35 45 50 IV The soft, complaining flute, In dying notes, discovers The woes of hopeless lovers; Whose dirge is whispered by the warbling lute. V Sharp violins proclaim Their jealous pangs, and desperation, Fury, frantic indignation, Depth of pains, and height of passion, For the fair, disdainful dame. VI But, oh! what art can teach, Notes inspiring holy love, To mend the choirs above. VII Orpheus could lead the savage race; Sequacious of the lyre: But bright Cecilia raised the wonder higher; When to her organ vocal breath was given, An angel heard, and straight appeared, Mistaking earth for heaven. GRAND CHORUS As from the power of sacred lays So when the last and dreadful hour 55 60 ALEXANDER'S FEAST OR, THE POWER OF MUSIC I 'Twas at a royal feast, for Persia won By Philip's warlike son: The godlike hero sate On his imperial throne. His valiant peers were placed around; Their brows with roses and with myrtles bound: (So should desert in arms be crowned.) C 5 ΙΟ 15 The lovely Thais, by his side, Sate like a blooming eastern bride, In flower of youth and beauty's pride. None but the brave, None but the brave deserves the fair. CHORUS Happy, happy, happy pair! None but the brave, None but the brave, None but the brave deserves the fair. II Timotheus, placed on high Amid the tuneful choir, With flying fingers touched the lyre: The song began from Jove, When he to fair Olympia pressed, Then, round her slender waist he curled, And stamped an image of himself, a sovereign of the world. The listening crowd admire the lofty sound, A present deity! they shout around; A present deity! the vaulted roofs rebound. With ravished ears, The monarch hears; Affects to nod, And seems to shake the spheres CHORUS With ravished ears The monarch hears; Assumes the god, Affects to nod, And seems to shake the spheres. III The praise of Bacchus, then, the sweet musician sung; Of Bacchus ever fair, and ever young. Sound the trumpets, beat the drums; Flushed with a purple grace He shows his honest face: Now, give the hautboys breath; he comes, he comes. 35 40 45 50 Soothed with the sound, the king grew vain: Fought all his battles o'er again; And thrice he routed all his foes, and thrice he slew the The master saw the madness rise, His glowing cheeks, his ardent eyes; And, while he heaven and earth defied, Soft pity to infuse, He sung Darius great and good |