The musical entertainments in the tragedy of Rinaldo and Armida all compos'd by Mr. John Eccles and writ by Mr. Dennis. Dennis, John, 1657-1734. This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription B08911 of text R203727 in the English Short Title Catalog. Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. This text has not been fully proofread Approx. 19 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 14 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. EarlyPrint Project Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO 2018 B08911 Wing D1036A ESTC R203727 ocm 62369155

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 Early English books online text creation partnership. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 2, no. B08911) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 187868) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English Books, 1641-1700 ; 2847:16) The musical entertainments in the tragedy of Rinaldo and Armida all compos'd by Mr. John Eccles and writ by Mr. Dennis. Dennis, John, 1657-1734. Eccles, John, d. 1735. Dennis, John, 1657-1734. Rinaldo and Armida. [6], 15 p. Printed for Jacob Tonson, London : 1699. Musical entertainments taken from Dennis' Rinaldo and Armida. Reproduction of original in: Harvard University. Library.

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 eng Operas -- Librettos -- Early works to 1800. eebo The musical entertainments in the tragedy of Rinaldo and Armida: all compos'd by Mr. John Eccles, and writ by Mr. Dennis. Dennis, John, 1657-1734. 1699 28 2738 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 A This text has no known defects that were recorded as gap elements at the time of transcription. 2013-08 Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2014-05 Sampled and proofread 2014-05 Text and markup reviewed and edited 2015-03 Batch review (QC) and XML conversion

THE Musical Entertainments IN THE TRAGEDY OF RINALDO and ARMIDA : All Compos'd by Mr. JOHN ECCLES , and Writ by Mr. DENNIS .

Sit tibi Musa Lyrae Solers & Cantor Apollo .

Horace .

LONDON : Printed for Jacob Tonson at the Judge's Head near the Inner-Temple-Gate in Fleetstreet , and at Gray's Inn-Gate in Gray's-Inn-Lane . 1699.

PREFACE .

THough the Tragedy of Rinaldo and Armida , of which the following Lines are a Part , has gone in the World under the Name of an Opera ; yet is neither the Dramatical Part of it , like the Drama of our usual Opera's , nor the Musical part of it like that which is Sung and Play'd in those Entertainments : For all the Musick in this Play , even the Musick between the Acts , is part of the Tragedy , and for that Reason the Musick is always Pathetick . Now nothing can entertain the Imagination very agreeably but that which moves some Passion , and moves it very much too : For nothing can very much please the Fancy , but that which puts the Spirits into an Extraordinary Motion ; which extraordinary Motion is Passion , and for that Reason , those who are very Old , by reason of the Chilness and Coldness of their Bloods , which as it were congreals their Spirits , are very rarely or never extreamly pleas'd . The Design therefore of Musick , as well as Painting and Poetry , being to entertain the Imagination agreeably , nothing in Musick can be extreamly Fine but what is extreamly Moving : And Experience has confirm'd me in this Opinion , by so much fine Musick as I heard in Italy , both in their Churches and Theatres . Now as nothing can be very Pleasing but what is very Moving , so nothing that is very Moving can be Moving long . For whether it proceeds from a Defect of Mind or Body , the Passions if they are Languid are not Delightful , and if they are Violent are not Lasting . I found therefore , that in a Musical Entertainment of length , Variety of Passion , as well as Passion would be absolutely necessary .

In the following Lines therefore , I design'd not only to move Passion , but as many Passions as I could successively without doing violence to my subject , as Admiration , Love and Joy , Anger , Compassion , Terror , Grief , Horror , Astonishment and Despair . How clearly , how fully , and how admirably Mr. Eccles has expressed those Passions I leave to the World to Judge , which has loudly on this Occasion , done justice to his Merit , even before the Play has been Acted . One thing I can say my self , of which I suppose I may be allow'd to be a competent Judge , that he has every where so throughly enter'd into my design , that if I had not known him very well , I should have often wonder'd at it . I am so much oblig'd to him for the Care and Pains which he has taken in this Composition , that the least Acknowledgment which I can make him , is to defend him against the Malice of some who have accus'd him of borrowing a Chorus in the Fourth Act , from the Frost Scene of Mr. Henry Purcell . That great Master has been accus'd himself of borrowing that very Musick from Lully . I say not this with a design to Vindicate Mr. Eccles by Recrimination , but only to shew that there has been always Malice in the World . I have a better way of Defending Mr. Eccles , for the Chorus which he is pretended to have borrow'd from Mr. Purcell , is by much inferiour to Two others in the same Entertainment , that of the Winds and the last . If therefore he has borrow'd the Worst from Mr. Henry Purcell , I would ask his Accusers from whom he has borrow'd the Best ?

THE Vocal and Instrumental MUSICK IN THE Tragedy of Rinaldo and Armida .

THE Musick between the Acts in this Play is part of the Action of the Play , and therefore for the better distinguishing the Acts , the Reader is desir'd to take Notice , that when at any time the Stage is quite Empty , then is the End of an Act.

The Action of the Play begins with the Beginning of the Overture , which is a Trumpet-Tune , supposed to be Play'd by the Good Spirits who have the Conduct and Care of the Action , and the Guardianship of the Persons concern'd in it .

ACT I. Symphony .

SOng by one of Armida's Spirits , while the Enchanted Palace is suppos'd at some little distance to Rise .

Ye mighty Powers who Rule the Air , Ye Gods who in the Ocean dwell , And ye who at the Center govern Hell , Hither at great Armida's Call repair ; And while by your Command these Tow'rs arise , Till with unequal Pomp and State , Their soaring Heads salute the Skies , Shew those above that Hell can too create .

The Musical Entertainment in the First Act , is supposed to be Play'd and Sung by Spirits in the Shapes of Shepherds and Shepherdesses , who voluntarily , and unknown to Armida , attempt to seduce the Christians who came to free Rinaldo from their Power .

Overture . Shep . Welcome to these Lovely Plains , The happy Seats of Blissful Swains . Ritornelle . Nym . Welcome to these blissful Shades , The soft Retreats of Happy Maids . Ritornelle . Song in 3 Parts . Here we feel no want nor Care , And no Inclemency of Air , And Lovers never here Despair . Ritornelle . Shep . Sorrow ever from us flies , Pleasure revels in our Eyes . If we pass an Hour in Courting 'T is for more Delicious sporting , Never cruel Nymph denies . Ritornelle . Nym . If any thing like Sorrow's seen In our Voice , or in our Meen , 'T is not Grief that gives the Anguish , 'T is with Pleasure that we languish ; And if ever Nymph denies , 'T is like one in Love who 's Wise ; 'T is like one who would invite To more delicate Delight , 'T is with wishing , dying Eyes . Ritornelle . Chorus of Shepherds and Nymphs . All about us and above Gaiety and Love inspires ; All about us and above Infuses Tenderness and Love , And wanton fine Desires . Shep . The Jolly Breeze , That comes whistling through the Trees , From all the blissful Region brings Perfumes upon its spicy Wings , With its wanton motion curling . The Crystal Rills , Which down the Hills Run o'er golden Gravel purling . Nym . All around Venereal Turtles Cooing , Billing , on the Myrtles ; The more they shew their Amorous trouble , More fiercely dart their piercing Kisses , And more eagerly redouble The Raptures of their murmuring Blisses .

The Musick betwixt the First and Second Acts , begins with a Trumpet Tune , suppos'd to be play'd by the same Spirits who play'd the Overture , but changes with the Scene to soft Musick , and falls gradually to softer , and at last Drowzy Musick , which continues very softly the first Ten or Twelve Lines of the Second Act.

ACT II .

THe Musical Entertainment in this Act , is made by Dreams that at Armida's Command appear in order to the Terrifying Rinaldo , in the Shapes of Bertoldo and Sophia , Parents to the Heroe ; and in the likeness of several whom Rinaldo had Slain in Battle .

Bert .

Rinaldo !

Soph .

Rinaldo !

Bert . Look up , Behold the Mournfull Shade Of him who gave thee Breath , Who steps to see thee , while thou 'rt laid upon the Confines here of Death . T'inform thee of thy future State , And e're yet it be too late To prevent thy wretched Fate . Soph . Look up my Son , Look up on me In me th' Aflicted Sophia see , Ah Son ! not all the grinding throws , With which , when thou wert born , My Tortur'd Nerves were torn , Equall'd half the wracking woes , Which now thy Mother undergoes , Thou Darling of my Soul , for thee . Bert . Last night I cast a Look Upon Fates dreadful Book , And read a Lesson which no Brain That is Mortal can Sustain , While all my Soul with Horrour shook . Soph . Oh! the distraction of the sight And Oh! the Torments of the fright I never , never shall forget that Night . Bert . Rowze all thy Faculties my Son , And to my Fatal words give ear , For know that they concern thee near ; No longer let thy Fancy run After that Aiery Fantom Fame ; But Love Armida with a constant Flame : Or destiny decrees , Thou shalt feel woes , which but to hear Would distract thy Soul with fear , And all thy Blood with Horrour freeze , Soph . Ah! see around the Raving Hosts Of purple Ghosts ; Whose Blood thou hast in Battle spilt , With fearful Guilt . Who , unless aw'd by her Commanding pow'r , Would , ah , this Moment , tear thee and devour ! Bert . How they advance with whirling Brands , All flaming in their threatning Hands ! And as they go their dreadful Round , Revenge , Revenge , Resound ! Chorus of Spirits . For Revenge , for Revenge , to Armida we call , That we terribly may on our Murderer fall ; him , That as now we with Sulphurous Torches surround wound him ; We with our Screams and our Scorpions may And with astonishing Horrors confound him . SONG . Rinaldo , in the Enchanted Grove Prepare to meet immortal Love ; Straight to the Bow'r of Bliss repair , Fortune and Fame attend thee there .

The Act-Tune of this Second Act begins with Terrible Musick , supposed to be Play'd by the Infernal Spirits , partly at Armida's command , and partly to express their Resentment for Rinaldo's Behaviour . With the Scene the Musick changes to Soft and Gay .

ACT III .

THe Musical Entertainment in this Act is made by Spirits , who at Armida's command , appear to Entertain Rinaldo in the Shapes of Venus , Cupid , and a Chorus of Loves . Venus is discover'd reclin'd on a Couch , with her Attendants of Loves about her ; and Singing in soft complaining Notes .

Symphony of Flutes . Ven . Cupid , come to the Relief Of thy Mother's piercing Grief ; Hither quickly , Cupid , fly ; With thee bring thy keenest Dart , To subdue a Rebel Heart , Thou art Scorn'd as well as I. Ritornelle . Cho . Come Cupid , on thy Golden Wing , And in thy sounding Quiver bring Pernicious Arrows , wing'd with Fire , T' inflict incurable Desire . Symphony . Cupid flying down Thus flying thro' the Balmy Air , To my great Parent I repair ; And tho' the World 's maintain'd by me , Yet , Mother , to attend on thee , I leave the mighty Care . Ven . A Mortal in this Fragrant Bow'r , Presumes that he 's above our Pow'r . Cup . I 'll make that Mortal know , That none too Great for Love can grow : I tame the mighty Pow'rs above , And cruel Gods below . Ritornelle . Great Jove , whose Arms the Lightning flung , Has felt my fiercer Fire , And Hell's Inexorable King Has yielded to Desire . Cho . Great Jove , whose Arms the Lightning flung , Has felt thy fiercer Fire , &c. Cup . Now quickly thro' th'Enchanted Grove , Let all my nimble Brethren Rove . Dance Ven . Let Earth , and Air , and Flood , and Fire , And ev'ry thing around conspire To breath forth soft and sweet Desire . Cho .

Repeats this .

In the Musick between this and the Fourth Act , the Instruments express the Alarm that the Infernal Regions take at Rinaldo's Departure .

ACT IV .

THE Entertainment of this Act is by Spirits , that come to Revenge the Injury that Rinaldo is thought by them to have done to Armida .

Thunder and Lightning , Spirit comes forward and Sings .

Symphony . Spir . Ye Spirits that dwell in Earth , Fire , and Air , Hither , Hither , Hither , Hither , hurrying repair : Behold your great Mistress , Armida's betray'd , Hither , hither , hither , Hurry all to her Aid . Ritornelle . Cho . Lo , from Earth , from Hell , and from Sky , With Vengeance laden we fly . Spir . Ye Friends that are lurking in Graves , Or gliding in Vaulted Caves , All working amain in your Holes , Heave , Heave up the Crumbling Earth like Moles . Till the Mountain shakes , And the Rock its Basis forsakes , And the Heart of the Traytor quakes . Cho . 'T is done , see the Mountain shakes , And the Rock its Basis forsakes . Spir . Ye Pow'rs who govern the Air , Let nought but Confusion be there ; Haste to send forth The stormy North , And unbind the Deep Mouth Of the Blustring South : Let them blow , let them blow , till with Fury they Roar , And ambitious old Ocean disdains the Shore . Cho . Hark how they blow ! Hark how they blow ! If they go on thro' the Void they will sweep The Heav'ns , the Earth , and the Deep , And the World into Chaos will throw ! Spir . Now flying in Crowds , Charge , Charge all your Clouds , Charge them all with Destructive Thunder , Let it roar , till it rends the Vast all asunder . Let the Lightning fearfully blaze , Till Mortals who gaze , Fall Dead at the terrible Wonder . Thunder and Lightning . Cho . 'T is done , 't is done , and we shake At the dire Confusion we make . Spir . Ye Furies who Reign in Unquenchable Fires , To the sound of your Yells tune your Horrible Lyres ; And give us that Musick by which you Redouble The Horrors of Hell , and unspeakable Trouble . Infernal Symphony . Cho .

'T is done .

Spir .

Now add to the Symphony clinking of Chains .

Noise of Chains . Cho .

'T is done .

Spir .

Add the Howls of the Damn'd , in the height of their Pains ;

Cho .

'T is done .

Spir .

Add their Scream and their Roar , and their Serpentine Hiss ;

Cho .

'T is done .

Spir . Let Lucifer's Thunder now answer to this , And Bellow alternately thro' the Abyss . Thunder and Lightning . Cho . 'T is done , and 't is past our pow'r to know , Whither this be Chaos or no ?

In the Musick between this and the Fifth Act , the Spirits attending on Armida , express their Grief for the Calamity which has befall'n her .

ACT V. SONG . Ah Queen ! Ah wretched Queen , give o'er ! Cease , Cease with hopeless Fires to burn , Ah cease his Absence to deplore ! Who now , ev'n now forsakes the Shore , And never , never will return , No , never see thee move . FINIS .