2386 S7E5 Kotzebue Pizarro ia THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES FREDERIC THOMAS BLANCHARD ENDOWMENT FUND P I Z A R R O. THE SPANIARDS IN PERU; OR, THE DEATH OF ROLLA. A TRAGEDY, IN FIVE ACTS: By AUGUSTUS VON KOTZEBUE. THE ORIGINAL OF THE PLAY PERFORMING AT THEv THEATRE ROYAL DRURY LANE, UNDER THE TITLE OF t?arro. TRANSLATED FROM THE OLRMAN By ANNE PLUMP 'i RE, TRANSLATOR OF KCTTZELUE's VIRGIN OF THE SUN, &C. JTouttb CBition, rcuifeD. L O NDO N: PRINTED FOR R. PHILLIPS, NO. 71, ST. PAUL' CHURCH-YARD. SOLD BY H. D. SYMONDS, AND T. HURST, PATERNOSTER-ROW J CARPENTER AND CO. OLD BOND-STREET, R. H. WESTLEY, STRAND j AND BY ALL OTHER BOOKSELLERS. [Price Ha!f -a-Croi,.n.] J 799. [SEntereD at Stationer** ail J pT THE mi AUTHOR'S PREFACE. JL HIS Drama is a continuation of my Vir- gin of the Sun. At the fuggeftion of my friend Schrceder, many trifling alterations have been made from the original manufcript. Thefe, from refpect for his modefty, I might have been difpofed to pafs over in filence, did not more powerful reafons urge their being pointed out. In the firft place, the opinion of fo excellent a dramatic critic as Schrceder, mult always be confidered as of great weight, and as giving a fan&ion to whatever has palled fuch an ordeal : And fecondly, did I not explain how far I am indebted to him, the applaufe which the Piece has obtained, might excite the envious and malicious to infinuate, that even a greater fliare of that applaufe is due to my friend than the reality would juftify. Some of the altera- tions were actually made by Schrceder himfelf, others JV THE AUTHORS PREFACE, others were undertaken by me, from hints which he furnifhed. Among the former, the principal were the fuppreflion of the fcene where Diego is brought as a prifoner into the Spanifli camp, which in Schrceder's opinion interrupted the general effect, of the Firft Act. by a piece of mirth, unfeafonably introduced, as having no neceffary connexion with the reft of the Play ;* alfo the omiflion of a Chorus, and an Air fung by Elvira to the guitar; and, above all, the removal of one very dark (hade from Pizarro's character, who, in the original endeavours, in violation of his word fo- lemnly given, to get Rolla again into his power. The laft and moll advantageous of Schrceder's own alterations, is making Pizarro guefs at El- vira's defign upon his life, which originally was difcovered to him by Rolla in very harm terms ; a circumftance undoubtedly detracting, in fome meafure, from the general grandeur of Rolla's character. * By a miftake of the Printer's, this fcene is retained in the publication. AW by the Author. The Tranflator has alfo retained it, as not entering into the force of Schrceder's objection. Among THE AUTHORS PREFACE. * Among my own alterations, made at the fug- geftion of Schrceder, may be noticed the change of Valvcrde from Pizarro's chaplain to his feere- trary. To this I was induced from a conviction, that it muft invariably excite difguft, to behold, either upon the great theatre of the world itfelf, or the little theatre, which is only an epitome of the greater, a clergyman of fo contemptible a character. It was indeed my intention that this alteration fhould have been confined to the Stage ; and that in the clofet the Prieft, who 5s no fictitious perfonage, mould appear in his native unworthinefs : yet at lafl I had neither time nor inclination to trouble myfelf farther about fuch a wretch ; and I therefore let him. remain as he now ftands. But the moft important change the Piece has undergone, and that for which 1 feel mvfelf moft deeply indebted to the fuggeftions of my friend, is the elevation of mind now given to Elvira ; and I truft that this character, which doubtlefs, in the original, approached too nearly to that of a com- mon proiiitute, will in it? prefent form excite both companion and admiration. Some Vl THE AUTHOR S PREFACE. Some other alterations propofed by Schroecter, I declined to adopt, fince they appeared di&ated by no other principle than a miftaken compli- ance with the times. As for inftance, the omiffion of that paffage where I notice the Papal Bulls, by one of which America was granted to the Spaniards, and by the other the Indians were determined to be Men, not Apes, as well as that wherein I mention the Thirteen Indians who were hung in honour of Chrift and his Apoftles. Thefe are hiftorical fats, which I can fee no folic! reafon againft introducing upon the Stage.* * The Tranflator has omitted the remainder of the Preface; as it has no relation to the prefent work, but refers entirely to two other of the Author's Dramas, its infertion appeared; fuperfluous. Plays of Kotzebue' 's jiublijhed by the fame Tranjialor, and to be had of all the Bookfellevs, THE NATURAL SON. (LOVERS' VOWS) SIXTH EDITION. THE COUNT OF BURGUNDY, SECOND EDITION. THE FORCE OF CALUMNY. SECOND EDITION. THE VIRGIN OF THE SUN. THIRD EDITION. Each Price Half-a-Crozvn. Pitbliflicd alfo by R. Phillips, SELF IMMOLATION, Tranflated from Kotzebue, by Mr. Neuman; A N 1) The CASTLE OF MONTVAL, A TRAGEDY, By the Rev. T. S. W II ALLEY, A* j-u tunned at DRUKV LANE. DRAMATIS PERSONS. Generals in the Peruvian Army. > Officers in the Spanijh Army. Ataliba, King of Quito. R.OLLA, 1 Alonzo de Molina, I Cora, Wife to Alonzo. Pizarro, General of the Spanijh Army. Elvira, h'uMiJlrefs. Almagro," GoNZALO, Davila, Gomez, Val VERDE, Secretary to Pizarro. Xas-Casas, a Dominican Friar. Diego, Attendant on Molina. An Old Cazique. An Old Man. A Boy. A Courtier. Spanish Soldiers, Peruvian Soldiers, Priests, Courtiers, Women, and Children. THE OR THE DEATH OF ROLL A. A C T I. SCENE I. The lnf.de of Pizarro's Tent in the Spanijh Camp. Elvira in Alan's apparel, fleeping upon a Couch. Val VERDE enters foftly, looks at her pajfionately for a few Moments, then kneels Ly her, and kiffes her Hand as it hangs down. Elvira zvafos, and cafls upon him a Lock of pointed Indignation. Val verde. FORGIVE the effea of your charms. Elvira. Oh wonderful ! that you fhould be likely to perform a miracle. Valvtrde. A miracle I What miracle ? Elvira. No lefs than to fct a woman at variance with her own beauty. Valverde. You -are verv fevere. Elvira, Why did you dilturb my dreams ? they were fo pl< afmg ! /' !v rde. Of what were you dreamin? ? Elvira. That I faw you hanging. B Valvtrde, a THE SPANIARDS IN PERU; OR, Vahtrde. How long will Elvira revile my love ? Elvira. Your love! Who would give fo honourable an appellation to a fentiment fo fpurious and bafe? Be- tween ourfelves, Valverdc, when you talk of love, you refemble a beggar afking alms, and then fnatching the purfe from the hand that was about to relieve him, while at the fame time he invoked God's bleffing upon the charity. Valverde. What dare not a lovely woman fav ? Elvira. What dare not a coxcomb do ? Who gave vou leave to come and difturb my deep ? Is it not enough, that I am waked every night by the rattle of drums ? And yet I had rather that my ears were tormented, than my eyes. Valverde. You are perfect miftrefs of the art of trying a man's patience. Elvira. Would you wifh Pizarro to be informed of your proceedings? Valverde. Rather tell me, by what fpell Pizarro holds you in fuch bondage ? His eyes are wild and flaring , his beard is fhaggy and uncombed ; he is a hypocrite in friendfliip, a tyrant in love. Elvira. Hold ! this funeral fermon is premature ! remember he is not yet dead. Valverde. Rough and unpolifhed, both in body and mind; a driver of fwinc in his youth, he now rules men as if they were fwinc. Elvira. He fhevvs by this that he knows them accu- rately- P alverde. Ignorant as an Andalufian mule-driver, this mighty hero cannot even read or write. Elvira. My good friend, a woman devoted to love, concerns herfelf little whether the object of her paflion he learned or illiterate, for love is only written in the heart, and is to be read only in the eves. Valour will much more eafiiy enchain the foul of a woman than learning. Pizarro fights with the fvvurd, vou with the pen he ipills blood, you only (pill ink. Valverde. 1 cu not find that we have been hitherto much benefited by the effufton of either. Elvira. Nor would all the ink ever confumed by you, have enabled Nugnez Balbua to difcover the South Sea; ftill THE DEATH OF ROLLA. 3 ftill Iefs would fludying the propofitions of Ariftotle have infpired Pizarro and Almagro with fpirit to fit out their frail veffel and encounter to many dangers; but you might have remained groveling amid the dufr of the fchools; while I had been immured in a con- vent. Valverde. It yet remains a queftion, whether we are gainers or lofers by our prefent altered fituations. Elvira. Monaftic uniformity ! The fl umber of a mar- mot ! Heaven preferve me from fuch a life ! Valverde. This is always the cafe with women they are never contented without eminence. Splendid mifery is more welcome to them, than calm repofe and domeftic happinefs. Elvira. Do you know what is, above all things, their averfion ? The intruhve babble of a preacher of common fayings. Valverde. ScofF as you pleafe, madam, while ths fun continues to mine; but when the thunder rolls you may be awed; and that moment is perhaps not far diftant. Ehlra. (Scornfully) Valverde turning prophet ! on what foundation may he buiid his dark orae'es ? Valverde. Are we not in a foreign land, where death lies in ambu/h for us, in every new plant, in every un- known fruit which hunger may impel us to tairc.-^-and where thofe, whom the fword fpares, periih from being un- accuftomed to the climate. Our numbers are daily dimi- nishing. Elvira. Is not that a benefit to us ? fince the furvivors are their heirs. Valv.rde. There is the point : you are led away by your rapacity. Elvira. And bv what principle is Valverde led away ? Do you fuppofe, that I cannot difcern th woi r becaufe he imitates the bleating of the fheep ? Do you imagine it poflihle to veil the rogue from the eyes of a woman ? Away, awav ! believe me, that throughout the whole camp, not one perfon will be found who Ipealcs his genuine ienrimenr>, Las-Cafas except d. / ilver dc. Name not that fanatic, with his vifions of humanity, and toleration. B 2 Elvira. 4 THE SPANIARDS IN PERU; OR, Elvira. Name him not ! know, that there are mo- ments, when the vifions of this old man imprefs my heart i'o powerfully, that I could even kifs his grey heard; nor can I find any means of effacing the impreflion again, but by devoting the night to revelry. Valverde. Shame on thee ! Elvira. Ah ! had I but been blefTed with an earlier knowledge of him ; who can fay what might have been ir.y fate ! Valverde. A holy enthufiaff. in the caufe of his beloved humanity, as it is pleafed to ftyle. itfelf. And indeed no- thing fo eafily leads men into enthufiafm, as a fine found- ing word, which has no definite idea. The imagi- nation groans, and the martyr is inftantly born. Elvira. Valverde a philosopher, too ? Valverde. Does that difpleafe you ? Well, then, let us defcend from the clouds of philofophy, to wander amid the flowers of love. Elvira. They would wither beneath your footfteps. In fhort. groveler, if ever you hope to gain Elvira's love; you mufr. throw away your pen, grafp a fword, and achieve feme illudrious action. Valverde. What mighty actions has Pizarro a- chieved ? Elvira. Afk both the old and the new world. By the force of his own talents, he has raifed himfclf from the low ftation of a fwine-driver, to the exalted rank of a warrior. When, in a fma'l fhip. and accompanied only by a hundred followers, he quitted Panama to con- quer an unknown world ; my heart whifpered me, * This mull be a bold man.'" But, afterwards, when, in the little ifland of Gallo, he with his fword marked a line in the fand, and magnanimoufly defired thofe of his followers who were difcontented, and wifhed to depart, to crofs that line; when he was deferted by all but thirteen tried friends, who fwore adherence to him at all hazards, at whofe head he refolutely devoted himfelf to death, or the accom- plifhment of his purpofe, my heart cried aloud, " 'J his is a man i great Valverde. Great, mould he fuccced; but, if his pro- 'yl\s mifcarry, the woild will call him a fool. THE DEATH OF ROLLA. Elvira. The fate of every hero !-*-Children look with gaping mouths after a rocket that afcends boldly; but laugh, when one burfts in lighting. Valverde. But fhould this rocket rife till it reach the clouds, what would then be your expectations ? Elvira To become Vice-oueen of Peru. Pizarro fliail o-overn this untutored yco-;.e; I will civilife them. Valverde. Think you fo r - Huw little do you know Pizarro's crafty ambit *n. Should fortune raife him to the height to which he afpires, his hand will doubt lvf- be offered to fome rich maiden, whofe high birth may call: a veil over the obfcuiit , of his own, and whofe con- nections at court may ferve as a fhisld to protect him ; while poor Elvira, with all that (he has done and fufFered for his fake, will he inflintiy forgotten. Elvira. Ha ! fhould this be fo ? But, hifs on vene- mous reptile ! Valverde. And, on the contrary, fhould Pizarro's hum- ble fecretarv be promoted to the rank of his chancellor; Elvira m v i ' a fh Iter in Valverde's aims. Elvir.. In pudc wretch ! Valverde. You trample down flowers which you might pluck, in aiming at fruit beyond your reach. Believe me, while Alonzo tie Molina fhall continue to instruct the Peruvians in our arts, Pizarro may be content to thrafh empty ft raw. Elvira. And believe me, while I am convinced that Pizarro remains worthy of my affection, no petty caum- r.ies fh. 1 effect, our ienaration Should fortune turn her back upon him, if it be for no demerits of his own, Eivira will frill take him by the hand. Valverde Repentance only hobbles on, it is true, yet it will at Lit overtake fools. Hilt ! i hear his voice ! Elvira. Hatte, hypocrite '.--and ailume thy mafic of honour. SCT.NE II. Enter PlZARRO. Seehg Er.viKA a??d\ r Al- . . OK torithir, be Jfa> ts, and objerves them both ivitb a. eye if nark ju^iei.u. V a l vjfcRDE l/tiivs olf quio'iff;, hi vi r A La: Is. Piz.trro. Why do vou Uu h? ELi.a. 6 THE SPANIARDS IN PERU; OR, Elvira. To laugh and weep we know not why,' is the privilege of woman. Pizarro. But, I infifl: upon knowing your rcafon. Elvira. You may infift ; but I fhall ft ill be filcnt. Valverde. Donna Elvira was ridiculing my fears. Pizarro. What fears ? Valverde. Left the enemy through their fuperiority in number?, and infpired by Alonzo Pizarro. Only a woman, and thofe who refemble wo- men, could fear that boy. Valverde. You are right ; it was childifh pufillanimity. What arrogance and folly ! He, a pupil of your's, trained under your ilandard, now dares to fet himfelf up in oppo- iition to his matter ! Pizarro. He, who ate at my own table, who flept in my own tent. Valverde. Ungrateful wretch ! Pizarro. He was entrufted by his mother to my care. She was a haughty woman ; and I thought I difcovered in the breaft of this boy, a fpark of heroic fire which might eafily be fanned into a flame. Elvira. 'Tis the province of our fex alone, to form heroes. Pizarro. Do you think fo? I have never loved. Elvira. Then you cannot be a hero. Pizarro. {To Valverde) Often as I have related to Alonzo the ftory of my firft expedition how, with a handful of men, I was driven about for feventy days fuc- ceffively how ftorms and billows at fea, rivers, marfhes, and tracklefs forefls by land, made each ftep we took as toilfome as a day's journey how, at one time, the wild inhabitants of the coaft, at another, the elements, com- bated acainft us how perpetual conflicts, hunger, a fu'ltry clsmate, and fatal difeafes, daily diminiihed our little troop, till neceffity at lafr compelled me to abandon a country curfed by the decrees of nature herfelf, and fave my life by feeking refuge on an inhofpitable fhore, oppo- site to the Pearl lflands. Often, as 1 have defcanted on thefe things to Alonzo, has he, full of admiration, clafped me in his arms, while tears trembled in his fine blue eyes. Valverde. And whole feet trampled down this hopeful plant : Pizarrs. THE DEATH OF ROLLA. *J Pizarro. Las-Cafas came with his fmooth tongue, and :alked to him of moving in a higher fphere ; till he intoxi- :ated him with enthufiafm; and from that hour I wearied myfelf in vain, in endeavouring to draw my youthful charge from his air-built catties in the clouds, down to the real world below. Falverdi. Till, at length, he forfook you, joined your enemies, and betrayed his native country. Pizarro. But, firft, the boy was weak enough to at- tempt fhaking the principles of a man like Pizarro. He hung in tears about my neck, tried to wheedle the grafped fword out of my hand, called the Peruvians our bre- thren Falverde. Obftinate heathens our brethren ! there, indeed, I recognize Las-Cafas. Pizarro. Finding, however, that his tears fell upon fenfelefs marble, he gave up the caufe, and went over to the enemy. Traitor-like, inftruiSted them in our arts both of war and peace, informed them of our ftrength and our weaknefs, and, at Lift, oh fhame ! compelled me to make a difgraceful retreat. Palverde. But vengeance hovers over his head. Pizarro. Yes ! I have returned with a mightier force! and the boy fhall feel that Pizarro ftill lives ! Valverde, The queftion is, whether Alonzo ftill lives ? Pizarro. That is certain. His follower, Diego, is juft taken prifoner, who reports the enemy to be twelve thoufand (trong, with Alonzo and Rolla at their head. This day they offer a great facrifice to their idols; Of the thoughtlefs fecurity of that moment I mean to take advantage, and fprinkle their facrifice with their own blood. Elvira. Surprife ! battle ! Pizarro, will you not t\ke me with you ? Pizarro. We are not going to a ball. Elvira. Nor did I fuppcfe I made the requcft to a dancer. Pizarro. If you can find in my armoury, a fword light enough to fuit the hands of a woman, come and take your flat ion at my fide. Elvira, bhall you then love me better ? 2 Pizarro. 8 THE SPANIARDS IN PERU; OR, Pizarro. Yes ; and for this reafon ; becaufe the tumult of battle would be a fortrefs in which I ihould confider your fidelity as fecure. Elvira. You miftak'.- A woman intent upon deceiv- ing would not be deterred from her purpofe, even by frorms or earthquakes. Pizarro. I thank you fo: the hint; and will write it in my memory. Elvira. You cannot write. Pizarro. [IVith a look rf anger) Elvira ! Elvira. Is that my fault ? Pizarro. You know, what I will not endure to hear. E'vira. Had one of your legs been broken at nurfe ; (hould you have been afhamed of limping ? Pizarro. Enough let me never hear this again. Elvira. (/Ifidi) Achilles was vulnerable only in the heel. SCENE III. Diego is brought in guarded. Pizarro. Behold Diego ! welcome, good friend. Diego. Oh, me! unfortunate mother's fon that I am ! Pizarro. Do you not recolledf. me ? Diego. Could I poffibly forget the flower of Spanifh knighthood ? Pizarro. How long may it be, fince you laft vifited my kitchen ? Digo. So long, that I am now almoft wafted to a fkeleton Pizarro. Is your mailer living ? Diego. He is. Pizarro. What brought you into our camp ? Diego. The people in your outpofls were roafling 2, fucking pig; and I was allured by the fmell. Pizarro. What is the enemy's ftrength? Diego. Twelve thoufand men. Pizarro. And Alonzo is at their head? Diego. AloiiL'o and Rolia. Pizurrc. Who is this Rolla ? 2 . Diezo % THE DEATH OF ROLLA. 9 Diego. A favage in league with Satan himfelf. He flourifhes a club with the fame eafe as I might a quarter of lamb ; and is as ready with the ufe of his fvvord, as your cook with her fkimmer. Pizarro. I fhall be glad to become acquainted with him. Are he and Alonzo friends? Diego. Warm friends ; for he is in love with Donna Cora. Elvira. Who is Donna Cora ? Diego. My matter's wife. Pizarro, Your mafter then is married ? Valverde. And to a heathen ! what an abomination ! Diego. But they love each other, like two common people. Valverde. Has flie been baptized ? Diego. No ; for my mafter thinks that (he may be vir- tuous without it. Valverde. The mif/reant ! Pizarro. Is Cora with him in the camp ? Diego. Bwth me and her child, as well as a number of other women. Pizarro. I rejoice to hear it. The more incum- brances they have among them, the eafier will be our victory ; and befides the womens' cries and fcrcams dif- hearten the men. Are they prepared for battle ? Diego. They are to have a great facrifice this day. Valverde. To the Devil, I fuppofe ? Diego. No, to the Sun. Valverde. A human facrifice, however ? Diego. Only fruits and aromatic plants. Pizarro. It fhall be our part to fprinkle them with human blood. Enough, Signor Diego. You, in the mean time, may ferve as turn-fpit in my kitchen. Diego. Molt willingly. Look at my meagre body and lank legs. Putrid fill), four cherries, and maize, are the only food which this country has afforded me. Pizarro. The fate you deferve is, to be tied up to the next tree. Diego. Oh terrible ! (To Elvira.) Fair, young gentle- man, intercede for me ! Pizairo. V.u gone ' Thou owed thy life to thy fiupi- dily. C Ditto, lb THE SPANIARDS IN PERU; OR Diego. Then God be thanked for making me ftupid \ One of the Guards. Is he to be put in chains ? Diego. Fool ! put thy own tongue in chain?. Pizarro. Give him plenty to eat and drink : then we fhall be fecure againft his running away. Diego. Long live Don Pizarro ! he doe's not forget his old friend?. (Exit) Pizarro. Yes, it is refolved ! the facrificers fhall be- come the victims. Firft we will hold a council of war j and then to battle. Elvira leave me. Elvira. Why this command ? Pizarro. Becaufe I am going to ho!d counfel with men. Elvira. As if a woman were then an intruder. Truly you men are ungrateful wretches ; you would employ the moff. ufeful creature beftowed upon you by nature, merely as a play-thing. I will ftay. Pizarro. Stay then ; but be filent, if you can. Elvira. I fhall be occupied in thought. It is only the empty head that babbles reflection is always filent. SCENE IV. Enter Las-Casas, Almagro, Gon- zalo, Davila, and other Officep.s. Las-Cafas. You have fiimmoned us hither. Pizarro. Sit down venerable old man, and you, my good friend?. The moment is arrived fn which we are to reap the fruits of our hazardous enten ,.ze. The enemy, lulled in fecurity, this day offer a far rice to their god?, at which moment, I am of opinion that we fhould furpiize them, put the armed to death, and make the unarmed flaves. Almagro. My voice is for death to every Peruvian, arm- ed or unarmed. Gonzalo. But, v/e may fpnre the women and children. Almagro. Better extirpate the whole race. Valverde. For the honour of our faith ! Las-Ofas. Do not blafpheme. I Almazri. THE DEATH OF ROLLA. II Ahnagro. We have loitered a fufficient time upon this coaft. Las-Cafas. And you would have recourfe to murder, for employment. Ahnagro. We are as yet unrepaid for the heavy ex- pences of our armament. Pizarro. We are reduced to want, and the troops be- gin to murmur. Gonzalo. While Alonzo, rioting in abundance, feoffs at us. Pizarro. Traiterous boy 1 Las Cafas. My heart whifpers me, that Alonzo feels a painful conflict in his bofom, between humanity and love for his native country. Almagro. Your heart feeks to defend your pupil. Las -Caps. Yes, he is indeed my pupil, and I ara proud to call him fo ! Ahnagro. Enough ? he (hall learn to know us. Pizarro. The enemy's force increafes every day ; we are (trangers to the coun'ry, furrounded by want, and de- lay relaxes courage. The only refource againft fuch nu- merous and formidable evils, is a battle. All. {Excepting Las-Cafas) A battle ! a battle! Las Cafas. What a re-echoing of that dreadlul word ! And againft whom is this attack to be directed? againft: a mild king., who but a few days ago offered you his hand in peace againft a people, whom you found inoffenfively tilling their helds, and with innocent hearts worftiipping their Creator, according to their own form. Valvcrde. Heathens who adore the Sun, and whom the ("word mud extirpate. Las-Cafas. Is the bloody meafure of your barbari- ties nut yet full ? When will you be fatiated with the fufferings of thefe pious children of innocence, who re- ceive 1 you f > hofpitubly ? Thou Power Almighty, whofe thunder cleaves the roc 1 ??, and whofe Sun can diflblve even mountains of ice, lend thy force- to my words, fmce it is thy glorv I f k to uphold' [Addrcjjlng himfelf again to the Ajfmblfj Oh enft but n retrofpective glance upon the mil! ons of unhappy viclims already facriheed to your rapacity ! Y<;u were received by this people as go:;-, you came among them as devils! Willingly and C 2 cheerfully 12 THE SPANIARDS IN PERU; OR, cheerfully did they give you cf their gold and fruits, while, in return, you violated their wives and daughters. Human nature revolted againft fuch outrages, and the op pre (led began to utter complaints then, did you fend your blood hounds to hunt them down, while thofe who efcaped from this infernal chace, were either yoked to the plough to cul- tivate their own fields for your ufe, or buried in their gold mines, to fupply your infatiable avarice with the pre- cious ore. Pizarro. You exaggerate ! Las-Cafas. I exaggerate ! Would to God that this were ail ! but more (rill remains deeds that might draw tears from the eyes of a tyger ! Yet, Oh my forrows ! overpower me not, permit me to (peak on ! Wagers were laid among you, which could cleave a man afunder, or ftrike off a head with the greateft dexterity you tore children from their mother's arms, and dafhed them againft rocks you roafled the chiels at a flow fire, and if their dreadful cries difturbed the (lumbers of the daemons by whom they were tormented, gags were thrult into their throats to filence them. Thirteen Indians were hung upon thirteen fcparate gibbets Ob God ! can it be men- tioned without blafpheming ! in honour of Chrift and his Apoflles! Thefe horrors, my own eyes have witnefl'cd and 1 (fill live! Donna Elvira, you weep is your heart alone affecled by this horrible picture ? Almagro. She and you are the only women among us. Pizarro. What you relate does not concern us. We are not refponfible for the barbarities of a Columbus, or an Ovando. Las-Cafas.. Are you not about to renew them? Valverde. Suppofing we were it remains yet undecid- ed, whether thefe Indians be men or apes. Las-Cafas. Woe unto thole who wait for a Bull from the Holy-Father, before they can decide fuch a quef- tion. Valverde. The new world was given us by him, " to Jubdue it by aid of the divine favour.'* * The words of the Papal Bull. See Robertforfs Hiftory of Air erica. Note by the Author. Plzai ro. THE DFATH OF HOLLA. 13 Pizcrro. Enough of this war of words. Time pafiTes, and opportunity flie:- are you refoived to fight? All. 'Tis our earneft dt (ire. Las-Cafas. Oh fend me firft among thefe Peruvian*, as a mefien; ci of peace ! let me endeavour, by gentle means, to inffil Cur holy religion inn their hearts ! Valverde. Firfr, let our heroes fight, and prepare the way for your doclrines. Las-Cafas. With blood? Almagro. Which you may wafh away with pious tears ! Hjllen my friends ! let us delay no longer ! Las-Cafas. O God ! thou haft anointed me thy fervant, not to curfe, but to blefs ! yet here my bkfling were blafphemy ! Be ye cur fed then, ye fiatricides ! curfed be your barbarous projects, and may the innocent blood fhed this day, be upon you, and your children ! For me, I renounce your fociety for ever. I can no longer endure to be a witness of your favage phrenzy. I will bury my- fell in fome cave or foreft, and hold intercourfe only with thofe ltfs ferocious rr.onlters, tygers and leopard* and when, at laft, I (hall (land in judgment, together with you, before him vvhofe mild doclrines you ha\e this day for- fworn, then, tremb'e at the charges I muff, be compelled to bring againft you ! [Going) Elvira. [IVith involuntary emotion) Las-Cafas, take me with you ! Las Cafas. No, remain here, and, if it be poffiblc, fave thefe men from the judgments which their inhumanity mufl call down upon :hem. I can go no farther my efforts are cxhaufkd but the charms of a woman may prove more powerful than the eloquence of an old man. Perhaps you may be elected as the guardian angel of thefe unfortunate Peruvians. [Exit) Pizarro. What would you do, Elvira ? Elvira. I fcucely know, myfelf. Las-Cafas appeared to me at this moment, 1 ke fumtthing more than human; and yen with all the rt.fr, fo far b low humanity . /Homo. He fteals many kiff s from yju, which arc mine by right. D 2 Cira. 20 THE SPANIARDS IN PERU J OR, Cora. I kifs you in him. Alon%o. The boy will make me jealou?. Cora. I live only in you and him. I dreamed lafl night* that the white bloflbms of his teeth were beginning to appear. Momo. That day (hall be celebrated as a feftival. Cora. And when he (hall run from me to you Alonzo. And lifp, father, mother* Cora. Oh, Alonio, our daily thanks fhould be offered to the gods. Alonzo. To them and Rolla. Cora. You are happy ?--are you not ? Alonzo. Can Cora make that a queftion ? Cora. Why then are you fo often reftlefs at night ? and why does your bofom fo often heave with mournful fighs ? Alonzo. Are not thefe men, againft whom I muft fight, my brethren ? Cora. All men are equally your brethren ; and is not our deftru&ion, the aim of thefe Spaniards ? Alonzo. Should they prove victorious, what a fate awaits me ! , Cora. We would feek refuge among the mountains. Alonzo. How could you fly with a child in your arms ? Cora. Think you that a mother, anxious for her child's fafety, is ever fenfible of its weight ? Alonzo. And I can help you to bear the fweet bur- then. C>ra. He will not be quiet with you. Alonzo. Dear Cora, would you wifh to make me tranquil ? Cora. Oh, moff. truly ! Alonzo. Then flatten, this very hour, to the mountains, to your father. There you will be fafe ; and when the conteff fhall be ended, I will follow you, either to announce our victory, or that we may pats the remainder of our days together, in that afylum of nature. Cora. Where we will educate our fon as an avenger of his cruntr}'s wrongs. Alonzo. Yes, tnat fhall be our chief bufinefs and de- light. Cera. Yet, (pare me, Alonzo, I cannot go at this Cora. THE DEATH OF ROLLA, 3.1 moment. How could I bear to be abfent from you in the hour of danger ? How endure the idea, that you, perhaps were wounded, and left to the care of others. Alonzo. Will not Rolla remain with me f Cora. Only during the battle. Rolla underftands weli how to inflict wounds, but knows little about curing thetru Should you fall, he will revenge your death, but he would not fnatch you from impending danger. No, wherever the hufband is, there mould the wife be alfo. 1 fvvore never to furfake you, even in death. Aionzi. Oh, mirror of conftancy ! Remain here then and heaven grant us victory ! Cora. Reflect, Alonzo, that on our fide the contefl is folely for our own defence j aifuredly, the gods will grant us their protection. Alonzo. If not, death will find me encompaflld by your arms. Cora. Talk not of death. Since I have been poflefle4 of thee and my Fernando ; I cannot bear to think of him. Alonzo. (On his knees , embracing bis wife and child) Adored wife, born to blefs me, and aimoft by a miracle mine, how unfortunate is he, who in fearching after happinefs overlooks love. Cora. (Returning his carejfes) Love is a filent and fe- queilered being, not to b^ difcovered by thofc who delight in noife and tumult Alonzo. My Cora ! my world! Cora. My Alonzo! my all ! SCENE II. Enter Rolla, unperceived by th;m. He paujes a few moments^ to objerve their carejfs. Po/la. The gods be thanked for fo grateful a light I /l.nn-o: Ha, Rolla 'you here ! Rolla. I wa^ lharing your tranfports. Alonzo. ' I is to you we owe them. Folia. How fvveet a reflection to my heart. Cora. 22 THE SPANIARDS IN PERU; OR, Cora. Dear Rolla, - you have made me inexprelfibljr happy. Rolla. CorS happy through Rolla's means ! Ye mo- narchs of the earth, is there one among you, with whom I would exchange filiations ? Alonzo. Our brother ! Cora. More than brother our friend ! Rolla. Go on, go on, exalt me above myfelf let me revel in your happinefs. Cora. Should this child love you lefs than his father, he will incur his mother's curfe. Rolla. In all that I have done, my fole object was to pro- mote Cora's happinefs fhe is happy, and I am repaid. At prefent take the counfel of a friend retire with your child farther into the foreft, or among the mountains ; there "Vou will be in greater fafety. Alonzo. I have urged her to do this, but hitherto in vain. Cora. Can I be unfafe with Rolla and Alonzo ? Rolla. The enemy meditate a furprize. - Cora, And mould that be attempted are we not fuf- ficiently guarded againft it ? Rolla. The difpofal of victory reds ftill with God. Cora. We can eafily, if necefT.irv, fly together. Alonzo. Spare yourfelf the angui'ih you muft experience amid the tumult of battle. Cora. I can feel anguifh only at a diftance from you. Rolla. You cannot aflift, and may injure us. Cora. Injure you ! how can that be ? Rolla. Muft I fpealc more plainly ? you know how much we love von. If you remain near us, we mail fiiiht with jnexprefiible anxiety, and be continually turning to- wards the place where you are flationed. A lover can never be a complete general, unlefs he knows the beloved object to be at a diftance, and in fafety. Alonzo. Rolla is in the right. How could I rufli boldly among the enemy, while I beheld a Spaniard near me, who might prefs onwards, and deprive me of my Cora ? Cora. You may feek to bribe the vanity of a woman but the wife hears you not. Alonzo. And is the mother equally infenfible to our entreaties ? Roil* THE DEATH OF ROLLA: 23 Rolla. Acl as will bed fatisfy yourfelf, I have urged on'v what I feel to be right. Alonzo. Ail our women are concealed, yourfelf alone excepted. Cora. I have the firmed reliance upon you and the gods, vet, for your fatisfa&ion, I will go whitheifoever you pleafe. Jlon%i. Deareft wife, accept my thank? ! Rolla. The king is coming to the facrifice. Aion-zo. Are we properly fecured againft a fur- prize ? Rolla. All our out-poRs are vigilantly guarded. Ahiizo. I have miffed Diego. 1 do not believe that he would defignedly betray us ; but he is both a fool and a coward ? Rolla. Be under no apprehenfions ; we are prepared for every thing. SCENE III. Enter Ataliba, with a long train of Priests, Courtiers, Soldiers, and Women. AtaTiba. Welcome, Alonzo! your hand, brave Rolla! (To Cora) The gods blefs thee, happy mother ! CjTci. x\Iay the gods blefs the father of his people ! Ataliba. To fee his children happv, is the choicefl blef- fing to a father. My friends, how ltand the fpirits of our brave troops ? A'onz.0. 1 hey fhout in tranfport, Our king is among Rolla. " 1 L- /hares our toils and dangers.'''' Alonzo. " C d arid the kin* ' ' Rolla. F.c!:>y or dcatbV 1 Ataliba. 1 know my peopL- know that, were this fnield pierced through, every fubject would offer his breaft a> .1 fhidd. A'onzs. When, I hop-, the Inca would chufe mine. Rolla. And not neglect RuIU's. Cora. *4 THE SPANIARDS IN PERU J 0, Cora. (Holding up her child) Behold here a champion growing up for your Ion ! Ataliba. Your love is my choiceft treafure, and in that I feel myfelf rich. But fay, do the enemy ftill remain quiet ? Rolla. They do. Yet their repofe feems like the filence of the gathering thunder-cloud. Ataliba. Be tranquil courage our fhelter from the -frorm. Rolla. They fight for defpicable gold, we for our na- tive country. A'onzo. An adventurer leads them to battle, we are led on by a fovereign whom we love. Ataliba. And a god whom we adore ! Come, my friend?, to him let our facrifice be offered ! (ThePrieJJs range ihemfelves behind the Altar, the King and the rejt of the Affembly on each fide of it.) CHORUS OF PRIESTS.* Thou God who gav'ft us being, fmile Benignly on our pious toil ! THE PEOPLE. Oh may the childrens' lifping fong, The youths', which firmer flows along, The old- mens' feebly utter 'd drain, May #//, thy kind acceptance gain ' And may'ft thou twine an everlafting band Between our fovereign and his native land 1 CHORUS OF PRIESTS. Ye children of the radiant fun, kneel down And make, by prayers and fongs, your horn :ge known.,. * Thefe ChorufTes are verified by the fame Friend to whom the' Tranfla;or was obliged for the verification of thjle in the " / lrgin vf the Sun.'' THE THE DEATH OF ROLLA. 2$ the PEOPLE (Kneeling). Our hearts from impious thoughts, Oh God, are free ! And here, thofe hearts we offer up to thee ! [The King approaches the altar, and Jlrews upm it, fruits and aromatic herbs ; while the Priejls Jing with uplifted bands.) CHORUS OF PRIESTS. Oh God, on us fend down thy rays ! And if accepted ftrains we ling, Be the pure offering which we bring Confum'd before us, by the facred blaze ! {hire defc ends from Heaven, and confumes the facrifice.) THE PEOPLE. Rejoice ! rejoice ! hence ev'ry fear ! The God has deign'd our vows to hear. Behold the facrifice confum'd ! Then be the murd'rous fword refum'd i Hafte, point th' unerring arrow high, For us lhall vicVry's banners fly. Rejoice ! rejoice ! hence ev'ry fear ! The God has deign'd our vows to hear. SCENE IV. Enter an Indian almojl breathlefs. Indian. The enemy Ataliba. Are they near ? Rolla. Which way do they advance ? Indian. I furveyed their camp from the top or the hill, t.nd faw the whole army in motion. Rolla. Enough. E Ataliba- 26 THE SPANIARDS IN PERU J OR, Ataliba. Let the women and children be conveyed to A gjace of fafety. Cora. Oh ! Alonzo ! Alonzo. We (hall foon meet again. Cora. Blefs your fan. Alonzo. God protect: both you and him ! Ataliba. Hafte ! the moments are precious. (The women cling round the necks of their hujbands, the children clafp the knees of their fathers) Alonzo. (To Cora) Oh, go ! ere my fortitude be wholly overpowered ! Cora. I obey. Prove yourfelf a hero but hazard not your life without neceflity. Rolla. Will not Cora fay one word to Rolta ? Cora. Take my hand, dear Rolla bring me back Alonzo. Ataliba. The gods protect both you and us ! Cora. And grant us to meet again in fafety \ [ Exit Cora, together with the Priejis, the women, and the children. Ataliba. {Drawing his fword) Away, my friends ! Rolla. We are ready. Ataliba. You, Alonzo, fhall defend the narrow pafs in the mountains ; you, Rolla, receive the enemy to the ri^ht, in the foreft; I will remain in the centre, and fight tifi I fall. Rolla. You fall not without us. Ataliba. You muft live for my fon's fake; and train him up to avenge his country's wrongs. Alonzo. Victory to our legal father ! Rolla. In the evening we will return thanks to the gods. Ataliba. The cry is God and our native coun- try \*[Exit Ataliba. Rolla is about to follow him-, hut is detained by Alonzo. Alonzo. Yet one word, Rolla. Rolla. To arms is the word ! (Going.) Alonzo. One word of Cora. Rolla. Of Cora ! fpeak ! Alonzo. What muft the next hour bring us ? Rolla. Victory, or death ! Alonzo. Victor; perhaps to you, death to me. Perhaps the reverfe who can tell ? Rolla. THE DEATH ROLLA. 27 Roll a. Or both may fall. Jlonzo. If fo, my wife and child are left to God and tke king. God will conible, the king protect them. Rolla. Moft certainly. Jlonzo. But, mould I alone fall, then, Rolla, be you my heir ! Rolla. What do you mean ? Jlonzo. Take Cora as your wife, my child as your &wn, Rolla. Be it fo ! Jlonzo. Your hand upon it. Rolla. But not without Cora's free confent. Jlonzo. Tell her it was my laft wifh, Rolla. I will. Jlonzo. And carry my blefling to her and mv fon. Rolla. Enough ! In the hour of battle I had rather Hften to the drum, than to the laft will of a hufband and father. Jlonzo. I know not whence proceed thefe melancholy forebodings, but I never felt fo fad at heart. Rolla. Away then to the field. Jlonzo. Yet one word more. Should this hour prove, indeed my laft, let my body be interred beneath the palm- tree, under whofe fhade we have fo often fpent our even- ings. Then continue the fame practice; fo will you fit with Cora upon the grave of your friend ; fo fhall my fpirit be ftill among you, while on each flower that my child plucks from the hallowed earth, fhall a tear be drop- ped to the memory of your departed friend, and each zephyr that whifpers among the leaves, fhall be echoed with a refponfive figh. Rclla. Away, away, with thefe fancies ! Jlonzo. No, let me cherifh them ! let me indulge in the fond hope, that you ftill will think of me ! Rolla. Can you doubt that i Jlonzo. Now to battle. Rolla. You to the left, I to the right we fhall meet again. Jlonzo. In heaven, if not on earth. Rolla. On earth ! on earth! Jlonzo. Heaven grant it ! Rolla. Let us draw our fwords. (They both draw them. J E 2 J/onzi. IS THfc SPANIARDS IN PERU J OR, Jlonzo. For the King and Cora ! Kolla. For Cora and the King ! [Exeunt on different fides* SCENE V. Manent. only a blind Old Man, and a Boy. Old Man. Are they gone? Boy. Yes, all difperfed. Old Man. Alas, my eyes ! Had I retained my fight, I might ftill have grafped a lword, and died honourably. Boy. Shall I lead you home ? Old Man. No, my child ; lead me to the altar. (The boy leads him thither) Here let me ftand. Are we quite alone ? Boy. They are all gone ; father and mother too. Fa- ther is gone with the ioldiers, but I don't know what's become of mother. Old Man. I am uneafy about you, poor child ! Boy. I can ftay with you, dear grandfather. Old Man. But what would you do, mould the enemy come ? Boy. I will tell them, that you are old and blind. Old Man. They will drag you away. Boy. No, grandfather ; for they will fee plainly that you cannot walk without me to guide you. {A noife is heard at a dijlance.) Old Man. Hark ! the battle is already begun ! Go, child, get upon your grandmother's grave, whence you can cliuib up the tree that I planted at its foot. It is al- ready fo tall, that, when you are at the top, you will be able to fee over the field of battle. Boy. Shall I leave you here alone ? Old Alan. I will reft againft the altar; God will pro- tect me, Go, and tell me what you hear and fee. [The boy climbs up the tre\) Since I learned the ufeof arms, this is the/irft battle in which I have not borne a part. A few years ago, I could bend the bow, or throw the lance with not lefs THE DEATH OF ROLLA. 2$ lefs dexterity than the Inca himfelf ; now, alas ! I can only pull cotton with the women ; can only liften to the din of arms, and the clafhing of fhields ; but can neither help others nor myfelf. Yet, every time the fhout of battle meets my ears every time I hear the found of martial in- ftruments I clench my hand with involuntary ardour, and grafp at the fide whence I was aceuflomed to draw my fword but ah ! no fvvord is to be found ! Well, child, what do you fee ? Boy. A great deal of duft and fmoke ! Old Man. How often have I been enveloped in fuch a duft! how often fwallowed it in abundance! The fmoke muft doubtlefs proceed from the dreadful fire-arms of the Spaniards, which roar and vomit flames, like the fearful mountain of Catacunga. What elfe do you fee t child ? Boy. When the fmoke feparates, I can fee cur people. Old Alan. Do they pufh forwards ? Boy. No, they ftand. Old Alan. That, however, is good.- Do you fee the ftandard of the Inca's ? Boy. Yes, it is waving in the midft of them. Old Man. Thanks to the gods ! The king then is ftill unhurt. Boy. Now I can fee the enemy alfo ; their arms glitter. Old Man. What elfe? what elfe do you fee ? Boy. The enemy are not like our people. Old Man. How, how do they differ r Boy. They are a vaft deal larger, and move as quick again. Old Man. Pooh, pooh, child! they ride upon large and fpirited animals. Boy. Now they mix among our Peruvians. Old Man. And fall, I hope ? Boy. There is fo much fmoke and lightning ! Old Man. Thou avenging God ! fend thv lightning down from the clouds to their confufion and difmay ! Boy. The flandard of the Incas difappears. Old Man. Oh miferable ! Boy. Our people give way. Old Man. My fword! my fword! I will go! I will right ! Oh glorious Sun ! let me but once more be- hold thy rays ! Ihy. 30 THE SPANIARDS IN PERU ; OR, Boy And now, a thick cloud conceals them all. Old Man. Woe is me, that 1 fliould live to fee the day when I can no longer ferve my native country ! rYet, at ]eaft, I can afiift it with my prayers ! (He kneels^ and clajps the altar) Ye gods, who bow us down, oh ccafe to withhold your favour from a people who honour you with perfect purity and fincerity i J Protect your fervant, our good Inca, and fufter him not to fall by the hands of robbers ! By. A fmall troop are coming this way. Old Alan. Are they enemies ? Boy. I can fee nothing but duft. Old Man. Away, good child, haften to the mountains ! Bey. 1 fee the points of lances glitter. Old Alan. Then they are Peruvians. Boy. They come this way. Old Man. Defcend from the tree, my child. Boy. All feem mixed together at a diftance. Old Man. But our people ftill fight? Boy. They give way (lowly. Old Alan. Yet they do give way !-^-Oh ye cruel gods \ My child, come down ! B'yy. (L>efcending fram the tree) Shall we look for mother? Old Man. No, my child. Alas ! I fear we muft look- only to the grave ! SCENE VI. Enter Ataliba wounded, he is fupported by fome of his Soldiers. Ataliba, Here let me reft ! here die, if death muft be my lot ! A Soldier. We will remain with you. Ataliba. Oh, no ! return to the battle; your fervices are wanted. Soldier. But your wound Ataliba. Is not dangerous. Go, revenge your fallen brethren: go, I command you ! [Exeunt the Soldiers. (Ataliba the Death of rolIA. $1 \ Ataliba leans again/} the altar) Ye righteous gods ! how" have 1 deferved this chaftifement? Old Alan. I hear the voice of lamentation ; but I can- not fee the fufferer. Who is it that complains thus ? Ataliba. A forfaken wretch, whofe only refoarCe is iri death. Old Man. Is the king ftill alive ? Ataliba. He is. Old Man. Then you cannot be forfaken. Ataliba protects even the loweft among his fubjedts. Ataliba. And who protects him? Old Man.' The gods'. Ataliba. Their anger has fallen heavily upon him. Old Man. That cannot be. He has never opprefl'ed thd! weak; never refufed juftice to any one; never pampered his courtiers upon the fweat of his peafants ; never clofed his hand againit the needy; nor denied a hearing to juft complaints. Ataliba. (AJide) Oh, God ! what fenfations of trans- port dofr. thou mingle with thefe bittereft moments of my life ! Good old man, do you know the king ? Old Man. Extremely well : I have often feen him, It is not many years fince I fought by his iide, againit Huafcar. Ataliba. How long were you in the fervicc ? Old Man. Fifty-four years. Ataliba. And has fuch fidelity never been rewarded? Old Alan. Do I not enjoy repofe in the bofom of mv family? Ataliba. But that is the only reward you have re- ceived ? Old Man. And is that a trifle ? Oh ! what has not a king accomplifhed who has fecured happinefs to his fubjects ! Atahba. He owed more to you. Old Man. Do not fay lb. 1 hear, daily, from my grand* children, of the bleffings he diffufes among his people, I hear it with devout fatisfadtion, and rejoice 1 Ataliba. {Much affeticd) And do all your brethren think the fame ? Old Man. It is the general fentiment. Ataliba. Why fiiould I fear death ; How is it that I no longer feel mv w^und ; OUi 32 THE SPANIARDS IN PERU; OR, Old Man. Are you wounded ? Go, child, run to my hut, and fetch the balfam. [Exit the boy. Ataliba. I thank you mo ft fincerely. Old Man. But you {hould not have quitted the king. Ataliba. One of the tendons of my right arm is cut through I could not fight any longer. Old A fan. You might have taken the fword in your left hand. SCENE VII. Several Indians run ever thefiage, as if purjued by the enemy. The Indians. All is loft ! fly ! fave yourfelf ! Ataliba. (To one of the lafi) Stop, I command you! (The man obeys) Where is Alonzo? Indian. 1 have not feen him. Ataliba. Where is Rolla? Indian. In the midft of the enemy. Ataliba. And you have deferted your General ? Indian. (With confufion) I have loft my fword. Ataliba. Take mine, and die worthy of a Peruvian. Indian. Death alone (hall deprive me of fuch a prefent. (He brandijhes the fword, and haflens back to the fight J Old Man. {Calling after him) Is the king fafe? Alas \ he does not hear me ! Ataliba. The king is ftill alive. {An Indian fever ely wounded, ft 'aggers in with difficulty, and drops at the king's feet) Indian. Here let me die ! Ataliba. Is all loft? Indian. All. Ataliba. And is Rolla fallen ? Indian. No, he was ftill defending himfelf ; but I faw Alonzo fall. Ataliba. Alonzo fall ! Oh God ! Old Alan. You do not enquire after the king. Ataliba. (Taking the fword from the wounded man) Give me your fword, you can no longer ufe it. Indian. My king, what would you do ? Ataliba, THE DEATH OF ROLLA, 3f Ataliba. , Embitter the triumph of our enemies bury myfelf among the ruins of my kingdom. Old Man. Oh God ! are you then Ataliba ? Ataliba. Let them come ; I am prepared. (Rolla's voice is heard at a dijlance) Faint-hearted wretches ! ft op ! flop ! return f* aflemble round me ! r'ris Rolla calls ! Several voices together. Rolla!- our father Ro'.la ! Yes, we will rally round him ! Rolla. (At-tf. greater dijlance.) For God and the king ! Back, baek? fay ! back to the fight ! Ataliba. My brave Rolla, then, is alive I I (till have hopes. Old Man. Good king, I knew not that you were fo near me. 1 am a poor, blind, old man. Ataliba. Venerable foldier, your attachment has foothed me in an hour of wretchednefs. Old Man. (Having received the balfam from the bos) Suffer my trembling hand to drop fome of this precious balfam into your wound, and then to bind it up. Ataliba. I thank thee, truly. Old Man. Oh that I had more to offer than this and my prayers ! Go, child, climb the tree once more. [The boy climbs the tree.) The wounded Indian. (Clafping Ataliba' 's foot, at which he has continued to lie) Firft-born of the Sun blefs me I Idle! Ataliba. For thy country ! God blefs and reward thee ! Indian. And God blefs our good king* (Dies.) Ataliba. Blood of my fubjects ! precious pledge en- trufted to my care ! I have not fhed thee wantonly ! Old Man. Child, what do you fee ? Boy. Friends and enemies mingled together. Old Man. Which give way ? Boy. Neither. Ataliba. Ye gods 1 if your anger require fome atone* ment, ftrike here but fpare, oh fpare, my people ! Boy. I fee feveral hats with plumes of feathers fall. Old Man. They are the Spaniards. Strike, ftrike, ye brave fellows ! ftrike home ! F Bo^ J4 THE SPANIARDS IN PER merits to his train). Cora. I will accompany the herald myfelf ; and thofe whom the fight of gold cannot allure, may be moved by my tears. Ataliba. No, Cora, this mull not be ! you would only expofe both yourfelf and Alonzo to more imminent danger. Wait for the herald's return. Cora. Teach me to endure life till that hour ! Ataliba. Do not forget the mother in the wife. Would you entruft your infant to ftrange hands, or take him with you, to become a prey to the barbarous Spaniards ? Think, alfo, what would be the fate of your charms among fuch monfters ? Believe me, that by fo rafh a ftep, you would hazard your own life, your honour, and the life of your child, while, inftead of faving Alonzo, the fight of you would only rivet his chains more firmly. In one word, Cora, you mujl remain here ; you are a mother that muft not be forgotten. Cora. ( Looking anxioujly at her child) It fhall not be forgotten \ Ataliba. I go to offer to the gods, my thanks for our victory, and my prayers for Alonzo's fafety. Cora. You go f Fifft, give me your royal word, that Alonzo fhall return this evening. Ataliba. Can I do fo ? Cora. Can you not do it ! Then ft ill his death is pof- fible ?---Oh ! why fo quiet poor orphan ? -cry, cry, aloud I Require your father of this man ! -for this man he died ! Ataliba. You rend my heart !- will it be a lighter affliction to me, than to yourfelf, fhould Alonzo not re- turn, fhall not I then fuftain an irreparable lofs ? The wife may again find an afrecr.ionate hufband ; but where fhall the king find fuch another friend ? {Exeunt Ataliba r and his train^ with the women and children). SCENE XLlMantnt. Cora and Roll a. Cora. Miferable confolation ! Poor child, what will become of thee ! Rolla. THE DEATH OF ROLLA. / ta Rolla. Do not abandon thyfelf to defpair, Cora ; t in the gods. -* u * Cora. They have forfaken me. Rolla. They created friend (hip as a balm for wound. ?ver^ Cora. It cannot heal mine. Rolla. They planted the flowers of hope in ' affliaion. *% foi 'l of Cora. To me they are all withered. Rolla. Defpair disturbs thy fenfes ; anguifti ungrateful. What the gods miraculoufly g ' ^^ es thee a miracle may be reftored. &($: tnee > D y Cora. And if not if Alonzo ah. r it I L ? a nnot fpeak Rolla. Can thy child be fatherlefs, wl *i p i. G?. Can Rolla alfo fupply the plac **% * 0,la ,,ves - ? --or does he fuppofe, that I can furvive f fr hl ! A mother ? J?a//a. For the fake of this child. n * < S ot Alonzo - ? Cora. Shall my child draw blood j , . breaft ? Shall he bathe only in his m Jf thlS ^red RoUa. The lenient hand of time- I^y - S t f a "/ , -my love- "^ k,n S s ^end/hip Cora. Away with your friendmi , ?_ Would vou give a handful of grsfs to the countr ' h r ruinating feeds have been deftroye i k'u-i aiwno ' e ger- u- i r a 7 a ^ naiJ > and hope thuc to repair his lofs ? u ^ c cnus Rolla. Refufe not to heark Pr tn i , _. i n. -r r i \ r ,i en ' to Alonzo s friend af Icafr, even it rdolved not to hit e ,i fnimil , " CI1U > at /- ai > r- ii - ,5 !j . to yur own. Cora. Alonzo s friend ! rvj . ' . friend? " ij n ' e > who was not his it*//*. His laft words bef .v v \the battle- , Cora. His J aft words ! ' Oh f, w i, t ,i d w ii u j J? ^' lJc ! wnat were thev ? #*//*. He charged me w ,* h two imn -tant c a,lf, a wuhtovou ^ ttrw. A wifh !-his b .ft w ,fh ; ^ Inrtant|y ^ me *,//, // Ifattr f'-idhe, and prc^d my hand, while his whole frame trcmblei/* then h? rv , ,i T ,,* ."Jen oe l.j? a thy wife '" Cora. I hy wire ! J J Rolla. I gave him m, word ; and wc parted Cora Ha !-ahorri|4o light breaks in upon me! -Oh Alonzo' thou haft fa!:-n a facrificc to thv unfurl' ii'.ai t 44 THI SPANIARDS IN PERU J OR, heart ! Hadft thou been filent, inftead of making thefc wretched charms a fatal inheritance Rolla. Oh, God ! what a hateful fufpicion has feized your mind ! Cora. It is too clear! Yes; you placed him in a fi- tuation where it was impoffible to avoid death ! his va- lour made him an eafy dupe to your artifice he flew he rufhed among the fwords of the enemy you looked on, at a diftance, and fmiled ! Rolla. {In the utmojl ajionijhment) Cora ! Cora. Or was it only that you faw him in danger, when it was in your power to fave him ; but the recol- lection of his legacy crofTed your mind you turned away, and he fell ? Rolla. Oh, glorious Sun ! why have I lived to fee this day? Cora. No! no! thou didft not murder him ! the wretched widow has no reafon to complain of thee ! the hand thou offereft her is not (rained with her huf- band's blood! thou wert only a calm fpedlator of his death ! Rolla. This is too much ! Cora. And this Iaft wifh ! Ah ! who knows whether it ever paffed Alonzo's lips ! the dead are ever courteous Rolla. Cora, take my fword, and dilpatch me at once ! Cera. No: live for the fake of love! a love, the bloflbms of which fhoot from the grave of thy departed friend ? But hear me, firft, liften to my folemn oath, as thou didftto Alonzo's laft wifh? Sooner fhall my fon im- bibe poifon from this breafb, than he fhall call thee father ! than I will call thee hufband ! Rolla. Then call me, your friend your protector. Cora. Away ! I know no other protector but God ! I will haften inftantly to the field of battle, with this child in my arms, examine every mangled corpfe I find on that fatal fpot, to fee if I cannot difcern on the countenance, though disfigured by death, that fweet fmile which ufed to animate my hufband's features I will call on the name of Alonzo, with fearful fhrieks, till my veins burft in mybofom ; that if one fpark of life yet remain but half extinguifhed, he may hear my voice, urjclofe his eyes, and THE DEATH OF ROLLA. 45 and blefs me with a laft look. But if I do not find him, then, my fon, we will throw ourfelves into the enemy's arms ; the Spaniards are alfo men, and thy infant-fmiles will open me a path through a thoufand fwords. Who will thrufr. back a wife that feeks her huiband? who fpurn an innocent child that cries for his father ? Come, fweet boy, we (hall be fafe any where ! a mother with a child at her breaft, carries a pafiport, figned by the hand of na- ture herfelf, which will fecure her a hofpitable reception in every part of the world. Come, let us feek thy father i (She rujhes out.) SCENE IV Rolla alone. {He flands for fame time mot ion bfs, with his eyes gloomily fixed upon the earth, till at length overpowered by his feel- ings, he exclaims in a tone of anguijh) This to me ! {He Jinks again into deep mufing, his eyes roll wildly^ till at length he fays with marily rejolution) I will compel her to efteem me! [Exit, SCENE V. PizARRo'i tent in the Spawjh camp. PizARRo a lone ^ walking backwards and forwards in gloomy agitation. Fortune ! thou jilt ! thy delight is to play the wanton with boys---man's arm is too rough for thee!- He who has only down upon his chin, whofe cheeks are ftill un- furrowed, is flattered and carefled by thee, while from him, upon whofe manly brow prudence fits enthroned, thou turner!: and-- with difdain, nor wilt beftow upo.i him one favou table glance. Thou meretricious monfter ! roll on thy wheel ! drive it exultingly over my mangled corpf;| yet firir grant me vengeance !~-veng.anc\ u.::>n \lonzo ! --Smile upon me but once more, and be that fmile the fignal for Alonzo's fall. SCE' 46 THE SPANIARDS IN PERU; OR, SCENE VI. Enter Elvira. Plzarro. Who comes there ? who has dared to grant you admittance ? Where is my guard ? Elvira. Your guard has done all that could be expect- ed from even the moft vigilant. u Who is there ?" 'Tis I, Elvira." " Go back" For what reafon" " Pizarro chufes to be alctie, and has given the jlrifte ft pro- hibition' Then, a gentle glance from me glided from his briftly hair above, to his briftly beard below the halberd was lowered and here I am. Pizarro. What do you want ? Elvira. To fee how a hero bears misfortune. Pizarro. Did you not, this day, fee me in the midft of my fcattered troops, when with my own hands I thruft the dailards back into the fight ? Did you not fee me, after- wards at the head of my defeated army, when, amid thoufands who appeared wholly abafhed and difmayed my firmnefs alone was unfubdued ? you know then, that I can defy misfortune. Elvira. I faw you, it is true, in both thofe fituations ; but to know a hero thoroughly, he muft alfo be feen, in private, in his tent. M^ny a one will difplay great mag- nanimity before thoufands, who cannot preferve like forti- tude when alone. Many a one, amid the filence and foli- tude of night, will tremble at a phantom of his own crea- tion, who in the face of an army would encounter death with undaunted refolution. Pizarro. Well, then, you now fee me here. Are my features clouded with unmanly forrovv : or do you hear me uttering idle lamentations ? Elvira. Lamentations ! from Pizarro ! Lamenta- tions are only for priefts and women. But you gnafh your teeth, and even that is beneath you. Pizarro. Would you have vne give a ball, and folicit your hand to open it, becaufe the fword of the enemy is glutted with the braveft blood in our army. Elvira. No, I would have; you cold and filent as the night, when the ftorrn has fpent its fury cold and filent as the grave on the eve of the refurreition. Then when the THE DEATH OF ROLLA. 47 the morning dawns, the hero will emerge again with re- novated powers, and fhine forth with added fplendour irra- diated by a new fun. Pizarro. Oh ! why were not all my men, on this day, women like Elvira ! Elvira. Then had my hand even now crowned you king of Quito. Yet, reflect, that we are ftill refring upon the fame fhore the crown which this morning feemed within your grafp yet hovers before your eyes ; arm your- felf then with new courage, fpring forward, and feize it ere it vanifla. Pizarro. Oh, Elvira ! my hopes are faint, as long as this Alonzo, this fcourge of my life, leads on the enemy. Elvira. Ah ! I had forgotten to inform you, that Alonzo is your prifoner. Pizarro. How ? Elvira. Even now he has been dragged in triumph through the camp, by fome of our foldiers. Pizarro. (Embracing her) Elvira what glorious tid- ings do you communicate ! Alonzo my prifoner ! Oh( then, I am conqueror ! --I have defeated the enemy! Elvira. . My curiofity is extremely excited by thefe tranfports. There muft furely be fomething extraordi- nary in a man of whom Pizarro ftands fo much in awe , I am impatient to fee him. Pizarro. Where is he ? Guards! (Enter one of the guards) Let the Spanifh prifoner be immediately brought hither ! ( Exit the guard) Elvira. What will you do with him ? Pizarro. He fhall die ! die in torments, protracted to the utmoft extent that nature can endure. Elvira. Shame on thee !- think what will then be faid by pofterity 'that Pizarro could not conquer, till Alonzo was murdered. Pharro. No matter ! Elvira. What a fentiment to proceed from your mouth. Still, Pizarro, let me conjure you to act nobly, if not for his fake, at lead for your own. Pizarro. And what would you call acting nobly ? Elvira. Give Alonzo a fword, and challenge him to fingle combat. Pizarro. He has abjured his native countrv, perhaps alio 48 THE SPANIARDS IN PERU; OR, alfo his God ; and /hall a traitor be honoured with a hero's* death ? Elvira. Follow thy own pleafure ; but mark me \ If he be murdered, Elvira is loft to thee for ever. Pizarro. What can excite this intereft for a ftranger ? What is he to you ? Elvira. He is nothing to me, but your fame, every thing. Do you fuppofe it is you I love ? no, it is your fame. Pizarro: Fame is not the obje die. Elvira. Though, at the fame moment, you lofe Elvira for ever ? Pizarro. Though I lofe her fo ever. Elvi'a. And ihe fhould feek refuge with a nobler enemy, (houlo join with Alonzo in labouring to promote the Peruvians' happinefs. Pizarro. To that, I can oppofe chains and bonds. Elvira. Chains and bonds to a woman ! to one who, without having imbibed the mild precepts of Las-Cafas, has yet learned to defpife death. Pizarro. Even the latter may be your lot. Elvira. Pizarro, y^u no longer love me. Pizarro. If you hope to transform a General into a whining Shepherd ; you will find yourfelf miftaken. Elvira. Ungrateful man ! Have you forgotten that you alone w^re the caufc of my quitting my parents and native country ? that for your fake I refolved to defy dan- ger, and e.ther bury myielf in your arms, or in the bofom of the ocean. Pizarro. Have I not amply repaid this mighty attach- ment r Are not you the fharci of .- y nower, my joys ? Elvi'a. Recollect, tiiat i equally .na.c- your perils. On this dreadful day, amid the thrung of battle, wh > re- mained 54 |THE SPANIARDS IN PERU; OR, mained firmly and conftantly at your fide ? who prefentcd as a fhield to you, a breaft unaccuftomed to the fteely ar- mour by which your's is defended ? Pizarro. Dearcft Elvira, while in valour you arc a man, in love you are a perfect woman. ' My whole heart, and half my booty, by right, are your's. Elvira. Half your booty ? then I claim Alonzo as my prifoner. Pizarro. Excufe me ! I referve the divifion to my- felf. Elvira. Can you refufe, when I entreat, when I moif- ten your cheek with my tears ? Pizarro. Yes, even then. [After a paufe) Elvira, what am 1 to think of this ? Are you captivated by the boy's fmooth face r Elvira. No, I love you ftill; but I wifh to fee you worthy of my love. In battle, chance may fnatch the victory out of your hands, but in a conteft with yourfelf, victory is always in your own power, and thefe are the molt glorious of all triumphs, 'tis then that you truly appear a hero -and none but a hero can Elvira love. Pizarro. You entreat in vain. And take heed, El- vira, left this anxiety for the fate of a ftranger, mould ex- cite fufpicions in my breaft. -You know the Spanifh character you know me. Elvira. Yes, I do know thee !- I know thee to be jealous of female favour, jealous alfo of fame. Thou wilt not, by Wafting the latter, render thyfelf unworthy of the former, and tear afunder the only bond which unites Elvira's heart to thine. Pizarro. Every word you utter, confirms Alonzo's fentence. Elvira. Then, our eternal reparation is fealed ! Go and whet thy fword for the neck of a prifoner, whofe chains are not confidered as a fufficient fecurity for thy precious life. Gladly has Elvira wiped away the blood and duft from the forehead of her hero after a battle, but never defiled her hands with the duft of flight, or the biood of aflaffina- tion. The arm which fhall be raifed againft a defencelefs enemy, never more lhall encircle a woman whofe foul is noble ! The lips which could unite mockery with a fen- tence of death, never fhall prefs mine ! 1 know well that revenge may be fweet and grateful to the heurt, but no longer THE DEATH OF ROLLA. Si longer than while the enemy is armed in defiance againft us ; if he fall, vengeance falls with him. He who feels otherwife, I pity he who a&s otherwife, I defpife. Pizarro. ( After a poufe> looking at her with a contemp- tuous/mile) Thou art a woman ! lExit. SCENE IX Elvira alone. A woman ! knoweft thou that, and doft thou not tremble ? Knoweft thou, that as I love, fo I can hate, and doft thou not tremble ? Yes, man of blood, whom neither the ftrife of contending elements, nor the rage of a powerful enemy can terrify, thou {halt find thyfelf vulner- able to a woman who folemnly fwears thy deftruction. Alonzo ihall live, and I will love him, not becaufe youth and beauty fmile upon his blooming cheeks, but becaufe the idol which I worshipped in Pizarro, inftead of pure ore, has proved bafe metal -becaufe the temple, which appeared marble at a diftance, has proved, on examination, merely varniOaed plaiiter. Oh, Pizarro ! Pizarro ! 1 could even have pardoned the injury, if for the fake of a throne thou hadft proved foithlefs to thy promifed love ! but thou haft acted with meannefs, and Elvira's heart is alienated for ever ! [Exit. EV.';:> OF THE THIRD ACT- 56 THE SPANIARDS IN PERU; OR, ACT IV. SCENE I. A Tent in the Spanijh Camp. The Time is pa/i Midnight. Alonzo alone. UESPISE death ! Such was the maxim among the Greeks and Romans; heathens endowed with exalted wif- dom. Shame, then, on thee, Chriftian, that thou canft trembl e before him, fince what to them was no more than conjecture, to thee is certainty, that there is a better world !--Yet thou doft tremble ! Is it that the ardent ienfibilities of' youth revolt more keenly againft an un- timely death, than the blunted feelings of age ? What is an untimely death ? Shall Alonzo calculate his life only by the years he has numbered ? Does he not pofTefs Cora ? Cora! ah, this is the rofybond that chains me irrefiftibly to life ! Wife and child ! one holds me back by the tears of love, the other by the fmile of innocence ! Oh, Caf- fius, thou wert not a hufband ! Seneca, thou wert not a father ! The voice of nature cries live, and my heart loudly echoes back the found ! Can this wifh be a re- proach to the man, and the hero ? Yet, Sovereign Dif- pofer of my fate ! though it were fo, I mufl ftill wifh to live ! SCENE ll.-*Enter a Soldier, with two bottles of wine. Soldier. Here, Don Alonzo de Molina, be of good cheer, and drink. Alonzo. THE DBATH OF ROLtA. 57 Alonzo. Who fent thee hither ? Soldier. I keep guard before your tent. jflonzo. I thank your companion for this refrefhment* Soldier. No thanks to me. 'Tis true, I am heartily grieved for your fituation ; but 'tis not in my power to af- fift you, for I am poor. Alonzo. Who gave you this wine ? Soldier. One who can give much fweeter things than wine (wbifpcring) Donna Elvira. Alonzo. And who is Donna Elvira ? Soldier. Have you never heard of her ? She is our General's friend. Alonzo. His friend ? Soldier. Yes, yes, his friend '; you underftand me. Alonzo. And Elvira, you fay ? Soldier. Sent you this wine. Alonzo. Does (he know me ? Soldier. Scarcely, I believe. Alonzo. Go, and return her my thanks. Soldier. Very well. Alonzo. And take the wine with you. Soldier. How ? won't you drink ? Alonzo. I have not drunk wine for feveral years. Soldier. But a man in your fituation wants fupport, and thefe bottles would infpire you with a noble refolution. Alonzo. My good friend, I pity the wretch who can- not meet death courageoufly, without fuch infpiration. Soldier. But it confufes the fenfes, and deadens pain. Alonzo. Leave me, I pray you. Death is not a phan- tom from which I would feek to conceal myfelf by hiding my face in my pillow. Drink the wine yourfelf ; the night is very cold, you will find it reviving. Soldier. Certainly, I have no objection to that, if you wifh it. To do you juftice it muft be owned, that you are a brave knight; only 'tis a (hame that you are become a heathen. If it were not finful, I could find in my heart to weep for you. [x/f. SCENE III -Alokzo alone. Poor fellow ' he knows not what he fays ! Thy bountks, oh God ! are not confined to one country, one I religion ! 8 THE SPANIARDS IN PERU; OR, religion ! Thou haft created the vine for the Spaniard, and the plantain for the Peruvian !*-*Thy dreams moiften alike the meadows at the foot of the Pyrenees, and thofe bounded by the Cordilleras ! On our altars thou haft ercled the ctofi as the fymbol of thy favour ; but *hou fmileft equally upon the fun on the breaft of the Incas i SCENE \V.~Enter Elvira. As Jbe enters y jhe calif to Alonzo. Elvira. Don Alonzo ! Jlonzo. Who are you ? Come in. Elvira. { approaching him) Do you not know me ? Jlonzo. Yes, amiable youth, I remember you well. You it was who ventured to expostulate with the incenfed Pizarro, when he pronounced fentence of death upon me. Your form is indelibly imprefled upon my heart. Elvira. Live, Alonzo ! for, know that I love you. Altnzo. 'Tis truly generous, yet not lefs dangerous to (hew favour to the unfortunate. At our former meeting, you withheld from me your name : but, oh, noble young eagle, furrounded by vultures, fain would I know to whom I am fo deeply indebted ! Elvira. Can you not guefs ? Alonzo. How fhould that be poffible ? Elvira* Where has humanity erected a nobler tem- ple, than in the breaft of woman r Who can venture to defy tyrants with equal boldnefs, as woman ? Alonzo. Aftonifhment ! Is it a woman I behold ? Perhaps Donna Elvira ? Elvira. The name, at leaft, feems not wholly unknown to you r Yes, I am Elvira. Alonzo. Such a vifit ! at fuch an hour ! Elvira. One who haftens to fuccour the opprefled, it regardlefs of the hour. Alonzo. It is the laft of my life. Elvira. I tell you, no ! Alonzo. Pizarro has fworn my death. Elvira. And I thy life. THE DEATH OF ROLLA. 59 Alonxo. Accept my thanks but I know how to die. Elvira. For ever death and dying ? Are you one of thofe extraordinary beings who can fit calmly down upon the brink of the grave, and furvey with complacency the gulf below ? Alanxo. What we cannot avoid, muft be emjured. Elvira. Do you die willingly ? Jlonzo. To anfwer that I do, were equally to deceive you and myfelf". Elvira. Away, then ! inftantly \ Alanxo. You can only joke ? Elvira. Then have I chofen an admirable time for (porting with a man. Alonxo. Thefe chains my guards Elvira. To loofen chains, and blin4 the eyes of guards, is mere paftime to love. Alonxo. To love ! Elvira. Call it what you will ! -I, for my own part, am regardlefs whether or not I exprefs my feelings ac- cording to fcholaftic rule. I faw ypu ftand in chains be- fore Pizarro; I heard you fpeak like an ancient Roman ; and at that moment the chains glided from o#" your hands and fixed upon my heart. I felt it eflential to my repofe to fave you : my foul is not formed to endure a sedious interval between the refolution and the action I felt and I have aed. Alonxo. Y ou come to fave me ? Elvira. 1 come to fave you, and to conjure you to fave me ! to match me from this whirlpool where every frruggle after fame is fwallowed up in a torrent of blood f to lead me from the path where avarice tramples the fpringing laurel beneath its feet ! I am not a woman caft in a common mould ; -my love is not of that tame and fequeftered kind which can be content to fit quietly down at the fpinning-wheel, furrounded by my children and tell them pretty infant ftories ; my heart thirfts for fame ; and my lips muft overflow with the noble actions performed by him I love. Look, my children, at this marble pillar ; it was erected to commemorate the il- luftrious deeds of your father. Hear ye thofe fliouts of acclamation ; they are uttend in honour of your father. Stretch out your little hands to our reconciled foes; your father has fitbdut-d them not lefs by magnanimity than I 2 valour. 6 THE SPANIARDS IN PERU i OR, valour. Oh happy, thrice happy, the woman who can thus addrefs thefe objects of her affeftion ! Of a love like this our fex may juftly be proud ; and fuch is mine ; it is no common wealcnefs. If ori thefe terms, Alonzo, I am fo fortunate as to pleafe you, be it your part to make me forget the mifery of being born a woman henceforth we are united, and I fave you. Alonzo. If I underftand you right, lovely woman, you afk what is beyond my power to grant. I am married. Elvira. To a heathen. Alonzo. Still (he is my wife, and in every climate love renders facred the bonds of wedlock. Elvira. Does (he return your affeftion with equal tendernefs ? Alonzo. Not merely with equal tendernefs. Donna Elvira knows her fex, immeafurable ali^e in their love and hatred. Elvira. Yet you would make her a mournful widow. Alonzo. Our fates are in the hand of God. Elvira. The common refource of thofe who have not fpirit enough to aft for themfelves. Have you children ? Alonzo. One pledge of the pureft love. Elvira, Whom you would make an orphan. * Alonzo. Oh, my Fernando ! v' ,' v h ' r Elvira. Does it become the hero to lament, whtn h* ought to aft with vigour ? Hear me ! If, indeed, you are every thing to the heart of your wife ; if fhe cannot purchafe your fafety at too dear a rate ; fhe will joyfully wave her claims upon you, and refign her hufband as a recompenfe to his preferver, Alonzo. That (he would do moft willingly. Elvira, Well then ! || Alonzo. Never ! A hafty death will foon break^ny chains; and to avoid it, you would have me inflift of? a tender wife, forrows which only a lingering death -could terminate. With fupprefled anguifh would fhe behold rne in your arms, while I fhould only fob upon your bo- fom. Lovers can facrifice any thing to their attachment, but that attachment itfelf. Yve are every thing to each other. I came into this country, to plunder it of its wealth ; I have found here the choiceft of all earthly trea- fures, an affeftionate wife ; and fhall I caft her from me, to THE DEATH OF ROLLA. 6l to purehafe a wretched exiftence, which, without her, would be of no value ? Oh, Cora ! in your arms I have learnt what conftitutes our only real happinefs ; and never will I quit them but to reft in the grave ! Leave me. then, Signora, leave me ! If on fuch terms only, you can fave my life ; I am grateful for your intentions, but farewel ! Elvira. I honour thefe fentiments. Yet, fuffer me to cheri(h the proud opinion, that had your heart been free, I had deferved your love. Oh ! I could almoft envy your happy wife ! but away with the ignoble feeling ! haften, Elvira, to ftifle it by a difinterefted action ! Come, then, Alonzo, take this dagger, and follow me; I will conduct you to the tent where Pizarro fleeps, and you fhall plunge it into his haughty and unfeeling heart. Terror will then fpread its wings over the whole camp ; while amid the con- fufion raifed by the firft cry of murder, when the troops fhall run hither and thither in wild aftonifhment, we will efcape to your friends. There will I witnefs the tears of tranfport fhued by your wife, there will I hear the infant lifping of your child, and forget all my proud dreams. Come, follow mu- Alonzo. To murder a fleeping man ? Elvira. Your bittereft enemy. Alonzo. I would not murder even the common enemy of all mankind, in his deep. Elvira. I deteft this Pizarro, becaufe he has been a traitor to me ; and I defpife him, becaufe he is mean enough to trample under foot a fallen enemy. Generofity is due only to the generous ! deal by the villain as he would deal by others ; free the earth from a monftcr who has been vomited forth from the Old World, to fpread ruin and devaluation in the New. Thy fecond country will re- ward the deed with triumphant acclamations ; and ho- nourable repofe in the bofom of thy family will be the lot of thy future life. Halle then, refolve ! Alonzo. I am refolvcd. Elvira. To follow me. Ahnzo. No ! you muft feck fomc other inflrument to accomplish your vengeance. There was a time when Pizarro loved me, when together we dared every honour- able danger in the field of battle, a hen I fhared every meal that came to his table. An hundred times have I flept 62 THE SPANIARDS IN PERU; OR, flept in peace by his fide ! and fliall I murder him in his fleep ? Elvira. Hath he not torn afunder every bond between you ? Jlonzo. The bond of his kindnefs to me can never be deftroyed. Elvira. Well, I will leave you a while. Solitude may awaken reafon from her (lumbers ; and the terror of death reftore you to your fenfes. Know that a large ranfom has been offered for your freedom, which Pizarro has refufed ; and you have no other means of fafety remaining, but what J propofe. Jlonzo. Then I muft die ! Elvira. Look toward the eaft the ruddy ftreaks of morning begin to appear, they announce the near approach of your fate. The moments fly but a few more are thine ; and the opportunity once loft, never can return. I leave you to reflection. In a quarter of an hour I fhall return to hear your final refolution. [Exit J SCENE V Alonzo alone. Spare thyfelf fo fruitlefs an enquiry, it will be made in vain ! Death may be a bitter medicine ; but treachery rs a lufcious poifon ! Heaven guard and protect my wife and child ! Heaven, and Rolla !. May they feek refuge in the mountains where dwell innocence and peace ! and may my poor infant never know from what haplefs blood he fprings. Thou great Jehovah ! or Sun ! for the name is indifferent to thee ! grant health and purity of mind to thofe I leave behind me ! all elfe is idle vanity ! Lo ! there, the morning dawns over the hills ; only one hour more is mine; I will endeavour to deprive the fear of death of its cuftomary tribute. I will lay me down to reft. {He lies down.) Do thou, my unfullied confeience, call fleep to the affiftance of thy friend ! my ftrenath is exhaufted; wearinefs preffes down my eye-lids! Come, gentle (lumbers ; prepare me for an acquaintance with your more powerful brother ! {He jails a fleep.) SCENE THE DEATH OF ROLLA. 63 SCENE VI A Soldier on guard walks backwards and forwards before the entrance of Alo nzo's Tent, Soldier. Who's there ? anfwer quickly ! Who's fhere ? Rolla. (Behind the fcenes.J A prieft. Soldier. What would you here, Reverend Father ? Rolla. (Entering difgutfed in the habit of a Monk J Friend, I pray you, inform me where I can find the Spa- niih prifoner, Alonzo ? Soldier. He is in this tent. Rolla. Allow me to fpeak to him ! Soldier. I dare not. Rolla. He is my friend. Soldier. Not, if he were your brother. Rolla. What is expedited to be his fate ? Soldier. He dies at fun-rife. Rolla. Ha ! then I come at the proper moment. Soldier. To witnefs his death. Rolla. I muft fpeak with him. Soldier. Back back Rolla. Is he alone ? Soldier. Yes. Rolla. I intreat you to let me fee him ! Soldier. You afk in vain ; our orders aie very ftricl. Rolla. {Drawing out the diamond fun which he had re- vived from the king) Look on thefe precious jewels. Solaier. And what of them ? Rolla. They are your'b ; only let me fpeak with the prifoner. Soldier. Do you fuppofc me capable of being corrupt- ed? know that I am an old Caftilian. Rolla. Take them, and perform a good action. Soldier, liack back I know my duty. Rolla. Are you married? Soldier. Yes. Rolla. Have you any children ? Soldier. Four boys. Rolla. Where did you leave them ? Soldier. (In a foftened voice) At homo, in my native country Rolla. 64 THE SPANIARDS IN PERU; OR, Rolla. Do you love your wife and children ? Soldier. (Much affefied) My God! Do I love them? Rolla. Suppofe you were to die in this foreign land ? Soldier. Then I fhould charge my comrades to carry them my laft bleiling. Rolla. And if, when your comrades arrive at home, any one fhould be fo inhuman as to ref ufe them admittance to your wife and children ? Soldier. How ! What do you mean ? Rolla. Alonzo has a wife and child. That afflifted wife lent me hither to receive his laft blefling for herfelf and her infant. Soldier. Enter then. Rolla. { Advancing towards Alonzo.) Oh facred nature, thou art ftill true to thyfelf ! Alonzo ! where art thou ! Ha ! there he lies afleep ! [Shakes him) Alonzo ! Alonzo. {Starting up) Are you come for me fo foon ? I am ready. Rolla Roufe thyfelf. Alonzo. Ha ! What voice was that ? Rolla. 'Tis Rolla's voice. Jlonzo. Rolla ! am I indeed awake ! how came you hither ? Rolla. The prefent is not a time to wafte in afking and anfwering queftions. [He takes ojf the ATonk's habit) For this difguile, I am indebted to the corpfe of a prieft who fell to-day in battle. Take it, and begone. A.onzo. And you ? Rolla. I will remain here in your place. Almzo. Never. Rolla. No words, I intreat; but comply with my re- queft. Alonzo. And leave you to die for me ! rather twice endure the pangs of death myfelf ! Rolla. I fhall not die. It is Alonzo's life that Pi- zarro fecks, not Rolla's. The utmoft 1 have to fear, is a fhort imprisonment, from which your arm fhall fet me free. Alonzo. How little do you know Pizarro's gloomy foul ! When he fhall rind by what means he has been de- prived of his prey, in the rage of difappointment, you will be inftantly facririccd to his revenge. Rolla. THE DEATH OF ROLLA. j Rolla. No, no, a large ranfom Alonzo. His third of vengeance even exceeds his ava- rice. Rolla. And what if it fhould prove fo?- I am alone in the world, a fingle unconnected being, oh whofe life no other hangs a folitary fhrub Handing in the midft of a fandy defert, let it be cut down ! who will feel its lofs ? happy, only if it can thus become the means of warm- ing one worthy heart. You, on the contrary, are a huf- band and a father, the happinefs or mifery of a charm- ing wife, and helplefs infant, hang upon your life ; take the garment, therefore, and away! Alonzo. Would you make me the cowardly murderer of my friend ? would you fave my life only to embit- ter it with inexpreflible torments ? Rolla. Never bellow a thought on rhe, but in Cora's arms. One tear mingled with the cup of joy, is all that I require. I have lived in the world to little purpofe, do not deny me trie confoling reflection, that at leaft I fhall not die in vain. Alonzo. Can a friend torture me thus ? My laft hours were fufficicntly painful without this. Rolla. I cannot even bring you a farewel from a be- loved wife ; for fhe is infenfible to every thing. She only recovers from one fwoon, to fall into another. Alonzo. Oh, my Cora ! Rolla. Her life is in danger, unlefs (he fee you fpeedily. Alonzo. Her life ! Rolla. If you die, fhe dies ; and your poor child is left an orphan. Alonzo. Rolla will be his father* Rolla. Do you fuppofe, that Rolla can furvive the lofs of Cora ? Alonzo. Grant me ftrength, Oh God, to fupport this conflict ! Rolla. And what do you expet to gain by your obdu- racy ? If you will not efcape, neither will I. Here I am determined to remain, nor fhall any power force me from you. You fhall be gratified with the pleafing fpedtacle of beholding Rolla fall by your fide ; then will Cora be left utterly forlorn. K Akn%9. * AX THE srANIARDS IN PERU; OR, Alonzo. Oh, Rolla ! my feelings are neatly over- powered. Rolla. A moment's paufe, and all is loft ! efcape, and all may yet be well. "We need not fear fentence being immediately pafTed upon me. I will amufe Pizarro .with hopes of making important difcoveries. I will endeavour to protract the time while you repair to our camp, colledl: a body of chofen young men, and at night burft like a ftorm upon our enemies, and lead back your friend in triumph. Haften, 'Alonzo, the day breaks, do not delay ; but fly to Cora's arms, fave her life, and then return to fave mine. Alonzo. Rolla, whither would you drive me ? Rolla. Do I require any thing difhonourable ? [He throws the friar's garment over Alonzo) Conceal thy face ; and hold thy chains laft, that their clanking may not betray thee. There, go, and God be with thee ! remember me kindly to Cora, and tell her that (he did me injuftice. Alonzo. (Embracing him) My frierfd, I have no words ! Rolla. Do I not feel thy warm tears upon my cheek ? Go, I am fully repaid. Alonzo. In a few hours I return either to free thee or to fhare thy death. ^Exit. SCENE VII. Rolla alone) looking after him. He is gone ! Now for the firft time in my life have I been guilty of deception ! the God of truth pardon me \ He flatters himfelf with the hope of feeing me again fpeedily Yes, in another world, perhaps in a world where Cora will love me ! Oh, felfiih man ! Is not all this done to ferve thyfelf, that when Cora fhall afcend to our common Father, her firft queftion may be, where is Rolla ? But, who comes here ? SCENE THE DEATH OF ROLLA. SCENE VIII. Enter Elvira. Elvira. Well, Alonzo, have you conGdered better of this matter ? (She perceives Rolla) Ha ! how i$ this ? who art thou ? where is Alonzo ? Rolla. Which gueftion fhall I anfwer firft ? Elvira. Where is Alonzo ? Rolla. Gone. Elvira. Efcaped ? Rolla. Yes. Elvira. He muft be purfued. (Going) Rolla. (Stepping before her) Hold ! that muft not be \ Elvira. Infolent man ! I will call the guards. Rolla. Whatever you pleafe, fo that Alonzo gain time. Elvira. (Again endeavouring to go) If you dare to touch me ! Rolla. You ftir not from this place (He clafps her in his arms) Elvira. (Drawing a dagger) This ihall force me a pafTage \ through your heart. Rolla. As you pleafe ; but falling, I fhall flill clafp you. Elvira. Indeed ! Are fuch your fentiments ? The acquaintance of fuch a man is valuable. Releafe me ; I will rem un here. Rolla. (fitting his hold) It is enough ! Alonzo mull by this time be at fome diftance. Elvira. And has efcaped by your help. Rolla. By mine alone. Elvira. How ^.ould you dare to run fo great a ha- zard ? Rolla. Why hefitate to encounter it ? Ehira. Are you prepared to fuller death inftead of him ? Rolla. Should it be neceflary. *' THE SPANIARDS IN PERU J OR, Elvira. You arc no common friend. Rolla. I am not a&uated by friendfhip. Elvira. By what motive then ? Rolla. Tis immaterial tQ you, Elvira. I obferve that you arc fparing of you* wprds. Holla. My province is rather to aft, as you may perceive. Elvira. Who are you ? Rolla. My name is Rolla. Elvira. The Peruvian General ? Rolla. I was fo, once. Elvira. Is it poffible ? you in our power ? Rolla. Perfeaiy fo. Elvira. You have been flighted, perhapsi and thirft of vengeance has driven you hither? Rolla. What mean you by flighted ? Elvira. Your king has not rewarded you according to your deferts. Rolla. Far beyond them. Elvira.'* And yet you are here! You are urged neither by thirft of revenge, nor by emotions of friendfhip r yet are here ! Rolla. Even fo ! Elvira. I know of only one other paffion which could prompt fuch rafhnefs. Rolla. And that is Elvira. Love. Rolla. Right. Elvira. You love then ? and whom ? Rolla. 'Tis immaterial to you. Elvira. And you hope by this ftep - Rolla. I do not hope any thing. Elvira. I unclerftand you now, the object, of your love is dead ; and defpair has brought you hither. Rolla. As you pleafe. Elvira. I pity you fincerely. Rolla. I thank you. Elvira. Is your lofs irreparable ? Rolla. Wholly irreparable. Elvira. And at thefe early years, will you renounce life, and the enjoyment of your fame ? Rolla. Fame is only the gift of pofterity. Elvira, THE DEATH OF ROLLA. 69 Elvira. But fuppofing you could render farther fervices to your native country ? Rolla. I fhall, unlefs put to death here, fLlvira. In what way ? Rolla. By fighting againft you. Elvira. And you dare to tell me that to my face ? Rolla. 'Tis pity that you are not Pizarro. Elvira. Why fo ? Rolla, Then had I faid it to Pizarro's face. Elvira. Ha ! you fecm a man after my own heart. Rolla. Refemble me then if you can. Elvira. I refemble you ! I, a weak woman ! Rolla. A woman ? Eh'ira 1 You are furprifed. Rolla. No. Elvira. True, the hero mould not be furprifed at any thing. Rolla. Leafl of all at a woman. Elvira. Not even if fhe were capable of a great action. Rolla. Not even then. Elvira. You refpect our fex ? Rolla. It is better, and worfe, than ours. Elvira. Suppofe I were to reftore you, and with you the blefling of peace, to your native country ; would you reckon me among the better. Rolla. Perhaps fo. Elvira. Only perhaps ? Rolla. Is it iuiheient to fee the action, without know- ing the motives that prompted it ? Elvira. Proud nian 1 how is your friendfhip to be obtained ? Rolla. By friendfhip. Elvira. I will endeavour to obtain it. The morning but juft begins to dawn j there is yet time, take this dagger and follow me. Rolla. Whither? Elvira. I will conduct you to the tent, where Pizarro fleeps : you fhall difpateh him, and then we will fly. Thus you will fave yourfelf from inevitable death, and deliver your native country from a dreadful feourge. Rolla. How has Pizarro injured you ? Elvira. My love was firmly united to his fame. The fame 73 THE SPANIARDS IN PERU ; OR, fame ilroke, which Wafted the latter, has annihilated the former. Rolla. You loved him once ? Elvira. So I thought, when I heard him the theme of univerfal admiration. Rolla. And you now propofe that I fhould murder him in his deep ? Elvira. Would he not have murdered Alonzo in chains ? We deal with him, only as he would deal with others. A man is equally defencelefs in chains, as when afleep. Rolla. Give me the dagger. Elvira. Take it. Rolla. Now go on. Elvira. You muft firft ftab the foldier who guards the tent. Rolla. Muft I ? Elvira. Elfe he will raife an alarm. Rolla, Then, take back the dagger. Elvira. Why fo ? Rolla. This foldier is a man. Elvira. Well? Rolla. A man ! Do you underftand me ? Not every one who bears the human form deferves that name. Elvira, What do you mean ? Rolla. Againft gold this foldier was incorruptible. He was overcome by his feelings. He is my brother ; I will not injure him. Elvira. Then we muft endeavour to deceive him. Conceal the dagger. What ho ! there ? Guard ! SCENE IX. The Soldier enters the Tent, Soldier. What v/ould you have? Elvira. Where is your priibner ? Soldier. Where, but here (He fees Rolla) How ! What is the meaning of this ! (He looks about) Blefled God ! Alonzo is gone ! Elvira. And you are loft. Soldier. THE DEATH OF HOLLA. *] I Soldier. {Addrejftng Rolla) You have deceived me Ah, I muft die ! Oh my poor wife ! my poor child- ren ! Rolla. Be not uneafy Pizarro has loft nothing by the exchange I pledge my word for your fafety. Elvira. And I mine. But the General muft be imme- diately informed of the accident-, I will conduct this man to his tent. Do you accompany us. Soldier. He will order me to inftant execution. Elvira. Have we not both pledged ourfelves for his mercy ? Soldier. Ah, good lady ! for my poor children's fake ! Elvira. Only do as we defire ; and truft to us, that not an hair of your head fhall be touched. Come on, Rolla ! are you refolved ? Rolla. I am ready to follow you. Elvira. And may the angel appointed tod eftroy ty- rants, conduct our footfteps ! [Exeunt SCENE X.The infide of Pizarro's tent. Pizarro alone, lying upon a couch ; he tojfes about in dif- turbedjleep, and at intervals utters broken fentences. Blood ! blood ! no mercy ! revenge ! revenge ! Off with his head ! there lies the trunk ! Ha ! ha ! ha ! Look at the flaxen hair all dyed with blood ! SCENE XI. Enter Roll a and Elvira. Elvira. There he lies now, quickly ! Ralla. Go you, and leave me alone with him. Elvira. Why fo ! Rolla. I cannot ftab in the prefence of a woman, Elvira. But Rolla. Go, or I awaken him. Elvira. Then, call me when the deed is done. Rolla. Wait without. Elvira. 72 TflE SPANIARDS IN PERU', OR, Elvira. Be quick, left it be too late. [ExiL Rolla. (Goes up to Pinarro with folded arms , and ob-> ferves him earnejlly) And this is the man who has fo long difturbcd our peace ! the robber whom fome angry god has fent as a fcourge among us ! He feems to be really afleep. Oh, God ! and can a Pizarro fleep ! Pizarro. Leave me ! leave me N aWay ye phantoms ! Oh ! oh ! Rolla. I was rhiftaken he cannot fleep ! Come hither, ye hardened villains ! look here !~-~fuch are the {lumbers of the wicked. Pizarro. {Starting up terrified) Who's there ! Ho ! Guards ! Rolla. {Producing the dagger) Not a word, or you die this inftant. Pizarro. Treafon ! treafon ! Rolla. Speak foftly, I command you! Pizarro. And who are you? Rolla. A Peruvian, as you fee, and my name i9 Rolla. Your life is in my power, to call for help would be vain, for my arm would be quicker than your guard* Pizarro. What would you have ? Rolla. Not your life j for had that been my aim, I could have taken it as you flept ; I forbore to do fo, be not alarmed therefore for your fafety. Pizarro. Speak, then, what is your bufinefs ? SCENE !Zll. Re-enter Elvira hdfiily. Elvira. Ha ! how is this ! {To Rolla) Traitor I Rolia. Rolla is no afTaflin. Pizarro. Who then is one ? {He fixes his eyes en El- vira) Thou ! thou ! bafe woman ? Elvira. Had I loved affaffination, thy life had an- fwered my purpofe better than thy death. But know, that neither vengeance nor jealoufy urged mc to this ftep humanity alone raifed my dagger againft thee. It wa9 aimed at the ravifher of crowns, the oppreffor of an injured people. I wifhed to reftore to Peru that peace of which thy THE DEATH OF ROLLA. 73 thy tyranny has deprived her; and 'twas therefore I re- folved upon thy death. Roila. Had the deed been as noble as the end pro- pofed, how had I admired you ! Elvira. The deed was noble, as the only means of at- taining the nobleft objecl: to which my heart ever afpired. Oh, why did I not take the execution on myfelf! why did I entruft to another a work of fuch importance ! Know, unfeafonable Philanthropic, that I had (hewn more compaflion by finking this blow, than you have ihewn by your forbearance ! Pizarro, Silence, frantic woman ! and behold the com- panion 1 lhall extend to you ! Ho, there ! Guards ! (Enter Guards) Seize this woman ! ihe fought to mur- der your General. Let her be kept in the clofell con- finement, and let new torments be devifed Elvira. You remain Pizarro, as I Elvira. Death is to me a welcome friend, 11 nee this ftroke has failed ; yet, ere I go, hear me ! 1 would, through companion, have difmiiled you from the world without torture ; but you are condemned by a fuperior power to breathe out your foul amid the bittereft pangs of repentance, and the ievereft ladies of conference. Go on, then ! murder me aifo, thou fcourge of the human race ! but remember that thy deceitful tongue firft led me into the path of guilt ftrft beguiled me of mv innocence, my happinefs ! Do not the hit words of my mother, as fhe curfed the feducer ol her child, ftill vibrate in thy ears ? Doft thou not hear the groans of mv dying brother, who, in fceking atone- ment tor a lifter's ruined honour, fell by thy murderous fword J Yes, tyrant ! tyrant ! whether thou lhalt fol- low me fooner or later into the gloomy fhades of death; the mufic which thou haft thyfclf prepared for thy recep- tion, is ever ready to welcome thee! the curies of my mother, the dying groans of my brother, and the lhricks of thoufands ol innocent victims, imprecating vengeance on thy guilty head. Pixarro. ( Endeavouring to fupprefs his agitation) Will no one fulfil my commands t Elvira. You, Roila, have deceived me , but accept my forgivenefs : and let not your contempt follow me to rlie grave. I was once innocent, pious, and a fit anger to iorrow. Oh ! did vuu know the artifices by which this L. hypocrite 74 THE SPANIARDS IN PERU; OR, hypocrite deluded my guilelefs heart! how he gradually undermined every virtuous principle m my bofom, and led me, ftep by ftep, into the abyls of vice, you muft, you would, pity me ! Rolla. I pity you fincerely. Elvira. Pity from thee is a cooling drop to afiuage the fever that rages in my confeienre. Farewel ! (To Pi- zarro J And thou ! thou, whol iving, muft anticipate the torments of a future world; go on, purfue thy career of guilt, but remember, that the time will come when we ihall meet again ! Yes, tyrant, we fhall meet again ! 1 he protracted torture with which I am threatened, I de- Ipife mv mind is (till unconquered. Greatly to live, has been denied me by fate ! It cannot prevent me from greatly dying! [Exeunt guards -with Elvira. SCENE XIII. Pizarro and Rolla. Rolla. I would not, on any account, be in thy place ! Pizarro. Now, explain, I intreat, how this double miracle has been accomplished, that I fliould fee thee here, and as the protector of my life. Rolla. I came to refcue my friend, Alonzo. Pizarro. Then art thou come in vain. My obliga- tions to thee are great : afk whatever thou wilt in ac- knowledgment of thy fervices, except the life of this man. Rolla. He is no longer in thy power. Pizarro. Who is no longer in my power ? Rolla. Alonzo. Pizarro. He has efcaped ? Rolla. Yes. Pizarro. Curfes on the boy!- how was that po/fibler Rolla. How was it poffible ! Thou defpifeft us as barbarians, but learn, that we are not ftrangers to the moll powerful feelings of ft icncliliip. Pizarro. Ha ! thou haft then dared Rolla. Difguiied in tlie habit of a monk, I reached Aionzus tent made him aiTume my borrowed form, under THE DEATH OP ROLLA. 75 under (helter of which he fled, while I remaned in his place. Pixarro. Oh, you have deprived me of the ntbleft prize Rolla. He is a General, fo am I. Take my life in- stead of his. Pixarro. Peruvian, you extort my admiration. Rolla. Yet I feel myfelf humbled, when I reflect that I muit only (hare this admiration with a woman. Elvira's vilit to him was, doubtlefs, with the fame view. Pixarro. Did Elvira vifit him ? vile woman ! No, no, fhe had far other motive 1 :, (he meant to have con- ruled to him the commiflion, which, not finding him, fhe entrufted to yon. Oh ! then what gratitude ought 1 not to feel, that you promoted Alonzo's flight at fo critical a moment ! had the dagger been placed in his hand inftead or your's, my deftrudhon had been inevitable. Rolla. Think not fo injuriouily of my friend. He would have adted as I have done. Pixarro. Of that I doubt ; and muif , therefore, con- tinue to regard myfelf as deeply bound to you. Tell me how I can recompence a fervice fo important ? Rolla. Can you make that a queftion ? Pixarro. You are at liberty. Rolla. That I could not doubt. Pixarro. Confefs that thy enemy is not beneath thee in magnanimity. Rolla. He does his dutv. Pixarro. Go, and fhould we meet again with arms in our hands Rolla. We will fight as becomes men of valour. Pixarro. 1 fhall alvvavs avoid doing thee an injury. Rolla. Do not fay fo; for, now I know thee, thou wilt be the rirfr. perfon I ihall leek in rhe Held or battle. Meanwhile, farewell God amend thee \-(He is ^oing, but returns J Yet one word more. The foldier who guarded Alonzo's tent, performed his dutv he is innocent ot the prifoner's efcape- pardon him ! Pixarro. This is no flight requeft. Rclla. M it appear nnreafonble, let me remain here, and fufFer whatever punifhnient he has incurred, Pixarro. Would you hazuid your lite for a common foldier ? L 2 Rolla. 76 THE SPANIARDS IN PERU', OR, Rolla. He is a man whom I have involved in misfor- tune. Pizarro. Go in peace ! -he has my pardon. Rolla. Give me your hand upon it. Pizarro. (Giving bis band) And let us he friends. Rolla. Live quietly among us; ferve your God peace- ably, and leave us peaceably to ferve ours ; be the friend .of \irtue, and you will be mine! Pizarro. Confign over to me the object for which I comend, the throne of Quito Rolla. Enough ! farewel ! [Exit. Pizarro. (rflone, after a paufe) And I have fuffered him to leave me quietly ! How dangerous it is to lifl.en to the tongue of an enthufiaft; lince the mind is involun- tarily f waved by his fentiments. But I have given him my word. My word! And muft I now confult the chaplain, to afcertain how far I am bound to keep my faith with a heathen ? But this heathen is a hero, and heroes throughout the world are of the fame creed. [Exit. SCENE XIV. An open place near the Peruvian camp. Ataliba repofmg under a tree. How filent and defolate feems every thing around ! Are not our feelings much the fame after a victory, as after a fever? while we would fain rejoice over the danger paft, there is fcarcely ftrength remaining to utter our joy our imiles are drowned by tears, and the acclamations we hear are only echoed by a figh. What a dearly-earned prize is victory ! The records of hifhory, while they tell of the nun. hers that fall in battle, are filent as to thofe whom every conflict renders miferable.--The barbed arrow appears to ilrike only one heart, but in that one, it often pieices an hundred. Oh, how gladly would I exchange all my victories for a tingle harvsft-home ! SCENE THE DEATH OF ROLLA. 77 SCENE XV. Enter a Courtier. Courtier. The herald is returned, but brings us no confolation. Ataliba. Is Alonzo dead ? Courtier. He is ftill alive, but the Spaniards reject the proffered ranfom. " Your treafures," they arrogantly lay, " are ours ; within a few davs they will be in our " poffeflion, and we (hall be your lords. In our power, " coniifts our right." Ataliba. Not yet humbled. Are frefh fupplies con- tinually riling up among thefe ferpents that hifs aroui.d my throne ? Where is Alonzo's wile ? Courtier. Fled with her child, but no one knows whither. Rolla too has difappeared. The army itands in mute aftonifhment at the tidings. Ataliba. Rolla gone! -impofTible! Rolla forfake me ! when I am furrounded by diftrefs and danger i Oh, God ! is there no one to relieve the cares of royalty ? how gladly would I exchange fituations with the lowell among my fubjects ! SCENE XVI. Enter Alonzo in bis dijguip. Alonzo. Do I behold my fovereign once more ? Ataliba. Alonzo ! Art thou, indeed, Alonzo ? Alonzo. Where is my wife ? Ataliba. Oli welcome, but unexpected light ! Alonzo. Where is my wife ? Ataliba. How did you efcape ? Alonzo. Alinoft by a miracle. Ataliba. Say how ? Alonzo. Who but Rolla could have made, fnch a facri- fice to the facred glow of friendfhip ? Who but Rolla could have forced his way to my prifon, under luch a dif- guifc '-He it was who loofened my chains to fix them upon himfclf. Ataliba. 78 THE SPANIARDS IN PERU? OR, Ataliba. Rolla in the enemy's power! Ah! thou haft indeed wounded me afrefh. Alonzo. Give me a fvvord, with five hundred refolutc men, that I may haften to fave him ! Atallba. Shall I hazard in you my laft fupport ? Alonzo. The enemy is difpirited; the camp on the right fide weakly fortified j Pizarro has made himfelf odious by his barbarities ; the foldiers begin to murmur againft him ; let us not leave them time to recollect themfelves. One more vidlory, and we fhall drive them back to the ocean, where the waves will fwallow up our plagues, and their rapacity. Ataliba. Well then, I will myfelf furvey their camp, to afcertain where, and how, an attack may be poflible. Alonzo. Oh, do not expofe yourfelf to fuch danger!--- Confider that you are our king. Ataliba. Wherever danger may threaten the children, thither the father mould haften himfelf. Alonzo. No, leave it to me ! - only fuffer me firft to embrace my dearefl wife. Ataliba. (With embarrajfment ) Your wife ? Alonzo. Cora mutt, undoubtedly, have fuffered much upon my account. Ataliba. Alas ! fhe has fuffered moft feverely ! Alonzo. But in another moment her fufferings fhall be at an end. Ataliba. Where would you feek her ? Alonzo. Is fhe not here ? Ataliba. Anguifh has driven her hence. Alonzo. W h i ther ? Ataliba. Alas ! we know not. Perhaps among the mountains, to her father. Alonzo. Oh, God ! what a fhivering has feized my whole frame. Courtier. She was feen upon the field of battle, and heard to call upon your name till night came on, when fhe ru flicd into the facrifice of my life, but not of my honour. Pizarro. You would only deprive a weak king of a flation to which he is unequal. Rolla. Ataliba weak ! But were lie fo, a king who makes his people happy* is ilrong in his people's love. Pizarro. Confider this propofal well. Rolla. It has been long decided by my confeience. Pizarro. Recollect, that defpiied fiiendlhip, rages with no lefs fury than defpifed love. Rolla. Ha ! this is what 1 expected ! -Why thus torment thyfelf, to feek for flimfy fubterfuges : Throw off the malk at once. Pizarro. {Endeavouring to /mother bis rage) Rolla, do not mitlake me ! Rolla. May I depart ? Pizarro. {After a Jlruggle) Yes, you may depart. Rolla. Will nothing obltrudl my return to our own camp ? Pizarro. Nothing unlefs repentance bring you back to us. Rolla. Thanks to the gods ! Rolla never found caufc to repent any action of his life ! SCENE VI. Enter the two Soldiers with the Child. Firji Soldier. General, we have found a child. Pizarro. What is that to me ? away with you. Soldier. It was lying in the forert, riot far from the camp. Pizarro. Throw it into the firft ditch you find. Rolla. 88 THE SPANIARDS IN PERU; OR, Rolla. Gracious God ! it is Alonzo's child. Pizarro. How ! Rolla. (To the Soldiers) Give it to me. Pizarro (Stepping in between them) Not fo hafty ! j Alonzo's child did you fay ? Fortunate chance !- . welcome, little creature ! thou (halt ferve me as a fcourge to chaftife thy father's follies. Rolla. Does Pizarro make war on children ? Pizarro. You c innot underftand me. 1 have an old account to fettle with Alonzo. I might inftantly pav my debt by plunging a dagger into the breaft of this child; but that were merely to pay him, and I mull now make him my debtor. Rolla. You are right I do not underftand you. Pizarro. What think you of elevating this little head upon the point of a lance ? Then, when the hero, Alonzo, fhall be pi effing forward through the thickeft ranks of the enemy, bearing down all before him, like the waters of a rufhing ft ream ; what will be the mound to flop his pro- grefs ? the head of a child. See, where the hero ftands motionlefs as a ftatue ; his fword falls from his palfied hand ; his eyes are immovably fixed, with a flare of horror, upon the bloody banner, from which drops ftill trickle down upon the lance. This will be a light !" (f'Fith malicious exultation.) Rilla. Pizarro, are you a man j Pizarro. And when he returns home to the eagerly- expecting mother, as fhe throws her iuovvy arms around his neck, and with her ftlken hair wipes the bloody drops from his moulder ; then will he fay, with a tender kifs, " My love ! you fuppofe this to he the blood of an ** enemy but no, no, it flowed from the veins of thine * own child!"'' Oh, glorious Rclla. Look, how the infant fmiles ! And could yau murder fuch innocence ? Pizarro. Could you wring the neck of a dove ? Rolla. Do you want a ranfom ? I will fend you ten times the boy's weight in filver. Pizarro. Let it be caft into a ftatue of him, and placed upon his grave. Rolla. THE DEATH OF ROLLA. 89 Rolla. Pizarro, you thanked me for your life ; give me in return, the life of this child. Pizarro. Do you feek to fhame me by fo paltry a re- queft ? Rolla. Send back the child, and I will remain your prifoner. Pizarro. You are at full liberty. Rolla. Surely it is impoffible that nature can have put thee out of her hands, in a manner fo carelefs and unfinish- ed, as not to have given human feelings to thy heart- Behold me at thy feet, the man who faved thy life, who devotes himfelf to be thy Have, if thou will furrender this child to his parents ! Pizarro. The child (hall remain here. Rolla. (With growing rage) Pizarro hear me ! Pizarro. Either you inftantly become the vaflals of Spain, or this child remains my prifoner. Rolla. Weii then ! (He fprings forwards, hajlily fnatches the child from the foldier, clafps it with his left arm, and with his right draws his fword) I have not received this weapon in vain, this child is mine ; who dares attempt to follow me, dies. (Exit hajlily) Pizarro. Fool-hardy boafler ! audacious madman ! i-away foldiers, haften after him ; and, if poflible, bring him back alive. (Exeunt fever al foldiers) What dcemon poflefles this man! Fool that 1 was, to give him a fword ! (Looking after Rolla) How the madman de- fends himfelf! he gains ground of his purfuers by Heaven he will efcape them ! away, more of you join the purfuit; no longer attempt to preferve his \\k-<-{Exeunt other Soldiers) Ah ! I can no longer fee him ; the hill now conceals him from me. Madman, do not impute thv death to me ! I would gladly have made thee my friend, and difcharged the obligations I owe thee. ( Stveral guns are heard fred at a d'flance) Farewel ! thou haft deferved an honourable death! (Enter # Soldier)-^- Well, what news ? Soldier. Be fati-fied. General, the hero cannot proceed mrch farther ; a flint hit him on the right fide, and I faw him fall. Pizarro. More glu.lly would I have heard that he was N taken 9 THE SPANIARDS IN PER*U ; OR, taken alive. Prefumptuous heathen ! to offer me defi- ance, in my own camp. Soldier. Your order to fpare him, has coft the lives of four of our foldiers. (Another Soldier enters) Second Soldier. He has forced his wa^y through every obftacle, and reached the out-pofts of his own camp. Pizarro. (Stamping upon the ground) Curfed for- tune! Second Soldier. But he is mortally wounded, His death is certain. Pizarro. And notwithstanding that, forced his way through ? Soldier. Never did I behold courage equal to his. All the fabulous feats of our Moorifh knights, are nothing, compared with what he has actually performed. Four of us, who endeavoured to take him alive, fell by his fword. A (hot from another levelled him with the ground ; but he inftantly ftarted up again, laid the child down, and leaning againft a tree, dealt his ftrokes round him every way, like the angel with the flaming fword, till two more were flretched dead at his feet. The reft then began to prepare their fire-arms, when he caught up the child, and darting forwards like an arrow, was quickly out of their reach but the tree againft which he had leaned, and the place where he flood, were dyed with blood; and by his blood, every ftep that he ran might be traced. The foldiers fired feveral fhot a f ter him, but he foon difappeared behind the hill. Pizarro. Why did you not mount your horfes ? Soldier. They were grazing behind the camp. Pizarro. Curfed idoltater ! and yet I cannot refufe him my warmeft admiration. Give me a thoufand fuch men, and I would conquer the world. (Exeunt.) SCENE VII. An open place near tie Peruvian camp. Ataliba enters with folded arms, and wrapped in thought. The enemy is quiet, my army fleeps, the ftorm has pailed over, and no breath of wind whifpers among the trees. A deep THE DEATH OF R0LLA. 91 deep and folemn filence reigns around, and all things both in the animate and the inanimate creation, feem to tafte repofe, all but my throbbing heart. Why is that frill reftlefs? Why muft I alone be haunted by the phantoms of the flain ? Why muft I alone be incelTantly tormented with ideal founds, as of dying groans ? Was is not for God and my native land, that my fvvord was drawn ? SCENE VIII. Enter Cora dijlratted. Cora. Whither do you lead me? Where is my child's grave? (Seeing Ataliba.) Ha! thou firft-born of the Sun, give me back my child. Ataliba. Cora, whence come you ? Cora. From the grave where they have laid my child. Oh! it is deep in the earth! there all is cold and damp Oh h h! how Ifhiver! Aialiba. Ah ! light of woe ! (Enter Alonzo and Las- Cafas) Alonzo. Unhappy creature ! whither does thy mifery lead thee? Cora. Silence ! Alonzo, behold here, the firft-born of our God! the Sun is his father; he has only to fpealc the word, and the grave will give back its prey. (She clajps Ataliba' s knees) Speak, my king ! have companion upon a mother's anguifli ! Ataliba. Oh, God ! what does (he mean ? Alonzo. We have loft our child. Ataliba. Wretched mother ! alas, I cannot help thee; I am only a king. Cora. To whom, then, am I to apply? to whom, but thee, have the gods entruited our lives? Was it not by thee that the Peruvians were led to battle? Did not my Alonzo fight for thee? wilt thou rcfufe the only recotn- pence we a(k for all that he has done, the life of a child who (hall himfelf one day take arms for thy defence. Ataliba. Crufh me, ye gods ! i will meet my fate with refi^nation ! Cora. (Springing up) Oh, tyrant ! canft .thou witnefs N ?, my 9 THE SPANIARDS IN PERU J OR, my anguifh, unmoved? Is not thy ambition yet fatiated with blood? Is it not enough, that, to every one of thefe diamonds hangs a drop of the vital ftrcam ? but muft thou alfo tear children from their mother's brcafts, and caft them to the wild beads ? Ha ! what is the dia- dem to me? what to me the throne of Quito? hither, hither, ye mothers, whom this victory has made childlefs ! hither to me! help me to curfe ! that our mifery may afcend to heaven with the exultations of this barbarian! And, if hereafter he mall experience the anguifh of only one wretch- ed mother; he will be fufliciently tormented! (She finks exhaujled upon the ground) Alonzo. (To Ataliba, as he catches Cora in his arms) For- give a mother's detraction ! Ataliba. (Wiping tears from his eyes) The throne has no charms which can atone for witneffing fuch agony. Cora. (Smiling) Alonzo bring me the child, that he mav receive his accuftomed nourifhment. Inhuman, Alon- 20 ! you fee me dying, yet will not let me feaft once more upon his infant fmiles ! Alonzo. This complaining is more painful than even thy rage. Yes, unhappy mother ! rage on, thou haft no longer a child \ Cora. ( Falling back) Unhappy mother ! thou haft no longer a child ! SCENE IX. Enter a Peruvian Peruvian. Rolla is haftening hither. Ataliba and Alonzo. Rolla! (Rolla Jl aggers upon the /cage, tvith a death like palcnefs in his countenance, the bloody fword in his right hand, and the child in his left) Ataliba. Oh God! what do 1 fee! Rdla. (In a faint voice, and jinking upon his knee, un- able to apprach the fainting Cora) Cora! your child! Cora. (Opening her eyei, and feeing the child, Jlarts up and jlr etches out her arms to receive him) ^J\lychild ! and covered with blood. Rolla. (Holding out the child to her) It is my blood. Cora. THE DEATH OF ROLLA. 93 Cora. (Clafping the child to her breaft) My child ! Oh Rolla ! ..,, Roila. I loved thee ! thou haft fufpeaed me unjuftly! I can no more! (He finks down) Jlonzo. (Throwing himfelf by him) .Rolla! thoudielt! Rolla. For Cora. (Expires) Cora. ( Looking with agony at the body) Did ever man love like this man ? Oh child too dearly purchafed ! Jlonzo. Las-Cafas, help me to believe in a juft God ! Las-Cafas. His ways are incomprehenfible! pray to him, and be refigned ! {The Curtain falls.) END OF THE PLAY. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY Los Angeles This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. FEB2419M ' QL SK'O RfC*0 CDURP Si JUL 2 2 1987 m MAR 14^08 1987 tO-M^D whtoh f B 2 2 2000 si. * ?i 1 Fc By ( Faith . i Kjaulora \ PAMPHLET BINDER Syracuse. N. Y. Stockton, Calif. ei 3 1158 00503 2841 A A 000 079 570 UniT S