University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

A Hall in Montezuma's Palace.
Enter Guatimozin and Orozimbo.
GUATIMOZIN.
Gone forth to meet the foe? Hath Montezuma
Submitted to become a suppliant?
I thought thou had'st commission to repair
With splendid presents to the Spanish camp.

OROZIMBO.
I was prepar'd to go, when to his presence
I suddenly was call'd. I found the king
Surrounded by his priests. He listen'd eagerly
To their discourse of dreams and revelations,
Which seem'd to move him strangely.

GUATIMOZIN.
Yes—to them
He listens readily, when they rehearse
Their visionary fables—But proceed.

OROZIMBO.
I told him that the treasures were prepar'd.
With that, attended by his priestly train
Who bore his off'rings, from the gate he issued—

GUATIMOZIN.
Hear'st thou? What means that clamour?

OROZIMBO.
'Tis the king.

GUATIMOZIN.
Comes he as king, or as a captive led
By his insulting foes?

OROZIMBO.
As forth he went
In regal dignity, so comes he back.

Enter Montezuma, Priests and Attendants.
MONTEZUMA.
Prepare for the reception of this envoy
From Europe's prince! Ye sacred ministers,
Hence to the temple; pay to the ruling spirit
Your tributary sacrifice of thanks.
I will forthwith attend you.—Guatimozin!
Rejoice with me: our cause of dread is past.

GUATIMOZIN.
I would indeed rejoice if it were past.

MONTEZUMA.
Trust me we did injustice to these strangers:
They are not foes; from Europe's prince they come,
With us to form alliance.

GUATIMOZIN.
Come allies
As these invaders come!

MONTEZUMA.
Thou dost mistake them.
Had'st heard their leader state the friendly views
And peaceable intentions of his king,
Thou had'st believ'd him.

GUATIMOZIN.
I'd believe as soon
The hooded serpent would not wound my hand,
Were I to stretch it tow'rds him! that the tiger,
When crouching for his prey and hot for blood,
Would spare his trembling victim!

MONTEZUMA.
Thou shalt see,
And shortly too, how futile are thy doubts.
The noble Cortez will ere long arrive,
Confiding in our honour and good faith,
Within these walls to ratify our treaty.

GUATIMOZIN.
Within these walls? Shall we thus court destruction?
Think on't again—Bare if thou will'st thy breast
To the tornado—seek pale pestilence
When in the air she hovers—but beware
How thou trust'st him!

MONTEZUMA.
Why not? There are occasions,
When manly confidence is our best wisdom;
And such I deem the present. Come with me—
Join in our sacrifice; then talk with Cortez,
Hear him detail his friendly purposes,
And thou'lt confess that Mexico is safe.

[Exeunt.