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Semele

Opera
Congreve, William (1670-1729)
  
SEMELE.
  
[epigraph]
  
ARGUMENT Introductory to the OPERA of SEMELE.
  
[castlist]
  
[section]

collapse section1. 
ACT I.
 1. 
SCENE I.
 2. 
SCENE II.
 3. 
SCENE III.
 4. 
SCENE IV.
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ACT II.
 1. 
SCENE I.
 2. 
SCENE II.
 3. 
SCENE III.
 4. 
SCENE IV.
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ACT III.
 1. 
SCENE I.
 2. 
SCENE II.
 3. 
SCENE III.
 4. 
SCENE IV.
 5. 
SCENE V.
 6. 
SCENE VI.
 7. 
SCENE VII.
 8. 
SCENE VIII.
 9. 
SCENE IX.

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SCENE VII.

The SCENE opening discovers Semele lying under a Canopy, leaning pensively While a mournful Symphony is playing she looks up and sees Jupiter descending in a black Cloud; the Motion of the Cloud is slow. Flashes of Lightning issue
830

from either Side, and Thunder is heard grumbling in the Air.
SEMELE.
Ah me! too late I now repent
My Pride and impious Vanity.
He comes! far off his Lightnings scorch me.
—I feel my Life consuming:
I burn, I burn—I faint—for Pity I implore—
O help, O help—I can no more.
[Dies.

As the Cloud which contains Jupiter is arrived just over the Canopy of Semele, a sudden and great Flash of Lightning breaks forth, and a Clap of loud Thunder is heard; when at one instant Semele with the Palace and the whole present Scene disappears, and Jupiter re-ascends swiftly. The Scene totally changed represents a pleasant Country, Mount Citheron closing the Prospect.
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