XIMÉNÈS. For you have condemned him to death!
PADILLA. Without pity, too!
ZORAYA. (Going to Padilla. Ximénès is at her right, Padilla at her
left, Albornos and Ibarra stand 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 which Zoraya looks 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!
[Ximénès returns quickly to his seat. Between two guards, Enrique
appears at the iron door. Padilla makes him advance to the left out
of sight of Zoraya, whom the Inquisitors surround, seated and
standing. The clerk writes. All this takes place rapidly.]
XIMÉNÈS. (Leaning toward Zoraya) You confess of your own free will
and with repentance that you compelled Enrique Palacios to love you
madly----
PADILLA. (To Enrique, 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.
[Padilla restrains Enrique from moving forward.]
XIMÉNÈS. That you have taken part in diabolical feasts and obscene
dances?
ZORAYA. Yes!
[Enrique again 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 by Padilla and Gil 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!
[Padilla pushes 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
before Enrique. To Zoraya.) Is it false?
ZORAYA. No! no!--It is true!--I confess! I confess! It is true!
[She falls upon the steps exhausted. Padilla drags Enrique out of the
door at right.]
XIMÉNÈS. We shall burn her after vespers!
(Curtain)