Scene VIII On a Signal From the Chamberlain, the Guards Open the Door, When Telasco, and Zorai, Enter
Ataliba. (Meeting and embracing Telasco.) Welcome venerable old man!—What brings you from your enviable solitude into the bustle of a court? (Calling to the Attendants.) Let a seat be brought.
Telasco. Suffer me to stand, good Inca. It is the posture which best becomes a petitioner.
Ataliba. Has Telasco any request to make?—Speak then.
Telasco. Two years ago I brought my daughter here, to devote her, according to her own desire, to the service of the gods. I cannot deny that the parting with her was a severe trial to me, for I had long been accustomed to enjoy her innocent society, and ever since the death of my wife, when I fell into ill health, had been nursed and attended by her with the tenderest care and affection. It may be supposed, therefore, that we did not separate without many tears on both sides. My son, at that time a youth, was then the only treasure remaining—he is now grown up to manhood, and as his sister is devoted to the gods, I would devote him to the service of his country. To you, great king, I present him—be you his father when I am gone!—I do not doubt that he will conduct himself worthily—I have no fear he will ever forget that the blood of the Incas flows through his veins. Accept my present with favour!—I bring you the greatest treasure that I possess upon earth!—I bring you my all!
Ataliba. He shall be my own son!—Come hither, young man. (Zorai kneels to him) Inherit thy father’s virtues, and thou shalt be heir to thy father’s honours.
Zorai. Pardon my silence. Time only can decide whether or no I shall deserve such favour.
Ataliba. Rise!—Alonzo, I consign him to thy care. Let him be enrolled among my life-guards, and learn of thee to fight and conquer.
Alonzo. (Embarrassed) Oh king! I will endeavour to gain his confidence.
Telasco. (To Alonzo) Art thou the man in whom the people bless the saviour of their Inca? Permit these old arms to embrace thee! (He embraces Alonzo) Thy fame has reached to the remotest parts of this nation—thy name is repeated with transport by our children’s children!—Happy is my son in being placed under such a leader.
Alonzo. (Extremely embarrassed and affected) He shall be my brother.
Telasco. (To Ataliba) To your goodness am I indebted that the last moments of my life are made thus happy. Accept my grateful thanks!
(A solemn march is heard playing at a distance)
Ataliba. Now, my children, let us repair to the temple!—Come, Telasco, go on my right hand, and should you find the walk fatiguing, let me be your support!—Ah, how often have you supported me!
Telasco. Blessings on you worthy, Inca!
(As they are preparing to go, the music, which had continued gradually to advance nearer, suddenly stops)
Ataliba. (Starting) What means this?
Chamberlain. (Rushing in trembling, and almost breathless) Sire, the High-Priestess of the Sun approaches, with a long train of priestesses all clad in mourning, and uttering dreadful lamentations. Their cries pierce the very soul; while the people gather round them trembling, and observing them with silent awe and terror. (The whole assembly appear in the utmost confusion; the king alone preserves his composure)
Ataliba. Conduct them hither.
Alonzo. (Aside to Juan) Oh God, Velasquez, what can this portend!
Juan. You tremble, and look pale;—for shame; rouse yourself; shew yourself a man!
SCENE IX.—Enter the High-Priestess, followed by a long train of Virgins of the Sun. They are clad in thick mourning veils, and march in slow and solemn procession towards the King. An awful silence is observed by the whole company, who wait the sequel of the scene with anxious expectation.
High-Priestess. (Throwing back her veil) Oh woe! woe! woe!
Ataliba. On whom dost thou imprecate woe?
High-Priestess. The temple is polluted!—the altars are profaned!—the holy lamp is extinguished!—Oh woe! woe! woe!
Ataliba. Name the criminal, that the gods may be avenged for these heavy offences.
High-Priestess. First born of the Sun, let the stringed instruments, let the festal song, cease!—Let the temple be divested of its ornaments, and the garlands be taken from the beasts prepared for sacrifice; to-day can no festival be solemnized!—Lamentations must be our only songs, mourning veils our only ornaments!—A serpent has with his poison polluted the house of the Stars!—A Virgin of the Sun has broken her vow of chastity! (She pauses a few moments—the whole assembly shudder—Alonzo appears like one thunderstruck—at length the High-Priestess proceeds) Woe! woe! upon Cora!!!
(At the mention of this name the King utters a cry of agony.—Telasco, trembling, supports himself upon his staff—Zorai, full of confusion, conceals his face in his garments—Alonzo is sinking to the ground, but is supported by Velasquez—A confused murmur is heard among the rest of the assembly.)
High-Priestess. Vengeance! vengeance! upon the murderer of virtue!—upon the wretch who could abuse the hospitality of a peaceable people, and violate the sacred asylum of the Wives of the Sun!—Woe! woe! upon Alonzo!!!
(Ataliba utters a more piercing cry than before—Alonzo stands with downcast eyes, while a death-like paleness overspreads his countenance—The attention of the whole company is immediately turned towards him—Telasco looks around with a vacant stare.)
High-Priestess. First born of the Sun!—image of our God upon earth!—I stand here, and require from thee an awful atonement for this sacrilege!
Ataliba. (With deep gloom) Which thou shalt have.
High-Priestess. Be death and shame the lot of the seducer!—Be death and shame the lot of Cora, and her whole family!
(Telasco starts, murmurs to himself the word “shame,” and falls to the ground—Zorai throws himself by him.)
Ataliba. All-merciful God! (Calls to the attendants) Come to the assistance of this poor old man. (Telasco is raised up—the High-Priestess is about to proceed, but the King makes her a sign to be silent, and addresses her and her train) Enough, ye pious women! I know my duty, and will perform whatever may be required by the ordinances of Manco-Capac. To question you, Alonzo, concerning the truth of the charge alledged against you, were needless;—thy death-like countenance, thy downcast eyes confess the fault too plainly, and thou art lost beyond the possibility of redemption.—Hadst thou excited my provinces to rebel against me; had thy sword deprived me of half my kingdom, I would have given thee my hand, and said, thou didst once save my life, and all that I have I share willingly with thee!—But now, the king alone must speak; the friend must remain silent.—Alonzo, thou art lost beyond the possibility of redemption!—Unhappy youth, what hast thou done!
Alonzo. Let me die!—Death is no more than I justly deserve, for having repaid with such base ingratitude the unmixed happiness I have enjoyed in this kingdom. Yes, let me die, oh king! (Falling upon his knees) But save, save, the hapless Cora!—she is innocent!—her seducer only is guilty!
Ataliba. Rise!—My power is confined within certain limits: and in no respect is it so rigidly circumscribed as in all matters which concern religion. (He stands for some moments wrapt in mournful musing, and apparently struggling with himself, then says, with averted countenance) Guards, put him in irons! (To the High-Priest) Assemble your priests in the court of the temple, to judge the culprits according to our holy laws and customs; and ere the sun sink into the ocean, let me be summoned to confirm the sentence. (Going)
Xaira. Sire, it is necessary the father and brother should also be put in irons.
Ataliba. Poor old man!—he will not run away from you!
Xaira. The brother at least.
Ataliba. Well, if it must be!—(Zorai is put in irons) Oh what misery is it to be king when one is compelled to punish! (Exit)
High-Priestess. (To the High-Priest) Hasten, thou first servant of our gods, hasten to avenge your masters, that this very evening the last rays of the declining sun may beam upon the grave which encloses Cora—Go, ye daughters of the sun, bow yourselves down in prayer, wash the altar with your tears, and conceal your blushing cheeks beneath sevenfold veils, till the disgrace with which our Order has been branded by that profligate stranger, be wholly effaced!—(Exit, followed by the Virgins of the Sun)
High-Priest. (Aside) Poor Rolla! (Exit)
Xaira. (To some of the other Priests) Go out at the northern gate, and prepare a grave in that waste and desolate spot which is distinguished by numerous heaps of stones.
Telasco. And let me be the first laid within it! [Exeunt Priests.
Xaira. (To the Guards) Lead the prisoners away.
Alonzo. (To Juan) Farewel, Velasquez!—When you return to our native country, bear my tenderest greetings to my poor mother; but be careful to conceal from her my unhappy story.
Telasco. (As he is seized by the guards) Whither would you drag me, old as I am?
Alonzo. Oh, Velasquez, this old man!—this unfortunate old man!
Telasco. Give me my daughter!—restore me my daughter!
Xaira. Away with them all.
Telasco. (As he is led off) Give me my daughter!—restore me my daughter! [Exeunt omnes.
END OF THE THIRD ACT.