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Table of Contents

[Illustration: “God have you in His keeping”]

Characters:
	Christopher Columbus
	Ferdinand, King of Spain
	Isabella, Queen of Spain
	Pedro, the favourite page of the Queen
Properties:
	A Table
	Two Chairs, draped to represent thrones
	Charts and Rolls of Manuscript

Scene: The throne room of Ferdinand and Isabella. Door C. The thrones R. and the table L. C. Columbus, a chart spread out before him, is in earnest conversation with the King and Queen. Other charts and papers are upon the table.

Ferdinand.[Covering a yawn with his hand, speaks to Isabella.] I have a new falcon. It was sent to me by the good abbot, our friend. A pretty bird and very keen! Let us make an end of this talk about a passage to India. The day is clear and could not be finer for hunting.

Columbus.[Starting to roll up his chart.] Sire, it gives me great sorrow to know that my poor words have been to no purpose. I thank you for the courtesy which you have shown to me.

Isabella.Be not so hasty, my good man! It is our will, to hear all you have to say. Your plan, I am persuaded, is a noble one. His Majesty will remain until we have made our choice. I am minded to have all completed to-day.

Ferdinand.Dreams! Idle dreams! This man has not proved that his route to India is shorter then the ones of which we know. Moreover, his demands are beyond all reason. Admiral of the Western Seas! Governor of all lands he shall discover! One tenth of the revenue from those lands! What nonsense! If it is your wish to humbly grant his behests, do not expect me to be a party to your folly.

Columbus.I shall begin once more ...

Isabella.[Raising her hand.] We shall not request you to repeat your arguments. The King has heard them. The wisest men in Spain have been held spell-bound by the vision which you have shown to them. Only one thing causes me to fear.

Columbus.[Folding his hands, and bowing.] Her Majesty shall know all that is in my mind. I have nothing to conceal. I pledge my life that all shall be as I have promised.

Isabella.You are a brave man. Where, in my kingdom, shall we find others who will be as eager to venture out upon the Sea of Darkness? I have a memory of strange tales of men who went out into this world of the setting sun and returned no more. These stories have been told to every child in Spain. Fear is in every man’s heart when he thinks of the monsters that live in the unknown deep. Shall I send my sailors to this doom? Even if I command, will they go?

Columbus.Their risk will not be greater than mine.

Isabella.True! However, it may not be easy to command a crew which is ready to mutiny. One man against an hundred! It will task all your power, Master Columbus. There is danger in this—danger to your life and to my ships.

Ferdinand.To my ships? Do my ears hear aright?

Isabella.I have said, “my ships.” With my own moneys, I have helped to fit three caravels, the Santa Maria, Pinta, and Nina. This man will be their commander.

Columbus.[Kneeling.] May God bless your Majesty!

Ferdinand.[Sullenly.] Why, then, should I remain for further parley? The affair is between you, Madam, and this adventurer.

Isabella.[Placing a hand upon his arm.] Do not be angry! It is for the glory of Spain, and yours must be equal glory with mine, if God prosper the voyage. [To Columbus.] Where will you find men to follow you on this strange path over unknown seas?

Columbus.[Rising.] If all men see as clearly as I do, they would readily leave all to follow me. Untold riches await us in the Indies. There will be everlasting glory to your Majesties, and to you shall be given dominion over all the seas. New lands and peoples will be added to Holy Church, and its blessings will be upon us. I shall open a new way for the World to follow!

Isabella.[Shaking her head.] All men have not your faith and very few have your wisdom. Most certainly they have not your courage.

Columbus.There is a Boy at the heart of every Man. The Boy dreams and is not afraid.

Pedro enters and bows before the throne.

Ferdinand.Well, Sir Page, what message have you for us?

Pedro.Don Estaban craves audience with your Majesty.

Ferdinand.[Rising.] I shall meet him in my private chamber. [To the Queen.] Madam, you will pardon me if I leave you and Master Columbus to your own counsels.

[The Queen rises, while he departs. Then, resuming her seat, she beckons the page to her side.

Isabella.Ah, Pedro, what a little coxcomb you are! A new cap and a new sword! Pray tell me why you have taken to swaggering with a man’s weapon at your belt?

Pedro.[Shyly.] Your Majesty, the Captain of the Guards is giving me lessons.

Isabella.[To Columbus.] Your pardon, for a moment, while I scold this naughty boy of mine. [To Pedro.] Swords mean bloodshed. You are too young for the game of war.

Pedro.I must learn to fight for my Queen. There are dragons in the sea.

Isabella.Dragons in the sea? But here you are on land.

Pedro.By your Majesty’s leave, I am going to sea.

Isabella.To sea? Pedro!

Pedro.[Pointing to Columbus.] With Master Columbus!

Isabella.[Looking strangely at Columbus.] Master Columbus is bold. He goes where other men have never ventured to sail. If you follow him, you may never return.

Pedro.I want to know what is beyond the rim of the sea. The sun goes down every night. I watch its path across the crimson waves. Master Columbus will help me to find out where it goes. Then we shall sail back to you, and all the glory will be to the Queen whom I serve. She shall be greater than all others—Queen of the Sunset Lands. I have seen it all in my dreams.

Isabella.This man Columbus has bewitched us all with his dreams.

Pedro.But dreams come true, your Majesty.

Isabella.Sometimes. Aye, sometimes they do! Look, Pedro, I, too, had my dream. I had hopes that some day you would be a captain of my guards. Gold shall be yours, and a castle of your own when you become a great general. Lands and gold, Pedro! These I can promise you. Make your choice quickly. Will you be rich and happy here in Spain, or shall I let you sail with Master Columbus?

Pedro.[Hesitates, then goes to Columbus and stands at his side.] By your leave, my Queen, I shall sail with Master Columbus.

Isabella.[Rising.] The Boy dreams and is not afraid! At the heart of every Man, there is a Boy. Master Columbus, you have a strange power over men. They will follow you. God have you in His keeping and grant you a speedy and safe voyage!

[Columbus and the page kneel before the Queen.