Xaira. (Presenting the sword to the king) First born of the Sun, receive from my hands the symbol of justice! (Presenting the palm-branch) First born of the Sun, receive from my hands the symbol of mercy!—The gods direct your judgment!
Ataliba. (Kneels) Oh God, thou seest how my heart is racked at this awful hour!—Grant that I may never again be compelled to the performance of so mournful a duty!—Ye shades of my forefathers, hover over me!—let me be enlightened by your wisdom, and since I exact no more than justice demands, let my soul find rest in that reflection. (He rises—Cora, Alonzo, Telasco, and Zorai, kneel with their heads bowed down.—After a few minutes struggle with himself, the king raises the sword, and is about to speak.)
SCENE V.—Enter the Chamberlain in great haste, and with a strong impression of terror upon his countenance.
Chamberlain. Pardon me, royal Inca, that I must be the messenger of evil tidings. The flame of insurrection rages among the people—they run wildly hither and thither about the streets—the troops assemble on all sides, crying to arms! to arms!—Drums beat, trumpets sound, weapons clash, and a forest of lances are collected together. No answer is to be obtained to a single question; all that is to be heard is the name of Rolla shouted by ten thousand voices. The troop belonging to the foreigner Velasquez, was drawn up in the meadow; I saw him run hastily from one soldier to another; and could plainly perceive by his gestures, that he entreated, threatened, expostulated, and employed every effort to restrain them within their duty, but in vain, all by turns deserted to Rolla. (The whole assembly, except the king, manifest great consternation and alarm.)
Ataliba. What can this mean?—Rolla, did you say, at the head of the army?—that cannot be insurrection.—Rolla’s name can never be united with insurrection—this must be a mistake. Did you see him yourself?
Chamberlain. Only at a distance. The officers had made a little circle round him, he harangued them eagerly, and with a loud voice, his eyes flashed fire, which seemed to communicate to those about him, who frequently interrupted his harangue with impetuous shouts, then brandishing their swords and shaking their lances, they began to throng towards the Temple, the whole multitude following them, while I hastened on before, to prepare you for their reception.
Ataliba. (Without changing countenance) Well, all will soon be explained. (He looks around) I see terror pourtrayed on every countenance.—Why are you dismayed?—He who only studies to promote his people’s happiness, has no reason to fear his people. In that conviction my heart finds repose. Let them come! (A noise is heard behind the scenes.)
All present cry with confusion. They come!—they are here already!