Scene Three
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.