Some Observations made travelling through France, Italy etc., in the years 1720-1722

urn:iso:std:iso:639:ed-3:eng

84

text excerpt

They are very dextrous at managing the Machinery of their Opera's. In one of them Nero presents Tiridates King of Armenia with a Roman Show, of which himself makes a part. The Emperor with the Empress appear in a Triumphal Chariot, drawn by an Elephant. The Head, Trunk, and Eyes of the great Beast move as if alive, and Tiridates believes he is so. When, all of a sudden, as soon as the Emperor and Empress are dismounted and have taken their Seats, the Triumphal Chariot is transform'd into an Amphitheatre, and fill'd with Spectators. The Elephant falls all in pieces, and out of his Belly come a great number of Gladiators, arm'd with Bucklers, which were so many parts of the Elephant's Sides, so that he seems in a moment to be transform'd into a Company of arm'd Men, who make a Skirmish, all in time to the Musick.

They are very dextrous at managing the Machinery of their Opera's. In one of them Nero presents Tiridates King of Armenia with a Roman Show, of which himself makes a part. The Emperor with the Empress appear in a Triumphal Chariot, drawn by an Elephant. The Head, Trunk, and Eyes of the great Beast move as if alive, and Tiridates believes he is so. When, all of a sudden, as soon as the Emperor and Empress are dismounted and have taken their Seats, the Triumphal Chariot is transform'd into an Amphitheatre, and fill'd with Spectators. The Elephant falls all in pieces, and out of his Belly come a great number of Gladiators, arm'd with Bucklers, which were so many parts of the Elephant's Sides, so that he seems in a moment to be transform'd into a Company of arm'd Men, who make a Skirmish, all in time to the Musick.

excerpt from 'Some Observations made travelling through France, Italy etc., in the years 1720-1722' pp. 84 (150 words)

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1515694275648