| Citation |
PG-P.757.009
3 Feb 1757:11,12,13,21 (1467)
Continuation of the account of Alfred. . . [Third act.
Musical references throughout, including the following:]
. . . This beautiful song [beginning "God of battles!
guide the sword,"] is also substituted from the Triumph of
Hibernia, instead of one in the original, which only related
to Eltruda, and could not be retained after leaving out the
womens parts.
. . . Here the mother of Ivar, and wife of the Danish
King, supposed to be seen behind the scenes, sings the
famous Italian Desperata over the dead body of her Son. --
Figlio ascolta! ah! giace estino! &c. which, as she is a
foreigner, comes with propriety from her, and greatly
heightens the distress; . . .
. . . Here a crew of a sailors appear . . . they sing---
When Britain, first, at Heaven's command,
Arose from out the azure main;
This was the charter of the land,
And guardian Angels sung this strain;
Rule Britannia, rule the wave;
Britons never will be slaves.
. . . [5 more verses]
On the conclusion of this truly British song, which in the
original ends the representation, the Hermit, full of
prophetic rapture, goes on with the following lines. . . "I
see gay colonies, and future empires. . ."
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