Ambriel, Ambriel, brother scout, O'er the city looking out, I discern above the sea Light, that dawns for you and me, Of our mistress Liberty. Shoot your slender voice below, } And let the pomps and triumphs know. Flourish of a distant pipe, and after a little pause, grand music approaching from the city. Enter the foremost part of the crowd of spectators on each side of the scene, congratulations passing between them; when suddenly, in the midst of the coming music, and to the attraction of all eyes, a purple light rises in the west, with winged cherubs touching away the little coloured clouds on either side; and the figure of Liberty is seen advancing on her cloud of silver. The acclamations of the crowd suddenly burst into a CHORUS. "Tis she! 'Tis she! 'Tis Liberty, Come to crown our wonders; To follow our night With a perfect light, And with airy health our thunders! O Goddess dear, our hearts leap up before thee, By this time the cloud has descended to the back of the front scene, the cherubs seating themselves playfully about it, with Phaniel and Mabiel. The music, which seemed about to enter, suddenly ceases, and Liberty speaks. Well met, my friends. After long centuries And feel as they were fit for hearts and eyes Those Spirits of the Nations, whom I taught The way to conquer for themselves and you, Come in their pride before me, and receive A blast of trumpets. The music strikes up into a Prussian march, and one of the four Genii, or Spirits of the Nations, who overthrew the Enchanter, enters in a low chariot sculptured with instruments of war and formed after the fashion of those in Homer, that is to say, a mere shell for a standing-place, open at the back, and drawn by a couple of white palfreys. He is habited in a short girdled vest, leaving his arms, knees, and throat naked, with a head of manly curls, a star gleaming on his forehead, and two large and dark wings at his shoulders,-altogether presenting the appearance of an angel in the bloom of manhood,-immortal spirits not being outwardly touched, like men, by the cares of their respective employments. On the front-edge of his car is an eagle carved in ebony. Liberty, as he stops in passing, presents him with a crown of laurel, which he holds in his hands while she addresses him : Genius of a suffering land, Whom the curst Enchanter's hand Vex'd with bonds and worse disdain, Well have you dash'd off your chain, Well have you repaid him now, And must wear a laurell'd brow Of a grace and of a hue, Such as Conquest's merer crew Never could have won for you, What you learnt in Sorrow's school, Seat you now in well-earn'd state, The Genius here gracefully making an obeisance moves on towards the side-scene, and then quitting his chariot, which is borne away, turns round and ascends for his throne a portion of the cloud, which the cherubs roll off for that purpose. When he is seated, he puts on his crown, and Mabiel proclaims, So our Goddess, wise and free, Wills that every crown should be :- Trumpets as before :-an Austrian march ;-enter a similar Genius in a car sculptured with instruments of war and music, a silver eagle standing on the frontedge. Liberty in the same manner presents him with a crown, and addresses him :- Genius of a suffering land, Whom the curst Enchanter's hand Well have you return'd to light ;— Well have you repaid him now, And must wear a laurell'd brow Such as Conquest's merer crew } |