Belshazzar-Georg Friedrich Händel, Charles Jennens

0:00Introduction and dramatic persona for Bell Shazza by George Frederick Hangle and Charles Jennings. This is a Library of Oxford recording. All of the Oxford recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit www.libervox.org. Introduction Bell Shazza and Oratorio as it is performed at the King's Theatre in the Hay Market, the music by Mr. Handel. Drummethis Personaille, Bell Shazza King of Babylon, Read by Greg Giordano. Nitochris, Mother of Bell Shazza. Read by Shrimp Fish. Cyrus, A Prince of Persia.

1:01Read by OG Pagd. Daniel, A Jewish Prophet. Read by Brian Fullen. Gubbryas, Anasuria Noble Moon, Revolted to Cyrus. Read by Larry Wilson. Arioc, A Babylonian Lord. Read by David Purdy. Messenger. Read by Ellen Marie. Corus of Babylonians. Read by Alan Napstone. Corus of Jews. Read by DC. Corus of Meads and Persians. Read by DC. And by Rapunzelina. narration by Alan Napstone. End of introduction and Drummethis Personaille.

2:04At one of Bell Shazza by George Frederick Handel and Charles Jennings. This library box recording is in the public domain. At one. Scene one. The Palace in Babylon. Nitochris. Vane fluctuating state of human empire, first small and weak. It scares the rears, it's head. Scares stretching out its helpless infant arms. Employers protection of its neighbor states, who nurse it to their hurt. Anon it strives for power and wealth, and spurns at opposition, arrive to full maturity at grasps, at all within its reach, or leaps all bounds, robs, ravages, and wastes the frightened world. At length grown old, and swell to bulk enormous, the monster in its proper bowel's feeds, pride,

3:12luxury, corruption, per city, contention, fell diseases of a state that prey upon her vitals, of her weakness some other rising power advantage takes. Unequal match applies with repeated strokes, her infirm aged trunk. She nods, she totters, she falls, alas, never to rise again. The victor state upon her ruins raised, runs the same shadowy round of fancied greatness, meets the same certain end. Thou, God, most high, and thou alone, unchanged forever, dust remain, through boundless space extends thy throne, through all eternity thy reign, as nothing in thy sight, the reptile man appears. However imagined great, who can impair thy might, in heaven or earth, who dares,

4:13dispute thy power, thy will is fate. Oh Babylon, how fast thy fate approaches, of all the spaciousest no place remains, yet unsubdued but this, the rapid Cyrus has, like the ancient universal deluge overflowed, the subject earth. What strength is left to stem the torrent, brazen gates, thick walls, a river deep, vain strength, to guard a people who court their ruin. He, whom it most concerns, to sloth abandon and immerse in pleasure, is to his people lost, and to himself. The people, by his high example led, let's loose the reins to vice, idolatry, rinkest of weeds, has long or run the soil. And for excision calls, what I could do, I have done to avert it.

5:16Small my skill had not the Hebrew prophet with his counsel, supported my weak steps, see where he comes wisdom and goodness in his front serene, conspicuous sit in throned. Enter Daniel. Oh, much beloved of God in man, say, is there ought to save the sinking state? Great queen, to not in man to pry into the councils of omniscience. I know, for thou hast taught me wisdom dwells in none but God, in him alone as power. He at his will removes and sets up kings. Yet oft some rays of the divine foreknowledge on man have shown, to thee he has laid open the deep and secret things of providence, for thou hast looked into the seeds of time, foretold the fate of empires, this for one, to my great

6:17father. I remember well his vision of the four successive kingdoms, which thou alone could tell and couldst interpret. All things concur to show the time is near, when this shall end. Perhaps thou noest how, near. Tis true a queen, God by my mouth, revealed to that great prince the end of human states, but not the time precise. The times and seasons in his own power reserved the eternal mind, nor should to man, for what he has imparted, to his hours to praise him, to use that a right and rest contented. Yet you well observe and apt concurrence of events to point the time not far. But you have done your duty, I mine. No more remains, but to submit to what God only wise and just

7:28ordains. Ah, falling country, my son, you think not of impending fate, nor fear to bring the judgments down that crimes like yours await. But trust unseasonably brave, in walls, in gates, in depth of wave, in idle gods, that cannot save. Alas, that I should live to bear the loss of all I hold most dear. Layment not thus, oh queen, in vain, virtue's part is to resign. All things to the will divine, nor of its just decrees complain. The sins of Babylon urge on her fate, but virtue still this comfort gives. On earth she finds a safe retreat, or blessed in heaven forever lives. Seen two, the camp of Cyrus before Babylon, a view of the city with the river Euphrates running

8:40through it. Cyrus, Goprias, Meeds and Persians, chorus of Babylonians upon the walls, deriding Cyrus as engaged in an impracticable undertaking. Behold by Persia's hero maid, the ample form, the strong blockade. How broad the ditch, how deep it falls, what lofty towers, or look the walls. Harc Cyrus, twenty times the sun, round the great year his course shall run. If they're so long thy armies stay, not yet to dogs and birds pray, no sucker from without a rive, within remain no means to live. We then may think it time to treat, and Babylon can

9:43epitulate, a tedious time to make it short, thy wise attempts will find us in sport. Well may they laugh from meager of famine safe, and plenty of stores for more than twenty years, from all assaults secure and gates of brass, and walls as stupendous in Euphrates depth yet more secure. Does that security shall aid me to their ruin? I tell thee, Goprias, I will revenge thy wrongs upon the head of this inhuman king. Well, memory is still bitter to my soul. Make things I see my son, the best, the loveliest of mankind, whose filial love, then duty above all sons, made me above all other fathers happy. I see him breathless at the tyrant's feet, the victim of his envy.

10:44Oppressed with never-seacing grief, I drag a painful weary life of all that made life sweet bereft, no hope but in revenge is left. Try those unavailing tears, haste your just revenge to speed, I'll disperse your gloomy fares, dawning hope shall soon succeed. Be comforted, safe through the tyrant's seam within those walls, I have a stratagem. Inspired by heaven, dreams off to send from heaven, shall baffle all his strength, so strong by mine the impression bears I cannot think it less. Be thought, as on the bank of deep you freighties I stood, revolving in my anxious mind, our arduous enterprise, a voice divine, in thunder uttered to the bottom seemed to pierce the rivers depth, the lofty towers of Yon-Proud city trembling bowed their heads as they would kiss

11:48the ground. Thou deep it said, be dry, no more, but instant of the word the stream for sook its bank and in a moment left bare his oozy bed. Amazed I stood, order to then unknown upraised my hair and froze my filtering tongue. The voice renewed, Cyrus, go on and conquer, desire that erase thee, I will direct thy way. Build thou my city and without a ransom, set thy captives free. It was a vision fair and fortunate, and calls to my reverberates strange events, the four almost forgot. The Jewish people evolved the favourites of heaven, so proved by various signs, miraculous protections, nor less miraculous vengeance on their foes, Egyptian or Assyrian, till their crimes, he, to the popular sum, incensed their God to leave

12:55them, and exposed their land, their city, his temple glorious magnificent, with all his sacred things, a scorn and prey to the proud city that now braves your arms. This people by our late victorious King, Nebid Kineser, from their native land to this were carried captain. Some of these for beauty, science, pudence, most remarked, chose from their fellows, stood before the king. Daniel above the rest, for virtue famed, and by his God beloved, whose holy spirit in his pure breast as in a temple dwelling, enriches it with knowledge more than human. The king's prophetic dream himself forgot. He knew and did interpret, or this providence he was for this made ruler, and though he, who now unworthy reigns, regards him not, scarce knows his name, awake to pleasure only, unmindful of what air is great or good, the queen his mother,

14:01to whose government he slothful leaves the state, well knows his merit, and by his counsel moves. If out of weight is in your dream, this sure must be the people, and there's the city meant. They wonder as tale, with rapture fills my breast, oh Cyrus, more than mortals blessed, at once the tyrants reign to end, avenge thy wrongs, my injured friend, before the people long oppressed, from exile to their native land, and execute divine command. No, tell me, G-brire, does not this you fratis flew through the midst of Babylon? It does. And I have heard you say that on the west, Demonstrous Link, on every side extended 400 furlongs, while the banks were made, received the exhausted river. Tis most true, the lake you see remains,

15:03and the canal through which the water flowed. For still, you fratis weld, once a year above his banks by snow, in summer melted from Armenian mountains, with day-lute all the country, but that these divert his raging course. Might we not then, by the same means, now drain you fratis dry, and through its channel march into the city? Suppose this done, yet still the brazing gates which from the city to the river lead, will bar our passage, always shut by night, when we must make the attempt. Could we suppose those gates unshirt, we might indeed ascend with ease into the city? Said you not, this is the feast of Cessac consecrate, and that the Babylonians spend the night in the rank and revels, and in loose disorder? They do, and it is religion to be drunk on this occasion.

16:05Behold the monstrous human beast, wallowing in excessive feast. No more his maker's image found. But self-degraded to a swine, he fixes grouveling on the ground, his portion of the breath divine. Can you then think it's strange, if the round in wine, and from above infatuate, they neglect the means of their own safety? Great God, who yet but darkly known, thus far has the deigned by arms to bring? Support me still, while I pull down a serious proud and Julius king. So shall this hand thy orders raise, this tongue forever sing thy praise, and all thy will, when clearly shown, by thy glad servant shall be done. My friends be confident, and boldly enter upon this high exploit. No little cause we have to hope suggests, since not unjustly we have attacked,

17:07but being first attacked. We have pursued the aggressor. Add to this that I proceed in nothing with the neglect of power divine. What air I undertake, I still begin with God, and gain his favor with sacrifice and prayer. All empires upon God depend, begun by his command, at his command the end. Look up to him in all your ways, begin with prayer and end with praise. Without his aid you will remain, be subject, to the way to reign. Seen free Daniel's house. Daniel, with the prophecies of Isaiah and Jeremiah open before him, other Jews. Oh sacred oracles of truth, oh living spring of purest joy, by day be ever in my

18:15mouth, and all my nightly thoughts employ. Whoever withhold attention do, neglect themselves despising you. Rejoice my countryman, the time draws near. The long expected time herein foretold, seek now the Lord your God with all your heart, and you shall surely find him. He shall turn your long captivity. He shall gather you from all the nations wither you are driven, and to your native land in peace restore you. Oh Lord, the great and dreadful God, justly thou hast thy curse's poured on our rebellious heads. For hours and for our Father's sins thy people are become the scorn of all the nations round. Yet in thy wrath remember mercy. Oh, be thy fury turned away.

19:24Not for our righteousness, but for thy own great mercy's sake. Oh Lord, here, oh Lord, forgive, defer not for thy own sake, oh our God, for we are thine and bear thy name. Doubt not, our prayer is heard, for long ago, whole ages air this Cyrus yet was born or thought of. Great Jehovah, by his prophet, in words of comfort to his captive people foretold, and called by name the wondrous man. The Seventh the Lord to Cyrus is anointed, whose right hand I have holding, to subdue nations before him. I will go before thee to loose these strong bitloins of mighty

20:25kings, make straight the crooked places, break in pieces the gates of solid brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron, for my servant's sake is Riel my chosen. Though thou hast not known me, I have surnamed thee, I have girded thee, that from the rising to the setting sun the nations make confess. I am the Lord, there is none else, there is no God besides me. Thou shalt perform my pleasure, to Jerusalem saying, thou shalt be built, and to the temple thy raised foundation shall again be laid.

21:25Break forth, he mountains, intersongs of joy, O forest and each tree therein, Jehovah had redeemed Jacob and glorified himself in Israel. Hallelujah. Seen for the palace, Bell Shazoo Nitochris Babylonians and Jews, Let Vestal joy triumph in terrain, glad every heart, in every face appear, free flow the wine, nor flow in vain, far fly corroding care. Each hand at the chime melodious rays, each voice exalt, in seashocks of praise, let order vanish liberty alone, unbounded liberty the night shall crown. For you, my friends, the nobles of my court, I have prepared a feast

22:28magnificent worthy of you and me. A while begun in videos royalty, unfriendly form, partial distinction, betwixt king and subject, master and vassal, in their room succeed. Familiar conversation, social-murth, equality, promiscuous, but this night I taste of happiness, the year besides is sacrificed to state that all my lives and concubines attend are royal mother. I must prevent the sun, who can endure the unbridled license of this festival, miscalled by the licentious liberty, when not prevails but riotous success, the noisy idiot laugh, the gest-obscene, the scurrotant and drunken midnight brawl, my soul starts back at such brutality,

23:33asserting reasons empire. The leaving honors of the field, before the boisterous driving wind, in giddy dissipation fly, to noise and folly forced to yield, the fair ideas quit the mind and lost in wild confusion lie. It is the custom, I may say, the law, by long prescription fixed, these captive Jews. They'll shatter looking round and spying the Jews. What do they hear? They lower upon our joys, an envy liberty they cannot taste. Yet something your perverse and wayward nation shall to our earth contribute. Bring those vessels, those costly vessels, my victorious grand-sire, took from the temple of Jerusalem, and in the temple of Great Bell laid up, but used them not, his fit they should be used,

24:37and let their God, whose power was found too weak to save his people, serve the conquerors, of him and them, will revel in his cups their rich materials and choice workmanship shall well augment the splendor of our feast, and as we drink, will praise our country gods, to whom we owe the prize. Oh, sacrilege, unheard of profanation! Chorus of Jews Recall O' King, Thyrash command, for prostitute with empires hand, to use us while the holy things of great Jehovah King of kings, thy grand-sire tremble that his name, and doomed death, who dust blaspheme, for he, like us, his bar had tried, confess him just in all his ways, confess him able to abase,

25:37the sons of men that walk in pride. They tell you true, nor can you be to learn, though ease and pleasure have engrossed you all. Things done in public view. I'll not repeat the seven fold-heated furnace by that God whom you defy, made to his faithful servants, a walk of recreation, nor the king, in height of all his pride, drove from his throne, and from the first of men, in thought a God, reduced to brutal rank. Or this and more thou noest as well as I, and shouldst consider. Away is then my mother convert grown to Jewish superstition? A postate queen, these idle tales might well become the doetage of palsied elders, but not queen like you, in prime of life, for wisdom far renowned. On to the feast, I waste the time too long in frivolous

26:44dispute, time too of right to pleasure and the gods. O dearer than my life forbear, profane not O my son, with impious rights Jehovah's name, remember what his arm has done. The earth contains not half his fame, remember, and his vengeance fear. O queen, this hateful theme forbear, joy not against your son, with captive slaves, your country's foes, remember what our gods have done, to these who thirst their power oppose, remember, and their vengeance fear. Alas, then must I see my son had long to sure destruction run? Not to destruction, but delight, I fly, and all once more invite to reign with me this happy night. Excellent severally, chorus of Jews, by slow degrees the wrath of God, to its meridian height asens,

27:52there mercy long the dreadful bolt suspends, a raid of fending man anoy, long patient for repentant suites, reluctant to destroy, at length the wretch of jurid groan infatuated makes the ruin all his own, and every step he takes on his devoted head precipitates the thunder down. End of Act 1 Act 2 of Belchezar by George Frederick Handel and Charles Jennings This library box recording is in the public domain. Act 2 Act 2 Scene 1 Without the city the river almost empty, Cyrus etc.

28:53See, from his supposed Euphrates' flies, the stream withdraws his garden wave, fanceless the queen of city life. Why, fateless river, does thou leave thy charge, the hostile arms of prey, expose the lives thou otest to save, prepare the fears and viders we, and like false man thy trust but tree? Euphrates' half his taskful filled, but to divine decree must yield, while bable queen of cities reigned, the flood her garden was ordained, now to superior power gives place, and but the doom of heaven abays, of things on earth proud man must own, false herds found in man alone. You see, my friends, a path into the city lies open. Fearless let us enter, knowing that those we are to cope with are the same we have already conquered, strengthens then with aid of great and numerous allies,

29:59wakeful and sober, ranked in just a ray. Now all asleep, or drunk, at best disordered, a helpless state, still worse when they shall hear we are within their walls. Amazed to find the foes o' near, when sleep and whine their senses drown, while heart shall faint and melt with fear, while hands are nerfed, fall feebly down, useless the hearers valourize, useless the council of the wise. Dom's, Dom's, no more delie, God and Cyrus speak the way. They descend into the river, seen to, a banquet room adorned with the images of the Babylonian gods. Belchezar is wives, concubines and lords, drinking out of the Jewish temple vessels,

31:01and singing the praises of their gods. Ye dutola gods of our empire, look down, and see what rich trophies your victory crown. Let your own bantus gifts, which are gratitude rays, gold, wine, merry notes pay our tribute of praise. Bell first we sing, great Lord of all below, to thee our wealth and power we all. Thee, Nibbo, next whose wisdom all admire, for prescience famed of arts the sire, sa'fak this night as chiefly thine, kine donna the sparkling wine. Let the deep bow thy praise confess, thy gifts, the gracious giver bless, thy gifts of all the gods bestow, improve by use and sweeter grow, another bowl, his generous wine, exalts the human, to divine.

32:01Where is the God of Judah's boasted power, that him reclaim his lost magnificence, assert his rights, proved ours by long possession, and vindicate his injured honor? Ah! As Bell Shazar is going to drink, a hand appears writing upon the wall over against him. He sees it, turns pale with fear, drops the bowl of wine, falls back in his seat, trembling from head to foot and his knees knocking against each other. Help! Help the king! He faints! He dies! What envies demon blusts her joy and into sorrow turns. Look up, O king! Speak, Jedi friends, say why our Mirt thus sudden ends and the gay circle mourns. Behold, see there! Bell Shazar pointing to the hand upon the wall, which while they gaze at it with

33:11astonishment finishes the writing and vanishes. Oh, die a potentious sight! But see, he's gone and leaves behind it types unknown. Perhaps some stunned grief, feet, big with the ruin of our state. What God or God like man can tell the sense of this mysterious spell. Call all our wise men, sorcerers, coutians, astrologers, agitions, suth sayers, they can perhaps unfold the mystic words, the spell are doubts and ease us of our fears. Enter wise men of Babylon. Ye sages, welcome always to your king. Most welcome now, since needed most. Oh minister, to my sick mind the medicine of your art, who air shall read this writing and interpret a splendid purple robe behind him flows. A chain of gold is honored neck shall grace,

34:19and in the kingdom he shall rule the third. Alas, to art a task the king imposes to read the characters we never learned. Oh misery, oh terror, hopeless grief, nor God nor man of false relief. Who can this mystery unveil when all our wise diviners fail? Enter Nitochris. Nitochris aside. How soon the scene has changed. He who but now breathed not, but mercengyity, defied the God of heaven and willful stop to his ears to all advice now pale and spiritless, and helpless sits with all his gods about him. Who knew not his distress, and could they know they could not bring him aid. But I must now speak comfort to him, nor increase

35:20his woes too great already. Nitochris to Bel-Shazar. Oh king, live forever, let not thy heart its wanted courage lose, nor let thy countenance be changed with fear. Though all thy wise men fail thee in thy kingdom, there is a man among the Jewish captives in whom the Holy Spirit of God resides. And in thy grand sire Nebuchadnezzar's days wisdom, like that of God, was found in him, by which he could interpret mystic dreams, explain hard sentences, dissolve all doubts. Daniel, his native name, but by the king, named Bel-Th-Shazar, let him now be called, he'll read the writing and interpret it. Enter Daniel. Art thou that Daniel of the Jewish captives? I have heard of thee that a spirit divine resides in

36:23thee, that light in understanding and wisdom excellent is found in thee. Thou seest this writing on the wall, the wise men, who all were brought before me, could not read it, much less interpret. I have heard of thee that thou canst find interpretations deep and dissolve naughty doubts. If thou canst read this writing and explain, a purple robe adorns thy body, a gold chains thy neck, and in the kingdom thou shalt rule the third. No, to thy self-thy trifles be, or takes thy rich rewards who will. Such glittering trash affects not me, intent on greater matter still. Yet to obey his dread command, who vindicates his honor now, I'll read this oracle and thou, but to thy cost shalt

37:28understand. The most high-god O King, gave to thy grand-sire a kingdom, majesty, glory and honor. All people, nations, tongues trampled before him, who mere he would, he slew, or kept alive, whom ere he would exalted or abased. But when from hence his heart was lifted up, his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed, is kingly thrown, his glory taken from him. Driven from the sons of man with beasts he dwelt, himself become a beast, nor was restored, till humbly he confessed, the most high-god rules in the kingdom of man, and over it, a point sumer he will. And thou, Balshazar, his grandson, though thou newest all these things,

38:35yet hast not humbled thy proud heart to God, but lifted up thy self against the Lord of heaven, whose vessels they have brought before thee, and thou thy lords thy wives and concubines have drunk wine in them. Thou hast praised the gods of gold and silver, brass, iron, wood and stone, which neither see nor hear nor ought perceive. But him, the god whose hand upholds thy life, and in whose high dispose are all thy ways, thou hast not glorified, but hast blasphemed. From him the hand was sent by his appointment. These words were written, which I thus sinned to interpret. Menay, menay, tekel, you foreseen. Menay, the god, who thou hast thus dishonored,

39:43the days hath numbered of thy reign, and finished it. Tekel, thou in the balances are it weighed, and art found wanting. Perez thy kingdom is divided, and to the meads and Persians given. O sentence too severe, and yet too sure, unless repentance may reverse the doom, perhaps my son, it is not yet too late to take thy mother's counsel, earthed despised. Revere the god whose name thou hast blasphemed, implore his pardon with repentant tears, redeem offenses passed by righteousness, show mercy to the poor and obtain mercy. God yet may lengthen thy tranquility, and thou, and I in thee may yet be happy. Regardless of my flowing tears, proofs

40:44of maternal love, regard thyself to cure thy fears, regard the god above. Repentant's sure will mercy find, but to wrath pursues the obduret mind. Exit nitokris, though thy interpretation sound so harsh, yet to perform my promise, but in where a splendid purple robe, with a gold chain, his neck be graced, and to complete his greatness proclaim him the third ruler in the kingdom. Your tinsel, ornamans, forbear, your empty titles wave. The time is near, when thou and all thy god-y train, from that experience shall confess, great truth, how little understood. The robe most splendid, righteousness, virtue the only graceful chain, none truly great except

41:50the good. Seen three, Cyrus, God-briars, etc. within the city. Oh, God of truth, O faithful guide, will hast thou kept thy word. Deep waves at my approach, subside, the brazen portals open wide, glad to receive their Lord. The hostile nations scattered fly, no damn I presence stay, where ere I go, sure victory attends, for God is always nigh, and he prepares my way. You, G-briars, lead directly to the palace, for you best know the way. This reveling herd cannot oppose our passage, those who would, for easy victims. For the rest, they fly, or take us for their friends, and a reeling shout for joy. We will be their friends and join the shout. I seek no enemy except the tyrant, when he is slain, our task is at an end.

42:59My worthy friends that does not stand our swords with needless slaughter, I begin already to count this people mine. Myself, they shepherd, his office is to feed and to protect them, not to destroy. Oh, glorious prince, trice happy thee, born to enjoy thy future sweet. To all like thee were sceptress given, kings were like gods and earth like heaven. Subjection free, unfaust, would prove obedience is the child of love. The jars of nation soon would cease, sweet liberty, be a tiffic peace, would stretch their reign from shore to shore, and war and slavery be no more. End that too. Act 3 of Bell Shazzler by George Frederick Handel and Charles Jennings.

44:02This library box recording is in the public domain. Act 3. Scene 1. The Palace. Nautocrysth Daniel Jews. Altered hopes and fears distract my mind. My weary soul, no rest can find. My busy fancy now presents, a gracious scene, my son repents, and God recalls his doom. Now to false shame he quits his fears, false courage takes, and madly dares, his empires feast resume, then arms and dying groans resound, and streams of blood gush out around. Fain would I know the effect of this late prodigy of your reproof and stern prophetic threats, of my advice enforced with tears of love. Fain would I hope. Is there not room for hope?

45:04Can he be so insensate to resist such powerful arguments so strongly urged by his own fears? Can such perverseness dwell in human hearts? It cannot surely be. Oh, that it could not, but if I may judge the future by the past, it were vain flattery to bid you hope for his conversion. Can the black atheope change his skin, his native spots the leopard lose, then may the heart of deird in sin, grow soft, repent and virtue choose, threats or advice but move disdain and signs and wonders glare in vain. Enter Arioc. My hopes revive. Here Arioc comes, by this toesplain the rebels are broke up. Say, Arioc, where is the king? When you had left the room, a wild deep silence rained, the king sat

46:09captive, as doubting whether to break up the banquet or to continue. At length some parasites, those insects vile that still infest a court, began to minister false comfort to him. Surmised, the hand that wrote upon the wall might be some juggling trick, some pious fraud contrived by Jews to vindicate their faith and save the honor of their god. Suppose, toer no imposter, but the hand of heaven. Yet, Daniel might mistake the sense. At worst, no time was fixed, the judgements he denounced might yet be years to come. The present moment was theirs, their wisest course was to enjoy it, nor lose the certain present for the future, uncertain when to come. With this, again they sat them down to drink.

47:15The bowl went round, the king forgot his fears, the wine inspired him, and he blasphemed again. Not long we sat, when from without the gates, a noise tumultuous was heard, loud shouts and cries, and clashing arms. The king deputed some to learn the cause. I gladly seized the opportunity, and fled a place to swift destruction doomed. Enter a messenger. All's lost, the fate of Babylon is finished. Cyrus is here, even within the palace. Cyrus, impossible! It is too true. A tumult heard without, the gates unbard, disclosed a dreadful scene. The guards, or powered by numbers far superior, fell before them with faint resistance.

48:21The victorious foe, no sooner saw the gates set open wide, but rushed at once, and easy entrance gained. Thus is that length fulfilled what God foretold long since by his great prophet. Now, O queen, the time is come. Be strong and arm yourself with all your virtue. This empire is no more. Your son, I spare your grief, convert your thoughts to what may comfort you. The past and present are two gods justice to. The future time, hope to his mercy, gives. What air he does is best. Let this sink deep into your mind, assuage your griefs, and dissipate your fears. ''Chorus all Jews.''

49:23Bael boweth down, Nebo stupeeth. How is Se'he fek taken? And how is the praise of the whole earth surprised? Thy counsel stands O Lord, and thou dost all my pleasure. Ilam is come up. Media had besieged, all our sying has thou made to cease. For the Lord will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel and set them in their own land. Seen two, bell shanzor, his lords and other Babylonians, with their swords drawn. I thank thee, Sisha, thy sweet power, does to myself, my self-restore, thy plentuous, heart-inspiring juice. All my courage lost renews. I blush to think, I shadows feared. Cyrus, come on, I'm now prepared. Excient to meet Cyrus.

50:26A martial symphony, during which a battle is supposed, in which bell shanzor and his attendance are slain. Seen three, Cyrus, gob-r-ass, etc. To power immortal my first thanks, sir-do. My next great Cyrus, let me pay to you, whose arm this impious king laid low, the bitter source of all my woe. Tears, sure, will all my life employ. Even now I weep, but weep for joy. Be it thy care, good gibberish, to find out the queen, and to that great Jew whom thou toldst me. Guard them in safety hither, if arm before them I shall repent and curse my victory. Exit, gob-r-ass. Destructive war thy limits know.

51:27Here tyrant death thy terror is end. The tyrant's only I'm a fool, to virtue and her friends, a friend. The tyrant's keep this lazing aw, who hate yet fear to break their chain. From hence thy glory, Cyrus, throw in human hearts to fix thy reign. Re-entrued gob-r-ass with Nitorchris, Daniel and Jews. Great victor, at your feet high bow, no more queen, your vassal now. My people spare, forgive my fears, I mourn a son, indulge my tears, resisteless nature bids them flow. Rise virtuous queen, compose your mind, he fear and sorrow to the wind. Be for your people, if they will. Be still a queen, a mother still, a son in Cyrus you shall find.

52:30Cyrus to Daniel. Save, enrable prophet, is there ought in Cyrus' power by which he can oblige thee, or thy people? Oh, victorious prince, the God of Israel, Lord of heaven and earth, long air thy birth foretold thee by thy name, and shoe thy conquests, Tis to him thouost, to him thou must describe them. Read those lines. The great prediction which thou hast already in part accomplished, and we trust, will soon fulfill thee rest. When you are giving Cyrus, part of Isaiah's prophecy which Cyrus reads, How false and weak is human policy, which lays deep schemes of raising, governing, preserving

53:32empires, not regarding him, by whom King's reign, and empires rise and fall. Tell it out among the heathen that the Lord is King, he make it the devices of people, of none effect. He casteth out the councils of princes, he puteth down one, and seteth up another. Yes, I will rebuild thy city, God of Israel, I will release thy captives, not for price, not for reward, but to perform thy pleasure. Thou art the Lord, there is none else, there is no God beside thee, Thou condescendeth to call me thy shepherd, and I will feed thy flock. To me thou hast given the kingdoms of the earth, and shall I suffer thy kingdom, to thy waste, thy chosen people in exile and captivity to wander.

54:35Far be from Cyrus such in gratitude. Hear holy people, hear elect of God. The God of Israel, he alone is God, hath charged me to rebuild his house and city, and let his exiled captive people go. With transport I obey, be free ye captives, until your native land in peace return. Thou, Urzulam, shall be rebuilt. O temple thy foundation shall be laid. No thanks to me, to God return your thanks, as I do mine. We all are to his goodness indebted deep, to him be all the praise. Anthem, I will magnify thee, O God my King, and I will praise thy name forever and ever. My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord, and let all flesh give thanks.

55:36And to his holy name, forever and ever. Amen. Penis. End of act three. End all bellshedder by George Frederick Handel and Charles Jennings.