[Exit.

Piz. How, Elvira! wouldst thou leave me?

Elv. I am bewildered, grown terrified! Your inhumanity—and that good Las-Casas—oh! he appeared to me just now something more than heavenly: and you! ye all looked worse than earthly.

Piz. Compassion sometimes becomes a beauty.

Elv. Humanity always becomes a conqueror.

Alm. Well! Heaven be praised, we are rid of the old moralist.

Gon. I hope he’ll join his preaching pupil, Alonzo.

Piz. [Turning to Almagro.] Now to prepare our muster and our march. At midday is the hour of sacrifice. [Elvira sits.] Consulting with our guides, the route of your divisions shall be given to each commander. If we surprise, we conquer; and, if we conquer, the gates of Quito will be open to us.

Alm. And Pizarro then be monarch of Peru.

Piz. Not so fast—ambition for a time must take counsel from discretion. Ataliba still must hold the shadow of a sceptre in his hand—Pizarro still appear dependent upon Spain: while the pledge of future peace, his daughter’s hand, [Elvira rises much agitated,] secures the proud succession to the crown I seek.

Alm. This is best. In Pizarro’s plans observe the statesman’s wisdom guides the warrior’s valour.

Val. [Aside to Elvira.] You mark, Elvira?

Elv. Oh, yes—this is best—this is excellent!

Piz. You seem offended. Elvira still retains my heart. Think—a sceptre waves me on.

Elv. Offended?—no! Thou knowest thy glory is my idol; and this will be most glorious, most just and honourable.

Piz. What mean you?

Elv. Oh, nothing!—mere woman’s prattle—a jealous whim, perhaps: but let it not impede the royal hero’s course.—[Trumpets without.] The call of arms invites you.—Away! away! you, his brave, his worthy fellow-warriors.

Piz. And go you not with me?

Elv. Undoubtedly! I needs must be first to hail the future monarch of Peru.

Enter Gomez.

Alm. How, Gomez? what bringest thou?

Gom. On yonder hill, among the palm trees, we have surprised an old cacique; escape by flight he could not, and we seized him and his attendant unresisting; yet his lips breathed naught but bitterness and scorn.

Piz. Drag him before us.—[Elvira sits pensively. Gomez goes out and returns with Orozembo and Attendant, in chains, guarded.] What art thou, stranger?