The Vatican; Sala dei Pontifici.
A secret Consistory. The Lord Alexander VI. surrounded by his Cardinals in their purple. Don Garcilaso de la Vega, Spanish Ambassador, and other Ambassadors.
The Lord Cardinal Cesare Borgia is in the midst of an appeal to the Cardinals. The Pope is watching him, breathless.
CESARE.
... From my most early years
I have been secular. Not the least vocation
Is found in me, not in my secret thoughts,
Not in my will, not anywhere within me.
Therefore I sit apostate in your midst,
And therefore do you wrong; therefore I taint you,
Beside you, and no more your peer. Most humbly
I pray you to release me from my vow.
[There is a guttural murmur.
CARDINAL BORGIA.
As you have urged
Both eloquently and without offence
Ere this dispute grew hot, His Blessedness
Constrained you in this matter: trust his wisdom.
So Heaven puts shackles on us in our youth,
That in our years we may walk free, Heaven’s choice
Become our privilege.
CESARE.
I have received
Rich benefices; I resign them all.