TENTH

The Grand Inquisitor, a familiar and Fontanares.

The Grand Inquisitor
Well, my son, how are you? You were speaking of faith, doubtless you
have made some sage reflections recently. Come now, spare the Holy
Office a resort to severity.

Fontanares
Father, what do you wish me to say?

The Grand Inquisitor
Before setting you at liberty, the Holy Office must be sure that the
means you employ are natural--

Fontanares
Father, if I had made a compact with the Evil One, would he have let
me languish here?

The Grand Inquisitor
Your words are impious; the devil has a master whose existence is
proved by our burning of heretics.

Fontanares
Have you ever seen a ship on the sea? (The Grand Inquisitor assents.)
By what means is it propelled?

The Grand Inquisitor
The wind fills the sails.

Fontanares
Did the devil reveal this method of navigation to the first sailor?

The Grand Inquisitor
Do you know who he was?

Fontanares
He was, perhaps, the founder of some long forgotten power that ruled
the sea--at any rate, the means that I employ are not less natural
than his. I have seen a certain force in nature, a force controllable
by man. For the wind is God's creature, and man is not its master, but
the wind propels the ships of man, while my force is in the ship
itself.

The Grand Inquisitor (aside)
This man may prove a dangerous fellow. (Aloud) And you refuse to tell
us what it is?

Fontanares
I will tell the king, in presence of the court; for, after that, no
one will be able to rob me of my glory and the fortune that it brings.

The Grand Inquisitor
You call yourself an inventor, and yet you think of nothing but
fortune! You are too ambitious to be a man of genius.

Fontanares
Father, I am so profoundly disgusted by the jealousy of the vulgar, by
the avarice of the great, by the behavior of sham philosophers, that--
but for my love for Marie--I would give back that which chance has
bestowed upon me.

The Grand Inquisitor
Chance?

Fontanares
I am wrong. I would give back to God the thought which God has sent to
me.

The Grand Inquisitor
God did not send it to you that it might be hidden, and we have the
right to force you to divulge it. (To his familiar) Bid them prepare
the rack.

Fontanares
I was expecting it.

SCENE ELEVENTH

The Grand Inquisitor, Fontanares, Quinola and the Duke of Olmedo.

Quinola
It isn't a very healthy thing, this torture.