SYLVIA.

RECITATIVE,

O prudent Sage forgive the zeal
Of thoughtless youth. With thee I feel,
The glories now Arcadia fhares

May but embitter future cares.

Oh mighty Pan! attend Arcadia's voice, Infpire, direct, and fanctify his choice.

AIR.

So may

all thy fylvan train,

Dryad, nymph, and rustic faun, To the pipe and merry strain,

Trip it o'er the ruffet lawn!

May no thorn or bearded grass
Hurt their footsteps as they pafs,

Whilft

Whilft in gambols round and round
They sport it o'er the fhaven ground!

Though thy Syrinx, like a dream,
Flying at the face of day,
Vanish'd in the limpid stream,
Bearing all thy hopes away,
If again thy heart should burn,
In careffing,

Bleft, and bleffing,

May'st thou find a wish'd return.

CHOR U S.

O mighty Pan! attend Arcadia's voice, Inspire, direct, and fanctify his choice.

[A dance of huntsmen and huntresses.

DAMÆTAS,

DAMÆTAS.

RECITATIVE.

Peace, fhepherds, peace, with jocund air,
Which speaks a heart unknown to care,
Young Delia haftes. The glad furprize
Of rapture flashing from her eyes.

Enter DELIA.

DELIA.

AIR.

Shepherds, fhepherds, come away;

Sadness were a fin to-day.

Let the pipe's merry notes aid the skill of the voice;

For our wishes are crown'd, and our hearts fhall rejoice.

Rejoice, and be glad ;

For fure he is mad

N n

Who,

Who, where mirth and good humour, and harmony's

found,

Never catches the fmile, nor lets pleasure go

Let the stupid be grave,

'Tis the vice of the flave;

But can never agree

With a maiden like me,

round.

Who is born in a country that's happy and free.

DAMÆTAS.

RECITATIVE.

What means this rapture, Delia? Shew
Th' event our bofoms burn to know.

Where Ladon rolls its filver tide,
All gayly deck'd in gorgeous state,
Sail'd a proud barge of richeft freight :

Where

Where fat a nymph, more fresh and fair
Than bloffoms which the morning air
Steals perfume from; the modeft grace
Of maiden blush bespread her face.
Hither it made, and on this ftrand
Pour'd its rich freight for fhepherds' land.
Ladon, for this, fmooth flow thy tide!
The precious freight was Thyrfis' bride.

DAMÆTA S.

RECITATIVE.

Stop, fhepherds, if aright I hear,
The founds of joy proclaim them near :
Lets meet them, friends, I'll lead the way;
Joy makes me young again to-day.