Triumphant music floats along the vale; Near, nearer still, it gathers on the gale; The growing sound their swift approach declares;— 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 rapture supplies, The sun with his splendor illumines the skies, A Chaldean WOMAN. Air. Haste, ye sprightly sons of pleasure; A Chaldean ATTENDANT. Or rather Love's delights despising, Wine shall bless the brave and free. First PRIEST. Wine and beauty thus inviting, Each to different joys exciting, Second 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 whips and angry tortures shall prevail. [Exeunt CHALDEANS. First PROPHET. Why, let them come, one good remains to cheer; 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! Dispense thy balmy store: 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; The king's command must fully be obey'd; Compliance with his will your peace secures, You spurn the favors offer'd at his hand; Second PRIEST. Air. Fierce is the whirlwind howling And fierce the tempest rolling Along the furrow'd main: Less dreadful show To worlds below Than angry monarch's raging. ISRAELITISH WOMAN. Recitative. Ah, me! what angry terrors round us grow: How shrinks my soul to meet the threaten'd blow! Air. To the last moment of his breath, Bids expectation rise. Hope, like the gleaming taper's light, And still, as darker grows the night, Second PRIEST. Why this delay? At length for joy prepare; CHALDEAN WOMAN. Air. See the ruddy morning smiling, Hear the grove to bliss beguiling; Zephyrs through the woodland playing, [Fatigued with life, yet loth to part, On hope the wretch relies; 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) |