3rd Verse.
Translation.—Venus and the Goddess of Indulgence, who knew very well that dancing enhanced their charms, made up their minds that there should be no cessation. ‘Wisdom must hold its tongue,’ said Pleasure, laughing. ‘The sole business at Vienna is to devise about enjoyment.’
4th Verse.
Translation.—The words were the signal for recommencing. The masks resume the dance; Mars, Hercules, and Jupiter whirl round in a new landler. Suddenly Minerva got furious, and in her anger cried, ‘I believe that at this Congress Folly would better preside than I.’
5th Verse.
Translation.—‘Hold your tongue. Mademoiselle,’ said the recalcitrant child; ‘stop your useless chatter, and join us in our games. Your sister has left us long enough to moan on this earth. And now after the war, let us get back our breath for enjoyment.’
6th Verse.
Translation.—In a moment at the barrier, thirty knights present themselves, their brows encircled by wreaths, and eager to enter upon the career. (This is imitated from a strophe of the ‘Marseillaise.’) Their banners displayed the words: ‘Loyal and staunch.’ They are the chargés d’affaires of the Congress at the carrousel.
7th Verse.
Translation.—People get tired of everything. The balls, the games, and the chase had been discussed and embodied in treaties. ‘What else remains to be done?’ said Cupid. ‘Let us proclaim peace and cease this trifling by winding up the Congress.’