THE
INDIAN EMPEROR.
ACT I.
SCENE I.—A pleasant Indian country.
Enter Cortez, Vasquez, Pizarro, with Spaniards and Indians in their party.
Cort. On what new happy climate are we thrown,
So long kept secret, and so lately known;
As if our old world modestly withdrew,
And here in private had brought forth a new?
Vasq. Corn, wine, and oil, are wanting to this ground,
In which our countries fruitfully abound;
As if this infant world, yet unarrayed,
Naked and bare in Nature's lap were laid.
No useful arts have yet found footing here,
But all untaught and savage does appear.
Cort. Wild and untaught are terms which we alone
Invent, for fashions differing from our own ;
For all their customs are by nature wrought,
But we, by art, unteach what nature taught
Piz. In Spain, our springs, like old men's children, be
Decayed and withered from the infancy:
No kindly showers fall on our barren earth,
To hatch the season in a timely birth :
Our summer such a russet livery wears,
As in a garment often dyed appears.
Cort. Here nature spreads her fruitful sweetness round,
Breathes on the air, and broods upon the ground:
Here days and nights the only seasons be;
The sun no climate does so gladly see:
When forced from hence, to view our parts, he mourns,
Takes little journeys, and makes quick returns.
Vasq. Methinks, we walk in dreams on Fairyland,
Where golden ore lies mixt with common sand;
Each downfall of a flood, the mountains pour
From their rich bowels, rolls a silver shower.
Cort. Heaven from all ages wisely did provide
This wealth, and for the bravest nation hide,
Who, with four hundred foot and forty horse,
Dare boldly go a new-found world to force.
Piz. Our men, though valiant, we should find too few,
But Indians join the Indians to subdue;
Traxallan, shook by Montezuma's powers,
Has, to resist his forces, called in ours.
Vasq. Rashly to arm against so great a king,
I hold not safe; nor is it just to bring
A war without a fair defiance made.
Piz. Declare we first our quarrel; then invade.
Cort. Myself, my king's ambassador will go;
Speak, Indian guide, how far to Mexico ?
Ind. Your eyes can scarce so far a prospect make,
As to discern the city on the lake;
But that broad causeway will direct your way,
And you may reach the town by noon of day.
Cort. Command a party of our Indians out,
With a strict charge, not to engage, but scout:
By noble ways we conquest will prepare;
First, offer peace, and, that refused, make war.