A SONG FOR ST. CECILIA'S DAY, 1687 FROM harmony, from heavenly harmony, And could not heave her head, Then cold and hot, and moist and dry, From harmony, from heavenly harmony, Through all the compass of the notes it ran, What passion cannot Music raise and quell? 15 Less than a God they thought there could not dwell Within the hollow of that shell, That spoke so sweetly and so well. What passion cannot Music raise and quell? 24 The trumpet's loud clangor Excites us to arms, And mortal alarms. The double double double beat Of the thundering drum Cries, Hark! the foes come; Charge, charge, 't is too late to retreat! The soft complaining flute In dying notes discovers The woes of hopeless lovers, Whose dirge is whispered by the warbling lute. Sharp violins proclaim Their jealous pangs, and desperation, Fury, frantic indignation, Depth of pains and height of passion, But O, what art can teach, Notes that wing their heavenly ways 32 Orpheus could lead the savage race, But bright Cecilia raised the wonder higher: 54 1687. GRAND CHORUS As from the power of sacred lays So, when the last and dreadful hour The dead shall live, the living die, John Dryden. 63 ALEXANDER'S FEAST; OR, THE POWER OF MUSIC '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); The lovely Thais, by his side, Sate like a blooming Eastern bride 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. 15 CHORUS Happy, happy, happy pair! None but the brave, None but the brave, None but the brave deserves the fair. Timotheus, placed on high Amid the tuneful choir, With flying fingers touched the lyre; The trembling notes ascend the sky, And heavenly joys inspire. The song began from Jove, Who left his blissful seats above (Such is the power of mighty love). A dragon's fiery form belied the god; When he to fair Olympia pressed, 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. 19 The listening crowd admire the lofty sound, A present deity! the vaulted roofs rebound. The monarch hears, Affects to nod, And seems to shake the spheres. CHORUS With ravished ears Assumes the god, And seems to shake the spheres. The praise of Bacchus then the sweet musician sung, Of Bacchus-ever fair and ever young: 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, 46 60 |