1. Akt
1. Szene
Vain, fluctuating state of human empire!
Thou, God most high, and Thou alone
The fate of Babylon, I fear, is nigh
Lament not thus, oh Queen, in vain!

2. Szene
Behold, by Persia's hero made
Well may laugh - Oh memory! Still bitter to my soul!
Opprest with never-ceasing grief
Dry those unavaling tears
Be conforted: safe though the tyrant seem - Methought, as on the bank of
deep Euphrates
Now, tell me, Gobrias
Behold the monstrous human beast
Can you then think it strange
Great God! who, yet but darkly known
My friends, be confident
All empires upon God depend

3. Szene
Oh scared oracles of Truth!
Rejoice, my countrymen - Thus saith the Lord to Cyrus
Sing, oh ye heav'ns!

4. Szene
Let festal joy triumphant reign!
For you, my friends
The leafy honours of the field
It is the custom, I may say, the law
Recall, oh king! thy rash command
They tell you true
Oh dearer than my life, forebear!
By slow degrees the wrath of God

2. Akt
1. Szene
See, from his post Euphrates fies!
You see, my friends, a path
Amaz'd to find the foe so near
To arms, to arms! no more delay!

2. Szene
Ye tutelar gods of our empire
Let the deep bowl thy praise confess
Where is the God of Judah's boasted pow'r?
Call all my Wise Men
A Sinfony
Ye sages! welcome always to your king - Alas! too hard a task the king imposes
Oh misery! - oh terror! - hopeless grief!
Oh king, live for ever!
No! to thyself thy trifles be
Yet, to obey his dread command
Oh sentence too severe! - Regard, oh son, my flowing tears

3. Szene
Oh God of Truth! oh faithful guide!
You, Gobrias, lead directly to the palace
Oh glorious prince!

3. Akt
1. Szene
Alternate hopes and fears
Fain would I hope

Can the black Arthiop change his skin?
My hopes revive
Bel boweth down!

2. Szene
I thank thee, Sesach
A Martial Symphony

3. Szene
To pow'r immortal my first thanks
Be it thy care, good Gobrias - Destructive War, thy limits know
Great victor, at your feet I bow
Say, venerable prophet
Tell it out among the heathen