O fate! have I
Thus doated on my mortal enemy?

_Trax_. To my new prince I thus my homage pay;
Your reign is short, young king--

_Zemp_. Traxalla, stay--
'Tis to my hand that he must owe his fate,
I will revenge at once my love and hate.

[_She sets a dagger to_ MONTEZUMA'S _breast_.

_Trax_. Strike, strike, the conquering enemy is near.
My guards are passed, while you detain me here.

_Zemp_. Die then, ungrateful, die; Amexia's son
Shall never triumph on Acacis' throne.
Thy death must my unhappy flames remove:
Now where is thy defence--against my love?

[_She cuts the cords, and gives him the dagger_.

_Trax_. Am I betrayed?
[_He draws and thrusts at_ MONTEZUMA,
_he puts it by and kills him_.

_Mont_. So may all rebels die:
This end has treason joined with cruelty.

_Zemp_. Live thou whom I must love, and yet must hate;
She gave thee life, who knows it brings her fate.

_Mont_. Life is a trifle which I would not take,
But for Orazia's and her father's sake:
Now, Inca, hate me, if thou canst; for he,
Whom thou hast scorned, will die, or rescue thee.

_As he goes to attack the guards with_ TRAXALLA'S
_sword, enter_ AMEXIA, GARUCCA, _Indians, driving
some of the other party before them_.

_Gar_. He lives; ye gods, he lives! great queen, see here
Your coming joys, and your departing fear.

_Amex_. Wonder and joy so fast together flow,
Their haste to pass has made their passage slow;
Like struggling waters in a vessel pent,
Whose crowding drops choak up the narrow vent.
My son!--

[_She embraces him_.

_Mont_. I am amazed! it cannot be
That fate has such a joy in store for me.

_Amex_. Can I not gain belief that this is true?

_Mont_. It is my fortune I suspect, not you.

_Gar_. First ask him if he old Garucca know.

_Mont_. My honoured father! let me fall thus low.

_Gar_. Forbear, great prince; 'tis I must pay to you
That adoration, as my sovereign's due:
For, from my humble race you did not spring;
You are the issue of our murdered king,
Sent by that traitor to his blest abode,
Whom, to be made a king, he made a god:
The story is too full of fate to tell,
Or what strange fortune our lost queen befel.

_Amex_. That sad relation longer time will crave;
I lived obscure, he bred you in a cave,
But kept the mighty secret from your ear,
Lest heat of blood to some strange course should steer
Your youth.

_Mont_. I owe him all, that now I am;
He taught me first the noble thirst of fame.