George Frideric Handel and Charles Jennens

“ Hark, Cyrus! Twenty times the sun Round the great year his course shall run: If there so long thy army stay, Not yet to dogs and birds a prey, No succour from without arrive, Within remain no means to live, We then may think it time to treat, And Babylon capitulate. A tedious time! To make it short, Thy wise attempt will find us sport. 7. Recitative Gobrias: Well may they laugh, from meagre famine safe, In plenteous stores for more than twenty years; From all assault secure in gates of brass, And walls stupendous ”

“ First, small and weak, it scarcely rears its head, Scarce stretching out its helpless infant arms, Implores protection of its neighbour states, Who nurse it to their hurt. Anon, it strives For pow'r and wealth, and spurns at opposition. Arriv'd to full maturity, it grasps At all within its reach, o'erleaps all bounds, Robs, ravages and wastes the frighted world. At length, grown old and swell'd to bulk enormous, The monster in its proper bowels feeds Pride, luxury, corruption, perfidy, Contention, fell diseases of a state, That prey upon her vitals. ”

“ On to the feast! I waste my time too long In frivolous dispute, time, due of right To pleasure and the gods. 29. Duet Nitocris:
O dearer than my life, forbear! Profane not, O my son, With impious rites Jehovah's Name. Remember what His arm has done, The earth contains not half his fame: Remember, and his vengeance fear! Belshazzar:
O queen, this hateful theme forbear! Join not against your son With captive slaves, your country's foes. Remember what our gods have done To those who durst their pow'r oppose. Remember, and their vengeance fear. ”

“ Can the black AEthiop change his skin, His native spots the leopard lose? Then may the heart obdur'd in sin Grow soft, repent, and virtue choose! Threats or advice but move disdain, And signs and wonders glare in vain. Can the black. ”

“ Chorus of Babylonians Ye tutelar gods of our empire, look down, And see what rich trophies your victory crown. Let our bounteous gifts, which our gratitude raise, Wine, gold, merry notes, pay our tributes of praise. Sesach, this night is chiefly thine, Kind donor of the sparkling wine! 36. Air Belshazzar:
Let the deep bowl thy praise confess, Thy gifts the gracious giver bless! Thy gifts, of all the gods bestow, Improve by use, and sweeter grow. Another bowl! 'Tis gen'rous wine, Exalts the human to divine. 37. Accompagnato Belshazzar:
Where is the God of Judah's boasted pow'r? ”

“ Semi-Chorus:
Why, faithless river, dost thou leave Thy charge to hostile arms a prey, Expose the lives thou ought'st to save, Prepare the fierce invader's way, And, like false man, thy trust betray? Semi-Chorus:
Euphrates hath his task fulfill'd, But to divine decree must yield. While Babel queen of cities reign'd, The flood her guardian was ordain'd; Now to superior pow'r gives place, And but the doom of Heav'n obeys. Full Chorus:
Of things on earth, proud man must own, Falsehood is found in man alone. 32. Recitative Cyrus:
You see, my friends, a path into the city Lies open. ”

“ Let festal joy triumphant reign, Glad ev'ry heart, in ev'ry face appear! Free flow the wine, nor flow in vain; Far fly corroding care. Each hand the chime melodious raise, Each voice exult in Sesach's praise; Let order vanish! Liberty alone, Unbounded liberty the night shall crown. Let festal joy. . . da capo 24. Recitative Belshazzar:
For you my friends, the nobles of my court, I have prepar'd a feast magnificent, Worthy of you and me. Let all my wives And concubines attend. Our royal mother — Nitocris:
I must prevent thee, son. ”

“ Recitative Cyrus:
My friends, be confident, and boldly enter Upon this high exploit. No little cause We have to hope success; since not unjustly We have attack'd, but being first attack'd, We have pursu'd th'aggressor. Add to this, That I proceed in nothing with neglect Of pow'r divine: whate'er I undertake, I still begin with God, and gain His favour With sacrifice and pray'r. 18. Chorus All empires upon God depend; Begun by his command, at his command they end. Look up to him in all your ways, Begin with pray'r and end with praise. ”

“ Air Cyrus:
Amaz'd to find the foe so near, When sleep and wine their senses drown, All hearts shall faint, and melt with fear, All hands unnerv'd fall feebly down. Useless the hero's valour lies, Useless the counsel of the wise. Amaz'd to find. . . da capo 34. Chorus of Persians and Medes To arms, to arms, no more delay! God and Cyrus lead the way. Scene 2 A banquet-room, adorned with the images of the Babylonian gods. Belshazzar, his wives, concubines, and lords, drinking out of the Jewish temple-vessels, and singing the praises of their gods. ”

“ Destructive war. . . da capo Re-enter Gobrias, with Nitocris, Daniel, and Jews.
60. Duet Nitocris:
Great victor, at your feet I bow, No more a queen, your vassal now! My people spare! Forgive my fears, I mourn a son, indulge my tears, Resistless nature bids them flow. Cyrus:
Rise, virtuous queen, compose your mind, Give fear and sorrow to the wind. Safe are your people if they will; Be still a queen, a mother still, A son in Cyrus you shall find. 61. Recitative Cyrus (to Daniel) :
Say, venerable prophet, is there aught In Cyrus' pow'r by which he can oblige Thee, or thy people? ”