Piz. By what has he merited that title?

Oro. By not resembling thee.

Alm. Who is this Rolla, joined with Alonzo in command?

Oro. I will answer that; for I love to hear and to repeat the hero’s name. Rolla, the kinsman of the king, is the idol of our army; in war a tiger, chafed by the hunter’s spear; in peace more gentle than the unweaned lamb. Cora was once betrothed to him; but, finding she preferred Alonzo, he resigned his claim, and, I fear, his peace, to friendship and to Cora’s happiness; yet still he loves her with a pure and holy fire.

Piz. Romantic savage!—I shall meet this Rolla soon.

Oro. Thou had’st better not! the terrors of his noble eye would strike thee dead.

Dav. Silence, or tremble!

Oro. Beardless robber! I never yet have trembled before God; why should I tremble before man? Why before thee, thou less than man?

Dav. Another word, audacious heathen, and I strike!

Oro. Strike, Christian! Then boast among thy fellows—I too have murdered a Peruvian!

Dav. Hell and vengeance seize thee!

[Stabs him.

Piz. Hold!

Dav. Couldst thou longer have endured his insults?

Piz. And therefore should he die untortured?

Oro. True! Observe, young man—[To Davilla] Thy unthinking rashness has saved me from the rack; and thou thyself hast lost the opportunity of a useful lesson; thou mightst thyself have seen with what cruelty vengeance would have inflicted torments—and with what patience virtue would have borne them.

Elv. [Supporting Orozembo’s head upon her bosom.] Oh, ye are monsters all! Look up, thou martyred innocent—look up once more, and bless me ere thou diest. God! how I pity thee!

Oro. Pity me!—me! so near my happiness! Bless thee, lady!—Spaniards—Heaven turn your hearts, and pardon you, as I do.

Piz. Away!—[Orozembo is borne off dying.] Away! Davilla! If thus rash a second time—

Dav. Forgive the hasty indignation which—

Piz. No more! Unbind that trembling wretch—let him depart: ’tis well he should report the mercy which we show to insolent defiance.—Hark! our troops are moving.

Attend. [On passing Elvira.] If through your gentle means my master’s poor remains might be preserved from insult—

Elv. I understand thee.

Attend. His sons may yet thank your charity, if not avenge their father’s fate.