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.

Alon. 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 you please. My friend, my husband! place me where you will.

Alon. My adored! we thank you both.—[March without.] Hark! the king approaches to the sacrifice. You, Rolla, spoke 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 everywhere 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.

Scene II.—The Temple of the Sun.

The High-Priest, Priests, and Virgins of the Sun, discovered.

A solemn march. Ataliba and the Peruvian Warriors enter on one side; on the other, Rolla, Alonzo, and Cora, with the Child.

Ata. Welcome, Alonzo!—[To Rolla.] Kinsman, thy hand!—[To Cora.] Blessed be the object of the happy mother’s love.

Cora. May the sun 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 how to guard.

Rol. 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