RINALDO.[1]
[This cantata was written for Prince Frederick of Gotha, and set to music by Winter, the prince singing the part of Rinaldo.—See the Annalen.]
CHORUS.
To the strand! quick, mount the bark!
If no favouring breezes blow,
Ply the oar and nimbly row,
And with zeal your prowess mark!
O'er the sea we thus career.
RINALDO.
Oh, let me linger one short moment here!
'Tis heaven's decree, I may not hence away.
The rugged cliffs, the wood-encircled bay,
Hold me a prisoner, and my flight delay.
Ye were so fair, but now that dream is o'er;
The charms of earth, the charms of heaven are nought.
What keeps me in this spot so terror-fraught?
My only joy is fled from me for evermore.
Let me taste those days so sweet.
Heaven descended, once again!
Heart, dear heart! ay, warmly beat!
Spirit true, recall those days!
Freeborn breath, thy gentle lays
Mingled are with joy and pain.
Round the beds so richly gleaming,
Rises up a palace fair;
And with rosy fragrance teeming,
As in dream thou saw'st it ne'er.
- ↑ See Tasso's "Gerusalemme Liberata," Canto XVI.
