Lothundiaz
At what price have I purchased my patent of nobility! My son has been
killed in an ambuscade in Flanders, and my daughter is dying; her
husband, the governor of Roussillon, refused her permission to be
present at the triumph of this devil of a Fontanares. How well she
spoke when she said that I should repent of my willful blindness!
The Grand Inquisitor (to Don Fregose)
The Holy Office has reminded the king of your past services; you will
be sent as viceroy to Peru, where you will be able to repair your
fortunes; but first finish your work here; let us crush this
discoverer and check the progress of his dangerous innovation.
Don Fregose
But how can we do so? The orders of the king must be obeyed, at least
ostensibly.
The Grand Inquisitor
We have taken such measures that obedience may be rendered both to the
Holy Office and to the king. You have only to do as you are bidden.
(To Lothundiaz) Count Lothundiaz, as the first municipal officer of
Barcelona, you must offer to Don Ramon, in the name of the city, a
crown of gold in honor of his discovery, whose result will secure to
Spain the domination of the sea.
Lothundiaz (in astonishment)
To Don Ramon!
The Grand Inquisitor and Don Fregose
To Don Ramon.
Don Fregose
You must address a eulogy to him.
Lothundiaz
But--
The Grand Inquisitor
It is the wish of the Holy Office that you do so.
Lothundiaz (kneeling)
Pardon!
Don Fregose
What is that the people are calling out?
(A cry is heard, "Long live Don Ramon!")
Lothundiaz
Long live Don Ramon! Yes, indeed, and so much the better, for I shall
be avenged for the wrong which I have done to myself.
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