Act II. Gardens of the Palace of the Alcazar. _Ferdinand's_ dream of

glory has come true. We learn, through a brief colloquy between _Alfonso_ and _Don Gaspar_, his minister, that the young officer has led the Spanish army to victory against the Moors. Indeed, this very palace of the Alcazar has been wrested from the enemy by the young hero.

_Gaspar_ having retired, the _King_, who has no knowledge of the love between _Ferdinand_ and _Leonora_, sings of his own passion for her in the expressive air, "Vien, Leonora, a' piedi tuoi" (Come, Leonora, before the kneeling).

The object of his love enters, accompanied by her confidante. The _King_ has prepared a fête in celebration of _Ferdinand's_ victory, but _Leonora_, while rejoicing in the honours destined to be his, is filled with foreboding because of the illicit relations between herself and the _King_, when she truly loves another. Moreover, these fears find justification in the return of _Gaspar_ with a letter in _Ferdinand's_ handwriting, and intended for _Leonora_, but which the minister has intercepted in the hand of _Inez_. The _King's_ angry questions regarding the identity of the writer are interrupted by confused sounds from without. There enters _Balthazar_, preceded by a priest bearing a scroll with the Papal seal. He faces the _King_ and _Leonora_ while the lords and ladies, who have gathered for the fête, look on in apprehension, though not wholly without knowledge of what is impending.

For there is at the court of _Alfonso_ a strong party that condemns the _King's_ illicit passion for _Leonora_, so openly shown. This party has appealed to the Papal throne against the _King_. The Pope has sent a Bull to _Balthazar_, in which the Superior of the Monastery of St. James is authorized to pronounce the interdict on the _King_ if the latter refuses to dismiss his favourite from the Court and restore his legitimate wife to her rights. It is with this commission _Balthazar_ has now appeared before the _King_, who at first is inclined to refuse obedience to the Papal summons. He wavers. _Balthazar_ gives him time till the morrow, and until then withholds his anathema.

_Balthazar's_ vigorous yet dignified denunciation of the _King_, "Ah paventa il furor d'un Dio vendicatore" (Do not call down the wrath of God, the avenger, upon thee), forms a broadly sonorous foundation for the finale of the act.

[Music: Ah paventa il furor d'un Dio vendicatore,]