Classic Poem

ACT I.


CHORUS.

O the Pleasure of the Plains,
Happy Nymphs and happy Swains.
Harmless, Merry, Free, and Gay,
Dance and sport the Hours away.
For us the Zephyr blows,
For us distils the Dew,
For us unfolds the Rose,
And Flowers display their Hue,
For us the Winters rain,
For us the Summers shine,
Spring swells for us the Grain,
And Autumn bleeds the Vine.
O the, &c.


Enter GALATEA.



RECITATIVO

Gal. Ye verdant Plains and woody Mountains,
Purling Streams, and bubbling Fountains,
Ye painted Glories of the Field;
Vain are the Pleasures which ye yield,
Too thin the Shadow of the Grove,
Too faint the Gales, to cool my Love,

AIR.

Hush, ye pretty warbling Quire,
Your thrilling Strains,
Awake my Pains,
And kindle soft Desire.
Cease your Song, and take your Flight;
Bring back my Acis to my Sight .
Hush ye , &c.


Enter ACIS.


AIR.

Where shall I seek the charming Fair,
Direct the way, king Genius of the Mountains,
O tell me if you saw my Dear,
Seeks she the Groves, or Bathes in Crystal Fountains?
Where , &c.


Enter D AMON.



RECITATIVO.


Dam. Stay, Shepherd, stay, see how thy Flocks
In yonder Valley stray;
What means this melancholy Air,
No more thy tuneful Pipe we hear.

AIR.

Shepherd, what art thou pursuing?
Heedless running to thy ruining;
Share our Joy, our Pleasure share,
Leave thy Passion till to-morrow,
Let this Day be free from sorrow,
Free from Love and free from Care.
Shepherd , &c.


ACIS.

RECITATIVO.


Acis . Lo! here my Love, turn Galatea , hither turn thine Eyes.
See at thy Feet the loving Acis lies.

AIR.
Love in her Eyes sits playing,
And sheds delicious Death;
Love in her Lips sits straying,
And warbling in her Breath.
Love on her Breast sits panting,
And swells with soft Desire,
No Grace, no Charm is wanting,
To set the Heart on Fire.
Love in , &c.


Enter GALATEA.


RECITATIVO.


Gal. O didst thou know the Pains of absent Love.
Acis would ne'er from Galatea rove.


AIR.

As when the Dove,
Laments her Love,
All on the naked Spray,
When he returns,
No more she mourns,
But loves the live-long Day.
Billing, cooing,
Panting, wooing,
Melting Murmurs fill the Grove,
Melting Murmurs, lasting love.
As when , &c.


Enter A CIS , and G ALATEA.


DUETTO. Both.

Happy, happy Pair,
Happy, happy we, Gal.
What Joys I feel. Acis.
What Charms I see. Gal.
Of all Youths, thou dearest Boy, Acis.
Of all Nymphs, thou brightest Fair. Both.
Thou art all my Bliss,
Thou all my Joy.
Happy , &c.


ACIS and GALATEA.


Happy we.
What Joys I feel! — what Charms I see!
Of all Youths, thou dearest Boy!
Of all Nymphs, thou brightest Fair!
Thou all my Bliss, thou all my Joy! Da capo.

CHORUS.


Happy we, etc.