What is this strange feeling?
What can it betoken?

GENIUS

Ah, but yonder see I mortals,
Come to revel with delight.
Look—with ribbons and with garlands
Richly is the tree bedight!
Surely joy their bosom fills—

[To the country people.]

Tell me what it is you do.

THE FATHER

Shepherds are we of these hills,
And a feast we keep, 'tis true.

GENIUS

What the feast? I fain would hear!

THE MOTHER