human
Now, then, ye haughty nobles, I have ye within my power! exclaimed Carvalho, exultingly.
gpt
Sooner will the vulture abandon his prey than I will allow you to escape my grasp! Friend, you have well won any reward you may please to ask,--the treasury shall supply you--
human
Stay, your Excellency, interrupted Antonio.
gpt
I before said, I serve you not for money. I am, as you well know, of the race of Abraham; but I am not, therefore, of necessity, mercenary. Think you that any gold you can bestow could repay me for all I have endured to serve you,--for the degradation, the toil, the dangers I have undergone,--the deceit, the disguises, the watchfulness I have practised, for many years past, because you assured me you could find no other to do the work you required, in whom you could confide? Think you that it was for gold I abandoned my home and my kindred, to mingle with the most base and vile on earth, to curb their passions, and to guide them according to your will?--that for this I introduced myself into the palaces of the rich and powerful, to learn their secrets, and to act as a spy on their actions? No! your Excellency has known me long, and knows me better. What I ask, you have power to grant. I demand freedom for my people! We have in all things conformed to the customs of those among whom we dwell; to their religion, in every outward observance, which is all you can require; we pay tithes to your priests; we give alms to the poor; our manners, our language, have become the same; we obey the King and the law; and yet have we not been allowed to enjoy the rights of citizenship in the land which we enrich by our industry and our commerce. A mark has been set upon us; and wherever we move, still is the stigma of being New Christians attached to us. I demand, then, as my reward, that you should abolish that invidious distinction, and that, from henceforth, if we conform to the worship of your Church, we may likewise enjoy all the privileges of the other subjects of his Majesty.
human
Your demands, my friend, are somewhat extravagant, returned the Minister, taken rather by surprise by Antonio's unexpected harangue;
gpt
Pardon me, your Excellency, I know well the power, both to will and act, rests with you, and you alone, answered Antonio, vehemently.
human
And this is the only reward which I seek, or will receive. If you grant it me not, my labour has indeed been labour in vain.