 | Albion Restored, or Time turned Oculist |  |
SCENE V.
The magnificent temple of Fame.Enter Albion, Minerva, Fortune, and attendants.
Fame descends from her throne to meet them.
DUETT.
MINERVA.
The glorious minute now draws near,
When Albion's foes no more shall boast;
No more shall fill her sons with fear,
Nor dare insult her happy coast.
FAME.
Great Neptune shall his empire share,
With Albion, and resounding fame
Shall spread around through earth and air,
Her mighty deeds and glorious name.
MINERVA.
Her sons by virtue then inspir'd,
Shall future fields of glory gain,
Restore the fame they once acquir'd,
And o'er their foes triumphant reign.
[Shouts at a distance.]
MINERVA.
The glorious minute now draws near,
When Albion's foes no more shall boast;
No more shall fill her sons with fear,
Nor dare insult her happy coast.
FAME.
Great Neptune shall his empire share,
With Albion, and resounding fame
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Her mighty deeds and glorious name.
MINERVA.
Her sons by virtue then inspir'd,
Shall future fields of glory gain,
Restore the fame they once acquir'd,
And o'er their foes triumphant reign.
[The Sage enters at the head of a company of Young Men armed, leading in the Genius of France in chains.]
[The Sage kneels to Albion]
RECITATIVE.
SAGE.
Once more thy sons have tam'd the haughty Gaul,
Beneath their arms their foes enervate fall;
Bound fast in chains the Gallic Genius see,
Albion's restor'd to Peace and Liberty!
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Hail, pitying Jove! with grateful joy I own
Thy mighty aid hath sav'd my tott'ring throne.
Thou faithful man, thy fortitude and skill,
Has stem'd the torrent of oppressive ill;
[To the Sage.
Has singly dar'd to stand in virtue's cause,
Thy merit justly claims from all applause:
Accept the honours Albion's pow'r can give,
Thy name and virtues both immortal live!
[Fame and Fortune, at Albion's command, crown the Sage with a laurel crown.
[Through a visto is discovered Envy, she stabs herself, and falls from a rock into the sea.]
One of the Young Men
sings.
AIR.
Hail glorious Liberty! inspire
Our souls with thine immortal flame!
Fill all our breasts with big desire
To win eternal wreaths of fame.
Our souls with thine immortal flame!
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To win eternal wreaths of fame.
In thy defence to live or die,
Be this our glory, this our aim,
For thee, we death with scorn defy,
Thou art the highest joy we claim.
Be this our glory, this our aim,
For thee, we death with scorn defy,
Thou art the highest joy we claim.
CHORUS.
For thee we death with scorn defy, &c.
RECITATIVE.
MINERVA.
Albion again restor'd to joy and peace,
Be now thy care these blessings to increase,
Let Commerce still thy happy borders know,
That source from whence alone thy blessings flow;
Force her no more by threats to leave thy shore,
Recall her back to bless thy sons once more;
Cherish this maid, her safety be thy care,
For by her aid thou boundless wealth shall share;
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Remotest realms shall court great Albion's love
ALBION.
To mighty Jove our altars now shall smoke,
While humbly we'll his future aid invoke;
Loud shouts of joy from ev'ry tongue shall rise,
And incense breathe its odours to the skies,
AIR.
One of the young men.
Party rage and discord cease,
Spread no more thy baleful pow'r;
But to everlasting peace,
Consecrate each future hour.
Grand CHORUS.
Freedom alone expands the soul,
And crowns with joy the sparkling bowl.
[The young warriors perform a dance, and in a warlike manner clash their shields.]
[The dance ended, the curtain falls.]
FINIS.
| Albion Restored, or Time turned Oculist | |