_Chamberlain._ (_Rushing in trembling, and almost breathless_) Sire, the High-Priestess of the Sun approaches, with a long train of priestesses all clad in mourning, and uttering dreadful lamentations. Their cries pierce the very soul; while the people gather round them trembling, and observing them with silent awe and terror. (_The whole assembly appear in the utmost confusion; the king alone preserves his composure_) _Ataliba._ Conduct them hither. _Alonzo._ (_Aside to Juan_) Oh God, Velasquez, what can this portend! _Juan._ You tremble, and look pale;—for shame; rouse yourself; shew yourself a man! SCENE IX.—_Enter the HIGH-PRIESTESS, followed by a long train of VIRGINS OF THE SUN. They are clad in thick mourning veils, and march in slow and solemn procession towards the King. An awful silence is observed by the whole company, who wait the sequel of the scene with anxious expectation._ _High-Priestess._ (_Throwing back her veil_) Oh woe! woe! woe! _Ataliba._ On whom dost thou imprecate woe? _High-Priestess._ The temple is polluted!—the altars are profaned!—the holy lamp is extinguished!—Oh woe! woe! woe! _Ataliba._ Name the criminal, that the gods may be avenged for these heavy offences. _High-Priestess._ First born of the Sun, let the stringed instruments, let the festal song, cease!—Let the temple be divested of its ornaments, and the garlands be taken from the beasts prepared for sacrifice; to-day can no festival be solemnized!—Lamentations must be our only songs, mourning veils our only ornaments!—A serpent has with his poison polluted the house of the Stars!—A Virgin of the Sun has broken her vow of chastity! (_She pauses a few moments—the whole assembly shudder—Alonzo appears like one thunderstruck—at length the High-Priestess proceeds_) Woe! woe! upon CORA!!! (_At the mention of this name the KING utters a cry of agony.—TELASCO, trembling, supports himself upon his staff—ZORAI, full of confusion, conceals his face in his garments—ALONZO is sinking to the ground, but is supported by Velasquez—A confused murmur is heard among the rest of the assembly._) _High-Priestess._ Vengeance! vengeance! upon the murderer of virtue!—upon the wretch who could abuse the hospitality of a peaceable people, and violate the sacred asylum of the Wives of the Sun!—Woe! woe! upon ALONZO!!! (_ATALIBA utters a more piercing cry than before—ALONZO stands with downcast eyes, while a death-like paleness overspreads his countenance—The attention of the whole company is immediately turned towards him—TELASCO looks around with a vacant stare._) _High-Priestess._ First born of the Sun!—image of our God upon earth!—I stand here, and require from thee an awful atonement for this sacrilege! _Ataliba._ (_With deep gloom_) Which thou shalt have. _High-Priestess._ Be death and shame the lot of the seducer!—Be death and shame the lot of Cora, and her whole family!