Enter CHALDEAN PRIESTS, attended. First PRIEST. Air. Come on, my companions, the triumph display; The sun calls us out on this festival day, Second PRIEST. Like the sun, our great monarch all pleasure supplies; The sun with his splendour illumines the skies, Chaldean WOMAN. Air. Haste, ye sprightly sons of pleasure; Chaldean ATTENDANT. Or rather Love's delights despising, Wine shall bless the brave and free. Second PRIEST. Wine and beauty thus inviting, Each to different joys exciting, Whither shall my choice incline? First PRIEST. I'll waste no longer thought in choosing: I'll make them both together mine. Recitative. But whence, when joy should brighten o'er the land, Second PROPHET. Bow'd down with chains, the scorn of all mankind, To want, to toil, and every ill consign'd, Is this a time to bid us raise the strain, And mix in rites that Heaven regards with pain? First PRIEST. Insulting slaves! if gentler methods fail, The whip and angry tortures shall prevail. [Exeunt CHALDEANS. First PROPHET. Why, let them come, one good remains to cheer; We fear the Lord, and know no other fear. Chorus. Can whips or tortures hurt the mind [Exeunt. ACT II. Scene as before. · Chorus of ISRAELITES. O Peace of Mind, angelic guest! Thou soft companion of the breast! Wing all our thoughts to reach the skies, Shall vanish as we soar. First PRIEST. Recitative. No more! Too long has justice been delay'd; But if, rebellious to his high command, Second PRIEST. Air. Fierce is the whirlwind howling Less dreadful show To worlds below Than angry monarch's raging. ISRAELITISH WOMAN. Recitative. Ah, me! what angry terrors round us grow; To-morrow's tears may wash our stains away. 7 Air. To the last moment of his breath, Hope, like the gleaming taper's light, Second PRIEST. Recitative. Why this delay? At length for joy prepare; 1 "The wretch condemn'd with life to part, And every pang that rends the heart Bids expectation rise."-Orig. MS. 2 "Fatigued with life, yet loth to part, 66 And every blow that sinks the heart, Hope, like the taper's gleamy light, And still, as darker grows the night, Emits a brighter ray."-Orig. MS. |