THE CHILDREN OF MOSES DAVAR
A Drama in Two Acts
By
Ronald John Vierling
Act Two
Scene 3
Date: January 4, 1492
Time: 7 P.M.
(Lights come up to playing level on the private dining room of the Convent of the Sacred Order of the Gentle Heart. The space is furnished simply; a table set for one person, one chair facing the table, a second chair for the serving person next to the entrance door. A small crucifix stands on the table.)
(Garbed in a bishop's travelling clothes, David enters alone, turning back to speak over his shoulder.) I will be fine, Reverend Mother. I wish to dine alone. I will only need one servant. The one you suggested is acceptable. There is much to think about. (He hesitates. Then he moves to the table. He stands before the crucifix. He hesitates again. He glances over his shoulder, as if checking to see if anyone might be watching him. Then he crosses himself. Next he moves around to the chair and prepares to sit as Esther, garbed as a novitiate nun, enters, carrying a tray of food.)
Your meal, (glancing over her shoulder) Eminence.
(Looking at Esther, acknowledging her with a knowing glance, stepping back to allow her to move to the table.) Thank you, Sister. (Esther moves to the table and begins to place the dishes of food.)
I trust Your Eminence has had a pleasant visit to our convent.
(Glancing toward the entrance and exit doorway.) I have, Sister. Very much so. (Esther finishes her task. She steps back so David can be seated.)
(Taking his place.) You are obviously to serve me this evening.
(Moving toward the second chair, stopping when David speaks to her and turning back to him.) I am, Eminence. The Reverend Mother chose me. She said she believed I would be particularly able to serve you. I am to remain here with you (she moves to her chair and stands, waiting until David sits) in the event you have further needs. (David sits. Esther then sits.)
(Uncovering the dishes carefully.) It looks like a fine meal.
Thank you, Eminence. I will inform the cook if you so desire.
(Serving himself.) I do. Please tell her the fish (he takes his first bite of the fish; he smiles and chews for a moment; then he speaks) . . . that the fish (turning to her) is excellent. (Esther smiles and waits.)
(He looks beyond her. Then he speaks to her.) You are new at the convent, Sister?
I am, Eminence.
Have you found your studies here at the convent instructive?
(Hesitates. Turns slightly, as if checking to see if anyone might be within hearing distance. Then turns back to David.) I have, Eminence.
(Turning back to his meal.) Good. That is good. (A silence passes.)
There are two other novitiates here whose backgrounds are (standing, moving a step closer to him, lowering her voice slightly) similar to my own, Eminence.
(Not turning to her; continuing to eat.) That must give you some comfort.
It does. One in particular is most sympathetic.
(Waiting to reply; taking a drink of the wine.) This is very nice wine.
I will tell the gardener. (Adding.) The Convent has its own vineyard.
It is very (he glances at her) sympatico.
Sympatico? But Dav . . . Begging your pardon, Eminence, but isn't that the wrong word. In Spanish, wouldn't the correct word be . . .
It is the wrong form of the word for some things, Sister. But it can be used for many meanings. Wouldn't you agree?
(After a moment.) Yes, Eminence. It can mean . . . many things. (David breaks off bread and begins to eat.)
(She begins.) Oh, David . . . (David's hand gesture stops her. They remain silent for a moment. He looks beyond her, listening for the sound of anyone passing in the hallway. Satisfied they are still alone, he nods to her to continue.)
That is good to hear.
And your Grandmother, she shares his feelings, although she informed me that his health has not improved.
That is not good news, Eminence. (Adding after a moment.) I will pray for him.
(Standing.) I do not wish to alarm you, but there is some sign that his condition may be deteriorating. (Looking alarmed nonetheless, Esther starts to move toward David. He stops her again with a gesture. Then he motions she should return to her chair. She does so nervously.)
I will do my best to keep you appraised of the situation.
(Trying hard to constrain herself.) I am most grateful, Eminence, for your consideration. Thank you for taking an interest.
(Nodding.) It is the least I can do, (tenderly) Sister. (Adding after a moment.) I am interested in how this convent fares. And I am naturally interested in how novitiates find their studies here.
You are most kind, Eminence.
I am sure it is difficult, adjusting to new surroundings. (Gestures broadly.) I also find my own new duties require that I adjust. (Looking at Esther intently.) Sometimes I too am rather uneasy.
(Looking at David, trying to follow the meaning of his statements and his caution.) I am confident you will master all challenges, Eminence.
I trust I will. (Takes another bite of food.) The convent is, of course, (moving away from the table and away from Esther) a comforting refuge in times of particularly difficult social upheaval.
And are these times of particularly difficult social upheaval, Eminence?
They are, Sister. They are painful times, indeed. It is almost impossible to know in whom one can confide, (turns to her) which is most disheartening in the Church, where each person should find consolation. But it is true, nonetheless. For instance, in these troubled times, there are those who do not trust the conversos who have recently come into the Church.
Is that something that should concern us here? In this convent?
I do not believe that the animus some of the clergy feel for conversos in the larger community needs to affect your religious duties here. But in Madrid, it has become very ugly and dangerous for many who have recently professed a new found faith. Some have even been persecuted in a most cruel way.
(Anxiously.) In what way are the conversos being persecuted, Eminence?
Some, particularly those who come from very prominent Sephardic families . . . some who have recently converted to the Holy Catholic Church have been called before the Council and humiliated in public.
But if they accepted baptism why would they be persecuted? Why would they be humiliated? Isn't conversion what the Council seeks? Bringing those outside the church into the (her tone of voice shifting some, indicating she has memorized what she has been instructed to learn) body of Christ?
There are those in authority within the church who do not accept the sincerity of the conversos. They have forced some of the conversos to admit that they are really Marranos who still say the prayers of their faith.
And when that has happened . . . when the Marranos have been found out, what has happened to them, Eminence?
In most cases, their goods and properties are confiscated, and they are sent into exile out of Spain. Rumor has it that too often, in those reduced circumstances, they do not fare well on the high seas. Some have been sold into slavery. Others have been abandoned on unpopulated islands by unscrupulous ships' captains. (He adds very carefully but with purpose) The wives and daughters have been particularly vulnerable.
That is a horrible thing to contemplate, Eminence.
It is, Sister. (Tenderly.) I do not wish to alarm you, of course. I only wish to inform you as to the nature of the troubles that seem to be developing in Madrid.
What of the worst cases, Eminence?
Sister?
You said most cases when you spoke of those who are sent into exile. Are there those who suffer worse fates? (David turns away. He does not speak for a moment. His body is tense.)
Eminence?
(Speaking over his shoulder.) In the worst cases . . . in the case of men who have been prominent in Sephardic society, they have been (turning to Esther) burned at the stake. (Esther gasps audibly.)
Yes. It be a horrific spectacle. I have not been witness to such a thing, but I understand it has happened. That it is happening. (A difficult silence passes between them. Finally, Esther speaks.)
We have never spoken of such a thing here. Not within the Convent. But is this persecution . . . is it what the court wishes to happen?
It would seem that the monarchy has given its blessing to the punishing of Marranos.
But to see people burned at the stake in public, surely the population in Madrid must be repelled.
I am informed by two of my priests, who were in Madrid recently when executions took place, that the general population of Madrid was most enthusiastic. Thousands gathered to witness the deaths of a man who had once served as an ambassador for the court.
And he was a . . .
(Interrupting, cutting her off.) He was a prominent Sephard. (Esther is silent for some time. Seeing that, David goes on.)
However, thus far the Council has not seen fit to be active in Valencia. We have been spared that kind of violence, at least for the present.
That is some comfort.
Yes. It is some comfort. I have received some communications from Madrid. Certainly, they would prefer to have their way in this region. But Rome seems to be disturbed by some of the events taking place. So far I have been able to balance the two . . . one against the other. Not all of my priests feel the way I do, of course, and rumors persist, but thus far they are only rumors. (A moment passes. David waits for Esther to continue.)
(Hesitates. Then speaks, trying to regather her composure.) Your Eminence found his own duties as a bishop trying?
I find (carefully) that I am not as well attended as I would wish. I would prefer to have more educated and sensitive priests at my side.
That must be disconcerting.
It is. It makes some of my most imnportant activities . . . things about which I care a great deal . . . it has made it hard to accomplish all of my interests. (Going on.) However, I find most congregants appreciative of my efforts. Whenever I celebrate mass, they (hesitates, wishing to use the right coded word) come to me in great sincerity. I can see it in their eyes. (Nods and moves again.) I am moved by their devotion. I sometimes wish I could speak to them in a more personal way. Many have come forward and kissed my bishop's ring. (He holds out his bishop's ring for Esther to see.) I find that a profound experience, for which I wish to honor them in some similar way, but I am prevented from doing so by the constraints of my office.
Such devotion on the part of the people is admirable, Eminence.
Yes, it is. Recently, an old man came forward after mass and knelt in front of me. I did not know what to expect. He reached out and took my hand and kissed my ring. Then he leaned forward and looked me in the eyes and whispered, "You will be a Cardinal some day, Your Eminence." I leaned toward the man and said I did not understand what he had said. So he repeated himself. "You will be a Cardinal some day, Your Eminence." Then he went on, "Your kindness, Your Eminence. We all speak of your kindness." (He turns to Esther, his voice pitching, his agitation threatening to reveal itself.) What was I to say? How was I supposed to respond to (his voice quavers) someone whose devotion is so innocent? (Looks at Esther. Esther sits silent. David moves again. He clears his throat and tries to recapture his poise.)
It is very hard for my congregants . . . what is going on in Madrid, seeing the church on which they rely reduced to such turmoil. It must be a great trial for some of them. And I feel the pain of those who have expressed it to me. I find my relationship with them a matter of extreme conscience. (Turns away.) I would not wish to ever do anything to injure their faith. So I am sometimes (turning back to Esther) unsure as to how to resolve the issue in my own mind. (Esther looks at him quizzically.)
I console myself with the thought that each man . . . that each person must be faithful to the truth as each of us understands the truth. (An awkward silence passes.)
It is a small thought, but I cling to it.
I find my companions here very similar to what you say you have experienced, Eminence.
In what way?
The Reverend Mother has spoken to me privately a number of times. She is most compassionate. She is remarkably well educated in ways of which I believe you would approve.
Yes, I have found her to be most knowing. And your conversations are confidential, I assume.
I am assured they are. However, even in that case, I keep my own most private counsel. The Reverend Mother has many pressing duties. She is loyal to the Order, and I would not wish to burden her with too many of my personal concerns.
That sounds like an intelligent approach. You must always exercise as much independence as possible. Even those who are most sensitive to your situation may well one day find their personal loyalties to you tested.
Not everyone is as compassionate as the Reverend Mother, of course, but most seem to be accepting. The novitiate of whom I spoke, with whom I sometimes pray . . .
The sympatica?
Yes. She is also eager to become a part of the community of our shared faith. (Hesitates.) She is sensitive to the social upheaval of which you spoke, Eminence.
Then she is wise to have found this shelter, Sister.
We have shared that feeling with one another, Eminence.
(Moving again.) So you do have some occasion to discuss the difficulties of the outside world, Sister?
At meals, the most senior nuns sometimes speak of what they know of the world outside of the convent, things going on in Spain. Some even speak of religious activities in other countries.
And do you find their conversations instructive?
In a general way.
I too am interested in religious activites in other parts of the world. For instance, I am most interested in matters of faith in Istanbul. Does that part of the world interest you, Sister?
I know very little about that part of the world, Eminence, but I would be most glad to be informed.
(Moves, thinking, considering his words.) I find the ease with which things are done in Istanbul heartening.
I'm not sure that I understand your meaning, Eminence.
Things seem to get done there without much upheaval. Perhaps it is a simpler world, although I suspect that interpretation is the product of our lack of specific information. However, generally, there is much to be said for the way in which things seem to carried out in that part of the world.
That is interesting to know, Eminence. Are there other parts of the world that you also find worthy of study?
I am also interested in things in Alexandria. (Turning to Esther.) Do you know anything about Islamic Alexandria, Sister?
I did at one time, Eminence, before I entered the convent. I once had a friend who had travelled there more than once. He used to tell me stories about the varied peoples who live in Alexandria. However, I have heard very little about that part of the world since I began my studies here at the convent.
Alexandria is a most interesting mixing of peoples. They seem to have avoided the kind of social persecutions we are undergoing here in Spain.
That must be most comforting for the Alexandrians.
Yes, it must be, and it may well explain why so many people from Spain are emigrating there. Perhaps that sort of stability is attractive, even in the context of the Islamic religion. (After a moment, Esther stands.)
Should I clear the table for Your Eminence?
Yes. I am finished. (Esther moves to the table.)
Your Eminence did not eat all that he was provided. Shall I still tell the cook that you enjoyed the meal?
Oh, yes. Please tell the cook that the food was delicious. I have had a busy schedule. The press of obligations often times keeps me from eating very much. But please, do not let the amount of food I've eaten reflect on my pleasure.
(Beginning to clear the dishes, placing them on the tray she has kept with her.) I will inform the cook of what you have said. Should I return the dishes to the kitchen now, Eminence?
Yes, please do that, Sister. You do not want to be late for Evening Prayer.
No, Eminence. I would not wish to miss devotions. I would not wish to do anything to disturb the Reverend Mother.
That is most wise at this point in your education.
(Preparing to leave the room, turns back to look at David.) I will look forward to the Reverend Mother allowing me to wait on you when you return again, Eminence. (David stands silent, looking at Esther. Esther starts to turn away. She hesitates, as if she wishes to reach out and touch him, but his gesture stops her. She looks at him intently. Then she turns away and is gone. David stands alone by the table. His expression is pained. He turns and moves to the table. He faces the crucifix. As if unaware of what he is doing, he touches it gently with his right hand. Then he withdraws his hand, making a fist instead, holding the fist up in front of his face in his anguish, his fist slowly opening until his fingers, shaking with tension, frame and then touch his forehead. He shudders at his own touch.) (Lights fade to black.)
| Scene One | Scene Two | Scene Three | Scene Four |
Copyright 1995/1996 Ronald John Vierling
For production information, please contact Joyce Davidsen at Celnor House, 407-677-6288.
A Teacher's Guide to the Holocaust
Produced by the Florida Center for Instructional Technology,
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