DON GOMEZ AND HIS SECRETARY.
Don Gomez. WHAT! what is this you tell me? Columbus returned? A new world discovered? Impossible!
Secretary. It is even so, sir. A courier arrived at the palace but an hour since with the intelligence. Columbus was driven by stress of weather to anchor in the Tagus. All Portugal is in a ferment of enthusiasm, and all Spain will be equally excited soon. The sensation is prodigious!
Don G. Oh, it is a trick! It must be a trick!
Sec. But he has brought home the proofs of his visit,—gold and precious stones, strange plants and animals; and, above all, specimens of a new race of men, copper-colored, with straight hair.
Don G. Still I say, a trick! He has been coasting along the African shore, and there collected a few curiosities, which he is passing off for proofs of his pretended discovery.
Sec. It is a little singular that all his men should be leagued with him in keeping up so unprofitable a falsehood.
Don G. But 'tis against reason, against common sense, that such a discovery should be made.
Sec. King John of Portugal has received him with royal magnificence, has listened to his accounts, and is persuaded that they are true.
Don G. We shall see, we shall see. Look you, sir, a plain matter-of-fact man, such as I, is not to be taken in by any such preposterous story! This vaunted discovery will turn out no discovery at all.