THE CAPTIVITY. AN ORATORIO.* * [Written in 1764, and now printed from the original manuscript, in Goldsmith's handwriting. in the possession of Mr. Murray.-See LIFE, ch. ziv.1 THE PERSONS. FIRST JEWISH PROPHET. SECOND JEWISH PROPHET. ISRAELITISH WOMAN. FIRST CHALDEAN PRIEST. SECOND CHALDEAN PRIEST. CHALDEAN WOMAN. CHORUS OF YOUTHS AND VIRGINS. SCENE.-The Banks of the River Euphrates, near Babylon. Recitative. Ye captive tribes, that hourly work and weep, Where flows Euphrates, murmuring to the deep; Suspend awhile the task, the tear suspend, And turn to God, your father and your friend; First PROPHET. Second PROPHET. And though no temple richly drest, We'll make his temple in our breast, And offer up a tear. The first stanza repeated by the CHORUS. Second PROPHET. Recitative. That strain once more: it bids remembrance rise, Ye hills of Lebanon, with cedars crown'd; Air. O Memory, thou fond deceiver! Still importunate and vain ; And turning all the past to pain: Hence, intruder, most distressing, Yet, why complain? What, though by bonds confin'd, And as our fortune sinks, our wishes soar. Air. The triumphs that on vice attend The good man suffers but to gain, As aromatic plants bestow No spicy fragrance while they grow, Second PROPHET. Recitative. But hush, my sons! our tyrant lords are near; The sound of barbarous mirth offends mine ear; |