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Alfred

A Masque
Thomson, James (1700-1748)
  
ALFRED:
  
[epigraph]
  
The ARGUMENT.
  
[castlist]
  
[section]

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ACT I.
 1. 
SCENE I.
 2. 
SCENE II.
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SCENE III.
  
[section]
 4. 
SCENE IV.
 5. 
SCENE V.
 6. 
SCENE VI.
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ACT II.

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SCENE III.

Solemn music is heard at a distance. It comes nearer in a full symphony: after which a single trumpet sounds a high and awakening air. Then the following stanzas are sung by two aërial spirits unseen.
First Spirit.
Hear, Alfred, father of the state,
Thy Genius heaven's high will declare!
What proves the hero truly great,
Is never, never to despair:
Is never to despair.

Second Spirit.
Thy hope awake, thy heart expand
With all its vigor, all its sires.
Arise! and save a sinking land!
Thy country calls, and heaven inspires.

Both Spirits.
Earth calls, and heaven inspires.

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