 | Zimri |  |
SCENE V.
To Zimri, Cosbi and Chorus of Midianitish Women.Recitative accompanied.
Zim.
Again she comes! my resolution fails,
As morning vapours vanish from the sun.
Recitative.
Cos.
Impatient of thy absence, I return.
Ah, let me hear thy voice, and see thee smile.
Zim.
I cannot speak—
Cos.
I must not, cannot lose thee!
Thus let me grasp thy hand, and gaze upon thee.
And now, my lovely hero, tell me true,
Has this stern Moses frown'd away thy love?
Zim.
Oh, leave me now, nor farther urge thy pow'r;
Lest for another momentary dream,
I cast eternal happiness away.
Cos.
Leave to the gods eternity; nor trust
For aught to-morrow, which to-day can give.
Air.
For aught to-morrow, which to-day can give.
The future is not mine nor thine;
The past, alas! no more returns:
Let love our souls this moment join;
For us his lamp this moment burns.
The past, alas! no more returns:
Let love our souls this moment join;
For us his lamp this moment burns.
Recitative.
Zim.
Again my soul has caught the sweet infection;
Again I feel the phrenzy of desire!
Air.
Again I feel the phrenzy of desire!
Yes, though around me thousands die,
While yet I live, I'll life improve;
The posting moments as they fly
I'll catch, and fill the last with love.
While yet I live, I'll life improve;
The posting moments as they fly
I'll catch, and fill the last with love.
Chorus.
Mortals, thus with haste possess
All that fortune gives to bless;
And, despising slavish rules,
Leave the joys of hope to fools!
[Exeunt.
| Zimri | |