COLUMBUS.  That cannot be, dear master.  How, then, could the world move on?

MASTER.  Move on?  Hear him talk!  Do you think, sir, that an elephant carries this flat world on his back and walks about with it?  Ha, ha!

[Gates are opened; PORTER is seen.]

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.]

KING.  Silence!  Columbus, I’ve a mind to listen, and give you ships and money.  Have you maps and charts to prove your plans?

COLUMBUS (taking maps from cloak).  Yes, sire.

KING.  Wait, then, till I have spoken with my Courtiers.

[Columbus bows, retires, and unrolls maps. CAPTAIN RIVERRA crosses to Columbus; talks with him aside.]

KING (speaking softly to Courtiers).  You know, my Courtiers, that should there be new lands, great glory will be given the discoverer of them.

FIRST COURTIER.  Aye, sire, ’t will bring him great honor.

SECOND COURTIER.  And riches.

KING.  ’T is I, and I alone, who should have the honor and the riches!

FIRST COURTIER.  Aye, sire!

SECOND COURTIER.  Aye, sire!

THIRD COURTIER.  But nothing can be done without the Italian’s maps and charts.  No one but he knows the route over the unknown seas.

KING.  Well, we must have his maps and charts.

FIRST COURTIER.  He’ll not sell them, sire.  You may depend on that.