University of Virginia Library

SCENE IX.

A most beautiful Apartment, in the centre of which is a very elegant Mirror, to which a handsome curtain appertains; in a conspicuous part of the scene this inscription, “Selima's Apartment.”
Enter, cautiously, the Cloud King, disguised in a rich outward garment—a mask in his hand—preceded by one of his attendants.
RECITATIVE—ATTENDANT.
Deeper disguised, thus alter'd to her view,
Thou must prevent th'approaching interview;
Or such is (tho' transform'd) Prince Azor's power,
In vain thou'll't, fiend-like, prowl here to devour!

They retire—enter Cymballo and Selima, trembling.
RECITATIVE—CYMBALLO.
Me've kept my promise (reads “Selima's Apartment”)
see, dis Dome your own!
Dear! how gallant the Gentleman has grown!
I ca'n't forget his looks, they struck me mute!
What a fine kennel this for such a Brute!
(Voice without, “Avaunt!”)
He hears me! pardon, pardon good Prince Grim!
Me dance attendance once more on your whim!

Cloud King.
Reptile, crawl hence—

Cymballo.
—Crawl!—Missee!—crawl!—me fly—
Dontee be frightful—blessee heart—good bye!
Exit Cymballo.

Selima turning round, much agitated, suddenly perceives the Cloud King, who, partly concealing his face in a sable mask, fondly approaches and

kneels before her—astonished, she flies him—he pursues—seize—and attempts to carry her off— she solicits—he draws a dagger—she kneels—he beckons on his attendant who displays a scroll, on which is written in blood-stained characters:

he plucks a pen from his Turban, and tells her she must sign it—she shudders, and refuses—enraged, he attempts to stab her—the Monster rushes on, forces the dagger from him, and he vanishing in a Cloud, receives Selima fainting in his arms—reviving, she shudders at his hideous form—he throws himself at her feet—she attempts to fly him, but he gently prevents her, and motions on a number of Sylphs, who pay her homage, assuring her he is her Slave, and lives but to obey her—she unfolds the scroll he had given her Father, and asks, why he was so cruel to him—he replies, love for her compelled him—she requests permission to return—he sorrowfully refuses, but to convince her that her Father is safe, strikes the curtain appertaining to the mirror, which slowly rises, and Scander and her two Sisters are discovered in it —he weeping, they sing the following

TRIO—SCANDER, ZORAYDA, AND ELMIRA.

Delighted with the sight, Selima is on the point of rushing into Scander's arms, which the Monster trembling prevents, pointing to an inscription over the Mirror, which that instant appears, to this purport:

The curtain, at the same time, gradually descending —she accuses him of unkindness, and repeats her request to re-visit her Father, promising speedily to return—he seems divided between hope and fear, affection, and the dread of losing her, but more tenderly urging her solicitations—he consents, strikes the earth with his Club, the curtain ascends, and in lieu of the mirror, appears a most brilliant transparent Grotto, from which Benigno comes forward, and receiving from the Monster a ring, and the dagger he had taken from the Cloud King, presents them to Selima.

RECITATIVE—BENIGNO.
Receive, fair maid, in love's fond hour,
This ring, which frees thee from his power;
But shou'd thy absence long extend,
His life thy cruelty will end:
And lovely Maiden, ah! forbear
To listen to a rival's prayer;
If hope to him thou dost impart,
Thy cruelty will break his heart!

Selima receives them, and in return presents her Bracelet as a token of her speedy return—Benigno waves his wand, a beautiful Palanquin is brought on by Slaves, in which she is placed and borne off— the Monster, affectionately and pensively, retires with Benigno.