Apu Ollantay Part 23

Tupac Yupanqui (to the Chasqui).

And thou. Where wert thou?

The Chasqui.

Sole King and Lord! Child of the Sun!

I am the first to bring the news, That thou mayst trample on the foe, And in thine anger drink their blood.

Tupac Yupanqui.

Did I not reiterate commands To spare and not to shed their blood-- Not anger but pity is my rule.

The Chasqui.

O Lord, we have not shed their blood; They were all captured in the night, Unable to resist our force.

Tupac Yupanqui.

Recount to me in full detail The circ.u.mstances of the war.

The Chasqui.

For a signal thy warriors wait.

The nights pa.s.sed at Tinquiqueru,[69]

Concealed in the cavern below, Yanahuara[70] men joining us late.

We waited within the large cave, Thy men always ready to fight, Behind foliage well out of sight, Thy warriors patient and brave.

But for three long days and dark nights, No food for the zealous and bold; Feeling hungry, thirsty, and cold, We waited and watched for the lights.[71]

Rumi-naui sent orders at length, When the Raymi[72] they carelessly keep, And all of them drunk or asleep, We were then to rush on with our strength.

Word came to surprise our foes, Rumi-naui had opened the gate, As cautious and silent as fate-- We were masters with none to oppose.

Those rebels fell into the trap, The arrows came on them like rain, Most died in their sleep without pain, Not knowing their fatal mishap.

Ollantay, still trusting, was ta'en, The same Urco Huaranca befell; Hanco Huayllu is captive as well, We thy rebels in fetters detain.

The Antis by thousands are slain, A fearful example is made, They are beaten, crushed, and betrayed, Their women in sorrow and pain.

Tupac Yupanqui.

As witness of what has occurred, On Vilcamayu's storied banks, No doubt thou hast told me the truth.

It was a well designed attack.

(Enter RUMI-nAUI followed by several chiefs.)

Rumi-naui.

Great Inca, I kneel at thy feet, This time You will hear my report, I beseech thee to deign to restore The trust that I forfeited once.

(Kneels.)

Tupac Yupanqui.

Rise, great Chief, receive my regard, I accept thy great service with joy; Thou didst cast o'er the waters thy net, And hast captured a marvellous fish.

Rumi-naui.

Our enemies perished in crowds, Their chiefs were captured and bound, Overwhelmed by my terrible force, Like a rook detached from the heights.

Tupac Yupanqui.

Was much blood shed in the a.s.sault?

Rumi-naui.

No, Lord, not a drop has been shed, To thine orders I strictly adhered.

Those Antis were strangled in sleep, But the fort is entirely razed.

Tupac Yupanqui.

Where are the rebels?