The Virgin of the Sun

About this eBook

Author

Kotzebue, August von, 1761-1819

Title

The virgin of the sun : A play, in five acts

Original Publication

United Kingdom: R. Phillips, 1799.

Credits

Charlene Taylor and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)

Language

English

LoC Class

PT: Language and Literatures: Germanic, Scandinavian, and Icelandic literatures

Subject

German drama -- Translations into English

Category

Text

Project Gutenberg

eBook-No. 69962

Release Date

February 5, 2023

Copyright

Public domain in the USA.

Contents

1. 1.Untitled
2. 2.THE AUTHOR’s DEDICATION. — TO MADAME VON DER WENSE, OF THE FAMILY OF AHLEFELD AT ZELL, LADY OF THE PRESIDENT VON DER WENSE.
3. 3.ADVERTISEMENT.
4. 4.DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.
5. 5.THE VIRGIN OF THE SUN.
6. 6.ACT I. — SCENE I.— A wild and woody Country, where the Bushes and Underwood are so closely entwined as to be almost impenetrable. In the Back-ground, a Wall, in which a large Breach has been made, is just discernible through the Trees; and farther back, rises the Cupola of the Temple of the Sun. Nearer the Front, on the right Hand, appears a Cave; on the left, a Hill, the Top of which is seen above the Trees. — SCENE II.— The High-Priest alone. — SCENE III.— Diego gropes his Way through the Bushes, and starts violently at meeting the High-Priest . — SCENE IV.— Enter Don Alonzo and Don Juan . The latter with a large Cloak wrapped round him. — SCENE V.— Don Juan , and Diego . Juan looks after Alonzo with Astonishment and Indignation. — SCENE VI.— Alonzo springs over the Ruins of the Wall, and then reaches his Hand to Cora , who follows him. — SCENE VII.— Diego enters from the right side, and seeing Alonzo , whistles with all his Strength.
7. 7.ACT II. — SCENE I.— The Scene remains the same as at the Close of the first Act. Don Juan and Diego are still sleeping.— Alonzo walks about mournfully among the Trees. — SCENE II.— Cora enters and springs into Alonzo’s Arms. — SCENE III.— Enter Rolla from his Cave. — SCENE IV.— Enter Idali and Amazili . — SCENE V.— Re-enter Rolla .
8. 8.ACT III. — SCENE I.— The High-Priestess’s Apartment in a Building called the House of the Stars. Several Cages with Parrots, Turtle-Doves, and other Birds, are hanging or standing about the Room. The High-Priestess is employed in feeding the Birds. — SCENE II.— Enter Idali and Amazili in haste and almost breathless. They both speak together. — SCENE III.— Enter Cora . — SCENE IV.— Enter Idali , Amazili , and several other virgins of the sun from different parts. — SCENE V.— A large hall in the king’s palace, with guards ranged on each side. Enter the King’s Chamberlain . — SCENE VI.— The doors are thrown open. Enter the High-Priest , Xaira , Don Alonzo , Don Juan , with a long train of priests and courtiers. Many compliments are exchanged on all sides; they walk about, and converse in different groupes. Several of the courtiers assemble round the chamberlain. — SCENE VII.— Enter Ataliba with his train. All present prostrate themselves before the king. — SCENE VIII.— On a signal from the Chamberlain, the Guards open the door, when Telasco , and Zorai , enter. — SCENE IX.— Enter the High-Priestess , followed by a long train of Virgins of the Sun . They are clad in thick mourning veils, and march in slow and solemn procession towards the King. An awful silence is observed by the whole company, who wait the sequel of the scene with anxious expectation.
9. 9.ACT IV. — SCENE I.— A barren Spot on the Outside of the Walls of the Temple. Four Priests are employed in making a Grave;—several other Priests are scattered about. While they sing the first Chorus, Rolla appears upon the Stage. — SCENE II.— Diego enters in great haste, and extreme agitation. Rolla stops on seeing him. — SCENE III.— Enter the High-Priest . — SCENE IV.— Rolla , alone. He pauses, and looks after the High-Priest—then strikes his forehead. — SCENE V.— Enter Don Juan . — SCENE VI.— The Court before the Temple. Xaira in conversation with other Priests . — SCENE VII.— Enter the High-Priest . — SCENE VIII.— The High-Priest stands in the centre, with Xaira at his right hand, and the rest of the Priests ranged in a semi-circle round the stage. Cora , and Alonzo , both in chains, are brought in on different sides.—Cora no longer bears the image of the sun upon her breast, nor her flame-coloured girdle.
10. 10.ACT V. — SCENE I.— The Inside of the Temple of the Sun—at the Back, the Image of the Sun upon an Altar raised some Steps above the Ground. The High-Priest , Xaira , and several other Priests , the latter of whom are employed in the Back Ground in burning Incense, and preparing the Sacrifices. The High-Priest advances to the Front of the Stage with Xaira . — SCENE II.— Cora and Alonzo are brought in on different sides. During this and the following scene, the Priests walk backwards and forwards, and are busied about the altar. Alonzo appears a few minutes sooner than Cora . — SCENE III.— Enter Telasco , with Zorai in chains. — SCENE IV.— Enter the High-Priest , Xaira , and several other Priests . — SCENE V.— Enter the Chamberlain in great haste, and with a strong impression of terror upon his countenance. — SCENE VI.— Rolla rushes in with a drawn sword in his right hand, a javelin in his left, and a bow and quiver at his back. He is followed by a considerable number of Officers and Soldiers .

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