University of Virginia Library

ACT V.

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.

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.

SCENE III.

A public place in Mexico.
[Shouts, Trumpets, Horns, &c. heard in various directions. Indians running across the Stage, pursued by Spaniards.]
Enter Velasquez and Zelama.
VELASQUEZ.
Think not to 'scape me—Thou art fairly mine—
I won thee, and will keep thee.

ZELAMA.
Oh in pity!
If thou can'st feel compassion—if thy heart—

VELASQUEZ.
This prud'ry is mistim'd—I hold thee fast—
Let's see who'll rescue thee!

ZELAMA.
Hear me, oh hear me!

VELASQUEZ.
What! when thy beauties fire my soul?—No, no—
Come on—This is no place to parley in—

ZELAMA.
Where art thou, my Telasco!
Enter Gonsalvo.
(Zelama breaks from Velasquez, and runs to him.
Gen'rous stranger!
Thou art not like thy fellows—Thou canst feel—
Save me! Protect me!

GONSALVO.
Heav'ns! Zelama here!
By what strange chance—Who tore thee from thy palace?

VELASQUEZ.
'Twas I! Velasquez! As with my brave comrades
Through Montezuma's halls I rang'd, I found her.
I left to other care his gems and gold,
And seiz'd her for myself.

GONSALVO.
Shame on the deed!

VELASQUEZ.
Wilt thou dispute her with me? I remember
Thou seem'd'st dispos'd to pick a quarrel with me.
If yet thy valour be awake, this may be
As good a cause as any.

GONSALVO.
Hence! be gone!
I'm her protector—touch her if thou dar'st.

VELASQUEZ.
These words to me?—Come on then—take thy fate!

(They fight.
Enter Telasco, with his force.
GONSALVO.
Retreat'st thou?

VELASQUEZ
(pointing to Telasco).
See'st him not?—What demon sent him
Here with his myrmidons?—This is no time
For private tilting.—We shall meet again.

[Exit.
ZELAMA.
Oh my Telasco!

TELASCO.
My Zelama here!

ZELAMA.
Now am I safe—

TELASCO.
Have then these ruffians dar'd—
But they shall answer for it.

ZELAMA.
Stop—forbear—
Aim not thy sword 'gainst him—he's my protector.
When the fierce Spaniards broke into the palace,
A stern barbarian seiz'd me as his prey.
Deaf to my cries, and reckless of my tears,
Here had he forc'd me on, when pitying heav'n
Sent this young warrior to mine aid. He sav'd me.

TELASCO.
Myriads of blessings light upon him for it!
How can I thank thee best?

GONSALVO.
I've done no more
Than mere humanity requir'd. The soldier,
Who sees a lovely woman in distress
And flies not to her succour, is unworthy
Of that proud title.

TELASCO.
Thou art truly noble
'Tis pity thou'rt a Spaniard. I had sworn
To hate all those who bear that odious name;
But I cannot hate thee. No—by this hand
I love thee, and will recompence thy service.

GONSALVO.
I ask no recompence but mine own feelings,
And those are amply gratified already.
Farewell—another duty calls me hence.

ZELAMA.
Wilt thou then leave us?

GONSALVO.
Ask me not to stay.
Thou need'st no help; Telasco's arm protects thee.
But there's another and a graver cause
Which hurries me away. Thy Montezuma—
I know not what new perils may assail him.
My presence may—

ZELAMA.
Oh stay not, I implore thee!
Lose not a moment—fly—

GONSALVO.
I will obey thee.

[Exit.
ZELAMA.
Heav'n's blessing light on thee, thou gen'rous youth!—
Where can I turn me now?

TELASCO.
I will conduct thee
Back to the palace.

ZELAMA.
There's no safety there.
The cruel Spaniards are its masters now.
I have no friend to save me but thyself.
Thou wilt not leave me?

TELASCO.
No! While this heart beats,
Mine arm shall guard thee. Come with me, my love—
Take courage—None shall harm thee. Since fate wills it,
We will together face the storm of war.
(To his followers)
—Behold, my gallant comrades, your new leader,
Your monarch's sister, now become associate
In the brave cause which animates us all!
Follow her steps to glory and to conquest!

(Loud cries.
ZELAMA.
Alas! What mean those shouts, those piercing cries?
'Tis from the Spanish fort they come—My brother!
My hapless brother!—Hear'st thou?—There again—

Enter Capana.
CAPANA.
Oh day for ever curs'd!—Alas! I come
Charg'd with intelligence to rend your hearts.

ZELAMA.
It was! It was! My boding soul foretold it.

TELASCO.
Be not thus agitated.—Speak, I charge thee.

CAPANA.
When our brave troops had nearly scal'd the fort,
The warrior, who commanded on the summit,
Brought forth our king, and plac'd him in the front,
Where rag'd the strife most hotly. Struck with awe
Our host th' assault suspended; when the king
Address'd them—said he came there willingly—

TELASCO.
It cannot be—He never could say so—

CAPANA.
Our people seem'd confounded—

TELASCO.
Well they might—

ZELAMA.
Oh! interrupt him not—

CAPANA.
A mournful silence
Reign'd for a moment; but, when they beheld
Their king surrounded by his foes, disrob'd
Of royal state, and as a captive led
To plead against himself, their fury rose—
A show'r of arrows—Can I say't?—He fell!

ZELAMA.
Curs'd be the hand which struck his sacred life!
My brain's on fire!—Oh brother! Montezuma!

[She faints.
TELASCO.
They fatal words have pierc'd her to the heart.
Oh! bear her from this scene of misery,
Defend, protect her in this hour of trial,
Find, if thou canst, some refuge for her woes,
'Till heav'n the doom of Mexico decide.
[Capana bears her off.
Now, fate, thy worst is o'er!—Come all the terrors
Which our indignant gods can pour upon us!
Havock, destruction, horror, and dismay,
Now we defy you. On to the proof, my friends!
Rush like a torrent on these perjur'd Spaniards—
See where they come propitious to my wish—
And Cortez at their head—
Enter Cortez and Soldiers.
Turn, base dissembler!
Behold Telasco dares thee to the proof!
This blade shall reach thy trait'rous heart—

CORTEZ.
Away!
I scorn a foe like thee, thee whom the tongue
Of a weak, wheedling woman could seduce.

TELASCO.
Tax me with breach of faith! Yon heav'n, which witness'd
Thy monstrous perjuries, will nerve my arm
To wreak just vengeance for a murder'd king—

CORTEZ.
Take then the fate thou temp'st—

[They fight. Telasco falls.
TELASCO.
Thou hast prevail'd—

CORTEZ.
First to thy sov'reign faithless, then to me,
What else could'st thou expect?

TELASCO.
Rail on! Upbraid me
For having thought thee honest—hence! begone!
Thy sight is hateful to me—

CORTEZ.
Fare thee well.
On, my brave friends, to conquest and to glory!

[Exeunt Cortez and Soldiers.
TELASCO.
Oh my poor country! Must these cruel spoilers
Thus triumph o'er thy downfall?—Guatimozin!
Enter Guatimozin and Soldiers.
Thou'rt come in time to take my last adieu—

GUATIMOZIN.
Oh my Telasco! Is it thus I meet thee?
Let me convey thee hence—

TELASCO.
Thy cares are vain—
This mortal conflict shortly will be o'er,
And I shall rest.—Defend our hapless country—
Avenge our murder'd king—and if Zelama—
Why that averted eye—that heaving breast?
Is she—speak quickly—

GUATIMOZIN.
All her cares are over.
Her brother's fate seal'd hers.

TELASCO.
High heav'n be thank'd!
Oh my Zelama! my belov'd! farewell!
Farewell a little space!—Though here we part,
Ne'er in this cruel world to meet again,
In those blest realms of rapturous delight,
Where joys eternal wait on suff'ring virtue,
Our disembodied souls, again united,
Shall meet to part no more!—Give me thy hand—
My breath grows short—a film comes o'er mine eyes—
Our country—Mexico—protect it!—oh!— (Dies.)


[Exeunt omnes.