[The same persons, Ximénès, Gil Andrès, Keeper of the Jail, two
monks, two aides to Gil Andrès stand at the entrance of the iron
door at the left. Two Franciscan monks watch at the foot of the stage
during the act.]
XIMÉNÈS. (To Padilla) 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 at Gil Andrès at the foot) Here, Eminence!
XIMÉNÈS. (To Gil 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 Andrès goes out at left with his two aides.
To Padilla) Your Excellency may sit down. The Tribunal authorizes you
to assist in questioning. (Padilla bows. The Tribunal is installed.
Ximénès sits on a chair before the other judges. Padilla is 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 Andrès opens the iron door at the left.]
XIMÉNÈS. (To Gil Andrès) Bring in the Mooress!
[Zoraya is brought in through the iron door. With a gesture Gil Andrès
compels her to advance into the middle of the scene where she stops
and waits.]