Then talk not of inconstancy, False hearts, and broken vows; This live-long minute true to thee, SIR CHARLES SEDLEY. (1639-1701.) TO CELIA. Sedley's first publication, a comedy, appeared in 1668. His works were collected in 1702. There is no edition in this century. This song first appeared in A Collection of Poems by Several Hands, 1693. NOT, Celia, that I juster am Or better than the rest; For I would change each hour, like them, Were not my heart at rest. But I am tied to very thee All that in woman is adored For the whole sex can but afford Why then should I seek further store, When change itself can give no more, JOHN DRYDEN. (1631-1700.) The best edition of Dryden's Poetical Works is that of Mr. W. D. Christie (London, 1893), in which the 'Songs, Odes, and Lyrical Pieces" occupy pages 367-384. Alexander's Feast was written in 1697, and the Song for St. Cecilia's Day just ten years earlier. The songs are from The Indian Emperor, 1665, from Edipus (by Dryden and Lee), 1679, and from King Arthur, 1691, respectively. ALEXANDER'S FEAST; OR, THE POWER OF MUSIC. A SONG IN HONOUR OF ST. CECILIA'S DAY, 1697. 'T WAS By Philip's warlike son: Aloft in awful state The godlike hero sate On his impartial throne; His valiant peers were placed around; Their brows with roses and with myrtles bound: The lovely Thais, by his side, Sate like a blooming Eastern bride, In flower 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 deserves the fair. Timotheus, placed on high Amid the tuneful quire, With flying fingers touched the lyre: The song began from Jove, Then round her slender waist he curled, And stamped an image of himself, a sovereign of the world. The listening crowd admire the lofty sound, A present deity, they shout around; A present deity, the vaulted roofs rebound: The monarch hears, Affects to nod, And seems to shake the spheres. Chorus. With ravished ears The monarch hears, Assumes the god, Affects to nod, And seems to shake the spheres. The praise of Bacchus then the sweet musician sung, He shows his honest face: Now give the hautboys breath; he comes, he comes. Drinking joys did first ordain; Bacchus' blessings are a treasure, Sweet the pleasure, Sweet is pleasure after pain. Chorus. Bacchus' blessings are a treasure, Sweet the pleasure, Sweet is pleasure after pain. Soothed with the sound the king grew vain; And thrice he routed all his foes, and thrice he slew the slain. The master saw the madness rise, And while he heaven and earth defied, Changed his hand, and checked his pride. Soft pity to infuse; He sung Darius great and good, Fallen from his high estate, On the bare earth exposed he lies, With downcast looks the joyless victor sate, The various turns of chance below; Chorus. Revolving in his altered soul The various turns of chance below; The mighty master smiled to see Softly sweet, in Lydian measures, War, he sung, is toil and trouble; Never ending, still beginning, If the world be worth thy winning, Think, O think, it worth enjoying: Lovely Thais sits beside thee, Take the goods the gods provide thee The many rend the skies with loud applause, So Love was crowned, but Music won the cause. The prince, unable to conceal his pain, Gazed on the fair Who caused his care, And sighed and looked, sighed and looked, At length, with love and wine at once oppressed, |