wear:

Th’applauding deities with pleasure heard, words, it may be proper to acquaint the public, And for the grateful work prepar'd.

that they are the first essays of this kind, and A busy face the god of Gardens wore;

were written as an experiment of introducing a Vertumnus of the party too,

sort of composition, which had never been na. From various sweets th' exhaling spirits drew: turalized in our language. Those who are affectWhile, in full canisters, Pomona bore

edly partial to the Italian tongue will scarce alOf richest fruits a plenteous store;

low music to speak any other; but if reason may And Vesta promis'd wondrous things to do. be admitted to have any share in these entertainGay Venus led a lively train

ments, nothing is more necessary than that the Of smiles and graces: the plump god of Wine words should be unilerstood, without which the From clusters did the flowing nectar strain,

end of vocal music is lost. The want of this eAnd filld large goblets with his juice divine. casions a common complaint, and is the chief, if

Thus charg'd, they seek the honour'd shade not the only reason, that the best works of Scar

Where liv'd and died the spotless maid. lati and other Italians, except those performed in On a soft couch of turf the body lay;

operas, are generally but little known or regarded Th’approaching deities press'd all around,

here. Besides, it may be observed, without any Prepar'd the sacred rites to pay

dishonour to a language which has been adorned In silence, and with awe profound.

by some writers of excellent genius, and was the Flora thrice bow'd, and thus was heard to pray.

first among the moderns in which the art of poetry “ Jove! migbty Jove! whom all adore,

was revived and brought to any perfection, that Exert thy great creative power!

in the great number of their operas, serenatas, Let this fair corpse be mortal clay no more;

and cantatas, the words are often much inferior to Transform it to a tree, to bear a beauteous flower'

the composition; and though, by their abounding Scarce had the goddess spoke, when see!

with vowels, they have an inimitable aptness and The nymph's extended limbs the form of branches facility for notes, the writers for music have not

always made the best use of this advantage, or Behold the wondrous change, the fragrant tree!

seem to, have relied on it so much as to have reTo leaves was turn'd her flowing hair;

garded little else; so that Mr. Waller's remark on And rich diffus'd perfumes regal'd the wanton air.

another occasion may be frequently applied to

them: Heavens ! what new charm, what sudden light, Improves the grot, and entertains the sight! Soft words, with nothing in them, make a song. A sprouting bud begins the tree t'adorn;

Yet so great is the force of sounds well chosen The large the sweet vermilion flower is born! The goddess thrice on the fair infant breath'd,

and skilfully executed, that, as they can hide inTo spread it into life, and to convey

different sense, and a kind of associated pleasure The fragrant soul, and every charm bequeath’d arises from the words though they are but mean;

so the impression cannot fail of being in proporTo make the vegetable princess gay:

tion much greater, when the thoughts are natural Then kiss'd it thrice: the genteral silence broke, And thus in loud rejoicing accents spoke.

and proper, and the expressions unaffected and

agreeable. “ Ye flowers at my command attendant here, Since, therefore, the English language, though Pay homage, and your sovereign Rose revere! inferior in smoothness, has been found not inca. No sorrow on your drooping leaves be seen; pable of harmony, nothing would perhaps be wantLet all be proud of such a queen,

ing towards introducing the most elegant style of So fit the floral crown to wear,

music, in a nation which has given such generous To glorify the day, and grace the youthful year." encouragements to it, if our best poets would someThus speaking, she the new-born favourite times assist this design, and make it their diversion

The transformation was complete; (crown'd, to improve a sort of verse, in regular measures, The deities with songs the queen of flowers did greet: purposely fitted for music, and which, of all the

Soft flutes and tuneful harps were heard to sound; modern kinds, seems to be the only one that can
While now to Heaven the well-pleas'd goddess flies now properly be called lyrics.
With her bright train, and reascends the skies. It cannot but be observed on this occasion, that

since poetry and music are so nearly allied, it is a
misfortune that those who excel in one are often

perfect strangers to the other. If, therefore, a SIX CANTATAS, OR POEMS FOR MUSIC, better correspondence were settled between the two

sister arts, they would probably contribute to eacb AFTER THE MANNER OF THE ITALIANS.

other's improvement. The expressions of har

mony, cadence, and a good ear, which are said Non antè vulgatas per artes

to be so necessary in poetry, being all borrowed

from music, show at least, if they signify any Verba loquor socianda chordis.

thing, that it would be no improper help for a Hor.

poet to understand more than the metaphorical THE PREFACE,

sense of them. And on the other hand, a com

poser can never judge where to lay the accent of AS IT WAS PRINTED BEFORE THE MUSIC.

his music, who does not know, or is not made sen

sible, where the words have the greatest beauty TO THE LOVERS OF MUSIC.

and force. MR.

R. Pepusch having desired that some account There is one thing in compositions of this sort should be prefixed to these cantatas relating to the which seems a little to want explaining, and that

SET TO MUSIC BY MR. PEPUSCH.

AIR.

RECITATIVE.

is the recitative music, which many people hear without pleasure, the reason of which is, perhaps, Lovely isle! so richly blest! that they have a mistaken notion of it. They are Beauty's palm is thine confess'd. accustomed to think that all music should be air; Thy daughters all the world outshine, and being disappointed of what they expect, they Nor Venus' self is so divine. lose the beauty that is in it of a different kind. It Lovely isle ! so richly blest! may be proper to observe, therefore, that the re- Beauty's palm is thine confessid. citative style in composition is founded on that variety of accent which pleases in the pronunciation of a good orator, with as little deviation from

CANTATA II. it as possible. The Gifferent tones of the voice,

ALEXIS. in astonishinent, joy, sorrow, rage, tenderness in affirmations, apostrophes, interrogations, and all the varieties of speech, make a sort of natural music, which is very agreeable; and this is what See,-from the silent grove Alexis flies, is intended to be imitated, with some helps by the

And seeks with every pleasing art

To ease the pain, which lovely eyes composer, but without approaching to what we

Created in his heart. call a tune or air; so that it is but a kind of im

To shining theatres he now repairs, prored elocution or pronouncing the words in musical cadences, and is indeed wholly at the mercy

To learn Camilla's moving airs, of the performer to inake it agreeable or not, ac

Where thus to Music's power the swain address'd his cording to his skill or ignorance, like the reading

prayers. of verse, which is not every one's talent. This

Charming sounds! that sweetly languish, short account may possibly suffice to show how

Music, O compose my anguish! properly the recitative has a place in compositions

Every passion yields to thee; of any length, to relieve the ear with a variety, and to introduce the airs with the greater ad

Phæbus quickly then relieve me:

Cupid shall no more deceive me;
Fantage.
As to Mr. Pepusch's success in these compo-

I'll to sprightlier joys be free. sitions, I am not at liberty to say any more than

RECITATIVE, that he has, I think, very naturally expressed the

Apollo heard the foolish swain; sense of the words. He is desirous the public He knew, when Daphne once he lov'd, should be informed, that they are not only the first

How weak, t'assuage an amorous pain, he has attempted in English, but the first of any

His own harmonious art had prov'd, of his works published by himself; and as he And all his healing herbs how rain. wholly submits them to the judgment of the lovers Then thus he strikes the speaking strings, of this art, it will be a pleasure to him to find, that | Preluding to bis voice, and sings. his endeavours to promote the composing of music in the English language, after a new model, are Sounds, though charming, can't relieve thee; favourably accepted.

Do not, shepherd, then deceive thee,

Music is the voice of Love.
If the tender maid believe thee,

Soft relenting,
CANTATA I.

Kind consenting,
ON ENGLISH BEAUTY.

Will alone thy pain remove

AIR.

AIR.

RECITATIVE.

When Beauty's goddess from the ocean sprung,

Ascending, o'er the waves she cast a smile

On fair Britannia's happy isle,
And rais'd her tuneful voice, and thus she sung.

CANTATA III.
ON THE SPRING.

WITH VIOLINS,

AIR.
FRAGRANT Flora! haste, appear,

Goditess of the youthful Year!

Zephyr gently courts thee now:
On thy buds of roses playing,
All thy breathing sweets displaying,

Hark, bis amorous breezes blow!
Fragrant Flora! haste, appear!
Goddess of the youthful Year!
Zephyr gently courts thee now.

RECITATIVE,
Thus on a fruitful hill, in the fair bloom of spring

The tuncful Colinet, his voice did raise,

The vales remurmur'd with his lays,
And listening birds hung hovering on the wing,
In whispering sighs soft Zephyr by him flew,
While thus the shepherd did his song renew.

AIR.

AIR.

RECITATIVE.

AIR.

RECITATIVE.

The god of Love his motion spies,
Love and pleasures gaily flowing,

Lays by the pipe, and shoots a dart
Come this charming season grace!

Through Corydon's unwary heart,
Smile, ye fair! your joys bestow ing,

Then, siniling, from his ambush fies;
Spring and youth will soon be going,

While in his room, divinely bright,
Seize the blessings ere they pass :

The reigning beauty of the groves surpris'd the Love and pleasures gaily flowing,

shepherd's sight. Come this charming season grace!

Who, from love his heart securing,

Can avoin th'enchanting pain?
CANTATA IV.

Pleasure calls with voice alluring,

Beauty softly binds the chain.
MIRANDA.

Who, from love his heart securing,
RECITATIVE.

Can avoid th' enchanting pain?
Miranda's tuneful voice and fame
Had reach'd the wondering skies;
From Heaven the god of Music came,

CANTATA VI.
And own'd a pleas'd surprise ;

THE COQUET.
Then in a soft melodious lay,
Apollo did these grateful praises pay.

Airy Cloe, proud and young,
AIR,
Matchless charmer! thine shall be

The fairest tyrant of the plain,
The highest prize of harmony.

Laugh'd at her adoring swain.
Phæbus ever will inspire thee,

He sadly sighd-she gayly sung,
And th' applauding world admire thee;

And wanton, thus reproach'd his pain.
All shall in tliv praise agree.
Matchless charmer! thine shall be

Leave me, silly shepherd, go, The highest prize of harmony.

You only tell me what I know,

You view a thousand charnis in me; The god then summond every Muse t' appear,

Then cease thy prayers, I'll kinder grow, And hail their sister of the quire; [hear,

When I can view such charms in thee. Smiling they stood around, her soothing strains to

Leave me, silly shepherd, go;
And fill'd her happy soul with all their fire. You only tell me what I know,

You view a thousand charms in me.
O Harmony! how wondrous sweet,
Dost thou our cares allay!

Amyntor, fir'd by this dis lain,
When all thy moving graces meet,

Curs'd the proud fair, and broke his chain; How softly dost thou stcal our easy hours away!

He rav'd, and at the scorner swore,
o Harmony! how wondrous sweet,

And row'd he'd be Love's fool no more
Dost thou our cares allay!

Brit Cloe smild, and thus she call'd him back again.

Shepherd, this I've done to prove thee,
CANTATA V.

Now thou art a man, I love thee:

And without a blush resign.
CORYDON.

But ungrateful is the passion,

And destroys our inclination,
RECITATIVE.

When, like slaves, our lovers whine.
Wuile Corydon the lonely shepherd try'd

Shepherd, this l've done to prove thee,
His tuneful flute, and charm'd the grove, Now thou art a man, I love thee,
The jealous nightingales, that strove

And without a blush resign.
To trace his notes, contending dy'd ;
At last he hears within a myrtle shade

An echo answer all his strain;
Love stole the pipe of sleeping Pan, and play'd;
Then with his voice decoys the listening swain.

PRAISES OF HEROIC VIRTUE.
Gay shepherd, to befriend thee,

FROM THE FRAGMENTS OP TYRTÆUS. Here pleasing scenes attend thee,

'TRANSLATED IN THE YEAR 1701, ON OCCASION OP O this way speed thy pace! If music can delight thee,

THE KING OF FRANCE'S BREAKING THE Or visions fair invite thee,

PEACE OF RYSWICK.
This bower's the happy place.
Gay shepherd, to befriend thee,

O SPARTAN youths! what fascinating charms Here pleasing scenes attend thee,

Have froze your blood ? why rust your idle arms? O this way speed thy pace!

When, with awaken'd courage, will you go,

And minds resolv'd, to meet the threat'ning foe? The shepherd rose, he gaz'd around,

What! shall our vile lethargic sloth betray And vainly sought the magic sound;

To greedy neighbours an unguarded prey

AIR.,

RECITATIVE.

AIR.

THE

AIR.

WITH A FLUTE.

RECITATIVE.

AIR.

Or can gon see their armies rush from far,

RECITATIVE. And sit secure amidst the rage of war?

Bright Venus and her som stood by, Ye gods! how great, how glorious 'tis to see

And heard a proud disdainful fair The warrior-hero fight for liberty,

Thus boast ber wretched liberty ; For his dear children, for his tender wife,

They scorn'd she should the raptures share, For all the valued joys, and soft supports of life! Which their happier captives know, Then let himn draw his sword, and take the field, Nor would Cupid draw his bow And fortify his breast behind the spacious shield. To wound the nymph, but laugh d out this reply. Nor fear to die; in vain you shun your fate, Nor can you shorten, nor prolong its date;

Proud and foolish! hear your fate!
For life's a measur'd race, and he that flies

Waste your youth, and sigh too late
From carts and fighting foes, at hone inglorious For joys which now you say you hate.
No grieriig crowds his obsequies attend; (dies; When : our decaying eyes
But all applaud and weep the soldier's end,

Can dart their fires no more,
Who, desperately brave, in light sustains

The wrinkles of threescore Inflicted wounds, and honourable stains,

Shall inake you rainly wise. And falis a sacritice to Glory's charms:

Proud and foolish! hear your fate! But if a just success shall crown his arins,

Waste your youth, and sigh too late
For his return the rescued people wait,

For joys which now you say you hate.
To see the guardian genius of the state;
With rapture viewing his majestic face,
His dauntless mien, and every martial grace,
They'll bless the toils he for their safety bore,

SONG.
Admire them living, and when dead adore.

Would you gain the tender creature,
Softly-gently-kindly--ircat her!

Sufiering is the lorer's part:
UNDER THE PRINT OF

Beauty by constraint possessing,
TOM BRITTON.

You enjoy but half the blessing,

Lifeless charms without the heart.
THE MUSICAL SMALL-COAL MAN.
Thorou

mean thy rank, yet in thy humble cell
Dil gentle Peace and arts unpurchas'ı dwell.
Well pleas'ıl .Ipollo thither led his train,
And Musie warbled in ber sweetest strain;

CUPID AND SCIRLATI.
Cyllenius so, as fables tell, and Jeve,

A CINTATA.
Came willing guests to voor Philemon's grove.
Ixt useless Pomp behold, and lush to find

SET BY MR. PEP'SCH.
So low a station, such a liberal mind.

Os silver Tyber's vocal shore,

The fam'd Scarlati strook luis lyre,
SONG.

And strove, with charnis unknown before,
THE FAIR TRAVELLER.

The springs of tuneful sound t'explore, Ix young Astrea's sparkling eye,

Beyond what Art alone could e'er inspire;

When see--the sweet essay to hear, Resistless Love has fix'd his throne;

Venus with her son drew near, A thousand lovers bleeding lie

And, pleas'd to ask the master's aid,
For her, with wounds they fear to own.

The mother goddess, smiling, said
While the coy beauty speeds her flight
To distant grores from whence she came;

Harmonious son of Phoebus, see,
So lightning vanishes from sight,

"Tis Love, 'tis little Love I bring. Bat leaves the forest in a flame!

The queen of beauty sues to thee,
To teach her wanton boy to sing.

RECITATIVE.

AIR.

A CANTATA.

RECITATILE,

SET BY MR. D. PURCELL.

AIR.

The pleas'd musician heard with jov,

And, proud to teach th'iminortal boy,
Diciall his songs and heavenly skill impart;

The boy, to recoinperise his art,

Repeating, did caci song improve,
And breath'd into bis airs the charnis of love,
And taught the master thus to touch the heart.

AIR,

Love, I defy thee!
Venus, I fly thee!
I'm of chaste Diana's train.

Away, thou winged boy!
Thou bear'st thy darts in vain,
I hate the languid joy,
I mock the trifling pain.
Love, I defy thee!
Vents, I fly thee!
I'm of chaste Diana's train.
VOL X

Lore inspiring,

Sounds persuarling,
Makis huis darts resistius: dy;

Beauty aiding,

Arts aspirin!';
Give their wings to rise muore higla.

D

AIR.

AIR.

A CANTATA.

The nymph look'd back, well pleas'd to set

That Damon ran as swift as she. SET WITH SYMPHONIES BY SIGXION NICOLINI HAYM.

Pastora tied to a shady grove;

Damon view'd her, Ye tender powers! how shall I move

And pursu'd her;
A careless maid, that laughs at love?

Cupid laugh'd, and crown'd his love.
Cupid, to my succour fly:
Come with all thy thrilling darts,
Thy melting flames to soften hearts;
Conquer for me, or I die!

A PASTORAL MASQUE.
Ye tender powers! how shall I move
A careless inaid, that laughs at love?

SCENE, A PROSPECT OF A WOOD.
Cupid, to my succour fly!

ENTER A SHEPHERD, AND SINGS.
RECITATIVE.

Ye nymphs and shepherds of the grove,
Thus, in a melancholy shade,

That know the pleasing pains of love,
A pensive lover to his aid
Invokd the god of warm desire;

Fager for th’expected blessing,
Love heard him, and, to gain the maid,

Sighing, panting for possessing! Did this successful thought inspire.

Leave your fiocks, and haste away,

With solemn state,

To celebrate
Take her humour, smile, be gay,

Cupid and Hymen's holiday.
In her favourite follies join,
That's the charın will make her thine.

Enter a band of shepherds on one side with gar. Cast thy serious airs away,

lands; on the other side, shepherdesses with Freely courting,

canisters of flowers. Toying, sporting, Soothe her houts with amorous play.

CHORUS. Take her humour, smile, be gay,

From the echoing hills, and the jovial plains, In her favourite follies join,

Where pleasure, and plenty, and happiness reigns; That's the charm will make her thine.

We leave our flocks, and haste away,

With solemn state

To celebrate

Cupid and Hymen's holiday.
PASTORA,
A CANTATA.

[A dance here ]
Scene opening discovers a pleasant bourr, with

the god of love asleep, attended by Cupids, RECITATIVE.

some playing with his bow, others sharpening Os fam'd Arcadia's flowery plains,

his arrows, &c. On each side the bower, walks The gay Pastora once was heard to sing;

of cypress trees, and fountains playing; a disClose by a fountain's crystal spring,

tant landscape terminates the prospect. She warbled out her merry strains.

Verse for a shepherdess, with flutes.
Shepherds, would you hope to please us,

See the mighty power of love,
You must every humour try;

Sleeping in a Cyprian grore !
Sometimes flatter, sometimes teaze us,

Nymphs and shepherds, gently shed
Often laugh, and sometimes cry.

Spices round his sacred head;
Shepherds, would you hope to plcase us,

On his lovely body shower
You must every humour try.

Leaves of roses, virgin lilies,
Soft denials

Cowslips, violets, daffodilies,
Are but trials,

And with garlands dress the bower.
You must follow when we fly.

Rittornel of futes. After which Cupid rises, and Shepherds, would you hope to plcase us,

sings, with his bow drawn. You musi every humour try.

Yield to the god of soft desires ! Damon, who long ador'd the sprightly maid,

Whosc intle influence inspires Yet never durst his love relate,

Every creature Resolv'd at last to try his fate;

Throughont nature He sigh'd !--she smild !--He kneeld and pray'J!

With sprightly joys and genial firest She fron n'ı;--he rose, and walk'd away,

Chorus of the shepherds and nymphs But, soon returning, look'd more gay, And sung and danc'd, and on his pipe a cheerful

Hail, thou potent deity! echo play'd.

Every creature

Throughout nature
WITH AN ECHO OF FLUTES,
Pastora fied to a siiady grove;

Owns thy power as well as we.
Damon vicw'd her,

Enter Hymen in a safíron-coloured robe, a chaplet
And pursu'd her;

of flowers on his head, and in his hand the Cupid laugh’d, and crown'd his love.

nuptial torch; attended by priestse

SET BY MR. PEPUSCII.

AIR.

RECITATIVE.

AIR.