University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

A Persian Antichamber (with expansive folding doors) brilliantly decorated, &c.
Selima discovered before an Easel, having nearly finished a drawing, her two Sisters, Zorayda and Elmira, observing her—they come forward.
DUET—ZORAYDA AND ELMIRA.

Enter Ismael and Osmyn, two young Emirs, most splendidly arrayed—they throw themselves at the feet of the Sisters, who, admiring the riches of their attire, &c. gladly receive their vows and protestations —they suddenly behold Selima, whom they had overlooked on their first entrance, and appearing struck with her superior charms, the Sisters become jealous, and angrily command her to depart—she diffidently curtsies, and retires—the Sisters preventing the Emirs following, by singing to them:
“Sister, there, awhile must tarry—
“She's too young, poor thing, to marry!”

After her departure they cast their eyes with admiration on the drawing—the Sisters, ready to burst with indignation, stamp, and order a Slave to convey the Easel off—he obeys—and Scander Zade, their Father, entering, the Sisters introduce their Lovers—he receives them with approbation, and waving a wand, which is brought him by another

Slave, as a signal, the folding doors are thrown open, and discover a splendid

The Emirs, charmed with the splendour of the Palace, and riches of it's possessor, solicit the hands of the Sisters, to which their Father consents, and they seat themselves in lovefraught dalliance near them—during this Selima re-enters, steps forward, and curtsies with great affability to them, her Father and the Guests, and fascinates the group (her Sisters excepted) with

which finished, bowing to her Father, she disappears —Cymballo comes forward, gazing, in admiration, after his mistress.

DANCING SONG—CYMBALLO.

Exit.
A GRAND DANCE TAKES PLACE.

All the Characters appear highly delighted with the attention of their Host, and the Lovers more than ever attached to the Sisters; a bugle horn is suddenly sounded without—all start—a Messenger, pale and breathless, rushes on, displaying the following scroll:

The whole groupe, as if struck by talismanic power, almost instantly (as it were) vanish, leaving the Messenger in the centre—the two Sisters, the Merchant, Selima, and Cymballo (who had entered at the sound of the bugle,) as if planet struck, gazing on the scroll —the Sisters burst into tears—the Merchant looks heart-broken up to Heaven—Selima and Cymballo endeavour to console him—the Cloud King, disguised as a Cadi, with Law Officers, enters, to take possession of the Palace; Scander surrenders him the Keys, &c. and stamping, a groupe of Slaves appear, who bow to him; he commands them to transfer their services to the Cadi, now their master—they leave Scander with tears, gloomily saluting their new Lord, who rudely draws over Cymballo with them, who exclaims,

RECITATIVE—CYMBALLO.
No, me be free!—and while my free blood flow,
Me spill last drop, to serve him made me so!

Falls at his master's feet, who raises him—Selima sends him for her drawings—during which, Cadi tells the Sisters, they must prepare to depart—Cymballo re-enters, the drawing consists of a small neat Cottage, to which she solicits them to retire—her Sisters burst into tears.
GLEE—ZORAYDA, ELMIRA, AND CYMBALLO.
When poverty enters, how quick love departs;
Chick a chow! well-a-day! chick a chow, chow!
Friends it makes cool, e'en to ice chills their hearts;
Chick a chow! well-a-day! chick a chow, chow!
Chick a chow! well-a-day! joy was in view!
Chick a chow! well-a-day! false friends adieu.

Exeunt.
Selima attempts to follow—the Cadi detains and makes love to her, she treats him with disdain— he, continuing his attention, pursues her off.
RECITATIVE—PRINCIPAL ATTENDANT.
Didst thou but know, sweet Maid, the magic power,
Of him who wooes thee with so fierce a love;
His perseverance—thou wou'd'st curse the hour,
That first thine envied Charms he did approve!
AIR

Re-enter the Cadi, much irritated; intimates he is again refused, and, seeming to recollect himself, strikes the Scene, when the portrait of a handsome Prince, splendidly habited, appears, from beneath which he draws the following scroll:

He then, vowing revenge, strikes the opposite pannel, and a painting appears resembling the Prince transformed to a Beast, from under which he draws the following scroll:

RECITATIVE ATTENDANT.
Then rest secure, a Form like that, abhorred,
Can ne'er of Beauty's love become the Lord.

Exeunt.