SCENE I.
The GUARDIAN ANGELS.
RECITATIVE.
Our charge, tho' unsuccessful, is fulfill'd.
The Tempter hath prevail'd, and Man is fall'n.
Earth felt the wound, and Nature, from her seat
Sighing thro' all her works, gave signs of woe,
That all was lost. The fatal omens reach'd
Our glitt'ring files, and thro' th'angelic guard
Spread sadness, mixt with pity, not with guilt,
Or conscious negligence. After short pause,
Earth trembled from her entrails, as again
In pangs, and Nature gave a second groan;
Sky lower'd, and, mutt'ring thunder, some sad drops
Wept at compleating of the mortal sin.
Now up to Heav'n we haste, before the throne
Supreme, t'approve our faithful vigilance.
CHORUS.
“Righteous art thou, O Lord! and just are thy judgments.
“HALLELUJAH!”
RECITATIVE.
But see! with visage discompos'd, and dim'd
With passions foul, like this late azure clime
With clouds, and storms o'ercast, the human pair
Bend hitherward their steps disconsolate.
