 | The Fairy Favour |  |
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OBERON.
Let me now hope, my beauteous queen, thy soul
Is sooth'd to rest.
TITANIA.
—My royal lord, no more
I murmur at thy will. The pleasing dreams
(Children of gentle sleep) wherewith my mind
Was pregnant, and thy reasons since, have eas'd
My doubts, my terrors. O! consider, sir,
They were a mother's feelings, and forgive 'em.
OBERON.
Nor deem so lightly of a father's love,
As to suppose, a slavish race of men,
Or tributary thrones, had gain'd my boy—
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In victory's rich trappings, and a people
Endow'd with birth-right freedom, is he yielded;
And ev'ry bliss attend it!
(The last CHORUS repeated within.)
CHORUS.
Quick to Oberon resort,
Speed we to the fairy-court.
OBERON.
—See my people!
Whose happiness, no less than interest,
I value as my own, with anxious looks,
Enquire of Oriel's fate. Approach, my subjects;
Ye props and glories of our mighty throne!
Attend your monarch's words.—Your Oriel
Is not for ever lost—An age, or so,
(Small space in fairy-life!) he spends with man;
To glad a glorious nation; to procure
Love, honour, and esteem, by virtuous deeds;
And blessing others, to be blest himself.
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The sweets of Kenna's grove, whilom the seat
Of purpled majesty, and, thence, belov'd
Of fairy-foot.—My trusty Puck, thy looks
Seem big with new enquiry—Is there aught
Thou wishest yet to know, that may to thee
Give ease, and glad my people?—Speak undaunted.
PUCK.
High monarch of our happy race,
Do us yet the mighty grace,
To say, in what part of this isle,
Deserv'dly honour'd with thy smile,
In what rich grove, or flow'ry way,
Does our much-lov'd Oriel stray?
OBERON.
Not westward far of this our Kenna's court
(Short trip to fairy-foot) a seat appears,
Close by whose verdant verge, Thamesis fair,
Checking his silver wave, with tardy pace
Glides ling'ring on, enamour'd of the scene.
From flow'r-enamell'd banks soft Zephyr steals
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Hangs laden with Pomona's choicest store.
Groves, grottos, temples, lawns, promiscuous rise,
As art with nature vied to deck the scene,
Destin'd to soothe a monarch's patriot cares,
When empire's fate, and proud parade of courts,
Yield to the comforts of domestic ease,
And social solace of connubial joy.
Amid these scenes (by Hymen ever bless'd)
Your Oriel, clad in guise of mortal prince,
Crowns the fond wishes of a happy pair;
Pleas'd in his infant mind to see the bud
Of ev'ry grace that dignifies a throne
Give early promise of a people's love.
PUCK.
Thanks, gracious Oberon!—yet deign
Certain means, and marks to shew,
How, in mortal dress, and mien,
We may our darling Oriel know.
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OBERON.
I.
By the amber-locks, that flowDown his temples, white as snow;
By the dimples in his cheek,
Temper sweet that sweetly speak;
By the lips of rip'ning red,
Rivals of the musk-rose bed;
By the thousand smiles that dance
In his blooming countenance!
Where ye see such beauties blow,
There shall ye your darling know.
II.
By truth's ray, that, even now,Dawns upon his infant brow;
By the look erect and clear,
Honour's early harbinger;
By the melting of the eyne,
Mercy's sweet unerring sign;
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Flushing quick o'er all the face;
Where ye see such beauties blow,
There shall ye your darling know.
PUCK.
Happy youth! and happy pair!
Who our Oriel make their care!
OBERON.
Begin we now the mighty charm! the song,
That pierces ev'ry fairy-bow'r, unlocks
Each store of choicest gifts, and on the head
Of some high-favour'd mortal heaps them all!
SONG.
OBERON.
I.
Ye fairies, who in youth delight,And mark each dawning ray,
O soothe with gentle dreams his night,
And cheer his op'ning day!
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Strew all his paths with love and joy!
CHORUS.
For Oriel all your care, &c.
OBERON.
II.
Ye too, who manhood's nervous page,And wisdom's records scan,
Confirm ye his maturer age,
And bless the ripen'd man!
Success attend each virtuous deed,
And deathless glory be the meed!
CHORUS.
Success attend, &c.
OBERON.
III.
Ye sprites select, who silver'd ageWith rev'rend love regard,
Let peace endear his life's last stage,
And gen'ral praise reward!
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May Oriel leave his mortal state!
CHORUS.
Thus full of blessings, &c.
A Dance of FAIRIES.
FINIS.
| The Fairy Favour | |