Scene One
Doña Rufina, Doña Syrena, Ramiro, Rioubos, Velasco, Ambrosio, Cristobol, Torillo, later Cleofas, people, monks, soldiers, women and children.
There are few persons in the scene, with the exception of some men conversing near the doors. A group of gentlemen, among them Cristobol, Velasco and Rioubos, enter from the alley at the foot of the scene and stop to look at the pyre. Doña Serafina, Doña Rufina and Doña Syrena, preceded by Ramiro, enter from the other alley at the same time that Don Ambrosio and Doña Fabia come out of the house at the left. Men, women and children are coming out of the Cathedral.
Ramiro. Here is the pyre!
Doña Rufina. They intend to burn her tonight, do they not?
Ramiro. In a short time, Señoras—have patience. I have seen them come out of the prison.
After examining the pyre, they join Fabia and Ambrosio in front of the house.
Doña Syrena. (To Ramiro) Is there anything new concerning Don Enrique?
Ramiro. Yes, good news!—His Lordship is free!
Doña Rufina and Doña Syrena. Ah! so much the better!
Ramiro. His Eminence has gone to carry the news to the king, leaving, as always, his business in secular hands—that is to say, leaving His Excellency, the Governor, the task of fulfilling the sentence:—for the Church will not spill blood!
Doña Syrena. Where is Don Enrique?
Ramiro. At this moment, I do not know. (Cleofas comes out of the church with two persons, who salute him and bow.) Here is Cleofas coming out of the church. He will tell you. (He calls.) Master Cleofas!
Cleofas. Ah! at your service! (He approaches.) Charming ladies!——
Doña Rufina. We were speaking of Don Enrique.
Doña Syrena. Saved, by the grace of God!
Ambrosio. Was he released without punishment?
The young men form in groups round Cleofas and the others in the foreground at the left.
Cleofas. Pardoned!—This evening he will enter the Franciscan cloisters to do penance for three months. He will live on bread and water, wear hair-cloth and sleep on cinders.
Doña Rufina. That is a jolly honeymoon!
Doña Fabia. And what does his young wife say?
Cleofas. Doña Joana?
Doña Fabia and Doña Rufina. Yes.
Cleofas. She says nothing! Since yesterday she has been in such a deep sleep that they cannot awaken her.
All. (Turning) Since yesterday! Is that possible!
Cleofas. His Excellency, the Governor, was rejoicing this morning because his daughter knew nothing of what had happened during the night. But they are now very much concerned. She had these sleeps in the convent. But this is a longer sleep than the others, they say. Cleofas is the only one to work over her.
All. Naturally.
Cleofas. Naturally!—I cannot make her show a sign of awakening.
All. Ah!
Cleofas. Pinchings, prickings! I have tried everything except the red-hot iron, to which His Excellency objects! Pain has vanished! As the Mooress has bewitched the poor child, my art is ineffective. I have advised the only effective remedy: exorcism in the same church, before the highest altar. (They hear the chants of young girls.) His Excellency and Don Enrique have had the patient carried into it—and they are praying that the demon which possesses her will be chased away. Master Oliveira, whom I left there, will be likely to profit and become an exorciser himself.
He salutes and takes leave.
Doña Rufina. And you are going?
Doña Syrena. Without seeing them burn the Sorceress?
Cleofas. Pooh! I have seen such things as those so often that I no longer find them tasteful.
He leaves by the alley at the right. The others, grouped at the left, look at Don Enrique, who comes out of the church and slowly descends the steps.