Apu Ollantay | Page 3

it by making his son Tupac Yupanqui marry his

daughter Mama Ocllo, but this was quite unprecedented. The
transgression of a rule which he had just made may account for his
extreme severity.
The play opens with a dialogue between Ollantay and Piqui Chaqui, his
page, a witty and humorous lad. Ollantay talks of his love for the
Princess Cusi Coyllur, and wants Piqui Chaqui to take a message to her,
while the page dwells on the danger of loving in such a quarter, and
evades the question of taking a message. Then to them enters the Uillac
Uma, or High Priest of the Sun, who remonstrates with Ollantay--a
scene of great solemnity, and very effective.
The next scene is in the Queen's palace. Anahuarqui, the Queen, is
discovered with the Princess Cusi Coyllur, who bitterly laments the
absence of Ollantay. To them enters the Inca Pachacuti, quite ignorant
that his daughter has not only married Ollantay in secret, but that she is
actually with child by him. Her mother keeps her secret. The Inca
indulges in extravagant expressions of love for his daughter. Then boys
and girls enter dancing and singing a harvest song. Another very
melancholy yarahui is sung; both capable of being turned by the
Princess into presages of the fate of herself and her husband.
In the third scene Ollantay prefers his suit to the Inca Pachacuti in
octosyllabic quatrains, the first and last lines rhyming, and the second
and third. His suit is rejected with scorn and contempt. Ollantay next
appears on the heights above Cuzco. In a soliloquy he declares himself
the implacable enemy of Cuzco and the Inca. Then Piqui Chaqui
arrives with the news that the Queen's palace is empty, and abandoned,
and that Cusi Coyllur has quite disappeared; while search is being
made for Ollantay. While they are together a song is sung behind some
rocks, in praise of Cusi Coyllur's beauty. Then the sound of clarions
and people approaching is heard, and Ollantay and Piqui Chaqui take to
flight. The next scene finds the Inca enraged at the escape of Ollantay,
and ordering his general Rumi-naui to march at once, and make him
prisoner. To them enters a chasqui, or messenger, bringing the news
that Ollantay has collected a great army at Ollantay-tampu, and that the
rebels have proclaimed him Inca.
The second act opens with a grand scene in the hall of the fortress-
palace of Ollantay-tampu. Ollantay is proclaimed Inca by the people,
and he appoints the Mountain Chief, Urco Huaranca, general of his

army. Urco Huaranca explains the dispositions he has made to oppose
the army advancing from Cuzco, and his plan of defence. In the next
scene Rumi- naui, as a fugitive in the mountains, describes his defeat
and the complete success of the strategy of Ollantay and Urco
Huaranca. His soliloquy is in the octosyllabic quatrains. The last scene
of the second act is in the gardens of the Convent of Virgins of the Sun.
A young girl is standing by a gate which opens on the street. This, as
afterwards appears, is Yma Sumac, the daughter of Ollantay and Cusi
Coyllur, aged ten, but ignorant of her parentage. To her enters Pitu
Salla, an attendant, who chides her for being so fond of looking out at
the gate. The conversation which follows shows that Yma Sumac
detests the convent and refuses to take the vows. She also has heard the
moans of some sufferer, and importunes Pitu Salla to tell her who it is.
Yma Sumac goes as Mama Ccacca enters and cross examines Pitu Salla
on her progress in persuading Yma Sumac to adopt convent life. This
Mama Ccacca is one of the Matrons or Mama Cuna, and she is also the
jailer of Cusi Coyllur.
The third act opens with an amusing scene between the Uillac Uma and
Piqui Chaqui, who meet in a street in Cuzco. Piqui Chaqui wants to get
news, but to tell nothing, and in this he succeeds. The death of Inca
Pachacuti is announced to him, and the accession of Tupac Yupanqui,
and with this news he departs.
Next there is an interview between the new Inca Tupac Yupanqui, the
Uillac Uma, and the defeated general Rumi-naui, who promises to
retrieve the former disaster and bring the rebels to Cuzco, dead or alive.
It after wards appears that the scheme of Rumi-naui was one of
treachery. He intended to conceal his troops in eaves and gorges near
Ollantay- tampu ready to rush in, when a signal was made. Rumi-naui
then cut and slashed his face, covered himself with mud, and appeared
at the gates of Ollantay-tampu, declaring that he had received this
treatment from the new Inca, and imploring protection.[FN#5] Ollantay
received him with the greatest kindness and hospitality.