Scene IV Enter the High-Priest, Xaira, and Several Other Priests
Xaira. The king approaches!
(The Priests range themselves on the steps of the altar; Cora, Telasco, and Zorai, remain in the front of the stage on one side; Alonzo stands opposite to them; Ataliba, attended by his suite, enters with slow and solemn steps, and with a countenance marked with deep anxiety; he kneels before the Image of the Sun, and remains for some time in an attitude of devotion, while a solemn silence is observed by all present. When his prayer is finished, he rises, and turns towards Alonzo, to whom he speaks hastily, and in a low voice.)
Ataliba. Save yourself, Alonzo!—Urge that you are a foreigner, and were unacquainted with our laws and customs!—urge your services to the state, to me, to the people!—urge, in short, whatever your danger may suggest!—Your judge is your friend, let it be possible for him to shew you mercy without incurring a suspicion partiality. (Alonzo bows silently, with a countenance expressive of ardent gratitude. Ataliba turns to Telasco) Good old man, you are free!—He who has hazarded his life a thousand times in the service of his native country, has sacrificed it already to the gods. I dare not proceed against you!
Telasco. How, Inca!—Can you be so cruel as to deprive the aged tree of all its branches, and yet leave the trunk standing?
Ataliba. (To Zorai) Young man, you also are free! (Turning to the assembly) For it is the will of my father, that henceforward the guilty only shall suffer. (A murmuring is heard among the priests; Ataliba casts a look of displeasure upon them, and again addresses Zorai) Comfort your aged father, nurse him and attend upon him as long as he lives; then come to me, as to your elder brother. (Zorai attempts to throw himself at the king’s feet, who prevents him, and turns to Cora) For you, Cora,—I can do nothing.
Cora. Oh, you have done all that I could wish!—more than I could dare to hope.
Ataliba. Your offence comes immediately within the laws, and to the laws the king himself is subject. (He ascends to the upper step of the altar, prostrates himself once more before the Image of the Sun, and then turns towards the assembly) High-Priest, execute your office!
High-Priest. Pardon me, good Inca!—spare my age!—my infirm state of health!—my throbbing heart!—Permit Xaira on this occasion to take my place.
Ataliba. Be it as you desire!
Xaira. (Approaching him with solemnity) First born of the Sun, a virgin, devoted to the gods, has broken her sacred vow!—Cora, come forwards!—A stranger who sojourns in this land is the associate of her crime!—Alonzo, come forwards!—We, the priests of the incensed gods, and servants of the Temple which has been profaned, faithful to the ordinances of thy great ancestor, have sat in judgment upon their crime, and pronounced sentence upon both.—This sentence is death!!!
Ataliba. (After a pause, addressing Cora and Alonzo) Have you anything to say in your defence? (Cora and Alonzo remain silent) I ask you, Cora, and you, Alonzo, if you have any thing to urge in your defence?
Cora. Nothing.
Alonzo. Nothing.
Ataliba. How, Alonzo, have you nothing to urge in extenuation of your conduct?
Alonzo. Nothing.
Ataliba. Do not speak rashly!—I give you time for recollection!—Consider well—Stranger!
Alonzo. I have deserved death, and submit to it willingly.
Ataliba. Once more I admonish you to consider well what you are about—a few moments longer, and it will be too late.—Oh ye assembled judges, know that I regard it as a sacred duty to grant this indulgence, since this man is a stranger, and could not be impressed with that sacred reverence for our faith, which the wisdom of our priests instils from their earliest infancy into the breast of every Peruvian. Unacquainted with our laws, he could not see with our eyes, could not know the magnitude of his transgression. Once more, Alonzo, you are at liberty to speak.—Our gods are just, reasonable, merciful!
Alonzo. I have deserved death.
Ataliba. Is that your last word?
Alonzo. My last.
Ataliba. (Rests his elbow upon the altar, and conceals his face in his hands for some moments, then, recovering himself, proceeds) Priests, perform your duty!
(Two priests ascend to the altar, one on each side of the king. One takes the sword, the other the palm-branch from the altar, when, descending again, they deliver them to Xaira.)
Xaira. (Presenting the sword to the king) First born of the Sun, receive from my hands the symbol of justice! (Presenting the palm-branch) First born of the Sun, receive from my hands the symbol of mercy!—The gods direct your judgment!
Ataliba. (Kneels) Oh God, thou seest how my heart is racked at this awful hour!—Grant that I may never again be compelled to the performance of so mournful a duty!—Ye shades of my forefathers, hover over me!—let me be enlightened by your wisdom, and since I exact no more than justice demands, let my soul find rest in that reflection. (He rises—Cora, Alonzo, Telasco, and Zorai, kneel with their heads bowed down.—After a few minutes struggle with himself, the king raises the sword, and is about to speak.)