 The curst Amalekite, and on the spoil 
 Didst fly rapacious ? Therefore God this day 
 Hath verify 'd my words in thy destruction ; 
 Hath rent the kingdom from thee, and bestow'd it 
 On David, whom thou hatest for his virtue. 
 Thou and thy sons shall be with me to-morrow, 
 And Israel by Philistine arms shall fall. 
 The Lord hath said it: he will make it good, 
 
 RECITATIVE.— DAVID, 
 
 Whence com est thou ? 
 
 p 
 
210 SAUL. 
 
 Amal. Out of the camp of Israel, 
 
 Dav. Thou canst inform me then: How went 
 the battle ? 
 
 Amal. The people, put to flight, in numbers fell, 
 And Saul, and Jonathan his son, are dead. 
 
 D av. Alas ! my brother !— But how know'st thou 
 That they are dead ? 
 
 Amal. Upon Mount Gilboa 
 
 I met with Saul, just falFn upon his spear; 
 Swiftly the foe pursu'd. He cry'd to me, 
 Begg'd me to finish his imperfect work, 
 And end a life of pain and ignominy. 
 I knew he could not live, and therefore slew him 5 
 Took from his head the crown, and from his arms 
 The bracelets, and have brought them to my lord, 
 
 Dav. Whence art thou ? 
 
 Amal. I am an Amalekite. 
 
 AIR.— DAVID. 
 
 Impious wretch, of race accurst! 
 And of all that race the worst ! 
 How hast thou dar'd to lift thy sword 
 Against the anointed of the Lord ? 
 Fall on him — smite him— let him die 9 
 On thy own head thv blood will lie ; 
 Since thy own mouth has testify'd, 
 By thee the Lord's anointed dy'd. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Mourn, Israel, mourn, thy beauty lost. 
 Thy choicest youth on Gilboa slain. 
 How have thy fairest hopes been crost ! 
 What heaps of mighty warriors strow the plain ? 
 
SAUL, 211 
 
 AIR. — DAVID. 
 
 O let it not in Gath be heard, 
 The news in Askelon let none proclaim; 
 
 Lest we, whom once so much they fear'd, 
 Be by their women now despis'd, 
 And lest the daughters of the uncircumcis'd 
 Rejoice and triumph in our shame. 
 air. — DAVID. 
 From this unhappy day, 
 No more, ye Gilboan hills, on you 
 Descend refreshing rain or kindly dew, 
 
 Which erst your heads with plenty crown 4 d ; 
 Since there the shield of Saul, in arms renown' d, 
 Was vilely cast away. 
 
 AIR. — DAVID. 
 
 Brave Jonathan his bow ne'er drew, 
 But wing'd with death his arrow flew, 
 And drank the blood of slaughter'd foes: 
 
 Nor drew great Saul his sword in vain ; 
 It reek'd, where'er he dealt his blows, 
 
 With entrails of the mighty slain. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Eagles were not so swift as they, 
 Nor lions with so strong a grasp held fast and tore 
 the prey. 
 
 AIR. — DAVID. 
 
 In sweetest harmony they liv'd, 
 Nor death their union cou'd divide : 
 The pious son ne'er left the father's side, 
 But him defending bravely dy'd ; 
 A loss too great to be survived ! 
 
 p 2 
 
2*S SAUL. 
 
 For Saul, ye maids of Israel moan, 
 To whose indulgent care 
 You owe the scarlet and the gold you wear, 
 And all the pomp in which your beauty long has 
 shone. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 O fatal day ! How low the mighty lie 2 
 O Jonathan ! how nobly didst thou die, 
 For thy king and country slain ! 
 For thee, my brother J onathan, 
 How great is my distress ! 
 What language can my grief express ? 
 Great was the pleasure I enjoy'd in thee ' 
 And more than woman's love thy wond'rous love 
 to me ! 
 O fatal day ! How low the mighty lie ! 
 
 Where, Israel, is thy glory fled ? 
 SpoiPd of thy arms, and sunk in infamy, 
 How canst thou raise again thy drooping head \ 
 Abiathar. Ye men of Judah, weep no more; 
 Let gladness reign in all our host; 
 For pious David will restore 
 
 What Saul by disobedience lost. 
 The Lord of Hosts is David's friend, 
 And conquest will his arms attend. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Gird on thy sword, thou man of might . 
 
 Pursue thy wonted fame : 
 Go on, be prosperous in fight, 
 
 Retrieve the Hebrew name. 
 
SAUL. 213 
 
 Thy strong right-hand, with terror arm'd, 
 Shall thy obdurate foes dismay; 
 
 While others, by thy virtue charm'd, 
 Shall crowd to own thy righteous sway. 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 w 
 
 AIR. 
 
 ISE, great, and good, 
 Above thy years endu'd, 
 How bright each grace does shine, 
 Thus bless'd with what's divine, 
 Firm as a rock thy strength shall stand, 
 Thy wisdom ever bless the land. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — HIGH PRIEST. 
 
 This but the smallest part of harmony, 
 Great attribute of attributes divine, 
 And center of the rest, where all agree, 
 Whose wond'rous force what great effecls proclaim. 
 
 RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED. 
 
 By thee this universal frame, 
 
 From its Almighty Maker's hand, 
 
 In primitive perfection came, 
 
 By thee produced, in thee contain'd. 
 
 No sooner did the eternal word dispense, 
 
 Thy vast mysterious influence, 
 
 Than chaos his old discord ceas'dj 
 
 Nature began, of labour eas'd, 
 
I'i SAUL. 
 
 Her latent beauties to disclose* 
 
 A fair harmonious world arose, 
 
 And tho' by diabolic guile, 
 
 Disorder lord it for awhile, 
 
 The time will come, when nature shall 
 
 Her pristine forms regain, 
 
 And harmony for ever reign; 
 
 AIR. — DAVID, 
 
 Fly, malicious spirit fly, 
 Own the pow*r of harmony ; 
 
 To thy native hell retire. 
 Gracious Lord his pain assuage, 
 And instead of burning rage, 
 
 With thy peace his mind inspire. 
 
 AIR. — MICHAL. 
 
 Love from such a parent sprung, } 
 
 In spite of adverse fate is strong, > 
 
 In spite of time is ever young ; % 
 
 But how weak and brittle prove 
 The ties of mercenary love. 
 
SOLOMON: 
 
 A SACRED ORATORIO. 
 PART THE FIRST. 
 
 Y 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 OUR harps and cymbals sound 
 To great Jehovah's praise, 
 Unto the Lord of Host 
 Your willing voices raise. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Praise ye the Lord for all his mercies past, 
 Whose truth, whose justice will for ever last. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 With pious heart and holy tongue, 
 Resound your Maker's name, 
 
 Till distant nations catch the song, 
 And glow with holy flame. 
 
 AIR. — SOLOMON. 
 
 Almighty pow'r, who rul'st the earth and skies, 
 And bade gay order from confusion rise. 
 
216 SOLOMON. 
 
 Whose gracious hand reliev'd thy slave distressed, 
 With splendour cloth'd me, and with knowledge 
 
 bless'd ; 
 Thy finish' d temple with thy presence grace, 
 And shed thy heav'nly glories o'er the place. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — ZADOCK. 
 
 Imperial Solomon, thy pray'rs are heard. 
 
 ACCOMPANIED. 
 
 See from the opening skies 
 Descending flames involve the sacrifice, 
 And to within the sacred dome, 
 
 That gleamy light, 
 
 Profusely bright, 
 Declares the Lord of Hosts is come. 
 
 AIR.— ZADOCK. 
 
 Sacred raptures cheer my breast, 
 
 Rushing tides of hallow'd zeal; 
 Joys too fierce to be exprcst, 
 
 In this swelling heart I feel. 
 Warm enthusiastic fires, 
 
 In my panting bosom roll, 
 {lope of bliss that ne'er expires, 
 
 Dawns upon my ravish'd soul. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Throughout the land Jehovah's praise record, 
 For full of pow'r and mercy is the Lord. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — SOtOMON. 
 
 Blest be the Lord, who look'd with gracious eye 
 
 Upon his vassal's humble sacrifice, 
 
 And has, with an approving smile, 
 
 My work o'er paid, and grac'd the pile. 
 
SOLOMON. 217 
 
 AIR. — SOLOMON. 
 
 What tho' I trace each herb and flow'r 
 
 That drink the morning dew, 
 Did I not own Jehovah's pow'r, 
 
 How vain were all I knew ? 
 Say, what's the rest but empty boast, 
 
 The pedant's idle claim, 
 Who having all the substance lost, 
 
 Attempts to grasp a name ? 
 
 RECITATIVE. — SOLOMON. 
 
 And see, my queen, my wedded love s 
 
 You soon my tenderness shall prove, 
 
 A palace shall erect its head, 
 
 Of cedar built, with gold bespread ; 
 
 Methihks the work is now begun, 
 
 The axe resounds in Lebanon. 
 
 And see, bedcck'd with canvas wings, 
 
 The dancing veffel lightly springs, 
 
 While Ophir's mines well pleas'd disclose* 
 
 The wealth that in their entrails Mows. 
 
 AIR. — QUEEN. 
 
 Bless'd the day when first my eyes 
 Saw the wisest of the wise ; 
 Bless'd the day when I was led 
 To ascend the nuptial bed ; 
 But completely bless'd the day> 
 On my bosom as he lay, 
 When he cail'd my charms divine, 
 Vowing to be only mine. 
 
 RECITATIVE.— SOLOMON. 
 
 Thou fair inhabitant of Nile, 
 Rejoice thy lover with a smile 
 
218 SOLOMON. 
 
 Q.U..0 monarch! with each virtue bless d - 3 
 The brightest star that gilds the east. 
 No joy I know beneath the sun, 
 But what's compriz'd in Solomon ; 
 With thee how quickly fled the winter's nighi r 
 And short is summer's length of light. 
 
 DUETTO. 
 
 Qu. Welcome as the dawn of day, 
 To the pilgrim on his way, 
 Whom the darkness caus'd to stray, 
 Is my lovely king to me. 
 
 Sol. Myrtle grove, or rosy shade, 
 
 Breathing odours thro' the glade, 
 To refresh the village maid, 
 Yields in sweets, my queen, to thee. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — ZADOCK. 
 
 Vain are the transient beauties of the face, 
 When virtue fails to animate each grace; 
 Bright and more bright her radiant form appears^ 
 Nor dreads the canker'd tooth of rolling years ; 
 O'er such a partner comfort spreads her wing, 
 And all our life is one perpetual spring. 
 air. — ZADOCK. 
 Indulge thy faith and wedded truth, 
 With the fair partner of thy youth, 
 She's ever constant, ever kind, 
 Like the young roe or loving hind* 
 
 RECITATIVE. — SOLOMON. 
 
 My blooming fair, come, come away. 
 My love admits of no delay. 
 
SOLOMON. 249 
 
 AIR. — SOLOMON. 
 
 Haste to the cedar grove, 
 
 Where fragrant spices bloom*. 
 And am'rous turtles love, 
 
 Beneath the pleasing gloom. 
 While tinkling down the hill, 
 
 Avoiding hateful day, 
 The little murmuring 
 
 In whispers glides away. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — QUEEN. 
 
 When thou art absent from my sight, 
 The court I shun and loathe the light, 
 
 AIR. — QUEEN. 
 
 With thee th' unshelter'd moor I tread. 
 
 Nor once of fate complain, 
 The burning sun flash'd round my head, 
 
 And cleav'd the barren plain. 
 Thy lovely form alone I prize, 
 
 'Tis thou that can'st impart 
 Continual pleasure to my eyes, 
 
 And gladness to my heart. 
 
 RECITATIVE.— Z AD OCK. 
 
 Search round the world, there never yet was seen 
 So wise a monarch or so chaste a queen. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 May no rash intruder disturb their soft hours > y 
 To form fragrant pillows, arise, O ye fiow'rs ! 
 Ye zephyrs soft breathing their slumbers prolong, 
 While nightingales lull them to sleep with their song* 
 
220 SOLOMON, 
 
 PART THE SECOND. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 FROM the censor curling rise, 
 Grateful incence to the skies 5 
 Heav'n blesses David's throne, 
 Happy, happy Solomon : 
 Live for ever pious David's son, 
 Live for ever mighty Solomon. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — SOLOMON. 
 
 Prais'd be the Lord, from him my wisdom springs, 
 
 I bow enraptur'd to the King of Kings ; 
 
 He led me abject to imperial state, 
 
 When weak and trembling for my future fate ; 
 
 Strengthen'd by him, each foe with horror fled ? 
 
 Then impious Joab at the altar bled ; 
 
 The death he oft deserv'd, stern Shemei found, 
 
 And Adonijah sunk beneath the wound ; 
 
 Forc'd by his crimes, I spoke a brother's doom, 
 
 And may his vices perish in the tomb. 
 
 AIR. — SOLOMON. 
 
 When the sun o'er yonder hills 
 Pours in tides the golden day ; 
 
 Or when quiv'ring o'er the rills, 
 In the west he dies away. 
 ' He shall ever hear me sing, 
 
 Praises to th' eternal king. 
 
 RECITATIVE. LEVITE. 
 
 Great prince, thy resolution's just, 
 He never fails, in heav'n who puts his trust ; 
 
SOLOMOtf. 221 
 
 True worth consists not in the pride of state, 
 'Tis virtue only makes the monarch great. 
 
 AIR. — LEVITE. 
 
 Thrice blest that wise discerning king, 
 
 Who can each passion tame, 
 And mounts on virtue's eagle wing, 
 
 To everlasting fame ; 
 Such as shall a mighty pattern stand 
 
 To ages yet unborn ; 
 To honour prompt each distant land, 
 And future times adorn. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — AN ATTENDANT. 
 
 My sovereign liege : — two women stand. 
 And botli beseech the king's command 
 To enter here; dissolv'd in tears, 
 The one a new-born infant bears : 
 The other, fierce and threat'ning loud, 
 Declares her story to the crowd ; 
 And thus she clamours to the throng : 
 Seek we the king, he shall redress our wrong. 
 
 Sol. Admit them straight, for when we mount 
 the throne, 
 Our hours are all the people's, not our own. 
 
 First Wo. Tho'u son of David hear a mother's 
 grief, 
 When justice hears she likewise brings relief: — 
 This little babe my womb conceiv'd, 
 The smiling infant I with joy receiv'd; 
 That woman also bare a son. 
 Whose vital thread was quickly spun $ 
 
222 solomo^. 
 
 One house we both together kept* 
 But once, unhappy as I slept, 
 She stole at midnight where I lay, 
 Bore my soft darling from my arms away, 
 And left her child behind, a lump of lifeless clay. 
 And now, O impious ! dares to claim 
 My right alone— a mother's name, 
 
 TRIO. 
 
 First Wo. Words are weak to paint my fears, 
 Heart-felt anguish starting tears, 
 
 Best shall plead a mother's causey 
 To thy throne, O king, I bend, 
 My cause is just, be thou my -friend. 
 
 Second Wo. -False is all her melting 'tale- 
 
 Sol. Justice holds the lifted scale. 
 
 Second Wo. Then be just and fear the laws. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — SOLOMON. 
 
 What says the other to th' imputed charge ? 
 Speak in thy turn, and give thy wrongs at large. 
 Second Wo. I cannot varnish o'er my tongue s 
 And colour fair the face of wrong: 
 This babe is mine ; the womb of earth, 
 Intomb'd, conceals her little birth ; 
 Give me my child, my smiling boy, 
 To cheer my breast with new-born joy. 
 Sol. Hear me, ye women, and the king regard^ 
 Who from his throne thus reads the just reward : 
 Each claims alike, let both their portion share j 
 Divide the babe, thus each her part shall bear. 
 Quick bring the faulchion and the infant smite, 
 Nor further clamor for disputed right. 
 
SOLOMON. 223 
 
 AIR.-^-SECOND WOMAN. 
 
 Thy sentence, great king, is prudent and wise, 
 My hopes on the wing quick bound for the prize ; 
 Contented I hear and approve the decree, 
 For at least I shall tear the lov'd infant from thee, 
 
 RECITATIVE. — FIRST WOMAN. 
 
 Withhold (the executing hand, 
 '■Reverse, O king, thy stern command ! 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Can I see my infant gor'd 
 With the fierce relentless sword ? 
 Can I see him yield his breath, 
 Smiling at the hand of death-; 
 And behold the purple tides 
 Gushing down his tender sides ? 
 Rather be my hopes beguiPd. 
 Take him all, but spare the child. 
 
 RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED. — SOLOMON. 
 
 Israel attend to what your king shall say, 
 Think not I meant the innocent to slay $ 
 The stern decision was to trace with art 
 The secret dictates of the human heart; 
 She who could bear the fierce decree to hear. 
 Nor send one sigh, nor shed one pious tear, 
 Must be a stranger to a mother's name-; 
 Hence from my sight, nor urge a further claim. 
 But you, whose fears a parent's love attest, 
 Receive and bind him to your beating breast ^ 
 To you, injustice, I the babe restore, 
 And may you lose him from your arms no more. 
 
C?4 sbLOMOtf. 
 
 DUET. 
 
 First Wo. Thrice blest be the king, for he's good 
 and he's wise. 
 Sol. The Lord all these virtues has giv'n ; 
 "First Wo. My gratitude calls streaming tears 
 from my eyes. 
 Sol. Thy thanks be returned all to heav'n. 
 'Tis God that rewards and will lift from the dust, 
 
 AVhom to crush proud oppressors endeavour; 
 First Wo. How happy are they w T ho in God put 
 their trust, 
 Sol. For his mercy endnreth for ever* 
 chorus. 
 From the east unto the west, 
 Who's so wise as Solomon 5 
 Who like Israel's king is blest, 
 Who so worthy of a throne. 
 
 RECITATIVE.- — ZA.DOCK. 
 
 From iriorn to eve I could enraptur'd sing 
 The various virtues of our happy king; 
 In whom w 7 ith wonder we behold combin'd, 
 The grace of features with the word of mind. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 See the tall palm that lifts the head 
 
 On Jordan's sedgy side; 
 His tow'ring branches curling spread, 
 
 And bloom in graceful pride. 
 Each meaner tree regardless springs, 
 
 Nor claims our scornful eyes ; 
 Thus thou art first of mortal kings, 
 
 And wisest of the wise. 
 
SOLOMON. 225 
 
 RECITATIVE.— FIRST WOMAN. 
 
 The shepherd shall hail him all over the plain. 
 And the soft-ey'd young virgin unite in the strain. 
 
 AIR.— -FIRST WOMAN. 
 
 Beneath the vine or fig-tree's shade, 
 
 Ev'ry shepherd sings the maid. 
 Who his simple heart betray 'd, 
 
 In a rustic measure; 
 While of torment he complains? 
 
 A\] around the village swains* 
 Catch the song and feel the pains* 
 
 Mingling sighs with pleasure, 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Swell, swell the full chorus to Solomon's praise* 
 Record him, ye bards, as the pride of our days. 
 
 PART THE THIRD. 
 
 RECITATIVE.— QUEEN OF SHEBA- 
 
 FROM Arabia's spicy shore* 
 Bounded by the hoary main: 
 Sheba's queen these feats explore, 
 To be taught thy heav'nly strain* 
 Sol. Thrice welcome Queen 1 with open arms 
 Our court receives thee, and thy charms; 
 The temple of the Lord first meets your eyes 
 Rich with the well accepted sacrifice ; 
 
 Q 
 
226 SOLOMON 1 . 
 
 Here all our treasures free behold, 
 Where cedars lie o'er-wrought with gold : 
 Next view a mansion fit for kings to own* 
 Sirnam'd the forest of high Lebanon j 
 Where art her utmost skill displays, 
 And ev'ry object claims your praise. 
 
 AIR. — QUEEN. 
 
 Ev'ry sight these eyes behold, 
 Does a diff 'rent charm unfold ; 
 Flashing gems and sculptur'd gold, 
 
 Still attract my ravish'd sight : 
 But to hear fair truth distilling, 
 In expression choice and thrilling, 
 From that tongue so soft and killing, 
 
 That my soul does most delight 
 
 RECITATIVE. — SOLOMON. 
 
 Sweep, sweep the string, to soothe the royal fair? 
 And rouze each passion with th' alternate air. 
 
 AIR AND CHORUS. 
 
 Music spread thy voice around, 
 Sweetly flow the lulling sound. 
 
 AIR. — SOLOMON. 
 
 Now a different measure try, 
 Shake the dome and pierce the sky. 
 Ilouze us next to martial deeds \ 
 Clanging arms, and neighing steeds, 
 Seem in fury to oppose ; 
 Now the hard-fought battle glows. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Shake the dome and pierce the sky. 
 Rouze us next to martial deeds ; 
 Clanging arms and neighing steeds, 
 
solomon. 227 
 
 Seem in fury to oppose ; 
 
 Now the hard-fought battle glows. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — SOLOMON. 
 
 Then at once from rage remove, 
 Draw the tear, the hopeless love ; 
 Lengthen out the solemn air, 
 Full of death and wild despair. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Draw the tear, the hopeless love ; 
 Lengthen out the solemn air, 
 Full of death and wild despair. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — SOLOMON. 
 
 Next the tortur'd soul release, 
 And the mind restore to peace. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Thus rolling surges rise, 
 
 And plough the troubled main ; 
 
 But soon the tempest dies, 
 And all is calm again, 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Thus rolling surges rise, 
 And plough the troubled main ; 
 
 But soon the tempest dies, 
 And all is calm again. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — QUEEN OF SHEBA. 
 
 Thy harmony's divine, great king, 
 
 All, all obeys the artist's string; 
 
 And now, illustrious prince, receive 
 
 Such tribute as my realm can give. 
 Here purest gold from earth's dark intrails torn, 
 And gems resplendent that out-shine the morn ; 
 
 Q.2 
 
228 SOLOMON. 
 
 There balsam breathes a grateful smell-;- 
 With thee the fragrant stranger wish to dwell. 
 Yet of ev'ry object I behold, 
 Amid the glare of gems and gold, 
 The temple most attracts my eye, 
 
 Where with unwearied zeal, 
 You serve the Lord on high. 
 
 AIR.— ZADOCK. 
 
 Pious king and virtuous queen, 
 May your names resound in story, 
 
 In time's latest annals seen, 
 
 Crown'd with honour, crown'd with glory, 
 
 RECITATIVE. — Z A DOCK. 
 
 Thrice happy king to have atchiev'd, 
 What scarce henceforth will be believ'd : 
 When seven times around the sphere, 
 The sun had led the new-born year, 
 The temple rose to mark thy days, 
 With endless theme for future praise* 
 Our pious David wish'd in vain, 
 By this great act to bless his reign ; 
 But heav'n the monarch's hopes withstood, 
 For, ah ! his hands were stain'd with blood* 
 
 AIR. — ZADOCK. 
 
 Golden columns fair and bright, 
 Catch the mortal's ravish'd sight; 
 Hound their sides ambitious twine, 
 Tend'rils of the clasping vine : 
 Cherubims stand there display'd, 
 O'er the ark their wings are laid 4 
 
SOLOMON. 229 
 
 EVry object swells with state, 
 All is pious all is great 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Praise the Lord with harp and tongue, 
 Praise him all ye old and young, 
 He's in mercy ever strong; 
 Praise the Lord thro' ev'ry state ; 
 
 Praise the Lord thro' ev'ry land: 
 Praise him early, praise him late, 
 God alone is good and great; 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Let the loud hosannahs rise, 
 Widely spreading thro' the skies; 
 God alone is just and wise. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — SOLOMON. 
 
 Gold now is common on our happy shore, 
 And cedars frequent are as sycamore ; 
 All, all conspire to bless my days, 
 Fair plenty does her treasures rise, 
 And o'er the faithful plains her countless gifts dis- 
 plays. 
 
 ATR. 
 
 How green our' fertile pastures look, 
 
 How fair our olive grows ; 
 How limpid is thy gliding brook, 
 
 That thro' the meadows roves ? 
 An hundred dirf'rent balmy flow'rs 
 
 Salute the passing gale, 
 When ev'ning breezes sun the bow'rs, 
 
 And sweep th' enamel'd vale. 
 
230 SOLOMON. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — QUEEN OF SHEBA. 
 
 May peace in Salem ever dwell : 
 
 Illustrious Solomon, farewell; 
 Thy wise instructions be my future care, 
 Soft as the show'rs that cheer the vernal air, 
 Whose warmth bids ev'ry plant her sweets disclose^ 
 The lily wakes, and paints the opening rose. 
 
 AIR. — QUEEN. 
 
 Will the sun forget to streak 
 
 Eastern skies with amber ray ? 
 When the dusky shades do break, 
 
 He unbars the gates of day. 
 Then demand if Sheba's queen 
 
 E'er can banish from her thought, 
 All the splendour she has seen, 
 
 All the knowledge thou hast taught, 
 
 RECITATIVE. — SOLOMON. 
 
 Adieu, fair queen, and in thy breast 
 May peace and virtue ever rest. 
 
 DUET. 
 
 Qu. Ev'ry joy that wisdom knows, 
 May'st thou, pious monarch, share* 
 
 Sol. Ev'ry blessing heav'n bestows, 
 Be thy portion, virtuous fair. 
 
 BOTH. 
 
 Gently flow the rolling days, 
 
 Sorrow be a stranger here ; 
 May thy people sound thy praise, 
 
 Praise unbought by price or fear, 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 The name of the wicked shall quickly be past. 
 But tlie fame of the Just shall eternally last. 
 
SUSANNA: 
 
 A SACRED ORATORIO. 
 
 H 
 
 PART THE FIRST, 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 OVV long, O Lord, shall Israel groan. 
 In slavery and pain ? 
 Jehovah, hear thy people's moan, 
 And break the oppressor's chain, 
 
 RECITATIVE. — JOACIM. 
 
 Our crimes repeated have provok'd his rage, 
 And now he scourges a degen'rate age ; 
 My wife, my fair Susanna, come, 
 And from thy bosom chace its gloom, 
 air. — JOACIM. 
 Clouds o'ertake the brightest day, 
 Beauteous faces, 
 Blooming graces, 
 Soon submit and feel decay; 
 But true faith and wedded love 3 
 Banish pain and toys improve. . . 
 
232 SUSANNA. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — SUSANNA. 
 
 Oh, Joacim ! when thou art by 
 My soul dilates with new-born joy; 
 Down my pale cheeks the tears no longer run> 
 But fly like dew before the morning sun. 
 
 DUET. 
 
 Jo ac. When thou art nigh, 
 My pulse beats high, 
 And raptures swell my breast. 
 Sus. Search, search my mind, 
 And there you'll find, 
 Your lovely form impress'd* 
 Both. With joy on their wings the young mo- 
 ments shall fly, 
 And chace ev'ry cloud that would darken the sky; 
 If thou art but present my cares to beguile, 
 Oppression is soften'd, and bondage will smile. 
 
 RECITATIVE.— CHE LSI AS. 
 
 Lives there in Babylon so bless'd a pair ? 
 Soft rolls my age, unknown to pain or care ; 
 My virtuous daughter learnt the words of truths 
 To fear the Lord, I taught her pious youth. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Who fears the Lord may dare all foes, 
 Him safely shrouds where'er he goes, 
 And when in battle fierce he glows, 
 
 No sword, no dart, shall harm him; 
 The Lord's protection is a shield, 
 Which ne'er to mortal force will yield, 
 Tho' millions charge him in the field. 
 
 Yet nothing shall alarm him. 
 
^SUSANNA. 533- 
 
 RECITATIVE. — jOACIM. 
 
 A flame like mine, so faithful and so pure, 
 Shall to the length of latest time endure; 
 For heaven-born virtue doth the warmth inspire* 
 And smiling angels fan the godlike fire. 
 air. — JOACIM., 
 When first I saw the lovely maid, 
 Beneath the citron shade* 
 In native innocence array 'd, 
 
 My heart became her prize ; 
 I gaz'd, Ihugg'd the pleasing chain, 
 Could mortal breast from love refrain, 
 And thousand virtues still maintain, 
 The conquest of her eyes. 
 
 RECITATIVE.— SUSANNA* 
 
 Let me confess 1 hear my praises sung, 
 With matchless pleasure by thy tuneful tongue; 
 And ne'er this bosom felt the sharpen'd dart, 
 Till from your, lips I caught the am'rous smart 
 
 AIR, — SUSANNA*. 
 
 Would custom bid the melting fair 
 The purpose of her soul declare, 
 
 I then had call'd you mine, 
 Long ere the day our hands were ty'd, 
 And I became thy happy bride, 
 
 At heav'n's eternal shrine. 
 
 RECITATIVE.— CHE LSI AS. 
 
 Down my old cheeks the tears of transport roll, 
 And balmy comfort opens on my soul; 
 Your wedded truth each wond'ring husband know, 
 Catch the bright pattern and with fondness glow>. 
 
234 SUSANNA. 
 
 From thee, Susanna, may each wedded wife 
 To faith connubial dedicate her life; 
 Peace crown'd with roses onxyour slumbers wait, 
 And joyous plenty guard the op'ning gate. 
 
 Sus. Oh ! pious Chelsias, thy paternal care 
 Has taught my steps to shun the gilded snare, 
 Where error lies conceal'd ; too great my thanks to 
 
 be in words express'd, 
 Jleign thou the second in this grateful breast, 
 
 AIR.— SUSANNA. 
 
 Without the swain's assidious care. 
 
 How soon the sickly flow'r, 
 Deprived of sun and air, 
 
 Would wither in her bow'r? 
 Shall human mind demand less pain 
 Than the native of the plain ? 
 
 RECITATIVE. — JOACIM. 
 
 Source of each joy, thou comfort of my life, 
 My fair Susanna, my unspotted wife, 
 Awhile I'm summon' d from the town away, 
 Yet think not long I'll from thy presence stay; 
 Meanwhile, be't thine each friend to entertain 
 With converse sweet, make light each galling chain ; 
 Each true believer shall be welcome here, 
 And nourish pious hopes without a fear. 
 
 Sus. In this alone with sorrow I obey; 
 What joy have I when Joacim's away ? 
 Forgive the tears that trickle from my eyes, 
 Be dumb my sorrow, and unheard my sighs. 
 
 Jo ac. Ere round the sphere the sun has urg'd his 
 And six times rested in the western main, [wain, 
 
Mb ANN A. Vo? 
 
 Depend you'll see your Joacim return. 
 Sus. Till then, Susanna, 'tis thy lot to mourn. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 The parent bird, in search of food, 
 Awhile deserts her callow brood, 
 What torments wring her anxious breast* 
 Lest some rude hand despoils her nest ; 
 But when she homeward does repair, 
 And finds each fluttering infant there, 
 The joy she feels, my soul explain, 
 When next my fair I greet again. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — SUSANNA. 
 
 On Joacim, may ev'ry joy attend, 
 
 At once a husband, lover, and a friend. 
 
 RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED.— SUSANNA. 
 
 What means this weight that in my bosom lies, 
 What mean these shades that swim before my eyes** 
 If ought prophetic in this breast I feel 
 Portending, quick the same reveal, 
 Let Joacim, my husband, find it all ; 
 If bad, on me alone the danger fall. 
 
 AIR. — SUSANNA. 
 
 Bending to the throne of glory, 
 
 This alone, great God, I crave, 
 Let me innocent before you 
 
 Rise from the devouring grave ; 
 If thy will is now requiring, 
 
 That [ die before my time, 
 All my longing soul's desiring, 
 
 Is to fall without a crime, 
 
236 SUSANNA* 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Virtue ne'er long shall be oppress'd, 
 Soon ev'ry sorrow be redress'd. 
 
 RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED. — FIRST ELDER,. 
 
 Tyrannic love, I feel thy cruel dart, 
 
 Nor age protects me from the burning smarts 
 
 What! seated with the elders of theiand, 
 
 To guide stern Justice unrelenting hand, 
 
 Shall I submit to feel the raging fires? 
 
 Youth pleads a warrant for his hot desires; 
 
 But when the blood should scarce attempt to flow*.. 
 
 I feel the purple torrents fiercely glow. 
 
 Love conquers all, alas! I find it so, 
 
 Bears me resistless down the rapid tide, 
 
 No faithful pilot shall my vessel guide; 
 
 No friendly star her gentle light supplies, 
 
 But pitchy clouds involve the darken'd skies. 
 
 The tempest howls, the foaming surges roar. 
 
 While I unhappy quit the safer shore 
 
 AIR. — FIRST ELDER. 
 
 Ye verdant hills, ye balmy vales, 
 
 Bear witness of my pains : 
 How oft have Shinar's flow'ry dales 
 
 Been taught my am'rous strains ! 
 The wounded oaks in yonder grove. 
 Retain the name of her I love. 
 In vain would age his ice bespread, 
 
 To numb each gay desire, 
 Tho' seventy winters hoar my head. 
 
 Mv heart is still on fire ; 
 
SUSANNA., '237 
 
 By mossy fount and grot I rove, 
 And gently murmur songs of love. 
 Oh! sweetest of thy lovely race, 
 
 Unveil thy matchless charms ; 
 Let me adore that angel's face, 
 
 And die within thy arms : 
 My ceaseless pangs thy bosom move^ 
 To grant the just returns of love. 
 
 RECITATIVE.-— SECOND ELDER. 
 
 Say, is it fit that age should drop his pride, 
 To sooth and'fondle at a woman's side; 
 Was it for this the faithful spoke my fame ? 
 Nor fear'd Injustice when they heard my name^ 
 Now Approbation shall withdraw her praise, 
 And dark Reproach attend my setting days. 
 First Eld. Hail, rev'rend brother ! by that pen- 
 sive face, 
 Methinks some long disputed dubious case 
 Waits the decision of your blameless tongue. 
 Second Eld. Who judge too rashly will be often 
 
 wrong. 
 First Eld. Then, tell your friend, why thus you 
 thoughtful stand, 
 Puzzle your arch'd brow, and cross each folded 
 hand. 
 Second Eld. Suppose 'twere love, couklst thoh 
 
 prescribe a cure ? 
 First Eld. Alas! I cannot, I those pangs en- 
 dure; 
 The shafts that fly from fair Susanna's eyes, 
 Wound the grave statesman and unman the wise; 
 
238 SUSANNA. 
 
 Her beauteous image fills up all my heart; 
 Is*t for her charms you likewise feel the smart ? 
 Second Eld. Yes, His her beauty like a magic 
 spell, 
 That fires my blood, and bid my years rebel ; 
 Love, frantic love, does all this bosom rule, 
 To its hot rage the burning dog-star's cooh 
 
 AIR. — SECOND ELDER. 
 
 The oak that for a thousand years 
 Withstood the tempest's might, 
 Like me the darted lightning fears> 
 And flames with sudden light. 
 Curst be the day, and curst the fatal hour, 
 That brought my age into a woman's pow'r. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — FIRST ELDER. 
 
 Ye winged gales, convey these whisp'ring sighs, 
 And tell Susanna that her lover dies; 
 But softly murmur when you speak my name. 
 Unfold my passion, but conceal my shame. 
 Second Eld. See, where around the quiv'ring 
 poplars twine 
 The ruddy clusters of the mantling vine, 
 The charmer sits ; with winged haste we'll fly, 
 And close conceai'd from ev'ry searching eye, 
 Await our time, then rush upon the fair, 
 Force her to bliss, and cure our wild despair. 
 
 AIR. — SECOND ELDER. 
 
 When the trumpet sounds to arms, 
 Will the ling'ring soldier stay ? 
 
 When the nymph displays her charms, 
 Who the call will disobev ? 
 
SUSANNA. 
 
 Age and dignity in vain, 
 Loudly thunder in my ear, 
 
 From the horrid act refrain, 
 Love forbids my soul to fear. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Righteous heav'n beholds their guile 
 And. forbears his wrath awhile; 
 Yet his bolt shall quickly fly, 
 Darting thro' the flaming sky; 
 Tremble guilt, for thou shalt find 
 Wrath divine outstrips the wind. 
 
 PART THE SECOND, 
 
 RECITATIVE. 
 
 FROST nips the flow'rs that would the fields adorn 
 And tainting mildews waste the bearded corn;, 
 Untimely storms the vernal grove destroy, 
 And absence, cruel absence, murders joy, 
 
 AIR. — JOACIMo 
 
 On fair Euphrates's verdant side, 
 
 Where nodding osiers play, 
 With her I've mark'd the rolling tide, 
 
 And ev'ry- sight was gay. 
 No more the flow'ry banks have charms, 
 
 To please me as before ; 
 Till dear Susanna fills these arms, 
 
 Contentment is no more. 
 
£40 ' SUSANNA, 
 
 RECITATIVE. — SUSANNA., 
 
 Lead me, oh ! lead me, to some cool retreat f 
 My spirits faint beneath the burning heat. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Chrystal streams in murmurs flowing, 
 Balmy breezes gently blowing, 
 
 Rob of sweets the jess'mine bow'r; 
 Bow the pines, that shade yon mountain, 
 Curl the softly trickling fountain, 
 
 Cool the noontide's raging powV. 
 
 RECITATIVE.— SUSANNA. 
 
 Too lovely youth, for whom these sorrows flow, 
 When will thy presence banish ev'ry woe ? 
 
 Atten. Soon will thy lord, thy Joacim, return; 
 Cease then so short an absence thus to mourn. 
 
 Sus. Alas! whoe'er has felt the subtle fire, 
 The pleasing anguish of a chaste desire, 
 Knows that an hour swells out unto a day, 
 The lovely object of our vows away ; 
 But when the darling of our soul is near, 
 Time clothes with eagle's wings the rolling years 
 But thou art kind, nor think thy mistress vain, 
 If now I wish to hear the tender strain 
 Which Joacim compos'd, e'er yet he led 
 These humble beauties to the bridal bed. 
 
 AIR.— ATTENDANT. 
 
 Ask if yon damask rose be sweet, 
 
 That scents the ambient air; 
 Then ask each shepherd that you meet, 
 
 If dear Susanna's fair. 
 
SUSANNA. ?41 
 
 Say, will the vulture leave his prey, 
 
 And warble thro' the grove ? 
 Bid wanton linnets quit the spray, 
 
 Then doubt the shepherd's love. 
 The spoils of war let heroes share ; 
 
 Let Pride in splendour shine ; 
 Ye bards unenvy'd laurels wear; 
 
 Be fair Susanna mine. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — SUSANNA* 
 
 In vain you try to cure my rising grief, 
 My wounded bosom spurns at all relief. 
 Atten. I know the pangs that cleave the bleed- 
 ing heart, 
 Still in my breast I feel the pointed dart 
 An humble swain did all my pains create, 
 An humble swain best suited with my state; 
 But death seiz'd him an untimely prize, 
 And tore the youth for ever from my eyes. 
 
 AIR. — ATTENDANT. 
 
 Beneath the cypress gloomy shade, 
 Where silver lilies paint the glade, 
 I saw the lovely shepherd laid, 
 
 Whose loss I still deplore: 
 He was in truth the sweetest swain, 
 That ever trod the flow'ry plain, 
 Or wak'd in virgins heart a pain, 
 
 But is, alas ! no more. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — SUSANNA. 
 
 Thy plaintive strains my inmost sorrows move. 
 For well Susanna knows the pangs of love. 
 
 R 
 
212 SUSANNA. 
 
 Attend. Excuse the involuntary tears thai 
 flow , 
 But my sad heart must vent its secret woe. 
 
 Sus. I was to blame to wake thy inmost smart, 
 Compose, sweet maid, compose thy beating heart ;. 
 But haste, good virgin, precious unguent bring, 
 And all the spices that embalm the spring; 
 To shun the scorching day, I mean to lave 
 My fainting limbs in yonder silver wave. 
 But, hark ! what sudden noise invades my ear? 
 Defend me, heav'n, from ev'ry wrong I fear ! 
 What mean ye both ? say, Why do ye invade 
 The awful gloom of this sequester'd shade? 
 
 AIR. — FIRST ELDER. 
 
 Blooming as the face of spring, 
 Mild as beams of dying light, 
 
 Softer than the cygnet's wing, 
 Source of joy and fond delight! 
 
 Hear my pray'r, charming fair, 
 
 With one smile dismiss my care. 
 
 RECITATIVE.— SECOND ELDER. 
 
 We long have languished, and now mean to prove 
 The matchless sweets of long-expected love. 
 
 Sus. You wrong yourselves to plead so foul a 
 cause, 
 Are these the boasted guardians of our laws? 
 But sure in sport ye both together came, 
 For may I doubt your yet unspotted fame. 
 Hence, pious elders, least some jealous spy 
 Behold your conduct with an envious eve, 
 
SUSANNA, 243 
 
 AIR. — SECOND ELDER. 
 
 . The torrent that sweeps in its course, 
 
 Whole forests and cities along, 
 Resistless is found in its force, 
 
 My passion is equally strong; 
 Whate'er would my purpose restrain, 
 
 In pieces my fury shall tear, 
 Denial is orfer'd in vain, 
 
 Then yield to entreaty, proud fair. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — SUSANNA* 
 
 Deceitful wolves! who, left in truth's defence. 
 Wrong the high trust and prey on innocence ^ 
 Desist, desist, nor press my trembling hand, 
 Lest I awake the vengeance of the land. 
 
 Second Eld. Thou foolish woman, will thy 
 plaints avail, 
 When our grave tongues repeat the well-forg'd tale f 
 Will those suspect, to whom your grief complains, 
 That blood could riot in an elder's veins ? 
 
 TRIO. 
 
 Sus. Away ! away' ye tempt me both in vain. 
 First Eld. Yet stay, yet stay, and hear my love* 
 
 sick strain. 
 Second Eld. I scorn to intreat, when by force 
 
 I may gain 
 Relief to my sorrow and ease to my pain. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — SUSANNA. 
 
 Alas ! I find the fatal toils are set, 
 Turn as I will, I struggle in the net; 
 Yet hear the utmost purpose of my soul, 
 Which wrongs shall ne'er suppress, or fear controul : 
 
 R 2 
 
£44 SUSANNA. 
 
 By falsehood's aid appearing truth be thine 5 
 Self-conscious virtue shall be ever mine. 
 
 Second Eld. That shall be try'd. — Who waits 
 there ? Ho ! within* 
 I caught the fair delinquent in her sin ; 
 The youthful partner of her stol'n embrace, 
 Broke from our feeble arms and fled the place 5 
 Ourselves beheld within the mazy grove, 
 Their guilty pleasures and adult'rous love. 
 
 First Eld. To judgment the ill-fated beauty 
 lead, 
 Ah ! would these eyes had ne'er beheld the deed. 
 
 AIR.—- SUSANNA. 
 
 If guiltless blood be your intent, 
 
 I here resign it all ; 
 Fearless of death as innocent, 
 I triumph in my fall ; 
 And if to fate my days must run, 
 Oh ! righteous heav'n, thy will be done. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — SECOND ELDER. 
 
 Quick to her fate the loose adultress bear> 
 Fair to the eye, yet falser than she's fair. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Let justice reign and flourish through the Iand t 
 Nor youth, nor charms, divert her iron hand. 
 
 RECITATIVE.— JO AC IM, 
 
 Is fair Susanna false ? It ne'er can be. 
 Detested scroll ! ne'er gain belief from me. 
 Is she not softer than the breath of love, 
 Fair as the roe, and constant as the dove ..> 
 
SUSANNA. 21-5 
 
 ■Hence let me speed to Babylon's proud walls, 
 Where danger threatens and Susanna calls. 
 air. — JOACIM. 
 On the rapid whirlwind's wing, 
 
 See I fly to seek the fair ; 
 On the rapid whirlwind's wing, 
 So I cleave the yielding airj 
 At my sight, 
 Fresh delight, 
 From her breast shall chase despair. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 O Joacim, thy wedded truth 
 Is warranted of heay'n ; 
 
 And to thy faith, 
 
 Illustrious youth, 
 Shall due reward be giv'n. 
 
 PART THE THIRD. 
 
 T 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 'HE cause is decided, 
 The sentence decreed, 
 Susanna is guilty, 
 Susanna must bleed. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — SUSANNA. 
 
 I hear my doom, nor yet the laws accuse, 
 The witnesses your much-wrong'd ears abuse. 
 Then welcome, death ! I meet you with delight. 
 And change this earth for realms of endless light, 
 
246 SUSAN ft A. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Faith displays her rosy wing, 
 Cherubs songs of gladness sing; 
 Virtue clad in bright array, 
 Streaming with eternal day, 
 Whispers in my ravish'd ear, 
 Innocence shall never fear; 
 Welcome to this bright abode, 
 Seat of angels, seat of God. 
 
 RECITATIVE.— FIRST ELDER. 
 
 Permit me, fair, to mourn thy fate severe, 
 And join thy sorrows with one pious tear. 
 
 AIR,— FIRST ELDER. 
 
 Round thy urn my tears shall flow, 
 Joy no more this heart shall know 5 
 The remembrance of thy woe, 
 
 Never ceasing, 
 
 Still encreasing, 
 With the length of time shall grow. 
 
 RECITATIVE.—SUSANNA. 
 
 s Tis thus the crocodile his grief displays, 
 Sheds the false dew, and while he weeps, betrays 3 
 Ah ! when I think what Joacim must feel, 
 This tortur'd heart can scarce its pangs conceal. 
 
 RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED.— SUSANNA, 
 
 But you, who see me on the verge of life, 
 I charge you greet him from his dying wife ; 
 Tell him, howe'er the elders have decreed, 
 Their impious lust provok'd the bloody deed , 
 And had Susanna plighted vows betray'd, 
 Beneath the cover of yon' conscious shade, 
 
SUSANNA. 2-17 
 
 Their venal tongues had spar'd her much wrong' d 
 
 name, 
 Nor mark'd her actions with the brand of shame. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — SECOND ELDER. 
 
 The sentence now is past, the wretch convey 
 To instant death. I'll hear no more, away ! 
 
 Dan. The blood of innocence with ceaseless cries 
 Shall cleave the womb of earth, and reach the skies. 
 First Eld. What voice is that so clam'rous in 
 the crowd, 
 That censures judgment in a tone so loud. 
 
 Dan. Fools that ye are, too forward to believe 
 A varnish'd tale invented to deceive ; 
 Reverse, reverse, the stern decree, 
 And let the chaste Susanna free. 
 Second Eld. Presumptuous boy, art thou to dic- 
 tate here ? 
 Think of thy youth, and shake with awful fear. 
 
 AIR. — DANIEL. 
 
 ? Tis not age's sullen face, 
 Wrinkl'd front, and solemn pace, 
 
 That the truly wise declares ; 
 Sacred wisdom oft appears 
 In the bloom of vernal years, 
 
 Oft she flies from silver hairs. 
 
 RECITATIVE.— A JUDGE. 
 
 Oh, wondrous youth ! rejudge the cause, 
 And from thy tongue pronounce the laws. 
 As she appears to thy discerning eye, 
 The fair we will acquit, or doom to die. 
 
24S SUSANNA. 
 
 Dan. If you demand that I the cause decide, 
 Her old accusers for awhile divide ; 
 Let not the one the other's questions hear, 
 For truth will ne'er in different garbs appear. 
 chorus. 
 
 Impartial heav'n, whose hand shall never cease 
 To cheer fair virtue with the balm of peace j 
 With thy own ardour bless the youth, 
 And guide his footsteps to the paths of truth. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — DANIEL. 
 
 Thou artful wretch ! in vice's practice grey, 
 Who sav'st the guilty, and the just would'st slay ; 
 Thou say'st, that lately with a wanton youth, 
 The fair Susanna broke her vows of truth 5 
 If so, what tree, declare, at once declare, 
 Stretch'd forth its boughs to screen the guilty pair? 
 
 First Eld. A verdant lentisk, pride of all the 
 grove, 
 Stood the gay witness of their lawless love. 
 
 Dan. False is thy tale, thy lips have utter' d lies, 
 And heav'n shall scourge you for your blasphemies. 
 And say, thou partner in the impious deed, 
 Of Canaan's sure, and not of Israel's seed ; 
 Beneath what tree you chaste Susanna saw, 
 Embrace her lover and transgress the law ? 
 
 Second Eld. Far to the west direct your strain- 
 ing eyes, 
 Where yon tall holm-tree darts into the skies 5 
 See his large boughs an ample shade afford : 
 There, there, Susanna wrong'd her wedded Lord. 
 
SUSANNA. 249 
 
 Dan. Vain is deceit, when Justice holds the scale. 
 The falsehood's flagrant by the vary'd tale. 
 Susanna ! from thy captive dungeon go, 
 Thy fame is whiter than iinsully'd snow. — 
 For you an ignominious death's decreed, 
 Virtue is clear'd, and impious guilt shall bleed ; 
 And hence be taught, who justice would dispense, 
 Should stop the ear to ev'ry soothing sense ; 
 Your mind be steel'd against each flatt'ring call, 
 For if you stumble you as surely fall. 
 Instant conduct them to their fate, 
 And rid my presence of a sight I hate ; 
 And hence let virtue never know a fear, 
 For in its dangers a kind help is near. 
 
 AIR.—DANIEL. 
 
 Chastity, thou cherub bright, 
 Gentle as the dawn of light, 
 
 Soft as music's dying strain, 
 Teach the fair how vain is beauty, 
 When she breaks the bonds of duty, 
 
 Vain are charms, and graces vain- 
 
 RECITATIVE. — SUSANNA. 
 
 But see, my Lord, my Joacim appears, 
 With the kind tutor of my infant years. 
 
 AIR. — JOACIM. 
 
 Gold within the furnace try'd, 
 Shall the sharp assay abide, 
 
 Purer from the purging fire ; 
 So shall virtue, when pursu'd 
 By foul envy's venom'd brood, 
 
 With superior grace aspire. 
 
250 SUSANNA. 
 
 RECITATIVE.— CHE LSI AS. 
 
 The joyful news of chaste Susanna's truth. 
 Wakes me to comfort, and recalls my youth. 
 
 Sus. Receive my thanks, they're all that I can pay 9 
 If I deserve, you pointed out the way. 
 
 AIR.- — CHELSIAS. 
 
 Raise your voice to sounds of joy, 
 Pierce the list'ning, list'ning skies. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Bless'd be the day that gave Susanna birth, 
 The chastest beauty that e'er grac'd the earth. 
 
 RECITATIVE.— -SUSANNA. 
 
 Hence ev'ry pang which late my soul oppressed ; 
 Comfort return and harbour in this breast ! 
 Nature, lest blessings should too quickly cloy, 
 Blends good with bad, and mixes tears with joy. 
 
 AIR. — SUSANNA. * 
 
 Guilt trembling spoke my doom, " 
 
 And vice her joy display'd, 
 Till truth dispell'd the gloom, 
 
 And came to virtue's aid. 
 Kind heav'n my pray'rs receive^ 
 
 They're due alone to thee ; 
 Oppression's left to grieve, 
 
 And innocence is free. 
 
 RECITATIVE. — JOACIM. 
 
 Sweet are the accents of the tuneful tongue, 
 Less sweet the lark begins her morning song; 
 Malice shall strive thy spotless fame to stain. 
 And raise her voice against my fair in vain* 
 
SUSANNA. 251 
 
 Sus. Lord of this heart, and of each warm desire, 
 With thee the flame began and shall expire. 
 
 DUET. 
 
 Jo a. To my chaste Susanna's praise, 
 
 I'll the swelling note prolong. 
 Sus. While my grateful voice I raise, 
 
 Thy dear name shall be the song. 
 Both. Echo catch the tender strains, 
 
 On thy wings the music bear, 
 Till it reach the distant plains 
 
 Dying in the void of air. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 A virtuous wife shall soften fortune's frown, 
 She's far more precious than a golden crown. 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 AIR. — CHELSIAS. 
 
 (EACE,crown'd with roses, on your slumbers wait, 
 And joyous plenty guard the op'ning gate. 
 
 END OF PART L 
 
In the Press, and speedily will be published, 
 
 MISCELLANEOUS PIECES, 
 
 AS SET TO MUSIC* 
 
 BY 
 
 GEO. FRED. HANDEL, 
 
 PART II. 
 
 CONTAINING, 
 
 Oratorios, Odes, ?3c. 
 ACTS ANDGALETEA, 
 ALCIDES, 
 
 ALEXANDER BALLS, 
 ALEXANDER'S FEAST, 
 CHOICE OF HERCULES, 
 HERCULES, 
 
 L'ALLEGRO, 1L PENSOROSO, 
 ODE ON CECILIA's-'DAY, 
 SEMELA, 
 THEODORA, 
 TRIUMPH OF TIME AND TRUTH. 
 
 Te Deutns and Atithems* 
 THE DETTINGEN TE DEUM ? 
 GRAND DITTO. 
 
 AND FOUR OTHERS, 
 A GRAND JUBILATE, 
 THREE CORONATION ANTHEMS 
 ODE ON THE BIRTH OF 0. ANN, 
 ANTHEM ON THE VICTORY OF 
 
 DETTINGEN, 
 ANTHEM FOR THE WEDDING OF 
 
 FREDERIC PRINCE OF WALES, 
 AND THIRTEEN OTHERS. 
 
 WITH 
 
 THE LIFE OF HANDEL, 
 
 AND 
 
 A GENERAL INDEX 
 

 
 
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