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Show 142 THE CODE OF TERPSICHORE. CHAPTER I. ON THE EXPOSITION, OR INTRODUCTION. Qualunque oggetto si vcgga nelle belle Arti, si ha da conoscer subito che cosa fa, chi e, che significa, che vuole, che ci dice di bello e d'im-portante.- MILIZIA. EVERY dramatic action represented upon the stage, ought to consist of three divisions, namely, the exposition, the plot (neeudj, and the catastrophe (denoument). If any one of these parts be defective or ill-contrived, the action loses its interest, in proportion to its imperfect state; if, on the contrary, there exists a harmony in the parts, arising from a certain uniformity of arrangement, the dramatic action is perfect and complete ; the effect that will be thus produced, aided by the illusion of theatrical embellishment, must secure success to the author. The unities also, as w e shall shortly see, must contribute in some measure to the perfection of the work; and the composer should be exact to a certain degree in observing them, not attempting to introduce anything without a sanction from them. W e must, however, remark, that a Ballet does not always oblige the writer to a strict observance of unities. The exposition unfolds to us the subject upon which the author writes, and the nature of the action about to |