_Telasco._ And let me be the first laid within it! [_Exeunt Priests._ _Xaira._ (_To the Guards_) Lead the prisoners away. _Alonzo._ (_To Juan_) Farewel, Velasquez!—When you return to our native country, bear my tenderest greetings to my poor mother; but be careful to conceal from her my unhappy story. _Telasco._ (_As he is seized by the guards_) Whither would you drag me, old as I am? _Alonzo._ Oh, Velasquez, this old man!—this unfortunate old man! _Telasco._ Give me my daughter!—restore me my daughter! _Xaira._ Away with them all. _Telasco._ (_As he is led off_) Give me my daughter!—restore me my daughter! [_Exeunt omnes._ END OF THE THIRD ACT. ACT IV. SCENE I.—_A barren Spot on the Outside of the Walls of the Temple. Four PRIESTS are employed in making a Grave;—several other PRIESTS are scattered about. While they sing the first Chorus, ROLLA appears upon the Stage._ (_Solemn Chorus of Priests._)[1] Haste!—dig with eager hands a grave, Our guiltless heads from death to save! A grave, to turn from us aside The darts destruction’s daemons guide! For hark!—both justice and compassion cry, “To save the guiltless, let the guilty die!” _Rolla._ (_Starting_) What do I hear!—say,—what is the meaning of this? (_Chorus of Priests._) Haste!—dig a grave t’avenge the gods! A grave, that in death’s dark abodes, Lost Cora’s crime, of deepest die, May soon for ever buried lie! _Rolla._ Cora’s crime!—speak!—answer me! _A Priest._ Away from this spot!—It is cursed for Cora’s sake. _Rolla._ Curses upon thyself, thou damned babbler!—But say!—why these solemn preparations?—for what miserable victim is this grave designed? (_Chorus of Priests._) Brethren!—the grave’s prepar’d!—away! Bring Cora hither!—hence!—obey!— That perishing in earth’s dark womb Which must her living form entomb, She a sin-offering may become, for sin; And by her sufferings heaven’s compassion win. _Rolla._ Ye powers above!—what sounds are these!—they fall like a mountain upon my head! (_The priests collect their tools, and prepare to depart_) Speak, ye flinty-hearted men!—speak!—speak!—it is Rolla who entreats you!—Rolla entreats!—One who is not accustomed to solicitation entreats you to tell him the meaning of what he sees!—What has happened here?—for what purpose is this grave prepared?—and why do you sing that ill-omened song? (_The priests are going, Rolla stamps on the ground_) Stop, and speak, or dread the violence you will provoke! (_Exeunt the Priests, Rolla is following them_) [1] The translator acknowledges her obligation to a friend, for the verification of these chorusses. SCENE II.—_DIEGO enters in great haste, and extreme agitation. ROLLA stops on seeing him._ _Rolla._ Ha!—Surely I recollect you, my friend!—Were not you also present at my late interview with Alonzo?—Tell me then what has happened since he departed hence?—speak!—instantly speak?