Apu Ollantay Part 19

Rumi-naui.

Thou knowest me, O mighty chief.

I am that stone that fell down once, But now I fall before thy feet; O Inca! mercy! Raise me up!

(Kneels.)

Ollantay.

Art thou the n.o.ble Rumi-naui, Great Chief and Lord of Hanan-suyu?

Rumi-naui.

Yes, I was that well-known Chief-- A bleeding fugitive to-day.

Ollantay. Rise, comrade mine. Let us embrace.

(Rises.)

Who has dared to treat thee thus, And who has brought thee here to me Within my fortress, on my hearth?

(To attendants.)

Bring new clothes for my oldest friend.

(Exit an attendant.)

How is it that thou art alone?

Camest thou not fearing death?

Rumi-naui.

A new king reigns in Cuzco now-- Tupac Yupanqui is installed.

Against the universal wish, He rose upon a wave of blood; Safety he sees in headless trunks, The sunchu[64] and the nucchu[65] red Are sent to all he would destroy.

Doubtless you have not forgot That I was Hanan-suyu's Chief.

Yupanqui ordered me to come; Arrived, I came before the king, And as he has a cruel heart, He had me wounded as you see; And now thou knowest, king and friend, How this new Inca treated me.

Ollantay.

Grieve not, old friend Rumi-naui, Thy wounds before all must be cured; I see in thee th' avenging knife, To use against the tyrant's heart.

At Tampu now we celebrate The Sun's great Raymi festival; On that day all who love my name, Throughout my realms hold festival.

Rumi-naui.

Those three days of festival To me will be a time of joy, Perhaps I may be healed by then, So that my heart may pleasure seek.

Ollantay.

It will be so. For three whole nights We drink and feast, to praise the Sun, The better to cast all care aside We shall be shut in Tampu fort.

Rumi-naui.

The youths, as is their wont, will find Their great delight in those three nights, Then will they rest from all their toils, And carry off the willing girls.

SCENE 4

A corridor in the palace of Chosen Virgins.

(Enter YMA SUMAC and PITU SALLA.)

Yma Sumac.