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ACT V.


159

ACT V.

Messenger, Chorus, Pisthetærus.
Messenger.
O fortunate, beyond expression fortunate,
O ye thrice blest, ye winged race of birds,
Welcome your king, and to his goodly home
Conduct him. For he comes, in brightness such
As never darted from all-glittering star
In its high dome that beams with radiant gold;
Nor ever such a blaze of glory shone
From the sun's inextinguishable fire.
And in his pomp he leads a bride, how fair
No words may tell; and in his hand doth grasp,
Brandishing, thunder, the wing'd bolt of Jove.
Unutterable odours to the depth
Pervade the circle; and from incense sprung,
Sweet marvel to behold, the lightsome airs
Mount and shave through the wreathed curl of smoke.

160

And lo! himself is here! But now behoves
The heavenly Muse should lift her sacred voice.

Semichorus.
Above, below, beside, around,
Let your veering flight be wound.
Clasp him with upraised pinion,
Fortune's ever-blessed minion.
Oh! what beauty! Oh! what grace!
Thrice happy thou that dost embrace
In holy wedlock thy loved mate,
Pride and glory of our state.

Semichorus.
Mighty the joys that betide
This city through him and his bride.
Welcome, welcome, with loud glee,
Marriage song and jubilee,
Him and his beautiful Basilee.

Semichorus.
T'Olympian Juno's couch of yore,
Fates divine in triumph bore
Him, whose nod did shake the skies,
Join'd in like solemnities.
Golden-feather'd Love the while,
Beaming forth a heavenly smile,

161

Guided the bending reins
O'er the star-sown plains,
At those nuptials to preside
Of Jove and his imperial bride.
To Hymen, Hymen, raise the song;
To Hymen, Hymen, yet a louder note prolong.

Pisthetærus.
With joy I hear your sacred hymns,
With joy your melodies I hear,
And rapt delight. But come, call now
His own dread earthly thunders forth,
And fiery levin-brands of Jove,
And the white vollied lightning.

Chorus.
O thou great golden light of levin-brand,
O deathless fiery weapon of Jove's hand,
And with thee the deep thunders that do pour
A stormy deluge mingling with their roar,
That shake e'en now this earthly ball;
By thee he reigneth lord of all,
Holding his beautiful Basilee,
Jove's assessor, won by thee.
To Hymen, Hymen, raise the song;
To Hymen yet a louder note prolong.

162

Now aloft in mirthful glee
Flits our plumed pageantry.
Follow all ye tribes, whoe'er
With light wings beat the yielding air,
Follow, follow now our wedding
To Jove's house and to the bedding.
Stretch thy hand, O blessed bride,
Take my wings and dance with me;
Floating upward at my side
Thus in airy buoyancy.
On! On! Io Pæan!
Shout Victory! Victory!
O first of immortals!
O chief of the sky!