[The same persons, Padilla, Enrique]
PADILLA. (Coming quickly out of the church with Enrique) Stop! (The
organ ceases to play. Songs of young girls are heard in the church.)
Is it you, sorceress, who have plunged my daughter into this awful
sleep from which even the prayers of the church cannot rouse her?
ZORAYA. It is I! (Exclamations from the crowd.) And I alone can bring
her out of it.
[More exclamations from the crowd.]
PADILLA. Do it then, demon!
ZORAYA. Obey you?--No!
PADILLA. I will force you to do it!
ZORAYA. You cannot burn me twice!
PADILLA. Ah! wretch!
ZORAYA. Like these monks you have had no pity for me! You added to
my tortures by bringing my lover to hear me. Now, I will torture you
by means of your daughter. Invoke these priests, ring your bells,
swing your censers! Chant your canticles! She will awaken only at the
sound of my voice! When my body is burned to ashes, she sleeps her
last sleep.
[Murmurs of indignation from the crowd. Zoraya makes a movement to go
to the stake.]
PADILLA. (Descending the steps furiously) Seize her! (The gaolers
move toward her.) No! Wait! (He motions them back.) Wait! (To Zoraya.)
Ah! Wretch, I am at your mercy!--Is it a pardon and freedom that you want?
ZORAYA. No! life would be only full of sorrow for me! I prefer death,
which will give me an opportunity for revenge!
ENRIQUE. (Standing between Zoraya and the pyre) No! No! Do not use
her for revenge. And, in exchange for the life, which you will save,
I give you mine--give him his daughter!
ZORAYA. Ah! poor man, who implores of me a favor for this official--if
you could know----