SCENE IX.—_Enter the HIGH-PRIESTESS, followed by a long train of VIRGINS
OF THE SUN. They are clad in thick mourning veils, and march in slow and solemn procession towards the King. An awful silence is observed by the whole company, who wait the sequel of the scene with anxious expectation._
_High-Priestess._ (_Throwing back her veil_) Oh woe! woe! woe!
_Ataliba._ On whom dost thou imprecate woe?
_High-Priestess._ The temple is polluted!—the altars are profaned!—the holy lamp is extinguished!—Oh woe! woe! woe!
_Ataliba._ Name the criminal, that the gods may be avenged for these heavy offences.
_High-Priestess._ First born of the Sun, let the stringed instruments, let the festal song, cease!—Let the temple be divested of its ornaments, and the garlands be taken from the beasts prepared for sacrifice; to-day can no festival be solemnized!—Lamentations must be our only songs, mourning veils our only ornaments!—A serpent has with his poison polluted the house of the Stars!—A Virgin of the Sun has broken her vow of chastity! (_She pauses a few moments—the whole assembly shudder—Alonzo appears like one thunderstruck—at length the High-Priestess proceeds_) Woe! woe! upon CORA!!!
(_At the mention of this name the KING utters a cry of agony.—TELASCO, trembling, supports himself upon his staff—ZORAI, full of confusion, conceals his face in his garments—ALONZO is sinking to the ground, but is supported by Velasquez—A confused murmur is heard among the rest of the assembly._)
_High-Priestess._ Vengeance! vengeance! upon the murderer of virtue!—upon the wretch who could abuse the hospitality of a peaceable people, and violate the sacred asylum of the Wives of the Sun!—Woe! woe! upon ALONZO!!!
(_ATALIBA utters a more piercing cry 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._)
_High-Priestess._ First born of the Sun!—image of our God upon earth!—I stand here, and require from thee an awful atonement for this sacrilege!
_Ataliba._ (_With deep gloom_) Which thou shalt have.
_High-Priestess._ Be death and shame the lot of the seducer!—Be death and shame the lot of Cora, and her whole family!
(_TELASCO starts, murmurs to himself the word_ “shame,” _and falls to the ground—ZORAI throws himself by him._)
_Ataliba._ All-merciful God! (_Calls to the attendants_) Come to the assistance of this poor old man. (_Telasco is raised up—the High-Priestess is about to proceed, but the King makes her a sign to be silent, and addresses her and her train_) Enough, ye pious women! I know my duty, and will perform whatever may be required by the ordinances of Manco-Capac. To question you, Alonzo, concerning the truth of the charge alledged against you, were needless;—thy death-like countenance, thy downcast eyes confess the fault too plainly, and thou art lost beyond the possibility of redemption.—Hadst thou excited my provinces to rebel against me; had thy sword deprived me of half my kingdom, I would have given thee my hand, and said, thou didst once save my life, and all that I have I share willingly with thee!—But now, the king alone must speak; the friend must remain silent.—Alonzo, thou art lost beyond the possibility of redemption!—Unhappy youth, what hast thou done!
_Alonzo._ Let me die!—Death is no more than I justly deserve, for having repaid with such base ingratitude the unmixed happiness I have enjoyed in this kingdom. Yes, let me die, oh king! (_Falling upon his knees_) But save, save, the hapless Cora!—she is innocent!—her seducer only is guilty!
_Ataliba._ Rise!—My power is confined within certain limits: and in no respect is it so rigidly circumscribed as in all matters which concern religion. (_He stands for some moments wrapt in mournful musing, and apparently struggling with himself, then says, with averted countenance_) Guards, put him in irons! (_To the High-Priest_) Assemble your priests in the court of the temple, to judge the culprits according to our holy laws and customs; and ere the sun sink into the ocean, let me be summoned to confirm the sentence. (_Going_)
_Xaira._ Sire, it is necessary the father and brother should also be put in irons.
_Ataliba._ Poor old man!—he will not run away from you!
_Xaira._ The brother at least.
_Ataliba._ Well, if it must be!—(_Zorai is put in irons_) Oh what misery is it to be king when one is compelled to punish! (_Exit_)
_High-Priestess._ (_To the High-Priest_) Hasten, thou first servant of our gods, hasten to avenge your masters, that this very evening the last rays of the declining sun may beam upon the grave which encloses Cora—Go, ye daughters of the sun, bow yourselves down in prayer, wash the altar with your tears, and conceal your blushing cheeks beneath sevenfold veils, till the disgrace with which our Order has been branded by that profligate stranger, be wholly effaced!—(_Exit, followed by the Virgins of the Sun_)
_High-Priest._ (_Aside_) Poor Rolla! (_Exit_)
_Xaira._ (_To some of the other Priests_) Go out at the northern gate, and prepare a grave in that waste and desolate spot which is distinguished by numerous heaps of stones.
_Telasco._ And let me be the first laid within it! [_Exeunt Priests._
_Xaira._ (_To the Guards_) Lead the prisoners away.
_Alonzo._ (_To Juan_) Farewel, Velasquez!—When you return to our native country, bear my tenderest greetings to my poor mother; but be careful to conceal from her my unhappy story.
_Telasco._ (_As he is seized by the guards_) Whither would you drag me, old as I am?
_Alonzo._ Oh, Velasquez, this old man!—this unfortunate old man!
_Telasco._ Give me my daughter!—restore me my daughter!
_Xaira._ Away with them all.
_Telasco._ (_As he is led off_) Give me my daughter!—restore me my daughter! [_Exeunt omnes._
END OF THE THIRD ACT.