Uillac Uma.

How oft we mortals heedless drink, A certain death from golden cup Recall to mind how ills befall, And that a stubborn heart 's the cause.

Ollantay (kneeling).

Plunge that dagger in my breast, Thou holdst it ready in thy belt; Cut out my sad and broken heart I ask the favour at thy feet.

Uillac Uma (to Piqui Chaqui).

Gather me that flower, boy.

(Piqui Chaqui gives him a withered flower and lies down again, pretending to sleep.)

(To Ollantay).

Behold, it is quite dead and dry.

Once more behold! e'en now it weeps, It weeps. The water flows from it.

(Water flows out of the flower.)

Ollantay.

More easy for the barren rocks Or for sand to send forth water, Than that I should cease to love The fair princess, the joyful star.

Uillac Uma.

Put a seed into the ground, It multiplies a hundredfold; The more thy crime shall grow and swell, The greater far thy sudden fall.

Ollantay.

Once for all, I now confess To thee, O great and mighty Priest; Now learn my fault. To thee I speak, Since thou hast torn it from my heart.

The la.s.so to tie me is long, 'Tis ready to twist round my throat Yet its threads are woven with gold, It avenges a brilliant crime.

Cusi Coyllur e'en now is my wife, Already we 're bound and are one; My blood now runs in her veins, E'en now I am n.o.ble as she.

Her mother has knowledge of all, The Queen can attest what I say; Let me tell all this to the King, I pray for thy help and advice.

I will speak without fear and with force, He may perhaps give way to his rage Yet he may consider my youth, May remember the battles I've fought; The record is carved on my club.

(Holds up his macana.)

He may think of his enemies crushed, The thousands I've thrown at his feet.

Uillac Uma.

Young Prince! thy words are too bold, Thou hast twisted the thread of thy fate-- Beware, before 'tis too late; Disentangle and weave it afresh, Go alone to speak to the King, Alone bear the blow that you seek; Above all let thy words be but few, And say them with deepest respect; Be it life, be it death that you find, I will never forget thee, my son.

(Walks up and exit.)

Ollantay.

Ollantay, thou art a man, No place in thy heart for fear; Cusi Coyllur, surround me with light.

Piqui Chaqui, where art thou?

Piqui Chaqui (jumping up).

I was asleep, my master, And dreaming of evil things.

Ollantay.

Of what?

Piqui Chaqui.

Of a fox with a rope round its neck.

Ollantay.

Sure enough, thou art the fox.