(Tableau.)


SCENE EIGHTH

The same persons, the King, the Queen, the Marchioness of Mondejar,
the Grand Inquisitor and the whole Court.


Philip II.
Gentlemen, we are about to pray God and honor Him who had dealt a
deadly blow to Spain. England has escaped us, the Armada is lost, and
we desire no more to talk of that flotilla. Admiral (he turns to the
admiral), you were not sent to give battle to the storms.

Quinola
Sire! (He falls on one knee.)

Philip II.
Who are you?

Quinola
The most insignificant and the most devoted of your subjects; the
servant of a man who pines in the prisons of the Holy Office, accused
of magic, because he desires to give to your Majesty the power of
escaping from similar disasters--

Philip II.
If you are really a servant, rise to your feet. Only grandees are wont