XII (BWV Anh. 7) Heut ist gewiß ein guter Tag
Birthday of Prince Leopold of Anhalt-Cöthen (10 December). Christian Friedrich Hunold (Menantes), Auserlesene und theils noch nie gedruckte Gedichte, 21.-27. Stück (Halle 1721); Facs: Neumann T, p. 271 and NBA I/35, Krit. Bericht, p. 171. Probably 10 December 1720, Cöthen. NBA I/35, Krit. Bericht. Die allgemeine Vergnügung über das Geburths-Fest (a) des Durchlauchtigsten Fürsten und Herrn/ Herrn Leopoldi, Fürsten zu Anhalt Cöthen etc. etc. in einem Schäffer-Gespräch. (a) So im December einfält.
Sylvia, Phillis und Thyrsis
[1. Recit. (Sylvia, Phillis)] (Sylvia) Heut is gewiß ein guter Tag:
(Phillis)
(Sylvia)
(Phillis)
(Sylvia)
[2.] Aria (1. [Sylvia]) Ein vergnügt und ruhig Leben
(2. Phillis) Unsers Hertzens liebste Weide
Kommet unsre Lust allein.
[3. Recit. (Sylvia, Phillis)] (Sylvia) Du redest recht:
(Phillis)
(Sylvia)
(Phillis)
(Phillis und Sylvia)
(Sylvia)
(Phillis)
[4.] Aria [Phillis] Jagen ist ein groß Ergetzen
[5. Recit. (Thyrsis, Phillis)] (Thyrsis)
(Phillis)
(Thyrsis)
(Sylvia)
(Phillis)
(Sylvia)
Mir sagte gleich das Hertz, Es müssen unsre Fröligkeiten Was grosses nur bedeuten.
(a 2.) O auserkohrnes Licht,
(Sylvia)
(Thyrsis)
[6.] Aria a 3 (Sylvia, Phillis und Thyris)
[7. Recit. (Thyrsis, Phillis, Sylvia)] (Thyrsis)
(Phillis)
(Sylvia u. Phillis)
(Sylvia, Phillis, u. Thyrsis)
(Thyrsis, Phillis)
[8.] Aria (Sylvia) Der Himmel lachet mit Vergnügen,
[9. Recit. (Thyrsis, Phillis, Sylvia)] (Thyrsis)
(Phillis)
(Sylvia)
(Sylvia u. Phillis)
(Thyrsis)
(Phillis)
(Sylvia)
(Thyrsis)
[10.] Aria (Tutti) Schönster Tag, beliebte Stunde,
The general happiness on the occasion of the birthday (which falls in December) of the illustrious Prince and Lord, Lord Leopold, Prince of Anhalt-Cöthen etc. etc. in a pastoral dialogue. Sylvia, Phyllis, Thyrsis
1. Recit. (Sylvia, Phyllis) (Sylvia) (Sylvia)Today indeed is one fine day: I feel so good, I know not how to bear it, I scarce contain me in this pleasure, For which I have no name. (Phyllis) My happiness is also rare, This present day must be with fortune blest. (Sylvia) I was not e’en in merry May so happy. (Phyllis) And the verdant fields’ display, Which every heart with pleasure fills, Have I the flowers never gathered With such complete delight Which now doth fill my breast, E’en though the snow our shelters hides. (Sylvia) But if contentment hides within, It must forsooth our hearts be stirring, No matter if it snows or freezes. 2. Aria (Sylvia, Phyllis) (1. Sylvia)
(2. Phyllis)
3. Recit. (Sylvia, Phyllis) (Sylvia)
5. Recit. (Thyrsis, Phyllis, Sylvia) (Thyrsis)Ye sing of hunting and of joy? How just! Nought but diversion And all that may to rapture bring us, Be in our thoughts: Because this day is rare indeed. (Phyllis) It must exceeding lucky be. We are content and merry And do not know if these our spirits More blessing still today will meet. (Thyrsis) More blessing? That now Daphnis live long! So cry with joy now shepherds all. This is the day to which him God appointed. (Sylvia) O most enchanting moment. (Phyllis) O welcome, dearest day! Who will teach me how I with voice exulting My fairest Daphnis may give praise. (Sylvia) I had a thought.
My heart told me at once Some wondrous thing portended.(Sylvia, Phyllis) O thou most favored light, Which now o’er all our fields doth break. (Sylvia) How may we now ourselves in this prove worthy? (Thyrsis) Rise! Let us God and Daphnis honor. 6. Aria (Sylvia and Phyllis, Thyrsis) Rise! {Praise ye/Thank ye }that {generous/glorious } God, Him who this our {most noble/worthiest} Daphnis hath crownéd. Him {content/in health } and well to see Is the land’s prosperity, Where all at this moment with{triumph/gladness} resoundeth. Rise! {Praise ye/Thank ye} that {generous/glorious} God, Him who this our {most noble/worthiest} Daphnis hath crownéd. 7. Recit. (Thyrsis, Phyllis, Sylvia) (Thyrsis) Thus granteth after sorrow A thousand pleasures heaven. And therefore can we now be more content As though in spring’s first show. (Phyllis) Where Daphnis is, whom all adore, Whom all pay honor, To whom this fame next God belongeth, That he to us gives joy and peace. (Sylvia, Phyllis) Where Daphnis is, O happy shepherd clan, O blissful land, Which doth beneath his blessing flourish! (Sylvia, Phyllis, Thyrsis) Where Daphnis liveth, There are the nights To days of joy transformed. (Thyrsis, Phyllis) There is no sound of hardship and oppression, There must be through his kindliness, Through his dear care and friendliest of manner The cruel wintertime To fairest springtime changéd. 8. Aria (Sylvia) The skies are laughing with contentment And shower snow o’er us of joy. Therefrom as many flakes are falling As are of Daphnis’ praise the echoes, And as much luck to make his breast rejoice. The skies are laughing with contentment And shower snow o’er us of joy. 9. Recit. (Thyrsis, Phyllis, Sylvia) (Thyrsis) For it will surely bring our shelters fortune, If this our shepherd lord Midst purest health and bounty Should gray with lofty age become. (Phyllis) If he the fairest shepherdess, Who hath his wise and virtuous intent, His gracious manners, noble nature, Brief: Who hath all the charm which he himself doth own, If he this very one doth choose. (Sylvia) If he hath her to bless us all selected. (Sylvia, Phyllis) Then shall our fields be verdant, Then shall our woodlands glory. (Thyrsis) Then shall, if Daphnis but be blest, Our land with joy be fully charmed. (Phyllis) So play our shepherd on the meadow, (Sylvia) So let him sport in cooling shadows, (Thyrsis) So let him sing, that wood and field resound With all the bliss which Daphnis’ grace doth bring. 10. Aria (Tutti) Fairest day, Belovéd moments, Welcome, oft to us return. While yet tender shepherds sing here, Shall the{fairest/dearest } name alone, Echo, thine amusement be; “Daphnis” must be ever echoed, Long live Daphnis, our delight. Fairest day, beloved moments, Welcome, oft to us return. 1. Daphnis is the bucolic name for Prince Leopold. Cf. Vergil, Eclogue 5, where Daphnis is thought to stand for Julius Caesar. © Copyright Z. Philip Ambrose |