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Storyteller
Ah, love blooms in the heart of a young maiden. Love that was forbidden by the Holy See. But the flower of love finds a way to grow in the most adverse conditions. The question is: Will it wither in the heat of zealous persecution? And what about Cardinal Bishop Louis Paschal? Is he in love with the peasant woman Beatriz Enriquex de Arana? Or does his love reach into the most forbidden annals of ancient dogma? Let us turn our attention to the monastery as Father Paschal greets his friend and benefactor, Alonso Montilleo.
Louis
Ah, Alonso, my friend. It’s been awhile. Where have you been hiding?
Alonso
Indeed, Father, I have been hiding.
Louis
My, Alonso, this is indeed serious. I have never seen you like this.
Alonso
I have never been like this. I must confess my sins.
Louis
Then, please tell them to me. The Lord will instruct us as how to forgive.
Alonso
Forgiveness I need, for I have transgressed. I have done a deed far greater than sin.
Louis
What is this sin?
Alonso
I have laid down with men.
Louis
Have you told anyone?
Alonso
No one.
Louis
This is indeed serious, but the Lord can forgive.
Alonso
The Lord may forgive but the villagers will not. I’m afraid a burning stake awaits for me.
Louis
Then we must keep this our secret.
Alonso
We keep my sin a secret?
Louis
We must!
Alonso
How can we?
Louis
It can be easier than you realize. We all have secrets. We all hide lies.
Alonso
Even you Father?
Louis
Yes, even I.
Alonso
Then, Father, please let us make a bond. I’ve told you my sin, you tell me yours.
Louis
What for?
Alonso
We’ll be bonded together in secrecy, no one will ever know. You could never speak of mine, and I could never speak of yours.
Louis
I’m not sure.
Alonso
Does God only forgive me? Is His love too small? Can He not forgive you?
Louis
The Lord is gracious. Man is not. But if it means that much to you, then I will bond with you, and reveal to you, only what is true.
Alonso
Then, Father speak truth.
Louis
The Holy See says I must be celibate. But I have found love. Or, rather it has found me.
Alonso
Father, that is no sin.
Louis
Alonso, my friend, please be careful. Some would find your words as heresy.
Alonso
I will, Father. Please pardon my error.
Louis
The Lord forgives and so do I.
Alonso
Please, Father, say more about your secret. What is it like? What do you feel? What can you tell me? What can you reveal?
Louis
The feeling is like no other. No other that I’ve known. I’ve seen it in the city. I’ve seen it on the streets. But now I’ve made it mine. It’s become my very own.
--It's Love (Reprise)
Louis
♫ It’s love!
How can it be that he never sees it’s love?
It’s plain to see that when he looks at me, it’s love.
I wish to be with him eternally, my love,
But the Holy See would never let it be,
Our love.
It’s love! It’s love! It’s glorious love!
The kind there’ll never be enough of.
It’s love! It’s love! It’s beautiful love!
The kind that God sends down from above.
It’s love.
In my dreams our love is yearning,
In my dreams our hearts are burning.
In my dreams love is burning and lust is churning,
In my dreams.
In my dreams I’m floating on the sea,
In my dreams he is holding me.
In my dreams all that I see is he holding me,
In my dreams.
In my dreams he is touching me,
In my dreams he makes love to me.
In my dreams all that I need is he loving me,
In my dreams.
It’s love! It’s love! It’s glorious love!
The kind there’ll never be enough of.
It’s love! It’s love! It’s beautiful love!
The kind that God sends down from above.
It’s love.
There is no doubt, he can never find out, it’s love.
With him it’s wrong, but my feelings are strong, it’s love.
My lips I seal, I must hide what I feel, my love,
He cannot know, I must never let it show,
Our love.
But it’s love! It’s love! It’s glorious love!
The kind there’ll never be enough of.
It’s love! It’s love! It’s beautiful love!
The kind that God sends down from above.
It’s love.
It’s love. ♫
Alonso
Father!! You are in love with a man?!?
Louis
I have revealed the secrets of my heart. Our bond is secure.
Alonso
I tell no one! But, Father, who can this man be? Who is it that can stir such feelings in one noble as you?
Louis
Do you not know?
Alonso
I do not know. Who can it be?
Louis
It is you.
Alonso
Me?!?
Louis
Yes, you, Alonso, my love.
Alonso
I never knew.
Louis
How could you?
Alonso
You never told me.
Louis
It was a secret I could never speak.
Alonso
What do we do?
Louis
What can we say?
Alonso
I say I do. What say you?
Louis
What say I?
Louis & Alonso
♫ I say it’s love! It’s love! It’s glorious love!
The kind there’ll never be enough of.
It’s love! It’s love! It’s beautiful love!
The kind that God sends down from above.
It’s love.
It’s love! It’s love! It’s love!! ♫
Storyteller
This lover’s embrace is interrupted by the approaching of the young peasant, Beatriz. Alonso slips away as Father Paschal greets her.
Louis
Ah, how art thou, fair Beatriz?
Beatriz
Good day, Father. I come to confess my sins.
Louis
This is a good day for confession. The Lord will lighten your load.
Beatriz
Fear grips my tongue, dear Father.
Louis
There is no need for fear. There have been miracles today. Love is in the air.
Beatriz
Love is the cause of my fear.
Louis
Why, my dear, Beatriz, what young man has stole your heart?
Beatriz
He is noble. I am not worthy of his attention. He knows not of my affection. This is worrisome. This affliction called “love.”
Louis
Then you must tell him. Bear your heart and he will respond. It is God’s Will that this be done.
Beatriz
But, dear, Father, he may not be able. Our lives are as different as water is to air. It may not matter even if he cared.
Louis
Only a fool would deny your love. Is he a fool?
Beatriz
No, Father, he is not a fool. Though folly is my love for him. I should never have spoken of these things.
Louis
If fear still freezes your heart, then tell me and I will speak to the fool.
Beatriz
I am frighten, Father!
Louis
Beatriz, please, it is the Lord’s Will!
Beatriz (fleeing from the monastery)
It is you!!
Louis
It is I?!?
It is I.
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