Piz. But, when he found that the soft folly of the pleading tears he dropped on my bosom fell on marble, he flew and joined the foe: then, profiting by the lessons he had gained in wronged Pizarro’s school, the youth so disciplined and led his new allies, that soon he forced me—ha! I burn with shame and fury while I own it!—in base retreat and foul discomfiture to quit the shore.

Val. But the hour of revenge is come.

Piz. It is; I am returned: my force is strengthened, and the audacious boy shall soon know that Pizarro lives, and has—a grateful recollection of the thanks he owes him.

Val. ’Tis doubted whether still Alonzo lives.

Piz. ’Tis certain that he does; one of his armour-bearers is just made prisoner: twelve thousand is their force, as he reports, led by Alonzo and Peruvian Rolla. This day they make a solemn sacrifice on their ungodly altars. We must profit by their security, and attack them unprepared—the sacrificers shall become the victims.

Elv. Wretched innocents! And their blood shall bedew their altars!

Piz. Right!—[Trumpets without.] Elvira retire!

Elv. Why should I retire?

Piz. Because men are to meet here, and on manly business.

Elv. O men! men! ungrateful and perverse! O woman! still affectionate though wronged! [Valverde retires back.] The being to whose eyes you turn for animation, hope, and rapture, through the days of mirth and revelry; and on whose bosoms, in the hour of sore calamity, you seek for rest and consolation; then, when the pompous follies of your mean ambition are the question, you treat as playthings or as slaves—I shall not retire.

Piz. Remain, then; and, if thou canst, be silent.

Elv. They only babble who practise not reflection. I shall think—and thought is silence.

Piz. [Aside.] Ha! there’s somewhat in her manner lately—

[Looks sternly and suspiciously at Elvira, who meets his glance with a commanding and unaltered eye.

Enter Las-Casas, Almagro, Gonzalo, Davilla, Officers, and Soldiers.—Trumpets without.

Las-Cas. Pizarro, we attend thy summons.

Piz. Welcome, venerable father!—My friends, most welcome! Friends and fellow-soldiers, at length the hour is arrived, which to Pizarro’s hopes presents the full reward of our undaunted enterprise and long- enduring toils. Confident in security, this day the foe devotes to solemn sacrifice; if with bold surprise we strike on their solemnity—trust to your leader’s word—we shall not fail.

Alm. Too long inactive have we been mouldering on the coast; our stores exhausted, and our soldiers murmuring. Battle! battle!—then death to the armed, and chains for the defenceless.

Dav. Death to the whole Peruvian race!

Las-Cas. Merciful Heaven!

Alm. Yes, general, the attack, and instantly! Then shall Alonzo, basking at his ease, soon cease to scoff our sufferings, and scorn our force.