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SCENE changes, and discovers the Chorus, consisting of of Gouty Men and Women, marching in Procession to the Temple of the Gout, with Musick and Dancing.
Chorus.
To tender Attis, beardless Boy,
The howling Phrygian Throng
On Cybele's high Mountain chant
Th'enthusiastick Song.

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On yellow Tmolus' flow'ry Top
The Lydian Youth around
For Comus mix the warbling Voice
And Flute's melodious Sound.
With clashing Arms, in frantick Mood,
The mad Idæan Train
Attemper to the Cretan Dance
Their holy ritual Strain.
To Mars, the furious God of War,
The swelling Trumpets breathe,
Preluding to contentious Strife,
To Battle, Blood, and Death.
But we, O Gout, afflictive Pow'r!
We thy sad Votaries,
In Sighs and Groans to thee perform
Our annual Sacrifice:
When usher'd by the blushing Hours
The genial Spring appears;
And ev'ry Flow'r-embroider'd Vale
Its verdant Mantle wears:
When Zephyr on each pregnant Tree
Calls forth the tender Leaves;
And her sad Nest the Swallow builds
Beneath the friendly Eaves:

248

When in the Grove, at Midnight Hour,
Disconsolate, alone,
For Itys lost th'Athenian Bird
Renews her plaintive Moan.

[Exit Chorus.