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The Cloud King ; or Magic Rose

A New Splendid Melo Dramatic Tale of Enchantment
Cross, J. C.
  
THE CLOUD KING;
  
[note]
  
[castlist]

 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.
 10. 
SCENE X.
 11. 
SCENE XI.
 12. 
SCENE XII. AND LAST.

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SCENE IV.

Aerial Palace of the Cloud King, erected on luminous skirted Clouds—a splendid Throne in the centre.
Attendants, properly habited, discovered in appropriate attitudes.
AIR—CLOUD KING's ATTENDANTS.
From his Throne and Dominion, in mortal array,
Lur'd by Beauty, on Love's downy wing,
To Virtue seduce, does our Sovereign stray,
Long loiters our truant Cloud King.
91

Behold! he approaches! the garb he retains,
In which he Deceit's wiley arts wou'd perform,
Fierce, fierce roll his eye-balls, rage reddens his veins,
And Resentment and Love fire the King of the Storm.
Borne on a Cloud he descends, preceded by an attendant.
Hail, King of the Clouds! we wou'd greet thy return,
But well we know Virtue thy arts has withstood;
For curious, we long since did anxiously burn,
In yon mystical Urn, thrice three drops of our blood!

He ascends his Throne, and, displaying the miniature of Selima, vows enjoyment and revenge; then, seizing the hands of his attendants, demands their aid—wrapt in mysterious contemplation, they form a circle, continuing in mystic action, to music, 'till, suddenly breaking off, they point to a Cloud, on which appears inscribed:

“Selima, 'ere she become thine, must prove accessary to Azor's death.”

He starts, appears wrapped in thought, snatches up his sceptre, and, waving it, that cloud disappears, and others opening, display his commands to his attendants; on the first is written:

“A Storm must assail her Sire;”
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on another:

“Should he approach his Palace, inspire the Beast with Resentment.”

His attendants having received their orders, he strikes a third Cloud, in the centre of which appears (surrounded with Glory) a splendid dagger, and the following enigmatical prophesy:

“Thy Bane, or Antidote!”

He appears much perplexed, scarcely knowing how to act; at length snatches the dagger—thunder and lightning—the latter emitted from the Clouds in the scene—


DUO AND QUARTETTO ATTENDANTS.
Two Male Voices.
Hail, King of the Clouds! we thy wish will perform,
Ride proud on the whirlwind and govern the storm.

Two Female Voices.
Hail, King of the Clouds! shou'd the storm rage in vain,
In the breast of the Beast shall revenge fiercely reign.

QUARTETTO.
Revenge or Enjoyment their pleasures shall bring,
And Vengeance or Love cheer our element King!

Exeunt.
The Scene vanishing with them, and discovering,
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