The Justice
A CANTATA.
RECITATIVE.
C OMPOS'D , the Justice sat in easy state;
A crowd assembling, thunder'd at the gate:
The porter, to his post accustom'd long,
First ask'd the cause, then introduc'd the throng:
Midst these, a sire enrag'd, two culprits brought,
Her swelling waist proclaim'd the damsel's fault;
The young seducer look'd abash'd and pale,
While thus the father urg'd his angry tale:
SONG.
See that wretch, base ends pursuing,
Low has brought my child to shame—
See in her my honour's ruin,
Death of honour, death of fame!
Well to match her ripening beauty
Oft I've form'd the fondest schemes;
But this fall, this breach of duty,
Turns my hopes to idle dreams.—
Curse the traitor's late repenting—
Vengeance, vengeance I demand—
War recruits is ever wanting—
Let him die on foreign land.
RECITATIVE.
He paus'd—forrage his faltering voice oppress'd—
The magistrate the trembling youth address'd,
Dispell'd his terrors with a rising smile—
And thus the youth began in artless style:
SONG .
If the laws I have offended,
Here for pardon let me sue:
'Twas a crime I ne'er intended,
Love's the only crime I knew.
Love I plead, (be this prevailing)
Love in early youth begun;—
We had never known this failing,
Had yon tyrant made us one.
On our knees we oft have pray'd him,
Oft have own'd our mutual flame:
Wretched therefore if we've made him,
On himself must rest the blame.
RECITATIVE.
He spoke, and on his partner turn'd his eye,
Who deep encrimson'd made this short reply:
AIR.
Gracious sir, this faithful youth
Well has spoke the voice of truth.
Kind dispenser of the laws,
Show compassion to our cause—
Hear me on my bended knee—
Spare his life, and pity me.
RECITATIVE.
The Judge not long in useless silence sate;
But instant rose, and thus announc'd their fate:
AIR.
Relentless parent, since to me
Is now refer'd the last decree,
Mark and observe my just command,—
I doom him not to foreign land,
But to a sentence mild and kind—
Be both at Hymen's altar join'd;
And may their passion ne'er decay,
Till ebbing life shall sink away.
RECITATIVE.
The listening crowd the fair award approv'd,
The youth they favour'd, and the maid they lov'd.
While thanks and praises did their tongues employ,
They thus in chorus testified their joy:
CHORUS.
Happy pair, who thus have found
Friendship, when you fear'd a foe!
While the year revolves around,
May your bliss revolving flow!
Parents, to your children's pleasure
Be your close attention paid;
Nor for titles, pomp, or treasure,
Cut the knot that love has made.
And to thee, thou judge of peace,
Our best gratitude is due;
May each couple love like these—
May each Justice act like you!
RECITATIVE.
C OMPOS'D , the Justice sat in easy state;
A crowd assembling, thunder'd at the gate:
The porter, to his post accustom'd long,
First ask'd the cause, then introduc'd the throng:
Midst these, a sire enrag'd, two culprits brought,
Her swelling waist proclaim'd the damsel's fault;
The young seducer look'd abash'd and pale,
While thus the father urg'd his angry tale:
SONG.
See that wretch, base ends pursuing,
Low has brought my child to shame—
See in her my honour's ruin,
Death of honour, death of fame!
Well to match her ripening beauty
Oft I've form'd the fondest schemes;
But this fall, this breach of duty,
Turns my hopes to idle dreams.—
Curse the traitor's late repenting—
Vengeance, vengeance I demand—
War recruits is ever wanting—
Let him die on foreign land.
RECITATIVE.
He paus'd—forrage his faltering voice oppress'd—
The magistrate the trembling youth address'd,
Dispell'd his terrors with a rising smile—
And thus the youth began in artless style:
SONG .
If the laws I have offended,
Here for pardon let me sue:
'Twas a crime I ne'er intended,
Love's the only crime I knew.
Love I plead, (be this prevailing)
Love in early youth begun;—
We had never known this failing,
Had yon tyrant made us one.
On our knees we oft have pray'd him,
Oft have own'd our mutual flame:
Wretched therefore if we've made him,
On himself must rest the blame.
RECITATIVE.
He spoke, and on his partner turn'd his eye,
Who deep encrimson'd made this short reply:
AIR.
Gracious sir, this faithful youth
Well has spoke the voice of truth.
Kind dispenser of the laws,
Show compassion to our cause—
Hear me on my bended knee—
Spare his life, and pity me.
RECITATIVE.
The Judge not long in useless silence sate;
But instant rose, and thus announc'd their fate:
AIR.
Relentless parent, since to me
Is now refer'd the last decree,
Mark and observe my just command,—
I doom him not to foreign land,
But to a sentence mild and kind—
Be both at Hymen's altar join'd;
And may their passion ne'er decay,
Till ebbing life shall sink away.
RECITATIVE.
The listening crowd the fair award approv'd,
The youth they favour'd, and the maid they lov'd.
While thanks and praises did their tongues employ,
They thus in chorus testified their joy:
CHORUS.
Happy pair, who thus have found
Friendship, when you fear'd a foe!
While the year revolves around,
May your bliss revolving flow!
Parents, to your children's pleasure
Be your close attention paid;
Nor for titles, pomp, or treasure,
Cut the knot that love has made.
And to thee, thou judge of peace,
Our best gratitude is due;
May each couple love like these—
May each Justice act like you!
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