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Show 438 THE CODE OF TERPSICHORE. ACT I. A wild uncultivated scene; on the right appears a cavern, forming the entrance to the subterranean domains of Aldegonde. Near the portal stands a tripod ornamented with magic devices. SCENE I.-As the curtain rises Aldegonde is discovered surrounded by her court; in her hand she bears a mystic rod, and seems lately to have completed an act of enchantment ; upon the tripod burns a magic flame. Before the enchantress, Silvia and a troop from the surrounding country are bending in adoration; they appear to pay her the most servile homage ; while Aldegonde boasts the ascendancy she has obtained over their minds. Satisfied with this proof of her power, she retires below to pursue her mystic and malignant occupations. S C E N E II.-Silvia, a reigning queen of the rustic troop, leads off the dance to the sound of village minstrelsy. Flowery coronets are next suspended from the branches, and the young swains and shepherdesses exercise themselves in darting lances at them. Silvia alone gains the prize, and her conquest is publicly proclaimed. She is then placed at the head of the trooping nymphs holding the prize, a laurel crown. A trophy of reversed coronets is borne before her. She is then crowned, while the whole company, grouping around her, pay homage to their rural queen. Various dances are executed in her honour; after which the assembly disperses. S C E N E III.-Alidor enters; he has seen Silvia, the nymph for whom he burns, but he has been unable to |