SCENE IV.—_Enter IDALI and AMAZILI.

_Alonzo._ We are too late, they are here already!

_Idali._ Cora! we were looking for you.

_Cora._ I am coming.

_Rolla._ Tarry a moment!—They have seen and heard us,—for God’s sake! do not let them escape thus; we must win them over to our interest.

_Juan._ That were a task for a minister of state!—If this be accomplished, I shall be persuaded that Rolla is capable of conquering whole provinces, without a stroke of the sword.

_Rolla._ Nothing more easy!—Flatter them, they are women.

_Juan._ Lovely maidens! will you not come near?

_Idali._ (_To Amazili_) I believe he means to address us.

_Amazili._ How he fixes his eyes upon us!—Let us hasten back.

_Idali._ Come, Cora, the High-Priestess sent us to seek for you.

_Alonzo._ Pray come nearer, pious virgins!

_Juan._ And receive the homage due to your charms.

_Idali._ (_To Amazili._) Shall we run away?

_Amazili._ Yes; let us fly. (_Neither of them stir._)

_Cora._ I will go with you directly. But why do you stand there so bashfully among the trees?—Come here, sisters.

_Idali._ Oh no, not among men.

_Juan._ Men!—Fair maidens! how came you to suppose us men? Three of us are only Spaniards, and the other will readily withdraw, if you wish to avoid his presence. (_He makes a sign to Rolla, who immediately retires into the entrance of his cave._) Are you still afraid, sweet maidens?

_Amazili._ (_To Idali_) What do you think,—shall we venture?

_Idali._ You step first, and I will follow.

_Amazili._ No, you are the oldest.

_Idali._ But you got over the wall first.

_Amazili._ Yes; but it was you that first spied the breach.

_Juan._ The contest may easily be decided. (_He steps between them, and draws them both after him_) Now you may safely swear that neither took the first step.

_Amazili._ Ah, Idali! he has laid such fast hold of me!

_Idali._ And of me too!

_Juan._ Be quiet, dear children! no harm shall happen to you. (_He chucks Idali under the chin_) You are blooming as a rose. (_Turning to Amazili_) And you, as—as—as—

_Diego._ (_With great gallantry_) As a sun-flower.

_Juan._ (_To Idali_) Your eyes are so soft and blue.

_Diego._ (_To Amazili_) Yours are so very roguish.

_Juan._ You smile so sweetly.

_Diego._ The coral of your lips is so alluring.

_Juan._ This hand is so soft.

_Diego._ This waist is so slender.

_Amazili._ (_To Idali_) Shall we run away?

_Idali._ I think we may as well stay a little.

_Amazili._ But are you certain that you are not men?—We must die if you deceive us.

_Cora._ Come, sisters, we shall be missed.

_Idali._ And then the High-Priestess will scold.

_Amazili._ We ought to be dressing for the festival.

_Idali._ And there is nobody in the temple—the sacred flame will be extinguished.

_Diego._ You can easily kindle it again with your bright eyes.

_Cora._ Tell me, Idali, how happened it that the High-Priestess sent you hither?

_Idali._ We repaired to the temple this morning to take your place, and not finding you there, we went and reported it to the High-Priestess, who immediately sent us to look for you in the garden.

_Cora._ Did she give you no further orders?

_Amazili._ Only when we found you, to send you to her.

_Juan._ And should she ask where you met with Cora, what will you answer?

_Idali._ That we found her talking with some Spaniards.

_Juan._ Oh you must not mention us, sweet girls! for the High-Priestess will be angry at your staying so long, and forbid your meeting us again—and you would like, I hope, to come here sometimes, and amuse us with your conversation.

_Diego._ (_To Amazili_) I have fallen so desperately in love with you, my little rogue, that I hope you will come and meet me again.

_Amazili._ (_To Idali_) What do you say, Idali?

_Idali._ I can’t tell.

_Juan._ Say rather that Cora had fallen asleep behind one of the pillars in the temple, and in the dusk of morning you did not perceive her.

_Diego._ Or that she was lying under the shade of the great palm-tree, in the court before the temple.

_Amazili._ Oh charming!

_Idali._ An excellent thought!

_Cora._ Come, let us hasten back.

_Idali._ It is indeed time; let us go.

_Amazili._ Yes, let us go. (_Neither she nor Idali stir_)

_Juan._ Go sweet maiden.

_Diego._ Go you little rogue.

_Idali._ Well, good morning—good morning.

_Amazili._ Farewel—farewel. (_They return over the wall_)

_Cora._ (_Embracing Alonzo_) Farewel, Alonzo!

_Alonzo._ Farewel, my beloved—soon my wife. [_Exit Cora._