You've got an odd something-a kind of discerning-
A relish a taste-sicken'd over by learning;

At least, it's your temper, as very well known,
That you think very slightly of all that's your own:
So, perhaps, in your habits of thinking amiss,
You may make a mistake, and think slightly of this.

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,

THE CAPTIVITY.

ACT I-SCENE I.

ISRAELITES sitting on the Banks of the Euphrates.

First PROPHET.

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;
Insulted, chain'd, and all the world a foe,
Our God alone is all we boast below.

First PROPHET.

Air.

Our God is all we boast below,

To him we turn our eyes;
And every added weight of woe

Shall make our homage rise.

Second PROPHET.

And though no temple richly drest,
Nor sacrifice is here;

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,
And brings my long-lost country to mine eyes.
Ye fields of Sharon, dress'd in flowery pride;
Ye plains where Jordan rolls its glassy tide;

Ye hills of Lebanon, with cedars crown'd;
Ye Gilead groves, that fling perfumes around:
These hills how sweet! those plains how wond'rous fair?
But sweeter still, when Heaven was with us there.

Air.

O Memory, thou fond deceiver!

Still importunate and vain;

To former joys recurring ever,
And turning all the past to pain:

Hence, intruder, most distressing,
Seek the happy and the free;
The wretch who wants each other blessing,
Ever wants a friend in thee.