From MAC FLECKNOE SHADWELL ALL humane things are subject to decay, Cry'd, "'T is resolved, for Nature pleads that he "Shadwell alone my perfect image bears, "Mature in dulness from his tender years; "Shadwell alone of all my sons is he "Who stands confirm'd in full stupidity. "The rest to some faint meaning make pretence, 5 1Ο 15 20 25 "Heywood and Shirley were but types of thee, "Thou last great prophet of tautology." Here stopped the good old syre and wept for joy, . In silent raptures of the hopeful boy. All arguments, but most his plays, perswade That for anointed dulness he was made. ALEXANDER'S FEAST; OR, THE POWER OF MUSIC A SONG IN HONOUR OF ST. CECILIA'S DAY: 1697 I 'T WAS at the royal feast for Persia won By Philip's warlike son: Aloft in awful state 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). 30 The lovely Thais, by his side, Sate like a blooming Eastern bride, 10 In flower of youth and beauty's pride. Happy, happy, happy pair! None but the brave, 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. 5 15 2 Timotheus, placed on high With flying fingers touched the lyre : The song began from Jove, A dragon's fiery form belied the god: And while he sought her snowy breast, 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: The monarch hears, Assumes the god, 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. 35 40 45 3 The praise of Bacchus then the sweet musician sung, Of Bacchus ever fair, and ever young. The jolly god in triumph comes; Sound the trumpets, beat the drums; He shows his honest face: Now give the hautboys breath; he comes, he comes. Bacchus, ever fair and young, Drinking joys did first ordain; Sweet the pleasure, Sweet is pleasure after pain. CHORUS Bacchus' blessings are a treasure, Drinking is the soldier's pleasure; Rich the treasure, Sweet the pleasure, Sweet is pleasure after pain. 4 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 slain. The master saw the madness rise, His glowing cheeks, his ardent eyes; And while he heaven and earth defied, Changed his hand, and checked his pride. Soft pity to infuse; He sung Darius great and good, By too severe a fate, Fallen, fallen, fallen, fallen, 50 55 60 65 70 75 Fallen from his high estate, Deserted at his utmost need With downcast looks the joyless victor sate, The various turns of chance below; CHORUS Revolving in his altered soul The various turns of chance below; 5 The mighty master smiled to see Never ending, still beginning, Lovely Thais sits beside thee, Take the good the gods provide thee. The many rend the skies with loud applause; |