Chapter 28

ZEMPOALLA _appears seated upon a throne, frowning upon her attendants; then comes down and speaks.

Zemp_. No more, you, that above your prince's dare proclaim, With your rebellious breath, a stranger's name.

_1 Peru_. Dread empress--

_Zemp_. Slaves, perhaps you grieve to see Your young prince glorious, 'cause he sprang from me; Had he been one of base Amexia's brood, Your tongues, though silent now, had then been loud.

_Enter TRAXALLA_.

Traxalla, welcome; welcomer to me Than what thou bring'st, a crown and victory.

_Trax_. All I have done is nothing; fluttering fame Now tells no news, but of the stranger's name, And his great deeds; 'tis he, they cry, by whom Not men, but war itself is overcome; Who, bold with his success, dares think to have A prince to wear his chains, and be his slave.

_Zemp_. What prince?

_Trax_. The great Peruvian Inca, that of late In three set battles was so fortunate, Till this strange man had power to turn the tide, And carry conquest into any side.

_Zemp_. Would you permit a private man to have The great Peruvian Inca for his slave? Shame to all princes! was it not just now I made a sacred, and a solemn vow, To offer up (if blest with victory) The prisoners that were took? and they shall die.

_Trax_. I soon had snatched from this proud stranger's hand That too great object for his bold demand; Had not the prince, your son, to whom I owe A kind obedience, judged it should be so.

_Zemp_. I'll hear no more; go quickly take my guards, And from that man force those usurped rewards; That prince, upon whose ruins I must rise, Shall be the gods', but more my sacrifice: They, with my slaves, in triumph shall be tied, While my devotion justifies my pride: Those deities, in whom I place my trust, Shall see, when they are kind, that I am just. [_Exit_.

_Trax_. How gladly I obey! There's something shoots from my enlivened frame, Like a new soul, but yet without a name, Nor can I tell what the bold guest will prove; It must be envy, or it must be love: Let it be either, 'tis the greatest bliss For man to grant himself, all he dares wish; For he, that to himself himself denies, Proves meanly wretched, to be counted wise. [_Exit_ TRAXALLA.