ACT THE SECOND. peace Air CHORUS OF PRIESTS. of mind, angelic guest, Thou soft companion of the breast, Dispense thy balmy store; Wing all our thoughts to reach the skies, FIRST PRIEST.-RECITATIVE. No more. Too long has justice been delay'd— Fierce is the tempest howling But storms that fly Less dreadful show To worlds below Than angry monarch's raging. ISRAELITISH WOMAN. Ah me! what angry terrors round us grow! Air. The wretch, condemn'd with life to part, Still, still on hope relies; And every pang that rends the heart, Bids expectation rise. Hope, like the glimmering taper's light, And still, as darker grows the night, SECOND PRIEST. Why this delay? At length for joy prepare : Air. CHALDEAN WOMAN. See the ruddy morning smiling, FIRST PRIEST. While these a constant revel keep, SECOND PRIEST. But hold! see, foremost of the captive choir, The master prophet grasps his full-toned lyre. Mark where he sits, with executing art, Feels for each tone, and speeds it to the heart; See, how prophetic rapture fills his form, Air. FIRST PROPHET. From north, from south, from east, from west, Conspiring nations come: Tremble, thou vice-polluted breast Blasphemers, all be dumb. The tempest gathers all around, On Babylon it lies, Down with her! down, down to the ground She sinks, she groans, she dies. SECOND PROPHET. Down with her, Lord, to lick the dust, Serve her as she has served the just! 'Tis fix'd-it shall be done. FIRST PRIEST.-RECITATIVE. No more! when slaves thus insolent presume, To yonder gloomy dungeon turn your eyes: CHORUS. Arise, all potent ruler, rise, And vindicate thy people's cause, Till every tongue in every land [Exeunt. K |