The Cruelty of the SPANIARDS IN PERU.
The Curtain is drawn up. The Firſt ENTRY.
THE Audience are entertain'd by Inſtrumentall Muſick and a Symphany (being a wild Ayre ſutable to the Region) which having prepar'd the Scene, a Lantdchap of the Weſt-Indies is diſcern'd; diſtinguiſht from other Regions by the parcht and bare Tops of diſtant Hills, by Sands ſhining on the ſhores of Rivers, and the Natives, in feather'd Habits and Bonnets, carrying, in Indian Baskets, Ingots of Gold and Wedges of Silver. Some of the Natives being likewiſe2 diſcern'd in their natural ſports of Hunting and Fiſhing. This proſpect is made through a wood, differing from thoſe of European Climats by repreſenting of Coco-Trees, Pines and Palmitos; and on the boughs of other Trees are ſeen Munkies, Apes and Parrots; and at farther diſtance Vallies of Sugar-Canes.
The Symphay being ended: The chief Prieſt of Peru enters with his Attendant after him. The Prieſt is cloth'd in a Garment of Feathers longer then any of thoſe that are worne by other Natives, with a Bonnet whoſe ornament of Plumes does likewiſe give him a diſtinction from the reſt, and carryes in his hand a guilded Verge. He likewiſe, becauſe the Peruvians were worſhipers of the Sun, carryes the Figure of the Sun on his Bonnet and Breaſt.
3The Firſt Speech, Spoken by the Prieſt of the Sun:
Taking a ſhort view of their condition, before the Royall Family of the Incas taught them to live together in Multitudes, under Lawes, and made them by Arms reduce many other Nations.
THus freſh did Nature in our world appear,
When firſt her Roſes did their leaves unfold:
E're ſhe did uſe Art's Colours, and e're fear
Had made her pale, or ſhe with cares lookt old.
When various ſports did Man's lov'd freedom ſhow,
And ſtill the free were willing to obey;
Youth did to Age, and Sons to Parents bow.
Parents and Age firſt taught the Lawes of ſway.
When yet we no juſt motive had to fear
Our bolder Incas would by Arms be rais'd;
When, temp'rately, they ſtill contented were,
As great Examples, to be onely prais'd.
When none for being ſtrong did ſeek reward,
Nor any for the ſpace of Empire ſtrove:
When Valour courted Peace and never car'd
For any recompence, but publique love.
We fetter'd none, nor were by any bound;
None follow'd Gold through Lab'rynths of the Mine:
4 And that which we on Strands of Rivers found,
Did onely on our Prieſts in Temples ſhine.
Then with his Verge, each Prieſt
Could, like an Exorciſt,
The coldeſt of his Students warm,
And thus provoke them with a Charm.
The Speech being ended, the Prieſt waves his Verge, and his Attendant, with extraordinary Activity, performs the Somerſet: and afterwards, waving his Verge towards the Room where the Muſick are plac'd behind the Curtain, this Song is ſung.
The Firſt Song.
In purſuance of the manner of their Life, before their Incas brought them to live in Cities, and to build Forts.
1.VVHilſt yet our world was new,
When not diſcover'd by the old;
E're begger'd Slaves we grew,
For having Silver Hills, and Strands of Gold.
5Chorus.We danc'd and we ſung,
And lookt ever young,
And from reſtraints were free,
As waves and winds at Sea.
2.When wildly we did live,
E're crafty Cities made us tame:
When each his whole would give
To all, and none peculiar right did claim.
Chorus.We danc'd and we ſung,
&c.
3.When none did riches wiſh,
And none were rich by bus'neſs made;
When all did Hunt or Fiſh,
And ſport was all our labour and our trade.
Chorus.We danc'd and we ſung,
&c.
4.When Forts were not devis'd,
Nor Cittadils did Townes devour:
When lowly ſheds ſuffic'd,
Becauſe we fear'd the Weather more than Pow'r.
Chorus.We danc'd and we ſung,
&c.
5.When Garments were not worn,
Nor ſhame did nakedneſſe reſent:
6 Nor Poverty bred ſcorn:
When none could want, and all were innocent.
Chorus.We danc'd and we ſung,
&c.
After this Song, a Rope deſcends out of the Clowds, and is ſtretcht to a ſtifneſs by an Engine, whilſt a Ruſtick Ayre is play'd, to which two Apes from oppoſite ſides of the Wood come out, liſten, return; and, comming out again, begin to dance, then, after a while, one of them leaps up to the Rope, and there dances to the ſame Ayre, whilſt the other moves to his meaſures below Then both retire into the Wood. The Rope aſcends.
The Second Entry.
AN Alman and Corante are plai'd: after which a Trumpet-Ayre changes the Scene; where a Fleet is diſcern'd at diſtance, with a proſpect of the Sea and Indian Coaſt; the Ships bearing in their Flags the Spread-Eagle, to denote the Auſtrian Family; and on the right ſide are ſeen ſome Natives of Peru, pointing with amazment to the Fleet, (as never having had the7 view of Ships before) and in a mourning condition take their leaves of their wives and children; becauſe of an antient Prophecy amongſt them, which did ſignifie, That a Bearded People (thoſe of Peru having ever held it uncomely to wear Beards) ſhould ſpring out of the Sea, and conquer them. The object having remained a while, the Prieſt of the Sun enters with his Attendant.
The Second Speech.
Deſcribing briefly the pleaſant lives of the Incas till this ſeaſon of fulfilling that Prophecy, when a Bearded People ſhould come from the Sea to destroy them; and two of the Incan Family ruine that Empire, which twelve of the Emperours had erecte•.
IN all the ſoft delights of ſleep and eaſe,
Secure from War, in peacefull Palaces,
Our Incas liv'd: but now I ſee their doom:
Guided by winds, the Bearded People come!
8And that dire Prophecy muſt be fulfill'd,
When Two ſhall ruine what our Twelve did build.
'Tis long ſince firſt the Sun's chief Prieſt foretold,
That cruell men, Idolaters of Gold,
Should paſs vaſt Seas to ſeek their Harbour here.
Behold, in floating Caſtles they appear!
Mine eyes are ſtruck! Away, away
VVith gentle Love's delicious ſway!
The Incas from their wives muſt fly!
And ours may ſoon believe
VVe mourn to ſee them grieve,
But ſhall rejoyce to ſee them die.
For they by dying ſafety gain:
And when they quit,
In Death's cold fit,
Love's pleaſure, they ſhall loſe Life's pain.
The Prieſt having wav'd his Verge, his Attendant performs the Trick of Activity, call'd the Sea-Horſe.
9The Second Song.
Intimating their ſorrow for their future condition, (according to the Prophecy) under their new Maſters the Spaniards.
1.NO more, no more,
Shall we drag to the Shore
Our Nets at the Ebb of the Flood;
Nor after we lay
The toyles for our Prey,
Shall we meet to compaſs the VVood.
Nor with our Arrowes e're delight,
To get renown
By taking down
The ſoaring Eagle in his flight.
2.Make haſte! make haſte!
You delights that are paſt!
And do not to our thoughts appear:
Leſt vainly we boaſt
Of joyes we have loſt,
And grieve to reckon what we were.
The Incas glory now is gone!
10Dark growes that light,
Which chear'd our ſight,
Set is their deity, the Sun.
Chorus.All creatures when they breed
May then with ſafety feed:
All ſhall have times for liberty but we.
We, who their Maſters were,
Muſt now ſuch Maſters fear,
As will no ſeaſon give us to be free.
This Song being ended, a dolfull Ayre is heard, which prepares the entrance of two Indians, in their feather'd habits of Peru; they enter ſeverally from the oppoſite ſides of the Wood, and gazing on the face of the Scene, fall into a Mimick Dance, in which they expreſs the Argument of the Proſpect, by their admiration at the ſight of the Ships, (which was to thoſe of Peru a new and wonderfull object) and their lamentation, at beholding their Countrymen in deep affliction, and taking their leaves of their wives and children.
The Third Entry.
A Symphany, conſiſting of four Tunes, prepares the change of the Scene; the11 proſpect conſiſting of plain Indian Country, in which are diſcern'd at diſtance two Peruvian Armies marching, and ready to give Battel, being led by the two Royall Brethren, ſons of the laſt Inca, Arm'd with Bowes, Glaves, and Spears, and wearing Quivers on their backs. The object having continu'd a while, the Prieſt of the Sun enters with his Attendant.
The Third Speech.
Intimating the unhappy event of the love of the laſt Inca; for be (contrary to the cuſtome of all his Royall Anceſtors, who alwaies marry'd their own Siſters) had choſen to his ſecond Wife the beautifull Daughter of an inferiour Prince: his Priests and People having alwaies believ'd no blood, leſſe diſtant then that of his Siſters, worthy to mingle with his own for propagation of the Emperiall Race. This forraign Beauty ſo far prevail'd on his paſſion, that ſhe made him in his12 age aſſigne a conſiderable part of his Dominion to a younger Son, his Anceſtors never having, during eleven Generations, divided their Empire. This Youth, growing ambitious after his fathers death, invaded his elder Brother at that unfortunate time when the Spaniards, purſuing their ſecond diſcovery of the Peruvian Coaſt, landed, and made a prodigious uſe of the diviſion of the two Brethren, by proving ſucceſsfull in giving their aſſiſtance to the unjuſt cauſe of the Younger.
HOw fatall did our Inca's paſſion prove,
Whilſt long made ſubject to a forraign love?
Poor Lovers, who from Empire's arts are free,
By nature may entirely guided be,
They may retire to ſhady Cottages,
And ſtudy there onely themſelves to pleaſe:
For few conſider what they mean or do;
But Nations are concern'd when Monarchs woe.
And though our Inca by no Law was ty'd
To love but one, yer could he not divide
His publick Empire as his private Bed.
In Thrones each is to whole Dominion bred.
He blindly priz'd his younger ſon's deſert,
Dividing Empire as he did his heart.
And ſince his death, this made the Younger dare
T'affront the Elder's Sov'raignty with war.
13Ambition's monſtrous ſtomach does encreaſe
By eating, and it fears to ſtarve, unleſſe
It ſtill may feed, and all it ſees devour.
Ambition is not tir'd with toyle, nor cloy'd with pow'r.
This Speech being ended, the Prieſt waves his Verge, and his Attendant very activly performs the Spring; and they departing, this Third Song is ſung.
The Third Song.
Which purſues the Argument of the Speech, and farther illuſtrates the many miſeries, which the Civill War between the two Royall Brethren produc'd.
1.TVVelve Incas have ſucceſſivly
Our ſpatious Empire ſway'd;
VVhoſe power whilſt we obey'd,
VVe liv'd ſo happy and ſo free,
As if we were not kept in awe
By any Law,
VVhich martiall Kings aloud proclaim.
Soft conſcience, Nature's whiſp'ring Oratour,
Did teach us what to love or to abhor;
And all our puniſhment was ſhame.
142.Our late great Inca fatally,
Did by a ſecond wife
Eclipſe his ſhining life,
VVhilſt reaſon did on love rely.
Thoſe Rayes ſhe often turn'd and check't,
VVhich with direct
Full beams ſhould have adorn'd his known
And firſt authoris'd Race: But Kings who move
VVithin a lowly ſphear of private love,
Are too domeſtick for a Throne.
Chorus.Now rigid VVar is come, and Peace is gone,
Fear governs us, and jealouſie the Throne.
Ambition hath our Chiefs poſſeſt:
All now are wak't, all are alarm'd:
The weary know not where to reſt,
Nor dare the harmleſſe be unarm'd.
After this Song a warlike Ayre is play'd, to which ſucceeds a martiall Dance, perform'd by four Peruvians, arm'd with Glaves, who enter ſeverally from oppoſite ſides of the VVood, and expreſſe by their motions and geſtures the fury of that Civill VVar, which, by the ambition of the younger Brother, has engag'd their Country; and then depart in purſuit of each other.
15The Fourth Entry.
A Symphany conſiſting of four Tunes, prepares the change of the Scene, which repreſents a great Peruvian Army, put to flight by a ſmall Body of Spaniards. This object is produc'd in purſuance of the main Argument; for the Spaniards having firſt bred an amazment in the Natives, by the noiſe and fire of their Guns, and having afterwards ſubverted the Elder Inca by aſſiſting the Younger; did in a ſhort time attain the Dominion over both by Conqueſt, The object of this Scene having remain'd a while, the Prieſt of the Sun enters with his Attendant.
16The Fourth Speech.
Intimating the amazment of the Peruvians at the ſight of the Spaniards in Arms; the conſideration of the great diſtance of the Region from whence they came; for the ill effects of Armour worn by a People whom they never had offended, and of the ſecurity of innocence.
VVHat dark and diſtant Region bred
For war that bearded Race,
Whoſe ev'ry uncouth face
We more then Death's cold viſſage dread?
They could not ſtill be guided by the Sun.
Nor had they ev'ry night
The Moon t'inform their ſight,
How durſt they ſeek thoſe dangers which we ſhun?
Sure they muſt more then mortall be,
That did ſo little care
For life, or elſe they are
Surer of future life than we.
But how they reaſons Lawes in life fulfill
We know not; yet we know,
That ſcorn of life is low,
Compar'd to the diſdain of living ill.
17And we may judge that all they do
In life's whole ſcene is bad,
Since they with Arms are clad
Defenſive and Offenſive too.
In Nature it is fear that makes us arme;
And fear by guilt is bred:
The guiltleſſe nothing dread,
Defence of ſeeking, nor deſigning harm.
The Prieſt of the Sun waves his Verge, and his Attendant performs the ſelf-Spring.
The Fourth Song.
Purſuing the Argument of the amazment and fear of the Natives, occaſion'd by the conſideration of the long Voyage of the Spaniards to invade them.
1.THoſe forraigne ſhapes ſo ſtrange appear,
That wonderfull they ſeem:
And ſtrangeneſſe breeds eſteem;
And wonder doth engender fear:
And from our fear does adoration riſe:
18 Elſe why do we encline
To think them Pow'rs divine,
And that we are ordain'd their ſacrifice ▪
Chorus.1. When we our Arrowes draw,
It is with dreadfull awe:
2. Moving towards them whom we are loth to meet,
3. As if we marcht to face our deſtiny:
4. Not truſting to our Arrowes but our feet,
As if our bus'neſs were to fly, to fly!
2.All in Chorus.
We thought them more then human kind, That durſt adventure life
Through the tempeſtuous ſtrife
Of ſeas, and ev'ry raging wind.
Through ſeas ſo wide, and for their depth ſo fear'd,
That we by leaps as ſoon
May reach th'aſcended Moon,
As gueſſe through what vaſt dangers they have ſteer'd.
Chorus.When we our Arrowes draw, &c.
This Song being ended, a Sarabrand is plai'd, whilſt two Spaniards enter from the oppoſite ſides of the Scene, exactly cloth'd and arm'd according to the cuſtom of their Nation: and, to expreſs their triumph after the victory over the Natives, they ſolemnly uncloak and unarm themſelves to the Tune, and afterwards dance with Caſtanietos.
19The Fifth Entry.
A Dolefull Pavin is plai'd to prepare the change of the Scene, which repreſents a dark Priſon at great diſtance; and farther to the view are diſcern'd Racks, and other Engines of torment, with which the Spaniards are tormenting the Natives and Engliſh Marriners, which may be ſuppos'd to be lately landed there to diſcover the Coaſt. Two Spaniards are likewiſe diſcover'd, ſitting in their cloakes, and appearing more ſolemn in Ruffs, with Rapiers and Daggers by their ſides; the one turning a Spit, whilſt the other is baſting an Indian Prince, which is roſted at an artificiall fire. This object having remain'd a while, the Prieſt of the Sun enters with his Attendant.
20The Fifth Speech.
The horrour of the Natives, bred by the object of the diverſity of new torments devis'd by the Spaniards.
THeſe ſtudy arts of length'ning languiſhment,
And ſtrength'ning thoſe for pains whom pain hath ſpent.
They make the Cramp, by waters drill'd, to ceiſe
Men ready to expire,
Baſte them with drops of fire,
And then, they lay them on the Rack for eaſe.
VVhat Race is this, who for our puniſhment
Pretend that they in haſte from Heav'n were ſent,
As juſt deſtroyers of Idolatry?
Yet will they not permit
We ſhould our Idolls quit,
Becauſe the Chriſtian Lawe makes Converts free.
Or if, to pleaſe their Prieſts, ſome Chief permits
A few of us to be their Proſelytes;
Yet all our freedom then is but deceit.
21They eaſe us from our Chains
To make us take more pains,
Light'ning our legs to give our ſhoulders weight.
And other Chriſtian ſtrangers landing here,
Strait, to their jealous ſight, as ſpies appear:
And thoſe, they ſo much worſe then Heathens deem,
That they muſt tortur'd die.
The world ſtill waſte muſt lye,
Or elſe a priſon be to all but them.
His speech being ended, he waves his Verge, and his Attendant performs the Porpoiſe.
The Fifth Song.
Purſuing the Argument of the Speech, by a farther deteſtation of that cruelty, which the ambition of the Spaniards made them exerciſe in Peru.
1.IF Man from ſov'raign reaſon does derive
O're Beaſts a high prerogative,
Why does he ſo himſelf behave,
22 That Beaſts appear to be
More rationall then he?
Who has deſerv'd to be their ſlave.
2.How comes wild cruelty in human breaſts?
Proud Man more cruell is than Beaſts;
When beaſts by hunger are enrag'd,
They no long pains deviſe
For dying enemies,
But kill, and eat, and are aſſwag'd.
3.So much is Man refin'd in cruelty
As not to make men quickly dye.
He knowes by death all pains are paſt.
But as he hath the skill
A thouſand waies to kill,
So hath he more to make pains laſt.
Chorus.When Beaſts each other chale and then devour,
'Tis Natures Law, neceſſity,
Which makes them hunt for food, & not for pow'r:
Men for Dominion, Art's chief vanity,
Contrive to make mend die;
Whoſe blood through wantonneſs they ſpil,
Not having uſe of what they kill.
This Song being ended, a mournfull Ayre is play'd, preparing the entrance of three Peruvians, limping in ſilver-fetters. They are driven into the Wood by an inſulting Spaniard, with a Truncheon;23 then enter again loaden with Indian baskets full of golden Ingors, and ſilver Wedges, and lying down with the weight of their burthens, are raiſed by the blowes of the Spaniard, and fall into a halting Dance, till the Spaniard, reviving their wearineſſe with his Truncheon, drives them again into the Wood.
The Sixt Entry.
A Symphony prepares the laſt change of the Scene, and an Army is diſcern'd at diſtance, conſiſting of Engliſh and Peruvians; the Van is led by the Engliſh, who are diſtinguiſht by the Enſignes of England, and their Red-Coats. The Reer is brought up by the Peruvians, who are known by their feather'd Habits, Claves, and Spears. There is likewiſe diſcern'd a Body of arm'd Spaniards, their backs turn'd, and there Reer ſcatter'd as if put to flight. Theſe imaginary Engliſh Forces may ſeem improper, becauſe the Engliſh had made no diſcovery24 of Peru, in the time of the Spaniards firſt invaſion there; but yet in Poeticall Repreſentations of this nature, it may paſs as a Viſion diſcern'd by the Prieſt of the Sun, before the matter was extant, in order to his Prophecy.
This object having remain'd a while, the Prieſt of the Sun enters with his Attendant.
The Sixt Speech.
Intimating their firſt adoration of the Spaniards when they landed, the behaviour of the Spaniards towards them, and a Prophecy that they ſhall be reliev'd by the Engliſh.
VVE on our knees theſe Spaniards did receive
As gods, when firſt they taught us to believe.
They came from Heaven, and us o're heights would lead,
Higher then e're our ſinfull fathers fled.
Experience now (by whoſe true eyes, though ſlow,
We find at laſt, what oft too late we know)
Has all their cous'ning miracles diſcern'd:
'Tis ſhe that makes unletter'd mankind learn'd,
25 She has unmask't theſe Spaniſh dark Divines:
Perhaps they upward go,
But haſten us below,
Where we, through diſmall depths, muſt dig in Mines.
When firſt the valiant Engliſh landed here,
Our reaſon then no more was rul'd by fear:
They ſtreight the Spaniards Riddle did unfold,
Whoſe Heav'n in caverns lies of others Gold.
Our griefs are paſt, and we ſhall ceaſe to mourn,
For thoſe whom the inſulting Spaniards ſcorn,
And ſlaves eſteem,
The Engliſh ſoon ſhall free;
Whilſt we the Spaniards ſee
Digging for them.
The Prieſt having ended his Speech, waves his Verge, and his Attendant performs the double Somerſet.
The Prieſt being gone, a wild Ayre is play'd, (differing from that in the Firſt Entry) which prepares the comming in of a Spaniard out of the Wood, loaden with Ingots of Gold, and Wedges of Silver. He makes his footing to the tune of the Inſtruments; and after a while he diſcovers a wearineſſe and inclination to ſleep, to which purpoſe he lies down, with his basket for his pillow. Two Apes come in from oppoſite ſides of the Wood, and dance to the Ayre. After a while, a great Baboom26 enters, and joynes with them in the Dance. They wake the Spaniard, and end the Antique Meaſures with driving him into the Wood.
The Six Song.
Purſuing the Argument of that Prophecy, which foretells the ſubverſion of the Spaniards by the Engliſh.
VVE ſhall no longer fear
The Spaniſh Eagle darkly hov'ging here;
For though from fartheſt Climes he hither fled,
And ſpatiouſly his wings has ſpread:
Yet th'Engliſh Lion now
Does ſtill victorious grow,
And does delight
To make his walks as far
As th'other e're did dare
To make his flight.
CHORUS1 High, 2 high, 3 and high
4 Our Arrowes ſhall ſlie,
And reach the winged for our prey.
Our Nets we'l caſt; and Sprindges lay:
The Ayre, the River, and the Wood,
Shall yield us ſport and change of food.
27All in Chorus.
After all our dyſaſters The proud Spaniards our Maſters,
When we extoll our liberty by feaſts,
At Table ſhall ſerve,
Or elſe they ſhall ſtarve;
Whilſt th'Engliſh ſhall ſit and rule as our gueſts.
This Song being ended, as Ayre, conſiſting of three Tunes, prepares the grand Dance, three Indians entring firſt, afterwards to them three Engliſh Souldiers, diſtinguiſht by their Red-Coats, and to them a Spaniard, who mingling in the meaſures with the reſt, does in his geſtures expreſſe pride and ſullenneſſe towards the Indians, and payes a lowly homage to the Engliſh, who often ſalute him with their feet, which ſalutation he returns with a more lowly gravity; whilſt the Engliſh and the Indians, as they encounter, ſalute and ſhake hands, in ſigne of their future amity. This Dance being perform'd, the Entertainment ends, and
The Curtain falls.
FINIS.