[_Wise Men nod wisely._]
SECOND WISE MAN. And the rain must needs fall upward there!
ALL WISE MEN (_nodding wisely_). Aye! Aye!
QUEEN. I've heard you did lay your plans before King John of Portugal?
COLUMBUS. I did, your Majesty.
KING. That was bad for you, Columbus. King John sent ships, but they soon
returned.
(_Turning to_ CAPTAIN RIVERRA.)
Was not that the way of it, Captain? You sailed with them, I believe?
RIVERRA. Yes, sire. But the failure came because the sailors were afraid
and refused to go on.
(_To Columbus._)
You were thus avenged for the theft of your maps, sir.
QUEEN. Would you sail again with this man as your leader, Captain?
RIVERRA. I would, your Majesty! I believe not in the monsters and the edge.
QUEEN. Nor I! Let's provide the ships, sire.
KING. Our people would not like it--they'd grumble. And so 't would be bad
for us.
[_Enter_ MESSENGER _in great haste; kneels before King and Queen._]
KING. What news do you bring? Speak!
MESSENGER. The Turks have captured the Spanish merchant ships!
KING. Our ships bound for the Indies?
MESSENGER. Yes, your Majesty.
KING. Alas! Alas!
QUEEN. The merchants and the sailors--did the Turks spare them?
MESSENGER.
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