III.
Part III.
The Scene as before, with Spring and Summer, crowned, at the head of
their months. The waning of the year was described in a harmony
of four voices, and Autumn was invoked by the Chorus.
QUARTETT: SOPRANO, ALTO, TENOR, AND BASS; AND
CHORUS.
What see we now! The fields grow sere,
The gossamer floats along the lea,
The reaper shouts his harvest cheer,
The apple blushes on the tree.
The sportsman's crack rings merrily,
The yellow moon is round and clear,
By the driving clouds and the foaming sea,
Autumn, we charge thee, appear, appear.
So entered Autumn, and being in the midst, but uncrowned, sung of her
rich bestowals, and claimed her crown.
SOLO: TREBLE.
I come, the year waits me: I come to bestow
The ripe fruits that melt, and the colours that glow:
The gems of the sunset, the gold of the leaves,
The joy of the grape, and the wealth of the sheaves.
Come crown me, come crown me, ye months of my train,
None waited for Autumn and waited in vain:
The bright Summer's promise I come to fulfil,
For rich store and plenty 'tis Autumn brings still.
And then her months crowned her with a wreath of poppies and corn,
and with joyful music the curtain closed on the third part.