The Works of John Sheffield Earl of Mulgrave, Marquis of Normanby, and Duke of Buckingham. In two volumes ... The third edition, Corrected |
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| 3. | Third CHORUS. |
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 | The Works of John Sheffield |  |
Third CHORUS.
To be sung after the Third Act, by two aerial Spirits.I.
Tell, oh! tell me, whence arise
These Disorders in our Skies?
Rome's great Genius wildly gaz'd;
And the Gods seem all amaz'd.
271
Know, in Sight of this Day's Sun,
Such a Deed is to be done,
Black enough to shroud the Light
Of all this World in dismal Night.
I.
What is this Deed?
II.
To kill a Man,
The greatest since Mankind began:
Learned, eloquent, and wise,
Gen'rous, merciful, and brave!
I.
Yet not too great a Sacrifice,
The Liberty of Rome to save?
II.
But will not Goodness claim Regard;
And does not Worth deserve Reward?
I.
Dees not their Country lie at Stake?
Can they do too much for her Sake?
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Tho' dreadful be this Doom of Fate,
Just is that Pow'r which governs all:
Better this wond'rous Man should fall,
Than a most glorious, virtuous State.
| The Works of John Sheffield | |