Bacchus's Speech in Praise of Wine (George Frideric Handel)

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• CPDL #7917:

Editor: Christian Mondrup (submitted 2004-09-21).   Score information: Letter, 2 pages, 47 kB   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes: basso continuo realized by Christian Mondrup.

General Information

Title: Bacchus's Speech in Praise of Wine
Composer: George Frideric Handel

Number of voices: 1v  Voicing: Solo Soprano
Genre: Secular, Aria

Language: English
Instruments: Basso continuo
Published: The Musical Miscellany, Vol 4, p. 110 ff, John Watts, London 1730

Description:

External websites:

Original text and translations

English text

1.
Bacchus one Day gayly striding
On his never sailing Ton;
Sneaking empty Pots deriding,
Thus address'd each toaping Son:
Praise the Joys that never vary,
And adore the liquid Shrine;
All things noble, gay and airy,
Are perform'd by generous Wine.

2.
Ancient Heroes, crown'd with Glory,
Owe their noble Rise to me;
Poets wrote the flaming Story,
Fir'd by my Divinity:
If my Influence is wanting,
Musick's Charms but slowly move;
Beauty too in vain lies panting,
'Till I fill the Swains with Love.

3.
If you crave a lasting Pleasure,
Mortals, this way bend your Eyes;
From my ever-flowing Treasure,
Charming Scenes of Bliss arise.
Here's the soothing balmy Blessing,
Sole Dispeller of your Pain;
Gloomy Souls from Care releasing:
He who drinks not, lives in vain.