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Show PROGRAMMES OF BALLETS. 357 sents with pleasure. The King commands to retire, and, giving one hand to Ulysses and the other to Deidamia, he withdraws. The latter princess expresses great agitation ; she darts a look at Achilles, who appears lost in reflection upon his condition; he recovers, starts, and follows. The princes and princesses are near the King; and guards close the procession. ACT II. SCENE I.-Sumptuous apartments in the Palace of Lycomedes. In the back ground are perceived the royal gardens. Statues representing Gods and Heroes adorn the sides of the apartments, and embellish the gardens also. P R I N C E S and princesses of the court, together with the suite of Deidamia, enter dancing (on the left side). Pleasure animates their steps ; they precede the King's entrance into this retreat of pleasure. After a general Dance, Lycomedes appears, and they environ him. In one hand he leads Deidamia, with the other he conducts Ulysses; a part of his train attends him. The guards retire to a distance. Achilles follows Deidamia with his eyes, which are now fixed on her, and now on Ulysses. Lycomedes commands all to celebrate the arrival of his illustrious friend, who appears sensibly alive to the noble conduct of the King, and acknowledges the homage paid to him by a respectful obeisance. Every one now hastens to fulfil the orders of the King. Both Deidamia and Ulysses watch respectively every motion of Achilles, who appears wrapt in meditation. Lycomedes commands the dance to commence, wishing all to partake in its pleasures. Seated between Ulysses 23 |