I (BWV Anh. 196) Auf! süß entzückende Gewalt
Wedding of Peter Hohmann (von Hohenthal) and Christian Sibylla Mencke. Johann Christoph Gottsched, Versuch einer Critischen Dichtkunst (Leipzig, 1730); Facs: Neumann T, p. 368. 27 November 1725, Leipzig; Parody: 3, 5 → BWV 11/4, 10. NBA I/40, Krit. Bericht. [English translation follows German text.] Auf die Homann-und Menckische Hochzeit in Leipzig 1725 [1. Aria] Die Natur Auf! süß-entzückende Gewalt, [2. Recit.] In allem, was der Bau der Welt, [3. Aria (Die Natur)] Entfernet euch, ihr kalten Hertzen, [4. Recit.] Die Schamhafftigkeit Wie das? o gütige Natur! [5. Aria (Die Schamhafftigkeit)] Unschuld, Kleinod reiner Seelen, [6. Recit.] Die Tugend Du irrest, liebes Kind, [7. Aria (Die Tugend)] Folge nur den sanften Trieben. [8. Recit.] Die Natur Nun hörst du ja, die Tugend selbst stimmt ein. [9. Aria] [Die Natur] (Die Schamhafftigkeit) (Die Natur) (Die Schamhafftigkeit) Ich wollte wohl; ---doch nein! (Die Natur) [10. Recit.] Die Schamhafftigkeit Gefährlicher Entschluß! (Die Natur) [11. Aria (Die Natur)] Selbst der Höchste schliesset Ehen, [12. Recit.] (Die Schamhafftigkeit) So wird es auch vielleicht geschehen, (Das Verhängnis) [3. Aria] Chor der Nymphen an der Pleiße Lebe, neues Paar, vergnügt! For the Hohmann-Mencke Wedding in Leipzig, 1725 1. Aria (Nature) Up, sweet-enchanting force and power,Thou which from God’s own hand arisest, And all my very self pervadest, Come, show thyself within thy charming form. Up, sweet-enchanting force and power! 2. Recit. (Nature) In all that which the world’s great frame, In heaven’s spheres surpassing number, Before its maker’s eyes presents; In all the creatures which the field, Air, earth, and wood, and water do contain, Yea, even trees and stone and iron, Is shown the undiminished strength Which that most mighty passion owns. Who marks not ev’rywhere affection? Who sees not that through its emotions The total cosmic form endures? For that it hath till now not yet to ruin gone Is caused by love’s most constant bond. Love all alone keeps nature's matter firmly fixed. 3. Aria (Nature) Remove yourselves, ye frigid spirits, Remove yourselves, I am your foe. He who for love no room would offer Doth shun good luck, doth hate existense, And is to the worst of folly friend; Ye choose yourselves no course but sorrow; Remove yourselves, ye frigid spirits, Remove yourselves, I am your foe. 4. Recit. (Modesty, Nature) (Modesty) What’s this, O gracious Nature, thou! Should I then, too, to love’s flag swear allegiance? Should I then, too, to that soft coaxing listen Which doth thy power within me stir? Ah no, Nature, ah no! For love cannot a child of honest virtue be. Ah no, it cannot be! I feel it when my heart doth beat, When heated blood doth fill my cheeks with blushing, When one to me of loving speaks. I feel in truth a strange and hidden longing, Which hides itself in constant bashfulness. I always fear of shame the meshes, I worry lest in me in time The waxing of audacity Should to the rule of godly order Through this most subtle force do injury. Away with it! I will not heed What Nature here of love doth say. 5. Aria (Modesty) Chasteness, jewel of pure spirits, With thy splendor me adorn. No dishonor, no impairment Shall my cloak all lily-white Of unsullied purity With the stain of love e’er darken, Which can snow to ink transform. Chasteness, jewel of pure spirits, With thy splendor me adorn. 6. Recit. (Virtue) Thou errest, my dear child, Thou errest wide in what thou singest, So wicked is my purpose not. I hate in fact the vicious wiles of lewdness With which that fallen woman oft The wanton foot of youth ensnareth, Until she hath both soul and flesh To thousand-fold distress delivered. Ah no, the love of proper sort Is helped by him who guideth all things And me as well, to mortal men now granted. It doth not from my presence shrink, And mine own fire beats often with its passion In loveliest union. 7. Aria (Virtue) Follow but those soft emotions Which thy tender heart perceives. When thou by their flames art touched, Oh, then let but thine intention Now some soul with fondness win thee, Which is by its virtue graced, And whom thou must love forever. Follow but those soft emotions Which thy tender heart perceives. 8. Recit. (Nature) Now thou dost hear how Virtue too agrees. Wilt thou to love be then entirely obstinate? 9. Aria (Nature, Modesty) (Nature) Suppress thou no longer the passionate nature Which mine own hand in thee did plant. (Modesty) Now Virtue’s speech in truth is great in strength And very nearly wins me over: But yet, I fear too much the force of passion’s might And know not how its call to answer. (Nature) Suppress thou no longer the passionate nature Which mine own hand in thee did plant. (Modesty) But love appears with turmoil filled And violence as well. Though I might wish,—but no! I know not what my course should be. (Nature) Discard thy foolish fantasy, And set thy heart and spirit free, Which are through their own misconceptions Within that so-called virtue’s confines With stolid bashfulness enclosed. Now tell me, dost thou hear? Me thinks, thou shalt be changed, I can now upon thine own face even read it. Suppress thou no longer the passionate nature Which mine own hand in thee did plant. 10. Recit. (Modesty, Nature) (Modesty) O dangerous resolve, Which I am now constrained to make! Lead on, Nature! I’ll follow thy directions. But tell me this: What shall I love then? (Nature) Ah, have no fear, for heaven e’en now doth care And hath, ere thou didst give it thought, Its everlasting will decreed Through whom it thee would bring contentment, And whom thy spotless heart ought first give thine affection. 11. Aria (Nature) E’en the Highest sealeth marriage, When it his approval wins. Whene’er mortals are uncertain On which path their foot should venture, He looks after and unites Many’a good and virtuous child. Even heaven sealeth marriage, When his approval it doth win. 12. Recit. (Modesty, Destiny) (Modesty) Thus it as well perhaps will happen That his paternal care soon tend to my well-being. (Destiny) Behold, O thou most virtuous heart, Receive the gem of my affection. Transform thy modesty to mirth, And let henceforth thy pure emotions To him alone, As is his breast to thee, devoted be. Prosperity in every quarter, O newly wedded-pair, attend thee! 13. Chorus (Choir of Nymphs on the Pleisse River) Live, ye newly-weds, content! Fate itself hath brought to pass That the goal of all your longing Be completely here accomplished. Live, ye newly-weds, content! Luck and fortune, health and blessing Must because of your own virtue Now about your dwelling settle; Live, ye newly-weds, content! © Copyright Z. Philip Ambrose |