Elv. Then, Peruvian, since thou dost feel so coldly for thy country’s wrongs, this hand, though it revolt my soul, shall strike the blow.

Rol. Then is thy destruction certain, and for Peru thou perishest! Give me the dagger!

Elv. Now follow me. But first—and dreadful is the hard necessity—thou must strike down the guard.

Rol. The soldier who was on duty here?

Elv. Yes, him—else, seeing thee, the alarm will be instant.

Rol. And I must stab that soldier as I pass? Take back thy dagger.

Elv. Rolla!

Rol. That soldier, mark me, is a man. All are not men that bear the human form. He refused my prayers, refused my gold, denying to admit me, till his own feelings bribed him. For my nation’s safety I would not harm that man.

Elv. Then he must with us—I will answer for his safety.

Rol. Be that plainly understood between us; for, whate’er betide our enterprise, I will not risk a hair of that man’s head to save my heart-strings from consuming fire.

[Exeunt.

Scene II.—Pizarro’s Tent.

Pizarro is discovered on a couch in disturbed sleep.

Piz. [In his sleep.] No mercy, traitor!—Now at his heart!—Stand off there, you!—Let me see him bleed!—Ha! ha! ha!—Let me hear that groan again.

Enter Rolla and Elvira.

Elv. There! Now, lose not a moment.

Rol. You must leave me now. This scene of blood fits not a woman’s presence.

Elv. But a moment’s pause may—

Rol. Go, retire to your own tent, and return not here—I will come to you. Be thou not known in this business, I implore you!

Elv. I will withdraw the guard that waits.

[Exit.

Rol. Now have I in my power the accursed destroyer of my country’s peace: yet tranquilly he rests. God! can this man sleep?

Piz. [In his sleep.] Away! away! hideous fiends! Tear not my bosom thus!

Rol. No: I was in error—the balm of sweet repose he never more can know. Look here, ambition’s fools! ye, by whose inhuman pride the bleeding sacrifice of nations is held as nothing, behold the rest of the guilty! He is at my mercy—and one blow!—No! my heart and hand refuse the act: Rolla cannot be an assassin! Yet Elvira must be saved!—[Approaches the couch.] Pizzaro! awake!