 | Cortez |  |
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.
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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
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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
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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.]
| Cortez | |