THRENODIA AUGUSTALIS: SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF HER LATE ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCESS DOWAGER OF WALES. OVERTURE-A SOLEMN DIRGE. ARISE, ye sons of worth, arise, AIR-TRIO. And waken every note of woe; When truth and virtue reach the skies, CHORUS. When truth and virtue, &c. MAN SPEAKER. The praise attending pomp and power, Are but the trappings of an hour Mere transitory things! 5 To spurn the venal gifts as flattery. But when to pomp and power are join'd An equal dignity of mind When titles are the smallest claim When wealth and rank and noble blood, 15 Then all their trophies last; and flattery turns to fame. Bless'd spirit thou, whose fame, just born to bloom Shall spread and flourish from the tomb, How hast thou left mankind for heaven! 20 Even now reproach and faction mourn, And, wondering how their rage was borne, Alas! they never had thy hate: Thy towering mind self-centred stood, Virtue, on herself relying, Ev'ry passion hush'd to rest, Loses ev'ry pain of dying In the hopes of being blest. Some increasing good bestows, SONG. BY A MAN-AFFETTUOSO. Virtue, on herself relying, Ev'ry passion hush'd to rest, Loses ev'ry pain of dying In the hopes of being blest. Ev'ry added pang she suffers Some increasing good bestows, 25 30 35 40 45 50 WOMAN SPEAKER. Yet, ah! what terrors frowned upon her fate Death, with its formidable band, Fever and pain and pale consumptive care, Determin'd took their stand: Nor did the cruel ravagers design To finish all their efforts at a blow; But, mischievously slow, They robb'd the relic and defac'd the shrine. With unavailing grief, Despairing of relief, Her weeping children round Beheld each hour Death's growing power, And trembled as he frown'd. As helpless friends who view from shore The inevitable loss. Relentless tyrant, at thy call How do the good, the virtuous fall! 55 60 65 70 Truth, beauty, worth, and all that most engage, 75 SONG. BY A MAN.-BASSO.-STACCATO.—SPIRITOSO. When vice my dart and scythe supply, Fall, round me fall, ye little things, MAN SPEAKER. Yet let that wisdom, urged by her example, Let us prize death as the best gift of nature— 80 85 When they have journeyed through a world of cares, May put off life and be at rest for ever. Groans, weeping friends, indeed, and gloomy sables, May oft distract us with their sad solemnity: The preparation is the executioner. Death, when unmasked, shows me a friendly face, And is a terror only at a distance ; For as the line of life conducts me on 91 95 To Death's great court, the prospect seems more fair. In that secure, serene retreat, Where all the humble, all the great, Promiscuously recline; Where wildly huddled to the eye, The beggar's pouch and prince's purple lie, And ah! bless'd spirit, wheresoe'er thy flight, 100 105 May peace that claimed while here thy warmest love, May blissful endless peace be thine above! SONG. BY A WOMAN.-AMOROSO. Lovely, lasting Peace below, Comforter of every woe, III Heav'nly born, and bred on high, To crown the favourites of the sky 115 Lovely, lasting Peace, appear; This world itself, if thou art here, Is once again with Eden blest, And man contains it in his breast. WOMAN SPEAKER. Our vows are heard! Long, long to mortal eyes, Her soul was fitting to its kindred skies: Celestial-like her bounty fell, Where modest want and patient sorrow dwell; Want pass'd for merit at her door, Unseen the modest were supplied, Her constant pity fed the poor Then only poor, indeed, the day she died. 121 125 And oh for this! while sculpture decks thy shrine, And art exhausts profusion round, The tribute of a tear be mine, 130 A simple song, a sigh profound. There Faith shall come, a pilgrim gray, To bless the tomb that wraps thy clay; To dwell a weeping hermit there. 135 Truth, Fortitude, and Friendship shall agree To blend their virtues while they think of thee. |