The Out-post of the Spanish Camp. — The hack Ground wild and rocky, with a Torrent falling down the Precipice, over which a Bridge is formed by a felled Tree. Trumpets sound without.
Almagro. [Without.] Bear him along — his story must be false. [Entering]
ROLLA, in Chains, brought in by Soldiers.
Rol. False! — Rolla utter falsehood! — I would I had thee in a desert with thy troop around thee; — and I, but with my sword in this unshackled hand! — [Trumpets without.
Alm. Is it to be credited that Rolla, the renowned Peruvian hero, should be detected like a spy, skulking through our camp?
Rol. Skulking!
Alm. But answer to the general — he is here.
Enter PIZARRO.
Piz. What do I see! Rolla!
Rol. O! to thy surprise, no doubt.
Piz. And bound too!
Rol. So fast, thou need’st not fear approaching me.
Alm. The guards surprised him passing our out-post.
Piz. Release him instantly. — Believe me, I regret this insult.
Rol. You feel then as you ought.
Piz. Nor can I brook to see a warrior of Rolla’s fame disarmed — Accept this, though it has been thy enemy’s. [Gives a sword.] The Spaniards know the courtesy that’s due to valour.
Rol. And the Peruvian how to forget offence.
Piz. May not Rolla and Pizarro cease to be foes?
Rol. When the sea divides us; yes! — May I now depart?
Piz. Freely.
Rol. And shall I not again be intercepted?
Piz. No! — let the word be given that Rolla passes freely.
Enter DAVILLA and Soldiers, with the Child.
Dav. Here are two soldiers, captived yesterday, who have escaped from the Peruvian hold, — and by the secret way we have so long endeavoured to discover.
Piz. Silence, imprudent! — Seest thou not — ?
[Pointing to ROLLA.
Dav. In their way, they found a Peruvian child, who seems —
Piz. What is the imp to me? — Bid them toss it into the sea.
Rol. Gracious heavens! it is Alonzo’s child! — give it to me.
Piz. Ha! Alonzo’s child! — Welcome, thou pretty hostage. — Now Alonzo is again my prisoner!
Rol. Thou wilt not keep the infant from its mother?
Piz. Will I not! — What, when I shall meet Alonzo in the heat of the victorious fight — think’st thou I shall not have a check upon the valour of his heart, when he is reminded that a word of mine is this child’s death?
Rol. I do not understand you.
Piz. My vengeance has a long arrear of hate to settle with Alonzo! — and this pledge may help to settle the account.
Rol. Man! man! — Art thou a man? — Couldst thou hurt that innocent? — By Heaven! it’s smiling in thy face.
Piz. Tell me, does it resemble Cora?
Rol. Pizarro! thou hast set my heart on fire.
— If thou dost harm that child; — think not his blood will sink into the barren sand — No! — faithful to the eager hope that now trembles in this indignant heart, ‘twill rise to the common God of nature and humanity, and cry aloud for vengeance on his accursed destroyer’s head.
Piz. Be that peril mine.
Rol. [Throwing himself at his feet.] Behold me at thy feet — Me, Rolla! — me, the preserver of thy life! — Me, that have never yet bent or bowed before created man! — In humble agony I sue to you — prostrate I implore you — but spare that child, and I will be your slave.
Piz. Rolla! still art thou free to go — this boy remains with me.
Rol. Then was this sword Heaven’s gift, not thine! [Seizes the Child.] — Who moves one step to follow me, dies upon the spot. —
[Exit, with the Child.
Piz. Pursue him instantly — but spare his life. [Exeunt ALMAGRO and Soldiers.] With what fury he defends himself! — Ha! — he fells them to the ground — and now —
Enter ALMAGRO.
Alm. Three of your brave soldiers are already victims to your command to spare this madman’s life; and if he once gains the thicket —
Piz. Spare him no longer. [ALMAGRO.] Their guns must reach him — he’ll yet escape — holloa to those horse — the Peruvian sees them — and now he turns among the rocks — then is his retreat cut off.
[ROLLA crosses the wooden bridge over the cataract, pursued by the Soldiers — they fire at him — a shot strikes him — PIZARRO exclaims —
Piz. Now! quick! quick! seize the child! — [ROLLA tears from the rock the tree which supports the bridge, and retreats by the hack ground, bearing off the Child.
Re-enter ALMAGRO.
Alm. By hell! he has escaped! — and with the child unhurt.
Dav. No — he bears his death with him — Believe me, I saw him struck upon the side.
Piz. But the child is saved — Alonzo’s child! Oh! the furies of disappointed vengeance!
Alm. Away with the revenge of words — let us to deeds — Forget not we have acquired the knowledge of the secret pass, which through the rocky cavern’s gloom brings you at once to the strong hold, where are lodged their women and their treasures.
Piz. Right, Almagro! Swift as thy thought draw forth a daring and a chosen band — I will not wait for numbers. — Stay, Almagro! Valverde is informed Elvira dies to-day?
Alm. He is — and one request alone she —
Piz. I’ll hear of none.
Alm. The boon is small— ’tis but for the noviciate habit which you first beheld her in — she wishes not to suffer in the gaudy trappings, which remind her of her shame. —
Piz. Well, do as thou wilt — but tell Valverde, at our return, as his life shall answer it, to let me hear that she is dead. — [Exeunt, severally.