University of Virginia Library

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.