George Frideric Handel and Charles Jennens

“ Come rather, goddess sage and holy; Hail, divinest Melancholy, Whose saintly visage is too bright To hit the sense of human sight; Thee bright-hair'd Vesta long of yore, To solitary Saturn bore. 5. Air and Chorus L'Allegro (tenor) :
Haste thee, nymph, and bring with thee Jest and youthful jollity, Quips and cranks, and wanton wiles, Nods, and becks, and wreathed smiles Such as hang on Hebe's cheek, And love to live in dimple sleek, Sport, that wrinkled care derides, And laughter, holding both his sides. ”

“ Sweet bird, that shun'st the noise of folly, Most musical, most melancholy! Thee, chauntress, oft the woods among, I woo to hear thy even-song. Or, missing thee, I walk unseen, On the dry smooth-shaven green, To behold the wand'ring moon Riding near her highest noon. Sweet bird. . . da capo 14. Recitative L'Allegro (bass) :
If I give thee honour due, Mirth, admit me of thy crew! 15. Air L'Allegro (bass) :
Mirth, admit me of thy crew! To listen how the hounds and horn Cheerly rouse the slumb'ring morn, From the side of some hoar hill, Through the high wood echoing shrill. 16. ”

“ Sweet temp'rance in thy right hand bear, With her let rosy health appear, And in thy left contentment true, Whom headlong passion never knew; Frugality by bounty's side, Fast friends, though oft as foes belied; Chaste love, by reason led secure, With joy sincere, and pleasure pure; Happy life from Heav'n descending, Crowds of smiling years attending: All this company serene, Join, to fill thy beauteous train. ”