and am I not rewarded? Now, Cora, listen to a friend's advice. Thou must away; thou must seek the sacred caverns, the unprofaned recess, whither, after this day's sacrifice, our matrons, and e'en the virgins of the sun, retire.

Cora. Not secure with Alonzo, and with thee?

Rol. We have heard Pizarro's plan is to surprise us. Thy presence, Cora, cannot aid, but may impede our efforts.

Cora. Impede!

Rol. Yes, yes. Thou know'st how tenderly we love thee; we, thy husband and thy friend. Art thou near us? Our thoughts, our valour-vengeance will not be our own. No advantage will be pursued, that leads us from the spot where thou art placed; no succour will be given but for thy protection. The faithful lover dares not be all himself amid the war, until he knows that the beloved of his soul is absent from the peril of the fight.

Al. Thanks to my friend; 'tis this I would have urged.

Cora. This timid excess of love, producing fear instead of valour, flatters, but does not convince me: the wife is incredulous.

Rol. And is the mother unbelieving, too? Cora. [Kisses child.] No more. Do with me as thou pleasest. My friend, my husband! place me where thou wilt.

Al. My adored! we thank you both. [March without.] Hark! the king approaches to the sacrifice. Thou, Rolla, spokest of rumours of surprise. A servant of mine, I hear, is missing; whether surprised or treacherous, I know not.

Rol. It matters not; we are every where prepared. -Come, Cora, upon the altar 'mid the rocks thou'lt implore a blessing on our cause. The pious supplication of the trembling wife, and mother's heart, rises to the throne of mercy, the most resistless prayer of human homage. [Exeunt.-ROLLA leads off CORA.

ALONZO takes the Child by the hand, and follows.

SCENE 11..

The Temple of the Sun. - A solemn March.-The Warriors and King enter-ROLLA, ALONZO, and CORA.

Ata. Welcome, Alonzo! [TO ROLLA.] Kinsman, thy hand. [TO CORA.] Bless'd be the object of the happy mother's love.

Cora. May the son bless the father of his people?

Ata. In the welfare of his children lives the happiness of their king. Friends, what is the temper of our soldiers?

Rol. Such as becomes the cause which they support; their cry is, Victory or death! our king, our country, and our God!

Ata. Thou, Rolla, in the hour of peril, hast been wont to animate the spirit of their leaders, ere we proceed to consecrate the banners which thy valour knows so well to guard.

Rol. [During this speech the King, Alonzo, Cora, and Child stand near the Altar.] Yet never was the hour of peril near, when to inspire them words were so little needed. My brave associates! partners of my toil, my feelings, and my fame! Can Rolla's words add vigour to the virtuous energies which inspire your hearts? No! you have judged as I have, the foulness of the crafty plea by which these bold invaders would delude you. Your generous spirit has compared, as mine has, the motives which, in a war like this, can animate their minds, and ours. They, by a strange frenzy driven, fight for power, for plunder, and extended rule. We, for our country, our altars, and our homes. They follow an adventurer whom they fear, and obey a power which they hate. We serve a monarch whom we love-a God whom we adore. Whene'er they move in anger, desolation tracks their progress! Whene'er they pause in amity, affliction mourns their friendship. They boast, they come but to improve our state, enlarge our thoughts, and free us from the yoke of error! Yes-they will give enlightened freedom to our minds, who are themselves

the slaves of passion, avarice, and pride. They offer us their protection-yes, such protection as vultures give to lambs-covering and devouring them! They call on us to barter all of good we have inherited and proved, for the desperate chance of something better which they promise. Be our own plain answer this: -The throne we honour is the people's choice-the laws we reverence are our brave fathers' legacy-the faith we follow teaches us to live in bonds of charity with all mankind, and die with hope of bliss beyond the grave. Tell your invaders this, and tell them, too, we seek no change; and, least of all, such change as they would bring us.

[Loud shouts of the Soldiery. Ata. [Embracing ROLLA.] Now, holy friends, ever mindful of these sacred truths, begin the sacrifice.

CHORUS.

Enter PRIESTS and VIRGINS.

Oh Pow'r supreme! in mercy smile
With favour on thy servants' toil!
Our hearts from guileful passions free,
Which here we render unto thee!
Thou Parent Light but deign to hear
The voices of our feeble choir;

And this, our sacrifice of fear,

Consume with thine own hallowed fire!

[Fire from above alights upon the Altar.—
ROLLA and KING advance to the Altar.
Give praise, give praise, the God has heard,
Our God most awfully revered!

The altar his own flames enwreathed!

Then be the conquering sword unsheathed,
And victory set on Rolla's brow,

His foes to crush-to overthrow!

Ata. Our offering is accepted. [Rise, and all close round, and prostrate at the Altar.—Exit Chorus,etc.]

Now to arms, my friends, prepare for battle!

[Goes with ROLLA.

Oro. The enemy!

Ata. How near!

Enter ORANO.

Ora. From the hill's brow, e'en now as I o'erlooked their force, suddenly I perceived the whole in motion: with eager haste they march towards our deserted camp, as if apprised of this most solemn sacrifice.

Rol. They must be met before they reach it.

Ata. [To CORA, &c.] And you, my daughters, with your dear children, away to the appointed place of safety.

Cora. Oh, Alonzo!

Al. We shall meet again.

[Embracing him.

Cora. Bless us once more, ere thou leave us.

Al. Heaven protect and bless thee, my beloved; and thee, my innocent!

Ata. Haste! haste!-each moment is precious!
Cora. Farewell,

mine.

Alonzo! Remember thy life is

Rol. [As she is passing him.] Not one farewell to Rolla?

Cora. [Giving him her hand.] Farewell! the God of war be with thee: but bring me back Alonzo.

[Exit, with the child.

Ata. [Drawing his sword.] Now, my brethren, my sons, my friends, 1 know your valonr. Should ill success assail us, be despair the last feeling of your hearts. If successful, let mercy be the first. Alonzo, to thee I give to defend the narrow passage of the mountains. On the right of the wood be Rolla's station. For me, straight forwards will I march to meet them, and fight until I see my people saved, or they behold their monarch fall. Be the word of battleGod! and our native land!

[A March.-Exeunt.

KING first, ROLLA and ALONZO follow hand-in-hand, SOLDIERS close up the rear.

SCENE III-A Wood.

Enter ROLLA and ALONZO.

Rol. Here, my friend, we separate-soon, I trust, to meet again in triumph.

Al. Or perhaps we part to meet no more.

Rolla,

a moment's pause; we are yet before our army's strength; one earnest word at parting.

Rol. There is in language now no word but battle. Al. Yes, one word more-Cora!

Rol. Cora! speak!

Al. The next hour brings us—

Rol. Death or victory!

Al. It may be victory to one-death to the other. Rol. Or both may fall.

Al. If so, my wife and child I bequeath to the protection of heaven and my king. But should I only fall, Rolla, be thou my heir.

Rol. How?

Al. Be Cora thy wife-be thou a father to my

child.

Rol. Rouse thee, Alonzo! fancies.

Banish these timid

Al. Rolla! I have tried in vain, and cannot fly from the foreboding which oppresses me: thou know'st it will not shake me in the fight: but give me the promise I exact.

Rol. If it be Cora's will-Yes-I promise. [Gives his hand. Al. Tell her it was my last wish! and bear to her and to my son, my last blessing. Rol. I will.-Now then to our posts, and let our swords speak for us. [They draw their swords.

Al. For the king and Cora!

Rol. For Cora and the king!

[Exeunt.

SCENE IV.-A View of the Peruvian Camp.

Enter an OLD BLIND MAN and a Bor.

O. Man. Have none returned to the camp?