fa.

That stein

once more it bids remembrance rise

And brings my long lost country to mine eyes.

The Captivity P. 28.

TIBLIO

The sounds of barbarous pleasure strike mine ear; Triumphant music floats along the vale;

Near, nearer still, it gathers on the gale:

The growing sound their swift approach declares ;Desist, my sons, nor mix the strain with theirs.

Enter CHALDEAN PRIESTS attended.

FIRST PRIEST.

Air.

Come on, my companions, the triumph display,

Let rapture the minutes employ;

The sun calls us out on this festival day,
And our monarch partakes in the joy.

SECOND PRIEST.

Like the sun, our great monarch all rapture supplies,
Both similar blessings bestow:

The sun with his splendour illumines the skies,
And our monarch enlivens below.

A CHALDEAN WOMAN.

Air.

Haste, ye sprightly sons of pleasure
Love presents the fairest treasure,
Leave all other joys for me.

A CHALDEAN ATTENDANT.

Or rather Love's delights despising,
Haste to raptures ever rising,

Wine shall bless the brave and free.

FIRST PRIEST.

Wine and beauty thus inviting,

Each to different joys exciting,

Whether shall my choice incline?

SECOND PRIEST.

I'll waste no longer thought in choosing
But neither this nor that refusing,
I'll make them both together mine.

FIRST PRIEST.

Recitative.

But whence, when joy should brighten o'er the land,
This sullen gloom in Judah's captive band?
Ye sons of Judah, why the lute unstrung?
Or why those harps on yonder willows hung?
Come, take the lyre, and pour the strain along,
The day demands it; sing us Sion's song.
Dismiss your griefs, and join our warbling choir;
For who like you can wake the sleeping lyre?

SECOND PROPHET.

Chain'd as we are, the scorn of all mankind,
To want, to toil, and every ill consign'd,

Is this a time to bid us raise the strain,
Or mix in rites that Heaven regards with pain?
No, never! May this hand forget each art
That wakes to finest joys the human heart,
Ere I forget the land that gave me birth,
Or join to sounds profane its sacred mirth!

FIRST PRIEST.

Rebellious slaves! if soft persuasion fail,

More formidable terrors shall prevail.

FIRST PROPHET.

[Exeunt CHALDEANS

Why, let them come! one good remains to cheer-
We fear the Lord, and scorn all other fear.

No more! Too long has justice been delay'd;
The king's commands must fully be obey'd:
Compliance with his will your peace secures,
Praise but our gods, and every good is yours.
But if, rebellious to his high command,
You spurn the favours offer'd at his hand,