Teil III

AIR Israelitish man
Father of Heaven! from Thy eternal throne, look with an eye of blessing down, while we prepare with holy rites, to solemnize the feast of lights. And thus our grateful hearts employ; and in Thy praise this altar raise, with carols of triumphant joy.

ACCOMPANIED RECITATIVE Israelitish man
See, see yon flames, that from the altar broke, in spiry streams pursue the trailing smoke. The fragrant incense mounts the yielding air; sure presage that the Lord hath heard our prayer.

RECITATIVE Israelitish woman
Oh grant it, Heaven, that our long woes may cease, and Judah’s daughters taste the calm of peace;
sons, brothers, husbands to bewail no more, tortured at home, or havocked in the war.

AIR
So shall the lute and harp awake, and sprightly voice sweet descant run, seraphic melody to make, in the pure strains of Jesse’s son.

RECITATIVE Messenger
From Capharsalama, on eagle wings I fly, with tidings of impetuous joy: Came Lysias, with his host, arrayed in coat of mail; their massy shields of gold and brass, flashed lightning over the fields, while the huge tower-backed elephants displayed a horrid front; but Judas, undismayed, met, fought, and vanquished all the rageful train. Yet more, Nicanor lies with thousands slain; the blasphemous Nicanor, who defied the living God, and, in his wanton pride, a public monument ordained of victories yet ungained.

RECITATIVE Messenger
But Io! the conqueror comes; and on his spear, to dissipate all fear, he bears the
vaunter’s head and hand, that threatened desolation to the land.

CHORUS Israelitish youths
See, the conquering hero comes! Sound the trumpets, beat the drums. Sports prepare, the laurel bring, songs of triumph to him sing.

DUET Isrealitish virgins
See the godlike youth advance! Breathe the flutes, and lead the dance; Myrtle wreaths, and roses twine, to deck the hero’s brow divine.

CHORUS Israelites
See, the conquering hero comes! Sound the trumpets, beat the drums. Sports prepare, the laurel bring, songs of triumph to him sing.

MARCH

SOLO
Israelitish man/woman, Israelites
Sing unto Got, and high affections raise, to crown this conquest with unmeasured praise.

RECITATIVE Judas Maccabaeus
Sweet flow the strains, that strike my feasted ear; angels might stoop from heaven, to hear the comely song we sing, to Israel’s Lord and King. But pause awhile: due obsequies prepare to those who bravely fell in war.
To Eleazar special tribute pay; through slaughtered troops he cut his way to the
distinguished elephant, and, whelmed beneath the deep-stabbed monster, triumphed in a glorious death.

AIR Judas Maccabaeus
With honour let desert be crowned, the trumpet never in vain shall sound; but, all attentive to alarms, the willing nations fly to
arms, and conquering or conquered, claim the prize of happy earth, or far more happy skies.

RECITATIVE Eupolemus
Peace to my countrymen; peace, and liberty. From the great senate of imperial Rome, with a firm leaque of amity, I come. Rome, whatever nation dare insult ur more, will rouse, in our defence, her veteran power, and stretch her vengeful arm, by land or sea, „To curb the proud, and set the injured free".

CHORUS Israelites
To our great God be all the honour given, that grateful hearts can send from earth to Heaven.

RECITATIVE Israelitish woman
Again to earth let gratitude descend, praiseworthy is our hero and our friend. Come then, my daughters, choicest art bestow, to weave a chaplet for the victor’s brow; and in your songs for ever be confessed the valour that preserved, the power that blessed, blessed you with hours, that scatter, as they fly, soft quiet, gentle love, and boundless joy.

DUET Israelitish woman and man
Oh lovely peace, with plenty crowned,come, spread thy blessings all around. Let fleecy flocks the hills adorn, and valleys smile with wavy corn. Let the shrill trumpet cease, nor other sound, but nature’s songsters wake the cheerful morn.

AIR Simon
Rejoice, oh Judah! and, in songs divine, with Cherubim and Seraphim, harmonious join.

CHORUS Israelites
Hallelujah! Amen.
Recoice, oh Judah! and, in songs divine, with Cherubim and Seraphim, harmonious join.
Hallelujah! Amen.