The first Song in the first Part of Massaniello, Sung by Mr. Pate, Representing Fate.
FRom Azure Plains, blest with Eternal day,
Celestial flow'ry Groves, that ne'er decay;
From Lucid Rocks that Sol's bright Rays let in,
Where, with unclouded Brow,
I sate and view'd the deeps below,
And saw my Female drudges Spin;
I Fate am come, thy Courage to improve,
'Tis the Eternal's Doom, Engrav'd in Adamant above;
And oh! thou drowzy Deity,
That dost in slumbers bind,
The Body of Mortality,
And calm the Stormy Mind;
No more, no more his Brain possess,
With the soft charm of gentle Peace,
He must awake to bloody Wars,
Unbounded Fury, civil Jars,
And is by Heav'ns decree for wonderous deeds design'd.
St. Genaro, Protector of Naples, descends
and Sings.
St. Gen. Tho' mighty Fate all must obey,
And conq'ring Hero's greatest King,
Amongst the rest of human things,
Yield to his dreadful sway;
Yet view thy Book of Dooms once more,
Thou there wilt find one happy hour,
When Naples shall be free from Rebel power,
'Tis sure as the revolving year,
And I her darling Saint appear
To stop thy fury, least it should exceed,
And tell thee tho' permission of this ill
Is sacred mystery, and th' Eternal's Will;
Yet he that does the deed,
For doing it, must bleed. Ascends.
