University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

A public Place in Mexico.
Enter Telasco, Orozimbo, and Soldiers.
SOLDIERS.
Long live Telasco!

OROZIMBO.
Silence! See ye not
He waves his hand, as if he will'd to address you?

TELASCO.
Friends, citizens, rein in awhile the ardour
Which thus incites you to assert the cause
Of Montezuma, of your menac'd country,
Your children and yourselves, and list to me.
Should the time come, when, to preserve those pledges,
Your service is requir'd, stand forth like men,
Unsheath your swords, and cast away your scabbards.
Meantime, let prudence guide you. While these strangers
Offend us not, while with observance due
They keep their faith with us, do not forget
They are your guests, who have a claim on you
For lib'ral succour and assur'd protection.
Here then keep station, under arms remain,
With faith untainted heedful of the truce
By Montezuma with these strangers made,
But ever watchful, vigilant, alert—

Enter Guatimozin.
GUATIMOZIN.
Where is Telasco?—Oh my gallant friend!
Fate on our heads its deadliest vengeance pours:
Worse than whate'er our anxious fears presag'd,
Our faithless foes have perpetrated.—Haste!
As thou'rt a man, exert thyself to save
Our wrong'd, our captiv'd king!

TELASCO.
Captiv'd?

GUATIMOZIN.
Aye, captiv'd—
Scarce had we left him, when the Spaniards came—
Cortez himself the band perfidious led.
With impious hands they seiz'd him—

TELASCO.
In his palace?
Surrounded by his guard? Impossible!

GUATIMOZIN.
I marvel not thou doubt'st it. 'Tis beyond
All credence.—List to me.—When they beheld
Their monarch thus insulted, his attendants
Indignantly rushed forward to his aid.
As they approach'd, Cortez with air resolv'd
Advanc'd. With his left hand he grasp'd the king,
While in his right his threat'ning sword he brandish'd.
“Keep off,” he cried, “if any make resistance,
“Deep in your monarch's heart I plunge my blade!”
They heard him, and fell back.

TELASCO.
Oh cowards, traitors!
Was there not one, not one among them all
Of texture firm enough to dare his threats?—
What! All desert him! No one stand by him!
Oh shame, shame, shame!—It maddens me to think
Of such unblushing cow'rdice!—Where is he?
Where have the ruffians ta'en him?

GUATIMOZIN.
To their fort.
There he remains, while in array their forces
Stand marshall'd 'gainst us.

TELASCO.
He may yet be sav'd!
On to the charge, my friends! Let's strike them home—

GUATIMOZIN.
Stay yet awhile, I pray thee. Are we sure
To what extent of dread atrocity
These ruffians may be driv'n, should we by force
Attempt our king's release?—They may be urg'd
To perpetrate a still more dreadful deed—

TELASCO.
They dare not touch his consecrated head:
The guardian spirit of our realm will watch
Over his life, and sanction our endeavours.
One course alone remains for us, and that,
Thank heav'n! we've nerves and courage to fulfil.
Let us assail them manfully, and teach them
What men can do when honour goads them on.

GUATIMOZIN.
Lead us against them. Him who first deserts thee
With endless ruin may the gods o'erwhelm!

TELASCO.
On then—Our cause is that of heav'n itself.
Oh thou, great spirit! whose protecting hand
Rules o'er our destiny, inspire us now!
Ward from our sacred king the felon brand
Levell'd by treason 'gainst him! But should fate
Frustrate our hopes, oh! let us live to glory,
Or die like heroes!—Forward, my brave friends!

[Exeunt.