Act 2 — SCENE VII.—A Magic Chamber in the Castle—(Whitmore.)
Reading edition
In the Centre, on a Pillar, a golden Head, and on one side of it, stands the enormous Giant Ferragus, leaning on a massive Club—Valentine and Orson enter—the Giant raises his monstrous club—Pacolet enters—waves his wand, the club changes to a heavy chain, incircling the arms of the giant—Orson catches up the giant, throws him down, and stands over him, Pacolet waves his wand.
Eglantine, Florimonda, and Belisanta enter.
Pacolet touches the Golden Oracle, which speaks as follows:
Oracle.
Hear!
Orson is alarmed—Pacolet makes a sign for silence, again touches the head, which proceeds to say:
Oracle.
Orson is endowed with reason!
Orson falls on his knees, and shews his sensibility by thanking the Gods—the head proceeds:
Golden Oracle.
Valentine and Orson are brothers, and sons of the Emperor of Greece, and the much-wronged Empress Belisanta.
The Empress Belisanta throws off her Nun's dress, and appears as herself, embraces her sons, who embrace each other—Pacolet addresses the Oracle.
Pacolet.
Agent of sorcery, thy task is o'er, [the head falls, and the giant sinks. And thy gigantic master sinks, to rise no more.
Orson approaches Florimonda, she still rejects him, he looks at his uncouth figure and dress, and rushes out, followed by Pacolet, but immediately returns, splendidly dressed—he again presses his suit to Florimonda, she is pleased with him—the Empress joins the hands of Valentine and Orson with Eglantine and Florimonda—the Genius signifies his approbation, and thus addresses Belisanta.
Pacolet.
Lady, most wrong'd, rejoice!—your royal lord, Repentant, comes with splendid honours due, To suffering virtue, to a throne restored, Days of delight remain for these and you. While my task over, gaily hence I hie, Distress still aiding, as I onward fly. To realms of light and fields of liberty.
Pacolet changes the scene, mounts his winged horse, and flies up, while the transformation is making from the Mystic Chamber to the last scene.