Come laugh and sing, exclaims this impious band; From flower to flower, from sweet to sweet, Let us give air to our desires, In the insensate future who confides? Doubtful the number of our fleeting years: Then let us haste to-day to relish life; Who knows if we shall be to-morrow? _All the Choir._ O let them weep, my God, and groan for fear, The miserable, who will not see The eternal splendour of Thy holy city. But we must chant, to whom Thou dost reveal Thy everlasting light; Of all Thy gifts and grandeur we must sing. _One voice alone._ What will remain of all their empty pleasures In which their soul is sunk? I' the dregs of dreams Whose error's recognized. At their awaking--awaking full of horror!-- Whilst at the table the just poor will taste The sweets of peace unspeakable, The hideous cup exhaustless they will drink, Which in the day of wrath thou wilt present To all the guilty race. _All the Choir._ O waking full of horror! O fleeting dream! O dangerous error! {END OF THE SECOND ACT.} _ACT III.--Scenes I. and II_ {MATHAN, NABAL, THE CHOIR.} {MATHAN.} Young daughters, go, and say to Josabet That Mathan waits to speak to her in private. _One of the daughters of the Choir._ Mathan! O God of heaven do thou confound him. {NABAL.} How now? all flee, disperse without reply! {MATHAN.} Let us approach. {ZACHARIAH, MATHAN, NABAL.} {ZACHARIAH.} Audacious! Whither would you go? Forbear Beyond this place to make advance: it is The holy minister's divine abode. To all profane the law forbids the entrance. Of whom are you in search? My mother shuns, Upon this solemn day, the guilty sight Of foul idolatry; and prostrate now Before the Lord, would shrink from being disturbed. {MATHAN.} My son, her time is ours; be not alarmed; I wish to speak to your illustrious mother. I come here charged with orders from the queen. _Scene III._ {MATHAN, NABAL.} {NABAL.} The children have already _their_ fierce pride. But what doth Athaliah seek in this? What is this tumult born of in her councils? By overbearing Joad this morn offended, And in her dreams braved by a murderous child, She went to sacrifice the high-priest Joad Unto her wrath, and in the end to place Within that temple Baal and you. You had To me already testified your joy; I hoped, on my part, for so rich a prey. What changes thus her vacillating vows? {MATHAN.}