King Arthur - 16. "What Power art thou"; 17. "Thou Doting Fool forbear"; 18. "See, see"
Prelude
Genius arises.
COLD GENIUS What power art thou, who from below Hast made me rise unwillingly and slow From beds of everlasting snow? See'st thou not how stiff and wondrous old, Far unfit to bear the bitter cold, I can scarcely move or draw my breath? Let me, let me freeze again to death.
CUPID Thou doting fool forbear, forbear! What dost thou mean by freezing here? At Love's appearing, All the sky clearing, The stormy winds their fury spare. Winter subduing, And Spring renewing, My beams create a more glorious year. Thou doting fool, forbear, forbear! What dost thou mean by freezing here?
COLD GENIUS Great Love, I know thee now: Eldest of the gods art thou. Heav'n and earth by thee were made. Human nature is thy creature, Ev'rywhere thou art obey'd.
CUPID No part of my dominion shall he waste: To spread my sway and sing my praise E'en here I will a people raise Of kind embracing lovers, and embrac'd.
Cupid waves his wand, upon which the scene opens, discovers a prospect of ice and snow. Singers and dancers, men and women, appear.
Prelude
CHORUS OF COLD PEOPLE See, see, we assemble Thy revels to hold: Tho' quiv'ring with cold We chatter and tremble.