The Harvesters (1770) - Page 9

We do not encourage labor except by offering incentives:

Harshness only serves to turn them away.

These people come from afar; to give them strength,

I have had them eat a hearty breakfast.

R U S T A U T.

And let them work, then.

C A N D O R.

There, that is what they are going to do.

Your harshness belies your character;
I know you to be humane, but your manner is crude.
Being such a good-natured man, it is quite peculiar
That you are constantly in a rage.

R U S T A U T.

But it is only for your own good.
It is very easy for me to be silent;
Since you wish it, I will say nothing more.
(He goes to the back of the stage with the Harvesters, and
disperses them from side to side.)

C A N D O R.

(During the following aria, the Harvesters cut
the wheat at the back of the stage; Rosine follows
and gleans.)

ARIA.

Happy is he who, without cares or business,
Can cultivate his fields in peace!
The simplest roof of his forefathers
Is worth more than the glitter of palaces.
My land returns with interest
All the gifts I bestow upon it;
And I observe that nature
Is but an exchange of kindnesses.
Let the Great come near us,
Let them come to take a lesson.
They lose the goods they scatter,
Ingratitude is their harvest.
Happy is he who, without cares or business, &c.