CERVANTES—[Sternly gazes west in a deep silence. Then he turns to his friend.] Gone is the city. Continents of chaos. What shall rise?
COLUMBUS—The Dream of the Old World, at last—a New World!
CERVANTES—Spain?
COLUMBUS—Nay. Spain’s Grave is over there, with Europe’s.
CERVANTES—I shall believe your dim eyes. Tell me, mariner, what your dim eyes see.
COLUMBUS—[With a laugh.] Then keep your sharp eyes westward.
CERVANTES—[He turns again, complying, to the west.] It is easy to look away from Spain, when one has loved Spain.
COLUMBUS—You shall not be alone, in loving Spain.
CERVANTES—Prophetic Spain.
COLUMBUS—Spain which, creating life, has never lived.