University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

Cortez's Palace.
Enter Cortez, Velasquez, and Salceda.
CORTEZ.
So far, so well—Now to derive advantage
From our great prize.—Salceda, take thou charge
Of our illustrious captive, as our hostage
To insure us favourable terms, should fortune
Grow adverse to us. See thou guard'st him well.
[Exit Salceda.
Velasquez! are the battlements well lin'd,
And is sufficient force drawn up without,
Should any try to force a sudden entrance?

VELASQUEZ.
Aye—let them try it—they shall learn a lesson
Will teach them wisdom.—Talk of paltry Indians!
They face such men as we!—Did'st thou not note them,
When through their ranks we led their trembling king,
How with astonishment they gaz'd on us,
And shook like aspins in a northern blast?
No, no—they'll not presume to cope with us.

CORTEZ.
We know not yet what desp'rate men may do.
The timid stag, who flies the rav'nous pack,
When hardly press'd will boldly stand at bay,
And in his turn become aggressor.—Well—
Enter Gonsalvo.
What new intelligence?

GONSALVO.
None of good import.
The citizens are up in arms—the streets
Are fill'd with multitudes—far as the ear
Can catch the sounds, clamours and shouts are heard,
The clarion's piercing bray, cymbals and drums,
As if from ev'ry quarter were assembling
A congregated force for their king's rescue.

CORTEZ.
Such beyond doubt is what they meditate.
It is a critical and awful moment—

[He stands musing.
GONSALVO.
'Tis now too late to remedy the evil;
Yet think I still the better course had been
To treat indulgently this friendly people.

VELASQUEZ.
Indulgence!—But I do remember me—
Thou art converted. Sympathy, fine feelings,
Are now it seems the fashion—

GONSALVO.
I shall find
A time more fit to notice those proud taunts.

CORTEZ.
Fie on such jars! Is this a time for squabbles,
When a whole empire is combin'd against us?
Give o'er, I pray.—Who is it heads their forces?

GONSALVO.
On ev'ry hand resounds Telasco's name.

CORTEZ.
Aye—he's a leader who will find us work.
Hark! heard ye not?—They are already here.
Louder and louder still!—Now is our time:
Let us not tamely their assault await.
Do thou, Velasquez! sally forth: assail them;
To Montezuma's palace force thy way;
Maintain it as thy post—

VELASQUEZ.
'Twill be a prize
Worth running risk for, and I thank thee for it.
I'll forth o' th' instant.—Farewell, moralizer!
If thou'rt in earnest, we shall meet again.

GONSALVO.
We will, be sure on't.

CORTEZ.
Heed him not. He's rough,
But a brave soldier.—I must forth myself—
We all must bear our parts.—Summon my guards—
Now may St. James and Spanish valour aid us!

[Exeunt.