REASON's TRIUMPH: A CANTATA.
RECITATIVO.
Beneath an aged Oak, whose verdant Head
Stretch'd o'er the Vale its venerable Shade;
Beside a Brook, whose Bosom, all serene,
Reflected back the Beauties of the Scene,
That various Flowers that on the Border grew,
The Grove's gay Verdure, and the Sky's clear blue,
Young Strephon lay: Strephon the blythest Swain
That ever pip'd or danc'd upon the Plain;
Of all Love's Votaries, since old Adam's Fall,
None deeper drank the Honey, or the Gall;
But, freed at length, the Chain no more can bind,
Returning Reason opens on his Mind,
New Prospects dawn, new Hopes his Thoughts employ;
And thus he hails the Birth-Day of his Joy.
AIR.
Sweet Liberty! celestial Guest!
Welcome—O welcome to my Breast!
Too long from thence by Passion driven,
Thou best, thou noblest Gift of Heaven!
No more I drag the servile Chain;
No more I sigh; no more I mourn;
Fair Reason now resumes her Reign;
And Peace and Joy again return.
RECITATIVO.
Thus while the Shepherd sung, the feather'd Throng
Catch the soft Sounds, and imitate his Song;
Fir'd by the Theme, on trembling Wings they rise,
And pour a Flood of Music through the Skies;
All Nature smiles; sweet Echo swells the Voice;
The Hills, the Fountains, and the Groves rejoice:
When thus the Youth his Song begins again;
And pleas'd Attention waits upon the Strain.
AIR.
Thou Tyrant God, with all thy Train
Of anxious Fears, and wasting Pain,
The restless Wish, the Tear, the Sigh,
And Jealousy with jaundic'd Eye,
Hence farewell!—My Heart is free,
Restor'd to Peace and Liberty.
Now, no more I dread thy Power—
At thy Shrine no more I bow—
Hence begone!—thy Reign is o'er—
Tyrant!—I defy thee now.
My Cares are gone; my Sorrows cease;
My Breast regains its wonted Peace;
And Joy, and Hope, returning, prove
Reason is too strong for Love.
