Scene Four
The same persons, Zoraya
Ximénès. (To Cleofas, 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. (To Zoraya) Is this true?
Zoraya. Yes, Your Eminence.
Cleofas seats himself.
Ximénès. Let that pass—And, Rain of Heaven, if she has not greater crimes to expiate! (To Zoraya) Your name?
Zoraya. Zoraya, daughter of the scholar and physician, Abou-Abassa.
Ironical gesture from Cleofas at 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 salutes Ximénès.
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. (To Zoraya) 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. (To Gil Andrès) Bring in the two women who are there. (To Zoraya) You may be seated.
Zoraya sits down at the left on a seat next to that occupied by Calabazas.