University of Virginia Library

2. PART II.

The Lower Court of Windsor Castle, with a View of the Round Tower, the outside of St. George's Chapel, &c.
A TROOP OF FAIRIES.
RECITATIVE, ACCOMPANIED.
FIRST FAIRY.
Well were the solemn rites begun;
And tho' but lighted by the Moon,
They shew'd as rich as if the Sun
Had made the Night his Noon.
Wonder none they were so bright!
The Moon then borrow'd from a greater light.
Then, Princely Oberon,
Go on!
Such is not every Night.

AIR.

Tho' the Moon be gone to bed,
Fairies must not hide the head;
But sing, dance, and revel on,
In honour of Young Oberon.

RECITATIVE.
SECOND FAIRY.
And sweet Osnaphil his Brother,
Arthur hails him such another;
Edward too enjoins the rites,
To rank him with the listed Knights:
Worthy each alike to spring
From the Fairy Queen and King.

FIRST FAIRY.
Now then, blythe Elves, in tunes express
The Sovereign and his Emperess,
While all confess the proper Heir
Assign'd to Arthur's Crowns and Chair.

DUET.
[First Fairy., Second Fairy.]

RECITATIVE.
FIRST FAIRY.
Now, Faies and Elves, your tasks about;
The Castle search within and out:

SECOND FAIRY.
Strew good luck on every room,
Fix'd till the perpetual doom;

FIRST FAIRY.
The several chairs of Order scour,
With juice of ev'ry precious flower;

SECOND FAIRY.
Each fair instalment-coat, and crest,
With loyal blazon still be blest;
AIR.
RECITATIVE.
“In em'rald tufts the motto write,
“Of flow'rs purple, blue, and white;
“Like saphire, pearl, embroidery,
“Buckled below fair Knighthood's knee.”
Away, disperse; the white plum'd Train
Begin their march along the plain,
In solemn Pomp from yonder Hall;
Vanish, and attend my call!

[Exeunt Fairies.
Manent the Two principal Fairies.
AIR.
SECOND FAIRY.
Melt earth to sea, sea flow to air,
And air fly into fire,
While we in songs to Arthur's chair
Bear Oberon's desire!

[Exeunt.
THE PROCESSION TO St. George's Chapel, OF THE SOVEREIGN, KNIGHTS COMPANIONS, KNIGHTS ELECT, &c. &c. &c. Which closes the Second Part.