Page:The Incas of Peru.djvu/384

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344
THE UILLAC UMA
ACT I

Pigui Chaqui. Lo! some person hither comes,
Perhaps an old crone seeking alms;
Yes! Look! he quite resembles one.
Let 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!
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[1] thy victims fall.
Ollantay. Who comes hither, Piqui Chaqui?
Yes, 'tis the holy Uillac Uma;
He brings his tools of augury.
No puma[2] 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.

  1. Fasting was a preparation for all great religious ceremonies. Victims for sacrifice underwent a previous fast, which was looked upon in the light of purification before being offered to the Deity.
  2. They gave the attributes we usually assign to the fox to the puma.