Ali. Me, madam, [trembling.]-oh no! Open it yourself; the apartments are your's. Sel. [Opening it.] How superb and elegant! Ali. Ah! I see he won't eat you.

"Sel. Return and ease my father's heart, "Tell him, alas, that tho' we part, "My life is not in danger.

"Ali. How shall I ease your father's heart, "Since I from thence cannot depart: "I fear my life's in danger. "Sel. Describe me here just as 1 am; "Say for me all my duty can;

"To which he is no stranger. "Ali. Shou'd I describe myself whilst here, "I'm sure it wou'd be full of fear, "To which I am no stranger.

"Sel. The truest pleasure now it gives, "To know my dearest father lives, "From threat'ned dangers free. "Ali. The truest pleasure I cou'd know, "Wou'd be from hence allow'd to go "From threat'ned dangers free. "Sel. And tho' we ne'er may meet again, "Say the poor captive wont complain "Nor mourn her liberty.

"Ali. And tho' perhaps you choose to stay, "I'd give the world to be away, "And at my liberty."

Azor. [Without.] Slave, begone-fly hence instan y!

[The gates open.

Ali. Ah! I desire nothing else.

[Running off.

Sel. He's gone, and left me helpless and for

lorn!

How my heart beats;-yet surely heaven will guard

The virtue it approves.

[A troop of Fairies enter, who make obeisance

A Dance.

to Selima.

"Sel. This is indeed most wonderful and

strange:

"They wish me to be seated too--
"Am I awake, or is this all illusion!”

AZOR and SELIMA.

Sel. O heaven!

[She faints in the arms of the female Genii. Azor. Alas, my unfortunate figure occasions this terror.

Return, oh beautiful Selima, oh return to life, And bless my eyes with beauty they ne'er saw before.

[He makes a sign, and the Genii go off.

Look not on me, Selima, but hear me.

Sel. My senses are all frozen-I hardly breathe.

Azor. [On his knees.] Words can't express the tender sentiments,

Which you inspire the wretched Azor with,
Who thus adores and trembles at your feet.
Sel. Ah me! I die unless you leave this place.
Azor. No, Selima, may you live;

'Tis I must expire, if you refuse to hear me.
Sel. His air is gentle, and his words are soft:
-You have no intention then against my life?
[With fear.
Azor. Ah no! it is my soul's most ardent wish,
Only to live to please, and to adore you.
Sel. I begin to recover my spirits.

Azor. Didst thou but know the killing smart, The anxious doubts that rack my

breast;

Didst thou but feel love's fatal dart,
Thou'dst hope for joy, but know no

rest.

Prostrate and humble at your feet,
Behold a wretch for favor sue;
With love and fear at once replete,
Alas, he trembles more than you.
"Tis not a face, or flowing hair,
"Shou'd win a look from worth like
66 thine;

"Nor artful words, or easy air,
"Thy generous heart to love incline.

D

"Sel.

"'Tis not a form, or feigned sigh, "Or what the vulgar pleasures call; "Nor yet the lustre of an eye,

"But 'tis the soul which lights them
all."

Prove then my passion, know my worth,
To outward shew true love is blind;
Gently he'll lead thee to such truth
As warms my heart; be thou but kind,
Breathe but a wish to make me blest,
That wish, a pitying sigh will move;
Which heaving in thy gentle breast,
Will kindle pity into love.

What a horrible figure, yet what soft,

"What pleasing language! sure that voice "Cou'd ne'er have utterance from a savage "heart."

Azor. Do I really, Selima, appear so very horrible?

Sel. Why-indeed-you are not handsome. "Azor. You hate me then?

"Sel. No-the wicked only shou'd be hated." Azor. If, under this strange form, you find my heart

Compassionate and worthy?

Sel. I shall then pity you;

E'en now, methinks, I've lost much of my

terror.

Azor. Charming Selima, you reign queen of this palace,

And of my heart; you have only to command, And instantly your will shall be obey'd: Ten thousand various pleasures wait your nod, To charm your solitude and court your sense. Sel. But my dearest father--and my sisters? "Azor. They shall command the riches of the ❝ world."

"Sel. Yet I shou'd buy these favors all too dear,

"If a return shou'd ever be exacted.

"Azor. Ah, Selima.

"Sel. The frequent seeing you, "May possibly in time, abate my fears. "Azor. Be happy then, my lovely SelimaEnjoy the charms of innocence and virtue;And if I dared an humble boon request, Ah, deign the music of your heavenly voice. Sel. If you desire that I shou'd sing, I will.

The parent bird with trembling care,
And eager anxious eyes;
Observes its darling high in air,
On half-fledg'd pinions rise.

The eagle darts with fatal aim,
The little nestling dies;
Alas! cou'd pity find no claim?
The wretched parent cries.