It is my duty to inform his majesty,
the king, of these circumstances.
Fontanares
The priority! Where are the proofs of this?
The Grand Inquisitor
They are as follows: In his treatise on the casting of cannons Don
Ramon speaks of a certain invention called Thunder, made by Leonardo
da Vinci, your master, and says that it might be applied to the
navigation of a ship.
Don Ramon
Ah! young man, acknowledge that you had read my treatises!
Fontanares (aside)
I would sacrifice all my glory for one hour of vengeance!
SCENE FOURTH
The same persons and Quinola.
Quinola (aside to Fontanares)
Senor, the fruit was too fair, and a worm has been found in it!
Fontanares
What do you mean?
Quinola
Hell has belched back upon us, I know not how--Monipodio, all on fire
for revenge; he is on board the ship with a band of devils, and swears
to scuttle it, unless you guarantee him ten thousand sequins.
Fontanares (kneels)
Thanks, thanks for that. O ocean, whom I once longed to subdue, thou
art the sole protector that is left to me; thou shalt keep my secret
to eternity! (To Quinola) See that Monipodio steers for the open sea
and there scuttles the ship.
Quinola
What is this? Do I understand you aright? Which of us two has lost his
head?
Fontanares
Do as I bid you.
Quinola
But, my dear master--
Fontanares
My life and yours are equally at stake.
Quinola
Obey, without understanding why? For the first time I'll risk it.
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