your equals?

KING (throwing himself into a chair).
I'm a mere suffering mortal, that I feel;
And you demand from me, a wretched creature,
What the Creator only can perform.

GRAND INQUISITOR.
No, sire; I am not thus to be deceived.
I see you through. You would escape from us.
The church's heavy chains pressed hard upon you;
You would be free, and claim your independence.
[He pauses. The KING is silent.
We are avenged. Be thankful to the church,
That checks you with the kindness of a mother.
The erring choice you were allowed to make
Has proved your punishment. You stand reproved!
Now you may turn to us again. And know
If I, this day, had not been summoned here,
By Heaven above! before to-morrow's sun,
You would yourself have stood at my tribunal!

KING.
Forbear this language, priest. Restrain thyself.
I'll not endure it from thee. In such tones
No tongue shall speak to me.

GRAND INQUISITOR.
Then why, O king
Call up the ghost of Samuel? I've anointed
Two monarchs to the throne of Spain. I hoped
To leave behind a firm-established work.
I see the fruit of all my life is lost.
Don Philip's hands have shattered what I built.
But tell me, sire, wherefore have I been summoned?
What do I hear? I am not minded, king,
To seek such interviews again.

KING.
But one
One service more--the last--and then in peace
Depart. Let all the past be now forgotten--
Let peace be made between us. We are friends.

GRAND INQUISITOR.
When Philip bends with due humility.

KING (after a pause).
My son is meditating treason.

GRAND INQUISITOR,
Well!
And what do you resolve?

KING.
On all, or nothing.

GRAND INQUISITOR.
What mean you by this all?

KING.
He must escape,
Or die.

GRAND INQUISITOR.
Well, sire! decide.

KING.
And can you not
Establish some new creed to justify
The bloody murder of one's only son?

GRAND INQUISITOR.
To appease eternal justice God's own Son
Expired upon the cross.

KING.
And can you spread
This creed throughout all Europe?

GRAND INQUISITOR.
Ay, as far
As the true cross is worshipped.

KING.
But I sin--
Sin against nature. Canst thou, by thy power,
Silence her mighty voice.

GRAND INQUISITOR.
The voice of nature
Avails not over faith.

KING.
My right to judge
I place within your hands. Can I ret