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A NEW CANTATA, by                    
First Line: From out the crowd of vanity and noise
Last Line: Must act the character you love.


Recitative
FROM out the crowd of vanity and noise,
Composed of giggling girls and wanton boys,
Clodio withdrew his Laura and, apart,
Thus spoke the dictates of an anxious heart:

Air

Would you wish to keep your lover,
Lay these wanton airs aside;
Do not all your charms discover,
Let discretion be your guide.

When the object is deserving,
And your heart declares for one,
All your charms for him reserving,
Show the rest he reigns alone.

Smiles and looks, to all imparted,
Have no value, no regard;
But to be by all deserted
Is the vain coquette's reward.

Recitative

Laura, who scarce her passion could constrain,
Laughed at his lesson -- paused -- and laughed again;
Contempt and scorn sat obvious on her face,
Pointed each glance, yet heightened every grace;
Provokingly she smiled, and 'Stay,' she cried,
'And hear my answer to thy spleen and pride!'

Air

When men like you pretend to preach,
And dare their musty morals teach,
'Tis fit their wisdom we defy,
And thus in equal strains reply:

Did men of fashion live by rule,
And act by laws from wisdom's school,
We'd take the sober air with ease:
From you we learn the ways to please.

When all that's serious you despise,
And laugh to scorn the grave and wise;
We learn the secret to subdue,
And captivate such fops as you.

'Tis levity's your pride and boast,
And wanton airs attract you most;
And she that would successful prove,
Must act the character you love.





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