Page:The Incas of Peru.djvu/408

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ACT II

Scene 1

Ollantay-tampu. Hall of the fortress-palace. Back scene seven immense stone slabs, resting on them a monolith right across. Above masonry. At sides masonry with recesses; in the R. centre a great doorway. A golden tiana against the central slab.

(Enter Ollantay and Urco Huaranca, both fully armed.)

Urco Huaranca. Ollantay, thou hast been proclaimed
By all the Antis as their Lord.
The women weep, as you will see—
They lose their husbands and their sons,
Ordered to the Chayanta war.
When will there be a final stop
To distant wars? Year after year
They send us all to far-off lands,
Where blood is made to flow like rain.
The King himself is well supplied
With coca and all kinds of food.
What cares he that his people starve?
Crossing the wilds our llamas die,
Our feet are wounded by the thorns,
And if we would not die of thirst
We carry water on our backs.
Ollantay. Gallant friends! Ye hear those words,
Ye listen to the mountain chief.

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