 | The Siege of Cuzco |  |
92
ACT V.
SCENE I.
A Square, with a Range of Columns, in front of the Temple of the Sun.Orcas, Juan, Peruvian Chiefs.
Orc.
Spaniard! there wait, where yonder marble pillars,
Pure vein'd, high tow'r in air.
Juan.
Why there restrain me?
Orc.
Know, stranger, on that hallow'd range, the sun
In noon-tide glory robed, looks gracious down,
Nor sees a shade beneath him: when the God
Steps between pole and pole, and o'er the globe
Stretches his fiery sceptre, that divides
Midway, the day and night. That sacred boundary
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Which none, unbidden, pass.
Juan.
This recks not me.
Restrain me not.
(Rushing on.)
Orc.
(stopping him)
Bold man! you rule not here;
Rash as thou art, this consecrated ground
Shall strike thee with strange awe.
Juan.
The word I bring
Brooks not delay.
Per.
Retire, or dread our rage.
Juan.
Dread mine—
Orc.
Advance not; nor with foot profane
Pollute the golden pavement, where these gems
Figure the planets as they weave their course
Amid the starry choir.
Juan.
Have you inform'd him
That no mean herald waits?
Orc.
He serves his God;
Nor aught of earthly object claims regard.
Juan.
The cause that urged my steps, is holier far
Than worship to vain idols. Know, your rites
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The sun be still; and the sun heard, and stood.
Orc.
No drop of blood has e'er profaned this place:
Or, nor thy sacred office, nor thy hand
Graced by the symbol, and pledged sign of peace,
Had rescued thee from death.
Juan.
(enraged)
This to Pizarro!
Come forth, Villoma!
Per.
Still that impious tongue!
Orc.
Guard! When the rites are o'er, bring that man hither.
Till then confine him.
(They force him away.)
Per.
(to Orc.)
Know'st thou what unveils
The inmost Sanctuary? on what high cause
We thus are summon'd to the shrine itself?
Not to the outward temple, as of old,
When danger lour'd; or solemn feasts recall'd
The wandering sun, down his slope path star-paved,
To turn again tow'rds Cuzco.
Orc.
Hear you not?
The bars give way. The golden gates unfold—
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Villoma and Zamorin at the altar.
Vill.
(comes forward)
Enter in silence, nor with impious thoughts
Profane the shrine!
Zam.
These only faithful found!
Vill.
Seek not the rest;—they are no more remember'd.
Zam.
I grieve o'er many a chief, who once with me
Fought bravely, nor return'd without a wound.
Is there no intercession?
Vill.
None. All crimes
Other than theirs had found atonement here.
But treason 'gainst their country, and dire league
With men whose iron heel has crush'd their God,
Admit not expiation.
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I submit
In silence.
Vill.
Ye! defenders of your country!
Approach! upon this bloodless altar lay
Your hands, the plighted witness of your vow:
Each to the other bound in holy league.
Per.
We lay our hands.
Vill.
Now swear ye will perform
Whate'er Zamorin bids, or back retire
Unblest.
Per.
God of our fathers! hear our vow!
Zam.
(to Villoma)
Thy duty now is o'er. Oh holy father!
Retire, I pray thee. On their souls I bind
A dreadful charge. Their country's freedom claims it.
A charge of blood; whose utterance were unfit
For thy pure ear.
Vill.
I yield to thy request.
Yet say once more, to sooth a father's fear,
Say that you left her well, and pledge for thee.
Zam.
I do repeat it, well, and pledge for me.
(Villoma goes.)
Defenders of Peru!
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High wonders ne'er exposed to eyes on earth,
Save the Sun's hallow'd race! to ye, your zeal,
And that high cause which consecrates your vow,
The freedom of your country, have unveil'd
The interdicted shrine. Lo! there the God,
The present God; and, on each side, his race
Embalm'd in act of blessing: so they lived;
And now to sight alive, from sire to son
Successive, on their golden thrones of state.
Adore that godlike form—Lo! Manco Capac.
Per.
Hail, heav'n-born! founder of our country, hail!
Zam.
Yes: from their rocks he drew your sires, and tamed
To social life. He found them, lone, dispersed
O'er earth's wide wilderness, where man and beast
Grappled for nature's sovereignty. Where man
Stray'd wild, not free; in want and woe, all equal,
Save nature's sad distinction, strong and weak,
The oppressor, and the opprest. He, heav'n-instructed,
Taught holy rites, and laws, whose guardian strength
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And binds in kings the authority it grants,
Trust for the common good.
Per.
Hail! founder, hail!
Zam.
Oh! if the sight of him!
Who first unbarr'd the stranger's iron heart
To pity, tenderness, and gentle joys:
Who to the wilds and woods brute passion chased,
And taught the interchange of soul with soul:
And sympathies of kin, that make each home
A blissful heav'n; where peace, a wanderer else,
Rests, and chaste love on wedlock's base sustains
The pillar of society. Peruvians!
If while ye gaze on him, a god on earth,
A voice, like one from heav'n when thunder speaks,
Cries not, “Resist”—away, released from oaths
That hold not the heart.
Per.
We will resist,
Or perish. Lead us forth.
Zam.
No, not to war.
'Tis not to battle that I urge ye forth;
To combat with a foe whom hell has arm'd
With its own fires. They told you they were gods:
Ye found them hid beneath their iron mail
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Men viler than the beast that roams the wild.
Hear, and rejoice and hymn the song of praise!
Ere night, their rival chiefs, by demons arm'd,
In merciless combat meet. Thou! stand Peru!
Aloof!—and when the exhausted victor mourns
His conquest, sweep from earth, that groans beneath them,
The wretched remnant of these gods embruted
With kindred murder.—
Per.
Gracious heav'n! we thank thee.—
Zam.
Yet first ye must endure a dreadful test;
Ye must sustain a spectacle of horror
That the soul shrinks from.
Per.
Say, what test, what sight?
Zam.
I cannot speak it. Yet whate'er ye view
Most strangely horrible; howe'er abjured;
E'en tho' Villoma, in the dust before you,
Strew his grey hairs, and pray you, spare his age.
E'en tho' the chieftain who now steels your hearts
Should, slave of human frailty, unsay
Oaths register'd in heav'n: swear, ye will guard
The fort, till death.—Vow this, or now resign
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At fell Pizarro's word.
Per.
Our oath is fixt.
Zam.
Then, ye are conquerors. Now, friends, farewell.
Each to his post: and when ye view Pizarro,
Fiendlike in murderous act; and, in his grasp
A form of angel glory, guard the gates:
Lest, roused to frenzy at the sight, Peru
Burst them, and free the victim.
Per.
We have vow'd.
(Peruvian chiefs depart.)
Zam.
(falls upon the altar)
They hear not: and my soul may vent its woe.
Oh Thou! that view'st the heart! Thou! to whom thought
Speaks without tongue; to thee is no disguise.
Therefore accept for incense this deep sigh;
For sacrifice, these tears, wrung from the heart,
And streaming on thy shrine. These, now may fall
Blameless, unseen of man. Yet not the less
Sustain me to the accomplishment, and fill
With force not mine: that, in thy cause, my soul
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The hymn of praise, rejoin my bride in heav'n!
(He goes; the gates of the Temple are closed.)
Enter Orcas, Juan, and Guard.
Orc.
Yes: you may now be heard.
Juan.
I thank thee not;
Nor shalt thou pass unblamed. The flag I bore
Claim'd reverence, and the cause brookt not delay,
While idle rites, and worship to vain gods
Deny'd me utterance.
(Zamorin enters.)
Zam.
(to Juan)
Depart unheard.
Juan.
My word concerns Villoma.
Zam.
It concerns
Me, and the public weal.
Juan.
Reflect—Zamorin!—
Zam.
Spaniard! I am resolved.
Juan.
A father's voice
Must here decide.
Zam.
Alone I govern here.
Depart.
Juan.
There is a pledge within our pow'r.
Her safety rests on thee.
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It rests on heav'n.
If thy intent be fell, there dread the avenger.
Conduct him to the gate. Reply no more.
Juan.
Thy Zama—
Zam.
Lead him forth. I will not hear thee.
Each to your post: ere long expect the foe.
[Exeunt omnes.
Scene changes to Pizarro's Camp.
Pizarro, Alvarados, Soldiers.
Piz.
(to Alvarados)
Lead forth thy charge; and as the foe ascends
Yon mound, where our brisk cannon shall confound them,
Assail them unawares. (Benalcazar enters.)
Well, Benalcazar.
Ben.
Candia contemns thy offer—he is gone—
With him the valiant pikemen—
Piz.
Then, brave chiefs!
We shall have more to conquer.
Ben.
Base, base Candia!
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Rate not his loss; or rate it at its worth;
Felt but at parting. When the storm is laid,
Shake but a bell, he'll perch upon our lure,
Where'er he wings afar his viewless flight.
Would Juan were return'd!
Alv.
What thy intent
I do not look to fathom—but beware—
'Tis loudly rumour'd thro' the unquiet camp,
That, from yon fort released, Almagro's son
Heads his fleet horse.
Ben.
Your men, with eager voice,
Count and recount his force; and, as fear reckons,
Swell them at every numbering.
Piz.
Brave Castilians!
Ye will not stop to tell them, one by one.
The lion counts not when he thins the herd.
On you, brave chiefs! Pizarro's glory rests.
So propt, it tow'rs to heav'n—haste, friends! lead forth
Your separate charges.
Alv.
Sir, we shall not yield
At the first onset.
(Alv. and Ben. go.)
Piz.
(to the Guard)
Haste, bring Zama hither.
Oh! Juan!—Juan!
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Or ne'er at this dread hazard, when success
Hangs on a swift-wing'd moment, had'st thou, Juan!
Thus slowly linger'd. (Zama enters.)
Was it ever known
That one whose life was sacred, one who bore
The flag of hallow'd truce within thy walls
Was ever murder'd?
Zama.
Ye have frequent sent
Men, fraught with bitter menace. These have ever
Return'd uninjur'd; ours, that merely claim'd
What first ye deign'd to proffer, back return'd
No more.
Piz.
But were the terms of direst import,
Such as would rouse swift passion, and excite
Horror, and indignation, and revenge?
Zama.
We are not apt to flame with rage—
Piz.
If Cuzco
Beheld beneath yon temple's sacred walls
A daughter of the Sun, and o'er her breast
The quivering dagger gleam, in act to strike;
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Resign the fort, and hail with grateful shout
The foe that spared her life?—
Zama.
A crime so fell
Would draw down fire from heaven.
Piz.
Thou art the victim.
And I— (Zama kneels)
—Kneel not to me: beneath yon walls
Urge thy request. Thy race are prone to pity.
A father, and a husband will avert
The threaten'd vengeance.
Zama.
They will do their duty.
A daughter of the Sun now bends before thee,
Who ne'er has bow'd the knee to mortal man:
And if thy bosom yet retain a sense
Of human feeling, thou wilt grant my pray'r.
Piz.
Thy life depends on them—
Zama.
'Tis not to live.
Of life I have no hope. I urge no pray'r
That thou, Pizarro! may'st not fitly grant.
Oh! it will sooth a father's bleeding heart,
And seem like show of solace to his tears,
That they are shed upon his daughter's corse.
He is a time-worn man, bow'd by long grief,
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Will rest with me. He is a holy man;
And heav'n till now has smiled upon his prayer.
Grant this, he may forgive thee. Dread his curse.
Grant this, and if indulgent heav'n will hear
The cry of one that for her murderer pleads,
Pangs less severe in death's dread hour shall rack
Thy struggling spirit.
(Juan enters.)
Juan.
Haste! Pizarro! haste.
Zamorin scorn'd me: forced me back unheard.
Summon Villoma: in his presence doom
His child to perish.
(A Spanish Chief enters.)
Spaniard.
As the gale comes on,
An intermingled noise of neighing steeds,
And troops that shout to battle, mark the advance
Of fierce Almagro's force.
Piz.
Alvarez! haste:
Lead forth my chosen guard: and, if avail
Or skill or courage, yet a while delay
Their furious onset.—Zama! to the fort.
[Exeunt omnes.
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Zamorin and Almagro in a Watch-Tower on the Top of the Rock.
Zam.
Look o'er yon rising mound—again they rally;
Firmly they stand, as men resolved to die,
Not yield at the first charge.
Alm.
No more detain me.
Ye saved my life: for you my blood shall flow.
Mine, mine to face the danger; yours, alone
The fruits of victory.
Zam.
On either wing
They hem them round, and bear down all before them.
Lo! from your numerous squadrons once again
Their routed lances fly.
Alm.
Another troop
Rush from the camp. The men who fled but now
Turn back on their pursuers. Steed on steed
Confus'dly clash, and mix in doubtful fight.
I will not tamely see my warriors slain;—
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I, I will rescue Zama.
Zam.
No. Brave knight!
My word is pledged. I trust the event to heav'n.
But no false word shall stain Zamorin's lip.
(A trumpet is heard.)
'Tis he. 'Tis fierce Pizarro. To these walls
Swift he advances.
(Pizarro, Juan, Zama, Herald, Soldiers, enter.)
Herald.
Villoma! yield the fort; or now thy child
Bleeds in thy sight. Peruvians! yield the fort!
Or now the sacred daughter of the Sun
Pollutes with blood your consecrated walls.
(Villoma, Zamorin, Almagro, Peruvian Chiefs, People, &c. rush to the lower rampire.)
Vill.
My child! my child!
Zam.
Sustain me now, oh Sun!
Gift me with strength not mine! Remember, chiefs!
Your solemn vow. Keep back the maddening throng.
Piz.
(standing over her, with his drawn dagger)
Consent—or now she dies—
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Oh, good Pizarro!
Draw back the steel. The fort, the fort is thine.
It is thy wife, Zamorin! hear, Peruvians!
Her blood be on your head! the Sun's pure blood!
By these grey hairs! I kneel to you, my children!
Oh spare a wretched father! spare my age!
I have but her—
(he faints away.)
Zam.
Convey him from the walls.
Chiefs.
(to Zamorin)
Release us from our oaths!
People.
Oh, horror! horror!
Come on—force back the bars. (To the chiefs)
Resist us not—
Pizarro! sheath thy blade! We yield the fort.
Piz.
Haste, soldiers! fix your standards on yon walls.
Zama.
There is no other aid. Zamorin! turn
(Going to stab herself, is prevented by Pizarro.)
Thy eyes away—Oh! feeble arm!
Piz.
This, this
Shall slay thee—if these gates—
(As he is going to stab her, a shout is heard.)
Almagro!—Victory—victory—Almagro!
(Orgognez rushes in with his conquering army.)
Alm.
Pizarro! free that angel, or thou diest—
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(his lifted dagger over her)
Nay! if thou threaten— (Ben. and Alv. brought in, prisoners and wounded)
—Benalcazar bleeding!
Thou too— (to Alvarados)
—disarm'd!—
Alv.
His forces o'ermatch'd ours;
Or he had been my prisoner—
Alm.
Hear, Pizarro!
Release her, or thou diest; and these thy chiefs
Perish in lingering agonies. Restore her,
And in exchange receive their ransom'd lives.
Piz.
And may I trust to thee?
Alm.
(to Orgognez)
Brave chief! release them—
Alv.
(after he is released)
Free her, or Alvarados joins Almagro.
Piz.
(releasing her)
Pizarro never will desert his friends.
Alm.
Descend, Zamorin! and from me receive
Thy heav'n-born bride. The fort unconquer'd stands.
I, I will succour it, and crown at Cuzco
Huascar's heir.
Zam.
Knight! I confide in thee.
(The gates are open, Zamorin descends.)
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(embracing him)
Once more, once more on earth we shall be blest.
Zam.
Thou more than mortal! kindred angels guard thee.
Virtue like thine is Heav'n's peculiar charge.
(Villoma's voice heard behind the Scenes.)
Vill.
Restrain me not—
Zama.
It is my father's voice.
Vill.
(bursts in from the arms of the attendant priests)
Give way.
Zama.
My father! Stay—he sees me not—
Wild rolls his eye on the invisible air.
The God within to his prophetic trance
Lifts up the veil of time, and points strange deeds
Ere earth has witness'd them.
Vill.
(amid the Spanish chiefs)
Fly! race of blood!
If yet a lone sail flutters near the coast,
Fly! See ye not the warrior? his red arm
Wields thunder, and wing'd fires, that flash before him,
Strew his void path. Death, death, mail'd horseman arms
The kindred hosts, and shouts to the under world.
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Unsepulchred. The beast from the tainted chief
The corselet rends, and o'er the high-plumed helm
The incumbent vulture dips his beak in gore.
Oh earth! indignant, stifle not that cry!
It mounts from multitudes entomb'd alive.
Hark! Slavery plunged in night's unfathom'd depths,
Groans for the time, when toil shall slip its chains
An unflesh'd corse. They groan, the mountains sink
Whose arch on golden pillars tower'd to heav'n.
The vales ring hollow, where the firm globe stood
Poised on its silver base. Thou too! from far,
Drunk with Peruvian blood, howl! stranger clime,
O'erwhelm'd with freighted gold, fell as a sea
Of furnace fire. It bursts, and in its sweep
Unpeoples earth. Peru! shout, shout for joy!
He comes, the long-expected comes, the God,
The invisible, the nameless—thou Sun! rise,
And set—that sun, once ris'n to light the world,
Sets never more, but beams eternal day.
THE END.
| The Siege of Cuzco | |