Comagre (holding him by the arm, leads him towards the Palace). Come! Come! (Exeunt into the Palace.)
Scene changes.
Scene VII.—INTERIOR OF THE PALACE.
The Cacique’s family ranged on a dais. The women are clothed with a short white cotton petticoat round their middle, elaborately embroidered, their limbs naked save for the bands or circles of gold. Their heads decorated with chaplets of flowers and jewels, their necks with ropes of enormous pearls. Rings of gold and jewels in their noses and ears.
Comagre. I will show you over my Palace, noble Drake, whilst a repast is being prepared for you. (Exeunt Drake and Comagre.)
Scene changes.
Scene VIII.—THE HALL OF THE DEAD.
A retired and sacred part of the building devoted to the purpose, richly decorated and stored with masses of gold and silver. A long line of mummied dead, dressed in robes of cotton, elaborately embroidered, and covered with jewels, are suspended to silver bars, and vibrating strangely with the gentle air through the open casements.
Enter Comagre and Drake, who, startled and amazed at the unexpected scene, recoils with awe.
Comagre. This, noble Drake, is the Hall of my Ancestors—the sacred mansion of the dead. There they are! (he points to them). In hours of sorrow or danger I visit them. Their spirits come from the happy land to sympathise with mine.