Classic Poem

A Cantata

R ECITATIVE

Ask not Apollo's tuneful train
Why thus they weep and thus complain?
'Tis Strephon's loss inspires their woe,
And fills with grief the world below.
The warbling nightingale, deprest,
Lodges sorrow in its breast;
The lark which Strephon made so gay
Has ceas'd to sing since he has been away.

A IR

All nature's joys we lose in thee,
O thou the soul of harmony.
Burst, burst ye strings from ev'ry lyre,
And let your charms with him expire.

R ECIT .

Could we believe that Strephon would remain
When royal Anna had forsook the plain?
Soon to the Heav'ns above he did pursue,
His wonted musick to renew.
There to his blessed patroness does he
Chaunt forth eternal melody,
And, for a while, the heavenly choir
Stand mute, to be delighted and admire.

A IR

In those peaceful realms above
All is musick, all is love.
Ever tuneful, ever gay,
Eternal bliss, eternal day.