May kind skies smile down upon it,
Always clear and always blue!
Sun, send out thy softest radiance!
Feed it, Earth, with all thy dew!
ALL
Sun, send out thy softest radiance!
Feed it, Earth, with all thy dew!
THE FATHER
Joy, sweet joy, and life new-springing
May'st thou still to all be bringing—
Joy it was that set thee here.
May thy gifts of nectar gather
Children's children, like their father,
And all bless thee for thy cheer!
ALL
Joy, sweet joy, and life new-springing
May'st thou still to all be bringing—
Joy it was that set thee here!
[They dance in picturesque groups around the tree. The orchestral music accompanies the dance, and gradually passes into a more elevated style, as there appear in the background from above GENIUS and the Goddesses of the Seven Arts. The country people retire to the sides of the stage, GENIUS comes down to the centre, with PAINTING, SCULPTURE, and ARCHITECTURE on his right, POETRY, DRAMA, MUSIC, and DANCING on his left.]
[Illustration: THE HOMAGE OF THE ARTS HERM. MISDICEMUS]