See the ruddy morning smiling, Hear the grove to bliss beguiling; Zephyrs through the woodland playing, Streams along the valley straying. [Illustration: "_The master-prophet grasps his full-toned lyre. Mark where he sits._"—_p. 214._ ] FIRST PRIEST. While these a constant revel keep, Shall Reason only teach to weep? Hence, intruder! we'll pursue Nature, a better guide than you. SECOND PRIEST. Every moment, as it flows, Some peculiar pleasure owes; Then let us, providently wise, Seize the debtor ere it flies. Think not to-morrow can repay The debt of pleasure lost to-day; Alas! to-morrow's richest store Can but pay its proper score. FIRST PRIEST. _Recitative._ But, hush! See, foremost of the captive choir, The master-prophet grasps his full-toned lyre. Mark where he sits, with executing art, Feels for each tone, and speeds it to the heart. See how prophetic rapture fills his form, Awful as clouds that nurse the growing storm; And now his voice, accordant to the string, Prepares our monarch's victories to sing. FIRST PROPHET. _Air._ From north, from south, from east, from west, Conspiring nations come; Tremble, thou vice-polluted breast, Blasphemers, all be dumb. The tempest gathers all around, On Babylon it lies; Down with her! down—down to the ground! She sinks, she groans, she dies. SECOND PROPHET. Down with her, Lord, to lick the dust, Ere yonder setting sun; Serve her as she has served the just! 'Tis fix'd—it shall be done. FIRST PRIEST. _Recitative._ No more! When slaves thus insolent presume, The king himself shall judge, and fix their doom. Unthinking wretches! have not you and all Beheld our power in Zedekiah's fall? To yonder gloomy dungeon turn your eyes, See where dethroned your captive monarch lies; Deprived of sight and rankling in his chain, See where he mourns his friends and children slain. Yet know, ye slaves, that still remain behind More ponderous chains, and dungeons more confined. CHORUS OF ALL. _Arise, all potent Ruler, rise, And vindicate thy people's cause: Till every tongue in every land Shall offer up unfeigned applause._ _Exeunt._ ACT III.