favourite pet in the time of the Incas. It followed its mistress,
adorned with a little bell and ribbons.
Piqui Chaqui.
Such thoughts are prompted by Supay[FN#7]; That evil being
possesses thee. All round are beauteous girls to choose Before old age,
and weakness come. If the great Inca knew thy plot And what thou
seekest to attain, Thy head would fall by his command, Thy body
would be quickly burnt.
[FN#7] Supay, an evil spirit, according to some authorities.
Ollantay.
Boy, do not dare to cross me thus. One more such word and thou shalt
die. These hands will tear thee limb from limb, If still thy councils are
so base.
Piqui Chaqui.
Well! treat thy servant as a dog, But do not night and day repeat, 'Piqui
Chaqui! swift of foot! Go once more to seek the star.'
Ollantay.
Have I not already said That e'en if death's fell scythe[FN#8] was here,
If mountains should oppose my path Like two fierce foes[FN#9] who
block the way, Yet will I fight all these combined And risk all else to
gain my end, And whether it be life or death I'll cast myself at Coyllur's
feet.
[FN#8] Ichuna, a sickle or scythe. The expression has been cited by
General Mitre and others as an argument that the drama is modern,
because this is a metaphor confined to the old world. But ichuna was in
use, in Quichua, in this sense, before the Spaniards came. The word is
from Ichu, grass.
[FN#9] The Peruvians personified a mountain as two spirits, good and
evil. In writing poetically of a mountain opposing, it would be referred
to in the persons of its genii or spirits, and spoken of as two foes, not
one.
Piqui Chaqui.
Rut if Supay himself should come?
Ollantay.
I'd strike the evil spirit down.
Piqui Chaqui.
If thou shouldst only see his nose, Thou wouldst not speak as thou dost
now.
Ollantay.
Now, Piqui Chaqui, speak the truth, Seek not evasion or deceit. Dost
thou not already know, Of all the flowers in the field, Not one can
equal my Princess?
Piqui Chaqui.
Still, my master, thou dost rave. I think I never saw thy love. Stay! was
it her who yesterday Came forth with slow and faltering steps And
sought a solitary[FN#10] path[FN#11]? If so, 'tis true she's like the sun,
The moon less beauteous than her face.[FN#12]
[FN#10] Rurun, desert, solitude.
[FN#11] Tasquiy, to march; tasquina, promenade, path.
[FN#12] Cusi Coyllur, while daylight lasted, was, in the eyes of Piqui
Chaqui, like the sun. A change takes place at twilight, and at night she
is like the moon.
Ollantay.
It surely was my dearest love. How beautiful, how bright is she This
very moment thou must go And take my message to the Star.
Piqui Chaqui.
I dare not, master; in the day, I fear to pass the palace gate. With all the
splendour of the court, I could not tell her from the rest.
Ollantay.
Didst thou not say thou sawest her?
Piqui Chaqui.
I said so, but it was not sense. A star can only shine at night Only at
night could I be sure.
Ollantay.
Begone, thou lazy good-for-nought. The joyful star that I adore, If
placed in presence of the Sun, Would shine as brightly as before.
Piqui Chaqui.
Lo! some person hither comes, Perhaps an old crone seeking alms; Yes!
Look! he quite resembles one. Lot him the dangerous message take.
Send it by him, O noble Chief! From me they would not hear the tale;
Thy page is but a humble lad.
(Enter the UILLAC UMA, or High Priest of the Sun, at the back, arms
raised to the Sun. In a grey tunic and black mantle from the shoulders
to the ground, a long knife in his belt, the undress chucu on his head.)
Uillac Uma.
O giver of all warmth and light O Sun! I fall and worship thee. For thee
the victims are prepared, A thousand llamas and their lambs Are ready
for thy festal day. The sacred fire'll lap their blood, In thy dread
presence, mighty one, After long fast[FN#13] thy victims fall.
[FN#13] Fasting was a preparation for all great religious ceremonies.
Victims for sacrifice underwent a previous fast, which was looked upon
in the fight of purification before being offered to the Deity.
Ollantay.
Who comes hither, Piqui Chaqui? Yes, 'tis the holy Uillac Uma; He
brings his tools of augury. No puma[FN#14] more astute and wise I
hate that ancient conjurer Who prophesies of evil things, I feel the evils
he foretells; 'Tis he who ever brings ill-luck.
[FN#14] They gave the attributes we usually assign
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