University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

A wild mountainous Country.
Enter Cortez and Velasquez.
CORTEZ.
This savage is a brave ally; he brings
A force with him which we may well employ.
I look'd not for such succour.

VELASQUEZ.
Never yet
Saw I his equal. Bold he is and ardent,
Untameable his passions, proud, resentful,
But then withal so cred'lous—Had'st thou seen him
E'en now, when through our armament I led him,
How dumb with wonder he survey'd our weapons,
Admir'd our armour, touch'd, examin'd all—

CORTEZ.
No marvel things so new should thus amaze him.

VELASQUEZ.
But what most mov'd and pleas'd him were our horses.
'Twas mine own steed he saw, caparison'd,
Champing his bit, and ready for my mounting.
“What's this?” exclaim'd he—“is't a man?—a god?”
“'Tis,” I replied, “the partner of my toils;
“Borne on his back, no obstacles can check
“My rapid course; swift as the wind we fly,
“Surmount the cliff, plunge through the raging flood”—
No more he heard me—with a vault he bounded
Into the seat—

CORTEZ.
'Tis a courageous savage.
Thy courser's mettled, over-match'd I fear
For such unpractis'd guider.

VELASQUEZ.
Not a whit.
With a loud shout he shot across the plain,
Urging the vigour of th' affrighted steed—

Enter Telasco.
TELASCO.
Such wonders have I seen!—I've held a race
With the fleet winds and beat them. Oft I've chas'd
The nimble antelope and have outstript him,
But ne'er 'till now saw I so brave a creature
As that which bore me. He was all fire, all life,
All energy! Methought one soul inspir'd us.
Then such docility—What country's thine
Which boasts such prodigies?

CORTEZ.
I'll shew thee greater.

TELASCO.
Thou deal'st in miracles. Turn where I will,
Some new enchantment meets my dazzled sight.
Why ev'ry element is subject to thee;
Thou dost command them all. Thy coats are proof
'Gainst our keen arrows—Say—Where grows the metal,
Which thy superior pow'rs have master'd thus?

CORTEZ.
In Europe, whence we come. Thou shalt have store on't.

TELASCO.
Wilt give me store on't? Thou'rt a friend indeed!

CORTEZ.
Take from my hand this bright and trusty faulchion—

TELASCO.
To me! In very truth dost give it me?
Now, now indeed am I invincible.
Methinks some spirit doth reside in it,
That through my ev'ry nerve and vein diffuses
New life and energy. My blood runs quicker,
My heart more strongly beats, each faculty
Seems as 'twere doubly brac'd for instant action.
Now, now let Montezuma summon forth
His countless thousands—Let him dare me now!
Thus arm'd, I'll meet him—meet the proud oppressor,
Shake his high throne, and from his vanquish'd hand
Snatch my Zelama!—And thou giv'st it me?
What would'st thou have? Can gold, can gems requite thee?
Speak, gen'rous Spaniard, tell me what return—

CORTEZ.
If thou art gratified, return is made.
My friendship is not bounded by such trifles.
Thou shalt have more. I'll teach thee how to use
Those wonder-working tubes, which vomit flames,
And like the angry bolt of heav'n deal forth
Assur'd destruction on the distant foe.

TELASCO.
Would'st make me equal to thyself?

CORTEZ.
In all,
In all will we be brothers. Prove thyself
True to our friendship, and partake with me
In full community the pow'rs I hold.

TELASCO.
Give me thy hand—

CORTEZ.
'Tis thine—Now on to Mexico!
Soon shalt thou learn how far my pow'rs extend.
Her prince shall bow to our confed'rate force;
Glory shall wait on thee; Zelama's charms
Shall be the noble guerdon of thy toils.

TELASCO.
'Tis transport—ecstacy! Let us set forth—
I'll follow thee, thou harbinger of good!
Let thy loud trumps proclaim our instant march;
Then on—to love, to glory, and Zelama!

[Exeunt.