Ataliba. (To Zorai) Young man, you also are free! (Turning to the assembly) For it is the will of my father, that henceforward the guilty only shall suffer. (A murmuring is heard among the priests; Ataliba casts a look of displeasure upon them, and again addresses Zorai) Comfort your aged father, nurse him and attend upon him as long as he lives; then come to me, as to your elder brother. (Zorai attempts to throw himself at the king’s feet, who prevents him, and turns to Cora) For you, Cora,—I can do nothing.
Cora. Oh, you have done all that I could wish!—more than I could dare to hope.
Ataliba. Your offence comes immediately within the laws, and to the laws the king himself is subject. (He ascends to the upper step of the altar, prostrates himself once more before the Image of the Sun, and then turns towards the assembly) High-Priest, execute your office!
High-Priest. Pardon me, good Inca!—spare my age!—my infirm state of health!—my throbbing heart!—Permit Xaira on this occasion to take my place.
Ataliba. Be it as you desire!
Xaira. (Approaching him with solemnity) First born of the Sun, a virgin, devoted to the gods, has broken her sacred vow!—Cora, come forwards!—A stranger who sojourns in this land is the associate of her crime!—Alonzo, come forwards!—We, the priests of the incensed gods, and servants of the Temple which has been profaned, faithful to the ordinances of thy great ancestor, have sat in judgment upon their crime, and pronounced sentence upon both.—This sentence is death!!!
Ataliba. (After a pause, addressing Cora and Alonzo) Have you anything to say in your defence? (Cora and Alonzo remain silent) I ask you, Cora, and you, Alonzo, if you have any thing to urge in your defence?
Cora. Nothing.
Alonzo. Nothing.