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"Spanish For "The Filibustering" "English For "The Reign of Greed"
"Spanish For "The Filibustering" "English For "The Reign of Greed"
agonizing moment of bereavement, he did not give the signal for the outbreak of hostilities.
After a long time of illness brought about by the bitter loss of Maria Clara, Simoun perfects his
plan to overthrow the government. On the occasion of the wedding of Paulita Gomez and Juanito
Pelaez, he gives a wedding gift to them a beautiful lamp. Only he and his confidential associates,
Basilio (Sisas son who joined his revolutionary cause), know that when the wick of his lamp
burns lower the nitroglycerine, hidden in its secret compartment, will explode, destroying the
house where the wedding feast is going to be held killing all the guests, including the governor
general, the friars, and the government officials. Simultaneously, all the government buildings in
Manila will be blown by Simouns followers.
As the wedding feast begins, the poet Isagani, who has been rejected by Paulita because of his
liberal ideas, is standing outside the house, watching sorrowfully the merriment inside. Basilio,
his friend, warns him to go away because the lightened lamp will soon explode.
Upon hearing the horrible secret of the lamp, Isagani realizes that his beloved Paulita was in
grave danger. To save her life, he rushes into the house, seizes the lightened lamp, and hurls it
into the river, where it explodes.
The revolutionary plot was thus discovered. Simoun was cornered by the soldiers, but he
escaped. Mortally wounded, and carrying his treasure chest, he sought refuge in the home of
Padre Florentino by the sea.
The Spanish authorities, however, learns of his presence in the house of Padre Florentino.
Lieutenant Perez of the Guardia Civil informs the priest by letter that he would come at eight
oclock that night to arrest Simoun.
Simoun eluded arrest by taking poison. As he is dying, he confesses to Padre Florentino,
revealing his true identity, his dastardly plan to use his wealth to avenge himself, and his sinister
aim to destroy his friends and enemies.
The confession of the dying Simoun is long and painful. It is already night when Padre
Florentino, wiping the sweat from his wrinkled brow, rises and begins to meditate. He consoles
the dying man saying: God will forgive you Seor Simoun. He knows that we are fallible. He
has seen that you have suffered, and in ordaining that the chastisement for your faults should
come as death from the very ones you have instigated to crime, we can see His infinite mercy. He
has frustrated your plans one by one, the best conceived, first by the death of Maria Clara, then
by a lack of preparation, then in some mysterious way. Let us bow to His will and render Him
thanks!
Watching Simoun die peacefully with a clear conscience and at peace with God. Padre Florentino
falls upon his knees and prays for the dead jeweler. He takes the treasure chest and throws it into
the sea; as the waves close over the sinking chest.