SCENE--Same as Scene Three--Courtyard of the Governor's House--a stifling twilight. The sky is darkening with clouds.
Beatriz' voice--from the left--calls down as at the end of preceding scene.
BEATRIZ--Don Juan! Don Juan! (His voice is heard, "Beatriz." She enters, pale and agitated, runs to rear and looks for signs of the insurrection--then hurries back just in time to meet Juan, who enters, left. He is in a tense state of hectic excitement, his face ghastly pale, his obsessed eyes burning feverishly, his drawn sword still in his hand. She starts back from him, frightened by his appearance.)
JUAN--(in a strained, high-pitched tone) Was it the fountain called--or you, Beatriz? You, for you are the fountain! (He takes her hand impetuously and kisses it.)
BEATRIZ--(flurriedly) I came to warn you--
JUAN--(with a sharp glance) Warn? Then you have seen Diego? Bah! (He makes a gesture of contempt with his sword as if brushing all revolutions aside.) When the hour comes, I shall be strong. The will breathes in me again. Forget all else, Beatriz. Give me your thoughts! Have you been happy here with me?
BEATRIZ--(not knowing what to say or do) Yes--yes. (trying to return to her mission) But--
JUAN--You came as a benediction--that cursed me. (abruptly) Have you not noticed how much older I have grown?
BEATRIZ--(convinced he is out of his head--resolved to humor him--frightened but pityingly) You can become young again.
JUAN--(exultantly) I will! (then mysteriously) This is a strange world with many wonders still undiscovered.
BEATRIZ--(seeing a chance to bring in her point--quickly) Then discover them. The search will make you young.
JUAN--(deeply and superstitiously impressed) From your own lips! It is another blessed augury! (eagerly) But pretend I am young. What then?
BEATRIZ--Why then you would be happy.
JUAN--(intensely) You promise--? Have you never loved?
BEATRIZ--(bewildered) Loved?
JUAN--Since you speak of happiness.
BEATRIZ--I loved my mother--my father--I love you, Don Juan.
JUAN--(avidly) Ah, say that again! Those words are blood to my heart!
BEATRIZ--(earnestly) I love you as I loved my father--
JUAN--(brusquely--wounded to the quick) Has love never stolen into your dreams? You are no nun. Come, tell me the image of the one you dream of as a lover.
BEATRIZ--(resolved to pass this off jestingly) It is a great secret. You insist? Well then, it is your double--(Juan utters a cry of joy, bending toward her. She adds hastily) You as my mother described you in the wars before Granada.
JUAN--(bitterly) When I had youth. But I loved only glory then. Did she not tell you that?
BEATRIZ--Why then--that is why she said, bring him tenderness.
JUAN--(somberly) You have fulfilled her wish--or was it her revenge? (then abruptly) And what if I should myself become that double?--the knight of Granada with your gift of tenderness--what then?
BEATRIZ--(frightened by his strangeness) Ah, now, you are jesting, Don Juan. (She forces a laugh.)
JUAN--(passionately) No, Beatriz! (She instinctively shrinks away from him. He calms himself.) No more now. I fear your laughter. First let the consummation--Then you will not laugh. You--(trying to read her mystified eyes--miserably uncertain) What will you do?
BEATRIZ--(controlling her timidity--softly persuasive) You are ill, Don Juan. Will you listen to my cure for you?
JUAN--Yes.
BEATRIZ--(with energy) Sail and find Cathay!
JUAN--(with a start, tormentedly) You, too, condemn me! But I swear to you I have longed to go! I have hated my own cowardice! I have played the traitor to every dream, every great hope--But, Beatriz, when I go, I will leave my life behind with you. So--until I knew--I was afraid of losing what I have--(then with a quick change to something approaching triumphant decision) But that is past! My will has risen from the dead. It is decreed by your own lips. I shall sail at once!