Oh, my father, you know not what thoughts are brooding here!—To your powers of eloquence alone, I dare not trust a matter of this importance!—force!—force!—that is the only effectual method of persuasion.—Where can Velasquez be?—I would fain clasp him in my arms, and endeavour to communicate to his breast, an ardour equal to that which glows in mine. Yes, I will save her!—I must save her!—My mother was a Virgin of the Sun, though I must not dare to pronounce her name, lest the echoes should learn to repeat it,—to rescue Cora is a sacrifice due to her memory. Thus it is that the gods wonderfully entwine together every link in the chain of fate!—Ye powers of heaven!—you cannot be arraigned if Rolla should die poor in deeds of heroism, since you have not withheld glorious opportunities for their performance!—To give freedom to her he loves, and to present a grateful offering to his mother’s memory, are objects of such magnitude, that if they did not raise a flame within this bosom, it must have been moulded from the eternal snow on the summits of the Cordilleras. SCENE V.—_Enter DON JUAN._ _Rolla._ Welcome, Velasquez!—I have waited for you here!—I have occasion for your assistance. _Juan._ In what way? _Rolla._ Have you sufficient magnanimity to hazard your life for a friend? _Juan._ Most certainly, if it can be of any avail! _Rolla._ Then give me your hand. _Juan._ Take it. _Rolla._ Cora and Alonzo are lost. _Juan._ Alas! _Rolla._ We must save them. _Juan._ If it be possible. _Rolla._ Only strike a bold stroke. _Juan._ With all my heart!—provided it be not a criminal one. _Rolla._ Criminal!—Ha!—you have touched me indeed!—Yes, I am afraid it too nearly resembles a crime! _Juan._ Then seek some other person to share in the attempt. _Rolla._ Yet state the question thus.—Say, which is most criminal, to institute, or to abolish, an inhuman law? _Juan._ To effect the latter is an act of virtue. _Rolla._ Which we will practice. _Juan._ That is not in our power. This virtue can be practised by the king alone. _Rolla._ Let us then counsel the king. _Juan._ To that I have no objection. _Rolla._ But with arms in our hands. _Juan._ Such counsel were rebellion. _Rolla._ What signifies a name when good is to be effected? _Juan._ I am moreover much indebted to Ataliba, he has received me with hospitality, has been my benefactor. _Rolla._ Your friend is in danger. _Juan._ I will not commit a crime even to save _him_.