University of Virginia Library

ACT II.

Scene at the Gate of the Church, or Temple of the Sun.
Enter Alzuma.
Dost thou not hear me, lost Peru?—Not hear
The clank of these vile chains that fetter thus
Your rightful sov'reign?—Wherefore thus again
Led to their Christian temple?—Why their guards
Plac'd at each pass?—Is this, just gods, a lot
For your own progeny?—Yet even here,
Here still is room for fortitude and honour.
Yes, ye calamities of this bad world,
Pour all your destin'd malice on my head!
Ye storms, ye tempests roar! Each change of fortune
Is but a change of virtue.—

Enter Ozmar.
Alzuma.
Valiant Ozmar,
Let me embrace thee—Ozmar, spite of all
My heart's best firmness, it drops blood for thee.

Ozmar.
Alzuma! Tears!—And dost thou think me then
So poor of soul?—

Aluuma.
Ozmar, I will not weep.
I will not stain a righteous cause with tears.—
And yet frail nature thus will gush it's way.
Oh! there's a cause that consecrates each drop
That burns it's channel down the soldier's cheek!
Ozmar, to see a nation bleeding round us,
Yet fetter'd thus in chains—I cannot speak—
Thy own great heart will tell thee.—

Ozmar.
Gen'rous Prince!
Embitter not the cup of woe.—

Alzuma.
To die
Inglorious! Unreveng'd!—My father's death,
Thy savage massacre, lamented shade!
Oh! Atabalipa, yet unatton'd!
His queen Orazia, my much honour'd mother,
How has fate dealt with her?—My sister too,
Poor Orellana!—'Tis a long, long time
Since last these eyes beheld her.—Breathes she still
The vital air?—And oh! what happy clime
Affords her innocence and truth a shelter?
Alzuma knows not, and that piercing thought
Unmans my soul, and gives a sting to death.

Ozmar.
The holy pow'rs, who watch o'er innocence—

Alzuma.
No pow'rs protect it now.—Where were ye, gods,
In that black period when the Spanish spoiler
First spoke in thunder to us?—Not your own
Thrice honour'd temples then contain'd ye!—No!
Your sacred temples, and your holy altars
You left defenceless.—You have lost your rites,
Your kings their empire, and Peru her freedom.

Ozmar.
If deeds heroic could have sav'd the state
Thy own great patriot toil—

Alzuma.
Where were ye, gods,
When late in Chili's wide extended plains
I sought the embattled foe?—From ev'ry quarter
I brought the western world in arms.—The sun
Beneath the burning line beheld my course,
Back to the Tropic saw my rapid march;—
The queen of night and ev'ry vivid planet
Walking in brightness their empyreal round
Saw my unwearied labour—saw me guide
Down the broad Amazon my rapid bark,
Each island visiting; on ev'ry shore
Invoking vengeance; heav'n beheld it all,
Yet left me in th'extreme, to hostile gods,
Th'unjust, revengeful, cruel gods of Spain,
Betray'd a faithful unsuspecting race.—

Ozmar.
Yes, all, all's lost, all ruin'd!—That last battle
Has giv'n 'em up the world—Almagro's arms
Heap'd hideous ruin on us—

Alzuma.
Ozmar there,
There liberty amidst that purple heap
Her gen'rous bosom, grac'd with honest scars,
Groan'd and expir'd.—Oh! City of the Sun,
Ye sacred ashes of my friends, who perish'd
In your lov'd country's last expiring blaze!
Oh! seat of empire!—Witness in your fall
I have dar'd nobly for you.

Enter Gonzalez and Guards.
Gon.
Be those chains
Instant releas'd, and set the pris'ners free.

[Soldiers unchain them.
Alzuma.
Ah! that soft virgin form appears again!
This way she bends her steps.—What may this mean?

Enter Orellana.
Orel.
There is your warrant, Sir,—Pizarro's hand
Hath sign'd their freedom!

Gon.
I obey the mandate.

[Exit with soldiers.
Alzuma.
Tell me, thou fair unknown! To what new scenes
Our fate reserves us both?—

Orel.
Humanity
And justice plead your cause.

Alzuma.
And does thy heart
Feel the soft touch of nature for the wretched?

Orel.
Stranger, my heart is feelingly alive
When misery claims a tear—that fruitless tribute
Is all I can, and heav'n demands it of me.

Alzuma.
I pray ye mock me not—a Spaniard's heav'n
Inspires revenge, and cruelty and murder.

Orel.
In me you see a daughter of Peru,
And nature and religion bind me to you.

Alzuma.
Then our own gods watch o'er affliction still,
And at their hands I do accept my life.
Oh! Gen'rous virgin, I respect thy virtues—
The pow'rs that gave them, will reward them too—
If not, in ev'ry state, in death or conquest,
They are their own sweet recompence.

Orel.
That mien!
That prompt heroic ardor!—Stranger, say
Whence and what art thou?—

Alzuma.
By my birth obscure:—
Almagro late beheld me grasp the javelin,
And 'midst the gen'ral carnage of that day,
Seek death in vain thro' all the paths of war.

Orel.
Ah! tell me then?—I tremble while I ask—
Where is Alzuma?—Lives he.—Does he yet
Elude the tyrant's search?—Or has he sought
The vale of fleeting spirits?—Quickly tell me,
For oh! I long to hear—

Alzuma.
Support me, Ozmar—
Her tender sympathy—

Ozmar.
Now summon all
Your manly firmness.—she's a stranger yet—
Let prudence guard thee—

Orel.
Ah! distract me not—
Why art thou pale!—Why gath'ring in thy eye
Stand those round drops?—Alas! he is no more—

Ozmar.
Alzuma lives!

Orel.
Lives!

Ozmar.
But far hence remote
Seeks a retreat for misery and freedom—

Orel.
Then am I bless'd indeed!—

Alzuma.
Absorb'd in wonder,
My flutt'ring soul feels all her functions lost.

Orel.
Weep'st thou, brave youth?—Ah! Say what hidden cause—

Alzuma.
Thy gen'rous tenderness.—Like you I'm born
With too much sensibility of heart.

Orel.
Indeed you seem to bear a noble nature—
Say will you undertake like men, and dare
A hardy enterprize, that tends at once
To your own safety and the general weal?

Alzuma.
Speak thy intent.—Ev'n ruin'd as we are
We boast the virtue still to serve thy cause.

Orel.
Then mark my words—anon, when in the palace,
All court the Spaniard's smiles, and do the work
Of low ambition, then with cautious step
Repair ye both to yonder sacred temple,
In happier days the temple of the Sun!
Now other worship, other rites prevail.—
Employ'd in secret duty there you'll find me.

Enter Gonzalez.
Orel.
What would Gonzalez?—

Gon.
With determin'd haste
The empress seeks you.—

Orel.
Lead your captives forth.—

[They bow and are going out.
Enter Orazia.
Orazia.
These are the insolents whom thy entreaty
Has sav'd from justice.

Orel.
To Don Carlos' goodness
I bow in gratitude.—

Orazia.
Take heed, rash men,
Or vengeance waits you—
(they go out.)
Orellana hear.
Don Carlos Ianguishes with gentlest passion,
And wooes you to his arms.—A mother's voice
Commands thee to abjure fictitious gods,
And make thee lineal to our ancient sceptre.—

Orel.
What, while my brother lives!—

Orazia.
Pizarro sees,
At length with indignation sees his slave
Suspend the progress of our righteous faith.

Orel.
His slave!—A robber's slave!—Is that befitting?
Is that my mother?—These are virtue's tears—
They mean you no offence.—

Orazia.
Ungrateful child!
Still with incessant rage to steel your heart,
Against a victor, whom high Heav'n approves,
Against a mother, who would save you still.

Orel.
The tyrant has my curses—I avow it—
My bitterest imprecations on him!—But
A mother claims respect—Then hear my pray'r—
Let not your Christian worship, while it gives
New modes of faith—Oh! let it ne'er efface
The virtues of humanity—

[Exit.
Orazia.
Oh! blind,
And fatal superstition!—fix'd in error,
Alas! she sees not that by heav'n commission'd
To chase credulity Pizzaro came,
And reigns by right divine o'er ev'ry heart.
Oh! happy state! Christian Orazia now
Glows for the honour of eternal truth,—
To that bows rev'rent down, and joys to see
Awful religion bear the sword of justice.

[Exit.
Scene the Temple of the Sun.
Enter Alzuma and Ozmar.
Alzuma.
Tread you not, Ozmar, with a solemn fear
This hallow'd pavement?

Ozmar.
As I trace thy steps,
A thousand mix'd emotions heave within me.

Alzuma.
Thou sacred dome! Thou venerable pile!
Where erst the pious daughters of the Sun
In meditation dwelt, and sacred song!
No more for you those rites—no more you'll hear
Their pious vows, and their melodious strains.
The Spanish robber violates your altars,
And foreign gods possess you.—

Ozmar.
Yet, Alzuma,
Who knows what that bright maid.—

Alzuma.
Some deep intent
Rolls in her bosom—hark!—a feeble sound
Comes slowly winding thro' yon lengthen'd isle
[Musick is heard at a distance
It gains upon the ear—and lo! a train
Of supplicating nymphs—ye host of heav'n!
Our own solemnities! how my heart glows
With pious ardour! Let us hence, my friend,
Lest we intrude upon their virgin choir.

[They retire.
Enter Orellana, Emira, Zilia, and other Virgins. An Image of the Sun, the Moon, &c. in their Hands, a Censer of Fire, and some strewing Flowers.
ODE.
[They go out in procession.

Enter Alzuma and Ozmar.
Alzuma.
For me their vows ascend!—the pious train
Warble their orizons for lost Alzuma!—
Oh! Ozmar, Oh! my friend!—the melting notes
With thoughts that burn expand my glowing soul.
Ha! that sweet maid approaches!—

Enter Orellana.
Ozmar.
Now be hush'd
Each sudden transport—to disclose thy name.
Might fatal prove.

Orellana
coming forward.
Alas! my spirits sink—
Cold tremors shake my frame.—

Alzuma.
Your pardon, virgin,
That thus encroaching on the hallow'd hour—

Orel.
Strangers! you're welcome both—the wretched ever
Bear their own passport to me—train'd myself
In sad affliction's school, and wanting much
Some charitable aid, these hands are ready
To wipe the tear from the pale cheek of care.—

Alzuma.
Alas! misfortune, as we rise to life,
Prepares her chalice for each human lip:
We all are doom'd to weep.—

Orel.
Ye gen'rous youths,
I see you both are apt to melt at woe.—
I will not trouble you—

Alzuma.
If there is aught
May serve you, virgin, trust your faithful slaves—
These tears but strengthen virtue—speak thy will.

Orel.
There is a business lab'ring in my heart
That calls for firmest vigour.—

Alzuma.
If to drench
A dagger's point in the fell Spaniard's blood—

Orel.
It wants no bloodshed—tell me will you serve me?—

Alzuma.
By heav'n I will—

Orel.
Say will you traverse o'er
The forests wild and continents of sand,
To bear a message to a much lov'd brother,
On whose dear life my happiness is grafted?

Alzuma.
Direct our course—we'll seek him straight.—

Orel.
Alas!
Banished far hence, dear youth! He little thinks
How here I drag the Spaniard's galling chain,
And neither live nor die.—But here I've form'd
In braided colours the sad tale of woe—
[Takes out a braid of colours.
He knows not letters, which th'inventive Spaniard
Has hither brought—But this will tell him all—
This will instruct him to avoid this place—
Let me be wretched, I'll endure it all—
But bless him gods—watch over all his ways—
My woes must end me soon.—

Alzuma.
No, thou shalt join
Our flight—we'll bear thee to him—

Orel.
Weak of limb
My strength would fail me—wilt thou give him this?

Alzuma.
I will—by every Pow'r above, I will.

Orel.
Then take it, youth, and bear it to Alzuma.—

Alzuma.
Alzuma!—

Orel.
Yes; to him.—

Alzuma.
Ye gracious powers!
And bear it to Alzuma!—Orellana!

Orel.
Those trembling accents! Oh! the various meanings
Of ev'ry feature—Ah! that look of thine—,

Alzuma.
I am, I am, Alzuma—Oh! my sister!
I, I am he—this fond embrace attests it.
She faints—she faints—Oh! couldst thou e'er have hop'd it?
'Tis Orellana!—'tis, it is my sister.

Orel.
That air! that face! just so my father look'd!—
I scarce can think it yet—thou art not—tell me—
Say art thou he?—Peru's surviving heir—
Art thou Alzuma?—does thy breast retain
The tiger's fang?

Alzuma.
It does, it does—

Orel.
Have I so long
Forbore to wander o'er him with my kisses?—
To clasp thee close, and own thee with my tears?—

[Embraces him.
Alzuma.
Grow to thy brother's heart, thou virtuous maid!—
Ozmar, the Gods are here—they have not yet
Deserted innocence.—Thou watch, my friend,
That none intrude upon this hour of joy.—

[Exit. Ozmar.
Orel.
Why didst thou venture here? to this dire place?
Oh! quickly fly—of all the Sun beheld
In his own city, by immortals rais'd,
This temple only stands.—

Alzuma.
Where is Orazia?—

Orel.
She lives.

Alzuma.
Then to her honour and her gods
She still lives true—I know her virtue well.—

Orel.
This side the grave no mortal virtue's known;—
She's married to Pizarro.

Alzuma.
Married to him!—
False to her faith, and married to Pizarro!—

Orel.
She shares his tyrant sceptre.—

Alzuma.
Oh! may heav'n—
Yet she's my mother still—forgive her gods!
If your dread sway can bear such crimes, forgive her,
And keep your red'ning vengeance for the Spaniard—
Say shall I see Orazia?—

Orel.
At yon portal
You met her dreadful frown.

Alzuma.
Was that my mother?—
Unnatural woman!

Orel.
In her ruin'd mind
Sits blind enthusiasm with'ring ev'ry virtue.
Zeal forges setters for a free-born race,
And murder's blade gleams in religion's hand.

Alzuma.
Bright orb! thou hear'st it—I make no appeal
To you against her—but to find thee thus,
Thou best of sisters—'midst a mother's crimes
That rend my soul—it mixes tend'rest joy,
And makes these tears a transport. Tell thy brother,
What force upheld thee?—how hast thou sustain'd
Thy faith inviolate?—

Orel.
The Spaniard's rage
Lists ev'ry passion on the side of virtue.
Thou wer't far hence, know'st not the horrid night,
That heav'd this mighty empire from its base.

Alzuma.
Ev'n now I shudder for thee!

Orell.
Cloyster'd here
Two hundred chosen virgins of the Sun,
Here in this very temple pour'd their praise
In midnight harmony to ev'ry god,
And bore thro' glimm'ring isles th'eternal fire;
When the foe rush'd upon us; burst the sanctuary
Which since the world's foundation 'till that hour
Man never dar'd profane—with virgin shrieks,
And female lamentation rung the dome;
Devouring rage, and pale dismay, and death
Ran wild in horrid forms; the crimson pavement
Floated with gore;—no check their fury felt,
'Till weary slaughter stopt at last for breath,
And spar'd a wretched few.

Alzuma.
Thou virtuous maid!
What pitying God preserv'd thee?

Orel.
'Twas in wrath,—
In vengeance I was sav'd—to greater ills
Alas! reserv'd!—to see my father murder'd—

Alzuma.
Oh!—blessed be his shade!—

Orel.
E'er since Pizarro
Urges to change my gods, and join his son
In impious wedlock—

Alzuma.
May his soul be plung'd
In ever burning floods of liquid gold,
And be his avarice the fiend that damns him!

[Music heard.
Orel.
End we our conf'rence here—the virgin band
Wait my return—I would not have thee known—
Retire my brother—

Alzuma.
And must we part so soon?

Orel.
Alas! too sure we must—a faithful friend
Shall lead thee to the grove where oft I walk
In bitterness of soul.

Alzuma.
Yet e'er you go—
Here kneel, and swear by all the holy pow'rs
Whom with firm constancy Peru adores,
By the dear shades of long departed heroes,
Whom av'rice slaughter'd, or religion stabb'd,
Swear here, by all those great, those awful sanctions,
Thou never wilt betray thy plighted vows.

Orel.
Yes, Orellana ratifies the oath!

Alzuma.
Now once again come to this fond embrace.
We'll meet anon—

Orel.
We shall—

Alzuma.
Farewell, farewell!
[She goes out.
Protect, ye pow'rs, that struggling innocence.
In your own holy cause she suffers all.
Are ye no more the gods of peace?—No more
Affliction's friends?—If that excelling goodness,
If she is wretched thus—yet let me not
Like the base Christian foe, with pious rage
Who deals destruction round, and deems his murder
Grateful on high—Oh! let me not like him
With horrid attributes affront my God!
Yes, Heav'n is bounteous still—ye gracious pow'rs!
Of you and your just ways I'll not complain.
You've made us virtuous, and have done enough!—