War, he sung, is toil and trouble; Honour, but an empty bubble; Never ending, still beginning, Lovely Thais sits besides thee, Take the good the gods provide thee. The many rend the skies with loud applause; 100 105 So Love was crown'd, but Music won the cause. The prince, unable to conceal his pain, Gaz'd on the fair Who caus'd his care, 110 And sigh'd and look'd, sigh'd and look'd, Sigh'd and look'd, and sigh'd again: At length, with love and wine at once oppress'd, The vanquish'd victor sunk upon her breast. CHORUS. The prince, unable to conceal his pain, Gaz'd on the fair Who caus'd his care, 115 And sigh'd and look'd, sigh'd and look'd, Sigh'd and look'd, and sigh'd again: 120 At length, with love and wine at once oppress'd, The vanquish'd victor sunk upon her breast. VI. Now strike the golden lyre again : A louder yet, and yet a louder strain. Break his bands of sleep asunder, And rouse him, like a rattling peal of thunder. 125 As awak'd from the dead, And amaz'd, he stares around. Revenge, revenge, Timotheus cries, See the furies arise: See the snakes that they rear, And the sparkles that flash from their eyes! Each a torch in his hand! 130 Those are Grecian ghosts, that in battle were slain, And unburied remain Inglorious on the plain : Give the vengeance due To the valiant crew. Behold how they toss their torches on high, 140 145 And glittering temples of their hostile gods. To light him to his prey, And, like another Helen, fir'd another Troy. 150 CHORUS. And the king seiz'd a flambeau with zeal to destroy; Thais led the way, To light him to his prey, And, like another Helen, fir'd another Troy. VII. Thus, long ago, Ere heaving bellows learn'd to blow, 155 Could swell the soul to rage, or kindle soft desire. At last divine Cecilia came, Inventress of the vocal frame; The sweet enthusiast, from her sacred store, And added length to solemn sounds, 165 With nature's mother-wit, and arts unknown beLet old Timotheus yield the prize, Or both divide the crown; He rais'd a mortal to the skies; She drew an angel down. GRAND CHORUS. At last divine Cecilia came, The sweet enthusiast, from her sacred store, And added length to solemn sounds, [fore. 170 175 With nature's mother-wit, and arts unknown beLet old Timotheus yield the prize, Or both divide the crown; He rais'd a mortal to the skies; She drew an angel down. [fore. 180 5 10 VENI CREATOR SPIRITUS, PARAPHRASED. CREATOR Spirit, by whose aid The world's foundations first were laid, Come visit every pious mind; Plenteous of grace, descend from high, Rich in thy sevenfold energy ! Thou strength of his Almighty hand, Whose power does heaven and earth command. Proceeding Spirit, our defence, Who dost the gifts of tongues dispense, Refine and purge our earthly parts; Then lay thy hand, and hold 'em down. 15 20 Chase from our minds the infernal foe, And peace, the fruit of love, bestow; And lest our feet should step astray, Protect and guide us in the way. Make us eternal truths receive, And practise all that we believe: Give us thyself, that we may see Immortal honour, endless fame, Eternal Paraclete, to thee. 30 35 THE SECULAR MASQUE. Enter JANUS. JANUS. CHRONOS, Chronos, mend thy pace, Behold, behold, the goal in sight, 5 39 Eternal Paraclete] This is a most elegant and beautiful little morsel, and one of his most correct compositions. Its poetry and piety aid each other. Dr. J. W. |