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Show PROGRAMMES OF BALLETS. 421 pressed by the despotism of the detested Moorish concubine of Alphonso, who has contrived to take the sovereign power into her own hands, begin to murmur, and are on the brink of breaking out into open tumult; that they are desirous of expelling Zara and her attendant Moors from the palace of Alphonso's ancestors, and of reinstating Ermangere in her proper place-the throne of the T wo Spains. Ermangere and her two faithful friends augur the most happy results from this welcome event, which seems to further their plans, and to hasten the execution of them. Fanes conducts the Queen into one of the rooms contiguous to the hall, returns, and goes out, accompanied by Garcias, to ripen the enterprise which they have undertaken. The scene changes to a magnificent apartment in the King's Palace. Zara, splendidly attired, is seated near a table; she appears occupied with the affairs of the state ; a number of courtiers and nobles are around her; among whom are also many Moors. Morico is in immediate attendance on her person, to receive her commands. Zara gives papers and documents to the principal officers of state, enjoining them to attend to their contents with scrupulous exactitude. They receive them with the most profound respect, and severally depart. The ambitious Moorish woman hands a decree to Morico, which contains ordinances in favour of her own people; and commands that they may be carried into effect without delay. Morico makes a sign of strict obedience, and retires. The sound of horns now announces the return of 37 |