Las-Cas. Alonzo!—scorn and presumption are not in his nature.

Alm. ’Tis fit Las-Casas should defend his pupil.

Piz. Speak not of the traitor, or hear his name but as the bloody summons to assault and vengeance. It appears we are agreed.

Alm. Dav. We are.

Gon. All.—Battle! battle!

Las-Cas. Is, then, the dreadful measure of your cruelty not yet complete? Battle! gracious Heaven! against whom! Against a king, in whose mild bosom your atrocious injuries even yet have not excited hate! but who, insulted or victorious, still sues for peace. Against a people who never wronged the living being their Creator formed: a people who, children of innocence! received you as cherished guests with eager hospitality and confiding kindness. Generously and freely did they share with you their comforts, their treasures and their homes: you repaid them by fraud, oppression and dishonour. These eyes have witnessed all I speak—as gods you were received, as fiends have you acted.

Piz. Las-Casas!

Las-Cas. Pizarro, hear me!—Hear me, chieftains!—And thou, All-powerful! whose thunders can shiver into sand the adamantine rock—whose lightnings can pierce to the core the rived and quaking earth—oh, let thy power give effect to thy servant’s words, as thy spirit gives courage to his will! Do not, I implore you, chieftains—countrymen—do not, I implore you, renew the foul barbarities which your insatiate avarice has inflicted on this wretched, unoffending race!—But hush, my sighs! fall not, drops of useless sorrow!—heart breaking anguish, choke not my utterance!—All I entreat is, send me once more to those you call your enemies.—Oh! let me be the messenger of penitence from you; I shall return with blessings and with peace from them.—[Turning to Elvira.] Elvira, you weep.—Alas! and does this dreadful crisis move no heart but thine?

Alm. Because there are no women here but she and thou.

Piz. Close this idle war of words! time flies, and our opportunity will be lost. Chieftains, are ye for instant battle?

Alm. We are.

Las-Cas. Oh! men of blood!—[Kneels.] God! thou hast anointed me thy servant—not to curse, but to bless my countrymen: yet now my blessing on their force were blasphemy against thy goodness.—[Rises.] No! I curse your purpose, homicides! I curse the bond of blood by which you are united. May fell division, infamy, and rout, defeat your projects and rebuke your hopes! On you and on your children, be the peril of the innocent blood which shall be shed this day! I leave you, and for ever! No longer shall these aged eyes be seared by the horrors they have witnessed. In caves, in forests, will I hide myself; with tigers and with savage beasts will I commune; and when at length we meet before the blessed tribunal of that Deity whose mild doctrines and whose mercies ye have this day renounced, then shall you feel the agony and grief of soul which tear the bosom of your accuser now!

[Going.

Elv. [Rises and takes the hand of Las-Casas.] Las-Casas! Oh, take me with thee, Las-Casas!

Las-Cas. Stay! lost! abused lady! I alone am useless here. Perhaps thy loveliness may persuade to pity, where reason and religion plead in vain. Oh! save thy innocent fellow-creatures if thou canst: then shall thy frailty be redeemed, and thou wilt share the mercy thou bestowest.