(To a minister) President, you will issue, this very
day, under pain of my displeasure, the order to put at the disposal of
this man, in our port of Barcelona, such a vessel as he desires, and
--see that no obstacle interferes with his enterprise.
Quinola
Sire--
Philip II.
What do you desire?
Quinola
While you are here, grant, sire, full pardon to a wretch named
Lavradi, who was sentenced by a deaf magistrate.
Philip II.
Because the judge was deaf, must the king be blind?
Quinola
No, but indulgent, sire, which is almost the same thing.
Fontanares
Pardon! Grant pardon to the only man who has sustained me in my
struggle!
Philip II. (to a minister)
This man has talked with me, and I gave him my hand to kiss; issue to
him letters of my full pardon.
The Queen (to the king)
If this man (she points to Fontanares) is one of those great
discoverers, raised up by God, Don Philip you have done a good day's
work this morning.
Philip II. (to the queen)
It is very difficult to distinguish between a man of genius and a
madman; but if he is a madman, my promises are only worth the value of
his.
Quinola (to the marchioness)
Here is your letter, but let me beg you, between ourselves, to write
no more.
The Marchioness
We are saved!
(The court follows the king into the royal apartment.)
SCENE FOURTEENTH
Fontanares and Quinola.
Fontanares
Surely I am dreaming--Duke! Grandee of Spain! The Golden Fleece!
Quinola
And Master of Naval Construction! We shall have plenty of contractors
to patronize.
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