A SONG TO A FAIR YOUNG LADY, GOING OUT OF THE TOWN IN THE SPRING. I. ASK not the cause, why sullen spring II. Chloris is gone, the cruel fair; She cast not back a pitying eye; To sigh, to languish, and to die. III. Great God of Love, why hast thou made That all religions can invade, And change the laws of every land? Where thou hadst placed such power before, Thou shouldst have made her mercy more. IV. When Chloris to the temple comes, ALEXANDER'S FEAST, OR THE POWER OF MUSIC; AN ODE IN HONOUR OF ST CECILIA'S DAY. This celebrated Ode was written for the Saint's Festival in 1697, when the following stewards officiated: Hugh Colvill, Esq.; Capt. Thomas Newman; Orlando Bridgeman, Esq.; Theophilus Buller, Esq.; Leonard Wessell, Esq.; Paris Slaughter, Esq.; Jeremiah Clarke, Gent.; and Francis Rich, Gent. The merits of this unequalled effusion of lyrical poetry, are fully discussed in the general criticism. I. "TWAS at the royal feast, for Persia won The godlike hero sate On his imperial throne. His valiant peers were placed around; Sate like a blooming eastern bride, None but the brave, None but the brave, None but the brave deserves the fair. CHORUS. Happy, happy, happy pair! None but the brave, None but the brave, None but the brave deserves the fair. II. Timotheus, placed on high With flying fingers touch'd the lyre: The song began from Jove, And while he sought her snowy breast; The listening crowd admire the lofty sound: The monarch hears; Assumes the God, Affects to nod, And seems to shake the spheres. CHORUS. With ravish'd ears, Assumes the God, And seems to shake the spheres. III. The praise of Bacchus, then, the sweet musician sung; He shews his honest face: Now, give the hautboys breath; he comes, he comes. Drinking joys did first ordain ; Sweet the pleasure, Sweet is pleasure after pain. CHORUS. Bacchus' blessings are a treasure, Sweet the pleasure, Sweet is pleasure after pain. Sooth'd with the sound, the King grew vain ; And thrice he routed all his foes, and thrice he slew the slain. The Master saw the madness rise, |