_Mont_. But say, what news, what offers dost thou bring From so remote, and so unknown a king? [_While_ VASQUEZ _speaks_, CORTEZ _spies the ladies and goes to them, entertaining_ CYDARIA _with courtship in dumb shew_. _Vasq_. Spain's mighty monarch, to whom heaven thinks fit, That all the nations of the earth submit, In gracious clemency, does condescend On these conditions to become your friend. First, that of him you shall your sceptre hold; Next, you present him with your useless gold: Last, that you leave those idols you implore, And one true deity with him adore. _Mont_. You speak your prince a mighty emperor, But his demands have spoke him proud and poor; He proudly at my free-born sceptre flies, Yet poorly begs a metal I despise. Gold thou mayest take, whatever thou canst find, Save what for sacred uses is designed: But, by what right pretends your king to be The sovereign lord of all the world and me? _Piz_. The sovereign priest-- Who represents on earth the power of heaven, Has this your empire to our monarch given. _Mont_. Ill does he represent the powers above, Who nourishes debate, not preaches love; Besides, what greater folly can be shewn? He gives another what is not his own. _Vasq_. His power must needs unquestioned be below, For he in heaven an empire can bestow. _Mont_. Empires in heaven he with more ease may give, And you, perhaps, would with less thanks receive; But heaven has need of no such viceroy here, Itself bestows the crowns that monarchs wear. _Piz_. You wrong his power, as you mistake our end, Who came thus far religion to extend. _Mont_. He, who religion truly understands, Knows its extent must be in men, not lands. _Odm_. But who are those that truth must propagate Within the confines of my father's state? _Vasq_. Religious men, who hither must be sent As awful guides of heavenly government; To teach you penance, fasts, and abstinence, To punish bodies for the soul's offence. _Mont_. Cheaply you sin, and punish crimes with ease, Not as the offended, but the offenders please; First injure heaven, and, when its wrath is due, Yourselves prescribe it how to punish you. _Odm_. What numbers of these holy men must come? _Piz_. You shall not want, each village shall have some; Who, though the royal dignity they own, Are equal to it, and depend on none. _Guy_. Depend on none! you treat them sure in state, For 'tis their plenty does their pride create. _Mont_. Those ghostly kings would parcel out my power, And all the fatness of my land devour. That monarch sits not safely on his throne Who bears, within, a power that shocks his own. They teach obedience to imperial sway, But think it sin if they themselves obey. _Vasq_. It seems, then, our religion you accuse, And peaceful homage to our king refuse. _Mont_. Your Gods I slight not, but will keep my own; My crown is absolute, and holds of none. I cannot in a base subjection live, Nor suffer you to take, though I would give.