SCENE I
DEATH OF THE INCA PACHACUTI
381
Why art thou in such long clothes,
Trailing like the wings of a sick bird[1]—
As they are black it is better.
Rumi-ñaui. Hast thou not seen already
That Cuzco is plunged in grief?
The great Inca Pachacuti[2] is dead,
All the people are in mourning,
Every soul is shedding tears.
Piqui Chaqui. Who, then, succeeds to the place
Which Pachacuti has left vacant?
If Tupac Yupanqui succeeds,
That Prince is the youngest;
There are some others older.[3]
Rumi-ñaui. All Cuzco has elected him,
For the late king chose him,
Giving him the royal fringe;
We could elect no other.
Piqui Chaqui. I hasten to bring my bed here.[4]
[Exit running.
- ↑ The Zegarra and Spilsbury texts have hualpa, a game bird. The Justiniani text has anca, an eagle, which is the correct reading.
- ↑ The Inca Pachacuti does not appear to advantage in the drama. But he was the greatest man of his dynasty, indeed the greatest that the red race has produced. He was a hero in his youth, a most able administrator in mature age. As a very old man some needless cruelties are reported of him which annoyed his son.
- ↑ The eldest son was Amaru Tupac. He was passed over by his father with his own consent, and was ever faithful to his younger brother. He was an able general.
- ↑ This was exactly what Piqui Chaqui was sent to Cuzco to find out. The expression Apumusac puñunayta, 'I go to fetch my bed,' is one of joy at any fortunate event, in Quichua.
