University of Virginia Library

ACT IV.

SCENE I.

A public Place in Mexico.
Enter a number of Indians shouting—to them Orozimbo.
OROZIMBO.
Away! What mean ye thus to raise a clamour,
And rush together in tumultuous crowds?
Have ye not heard the proclamation,
That no one shall presume to bar the way,
But leave free passage for the princely train
Attendant on the emp'ror, when he marches
To meet the Spanish chief on his arrival?
(Military music at a distance which gradually becomes louder.)
Hark!—they are at hand already—clear the way—

(Loud military music.
Enter Cortez, Velasquez, and Salceda, with the Spanish army, cannon, &c. &c.
CORTEZ.
Throughout the line give forth command to halt.

(The word is given.
OROZIMBO.
Illustrious leader of this pow'rful host,
Who, from the chambers of the glowing east,
Hast o'er the ocean held thy daring course,
With Montezuma, our imperial lord,
To form alliance and immortal friendship,
I hail thy presence at his royal seat.
Here for a few brief moments stay thy march,
And his approach await.—Lo! he arrives.

(Wild martial music.
Enter Montezuma, on a magnificent litter carried by twelve Caciques; Guatimozin, Priests, Warriors, &c. The Spaniards salute him as he descends—his attendants draw up opposite to them.—Cortez advances towards Montezuma.
MONTEZUMA.
Welcome, thrice welcome art thou, noble stranger!
Accept this pledge (presents his hand)
, as symbol of my friendship.

CORTEZ.
I take it thankfully, most royal sir,
And in return presume to tender mine,
As surety of my faith and humble duty.
I am a plain, blunt soldier, little us'd
To courts and all their tinsel braveries:
Take me for what I am, for one whose tongue
Ne'er was at variance with his heart, who feels
With gratitude thy lib'ral confidence,
And will with equal confidence repay it.

MONTEZUMA.
I doubt thee not—I have already proof on't.
While here thy sojourn lasts, we shall have leisure
To arrange our treaty, and confirm alliance
With the great monarch of the eastern world,
From whom thou bear'st commission. Know, meanwhile,
A spacious palace, in old time th' abode
Of my progenitors, is set apart
For the reception of thy warlike followers.
Within its ample bounds, embattled still,
Securely may they rest. All is provided
For their fair entertainment. For thyself,
My dwelling, like my heart, is open to thee.
Thither, I pray thee, let me straight conduct thee.

CORTEZ.
Feeling thy gracious kindness as becomes me,
I must perforce decline the high distinction
Thy favour would bestow. I must maintain
Strict discipline, lest, as my troops are strangers,
And uninform'd of your peculiar customs,
As are your Mexicans of our's, some chance
Unlook'd-for might occur, which may disturb
The harmony which ought to reign between them.
For this day, royal sir, grant me thy licence
To sojourn with my people, who are us'd
To my controul, and will obey my orders.
To-morrow will I visit thee betimes—

MONTEZUMA.
Do what beseems thee best, and rest assur'd
Our royal care shall watch for thy protection.
Here, Orozimbo—to thy charge I give
The noble Cortez and his gallant train;
Conduct them to their residence, and see
That nought be wanting for their fair reception.
Farewell—to-morrow I expect to see thee.

CORTEZ.
'Till then I humbly take my leave.—Velasquez
Give word to march, and, as our forces pass
The royal station, be such honour paid
As the imperial dignity requires.

[Cortez and his troops march off with martial music, saluting Montezuma as they pass, who then retires as he came on.]

SCENE II.

An Apartment in Montezuma's Palace.
Enter Zelama and Telasco.
ZELAMA.
Come, my lov'd friend, for so I now can term thee,
Beneath this roof, which witness'd our first vows,
I greet thee once again our country's champion.
Haste hither, Montezuma! to thy bosom
Take my Telasco, hail him as thy brother.

TELASCO.
His brother! Sure there's magic in the sound.
Am I so blest? Speak it again—confirm it—
Tell me that all the visions of delight
Which rush upon my aching soul are true,
That I indeed behold thee, that this hand,
This tender yielding hand, at last is mine.
Oh! speak—compose my agitated senses,
Or, if too strong the mighty flood of joy
For my swoln heart to bear, let me expire
With such a foretaste of eternal bliss!

ZELAMA.
Oh rather live to justify my choice,
To win renown, and save thy menac'd country!—
See—the proud moment of my triumph's come,
For lo! my brother—
Enter Montezuma.
Welcome, trebly welcome!
Now can I hail thee king indeed! Behold
Our pledge of safety, Mexico's best hope,
Telasco!

MONTEZUMA.
How! I look'd not here to meet him,
Leagued as he was against me.

ZELAMA.
(To Telasco)
—I implore thee,
Restrain thyself awhile.—True, my best brother;
He was misled: for is he not a man,
With human frailties and with human passions?
Thou know'st the griefs, I term them not the wrongs,
Which drove him from thee: in his feeling soul
Deeply they rankled; his rejected love,
His blighted hopes fermented in his mind,
And vengeance fir'd his bosom, when this Spaniard
Lur'd him with gay delusive promises—

MONTEZUMA.
Who was't that lur'd him back?

ZELAMA.
I, I, my brother!
Mine was the glorious task, and mine the triumph.
I knew his worth, knew that his noble soul
Was still untainted: 'mid the hostile camp
I sought him, prov'd him, and have found him true.

TELASCO.
Like a bright seraph from high heav'n descending
With my redemption's tidings charg'd she came,
Restor'd me to myself, sav'd me from ruin,
And broke the compact which despair had form'd.
Oh she is all, that in her kindest mood
Nature e'er fram'd, or fancy can pourtray!
Sense, judgment, fortitude, angelic softness,
Whate'er proud man of excellence can boast,
Or fascinating woman most can grace,
Combine in her. She, she was my preserver,
She sav'd my honour, brought me back to thee—

MONTEZUMA.
Come to my heart! Henceforth may ev'ry thought
Hostile to friendship be for ever banish'd!
(To Zelama)
—Tell me how best I can return the gift
Which thou hast brought me. Do I rightly read
That eye, which mutely eloquent speaks more
Than words can utter? Is not this fair hand
Our surest pledge and bond of amity?
That smile confirms it.—Take it, brave Telasco,
Take it, my more than valued friend, my brother!

TELASCO.
'Tis mine! 'tis mine! Now fortune do thy worst—
I am beyond thy pow'r. (To Montezuma)
By this dear hand,
I am thine own. Command me; tax my service
To all that man can do, or nature dare.
I'd bare my bosom to heav'n's angry bolt,
To ward it off from thee!

MONTEZUMA.
Thanks, my good brother!
But proofs like this the time requires not now.
The cloud which gather'd o'er us is dispers'd.
With friendly purposes these Spaniards come.

TELASCO.
I joy to hear it: but observe them still,
For they're possess'd of such gigantic means
Of working harm, arms of such fatal pow'r,
Such potent empire o'er the elements
Of air and fire, that, should their projects prove
Hostile to Mexico, our utmost force
Might fail to oppose them.

MONTEZUMA.
Are they then so dreadful,
So irresistible?

TELASCO.
Thou'st known me long—
I need not tell thee I've been us'd to war,
How often in the bloody field I've fac'd
The primest force our Indian clime can boast;
But ne'er 'till now did I behold such warriors:
They seem above mortality; each man
Bears a charm'd life—

MONTEZUMA.
Whate'er may be their pow'rs,
They touch not us. I have their leader's faith,
His solemn oath; I hold him as my hostage
For its observance; he hath giv'n himself
As pledge and warrantry of future peace.

TELASCO.
I trust he's honest. When I spoke with him,
His words were friendly; and, though he express'd
A fearless confidence in his own strength,
He seem'd dispos'd to shun hostility.

MONTEZUMA.
So spoke he to myself.

TELASCO.
And yet I know not—
Perhaps I wrong him; but fair words may cloak
A treach'rous purpose. 'Tis for his advantage,
If he mean ill, to blind us.

ZELAMA.
Can ye doubt it?
Can ye give credit to a specious fiction,
Which the whole tenor of their course disproves?
Look round, and trace their devastating progress.
They have invaded us—the calm abodes
Of our poor countrymen they have destroy'd—
Pillage and booty are their open object—
They preach the doctrine of revolt—their hands
Are reeking with the blood of innocents—

MONTEZUMA.
'Tis true—so have we found them—

ZELAMA.
Will ye then
Repose in false security, while thus
Treason and all her direst train of ills
Are secretly at work, to raise a storm
Which may o'erwhelm you?

MONTEZUMA.
What would'st have me do?
My oath is plighted for these Spaniards' safety.

TELASCO.
Maintain it firmly, but in time prepare
Means of prevention, should suspicion end
In dreadful certainty. That task be mine.
I will go forth, and make such fit arrangements
As caution prompts.

MONTEZUMA.
Delay not, I beseech thee.
I trust myself, my Mexico to thee.

TELASCO.
Enough—I go. When danger is foreseen,
'Tis half averted.—Farewell, my Zelama!
Wish me success, and 'tis already mine.

[Exeunt.

SCENE III.

Cortez's Palace in Mexico.
Enter Cortez, Velasquez, and Officers.
CORTEZ.
Welcome to Mexico, my gallant friends!
Had we on yester morn but dar'd to hope
That here our Spanish standard should be rear'd,
Who had not mock'd us?

VELASQUEZ.
True—beyond the scope
Of expectation hath our fortune prov'd.
But still my mind misgives me.—We're alone;
Telasco's force remains without the walls;
These Mexicans—

CORTEZ.
Dismiss such idle fears!
Trust to our fortune.

VELASQUEZ.
Fortune! She's a female,
And therefore prone to change. She now may smile,
But who can tell what she may prove to-morrow?
What if she should become our foe?

CORTEZ.
Why then
We'll conquer her.—But wherefore trifle we?
Each to his post—be watchful.— [Exeunt officers.]
—Hist Velasquez!
Remain.—When I reflect, my good Velasquez,
On what thou said'st, I must perforce confess
Our state is critical and hazardous.

VELASQUEZ.
Were I sole guider of our enterprize
I would insure success. We have the means,
If we but dare to use them: but the moments,
Which we can call our own, are few and brief.
At present, these dull Mexicans believe us
Invincible, all-pow'rful and immortal;
But rumour speedily will disabuse them,
When they shall hear of poor Gonsalvo's fate,
Who, with brave Alvarado and his party,
Was slain as o'er the mountains we advanc'd.

CORTEZ.
There's much in what thou say'st. I will think on't,
And tell thee more— (starts)
—May I believe mine eyes?
Look—'tis himself—it is, it is Gonsalvo!

Enter Gonsalvo.
GONSALVO.
Again with joy my gen'ral I salute.

CORTEZ.
Thou'rt welcome—I ne'er thought to see thee more.
How did'st thou 'scape the bloody crew who chas'd thee?

GONSALVO.
With Alvarado singly I took refuge
In a thick wood, where an old Indian met us,
And gave us shelter in his humble cottage.
Had we been friends, had not our hands been crimson'd
With the fresh blood of his own countrymen,
He could not with more kindness have reliev'd us.

VELASQUEZ.
When last I saw thee, such were not the terms
Wherein thou spok'st of Indians.

GONSALVO.
True—I knew not
The mild humanity that grac'd their nature.
Hads't thou experienc'd half the tenderness,
Which this poor savage shew'd me in distress,
Thy soul had felt it.

VELASQUEZ.
Thank my better stars!
Such feelings touch not me. I came not hither
To whine and whimper like a puling girl,
But to repair injurious fortune's wrongs,
And in these golden climes to reap my harvest.

CORTEZ.
What 'came of Alvarado?

GONSALVO.
Fruitless prov'd
Our utmost care. His pilgrimage is o'er.

CORTEZ.
Peace to his shade! He was a gallant soldier.
How cam'st thou here?

GONSALVO.
With the cacique Telasco.

CORTEZ.
Is he in Mexico?

GONSALVO.
Had'st thou not notice
Of his intent?—He seems a pow'rful chief,
Of gallant bearing, and expert in arms.
I took th' occasion of his coming hither
To enter with his train. He's well attended,
For with him came the sister of the king—

CORTEZ.
Where did they bend their course?

GONSALVO.
Straight to the palace.
Their presence seem'd to give a general joy—

CORTEZ.
No doubt on't—'tis too plain—all were confed'rate
To take us blindfold—

VELASQUEZ.
What's our fortune now?
I gave thee warning—I was sure some devil
Would cross our path. How could she get to him?

CORTEZ.
No matter how. Sure nought could have occurr'd
More fatal to our plan—How now—Salceda!
Enter Salceda.
Thy looks are ominous—

SALCEDA.
They suit my tidings.
Telasco marches through the crowded streets,
Calling on all the citizens to arm—

CORTEZ.
Look to our posts—See that the guards be doubled—
Point our artillery, so that each discharge
May mow down hundreds—let the gunners stand
With lighted linstocks, ready for the word!
Velasquez! order thy detachment out,
And follow me. Now is the crisis come;
Our fortunes all are set upon one cast,
And death or vict'ry the great stake we play for!

[Exeunt.

SCENE IV.

Montezuma's Palace.
Enter Montezuma.
MONTEZUMA.
Thank heav'n! the horrors of suspence are over,
And peace, too long a stranger to my bosom,
Again revisits my distemper'd heart.
Like mine own subject lake, when hush'd the billows
That ruffled its smooth surface, my vex'd mind
Resumes its customary calm. The Spaniard
Commits himself to me, a willing hostage,
Bound by strong oaths of lasting amity.
Telasco too—He is himself a host,
Unmatch'd in arms, the idol of the people.
While I have him—and he is now mine own—
I fear no foes; I am invincible,
And laugh at the vain legends of my priests,
Who in the hour of peril, when strange fears
Disturb'd my wayward fancy, wrought upon me,
And with their wild chimeras rack'd my brain.
Enter Orozimbo.
Well—what report'st thou of our new allies?

OROZIMBO.
When I had executed my commission,
I left them to reposee. They seem'd well pleas'd
With what thy princely bounty had provided,
And, as I came away, their leader, Cortez,
Charg'd me to bear to thee his grateful thanks,
And humble hope that thou would'st still continue
To him and his thy favour and protection.

MONTEZUMA.
He may rely upon't.—Thou may'st retire.
[Exit Orozimbo.
This gallant Spaniard merits all my care:
He shall have ample proofs of my esteem
Ere he depart, more than his hopes e'er aim'd at.
What if I go to him? 'Twere well imagin'd.
An honour so unlook'd for would excite
A strong sensation in his gen'rous heart.
I'll do it instantly—But, as I live,
Hither he comes.
Enter Cortez, Velasquez, and Soldiers.
Welcome, most noble Cortez!
Thou hast forestall'd my purpose. I had plann'd
To visit thee.

CORTEZ.
I could not wait thy leisure.
Stubborn necessity, which o'erleaps rule,
Compell'd me hither.—Prince! thou hast deceiv'd me.

MONTEZUMA.
I a deceiver!

CORTEZ.
Yes—thou and thy people
With treach'rous purpose 'gainst me have conspir'd.
Are not thy troops on ev'ry hand assembling?

MONTEZUMA.
Dismiss such groundless fears: they are unworthy
Of a great soul like thine. Thou hast my faith.

CORTEZ.
I have, and now can estimate it rightly.
But wherefore lose we time in vain discourse?
I come not here to parley: no smooth words,
No specious promises will now avail thee.
I must have more substantial evidence
Of thy sincerity.

MONTEZUMA.
What dost require?

CORTEZ.
Such as alone can give security:
A hostage—an effective pledge—thyself.
Go with us to our fortress.

MONTEZUMA.
I go with you?
Give myself up a captive? This to me,
To Montezuma? Am I bearded thus
In mine own palace?—Ho! my guards!

CORTEZ.
Be silent!
Breathe but a word, and to thy inmost heart
Shall pierce my weapon.—Circle him around!
Forward!—Now, Mexico, I have secur'd thee!

[Exeunt.