Act III, Scene 2

[Another Pass in the same Mountain.]

[Firing and shouting heard; after which, enter ISABEL and JUANA on a platform of rock above the stage.]

ISAB.
That arquebuss! of which only the thunder
Has reach’d us of perhaps some deadly bolt
On one of those we love!
Why tarry they so long? What think you, Juana?

JUA.
Oh what, but share your fears!

ISAB.
Let us descend,
And learn the truth at once; better at once
To die, than by this torture.

(As they are about to descend, enter to them suddenly GIL PEREZ and MANUEL.)

GIL.
Wait!

ISAB.
My brother!

JUA.
Manuel!

GIL.
They are coming; hide we here;
There is no time—

[Enter Judge, LEONOR, Alguazils, etc.]

JUDGE.
After them! after them!
By Heav’n, this mountain-top shall be the scaffold
On which the wretch shall expiate his crimes.
Two thousand scudi for the man who brings,
Dead or alive, Gil Perez!

GIL.
(appearing above) By the Lord,
You rate me cheap, my lord; I’ll set you higher—
I say four thousand scudi for the Judge,
Alive or stuff’d!

JUDGE.
There he is! Fire!

(Alguazil fires and wounds GIL.)

GIL.
(falling) God help me!

JUDGE.
Yield.

GIL.
(struggling) I’ve an arm left yet.

ALG.
He’ll fight when dead.

JUDGE.
Away with him!

(Judge and Alguazils carry off GIL.)

MAN.
(struggling with JUANA) Leave hold of me,
I say.

JUA.
Oh! Manuel!

ISAB.
Oh! my brother!

MAN.
Let me go,
Or I will dash you headlong with myself.

(He rushes down, ISABEL and JUANA after him.)