University of Virginia Library

2. PART II.

SCENE I.

A Romantic View.
BANK and arbour—moonlight—a monument consecrated to Zulma, Cora's mother, adorned with palm branches, flowers, &c.—Alonzo and Cora discovered asleep on the bank—Enter Juan, he looks at them and sighs.
AIR—JUAN.

He goes off pitying the lovers—Cora awakes— she gazes on Alonzo with the strongest marks of affection, kissing him, &c.—A supernatural noise is heard, and the following words sung,

Cora!—Cora!—Cora!

Cora appears all agitation—the tomb opens, and the spectre of her mother, Zulma, ascends looking mournfully at her daughter, and singing the following sentence:
False, false to thy vows, Cora heave the deep sigh,
Prepare! for the guilty, the guiltless must die!


PATHETIC AIR.

Zulma ascends during the air—Cora endeavours to awaken Alonzo, who, as Zulma goes out of sight, starts up and receives the fainting Cora in his arms, and bears her off.

SCENE II.

A Romantic View.
Enter Cora and Alonzo much agitated—he endeavours to console her, but cannot erase the recollection of her mother's vision.
JUAN ENTERS hastily.
RECITATIVE—JUAN.
Xaira, the priest, hies hither thro' the glade,
Alonzo! fly! or Cora is betray'd!

Alonzo, kissing Cora's hand, precipitately quits her at the approach of Xaira and the High Priest, to whom Cora tremblingly bows.
RECITATIVE—HIGH PRIEST.
Cora! our trouble's o'er! 'tis you we seek,
The only wanderer of our temple's wreck.

Cora, occasionally looking after Alonzo, endeavours to extricate herself from the hands of the priests, in which exertion she loses her bracelet, but is hurried off.
Enter STANDARD-BEARER and DIEGO.
RECITATIVE—STANDARD-BEARER.
Oh! what a plague is love, and this love-making,
Poor Rolla! see! is in a piteous taking!
Sometimes a ghastly smile!—sometimes he's sad!
Sometimes he's moping—now he's raving mad!

Exeunt.
Enter Rolla wildly, discovers the bracelet— Alonzo's voice is heard singing the following couplet:
Oh, Cora! thy absence embitters love's strain,
Distraction reigns here 'till I view thee again.

Rolla listens with profound attention to the exclamation, and makes his EXIT in a paroxysm of uncertainty and despair.

SCENE III.

A Wild Woody Country, where the bushes and underwoods are so closely entwined as to be almost impenetrable—in the back ground a wall, (in which a large breach has been made,) is just discernible through the trees, and farther back rises the cupola of the Temple of the Sun—nearer the front on the right hand appears a cave—on the left a hill, the top part of which is seen above the trees.
Rolla comes down a winding path, among the bushes, followed by Zorimbo—when Rolla arrives at the Cave's mouth, he requests Zorimbo to retire, informing him there he will take up his abode—that shall be his grave—there he will breathe out a life that love has rendered miserable—occasionally gazing on the temple which contains his soul's idol— Zorimbo attempts to soothe him, but he assumes a wild air, commanding him to depart, which he does mournfully, repeating the following accompanied recitative.
ZORIMBO.
And this is Rolla's dwelling? a dark cave!
Within whose limits he would find a grave;
In his last gasp enraptur'd wou'd appear,
If but embalm'd with Cora's pitying tear!

Rolla rushes into the Cavern—ENTER Diego with great caution, followed by Alonzo and Juan —Alonzo points to the breach in the wall, and commands them to be upon the watch—they retire —going towards it he hears a clapping of hands, he intimates 'tis Cora's signal—springs over the ruins, reaches his hand to Cora who follows him, he assisting her over the wall—when brought down towards the front of the stage he presses her to his bosom—she affectionately returns the embrace—on recollection he shudders—fixes his eyes on the ground, with terror in his countenance—she endeavours to sooth him—the Incence in the altar of the cupola catches fire—she tells him she will pray for the sun's blessing and forgiveness if they are guilty of any crime against him, and climbs hastily up the hill—Alonzo wildly following her—she kneels, and by degrees draws him down to kneel beside her— Rolla rushes from the Cave, fixes his eyes first wildly on the earth; then, turning them towards heaven, suddenly espies the lovers kneeling upon the hill; at sight of whom he utters a shriek of horror, and remains immoveable, as if he had seen a spirit —Cora and Alonzo rise slowly with their faces still turned towards the sun, and sink into a silent embrace—Rolla, overpowered, exclaims with a voice almost suffocated with anguish, “Cora!!!” —the lovers start affrighted and perceive him— Cora sinks in a swoon on the declivity of the hill—Alonzo, endeavouring to recover her, calls for “Juan and Diego;” THEY RUSH ON, but perceiving Rolla, precipitately retire on the watch— Alonzo, having recovered Cora, draws his sword, and rushes down the hill towards Rolla, who keeps his eyes immoveably fixed upon her—Juan arrests Alonzo's arm—a pause.
RECITATIVE—Alonzo.
Swear by that power who reigns supreme above,
You'll not betray— (pointing to Cora)
the object of my love!

A pause—Alonzo, unsatisfied, attacks Rolla, who disarms him, and points his sword to his breast— Cora, in anguish, rushes hastily down the hill, and throwing herself at Rolla's feet begs him to save his life, and conceal their guilt—he muses for a while—then with dignity approaches the lovers,

and placing Cora's hand in Alonzo's, gives them his blessing; then turning aside bursts into tears— a pause—Alonzo and Cora throw their arms around him—he embraces Alonzo; kneels and kisses Cora's hand; and swears in the face of heaven to devote his life to their service.

While meditating, what plan to pursue, Cora approaches the temple; which he tells her she must quit for ever, and both secure their safety by flight—Diego ENTERS hastily, and informs them, females draw near—Idali and Amazilla call “Cora!—Cora!”—and appear peeping through the breach, with great eagerness and curiosity— Rolla regrets they are discovered.

QUARTETTO.
Idali.
Trembling we venture chill'd with fear.

Amazilla.
In search of gentle Cora here—

Both.
Our priestess asks her aid.

Zorimbo.
Ye pious virgins this way come, (to Virgins.)

Their secrecy prevents your doom: (To Alonzo.)

You are nor yet betray'd.

Alonzo.
Say should the priestess ask you where,
You Cora found?

Amazilla and Idali.
—Discoursing here,
With Spaniards we should say.

Zorimbo.
No, in the temple lull'd to rest.

Alonzo.
Or in the garden's maze 'twere best.

Zorimbo.
Speak—

Alonzo.
—Speak—

Idali and Amazilla.
—We both obey.
We shall be miss'd, haste, Cora, fly,
The sacred flame perchance may die,
'Twill our imprudence tell.

Alonzo.
When next we meet for flight prepare,
The name of wife must Cora bear:
Farewell, my love, farewell.

The Virgins enter the breach—Rolla, &c. the cave.

SCENE IV.

The Chamber of the Stars.
Enter PRIESTESS.
RECITATIVE—PRIESTESS.
Idali! Amazilla! Cora! how they stay!

Enter Idali and Amazilla, almost out of breath.
Both.
Oh, dear! we have been running all the way!

TRIO.
Priestess.
Where, where could gentle Cora stray?
Say, where have you the wanderer found?

Idali.
Lord I forgot!

Amazilla.
—What shall I say?

Idali and Amazilla.
In the garden we explor'd around,
In the temple lost in sleep profound.

Priestess.
The garden!—temple!—both! oh, fie!
You falsehood utter!

Idali.
—No—not I—

Amazilla.
—Not I—

Priestess.
For which you must be more than chid.

Both.
I only spoke as I was bid.

Priestess.
Bid! what you've had advisers then?

Idali.
In search of Cora them we saw,
La! only Spaniards, they wer'n't men.

Priestess.
I tremble for our holy law!
O'er ruins they stole in no doubt.

Idali and Amazilla.
No! through the ruins we stole out, (Cora enters much agitated)

Cora Alonzo's kiss reprov'd!
Yet still Alonzo swore he lov'd!

RECITATIVE—PRIESTESS.
Cora!—Alonzo!—base perfidious youth!
Her agitation speaks the dreadful truth—
You tremble! Runa—Amazilla fly,
Summon our priests—

Exit Idali.
(Cora, detaining Amazilla, seems to unburthen her mind to her, she kneels to the Priestess.)
Amazilla.
—Cora but asks to die.
Her tender heart by deep compunction torn,
Courage to brave thine anger cannot boast.

Priestess.
Our altars are polluted, laugh'd to scorn.

Re-enter IDALI AND VIRGINS.
Idali.
The sacred flame's extinguish'd.

Priestess.
—Cora's lost!

All.
Woe, woe on Cora! on Cora woe!

In the utmost consternation all Exeunt.

SCENE V.

A Grand Hall in the King's Palace, with folding doors—guards ranged on each side.
Enter Pontiff and Xaira in conversation, meeting Alonzo and Juan, on opposite sides —Xaira beholding him with marks of Indignation: —sound of martial instruments—Telasco and Zorai enter, with black crape on their arms; at the same time the folding doors are thrown open, through which proceed Ataliba and his train—all prostrate themselves before the king;—he raises Alonzo, Zorai, and Telasco, and thus addresses the latter:
RECITATIVE—ATALIBA.
My brave Telasco, I thy loss deplore;
'Tis not our fate to be for ever bless'd;
But tho' the best of mothers is no more,
Her children's virtues are by all confess'd! (Introduces them to Alonzo.)


Ataliba.
Alonzo! Cora's father, and this youth,
(Whose worth Peru can ne'er too much extol!
Emblems of courage, loyalty, and truth)
Covet the friendship of thy kindred soul.

Alonzo appears much agitated at this introduction to Cora's father, speaks aside in the utmost terror!
Alonzo.
Oh, heaven! why lingers thine avenging fire!
(Embracing them agitated)
Be thou my brother—thou lov'd as my sire!

A distant solemn march is heard; as it nearer approaches it suddenly stops, and Cora's Sister rushes on, flies to her father and brother, and endeavours to describe the situation of her sister— a pause—enter the High Priestess, followed by a train of Virgins of the Sun, clad in thick mourning veils.
ACCUSATION AIR.
High Priestess
(throwing back her veil.)
Oh, woe! woe! woe! our altars are profan'd!
The holy lamp extinguish'd! tears, tears, alas! must flow!
Lamentations pierce the walls, where joy so long has reign'd!
An ill-fated virgin, alas! has broke her vow!
The whole assembly shudder—Alonzo appears thunderstruck—the Priestess proceeds joined by Virgins.
Woe! woe! on Cora, on Cora woe!

At the mention of her name the king utters a sigh of agony—Telasco (trembling) supports himself upon his staff—Zorai (full of confusion) conceals his face in his garment—the child (shuddering) clings to her father's knee—Alonzo reclines, almost fainting, on Juan—the other characters mingling, so as to form a group expressive of the utmost terror.
HIGH PRIESTESS.
“Oh! woe! woe! woe! 'tis vengeance dire we crave
“On him who abus'd hospitality's fair name!
“Whose endearments were death! seduction digs his grave,
“And the terrors of dying are doubled by shame.”
A pause—Ataliba looks much agitated towards Alonzo.
Priestess proceeds accompanied by Virgins, &c.
Woe! woe! on Alonzo, on Alonzo woe!

Ataliba utters a more piercing sigh than before —Alonzo stands with downcast eyes, while a death-like paleness overspreads his countenance—the attention of the whole company is immediately turned towards him—Telasco looks around with a vacant stare—the Priests, Priestesses, and Virgins, all kneel to Ataliba!
CHORUS-PRIESTESS, &c.
“Image of the sun on earth,
“Our monarch and our sire;
“Justice to vengeance must give birth,
“Awful atonement we require.”

ALONZO
(falling on his knees).
Save Cora! she is innocent, 'tis I
Alone am guilty, and alone shou'd die!

Ataliba stands for a short period wrapt in thought.
ATALIBA
to Alonzo.
Rise! (turns from Alonzo, and after another short struggle, addresses the guards)

—Guards, your prisoner seize!

The guards seize and put Alonzo in irons— Xaira points to the father, son, and daughter— after another struggle he orders them likewise to be seized.
Our holy laws and customs thus proclaim,
That, e'er the sun illume yon eastern hills,
Our Priests assemble in his holy name
To judge these vile associates in vice;
(How my soul shrinks at the opprobrious term!)
And at the yawning grave of sacrifice
Their sentence a just monarch will confirm:
But ye who judge them keep this truth in view
A power superior one day will judge you!

The Priests all bow—Ataliba retires through the folding doors—Cora is brought on in chains— no longer bearing the image of the sun upon her breast, nor her flame coloured girdle—she starts at seeing Alonzo! casts a look of awe towards Telasco —approaches him—he thrusts her from him with disdain—she falls on her knees, clasping the hand of her brother, who spurns her, pointing to their chains—she falls on Alonzo's arm—Xaira summons the Priests to attend him at the temple, and separates the lovers, who are borne off on opposite sides.
CHORUS OF PRIESTS, &c.
“Death and shame be the portion of Cora's disgrace;
“Death and shame be Telasco's and all of his race;
“Death and shame be Alonzo's, their blood soon must flow,
“Woe on Cora! her kindred! on Alonzo woe!”

Exeunt.

SCENE VI. AND LAST.

A Chain of Mountains leading to a valley, in which is the Altar of Sacrifice—a Funeral Pile on each side—Priests discovered as having just finished digging Cora's grave—Xaira officiating and commanding.
CHORUS OF PRIESTS.
“Brethren the grave's prepar'd—away—
“Bring Cora hither—hence—obey.”

The Priests retire—Rolla ENTERS, gazes wildly round him at the preparations—Juan comes on much agitated—Rolla asks him whom those preparations are for; he answers!
Friend to the virtuous, this may well appal—
Alonzo! Cora! her whole race must fall!

Hearing a solemn march at a distance, Rolla draws his sword—determines on some great effort to save Cora, and is rushing off, but, stopping short suddenly, beckons Juan to follow him—the procession appears on the hills, sinks in the valley, then rising again comes forward—as THE Characters ENTER they divide, so that Alonzo and Cora are on opposite sides, and Telasco with the Child and Zorai —Ataliba, in his car, takes the centre! when the procession is ended—a pause—Ataliba summons the Priests.
RECITATIVE—HIGH PRIEST.
The laws pronounce with just tho' mournful breath
On Alonzo, Cora, and her kindred, death!

(Priests all bow.)
Cora approaches her father with trembling steps, he averts his eyes—she kneels wringing her hands in agony—Zorai, overcome with affection, raises her—Alonzo makes an effort to assist, but is thrust back by Zorai—Cora points to Alonzo, requesting them to forgive him—he approaches, they all embrace; and, joining hands, in one link, firmly intimate they are ready to meet their fate— Ataliba descends his car and comes forward.
Ataliba.
Alonzo, ere confirm'd your sentence, have you ought to plead?

Alonzo.
Save, save the innocent, 'tis I alone should bleed.

At this period the sun rises—Ataliba prostrates himself before it—anxious attention pervades the whole assembly—Ataliba comes forward.
Ataliba.
Telasco—Zorai—Infant ye are free,
Heaven wills for innocence mild clemency.

(They are liberated.)
Xaira and Priests apparently murmur—Ataliba casts an eye of displeasure on them, and proceeds—
The laws offended, mercy here must pause,
The king himself is subject to the laws.
Alonzo! Cora! have ye ought to plead?

They bow their heads intimating no—Ataliba commands the Priests to do their duty—Pontiff and Xaira go to the altar—one takes from it the sword, the other the palm branch, symbols of justice and mercy, and deliver them to the king.
Priest.
Guided by heaven your judgment be decreed!
Cora and Alonzo kneel—after a short struggle,

Ataliba.
Solemn and just our laws pronounce your doom,
(Four guards rush on with torches, and seize Cora and Alonzo.)
The glaring torch in deadly awe appears,
Cora, to light thee to thy living tomb,
Alonzo's heart's blood trickling with thy tears!

He is on the point of raising the sword as a signal to dispatch him, when Rolla, wildly, rushes on with a drawn sabre in his right hand, a javelin in his left, and a bow and quiver at his back—he is followed by a considerable number of Officers and Soldiers exclaiming:
“Mercy for Cora! with the world at strife,
“Tis Rolla pleads! save! save! oh, save her life!

Rolla kneels, and the whole troop!—the king endeavours to conceal his emotions and preserve his dignity.—Xaira seizes Cora—Rolla pushes him aside, and rushing before her, appears determined to shield her.
Rolla.
Mercy! mercy!

Ataliba.
Arm'd and ask mercy, 'tis mere mockery,
Thy king disdains the armed rebel's plea!

Rolla (striking his javelin on the ground) bites his lips with convulsive indignation—Cora, timidly, embraces and kisses him—then forces the sabre, &c. gently from his grasp, and lays them at Ataliba's feet, making a motion to the warriors, who ground their arms—she then draws Rolla affectionately towards Ataliba, at whose feet she throws herself— Rolla, after a few moments struggle, kneels by her.
ATALIBA
—(to Rolla).
Dost thou submit?
(Rolla bows in acquiescence)
Then take thy forfeit life—pardon receive.

(Rolla points to Cora, soliciting her pardon, Ataliba proceeds.)
Now hear my sentence.
(He again takes up the sword and palm branch he had laid down on the entry of Rolla—Cora and Alonzo come forward—Telasco supports himself on Zorai—Ataliba, after a short pause, with his right hand strikes the sword against the ground and breaks it, then with his left presents the palm branch to Cora.)
Be the law abolish'd—Cora—Alonzo live!

Cora swoons in Alonzo's arms—Rolla springs up, and presses the king, wildly, to his breast—Xaira looks down gloomily—the child raises her hand gratefully towards heaven—Telasco, supported by Zorai, affectionately approaches his daughter, and the people burst out in the following
GRAND CHORUS.
To the fountain of mercy enraptured we sing,
Long, long live our Inca—long, long live the king.