[Those in the preceding scene, Enrique, two valets of the hunt]
ENRIQUE. (Looking at the captives) Oh, ho! This is a fine catch with
one stroke of the hand!
RAMIRO. I was going to conduct these people to Toledo to be examined.
Your Honor may spare me the pain.
THE PEASANTS. (All speaking at the same time) Mercy, Excellency!--
Pity!--Pity!--We are innocent!--We did not do it!
RAMIRO. (Exasperated) Peace! Keep quiet, there, brawlers! Do not
bewilder his lordship with your croakings!
ENRIQUE. Be considerate, Ramiro. They have the right to speak in their
own defence. (He is assisted in stepping upon a piece of rock at the
right of the scene. He seats himself on a boulder after giving his
cross-bow to Arias.) What has caused this disturbance?
RAMIRO. Your lordship has not forgotten a young Moorish armourer
employed on his estate, named Kalem?
ENRIQUE. Kalem? Yes! a clever artisan and also a handsome lad, who
worked for me.
RAMIRO. Unfortunately one of those black, obstinate rebels, who will
not admit since the conquest of Granada by our glorious sire (he
uncovers his head and bows) that the dominion of the Moors and the
cult of their great devil Mohammed have ended in Spain.
ENRIQUE. Yes. Whenever I urged Kalem to become converted he always
refused.
RAMIRO. He went from bad to worse--defying a royal edict, which
forbids all intimacy between an unconverted Moor and a Christian, he
betrayed the daughter of a neighbor, a good Catholic. For that offence
the two culprits, in conformance with the law, have been punished
during your lordship's absence: the girl thrown into solitude for life
in the convent of Mercy!--and Kalem, stoned to death!
ENRIQUE. Ah! the poor boy!
RAMIRO. Yesterday at sunset, up there at the foot of an elm!--After
which I left the body fastened to the tree-trunk, according to custom,
to serve as a warning to these accursed heathen. But, no! They are
enraged! The body has disappeared!
ENRIQUE. When was it removed?
RAMIRO. Last night.
ENRIQUE. By whom?
RAMIRO. I do not know. The news was slow in coming and I was ordered
to go out during the night and surprise the residents of this vicinity
in their beds and bring them to an inquest.
ENRIQUE. And the result?
ARIAS. Nothing!--They have nothing to say!
THE PEASANTS. (All together) We know nothing, your lordship, nothing!
So truly as there is a God, we are innocent. (Arias hushes them with
a gesture.)
ENRIQUE. Is there among them a relative or friend of Kalem?
ALL. Not one, your lordship.
A PEASANT. None, my lord!
ENRIQUE. No one who would have a reason for stealing his body?
ALL. (All at the same time) Not one, my lord!--Far from here!--A dog
of a Mussulman!--We are good Christians!
A WOMAN. We should have stoned him to death a second time! (They hear
voices outside, at left.)
RAMIRO. Keep quiet, there!--Listen!
ARIAS. (Looking) Here is something more to please us.