ever fair and young, Drinking joys did first ordain: Bacchus' blessings are a treasure, Drinking is the soldier's pleasure: Rich the treasure, Sweet the pleasure: Sweet the pleasure after pain. Chor. Bacchus' blessings, &c.

Sooth'd with the sound, the king grew vain, Fought all his battles o'er again; And thrice he routed all his foes, and thrice he flew the slain. The master saw the madness rise; His glowing cheeks, his ardent eyes; And while he heav'n and earth defy'd, Chang'd his hand, and check'd his pride; He chose a mournful mute Soft pity to infuse: He sung Darius great and good, By too severe a fate, Fallen, fallen, fallen, fallen, Fallen from his high estate, And weltering in his blood; Defeated at his utmost need, By those his former bounty fed, On the bare earth expos'd he lies, With not a friend to close his eyes. With downcast looks the joyless victor sat, Revolving in his alter'd soul The various turns of chance below; And now and then a sigh he stole, And tears began to flow. Chor. Revolving, &c.

The mighty master smil'd to see That love was in the next degree: 'Twas but a kindred found to move; For pity melts the mind to love, Soily sweet, in Lydian measures: Soon he foorth'd his soul to pleasures. War, he fung, is toil and trouble; Honour but an empty bubble, Never ending, still beginning, Fighting still, and still destroying; If the world be worth thy winning, Think, O think, it worth enjoying. Lovely Thais sits beside thee, Take the good the gods provide thee. The many rend the skies with loud applause; So love was crown'd, but music won the cause. The prince, unable to conceal his pain, Gaz'd on the fair, Who caus'd his care,

Vol. XVII. Part I. And sigh'd and look'd, sigh'd and look'd, Sigh'd and look'd, and sigh'd again: At length with love and wine at once opprest, The vanquish'd victor sunk upon her breast.

Chor. The prince, &c.

Now strike the golden lyre again; A louder yet, and yet a louder strain.