The time has arrived, O great Chiefs, To decide on the coming campaign.

The spring is approaching us now, And our army must start for the war.

To the province of Colla[21] we march-- There is news of Chayanta's[22] advance.

The enemies muster in strength, They sharpen their arrows and spears.

Ollantay.

O King, that wild rabble untaught Can never resist thine array; Cuzco alone with its height Is a barrier that cannot be stormed.

Twenty four thousand of mine, With their champis[23] selected with care, Impatiently wait for the sign, The sound of the beat of my drums,[24]

The strains of my clarion and fife.

Pachacuti.

Strive then to stir them to fight, Arouse them to join in the fray, Lest some should desire to yield, To escape the effusion of blood.

Rumi-naui.

The enemies gather in force, The Yuncas[25] are called to their aid; They have put on their garbs for the war, And have stopped up the princ.i.p.al roads.

All this is to hide their defects-- The men of Chayanta are base.

We hear they're destroying the roads, But we can force open the way; Our llamas are laden with food-- We are ready to traverse the wilds.

Pachacuti.

Are you really ready to start To punish those angry snakes?

But first you must give them a chance To surrender, retiring in peace, So that blood may not flow without cause, That no deaths of my soldiers befall.

Ollantay.

I am ready to march with my men, Every detail prepared and in place, But alas! I am heavy with care, Almost mad with anxious suspense.

Pachacuti.

Speak, Ollantay. Tell thy wish-- 'Tis granted, e'en my royal fringe.

Ollantay.

Hear me in secret, O King.

Pachacuti (to Rumi-naui).

n.o.ble Chief of Colla, retire; Seek repose in thy house for a time.

I will call thee before very long, Having need of thy valour and skill.

Rumi-naui.

With respect I obey thy command.

(Exit Rumi-naui.)

Ollantay.

Thou knowest, O most gracious Lord, That I have served thee from a youth, Have worked with fort.i.tude and truth, Thy treasured praise was my reward.[26]

All dangers I have gladly met, For thee I always watched by night, For thee was forward in the fight, My forehead ever bathed in sweat.

For thee I've been a savage foe, Urging my Antis[27] not to spare, But kill and fill the land with fear, And make the blood of conquered flow.

My name is as a dreaded rope,[28]

I've made the hardy Yuncas[29] yield, By me the fate of Chancas[30] sealed, They are thy thralls without a hope.

'Twas I who struck the fatal blow, When warlike Huancavilca[31] rose, Disturbing thy august repose, And laid the mighty traitor low.

Ollantay ever led the van, Wherever men were doomed to die; When stubborn foes were forced to fly, Ollantay ever was the man.

Now every tribe bows down to thee-- Some nations peacefully were led, Those that resist their blood is shed-- But all, O King, was due to me.

O Sovereign Inca, great and brave, Rewards I know were also mine, My grat.i.tude and thanks are thine, To me the golden axe you gave.

Inca! thou gavest me command And rule o'er all the Anti race, To me they ever yield with grace, And thine, great King, is all their land My deeds, my merits are thine own To thee alone my work is due.

For one more favour I would sue, My faithful service--thy renown.

(Ollantay kneels before the Inca.)

Thy thrall: I bow to thy behest, Thy fiat now will seal my fate.

O King, my services are great, I pray thee grant one last request.

I ask for Cusi Coyllur's hand If the Nusta's[32] love I've won.

O King! you'll have a faithful son, Fearless, well tried, at thy command.