A comparison of Robert Shaw's translation of The Creation with the original English lyrics


Nick Jones notes, in the booklet accompanying Telarc's 2 CD release of Robert Shaw's version of Haydn's Creation (with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Chorus), that the English libretto prepared by Baron van Swieten in parallel with the German version was:

"weak, straining with over-flowery language and convoluted word order to match the poetry of Milton, and van Swieten's command of English was not nearly so good as his German. The resulting English version is often incomprehensible, at times downright ludicrous, speaking, for instance, of the 'flexible' tiger where 'supple' would be a happier choice; in the description of new-created man we find:

The large and arched front sublime
of wisdom deep declares the seat"

Thus, Shaw undertook to come up with a new translation:

"not only to repair the worst lapses of the published libretto, but also 'to unite Haydn's minutely picturesque musical language with the colorful and understandable English text which it deserves'"

Some, purists especially, might take issue with Shaw's rampant and liberal rewriting of the lyrics. It is not the mission of this page to evaluate the relative merits of Shaw's translation and the original, but merely to compare the two translations. I started on this page after failing to find Shaw's lyrics anywhere, and hope that this will be a useful resource for those who seek to compare the two librettos.

The Shaw lyrics are as printed in the booklet accompanying the CDs, and the original lyrics have been taken from a site at random (http://www.geocities.com/thedarkrequiem/bvscreation.html) and edited for spelling. They seem to be the lyrics that the Academy of Ancient Music under Christopher Hogwood used in its 1990 recording of the work; there probably exist no definitive set of lyrics, so if the version below does not concur with the one you might know, I do apologise.

Comments are welcome, at: gabrielseah[at]hotmail[dot]com or with the feedback form.


The Creation (Die Schopfung), Hoboken XXI:2
by Franz Joseph Haydn (1732 - 1809)

Lyrics by Robert Shaw

Original Lyrics by Baron Gottfried van Swieten

Part I

1. Introduction - The Representation of Chaos (Orchestra)

2. In the beginning

Recitative: Raphael (Bass)
In the beginning, God made Heaven and Earth;
and the Earth was without form and void;
and darkness was upon the face of the deep.

Recitative: Raphael (Bass)
In the beginning God created the Heaven, and the earth;
and the earth was without form and void;
and darkness was upon the face of the deep.

Chorus
In the spirit, God moved upon the face of the waters;
and God said: Let there be light. And there was light.

Chorus:
And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
And God said: Let there be Light, and there was Light.
Recitative: Uriel (Tenor)
And God saw the light, that it was good;
and God divided the light from the darkness.		 Recitative: Uriel (Tenor)
And God saw the Light, that it was good;
and God divided the Light from the darkness.

 

3. Now vanished by the holy beams / Now vanish before the holy beams

Aria: Uriel
Now vanished by the holy beams
the ancient, ghostly, shuddering darkness;
the First of Days appears.
Confusion yields, and order shines most fair,
Aghast, the fiends of hell confounded fly;
down they sink in the deep abyss to endless night.

Aria: Uriel
Now vanish before the holy beams
the gloomy dismal shades of dark;
the first of days appears.
Disorder yields to order the fair place.
Affrighted fled hell's spirits black in throngs;
down they sink in the deep of abyss
To endless night.
Chorus
Convulsion, rage and terror
engulf their monstrous fall.
A new created world springs forth
at God's command

Chorus:
Despairing cursing rage
attends their rapid fall.
A new-created world springs up
at God's command.

 

4. And God made the firmament

  

Recitative: Raphael
And God made the firmament,
and divided the waters which were under the firmament
from the waters which were above the firmament;
and it was so.

 

Recitative: Raphael
And God made the firmament,
and divided the waters which were under the firmament
from the waters which were above the firmament.
And it was so.

 
Then howling raged the blast of the tempest.
The clouds then were driven like chaff in the wind,
the lightnings slashed the heavens asunder,
and crashing thunder resounded on high.
From waters rose at his command the all-refreshing rain,
the devastating hail, the light and flaky snow		 Accompanied Recitative: Raphael
Outrageous storms now dreadful arose;
as chaff by the winds are impelled the clouds.
By heaven's fire the sky is enflamed
and awful rolled the thunders on high.
Now from the floods in steam ascend reviving showers of rain,
the dreary wasteful hail, the light and flaky snow.

 

5. What wonder doth his work reveal / The marv'lous work beholds amaz'd

Solo and Chorus
Gabriel (Soprano)

What wonder doth his work reveal
to heaven's host in joyful throng,
and loud resounds throughout the skies
the praise of God and of the Second Day

Aria: Gabriel (Soprano)


The marv'lous work beholds amaz'd
the glorious hierarchy of Heav'n;
and to th' ethereal vaults resound
the praise of God, and of the second day.

 

Chorus
And loud resounds throughout the skies
the praise of God and of the Second Day

 

Chorus
And to th' ethereal vaults resound
the praise of God, and of the second day.

 

6. And God said: Let the waters under the heaven
Recitative: Raphael
And God said: Let the waters under the heaven
be gathered together to one place,
and let the dry land appear; and it was so.
And God called the dry land Earth,
and the gathering of the waters called he the seas;
and God saw that it was good.		 Recitative: Raphael
And God said: Let the waters under the heaven
be gathered together unto one place,
and let the dry land appear; and it was so.
And God called the dry land: earth,
and the gathering of waters called he seas;
and God saw that it was good.

 

7. Rolling in foaming billows
Aria: Raphael
Rolling in foaming billows,
tumultuous swells the raging sea.
Highland and headland uplifted
through clouds their towering summits rise.
Through broad and ample plains
full flows the gathering stream and winding wanders.
Lightly murmuring, gently glides
through silent glades the crystal brook.		 Aria: Raphael
Rolling in foaming billows
uplifted roars the boist'rous sea.
Mountains and rocks now emerge;
their tops into the clouds ascend.
Thro' th' open plains outstretching wide
in serpent error rivers flow.
Softly purling glides on
thro' silent vales the limpid brook.

 

8. And God said: Let the earth bring forth grass
Recitative: Gabriel
And God said: Let the earth bring forth grass,
the herb yielding seed.
and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind,
whose seed is in itself, upon the earth;
and it was so.		 Recitative: Gabriel
And God said: Let the earth bring forth grass,
the herb-yielding seed,
and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind,
whose seed is in itself upon the earth;
and it was so.

 

9. With verdure clad / Now robed in cool refreshing green

Aria: Gabriel
Now robed in cool refreshing green,
the fields their new enchantment wear;
and more to charm the sight arise the flowers in bright array.
Here herbs of every leaf abound;
here dwells a healing grace.

The burdened boughs their golden fruit afford;
here arbors spread their vaulted, restful shade.
and lofty hills are crowned with kingly groves.

Aria: Gabriel
With verdure clad the fields appear
delightful to the ravish'd sense;
by flowers sweet and gay
enhanced is the charming sight.
Here vent their fumes the fragrant herbs;
here shoots the healing plant.

By loads of fruit th' expanded boughs are press'd;
to shady vaults are bent the tufty groves;
the mountain's brow is crown'd with closed wood.

 

10. And the heavenly host proclaimed
Recitative: Uriel
And the heavenly host proclaimed
the Third Day,
praising God and saying:		 Recitative: Uriel
And the heav'nly host proclaimed
the third day,
praising God and saying:

 

11. Awake the harp

Chorus:
Awake the harp, ye choirs awaken.
Loud let the praise of God be sounded.
Rejoice in the Lord, the mighty God

Surely the heavens and earth
has he girded with splendour and light.

Chorus:
Awake the harp, the lyre awake!
In shout and joy your voices raise!
In triumph sing the mighty Lord!

For he the heavens and earth
has cloathed in stately dress.

 

12. And God said: Let there be lights in the firmament
Recitative: Uriel
And God said:
Let there be lights in the firmament of heaven
to divide the day from the night,
to give their light upon the earth;
and let them be for signs and for seasons,
and for days and for years.
He made the stars also.		 Recitative: Uriel
And God said:
Let there be lights in the firmament of heaven
to divide the day from the night,
and to give light upon the earth;
and let them be for signs and for seasons,
and for days, and for years.
He made the stars also.

 

13. In splendour bright / In shining splendour

Recitative: Uriel
In shining splendour, radiant now the sun bestrides the sky;
a wondrous, joyful bridegroom,
a giant proud and glad,
he runs his ordered course

With softer steps and wistful shimmer,
steals the moon through still enshadowed night.

The boundless vaults of heaven's domain
shine with unnumbered magnitude of stars.
And the sons of God rejoiced in the Fourth Day
in chorus divine, praising God's great might, and saying:

Accompanied Recitative: Uriel
In splendour bright is rising now the sun and darts his rays;
an am'rous joyful happy spouse,
a giant proud and glad,
to run his measur'd course.

With softer beams and milder light
steps on the silver moon through silent night.

The space immense of th' azure sky
innum'rous host of radiant orbs adorns.
And the sons of God announced the fourth day
in song divine, proclaiming thus his power:

 

14. The heavens are telling

Chorus
The heavens are telling the glory of God;
with wonders of his work resounds the firmament.

Gabriel, Uriel, Raphael
Revealed are his ways by day unto day,
by night that is gone to followign night.

Chorus
The heavens are telling the glory of God;
with wonders of his work resounds the firmament.

Gabriel, Uriel, Raphael
In every land abounds the word.
Every ear will hearken; never tongue be dumb

Chorus
The heavens are telling the glory of God;
with wonders of his work resounds the firmament.

Chorus
The heavens are telling the glory of God.
The wonder of his works displays the firmament.

Gabriel, Uriel, Raphael
To day, that is coming, speaks it the day;
the night, that is gone, to following night.

Chorus
The heavens are telling the glory of God.
The wonder of works displays the firmament.

Gabriel, Uriel, Raphael
In the all the land resounds the word,
never unperceived, ever understood.

Chorus
The heavens are telling the glory of God.
The wonder of his works displays the firmament.

 

Part II

15. And God said: Let the waters bring forth
Recitative: Gabriel
And God said: Let the waters bring forth abundantly
every moving creature that hath life,
and fowl that fly above the earth
in the open firmament of heaven.		 Recitative: Gabriel
And God said: Let the waters bring forth abundantly
the moving creature that hath life,
and fowl, that may fly above the earth
in the open firmament of heaven.

 

16. On mighty pens / On mighty wings

Aria: Gabriel
On mighty wings now circling soars the eagle proud
and cleaves the air with swift exulting flight
to greet the sun.

At morn the lark his cheerful welcome sings;
adoring coos the tender turtle dove.
From every bush and grove
pours now the nightingale her sweetest carol;
no grief has ruffled yet her breast,
nor yet to sorrow been tuned her charming rondelay

Aria: Gabriel
On mighty pens uplifted soars
the eagle aloft, and cleaves the air
in swiftest flight to the blazing sun.

His welcome bids to morn the merry lark,
and cooing, calls the tender dove his mate. From ev'ry bush and grove resound
the nightingale's delightful notes.
No grief affected yet her breast,
nor to a mournful tale were tun'd
her soft enchanting lays.

 

17. And God created great whales

Recitative: Raphael
And God created great whales,
and every living creature that moveth;
and God blessed them, saying:

Be fruitful all and multiply, ye creatures of the sky;
be mulitplied and fill the air with singing!
Mulitply, ye creatures of the waters,
and fill each watery deep!
Be fruitful, grow, and multiply!
Rejoice in the Lord your God!

Recitative: Raphael
And God created great whales,
and ev'ry living creature that moveth.
And God blessed them, saying:

Be fruitful all, and multiply!
Ye winged tribes, be mulitply'd
and sing on ev'ry tree!
Mulitply, ye finny tribes,
and fill each wat'ry deep!
Be fruitful, grow, and multiply!
And in your God and Lord rejoice!

 

18. And the angels struck their immortal harps
Recitative: Raphael
And the angels struck their immortal harps
and sang the wonders of the fifth day.		 Recitative: Raphael
And the angels struck their immortal harps
and the wonders of the fifth day sung.

 

19. Most beautiful appear / In fairest raiment now

Gabriel
In fairest raiment now, with virgin green adorned,
the rolling hills appear.
From deep and secret springs, in fleeting crystal flow,
the cooling brook doth pour

Gabriel
Most beautiful appear, with verdure young adorn'd,
the gently sloping hills. Their narrow sinuous veins
distill in crystal drops the fountain fresh and bright.

 

Uriel
In joyful garlands borne on wheeling tides of air,
upwings the feathered host.
The myriad feathers' gleam reflects in shimmering flight
the golden sun's pure light

Uriel
In lofty circles play and hover thro' the sky
the cheerful host of birds. And in the flying whirl,
the glitt'ring plumes are died, as rainbows, by the sun.

Raphael
From sparkling waters leap the fish
and twisting flash in creaseless motion round.
From deepest ocean home waltzes up leviathan,
in foaming waves to play.

Raphael
See flashing thro' the wet in thronged swarms
the fry on thousand ways around.
Upheaved from the deep, th' immense Leviathan
sports on the foaming wave.

Gabriel, Uriel, Raphael
How many are they works, O God!
Who may their number tell?
Who, O God? Who may their number tell?

 Gabriel, Uriel, Raphael
How many are thy works, O God?
Who may their numbers tell?
Who, O God?
Who may their numbers tell?

 

20. The Lord is great
Chorus with Trio
The Lord is great, and great his might,
and ever stands his name		 Chorus and Trio
The Lord is great and great his might.
His glory lasts for ever and evermore.

 

21. And God said, Let the earth bring forth / And God said, Let earth bring forth
Recitative: Raphael
And God said:
Let earth bring forth every living creature after his kind
cattle and creeping things,
and beast of the earth after his kind.		 Recitative: Raphael
And God said:
Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind;
cattle and creeping thing,
and beasts of the earth after their kind.

 

22. Straight opening her fertile womb

Recitative: Raphael
Straight opening her fertile womb,
the earth brings forth at God's command
unnumbered living creatures, in perfect forms, and fully grown.

Triumphant, roaring stands the lion there.
With a lightning leap, the tiger appears.
Bounding with branching head, the nimble stag.
With snorting and stamping, flying mane,
uprears in might the noble steed.
in pleasant pastures.
quietly the cattle graze on meadows green.
And o'er the ground, as growing there,
abide the fleecy, gentle sheep.
As clouds of dust arise, in swarms assembled
the host of insects.
In long dimension creeps, with sinuous trace, the worm.

Accompanied Recitative: Raphael
Straight opening her fertile womb,
the earth obey'd the word,
and teem'd creatures numberless,
in perfect forms and fully grown.

Cheerful, roaring, stands the tawny lion.
In sudden leaps the flexible tiger appears. The nimble stag
bears up his branching head. With flying mane
and fiery look, impatient neighs the sprightly steed.

The cattle in herds already seeks his food
on fields and meadows green.
And oe'r the ground, as plants, are spread
the fleecy, meek and bleating flock.
Unnumber'd as the sands in whirls arose
the host of insects. In long dimension
creeps with sinuous trace the worm.

 

23. Now heav'n in fullest glory shone / Now shines the brightest glory of heaven

Aria: Raphael
Now shines the brightest glory of heaven;
now spreads the lavish attire of earth.
The air is filled with soaring processions,
the water swelled by swarming legions;
the ground is trod by ponderous beasts,

But all the work was not complete;
there wanted yet that wondrous being,
that God's design might thankful see
and grant his goodness joyful praise.

Aria: Raphael
Now heav'n in fullest glory shone;
earth smiles in all her rich attire.
The room of air with fowl is fill'd;
the water swell'd by shoals of fish;
by heavy beasts the ground is trod.

But all the work was not complete.
There wanted yet that wond'rous being,
that grateful should God's pow'r admire,
with heart and voice his goodness praise.

 

24. And God created Man
Recitative: Uriel
And God created Man in his own image;
in the image of God created he him;
male and female, created he them.
And God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life,
and Man became a living soul. 		Recitative: Uriel
And God created man in his own image.
In the image of God created he him.
Male and female created he them.
He breathed into his nostrils the breath of life,
and man became a living soul.

 

25. In native worth

Aria: Uriel
In native worth and honor clad,
with beauty, strength and courage formed,
toward heaven raised uprightly,
stands a man, the lord and king of nature all.
His broad and arching, noble brow
proclaims of wisdom's deep abode,
and in his eyes with brightness shines the soul,
the breath and image of his God.

And to his breast he softly holds
one of and for him formed.
his other self, his pure delight.
With virgin grace so sweetly given
as springtime's charms bestowed,
she loves him, yields her joy and bliss.

Aria: Uriel
In native worth and honor clad,
with beauty, courage, strength adorn'd,
to heav'n erect and tall, he stands
a man, the Lord and King of nature all.
The large and arched front sublime
of wisdom deep declares the seat.
And in his eyes with brightness shines
the soul, the breath and image of his God.

With fondness leans upon his breast
a partner for him form'd,
a woman fair and graceful spouse.
Her softly smiling virgin looks,
of flow'ry spring the mirror,
bespeak him love, and joy, and bliss.

 

26. And God saw everything
Recitative: Raphael
And God saw everything that he had made,
and behold, it was very good;
and the heavenly choir loud rejoicing
raised their song of praise and hailed the Sixth Day.		 Recitative: Raphael
And God saw ev'ry thing that he had made;
and behold, it was very good;
and the heavenly choir in song divine
thus closed the sixth day.

 

27. Achieved is the glorious work / Fulfilled at last the glorious work

Chorus
Fulfilled at last the glorious work;
the Maker sees with sure delight.
Let all our joy resound aloud;
eternal praise to him accord.

 Chorus
Achieved is the glorious work;
the Lord beholds it and is pleas'd.
In lofty strains let us rejoice!
Our song let be the praise of God.

Trio
Gabriel, Uriel
From thee, O Lord, doth all proceed;
all nature must they bounty wait.
If open by they hand, its fullness feedeth all.

Raphael
But if they face be turned away,
A ghostly terror fills the night,
and dust returns to dust, the living breath is gone.

Gabriel, Uriel, Raphael
Thy breath, O Lord, is felt again,
and life awakes with sweet surprise.
Renewed is all the earth,
refreshed its charm and might.

Gabriel, Uriel
On thee each living soul awaits;
from thee, O Lord, they beg their meat.
Thou openest thy hand, and sated all they are.

Raphael
But as to them thy face is hid,
with sudden terror they are struck.
Thou tak'st their breath away; they vanish into dust.

Gabriel, Uriel, Raphael
Thou lett'st thy breath go forth again,
and life with vigor fresh returns.
Revived earth unfolds new force and new delights.
Chorus
Fulfilled at last the glorious work,
Eternal praise to him accord.
For he alone doth reign exalted. Alleluia.
Glorious be his name forever. Alleluia.		 Chorus
Achieved is the glorious work. Our song let be the praise of God. Glory to his name forever; he sole on high exalted reigns, alleluia.

 

Part III

28. In rosy mantle
Recitative: Uriel
In rosy mantle, bright awaked by sweetest tones,
the morning young and fair.
From heaven's vaulted realm
streams purest harmony to earth below.
Behold the happy pair as hand in hand they go:
as from their eyes radiant shines
the thanks they owe.
Full soon their tongues shall tell
the louder praise of God.
Let then our voices ring united with their song!		 Accompanied Recitative: Uriel
In rosy mantle appears, by tunes sweet awak'd,
the morning young and fair.
From the celestial vaults
pure harmony descends on ravished earth.
Behold the blissful pair,
where hand in hand they go! Their flaming looks
express what feels the grateful heart.
A louder praise of God their lips
shall utter soon. Then let our voices ring,
united with their song!

 

29. By thee with bliss / By thee with grace

Hymn: Eve (Soprano), Adam (Baritone)
By thee with grace, O bounteous Lord,
are earth and heaen stored.
This world, so great, so wonderful,
thy mighty hand has framed.

Chorus
O blessed be his holy might;
his praise we sing eternally.

Adam
Thou star of morning,
O how fair thy tidings of the day;
What radiance rare, O sun, is thine,
thou eye and soul of all!

Chorus
Proclaim, in your extended course,
your maker's power and glory bright!

Eve
And thou, the tender queen of night,
and all ye starry host,
proclaim in every land
his praise in heaven's harmonies!

Adam
Ye mighty elements,
by his power your endless changes make;
ye misty vapors,
which the wind doth spin and roll through air,

Eve, Adam, Chorus
O sing the praise of God the Lord.
Great is his name, and great his might.

Eve
Soft flowing fountains,
tune his praise, and trees adoring bow.
Ye fragrant plants, ye flowers fair,
with sweetness fill the air!

Chorus with Duet:
Eve (Soprano), Adam (Baritone)
By thee with bliss, o bounteous Lord,
the heav'n and and earth are stor'd.
This world, so great, so wonderful,
thy mighty hand has fram'd.

Chorus
For ever blessed be his pow'r!
His name be ever magnified!

Adam
Of stars the fairest, o how sweet thy smile at dawning morn!
How brighten'st thou, o Sun, the day, thou eye and soul of all!

Chorus
Proclaim in your extended course
th' almighty pow'r and praise of God!

Eve
And thou, that rul'st the silent night,
and all ye starry host, spread wide and
ev'ry where his praise
in choral songs about.

Adam
Ye strong and comb'rous elements, who ceaseless changes make, ye dusky mists and dewy streams that rise and fall thro' th' air:

Eve, Adam, Chorus
Resound the praise of God our Lord! Great is his name, and great his might.

Eve
Ye purling fountains,
tune his priase, and wave your tops, ye pines!
Ye plants, exhale, ye flowers
breathe at him your balmy scent!

Adam
Ye that on highest mountains climb,
and ye that lowly creep,
ye whose flight doth cleave the skies,
and ye that swim the deep,

Eve, Adam and Chorus
Ye, ye creatures of our God and King,
praise, praise him, all ye breathing life!

Eve, Adam
Ye shadowed woods, ye hills and vales,
your thanks with ours unite
and echo loud from morn to eve
our joyful hymn of praise

Chorus
Hail, mighty God, Creator, hail!
The world springs forth at thy command.
Adoring earth and heaven stand.
We praise they name for evermore.

Adam
Ye, that on mountains stately tread,
and ye, that lowly creep;
ye birds that sing at heaven's gate,
and ye, that swim the stream;

Eve, Adam, Chorus
Ye living souls, extol the Lord!
Him celebrate, him magnify!

Eve, Adam
Ye vallies, hills, and shady woods,
our raptur'd notes ye heard;
from morn till ev'n you shall repeat
our grateful hymns of praise!

Chorus
Hail, bounteous Lord! Almighty, hail!
Thy word call'd forth this wond'rous frame.
Thy pow'r adore the heav'n and earth;
we praise thee now and evermore.

 

30. Our duty we performed now / Now is our duty well fulfilled

Recitative: Adam
Now is our duty well fulfilled;
our maker have we duly thanked.
Now follow me, companion of my life!
Thy guide I'll be, and every step
wakes new delight within my breast,
shows wonders everywhere.
Then surely thou shalt know
what boundless realms of joy the Lord hath given us.
His praise we everymore,
him serve with heart and mind.
Come, follow me! Thy guide I'll be.

Eve
O thou for whom I live!
My arm, my shield, my all!
Thy will is duty's blessing.
So doth our Lord ordain;
That I should heed thee and bring you comfort
is my joy and glory.

 Recitative: Adam
Our duty we performed now,
in off'ring up to God our thanks.
Now follow me, dear partner of my life!
Thy guide I'll be, and and ev'ry step
pours new delight into our breast,
shews wonders ev'ry where.
Then may'st thou feel and know
the high degree of bliss the Lord allotted us,
and with devoted heart his bounty celebrate.
Come, follow me! Thy guide I'll be.

Eve
O thou for whom I am!
My help, my shield, my all!
Thy will is law to me.
So God, our Lord, ordains,
and from obedience grows my pride and happiness.

 

31. Graceful consort! At thy side / Sweet companion! here beside thee

Duet
Adam
Sweet companion, here beside thee
softly fly the golden hours.
Every moment is rapture;
naught of sadness lingers near.

Eve
Dearest husband! here beside thee
floods of joy o'erflow my heart.
That thou love me is my blessing;
thine forever is my life.

Adam
The dew-freshened morning, O bright awakening!

Eve
The coolness of evening, sweetly restoring!

Adam
How rich the taste of round and ripened fruit!

Eve
How charming the scent of gay and fragrant flower!

Eve, Adam
But without thee, what is to me:
the morning dew?
the evening cool?
the ripened fruit?
the fragrant flower?

With thee is every joy exalted;
with thee, delight is ever new;
with thee is rapture everlasting.
Thine be my love and life.

 Duet
Adam
Graceful consort! At thy side
softly fly the golden hours.
Ev'ry moment brings new rapture,
ev'ry care is put to rest.

Eve
Spouse adored! At thy side
purest joys o'erflow the heart.
Life and all I am is thine;
my reward thy love shall be.

Adam
The dew-dropping morn, O how she quickens all!

Eve
The coolness of ev'n, O how she all restores!

Adam
How grateful is of fruits the savour sweet!

Eve
How pleasing is of fragrant bloom the smell!

Eve, Adam
But, without thee, what is to me
Adam: the morning dew,
Eve: the breath of even,
Adam: the sav'ry fruit,
Eve: the fragrant bloom?

With thee is ev'ry joy enhanced,
with thee delight is ever new;
with thee is life incessant bliss;
thine it whole shall be.

 

32. O happy pair

Recitative: Uriel
O happy pair! and happy evermore
if false conceit betray ye not,
the more to covet than ye have
and more to know than ye should.

 Recitative: Uriel
O happy pair, and always happy yet,
if not, misled by false conceit,
ye strive at more, as granted is,
and more to know, as know ye should!

 

33. Sing the Lord / Sing to God

Chorus with Soloists:
Sing to God, ye hosts unnumbered!
Thanks, all thanks for wonders enw created!
Praise his name in song unending,
loud in festival rejoicing!

The Lord is great, he reigns for evermore.
Amen.

Chorus with Soloists
Sing the Lord, ye voices all!
Utter thanks ye all his works!
Celebrate his pow'r and glory!
Let his name resound on high!

The Lord is great, his praise shall last for aye.
Amen.

 

~End~