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Show 398 THE CODE OF TERPSICHORE. ACT III. A handsome artificial grotto is seen at the end of a garden; the entrance to il is by a grove of trees; a secret door is observed on the right hand. ORSANO arrives, he appears plunged in a deep reverie; a thousand different thoughts seem to agitate his mind. His design to destroy the Doge and senate, to avenge himself for the refusal of Rosamond, and to place himself at the head of the state, engross his whole thoughts. His mind is a prey to conflicting emotions. H e cannot, however, forget his passion. The features of the haughty fair are too deeply imprinted on his heart, and love still asserts its power. But suddenly the remembrance of his hated rival rises in his imagination, and his passion yields to the ideas of gloomy vengeance by which he is agitated. He swears to avenge the slights which he has received by the death of their authors. H e has already disposed of Vivaldi, as he imagines. H e now feels a mixture of disappointment and anxiety at not yet seeing his companions arrive. H e begins to suspect some treachery, but his suspicions give way to joy on seeing Anselmo appear with the other conspirators. H e rushes to embrace them. Several of them go to the avenues of the grotto to avoid surprise. Anselmo tells him that every thing is in readiness for action ; that their forces are augmented, and that the populace, aided by the care of Orsano, is now murmuring against the Doge. Orsano exults in his success. All the conspirators swear to destroy the chief men of the state, and to overthrow the republic itself, as also to assassinate the Spanish general, whose power and valour fill their minds with alarm. |
