Gayly, ye billows, among you we play; Take us up gently, and bear us away; Light on the surface of ocean we glide; Deep in her bosom we fearless abide. Roving at pleasure, joyous and free, Rocked in the arms of the murmuring sea.
_Poesie_ (_starting up; others resume former positions_).
Among thy happy scenes I long to roam; Bright Oceana, take me to thy home.
_Primeva._ Thou shalt be free to roam field, mount, and sea, If thou but give thy gentle heart to me. These sisters three, my ministers of state, My edicts to enforce, obedient wait; And I, submissive to a heavenly will, With mighty powers its commands fulfil. I own no earthly rule, no rival fear; Beauty and grandeur at my voice appear; What title, Poesie, will you here bestow On one in whom such rare endowments glow?
_Poesie._ Thy glorious visions wrap me in amaze; Speech were too poor, in eloquence of praise, To frame a title that would fitly stand To mark a power so wonderful and grand. What title can I give? I pray thee tell.
_Primeva._ The empress of the world would suit me well.
_Justicia._ Hold, rash Primeva! not to gain applause Should wild ambition overstep our laws.— What thou hast heard, fair mortal, ponder long, For hasty action often strengthens wrong; Another suitor comes; give willing ear; Weigh well all doubts; then let the truth appear.
The armies of Genius outpour in their might, Fair Science is marching her clans to the fight. At the call of its mistress Art's realms are alive, For thee, lovely Genia, in tourney to strive.
(_During the chorus, all upon the platform move round back of_ POESIE, _and form in line_. _Enter_ L. GENIA, BLENDA, _and_ CLASSICA.)
_Poesie._ Another brilliant throng, so fair and bright, My spirit quickens with a new delight. Welcome, sweet friends: if me you come to greet, Such glowing honors lay me at your feet.
_Genia._ Kneel not to me; I come to win thy heart. The suitor here should choose the lowly part. Fair mortal, listen. Genia is my name: Art's chosen goddess, mighty is my fame. Thou art the offspring of that sovereign Thought, Under whose sway the universe is brought; And I, the guiding genius of mankind, In bonds submissive, Nature's realms to bind. Before my birth, the world was filled with strife, And all the squalor of barbaric life; The human race in ignorance sunk deep, Content to live and die in sloth and sleep. But, with my coming, energy awoke, And reason through the deadening chaos broke; Awakened Thought, in wonder, sought by lore Creation's mystic riddle to explore; And, as she strove, the world's great change was wrought, With purer joys from deeper delvings brought. Beneath my sway, all's wonderful and grand Where taste and culture deck what Nature planned. Give me thy heart, and with all-conquering might I'll guide thy steps through life to realms of light. I bring three sisters in my regal train, Who high in Art's supreme dominion reign.— Blenda, approach. Thy skill to Poesie show, And let rare colors on thy canvas glow.