Apu Ollantay | Page 6

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 to the fox to the puma.

Piqui Chaqui.
Silence, master, do not speak, The old man doubly is informed; Fore-knowing every word you say, Already he has guessed it all.

(He lies down on a bank.)

Ollantay (aside).
He sees me. I must speak to him.

(The Uillac Uma comes forward.)

O Uillac Uma, Great High Priest, I bow before thee with respect May the skies be clear for thee, And brightest sunshine meet thine eyes.
Uillac Uma.
Brave Ollantay! Princely one! May all the teeming land be thine; May thy far-reaching arm of might Reduce the wide-spread universe.

Ollantay.
Old man! thine aspect causes fear, Thy presence here some ill forebodes; All round thee dead men's bones appear, Baskets, flowers, sacrifice. All men when they see thy face Are filled with terror and alarm. What means it all? why comest thou? It wants some months before the least. Is it that the Inca is ill? Perchance hast thou some thought divined Which soon will turn to flowing blood. Why comest thou? the Sun's great day, The Moon's libations are not yet The moon has not yet nearly reached The solemn time for sacrifice. Uillac Uma. Why dost thou these questions put, In tones of