III.
Recitative.
The Praise of Bacchus then the sweet Musician sung,
Of Bacchus ever Fair, and ever Young:
Behold he comes, the Victor God!
Flush'd with a purple Grace,
He shews his honest Face;
As when, by Tigers drawn, o'er India's Plains he rode,
While loud with Conquest and with Wine,
His jolly Troop around him reel'd along,
And taught the vocal Skies to join
In this applauding Song.
DUETTO.
Bacchus ever gay and young,
1.
First did Drinking Joys ordain:
2.
Bacchus' Blessings are a Treasure;
1.
Drinking is the Soldier's Pleasure:
2.
Rich the Treasure,
Both.
Sweet the Pleasure!
Sweet is Pleasure after Pain!