_]
MASTER (_going_). Go tell the King this world is round! Ha, ha! Go tell the
King!
[_Schoolmaster goes._]
PORTER (_seeing Columbus; aside_). Ah, 't is the crazy Italian!
COLUMBUS. Porter, I seek the King!
PORTER. Do you think he'll listen to your silly talk? O, I've heard of you!
Away!
COLUMBUS. Come, let me in!
PORTER. Away! Away with you, _loco_!
[_Enter from gates, the_ JESTER _in cap and bells,_ HOSTLERS _and_
SERVANTS.]
JESTER. Who's away? Who's crazy?
PORTER. The Italian there! He who says this world is round!
JESTER. Round? How now? Round, say you?
PORTER (_nodding; laughing_). With people on the other side!
JESTER. A-standing on their heads--so!
[_Jester stands on his head; all laugh. Enter a_ COURTIER.]
COURTIER. The King comes!
[_Enter_ KING JOHN _and many_ COURTIERS.]
JESTER (_capering about Columbus_). Ha, ha, ha, ha!
KING. What's this, Jester?
JESTER. Here's he, sire, who says this world is round!
[_He capers about Columbus; all laugh._]
KING. I've heard of your notions, Columbus. So you think there's land to be
discovered, do you?
COLUMBUS. Yes, your Majesty, I'm sure of it.
JESTER. With people a-standing on their heads--so!
[_He stands on his head; all laugh.
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