The scene is laid in a country place. In the centre of the stage, an orange-tree, laden with fruit and bedecked with ribbons. The country people are setting it firmly in the earth, while maidens and children, on each side, hold it erect by means of garlands of flowers. THE HOMAGE OF THE ARTS (1804) TRANSLATED BY A. I. DU P. COLEMAN, A.M. Professor of English Literature, College of the City of New York THE FATHER Blossom, blossom, bountiful tree With thy golden apples gay, Which from lands so far away We have brought for ours to see! Fullest fruitage ever bearing, May thy branches ne'er decay! ALL Blossom, blossom, bountiful tree, Shooting upward strong and free! THE YOUTH With the fragrant bloom united, Proudly hang the golden store! May it stand by storms unblighted, May it grow from more to more! ALL May it stand by storms unblighted, May it grow from more to more! THE MOTHER Mother Earth, O hear my word! Guard the tender nursling now. Thou that lead'st the speckled herd, God of the fields, to thee we bow! THE MAIDEN Gentle Dryads, guard its growing, Guard it, guard it, Pan most high! Mountain nymphs, your gifts bestowing, Shield it when the storms are blowing-- Bid their fury pass it by! ALL Gentle Dryads, guard its growing, Guard it, guard it, Pan most high! THE YOUTH May kind skies smile down upon it, Always clear and always blue! Sun, send out thy softest radiance! Feed it, Earth, with all thy dew! ALL Sun, send out thy softest radiance! Feed it, Earth, with all thy dew! THE FATHER Joy, sweet joy, and life new-springing May'st thou still to all be bringing-- Joy it was that set thee here. May thy gifts of nectar gather Children's children, like their father, And all bless thee for thy cheer! ALL Joy, sweet joy, and life new-springing May'st thou still to all be bringing-- Joy it was that set thee here! [_They dance in picturesque groups around the tree. The orchestral music accompanies the dance, and gradually passes into a more elevated style, as there appear in the background from above_ GENIUS _and the Goddesses of the Seven Arts. The country people retire to the sides of the stage_, GENIUS _comes down to the centre, with_ PAINTING, SCULPTURE, _and_ ARCHITECTURE _on his right_, POETRY, DRAMA, MUSIC, _and_ DANCING _on his left_.] [Illustration: THE HOMAGE OF THE ARTS HERM. MISDICEMUS] THE ARTS We come from a far land-- Still wandering, roaming From people to people, From ages to ages; We are seeking a home that shall always endure-- In peaceful possession To find our expression, In stillness creating, No power abating-- Yet we still seek in vain for a dwelling secure. THE YOUTH Who are these my eyes behold, Like a troop of fairies nigh-- Forms whose beauty ne'er was told! Beats my heart, I know not why! GENIUS