Apu Ollantay | Page 7

anger and reproach? Am I, forsooth, thy humble slave? That I know all I'll quickly prove.

Ollantay.
My beating heart is filled with dread, Beholding thee so suddenly; Perchance thy coming is a sign, Of evils overtaking me.

Uillac Uma.
Fear not, Ollantay! not for that, The High Priest comes to thee this day. It is perhaps for love of thee, That, as a straw is blown by wind, A friend, this day, encounters thee. Speak to me as to a friend, Hide nothing from my scrutiny. This day I come to offer thee A last and most momentous choice 'Tis nothing less than life or death.

Ollantay.
Then make thy words more clear to me, That I may understand the choice Till now 'tis but a tangled skein, Unravel it that I may know.

Uillac Uma.
'Tis well. Now listen, warlike. Chief My science has enabled me, To learn and see all hidden things Unknown to other mortal men. My power will enable me To make of thee a greater prince. I brought thee up from tender years, And cherished thee with love and care I now would guide thee in the right, And ward off all that threatens thee. As chief of Anti-suyu now, The people venerate thy name; Thy Sovereign trusts and honours thee, E'en to sharing half his realm. From all the rest he chose thee out, And placed all power in thy hands; He made thy armies great and strong, And strengthened thee against thy foes How numerous soe'er they be, They have been hunted down by thee. Are these good reasons for thy wish, To wound thy Sovereign to the heart? His daughter is beloved by thee; Thy passion thou wouldst fain indulge, Lawless and forbidden though it be. I call upon thee, stop in time, Tear this folly from thy heart. If thy passion is immense, Still let honour hold its place. You reel, you stagger on the brink I'd snatch thee from the very edge. Thou knowest well it cannot be, The Inca never would consent. If thou didst e'en propose it now, He would be overcome with rage; From favoured prince and trusted chief, Thou wouldst descend to lowest rank.

Ollantay.
How is it that thou canst surely know What still is hidden in my heart? Her mother only knows my love, Yet thou revealest all to me.

Uillac Uma.
I read thy secret on the moon, As if upon the Quipu knots; And what thou wouldst most surely hide, Is plain to me as all the rest.

Ollantay.
In my heart I had divined That thou wouldst search me through and through Thou knowest all, O Councillor, And wilt thou now desert thy son?

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 lasso 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 noble 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