They hear the night watchman’s halbert striking the pavement stones.
Enrique.(Frightened and pointing to the street) Be quiet!—There is some one there!
The Watchman.(Outside, passing the door and chanting) Ave, Maria!——
Enrique.(In a low voice) It is the watchman.
The Watchman.It is the sixth hour!—I am the watchman!
He passes.
Enrique.He has passed! (He goes to the steps and listens) But here, these windows!—the valets!—(Scrutinizing the right vestibule) And Joana!
Zoraya.Your wife!—It is not she who can hear us!
Enrique.(Frightened) What did you say?
Zoraya.(Standing motionless) Go, and find out for yourself.
Enriquegoes up the steps and enters the room.
The Watchman.(In the distance) Ave, Maria!
Enrique.(In the chamber) Joana! Joana!
The Watchman.(Farther away) It is the sixth hour.
Enrique.(With the same voice) Joana!
The Watchman.(Faintly in the distance) I am the watchman!
Enrique.(Coming out of the room and standing frightened at the end of the stairway) Ah, wretch!—It is you who did it?
Zoraya.Yes! It is I!
Enrique.(Descending the stairs rapidly) You have killed her?
Zoraya.Poor child!—She is asleep!
Enrique.(Going toZoraya) I spoke to her—she heard nothing. I raised her—she fell back cold.
Zoraya.She is asleep, I tell you.
Enrique.What power do you possess which will produce a sleep like death?
Zoraya.What does it matter so long as this is only the appearance of death!—She will sleep until the hour which I have set for her to awaken.—And this is your punishment: when she awakens she will be deaf to your voice, also distant and cold in your arms!—You will then understand that your true wife was not this angelic creature who wanted no other spouse than God, but the Moor, who gave you more love in a single clasp of her hand than this nun in the entire abandonment of her nerveless body, revolting at your caresses.
Enrique.(At her feet) What does it matter to me?—I shall not dispute with that virgin over her celestial spouse. And I shall be free for you, for you alone, without causing her grief, or me remorse.
Zoraya.(Drawing away) I do not care to put you to the test!
Enrique.You intend to leave?
Zoraya.Yes.
Enrique.Alone—tonight?
Zoraya.I intend to leave Toledo before dawn.
Enrique.To leave Toledo?
Zoraya.Ah! God, yes!—this accursed city which has nothing but sorrow and peril for me!
Enrique.(Barring her exit at the door) What! It is absurd—you shall not go!
Zoraya.You would prefer to deliver me to the Inquisition?
Enrique.Ah! How unworthy!
Zoraya.They are seeking for me—tonight, perhaps.
Enrique.And where are you going, poor child?
Zoraya.Into the Sierra, by paths known only to us, to the homes of the rebels. Later I shall go to Africa and find refuge in my father’s brother’s home in Tangier.
Enrique.And there will be between us the mountains, the rivers and the sea!—And shall we always be apart, the one from the other?
Zoraya.You are the one who wishes it.
Enrique.No, I do not wish it—Give up your home!—It is wise—But Toledo!—I know where I can find a refuge for you, which is free from danger.
Zoraya.For instance, your wife’s home!
Enrique.Ah! always she!
Zoraya.Yes! always she between us!—Always, always she!
Enrique.Neither she nor any person—No one in this world!
Zoraya.Do you say so truly?
Enrique.Before God!
Zoraya.You love so much as that?
Enrique.Yes!
Zoraya.You will sacrifice all for me!——
Enrique.Yes!
Zoraya.(In his arms) Then! Come with me?
Enrique.(Thrilled) To the home of your kindred?
Zoraya.They will receive you as a brother!
Enrique.Me? A Spaniard—an enemy?
Zoraya.As my lover!
Enrique.With the rebels, me, a soldier?—Disclaim my king?
Zoraya.A tyrant!
Enrique.My God?
Zoraya.He is for every one.
Enrique.And an exile—forever an exile from my country?
Zoraya.My own country is the country where we may love.
Enrique.No, do not say so! It is a crime to listen to your words.
Zoraya.My adored Enrique!
Enrique.Deserter! renegade! perjurer. Traitor to all my duties for all time! Never! even for you! Never! Never!
Zoraya.Stay then, coward, who has caused me to lose everything!
Enrique.Zoraya!
Zoraya.Go—return to your wife!
She opens the street door quickly to go out and recoils on seeingCardenosstanding motionless on the threshold.
The same persons,Cardenos
Zoraya.(Frightened) Cardenos!
She goes to the left.
Enrique.Cardenos here!—at this hour!
Cardenos.(Entering) I am not more surprised to see you myself, Don Enrique, than to find you in such company.
Enrique.(Who places himself quickly betweenCardenosand the door, which he fastens) Is that advice, or a threat?
Cardenos.(Coldly) Neither one nor the other!—I am here by order of the Holy-Office to arrest this woman (movement byEnriqueto rejoin and protectZoraya) who practises sorcery.
Zoraya.That is false!
Enrique.Foolishness!
Cardenos.You seem to have forgotten the punishment in store for a crime like yours.
Enrique.You are presumptuous!
Cardenos.(Continuing coldly) His Eminence, knowing that this woman was seen to enter this house without coming out, entrusted me with the task of watching at this door to arrest her without noise when she came out and at the same time unknown to you.
Enrique.His Eminence had foreseen that I would not let you do it!
Cardenos.He has only foreseen your submission and confession for the care which he has taken—out of regard for your name, your rank, and your young wife, his pupil—to separate your case from that of your accomplice, and inflict upon you only a penance which will reconcile you with the Church!
Zoraya.(Quickly) Ah! if that is so, good—I will go with you!
Enrique.(Violently obstructing her passage) Are you foolish? (ToCardenos.) Go tell Ximénès that he has no right to my confession unless he provides the same indulgence for her whom he calls my accomplice.
Cardenos.You shall say it to him yourself, Señor Enrique. (ToZoraya) Come, you!—Follow me!
Enrique.(StoppingZoraya) By God! This is insolence!
Zoraya.Enrique!
Enrique.Silence! (ToCardenos) And you—get out of here!
Cardenos.Be careful that you do not render indulgence for yourself impossible!
Enrique.That is my own affair!
Cardenos.And you would lose it for nothing!
Zoraya.He has a reason!—Let me go!
Enrique.(Sharply toCardenos) Are you not going?
Cardenos.I beg of you, my lord, to listen to the prayer of a man as old as your father, and who has known you since you were a child.
Enrique.During that time you should have learned a better profession than the one you are now engaged in.
Cardenos.He would say the same to you.
Enrique.He can blaspheme me if I have the infamy to deliver up the woman whom I love.—And I would deserve the insults of all the scullions of the city!
Zoraya.No! No! (ToCardenos) Do not listen to him. Take me away.
Cardenosplaces his hand on her.
Enrique.(Stepping between them) Scoundrel! Do not touch this woman!
Cardenos.Do you refuse to let her go?
Enrique.I dare to say yes.
Cardenos.If there is a disturbance and a scandal it will be only because you have wanted it!
He turns to go out.Enriquesteps forward between him and the door, putting his hand on his shoulder.
Enrique.Where are you going?
Cardenos.Where I please.
Enrique.To bring your men?
Cardenos.You compel me to do so.
Enrique.You shall not go!—You shall not call them!
Zoraya.Ah! My God!
Cardenos.(Withdrawing to the center of the patio) Then, there are our special valets who shall help me!
Enrique.(The same) You venturesome ruffian!
Cardenos.Let me go!
Enrique.No!
Cardenos.I shall call my men!
Enrique.I defy you to do so!
Cardenos.Help!
Enrique.(Leaping upon him) Silence!
Cardenos.(Drawing his dagger) Help!
Enrique.(Snatching it from him. He seizesCardenosby the wrists and throws him to the ground) Silence! Silence!
Cardenos.Help!
Enrique.(Seizing his throat) You will be silent, demon!
Cardenos,suffocated, beats the air with his hands, then falls strangled at the right of the steps.
Zoraya.(Leaping towards him) Ah! unfortunate man! What have you done?
Enrique.(Infuriated, stoops overCardenos) What?—What have I done to him?
Zoraya.(Raising his head) He is dead!
Enrique.(Frightened) No!
Zoraya.See! He is dead, I tell you! See! He is dead! He is dead!
She letsCardenos’arms fall back.
Enrique.Is it possible!
Zoraya.(Turning her eyes to the foot of the stage) Be quiet!
They see a lantern passing from one window to another, followed by the sound of the opening of the middle window. Frightened,ZorayaandEnriqueseek refuge on the little stairway, hiding behind a column and clumps of flowers.
Ramiro.(Half-clad at the window, leaning in) Hello! Some one called!—Who is there? (They hear another window opened opposite the first one) Is that you, Ginès?
Ginès.(Invisible) Yes, master!
Ramiro.Did you hear that disturbance—those shouts?
Ginès.Yes!—They were calls for aid!
Ramiro.Was it in this house?
Ginès.More likely in the street—those belated drunkards!
Ramiro.Dress yourself, awaken Padillo.—We shall see!
He disappears, fastening the window.
Zoraya.(Frightened, rising suddenly, in a low voice) They have gone!
Enrique.Except you, no one has seen me and none can accuse me!
Zoraya.That is folly!—A man comes to arrest me—who should kill him but you?
Enrique.It is true!—Ah! God, God! Assassin!—Me! me!
Zoraya.Do not become excited or lament. What is done is done. We shall not await them, shall we?
Enrique.Go then!
Zoraya.Alone?
Enrique.Go, Zoraya.
Zoraya.Without you—No!
Enrique.Merciful Heaven! What course shall we take?
Zoraya.Flight!
Enrique.And where shall we fly to?
Zoraya.Where I told you!
Enrique.It is dishonorable and my life will be lost!
Zoraya.Remain! Then you will lose it more quickly!—Come! Come on!—Come!—Come! (She runs to the street door and opens it. They hear sounds of voices outside and the scraping of guitars. She quickly fastens the door.) The musicians!
Enrique.In the street?
Zoraya.(Despairingly) If they have come to give the morning serenade, it is for us.
They listen anxiously. The musicians draw near, conversing and laughing, while thumbing their strings.
A Musician.Shall we serenade Don Enrique Palacios?
Zorayamakes a movement of fright.
Another.Simpleton!—He cares much for your music at this moment!
Laughter.
Another.Besides, they did not pay us for serenading him!
Approbations.Enriqueanxiously watches the house from the foot.
The Other.(Farther away) Come, then! Laggards!—Not there, but in the other street.
All.Yes! Coming, coming!
They go away making the same sounds with which they came.Enriquegoes toward the foot listening for the valets’ return.
Zoraya.(Opening the door cautiously and looking into the street) They are going farther away.—They have gone round the corner of the house. (Shortly afterward they hear the distant serenade, a voice singing:)
Oh! Love is the conquerorWhose flames devour me!Open thy heart,Thy lover implores thee!
Oh! Love is the conquerorWhose flames devour me!Open thy heart,Thy lover implores thee!
(Zorayaopens the door and looks relieved) The street is clear. Come quickly! (SeeingEnrique,who is searching for something on the floor) Good God! what are you searching for?
Enrique.His dagger, which he dropped.
He picks it up and runs to the door.
Zoraya.(Taking him in her arms) Ah! yes, yes!—Should they arrest us, you will kill me!
Enrique.Yes, and myself afterward!
Zoraya.(Seeing a light at the door of the ground floor, at the foot) Their voices! Quickly, come quickly!
She andEnriquehurry out. At the same time the door opens andRamiroquickly enters with two valets, one of whom carries a lantern.Ramirosees the body ofCardenos,snatches the lantern from the valets hands and looks at the dead mans face.
All the Three.Cardenos!
One of the valets, seeing the street door open, runs to it and looks into the street. The other joins him and they spring out, running away and shouting:“Stop those assassins! Stop them! Arrest them!”During this part of the scene, which is very rapid, the serenade continues.
(Curtain)
Scene.—The meeting place of the Tribunal of the Inquisition. It is a low-vaulted chamber with ogive arches, lighted with candles. On the walls are religious paintings. At the foot of the scene is a narrow glazed window. At the right is a large high gate closing the entrance of a corridor leading to the Episcopal palace. On the same side, in the foreground, are seats of the Tribunal. Facing the left are an altar and a wooden Calvary. On the other side of them are an iron door and an arch leading to the jail. Seats and stools are scattered about. It is three o’clock in the morning. At the end of the act dawn begins to light the windows.
The Members of the Tribunal,Fray Eugenio Calabazas,andFray Teofilo Ibarra,Dominicans, laterCleofas,Oliveira,Fray Miguel MolinaandFray Hernando Albornos,Franciscans. An Usher of the Tribunal, at the foot of the stage.
As the curtain rises,Calabazas,seated, andIbarra,at the left outside, are discovered talking in a low voice.CleofasandFray Hernando Albornosenter at the right.
Cleofas.(Advancing into the scene) I have slept so well after that excellent feast! Nothing is more injurious to the health than being startlingly awakened during one’s first sleep.
Albornos.What business is so urgent that we must convene before daybreak?
Cleofas.(Joining the group at the left) You Excellencies should have the goodness to tell us.
Calabazas.We know no more about it than you.
Ibarra.We were greatly surprised at the morning visit of the agent of the Tribunal. We are here at the special request of His Eminence to consider a pressing and serious matter.
Albornos.Then you have no idea what it is?
Ibarra and Calabazas.None.
Cleofas.(ToMolina,who enters at right) And you, my reverend father?
Molina.No more than you.
Calabazas.In any case, I think, without question, that the two women whom we again examined after vespers are guilty of sorcery.
Molina.Moreover, they confessed.
Ibarra.That will simplify the task.
Cleofas.(SeeingOliveira,who enters at the left) Is it not the opinion of my excellent colleague. Master Oliveira, that there is not sufficient evidence to condemn them?
All turn towardOliveirawith questioning looks.
Oliveira.Since my very venerable colleague has obliged me to give my humble opinion, I must confess that one of the two women, the one called Afrida, appears to me to be an old fool, who after having been forced to listen to sorcery and witchcraft, is possessed with the idea that she is on intimate terms with a demon. She accepts her dreams and nightmares as realities and every woman and girl whom she knows she accuses of having attended a witches’ revel. A dozen of these unfortunates have been placed in our dungeons since yesterday. If we listened to that vixen all of the women of Toledo would be sorceresses—especially the young ones!
Calabazas.Has she not a reason for accusing them if she has seen them at these revels?
Murmurs of discreet approbation.
Oliveira.For her to have seen them, my father, it would have been necessary for her to have gone there herself.
Ibarra.She partook in them.
Molina.And you doubt that?
Oliveira.For a good reason!—As she pretended, in spite of the confining walls of her dungeons, to be able to attend the revels again, I determined to see for myself whether she was telling the truth. Three times during the night I found her sleeping deeply on the pallet in her cell in the prison. When she awoke she told me all that she thought she had seen at the home of the devil!
Albornos.If you were more experienced in these matters. Master Oliveira, you would know that these sorceresses can leave their bodies lying in their beds and at the same time attend these Satanic love-feasts.
Murmurs of approbation.
Cleofas.And that in the same body the devil can place one of his imps, who will not change its appearance.
Renewed approbation.
Calabazas.And the other sorceress?—This young peasant woman from Torrijos, whom they found in a wood at dawn stretched naked on ground which had been trampled by infernal dances and which was still littered with the remains of an infernal feast and firebrands and ashes—Master Oliveira, do you believe she too is innocent?
Oliveira.I have good cause to believe it!—She is a poor girl from the fields who was seduced by her master, who abandoned her and her child and left them in deep misery. A passing vagrant invited her to go to a witches’ meeting where Satan would provide her with plenty of gold. He took her to a nocturnal gathering of beggars and ragamuffins, who with the aid of some rogue put her into a sleep, from which she awakened at dawn with the vague memory of horrible debauchery!—An orgie! Yes! But witches’ meeting?—Who will prove it?——
Cleofas.The sigillum or stigma Diaboli, Master Oliveira! That mark which the devil makes with his pitchfork, or the horny spots on the bodies of his creatures, such as we have found, you and I, in two places on this girl’s skin. Our needles penetrated them without drawing blood and they were not felt.
Murmurs of approval.
Oliveira.I found three on the body of the Superior of the Incarnation, who afterward died in unquestioned sainthood!
He walks toward the foot of the stage, followed by the eyes of the displeased Inquisitors.
Calabazas.(In a low voice) This surgeon is too much of a reasoner!
Cleofas.You need say nothing to me about it!—If they listened to him they would burn no one!
The same persons, thenPadilla, followed byD’Aguilar, notary of the tribunal.
Padilla,pale and agitated, quickly enters at the left.
The Usher.(Announcing) His Excellency, the Governor.
All salutePadilla,who looks about forXiménèsand stops.
Padilla.His Eminence is not here?
Albornos.Not yet, Lord Padilla.
Padilla.I want to see him!—I must speak to him!
He makes a movement to leave.
Calabazas.Be pleased to wait for him with us.
Padilla.Yes! yes! (ToCalabazas) Ah! my father, do you believe it! A gentleman, a soldier! my son——
He goes toward the iron door and waits forXiménès.The Inquisitors surroundD’Aguilarin the foreground.
Molina.(ToD’Aguilarin a low voice) Some misfortune has befallen His Excellency?
D’Aguilar.(In a low voice) Your lordships, then, do not know why you are called to meet at this hour?
All.(With low voices) No!—Why? What is it?—We know nothing about it!
D’Aguilar.(The same) Lord Palacios has been arrested.
All.Arrested!
Calabazas.Don Enrique?
D’Aguilar.For assassinating Cardenos!——
All.Good God!—Is it possible! Our Agent!
D’Aguilar.With the assistance of a woman!—Both were fleeing towards the river when stopped by pedestrians, who heard shouts in the distance. The fugitives were flung to the earth at the entrance of an alley. The woman cried to Don Enrique desperately and in vain: “Kill me! Kill me!”
Cleofas.A Mooress?
D’Aguilar.Yes.
Cleofas.It is Zoraya!
The Usher.His Eminence!
All turn to the right to salute the Cardinal.
The same persons,Ximénès,Gil Andrès,Keeper of the Jail,Two Monks,Two AidestoGil Andrèsstand at the entrance of the iron door at the left. Two Franciscan monks watch at the foot of the stage during the act.
Ximénès.(ToPadilla) God has summoned you to a cruel ordeal, Padilla! I had given to Cardenos orders with the object of sparing you. Who had foreseen this at the hour when I blessed the young couple in the cathedral—your unfortunate daughter?
Padilla.She has heard nothing about it. I found her in a deep sleep and I ordered them not to awaken her. I would always be too soon to tell her the truth. May God will that at the same time she shall learn that Don Enrique is innocent of the crime with which he is accused!
Ximénès.No!—He confesses it!
All start.
Padilla.The assassination?
Ximénès.Yes!—The assassination, his infamous relation with the Saracen woman and his plan of fleeing to African soil.
All are indignant.
Padilla.(After a gesture of despair) The more monstrous the crime the stronger is the proof that he has lost his reason!
Ximénès.It is for this, Governor, that I have called this hasty convocation of the Tribunal before the scandal bursts forth—Toledo must not know at its awakening that a member of the Council of Castile, one honored with royal favor, commander of the archers and crossbowmen of the city, son of a long line of Christians, brave soldier and your son-in-law, has committed such crimes without knowing that he had a right to some explanation—being under the spell of this woman’s sorcery—And that is what all say! Where is Gil Andrès?
Oliveira.(Pointing atGil Andrèsat the foot) Here, Eminence!
Ximénès.(ToGil Andrès) Has she spoken some word of confession?
Gil Andrès.None, Eminence. She has said nothing since she asked about Don Enrique. She appeared to care less about her own delivery than about his.
Ximénès.Is she there?
Gil Andrès.Yes, Your Eminence.
Ximénès.Go get her! (Gil Andrèsgoes out at left with his two aides. ToPadilla) Your Excellency may sit down. The Tribunal authorizes you to assist in questioning. (Padillabows. The Tribunal is installed.Ximénèssits on a chair before the other judges.Padillais seated at the right on a stool lower than the platform. The notary sits at a little table behind him. The two physicians are seated on stools at the side of the platform near the iron door at the right. All wait.) My brothers, never more than at this hour had we a better reason for addressing God with our usual prayer: Dominie, auxilium, in reperienda veritate, sit nobis. Spiritus Sanctus, ad majorem Fidei gloriam.
All.Amen!
Ximénès.Exaudi nos, Domini.
All.Amen!
They seat themselves,Gil Andrèsopens the iron door at the left.
Ximénès.(ToGil Andrès) Bring in the Mooress!
Zorayais brought in through the iron door. With a gestureGil Andrèscompels her to advance into the middle of the scene where she stops and waits.
The same persons,Zoraya
Ximénès.(ToCleofas,who rises and salutes) Do you wish to speak, Master Cleofas?
Cleofas.With the permission of Your Eminence, before the accused is questioned, I should like to inform the Tribunal that, contrary to the royal edict, she has persisted in continuing the damnable Arabian custom of painting her eyelashes, eyelids and eyebrows; and I will wager that her heels and toenails are gilded.
Ximénès.(ToZoraya) Is this true?
Zoraya.Yes, Your Eminence.
Cleofasseats himself.
Ximénès.Let that pass—And, Rain of Heaven, if she has not greater crimes to expiate! (ToZoraya) Your name?
Zoraya.Zoraya, daughter of the scholar and physician, Abou-Abassa.
Ironical gesture fromCleofasat the name physician.
Ximénès.Your father, it appears, was a genuine necromancer?
Zoraya.That is the calumnious assertion of ignoramuses, who interpret as diabolical everything which surpasses their own knowledge.
Ximénès.He left you the knowledge of his art of healing?
Zoraya.Yes, Your Eminence.
Ximénès.Without magic?
Zoraya.Yes, without magic.
Ximénès.You are accused of improper relations with Don Enrique Palacios. The charge is not doubted, as your accomplice has confessed.
Zoraya.Neither do I deny it.
Ximénès.You know, of course, that for you awaits the dungeon and for him the galleys!
Zoraya.Love is stronger than fear!
The Governor rises and salutesXiménès.
Ximénès.You may speak, Governor.
Padilla.Ramiro has told me about the first meeting of Don Enrique and this woman, who had stolen the body of Kalem. He came to me and confessed something which he had always kept secret out of affection for his master—that Don Enrique was compelled to release this wretch while visibly fascinated by her looks and magic words, which she used to obtain her liberty.
Ximénès.(ToZoraya) Do you hear that?
The Governor sits down.
Zoraya.I had recourse to nothing but the usual attractions of all women.
Ximénès.And you have not made him mad with love for you with the use of incantations, philters, evil methods?
Zoraya.With no other philter than my ardent love for him!
Ximénès.Briefly, you deny being a sorceress?
Zoraya.If I were one, I should be far from here!
Ximénès.The Evil One enjoys abandoning his followers during their time of peril. And you are suspected of sorcery for good reasons, being the daughter of a man accused of magic and an unconverted Mussulman—Why have you not renounced Mahomet for Christ?
Zoraya.I saw that the Christians were no better than we.
Movements among the members of the Tribunal.
Ximénès.And, naturally, you deny being at a witches’ revel?
Zoraya.Ah! certainly, yes, I deny it! Yes, I deny it!
Ximénès.You are not, then, afraid to have it proved to you—you defend yourself with such warmth?
Zoraya.How can I prove my innocence if my denials are taken as confessions?
Ximénès.We shall see what they are worth. (ToGil Andrès) Bring in the two women who are there. (ToZoraya) You may be seated.
Zorayasits down at the left on a seat next to that occupied byCalabazas.
The same persons,Manuela,Afrida
Gil Andrèsmakes both women enter at the left at the same time. The younger one remains at the foot of the stage between the two aides, whileGil Andrèspushes before him oldAfrida,whomZorayaregards with surprise and disgust.
Ximénès.(ToAfrida) Come forward! (Gil Andrès,with a blow, forcesAfridato go forward. ToD’Aguilar) Write: “Afrida.” (ToAfrida) You confessed the other day—(Afrida,without looking at him, makes a sign to him with her left hand to keep silent; with her right hand she makes a trumpet to her ear for listening) What is this?—Are you mocking us?
Gil Andrès.With your permission. Your Eminence, she is thus frequently seen holding her ear to listen to her favorite demon, whom she calls Verdelet.
Ximénès.That demon there is very bold to face us in our home! Hello there! woman, dismiss this bad gallant and answer this Tribunal, which was not called for his attendance.
Afridasmiles like an idiot and makes a sign with her hand.
Afrida.Patience!—patience!—There he goes!
She laughs stupidly.
Ximénès.What are you laughing at, old ribald?
Afrida.(Looking the same) At the face he made when he went out.
Ximénès.Take care that you are not seated on a wooden horse! (She attempts to speak) Enough of those mummeries. You confessed the other day of practising evil acts upon your neighbors, causing their children and fowls to die, of setting fire to their roofs and sending hail upon their fields.
Afrida.To avenge myself upon those who were happier than I.
Ximénès.You confessed to being at a nocturnal revelry attended by witches, did you not?
Afrida.Oh! I have often been (counting on her fingers) more than thirty times.
Ximénès.By what power do you go?
Afrida.The black sheep or the large red cat, which come to take me from my bed while I sleep—And then. Gee-up! gee-up! across the fields, accompanied by the sound of bells to where they are assembling. There the great devil Astaroth, on seeing me, says: “Ah! here is my little Afrida! Come, mignon, come here that I may pet you!” For she loves me above all and always says: “Go, fear nothing, my little chicken. If they want to burn you, I shall drag away the wood before all the world. And we shall laugh then. Oh! we shall laugh well! Ah! how we shall laugh then!”
She writhes and chokes with laughter, after being seated on a step at the foot ofXiménès.
Ximénès.Yes, yes! we laugh! That is admitted!—And those whom you accuse of having been at the revel with you—will Astaroth also save them from the fire?
Afrida.(Hatefully) Oh! those who have treated me like an old fool, those who are young and togged out, I shall surely let them burn on your fire, while Astaroth carries me away!
Ximénès.Turn your eyes a little to that side (indicating to herZoraya) and look at that woman. (She rises, pointing toZoraya) Yes, she there!—Does she not remind you of something?
Afrida.(ApproachingZorayaand leaning over her) Yes!—I have seen that nose there somewhere! Raise your eyes a little, beautiful! What makes you dislike to see me—(Suddenly) Yes! yes! I remember her!—Here is one of them!——
Ximénès.One of whom?
Afrida.One of those from below, there!—One of those who danced at the witches’ revel!
Zoraya.(Indignant, rising) Me? Me?
Afrida.Yes, you! Do not now become a straight-laced prude; I have seen you as clearly as I see you now—carousing with us!——
Zoraya.But, you lie, you wretch!—You lie!—Do not believe such execrable foolishness!
Afrida.(Furious) Foolishness!—Ah! you treat me as a fool, also!—Yes, my lords, yes, I have seen her, I tell you; I have seen her enraptured in the arms of a goat-headed devil!
Zoraya.Oh! it is false! It is false!
Afrida.(Following her in the scene and walking round her) Go! go! You were given by the Evil One to be rich and beautiful! You will be roasted, my girl! (Laughing) Roasted, those beautiful eyes so fiery!—roasted your skin so white, which all the men want to cling to—roasted all that, roasted, roasted!
At a motion fromXiménès,she goes out, crying, following byGil Andrès.
The same, withoutAfrida
Zoraya.Ah! the horrible old woman!——
Ximénès.An insult is not a reply!—She affirms; you deny. The accusation stands. And the Tribunal judges. (ToGil Andrès) Bring the other. (They make come forwardManuela,who is weak and trembling with fright) You, also, you have confessed it!—You have gone to the witches’ revels?
Manuela.Only once, Your Eminence—Only once! Mercy!
Ximénès.That is once too often!
Manuela.I was so unfortunate!—My employer drove me from his home when he discovered that I was to become a mother—for he was the father of the child. I was too weak to work in the fields and no one would keep me because my poor baby, which I nourished with my thin milk, was so hungry that It cried all of the time!—Ah! I have never known anything but shame and misery!—I have prayed fervently to God—He has done nothing for me—Then—Ah! my benevolent lords!—(She falls upon her knees on the steps beforeXiménèsand weeps) Have pity!—I have harmed no one!—And I am punished enough now!
Ximénès.(Severely) What else?
Manuela.Then—a gypsy woman, who saw me on my knees before a cross on the road where I had been begging, said to me: “You are foolish enough to address that object, which helps only the happy ones of this world! Charity for the poor comes only from the Other One!—Come! go home with me and you will see for yourself. He loves the jolly girls and will give you an apron full of gold!”
Ximénès.And you went to the home of the Other One?
Manuela.That night—after having left my child with a woman as poor as myself—the gypsy woman conducted me into a wood where many men and bad women were feasting round a fire!—They gave me food and drink and more and more of—I know not what kind of liquor—until I became like a fool!—And after!—Ah! God, no, oh! no, I cannot relate that!—In the morning I lay asleep on the ground, poorer than before, for my miserable, ragged clothes were gone! The archers threw me into a dungeon, where I have done nothing but shed tears day and night, thinking of my poor little baby! I do not know what has become of that! They will not tell me! (Sobbing) Ah! my good lords, do not make me more miserable! If they intend to burn me, why should I not be the first one selected from those doomed to die?
Ximénès.Raise your head—and look at this woman. (Manuelaobeys) Do you recognize her as one of those who attended the witches’ revel?
Manuela.(After looking atZoraya) No, no, Your Eminence.
Ximénès.Look at her carefully. And remember that you will receive some consideration if you answer frankly.
Zoraya.(Going to her) Yes, look at me.
Manuela.(Tremblings after looking atZoraya) They made me drunk—I had no reason left—I do not remember clearly!——
Ximénès.Are you afraid that she will avenge herself?—She cannot harm you!—Then, confess that you saw her at this diabolical feast!
Manuela.(With the same voice) I cannot remember!
Ximénès.Take care, for we have sure methods for refreshing your memory.
Manuela.Have mercy, my lord!—I am telling the truth!
Ximénès.No!—You recognize her, but will not admit it!
Manuela.Should I accuse an innocent one!—condemn her without being certain?—I shall lose my soul!
Ximénès.The safety of your soul depends upon us—as does that of your body!—Then, you have seen her, have you not?
Manuela.I am not certain!—
Ximénès.(With the same voice) Andrès!
Manuela.(Frightened, between his knees) No, no! Have mercy!—mercy! Do nothing more to me!
Ximénès.(Very sternly) Do you recognize her?
Manuela.(In tears) Yes, yes! I know her!—I recognize her! (Falling on her knees atZoraya’sfeet) Ah! pardon, pardon me!—I am too weak!
Zoraya.(Very much moved) Yes, poor girl, yes! I pardon you!
Ximénès.(ToGil Andrès) Take her away!
Gil AndrèsraisesManuelaand leads her away, sobbing.
The same persons, withoutManuela
Ximénès.(ToZoraya) Here is more testimony against you.
Zoraya.(Indignant) Testimony!—of that unfortunate girl!
Ximénès.According to her own confessions!—
Zoraya.Ah! her confessions!—made under the threats of your tortures! (Movements among the members of the Tribunal) You can find whatever pleases you with the aid of him, there. (She points toGil Andrès) You can convict with false testimony and you can make innocent ones confess crimes which they never committed. You, yourself, Bishop, under torture would admit going to a witches’ meeting!
The Inquisitors make movements of astonishment.
Ximénès.(Calmly) It is not likely that I shall have occasion to submit to such a trial!—Prove to us that these women have lied!
Zoraya.And how do you want me to prove it?—Is It possible for me to do so?—You, can you prove to me that these women are telling the truth?
Ximénès.That is the opinion of the Tribunal.
Zoraya.Then all of them say that I must be found guilty at any price. That could be done in a quicker and less cowardly manner.
Murmurs of indignation from the Inquisitors.
Ximénès.Do you mean to defy us?
Zoraya.Yes, I defy all of you! If I am to be condemned before I have an opportunity to defend myself, I shall have, at least, the pleasure of shouting my hatred to this Tribunal of the Church, which instead of being more human than those who believe in other religions, is more ferocious!
Exclamations from the Tribunal.
Calabazas.Your hatred, villainous Mooress!
Zoraya.Yes, my hatred!—Yes, I abhor you!—I abhor you!—Priests!—who set upon a vanquished people like jackals upon the bodies of the dead after the battle!
Protestations from the Tribunal.
Ximénès.Let her alone!—her lips are betraying the disease from which she is suffering.
Zoraya.All the humiliations and sorrows of defeat—we have known them. They have changed our mosques into churches, our courts into kennels, our schools into stables! They have broken our aqueducts, drained our fish-ponds, burned our mills and wine-presses, cut down our orchards and made such a desert of the flowery plain of Granada that a bee cannot gather honey upon it! But that was not enough for us—we must have misery, famine and the brutality of soldiers! There must be refined cruelty at least, so you invented the Inquisition.—Thanks to that, you can assure yourselves with joyful hearts that we are punished like hardened heathens, that we perish in your oubliettes and that we are burned alive in the name of your Savior, who taught only mercy and goodness! (Pointing to the Calvary) And, that prophet—your God!—crucified by the Inquisitors of his time!—A martyr, whom you make an executioner! (There is a movement of protest among the Inquisitors, two of whom rise indignantly.Zorayaturns toward the Christ on the Calvary and addresses it) God of the Christians!—They have nailed thy feet and thy hands, so that thou canst not come to the aid of the unfortunate! But, if thou canst not tear thyself from the cross, cry at least unto these infamous judges that they need not look elsewhere for Hell and the gathering of witches—Here is the Hell where they sacrifice human creatures, where they offer to thee as hymns the lamentations of the tortured, and as incense the smell of burning flesh! Here is Hell, Hell with its furnaces, Hell with its damned, Hell! Hell! with its demons!
She falls choking and weeping upon the seat at left. The Inquisitors, protesting, rise and advance into the middle of the scene, all speaking at the same time.
All.Blasphemy!—Blasphemy!
Albornos.Shall we let this Saracen continue to insult the Tribunal?
Calabazas.And the Church!
Ibarra.The sentence!—Eminence! the sentence!
Ximénès.(Who remains seated) Be calm!—She is not alone a blasphemer to the Governor and me.—She is a sorceress!
Albornos.That has been proven!
Ximénès.Not yet. I must have more testimony in the form of a confession.
Padilla.Then torture her!
Ximénès.This woman?—All of our torments would not wrest one word from her.
All.What other means will you use, Eminence?
Ximénès.(Rising) Then!—(Loud enough forZorayato hear him) We shall question her accomplice (Zorayastarts) and ask him to explain the reason for the murder of Cardenos, which he confesses, and (Zorayaagain starts) why this woman was in his house on such a night.
Zoraya.In spite of that he!—— (She rises quickly.)
Ximénès.It is not for you to plead his case!——
Zoraya.(Quickly, going toXiménès) Yes, yes! it is I! (Ximénèsmakes a sign toGil Andrès.) Wait!—Oh! wait, wait, then! (Andrèsstops.) It is only I who can explain for him!—He was maddened by my tears, my reproaches, my furious jealousy!—The other arrived and insulted me—then, in the height of his rage!—Ah!—that crime—I am more guilty than he! Would he have killed him, had I not been there?
All of the Inquisitors advance and group themselves at her left.
Ximénès.(Quickly going to her) Then you wish to convince us that this murder is your work?
Zoraya.Yes, it is my work!
Ximénès.It is you who caused this unfortunate man to become an assassin?
Zoraya.It is I!—It is I!
Ximénès.And by his flight, a deserter and a renegade?
Zoraya.Yes! yes!—It is I!—It is I!
Ximénès.And is that not enough, wretched woman! It must be that you are bent upon his utter ruin!
Zoraya.I?
Ximénès.For you have condemned him to death!
Padilla.Without pity, too!
Zoraya.(Going toPadilla.Ximénèsis at her right,Padillaat her left,AlbornosandIbarrastand behind her.) Oh! how horrible! I would give my flesh and blood to save him!
Ximénès.No!—You can do that with one word!—And you are too obstinate to speak it!
Zoraya.One word?
Padilla.Tell the truth!
Zoraya.But, I told it!—I told the truth!
Ximénès.(Whispering in her ear) No!—there is one thing which you have not admitted—one thing, alone—which will make him innocent of all crime!
Padilla.And save him from all punishment!
Ximénès.The cause of his madness!
Padilla.Madness due to your witchcraft!
Albornos.And your philters!
Ximénès.And your poisons!
All are silent for an instant, during whichZorayalooks at them stupefied.
Zoraya.Ah! I understand!—I understand! (The Inquisitors are silent) You want me to save him? Yes, it is true! It is true! If I have made him mad with some kind of a philter, he is unconscious of his acts! He is not guilty! He is more my accomplice! He is my victim! That is what you want, is it not?—Is it not?
Ximénès.And he escapes execution.
Padilla.He will be sent to the galleys!
Ximénès.To prison!
Zoraya.(Quickly) He is free?
Ximénès and Padilla.Yes.
Zoraya.Ah! say so, then!—say it, then! On that condition, yes! on that condition! I will confess to whatever you wish!—(Movement of satisfaction among the Inquisitors.) But, when will you set him at liberty?
Ximénès and Padilla.On the spot!
Zoraya.Then! Quickly! quickly!—Tell me what I must say!
Ximénèsreturns quickly to his seat. Between two guards,Enriqueappears at the iron door.Padillamakes him advance to the left out of sight ofZoraya,whom the Inquisitors surround, seated and standing. The clerk writes. All this takes place rapidly.
Ximénès.(Leaning towardZoraya) You confess of your own free will and with repentance that you compelled Enrique Palacios to love you madly——
Padilla.(ToEnrique,in a low voice) Do you hear that?
Ximénès.And that while infatuated he was guilty of crimes of which he had no knowledge, that his conduct was caused by philters you had given him and by enchantments and other tricks of the black art!
Zoraya.(Quickly) Yes! yes! I confess it!
Ximénès.You confess?
Zoraya.Oh! is not that enough?
Ximénès.And that you went to the witches’ dance?
Zoraya.Yes! yes! I confess.
PadillarestrainsEnriquefrom moving forward.
Ximénès.That you have taken part in diabolical feasts and obscene dances?
Zoraya.Yes!
Enriqueagain attempts to go forward.
Ximénès.And that you gave up your body to the lusts of all present, sorcerers and demons?
Zoraya.Yes! yes!
Enrique.(Restrained byPadillaandGil Andrès) Ah! accursed one!
Zoraya.(Turning) Him! Oh! (She attempts to rush to him, but others prevent her.) No! Do not believe that! My Enrique! Not that! not that!—Do not believe it!
Enrique.Away from me, prostitute of Hell!
Padillapushes him to the door.
Zoraya.I have lied!—It is false! It is false!
Ximénès.(Sternly) It is false! Detain that man! (The guards step beforeEnrique.ToZoraya.) Is it false?
Zoraya.No! no!—It is true!—I confess! I confess! It is true!
She falls upon the steps exhausted.PadilladragsEnriqueout of the door at right.
Ximénès.We shall burn her after vespers!
(Curtain)