See where an army covers all the ground, Chorus of ISRAELITES. Down with them, Lord, to lick the dust, Serve them as they have serv'd the just, And let thy will be done. First PRIEST. Recitative. All, all is lost. The Syrian army fails, First and Second PRIEST. Thrice happy, who in happy hour First PROPHET. Recitative. Now, now's our time! ye wretches bold and blind, Air. O Lucifer, thou son of morn, Alike of Heaven and man the foe; Heaven, men, and all, Now press thy fall, And sink thee lowest of the low. First PROPHET. O Babylon, how art thou fallen! Thy fall more dreadful from delay! Thy streets forlorn To wilds shall turn, Where toads shall pant and vultures prey. Second PROPHET. Recitative. Such be her fate! But listen! from afar The clarion's note proclaims the finish'd war. He comes pursuant to divine decree, To chain the strong, and set the captive free. Chorus of YOUTHS. Rise to transports past expressing, Chorus of VIRGINS. Cyrus comes, the world redressing, Semi-Chorus. Hail to him with mercy reigning, Last Chorus. But chief to Thee, our God, defender, friend, O Thou, without beginning, without end, THRENODIA AUGUSTALIS.1 SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF HER LATE ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCESS DOWAGER OF WALES. SPOKEN AND SUNG IN THE GREAT ROOM IN SOHO SQUARE, THURSDAY, FEB. 20, 1772. ADVERTISEMENT. THE following may more properly be termed a compilation than a poem. It was prepared for the composer in little more than two days; and may therefore rather be considered as an industrious effort of gratitude than of genius. In justice to the composer, it may likewise be right to inform the public that the music was adapted in a period of time equally short. SPEAKERS. MR. LEE AND MRS. BELLAMY. SINGERS. MR. CHAMPNES, MR. DINE, AND MISS JAMESON. The music prepared and adapted by Signor Vento. 1 This poem was first printed by Mr. Chalmers from a copy given by Goldsmith to his friend, Joseph Cradock, Esq. of Gumley, author of Zobeide, &c., and lent to Mr. Chalmers by Mr. Nicholls. v. Br. Poets, vol. xvi. p. 509. |