SCENE V.—_Re-enter ROLLA.
_Rolla._ Well, how have you managed them?
_Diego._ Most completely—we have wound them round our fingers.
_Juan._ Rolla knows their sex.
_Rolla._ By report chiefly.
_Diego._ I begin to like the adventure extremely—my little creature seemed disposed to be very loving.
_Juan._ Yet the clouds, so pregnant with thunder, every moment gather thicker over our heads, and wear a more menacing aspect.
_Alonzo._ (_Taking Rolla’s hand_) Brother!—dearest brother hasten to extricate us!
_Rolla._ I must consider the matter more calmly.—Oh what new vigour have my limbs acquired!—I am become quite another man. No longer are all things indifferent to me; I find something again to interest me in the world; I can again hope and fear, desire and reject.—Thanks to thee, Cora, for the mild rain which has thus revived the withered plant. Yes, we will fly!—Flight may be dangerous, but I shall find it therefore the more grateful. When our pursuers shall be so close upon us, that their cries assail our ears, and their arrows fly around us, then shall I be inspired with new life. When Rolla shall fight for Cora—when he shall brandish his sword in her defence, then will be, indeed, the moment for displaying the full extent of his powers. I was called valiant under the walls of Cuzco, and in the fields of Tumibamba; but then I did not fight for Cora—did not fight under her eyes!—In that situation I shall become a god!
_Alonzo._ (_Falling on his neck_) Exalted man!—Deign to give me but one friendly glance as an assurance that you have pardoned the headstrong boy!
_Rolla._ No, Alonzo, I would not have more merit ascribed to me than I can justly claim. All that I do is for Cora—nothing for you. Were she only to drop a withered flower into the water, and express a wish to have it again, I would instantly plunge into the stream to recover it for her, even at the hazard of my life. It is for her sake alone that I am your friend—for _her_ sake that I pardon _you_.
_Alonzo._ Yet permit me at least to cherish a hope, that I may one day be thought worthy of a place in your friendship, for my own sake.
_Rolla._ You are beloved by Cora, what more can you wish. Oh! if Cora loved _me_, the gods themselves might seek my friendship in vain!—But we are merely talking, when we ought to be in action. Come into my cave, there we shall be secure from listeners; there we can arrange the plan of our escape, and carouse together unmolested;—for to-day I am resolved to carouse—yes, even to intoxication!—I am already intoxicated—intoxicated with joy! From the crown of my head to the sole of my foot, every atom of my frame is in a commotion of extacy. My strength, my faculties, have acquired such additional power, that at this moment I seem as if I could controul the world! (_He takes Alonzo’s hand, and leads him into his cave._)
_Juan._ (_Following them_) Happy is it for the king of Quito that this man is in love. Either to love with such unbounded passion, or to precipitate his sovereign from his throne, seems to be the destination of such a mind. [_Exit._
_Diego._ Drink, and carouse!—I am your man for that.—It shall quickly be seen who can empty his glass, to the honour of his girl, most frequently, and with the greatest expedition. [_Exit._
END OF THE SECOND ACT.