Juan. You tremble, and look pale;—for shame; rouse yourself; shew yourself a man!
SCENE IX.—Enter the High-Priestess, followed by a long train of Virgins of the Sun. They are clad in thick mourning veils, and march in slow and solemn procession towards the King. An awful silence is observed by the whole company, who wait the sequel of the scene with anxious expectation.
High-Priestess. (Throwing back her veil) Oh woe! woe! woe!
Ataliba. On whom dost thou imprecate woe?
High-Priestess. The temple is polluted!—the altars are profaned!—the holy lamp is extinguished!—Oh woe! woe! woe!
Ataliba. Name the criminal, that the gods may be avenged for these heavy offences.
High-Priestess. First born of the Sun, let the stringed instruments, let the festal song, cease!—Let the temple be divested of its ornaments, and the garlands be taken from the beasts prepared for sacrifice; to-day can no festival be solemnized!—Lamentations must be our only songs, mourning veils our only ornaments!—A serpent has with his poison polluted the house of the Stars!—A Virgin of the Sun has broken her vow of chastity! (She pauses a few moments—the whole assembly shudder—Alonzo appears like one thunderstruck—at length the High-Priestess proceeds) Woe! woe! upon Cora!!!
(At the mention of this name the King utters a cry of agony.—Telasco, trembling, supports himself upon his staff—Zorai, full of confusion, conceals his face in his garments—Alonzo is sinking to the ground, but is supported by Velasquez—A confused murmur is heard among the rest of the assembly.)
High-Priestess. Vengeance! vengeance! upon the murderer of virtue!—upon the wretch who could abuse the hospitality of a peaceable people, and violate the sacred asylum of the Wives of the Sun!—Woe! woe! upon Alonzo!!!