University of Virginia Library

SCENE XI.

A rocky View—with a wild mossy Grotto on one side—a Rock leads from the opposite side, to a high Promontory—a dark sky,
The Monster, almost exhausted with grief and dispair, crosses the Rocks.
VOICES
IN THE AIR.
False, false to her word,
She her aid does deny,
No hope now is left thee,
Despair then and die.

He sighs piteously, and kissing the Bracelet he had received from Selima, throws himself off the promontory, and, wounded by the fall, creeps forward, scarce able to support himself, approaches the Grotto, there to breathe his last—Selima, wildly, crosses the Rock, and for some time searches in vain, but at length perceives him, who, with a deep sigh, closes his eyes—she conceives him dead—kneels and weeps near him—a loud peal of thunder heard, lightnings flash—and a circle of Clouds gradually descends, on which the Cloud King, in all his glory, is seated, attendants on each side him, one bearing the Banner, which consigns Selima to his power, she wildly clasps her hands in despair.
QUARTETTO —CLOUD KING's ATTENDANTS
In vain, 'tis fair lady, those hands that you wring,
The bond is compleated, the dye it is cast;
In his glory now claims thee our element King,
His rival by thee doomed to here breathe his last!

Selima's agitation and pity for the poor dying Monster encreases, and she endeavours anxiously and affectionately to revive him—opening his eyes he fondly gazes on her, and gratefully kisses her hand—she partly raises him—the Cloud King descends, and indignantly approaches her—she draws her dagger—he seems transfixed—a pause—enter Benigno.
RECITATIVE—BENIGNO.
Rejoice, rejoice,
Pity and Gratitude, Virtues adored,
To Love most pure kindly have given birth,
Thy Form her fond Affection has restored,
And soon reward will Innocence and Worth.

Benigno striking the Beast with his wand, he resumes his own shape, that of a handsome Persian Prince, most splendidly attired, and affectionately embraces Selima.—Rudely separating them, the Cloud King (ordering the Banner she had signed to be brought forward) majestically claims her—Azor interposes— Cloud King seizes her, she attempts to dispatch him with her dagger, he disarms and allows her but a moment to reflect whether she will become his or die—she refuses—he raises his hand to strike—Benigno receives the blow on his wand, and the dagger breaks into enumerable pieces—he again demands her on the strength of her signature—which Benigno striking, the Banner takes fire.
RECITATIVE—BENIGNO.
Loud yell, proud Dæmon, your lot's now despair,
Thy magic Dagger, king, has proved thy bane,
Thy mighty Power thus vanishes in air,
Thy Indignation threatens now in vain.

Enraged the Cloud King ascends, and the Clouds dispersing, discover