University of Virginia Library

Scene changes to a Grove.
Enter Cloe and Delia.
Cloe.
O my fair Friend, since to this sacred Grove,
Our last Retreat, the boisterous Hand of War
Has driven us forth, and chang'd our sumptuous Robes
To Shepherd's Weeds; here let us stay, and like
Sad Israel's Daughters on Euphrates' Bank,
Think on past Times, and weep our present Woes.


SONG.
When will War and Tumult cease?
When the jarring World have Peace?
While Ambition, bold and blind,
Leagu'd with Discord sways Mankind;
While for Rule, and not for Right,
Kings contend, and Nations fight:
How should War and Tumult cease?
How the jarring World have Peace?

Delia.
Alas, the frighted Maid, fair Peace, is fled;
And War spreads round his Terrors. Hark, loud Shouts,
[Drums, Trumpets and Shouting at a Distance.
Wild Uproar and Confusion rend the Heavens!
The madding Hosts engage.—Ev'n while I speak,
Troops of brave Men are snatch'd by War's fell Hand,
And dash'd upon the Earth in slaughter'd Heaps.

SONG.

Enter Damon and Thirsis.
Damon.
Cease your Complaints, my fair Associates, cease;
And let Despair give place to white-wing'd Hope.
Methinks I hear from every joyful Tongue
The Name of Peace! On the sweet Sound they dwell
With Rapture: every Eye seems pleas'd; and Joy,
The Smile of Joy enlivens every Face.

Thirsis.
SONG.
The Heroes preparing to finish the War,
And bid to the Camp an Adieu;
Now sheath up their Swords, and rejoice, O ye Fair,
To think of returning to you.
With Smiles then, dear Lasses, embellish your Charms,
Your Lovers with Rapture will come;
O take the brave Fellows close into your Arms,
And tenderly welcome them Home.

Enter Strephon.
Strephon.
Rejoice, my dear Companions, the great Work,
The Object of our Wishes, is accomplish'd.
War's discontented Follower, pale-ey'd Want,
In Vengeance for the Miseries he hath felt,
And to obtain fair Plenty's favouring Smile,
Th'Enjoyment of whose Charms he long had soughht,
Hath bound the Tyrant, with his Iron Hand,
In Chains, and leads him to the Fane of Peace:
Haste, let us follow, and partake the Triumph.


A DUET.
With new Pleasure now we'll rove,
Dancing, singing, through the Grove;
Echo, pleas'd to hear our Song,
Shall each warbling Note prolong.

[A rural Dance of Hay-Makers, Reapers, Gardeners, &c.
[Exeunt.
At the Conclusion of this Scene, the Musick changes to a soft Symphony of Flutes, and the Goddess of Peace descends in a triumphal Car borne upon the Clouds, which breaking, she is discover'd in her Temple, attended by Justice, Liberty, Commerce and Science. War with his Hands fetter'd, stands in a dejected Posture before her; Power, Ambition and Contention attending.
Re-enter the Shepherds and Shepherdesses.
Strephon.
Hail, loveliest Goddess, fairest of the Train
Celestial, who preside o'er Human Life!
Hail to the smiling View of happier Times
From thy benignant Influence arising?
Th'ingenious Artizan, the labouring Farmer,
The Tradesman, Merchant, all, with Hearts united,
Rejoice, fair Peace, and hail thy dear Return.
The Sons of Learning too, whose Breasts the Love
Of Arts and useful Science warms, exult
With higher Joy, and hope the golden Days
Are now returning that shall prompt the Spirit
Of Power and Greatness, with a liberal Hand,
To cherish and reward their noblest Toils.

SONG.

Peace.
Immortal Powers!
To you her Thanks let grateful Europe pay,
For this desir'd Event! O Tyrant War!
Why, aided by the Hand of Violence,
And push'd by wild Ambition, dost thou thus
Embroil the Nations, and with Fire and Sword,
Sack and depopulate their crowded Cities?
O rather learn, at least when Britain calls
For thy Assistance, learn, the sacred Lives
Of Men, their Laws and Properties, to guard;
And lift the righteous Sword in their Defence:
So shall the wild Aspirings of Ambition
Be taught just Aims; and the strong Hand of Power
Shall act in concert with fair Liberty.
But Thou, Contention, base Incendiary,
Whose Machinations fire the secret Sparks
Which kindle all these Tumults and Confusions,
Be Thou hence banish'd to th'infernal Shades
Which gave thee Birth: so shall this happy Isle
Long flourish, long enjoy the Smiles of Peace.

Damon.
To the Just, and to the Brave,
To the Land that scorns a Slave,
May this Prayer propitious be,
Give us Peace, and keep us free.

Strephon.
On Peace and Freedom, Arts and Commerce grow;
From This shall Wealth, from Those shall Glory flow:
Then let the Sons of Trade and Science raise
The chearful Voice of Gratitude and Praise.

[Exeunt all but the Singers.
CHORUS.
Bid the merry Bells ring round,
Light the joyous blazing Fire;
Bid the Hautboy's lively Sound
Mirth and Jollity inspire:
Bid loyal Bumpers crown this happy Day,
And all the Sons of Freedom cry Huzza!

The Singers retire, and the Whole concludes with a grand Dance.