Fontanares (to Quinola)
Our calamity stirs this dullard's wit.
Quinola
You mean his brutality.
Don Ramon
I sincerely regret this disaster. This young artisan had at last
listened to my advice, and we were on the point of realizing the
promises made by him to the king; but he blindly forfeited his
opportunity; I mean to ask pardon for him at the court, for I shall
tell the king how useful he will be to me.
Coppolus
Here is an example of generosity extremely rare in the conduct of one
learned man towards another.
Lothundiaz
You are an honor to Catalonia!
Fontanares (coming forward)
I have endured with tranquillity the agony of seeing a piece of
workmanship, which entitles me to eternal glory, sold as so much old
junk--(murmurs among the people). But this passes all endurance. Don
Ramon, if you have, I do not say understood, but even guessed, at the
use of all these fragments of machinery, displaced and scattered as
they are, you ought to have bought them even at the sacrifice of your
whole fortune.
Don Ramon
Young man, I respect your misfortunes; but you know that your
apparatus could not possibly go, and that my experience had become
necessary to you.
Fontanares
The most terrible among all the horrors of destitution is that it
gives ground for calumny and the triumph of fools!
Lothundiaz
Is it not disgraceful for a man in your position thus to undertake to
insult a philosopher whose reputation is established? Where would I be
if I had given you my daughter? You would have led me a fine dance
down to beggary; for you have already wasted, for absolutely no
purpose, ten thousand sequins! Really this grandee of Spain seems
particularly small in his grandeur to-day.
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