With humble Words, the wiseft Icould frame, And proffer'd Service, I repaid the Dame: That, of her Grace, she gave her Maid to know The secret Meaning of this moral Show. And she, to prove what Profit 1 had made, Of mystique Truth, in Fables first convey'd, Demanded, till the next returning May, Whether the Leaf or Flow'r I would obey ? I chose the Leaf; she smild with sober Chear, And wish'd me fair Adventure for the Year, And gave me Charms and Sigils, for Defence Against ill Tongues that scandal Innocence: But I, said she, my Fellows must pursue, Already past the Plain, and out of view.

We parted thus; I homeward sped my Way, Bewilder'd in the Wood till Dawn of Day:

[May. And met the merry Crew who danc'd about the Then late refresh'd with Sleep, I rose to write The visionary Vigils of the Night: Blush, as thou may'st, my little Book, for Shame, Nor hope with homely Verse to purchase Fame; For such thy Maker chose; and so design'd Thy simple Stile to sute thy lowly Kind.

Вь

Alexander's Feast;

OR, THE

POWER of MUSIC K.

Α Ν

OD
O DE ,

In Honour of St. CECILIA's Day.

T

I.
Was at the Royal Feast,forPersia won,

By Philip's Warlike Son:
Aloft in awful State
The God-like Heroe fate

On his Imperial Throne:

a

His valiant Peers were plac'd around; Their Brows with Roses and with Myrtles bound.

(So shou'd Desert in Arms be Crown'd:)
The Lovely Thais by his Side,
Sate like a blooming Eastern Bride
In Flow'r of Youth and Beauty's Pride.

Happy, happy, happy Pair!
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 deferves the Fair.

II.
Timotheus plac'd on high

Amid the tuneful Quire,

With flying Fingers touch'd the Lyre: The trembling Notes ascend the Sky,

And Heav'nly Joys inspire,

Bb

The Song began from Jove;
Who left his blissful Seats above,
(Such is the Pow'r of mighty Love.)
A Dragon's fiery Form bely'd the God:
Sublime on Radiant Spires He rode,

When He to fair Olympia press's :

And while He fought her snowy Breast:
Then, round her slender Waist he curld, [World.
And stamp'd an Image ofhimself, a Sov'reign of the
The list’ning Crowd admire the lofty Sound,
A present Deity, they shout around:
A present Deity the vaulted Roofs rebound:

With ravish'd Ears
The Monarch hears,
Affumes the God,

Affects to nod,
And feems to shake the Spheres.

CHORUS.
With ravish'd Ears
The Monarch hears,
Assumes the God,

Affects to nod,
And

seems to make the Spheres.

1

III.
ThePraise of Bacchusthen, the sweet Musiciansung;
Of Bacchus ever Fair, and ever Young:

The jolly God in Triumph comes ;
Sound the Trumpets; beat the Drums;

Flush'd with a purple Grace
He shews his honest Face,

[comes. Now gives the Hautboys breath; He comes, He

Bacchus, ever Fair and Young,

Drinking Joys did first ordain:
Bacchus. Blessings are a Treasure,
Drinking is the Soldier's Pleasure;

Rich the Treasure,

Sweet the Pleasure :
Sweet is Pleasure after Pain.

CHORUS.
Bacchus' Blessings are a Treasure ;
Drinking is the Soldier's Pleasure;

Rich the Treasure,

Sweet the Pleasure;
Sweet is Pleasure after Pain.

à