ACT IV.
(Solemn Chorus of Priests.)[1]Haste!—dig with eager hands a grave,Our guiltless heads from death to save!A grave, to turn from us asideThe darts destruction’s daemons guide!For hark!—both justice and compassion cry,“To save the guiltless, let the guilty die!”
(Solemn Chorus of Priests.)[1]Haste!—dig with eager hands a grave,Our guiltless heads from death to save!A grave, to turn from us asideThe darts destruction’s daemons guide!For hark!—both justice and compassion cry,“To save the guiltless, let the guilty die!”
(Solemn Chorus of Priests.)[1]
Haste!—dig with eager hands a grave,
Our guiltless heads from death to save!
A grave, to turn from us aside
The darts destruction’s daemons guide!
For hark!—both justice and compassion cry,
“To save the guiltless, let the guilty die!”
Rolla.(Starting) What do I hear!—say,—what is the meaning of this?
(Chorus of Priests.)Haste!—dig a grave t’avenge the gods!A grave, that in death’s dark abodes,Lost Cora’s crime, of deepest die,May soon for ever buried lie!
(Chorus of Priests.)Haste!—dig a grave t’avenge the gods!A grave, that in death’s dark abodes,Lost Cora’s crime, of deepest die,May soon for ever buried lie!
(Chorus of Priests.)
Haste!—dig a grave t’avenge the gods!
A grave, that in death’s dark abodes,
Lost Cora’s crime, of deepest die,
May soon for ever buried lie!
Rolla.Cora’s crime!—speak!—answer me!
A Priest.Away from this spot!—It is cursed for Cora’s sake.
Rolla.Curses upon thyself, thou damned babbler!—But say!—why these solemn preparations?—for what miserable victim is this grave designed?
(Chorus of Priests.)Brethren!—the grave’s prepar’d!—away!Bring Cora hither!—hence!—obey!—That perishing in earth’s dark wombWhich must her living form entomb,She a sin-offering may become, for sin;And by her sufferings heaven’s compassion win.
(Chorus of Priests.)Brethren!—the grave’s prepar’d!—away!Bring Cora hither!—hence!—obey!—That perishing in earth’s dark wombWhich must her living form entomb,She a sin-offering may become, for sin;And by her sufferings heaven’s compassion win.
(Chorus of Priests.)
Brethren!—the grave’s prepar’d!—away!
Bring Cora hither!—hence!—obey!—
That perishing in earth’s dark womb
Which must her living form entomb,
She a sin-offering may become, for sin;
And by her sufferings heaven’s compassion win.
Rolla.Ye powers above!—what sounds are these!—they fall like a mountain upon my head! (The priests collect their tools, and prepare to depart) Speak, ye flinty-hearted men!—speak!—speak!—it is Rolla who entreats you!—Rolla entreats!—One who is not accustomed to solicitation entreats you to tell him the meaning of what he sees!—What has happened here?—for what purpose is this grave prepared?—and why do you sing that ill-omened song? (The priests are going, Rolla stamps on the ground) Stop, and speak, or dread the violence you will provoke! (Exeunt the Priests, Rolla is following them)
[1]The translator acknowledges her obligation to a friend, for the verification of these chorusses.
[1]The translator acknowledges her obligation to a friend, for the verification of these chorusses.
[1]The translator acknowledges her obligation to a friend, for the verification of these chorusses.
Rolla.Ha!—Surely I recollect you, my friend!—Were not you also present at my late interview with Alonzo?—Tell me then what has happened since he departed hence?—speak!—instantly speak?
Diego.See, I tremble in every limb. My poor unfortunate master!—Ah, he languishes in chains!
Rolla.And Cora?—Cora?
Diego.Probably shares his fate.—Don Juan must know more, for he was present during the whole scene.
Rolla.Don Juan!—I thank you for mentioning his name!—Where is he?—hasten, hasten to seek him!—Conduct him hither instantly!—I will wait here to receive him.—Begone, I entreat you!—the moments are precious! (Exit Diego) My agony is intolerable!—I am impatient to know all, yet tremble at the thoughts of what I may hear!—I can scarcely breathe for anguish!—Uncle, uncle, where are you? (Going)
Rolla.Ha!—here he is!—Oh tell me instantly, whether this be true or false?
High-Priest.Your words are scarcely intelligible, yet the wildness of your looks explains them but too clearly.—Alas! it is true!
Rolla.(Pointing to the grave) And here?
High-Priest.(With a deep sigh, and turning away his face) Yes!
Rolla.Tremble then, oh earth, and let thy whole surface become desolate!—Groan! groan! ye hills!—Thou fire burst forth in the valleys and consume the fruits of the soil, that the fertile spots may no longer be crowned with verdure, but the whole earth appear as one vast scene of conflagration!—Rise ye terrors of nature, ye storms and whirlwinds, that I may breathe more freely amid your mighty conflicts,—that the voice of my agony may contend with your roarings!—that my arm may slay more rapidly than the lightning itself!
High-Priest.Rolla, for the sake of all the gods!—
Rolla.No, she shall not die!—sooner shall the sacred lamp be extinguished, and the temple itself become a desert!—Believe me, Uncle, she shall not die!—you may tell me that the grave is already prepared—that her fate is inevitable!—Yes, it is prepared, but Rolla still lives!
High-Priest.Your words are of dreadful import!
Rolla.Sooner shall it be Rolla’s grave!—sooner shall he be stretched upon the earth, senseless, motionless, a breathless corpse!—Yet let him not even then be trusted hastily!—examine carefully that every spark of life be really extinguished, since if only one be left smothering, it will assuredly burst forth into a flame, and consume the persecutors of Cora. Oh, while this hand can wield a sword, let no one venture to touch Cora!—the blood of him who should harbour so sacrilegious a thought, shall answer for his rashness!—the priests—the king—even thou thyself.
High-Priest.Madman rage on!—dare in thy phrenzy to raise thy arm against the gods!—
Rolla.Against the gods!—No, the gods are on my side, their lightning is in my hand, their shield before my breast!—Short-sighted mortals!—What are the brightest, warmest rays of our god but pure effusions of that benign love which alike unfolds the rose-bud, and expands the human heart. Woe then to the miserable wretch who remains insensible to its genial influence, and pining in a cold damp corner of the earth lives a life scarcely superior to the senseless oyster. Cora even excels her former self, since she has yielded to this impulse;—and how could she fail to do so, for the gods would never leave their master-piece unfinished; and what is the heart without love, but a lamp without light, an eye without the power of vision?——These are things, Uncle, which howeveryoucannot understand.
High-Priest.You do me injustice, Rolla.
Rolla.Injustice!—You cannot have been yourself susceptible of the exquisite, the heavenly, feeling of love, when it is your lips that have condemned Cora.
High-Priest.You are right now—it was mylipscondemned her.
Rolla.But not your heart?
High-Priest.Not my heart.
Rolla.Come then to my arms;—I rejoice to find that you are a man!—But why stand here so cold and inactive?—fly and save her!
High-Priest.That is impossible.
Rolla.Courage, dear Uncle, courage!—Your grey hairs, your mild eloquence, my sword, and the arm of God!—all these united—Yes, yes, we will save her!
High-Priest.Alas, young man, zeal blinds you to the steep rocks which lie in our way.
Rolla.I feel sufficient energy to defy them.
High-Priest.Ancient popular opinions—the customs of whole centuries——
Rolla.Nature is older than these.
High-Priest.But not more powerful.
Rolla.Mere evasion.
High-Priest.Could I, by sacrificing the few short years remaining of my life, redeem the hapless Cora’s, I would instantly with firm and resolute step descend into this vault.
Rolla.Babble.
High-Priest.Are these tears also babble?
Rolla.Hypocrisy!—do not talk, but act.
High-Priest.What can I do?
Rolla.(Raising his hands towards Heaven) Oh Father above, do thou then interpose to save her!—suffer not the most perfect work upon which thy rays ever shone to be destroyed, but, to the confusion of these unfeeling priests, save her!—Oh, how could I expect to find a heart of sensibility within such a shell!—the heart that beats beneath those garments never can have any feeling, except for vain and senseless customs; it dissembles towards its god, and is blood-thirsty as a tyger’s.
High-Priest.Oh Rolla, you know not how much you wrong me!
Rolla.Carefully instructed by your fathers and mothers to pluck every flower which might lie in your way,—to wring the neck of every bird which might fall into your hands,—from your infancy each avenue in your hearts has been closed against humanity, while he, who could with the greatest composure perform such ignoble actions, was considered as bearing in his bosom the germs of the future High-Priest.
High-Priest.This from you, Rolla?
Rolla.Beloved and pampered self is the sole object of your attention,—beauty is to you as a blunted arrow—and love appears an absurd romance. A shake of the head is the utmost tribute you can pay to the sufferings of a brother, nor does the tear of sympathy everstartinto your eyes, it only quivers there by compulsion. No emotion of concern would intrude into your breast were the world itself to be laid in ruins, providedyouwere spared and could continue to live in case and affluence.
High-Priest.Rolla, you torture me—you break my heart!—I must speak out and shame you.
Rolla.Yes, speak!—that also you can do sometimes—not always.
High-Priest.Learn to be silent when an old man would be heard, and if you cannot respect my age, at least respect my misfortunes. Is the station in which I am placed that of my own free choice?—are not the nearest relations of the king priests by birth?—am I to blame because the caprice of chance destined me to the altar, to immolate turtle-doves, to draw omens from the entrails of lambs, and to interpretdreams?—Oh had you known me in my youth, you would have seen me full of ardour and energy,—more eager to brandish the sword, than to wield the knife of sacrifice!—Believe me, there are but few persons in the world placed in the situations for which they are most suited, least of all those who hold an office by descent.
Rolla.(In a cold and constrained manner) If I have said too much, pardon me. Overpowered as I am with rage and anguish, scarcely do I know myself.
High-Priest.Had it been possible to throw aside this dignity with which I am reproached, as one casts off a tight and uneasy garment, I had spurned it a thousand, and a thousand times; for it has occasioned me forty years of the bitterest suffering. Rolla, Rolla, I cannot endure the chilling frown upon thy countenance; the eye of contempt with which I am regarded!—Thou the only being on whom my heart still hangs!—thou only being whose affections I still wish to attract!—listen, Rolla, to my tragic story—a story nearly resembling thine own!—My sorrows, like thine, proceeded from the heart—my sorrows arose from an ill-fated passion—I too loved a Virgin of the Sun!
Rolla.How!!!
High-Priest.By virtue of my office as High-Priest, I had at all times free ingress and egress, to and from the house of the Stars. Daily did my eyes rove about among the expanding blossoms that were confined within its walls, and I was pleased with contemplating their varied charms, though this long remained a mere amusement to the eye, while the heart took no share in the glances that I cast around me. At length Zulma came, a meteor among meteors; she shone in the midst of her sisters a brilliant image of the god she served. I saw her often, and every time I beheld her, only wished more ardently to see her again—yet I continued insensible to the danger of my situation, till I was one day accidentally led into a strict examination of my heart, when I was terrified at the result. My conduct with regard to Zulma was instantly changed; I was no longer unrestrained in her presence; I scarcely dared to raise my eyes to hers; and my whole frame trembled as I approached her. I was soon convinced that her heart beat responsively to mine, since she immediately began to avoid me, as if too sensible of my meaning. I saw that the effort was painful, that love and duty were at warin her bosom, and, desirous to render the conflict less severe, I determined equally to avoid her. Many months lingered on in this miserable situation, while both endured the keenest torments of hopeless passion: our cheeks grew pale; our eyes became hollow and sunk; despair reigned in every feature; till at length Zulma’s weaker frame could no longer support such complicated sorrow—she was attacked with a violent illness, and lay at the point of death; while I——Rolla, you seem affected!
Rolla.(Holding out his hand to him with averted eyes) Oh, how unjust have I been!—I am ashamed!—pardon me!—and—proceed, Uncle—tell me she died!
High-Priest.I hastened to her assistance—day and night I climbed the most rugged rocks, or ranged the forests, to seek medicinal herbs for her restoration. I summoned together the oldest priests in the kingdom who were celebrated for their skill in the medical science; and at length, by our unwearied exertions, the lovely Zulma was saved. She sunk in my arms overpowered with gratitude—not a word was spoken by either, we explained ourselves only by the expressive language of tears—(He appears extremely affected) Oh, Rolla! I am now grown old, yet see how the recollection of this scene still shakes me.
Rolla.(Clasping his hand eagerly) Beloved, excellent Uncle!
High-Priest.Stop till you hear the conclusion of my story!—The long-smothered flame of love now burst out with uncontroulable wildness—the voices of reason and duty were listened to no longer—passion had gained the sole ascendency in our bosoms—and——(Rolla starts, and fixes his eyes on the High-Priest, who spreads out his arms towards him) Rolla, you are my son!
Rolla.(With the most eager emotion) Old man, you mock me!
High-Priest.You are indeed my son.
Rolla.(Throws himself into the High-Priest’s arms; after a few moments, he breaks from him again hastily) And my mother—is she still alive?
High-Priest.No—from above she looks down and blesses this scene! (Rolla stands with his arms folded, his head sunk upon his bosom, and his eyes fixed upon the ground, endeavouring to restrain his tears) Think then how my paternal heart has been tortured by your bitter revilings!—Understand why I have always clung to you with such ardent fondness!—why I have followed, youevery where, and interested myself so eagerly in your fate!—The anxiety I expressed when I saw you depart to head the armies of your sovereign, is now solved!—solved equally are the transports by which I was overpowered when I beheld you return as victor.
Rolla.(Falling on his neck) Have I then ever communicated the throb of transport to any human breast?—My father!—Oh this name is so new to my tongue!—filial feelings are so new to my heart!—How often, when at the head of the army I have knelt to receive your priestly blessing, have I felt your hand tremble as it was laid upon me!—Oh, why did I not guess the cause of this tremor!—why did I not know that it was a father’s blessing I knelt to receive!—My father!—my father!—why have you concealed yourself so long from your son?—why have you not sooner communicated joy to a bosom to which it has hitherto been a stranger?
High-Priest.Was it possible to trust the wildness and ardour of thy youth?
Rolla.But all is not yet clear to me. Oh then unveil the sequel of your story!—tell me—could you escape discovery?
High-Priest.What would have been impossible to another, was possible to me from my situation as High-Priest. Our hapless adventure was never known; and as soon as you were born, I sent you to the frontiers of the kingdom, among the people of Ibara, of which province my brother was governor. You were educated as his son; but as he died while you were still a child, his death furnished me with a pretence for removing you to Quito, that I, as a near relation, might take you under my protection; and, from that time, I have never ceased to pay as much attention to your education myself, as I thought I might do with safety, and without exciting suspicion. Your mother had gone to the place of rest some months before your arrival, and left me condemned for a long series of years to drag about a miserable existence.
Rolla.Miserable!—when you had a son!—I have indeed hitherto considered my existence as miserable, because I thought myself single and solitary in the world; but never shall I think it so again, now I know that I have a father living—a father who loves me, whose heart will sympathize with mine. Yes, I am reconciled to theworld!—It is true, my father, that neither of us can be perfectly happy; yet a life that shall be supportable, nay in which you shall experience many hours of real enjoyment, I dare promise you. Hear what golden visions my fancy has formed:—Cora and Alonzo shall fly, we will accompany them, and I will conduct you to one who, for my sake, will be a friend to us all. There we will live,—there pass the remainder of our days quietly, contentedly, and free from cares;—and, my father, if sometimes when I witness Cora’s and Alonzo’s caresses, and the transports they mutually experience—if when—pierced to the heart with the idea that Alonzo’s happiness might have been mine, I cannot bear to be a spectator of the scene any longer, I will make you a signal that we depart together, and leave the lovers alone; then we will retire under the shade of some neighbouring tree, and you shall soothe my cruel feelings by talking to me of my mother.
High-Priest.You do not consider, my son, that flight is impossible. Cora and Alonzo are both in chains, and both vigilantly guarded; nor will many hours elapse before sentence is passed upon them by the assembled priests. Do not then deceive yourself with vain hopes!—Cora is irretrievably lost.
Rolla.Oh do not tell me so!—I cannot bear to hear it!—she must, she must be saved!—Are you not high-priest?—the first among her judges?
High-Priest.But what can the voice of one avail against many?—against the storm of Xaira’s zeal?—We may cry to the roaring winds till we are hoarse, and we cannot hinder them from tearing up the young trees by the roots.
Rolla.You will at least have done your part—God and my sword shall achieve the rest. Think, my father, when Cora shall meet your Zulma in the regions of peace, and tell her, I am a Virgin of the Sun, condemned to death because I loved——
High-Priest.No more!—All that lies within my power shall be done. I will harangue, entreat, exert every effort which the infirmities of age will permit!—Alas, the hour of judgment approaches.
Rolla.Oh fail not in your word!—Do all that you can for Cora, and remember that my life hangs upon hers—Butshould your endeavours prove vain, you shall find that in the mean time I have not been idle.
High-Priest.(Taking his hand mournfully) May we meet again, happier than we now part!—Farewell!—(Exit)
Oh, my father, you know not what thoughts are brooding here!—To your powers of eloquence alone, I dare not trust a matter of this importance!—force!—force!—that is the only effectual method of persuasion.—Where can Velasquez be?—I would fain clasp him in my arms, and endeavour to communicate to his breast, an ardour equal to that which glows in mine. Yes, I will save her!—I must save her!—My mother was a Virgin of the Sun, though I must not dare to pronounce her name, lest the echoes should learn to repeat it,—to rescue Cora is a sacrifice due to her memory. Thus it is that the gods wonderfully entwine together every link in the chain of fate!—Ye powers of heaven!—you cannot be arraigned if Rolla should die poor in deeds of heroism, since you have not withheld glorious opportunities for their performance!—To give freedom to her he loves, and to present a grateful offering to his mother’s memory, are objects of such magnitude, that if they did not raise a flame within this bosom, it must have been moulded from the eternal snow on the summits of the Cordilleras.
Rolla.Welcome, Velasquez!—I have waited for you here!—I have occasion for your assistance.
Juan.In what way?
Rolla.Have you sufficient magnanimity to hazard your life for a friend?
Juan.Most certainly, if it can be of any avail!
Rolla.Then give me your hand.
Juan.Take it.
Rolla.Cora and Alonzo are lost.
Juan.Alas!
Rolla.We must save them.
Juan.If it be possible.
Rolla.Only strike a bold stroke.
Juan.With all my heart!—provided it be not a criminal one.
Rolla.Criminal!—Ha!—you have touched me indeed!—Yes, I am afraid it too nearly resembles a crime!
Juan.Then seek some other person to share in the attempt.
Rolla.Yet state the question thus.—Say, which is most criminal, to institute, or to abolish, an inhuman law?
Juan.To effect the latter is an act of virtue.
Rolla.Which we will practice.
Juan.That is not in our power. This virtue can be practised by the king alone.
Rolla.Let us then counsel the king.
Juan.To that I have no objection.
Rolla.But with arms in our hands.
Juan.Such counsel were rebellion.
Rolla.What signifies a name when good is to be effected?
Juan.I am moreover much indebted to Ataliba, he has received me with hospitality, has been my benefactor.
Rolla.Your friend is in danger.
Juan.I will not commit a crime even to savehim.
Rolla.How, if I engage my honour, that not a hair of the king’s head, or of the heads of any of his servants, shall be injured,—that we will conquer by fear alone?—You know that I was once general of the army—by that army I am still beloved; for the brave fellows have not forgotten how often they triumphed under my command, nor that when we were in the field together the lowest among them was treated as my brother. To you also, Velasquez, the king has entrusted the conduct of a valiant band. On the least signal given, all who have borne arms under my standard, will assemble round me—we will ask nothing forourselves,—sacred shall be the throne—sacred the life and property of every individual,—nothing shall be required but freedom for Cora and Alonzo.
Juan.Noble Rolla, you are blinded by love. Search your heart, you will there detect, probably for the first time, evil designs.
Rolla.I have no ears to listen to your morality. Virtue is but an empty name, if it has never been opposed by passion.
Juan.And then the stronger the opposition the more noble is the victory.
Rolla.It may be so, yet I can feel nothing but Cora’s danger,—hear nothing but Cora’s voice crying for help!—Look, here is Cora’s grave!—Icy-hearted man, behold Cora’s grave!—Yet why waste time thus ineffectually?—What interest have you in the fate of Cora?—Well then, (He seizes Juan’s hand in haste and agitation) come with me, I will lead you to the pile prepared for your friend!—If at the sight of so dreadful an object your heart can suffer your head to reason—if on that spot I cannot inspire you with rage and anguish, equal to my own?—then farewel, I must resign you wholly to your own apathy, and fly to my mother’s grave,—there as I behold the wind waving the blades of grass, and think whose form is mouldering beneath, all your precepts will in a moment be forgotten, and my soul be armed with new resolution. Come!—away! (Exit, drawing Juan after him)
Xaira.He stays a long time.
A Priest.Very long.
Another.The time is swiftly passing.
A Third.’Tis now past noon.
Xaira.What could the king want with him?
A Priest.The messenger was wholly ignorant.
Another.All he knew was, that the king required to speak with the High-Priest, before sentence should be pronounced upon Cora.
Xaira.’Tis very extraordinary.
A Priest.The messenger was in great haste.
Xaira.Probably the king wished to talk with him about the sentence,—perhaps to consult with him on the possibility of mitigating the punishment. Ah, my friends, I fear that this Inca is not eager in promoting the vengeance due to our offended gods. Didn’t you remark with what reluctance he consented to Zorai’s being put in irons?—with what compassion he looked upon the stranger?—nay, that he even degraded his dignity, so far as to speak to him?—His father was a very different sort of man!
A Priest.He was indeed.
Another.He never omitted attendance at any sacrifice.
A Third.And trembled whenever he entered the Temple.
Xaira.Nor ever failed in shewing due respect to our sacred office.
A Priest.Of reverencing our near intercourse with the gods.
Xaira.He cast down his eyes with awe, where his son looks up and smiles with thoughtless levity—exacted the strictest justice, where his son would shew mercy. But who are we to condemn?—who, but his tutor?—the man to whom his education was entrusted?—in short, the High-Priest. I will not say more now, this is neither the place nor the time for long harangues; however I know his principles. Take heed!—be on your guard!—
A Priest.(Interrupting him) He comes.
Xaira.At last.
Xaira.We have expected you impatiently.
High-Priest.I was summoned away to the Inca.
Xaira.Is the object of the interview a secret?
High-Priest.By no means. Ataliba requires of the judges of Cora and Alonzo, that they strictly examine whether both be equally guilty, and whether the one mightnot have seduced the other—might not have thrown out improper lures to lead astray the imagination.
Xaira.Well, and supposing this should appear to be the case.
High-Priest.Then he orders that the seducer only shall suffer, and that the seduced shall be released.
Xaira.Do I hear rightly?—Could the king say this, and dare the High-Priest of the Sun repeat it after him?
High-Priest.Why should he not?
Xaira.“The transgressors of the laws shall die.”—Thus spake our god himself.
High-Priest.Did you hear the god say this?—or was it not rather spoken by the first Inca, as the ordinance of our god?
Xaira.’Tis the same.
High-Priest.That I readily allow.—The Inca is the image of god upon earth, and the interpreter of his will; but the last Inca is equally so with the first. The severe laws, therefore, which his ancestor might find necessary to institute among a wild and uncivilized people, the descendant may be allowed to meliorate when the necessity for their enforcement no longer exists.
Xaira.(Sarcastically) Why then not abolish them entirely?
High-Priest.To this the king was strongly inclined. Yet he still thinks that he owes an example to the repose of his people.
Xaira.Oneexample only?—And what is that to be?—He says that the guilty only shall die; but what earthly wisdom is competent to decide this question?—Will not both assert their innocence?—and will not each endeavour to throw the blame of seduction upon the other?
High-Priest.’Tis possible.
Xaira.What then is to direct our judgment?
High-Priest.Of that hereafter. At present, duty requires that we obey the Inca’s mandate. Let Cora and Alonzo be brought hither! (Exit one of the Priests.)
Xaira.No, I will not violate my principles, even to gratify the Inca?—Both are guilty; and whether seducing, or seduced, is a matter of total indifference. To his own face I will tell the king the same,—I will sound it in the earsof the people—and if Ataliba no longer trembles before the gods, he shall at least tremble before his own subjects.
High-Priest.Conscience is his law, and it ought equally to be ours. We are to judge Cora and Alonzo, but let us not forget that we ourselves are one day to be judged by a superior power. Now take your places.
Cora.My Alonzo!
Alonzo.Oh God!—you also in chains!
Cora.Mourn not my fate!—I shall die with you!
Alonzo.With your murderer.
Xaira.Silence!
High-Priest.(With mild solemnity) We, the servants of the gods, appointed to execute their holy will, are here assembled to pass judgment upon Cora the daughter of Telasco, and Alonzo the stranger.—Oh thou, our Father above, who surveyest the whole world with one glance, diffuse thy light into our hearts!—thou hast appointed us judges over honour and shame, over life and death!—let thy wisdom then enlighten our minds that no partiality may bias them, that they may alike be free from weakness and revenge. (He kneels, accompanied by all the other Priests.) We swear, oh sun, to judge according to thy laws communicated by Manco-Capac!—We swear to shew mercy, if the profanation of thy temple will permit mercy to be shewn—or if strict justice be required, to exact strict justice!—We swear, finally, so to conduct ourselves, that should we be called into thy presence to-morrow, we may not be ashamed of rendering a faithful account of this awful hour!
All the Priests.Weswearthis, oh sun! (They rise.)
High-Priest.Cora, have you broken your vow?
Cora.I have.
High-Priest.Do you know this young man?
Cora.He is my husband.
High-Priest.Alonzo, do you know this woman?
Alonzo.She is my wife.
Xaira.You are both guilty—both must die.
High-Priest.Before we proceed to pass sentence upon you, an important duty remains to be discharged. In the name of our king, I am to announce favour to the party, who was solely the victim of seduction. Ataliba, the first-born of the sun, under whose dominion the kingdom of Quito flourishes, requires a free and ingenuous confession, which of you was the seducer, and which the seduced.
Cora.Do not believe him, he speaks falsely.
Alonzo.Do not believe her, she would deceive you.
Cora.I alone am guilty.
Alonzo.On me must your sentence be pronounced.
Cora.Release him, he is innocent.
Alonzo.Shall the weakness of woman be punished?—No, let the man make atonement.
Cora.Oh no!—for the love of heaven! (The High-Priest turns aside to conceal his emotions.)
Xaira.Silence!—Who can extract the truth amid this confusion?—Let one only speak.
High-Priest.Cora begin!—Alonzo, do you remain silent.
Cora.The first time that I saw this young man was in the temple. I immediately employed every artifice to attract his attention,—I always made the longest pauses wherever he was standing, and contrived various means to continue near him—I drew aside my veil whenever I passed him, and endeavoured by expressive glances to excite his affections.
Alonzo.’Tis false!—Her eyes were always cast downwards!
Xaira.Silence, stranger, it is not your turn to speak.
Cora.My advances inspired him with boldness—he sprang over the ruins of our sacred walls, yet scarcely was he within their circuit, when, affrighted at his own rashness, he was about to retreat without an interview. But his figure had caught my attention as I was walking at a distance—I called—I made signs to him when I ought to have fled,—intercourse with him was forbidden to me,—intercourse with me was not forbidden to him.—He stood tremblingand irresolute, while I ran towards him, threw my arms round his neck, and pressed my lips to his. Still he was anxious to depart, but I detained him—he would not have returned, but I entreated him—he described to me the danger of my situation, but I refused to listen to him. On me, on me, pass sentence, ye reverend judges, it is I who have seduced.
Alonzo.Nature herself convicts you of falsehood.—Modesty is the sister of beauty—the mandeclareslove, the woman only returns it. Who then can believe your story?—No, ye priests, it was I, who, when I saw her in the temple, first threw forbidden glances upon her, by which I disturbed her quiet, and ruffled the sweet serenity of her mind. It was I who disregarding the laws both of God and man, with thoughtless confidence overleaped the sacred walls, and when at sight of me she started back and would have fled, I cast myself at her feet, and holding her by her garments, forcibly detained her, to poison her mind with flattery and deceit. But why should I urge all this?—Ye judges, ye know the character of man, and must be assured, by the feelings of your own hearts, that I was the seducer. Pronounce your sentence then on me!
Cora.Recollect that he saved the Inca’s life!—Spare him!—he is guiltless!
Alonzo.She raves, she knows not what she says, I alone am guilty.
Cora.Can you have a more convincing proof that I only am the criminal, when you see me wholly unconcerned and unmoved by any emotions of repentance, while the stranger is bowed down with the weight of his remorse. I glory in my guilt, and here in the presence of the gods, in the presence of all these spectators, do I embrace my husband! (She rushes up to Alonzo, and clasps him in her arms.) Now observe his tremor—he breaks from me, while I would still hang about him!—Can you then doubt any longer?—’Tis I,—I only am guilty.
Alonzo.Cora! Cora! Think of what you are doing!
Cora.Hear him, how he reproves, how he admonishes me!—Thus has he ever done, yet I would not listen to him, but regardless of his admonitions drew him with me into this abyss of misery.
Xaira.Shameless woman?—Tear her from him!
Cora.(Returning to her former station) Now pronounce sentence.
Xaira.I shudder.
High-Priest.Lead her away.
Alonzo.(Spreading out his arms towards Cora) Farewel!
Cora.We shall soon meet again.
Xaira.In the hour of death.
Cora.When a mightier power begins to spin the web of a more blest existence!
Xaira.Lead her away.
Alonzo.Farewel.
Cora.We part on this side of the grave with bitter tears, to meet with smiles in the realms above. (Cora and Alonzo are guarded out on different sides.)
Xaira.Need we any farther proof?—my voice is for death!—death to both!
High-Priest.(Addressing the assembly with a mournful voice.) Follow me into the temple, and let us sacrifice to the gods. Meantime, weigh well in your hearts what you have seen and heard, and then as mortals, let us proceed to pass our judgment upon mortals. (Exeunt omnes.)
END OF THE FOURTH ACT.