The Resources of Quinola: A Comedy in a Prologue and Five Acts

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.

Fontanares

Quinola! And in what a livery!

Quinola

The livery of success, for you are to be freed.

Fontanares

Free? And to pass from hell to heaven in an instant?

The Duke of Olmedo

As martyrs do.

The Grand Inquisitor

Sir, do you dare to say such words in this place!

The Duke of Olmedo I am charged by the king to take out of your custody this man, and will answer for him to the Holy Inquisition.

The Grand Inquisitor

What a mistake!

Quinola

Ah! you would like to boil him in your cauldrons of oil! Many thanks!

His cauldrons are going to carry us 'round the world – like this. (He twirls his hat.)

Fontanares

Embrace me, my friend, and tell me how —

The Duke of Olmedo